RedCircle VERIFY_TOKEN_f8f128b3-ec63-40f0-9467-111790ac4f55 -- Rendered At Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:05:10 +0000 Gateway to the Smokies https://redcircle.com/shows/gateway-to-the-smokies2818 en-US All rights reserved. Joseph Franklyn McElroy *The Podcast That Starts Your Smoky Mountain Adventure* ------------------------------------------------------- Gateway to the Smokies is a podcast dedicated to memorable experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Western North Carolina, and East Tennessee. This is not a travel tip show, though you will undoubtedly learn some good tips, it instead features personalities, experts, and locals who will expound upon the richness of culture, food, history, and adventure that awaits people who want to explore deeply this ancient mountain habitat where communities have existed for 3000 years. The podcast is hosted by Joseph Franklyn McElroy, who was born and raised in Haywood County, NC, the original “Gateway to the Smokies”, and whose family immigrated to the Smoky Mountains in the early 1800s. Each episode will feature a folktale or myth that sets the stage for the rest of the podcast, followed by guests who will enrich the listener with insights, experiences, and adventures gained from their life in and studies of the Smokies. At the end, Joseph will tie in annual events, places, experiences and adventures that relate to the overall theme of that episode. ‍ The themes and travel experiences expressed on the podcast are explored further on Joseph’s blog Smokies Adventure ( https://smokiesadventure.com/ ) and his Smoky Mountains destination hub on Where Traveler ( https://wheretraveler.com/great-smoky-mountains/ ) Magazine. For authentic Smoky Mountain experiences, visit Joseph's classic roadside motel - the Meadowlark Motel ( https://meadowlarkmotel.com/ ) - Your Smoky Mountain Adventure Starts with Where You Stay. 4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb The Podcast That Starts Your Smoky Mountain Adventure

Gateway to the Smokies is a podcast dedicated to memorable experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Western North Carolina, and East Tennessee. This is not a travel tip show, though you will undoubtedly learn some good tips, it instead features personalities, experts, and locals who will expound upon the richness of culture, food, history, and adventure that awaits people who want to explore deeply this ancient mountain habitat where communities have existed for 3000 years.

 

The podcast is hosted by Joseph Franklyn McElroy, who was born and raised in Haywood County, NC, the original “Gateway to the Smokies”, and whose family immigrated to the Smoky Mountains in the early 1800s. Each episode will feature a folktale or myth that sets the stage for the rest of the podcast, followed by guests who will enrich the listener with insights, experiences, and adventures gained from their life in and studies of the Smokies. At the end, Joseph will tie in annual events, places, experiences and adventures that relate to the overall theme of that episode. 

‍

The themes and travel experiences expressed on the podcast are explored further on Joseph’s blog Smokies Adventure and his Smoky Mountains destination hub on Where Traveler Magazine. For authentic Smoky Mountain experiences, visit Joseph's classic roadside motel - the Meadowlark Motel - Your Smoky Mountain Adventure Starts with Where You Stay.

]]> episodic no Joseph Franklyn McElroy sam@talkradio.nyc https://feeds.redcircle.com/f8f128b3-ec63-40f0-9467-111790ac4f55 no full Episode 71: Musician's Creative Life on the Road with Andrew Wakefield Episode 71: Musician's Creative Life on the Road with Andrew Wakefield 71 Joseph Franklyn McElroy In this episode of "Gateway to the Smoky Podcast," host Joseph Franklyn McElroy introduces listeners to Andrew Wakefield, a Asheville-based musician known for blending traditional and modern sounds into his music. Andrew shares his global influences, from a childhood in Korea to Southern and Appalachian music. They discuss Andrew's journey through various music genres, his current bluegrass focus, and the importance of live performance energy. The conversation also touches on the challenges of a musician's life, including constant travel and the need for creative space. Andrew highlights Chimney Rock as a must-visit in the Smoky Mountains and recommends Gypsy Queen for dining in Asheville. Listeners can learn more about Andrew's work and upcoming gigs through his website.

]]> <p><span>In this episode of &#34;Gateway to the Smoky Podcast,&#34; host Joseph Franklyn McElroy introduces listeners to Andrew Wakefield, a Asheville-based musician known for blending traditional and modern sounds into his music. Andrew shares his global influences, from a childhood in Korea to Southern and Appalachian music. They discuss Andrew&#39;s journey through various music genres, his current bluegrass focus, and the importance of live performance energy. The conversation also touches on the challenges of a musician&#39;s life, including constant travel and the need for creative space. Andrew highlights Chimney Rock as a must-visit in the Smoky Mountains and recommends Gypsy Queen for dining in Asheville. Listeners can learn more about Andrew&#39;s work and upcoming gigs through his website.</span></p> fa4f2dee-792b-4652-8f56-aa404138f84a https://www.smokiesadventure.com/gateway-to-the-smokies-podcast/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 19:40:42 +0000 1272 no full Episode 70: Cooking Authentically with Jennifer Cole Episode 70: Cooking Authentically with Jennifer Cole 70 Joseph Franklyn McElroy In this podcast episode, I interview Jennifer Cole, a successful chef who has won the competition show “Chopped” and has been cooking professionally for over 25 years. We discuss her career path, including working in Atlanta, New Orleans, Paris, and Spain before returning to her family farm in Haywood County. Cole emphasizes her interest in working with local farmers and using locally sourced ingredients in her cooking. The conversation also touches on topics such as the importance of creativity and understanding recipe rules as a chef, favorite ingredients like olive oil and heirloom beans, and the growing trend of farm weddings. About this Episode:

In this podcast episode, I interview Jennifer Cole, a successful chef who has won the competition show “Chopped” and has been cooking professionally for over 25 years. We discuss her career path, including working in Atlanta, New Orleans, Paris, and Spain before returning to her family farm in Haywood County. Cole emphasizes her interest in working with local farmers and using locally sourced ingredients in her cooking. The conversation also touches on topics such as the importance of creativity and understanding recipe rules as a chef, favorite ingredients like olive oil and heirloom beans, and the growing trend of farm weddings.

Connect with Jennifer Cole:

Facebook

Instagram

Connect with our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy:

LinkedIn

Business Facebook Page

Website

Check out our Social Media:

Facebook

Instagram

Youtube

Transcript:

00:00: 27–00:01: 01 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Hello. This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy here with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast. I have with me today my guest Jennifer Cole, who is a native of western North Carolina. And her family has actually been in Haywood County for generations. And she’s had a successful career as a chef for over 20 years, including winning chopped on in season 8. Hello, Jennifer, how are you doing? 

00:01:01–00:01: 02 Jennifer Cole:  Good, how are you? 

00:01:02–00:01: 03 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Yeah, cool. 

00:01:04–00:01: 05 Jennifer Cole: Good to be here. 

00:01:05–00:01: 11 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: How was that how was that? Was that exciting to win the season? Was it a difficult challenge? 

00:01:11–00:01: 20 Jennifer Cole: Well, you know, it was a lot of fun. I think a lot of people didn’t really expect an old gal to be able to win it. 

00:01:20–00:01: 21 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Yeah. 

00:01:21–00:01: 23 Jennifer Cole: Yeah, So it was a lot of fun. 

00:01:24–00:01: 25 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: And what did you cook?

00:01:25–00:01: 28 Jennifer Cole: Oh, God, it was a lot of stuff. Three different courses.

00:01:29–00:01: 31 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   Really? They give you the ingredients, say, make it.

00:01:31–00:01: 40 Jennifer Cole: In a basket. It’s actually one of the few TV shows. It’s real. They actually give you a basket, and you don’t know until you open it. 

 00:01:41–00:01: 44 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Really? Wow. And then you have to figure out so can create and be able to fly. So creativity is very big.

00:01:44–00:01: 45 Jennifer Cole: Very important.

00:01:47–00:02: 13 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, when you reach out to us after moving here, I sort of gave you the challenge in a spot to come up with a guest chef menu here at the Homecraft at the Meadowlark Motel. And you did a really fantastic job. We had a lot of people show up. What were the three dishes were a moose. 

00:02:13–00:02: 40 Jennifer Cole: I did a Mexican chocolate mousse is the dessert. For the appetizer, I did roasted beefs with field greens that I picked on my farm. That was with local trap that I cured overnight. And then for the entree, I did a red one braised local beef cheeks with goat cheese Ballinta. I mean, goat cheese risotto. 

00:02:41–00:02: 53 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Wow. Yeah. That was really fantastic. That was good. Well, you said you’ve been cooking as a professional for 30 years. For 20. What was your first cooking job? 

00:02:53–00:03: 18 Jennifer Cole:  Well, I put myself through college waiting tables and cooking. I was waiting tables, and they were short of line cooks, and they’re like they asked for a volunteer among the wait staff. And so I was like, I’ll go home. So started doing that. Also worked for a catering company in Chapel Hill. The Chapel Hill Catering Company, which still exists. And that’s how I got started. 

00:03:18–00:03: 27 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Yeah. And then did you experiment with other careers for a little while or anything, or did you just go straight into cooking as a career?

00:03:28–00:03: 45 Jennifer Cole:  Well, studying political science at Chapel Hill to go into law, and then decided the decided, there’s a lot of lawyers out there. I want to do this. I like the instant gratification of seeing people’s face light up when you let them try something new. 

00:03:45–00:03: 46 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Right. Yeah. 

00:03:46–00:03: 57 Jennifer Cole:  So went to Atlanta and did an 18 month apprenticeship with a very well known at the time chef in Atlanta and started there. 

00:03:57–00:04: 12 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   Cool. And what do you think is more important in being a chef? Is it understanding the science and the rules of recipes or creativity?

00:04:12–00:04: 20 Jennifer Cole:  Well, science and rules usually go more toward pastry or baking. You have to understand the rules so you can bend them. 

00:04:20–00:04:21 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   Right. 

00:04:21–00:04: 26 Jennifer Cole:  And you have to be able to be creative to bend them. So a little bit of both. 

00:04:26–00:04:45 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Cool. All right. I took one class, I think, in New York City. Was it Culinary Institute? And I think there was a question at one point said, what’s your favorite ingredient? What’s the best ingredient? Baking or butter? 

00:04:47–00:04: 48 Jennifer Cole:  Well, I think olive oil. 

00:04:48–00:04:52 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Olive oil, okay. There you go. Good. Olive oil.

00:04:52–00:05:02 Jennifer Cole: I mean, I was in Spain for twelve years and that was beaten into my head. Butter is France, olive oil is Spain and southern Italy. 

00:05:02- -00:05:05 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Okay. And it’s better for you. 

00:05:05–00:05:07 Jennifer Cole: Yeah, I mean, butter’s a lot of fun. 

00:05:07- -00:05:17 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Yeah, butters is a lot of fun. Yeah. Especially on biscuits. So you’ve lived in, you were here, you were in Atlanta, right? 

00:05:18–00:05:40 Jennifer Cole:  I cooked in Atlanta for five years, and then I moved to New Orleans for a couple of years, and then I moved to Spain for twelve. I was in Paris for two, and then moved to New York when the economy tanked in 2008. 

And then moved back to New Orleans in 2015 and have just moved home to my family farm. 

00:05:40- -00:05:44 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: That’s fabulous. Of all those places, where did you have the most fun cooking? 

00:05:44–00:05:49 Jennifer Cole:  I have fun cooking wherever I go. I mean, you got to have fun. 

00:05:50 -00:05:56 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Yeah. Well, it sounds like Madrid was the biggest experience, so that must have been very formative. 

00:05:57–00:06:07 Jennifer Cole: Spain was very formative, and Spanish cuisine is amazing and diverse and regional. And you can find something new every day. But you can do that up here too. 

00:06:08 -00:06:15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Of course. Both New Orleans and New York City are food towns. Right. 

00:06:15–00:06:19 Jennifer Cole:  Frankly, in my opinion, new Orleans beats New York. 

00:06:19 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Really? 

00:06:19–00:06:27 Jennifer Cole: Yeah. You got four full growing seasons. You got fresh produce all the time. 

00:06:28 -00:06:30 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: That’s good. You got great seafood, 

00:06:30 -00:06:41 Jennifer Cole:  you got great seafood, you got great charcutory, you’ve got great local farms, which is very near and dear to my heart. So, all that.

00:06:42 -00:06:49 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Well, we’re filming here at the Meadowlark so we’ll get a little bit of background noise. I hope everybody doesn’t mind. Hope you don’t mind. 

00:06:50 Jennifer Cole: I don’t mind. 

00:06:50 -00:06:54 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  So what inspires you to move back to Haywood County? 

00:06:55 -00:07:16 Jennifer Cole:  Well, my family is from here. I own a farm with my two brothers, and we’re not doing anything with it, so I wanted to move home. And while I am working as a chef, I also want to do some stuff on my farm. We got a lot of lands to play with. 

00:07:17 -00:07:18 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Yeah. How many acres you got there?

00:07:18 Jennifer Cole: 90,

00:07:18 -00:07:24 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   90 acres. Wow, that’s a nice big farm. Was it farmed in the past? 

00:07:25 -00:08:00 Jennifer Cole: When I was a kid, it was a tobacco farm. My grandfather always had cattle on it. We had pigs when I was a very small kid. And then when my dad took it over, turned it in more into a gentleman’s farm and grew gardens and had goats and had a couple of Sicilian donkeys and turkeys and guineafall. And right now we are just playing with it, renting it out to a couple of different local farmers. 

00:08:00 -00:08:34 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:    All right, so that’s great, right? Yeah. There’s a number of farms, I guess you would call them becoming gentleman farms at Haywood County. There’s actually one that’s out over in Crab Tree that is a bison farm. But they’ve also put in train cars as like, cabins that you can rent and they have a whole train thing. Is that something you’d be looking to do? Is that make yours into the destination as well? 

00:08:35 -00:08:36 Jennifer Cole:  No, definitely not. 

00:08:36 -00:08:38 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Purely just a farm. Farm, farm. That’s cool. 

00:08:39 -00:08:55 Jennifer Cole: Although we do have somebody that’s coming tomorrow to take pictures with, I think, like a bridal party on the farm. She has an agreement with my brother that as long as she gives us a heads up, she’s welcome to do that also.

00:08:58 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:Farm weddings? 

00:08:59 Jennifer Cole: Yeah. 

00:09:00 -00:09:01 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  You got some pictures? I guess. 

00:09:01 -00:09:10 Jennifer Cole: I just want to know if they’re on the property so I don’t call the police. 

00:09:10 -00:09:15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  You mentioned pig farms. I don’t remember a lot of those around here growing up. 

00:09:15 -00:09:28 Jennifer Cole: It’s usually for self-use. I mean, we would have pigs for us a year. Okay, I’m not talking a huge pig farm. 

00:09:30 -00:09:46 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, it was strange. I was walking around with my kids in Asheville, in North Asheville, not too far from downtown. All of a sudden we passed around the corner and they were in the backyard. There was somebody that had a huge hog right in the backyard in Ashville. I was like, how are they doing that? They smell pretty bad, don’t they? 

00:09:46 -00:09:49 Jennifer Cole:  Actually, they don’t. They don’t smell as bad as chickens do. 

00:09:49 -00:10:03 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Really? Chickens are pretty tasty smelling. I mean, how tasty is it? Like only when they don’t smell too good. When they’re not cooked organic odor. Cool. 

00:10:03 -00:10:10 Jennifer Cole:  But in New Orleans, you have feral chickens running around all over. Yeah, it’s very interesting. 

00:10:10 -00:10:15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  So you mentioned how you really want to work with local farmers. What’s your vision there? 

00:10:15 -00:10:45 Jennifer Cole:  Well, I’m as a chef, and I love working with local produce. I’m an avid forager and still a beginner, but still very interested in that. I can’t wait until the farmers market in Waynesville opens in April. Looking forward to doing business with them personally and hopefully as a chef. 

00:10:45 -00:11:03 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Cool. There’s a couple of people that have been on this podcast before. I’ll introduce you to Ila Hatter, who’s a well-renowned forager right? And you might find some interesting. And then there’s Will Ritter, who is up in Madison County is doing heritage seeds. 

00:11:03 -Jennifer Cole:  Oh, interesting.

00:11:04 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Right? 

00:11:06 -00:11:12 Jennifer Cole:  We have a couple of heirloom seeds that have been we had some beans that have been in my family for at least four or five generations. 

00:11:12 -00:11:25 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Right. Wow, cool. He’d probably lived to collect those and having the opportunity to share with you. Yeah, I love bold beans. The big long ones like that. Yeah. All right.

00:11:26-00:11:27 Jennifer Cole: You grow them in your cornfield? 

00:11:27 -00:11:48 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Yeah, that’s what I’m planning to have a little bit of corn and beans this year. Maybe you’ll give me some of your beans. We’ll see you here. Now, you’re looking for besides building your farm, you’re also looking to work with various restaurants or whatever that might want. 

00:11:50- 00:11:58 Jennifer Cole: Some good for a good fit. Not only teach a good staff, and build a good staff, but learn from people. 

00:11: -00:11:48 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  That’s interesting. I mean, the reason we exist is to focus a little bit on the heritage of mountain culture foods. Mostly smokeys, but also other mountain cultures. And that seems to be your interest now. 

00:11:50- 00:12:38 Jennifer Cole: Absolutely. I mean, I’ve been very lucky dealing with I mean, outside of Madrid, right behind Madrid, you have a huge mountain range, and there’s a lot of classic dishes that are from up there that I had the pleasure learning from people not only as a chef but through friends and their mothers and their grandmothers. 

00:12:38 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  And you were in Mexico, too? 

00:12:38- 00:12:46 Jennifer Cole: I’ve been to Mexico, but oahuka, I haven’t been to Wahaka yet. I’m supposed to go to Wahaka this summer. 

00:12:46 -00:12:48 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  All right, cool. Because those are mountain cultures. 

00:12:48- 00:12:49 Jennifer Cole: Yeah, for sure. 

00:12:49 -00:12:59 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  We were talking about the Mexican foods that you were doing. 

Cool. Well, how can people find out more about you? 

00:12:59- 00:13:03 Jennifer Cole : They can go on my Facebook or they can go on my Instagram. 

00:13:03 -00:13:04 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  And what’s your Facebook? 

00:13:04- 00:13:17 Jennifer Cole : My Facebook is Jennifer Louise Cole. 

And my Instagram is what is my Instagram? I think it’s Chef Jennifer Cole. 

00:13:18– 00:13:23 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Okay, cool. Was there anything else you would like to mention about shout out about things. 

00:13:23- 00:13:30 Jennifer Cole: Meadowlark. You all should come in and go out and good music. I’m definitely coming tomorrow night. 

00:13:30– 00:13:52 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Oh, yeah. We got some Ananna Kay who’s going to be doing some up-and-coming big-time artist in Nashville. And then we got your menu again tomorrow night with the beef cheeks and the mousse and the salad, and that’s going to be great. It’s been a good week, and people love the food. A lot of got great reviews. Good shoutouts from that. 

00:13:52- 00:13:58 Jennifer Cole: We had a bunch of people in from Waynesville on Tuesday night and all loved everything, which is a lot of fun. 

00:13:58– 00:14:08 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  It’s a big table. Well, thank you for being on the podcast. All right. And we look forward to working with you some more. 

00:14:08- 00:14:09 Jennifer Cole: Thank you. 

00:14:10– 00:14:11 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  All right, bye, everybody. Bye. 

00:14:11 00:14:12 Jennifer Cole: Bye y'all

]]> <h1>About this Episode:</h1><p>In this podcast episode, I interview Jennifer Cole, a successful chef who has won the competition show “Chopped” and has been cooking professionally for over 25 years. We discuss her career path, including working in Atlanta, New Orleans, Paris, and Spain before returning to her family farm in Haywood County. Cole emphasizes her interest in working with local farmers and using locally sourced ingredients in her cooking. The conversation also touches on topics such as the importance of creativity and understanding recipe rules as a chef, favorite ingredients like olive oil and heirloom beans, and the growing trend of farm weddings.</p><h3>Connect with Jennifer Cole:</h3><h3><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.coleruiz" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook</strong></a></h3><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chefjennifercoleruiz/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Instagram</strong></a></p><h3>Connect with our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</h3><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmcelroy/" rel="nofollow"><strong>LinkedIn</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Meadowlarkmotel" rel="nofollow"><strong>Business Facebook Page</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://meadowlarkmotel.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Website</strong></a></p><h3><strong>Check out our Social Media:</strong></h3><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gatewaytothesmokies/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Instagram</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3Cpxa49" rel="nofollow"><strong>Youtube</strong></a></p><h1><strong>Transcript:</strong></h1><p><strong>00:00: 27–00:01: 01 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong>  Hello. This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy here with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast. I have with me today my guest Jennifer Cole, who is a native of western North Carolina. And her family has actually been in Haywood County for generations. And she’s had a successful career as a chef for over 20 years, including winning chopped on in season 8. Hello, Jennifer, how are you doing? </p><p><strong>00:01:01–00:01: 02 Jennifer Cole: </strong> Good, how are you? </p><p><strong>00:01:02–00:01: 03 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong>  Yeah, cool. </p><p><strong>00:01:04–00:01: 05 Jennifer Cole</strong>: Good to be here. </p><p><strong>00:01:05–00:01: 11 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong> How was that how was that? Was that exciting to win the season? Was it a difficult challenge? </p><p><strong>00:01:11–00:01: 20 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Well, you know, it was a lot of fun. I think a lot of people didn’t really expect an old gal to be able to win it. </p><p><strong>00:01:20–00:01: 21 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>Yeah. </p><p><strong>00:01:21–00:01: 23 Jennifer Cole</strong>: Yeah, So it was a lot of fun. </p><p><strong>00:01:24–00:01: 25 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong> And what did you cook?</p><p><strong>00:01:25–00:01: 28 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Oh, God, it was a lot of stuff. Three different courses.</p><p><strong>00:01:29–00:01: 31 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>  Really? They give you the ingredients, say, make it.</p><p><strong>00:01:31–00:01: 40 Jennifer Cole:</strong> In a basket. It’s actually one of the few TV shows. It’s real. They actually give you a basket, and you don’t know until you open it. </p><p><strong> 00:01:41–00:01: 44 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong>  Really? Wow. And then you have to figure out so can create and be able to fly. So creativity is very big.</p><p><strong>00:01:44–00:01: 45 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Very important.</p><p><strong>00:01:47–00:02: 13 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong> Well, when you reach out to us after moving here, I sort of gave you the challenge in a spot to come up with a guest chef menu here at the Homecraft at the Meadowlark Motel. And you did a really fantastic job. We had a lot of people show up. What were the three dishes were a moose. </p><p><strong>00:02:13–00:02: 40 Jennifer Cole:</strong> I did a Mexican chocolate mousse is the dessert. For the appetizer, I did roasted beefs with field greens that I picked on my farm. That was with local trap that I cured overnight. And then for the entree, I did a red one braised local beef cheeks with goat cheese Ballinta. I mean, goat cheese risotto. </p><p><strong>00:02:41–00:02: 53 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong> Wow. Yeah. That was really fantastic. That was good. Well, you said you’ve been cooking as a professional for 30 years. For 20. What was your first cooking job? </p><p><strong>00:02:53–00:03: 18 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>Well, I put myself through college waiting tables and cooking. I was waiting tables, and they were short of line cooks, and they’re like they asked for a volunteer among the wait staff. And so I was like, I’ll go home. So started doing that. Also worked for a catering company in Chapel Hill. The Chapel Hill Catering Company, which still exists. And that’s how I got started. </p><p><strong>00:03:18–00:03: 27 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong>  Yeah. And then did you experiment with other careers for a little while or anything, or did you just go straight into cooking as a career?</p><p><strong>00:03:28–00:03: 45 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>Well, studying political science at Chapel Hill to go into law, and then decided the decided, there’s a lot of lawyers out there. I want to do this. I like the instant gratification of seeing people’s face light up when you let them try something new. </p><p><strong>00:03:45–00:03: 46 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong>  Right. Yeah. </p><p><strong>00:03:46–00:03: 57 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>So went to Atlanta and did an 18 month apprenticeship with a very well known at the time chef in Atlanta and started there. </p><p><strong>00:03:57–00:04: 12 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong>   Cool. And what do you think is more important in being a chef? Is it understanding the science and the rules of recipes or creativity?</p><p><strong>00:04:12–00:04: 20 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>Well, science and rules usually go more toward pastry or baking. You have to understand the rules so you can bend them. </p><p><strong>00:04:20–00:04:21 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong>   Right. </p><p><strong>00:04:21–00:04: 26 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>And you have to be able to be creative to bend them. So a little bit of both. </p><p><strong>00:04:26–00:04:45 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>Cool. All right. I took one class, I think, in New York City. Was it Culinary Institute? And I think there was a question at one point said, what’s your favorite ingredient? What’s the best ingredient? Baking or butter? </p><p><strong>00:04:47–00:04: 48 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>Well, I think olive oil. </p><p><strong>00:04:48–00:04:52 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>Olive oil, okay. There you go. Good. Olive oil.</p><p><strong>00:04:52–00:05:02 Jennifer Cole: </strong>I mean, I was in Spain for twelve years and that was beaten into my head. Butter is France, olive oil is Spain and southern Italy. </p><p><strong>00:05:02- -00:05:05 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>Okay. And it’s better for you. </p><p><strong>00:05:05–00:05:07 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Yeah, I mean, butter’s a lot of fun. </p><p><strong>00:05:07- -00:05:17 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>Yeah, butters is a lot of fun. Yeah. Especially on biscuits. So you’ve lived in, you were here, you were in Atlanta, right? </p><p><strong>00:05:18–00:05:40 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>I cooked in Atlanta for five years, and then I moved to New Orleans for a couple of years, and then I moved to Spain for twelve. I was in Paris for two, and then moved to New York when the economy tanked in 2008. </p><p>And then moved back to New Orleans in 2015 and have just moved home to my family farm. </p><p><strong>00:05:40- -00:05:44 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>That’s fabulous. Of all those places, where did you have the most fun cooking? </p><p><strong>00:05:44–00:05:49 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>I have fun cooking wherever I go. I mean, you got to have fun. </p><p><strong>00:05:50 -00:05:56 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>Yeah. Well, it sounds like Madrid was the biggest experience, so that must have been very formative. </p><p><strong>00:05:57–00:06:07 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Spain was very formative, and Spanish cuisine is amazing and diverse and regional. And you can find something new every day. But you can do that up here too. </p><p><strong>00:06:08 -00:06:15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>Of course. Both New Orleans and New York City are food towns. Right. </p><p><strong>00:06:15–00:06:19 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>Frankly, in my opinion, new Orleans beats New York. </p><p><strong>00:06:19 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>Really? </p><p><strong>00:06:19–00:06:27 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Yeah. You got four full growing seasons. You got fresh produce all the time. </p><p><strong>00:06:28 -00:06:30 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>That’s good. You got great seafood, </p><p><strong>00:06:30 -00:06:41 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>you got great seafood, you got great charcutory, you’ve got great local farms, which is very near and dear to my heart. So, all that.</p><p><strong>00:06:42 -00:06:49 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>Well, we’re filming here at the Meadowlark so we’ll get a little bit of background noise. I hope everybody doesn’t mind. Hope you don’t mind. </p><p><strong>00:06:50 Jennifer Cole: </strong>I don’t mind. </p><p><strong>00:06:50 -00:06:54 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>So what inspires you to move back to Haywood County? </p><p><strong>00:06:55 -00:07:16 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>Well, my family is from here. I own a farm with my two brothers, and we’re not doing anything with it, so I wanted to move home. And while I am working as a chef, I also want to do some stuff on my farm. We got a lot of lands to play with. </p><p><strong>00:07:17 -00:07:18 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>Yeah. How many acres you got there?</p><p><strong>00:07:18 Jennifer Cole:</strong> 90,</p><p><strong>00:07:18 -00:07:24 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong> 90 acres. Wow, that’s a nice big farm. Was it farmed in the past? </p><p><strong>00:07:25 -00:08:00 Jennifer Cole: </strong>When I was a kid, it was a tobacco farm. My grandfather always had cattle on it. We had pigs when I was a very small kid. And then when my dad took it over, turned it in more into a gentleman’s farm and grew gardens and had goats and had a couple of Sicilian donkeys and turkeys and guineafall. And right now we are just playing with it, renting it out to a couple of different local farmers. </p><p><strong>00:08:00 -00:08:34 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>  All right, so that’s great, right? Yeah. There’s a number of farms, I guess you would call them becoming gentleman farms at Haywood County. There’s actually one that’s out over in Crab Tree that is a bison farm. But they’ve also put in train cars as like, cabins that you can rent and they have a whole train thing. Is that something you’d be looking to do? Is that make yours into the destination as well? </p><p><strong>00:08:35 -00:08:36 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>No, definitely not. </p><p><strong>00:08:36 -00:08:38 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>Purely just a farm. Farm, farm. That’s cool. </p><p><strong>00:08:39 -00:08:55 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Although we do have somebody that’s coming tomorrow to take pictures with, I think, like a bridal party on the farm. She has an agreement with my brother that as long as she gives us a heads up, she’s welcome to do that also.</p><p><strong>00:08:58 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</strong>Farm weddings? </p><p><strong>00:08:59 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Yeah. </p><p><strong>00:09:00 -00:09:01 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>You got some pictures? I guess. </p><p><strong>00:09:01 -00:09:10 Jennifer Cole: </strong>I just want to know if they’re on the property so I don’t call the police. </p><p><strong>00:09:10 -00:09:15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>You mentioned pig farms. I don’t remember a lot of those around here growing up. </p><p><strong>00:09:15 -00:09:28 Jennifer Cole: </strong>It’s usually for self-use. I mean, we would have pigs for us a year. Okay, I’m not talking a huge pig farm. </p><p><strong>00:09:30 -00:09:46 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>Well, it was strange. I was walking around with my kids in Asheville, in North Asheville, not too far from downtown. All of a sudden we passed around the corner and they were in the backyard. There was somebody that had a huge hog right in the backyard in Ashville. I was like, how are they doing that? They smell pretty bad, don’t they? </p><p><strong>00:09:46 -00:09:49 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>Actually, they don’t. They don’t smell as bad as chickens do. </p><p><strong>00:09:49 -00:10:03 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>Really? Chickens are pretty tasty smelling. I mean, how tasty is it? Like only when they don’t smell too good. When they’re not cooked organic odor. Cool. </p><p><strong>00:10:03 -00:10:10 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>But in New Orleans, you have feral chickens running around all over. Yeah, it’s very interesting. </p><p><strong>00:10:10 -00:10:15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>So you mentioned how you really want to work with local farmers. What’s your vision there? </p><p><strong>00:10:15 -00:10:45 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>Well, I’m as a chef, and I love working with local produce. I’m an avid forager and still a beginner, but still very interested in that. I can’t wait until the farmers market in Waynesville opens in April. Looking forward to doing business with them personally and hopefully as a chef. </p><p><strong>00:10:45 -00:11:03 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>Cool. There’s a couple of people that have been on this podcast before. I’ll introduce you to Ila Hatter, who’s a well-renowned forager right? And you might find some interesting. And then there’s Will Ritter, who is up in Madison County is doing heritage seeds. </p><p><strong>00:11:03 -Jennifer Cole:  </strong>Oh, interesting.</p><p><strong>00:11:04 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: </strong>Right? </p><p><strong>00:11:06 -00:11:12 Jennifer Cole:  </strong>We have a couple of heirloom seeds that have been we had some beans that have been in my family for at least four or five generations. </p><p><strong>00:11:12 -00:11:25 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>Right. Wow, cool. He’d probably lived to collect those and having the opportunity to share with you. Yeah, I love bold beans. The big long ones like that. Yeah. All right.</p><p><strong>00:11:26-00:11:27 Jennifer Cole: </strong>You grow them in your cornfield? </p><p><strong>00:11:27 -00:11:48 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>Yeah, that’s what I’m planning to have a little bit of corn and beans this year. Maybe you’ll give me some of your beans. We’ll see you here. Now, you’re looking for besides building your farm, you’re also looking to work with various restaurants or whatever that might want. </p><p><strong>00:11:50- 00:11:58 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Some good for a good fit. Not only teach a good staff, and build a good staff, but learn from people. </p><p><strong>00:11: -00:11:48 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>That’s interesting. I mean, the reason we exist is to focus a little bit on the heritage of mountain culture foods. Mostly smokeys, but also other mountain cultures. And that seems to be your interest now. </p><p><strong>00:11:50- 00:12:38 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Absolutely. I mean, I’ve been very lucky dealing with I mean, outside of Madrid, right behind Madrid, you have a huge mountain range, and there’s a lot of classic dishes that are from up there that I had the pleasure learning from people not only as a chef but through friends and their mothers and their grandmothers. </p><p><strong>00:12:38 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>And you were in Mexico, too? </p><p><strong>00:12:38- 00:12:46 Jennifer Cole: </strong>I’ve been to Mexico, but oahuka, I haven’t been to Wahaka yet. I’m supposed to go to Wahaka this summer. </p><p><strong>00:12:46 -00:12:48 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>All right, cool. Because those are mountain cultures. </p><p><strong>00:12:48- 00:12:49 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Yeah, for sure. </p><p><strong>00:12:49 -00:12:59 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>We were talking about the Mexican foods that you were doing. </p><p>Cool. Well, how can people find out more about you? </p><p><strong>00:12:59- 00:13:03 Jennifer Cole : </strong>They can go on my Facebook or they can go on my Instagram. </p><p><strong>00:13:03 -00:13:04 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>And what’s your Facebook? </p><p><strong>00:13:04- 00:13:17 Jennifer Cole : </strong>My Facebook is Jennifer Louise Cole. </p><p>And my Instagram is what is my Instagram? I think it’s Chef Jennifer Cole. </p><p><strong>00:13:18– 00:13:23 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>Okay, cool. Was there anything else you would like to mention about shout out about things. </p><p><strong>00:13:23- 00:13:30 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Meadowlark. You all should come in and go out and good music. I’m definitely coming tomorrow night. </p><p><strong>00:13:30– 00:13:52 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>Oh, yeah. We got some Ananna Kay who’s going to be doing some up-and-coming big-time artist in Nashville. And then we got your menu again tomorrow night with the beef cheeks and the mousse and the salad, and that’s going to be great. It’s been a good week, and people love the food. A lot of got great reviews. Good shoutouts from that. </p><p><strong>00:13:52- 00:13:58 Jennifer Cole: </strong>We had a bunch of people in from Waynesville on Tuesday night and all loved everything, which is a lot of fun. </p><p><strong>00:13:58– 00:14:08 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>It’s a big table. Well, thank you for being on the podcast. All right. And we look forward to working with you some more. </p><p><strong>00:14:08- 00:14:09 Jennifer Cole: </strong>Thank you. </p><p><strong>00:14:10– 00:14:11 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  </strong>All right, bye, everybody. Bye. </p><p><strong>00:14:11 00:14:12 Jennifer Cole: Bye y&#39;all</strong></p> 4f25feea-ac21-4d93-bac6-843f8ad6b801 https://www.smokiesadventure.com/episode-70-cooking-authentically-with-jennifer-cole/ Wed, 15 Mar 2023 07:19:47 +0000 868 no full Episode 69: Darren Nicholson - The Intimacy of Bluegrass Culture Episode 69: Darren Nicholson - The Intimacy of Bluegrass Culture 69 3 Joseph Franklyn McElroy Our special guest in this episode is Darren Nicholson.

Darren Nicholson ended his relationship with Balsam Range and has launched out in new directions with his music.

Darren shares all about his new music, what he's been up to, and how the major life-changing events in his life have shaped him into who he is today.


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Transcript:


00:00: 27--00:00: 55 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Hi, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast, talking about the people and culture of the Smoky Mountains where my family has been around for a couple of hundred years. And I own a business here called the Meadowlark Motel as well as a restaurant called Homecraft. And I'm pretty proud to be back in the area and meeting and greeting, and talking to some wonderful people, like my guest today, Darren Nicholson. How are you doing, Darren? 

00:00: 56--00:00: 58 Darren Nicholson:  Doing great, Joseph. Thank you so much for having me on. 

00:00: 58--00:01: 12 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Sure. Last time I had you on the previous podcast series and I did a whole intro. But why don't you do three sentences of what you think is your highlights of your bio? 


00:01:14--00:01:20 Darren Nicholson:  I'm the world's foremost turkey hypnotist. 


00:01: 20--00:01:21  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: There you go. 


00:01:21--00:01:31 Darren Nicholson: I wear frilly leg warmers, and I have quite an impressive Beanie Baby collection. 


00:01: 31--00:01:49  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: There you go. Let me tell you, I have to look at you quite a bit because you gave me a shirt with I think it was a picture of your album of you with a rose in your teeth doing a deep sort of lunge in your underwear, right? 


00:01:50 --00:01:53 Darren Nicholson: Yes. It's a provocative pose for an early morning. 


00:01: 53--00:02:14  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  The problem is you put that on a T-shirt that's soft that my wife grabbed it and she wears it to bed about once a week. So I got to look at your face in a bone about once a week. 


00:02:14 --00:02:58 Darren Nicholson: It's actually the evening before pill. It's not the morning-after pill. It's the evening before you put that on and make sure nothing happens in the bedroom. That was actually a graphic. A guy in Kentucky did that graphic. His name is Jonathan Carroll. He's a great graphic artist. He was nominated for an IBMA award this year for his graphic art. But he took me and it was the if you remember, the Seinfeld episode with George Costanza on the couch that pose in his underwear. It was basically kind of a spoof on that version of this. I still have a few of those left, believe it or not. I did not sell all of those. 

00:02: 58--00:03:47  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, for the folks out there who might not know, which I doubt, I think everybody's going to know. But Darren is one of the foremost musicians in American and bluegrass today, and he has a solo career, and he also has been a member of several bands. Most recently, he left Balsam Range, which is one of the top bluegrass bands in the world right now. I'm assuming that you were looking to pursue new opportunities and new opera things. So what is new with your career in that regard? And I guess you have a new bluegrass booze, right? 


00:03:47 --00:06:26 Darren Nicholson: Yeah, got a brand new bluegrass record that I finished last year, actually. But the first single just came out on January 29. It's called Arkansas without you. And it's a host of hot young pickers and I'm really excited about the new bluegrass project. And so far the thing, it's got raised reviews. It's been a long time since Balsam Range. I've been in the studio, and my departure from Balsam Range is definitely not an end for me. It's a new beginning. I did 15 years. I was an original member, and I'm very grateful for those 15 years, but definitely got to a place professionally and personally where I wanted to do something different. Balsam Range, a lot of people don't realize, has always been well, not always, but for the last at least ten years has been a part-time band and so with every year, the dates have seemed to be doing less and less. And I think that's by choice. I think that's what they want to do. But they only did 30 dates last year. That was what was on the calendar, around 30 dates. And I did about 250 dates on my own, so I couldn't by the time it was the smoke cleared, I did about 290 performance dates last year. And so it got to it just got to a place in my career where instead of doing a couple of part-time things, the opportunity presented itself for me to play music full-time and focus on my full-time solo career. And to be honest with you, it was a no-brainer. I had to do it for my business, and then I had to do it for my mental health, too. It's hard juggling a schedule and setting a calendar because people would try to book me for the fall of next year. And I was constantly in limbo with their schedule and what they may or may not do. It was a difference in direction of my career. And it's nothing personal, it's nothing against them. They're going to continue doing what they do, and I wish them well. But I've got a singular focus. I'm a lot happier and it's a lot less stressful trying to juggle a bunch of things, so I'm in a much better place. 


00:06: 26--00:07:07  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  I remember last time we talked, I listened to quite a bit of your solo stuff, right?  There were some of the American, almost country music things that I really liked a lot. And you had a little bit of sort of bluesy parts to it and some real almost southern rock rifts and things like that. I thought, wow, you should be out there doing a lot on your own, which of course you were, but I think you keep rising higher, just mean yourself, right?


 00:07:10 --00:09:58 Darren Nicholson:  That's it.  Well, that seems to be knock-on-wood, the direction things are going. And part of it is if you're always comfortable, that means you're not growing. And so I don't want to get into a place with my music where I'm doing the same sets all the time, or I'm just doing the same thing. I wanted to get outside the box, and get outside of my comfort zone. I'm writing songs. So the record you're talking about is called the man on a Mission. And that album, I had another guy produce it, Jeff Collins. And I had a whole cast of musicians that I don't normally use, and it forced me in a different direction. And that's what I wanted.  I wanted something new and organic to get me out of my comfort zone and push my own creativity and my own growth, to push my boundaries a little bit. And it was a great experience. And so with this new bluegrass record, I did the same thing, but in a different direction. I've produced several records on my own, and so I know what that sounds like. So I got a young guy, a guy I play a lot of music with named Colby Laney. He's from Marion, North Carolina, and he's probably the best acoustic guitar player on the planet. Or if he's not, he's one of the leading three. He's incredible. But I had him coproduce it with me and he brought this new energy and new life to my bluegrass recordings, and that's what I wanted. I picked all musicians I'm only 39, but all musicians who were younger than me and who were all more progressive players.  I did. And it just put me I'm still doing what I do. I play like I play, I sing like I sing. But with this other cast, with different musicians, it's going to have a different sound, and I want to keep doing that. There are musicians that I look up to, like Marty Stewart and Darryl Scott who marty Stewart will do a black gospel record, then he'll do a rock record, then he'll do a country record. But it's always good. But it's got a different feel. And in the last record he did, he had Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He had him produce it. And I like the even for seasoned musicians who have a style and an idea of music, it's good to get out of your comfort zone. And so that's what I do. 


00:9: 59--00:10:47  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   I agree. One of the things that surprised me in talking to you is that you really have an artistic mind. Right. There are a lot of artists that are really focused on the craft, and you are great at your craft. There's nothing to short you there. But you also get into the whole conceptual, artistic thinking as well, about the concept of what you're doing, the concept of what you're playing, like partnering with the younger players, I think it makes your work have a depth that is unique a lot of times. So I'm pretty excited about what you're doing. How do you think it'll change your live performances? 


00:10:48 --00:013:37 Darren Nicholson:   It already has. Playing with Colby and just the last few years, it's reinvigorated my interest in music. And so for years and years, I would do shows and I would just show up and play, and I would go home or go do whatever. But during the pandemic, when I had some personal changes and some lifestyle changes, I've almost had this rebirth and this fire reignited in me for music. And so I find myself every day writing songs or getting my instruments out of the case and practicing at home. Plus, I play shows five or six days a week somewhere. I'm doing a lot of traveling, a lot of playing, but I'm really inspired to get better and being with young musicians with different ideas and new ideas to kind of get me out of my thing, I think it's important.  I love that saying, if you do what you've always done, you'll have what you've always had. And so I want to get out of my comfort zone a little bit. I want to grow my business. I want to grow my music. And the biggest thing for me is not about when I say grow my music, I don't necessarily mean I want my name in the Marquee Lights, playing in front of 10,000 people or playing arenas. I want to do more shows, and I don't care if the shows are for less people. I like the intimate listening rooms, and I like smaller crowds. I've been doing a lot of solo and due at shows, and a lot of this came out of the pandemic where I was doing house concerts and these smaller things, and it just clicked with me.  I'm like, man, this is how this music was intended. When I look at your background, what I see is I see people in these mountains, on their porches and in their living rooms playing music. That's how I grew up. And then when we started doing that during the pandemic, there's a connection that happens with the music that does not happen at a big theater show or a big arena. There's a connection that happens when you can almost reach out and touch the artist with the music that's so organic. And I'm like, that is what I want to grow into. I want to be the guy who takes music everywhere.  I want to share the joy and share music and share culture, and I want to be an ambassador for Western North Carolina music and for the culture that I love and make people happy in the process. 


00:13: 38--00:14:09  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  That's pretty fantastic. You mentioned songwriting. I saw on your Facebook the other day you had just written a song with Charles Humphrey III, who's also been on this show and is a friend of the gateway that smoked his podcast, and you sang it. It was really nice. So you're doing a lot of songwriting, and you talk about it quite a bit, but did you start playing first or songwriting first, and what inspired your interest in spotting songwriting? 


00:14:10 --00:014:18   Darren Nicholson:  Well, are you talking about, would I get interested in just performing music first or songwriting? 


00:14: 18--00:14:58  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   Well, it's interesting the question is, I think some people in my craft, which is doing painting and things like that, some people become just interested, really drawing well, or really painting a rose and doing it really well, or other people have a purpose that they're doing it for. They want to communicate something, they want to say something and have meaning behind the craft. So what is your approach? 


00:14:59 --00:017:15   Darren Nicholson:  Well, that is my approach to songwriting is I love songs that tell stories and songs that have a deeper meaning. I don't like songs that paint pictures. Like my grandpa's cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountain hills. We played there when I was a kid, like nostalgia songs and things like that. To me, anybody can write those. But when you start getting into deeper meaning, like talking about love or hope or inspiration or a message in a song or telling a story, basically turning a three and a half minute musical piece, it's basically like a three and a half minute sitcom. I think those kind of songs connect on a deeper level, and that's usually what I'm going for. We don't always do it. Sometimes we write silly songs, sometimes you're not going to change the world with every song. But those are the songs that I like, and that's what I'm trying to do with my songwriting, is write something that's meaningful to somebody. But for the song we wrote the other day, I put a really rough video out on Facebook, and it was not the greatest singing or playing, it was just really rough and raw. And to do that, it takes vulnerability. There are some artists who really hide behind going into the recording studio, you know what I mean? Once Pro Tools and everything's run through, they sound like a million bucks. But you don't ever see them sing live. You don't ever see them. You get on there with just them and their instrument and perform. And I think there's a vulnerability about that. If you can translate it well enough to convey the emotion.  I think people are connected to the wrongness of that on a certain level. And I be dang. I put that video out and I got a call from a national touring act. That's one of the biggest acts in bluegrass. And before the day was out, they're going in next week and recording that song. 


00:17: 16--00:17:18  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Oh, my gosh, 


00:17:18 --00:017:20   Darren Nicholson:  We wrote that song two days ago. 


00:17: 20--00:17:22  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  That's fabulous. That's the way to do it. 


00:17:24 --00:017:38  Darren Nicholson: They said, do you have a work tape of it? And I said, well, we just wrote it like 30 minutes ago, and I had a rough work tape of it on my phone. I sent it, that and the lyrics, and they called me right back and said, we're going to cut it next week. 


00:17: 38--00:18:38 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Wow, fabulous. There you go. My conversations with you. We're planning a performance, and this is my little pitch for the Meadowlark I'm weaving it in here, but the Meadowlark Motel has a speakeasy called the Skylark SpeakEasy. And we've been talking to you about it. We've been doing some great musical acts there and talking to you. You really had the idea of saying, I'll do some set of music, but then I want to have conversations with the audience and then I may even jam with some people that might show up. It seems to be that this sense of community and intimacy is central to what you do and why you left Balsam Range and why you're performing and you said small clubs and things like that.  I think one of the essences of what you're trying to be is a community and having intimacy with your community. 


00:18:38 --00:020:42  Darren Nicholson:  It's an organic approach, but I think that's how you build long-term fans. And when I was talking about that vulnerability, like in that video, when you connect with people on a personal level, people would see me with Balsam range, and they only saw probably really about 5% of what I can do. If you want to get to know me and my personality and my ability, my talent, you would come to see me at a solo show or one of my other performances. And that's not for everybody. Some people don't like my music or my personality, and that's fine. They don't have to come. But for the people who do and come see me in that capacity, that's the way to build relationships. And I'm not really interested in making fans. I want to make friends and I want to perpetuate the kind of culture that I was brought up in. That very much is a sense of community. The technological world has created a place where people are missing a sense of belonging, and that's why they join these little groups, and that's why there's a division in politics and there's a division in social issues. Because anytime people are so disconnected in a way, it's way that they can feel a part of any kind of group, it's almost like, this is my family online, this is my tribe. And so I want to kind of do that with music. I want to make a place where people can come together with music.  And you don't have to worry about politics, you don't have to worry about social issues, you don't have to worry about enjoying music and just having fun. A night of entertainment. 


00:20: 42--00:22:20 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   I grew up in the smoking mountains here, and I get it really well. Recently, my family first got the Meadowlark Motel, my grandmother, first of my parents, and they hired maid who was with us for a long time, and us kids would actually work with her and clean and became good friends. She actually sort of babysitters and things like that. And then her sister was much younger than her, came and did some things here. Well, recently her sister showed back up here to come to the restaurant, and she saw pictures on the wall community. She came to talk to me, and her sister had died.  And the fact that we're celebrating the culture that was here and is still here, she started crying, and she started talking and being part of it, and other people communicate, but even with the people that you worked with, there was a sense of community and intimacy and understanding that existed here. And I really appreciate that. You are perpetuating. I can remember the old timers would get together in a basement and have a little party, right, and bring out their instruments and sing, and then people would start clogging and dancing. That sort of is a way of life and a way of being that you felt connected. And I understand what you're talking about. Right. Do you think the way you design this program that you're going to do with Meadowlark is stemming from directly from that culture? I think it does. 


00:22:21 --00:023:45  Darren Nicholson:   It does. Yeah. And that's what I want people to get to know me especially. There are fans of Balsam Range who are like, why in the world would you leave why would you leave that band when they seem to be doing all these things? And it's like, well, this is a good opportunity. If people have questions about my career, like what I want to do, why I want to play music, why I want to do more shows, or why I want to do the things that I want to do, I can explain it to them, and then they don't have to keep guessing. I don't expect questions about Balsam Range, but they can ask me questions about my childhood, how I got into music, the music business, instruments, whatever.  I think when you have an evening like that with people, it's different than just buying a ticket, sitting in a seat, watching somebody play for an hour, and then going home and be like, hey, that was good. There's a connectivity that I think goes along with the music that is just as important. 


00:23: 46--00:24:17 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   Well, we've been having some weekly jams here on Sundays, five to seven people listening, and I'm hoping some of them old-time players we had this last Sunday old time, like 70 something, 75 something people show up and just started clogging, and they're, you know, singing and playing. I hope some of them come and take you up on the offer to jam with them at the end. That would be a major, I think, cultural moment. 


00:24: 18 --00:024:45  Darren Nicholson:  So that's what it's all about. And I remember, like, players that I looked up to and players that I wanted to play. I remember when people like Steve Sutton or Mark Pruitt or Arvill Freeman were like, hey, man, get your manly. And Ralph Lewis would always take his Manlyn off and hand it to me, and that was a big deal. He's like, get up and play one with the band that meant so much to me, to a young budding musician. And it's like, man, that was a self-esteem builder. That was a motivator. And I also remember the musicians that were kind of like, who made me feel less than, too, you know what I mean? Who made me feel like, hey, you're not good enough to play with me or don't talk to me. And I do not want to perpetuate and I don't want to come across with that kind of attitude because I have zero tolerance for that. And I'm sure I've probably people the wrong way if I've been in a bad mood after a show or something. I've not lived my life perfectly, but I've never intentionally ever wanted to make someone feel bad or not make someone feel welcome. People remember how you make them feel. I love that. I love that about my musical heroes, Steve and Ralph. Those are the kind of things that I don't want to die. These old times. 


00:25: 46--00:26:18 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: That's right. The reason I'm here, too, is because I don't want that culture to die. I'm trying to do my part also, my little tiny part, to try to perpetuate and progress it. It doesn't have to be these mummified things. It can be a thing that grows right. And I'm glad that you are helping grow that now. I was trying to keep this to about 30 minutes, so we're about at that time, what do you want to tell people? Shout out to people to find out more or look you up or what do you want to tell them? 

00:26: 18 --00:027:29  Darren Nicholson:  Well, a couple of things going on. I've been working really hard on doing a benefit. It's going to do a lot to help the community. The Steve Sutton Fest is going to happen June 3rd at Silverado in Black Mountain, and proceeds are going to go to Haywood County schools, Buckham county schools, and the IBMA trust fund. That's going to be on June 3 at Silverado with Perpetual Groove being the headliner. But then also I have a brand new single out. It's called Arkansas without you. You can stream it anywhere. Spotify pandora apple Music Arkansas Without You I've got a brand new bluegrass record out with songs that I've written. And if you go to my website dear Nicholson Net, I've got about 120 dates on the books for next year and going to be going all across the country and probably we're going to do over 200 when the smoke clears the road dates, and going to be traveling out further, doing a tour out west. Going to Canada. It's a really exciting time, so I encourage people to come out and see some live music. 


00:27: 30--00:29:00 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Well, thank you very much for being on the show. I might mention that Darren also plays a lot here in the Smoky, especially in Hayward County. So if you can't find a place in the country, just come here and visit and stay at the Meadowlark Motel he might be here or he'll be some other great place here in town. There are a lot of wonderful music venues and things in Hayward County that are worthwhile and have a lot of authenticity. Right. Haywood County has not become a dramatically corporate tourist county. It's still pretty authentic in terms of the way of life and how people live here and how people enjoy music. So come on down to hear them out, either on the road or here. I'll just shout out if you can find out more about the Meadowlark Motel@ meadowlarkmotel.com and if you go slash homecraft, you'll find out about a restaurant, which is almost it's a mountain heritage food with a twist. My wife is from Trinidad, and we do a lot of Caribbean Trinidad spices and things like tomato gravy or cream corn. We just twisted a little bit. But you still taste the authenticity of these mountains in there. People are just raving about it. And we're getting great reviews online and some newspapers are great. And when you come here, you're going to get some Darren. All right. I hope I'll get a testimonial out of that. 

00:29:00 --00:029:01  Darren Nicholson: I like your haircut.

00:29: 02--00:29:57 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  It's the perfect haircut. The Gateway to Smokies podcast exists on Smokiesadventure.com. It has its own Facebook page, but all the episodes, the previous ones had a couple of different series, longer episodes, but these are going to be shorter but more fun episodes. And you can go there and find more about everything in the Smokies because it's also a great site for directories of things like places to stay, lodging all over the Smokies, not just Haywood County, and what to do, and attractions and things like that. So thank you all for listening. This has been the gateway to the Smokies podcast. You can go to Facebook.com, Gatewaytothesmokiespodcast, or you can go to Smokiesadventure.com to find out more about this. And I'll see you all next week. 

00:29:59 --00:030:00 Hey, thanks for having me. Bye. 






]]> <p>Our special guest in this episode is <strong>Darren Nicholson.</strong></p><p>Darren Nicholson ended his relationship with Balsam Range and has launched out in new directions with his music.</p><p>Darren shares all about his new music, what he&#39;s been up to, and how the major life-changing events in his life have shaped him into who he is today.</p><p><br></p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h1><strong>Transcript:</strong></h1><p><br></p><p>00:00: 27--00:00: 55 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: <span>Hi, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast, talking about the people and culture of the Smoky Mountains where my family has been around for a couple of hundred years. And I own a business here called the Meadowlark Motel as well as a restaurant called Homecraft. And I&#39;m pretty proud to be back in the area and meeting and greeting, and talking to some wonderful people, like my guest today, Darren Nicholson. How are you doing, Darren? </span></p><p>00:00: 56--00:00: 58 <span>Darren Nicholson: </span> <span>Doing great, Joseph. Thank you so much for having me on. </span></p><p>00:00: 58--00:01: 12 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: <span>Sure. Last time I had you on the previous podcast series and I did a whole intro. But why don&#39;t you do three sentences of what you think is your highlights of your bio? </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:01:14--00:01:20 <span>Darren Nicholson: </span> <span>I&#39;m the world&#39;s foremost turkey hypnotist. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:01: 20--00:01:21  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: <span>There you go. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:01:21--00:01:31 <span>Darren Nicholson: I wear frilly leg warmers, and I have quite an impressive Beanie Baby collection. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:01: 31--00:01:49  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: <span>There you go. Let me tell you, I have to look at you quite a bit because you gave me a shirt with I think it was a picture of your album of you with a rose in your teeth doing a deep sort of lunge in your underwear, right? </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:01:50 --00:01:53 <span>Darren Nicholson: Yes. It&#39;s a provocative pose for an early morning. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:01: 53--00:02:14  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  <span>The problem is you put that on a T-shirt that&#39;s soft that my wife grabbed it and she wears it to bed about once a week. So I got to look at your face in a bone about once a week. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:02:14 --00:02:58 <span>Darren Nicholson: It&#39;s actually the evening before pill. It&#39;s not the morning-after pill. It&#39;s the evening before you put that on and make sure nothing happens in the bedroom. That was actually a graphic. A guy in Kentucky did that graphic. His name is Jonathan Carroll. He&#39;s a great graphic artist. He was nominated for an IBMA award this year for his graphic art. But he took me and it was the if you remember, the Seinfeld episode with George Costanza on the couch that pose in his underwear. It was basically kind of a spoof on that version of this. I still have a few of those left, believe it or not. I did not sell all of those. </span></p><p>00:02: 58--00:03:47  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: <span>Well, for the folks out there who might not know, which I doubt, I think everybody&#39;s going to know. But Darren is one of the foremost musicians in American and bluegrass today, and he has a solo career, and he also has been a member of several bands. Most recently, he left Balsam Range, which is one of the top bluegrass bands in the world right now. I&#39;m assuming that you were looking to pursue new opportunities and new opera things. So what is new with your career in that regard? And I guess you have a new bluegrass booze, right? </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:03:47 --00:06:26 <span>Darren Nicholson: Yeah, got a brand new bluegrass record that I finished last year, actually. But the first single just came out on January 29. It&#39;s called Arkansas without you. And it&#39;s a host of hot young pickers and I&#39;m really excited about the new bluegrass project. And so far the thing, it&#39;s got raised reviews. It&#39;s been a long time since Balsam Range. I&#39;ve been in the studio, and my departure from Balsam Range is definitely not an end for me. It&#39;s a new beginning. I did 15 years. I was an original member, and I&#39;m very grateful for those 15 years, but definitely got to a place professionally and personally where I wanted to do something different. Balsam Range, a lot of people don&#39;t realize, has always been well, not always, but for the last at least ten years has been a part-time band and so with every year, the dates have seemed to be doing less and less. And I think that&#39;s by choice. I think that&#39;s what they want to do. But they only did 30 dates last year. That was what was on the calendar, around 30 dates. And I did about 250 dates on my own, so I couldn&#39;t by the time it was the smoke cleared, I did about 290 performance dates last year. And so it got to it just got to a place in my career where instead of doing a couple of part-time things, the opportunity presented itself for me to play music full-time and focus on my full-time solo career. And to be honest with you, it was a no-brainer. I had to do it for my business, and then I had to do it for my mental health, too. It&#39;s hard juggling a schedule and setting a calendar because people would try to book me for the fall of next year. And I was constantly in limbo with their schedule and what they may or may not do. It was a difference in direction of my career. And it&#39;s nothing personal, it&#39;s nothing against them. They&#39;re going to continue doing what they do, and I wish them well. But I&#39;ve got a singular focus. I&#39;m a lot happier and it&#39;s a lot less stressful trying to juggle a bunch of things, so I&#39;m in a much better place. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:06: 26--00:07:07  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  <span>I remember last time we talked, I listened to quite a bit of your solo stuff, right?  There were some of the American, almost country music things that I really liked a lot. And you had a little bit of sort of bluesy parts to it and some real almost southern rock rifts and things like that. I thought, wow, you should be out there doing a lot on your own, which of course you were, but I think you keep rising higher, just mean yourself, right?</span></p><p><br></p><p><span> </span>00:07:10 --00:09:58 <span>Darren Nicholson:  That&#39;s it.  Well, that seems to be knock-on-wood, the direction things are going. </span><strong><em>And part of it is if you&#39;re always comfortable, that means you&#39;re not growing. And so I don&#39;t want to get into a place with my music where I&#39;m doing the same sets all the time, or I&#39;m just doing the same thing. I wanted to get outside the box, and get outside of my comfort zone.</em></strong><span> I&#39;m writing songs. So the record you&#39;re talking about is called the man on a Mission. And that album, I had another guy produce it, Jeff Collins. And I had a whole cast of musicians that I don&#39;t normally use, and it forced me in a different direction. And that&#39;s what I wanted.  I wanted something new and organic to get me out of my comfort zone and push my own creativity and my own growth, to push my boundaries a little bit. And it was a great experience. And so with this new bluegrass record, I did the same thing, but in a different direction. I&#39;ve produced several records on my own, and so I know what that sounds like. So I got a young guy, a guy I play a lot of music with named Colby Laney. He&#39;s from Marion, North Carolina, and he&#39;s probably the best acoustic guitar player on the planet. Or if he&#39;s not, he&#39;s one of the leading three. He&#39;s incredible. But I had him coproduce it with me and he brought this new energy and new life to my bluegrass recordings, and that&#39;s what I wanted. I picked all musicians I&#39;m only 39, but all musicians who were younger than me and who were all more progressive players.  I did. And it just put me I&#39;m still doing what I do. I play like I play, I sing like I sing. But with this other cast, with different musicians, it&#39;s going to have a different sound, and I want to keep doing that. There are musicians that I look up to, like Marty Stewart and Darryl Scott who marty Stewart will do a black gospel record, then he&#39;ll do a rock record, then he&#39;ll do a country record. But it&#39;s always good. But it&#39;s got a different feel. And in the last record he did, he had Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He had him produce it. And I like the even for seasoned musicians who have a style and an idea of music, it&#39;s good to get out of your comfort zone. And so that&#39;s what I do. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:9: 59--00:10:47  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   <span>I agree. One of the things that surprised me in talking to you is that you really have an artistic mind. Right. There are a lot of artists that are really focused on the craft, and you are great at your craft. There&#39;s nothing to short you there. But you also get into the whole conceptual, artistic thinking as well, about the concept of what you&#39;re doing, the concept of what you&#39;re playing, like partnering with the younger players, I think it makes your work have a depth that is unique a lot of times. So I&#39;m pretty excited about what you&#39;re doing. How do you think it&#39;ll change your live performances? </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:10:48 --00:013:37 <span>Darren Nicholson:   It already has. Playing with Colby and just the last few years, it&#39;s reinvigorated my interest in music. And so for years and years, I would do shows and I would just show up and play, and I would go home or go do whatever. But during the pandemic, when I had some personal changes and some lifestyle changes, I&#39;ve almost had this rebirth and this fire reignited in me for music. And so I find myself every day writing songs or getting my instruments out of the case and practicing at home. Plus, I play shows five or six days a week somewhere. I&#39;m doing a lot of traveling, a lot of playing, but I&#39;m really inspired to get better and being with young musicians with different ideas and new ideas to kind of get me out of my thing, I think it&#39;s important.  </span><strong><em>I love that saying, if you do what you&#39;ve always done, you&#39;ll have what you&#39;ve always had</em></strong><span>. And so I want to get out of my comfort zone a little bit. I want to grow my business. I want to grow my music. And the biggest thing for me is not about when I say grow my music, I don&#39;t necessarily mean I want my name in the Marquee Lights, playing in front of 10,000 people or playing arenas. I want to do more shows, and I don&#39;t care if the shows are for less people. I like the intimate listening rooms, and I like smaller crowds. I&#39;ve been doing a lot of solo and due at shows, and a lot of this came out of the pandemic where I was doing house concerts and these smaller things, and it just clicked with me.  I&#39;m like, man, this is how this music was intended. When I look at your background, what I see is I see people in these mountains, on their porches and in their living rooms playing music. That&#39;s how I grew up. And then when we started doing that during the pandemic, there&#39;s a connection that happens with the music that does not happen at a big theater show or a big arena. There&#39;s a connection that happens when you can almost reach out and touch the artist with the music that&#39;s so organic. And I&#39;m like, that is what I want to grow into.</span><strong><em> I want to be the guy who takes music everywhere.  I want to share the joy and share music and share culture, and I want to be an ambassador for Western North Carolina music and for the culture that I love and make people happy in the process. </em></strong></p><p><br></p><p>00:13: 38--00:14:09  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  <span>That&#39;s pretty fantastic. You mentioned songwriting. I saw on your Facebook the other day you had just written a song with Charles Humphrey III, who&#39;s also been on this show and is a friend of the gateway that smoked his podcast, and you sang it. It was really nice. So you&#39;re doing a lot of songwriting, and you talk about it quite a bit, but did you start playing first or songwriting first, and what inspired your interest in spotting songwriting? </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:14:10 --00:014:18   <span>Darren Nicholson:  Well, are you talking about, would I get interested in just performing music first or songwriting? </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:14: 18--00:14:58  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   <span>Well, it&#39;s interesting the question is, I think some people in my craft, which is doing painting and things like that, some people become just interested, really drawing well, or really painting a rose and doing it really well, or other people have a purpose that they&#39;re doing it for. They want to communicate something, they want to say something and have meaning behind the craft. So what is your approach? </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:14:59 --00:017:15   <span>Darren Nicholson:  Well, that is my approach to songwriting is I love songs that tell stories and songs that have a deeper meaning. I don&#39;t like songs that paint pictures. Like my grandpa&#39;s cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountain hills. We played there when I was a kid, like nostalgia songs and things like that. To me, anybody can write those. But when you start getting into deeper meaning, like talking about love or hope or inspiration or a message in a song or telling a story, basically turning a three and a half minute musical piece, it&#39;s basically like a three and a half minute sitcom. I think those kind of songs connect on a deeper level, and that&#39;s usually what I&#39;m going for. We don&#39;t always do it. Sometimes we write silly songs, sometimes you&#39;re not going to change the world with every song. But those are the songs that I like, and that&#39;s what I&#39;m trying to do with my songwriting, is write something that&#39;s meaningful to somebody. But for the song we wrote the other day, I put a really rough video out on Facebook, and it was not the greatest singing or playing, it was just really rough and raw. And to do that, it takes vulnerability. There are some artists who really hide behind going into the recording studio, you know what I mean? Once Pro Tools and everything&#39;s run through, they sound like a million bucks. But you don&#39;t ever see them sing live. You don&#39;t ever see them. You get on there with just them and their instrument and perform. And I think there&#39;s a vulnerability about that. If you can translate it well enough to convey the emotion.  I think people are connected to the wrongness of that on a certain level. And I be dang. I put that video out and I got a call from a national touring act. That&#39;s one of the biggest acts in bluegrass. And before the day was out, they&#39;re going in next week and recording that song. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:17: 16--00:17:18  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: <span>Oh, my gosh, </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:17:18 --00:017:20   <span>Darren Nicholson:  We wrote that song two days ago. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:17: 20--00:17:22  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  <span>That&#39;s fabulous. That&#39;s the way to do it. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:17:24 --00:017:38  <span>Darren Nicholson: They said, do you have a work tape of it? And I said, well, we just wrote it like 30 minutes ago, and I had a rough work tape of it on my phone. I sent it, that and the lyrics, and they called me right back and said, we&#39;re going to cut it next week. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:17: 38--00:18:38 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  <span>Wow, fabulous. There you go. My conversations with you. We&#39;re planning a performance, and this is my little pitch for the Meadowlark I&#39;m weaving it in here, but the Meadowlark Motel has a speakeasy called the Skylark SpeakEasy. And we&#39;ve been talking to you about it. We&#39;ve been doing some great musical acts there and talking to you. You really had the idea of saying, I&#39;ll do some set of music, but then I want to have conversations with the audience and then I may even jam with some people that might show up. It seems to be that this sense of community and intimacy is central to what you do and why you left Balsam Range and why you&#39;re performing and you said small clubs and things like that.  I think one of the essences of what you&#39;re trying to be is a community and having intimacy with your community. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:18:38 --00:020:42  <span>Darren Nicholson:  It&#39;s an organic approach, but I think that&#39;s how you build long-term fans. And when I was talking about that vulnerability, like in that video, when you connect with people on a personal level, people would see me with Balsam range, and they only saw probably really about 5% of what I can do. If you want to get to know me and my personality and my ability, my talent, you would come to see me at a solo show or one of my other performances. And that&#39;s not for everybody. Some people don&#39;t like my music or my personality, and that&#39;s fine. They don&#39;t have to come. But for the people who do and come see me in that capacity, that&#39;s the way to build relationships. </span><strong><em>And I&#39;m not really interested in making fans. I want to make friends and I want to perpetuate the kind of culture that I was brought up in.</em></strong><span> That very much is a sense of community. The technological world has created a place where people are missing a sense of belonging, and that&#39;s why they join these little groups, and that&#39;s why there&#39;s a division in politics and there&#39;s a division in social issues. Because anytime people are so disconnected in a way, it&#39;s way that they can feel a part of any kind of group, it&#39;s almost like, this is my family online, this is my tribe. And so I want to kind of do that with music. I want to make a place where people can come together with music.  And you don&#39;t have to worry about politics, you don&#39;t have to worry about social issues, you don&#39;t have to worry about enjoying music and just having fun. A night of entertainment. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:20: 42--00:22:20 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   <span>I grew up in the smoking mountains here, and I get it really well. Recently, my family first got the Meadowlark Motel, my grandmother, first of my parents, and they hired maid who was with us for a long time, and us kids would actually work with her and clean and became good friends. She actually sort of babysitters and things like that. And then her sister was much younger than her, came and did some things here. Well, recently her sister showed back up here to come to the restaurant, and she saw pictures on the wall community. She came to talk to me, and her sister had died.  And the fact that we&#39;re celebrating the culture that was here and is still here, she started crying, and she started talking and being part of it, and other people communicate, but even with the people that you worked with, there was a sense of community and intimacy and understanding that existed here. And I really appreciate that. You are perpetuating. I can remember the old timers would get together in a basement and have a little party, right, and bring out their instruments and sing, and then people would start clogging and dancing. That sort of is a way of life and a way of being that you felt connected. And I understand what you&#39;re talking about. Right. Do you think the way you design this program that you&#39;re going to do with Meadowlark is stemming from directly from that culture? I think it does. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:22:21 --00:023:45  <span>Darren Nicholson:   It does. Yeah. And that&#39;s what I want people to get to know me especially. There are fans of Balsam Range who are like, why in the world would you leave why would you leave that band when they seem to be doing all these things? And it&#39;s like, well, this is a good opportunity. If people have questions about my career, like what I want to do, why I want to play music, why I want to do more shows, or why I want to do the things that I want to do, I can explain it to them, and then they don&#39;t have to keep guessing. I don&#39;t expect questions about Balsam Range, but they can ask me questions about my childhood, how I got into music, the music business, instruments, whatever.  I think when you have an evening like that with people, it&#39;s different than just buying a ticket, sitting in a seat, watching somebody play for an hour, and then going home and be like, hey, that was good. There&#39;s a connectivity that I think goes along with the music that is just as important. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:23: 46--00:24:17 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   <span>Well, we&#39;ve been having some weekly jams here on Sundays, five to seven people listening, and I&#39;m hoping some of them old-time players we had this last Sunday old time, like 70 something, 75 something people show up and just started clogging, and they&#39;re, you know, singing and playing. I hope some of them come and take you up on the offer to jam with them at the end. That would be a major, I think, cultural moment. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:24: 18 --00:024:45  <span>Darren Nicholson:  So that&#39;s what it&#39;s all about. And I remember, like, players that I looked up to and players that I wanted to play. I remember when people like Steve Sutton or Mark Pruitt or Arvill Freeman were like, hey, man, get your manly. And Ralph Lewis would always take his Manlyn off and hand it to me, and that was a big deal. He&#39;s like, get up and play one with the band that meant so much to me, to a young budding musician. And it&#39;s like, man, that was a self-esteem builder. That was a motivator. And I also remember the musicians that were kind of like, who made me feel less than, too, you know what I mean? Who made me feel like, hey, you&#39;re not good enough to play with me or don&#39;t talk to me. And I do not want to perpetuate and I don&#39;t want to come across with that kind of attitude because I have zero tolerance for that. And I&#39;m sure I&#39;ve probably people the wrong way if I&#39;ve been in a bad mood after a show or something. I&#39;ve not lived my life perfectly, but I&#39;ve never intentionally ever wanted to make someone feel bad or not make someone feel welcome. People remember how you make them feel. I love that. I love that about my musical heroes, Steve and Ralph. Those are the kind of things that I don&#39;t want to die. These old times. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:25: 46--00:26:18 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: <span>That&#39;s right. The reason I&#39;m here, too, is because I don&#39;t want that culture to die. I&#39;m trying to do my part also, my little tiny part, to try to perpetuate and progress it. It doesn&#39;t have to be these mummified things. It can be a thing that grows right. And I&#39;m glad that you are helping grow that now. I was trying to keep this to about 30 minutes, so we&#39;re about at that time, what do you want to tell people? Shout out to people to find out more or look you up or what do you want to tell them? </span></p><p>00:26: 18 --00:027:29  <span>Darren Nicholson:  Well, a couple of things going on. I&#39;ve been working really hard on doing a benefit. It&#39;s going to do a lot to help the community. The Steve Sutton Fest is going to happen June 3rd at Silverado in Black Mountain, and proceeds are going to go to Haywood County schools, Buckham county schools, and the IBMA trust fund. That&#39;s going to be on June 3 at Silverado with Perpetual Groove being the headliner. But then also I have a brand new single out. It&#39;s called Arkansas without you. You can stream it anywhere. Spotify pandora apple Music Arkansas Without You I&#39;ve got a brand new bluegrass record out with songs that I&#39;ve written. And if you go to my website dear Nicholson Net, I&#39;ve got about 120 dates on the books for next year and going to be going all across the country and probably we&#39;re going to do over 200 when the smoke clears the road dates, and going to be traveling out further, doing a tour out west. Going to Canada. It&#39;s a really exciting time, so I encourage people to come out and see some live music. </span></p><p><br></p><p>00:27: 30--00:29:00 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  <span>Well, thank you very much for being on the show. I might mention that Darren also plays a lot here in the Smoky, especially in Hayward County. So if you can&#39;t find a place in the country, just come here and visit and stay at the Meadowlark Motel he might be here or he&#39;ll be some other great place here in town. There are a lot of wonderful music venues and things in Hayward County that are worthwhile and have a lot of authenticity. Right. Haywood County has not become a dramatically corporate tourist county. It&#39;s still pretty authentic in terms of the way of life and how people live here and how people enjoy music. So come on down to hear them out, either on the road or here. I&#39;ll just shout out if you can find out more about the Meadowlark Motel@ meadowlarkmotel.com and if you go slash homecraft, you&#39;ll find out about a restaurant, which is almost it&#39;s a mountain heritage food with a twist. My wife is from Trinidad, and we do a lot of Caribbean Trinidad spices and things like tomato gravy or cream corn. We just twisted a little bit. But you still taste the authenticity of these mountains in there. People are just raving about it. And we&#39;re getting great reviews online and some newspapers are great. And when you come here, you&#39;re going to get some Darren. All right. I hope I&#39;ll get a testimonial out of that. </span></p><p>00:29:00 --00:029:01  <span>Darren Nicholson: I like your haircut.</span></p><p>00:29: 02--00:29:57 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  <span>It&#39;s the perfect haircut. The Gateway to Smokies podcast exists on Smokiesadventure.com. It has its own Facebook page, but all the episodes, the previous ones had a couple of different series, longer episodes, but these are going to be shorter but more fun episodes. And you can go there and find more about everything in the Smokies because it&#39;s also a great site for directories of things like places to stay, lodging all over the Smokies, not just Haywood County, and what to do, and attractions and things like that. So thank you all for listening. This has been the gateway to the Smokies podcast. You can go to Facebook.com, Gatewaytothesmokiespodcast, or you can go to Smokiesadventure.com to find out more about this. And I&#39;ll see you all next week. </span></p><p>00:29:59 --00:030:00 <span>Hey, thanks for having me. Bye. </span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p> c84bd9fc-badc-4375-a177-333735f46376 https://redcircle.com/shows/f8f128b3-ec63-40f0-9467-111790ac4f55/episodes/228a324c-f49a-4d75-b306-0556b0f51d1d Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:50:02 +0000 1818 no full Episode 68: Overcoming Songwriters Block with the Nashville Legend Jim Lauderdale Episode 68: Overcoming Songwriters Block with the Nashville Legend Jim Lauderdale Joseph Franklyn McElroy Joseph Franklyn McElroy got a chance to interview our special guest this week, Jim Lauderdale. Jim won two Grammys, released 34 full-length albums, and took home the Americana Music Association’s coveted Wagonmaster Award. But his forthcoming album Game Changer is convincing evidence that the North Carolina native is only continuing to hone his craft.

Check out this episode to hear about how he’s been making music, the strategies and techniques that help him stay inspired and focused on his craft, and what advice he’d have for other musicians in their own creative pursuits.

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Also, we’ve got something special for all of you #music lovers, and it’s a bit of a collaboration between Jim Lauderdale and friends. The #Songwriters Camp and Concert on August 12- 13,2022, will feature our own special guest Jim Lauderdale with Charles, Humphrey III, Darren Nicholson, Clay Mills, and Charles Chamberlain, who will be instructing on songwriting techniques and helping out with some live performances. This event is going to be jam-packed full fun, so be sure to check it out!

https://meadowlarkmotel.com/event/songwriters-camp/

#smokymountainsnationalpark #songwriter #northcarolina #maggievalley #podcast


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TRANSCRIPT

00:00: 27--00:00: 47 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Howdy. Welcome to the gateway to the Smokies podcast. This podcast is about America's most visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty, deep-storied history, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

 00:00: 48--00:01: 01 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy, a man of the World, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family has lived in the Great Smokies for over 200 years. My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01: 02--00:01: 27 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: First a few sponsor messages and some events coming up. I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant, with a chic Appalachian field. A place for adventure and for relaxation. Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage, trout stream, grill to catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:01: 28--00:01: 39 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds. There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Your Smoky Mountain Adventure Starts with Where you Stay.

00:01: 40--00:02: 07 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Another sponsor is Smokiesadventure.com. That's smokies plural. Adventure, singular. The Smoky Mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destinations for all seasons. Some of the nation's best hiking trails, waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found right here. Start your adventure by using Smokiesadventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.


00:02: 08--00:02: 18 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: The trails, the waterfalls, the caves, cove, the elk, and more. Then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment you and your family can enjoy.


00:02: 19--00:02: 35 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Find lodging, find places to stay. Find places to eat. Find where you can do outdoor life events like weddings and honeymoons. It's all at Smokiesadventure.com, which is the leading information portal for adventure experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains.

00:02: 36--00:02: 54 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: So, events coming up at the Meadowlark, August 12 to 13th we're having a Songwriters Camp it's a songwriter’s camp in concert with Grammy-winning artists Jim Lauderdale and Charles Humphrey III, along with award-winning artists such as Darren Nicholson, Clay Mills, and Charles Chamberlain.

00:02: 54 --00:03: 10 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  It's a two-day event of interactive songwriting instruction for world-class musicians, and a demo tape will be produced for each participant. And there'll be a concert of songs from the Rogue Band on Friday night and a barbecue dinner and also our concert on Saturday night.

00:03: 10 --00:03: 50 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  This is going to be a unique event like no other, and space will be limited to ensure individual tension is given to all participants. The price is $675 per person, including all the activities and demo tapes and concerts, and barbecue dinner. And then there's special pricing for rooms, and there'll be room packages as well. Call 828-926-1717 for details. And there's also a limited amount of concert tickets available for the general public, and those are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and they're $30 each. And again, you can reserve your spot by calling 828-926-1717.

00:03: 50 --00:03: 56 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Welcome to the Gateway to the Smokies podcast with my guest Jim Lauderdale. Hey, Jim. How are you doing?

00:03: 56 --00:03: 57 Jim Lauderdale:  Great, how are you?

00:03: 57 --00:04: 01 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  I'm doing good. We're huge fans of yours.

00:04: 01 --00:04: 02 Jim Lauderdale: Thank you.

00:04: 02 --00:04: 16 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  And all the artists are coming to that songwriter camp. I'm really thrilled that this came up. Was the songwriter camp your idea, Bob's idea? You guys came up with it together or what happened?

00:04: 16 --00:04: 30 Jim Lauderdale: I think Bob approached Charles Humphrey about it and then he asked me. And so luckily, timing-wise, it worked out

00:04: 30 --00:04: 36 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: cool. Yeah. I see that you do another couple of other camps, like one out west somewhere, don't you?

 00:04: 36 --00:04: 49 Jim Lauderdale: I did. I did Steve Polt's camp out in Joshua Tree in May. And I just did the Swannanoa gathering and November

00:04: 49 --00:05: 05 Jim Lauderdale:  I Believe it is. I'll be at Jorma Calconin's Fur Piece Ranch. Cool. Yeah. But I enjoy it a lot. I really do. Yeah.

00:05: 05 --00:05: 19 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Cool. I have a friend of mine I think is going to make it who's been doing music for a number of years but really wants to learn from some real professionals. I got some people that are fairly excited. It's an exciting thing, I think, for people to get to work with some great artists like yourself.

 00:05: 19 --00:05: 39 Jim Lauderdale: It's exciting for me to see people it means a lot to people that are writing songs, and I think they're just as valid as somebody that's been doing it for a long time.

00:05: 19 --00:05: 39 Jim Lauderdale: And so, it's great to see that enthusiasm and the ideas and to see where these songs can go, too well.

00:05: 39 --00:05: 49 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: it's nice to bring it to Western North Carolina. You grew up with Westville, right?

00:05: 49 --00:06: 19 Jim Lauderdale: I lived around the Piedmont area and then in South Carolina for a few years not too far from Greenville in due west. And I've been coming to Flat Rock every summer of my life since I was born and have continued to come here a lot.

 00:06: 19 --00:06: 36 Jim Lauderdale: And then other times in North Carolina. Winston Salem and Chap Hill for school. So, yeah, North Carolina is my home. Yeah.

00:06: 36 --00:06: 43 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, I'm glad that you're bringing the art of songwriting here. So, when did you get involved in writing songs? Did you start pretty young?

00:06: 43 --00:07: 03 Jim Lauderdale: I guess I was going through my last year of high school and the idea came to me when I was visiting Troutman, North Carolina, where I lived my first five years.

00:07: 03 --00:07: 34 Jim Lauderdale: And so, this melody and a title came to me in a few lines here and there. It was kind of an old, tiny, like, string band type thing. I'd been doing bluegrass banjo for a few years, but that type of melody hit me first, and then I had some melodies I gave to one of my classmates when I was a freshman at the North Carolina School of the Arts.

00:07: 34 --00:07: 55 Jim Lauderdale: And he wrote some lyrics. And from there then I started writing on my own and doing a few demos produced by a guitar-playing friend of mine named Zan McCloud, who I knew in Chapel Hill.

00:07: 55 --00:08: 33 Jim Lauderdale: I had a duo when I was in high school with a mentor named Rick Bowley who started a music store called Oxpo Music. And I would travel around with him to festivals and help him sell stuff, and we played as much as we could. And then I went off to college, and these songs were coming to me. So Zan took me to a place kind of out in the country there, outside of Chapel Hill fella named Steve Grandback, who later moved to Charlotte and opened up a studio.

00:08: 34 --00:09: 08 Jim Lauderdale: And I thought, just doing three songs and six songs, I thought, well, hey, a record deal is going to come any day. I'll be touring all over the place. I'll have to quit school, but this is what I want to do. I was naive about that process. Like everybody, it took a while, but that's where my passion for songwriting started, really.

 00:09: 08 --00:09: 21 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: I've always wondered. I've been a visual artist, and I've done a few things as a visual artist. I learned that there are different kinds of visionaries.

00:09:21 --00:09: 42 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: There's, like, people that are haptic and there are people that are not haptic and non- haptic. Non-Haptic are people get the vision of the painting in their head, and then they just go create the vision, whereas a haptic artist gets the idea and sort of the sense of a painting, but then they have to work it with their hands.

00:09:42 --00:09: 50 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Haptic, they got to do it. Is that similar to songwriting? Do some people get, like, just the whole thing in their head and just put it on paper and other people have to work it?

 00:09:50 --00:10: 25 Jim Lauderdale: That's right. It's different, really, for everybody. For me, a melody usually comes first, sometimes along with the title, but sometimes just a melody. I know some people who write down whole songs on paper and don't have a melody, or else then a melody comes to them or kind of simultaneously. So, it happens a lot of different ways.

00:010:25 --00:10: 36 Joseph Franklyn McElroy That's interesting. So, in a songwriter camp, how would you help the different types of creators with the different ways of doing their creating of songs? How do you help them?

00:10:38 --00:12: 33 Jim Lauderdale: I kind of feel like because usually these camps, there's so much to kind of cover in a short amount of time. I like to do things kind of spontaneously. I don't really have much of a format I follow. And it's kind of like that with me. With writing songs, if I'm co-writing or writing alone, it just kind of is spontaneous. And so, I kind of have to evaluate those writers in front of me at that time and ask them what they need, what do they need to learn, or to help them. And it's funny. My friend Steve Polts was saying at the start of this camp we did a few months ago, it's like, I can't teach you how to write songs, but I can help facilitate them, we'll kind of go through certain very briefly personal experiences of like well, this happened to me one time and that's how I got out of this block or something like that to help them. But I really make it about them. Usually, people have things that question of places where they need to work through.


00:12:33 --00:012: 43 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Now, does every songwriter really need to practice the discipline or can they come and go from it? How does the discipline work in the songwriting craft?


00:12:43 --00:014: 03 Jim Lauderdale: I think it happens in all different ways too. Some people are super disciplined and I try to be putting and everything I've got into it, but I don't have necessarily set times. Like I don't have a schedule where I go okay, I'm going to get up at eight, have a cup of coffee, right, for 2 hours. Some playwrights and novelists and people like that. It's like I get up at five, I write for 3 hours, that's it. And some people I've also written really late at night with co-writers. We will have tried to write at nine and then we kind of plugging along and then as I'm about to leave or something, somebody will say something and an idea comes out. And then you stay till two or three in the morning. If you're on a role, it's good if you can go ahead and capture that magic.

00:14:03 --00:014: 15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Now, when you are just going about your life and living, do thoughts for a song come to you all the time and you write them down and put them into snippets? Do you save those?

00:14:03 --00:015: 25 Jim Lauderdale: My song ideas do come to me quite often in conversation or hearing something or just the thought will come into my head. So, I record them on my phone, on an app, on a voice memo app and refer to them later. I go back to them sometimes if I'm then though just playing also something comes out and then you've got your guitar there. But a lot of times I'll just hum the melody. I'm kind of old school. Instead of doing everything on my phone or computer as far as writing out lyrics, I write them down with a pen on if I have a notebook with me or just a scrap of paper. Sometimes I've lost a movie about that. Was there really somebody lost it.

00:15:25 --00:016: 15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Some creative piece and they spent the whole movie trying to find it? Yeah, it was a silly movie, I'm sure. But it's true. When you're in the visual arts is the same thing. You wake up in the middle of night and think you have solved the mystery of the perfect painting. You write down the thing and then you lose that piece of paper and you're searching for it forever. the creative process is really interesting. If you do voice memos, how do you remember what to search for to find the thing that you went?

00:15:25 --00:017: 23 Jim Lauderdale: I labeled them. I labeled them like if it's a bluegrass song, I say BG. If it's a country song, I say c. If it's for donna the buffalo, I say donna. Songs from the road band SFRB. So different thing. If it's a soul thing, I'll say royal or soul. I do have a bunch of unfinished things. I've recorded a few albums at royal studios in Memphis, which was a great sole studio. If I have a studio booked in advance and I'm trying to write for that outright, like, for instance, blackbird for blackbird studio for those sessions. So, I'm not very organized, but at least I can reference those. Then when I'm flipping through the phone, trying to find something to have ready,

00:17:25 --00:18: 00 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: I mean the human database is the most complex and sometimes also the most infuriating product. We own mine, trying to remember what it was you had thought of. Yeah.

So, given that you're going to be working with some people in a collaborative manner here at the Meadowlark Motel August 12, 13th, but then you also write by yourself, what do you prefer? Do you prefer to write solo or with a partner or with a group?

00:18:00 --00:18: 40 Jim Lauderdale: When you're writing with somebody else, I feel like you always come up with something that neither one of you could do alone, necessarily. There's some different strength about that collaboration, but I still like to write alone to kind of challenge myself to do it because it's harder for me to write a loan. It's slower and sometimes more tedious, but I enjoyed both.

00:18:40 --00:20: 07 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Cool. You've written with some really great people, and I know that you have a podcast with another legend, Buddy Miller. Have you written with him? Yes. We've got a radio show on Sirius X outlaw country on channel 60 called the buddy and gym show. We have written it's been a few years. The last time we wrote, we did a record together, gosh, I think it was eight years ago, and we wrote for that record, and before that, we'd written some things for his albums. He'd usually save a song or two and say we'd work backwards. Usually somebody gives me lyrics and I put a melody to them, but he gave me melodies and I put lyrics to them, and then he'd be under a deadline, too, so I put deadlines on myself also. But he would be like, hey, I've got to finish this record. How are those lyrics coming along? You have to deliver in those situations,

00:20:07 --00:20: 10 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Especially professional and the legend.

00:20:10 --00:20: 12 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah, absolutely.

00:20:12 --00:20: 15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: You have a reputation to meet now.

 00:20:15 --00:20: 17 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah, that's right.

00:20:19 --00:20: 25 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Is there any other people that you have co-written with that are sort of favorite co-writers?

00:20:25 --00:21: 32 Jim Lauderdale Yes. The man I've probably written the most songs with is Robert Hunter, who used to write with Jerry Garcia and wrote kind of just so many of the grateful dead songs. And we've probably written about 100 together. And sadly, Robert passed a few years ago, and I've written a lot with John Levanthal, great writer and producer, guitar player, and a lot with OD Blackman and several songs with Harlan Howard, who was one of my songwriting heroes, and also Melbourne Montgomery and Charles Humphrey that will be there at the camp. I really enjoy riding with him a lot.

00:21:32 --00:21: 36 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: He's a good guy. I've had him on the sales.

00:20136 --00:22: 38 Jim Lauderdal: He really is. He's a good he really is. He's really a really great writer. And we have a few things. I did a bluegrass record at Echo Mountain a few years ago here, and my concept of it was to have North Carolina bands and North Carolina artists do tracks with me for this record. And so, Charles and I have a couple of cowrites on that. And then I've got a song coming up on a country record that's coming out in August of Charles. And I wrote that original I was thinking it was going to be more acoustic and bluegrass, and then now it's kind of more of a western not western swing, but slight swing thing. Well, I guess you could call it a western swing. Swing to it, right? Yeah. So that's going to be great to work with him at this camp.

00:22:38 --00:22: 42 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Is the swing a hard thing to get into performing?

00:22:42 --00:22: 52 Jim Lauderdale: No, it's good. Not think it breaks up the other grooves you might be doing. I really like it a lot.

00:22:52 --00:23: 16 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Yeah. The reason I asked is my wife is actually a Brazilian percussionist, a swing in that that you have to have or it's just no good. Right. She's done all right with that. It's an advocation, but she got to be on Saturday Night Live and that sort of thing.

 00:23:17 --00:23: 18 Jim Lauderdale: Oh, that's awesome.

00:23:18 --00:23: 20 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: That's a great hobby.

00:23:20 --00:23: 25 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah, that's terrific.

00:23:26 --00:23: 29 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Which do you prefer? Do you prefer writing or do you prefer performing?

00:23:29 --00:24: 15 Jim Lauderdale: I like them both. They both have their attractions and fulfilling things about them. It's a great feeling to write a song and then it's great in those circumstances when you're on stage and then you get to do those songs and interact with people, interact with the audience. And if you're playing in a band setting, those other musicians. So, I wouldn't be able to choose one from the other.

00:24:16 --00:24: 18 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Have you done, like, over 30 albums? Is that right?

 00:24:19 --00:24: 22 Jim Lauderdale This will be my 35th coming out in August.

00:24:22--00:24: 23 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Wow. Yeah. What's the name of that one coming out in August?

00:24:23 --00:24: 24 Jim Lauderdale Game Changer.

 00:24:24--00:24: 25 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Game Changer. And

00:24: 32 --00:24: 56 Jim Lauderdale: it's a country record. I consciously I kind of go in different cycles with records, whether it's country, bluegrass, kind of singer-songwriter, soul or blues rock, or whatever. And this is a consciously focused country record.

00:24:56 --00:24: 58 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: That's fabulous. Of all your records, which one is your favorite?

00:25:01 --00:25: 14 Jim Lauderdale: I can't decide. I mean, I really don't have a favorite because a lot of times the most current record is the favorite one.

00:25:14 --00:25: 42 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  It said as the tea surpasses. People would ask the question, what's your favorite painting and they say, the last one. But I think there's a lot of truth to that. Yeah. When you hear a song or you see a song that you've written or listen to it, do you think, oh, I could improve it? There's something I should have done to improve it here?

 00:25:42 --00:26: 10 Jim Lauderdale: Not really, no. I'm always if I hear somebody doing one of my songs, I'm just so elated that somebody else is doing, and I've never heard I've been asked before if I've ever been disappointed in a song offer, and I never have. It's always just real rewarding to hear somebody else's take on it.

00:26:10 -00:26:14 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Cool. Well, people come into the songwriter camp. What kind of things can we expect?

00:26:17--00:26: 55 Jim Lauderdale: I think hopefully they'll walk away from that camp with a different take on their own writing and that they will be able to incorporate some of the tips and methods and things like that and suggestions and that. They'll walk out of there feeling more confident about their writing and their minds will be more open to things and their creativity, hopefully, will expand.

00:26:55 -00:27:00 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: And will you give them insights on how to pursue a songwriting career and that sort of thing?

00:27:00 --00:28: 59 Jim Lauderdale: I think first somebody's got to develop their catalog. They've got to have a body of work to and it doesn't have to be hundreds of songs or anything. You could have ten or 15 songs and go out there and try, but it's a process we won't get into because, see, the business part of things changes a lot all the time. But, basically my thing to people, and to myself, too, is that you have got to constantly challenge yourself. If you feel like, hey, this one song am I, this is it. This is going to change everything. It's going to change my life. This is going to open up the doors. That's terrific that you've got that song, but you've got to keep going and create another one and another one and another one. Not to just set that aside and go, well, Madison, but to build on what you're doing. And I feel like it might be naive or old fashioned or something, but I feel that when the songs are there, then those doors open. But it doesn't matter what kind of contacts you have or this or that. The songs have to be there.

 00:28:59 -00:29:02 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, there's less than people write a good song, they can sing a good song, right?

 00:29:02 -- 00:30:22 Jim Lauderdale Well, maybe, possibly, but sometimes it's mentioning that one song that somebody has. Some people have had careers, though, off of one song, but I think it's good to kind of be well rounded and have, let's say if you're outperforming, if you're a performing singer-songwriter, you've got to have a whole set of songs that you really feel are stand up to other people, other writers that you really like, and to your other good ones. And of course, that's a process. It doesn't happen all at once. It's like an art show. You've got to have a room full of art. You might have that one painting in the show. Yeah. And hopefully, those paintings in the room will be just as compelling.

00:30:24 -00:30:31 Joseph Franklyn McElroy Your whole body of work. I know in other writing professions, there's writer's block. There's a writer's block in songwriting as well.

00:30:32 -- 00:31:17 Jim Lauderdale: Oh, yeah, definitely. Yes. If we only had a series, we could do, Right? It would be a marathon. Yeah. I think that anybody that's riding something, will come across that rider block. That's one of the secrets I will talk about during this songwriter’s workshop of how to break free of that rider's block.

00:31:18 -- 00:31:19 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Oh, wow.

00:31:21 -- 00:31:34 Jim Lauderdale I would say right now, but people will have to come to see that one time.

00:31:34 -- 00:31:43 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  That's the magic sauce, folks. Now you can learn, especially if you're starting out, you probably have riders block a lot.

00:31:43 -- 00:32:45 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah, you do. But it takes practice and getting through growing as a writer, and you'll go through different steps and stages and things and just keep

expanding your abilities as time goes on. The more you do it, that 10,000. What is the expression when you do something for 10,000 hours, then you are good at something like that? Now you won't have to do that long, especially with the techniques people will be learning at this camp. They'll take a shortcut of 10 hours instead of 10,000.

00:32:45 -- 00:33:06 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: There you, That's a big promise, man. I knew you had that big thing in you. Oh, that's great. And then you guys can have an all- star concert on the finale, right?

00:33:06 -- 00:32:08 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah.

00:33:08 -- 00:33:12 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: So, have you prepared to play this?

00:33:012 -- 00:33:58 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah, we'll jam. I'm sure we'll talk about it before we get up there but on stage. But that's the cool thing about people can pick up. They can look at you while you're playing, or you can just say, Kia, this is like a one, four, five progressions. I'll kick it off. Whatever. It's fun to jam like that with people and hear what comes out.

00:33:58 -- 00:34:25 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: So, it's going to be a fabulous time. I've got my whole family booked in at our motel, Meadowlark Motel, where it's going to be. That's great to be here because we're excited just to be around it. It's a two-day thing. It's two concerts. I imagine there'd be some jamming as well. Oh, yeah. Wonderful meals. I'm a cookie guy. Breakfast on Saturday morning.

00:34:25 -- 00:34:28 Jim Lauderdale: Oh, nice. Yeah. Great. I'm a supporter of that. I'm a big breakfast guy.

 00:34:28 -- 00:34:33 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Have your requests? What do you like for breakfast?

00:34:33 -- 00:34:40 Jim Lauderdale: You know what? Whatever you have I'm sure will be delicious.

00:34:43 -- 00:34:50 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, I can range from chicken fried steak to tomatoes with a smoked trout dip. Whatever slowed to you folk.

00:34:50-- 00:34:52 Jim Lauderdale: Stop. You making me hungry.

00:34:54 -- 00:34:56 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: So, what's next for you?

00:34:56-- 00:35:23 Jim Lauderdale: I am working on my follow-up to the Game Changer record, and that's coming out, and several bluegrass things right now. And I have a fair amount of gigs coming up starting in September until the rest of the year.

00:35:24 -- 00:35:36 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Okay. Yeah. Cool. And are there any shoutouts you want to do? Any websites or anything you want to mention for people checking things out?

00:35:36-- 00:36:02 Jim Lauderdale:  I guess my website is Jimlauderdalemusic.com and then all the social media things, I've got stuff on those. Yeah. So that's kind of got the current things that will be happening on there listed.

00:36:02 -- 00:36:19 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: I will be sure to follow some of that. That is exciting for us. I want to thank you for being on this podcast and also thank you for doing this campaign.

00:36:20-- 00:36:56 Jim Lauderdale: Guess I'll say one more thing about the camp. When you're a kid and you went camping and how much you enjoyed it and everything, this camp will make those times when you're a kid look like a Greek tragedy. This camp is going to be even though it's short, we don't have time these days to go to a summer camp for two weeks. We cram all the gusto in two days.

00:37:02 -- 00:37:35 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: In a day and two- days, it'll be the center of your life for the rest of your existence. That's right. It'll be the sun about which your life repeats. Yes. Well, that's fabulous. We are about to change people's lives and looking forward to it. Well, thank you. This has been the Gateway to the Smokies podcast. You can find us@ facebook.com GatewaytotheSmokies and also smokiesadventure.com and there'll be this episode as well as other episodes on that website that you can find. Thank you much. And that's it.

00:37:35-- 00:37:36 Jim Lauderdale: Thanks a lot.

Bye!

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/josephmcelroy?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZW1bIN_kVlgNnKTzo3Bdpk2qWpdVOS4LUI_PQkBzXP_KH7w6gZwXpr1-P-a-CyZ0nv7v-sQnc0G2xePFWBeye09566LU7hXYykqn02Vke2hbLhXnQfgii9YX_2TmTElvpRHhvqa2yyM4lGL6UxSAsalR89tmzOygkGFKeyo74R7miFDvsrcRRO-J76CJKxi8ykvL7Dm_se2JprkZiUCg5yc&__tn__=-%5DK-R" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a> got a chance to interview our special guest this week, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JimLauderdaleOfficial?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZW1bIN_kVlgNnKTzo3Bdpk2qWpdVOS4LUI_PQkBzXP_KH7w6gZwXpr1-P-a-CyZ0nv7v-sQnc0G2xePFWBeye09566LU7hXYykqn02Vke2hbLhXnQfgii9YX_2TmTElvpRHhvqa2yyM4lGL6UxSAsalR89tmzOygkGFKeyo74R7miFDvsrcRRO-J76CJKxi8ykvL7Dm_se2JprkZiUCg5yc&__tn__=-%5DK-R" rel="nofollow">Jim Lauderdale</a>. Jim won two Grammys, released 34 full-length albums, and took home the Americana Music Association’s coveted Wagonmaster Award. But his forthcoming album Game Changer is convincing evidence that the North Carolina native is only continuing to hone his craft.</p><p>Check out this episode to hear about how he’s been making music, the strategies and techniques that help him stay inspired and focused on his craft, and what advice he’d have for other musicians in their own creative pursuits.</p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>Also, we’ve got something special for all of you <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/music?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZW1bIN_kVlgNnKTzo3Bdpk2qWpdVOS4LUI_PQkBzXP_KH7w6gZwXpr1-P-a-CyZ0nv7v-sQnc0G2xePFWBeye09566LU7hXYykqn02Vke2hbLhXnQfgii9YX_2TmTElvpRHhvqa2yyM4lGL6UxSAsalR89tmzOygkGFKeyo74R7miFDvsrcRRO-J76CJKxi8ykvL7Dm_se2JprkZiUCg5yc&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#music</a> lovers, and it’s a bit of a collaboration between Jim Lauderdale and friends. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/songwriters?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZW1bIN_kVlgNnKTzo3Bdpk2qWpdVOS4LUI_PQkBzXP_KH7w6gZwXpr1-P-a-CyZ0nv7v-sQnc0G2xePFWBeye09566LU7hXYykqn02Vke2hbLhXnQfgii9YX_2TmTElvpRHhvqa2yyM4lGL6UxSAsalR89tmzOygkGFKeyo74R7miFDvsrcRRO-J76CJKxi8ykvL7Dm_se2JprkZiUCg5yc&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#Songwriters</a> Camp and Concert on August 12- 13,2022, will feature our own special guest Jim Lauderdale with Charles, Humphrey III, Darren Nicholson, Clay Mills, and Charles Chamberlain, who will be instructing on songwriting techniques and helping out with some live performances. This event is going to be jam-packed full fun, so be sure to check it out!</p><p><a href="https://meadowlarkmotel.com/event/songwriters-camp/?fbclid=IwAR3nMP8MWGa2axbtlGuk_3dBoB2BQqRYfpC2QkhmfZ0AyMZxZqNnC64aQbk" rel="nofollow">https://meadowlarkmotel.com/event/songwriters-camp/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/smokymountainsnationalpark?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZW1bIN_kVlgNnKTzo3Bdpk2qWpdVOS4LUI_PQkBzXP_KH7w6gZwXpr1-P-a-CyZ0nv7v-sQnc0G2xePFWBeye09566LU7hXYykqn02Vke2hbLhXnQfgii9YX_2TmTElvpRHhvqa2yyM4lGL6UxSAsalR89tmzOygkGFKeyo74R7miFDvsrcRRO-J76CJKxi8ykvL7Dm_se2JprkZiUCg5yc&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#smokymountainsnationalpark</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/songwriter?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZW1bIN_kVlgNnKTzo3Bdpk2qWpdVOS4LUI_PQkBzXP_KH7w6gZwXpr1-P-a-CyZ0nv7v-sQnc0G2xePFWBeye09566LU7hXYykqn02Vke2hbLhXnQfgii9YX_2TmTElvpRHhvqa2yyM4lGL6UxSAsalR89tmzOygkGFKeyo74R7miFDvsrcRRO-J76CJKxi8ykvL7Dm_se2JprkZiUCg5yc&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#songwriter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/northcarolina?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZW1bIN_kVlgNnKTzo3Bdpk2qWpdVOS4LUI_PQkBzXP_KH7w6gZwXpr1-P-a-CyZ0nv7v-sQnc0G2xePFWBeye09566LU7hXYykqn02Vke2hbLhXnQfgii9YX_2TmTElvpRHhvqa2yyM4lGL6UxSAsalR89tmzOygkGFKeyo74R7miFDvsrcRRO-J76CJKxi8ykvL7Dm_se2JprkZiUCg5yc&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#northcarolina</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/maggievalley?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZW1bIN_kVlgNnKTzo3Bdpk2qWpdVOS4LUI_PQkBzXP_KH7w6gZwXpr1-P-a-CyZ0nv7v-sQnc0G2xePFWBeye09566LU7hXYykqn02Vke2hbLhXnQfgii9YX_2TmTElvpRHhvqa2yyM4lGL6UxSAsalR89tmzOygkGFKeyo74R7miFDvsrcRRO-J76CJKxi8ykvL7Dm_se2JprkZiUCg5yc&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#maggievalley</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/podcast?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZW1bIN_kVlgNnKTzo3Bdpk2qWpdVOS4LUI_PQkBzXP_KH7w6gZwXpr1-P-a-CyZ0nv7v-sQnc0G2xePFWBeye09566LU7hXYykqn02Vke2hbLhXnQfgii9YX_2TmTElvpRHhvqa2yyM4lGL6UxSAsalR89tmzOygkGFKeyo74R7miFDvsrcRRO-J76CJKxi8ykvL7Dm_se2JprkZiUCg5yc&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#podcast</a></p><p><br></p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></p><p>00:00: 27--00:00: 47 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Howdy. Welcome to the gateway to the Smokies podcast. This podcast is about America&#39;s most visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty, deep-storied history, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p> 00:00: 48--00:01: 01 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy, a man of the World, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family has lived in the Great Smokies for over 200 years. My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01: 02--00:01: 27 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: First a few sponsor messages and some events coming up. I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant, with a chic Appalachian field. A place for adventure and for relaxation. Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage, trout stream, grill to catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01: 28--00:01: 39 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds. There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Your Smoky Mountain Adventure Starts with Where you Stay.</p><p>00:01: 40--00:02: 07 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Another sponsor is Smokiesadventure.com. That&#39;s smokies plural. Adventure, singular. The Smoky Mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destinations for all seasons. Some of the nation&#39;s best hiking trails, waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found right here. Start your adventure by using Smokiesadventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</p><p><br></p><p>00:02: 08--00:02: 18 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: The trails, the waterfalls, the caves, cove, the elk, and more. Then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment you and your family can enjoy.</p><p><br></p><p>00:02: 19--00:02: 35 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Find lodging, find places to stay. Find places to eat. Find where you can do outdoor life events like weddings and honeymoons. It&#39;s all at Smokiesadventure.com, which is the leading information portal for adventure experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains.</p><p>00:02: 36--00:02: 54 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: So, events coming up at the Meadowlark, August 12 to 13th we&#39;re having a Songwriters Camp it&#39;s a songwriter’s camp in concert with Grammy-winning artists Jim Lauderdale and Charles Humphrey III, along with award-winning artists such as Darren Nicholson, Clay Mills, and Charles Chamberlain.</p><p>00:02: 54 --00:03: 10 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  It&#39;s a two-day event of interactive songwriting instruction for world-class musicians, and a demo tape will be produced for each participant. And there&#39;ll be a concert of songs from the Rogue Band on Friday night and a barbecue dinner and also our concert on Saturday night.</p><p>00:03: 10 --00:03: 50 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  This is going to be a unique event like no other, and space will be limited to ensure individual tension is given to all participants. The price is $675 per person, including all the activities and demo tapes and concerts, and barbecue dinner. And then there&#39;s special pricing for rooms, and there&#39;ll be room packages as well. Call 828-926-1717 for details. And there&#39;s also a limited amount of concert tickets available for the general public, and those are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and they&#39;re $30 each. And again, you can reserve your spot by calling 828-926-1717.</p><p>00:03: 50 --00:03: 56 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Welcome to the Gateway to the Smokies podcast with my guest Jim Lauderdale. Hey, Jim. How are you doing?</p><p>00:03: 56 --00:03: 57 Jim Lauderdale:  Great, how are you?</p><p>00:03: 57 --00:04: 01 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  I&#39;m doing good. We&#39;re huge fans of yours.</p><p>00:04: 01 --00:04: 02 Jim Lauderdale: Thank you.</p><p>00:04: 02 --00:04: 16 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  And all the artists are coming to that songwriter camp. I&#39;m really thrilled that this came up. Was the songwriter camp your idea, Bob&#39;s idea? You guys came up with it together or what happened?</p><p>00:04: 16 --00:04: 30 Jim Lauderdale: I think Bob approached Charles Humphrey about it and then he asked me. And so luckily, timing-wise, it worked out</p><p>00:04: 30 --00:04: 36 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: cool. Yeah. I see that you do another couple of other camps, like one out west somewhere, don&#39;t you?</p><p> 00:04: 36 --00:04: 49 Jim Lauderdale: I did. I did Steve Polt&#39;s camp out in Joshua Tree in May. And I just did the Swannanoa gathering and November</p><p>00:04: 49 --00:05: 05 Jim Lauderdale:  I Believe it is. I&#39;ll be at Jorma Calconin&#39;s Fur Piece Ranch. Cool. Yeah. But I enjoy it a lot. I really do. Yeah.</p><p>00:05: 05 --00:05: 19 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Cool. I have a friend of mine I think is going to make it who&#39;s been doing music for a number of years but really wants to learn from some real professionals. I got some people that are fairly excited. It&#39;s an exciting thing, I think, for people to get to work with some great artists like yourself.</p><p> 00:05: 19 --00:05: 39 Jim Lauderdale: It&#39;s exciting for me to see people it means a lot to people that are writing songs, and I think they&#39;re just as valid as somebody that&#39;s been doing it for a long time.</p><p>00:05: 19 --00:05: 39 Jim Lauderdale: And so, it&#39;s great to see that enthusiasm and the ideas and to see where these songs can go, too well.</p><p>00:05: 39 --00:05: 49 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: it&#39;s nice to bring it to Western North Carolina. You grew up with Westville, right?</p><p>00:05: 49 --00:06: 19 Jim Lauderdale: I lived around the Piedmont area and then in South Carolina for a few years not too far from Greenville in due west. And I&#39;ve been coming to Flat Rock every summer of my life since I was born and have continued to come here a lot.</p><p> 00:06: 19 --00:06: 36 Jim Lauderdale: And then other times in North Carolina. Winston Salem and Chap Hill for school. So, yeah, North Carolina is my home. Yeah.</p><p>00:06: 36 --00:06: 43 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, I&#39;m glad that you&#39;re bringing the art of songwriting here. So, when did you get involved in writing songs? Did you start pretty young?</p><p>00:06: 43 --00:07: 03 Jim Lauderdale: I guess I was going through my last year of high school and the idea came to me when I was visiting Troutman, North Carolina, where I lived my first five years.</p><p>00:07: 03 --00:07: 34 Jim Lauderdale: And so, this melody and a title came to me in a few lines here and there. It was kind of an old, tiny, like, string band type thing. I&#39;d been doing bluegrass banjo for a few years, but that type of melody hit me first, and then I had some melodies I gave to one of my classmates when I was a freshman at the North Carolina School of the Arts.</p><p>00:07: 34 --00:07: 55 Jim Lauderdale: And he wrote some lyrics. And from there then I started writing on my own and doing a few demos produced by a guitar-playing friend of mine named Zan McCloud, who I knew in Chapel Hill.</p><p>00:07: 55 --00:08: 33 Jim Lauderdale: I had a duo when I was in high school with a mentor named Rick Bowley who started a music store called Oxpo Music. And I would travel around with him to festivals and help him sell stuff, and we played as much as we could. And then I went off to college, and these songs were coming to me. So Zan took me to a place kind of out in the country there, outside of Chapel Hill fella named Steve Grandback, who later moved to Charlotte and opened up a studio.</p><p>00:08: 34 --00:09: 08 Jim Lauderdale: And I thought, just doing three songs and six songs, I thought, well, hey, a record deal is going to come any day. I&#39;ll be touring all over the place. I&#39;ll have to quit school, but this is what I want to do. I was naive about that process. Like everybody, it took a while, but that&#39;s where my passion for songwriting started, really.</p><p> 00:09: 08 --00:09: 21 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: I&#39;ve always wondered. I&#39;ve been a visual artist, and I&#39;ve done a few things as a visual artist. I learned that there are different kinds of visionaries.</p><p>00:09:21 --00:09: 42 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: There&#39;s, like, people that are haptic and there are people that are not haptic and non- haptic. Non-Haptic are people get the vision of the painting in their head, and then they just go create the vision, whereas a haptic artist gets the idea and sort of the sense of a painting, but then they have to work it with their hands.</p><p>00:09:42 --00:09: 50 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Haptic, they got to do it. Is that similar to songwriting? Do some people get, like, just the whole thing in their head and just put it on paper and other people have to work it?</p><p> 00:09:50 --00:10: 25 Jim Lauderdale: That&#39;s right. It&#39;s different, really, for everybody. For me, a melody usually comes first, sometimes along with the title, but sometimes just a melody. I know some people who write down whole songs on paper and don&#39;t have a melody, or else then a melody comes to them or kind of simultaneously. So, it happens a lot of different ways.</p><p>00:010:25 --00:10: 36 Joseph Franklyn McElroy That&#39;s interesting. So, in a songwriter camp, how would you help the different types of creators with the different ways of doing their creating of songs? How do you help them?</p><p>00:10:38 --00:12: 33 Jim Lauderdale: I kind of feel like because usually these camps, there&#39;s so much to kind of cover in a short amount of time. I like to do things kind of spontaneously. I don&#39;t really have much of a format I follow. And it&#39;s kind of like that with me. With writing songs, if I&#39;m co-writing or writing alone, it just kind of is spontaneous. And so, I kind of have to evaluate those writers in front of me at that time and ask them what they need, what do they need to learn, or to help them. And it&#39;s funny. My friend Steve Polts was saying at the start of this camp we did a few months ago, it&#39;s like, I can&#39;t teach you how to write songs, but I can help facilitate them, we&#39;ll kind of go through certain very briefly personal experiences of like well, this happened to me one time and that&#39;s how I got out of this block or something like that to help them. But I really make it about them. Usually, people have things that question of places where they need to work through.</p><p><br></p><p>00:12:33 --00:012: 43 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Now, does every songwriter really need to practice the discipline or can they come and go from it? How does the discipline work in the songwriting craft?</p><p><br></p><p>00:12:43 --00:014: 03 Jim Lauderdale: I think it happens in all different ways too. Some people are super disciplined and I try to be putting and everything I&#39;ve got into it, but I don&#39;t have necessarily set times. Like I don&#39;t have a schedule where I go okay, I&#39;m going to get up at eight, have a cup of coffee, right, for 2 hours. Some playwrights and novelists and people like that. It&#39;s like I get up at five, I write for 3 hours, that&#39;s it. And some people I&#39;ve also written really late at night with co-writers. We will have tried to write at nine and then we kind of plugging along and then as I&#39;m about to leave or something, somebody will say something and an idea comes out. And then you stay till two or three in the morning. If you&#39;re on a role, it&#39;s good if you can go ahead and capture that magic.</p><p>00:14:03 --00:014: 15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Now, when you are just going about your life and living, do thoughts for a song come to you all the time and you write them down and put them into snippets? Do you save those?</p><p>00:14:03 --00:015: 25 Jim Lauderdale: My song ideas do come to me quite often in conversation or hearing something or just the thought will come into my head. So, I record them on my phone, on an app, on a voice memo app and refer to them later. I go back to them sometimes if I&#39;m then though just playing also something comes out and then you&#39;ve got your guitar there. But a lot of times I&#39;ll just hum the melody. I&#39;m kind of old school. Instead of doing everything on my phone or computer as far as writing out lyrics, I write them down with a pen on if I have a notebook with me or just a scrap of paper. Sometimes I&#39;ve lost a movie about that. Was there really somebody lost it.</p><p>00:15:25 --00:016: 15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Some creative piece and they spent the whole movie trying to find it? Yeah, it was a silly movie, I&#39;m sure. But it&#39;s true. When you&#39;re in the visual arts is the same thing. You wake up in the middle of night and think you have solved the mystery of the perfect painting. You write down the thing and then you lose that piece of paper and you&#39;re searching for it forever. the creative process is really interesting. If you do voice memos, how do you remember what to search for to find the thing that you went?</p><p>00:15:25 --00:017: 23 Jim Lauderdale: I labeled them. I labeled them like if it&#39;s a bluegrass song, I say BG. If it&#39;s a country song, I say c. If it&#39;s for donna the buffalo, I say donna. Songs from the road band SFRB. So different thing. If it&#39;s a soul thing, I&#39;ll say royal or soul. I do have a bunch of unfinished things. I&#39;ve recorded a few albums at royal studios in Memphis, which was a great sole studio. If I have a studio booked in advance and I&#39;m trying to write for that outright, like, for instance, blackbird for blackbird studio for those sessions. So, I&#39;m not very organized, but at least I can reference those. Then when I&#39;m flipping through the phone, trying to find something to have ready,</p><p>00:17:25 --00:18: 00 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: I mean the human database is the most complex and sometimes also the most infuriating product. We own mine, trying to remember what it was you had thought of. Yeah.</p><p>So, given that you&#39;re going to be working with some people in a collaborative manner here at the Meadowlark Motel August 12, 13th, but then you also write by yourself, what do you prefer? Do you prefer to write solo or with a partner or with a group?</p><p>00:18:00 --00:18: 40 Jim Lauderdale: When you&#39;re writing with somebody else, I feel like you always come up with something that neither one of you could do alone, necessarily. There&#39;s some different strength about that collaboration, but I still like to write alone to kind of challenge myself to do it because it&#39;s harder for me to write a loan. It&#39;s slower and sometimes more tedious, but I enjoyed both.</p><p>00:18:40 --00:20: 07 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Cool. You&#39;ve written with some really great people, and I know that you have a podcast with another legend, Buddy Miller. Have you written with him? Yes. We&#39;ve got a radio show on Sirius X outlaw country on channel 60 called the buddy and gym show. We have written it&#39;s been a few years. The last time we wrote, we did a record together, gosh, I think it was eight years ago, and we wrote for that record, and before that, we&#39;d written some things for his albums. He&#39;d usually save a song or two and say we&#39;d work backwards. Usually somebody gives me lyrics and I put a melody to them, but he gave me melodies and I put lyrics to them, and then he&#39;d be under a deadline, too, so I put deadlines on myself also. But he would be like, hey, I&#39;ve got to finish this record. How are those lyrics coming along? You have to deliver in those situations,</p><p>00:20:07 --00:20: 10 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Especially professional and the legend.</p><p>00:20:10 --00:20: 12 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah, absolutely.</p><p>00:20:12 --00:20: 15 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: You have a reputation to meet now.</p><p> 00:20:15 --00:20: 17 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah, that&#39;s right.</p><p>00:20:19 --00:20: 25 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Is there any other people that you have co-written with that are sort of favorite co-writers?</p><p>00:20:25 --00:21: 32 Jim Lauderdale Yes. The man I&#39;ve probably written the most songs with is Robert Hunter, who used to write with Jerry Garcia and wrote kind of just so many of the grateful dead songs. And we&#39;ve probably written about 100 together. And sadly, Robert passed a few years ago, and I&#39;ve written a lot with John Levanthal, great writer and producer, guitar player, and a lot with OD Blackman and several songs with Harlan Howard, who was one of my songwriting heroes, and also Melbourne Montgomery and Charles Humphrey that will be there at the camp. I really enjoy riding with him a lot.</p><p>00:21:32 --00:21: 36 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: He&#39;s a good guy. I&#39;ve had him on the sales.</p><p>00:20136 --00:22: 38 Jim Lauderdal: He really is. He&#39;s a good he really is. He&#39;s really a really great writer. And we have a few things. I did a bluegrass record at Echo Mountain a few years ago here, and my concept of it was to have North Carolina bands and North Carolina artists do tracks with me for this record. And so, Charles and I have a couple of cowrites on that. And then I&#39;ve got a song coming up on a country record that&#39;s coming out in August of Charles. And I wrote that original I was thinking it was going to be more acoustic and bluegrass, and then now it&#39;s kind of more of a western not western swing, but slight swing thing. Well, I guess you could call it a western swing. Swing to it, right? Yeah. So that&#39;s going to be great to work with him at this camp.</p><p>00:22:38 --00:22: 42 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Is the swing a hard thing to get into performing?</p><p>00:22:42 --00:22: 52 Jim Lauderdale: No, it&#39;s good. Not think it breaks up the other grooves you might be doing. I really like it a lot.</p><p>00:22:52 --00:23: 16 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Yeah. The reason I asked is my wife is actually a Brazilian percussionist, a swing in that that you have to have or it&#39;s just no good. Right. She&#39;s done all right with that. It&#39;s an advocation, but she got to be on Saturday Night Live and that sort of thing.</p><p> 00:23:17 --00:23: 18 Jim Lauderdale: Oh, that&#39;s awesome.</p><p>00:23:18 --00:23: 20 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: That&#39;s a great hobby.</p><p>00:23:20 --00:23: 25 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah, that&#39;s terrific.</p><p>00:23:26 --00:23: 29 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Which do you prefer? Do you prefer writing or do you prefer performing?</p><p>00:23:29 --00:24: 15 Jim Lauderdale: I like them both. They both have their attractions and fulfilling things about them. It&#39;s a great feeling to write a song and then it&#39;s great in those circumstances when you&#39;re on stage and then you get to do those songs and interact with people, interact with the audience. And if you&#39;re playing in a band setting, those other musicians. So, I wouldn&#39;t be able to choose one from the other.</p><p>00:24:16 --00:24: 18 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Have you done, like, over 30 albums? Is that right?</p><p> 00:24:19 --00:24: 22 Jim Lauderdale This will be my 35th coming out in August.</p><p>00:24:22--00:24: 23 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Wow. Yeah. What&#39;s the name of that one coming out in August?</p><p>00:24:23 --00:24: 24 Jim Lauderdale Game Changer.</p><p> 00:24:24--00:24: 25 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Game Changer. And</p><p>00:24: 32 --00:24: 56 Jim Lauderdale: it&#39;s a country record. I consciously I kind of go in different cycles with records, whether it&#39;s country, bluegrass, kind of singer-songwriter, soul or blues rock, or whatever. And this is a consciously focused country record.</p><p>00:24:56 --00:24: 58 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: That&#39;s fabulous. Of all your records, which one is your favorite?</p><p>00:25:01 --00:25: 14 Jim Lauderdale: I can&#39;t decide. I mean, I really don&#39;t have a favorite because a lot of times the most current record is the favorite one.</p><p>00:25:14 --00:25: 42 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  It said as the tea surpasses. People would ask the question, what&#39;s your favorite painting and they say, the last one. But I think there&#39;s a lot of truth to that. Yeah. When you hear a song or you see a song that you&#39;ve written or listen to it, do you think, oh, I could improve it? There&#39;s something I should have done to improve it here?</p><p> 00:25:42 --00:26: 10 Jim Lauderdale: Not really, no. I&#39;m always if I hear somebody doing one of my songs, I&#39;m just so elated that somebody else is doing, and I&#39;ve never heard I&#39;ve been asked before if I&#39;ve ever been disappointed in a song offer, and I never have. It&#39;s always just real rewarding to hear somebody else&#39;s take on it.</p><p>00:26:10 -00:26:14 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Cool. Well, people come into the songwriter camp. What kind of things can we expect?</p><p>00:26:17--00:26: 55 Jim Lauderdale: I think hopefully they&#39;ll walk away from that camp with a different take on their own writing and that they will be able to incorporate some of the tips and methods and things like that and suggestions and that. They&#39;ll walk out of there feeling more confident about their writing and their minds will be more open to things and their creativity, hopefully, will expand.</p><p>00:26:55 -00:27:00 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: And will you give them insights on how to pursue a songwriting career and that sort of thing?</p><p>00:27:00 --00:28: 59 Jim Lauderdale: I think first somebody&#39;s got to develop their catalog. They&#39;ve got to have a body of work to and it doesn&#39;t have to be hundreds of songs or anything. You could have ten or 15 songs and go out there and try, but it&#39;s a process we won&#39;t get into because, see, the business part of things changes a lot all the time. But, basically my thing to people, and to myself, too, is that you have got to constantly challenge yourself. If you feel like, hey, this one song am I, this is it. This is going to change everything. It&#39;s going to change my life. This is going to open up the doors. That&#39;s terrific that you&#39;ve got that song, but you&#39;ve got to keep going and create another one and another one and another one. Not to just set that aside and go, well, Madison, but to build on what you&#39;re doing. And I feel like it might be naive or old fashioned or something, but I feel that when the songs are there, then those doors open. But it doesn&#39;t matter what kind of contacts you have or this or that. The songs have to be there.</p><p> 00:28:59 -00:29:02 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, there&#39;s less than people write a good song, they can sing a good song, right?</p><p> 00:29:02 -- 00:30:22 Jim Lauderdale Well, maybe, possibly, but sometimes it&#39;s mentioning that one song that somebody has. Some people have had careers, though, off of one song, but I think it&#39;s good to kind of be well rounded and have, let&#39;s say if you&#39;re outperforming, if you&#39;re a performing singer-songwriter, you&#39;ve got to have a whole set of songs that you really feel are stand up to other people, other writers that you really like, and to your other good ones. And of course, that&#39;s a process. It doesn&#39;t happen all at once. It&#39;s like an art show. You&#39;ve got to have a room full of art. You might have that one painting in the show. Yeah. And hopefully, those paintings in the room will be just as compelling.</p><p>00:30:24 -00:30:31 Joseph Franklyn McElroy Your whole body of work. I know in other writing professions, there&#39;s writer&#39;s block. There&#39;s a writer&#39;s block in songwriting as well.</p><p>00:30:32 -- 00:31:17 Jim Lauderdale: Oh, yeah, definitely. Yes. If we only had a series, we could do, Right? It would be a marathon. Yeah. I think that anybody that&#39;s riding something, will come across that rider block. That&#39;s one of the secrets I will talk about during this songwriter’s workshop of how to break free of that rider&#39;s block.</p><p>00:31:18 -- 00:31:19 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Oh, wow.</p><p>00:31:21 -- 00:31:34 Jim Lauderdale I would say right now, but people will have to come to see that one time.</p><p>00:31:34 -- 00:31:43 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  That&#39;s the magic sauce, folks. Now you can learn, especially if you&#39;re starting out, you probably have riders block a lot.</p><p>00:31:43 -- 00:32:45 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah, you do. But it takes practice and getting through growing as a writer, and you&#39;ll go through different steps and stages and things and just keep</p><p>expanding your abilities as time goes on. The more you do it, that 10,000. What is the expression when you do something for 10,000 hours, then you are good at something like that? Now you won&#39;t have to do that long, especially with the techniques people will be learning at this camp. They&#39;ll take a shortcut of 10 hours instead of 10,000.</p><p>00:32:45 -- 00:33:06 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: There you, That&#39;s a big promise, man. I knew you had that big thing in you. Oh, that&#39;s great. And then you guys can have an all- star concert on the finale, right?</p><p>00:33:06 -- 00:32:08 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah.</p><p>00:33:08 -- 00:33:12 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: So, have you prepared to play this?</p><p>00:33:012 -- 00:33:58 Jim Lauderdale: Yeah, we&#39;ll jam. I&#39;m sure we&#39;ll talk about it before we get up there but on stage. But that&#39;s the cool thing about people can pick up. They can look at you while you&#39;re playing, or you can just say, Kia, this is like a one, four, five progressions. I&#39;ll kick it off. Whatever. It&#39;s fun to jam like that with people and hear what comes out.</p><p>00:33:58 -- 00:34:25 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: So, it&#39;s going to be a fabulous time. I&#39;ve got my whole family booked in at our motel, Meadowlark Motel, where it&#39;s going to be. That&#39;s great to be here because we&#39;re excited just to be around it. It&#39;s a two-day thing. It&#39;s two concerts. I imagine there&#39;d be some jamming as well. Oh, yeah. Wonderful meals. I&#39;m a cookie guy. Breakfast on Saturday morning.</p><p>00:34:25 -- 00:34:28 Jim Lauderdale: Oh, nice. Yeah. Great. I&#39;m a supporter of that. I&#39;m a big breakfast guy.</p><p> 00:34:28 -- 00:34:33 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Have your requests? What do you like for breakfast?</p><p>00:34:33 -- 00:34:40 Jim Lauderdale: You know what? Whatever you have I&#39;m sure will be delicious.</p><p>00:34:43 -- 00:34:50 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, I can range from chicken fried steak to tomatoes with a smoked trout dip. Whatever slowed to you folk.</p><p>00:34:50-- 00:34:52 Jim Lauderdale: Stop. You making me hungry.</p><p>00:34:54 -- 00:34:56 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: So, what&#39;s next for you?</p><p>00:34:56-- 00:35:23 Jim Lauderdale: I am working on my follow-up to the Game Changer record, and that&#39;s coming out, and several bluegrass things right now. And I have a fair amount of gigs coming up starting in September until the rest of the year.</p><p>00:35:24 -- 00:35:36 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Okay. Yeah. Cool. And are there any shoutouts you want to do? Any websites or anything you want to mention for people checking things out?</p><p>00:35:36-- 00:36:02 Jim Lauderdale:  I guess my website is Jimlauderdalemusic.com and then all the social media things, I&#39;ve got stuff on those. Yeah. So that&#39;s kind of got the current things that will be happening on there listed.</p><p>00:36:02 -- 00:36:19 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: I will be sure to follow some of that. That is exciting for us. I want to thank you for being on this podcast and also thank you for doing this campaign.</p><p>00:36:20-- 00:36:56 Jim Lauderdale: Guess I&#39;ll say one more thing about the camp. When you&#39;re a kid and you went camping and how much you enjoyed it and everything, this camp will make those times when you&#39;re a kid look like a Greek tragedy. This camp is going to be even though it&#39;s short, we don&#39;t have time these days to go to a summer camp for two weeks. We cram all the gusto in two days.</p><p>00:37:02 -- 00:37:35 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: In a day and two- days, it&#39;ll be the center of your life for the rest of your existence. That&#39;s right. It&#39;ll be the sun about which your life repeats. Yes. Well, that&#39;s fabulous. We are about to change people&#39;s lives and looking forward to it. Well, thank you. This has been the Gateway to the Smokies podcast. You can find us@ facebook.com GatewaytotheSmokies and also smokiesadventure.com and there&#39;ll be this episode as well as other episodes on that website that you can find. Thank you much. And that&#39;s it.</p><p>00:37:35-- 00:37:36 Jim Lauderdale: Thanks a lot.</p><p>Bye!</p> 1d2916bc-edf4-4cf3-9aff-9accf26544dc https://redcircle.com/shows/f8f128b3-ec63-40f0-9467-111790ac4f55/episodes/59ff3750-6f08-41f4-a87f-b2ce43764fe6 Tue, 09 Aug 2022 18:04:45 +0000 2269 no full Episode 67: Interview with Zeb “The Legend” Ross and his Dancing Partner and Wife Ashley Ross Episode 67: Interview with Zeb “The Legend” Ross and his Dancing Partner and Wife Ashley Ross Joseph Franklyn McElroy We had the opportunity to sit down with Zeb “The Legend” Ross and his partner, Ashley Ross, of JCreek Cloggers on Gateway to the Smokies Podcast before their amazing performance in Meadowlark Motel.

Enjoy this fun interview with the stars of JCreekCloggers! We talk about their unique dance style, how they began dancing together, touring around the world, how they became Viral on #Tiktok, and much more.

#smokymountainsnationalpark #northcarolina #mountaindance #jcreekcloggers #podcast #mountainlife

]]> <p>We had the opportunity to sit down with Zeb “The Legend” Ross and his partner, Ashley Ross, of JCreek Cloggers on Gateway to the Smokies Podcast before their amazing performance in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Meadowlarkmotel/?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVkGqdtcklPb7h56SVbKUitxEOPL6s1HBeXgdR0Fc7gByN70CB4LLOpgoPvpFWXUbADdx-VX4_R5OxLVNeqapeudgwjiCesyLQM-45Q3FIpJ52VOpRa8vxEHC64jOf2yWE3RuPT8hmkC8I2QY9MmIPYRVCYGG7B6ZZ30vEOkJrmWNOJR9MJ6I9KLVA5yntC9-gNeBy7ZdFV2XFVgMR-d4fC&__tn__=kK-R" rel="nofollow">Meadowlark Motel</a>.</p><p>Enjoy this fun interview with the stars of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVkGqdtcklPb7h56SVbKUitxEOPL6s1HBeXgdR0Fc7gByN70CB4LLOpgoPvpFWXUbADdx-VX4_R5OxLVNeqapeudgwjiCesyLQM-45Q3FIpJ52VOpRa8vxEHC64jOf2yWE3RuPT8hmkC8I2QY9MmIPYRVCYGG7B6ZZ30vEOkJrmWNOJR9MJ6I9KLVA5yntC9-gNeBy7ZdFV2XFVgMR-d4fC&__tn__=-%5DK-R&id=100063452415685" rel="nofollow">JCreekCloggers</a>! We talk about their unique dance style, how they began dancing together, touring around the world, how they became Viral on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/tiktok?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVkGqdtcklPb7h56SVbKUitxEOPL6s1HBeXgdR0Fc7gByN70CB4LLOpgoPvpFWXUbADdx-VX4_R5OxLVNeqapeudgwjiCesyLQM-45Q3FIpJ52VOpRa8vxEHC64jOf2yWE3RuPT8hmkC8I2QY9MmIPYRVCYGG7B6ZZ30vEOkJrmWNOJR9MJ6I9KLVA5yntC9-gNeBy7ZdFV2XFVgMR-d4fC&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#Tiktok</a>, and much more.</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/smokymountainsnationalpark?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVkGqdtcklPb7h56SVbKUitxEOPL6s1HBeXgdR0Fc7gByN70CB4LLOpgoPvpFWXUbADdx-VX4_R5OxLVNeqapeudgwjiCesyLQM-45Q3FIpJ52VOpRa8vxEHC64jOf2yWE3RuPT8hmkC8I2QY9MmIPYRVCYGG7B6ZZ30vEOkJrmWNOJR9MJ6I9KLVA5yntC9-gNeBy7ZdFV2XFVgMR-d4fC&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#smokymountainsnationalpark</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/northcarolina?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVkGqdtcklPb7h56SVbKUitxEOPL6s1HBeXgdR0Fc7gByN70CB4LLOpgoPvpFWXUbADdx-VX4_R5OxLVNeqapeudgwjiCesyLQM-45Q3FIpJ52VOpRa8vxEHC64jOf2yWE3RuPT8hmkC8I2QY9MmIPYRVCYGG7B6ZZ30vEOkJrmWNOJR9MJ6I9KLVA5yntC9-gNeBy7ZdFV2XFVgMR-d4fC&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#northcarolina</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/mountaindance?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVkGqdtcklPb7h56SVbKUitxEOPL6s1HBeXgdR0Fc7gByN70CB4LLOpgoPvpFWXUbADdx-VX4_R5OxLVNeqapeudgwjiCesyLQM-45Q3FIpJ52VOpRa8vxEHC64jOf2yWE3RuPT8hmkC8I2QY9MmIPYRVCYGG7B6ZZ30vEOkJrmWNOJR9MJ6I9KLVA5yntC9-gNeBy7ZdFV2XFVgMR-d4fC&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#mountaindance</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/jcreekcloggers?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVkGqdtcklPb7h56SVbKUitxEOPL6s1HBeXgdR0Fc7gByN70CB4LLOpgoPvpFWXUbADdx-VX4_R5OxLVNeqapeudgwjiCesyLQM-45Q3FIpJ52VOpRa8vxEHC64jOf2yWE3RuPT8hmkC8I2QY9MmIPYRVCYGG7B6ZZ30vEOkJrmWNOJR9MJ6I9KLVA5yntC9-gNeBy7ZdFV2XFVgMR-d4fC&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#jcreekcloggers</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/podcast?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVkGqdtcklPb7h56SVbKUitxEOPL6s1HBeXgdR0Fc7gByN70CB4LLOpgoPvpFWXUbADdx-VX4_R5OxLVNeqapeudgwjiCesyLQM-45Q3FIpJ52VOpRa8vxEHC64jOf2yWE3RuPT8hmkC8I2QY9MmIPYRVCYGG7B6ZZ30vEOkJrmWNOJR9MJ6I9KLVA5yntC9-gNeBy7ZdFV2XFVgMR-d4fC&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#podcast</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/mountainlife?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVkGqdtcklPb7h56SVbKUitxEOPL6s1HBeXgdR0Fc7gByN70CB4LLOpgoPvpFWXUbADdx-VX4_R5OxLVNeqapeudgwjiCesyLQM-45Q3FIpJ52VOpRa8vxEHC64jOf2yWE3RuPT8hmkC8I2QY9MmIPYRVCYGG7B6ZZ30vEOkJrmWNOJR9MJ6I9KLVA5yntC9-gNeBy7ZdFV2XFVgMR-d4fC&__eep__=6&__tn__=%2ANK-R" rel="nofollow">#mountainlife</a></p> 55230d9a-fee1-4fb2-8cca-06e34fee7add https://www.facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast/videos/801443551032984 Tue, 09 Aug 2022 16:45:41 +0000 851 no full Episode 66: Agritourism, Farm to Table with Laura Lauffer Episode 66: Agritourism, Farm to Table with Laura Lauffer Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?</strong></p><p>What does Agritourism mean for farmers, entrepreneurs and residents in the mountains? Tune in to find out the answer to this question from our guest today, <strong>Laura Lauffer</strong> as we go on with our conversation with her.</p><p><strong>EPISODE SUMMARY:</strong></p><p>Joseph will interview our special guest,<strong> Laura Lauffer,</strong> Project Director of EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems and Appalachian Regional Commission Power Project Center for Environmental Farming Systems sponsored by North Carolina State University – an organization whose objective is to offer financial, technical, and business support to regional farms and food-related businesses, while also being an advocate for agritourism. </p><p>This conversation will cover the process of creating and implementing a business model that emphasizes community development, as well as the relationship between public policy and economic development in Appalachian communities.</p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/empowermtnfood/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/empowermtnfood/</a></p><p>Website: <a href="https://cefs.ncsu.edu/food-system-initiatives/emfs-empowering-mountain-food-systems/" rel="nofollow">https://cefs.ncsu.edu/food-system-initiatives/emfs-empowering-mountain-food-systems/</a></p><p><strong>EPISODE QUOTE: </strong>“ Everybody’s got a yellow squash in July, so maybe planta different kind of beet instead. You have to be smart.” </p><p> </p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/eDD1-nKkLJ/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?

What does Agritourism mean for farmers, entrepreneurs, and residents in the mountains? Tune in to find out the answer to this question from our guest today, Laura Lauffer as we go on with our conversation with her.

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Joseph will interview our special guest, Laura Lauffer, Project Director of EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems and Appalachian Regional Commission Power Project Center for Environmental Farming Systems sponsored by North Carolina State University – an organization whose objective is to offer financial, technical, and business support to regional farms and food-related businesses, while also being an advocate for agritourism. 

This conversation will cover the process of creating and implementing a business model that emphasizes community development, as well as the relationship between public policy and economic development in Appalachian communities.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empowermtnfood/

Website: https://cefs.ncsu.edu/food-system-initiatives/emfs-empowering-mountain-food-systems/

EPISODE QUOTE: “ Everybody’s got a yellow squash in July, so maybe planta different kind of beet instead. You have to be smart.” 

 

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


Facebook Live Video from 2022/07/26 - Agritourism, Farm to Table with Laura Lauffer


SHOW NOTES

Segment 1

Lauffer is a native of North Carolina, her father retired when she was in elementary school. She gotta enjoy the tightly knit community of soldiers and their families. Whilst taking part in the Peace Corps she got to visit Zaire, a country in Africa.


SEGMENT 2

In Zaire she was an extension agent. She would get seeds and extend them to farmers in the area to increase protein consumption as it was lacking in the people’s diet. The Peace Corps also gave her the opportunity to learn the local dialect and also used French. She goes on to share that she earned a minor in Spanish in Montreal. Before starting a farm in Garner in Hohnston County she toured around Europe. She then became a Peace Corps recruiter in Grad school. Her area of expertise is food systems and economic development. She started a program at North Carolina Community College where she taught sustainability. She left the classroom and applied her skills in the field as a program director at NCA&T for regional food systems. Agritourism is tourism that is added to an existing farming operation.


SEGMENT 3‍

Using her website people can create appointments to get hooked up with different resources being offered by the program. One of the resources includes Advanced Business Services which helps local businesses that are advanced. The small business centers are partners that community colleges host to offer free business counseling. In agriculture, she is noticing carbon sequestration, which is recognizing farmers as a solution to climate change instead of as a factor of climate change.


SEGMENT 4

She uses storytelling to give people background and context to farms and agriculture including their purpose. The ideal farm-to-table program is where the farmer and chef are expressing creativity and have a relationship of understanding. An example is Silva Ilda, they change their many every week according to what’s coming in fresh.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:40.740 –> 00:00:57.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy, welcome you to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns, this area is filled with H in that.

00:00:59.460 –> 00:01:03.690 Joseph McElroy: Deep-storied history filters that we explore with the weekly episode.

00:01:04.500 –> 00:01:11.850 Joseph McElroy: As I said, I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy man in the world, but also deep roots in these mountains by families living the great smokies for over 200 years.

00:01:12.270 –> 00:01:20.160 Joseph McElroy: My businesses and travel, but my heart is a culture today we’re going to talk about agritourism and farm to table with Laura lot left.

00:01:20.910 –> 00:01:29.220 Joseph McElroy: The first, you know a few sponsors and things like that you know when you start planning a trip.

00:01:29.790 –> 00:01:38.310 Joseph McElroy: After you decide where you’re going to go usually the first things you do is, you choose a book your flight you book your place you’re going to stay.

00:01:38.820 –> 00:01:47.010 Joseph McElroy: As because you need to have a place to start your vacation adventure and then you can get done you get to work on it in Tenerife now I place.

00:01:47.880 –> 00:01:52.740 Joseph McElroy: and finding a place to stay, I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past.

00:01:53.550 –> 00:01:58.920 Joseph McElroy: Modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:59.520 –> 00:02:07.410 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you efficient a mountain heritage trout stream grill to catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wines or craft beers.

00:02:07.800 –> 00:02:20.100 Joseph McElroy: So imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.

00:02:20.940 –> 00:02:27.720 Joseph McElroy: Now, one of the things that we can help you with is to help you build your itinerary once you decide that you’re going to stay.

00:02:28.080 –> 00:02:39.780 Joseph McElroy: and come to the smoky mountains for vacation state the middle art we actually have a site called smokies adventure calm, that you can actually do your research on to find out about.

00:02:40.950 –> 00:02:46.920 Joseph McElroy: The best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment that you can find here.

00:02:47.910 –> 00:02:59.940 Joseph McElroy: And you can find a lot about the great smoky mountains National Park, you have the best trails the best waterfalls and what you can do in caves code, you find out about the history of the smokies and how to explore that.

00:03:00.960 –> 00:03:04.290 Joseph McElroy: That smokies adventure smokies plural adventure com.

ew-]\00:03:05.490 –> 00:03:16.620 Joseph McElroy: For your research pleasure and then when you get here will be more than happy to sell to set you up with tours or other things to do, and of course, we have a lot of things going on here we have the metal dark smoky mountain.

00:03:17.730 –> 00:03:20.070 Joseph McElroy: Historical Center here with lots of.

00:03:21.150 –> 00:03:27.390 Joseph McElroy: Events coming about mountain heritage and music and culture, here in the mountains and I’ll tell you about a couple of

00:03:28.170 –> 00:03:39.810 Joseph McElroy: Recently there was a viral event on TikTok and Instagram with some cloggers and specifically one color flogger I live, right here and Maggie Valley, the valley Jonathan.

00:03:41.490 –> 00:03:52.500 Joseph McElroy: And we’re going to actually bring those cloggers here this weekend to the Meadowlark Motel to do performance the J creek cloggers and.

00:03:53.100 –> 00:04:03.210 Joseph McElroy: And they are going to be here on Friday night on Saturday night and your father, going to be performing at 730 but previous to that you can have a free Barbecue.

00:04:04.050 –> 00:04:20.730 Joseph McElroy: There is sort of an iconic dance group that has been forming for a number of years, but zip the legend Ross was just picked up on tick tock and Instagram doing some solo buck dancing that was reminiscent of a lot of.

00:04:21.750 –> 00:04:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Urban dancing going on, and he became sort of a hero and he’s actually got a nickname now in the army online things he says he’s called the legend.

00:04:32.550 –> 00:04:34.710 Joseph McElroy: Is he doing something called any call it, Chris walked.

00:04:35.910 –> 00:04:42.750 Joseph McElroy: that’s an urban culture but it’s part of the clogging that he does here so so it’s kind of cool.

00:04:43.500 –> 00:04:56.850 Joseph McElroy: That that happened I don’t think they’ve had I think they’ve had 100 million views it’s crazy, so you know we invite you to come out and see it live on Saturday night July 30 here at the Meadowlark

00:04:58.110 –> 00:05:11.160 Joseph McElroy: admission is free for the motel guests and for heritage club members and it’s $20 for people that are just visiting it’s called 8289261717 to find out information reverse to reserve your room.

00:05:12.390 –> 00:05:22.320 Joseph McElroy: Now, another thing that on August six that we’re doing a smoky mountain heritage Center is putting on starting a Cherokee heritage series and they’re bringing in.

00:05:23.910 –> 00:05:34.530 Joseph McElroy: What true Appalachian Appalachian treasure baby arch and Davey is a world-famous Cherokee tribal historic and storing and Ward winning craftsman.

00:05:35.070 –> 00:05:43.410 Joseph McElroy: Traditional Cherokee crafts, especially mass and baskets and he’s a beloved spokesman for the Eastern Cherokee tribe.

00:05:43.980 –> 00:05:56.520 Joseph McElroy: And this will be on August six starting at six the Barbecue dinner and music and then there will be a whole presentation that you will find very interesting.

00:05:57.240 –> 00:06:08.160 Joseph McElroy: Michigan is $20 for guest three for hotel guests in here to close my hair does club Members call eight to 89261717 to reserve your seat.

00:06:08.820 –> 00:06:22.080 Joseph McElroy: One of the events coming up that I’ve been promoting for a while now is a songwriters camp I don’t know if you’ve heard of Jim Lauderdale but he’s a grammy award-winning artist I think 30 hit songs under his belt.

00:06:23.340 –> 00:06:39.630 Joseph McElroy: That he’s written for various artists or more he wrote a lot of George strait’s songs he wrote king of the broken hearts might be one of the big ones that you know so and he’s leading a crew of grammy award-winning artist here there’s gonna be Charles Humphrey the third.

00:06:41.370 –> 00:06:57.330 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s gonna Be daring Nicholson of Balsam Range les mills and Charles Chamberlain it’s like a dream team of songwriters and top musicians here at the metal art and it’s a two-day event, where you have a meet and greet and have a.

00:06:58.590 –> 00:07:08.910 Joseph McElroy: concert by the songs from the road band and Barbecue dinner and all star concept on a Saturday night and then you’re going to have.

00:07:09.660 –> 00:07:29.640 Joseph McElroy: An all day intensive workshop where you actually walk away with a DEMO tape of one of your songs and it’s gonna be it’s gonna be incredible it’s a great way to meet and learn from some of the top in the business so call eight to 89261717 to reserve your space and to get a ticket.

00:07:31.440 –> 00:07:42.810 Joseph McElroy: get a space for the workshop and the two concerts are also available to the public, just to come and enjoy the music so again eight to 89261717 to get your spot.

00:07:44.940 –> 00:07:51.420 Joseph McElroy: So today we’re going to be talking about tourism with lunch.

00:07:54.810 –> 00:07:55.560 Joseph McElroy: it’s with.

00:07:56.670 –> 00:08:10.050 Joseph McElroy: Our guest his name is Laura laufer is and she is the project director of empowering mountain food systems at appalachian regional convinced Commission power project Center for environmental party farming systems.

00:08:11.250 –> 00:08:13.260 Joseph McElroy: You can’t say that a lot of times fast.

00:08:15.000 –> 00:08:15.750 Laura Lauffer she/her: Natural.

00:08:15.990 –> 00:08:26.670 Joseph McElroy: sponsored by North Carolina State University an organization, whose objective is to offer financial, technical and business support to regional farms and food related businesses.

00:08:27.090 –> 00:08:35.820 Joseph McElroy: while also being an advocate for agritourism, she holds degrees from Western Carolina university nc State University speaks for language.

00:08:36.180 –> 00:08:47.340 Joseph McElroy: And there’s a webinar producer blogger and Community activists she resides in western North Carolina enjoys hiking and spending time with family or friends Hello Laura how are you doing.

00:08:47.370 –> 00:08:49.710 Laura Lauffer she/her: hey hey guys.

00:08:49.920 –> 00:08:51.270 Joseph McElroy: I pronounce your last name right.

00:08:51.570 –> 00:08:52.140 Laura Lauffer she/her: Now offer.

00:08:52.410 –> 00:08:56.730 Joseph McElroy: offer okay so we’re very thrilled to have you here today.

00:08:57.990 –> 00:09:02.400 Joseph McElroy: You know, we are, we are getting in into farm to table here it’s of lr.

00:09:03.480 –> 00:09:11.100 Joseph McElroy: we’ve actually put in a raised garden back in the back here and then yeah I went out to my old family farm wish I owned.

00:09:12.120 –> 00:09:22.950 Joseph McElroy: A third of it and on my on my land grant visible where my grandfather farm I put in my first field and now i’m a farmer feeling so proud of myself.

00:09:24.480 –> 00:09:31.140 Joseph McElroy: As I got a lot to learn, but I did, I do have some candy roasters and things like that.

00:09:31.980 –> 00:09:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Growing there so i’m looking forward to this conversation because i’m sure you can teach me how I could do this much better so, but first I want to get a little bit of your background you’re a native of fayetteville North Carolina right.

00:09:43.890 –> 00:09:44.850 Laura Lauffer she/her: Yes, I am.

00:09:45.030 –> 00:09:46.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then.

00:09:47.160 –> 00:09:54.090 Joseph McElroy: You know I whenever I think of that area I automatically think it for broad were you were you an army brat by chance.

00:09:54.660 –> 00:09:58.170 Laura Lauffer she/her: My dad was in the army, yes that’s how I like to answer that.

00:09:59.160 –> 00:10:01.530 Laura Lauffer she/her: I did I did grow up more closer to.

00:10:01.530 –> 00:10:12.390 Laura Lauffer she/her: Fort bragg and my dad was career special forces, and it was a really wonderful wonderful way to grow up, it was a really nice Community there on base.

00:10:12.660 –> 00:10:15.000 Joseph McElroy: So you got to stay in one place for your whole childhood.

00:10:15.360 –> 00:10:16.200 Laura Lauffer she/her: I did.

00:10:16.410 –> 00:10:17.400 Laura Lauffer she/her: My dad died.

00:10:17.430 –> 00:10:24.330 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah my dad I was a kind of a late comer as far as the in the order of children, so my dad retired.

00:10:25.620 –> 00:10:35.070 Laura Lauffer she/her: When I was still in elementary school, but we stayed there because of the tight Community bond with all the soldiers families so well.

00:10:35.340 –> 00:10:46.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah I was just recently out there, my son my 13 year old son is happens to be a power lifter and there was a there was actually a major power lifting event out there, so.

00:10:47.880 –> 00:10:54.000 Joseph McElroy: You know I I it’s interesting mixed bag place or some really beautiful places in some places that.

00:10:55.590 –> 00:10:55.950 Joseph McElroy: But.

00:10:57.030 –> 00:11:00.960 Joseph McElroy: All of North Carolina is it beautiful so.

00:11:01.440 –> 00:11:04.080 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah I used to consider myself a beach girl.

00:11:04.500 –> 00:11:04.800 Laura Lauffer she/her: And then.

00:11:05.280 –> 00:11:16.350 Laura Lauffer she/her: To the mountains and I was coming back from the beach a couple years ago and I, and I was so happy to come to the mountains, so I just decided, I was in North Carolina girl.

00:11:16.740 –> 00:11:18.330 Joseph McElroy: There you go you got everything here.

00:11:18.360 –> 00:11:18.630 yeah.

00:11:19.890 –> 00:11:25.980 Joseph McElroy: We have a rain forest, we have snow ski mountains and we have a white this white sand beaches.

00:11:26.790 –> 00:11:36.270 Joseph McElroy: You can’t really beat that yeah so how did you end up going to Western Carolina university from high school and fayetteville.

00:11:37.590 –> 00:11:40.860 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well, it was a circuitous route as you.

00:11:41.910 –> 00:11:44.490 Laura Lauffer she/her: can imagine, and there was a boy involved in.

00:11:44.490 –> 00:11:44.760 So.

00:11:47.070 –> 00:11:47.760 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah.

00:11:47.850 –> 00:12:04.560 Laura Lauffer she/her: But I was very glad I ended up here, and so this was a sweet homecoming for me since I graduated there in 1988 and another boy I met and I took off to the Peace Corps from from cali so.

00:12:05.970 –> 00:12:15.540 Laura Lauffer she/her: So 30 years later i’m back and really, really appreciating it more you know in my advanced age, the beauty.

00:12:15.960 –> 00:12:28.770 Laura Lauffer she/her: Of the region, you know, back then, I you know we were hiking and kind of go into paradise falls and stuff like that, but this time i’m really, really enjoying the beauty of the of the region.

00:12:29.340 –> 00:12:31.530 Joseph McElroy: Peace Corps where’d you go in the Peace Corps.

00:12:32.010 –> 00:12:33.210 Laura Lauffer she/her: went desire.

00:12:33.420 –> 00:12:33.990 Joseph McElroy: wow.

00:12:34.140 –> 00:12:43.200 Laura Lauffer she/her: it’s this country in the middle of Africa it’s a probably the one of the most difficult posts, you can have honestly and.

00:12:44.460 –> 00:12:50.970 Laura Lauffer she/her: It was an amazing experience and many volunteers don’t have that experience anymore being.

00:12:50.970 –> 00:12:52.140 Laura Lauffer she/her: So rural.

00:12:52.920 –> 00:12:58.050 Joseph McElroy: Well, I gotta I want to hear a little bit more about the experience but we got to take a break right now and then.

00:12:59.640 –> 00:13:01.950 Joseph McElroy: And then and talk a little bit more about that.

00:13:02.040 –> 00:13:04.380 Joseph McElroy: and other than, of course, Western North Carolina.

00:13:04.920 –> 00:13:05.520 Great.

00:15:21.300 –> 00:15:36.300 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast my guest is Laura Lauffer so Laura you are the peace corps and you were in Africa and what you were doing, and they have anything related to agriculture, what.

00:15:37.080 –> 00:15:38.430 Laura Lauffer she/her: It did and.

00:15:38.940 –> 00:15:53.520, Laura Lauffer, she/her: We were extension agents what most people know what extension agents do here is extend the research from the land grant university to farmers and enzyme air, which is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

00:15:54.630 –> 00:15:59.760 Laura Lauffer she/her: There was a Research Station but there were no agents, and so my husband and I.

00:16:01.290 –> 00:16:08.040 Laura Lauffer s: would get seeds and extend them to farmers in the region, mostly corn and soybeans.

00:16:08.550 –> 00:16:22.110 Laura Lauffer she/her: To try to increase the protein content of diets because malnutrition, was an issue there, so it was a lovely amazing experience, who lived in a mud hut with no plumbing and no electricity and only got around on bikes.

00:16:22.560 –> 00:16:27.690 Laura Lauffer she/her: Oh, it was It made me appreciate all that we have.

00:16:28.470 –> 00:16:38.670 Joseph McElroy: Well, that sounds like a fantastic experience I see that you spoke four languages, you know romantic languages and then this one called Chiluba

00:16:39.210 –> 00:16:56.250, Laura Lauffer, she/her: Chiluba, yeah I was in a gas station in Raleigh once and the guy behind the counter was speaking to Buddha and I started speaking to him is like a so yeah it’s a that’s The great thing about peace corps is they, they teach you the local dialect.

00:16:56.700 –> 00:16:57.390 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.

00:16:58.110 –> 00:17:04.440, Laura Lauffer, she/her: yeah so it was really great I think it’d be hard for me to carry on a conversation, and most of those languages.

00:17:05.820 –> 00:17:16.530 Laura Lauffer she/her: I grew up spending a lot of time in Montreal and got a minor in Spanish, and then spoke French and spoke Chiluba are so it’s a mix match in there.

00:17:16.770 –> 00:17:19.290 Joseph McElroy: wow how long did you stay inside here?

00:17:19.920 –> 00:17:20.640 Laura Lauffer she/her: Three years.

00:17:22.410 –> 00:17:23.520 Joseph McElroy: becomes almost all right.

00:17:24.150 –> 00:17:44.370, Laura Lauffer, she/her: yeah it was we stayed on we extended a little at the end and worked in the itinerary rain forest with john interests heart and they were doing research with the band booty tribe, which is also known as the pygmies way deep in the rain forest and.

00:17:45.660 –> 00:17:53.490 Laura Lauffer she/her: It was an amazing experience, but we were ready to go and we hitchhiked across the continent it’s something you can’t do really anymore.

00:17:54.780 –> 00:17:58.650 Laura Lauffer she/her: It was a true vagabond experience for some young people.

00:17:59.460 –> 00:18:01.770 Joseph McElroy: And then you came back to the United States after that.

00:18:02.370 –> 00:18:14.280, Laura Lauffer, she/her: We did we thought we would travel a lot more, but the Gulf War was going on in our family, you know, is ready for us to come back, but we toured around Europe for a little bit and then came back.

00:18:14.640 –> 00:18:15.810 Joseph McElroy: And we’re to settle settle.

00:18:17.400 –> 00:18:29.850, Laura Lauffer, she/her: Actually, we stayed in wake county for a while, and then we moved out into the country and the head started our first little farm in garner and Johnston county.

00:18:30.090 –> 00:18:30.510 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.

00:18:30.810 –> 00:18:45.000, Laura Lauffer, she/her: And, and I worked in Durham I’ve worked for Africa, new service until I went to Grad school and became a peace corps recruiter in Grad school at NC state, and that was really wonderful experience.

00:18:45.300 –> 00:18:53.280 Joseph McElroy: And that’s where you got even further into understanding at the Grad school you got into the agriculture-related studies.

00:18:53.940 –> 00:19:04.410 Laura Lauffer she/her: no, mostly sustainability so I’m not an ag-technician food systems person and Community development and economic development.

00:19:05.340 –> 00:19:18.540 Laura Lauffer she/her: So I’m not the I do have you know a little bit of knowledge, you know enough to get by on animal husbandry and crop production, but my area of emphasis is food systems and economic development.

00:19:18.690 –> 00:19:27.870 Joseph McElroy: wow you know what are the, what are the only three pine-rated logic facility, the Western Asheville by the state of North Carolina in terms of sustainable yeah.

00:19:28.110 –> 00:19:42.690 Laura Lauffer she/her: Fantastic yeah I taught sustainability for a while I started a program at Central Carolina Community College, where the few sustainability degrees in the state, and that was a wonderful experience.

00:19:43.020 –> 00:19:48.180 Joseph McElroy: And then you worked as a program coordinator of local farms of food within see at antique

00:19:48.960 –> 00:19:57.690 Laura Lauffer she/her: I did that’s when I got I left teaching because I really was kind of tired of talking about sustainability so much in the classroom every day and I was.

00:19:58.560 –> 00:20:14.310 Laura Lauffer she/her: missing the application in the field, and so I took a leap of faith and left teaching and was brought on for this regional food systems work at NCAA empty and their extension Program.

00:20:14.760 –> 00:20:21.840 Joseph McElroy: cool and what is the regional food system work, what is it you do there?

00:20:21.930 –> 00:20:28.980 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well, so one of the things that we like to focus on is helping farmers with their supply chain.

00:20:29.910 –> 00:20:38.550, Laura Lauffer, she/her: If they want to diversify their source of funding, do they want to diversify markets this happened a lot during covid where.

00:20:38.940 –> 00:20:56.730 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know the one-on-one marketing say at farmer’s markets when a way, so we help folks establish their web presence, maybe, establish a pickup and so, for that they needed coolers, and so we had a program our funder came to us during cove it and said.

00:20:58.050 –> 00:21:13.680 Laura Lauffer she/her: What, what do you need to do you know, because everything this of course it was not our plan to have a pandemic in this project, and so I went to the farmers, and I was like what what do y’all need most and it was cold storage so because they were like.

00:21:14.190 –> 00:21:15.810 Laura Lauffer she/her: had to hold on to things a little bit.

00:21:15.810 –> 00:21:30.960 Laura Lauffer she/her: Longer and have a different distribution method so um so supply chain is very important, you know, maintaining that quality and diversifying income so that’s kind of a snapshot that’s one of the things we do.

00:21:31.710 –> 00:21:42.030 Joseph McElroy: So the new so you ended up then coming to Western North Carolina and leading leading be coming the project director of this up God awful lot.

00:21:45.360 –> 00:21:48.600 Laura Lauffer she/her: it’s empowering that with IT systems that says it all.

00:21:50.040 –> 00:21:55.860 Joseph McElroy: Of that is an applicant Appalachian Regional Commission our project Center for environmental party system.

00:21:56.430 –> 00:22:01.230 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah you always have to mention your funders you know they like that and it’s important.

00:22:01.530 –> 00:22:01.920 Laura Lauffer she/her: So yeah.

00:22:02.520 –> 00:22:09.210 Laura Lauffer she/her: We are funded by the appalachian regional Commission it’s a over a million dollar grant over four years.

00:22:09.810 –> 00:22:28.440 Laura Lauffer she/her: To do this work, and we also very importantly, got funding from the cherokee preservation foundation to work with cherokee farmers and cherokee food systems and my office is actually in the Qualla boundary of the eastern band of Cherokee so we’ve had the great pleasure to work with.

00:22:29.760 –> 00:22:38.310 Laura Lauffer she/her: tribal government and and are our allies there to help Cherokee farmers and cherokee businesses grow.

00:22:38.790 –> 00:22:43.980 Joseph McElroy: So you work do you do you work with pharmacy work with other businesses like restaurants groceries.

00:22:45.120 –> 00:22:45.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:22:46.650 –> 00:22:48.540 Laura Lauffer she/her: um so like during covid

00:22:49.830 –> 00:22:58.650 Laura Lauffer she/her: Some restaurants transition to be the grocery stores, so I hope folks know about Guadalupe CAFE and downtown Silva

00:22:58.770 –> 00:22:59.820 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s a great CAFE.

00:22:59.820 –> 00:23:00.300 yeah.

00:23:01.440 –> 00:23:04.590 Joseph McElroy: I look at like the multiple salsa salsa.

00:23:04.830 –> 00:23:08.460 Joseph McElroy: yeah good you can bring a great day yeah.

00:23:08.730 –> 00:23:16.110 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah yeah yeah Jen is wonderful and she’s always been super committed to local food systems and so.

00:23:17.100 –> 00:23:21.570 Laura Lauffer she/her: And she was only doing take out but folks will come get their takeout they can get coffee.

00:23:22.080 –> 00:23:41.520 Laura Lauffer she/her: butter cheese bacon and so, for that she needs more cold storage, and so we help with that, and then we also help with Yonder, which is a fabulous market up in Franklin, and so they during covid they transition from a from a restaurant to a.

00:23:43.020 –> 00:23:48.870 Laura Lauffer she/her: Community supported agriculture, where they were selling bags of food and and a little grocery store.

00:23:49.320 –> 00:24:06.030 Laura Lauffer she/her: So yeah absolutely so it’s you know it’s all along we’d like to work all along the supply chain were even work with Western Carolina university, we had an event there a few weeks ago, talking to their catering directors about buying local for events there.

00:24:06.390 –> 00:24:10.500 Joseph McElroy: Well, so a little, so our little planet, the building a.

00:24:12.090 –> 00:24:22.680 Joseph McElroy: Small essentially a small farm to help support our plans to make this restaurant would be something we could actually work a little bit with you on.

00:24:23.190 –> 00:24:31.170, Laura Lauffer, she/her: Absolutely, I mean you’re in Haywood county this project is only goes from Haywood to Cherokee county.

00:24:32.310 –> 00:24:39.600 Laura Lauffer she/her: there’s often not a lot of attention out here in this little piece of heaven, you know there, there is a lot of mountains west of Asheville.

00:24:39.870 –> 00:24:40.200 Right.

00:24:41.280 –> 00:24:45.510 Laura Lauffer she/her: And yeah yeah we love, we have some great partners in Haywood county.

00:24:45.960 –> 00:24:46.710 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah.

00:24:47.880 –> 00:24:49.890 Joseph McElroy: Totally yeah totally.

00:24:51.660 –> 00:24:56.430 Joseph McElroy: Totally enamored by you know the concept of agritourism.

00:24:57.750 –> 00:25:00.930 Joseph McElroy: And you how do you guys promote agritourism

00:25:02.040 –> 00:25:17.490 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well agritourism what’s really essential is that agritourism is tourism that is added on to an existing farming operation so it’s not this case where.

00:25:18.480 –> 00:25:35.520 Laura Lauffer she/her: Laura goes and buys a piece of land and puts up a beautiful barn and it’s a wedding venue that is not agritourism so agritourism, is a working farm or you know farm production business where they’re adding agritourism.

00:25:36.330 –> 00:25:46.740, Laura Lauffer, she/her: To increase knowledge and, hopefully, of course, in increase revenue, and you know people are very interested to learn, you know where their food comes from.

00:25:47.400 –> 00:26:08.670 Laura Lauffer she/her: And, and you know children love to go walk along or shear a sheep Jehovah raw farm and Haywood county has a fantastic agritourism operation, where you can stay in their cabin and she and use the wool from a shared sheep and make your own rug oh.

00:26:09.480 –> 00:26:10.410 Laura Lauffer she/her: that’s cool yeah.

00:26:10.470 –> 00:26:12.750 Laura Lauffer she/her: So look up Jehovah raw form they are.

00:26:13.440 –> 00:26:15.060 Joseph McElroy: All yeah you know.

00:26:16.410 –> 00:26:17.670 Joseph McElroy: I was i’m a beekeeper.

00:26:17.790 –> 00:26:27.300 Joseph McElroy: Without fantastic I actually learned it I did beekeeping a little bit when I was a kid here in the mountains back she learned to do be pretty good at it in the south bronx in New York City.

00:26:27.570 –> 00:26:37.800 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness, I would put bee hives and in Community arts and we were near the at the botanical gardens.

00:26:38.190 –> 00:26:38.790 Joseph McElroy: I know.

00:26:38.880 –> 00:26:43.530 Joseph McElroy: I got I got all sorts of interesting flavors, but do you work with beekeepers is that.

00:26:43.980 –> 00:26:58.200, Laura Lauffer, she/her: yeah absolutely one of our first grants, we made was to Ferguson farms in haywood county and they are 100 year farm, there is a historical farm and Haywood county and.

00:26:59.100 –> 00:27:11.880 Laura Lauffer she/her: They started beekeeping, excuse me in 2019, I believe, when we first started and their operation, they are now getting ready to add blanton to their farm.

00:27:11.910 –> 00:27:25.440 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah so you can go in and have a beautiful tent on the river and you know hang out in your tub and then go and get on a four-wheeler and go visit the horses and learn about beekeeping.

00:27:26.640 –> 00:27:28.680 Laura Lauffer she/her: learn about you know beef production.

00:27:29.100 –> 00:27:40.020 Joseph McElroy: I did a lot of education about beekeeping to kids in the bronx in the Community garden so i’m looking to start doing that, here too, because I enjoyed it.

00:27:40.410 –> 00:27:48.060 Joseph McElroy: And I have you know I have, I have four year old twins now how am I have a 30-year-old son that four-year-old twins and.

00:27:48.600 –> 00:27:54.390 Joseph McElroy: I think I look forward to being able to show them about these things so but I think, making it a part of a program I might even.

00:27:54.960 –> 00:28:07.260 Joseph McElroy: You know, I think that I can do, because I figured out how to do it, the Community garden how to have a number of beehives here at the Meadowlark, because you can create beef like you know you create barriers that regulate wearing the bees fly.

00:28:07.620 –> 00:28:09.840 Joseph McElroy: Right at the height and everything else, so you can get.

00:28:09.840 –> 00:28:12.210 Joseph McElroy: them to fly above people for the most part.

00:28:13.440 –> 00:28:20.340 Joseph McElroy: And so that you can have been very densely populated areas, and a lot of you know, and so people didn’t know that but I got we got to take another break.

00:28:20.400 –> 00:28:23.940 Joseph McElroy: Okay, and then we’ll come back and talk more about what you’re doing okay.

00:28:24.330 –> 00:28:25.230 Laura Lauffer she/her: Okay, thanks.

00:30:30.750 –> 00:30:39.090 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts that my guest Laura Lauffer so Laura you know I.

00:30:40.140 –> 00:30:56.880 Joseph McElroy: assume I’m a neophyte business person, and you know and it’s trying to get into agritourism, and some of the agriculture, how does, how does, how does somebody approached your organization and find out about assistance and special programs and things like that.

00:30:58.110 –> 00:31:01.980 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well, just Google empowering mountain food systems and.

00:31:03.150 –> 00:31:12.030 Laura Lauffer she/her: You will come up in our homepage will come up and on the right, there’s a little purple button that says apply here, and that will take you.

00:31:12.510 –> 00:31:30.510 Laura Lauffer she/her: straight into our portal and then you have an appointment with me and I talked to folks about what they’re up to and I hook them up with the different resources that they have we have a really cool program right now it’s called Advanced business services that are helping.

00:31:31.800 –> 00:31:36.660, Laura Lauffer, she/her: Local businesses who are kind of advanced, so we just helped.

00:31:37.830 –> 00:31:44.940 Laura Lauffer she/her: Oh valley view farms she’s a verbal culture operation, do you know what permaculture is.

00:31:44.970 –> 00:31:46.140 Joseph McElroy: No, I have no idea.

00:31:46.350 –> 00:31:48.210 Laura Lauffer she/her: permaculture is worm farming.

00:31:48.600 –> 00:31:51.270 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow for me, but yeah.

00:31:51.480 –> 00:32:04.980 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah and she has an amazing worm farming operation, and so we assisted her with her new logo and her sign she has classes at her farm she’s actually teaching a class Mary Ann Smith.

00:32:06.240 –> 00:32:09.480 Laura Lauffer she/her: August 2 and clay county.

00:32:10.200 –> 00:32:11.640 Laura Lauffer she/her: So she’s at the haywood.

00:32:12.000 –> 00:32:21.300 Laura Lauffer she/her: county historic farmers market every Saturday selling worm castings which is worm poop and it’s just some of the most rich.

00:32:23.010 –> 00:32:38.100 Laura Lauffer she/her: fertilizer you can use you really need to only use a very little so anyhow so that’s a an example of a client we just helped and we’re helping bear waters brewing there and Maggie.

00:32:39.060 –> 00:32:48.750 Laura Lauffer she/her: They want to expand purchasing local products and so will be helping them with some refrigeration so that they can refrigerate more local products.

00:32:48.840 –> 00:32:54.630 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous now do you offer do you offer education classes things training things like that.

00:32:55.290 –> 00:33:03.390 Laura Lauffer she/her: that’s mostly left to extension and one of our key partners in this project is the small business centers.

00:33:04.230 –> 00:33:18.450 Laura Lauffer she/her: Every Community college in the state hosts a small business Center offering free business counseling and so, because this is an economic development project we really focus on that business side of of agriculture.

00:33:19.290 –> 00:33:30.360 Laura Lauffer she/her: And we partner with with each small business Center so there and haywood county we partner with haywood Community college and Ashley swagger to have classes there.

00:33:31.380 –> 00:33:37.470 Laura Lauffer she/her: But extension, and you know you’re so fortunate here we’ve got mills river Research Station.

00:33:38.220 –> 00:33:54.990 Laura Lauffer she/her: nearby and the mountain horticulture Research Station is on raccoon road there and haywood county and just they you know, keep keep in touch with them and their calendar and your local extension office so that’s that they do that technical training piece.

00:33:55.470 –> 00:34:00.720 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s that’s cutting this nice i’ve been i’ve been noticing that there are some things out here we go cuz.

00:34:01.980 –> 00:34:11.910 Joseph McElroy: I know pretty much what to do with beekeeping, but in terms of actually you know what the neck how to evolve a farm is now is not something i’ve ever done before.

00:34:13.260 –> 00:34:13.650 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah.

00:34:13.710 –> 00:34:24.420 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well, you gotta you gotta come up with a marketing plan, like any good business, you know, come up with your dear cost benefit analysis and figure out if you’re making money or losing money and.

00:34:26.250 –> 00:34:28.260 Laura Lauffer she/her: And kind of go from there.

00:34:28.530 –> 00:34:35.970 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think my my challenge is, I mean i’ve been doing a lot of marketing, so my challenge, though, is actually, how do you grow the best stuff.

00:34:37.290 –> 00:34:38.190 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah.

00:34:38.280 –> 00:34:39.840 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well, you start with good soil.

00:34:39.930 –> 00:34:42.600 Joseph McElroy: Good soil and the worm sounds like a good addition.

00:34:42.630 –> 00:34:44.070 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah yeah.

00:34:44.280 –> 00:34:50.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah i’ve been using I think mushroom based stuff or or beef of based stuff right.

00:34:50.520 –> 00:34:57.510 Laura Lauffer she/her: Nice nice yeah we’re we’re blessed with fantastic wild mushroom foraging in this region.

00:34:58.320 –> 00:35:04.650 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve mentioned a few agriculture agritourism business examples around the area.

00:35:05.760 –> 00:35:10.710 Joseph McElroy: I think there’s also another one, you probably know about darnell farms over swaying county.

00:35:10.800 –> 00:35:21.090 Laura Lauffer she/her: Right yeah yeah the Dardanelles are fantastic partners in our in our work and I always highlight them when I do teach a marketing class because.

00:35:21.480 –> 00:35:33.330 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know I encourage anybody to go to the darnell farm is Facebook page because they do live video all the time and and one of the best ones I saw was on.

00:35:34.440 –> 00:35:42.330 Laura Lauffer she/her: They went out in the field picked a tomato sliced it put it between two pieces of wonder bread with semantics and.

00:35:42.330 –> 00:35:44.640 Joseph McElroy: Probably good old southern Mayo and.

00:35:45.150 –> 00:35:47.700 Laura Lauffer she/her: It was just running down his.

00:35:47.700 –> 00:35:48.330 Laura Lauffer she/her: hand and he.

00:35:49.350 –> 00:35:50.700 Laura Lauffer she/her: And he was loving it.

00:35:51.060 –> 00:35:54.960 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know just folks just lined up for miles to count on your sandwich.

00:35:55.230 –> 00:35:59.280 Joseph McElroy: I eat a tomato sandwich about every every other week I love it to me.

00:36:01.080 –> 00:36:09.210 Joseph McElroy: So I put mine on yeah wheat bread, I put spinach on the right, you know i’m a little bit more elaborate still but the basis of it is still tomato mail on.

00:36:10.350 –> 00:36:10.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:36:11.700 –> 00:36:24.840 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah they’re fantastic Community members, they support a lot of food pantries they’re great place to work, and it really is a fun event venue with live music or river.

00:36:25.950 –> 00:36:31.500 Laura Lauffer she/her: Picking pumpkins and strawberries and hayride so that that is a lot of fun and.

00:36:33.420 –> 00:36:36.810 Joseph McElroy: So uh so any other places that you think.

00:36:37.140 –> 00:36:38.790 Laura Lauffer she/her: highlight that are really great yes.

00:36:38.910 –> 00:36:40.650 Laura Lauffer she/her: Yes, there’s a new one.

00:36:41.040 –> 00:37:00.420 Laura Lauffer she/her: And I just found out today i’m a with from appalachian sustainable LIFE project, which is a sister organization they’re having a farm tour this year that will have a few stops and haywood county and they’re going to go to smoky mountain manga least talk about a mouthful.

00:37:01.740 –> 00:37:09.150 Laura Lauffer she/her: So the manga least a pig is the cutest pig it’s a pig with with tight tight curly hair.

00:37:09.540 –> 00:37:09.780 Joseph McElroy: But it.

00:37:09.840 –> 00:37:15.030 Laura Lauffer she/her: Has like the highest fat content, the large chefs love it.

00:37:15.120 –> 00:37:27.930 Laura Lauffer she/her: love it love it so but during cove it, you know things changed for them and they lived on a beautiful piece of land with the river and people wanted to Camp so like well let’s try camping.

00:37:28.410 –> 00:37:29.310 Laura Lauffer she/her: And so they.

00:37:29.850 –> 00:37:38.820 Laura Lauffer she/her: I believe their platform is hip camp hai PC emp is kind of like an airbnb for farmers who have land.

00:37:39.090 –> 00:37:39.450 Laura Lauffer she/her: So you.

00:37:39.510 –> 00:37:51.900 Laura Lauffer she/her: roll up in your camper you roll up with your tent and you have this beautiful experience on a farm So yes, smoky mountain manga Lisa and you can buy some amazing pork chops while you’re there.

00:37:52.320 –> 00:38:10.380 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s that’s pretty cool yeah i’m looking at putting some yeah some cabins are clapping out and I earned us now, because now, I have the whole facility to do all the management and all that so yeah It makes sense, where do you see the future of tourism in the next few years.

00:38:11.670 –> 00:38:22.200 Laura Lauffer she/her: I think i’m ECO tourism for sure i’m talking about sustainability and one of the really exciting things that’s happening.

00:38:22.680 –> 00:38:28.230 Laura Lauffer she/her: In agriculture is carbon sequestration is you know, recognizing farmers.

00:38:28.860 –> 00:38:40.800 Laura Lauffer she/her: As a solution to climate change, and not a problem for climate change, and so you know going and seeing you know what are these sustainability measures, you can take with your cattle.

00:38:41.490 –> 00:38:47.700 Laura Lauffer she/her: and your pastures, how can we, you know, can you know use practices that.

00:38:48.390 –> 00:39:00.210 Laura Lauffer she/her: create a better habitat for birds and pollinators things like that so i’m hopeful that consumers will will want to do that and take your children to see you know you and.

00:39:00.780 –> 00:39:10.080 Laura Lauffer she/her: I took some nutrition students to interview some farmers and they had no idea that I think that potatoes grew into ground.

00:39:10.350 –> 00:39:19.500 Laura Lauffer she/her: Or that you know I know the first time I saw how Brussels sprouts sprouts grew I was like oh wow that’s kind of cool that they grow on a stock.

00:39:19.770 –> 00:39:32.640 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah um yeah it’s fun and you know we have these beautiful rivers and all of this, recreation, so what I would like to see is folks combine you know come out.

00:39:33.360 –> 00:39:44.700 Laura Lauffer she/her: enjoy the River enjoy the mountains and leave maybe leave some of your resources behind leave some of your money behind with a local farm that conserves that beauty that you love to see.

00:39:45.210 –> 00:40:01.110 Joseph McElroy: Right, I think it’s a great idea for children, you know that used to be the children were a big mainstay of tourism here and haywood county but because he had the ghost town in the sky, but you know now research shows that hey the predominance demographic now comes out as over 45 right.

00:40:01.410 –> 00:40:02.820 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah the motorcycle people.

00:40:03.000 –> 00:40:12.510 Joseph McElroy: The motorcycle people and you got the pet friendly crowd you’ve got the hikers and you got but, in general, there there there it’s an older demographic now so but.

00:40:13.230 –> 00:40:23.430 Joseph McElroy: Since coven we’re starting to see families come out and I think having things like agritourism, where they learn a lot of stuff go going from penny.

00:40:23.850 –> 00:40:37.890 Joseph McElroy: petting sheep to you know, seeing how things grow to you know camping I think those are all great visions for do for really vital revitalizing tourism across the board.

00:40:38.490 –> 00:40:40.110 Joseph McElroy: I also I also saw that you.

00:40:40.320 –> 00:40:48.450 Joseph McElroy: You encourage diversity i’ve been doing a lot of work involving women in pursuing the field So how do you do that, and what do you do for them.

00:40:49.410 –> 00:40:59.250 Laura Lauffer she/her: I really don’t have to do anything for them, they are leaders in the field, and they are dynamic savvy business people.

00:41:00.990 –> 00:41:16.200 Laura Lauffer she/her: So they don’t really require any extra attention any extra programming I just you know I work to serve them the way I serve anybody else I did write an article for smoky mountain news a couple years ago about.

00:41:17.310 –> 00:41:29.160 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know the dynamism of women in agriculture in the region and katie from katie’s orchard Patricia Taylor told a story about being with a few women that went to the apple meetings.

00:41:30.030 –> 00:41:38.490 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know, years ago, and that the male apple farmers are kind of like looking at her about speaking up and she’s like i’m here to learn.

00:41:39.270 –> 00:41:50.640 Laura Lauffer she/her: And and she’s an amazing amazing farmer, I absolutely recommend you go by katie’s orchard in canton and you can pick apples and pears and blackberries and blueberries and.

00:41:51.180 –> 00:42:08.730 Laura Lauffer she/her: Get jam and honey and so that’s another another great asset at katie and so she she’s a leader, she counsels other farmers and yeah women, women are natural leaders, and so they don’t need me for much.

00:42:09.120 –> 00:42:19.350 Joseph McElroy: But sometimes they have unique challenges I mean maybe not as much as they used to, but like my grandmother when she moved here back in the 40s 50s he became like the first one is broker.

00:42:20.130 –> 00:42:29.880 Joseph McElroy: State of North Carolina but they would let her open her own bank account to her husband came in and open it yeah is there any unique challenges that women face down the an agritourism.

00:42:30.570 –> 00:42:40.650 Joseph McElroy: No oh good all right cool all right, well, we have to take another break and then we’ll come back we’ll finish up with you know some some things you want to make people aware of.

00:42:41.070 –> 00:42:42.420 Laura Lauffer she/her: Okay excellent Thank you.

00:44:43.980 –> 00:44:54.780 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest is Laura Laufer so Laura, you know my business that’s funded my.

00:44:55.560 –> 00:45:07.050 Joseph McElroy: This move them into the back end of my childhood home and this motel and things originated in marketing and you know, a big part of what we do is content storytelling.

00:45:07.590 –> 00:45:14.010 Joseph McElroy: And and and we’ve built the Meadowlark you know we tripled revenue tripled things through storytelling essentially through.

00:45:14.430 –> 00:45:27.420 Joseph McElroy: The mountain heritage is the common theme throughout what we do so, I noticed that you emphasize storytelling in your agritourism businesses as a way to build it what, what do you, what do you tell them.

00:45:28.470 –> 00:45:40.440 Laura Lauffer she/her: Absolutely, I mean that’s what you know you clinch folks with you know this goat is named Beatrice after my grandma because my grandma was hard-headed and this goat.

00:45:40.740 –> 00:45:52.950 Laura Lauffer she/her: is hard-headed and that’s why we call her Beatrice well how is she hard-headed well she’s hard headed to because she figured out how to get out of the fence, and you know, and you just go on and tell that story about.

00:45:53.850 –> 00:46:04.350 Laura Lauffer she/her: About unique things about your farm and, like you, you know you’re talking about your grandmother, you know, especially if it’s a heritage farm let folks know you know how long.

00:46:04.710 –> 00:46:14.460 Laura Lauffer she/her: Has this been here, this is why we’re here, this is why we do that, and you know it can be as simple as the story of where your food comes from you know, like.

00:46:14.880 –> 00:46:32.970 Laura Lauffer she/her: Oh, you enjoy bread, do you know that bread comes from wheat, and this is where we grow wheat in western North Carolina and wheat can also be used for this, and so so contextualizing agriculture so folks understand what it means to their everyday life.

00:46:33.990 –> 00:46:39.120 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool that’s cool they know I that’s yeah that’s what we tell people.

00:46:40.320 –> 00:46:47.970 Joseph McElroy: When they’re wanting to do things in social media like tick tock and stuff like that and Instagram it’s all about telling a narrative right.

00:46:48.750 –> 00:46:58.680 Joseph McElroy: about telling the story yeah and so that’s you know that’s the way to help people a lot I think in terms of get their story out there.

00:46:59.790 –> 00:47:09.600 Laura Lauffer she/her: We say on when folks do social media on Facebook, that it should be the content should be 80% storytelling and 20% selling.

00:47:09.900 –> 00:47:13.710 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know, you know it’s like oh here’s pictures of.

00:47:14.340 –> 00:47:30.150 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know, we want the best picture of your child eating a strawberry from our strawberry patch you get thousands of pictures of kids with strawberry all over their face and people love it and then you say Oh, by the way, you know still pick in until dark until August it.

00:47:30.480 –> 00:47:38.130 Joseph McElroy: You know cool so um, how do you define the ideal farm to table Program.

00:47:38.700 –> 00:47:41.160 Laura Lauffer she/her: Oh that’s a good one um.

00:47:42.450 –> 00:47:52.650 Laura Lauffer she/her: When the chef works with the farmer, before anything goes into the ground, and so you know say chef is reading.

00:47:53.790 –> 00:48:04.470 Laura Lauffer she/her: So fancy culinary you know fine dining magazine, and he sees this beautiful ready CIO and he’s like I want that you know, on my plate, it looks beautiful.

00:48:04.800 –> 00:48:16.710 Laura Lauffer she/her: So he and his the farmer that he works with they sit down with maybe the Johnny seed catalog and and they’re talking about it and they’re like okay well i’ll try it i’ll plant simply, you will see how that goes.

00:48:17.190 –> 00:48:27.060 Laura Lauffer she/her: And it is a relationship like that it’s it’s truly creativity on both ends and you know the chef has to have some.

00:48:28.050 –> 00:48:41.850 Laura Lauffer she/her: expectations and understanding of the challenges of disease water, you know things that happen that some things can go wrong, but it’s truly truly a relationship, you know the chef is visiting the farm.

00:48:43.080 –> 00:49:02.670 Laura Lauffer she/her: The farmers going in to have a great meal at the restaurant, so that is absolutely the ideal where the the chef’s menu like here in Silva El de is a fantastic example they changed their menu every couple of weeks to what’s what’s what’s fresh and what’s coming in the door.

00:49:03.570 –> 00:49:11.160 Joseph McElroy: that’s I mean yeah the when you’re doing the farming you’d have to you have to you have to deal with the dynamics of what’s available.

00:49:11.700 –> 00:49:15.390 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah well everybody’s got yellow squash in my.

00:49:16.740 –> 00:49:24.270 Laura Lauffer she/her: Maybe plant, you know, a different kind of beat instead so you have to be smart like that.

00:49:24.690 –> 00:49:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Right or come up with unique recipes for yellow squash.

00:49:29.070 –> 00:49:30.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.

00:49:30.720 –> 00:49:32.160 Laura Lauffer she/her: I think they’re out there somewhere.

00:49:32.640 –> 00:49:37.110 Joseph McElroy: Well i’m i’m loving yellow squash soup cream soup.

00:49:38.880 –> 00:49:39.390 Joseph McElroy: it’s good.

00:49:41.010 –> 00:49:42.000 Joseph McElroy: So, but.

00:49:47.160 –> 00:49:47.460 Joseph McElroy: You.

00:49:48.720 –> 00:49:49.050 Joseph McElroy: You.

00:49:50.970 –> 00:49:55.710 Joseph McElroy: You sorry I lost my place in my my questions here so.

00:49:57.240 –> 00:50:02.760 Joseph McElroy: So you have a website right what’s the website again you just say Google is easiest way.

00:50:03.120 –> 00:50:06.570 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah empowering mountain foods.org I believe.

00:50:06.840 –> 00:50:16.620 Laura Lauffer she/her: Okay i’m done and there’s two other websites I wanted folks to be aware of that, I hope we can put on the Facebook page one is the visit nc farms APP.

00:50:17.190 –> 00:50:26.400 Laura Lauffer she/her: So this is an APP sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and in haywood county it’s sponsored by cooperative extension.

00:50:27.090 –> 00:50:37.230 Laura Lauffer she/her: And bunkum county it’s sponsored by soil and water and in Jackson county it’s funded by the tourism development authority and so.

00:50:37.620 –> 00:50:47.730 Laura Lauffer she/her: You download this APP and wherever you’re driving in North Carolina you can you know type in you know alpaca farm or strawberries, and it will come up.

00:50:48.090 –> 00:51:02.730 Laura Lauffer she/her: With the map hours what’s available, so the visit nc farms APP and then the other one i’m super excited about, especially for your out of town folks is vacation or supported agriculture and.

00:51:04.260 –> 00:51:08.880 Laura Lauffer she/her: I put that link in the chat so I don’t quite remember that I hope i’m not messing this up.

00:51:09.390 –> 00:51:20.400 Laura Lauffer she/her: So P one provisions visit and see smokies and so hopefully we can put that in the in the stream and what’s so exciting about this is before you get to town.

00:51:20.910 –> 00:51:32.670 Laura Lauffer she/her: and say you’re staying in a cabin and you would like a bag of fresh freshly picked produce from a farm right down the road and.

00:51:33.450 –> 00:51:45.780 Laura Lauffer she/her: And haywood county it’s mark mcdonough at mighty know mark and Danielle at mighty known and Christine Christine braswell of outlaw acres so these two farmers are supplying.

00:51:46.890 –> 00:51:58.200 Laura Lauffer she/her: Visitors with a beautiful bag of produce eggs and flowers and it’s there for them to pick up at bear waters brewery in bosu wine shop in waynesville when they get to town.

00:51:58.740 –> 00:52:01.980 Joseph McElroy: So those are the waters with the cannon or the one advantage.

00:52:02.280 –> 00:52:03.150 Laura Lauffer she/her: The one in Maggie.

00:52:03.480 –> 00:52:04.530 Joseph McElroy: Really yeah.

00:52:04.860 –> 00:52:13.500 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah so yeah we met with Kevin he’s really excited to support us he’s a big supporter of of local farmers.

00:52:14.010 –> 00:52:17.520 Joseph McElroy: piggy backs have to have that list so they’d have this produce while they’re here.

00:52:17.760 –> 00:52:19.080 Joseph McElroy: yeah what to say.

00:52:20.160 –> 00:52:20.430 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah.

00:52:21.000 –> 00:52:24.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know we have Kevin tier two middle of we should talk to bear waters and.

00:52:24.840 –> 00:52:37.770 Laura Lauffer she/her: Absolutely yeah you will send you the link and when some for all your folks who are coming in August, you can go ahead and send them the link and say hey do you want to pick up a bag of produce here you go.

00:52:38.340 –> 00:52:39.420 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s a great yeah.

00:52:39.510 –> 00:52:46.800 Laura Lauffer she/her: It is it’s a it’s happening it’s been happening at nc state sponsored program it’s been happening on the coast, for five years.

00:52:47.250 –> 00:52:48.300 Joseph McElroy: and pay for it right.

00:52:48.720 –> 00:52:49.230 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:52:49.500 –> 00:52:52.170 Laura Lauffer she/her: Oh yeah I believe it’s $45 a bag.

00:52:53.310 –> 00:53:10.170 Laura Lauffer she/her: And you get your own you know kick insulated pooler carrier and haywood county and Jackson county are pioneers in western North Carolina it’s been happening on the coast, for five years, so we were really appreciative.

00:53:10.560 –> 00:53:16.740 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s great I mean anybody out there, doing airbnb should seriously seriously think about this, you can wait.

00:53:17.490 –> 00:53:18.810 Joseph McElroy: For your clients right.

00:53:18.840 –> 00:53:21.000 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah I can I can hook them up.

00:53:21.300 –> 00:53:21.690 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:53:22.020 –> 00:53:29.040 Laura Lauffer she/her: We just met with some airbnb owners last week and they’re very, very excited about this.

00:53:29.310 –> 00:53:34.380 Joseph McElroy: Well, oh yeah I mean I like the idea I like the idea is, we could put in our cabin.

00:53:34.710 –> 00:53:38.340 Joseph McElroy: yeah we actually go pick it up for them and have it there when they arrived.

00:53:38.400 –> 00:53:40.290 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah that’d be great right down the road.

00:53:40.500 –> 00:53:46.530 Joseph McElroy: You know, right down the road from us so cool so everybody out there Miller moto soon gonna have produce available in the rooms, where you go.

00:53:49.290 –> 00:53:52.980 Joseph McElroy: cool any other any other thing you want to shout out before I close up.

00:53:53.910 –> 00:54:06.270 Laura Lauffer she/her: Just you know go to your local farmers market check them out um when you go and eat out at a restaurant ask them do you have any local products on your menu.

00:54:07.170 –> 00:54:25.920 Laura Lauffer she/her: This really is up to, we as consumers to drive the markets to these farms, I mean we we drive around the smokies we see these beautiful venues, and some of them are venues that are beautiful because farmers are being conservation minded and keeping land and production.

00:54:26.250 –> 00:54:28.560 Laura Lauffer she/her: So, so I say eat your view.

00:54:29.160 –> 00:54:32.190 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool well Thank you so much for being on my show.

00:54:32.250 –> 00:54:37.560 Joseph McElroy: it’s planning, I want to talk further I will go to your website do the application to come talk to you.

00:54:37.830 –> 00:54:42.330 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah we have a little bit of funding left we’re really excited about it.

00:54:42.330 –> 00:54:43.080 Joseph McElroy: So oh.

00:54:43.950 –> 00:54:55.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah Thank you so this is the gateway the smoke these podcasts were streamed live on facebook@facebook.com slash gateway to the smoke these podcasts every Friday every.

00:54:55.920 –> 00:55:04.350 Joseph McElroy: Every Tuesday at six to seven it’s also in the talk radio dot nyc network, which is a network of live podcasts every day.

00:55:04.920 –> 00:55:17.670 Joseph McElroy: ranging from help for small business to sell help to pet help to any number of subjects and it’s very dynamic, because every podcast is live, so I recommend you take a look at what are the offerings they have and it’s.

00:55:18.300 –> 00:55:22.020 Joseph McElroy: it’s it’s a good network, you can also find all the old.

00:55:22.740 –> 00:55:32.370 Joseph McElroy: episodes for this organized long transcripts on the smokies adventure COM site you go there and there’s a link at the top, for the gateway to the smoke these podcasts and.

00:55:32.910 –> 00:55:44.820 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to you coming and listening to us again next week I think we’re about to take a month off so it’d be rerun for a month and a half until September but I’ll be back in September with new shows and new.

00:55:45.300 –> 00:55:50.850 Joseph McElroy: New people to talk to as well, some old friends and old subjects to go over again.

00:55:51.870 –> 00:55:54.630 Joseph McElroy: So until next time, thank you for listening.

]]> <p><strong>WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?</strong></p><p>What does Agritourism mean for farmers, entrepreneurs, and residents in the mountains? Tune in to find out the answer to this question from our guest today, <strong>Laura Lauffer</strong> as we go on with our conversation with her.</p><p><strong>EPISODE SUMMARY:</strong></p><p>Joseph will interview our special guest,<strong> Laura Lauffer,</strong> Project Director of EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems and Appalachian Regional Commission Power Project Center for Environmental Farming Systems sponsored by North Carolina State University – an organization whose objective is to offer financial, technical, and business support to regional farms and food-related businesses, while also being an advocate for agritourism. </p><p>This conversation will cover the process of creating and implementing a business model that emphasizes community development, as well as the relationship between public policy and economic development in Appalachian communities.</p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/empowermtnfood/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/empowermtnfood/</a></p><p>Website: <a href="https://cefs.ncsu.edu/food-system-initiatives/emfs-empowering-mountain-food-systems/" rel="nofollow">https://cefs.ncsu.edu/food-system-initiatives/emfs-empowering-mountain-food-systems/</a></p><p><strong>EPISODE QUOTE: </strong>“ Everybody’s got a yellow squash in July, so maybe planta different kind of beet instead. You have to be smart.” </p><p> </p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/eDD1-nKkLJ/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h1><br></h1><p><a href="https://fb.watch/eDD1-nKkLJ/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/62e7e248472bc41742c9762e_20220726-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/07/26 - Agritourism, Farm to Table with Laura Lauffer"></a></p><p><br></p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></p><p>Lauffer is a native of North Carolina, her father retired when she was in elementary school. She gotta enjoy the tightly knit community of soldiers and their families. Whilst taking part in the Peace Corps she got to visit Zaire, a country in Africa.</p><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p><strong> </strong>In Zaire she was an extension agent. She would get seeds and extend them to farmers in the area to increase protein consumption as it was lacking in the people’s diet. The Peace Corps also gave her the opportunity to learn the local dialect and also used French. She goes on to share that she earned a minor in Spanish in Montreal. Before starting a farm in Garner in Hohnston County she toured around Europe. She then became a Peace Corps recruiter in Grad school. Her area of expertise is food systems and economic development. She started a program at North Carolina Community College where she taught sustainability. She left the classroom and applied her skills in the field as a program director at NCA&amp;T for regional food systems. Agritourism is tourism that is added to an existing farming operation.</p><p><br></p><h4><em>SEGMENT 3</em>‍</h4><p>Using her website people can create appointments to get hooked up with different resources being offered by the program. One of the resources includes Advanced Business Services which helps local businesses that are advanced. The small business centers are partners that community colleges host to offer free business counseling. In agriculture, she is noticing carbon sequestration, which is recognizing farmers as a solution to climate change instead of as a factor of climate change.</p><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>She uses storytelling to give people background and context to farms and agriculture including their purpose. The ideal farm-to-table program is where the farmer and chef are expressing creativity and have a relationship of understanding. An example is Silva Ilda, they change their many every week according to what’s coming in fresh.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:00:40.740 –&gt; 00:00:57.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy, welcome you to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns, this area is filled with H in that.</p><p>00:00:59.460 –&gt; 00:01:03.690 Joseph McElroy: Deep-storied history filters that we explore with the weekly episode.</p><p>00:01:04.500 –&gt; 00:01:11.850 Joseph McElroy: As I said, I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy man in the world, but also deep roots in these mountains by families living the great smokies for over 200 years.</p><p>00:01:12.270 –&gt; 00:01:20.160 Joseph McElroy: My businesses and travel, but my heart is a culture today we’re going to talk about agritourism and farm to table with Laura lot left.</p><p>00:01:20.910 –&gt; 00:01:29.220 Joseph McElroy: The first, you know a few sponsors and things like that you know when you start planning a trip.</p><p>00:01:29.790 –&gt; 00:01:38.310 Joseph McElroy: After you decide where you’re going to go usually the first things you do is, you choose a book your flight you book your place you’re going to stay.</p><p>00:01:38.820 –&gt; 00:01:47.010 Joseph McElroy: As because you need to have a place to start your vacation adventure and then you can get done you get to work on it in Tenerife now I place.</p><p>00:01:47.880 –&gt; 00:01:52.740 Joseph McElroy: and finding a place to stay, I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past.</p><p>00:01:53.550 –&gt; 00:01:58.920 Joseph McElroy: Modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:59.520 –&gt; 00:02:07.410 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you efficient a mountain heritage trout stream grill to catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wines or craft beers.</p><p>00:02:07.800 –&gt; 00:02:20.100 Joseph McElroy: So imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.</p><p>00:02:20.940 –&gt; 00:02:27.720 Joseph McElroy: Now, one of the things that we can help you with is to help you build your itinerary once you decide that you’re going to stay.</p><p>00:02:28.080 –&gt; 00:02:39.780 Joseph McElroy: and come to the smoky mountains for vacation state the middle art we actually have a site called smokies adventure calm, that you can actually do your research on to find out about.</p><p>00:02:40.950 –&gt; 00:02:46.920 Joseph McElroy: The best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment that you can find here.</p><p>00:02:47.910 –&gt; 00:02:59.940 Joseph McElroy: And you can find a lot about the great smoky mountains National Park, you have the best trails the best waterfalls and what you can do in caves code, you find out about the history of the smokies and how to explore that.</p><p>00:03:00.960 –&gt; 00:03:04.290 Joseph McElroy: That smokies adventure smokies plural adventure com.</p><p>ew-]\00:03:05.490 –&gt; 00:03:16.620 Joseph McElroy: For your research pleasure and then when you get here will be more than happy to sell to set you up with tours or other things to do, and of course, we have a lot of things going on here we have the metal dark smoky mountain.</p><p>00:03:17.730 –&gt; 00:03:20.070 Joseph McElroy: Historical Center here with lots of.</p><p>00:03:21.150 –&gt; 00:03:27.390 Joseph McElroy: Events coming about mountain heritage and music and culture, here in the mountains and I’ll tell you about a couple of</p><p>00:03:28.170 –&gt; 00:03:39.810 Joseph McElroy: Recently there was a viral event on TikTok and Instagram with some cloggers and specifically one color flogger I live, right here and Maggie Valley, the valley Jonathan.</p><p>00:03:41.490 –&gt; 00:03:52.500 Joseph McElroy: And we’re going to actually bring those cloggers here this weekend to the Meadowlark Motel to do performance the J creek cloggers and.</p><p>00:03:53.100 –&gt; 00:04:03.210 Joseph McElroy: And they are going to be here on Friday night on Saturday night and your father, going to be performing at 730 but previous to that you can have a free Barbecue.</p><p>00:04:04.050 –&gt; 00:04:20.730 Joseph McElroy: There is sort of an iconic dance group that has been forming for a number of years, but zip the legend Ross was just picked up on tick tock and Instagram doing some solo buck dancing that was reminiscent of a lot of.</p><p>00:04:21.750 –&gt; 00:04:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Urban dancing going on, and he became sort of a hero and he’s actually got a nickname now in the army online things he says he’s called the legend.</p><p>00:04:32.550 –&gt; 00:04:34.710 Joseph McElroy: Is he doing something called any call it, Chris walked.</p><p>00:04:35.910 –&gt; 00:04:42.750 Joseph McElroy: that’s an urban culture but it’s part of the clogging that he does here so so it’s kind of cool.</p><p>00:04:43.500 –&gt; 00:04:56.850 Joseph McElroy: That that happened I don’t think they’ve had I think they’ve had 100 million views it’s crazy, so you know we invite you to come out and see it live on Saturday night July 30 here at the Meadowlark</p><p>00:04:58.110 –&gt; 00:05:11.160 Joseph McElroy: admission is free for the motel guests and for heritage club members and it’s $20 for people that are just visiting it’s called 8289261717 to find out information reverse to reserve your room.</p><p>00:05:12.390 –&gt; 00:05:22.320 Joseph McElroy: Now, another thing that on August six that we’re doing a smoky mountain heritage Center is putting on starting a Cherokee heritage series and they’re bringing in.</p><p>00:05:23.910 –&gt; 00:05:34.530 Joseph McElroy: What true Appalachian Appalachian treasure baby arch and Davey is a world-famous Cherokee tribal historic and storing and Ward winning craftsman.</p><p>00:05:35.070 –&gt; 00:05:43.410 Joseph McElroy: Traditional Cherokee crafts, especially mass and baskets and he’s a beloved spokesman for the Eastern Cherokee tribe.</p><p>00:05:43.980 –&gt; 00:05:56.520 Joseph McElroy: And this will be on August six starting at six the Barbecue dinner and music and then there will be a whole presentation that you will find very interesting.</p><p>00:05:57.240 –&gt; 00:06:08.160 Joseph McElroy: Michigan is $20 for guest three for hotel guests in here to close my hair does club Members call eight to 89261717 to reserve your seat.</p><p>00:06:08.820 –&gt; 00:06:22.080 Joseph McElroy: One of the events coming up that I’ve been promoting for a while now is a songwriters camp I don’t know if you’ve heard of Jim Lauderdale but he’s a grammy award-winning artist I think 30 hit songs under his belt.</p><p>00:06:23.340 –&gt; 00:06:39.630 Joseph McElroy: That he’s written for various artists or more he wrote a lot of George strait’s songs he wrote king of the broken hearts might be one of the big ones that you know so and he’s leading a crew of grammy award-winning artist here there’s gonna be Charles Humphrey the third.</p><p>00:06:41.370 –&gt; 00:06:57.330 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s gonna Be daring Nicholson of Balsam Range les mills and Charles Chamberlain it’s like a dream team of songwriters and top musicians here at the metal art and it’s a two-day event, where you have a meet and greet and have a.</p><p>00:06:58.590 –&gt; 00:07:08.910 Joseph McElroy: concert by the songs from the road band and Barbecue dinner and all star concept on a Saturday night and then you’re going to have.</p><p>00:07:09.660 –&gt; 00:07:29.640 Joseph McElroy: An all day intensive workshop where you actually walk away with a DEMO tape of one of your songs and it’s gonna be it’s gonna be incredible it’s a great way to meet and learn from some of the top in the business so call eight to 89261717 to reserve your space and to get a ticket.</p><p>00:07:31.440 –&gt; 00:07:42.810 Joseph McElroy: get a space for the workshop and the two concerts are also available to the public, just to come and enjoy the music so again eight to 89261717 to get your spot.</p><p>00:07:44.940 –&gt; 00:07:51.420 Joseph McElroy: So today we’re going to be talking about tourism with lunch.</p><p>00:07:54.810 –&gt; 00:07:55.560 Joseph McElroy: it’s with.</p><p>00:07:56.670 –&gt; 00:08:10.050 Joseph McElroy: Our guest his name is Laura laufer is and she is the project director of empowering mountain food systems at appalachian regional convinced Commission power project Center for environmental party farming systems.</p><p>00:08:11.250 –&gt; 00:08:13.260 Joseph McElroy: You can’t say that a lot of times fast.</p><p>00:08:15.000 –&gt; 00:08:15.750 Laura Lauffer she/her: Natural.</p><p>00:08:15.990 –&gt; 00:08:26.670 Joseph McElroy: sponsored by North Carolina State University an organization, whose objective is to offer financial, technical and business support to regional farms and food related businesses.</p><p>00:08:27.090 –&gt; 00:08:35.820 Joseph McElroy: while also being an advocate for agritourism, she holds degrees from Western Carolina university nc State University speaks for language.</p><p>00:08:36.180 –&gt; 00:08:47.340 Joseph McElroy: And there’s a webinar producer blogger and Community activists she resides in western North Carolina enjoys hiking and spending time with family or friends Hello Laura how are you doing.</p><p>00:08:47.370 –&gt; 00:08:49.710 Laura Lauffer she/her: hey hey guys.</p><p>00:08:49.920 –&gt; 00:08:51.270 Joseph McElroy: I pronounce your last name right.</p><p>00:08:51.570 –&gt; 00:08:52.140 Laura Lauffer she/her: Now offer.</p><p>00:08:52.410 –&gt; 00:08:56.730 Joseph McElroy: offer okay so we’re very thrilled to have you here today.</p><p>00:08:57.990 –&gt; 00:09:02.400 Joseph McElroy: You know, we are, we are getting in into farm to table here it’s of lr.</p><p>00:09:03.480 –&gt; 00:09:11.100 Joseph McElroy: we’ve actually put in a raised garden back in the back here and then yeah I went out to my old family farm wish I owned.</p><p>00:09:12.120 –&gt; 00:09:22.950 Joseph McElroy: A third of it and on my on my land grant visible where my grandfather farm I put in my first field and now i’m a farmer feeling so proud of myself.</p><p>00:09:24.480 –&gt; 00:09:31.140 Joseph McElroy: As I got a lot to learn, but I did, I do have some candy roasters and things like that.</p><p>00:09:31.980 –&gt; 00:09:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Growing there so i’m looking forward to this conversation because i’m sure you can teach me how I could do this much better so, but first I want to get a little bit of your background you’re a native of fayetteville North Carolina right.</p><p>00:09:43.890 –&gt; 00:09:44.850 Laura Lauffer she/her: Yes, I am.</p><p>00:09:45.030 –&gt; 00:09:46.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then.</p><p>00:09:47.160 –&gt; 00:09:54.090 Joseph McElroy: You know I whenever I think of that area I automatically think it for broad were you were you an army brat by chance.</p><p>00:09:54.660 –&gt; 00:09:58.170 Laura Lauffer she/her: My dad was in the army, yes that’s how I like to answer that.</p><p>00:09:59.160 –&gt; 00:10:01.530 Laura Lauffer she/her: I did I did grow up more closer to.</p><p>00:10:01.530 –&gt; 00:10:12.390 Laura Lauffer she/her: Fort bragg and my dad was career special forces, and it was a really wonderful wonderful way to grow up, it was a really nice Community there on base.</p><p>00:10:12.660 –&gt; 00:10:15.000 Joseph McElroy: So you got to stay in one place for your whole childhood.</p><p>00:10:15.360 –&gt; 00:10:16.200 Laura Lauffer she/her: I did.</p><p>00:10:16.410 –&gt; 00:10:17.400 Laura Lauffer she/her: My dad died.</p><p>00:10:17.430 –&gt; 00:10:24.330 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah my dad I was a kind of a late comer as far as the in the order of children, so my dad retired.</p><p>00:10:25.620 –&gt; 00:10:35.070 Laura Lauffer she/her: When I was still in elementary school, but we stayed there because of the tight Community bond with all the soldiers families so well.</p><p>00:10:35.340 –&gt; 00:10:46.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah I was just recently out there, my son my 13 year old son is happens to be a power lifter and there was a there was actually a major power lifting event out there, so.</p><p>00:10:47.880 –&gt; 00:10:54.000 Joseph McElroy: You know I I it’s interesting mixed bag place or some really beautiful places in some places that.</p><p>00:10:55.590 –&gt; 00:10:55.950 Joseph McElroy: But.</p><p>00:10:57.030 –&gt; 00:11:00.960 Joseph McElroy: All of North Carolina is it beautiful so.</p><p>00:11:01.440 –&gt; 00:11:04.080 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah I used to consider myself a beach girl.</p><p>00:11:04.500 –&gt; 00:11:04.800 Laura Lauffer she/her: And then.</p><p>00:11:05.280 –&gt; 00:11:16.350 Laura Lauffer she/her: To the mountains and I was coming back from the beach a couple years ago and I, and I was so happy to come to the mountains, so I just decided, I was in North Carolina girl.</p><p>00:11:16.740 –&gt; 00:11:18.330 Joseph McElroy: There you go you got everything here.</p><p>00:11:18.360 –&gt; 00:11:18.630 yeah.</p><p>00:11:19.890 –&gt; 00:11:25.980 Joseph McElroy: We have a rain forest, we have snow ski mountains and we have a white this white sand beaches.</p><p>00:11:26.790 –&gt; 00:11:36.270 Joseph McElroy: You can’t really beat that yeah so how did you end up going to Western Carolina university from high school and fayetteville.</p><p>00:11:37.590 –&gt; 00:11:40.860 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well, it was a circuitous route as you.</p><p>00:11:41.910 –&gt; 00:11:44.490 Laura Lauffer she/her: can imagine, and there was a boy involved in.</p><p>00:11:44.490 –&gt; 00:11:44.760 So.</p><p>00:11:47.070 –&gt; 00:11:47.760 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah.</p><p>00:11:47.850 –&gt; 00:12:04.560 Laura Lauffer she/her: But I was very glad I ended up here, and so this was a sweet homecoming for me since I graduated there in 1988 and another boy I met and I took off to the Peace Corps from from cali so.</p><p>00:12:05.970 –&gt; 00:12:15.540 Laura Lauffer she/her: So 30 years later i’m back and really, really appreciating it more you know in my advanced age, the beauty.</p><p>00:12:15.960 –&gt; 00:12:28.770 Laura Lauffer she/her: Of the region, you know, back then, I you know we were hiking and kind of go into paradise falls and stuff like that, but this time i’m really, really enjoying the beauty of the of the region.</p><p>00:12:29.340 –&gt; 00:12:31.530 Joseph McElroy: Peace Corps where’d you go in the Peace Corps.</p><p>00:12:32.010 –&gt; 00:12:33.210 Laura Lauffer she/her: went desire.</p><p>00:12:33.420 –&gt; 00:12:33.990 Joseph McElroy: wow.</p><p>00:12:34.140 –&gt; 00:12:43.200 Laura Lauffer she/her: it’s this country in the middle of Africa it’s a probably the one of the most difficult posts, you can have honestly and.</p><p>00:12:44.460 –&gt; 00:12:50.970 Laura Lauffer she/her: It was an amazing experience and many volunteers don’t have that experience anymore being.</p><p>00:12:50.970 –&gt; 00:12:52.140 Laura Lauffer she/her: So rural.</p><p>00:12:52.920 –&gt; 00:12:58.050 Joseph McElroy: Well, I gotta I want to hear a little bit more about the experience but we got to take a break right now and then.</p><p>00:12:59.640 –&gt; 00:13:01.950 Joseph McElroy: And then and talk a little bit more about that.</p><p>00:13:02.040 –&gt; 00:13:04.380 Joseph McElroy: and other than, of course, Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:13:04.920 –&gt; 00:13:05.520 Great.</p><p>00:15:21.300 –&gt; 00:15:36.300 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast my guest is Laura Lauffer so Laura you are the peace corps and you were in Africa and what you were doing, and they have anything related to agriculture, what.</p><p>00:15:37.080 –&gt; 00:15:38.430 Laura Lauffer she/her: It did and.</p><p>00:15:38.940 –&gt; 00:15:53.520, Laura Lauffer, she/her: We were extension agents what most people know what extension agents do here is extend the research from the land grant university to farmers and enzyme air, which is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.</p><p>00:15:54.630 –&gt; 00:15:59.760 Laura Lauffer she/her: There was a Research Station but there were no agents, and so my husband and I.</p><p>00:16:01.290 –&gt; 00:16:08.040 Laura Lauffer s: would get seeds and extend them to farmers in the region, mostly corn and soybeans.</p><p>00:16:08.550 –&gt; 00:16:22.110 Laura Lauffer she/her: To try to increase the protein content of diets because malnutrition, was an issue there, so it was a lovely amazing experience, who lived in a mud hut with no plumbing and no electricity and only got around on bikes.</p><p>00:16:22.560 –&gt; 00:16:27.690 Laura Lauffer she/her: Oh, it was It made me appreciate all that we have.</p><p>00:16:28.470 –&gt; 00:16:38.670 Joseph McElroy: Well, that sounds like a fantastic experience I see that you spoke four languages, you know romantic languages and then this one called Chiluba</p><p>00:16:39.210 –&gt; 00:16:56.250, Laura Lauffer, she/her: Chiluba, yeah I was in a gas station in Raleigh once and the guy behind the counter was speaking to Buddha and I started speaking to him is like a so yeah it’s a that’s The great thing about peace corps is they, they teach you the local dialect.</p><p>00:16:56.700 –&gt; 00:16:57.390 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.</p><p>00:16:58.110 –&gt; 00:17:04.440, Laura Lauffer, she/her: yeah so it was really great I think it’d be hard for me to carry on a conversation, and most of those languages.</p><p>00:17:05.820 –&gt; 00:17:16.530 Laura Lauffer she/her: I grew up spending a lot of time in Montreal and got a minor in Spanish, and then spoke French and spoke Chiluba are so it’s a mix match in there.</p><p>00:17:16.770 –&gt; 00:17:19.290 Joseph McElroy: wow how long did you stay inside here?</p><p>00:17:19.920 –&gt; 00:17:20.640 Laura Lauffer she/her: Three years.</p><p>00:17:22.410 –&gt; 00:17:23.520 Joseph McElroy: becomes almost all right.</p><p>00:17:24.150 –&gt; 00:17:44.370, Laura Lauffer, she/her: yeah it was we stayed on we extended a little at the end and worked in the itinerary rain forest with john interests heart and they were doing research with the band booty tribe, which is also known as the pygmies way deep in the rain forest and.</p><p>00:17:45.660 –&gt; 00:17:53.490 Laura Lauffer she/her: It was an amazing experience, but we were ready to go and we hitchhiked across the continent it’s something you can’t do really anymore.</p><p>00:17:54.780 –&gt; 00:17:58.650 Laura Lauffer she/her: It was a true vagabond experience for some young people.</p><p>00:17:59.460 –&gt; 00:18:01.770 Joseph McElroy: And then you came back to the United States after that.</p><p>00:18:02.370 –&gt; 00:18:14.280, Laura Lauffer, she/her: We did we thought we would travel a lot more, but the Gulf War was going on in our family, you know, is ready for us to come back, but we toured around Europe for a little bit and then came back.</p><p>00:18:14.640 –&gt; 00:18:15.810 Joseph McElroy: And we’re to settle settle.</p><p>00:18:17.400 –&gt; 00:18:29.850, Laura Lauffer, she/her: Actually, we stayed in wake county for a while, and then we moved out into the country and the head started our first little farm in garner and Johnston county.</p><p>00:18:30.090 –&gt; 00:18:30.510 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.</p><p>00:18:30.810 –&gt; 00:18:45.000, Laura Lauffer, she/her: And, and I worked in Durham I’ve worked for Africa, new service until I went to Grad school and became a peace corps recruiter in Grad school at NC state, and that was really wonderful experience.</p><p>00:18:45.300 –&gt; 00:18:53.280 Joseph McElroy: And that’s where you got even further into understanding at the Grad school you got into the agriculture-related studies.</p><p>00:18:53.940 –&gt; 00:19:04.410 Laura Lauffer she/her: no, mostly sustainability so I’m not an ag-technician food systems person and Community development and economic development.</p><p>00:19:05.340 –&gt; 00:19:18.540 Laura Lauffer she/her: So I’m not the I do have you know a little bit of knowledge, you know enough to get by on animal husbandry and crop production, but my area of emphasis is food systems and economic development.</p><p>00:19:18.690 –&gt; 00:19:27.870 Joseph McElroy: wow you know what are the, what are the only three pine-rated logic facility, the Western Asheville by the state of North Carolina in terms of sustainable yeah.</p><p>00:19:28.110 –&gt; 00:19:42.690 Laura Lauffer she/her: Fantastic yeah I taught sustainability for a while I started a program at Central Carolina Community College, where the few sustainability degrees in the state, and that was a wonderful experience.</p><p>00:19:43.020 –&gt; 00:19:48.180 Joseph McElroy: And then you worked as a program coordinator of local farms of food within see at antique</p><p>00:19:48.960 –&gt; 00:19:57.690 Laura Lauffer she/her: I did that’s when I got I left teaching because I really was kind of tired of talking about sustainability so much in the classroom every day and I was.</p><p>00:19:58.560 –&gt; 00:20:14.310 Laura Lauffer she/her: missing the application in the field, and so I took a leap of faith and left teaching and was brought on for this regional food systems work at NCAA empty and their extension Program.</p><p>00:20:14.760 –&gt; 00:20:21.840 Joseph McElroy: cool and what is the regional food system work, what is it you do there?</p><p>00:20:21.930 –&gt; 00:20:28.980 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well, so one of the things that we like to focus on is helping farmers with their supply chain.</p><p>00:20:29.910 –&gt; 00:20:38.550, Laura Lauffer, she/her: If they want to diversify their source of funding, do they want to diversify markets this happened a lot during covid where.</p><p>00:20:38.940 –&gt; 00:20:56.730 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know the one-on-one marketing say at farmer’s markets when a way, so we help folks establish their web presence, maybe, establish a pickup and so, for that they needed coolers, and so we had a program our funder came to us during cove it and said.</p><p>00:20:58.050 –&gt; 00:21:13.680 Laura Lauffer she/her: What, what do you need to do you know, because everything this of course it was not our plan to have a pandemic in this project, and so I went to the farmers, and I was like what what do y’all need most and it was cold storage so because they were like.</p><p>00:21:14.190 –&gt; 00:21:15.810 Laura Lauffer she/her: had to hold on to things a little bit.</p><p>00:21:15.810 –&gt; 00:21:30.960 Laura Lauffer she/her: Longer and have a different distribution method so um so supply chain is very important, you know, maintaining that quality and diversifying income so that’s kind of a snapshot that’s one of the things we do.</p><p>00:21:31.710 –&gt; 00:21:42.030 Joseph McElroy: So the new so you ended up then coming to Western North Carolina and leading leading be coming the project director of this up God awful lot.</p><p>00:21:45.360 –&gt; 00:21:48.600 Laura Lauffer she/her: it’s empowering that with IT systems that says it all.</p><p>00:21:50.040 –&gt; 00:21:55.860 Joseph McElroy: Of that is an applicant Appalachian Regional Commission our project Center for environmental party system.</p><p>00:21:56.430 –&gt; 00:22:01.230 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah you always have to mention your funders you know they like that and it’s important.</p><p>00:22:01.530 –&gt; 00:22:01.920 Laura Lauffer she/her: So yeah.</p><p>00:22:02.520 –&gt; 00:22:09.210 Laura Lauffer she/her: We are funded by the appalachian regional Commission it’s a over a million dollar grant over four years.</p><p>00:22:09.810 –&gt; 00:22:28.440 Laura Lauffer she/her: To do this work, and we also very importantly, got funding from the cherokee preservation foundation to work with cherokee farmers and cherokee food systems and my office is actually in the Qualla boundary of the eastern band of Cherokee so we’ve had the great pleasure to work with.</p><p>00:22:29.760 –&gt; 00:22:38.310 Laura Lauffer she/her: tribal government and and are our allies there to help Cherokee farmers and cherokee businesses grow.</p><p>00:22:38.790 –&gt; 00:22:43.980 Joseph McElroy: So you work do you do you work with pharmacy work with other businesses like restaurants groceries.</p><p>00:22:45.120 –&gt; 00:22:45.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:22:46.650 –&gt; 00:22:48.540 Laura Lauffer she/her: um so like during covid</p><p>00:22:49.830 –&gt; 00:22:58.650 Laura Lauffer she/her: Some restaurants transition to be the grocery stores, so I hope folks know about Guadalupe CAFE and downtown Silva</p><p>00:22:58.770 –&gt; 00:22:59.820 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s a great CAFE.</p><p>00:22:59.820 –&gt; 00:23:00.300 yeah.</p><p>00:23:01.440 –&gt; 00:23:04.590 Joseph McElroy: I look at like the multiple salsa salsa.</p><p>00:23:04.830 –&gt; 00:23:08.460 Joseph McElroy: yeah good you can bring a great day yeah.</p><p>00:23:08.730 –&gt; 00:23:16.110 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah yeah yeah Jen is wonderful and she’s always been super committed to local food systems and so.</p><p>00:23:17.100 –&gt; 00:23:21.570 Laura Lauffer she/her: And she was only doing take out but folks will come get their takeout they can get coffee.</p><p>00:23:22.080 –&gt; 00:23:41.520 Laura Lauffer she/her: butter cheese bacon and so, for that she needs more cold storage, and so we help with that, and then we also help with Yonder, which is a fabulous market up in Franklin, and so they during covid they transition from a from a restaurant to a.</p><p>00:23:43.020 –&gt; 00:23:48.870 Laura Lauffer she/her: Community supported agriculture, where they were selling bags of food and and a little grocery store.</p><p>00:23:49.320 –&gt; 00:24:06.030 Laura Lauffer she/her: So yeah absolutely so it’s you know it’s all along we’d like to work all along the supply chain were even work with Western Carolina university, we had an event there a few weeks ago, talking to their catering directors about buying local for events there.</p><p>00:24:06.390 –&gt; 00:24:10.500 Joseph McElroy: Well, so a little, so our little planet, the building a.</p><p>00:24:12.090 –&gt; 00:24:22.680 Joseph McElroy: Small essentially a small farm to help support our plans to make this restaurant would be something we could actually work a little bit with you on.</p><p>00:24:23.190 –&gt; 00:24:31.170, Laura Lauffer, she/her: Absolutely, I mean you’re in Haywood county this project is only goes from Haywood to Cherokee county.</p><p>00:24:32.310 –&gt; 00:24:39.600 Laura Lauffer she/her: there’s often not a lot of attention out here in this little piece of heaven, you know there, there is a lot of mountains west of Asheville.</p><p>00:24:39.870 –&gt; 00:24:40.200 Right.</p><p>00:24:41.280 –&gt; 00:24:45.510 Laura Lauffer she/her: And yeah yeah we love, we have some great partners in Haywood county.</p><p>00:24:45.960 –&gt; 00:24:46.710 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah.</p><p>00:24:47.880 –&gt; 00:24:49.890 Joseph McElroy: Totally yeah totally.</p><p>00:24:51.660 –&gt; 00:24:56.430 Joseph McElroy: Totally enamored by you know the concept of agritourism.</p><p>00:24:57.750 –&gt; 00:25:00.930 Joseph McElroy: And you how do you guys promote agritourism</p><p>00:25:02.040 –&gt; 00:25:17.490 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well agritourism what’s really essential is that agritourism is tourism that is added on to an existing farming operation so it’s not this case where.</p><p>00:25:18.480 –&gt; 00:25:35.520 Laura Lauffer she/her: Laura goes and buys a piece of land and puts up a beautiful barn and it’s a wedding venue that is not agritourism so agritourism, is a working farm or you know farm production business where they’re adding agritourism.</p><p>00:25:36.330 –&gt; 00:25:46.740, Laura Lauffer, she/her: To increase knowledge and, hopefully, of course, in increase revenue, and you know people are very interested to learn, you know where their food comes from.</p><p>00:25:47.400 –&gt; 00:26:08.670 Laura Lauffer she/her: And, and you know children love to go walk along or shear a sheep Jehovah raw farm and Haywood county has a fantastic agritourism operation, where you can stay in their cabin and she and use the wool from a shared sheep and make your own rug oh.</p><p>00:26:09.480 –&gt; 00:26:10.410 Laura Lauffer she/her: that’s cool yeah.</p><p>00:26:10.470 –&gt; 00:26:12.750 Laura Lauffer she/her: So look up Jehovah raw form they are.</p><p>00:26:13.440 –&gt; 00:26:15.060 Joseph McElroy: All yeah you know.</p><p>00:26:16.410 –&gt; 00:26:17.670 Joseph McElroy: I was i’m a beekeeper.</p><p>00:26:17.790 –&gt; 00:26:27.300 Joseph McElroy: Without fantastic I actually learned it I did beekeeping a little bit when I was a kid here in the mountains back she learned to do be pretty good at it in the south bronx in New York City.</p><p>00:26:27.570 –&gt; 00:26:37.800 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness, I would put bee hives and in Community arts and we were near the at the botanical gardens.</p><p>00:26:38.190 –&gt; 00:26:38.790 Joseph McElroy: I know.</p><p>00:26:38.880 –&gt; 00:26:43.530 Joseph McElroy: I got I got all sorts of interesting flavors, but do you work with beekeepers is that.</p><p>00:26:43.980 –&gt; 00:26:58.200, Laura Lauffer, she/her: yeah absolutely one of our first grants, we made was to Ferguson farms in haywood county and they are 100 year farm, there is a historical farm and Haywood county and.</p><p>00:26:59.100 –&gt; 00:27:11.880 Laura Lauffer she/her: They started beekeeping, excuse me in 2019, I believe, when we first started and their operation, they are now getting ready to add blanton to their farm.</p><p>00:27:11.910 –&gt; 00:27:25.440 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah so you can go in and have a beautiful tent on the river and you know hang out in your tub and then go and get on a four-wheeler and go visit the horses and learn about beekeeping.</p><p>00:27:26.640 –&gt; 00:27:28.680 Laura Lauffer she/her: learn about you know beef production.</p><p>00:27:29.100 –&gt; 00:27:40.020 Joseph McElroy: I did a lot of education about beekeeping to kids in the bronx in the Community garden so i’m looking to start doing that, here too, because I enjoyed it.</p><p>00:27:40.410 –&gt; 00:27:48.060 Joseph McElroy: And I have you know I have, I have four year old twins now how am I have a 30-year-old son that four-year-old twins and.</p><p>00:27:48.600 –&gt; 00:27:54.390 Joseph McElroy: I think I look forward to being able to show them about these things so but I think, making it a part of a program I might even.</p><p>00:27:54.960 –&gt; 00:28:07.260 Joseph McElroy: You know, I think that I can do, because I figured out how to do it, the Community garden how to have a number of beehives here at the Meadowlark, because you can create beef like you know you create barriers that regulate wearing the bees fly.</p><p>00:28:07.620 –&gt; 00:28:09.840 Joseph McElroy: Right at the height and everything else, so you can get.</p><p>00:28:09.840 –&gt; 00:28:12.210 Joseph McElroy: them to fly above people for the most part.</p><p>00:28:13.440 –&gt; 00:28:20.340 Joseph McElroy: And so that you can have been very densely populated areas, and a lot of you know, and so people didn’t know that but I got we got to take another break.</p><p>00:28:20.400 –&gt; 00:28:23.940 Joseph McElroy: Okay, and then we’ll come back and talk more about what you’re doing okay.</p><p>00:28:24.330 –&gt; 00:28:25.230 Laura Lauffer she/her: Okay, thanks.</p><p>00:30:30.750 –&gt; 00:30:39.090 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts that my guest Laura Lauffer so Laura you know I.</p><p>00:30:40.140 –&gt; 00:30:56.880 Joseph McElroy: assume I’m a neophyte business person, and you know and it’s trying to get into agritourism, and some of the agriculture, how does, how does, how does somebody approached your organization and find out about assistance and special programs and things like that.</p><p>00:30:58.110 –&gt; 00:31:01.980 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well, just Google empowering mountain food systems and.</p><p>00:31:03.150 –&gt; 00:31:12.030 Laura Lauffer she/her: You will come up in our homepage will come up and on the right, there’s a little purple button that says apply here, and that will take you.</p><p>00:31:12.510 –&gt; 00:31:30.510 Laura Lauffer she/her: straight into our portal and then you have an appointment with me and I talked to folks about what they’re up to and I hook them up with the different resources that they have we have a really cool program right now it’s called Advanced business services that are helping.</p><p>00:31:31.800 –&gt; 00:31:36.660, Laura Lauffer, she/her: Local businesses who are kind of advanced, so we just helped.</p><p>00:31:37.830 –&gt; 00:31:44.940 Laura Lauffer she/her: Oh valley view farms she’s a verbal culture operation, do you know what permaculture is.</p><p>00:31:44.970 –&gt; 00:31:46.140 Joseph McElroy: No, I have no idea.</p><p>00:31:46.350 –&gt; 00:31:48.210 Laura Lauffer she/her: permaculture is worm farming.</p><p>00:31:48.600 –&gt; 00:31:51.270 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow for me, but yeah.</p><p>00:31:51.480 –&gt; 00:32:04.980 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah and she has an amazing worm farming operation, and so we assisted her with her new logo and her sign she has classes at her farm she’s actually teaching a class Mary Ann Smith.</p><p>00:32:06.240 –&gt; 00:32:09.480 Laura Lauffer she/her: August 2 and clay county.</p><p>00:32:10.200 –&gt; 00:32:11.640 Laura Lauffer she/her: So she’s at the haywood.</p><p>00:32:12.000 –&gt; 00:32:21.300 Laura Lauffer she/her: county historic farmers market every Saturday selling worm castings which is worm poop and it’s just some of the most rich.</p><p>00:32:23.010 –&gt; 00:32:38.100 Laura Lauffer she/her: fertilizer you can use you really need to only use a very little so anyhow so that’s a an example of a client we just helped and we’re helping bear waters brewing there and Maggie.</p><p>00:32:39.060 –&gt; 00:32:48.750 Laura Lauffer she/her: They want to expand purchasing local products and so will be helping them with some refrigeration so that they can refrigerate more local products.</p><p>00:32:48.840 –&gt; 00:32:54.630 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous now do you offer do you offer education classes things training things like that.</p><p>00:32:55.290 –&gt; 00:33:03.390 Laura Lauffer she/her: that’s mostly left to extension and one of our key partners in this project is the small business centers.</p><p>00:33:04.230 –&gt; 00:33:18.450 Laura Lauffer she/her: Every Community college in the state hosts a small business Center offering free business counseling and so, because this is an economic development project we really focus on that business side of of agriculture.</p><p>00:33:19.290 –&gt; 00:33:30.360 Laura Lauffer she/her: And we partner with with each small business Center so there and haywood county we partner with haywood Community college and Ashley swagger to have classes there.</p><p>00:33:31.380 –&gt; 00:33:37.470 Laura Lauffer she/her: But extension, and you know you’re so fortunate here we’ve got mills river Research Station.</p><p>00:33:38.220 –&gt; 00:33:54.990 Laura Lauffer she/her: nearby and the mountain horticulture Research Station is on raccoon road there and haywood county and just they you know, keep keep in touch with them and their calendar and your local extension office so that’s that they do that technical training piece.</p><p>00:33:55.470 –&gt; 00:34:00.720 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s that’s cutting this nice i’ve been i’ve been noticing that there are some things out here we go cuz.</p><p>00:34:01.980 –&gt; 00:34:11.910 Joseph McElroy: I know pretty much what to do with beekeeping, but in terms of actually you know what the neck how to evolve a farm is now is not something i’ve ever done before.</p><p>00:34:13.260 –&gt; 00:34:13.650 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah.</p><p>00:34:13.710 –&gt; 00:34:24.420 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well, you gotta you gotta come up with a marketing plan, like any good business, you know, come up with your dear cost benefit analysis and figure out if you’re making money or losing money and.</p><p>00:34:26.250 –&gt; 00:34:28.260 Laura Lauffer she/her: And kind of go from there.</p><p>00:34:28.530 –&gt; 00:34:35.970 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think my my challenge is, I mean i’ve been doing a lot of marketing, so my challenge, though, is actually, how do you grow the best stuff.</p><p>00:34:37.290 –&gt; 00:34:38.190 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah.</p><p>00:34:38.280 –&gt; 00:34:39.840 Laura Lauffer she/her: Well, you start with good soil.</p><p>00:34:39.930 –&gt; 00:34:42.600 Joseph McElroy: Good soil and the worm sounds like a good addition.</p><p>00:34:42.630 –&gt; 00:34:44.070 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:34:44.280 –&gt; 00:34:50.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah i’ve been using I think mushroom based stuff or or beef of based stuff right.</p><p>00:34:50.520 –&gt; 00:34:57.510 Laura Lauffer she/her: Nice nice yeah we’re we’re blessed with fantastic wild mushroom foraging in this region.</p><p>00:34:58.320 –&gt; 00:35:04.650 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve mentioned a few agriculture agritourism business examples around the area.</p><p>00:35:05.760 –&gt; 00:35:10.710 Joseph McElroy: I think there’s also another one, you probably know about darnell farms over swaying county.</p><p>00:35:10.800 –&gt; 00:35:21.090 Laura Lauffer she/her: Right yeah yeah the Dardanelles are fantastic partners in our in our work and I always highlight them when I do teach a marketing class because.</p><p>00:35:21.480 –&gt; 00:35:33.330 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know I encourage anybody to go to the darnell farm is Facebook page because they do live video all the time and and one of the best ones I saw was on.</p><p>00:35:34.440 –&gt; 00:35:42.330 Laura Lauffer she/her: They went out in the field picked a tomato sliced it put it between two pieces of wonder bread with semantics and.</p><p>00:35:42.330 –&gt; 00:35:44.640 Joseph McElroy: Probably good old southern Mayo and.</p><p>00:35:45.150 –&gt; 00:35:47.700 Laura Lauffer she/her: It was just running down his.</p><p>00:35:47.700 –&gt; 00:35:48.330 Laura Lauffer she/her: hand and he.</p><p>00:35:49.350 –&gt; 00:35:50.700 Laura Lauffer she/her: And he was loving it.</p><p>00:35:51.060 –&gt; 00:35:54.960 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know just folks just lined up for miles to count on your sandwich.</p><p>00:35:55.230 –&gt; 00:35:59.280 Joseph McElroy: I eat a tomato sandwich about every every other week I love it to me.</p><p>00:36:01.080 –&gt; 00:36:09.210 Joseph McElroy: So I put mine on yeah wheat bread, I put spinach on the right, you know i’m a little bit more elaborate still but the basis of it is still tomato mail on.</p><p>00:36:10.350 –&gt; 00:36:10.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:36:11.700 –&gt; 00:36:24.840 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah they’re fantastic Community members, they support a lot of food pantries they’re great place to work, and it really is a fun event venue with live music or river.</p><p>00:36:25.950 –&gt; 00:36:31.500 Laura Lauffer she/her: Picking pumpkins and strawberries and hayride so that that is a lot of fun and.</p><p>00:36:33.420 –&gt; 00:36:36.810 Joseph McElroy: So uh so any other places that you think.</p><p>00:36:37.140 –&gt; 00:36:38.790 Laura Lauffer she/her: highlight that are really great yes.</p><p>00:36:38.910 –&gt; 00:36:40.650 Laura Lauffer she/her: Yes, there’s a new one.</p><p>00:36:41.040 –&gt; 00:37:00.420 Laura Lauffer she/her: And I just found out today i’m a with from appalachian sustainable LIFE project, which is a sister organization they’re having a farm tour this year that will have a few stops and haywood county and they’re going to go to smoky mountain manga least talk about a mouthful.</p><p>00:37:01.740 –&gt; 00:37:09.150 Laura Lauffer she/her: So the manga least a pig is the cutest pig it’s a pig with with tight tight curly hair.</p><p>00:37:09.540 –&gt; 00:37:09.780 Joseph McElroy: But it.</p><p>00:37:09.840 –&gt; 00:37:15.030 Laura Lauffer she/her: Has like the highest fat content, the large chefs love it.</p><p>00:37:15.120 –&gt; 00:37:27.930 Laura Lauffer she/her: love it love it so but during cove it, you know things changed for them and they lived on a beautiful piece of land with the river and people wanted to Camp so like well let’s try camping.</p><p>00:37:28.410 –&gt; 00:37:29.310 Laura Lauffer she/her: And so they.</p><p>00:37:29.850 –&gt; 00:37:38.820 Laura Lauffer she/her: I believe their platform is hip camp hai PC emp is kind of like an airbnb for farmers who have land.</p><p>00:37:39.090 –&gt; 00:37:39.450 Laura Lauffer she/her: So you.</p><p>00:37:39.510 –&gt; 00:37:51.900 Laura Lauffer she/her: roll up in your camper you roll up with your tent and you have this beautiful experience on a farm So yes, smoky mountain manga Lisa and you can buy some amazing pork chops while you’re there.</p><p>00:37:52.320 –&gt; 00:38:10.380 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s that’s pretty cool yeah i’m looking at putting some yeah some cabins are clapping out and I earned us now, because now, I have the whole facility to do all the management and all that so yeah It makes sense, where do you see the future of tourism in the next few years.</p><p>00:38:11.670 –&gt; 00:38:22.200 Laura Lauffer she/her: I think i’m ECO tourism for sure i’m talking about sustainability and one of the really exciting things that’s happening.</p><p>00:38:22.680 –&gt; 00:38:28.230 Laura Lauffer she/her: In agriculture is carbon sequestration is you know, recognizing farmers.</p><p>00:38:28.860 –&gt; 00:38:40.800 Laura Lauffer she/her: As a solution to climate change, and not a problem for climate change, and so you know going and seeing you know what are these sustainability measures, you can take with your cattle.</p><p>00:38:41.490 –&gt; 00:38:47.700 Laura Lauffer she/her: and your pastures, how can we, you know, can you know use practices that.</p><p>00:38:48.390 –&gt; 00:39:00.210 Laura Lauffer she/her: create a better habitat for birds and pollinators things like that so i’m hopeful that consumers will will want to do that and take your children to see you know you and.</p><p>00:39:00.780 –&gt; 00:39:10.080 Laura Lauffer she/her: I took some nutrition students to interview some farmers and they had no idea that I think that potatoes grew into ground.</p><p>00:39:10.350 –&gt; 00:39:19.500 Laura Lauffer she/her: Or that you know I know the first time I saw how Brussels sprouts sprouts grew I was like oh wow that’s kind of cool that they grow on a stock.</p><p>00:39:19.770 –&gt; 00:39:32.640 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah um yeah it’s fun and you know we have these beautiful rivers and all of this, recreation, so what I would like to see is folks combine you know come out.</p><p>00:39:33.360 –&gt; 00:39:44.700 Laura Lauffer she/her: enjoy the River enjoy the mountains and leave maybe leave some of your resources behind leave some of your money behind with a local farm that conserves that beauty that you love to see.</p><p>00:39:45.210 –&gt; 00:40:01.110 Joseph McElroy: Right, I think it’s a great idea for children, you know that used to be the children were a big mainstay of tourism here and haywood county but because he had the ghost town in the sky, but you know now research shows that hey the predominance demographic now comes out as over 45 right.</p><p>00:40:01.410 –&gt; 00:40:02.820 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah the motorcycle people.</p><p>00:40:03.000 –&gt; 00:40:12.510 Joseph McElroy: The motorcycle people and you got the pet friendly crowd you’ve got the hikers and you got but, in general, there there there it’s an older demographic now so but.</p><p>00:40:13.230 –&gt; 00:40:23.430 Joseph McElroy: Since coven we’re starting to see families come out and I think having things like agritourism, where they learn a lot of stuff go going from penny.</p><p>00:40:23.850 –&gt; 00:40:37.890 Joseph McElroy: petting sheep to you know, seeing how things grow to you know camping I think those are all great visions for do for really vital revitalizing tourism across the board.</p><p>00:40:38.490 –&gt; 00:40:40.110 Joseph McElroy: I also I also saw that you.</p><p>00:40:40.320 –&gt; 00:40:48.450 Joseph McElroy: You encourage diversity i’ve been doing a lot of work involving women in pursuing the field So how do you do that, and what do you do for them.</p><p>00:40:49.410 –&gt; 00:40:59.250 Laura Lauffer she/her: I really don’t have to do anything for them, they are leaders in the field, and they are dynamic savvy business people.</p><p>00:41:00.990 –&gt; 00:41:16.200 Laura Lauffer she/her: So they don’t really require any extra attention any extra programming I just you know I work to serve them the way I serve anybody else I did write an article for smoky mountain news a couple years ago about.</p><p>00:41:17.310 –&gt; 00:41:29.160 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know the dynamism of women in agriculture in the region and katie from katie’s orchard Patricia Taylor told a story about being with a few women that went to the apple meetings.</p><p>00:41:30.030 –&gt; 00:41:38.490 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know, years ago, and that the male apple farmers are kind of like looking at her about speaking up and she’s like i’m here to learn.</p><p>00:41:39.270 –&gt; 00:41:50.640 Laura Lauffer she/her: And and she’s an amazing amazing farmer, I absolutely recommend you go by katie’s orchard in canton and you can pick apples and pears and blackberries and blueberries and.</p><p>00:41:51.180 –&gt; 00:42:08.730 Laura Lauffer she/her: Get jam and honey and so that’s another another great asset at katie and so she she’s a leader, she counsels other farmers and yeah women, women are natural leaders, and so they don’t need me for much.</p><p>00:42:09.120 –&gt; 00:42:19.350 Joseph McElroy: But sometimes they have unique challenges I mean maybe not as much as they used to, but like my grandmother when she moved here back in the 40s 50s he became like the first one is broker.</p><p>00:42:20.130 –&gt; 00:42:29.880 Joseph McElroy: State of North Carolina but they would let her open her own bank account to her husband came in and open it yeah is there any unique challenges that women face down the an agritourism.</p><p>00:42:30.570 –&gt; 00:42:40.650 Joseph McElroy: No oh good all right cool all right, well, we have to take another break and then we’ll come back we’ll finish up with you know some some things you want to make people aware of.</p><p>00:42:41.070 –&gt; 00:42:42.420 Laura Lauffer she/her: Okay excellent Thank you.</p><p>00:44:43.980 –&gt; 00:44:54.780 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest is Laura Laufer so Laura, you know my business that’s funded my.</p><p>00:44:55.560 –&gt; 00:45:07.050 Joseph McElroy: This move them into the back end of my childhood home and this motel and things originated in marketing and you know, a big part of what we do is content storytelling.</p><p>00:45:07.590 –&gt; 00:45:14.010 Joseph McElroy: And and and we’ve built the Meadowlark you know we tripled revenue tripled things through storytelling essentially through.</p><p>00:45:14.430 –&gt; 00:45:27.420 Joseph McElroy: The mountain heritage is the common theme throughout what we do so, I noticed that you emphasize storytelling in your agritourism businesses as a way to build it what, what do you, what do you tell them.</p><p>00:45:28.470 –&gt; 00:45:40.440 Laura Lauffer she/her: Absolutely, I mean that’s what you know you clinch folks with you know this goat is named Beatrice after my grandma because my grandma was hard-headed and this goat.</p><p>00:45:40.740 –&gt; 00:45:52.950 Laura Lauffer she/her: is hard-headed and that’s why we call her Beatrice well how is she hard-headed well she’s hard headed to because she figured out how to get out of the fence, and you know, and you just go on and tell that story about.</p><p>00:45:53.850 –&gt; 00:46:04.350 Laura Lauffer she/her: About unique things about your farm and, like you, you know you’re talking about your grandmother, you know, especially if it’s a heritage farm let folks know you know how long.</p><p>00:46:04.710 –&gt; 00:46:14.460 Laura Lauffer she/her: Has this been here, this is why we’re here, this is why we do that, and you know it can be as simple as the story of where your food comes from you know, like.</p><p>00:46:14.880 –&gt; 00:46:32.970 Laura Lauffer she/her: Oh, you enjoy bread, do you know that bread comes from wheat, and this is where we grow wheat in western North Carolina and wheat can also be used for this, and so so contextualizing agriculture so folks understand what it means to their everyday life.</p><p>00:46:33.990 –&gt; 00:46:39.120 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool that’s cool they know I that’s yeah that’s what we tell people.</p><p>00:46:40.320 –&gt; 00:46:47.970 Joseph McElroy: When they’re wanting to do things in social media like tick tock and stuff like that and Instagram it’s all about telling a narrative right.</p><p>00:46:48.750 –&gt; 00:46:58.680 Joseph McElroy: about telling the story yeah and so that’s you know that’s the way to help people a lot I think in terms of get their story out there.</p><p>00:46:59.790 –&gt; 00:47:09.600 Laura Lauffer she/her: We say on when folks do social media on Facebook, that it should be the content should be 80% storytelling and 20% selling.</p><p>00:47:09.900 –&gt; 00:47:13.710 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know, you know it’s like oh here’s pictures of.</p><p>00:47:14.340 –&gt; 00:47:30.150 Laura Lauffer she/her: You know, we want the best picture of your child eating a strawberry from our strawberry patch you get thousands of pictures of kids with strawberry all over their face and people love it and then you say Oh, by the way, you know still pick in until dark until August it.</p><p>00:47:30.480 –&gt; 00:47:38.130 Joseph McElroy: You know cool so um, how do you define the ideal farm to table Program.</p><p>00:47:38.700 –&gt; 00:47:41.160 Laura Lauffer she/her: Oh that’s a good one um.</p><p>00:47:42.450 –&gt; 00:47:52.650 Laura Lauffer she/her: When the chef works with the farmer, before anything goes into the ground, and so you know say chef is reading.</p><p>00:47:53.790 –&gt; 00:48:04.470 Laura Lauffer she/her: So fancy culinary you know fine dining magazine, and he sees this beautiful ready CIO and he’s like I want that you know, on my plate, it looks beautiful.</p><p>00:48:04.800 –&gt; 00:48:16.710 Laura Lauffer she/her: So he and his the farmer that he works with they sit down with maybe the Johnny seed catalog and and they’re talking about it and they’re like okay well i’ll try it i’ll plant simply, you will see how that goes.</p><p>00:48:17.190 –&gt; 00:48:27.060 Laura Lauffer she/her: And it is a relationship like that it’s it’s truly creativity on both ends and you know the chef has to have some.</p><p>00:48:28.050 –&gt; 00:48:41.850 Laura Lauffer she/her: expectations and understanding of the challenges of disease water, you know things that happen that some things can go wrong, but it’s truly truly a relationship, you know the chef is visiting the farm.</p><p>00:48:43.080 –&gt; 00:49:02.670 Laura Lauffer she/her: The farmers going in to have a great meal at the restaurant, so that is absolutely the ideal where the the chef’s menu like here in Silva El de is a fantastic example they changed their menu every couple of weeks to what’s what’s what’s fresh and what’s coming in the door.</p><p>00:49:03.570 –&gt; 00:49:11.160 Joseph McElroy: that’s I mean yeah the when you’re doing the farming you’d have to you have to you have to deal with the dynamics of what’s available.</p><p>00:49:11.700 –&gt; 00:49:15.390 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah well everybody’s got yellow squash in my.</p><p>00:49:16.740 –&gt; 00:49:24.270 Laura Lauffer she/her: Maybe plant, you know, a different kind of beat instead so you have to be smart like that.</p><p>00:49:24.690 –&gt; 00:49:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Right or come up with unique recipes for yellow squash.</p><p>00:49:29.070 –&gt; 00:49:30.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:49:30.720 –&gt; 00:49:32.160 Laura Lauffer she/her: I think they’re out there somewhere.</p><p>00:49:32.640 –&gt; 00:49:37.110 Joseph McElroy: Well i’m i’m loving yellow squash soup cream soup.</p><p>00:49:38.880 –&gt; 00:49:39.390 Joseph McElroy: it’s good.</p><p>00:49:41.010 –&gt; 00:49:42.000 Joseph McElroy: So, but.</p><p>00:49:47.160 –&gt; 00:49:47.460 Joseph McElroy: You.</p><p>00:49:48.720 –&gt; 00:49:49.050 Joseph McElroy: You.</p><p>00:49:50.970 –&gt; 00:49:55.710 Joseph McElroy: You sorry I lost my place in my my questions here so.</p><p>00:49:57.240 –&gt; 00:50:02.760 Joseph McElroy: So you have a website right what’s the website again you just say Google is easiest way.</p><p>00:50:03.120 –&gt; 00:50:06.570 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah empowering mountain foods.org I believe.</p><p>00:50:06.840 –&gt; 00:50:16.620 Laura Lauffer she/her: Okay i’m done and there’s two other websites I wanted folks to be aware of that, I hope we can put on the Facebook page one is the visit nc farms APP.</p><p>00:50:17.190 –&gt; 00:50:26.400 Laura Lauffer she/her: So this is an APP sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and in haywood county it’s sponsored by cooperative extension.</p><p>00:50:27.090 –&gt; 00:50:37.230 Laura Lauffer she/her: And bunkum county it’s sponsored by soil and water and in Jackson county it’s funded by the tourism development authority and so.</p><p>00:50:37.620 –&gt; 00:50:47.730 Laura Lauffer she/her: You download this APP and wherever you’re driving in North Carolina you can you know type in you know alpaca farm or strawberries, and it will come up.</p><p>00:50:48.090 –&gt; 00:51:02.730 Laura Lauffer she/her: With the map hours what’s available, so the visit nc farms APP and then the other one i’m super excited about, especially for your out of town folks is vacation or supported agriculture and.</p><p>00:51:04.260 –&gt; 00:51:08.880 Laura Lauffer she/her: I put that link in the chat so I don’t quite remember that I hope i’m not messing this up.</p><p>00:51:09.390 –&gt; 00:51:20.400 Laura Lauffer she/her: So P one provisions visit and see smokies and so hopefully we can put that in the in the stream and what’s so exciting about this is before you get to town.</p><p>00:51:20.910 –&gt; 00:51:32.670 Laura Lauffer she/her: and say you’re staying in a cabin and you would like a bag of fresh freshly picked produce from a farm right down the road and.</p><p>00:51:33.450 –&gt; 00:51:45.780 Laura Lauffer she/her: And haywood county it’s mark mcdonough at mighty know mark and Danielle at mighty known and Christine Christine braswell of outlaw acres so these two farmers are supplying.</p><p>00:51:46.890 –&gt; 00:51:58.200 Laura Lauffer she/her: Visitors with a beautiful bag of produce eggs and flowers and it’s there for them to pick up at bear waters brewery in bosu wine shop in waynesville when they get to town.</p><p>00:51:58.740 –&gt; 00:52:01.980 Joseph McElroy: So those are the waters with the cannon or the one advantage.</p><p>00:52:02.280 –&gt; 00:52:03.150 Laura Lauffer she/her: The one in Maggie.</p><p>00:52:03.480 –&gt; 00:52:04.530 Joseph McElroy: Really yeah.</p><p>00:52:04.860 –&gt; 00:52:13.500 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah so yeah we met with Kevin he’s really excited to support us he’s a big supporter of of local farmers.</p><p>00:52:14.010 –&gt; 00:52:17.520 Joseph McElroy: piggy backs have to have that list so they’d have this produce while they’re here.</p><p>00:52:17.760 –&gt; 00:52:19.080 Joseph McElroy: yeah what to say.</p><p>00:52:20.160 –&gt; 00:52:20.430 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah.</p><p>00:52:21.000 –&gt; 00:52:24.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know we have Kevin tier two middle of we should talk to bear waters and.</p><p>00:52:24.840 –&gt; 00:52:37.770 Laura Lauffer she/her: Absolutely yeah you will send you the link and when some for all your folks who are coming in August, you can go ahead and send them the link and say hey do you want to pick up a bag of produce here you go.</p><p>00:52:38.340 –&gt; 00:52:39.420 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s a great yeah.</p><p>00:52:39.510 –&gt; 00:52:46.800 Laura Lauffer she/her: It is it’s a it’s happening it’s been happening at nc state sponsored program it’s been happening on the coast, for five years.</p><p>00:52:47.250 –&gt; 00:52:48.300 Joseph McElroy: and pay for it right.</p><p>00:52:48.720 –&gt; 00:52:49.230 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:52:49.500 –&gt; 00:52:52.170 Laura Lauffer she/her: Oh yeah I believe it’s $45 a bag.</p><p>00:52:53.310 –&gt; 00:53:10.170 Laura Lauffer she/her: And you get your own you know kick insulated pooler carrier and haywood county and Jackson county are pioneers in western North Carolina it’s been happening on the coast, for five years, so we were really appreciative.</p><p>00:53:10.560 –&gt; 00:53:16.740 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s great I mean anybody out there, doing airbnb should seriously seriously think about this, you can wait.</p><p>00:53:17.490 –&gt; 00:53:18.810 Joseph McElroy: For your clients right.</p><p>00:53:18.840 –&gt; 00:53:21.000 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah I can I can hook them up.</p><p>00:53:21.300 –&gt; 00:53:21.690 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:53:22.020 –&gt; 00:53:29.040 Laura Lauffer she/her: We just met with some airbnb owners last week and they’re very, very excited about this.</p><p>00:53:29.310 –&gt; 00:53:34.380 Joseph McElroy: Well, oh yeah I mean I like the idea I like the idea is, we could put in our cabin.</p><p>00:53:34.710 –&gt; 00:53:38.340 Joseph McElroy: yeah we actually go pick it up for them and have it there when they arrived.</p><p>00:53:38.400 –&gt; 00:53:40.290 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah that’d be great right down the road.</p><p>00:53:40.500 –&gt; 00:53:46.530 Joseph McElroy: You know, right down the road from us so cool so everybody out there Miller moto soon gonna have produce available in the rooms, where you go.</p><p>00:53:49.290 –&gt; 00:53:52.980 Joseph McElroy: cool any other any other thing you want to shout out before I close up.</p><p>00:53:53.910 –&gt; 00:54:06.270 Laura Lauffer she/her: Just you know go to your local farmers market check them out um when you go and eat out at a restaurant ask them do you have any local products on your menu.</p><p>00:54:07.170 –&gt; 00:54:25.920 Laura Lauffer she/her: This really is up to, we as consumers to drive the markets to these farms, I mean we we drive around the smokies we see these beautiful venues, and some of them are venues that are beautiful because farmers are being conservation minded and keeping land and production.</p><p>00:54:26.250 –&gt; 00:54:28.560 Laura Lauffer she/her: So, so I say eat your view.</p><p>00:54:29.160 –&gt; 00:54:32.190 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool well Thank you so much for being on my show.</p><p>00:54:32.250 –&gt; 00:54:37.560 Joseph McElroy: it’s planning, I want to talk further I will go to your website do the application to come talk to you.</p><p>00:54:37.830 –&gt; 00:54:42.330 Laura Lauffer she/her: yeah we have a little bit of funding left we’re really excited about it.</p><p>00:54:42.330 –&gt; 00:54:43.080 Joseph McElroy: So oh.</p><p>00:54:43.950 –&gt; 00:54:55.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah Thank you so this is the gateway the smoke these podcasts were streamed live on facebook@facebook.com slash gateway to the smoke these podcasts every Friday every.</p><p>00:54:55.920 –&gt; 00:55:04.350 Joseph McElroy: Every Tuesday at six to seven it’s also in the talk radio dot nyc network, which is a network of live podcasts every day.</p><p>00:55:04.920 –&gt; 00:55:17.670 Joseph McElroy: ranging from help for small business to sell help to pet help to any number of subjects and it’s very dynamic, because every podcast is live, so I recommend you take a look at what are the offerings they have and it’s.</p><p>00:55:18.300 –&gt; 00:55:22.020 Joseph McElroy: it’s it’s a good network, you can also find all the old.</p><p>00:55:22.740 –&gt; 00:55:32.370 Joseph McElroy: episodes for this organized long transcripts on the smokies adventure COM site you go there and there’s a link at the top, for the gateway to the smoke these podcasts and.</p><p>00:55:32.910 –&gt; 00:55:44.820 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to you coming and listening to us again next week I think we’re about to take a month off so it’d be rerun for a month and a half until September but I’ll be back in September with new shows and new.</p><p>00:55:45.300 –&gt; 00:55:50.850 Joseph McElroy: New people to talk to as well, some old friends and old subjects to go over again.</p><p>00:55:51.870 –&gt; 00:55:54.630 Joseph McElroy: So until next time, thank you for listening.</p> 8e9f407b-78d3-417e-804f-5708fc4c7298 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/b89aa579-e7a7-4473-8105-93a09702827c Tue, 26 Jul 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3028 no full Episode 65: Folkmoot USA—Many Cultures, One Community – A Visit with Evan Hatch Episode 65: Folkmoot USA—Many Cultures, One Community – A Visit with Evan Hatch Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?</strong></p><p>Learn about folk culture and heritage with Evan Hatch, Executive Director of Folkmoot USA. Listen to this episode, as he dedicated this to all folks who carry forward their heritage through music, dance, and song!</p><p><strong>EPISODE SUMMARY:</strong></p><p>What&#39;s the Folkmoot USA all about? </p><p>Discover all about the Folkmoot USA with Evan Hatch on our podcast! Tune in as Joseph interviews <strong>Mr. Hatch</strong>, an expert folklorist with almost two decades of experience as a Grammy Award-winning record producer, event production coordinator, vernacular artist, documentary filmmaker, and recorder of oral history, as well as holding high-level management experience with some of the most prestigious cultural organizations in the Southeast. </p><p>Hatch is currently the Executive Director of one of the oldest and most popular educational centers and festivals in the Southeast—Folkmoot – with headquarters in Waynesville, N.C. He holds degrees from both UNC and Ole Miss and resides in Waynesville. </p><p>He&#39;s going to tell us all about the Folkmoot USA, including what it is and how you can get involved! He will also share what makes this festival so unique, as well as how he got involved in this industry and how he got started. </p><p>Don&#39;t miss this episode! </p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhatch22/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhatch22/ </a></p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.folkmoot.org/" rel="nofollow">https://www.folkmoot.org/</a></p><p><strong>‍</strong></p><p><strong>EPISODE QUOTE: “If you want to get to know your future ancestors I would definitely talk about going to my website, Narrate Project, which is a business I;’m still running and still love to do.”</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?

Learn about folk culture and heritage with Evan Hatch, Executive Director of Folkmoot USA. Listen to this episode, as he dedicated this to all folks who carry forward their heritage through music, dance, and song!

EPISODE SUMMARY:

What's the Folkmoot USA all about? 

Discover all about the Folkmoot USA with Evan Hatch on our podcast! Tune in as Joseph interviews Mr. Hatch, an expert folklorist with almost two decades of experience as a Grammy Award-winning record producer, event production coordinator, vernacular artist, documentary filmmaker, and recorder of oral history, as well as holding high-level management experience with some of the most prestigious cultural organizations in the Southeast. 

Hatch is currently the Executive Director of one of the oldest and most popular educational centers and festivals in the Southeast—Folkmoot – with headquarters in Waynesville, N.C. He holds degrees from both UNC and Ole Miss and resides in Waynesville. 

He's going to tell us all about the Folkmoot USA, including what it is and how you can get involved! He will also share what makes this festival so unique, as well as how he got involved in this industry and how he got started. 

Don't miss this episode! 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhatch22/ 

Website: https://www.folkmoot.org/

‍

EPISODE QUOTE: “If you want to get to know your future ancestors I would definitely talk about going to my website, Narrate Project, which is a business I;’m still running and still love to do.”

 

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.



 SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1

Originally from North Carolina, 1980 to 2000. His father was in the military so they traveled a lot as a family and in his retirement, they settled in North Carolina. He returned to school in 1996 to find his career interest. He recalls his teachers as brilliant and experts with interesting backgrounds. High/ popular culture has caused the folk culture to be looked down upon.

SEGMENT 2

He won a Grammy for Best Album Notes in 2008 and goes into detail behind the inspiration of his work for that award. Bill Monroe was inspired by black artists and he praises musicians who are not racists and truly care about music and collaborations. He gets hired to do extensive interviews with families’ loved ones, so they can hold onto their legacy through his work. Ethan gives a shout-out to Folkstream.net, which has the best documentaries of folks from the 1950s. The festival that he had the most fun organizing is The National Folk Festival in Nashville.

SEGMENT 3

Folkmoot has been around for 38 years as a festival and the organization has been around for 50 years. The meaning of Folkmoot is “meeting of people '' and the creator, Dr. Border was inspired by the European folk festivals. The Folkmoot Friendship Center is taking part in renting out a historic school’s classrooms which date back to 1935 and was founded by WPA. People can use it as galleries and workspace. Soar Academy also provides outdoor school.

SEGMENT 4

Since the Folkmoot Summer Fest will be smaller they are enabled to invest in Fal and Spring programming. Hatch has been able to turn something many views as a hobby into a career.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:37.020 –> 00:00:39.900 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies.

00:00:39.900 –> 00:00:48.630 Joseph McElroy: podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.

00:00:49.350 –> 00:00:57.780 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:58.530 –> 00:01:12.720 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses and travel, but my heart is in culture today we’re going to talk about.

00:01:13.890 –> 00:01:23.550 Joseph McElroy: Folkmoot USA and beaten with the Executive Director Evan Hatch reversed a few sponsor messages and some events coming up.

00:01:25.380 –> 00:01:32.700 Joseph McElroy: I want you to imagine a place evocative of the motor court of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a chic Appalachian feel.

00:01:33.450 –> 00:01:44.910 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can have fish and mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:45.420 –> 00:01:57.690 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:01:58.920 –> 00:02:09.690 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor is smokies adventure.com that smokies plural of interesting either the smoky mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destination for all sees.

00:02:10.290 –> 00:02:17.760 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and fans of family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:18.300 –> 00:02:25.410 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure calm to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountain National Park.

00:02:25.920 –> 00:02:37.050 Joseph McElroy: The trails the waterfalls the cage coven the elk and more then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment you’re retired family can enjoy.

00:02:37.410 –> 00:02:44.940 Joseph McElroy: Fine lodging find places to stay find places to eat find where you can do outdoor life events like weddings and honeymoons.

00:02:45.600 –> 00:02:53.220 Joseph McElroy: it’s all at the smokies adventure calm, which is the leading information portal for adventure experiences of the great smoky mountains.

00:02:53.910 –> 00:03:17.310 Joseph McElroy: So events coming up at the Meadowlark on this coming Saturday, July 23 at 6pm we’re having smoky Blue Rain it’s a trio of Len Graham Fillmore name is Jackson their brand of Americana music is infectious blend folk light rock blues jazz touch of traditional country.

00:03:18.360 –> 00:03:30.990 Joseph McElroy: They met through a mutual friend and that and that first group know realize that they had something special so come on over to the metal or motel and there’s also a Barbecue and and and another find.

00:03:32.640 –> 00:03:41.490 Joseph McElroy: Things to enjoy starting at 6 pm and the mission is free for hotel guests and imperatives club members and it’s just $10 for everybody else.

00:03:42.060 –> 00:03:56.610 Joseph McElroy: So rsvp is required for the Barbecue dinner so call eight to 89261717 for tickets and come enjoy some food and bbq now some of you might know that there was recently a.

00:03:57.750 –> 00:04:01.320 Joseph McElroy: A viral event on tick tock or.

00:04:02.700 –> 00:04:20.520 Joseph McElroy: cloggers from Western North Carolina especially specifically down on Jonathan creek here in a wood county went viral and got seen by like 100 million people’s names ED and he’s part of the J creek cloggers and so they’re coming to the metal Arc motel on July 30 at 7:30 pm.

00:04:21.960 –> 00:04:22.680 Joseph McElroy: We have.

00:04:23.790 –> 00:04:31.200 Joseph McElroy: two great mountain heritage events put on by the metal Arc smoky mountain heritage Center and also include an evening at dinner and dancing.

00:04:32.460 –> 00:04:50.640 Joseph McElroy: begins with the bbq had six and then the performance of the jquery cloggers at 730 and that’s that includes music, they will perform a bunch of examples of traditional mountain dancing as well as teaching the audience several fun dance steps there’s going to be.

00:04:52.200 –> 00:05:00.420 Joseph McElroy: interactive performance or everybody will get to dance and then there’ll also be a short talk by Kim Ross who was on the show here a few weeks ago.

00:05:00.810 –> 00:05:17.130 Joseph McElroy: On the history, and traditions of mountain dancy so Dr you grab your partner and come on by admission is free for hotel guests and parents come Members as 20 bucks for people that are not a standard hotel just call eight to 89261717 to reserve your spot.

00:05:18.180 –> 00:05:31.200 Joseph McElroy: And then, a big event we got coming up August 12 or 13th is a songwriters can, and this is a, this is a serious one, this is a Grammy award-winning songwriters you got Jim Lauderdale who’s written.

00:05:31.680 –> 00:05:42.240 Joseph McElroy: hits many of George strait’s it he wrote that song king of the broken hearts and then you got Charles Humphrey The third is another grammy award winner, along with the.

00:05:42.900 –> 00:05:49.860 Joseph McElroy: Award-winning artists, such as their Nicholson clay mills and Charles chambers.

00:05:50.460 –> 00:05:58.860 Joseph McElroy: And you know Darren Nicholson one of the main musicians and balsam range as big around these parts so it’s going to be a fantastic event.

00:05:59.220 –> 00:06:08.910 Joseph McElroy: it’s going to be a two-day event of interactive songwriting instruction so there’ll be both candles but they’re also be working individually with all the arts.

00:06:09.840 –> 00:06:21.210 Joseph McElroy: world-class musicians and they’ll get a DEMO tape producer one of your songs they’re also a concert on a Friday night by the songs from the road band.

00:06:22.620 –> 00:06:34.290 Joseph McElroy: Which is Charles Humphreys band, and then a Barbecue dinner and all-star concert with all those artists, on Saturday night, this is a unique event like no other and space will be limited, ensure that everybody gets attention.

00:06:35.370 –> 00:06:52.860 Joseph McElroy: So the songwriter campus 678 $75 a person includes all the activities and DEMO tape and everything else, and you also can get yourself a room at the middle like motel if you’re coming from out of town and it also includes dinner and breakfast and things like that.

00:06:54.210 –> 00:07:06.810 Joseph McElroy: If there’s also a limited number of tickets available for just coming to the concerts either on Friday or Saturday night so call eight to 89261717 to get your ticket and reserve your space.

00:07:08.730 –> 00:07:21.360 Joseph McElroy: Somebody knows a lot about events Now is our guest tonight his name is David hatch he’s an expert folklorist with almost two gay two decades of experience as a grammy award-winning.

00:07:21.720 –> 00:07:28.950 Joseph McElroy: record producer event production coordinator vernacular artists documentary filmmaker and recorder of oral history.

00:07:29.370 –> 00:07:37.170 Joseph McElroy: As well as holy high-level management experience with some of the most prestigious cultural organizations in the southeast.

00:07:38.070 –> 00:07:47.790 Joseph McElroy: hatches Evan hatches is currently the executive director, of one of the oldest and most popular educational centers and festivals in the southeast folks.

00:07:48.300 –> 00:08:05.040 Joseph McElroy: With headquarters, right here in haven county in Waynesville North Carolina he holds degrees from both unc and old mess resides and waiting for, where he enjoys cooking camping photography, and reading and is limited spare time I don’t know how he has a spare time how you doing.

00:08:06.360 –> 00:08:09.510 Evan: I’m good Joseph thanks for having me here thanks for making me sound like.

00:08:10.590 –> 00:08:15.480 Joseph McElroy: A listen when you do accomplishments it doesn’t take much does that make you sound good because you are.

00:08:17.460 –> 00:08:20.850 Joseph McElroy: So you said you’re only been here for three and a half weeks and welcome a wood county.

00:08:21.090 –> 00:08:23.490 Evan: Right three and a half months but it.

00:08:24.000 –> 00:08:25.410 Evan: might mean a half yeah.

00:08:27.180 –> 00:08:28.200 Joseph McElroy: it’s all right well.

00:08:28.860 –> 00:08:38.250 Joseph McElroy: Well I’m so excited that you gotta know this new job both books as I used to do some great things, but first I want to talk a little bit about your background.

00:08:38.610 –> 00:08:42.180 Joseph McElroy: sure how you’ve worked, both in North Carolina and Tennessee Where are you originally from.

00:08:43.050 –> 00:08:45.750 Evan: I’m actually from North Carolina I grew up in North Carolina.

00:08:46.830 –> 00:08:55.230 Evan: Graham North Carolina’s my hometown and I was raised there from let’s say 1980 and.

00:08:55.710 –> 00:09:10.290 Evan: to 2000 you know, and so I was born in California actually moved around my dad was in the military for a little while and then he retired and we settled down in a small town North Carolina Graham write down and try.

00:09:11.220 –> 00:09:18.360 Joseph McElroy: it’s right yeah I spent a number of years in the Durham wait for Jerry Raleigh Durham area.

00:09:19.920 –> 00:09:22.950 Joseph McElroy: Though you know a middle stage is also a lovely place.

00:09:24.240 –> 00:09:27.510 Evan: 20 minutes from there, but yes, I spent a lot of time there myself yeah.

00:09:27.720 –> 00:09:28.980 Joseph McElroy: yeah no i’ve.

00:09:29.460 –> 00:09:29.910 Evan: grown it.

00:09:31.860 –> 00:09:36.360 Joseph McElroy: How did your love for folklore cultural history music begin and.

00:09:38.280 –> 00:09:43.710 Evan: Good question man, and you know, sometimes I’ve asked myself that over and over and over again, you know I would say.

00:09:45.210 –> 00:09:53.640 Evan: um I went I started college a little bit too early and I had too good of a time in my first couple of years.

00:09:54.660 –> 00:10:03.090 Evan: After I decided to kind of get serious went back to school and in 1996 and I started taking classes.

00:10:04.380 –> 00:10:16.200 Evan: In what my parents said just try stuff find out what you like see what you enjoy and I started taking classes and folklore and American studies and I found.

00:10:16.680 –> 00:10:26.430 Evan: I really enjoyed these classes, because my teachers were brilliant they were so smart and they were so entertaining and they had just like.

00:10:26.850 –> 00:10:36.270 Evan: They got to study things that I just thought were super cool and one teacher who was an expert on coney island in the 19 you know, in the heyday and.

00:10:39.270 –> 00:10:49.860 Evan: wow yeah another Professor Robert Cantwell wrote a book called ethno mesas and also we’re about a bluegrass break day, so these books, although.

00:10:50.400 –> 00:11:10.320 Evan: Very academic and above my head, it was just cool to be able to study you know stuff that I thought that you know that the common every day the things that surround us all the time and the history of the folk you know I find that to be really, really fascinating I am.

00:11:11.520 –> 00:11:15.990 Evan: You know it’s hard to look at it’s not really a correct way of looking at it, but if you look at.

00:11:17.280 –> 00:11:20.700 Evan: Culture saying you want to look at it through the lenses of.

00:11:21.780 –> 00:11:31.140 Evan: Music you got you to know your high culture, which is very you know very respected and academic and if you look at music, you can say that’s simple.

00:11:32.310 –> 00:11:48.330 Evan: If you’re looking at pop music, you could say well that’s lady gaga or and then you can start looking at folk music and it’s you know it’s traditional fiddles that’s what you know people have been playing for years and years for fun and.

00:11:49.380 –> 00:11:59.490 Evan: And for living and for you know and just to be bearers of culture and I just find that stuff absolutely fascinated often seem that people respected high culture.

00:12:00.810 –> 00:12:02.190 Evan: And that.

00:12:03.300 –> 00:12:11.400 Evan: There is some sort of inherent coolness and outsiders do not have to look at folk culture and I.

00:12:12.300 –> 00:12:12.930 Joseph McElroy: Would you say.

00:12:13.050 –> 00:12:15.060 Joseph McElroy: What do you say hi culture is actually.

00:12:16.110 –> 00:12:23.220 Joseph McElroy: it’s it’s more of a just fashion choices necessarily as a quality choice, I mean I think a lot of folk.

00:12:24.840 –> 00:12:39.870 Joseph McElroy: folk what we consider folk entertainment is actually quite high quality but it’s you know the fashion, is you know Jen driven by you know decisions and not necessarily even in the nature of the music and.

00:12:40.920 –> 00:12:42.810 Joseph McElroy: arts things like that right.

00:12:42.840 –> 00:12:53.190 Evan: The total Joseph that stuff combines right you think Aaron Copeland the great American composer he was writing about American folk subjects you think of Ricard Wagner little ride of the valkyries.

00:12:54.390 –> 00:13:00.930 Evan: he’s a silly wrote a symphony but he wrote it about a German folk tale, so all this stuff online forms one.

00:13:02.070 –> 00:13:06.090 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, we got we were hitting our first break already so um.

00:13:06.570 –> 00:13:07.620 Evan: yeah yeah.

00:13:07.710 –> 00:13:10.590 Joseph McElroy: yeah I I talked to us but.

00:13:12.420 –> 00:13:17.310 Joseph McElroy: So we will come back we’ll talk more about your background and get away with stuff you’re doing today to.

00:13:18.000 –> 00:13:18.630 Evan: That sounds great.

00:13:19.680 –> 00:13:20.190 Evan: Thanks Joseph

00:15:36.450 –> 00:15:52.260 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Evan Hutch so Evan so you ended up graduating from Carolina and then a paid your masters at Ole miss.

00:15:52.350 –> 00:15:53.370 Joseph McElroy: And then you had.

00:15:53.880 –> 00:16:05.790 Joseph McElroy: have had a successful two-decade career that’s actually spanned a lot of variety of interesting fields and hopefully, we’ll get into a little bit of that, but the one that jumped out to me, you know, being an artist.

00:16:06.900 –> 00:16:20.700 Joseph McElroy: And performer myself, is that you, you were involved with spring fed records and you want to Grammy Award for producing an album so tell me about the spring federal records and how you became involved and what was the Grammy awards.

00:16:22.140 –> 00:16:40.920 Evan: moved to Tennessee in 2002 we started a record label over at the art Center Camden county the idea was to highlight some of the hillbilly music, that was the pro country that led to the beginnings of bluegrass music and old-time music so.

00:16:42.030 –> 00:16:48.690 Evan: We took a lot of historical recordings that were in archive stuff that hadn’t been heard, except by you know.

00:16:49.230 –> 00:16:58.800 Evan: Musicologists are people who recorded them and years and worked closely with the families to reissue those records and clean them up on audio.

00:16:59.100 –> 00:17:08.190 Evan: offered really strong liner notes, so that people could kind of understand their history of the recordings, the first thing we did was uncle Dave making at home, he was the.

00:17:08.850 –> 00:17:16.620 Evan: King of the hillbillies he was the first superstar of the grand Ole opry and one of the greatest entertainers ever country music.

00:17:17.820 –> 00:17:22.470 Evan: We also did a really strong Corey with salmon Kirkwall key who are.

00:17:23.610 –> 00:17:33.840 Evan: Co conspirators are co creators with uncle Dave making and one of the first brother do those on the grand Ole opry and all those guys I understood showmanship you know kind of that still goes through.

00:17:34.650 –> 00:17:43.800 Evan: That still go through country music today that kind of joking, and the costume where and and and you know people really engage with the audience as entertainers.

00:17:44.310 –> 00:17:44.880 Joseph McElroy: You also.

00:17:45.990 –> 00:17:48.480 Joseph McElroy: Get the legendary blues man john heard on there wasn’t.

00:17:48.660 –> 00:17:53.400 Evan: We didn’t that’s correct, yes, and that was actually a recording that was made in 63.

00:17:54.300 –> 00:17:55.830 Evan: long after john hurt.

00:17:56.130 –> 00:18:03.930 Evan: finished his recording career and this crazy dude from Bob Hoskins excuse me, Tom Hoskins.

00:18:04.410 –> 00:18:16.110 Evan: drove all the way down from Washington DC and he was going to go pay his respect john hurts grave site and when he found up wound up in Avalon Mississippi he found Mr hurts still very much alive.

00:18:17.520 –> 00:18:17.970 Evan: and

00:18:18.300 –> 00:18:21.870 Evan: hit record, and that is, those recordings from 63.

00:18:21.990 –> 00:18:28.680 Evan: From that john, hurt says wow you have a chance to a second career went back and started playing folk festivals.

00:18:29.220 –> 00:18:30.060 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous.

00:18:31.290 –> 00:18:33.630 Evan: was pretty lucky to do that work with a family.

00:18:34.200 –> 00:18:37.830 Joseph McElroy: And you have other iconic what you had other iconic black artists on there right.

00:18:38.280 –> 00:18:47.940 Evan: yeah so the one that we won the Grammy for is called john work three recordings that culture john work with third was a classically trained composer.

00:18:49.020 –> 00:18:59.280 Evan: But at the same time it’s 1930s and 1940s, he worked at Fisk University, he also really appreciated folk music the brilliant thing about john work is that.

00:19:00.060 –> 00:19:10.440 Evan: He was a like a trust classically trained composer so he can hear music and then write it down a notation so it didn’t have to be recorded, but he could write it down.

00:19:10.890 –> 00:19:19.050 Evan: So he did all these studies of a folk music can eat record and frazier and Patterson is a black string band country string band and nashville.

00:19:19.500 –> 00:19:30.450 Evan: He recorded blues music in Georgia and sacred heart sing in northern Alabama just stuff that people, no one ever heard about he then came to be known, he was picked up.

00:19:31.620 –> 00:19:47.010 Evan: befriended by Alan lomax who some of your viewers are probably know the right folklorist and together they recorded the Co houma county study in Mississippi and the Center of that study was a gentleman named mckinley Morgan field.

00:19:48.090 –> 00:19:49.920 Evan: Who was later, known as muddy waters.

00:19:50.490 –> 00:19:52.830 Evan: wow yeah somebody.

00:19:55.410 –> 00:19:55.830 Joseph McElroy: Was.

00:19:55.860 –> 00:19:59.910 Evan: very flattered to be recorded by these gentlemen, he said, well these guys want to hear me.

00:20:00.690 –> 00:20:16.080 Evan: Maybe i’ll grow up Chicago and become muddy waters and that’s what he did so that was a 1942 record was made some of the end all those recordings were john works, and so we reissued those cleaned up the sound recordings and.

00:20:17.160 –> 00:20:24.450 Evan: get some really extensive liner notes Bruce number of that wrote those that’s what we won that grammy for best liner notes best.

00:20:24.450 –> 00:20:26.340 Joseph McElroy: album what were you did you win the grammy.

00:20:27.150 –> 00:20:29.550 Evan: oh eight I guess you could say.

00:20:30.240 –> 00:20:42.990 Joseph McElroy: All right, so uh I don’t know I don’t have all your career milestones in chronological order, but you had you were an assistant director of an organization called black and global roots, can you tell me about that.

00:20:44.850 –> 00:20:54.060 Evan: Yes, I worked with Dr CC conway CC is she’s a professor at appalachian state and is one of the leading experts on.

00:20:55.110 –> 00:21:05.430 Evan: The banjo and black culture and so she actually is one of the first people to trace those roots of the the banjo as it came from Africa and started to influence American music.

00:21:06.390 –> 00:21:12.180 Evan: Actually, she is, I think, probably the most in most senior we’re putting together the Carolina chocolate drops so she.

00:21:13.440 –> 00:21:14.940 Evan: hosted them at the.

00:21:16.080 –> 00:21:25.920 Evan: Black banjo gathering and appalachian state a few years ago and kind of put them all together and they went off to become the Carolina chocolate drops.

00:21:26.580 –> 00:21:39.420 Evan: So what she wanted to do a data conway wants to do is to give venues and give audiences to underrepresented folk performers so so she would.

00:21:39.900 –> 00:21:50.700 Evan: We be playing concerts and being able to pay, working artists to give them an audience they wouldn’t usually here and that range from blues to cajun zydeco to.

00:21:51.870 –> 00:21:56.550 Evan: Country music but mostly from underrepresented artists yeah and that was.

00:21:57.030 –> 00:22:06.900 Joseph McElroy: It wasn’t the introduction of the banjo really brought up the custom element to say a scratch iris ballad during and really created bluegrass.

00:22:07.950 –> 00:22:15.240 Evan: I would say, so I mean I know the bill Monroe created bluegrass is definitely learned a lot that he learned from black musicians for sure.

00:22:16.530 –> 00:22:31.020 Evan: And I think that’s the coolest thing about musicians right is that they are kind of the first anti racist they don’t care what color you are they don’t care where you’re from as long as you can play music you speak a common language and that gets passed a lot of stuff you know.

00:22:31.740 –> 00:22:42.840 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so I was looking at a new, I was looking at your linkedin profile and you’ve been until you know you ever had a company called Mary what is nary.

00:22:43.800 –> 00:22:44.280 well.

00:22:45.420 –> 00:22:50.760 Evan: That was a probably ill conceived business that I started during during the coven.

00:22:52.890 –> 00:22:55.740 Joseph McElroy: What better time to create a business that feel.

00:22:56.280 –> 00:22:56.850 Evan: Like everybody.

00:22:58.260 –> 00:22:58.650 Evan: Every.

00:22:58.980 –> 00:23:04.230 Evan: Every feeble minded person I know started the business now i’m just kidding it’s been a really great.

00:23:04.770 –> 00:23:06.090 Joseph McElroy: run my business went to die.

00:23:08.430 –> 00:23:19.080 Evan: Well yeah so we had lots of time and essentially it’s all history business so families or people hire me to do extensive interviews with their loved.

00:23:19.110 –> 00:23:28.470 Evan: ones, so that those interviews wow there are well researched and you know and deeply conducted then.

00:23:29.010 –> 00:23:38.730 Evan: By doing that interview and recording that and essentially gives the legacy to the family, so that they can hold on to those recordings somebody.

00:23:39.150 –> 00:23:50.220 Evan: yeah loved one before they pass away and the idea came, you know there’s everybody always has a story about I wish i’d listened to my grandmother I wish I had saved.

00:23:50.880 –> 00:24:00.390 Evan: Her last storytelling or I wish i’d say that last phone message, and if you don’t it’s too late and it happens to everybody so try not to wait.

00:24:01.710 –> 00:24:14.580 Joseph McElroy: Now I I felt that you know I I recorded I did video tapes my grandmother and her brother, you know just a year so before she died because I i’ve always felt that need yeah.

00:24:15.060 –> 00:24:22.530 Evan: Yes, it did it i’m glad this everybody’s got a story to tell everybody’s got knowledge to pass on.

00:24:23.340 –> 00:24:33.180 Joseph McElroy: Now I don’t know this term Bob you know plot who works with me, you know put together some information, he said, this is called vernacular art Is that correct.

00:24:34.290 –> 00:24:41.580 Evan: um yeah I think that’s a really good way of looking at it, I think that term to me, you know, because the vernacular as a as a as a way of speaking.

00:24:42.120 –> 00:24:57.390 Evan: And that’s what this artwork does is it a you know it puts it in a Community puts it in a place, but it also it’s how it’s how it’s a common language that people share and that’s communicated so yeah I think vernacular what’s fair and good way this fabulous.

00:24:58.500 –> 00:25:10.710 Joseph McElroy: Now shift yeah The more I look at your your your your history of us just a lot of things, I mean you are also been an event festival director and coordinator.

00:25:11.910 –> 00:25:17.190 Joseph McElroy: Right and then you create a document documentary film on southern music what was that.

00:25:18.240 –> 00:25:24.420 Evan: um well, let me say I did a couple of we did do a couple of documentaries.

00:25:25.500 –> 00:25:28.230 Evan: And just I think your viewers my liking if I could plug.

00:25:29.790 –> 00:25:34.830 Evan: Great website called folk streams.net.

00:25:35.130 –> 00:25:35.580 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’s.

00:25:36.690 –> 00:25:53.730 Evan: The best collection of folk documentaries made from the 1950s forward and they’re all available for free just for streaming on that website, you will find the coolest vernacular art forms on there anything from music to basket tree to.

00:25:54.780 –> 00:26:01.050 Evan: You know pottery to dance, you know so all that stuff guys covered very well.

00:26:02.790 –> 00:26:14.850 Evan: a couple of music documentaries that we made were they were again those three issues, so one my favorite I guess was Raul mash and that was a.

00:26:16.290 –> 00:26:31.410 Evan: Sol Sol Korean and blame Dunlap had produced in the 1970s, a portrait essentially a video portrait of hamper mech be who is Tennessee’s popcorn Sutton.

00:26:32.040 –> 00:26:42.810 Evan: Essentially, he was like the greatest moonshot are the most famous moon shatter in Tennessee history, not to mention a fine balance Center he was a great.

00:26:43.290 –> 00:26:58.080 Evan: roaring baritone acapella ballad singer and that movie raw mash which is available and folks streams, is basically a 30 minute portrait of hamper but also how to make moonshine from start to finish.

00:26:58.650 –> 00:26:59.160 wow.

00:27:01.350 –> 00:27:11.430 Joseph McElroy: That sounds good, thank you for the reference for that i’m gonna go i’m gonna go to that site start doubting my my new passion for vernacular art.

00:27:13.230 –> 00:27:14.610 Evan: Do you like it.

00:27:15.330 –> 00:27:26.730 Joseph McElroy: yeah and you’ve done a lot of festivals, he did the local fast and hillsborough and some others, what is the most notable or fun festival that you helped to originator develop.

00:27:27.330 –> 00:27:36.750 Evan: Tom and it was it was a total failure, but it was the best festival I ever did it was a national boat festival in Nashville Tennessee and.

00:27:38.070 –> 00:27:45.180 Evan: We didn’t have like people we did it on Labor day weekend, not a great idea or nationals of free music town so.

00:27:45.660 –> 00:27:50.310 Evan: Not everybody came out to it, because you can see, you know you can see, free music everywhere in nashville but.

00:27:50.970 –> 00:28:10.740 Evan: content was amazing and we did the history of the music business, so we had tour buses, we had flatt and scruggs tour bus that people could tour, we had a modern tour bus we had hair cutters and hat show France costume makers like man well was out there, it was an amazing show.

00:28:11.040 –> 00:28:11.580 Evan: wow.

00:28:12.060 –> 00:28:24.120 Joseph McElroy: really well i’m i’m i’m impressed and, but I want to do now is take a break and then we’ll come back and talk about your new position and what you’re doing with the folks who ne ne we can.

00:28:24.900 –> 00:28:25.980 Evan: Thanks Joseph sounds good.

00:30:32.220 –> 00:30:39.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Evan Hatch, So Evan,

00:30:39.780 –> 00:30:44.760 Joseph McElroy: I’ve been we’ve been talking about your career and some of the things we didn’t get into but they’re incredible is that you’re.

00:30:45.120 –> 00:30:52.740 Joseph McElroy: A director of programming in a forest folk art Center in Tennessee and then you were the director of programming for procedures organizations like the North Carolina.

00:30:53.130 –> 00:31:09.150 Joseph McElroy: folklife life Institute, but what’s exciting to me and those of us around the game with his focus is that you’re now taking on a new role as the Executive Director of folk I’m sure you’re excited about that.

00:31:11.100 –> 00:31:17.430 Joseph McElroy: And, and for the sake of our audience may not know about it, can you tell us what Folkmoot is?

00:31:18.510 –> 00:31:19.890 Evan: yeah you know.

00:31:21.030 –> 00:31:30.450 Evan: I feel challenged by this task because there are so many people in this in this county and Haywood county you know so much more than I ever will about it.

00:31:30.870 –> 00:31:35.880 Evan: And because I’ve taken this job three months ago it’s become my job to talk about it.

00:31:36.570 –> 00:31:47.580 Evan: My understanding of folkmoot is that it is a festival that has been around for 38 years and the Organization has been around close to 50 gentlemen named.

00:31:48.270 –> 00:32:02.730 Evan: Dr. Borders, who was a surgeon here and Haywood county was a great lover of folk music and took some trips to Europe and experienced some folk festivals at the old English folk festivals.

00:32:03.510 –> 00:32:07.200 Evan: which were also named folkmoot over there and then I felt moved.

00:32:07.710 –> 00:32:22.980 Evan: As an old English term for a meeting of the phone so essentially it means folk meet that’s what people come together they exchange ideas they exchange culture and dance and music probably some beer to I wouldn’t be surprised.

00:32:25.980 –> 00:32:34.230 Evan: So after seeing that he realized Dr border realizes that it’s not that dissimilar from what’s going on here and.

00:32:34.620 –> 00:32:42.510 Evan: You know, in the great smoky mountains, there are people who play music who get together we share this dance through you know.

00:32:43.320 –> 00:32:55.500 Evan: folk code culture, they get together they sing on front Porches they practice religion together they dance together and he thought that this was.

00:32:55.950 –> 00:33:05.760 Evan: The parallels between English culture European culture and other folk cultures around the world was just all the same, and so it was a great opportunity to get all these folks together.

00:33:06.660 –> 00:33:21.240 Evan: To you know to do this to bring the world to Main Street in Waynesville so 1984 was the first festival he had six-seven groups, I think, from around the world, Europe.

00:33:21.900 –> 00:33:36.930 Evan: Asia, Africa, and South America, who came here and stayed with local audience day with local audience members and got together and dance for one another, they all realize.

00:33:37.980 –> 00:33:43.800 Evan: stuff’s all on the phone we all experienced this it’s not that different it doesn’t matter what color your skin is it doesn’t matter.

00:33:44.970 –> 00:33:50.550 Evan: What language do you speak there are things that cross all, yeah and that’s the coolest thing about folk culture than.

00:33:51.180 –> 00:34:08.790 Joseph McElroy: I was you know I got to see that the one I think I think in the first year back then yeah I love food for many years yeah I just I was just graduated from Duke and coming back and got the experience it before I head to head off to my career.

00:34:09.960 –> 00:34:12.870 Evan: More than I do that’s what were the two.

00:34:13.230 –> 00:34:24.480 Joseph McElroy: I grew up with it yeah so I mean now I mean I think back then, it was just in Haywood County right is, I think I think it was at the stamping grounds right the first few.

00:34:26.280 –> 00:34:28.770 Evan: yeah you stamping ground was historic.

00:34:28.800 –> 00:34:31.170 Joseph McElroy: For performances it.

00:34:31.470 –> 00:34:39.690 Joseph McElroy: started out the software now, which is about you know about three quarters, I mean less than half a mile away from the metal Arc where I’m sitting right now.

00:34:40.170 –> 00:34:42.810 Joseph McElroy: So it was easy for me to walk up there and go to.

00:34:45.600 –> 00:34:52.290 Joseph McElroy: But now, what is it it’s in cities, all over the smoky reasons and as far east as hickory is that still the truth, the case.

00:34:52.950 –> 00:34:57.540 Evan: A little bit changed, as you may know, Koba changed everything and.

00:34:58.890 –> 00:35:07.590 Evan: So the festivals, in the past, the idea was to bring dancers from around the world to bring them to Waynesville as a central point.

00:35:07.860 –> 00:35:23.430 Evan: And then to take that culture, cultural Gatorade and spread it out, you know hickory you know even down in the South Carolina but all you know counties all around North Carolina and Tennessee and those things so.

00:35:24.660 –> 00:35:36.120 Evan: it’s gotten hard to bring in international groups, especially since covid and so the festival over the years, became smaller just by necessity.

00:35:36.570 –> 00:35:46.140 Evan: So this year we’re focusing strictly on Haywood county and a lot in Maggie that so half of the festival is going to be down here in.

00:35:46.590 –> 00:36:00.450 Evan: In Waynesville downtown and also the food friendship Center and hazelwood and then the other two performances are going to be at the magic valley festival ground which is probably another half a mile away from the song.

00:36:01.590 –> 00:36:03.510 Evan: Beautiful as we just out there today.

00:36:04.380 –> 00:36:12.120 Joseph McElroy: But actually very close to each other we’re only half a mile from the festival grounds so we’re all in with you guys on that yeah.

00:36:13.380 –> 00:36:17.430 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah you got to staging ground here, if you want to take advantage of it.

00:36:19.170 –> 00:36:23.250 Joseph McElroy: yeah worry, we got a nice little pavilion for small three cursor shows.

00:36:24.360 –> 00:36:25.320 Evan: To get an idea.

00:36:25.680 –> 00:36:31.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah right yeah no I mean that I’m always a big believer in creating tastes before you create something.

00:36:31.800 –> 00:36:42.030 Joseph McElroy: Do the big one, because it gets people all involved in stuff like that, but yeah This must be a logistical nightmare, because you bring in all these people from all over the world, and you have to house them.

00:36:43.350 –> 00:36:44.760 Joseph McElroy: How do you manage all that.

00:36:45.510 –> 00:36:56.940 Evan: So, again this year wasn’t too hard, well, it is it, no it’s a logistical nightmare that’s fair, I think I have it easier than a lot of the festivals, in the past, and the fact that.

00:36:57.390 –> 00:37:04.830 Evan: We don’t have a lot of international groups, this year, so we haven’t had to get folks to help with visas or anything like that we have.

00:37:05.250 –> 00:37:14.670 Evan: International groups from within the US so we’ve got an Irish group coming from Chicago we’ve got a bit and swelling group coming from Miami we have.

00:37:16.200 –> 00:37:30.270 Evan: A Ukrainian group promo and they’re going to be driving down from Wisconsin all authentic you know of their country, but people who are just living here in the US now practicing it.

00:37:32.070 –> 00:37:38.340 Evan: We also are going to be running a big old hotel that weekend, we have a lot of people staying with us at the folkmoot friendship Center.

00:37:38.400 –> 00:37:44.190 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s right you guys got a big old building there right, so you can set up some campground sort of thing in there right.

00:37:45.030 –> 00:37:55.230 Evan: we’ve actually got some books, probably a little better than army style last got a great big cafeteria here we’re going to be feeding everybody trying to use local produce.

00:37:56.250 –> 00:38:02.070 Evan: local food makes sure that everybody gets good, healthy meals before they go out and dance and perform so.

00:38:04.080 –> 00:38:06.690 Evan: yeah everybody stay in here it’s going to be a hootenanny.

00:38:07.350 –> 00:38:12.930 Joseph McElroy: When you go international good I put in a plug for wife she has a travel agency, they do all that stuff.

00:38:14.610 –> 00:38:16.110 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah big time.

00:38:16.890 –> 00:38:17.610 Evan: right there.

00:38:17.640 –> 00:38:26.670 Joseph McElroy: that’s great services that just do that all that’s All they do is manage that the story I tell is that when we first got together, we wanted to go to.

00:38:28.110 –> 00:38:40.500 Joseph McElroy: All of a sudden, we decided like at the beginning of the week, they wanted to go down to cartoon to mardi gras well essentially mardi gras it’s called a carnival and that.

00:38:41.280 –> 00:38:42.360 Joseph McElroy: Right, where she’s from.

00:38:42.390 –> 00:38:43.140 Evan: 20 years ago.

00:38:43.410 –> 00:38:53.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah and turns out my passport is expired, but she arranged everything and within three days I get everything I was.

00:38:54.990 –> 00:39:02.640 Joseph McElroy: Within you know from the moment of the decision to be another plane going down there were three days so but anyway.

00:39:03.810 –> 00:39:04.620 Joseph McElroy: things can be done.

00:39:06.300 –> 00:39:15.330 Joseph McElroy: But let’s talk about we’re talking about yeah I’m interested in funding your nonprofit, but this has to be costly and where’s your funding coming from.

00:39:16.950 –> 00:39:25.770 Evan: Well it’s got you know the Organization has changed over time and one of the things that I am very proud of.

00:39:27.750 –> 00:39:35.220 Evan: And I’ve grown up in this we don’t see too many nonprofits that are entrepreneurial or as entrepreneurial as we are.

00:39:35.730 –> 00:39:45.210 Evan: So that’s how I learned a long time ago that nonprofits need to generate income to survive their business, just like any other business.

00:39:45.840 –> 00:39:57.810 Evan: So some things that we’re doing here at the folk move friendship Center, which is a 40,000 square foot historic school digging in 1935 built by the WPA Thank you, Roosevelt.

00:39:59.490 –> 00:40:19.470 Evan: We have a large selection of school rooms former classrooms that are being rented out by some very talented artists, so we have really great rates, where people can come in rent the space use it as a gallery but also use it as a.

00:40:20.640 –> 00:40:36.780 Evan: As a workspace or workshop, if you will, so we’ve got weaver’s painters, we have glass artists costumes and and jewelers who rent space here and that helps to bring in income for us to.

00:40:36.840 –> 00:40:45.420 Joseph McElroy: keep this building, but don’t you ever been when i’ve got a tour of that place of a couple years ago and they were going to put it, a huge coffee shop there was somebody who do that, that that happened.

00:40:46.080 –> 00:40:47.040 Joseph McElroy: Or to Coca Cola.

00:40:47.220 –> 00:40:48.330 Joseph McElroy: Coca Cola and.

00:40:48.330 –> 00:40:49.950 Evan: no idea what happened sounds like a good.

00:40:49.950 –> 00:40:51.270 Joseph McElroy: idea Oh, they were gonna.

00:40:51.300 –> 00:40:55.920 Joseph McElroy: They had planted has there been some remember, they were put into this like big coffee.

00:40:57.060 –> 00:41:04.380 Joseph McElroy: shop and look it was gonna be really interesting there’s a there’s some place there that’s a big open space, probably the previous cafeteria.

00:41:05.640 –> 00:41:07.080 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah so.

00:41:08.700 –> 00:41:09.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:41:09.450 –> 00:41:13.440 Evan: Well, another cool thing about is one of our renters is the soar Academy.

00:41:13.800 –> 00:41:28.140 Evan: Which is experiential outdoor education group similar to say an outward bound, but actually that school is based here at folkman friendship Center so half of our building is a school nine months out of the year.

00:41:28.920 –> 00:41:43.230 Evan: For kids who are you know the benefit from outside of classroom educational so they’re all out in the woods learning survival and you know learning how to cook for themselves and learning how to you know.

00:41:43.830 –> 00:41:57.360 Evan: To go to Costa Rica and speak Spanish and experiential education is where it’s at you know really great program that they’re here to and they use our cafeteria so that’s, the problem is that that’s why we don’t have a coffee shop is they use that.

00:41:58.470 –> 00:41:59.100 Joseph McElroy: I see.

00:41:59.730 –> 00:42:00.030 Evan: That there.

00:42:01.980 –> 00:42:17.280 Joseph McElroy: You got a lot of wonderful stuff going on, and you know, one of the things that I do is i’ve become something of an expert memorable tourism experiences and that’s how i’ve you know def triple the size of the the meadowlark motel and what we’re doing yeah focusing on.

00:42:17.550 –> 00:42:26.670 Joseph McElroy: Just how do you how do you stimulate flash flashbulb memories that people keep coming back and it creates brand loyalty and revisit intention.

00:42:27.270 –> 00:42:36.690 Joseph McElroy: there’s a whole part of that academic studies about cultural and heritage, tourism, which I think you should be aware of, because there is.

00:42:37.080 –> 00:42:46.680 Joseph McElroy: A way to really trigger that to bring people back again and again again and i’m gonna send that to you because I think what you’re doing it’s it’s actually perfect.

00:42:48.810 –> 00:42:49.140 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:42:49.590 –> 00:42:50.310 Evan: The partnership.

00:42:50.910 –> 00:42:55.170 Joseph McElroy: yeah well hey i’m always looking for the angle, you know what I mean.

00:42:59.010 –> 00:43:08.130 Joseph McElroy: So we got to take another break and then we’ll come back finish up with you know things that you might want to talk about things that you’ve learned about Western North Carolina while you’ve been here.

00:43:08.670 –> 00:43:11.610 Evan: it’s cool man, thank you, Joseph sounds good yeah.

00:43:14.280 –> 00:43:14.880 www.TalkRadio.nyc: hey everybody.

00:43:14.910 –> 00:43:25.500 www.TalkRadio.nyc: Its cami D, the nonprofit sector can actually coming at you from my attic each week here on talk radio dot nyc I host the program will advocate for nonprofits in Caucus.

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00:45:12.270 –> 00:45:20.370 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies my guest Evan hat so Evan.

00:45:22.260 –> 00:45:27.930 Joseph McElroy: Talking about you just getting your feet underneath here three months three and a half months into your new position.

00:45:28.440 –> 00:45:39.600 Joseph McElroy: but can you become the great progress and prognosticator tell me what’s going to happen, the rest of this year in 2023 and beyond, if you’ve been able to form a vision of the future of the phone booth.

00:45:40.950 –> 00:45:47.130 Evan: A that’s a great question, you know as far as vision.

00:45:47.820 –> 00:46:03.090 Evan: I have to defer to the board of directors on that they set the vision for the organization and they’ve done a great thing, and that is to make this Center the folk new friendships Center an inclusive organization for the arts and cultural exchange it’s simple.

00:46:04.380 –> 00:46:12.900 Evan: that’s simple well simple but it’s not easy one, so several ways that we’re going to be doing on by making this photo booth.

00:46:13.500 –> 00:46:27.180 Evan: Summer fest smaller festival then that’s going to enable us to do some different kinds of programming in the fall and spring, so we can do other short smaller festivals, with different things could be beer could be food, it could be.

00:46:28.890 –> 00:46:37.950 Evan: It could be strictly dance, it could be, you know a number of things any ideas i’m happy to hear about in addition we’ve got the.

00:46:39.000 –> 00:46:46.770 Evan: We have monthly concerts through folk mood live, and those are here at the Queen auditorium 235 seat.

00:46:47.100 –> 00:47:02.010 Evan: theater right here at folk move friendship Center actually we’ve been working with a friend of yours, Mr Bob plot, but the other mountain memories, which are themed shows where storytellers and musicians come together explore.

00:47:02.820 –> 00:47:16.560 Evan: You know tributes to pass musicians, or you know themes such as you know, it could be civil war history of food or anything but really great idea that came from Bob plot, and my plane, really, really strong stuff.

00:47:18.060 –> 00:47:25.200 Evan: I know that August is going to be really busy i’ve got an incredible Ethiopian string band coming in September 3.

00:47:26.250 –> 00:47:36.270 Evan: That are not to be fooled with her name is quote unquote we have country music songwriters nights and we on August 23.

00:47:37.470 –> 00:47:46.410 Evan: Forgive me, I may not have that date right, but all those all those things are going to be lined up we’re going to be doing some great holiday performances it’s basically stay busy.

00:47:48.660 –> 00:48:01.950 Evan: keep the lights on and keep the money coming in and then write grants for special projects that you know we really want to see happen it’s just staying busy it’s like that duck you know it doesn’t look busy on the top but underneath his pattern.

00:48:02.370 –> 00:48:12.090 Joseph McElroy: I mean you got me you got a beautiful facility, and I mean you got a great history, and you know I know that there’s been some cutbacks and.

00:48:12.750 –> 00:48:18.210 Joseph McElroy: You know, in certain political organizations here and in the in the area, but.

00:48:18.990 –> 00:48:37.020 Joseph McElroy: i’m 100% behind building to helping you guys build that up because it’s a great cultural resource that people should get the opportunity to take advantage of it yeah and i’m 100% behind you, I think it’s a fabulous same.

00:48:38.160 –> 00:48:39.270 Evan: thing going to man.

00:48:40.020 –> 00:48:41.310 Joseph McElroy: hey listen.

00:48:41.460 –> 00:48:42.390 yeah metal.

00:48:43.590 –> 00:48:58.890 Joseph McElroy: The Middle Arc is yeah it’s it’s about you know celebrating the mountain heritage and creating memories for people yeah and yeah and starting adventures and but you know i’m an artist, as well as a businessman.

00:49:00.420 –> 00:49:02.610 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I actually you know this, if you.

00:49:02.610 –> 00:49:13.470 Joseph McElroy: Can if you come to the speakeasy you’ll see a lot of my artwork on the walls my early artwork from when I was a student there’s a lot of you know, because it’s a speakeasy there’s a lot of news.

00:49:14.940 –> 00:49:16.440 Joseph McElroy: But yeah but.

00:49:18.840 –> 00:49:32.550 Joseph McElroy: I was as a painter but you know where I got this unknown I created I created on I created online performance art, where you physically and interact with computer and and doing it and i’m actually in some museums, for that.

00:49:33.180 –> 00:49:33.390 Evan: Oh.

00:49:34.350 –> 00:49:50.700 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic oh yeah yeah so but yeah back in the audience late 90s and audio doing that it was great I got a lot of attention, but it didn’t make a bit of money, because nobody knew how to buy a digital PR for this thing, so I ended up becoming a businessman.

00:49:51.900 –> 00:49:58.320 Joseph McElroy: I still do a lot of interesting art stuff like that, but it’s now an APP is an avocation not a vocation.

00:50:00.060 –> 00:50:00.960 vocation was.

00:50:02.580 –> 00:50:03.060 Joseph McElroy: that’s.

00:50:03.390 –> 00:50:12.960 Evan: that’s what I thought folklore was to essentially I try to make a living out of what other people consider a hobby so it may not be the smartest thing in the world, but I think.

00:50:12.990 –> 00:50:14.610 Evan: A link what content.

00:50:15.810 –> 00:50:23.160 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think I think you know, I think that cultural institutions and hospitality has share thing where.

00:50:23.610 –> 00:50:28.200 Joseph McElroy: You can actually express your creativity right and the things that you’re interested in.

00:50:28.770 –> 00:50:38.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah so I’m expressing my creativity, through hospitality, you know, in terms of how you design the rooms, how you design you know, the thing the amenities, and things you’re giving people so.

00:50:39.240 –> 00:50:49.050 Joseph McElroy: You know so you’ve been here Bo and Haywood county now for about three months, and besides folk mood what’s your favorite?

00:50:50.010 –> 00:50:57.930 Joseph McElroy: Somebody coming visit here what you, what do you recommend them go do or go eat or something that you think is a good tip for somebody new coming here.

00:50:59.310 –> 00:51:16.770 Evan: Man I’m shameless self-promotion I love pumpkin beers great Mexican food I first had in Asheville amazing stuff the magic galley I’ve been there, I can’t stop myself I keep going back and eating their fresh seafood.

00:51:17.040 –> 00:51:26.130 Evan: seafood place yeah really great, and of course the Haywood county smokehouse hey we smoke glasses remarkably good place as well.

00:51:28.620 –> 00:51:34.380 Evan: You know I would say sit on a porch somewhere and watch the sunset it’s probably the best thing you can do in this county.

00:51:35.580 –> 00:51:40.620 Evan: You know and or get up really early and have some coffee and watch the sunrise get either one.

00:51:41.790 –> 00:51:42.150 Evan: and

00:51:42.210 –> 00:51:42.540 Evan: that’s.

00:51:42.570 –> 00:51:50.850 Evan: Probably my favorite thing to do, since I’ve been here just sit down and take a breath.

00:51:53.130 –> 00:51:58.410 Joseph McElroy: The relaxation, the people sit back and just enjoy the natural beauty here people love that.

00:51:58.950 –> 00:52:10.410 Joseph McElroy: I mean a lot of it, you know we have a lot of front Porches here right because we’re classically and motel so that’s a lot of people just come just to sit out and have a party on the stoop.

00:52:12.450 –> 00:52:13.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah we’re just looking at it out and.

00:52:14.580 –> 00:52:15.990 Joseph McElroy: talk with friends and.

00:52:16.290 –> 00:52:22.320 Joseph McElroy: sit in a rocking chair and enjoy the country limited try this you know.

00:52:24.240 –> 00:52:29.160 Evan: Gathering spot the stoop or the porch that’s anyway and share.

00:52:30.150 –> 00:52:38.010 Joseph McElroy: That well you know what you know growing up that was it the how the cupboard porch out front with rocking chairs sometimes people would couch the couch out there.

00:52:39.210 –> 00:52:53.040 Joseph McElroy: And then enjoying life so is there some shout out some things you have to recognize our ways you want people to look you up or look at what you’re doing or what what what’re the things that people can find out more information.

00:52:54.150 –> 00:53:04.770 Evan: Well, if you want to get to know your future ancestors I would definitely talk about going to my website and narrate project, which is a business I’m still running and still love to do.

00:53:05.820 –> 00:53:22.770 Evan: Just this week, I interviewed a former provost at the University of North Carolina who has lived an absolutely fascinating life and just got able to talk to people and learn about them, I tell you there’s wisdom all around folks it’s around everybody and.

00:53:24.000 –> 00:53:25.470 Evan: it’s a great way to get to know your people.

00:53:27.180 –> 00:53:31.710 Evan: shout out we love orchard coffee downtown.

00:53:33.000 –> 00:53:38.760 Evan: run by one of our board members Cabo tice good folks down there, I wanted to say hello.

00:53:39.960 –> 00:53:43.470 Evan: All the people I’ve met you know in this area.

00:53:44.760 –> 00:53:56.160 Evan: I guess you know Bob plot being one of them, the gentleman and a scholar and really good, as you know, good gentleman work with I guess my biggest shout out would be to the staff.

00:53:56.700 –> 00:54:13.110 Evan: Here at folk mood USA beth Harvey Mike McClain Jody Nichols Vivian pompous and Brett Pinkston all of who are just incredible people to work with.

00:54:13.530 –> 00:54:13.950 Joseph McElroy: And so what’s.

00:54:14.760 –> 00:54:16.470 Joseph McElroy: what’s the website, by the way.

00:54:17.070 –> 00:54:18.150 Evan: folks move.org.

00:54:18.660 –> 00:54:20.040 Evan: Okay sounds good.

00:54:21.030 –> 00:54:22.050 Joseph McElroy: Facebook page too.

00:54:22.860 –> 00:54:37.590 Evan: yeah there’s Facebook I’m not a social media person I’m sorry yeah there’s definitely you can search Facebook and hit folk maybe the USA all that stuff on social media is fantastic and that’s all because of beth Harvey and the work that she does.

00:54:38.790 –> 00:54:51.390 Evan: You know, it helps to be surrounded by people who are smart engaged engaging and dedicated yeah really helpful.

00:54:51.750 –> 00:54:57.150 Joseph McElroy: Well, I wanna, thank you for being on the show today it’s been a real pleasure, we should definitely have more conversations after this.

00:54:59.040 –> 00:55:08.580 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool hey this podcast is on fate is on the talk radio dot nyc network, which is a live network of podcasts.

00:55:08.910 –> 00:55:09.540 Evan: I recommend you.

00:55:09.930 –> 00:55:16.710 Joseph McElroy: Take a look at everybody take a look at it and find some there’s small business there are all sorts of things.

00:55:17.370 –> 00:55:29.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s also streamed live on facebook@facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast right and it’s the all the episodes are on.

00:55:30.480 –> 00:55:42.060 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure calm you’ll find a link at the top of the gateway to smoke this podcast and you will also see the transcripts and other related information there on each of the different episodes.

00:55:43.170 –> 00:55:48.180 Joseph McElroy: I actually run another podcast on this network called wise content creates wealth, which is about a.

00:55:48.990 –> 00:56:03.570 Joseph McElroy: Marketing and things like that if you’re if you like, that that’s on Fridays from noon until one, but this podcast is every Tuesday from six to seven, and I look forward to seeing you next week and everybody bye bye.

00:56:04.860 –> 00:56:05.640 Evan: bye Thank you.


]]> <p><strong>WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?</strong></p><p>Learn about folk culture and heritage with Evan Hatch, Executive Director of Folkmoot USA. Listen to this episode, as he dedicated this to all folks who carry forward their heritage through music, dance, and song!</p><p><strong>EPISODE SUMMARY:</strong></p><p>What&#39;s the Folkmoot USA all about? </p><p>Discover all about the Folkmoot USA with Evan Hatch on our podcast! Tune in as Joseph interviews <strong>Mr. Hatch</strong>, an expert folklorist with almost two decades of experience as a Grammy Award-winning record producer, event production coordinator, vernacular artist, documentary filmmaker, and recorder of oral history, as well as holding high-level management experience with some of the most prestigious cultural organizations in the Southeast. </p><p>Hatch is currently the Executive Director of one of the oldest and most popular educational centers and festivals in the Southeast—Folkmoot – with headquarters in Waynesville, N.C. He holds degrees from both UNC and Ole Miss and resides in Waynesville. </p><p>He&#39;s going to tell us all about the Folkmoot USA, including what it is and how you can get involved! He will also share what makes this festival so unique, as well as how he got involved in this industry and how he got started. </p><p>Don&#39;t miss this episode! </p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhatch22/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhatch22/ </a></p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.folkmoot.org/" rel="nofollow">https://www.folkmoot.org/</a></p><p><strong>‍</strong></p><p><strong>EPISODE QUOTE: “If you want to get to know your future ancestors I would definitely talk about going to my website, Narrate Project, which is a business I;’m still running and still love to do.”</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h1><br></h1><p><a href="https://fb.watch/epwLg-y7OV/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/62d9c733bdce3d937d6a3cd2_20220719-GTTS.png"></a></p><p><br></p><p> <strong>SHOW NOTES</strong></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Originally from North Carolina, 1980 to 2000. His father was in the military so they traveled a lot as a family and in his retirement, they settled in North Carolina. He returned to school in 1996 to find his career interest. He recalls his teachers as brilliant and experts with interesting backgrounds. High/ popular culture has caused the folk culture to be looked down upon.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>He won a Grammy for Best Album Notes in 2008 and goes into detail behind the inspiration of his work for that award. Bill Monroe was inspired by black artists and he praises musicians who are not racists and truly care about music and collaborations. He gets hired to do extensive interviews with families’ loved ones, so they can hold onto their legacy through his work. Ethan gives a shout-out to Folkstream.net, which has the best documentaries of folks from the 1950s. The festival that he had the most fun organizing is The National Folk Festival in Nashville.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Folkmoot has been around for 38 years as a festival and the organization has been around for 50 years. The meaning of Folkmoot is “meeting of people &#39;&#39; and the creator, Dr. Border was inspired by the European folk festivals. The Folkmoot Friendship Center is taking part in renting out a historic school’s classrooms which date back to 1935 and was founded by WPA. People can use it as galleries and workspace. Soar Academy also provides outdoor school.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Since the Folkmoot Summer Fest will be smaller they are enabled to invest in Fal and Spring programming. Hatch has been able to turn something many views as a hobby into a career.</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:00:37.020 –&gt; 00:00:39.900 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:39.900 –&gt; 00:00:48.630 Joseph McElroy: podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:49.350 –&gt; 00:00:57.780 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:58.530 –&gt; 00:01:12.720 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses and travel, but my heart is in culture today we’re going to talk about.</p><p>00:01:13.890 –&gt; 00:01:23.550 Joseph McElroy: Folkmoot USA and beaten with the Executive Director Evan Hatch reversed a few sponsor messages and some events coming up.</p><p>00:01:25.380 –&gt; 00:01:32.700 Joseph McElroy: I want you to imagine a place evocative of the motor court of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a chic Appalachian feel.</p><p>00:01:33.450 –&gt; 00:01:44.910 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can have fish and mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:45.420 –&gt; 00:01:57.690 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:58.920 –&gt; 00:02:09.690 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor is smokies adventure.com that smokies plural of interesting either the smoky mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destination for all sees.</p><p>00:02:10.290 –&gt; 00:02:17.760 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and fans of family entertainment can be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:18.300 –&gt; 00:02:25.410 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure calm to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountain National Park.</p><p>00:02:25.920 –&gt; 00:02:37.050 Joseph McElroy: The trails the waterfalls the cage coven the elk and more then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment you’re retired family can enjoy.</p><p>00:02:37.410 –&gt; 00:02:44.940 Joseph McElroy: Fine lodging find places to stay find places to eat find where you can do outdoor life events like weddings and honeymoons.</p><p>00:02:45.600 –&gt; 00:02:53.220 Joseph McElroy: it’s all at the smokies adventure calm, which is the leading information portal for adventure experiences of the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:53.910 –&gt; 00:03:17.310 Joseph McElroy: So events coming up at the Meadowlark on this coming Saturday, July 23 at 6pm we’re having smoky Blue Rain it’s a trio of Len Graham Fillmore name is Jackson their brand of Americana music is infectious blend folk light rock blues jazz touch of traditional country.</p><p>00:03:18.360 –&gt; 00:03:30.990 Joseph McElroy: They met through a mutual friend and that and that first group know realize that they had something special so come on over to the metal or motel and there’s also a Barbecue and and and another find.</p><p>00:03:32.640 –&gt; 00:03:41.490 Joseph McElroy: Things to enjoy starting at 6 pm and the mission is free for hotel guests and imperatives club members and it’s just $10 for everybody else.</p><p>00:03:42.060 –&gt; 00:03:56.610 Joseph McElroy: So rsvp is required for the Barbecue dinner so call eight to 89261717 for tickets and come enjoy some food and bbq now some of you might know that there was recently a.</p><p>00:03:57.750 –&gt; 00:04:01.320 Joseph McElroy: A viral event on tick tock or.</p><p>00:04:02.700 –&gt; 00:04:20.520 Joseph McElroy: cloggers from Western North Carolina especially specifically down on Jonathan creek here in a wood county went viral and got seen by like 100 million people’s names ED and he’s part of the J creek cloggers and so they’re coming to the metal Arc motel on July 30 at 7:30 pm.</p><p>00:04:21.960 –&gt; 00:04:22.680 Joseph McElroy: We have.</p><p>00:04:23.790 –&gt; 00:04:31.200 Joseph McElroy: two great mountain heritage events put on by the metal Arc smoky mountain heritage Center and also include an evening at dinner and dancing.</p><p>00:04:32.460 –&gt; 00:04:50.640 Joseph McElroy: begins with the bbq had six and then the performance of the jquery cloggers at 730 and that’s that includes music, they will perform a bunch of examples of traditional mountain dancing as well as teaching the audience several fun dance steps there’s going to be.</p><p>00:04:52.200 –&gt; 00:05:00.420 Joseph McElroy: interactive performance or everybody will get to dance and then there’ll also be a short talk by Kim Ross who was on the show here a few weeks ago.</p><p>00:05:00.810 –&gt; 00:05:17.130 Joseph McElroy: On the history, and traditions of mountain dancy so Dr you grab your partner and come on by admission is free for hotel guests and parents come Members as 20 bucks for people that are not a standard hotel just call eight to 89261717 to reserve your spot.</p><p>00:05:18.180 –&gt; 00:05:31.200 Joseph McElroy: And then, a big event we got coming up August 12 or 13th is a songwriters can, and this is a, this is a serious one, this is a Grammy award-winning songwriters you got Jim Lauderdale who’s written.</p><p>00:05:31.680 –&gt; 00:05:42.240 Joseph McElroy: hits many of George strait’s it he wrote that song king of the broken hearts and then you got Charles Humphrey The third is another grammy award winner, along with the.</p><p>00:05:42.900 –&gt; 00:05:49.860 Joseph McElroy: Award-winning artists, such as their Nicholson clay mills and Charles chambers.</p><p>00:05:50.460 –&gt; 00:05:58.860 Joseph McElroy: And you know Darren Nicholson one of the main musicians and balsam range as big around these parts so it’s going to be a fantastic event.</p><p>00:05:59.220 –&gt; 00:06:08.910 Joseph McElroy: it’s going to be a two-day event of interactive songwriting instruction so there’ll be both candles but they’re also be working individually with all the arts.</p><p>00:06:09.840 –&gt; 00:06:21.210 Joseph McElroy: world-class musicians and they’ll get a DEMO tape producer one of your songs they’re also a concert on a Friday night by the songs from the road band.</p><p>00:06:22.620 –&gt; 00:06:34.290 Joseph McElroy: Which is Charles Humphreys band, and then a Barbecue dinner and all-star concert with all those artists, on Saturday night, this is a unique event like no other and space will be limited, ensure that everybody gets attention.</p><p>00:06:35.370 –&gt; 00:06:52.860 Joseph McElroy: So the songwriter campus 678 $75 a person includes all the activities and DEMO tape and everything else, and you also can get yourself a room at the middle like motel if you’re coming from out of town and it also includes dinner and breakfast and things like that.</p><p>00:06:54.210 –&gt; 00:07:06.810 Joseph McElroy: If there’s also a limited number of tickets available for just coming to the concerts either on Friday or Saturday night so call eight to 89261717 to get your ticket and reserve your space.</p><p>00:07:08.730 –&gt; 00:07:21.360 Joseph McElroy: Somebody knows a lot about events Now is our guest tonight his name is David hatch he’s an expert folklorist with almost two gay two decades of experience as a grammy award-winning.</p><p>00:07:21.720 –&gt; 00:07:28.950 Joseph McElroy: record producer event production coordinator vernacular artists documentary filmmaker and recorder of oral history.</p><p>00:07:29.370 –&gt; 00:07:37.170 Joseph McElroy: As well as holy high-level management experience with some of the most prestigious cultural organizations in the southeast.</p><p>00:07:38.070 –&gt; 00:07:47.790 Joseph McElroy: hatches Evan hatches is currently the executive director, of one of the oldest and most popular educational centers and festivals in the southeast folks.</p><p>00:07:48.300 –&gt; 00:08:05.040 Joseph McElroy: With headquarters, right here in haven county in Waynesville North Carolina he holds degrees from both unc and old mess resides and waiting for, where he enjoys cooking camping photography, and reading and is limited spare time I don’t know how he has a spare time how you doing.</p><p>00:08:06.360 –&gt; 00:08:09.510 Evan: I’m good Joseph thanks for having me here thanks for making me sound like.</p><p>00:08:10.590 –&gt; 00:08:15.480 Joseph McElroy: A listen when you do accomplishments it doesn’t take much does that make you sound good because you are.</p><p>00:08:17.460 –&gt; 00:08:20.850 Joseph McElroy: So you said you’re only been here for three and a half weeks and welcome a wood county.</p><p>00:08:21.090 –&gt; 00:08:23.490 Evan: Right three and a half months but it.</p><p>00:08:24.000 –&gt; 00:08:25.410 Evan: might mean a half yeah.</p><p>00:08:27.180 –&gt; 00:08:28.200 Joseph McElroy: it’s all right well.</p><p>00:08:28.860 –&gt; 00:08:38.250 Joseph McElroy: Well I’m so excited that you gotta know this new job both books as I used to do some great things, but first I want to talk a little bit about your background.</p><p>00:08:38.610 –&gt; 00:08:42.180 Joseph McElroy: sure how you’ve worked, both in North Carolina and Tennessee Where are you originally from.</p><p>00:08:43.050 –&gt; 00:08:45.750 Evan: I’m actually from North Carolina I grew up in North Carolina.</p><p>00:08:46.830 –&gt; 00:08:55.230 Evan: Graham North Carolina’s my hometown and I was raised there from let’s say 1980 and.</p><p>00:08:55.710 –&gt; 00:09:10.290 Evan: to 2000 you know, and so I was born in California actually moved around my dad was in the military for a little while and then he retired and we settled down in a small town North Carolina Graham write down and try.</p><p>00:09:11.220 –&gt; 00:09:18.360 Joseph McElroy: it’s right yeah I spent a number of years in the Durham wait for Jerry Raleigh Durham area.</p><p>00:09:19.920 –&gt; 00:09:22.950 Joseph McElroy: Though you know a middle stage is also a lovely place.</p><p>00:09:24.240 –&gt; 00:09:27.510 Evan: 20 minutes from there, but yes, I spent a lot of time there myself yeah.</p><p>00:09:27.720 –&gt; 00:09:28.980 Joseph McElroy: yeah no i’ve.</p><p>00:09:29.460 –&gt; 00:09:29.910 Evan: grown it.</p><p>00:09:31.860 –&gt; 00:09:36.360 Joseph McElroy: How did your love for folklore cultural history music begin and.</p><p>00:09:38.280 –&gt; 00:09:43.710 Evan: Good question man, and you know, sometimes I’ve asked myself that over and over and over again, you know I would say.</p><p>00:09:45.210 –&gt; 00:09:53.640 Evan: um I went I started college a little bit too early and I had too good of a time in my first couple of years.</p><p>00:09:54.660 –&gt; 00:10:03.090 Evan: After I decided to kind of get serious went back to school and in 1996 and I started taking classes.</p><p>00:10:04.380 –&gt; 00:10:16.200 Evan: In what my parents said just try stuff find out what you like see what you enjoy and I started taking classes and folklore and American studies and I found.</p><p>00:10:16.680 –&gt; 00:10:26.430 Evan: I really enjoyed these classes, because my teachers were brilliant they were so smart and they were so entertaining and they had just like.</p><p>00:10:26.850 –&gt; 00:10:36.270 Evan: They got to study things that I just thought were super cool and one teacher who was an expert on coney island in the 19 you know, in the heyday and.</p><p>00:10:39.270 –&gt; 00:10:49.860 Evan: wow yeah another Professor Robert Cantwell wrote a book called ethno mesas and also we’re about a bluegrass break day, so these books, although.</p><p>00:10:50.400 –&gt; 00:11:10.320 Evan: Very academic and above my head, it was just cool to be able to study you know stuff that I thought that you know that the common every day the things that surround us all the time and the history of the folk you know I find that to be really, really fascinating I am.</p><p>00:11:11.520 –&gt; 00:11:15.990 Evan: You know it’s hard to look at it’s not really a correct way of looking at it, but if you look at.</p><p>00:11:17.280 –&gt; 00:11:20.700 Evan: Culture saying you want to look at it through the lenses of.</p><p>00:11:21.780 –&gt; 00:11:31.140 Evan: Music you got you to know your high culture, which is very you know very respected and academic and if you look at music, you can say that’s simple.</p><p>00:11:32.310 –&gt; 00:11:48.330 Evan: If you’re looking at pop music, you could say well that’s lady gaga or and then you can start looking at folk music and it’s you know it’s traditional fiddles that’s what you know people have been playing for years and years for fun and.</p><p>00:11:49.380 –&gt; 00:11:59.490 Evan: And for living and for you know and just to be bearers of culture and I just find that stuff absolutely fascinated often seem that people respected high culture.</p><p>00:12:00.810 –&gt; 00:12:02.190 Evan: And that.</p><p>00:12:03.300 –&gt; 00:12:11.400 Evan: There is some sort of inherent coolness and outsiders do not have to look at folk culture and I.</p><p>00:12:12.300 –&gt; 00:12:12.930 Joseph McElroy: Would you say.</p><p>00:12:13.050 –&gt; 00:12:15.060 Joseph McElroy: What do you say hi culture is actually.</p><p>00:12:16.110 –&gt; 00:12:23.220 Joseph McElroy: it’s it’s more of a just fashion choices necessarily as a quality choice, I mean I think a lot of folk.</p><p>00:12:24.840 –&gt; 00:12:39.870 Joseph McElroy: folk what we consider folk entertainment is actually quite high quality but it’s you know the fashion, is you know Jen driven by you know decisions and not necessarily even in the nature of the music and.</p><p>00:12:40.920 –&gt; 00:12:42.810 Joseph McElroy: arts things like that right.</p><p>00:12:42.840 –&gt; 00:12:53.190 Evan: The total Joseph that stuff combines right you think Aaron Copeland the great American composer he was writing about American folk subjects you think of Ricard Wagner little ride of the valkyries.</p><p>00:12:54.390 –&gt; 00:13:00.930 Evan: he’s a silly wrote a symphony but he wrote it about a German folk tale, so all this stuff online forms one.</p><p>00:13:02.070 –&gt; 00:13:06.090 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, we got we were hitting our first break already so um.</p><p>00:13:06.570 –&gt; 00:13:07.620 Evan: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:13:07.710 –&gt; 00:13:10.590 Joseph McElroy: yeah I I talked to us but.</p><p>00:13:12.420 –&gt; 00:13:17.310 Joseph McElroy: So we will come back we’ll talk more about your background and get away with stuff you’re doing today to.</p><p>00:13:18.000 –&gt; 00:13:18.630 Evan: That sounds great.</p><p>00:13:19.680 –&gt; 00:13:20.190 Evan: Thanks Joseph</p><p>00:15:36.450 –&gt; 00:15:52.260 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Evan Hutch so Evan so you ended up graduating from Carolina and then a paid your masters at Ole miss.</p><p>00:15:52.350 –&gt; 00:15:53.370 Joseph McElroy: And then you had.</p><p>00:15:53.880 –&gt; 00:16:05.790 Joseph McElroy: have had a successful two-decade career that’s actually spanned a lot of variety of interesting fields and hopefully, we’ll get into a little bit of that, but the one that jumped out to me, you know, being an artist.</p><p>00:16:06.900 –&gt; 00:16:20.700 Joseph McElroy: And performer myself, is that you, you were involved with spring fed records and you want to Grammy Award for producing an album so tell me about the spring federal records and how you became involved and what was the Grammy awards.</p><p>00:16:22.140 –&gt; 00:16:40.920 Evan: moved to Tennessee in 2002 we started a record label over at the art Center Camden county the idea was to highlight some of the hillbilly music, that was the pro country that led to the beginnings of bluegrass music and old-time music so.</p><p>00:16:42.030 –&gt; 00:16:48.690 Evan: We took a lot of historical recordings that were in archive stuff that hadn’t been heard, except by you know.</p><p>00:16:49.230 –&gt; 00:16:58.800 Evan: Musicologists are people who recorded them and years and worked closely with the families to reissue those records and clean them up on audio.</p><p>00:16:59.100 –&gt; 00:17:08.190 Evan: offered really strong liner notes, so that people could kind of understand their history of the recordings, the first thing we did was uncle Dave making at home, he was the.</p><p>00:17:08.850 –&gt; 00:17:16.620 Evan: King of the hillbillies he was the first superstar of the grand Ole opry and one of the greatest entertainers ever country music.</p><p>00:17:17.820 –&gt; 00:17:22.470 Evan: We also did a really strong Corey with salmon Kirkwall key who are.</p><p>00:17:23.610 –&gt; 00:17:33.840 Evan: Co conspirators are co creators with uncle Dave making and one of the first brother do those on the grand Ole opry and all those guys I understood showmanship you know kind of that still goes through.</p><p>00:17:34.650 –&gt; 00:17:43.800 Evan: That still go through country music today that kind of joking, and the costume where and and and you know people really engage with the audience as entertainers.</p><p>00:17:44.310 –&gt; 00:17:44.880 Joseph McElroy: You also.</p><p>00:17:45.990 –&gt; 00:17:48.480 Joseph McElroy: Get the legendary blues man john heard on there wasn’t.</p><p>00:17:48.660 –&gt; 00:17:53.400 Evan: We didn’t that’s correct, yes, and that was actually a recording that was made in 63.</p><p>00:17:54.300 –&gt; 00:17:55.830 Evan: long after john hurt.</p><p>00:17:56.130 –&gt; 00:18:03.930 Evan: finished his recording career and this crazy dude from Bob Hoskins excuse me, Tom Hoskins.</p><p>00:18:04.410 –&gt; 00:18:16.110 Evan: drove all the way down from Washington DC and he was going to go pay his respect john hurts grave site and when he found up wound up in Avalon Mississippi he found Mr hurts still very much alive.</p><p>00:18:17.520 –&gt; 00:18:17.970 Evan: and</p><p>00:18:18.300 –&gt; 00:18:21.870 Evan: hit record, and that is, those recordings from 63.</p><p>00:18:21.990 –&gt; 00:18:28.680 Evan: From that john, hurt says wow you have a chance to a second career went back and started playing folk festivals.</p><p>00:18:29.220 –&gt; 00:18:30.060 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous.</p><p>00:18:31.290 –&gt; 00:18:33.630 Evan: was pretty lucky to do that work with a family.</p><p>00:18:34.200 –&gt; 00:18:37.830 Joseph McElroy: And you have other iconic what you had other iconic black artists on there right.</p><p>00:18:38.280 –&gt; 00:18:47.940 Evan: yeah so the one that we won the Grammy for is called john work three recordings that culture john work with third was a classically trained composer.</p><p>00:18:49.020 –&gt; 00:18:59.280 Evan: But at the same time it’s 1930s and 1940s, he worked at Fisk University, he also really appreciated folk music the brilliant thing about john work is that.</p><p>00:19:00.060 –&gt; 00:19:10.440 Evan: He was a like a trust classically trained composer so he can hear music and then write it down a notation so it didn’t have to be recorded, but he could write it down.</p><p>00:19:10.890 –&gt; 00:19:19.050 Evan: So he did all these studies of a folk music can eat record and frazier and Patterson is a black string band country string band and nashville.</p><p>00:19:19.500 –&gt; 00:19:30.450 Evan: He recorded blues music in Georgia and sacred heart sing in northern Alabama just stuff that people, no one ever heard about he then came to be known, he was picked up.</p><p>00:19:31.620 –&gt; 00:19:47.010 Evan: befriended by Alan lomax who some of your viewers are probably know the right folklorist and together they recorded the Co houma county study in Mississippi and the Center of that study was a gentleman named mckinley Morgan field.</p><p>00:19:48.090 –&gt; 00:19:49.920 Evan: Who was later, known as muddy waters.</p><p>00:19:50.490 –&gt; 00:19:52.830 Evan: wow yeah somebody.</p><p>00:19:55.410 –&gt; 00:19:55.830 Joseph McElroy: Was.</p><p>00:19:55.860 –&gt; 00:19:59.910 Evan: very flattered to be recorded by these gentlemen, he said, well these guys want to hear me.</p><p>00:20:00.690 –&gt; 00:20:16.080 Evan: Maybe i’ll grow up Chicago and become muddy waters and that’s what he did so that was a 1942 record was made some of the end all those recordings were john works, and so we reissued those cleaned up the sound recordings and.</p><p>00:20:17.160 –&gt; 00:20:24.450 Evan: get some really extensive liner notes Bruce number of that wrote those that’s what we won that grammy for best liner notes best.</p><p>00:20:24.450 –&gt; 00:20:26.340 Joseph McElroy: album what were you did you win the grammy.</p><p>00:20:27.150 –&gt; 00:20:29.550 Evan: oh eight I guess you could say.</p><p>00:20:30.240 –&gt; 00:20:42.990 Joseph McElroy: All right, so uh I don’t know I don’t have all your career milestones in chronological order, but you had you were an assistant director of an organization called black and global roots, can you tell me about that.</p><p>00:20:44.850 –&gt; 00:20:54.060 Evan: Yes, I worked with Dr CC conway CC is she’s a professor at appalachian state and is one of the leading experts on.</p><p>00:20:55.110 –&gt; 00:21:05.430 Evan: The banjo and black culture and so she actually is one of the first people to trace those roots of the the banjo as it came from Africa and started to influence American music.</p><p>00:21:06.390 –&gt; 00:21:12.180 Evan: Actually, she is, I think, probably the most in most senior we’re putting together the Carolina chocolate drops so she.</p><p>00:21:13.440 –&gt; 00:21:14.940 Evan: hosted them at the.</p><p>00:21:16.080 –&gt; 00:21:25.920 Evan: Black banjo gathering and appalachian state a few years ago and kind of put them all together and they went off to become the Carolina chocolate drops.</p><p>00:21:26.580 –&gt; 00:21:39.420 Evan: So what she wanted to do a data conway wants to do is to give venues and give audiences to underrepresented folk performers so so she would.</p><p>00:21:39.900 –&gt; 00:21:50.700 Evan: We be playing concerts and being able to pay, working artists to give them an audience they wouldn’t usually here and that range from blues to cajun zydeco to.</p><p>00:21:51.870 –&gt; 00:21:56.550 Evan: Country music but mostly from underrepresented artists yeah and that was.</p><p>00:21:57.030 –&gt; 00:22:06.900 Joseph McElroy: It wasn’t the introduction of the banjo really brought up the custom element to say a scratch iris ballad during and really created bluegrass.</p><p>00:22:07.950 –&gt; 00:22:15.240 Evan: I would say, so I mean I know the bill Monroe created bluegrass is definitely learned a lot that he learned from black musicians for sure.</p><p>00:22:16.530 –&gt; 00:22:31.020 Evan: And I think that’s the coolest thing about musicians right is that they are kind of the first anti racist they don’t care what color you are they don’t care where you’re from as long as you can play music you speak a common language and that gets passed a lot of stuff you know.</p><p>00:22:31.740 –&gt; 00:22:42.840 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so I was looking at a new, I was looking at your linkedin profile and you’ve been until you know you ever had a company called Mary what is nary.</p><p>00:22:43.800 –&gt; 00:22:44.280 well.</p><p>00:22:45.420 –&gt; 00:22:50.760 Evan: That was a probably ill conceived business that I started during during the coven.</p><p>00:22:52.890 –&gt; 00:22:55.740 Joseph McElroy: What better time to create a business that feel.</p><p>00:22:56.280 –&gt; 00:22:56.850 Evan: Like everybody.</p><p>00:22:58.260 –&gt; 00:22:58.650 Evan: Every.</p><p>00:22:58.980 –&gt; 00:23:04.230 Evan: Every feeble minded person I know started the business now i’m just kidding it’s been a really great.</p><p>00:23:04.770 –&gt; 00:23:06.090 Joseph McElroy: run my business went to die.</p><p>00:23:08.430 –&gt; 00:23:19.080 Evan: Well yeah so we had lots of time and essentially it’s all history business so families or people hire me to do extensive interviews with their loved.</p><p>00:23:19.110 –&gt; 00:23:28.470 Evan: ones, so that those interviews wow there are well researched and you know and deeply conducted then.</p><p>00:23:29.010 –&gt; 00:23:38.730 Evan: By doing that interview and recording that and essentially gives the legacy to the family, so that they can hold on to those recordings somebody.</p><p>00:23:39.150 –&gt; 00:23:50.220 Evan: yeah loved one before they pass away and the idea came, you know there’s everybody always has a story about I wish i’d listened to my grandmother I wish I had saved.</p><p>00:23:50.880 –&gt; 00:24:00.390 Evan: Her last storytelling or I wish i’d say that last phone message, and if you don’t it’s too late and it happens to everybody so try not to wait.</p><p>00:24:01.710 –&gt; 00:24:14.580 Joseph McElroy: Now I I felt that you know I I recorded I did video tapes my grandmother and her brother, you know just a year so before she died because I i’ve always felt that need yeah.</p><p>00:24:15.060 –&gt; 00:24:22.530 Evan: Yes, it did it i’m glad this everybody’s got a story to tell everybody’s got knowledge to pass on.</p><p>00:24:23.340 –&gt; 00:24:33.180 Joseph McElroy: Now I don’t know this term Bob you know plot who works with me, you know put together some information, he said, this is called vernacular art Is that correct.</p><p>00:24:34.290 –&gt; 00:24:41.580 Evan: um yeah I think that’s a really good way of looking at it, I think that term to me, you know, because the vernacular as a as a as a way of speaking.</p><p>00:24:42.120 –&gt; 00:24:57.390 Evan: And that’s what this artwork does is it a you know it puts it in a Community puts it in a place, but it also it’s how it’s how it’s a common language that people share and that’s communicated so yeah I think vernacular what’s fair and good way this fabulous.</p><p>00:24:58.500 –&gt; 00:25:10.710 Joseph McElroy: Now shift yeah The more I look at your your your your history of us just a lot of things, I mean you are also been an event festival director and coordinator.</p><p>00:25:11.910 –&gt; 00:25:17.190 Joseph McElroy: Right and then you create a document documentary film on southern music what was that.</p><p>00:25:18.240 –&gt; 00:25:24.420 Evan: um well, let me say I did a couple of we did do a couple of documentaries.</p><p>00:25:25.500 –&gt; 00:25:28.230 Evan: And just I think your viewers my liking if I could plug.</p><p>00:25:29.790 –&gt; 00:25:34.830 Evan: Great website called folk streams.net.</p><p>00:25:35.130 –&gt; 00:25:35.580 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’s.</p><p>00:25:36.690 –&gt; 00:25:53.730 Evan: The best collection of folk documentaries made from the 1950s forward and they’re all available for free just for streaming on that website, you will find the coolest vernacular art forms on there anything from music to basket tree to.</p><p>00:25:54.780 –&gt; 00:26:01.050 Evan: You know pottery to dance, you know so all that stuff guys covered very well.</p><p>00:26:02.790 –&gt; 00:26:14.850 Evan: a couple of music documentaries that we made were they were again those three issues, so one my favorite I guess was Raul mash and that was a.</p><p>00:26:16.290 –&gt; 00:26:31.410 Evan: Sol Sol Korean and blame Dunlap had produced in the 1970s, a portrait essentially a video portrait of hamper mech be who is Tennessee’s popcorn Sutton.</p><p>00:26:32.040 –&gt; 00:26:42.810 Evan: Essentially, he was like the greatest moonshot are the most famous moon shatter in Tennessee history, not to mention a fine balance Center he was a great.</p><p>00:26:43.290 –&gt; 00:26:58.080 Evan: roaring baritone acapella ballad singer and that movie raw mash which is available and folks streams, is basically a 30 minute portrait of hamper but also how to make moonshine from start to finish.</p><p>00:26:58.650 –&gt; 00:26:59.160 wow.</p><p>00:27:01.350 –&gt; 00:27:11.430 Joseph McElroy: That sounds good, thank you for the reference for that i’m gonna go i’m gonna go to that site start doubting my my new passion for vernacular art.</p><p>00:27:13.230 –&gt; 00:27:14.610 Evan: Do you like it.</p><p>00:27:15.330 –&gt; 00:27:26.730 Joseph McElroy: yeah and you’ve done a lot of festivals, he did the local fast and hillsborough and some others, what is the most notable or fun festival that you helped to originator develop.</p><p>00:27:27.330 –&gt; 00:27:36.750 Evan: Tom and it was it was a total failure, but it was the best festival I ever did it was a national boat festival in Nashville Tennessee and.</p><p>00:27:38.070 –&gt; 00:27:45.180 Evan: We didn’t have like people we did it on Labor day weekend, not a great idea or nationals of free music town so.</p><p>00:27:45.660 –&gt; 00:27:50.310 Evan: Not everybody came out to it, because you can see, you know you can see, free music everywhere in nashville but.</p><p>00:27:50.970 –&gt; 00:28:10.740 Evan: content was amazing and we did the history of the music business, so we had tour buses, we had flatt and scruggs tour bus that people could tour, we had a modern tour bus we had hair cutters and hat show France costume makers like man well was out there, it was an amazing show.</p><p>00:28:11.040 –&gt; 00:28:11.580 Evan: wow.</p><p>00:28:12.060 –&gt; 00:28:24.120 Joseph McElroy: really well i’m i’m i’m impressed and, but I want to do now is take a break and then we’ll come back and talk about your new position and what you’re doing with the folks who ne ne we can.</p><p>00:28:24.900 –&gt; 00:28:25.980 Evan: Thanks Joseph sounds good.</p><p>00:30:32.220 –&gt; 00:30:39.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Evan Hatch, So Evan,</p><p>00:30:39.780 –&gt; 00:30:44.760 Joseph McElroy: I’ve been we’ve been talking about your career and some of the things we didn’t get into but they’re incredible is that you’re.</p><p>00:30:45.120 –&gt; 00:30:52.740 Joseph McElroy: A director of programming in a forest folk art Center in Tennessee and then you were the director of programming for procedures organizations like the North Carolina.</p><p>00:30:53.130 –&gt; 00:31:09.150 Joseph McElroy: folklife life Institute, but what’s exciting to me and those of us around the game with his focus is that you’re now taking on a new role as the Executive Director of folk I’m sure you’re excited about that.</p><p>00:31:11.100 –&gt; 00:31:17.430 Joseph McElroy: And, and for the sake of our audience may not know about it, can you tell us what Folkmoot is?</p><p>00:31:18.510 –&gt; 00:31:19.890 Evan: yeah you know.</p><p>00:31:21.030 –&gt; 00:31:30.450 Evan: I feel challenged by this task because there are so many people in this in this county and Haywood county you know so much more than I ever will about it.</p><p>00:31:30.870 –&gt; 00:31:35.880 Evan: And because I’ve taken this job three months ago it’s become my job to talk about it.</p><p>00:31:36.570 –&gt; 00:31:47.580 Evan: My understanding of folkmoot is that it is a festival that has been around for 38 years and the Organization has been around close to 50 gentlemen named.</p><p>00:31:48.270 –&gt; 00:32:02.730 Evan: Dr. Borders, who was a surgeon here and Haywood county was a great lover of folk music and took some trips to Europe and experienced some folk festivals at the old English folk festivals.</p><p>00:32:03.510 –&gt; 00:32:07.200 Evan: which were also named folkmoot over there and then I felt moved.</p><p>00:32:07.710 –&gt; 00:32:22.980 Evan: As an old English term for a meeting of the phone so essentially it means folk meet that’s what people come together they exchange ideas they exchange culture and dance and music probably some beer to I wouldn’t be surprised.</p><p>00:32:25.980 –&gt; 00:32:34.230 Evan: So after seeing that he realized Dr border realizes that it’s not that dissimilar from what’s going on here and.</p><p>00:32:34.620 –&gt; 00:32:42.510 Evan: You know, in the great smoky mountains, there are people who play music who get together we share this dance through you know.</p><p>00:32:43.320 –&gt; 00:32:55.500 Evan: folk code culture, they get together they sing on front Porches they practice religion together they dance together and he thought that this was.</p><p>00:32:55.950 –&gt; 00:33:05.760 Evan: The parallels between English culture European culture and other folk cultures around the world was just all the same, and so it was a great opportunity to get all these folks together.</p><p>00:33:06.660 –&gt; 00:33:21.240 Evan: To you know to do this to bring the world to Main Street in Waynesville so 1984 was the first festival he had six-seven groups, I think, from around the world, Europe.</p><p>00:33:21.900 –&gt; 00:33:36.930 Evan: Asia, Africa, and South America, who came here and stayed with local audience day with local audience members and got together and dance for one another, they all realize.</p><p>00:33:37.980 –&gt; 00:33:43.800 Evan: stuff’s all on the phone we all experienced this it’s not that different it doesn’t matter what color your skin is it doesn’t matter.</p><p>00:33:44.970 –&gt; 00:33:50.550 Evan: What language do you speak there are things that cross all, yeah and that’s the coolest thing about folk culture than.</p><p>00:33:51.180 –&gt; 00:34:08.790 Joseph McElroy: I was you know I got to see that the one I think I think in the first year back then yeah I love food for many years yeah I just I was just graduated from Duke and coming back and got the experience it before I head to head off to my career.</p><p>00:34:09.960 –&gt; 00:34:12.870 Evan: More than I do that’s what were the two.</p><p>00:34:13.230 –&gt; 00:34:24.480 Joseph McElroy: I grew up with it yeah so I mean now I mean I think back then, it was just in Haywood County right is, I think I think it was at the stamping grounds right the first few.</p><p>00:34:26.280 –&gt; 00:34:28.770 Evan: yeah you stamping ground was historic.</p><p>00:34:28.800 –&gt; 00:34:31.170 Joseph McElroy: For performances it.</p><p>00:34:31.470 –&gt; 00:34:39.690 Joseph McElroy: started out the software now, which is about you know about three quarters, I mean less than half a mile away from the metal Arc where I’m sitting right now.</p><p>00:34:40.170 –&gt; 00:34:42.810 Joseph McElroy: So it was easy for me to walk up there and go to.</p><p>00:34:45.600 –&gt; 00:34:52.290 Joseph McElroy: But now, what is it it’s in cities, all over the smoky reasons and as far east as hickory is that still the truth, the case.</p><p>00:34:52.950 –&gt; 00:34:57.540 Evan: A little bit changed, as you may know, Koba changed everything and.</p><p>00:34:58.890 –&gt; 00:35:07.590 Evan: So the festivals, in the past, the idea was to bring dancers from around the world to bring them to Waynesville as a central point.</p><p>00:35:07.860 –&gt; 00:35:23.430 Evan: And then to take that culture, cultural Gatorade and spread it out, you know hickory you know even down in the South Carolina but all you know counties all around North Carolina and Tennessee and those things so.</p><p>00:35:24.660 –&gt; 00:35:36.120 Evan: it’s gotten hard to bring in international groups, especially since covid and so the festival over the years, became smaller just by necessity.</p><p>00:35:36.570 –&gt; 00:35:46.140 Evan: So this year we’re focusing strictly on Haywood county and a lot in Maggie that so half of the festival is going to be down here in.</p><p>00:35:46.590 –&gt; 00:36:00.450 Evan: In Waynesville downtown and also the food friendship Center and hazelwood and then the other two performances are going to be at the magic valley festival ground which is probably another half a mile away from the song.</p><p>00:36:01.590 –&gt; 00:36:03.510 Evan: Beautiful as we just out there today.</p><p>00:36:04.380 –&gt; 00:36:12.120 Joseph McElroy: But actually very close to each other we’re only half a mile from the festival grounds so we’re all in with you guys on that yeah.</p><p>00:36:13.380 –&gt; 00:36:17.430 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah you got to staging ground here, if you want to take advantage of it.</p><p>00:36:19.170 –&gt; 00:36:23.250 Joseph McElroy: yeah worry, we got a nice little pavilion for small three cursor shows.</p><p>00:36:24.360 –&gt; 00:36:25.320 Evan: To get an idea.</p><p>00:36:25.680 –&gt; 00:36:31.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah right yeah no I mean that I’m always a big believer in creating tastes before you create something.</p><p>00:36:31.800 –&gt; 00:36:42.030 Joseph McElroy: Do the big one, because it gets people all involved in stuff like that, but yeah This must be a logistical nightmare, because you bring in all these people from all over the world, and you have to house them.</p><p>00:36:43.350 –&gt; 00:36:44.760 Joseph McElroy: How do you manage all that.</p><p>00:36:45.510 –&gt; 00:36:56.940 Evan: So, again this year wasn’t too hard, well, it is it, no it’s a logistical nightmare that’s fair, I think I have it easier than a lot of the festivals, in the past, and the fact that.</p><p>00:36:57.390 –&gt; 00:37:04.830 Evan: We don’t have a lot of international groups, this year, so we haven’t had to get folks to help with visas or anything like that we have.</p><p>00:37:05.250 –&gt; 00:37:14.670 Evan: International groups from within the US so we’ve got an Irish group coming from Chicago we’ve got a bit and swelling group coming from Miami we have.</p><p>00:37:16.200 –&gt; 00:37:30.270 Evan: A Ukrainian group promo and they’re going to be driving down from Wisconsin all authentic you know of their country, but people who are just living here in the US now practicing it.</p><p>00:37:32.070 –&gt; 00:37:38.340 Evan: We also are going to be running a big old hotel that weekend, we have a lot of people staying with us at the folkmoot friendship Center.</p><p>00:37:38.400 –&gt; 00:37:44.190 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s right you guys got a big old building there right, so you can set up some campground sort of thing in there right.</p><p>00:37:45.030 –&gt; 00:37:55.230 Evan: we’ve actually got some books, probably a little better than army style last got a great big cafeteria here we’re going to be feeding everybody trying to use local produce.</p><p>00:37:56.250 –&gt; 00:38:02.070 Evan: local food makes sure that everybody gets good, healthy meals before they go out and dance and perform so.</p><p>00:38:04.080 –&gt; 00:38:06.690 Evan: yeah everybody stay in here it’s going to be a hootenanny.</p><p>00:38:07.350 –&gt; 00:38:12.930 Joseph McElroy: When you go international good I put in a plug for wife she has a travel agency, they do all that stuff.</p><p>00:38:14.610 –&gt; 00:38:16.110 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah big time.</p><p>00:38:16.890 –&gt; 00:38:17.610 Evan: right there.</p><p>00:38:17.640 –&gt; 00:38:26.670 Joseph McElroy: that’s great services that just do that all that’s All they do is manage that the story I tell is that when we first got together, we wanted to go to.</p><p>00:38:28.110 –&gt; 00:38:40.500 Joseph McElroy: All of a sudden, we decided like at the beginning of the week, they wanted to go down to cartoon to mardi gras well essentially mardi gras it’s called a carnival and that.</p><p>00:38:41.280 –&gt; 00:38:42.360 Joseph McElroy: Right, where she’s from.</p><p>00:38:42.390 –&gt; 00:38:43.140 Evan: 20 years ago.</p><p>00:38:43.410 –&gt; 00:38:53.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah and turns out my passport is expired, but she arranged everything and within three days I get everything I was.</p><p>00:38:54.990 –&gt; 00:39:02.640 Joseph McElroy: Within you know from the moment of the decision to be another plane going down there were three days so but anyway.</p><p>00:39:03.810 –&gt; 00:39:04.620 Joseph McElroy: things can be done.</p><p>00:39:06.300 –&gt; 00:39:15.330 Joseph McElroy: But let’s talk about we’re talking about yeah I’m interested in funding your nonprofit, but this has to be costly and where’s your funding coming from.</p><p>00:39:16.950 –&gt; 00:39:25.770 Evan: Well it’s got you know the Organization has changed over time and one of the things that I am very proud of.</p><p>00:39:27.750 –&gt; 00:39:35.220 Evan: And I’ve grown up in this we don’t see too many nonprofits that are entrepreneurial or as entrepreneurial as we are.</p><p>00:39:35.730 –&gt; 00:39:45.210 Evan: So that’s how I learned a long time ago that nonprofits need to generate income to survive their business, just like any other business.</p><p>00:39:45.840 –&gt; 00:39:57.810 Evan: So some things that we’re doing here at the folk move friendship Center, which is a 40,000 square foot historic school digging in 1935 built by the WPA Thank you, Roosevelt.</p><p>00:39:59.490 –&gt; 00:40:19.470 Evan: We have a large selection of school rooms former classrooms that are being rented out by some very talented artists, so we have really great rates, where people can come in rent the space use it as a gallery but also use it as a.</p><p>00:40:20.640 –&gt; 00:40:36.780 Evan: As a workspace or workshop, if you will, so we’ve got weaver’s painters, we have glass artists costumes and and jewelers who rent space here and that helps to bring in income for us to.</p><p>00:40:36.840 –&gt; 00:40:45.420 Joseph McElroy: keep this building, but don’t you ever been when i’ve got a tour of that place of a couple years ago and they were going to put it, a huge coffee shop there was somebody who do that, that that happened.</p><p>00:40:46.080 –&gt; 00:40:47.040 Joseph McElroy: Or to Coca Cola.</p><p>00:40:47.220 –&gt; 00:40:48.330 Joseph McElroy: Coca Cola and.</p><p>00:40:48.330 –&gt; 00:40:49.950 Evan: no idea what happened sounds like a good.</p><p>00:40:49.950 –&gt; 00:40:51.270 Joseph McElroy: idea Oh, they were gonna.</p><p>00:40:51.300 –&gt; 00:40:55.920 Joseph McElroy: They had planted has there been some remember, they were put into this like big coffee.</p><p>00:40:57.060 –&gt; 00:41:04.380 Joseph McElroy: shop and look it was gonna be really interesting there’s a there’s some place there that’s a big open space, probably the previous cafeteria.</p><p>00:41:05.640 –&gt; 00:41:07.080 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah so.</p><p>00:41:08.700 –&gt; 00:41:09.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:41:09.450 –&gt; 00:41:13.440 Evan: Well, another cool thing about is one of our renters is the soar Academy.</p><p>00:41:13.800 –&gt; 00:41:28.140 Evan: Which is experiential outdoor education group similar to say an outward bound, but actually that school is based here at folkman friendship Center so half of our building is a school nine months out of the year.</p><p>00:41:28.920 –&gt; 00:41:43.230 Evan: For kids who are you know the benefit from outside of classroom educational so they’re all out in the woods learning survival and you know learning how to cook for themselves and learning how to you know.</p><p>00:41:43.830 –&gt; 00:41:57.360 Evan: To go to Costa Rica and speak Spanish and experiential education is where it’s at you know really great program that they’re here to and they use our cafeteria so that’s, the problem is that that’s why we don’t have a coffee shop is they use that.</p><p>00:41:58.470 –&gt; 00:41:59.100 Joseph McElroy: I see.</p><p>00:41:59.730 –&gt; 00:42:00.030 Evan: That there.</p><p>00:42:01.980 –&gt; 00:42:17.280 Joseph McElroy: You got a lot of wonderful stuff going on, and you know, one of the things that I do is i’ve become something of an expert memorable tourism experiences and that’s how i’ve you know def triple the size of the the meadowlark motel and what we’re doing yeah focusing on.</p><p>00:42:17.550 –&gt; 00:42:26.670 Joseph McElroy: Just how do you how do you stimulate flash flashbulb memories that people keep coming back and it creates brand loyalty and revisit intention.</p><p>00:42:27.270 –&gt; 00:42:36.690 Joseph McElroy: there’s a whole part of that academic studies about cultural and heritage, tourism, which I think you should be aware of, because there is.</p><p>00:42:37.080 –&gt; 00:42:46.680 Joseph McElroy: A way to really trigger that to bring people back again and again again and i’m gonna send that to you because I think what you’re doing it’s it’s actually perfect.</p><p>00:42:48.810 –&gt; 00:42:49.140 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:42:49.590 –&gt; 00:42:50.310 Evan: The partnership.</p><p>00:42:50.910 –&gt; 00:42:55.170 Joseph McElroy: yeah well hey i’m always looking for the angle, you know what I mean.</p><p>00:42:59.010 –&gt; 00:43:08.130 Joseph McElroy: So we got to take another break and then we’ll come back finish up with you know things that you might want to talk about things that you’ve learned about Western North Carolina while you’ve been here.</p><p>00:43:08.670 –&gt; 00:43:11.610 Evan: it’s cool man, thank you, Joseph sounds good yeah.</p><p>00:43:14.280 –&gt; 00:43:14.880 www.TalkRadio.nyc: hey everybody.</p><p>00:43:14.910 –&gt; 00:43:25.500 www.TalkRadio.nyc: Its cami D, the nonprofit sector can actually coming at you from my attic each week here on talk radio dot nyc I host the program will advocate for nonprofits in Caucus.</p><p>00:43:26.790 –&gt; 00:43:37.620 www.TalkRadio.nyc: And it’s my focus on helping to amplify their message tell their story listen each week at 10am Eastern standard time at 11am Eastern standard time right here on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:43:41.310 –&gt; 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00:44:36.480 www.TalkRadio.nyc: Through this program we come together to learn educate and advocate join us live every Wednesday at 2pm and talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:44:40.560 –&gt; 00:44:47.040 www.TalkRadio.nyc: To talk radio nyc at www talk radio dot nyc now broadcasting.</p><p>00:45:12.270 –&gt; 00:45:20.370 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies my guest Evan hat so Evan.</p><p>00:45:22.260 –&gt; 00:45:27.930 Joseph McElroy: Talking about you just getting your feet underneath here three months three and a half months into your new position.</p><p>00:45:28.440 –&gt; 00:45:39.600 Joseph McElroy: but can you become the great progress and prognosticator tell me what’s going to happen, the rest of this year in 2023 and beyond, if you’ve been able to form a vision of the future of the phone booth.</p><p>00:45:40.950 –&gt; 00:45:47.130 Evan: A that’s a great question, you know as far as vision.</p><p>00:45:47.820 –&gt; 00:46:03.090 Evan: I have to defer to the board of directors on that they set the vision for the organization and they’ve done a great thing, and that is to make this Center the folk new friendships Center an inclusive organization for the arts and cultural exchange it’s simple.</p><p>00:46:04.380 –&gt; 00:46:12.900 Evan: that’s simple well simple but it’s not easy one, so several ways that we’re going to be doing on by making this photo booth.</p><p>00:46:13.500 –&gt; 00:46:27.180 Evan: Summer fest smaller festival then that’s going to enable us to do some different kinds of programming in the fall and spring, so we can do other short smaller festivals, with different things could be beer could be food, it could be.</p><p>00:46:28.890 –&gt; 00:46:37.950 Evan: It could be strictly dance, it could be, you know a number of things any ideas i’m happy to hear about in addition we’ve got the.</p><p>00:46:39.000 –&gt; 00:46:46.770 Evan: We have monthly concerts through folk mood live, and those are here at the Queen auditorium 235 seat.</p><p>00:46:47.100 –&gt; 00:47:02.010 Evan: theater right here at folk move friendship Center actually we’ve been working with a friend of yours, Mr Bob plot, but the other mountain memories, which are themed shows where storytellers and musicians come together explore.</p><p>00:47:02.820 –&gt; 00:47:16.560 Evan: You know tributes to pass musicians, or you know themes such as you know, it could be civil war history of food or anything but really great idea that came from Bob plot, and my plane, really, really strong stuff.</p><p>00:47:18.060 –&gt; 00:47:25.200 Evan: I know that August is going to be really busy i’ve got an incredible Ethiopian string band coming in September 3.</p><p>00:47:26.250 –&gt; 00:47:36.270 Evan: That are not to be fooled with her name is quote unquote we have country music songwriters nights and we on August 23.</p><p>00:47:37.470 –&gt; 00:47:46.410 Evan: Forgive me, I may not have that date right, but all those all those things are going to be lined up we’re going to be doing some great holiday performances it’s basically stay busy.</p><p>00:47:48.660 –&gt; 00:48:01.950 Evan: keep the lights on and keep the money coming in and then write grants for special projects that you know we really want to see happen it’s just staying busy it’s like that duck you know it doesn’t look busy on the top but underneath his pattern.</p><p>00:48:02.370 –&gt; 00:48:12.090 Joseph McElroy: I mean you got me you got a beautiful facility, and I mean you got a great history, and you know I know that there’s been some cutbacks and.</p><p>00:48:12.750 –&gt; 00:48:18.210 Joseph McElroy: You know, in certain political organizations here and in the in the area, but.</p><p>00:48:18.990 –&gt; 00:48:37.020 Joseph McElroy: i’m 100% behind building to helping you guys build that up because it’s a great cultural resource that people should get the opportunity to take advantage of it yeah and i’m 100% behind you, I think it’s a fabulous same.</p><p>00:48:38.160 –&gt; 00:48:39.270 Evan: thing going to man.</p><p>00:48:40.020 –&gt; 00:48:41.310 Joseph McElroy: hey listen.</p><p>00:48:41.460 –&gt; 00:48:42.390 yeah metal.</p><p>00:48:43.590 –&gt; 00:48:58.890 Joseph McElroy: The Middle Arc is yeah it’s it’s about you know celebrating the mountain heritage and creating memories for people yeah and yeah and starting adventures and but you know i’m an artist, as well as a businessman.</p><p>00:49:00.420 –&gt; 00:49:02.610 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I actually you know this, if you.</p><p>00:49:02.610 –&gt; 00:49:13.470 Joseph McElroy: Can if you come to the speakeasy you’ll see a lot of my artwork on the walls my early artwork from when I was a student there’s a lot of you know, because it’s a speakeasy there’s a lot of news.</p><p>00:49:14.940 –&gt; 00:49:16.440 Joseph McElroy: But yeah but.</p><p>00:49:18.840 –&gt; 00:49:32.550 Joseph McElroy: I was as a painter but you know where I got this unknown I created I created on I created online performance art, where you physically and interact with computer and and doing it and i’m actually in some museums, for that.</p><p>00:49:33.180 –&gt; 00:49:33.390 Evan: Oh.</p><p>00:49:34.350 –&gt; 00:49:50.700 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic oh yeah yeah so but yeah back in the audience late 90s and audio doing that it was great I got a lot of attention, but it didn’t make a bit of money, because nobody knew how to buy a digital PR for this thing, so I ended up becoming a businessman.</p><p>00:49:51.900 –&gt; 00:49:58.320 Joseph McElroy: I still do a lot of interesting art stuff like that, but it’s now an APP is an avocation not a vocation.</p><p>00:50:00.060 –&gt; 00:50:00.960 vocation was.</p><p>00:50:02.580 –&gt; 00:50:03.060 Joseph McElroy: that’s.</p><p>00:50:03.390 –&gt; 00:50:12.960 Evan: that’s what I thought folklore was to essentially I try to make a living out of what other people consider a hobby so it may not be the smartest thing in the world, but I think.</p><p>00:50:12.990 –&gt; 00:50:14.610 Evan: A link what content.</p><p>00:50:15.810 –&gt; 00:50:23.160 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think I think you know, I think that cultural institutions and hospitality has share thing where.</p><p>00:50:23.610 –&gt; 00:50:28.200 Joseph McElroy: You can actually express your creativity right and the things that you’re interested in.</p><p>00:50:28.770 –&gt; 00:50:38.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah so I’m expressing my creativity, through hospitality, you know, in terms of how you design the rooms, how you design you know, the thing the amenities, and things you’re giving people so.</p><p>00:50:39.240 –&gt; 00:50:49.050 Joseph McElroy: You know so you’ve been here Bo and Haywood county now for about three months, and besides folk mood what’s your favorite?</p><p>00:50:50.010 –&gt; 00:50:57.930 Joseph McElroy: Somebody coming visit here what you, what do you recommend them go do or go eat or something that you think is a good tip for somebody new coming here.</p><p>00:50:59.310 –&gt; 00:51:16.770 Evan: Man I’m shameless self-promotion I love pumpkin beers great Mexican food I first had in Asheville amazing stuff the magic galley I’ve been there, I can’t stop myself I keep going back and eating their fresh seafood.</p><p>00:51:17.040 –&gt; 00:51:26.130 Evan: seafood place yeah really great, and of course the Haywood county smokehouse hey we smoke glasses remarkably good place as well.</p><p>00:51:28.620 –&gt; 00:51:34.380 Evan: You know I would say sit on a porch somewhere and watch the sunset it’s probably the best thing you can do in this county.</p><p>00:51:35.580 –&gt; 00:51:40.620 Evan: You know and or get up really early and have some coffee and watch the sunrise get either one.</p><p>00:51:41.790 –&gt; 00:51:42.150 Evan: and</p><p>00:51:42.210 –&gt; 00:51:42.540 Evan: that’s.</p><p>00:51:42.570 –&gt; 00:51:50.850 Evan: Probably my favorite thing to do, since I’ve been here just sit down and take a breath.</p><p>00:51:53.130 –&gt; 00:51:58.410 Joseph McElroy: The relaxation, the people sit back and just enjoy the natural beauty here people love that.</p><p>00:51:58.950 –&gt; 00:52:10.410 Joseph McElroy: I mean a lot of it, you know we have a lot of front Porches here right because we’re classically and motel so that’s a lot of people just come just to sit out and have a party on the stoop.</p><p>00:52:12.450 –&gt; 00:52:13.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah we’re just looking at it out and.</p><p>00:52:14.580 –&gt; 00:52:15.990 Joseph McElroy: talk with friends and.</p><p>00:52:16.290 –&gt; 00:52:22.320 Joseph McElroy: sit in a rocking chair and enjoy the country limited try this you know.</p><p>00:52:24.240 –&gt; 00:52:29.160 Evan: Gathering spot the stoop or the porch that’s anyway and share.</p><p>00:52:30.150 –&gt; 00:52:38.010 Joseph McElroy: That well you know what you know growing up that was it the how the cupboard porch out front with rocking chairs sometimes people would couch the couch out there.</p><p>00:52:39.210 –&gt; 00:52:53.040 Joseph McElroy: And then enjoying life so is there some shout out some things you have to recognize our ways you want people to look you up or look at what you’re doing or what what what’re the things that people can find out more information.</p><p>00:52:54.150 –&gt; 00:53:04.770 Evan: Well, if you want to get to know your future ancestors I would definitely talk about going to my website and narrate project, which is a business I’m still running and still love to do.</p><p>00:53:05.820 –&gt; 00:53:22.770 Evan: Just this week, I interviewed a former provost at the University of North Carolina who has lived an absolutely fascinating life and just got able to talk to people and learn about them, I tell you there’s wisdom all around folks it’s around everybody and.</p><p>00:53:24.000 –&gt; 00:53:25.470 Evan: it’s a great way to get to know your people.</p><p>00:53:27.180 –&gt; 00:53:31.710 Evan: shout out we love orchard coffee downtown.</p><p>00:53:33.000 –&gt; 00:53:38.760 Evan: run by one of our board members Cabo tice good folks down there, I wanted to say hello.</p><p>00:53:39.960 –&gt; 00:53:43.470 Evan: All the people I’ve met you know in this area.</p><p>00:53:44.760 –&gt; 00:53:56.160 Evan: I guess you know Bob plot being one of them, the gentleman and a scholar and really good, as you know, good gentleman work with I guess my biggest shout out would be to the staff.</p><p>00:53:56.700 –&gt; 00:54:13.110 Evan: Here at folk mood USA beth Harvey Mike McClain Jody Nichols Vivian pompous and Brett Pinkston all of who are just incredible people to work with.</p><p>00:54:13.530 –&gt; 00:54:13.950 Joseph McElroy: And so what’s.</p><p>00:54:14.760 –&gt; 00:54:16.470 Joseph McElroy: what’s the website, by the way.</p><p>00:54:17.070 –&gt; 00:54:18.150 Evan: folks move.org.</p><p>00:54:18.660 –&gt; 00:54:20.040 Evan: Okay sounds good.</p><p>00:54:21.030 –&gt; 00:54:22.050 Joseph McElroy: Facebook page too.</p><p>00:54:22.860 –&gt; 00:54:37.590 Evan: yeah there’s Facebook I’m not a social media person I’m sorry yeah there’s definitely you can search Facebook and hit folk maybe the USA all that stuff on social media is fantastic and that’s all because of beth Harvey and the work that she does.</p><p>00:54:38.790 –&gt; 00:54:51.390 Evan: You know, it helps to be surrounded by people who are smart engaged engaging and dedicated yeah really helpful.</p><p>00:54:51.750 –&gt; 00:54:57.150 Joseph McElroy: Well, I wanna, thank you for being on the show today it’s been a real pleasure, we should definitely have more conversations after this.</p><p>00:54:59.040 –&gt; 00:55:08.580 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool hey this podcast is on fate is on the talk radio dot nyc network, which is a live network of podcasts.</p><p>00:55:08.910 –&gt; 00:55:09.540 Evan: I recommend you.</p><p>00:55:09.930 –&gt; 00:55:16.710 Joseph McElroy: Take a look at everybody take a look at it and find some there’s small business there are all sorts of things.</p><p>00:55:17.370 –&gt; 00:55:29.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s also streamed live on facebook@facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast right and it’s the all the episodes are on.</p><p>00:55:30.480 –&gt; 00:55:42.060 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure calm you’ll find a link at the top of the gateway to smoke this podcast and you will also see the transcripts and other related information there on each of the different episodes.</p><p>00:55:43.170 –&gt; 00:55:48.180 Joseph McElroy: I actually run another podcast on this network called wise content creates wealth, which is about a.</p><p>00:55:48.990 –&gt; 00:56:03.570 Joseph McElroy: Marketing and things like that if you’re if you like, that that’s on Fridays from noon until one, but this podcast is every Tuesday from six to seven, and I look forward to seeing you next week and everybody bye bye.</p><p>00:56:04.860 –&gt; 00:56:05.640 Evan: bye Thank you.</p><p><br></p> fcf9352f-a127-4b00-917d-cc89614f8f19 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/baab6bc7-8aa4-44c3-877d-712a91fba02f Tue, 19 Jul 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3042 no full Episode 64: The NC Folklife Institute with Director Sarah Bryan Episode 64: The NC Folklife Institute with Director Sarah Bryan Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN? </strong>Tune in as you&#39;ll learn about how folklife preservation is manifested in building community and cultural engagement through the rich culture of North Carolina.</p><p><strong>EPISODE SUMMARY: </strong>In today’s episode, Joseph is joined by our special guest<strong> Sarah Bryan</strong>, who is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Folklife Institute, an organization that for more than four decades has been dedicated to the preservation, appreciation, and understanding of folklife heritage and culture in North Carolina. Sarah will share with us the importance of preserving cultural heritage, the amazing work that NC Folklife does in the community, and what it&#39;s like to be a writer and a musician.</p><p><a href="https://sarah-bryan.com/" rel="nofollow">https://sarah-bryan.com/</a></p><p><strong>‍</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbryannc/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbryannc/</a></p><p><strong>‍</strong></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/sarahbryan" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/sarahbryan</a></p><p><strong>‍</strong></p><p><strong>EPISODE QUOTE: </strong>“ That makes it all the more essential for organization like both of ours to create these opportunities whenever we can to help young people find out about traditions in their communities.” </p><p> </p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/egb44bkdqY/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>

Facebook Live Video from 2022/07/12 - The NC Folklife Institute with Director Sarah Bryan


Guest: SARAH BRYAN

WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN? Tune in as you'll learn about how folklife preservation is manifested in building community and cultural engagement through the rich culture of North Carolina.

EPISODE SUMMARY: In today’s episode, Joseph is joined by our special guest Sarah Bryan, who is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Folklife Institute, an organization that for more than four decades has been dedicated to the preservation, appreciation, and understanding of folklife heritage and culture in North Carolina. Sarah will share with us the importance of preserving cultural heritage, the amazing work that NC Folklife does in the community, and what it's like to be a writer and a musician.

https://sarah-bryan.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbryannc/

https://twitter.com/sarahbryan

‍

EPISODE QUOTE: “ That makes it all the more essential for organizations like both of ours to create these opportunities whenever we can to help young people find out about traditions in their communities.” 

 

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Bryan spent most of her childhood in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She can trace back her lineage all the way back to colonial times in both Carolinas. She fondly describes her mother as a busy historical fiction writer.


SEGMENT 2

She got a lucky break with the NC Folklife Institute shortly after her graduation form grad school. Her first job was in the Arts Directory. Bryan was also a fiddler player starting in her teens. She got the opportunity to play on stage with Chris Brashear. Bryan goes into detail about her bumpy and exciting experience performing with him in front of a live audience.


SEGMENT 3

Bryan was one of the co-authors for African American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina. It was about the history and tradition of black music in the 80s in North Carolina. She is currently co-authoring a book about historical Southern traditional pottery. Despite being a vegetarian she interviewed Mr.Stami and Mr.Monk from Greensboro and Lexington about barbecue pits at their restaurants. Bryan’s favorite festival is Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention.


SEGMENT 4

She aims to educate younger members of the community to find out about traditions through elder artists and storytellers. One of the programs providing that support is the Junior Appalachian Musicians. The Blue Ridge Heritage Trail is a project Bryan hopes to revisit to give artists the ability to promote themselves.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:37.980 –> 00:00:45.720 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.

00:00:46.170 –> 00:00:58.980 Joseph McElroy: The Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the surrounding towns there’s areas filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:59.520 –> 00:01:10.830 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:11.610 –> 00:01:18.420 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about the North Carolina folklife it’s to with director Sarah Brian but, first a few messages.

00:01:19.710 –> 00:01:29.640 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of the motor court of the past a modern environment with a Chic Appalachian feels, a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:30.210 –> 00:01:39.090 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch in a fire accompanied by a fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:39.570 –> 00:01:52.500 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sound, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.

00:01:54.210 –> 00:02:06.720 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destination for all sees some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment to be found, right here.

00:02:07.500 –> 00:02:18.240 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure calm smokies plural adventure calm to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains natural part.

00:02:18.750 –> 00:02:25.110 Joseph McElroy: You know, get trail maps and find out about waterfalls and kids coven elk, and much more.

00:02:25.590 –> 00:02:35.220 Joseph McElroy: And then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy and all of the smoky mountain and surrounding areas.

00:02:35.790 –> 00:02:43.110 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokies adventures become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences and the great smoky mountain.

00:02:45.000 –> 00:02:46.350 Joseph McElroy: There are some events coming up.

00:02:47.850 –> 00:03:02.190 Joseph McElroy: Well, first one, I will talk to you about his music and it’s called smoking BLU Ray and it’s on July 23 third at 6 pm it’s a blue smoky blue rain is a trio of led by.

00:03:04.890 –> 00:03:19.230 Joseph McElroy: With the three music great musicians land Graham Fillmore and Amos Jackson, their brand of American amuses music is an infectious blend of folk light rock blues jazz that touch traditional country.

00:03:20.130 –> 00:03:24.930 Joseph McElroy: They met through a mutual friend and from the very force nope realize that they had something special.

00:03:25.980 –> 00:03:36.210 Joseph McElroy: So we’re going to have that event on on a Saturday night on July 23 at the pavilion on the back porch pavilion is the back end and the back.

00:03:37.020 –> 00:03:48.120 Joseph McElroy: recreation area, the metal art motel we have a sort of a wonderful performance venue and we’re also going to free Barbecue and.

00:03:48.870 –> 00:04:01.770 Joseph McElroy: And and and there’ll be music after the show to up until whatever the night provides so admission is free for hotel guests and heritage club members and it’s $10 for all others.

00:04:03.090 –> 00:04:13.680 Joseph McElroy: As you need to do an rsvp so call eight to 8926171 second one seven to get your tickets again eight to 89261717.

00:04:14.790 –> 00:04:35.340 Joseph McElroy: Now some of you have heard about tick tock and and and and Instagram especially tick tock and a local guy here named Zeb who’s part of the Jay Jay creek cloggers is gone viral with hundreds of millions of views, for his clogging style.

00:04:37.230 –> 00:04:50.730 Joseph McElroy: And so the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in the Meadowlark Motel proudly announced a heritage event that features an evening of dinner and then dancing from the legendary J Creek Cloggers.

00:04:51.390 –> 00:05:01.740 Joseph McElroy: featuring Zeb Ross on Saturday night July 30 and started again the Night starts with a delicious Barbecue dinner at six and then column.

00:05:02.160 –> 00:05:15.390 Joseph McElroy: cook culminates with a rollicking performance by the jquery clockers at 7:30 pm they will perform multiple examples of traditional mountain dancing as well as teach the audience several fun dance steps.

00:05:16.380 –> 00:05:25.890 Joseph McElroy: group leader Kim Rasa was here a week or so go on on our podcast and will also give a short talk on the history and traditions, of a mountain man.

00:05:26.490 –> 00:05:33.720 Joseph McElroy: grab your partner and come and join us for a memorable fun-filled classic mountain heritage evening of dining and dancing.

00:05:34.230 –> 00:05:41.100 Joseph McElroy: admission is free for hotel guests and heritage members and $20 per person for folks not staying in a hotel.

00:05:41.550 –> 00:05:58.320 Joseph McElroy: Could you know, give us a call at 828-926-1717 to reserve your room or just to get a ticket to the dinner and dance this week’s classic old old mountain type dancehall stuff and you can have a great time and then it’ll be put up on tick tock maybe we’ll go viral good.

00:06:00.060 –> 00:06:05.340 Joseph McElroy: Now the big news is on August 12 through the 13th there’s going to be a songwriters camp.

00:06:05.760 –> 00:06:20.580 Joseph McElroy: That features Grammy award-winning artist Jim Lauderdale and Charles hunter the third law with Ward winning artists, they are Nicholson clay mills and Charles Chamberlain it’s a two-day event of interactive songwriting instruction.

00:06:21.810 –> 00:06:32.820 Joseph McElroy: With world-class and you’ll get a DEMO tape produced for your participation for your what you write what you perform and then also be a concert.

00:06:33.330 –> 00:06:49.620 Joseph McElroy: By the song from the road band on Friday night and then again a Barbecue dinner and an all star concept with all those artists, on Saturday night, this is an event like you’ll never get your life to Jim lauderdale we wrote, most of the hits first artists like Jim George strait and.

00:06:50.640 –> 00:07:00.540 Joseph McElroy: Charles Humphrey is a grammy award-winning himself and has done some major songs it’s just it’s going to be incredible you can learn a lot, the price is 675.

00:07:00.960 –> 00:07:10.470 Joseph McElroy: per person includes all the activities that DEMO tape and the concerts and the dinners and everything else, and under special rooms available for you you’re not from the area.

00:07:10.830 –> 00:07:29.220 Joseph McElroy: And you can call 8289261717 to get the details to get yourself a room get yourself a ticket and come on and there’s just also for people just want to come to concerts there are concert tickets available as well again call eight to 89261717.

00:07:31.260 –> 00:07:36.870 Joseph McElroy: So today we’re going to talk about the new North Carolina Folklife Institute and the Director of that is Sarah Bryan.

00:07:38.550 –> 00:07:39.120 Joseph McElroy: And it’s.

00:07:40.410 –> 00:07:50.550 Joseph McElroy: The folklife institute’s organization that for more than four decades has been dedicated to the preservation of appreciation and understanding of folklife heritage and culture in North Carolina.

00:07:51.300 –> 00:08:05.100 Joseph McElroy: Sarah is an accomplished writer author and musician she was also the editor to notable old-time music publications and enjoys collecting old 78 rpm lps and supporting animal welfare.

00:08:05.790 –> 00:08:18.390 Joseph McElroy: she’s a tar heel basketball and New York mets baseball fan she lives in Durham North Carolina with her family and then it has a pack of dogs and cats to support her efforts hello, Sarah how you doing.

00:08:18.510 –> 00:08:20.370 Sarah Bryan: hey I’m doing good, how are you.

00:08:20.760 –> 00:08:31.410 Joseph McElroy: Fine I’m doing good hey listen I’m not going to hold it against you, that you’re a tar heel born and bred but yeah since I went to do, but you do live in Durham so you gotta live in enemy territory right.

00:08:31.500 –> 00:08:35.550 Sarah Bryan: I live about three blocks from campus so I have to represent extra hard for the.

00:08:35.550 –> 00:08:36.450 Sarah Bryan: target was the air.

00:08:36.570 –> 00:08:38.730 Joseph McElroy: All right, which is the West campus.

00:08:38.820 –> 00:08:42.150 Joseph McElroy: escape and so you’re like near downtown right.

00:08:42.240 –> 00:08:44.400 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah quite close yeah it all sounds.

00:08:44.790 –> 00:08:47.970 Joseph McElroy: cool there has become a little bit of a foodie town right, just like national.

00:08:48.240 –> 00:08:55.770 Sarah Bryan: It really is It reminds me a lot of Asheville yeah and just a huge number of people moving here every year.

00:08:56.220 –> 00:08:56.850 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:08:57.420 –> 00:08:58.110 Sarah Bryan: Look asheville.

00:08:58.410 –> 00:09:05.160 Joseph McElroy: After Duke I lived in Durham for about seven years and I enjoyed it very much you know it’s a cool little town.

00:09:06.240 –> 00:09:06.930 Joseph McElroy: you’re busy north.

00:09:06.960 –> 00:09:10.470 Joseph McElroy: Carolina you want to go across the whole state, you know I say Wilmington.

00:09:12.000 –> 00:09:16.650 Joseph McElroy: Durham and then national and then, of course, Maggie valley for the small town experience.

00:09:17.730 –> 00:09:18.150 Sarah Bryan: sure.

00:09:18.570 –> 00:09:25.440 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool we’re especially excited to talk to you about you, your role in the North Carolina folklife Institute.

00:09:25.860 –> 00:09:39.600 Joseph McElroy: As you, as we have we share many of the same core beliefs and with the Heritage Center and at the motel first let’s learn a little bit more about you, you and you have an interesting background and amazing resume.

00:09:41.160 –> 00:09:47.340 Joseph McElroy: So you were born in myrtle beach South Carolina has How was it like being born in a beach town.

00:09:48.690 –> 00:09:52.860 Sarah Bryan: Yes, but most of my childhood myrtle beach and.

00:09:54.000 –> 00:09:56.850 Sarah Bryan: You know when you’re born into play, or I was, I was actually.

00:09:58.170 –> 00:10:11.490 Sarah Bryan: We moved there when I was two weeks old, but my father’s family going back many generations is from that little part of South Carolina and myrtle beach in particular, and I think when you grow up in a place like that you kind of don’t know how weird it is.

00:10:11.910 –> 00:10:20.550 Sarah Bryan: yeah I know, I have a friend who is a childhood friend, we were talking years after we both left myrtle beach about.

00:10:21.420 –> 00:10:31.680 Sarah Bryan: What it’s like to be from somewhere like that, and she pointed out that it gives you kind of an altered sense of reality if you grow up like down the street from Ripley’s, believe it or not.

00:10:34.320 –> 00:10:36.750 Sarah Bryan: giant fiberglass octopus statues.

00:10:37.650 –> 00:10:46.830 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you know growing up in a little tourist and I sort of get an idea of what she did you know, and you know from Duke we always went to myrtle beach after yeah for the spring break it was like.

00:10:47.310 –> 00:10:55.800 Joseph McElroy: You know how how how bad can replace be when yeah you can take a back road and find all you can eat seafood place in the middle of nowhere.

00:10:58.380 –> 00:11:01.110 Joseph McElroy: And you paid a paid as you went in because they.

00:11:02.190 –> 00:11:04.260 Joseph McElroy: expect you to just stay there till your fault.

00:11:06.090 –> 00:11:12.870 Joseph McElroy: But you also spend some time and grew up the Carolinas in Virginia beach Virginia what were those.

00:11:13.560 –> 00:11:31.200 Sarah Bryan: yeah well I’m most of my family going back you know since early colonial times have been in the Carolinas both Carolinas and um when I was about nine we moved up to northern Virginia, which is where my mother grew up and.

00:11:32.340 –> 00:11:35.370 Sarah Bryan: I missed the Carolinas badly when I lived there.

00:11:35.520 –> 00:11:46.770 Sarah Bryan: Especially in the springtime but because you know just that little bit of geographical distance makes all the dust all the difference in a climate when the flowers come out and when it gets warm.

00:11:47.640 –> 00:11:54.360 Sarah Bryan: It was a great place to spend my teens and my college years, so I feel fortunate to have been up there.

00:11:55.080 –> 00:12:04.770 Joseph McElroy: With your parents surely must have influenced your love of history writing your mom is a distinguished author publisher story or own right, what can you say about that.

00:12:05.970 –> 00:12:19.140 Sarah Bryan: yeah my mom is a wonderful writer her name is Christina freeman Brian and she is she has had an interesting career just 72 now and lives with me and my husband here in Durham and.

00:12:20.310 –> 00:12:22.680 Sarah Bryan: yeah she went to Carolina and.

00:12:23.700 –> 00:12:39.600 Sarah Bryan: studied originally to be a medievalist medieval Latin is her specialty from college and but has done all sorts of things over the years, she ran a school for several years and myrtle beach.

00:12:40.830 –> 00:12:44.160 Sarah Bryan: Montessori school that I went to as a small child and.

00:12:45.300 –> 00:12:46.440 Sarah Bryan: has written.

00:12:47.610 –> 00:13:02.250 Sarah Bryan: A lot of really wonderful historical fiction about the civil war era about Jamestown colony about the Lincoln assassination plot and.

00:13:02.730 –> 00:13:10.650 Sarah Bryan: She she’s an amazing researcher fun to just incredible depth of information right, so these great books and.

00:13:11.070 –> 00:13:22.260 Sarah Bryan: Then just move right to the next project she’s so excited about the next thing to learn about so she has the stack of manuscripts, so I hope someday she’ll be shopping to publishers because the world needs to see them.

00:13:23.040 –> 00:13:28.710 Joseph McElroy: that’s great, but we got to take a break down but we’ll come back talk a little more about your personal history and then get into your job.

00:15:45.570 –> 00:15:52.200 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guests Sarah Bryan.

00:15:53.910 –> 00:16:00.870 Joseph McElroy: So, so you know I like to have my craft beers on this show Now I will tell you.

00:16:02.400 –> 00:16:11.400 Joseph McElroy: about the one I’m doing now, but, first, it was mentioned, I was at the wicked weed brewery nationally that day and they got a really great IPA call freak in page or advise you to go there.

00:16:11.820 –> 00:16:15.600 Joseph McElroy: But I just discovered when we have at the Meadowlark it is not at local beer, but.

00:16:16.080 –> 00:16:31.110 Joseph McElroy: yeah I don’t necessarily just dismiss that you know, even though this area is 50 breweries there are people that make good beer elsewhere and I’m liking, this one it’s a double IPA called never better by Coronado brewing company in California.

00:16:33.330 –> 00:16:41.370 Joseph McElroy: But anyway, hey Sarah glad to have you back you know we were talking about your mom with your dad was a professional of American literature.

00:16:42.000 –> 00:16:50.610 Joseph McElroy: But it was also I thought this is interesting we’re now doing a miniature golf course designer including, including Mr the elaborate on the grand strand right.

00:16:51.360 –> 00:17:00.360 Sarah Bryan: that’s true yeah yeah my father dance Brian was his name, he went by the nickname party, which is a long story.

00:17:02.100 –> 00:17:04.560 Sarah Bryan: Was the origin part of her in the Bible.

00:17:06.540 –> 00:17:21.000 Sarah Bryan: yeah he was from myrtle beach grew up there, and his father and grandfather had been involved in developing the area early on, and particularly in building, so the golf courses, they are the big golf courses and.

00:17:22.500 –> 00:17:34.380 Sarah Bryan: Starting around the 1950s I’d say late 50s early 60s, he started working on his own miniature golf courses with his father.

00:17:36.360 –> 00:17:49.890 Sarah Bryan: put him in charge of an old golf driving range they had there, and he had the idea to make it sort of a jungle environment miniature golf course and that’s where that.

00:17:50.970 –> 00:18:10.680 Sarah Bryan: The head deal was born with him and he and partners through the years developed the jungle golf style of miniature golf courses, so if you’ve been to myrtle beach, you know what they look like it’s the big mountain of dirt a middle of the lot with tropical plants waterfalls.

00:18:13.230 –> 00:18:19.830 Sarah Bryan: jungle animals, which includes somehow savannah animals I don’t know why, and so that that.

00:18:21.000 –> 00:18:21.870 Sarah Bryan: That has.

00:18:23.070 –> 00:18:27.630 Sarah Bryan: Over the course of his life that really took off from the late 50s to Stephen.

00:18:29.640 –> 00:18:31.710 Joseph McElroy: He did a couple of value values didn’t.

00:18:33.060 –> 00:18:37.740 Sarah Bryan: You know I am not sure I think he did this before my time he did one in Boone.

00:18:38.190 –> 00:18:41.250 Sarah Bryan: yeah and in the 70s early 80s there’s one.

00:18:41.310 –> 00:18:46.920 Joseph McElroy: that’s there’s one that has been around for a long time and I don’t think that’s a jungle-type golf, but there is one.

00:18:47.940 –> 00:18:50.760 Joseph McElroy: That is more of a general type thing and so.

00:18:51.090 –> 00:18:59.640 Joseph McElroy: He probably looks actually I when I first saw it back 20 years ago, or something like that I said wow that looks more like a myrtle beach.

00:19:02.490 –> 00:19:05.400 Joseph McElroy: thing so but it’s become part of the fabric here, you know.

00:19:06.120 –> 00:19:06.510 So.

00:19:08.040 –> 00:19:17.280 Joseph McElroy: And you’re actually come from a diverse home you grew up and speak Spanish your family’s confused compete Cuban dispense right.

00:19:18.360 –> 00:19:21.240 Sarah Bryan: my mom is half Cuban.

00:19:21.630 –> 00:19:27.420 Joseph McElroy: yeah, and I assume you have a real admiration for cultural diversity.

00:19:29.970 –> 00:19:47.340 Joseph McElroy: That we love for exploring you know for folklife and in Florida, for you know, being a writer and musician in and you got your what your BA degree in American studies from George Washington university an ma degree in folklore unc I won’t hold that against.

00:19:49.980 –> 00:19:51.090 Sarah Bryan: call the truth for that.

00:19:51.630 –> 00:20:04.530 Joseph McElroy: yeah but in 2005 you actually you join the North Carolina folklife institute so is that sort of the first big career move for you read what’s up before that.

00:20:05.070 –> 00:20:11.340 Sarah Bryan: That was an incredibly lucky break for me, I was not long out of Grad school and.

00:20:12.300 –> 00:20:28.920 Sarah Bryan: North Carolina folklife Institute, which at the time was directed by Beverley Patterson who’s a wonderful folklorist in Chapel hill she in the folklife institute we’re working with the Blue Ridge national heritage area on developing their traditional artists directory.

00:20:29.430 –> 00:20:40.560 Sarah Bryan: And she brought on to newly hatched folklorist which were me and Mark Free to you probably know, from when you use a prominent musician and arts leader in the area.

00:20:41.100 –> 00:20:53.070 Sarah Bryan: But we were both you know in and just out of school at the time, this was long ago and yeah my first job was on the artists directory and so basically.

00:20:53.670 –> 00:21:04.470 Sarah Bryan: The folklife institute turned us loose mark was in the northern counties and I was from like Madison and bunk and counties to the State Law and and.

00:21:05.580 –> 00:21:17.130 Sarah Bryan: And, and the cherokee quality boundary area and it was a wonderful job I mean we just explored, each of us separately explored the counties in our.

00:21:18.090 –> 00:21:25.860 Sarah Bryan: assigned region go around ask people who the traditional artists are in some cases, they were.

00:21:26.400 –> 00:21:37.110 Sarah Bryan: You know, prominent people with you know well known careers and their and their art form and in other cases, that would be you know, an elderly person who’d retired from a career and something not at all.

00:21:37.890 –> 00:21:46.890 Sarah Bryan: art or music related but you know kept up their art form just on their own at home because I love doing it, nobody you know.

00:21:48.540 –> 00:21:54.840 Sarah Bryan: haven’t had much publicity before but we got the right profiles of all of these folks and it was incredibly fun.

00:21:55.530 –> 00:22:05.760 Joseph McElroy: Well, you, you must have loved it, because by 2017, which is a fairly short period of time he became executive director of that that that really esteemed organization.

00:22:07.020 –> 00:22:12.570 Joseph McElroy: So I guess that was a That was a lot of hard work right.

00:22:13.980 –> 00:22:15.120 Sarah Bryan: Hard work that really fun.

00:22:17.070 –> 00:22:19.860 Sarah Bryan: The all the projects were involved in, or just.

00:22:21.060 –> 00:22:23.130 Sarah Bryan: Oh it’s such a pleasure to work on.

00:22:24.180 –> 00:22:38.790 Joseph McElroy: Well, but you also here’s The interesting thing you know, and you know found out that you, you became an old time fiddle player during that time, too, so you had to have time to practice right, but you were doing a lot of good work so.

00:22:40.500 –> 00:22:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Have you played with any great Western North Carolina fiddler’s.

00:22:43.830 –> 00:22:48.930 Sarah Bryan: Well let’s see I actually started playing old-time fiddle when I was in my teens.

00:22:49.020 –> 00:22:49.470 Joseph McElroy: I really.

00:22:49.980 –> 00:22:51.960 Sarah Bryan: yeah and actually I’ve been.

00:22:52.080 –> 00:23:10.620 Sarah Bryan: In northern Virginia and yeah but have have continued playing all along yeah moving to North Carolina has I came back down here for Grad school in 2001 of the great things about that was proximity to so many wonderful musicians.

00:23:10.800 –> 00:23:11.430 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s great.

00:23:11.460 –> 00:23:16.470 Joseph McElroy: yeah so did you get to play with any or did you get did you have any mentoring from some of them.

00:23:16.830 –> 00:23:22.950 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah there it’s it’s hard to narrow down there’s so many amazing fiddler’s in the year I was.

00:23:23.970 –> 00:23:26.400 Sarah Bryan: If I had to pick one fiddler to.

00:23:28.740 –> 00:23:41.850 Sarah Bryan: To mention, in particular, who have a friend who have been lucky enough to play with at times, but not nearly enough not nearly as much said, like is Paul Brown, who lives in Winston Salem.

00:23:42.990 –> 00:23:47.700 Sarah Bryan: He is wonderful fiddler banjo player singer.

00:23:49.470 –> 00:23:55.830 Sarah Bryan: Has the style that I wish I could play and very sort of sweet and rambunctious at the same time.

00:23:56.970 –> 00:23:58.050 Sarah Bryan: And he also.

00:23:59.580 –> 00:24:07.500 Sarah Bryan: he’s he’s been this great conduit between generations, because when he first moved to the Mount airy area.

00:24:08.910 –> 00:24:17.280 Sarah Bryan: He got to know Tommy jerel or honesty’s Fred copper Malta, you know the sort of Pantheon of great musicians in that area.

00:24:18.330 –> 00:24:20.550 Sarah Bryan: And he’s really served as a.

00:24:21.840 –> 00:24:37.680 Sarah Bryan: champion of them over the years, so now, I mean for a lot of us who were not able to know those people through Paul we’ve gotten to know not just what great musicians, they were, but what interesting and knowledgeable people they were.

00:24:39.780 –> 00:24:51.480 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s yeah that’s you know that’s a life-enriching experience to work with people that have such tremendous depth and they’re trying to actually pass it on to you too, and so.

00:24:51.960 –> 00:25:02.190 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think that is probably very, very profound for you, you know I also know that you were on garrison keillor’s prairie home companion that goes out.

00:25:03.720 –> 00:25:23.610 Sarah Bryan: that that was a an exciting experience, not in all the right ways, so I have severe stage fright and which complicated that experience, because it was in front of a you know alive theater audience prairie home companion was going to be in Durham and.

00:25:24.690 –> 00:25:32.220 Sarah Bryan: And the show invited you know, several old-time musicians in the area to be part of it, and of course I couldn’t turn that down.

00:25:34.050 –> 00:25:39.720 Sarah Bryan: But once I once I got there the stage right kicked in and.

00:25:41.280 –> 00:25:49.710 Sarah Bryan: They before the show they we were backstage and Chris for sheer who’s the band fiddler was the band fiddler those days.

00:25:51.330 –> 00:25:53.850 Sarah Bryan: For the show was showing me and the other.

00:25:54.990 –> 00:25:59.490 Sarah Bryan: guests fiddler’s this tune that we were going to play when you know when our segment came on.

00:26:00.510 –> 00:26:10.020 Sarah Bryan: And because I was starting to think about what it was gonna be like a few minutes when there is these hundreds of people looking at me and billions of people listening.

00:26:10.740 –> 00:26:24.240 Sarah Bryan: my mind went blank and I couldn’t learn the two, and he was showing us it was as soon as he played it, it was gone so that was that was the first tune what we’re going to play that evening and.

00:26:25.350 –> 00:26:35.490 Sarah Bryan: Because, as soon as they started I realized I didn’t remember what you just showed us, I was like i’m you know sort of holding the bow a little bit above the strings of pretending to play.

00:26:37.980 –> 00:26:41.340 Sarah Bryan: outside of Andy Griffith when barney’s in the choir.

00:26:41.340 –> 00:26:41.760 To.

00:26:43.110 –> 00:26:57.000 Sarah Bryan: sing it was like that, but that, so the sound the sound engineer was you know kept he was listening and it kept thinking that my microphone is not working, so he came out at one point, and was like tinkering with it and.

00:26:57.990 –> 00:27:03.000 Sarah Bryan: While he was standing there he realized that I wasn’t playing and you sort of like wink to give me a thumbs up and.

00:27:03.660 –> 00:27:18.990 Sarah Bryan: went off stage, but then the next tune that we were to play was soldiers joy, which is my favorite all time fiddle tune, and the one that, like all fiddler’s pretty much know so I really wanted to play on that one but at that, point my microphone was off.

00:27:20.790 –> 00:27:22.350 Sarah Bryan: pretending to play before.

00:27:24.090 –> 00:27:33.720 Sarah Bryan: But the crisper shear and the other fiddler Kenny Jackson who’s a really great North Carolina fiddler um you know they didn’t need a third fiddler between them so.

00:27:36.060 –> 00:27:39.000 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s so you you play, but you did.

00:27:45.030 –> 00:27:46.740 Joseph McElroy: Okay well that’s a good story.

00:27:48.630 –> 00:27:50.190 Joseph McElroy: At least you got asked to be on there.

00:27:53.220 –> 00:27:58.860 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve also become a writer, a great writer, and you have two books out right and.

00:27:59.550 –> 00:28:07.920 Joseph McElroy: So when we come we got to take a break down, but once you tell us about the two books and then we’re going to talk about some of the you know the stuff in the mountains in western North Carolina that you know that.

00:28:08.220 –> 00:28:08.550 Great.

00:30:15.150 –> 00:30:24.420 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast and my guest Sarah Bryan who’s the Executive Director of the North Carolina Folklife Institute.

00:30:24.870 –> 00:30:32.670 Joseph McElroy: So so Sarah you’re a writer you’ve got a couple of books out one coming out soon, what were the What are those titles and what they’re about.

00:30:33.330 –> 00:30:38.160 Sarah Bryan: Thanks um there, there are two titles of co-written.

00:30:39.300 –> 00:30:49.680 Sarah Bryan: I was one of the three co-authors, along with Beverly Patterson and Michelle Lanier, who is now the Director of historic sites for North Carolina.

00:30:50.160 –> 00:30:59.250 Sarah Bryan: I’m a book called African American music trails of Eastern North Carolina and that came out of a North Carolina Arts Council project of the same name.

00:31:00.570 –> 00:31:07.080 Sarah Bryan: about the historic and living black music traditions in Eastern North Carolina counties.

00:31:08.700 –> 00:31:16.560 Sarah Bryan: And you know just the incredible impact musicians from there have had it hasn’t always been more widely recognized.

00:31:17.040 –> 00:31:17.580 Sarah Bryan: That was.

00:31:18.690 –> 00:31:24.000 Sarah Bryan: 2014 2015 my husband Peter Hoenig and I.

00:31:25.500 –> 00:31:31.410 Sarah Bryan: co-wrote and co-compiled a collection for us to digital.

00:31:32.490 –> 00:31:53.880 Sarah Bryan: Just a great label out of Atlanta, it was a TC set up the CDS were 78 from Peters collection of mostly old-time mountain music and blues and the book was antique anonymous photos of southern early southern life from my own collections.

00:31:54.390 –> 00:31:55.980 Sarah Bryan: cool that that was.

00:31:57.870 –> 00:32:02.670 Sarah Bryan: 2015 and that’s out of print but it’s still I believe the music is still downloadable.

00:32:02.940 –> 00:32:03.330 Joseph McElroy: It was.

00:32:04.740 –> 00:32:09.420 Sarah Bryan: It was called leap, can we light name for him a.

00:32:11.130 –> 00:32:15.630 Sarah Bryan: Pre-war southern music and photographs I believe was the subtitle.

00:32:16.050 –> 00:32:17.490 Joseph McElroy: cool and then you’re writing one now.

00:32:18.240 –> 00:32:32.520 Sarah Bryan: Yes, yeah I’m co-writing with potter and historian from Randolph county and help you, we are working on a history of southern traditional pottery which is.

00:32:33.870 –> 00:32:41.190 Sarah Bryan: A huge story and we’re you know, having fun figuring out how to fit that all into one book.

00:32:42.690 –> 00:32:45.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah pottery trails all over the north.

00:32:45.060 –> 00:32:45.540 Carolina.

00:32:47.310 –> 00:32:47.970 Sarah Bryan: Especially.

00:32:49.620 –> 00:32:59.520 Joseph McElroy: Well cool well, you also writing and the and the editor for the old time arrow, which is an about old music is also an old-time dancing.

00:33:00.720 –> 00:33:17.490 Sarah Bryan: It is yeah yeah the old time, Harold the musician and field recorder Alice Gerard founded in 1987 when she was living in Gala and yeah it’s about traditional old-time music, particularly in Appalachia but also.

00:33:18.570 –> 00:33:24.570 Sarah Bryan: Other parts of the self, and you know wider traditions elsewhere that are relatable to music.

00:33:25.380 –> 00:33:29.880 Joseph McElroy: Other parts are there any memorable stories you wrote about the smoky mountains areas.

00:33:30.690 –> 00:33:34.200 Sarah Bryan: Oh gosh well not that I’ve written myself, but I would.

00:33:35.580 –> 00:33:46.320 Sarah Bryan: There have been some great articles about Western North Carolina effect our current issue has a cover story about beach mountain musicians from.

00:33:47.220 –> 00:34:00.840 Sarah Bryan: From the Whataburger every county line area and the old fiddler the universe to hicks is the cover girl she’s a great musical matriarch from beach mountain.

00:34:01.560 –> 00:34:03.750 Joseph McElroy: cool Any with Haywood County?

00:34:05.010 –> 00:34:06.360 Sarah Bryan: yeah let me.

00:34:08.580 –> 00:34:20.040 Sarah Bryan: we’ve definitely covered Haywood county stories, there was we had an article sometime back about the Soco gap clockers was that the name of the.

00:34:20.520 –> 00:34:22.320 Joseph McElroy: Joe Sam Queen

00:34:23.460 –> 00:34:23.700 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:34:23.820 –> 00:34:24.690 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah and.

00:34:24.780 –> 00:34:26.940 Sarah Bryan: They danced at the White House and Roosevelt.

00:34:27.780 –> 00:34:30.210 Joseph McElroy: yeah we have him on the show a few weeks ago yeah.

00:34:31.080 –> 00:34:32.640 Sarah Bryan: yeah that’s a great tradition that’s.

00:34:32.730 –> 00:34:34.470 Sarah Bryan: been going on for generations.

00:34:35.490 –> 00:34:48.030 Joseph McElroy: cool so I love that you know that you work with this Folklife institute, I mean it’s there’s a lot of the value and objectives, promoting the preservation appreciation of understanding.

00:34:48.600 –> 00:34:56.880 Joseph McElroy: The folklife heritage and culture in North Carolina yeah we’re spoken we’re focused on the smoky mountains area but it’s the same sort of passion.

00:34:58.440 –> 00:35:09.150 Joseph McElroy: I saw that you had one interesting program documenting the early bbq pitch, so I gotta go find this because I’m getting into I’ve been a big fire based.

00:35:10.170 –> 00:35:19.830 Joseph McElroy: cook for a while and I’ve been getting more and more of that tell me about that what would you find out that that’s fascinating about Barbecue pits early on.

00:35:20.280 –> 00:35:21.360 Sarah Bryan: That was a project.

00:35:22.440 –> 00:35:29.490 Sarah Bryan: Oh gosh probably eight or 10 years ago that the previous director Joy Salinger’s launched and.

00:35:31.080 –> 00:35:35.400 Sarah Bryan: The part that I was able to play was going to interview to

00:35:36.990 –> 00:35:49.500 Sarah Bryan: founding fathers of the western Barbecue tradition, Mr. Damien Mr mountain Conan Greensboro and one and Lexington and I didn’t tell either of them that I’m a vegetarian.

00:35:51.120 –> 00:35:53.070 Sarah Bryan: It was lovely being in their restaurants it

00:35:53.070 –> 00:35:54.120 Sarah Bryan: smelled great.

00:35:55.680 –> 00:36:00.360 Sarah Bryan: Barbecue home for my family and yeah just lovely.

00:36:00.480 –> 00:36:03.690 Joseph McElroy: You could do some wonderful things with vegetables and smoke, you know.

00:36:04.320 –> 00:36:08.970 Joseph McElroy: yeah there’s a recipe that comes out of the middle of the state that I love of US it’s.

00:36:10.170 –> 00:36:23.550 Joseph McElroy: This African American chef I forget her name right now I’ll post it at some point that as smoke beats and then she makes cornbread beats so you think it’s it’s fabulous oh yeah and burnt sugar.

00:36:23.700 –> 00:36:24.750 Sarah Bryan: Smoke oh wow.

00:36:26.130 –> 00:36:36.990 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’s incredible yeah so there’s a lot of vegetables that are really enhanced by the grill experience yeah people know you know about doing just about some things but there’s a lot more that you could do.

00:36:38.220 –> 00:36:42.660 Joseph McElroy: Any programs cooking programs on mountain cooking or Cherokee cuisine

00:36:43.590 –> 00:36:47.730 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah absolutely that’s where you’re really.

00:36:48.930 –> 00:36:52.620 Sarah Bryan: Love being involved in programs about Appalachian.

00:36:53.670 –> 00:36:54.810 Sarah Bryan: Food in particular.

00:36:55.830 –> 00:37:07.110 Sarah Bryan: Yeah we’ve had some classes, through a program called in these mountains, which is sponsored by South Arts in Atlanta, and have had to have several food-related courses.

00:37:08.400 –> 00:37:16.680 Sarah Bryan: right before the pandemic began, we were working with Nathan Bush, who is a Cherokee herbalist and

00:37:18.480 –> 00:37:29.010 Sarah Bryan: artist and language specialist and his mother, Mrs. Anita Bush is also a really renowned herbalist and so he was given a great class.

00:37:29.910 –> 00:37:41.070 Sarah Bryan: Going into the woods and the area, and you know, showing which plants are edible which you got to stay away from which have different you know medicinal properties and.

00:37:42.000 –> 00:37:51.150 Sarah Bryan: More recently, and in fact, going on now we’re sponsoring an online class called mountain battles and it’s taught by William Ritter

00:37:51.570 –> 00:37:52.140 Joseph McElroy: Oh William,

00:37:52.890 –> 00:37:53.490 Sarah Bryan: know there again.

00:37:53.910 –> 00:37:55.020 Joseph McElroy: we’re able to show you.

00:37:55.080 –> 00:37:56.250 Sarah Bryan: Oh good good.

00:37:56.370 –> 00:38:10.110 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah yeah William from Mitchell county and he is teaching it’s a great class we’ve only had two so far as and it’s going to go into you know the summer and early fall and we are still taking.

00:38:10.890 –> 00:38:27.870 Sarah Bryan: Taking students can still register anyone 13 and up and it’s a free class just about you know heritage Appalachian crops cooking baking stories having to do with food songs having to do with food.

00:38:29.370 –> 00:38:38.970 Joseph McElroy: We know here to here we’ve built our first guard here, right at the motel, we also put a field in at a farm and what we have.

00:38:39.930 –> 00:38:47.850 Joseph McElroy: we’re starting to really get into you know like I don’t know if you’ve heard of candy roasters we got a whole bunch of candy restaurant or probably even better, believe it or not.

00:38:49.080 –> 00:39:05.100 Joseph McElroy: And we’re planning on doing a lot of those big breads and things like that, for those who don’t know, can you rosters are like the pumpkin or squash family they’re giant but oh long you know and they only really grow well the bounce but they’re really sweet really fantastic.

00:39:06.390 –> 00:39:19.410 Joseph McElroy: So I love that you’re doing this kind of stuff and yeah we’re gonna we’re going to actually open a restaurant focus on merited mountain heritage food with a lot of traditional things and.

00:39:19.680 –> 00:39:21.600 Joseph McElroy: And we just I don’t know if you know Illa hatter.

00:39:21.930 –> 00:39:22.950 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah.

00:39:23.040 –> 00:39:24.000 Joseph McElroy: He was just here.

00:39:25.050 –> 00:39:29.100 Joseph McElroy: the day before yesterday, she did a program here and we had over 30 people show up.

00:39:29.430 –> 00:39:40.680 Joseph McElroy: right here and learn how to forage and use it to make meals, a day so it’s something that people are very interested in and it’s great to look up that program you guys are doing.

00:39:40.890 –> 00:39:42.660 Sarah Bryan: Definitely yeah join us, please.

00:39:42.840 –> 00:39:54.480 Joseph McElroy: yeah another big thing that you’re involved with this festival productions right documenting and talking about what’s going on, do you have any favorite festivals in the western part of the state.

00:39:55.230 –> 00:40:04.530 Sarah Bryan: Oh gosh yeah that’s what it’d be hard to narrow down my favorite old-time festival in the world is Mount airy fiddler’s Convention and.

00:40:05.580 –> 00:40:17.610 Sarah Bryan: yeah I haven’t gone for the last couple of years because of just pandemic strangeness but yeah I’ve been coming to that since I was about 20 and just fabulous.

00:40:19.320 –> 00:40:26.280 Sarah Bryan: festival it’s one of these events, where the old-time musicians from all over the world really come together and.

00:40:26.670 –> 00:40:35.760 Sarah Bryan: meet the people who grew up in the traditions and you know are carrying it on from home and vice versa it’s just it’s wonderful.

00:40:36.540 –> 00:40:56.700 Sarah Bryan: Another one I love and I’m not certain if it’s still happening in the fading voices festival and takes place in snowbird the Cherokee Community near Robin school and it’s Cherokee Gospel music and wonderful.

00:40:57.720 –> 00:41:06.720 Sarah Bryan: Quartets mostly from the eastern band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina and Tennessee and also from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma.

00:41:09.570 –> 00:41:19.020 Sarah Bryan: Court that’s will come from air to this festival and just incredibly beautiful music in this really, really beautiful little mountain cove and snowbird.

00:41:19.800 –> 00:41:21.300 Sarah Bryan: wow that’s still going on.

00:41:22.320 –> 00:41:27.000 Joseph McElroy: look it up, you know, one of the most successful I thought you know the hospitality

00:41:28.140 –> 00:41:46.830 Joseph McElroy: thing I actually saw in Barbados, was a Gospel Gospel brunch on Sunday, and it was huge, it was a big fantastic success people, it was all you know really sort of old time you know Gospel music this surprising place to have it is hugely successful.

00:41:47.310 –> 00:41:49.050 Joseph McElroy: For the idea of doing that here.

00:41:50.460 –> 00:41:57.360 Joseph McElroy: But you know he didn’t you didn’t the folklife it’s two to one point put on the first statewide folk fest folk festival.

00:41:57.930 –> 00:42:11.880 Sarah Bryan: That was our origin actually founded in 1974 to help the actually as an arm at that time of the folklife program with the North Carolina Arts Council and they were putting on.

00:42:12.330 –> 00:42:23.250 Sarah Bryan: A statewide folklife festival here in Durham and it was sort of the lead up to the bicentennial so you know, there was a renewed interest in American traditions of all kinds.

00:42:23.760 –> 00:42:26.460 Sarah Bryan: And that festival and 74.

00:42:27.780 –> 00:42:41.220 Sarah Bryan: It just it’s incredible looking back at who all was there as a Tammi Terrell Elizabeth cotton Willard Watson just yeah just some of the most wonderful let’s kill on artists.

00:42:41.880 –> 00:42:45.210 Joseph McElroy: Have you been involved with the phone booth two senators festival here at Haywood county.

00:42:45.780 –> 00:42:49.260 Sarah Bryan: We haven’t, but I would like to do great work.

00:42:49.770 –> 00:42:52.650 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool I’ll get that Bob did it he does pretty well.

00:42:53.820 –> 00:43:00.810 Joseph McElroy: Well hey listen, we got to take a break and then we’ll come back and talk continue talking about yeah folk folklife here in the mountains.

00:45:02.610 –> 00:45:12.180 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I guess Sarah Brian so Sarah you know, one of the reasons I.

00:45:13.260 –> 00:45:20.520 Joseph McElroy: You know started doing the mountain heritage stuff here and got involved with this, because I really believe in the importance of community education.

00:45:21.120 –> 00:45:36.600 Joseph McElroy: And you know and getting you to know things right, where the Community can be involved with it and even online, you know inner interactions, what do you think about the importance of that and also the importance of oral history documentation that comes out of communities.

00:45:38.280 –> 00:45:47.490 Sarah Bryan: I think I think it’s an essential part of all of our lives and yeah Community arts and oral history and.

00:45:48.510 –> 00:45:54.600 Sarah Bryan: far too few people nowadays experienced that, and you know, in a full way um.

00:45:55.980 –> 00:46:03.180 Sarah Bryan: I’m not one of those people who thinks that you know the old days were better across the board, but, but I do think that the.

00:46:05.130 –> 00:46:08.190 Joseph McElroy: closeness there’s a lot of you there’s a lot of beauty in it there’s.

00:46:08.190 –> 00:46:09.120 Sarah Bryan: Absolutely.

00:46:09.360 –> 00:46:09.870 Joseph McElroy: There was also.

00:46:10.320 –> 00:46:16.290 Joseph McElroy: A hardship and ugliness in there, but you’re trying to preserve the beauty and letting the nastiness go away.

00:46:16.620 –> 00:46:29.310 Sarah Bryan: Exactly exactly, and I think that that closeness of community is something that a lot of ways, many of us have lost and also more so over the last two and a half years with the pandemic.

00:46:30.510 –> 00:46:43.320 Sarah Bryan: But then that makes it all the more essential for organizations like both of ours to create these opportunities whenever we can to help.

00:46:44.070 –> 00:47:00.210 Sarah Bryan: Especially young people find out about traditions in their communities get to know elder artists or you know story storytellers people who know the Community history and yeah the more opportunities there are, the better.

00:47:02.130 –> 00:47:06.780 Sarah Bryan: That makes me think in particular about the jam programs the junior Appalachian musicians.

00:47:07.140 –> 00:47:07.710 Joseph McElroy: that’s a great.

00:47:08.310 –> 00:47:15.270 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah I mean that’s sort of a stellar example of creating new.

00:47:16.560 –> 00:47:17.760 Sarah Bryan: Learning environments.

00:47:19.230 –> 00:47:36.090 Sarah Bryan: Where you know, a young person 100 years ago may have been able to go to the next door neighbor or her next door neighbor and learn the banjo and that those links don’t exist as a strong layer as frequently now so creating these.

00:47:37.500 –> 00:47:47.190 Sarah Bryan: classes, essentially for young people to learn has been an amazing contribution to old-time and bluegrass music because now there’s this whole.

00:47:47.880 –> 00:47:59.370 Sarah Bryan: generation of young just incredibly good musicians, who are graduates of the jam program and you know counties throughout the Appalachian South and.

00:48:00.510 –> 00:48:02.010 Sarah Bryan: You know, thank goodness for.

00:48:02.250 –> 00:48:12.720 Joseph McElroy: For what you’ve actually cultivated network so that they can interact and learn from each other and prevent also promote artists and created a handbook for artists to promote them so sorry about that.

00:48:13.770 –> 00:48:16.560 Sarah Bryan: that’s, this is a good chance for me to.

00:48:17.580 –> 00:48:24.450 Sarah Bryan: Tell listeners, please watch this space, because the artist’s handbook is actually being revised, as we speak.

00:48:26.790 –> 00:48:30.900 Sarah Bryan: The North Carolina Arts Council and Evan had to folk mode.

00:48:32.310 –> 00:48:36.150 Sarah Bryan: Evan when he was with the North Carolina folklife so it was actually the.

00:48:37.710 –> 00:48:58.800 Sarah Bryan: First person who started this project and yeah it’s an online handbook in PDF format of ideas resources for traditional artists to get the word out about what they do, essentially to help them make a living if that’s what they want to do with their art form.

00:49:00.390 –> 00:49:07.710 Sarah Bryan: find opportunities to learn and to and to teach and pass it on so that’s being revised, and you know things change so quickly.

00:49:08.550 –> 00:49:20.220 Sarah Bryan: Especially in terms of technology that you know it needs to revision pretty quickly so that’s what we’re working on now, and hopefully it’ll be back up in a new form in a few months.

00:49:21.420 –> 00:49:30.720 Joseph McElroy: You know that’s you know I guess the work of things like the blue Ridge heritage trail is all part of that work to give artists the ability to promote themselves.

00:49:30.810 –> 00:49:37.020 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely, and in the state is that the statewide directory of artists as well, or is that a different.

00:49:38.820 –> 00:49:42.330 Sarah Bryan: that’s a different a different project and.

00:49:43.410 –> 00:49:57.960 Sarah Bryan: One that I that also like for us to return to and revitalize it’s it got started in with artists from Warren Vance and Halifax counties and sell to North Carolina and.

00:49:58.770 –> 00:50:09.270 Sarah Bryan: yeah directory was very much like the blue Ridge national Heritage Area’s traditional arts directory, you know modeled after that aimed for us a statewide.

00:50:12.510 –> 00:50:13.020 Joseph McElroy: And you know.

00:50:14.430 –> 00:50:14.790 Joseph McElroy: You know.

00:50:17.100 –> 00:50:25.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah I love that the other there’s a sensitivity to promote the diversity of what was what built, these are communities it wasn’t just.

00:50:26.160 –> 00:50:37.830 Joseph McElroy: Scotch Irish settlers and you’ve mentioned some charity works how about the Africa Fo Appalachians and fluids in the western part of the state and you were those documenting those are.

00:50:38.880 –> 00:50:39.660 Joseph McElroy: Those anywhere.

00:50:40.500 –> 00:50:41.700 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah I think.

00:50:43.320 –> 00:50:55.830 Sarah Bryan: I mean, of course, black Appalachian communities have always known that they were there themselves, but you know, those of us from other backgrounds, have not, you know, known as much as we should have about them and.

00:50:57.630 –> 00:51:03.540 Sarah Bryan: there’s one person whose research, especially excuse me I’m gonna have to pause for a second and call.

00:51:05.490 –> 00:51:22.410 Sarah Bryan: The person who’s done some really wonderful work in Southwestern North Carolina is Miller Woodford she’s the founder of an organization called one doesn’t do care and she’s written a wonderful book which I happen to have here if I can hold the screen.

00:51:23.550 –> 00:51:35.610 Sarah Bryan: it’s called when all god’s children get together a celebration of the lives of music African American people in far Western North Carolina, yeah and it talks about communities, particularly in.

00:51:37.050 –> 00:51:39.840 Sarah Bryan: Making Cherokee clay counties.

00:51:41.070 –> 00:51:53.220 Sarah Bryan: And Franklin area especially is very old African American communities that have wonderful rich histories and traditions and she’s helping you know, bring a spotlight to that.

00:51:54.780 –> 00:51:56.160 Joseph McElroy: wow well.

00:51:58.620 –> 00:52:10.680 Joseph McElroy: This is all important work there are so many other things that you do you know when we’re getting to the end here, you know I like to ask my guests, what are your some of your favorite places in western North Carolina Where would you recommend people go.

00:52:12.030 –> 00:52:14.010 Sarah Bryan: Oh wow oh.

00:52:18.480 –> 00:52:19.620 Sarah Bryan: gosh I mean.

00:52:20.670 –> 00:52:22.020 Sarah Bryan: it’s so hard to.

00:52:23.190 –> 00:52:23.640 Joseph McElroy: focus.

00:52:24.900 –> 00:52:27.240 Sarah Bryan: On a weekend I love haywood county um.

00:52:27.570 –> 00:52:41.430 Sarah Bryan: Let me see Oh, there is a it right north of you are right, right up the road from you, one of my favorite views in all of North Carolina is on the road between Maggie Valley.

00:52:41.790 –> 00:52:49.950 Sarah Bryan: And Cherokee if you’re driving towards Cherokee look out to the right there’s this incredible beautiful view of soco gap.

00:52:51.240 –> 00:52:53.490 Joseph McElroy: is called the most photographed view and.

00:52:54.420 –> 00:52:56.790 Sarah Bryan: that’s the one that’s got the little viewing tower and.

00:52:57.990 –> 00:52:59.040 Sarah Bryan: It deserves that.

00:53:01.170 –> 00:53:03.480 Joseph McElroy: i’ve been there since before I was born.

00:53:06.900 –> 00:53:21.540 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s been a pleasure, having you on the show we have to call it quits davin what’s, what do you what would you like people to go to find out more information or looked up your books or read something really important things for them to find out more about you.

00:53:21.990 –> 00:53:30.360 Sarah Bryan: Well, I would love for them to visit our website for the folklife Institute, which is nc folk Lol K dot O rg and see folk.org.

00:53:30.990 –> 00:53:44.130 Sarah Bryan: And also, if they’re interested in old time music old time music, in particular, old time harold.org they find a lot about appalachian and particular of Western North Carolina music.

00:53:45.060 –> 00:53:50.250 Joseph McElroy: cool What about you, you get books, you get some things wherever they find out about that do you have a Facebook page or anything like.

00:53:50.580 –> 00:53:52.470 Sarah Bryan: yeah you can find me on Facebook for sure.

00:53:53.070 –> 00:53:54.300 Joseph McElroy: Alright fabulous.

00:53:55.410 –> 00:54:00.870 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you again, we might have to have another show, because you got a lot to talk about fabulous.

00:54:01.560 –> 00:54:02.430 Sarah Bryan: fun, thank you.

00:54:03.210 –> 00:54:21.120 Joseph McElroy: So this, this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can watch this podcast live on facebook@facebook.com slash gateway to the smoke these podcasts we also have all the episodes recorded and with transcripts on smokies adventure calm.

00:54:22.260 –> 00:54:30.060 Joseph McElroy: there’s a link at the top, to bring you to all the different episodes that you can review we’re also on the talk radio dot nyc network.

00:54:30.390 –> 00:54:38.190 Joseph McElroy: Where they also stream the the audio live as well as on their Facebook stream and I advise you to take a look at all of the.

00:54:38.760 –> 00:54:46.410 Joseph McElroy: podcasts on this network because it’s a network of live podcast which I think is very interesting you get a lot of.

00:54:46.980 –> 00:54:53.310 Joseph McElroy: The spontaneity and and extensive I think vibrancy by listening to things that are live.

00:54:54.300 –> 00:55:03.840 Joseph McElroy: And they range from small business to self help to travel to stuff about New York City and and and other other parts of the world.

00:55:04.620 –> 00:55:10.710 Joseph McElroy: So go there, if you get a chance, I also have another podcast for wise content creates wealth on that.

00:55:11.400 –> 00:55:20.970 Joseph McElroy: On that network it’s about marketing and Ai So if you get a chance to take a look at that and i’ll see you next week again for another fine podcast.

00:55:21.270 –> 00:55:29.790 Joseph McElroy: Always on Tuesdays from six to seven the gateway to the smoke these podcasts and appreciate you all for listening today and i’ll see you then.

]]> <h1><br></h1><p><a href="https://fb.watch/egb44bkdqY/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/62d0725d2848d7be96418ddc_20220712-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/07/12 - The NC Folklife Institute with Director Sarah Bryan"></a></p><p><br></p><h3>Guest: SARAH BRYAN</h3><p><strong>WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN? </strong>Tune in as you&#39;ll learn about how folklife preservation is manifested in building community and cultural engagement through the rich culture of North Carolina.</p><p><strong>EPISODE SUMMARY: </strong>In today’s episode, Joseph is joined by our special guest<strong> Sarah Bryan</strong>, who is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Folklife Institute, an organization that for more than four decades has been dedicated to the preservation, appreciation, and understanding of folklife heritage and culture in North Carolina. Sarah will share with us the importance of preserving cultural heritage, the amazing work that NC Folklife does in the community, and what it&#39;s like to be a writer and a musician.</p><p><a href="https://sarah-bryan.com/" rel="nofollow">https://sarah-bryan.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbryannc/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbryannc/</a></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/sarahbryan" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/sarahbryan</a></p><p><strong>‍</strong></p><p><strong>EPISODE QUOTE: </strong>“ That makes it all the more essential for organizations like both of ours to create these opportunities whenever we can to help young people find out about traditions in their communities.” </p><p> </p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/egb44bkdqY/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Bryan spent most of her childhood in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She can trace back her lineage all the way back to colonial times in both Carolinas. She fondly describes her mother as a busy historical fiction writer.</p><h4><br></h4><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>She got a lucky break with the NC Folklife Institute shortly after her graduation form grad school. Her first job was in the Arts Directory. Bryan was also a fiddler player starting in her teens. She got the opportunity to play on stage with Chris Brashear. Bryan goes into detail about her bumpy and exciting experience performing with him in front of a live audience.</p><h4><br></h4><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Bryan was one of the co-authors for African American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina. It was about the history and tradition of black music in the 80s in North Carolina. She is currently co-authoring a book about historical Southern traditional pottery. Despite being a vegetarian she interviewed Mr.Stami and Mr.Monk from Greensboro and Lexington about barbecue pits at their restaurants. Bryan’s favorite festival is Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention.</p><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>She aims to educate younger members of the community to find out about traditions through elder artists and storytellers. One of the programs providing that support is the Junior Appalachian Musicians. The Blue Ridge Heritage Trail is a project Bryan hopes to revisit to give artists the ability to promote themselves.</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:00:37.980 –&gt; 00:00:45.720 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.</p><p>00:00:46.170 –&gt; 00:00:58.980 Joseph McElroy: The Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the surrounding towns there’s areas filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:59.520 –&gt; 00:01:10.830 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:11.610 –&gt; 00:01:18.420 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about the North Carolina folklife it’s to with director Sarah Brian but, first a few messages.</p><p>00:01:19.710 –&gt; 00:01:29.640 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of the motor court of the past a modern environment with a Chic Appalachian feels, a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:30.210 –&gt; 00:01:39.090 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch in a fire accompanied by a fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:39.570 –&gt; 00:01:52.500 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sound, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:54.210 –&gt; 00:02:06.720 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destination for all sees some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment to be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:07.500 –&gt; 00:02:18.240 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure calm smokies plural adventure calm to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains natural part.</p><p>00:02:18.750 –&gt; 00:02:25.110 Joseph McElroy: You know, get trail maps and find out about waterfalls and kids coven elk, and much more.</p><p>00:02:25.590 –&gt; 00:02:35.220 Joseph McElroy: And then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy and all of the smoky mountain and surrounding areas.</p><p>00:02:35.790 –&gt; 00:02:43.110 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokies adventures become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences and the great smoky mountain.</p><p>00:02:45.000 –&gt; 00:02:46.350 Joseph McElroy: There are some events coming up.</p><p>00:02:47.850 –&gt; 00:03:02.190 Joseph McElroy: Well, first one, I will talk to you about his music and it’s called smoking BLU Ray and it’s on July 23 third at 6 pm it’s a blue smoky blue rain is a trio of led by.</p><p>00:03:04.890 –&gt; 00:03:19.230 Joseph McElroy: With the three music great musicians land Graham Fillmore and Amos Jackson, their brand of American amuses music is an infectious blend of folk light rock blues jazz that touch traditional country.</p><p>00:03:20.130 –&gt; 00:03:24.930 Joseph McElroy: They met through a mutual friend and from the very force nope realize that they had something special.</p><p>00:03:25.980 –&gt; 00:03:36.210 Joseph McElroy: So we’re going to have that event on on a Saturday night on July 23 at the pavilion on the back porch pavilion is the back end and the back.</p><p>00:03:37.020 –&gt; 00:03:48.120 Joseph McElroy: recreation area, the metal art motel we have a sort of a wonderful performance venue and we’re also going to free Barbecue and.</p><p>00:03:48.870 –&gt; 00:04:01.770 Joseph McElroy: And and and there’ll be music after the show to up until whatever the night provides so admission is free for hotel guests and heritage club members and it’s $10 for all others.</p><p>00:04:03.090 –&gt; 00:04:13.680 Joseph McElroy: As you need to do an rsvp so call eight to 8926171 second one seven to get your tickets again eight to 89261717.</p><p>00:04:14.790 –&gt; 00:04:35.340 Joseph McElroy: Now some of you have heard about tick tock and and and and Instagram especially tick tock and a local guy here named Zeb who’s part of the Jay Jay creek cloggers is gone viral with hundreds of millions of views, for his clogging style.</p><p>00:04:37.230 –&gt; 00:04:50.730 Joseph McElroy: And so the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in the Meadowlark Motel proudly announced a heritage event that features an evening of dinner and then dancing from the legendary J Creek Cloggers.</p><p>00:04:51.390 –&gt; 00:05:01.740 Joseph McElroy: featuring Zeb Ross on Saturday night July 30 and started again the Night starts with a delicious Barbecue dinner at six and then column.</p><p>00:05:02.160 –&gt; 00:05:15.390 Joseph McElroy: cook culminates with a rollicking performance by the jquery clockers at 7:30 pm they will perform multiple examples of traditional mountain dancing as well as teach the audience several fun dance steps.</p><p>00:05:16.380 –&gt; 00:05:25.890 Joseph McElroy: group leader Kim Rasa was here a week or so go on on our podcast and will also give a short talk on the history and traditions, of a mountain man.</p><p>00:05:26.490 –&gt; 00:05:33.720 Joseph McElroy: grab your partner and come and join us for a memorable fun-filled classic mountain heritage evening of dining and dancing.</p><p>00:05:34.230 –&gt; 00:05:41.100 Joseph McElroy: admission is free for hotel guests and heritage members and $20 per person for folks not staying in a hotel.</p><p>00:05:41.550 –&gt; 00:05:58.320 Joseph McElroy: Could you know, give us a call at 828-926-1717 to reserve your room or just to get a ticket to the dinner and dance this week’s classic old old mountain type dancehall stuff and you can have a great time and then it’ll be put up on tick tock maybe we’ll go viral good.</p><p>00:06:00.060 –&gt; 00:06:05.340 Joseph McElroy: Now the big news is on August 12 through the 13th there’s going to be a songwriters camp.</p><p>00:06:05.760 –&gt; 00:06:20.580 Joseph McElroy: That features Grammy award-winning artist Jim Lauderdale and Charles hunter the third law with Ward winning artists, they are Nicholson clay mills and Charles Chamberlain it’s a two-day event of interactive songwriting instruction.</p><p>00:06:21.810 –&gt; 00:06:32.820 Joseph McElroy: With world-class and you’ll get a DEMO tape produced for your participation for your what you write what you perform and then also be a concert.</p><p>00:06:33.330 –&gt; 00:06:49.620 Joseph McElroy: By the song from the road band on Friday night and then again a Barbecue dinner and an all star concept with all those artists, on Saturday night, this is an event like you’ll never get your life to Jim lauderdale we wrote, most of the hits first artists like Jim George strait and.</p><p>00:06:50.640 –&gt; 00:07:00.540 Joseph McElroy: Charles Humphrey is a grammy award-winning himself and has done some major songs it’s just it’s going to be incredible you can learn a lot, the price is 675.</p><p>00:07:00.960 –&gt; 00:07:10.470 Joseph McElroy: per person includes all the activities that DEMO tape and the concerts and the dinners and everything else, and under special rooms available for you you’re not from the area.</p><p>00:07:10.830 –&gt; 00:07:29.220 Joseph McElroy: And you can call 8289261717 to get the details to get yourself a room get yourself a ticket and come on and there’s just also for people just want to come to concerts there are concert tickets available as well again call eight to 89261717.</p><p>00:07:31.260 –&gt; 00:07:36.870 Joseph McElroy: So today we’re going to talk about the new North Carolina Folklife Institute and the Director of that is Sarah Bryan.</p><p>00:07:38.550 –&gt; 00:07:39.120 Joseph McElroy: And it’s.</p><p>00:07:40.410 –&gt; 00:07:50.550 Joseph McElroy: The folklife institute’s organization that for more than four decades has been dedicated to the preservation of appreciation and understanding of folklife heritage and culture in North Carolina.</p><p>00:07:51.300 –&gt; 00:08:05.100 Joseph McElroy: Sarah is an accomplished writer author and musician she was also the editor to notable old-time music publications and enjoys collecting old 78 rpm lps and supporting animal welfare.</p><p>00:08:05.790 –&gt; 00:08:18.390 Joseph McElroy: she’s a tar heel basketball and New York mets baseball fan she lives in Durham North Carolina with her family and then it has a pack of dogs and cats to support her efforts hello, Sarah how you doing.</p><p>00:08:18.510 –&gt; 00:08:20.370 Sarah Bryan: hey I’m doing good, how are you.</p><p>00:08:20.760 –&gt; 00:08:31.410 Joseph McElroy: Fine I’m doing good hey listen I’m not going to hold it against you, that you’re a tar heel born and bred but yeah since I went to do, but you do live in Durham so you gotta live in enemy territory right.</p><p>00:08:31.500 –&gt; 00:08:35.550 Sarah Bryan: I live about three blocks from campus so I have to represent extra hard for the.</p><p>00:08:35.550 –&gt; 00:08:36.450 Sarah Bryan: target was the air.</p><p>00:08:36.570 –&gt; 00:08:38.730 Joseph McElroy: All right, which is the West campus.</p><p>00:08:38.820 –&gt; 00:08:42.150 Joseph McElroy: escape and so you’re like near downtown right.</p><p>00:08:42.240 –&gt; 00:08:44.400 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah quite close yeah it all sounds.</p><p>00:08:44.790 –&gt; 00:08:47.970 Joseph McElroy: cool there has become a little bit of a foodie town right, just like national.</p><p>00:08:48.240 –&gt; 00:08:55.770 Sarah Bryan: It really is It reminds me a lot of Asheville yeah and just a huge number of people moving here every year.</p><p>00:08:56.220 –&gt; 00:08:56.850 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:08:57.420 –&gt; 00:08:58.110 Sarah Bryan: Look asheville.</p><p>00:08:58.410 –&gt; 00:09:05.160 Joseph McElroy: After Duke I lived in Durham for about seven years and I enjoyed it very much you know it’s a cool little town.</p><p>00:09:06.240 –&gt; 00:09:06.930 Joseph McElroy: you’re busy north.</p><p>00:09:06.960 –&gt; 00:09:10.470 Joseph McElroy: Carolina you want to go across the whole state, you know I say Wilmington.</p><p>00:09:12.000 –&gt; 00:09:16.650 Joseph McElroy: Durham and then national and then, of course, Maggie valley for the small town experience.</p><p>00:09:17.730 –&gt; 00:09:18.150 Sarah Bryan: sure.</p><p>00:09:18.570 –&gt; 00:09:25.440 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool we’re especially excited to talk to you about you, your role in the North Carolina folklife Institute.</p><p>00:09:25.860 –&gt; 00:09:39.600 Joseph McElroy: As you, as we have we share many of the same core beliefs and with the Heritage Center and at the motel first let’s learn a little bit more about you, you and you have an interesting background and amazing resume.</p><p>00:09:41.160 –&gt; 00:09:47.340 Joseph McElroy: So you were born in myrtle beach South Carolina has How was it like being born in a beach town.</p><p>00:09:48.690 –&gt; 00:09:52.860 Sarah Bryan: Yes, but most of my childhood myrtle beach and.</p><p>00:09:54.000 –&gt; 00:09:56.850 Sarah Bryan: You know when you’re born into play, or I was, I was actually.</p><p>00:09:58.170 –&gt; 00:10:11.490 Sarah Bryan: We moved there when I was two weeks old, but my father’s family going back many generations is from that little part of South Carolina and myrtle beach in particular, and I think when you grow up in a place like that you kind of don’t know how weird it is.</p><p>00:10:11.910 –&gt; 00:10:20.550 Sarah Bryan: yeah I know, I have a friend who is a childhood friend, we were talking years after we both left myrtle beach about.</p><p>00:10:21.420 –&gt; 00:10:31.680 Sarah Bryan: What it’s like to be from somewhere like that, and she pointed out that it gives you kind of an altered sense of reality if you grow up like down the street from Ripley’s, believe it or not.</p><p>00:10:34.320 –&gt; 00:10:36.750 Sarah Bryan: giant fiberglass octopus statues.</p><p>00:10:37.650 –&gt; 00:10:46.830 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you know growing up in a little tourist and I sort of get an idea of what she did you know, and you know from Duke we always went to myrtle beach after yeah for the spring break it was like.</p><p>00:10:47.310 –&gt; 00:10:55.800 Joseph McElroy: You know how how how bad can replace be when yeah you can take a back road and find all you can eat seafood place in the middle of nowhere.</p><p>00:10:58.380 –&gt; 00:11:01.110 Joseph McElroy: And you paid a paid as you went in because they.</p><p>00:11:02.190 –&gt; 00:11:04.260 Joseph McElroy: expect you to just stay there till your fault.</p><p>00:11:06.090 –&gt; 00:11:12.870 Joseph McElroy: But you also spend some time and grew up the Carolinas in Virginia beach Virginia what were those.</p><p>00:11:13.560 –&gt; 00:11:31.200 Sarah Bryan: yeah well I’m most of my family going back you know since early colonial times have been in the Carolinas both Carolinas and um when I was about nine we moved up to northern Virginia, which is where my mother grew up and.</p><p>00:11:32.340 –&gt; 00:11:35.370 Sarah Bryan: I missed the Carolinas badly when I lived there.</p><p>00:11:35.520 –&gt; 00:11:46.770 Sarah Bryan: Especially in the springtime but because you know just that little bit of geographical distance makes all the dust all the difference in a climate when the flowers come out and when it gets warm.</p><p>00:11:47.640 –&gt; 00:11:54.360 Sarah Bryan: It was a great place to spend my teens and my college years, so I feel fortunate to have been up there.</p><p>00:11:55.080 –&gt; 00:12:04.770 Joseph McElroy: With your parents surely must have influenced your love of history writing your mom is a distinguished author publisher story or own right, what can you say about that.</p><p>00:12:05.970 –&gt; 00:12:19.140 Sarah Bryan: yeah my mom is a wonderful writer her name is Christina freeman Brian and she is she has had an interesting career just 72 now and lives with me and my husband here in Durham and.</p><p>00:12:20.310 –&gt; 00:12:22.680 Sarah Bryan: yeah she went to Carolina and.</p><p>00:12:23.700 –&gt; 00:12:39.600 Sarah Bryan: studied originally to be a medievalist medieval Latin is her specialty from college and but has done all sorts of things over the years, she ran a school for several years and myrtle beach.</p><p>00:12:40.830 –&gt; 00:12:44.160 Sarah Bryan: Montessori school that I went to as a small child and.</p><p>00:12:45.300 –&gt; 00:12:46.440 Sarah Bryan: has written.</p><p>00:12:47.610 –&gt; 00:13:02.250 Sarah Bryan: A lot of really wonderful historical fiction about the civil war era about Jamestown colony about the Lincoln assassination plot and.</p><p>00:13:02.730 –&gt; 00:13:10.650 Sarah Bryan: She she’s an amazing researcher fun to just incredible depth of information right, so these great books and.</p><p>00:13:11.070 –&gt; 00:13:22.260 Sarah Bryan: Then just move right to the next project she’s so excited about the next thing to learn about so she has the stack of manuscripts, so I hope someday she’ll be shopping to publishers because the world needs to see them.</p><p>00:13:23.040 –&gt; 00:13:28.710 Joseph McElroy: that’s great, but we got to take a break down but we’ll come back talk a little more about your personal history and then get into your job.</p><p>00:15:45.570 –&gt; 00:15:52.200 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guests Sarah Bryan.</p><p>00:15:53.910 –&gt; 00:16:00.870 Joseph McElroy: So, so you know I like to have my craft beers on this show Now I will tell you.</p><p>00:16:02.400 –&gt; 00:16:11.400 Joseph McElroy: about the one I’m doing now, but, first, it was mentioned, I was at the wicked weed brewery nationally that day and they got a really great IPA call freak in page or advise you to go there.</p><p>00:16:11.820 –&gt; 00:16:15.600 Joseph McElroy: But I just discovered when we have at the Meadowlark it is not at local beer, but.</p><p>00:16:16.080 –&gt; 00:16:31.110 Joseph McElroy: yeah I don’t necessarily just dismiss that you know, even though this area is 50 breweries there are people that make good beer elsewhere and I’m liking, this one it’s a double IPA called never better by Coronado brewing company in California.</p><p>00:16:33.330 –&gt; 00:16:41.370 Joseph McElroy: But anyway, hey Sarah glad to have you back you know we were talking about your mom with your dad was a professional of American literature.</p><p>00:16:42.000 –&gt; 00:16:50.610 Joseph McElroy: But it was also I thought this is interesting we’re now doing a miniature golf course designer including, including Mr the elaborate on the grand strand right.</p><p>00:16:51.360 –&gt; 00:17:00.360 Sarah Bryan: that’s true yeah yeah my father dance Brian was his name, he went by the nickname party, which is a long story.</p><p>00:17:02.100 –&gt; 00:17:04.560 Sarah Bryan: Was the origin part of her in the Bible.</p><p>00:17:06.540 –&gt; 00:17:21.000 Sarah Bryan: yeah he was from myrtle beach grew up there, and his father and grandfather had been involved in developing the area early on, and particularly in building, so the golf courses, they are the big golf courses and.</p><p>00:17:22.500 –&gt; 00:17:34.380 Sarah Bryan: Starting around the 1950s I’d say late 50s early 60s, he started working on his own miniature golf courses with his father.</p><p>00:17:36.360 –&gt; 00:17:49.890 Sarah Bryan: put him in charge of an old golf driving range they had there, and he had the idea to make it sort of a jungle environment miniature golf course and that’s where that.</p><p>00:17:50.970 –&gt; 00:18:10.680 Sarah Bryan: The head deal was born with him and he and partners through the years developed the jungle golf style of miniature golf courses, so if you’ve been to myrtle beach, you know what they look like it’s the big mountain of dirt a middle of the lot with tropical plants waterfalls.</p><p>00:18:13.230 –&gt; 00:18:19.830 Sarah Bryan: jungle animals, which includes somehow savannah animals I don’t know why, and so that that.</p><p>00:18:21.000 –&gt; 00:18:21.870 Sarah Bryan: That has.</p><p>00:18:23.070 –&gt; 00:18:27.630 Sarah Bryan: Over the course of his life that really took off from the late 50s to Stephen.</p><p>00:18:29.640 –&gt; 00:18:31.710 Joseph McElroy: He did a couple of value values didn’t.</p><p>00:18:33.060 –&gt; 00:18:37.740 Sarah Bryan: You know I am not sure I think he did this before my time he did one in Boone.</p><p>00:18:38.190 –&gt; 00:18:41.250 Sarah Bryan: yeah and in the 70s early 80s there’s one.</p><p>00:18:41.310 –&gt; 00:18:46.920 Joseph McElroy: that’s there’s one that has been around for a long time and I don’t think that’s a jungle-type golf, but there is one.</p><p>00:18:47.940 –&gt; 00:18:50.760 Joseph McElroy: That is more of a general type thing and so.</p><p>00:18:51.090 –&gt; 00:18:59.640 Joseph McElroy: He probably looks actually I when I first saw it back 20 years ago, or something like that I said wow that looks more like a myrtle beach.</p><p>00:19:02.490 –&gt; 00:19:05.400 Joseph McElroy: thing so but it’s become part of the fabric here, you know.</p><p>00:19:06.120 –&gt; 00:19:06.510 So.</p><p>00:19:08.040 –&gt; 00:19:17.280 Joseph McElroy: And you’re actually come from a diverse home you grew up and speak Spanish your family’s confused compete Cuban dispense right.</p><p>00:19:18.360 –&gt; 00:19:21.240 Sarah Bryan: my mom is half Cuban.</p><p>00:19:21.630 –&gt; 00:19:27.420 Joseph McElroy: yeah, and I assume you have a real admiration for cultural diversity.</p><p>00:19:29.970 –&gt; 00:19:47.340 Joseph McElroy: That we love for exploring you know for folklife and in Florida, for you know, being a writer and musician in and you got your what your BA degree in American studies from George Washington university an ma degree in folklore unc I won’t hold that against.</p><p>00:19:49.980 –&gt; 00:19:51.090 Sarah Bryan: call the truth for that.</p><p>00:19:51.630 –&gt; 00:20:04.530 Joseph McElroy: yeah but in 2005 you actually you join the North Carolina folklife institute so is that sort of the first big career move for you read what’s up before that.</p><p>00:20:05.070 –&gt; 00:20:11.340 Sarah Bryan: That was an incredibly lucky break for me, I was not long out of Grad school and.</p><p>00:20:12.300 –&gt; 00:20:28.920 Sarah Bryan: North Carolina folklife Institute, which at the time was directed by Beverley Patterson who’s a wonderful folklorist in Chapel hill she in the folklife institute we’re working with the Blue Ridge national heritage area on developing their traditional artists directory.</p><p>00:20:29.430 –&gt; 00:20:40.560 Sarah Bryan: And she brought on to newly hatched folklorist which were me and Mark Free to you probably know, from when you use a prominent musician and arts leader in the area.</p><p>00:20:41.100 –&gt; 00:20:53.070 Sarah Bryan: But we were both you know in and just out of school at the time, this was long ago and yeah my first job was on the artists directory and so basically.</p><p>00:20:53.670 –&gt; 00:21:04.470 Sarah Bryan: The folklife institute turned us loose mark was in the northern counties and I was from like Madison and bunk and counties to the State Law and and.</p><p>00:21:05.580 –&gt; 00:21:17.130 Sarah Bryan: And, and the cherokee quality boundary area and it was a wonderful job I mean we just explored, each of us separately explored the counties in our.</p><p>00:21:18.090 –&gt; 00:21:25.860 Sarah Bryan: assigned region go around ask people who the traditional artists are in some cases, they were.</p><p>00:21:26.400 –&gt; 00:21:37.110 Sarah Bryan: You know, prominent people with you know well known careers and their and their art form and in other cases, that would be you know, an elderly person who’d retired from a career and something not at all.</p><p>00:21:37.890 –&gt; 00:21:46.890 Sarah Bryan: art or music related but you know kept up their art form just on their own at home because I love doing it, nobody you know.</p><p>00:21:48.540 –&gt; 00:21:54.840 Sarah Bryan: haven’t had much publicity before but we got the right profiles of all of these folks and it was incredibly fun.</p><p>00:21:55.530 –&gt; 00:22:05.760 Joseph McElroy: Well, you, you must have loved it, because by 2017, which is a fairly short period of time he became executive director of that that that really esteemed organization.</p><p>00:22:07.020 –&gt; 00:22:12.570 Joseph McElroy: So I guess that was a That was a lot of hard work right.</p><p>00:22:13.980 –&gt; 00:22:15.120 Sarah Bryan: Hard work that really fun.</p><p>00:22:17.070 –&gt; 00:22:19.860 Sarah Bryan: The all the projects were involved in, or just.</p><p>00:22:21.060 –&gt; 00:22:23.130 Sarah Bryan: Oh it’s such a pleasure to work on.</p><p>00:22:24.180 –&gt; 00:22:38.790 Joseph McElroy: Well, but you also here’s The interesting thing you know, and you know found out that you, you became an old time fiddle player during that time, too, so you had to have time to practice right, but you were doing a lot of good work so.</p><p>00:22:40.500 –&gt; 00:22:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Have you played with any great Western North Carolina fiddler’s.</p><p>00:22:43.830 –&gt; 00:22:48.930 Sarah Bryan: Well let’s see I actually started playing old-time fiddle when I was in my teens.</p><p>00:22:49.020 –&gt; 00:22:49.470 Joseph McElroy: I really.</p><p>00:22:49.980 –&gt; 00:22:51.960 Sarah Bryan: yeah and actually I’ve been.</p><p>00:22:52.080 –&gt; 00:23:10.620 Sarah Bryan: In northern Virginia and yeah but have have continued playing all along yeah moving to North Carolina has I came back down here for Grad school in 2001 of the great things about that was proximity to so many wonderful musicians.</p><p>00:23:10.800 –&gt; 00:23:11.430 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s great.</p><p>00:23:11.460 –&gt; 00:23:16.470 Joseph McElroy: yeah so did you get to play with any or did you get did you have any mentoring from some of them.</p><p>00:23:16.830 –&gt; 00:23:22.950 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah there it’s it’s hard to narrow down there’s so many amazing fiddler’s in the year I was.</p><p>00:23:23.970 –&gt; 00:23:26.400 Sarah Bryan: If I had to pick one fiddler to.</p><p>00:23:28.740 –&gt; 00:23:41.850 Sarah Bryan: To mention, in particular, who have a friend who have been lucky enough to play with at times, but not nearly enough not nearly as much said, like is Paul Brown, who lives in Winston Salem.</p><p>00:23:42.990 –&gt; 00:23:47.700 Sarah Bryan: He is wonderful fiddler banjo player singer.</p><p>00:23:49.470 –&gt; 00:23:55.830 Sarah Bryan: Has the style that I wish I could play and very sort of sweet and rambunctious at the same time.</p><p>00:23:56.970 –&gt; 00:23:58.050 Sarah Bryan: And he also.</p><p>00:23:59.580 –&gt; 00:24:07.500 Sarah Bryan: he’s he’s been this great conduit between generations, because when he first moved to the Mount airy area.</p><p>00:24:08.910 –&gt; 00:24:17.280 Sarah Bryan: He got to know Tommy jerel or honesty’s Fred copper Malta, you know the sort of Pantheon of great musicians in that area.</p><p>00:24:18.330 –&gt; 00:24:20.550 Sarah Bryan: And he’s really served as a.</p><p>00:24:21.840 –&gt; 00:24:37.680 Sarah Bryan: champion of them over the years, so now, I mean for a lot of us who were not able to know those people through Paul we’ve gotten to know not just what great musicians, they were, but what interesting and knowledgeable people they were.</p><p>00:24:39.780 –&gt; 00:24:51.480 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s yeah that’s you know that’s a life-enriching experience to work with people that have such tremendous depth and they’re trying to actually pass it on to you too, and so.</p><p>00:24:51.960 –&gt; 00:25:02.190 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think that is probably very, very profound for you, you know I also know that you were on garrison keillor’s prairie home companion that goes out.</p><p>00:25:03.720 –&gt; 00:25:23.610 Sarah Bryan: that that was a an exciting experience, not in all the right ways, so I have severe stage fright and which complicated that experience, because it was in front of a you know alive theater audience prairie home companion was going to be in Durham and.</p><p>00:25:24.690 –&gt; 00:25:32.220 Sarah Bryan: And the show invited you know, several old-time musicians in the area to be part of it, and of course I couldn’t turn that down.</p><p>00:25:34.050 –&gt; 00:25:39.720 Sarah Bryan: But once I once I got there the stage right kicked in and.</p><p>00:25:41.280 –&gt; 00:25:49.710 Sarah Bryan: They before the show they we were backstage and Chris for sheer who’s the band fiddler was the band fiddler those days.</p><p>00:25:51.330 –&gt; 00:25:53.850 Sarah Bryan: For the show was showing me and the other.</p><p>00:25:54.990 –&gt; 00:25:59.490 Sarah Bryan: guests fiddler’s this tune that we were going to play when you know when our segment came on.</p><p>00:26:00.510 –&gt; 00:26:10.020 Sarah Bryan: And because I was starting to think about what it was gonna be like a few minutes when there is these hundreds of people looking at me and billions of people listening.</p><p>00:26:10.740 –&gt; 00:26:24.240 Sarah Bryan: my mind went blank and I couldn’t learn the two, and he was showing us it was as soon as he played it, it was gone so that was that was the first tune what we’re going to play that evening and.</p><p>00:26:25.350 –&gt; 00:26:35.490 Sarah Bryan: Because, as soon as they started I realized I didn’t remember what you just showed us, I was like i’m you know sort of holding the bow a little bit above the strings of pretending to play.</p><p>00:26:37.980 –&gt; 00:26:41.340 Sarah Bryan: outside of Andy Griffith when barney’s in the choir.</p><p>00:26:41.340 –&gt; 00:26:41.760 To.</p><p>00:26:43.110 –&gt; 00:26:57.000 Sarah Bryan: sing it was like that, but that, so the sound the sound engineer was you know kept he was listening and it kept thinking that my microphone is not working, so he came out at one point, and was like tinkering with it and.</p><p>00:26:57.990 –&gt; 00:27:03.000 Sarah Bryan: While he was standing there he realized that I wasn’t playing and you sort of like wink to give me a thumbs up and.</p><p>00:27:03.660 –&gt; 00:27:18.990 Sarah Bryan: went off stage, but then the next tune that we were to play was soldiers joy, which is my favorite all time fiddle tune, and the one that, like all fiddler’s pretty much know so I really wanted to play on that one but at that, point my microphone was off.</p><p>00:27:20.790 –&gt; 00:27:22.350 Sarah Bryan: pretending to play before.</p><p>00:27:24.090 –&gt; 00:27:33.720 Sarah Bryan: But the crisper shear and the other fiddler Kenny Jackson who’s a really great North Carolina fiddler um you know they didn’t need a third fiddler between them so.</p><p>00:27:36.060 –&gt; 00:27:39.000 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s so you you play, but you did.</p><p>00:27:45.030 –&gt; 00:27:46.740 Joseph McElroy: Okay well that’s a good story.</p><p>00:27:48.630 –&gt; 00:27:50.190 Joseph McElroy: At least you got asked to be on there.</p><p>00:27:53.220 –&gt; 00:27:58.860 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve also become a writer, a great writer, and you have two books out right and.</p><p>00:27:59.550 –&gt; 00:28:07.920 Joseph McElroy: So when we come we got to take a break down, but once you tell us about the two books and then we’re going to talk about some of the you know the stuff in the mountains in western North Carolina that you know that.</p><p>00:28:08.220 –&gt; 00:28:08.550 Great.</p><p>00:30:15.150 –&gt; 00:30:24.420 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast and my guest Sarah Bryan who’s the Executive Director of the North Carolina Folklife Institute.</p><p>00:30:24.870 –&gt; 00:30:32.670 Joseph McElroy: So so Sarah you’re a writer you’ve got a couple of books out one coming out soon, what were the What are those titles and what they’re about.</p><p>00:30:33.330 –&gt; 00:30:38.160 Sarah Bryan: Thanks um there, there are two titles of co-written.</p><p>00:30:39.300 –&gt; 00:30:49.680 Sarah Bryan: I was one of the three co-authors, along with Beverly Patterson and Michelle Lanier, who is now the Director of historic sites for North Carolina.</p><p>00:30:50.160 –&gt; 00:30:59.250 Sarah Bryan: I’m a book called African American music trails of Eastern North Carolina and that came out of a North Carolina Arts Council project of the same name.</p><p>00:31:00.570 –&gt; 00:31:07.080 Sarah Bryan: about the historic and living black music traditions in Eastern North Carolina counties.</p><p>00:31:08.700 –&gt; 00:31:16.560 Sarah Bryan: And you know just the incredible impact musicians from there have had it hasn’t always been more widely recognized.</p><p>00:31:17.040 –&gt; 00:31:17.580 Sarah Bryan: That was.</p><p>00:31:18.690 –&gt; 00:31:24.000 Sarah Bryan: 2014 2015 my husband Peter Hoenig and I.</p><p>00:31:25.500 –&gt; 00:31:31.410 Sarah Bryan: co-wrote and co-compiled a collection for us to digital.</p><p>00:31:32.490 –&gt; 00:31:53.880 Sarah Bryan: Just a great label out of Atlanta, it was a TC set up the CDS were 78 from Peters collection of mostly old-time mountain music and blues and the book was antique anonymous photos of southern early southern life from my own collections.</p><p>00:31:54.390 –&gt; 00:31:55.980 Sarah Bryan: cool that that was.</p><p>00:31:57.870 –&gt; 00:32:02.670 Sarah Bryan: 2015 and that’s out of print but it’s still I believe the music is still downloadable.</p><p>00:32:02.940 –&gt; 00:32:03.330 Joseph McElroy: It was.</p><p>00:32:04.740 –&gt; 00:32:09.420 Sarah Bryan: It was called leap, can we light name for him a.</p><p>00:32:11.130 –&gt; 00:32:15.630 Sarah Bryan: Pre-war southern music and photographs I believe was the subtitle.</p><p>00:32:16.050 –&gt; 00:32:17.490 Joseph McElroy: cool and then you’re writing one now.</p><p>00:32:18.240 –&gt; 00:32:32.520 Sarah Bryan: Yes, yeah I’m co-writing with potter and historian from Randolph county and help you, we are working on a history of southern traditional pottery which is.</p><p>00:32:33.870 –&gt; 00:32:41.190 Sarah Bryan: A huge story and we’re you know, having fun figuring out how to fit that all into one book.</p><p>00:32:42.690 –&gt; 00:32:45.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah pottery trails all over the north.</p><p>00:32:45.060 –&gt; 00:32:45.540 Carolina.</p><p>00:32:47.310 –&gt; 00:32:47.970 Sarah Bryan: Especially.</p><p>00:32:49.620 –&gt; 00:32:59.520 Joseph McElroy: Well cool well, you also writing and the and the editor for the old time arrow, which is an about old music is also an old-time dancing.</p><p>00:33:00.720 –&gt; 00:33:17.490 Sarah Bryan: It is yeah yeah the old time, Harold the musician and field recorder Alice Gerard founded in 1987 when she was living in Gala and yeah it’s about traditional old-time music, particularly in Appalachia but also.</p><p>00:33:18.570 –&gt; 00:33:24.570 Sarah Bryan: Other parts of the self, and you know wider traditions elsewhere that are relatable to music.</p><p>00:33:25.380 –&gt; 00:33:29.880 Joseph McElroy: Other parts are there any memorable stories you wrote about the smoky mountains areas.</p><p>00:33:30.690 –&gt; 00:33:34.200 Sarah Bryan: Oh gosh well not that I’ve written myself, but I would.</p><p>00:33:35.580 –&gt; 00:33:46.320 Sarah Bryan: There have been some great articles about Western North Carolina effect our current issue has a cover story about beach mountain musicians from.</p><p>00:33:47.220 –&gt; 00:34:00.840 Sarah Bryan: From the Whataburger every county line area and the old fiddler the universe to hicks is the cover girl she’s a great musical matriarch from beach mountain.</p><p>00:34:01.560 –&gt; 00:34:03.750 Joseph McElroy: cool Any with Haywood County?</p><p>00:34:05.010 –&gt; 00:34:06.360 Sarah Bryan: yeah let me.</p><p>00:34:08.580 –&gt; 00:34:20.040 Sarah Bryan: we’ve definitely covered Haywood county stories, there was we had an article sometime back about the Soco gap clockers was that the name of the.</p><p>00:34:20.520 –&gt; 00:34:22.320 Joseph McElroy: Joe Sam Queen</p><p>00:34:23.460 –&gt; 00:34:23.700 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:34:23.820 –&gt; 00:34:24.690 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah and.</p><p>00:34:24.780 –&gt; 00:34:26.940 Sarah Bryan: They danced at the White House and Roosevelt.</p><p>00:34:27.780 –&gt; 00:34:30.210 Joseph McElroy: yeah we have him on the show a few weeks ago yeah.</p><p>00:34:31.080 –&gt; 00:34:32.640 Sarah Bryan: yeah that’s a great tradition that’s.</p><p>00:34:32.730 –&gt; 00:34:34.470 Sarah Bryan: been going on for generations.</p><p>00:34:35.490 –&gt; 00:34:48.030 Joseph McElroy: cool so I love that you know that you work with this Folklife institute, I mean it’s there’s a lot of the value and objectives, promoting the preservation appreciation of understanding.</p><p>00:34:48.600 –&gt; 00:34:56.880 Joseph McElroy: The folklife heritage and culture in North Carolina yeah we’re spoken we’re focused on the smoky mountains area but it’s the same sort of passion.</p><p>00:34:58.440 –&gt; 00:35:09.150 Joseph McElroy: I saw that you had one interesting program documenting the early bbq pitch, so I gotta go find this because I’m getting into I’ve been a big fire based.</p><p>00:35:10.170 –&gt; 00:35:19.830 Joseph McElroy: cook for a while and I’ve been getting more and more of that tell me about that what would you find out that that’s fascinating about Barbecue pits early on.</p><p>00:35:20.280 –&gt; 00:35:21.360 Sarah Bryan: That was a project.</p><p>00:35:22.440 –&gt; 00:35:29.490 Sarah Bryan: Oh gosh probably eight or 10 years ago that the previous director Joy Salinger’s launched and.</p><p>00:35:31.080 –&gt; 00:35:35.400 Sarah Bryan: The part that I was able to play was going to interview to</p><p>00:35:36.990 –&gt; 00:35:49.500 Sarah Bryan: founding fathers of the western Barbecue tradition, Mr. Damien Mr mountain Conan Greensboro and one and Lexington and I didn’t tell either of them that I’m a vegetarian.</p><p>00:35:51.120 –&gt; 00:35:53.070 Sarah Bryan: It was lovely being in their restaurants it</p><p>00:35:53.070 –&gt; 00:35:54.120 Sarah Bryan: smelled great.</p><p>00:35:55.680 –&gt; 00:36:00.360 Sarah Bryan: Barbecue home for my family and yeah just lovely.</p><p>00:36:00.480 –&gt; 00:36:03.690 Joseph McElroy: You could do some wonderful things with vegetables and smoke, you know.</p><p>00:36:04.320 –&gt; 00:36:08.970 Joseph McElroy: yeah there’s a recipe that comes out of the middle of the state that I love of US it’s.</p><p>00:36:10.170 –&gt; 00:36:23.550 Joseph McElroy: This African American chef I forget her name right now I’ll post it at some point that as smoke beats and then she makes cornbread beats so you think it’s it’s fabulous oh yeah and burnt sugar.</p><p>00:36:23.700 –&gt; 00:36:24.750 Sarah Bryan: Smoke oh wow.</p><p>00:36:26.130 –&gt; 00:36:36.990 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’s incredible yeah so there’s a lot of vegetables that are really enhanced by the grill experience yeah people know you know about doing just about some things but there’s a lot more that you could do.</p><p>00:36:38.220 –&gt; 00:36:42.660 Joseph McElroy: Any programs cooking programs on mountain cooking or Cherokee cuisine</p><p>00:36:43.590 –&gt; 00:36:47.730 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah absolutely that’s where you’re really.</p><p>00:36:48.930 –&gt; 00:36:52.620 Sarah Bryan: Love being involved in programs about Appalachian.</p><p>00:36:53.670 –&gt; 00:36:54.810 Sarah Bryan: Food in particular.</p><p>00:36:55.830 –&gt; 00:37:07.110 Sarah Bryan: Yeah we’ve had some classes, through a program called in these mountains, which is sponsored by South Arts in Atlanta, and have had to have several food-related courses.</p><p>00:37:08.400 –&gt; 00:37:16.680 Sarah Bryan: right before the pandemic began, we were working with Nathan Bush, who is a Cherokee herbalist and</p><p>00:37:18.480 –&gt; 00:37:29.010 Sarah Bryan: artist and language specialist and his mother, Mrs. Anita Bush is also a really renowned herbalist and so he was given a great class.</p><p>00:37:29.910 –&gt; 00:37:41.070 Sarah Bryan: Going into the woods and the area, and you know, showing which plants are edible which you got to stay away from which have different you know medicinal properties and.</p><p>00:37:42.000 –&gt; 00:37:51.150 Sarah Bryan: More recently, and in fact, going on now we’re sponsoring an online class called mountain battles and it’s taught by William Ritter</p><p>00:37:51.570 –&gt; 00:37:52.140 Joseph McElroy: Oh William,</p><p>00:37:52.890 –&gt; 00:37:53.490 Sarah Bryan: know there again.</p><p>00:37:53.910 –&gt; 00:37:55.020 Joseph McElroy: we’re able to show you.</p><p>00:37:55.080 –&gt; 00:37:56.250 Sarah Bryan: Oh good good.</p><p>00:37:56.370 –&gt; 00:38:10.110 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah yeah William from Mitchell county and he is teaching it’s a great class we’ve only had two so far as and it’s going to go into you know the summer and early fall and we are still taking.</p><p>00:38:10.890 –&gt; 00:38:27.870 Sarah Bryan: Taking students can still register anyone 13 and up and it’s a free class just about you know heritage Appalachian crops cooking baking stories having to do with food songs having to do with food.</p><p>00:38:29.370 –&gt; 00:38:38.970 Joseph McElroy: We know here to here we’ve built our first guard here, right at the motel, we also put a field in at a farm and what we have.</p><p>00:38:39.930 –&gt; 00:38:47.850 Joseph McElroy: we’re starting to really get into you know like I don’t know if you’ve heard of candy roasters we got a whole bunch of candy restaurant or probably even better, believe it or not.</p><p>00:38:49.080 –&gt; 00:39:05.100 Joseph McElroy: And we’re planning on doing a lot of those big breads and things like that, for those who don’t know, can you rosters are like the pumpkin or squash family they’re giant but oh long you know and they only really grow well the bounce but they’re really sweet really fantastic.</p><p>00:39:06.390 –&gt; 00:39:19.410 Joseph McElroy: So I love that you’re doing this kind of stuff and yeah we’re gonna we’re going to actually open a restaurant focus on merited mountain heritage food with a lot of traditional things and.</p><p>00:39:19.680 –&gt; 00:39:21.600 Joseph McElroy: And we just I don’t know if you know Illa hatter.</p><p>00:39:21.930 –&gt; 00:39:22.950 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:39:23.040 –&gt; 00:39:24.000 Joseph McElroy: He was just here.</p><p>00:39:25.050 –&gt; 00:39:29.100 Joseph McElroy: the day before yesterday, she did a program here and we had over 30 people show up.</p><p>00:39:29.430 –&gt; 00:39:40.680 Joseph McElroy: right here and learn how to forage and use it to make meals, a day so it’s something that people are very interested in and it’s great to look up that program you guys are doing.</p><p>00:39:40.890 –&gt; 00:39:42.660 Sarah Bryan: Definitely yeah join us, please.</p><p>00:39:42.840 –&gt; 00:39:54.480 Joseph McElroy: yeah another big thing that you’re involved with this festival productions right documenting and talking about what’s going on, do you have any favorite festivals in the western part of the state.</p><p>00:39:55.230 –&gt; 00:40:04.530 Sarah Bryan: Oh gosh yeah that’s what it’d be hard to narrow down my favorite old-time festival in the world is Mount airy fiddler’s Convention and.</p><p>00:40:05.580 –&gt; 00:40:17.610 Sarah Bryan: yeah I haven’t gone for the last couple of years because of just pandemic strangeness but yeah I’ve been coming to that since I was about 20 and just fabulous.</p><p>00:40:19.320 –&gt; 00:40:26.280 Sarah Bryan: festival it’s one of these events, where the old-time musicians from all over the world really come together and.</p><p>00:40:26.670 –&gt; 00:40:35.760 Sarah Bryan: meet the people who grew up in the traditions and you know are carrying it on from home and vice versa it’s just it’s wonderful.</p><p>00:40:36.540 –&gt; 00:40:56.700 Sarah Bryan: Another one I love and I’m not certain if it’s still happening in the fading voices festival and takes place in snowbird the Cherokee Community near Robin school and it’s Cherokee Gospel music and wonderful.</p><p>00:40:57.720 –&gt; 00:41:06.720 Sarah Bryan: Quartets mostly from the eastern band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina and Tennessee and also from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma.</p><p>00:41:09.570 –&gt; 00:41:19.020 Sarah Bryan: Court that’s will come from air to this festival and just incredibly beautiful music in this really, really beautiful little mountain cove and snowbird.</p><p>00:41:19.800 –&gt; 00:41:21.300 Sarah Bryan: wow that’s still going on.</p><p>00:41:22.320 –&gt; 00:41:27.000 Joseph McElroy: look it up, you know, one of the most successful I thought you know the hospitality</p><p>00:41:28.140 –&gt; 00:41:46.830 Joseph McElroy: thing I actually saw in Barbados, was a Gospel Gospel brunch on Sunday, and it was huge, it was a big fantastic success people, it was all you know really sort of old time you know Gospel music this surprising place to have it is hugely successful.</p><p>00:41:47.310 –&gt; 00:41:49.050 Joseph McElroy: For the idea of doing that here.</p><p>00:41:50.460 –&gt; 00:41:57.360 Joseph McElroy: But you know he didn’t you didn’t the folklife it’s two to one point put on the first statewide folk fest folk festival.</p><p>00:41:57.930 –&gt; 00:42:11.880 Sarah Bryan: That was our origin actually founded in 1974 to help the actually as an arm at that time of the folklife program with the North Carolina Arts Council and they were putting on.</p><p>00:42:12.330 –&gt; 00:42:23.250 Sarah Bryan: A statewide folklife festival here in Durham and it was sort of the lead up to the bicentennial so you know, there was a renewed interest in American traditions of all kinds.</p><p>00:42:23.760 –&gt; 00:42:26.460 Sarah Bryan: And that festival and 74.</p><p>00:42:27.780 –&gt; 00:42:41.220 Sarah Bryan: It just it’s incredible looking back at who all was there as a Tammi Terrell Elizabeth cotton Willard Watson just yeah just some of the most wonderful let’s kill on artists.</p><p>00:42:41.880 –&gt; 00:42:45.210 Joseph McElroy: Have you been involved with the phone booth two senators festival here at Haywood county.</p><p>00:42:45.780 –&gt; 00:42:49.260 Sarah Bryan: We haven’t, but I would like to do great work.</p><p>00:42:49.770 –&gt; 00:42:52.650 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool I’ll get that Bob did it he does pretty well.</p><p>00:42:53.820 –&gt; 00:43:00.810 Joseph McElroy: Well hey listen, we got to take a break and then we’ll come back and talk continue talking about yeah folk folklife here in the mountains.</p><p>00:45:02.610 –&gt; 00:45:12.180 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I guess Sarah Brian so Sarah you know, one of the reasons I.</p><p>00:45:13.260 –&gt; 00:45:20.520 Joseph McElroy: You know started doing the mountain heritage stuff here and got involved with this, because I really believe in the importance of community education.</p><p>00:45:21.120 –&gt; 00:45:36.600 Joseph McElroy: And you know and getting you to know things right, where the Community can be involved with it and even online, you know inner interactions, what do you think about the importance of that and also the importance of oral history documentation that comes out of communities.</p><p>00:45:38.280 –&gt; 00:45:47.490 Sarah Bryan: I think I think it’s an essential part of all of our lives and yeah Community arts and oral history and.</p><p>00:45:48.510 –&gt; 00:45:54.600 Sarah Bryan: far too few people nowadays experienced that, and you know, in a full way um.</p><p>00:45:55.980 –&gt; 00:46:03.180 Sarah Bryan: I’m not one of those people who thinks that you know the old days were better across the board, but, but I do think that the.</p><p>00:46:05.130 –&gt; 00:46:08.190 Joseph McElroy: closeness there’s a lot of you there’s a lot of beauty in it there’s.</p><p>00:46:08.190 –&gt; 00:46:09.120 Sarah Bryan: Absolutely.</p><p>00:46:09.360 –&gt; 00:46:09.870 Joseph McElroy: There was also.</p><p>00:46:10.320 –&gt; 00:46:16.290 Joseph McElroy: A hardship and ugliness in there, but you’re trying to preserve the beauty and letting the nastiness go away.</p><p>00:46:16.620 –&gt; 00:46:29.310 Sarah Bryan: Exactly exactly, and I think that that closeness of community is something that a lot of ways, many of us have lost and also more so over the last two and a half years with the pandemic.</p><p>00:46:30.510 –&gt; 00:46:43.320 Sarah Bryan: But then that makes it all the more essential for organizations like both of ours to create these opportunities whenever we can to help.</p><p>00:46:44.070 –&gt; 00:47:00.210 Sarah Bryan: Especially young people find out about traditions in their communities get to know elder artists or you know story storytellers people who know the Community history and yeah the more opportunities there are, the better.</p><p>00:47:02.130 –&gt; 00:47:06.780 Sarah Bryan: That makes me think in particular about the jam programs the junior Appalachian musicians.</p><p>00:47:07.140 –&gt; 00:47:07.710 Joseph McElroy: that’s a great.</p><p>00:47:08.310 –&gt; 00:47:15.270 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah I mean that’s sort of a stellar example of creating new.</p><p>00:47:16.560 –&gt; 00:47:17.760 Sarah Bryan: Learning environments.</p><p>00:47:19.230 –&gt; 00:47:36.090 Sarah Bryan: Where you know, a young person 100 years ago may have been able to go to the next door neighbor or her next door neighbor and learn the banjo and that those links don’t exist as a strong layer as frequently now so creating these.</p><p>00:47:37.500 –&gt; 00:47:47.190 Sarah Bryan: classes, essentially for young people to learn has been an amazing contribution to old-time and bluegrass music because now there’s this whole.</p><p>00:47:47.880 –&gt; 00:47:59.370 Sarah Bryan: generation of young just incredibly good musicians, who are graduates of the jam program and you know counties throughout the Appalachian South and.</p><p>00:48:00.510 –&gt; 00:48:02.010 Sarah Bryan: You know, thank goodness for.</p><p>00:48:02.250 –&gt; 00:48:12.720 Joseph McElroy: For what you’ve actually cultivated network so that they can interact and learn from each other and prevent also promote artists and created a handbook for artists to promote them so sorry about that.</p><p>00:48:13.770 –&gt; 00:48:16.560 Sarah Bryan: that’s, this is a good chance for me to.</p><p>00:48:17.580 –&gt; 00:48:24.450 Sarah Bryan: Tell listeners, please watch this space, because the artist’s handbook is actually being revised, as we speak.</p><p>00:48:26.790 –&gt; 00:48:30.900 Sarah Bryan: The North Carolina Arts Council and Evan had to folk mode.</p><p>00:48:32.310 –&gt; 00:48:36.150 Sarah Bryan: Evan when he was with the North Carolina folklife so it was actually the.</p><p>00:48:37.710 –&gt; 00:48:58.800 Sarah Bryan: First person who started this project and yeah it’s an online handbook in PDF format of ideas resources for traditional artists to get the word out about what they do, essentially to help them make a living if that’s what they want to do with their art form.</p><p>00:49:00.390 –&gt; 00:49:07.710 Sarah Bryan: find opportunities to learn and to and to teach and pass it on so that’s being revised, and you know things change so quickly.</p><p>00:49:08.550 –&gt; 00:49:20.220 Sarah Bryan: Especially in terms of technology that you know it needs to revision pretty quickly so that’s what we’re working on now, and hopefully it’ll be back up in a new form in a few months.</p><p>00:49:21.420 –&gt; 00:49:30.720 Joseph McElroy: You know that’s you know I guess the work of things like the blue Ridge heritage trail is all part of that work to give artists the ability to promote themselves.</p><p>00:49:30.810 –&gt; 00:49:37.020 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely, and in the state is that the statewide directory of artists as well, or is that a different.</p><p>00:49:38.820 –&gt; 00:49:42.330 Sarah Bryan: that’s a different a different project and.</p><p>00:49:43.410 –&gt; 00:49:57.960 Sarah Bryan: One that I that also like for us to return to and revitalize it’s it got started in with artists from Warren Vance and Halifax counties and sell to North Carolina and.</p><p>00:49:58.770 –&gt; 00:50:09.270 Sarah Bryan: yeah directory was very much like the blue Ridge national Heritage Area’s traditional arts directory, you know modeled after that aimed for us a statewide.</p><p>00:50:12.510 –&gt; 00:50:13.020 Joseph McElroy: And you know.</p><p>00:50:14.430 –&gt; 00:50:14.790 Joseph McElroy: You know.</p><p>00:50:17.100 –&gt; 00:50:25.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah I love that the other there’s a sensitivity to promote the diversity of what was what built, these are communities it wasn’t just.</p><p>00:50:26.160 –&gt; 00:50:37.830 Joseph McElroy: Scotch Irish settlers and you’ve mentioned some charity works how about the Africa Fo Appalachians and fluids in the western part of the state and you were those documenting those are.</p><p>00:50:38.880 –&gt; 00:50:39.660 Joseph McElroy: Those anywhere.</p><p>00:50:40.500 –&gt; 00:50:41.700 Sarah Bryan: yeah yeah I think.</p><p>00:50:43.320 –&gt; 00:50:55.830 Sarah Bryan: I mean, of course, black Appalachian communities have always known that they were there themselves, but you know, those of us from other backgrounds, have not, you know, known as much as we should have about them and.</p><p>00:50:57.630 –&gt; 00:51:03.540 Sarah Bryan: there’s one person whose research, especially excuse me I’m gonna have to pause for a second and call.</p><p>00:51:05.490 –&gt; 00:51:22.410 Sarah Bryan: The person who’s done some really wonderful work in Southwestern North Carolina is Miller Woodford she’s the founder of an organization called one doesn’t do care and she’s written a wonderful book which I happen to have here if I can hold the screen.</p><p>00:51:23.550 –&gt; 00:51:35.610 Sarah Bryan: it’s called when all god’s children get together a celebration of the lives of music African American people in far Western North Carolina, yeah and it talks about communities, particularly in.</p><p>00:51:37.050 –&gt; 00:51:39.840 Sarah Bryan: Making Cherokee clay counties.</p><p>00:51:41.070 –&gt; 00:51:53.220 Sarah Bryan: And Franklin area especially is very old African American communities that have wonderful rich histories and traditions and she’s helping you know, bring a spotlight to that.</p><p>00:51:54.780 –&gt; 00:51:56.160 Joseph McElroy: wow well.</p><p>00:51:58.620 –&gt; 00:52:10.680 Joseph McElroy: This is all important work there are so many other things that you do you know when we’re getting to the end here, you know I like to ask my guests, what are your some of your favorite places in western North Carolina Where would you recommend people go.</p><p>00:52:12.030 –&gt; 00:52:14.010 Sarah Bryan: Oh wow oh.</p><p>00:52:18.480 –&gt; 00:52:19.620 Sarah Bryan: gosh I mean.</p><p>00:52:20.670 –&gt; 00:52:22.020 Sarah Bryan: it’s so hard to.</p><p>00:52:23.190 –&gt; 00:52:23.640 Joseph McElroy: focus.</p><p>00:52:24.900 –&gt; 00:52:27.240 Sarah Bryan: On a weekend I love haywood county um.</p><p>00:52:27.570 –&gt; 00:52:41.430 Sarah Bryan: Let me see Oh, there is a it right north of you are right, right up the road from you, one of my favorite views in all of North Carolina is on the road between Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:52:41.790 –&gt; 00:52:49.950 Sarah Bryan: And Cherokee if you’re driving towards Cherokee look out to the right there’s this incredible beautiful view of soco gap.</p><p>00:52:51.240 –&gt; 00:52:53.490 Joseph McElroy: is called the most photographed view and.</p><p>00:52:54.420 –&gt; 00:52:56.790 Sarah Bryan: that’s the one that’s got the little viewing tower and.</p><p>00:52:57.990 –&gt; 00:52:59.040 Sarah Bryan: It deserves that.</p><p>00:53:01.170 –&gt; 00:53:03.480 Joseph McElroy: i’ve been there since before I was born.</p><p>00:53:06.900 –&gt; 00:53:21.540 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s been a pleasure, having you on the show we have to call it quits davin what’s, what do you what would you like people to go to find out more information or looked up your books or read something really important things for them to find out more about you.</p><p>00:53:21.990 –&gt; 00:53:30.360 Sarah Bryan: Well, I would love for them to visit our website for the folklife Institute, which is nc folk Lol K dot O rg and see folk.org.</p><p>00:53:30.990 –&gt; 00:53:44.130 Sarah Bryan: And also, if they’re interested in old time music old time music, in particular, old time harold.org they find a lot about appalachian and particular of Western North Carolina music.</p><p>00:53:45.060 –&gt; 00:53:50.250 Joseph McElroy: cool What about you, you get books, you get some things wherever they find out about that do you have a Facebook page or anything like.</p><p>00:53:50.580 –&gt; 00:53:52.470 Sarah Bryan: yeah you can find me on Facebook for sure.</p><p>00:53:53.070 –&gt; 00:53:54.300 Joseph McElroy: Alright fabulous.</p><p>00:53:55.410 –&gt; 00:54:00.870 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you again, we might have to have another show, because you got a lot to talk about fabulous.</p><p>00:54:01.560 –&gt; 00:54:02.430 Sarah Bryan: fun, thank you.</p><p>00:54:03.210 –&gt; 00:54:21.120 Joseph McElroy: So this, this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can watch this podcast live on facebook@facebook.com slash gateway to the smoke these podcasts we also have all the episodes recorded and with transcripts on smokies adventure calm.</p><p>00:54:22.260 –&gt; 00:54:30.060 Joseph McElroy: there’s a link at the top, to bring you to all the different episodes that you can review we’re also on the talk radio dot nyc network.</p><p>00:54:30.390 –&gt; 00:54:38.190 Joseph McElroy: Where they also stream the the audio live as well as on their Facebook stream and I advise you to take a look at all of the.</p><p>00:54:38.760 –&gt; 00:54:46.410 Joseph McElroy: podcasts on this network because it’s a network of live podcast which I think is very interesting you get a lot of.</p><p>00:54:46.980 –&gt; 00:54:53.310 Joseph McElroy: The spontaneity and and extensive I think vibrancy by listening to things that are live.</p><p>00:54:54.300 –&gt; 00:55:03.840 Joseph McElroy: And they range from small business to self help to travel to stuff about New York City and and and other other parts of the world.</p><p>00:55:04.620 –&gt; 00:55:10.710 Joseph McElroy: So go there, if you get a chance, I also have another podcast for wise content creates wealth on that.</p><p>00:55:11.400 –&gt; 00:55:20.970 Joseph McElroy: On that network it’s about marketing and Ai So if you get a chance to take a look at that and i’ll see you next week again for another fine podcast.</p><p>00:55:21.270 –&gt; 00:55:29.790 Joseph McElroy: Always on Tuesdays from six to seven the gateway to the smoke these podcasts and appreciate you all for listening today and i’ll see you then.</p> a0092578-9d57-4c84-b45d-b890def72957 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/d9699e62-1a27-47a3-bf5f-5ce98f42bfb1 Tue, 12 Jul 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3006 no full Episode 63: Kim Ross of the J Creek Cloggers Episode 63: Kim Ross of the J Creek Cloggers Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>This week&#39;s episode explores the world of Appalachian dance, and why it is so important to keep the culture alive.</strong></p><p>The Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is proud to introduce our special guest today, <strong>Kim Ross</strong>. Kim has roots firmly entrenched in the Southern Appalachians. A native of Snowflake Virginia, not far from the historic Carter Family Fold and the birthplace of country music on the Tennessee- Virginia border, Kim grew up loving old-time music, Appalachian culture, and especially traditional mountain dancing. Today she resides with her family in Waynesville, N.C., and perpetuates her family legacy by managing and dancing with the iconic J Creek Cloggers. </p><p>Kim Ross will discuss the rich history and culture of the Southern Appalachian region while sharing the stories of their ancestors and their passion for mountain dance music.</p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063452415685" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063452415685</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/d_TEuYTzR5/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>

Facebook Live Video from 2022/06/28 - Kim Ross of the J Creek Cloggers

KIM ROSS OF THE J CREEK CLOGGERS

This week's episode explores the world of Appalachian dance, and why it is so important to keep the culture alive.

The Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is proud to introduce our special guest today, Kim Ross. Kim has roots firmly entrenched in the Southern Appalachians. A native of Snowflake Virginia, not far from the historic Carter Family Fold and the birthplace of country music on the Tennessee- Virginia border, Kim grew up loving old-time music, Appalachian culture, and especially traditional mountain dancing. Today she resides with her family in Waynesville, N.C., and perpetuates her family legacy by managing and dancing with the iconic J Creek Cloggers. 

Kim Ross will discuss the rich history and culture of the Southern Appalachian region while sharing the stories of their ancestors and their passion for mountain dance music.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063452415685

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Kim Ross grew up in Snowflake, Virginia. When she hit her teenage years she started to visit Carter's Fold. She remembers seeing people from Ireland, etc. to be a part of this historical event. The Carter family is preserving a lot of history such as Johnny Cash’s rocking chair.

SEGMENT 2

Her father was a tenant farmer, meaning that his family didn’t own the land. He would flat-foot dance to make money for his family growing up. Ross recalls that she also caught on to flat footing as a child with no lessons. Zeb and Levi Ross were her kids and she taught them traditional dance to preserve culture. Ross started the J Creek Cloggers, the J is short for Jonathan Creek. The people she works with include teenagers who genuinely care about learning. The audience is taught traditional steps, butt dancing, and flat footing. These steps stretch out into cultures such as the Cherokee, Scottish, and Irish.

SEGMENT 3

A popular video of her son Seb on tiktok. Jason Jordan approached them whilst they were dancing to record Seb. As a consequence, their Instagram blew up and Ross got to explore other social media platforms. They have had the opportunities to shoot music videos with up-and-coming artists and appeared in commercials. Hillbilly Crypt dancing became a coined term for Seb’s dancing. Ross praises his unique look with a mullet and smile being a part of his viral success. Ross encouraged him to find his unique dance moves to keep up with the freestyle tradition.

SEGMENT 4

She connects her dancing with her pottery as both deal with movement. She also got her kids to do pottery at Good Earth in Hazelwood. For photographs, she loves to go to Devil’s Courthouse and any of the local places such as Jonathan Creek.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:37.080 –> 00:00:37.740 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:00:38.130 –> 00:00:47.340 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.

00:00:47.670 –> 00:00:54.300 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountain national park and the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty.

00:00:54.660 –> 00:00:59.850 Joseph McElroy: A deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:00.240 –> 00:01:12.210 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy, a man of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky mountains, for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:12.720 –> 00:01:21.030 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk with Kim Ross about the J creek cloggers viral sensation the first a few messages and some events.

00:01:21.630 –> 00:01:31.980 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with a chic Appalachian feel a place of adventure and relaxation.

00:01:32.670 –> 00:01:42.030 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in the mountain heritage stream grill the catch on fire enjoy it with fine wines and craft beers.

00:01:42.510 –> 00:01:57.900 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with that old-time music and world cultural sound, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, North Carolina your smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.

00:01:59.400 –> 00:02:12.030 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure si.com the smoky mountains and surrounding areas of vacation destination for all these.

00:02:12.630 –> 00:02:20.280 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:21.030 –> 00:02:31.410 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure complex for all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains National Park, the trails the waterfall cave cove and.

00:02:31.800 –> 00:02:43.260 Joseph McElroy: An elk and more the checkout all the awesome things you can do here like that family attractions family entertainment great restaurants it’s become a foodie heaven and.

00:02:44.040 –> 00:03:02.250 Joseph McElroy: That your entire family can enjoy, and if you have outdoor life events you want to do like an outdoor wedding or an interesting honeymoon a romantic getaway check out smokies adventure.com they’re leading information portal portal for having fun of them smoky mountains.

00:03:03.270 –> 00:03:04.290 Joseph McElroy: So events coming up.

00:03:05.910 –> 00:03:15.720 Joseph McElroy: In two weeks on Julya 9 we have wildcrafting and mother nature’s natural garden program with legendary I look at.

00:03:16.860 –> 00:03:32.730 Joseph McElroy: It starts at 10 am on July 9 and the fee and the features, the island who’s a legendary white wild fasting expert renowned author filmmaker instructor include quick tour guide for the great smoky mountain National Park field school.

00:03:34.170 –> 00:03:42.360 Joseph McElroy: She is an expert on edible plants, but this know herbs or anything pertaining to wildcraft orgy an Appalachian.

00:03:43.440 –> 00:03:51.120 Joseph McElroy: Plants and trees and the flowers, she has been featured on TV print radio and all sorts of things.

00:03:52.770 –> 00:03:59.970 Joseph McElroy: And she is an iconic female that will soon be featured of the smokies will soon be featuring one of our themed rooms.

00:04:01.140 –> 00:04:05.520 Joseph McElroy: She is will be presenting their beloved program called mother nature’s natural garden.

00:04:05.940 –> 00:04:19.980 Joseph McElroy: Which is about forging and natural herbs and things that are in these mountains and then she’s gonna lead a short tour of on the grounds of the metal or motel and there are surrounding areas to forage for.

00:04:20.760 –> 00:04:34.350 Joseph McElroy: A nature’s bounty and to make something of that, and you can learn how to find great things in your own backyard, then the event culminates with the bbq supper and music by Michael real tree and his friends on Saturday.

00:04:35.160 –> 00:04:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Efficient dimension is just 20 bucks for a person for for those who are not guests, but guests and inheritance club Members are free.

00:04:43.620 –> 00:05:06.720 Joseph McElroy: So that’s July 9 that starting at 10am be sure to call eight to 89261717 to get your space now on July 30 this is relevant to this program you guys got to come, but we’re going to have the J creek cloggers the viral sensation here dancing from 7:30pm to 9pm at the pavilion.

00:05:08.280 –> 00:05:14.850 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it’s a it’s a great town heritage event and will also include the Barbecue dinner.

00:05:15.960 –> 00:05:25.200 Joseph McElroy: and on Saturday night, starting at if you come early at six and then the dancing and musical started 730.

00:05:25.830 –> 00:05:31.740 Joseph McElroy: It will they will provide the J street Congress will perform multiple examples of traditional mountain dancing.

00:05:32.220 –> 00:05:42.690 Joseph McElroy: As well as teaching the audience several fun dance steps we group leader Kim Ross is will be now will also give a short talk on the history and tradition to mountain dancing.

00:05:43.140 –> 00:05:49.320 Joseph McElroy: grab your partner and come and join us for a memorable fun filled up with dining and dancing.

00:05:49.800 –> 00:06:06.390 Joseph McElroy: The mission is free for hotel guests, as it always is, and heritage club members and $20 per person for people that just want to come and have a night out of the night out and do some mountain heritage again call eight to 89261717 to get your spot.

00:06:07.650 –> 00:06:20.610 Joseph McElroy: And then also reserve a room, if you want to stay overnight, and then August 12 through the 13th we’re having a great songwriters cramp camp here and it’s going to feature some grammy award-winning artists.

00:06:21.300 –> 00:06:29.160 Joseph McElroy: Jim Lauderdale there was a legendary songwriter who wrote a lot of George strait’s hits and Charles Humphrey the third.

00:06:29.610 –> 00:06:38.430 Joseph McElroy: who’s another grammy award-winning winner, along with other award-winning artists like Darren Nicholson balsam range playbills and Charles Chamberlain.

00:06:38.670 –> 00:06:46.230 Joseph McElroy: it’s an event, if you’re interested in writing songs you cannot get a better education than these guys are going to be able to give you.

00:06:46.680 –> 00:06:55.350 Joseph McElroy: it’s a two-day event of interactive story writing instruction with world-class musicians and they will also help you produce a DEMO tape.

00:06:55.710 –> 00:07:02.340 Joseph McElroy: and have a takeaway of a DEMO tape and then you have some concert by songs from the spread ban on Friday night.

00:07:02.760 –> 00:07:07.980 Joseph McElroy: And then, and then a Saturday night there will be a Barbecue dinner and an all-star concept of all these guys.

00:07:08.910 –> 00:07:20.970 Joseph McElroy: Making it a unique event like no other and space is very limited, so the price is 7675 per person for the education and DEMO tape and the fun.

00:07:21.840 –> 00:07:32.310 Joseph McElroy: And there are also tickets available for just the concerts call eight to 89261717 to get your space reserve a room or just reserve the.

00:07:32.670 –> 00:07:38.820 Joseph McElroy: position of the camp and come and really experienced something that you’re not going to find many times in your life.

00:07:39.600 –> 00:07:51.450 Joseph McElroy: So today we were talking about the jquery cloggers well, we have the founder of the J Creek Cloggers Kim Ross Woody has firmly entrenched the southern Appalachian.

00:07:52.020 –> 00:08:02.400 Joseph McElroy: a native of snowflake Virginia not far from the historic Carter family fold and the birthplace of country music of the Tennessee-Virginia border.

00:08:02.670 –> 00:08:09.570 Joseph McElroy: Kim grew up loving old times using Appalachian culture and especially traditional mountain dance.

00:08:10.110 –> 00:08:24.870 Joseph McElroy: Does he resides with the family in Waynesville North Carolina and perpetuates her family legacy, by managing dancing with the iconic J Creek Cloggers. How are you doing Kim? Thank you yeah yeah oh yeah it’s been an exciting time.

00:08:26.220 –> 00:08:27.240 Joseph McElroy: it’s been overwhelming.

00:08:28.890 –> 00:08:38.010 Joseph McElroy: Well we’ll get into the viral sensation but let’s find a little bit about your background I like to find out more about our guests, and you know their history and their love for Appalachian.

00:08:38.580 –> 00:08:45.510 Joseph McElroy: trail I grew up as you said and stuff like Virginia, which is about two hours from here across the Kingsport Tennessee LAN.

00:08:45.960 –> 00:08:54.270 Joseph McElroy: Scott county Virginia Southwest Virginia part home to mother, my bell card or she was actually born in Scott county and Nichols build Virginia.

00:08:54.780 –> 00:09:04.170 Joseph McElroy: And everybody knows them ap and Sarah Carter mother, my bell went on, of course, with the music and the recordings in Bristol.

00:09:04.620 –> 00:09:15.180 Joseph McElroy: But the historic Carter family fold is in Hilton's Virginia and it started in the 70s, they preserve the old style and bluegrass music and it’s all acoustic.

00:09:15.840 –> 00:09:26.850 Joseph McElroy: Nothing, you know can be plugged in they want the real deal stringed instruments and you’ll see some of the finest flat foot and but dancing they come from all over the world.

00:09:27.360 –> 00:09:30.600 Joseph McElroy: Just to come, this one place, which is practically a huge barn.

00:09:31.350 –> 00:09:38.490 Joseph McElroy: Yes, and it can hold I think about 2000 people every Saturday night, they have a live show with different bands.

00:09:38.850 –> 00:09:46.680 Joseph McElroy: Either bluegrass were all the time, but if you look up Carter family followed on the Internet you’ll see there so show schedule that’s and stuff like.

00:09:47.340 –> 00:09:59.880 Joseph McElroy: That and he’ll do in the same town in Georgia snow like was part of that and Nicholas bills part of that counter mother Michael Carter this why what was your temples go for it I’m not sure I think.

00:10:01.050 –> 00:10:11.760 Joseph McElroy: The houses were at one time, but it says the elevation we go a little more snow the houses, I was told was painted white he and then the purity of the people that like.

00:10:13.980 –> 00:10:23.070 Joseph McElroy: it’s not yeah I love snowflakes I still go back and visit when I can, and all the roads that you’ve got like bobsled road Jingle bell road, so you know.

00:10:25.830 –> 00:10:31.860 Joseph McElroy: frosty road some kind of the main sport is a little bit of a tourist destination, or is it just out of the way it.

00:10:32.760 –> 00:10:41.100 Joseph McElroy: sounds like not as much, but if you go on up into Nichols feel they have a famous restaurant it’s just a little restaurant commentating anybody come from all over.

00:10:41.490 –> 00:10:54.840 Joseph McElroy: to eat some other home cooked meals so that’s our job easier right right yeah yeah yeah so this Carter folded you go there, often as a child, I did once I hit my teens teenage years I did a lot and.

00:10:55.350 –> 00:11:03.840 Joseph McElroy: The people there are just found fun people and then to see the others come from Ireland, China, Japan everywhere, just to be a part of.

00:11:04.380 –> 00:11:08.670 Joseph McElroy: The Carter family history because Johnny cash, of course, Mary Jean Carter.

00:11:09.270 –> 00:11:22.350 Joseph McElroy: So you have that involvement, he did come to the Carver folds he actually had a house a stadium barfing did you get to see it, I did actually I got to see his last performance, to my knowledge, was at the Carter vote before he passed away and I.

00:11:23.490 –> 00:11:33.840 Joseph McElroy: know that Johnny cash actually came to us oh wow my grandmother, the first woman broker real estate broker to spend the state of North Carolina.

00:11:34.320 –> 00:11:42.570 Joseph McElroy: Actually, showed him around and showed improperly, wow right yeah I don’t know why to use it was probably interesting as a ghost town with sphere, and we had a.

00:11:43.050 –> 00:11:51.150 Joseph McElroy: Number of movie stars come here and started doing stuff and they were doing some lots of entertainment at the time, so that’s probably why was it I don’t know the full story, but I do.

00:11:52.050 –> 00:11:58.770 Joseph McElroy: tell me that they were very down to earth and john jr I know he when he was younger before he had married.

00:11:59.490 –> 00:12:07.530 Joseph McElroy: My friend and I actually were on the floor dancing when we were talking and he got out, he was shuffling around you know, having a good time, but they were very down-to-earth people.

00:12:08.130 –> 00:12:11.370 Joseph McElroy: But I can’t say enough about the Carter folks are trying to preserve.

00:12:12.300 –> 00:12:22.860 Joseph McElroy: Joe and Jeanette the original ones that had built the quarter fault, have passed away and she admits daughter Rita is running it now oh cool but it’s wonderful because they’re preserving.

00:12:23.640 –> 00:12:37.440 Joseph McElroy: You know old-time music bluegrass music, the history behind that Johnny cash is rocking chairs up there in the cabin so there’s a lot of history, I have a museum, what about the middle of nowhere yeah out the middle of nowhere practically what I call a cow pasture.

00:12:38.580 –> 00:12:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Well, this will go take a break now okay all right we’ll come back we’ll talk about your history alright sounds good.

00:14:59.010 –> 00:15:12.510 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Kim Ross. so Kim so you started learning to dance pretty young, right? well, I grew up in a family that danced with my dad.

00:15:13.050 –> 00:15:19.320 Joseph McElroy: was actually a tenant farmer his family was growing up, so they didn’t own the land, but they work the land for people and Nicholas bill.

00:15:19.740 –> 00:15:22.620 Joseph McElroy: And he was one of the best flat photos I’ve ever seen.

00:15:23.100 –> 00:15:30.540 Joseph McElroy: They actually would put him up on the box I’ve heard the stories as a child and people would throw nickels and he would make money for his family that way.

00:15:30.750 –> 00:15:46.890 Joseph McElroy: So I grew up flat footing and just grew up in a family, I never had lessons didn’t know that there were certain names for movements yeah just and then of course going to the Carter fall just was a big influence that was a big yeah identify with that you know that.

00:15:48.060 –> 00:15:58.680 Joseph McElroy: You know, we had the playhouse here, we had rabid Fairchild is here, yes, so I would yeah I grew up going to the playhouse just learned to do some I think.

00:15:59.700 –> 00:16:06.450 Joseph McElroy: I told you before I can’t even do the double-tap but I know how to you know shuffle around pretty good.

00:16:09.840 –> 00:16:11.040 Joseph McElroy: New York City, I can take it.

00:16:15.780 –> 00:16:25.260 Joseph McElroy: But there are some pretty bad, so there was no, no, but that was good, you know but.

00:16:26.580 –> 00:16:44.790 Joseph McElroy: You actually moved here today, which is about 30 some years ago, I was just you know was sharing and just wanting to see different places and I’m in the medical field, so I got on at St joseph’s hospital there and Asheville and I went to a street Vance Joseph queen was called.

00:16:46.620 –> 00:16:56.850 Joseph McElroy: Say wow and I met the boy’s Father there at the street dance a long time ago and state, of course, and had two children and homeschool right.

00:16:57.210 –> 00:17:08.670 Joseph McElroy: They heavenly fire off and during the homeschool in tongues but didn’t from start to finish, I wanted them to learn, you know about dance and music they actually play the music they had a band too.

00:17:09.330 –> 00:17:23.760 Joseph McElroy: And about 13 years ago I started my dance team, of course, and it was from my end plus preserved and what I call traditional freestyle dance right to carry it on and teach my kids and educate them, otherwise I think it’s going to be a lost art if we don’t know.

00:17:24.900 –> 00:17:36.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah well that’s what we’re going to promote it here because I believe it is very much yeah so so 30 some years ago, you came here and gotten started to get an immersive dance culture, yes.

00:17:37.470 –> 00:17:48.420 Joseph McElroy: And you know what side you know I love Haywood county and bulk edit have live yeah Friday nights when an angel has live screen during the war bogs.

00:17:48.990 –> 00:17:59.130 Joseph McElroy: an actual have the shindig on the great and then I know we can’t have taken in the park on Friday night yeah yes wide variety so let’s be.

00:18:00.240 –> 00:18:05.100 Joseph McElroy: dancing in the streets and being made, I think it is and it’s great.

00:18:05.730 –> 00:18:18.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah especially postcode but now people want to get out and they’re enjoying it and the one thing that my team does is actually teach with the audience out and teach them these routines some of the footwork and I love it yeah love it.

00:18:19.470 –> 00:18:32.580 Joseph McElroy: So I know that you’re immersed in the history of this now right yeah that’s how you did a podcast on the history of the plugin Haywood county yeah can you give me like the one-minute spiel about.

00:18:35.550 –> 00:18:38.790 Joseph McElroy: The dance things really started here in Haywood County and the end.

00:18:39.780 –> 00:18:43.530 Joseph McElroy: and Joe same Queens family was big for that to you know big into that part.

00:18:43.740 –> 00:18:56.460 Joseph McElroy: And in 1939 FDR was in an office king and Queen of England was on the way to Canada you want it to catch him to talk about Germany he and when he got them there and I think it’s been there only visit your ever.

00:18:56.940 –> 00:19:09.030 Joseph McElroy: And he brought in the concrete girls all-female string band and soco get bloggers or from a wood county you so they represented up their dance for the King and queen he fed them dots.

00:19:09.780 –> 00:19:15.540 Joseph McElroy: And they later said it was the picnic that one the war because they did ally with us later with Germany.

00:19:16.920 –> 00:19:24.540 Joseph McElroy: You know I’ve always said Haywood county is huge, you know the dance team competitions and the team started here and then basketball marlins for with.

00:19:25.080 –> 00:19:33.480 Joseph McElroy: You know in Asheville with the shindig and the smoky mountain folk festival, and then the team dances competitions and then go into the White House what more could you.

00:19:34.050 –> 00:19:41.940 Joseph McElroy: know and we’re trying to preserve that because it was freestyle bands, which means that works all unique 80s and 90s, we had a lot of the World Championship yes.

00:19:44.730 –> 00:19:51.270 Joseph McElroy: Yes, stomping around oh yeah are there on Saturday Saturday nights it used to be six days a week.

00:19:53.040 –> 00:20:04.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah that was pretty amazing, but now kozel which is 90 now so he’s probably I guess yeah yeah yeah and he still keeps single one and.

00:20:04.980 –> 00:20:07.770 Joseph McElroy: Inside of that building beautiful place to go Nice.

00:20:08.640 –> 00:20:21.360 Joseph McElroy: cool yes, so you started the J Creek Cloggers, yep, which is short for Jonathan creek which runs right in the back of the motel all the way down what’s called down the gravel.

00:20:21.840 –> 00:20:38.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah so in perspective, but people aren’t 40 it’s the exit 20 Maggie Valley exit you can come off and Jonathan creek runs a whole thing and then console into it, but most of us for from that area when I started the team 13 years, so we well you know I grew up.

00:20:39.150 –> 00:20:46.260 Joseph McElroy: There too yeah pretty proud of that creaking yes yeah it was most of it so.

00:20:47.340 –> 00:20:59.820 Joseph McElroy: What do you said you want to preserve the culture, but it was there any kind of catalyst that said just do this well I just you know, preserving the culture it’s also a good social means because I was homeschool my children.

00:21:00.570 –> 00:21:12.480 Joseph McElroy: You know, and to see now that we’ve grown from six to eight people when I started to 35, 40 people and a lot of them are teenagers to upset their electronics aside.

00:21:15.120 –> 00:21:28.950 Joseph McElroy: and learn the culture, learn the dance and be educated on it and they want to do it so yeah oh yeah yeah I think that dances become popular in our culture, again, it is yeah I’ll sudden now you know.

00:21:29.820 –> 00:21:37.980 Joseph McElroy: Each routine has a meaning when you do ride some laughs and other things there’s a meaning behind that teach that to the people on the team, but you know I.

00:21:38.880 –> 00:21:49.410 Joseph McElroy: I thought was interesting looking at yeah I haven’t seen you live, yet, but you’re gonna be here till July it’s already I’ll be there yeah and you can teach my little three and a half-year-olds to call.

00:21:51.270 –> 00:21:53.940 Joseph McElroy: audience, we want to evolve it yeah.

00:21:54.420 –> 00:22:01.290 Joseph McElroy: So, but you get the audience directly involved by teaching them to additional steps yes.

00:22:01.500 –> 00:22:09.120 Joseph McElroy: teaching them about history of each of the styles right we do because there’s been advance and there’s flat foot and the clogging board actually the.

00:22:09.330 –> 00:22:14.370 Joseph McElroy: Queen of England coin that she was over you’re visiting she said that looks a lot like clogging.

00:22:14.670 –> 00:22:22.830 Joseph McElroy: So the clogging sort of got coined by her, but I started out flat foot, which I still do it’s an old style of what what is difference between flat.

00:22:23.520 –> 00:22:27.750 Joseph McElroy: Keep your with flat, but you keep your feet two inches from the floor, no more.

00:22:27.990 –> 00:22:39.900 Joseph McElroy: Right it’s mostly your lower body that works your legs and very little movement from your upper body, whereas, but thanks to this more exaggerated it’s a lot of movement and you bring your feet, more than two inches off the floor.

00:22:40.920 –> 00:22:44.100 Joseph McElroy: sort of what lessons, they have does is more what we call advances.

00:22:44.730 –> 00:22:54.150 Joseph McElroy: flat foot and come out of the Scottish Irish I think yeah I think it’s a mixed even the Cherokee yeah movements, like us, and then you get back in the mountains, you can even tell.

00:22:54.510 –> 00:23:02.580 Joseph McElroy: People who are from canton by the style of dance versus people from cloud or wines what’s really cool so it’s just my style the town’s every.

00:23:04.770 –> 00:23:12.750 Joseph McElroy: Word networks created a sort of style here right yeah yeah he was famous for putting the water put on his head thanks to with other phone.

00:23:16.050 –> 00:23:23.310 Joseph McElroy: did a great job with that yeah wow wow so so you know.

00:23:26.160 –> 00:23:31.050 Joseph McElroy: You see, you already explained how clogged came about right, I have is that why.

00:23:31.620 –> 00:23:42.270 Joseph McElroy: because she said that is not why it is with coins that you know as far as the movement was similar to what they did I think in England, but we have our own style but but but Nancy.

00:23:42.870 –> 00:23:46.740 Joseph McElroy: You know I tell people that we have people on the team that strictly flat foot.

00:23:47.160 –> 00:23:53.730 Joseph McElroy: We have people that strictly but Vance we have people that combine the two yeah so it’s really nice because we’re freestyle which means we’re not.

00:23:54.000 –> 00:24:04.110 Joseph McElroy: we’re not in unison with our footwork but we’re in the same seat now there’s other stuff called stop this what is that i’m not sure I think that’s just more word right but do a lot of stop and.

00:24:05.580 –> 00:24:05.910 Joseph McElroy: Make sure.

00:24:07.410 –> 00:24:17.220 Joseph McElroy: everybody’s got different names for things I knew clog dancing I knew I knew flatfooted wasn’t as much prevalent when I was growing up target above it but they.

00:24:18.240 –> 00:24:29.190 Joseph McElroy: do about it and there are so many names that may not somebody says, but whatever and i’m like I didn’t grow up with names I just grew up dancing you know, everybody has coined little movement so.

00:24:29.700 –> 00:24:39.450 Joseph McElroy: there’s multiple names out there for stuff so you started this 13 years ago, which means you got into the mix right yes and you’ve been I guess then you’ve been.

00:24:40.230 –> 00:24:43.830 Joseph McElroy: you’ve been performing all over North Carolina the various festivals like phone.

00:24:44.250 –> 00:24:54.870 Joseph McElroy: Number yeah all over we’ve we’ve been to the library dice frankie Griffin down male married we go into Virginia dance Tennessee South Carolina and that’s before anything went viral.

00:24:55.440 –> 00:25:00.060 Joseph McElroy: We were you know going around and week we were different color we don’t have to say you.

00:25:00.600 –> 00:25:12.300 Joseph McElroy: are more traditional kind of outfits and lots of color wow cool yeah So what is it what is your what are your favorite festivals, what are the ones you recommend people go see oh wow there’s some.

00:25:13.290 –> 00:25:20.220 Joseph McElroy: I know we have one coming up and deals are actually that I love it’s coming up, I think, July 15 and then the Mount airy one that.

00:25:21.750 –> 00:25:25.770 Joseph McElroy: was a close deals, for I think it’s just the arts and crafts festival, and they have a slayer.

00:25:26.670 –> 00:25:40.110 Joseph McElroy: And it’s I believe it’s July 15 will be in pigeon forge this coming weekend all right, and we have a big thing coming up July that I’m excited about the first time ever we’re doing it it’s on the side, or they wanted three a meet and greet.

00:25:41.310 –> 00:25:52.800 Joseph McElroy: stomping grounds cool you get to make the team have pictures my with us and get out and dance with it, what time is that 123 o’clock 123 yeah look come at 10am to go.

00:25:54.210 –> 00:25:54.870 Joseph McElroy: learn how to.

00:25:57.390 –> 00:25:59.460 Joseph McElroy: go over there, they come back for bbq.

00:26:01.290 –> 00:26:02.220 Joseph McElroy: i’ll be ready to eat.

00:26:03.990 –> 00:26:12.780 Joseph McElroy: that’s a damn and everybody, we got a fabulous day for you, I tell you one of the other festivals that was awesome is Darnell farms, I don’t know if you’re familiar.

00:26:13.230 –> 00:26:22.800 Joseph McElroy: But Oh, my goodness, I have strawberry festival yeah and will be at the watermelon festival coming up so there’s just too many tonight oh yeah there’s the apple for school but.

00:26:23.490 –> 00:26:30.000 Joseph McElroy: When we did the riot fest points go, Scott, the smoky mountain festival I think it’s coming back this year, like oh really yes.

00:26:31.740 –> 00:26:38.670 Joseph McElroy: Yes, fabulous yeah we do have a lot of them yeah you ever want to come to a county where you get festival down.

00:26:41.700 –> 00:26:49.530 Joseph McElroy: Which is great it’s great so yeah so and as any venues, you have to stop the ground right oh yeah stomping grounds.

00:26:50.250 –> 00:26:57.360 Joseph McElroy: But any other venues in western North Carolina that you think are just fabulous Well, I do have one into Andrews to Jamie’s picking green.

00:26:58.200 –> 00:27:12.660 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s not as well known, I don’t think, but they have awesome music a fiddle player and he saw insider day that’s too, so we don’t get to go out with all difficult stomping ground yeah and wherever the mile high end as I love going there to.

00:27:16.530 –> 00:27:17.970 Joseph McElroy: play out to be.

00:27:19.650 –> 00:27:22.380 Joseph McElroy: with you to take another break we’ll come back talk about the.

00:29:31.140 –> 00:29:37.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back to the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Kim Ross.

00:29:38.160 –> 00:29:47.400 Joseph McElroy: So you know Kim, you know I’m impressed by you know you don’t do you don’t necessarily do this for a living, but to do for hash yes and you’ve been involved.

00:29:47.940 –> 00:30:01.050 Joseph McElroy: You know, sharing knowledge sharing a passion for this dance of this music and I think that’s fabulous I think you’re doing a lot to distill that dispel the dumb hillbilly sharing.

00:30:01.980 –> 00:30:03.780 Joseph McElroy: Maybe what you can play hillbilly Jim right.

00:30:04.650 –> 00:30:14.850 Joseph McElroy: I believe it’s July 23 it’ll be out of here at the bag valley fairgrounds and will be there, I think it’s six o’clock Vance and I’m really excited yeah This is our first time being disobedient.

00:30:15.510 –> 00:30:41.550 Joseph McElroy: hillbilly jams, a great event huge stars come to hear people say oh yeah lots of man, will be dancer I think for about an hour, but recently right now that hillbilly myth has been hit dispelled, are you guys became essentially world famous due to to a video of your son said yes.

00:30:43.320 –> 00:30:50.790 Joseph McElroy: dancing with the J creek Cloggers and went viral tell me about that Okay, so we were at Darnell farms of bras and city and mark.

00:30:52.080 –> 00:30:57.120 Joseph McElroy: doing our thing just dancing as usual and somebody approached Jason Jordan, I think, was his name.

00:30:57.600 –> 00:31:12.960 Joseph McElroy: I product to say we didn’t know him is from Georgia visiting he said, can I feel you all and we’re used to being filmed all the time, so I filmed and about a week later, you know I got woke up in the middle of night and said, your sons went viral and I thought Oh, is he sick.

00:31:15.000 –> 00:31:20.520 Joseph McElroy: Now, and they’re like no check out chick talk I said I don’t know what it is don’t know what instagram me.

00:31:21.630 –> 00:31:31.320 Joseph McElroy: So I got a tik tok account, I saw it I’m like Oh, my goodness that’s not the music that we were we were banjo and fiddle and they put it to the Hochstetler, yeah you know which was cool.

00:31:31.890 –> 00:31:42.870 Joseph McElroy: Man, this is really neat and somebody named eggs Tyrone on instagram I finally got an account in April and it’s like i’ve been looking for you guys he put i’m a thug by trick Daddy.

00:31:45.720 –> 00:31:56.580 Joseph McElroy: You know and i’m like Oh, my goodness, so two months and we’re at 120 7000 followers on instagram and millions upon millions of hits all these videos.

00:31:56.970 –> 00:32:12.300 Joseph McElroy: And it’s just been it’s been almost overwhelming I had to bring on the sand, because I know nothing about other than Facebook only social media ever well that’s what we grew up with, I mean we were there, the thousand so that’s our demographic yeah.

00:32:15.210 –> 00:32:15.600 Joseph McElroy: well.

00:32:16.680 –> 00:32:20.940 Joseph McElroy: I did have to kick 50,000 years but you pay for you, you got 100 million.

00:32:24.150 –> 00:32:39.570 Joseph McElroy: On me oh yeah and they just keep coming yeah we’ve shot several music videos with epic coming artists smile yeah fan in commercials products are being sent to us mail, you know to draw on and yeah yeah it’s been it’s been really good.

00:32:40.650 –> 00:32:49.800 Joseph McElroy: and your your son said he’s got it has become an icon and you got a new dictate what is that the legend calling the ledge oh really yes.

00:32:51.060 –> 00:33:02.910 Joseph McElroy: coin that Charles run from American song Kelly clarkson snoop dogg it on TV came and shot a video with us to his new book good song and he coins their village.

00:33:03.540 –> 00:33:18.030 Joseph McElroy: where it came from, and everybody on social media just started calling me back so therefore which the legends he does not have instagram everybody keeps asking he’s under the J creek clovers because that’s who he is he’s a machinist trade.

00:33:20.160 –> 00:33:20.550 Joseph McElroy: know.

00:33:21.600 –> 00:33:23.520 Joseph McElroy: 1012-hour shifts through the way.

00:33:24.960 –> 00:33:33.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah he’s loving it and you guys have a you have coined a firm called term called the hillbilly Chris walken what is that.

00:33:34.440 –> 00:33:41.250 Joseph McElroy: They had mentioned some of them had reached out to like Well he see dance Center he’s Chris walken i’m like i’m sure you know he’s been dancing.

00:33:41.550 –> 00:33:50.820 Joseph McElroy: But um I guess in different environments that’s what they call it, because he does, do you know funny stuff with his feet, is what I call it, we call it a spaghetti.

00:33:51.840 –> 00:34:02.160 Joseph McElroy: all over the place, so we call it the hillbilly quick quick walk yeah well, I saw a video of him doing it, he said he called it, he said it looks like a broken ankle it does.

00:34:02.700 –> 00:34:13.200 Joseph McElroy: That, but then he comes out and does with his feet yeah and it’s just like he’s floating on air, and if you notice his upper body movement doesn’t move if legend that would be the flat foot part of.

00:34:13.620 –> 00:34:19.500 Joseph McElroy: Phase one more but that’s another step and he said the secret was he’s actually I was totally yeah yeah.

00:34:23.370 –> 00:34:26.730 Joseph McElroy: Having the wallet and then his smile is just infectious.

00:34:27.750 –> 00:34:35.250 Joseph McElroy: You know so it’s just all rolled into one and it went and you’ve gotten to perform on stage with superstars like like Caroline killing Charles.

00:34:36.540 –> 00:34:50.580 Joseph McElroy: And then brandon being came he has a new hit out called blue collar squalor and he did the whole video here in South stopping really yes wow he’s got a new one come out I think don’t take my land coming out Monday next week you.

00:34:52.020 –> 00:35:03.690 Joseph McElroy: Have you finished still say security router right we have we have we already had bookings before we went viral will not turn those down we’ve had multiple offers that we’re going to fulfill everything we have.

00:35:04.110 –> 00:35:13.830 Joseph McElroy: we’re all about preserving tradition, will you you booked here after you do that yeah because we’re Maggie Valley yeah yep because we’re in your homes that.

00:35:14.190 –> 00:35:23.460 Joseph McElroy: We really appreciate, yes, we have that date, open to work really well yeah I think we’ve got an event earlier that day and then of course the so.

00:35:24.090 –> 00:35:33.180 Joseph McElroy: It went well, but we, you know we’re all when I call blue-collar workers, all of us have real jobs from roofers to the machine is to medical field and.

00:35:33.870 –> 00:35:43.620 Joseph McElroy: We just do this because we love it we want to preserve I think it’s considered Americana nail what we yeah it’s it’s because you do, because you.

00:35:54.990 –> 00:35:56.520 Joseph McElroy: want to stir.

00:35:57.540 –> 00:35:58.140 Joseph McElroy: The sickness.

00:36:00.360 –> 00:36:11.610 Joseph McElroy: fun to watch these in these I think they’re called means mimi’s I didn’t know that means he’s an all kinds of stuff now yeah it’s hilarious that’s a poor kid I wouldn’t be starting next.

00:36:12.570 –> 00:36:21.390 Joseph McElroy: week when he does interviews he’s like I was dancing and my mom was failing because I didn’t start until I gave birth to both of my kids but i’m probably when he was six or seven.

00:36:21.690 –> 00:36:35.850 Joseph McElroy: took an interest, and then, when he was a teenager when I started to really immerse yourself in it and I told him what I knew, but I said, you need to find your own unique style with your footwork that’s what makes us unique and we’re freestyle dancers, and he did.

00:36:37.260 –> 00:36:41.940 Joseph McElroy: Under the DNA just that you know he came up with his own little thing that he wanted to do when.

00:36:42.510 –> 00:36:58.260 Joseph McElroy: You see a lot of that during what we call our rise and shine which means our show off a portion of our routine that’s when you get to go out there and do your thing in front yeah we know when I was in New York, you know back in the day it’s different now but back in the day, you know.

00:36:59.430 –> 00:37:06.360 Joseph McElroy: Men didn’t really get a lot of places the United States didn’t get updates shops right yeah and I grew up buck dance right.

00:37:07.470 –> 00:37:11.880 Joseph McElroy: People do I would say, you know I from haywood county where men are not afraid to give up.

00:37:14.880 –> 00:37:20.190 Joseph McElroy: And we have we find that, as we go that people are really first they’re not sure like want to get up.

00:37:20.730 –> 00:37:27.450 Joseph McElroy: They see other people might just be and they have a blast I don’t want to sit back down well you know they’re they’re just they’re having fun and that’s what it’s all about.

00:37:27.810 –> 00:37:37.890 Joseph McElroy: And how does a typical show go where you teach people started out he can perform which we on track, we usually do at darnell farms, we have a two hour show, but most of our shows are an hour long.

00:37:38.490 –> 00:37:46.200 Joseph McElroy: So we go out their performance I speak a little bit and other performance and then we get the audience involved in my husband’s professional square dance color.

00:37:46.590 –> 00:37:53.160 Joseph McElroy: So he’ll get them out teach them the circle ups and then I do a little educational talk and then we ended with a performance.

00:37:53.490 –> 00:38:06.030 Joseph McElroy: So they get fully immersed in everything we do and plus I get to meet all of the dancing yeah all of us and we’re just we always called our social circle of friendship, I want everybody to come out there and it could be as kids as young this.

00:38:07.440 –> 00:38:17.340 Joseph McElroy: One of the children that started with me was two years old, and she said, think 12 or 13 now yeah cuz I got i’ve got a 30 year old son I should get him here dance.

00:38:18.030 –> 00:38:32.250 Joseph McElroy: But I do have three and a half year old twins right and anya my daughter is already like do ballet she loves the class, but he said he likes to do that just freestyle that’s good yeah goodness a perfect day yeah.

00:38:32.970 –> 00:38:35.010 Joseph McElroy: Good for they’re not bash for anything.

00:38:35.190 –> 00:38:41.970 Joseph McElroy: And one thing about the team i’ll say is we come from all walks of life with Italy everything else we leave it at the table and we cut.

00:38:42.060 –> 00:38:53.190 Joseph McElroy: The fellowship the music and dance, we made it work for 13 years yeah just just having a good time enjoying laugh together well it’s good that you have do you have any videos or or or.

00:38:53.910 –> 00:39:03.120 Joseph McElroy: recordings or anything that you’re done yourselves yeah we have somebody on the team vicki that actually records much to bark performances and so their own Facebook.

00:39:03.480 –> 00:39:09.600 Joseph McElroy: jquery Congress instagram jquery cloggers tick tock tick tock are so there’s plenty of videos out there.

00:39:10.410 –> 00:39:20.100 Joseph McElroy: But people have been taken them and Devon over so a lot of the basic you here is not even what we’re dancing to which it’s been fun they paid us from everything to heavy metal to ballet music.

00:39:21.960 –> 00:39:23.370 Joseph McElroy: Now, with this viral event.

00:39:24.810 –> 00:39:36.810 Joseph McElroy: is how have you been handling I mean I was overwhelmed at first, because I was on page one 3000 comments, a day great message and everything else we grew so fast.

00:39:37.500 –> 00:39:53.880 Joseph McElroy: role in my niece from kingsport Tennessee maddie is getting her degree in media to help with instagram my son’s wife is doing the merchandise part and so you know I have people on the team their help, and so we were handling it now, but it was overwhelming I was ready to flush month.

00:39:55.980 –> 00:39:56.370 Joseph McElroy: Although that.

00:39:58.380 –> 00:40:08.070 Joseph McElroy: Is do you have a couple of negative yeah but not bad, no not bad at all, you know it’s being I was amazed, because I wasn’t sure you know.

00:40:08.700 –> 00:40:19.560 Joseph McElroy: But no it’s been I would say 99% positive you know you’re always gonna have a few that come out, so I something they’re like you know he’s got a big belly well when we start thinking.

00:40:20.160 –> 00:40:26.160 Joseph McElroy: within two weeks, the last probably 20 pounds once we get back on tour they have nervous like oh he’s looks and white male.

00:40:35.460 –> 00:40:39.480 Joseph McElroy: hey we can that’s exactly it in a place here that, is there a carb heavy.

00:40:42.600 –> 00:40:59.880 Joseph McElroy: yeah fine dining plates about this big oh yeah so i’ve been very blessed conceal the big one does videos what does pictures on the dance team they know nicer time so we’ve got the you know perfect mix now how is this newfound fame.

00:41:01.350 –> 00:41:10.470 Joseph McElroy: But he’s got to be very good son, he is now that people notice, you know they can run up and they want pictures made and he’s had to learn how to balance that.

00:41:10.680 –> 00:41:21.120 Joseph McElroy: Because you know, some people want to talk for 20 minutes we have performance coming up once it’s done you’re going to have to learn how to be nicely talk to them and they’re telling you better performance and you can come back and talk a little later.

00:41:21.630 –> 00:41:29.970 Joseph McElroy: But he wasn’t sure how to handle everything its beginning and then he’s just decided i’m just i’m nobody special as well, your special while.

00:41:31.950 –> 00:41:35.880 Joseph McElroy: So, but he’s doing well on the teams doing a lot of people recognize the team.

00:41:37.320 –> 00:41:44.340 Joseph McElroy: yeah now i’m just the team incorporated in a separate set does it to know they’re all.

00:41:45.900 –> 00:41:54.960 Joseph McElroy: they’re all unique yeah everybody’s got their own unique footwork so we have several teenagers, we have excellent dancers, on the team he just happened to be the one I guess the.

00:41:56.280 –> 00:41:57.180 Joseph McElroy: Music was right.

00:41:58.710 –> 00:42:07.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah so they’ve all week which we have we’re very family oriented and that’s the way we’ve stayed nothing’s really changed with us as a team we’re still.

00:42:08.220 –> 00:42:19.950 Joseph McElroy: The good people we always worried, you know enjoying laughs, but it has to affect yeah some vision of what your performances are going to be out your contents going to be, we know there.

00:42:20.850 –> 00:42:25.530 Joseph McElroy: That there’s bigger stuff on the horizon, that I can’t talk about yet so we’re gonna you know we’re going to.

00:42:26.130 –> 00:42:35.580 Joseph McElroy: Probably buckle down a little bit on exactly what we’re going to be doing and nothing’s going to change with the performances, but maybe just make sure the flow is there, you know.

00:42:36.120 –> 00:42:49.080 Joseph McElroy: Asking questions that he asked me what do you expect How long are the you know, is it an hour performance, what would you like to see how would you like us to dress you know, sometimes we’re an overall for the meal sometimes bluejeans yeah.

00:42:50.100 –> 00:42:52.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah and overalls New York City.

00:42:55.470 –> 00:43:03.180 Joseph McElroy: And the women’s in dresses and criminal yeah yeah oh yeah all right we’re gonna take the last break here and then come back and talk a little bit about.

00:43:05.070 –> 00:43:06.060 Joseph McElroy: Like that all right.

00:45:07.440 –> 00:45:15.960 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Kim Ross.

00:45:16.560 –> 00:45:29.220 Joseph McElroy: You know you’re a dancer and your transcript medical transcriptions yes, I read that you also had a pottery business for what did I had Ross pottery I was in the grove arcade and Asheville and did a lot.

00:45:30.210 –> 00:45:42.480 Joseph McElroy: Of videos of all places, and it was called mountain made I think it’s still there, she does local you know to the within I think 100-mile radius or something in North Carolina but yeah I loved it I did.

00:45:43.590 –> 00:45:53.220 Joseph McElroy: a freeform style and then the wheel and loved it, but when this went viral I have not had time and I sold all my quick weeks ago.

00:45:54.390 –> 00:45:55.740 Joseph McElroy: So you went all in.

00:45:58.620 –> 00:46:05.730 Joseph McElroy: And just run in the regular login team, and now the disciplines went viral it’s just you know I’m spending seven hours a day.

00:46:06.330 –> 00:46:14.070 Joseph McElroy: Since the barrel thing just trying to keep up with the messages, but how did the you know the haptic experience of.

00:46:14.550 –> 00:46:23.850 Joseph McElroy: Making pottery how did that translate it to answer vice versa, is there were there and I grew up over regards maybe so just from you know.

00:46:24.510 –> 00:46:29.520 Joseph McElroy: The form, I don’t know because I’m all about movement and pottery is all about.

00:46:30.060 –> 00:46:37.590 Joseph McElroy: So some of my stuff, especially with the color variations, I had a very colorful person, you can tell them outfits are where when I plug.

00:46:37.950 –> 00:46:50.190 Joseph McElroy: But my pottery would have it could be yellow-orange purple blues i’ll mix everywhere, but yeah I would say just the movement of the pottery and again homeschooling the boys, I put them into pottery classes we’ve met good Earth.

00:46:50.490 –> 00:46:59.640 Joseph McElroy: hazelwood I don’t think that studios there anymore yeah Bob was a great teacher i’m left handed so he had a little bit of a harder time teaching me.

00:47:00.900 –> 00:47:17.160 Joseph McElroy: I don’t think like other people, you know, but I loved doing the pottery and again it was another avenue for the voice, you know, then they had their little band and dancing but yeah I sold everything we know I had to we had corey plot here Bob Smith oh yeah great.

00:47:18.600 –> 00:47:30.600 Joseph McElroy: And you did a class half-day on pottery and my three year old twins came here and they actually paid attention for an hour and a half Oh, my goodness, can you imagine, can you imagine three or a.

00:47:31.050 –> 00:47:40.740 Joseph McElroy: Day actually they’re involved paid attention listening even asking questions getting a little pots and stuff like that I thought it is something that seems.

00:47:41.460 –> 00:48:00.690 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah it is you know and it’s part of the earth always say you know a lot of them get the claim it’s local from bucks county Water plays out there, so but yeah I loved it, but I was ready to La yeah I can’t do everything in place, so, if you look over here it’s all good oh yeah.

00:48:02.100 –> 00:48:05.430 Joseph McElroy: If you can find some of her binary somewhere it’s now a collector’s edition.

00:48:06.480 –> 00:48:06.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:48:09.030 –> 00:48:19.080 Joseph McElroy: So, so you know we we yeah this is this podcast is also just about get the smokies stuff in general, I like that, yes, talk about other things that they enjoy I know you like.

00:48:19.590 –> 00:48:26.190 Joseph McElroy: I love it we go what sunburst not a lot and pink beds graveyard fields different places, my husband.

00:48:26.790 –> 00:48:35.340 Joseph McElroy: Even we even get off and just don’t even follow a trail he he was very young he’s 65 now, but he knows all about up in that area and then.

00:48:36.300 –> 00:48:48.480 Joseph McElroy: phishing attacks photographer to so I still do some photography just the family, my family and then, when we come out, we like to go to the pan your restaurant over there in class oh really yeah.

00:48:50.460 –> 00:48:55.830 Joseph McElroy: that’s a long time, oh yeah I really like the plan your you know yeah it’s been around long.

00:48:57.540 –> 00:48:58.740 Joseph McElroy: Enough peanut butter, milkshake.

00:49:01.020 –> 00:49:01.800 Joseph McElroy: shake from sonic.

00:49:03.570 –> 00:49:03.930 Joseph McElroy: Yes.

00:49:07.380 –> 00:49:14.940 Joseph McElroy: yeah well is there, what if I wanted to take my twins out, you know there’s only three and a half, they can’t walk along well what would be the best family.

00:49:15.720 –> 00:49:21.990 Joseph McElroy: Like to take your mom well like I said i’m begging the sunburst because there’s a pull off right there is the campground.

00:49:22.350 –> 00:49:29.970 Joseph McElroy: and pull in right there or to the left or the road and walk right down to the water it’s a while, and then to the right of the campground.

00:49:30.240 –> 00:49:38.640 Joseph McElroy: it’s an easy walk to this just you know it’s flat, so I would suggest there i’m sure yeah i’m just i’m real familiar with the place and love it by campfire.

00:49:38.910 –> 00:49:45.510 Joseph McElroy: And being a photographer What would you say is one of the best places to go take photos oh wow like devils courthouse.

00:49:45.870 –> 00:49:57.900 Joseph McElroy: sunburst again i’ve done and just any of the local places Jonathan Craig any of the waterways soco Scott gorgeous visa here too, so yeah just anywhere, the most photographed view in the stoke.

00:49:59.070 –> 00:50:03.000 Joseph McElroy: there’s an old there’s old place there’s still the old sign up there, that was yeah.

00:50:04.170 –> 00:50:09.840 Joseph McElroy: The client actually has a beautiful oh yeah you down through the valley so yeah but.

00:50:10.830 –> 00:50:22.200 Joseph McElroy: it’s pretty you know it’s there’s so many places here that are just beautiful, you know I love up on pot like way up on the mountain and we have a gorgeous view sometimes we’ll plan to fall back and everybody else was.

00:50:23.160 –> 00:50:33.930 Joseph McElroy: yeah so we’re getting close what is what’s the future for the jquery floaters ah, I don’t know we’re taking it day by day we’ve had lots of our first from TV shows to.

00:50:34.110 –> 00:50:41.190 Joseph McElroy: All kinds of stuff and we sit down, either as a team or a family and discuss each thing, some people just want their some people want the whole team.

00:50:42.510 –> 00:50:43.200 Joseph McElroy: So we’ll say.

00:50:44.640 –> 00:50:45.300 Joseph McElroy: goodbye for.

00:50:47.370 –> 00:50:54.390 Joseph McElroy: yeah sometimes I just want him just because I guess the legends they have went viral right.

00:50:55.140 –> 00:51:04.860 Joseph McElroy: So we just take it day by day, you know yeah we’re just taking our time not rushing in reading thing don’t want to make any mistakes because we’re still a family will stay that way yeah yeah that’s good I mean.

00:51:05.130 –> 00:51:10.410 Joseph McElroy: I was saying before you nobody’s prepared for viral now I was back into dad one of the first five.

00:51:10.860 –> 00:51:19.170 Joseph McElroy: videos and you’re never prepared for it and then afterwards, you know you feel like he didn’t leverage right, so you feel guilty.

00:51:19.620 –> 00:51:31.890 Joseph McElroy: But i’m telling you right now, no matter what happens just enjoying the moment we are we’re here and there’s no way to be prepared for it and there’s no way to figure out how to leverage it the leveraging it’s like it happened by luck, a lot of.

00:51:32.970 –> 00:51:41.370 Joseph McElroy: Meaning skill like met skill right and whatever you do with it is really just about as long as you’re having fun.

00:51:42.510 –> 00:51:49.890 Joseph McElroy: Are you can’t put $1 sign on friendship or family i’ve always said that I would rather have my friends and family, the money any day.

00:51:50.970 –> 00:51:55.920 Joseph McElroy: You know i’ll walk away from some it’s going to cause a problem, but you always have that in your pocket say, well, we were.

00:51:57.420 –> 00:51:57.930 Joseph McElroy: People that’s.

00:51:58.980 –> 00:51:59.610 Joseph McElroy: worthwhile.

00:52:00.630 –> 00:52:11.550 Joseph McElroy: For a while, maybe some of the education and you know, we had never heard of or seen it from other countries are all heard of suburban kids are learning how to plug do the hillbilly coupon.

00:52:13.980 –> 00:52:19.290 Joseph McElroy: started it’s great So how can people find out more about Okay, they can call me i’ll get.

00:52:21.000 –> 00:52:36.750 Joseph McElroy: Eight to 87340873 we’re on instagram tick tock Facebook is Jay creek cloggers that’s the letter J and then Casey rw JC see at gmail COM okay there’s a couple of ways, you can.

00:52:38.910 –> 00:52:46.560 Joseph McElroy: And we’re on Instagram and Facebook all that’s on there too yeah I don’t forget July 30 there near la mota.

00:52:47.640 –> 00:52:49.530 Joseph McElroy: dancing and teaching a little bit.

00:52:50.910 –> 00:52:58.530 Joseph McElroy: And I’ll be here, trying to put on a good foot and I’ll get my little twins out there, and he might be my wife old state, we want everybody.

00:52:59.550 –> 00:53:00.780 Joseph McElroy: We do a lot of fun.

00:53:02.010 –> 00:53:02.400 Joseph McElroy: Right.

00:53:04.710 –> 00:53:13.710 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness, social dance music is very fun all right I’m ready for it yeah okay cool moment to thank you so much for being on the show.

00:53:15.330 –> 00:53:24.990 Joseph McElroy: Congratulations on your thyroxine it always works blah oh yeah yeah and I look forward to your event on the 30th and maybe again in November right?

00:53:25.380 –> 00:53:28.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah we’ll be back at our school, yes, and this is the.

00:53:29.370 –> 00:53:41.640 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smoke these podcasts you can watch live every Friday night every I mean every Tuesday night from six to seven@facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:53:42.150 –> 00:53:52.590 Joseph McElroy: We are part of the talk radio dot nyc network, which is a network of live podcasts that range from self-help to travel to small business.

00:53:52.860 –> 00:54:01.560 Joseph McElroy: To any number of things and I think it’s a worthwhile network to listen to its very grassroots very, very rich content.

00:54:02.130 –> 00:54:09.510 Joseph McElroy: On the ground, information that the tool finds very interesting whether you’re traveling to the smokies or traveling to New York City.

00:54:09.930 –> 00:54:22.110 Joseph McElroy: It has some information that I think is this is worthwhile I actually have another podcast on this network called wise content creates well, which is a marketing podcast and that’s on Fridays from.

00:54:23.070 –> 00:54:30.060 Joseph McElroy: 12 until one thought that’ll probably be transitioning out because near future she’s kept some of the old episodes because.

00:54:30.360 –> 00:54:43.980 Joseph McElroy: It has a lot of the Ai stuff going on now I’ve interviewed many of the Ai people out there and they can even learn a bit about what’s going to happen content machine intelligence about artificial intelligence, which I think is good for everybody.

00:54:45.390 –> 00:54:58.710 Joseph McElroy: And it’s been a pleasure talking here today with you guys and I will see you next week with another great show from six to seven on Tuesday night with the gateway to the smokies podcast Thank you very much.


]]> <h1><br></h1><p><a href="https://fb.watch/d_TEuYTzR5/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/62bf24a7248f33e615890df5_20220628-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/06/28 - Kim Ross of the J Creek Cloggers"></a></p><p><strong>KIM ROSS OF THE J CREEK CLOGGERS</strong></p><p><strong>This week&#39;s episode explores the world of Appalachian dance, and why it is so important to keep the culture alive.</strong></p><p>The Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is proud to introduce our special guest today, <strong>Kim Ross</strong>. Kim has roots firmly entrenched in the Southern Appalachians. A native of Snowflake Virginia, not far from the historic Carter Family Fold and the birthplace of country music on the Tennessee- Virginia border, Kim grew up loving old-time music, Appalachian culture, and especially traditional mountain dancing. Today she resides with her family in Waynesville, N.C., and perpetuates her family legacy by managing and dancing with the iconic J Creek Cloggers. </p><p>Kim Ross will discuss the rich history and culture of the Southern Appalachian region while sharing the stories of their ancestors and their passion for mountain dance music.</p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063452415685" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063452415685</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/d_TEuYTzR5/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Kim Ross grew up in Snowflake, Virginia. When she hit her teenage years she started to visit Carter&#39;s Fold. She remembers seeing people from Ireland, etc. to be a part of this historical event. The Carter family is preserving a lot of history such as Johnny Cash’s rocking chair.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Her father was a tenant farmer, meaning that his family didn’t own the land. He would flat-foot dance to make money for his family growing up. Ross recalls that she also caught on to flat footing as a child with no lessons. Zeb and Levi Ross were her kids and she taught them traditional dance to preserve culture. Ross started the J Creek Cloggers, the J is short for Jonathan Creek. The people she works with include teenagers who genuinely care about learning. The audience is taught traditional steps, butt dancing, and flat footing. These steps stretch out into cultures such as the Cherokee, Scottish, and Irish.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>A popular video of her son Seb on tiktok. Jason Jordan approached them whilst they were dancing to record Seb. As a consequence, their Instagram blew up and Ross got to explore other social media platforms. They have had the opportunities to shoot music videos with up-and-coming artists and appeared in commercials. Hillbilly Crypt dancing became a coined term for Seb’s dancing. Ross praises his unique look with a mullet and smile being a part of his viral success. Ross encouraged him to find his unique dance moves to keep up with the freestyle tradition.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>She connects her dancing with her pottery as both deal with movement. She also got her kids to do pottery at Good Earth in Hazelwood. For photographs, she loves to go to Devil’s Courthouse and any of the local places such as Jonathan Creek.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:37.080 –&gt; 00:00:37.740 Joseph McElroy: howdy.</p><p>00:00:38.130 –&gt; 00:00:47.340 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.</p><p>00:00:47.670 –&gt; 00:00:54.300 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountain national park and the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty.</p><p>00:00:54.660 –&gt; 00:00:59.850 Joseph McElroy: A deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:00.240 –&gt; 00:01:12.210 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy, a man of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky mountains, for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:12.720 –&gt; 00:01:21.030 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk with Kim Ross about the J creek cloggers viral sensation the first a few messages and some events.</p><p>00:01:21.630 –&gt; 00:01:31.980 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with a chic Appalachian feel a place of adventure and relaxation.</p><p>00:01:32.670 –&gt; 00:01:42.030 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in the mountain heritage stream grill the catch on fire enjoy it with fine wines and craft beers.</p><p>00:01:42.510 –&gt; 00:01:57.900 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with that old-time music and world cultural sound, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, North Carolina your smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:59.400 –&gt; 00:02:12.030 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure si.com the smoky mountains and surrounding areas of vacation destination for all these.</p><p>00:02:12.630 –&gt; 00:02:20.280 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:21.030 –&gt; 00:02:31.410 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure complex for all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains National Park, the trails the waterfall cave cove and.</p><p>00:02:31.800 –&gt; 00:02:43.260 Joseph McElroy: An elk and more the checkout all the awesome things you can do here like that family attractions family entertainment great restaurants it’s become a foodie heaven and.</p><p>00:02:44.040 –&gt; 00:03:02.250 Joseph McElroy: That your entire family can enjoy, and if you have outdoor life events you want to do like an outdoor wedding or an interesting honeymoon a romantic getaway check out smokies adventure.com they’re leading information portal portal for having fun of them smoky mountains.</p><p>00:03:03.270 –&gt; 00:03:04.290 Joseph McElroy: So events coming up.</p><p>00:03:05.910 –&gt; 00:03:15.720 Joseph McElroy: In two weeks on Julya 9 we have wildcrafting and mother nature’s natural garden program with legendary I look at.</p><p>00:03:16.860 –&gt; 00:03:32.730 Joseph McElroy: It starts at 10 am on July 9 and the fee and the features, the island who’s a legendary white wild fasting expert renowned author filmmaker instructor include quick tour guide for the great smoky mountain National Park field school.</p><p>00:03:34.170 –&gt; 00:03:42.360 Joseph McElroy: She is an expert on edible plants, but this know herbs or anything pertaining to wildcraft orgy an Appalachian.</p><p>00:03:43.440 –&gt; 00:03:51.120 Joseph McElroy: Plants and trees and the flowers, she has been featured on TV print radio and all sorts of things.</p><p>00:03:52.770 –&gt; 00:03:59.970 Joseph McElroy: And she is an iconic female that will soon be featured of the smokies will soon be featuring one of our themed rooms.</p><p>00:04:01.140 –&gt; 00:04:05.520 Joseph McElroy: She is will be presenting their beloved program called mother nature’s natural garden.</p><p>00:04:05.940 –&gt; 00:04:19.980 Joseph McElroy: Which is about forging and natural herbs and things that are in these mountains and then she’s gonna lead a short tour of on the grounds of the metal or motel and there are surrounding areas to forage for.</p><p>00:04:20.760 –&gt; 00:04:34.350 Joseph McElroy: A nature’s bounty and to make something of that, and you can learn how to find great things in your own backyard, then the event culminates with the bbq supper and music by Michael real tree and his friends on Saturday.</p><p>00:04:35.160 –&gt; 00:04:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Efficient dimension is just 20 bucks for a person for for those who are not guests, but guests and inheritance club Members are free.</p><p>00:04:43.620 –&gt; 00:05:06.720 Joseph McElroy: So that’s July 9 that starting at 10am be sure to call eight to 89261717 to get your space now on July 30 this is relevant to this program you guys got to come, but we’re going to have the J creek cloggers the viral sensation here dancing from 7:30pm to 9pm at the pavilion.</p><p>00:05:08.280 –&gt; 00:05:14.850 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it’s a it’s a great town heritage event and will also include the Barbecue dinner.</p><p>00:05:15.960 –&gt; 00:05:25.200 Joseph McElroy: and on Saturday night, starting at if you come early at six and then the dancing and musical started 730.</p><p>00:05:25.830 –&gt; 00:05:31.740 Joseph McElroy: It will they will provide the J street Congress will perform multiple examples of traditional mountain dancing.</p><p>00:05:32.220 –&gt; 00:05:42.690 Joseph McElroy: As well as teaching the audience several fun dance steps we group leader Kim Ross is will be now will also give a short talk on the history and tradition to mountain dancing.</p><p>00:05:43.140 –&gt; 00:05:49.320 Joseph McElroy: grab your partner and come and join us for a memorable fun filled up with dining and dancing.</p><p>00:05:49.800 –&gt; 00:06:06.390 Joseph McElroy: The mission is free for hotel guests, as it always is, and heritage club members and $20 per person for people that just want to come and have a night out of the night out and do some mountain heritage again call eight to 89261717 to get your spot.</p><p>00:06:07.650 –&gt; 00:06:20.610 Joseph McElroy: And then also reserve a room, if you want to stay overnight, and then August 12 through the 13th we’re having a great songwriters cramp camp here and it’s going to feature some grammy award-winning artists.</p><p>00:06:21.300 –&gt; 00:06:29.160 Joseph McElroy: Jim Lauderdale there was a legendary songwriter who wrote a lot of George strait’s hits and Charles Humphrey the third.</p><p>00:06:29.610 –&gt; 00:06:38.430 Joseph McElroy: who’s another grammy award-winning winner, along with other award-winning artists like Darren Nicholson balsam range playbills and Charles Chamberlain.</p><p>00:06:38.670 –&gt; 00:06:46.230 Joseph McElroy: it’s an event, if you’re interested in writing songs you cannot get a better education than these guys are going to be able to give you.</p><p>00:06:46.680 –&gt; 00:06:55.350 Joseph McElroy: it’s a two-day event of interactive story writing instruction with world-class musicians and they will also help you produce a DEMO tape.</p><p>00:06:55.710 –&gt; 00:07:02.340 Joseph McElroy: and have a takeaway of a DEMO tape and then you have some concert by songs from the spread ban on Friday night.</p><p>00:07:02.760 –&gt; 00:07:07.980 Joseph McElroy: And then, and then a Saturday night there will be a Barbecue dinner and an all-star concept of all these guys.</p><p>00:07:08.910 –&gt; 00:07:20.970 Joseph McElroy: Making it a unique event like no other and space is very limited, so the price is 7675 per person for the education and DEMO tape and the fun.</p><p>00:07:21.840 –&gt; 00:07:32.310 Joseph McElroy: And there are also tickets available for just the concerts call eight to 89261717 to get your space reserve a room or just reserve the.</p><p>00:07:32.670 –&gt; 00:07:38.820 Joseph McElroy: position of the camp and come and really experienced something that you’re not going to find many times in your life.</p><p>00:07:39.600 –&gt; 00:07:51.450 Joseph McElroy: So today we were talking about the jquery cloggers well, we have the founder of the J Creek Cloggers Kim Ross Woody has firmly entrenched the southern Appalachian.</p><p>00:07:52.020 –&gt; 00:08:02.400 Joseph McElroy: a native of snowflake Virginia not far from the historic Carter family fold and the birthplace of country music of the Tennessee-Virginia border.</p><p>00:08:02.670 –&gt; 00:08:09.570 Joseph McElroy: Kim grew up loving old times using Appalachian culture and especially traditional mountain dance.</p><p>00:08:10.110 –&gt; 00:08:24.870 Joseph McElroy: Does he resides with the family in Waynesville North Carolina and perpetuates her family legacy, by managing dancing with the iconic J Creek Cloggers. How are you doing Kim? Thank you yeah yeah oh yeah it’s been an exciting time.</p><p>00:08:26.220 –&gt; 00:08:27.240 Joseph McElroy: it’s been overwhelming.</p><p>00:08:28.890 –&gt; 00:08:38.010 Joseph McElroy: Well we’ll get into the viral sensation but let’s find a little bit about your background I like to find out more about our guests, and you know their history and their love for Appalachian.</p><p>00:08:38.580 –&gt; 00:08:45.510 Joseph McElroy: trail I grew up as you said and stuff like Virginia, which is about two hours from here across the Kingsport Tennessee LAN.</p><p>00:08:45.960 –&gt; 00:08:54.270 Joseph McElroy: Scott county Virginia Southwest Virginia part home to mother, my bell card or she was actually born in Scott county and Nichols build Virginia.</p><p>00:08:54.780 –&gt; 00:09:04.170 Joseph McElroy: And everybody knows them ap and Sarah Carter mother, my bell went on, of course, with the music and the recordings in Bristol.</p><p>00:09:04.620 –&gt; 00:09:15.180 Joseph McElroy: But the historic Carter family fold is in Hilton&#39;s Virginia and it started in the 70s, they preserve the old style and bluegrass music and it’s all acoustic.</p><p>00:09:15.840 –&gt; 00:09:26.850 Joseph McElroy: Nothing, you know can be plugged in they want the real deal stringed instruments and you’ll see some of the finest flat foot and but dancing they come from all over the world.</p><p>00:09:27.360 –&gt; 00:09:30.600 Joseph McElroy: Just to come, this one place, which is practically a huge barn.</p><p>00:09:31.350 –&gt; 00:09:38.490 Joseph McElroy: Yes, and it can hold I think about 2000 people every Saturday night, they have a live show with different bands.</p><p>00:09:38.850 –&gt; 00:09:46.680 Joseph McElroy: Either bluegrass were all the time, but if you look up Carter family followed on the Internet you’ll see there so show schedule that’s and stuff like.</p><p>00:09:47.340 –&gt; 00:09:59.880 Joseph McElroy: That and he’ll do in the same town in Georgia snow like was part of that and Nicholas bills part of that counter mother Michael Carter this why what was your temples go for it I’m not sure I think.</p><p>00:10:01.050 –&gt; 00:10:11.760 Joseph McElroy: The houses were at one time, but it says the elevation we go a little more snow the houses, I was told was painted white he and then the purity of the people that like.</p><p>00:10:13.980 –&gt; 00:10:23.070 Joseph McElroy: it’s not yeah I love snowflakes I still go back and visit when I can, and all the roads that you’ve got like bobsled road Jingle bell road, so you know.</p><p>00:10:25.830 –&gt; 00:10:31.860 Joseph McElroy: frosty road some kind of the main sport is a little bit of a tourist destination, or is it just out of the way it.</p><p>00:10:32.760 –&gt; 00:10:41.100 Joseph McElroy: sounds like not as much, but if you go on up into Nichols feel they have a famous restaurant it’s just a little restaurant commentating anybody come from all over.</p><p>00:10:41.490 –&gt; 00:10:54.840 Joseph McElroy: to eat some other home cooked meals so that’s our job easier right right yeah yeah yeah so this Carter folded you go there, often as a child, I did once I hit my teens teenage years I did a lot and.</p><p>00:10:55.350 –&gt; 00:11:03.840 Joseph McElroy: The people there are just found fun people and then to see the others come from Ireland, China, Japan everywhere, just to be a part of.</p><p>00:11:04.380 –&gt; 00:11:08.670 Joseph McElroy: The Carter family history because Johnny cash, of course, Mary Jean Carter.</p><p>00:11:09.270 –&gt; 00:11:22.350 Joseph McElroy: So you have that involvement, he did come to the Carver folds he actually had a house a stadium barfing did you get to see it, I did actually I got to see his last performance, to my knowledge, was at the Carter vote before he passed away and I.</p><p>00:11:23.490 –&gt; 00:11:33.840 Joseph McElroy: know that Johnny cash actually came to us oh wow my grandmother, the first woman broker real estate broker to spend the state of North Carolina.</p><p>00:11:34.320 –&gt; 00:11:42.570 Joseph McElroy: Actually, showed him around and showed improperly, wow right yeah I don’t know why to use it was probably interesting as a ghost town with sphere, and we had a.</p><p>00:11:43.050 –&gt; 00:11:51.150 Joseph McElroy: Number of movie stars come here and started doing stuff and they were doing some lots of entertainment at the time, so that’s probably why was it I don’t know the full story, but I do.</p><p>00:11:52.050 –&gt; 00:11:58.770 Joseph McElroy: tell me that they were very down to earth and john jr I know he when he was younger before he had married.</p><p>00:11:59.490 –&gt; 00:12:07.530 Joseph McElroy: My friend and I actually were on the floor dancing when we were talking and he got out, he was shuffling around you know, having a good time, but they were very down-to-earth people.</p><p>00:12:08.130 –&gt; 00:12:11.370 Joseph McElroy: But I can’t say enough about the Carter folks are trying to preserve.</p><p>00:12:12.300 –&gt; 00:12:22.860 Joseph McElroy: Joe and Jeanette the original ones that had built the quarter fault, have passed away and she admits daughter Rita is running it now oh cool but it’s wonderful because they’re preserving.</p><p>00:12:23.640 –&gt; 00:12:37.440 Joseph McElroy: You know old-time music bluegrass music, the history behind that Johnny cash is rocking chairs up there in the cabin so there’s a lot of history, I have a museum, what about the middle of nowhere yeah out the middle of nowhere practically what I call a cow pasture.</p><p>00:12:38.580 –&gt; 00:12:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Well, this will go take a break now okay all right we’ll come back we’ll talk about your history alright sounds good.</p><p>00:14:59.010 –&gt; 00:15:12.510 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Kim Ross. so Kim so you started learning to dance pretty young, right? well, I grew up in a family that danced with my dad.</p><p>00:15:13.050 –&gt; 00:15:19.320 Joseph McElroy: was actually a tenant farmer his family was growing up, so they didn’t own the land, but they work the land for people and Nicholas bill.</p><p>00:15:19.740 –&gt; 00:15:22.620 Joseph McElroy: And he was one of the best flat photos I’ve ever seen.</p><p>00:15:23.100 –&gt; 00:15:30.540 Joseph McElroy: They actually would put him up on the box I’ve heard the stories as a child and people would throw nickels and he would make money for his family that way.</p><p>00:15:30.750 –&gt; 00:15:46.890 Joseph McElroy: So I grew up flat footing and just grew up in a family, I never had lessons didn’t know that there were certain names for movements yeah just and then of course going to the Carter fall just was a big influence that was a big yeah identify with that you know that.</p><p>00:15:48.060 –&gt; 00:15:58.680 Joseph McElroy: You know, we had the playhouse here, we had rabid Fairchild is here, yes, so I would yeah I grew up going to the playhouse just learned to do some I think.</p><p>00:15:59.700 –&gt; 00:16:06.450 Joseph McElroy: I told you before I can’t even do the double-tap but I know how to you know shuffle around pretty good.</p><p>00:16:09.840 –&gt; 00:16:11.040 Joseph McElroy: New York City, I can take it.</p><p>00:16:15.780 –&gt; 00:16:25.260 Joseph McElroy: But there are some pretty bad, so there was no, no, but that was good, you know but.</p><p>00:16:26.580 –&gt; 00:16:44.790 Joseph McElroy: You actually moved here today, which is about 30 some years ago, I was just you know was sharing and just wanting to see different places and I’m in the medical field, so I got on at St joseph’s hospital there and Asheville and I went to a street Vance Joseph queen was called.</p><p>00:16:46.620 –&gt; 00:16:56.850 Joseph McElroy: Say wow and I met the boy’s Father there at the street dance a long time ago and state, of course, and had two children and homeschool right.</p><p>00:16:57.210 –&gt; 00:17:08.670 Joseph McElroy: They heavenly fire off and during the homeschool in tongues but didn’t from start to finish, I wanted them to learn, you know about dance and music they actually play the music they had a band too.</p><p>00:17:09.330 –&gt; 00:17:23.760 Joseph McElroy: And about 13 years ago I started my dance team, of course, and it was from my end plus preserved and what I call traditional freestyle dance right to carry it on and teach my kids and educate them, otherwise I think it’s going to be a lost art if we don’t know.</p><p>00:17:24.900 –&gt; 00:17:36.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah well that’s what we’re going to promote it here because I believe it is very much yeah so so 30 some years ago, you came here and gotten started to get an immersive dance culture, yes.</p><p>00:17:37.470 –&gt; 00:17:48.420 Joseph McElroy: And you know what side you know I love Haywood county and bulk edit have live yeah Friday nights when an angel has live screen during the war bogs.</p><p>00:17:48.990 –&gt; 00:17:59.130 Joseph McElroy: an actual have the shindig on the great and then I know we can’t have taken in the park on Friday night yeah yes wide variety so let’s be.</p><p>00:18:00.240 –&gt; 00:18:05.100 Joseph McElroy: dancing in the streets and being made, I think it is and it’s great.</p><p>00:18:05.730 –&gt; 00:18:18.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah especially postcode but now people want to get out and they’re enjoying it and the one thing that my team does is actually teach with the audience out and teach them these routines some of the footwork and I love it yeah love it.</p><p>00:18:19.470 –&gt; 00:18:32.580 Joseph McElroy: So I know that you’re immersed in the history of this now right yeah that’s how you did a podcast on the history of the plugin Haywood county yeah can you give me like the one-minute spiel about.</p><p>00:18:35.550 –&gt; 00:18:38.790 Joseph McElroy: The dance things really started here in Haywood County and the end.</p><p>00:18:39.780 –&gt; 00:18:43.530 Joseph McElroy: and Joe same Queens family was big for that to you know big into that part.</p><p>00:18:43.740 –&gt; 00:18:56.460 Joseph McElroy: And in 1939 FDR was in an office king and Queen of England was on the way to Canada you want it to catch him to talk about Germany he and when he got them there and I think it’s been there only visit your ever.</p><p>00:18:56.940 –&gt; 00:19:09.030 Joseph McElroy: And he brought in the concrete girls all-female string band and soco get bloggers or from a wood county you so they represented up their dance for the King and queen he fed them dots.</p><p>00:19:09.780 –&gt; 00:19:15.540 Joseph McElroy: And they later said it was the picnic that one the war because they did ally with us later with Germany.</p><p>00:19:16.920 –&gt; 00:19:24.540 Joseph McElroy: You know I’ve always said Haywood county is huge, you know the dance team competitions and the team started here and then basketball marlins for with.</p><p>00:19:25.080 –&gt; 00:19:33.480 Joseph McElroy: You know in Asheville with the shindig and the smoky mountain folk festival, and then the team dances competitions and then go into the White House what more could you.</p><p>00:19:34.050 –&gt; 00:19:41.940 Joseph McElroy: know and we’re trying to preserve that because it was freestyle bands, which means that works all unique 80s and 90s, we had a lot of the World Championship yes.</p><p>00:19:44.730 –&gt; 00:19:51.270 Joseph McElroy: Yes, stomping around oh yeah are there on Saturday Saturday nights it used to be six days a week.</p><p>00:19:53.040 –&gt; 00:20:04.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah that was pretty amazing, but now kozel which is 90 now so he’s probably I guess yeah yeah yeah and he still keeps single one and.</p><p>00:20:04.980 –&gt; 00:20:07.770 Joseph McElroy: Inside of that building beautiful place to go Nice.</p><p>00:20:08.640 –&gt; 00:20:21.360 Joseph McElroy: cool yes, so you started the J Creek Cloggers, yep, which is short for Jonathan creek which runs right in the back of the motel all the way down what’s called down the gravel.</p><p>00:20:21.840 –&gt; 00:20:38.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah so in perspective, but people aren’t 40 it’s the exit 20 Maggie Valley exit you can come off and Jonathan creek runs a whole thing and then console into it, but most of us for from that area when I started the team 13 years, so we well you know I grew up.</p><p>00:20:39.150 –&gt; 00:20:46.260 Joseph McElroy: There too yeah pretty proud of that creaking yes yeah it was most of it so.</p><p>00:20:47.340 –&gt; 00:20:59.820 Joseph McElroy: What do you said you want to preserve the culture, but it was there any kind of catalyst that said just do this well I just you know, preserving the culture it’s also a good social means because I was homeschool my children.</p><p>00:21:00.570 –&gt; 00:21:12.480 Joseph McElroy: You know, and to see now that we’ve grown from six to eight people when I started to 35, 40 people and a lot of them are teenagers to upset their electronics aside.</p><p>00:21:15.120 –&gt; 00:21:28.950 Joseph McElroy: and learn the culture, learn the dance and be educated on it and they want to do it so yeah oh yeah yeah I think that dances become popular in our culture, again, it is yeah I’ll sudden now you know.</p><p>00:21:29.820 –&gt; 00:21:37.980 Joseph McElroy: Each routine has a meaning when you do ride some laughs and other things there’s a meaning behind that teach that to the people on the team, but you know I.</p><p>00:21:38.880 –&gt; 00:21:49.410 Joseph McElroy: I thought was interesting looking at yeah I haven’t seen you live, yet, but you’re gonna be here till July it’s already I’ll be there yeah and you can teach my little three and a half-year-olds to call.</p><p>00:21:51.270 –&gt; 00:21:53.940 Joseph McElroy: audience, we want to evolve it yeah.</p><p>00:21:54.420 –&gt; 00:22:01.290 Joseph McElroy: So, but you get the audience directly involved by teaching them to additional steps yes.</p><p>00:22:01.500 –&gt; 00:22:09.120 Joseph McElroy: teaching them about history of each of the styles right we do because there’s been advance and there’s flat foot and the clogging board actually the.</p><p>00:22:09.330 –&gt; 00:22:14.370 Joseph McElroy: Queen of England coin that she was over you’re visiting she said that looks a lot like clogging.</p><p>00:22:14.670 –&gt; 00:22:22.830 Joseph McElroy: So the clogging sort of got coined by her, but I started out flat foot, which I still do it’s an old style of what what is difference between flat.</p><p>00:22:23.520 –&gt; 00:22:27.750 Joseph McElroy: Keep your with flat, but you keep your feet two inches from the floor, no more.</p><p>00:22:27.990 –&gt; 00:22:39.900 Joseph McElroy: Right it’s mostly your lower body that works your legs and very little movement from your upper body, whereas, but thanks to this more exaggerated it’s a lot of movement and you bring your feet, more than two inches off the floor.</p><p>00:22:40.920 –&gt; 00:22:44.100 Joseph McElroy: sort of what lessons, they have does is more what we call advances.</p><p>00:22:44.730 –&gt; 00:22:54.150 Joseph McElroy: flat foot and come out of the Scottish Irish I think yeah I think it’s a mixed even the Cherokee yeah movements, like us, and then you get back in the mountains, you can even tell.</p><p>00:22:54.510 –&gt; 00:23:02.580 Joseph McElroy: People who are from canton by the style of dance versus people from cloud or wines what’s really cool so it’s just my style the town’s every.</p><p>00:23:04.770 –&gt; 00:23:12.750 Joseph McElroy: Word networks created a sort of style here right yeah yeah he was famous for putting the water put on his head thanks to with other phone.</p><p>00:23:16.050 –&gt; 00:23:23.310 Joseph McElroy: did a great job with that yeah wow wow so so you know.</p><p>00:23:26.160 –&gt; 00:23:31.050 Joseph McElroy: You see, you already explained how clogged came about right, I have is that why.</p><p>00:23:31.620 –&gt; 00:23:42.270 Joseph McElroy: because she said that is not why it is with coins that you know as far as the movement was similar to what they did I think in England, but we have our own style but but but Nancy.</p><p>00:23:42.870 –&gt; 00:23:46.740 Joseph McElroy: You know I tell people that we have people on the team that strictly flat foot.</p><p>00:23:47.160 –&gt; 00:23:53.730 Joseph McElroy: We have people that strictly but Vance we have people that combine the two yeah so it’s really nice because we’re freestyle which means we’re not.</p><p>00:23:54.000 –&gt; 00:24:04.110 Joseph McElroy: we’re not in unison with our footwork but we’re in the same seat now there’s other stuff called stop this what is that i’m not sure I think that’s just more word right but do a lot of stop and.</p><p>00:24:05.580 –&gt; 00:24:05.910 Joseph McElroy: Make sure.</p><p>00:24:07.410 –&gt; 00:24:17.220 Joseph McElroy: everybody’s got different names for things I knew clog dancing I knew I knew flatfooted wasn’t as much prevalent when I was growing up target above it but they.</p><p>00:24:18.240 –&gt; 00:24:29.190 Joseph McElroy: do about it and there are so many names that may not somebody says, but whatever and i’m like I didn’t grow up with names I just grew up dancing you know, everybody has coined little movement so.</p><p>00:24:29.700 –&gt; 00:24:39.450 Joseph McElroy: there’s multiple names out there for stuff so you started this 13 years ago, which means you got into the mix right yes and you’ve been I guess then you’ve been.</p><p>00:24:40.230 –&gt; 00:24:43.830 Joseph McElroy: you’ve been performing all over North Carolina the various festivals like phone.</p><p>00:24:44.250 –&gt; 00:24:54.870 Joseph McElroy: Number yeah all over we’ve we’ve been to the library dice frankie Griffin down male married we go into Virginia dance Tennessee South Carolina and that’s before anything went viral.</p><p>00:24:55.440 –&gt; 00:25:00.060 Joseph McElroy: We were you know going around and week we were different color we don’t have to say you.</p><p>00:25:00.600 –&gt; 00:25:12.300 Joseph McElroy: are more traditional kind of outfits and lots of color wow cool yeah So what is it what is your what are your favorite festivals, what are the ones you recommend people go see oh wow there’s some.</p><p>00:25:13.290 –&gt; 00:25:20.220 Joseph McElroy: I know we have one coming up and deals are actually that I love it’s coming up, I think, July 15 and then the Mount airy one that.</p><p>00:25:21.750 –&gt; 00:25:25.770 Joseph McElroy: was a close deals, for I think it’s just the arts and crafts festival, and they have a slayer.</p><p>00:25:26.670 –&gt; 00:25:40.110 Joseph McElroy: And it’s I believe it’s July 15 will be in pigeon forge this coming weekend all right, and we have a big thing coming up July that I’m excited about the first time ever we’re doing it it’s on the side, or they wanted three a meet and greet.</p><p>00:25:41.310 –&gt; 00:25:52.800 Joseph McElroy: stomping grounds cool you get to make the team have pictures my with us and get out and dance with it, what time is that 123 o’clock 123 yeah look come at 10am to go.</p><p>00:25:54.210 –&gt; 00:25:54.870 Joseph McElroy: learn how to.</p><p>00:25:57.390 –&gt; 00:25:59.460 Joseph McElroy: go over there, they come back for bbq.</p><p>00:26:01.290 –&gt; 00:26:02.220 Joseph McElroy: i’ll be ready to eat.</p><p>00:26:03.990 –&gt; 00:26:12.780 Joseph McElroy: that’s a damn and everybody, we got a fabulous day for you, I tell you one of the other festivals that was awesome is Darnell farms, I don’t know if you’re familiar.</p><p>00:26:13.230 –&gt; 00:26:22.800 Joseph McElroy: But Oh, my goodness, I have strawberry festival yeah and will be at the watermelon festival coming up so there’s just too many tonight oh yeah there’s the apple for school but.</p><p>00:26:23.490 –&gt; 00:26:30.000 Joseph McElroy: When we did the riot fest points go, Scott, the smoky mountain festival I think it’s coming back this year, like oh really yes.</p><p>00:26:31.740 –&gt; 00:26:38.670 Joseph McElroy: Yes, fabulous yeah we do have a lot of them yeah you ever want to come to a county where you get festival down.</p><p>00:26:41.700 –&gt; 00:26:49.530 Joseph McElroy: Which is great it’s great so yeah so and as any venues, you have to stop the ground right oh yeah stomping grounds.</p><p>00:26:50.250 –&gt; 00:26:57.360 Joseph McElroy: But any other venues in western North Carolina that you think are just fabulous Well, I do have one into Andrews to Jamie’s picking green.</p><p>00:26:58.200 –&gt; 00:27:12.660 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s not as well known, I don’t think, but they have awesome music a fiddle player and he saw insider day that’s too, so we don’t get to go out with all difficult stomping ground yeah and wherever the mile high end as I love going there to.</p><p>00:27:16.530 –&gt; 00:27:17.970 Joseph McElroy: play out to be.</p><p>00:27:19.650 –&gt; 00:27:22.380 Joseph McElroy: with you to take another break we’ll come back talk about the.</p><p>00:29:31.140 –&gt; 00:29:37.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back to the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Kim Ross.</p><p>00:29:38.160 –&gt; 00:29:47.400 Joseph McElroy: So you know Kim, you know I’m impressed by you know you don’t do you don’t necessarily do this for a living, but to do for hash yes and you’ve been involved.</p><p>00:29:47.940 –&gt; 00:30:01.050 Joseph McElroy: You know, sharing knowledge sharing a passion for this dance of this music and I think that’s fabulous I think you’re doing a lot to distill that dispel the dumb hillbilly sharing.</p><p>00:30:01.980 –&gt; 00:30:03.780 Joseph McElroy: Maybe what you can play hillbilly Jim right.</p><p>00:30:04.650 –&gt; 00:30:14.850 Joseph McElroy: I believe it’s July 23 it’ll be out of here at the bag valley fairgrounds and will be there, I think it’s six o’clock Vance and I’m really excited yeah This is our first time being disobedient.</p><p>00:30:15.510 –&gt; 00:30:41.550 Joseph McElroy: hillbilly jams, a great event huge stars come to hear people say oh yeah lots of man, will be dancer I think for about an hour, but recently right now that hillbilly myth has been hit dispelled, are you guys became essentially world famous due to to a video of your son said yes.</p><p>00:30:43.320 –&gt; 00:30:50.790 Joseph McElroy: dancing with the J creek Cloggers and went viral tell me about that Okay, so we were at Darnell farms of bras and city and mark.</p><p>00:30:52.080 –&gt; 00:30:57.120 Joseph McElroy: doing our thing just dancing as usual and somebody approached Jason Jordan, I think, was his name.</p><p>00:30:57.600 –&gt; 00:31:12.960 Joseph McElroy: I product to say we didn’t know him is from Georgia visiting he said, can I feel you all and we’re used to being filmed all the time, so I filmed and about a week later, you know I got woke up in the middle of night and said, your sons went viral and I thought Oh, is he sick.</p><p>00:31:15.000 –&gt; 00:31:20.520 Joseph McElroy: Now, and they’re like no check out chick talk I said I don’t know what it is don’t know what instagram me.</p><p>00:31:21.630 –&gt; 00:31:31.320 Joseph McElroy: So I got a tik tok account, I saw it I’m like Oh, my goodness that’s not the music that we were we were banjo and fiddle and they put it to the Hochstetler, yeah you know which was cool.</p><p>00:31:31.890 –&gt; 00:31:42.870 Joseph McElroy: Man, this is really neat and somebody named eggs Tyrone on instagram I finally got an account in April and it’s like i’ve been looking for you guys he put i’m a thug by trick Daddy.</p><p>00:31:45.720 –&gt; 00:31:56.580 Joseph McElroy: You know and i’m like Oh, my goodness, so two months and we’re at 120 7000 followers on instagram and millions upon millions of hits all these videos.</p><p>00:31:56.970 –&gt; 00:32:12.300 Joseph McElroy: And it’s just been it’s been almost overwhelming I had to bring on the sand, because I know nothing about other than Facebook only social media ever well that’s what we grew up with, I mean we were there, the thousand so that’s our demographic yeah.</p><p>00:32:15.210 –&gt; 00:32:15.600 Joseph McElroy: well.</p><p>00:32:16.680 –&gt; 00:32:20.940 Joseph McElroy: I did have to kick 50,000 years but you pay for you, you got 100 million.</p><p>00:32:24.150 –&gt; 00:32:39.570 Joseph McElroy: On me oh yeah and they just keep coming yeah we’ve shot several music videos with epic coming artists smile yeah fan in commercials products are being sent to us mail, you know to draw on and yeah yeah it’s been it’s been really good.</p><p>00:32:40.650 –&gt; 00:32:49.800 Joseph McElroy: and your your son said he’s got it has become an icon and you got a new dictate what is that the legend calling the ledge oh really yes.</p><p>00:32:51.060 –&gt; 00:33:02.910 Joseph McElroy: coin that Charles run from American song Kelly clarkson snoop dogg it on TV came and shot a video with us to his new book good song and he coins their village.</p><p>00:33:03.540 –&gt; 00:33:18.030 Joseph McElroy: where it came from, and everybody on social media just started calling me back so therefore which the legends he does not have instagram everybody keeps asking he’s under the J creek clovers because that’s who he is he’s a machinist trade.</p><p>00:33:20.160 –&gt; 00:33:20.550 Joseph McElroy: know.</p><p>00:33:21.600 –&gt; 00:33:23.520 Joseph McElroy: 1012-hour shifts through the way.</p><p>00:33:24.960 –&gt; 00:33:33.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah he’s loving it and you guys have a you have coined a firm called term called the hillbilly Chris walken what is that.</p><p>00:33:34.440 –&gt; 00:33:41.250 Joseph McElroy: They had mentioned some of them had reached out to like Well he see dance Center he’s Chris walken i’m like i’m sure you know he’s been dancing.</p><p>00:33:41.550 –&gt; 00:33:50.820 Joseph McElroy: But um I guess in different environments that’s what they call it, because he does, do you know funny stuff with his feet, is what I call it, we call it a spaghetti.</p><p>00:33:51.840 –&gt; 00:34:02.160 Joseph McElroy: all over the place, so we call it the hillbilly quick quick walk yeah well, I saw a video of him doing it, he said he called it, he said it looks like a broken ankle it does.</p><p>00:34:02.700 –&gt; 00:34:13.200 Joseph McElroy: That, but then he comes out and does with his feet yeah and it’s just like he’s floating on air, and if you notice his upper body movement doesn’t move if legend that would be the flat foot part of.</p><p>00:34:13.620 –&gt; 00:34:19.500 Joseph McElroy: Phase one more but that’s another step and he said the secret was he’s actually I was totally yeah yeah.</p><p>00:34:23.370 –&gt; 00:34:26.730 Joseph McElroy: Having the wallet and then his smile is just infectious.</p><p>00:34:27.750 –&gt; 00:34:35.250 Joseph McElroy: You know so it’s just all rolled into one and it went and you’ve gotten to perform on stage with superstars like like Caroline killing Charles.</p><p>00:34:36.540 –&gt; 00:34:50.580 Joseph McElroy: And then brandon being came he has a new hit out called blue collar squalor and he did the whole video here in South stopping really yes wow he’s got a new one come out I think don’t take my land coming out Monday next week you.</p><p>00:34:52.020 –&gt; 00:35:03.690 Joseph McElroy: Have you finished still say security router right we have we have we already had bookings before we went viral will not turn those down we’ve had multiple offers that we’re going to fulfill everything we have.</p><p>00:35:04.110 –&gt; 00:35:13.830 Joseph McElroy: we’re all about preserving tradition, will you you booked here after you do that yeah because we’re Maggie Valley yeah yep because we’re in your homes that.</p><p>00:35:14.190 –&gt; 00:35:23.460 Joseph McElroy: We really appreciate, yes, we have that date, open to work really well yeah I think we’ve got an event earlier that day and then of course the so.</p><p>00:35:24.090 –&gt; 00:35:33.180 Joseph McElroy: It went well, but we, you know we’re all when I call blue-collar workers, all of us have real jobs from roofers to the machine is to medical field and.</p><p>00:35:33.870 –&gt; 00:35:43.620 Joseph McElroy: We just do this because we love it we want to preserve I think it’s considered Americana nail what we yeah it’s it’s because you do, because you.</p><p>00:35:54.990 –&gt; 00:35:56.520 Joseph McElroy: want to stir.</p><p>00:35:57.540 –&gt; 00:35:58.140 Joseph McElroy: The sickness.</p><p>00:36:00.360 –&gt; 00:36:11.610 Joseph McElroy: fun to watch these in these I think they’re called means mimi’s I didn’t know that means he’s an all kinds of stuff now yeah it’s hilarious that’s a poor kid I wouldn’t be starting next.</p><p>00:36:12.570 –&gt; 00:36:21.390 Joseph McElroy: week when he does interviews he’s like I was dancing and my mom was failing because I didn’t start until I gave birth to both of my kids but i’m probably when he was six or seven.</p><p>00:36:21.690 –&gt; 00:36:35.850 Joseph McElroy: took an interest, and then, when he was a teenager when I started to really immerse yourself in it and I told him what I knew, but I said, you need to find your own unique style with your footwork that’s what makes us unique and we’re freestyle dancers, and he did.</p><p>00:36:37.260 –&gt; 00:36:41.940 Joseph McElroy: Under the DNA just that you know he came up with his own little thing that he wanted to do when.</p><p>00:36:42.510 –&gt; 00:36:58.260 Joseph McElroy: You see a lot of that during what we call our rise and shine which means our show off a portion of our routine that’s when you get to go out there and do your thing in front yeah we know when I was in New York, you know back in the day it’s different now but back in the day, you know.</p><p>00:36:59.430 –&gt; 00:37:06.360 Joseph McElroy: Men didn’t really get a lot of places the United States didn’t get updates shops right yeah and I grew up buck dance right.</p><p>00:37:07.470 –&gt; 00:37:11.880 Joseph McElroy: People do I would say, you know I from haywood county where men are not afraid to give up.</p><p>00:37:14.880 –&gt; 00:37:20.190 Joseph McElroy: And we have we find that, as we go that people are really first they’re not sure like want to get up.</p><p>00:37:20.730 –&gt; 00:37:27.450 Joseph McElroy: They see other people might just be and they have a blast I don’t want to sit back down well you know they’re they’re just they’re having fun and that’s what it’s all about.</p><p>00:37:27.810 –&gt; 00:37:37.890 Joseph McElroy: And how does a typical show go where you teach people started out he can perform which we on track, we usually do at darnell farms, we have a two hour show, but most of our shows are an hour long.</p><p>00:37:38.490 –&gt; 00:37:46.200 Joseph McElroy: So we go out their performance I speak a little bit and other performance and then we get the audience involved in my husband’s professional square dance color.</p><p>00:37:46.590 –&gt; 00:37:53.160 Joseph McElroy: So he’ll get them out teach them the circle ups and then I do a little educational talk and then we ended with a performance.</p><p>00:37:53.490 –&gt; 00:38:06.030 Joseph McElroy: So they get fully immersed in everything we do and plus I get to meet all of the dancing yeah all of us and we’re just we always called our social circle of friendship, I want everybody to come out there and it could be as kids as young this.</p><p>00:38:07.440 –&gt; 00:38:17.340 Joseph McElroy: One of the children that started with me was two years old, and she said, think 12 or 13 now yeah cuz I got i’ve got a 30 year old son I should get him here dance.</p><p>00:38:18.030 –&gt; 00:38:32.250 Joseph McElroy: But I do have three and a half year old twins right and anya my daughter is already like do ballet she loves the class, but he said he likes to do that just freestyle that’s good yeah goodness a perfect day yeah.</p><p>00:38:32.970 –&gt; 00:38:35.010 Joseph McElroy: Good for they’re not bash for anything.</p><p>00:38:35.190 –&gt; 00:38:41.970 Joseph McElroy: And one thing about the team i’ll say is we come from all walks of life with Italy everything else we leave it at the table and we cut.</p><p>00:38:42.060 –&gt; 00:38:53.190 Joseph McElroy: The fellowship the music and dance, we made it work for 13 years yeah just just having a good time enjoying laugh together well it’s good that you have do you have any videos or or or.</p><p>00:38:53.910 –&gt; 00:39:03.120 Joseph McElroy: recordings or anything that you’re done yourselves yeah we have somebody on the team vicki that actually records much to bark performances and so their own Facebook.</p><p>00:39:03.480 –&gt; 00:39:09.600 Joseph McElroy: jquery Congress instagram jquery cloggers tick tock tick tock are so there’s plenty of videos out there.</p><p>00:39:10.410 –&gt; 00:39:20.100 Joseph McElroy: But people have been taken them and Devon over so a lot of the basic you here is not even what we’re dancing to which it’s been fun they paid us from everything to heavy metal to ballet music.</p><p>00:39:21.960 –&gt; 00:39:23.370 Joseph McElroy: Now, with this viral event.</p><p>00:39:24.810 –&gt; 00:39:36.810 Joseph McElroy: is how have you been handling I mean I was overwhelmed at first, because I was on page one 3000 comments, a day great message and everything else we grew so fast.</p><p>00:39:37.500 –&gt; 00:39:53.880 Joseph McElroy: role in my niece from kingsport Tennessee maddie is getting her degree in media to help with instagram my son’s wife is doing the merchandise part and so you know I have people on the team their help, and so we were handling it now, but it was overwhelming I was ready to flush month.</p><p>00:39:55.980 –&gt; 00:39:56.370 Joseph McElroy: Although that.</p><p>00:39:58.380 –&gt; 00:40:08.070 Joseph McElroy: Is do you have a couple of negative yeah but not bad, no not bad at all, you know it’s being I was amazed, because I wasn’t sure you know.</p><p>00:40:08.700 –&gt; 00:40:19.560 Joseph McElroy: But no it’s been I would say 99% positive you know you’re always gonna have a few that come out, so I something they’re like you know he’s got a big belly well when we start thinking.</p><p>00:40:20.160 –&gt; 00:40:26.160 Joseph McElroy: within two weeks, the last probably 20 pounds once we get back on tour they have nervous like oh he’s looks and white male.</p><p>00:40:35.460 –&gt; 00:40:39.480 Joseph McElroy: hey we can that’s exactly it in a place here that, is there a carb heavy.</p><p>00:40:42.600 –&gt; 00:40:59.880 Joseph McElroy: yeah fine dining plates about this big oh yeah so i’ve been very blessed conceal the big one does videos what does pictures on the dance team they know nicer time so we’ve got the you know perfect mix now how is this newfound fame.</p><p>00:41:01.350 –&gt; 00:41:10.470 Joseph McElroy: But he’s got to be very good son, he is now that people notice, you know they can run up and they want pictures made and he’s had to learn how to balance that.</p><p>00:41:10.680 –&gt; 00:41:21.120 Joseph McElroy: Because you know, some people want to talk for 20 minutes we have performance coming up once it’s done you’re going to have to learn how to be nicely talk to them and they’re telling you better performance and you can come back and talk a little later.</p><p>00:41:21.630 –&gt; 00:41:29.970 Joseph McElroy: But he wasn’t sure how to handle everything its beginning and then he’s just decided i’m just i’m nobody special as well, your special while.</p><p>00:41:31.950 –&gt; 00:41:35.880 Joseph McElroy: So, but he’s doing well on the teams doing a lot of people recognize the team.</p><p>00:41:37.320 –&gt; 00:41:44.340 Joseph McElroy: yeah now i’m just the team incorporated in a separate set does it to know they’re all.</p><p>00:41:45.900 –&gt; 00:41:54.960 Joseph McElroy: they’re all unique yeah everybody’s got their own unique footwork so we have several teenagers, we have excellent dancers, on the team he just happened to be the one I guess the.</p><p>00:41:56.280 –&gt; 00:41:57.180 Joseph McElroy: Music was right.</p><p>00:41:58.710 –&gt; 00:42:07.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah so they’ve all week which we have we’re very family oriented and that’s the way we’ve stayed nothing’s really changed with us as a team we’re still.</p><p>00:42:08.220 –&gt; 00:42:19.950 Joseph McElroy: The good people we always worried, you know enjoying laughs, but it has to affect yeah some vision of what your performances are going to be out your contents going to be, we know there.</p><p>00:42:20.850 –&gt; 00:42:25.530 Joseph McElroy: That there’s bigger stuff on the horizon, that I can’t talk about yet so we’re gonna you know we’re going to.</p><p>00:42:26.130 –&gt; 00:42:35.580 Joseph McElroy: Probably buckle down a little bit on exactly what we’re going to be doing and nothing’s going to change with the performances, but maybe just make sure the flow is there, you know.</p><p>00:42:36.120 –&gt; 00:42:49.080 Joseph McElroy: Asking questions that he asked me what do you expect How long are the you know, is it an hour performance, what would you like to see how would you like us to dress you know, sometimes we’re an overall for the meal sometimes bluejeans yeah.</p><p>00:42:50.100 –&gt; 00:42:52.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah and overalls New York City.</p><p>00:42:55.470 –&gt; 00:43:03.180 Joseph McElroy: And the women’s in dresses and criminal yeah yeah oh yeah all right we’re gonna take the last break here and then come back and talk a little bit about.</p><p>00:43:05.070 –&gt; 00:43:06.060 Joseph McElroy: Like that all right.</p><p>00:45:07.440 –&gt; 00:45:15.960 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Kim Ross.</p><p>00:45:16.560 –&gt; 00:45:29.220 Joseph McElroy: You know you’re a dancer and your transcript medical transcriptions yes, I read that you also had a pottery business for what did I had Ross pottery I was in the grove arcade and Asheville and did a lot.</p><p>00:45:30.210 –&gt; 00:45:42.480 Joseph McElroy: Of videos of all places, and it was called mountain made I think it’s still there, she does local you know to the within I think 100-mile radius or something in North Carolina but yeah I loved it I did.</p><p>00:45:43.590 –&gt; 00:45:53.220 Joseph McElroy: a freeform style and then the wheel and loved it, but when this went viral I have not had time and I sold all my quick weeks ago.</p><p>00:45:54.390 –&gt; 00:45:55.740 Joseph McElroy: So you went all in.</p><p>00:45:58.620 –&gt; 00:46:05.730 Joseph McElroy: And just run in the regular login team, and now the disciplines went viral it’s just you know I’m spending seven hours a day.</p><p>00:46:06.330 –&gt; 00:46:14.070 Joseph McElroy: Since the barrel thing just trying to keep up with the messages, but how did the you know the haptic experience of.</p><p>00:46:14.550 –&gt; 00:46:23.850 Joseph McElroy: Making pottery how did that translate it to answer vice versa, is there were there and I grew up over regards maybe so just from you know.</p><p>00:46:24.510 –&gt; 00:46:29.520 Joseph McElroy: The form, I don’t know because I’m all about movement and pottery is all about.</p><p>00:46:30.060 –&gt; 00:46:37.590 Joseph McElroy: So some of my stuff, especially with the color variations, I had a very colorful person, you can tell them outfits are where when I plug.</p><p>00:46:37.950 –&gt; 00:46:50.190 Joseph McElroy: But my pottery would have it could be yellow-orange purple blues i’ll mix everywhere, but yeah I would say just the movement of the pottery and again homeschooling the boys, I put them into pottery classes we’ve met good Earth.</p><p>00:46:50.490 –&gt; 00:46:59.640 Joseph McElroy: hazelwood I don’t think that studios there anymore yeah Bob was a great teacher i’m left handed so he had a little bit of a harder time teaching me.</p><p>00:47:00.900 –&gt; 00:47:17.160 Joseph McElroy: I don’t think like other people, you know, but I loved doing the pottery and again it was another avenue for the voice, you know, then they had their little band and dancing but yeah I sold everything we know I had to we had corey plot here Bob Smith oh yeah great.</p><p>00:47:18.600 –&gt; 00:47:30.600 Joseph McElroy: And you did a class half-day on pottery and my three year old twins came here and they actually paid attention for an hour and a half Oh, my goodness, can you imagine, can you imagine three or a.</p><p>00:47:31.050 –&gt; 00:47:40.740 Joseph McElroy: Day actually they’re involved paid attention listening even asking questions getting a little pots and stuff like that I thought it is something that seems.</p><p>00:47:41.460 –&gt; 00:48:00.690 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah it is you know and it’s part of the earth always say you know a lot of them get the claim it’s local from bucks county Water plays out there, so but yeah I loved it, but I was ready to La yeah I can’t do everything in place, so, if you look over here it’s all good oh yeah.</p><p>00:48:02.100 –&gt; 00:48:05.430 Joseph McElroy: If you can find some of her binary somewhere it’s now a collector’s edition.</p><p>00:48:06.480 –&gt; 00:48:06.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:48:09.030 –&gt; 00:48:19.080 Joseph McElroy: So, so you know we we yeah this is this podcast is also just about get the smokies stuff in general, I like that, yes, talk about other things that they enjoy I know you like.</p><p>00:48:19.590 –&gt; 00:48:26.190 Joseph McElroy: I love it we go what sunburst not a lot and pink beds graveyard fields different places, my husband.</p><p>00:48:26.790 –&gt; 00:48:35.340 Joseph McElroy: Even we even get off and just don’t even follow a trail he he was very young he’s 65 now, but he knows all about up in that area and then.</p><p>00:48:36.300 –&gt; 00:48:48.480 Joseph McElroy: phishing attacks photographer to so I still do some photography just the family, my family and then, when we come out, we like to go to the pan your restaurant over there in class oh really yeah.</p><p>00:48:50.460 –&gt; 00:48:55.830 Joseph McElroy: that’s a long time, oh yeah I really like the plan your you know yeah it’s been around long.</p><p>00:48:57.540 –&gt; 00:48:58.740 Joseph McElroy: Enough peanut butter, milkshake.</p><p>00:49:01.020 –&gt; 00:49:01.800 Joseph McElroy: shake from sonic.</p><p>00:49:03.570 –&gt; 00:49:03.930 Joseph McElroy: Yes.</p><p>00:49:07.380 –&gt; 00:49:14.940 Joseph McElroy: yeah well is there, what if I wanted to take my twins out, you know there’s only three and a half, they can’t walk along well what would be the best family.</p><p>00:49:15.720 –&gt; 00:49:21.990 Joseph McElroy: Like to take your mom well like I said i’m begging the sunburst because there’s a pull off right there is the campground.</p><p>00:49:22.350 –&gt; 00:49:29.970 Joseph McElroy: and pull in right there or to the left or the road and walk right down to the water it’s a while, and then to the right of the campground.</p><p>00:49:30.240 –&gt; 00:49:38.640 Joseph McElroy: it’s an easy walk to this just you know it’s flat, so I would suggest there i’m sure yeah i’m just i’m real familiar with the place and love it by campfire.</p><p>00:49:38.910 –&gt; 00:49:45.510 Joseph McElroy: And being a photographer What would you say is one of the best places to go take photos oh wow like devils courthouse.</p><p>00:49:45.870 –&gt; 00:49:57.900 Joseph McElroy: sunburst again i’ve done and just any of the local places Jonathan Craig any of the waterways soco Scott gorgeous visa here too, so yeah just anywhere, the most photographed view in the stoke.</p><p>00:49:59.070 –&gt; 00:50:03.000 Joseph McElroy: there’s an old there’s old place there’s still the old sign up there, that was yeah.</p><p>00:50:04.170 –&gt; 00:50:09.840 Joseph McElroy: The client actually has a beautiful oh yeah you down through the valley so yeah but.</p><p>00:50:10.830 –&gt; 00:50:22.200 Joseph McElroy: it’s pretty you know it’s there’s so many places here that are just beautiful, you know I love up on pot like way up on the mountain and we have a gorgeous view sometimes we’ll plan to fall back and everybody else was.</p><p>00:50:23.160 –&gt; 00:50:33.930 Joseph McElroy: yeah so we’re getting close what is what’s the future for the jquery floaters ah, I don’t know we’re taking it day by day we’ve had lots of our first from TV shows to.</p><p>00:50:34.110 –&gt; 00:50:41.190 Joseph McElroy: All kinds of stuff and we sit down, either as a team or a family and discuss each thing, some people just want their some people want the whole team.</p><p>00:50:42.510 –&gt; 00:50:43.200 Joseph McElroy: So we’ll say.</p><p>00:50:44.640 –&gt; 00:50:45.300 Joseph McElroy: goodbye for.</p><p>00:50:47.370 –&gt; 00:50:54.390 Joseph McElroy: yeah sometimes I just want him just because I guess the legends they have went viral right.</p><p>00:50:55.140 –&gt; 00:51:04.860 Joseph McElroy: So we just take it day by day, you know yeah we’re just taking our time not rushing in reading thing don’t want to make any mistakes because we’re still a family will stay that way yeah yeah that’s good I mean.</p><p>00:51:05.130 –&gt; 00:51:10.410 Joseph McElroy: I was saying before you nobody’s prepared for viral now I was back into dad one of the first five.</p><p>00:51:10.860 –&gt; 00:51:19.170 Joseph McElroy: videos and you’re never prepared for it and then afterwards, you know you feel like he didn’t leverage right, so you feel guilty.</p><p>00:51:19.620 –&gt; 00:51:31.890 Joseph McElroy: But i’m telling you right now, no matter what happens just enjoying the moment we are we’re here and there’s no way to be prepared for it and there’s no way to figure out how to leverage it the leveraging it’s like it happened by luck, a lot of.</p><p>00:51:32.970 –&gt; 00:51:41.370 Joseph McElroy: Meaning skill like met skill right and whatever you do with it is really just about as long as you’re having fun.</p><p>00:51:42.510 –&gt; 00:51:49.890 Joseph McElroy: Are you can’t put $1 sign on friendship or family i’ve always said that I would rather have my friends and family, the money any day.</p><p>00:51:50.970 –&gt; 00:51:55.920 Joseph McElroy: You know i’ll walk away from some it’s going to cause a problem, but you always have that in your pocket say, well, we were.</p><p>00:51:57.420 –&gt; 00:51:57.930 Joseph McElroy: People that’s.</p><p>00:51:58.980 –&gt; 00:51:59.610 Joseph McElroy: worthwhile.</p><p>00:52:00.630 –&gt; 00:52:11.550 Joseph McElroy: For a while, maybe some of the education and you know, we had never heard of or seen it from other countries are all heard of suburban kids are learning how to plug do the hillbilly coupon.</p><p>00:52:13.980 –&gt; 00:52:19.290 Joseph McElroy: started it’s great So how can people find out more about Okay, they can call me i’ll get.</p><p>00:52:21.000 –&gt; 00:52:36.750 Joseph McElroy: Eight to 87340873 we’re on instagram tick tock Facebook is Jay creek cloggers that’s the letter J and then Casey rw JC see at gmail COM okay there’s a couple of ways, you can.</p><p>00:52:38.910 –&gt; 00:52:46.560 Joseph McElroy: And we’re on Instagram and Facebook all that’s on there too yeah I don’t forget July 30 there near la mota.</p><p>00:52:47.640 –&gt; 00:52:49.530 Joseph McElroy: dancing and teaching a little bit.</p><p>00:52:50.910 –&gt; 00:52:58.530 Joseph McElroy: And I’ll be here, trying to put on a good foot and I’ll get my little twins out there, and he might be my wife old state, we want everybody.</p><p>00:52:59.550 –&gt; 00:53:00.780 Joseph McElroy: We do a lot of fun.</p><p>00:53:02.010 –&gt; 00:53:02.400 Joseph McElroy: Right.</p><p>00:53:04.710 –&gt; 00:53:13.710 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness, social dance music is very fun all right I’m ready for it yeah okay cool moment to thank you so much for being on the show.</p><p>00:53:15.330 –&gt; 00:53:24.990 Joseph McElroy: Congratulations on your thyroxine it always works blah oh yeah yeah and I look forward to your event on the 30th and maybe again in November right?</p><p>00:53:25.380 –&gt; 00:53:28.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah we’ll be back at our school, yes, and this is the.</p><p>00:53:29.370 –&gt; 00:53:41.640 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smoke these podcasts you can watch live every Friday night every I mean every Tuesday night from six to seven@facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:53:42.150 –&gt; 00:53:52.590 Joseph McElroy: We are part of the talk radio dot nyc network, which is a network of live podcasts that range from self-help to travel to small business.</p><p>00:53:52.860 –&gt; 00:54:01.560 Joseph McElroy: To any number of things and I think it’s a worthwhile network to listen to its very grassroots very, very rich content.</p><p>00:54:02.130 –&gt; 00:54:09.510 Joseph McElroy: On the ground, information that the tool finds very interesting whether you’re traveling to the smokies or traveling to New York City.</p><p>00:54:09.930 –&gt; 00:54:22.110 Joseph McElroy: It has some information that I think is this is worthwhile I actually have another podcast on this network called wise content creates well, which is a marketing podcast and that’s on Fridays from.</p><p>00:54:23.070 –&gt; 00:54:30.060 Joseph McElroy: 12 until one thought that’ll probably be transitioning out because near future she’s kept some of the old episodes because.</p><p>00:54:30.360 –&gt; 00:54:43.980 Joseph McElroy: It has a lot of the Ai stuff going on now I’ve interviewed many of the Ai people out there and they can even learn a bit about what’s going to happen content machine intelligence about artificial intelligence, which I think is good for everybody.</p><p>00:54:45.390 –&gt; 00:54:58.710 Joseph McElroy: And it’s been a pleasure talking here today with you guys and I will see you next week with another great show from six to seven on Tuesday night with the gateway to the smokies podcast Thank you very much.</p><p><br></p> f8af71e8-a497-4625-9aba-0bf18bd07f74 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/c9ead049-6732-4482-bce2-dd57a7930299 Tue, 28 Jun 2022 22:00:00 +0000 2976 no full Episode 62: Songs on Cataloochee Valley by Richard Hurley Episode 62: Songs on Cataloochee Valley by Richard Hurley Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Hi, Folks! Tune in, as you&#39;ll learn from our guest today some of the great advice for musicians and musicians-to-be and we are glad to have him on the show today! </strong></p><p>We’re pleased to introduce our special guest today,<strong> Richard Hurley, </strong>a Canton, N.C. native, and UNC grad who is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a former radio DJ, and a renowned award-winning songwriter and musician. He is active in community work, serving on various boards and as an emcee for Folkmoot, Shindig on the Green, the Mountain Dance &amp; Folk Festival, and the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival, while also promoting area musical events along with his own musical projects –Cataloochee, and My Mountains, My Songs. He now resides in Asheville, N.C. </p><p>In this podcast episode, he will discuss the North Carolina mountain music scene, his involvement in the community, his first (and second) music project as well as upcoming events in the area. </p><p><a href="https://richardhurleymusic.com/" rel="nofollow">https://richardhurleymusic.com/</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/dT7qmAN7yB/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>

Facebook Live Video from 2022/06/21 - Songs on Cataloochee Valley by Richard Hurley

Guest: RICHARD HURLEY

In this episode, you'll learn from our guest today some of the great advice for musicians and musicians-to-be and we are glad to have him on the show today! 

We’re pleased to introduce our special guest today, Richard Hurley, a Canton, N.C. native, and UNC grad who is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a former radio DJ, and a renowned award-winning songwriter and musician. He is active in community work, serving on various boards and as an emcee for Folkmoot, Shindig on the Green, the Mountain Dance & Folk Festival, and the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival, while also promoting area musical events along with his own musical projects –Cataloochee, and My Mountains, My Songs. He now resides in Asheville, N.C. 

In this podcast episode, he will discuss the North Carolina mountain music scene, his involvement in the community, his first (and second) music project as well as upcoming events in the area. 

https://richardhurleymusic.com/

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1

August 1963 WBTL station was when it opened. He worked there during college promoting rock and country to other younger people. He got to do MC gigs in which he picked skills from people around him. Florida Boys and Old Kingsmen were some of the music they played. He admits to being naive when starting off playing, but now has a collection of guitars. He had the opportunity to work with JFK's personal naval aid. In the Navy, he got influenced by the chief of naval operations, and so he wrote a song on guitar and got it recorded. His song was inspired by Zumwalt (chief) and his z-grams, he got to meet up with him as Zumwalt thanked him in person and over letter for the song.

SEGMENT 2

In 1981 he made a record called The Ballet of Old Fort. He worked with the Crow Brothers, Raymond Fairchild, and Arnold Freeman. He used to casually play it for people and got encouragement to record it. Jimmy Haney and he worked as disc jocks. He was one of the speakers at Fairchild and stated “there’s only one Raymond Fairchild''. They both had a close friendship and also looked up to each other as artists. Eddie Swan worked for Regal Media, he recorded people like Ben Skill, David Wilcox, and Brian Sutton over the span of his 50-year career. He had a homemade washtub bass and he used to carry it to a tomato festival in Canton with his brother to play there.

SEGMENT 3

His first project is called “My Mountain, My Songs”. He started it with a throwback, Old Fort. He received an award from the North Carolina Society of Historians for the historical value of his album. One of his songs was about the Coal Mountain Bomber Crash. He also sang about the floods of ‘04.

SEGMENT 4

He’s been taking part in volunteer activities. Shindig on the Green starts this Saturday at the courthouse 7-10 pm. Mark Pruit took part in that event. Bearshare started in 1979, it was a great festival. His website has places to purchase his albums. Towards the end, a child breaks into the podcast recording to blow a raspberry at Hurley.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:41.040 –> 00:00:48.600 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, Welcome to the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast, this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.

00:00:48.960 –> 00:01:01.410 Joseph McElroy: The Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the surrounding towns. This area is filled with ancient natural beauty, a deep-storied history, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes. 

00:01:01.890 –> 00:01:12.990 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family has lived in the Great Smokies for over 200 years. My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:13.650 –> 00:01:24.330 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking about Songs and then Cataloochee Valley by Richard hurley but first, let’s talk about our sponsors.

00:01:25.590 –> 00:01:34.470 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a “Chic Appalachian” feel. A place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:35.130 –> 00:01:44.040 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream, grill the catch on fire, and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:44.850 –> 00:01:57.420 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds. There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, NC – your Smoky Mountain Adventures Start with Where You Stay.

00:01:58.770 –> 00:02:04.080 Joseph McElroy: and others sponsor smokiesadventure.com that smokies plural adventure singular.

00:02:04.740 –> 00:02:19.200 Joseph McElroy: The Smoky Mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons. Some of the nation’s best hiking trails, waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found right here.

00:02:19.890 –> 00:02:30.780 Joseph McElroy: Start your adventure by using SmokiesAdventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: trails, waterfalls, Cades Cove, and more.

00:02:31.200 –> 00:02:37.680 Joseph McElroy: Then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment you and your entire family can enjoy.

00:02:38.100 –> 00:02:51.930 Joseph McElroy: And if you look at it, have a life event somewhere like a wedding or a honeymoon and we got you covered there go to smokies adventure.com is one of the leading information portals for adventures and experiences and the Great Smoky Mountains.

00:02:53.370 –> 00:02:57.390 Joseph McElroy: So welcome you can see we’re sitting in the basement of the Meadowlark Motel

00:02:58.620 –> 00:03:05.730 Joseph McElroy: At the Speakeasy where we have underground speakeasy and we’re gonna have some upcoming events at the Meadowlark Motel will tell you about.

00:03:06.120 –> 00:03:19.920 Joseph McElroy: On July 9 we’re having a wildcrafting and mother nature’s natural garden program with the legendary Illa hatter it starts on Saturday, July 9th at 10 am with the program featuring.

00:03:21.210 –> 00:03:30.570 Joseph McElroy: legendary wildcrafting expert, renowned author, filmmaker, instructor, and tour guide for the GSM National Park’s elite GSM Field School educational programs, Illa Hatter.

00:03:31.260 –> 00:03:42.090 Joseph McElroy: she’s an is an expert on edible plants, medicinal herbs, and anything pertaining to wildcraft foraging and Appalachian plants, trees, and flowers.

00:03:42.420 –> 00:03:56.190 Joseph McElroy: She has been featured on a variety of national television shows, videos, and books, and has worked as an advisor for multiple movies and television shows. she is an iconic female a smoky soon-to-be featured in one of our name theme groups.

00:03:57.900 –> 00:04:13.350 Joseph McElroy: She will be presenting her beloved program Mother Nature’s Natural Garden and leading a short tour of the grounds identifying nature’s bounty that can be found in our own back yards.

00:04:14.520 –> 00:04:20.640 Joseph McElroy: And then there’ll be a free Barbecue supper and music by  Mike Ogletree and friends Saturday evening.

00:04:21.210 –> 00:04:26.760 Joseph McElroy: $20 per person per night guests and it’s free for motel disappeared as club members.

00:04:27.540 –> 00:04:46.140 Joseph McElroy: Now a big event coming For those of you who want to learn how to write songs is August 12 and 13th we’re having SONGWRITERS CAMP AND CONCERT WITH GRAMMY-WINNING ARTISTS JIM LAUDERDALE AND CHARLES HUMPHREYS III, ALONG WITH AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS DARREN NICHOLSON, CLAY MILLS, AND CHARLES CHAMBERLAIN.

00:04:48.690 –> 00:04:54.420 Joseph McElroy: You won’t get an opportunity like this very often in your life if you’re wanting to really balancing.

00:04:54.690 –> 00:05:01.140 Joseph McElroy: hanging out with grammy award-winning artists it’s a two-day event of interactive songwriting structures with world-class musicians.

00:05:01.440 –> 00:05:13.260 Joseph McElroy: a demo tape produced for each participant, a concert by the Songs From the Road Band on Friday Night, and a BBQ dinner and all-star concert on Saturday night.

00:05:14.010 –> 00:05:24.150 Joseph McElroy: This is a unique event, no other place there’s nothing, nothing else like it, and it will be a space will be limited to make sure that every participant gets into the.

00:05:25.680 –> 00:05:31.110 Joseph McElroy: Attention the price is 675 dollars per person including all activities and the DEMO tape.

00:05:31.440 –> 00:05:51.840 Joseph McElroy: The concerts and the dinner and everything else and their special room packages available for those that want to stay overnight at the meadowlark motel so call 8289261717 for details and the reserve your space and the reserve room again 8289261717 to get your place.

00:05:52.860 –> 00:05:58.260 Joseph McElroy: there are also limited tickets available, just for the concerts and you can get those as well.

00:05:59.850 –> 00:06:03.420 Joseph McElroy: Today, I have a great guest his name is Richard Hurley.

00:06:05.010 –> 00:06:08.400 Joseph McElroy: He’s a Canton, N.C. native, and UNC graduate I won’t hold against.

00:06:11.970 –> 00:06:21.270 Joseph McElroy: Is a vendor to the US day my friend, yeah he’s a former radio DJ and renowned award-winning songwriter and musician.

00:06:21.840 –> 00:06:34.710 Joseph McElroy: is active in Community work in service and serving on various boards and as an MC for food shindig on the green the mountain dance and folk festival, and the basket l’amour longsword festival.

00:06:35.130 –> 00:06:47.010 Joseph McElroy: while also promoting area music events, along with his own musical projects will talk which we’ll talk about Cataloochee and my mountains my song he resides in Asheville North Carolina my new home.

00:06:50.820 –> 00:07:01.740 Joseph McElroy: So let’s jump into something exciting, you are a DJ or w pto, and can we just spend about 17 years they tell us that actually a.

00:07:02.430 –> 00:07:09.420 Joseph McElroy: station opened in August of 1963 there’s already one station there that started in 1954.

00:07:09.810 –> 00:07:16.080 Joseph McElroy: And the guy who made fresh they won’t have a country station, because there was no kind of crustacean camp, so the open web GL.

00:07:16.500 –> 00:07:27.660 Joseph McElroy: August of 63 what I wanted to have a high school kid that could bring in the hospital audience, so I got the gig has to be asked this jockey and that’s back when Lou I for.

00:07:28.740 –> 00:07:39.630 Joseph McElroy: us back in the dark ages, but I work there you’re in college and before all the service in 1970 so was there off and on and had a great time and.

00:07:40.410 –> 00:07:48.480 Joseph McElroy: learn a lot and got to play a lot, a lot of old country music at that time, some Gospel music rock music listening music play with it at all, it.

00:07:49.140 –> 00:08:01.020 Joseph McElroy: was quite a fun time in my early career, yes, and how was it was help you in your career-defining experiences where your performance ability to do a performance there did yeah.

00:08:01.560 –> 00:08:11.400 Joseph McElroy: It led me into doing some MC gigs which I carried on time I’m an MC stuff so yeah it was helpful in that regard and.

00:08:12.810 –> 00:08:22.290 Joseph McElroy: You know, having to work there are a lot of people that came through that well you kind of pick up something from everybody you’re exposed to in the music business like that so yeah it was quite helpful, then.

00:08:22.560 –> 00:08:34.320 Joseph McElroy: Then, when I started doing shows later on the 80s and a lot of these old records I’d played back in the 60s were songs I learned back then, of course, I was influenced by a lot of those artists in the country and.

00:08:34.680 –> 00:08:43.950 Joseph McElroy: The Kingston Trio, and some of the folks to hit 1958 when the case, the tree okay mouth Tom ui that just changed the world because I love it.

00:08:44.820 –> 00:08:58.110 Joseph McElroy: It made this country teammate all the char key so so that is kind of what got me started running into that my folks got me Wendy when I was about 12 and I learned to play that and I bought a 10 hour day guitar for buddy mind.

00:08:58.650 –> 00:09:04.170 Joseph McElroy: And that’s kind of how I got to start making music and you got it you started, playing on the radio.

00:09:04.680 –> 00:09:12.660 Joseph McElroy: Some early on to write a little bit i’d written a song about the know smothers market there and cam oh I just had his father’s on.

00:09:13.590 –> 00:09:24.960 Joseph McElroy: The smothers the sun yeah is that resembles they have here on the show granddaddy yeah and so, and that was mathers have a at the grocery store back man.

00:09:25.470 –> 00:09:35.400 Joseph McElroy: And I wrote a song called Underwood it was like under what don’t you wish we could anyway, we my brother’s nice to play some of the only played at the Cannes first and made a festival.

00:09:36.900 –> 00:09:45.930 Joseph McElroy: The new old why gone now when I recorded that just to you know they track tape back then, which both your sprinkler so, can you play that song.

00:09:50.310 –> 00:10:00.420 Joseph McElroy: ready to record the, yeah Those are all good experiences, did you click Gospel to play Gospel on the air Yesterday we had a program called the Gospel care of and it’s like 11 to 12.

00:10:00.930 –> 00:10:08.850 Joseph McElroy: That I can just come in at nine, it was cold country star time in the guy named Jimmy hey Andy was a big influence on me early on, see behind there’s a local musician he’s.

00:10:09.210 –> 00:10:20.250 Joseph McElroy: been gone number of years, but he was a he’s an award-winning folk singer in fact team is the national focusing champion, I think it was 1950 or there abouts and a big influence on me, because he used to come to the grammar schools.

00:10:20.610 –> 00:10:30.780 Joseph McElroy: And play programs us wow i’m going to be that one of these days, so that was kind of started Jimmy used to sign on six gutter 999 to 11 of.

00:10:31.170 –> 00:10:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Country music and 11 to 12 Gospel man i’d come back to and go to two 330 with the country music and not go the easy listing is 330 to sign off.

00:10:41.790 –> 00:10:52.890 Joseph McElroy: But it has to the rock the rock show was like 330 to 630 or something likely no experience I asked about the Gospel and I am one of the one of the.

00:10:53.430 –> 00:11:11.550 Joseph McElroy: You know i’ve traveled a bit and one of the most popular brunches I ever saw was actually in Barbados yeah they had a Gospel brunch right they have run some even have a good old Gospel music right yeah people love that I would say that would probably go well, here too, yeah.

00:11:13.770 –> 00:11:27.120 Joseph McElroy: Gospel me to certainly been popular in the south, for years and years yeah no he’s play a lot of the old groups that you know the old Florida boys and the old kings cream local group and people like that.

00:11:28.080 –> 00:11:39.120 Joseph McElroy: Number number of those great and there were some local people are bigger than the Gospel music did quite well Francis play lock and dam was a locally that’s a big hit here and Haywood county back in the 60s there.

00:11:40.860 –> 00:11:43.500 Joseph McElroy: But what was the what how did you learn to play.

00:11:44.730 –> 00:11:51.090 Joseph McElroy: I got a Mel Bay 50-cent book shows the three chords C D E, F, and G.

00:11:51.720 –> 00:12:05.880 Joseph McElroy: And the other progressions and I just kind of picked it up, but I was so naive, but that i’m embarrassed to say this, but i’m going to tell you to know, I was so naive I didn’t have another you know but it’s a play on territory, I didn’t realize you had to change strings.

00:12:07.740 –> 00:12:19.950 Joseph McElroy: Okay, once you know it doesn’t matter you get a string I didn’t even know that I learned later on, but that’s how long did you almost entirely learn to do today, did you have some mentors are learning almost.

00:12:22.110 –> 00:12:36.630 Joseph McElroy: All the gifts little G one gifts in the problem of 50s model for about I think I paid $25 for a buddy of mine and I eventually I got an Aston Martin guitar years later, that you know goes collects the guitars.

00:12:38.400 –> 00:12:54.210 Joseph McElroy: that’s pretty cool so you went off to your high school, then you went off to unc first are going to go the baby first went to usc usc usc yeah I started at usc I tell people is back when the tar heels we’re still playing woman gym.

00:12:56.250 –> 00:13:04.020 Joseph McElroy: Dean Dome that was before carmichael born with a we’re playing a little again music Cunningham, was a senior housing right right so.

00:13:04.800 –> 00:13:11.580 Joseph McElroy: that’s how I got started when I would come home from school breaks, I would go back to the station and do vacation relief stuff like that and.

00:13:12.060 –> 00:13:17.940 Joseph McElroy: I worked at Campo networks, the mail can’t mill one summer season seven which is great experience paper.

00:13:18.900 –> 00:13:29.040 Joseph McElroy: Paper data that helped me with my career later I got an extreme rarity coming so then after you and see you another baby yeah it was it was during the.com era where I.

00:13:29.400 –> 00:13:36.330 Joseph McElroy: went out and did had one job interview, and they said come see us when you’re through the starters, nobody would argue you got the service.

00:13:37.350 –> 00:13:45.900 Joseph McElroy: So I ended up going to the program that required drilling for a year and then I went in on D for two years and then another three year obligation but.

00:13:46.410 –> 00:13:52.620 Joseph McElroy: I was fortunate, I was on the USS wash, which is an aircraft carrier and we were in the North Atlantic up there.

00:13:53.370 –> 00:14:06.390 Joseph McElroy: Doing maneuvers and but i’ve had the privilege to work with JFK personal naval eight so that was quite an experience I learned a lot from those guys and that all all those experiences help you later in life, you know I got it.

00:14:07.500 –> 00:14:20.790 Joseph McElroy: cool and that was that was also the start of some my songwriting is in the navy the navy because i’ve got a memo zoom Lol Chief of naval operations back and he was loosening up the navy, let the skies where.

00:14:22.380 –> 00:14:28.770 Joseph McElroy: He would come out these see grams, you know for some walls, the grams, and so I wrote a song called the balance is a graph.

00:14:30.090 –> 00:14:47.970 Joseph McElroy: The Admiral heard about it, he called me to stay room and i’ve already guitar on our platform he wanted to send it to zoom wall record a little fork and say yeah little real real three inch screen record it you send it to zoom wall and month or so later I get this letter for.

00:14:50.580 –> 00:14:56.760 Joseph McElroy: letter their little list of the guy says, you know, dear petty officer hurley Thank you so much for your song about.

00:14:58.620 –> 00:15:05.910 Joseph McElroy: And he and I connect about seven years later, when he was out, and I was it came to Asheville to bait nuclear-armed with some retired general.

00:15:06.360 –> 00:15:13.560 Joseph McElroy: And I walked up to him after the speech I said, George space, I do not remember the side of the road song about you and he said yeah I said on that side.

00:15:15.570 –> 00:15:25.500 Joseph McElroy: Of the thought, he just met john, okay well cool well, we have to take a break now Sir so then we’ll come back we’ll talk more about your career in business and then in music, thank you.

00:17:40.830 –> 00:17:47.430 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcasts and my guest Richard Hurley.

00:17:47.880 –> 00:17:57.960 Joseph McElroy: So Richard after the navy, you had a long career as an HR manager for square D how’s that good company well I just got real lucky because I come home.

00:17:58.770 –> 00:18:08.460 Joseph McElroy: About three months before i’m supposed to get out of service and put an application and I had a cousin worked over there, and he put in a good word for me, I went into.

00:18:08.940 –> 00:18:16.560 Joseph McElroy: That time I called personnel supervisory like backwards personnel manager personnel his word I started out the second seat and moved up.

00:18:17.010 –> 00:18:28.140 Joseph McElroy: For years later I guess the first seat and and but my own volition, I wanted to stay in Nashville yeah so I thought Tom to I might have to move, but it worked out and it’s great company they trade as well.

00:18:28.590 –> 00:18:37.920 Joseph McElroy: And it was very giving kind of very caring complete and coming to the law united way and give a lot give a lot of bucks to the Community and various organizations out there.

00:18:38.820 –> 00:18:57.540 Joseph McElroy: So I had a wonderful career cool did you get to play music, while you’re while you’re in that career not not in that role ticket I was out playing places i’ve crossed I did a record not team at one a coma valuable for mountain yeah remember that record a really.

00:18:59.130 –> 00:19:08.730 Joseph McElroy: good idea as a 45 and dude legendary greatest of all banjo player Raymond Fairchild light on and Raymond I go back way back.

00:19:09.540 –> 00:19:17.670 Joseph McElroy: The guy got Mr freeman has gone also and then the programmers who are popular good a tour with Raymond he’s played with picking the brain.

00:19:18.120 –> 00:19:29.040 Joseph McElroy: So i’ve written the song battle for mountain i’ve seen at parties and people see all the record that so as last time and then one day I said i’m not gonna turn around 10 years from now, and say what If so, I.

00:19:29.730 –> 00:19:46.980 Joseph McElroy: called her brain is that would you got me and he said sure be led to some are also we got together having to be August 12 at one i’ve been coached now when you go to that studio do you’re rehearsing before you go in there because that’s money yeah right.

00:19:49.980 –> 00:19:54.900 Joseph McElroy: Back stuff order ish will be asked our our weekly break door.

00:19:55.650 –> 00:20:03.480 Joseph McElroy: And i’m sweating bullets and walk in that studio is following our with now on the studio and they said, like three Max back in those days now.

00:20:03.870 –> 00:20:14.520 Joseph McElroy: According whole different ballgame instead of like three months and I kicked off on the guitar right and they jumped in this music, it was just fabulous and they just made that song so.

00:20:15.540 –> 00:20:27.270 Joseph McElroy: It was 45 rpm so we took pto course never wc and w devotees but they all start playing on a call, so I saw him through angles markets, not so.

00:20:27.870 –> 00:20:35.370 Joseph McElroy: pressed a couple of thousand problems, so I get a few hundred bucks but it kind of summer here when I was a kid yeah I also you know was looking.

00:20:35.820 –> 00:20:39.240 Joseph McElroy: yeah well I don’t know a while back, I was looking at what rate and fairchild.

00:20:40.050 –> 00:20:48.030 Joseph McElroy: That record came out with him being on air yeah Yes, he was something else, but he he helped me out with that and it’s all my first albums.

00:20:48.510 –> 00:20:59.220 Joseph McElroy: Are all the songs on my to our songs i’ve written and the first album my mountains my songs I put that on air as a bonus track all the other tracks are things that we recorded so.

00:20:59.790 –> 00:21:09.270 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah Bob Plott, you know, is the GM of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center and he also helps put together.

00:21:09.570 –> 00:21:17.610 Joseph McElroy: Some of the information of your questions and he mentioned that you mentioned one of them already rent Fairchild and when the other big musical influence was.

00:21:17.940 –> 00:21:28.020 Joseph McElroy: Jimmy haney yeah I mentioned Jimmy a little bit earlier that we’d work together is discharged and he was like say when I was very school didn’t come around to schools and play.

00:21:28.500 –> 00:21:36.510 Joseph McElroy: ramin here’s the store matt Ryan, that when Raymond was very before he became Raymond Fairchild famous like he was.

00:21:37.200 –> 00:21:43.080 Joseph McElroy: He was working around these parts and he had done a wreck he’d done his first record old similar record was and.

00:21:43.920 –> 00:21:56.910 Joseph McElroy: my brother came home with that record now listen to that man, this is just difference it’s just it was like a snake charmer he just he had he had a way of playing songs that just drew me in.

00:21:57.360 –> 00:22:08.040 Joseph McElroy: So I got some maintenance management time to evaluate he’d give me copies of his records without playing them on my program and then occasionally he another guy we have breakfast down.

00:22:08.310 –> 00:22:17.460 Joseph McElroy: Little restaurants can either bottomless pit of on the show and play for 20 minutes or so, so that was how my friendship with Raymond started way back when.

00:22:18.240 –> 00:22:30.120 Joseph McElroy: But, but he was he was really something else, and then, when he went to the brand debut the grand Ole opry and 78 he invited me to go live in essence up with down lana pick your brother.

00:22:31.020 –> 00:22:39.030 Joseph McElroy: Already about for went over to the national we got to go backstage and all that one written bill Monroe balls hot dogs that would.

00:22:40.980 –> 00:22:46.290 Joseph McElroy: Go out there Raymond walked out there and start playing and they had never heard it.

00:22:47.700 –> 00:22:51.330 Joseph McElroy: encores of standing ovations yeah Raymond Fairchild

00:22:53.160 –> 00:22:56.190 Joseph McElroy: Or, he was His grace banjo I think grace man.

00:22:58.350 –> 00:23:05.160 Joseph McElroy: You could do it yeah and then, when he played here in the valley you remember the matter with me about the Opera House yeah like there.

00:23:05.520 –> 00:23:16.650 Joseph McElroy: For years and was there, so yeah yeah but every time I would go in case, yet they see in his wife sure we had that business for number of years for writing and passed in October Tina thing was.

00:23:17.070 –> 00:23:26.550 Joseph McElroy: Every time I go in the shadows he’d see me in the audience and so on his old friend is richer heard he used to play my record, so they played he played my record so much that they fired.

00:23:28.530 –> 00:23:40.800 Joseph McElroy: Their more banjo players just ran and fell out there yeah true, of course, I had to build a service that is a That was a good story, and you can you got you did is you, with the right.

00:23:41.790 –> 00:23:54.240 Joseph McElroy: Top right, I did I was asked to speak and I much some other people, but I was extremely flattered to be part of the one of the speakers that spoke there yeah it’s up the stomping ground appear Maggie badly.

00:23:55.440 –> 00:24:02.850 Joseph McElroy: And part of my comments, where I said, you know there’s only one Elvis there’s only one hank liam’s there was only one Raymond fair to.

00:24:04.140 –> 00:24:12.960 Joseph McElroy: One of my many comments talking about on a great person he was a good family man, he was a loving father and husband and just a great guy.

00:24:13.560 –> 00:24:26.400 Joseph McElroy: But he had a gift he had to give a few few they have yet so the way he played that manager, I heard that he’s a you know i’ve been from a value of them, and I have seen him a couple times and I think my dad.

00:24:27.720 –> 00:24:28.770 Joseph McElroy: Daniel and i’m sure.

00:24:30.660 –> 00:24:36.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah but you know my understanding was he was a great friend, but he was also a little cantankerous.

00:24:40.170 –> 00:24:47.520 Joseph McElroy: He raised his music good yes very busy i’ll tell you one thing is the Raymond was noted for.

00:24:51.150 –> 00:24:52.800 Joseph McElroy: Aware of was.

00:24:53.970 –> 00:25:03.510 Joseph McElroy: You know, some towns that have been leaner audiences than others and goes, you know, whatever reason, traffic or whatever, if there was one person that audience about ticket Raymond well and say that.

00:25:03.870 –> 00:25:11.730 Joseph McElroy: will be 500 or whatever we’re going to play them a good show he whether he play a whole show for one person, but the only matters i’m sorry cancer, he.

00:25:12.210 –> 00:25:18.480 Joseph McElroy: said that person management and 500 miles to your show we’re going to plan the show that’s right he’s very caring shorter guy.

00:25:19.350 –> 00:25:35.280 Joseph McElroy: Very caring yeah he was the one guy, yeah well yeah we know we’re talking about your records that’s real Famous people on those records, but there are other Famous people to work with I’ve got some pretty heavy hitters all my albums.

00:25:36.780 –> 00:25:56.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah but they they’re people that I work with a guy named at swan yeah and regal music regal media it’s a medical media.net website, but but he’s he’s been in business about 50 years he’s reporting people like Ben scale and he’s reported recorded David Wilcox.

00:25:57.300 –> 00:26:09.330 Joseph McElroy: Brian sudden the great brown certain he’s recording squire parsons that great deal and land song right dollars per summit be recorded that and he’s worked with a lot of the great spirit.

00:26:10.590 –> 00:26:14.370 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, yeah I got to work in an ad and Prince mountains together.

00:26:15.600 –> 00:26:17.760 Joseph McElroy: Well, you got some some great ones.

00:26:18.930 –> 00:26:27.030 Joseph McElroy: But before we get there, you know what I wanted to do understand you know your your songwriting right and you did some great songs i’ve read that.

00:26:27.570 –> 00:26:37.110 Joseph McElroy: I was looking at, we listened to one and i’ve seen some of the others and and you’re playing a guitar but you play anything else I don’t really i’m not play I took a few.

00:26:37.530 –> 00:26:46.110 Joseph McElroy: banjo lessons from mark pruitt the grading where he’s on one of my hours to market and Martin our friends from way back, but I never could quite get into the banjo so I just like.

00:26:47.430 –> 00:26:52.470 Joseph McElroy: I heard you got the the walk handmade watch the bass bass yeah so.

00:26:53.610 –> 00:27:04.200 Joseph McElroy: what’s that everybody should probably seen, or at least nothing prompts and you’ll watch the bass bass so most folks have are not familiar he’s turning on tobacco really be go watch.

00:27:04.860 –> 00:27:14.250 Joseph McElroy: The one i’m not is over 70 years old, oh yeah sequence and during the home that middle of it and you take an old broomstick and just run a quarter size core.

00:27:14.730 –> 00:27:21.450 Joseph McElroy: And you put it on and you hold the stick down the edge of your pocket, and that gives you a base, and it goes because of the tub and I was.

00:27:22.440 –> 00:27:38.820 Joseph McElroy: awkward so you could have a vibrant right, so my brother’s not playing at this tomato festival years going can’t so I carried on part of my act and I tell people I said don’t worry I get beaten up your audience the basement and then key is Spanish Oh, because.

00:27:40.230 –> 00:27:54.990 Joseph McElroy: that’s what that’s that’s a real fun part of my program and I always preface it by saying that don’t worry this tub is is over 70 years old and literally the stick and string have been on there since 1969 oh my gosh it’s been British.

00:27:57.240 –> 00:27:59.730 Joseph McElroy: Is the shirt but don’t worry it’ll be okay.

00:28:01.140 –> 00:28:02.430 Joseph McElroy: Yes, that’s the fun part.

00:28:03.510 –> 00:28:12.360 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I don’t know if you ever walked out white wines mainstream you know they have all sorts of sculptures on there yeah what i’m one of the sculptures as a duo.

00:28:12.750 –> 00:28:22.680 Joseph McElroy: musicians are there 10 foot tall oh yeah I want them to watch oh yeah you see there, so people you definitely should make a pilgrimage there.

00:28:24.180 –> 00:28:31.740 Joseph McElroy: is surprising people don’t realize how long a sound that that will make and that’s why people develop a years ago they didn’t have money to go out and buy things that.

00:28:32.370 –> 00:28:50.400 Joseph McElroy: improvised just like my good friend, David holds things on my album you know, David term Doc Watson about 14 years and David plays he plays a number of different instruments on his show when we’re doing live shows he played paper bag and plays spoons like bones slugger.

00:28:51.900 –> 00:28:56.220 Joseph McElroy: ization improvisation music over the years of development me.

00:28:57.780 –> 00:29:02.190 Joseph McElroy: Well, we have to take another break now, when we come back we’ll talk about some of your out straight.

00:31:08.700 –> 00:31:18.690 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guest Richard Hurley, so Richard you’ve got two albums out right?

00:31:19.440 –> 00:31:29.760 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell me about your first project was what my mountains by sounds so project called my mountains my songs and I can hold it up to the camera and those people watch it there.

00:31:32.640 –> 00:31:46.470 Joseph McElroy: We started out with the old for the song which I mentioned I’ve written back in the quarterback in 81 I thought well Okay, this is 2013 just a few years later I bought a new cut a record over 30 years or so yeah all right yeah like it’s in.

00:31:47.520 –> 00:31:50.430 Joseph McElroy: Your cadence or is this musical okay yeah.

00:31:53.190 –> 00:32:04.590 Joseph McElroy: I have written a bunch of songs over the years and just take them back in the files and whatnot so I’m sad pull them out and see what we can do with them, so I called a that holds a date I’m thinking about doing an album 20.

00:32:05.760 –> 00:32:12.990 Joseph McElroy: Some recommendations well, you need to call josh to go forth josh go forth his genius musician the literature Madison county.

00:32:13.620 –> 00:32:19.140 Joseph McElroy: He played all mile they played the lead guitar the rhythm guitar banjo the base the mandolin and fiddle.

00:32:19.680 –> 00:32:29.940 Joseph McElroy: Allah and woven together oh wow so so that’s how this thing started and we put these 15 songs on here with the old for a song being a bonus track, one of the.

00:32:30.300 –> 00:32:41.580 Joseph McElroy: One of the ones you look at the reward thing here that North Carolina society of historians actually gave me a reward the reward for the historical significance of the project.

00:32:42.330 –> 00:32:51.450 Joseph McElroy: And there’s a song on here about the cold mountain bottom and crash oh yeah a lot of people saw the coal mountain movie, in the end, it was written by Charles Fraser.

00:32:51.840 –> 00:32:57.300 Joseph McElroy: Franklin who has connections back to my hometown Cantonese model from their reason anyway.

00:32:58.260 –> 00:33:08.640 Joseph McElroy: So the thing, most people don’t realize, is that all Friday the 13th September 46 a beat 25 bomber was coming from Detroit to Tampa.

00:33:09.180 –> 00:33:25.800 Joseph McElroy: And crashed into the topical mountain Mr bell about 150 feet, they call the Tower at that time in Bristol Tennessee, and so they wanted to go visual So be careful because of kind of nasty and rainy down there the next thing you know lamb youngest general near a core to sergeants to kernels.

00:33:27.060 –> 00:33:29.250 Joseph McElroy: Imagine what that was like Crusoe big.

00:33:30.360 –> 00:33:41.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah so a lady named George ron’s cannon is deceased now she wrote a book about it and back about I guess was in 2012 I saw this book in the movies books here and label.

00:33:41.820 –> 00:33:51.270 Joseph McElroy: And I got to look at so Now I know some of these and I read the book and I remembered hearing about it because, as a kid my late brother point over there and mountain across from where I grew up so that’s that.

00:33:51.840 –> 00:34:03.990 Joseph McElroy: that’s plane crash okay fine my scoutmaster you talk, Okay, but it never text on the hack up there, so I went up the mountain couldn’t find confining it crashed evidence is all in picked oh.

00:34:05.130 –> 00:34:10.890 Joseph McElroy: Really, I wrote the song, so I got doors to a guy named.

00:34:14.460 –> 00:34:22.080 Joseph McElroy: Having everything or guy helped me out down the road Moody help me out with this make sure my atma factor accurate.

00:34:22.740 –> 00:34:34.290 Joseph McElroy: So, then, we recorded that song and Doris simplest thing to the north county historical society and they basically this whole thing because I got some other historic going on about the slides ago for over a year and i’ve got some other.

00:34:34.770 –> 00:34:44.460 Joseph McElroy: songs similar and they gave you the historical and okay yeah I want to know why people get that but it’s still a nice it’s nice to get it yes.

00:34:45.930 –> 00:34:49.980 Joseph McElroy: it’s not a participation prize it actually does work.

00:34:51.540 –> 00:34:53.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah exactly exactly.

00:34:54.660 –> 00:34:58.830 Joseph McElroy: So you have you gotta go you gotta know saw you got a real a.

00:34:59.340 –> 00:35:07.080 Joseph McElroy: Real it’s real work, so you got a good thing, so this one, this one came out 13 and josh these musics is famous for singing swan the engineer, I mean he knows what he’s doing.

00:35:07.950 –> 00:35:21.060 Joseph McElroy: His fifth year so fast forward to 2021 I came out of this album fleet song Cataloochee, which is you know you know music to my heart to them now you alleys.

00:35:21.510 –> 00:35:25.650 Joseph McElroy: Post account Lucy Lucy bow they’ve got the elk and everything else so.

00:35:26.160 –> 00:35:26.760 Joseph McElroy: So tell us.

00:35:27.000 –> 00:35:35.130 Joseph McElroy: Tell us the story of this one, the backstory is that there’s a guy named Steve what he’s a friend of mine, and he is a descendant of the old woody family, the life back in capital h.

00:35:35.190 –> 00:35:43.800 Joseph McElroy: er and Steve one time there nationally known each other for years, he said, I said I understand you’re having your big reunion coming up having here like first second weekend in August.

00:35:44.100 –> 00:35:49.920 Joseph McElroy: Is yeah why don’t you come about gifts, so now let’s do that because I never been reading i’ve been Cataloochee

00:35:50.310 –> 00:36:02.130 Joseph McElroy: So I went to the reunion and he got monitors church service there and during the shirts or is he going to do some politicians, then introduced me and said somebody might know Richard you know to pay with boy write songs just.

00:36:02.760 –> 00:36:05.370 Joseph McElroy: said, I think he already song that Kevin did you, what do you all.

00:36:08.460 –> 00:36:09.360 Joseph McElroy: feel blackmailing.

00:36:11.250 –> 00:36:12.090 Joseph McElroy: wrote a song about.

00:36:13.890 –> 00:36:25.710 Joseph McElroy: This research on it and the song and then he asked me to come play it, so I went back and played what that was 19 in August of 19 I played it live at church service oh that’s Nice.

00:36:26.310 –> 00:36:35.370 Joseph McElroy: I don’t mean this to sound right people got emotional I got it I got emotional I don’t know which one i’m Scott materials.

00:36:36.900 –> 00:36:46.710 Joseph McElroy: emotional standing there and then I said i’m going to have to record it so we record it and got us some different players on this, some of the phone you got some great people on this.

00:36:47.280 –> 00:36:53.670 Joseph McElroy: I mean, these are credible yeah TIM CERT and Darren Nicholson, both with balsam range or on their tone increases.

00:36:54.150 –> 00:37:01.620 Joseph McElroy: percussionist that works these kind of movement else’s grammar need work to Glen Campbell waylon are not waiting merle haggard and.

00:37:02.010 –> 00:37:12.060 Joseph McElroy: James Taylor some of those guys and then, of course, David holds on Bobby hicks won a grammy with ricky skaggs the same time that mark did and RON said another little boy.

00:37:12.600 –> 00:37:19.470 Joseph McElroy: So he’s a 10 time grammy award actually bring to get him to help us out thanks to my buddy so we got some.

00:37:20.010 –> 00:37:31.260 Joseph McElroy: Pretty heavy hitters not a dedicated this album to my old friend Ray M and fairchild there you go but he’s got the cattle he song and it’s got a number of other so there’s one song on there you got the legend of losing weight.

00:37:32.400 –> 00:37:39.600 Joseph McElroy: This week, there is Buddhism, can you give us a short version of what that is not sure what is a boogeyman.

00:37:40.110 –> 00:37:44.100 Joseph McElroy: is actually a story that goes back in the legend goes back in the 1800s.

00:37:44.370 –> 00:37:54.150 Joseph McElroy: And up like Logan which used to be on a champion paper back in the old days you had a little boogeyman cave in there is big picture of the boogeyman which is now in the in the downtown teflon.

00:37:54.630 –> 00:38:05.010 Joseph McElroy: Remember yeah so patch mathers was the Mayor of can now he was he’s been Mayor of can he called me up so we’re going to the festival about food too much come in and see if I said to.

00:38:05.430 –> 00:38:17.400 Joseph McElroy: And I said we’ll go around song about it, so we wrote record a song called the legend of the blue, and it’s all about the history of the book eight foot shaggy and eight foot tall and Shay you catch you move from.

00:38:18.570 –> 00:38:21.480 Joseph McElroy: That it was it was that a big thing in canton.

00:38:22.710 –> 00:38:36.570 Joseph McElroy: Where there was a bigger because he doesn’t really remember, since he was in 1616 2016 so the legend came up with us from played the song, I wrote the song for that festival it only had that one year didn’t.

00:38:37.650 –> 00:38:46.920 Joseph McElroy: see that didn’t happen after that, but you know the songs the songs on there and there’s a guy named Dave Johnson place about 20 different instruments it’s quite.

00:38:47.400 –> 00:39:02.220 Joseph McElroy: Another local board down so that old for somewhere plays a mean plays everything he did all the music God and it came out pretty well and there’s The thing is that when when i’ve given this to folks to original head is a single the kids get into this any kid.

00:39:04.590 –> 00:39:11.850 Joseph McElroy: I guess it’s the sound of the name boom oh yeah with it, but the story was a he had a penchant for two things he liked to go.

00:39:12.390 –> 00:39:20.400 Joseph McElroy: He would hide out in the Bush is he was he was he was haven’t counted version of victory right yeah see it out our leads there and he’d see the girls and their.

00:39:21.240 –> 00:39:30.720 Joseph McElroy: Different pools, and then he said, the thing was he likes to go out and found all these precious stones and he had a cave and he’d go take them to that came storming or liquid jugs to fill them up many chat.

00:39:31.620 –> 00:39:41.880 Joseph McElroy: Those two things so one day is how man is this young girls she’s in the cooler swim and she sees the Buddha in their eyes walk and they fall in love.

00:39:42.690 –> 00:39:49.470 Joseph McElroy: They get married and they go back to the mountains, but he still had to go out look for all these precious stones so she would get it out.

00:39:51.870 –> 00:40:01.650 Joseph McElroy: Get lonely and share the harder for him and he had a holler back to the power till they came together and her name is Andy okay therefore came the word good man.

00:40:04.440 –> 00:40:07.860 Joseph McElroy: that’s Barclays really knows he’s a hooter.

00:40:10.050 –> 00:40:19.470 Joseph McElroy: So that’s all in the song the legend wow that’s that’s a little tears a boogeyman yeah drinking booze and talking about losing this guy this.

00:40:20.850 –> 00:40:23.160 Joseph McElroy: is given given oh i’m going to yeah.

00:40:24.240 –> 00:40:29.370 Joseph McElroy: What is some of the other favorite songs is the one I think I think about the question.

00:40:30.030 –> 00:40:45.780 Joseph McElroy: I think about some of the historic stuff is vascular marlins for Dino that name and he was he was the the minstrel the appalachians he was born on the campus plus now Marshall university and he started our mountain dance folk festival in 1928 and actual.

00:40:47.010 –> 00:40:55.800 Joseph McElroy: Madison county ashbury it’s the longest running folk festival in America well in America have you been on the board of that too right well i’m on the advisory.

00:40:56.310 –> 00:41:06.510 Joseph McElroy: Playing there, and you see there yeah i’m involved with it for years and years but pete seeger came down to learn about the banjo from Boston the marlins for.

00:41:07.020 –> 00:41:20.220 Joseph McElroy: pete seeger many of fans who know the music fans know he had that long neck banjo story was he got that from Boston oh so i’ve got a tribute to baskin here on on my album that I want other songs.

00:41:21.480 –> 00:41:27.300 Joseph McElroy: i’ve got one on this placement about is called god’s special children and it’s about special needs kids oh.

00:41:28.530 –> 00:41:34.950 Joseph McElroy: I was doing some volunteer work already worth and Center over ashfall which should help special needs kids and.

00:41:35.250 –> 00:41:40.950 Joseph McElroy: A lady i’ve worked with came in and she said, well, you did so i’m going to volunteer what are you doing here she’s talking pick up my son.

00:41:41.460 –> 00:41:52.020 Joseph McElroy: And this was years actually both retired and our flashback and remember she has a son named our special needs kid adding them in the next mourners Christmas Eve.

00:41:52.530 –> 00:42:02.040 Joseph McElroy: And I woke up and I wrote the song called god’s special children, and I remember as a kid my mom used to say, and she lived to be rather than one she used to say.

00:42:02.850 –> 00:42:10.350 Joseph McElroy: If you’d see you know, a special needs child she’s it will sound Those are just god’s special tool well that just made everything everything.

00:42:11.340 –> 00:42:20.010 Joseph McElroy: That so we did God special to integrate at our producer was able to pull in a later that same with me on that harmonizing you read it came out pretty well.

00:42:20.820 –> 00:42:37.440 Joseph McElroy: Actually we’ve got goodness the number of the things I don’t call the leaning sound about what about columns guitars i’ve got one about monocle house burnett he was he was a great storyteller and fox theater okay now tell me Bob and his plot.

00:42:38.730 –> 00:42:52.680 Joseph McElroy: State dogs, we all know that fox fox fox fox hunting, the thing, but my grandfather was a lousy he loved the Walker have the upper hand the latter house and I guarantee that we’ve known each other yeah.

00:42:53.730 –> 00:43:04.590 Joseph McElroy: Big talks louder so I had written a song about him back in the 70s and I pulled out my files and revising David told plays washboard on it, and this David Johnson did some music.

00:43:05.100 –> 00:43:12.870 Joseph McElroy: I said, you know we need some dog barks on this supposed to do is lackey do that and they weren’t you and he put dog barks we’re.

00:43:14.100 –> 00:43:19.890 Joseph McElroy: Going on the mountain gotta go gotta go home because he’s house burns, and he grew.

00:43:22.050 –> 00:43:23.430 Joseph McElroy: up so we let the dogs.

00:43:26.040 –> 00:43:36.690 Joseph McElroy: favorite their local flow but we’re gonna have to take another break here and come back we’ll finish up with some of the other things to do and how you can help people get the CDS right all right.

00:45:37.980 –> 00:45:45.240 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Richard Hurley, So, Richard.

00:45:45.810 –> 00:45:52.560 Joseph McElroy: You were born and raised in Canton but now you live in Asheville your most of your life so yeah why just stick in Asheville for?

00:45:52.950 –> 00:46:03.210 Joseph McElroy: Well, I just love the mountains, like your intro when you’re talking about your hotel and the great smoky mountains and the fishing stream all those things you talked about it’s made me realize how fortunate I am to

00:46:04.260 –> 00:46:05.460 Joseph McElroy: stay here in Asheville.

00:46:06.540 –> 00:46:13.500 Joseph McElroy: Western North Carolina you know a lot of volunteer activities I’m involved with taking all across Western North Carolina but.

00:46:13.890 –> 00:46:24.060 Joseph McElroy: I thought there was a time to do my career, I was gonna have to leave and move to another location or leasing company and do something else, and I was blessed lucky that I didn’t have them leave.

00:46:24.450 –> 00:46:31.920 Joseph McElroy: How do you like, how Asheville grown, oh I see it really changed and scrolled a lot, and this is an interesting place that’s.

00:46:32.460 –> 00:46:37.770 Joseph McElroy: what’s that sort of a music city right? yeah, there’s a lot of you know, the best years on every corner seemed like that.

00:46:38.520 –> 00:46:47.850 Joseph McElroy: You know, we have a couple of events of advanced downtown like the shindig on the green which I also wrote a song about on the first album we have shindig on the green in front of the courthouse there on Saturday nights.

00:46:47.970 –> 00:46:59.880 Joseph McElroy: These seven Saturday nights during the summer in fact we’ll start this coming Saturday seven to 10 freebies right people bring a lawn chair or blanket and spread out there and they sit three hours, and we have all these musicians to come in.

00:47:00.330 –> 00:47:09.750 Joseph McElroy: I’m going from deep in the hollers and some bones wherever square dance teams and all that and a lot of the greats like mark for it and Brian session, you know the hottest guitar player.

00:47:10.200 –> 00:47:19.770 Joseph McElroy: In Ashville, I things the number one call guy over there and studios he cut his teeth or they’ve known split tons of big names play at home, Shindig on the green stage.

00:47:20.700 –> 00:47:27.720 Joseph McElroy: But I know you’ve been involved with a lot of those different revenue festivals you’re involved with bells here right.

00:47:28.740 –> 00:47:40.830 Joseph McElroy: I wrote a song about that I know I saw that I was wondering what happened, the bell share it just finally ran its course really started in 1979, yeah and I don’t remember what year it.

00:47:41.700 –> 00:47:50.550 Joseph McElroy: folded video is a great festival, I mean how many times, do you walk down the street of Main Street drinking beer and eating a hot dog or whatever, and all this great entertainment oh my gosh.

00:47:51.150 –> 00:47:58.080 Joseph McElroy: Is it that Doc and nice to have Skaggs and a lot of the big nice fact I mentioned a number of them in my song really yeah.

00:47:59.010 –> 00:48:12.000 Joseph McElroy: So give people the flavor of what that was it was a special sort of vessel that folks got to get it back and 79 to have a street party with a sound about a phone on the phone or something different than normal kind of fair that got together got shows together and started a bill share.

00:48:13.710 –> 00:48:21.240 Joseph McElroy: me just a beautiful life yeah the kids you grant end wife, which feed on the street, when the sun goes down music in the air and actually.

00:48:21.960 –> 00:48:31.080 Joseph McElroy: There you go, of course, well you’ve been involved with a number of what other what other your favorite festivals well, those are pretty much it on ice.

00:48:31.770 –> 00:48:37.380 Joseph McElroy: least try to go see Doc every time you come around I never played I played on the same show waiting one day out the.

00:48:37.770 –> 00:48:45.180 Joseph McElroy: monster festival that marciel that’s another big festival the basketball marlins, for it was the only festival, is he would let us his name.

00:48:46.140 –> 00:48:59.220 Joseph McElroy: And it started, I think, somewhere, back in the 60s and 70s, but it was a Mars hill moving on bringing a lot of evil talent back in Madison county and other Mecca for musicians so that’s a great fast.

00:49:00.480 –> 00:49:14.160 Joseph McElroy: But I never I never got to play on the stage leap, but I did REP with chat room some backstage few few times on some of these programs but but tell us about the mountain DAS it falls fast again it’s the granddaddy of all focused.

00:49:15.300 –> 00:49:24.600 Joseph McElroy: that’s the one yeah other venues what Ben is like the cholesterol killer well you know I like to go to some of the things that happened at the.

00:49:25.080 –> 00:49:31.920 Joseph McElroy: Civic Center and some of the problems that happen there, and like you know, let us go back to see balsam range I’ve introduced those guys sometimes.

00:49:32.370 –> 00:49:47.850 Joseph McElroy: Of course, my friend at work for those guys to the studio and he worked with the Steve can you arrange boy is not allowed, but anything in these venues that like your met your Maggie valley festival grounds here on some programs there and I played there actually one time.

00:49:52.860 –> 00:49:53.700 Joseph McElroy: promote myself.

00:49:57.120 –> 00:50:12.840 Joseph McElroy: I did a fair amount of volunteer work I go to Assisted Living Binion’s places like that and people call me I go to a program they can come to a pool party that’s not my opinion, without being a concert you got pretty much listen to the lyrics yeah right just.

00:50:14.010 –> 00:50:24.120 Joseph McElroy: Because what so somebody coming to Western North Carolina asheville every county what you put in some things they shouldn’t miss shindig on the green, they should not miss that.

00:50:24.660 –> 00:50:34.470 Joseph McElroy: that’s every every Saturday night not ever said that we break for the mountain dance folk festival start the 25th this it’s always the first weekend around the fourth of July.

00:50:35.070 –> 00:50:49.830 Joseph McElroy: 25 of June, this time, and then we have starting second on through the break for the things of the sixth of August basketball we said, our focus was always the first weekend long about sundown.

00:50:51.180 –> 00:50:55.710 Joseph McElroy: What i’m saying is OK, for you folks were watch mean seven o’clock yeah.

00:50:57.030 –> 00:51:13.050 Joseph McElroy: So that’s a must see there yeah of course they’ll share was pulling that was that was but there, there are a lot of fans out there that probably need to get around go visit some of them haven’t visited all me I like the orange peel myself yeah.

00:51:14.250 –> 00:51:23.040 Joseph McElroy: I did my bell share something there when when a buddy mine was chairing the camp chair and bill share asked me to come play it so we did that kind of kick it off.

00:51:23.850 –> 00:51:35.100 Joseph McElroy: I just saw like 11 I think in New York City winery but he was also at the art of appeal to the Glasgow plays he plays a callings guitar that’s brand new guitar and I played.

00:51:35.700 –> 00:51:45.990 Joseph McElroy: college to the dishes mark i’ve got a song called the column guitar song oh really are you are you do, do you have a, you said you have a collection guitar.

00:51:48.210 –> 00:51:50.790 Joseph McElroy: Like like nobody’s saying you can’t have too many guitar.

00:51:52.950 –> 00:52:02.160 Joseph McElroy: When I wrote this song about the colonies that’s your favorite yeah it’s like the head of me my servers back 34 years I said, good bass print my name and she had severe.

00:52:02.520 –> 00:52:09.930 Joseph McElroy: will spend it on the new and follow this new and following a hot rod car, no, no thing so good rather have a college, maybe.

00:52:11.730 –> 00:52:12.420 Joseph McElroy: Not kick off.

00:52:14.760 –> 00:52:20.010 Joseph McElroy: spent many years, making money and then decided to buy a hotel yeah That was a better.

00:52:21.750 –> 00:52:36.150 Joseph McElroy: guitar yeah well, it was all the time I bought it because yeah yeah being home homestead and big ideas have been doing things with it now it’s become something else, but I did get to touch Tony Tony robbins guitar when they.

00:52:37.440 –> 00:52:38.010 Joseph McElroy: got to reach over.

00:52:39.960 –> 00:52:51.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, how did How do people buy your albums well not my website and I was hoping might go take a look the websites Richard hurley he already why returning music.com.

00:52:52.050 –> 00:53:00.660 Joseph McElroy: And the various tabs if they work through the tabs their maintenance places to pursue them and also my two videos are on that video about Kevin lynch.

00:53:01.410 –> 00:53:10.380 Joseph McElroy: saw with all the beautiful pictures pictures make hundreds and i’m pretty sure not together a video there’s a video about shindig on the green locally.

00:53:11.370 –> 00:53:18.360 Joseph McElroy: leverage books here in waynesville strange for music Scott my album and can you get the picture of a mercantile maddie.

00:53:19.170 –> 00:53:34.860 Joseph McElroy: actually got the Chamber of Commerce over there, but the average American music.com can lead you in the first place, and you have your Facebook or anything like Facebook, to look you up there yeah alright cool well yeah Thank you very much for.

00:53:36.570 –> 00:53:49.920 Joseph McElroy: appreciate it, and you know it’s just it’s fun to come up with a song strikes you something happens that makes you want around a song it just feels really good you get it recorded.

00:53:51.090 –> 00:53:58.440 Joseph McElroy: she’s got a great show here I want you to be here what’s nice about the smokies and the culture and everything, are you better than that.

00:53:59.640 –> 00:54:00.000 Joseph McElroy: and

00:54:01.350 –> 00:54:06.390 Joseph McElroy: my daughter just walk well hey there, this is the gateway to the spotify asked why do.

00:54:06.870 –> 00:54:14.700 Joseph McElroy: You want to be on the show the show here my daughter’s on this show is the gateway to the post focus podcast you can find out more about us at.

00:54:15.270 –> 00:54:27.150 Joseph McElroy: Facebook COM says gateway to the smokies podcast and we’re on the talk radio dot nyc network, which is a live podcast network with blocks of.

00:54:27.690 –> 00:54:35.400 Joseph McElroy: Everyday alive podcasts that, ranging from small business to travel to self help to any number of things, but it’s a really good network.

00:54:35.790 –> 00:54:49.800 Joseph McElroy: If you like listening to podcast I would recommend you take a listen to some of the other shows all of us that work, I actually have another podcast on this network called wise content creators well, but we talked about you know, using modern content marketing practices.

00:54:52.950 –> 00:55:01.140 Joseph McElroy: To help your business so that’s on Fridays from noon until one, so I appreciate it that’s an interesting you’re just looking at us look us up, but this podcast.

00:55:01.500 –> 00:55:16.470 Joseph McElroy: Is every Tuesday from six until seven we talked about the smoky mountains and hey we’re county actual and Tennessee even and things to do, and things and doing the culture and the people that are here so take a take a look look up come back again.

]]> <h1><br></h1><p><a href="https://fb.watch/dT7qmAN7yB/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/62b7635bc906ee8c2481c2cd_20220621-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/06/21 - Songs on Cataloochee Valley by Richard Hurley"></a></p><p><strong>Guest: RICHARD HURLEY</strong></p><p><strong>In this episode, you&#39;ll learn from our guest today some of the great advice for musicians and musicians-to-be and we are glad to have him on the show today! </strong></p><p>We’re pleased to introduce our special guest today,<strong> Richard Hurley, </strong>a Canton, N.C. native, and UNC grad who is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a former radio DJ, and a renowned award-winning songwriter and musician. He is active in community work, serving on various boards and as an emcee for Folkmoot, Shindig on the Green, the Mountain Dance &amp; Folk Festival, and the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival, while also promoting area musical events along with his own musical projects –Cataloochee, and My Mountains, My Songs. He now resides in Asheville, N.C. </p><p>In this podcast episode, he will discuss the North Carolina mountain music scene, his involvement in the community, his first (and second) music project as well as upcoming events in the area. </p><p><a href="https://richardhurleymusic.com/" rel="nofollow">https://richardhurleymusic.com/</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/dT7qmAN7yB/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>August 1963 WBTL station was when it opened. He worked there during college promoting rock and country to other younger people. He got to do MC gigs in which he picked skills from people around him. Florida Boys and Old Kingsmen were some of the music they played. He admits to being naive when starting off playing, but now has a collection of guitars. He had the opportunity to work with JFK&#39;s personal naval aid. In the Navy, he got influenced by the chief of naval operations, and so he wrote a song on guitar and got it recorded. His song was inspired by Zumwalt (chief) and his z-grams, he got to meet up with him as Zumwalt thanked him in person and over letter for the song.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>In 1981 he made a record called The Ballet of Old Fort. He worked with the Crow Brothers, Raymond Fairchild, and Arnold Freeman. He used to casually play it for people and got encouragement to record it. Jimmy Haney and he worked as disc jocks. He was one of the speakers at Fairchild and stated “there’s only one Raymond Fairchild&#39;&#39;. They both had a close friendship and also looked up to each other as artists. Eddie Swan worked for Regal Media, he recorded people like Ben Skill, David Wilcox, and Brian Sutton over the span of his 50-year career. He had a homemade washtub bass and he used to carry it to a tomato festival in Canton with his brother to play there.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>His first project is called “My Mountain, My Songs”. He started it with a throwback, Old Fort. He received an award from the North Carolina Society of Historians for the historical value of his album. One of his songs was about the Coal Mountain Bomber Crash. He also sang about the floods of ‘04.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>He’s been taking part in volunteer activities. Shindig on the Green starts this Saturday at the courthouse 7-10 pm. Mark Pruit took part in that event. Bearshare started in 1979, it was a great festival. His website has places to purchase his albums. Towards the end, a child breaks into the podcast recording to blow a raspberry at Hurley.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:41.040 –&gt; 00:00:48.600 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, Welcome to the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast, this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.</p><p>00:00:48.960 –&gt; 00:01:01.410 Joseph McElroy: The Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the surrounding towns. This area is filled with ancient natural beauty, a deep-storied history, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes. </p><p>00:01:01.890 –&gt; 00:01:12.990 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family has lived in the Great Smokies for over 200 years. My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:13.650 –&gt; 00:01:24.330 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking about Songs and then Cataloochee Valley by Richard hurley but first, let’s talk about our sponsors.</p><p>00:01:25.590 –&gt; 00:01:34.470 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a “Chic Appalachian” feel. A place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:35.130 –&gt; 00:01:44.040 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream, grill the catch on fire, and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:44.850 –&gt; 00:01:57.420 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds. There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, NC – your Smoky Mountain Adventures Start with Where You Stay.</p><p>00:01:58.770 –&gt; 00:02:04.080 Joseph McElroy: and others sponsor smokiesadventure.com that smokies plural adventure singular.</p><p>00:02:04.740 –&gt; 00:02:19.200 Joseph McElroy: The Smoky Mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons. Some of the nation’s best <a href="https://www.smokiesadventure.com/smokymountains/hiking/hiking.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>hiking trails</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.smokiesadventure.com/smokymountains/hiking/smoky_mountain_waterfalls.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>waterfalls</strong></a>, outdoor<a href="https://www.smokiesadventure.com/smokymountains/outdoors/outdoors.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong> adventures</strong></a>, and <a href="https://www.smokiesadventure.com/smokymountains/attractions/attractions.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>family entertainment</strong></a> can be found right here.</p><p>00:02:19.890 –&gt; 00:02:30.780 Joseph McElroy: Start your adventure by using SmokiesAdventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: trails, waterfalls, <a href="https://www.smokiesadventure.com/smokymountains/hiking/cadescove.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>Cades Cove</strong></a>, and more.</p><p>00:02:31.200 –&gt; 00:02:37.680 Joseph McElroy: Then check out all the awesome <a href="https://www.smokiesadventure.com/smokymountains/attractions/attractions.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>family attractions</strong></a> and entertainment you and your entire family can enjoy.</p><p>00:02:38.100 –&gt; 00:02:51.930 Joseph McElroy: And if you look at it, have a life event somewhere like a wedding or a honeymoon and we got you covered there go to smokies adventure.com is one of the leading information portals for adventures and experiences and the Great Smoky Mountains.</p><p>00:02:53.370 –&gt; 00:02:57.390 Joseph McElroy: So welcome you can see we’re sitting in the basement of the <a href="https://meadowlarkmotel.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Meadowlark Motel</strong></a></p><p>00:02:58.620 –&gt; 00:03:05.730 Joseph McElroy: At the Speakeasy where we have underground speakeasy and we’re gonna have some upcoming events at the Meadowlark Motel will tell you about.</p><p>00:03:06.120 –&gt; 00:03:19.920 Joseph McElroy: On July 9 we’re having a wildcrafting and mother nature’s natural garden program with the legendary Illa hatter it starts on Saturday, July 9th at 10 am with the program featuring.</p><p>00:03:21.210 –&gt; 00:03:30.570 Joseph McElroy: legendary wildcrafting expert, renowned author, filmmaker, instructor, and tour guide for the GSM National Park’s elite GSM Field School educational programs, Illa Hatter.</p><p>00:03:31.260 –&gt; 00:03:42.090 Joseph McElroy: she’s an is an expert on edible plants, medicinal herbs, and anything pertaining to wildcraft foraging and Appalachian plants, trees, and flowers.</p><p>00:03:42.420 –&gt; 00:03:56.190 Joseph McElroy: She has been featured on a variety of national television shows, videos, and books, and has worked as an advisor for multiple movies and television shows. she is an iconic female a smoky soon-to-be featured in one of our name theme groups.</p><p>00:03:57.900 –&gt; 00:04:13.350 Joseph McElroy: She will be presenting her beloved program Mother Nature’s Natural Garden and leading a short tour of the grounds identifying nature’s bounty that can be found in our own back yards.</p><p>00:04:14.520 –&gt; 00:04:20.640 Joseph McElroy: And then there’ll be a free Barbecue supper and music by  Mike Ogletree and friends Saturday evening.</p><p>00:04:21.210 –&gt; 00:04:26.760 Joseph McElroy: $20 per person per night guests and it’s free for motel disappeared as club members.</p><p>00:04:27.540 –&gt; 00:04:46.140 Joseph McElroy: Now a big event coming For those of you who want to learn how to write songs is August 12 and 13th we’re having SONGWRITERS CAMP AND CONCERT WITH GRAMMY-WINNING ARTISTS JIM LAUDERDALE AND CHARLES HUMPHREYS III, ALONG WITH AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS DARREN NICHOLSON, CLAY MILLS, AND CHARLES CHAMBERLAIN.</p><p>00:04:48.690 –&gt; 00:04:54.420 Joseph McElroy: You won’t get an opportunity like this very often in your life if you’re wanting to really balancing.</p><p>00:04:54.690 –&gt; 00:05:01.140 Joseph McElroy: hanging out with grammy award-winning artists it’s a two-day event of interactive songwriting structures with world-class musicians.</p><p>00:05:01.440 –&gt; 00:05:13.260 Joseph McElroy: a demo tape produced for each participant, a concert by the Songs From the Road Band on Friday Night, and a BBQ dinner and all-star concert on Saturday night.</p><p>00:05:14.010 –&gt; 00:05:24.150 Joseph McElroy: This is a unique event, no other place there’s nothing, nothing else like it, and it will be a space will be limited to make sure that every participant gets into the.</p><p>00:05:25.680 –&gt; 00:05:31.110 Joseph McElroy: Attention the price is 675 dollars per person including all activities and the DEMO tape.</p><p>00:05:31.440 –&gt; 00:05:51.840 Joseph McElroy: The concerts and the dinner and everything else and their special room packages available for those that want to stay overnight at the meadowlark motel so call 8289261717 for details and the reserve your space and the reserve room again 8289261717 to get your place.</p><p>00:05:52.860 –&gt; 00:05:58.260 Joseph McElroy: there are also limited tickets available, just for the concerts and you can get those as well.</p><p>00:05:59.850 –&gt; 00:06:03.420 Joseph McElroy: Today, I have a great guest his name is Richard Hurley.</p><p>00:06:05.010 –&gt; 00:06:08.400 Joseph McElroy: He’s a Canton, N.C. native, and UNC graduate I won’t hold against.</p><p>00:06:11.970 –&gt; 00:06:21.270 Joseph McElroy: Is a vendor to the US day my friend, yeah he’s a former radio DJ and renowned award-winning songwriter and musician.</p><p>00:06:21.840 –&gt; 00:06:34.710 Joseph McElroy: is active in Community work in service and serving on various boards and as an MC for food shindig on the green the mountain dance and folk festival, and the basket l’amour longsword festival.</p><p>00:06:35.130 –&gt; 00:06:47.010 Joseph McElroy: while also promoting area music events, along with his own musical projects will talk which we’ll talk about Cataloochee and my mountains my song he resides in Asheville North Carolina my new home.</p><p>00:06:50.820 –&gt; 00:07:01.740 Joseph McElroy: So let’s jump into something exciting, you are a DJ or w pto, and can we just spend about 17 years they tell us that actually a.</p><p>00:07:02.430 –&gt; 00:07:09.420 Joseph McElroy: station opened in August of 1963 there’s already one station there that started in 1954.</p><p>00:07:09.810 –&gt; 00:07:16.080 Joseph McElroy: And the guy who made fresh they won’t have a country station, because there was no kind of crustacean camp, so the open web GL.</p><p>00:07:16.500 –&gt; 00:07:27.660 Joseph McElroy: August of 63 what I wanted to have a high school kid that could bring in the hospital audience, so I got the gig has to be asked this jockey and that’s back when Lou I for.</p><p>00:07:28.740 –&gt; 00:07:39.630 Joseph McElroy: us back in the dark ages, but I work there you’re in college and before all the service in 1970 so was there off and on and had a great time and.</p><p>00:07:40.410 –&gt; 00:07:48.480 Joseph McElroy: learn a lot and got to play a lot, a lot of old country music at that time, some Gospel music rock music listening music play with it at all, it.</p><p>00:07:49.140 –&gt; 00:08:01.020 Joseph McElroy: was quite a fun time in my early career, yes, and how was it was help you in your career-defining experiences where your performance ability to do a performance there did yeah.</p><p>00:08:01.560 –&gt; 00:08:11.400 Joseph McElroy: It led me into doing some MC gigs which I carried on time I’m an MC stuff so yeah it was helpful in that regard and.</p><p>00:08:12.810 –&gt; 00:08:22.290 Joseph McElroy: You know, having to work there are a lot of people that came through that well you kind of pick up something from everybody you’re exposed to in the music business like that so yeah it was quite helpful, then.</p><p>00:08:22.560 –&gt; 00:08:34.320 Joseph McElroy: Then, when I started doing shows later on the 80s and a lot of these old records I’d played back in the 60s were songs I learned back then, of course, I was influenced by a lot of those artists in the country and.</p><p>00:08:34.680 –&gt; 00:08:43.950 Joseph McElroy: The Kingston Trio, and some of the folks to hit 1958 when the case, the tree okay mouth Tom ui that just changed the world because I love it.</p><p>00:08:44.820 –&gt; 00:08:58.110 Joseph McElroy: It made this country teammate all the char key so so that is kind of what got me started running into that my folks got me Wendy when I was about 12 and I learned to play that and I bought a 10 hour day guitar for buddy mind.</p><p>00:08:58.650 –&gt; 00:09:04.170 Joseph McElroy: And that’s kind of how I got to start making music and you got it you started, playing on the radio.</p><p>00:09:04.680 –&gt; 00:09:12.660 Joseph McElroy: Some early on to write a little bit i’d written a song about the know smothers market there and cam oh I just had his father’s on.</p><p>00:09:13.590 –&gt; 00:09:24.960 Joseph McElroy: The smothers the sun yeah is that resembles they have here on the show granddaddy yeah and so, and that was mathers have a at the grocery store back man.</p><p>00:09:25.470 –&gt; 00:09:35.400 Joseph McElroy: And I wrote a song called Underwood it was like under what don’t you wish we could anyway, we my brother’s nice to play some of the only played at the Cannes first and made a festival.</p><p>00:09:36.900 –&gt; 00:09:45.930 Joseph McElroy: The new old why gone now when I recorded that just to you know they track tape back then, which both your sprinkler so, can you play that song.</p><p>00:09:50.310 –&gt; 00:10:00.420 Joseph McElroy: ready to record the, yeah Those are all good experiences, did you click Gospel to play Gospel on the air Yesterday we had a program called the Gospel care of and it’s like 11 to 12.</p><p>00:10:00.930 –&gt; 00:10:08.850 Joseph McElroy: That I can just come in at nine, it was cold country star time in the guy named Jimmy hey Andy was a big influence on me early on, see behind there’s a local musician he’s.</p><p>00:10:09.210 –&gt; 00:10:20.250 Joseph McElroy: been gone number of years, but he was a he’s an award-winning folk singer in fact team is the national focusing champion, I think it was 1950 or there abouts and a big influence on me, because he used to come to the grammar schools.</p><p>00:10:20.610 –&gt; 00:10:30.780 Joseph McElroy: And play programs us wow i’m going to be that one of these days, so that was kind of started Jimmy used to sign on six gutter 999 to 11 of.</p><p>00:10:31.170 –&gt; 00:10:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Country music and 11 to 12 Gospel man i’d come back to and go to two 330 with the country music and not go the easy listing is 330 to sign off.</p><p>00:10:41.790 –&gt; 00:10:52.890 Joseph McElroy: But it has to the rock the rock show was like 330 to 630 or something likely no experience I asked about the Gospel and I am one of the one of the.</p><p>00:10:53.430 –&gt; 00:11:11.550 Joseph McElroy: You know i’ve traveled a bit and one of the most popular brunches I ever saw was actually in Barbados yeah they had a Gospel brunch right they have run some even have a good old Gospel music right yeah people love that I would say that would probably go well, here too, yeah.</p><p>00:11:13.770 –&gt; 00:11:27.120 Joseph McElroy: Gospel me to certainly been popular in the south, for years and years yeah no he’s play a lot of the old groups that you know the old Florida boys and the old kings cream local group and people like that.</p><p>00:11:28.080 –&gt; 00:11:39.120 Joseph McElroy: Number number of those great and there were some local people are bigger than the Gospel music did quite well Francis play lock and dam was a locally that’s a big hit here and Haywood county back in the 60s there.</p><p>00:11:40.860 –&gt; 00:11:43.500 Joseph McElroy: But what was the what how did you learn to play.</p><p>00:11:44.730 –&gt; 00:11:51.090 Joseph McElroy: I got a Mel Bay 50-cent book shows the three chords C D E, F, and G.</p><p>00:11:51.720 –&gt; 00:12:05.880 Joseph McElroy: And the other progressions and I just kind of picked it up, but I was so naive, but that i’m embarrassed to say this, but i’m going to tell you to know, I was so naive I didn’t have another you know but it’s a play on territory, I didn’t realize you had to change strings.</p><p>00:12:07.740 –&gt; 00:12:19.950 Joseph McElroy: Okay, once you know it doesn’t matter you get a string I didn’t even know that I learned later on, but that’s how long did you almost entirely learn to do today, did you have some mentors are learning almost.</p><p>00:12:22.110 –&gt; 00:12:36.630 Joseph McElroy: All the gifts little G one gifts in the problem of 50s model for about I think I paid $25 for a buddy of mine and I eventually I got an Aston Martin guitar years later, that you know goes collects the guitars.</p><p>00:12:38.400 –&gt; 00:12:54.210 Joseph McElroy: that’s pretty cool so you went off to your high school, then you went off to unc first are going to go the baby first went to usc usc usc yeah I started at usc I tell people is back when the tar heels we’re still playing woman gym.</p><p>00:12:56.250 –&gt; 00:13:04.020 Joseph McElroy: Dean Dome that was before carmichael born with a we’re playing a little again music Cunningham, was a senior housing right right so.</p><p>00:13:04.800 –&gt; 00:13:11.580 Joseph McElroy: that’s how I got started when I would come home from school breaks, I would go back to the station and do vacation relief stuff like that and.</p><p>00:13:12.060 –&gt; 00:13:17.940 Joseph McElroy: I worked at Campo networks, the mail can’t mill one summer season seven which is great experience paper.</p><p>00:13:18.900 –&gt; 00:13:29.040 Joseph McElroy: Paper data that helped me with my career later I got an extreme rarity coming so then after you and see you another baby yeah it was it was during the.com era where I.</p><p>00:13:29.400 –&gt; 00:13:36.330 Joseph McElroy: went out and did had one job interview, and they said come see us when you’re through the starters, nobody would argue you got the service.</p><p>00:13:37.350 –&gt; 00:13:45.900 Joseph McElroy: So I ended up going to the program that required drilling for a year and then I went in on D for two years and then another three year obligation but.</p><p>00:13:46.410 –&gt; 00:13:52.620 Joseph McElroy: I was fortunate, I was on the USS wash, which is an aircraft carrier and we were in the North Atlantic up there.</p><p>00:13:53.370 –&gt; 00:14:06.390 Joseph McElroy: Doing maneuvers and but i’ve had the privilege to work with JFK personal naval eight so that was quite an experience I learned a lot from those guys and that all all those experiences help you later in life, you know I got it.</p><p>00:14:07.500 –&gt; 00:14:20.790 Joseph McElroy: cool and that was that was also the start of some my songwriting is in the navy the navy because i’ve got a memo zoom Lol Chief of naval operations back and he was loosening up the navy, let the skies where.</p><p>00:14:22.380 –&gt; 00:14:28.770 Joseph McElroy: He would come out these see grams, you know for some walls, the grams, and so I wrote a song called the balance is a graph.</p><p>00:14:30.090 –&gt; 00:14:47.970 Joseph McElroy: The Admiral heard about it, he called me to stay room and i’ve already guitar on our platform he wanted to send it to zoom wall record a little fork and say yeah little real real three inch screen record it you send it to zoom wall and month or so later I get this letter for.</p><p>00:14:50.580 –&gt; 00:14:56.760 Joseph McElroy: letter their little list of the guy says, you know, dear petty officer hurley Thank you so much for your song about.</p><p>00:14:58.620 –&gt; 00:15:05.910 Joseph McElroy: And he and I connect about seven years later, when he was out, and I was it came to Asheville to bait nuclear-armed with some retired general.</p><p>00:15:06.360 –&gt; 00:15:13.560 Joseph McElroy: And I walked up to him after the speech I said, George space, I do not remember the side of the road song about you and he said yeah I said on that side.</p><p>00:15:15.570 –&gt; 00:15:25.500 Joseph McElroy: Of the thought, he just met john, okay well cool well, we have to take a break now Sir so then we’ll come back we’ll talk more about your career in business and then in music, thank you.</p><p>00:17:40.830 –&gt; 00:17:47.430 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcasts and my guest Richard Hurley.</p><p>00:17:47.880 –&gt; 00:17:57.960 Joseph McElroy: So Richard after the navy, you had a long career as an HR manager for square D how’s that good company well I just got real lucky because I come home.</p><p>00:17:58.770 –&gt; 00:18:08.460 Joseph McElroy: About three months before i’m supposed to get out of service and put an application and I had a cousin worked over there, and he put in a good word for me, I went into.</p><p>00:18:08.940 –&gt; 00:18:16.560 Joseph McElroy: That time I called personnel supervisory like backwards personnel manager personnel his word I started out the second seat and moved up.</p><p>00:18:17.010 –&gt; 00:18:28.140 Joseph McElroy: For years later I guess the first seat and and but my own volition, I wanted to stay in Nashville yeah so I thought Tom to I might have to move, but it worked out and it’s great company they trade as well.</p><p>00:18:28.590 –&gt; 00:18:37.920 Joseph McElroy: And it was very giving kind of very caring complete and coming to the law united way and give a lot give a lot of bucks to the Community and various organizations out there.</p><p>00:18:38.820 –&gt; 00:18:57.540 Joseph McElroy: So I had a wonderful career cool did you get to play music, while you’re while you’re in that career not not in that role ticket I was out playing places i’ve crossed I did a record not team at one a coma valuable for mountain yeah remember that record a really.</p><p>00:18:59.130 –&gt; 00:19:08.730 Joseph McElroy: good idea as a 45 and dude legendary greatest of all banjo player Raymond Fairchild light on and Raymond I go back way back.</p><p>00:19:09.540 –&gt; 00:19:17.670 Joseph McElroy: The guy got Mr freeman has gone also and then the programmers who are popular good a tour with Raymond he’s played with picking the brain.</p><p>00:19:18.120 –&gt; 00:19:29.040 Joseph McElroy: So i’ve written the song battle for mountain i’ve seen at parties and people see all the record that so as last time and then one day I said i’m not gonna turn around 10 years from now, and say what If so, I.</p><p>00:19:29.730 –&gt; 00:19:46.980 Joseph McElroy: called her brain is that would you got me and he said sure be led to some are also we got together having to be August 12 at one i’ve been coached now when you go to that studio do you’re rehearsing before you go in there because that’s money yeah right.</p><p>00:19:49.980 –&gt; 00:19:54.900 Joseph McElroy: Back stuff order ish will be asked our our weekly break door.</p><p>00:19:55.650 –&gt; 00:20:03.480 Joseph McElroy: And i’m sweating bullets and walk in that studio is following our with now on the studio and they said, like three Max back in those days now.</p><p>00:20:03.870 –&gt; 00:20:14.520 Joseph McElroy: According whole different ballgame instead of like three months and I kicked off on the guitar right and they jumped in this music, it was just fabulous and they just made that song so.</p><p>00:20:15.540 –&gt; 00:20:27.270 Joseph McElroy: It was 45 rpm so we took pto course never wc and w devotees but they all start playing on a call, so I saw him through angles markets, not so.</p><p>00:20:27.870 –&gt; 00:20:35.370 Joseph McElroy: pressed a couple of thousand problems, so I get a few hundred bucks but it kind of summer here when I was a kid yeah I also you know was looking.</p><p>00:20:35.820 –&gt; 00:20:39.240 Joseph McElroy: yeah well I don’t know a while back, I was looking at what rate and fairchild.</p><p>00:20:40.050 –&gt; 00:20:48.030 Joseph McElroy: That record came out with him being on air yeah Yes, he was something else, but he he helped me out with that and it’s all my first albums.</p><p>00:20:48.510 –&gt; 00:20:59.220 Joseph McElroy: Are all the songs on my to our songs i’ve written and the first album my mountains my songs I put that on air as a bonus track all the other tracks are things that we recorded so.</p><p>00:20:59.790 –&gt; 00:21:09.270 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah Bob Plott, you know, is the GM of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center and he also helps put together.</p><p>00:21:09.570 –&gt; 00:21:17.610 Joseph McElroy: Some of the information of your questions and he mentioned that you mentioned one of them already rent Fairchild and when the other big musical influence was.</p><p>00:21:17.940 –&gt; 00:21:28.020 Joseph McElroy: Jimmy haney yeah I mentioned Jimmy a little bit earlier that we’d work together is discharged and he was like say when I was very school didn’t come around to schools and play.</p><p>00:21:28.500 –&gt; 00:21:36.510 Joseph McElroy: ramin here’s the store matt Ryan, that when Raymond was very before he became Raymond Fairchild famous like he was.</p><p>00:21:37.200 –&gt; 00:21:43.080 Joseph McElroy: He was working around these parts and he had done a wreck he’d done his first record old similar record was and.</p><p>00:21:43.920 –&gt; 00:21:56.910 Joseph McElroy: my brother came home with that record now listen to that man, this is just difference it’s just it was like a snake charmer he just he had he had a way of playing songs that just drew me in.</p><p>00:21:57.360 –&gt; 00:22:08.040 Joseph McElroy: So I got some maintenance management time to evaluate he’d give me copies of his records without playing them on my program and then occasionally he another guy we have breakfast down.</p><p>00:22:08.310 –&gt; 00:22:17.460 Joseph McElroy: Little restaurants can either bottomless pit of on the show and play for 20 minutes or so, so that was how my friendship with Raymond started way back when.</p><p>00:22:18.240 –&gt; 00:22:30.120 Joseph McElroy: But, but he was he was really something else, and then, when he went to the brand debut the grand Ole opry and 78 he invited me to go live in essence up with down lana pick your brother.</p><p>00:22:31.020 –&gt; 00:22:39.030 Joseph McElroy: Already about for went over to the national we got to go backstage and all that one written bill Monroe balls hot dogs that would.</p><p>00:22:40.980 –&gt; 00:22:46.290 Joseph McElroy: Go out there Raymond walked out there and start playing and they had never heard it.</p><p>00:22:47.700 –&gt; 00:22:51.330 Joseph McElroy: encores of standing ovations yeah Raymond Fairchild</p><p>00:22:53.160 –&gt; 00:22:56.190 Joseph McElroy: Or, he was His grace banjo I think grace man.</p><p>00:22:58.350 –&gt; 00:23:05.160 Joseph McElroy: You could do it yeah and then, when he played here in the valley you remember the matter with me about the Opera House yeah like there.</p><p>00:23:05.520 –&gt; 00:23:16.650 Joseph McElroy: For years and was there, so yeah yeah but every time I would go in case, yet they see in his wife sure we had that business for number of years for writing and passed in October Tina thing was.</p><p>00:23:17.070 –&gt; 00:23:26.550 Joseph McElroy: Every time I go in the shadows he’d see me in the audience and so on his old friend is richer heard he used to play my record, so they played he played my record so much that they fired.</p><p>00:23:28.530 –&gt; 00:23:40.800 Joseph McElroy: Their more banjo players just ran and fell out there yeah true, of course, I had to build a service that is a That was a good story, and you can you got you did is you, with the right.</p><p>00:23:41.790 –&gt; 00:23:54.240 Joseph McElroy: Top right, I did I was asked to speak and I much some other people, but I was extremely flattered to be part of the one of the speakers that spoke there yeah it’s up the stomping ground appear Maggie badly.</p><p>00:23:55.440 –&gt; 00:24:02.850 Joseph McElroy: And part of my comments, where I said, you know there’s only one Elvis there’s only one hank liam’s there was only one Raymond fair to.</p><p>00:24:04.140 –&gt; 00:24:12.960 Joseph McElroy: One of my many comments talking about on a great person he was a good family man, he was a loving father and husband and just a great guy.</p><p>00:24:13.560 –&gt; 00:24:26.400 Joseph McElroy: But he had a gift he had to give a few few they have yet so the way he played that manager, I heard that he’s a you know i’ve been from a value of them, and I have seen him a couple times and I think my dad.</p><p>00:24:27.720 –&gt; 00:24:28.770 Joseph McElroy: Daniel and i’m sure.</p><p>00:24:30.660 –&gt; 00:24:36.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah but you know my understanding was he was a great friend, but he was also a little cantankerous.</p><p>00:24:40.170 –&gt; 00:24:47.520 Joseph McElroy: He raised his music good yes very busy i’ll tell you one thing is the Raymond was noted for.</p><p>00:24:51.150 –&gt; 00:24:52.800 Joseph McElroy: Aware of was.</p><p>00:24:53.970 –&gt; 00:25:03.510 Joseph McElroy: You know, some towns that have been leaner audiences than others and goes, you know, whatever reason, traffic or whatever, if there was one person that audience about ticket Raymond well and say that.</p><p>00:25:03.870 –&gt; 00:25:11.730 Joseph McElroy: will be 500 or whatever we’re going to play them a good show he whether he play a whole show for one person, but the only matters i’m sorry cancer, he.</p><p>00:25:12.210 –&gt; 00:25:18.480 Joseph McElroy: said that person management and 500 miles to your show we’re going to plan the show that’s right he’s very caring shorter guy.</p><p>00:25:19.350 –&gt; 00:25:35.280 Joseph McElroy: Very caring yeah he was the one guy, yeah well yeah we know we’re talking about your records that’s real Famous people on those records, but there are other Famous people to work with I’ve got some pretty heavy hitters all my albums.</p><p>00:25:36.780 –&gt; 00:25:56.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah but they they’re people that I work with a guy named at swan yeah and regal music regal media it’s a medical media.net website, but but he’s he’s been in business about 50 years he’s reporting people like Ben scale and he’s reported recorded David Wilcox.</p><p>00:25:57.300 –&gt; 00:26:09.330 Joseph McElroy: Brian sudden the great brown certain he’s recording squire parsons that great deal and land song right dollars per summit be recorded that and he’s worked with a lot of the great spirit.</p><p>00:26:10.590 –&gt; 00:26:14.370 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, yeah I got to work in an ad and Prince mountains together.</p><p>00:26:15.600 –&gt; 00:26:17.760 Joseph McElroy: Well, you got some some great ones.</p><p>00:26:18.930 –&gt; 00:26:27.030 Joseph McElroy: But before we get there, you know what I wanted to do understand you know your your songwriting right and you did some great songs i’ve read that.</p><p>00:26:27.570 –&gt; 00:26:37.110 Joseph McElroy: I was looking at, we listened to one and i’ve seen some of the others and and you’re playing a guitar but you play anything else I don’t really i’m not play I took a few.</p><p>00:26:37.530 –&gt; 00:26:46.110 Joseph McElroy: banjo lessons from mark pruitt the grading where he’s on one of my hours to market and Martin our friends from way back, but I never could quite get into the banjo so I just like.</p><p>00:26:47.430 –&gt; 00:26:52.470 Joseph McElroy: I heard you got the the walk handmade watch the bass bass yeah so.</p><p>00:26:53.610 –&gt; 00:27:04.200 Joseph McElroy: what’s that everybody should probably seen, or at least nothing prompts and you’ll watch the bass bass so most folks have are not familiar he’s turning on tobacco really be go watch.</p><p>00:27:04.860 –&gt; 00:27:14.250 Joseph McElroy: The one i’m not is over 70 years old, oh yeah sequence and during the home that middle of it and you take an old broomstick and just run a quarter size core.</p><p>00:27:14.730 –&gt; 00:27:21.450 Joseph McElroy: And you put it on and you hold the stick down the edge of your pocket, and that gives you a base, and it goes because of the tub and I was.</p><p>00:27:22.440 –&gt; 00:27:38.820 Joseph McElroy: awkward so you could have a vibrant right, so my brother’s not playing at this tomato festival years going can’t so I carried on part of my act and I tell people I said don’t worry I get beaten up your audience the basement and then key is Spanish Oh, because.</p><p>00:27:40.230 –&gt; 00:27:54.990 Joseph McElroy: that’s what that’s that’s a real fun part of my program and I always preface it by saying that don’t worry this tub is is over 70 years old and literally the stick and string have been on there since 1969 oh my gosh it’s been British.</p><p>00:27:57.240 –&gt; 00:27:59.730 Joseph McElroy: Is the shirt but don’t worry it’ll be okay.</p><p>00:28:01.140 –&gt; 00:28:02.430 Joseph McElroy: Yes, that’s the fun part.</p><p>00:28:03.510 –&gt; 00:28:12.360 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I don’t know if you ever walked out white wines mainstream you know they have all sorts of sculptures on there yeah what i’m one of the sculptures as a duo.</p><p>00:28:12.750 –&gt; 00:28:22.680 Joseph McElroy: musicians are there 10 foot tall oh yeah I want them to watch oh yeah you see there, so people you definitely should make a pilgrimage there.</p><p>00:28:24.180 –&gt; 00:28:31.740 Joseph McElroy: is surprising people don’t realize how long a sound that that will make and that’s why people develop a years ago they didn’t have money to go out and buy things that.</p><p>00:28:32.370 –&gt; 00:28:50.400 Joseph McElroy: improvised just like my good friend, David holds things on my album you know, David term Doc Watson about 14 years and David plays he plays a number of different instruments on his show when we’re doing live shows he played paper bag and plays spoons like bones slugger.</p><p>00:28:51.900 –&gt; 00:28:56.220 Joseph McElroy: ization improvisation music over the years of development me.</p><p>00:28:57.780 –&gt; 00:29:02.190 Joseph McElroy: Well, we have to take another break now, when we come back we’ll talk about some of your out straight.</p><p>00:31:08.700 –&gt; 00:31:18.690 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guest Richard Hurley, so Richard you’ve got two albums out right?</p><p>00:31:19.440 –&gt; 00:31:29.760 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell me about your first project was what my mountains by sounds so project called my mountains my songs and I can hold it up to the camera and those people watch it there.</p><p>00:31:32.640 –&gt; 00:31:46.470 Joseph McElroy: We started out with the old for the song which I mentioned I’ve written back in the quarterback in 81 I thought well Okay, this is 2013 just a few years later I bought a new cut a record over 30 years or so yeah all right yeah like it’s in.</p><p>00:31:47.520 –&gt; 00:31:50.430 Joseph McElroy: Your cadence or is this musical okay yeah.</p><p>00:31:53.190 –&gt; 00:32:04.590 Joseph McElroy: I have written a bunch of songs over the years and just take them back in the files and whatnot so I’m sad pull them out and see what we can do with them, so I called a that holds a date I’m thinking about doing an album 20.</p><p>00:32:05.760 –&gt; 00:32:12.990 Joseph McElroy: Some recommendations well, you need to call josh to go forth josh go forth his genius musician the literature Madison county.</p><p>00:32:13.620 –&gt; 00:32:19.140 Joseph McElroy: He played all mile they played the lead guitar the rhythm guitar banjo the base the mandolin and fiddle.</p><p>00:32:19.680 –&gt; 00:32:29.940 Joseph McElroy: Allah and woven together oh wow so so that’s how this thing started and we put these 15 songs on here with the old for a song being a bonus track, one of the.</p><p>00:32:30.300 –&gt; 00:32:41.580 Joseph McElroy: One of the ones you look at the reward thing here that North Carolina society of historians actually gave me a reward the reward for the historical significance of the project.</p><p>00:32:42.330 –&gt; 00:32:51.450 Joseph McElroy: And there’s a song on here about the cold mountain bottom and crash oh yeah a lot of people saw the coal mountain movie, in the end, it was written by Charles Fraser.</p><p>00:32:51.840 –&gt; 00:32:57.300 Joseph McElroy: Franklin who has connections back to my hometown Cantonese model from their reason anyway.</p><p>00:32:58.260 –&gt; 00:33:08.640 Joseph McElroy: So the thing, most people don’t realize, is that all Friday the 13th September 46 a beat 25 bomber was coming from Detroit to Tampa.</p><p>00:33:09.180 –&gt; 00:33:25.800 Joseph McElroy: And crashed into the topical mountain Mr bell about 150 feet, they call the Tower at that time in Bristol Tennessee, and so they wanted to go visual So be careful because of kind of nasty and rainy down there the next thing you know lamb youngest general near a core to sergeants to kernels.</p><p>00:33:27.060 –&gt; 00:33:29.250 Joseph McElroy: Imagine what that was like Crusoe big.</p><p>00:33:30.360 –&gt; 00:33:41.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah so a lady named George ron’s cannon is deceased now she wrote a book about it and back about I guess was in 2012 I saw this book in the movies books here and label.</p><p>00:33:41.820 –&gt; 00:33:51.270 Joseph McElroy: And I got to look at so Now I know some of these and I read the book and I remembered hearing about it because, as a kid my late brother point over there and mountain across from where I grew up so that’s that.</p><p>00:33:51.840 –&gt; 00:34:03.990 Joseph McElroy: that’s plane crash okay fine my scoutmaster you talk, Okay, but it never text on the hack up there, so I went up the mountain couldn’t find confining it crashed evidence is all in picked oh.</p><p>00:34:05.130 –&gt; 00:34:10.890 Joseph McElroy: Really, I wrote the song, so I got doors to a guy named.</p><p>00:34:14.460 –&gt; 00:34:22.080 Joseph McElroy: Having everything or guy helped me out down the road Moody help me out with this make sure my atma factor accurate.</p><p>00:34:22.740 –&gt; 00:34:34.290 Joseph McElroy: So, then, we recorded that song and Doris simplest thing to the north county historical society and they basically this whole thing because I got some other historic going on about the slides ago for over a year and i’ve got some other.</p><p>00:34:34.770 –&gt; 00:34:44.460 Joseph McElroy: songs similar and they gave you the historical and okay yeah I want to know why people get that but it’s still a nice it’s nice to get it yes.</p><p>00:34:45.930 –&gt; 00:34:49.980 Joseph McElroy: it’s not a participation prize it actually does work.</p><p>00:34:51.540 –&gt; 00:34:53.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah exactly exactly.</p><p>00:34:54.660 –&gt; 00:34:58.830 Joseph McElroy: So you have you gotta go you gotta know saw you got a real a.</p><p>00:34:59.340 –&gt; 00:35:07.080 Joseph McElroy: Real it’s real work, so you got a good thing, so this one, this one came out 13 and josh these musics is famous for singing swan the engineer, I mean he knows what he’s doing.</p><p>00:35:07.950 –&gt; 00:35:21.060 Joseph McElroy: His fifth year so fast forward to 2021 I came out of this album fleet song Cataloochee, which is you know you know music to my heart to them now you alleys.</p><p>00:35:21.510 –&gt; 00:35:25.650 Joseph McElroy: Post account Lucy Lucy bow they’ve got the elk and everything else so.</p><p>00:35:26.160 –&gt; 00:35:26.760 Joseph McElroy: So tell us.</p><p>00:35:27.000 –&gt; 00:35:35.130 Joseph McElroy: Tell us the story of this one, the backstory is that there’s a guy named Steve what he’s a friend of mine, and he is a descendant of the old woody family, the life back in capital h.</p><p>00:35:35.190 –&gt; 00:35:43.800 Joseph McElroy: er and Steve one time there nationally known each other for years, he said, I said I understand you’re having your big reunion coming up having here like first second weekend in August.</p><p>00:35:44.100 –&gt; 00:35:49.920 Joseph McElroy: Is yeah why don’t you come about gifts, so now let’s do that because I never been reading i’ve been Cataloochee</p><p>00:35:50.310 –&gt; 00:36:02.130 Joseph McElroy: So I went to the reunion and he got monitors church service there and during the shirts or is he going to do some politicians, then introduced me and said somebody might know Richard you know to pay with boy write songs just.</p><p>00:36:02.760 –&gt; 00:36:05.370 Joseph McElroy: said, I think he already song that Kevin did you, what do you all.</p><p>00:36:08.460 –&gt; 00:36:09.360 Joseph McElroy: feel blackmailing.</p><p>00:36:11.250 –&gt; 00:36:12.090 Joseph McElroy: wrote a song about.</p><p>00:36:13.890 –&gt; 00:36:25.710 Joseph McElroy: This research on it and the song and then he asked me to come play it, so I went back and played what that was 19 in August of 19 I played it live at church service oh that’s Nice.</p><p>00:36:26.310 –&gt; 00:36:35.370 Joseph McElroy: I don’t mean this to sound right people got emotional I got it I got emotional I don’t know which one i’m Scott materials.</p><p>00:36:36.900 –&gt; 00:36:46.710 Joseph McElroy: emotional standing there and then I said i’m going to have to record it so we record it and got us some different players on this, some of the phone you got some great people on this.</p><p>00:36:47.280 –&gt; 00:36:53.670 Joseph McElroy: I mean, these are credible yeah TIM CERT and Darren Nicholson, both with balsam range or on their tone increases.</p><p>00:36:54.150 –&gt; 00:37:01.620 Joseph McElroy: percussionist that works these kind of movement else’s grammar need work to Glen Campbell waylon are not waiting merle haggard and.</p><p>00:37:02.010 –&gt; 00:37:12.060 Joseph McElroy: James Taylor some of those guys and then, of course, David holds on Bobby hicks won a grammy with ricky skaggs the same time that mark did and RON said another little boy.</p><p>00:37:12.600 –&gt; 00:37:19.470 Joseph McElroy: So he’s a 10 time grammy award actually bring to get him to help us out thanks to my buddy so we got some.</p><p>00:37:20.010 –&gt; 00:37:31.260 Joseph McElroy: Pretty heavy hitters not a dedicated this album to my old friend Ray M and fairchild there you go but he’s got the cattle he song and it’s got a number of other so there’s one song on there you got the legend of losing weight.</p><p>00:37:32.400 –&gt; 00:37:39.600 Joseph McElroy: This week, there is Buddhism, can you give us a short version of what that is not sure what is a boogeyman.</p><p>00:37:40.110 –&gt; 00:37:44.100 Joseph McElroy: is actually a story that goes back in the legend goes back in the 1800s.</p><p>00:37:44.370 –&gt; 00:37:54.150 Joseph McElroy: And up like Logan which used to be on a champion paper back in the old days you had a little boogeyman cave in there is big picture of the boogeyman which is now in the in the downtown teflon.</p><p>00:37:54.630 –&gt; 00:38:05.010 Joseph McElroy: Remember yeah so patch mathers was the Mayor of can now he was he’s been Mayor of can he called me up so we’re going to the festival about food too much come in and see if I said to.</p><p>00:38:05.430 –&gt; 00:38:17.400 Joseph McElroy: And I said we’ll go around song about it, so we wrote record a song called the legend of the blue, and it’s all about the history of the book eight foot shaggy and eight foot tall and Shay you catch you move from.</p><p>00:38:18.570 –&gt; 00:38:21.480 Joseph McElroy: That it was it was that a big thing in canton.</p><p>00:38:22.710 –&gt; 00:38:36.570 Joseph McElroy: Where there was a bigger because he doesn’t really remember, since he was in 1616 2016 so the legend came up with us from played the song, I wrote the song for that festival it only had that one year didn’t.</p><p>00:38:37.650 –&gt; 00:38:46.920 Joseph McElroy: see that didn’t happen after that, but you know the songs the songs on there and there’s a guy named Dave Johnson place about 20 different instruments it’s quite.</p><p>00:38:47.400 –&gt; 00:39:02.220 Joseph McElroy: Another local board down so that old for somewhere plays a mean plays everything he did all the music God and it came out pretty well and there’s The thing is that when when i’ve given this to folks to original head is a single the kids get into this any kid.</p><p>00:39:04.590 –&gt; 00:39:11.850 Joseph McElroy: I guess it’s the sound of the name boom oh yeah with it, but the story was a he had a penchant for two things he liked to go.</p><p>00:39:12.390 –&gt; 00:39:20.400 Joseph McElroy: He would hide out in the Bush is he was he was he was haven’t counted version of victory right yeah see it out our leads there and he’d see the girls and their.</p><p>00:39:21.240 –&gt; 00:39:30.720 Joseph McElroy: Different pools, and then he said, the thing was he likes to go out and found all these precious stones and he had a cave and he’d go take them to that came storming or liquid jugs to fill them up many chat.</p><p>00:39:31.620 –&gt; 00:39:41.880 Joseph McElroy: Those two things so one day is how man is this young girls she’s in the cooler swim and she sees the Buddha in their eyes walk and they fall in love.</p><p>00:39:42.690 –&gt; 00:39:49.470 Joseph McElroy: They get married and they go back to the mountains, but he still had to go out look for all these precious stones so she would get it out.</p><p>00:39:51.870 –&gt; 00:40:01.650 Joseph McElroy: Get lonely and share the harder for him and he had a holler back to the power till they came together and her name is Andy okay therefore came the word good man.</p><p>00:40:04.440 –&gt; 00:40:07.860 Joseph McElroy: that’s Barclays really knows he’s a hooter.</p><p>00:40:10.050 –&gt; 00:40:19.470 Joseph McElroy: So that’s all in the song the legend wow that’s that’s a little tears a boogeyman yeah drinking booze and talking about losing this guy this.</p><p>00:40:20.850 –&gt; 00:40:23.160 Joseph McElroy: is given given oh i’m going to yeah.</p><p>00:40:24.240 –&gt; 00:40:29.370 Joseph McElroy: What is some of the other favorite songs is the one I think I think about the question.</p><p>00:40:30.030 –&gt; 00:40:45.780 Joseph McElroy: I think about some of the historic stuff is vascular marlins for Dino that name and he was he was the the minstrel the appalachians he was born on the campus plus now Marshall university and he started our mountain dance folk festival in 1928 and actual.</p><p>00:40:47.010 –&gt; 00:40:55.800 Joseph McElroy: Madison county ashbury it’s the longest running folk festival in America well in America have you been on the board of that too right well i’m on the advisory.</p><p>00:40:56.310 –&gt; 00:41:06.510 Joseph McElroy: Playing there, and you see there yeah i’m involved with it for years and years but pete seeger came down to learn about the banjo from Boston the marlins for.</p><p>00:41:07.020 –&gt; 00:41:20.220 Joseph McElroy: pete seeger many of fans who know the music fans know he had that long neck banjo story was he got that from Boston oh so i’ve got a tribute to baskin here on on my album that I want other songs.</p><p>00:41:21.480 –&gt; 00:41:27.300 Joseph McElroy: i’ve got one on this placement about is called god’s special children and it’s about special needs kids oh.</p><p>00:41:28.530 –&gt; 00:41:34.950 Joseph McElroy: I was doing some volunteer work already worth and Center over ashfall which should help special needs kids and.</p><p>00:41:35.250 –&gt; 00:41:40.950 Joseph McElroy: A lady i’ve worked with came in and she said, well, you did so i’m going to volunteer what are you doing here she’s talking pick up my son.</p><p>00:41:41.460 –&gt; 00:41:52.020 Joseph McElroy: And this was years actually both retired and our flashback and remember she has a son named our special needs kid adding them in the next mourners Christmas Eve.</p><p>00:41:52.530 –&gt; 00:42:02.040 Joseph McElroy: And I woke up and I wrote the song called god’s special children, and I remember as a kid my mom used to say, and she lived to be rather than one she used to say.</p><p>00:42:02.850 –&gt; 00:42:10.350 Joseph McElroy: If you’d see you know, a special needs child she’s it will sound Those are just god’s special tool well that just made everything everything.</p><p>00:42:11.340 –&gt; 00:42:20.010 Joseph McElroy: That so we did God special to integrate at our producer was able to pull in a later that same with me on that harmonizing you read it came out pretty well.</p><p>00:42:20.820 –&gt; 00:42:37.440 Joseph McElroy: Actually we’ve got goodness the number of the things I don’t call the leaning sound about what about columns guitars i’ve got one about monocle house burnett he was he was a great storyteller and fox theater okay now tell me Bob and his plot.</p><p>00:42:38.730 –&gt; 00:42:52.680 Joseph McElroy: State dogs, we all know that fox fox fox fox hunting, the thing, but my grandfather was a lousy he loved the Walker have the upper hand the latter house and I guarantee that we’ve known each other yeah.</p><p>00:42:53.730 –&gt; 00:43:04.590 Joseph McElroy: Big talks louder so I had written a song about him back in the 70s and I pulled out my files and revising David told plays washboard on it, and this David Johnson did some music.</p><p>00:43:05.100 –&gt; 00:43:12.870 Joseph McElroy: I said, you know we need some dog barks on this supposed to do is lackey do that and they weren’t you and he put dog barks we’re.</p><p>00:43:14.100 –&gt; 00:43:19.890 Joseph McElroy: Going on the mountain gotta go gotta go home because he’s house burns, and he grew.</p><p>00:43:22.050 –&gt; 00:43:23.430 Joseph McElroy: up so we let the dogs.</p><p>00:43:26.040 –&gt; 00:43:36.690 Joseph McElroy: favorite their local flow but we’re gonna have to take another break here and come back we’ll finish up with some of the other things to do and how you can help people get the CDS right all right.</p><p>00:45:37.980 –&gt; 00:45:45.240 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Richard Hurley, So, Richard.</p><p>00:45:45.810 –&gt; 00:45:52.560 Joseph McElroy: You were born and raised in Canton but now you live in Asheville your most of your life so yeah why just stick in Asheville for?</p><p>00:45:52.950 –&gt; 00:46:03.210 Joseph McElroy: Well, I just love the mountains, like your intro when you’re talking about your hotel and the great smoky mountains and the fishing stream all those things you talked about it’s made me realize how fortunate I am to</p><p>00:46:04.260 –&gt; 00:46:05.460 Joseph McElroy: stay here in Asheville.</p><p>00:46:06.540 –&gt; 00:46:13.500 Joseph McElroy: Western North Carolina you know a lot of volunteer activities I’m involved with taking all across Western North Carolina but.</p><p>00:46:13.890 –&gt; 00:46:24.060 Joseph McElroy: I thought there was a time to do my career, I was gonna have to leave and move to another location or leasing company and do something else, and I was blessed lucky that I didn’t have them leave.</p><p>00:46:24.450 –&gt; 00:46:31.920 Joseph McElroy: How do you like, how Asheville grown, oh I see it really changed and scrolled a lot, and this is an interesting place that’s.</p><p>00:46:32.460 –&gt; 00:46:37.770 Joseph McElroy: what’s that sort of a music city right? yeah, there’s a lot of you know, the best years on every corner seemed like that.</p><p>00:46:38.520 –&gt; 00:46:47.850 Joseph McElroy: You know, we have a couple of events of advanced downtown like the shindig on the green which I also wrote a song about on the first album we have shindig on the green in front of the courthouse there on Saturday nights.</p><p>00:46:47.970 –&gt; 00:46:59.880 Joseph McElroy: These seven Saturday nights during the summer in fact we’ll start this coming Saturday seven to 10 freebies right people bring a lawn chair or blanket and spread out there and they sit three hours, and we have all these musicians to come in.</p><p>00:47:00.330 –&gt; 00:47:09.750 Joseph McElroy: I’m going from deep in the hollers and some bones wherever square dance teams and all that and a lot of the greats like mark for it and Brian session, you know the hottest guitar player.</p><p>00:47:10.200 –&gt; 00:47:19.770 Joseph McElroy: In Ashville, I things the number one call guy over there and studios he cut his teeth or they’ve known split tons of big names play at home, Shindig on the green stage.</p><p>00:47:20.700 –&gt; 00:47:27.720 Joseph McElroy: But I know you’ve been involved with a lot of those different revenue festivals you’re involved with bells here right.</p><p>00:47:28.740 –&gt; 00:47:40.830 Joseph McElroy: I wrote a song about that I know I saw that I was wondering what happened, the bell share it just finally ran its course really started in 1979, yeah and I don’t remember what year it.</p><p>00:47:41.700 –&gt; 00:47:50.550 Joseph McElroy: folded video is a great festival, I mean how many times, do you walk down the street of Main Street drinking beer and eating a hot dog or whatever, and all this great entertainment oh my gosh.</p><p>00:47:51.150 –&gt; 00:47:58.080 Joseph McElroy: Is it that Doc and nice to have Skaggs and a lot of the big nice fact I mentioned a number of them in my song really yeah.</p><p>00:47:59.010 –&gt; 00:48:12.000 Joseph McElroy: So give people the flavor of what that was it was a special sort of vessel that folks got to get it back and 79 to have a street party with a sound about a phone on the phone or something different than normal kind of fair that got together got shows together and started a bill share.</p><p>00:48:13.710 –&gt; 00:48:21.240 Joseph McElroy: me just a beautiful life yeah the kids you grant end wife, which feed on the street, when the sun goes down music in the air and actually.</p><p>00:48:21.960 –&gt; 00:48:31.080 Joseph McElroy: There you go, of course, well you’ve been involved with a number of what other what other your favorite festivals well, those are pretty much it on ice.</p><p>00:48:31.770 –&gt; 00:48:37.380 Joseph McElroy: least try to go see Doc every time you come around I never played I played on the same show waiting one day out the.</p><p>00:48:37.770 –&gt; 00:48:45.180 Joseph McElroy: monster festival that marciel that’s another big festival the basketball marlins, for it was the only festival, is he would let us his name.</p><p>00:48:46.140 –&gt; 00:48:59.220 Joseph McElroy: And it started, I think, somewhere, back in the 60s and 70s, but it was a Mars hill moving on bringing a lot of evil talent back in Madison county and other Mecca for musicians so that’s a great fast.</p><p>00:49:00.480 –&gt; 00:49:14.160 Joseph McElroy: But I never I never got to play on the stage leap, but I did REP with chat room some backstage few few times on some of these programs but but tell us about the mountain DAS it falls fast again it’s the granddaddy of all focused.</p><p>00:49:15.300 –&gt; 00:49:24.600 Joseph McElroy: that’s the one yeah other venues what Ben is like the cholesterol killer well you know I like to go to some of the things that happened at the.</p><p>00:49:25.080 –&gt; 00:49:31.920 Joseph McElroy: Civic Center and some of the problems that happen there, and like you know, let us go back to see balsam range I’ve introduced those guys sometimes.</p><p>00:49:32.370 –&gt; 00:49:47.850 Joseph McElroy: Of course, my friend at work for those guys to the studio and he worked with the Steve can you arrange boy is not allowed, but anything in these venues that like your met your Maggie valley festival grounds here on some programs there and I played there actually one time.</p><p>00:49:52.860 –&gt; 00:49:53.700 Joseph McElroy: promote myself.</p><p>00:49:57.120 –&gt; 00:50:12.840 Joseph McElroy: I did a fair amount of volunteer work I go to Assisted Living Binion’s places like that and people call me I go to a program they can come to a pool party that’s not my opinion, without being a concert you got pretty much listen to the lyrics yeah right just.</p><p>00:50:14.010 –&gt; 00:50:24.120 Joseph McElroy: Because what so somebody coming to Western North Carolina asheville every county what you put in some things they shouldn’t miss shindig on the green, they should not miss that.</p><p>00:50:24.660 –&gt; 00:50:34.470 Joseph McElroy: that’s every every Saturday night not ever said that we break for the mountain dance folk festival start the 25th this it’s always the first weekend around the fourth of July.</p><p>00:50:35.070 –&gt; 00:50:49.830 Joseph McElroy: 25 of June, this time, and then we have starting second on through the break for the things of the sixth of August basketball we said, our focus was always the first weekend long about sundown.</p><p>00:50:51.180 –&gt; 00:50:55.710 Joseph McElroy: What i’m saying is OK, for you folks were watch mean seven o’clock yeah.</p><p>00:50:57.030 –&gt; 00:51:13.050 Joseph McElroy: So that’s a must see there yeah of course they’ll share was pulling that was that was but there, there are a lot of fans out there that probably need to get around go visit some of them haven’t visited all me I like the orange peel myself yeah.</p><p>00:51:14.250 –&gt; 00:51:23.040 Joseph McElroy: I did my bell share something there when when a buddy mine was chairing the camp chair and bill share asked me to come play it so we did that kind of kick it off.</p><p>00:51:23.850 –&gt; 00:51:35.100 Joseph McElroy: I just saw like 11 I think in New York City winery but he was also at the art of appeal to the Glasgow plays he plays a callings guitar that’s brand new guitar and I played.</p><p>00:51:35.700 –&gt; 00:51:45.990 Joseph McElroy: college to the dishes mark i’ve got a song called the column guitar song oh really are you are you do, do you have a, you said you have a collection guitar.</p><p>00:51:48.210 –&gt; 00:51:50.790 Joseph McElroy: Like like nobody’s saying you can’t have too many guitar.</p><p>00:51:52.950 –&gt; 00:52:02.160 Joseph McElroy: When I wrote this song about the colonies that’s your favorite yeah it’s like the head of me my servers back 34 years I said, good bass print my name and she had severe.</p><p>00:52:02.520 –&gt; 00:52:09.930 Joseph McElroy: will spend it on the new and follow this new and following a hot rod car, no, no thing so good rather have a college, maybe.</p><p>00:52:11.730 –&gt; 00:52:12.420 Joseph McElroy: Not kick off.</p><p>00:52:14.760 –&gt; 00:52:20.010 Joseph McElroy: spent many years, making money and then decided to buy a hotel yeah That was a better.</p><p>00:52:21.750 –&gt; 00:52:36.150 Joseph McElroy: guitar yeah well, it was all the time I bought it because yeah yeah being home homestead and big ideas have been doing things with it now it’s become something else, but I did get to touch Tony Tony robbins guitar when they.</p><p>00:52:37.440 –&gt; 00:52:38.010 Joseph McElroy: got to reach over.</p><p>00:52:39.960 –&gt; 00:52:51.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, how did How do people buy your albums well not my website and I was hoping might go take a look the websites Richard hurley he already why returning music.com.</p><p>00:52:52.050 –&gt; 00:53:00.660 Joseph McElroy: And the various tabs if they work through the tabs their maintenance places to pursue them and also my two videos are on that video about Kevin lynch.</p><p>00:53:01.410 –&gt; 00:53:10.380 Joseph McElroy: saw with all the beautiful pictures pictures make hundreds and i’m pretty sure not together a video there’s a video about shindig on the green locally.</p><p>00:53:11.370 –&gt; 00:53:18.360 Joseph McElroy: leverage books here in waynesville strange for music Scott my album and can you get the picture of a mercantile maddie.</p><p>00:53:19.170 –&gt; 00:53:34.860 Joseph McElroy: actually got the Chamber of Commerce over there, but the average American music.com can lead you in the first place, and you have your Facebook or anything like Facebook, to look you up there yeah alright cool well yeah Thank you very much for.</p><p>00:53:36.570 –&gt; 00:53:49.920 Joseph McElroy: appreciate it, and you know it’s just it’s fun to come up with a song strikes you something happens that makes you want around a song it just feels really good you get it recorded.</p><p>00:53:51.090 –&gt; 00:53:58.440 Joseph McElroy: she’s got a great show here I want you to be here what’s nice about the smokies and the culture and everything, are you better than that.</p><p>00:53:59.640 –&gt; 00:54:00.000 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:54:01.350 –&gt; 00:54:06.390 Joseph McElroy: my daughter just walk well hey there, this is the gateway to the spotify asked why do.</p><p>00:54:06.870 –&gt; 00:54:14.700 Joseph McElroy: You want to be on the show the show here my daughter’s on this show is the gateway to the post focus podcast you can find out more about us at.</p><p>00:54:15.270 –&gt; 00:54:27.150 Joseph McElroy: Facebook COM says gateway to the smokies podcast and we’re on the talk radio dot nyc network, which is a live podcast network with blocks of.</p><p>00:54:27.690 –&gt; 00:54:35.400 Joseph McElroy: Everyday alive podcasts that, ranging from small business to travel to self help to any number of things, but it’s a really good network.</p><p>00:54:35.790 –&gt; 00:54:49.800 Joseph McElroy: If you like listening to podcast I would recommend you take a listen to some of the other shows all of us that work, I actually have another podcast on this network called wise content creators well, but we talked about you know, using modern content marketing practices.</p><p>00:54:52.950 –&gt; 00:55:01.140 Joseph McElroy: To help your business so that’s on Fridays from noon until one, so I appreciate it that’s an interesting you’re just looking at us look us up, but this podcast.</p><p>00:55:01.500 –&gt; 00:55:16.470 Joseph McElroy: Is every Tuesday from six until seven we talked about the smoky mountains and hey we’re county actual and Tennessee even and things to do, and things and doing the culture and the people that are here so take a take a look look up come back again.</p> ff2da12c-a1dc-444e-badb-8c730b3b270b https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/a0df4f66-4ca7-4c7f-a523-b078a19d5cbc Tue, 21 Jun 2022 22:00:00 +0000 2993 no full Episode 61: Tar Heel Lightning - Talking NASCAR with Dan Pierce Episode 61: Tar Heel Lightning - Talking NASCAR with Dan Pierce Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>In today&#39;s episode, you&#39;ll learn about moonshine history, how NASCAR emerged from the Prohibition Era and how moonshine runners&#39; lives have an impact on today&#39;s world. </strong></p><p>Joseph is joined by our special guest<strong> Dan Pierce, </strong>he is a renowned author, columnist, and consultant. He earned degrees from WCU, the University of Alabama, and the University of Tennessee before becoming a history professor at UNC Asheville. Dan is an avid outdoorsman, passionate about NASCAR, moonshine history, Appalachian culture, environmental issues, and race relations. He lives with his family in Black Mountain, N.C. </p><p>He joins us to talk about Tar Heel Lightning: How Secret Stills and Fast cars Made N.C. the Moonshine Capital of the World, NASCAR, and more.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this out!</p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/dHqsL0NN3T/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>

Facebook Live Video from 2022/06/14 - Tar Heel Lightning - Talking NASCAR with Dan PierceGuest: DAN PIERCE

In this episode, you'll learn about moonshine history, how NASCAR emerged from the Prohibition Era and how moonshine runners' lives have an impact on today's world. 

Joseph is joined by our special guest Dan Pierce, he is a renowned author, columnist, and consultant. He earned degrees from WCU, the University of Alabama, and the University of Tennessee before becoming a history professor at UNC Asheville. Dan is an avid outdoorsman, passionate about NASCAR, moonshine history, Appalachian culture, environmental issues, and race relations. He lives with his family in Black Mountain, N.C. 

He joins us to talk about Tar Heel Lightning: How Secret Stills and Fast cars Made N.C. the Moonshine Capital of the World, NASCAR, and more.

Don't miss this out!

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1

Pierce grew up in West Asheville, and was born in Arkansas but moved at the age of 3. Father moved to pastor the Grace Baptist Church. Joseph discusses how he was born and grew up in Haywood County which is right next to Asheville but relocated to NYC and stayed for 27 years. Eventually, he moved back to Asheville because it’s a great place. Joseph and Pierce discuss the nostalgia of their childhoods in Asheville comparing it to how it is currently. They discuss good changes such as the dining expansion and interesting changes such as seeing more wildlife up close to their homes.

SEGMENT 2

When asked about his dedication to being a teacher and writer Pierce responds by saying he arrived at wanting to be a teacher in his late teens. He liked kids as he ran a park and majored in education. Ironically he recalls himself as an awful student but had a widowed sixth-grade teacher who influenced him. She took him and another boy over the summer to Europe, and her kindness encouraged him to be an influential teacher as well. After becoming a coach in Nashville he ended up going back to school for a Ph.D. at 40 years old. At 45 he came out with a book, he enjoyed reading early on but couldn't imagine himself becoming a writer. With great mentors, he got grounded with discipline and mastered writing. He enjoyed his thesis as it surrounded him hanging around the Moonshine or a stock race. His second book is Real NASCAR, White Lightning, Red Clay, and Big Bill Frogs. The France Family were/still are the owners of NASCAR. Perce dives into the rough and aggressive origin of NASCAR.

SEGMENT 3

Moonshine helped NASCAR and now Joseph wants to discuss how the roles were reversible, in that NASCAR helped NC become the Moonshine Capital. When the federal excise tax was put in place in NC after the Civil War, there was always a tradition in NC to make whiskey and so they made it illegal to upkeep the tradition whilst avoiding the tax. This would still be a strong local option during the prohibition. This made it a great market for Moonshine to thrive and it became a “two-way street” when it came to NASCAR. Successful drivers realized they could make more money with Moonshine than by winning races. There was an economic emergency or young people would get started with work with Moonshine. It became a part of the culture where people accepted the fact that it was needed for people’s livelihoods. Both Pierce and Joseph discuss how it’s still a lively product as they both are often gifted Moonshine. Popcorn Sutton was the bad image painted onto Moonshiners, but Pierce describes them as entrepreneurs and smart. He also talks about how there were also African Americans, women, and Native Americans. A.A. was actually a step ahead of white folks with illegal handmade liquor.

SEGMENT 4

Pierce wrote many books about the Great Smokies National Park. One of the most popular books is, “ From Natural Habitats to Natural Parkings”. Another book was, “Moonshine and the Smokies, Corn from a Jar'' which sold the most. He also did a book on the Community of Hazel Creek in Swain County, which surrounds the long controversy about the road to nowhere. The most recent one was a collaboration with an old friend regarding the art of the Smokies, “Illustrated Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park”. Pierce also discusses his book about ​​NASCAR vs the merits of college football. He was in a debate on the South Carolina Public Radio on a series called Tell About the South. Hardy Jackson from Jacksonville State in Alabama argued for football and Pierce argued for NASCAR. He won a lifetime award, the “Western NC Historical Association Outstate Achievement Award''. Pierce is big on equal rights and racial diversity, he’s leading a Railroad Incarcerated Committee to honor the forced labor of the 1870’s inmates.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:41.010 –> 00:00:43.320 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies.

00:00:43.320 –> 00:00:52.260 Joseph McElroy: podcast this podcast is about America’s most business National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:52.710 –> 00:01:01.470 Joseph McElroy: These areas are filled with natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:01.950 –> 00:01:10.440 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 year.

00:01:11.160 –> 00:01:18.540 Joseph McElroy: My businesses and travel, but my heart is in culture today we’re going to talk about tar heel lightning talking past NASCAR and.

00:01:19.080 –> 00:01:34.620 Joseph McElroy: and other mountain cultural touchstones with Dan Pierce, but first, our sponsors imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a chic Appalachian feel.

00:01:35.250 –> 00:01:46.650 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure for relaxation imagine a place where you could fish in a mountain parent is trout stream real the catch on fire, and he accompanied by fine line or craft beer.

00:01:47.340 –> 00:01:58.710 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place in the old-time music world cultural cell, there is no other place like the middle like motel Maggie valley you’re a smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.

00:02:00.630 –> 00:02:12.780 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding areas is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:13.470 –> 00:02:32.130 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure calm at smokies plural adventure senior.com to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains National Park trails waterfalls kids Code, the elk, and more and check out all the awesome family attractions.

00:02:34.050 –> 00:02:49.260 Joseph McElroy: slinky and interesting logical, it was facilities and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy the goal the smokies adventure calm is to be your meeting information source for adventures and experiences and the great smoky mountain.

00:02:50.850 –> 00:02:59.880 Joseph McElroy: Some upcoming events, I want to tell you about on June 18 at 4 pm is part four of the heritage books series with Bob Bob.

00:03:00.600 –> 00:03:11.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s another informative and entertaining and fun afternoon of history, food, and music as a part of part four of our heritage book series, and its an award-winning author and.

00:03:12.330 –> 00:03:15.930 Joseph McElroy: meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center general manager Bob blog.

00:03:16.620 –> 00:03:31.710 Joseph McElroy: Discussing his fourth book colorful characters the great smoky mountains and then these books, he leaves the library stories of vibrant and intriguing characters, such as the Cherokee chiefs you don’t agus got okay Nice.

00:03:32.490 –> 00:03:44.610 Joseph McElroy: Oh, can I should have gotten this before I got on the cocoa know stone soda sorry if I really I’m really butchered that they have dragon canoe and their allies such as john will watch, along with their combat.

00:03:45.240 –> 00:03:57.210 Joseph McElroy: Robert Rogers quitting Kennedy King hailer the Stockbridge Mohicans Francis Marion and others and then there’s modern-day icon such as von plot Charles matt Miller and URL and.

00:03:57.900 –> 00:04:16.830 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a book signing and Barbecue dinner, as well as a evening of acoustic music by Michael Guthrie in France it’s the Venice free to motel guests and heritage club Members but there’s an admission charge $10 for are all of the people call eight to 89261717 to reserve your place.

00:04:17.910 –> 00:04:33.270 Joseph McElroy: On July July night a mountain icon I the Iowa I a hatter is going to have a program called wild crafted and mothers nature natural guard and it starts on July 9 at 10 am and.

00:04:34.380 –> 00:04:43.050 Joseph McElroy: it’s a program featuring a legendary wildcrafting expert I had her and she was also a renowned author filmmaker instructor and tour guide.

00:04:43.410 –> 00:04:49.410 Joseph McElroy: For the great smoky mountains National Park elite DSM field school education Program.

00:04:49.920 –> 00:05:01.350 Joseph McElroy: She is an expert on edible plants medicinal herbs of anything pertaining to wild craft forging and Appalachians plant trees and flowers, she is going to give it a presentation on.

00:05:01.860 –> 00:05:08.730 Joseph McElroy: On all sorts of stuff related to walk crafting and then she’s actually going to take our the guests, and people are on.

00:05:09.060 –> 00:05:24.510 Joseph McElroy: an adventure, on the grounds and the surrounding area to actually forge things and learn how to do it right your own backyard so costs eight to 89261717 to reserve your place is free for guests and heritage heard this club members and there’s a $20.

00:05:25.830 –> 00:05:27.960 Joseph McElroy: price per for admission for everybody else.

00:05:29.700 –> 00:05:36.750 Joseph McElroy: And then on August six six there’s going to be a chair the launch of cherokee heritage series with Davey art.

00:05:38.280 –> 00:05:47.490 Joseph McElroy: Davey arts is a world-famous Cherokee tribal historic and award-winning craftsman of traditional Turkey crafts, specifically masks and baskets.

00:05:47.880 –> 00:06:07.200 Joseph McElroy: And a beloved spokesman for the Eastern Cherokee tribe the event will be followed by a Barbecue dinner and music is $20 per guest and it’s free for hotel guests call eight to 89261717 to reserve your seat now and for all events at the Meadowlark motel so.

00:06:08.220 –> 00:06:16.110 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re gonna be talking with Dan pierce, who is a renowned author columnist consultant who earned degrees from Western Carolina University.

00:06:16.500 –> 00:06:22.380 Joseph McElroy: The University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee before becoming a history professor at unc Asheville.

00:06:22.890 –> 00:06:36.090 Joseph McElroy: Dan is an avid outdoorsman passionate about NASCAR moonshine history Appalachian culture environmental issues and race relations, he lives with his family and black mountain North Carolina hello, Dan how are you doing.

00:06:36.600 –> 00:06:37.980 Daniel Pierce: i’m good i’m good.

00:06:38.280 –> 00:06:38.760 yeah.

00:06:40.110 –> 00:06:43.680 Joseph McElroy: it’s good to be here it’s a little hot right now but we’re getting over it right.

00:06:44.130 –> 00:06:45.330 Daniel Pierce: Hopefully, hopefully.

00:06:45.660 –> 00:06:52.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so like me euro you’re a native Western or throw you grew up my sash all right.

00:06:53.220 –> 00:07:04.560 Daniel Pierce: I did you know I hesitate call myself a native because I was born in Arkansas but, as I say, I got here as quickly as I could I was three when I.

00:07:06.090 –> 00:07:17.100 Daniel Pierce: arrived in West Asheville I’ve always said, the good Lord i’m thankful to the good Lord for calling my dad to come to pastor the Grace Baptist Church in West Asheville, and so I grew up there.

00:07:17.910 –> 00:07:28.590 Daniel Pierce: kind of an as I put it, a combination of Mayberry and a cotton mill town in will stifle at that time, which is not at all what West Asheville is today.

00:07:28.680 –> 00:07:30.210 Joseph McElroy: I know it’s changed a little bit.

00:07:31.230 –> 00:07:32.190 Daniel Pierce: he’s a little lot.

00:07:33.570 –> 00:07:39.240 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I just relocated with my family back you know I grew up in a wood county yeah right next to Asheville.

00:07:39.660 –> 00:07:53.970 Joseph McElroy: My family’s been in that county for over 200 years, so you know I got I was born and raised and all that sort of thing, but that has spent 27 years in New York City where my kids were born and I just reload your head the whole kit and caboodle back to Asheville so.

00:07:56.280 –> 00:08:09.930 Joseph McElroy: it’s you know it’s a it’s a great place to common yeah, as you can say, as you, as you mentioned this changed a lot, I think, in a positive way, but it was it was I thought it was pretty cool we were growing up what was it like growing up in West asheville.

00:08:10.530 –> 00:08:21.870 Daniel Pierce: Well, like I said it was kind of a combination of Mayberry and cotton mill town, you know when and course we were very much free-range kids at the time, and you know ride our bikes all ever West asheville and Walt.

00:08:23.190 –> 00:08:29.790 Daniel Pierce: You know I remember one particular Saturday bye buddy Steve Harris, and I just decided on the spur of the moment we’d walk despite.

00:08:30.180 –> 00:08:38.550 Daniel Pierce: to the top of the mountain, which is out in the last area, so we walked out Lester highway and we we remind me, you know 1112 years old and and.

00:08:39.210 –> 00:08:48.870 Daniel Pierce: Well, to the top of the mountain and back nobody knew, you know I mean it’s probably I don’t know 1015 miles when we walk that day, but that was the place, I grew up you.

00:08:48.870 –> 00:08:49.650 Daniel Pierce: know I mean we.

00:08:50.070 –> 00:08:51.510 Daniel Pierce: knew everybody and.

00:08:53.400 –> 00:08:54.570 Daniel Pierce: pretty much and.

00:08:55.770 –> 00:09:03.510 Daniel Pierce: It was just one of those kinds of neighborhoods so and the other great thing was being in western North Carolina and typically once.

00:09:04.710 –> 00:09:09.150 Daniel Pierce: You got a little more mobile and wheels, you know we went to the mountains, a lot and.

00:09:10.770 –> 00:09:16.830 Daniel Pierce: You know, we go the top of mountain play capture the flag and stuff like that a row rocks off the side of the mountain there.

00:09:19.290 –> 00:09:26.340 Daniel Pierce: and go to swimming holes and all that kind of stuff so it was a great I didn’t know at the time, but it was a great great place to grow.

00:09:27.060 –> 00:09:35.460 Joseph McElroy: it’s still good you know I I went right in our backyard so far we’re North asheville right and we’re on a real real wonderful street.

00:09:35.880 –> 00:09:42.840 Joseph McElroy: You know, and our kids bike on the street, just like you, you, you know you remember, they were out there with other kids and.

00:09:43.140 –> 00:09:56.430 Joseph McElroy: All you have to use your car and all the kids get off the road but it’s not there’s not really that much traffic but what’s interesting is is that in the in the week that we’ve been here we’ve seen had a BlackBerry to deer in our backyard.

00:09:57.510 –> 00:10:01.350 Joseph McElroy: which I don’t really remember Asheville being that prevalent for big wildlife.

00:10:01.650 –> 00:10:16.260 Daniel Pierce: yeah there were no turkeys there he never saw a bear unless you’re in the smokies and their head was in a garbage can and you never solved there you know it was it’s it’s really one of the great changes recent well.

00:10:17.700 –> 00:10:26.250 Daniel Pierce: I prefer to see bears a little less frequently in my yard actually one got up i’ve got my bird feeder strong about.

00:10:26.940 –> 00:10:42.930 Daniel Pierce: 15 feet up off the ground and one of them figured out how to get up there and kind of twine the wire and got one of the bird feeders to bounce off today, so a lot we we saw i’m trying it the other day and I shot him with a bb gun I don’t know if I can say that.

00:10:43.200 –> 00:10:43.500 yeah.

00:10:44.520 –> 00:10:45.420 Daniel Pierce: Is that legal.

00:10:48.210 –> 00:10:51.090 Daniel Pierce: And scare them off, but he got my bird feeder today and I.

00:10:51.090 –> 00:10:51.360 can’t.

00:10:54.270 –> 00:10:59.790 Joseph McElroy: bit bb guns and rocks over the thing back in the day and I think they’re probably still could have their uses.

00:11:02.700 –> 00:11:10.080 Joseph McElroy: So what do I think it’s interesting you grew up in West Asheville it’s changed a lot like you mentioned What would you think is the biggest change.

00:11:10.950 –> 00:11:12.600 Daniel Pierce: Well, the real estate prices for.

00:11:12.600 –> 00:11:13.890 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:11:14.520 –> 00:11:21.090 Daniel Pierce: They were just talking about you know, is it going to be a million-dollar bungalow for sale and West Asheville soon you know it’s.

00:11:21.960 –> 00:11:37.920 Daniel Pierce: crazy, you know the House, it was very blue-collar when I when I grew up there, and, of course, you had the actual speedway down there having races and or or, as some people put it, you know what went to the fights and a race broke out, you know.

00:11:40.710 –> 00:11:48.120 Daniel Pierce: Pretty rough place but you know and the and the only dining establishment really was the tasty diner you know and.

00:11:49.470 –> 00:11:53.670 Daniel Pierce: Where you could go sit at the bar with jack ingram you know, is in the nascar hall of fame so.

00:11:55.320 –> 00:11:59.820 Joseph McElroy: Great foodie place now man there’s some great restaurants out there, look jargon right.

00:12:00.240 –> 00:12:04.410 Daniel Pierce: Now those weren’t there you know it’s kind of one of those deals, you know I hear they’re good.

00:12:04.890 –> 00:12:05.490 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:12:05.940 –> 00:12:07.350 Daniel Pierce: I don’t get the West Eiffel much.

00:12:09.450 –> 00:12:15.780 Joseph McElroy: jargon is good there’s a there’s a really great coffee place i’m drawing a blank on the name, right now, but then there’s.

00:12:16.740 –> 00:12:22.590 Joseph McElroy: You know the early girl is opened up West Asheville, which is a really good you have farm to table thing so.

00:12:23.580 –> 00:12:35.580 Joseph McElroy: it’s it’s become a great place to go and pick up some really good food i’m telling you right now, everybody should go visit there and then they got the artsy sort of seeing going on and performance and things like that.

00:12:36.240 –> 00:12:38.250 Joseph McElroy: And I read an interview that’s.

00:12:38.280 –> 00:12:41.190 Daniel Pierce: Not my day was the chili dog at the surfside.

00:12:41.220 –> 00:12:41.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah right.

00:12:42.570 –> 00:12:48.150 Joseph McElroy: Or, I remember driving back you know and we’d always stopped West actual at the denny’s after being at the nightclub but.

00:12:50.340 –> 00:13:06.270 Joseph McElroy: I don’t see to be open anymore so ready very interview that she said something the effect that folks around that actually had no pretense that are they they are who they are take it or leave it I you know, do you feel that’s that’s the way they are now to.

00:13:06.840 –> 00:13:09.240 Daniel Pierce: A it’s hard to say yeah.

00:13:09.240 –> 00:13:09.630 Right.

00:13:11.280 –> 00:13:14.070 Daniel Pierce: it’s a different I don’t have as good a raid on.

00:13:15.630 –> 00:13:20.190 Daniel Pierce: The recent arrivals as I did the folks I grew up with.

00:13:21.510 –> 00:13:28.500 Joseph McElroy: was very true but I grew up the same thing, and I think that the people that are local here are, and I think it rubs off, I do think that people.

00:13:28.890 –> 00:13:42.990 Joseph McElroy: come from different areas get a little bit let it get lost a little bit of the pretense and they become a little bit more authentic I mean not as authentic as yeah what we grew up with but yeah like you know, there was somebody that I read somewhere that.

00:13:44.010 –> 00:13:55.920 Joseph McElroy: Nobody really has a fancy car asheville you know it’s yeah everybody has you know sort of you know, work practical cars right.

00:13:56.790 –> 00:14:01.440 Daniel Pierce: Well, mine is minus the truck with us still a possible bumper sticker on it.

00:14:01.470 –> 00:14:07.320 Joseph McElroy: So I’m still I’m driving my dad’s 1984 GMC truck so.

00:14:09.900 –> 00:14:12.780 Joseph McElroy: To get this current gas moment i’m not driver that much.

00:14:12.840 –> 00:14:13.230 yeah.

00:14:14.430 –> 00:14:20.520 Joseph McElroy: hey listen, we have to take a break and we’ll come back talk a little bit more about your history and then get into some of your books all right.

00:14:20.850 –> 00:14:21.180 Daniel Pierce: All right.

00:16:37.200 –> 00:16:50.490 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Dan Pierce so Dan you grew up in Asheville, then you left it to go get your bachelor’s.

00:16:51.570 –> 00:17:06.510 Joseph McElroy: vs bachelor of science at Western Carolyn Carolyn diversity and your masters of Alabama and then your PhD at the University of Tennessee and now Lo and behold, you are renowned writer and history, Professor did you always want to be a teacher and writer.

00:17:08.310 –> 00:17:08.880 Daniel Pierce: well.

00:17:10.050 –> 00:17:15.840 Daniel Pierce: A teacher, I think, was something I arrived at, you know in my late teens I worked at a.

00:17:17.610 –> 00:17:30.030 Daniel Pierce: Had a partner program and Asheville and I ran apart for a couple of summers I like kids a lot and so ended up majoring in education, I taught fifth grade for three years and I had.

00:17:31.740 –> 00:17:39.270 Daniel Pierce: kind of a weird experience educationally I was a horrible student I was kind of a noxious kid but I had a sixth-grade teacher That was really.

00:17:40.200 –> 00:17:51.180 Daniel Pierce: inspiring she loved history and then a weird thing happened, where she was she was a widow she asked me if i’d like to go to Europe and so.

00:17:52.230 –> 00:18:00.210 Daniel Pierce: Taking me the next summer after my seventh-grade year to Europe me and another 12-year-old boy, it was.

00:18:00.750 –> 00:18:01.800 Joseph McElroy: A lot of studying.

00:18:02.280 –> 00:18:02.760 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my God.

00:18:02.940 –> 00:18:04.710 Joseph McElroy: yeah it changed your life.

00:18:05.580 –> 00:18:18.300 Daniel Pierce: yeah really strange and then she ended up being my mom’s best friend so in just a deer name is Steve Bennett and just a wonderful person so she kind of inspired me to teach and then I had a lot of bad examples I think that I learned from.

00:18:21.420 –> 00:18:27.540 Daniel Pierce: about what not to do, and so I taught fifth-grade love that but was young single went to.

00:18:28.650 –> 00:18:34.710 Daniel Pierce: pulled up and went to Alabama, which is a great experience for two years and got my masters and.

00:18:35.790 –> 00:18:40.440 Daniel Pierce: kind of cast my lot with southern history, at that point.

00:18:41.550 –> 00:18:52.410 Daniel Pierce: Then I got married and moved to Nashville Tennessee and taught high school for eight years and I was coach peers for that time and really enjoy that stage of my life but, but then decided.

00:18:53.670 –> 00:18:56.670 Daniel Pierce: With the help of my life to go back for a PhD so.

00:18:57.960 –> 00:19:06.540 Daniel Pierce: I finished my Ph.D. at about the age of 40 and so you know I kind of came this late in life and then.

00:19:07.890 –> 00:19:08.790 Daniel Pierce: You know the first.

00:19:10.440 –> 00:19:21.360 Daniel Pierce: The first book, I guess, I was 45 when the first book came out, so I really never imagined, you know I’ve always been an avid reader but I never imagined being a writer and then.

00:19:23.010 –> 00:19:28.260 Daniel Pierce: I just had some great mentors in graduate school that simplify things for me writing was always.

00:19:30.000 –> 00:19:43.230 Daniel Pierce: painful for me, and then they simplified things made it much easier and and and and taught me how to sit down and write in and so, then that you know that I don’t know you know seven oh.

00:19:43.590 –> 00:19:46.500 Joseph McElroy: Would you start writing before you came to unc actual.

00:19:47.400 –> 00:19:52.740 Daniel Pierce: Well, I could have had to write a dissertation I had to do a master’s thesis and dissertation and such.

00:19:53.190 –> 00:19:55.260 Joseph McElroy: A good writing the books and so you got to do and CA.

00:19:55.410 –> 00:20:01.950 Daniel Pierce: yeah well the dissertation became the first book, but I had to do some significant rewriting on it and.

00:20:03.060 –> 00:20:19.800 Daniel Pierce: And I’ve been very fortunate to be the places where I’ve been where I’ve kind of been able to pick and choose what I wanted to do research on to write about so you know you know, I have a good time with it, so there are some people I know who hated their dissertation topic.

00:20:19.800 –> 00:20:19.920 Joseph McElroy: and

00:20:20.910 –> 00:20:26.310 Daniel Pierce: You know they hate their research but they’re kind of stuck because of the requirements of their tenure whatever and.

00:20:27.120 –> 00:20:36.510 Daniel Pierce: I’ve just been able to do what I want, so I have a good time and I get to do research by you know going hiking in the mountains or going to a stock car race or hanging out with moonshine are.

00:20:36.510 –> 00:20:37.530 Joseph McElroy: not bad research.

00:20:37.530 –> 00:20:41.670 Daniel Pierce: Right like that are traveling in the West, recently, you know.

00:20:41.850 –> 00:20:49.590 Joseph McElroy: how did you get I don’t know if it’s lucky or whatever that actually get to come back to your hometown to be a professor for so long.

00:20:49.860 –> 00:20:54.600 Daniel Pierce: It was totally accidental I was in graduate school finishing up and.

00:20:55.950 –> 00:20:58.500 Daniel Pierce: One-year position opened up at marcell.

00:20:59.730 –> 00:21:07.740 Daniel Pierce: University and did that, for a year and then I was fortunate enough to get a one year deal at unc asheville.

00:21:08.880 –> 00:21:21.390 Daniel Pierce: And then I was fortunate enough to get a one-year deal at Western Carolina University and then I kind of adjunct it for a while and, finally, I think unc Asheville figured I wasn’t going to go away and they finally hired me on the tenure track.

00:21:22.590 –> 00:21:24.150 Daniel Pierce: Oh yeah and.

00:21:24.480 –> 00:21:25.110 Joseph McElroy: She actually.

00:21:25.140 –> 00:21:31.320 Joseph McElroy: A very interesting place you know we were we moved on right there right, so I paid attention to what you know I actually.

00:21:31.740 –> 00:21:39.600 Joseph McElroy: You know I’ve been an artist I’ve been in some museums and things but yeah one of my first actually my first formal training in art.

00:21:40.110 –> 00:21:48.780 Joseph McElroy: was at unc Asheville I mean I’d gone to do and then had a career in technology and I burned out for a little while and just sort of tooled around in my first formal training.

00:21:49.230 –> 00:21:58.980 Joseph McElroy: of any sort of school was at unc Asheville before I moved on up North and went to other places, but so sort of fun for me to be live in there, you know it’s.

00:22:00.690 –> 00:22:08.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s a great place that they’re having something very soon that thing is interesting you’re having a world-class conference called the idea festival.

00:22:09.390 –> 00:22:09.930 Daniel Pierce: yeah.

00:22:10.050 –> 00:22:10.950 Joseph McElroy: Pretty crazy right.

00:22:11.190 –> 00:22:11.940 Daniel Pierce: yeah I got.

00:22:15.660 –> 00:22:16.530 Daniel Pierce: yeah lots of.

00:22:18.270 –> 00:22:20.610 Daniel Pierce: Speakers john meacham.

00:22:21.450 –> 00:22:23.430 Joseph McElroy: My major people really.

00:22:23.880 –> 00:22:29.850 Joseph McElroy: yeah I am in the middle of moving I’m still doing this, I can’t go, but I probably go next year, it looks great.

00:22:30.300 –> 00:22:47.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah so your books and articles cover a pretty wide range of subjects, all of them interested you already started mentioning them, but in 19 to 2010 you released real NASCAR white lightning red clay and bill big bill France was that your first book.

00:22:48.300 –> 00:22:58.080 Daniel Pierce: Now that was the second, the first one was 10 years before that actually was my dissertation it was on it’s called the great smokies from natural habitat to the national park and it’s.

00:22:59.130 –> 00:23:10.800 Daniel Pierce: That was one of the great smoky mountain National Park, so it kind of cast that’s kind of been, I guess, if I have an area, you know for my books are related to the great smoky mountains so.

00:23:12.030 –> 00:23:15.120 Joseph McElroy: He looks are your series on Nascar to and moonshine so you have.

00:23:15.450 –> 00:23:15.900 yeah.

00:23:18.360 –> 00:23:22.230 Daniel Pierce: yeah there’s some overlap there, so I did the NASCAR book and then.

00:23:23.310 –> 00:23:35.610 Daniel Pierce: A guy with the great smoky mountains, association, and editor there asked me to do a book on moonshine the smokies, and then that turned into a bigger book I’ll moonshine in North Carolina so well.

00:23:35.970 –> 00:23:39.390 Daniel Pierce: So they all kind of run together in kind of a weird way.

00:23:40.230 –> 00:23:44.670 Joseph McElroy: Why why, why did you write a book on NASCAR, I will get what was their interest there.

00:23:45.210 –> 00:23:55.230 Daniel Pierce: Well, the big thing I always you know I grew up and I put it within earshot of the what they call the new Asheville speedway or the or the river, which was kind of a leg.

00:23:56.700 –> 00:24:00.840 Daniel Pierce: yeah dental Nam boy road and West Asheville and it was a big hang out.

00:24:02.550 –> 00:24:14.580 Daniel Pierce: I was kind of well easily influenced by my brother my older brother and he was all about kind of living down your West Asheville roots and.

00:24:14.940 –> 00:24:27.510 Daniel Pierce: and your redneck roots in and hanging out with the North Asheville kids and all that, so I always I never went to a race there, I never thought about we just didn’t do that kind of thing you know Baptist preacher son and.

00:24:27.900 –> 00:24:31.920 Daniel Pierce: and always kind of make fun of it, but then I had a roommate at Western.

00:24:32.700 –> 00:24:36.810 Daniel Pierce: Western Carolina who was avid I mean he still is and.

00:24:38.310 –> 00:24:47.520 Daniel Pierce: And he kept trying to get me to get a races and then finally right, as I was finishing up my PhD work at Tennessee he was living in East Tennessee.

00:24:48.360 –> 00:24:56.400 Daniel Pierce: He said I got take it so got a couple of tickets to Bristol why don’t you come to go with me, and so I thought well you can’t call yourself a southern historian if you’ve.

00:24:56.910 –> 00:24:57.600 Joseph McElroy: never been done.

00:24:58.770 –> 00:25:06.930 Daniel Pierce: You know, and so that was 1994 and I went to my first race was night race at Bristol I don’t have a clue about anything.

00:25:07.860 –> 00:25:17.760 Daniel Pierce: the first thing he didn’t say anything about how loud, it was and I didn’t have any earplugs or anything I thought I was going to go deaf and so fortunately I had a strap on my sunglasses and I was able to stuff that my ears and.

00:25:18.360 –> 00:25:31.530 Daniel Pierce: And, but the thing that got me, I think I mean the racing was incredible I mean it was just really exciting, but the thing that got me where the fans that just were unreal I mean just the past.

00:25:32.190 –> 00:25:34.680 Daniel Pierce: fanatics yeah yeah there was a guy.

00:25:35.040 –> 00:25:37.050 Joseph McElroy: What explains that popularity yeah.

00:25:37.110 –> 00:25:41.250 Daniel Pierce: You know I don’t know I don’t see it as intense as it was at that.

00:25:42.570 –> 00:25:58.980 Daniel Pierce: But it was intense and I’ll never forget, there was a guy sitting in front of us and we were way up near the top and we’re 100 rose up or more, and this guy was sitting if he had a big old cooler he brought he and I don’t know how many beers he driving but.

00:25:59.130 –> 00:26:13.560 Daniel Pierce: yeah but he would they at bristol’s a half mile track so they’re coming by every 16 1516 seconds this guy would stand up every time Dale Earnhardt’s car came by and she didn’t bark.

00:26:14.820 –> 00:26:16.290 Joseph McElroy: Ah, so.

00:26:16.650 –> 00:26:18.840 Joseph McElroy: If it goes a little bit like pro wrestling there they.

00:26:21.300 –> 00:26:22.140 Joseph McElroy: Had a little bit of a.

00:26:24.210 –> 00:26:27.450 Joseph McElroy: Of a character that represented yeah.

00:26:27.510 –> 00:26:40.920 Daniel Pierce: yeah but I mean there was a lot of that kind of it was very almost a moral drama almost, particularly at that time Jeff Gordon was coming on the scene is kind of clean-cut California kid you know and here’s Dale earnhardt this rough.

00:26:42.150 –> 00:26:51.480 Daniel Pierce: A rough and tumble God worked in a cotton mill you know, and you know Greece under his fingernails kind of guy which is not necessarily true but.

00:26:52.110 –> 00:26:52.710 Daniel Pierce: But he had.

00:26:52.740 –> 00:26:57.660 Daniel Pierce: Any image, you know, and so it was great you know I mean it was just intense you know.

00:26:58.080 –> 00:27:05.940 Joseph McElroy: The first big name in NASCAR was William Henry Getty Big Bill France well what was this what was his position on sports?

00:27:06.120 –> 00:27:06.900 Daniel Pierce: way he was.

00:27:07.440 –> 00:27:22.800 Daniel Pierce: The founder basically the order, I mean the France family it’s unique and professional sports and that that nascar is owned by the France family still as a woman, by the France family and so his.

00:27:26.790 –> 00:27:38.640 Daniel Pierce: His brother or his side, Jim France is pretty much the head of it now, but then his his grandchildren well Brian Francis kind of out of the picture now he ran it for a while a grandchild and.

00:27:39.990 –> 00:27:50.040 Daniel Pierce: Lisa France Kennedy is has a big hand and so it’s still a family run business and then he kind of ran it with a with an iron fist back in the day and course it was.

00:27:50.160 –> 00:27:52.650 Joseph McElroy: Back in those days, it was all those guys were like.

00:27:52.740 –> 00:27:55.680 Daniel Pierce: yeah I mean it was it was a pretty rough crowd you.

00:27:55.680 –> 00:28:06.510 Daniel Pierce: know the you know there was a lot of those guys, you know got their first high speed driving experience behind about you know, a 39 for coop you know Holland liquor.

00:28:06.840 –> 00:28:08.820 Daniel Pierce: yeah right somewhere so.

00:28:08.820 –> 00:28:16.890 Joseph McElroy: trying to get trying to get the front end of one of those coops we got the moonshine room, I was well put it in there yeah so you know.

00:28:17.460 –> 00:28:30.660 Joseph McElroy: I would take a break soon, but you have you declare at the end of that book I would humbly suggest this time for Nascar to stop modernizing tradition and start embracing his tradition what’s the simple explanation of that statement.

00:28:31.230 –> 00:28:41.790 Daniel Pierce: Well, you know they are kind of hidden from their moonshine roots they’re doing a little bit more now, but I think they ought to embrace it, you know, I think that they it’s a great story you.

00:28:41.790 –> 00:28:42.060 know.

00:28:43.290 –> 00:28:52.020 Daniel Pierce: These guys, who had nothing you know but we’re very creative and entrepreneurial and aggressive you know, maybe.

00:28:52.320 –> 00:29:03.420 Joseph McElroy: Some of my relatives ran yeah moonshine and now they had souped up cars man and the stories of them racing through the hills, to avoid revenue, or is there a pretty heritage right so.

00:29:06.210 –> 00:29:12.300 Joseph McElroy: cool we got to take another break when I come back i’ll talk a little bit more about moonshine and your book so matt.

00:31:22.080 –> 00:31:29.610 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest is Dan Pierce so Dan you know you.

00:31:30.300 –> 00:31:34.350 Joseph McElroy: You wrote another book you’ve actually written a couple of books about moonshine you wrote another one.

00:31:34.650 –> 00:31:51.240 Joseph McElroy: That combined NASCAR and moonshine called tar heel lightning how secret stills and fast cars mean North Carolina the moonshine capital, the world, so we talked about how moonshine helped nascar how did nascar fast cars make North Carolina the moonshine capital.

00:31:52.020 –> 00:32:03.510 Daniel Pierce: Well it’s a long story, but from the very beginning, when you know, making whiskey became la or illegal, that is, if you didn’t pay the federal excise tax, and that was.

00:32:05.220 –> 00:32:07.950 Daniel Pierce: Well, went into effect in North Carolina right after the civil war.

00:32:09.060 –> 00:32:24.720 Daniel Pierce: North Carolina from the very beginning, you know, there was a long tradition of making making whiskey in North Carolina I mean going back to the earliest white settlers who brought that skill with them and brought their skills, with them perfectly legal activity.

00:32:26.340 –> 00:32:28.380 Daniel Pierce: With few exceptions, up until then.

00:32:29.580 –> 00:32:37.260 Daniel Pierce: And you know they weren’t about to give it up, you know, and so it was too important of economic activity, they couldn’t make any money if they.

00:32:37.740 –> 00:32:48.330 Daniel Pierce: On it, if they pay the tax, and so they made it illegally and, and so it just became very much ingrained in North Carolina history and culture as hard as the.

00:32:48.810 –> 00:32:56.730 Daniel Pierce: Federal Government and then went around the turn of the century, you started getting probation and then North Carolina became one of the first states to.

00:32:58.350 –> 00:33:00.900 Daniel Pierce: To have statewide probation in 1909.

00:33:01.920 –> 00:33:13.110 Daniel Pierce: And it’s it’s kind of interesting there’s that that that dynamic with prohibition and moonshine that they really go hand in hand and part of the reason North Carolina was.

00:33:14.010 –> 00:33:24.150 Daniel Pierce: Such moonshine was so important in North Carolina and so big in North Carolina was because probation was so strong and so.

00:33:24.510 –> 00:33:24.780 Joseph McElroy: You know.

00:33:24.990 –> 00:33:35.430 Daniel Pierce: After national you know you had national prohibition when that ended you still had local option in North Carolina and so most counties were dry well into the 60s and 70s and.

00:33:36.000 –> 00:33:47.460 Daniel Pierce: Even still have some dry municipalities and stuff like that around the state but but, again, it was long time before you know, most people could buy.

00:33:47.910 –> 00:34:01.920 Daniel Pierce: Legal liquor in this state, so there was a great market for moonshine which course fed into nascar, you know as kind of a you know, a two way street, there you know you had people who who became successful drivers who.

00:34:03.000 –> 00:34:05.580 Daniel Pierce: figured out, they could make more money hauling liquor then they could win.

00:34:08.250 –> 00:34:14.640 Joseph McElroy: or an economic, it was I mean it had a it was an economic boom for people in the mountains, even though it was also.

00:34:15.120 –> 00:34:25.200 Joseph McElroy: devastating you know and a lot of social ills from it as well, but now it was like quick money right yeah there was you couldn’t get loans you couldn’t get anything else, but you could make money with moonshine right.

00:34:25.680 –> 00:34:35.790 Daniel Pierce: yeah for a lot of people, it was kind of an insurance policy, and you know, most people were not career moonshiners you know they weren’t your popcorn sutton’s you know who.

00:34:36.210 –> 00:34:43.200 Daniel Pierce: Who did it all their life, you know they did it, you know, and they were there was kind of an economic emergency or there or they’re young they’re you know they’re kind of.

00:34:44.460 –> 00:34:56.790 Daniel Pierce: You know, starting out so a lot of people, you know you know it’s kind of funny you know you talk to people everybody says Oh well, you know I in my family, you know someone so holic or something like that and.

00:34:57.270 –> 00:35:03.000 Daniel Pierce: And it was just a common thing you know for a lot of people, it was one of the few ways that you could get cash money.

00:35:03.330 –> 00:35:06.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah hard to get cash.

00:35:06.150 –> 00:35:18.990 Daniel Pierce: Right cash money, and you know if you’re willing to take the risk, and so you know for a lot of people, it was you know almost unexpected depend on the Community you’re in you know is almost an expected thing you know and.

00:35:20.400 –> 00:35:22.230 Daniel Pierce: And for a lot of people it wasn’t great.

00:35:22.710 –> 00:35:35.730 Daniel Pierce: You know, particularly in rural areas that when a great disability, you know the preacher might preach against it but, but the preacher understood to that you needed to do what you which could put shoes on your kid’s feet and.

00:35:38.700 –> 00:35:39.840 Daniel Pierce: and feed them and so.

00:35:40.980 –> 00:35:43.320 Daniel Pierce: And the preacher also knew that he got.

00:35:44.340 –> 00:35:47.700 Daniel Pierce: You know that money in the offering plate often came from laker money so.

00:35:47.820 –> 00:35:58.800 Joseph McElroy: I listened to all the general stores loved it, because who bought word they buy the sugar where they buy that you know the components that fed the economy in general, so you know it was a.

00:36:00.000 –> 00:36:09.840 Joseph McElroy: And then yeah you hadn’t things different you wrote a book called corn from a jar which we actually carry here at the metal Arc that explored, a lot of these issues didn’t it.

00:36:10.770 –> 00:36:13.260 Daniel Pierce: yeah like specifically at the smokies but.

00:36:14.400 –> 00:36:15.630 Daniel Pierce: Again, you know that’s a.

00:36:17.850 –> 00:36:18.150 You.

00:36:19.410 –> 00:36:21.330 Joseph McElroy: Know moonshine is good for cough.

00:36:21.600 –> 00:36:22.290 Daniel Pierce: Well, it is.

00:36:24.900 –> 00:36:27.660 Daniel Pierce: I got a freezer full of it people keep giving it to him.

00:36:28.710 –> 00:36:29.250 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:36:29.310 –> 00:36:30.900 Daniel Pierce: we’re still i’m pretty active.

00:36:31.800 –> 00:36:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Oh man I get people showing up at the motel we have our pavilion we have like a will have a bluegrass festival or something man everybody’s giving me boo chatting yeah.

00:36:40.650 –> 00:36:41.340 So.

00:36:42.570 –> 00:36:43.890 Daniel Pierce: I got a freezer full of it.

00:36:44.370 –> 00:36:44.820 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:36:45.600 –> 00:36:46.980 Daniel Pierce: I do need to go against it but.

00:36:47.880 –> 00:36:53.640 Joseph McElroy: My dad you know here’s a bunch of he probably still he used to eat popcorn he probably still have some popcorn.

00:36:53.820 –> 00:36:57.330 Daniel Pierce: yeah well I think everybody has some purportedly.

00:36:57.630 –> 00:37:01.200 Daniel Pierce: yeah a chat I’ve heard a lot of it, oh yeah I got some popcorn.

00:37:03.960 –> 00:37:18.900 Joseph McElroy: So what’s up you know, there was a lot of cultural representations of moonshiners and I think a lot of that you know was purposely you know denigrating people making them into bumpkins but what do you think is the side of moonshine that most people have never seen.

00:37:19.680 –> 00:37:23.250 Daniel Pierce: Well, there guys, there are a lot of signs and that was what the book.

00:37:26.070 –> 00:37:35.580 Daniel Pierce: Tar heel lighting is really bad it’s kind of a lot complicating I guess the image, because if people’s me to moonshiners kind of popcorn site, and you know.

00:37:36.570 –> 00:37:46.500 Daniel Pierce: Guy with a beard and overalls and they’ll truck and you know, in the file mouth, and you know and apparently popcorn was no dummy for sure and.

00:37:48.360 –> 00:37:51.060 Daniel Pierce: But you know one they were.

00:37:52.260 –> 00:37:58.410 Daniel Pierce: A lot of these people were very smart they were very entrepreneurial they were very skilled.

00:38:00.360 –> 00:38:15.990 Daniel Pierce: have often talked about junior Johnson that famous car driver and car owner, but he, of course, got his start you know, in the family business, which was moonshine but I’ve often said about junior Johnson I think he’s one of the smartest people he didn’t come across is.

00:38:17.040 –> 00:38:26.700 Daniel Pierce: Particularly intelligent, but he was one of the smartest people I’ve ever encountered often said he probably never read a physics book, but I think you could write one.

00:38:29.160 –> 00:38:31.590 Daniel Pierce: A lot of these people were really smart The other thing was that.

00:38:33.540 –> 00:38:50.700 Daniel Pierce: We had the same as the white mountain near and the fact of the matter is in North Carolina in particular and most of the South, it was all over I mean you know there are many coastal swap moonshiners is that we’re mountain moonshiners you know lower in Piedmont, it was all over.

00:38:51.930 –> 00:39:00.900 Daniel Pierce: And it was an end, and they weren’t all fly there were a lot of native Americans particularly manga lambie down the eastern part of North Carolina.

00:39:00.930 –> 00:39:03.450 Joseph McElroy: They sort of taught moonshiners about corners as.

00:39:03.690 –> 00:39:04.530 Daniel Pierce: Well yeah you.

00:39:05.550 –> 00:39:07.200 Daniel Pierce: Know actually the.

00:39:08.190 –> 00:39:17.970 Daniel Pierce: The first moonshiners in North Carolina were African American and Native American because in the 1830s the legislature passed a law that said.

00:39:19.140 –> 00:39:24.210 Daniel Pierce: said free persons of color could not make liquor or sell liquor.

00:39:25.680 –> 00:39:30.570 Daniel Pierce: And so they were making it illegally before you know before white people were.

00:39:31.140 –> 00:39:31.620 Joseph McElroy: made were used.

00:39:31.770 –> 00:39:32.640 Daniel Pierce: to watch a nation.

00:39:32.670 –> 00:39:36.120 Daniel Pierce: Plus, they were also traditions of slaves too.

00:39:37.710 –> 00:39:43.290 Daniel Pierce: apply plantation distilleries using slave Labor so like a lot of African Americans knew how to make liquor.

00:39:43.410 –> 00:39:44.640 Joseph McElroy: I knew very good.

00:39:45.630 –> 00:39:51.360 Daniel Pierce: yeah, then the other thing I think that that’s that kind of blows people’s minds was the number of women involved.

00:39:52.440 –> 00:39:55.350 Daniel Pierce: And that’s just a fascinating story, you know.

00:39:55.350 –> 00:39:57.930 Joseph McElroy: Especially on the brandy, they made from those that.

00:39:57.990 –> 00:40:01.740 Joseph McElroy: moonshine right at it out yeah for things like.

00:40:02.520 –> 00:40:17.370 Daniel Pierce: Well, if you had fruit trees, you know back in you know well before refrigeration became common if you had free trees, there was one reason why you did, and that was the to make brandy or apple jack or something.

00:40:17.370 –> 00:40:19.590 Daniel Pierce: Like alcohol from it.

00:40:21.570 –> 00:40:32.880 Daniel Pierce: Because you couldn’t you know if you had a big orchard, I mean you couldn’t preserve all that you couldn’t get to market, but you could distill it and you could get that the market and it would really sale to.

00:40:33.060 –> 00:40:44.790 Joseph McElroy: find the things that you can you know I just discovered, I can make me from hmi here at the motel and once we get our fortified wine and liquor license and I’m going to be making I’m gonna be making our own been.

00:40:45.870 –> 00:40:47.730 Joseph McElroy: A tradition to figure out what you can.

00:40:48.990 –> 00:40:50.700 Daniel Pierce: that’s right, you have it handy.

00:40:51.270 –> 00:40:56.700 Joseph McElroy: But you know I want to get to you know you said you’d wrote four books about the great smoky mountains and.

00:40:58.350 –> 00:41:06.360 Joseph McElroy: You know, and I think the first one was natural habitat to national parks it seems you’re a passionate environmentalist, can you tell us about this book?

00:41:07.110 –> 00:41:15.060 Daniel Pierce: yeah well again it’s on the establishment of the park and it’s a yeah it’s a great story, you know it’s a unique story because.

00:41:16.260 –> 00:41:18.240 Daniel Pierce: smokies and Shenandoah we’re.

00:41:19.650 –> 00:41:27.720 Daniel Pierce: Creating a unique way at that time and in the 1920s Congress said they would not purchase lands for national parks, all the national parks.

00:41:28.440 –> 00:41:45.300 Daniel Pierce: Were were in the West, and they were in the federal domain, all you did was say to sign, basically, of which federal agencies managing it so, but the Congress wouldn’t buy land for for national parks and so, but then they said, if the states will buy the land.

00:41:47.070 –> 00:42:00.240 Daniel Pierce: And we approve this land is appropriate for national park, then, then the states can turn the land over to us and we’ll make it a national park and so that’s what happened, but it was a long slow process because they had to.

00:42:02.550 –> 00:42:07.230 Daniel Pierce: They had raised the money to buy to buy the land, so they had private donations.

00:42:09.990 –> 00:42:11.730 Daniel Pierce: They had state bonds and then.

00:42:13.350 –> 00:42:21.180 Daniel Pierce: Finally, it was john D Rockefeller jr who who know $95 million to make it happen so.

00:42:22.200 –> 00:42:23.700 Daniel Pierce: it’s a unique thing so.

00:42:26.520 –> 00:42:26.730 He.

00:42:28.380 –> 00:42:31.140 Daniel Pierce: So people, the Western North Carolina and East Tennessee.

00:42:32.190 –> 00:42:35.490 Daniel Pierce: feel a real sense of ownership about the.

00:42:36.660 –> 00:42:36.990 Daniel Pierce: About.

00:42:38.460 –> 00:42:40.680 Daniel Pierce: about the park that other places don’t have.

00:42:41.790 –> 00:42:47.640 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know we’re good, I think we could take it that we could take a break, right now, and you get some more water and.

00:42:49.770 –> 00:42:54.840 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll come back we’ll talk more about some of your books and some of the other things that you’ve done in.

00:42:56.640 –> 00:42:56.970 Daniel Pierce: Hello.

00:45:00.630 –> 00:45:11.220 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Dan peers so, then you wrote several books about the great smoky National Park.

00:45:12.360 –> 00:45:19.410 Joseph McElroy: That, I mentioned the one that was really popular from natural habitat to national party what are some of the others that people might look up.

00:45:20.790 –> 00:45:21.510 Daniel Pierce: Well, I did.

00:45:22.470 –> 00:45:26.760 Daniel Pierce: yeah I did the one on been shot in the smokies corn from a jars part of the book that sold the most.

00:45:27.090 –> 00:45:28.710 Daniel Pierce: yeah and.

00:45:29.880 –> 00:45:40.020 Daniel Pierce: And then I did a book on Community of hazel creek and swine county which was displaced and then there was a long, long controversy about the road to nowhere.

00:45:41.430 –> 00:45:45.420 Daniel Pierce: There in that in that county that was that was resolved, you know, maybe 10 years ago.

00:45:46.680 –> 00:45:49.170 Daniel Pierce: Finally, after 50 years or so.

00:45:50.220 –> 00:45:52.620 Daniel Pierce: And that’s just a really interesting community and.

00:45:54.990 –> 00:46:01.440 Daniel Pierce: And kind of a legendary Community it’s kind of now it’s more kind of a legend is a trout fishing destination, but.

00:46:01.680 –> 00:46:02.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah good job fish.

00:46:02.880 –> 00:46:03.960 Daniel Pierce: yeah yeah.

00:46:05.310 –> 00:46:12.870 Daniel Pierce: And then the, the most recent when I did I can kind of see in the background, there i’ll leave my head over is a poster by.

00:46:13.920 –> 00:46:25.050 Daniel Pierce: an artist graphic card is by the name of Joe Anderson gentlemen, our friends, when I lived in nashville 30 years ago, and then we lost touch with one another and.

00:46:27.300 –> 00:46:29.850 Daniel Pierce: He went on to a very successful career.

00:46:31.050 –> 00:46:41.580 Daniel Pierce: Start his own company and and then he gave up basically its advertising business that just do poster art full time and he has an incredible business.

00:46:42.330 –> 00:47:00.210 Daniel Pierce: is best selling posters or national park posters and so he did a book in 2016 for the for the hundredth anniversary National Park service on all the national parks and use this poster art in the sun did the text and so.

00:47:01.320 –> 00:47:06.990 Daniel Pierce: I brought in you and CA to do a program about art and the national parks and.

00:47:08.010 –> 00:47:27.090 Daniel Pierce: Over dinner, he asked me if I would be interested in doing a book with him and on the smokies, and so I said sure, and so we made about seven seven or eight trips into the smokies had some great adventures sell some really cool places it was it was so much fun to take him and his son.

00:47:28.710 –> 00:47:32.730 Daniel Pierce: Around to see a lot of these places that had meant so much to me.

00:47:33.840 –> 00:47:46.740 Daniel Pierce: And I learned a lot in the process, but anyway that turned into a book called the illustrated guide to the great smoky mountain National Park, and which is solving all the bookstores now, this is a great kind of coffee table book, so it was a real.

00:47:46.740 –> 00:47:47.250 departure.

00:47:48.630 –> 00:47:58.710 Daniel Pierce: And so that was that was so much fun and we had so much fun doing them trips together and all that you know and again, you know doing quote research in.

00:48:00.720 –> 00:48:01.440 Daniel Pierce: The park and.

00:48:02.340 –> 00:48:05.190 Daniel Pierce: Then that morphed into one that just came out.

00:48:06.240 –> 00:48:15.540 Daniel Pierce: This is an illustrated guide to the to the grand circle of Arizona and utah and so its southern utah.

00:48:16.650 –> 00:48:17.460 Joseph McElroy: niche itself.

00:48:17.730 –> 00:48:18.330 yeah.

00:48:19.620 –> 00:48:23.220 Daniel Pierce: yeah that was just out and, but that was so much fun we.

00:48:26.040 –> 00:48:28.260 Joseph McElroy: had some fun books, I saw that you Co.

00:48:28.260 –> 00:48:33.870 Joseph McElroy: wrote a book debating the merits of NASCAR versus college football in the south, so.

00:48:35.340 –> 00:48:35.820 Joseph McElroy: How did that.

00:48:37.620 –> 00:48:40.980 Joseph McElroy: come out about what was the conclusion.

00:48:41.880 –> 00:48:44.250 Daniel Pierce: Well, I won, but.

00:48:44.910 –> 00:48:48.690 Daniel Pierce: It was actually a debate, you know that was done on the.

00:48:49.950 –> 00:49:04.380 Daniel Pierce: South Carolina public radio, which was broadcast all over I think a lot, it was it was a series called tell about the south, and it was you know they brought on to scholars to discuss or debate some issue so.

00:49:05.640 –> 00:49:16.200 Daniel Pierce: So getting the party to Jackson who’s was from Jacksonville state and Alabama did the football side, and I did the NASCAR side and so.

00:49:17.520 –> 00:49:18.690 Daniel Pierce: I got whipped him but.

00:49:19.470 –> 00:49:30.240 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool and then you what have you books and I didn’t find out which one you tell me one the Western North Carolina historical association outstayed achievement award which one was the book.

00:49:30.720 –> 00:49:35.040 Daniel Pierce: Well, that was just that achievement awards is kind of a lifetime achievement.

00:49:35.070 –> 00:49:36.210 Joseph McElroy: Over the lifetime of cheese and.

00:49:36.210 –> 00:49:37.530 Daniel Pierce: Whatever book yeah.

00:49:37.980 –> 00:49:41.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah okay well it’s it’s it’s Nice, I mean.

00:49:41.250 –> 00:49:41.610 Daniel Pierce: you’ve got.

00:49:41.700 –> 00:49:45.360 Joseph McElroy: Great titles I think it’s really great, but I also think that.

00:49:47.460 –> 00:49:52.530 Joseph McElroy: That you are, you are you’re very passionate about eight equal rights and racial diversity.

00:49:53.940 –> 00:50:11.730 Joseph McElroy: And you know, and you know our associate Bob plot, you know it is a mutual friend wrote about a great book about his son and about the story of wmc are the railroad the mercury branch railroad built almost entirely by conflict Labor contract Labor.

00:50:14.910 –> 00:50:22.290 Joseph McElroy: And it was a brutally inhumane form of legalized slavery, supported by both political parties for two decades.

00:50:22.620 –> 00:50:37.050 Joseph McElroy: yeah few people are aware of this and the sacrifice made people to open up w Western North Carolina to the outside world, you are leading a committee dedicated honor to these inmates the railroad incarcerated Committee, can you tell us about that.

00:50:37.530 –> 00:50:40.200 Daniel Pierce: yeah so I live at ridgecrest which is.

00:50:41.370 –> 00:50:45.720 Daniel Pierce: One of the most storied section of the railroad.

00:50:46.770 –> 00:50:51.930 Daniel Pierce: And the big roadblock to building railroad into Western North Carolina was.

00:50:53.370 –> 00:50:56.040 Daniel Pierce: What was called a sua know upgrade or.

00:50:57.390 –> 00:51:01.800 Daniel Pierce: Or the mountain division, the railroad so it was so hard to.

00:51:04.710 –> 00:51:14.700 Daniel Pierce: So it’s about a Three Mile stretch as the crow flies but it’s it’s nine miles a railroad so it twists and turns up the mountain there are seven tunnels in that section.

00:51:16.020 –> 00:51:20.670 Daniel Pierce: It took three years, using over 3000.

00:51:22.080 –> 00:51:25.980 Daniel Pierce: incarcerated libraries in the in the north Carolina state penitentiary.

00:51:27.210 –> 00:51:28.200 Joseph McElroy: Basically, slavery.

00:51:29.040 –> 00:51:36.090 Daniel Pierce: Yes, and it was it was it was brutal and again they’re using nitroglycerin it’s very dangerous work.

00:51:37.140 –> 00:51:39.450 Daniel Pierce: Their crap together in horrible conditions.

00:51:42.630 –> 00:51:43.590 Daniel Pierce: And we know.

00:51:45.060 –> 00:51:58.350 Daniel Pierce: From the records that at least 139 of these people died in the process and countless other injuries and you know you know, probably permanent injuries as well we just don’t know.

00:51:58.980 –> 00:52:00.840 Daniel Pierce: yeah but there was no.

00:52:01.920 –> 00:52:15.720 Daniel Pierce: there’s really no I mean there have been a few books written and some you know there’s a little awareness, but there’s no public recognition there’s a and so a group of us.

00:52:17.460 –> 00:52:31.950 Daniel Pierce: Actually kind of started on my front porch over breakfast with a friend of mine, whose name is Steve little and he’s a lawyer and the Mayor of Marion North Carolina but a big railroad buff and he’s been fascinated by this section a railroad since he was a kid.

00:52:33.360 –> 00:52:40.410 Daniel Pierce: And so we put We contacted some folks and put together a committee of people from McDowell county and bumping county.

00:52:42.240 –> 00:52:42.720 Daniel Pierce: To.

00:52:43.800 –> 00:52:58.920 Daniel Pierce: build a memorial, and so it, you know it really we you know, put it was kinda like a little rascals you know we didn’t really know what you’re doing you know it’s gonna let let’s put on a show and but we didn’t have a clue as to what we’re doing, and so we just kind of.

00:52:59.970 –> 00:53:18.600 Daniel Pierce: You know what one of our committee members put together a website and we just started contacting people and got some good publicity and Western North a lot of historical associations partner with us and we were able to put a you know, a donate now button on the thing and.

00:53:20.100 –> 00:53:23.970 Daniel Pierce: They started coming in and for we knew it was OK, now we.

00:53:24.390 –> 00:53:29.880 Joseph McElroy: We got the money you know a lot of people here remember the railroads back in the day and my great grandfather.

00:53:31.170 –> 00:53:37.350 Joseph McElroy: was an engineer for the logging railroads and my man, that was a brutal brutal brutal business.

00:53:37.470 –> 00:53:43.320 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah and the slaves, the slave Labor prison Labor got the worst of it, so I think it’s a good thing that you’re doing.

00:53:44.700 –> 00:53:47.820 Joseph McElroy: And I appreciate it, you know we’re getting close to the end here.

00:53:49.620 –> 00:54:01.200 Joseph McElroy: And I want you to have the opportunity to shout out anything we haven’t mentioned or where people can look up your books or get in contact with you or however you want them to remember from this this this podcast.

00:54:01.890 –> 00:54:10.860 Daniel Pierce: Well yeah i’m always looking for folks to check out, I would encourage folks to check out Anderson design group.

00:54:11.460 –> 00:54:26.850 Daniel Pierce: Has a coffee table books and it’s just an incredible site with all you know if you love the smokies and you want to have something on your wall is posters are just incredible and so I would encourage you to do that to patronize the park.

00:54:28.020 –> 00:54:38.190 Daniel Pierce: gift shops that con lefty and in Bryson city and all over the great smoky mountain National Park I’m on there I’m on their board and so.

00:54:39.240 –> 00:54:43.560 Daniel Pierce: Just leads, you know come back to the park in a great way and they sell my book, so.

00:54:44.850 –> 00:54:46.350 Joseph McElroy: Are you on Facebook or anything?

00:54:46.830 –> 00:54:47.130 Daniel Pierce: But.

00:54:47.430 –> 00:54:48.690 Joseph McElroy: Are you on Facebook you.

00:54:49.350 –> 00:54:54.360 Daniel Pierce: know you know I’m not I haven’t done social media as well.

00:54:55.350 –> 00:55:00.210 Daniel Pierce: Okay I’ve done in the past, but it just kind of eats up your life and so.

00:55:01.800 –> 00:55:06.210 Daniel Pierce: And so I don’t but, but I would also encourage folks to.

00:55:09.030 –> 00:55:12.720 Daniel Pierce: check out rail rei l dot.org.

00:55:13.950 –> 00:55:30.990 Daniel Pierce: Which is our website for the rail project, one of the really cool things just real quickly we’ve done recently is to bring in human remains detection dogs and ground penetrating radar and have located some mass graves.

00:55:32.010 –> 00:55:43.650 Daniel Pierce: Which is is is sad and tragic but we’re going to be able to, we are looking for funds to be able to mark those places and you know.

00:55:44.730 –> 00:55:51.480 Daniel Pierce: do what we can and you know we can’t bring those people back, but it’s it’s important to work I think so.

00:55:51.630 –> 00:55:58.380 Joseph McElroy: Thank you so much for being on the show you know I enjoy the books that you read you're written and.

00:55:58.860 –> 00:56:08.670 Joseph McElroy: I’ve read a little bit of the corner of the JAR and bring some others of yours, and I look forward to seeing what you do in the future, and now we should keep in touch, so thank you for being on the show.

00:56:09.030 –> 00:56:10.350 Daniel Pierce: But enjoyed it thoroughly.

00:56:11.580 –> 00:56:22.380 Joseph McElroy: This is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find out more about us@facebook.com says gateway to the smokies podcast as well as on the talkradio.nyc network.

00:56:22.830 –> 00:56:32.730 Joseph McElroy: or they have lots of live podcasts that are worthwhile going to look at and watch for, ranging from small business's self-help to travel.

00:56:33.180 –> 00:56:38.910 Joseph McElroy: Like we’re having here, I also have another podcast called wise content creates well, which is about marketing and Ai.

00:56:39.330 –> 00:56:43.830 Joseph McElroy: and helping businesses, you know achieve better results with their content marketing.

00:56:44.430 –> 00:56:57.510 Joseph McElroy: And that’s on Fridays from noon to one and don’t forget to check out the metal or motel call it to call eight to 89261717 for a reservation for any events or just come and visit us I’d love to see you.

00:56:58.470 –> 00:57:07.410 Joseph McElroy: So see you next week for this podcast K with smokies from six until seven on Tuesday night and until then have a good week.

]]> <h1><br></h1><p><a href="https://fb.watch/dHqsL0NN3T/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/62abafee56c2b55b6a99f304_20220614-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/06/14 - Tar Heel Lightning - Talking NASCAR with Dan Pierce"></a><strong>Guest: DAN PIERCE</strong></p><p><strong>In this episode, you&#39;ll learn about moonshine history, how NASCAR emerged from the Prohibition Era and how moonshine runners&#39; lives have an impact on today&#39;s world. </strong></p><p>Joseph is joined by our special guest<strong> Dan Pierce, </strong>he is a renowned author, columnist, and consultant. He earned degrees from WCU, the University of Alabama, and the University of Tennessee before becoming a history professor at UNC Asheville. Dan is an avid outdoorsman, passionate about NASCAR, moonshine history, Appalachian culture, environmental issues, and race relations. He lives with his family in Black Mountain, N.C. </p><p>He joins us to talk about Tar Heel Lightning: How Secret Stills and Fast cars Made N.C. the Moonshine Capital of the World, NASCAR, and more.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this out!</p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/dHqsL0NN3T/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Pierce grew up in West Asheville, and was born in Arkansas but moved at the age of 3. Father moved to pastor the Grace Baptist Church. Joseph discusses how he was born and grew up in Haywood County which is right next to Asheville but relocated to NYC and stayed for 27 years. Eventually, he moved back to Asheville because it’s a great place. Joseph and Pierce discuss the nostalgia of their childhoods in Asheville comparing it to how it is currently. They discuss good changes such as the dining expansion and interesting changes such as seeing more wildlife up close to their homes.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>When asked about his dedication to being a teacher and writer Pierce responds by saying he arrived at wanting to be a teacher in his late teens. He liked kids as he ran a park and majored in education. Ironically he recalls himself as an awful student but had a widowed sixth-grade teacher who influenced him. She took him and another boy over the summer to Europe, and her kindness encouraged him to be an influential teacher as well. After becoming a coach in Nashville he ended up going back to school for a Ph.D. at 40 years old. At 45 he came out with a book, he enjoyed reading early on but couldn&#39;t imagine himself becoming a writer. With great mentors, he got grounded with discipline and mastered writing. He enjoyed his thesis as it surrounded him hanging around the Moonshine or a stock race. His second book is Real NASCAR, White Lightning, Red Clay, and Big Bill Frogs. The France Family were/still are the owners of NASCAR. Perce dives into the rough and aggressive origin of NASCAR.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Moonshine helped NASCAR and now Joseph wants to discuss how the roles were reversible, in that NASCAR helped NC become the Moonshine Capital. When the federal excise tax was put in place in NC after the Civil War, there was always a tradition in NC to make whiskey and so they made it illegal to upkeep the tradition whilst avoiding the tax. This would still be a strong local option during the prohibition. This made it a great market for Moonshine to thrive and it became a “two-way street” when it came to NASCAR. Successful drivers realized they could make more money with Moonshine than by winning races. There was an economic emergency or young people would get started with work with Moonshine. It became a part of the culture where people accepted the fact that it was needed for people’s livelihoods. Both Pierce and Joseph discuss how it’s still a lively product as they both are often gifted Moonshine. Popcorn Sutton was the bad image painted onto Moonshiners, but Pierce describes them as entrepreneurs and smart. He also talks about how there were also African Americans, women, and Native Americans. A.A. was actually a step ahead of white folks with illegal handmade liquor.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Pierce wrote many books about the Great Smokies National Park. One of the most popular books is, “ From Natural Habitats to Natural Parkings”. Another book was, “Moonshine and the Smokies, Corn from a Jar&#39;&#39; which sold the most. He also did a book on the Community of Hazel Creek in Swain County, which surrounds the long controversy about the road to nowhere. The most recent one was a collaboration with an old friend regarding the art of the Smokies, “Illustrated Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park”. Pierce also discusses his book about ​​NASCAR vs the merits of college football. He was in a debate on the South Carolina Public Radio on a series called Tell About the South. Hardy Jackson from Jacksonville State in Alabama argued for football and Pierce argued for NASCAR. He won a lifetime award, the “Western NC Historical Association Outstate Achievement Award&#39;&#39;. Pierce is big on equal rights and racial diversity, he’s leading a Railroad Incarcerated Committee to honor the forced labor of the 1870’s inmates.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:41.010 –&gt; 00:00:43.320 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:43.320 –&gt; 00:00:52.260 Joseph McElroy: podcast this podcast is about America’s most business National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:52.710 –&gt; 00:01:01.470 Joseph McElroy: These areas are filled with natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:01.950 –&gt; 00:01:10.440 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 year.</p><p>00:01:11.160 –&gt; 00:01:18.540 Joseph McElroy: My businesses and travel, but my heart is in culture today we’re going to talk about tar heel lightning talking past NASCAR and.</p><p>00:01:19.080 –&gt; 00:01:34.620 Joseph McElroy: and other mountain cultural touchstones with Dan Pierce, but first, our sponsors imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a chic Appalachian feel.</p><p>00:01:35.250 –&gt; 00:01:46.650 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure for relaxation imagine a place where you could fish in a mountain parent is trout stream real the catch on fire, and he accompanied by fine line or craft beer.</p><p>00:01:47.340 –&gt; 00:01:58.710 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place in the old-time music world cultural cell, there is no other place like the middle like motel Maggie valley you’re a smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.</p><p>00:02:00.630 –&gt; 00:02:12.780 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding areas is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:13.470 –&gt; 00:02:32.130 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure calm at smokies plural adventure senior.com to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains National Park trails waterfalls kids Code, the elk, and more and check out all the awesome family attractions.</p><p>00:02:34.050 –&gt; 00:02:49.260 Joseph McElroy: slinky and interesting logical, it was facilities and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy the goal the smokies adventure calm is to be your meeting information source for adventures and experiences and the great smoky mountain.</p><p>00:02:50.850 –&gt; 00:02:59.880 Joseph McElroy: Some upcoming events, I want to tell you about on June 18 at 4 pm is part four of the heritage books series with Bob Bob.</p><p>00:03:00.600 –&gt; 00:03:11.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s another informative and entertaining and fun afternoon of history, food, and music as a part of part four of our heritage book series, and its an award-winning author and.</p><p>00:03:12.330 –&gt; 00:03:15.930 Joseph McElroy: meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center general manager Bob blog.</p><p>00:03:16.620 –&gt; 00:03:31.710 Joseph McElroy: Discussing his fourth book colorful characters the great smoky mountains and then these books, he leaves the library stories of vibrant and intriguing characters, such as the Cherokee chiefs you don’t agus got okay Nice.</p><p>00:03:32.490 –&gt; 00:03:44.610 Joseph McElroy: Oh, can I should have gotten this before I got on the cocoa know stone soda sorry if I really I’m really butchered that they have dragon canoe and their allies such as john will watch, along with their combat.</p><p>00:03:45.240 –&gt; 00:03:57.210 Joseph McElroy: Robert Rogers quitting Kennedy King hailer the Stockbridge Mohicans Francis Marion and others and then there’s modern-day icon such as von plot Charles matt Miller and URL and.</p><p>00:03:57.900 –&gt; 00:04:16.830 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a book signing and Barbecue dinner, as well as a evening of acoustic music by Michael Guthrie in France it’s the Venice free to motel guests and heritage club Members but there’s an admission charge $10 for are all of the people call eight to 89261717 to reserve your place.</p><p>00:04:17.910 –&gt; 00:04:33.270 Joseph McElroy: On July July night a mountain icon I the Iowa I a hatter is going to have a program called wild crafted and mothers nature natural guard and it starts on July 9 at 10 am and.</p><p>00:04:34.380 –&gt; 00:04:43.050 Joseph McElroy: it’s a program featuring a legendary wildcrafting expert I had her and she was also a renowned author filmmaker instructor and tour guide.</p><p>00:04:43.410 –&gt; 00:04:49.410 Joseph McElroy: For the great smoky mountains National Park elite DSM field school education Program.</p><p>00:04:49.920 –&gt; 00:05:01.350 Joseph McElroy: She is an expert on edible plants medicinal herbs of anything pertaining to wild craft forging and Appalachians plant trees and flowers, she is going to give it a presentation on.</p><p>00:05:01.860 –&gt; 00:05:08.730 Joseph McElroy: On all sorts of stuff related to walk crafting and then she’s actually going to take our the guests, and people are on.</p><p>00:05:09.060 –&gt; 00:05:24.510 Joseph McElroy: an adventure, on the grounds and the surrounding area to actually forge things and learn how to do it right your own backyard so costs eight to 89261717 to reserve your place is free for guests and heritage heard this club members and there’s a $20.</p><p>00:05:25.830 –&gt; 00:05:27.960 Joseph McElroy: price per for admission for everybody else.</p><p>00:05:29.700 –&gt; 00:05:36.750 Joseph McElroy: And then on August six six there’s going to be a chair the launch of cherokee heritage series with Davey art.</p><p>00:05:38.280 –&gt; 00:05:47.490 Joseph McElroy: Davey arts is a world-famous Cherokee tribal historic and award-winning craftsman of traditional Turkey crafts, specifically masks and baskets.</p><p>00:05:47.880 –&gt; 00:06:07.200 Joseph McElroy: And a beloved spokesman for the Eastern Cherokee tribe the event will be followed by a Barbecue dinner and music is $20 per guest and it’s free for hotel guests call eight to 89261717 to reserve your seat now and for all events at the Meadowlark motel so.</p><p>00:06:08.220 –&gt; 00:06:16.110 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re gonna be talking with Dan pierce, who is a renowned author columnist consultant who earned degrees from Western Carolina University.</p><p>00:06:16.500 –&gt; 00:06:22.380 Joseph McElroy: The University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee before becoming a history professor at unc Asheville.</p><p>00:06:22.890 –&gt; 00:06:36.090 Joseph McElroy: Dan is an avid outdoorsman passionate about NASCAR moonshine history Appalachian culture environmental issues and race relations, he lives with his family and black mountain North Carolina hello, Dan how are you doing.</p><p>00:06:36.600 –&gt; 00:06:37.980 Daniel Pierce: i’m good i’m good.</p><p>00:06:38.280 –&gt; 00:06:38.760 yeah.</p><p>00:06:40.110 –&gt; 00:06:43.680 Joseph McElroy: it’s good to be here it’s a little hot right now but we’re getting over it right.</p><p>00:06:44.130 –&gt; 00:06:45.330 Daniel Pierce: Hopefully, hopefully.</p><p>00:06:45.660 –&gt; 00:06:52.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so like me euro you’re a native Western or throw you grew up my sash all right.</p><p>00:06:53.220 –&gt; 00:07:04.560 Daniel Pierce: I did you know I hesitate call myself a native because I was born in Arkansas but, as I say, I got here as quickly as I could I was three when I.</p><p>00:07:06.090 –&gt; 00:07:17.100 Daniel Pierce: arrived in West Asheville I’ve always said, the good Lord i’m thankful to the good Lord for calling my dad to come to pastor the Grace Baptist Church in West Asheville, and so I grew up there.</p><p>00:07:17.910 –&gt; 00:07:28.590 Daniel Pierce: kind of an as I put it, a combination of Mayberry and a cotton mill town in will stifle at that time, which is not at all what West Asheville is today.</p><p>00:07:28.680 –&gt; 00:07:30.210 Joseph McElroy: I know it’s changed a little bit.</p><p>00:07:31.230 –&gt; 00:07:32.190 Daniel Pierce: he’s a little lot.</p><p>00:07:33.570 –&gt; 00:07:39.240 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I just relocated with my family back you know I grew up in a wood county yeah right next to Asheville.</p><p>00:07:39.660 –&gt; 00:07:53.970 Joseph McElroy: My family’s been in that county for over 200 years, so you know I got I was born and raised and all that sort of thing, but that has spent 27 years in New York City where my kids were born and I just reload your head the whole kit and caboodle back to Asheville so.</p><p>00:07:56.280 –&gt; 00:08:09.930 Joseph McElroy: it’s you know it’s a it’s a great place to common yeah, as you can say, as you, as you mentioned this changed a lot, I think, in a positive way, but it was it was I thought it was pretty cool we were growing up what was it like growing up in West asheville.</p><p>00:08:10.530 –&gt; 00:08:21.870 Daniel Pierce: Well, like I said it was kind of a combination of Mayberry and cotton mill town, you know when and course we were very much free-range kids at the time, and you know ride our bikes all ever West asheville and Walt.</p><p>00:08:23.190 –&gt; 00:08:29.790 Daniel Pierce: You know I remember one particular Saturday bye buddy Steve Harris, and I just decided on the spur of the moment we’d walk despite.</p><p>00:08:30.180 –&gt; 00:08:38.550 Daniel Pierce: to the top of the mountain, which is out in the last area, so we walked out Lester highway and we we remind me, you know 1112 years old and and.</p><p>00:08:39.210 –&gt; 00:08:48.870 Daniel Pierce: Well, to the top of the mountain and back nobody knew, you know I mean it’s probably I don’t know 1015 miles when we walk that day, but that was the place, I grew up you.</p><p>00:08:48.870 –&gt; 00:08:49.650 Daniel Pierce: know I mean we.</p><p>00:08:50.070 –&gt; 00:08:51.510 Daniel Pierce: knew everybody and.</p><p>00:08:53.400 –&gt; 00:08:54.570 Daniel Pierce: pretty much and.</p><p>00:08:55.770 –&gt; 00:09:03.510 Daniel Pierce: It was just one of those kinds of neighborhoods so and the other great thing was being in western North Carolina and typically once.</p><p>00:09:04.710 –&gt; 00:09:09.150 Daniel Pierce: You got a little more mobile and wheels, you know we went to the mountains, a lot and.</p><p>00:09:10.770 –&gt; 00:09:16.830 Daniel Pierce: You know, we go the top of mountain play capture the flag and stuff like that a row rocks off the side of the mountain there.</p><p>00:09:19.290 –&gt; 00:09:26.340 Daniel Pierce: and go to swimming holes and all that kind of stuff so it was a great I didn’t know at the time, but it was a great great place to grow.</p><p>00:09:27.060 –&gt; 00:09:35.460 Joseph McElroy: it’s still good you know I I went right in our backyard so far we’re North asheville right and we’re on a real real wonderful street.</p><p>00:09:35.880 –&gt; 00:09:42.840 Joseph McElroy: You know, and our kids bike on the street, just like you, you, you know you remember, they were out there with other kids and.</p><p>00:09:43.140 –&gt; 00:09:56.430 Joseph McElroy: All you have to use your car and all the kids get off the road but it’s not there’s not really that much traffic but what’s interesting is is that in the in the week that we’ve been here we’ve seen had a BlackBerry to deer in our backyard.</p><p>00:09:57.510 –&gt; 00:10:01.350 Joseph McElroy: which I don’t really remember Asheville being that prevalent for big wildlife.</p><p>00:10:01.650 –&gt; 00:10:16.260 Daniel Pierce: yeah there were no turkeys there he never saw a bear unless you’re in the smokies and their head was in a garbage can and you never solved there you know it was it’s it’s really one of the great changes recent well.</p><p>00:10:17.700 –&gt; 00:10:26.250 Daniel Pierce: I prefer to see bears a little less frequently in my yard actually one got up i’ve got my bird feeder strong about.</p><p>00:10:26.940 –&gt; 00:10:42.930 Daniel Pierce: 15 feet up off the ground and one of them figured out how to get up there and kind of twine the wire and got one of the bird feeders to bounce off today, so a lot we we saw i’m trying it the other day and I shot him with a bb gun I don’t know if I can say that.</p><p>00:10:43.200 –&gt; 00:10:43.500 yeah.</p><p>00:10:44.520 –&gt; 00:10:45.420 Daniel Pierce: Is that legal.</p><p>00:10:48.210 –&gt; 00:10:51.090 Daniel Pierce: And scare them off, but he got my bird feeder today and I.</p><p>00:10:51.090 –&gt; 00:10:51.360 can’t.</p><p>00:10:54.270 –&gt; 00:10:59.790 Joseph McElroy: bit bb guns and rocks over the thing back in the day and I think they’re probably still could have their uses.</p><p>00:11:02.700 –&gt; 00:11:10.080 Joseph McElroy: So what do I think it’s interesting you grew up in West Asheville it’s changed a lot like you mentioned What would you think is the biggest change.</p><p>00:11:10.950 –&gt; 00:11:12.600 Daniel Pierce: Well, the real estate prices for.</p><p>00:11:12.600 –&gt; 00:11:13.890 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:11:14.520 –&gt; 00:11:21.090 Daniel Pierce: They were just talking about you know, is it going to be a million-dollar bungalow for sale and West Asheville soon you know it’s.</p><p>00:11:21.960 –&gt; 00:11:37.920 Daniel Pierce: crazy, you know the House, it was very blue-collar when I when I grew up there, and, of course, you had the actual speedway down there having races and or or, as some people put it, you know what went to the fights and a race broke out, you know.</p><p>00:11:40.710 –&gt; 00:11:48.120 Daniel Pierce: Pretty rough place but you know and the and the only dining establishment really was the tasty diner you know and.</p><p>00:11:49.470 –&gt; 00:11:53.670 Daniel Pierce: Where you could go sit at the bar with jack ingram you know, is in the nascar hall of fame so.</p><p>00:11:55.320 –&gt; 00:11:59.820 Joseph McElroy: Great foodie place now man there’s some great restaurants out there, look jargon right.</p><p>00:12:00.240 –&gt; 00:12:04.410 Daniel Pierce: Now those weren’t there you know it’s kind of one of those deals, you know I hear they’re good.</p><p>00:12:04.890 –&gt; 00:12:05.490 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:12:05.940 –&gt; 00:12:07.350 Daniel Pierce: I don’t get the West Eiffel much.</p><p>00:12:09.450 –&gt; 00:12:15.780 Joseph McElroy: jargon is good there’s a there’s a really great coffee place i’m drawing a blank on the name, right now, but then there’s.</p><p>00:12:16.740 –&gt; 00:12:22.590 Joseph McElroy: You know the early girl is opened up West Asheville, which is a really good you have farm to table thing so.</p><p>00:12:23.580 –&gt; 00:12:35.580 Joseph McElroy: it’s it’s become a great place to go and pick up some really good food i’m telling you right now, everybody should go visit there and then they got the artsy sort of seeing going on and performance and things like that.</p><p>00:12:36.240 –&gt; 00:12:38.250 Joseph McElroy: And I read an interview that’s.</p><p>00:12:38.280 –&gt; 00:12:41.190 Daniel Pierce: Not my day was the chili dog at the surfside.</p><p>00:12:41.220 –&gt; 00:12:41.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah right.</p><p>00:12:42.570 –&gt; 00:12:48.150 Joseph McElroy: Or, I remember driving back you know and we’d always stopped West actual at the denny’s after being at the nightclub but.</p><p>00:12:50.340 –&gt; 00:13:06.270 Joseph McElroy: I don’t see to be open anymore so ready very interview that she said something the effect that folks around that actually had no pretense that are they they are who they are take it or leave it I you know, do you feel that’s that’s the way they are now to.</p><p>00:13:06.840 –&gt; 00:13:09.240 Daniel Pierce: A it’s hard to say yeah.</p><p>00:13:09.240 –&gt; 00:13:09.630 Right.</p><p>00:13:11.280 –&gt; 00:13:14.070 Daniel Pierce: it’s a different I don’t have as good a raid on.</p><p>00:13:15.630 –&gt; 00:13:20.190 Daniel Pierce: The recent arrivals as I did the folks I grew up with.</p><p>00:13:21.510 –&gt; 00:13:28.500 Joseph McElroy: was very true but I grew up the same thing, and I think that the people that are local here are, and I think it rubs off, I do think that people.</p><p>00:13:28.890 –&gt; 00:13:42.990 Joseph McElroy: come from different areas get a little bit let it get lost a little bit of the pretense and they become a little bit more authentic I mean not as authentic as yeah what we grew up with but yeah like you know, there was somebody that I read somewhere that.</p><p>00:13:44.010 –&gt; 00:13:55.920 Joseph McElroy: Nobody really has a fancy car asheville you know it’s yeah everybody has you know sort of you know, work practical cars right.</p><p>00:13:56.790 –&gt; 00:14:01.440 Daniel Pierce: Well, mine is minus the truck with us still a possible bumper sticker on it.</p><p>00:14:01.470 –&gt; 00:14:07.320 Joseph McElroy: So I’m still I’m driving my dad’s 1984 GMC truck so.</p><p>00:14:09.900 –&gt; 00:14:12.780 Joseph McElroy: To get this current gas moment i’m not driver that much.</p><p>00:14:12.840 –&gt; 00:14:13.230 yeah.</p><p>00:14:14.430 –&gt; 00:14:20.520 Joseph McElroy: hey listen, we have to take a break and we’ll come back talk a little bit more about your history and then get into some of your books all right.</p><p>00:14:20.850 –&gt; 00:14:21.180 Daniel Pierce: All right.</p><p>00:16:37.200 –&gt; 00:16:50.490 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Dan Pierce so Dan you grew up in Asheville, then you left it to go get your bachelor’s.</p><p>00:16:51.570 –&gt; 00:17:06.510 Joseph McElroy: vs bachelor of science at Western Carolyn Carolyn diversity and your masters of Alabama and then your PhD at the University of Tennessee and now Lo and behold, you are renowned writer and history, Professor did you always want to be a teacher and writer.</p><p>00:17:08.310 –&gt; 00:17:08.880 Daniel Pierce: well.</p><p>00:17:10.050 –&gt; 00:17:15.840 Daniel Pierce: A teacher, I think, was something I arrived at, you know in my late teens I worked at a.</p><p>00:17:17.610 –&gt; 00:17:30.030 Daniel Pierce: Had a partner program and Asheville and I ran apart for a couple of summers I like kids a lot and so ended up majoring in education, I taught fifth grade for three years and I had.</p><p>00:17:31.740 –&gt; 00:17:39.270 Daniel Pierce: kind of a weird experience educationally I was a horrible student I was kind of a noxious kid but I had a sixth-grade teacher That was really.</p><p>00:17:40.200 –&gt; 00:17:51.180 Daniel Pierce: inspiring she loved history and then a weird thing happened, where she was she was a widow she asked me if i’d like to go to Europe and so.</p><p>00:17:52.230 –&gt; 00:18:00.210 Daniel Pierce: Taking me the next summer after my seventh-grade year to Europe me and another 12-year-old boy, it was.</p><p>00:18:00.750 –&gt; 00:18:01.800 Joseph McElroy: A lot of studying.</p><p>00:18:02.280 –&gt; 00:18:02.760 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my God.</p><p>00:18:02.940 –&gt; 00:18:04.710 Joseph McElroy: yeah it changed your life.</p><p>00:18:05.580 –&gt; 00:18:18.300 Daniel Pierce: yeah really strange and then she ended up being my mom’s best friend so in just a deer name is Steve Bennett and just a wonderful person so she kind of inspired me to teach and then I had a lot of bad examples I think that I learned from.</p><p>00:18:21.420 –&gt; 00:18:27.540 Daniel Pierce: about what not to do, and so I taught fifth-grade love that but was young single went to.</p><p>00:18:28.650 –&gt; 00:18:34.710 Daniel Pierce: pulled up and went to Alabama, which is a great experience for two years and got my masters and.</p><p>00:18:35.790 –&gt; 00:18:40.440 Daniel Pierce: kind of cast my lot with southern history, at that point.</p><p>00:18:41.550 –&gt; 00:18:52.410 Daniel Pierce: Then I got married and moved to Nashville Tennessee and taught high school for eight years and I was coach peers for that time and really enjoy that stage of my life but, but then decided.</p><p>00:18:53.670 –&gt; 00:18:56.670 Daniel Pierce: With the help of my life to go back for a PhD so.</p><p>00:18:57.960 –&gt; 00:19:06.540 Daniel Pierce: I finished my Ph.D. at about the age of 40 and so you know I kind of came this late in life and then.</p><p>00:19:07.890 –&gt; 00:19:08.790 Daniel Pierce: You know the first.</p><p>00:19:10.440 –&gt; 00:19:21.360 Daniel Pierce: The first book, I guess, I was 45 when the first book came out, so I really never imagined, you know I’ve always been an avid reader but I never imagined being a writer and then.</p><p>00:19:23.010 –&gt; 00:19:28.260 Daniel Pierce: I just had some great mentors in graduate school that simplify things for me writing was always.</p><p>00:19:30.000 –&gt; 00:19:43.230 Daniel Pierce: painful for me, and then they simplified things made it much easier and and and and taught me how to sit down and write in and so, then that you know that I don’t know you know seven oh.</p><p>00:19:43.590 –&gt; 00:19:46.500 Joseph McElroy: Would you start writing before you came to unc actual.</p><p>00:19:47.400 –&gt; 00:19:52.740 Daniel Pierce: Well, I could have had to write a dissertation I had to do a master’s thesis and dissertation and such.</p><p>00:19:53.190 –&gt; 00:19:55.260 Joseph McElroy: A good writing the books and so you got to do and CA.</p><p>00:19:55.410 –&gt; 00:20:01.950 Daniel Pierce: yeah well the dissertation became the first book, but I had to do some significant rewriting on it and.</p><p>00:20:03.060 –&gt; 00:20:19.800 Daniel Pierce: And I’ve been very fortunate to be the places where I’ve been where I’ve kind of been able to pick and choose what I wanted to do research on to write about so you know you know, I have a good time with it, so there are some people I know who hated their dissertation topic.</p><p>00:20:19.800 –&gt; 00:20:19.920 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:20:20.910 –&gt; 00:20:26.310 Daniel Pierce: You know they hate their research but they’re kind of stuck because of the requirements of their tenure whatever and.</p><p>00:20:27.120 –&gt; 00:20:36.510 Daniel Pierce: I’ve just been able to do what I want, so I have a good time and I get to do research by you know going hiking in the mountains or going to a stock car race or hanging out with moonshine are.</p><p>00:20:36.510 –&gt; 00:20:37.530 Joseph McElroy: not bad research.</p><p>00:20:37.530 –&gt; 00:20:41.670 Daniel Pierce: Right like that are traveling in the West, recently, you know.</p><p>00:20:41.850 –&gt; 00:20:49.590 Joseph McElroy: how did you get I don’t know if it’s lucky or whatever that actually get to come back to your hometown to be a professor for so long.</p><p>00:20:49.860 –&gt; 00:20:54.600 Daniel Pierce: It was totally accidental I was in graduate school finishing up and.</p><p>00:20:55.950 –&gt; 00:20:58.500 Daniel Pierce: One-year position opened up at marcell.</p><p>00:20:59.730 –&gt; 00:21:07.740 Daniel Pierce: University and did that, for a year and then I was fortunate enough to get a one year deal at unc asheville.</p><p>00:21:08.880 –&gt; 00:21:21.390 Daniel Pierce: And then I was fortunate enough to get a one-year deal at Western Carolina University and then I kind of adjunct it for a while and, finally, I think unc Asheville figured I wasn’t going to go away and they finally hired me on the tenure track.</p><p>00:21:22.590 –&gt; 00:21:24.150 Daniel Pierce: Oh yeah and.</p><p>00:21:24.480 –&gt; 00:21:25.110 Joseph McElroy: She actually.</p><p>00:21:25.140 –&gt; 00:21:31.320 Joseph McElroy: A very interesting place you know we were we moved on right there right, so I paid attention to what you know I actually.</p><p>00:21:31.740 –&gt; 00:21:39.600 Joseph McElroy: You know I’ve been an artist I’ve been in some museums and things but yeah one of my first actually my first formal training in art.</p><p>00:21:40.110 –&gt; 00:21:48.780 Joseph McElroy: was at unc Asheville I mean I’d gone to do and then had a career in technology and I burned out for a little while and just sort of tooled around in my first formal training.</p><p>00:21:49.230 –&gt; 00:21:58.980 Joseph McElroy: of any sort of school was at unc Asheville before I moved on up North and went to other places, but so sort of fun for me to be live in there, you know it’s.</p><p>00:22:00.690 –&gt; 00:22:08.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s a great place that they’re having something very soon that thing is interesting you’re having a world-class conference called the idea festival.</p><p>00:22:09.390 –&gt; 00:22:09.930 Daniel Pierce: yeah.</p><p>00:22:10.050 –&gt; 00:22:10.950 Joseph McElroy: Pretty crazy right.</p><p>00:22:11.190 –&gt; 00:22:11.940 Daniel Pierce: yeah I got.</p><p>00:22:15.660 –&gt; 00:22:16.530 Daniel Pierce: yeah lots of.</p><p>00:22:18.270 –&gt; 00:22:20.610 Daniel Pierce: Speakers john meacham.</p><p>00:22:21.450 –&gt; 00:22:23.430 Joseph McElroy: My major people really.</p><p>00:22:23.880 –&gt; 00:22:29.850 Joseph McElroy: yeah I am in the middle of moving I’m still doing this, I can’t go, but I probably go next year, it looks great.</p><p>00:22:30.300 –&gt; 00:22:47.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah so your books and articles cover a pretty wide range of subjects, all of them interested you already started mentioning them, but in 19 to 2010 you released real NASCAR white lightning red clay and bill big bill France was that your first book.</p><p>00:22:48.300 –&gt; 00:22:58.080 Daniel Pierce: Now that was the second, the first one was 10 years before that actually was my dissertation it was on it’s called the great smokies from natural habitat to the national park and it’s.</p><p>00:22:59.130 –&gt; 00:23:10.800 Daniel Pierce: That was one of the great smoky mountain National Park, so it kind of cast that’s kind of been, I guess, if I have an area, you know for my books are related to the great smoky mountains so.</p><p>00:23:12.030 –&gt; 00:23:15.120 Joseph McElroy: He looks are your series on Nascar to and moonshine so you have.</p><p>00:23:15.450 –&gt; 00:23:15.900 yeah.</p><p>00:23:18.360 –&gt; 00:23:22.230 Daniel Pierce: yeah there’s some overlap there, so I did the NASCAR book and then.</p><p>00:23:23.310 –&gt; 00:23:35.610 Daniel Pierce: A guy with the great smoky mountains, association, and editor there asked me to do a book on moonshine the smokies, and then that turned into a bigger book I’ll moonshine in North Carolina so well.</p><p>00:23:35.970 –&gt; 00:23:39.390 Daniel Pierce: So they all kind of run together in kind of a weird way.</p><p>00:23:40.230 –&gt; 00:23:44.670 Joseph McElroy: Why why, why did you write a book on NASCAR, I will get what was their interest there.</p><p>00:23:45.210 –&gt; 00:23:55.230 Daniel Pierce: Well, the big thing I always you know I grew up and I put it within earshot of the what they call the new Asheville speedway or the or the river, which was kind of a leg.</p><p>00:23:56.700 –&gt; 00:24:00.840 Daniel Pierce: yeah dental Nam boy road and West Asheville and it was a big hang out.</p><p>00:24:02.550 –&gt; 00:24:14.580 Daniel Pierce: I was kind of well easily influenced by my brother my older brother and he was all about kind of living down your West Asheville roots and.</p><p>00:24:14.940 –&gt; 00:24:27.510 Daniel Pierce: and your redneck roots in and hanging out with the North Asheville kids and all that, so I always I never went to a race there, I never thought about we just didn’t do that kind of thing you know Baptist preacher son and.</p><p>00:24:27.900 –&gt; 00:24:31.920 Daniel Pierce: and always kind of make fun of it, but then I had a roommate at Western.</p><p>00:24:32.700 –&gt; 00:24:36.810 Daniel Pierce: Western Carolina who was avid I mean he still is and.</p><p>00:24:38.310 –&gt; 00:24:47.520 Daniel Pierce: And he kept trying to get me to get a races and then finally right, as I was finishing up my PhD work at Tennessee he was living in East Tennessee.</p><p>00:24:48.360 –&gt; 00:24:56.400 Daniel Pierce: He said I got take it so got a couple of tickets to Bristol why don’t you come to go with me, and so I thought well you can’t call yourself a southern historian if you’ve.</p><p>00:24:56.910 –&gt; 00:24:57.600 Joseph McElroy: never been done.</p><p>00:24:58.770 –&gt; 00:25:06.930 Daniel Pierce: You know, and so that was 1994 and I went to my first race was night race at Bristol I don’t have a clue about anything.</p><p>00:25:07.860 –&gt; 00:25:17.760 Daniel Pierce: the first thing he didn’t say anything about how loud, it was and I didn’t have any earplugs or anything I thought I was going to go deaf and so fortunately I had a strap on my sunglasses and I was able to stuff that my ears and.</p><p>00:25:18.360 –&gt; 00:25:31.530 Daniel Pierce: And, but the thing that got me, I think I mean the racing was incredible I mean it was just really exciting, but the thing that got me where the fans that just were unreal I mean just the past.</p><p>00:25:32.190 –&gt; 00:25:34.680 Daniel Pierce: fanatics yeah yeah there was a guy.</p><p>00:25:35.040 –&gt; 00:25:37.050 Joseph McElroy: What explains that popularity yeah.</p><p>00:25:37.110 –&gt; 00:25:41.250 Daniel Pierce: You know I don’t know I don’t see it as intense as it was at that.</p><p>00:25:42.570 –&gt; 00:25:58.980 Daniel Pierce: But it was intense and I’ll never forget, there was a guy sitting in front of us and we were way up near the top and we’re 100 rose up or more, and this guy was sitting if he had a big old cooler he brought he and I don’t know how many beers he driving but.</p><p>00:25:59.130 –&gt; 00:26:13.560 Daniel Pierce: yeah but he would they at bristol’s a half mile track so they’re coming by every 16 1516 seconds this guy would stand up every time Dale Earnhardt’s car came by and she didn’t bark.</p><p>00:26:14.820 –&gt; 00:26:16.290 Joseph McElroy: Ah, so.</p><p>00:26:16.650 –&gt; 00:26:18.840 Joseph McElroy: If it goes a little bit like pro wrestling there they.</p><p>00:26:21.300 –&gt; 00:26:22.140 Joseph McElroy: Had a little bit of a.</p><p>00:26:24.210 –&gt; 00:26:27.450 Joseph McElroy: Of a character that represented yeah.</p><p>00:26:27.510 –&gt; 00:26:40.920 Daniel Pierce: yeah but I mean there was a lot of that kind of it was very almost a moral drama almost, particularly at that time Jeff Gordon was coming on the scene is kind of clean-cut California kid you know and here’s Dale earnhardt this rough.</p><p>00:26:42.150 –&gt; 00:26:51.480 Daniel Pierce: A rough and tumble God worked in a cotton mill you know, and you know Greece under his fingernails kind of guy which is not necessarily true but.</p><p>00:26:52.110 –&gt; 00:26:52.710 Daniel Pierce: But he had.</p><p>00:26:52.740 –&gt; 00:26:57.660 Daniel Pierce: Any image, you know, and so it was great you know I mean it was just intense you know.</p><p>00:26:58.080 –&gt; 00:27:05.940 Joseph McElroy: The first big name in NASCAR was William Henry Getty Big Bill France well what was this what was his position on sports?</p><p>00:27:06.120 –&gt; 00:27:06.900 Daniel Pierce: way he was.</p><p>00:27:07.440 –&gt; 00:27:22.800 Daniel Pierce: The founder basically the order, I mean the France family it’s unique and professional sports and that that nascar is owned by the France family still as a woman, by the France family and so his.</p><p>00:27:26.790 –&gt; 00:27:38.640 Daniel Pierce: His brother or his side, Jim France is pretty much the head of it now, but then his his grandchildren well Brian Francis kind of out of the picture now he ran it for a while a grandchild and.</p><p>00:27:39.990 –&gt; 00:27:50.040 Daniel Pierce: Lisa France Kennedy is has a big hand and so it’s still a family run business and then he kind of ran it with a with an iron fist back in the day and course it was.</p><p>00:27:50.160 –&gt; 00:27:52.650 Joseph McElroy: Back in those days, it was all those guys were like.</p><p>00:27:52.740 –&gt; 00:27:55.680 Daniel Pierce: yeah I mean it was it was a pretty rough crowd you.</p><p>00:27:55.680 –&gt; 00:28:06.510 Daniel Pierce: know the you know there was a lot of those guys, you know got their first high speed driving experience behind about you know, a 39 for coop you know Holland liquor.</p><p>00:28:06.840 –&gt; 00:28:08.820 Daniel Pierce: yeah right somewhere so.</p><p>00:28:08.820 –&gt; 00:28:16.890 Joseph McElroy: trying to get trying to get the front end of one of those coops we got the moonshine room, I was well put it in there yeah so you know.</p><p>00:28:17.460 –&gt; 00:28:30.660 Joseph McElroy: I would take a break soon, but you have you declare at the end of that book I would humbly suggest this time for Nascar to stop modernizing tradition and start embracing his tradition what’s the simple explanation of that statement.</p><p>00:28:31.230 –&gt; 00:28:41.790 Daniel Pierce: Well, you know they are kind of hidden from their moonshine roots they’re doing a little bit more now, but I think they ought to embrace it, you know, I think that they it’s a great story you.</p><p>00:28:41.790 –&gt; 00:28:42.060 know.</p><p>00:28:43.290 –&gt; 00:28:52.020 Daniel Pierce: These guys, who had nothing you know but we’re very creative and entrepreneurial and aggressive you know, maybe.</p><p>00:28:52.320 –&gt; 00:29:03.420 Joseph McElroy: Some of my relatives ran yeah moonshine and now they had souped up cars man and the stories of them racing through the hills, to avoid revenue, or is there a pretty heritage right so.</p><p>00:29:06.210 –&gt; 00:29:12.300 Joseph McElroy: cool we got to take another break when I come back i’ll talk a little bit more about moonshine and your book so matt.</p><p>00:31:22.080 –&gt; 00:31:29.610 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest is Dan Pierce so Dan you know you.</p><p>00:31:30.300 –&gt; 00:31:34.350 Joseph McElroy: You wrote another book you’ve actually written a couple of books about moonshine you wrote another one.</p><p>00:31:34.650 –&gt; 00:31:51.240 Joseph McElroy: That combined NASCAR and moonshine called tar heel lightning how secret stills and fast cars mean North Carolina the moonshine capital, the world, so we talked about how moonshine helped nascar how did nascar fast cars make North Carolina the moonshine capital.</p><p>00:31:52.020 –&gt; 00:32:03.510 Daniel Pierce: Well it’s a long story, but from the very beginning, when you know, making whiskey became la or illegal, that is, if you didn’t pay the federal excise tax, and that was.</p><p>00:32:05.220 –&gt; 00:32:07.950 Daniel Pierce: Well, went into effect in North Carolina right after the civil war.</p><p>00:32:09.060 –&gt; 00:32:24.720 Daniel Pierce: North Carolina from the very beginning, you know, there was a long tradition of making making whiskey in North Carolina I mean going back to the earliest white settlers who brought that skill with them and brought their skills, with them perfectly legal activity.</p><p>00:32:26.340 –&gt; 00:32:28.380 Daniel Pierce: With few exceptions, up until then.</p><p>00:32:29.580 –&gt; 00:32:37.260 Daniel Pierce: And you know they weren’t about to give it up, you know, and so it was too important of economic activity, they couldn’t make any money if they.</p><p>00:32:37.740 –&gt; 00:32:48.330 Daniel Pierce: On it, if they pay the tax, and so they made it illegally and, and so it just became very much ingrained in North Carolina history and culture as hard as the.</p><p>00:32:48.810 –&gt; 00:32:56.730 Daniel Pierce: Federal Government and then went around the turn of the century, you started getting probation and then North Carolina became one of the first states to.</p><p>00:32:58.350 –&gt; 00:33:00.900 Daniel Pierce: To have statewide probation in 1909.</p><p>00:33:01.920 –&gt; 00:33:13.110 Daniel Pierce: And it’s it’s kind of interesting there’s that that that dynamic with prohibition and moonshine that they really go hand in hand and part of the reason North Carolina was.</p><p>00:33:14.010 –&gt; 00:33:24.150 Daniel Pierce: Such moonshine was so important in North Carolina and so big in North Carolina was because probation was so strong and so.</p><p>00:33:24.510 –&gt; 00:33:24.780 Joseph McElroy: You know.</p><p>00:33:24.990 –&gt; 00:33:35.430 Daniel Pierce: After national you know you had national prohibition when that ended you still had local option in North Carolina and so most counties were dry well into the 60s and 70s and.</p><p>00:33:36.000 –&gt; 00:33:47.460 Daniel Pierce: Even still have some dry municipalities and stuff like that around the state but but, again, it was long time before you know, most people could buy.</p><p>00:33:47.910 –&gt; 00:34:01.920 Daniel Pierce: Legal liquor in this state, so there was a great market for moonshine which course fed into nascar, you know as kind of a you know, a two way street, there you know you had people who who became successful drivers who.</p><p>00:34:03.000 –&gt; 00:34:05.580 Daniel Pierce: figured out, they could make more money hauling liquor then they could win.</p><p>00:34:08.250 –&gt; 00:34:14.640 Joseph McElroy: or an economic, it was I mean it had a it was an economic boom for people in the mountains, even though it was also.</p><p>00:34:15.120 –&gt; 00:34:25.200 Joseph McElroy: devastating you know and a lot of social ills from it as well, but now it was like quick money right yeah there was you couldn’t get loans you couldn’t get anything else, but you could make money with moonshine right.</p><p>00:34:25.680 –&gt; 00:34:35.790 Daniel Pierce: yeah for a lot of people, it was kind of an insurance policy, and you know, most people were not career moonshiners you know they weren’t your popcorn sutton’s you know who.</p><p>00:34:36.210 –&gt; 00:34:43.200 Daniel Pierce: Who did it all their life, you know they did it, you know, and they were there was kind of an economic emergency or there or they’re young they’re you know they’re kind of.</p><p>00:34:44.460 –&gt; 00:34:56.790 Daniel Pierce: You know, starting out so a lot of people, you know you know it’s kind of funny you know you talk to people everybody says Oh well, you know I in my family, you know someone so holic or something like that and.</p><p>00:34:57.270 –&gt; 00:35:03.000 Daniel Pierce: And it was just a common thing you know for a lot of people, it was one of the few ways that you could get cash money.</p><p>00:35:03.330 –&gt; 00:35:06.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah hard to get cash.</p><p>00:35:06.150 –&gt; 00:35:18.990 Daniel Pierce: Right cash money, and you know if you’re willing to take the risk, and so you know for a lot of people, it was you know almost unexpected depend on the Community you’re in you know is almost an expected thing you know and.</p><p>00:35:20.400 –&gt; 00:35:22.230 Daniel Pierce: And for a lot of people it wasn’t great.</p><p>00:35:22.710 –&gt; 00:35:35.730 Daniel Pierce: You know, particularly in rural areas that when a great disability, you know the preacher might preach against it but, but the preacher understood to that you needed to do what you which could put shoes on your kid’s feet and.</p><p>00:35:38.700 –&gt; 00:35:39.840 Daniel Pierce: and feed them and so.</p><p>00:35:40.980 –&gt; 00:35:43.320 Daniel Pierce: And the preacher also knew that he got.</p><p>00:35:44.340 –&gt; 00:35:47.700 Daniel Pierce: You know that money in the offering plate often came from laker money so.</p><p>00:35:47.820 –&gt; 00:35:58.800 Joseph McElroy: I listened to all the general stores loved it, because who bought word they buy the sugar where they buy that you know the components that fed the economy in general, so you know it was a.</p><p>00:36:00.000 –&gt; 00:36:09.840 Joseph McElroy: And then yeah you hadn’t things different you wrote a book called corn from a jar which we actually carry here at the metal Arc that explored, a lot of these issues didn’t it.</p><p>00:36:10.770 –&gt; 00:36:13.260 Daniel Pierce: yeah like specifically at the smokies but.</p><p>00:36:14.400 –&gt; 00:36:15.630 Daniel Pierce: Again, you know that’s a.</p><p>00:36:17.850 –&gt; 00:36:18.150 You.</p><p>00:36:19.410 –&gt; 00:36:21.330 Joseph McElroy: Know moonshine is good for cough.</p><p>00:36:21.600 –&gt; 00:36:22.290 Daniel Pierce: Well, it is.</p><p>00:36:24.900 –&gt; 00:36:27.660 Daniel Pierce: I got a freezer full of it people keep giving it to him.</p><p>00:36:28.710 –&gt; 00:36:29.250 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:36:29.310 –&gt; 00:36:30.900 Daniel Pierce: we’re still i’m pretty active.</p><p>00:36:31.800 –&gt; 00:36:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Oh man I get people showing up at the motel we have our pavilion we have like a will have a bluegrass festival or something man everybody’s giving me boo chatting yeah.</p><p>00:36:40.650 –&gt; 00:36:41.340 So.</p><p>00:36:42.570 –&gt; 00:36:43.890 Daniel Pierce: I got a freezer full of it.</p><p>00:36:44.370 –&gt; 00:36:44.820 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:36:45.600 –&gt; 00:36:46.980 Daniel Pierce: I do need to go against it but.</p><p>00:36:47.880 –&gt; 00:36:53.640 Joseph McElroy: My dad you know here’s a bunch of he probably still he used to eat popcorn he probably still have some popcorn.</p><p>00:36:53.820 –&gt; 00:36:57.330 Daniel Pierce: yeah well I think everybody has some purportedly.</p><p>00:36:57.630 –&gt; 00:37:01.200 Daniel Pierce: yeah a chat I’ve heard a lot of it, oh yeah I got some popcorn.</p><p>00:37:03.960 –&gt; 00:37:18.900 Joseph McElroy: So what’s up you know, there was a lot of cultural representations of moonshiners and I think a lot of that you know was purposely you know denigrating people making them into bumpkins but what do you think is the side of moonshine that most people have never seen.</p><p>00:37:19.680 –&gt; 00:37:23.250 Daniel Pierce: Well, there guys, there are a lot of signs and that was what the book.</p><p>00:37:26.070 –&gt; 00:37:35.580 Daniel Pierce: Tar heel lighting is really bad it’s kind of a lot complicating I guess the image, because if people’s me to moonshiners kind of popcorn site, and you know.</p><p>00:37:36.570 –&gt; 00:37:46.500 Daniel Pierce: Guy with a beard and overalls and they’ll truck and you know, in the file mouth, and you know and apparently popcorn was no dummy for sure and.</p><p>00:37:48.360 –&gt; 00:37:51.060 Daniel Pierce: But you know one they were.</p><p>00:37:52.260 –&gt; 00:37:58.410 Daniel Pierce: A lot of these people were very smart they were very entrepreneurial they were very skilled.</p><p>00:38:00.360 –&gt; 00:38:15.990 Daniel Pierce: have often talked about junior Johnson that famous car driver and car owner, but he, of course, got his start you know, in the family business, which was moonshine but I’ve often said about junior Johnson I think he’s one of the smartest people he didn’t come across is.</p><p>00:38:17.040 –&gt; 00:38:26.700 Daniel Pierce: Particularly intelligent, but he was one of the smartest people I’ve ever encountered often said he probably never read a physics book, but I think you could write one.</p><p>00:38:29.160 –&gt; 00:38:31.590 Daniel Pierce: A lot of these people were really smart The other thing was that.</p><p>00:38:33.540 –&gt; 00:38:50.700 Daniel Pierce: We had the same as the white mountain near and the fact of the matter is in North Carolina in particular and most of the South, it was all over I mean you know there are many coastal swap moonshiners is that we’re mountain moonshiners you know lower in Piedmont, it was all over.</p><p>00:38:51.930 –&gt; 00:39:00.900 Daniel Pierce: And it was an end, and they weren’t all fly there were a lot of native Americans particularly manga lambie down the eastern part of North Carolina.</p><p>00:39:00.930 –&gt; 00:39:03.450 Joseph McElroy: They sort of taught moonshiners about corners as.</p><p>00:39:03.690 –&gt; 00:39:04.530 Daniel Pierce: Well yeah you.</p><p>00:39:05.550 –&gt; 00:39:07.200 Daniel Pierce: Know actually the.</p><p>00:39:08.190 –&gt; 00:39:17.970 Daniel Pierce: The first moonshiners in North Carolina were African American and Native American because in the 1830s the legislature passed a law that said.</p><p>00:39:19.140 –&gt; 00:39:24.210 Daniel Pierce: said free persons of color could not make liquor or sell liquor.</p><p>00:39:25.680 –&gt; 00:39:30.570 Daniel Pierce: And so they were making it illegally before you know before white people were.</p><p>00:39:31.140 –&gt; 00:39:31.620 Joseph McElroy: made were used.</p><p>00:39:31.770 –&gt; 00:39:32.640 Daniel Pierce: to watch a nation.</p><p>00:39:32.670 –&gt; 00:39:36.120 Daniel Pierce: Plus, they were also traditions of slaves too.</p><p>00:39:37.710 –&gt; 00:39:43.290 Daniel Pierce: apply plantation distilleries using slave Labor so like a lot of African Americans knew how to make liquor.</p><p>00:39:43.410 –&gt; 00:39:44.640 Joseph McElroy: I knew very good.</p><p>00:39:45.630 –&gt; 00:39:51.360 Daniel Pierce: yeah, then the other thing I think that that’s that kind of blows people’s minds was the number of women involved.</p><p>00:39:52.440 –&gt; 00:39:55.350 Daniel Pierce: And that’s just a fascinating story, you know.</p><p>00:39:55.350 –&gt; 00:39:57.930 Joseph McElroy: Especially on the brandy, they made from those that.</p><p>00:39:57.990 –&gt; 00:40:01.740 Joseph McElroy: moonshine right at it out yeah for things like.</p><p>00:40:02.520 –&gt; 00:40:17.370 Daniel Pierce: Well, if you had fruit trees, you know back in you know well before refrigeration became common if you had free trees, there was one reason why you did, and that was the to make brandy or apple jack or something.</p><p>00:40:17.370 –&gt; 00:40:19.590 Daniel Pierce: Like alcohol from it.</p><p>00:40:21.570 –&gt; 00:40:32.880 Daniel Pierce: Because you couldn’t you know if you had a big orchard, I mean you couldn’t preserve all that you couldn’t get to market, but you could distill it and you could get that the market and it would really sale to.</p><p>00:40:33.060 –&gt; 00:40:44.790 Joseph McElroy: find the things that you can you know I just discovered, I can make me from hmi here at the motel and once we get our fortified wine and liquor license and I’m going to be making I’m gonna be making our own been.</p><p>00:40:45.870 –&gt; 00:40:47.730 Joseph McElroy: A tradition to figure out what you can.</p><p>00:40:48.990 –&gt; 00:40:50.700 Daniel Pierce: that’s right, you have it handy.</p><p>00:40:51.270 –&gt; 00:40:56.700 Joseph McElroy: But you know I want to get to you know you said you’d wrote four books about the great smoky mountains and.</p><p>00:40:58.350 –&gt; 00:41:06.360 Joseph McElroy: You know, and I think the first one was natural habitat to national parks it seems you’re a passionate environmentalist, can you tell us about this book?</p><p>00:41:07.110 –&gt; 00:41:15.060 Daniel Pierce: yeah well again it’s on the establishment of the park and it’s a yeah it’s a great story, you know it’s a unique story because.</p><p>00:41:16.260 –&gt; 00:41:18.240 Daniel Pierce: smokies and Shenandoah we’re.</p><p>00:41:19.650 –&gt; 00:41:27.720 Daniel Pierce: Creating a unique way at that time and in the 1920s Congress said they would not purchase lands for national parks, all the national parks.</p><p>00:41:28.440 –&gt; 00:41:45.300 Daniel Pierce: Were were in the West, and they were in the federal domain, all you did was say to sign, basically, of which federal agencies managing it so, but the Congress wouldn’t buy land for for national parks and so, but then they said, if the states will buy the land.</p><p>00:41:47.070 –&gt; 00:42:00.240 Daniel Pierce: And we approve this land is appropriate for national park, then, then the states can turn the land over to us and we’ll make it a national park and so that’s what happened, but it was a long slow process because they had to.</p><p>00:42:02.550 –&gt; 00:42:07.230 Daniel Pierce: They had raised the money to buy to buy the land, so they had private donations.</p><p>00:42:09.990 –&gt; 00:42:11.730 Daniel Pierce: They had state bonds and then.</p><p>00:42:13.350 –&gt; 00:42:21.180 Daniel Pierce: Finally, it was john D Rockefeller jr who who know $95 million to make it happen so.</p><p>00:42:22.200 –&gt; 00:42:23.700 Daniel Pierce: it’s a unique thing so.</p><p>00:42:26.520 –&gt; 00:42:26.730 He.</p><p>00:42:28.380 –&gt; 00:42:31.140 Daniel Pierce: So people, the Western North Carolina and East Tennessee.</p><p>00:42:32.190 –&gt; 00:42:35.490 Daniel Pierce: feel a real sense of ownership about the.</p><p>00:42:36.660 –&gt; 00:42:36.990 Daniel Pierce: About.</p><p>00:42:38.460 –&gt; 00:42:40.680 Daniel Pierce: about the park that other places don’t have.</p><p>00:42:41.790 –&gt; 00:42:47.640 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know we’re good, I think we could take it that we could take a break, right now, and you get some more water and.</p><p>00:42:49.770 –&gt; 00:42:54.840 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll come back we’ll talk more about some of your books and some of the other things that you’ve done in.</p><p>00:42:56.640 –&gt; 00:42:56.970 Daniel Pierce: Hello.</p><p>00:45:00.630 –&gt; 00:45:11.220 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Dan peers so, then you wrote several books about the great smoky National Park.</p><p>00:45:12.360 –&gt; 00:45:19.410 Joseph McElroy: That, I mentioned the one that was really popular from natural habitat to national party what are some of the others that people might look up.</p><p>00:45:20.790 –&gt; 00:45:21.510 Daniel Pierce: Well, I did.</p><p>00:45:22.470 –&gt; 00:45:26.760 Daniel Pierce: yeah I did the one on been shot in the smokies corn from a jars part of the book that sold the most.</p><p>00:45:27.090 –&gt; 00:45:28.710 Daniel Pierce: yeah and.</p><p>00:45:29.880 –&gt; 00:45:40.020 Daniel Pierce: And then I did a book on Community of hazel creek and swine county which was displaced and then there was a long, long controversy about the road to nowhere.</p><p>00:45:41.430 –&gt; 00:45:45.420 Daniel Pierce: There in that in that county that was that was resolved, you know, maybe 10 years ago.</p><p>00:45:46.680 –&gt; 00:45:49.170 Daniel Pierce: Finally, after 50 years or so.</p><p>00:45:50.220 –&gt; 00:45:52.620 Daniel Pierce: And that’s just a really interesting community and.</p><p>00:45:54.990 –&gt; 00:46:01.440 Daniel Pierce: And kind of a legendary Community it’s kind of now it’s more kind of a legend is a trout fishing destination, but.</p><p>00:46:01.680 –&gt; 00:46:02.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah good job fish.</p><p>00:46:02.880 –&gt; 00:46:03.960 Daniel Pierce: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:46:05.310 –&gt; 00:46:12.870 Daniel Pierce: And then the, the most recent when I did I can kind of see in the background, there i’ll leave my head over is a poster by.</p><p>00:46:13.920 –&gt; 00:46:25.050 Daniel Pierce: an artist graphic card is by the name of Joe Anderson gentlemen, our friends, when I lived in nashville 30 years ago, and then we lost touch with one another and.</p><p>00:46:27.300 –&gt; 00:46:29.850 Daniel Pierce: He went on to a very successful career.</p><p>00:46:31.050 –&gt; 00:46:41.580 Daniel Pierce: Start his own company and and then he gave up basically its advertising business that just do poster art full time and he has an incredible business.</p><p>00:46:42.330 –&gt; 00:47:00.210 Daniel Pierce: is best selling posters or national park posters and so he did a book in 2016 for the for the hundredth anniversary National Park service on all the national parks and use this poster art in the sun did the text and so.</p><p>00:47:01.320 –&gt; 00:47:06.990 Daniel Pierce: I brought in you and CA to do a program about art and the national parks and.</p><p>00:47:08.010 –&gt; 00:47:27.090 Daniel Pierce: Over dinner, he asked me if I would be interested in doing a book with him and on the smokies, and so I said sure, and so we made about seven seven or eight trips into the smokies had some great adventures sell some really cool places it was it was so much fun to take him and his son.</p><p>00:47:28.710 –&gt; 00:47:32.730 Daniel Pierce: Around to see a lot of these places that had meant so much to me.</p><p>00:47:33.840 –&gt; 00:47:46.740 Daniel Pierce: And I learned a lot in the process, but anyway that turned into a book called the illustrated guide to the great smoky mountain National Park, and which is solving all the bookstores now, this is a great kind of coffee table book, so it was a real.</p><p>00:47:46.740 –&gt; 00:47:47.250 departure.</p><p>00:47:48.630 –&gt; 00:47:58.710 Daniel Pierce: And so that was that was so much fun and we had so much fun doing them trips together and all that you know and again, you know doing quote research in.</p><p>00:48:00.720 –&gt; 00:48:01.440 Daniel Pierce: The park and.</p><p>00:48:02.340 –&gt; 00:48:05.190 Daniel Pierce: Then that morphed into one that just came out.</p><p>00:48:06.240 –&gt; 00:48:15.540 Daniel Pierce: This is an illustrated guide to the to the grand circle of Arizona and utah and so its southern utah.</p><p>00:48:16.650 –&gt; 00:48:17.460 Joseph McElroy: niche itself.</p><p>00:48:17.730 –&gt; 00:48:18.330 yeah.</p><p>00:48:19.620 –&gt; 00:48:23.220 Daniel Pierce: yeah that was just out and, but that was so much fun we.</p><p>00:48:26.040 –&gt; 00:48:28.260 Joseph McElroy: had some fun books, I saw that you Co.</p><p>00:48:28.260 –&gt; 00:48:33.870 Joseph McElroy: wrote a book debating the merits of NASCAR versus college football in the south, so.</p><p>00:48:35.340 –&gt; 00:48:35.820 Joseph McElroy: How did that.</p><p>00:48:37.620 –&gt; 00:48:40.980 Joseph McElroy: come out about what was the conclusion.</p><p>00:48:41.880 –&gt; 00:48:44.250 Daniel Pierce: Well, I won, but.</p><p>00:48:44.910 –&gt; 00:48:48.690 Daniel Pierce: It was actually a debate, you know that was done on the.</p><p>00:48:49.950 –&gt; 00:49:04.380 Daniel Pierce: South Carolina public radio, which was broadcast all over I think a lot, it was it was a series called tell about the south, and it was you know they brought on to scholars to discuss or debate some issue so.</p><p>00:49:05.640 –&gt; 00:49:16.200 Daniel Pierce: So getting the party to Jackson who’s was from Jacksonville state and Alabama did the football side, and I did the NASCAR side and so.</p><p>00:49:17.520 –&gt; 00:49:18.690 Daniel Pierce: I got whipped him but.</p><p>00:49:19.470 –&gt; 00:49:30.240 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool and then you what have you books and I didn’t find out which one you tell me one the Western North Carolina historical association outstayed achievement award which one was the book.</p><p>00:49:30.720 –&gt; 00:49:35.040 Daniel Pierce: Well, that was just that achievement awards is kind of a lifetime achievement.</p><p>00:49:35.070 –&gt; 00:49:36.210 Joseph McElroy: Over the lifetime of cheese and.</p><p>00:49:36.210 –&gt; 00:49:37.530 Daniel Pierce: Whatever book yeah.</p><p>00:49:37.980 –&gt; 00:49:41.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah okay well it’s it’s it’s Nice, I mean.</p><p>00:49:41.250 –&gt; 00:49:41.610 Daniel Pierce: you’ve got.</p><p>00:49:41.700 –&gt; 00:49:45.360 Joseph McElroy: Great titles I think it’s really great, but I also think that.</p><p>00:49:47.460 –&gt; 00:49:52.530 Joseph McElroy: That you are, you are you’re very passionate about eight equal rights and racial diversity.</p><p>00:49:53.940 –&gt; 00:50:11.730 Joseph McElroy: And you know, and you know our associate Bob plot, you know it is a mutual friend wrote about a great book about his son and about the story of wmc are the railroad the mercury branch railroad built almost entirely by conflict Labor contract Labor.</p><p>00:50:14.910 –&gt; 00:50:22.290 Joseph McElroy: And it was a brutally inhumane form of legalized slavery, supported by both political parties for two decades.</p><p>00:50:22.620 –&gt; 00:50:37.050 Joseph McElroy: yeah few people are aware of this and the sacrifice made people to open up w Western North Carolina to the outside world, you are leading a committee dedicated honor to these inmates the railroad incarcerated Committee, can you tell us about that.</p><p>00:50:37.530 –&gt; 00:50:40.200 Daniel Pierce: yeah so I live at ridgecrest which is.</p><p>00:50:41.370 –&gt; 00:50:45.720 Daniel Pierce: One of the most storied section of the railroad.</p><p>00:50:46.770 –&gt; 00:50:51.930 Daniel Pierce: And the big roadblock to building railroad into Western North Carolina was.</p><p>00:50:53.370 –&gt; 00:50:56.040 Daniel Pierce: What was called a sua know upgrade or.</p><p>00:50:57.390 –&gt; 00:51:01.800 Daniel Pierce: Or the mountain division, the railroad so it was so hard to.</p><p>00:51:04.710 –&gt; 00:51:14.700 Daniel Pierce: So it’s about a Three Mile stretch as the crow flies but it’s it’s nine miles a railroad so it twists and turns up the mountain there are seven tunnels in that section.</p><p>00:51:16.020 –&gt; 00:51:20.670 Daniel Pierce: It took three years, using over 3000.</p><p>00:51:22.080 –&gt; 00:51:25.980 Daniel Pierce: incarcerated libraries in the in the north Carolina state penitentiary.</p><p>00:51:27.210 –&gt; 00:51:28.200 Joseph McElroy: Basically, slavery.</p><p>00:51:29.040 –&gt; 00:51:36.090 Daniel Pierce: Yes, and it was it was it was brutal and again they’re using nitroglycerin it’s very dangerous work.</p><p>00:51:37.140 –&gt; 00:51:39.450 Daniel Pierce: Their crap together in horrible conditions.</p><p>00:51:42.630 –&gt; 00:51:43.590 Daniel Pierce: And we know.</p><p>00:51:45.060 –&gt; 00:51:58.350 Daniel Pierce: From the records that at least 139 of these people died in the process and countless other injuries and you know you know, probably permanent injuries as well we just don’t know.</p><p>00:51:58.980 –&gt; 00:52:00.840 Daniel Pierce: yeah but there was no.</p><p>00:52:01.920 –&gt; 00:52:15.720 Daniel Pierce: there’s really no I mean there have been a few books written and some you know there’s a little awareness, but there’s no public recognition there’s a and so a group of us.</p><p>00:52:17.460 –&gt; 00:52:31.950 Daniel Pierce: Actually kind of started on my front porch over breakfast with a friend of mine, whose name is Steve little and he’s a lawyer and the Mayor of Marion North Carolina but a big railroad buff and he’s been fascinated by this section a railroad since he was a kid.</p><p>00:52:33.360 –&gt; 00:52:40.410 Daniel Pierce: And so we put We contacted some folks and put together a committee of people from McDowell county and bumping county.</p><p>00:52:42.240 –&gt; 00:52:42.720 Daniel Pierce: To.</p><p>00:52:43.800 –&gt; 00:52:58.920 Daniel Pierce: build a memorial, and so it, you know it really we you know, put it was kinda like a little rascals you know we didn’t really know what you’re doing you know it’s gonna let let’s put on a show and but we didn’t have a clue as to what we’re doing, and so we just kind of.</p><p>00:52:59.970 –&gt; 00:53:18.600 Daniel Pierce: You know what one of our committee members put together a website and we just started contacting people and got some good publicity and Western North a lot of historical associations partner with us and we were able to put a you know, a donate now button on the thing and.</p><p>00:53:20.100 –&gt; 00:53:23.970 Daniel Pierce: They started coming in and for we knew it was OK, now we.</p><p>00:53:24.390 –&gt; 00:53:29.880 Joseph McElroy: We got the money you know a lot of people here remember the railroads back in the day and my great grandfather.</p><p>00:53:31.170 –&gt; 00:53:37.350 Joseph McElroy: was an engineer for the logging railroads and my man, that was a brutal brutal brutal business.</p><p>00:53:37.470 –&gt; 00:53:43.320 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah and the slaves, the slave Labor prison Labor got the worst of it, so I think it’s a good thing that you’re doing.</p><p>00:53:44.700 –&gt; 00:53:47.820 Joseph McElroy: And I appreciate it, you know we’re getting close to the end here.</p><p>00:53:49.620 –&gt; 00:54:01.200 Joseph McElroy: And I want you to have the opportunity to shout out anything we haven’t mentioned or where people can look up your books or get in contact with you or however you want them to remember from this this this podcast.</p><p>00:54:01.890 –&gt; 00:54:10.860 Daniel Pierce: Well yeah i’m always looking for folks to check out, I would encourage folks to check out Anderson design group.</p><p>00:54:11.460 –&gt; 00:54:26.850 Daniel Pierce: Has a coffee table books and it’s just an incredible site with all you know if you love the smokies and you want to have something on your wall is posters are just incredible and so I would encourage you to do that to patronize the park.</p><p>00:54:28.020 –&gt; 00:54:38.190 Daniel Pierce: gift shops that con lefty and in Bryson city and all over the great smoky mountain National Park I’m on there I’m on their board and so.</p><p>00:54:39.240 –&gt; 00:54:43.560 Daniel Pierce: Just leads, you know come back to the park in a great way and they sell my book, so.</p><p>00:54:44.850 –&gt; 00:54:46.350 Joseph McElroy: Are you on Facebook or anything?</p><p>00:54:46.830 –&gt; 00:54:47.130 Daniel Pierce: But.</p><p>00:54:47.430 –&gt; 00:54:48.690 Joseph McElroy: Are you on Facebook you.</p><p>00:54:49.350 –&gt; 00:54:54.360 Daniel Pierce: know you know I’m not I haven’t done social media as well.</p><p>00:54:55.350 –&gt; 00:55:00.210 Daniel Pierce: Okay I’ve done in the past, but it just kind of eats up your life and so.</p><p>00:55:01.800 –&gt; 00:55:06.210 Daniel Pierce: And so I don’t but, but I would also encourage folks to.</p><p>00:55:09.030 –&gt; 00:55:12.720 Daniel Pierce: check out rail rei l dot.org.</p><p>00:55:13.950 –&gt; 00:55:30.990 Daniel Pierce: Which is our website for the rail project, one of the really cool things just real quickly we’ve done recently is to bring in human remains detection dogs and ground penetrating radar and have located some mass graves.</p><p>00:55:32.010 –&gt; 00:55:43.650 Daniel Pierce: Which is is is sad and tragic but we’re going to be able to, we are looking for funds to be able to mark those places and you know.</p><p>00:55:44.730 –&gt; 00:55:51.480 Daniel Pierce: do what we can and you know we can’t bring those people back, but it’s it’s important to work I think so.</p><p>00:55:51.630 –&gt; 00:55:58.380 Joseph McElroy: Thank you so much for being on the show you know I enjoy the books that you read you&#39;re written and.</p><p>00:55:58.860 –&gt; 00:56:08.670 Joseph McElroy: I’ve read a little bit of the corner of the JAR and bring some others of yours, and I look forward to seeing what you do in the future, and now we should keep in touch, so thank you for being on the show.</p><p>00:56:09.030 –&gt; 00:56:10.350 Daniel Pierce: But enjoyed it thoroughly.</p><p>00:56:11.580 –&gt; 00:56:22.380 Joseph McElroy: This is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find out more about us@facebook.com says gateway to the smokies podcast as well as on the talkradio.nyc network.</p><p>00:56:22.830 –&gt; 00:56:32.730 Joseph McElroy: or they have lots of live podcasts that are worthwhile going to look at and watch for, ranging from small business&#39;s self-help to travel.</p><p>00:56:33.180 –&gt; 00:56:38.910 Joseph McElroy: Like we’re having here, I also have another podcast called wise content creates well, which is about marketing and Ai.</p><p>00:56:39.330 –&gt; 00:56:43.830 Joseph McElroy: and helping businesses, you know achieve better results with their content marketing.</p><p>00:56:44.430 –&gt; 00:56:57.510 Joseph McElroy: And that’s on Fridays from noon to one and don’t forget to check out the metal or motel call it to call eight to 89261717 for a reservation for any events or just come and visit us I’d love to see you.</p><p>00:56:58.470 –&gt; 00:57:07.410 Joseph McElroy: So see you next week for this podcast K with smokies from six until seven on Tuesday night and until then have a good week.</p> cb0a4561-df92-46fe-92c5-89540edf3cbd https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/7202c42c-e18c-42a8-b081-ed9529f3dece Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3102 no full Episode 60: Masterful Stories in the Smokies with Author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle Episode 60: Masterful Stories in the Smokies with Author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Tune in as you&#39;ll learn what it takes to become a successful author while you discover the upbringing in the Cherokee culture. </strong></p><p>On this episode of the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast, we have a very special guest,<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.asaunookeclapsaddle.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle</strong></a><strong>, </strong>a renowned author, writer, and educator. She is the author of Even as We Breathe, one of the best books of 2020 by National Public Radio. She is a graduate of Yale University and William and Mary and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe. Annette resides with her family in Qualla, N.C., and is an avid mountain biker, and a staunch advocate for equal rights, education, and Cherokee history. </p><p>She&#39;s joining us to talk about her journey of writing her award-winning debut novel, Even as We Breathe, and her latest book. She will also discuss the Cherokee education system, the importance of language preservation, and how we can influence change in our communities. </p><p>Don&#39;t miss this out! </p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/dxYTGL9X9Z/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph kicks off today&#39;s episode mentioning the sponsors, The Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley and smokiesadventure.com. Joseph announces that this is his first podcast as a resident again in North Carolina! Some upcoming events include June 11 with a pottery seminar with Cory Plott, a master craftsman, who will teach you how to create your own handmade pottery. On June 18th, there will be part 4 of the heritage book series with Bob Plott, free for guests and members. Check out more events at meadowlarkmotel.com. He also introduces his guest, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle. She is the author of <em>Even as We Breathe</em>, one of the best books of 2020 by National Public Radio. Annette was born and raised in the Smokies and a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe for her whole life. Her grandfather also has history with the tribe as well; his name was Osley Saunooke. She talks about how fascinating he was. Did you know that Osley was a wrestling world champion?! She also speaks about working in the family business and how her parents influenced her in learning and entrepreneurship.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Annette talks about getting her Bachelors degree from Yale University. She also got her Masters degree at William and Mary. She talks about why chose to come back to the Smokies. Annette mentions her family and connections she has in North Carolina and wanting to continue to raise her family there. Annette also was a director if the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. She was also a teacher for 12 years. She also talks about her writing. Annette mentions having amazing teachers growing up which influenced her to be creative. She mentions a quote someone from Yale said to her and her mother when they visited the first time. The quote was “the best thing to do with world-class education is to share it.” Her goals as a teacher is to create empathy and resilience through writing and the process. Some topics she mentions within this are making mistakes and the work that is part of this like the process of editing and writing. She discusses some ways she would teach her students. Annette talks about a manuscript that never officially got published called <em>Going to Water</em>. It&#39;s about a fictional story of her grandfather. She never got to know who he actually was as he passed away at an early age. So the character in the story was as close to what she knew of him, full of adventure.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Annette talks about her book <em>Even as We Breathe</em>, which came out in 2020. She says that she had read an article about the role that the Grove Park Inn played in World War II and Ashville’s role as well. This history wasn&#39;t familiar with many historians and people like herself who have lived in Ashville for a long time. She gave herself a writing prompt and spent a long time writing on the simplest object that she could think of. In her method of writing, Annette spent time in a very tiny room in the Jackson County Library in Sylva, North Carolina. She talks about the story of what she wrote. She is very inspired by where she loves and the interactions as shown in her novel. It takes place in 1942 and is a coming of age kind of story. Until she was working on the marketing packet, she didn&#39;t realize that she wrote historical fiction. Other topics include issues of identity, racism and Cherokee culture. She tells a funny story about teaching her students. She also talks about her decision to retire from teaching.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Annette says that she is working on a new book, a novel that&#39;s contemporary with a female protagonist. It&#39;s set in Cherokee, which is close to home. She also does nonfiction writing for regional magazines and edits for the Appalachian Future Series through University Press of Kentucky. She also talks about teaching workshops in different locations. Annette also talks about mountain biking. She says that she likes to be in the middle of the woods, biking fast, and being isolated for a moment from everything. She even lost 65 pounds by mountain biking. Annette and Joseph also discuss favorite trails in North Carolina. For people going to visit Cherokee Reservation, Annette mentions visiting Sassy Sunflower, a sandwich shop. If you want a country buffet, you have to go to Granny’s kitchen and get a pie. You can learn more about Annette at asaunookeclapsaddle.com. You can also search her name on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to connect!</p>

Facebook Live Video from 2022/06/07 - Masterful Stories in the Smokies with Author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle

In this episode, you'll learn what it takes to become a successful author while you discover the upbringing in the Cherokee culture. 

On this episode of the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast, we have a very special guest, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, a renowned author, writer, and educator. She is the author of Even as We Breathe, one of the best books of 2020 by National Public Radio. She is a graduate of Yale University and William and Mary and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe. Annette resides with her family in Qualla, N.C., and is an avid mountain biker, and a staunch advocate for equal rights, education, and Cherokee history. 

She's joining us to talk about her journey of writing her award-winning debut novel, Even as We Breathe, and her latest book. She will also discuss the Cherokee education system, the importance of language preservation, and how we can influence change in our communities. 

Don't miss this out! 

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph kicks off today's episode mentioning the sponsors, The Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley and smokiesadventure.com. Joseph announces that this is his first podcast as a resident again in North Carolina! Some upcoming events include June 11 with a pottery seminar with Cory Plott, a master craftsman, who will teach you how to create your own handmade pottery. On June 18th, there will be part 4 of the heritage book series with Bob Plott, free for guests and members. Check out more events at meadowlarkmotel.com. He also introduces his guest, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle. She is the author of Even as We Breathe, one of the best books of 2020 by National Public Radio. Annette was born and raised in the Smokies and a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe for her whole life. Her grandfather also has history with the tribe as well; his name was Osley Saunooke. She talks about how fascinating he was. Did you know that Osley was a wrestling world champion?! She also speaks about working in the family business and how her parents influenced her in learning and entrepreneurship.

Segment 2

Annette talks about getting her bachelor's degree from Yale University. She also got her Masters's degree at William and Mary. She talks about why chose to come back to the Smokies. Annette mentions her family and the connections she has in North Carolina and wants to continue to raise her family there. Annette also was a director if the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. She was also a teacher for 12 years. She also talks about her writing. Annette mentions having amazing teachers growing up which influenced her to be creative. She mentions a quote someone from Yale said to her and her mother when they visited the first time. The quote was “the best thing to do with a world-class education is to share it.” Her goals as a teacher are to create empathy and resilience through writing and the process. Some topics she mentions within this are making mistakes and the work that is part of this like the process of editing and writing. She discusses some ways she would teach her students. Annette talks about a manuscript that never officially got published called Going to Water. It's about a fictional story of her grandfather. She never got to know who he actually was as he passed away at an early age. So the character in the story was as close to what she knew of him, full of adventure.

Segment 3

Annette talks about her book Even as We Breathe, which came out in 2020. She says that she had read an article about the role that the Grove Park Inn played in World War II and Ashville’s role as well. This history wasn't familiar to many historians and people like herself who have lived in Ashville for a long time. She gave herself a writing prompt and spent a long time writing on the simplest object that she could think of. In her method of writing, Annette spent time in a very tiny room in the Jackson County Library in Sylva, North Carolina. She talks about the story of what she wrote. She is very inspired by where she loves and the interactions as shown in her novel. It takes place in 1942 and is a coming-of-age kind of story. Until she was working on the marketing packet, she didn't realize that she wrote historical fiction. Other topics include issues of identity, racism, and Cherokee culture. She tells a funny story about teaching her students. She also talks about her decision to retire from teaching.

Segment 4

Annette says that she is working on a new book, a novel that's contemporary with a female protagonist. It's set in Cherokee, which is close to home. She also does nonfiction writing for regional magazines and edits for the Appalachian Future Series through the University Press of Kentucky. She also talks about teaching workshops in different locations. Annette also talks about mountain biking. She says that she likes to be in the middle of the woods, biking fast, and being isolated for a moment from everything. She even lost 65 pounds by mountain biking. Annette and Joseph also discuss favorite trails in North Carolina. For people going to visit Cherokee Reservation, Annette mentions visiting Sassy Sunflower, a sandwich shop. If you want a country buffet, you have to go to Granny’s kitchen and get a pie. You can learn more about Annette at asaunookeclapsaddle.com. You can also search for her name on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to connect!

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:34.560 –> 00:00:46.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountain National Park in the surrounding towns.

00:00:46.530 –> 00:00:55.020 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:55.350 –> 00:01:06.870 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:07.410 –> 00:01:14.190 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about masterful stories of the smokies but first let’s talk about our sponsors.

00:01:15.150 –> 00:01:26.400 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of a motor court of the past, a modern environment with a Chic Appalachian feels. A place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:26.910 –> 00:01:35.370 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine and craft beers.

00:01:35.910 –> 00:01:49.020 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina. Your smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.

00:01:50.310 –> 00:01:58.860 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokiesadventure.com at smokies plural adventure singular dot com smoky mountains and surrounding areas.

00:01:59.250 –> 00:02:09.240 Joseph McElroy: It is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:09.870 –> 00:02:21.300 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains National Park, the trails the waterfalls, caves Code, the elk, and more.

00:02:21.750 –> 00:02:34.890 Joseph McElroy: check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment and lodging you and your entire family can enjoy and also find places to do life events like weddings and honeymoons and romantic weekends.

00:02:35.400 –> 00:02:42.570 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokies adventures is to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences and the great smoky mountains.

00:02:43.980 –> 00:02:56.130 Joseph McElroy: got some events coming up, by the way, this is my first podcast now as a resident again of North Carolina my family and I just moved to Asheville North Carolina so work at the gateway the smokies.

00:02:57.660 –> 00:03:03.750 Joseph McElroy: and looking forward to exploring the smokies even further now being both in Buncombe County and Haywood County

00:03:05.430 –> 00:03:12.150 Joseph McElroy: So that’s events coming up is this coming weekend June 11 there’s gonna be a Pottery Seminar with Cory Plott.

00:03:12.720 –> 00:03:18.240 Joseph McElroy: he’s a master potter and he’s the Owner and Operator Plott Ware Pottery of Clyde North Carolina.

00:03:18.840 –> 00:03:29.100 Joseph McElroy: And he brings his mobile studio to our resort to teach participants and to make that to make their own piece of handcrafted pottery you’ll walk away with a piece of pottery.

00:03:29.670 –> 00:03:40.530 Joseph McElroy: He will also be selling some of his award-winning elegant and durable utilitarian decor at the event, this weekend I just saw some wonderful wine to canvas you made that we’re just fabulous.

00:03:41.700 –> 00:03:53.640 Joseph McElroy: But you will get hands-on experience with a master craftsman and then you’ll make your own pottery class limited to 20 participants and it’s 65 for each non-guest and 20 for the.

00:03:54.510 –> 00:04:08.040 Joseph McElroy: 25 for motel guests and heritage club members and then over the afterward will be a free Barbecue dinner and music with Michael Ogletree book your slot now call 82 89261717.

00:04:09.030 –> 00:04:26.730 Joseph McElroy: On June 18 the following weekend there’s going to be a part four of the heritage book series of Bob Plott and it’s free for guests and members and so please join us for yet another informative entertaining and fun afternoon of his history, food, and music.

00:04:28.200 –> 00:04:35.220 Joseph McElroy: With award-winning Author and Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center General Manager Bob Plott, discusses his fourth book.

00:04:35.550 –> 00:04:47.790 Joseph McElroy: Colorful Characters of the Great Smoky Mountains  weaves the lively stories of vibrant and intriguing characters such as the Cherokee chiefs Yonaguska,

00:04:48.450 –> 00:05:00.150 Joseph McElroy: Oconostota, Dragging Canoe and their allies such as John Watts, along with their combatants—Robert Rogers, Quintin Kennedy, King Haigler, the Stockbridge Mohicans, Francis Marion, and others,

00:05:00.540 –> 00:05:06.720 Joseph McElroy: as well as modern-day mountain icons such as Von Plott, Charles Miller, and Earl Lanning.

00:05:07.200 –> 00:05:14.640 Joseph McElroy: It will be followed by a book signing and a delicious Barbecue dinner as well, and a company with acoustic music right Mike Ogletree and friends.

00:05:14.970 –> 00:05:23.250 Joseph McElroy: The event is free to motel guests and Heritage Club members—there is an admission charge of ten dollars per person for all that are not staying there.

00:05:25.320 –> 00:05:30.180 Joseph McElroy: And then August 6th is the Launch of the Cherokee Heritage Series with Davy Arch.

00:05:31.170 –> 00:05:36.900 Joseph McElroy: Please join us in spending an intimate and enchanting afternoon with a tree true Appalachian treasure, Davy Arch.

00:05:37.710 –> 00:05:44.910 Joseph McElroy: Davy is a world-class Cherokee tribal is storing and award-winning craftsman of traditional Cherokee crafts.

00:05:45.330 –> 00:05:52.380 Joseph McElroy: specifically masks and baskets and he’s a beloved spokesman for the Eastern band of the Cherokee tribe.

00:05:52.860 –> 00:06:04.410 Joseph McElroy: The event will be followed by the Barbecue dinner and music with Michael Ogletree and Friends. Admission is $20 per person, for all these events call eight to 89261717 to reserve your seat now.

00:06:05.640 –> 00:06:13.740 Joseph McElroy: Today we have a great guest, who knows a lot about Cherokee culture and stories in these mountains her name is Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle

00:06:14.250 –> 00:06:25.140 Joseph McElroy: She is a renowned author writer and educator and is a graduate of Yale University and William and Mary as well as an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe.

00:06:25.830 –> 00:06:37.710 Joseph McElroy: Her award-winning debut novel Even as we breathe, was the first novel published by a member of the eastern band of the Cherokee tribe, and his name or the best books of 2020 by the.

00:06:38.370 –> 00:06:54.300 Joseph McElroy: NPR and that resides with their family in Qualla North Carolina, which is in in the Cherokee reservation and as an avid mountain bikers well as a staunch advocate for equal rights education Cherokee history hello, and how are you doing.

00:06:54.900 –> 00:06:57.540 Annette Clapsaddle: I’m good I’m great to be here with you.

00:06:58.110 –> 00:07:05.610 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you for it’s quite an honor to have you join us today you have a you have an interesting history and an impressive resume.

00:07:06.000 –> 00:07:15.750 Joseph McElroy: And all of a sudden, you get all sorts of awards for your writing so that’s pretty spectacular, but I wanted to start first with your background, you were born and raised in the smokies, right?

00:07:16.440 –> 00:07:21.660 Annette Clapsaddle: that’s right I lived here all my life, except for undergraduate and graduate school.

00:07:22.140 –> 00:07:27.870 Joseph McElroy: cool and you’ve been a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee tribe for that your whole life too right.

00:07:28.230 –> 00:07:29.220 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah born in to it.

00:07:30.120 –> 00:07:36.990 Joseph McElroy: Born into it, you have some history that your grandfather Osley Saunooke was chief of the tribe, right?

00:07:37.680 –> 00:07:49.710 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah it seems Osley Burke Saunooke and he was an Eastern Chief in the 50s and into the early 60s.

00:07:51.990 –> 00:07:54.360 Annette Clapsaddle: fan, where he was not a cheap teacher.

00:07:54.810 –> 00:08:08.130 Joseph McElroy: cool well, And he was quite an interesting character in his own right, an esteemed tribal chief, a former Marine, who started a thriving tourist business in 1956 that as I understand it, is still operational today. What was that business?

00:08:09.720 –> 00:08:10.080 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah.

00:08:12.180 –> 00:08:19.590 Annette Clapsaddle: Trading first, and so the land where that is and it’s also contiguous with kind of family land.

00:08:20.670 –> 00:08:21.060 Annette Clapsaddle: That.

00:08:22.170 –> 00:08:33.660 Annette Clapsaddle: That is home to cynics village so there are several shops there that kind of threw out of Chiefs in trading paste including to nicks millen shop that my dad built.

00:08:34.890 –> 00:08:38.850 Joseph McElroy: cool well, it sounds like you to write about a book about him, you got any plans for that.

00:08:41.340 –> 00:08:44.070 Annette Clapsaddle: I think we’re going to talk later about my first novel and.

00:08:48.210 –> 00:08:57.990 Joseph McElroy:  Bob Plott, as I mentioned earlier, our Meadowlark Heritage Center Director says his relatives knew him well and hunted with him often and spoke glowingly of him.

00:08:59.400 –> 00:09:00.810 Joseph McElroy: Did you know him as a child and.

00:09:02.880 –> 00:09:05.370 Joseph McElroy: How did he influence you and your growth.

00:09:06.210 –> 00:09:22.080 Annette Clapsaddle: Unfortunately I didn’t he died fairly young from complications to diabetes, so he passed away in 1965 at the age of 59 I was born in 81 so even my dad was fairly young.

00:09:23.160 –> 00:09:39.930 Annette Clapsaddle: When my grandfather passed away but, honestly, was, in addition to being a to turn chief and a businessman, he was the heavyweight wrestling champion of the world, at one time, so he traveled the wrestling circuit.

00:09:41.370 –> 00:09:43.740 Annette Clapsaddle: So he is incredibly fascinated.

00:09:44.730 –> 00:09:46.590 Joseph McElroy: With the name from okay I.

00:09:47.850 –> 00:09:56.820 Annette Clapsaddle: heard and like I’m sure Bob would say that everybody has a story about him whether it’s true or not, what.

00:09:58.110 –> 00:10:02.940 Joseph McElroy: When they’re a bear museum there that had stuff for him as well, he.

00:10:03.240 –> 00:10:03.900 At one paragraph.

00:10:05.220 –> 00:10:08.970 Annette Clapsaddle: And yes, and that’s it same area yeah.

00:10:09.780 –> 00:10:12.630 Joseph McElroy: He wrestled so he wrestled a bear I mean I’m sure it was for sure.

00:10:17.130 –> 00:10:24.990 Joseph McElroy: You know in this in this in this neighborhood North Asheville where we moved in we get lots of bears I’ve already had two black bears in my backyard.

00:10:26.850 –> 00:10:28.140 Annette Clapsaddle: wrestling and I don’t.

00:10:30.210 –> 00:10:31.830 Joseph McElroy: i’m not planning on it, but.

00:10:33.090 –> 00:10:36.360 Joseph McElroy: I will, I will say loud noises to them.

00:10:39.660 –> 00:10:42.180 Joseph McElroy: So you’re your mother.

00:10:43.590 –> 00:10:47.550 Joseph McElroy: your mother, who is this daughter was a teacher, which you are as well right.

00:10:48.030 –> 00:10:54.390 Annette Clapsaddle: Well, so yes and no so my mother is not his daughter my dad was his son.

00:10:54.510 –> 00:11:00.930 Annette Clapsaddle: Oh, I said Okay, but my mom was a teacher for several years.

00:11:03.120 –> 00:11:14.010 Annette Clapsaddle: And my dad was building his business and getting started and then my mom went to help full time with the family business and snakes village.

00:11:15.030 –> 00:11:24.300 Annette Clapsaddle: But she taught reading, and this was before I was born and didn’t really have click in with me that you know you can.

00:11:24.690 –> 00:11:35.760 Annette Clapsaddle: You can be a teacher not be in a classroom, and so I think that she did in a lot of ways to influence me, even though I didn’t grow up knowing her as a classroom teacher cool.

00:11:37.590 –> 00:11:40.380 Joseph McElroy: So you guys, did you work in the family businesses as well.

00:11:41.010 –> 00:11:41.640 Annette Clapsaddle: Oh yes.

00:11:43.830 –> 00:11:43.980 Annette Clapsaddle: I think.

00:11:44.910 –> 00:11:47.700 Joseph McElroy: wanted to work in this I worked in this Meadowlark motel businesses.

00:11:49.200 –> 00:11:49.830 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah.

00:11:50.250 –> 00:11:53.430 Annette Clapsaddle: As long as we can see over the counter we were hired.

00:11:53.940 –> 00:11:56.280 Joseph McElroy: Right I got paid the.

00:11:56.280 –> 00:11:58.080 Joseph McElroy: diamond room to clean rooms.

00:12:02.220 –> 00:12:04.110 Annette Clapsaddle: got paid a bag of popcorn.

00:12:09.300 –> 00:12:12.150 Joseph McElroy: Did that inspire you with his entrepreneurial activities.

00:12:12.750 –> 00:12:16.110 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah you know I’m always inspired by my dad and.

00:12:16.710 –> 00:12:23.490 Annette Clapsaddle: And yeah, I think, to be an entrepreneur is you know you have to be willing to take risks, so I don’t feel like I’ve been.

00:12:24.120 –> 00:12:33.090 Annette Clapsaddle: there yet, but I can take some of the same risks that he’s taken throughout his life, it really turned out to be worth it, and but there’s a creativity to it.

00:12:34.080 –> 00:12:48.300 Annette Clapsaddle: That I have appreciated and I think I have picked up a little bit at least have that from him and I’m laughing myself because my dad was above me and lives in the House of the Hill and.

00:12:49.740 –> 00:13:05.940 Annette Clapsaddle: And we my son and I were just helping him move a major piece of equipment in a really peculiar precarious way and that kind of and I, you know there’s something that small business owners that want to do it themselves for the cheapest route possible.

00:13:07.530 –> 00:13:21.150 Joseph McElroy: I had that imbued with me, but you know until I got into my 50s I did all my moves myself, you know that includes all the heavy furniture, but I can remember, sometimes having a pickup truck with things so pile though so high.

00:13:22.200 –> 00:13:24.840 Joseph McElroy: I think, and this is a New York City, no less, and things.

00:13:25.470 –> 00:13:30.000 Joseph McElroy: You know, getting ready to fall off, but you know that was just the way you did things right.

00:13:32.160 –> 00:13:41.970 Joseph McElroy: That that was the life of the entrepreneur and the children of the entrepreneur, well, we have to go back and go and take a break, now that seems very quick, but we.

00:13:42.660 –> 00:13:48.750 Joseph McElroy: we’re having a good conversation here, so when we come back we’ll start talking about a little bit more about your background and then get into your books.

00:13:49.590 –> 00:13:50.190 Annette Clapsaddle: sounds great.

00:16:06.270 –> 00:16:23.970 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guests Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle today is a today’s a craft brewery from Western North Carolina is boozer but it’s the king of the mountain double IPA and I can recommend that highly.

00:16:25.620 –> 00:16:26.190 Annette Clapsaddle: victory.

00:16:27.120 –> 00:16:28.140 Annette Clapsaddle: Right yeah.

00:16:28.500 –> 00:16:39.210 Joseph McElroy: So that you have this great you had this great family and tribal support system and you became an honor student and then off you go to Yale University to get your bachelor’s degree—right?

00:16:40.410 –> 00:16:45.960 Joseph McElroy: Were you one of the first students from the Smokies to get an Ivy League education?

00:16:46.530 –> 00:16:52.290 Annette Clapsaddle: And there were a few before me did had Ivy league education and.

00:16:53.550 –> 00:17:08.310 Annette Clapsaddle: I know that there was a gentleman who had graduated from Dartmouth and there’s a Tribal Member, and then a couple that I think we had gotten graduate degrees, maybe one undergraduate from Harvard I believe.

00:17:09.060 –> 00:17:17.700 Annette Clapsaddle: don’t hold me to it, but I believe that was the first Eastern band undergraduate at Yale, but I’m so happy to say that.

00:17:19.020 –> 00:17:30.060 Annette Clapsaddle: Several has followed and after me, some and that just sent off one of my seniors and this year should be going to Yale in the fall.

00:17:30.570 –> 00:17:45.120 Joseph McElroy: fabulous that’s great no that’s always good you know dispel that hillbilly stereotyping I I got to do a little bit of that myself I got to leave here and go to go to what the school system here in Haywood county got to go to Duke.

00:17:46.260 –> 00:17:47.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah so.

00:17:47.760 –> 00:17:53.190 Joseph McElroy: But you know it can be done in this in this remote wilderness, so to speak.

00:17:55.290 –> 00:17:58.560 Joseph McElroy: And then you went to you got your master’s degree at William and Mary.

00:17:59.100 –> 00:17:59.790 Joseph McElroy: And you.

00:17:59.850 –> 00:18:06.720 Joseph McElroy: and could probably have gotten a great job in any major city in the world, but yet you chose to come back home to the Smokies—why?

00:18:07.350 –> 00:18:25.410 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah you know I did think for a short time about you know public policy in DC or something like that, but and I always tell people that you know so many people work their whole lives, so they can retire to this area, why don’t I just start from the beginning.

00:18:26.610 –> 00:18:33.990 Annette Clapsaddle: there’s no point wasting time it is beautiful and certainly many family connections here.

00:18:35.340 –> 00:18:47.280 Annette Clapsaddle: My husband is also from this area as well he’s from swine county so I just had so many routes here and I didn’t you know I’ve traveled my whole life I don’t feel like I.

00:18:49.020 –> 00:18:51.060 Annette Clapsaddle: was afraid to live anywhere else.

00:18:52.170 –> 00:18:56.550 Annette Clapsaddle: But it’s just such a beautiful place to be I like this face of it.

00:18:58.110 –> 00:19:01.980 Annette Clapsaddle: And you know I want to raise my kids here.

00:19:02.730 –> 00:19:07.050 Joseph McElroy: yeah well you got you did your

00:19:08.040 –> 00:19:17.250 Joseph McElroy: Working and business and things and public policy or the Executive Director of the Cherokee preservation Foundation and the co-editor of the journal.

00:19:17.670 –> 00:19:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Of Cherokee studies, but then you took your master’s and your Ivy league degree and you became a teacher was the teacher for 11 years in high school.

00:19:26.370 –> 00:19:26.760 Joseph McElroy: wasn’t.

00:19:28.140 –> 00:19:30.540 Joseph McElroy: That was an interesting choice what made that choice have.

00:19:31.800 –> 00:19:45.240 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah so well I just completed my 12th year there was a little bit of a break, there were loud, while I was at the foundation, but I’ve known since I was little that I wanted to be a teacher I’m not exactly sure why.

00:19:47.430 –> 00:20:01.230 Annette Clapsaddle: But we had a garden out in front of our house and they’re the really big rocks different places in the garden, and so I made one of the biggest rocks was a teacher’s desk and then they were student desk rocks.

00:20:02.640 –> 00:20:09.300 Annette Clapsaddle: So my brother he’s three years older than me went off to school to you know kindergarten and.

00:20:09.870 –> 00:20:24.570 Annette Clapsaddle: How is playing school in our garden there’s been something about teaching since I was little and that’s interested me but I’ve also been so blessed with incredible incredible teachers throughout my life.

00:20:25.650 –> 00:20:31.770 Annette Clapsaddle: You know, public I was a public school student kindergarten through high school.

00:20:31.980 –> 00:20:33.330 Annette Clapsaddle: Meeting yes.

00:20:34.560 –> 00:20:47.370 Annette Clapsaddle: And just had phenomenal teachers and I wanted to be like the English teachers, I had who always encouraged my creativity and writing.

00:20:47.850 –> 00:20:54.480 Joseph McElroy: I saw a quote where you in a magazine, where you said, the best thing to do with a world-class education is to share it.

00:20:55.050 –> 00:20:55.980 Annette Clapsaddle: Yes, so.

00:20:56.280 –> 00:20:59.640 Annette Clapsaddle: The Director of the teacher prep program at Yale.

00:21:00.810 –> 00:21:04.710 Annette Clapsaddle: is responsible for that quote because I stepped down to the campus.

00:21:05.730 –> 00:21:11.340 Annette Clapsaddle: At Yale new haven Connecticut and my mom is with me revisiting and.

00:21:12.630 –> 00:21:30.090 Annette Clapsaddle: We were introduced to the director of the teacher prep program and my mom who is very practical looked at him and says why would she go to Yale to become a teacher and he said that’s, the best thing you can do with a world-class education.

00:21:31.770 –> 00:21:33.510 Annette Clapsaddle: Today and my mom was, like all right good.

00:21:34.800 –> 00:21:46.830 Joseph McElroy: yo there you go wow so, but now you also started writing, and in fact, in 2012 years sort of had a little success at it when did you first start writing?

00:21:47.760 –> 00:22:05.970 Annette Clapsaddle: I read in my whole life, and you know I as I again I had these great teachers, so I still have these books that we made an elementary school out of you know cardboard and lined paper that we would take together and.

00:22:07.080 –> 00:22:11.040 Annette Clapsaddle: I think my first writing contest was.

00:22:13.230 –> 00:22:15.780 Annette Clapsaddle: It was either late middle school early.

00:22:18.060 –> 00:22:20.490 Annette Clapsaddle: High School i’m actually i’m looking at.

00:22:21.690 –> 00:22:34.860 Annette Clapsaddle: Night so my dad got me this very present I’m looking at a framed check and this is the first time I got paid for it my writing and because it was the first time I want a writing contest it happened big poetry which not my thing.

00:22:35.910 –> 00:22:38.550 Annette Clapsaddle: But the date on the check is 1995.

00:22:39.780 –> 00:22:47.910 Annette Clapsaddle: Freshman year I guess of high school is, I guess, if you know if you’re entering contests you’re getting a little serious about it.

00:22:48.930 –> 00:22:52.050 Joseph McElroy: let’s go see you are, you are actually very serious early on.

00:22:52.530 –> 00:23:00.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s pretty cool and then you continue it, I mean a lot of people have the romance of being a writer, but don’t follow through.

00:23:00.840 –> 00:23:09.300 Joseph McElroy: it’s nice Now I understand you know you’re you know you’ve been writing on the side because you’re a teacher but you’ve been using your experiences.

00:23:09.960 –> 00:23:19.980 Joseph McElroy: Such as manuscripts as submissions finding agent rejects and notice, etc, with your so you’ve been sharing those experiences with your students why Why are you doing that?

00:23:20.370 –> 00:23:24.120 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah well rejections a great teacher and I had plenty of it.

00:23:27.090 –> 00:23:27.810 Annette Clapsaddle: You know, I think.

00:23:29.010 –> 00:23:41.040 Annette Clapsaddle: my goal as a teacher is to one create empathy through literature, but also a sense of resilience in the writing process so.

00:23:42.900 –> 00:23:57.780 Annette Clapsaddle: you know I tried to balance, as she lives her, I was teaching and writing and then I realized how much I was learning as a student of literature, through my own process as a writer, so I.

00:23:59.700 –> 00:24:13.950 Annette Clapsaddle: Would talk to students about what does a query letter look like and what’s important to share, about a story, you know that I’m trying to pitch or whatnot and about the mistakes, I would make.

00:24:15.060 –> 00:24:23.880 Annette Clapsaddle: And, and how to overcome them and they love that you know their teachers, making mistakes like this.

00:24:25.530 –> 00:24:26.610 Annette Clapsaddle: But also.

00:24:29.010 –> 00:24:38.580 Annette Clapsaddle: As you know, there are really like two cohorts of students that went through the process of the novel and it was so exciting to

00:24:39.210 –> 00:24:54.630 Annette Clapsaddle: And yeah I told them I would get an email from an agent, this is early on, and then I query you know I would say okay guys, I have an email in my inbox I haven’t read it, yet here we go and I would read it to you know.

00:24:55.980 –> 00:24:56.940 Annette Clapsaddle: They want to know.

00:24:59.580 –> 00:25:17.370 Annette Clapsaddle: The classic got to witness the publication process that means, and that was a very special time and then they went through the editing process with me and with you know, not everything, but to say Okay, do you see this, this is just one page of edits.

00:25:18.510 –> 00:25:29.520 Annette Clapsaddle: Do it for them to understand it that’s part of it and then, then, of course, this last class and they think they want to go on book tour with me.

00:25:33.180 –> 00:25:37.770 Annette Clapsaddle: Right yeah publicity endemic because that’s what they’ve gotten.

00:25:37.830 –> 00:25:49.320 Annette Clapsaddle: to witness and they’ve been a part of some of my like zoom calls and whatnot and especially with the University of it’s a good experience for them.

00:25:50.160 –> 00:25:59.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s nice to make your life part of the education process, I understand that your kids now have your know ambitions to be world-class or whatever they do right.

00:26:00.300 –> 00:26:05.370 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah then it’s possible that they know somebody it becomes normalized for them and.

00:26:07.200 –> 00:26:11.400 Joseph McElroy: normalizes normalizing education normalizing success, I mean.

00:26:11.820 –> 00:26:18.390 Joseph McElroy: That you know I talked about where people follow the patterns of success right when they see patterns that are successful.

00:26:18.660 –> 00:26:31.560 Joseph McElroy: They will naturally start replicating those right and it’s important for children to see those I think it’s a wonderful thing to show them that process, you know firsthand well I can’t my tip my hat to you that’s great.

00:26:33.540 –> 00:26:40.200 Joseph McElroy: So I mentioned before, I think, in 2012 your first manuscript won an award that was never published, can you tell us what that was and.

00:26:41.220 –> 00:26:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Why I didn’t publish and that sort of thing.

00:26:43.470 –> 00:26:54.960 Annette Clapsaddle: So the title of that was going to water, and it was a finalist for him bellwether for is essentially engaged fiction and then one a couple of other awards but.

00:26:56.160 –> 00:27:07.770 Annette Clapsaddle: It is the fictionalized story of my grandfather asked listening, but I changed names and whatnot to protect the innocent and the reasons.

00:27:08.100 –> 00:27:22.470 Annette Clapsaddle: And you know, besides the fact he did the fascinating character, as I mentioned earlier, I never really felt like I’d know the full truth of who he was until I decided to make up, who I thought he would be.

00:27:24.120 –> 00:27:36.270 Annette Clapsaddle: How he might react to the situation, so I use a lot of the facts from his life and but you know it is still fiction I don’t want to make my aunts and uncles mad at me, sir.

00:27:38.550 –> 00:27:56.400 Annette Clapsaddle: But you know it got close to publication a few times and I just I was trying to find an agent who understood that voice of where I come from that initial man Cherokees very different than other tribes and never really could quite connect with the right agent.

00:27:56.490 –> 00:27:59.100 Annette Clapsaddle: So it’s challenge for now.

00:27:59.850 –> 00:28:19.110 Joseph McElroy: I think I think it’d make a wonderful movie or play or something like that, so now his life was yeah it’s got all those adventure wrestling business chief, and you know that’d be cool alright, so we have to take another break and we’ll get into your book alright.

00:28:19.590 –> 00:28:20.370 Annette Clapsaddle: Alright sounds great.

00:30:26.700 –> 00:30:34.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle.

00:30:35.400 –> 00:30:41.880 Joseph McElroy: So in that you’ve also written from any national publications, such as the Atlanta and literature hub and.

00:30:42.270 –> 00:30:49.020 Joseph McElroy: what’s your real breakthrough was their debut novel even as we breathe, which came out in the middle of covid in 2020.

00:30:49.500 –> 00:31:02.370 Joseph McElroy: And NPR put it on us best bet best books list and then later won the Thomas Wolfe literary award so congratulations that’s great so what inspired you to run right this wonderful now?

00:31:03.210 –> 00:31:15.570 Annette Clapsaddle: So I’m a few things kind of came together again and the most significant was that I had read an article in Nashville SIS and times.

00:31:16.530 –> 00:31:23.970 Annette Clapsaddle: about the role the growth park plays in World War Two, the summer of 19 and actually.

00:31:24.390 –> 00:31:35.820 Annette Clapsaddle: It was that article is really that actual role and during World War Two and there was a small paragraph about the growth parks role and during that time and so.

00:31:36.600 –> 00:31:50.460 Annette Clapsaddle: You know, it said that the growth part held access and diplomats and foreign nationals are prisoners of war, the summer of 1942 and, as you mentioned earlier I’ve lived here my entire life and I had never heard that his.

00:31:50.760 –> 00:31:51.810 Joseph McElroy: motive either yeah.

00:31:52.710 –> 00:31:54.060 Annette Clapsaddle: And a lot of the people.

00:31:55.410 –> 00:31:56.160 Annette Clapsaddle: Who.

00:31:56.400 –> 00:31:56.850 Annette Clapsaddle: You know.

00:31:57.390 –> 00:32:06.120 Annette Clapsaddle: A lot of local the stories that are that’s where my husband is a former history teacher they were also not familiar.

00:32:06.480 –> 00:32:12.150 Annette Clapsaddle: With that history so that’s enough of a mystery, and for me to dig into a little bit more.

00:32:12.720 –> 00:32:22.650 Annette Clapsaddle: And so I’d also given myself a writing prompt and this is after like the first novel I couldn’t get published and I just was going to start something new.

00:32:23.040 –> 00:32:31.380 Annette Clapsaddle: And so I’ve given myself a writing prompt right as long as I possibly could and on the simplest object, I could think of.

00:32:31.800 –> 00:32:48.030 Annette Clapsaddle: me some reason, I chose a bone a clean bone and I worked for a very long time in a very tiny room in the Jackson county library in Sylva North Carolina, and out of that piece and really thinking about.

00:32:49.800 –> 00:33:02.160 Annette Clapsaddle: You know what we leave behind and and and how we are judged on earth and how those things are often counter counter-intuitive right and.

00:33:02.940 –> 00:33:21.030 Annette Clapsaddle: I decided that I wanted to see what would happen if I took a member of a sovereign nation so county sequoia is the protagonist who lives, who leaves Cherokee to go work at the grove park in and forgets the don’t know the growth part is.

00:33:22.230 –> 00:33:33.510 Annette Clapsaddle: A very high-class resort so President stays there girl said, you know, instead of counting guys to work there is a very different.

00:33:33.960 –> 00:33:48.510 Annette Clapsaddle: and social environment but it’s also during wartime so this question of citizenship and belonging in place all becomes really relevant so and it was a really a setting driven novel.

00:33:49.020 –> 00:33:55.950 Annette Clapsaddle: which seems odd to me to write you know and but it made a lot of sense and to really kind of turn up the heat.

00:33:57.120 –> 00:33:57.480 Annette Clapsaddle: Like.

00:33:57.810 –> 00:34:00.420 Joseph McElroy: That doesn’t strike me as odd about you, I mean you.

00:34:00.480 –> 00:34:01.080 Joseph McElroy: You love.

00:34:01.170 –> 00:34:07.650 Joseph McElroy: The settings of the mountains, you came back to live in it, you know I think settings is actually something that is is important to you.

00:34:08.250 –> 00:34:12.810 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah absolutely and daily inspired.

00:34:13.830 –> 00:34:33.030 Annette Clapsaddle: By where I live, and the people of this place and in our interactions with this place, so I you know I just I think prior to that I always thought well novels are you like plot-driven or the character-driven but this setting really kind of exploded into the narrative.

00:34:34.050 –> 00:34:51.180 Joseph McElroy: So it takes place in 1942 and it’s interesting you deal with you know, a love story coming age story now I’ve you know I’ve just started the novel you know I just moved to Asheville but you know we move new near to the growth park in.

00:34:53.190 –> 00:35:03.840 Joseph McElroy: And yeah Bob Bob was telling me about you and I got the book and I’ve started writing, but I had a lot of time to finish it, so I don’t know all of it but Bob it says it’s a masterpiece or a.

00:35:06.840 –> 00:35:16.020 Joseph McElroy: History Western North Carolina and I believe he’s very good at that sort of thing but it’s interesting already that I’m seeing you’re also dealing with issues of citizenship.

00:35:16.380 –> 00:35:30.450 Joseph McElroy: Identity and racism, all the concepts that we’re debating and dealing with today, was that purposeful or came about just from the characters and setting.

00:35:31.440 –> 00:35:42.720 Annette Clapsaddle: In some ways, it was purposeful, and even from the earliest writing exercise thinking about the phone and he reminded me of when I worked in.

00:35:43.800 –> 00:35:54.840 Annette Clapsaddle: Our chief’s office at one time after graduate school as a writer, I was lucky enough to have the office right next door to a political figure.

00:35:56.760 –> 00:35:57.960 Annette Clapsaddle: Because I could hear through the wall.

00:36:01.530 –> 00:36:11.520 Annette Clapsaddle: Remember, one day, and he had open another local politician, the nontribal politician come in and they were discussing this.

00:36:12.240 –> 00:36:25.500 Annette Clapsaddle: Expansion of airport runway that would unearth Cherokee burial sites and I remember, they were obviously at odds about what was about what.

00:36:26.160 –> 00:36:37.560 Annette Clapsaddle: this would happen and the chief explained to him that it is the same as going up to the graveyard and digging up that man’s grandmother.

00:36:37.860 –> 00:36:53.820 Annette Clapsaddle: And I’d never heard it explained so simply, is that right that we are oftentimes people think, and as native American bones as artifacts as opposed to you know the human remains that we consider.

00:36:55.020 –> 00:37:16.500 Annette Clapsaddle: Members, so I think you know early on, I was thinking about the political and racial and Aafia implications of this story, but just that and I didn’t really consider that I was writing historical fiction until I was working on the marketing packet for my publisher.

00:37:19.020 –> 00:37:20.100 Annette Clapsaddle: Oh, this is his story.

00:37:22.950 –> 00:37:35.040 Annette Clapsaddle: But it does feel so relevant to me so many of the issues, unfortunately, are still relevant today and I wanted to use them as a lens to look at those issues that are in the news today.

00:37:36.000 –> 00:37:44.790 Joseph McElroy: wow when you also wrote, both from the male and female perspective, and I think that that takes a little bit of talent, how did you nail that.

00:37:45.630 –> 00:37:53.820 Annette Clapsaddle: Well yeah I often get asked about your writing from a young male perspective, and then I remind people that I taught high school for a dozen years.

00:37:55.800 –> 00:37:59.370 Annette Clapsaddle: diet and have an older brother and I grew up with.

00:37:59.880 –> 00:38:07.710 Annette Clapsaddle: You know male cousins I have two boys that I’m raising you to know I’m really I’ve been inundated.

00:38:08.760 –> 00:38:09.570 Annette Clapsaddle: With a male.

00:38:09.960 –> 00:38:17.190 Annette Clapsaddle: voice in perspective but, and you know also want to be respectful that I’m doing it accurately so.

00:38:18.000 –> 00:38:25.410 Joseph McElroy: I think it’s I think that your interaction with your students, has been a tremendous benefit for you in terms of writing and then I’ve seen some of the.

00:38:26.190 –> 00:38:34.590 Joseph McElroy: Reference things I love the story of your student who’s on a zoom call with some new Yorkers and references prep his preference pronoun is yours.

00:38:37.170 –> 00:38:37.890 Annette Clapsaddle: story.

00:38:39.600 –> 00:38:42.630 Annette Clapsaddle: We were very rural hospital.

00:38:43.980 –> 00:38:53.850 Annette Clapsaddle: Family in the mountains and were paired with Fieldston in New York City, which some of your listeners may be familiar with a private school.

00:38:55.560 –> 00:39:11.490 Annette Clapsaddle: And you know the New York kids were like automated that they gave their pronouns and in our students, this was a few years ago to were taken aback when that question came up on this thing called.

00:39:14.130 –> 00:39:16.620 Annette Clapsaddle: This kid he just said, my pronouns y’all.

00:39:19.980 –> 00:39:20.670 Joseph McElroy: hey good.

00:39:22.530 –> 00:39:22.980 Joseph McElroy: Good.

00:39:27.270 –> 00:39:29.520 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s great, so I think that’s.

00:39:31.140 –> 00:39:35.460 Joseph McElroy: I think that says a lot about she was a great writer and as a teacher that your students are.

00:39:37.590 –> 00:39:54.480 Joseph McElroy: letters are you know that are really involved and really able to you’ve really educated them to deal with the society, and you know and they’ve been helped you bring that into your writing so congratulations I think that’s that is the definition of success, I think.

00:39:56.010 –> 00:40:10.200 Joseph McElroy: So life is going great for you and you’ve been a great teacher for over a decade living your dream in the smokies with your husband who’s also a teacher and your sons and your debut is a huge success.

00:40:11.940 –> 00:40:17.010 Joseph McElroy: This year you’ve sort of turned things upside down, did you decide to retire from teaching.

00:40:18.810 –> 00:40:20.730 Joseph McElroy: Writing and family and other projects.

00:40:21.150 –> 00:40:24.030 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah my husband says, I can’t use the word retire.

00:40:25.530 –> 00:40:26.070 Joseph McElroy: Okay.

00:40:26.370 –> 00:40:28.920 Annette Clapsaddle: not officially retired and no.

00:40:31.110 –> 00:40:45.090 Annette Clapsaddle: It was a tough decision, I really do love teaching I love my students, and but I, you know the book came out in 2020 and since then it’s been a full sprint just with and.

00:40:45.900 –> 00:40:56.310 Annette Clapsaddle: publicity for the book and then it’s led to other opportunity writing opportunities public speaking teaching workshops and you know I don’t want.

00:40:56.820 –> 00:41:10.260 Annette Clapsaddle: You know I guess it came down to a decision, and then I would have to choose one or the other, I cannot keep up the pace of full-time teaching and pursuing writing you know you get the next novel out.

00:41:11.730 –> 00:41:24.030 Annette Clapsaddle: as well, and you know if you are in education or you know anyone in education, you know that the last few years have been incredibly difficult and there.

00:41:24.540 –> 00:41:34.770 Annette Clapsaddle: For me, there was not an end in sight to that to that difficulty of being a public school teacher it’s just kind of getting harder and harder.

00:41:35.310 –> 00:41:47.340 Annette Clapsaddle: And and and you know I don’t like to be pessimistic about it because I want to encourage people and but I can’t do it in it yeah just couldn’t do it anymore if I wanted to continue writing.

00:41:48.510 –> 00:41:55.500 Annette Clapsaddle: You know, it is about time but it’s also just about like brain space and energy and excuse me to put.

00:41:56.880 –> 00:42:00.810 Joseph McElroy: it’s a real shame that you have to be at the forefront of cultural wars.

00:42:01.440 –> 00:42:05.550 Joseph McElroy: Right in school that’s just not fair to the public, teachers, yes.

00:42:07.680 –> 00:42:14.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah and it’s really a misplaced fear that somehow you’re you know you’re destroying our children is.

00:42:14.100 –> 00:42:15.570 Annette Clapsaddle: ridiculous yeah.

00:42:19.020 –> 00:42:19.800 Annette Clapsaddle: I couldn’t do it.

00:42:21.450 –> 00:42:27.330 Joseph McElroy: I mean the bane of my existence and people can throw darts at me and want it, but I hate homeschooling.

00:42:27.840 –> 00:42:41.940 Joseph McElroy: I met too many people that are like not even high school graduates are homeschooling their kids I’m saying homeschooling to be what you know it’s like yeah yeah you’re going to do more damage than me, you know train teacher with that sorry I’m.

00:42:42.270 –> 00:42:43.200 Annette Clapsaddle: i’m being a little political.

00:42:43.440 –> 00:42:45.180 Joseph McElroy: don’t generally do about this issue.

00:42:45.570 –> 00:43:02.940 Joseph McElroy: yeah since I got three and a half-year-old twins that got to go through you know life your schooling I’m I am yeah I understand where you’re coming from and I appreciate the work that you did, and I can also understand you know, taking the opportunity to retire from that.

00:43:07.470 –> 00:43:12.570 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break now and come back and find out what you’re doing next and talk a little bit about mountain bike.

00:45:15.780 –> 00:45:29.940 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies these podcasts and my guest Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, so Annette, what’s next for you as a writer you’re working on a new book right Is it based on.

00:45:30.960 –> 00:45:37.170 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah absolutely and I’ve been working on one for a little while now, but again I had to put it aside.

00:45:38.100 –> 00:45:53.160 Annette Clapsaddle: For the full-time job but um yeah this next novel is contemporary was a female protagonist set in Cherokee so it’s pretty close to home, I got to make sure I stay far enough back from it.

00:45:54.570 –> 00:45:55.050 Annette Clapsaddle: But.

00:45:57.030 –> 00:46:00.150 Annette Clapsaddle: I am fairly early in the process, but it’s.

00:46:01.470 –> 00:46:20.700 Annette Clapsaddle: kind of being it’s inspired by some of our traditional stories it’s not a retelling of those stories, but I have mine those for the values that they instill in our culture and I’m kind of overlaying it on a contemporary and political landscape and cheer up that way.

00:46:22.320 –> 00:46:23.730 Annette Clapsaddle: So that’s what I’m working on.

00:46:24.480 –> 00:46:26.400 Joseph McElroy: Your First Non historical fiction.

00:46:28.500 –> 00:46:29.460 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah exactly.

00:46:31.980 –> 00:46:34.080 Annette Clapsaddle: The time he ruined may be historical.

00:46:37.230 –> 00:46:40.590 Joseph McElroy: These will suck to the years of the crisis.

00:46:42.900 –> 00:46:45.960 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah because in here and now back to rethink.

00:46:47.010 –> 00:46:49.470 Annette Clapsaddle: Whether you know how could this plays into this.

00:46:50.070 –> 00:46:51.990 Joseph McElroy: Is covid character yeah.

00:46:52.260 –> 00:46:54.510 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah so I have to do a lot of.

00:46:55.920 –> 00:47:02.700 Annette Clapsaddle: nonfiction writing for regional magazines and things like that and I’m a.

00:47:03.810 –> 00:47:18.840 Annette Clapsaddle: An editor for the Appalachian future series and through the university press of Kentucky so stay pretty busy with different writing projects, but the main one that forces me that focus on the new novel.

00:47:20.190 –> 00:47:24.630 Joseph McElroy: that’s great and are you doing, are you doing how are things like workshops and.

00:47:25.110 –> 00:47:26.100 Annette Clapsaddle: Yes, yes.

00:47:26.430 –> 00:47:33.390 Annette Clapsaddle: cool yeah I think it’s nice to be able to continue to teach and even though I’ll be out of.

00:47:34.770 –> 00:47:44.850 Annette Clapsaddle: A public high school right so teaching workshops actually leave Friday and for.

00:47:46.050 –> 00:47:47.370 Annette Clapsaddle: LMU for.

00:47:48.720 –> 00:48:01.590 Annette Clapsaddle: For the festival there I’ll be teaching workshops and then I’ll be teaching a full week at John C Campbell folks school in Brasstown and North Carolina starting Sunday so.

00:48:01.980 –> 00:48:09.570 Joseph McElroy: That Bob’s been trying to put together a literary conference here, I hope you participate in that that’d be you’d be a wonderful part of it yeah.

00:48:11.010 –> 00:48:17.010 Joseph McElroy: That should be good so so I want to talk about you are my mountain biking.

00:48:19.050 –> 00:48:23.040 Joseph McElroy: enthusiastic yeah, what do you like most about that sport.

00:48:24.420 –> 00:48:34.800 Annette Clapsaddle: um well I like being in the middle of the woods and feeling very isolated from everything but also going super fast.

00:48:39.720 –> 00:48:53.610 Annette Clapsaddle: superfast downhill and it’s I think it’s because it is contradictory to how I normally am you know planner and I’m fairly cautious and.

00:48:55.050 –> 00:48:58.410 Annette Clapsaddle: This is this forces me out of that comfort zone.

00:48:59.790 –> 00:49:03.780 Annette Clapsaddle: And I mean I could talk for days about all the things I love about it, I just started.

00:49:04.740 –> 00:49:21.510 Annette Clapsaddle: writing about five years ago and, and you know, first and foremost, for even for my health I’m a former athlete I used to play basketball, but my knees can’t take that anymore I lost about 60 pounds when I started mountain biking.

00:49:24.990 –> 00:49:25.530 Joseph McElroy: I have a.

00:49:25.560 –> 00:49:29.700 Joseph McElroy: three-and-a-half-year-old son named Henry that’s challenging you to a race right now.

00:49:30.210 –> 00:49:32.070 Annette Clapsaddle: oh three.

00:49:33.510 –> 00:49:37.800 Annette Clapsaddle: My student this semester, it was on my bike and he was running.

00:49:39.660 –> 00:49:41.850 Annette Clapsaddle: He thought he could beat me that didn’t happen.

00:49:46.770 –> 00:49:48.360 Joseph McElroy: He loves to go fast.

00:49:49.980 –> 00:49:52.950 Joseph McElroy: So, what are your favorite local or regional trails.

00:49:53.520 –> 00:50:01.260 Annette Clapsaddle: And what I consider my home trail is fire mountain trail system and Cherokee and it’s really kind of.

00:50:01.950 –> 00:50:20.820 Annette Clapsaddle: When that trail system, open and I started learning more about mountain biking in general, so it’s just a few minutes from my house I get there, myself and I are Sali and near Bryson city and the Fontana area I do a lot of writing out there.

00:50:23.460 –> 00:50:37.320 Annette Clapsaddle: And oh gosh there’s Dupont and regard, and you know we’re really lucky to have so many trails around here and yeah and you know my favorite ones, or maybe not the ones that are more.

00:50:39.750 –> 00:50:46.200 Joseph McElroy: that’s why, but if you try out some of the new ones up like the new pipe parking chest up the mountain and they would challenge you just.

00:50:46.230 –> 00:50:53.040 Annette Clapsaddle: Barely I mean so all of these there yeah there are lots of new places it seems like in the last year and a half.

00:50:53.430 –> 00:50:59.040 Annette Clapsaddle: And so, all these places are kind of on my list I’m excited to have a little more flexibility in my schedule.

00:50:59.340 –> 00:51:13.590 Annette Clapsaddle: And he had to make some of those day trips and hopefully out with some of my riding buddies may be to go check them out there’s a and a group of predominantly ladies that I ride with we like to check out new trails.

00:51:14.580 –> 00:51:16.890 Joseph McElroy: cool do you have your son’s right as well?

00:51:17.550 –> 00:51:19.350 Annette Clapsaddle: They do, and they.

00:51:20.550 –> 00:51:28.110 Annette Clapsaddle: know the ride, and you know for a while, then they’ll get interested in something else, but they both had bikes so.

00:51:29.130 –> 00:51:34.890 Annette Clapsaddle: They don’t always go on trails with me and that they’re all over our property.

00:51:36.630 –> 00:51:39.720 Annette Clapsaddle: at nine and 13 Charlie and Ross

00:51:40.170 –> 00:51:42.210 Joseph McElroy: All right, almost teenage.

00:51:46.050 –> 00:52:03.120 Joseph McElroy: There you go so what’s good, and you, is there any is there, you know, one of the things I’d like to ask is a recommendation for a place to eat for people listening to the show for coming to your part of the country out in the cloud qualified and boundary the Cherokee reservation.

00:52:03.870 –> 00:52:05.670 Annette Clapsaddle: All right, and.

00:52:07.110 –> 00:52:08.730 Annette Clapsaddle: I feel like I’m sitting on the spot here.

00:52:08.940 –> 00:52:10.050 I know I know.

00:52:12.690 –> 00:52:17.190 Annette Clapsaddle: I don’t know what this one just popped into my head and we’re not talking like gourmet food, but.

00:52:18.870 –> 00:52:19.170 Joseph McElroy: I think.

00:52:19.230 –> 00:52:33.390 Annette Clapsaddle: The people that joy that’s all yes that’s a sunflower is like a sandwich shop not like a sandwich shop, it is isn’t it shop and near the entrance to the great smoky mountain National Park in the snake village area sassy sunflowers a very.

00:52:34.950 –> 00:52:40.680 Annette Clapsaddle: Great sandwich place and then I have to say, if you want, like the quintessential.

00:52:42.450 –> 00:52:52.470 Annette Clapsaddle: Country Buffet, that has been around since the beginning of time, you have to go to grandma’s kitchen and get pie for dessert you got to get high.

00:52:52.980 –> 00:52:54.960 Joseph McElroy: Five you got to get a pie yeah.

00:52:56.400 –> 00:53:04.680 Joseph McElroy: cool fabulous well this now, we gotta shout outs, you want to mention how people get in contact with you find out more about your book that sort of stuff.

00:53:05.190 –> 00:53:12.060 Annette Clapsaddle: So I have a website it’s a new asaunookeclapsaddle.com and luckily I have one of.

00:53:13.200 –> 00:53:25.260 Annette Clapsaddle: The most unusual names, so you can pretty easily find me on Google search but I’ll be updating that website and the coming weeks, speaking of students.

00:53:25.560 –> 00:53:31.950 Annette Clapsaddle: And that’s that website was developed by a former student of mine, so I gotta get to updating it with.

00:53:32.730 –> 00:53:50.760 Annette Clapsaddle: Events going on I’ll be busy all summer with festivals and workshops and things like that and also I’m on Facebook and on Instagram and I just use my name I don’t do anything special so Twitter also so just it’s Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle easy to find.

00:53:51.390 –> 00:54:04.440 Joseph McElroy: cool well Thank you so much for being on the show today it’s been a wonderful conversation I’m gonna look forward to finishing your book, especially sits in it’s in the North Asheville area where I just moved to find out a little bit about the history of that area.

00:54:05.700 –> 00:54:12.720 Joseph McElroy: yeah glad to be too, and hopefully we will continue having conversations, and now have you have your Conference at the Meadowlark

00:54:13.530 –> 00:54:14.040 yeah.

00:54:15.360 –> 00:54:17.610 Annette Clapsaddle: Maybe like doing you love to do that cool.

00:54:18.090 –> 00:54:33.180 Joseph McElroy: So this podcast is the gateway to the smokies it’s live-streamed on facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcasts as well as on talkradio.NYC, which is a network of live podcasts.

00:54:34.800 –> 00:54:43.590 Joseph McElroy: And I recommend you take a chance to look at that network there are a lot of great podcasts to listen to live, which I find to be a very dynamic format.

00:54:44.430 –> 00:55:00.900 Joseph McElroy: And I think interesting if you want to be involved in conversations that seem real and they range from small business self-help to pet care to any number of things and it’s I think it’s a wonderful network to become aware of and join in.

00:55:02.130 –> 00:55:08.160 Joseph McElroy: I also have another podcast and it’s never called wise content creates wealth, I have a marketing company that specializes in.

00:55:08.820 –> 00:55:28.110 Joseph McElroy: content and memorable tourism experiences for travel and I talked about that quite a bit on wise content create wealth so and that’s on Fridays from noon until one, and this podcast gateway to the smokies every week Tuesdays from six to seven on this network.

00:55:29.130 –> 00:55:39.690 Joseph McElroy: And I hope you will join me again next week for another great guest, and another great conversation, thank you very much it’s been nice having you here.

00:55:40.680 –> 00:55:44.460 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah, thank you for having me really enjoy it you’re welcome.

]]> <h1><br></h1><p><a href="https://fb.watch/dxYTGL9X9Z/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/62a238fc3b059a55f260bd4b_20220607-GTTS.jpg" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/06/07 - Masterful Stories in the Smokies with Author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle"></a></p><p><strong>In this episode, you&#39;ll learn what it takes to become a successful author while you discover the upbringing in the Cherokee culture. </strong></p><p>On this episode of the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast, we have a very special guest,<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.asaunookeclapsaddle.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle</strong></a><strong>, </strong>a renowned author, writer, and educator. She is the author of Even as We Breathe, one of the best books of 2020 by National Public Radio. She is a graduate of Yale University and William and Mary and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe. Annette resides with her family in Qualla, N.C., and is an avid mountain biker, and a staunch advocate for equal rights, education, and Cherokee history. </p><p>She&#39;s joining us to talk about her journey of writing her award-winning debut novel, Even as We Breathe, and her latest book. She will also discuss the Cherokee education system, the importance of language preservation, and how we can influence change in our communities. </p><p>Don&#39;t miss this out! </p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/dxYTGL9X9Z/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph kicks off today&#39;s episode mentioning the sponsors, The Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley and smokiesadventure.com. Joseph announces that this is his first podcast as a resident again in North Carolina! Some upcoming events include June 11 with a pottery seminar with Cory Plott, a master craftsman, who will teach you how to create your own handmade pottery. On June 18th, there will be part 4 of the heritage book series with Bob Plott, free for guests and members. Check out more events at meadowlarkmotel.com. He also introduces his guest, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle. She is the author of <em>Even as We Breathe</em>, one of the best books of 2020 by National Public Radio. Annette was born and raised in the Smokies and a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe for her whole life. Her grandfather also has history with the tribe as well; his name was Osley Saunooke. She talks about how fascinating he was. Did you know that Osley was a wrestling world champion?! She also speaks about working in the family business and how her parents influenced her in learning and entrepreneurship.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Annette talks about getting her bachelor&#39;s degree from Yale University. She also got her Masters&#39;s degree at William and Mary. She talks about why chose to come back to the Smokies. Annette mentions her family and the connections she has in North Carolina and wants to continue to raise her family there. Annette also was a director if the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. She was also a teacher for 12 years. She also talks about her writing. Annette mentions having amazing teachers growing up which influenced her to be creative. She mentions a quote someone from Yale said to her and her mother when they visited the first time. The quote was “the best thing to do with a world-class education is to share it.” Her goals as a teacher are to create empathy and resilience through writing and the process. Some topics she mentions within this are making mistakes and the work that is part of this like the process of editing and writing. She discusses some ways she would teach her students. Annette talks about a manuscript that never officially got published called <em>Going to Water</em>. It&#39;s about a fictional story of her grandfather. She never got to know who he actually was as he passed away at an early age. So the character in the story was as close to what she knew of him, full of adventure.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Annette talks about her book <em>Even as We Breathe</em>, which came out in 2020. She says that she had read an article about the role that the Grove Park Inn played in World War II and Ashville’s role as well. This history wasn&#39;t familiar to many historians and people like herself who have lived in Ashville for a long time. She gave herself a writing prompt and spent a long time writing on the simplest object that she could think of. In her method of writing, Annette spent time in a very tiny room in the Jackson County Library in Sylva, North Carolina. She talks about the story of what she wrote. She is very inspired by where she loves and the interactions as shown in her novel. It takes place in 1942 and is a coming-of-age kind of story. Until she was working on the marketing packet, she didn&#39;t realize that she wrote historical fiction. Other topics include issues of identity, racism, and Cherokee culture. She tells a funny story about teaching her students. She also talks about her decision to retire from teaching.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Annette says that she is working on a new book, a novel that&#39;s contemporary with a female protagonist. It&#39;s set in Cherokee, which is close to home. She also does nonfiction writing for regional magazines and edits for the Appalachian Future Series through the University Press of Kentucky. She also talks about teaching workshops in different locations. Annette also talks about mountain biking. She says that she likes to be in the middle of the woods, biking fast, and being isolated for a moment from everything. She even lost 65 pounds by mountain biking. Annette and Joseph also discuss favorite trails in North Carolina. For people going to visit Cherokee Reservation, Annette mentions visiting Sassy Sunflower, a sandwich shop. If you want a country buffet, you have to go to Granny’s kitchen and get a pie. You can learn more about Annette at asaunookeclapsaddle.com. You can also search for her name on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to connect!</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:34.560 –&gt; 00:00:46.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountain National Park in the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:46.530 –&gt; 00:00:55.020 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:55.350 –&gt; 00:01:06.870 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:07.410 –&gt; 00:01:14.190 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about masterful stories of the smokies but first let’s talk about our sponsors.</p><p>00:01:15.150 –&gt; 00:01:26.400 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of a motor court of the past, a modern environment with a Chic Appalachian feels. A place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:26.910 –&gt; 00:01:35.370 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine and craft beers.</p><p>00:01:35.910 –&gt; 00:01:49.020 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the <a href="https://meadowlarkmotel.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Meadowlark Motel</strong></a> in Maggie Valley North Carolina. Your smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:50.310 –&gt; 00:01:58.860 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors <a href="https://www.smokiesadventure.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>smokiesadventure.com</strong></a> at smokies plural adventure singular dot com smoky mountains and surrounding areas.</p><p>00:01:59.250 –&gt; 00:02:09.240 Joseph McElroy: It is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:09.870 –&gt; 00:02:21.300 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains National Park, the trails the waterfalls, caves Code, the elk, and more.</p><p>00:02:21.750 –&gt; 00:02:34.890 Joseph McElroy: check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment and lodging you and your entire family can enjoy and also find places to do life events like weddings and honeymoons and romantic weekends.</p><p>00:02:35.400 –&gt; 00:02:42.570 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokies adventures is to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences and the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:43.980 –&gt; 00:02:56.130 Joseph McElroy: got some events coming up, by the way, this is my first podcast now as a resident again of North Carolina my family and I just moved to Asheville North Carolina so work at the gateway the smokies.</p><p>00:02:57.660 –&gt; 00:03:03.750 Joseph McElroy: and looking forward to exploring the smokies even further now being both in Buncombe County and Haywood County</p><p>00:03:05.430 –&gt; 00:03:12.150 Joseph McElroy: So that’s events coming up is this coming weekend June 11 there’s gonna be a Pottery Seminar with Cory Plott.</p><p>00:03:12.720 –&gt; 00:03:18.240 Joseph McElroy: he’s a master potter and he’s the Owner and Operator Plott Ware Pottery of Clyde North Carolina.</p><p>00:03:18.840 –&gt; 00:03:29.100 Joseph McElroy: And he brings his mobile studio to our resort to teach participants and to make that to make their own piece of handcrafted pottery you’ll walk away with a piece of pottery.</p><p>00:03:29.670 –&gt; 00:03:40.530 Joseph McElroy: He will also be selling some of his award-winning elegant and durable utilitarian decor at the event, this weekend I just saw some wonderful wine to canvas you made that we’re just fabulous.</p><p>00:03:41.700 –&gt; 00:03:53.640 Joseph McElroy: But you will get hands-on experience with a master craftsman and then you’ll make your own pottery class limited to 20 participants and it’s 65 for each non-guest and 20 for the.</p><p>00:03:54.510 –&gt; 00:04:08.040 Joseph McElroy: 25 for motel guests and heritage club members and then over the afterward will be a free Barbecue dinner and music with Michael Ogletree book your slot now call 82 89261717.</p><p>00:04:09.030 –&gt; 00:04:26.730 Joseph McElroy: On June 18 the following weekend there’s going to be a part four of the heritage book series of Bob Plott and it’s free for guests and members and so please join us for yet another informative entertaining and fun afternoon of his history, food, and music.</p><p>00:04:28.200 –&gt; 00:04:35.220 Joseph McElroy: With award-winning Author and Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center General Manager Bob Plott, discusses his fourth book.</p><p>00:04:35.550 –&gt; 00:04:47.790 Joseph McElroy: <a href="https://meadowlarkmotel.com/product/colorful-characters-of-the-great-smoky-mountains/" rel="nofollow"><strong><em>Colorful Characters of the Great Smoky Mountains</em></strong></a><em>  </em>weaves the lively stories of vibrant and intriguing characters such as the Cherokee chiefs Yonaguska,</p><p>00:04:48.450 –&gt; 00:05:00.150 Joseph McElroy: Oconostota, Dragging Canoe and their allies such as John Watts, along with their combatants—Robert Rogers, Quintin Kennedy, King Haigler, the Stockbridge Mohicans, Francis Marion, and others,</p><p>00:05:00.540 –&gt; 00:05:06.720 Joseph McElroy: as well as modern-day mountain icons such as Von Plott, Charles Miller, and Earl Lanning.</p><p>00:05:07.200 –&gt; 00:05:14.640 Joseph McElroy: It will be followed by a book signing and a delicious Barbecue dinner as well, and a company with acoustic music right Mike Ogletree and friends.</p><p>00:05:14.970 –&gt; 00:05:23.250 Joseph McElroy: The event is free to motel guests and Heritage Club members—there is an admission charge of ten dollars per person for all that are not staying there.</p><p>00:05:25.320 –&gt; 00:05:30.180 Joseph McElroy: And then August 6th is the Launch of the Cherokee Heritage Series with Davy Arch.</p><p>00:05:31.170 –&gt; 00:05:36.900 Joseph McElroy: Please join us in spending an intimate and enchanting afternoon with a tree true Appalachian treasure, Davy Arch.</p><p>00:05:37.710 –&gt; 00:05:44.910 Joseph McElroy: Davy is a world-class Cherokee tribal is storing and award-winning craftsman of traditional Cherokee crafts.</p><p>00:05:45.330 –&gt; 00:05:52.380 Joseph McElroy: specifically masks and baskets and he’s a beloved spokesman for the Eastern band of the Cherokee tribe.</p><p>00:05:52.860 –&gt; 00:06:04.410 Joseph McElroy: The event will be followed by the Barbecue dinner and music with Michael Ogletree and Friends. Admission is $20 per person, for all these events call eight to 89261717 to reserve your seat now.</p><p>00:06:05.640 –&gt; 00:06:13.740 Joseph McElroy: Today we have a great guest, who knows a lot about Cherokee culture and stories in these mountains her name is Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle</p><p>00:06:14.250 –&gt; 00:06:25.140 Joseph McElroy: She is a renowned author writer and educator and is a graduate of Yale University and William and Mary as well as an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe.</p><p>00:06:25.830 –&gt; 00:06:37.710 Joseph McElroy: Her award-winning debut novel Even as we breathe, was the first novel published by a member of the eastern band of the Cherokee tribe, and his name or the best books of 2020 by the.</p><p>00:06:38.370 –&gt; 00:06:54.300 Joseph McElroy: NPR and that resides with their family in Qualla North Carolina, which is in in the Cherokee reservation and as an avid mountain bikers well as a staunch advocate for equal rights education Cherokee history hello, and how are you doing.</p><p>00:06:54.900 –&gt; 00:06:57.540 Annette Clapsaddle: I’m good I’m great to be here with you.</p><p>00:06:58.110 –&gt; 00:07:05.610 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you for it’s quite an honor to have you join us today you have a you have an interesting history and an impressive resume.</p><p>00:07:06.000 –&gt; 00:07:15.750 Joseph McElroy: And all of a sudden, you get all sorts of awards for your writing so that’s pretty spectacular, but I wanted to start first with your background, you were born and raised in the smokies, right?</p><p>00:07:16.440 –&gt; 00:07:21.660 Annette Clapsaddle: that’s right I lived here all my life, except for undergraduate and graduate school.</p><p>00:07:22.140 –&gt; 00:07:27.870 Joseph McElroy: cool and you’ve been a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee tribe for that your whole life too right.</p><p>00:07:28.230 –&gt; 00:07:29.220 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah born in to it.</p><p>00:07:30.120 –&gt; 00:07:36.990 Joseph McElroy: Born into it, you have some history that your grandfather Osley Saunooke was chief of the tribe, right?</p><p>00:07:37.680 –&gt; 00:07:49.710 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah it seems Osley Burke Saunooke and he was an Eastern Chief in the 50s and into the early 60s.</p><p>00:07:51.990 –&gt; 00:07:54.360 Annette Clapsaddle: fan, where he was not a cheap teacher.</p><p>00:07:54.810 –&gt; 00:08:08.130 Joseph McElroy: cool well, And he was quite an interesting character in his own right, an esteemed tribal chief, a former Marine, who started a thriving tourist business in 1956 that as I understand it, is still operational today. What was that business?</p><p>00:08:09.720 –&gt; 00:08:10.080 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah.</p><p>00:08:12.180 –&gt; 00:08:19.590 Annette Clapsaddle: Trading first, and so the land where that is and it’s also contiguous with kind of family land.</p><p>00:08:20.670 –&gt; 00:08:21.060 Annette Clapsaddle: That.</p><p>00:08:22.170 –&gt; 00:08:33.660 Annette Clapsaddle: That is home to cynics village so there are several shops there that kind of threw out of Chiefs in trading paste including to nicks millen shop that my dad built.</p><p>00:08:34.890 –&gt; 00:08:38.850 Joseph McElroy: cool well, it sounds like you to write about a book about him, you got any plans for that.</p><p>00:08:41.340 –&gt; 00:08:44.070 Annette Clapsaddle: I think we’re going to talk later about my first novel and.</p><p>00:08:48.210 –&gt; 00:08:57.990 Joseph McElroy:  Bob Plott, as I mentioned earlier, our Meadowlark Heritage Center Director says his relatives knew him well and hunted with him often and spoke glowingly of him.</p><p>00:08:59.400 –&gt; 00:09:00.810 Joseph McElroy: Did you know him as a child and.</p><p>00:09:02.880 –&gt; 00:09:05.370 Joseph McElroy: How did he influence you and your growth.</p><p>00:09:06.210 –&gt; 00:09:22.080 Annette Clapsaddle: Unfortunately I didn’t he died fairly young from complications to diabetes, so he passed away in 1965 at the age of 59 I was born in 81 so even my dad was fairly young.</p><p>00:09:23.160 –&gt; 00:09:39.930 Annette Clapsaddle: When my grandfather passed away but, honestly, was, in addition to being a to turn chief and a businessman, he was the heavyweight wrestling champion of the world, at one time, so he traveled the wrestling circuit.</p><p>00:09:41.370 –&gt; 00:09:43.740 Annette Clapsaddle: So he is incredibly fascinated.</p><p>00:09:44.730 –&gt; 00:09:46.590 Joseph McElroy: With the name from okay I.</p><p>00:09:47.850 –&gt; 00:09:56.820 Annette Clapsaddle: heard and like I’m sure Bob would say that everybody has a story about him whether it’s true or not, what.</p><p>00:09:58.110 –&gt; 00:10:02.940 Joseph McElroy: When they’re a bear museum there that had stuff for him as well, he.</p><p>00:10:03.240 –&gt; 00:10:03.900 At one paragraph.</p><p>00:10:05.220 –&gt; 00:10:08.970 Annette Clapsaddle: And yes, and that’s it same area yeah.</p><p>00:10:09.780 –&gt; 00:10:12.630 Joseph McElroy: He wrestled so he wrestled a bear I mean I’m sure it was for sure.</p><p>00:10:17.130 –&gt; 00:10:24.990 Joseph McElroy: You know in this in this in this neighborhood North Asheville where we moved in we get lots of bears I’ve already had two black bears in my backyard.</p><p>00:10:26.850 –&gt; 00:10:28.140 Annette Clapsaddle: wrestling and I don’t.</p><p>00:10:30.210 –&gt; 00:10:31.830 Joseph McElroy: i’m not planning on it, but.</p><p>00:10:33.090 –&gt; 00:10:36.360 Joseph McElroy: I will, I will say loud noises to them.</p><p>00:10:39.660 –&gt; 00:10:42.180 Joseph McElroy: So you’re your mother.</p><p>00:10:43.590 –&gt; 00:10:47.550 Joseph McElroy: your mother, who is this daughter was a teacher, which you are as well right.</p><p>00:10:48.030 –&gt; 00:10:54.390 Annette Clapsaddle: Well, so yes and no so my mother is not his daughter my dad was his son.</p><p>00:10:54.510 –&gt; 00:11:00.930 Annette Clapsaddle: Oh, I said Okay, but my mom was a teacher for several years.</p><p>00:11:03.120 –&gt; 00:11:14.010 Annette Clapsaddle: And my dad was building his business and getting started and then my mom went to help full time with the family business and snakes village.</p><p>00:11:15.030 –&gt; 00:11:24.300 Annette Clapsaddle: But she taught reading, and this was before I was born and didn’t really have click in with me that you know you can.</p><p>00:11:24.690 –&gt; 00:11:35.760 Annette Clapsaddle: You can be a teacher not be in a classroom, and so I think that she did in a lot of ways to influence me, even though I didn’t grow up knowing her as a classroom teacher cool.</p><p>00:11:37.590 –&gt; 00:11:40.380 Joseph McElroy: So you guys, did you work in the family businesses as well.</p><p>00:11:41.010 –&gt; 00:11:41.640 Annette Clapsaddle: Oh yes.</p><p>00:11:43.830 –&gt; 00:11:43.980 Annette Clapsaddle: I think.</p><p>00:11:44.910 –&gt; 00:11:47.700 Joseph McElroy: wanted to work in this I worked in this Meadowlark motel businesses.</p><p>00:11:49.200 –&gt; 00:11:49.830 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah.</p><p>00:11:50.250 –&gt; 00:11:53.430 Annette Clapsaddle: As long as we can see over the counter we were hired.</p><p>00:11:53.940 –&gt; 00:11:56.280 Joseph McElroy: Right I got paid the.</p><p>00:11:56.280 –&gt; 00:11:58.080 Joseph McElroy: diamond room to clean rooms.</p><p>00:12:02.220 –&gt; 00:12:04.110 Annette Clapsaddle: got paid a bag of popcorn.</p><p>00:12:09.300 –&gt; 00:12:12.150 Joseph McElroy: Did that inspire you with his entrepreneurial activities.</p><p>00:12:12.750 –&gt; 00:12:16.110 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah you know I’m always inspired by my dad and.</p><p>00:12:16.710 –&gt; 00:12:23.490 Annette Clapsaddle: And yeah, I think, to be an entrepreneur is you know you have to be willing to take risks, so I don’t feel like I’ve been.</p><p>00:12:24.120 –&gt; 00:12:33.090 Annette Clapsaddle: there yet, but I can take some of the same risks that he’s taken throughout his life, it really turned out to be worth it, and but there’s a creativity to it.</p><p>00:12:34.080 –&gt; 00:12:48.300 Annette Clapsaddle: That I have appreciated and I think I have picked up a little bit at least have that from him and I’m laughing myself because my dad was above me and lives in the House of the Hill and.</p><p>00:12:49.740 –&gt; 00:13:05.940 Annette Clapsaddle: And we my son and I were just helping him move a major piece of equipment in a really peculiar precarious way and that kind of and I, you know there’s something that small business owners that want to do it themselves for the cheapest route possible.</p><p>00:13:07.530 –&gt; 00:13:21.150 Joseph McElroy: I had that imbued with me, but you know until I got into my 50s I did all my moves myself, you know that includes all the heavy furniture, but I can remember, sometimes having a pickup truck with things so pile though so high.</p><p>00:13:22.200 –&gt; 00:13:24.840 Joseph McElroy: I think, and this is a New York City, no less, and things.</p><p>00:13:25.470 –&gt; 00:13:30.000 Joseph McElroy: You know, getting ready to fall off, but you know that was just the way you did things right.</p><p>00:13:32.160 –&gt; 00:13:41.970 Joseph McElroy: That that was the life of the entrepreneur and the children of the entrepreneur, well, we have to go back and go and take a break, now that seems very quick, but we.</p><p>00:13:42.660 –&gt; 00:13:48.750 Joseph McElroy: we’re having a good conversation here, so when we come back we’ll start talking about a little bit more about your background and then get into your books.</p><p>00:13:49.590 –&gt; 00:13:50.190 Annette Clapsaddle: sounds great.</p><p>00:16:06.270 –&gt; 00:16:23.970 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guests Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle today is a today’s a craft brewery from Western North Carolina is boozer but it’s the king of the mountain double IPA and I can recommend that highly.</p><p>00:16:25.620 –&gt; 00:16:26.190 Annette Clapsaddle: victory.</p><p>00:16:27.120 –&gt; 00:16:28.140 Annette Clapsaddle: Right yeah.</p><p>00:16:28.500 –&gt; 00:16:39.210 Joseph McElroy: So that you have this great you had this great family and tribal support system and you became an honor student and then off you go to Yale University to get your bachelor’s degree—right?</p><p>00:16:40.410 –&gt; 00:16:45.960 Joseph McElroy: Were you one of the first students from the Smokies to get an Ivy League education?</p><p>00:16:46.530 –&gt; 00:16:52.290 Annette Clapsaddle: And there were a few before me did had Ivy league education and.</p><p>00:16:53.550 –&gt; 00:17:08.310 Annette Clapsaddle: I know that there was a gentleman who had graduated from Dartmouth and there’s a Tribal Member, and then a couple that I think we had gotten graduate degrees, maybe one undergraduate from Harvard I believe.</p><p>00:17:09.060 –&gt; 00:17:17.700 Annette Clapsaddle: don’t hold me to it, but I believe that was the first Eastern band undergraduate at Yale, but I’m so happy to say that.</p><p>00:17:19.020 –&gt; 00:17:30.060 Annette Clapsaddle: Several has followed and after me, some and that just sent off one of my seniors and this year should be going to Yale in the fall.</p><p>00:17:30.570 –&gt; 00:17:45.120 Joseph McElroy: fabulous that’s great no that’s always good you know dispel that hillbilly stereotyping I I got to do a little bit of that myself I got to leave here and go to go to what the school system here in Haywood county got to go to Duke.</p><p>00:17:46.260 –&gt; 00:17:47.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah so.</p><p>00:17:47.760 –&gt; 00:17:53.190 Joseph McElroy: But you know it can be done in this in this remote wilderness, so to speak.</p><p>00:17:55.290 –&gt; 00:17:58.560 Joseph McElroy: And then you went to you got your master’s degree at William and Mary.</p><p>00:17:59.100 –&gt; 00:17:59.790 Joseph McElroy: And you.</p><p>00:17:59.850 –&gt; 00:18:06.720 Joseph McElroy: and could probably have gotten a great job in any major city in the world, but yet you chose to come back home to the Smokies—why?</p><p>00:18:07.350 –&gt; 00:18:25.410 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah you know I did think for a short time about you know public policy in DC or something like that, but and I always tell people that you know so many people work their whole lives, so they can retire to this area, why don’t I just start from the beginning.</p><p>00:18:26.610 –&gt; 00:18:33.990 Annette Clapsaddle: there’s no point wasting time it is beautiful and certainly many family connections here.</p><p>00:18:35.340 –&gt; 00:18:47.280 Annette Clapsaddle: My husband is also from this area as well he’s from swine county so I just had so many routes here and I didn’t you know I’ve traveled my whole life I don’t feel like I.</p><p>00:18:49.020 –&gt; 00:18:51.060 Annette Clapsaddle: was afraid to live anywhere else.</p><p>00:18:52.170 –&gt; 00:18:56.550 Annette Clapsaddle: But it’s just such a beautiful place to be I like this face of it.</p><p>00:18:58.110 –&gt; 00:19:01.980 Annette Clapsaddle: And you know I want to raise my kids here.</p><p>00:19:02.730 –&gt; 00:19:07.050 Joseph McElroy: yeah well you got you did your</p><p>00:19:08.040 –&gt; 00:19:17.250 Joseph McElroy: Working and business and things and public policy or the Executive Director of the Cherokee preservation Foundation and the co-editor of the journal.</p><p>00:19:17.670 –&gt; 00:19:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Of Cherokee studies, but then you took your master’s and your Ivy league degree and you became a teacher was the teacher for 11 years in high school.</p><p>00:19:26.370 –&gt; 00:19:26.760 Joseph McElroy: wasn’t.</p><p>00:19:28.140 –&gt; 00:19:30.540 Joseph McElroy: That was an interesting choice what made that choice have.</p><p>00:19:31.800 –&gt; 00:19:45.240 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah so well I just completed my 12th year there was a little bit of a break, there were loud, while I was at the foundation, but I’ve known since I was little that I wanted to be a teacher I’m not exactly sure why.</p><p>00:19:47.430 –&gt; 00:20:01.230 Annette Clapsaddle: But we had a garden out in front of our house and they’re the really big rocks different places in the garden, and so I made one of the biggest rocks was a teacher’s desk and then they were student desk rocks.</p><p>00:20:02.640 –&gt; 00:20:09.300 Annette Clapsaddle: So my brother he’s three years older than me went off to school to you know kindergarten and.</p><p>00:20:09.870 –&gt; 00:20:24.570 Annette Clapsaddle: How is playing school in our garden there’s been something about teaching since I was little and that’s interested me but I’ve also been so blessed with incredible incredible teachers throughout my life.</p><p>00:20:25.650 –&gt; 00:20:31.770 Annette Clapsaddle: You know, public I was a public school student kindergarten through high school.</p><p>00:20:31.980 –&gt; 00:20:33.330 Annette Clapsaddle: Meeting yes.</p><p>00:20:34.560 –&gt; 00:20:47.370 Annette Clapsaddle: And just had phenomenal teachers and I wanted to be like the English teachers, I had who always encouraged my creativity and writing.</p><p>00:20:47.850 –&gt; 00:20:54.480 Joseph McElroy: I saw a quote where you in a magazine, where you said, the best thing to do with a world-class education is to share it.</p><p>00:20:55.050 –&gt; 00:20:55.980 Annette Clapsaddle: Yes, so.</p><p>00:20:56.280 –&gt; 00:20:59.640 Annette Clapsaddle: The Director of the teacher prep program at Yale.</p><p>00:21:00.810 –&gt; 00:21:04.710 Annette Clapsaddle: is responsible for that quote because I stepped down to the campus.</p><p>00:21:05.730 –&gt; 00:21:11.340 Annette Clapsaddle: At Yale new haven Connecticut and my mom is with me revisiting and.</p><p>00:21:12.630 –&gt; 00:21:30.090 Annette Clapsaddle: We were introduced to the director of the teacher prep program and my mom who is very practical looked at him and says why would she go to Yale to become a teacher and he said that’s, the best thing you can do with a world-class education.</p><p>00:21:31.770 –&gt; 00:21:33.510 Annette Clapsaddle: Today and my mom was, like all right good.</p><p>00:21:34.800 –&gt; 00:21:46.830 Joseph McElroy: yo there you go wow so, but now you also started writing, and in fact, in 2012 years sort of had a little success at it when did you first start writing?</p><p>00:21:47.760 –&gt; 00:22:05.970 Annette Clapsaddle: I read in my whole life, and you know I as I again I had these great teachers, so I still have these books that we made an elementary school out of you know cardboard and lined paper that we would take together and.</p><p>00:22:07.080 –&gt; 00:22:11.040 Annette Clapsaddle: I think my first writing contest was.</p><p>00:22:13.230 –&gt; 00:22:15.780 Annette Clapsaddle: It was either late middle school early.</p><p>00:22:18.060 –&gt; 00:22:20.490 Annette Clapsaddle: High School i’m actually i’m looking at.</p><p>00:22:21.690 –&gt; 00:22:34.860 Annette Clapsaddle: Night so my dad got me this very present I’m looking at a framed check and this is the first time I got paid for it my writing and because it was the first time I want a writing contest it happened big poetry which not my thing.</p><p>00:22:35.910 –&gt; 00:22:38.550 Annette Clapsaddle: But the date on the check is 1995.</p><p>00:22:39.780 –&gt; 00:22:47.910 Annette Clapsaddle: Freshman year I guess of high school is, I guess, if you know if you’re entering contests you’re getting a little serious about it.</p><p>00:22:48.930 –&gt; 00:22:52.050 Joseph McElroy: let’s go see you are, you are actually very serious early on.</p><p>00:22:52.530 –&gt; 00:23:00.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s pretty cool and then you continue it, I mean a lot of people have the romance of being a writer, but don’t follow through.</p><p>00:23:00.840 –&gt; 00:23:09.300 Joseph McElroy: it’s nice Now I understand you know you’re you know you’ve been writing on the side because you’re a teacher but you’ve been using your experiences.</p><p>00:23:09.960 –&gt; 00:23:19.980 Joseph McElroy: Such as manuscripts as submissions finding agent rejects and notice, etc, with your so you’ve been sharing those experiences with your students why Why are you doing that?</p><p>00:23:20.370 –&gt; 00:23:24.120 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah well rejections a great teacher and I had plenty of it.</p><p>00:23:27.090 –&gt; 00:23:27.810 Annette Clapsaddle: You know, I think.</p><p>00:23:29.010 –&gt; 00:23:41.040 Annette Clapsaddle: my goal as a teacher is to one create empathy through literature, but also a sense of resilience in the writing process so.</p><p>00:23:42.900 –&gt; 00:23:57.780 Annette Clapsaddle: you know I tried to balance, as she lives her, I was teaching and writing and then I realized how much I was learning as a student of literature, through my own process as a writer, so I.</p><p>00:23:59.700 –&gt; 00:24:13.950 Annette Clapsaddle: Would talk to students about what does a query letter look like and what’s important to share, about a story, you know that I’m trying to pitch or whatnot and about the mistakes, I would make.</p><p>00:24:15.060 –&gt; 00:24:23.880 Annette Clapsaddle: And, and how to overcome them and they love that you know their teachers, making mistakes like this.</p><p>00:24:25.530 –&gt; 00:24:26.610 Annette Clapsaddle: But also.</p><p>00:24:29.010 –&gt; 00:24:38.580 Annette Clapsaddle: As you know, there are really like two cohorts of students that went through the process of the novel and it was so exciting to</p><p>00:24:39.210 –&gt; 00:24:54.630 Annette Clapsaddle: And yeah I told them I would get an email from an agent, this is early on, and then I query you know I would say okay guys, I have an email in my inbox I haven’t read it, yet here we go and I would read it to you know.</p><p>00:24:55.980 –&gt; 00:24:56.940 Annette Clapsaddle: They want to know.</p><p>00:24:59.580 –&gt; 00:25:17.370 Annette Clapsaddle: The classic got to witness the publication process that means, and that was a very special time and then they went through the editing process with me and with you know, not everything, but to say Okay, do you see this, this is just one page of edits.</p><p>00:25:18.510 –&gt; 00:25:29.520 Annette Clapsaddle: Do it for them to understand it that’s part of it and then, then, of course, this last class and they think they want to go on book tour with me.</p><p>00:25:33.180 –&gt; 00:25:37.770 Annette Clapsaddle: Right yeah publicity endemic because that’s what they’ve gotten.</p><p>00:25:37.830 –&gt; 00:25:49.320 Annette Clapsaddle: to witness and they’ve been a part of some of my like zoom calls and whatnot and especially with the University of it’s a good experience for them.</p><p>00:25:50.160 –&gt; 00:25:59.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s nice to make your life part of the education process, I understand that your kids now have your know ambitions to be world-class or whatever they do right.</p><p>00:26:00.300 –&gt; 00:26:05.370 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah then it’s possible that they know somebody it becomes normalized for them and.</p><p>00:26:07.200 –&gt; 00:26:11.400 Joseph McElroy: normalizes normalizing education normalizing success, I mean.</p><p>00:26:11.820 –&gt; 00:26:18.390 Joseph McElroy: That you know I talked about where people follow the patterns of success right when they see patterns that are successful.</p><p>00:26:18.660 –&gt; 00:26:31.560 Joseph McElroy: They will naturally start replicating those right and it’s important for children to see those I think it’s a wonderful thing to show them that process, you know firsthand well I can’t my tip my hat to you that’s great.</p><p>00:26:33.540 –&gt; 00:26:40.200 Joseph McElroy: So I mentioned before, I think, in 2012 your first manuscript won an award that was never published, can you tell us what that was and.</p><p>00:26:41.220 –&gt; 00:26:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Why I didn’t publish and that sort of thing.</p><p>00:26:43.470 –&gt; 00:26:54.960 Annette Clapsaddle: So the title of that was going to water, and it was a finalist for him bellwether for is essentially engaged fiction and then one a couple of other awards but.</p><p>00:26:56.160 –&gt; 00:27:07.770 Annette Clapsaddle: It is the fictionalized story of my grandfather asked listening, but I changed names and whatnot to protect the innocent and the reasons.</p><p>00:27:08.100 –&gt; 00:27:22.470 Annette Clapsaddle: And you know, besides the fact he did the fascinating character, as I mentioned earlier, I never really felt like I’d know the full truth of who he was until I decided to make up, who I thought he would be.</p><p>00:27:24.120 –&gt; 00:27:36.270 Annette Clapsaddle: How he might react to the situation, so I use a lot of the facts from his life and but you know it is still fiction I don’t want to make my aunts and uncles mad at me, sir.</p><p>00:27:38.550 –&gt; 00:27:56.400 Annette Clapsaddle: But you know it got close to publication a few times and I just I was trying to find an agent who understood that voice of where I come from that initial man Cherokees very different than other tribes and never really could quite connect with the right agent.</p><p>00:27:56.490 –&gt; 00:27:59.100 Annette Clapsaddle: So it’s challenge for now.</p><p>00:27:59.850 –&gt; 00:28:19.110 Joseph McElroy: I think I think it’d make a wonderful movie or play or something like that, so now his life was yeah it’s got all those adventure wrestling business chief, and you know that’d be cool alright, so we have to take another break and we’ll get into your book alright.</p><p>00:28:19.590 –&gt; 00:28:20.370 Annette Clapsaddle: Alright sounds great.</p><p>00:30:26.700 –&gt; 00:30:34.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle.</p><p>00:30:35.400 –&gt; 00:30:41.880 Joseph McElroy: So in that you’ve also written from any national publications, such as the Atlanta and literature hub and.</p><p>00:30:42.270 –&gt; 00:30:49.020 Joseph McElroy: what’s your real breakthrough was their debut novel even as we breathe, which came out in the middle of covid in 2020.</p><p>00:30:49.500 –&gt; 00:31:02.370 Joseph McElroy: And NPR put it on us best bet best books list and then later won the Thomas Wolfe literary award so congratulations that’s great so what inspired you to run right this wonderful now?</p><p>00:31:03.210 –&gt; 00:31:15.570 Annette Clapsaddle: So I’m a few things kind of came together again and the most significant was that I had read an article in Nashville SIS and times.</p><p>00:31:16.530 –&gt; 00:31:23.970 Annette Clapsaddle: about the role the growth park plays in World War Two, the summer of 19 and actually.</p><p>00:31:24.390 –&gt; 00:31:35.820 Annette Clapsaddle: It was that article is really that actual role and during World War Two and there was a small paragraph about the growth parks role and during that time and so.</p><p>00:31:36.600 –&gt; 00:31:50.460 Annette Clapsaddle: You know, it said that the growth part held access and diplomats and foreign nationals are prisoners of war, the summer of 1942 and, as you mentioned earlier I’ve lived here my entire life and I had never heard that his.</p><p>00:31:50.760 –&gt; 00:31:51.810 Joseph McElroy: motive either yeah.</p><p>00:31:52.710 –&gt; 00:31:54.060 Annette Clapsaddle: And a lot of the people.</p><p>00:31:55.410 –&gt; 00:31:56.160 Annette Clapsaddle: Who.</p><p>00:31:56.400 –&gt; 00:31:56.850 Annette Clapsaddle: You know.</p><p>00:31:57.390 –&gt; 00:32:06.120 Annette Clapsaddle: A lot of local the stories that are that’s where my husband is a former history teacher they were also not familiar.</p><p>00:32:06.480 –&gt; 00:32:12.150 Annette Clapsaddle: With that history so that’s enough of a mystery, and for me to dig into a little bit more.</p><p>00:32:12.720 –&gt; 00:32:22.650 Annette Clapsaddle: And so I’d also given myself a writing prompt and this is after like the first novel I couldn’t get published and I just was going to start something new.</p><p>00:32:23.040 –&gt; 00:32:31.380 Annette Clapsaddle: And so I’ve given myself a writing prompt right as long as I possibly could and on the simplest object, I could think of.</p><p>00:32:31.800 –&gt; 00:32:48.030 Annette Clapsaddle: me some reason, I chose a bone a clean bone and I worked for a very long time in a very tiny room in the Jackson county library in Sylva North Carolina, and out of that piece and really thinking about.</p><p>00:32:49.800 –&gt; 00:33:02.160 Annette Clapsaddle: You know what we leave behind and and and how we are judged on earth and how those things are often counter counter-intuitive right and.</p><p>00:33:02.940 –&gt; 00:33:21.030 Annette Clapsaddle: I decided that I wanted to see what would happen if I took a member of a sovereign nation so county sequoia is the protagonist who lives, who leaves Cherokee to go work at the grove park in and forgets the don’t know the growth part is.</p><p>00:33:22.230 –&gt; 00:33:33.510 Annette Clapsaddle: A very high-class resort so President stays there girl said, you know, instead of counting guys to work there is a very different.</p><p>00:33:33.960 –&gt; 00:33:48.510 Annette Clapsaddle: and social environment but it’s also during wartime so this question of citizenship and belonging in place all becomes really relevant so and it was a really a setting driven novel.</p><p>00:33:49.020 –&gt; 00:33:55.950 Annette Clapsaddle: which seems odd to me to write you know and but it made a lot of sense and to really kind of turn up the heat.</p><p>00:33:57.120 –&gt; 00:33:57.480 Annette Clapsaddle: Like.</p><p>00:33:57.810 –&gt; 00:34:00.420 Joseph McElroy: That doesn’t strike me as odd about you, I mean you.</p><p>00:34:00.480 –&gt; 00:34:01.080 Joseph McElroy: You love.</p><p>00:34:01.170 –&gt; 00:34:07.650 Joseph McElroy: The settings of the mountains, you came back to live in it, you know I think settings is actually something that is is important to you.</p><p>00:34:08.250 –&gt; 00:34:12.810 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah absolutely and daily inspired.</p><p>00:34:13.830 –&gt; 00:34:33.030 Annette Clapsaddle: By where I live, and the people of this place and in our interactions with this place, so I you know I just I think prior to that I always thought well novels are you like plot-driven or the character-driven but this setting really kind of exploded into the narrative.</p><p>00:34:34.050 –&gt; 00:34:51.180 Joseph McElroy: So it takes place in 1942 and it’s interesting you deal with you know, a love story coming age story now I’ve you know I’ve just started the novel you know I just moved to Asheville but you know we move new near to the growth park in.</p><p>00:34:53.190 –&gt; 00:35:03.840 Joseph McElroy: And yeah Bob Bob was telling me about you and I got the book and I’ve started writing, but I had a lot of time to finish it, so I don’t know all of it but Bob it says it’s a masterpiece or a.</p><p>00:35:06.840 –&gt; 00:35:16.020 Joseph McElroy: History Western North Carolina and I believe he’s very good at that sort of thing but it’s interesting already that I’m seeing you’re also dealing with issues of citizenship.</p><p>00:35:16.380 –&gt; 00:35:30.450 Joseph McElroy: Identity and racism, all the concepts that we’re debating and dealing with today, was that purposeful or came about just from the characters and setting.</p><p>00:35:31.440 –&gt; 00:35:42.720 Annette Clapsaddle: In some ways, it was purposeful, and even from the earliest writing exercise thinking about the phone and he reminded me of when I worked in.</p><p>00:35:43.800 –&gt; 00:35:54.840 Annette Clapsaddle: Our chief’s office at one time after graduate school as a writer, I was lucky enough to have the office right next door to a political figure.</p><p>00:35:56.760 –&gt; 00:35:57.960 Annette Clapsaddle: Because I could hear through the wall.</p><p>00:36:01.530 –&gt; 00:36:11.520 Annette Clapsaddle: Remember, one day, and he had open another local politician, the nontribal politician come in and they were discussing this.</p><p>00:36:12.240 –&gt; 00:36:25.500 Annette Clapsaddle: Expansion of airport runway that would unearth Cherokee burial sites and I remember, they were obviously at odds about what was about what.</p><p>00:36:26.160 –&gt; 00:36:37.560 Annette Clapsaddle: this would happen and the chief explained to him that it is the same as going up to the graveyard and digging up that man’s grandmother.</p><p>00:36:37.860 –&gt; 00:36:53.820 Annette Clapsaddle: And I’d never heard it explained so simply, is that right that we are oftentimes people think, and as native American bones as artifacts as opposed to you know the human remains that we consider.</p><p>00:36:55.020 –&gt; 00:37:16.500 Annette Clapsaddle: Members, so I think you know early on, I was thinking about the political and racial and Aafia implications of this story, but just that and I didn’t really consider that I was writing historical fiction until I was working on the marketing packet for my publisher.</p><p>00:37:19.020 –&gt; 00:37:20.100 Annette Clapsaddle: Oh, this is his story.</p><p>00:37:22.950 –&gt; 00:37:35.040 Annette Clapsaddle: But it does feel so relevant to me so many of the issues, unfortunately, are still relevant today and I wanted to use them as a lens to look at those issues that are in the news today.</p><p>00:37:36.000 –&gt; 00:37:44.790 Joseph McElroy: wow when you also wrote, both from the male and female perspective, and I think that that takes a little bit of talent, how did you nail that.</p><p>00:37:45.630 –&gt; 00:37:53.820 Annette Clapsaddle: Well yeah I often get asked about your writing from a young male perspective, and then I remind people that I taught high school for a dozen years.</p><p>00:37:55.800 –&gt; 00:37:59.370 Annette Clapsaddle: diet and have an older brother and I grew up with.</p><p>00:37:59.880 –&gt; 00:38:07.710 Annette Clapsaddle: You know male cousins I have two boys that I’m raising you to know I’m really I’ve been inundated.</p><p>00:38:08.760 –&gt; 00:38:09.570 Annette Clapsaddle: With a male.</p><p>00:38:09.960 –&gt; 00:38:17.190 Annette Clapsaddle: voice in perspective but, and you know also want to be respectful that I’m doing it accurately so.</p><p>00:38:18.000 –&gt; 00:38:25.410 Joseph McElroy: I think it’s I think that your interaction with your students, has been a tremendous benefit for you in terms of writing and then I’ve seen some of the.</p><p>00:38:26.190 –&gt; 00:38:34.590 Joseph McElroy: Reference things I love the story of your student who’s on a zoom call with some new Yorkers and references prep his preference pronoun is yours.</p><p>00:38:37.170 –&gt; 00:38:37.890 Annette Clapsaddle: story.</p><p>00:38:39.600 –&gt; 00:38:42.630 Annette Clapsaddle: We were very rural hospital.</p><p>00:38:43.980 –&gt; 00:38:53.850 Annette Clapsaddle: Family in the mountains and were paired with Fieldston in New York City, which some of your listeners may be familiar with a private school.</p><p>00:38:55.560 –&gt; 00:39:11.490 Annette Clapsaddle: And you know the New York kids were like automated that they gave their pronouns and in our students, this was a few years ago to were taken aback when that question came up on this thing called.</p><p>00:39:14.130 –&gt; 00:39:16.620 Annette Clapsaddle: This kid he just said, my pronouns y’all.</p><p>00:39:19.980 –&gt; 00:39:20.670 Joseph McElroy: hey good.</p><p>00:39:22.530 –&gt; 00:39:22.980 Joseph McElroy: Good.</p><p>00:39:27.270 –&gt; 00:39:29.520 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s great, so I think that’s.</p><p>00:39:31.140 –&gt; 00:39:35.460 Joseph McElroy: I think that says a lot about she was a great writer and as a teacher that your students are.</p><p>00:39:37.590 –&gt; 00:39:54.480 Joseph McElroy: letters are you know that are really involved and really able to you’ve really educated them to deal with the society, and you know and they’ve been helped you bring that into your writing so congratulations I think that’s that is the definition of success, I think.</p><p>00:39:56.010 –&gt; 00:40:10.200 Joseph McElroy: So life is going great for you and you’ve been a great teacher for over a decade living your dream in the smokies with your husband who’s also a teacher and your sons and your debut is a huge success.</p><p>00:40:11.940 –&gt; 00:40:17.010 Joseph McElroy: This year you’ve sort of turned things upside down, did you decide to retire from teaching.</p><p>00:40:18.810 –&gt; 00:40:20.730 Joseph McElroy: Writing and family and other projects.</p><p>00:40:21.150 –&gt; 00:40:24.030 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah my husband says, I can’t use the word retire.</p><p>00:40:25.530 –&gt; 00:40:26.070 Joseph McElroy: Okay.</p><p>00:40:26.370 –&gt; 00:40:28.920 Annette Clapsaddle: not officially retired and no.</p><p>00:40:31.110 –&gt; 00:40:45.090 Annette Clapsaddle: It was a tough decision, I really do love teaching I love my students, and but I, you know the book came out in 2020 and since then it’s been a full sprint just with and.</p><p>00:40:45.900 –&gt; 00:40:56.310 Annette Clapsaddle: publicity for the book and then it’s led to other opportunity writing opportunities public speaking teaching workshops and you know I don’t want.</p><p>00:40:56.820 –&gt; 00:41:10.260 Annette Clapsaddle: You know I guess it came down to a decision, and then I would have to choose one or the other, I cannot keep up the pace of full-time teaching and pursuing writing you know you get the next novel out.</p><p>00:41:11.730 –&gt; 00:41:24.030 Annette Clapsaddle: as well, and you know if you are in education or you know anyone in education, you know that the last few years have been incredibly difficult and there.</p><p>00:41:24.540 –&gt; 00:41:34.770 Annette Clapsaddle: For me, there was not an end in sight to that to that difficulty of being a public school teacher it’s just kind of getting harder and harder.</p><p>00:41:35.310 –&gt; 00:41:47.340 Annette Clapsaddle: And and and you know I don’t like to be pessimistic about it because I want to encourage people and but I can’t do it in it yeah just couldn’t do it anymore if I wanted to continue writing.</p><p>00:41:48.510 –&gt; 00:41:55.500 Annette Clapsaddle: You know, it is about time but it’s also just about like brain space and energy and excuse me to put.</p><p>00:41:56.880 –&gt; 00:42:00.810 Joseph McElroy: it’s a real shame that you have to be at the forefront of cultural wars.</p><p>00:42:01.440 –&gt; 00:42:05.550 Joseph McElroy: Right in school that’s just not fair to the public, teachers, yes.</p><p>00:42:07.680 –&gt; 00:42:14.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah and it’s really a misplaced fear that somehow you’re you know you’re destroying our children is.</p><p>00:42:14.100 –&gt; 00:42:15.570 Annette Clapsaddle: ridiculous yeah.</p><p>00:42:19.020 –&gt; 00:42:19.800 Annette Clapsaddle: I couldn’t do it.</p><p>00:42:21.450 –&gt; 00:42:27.330 Joseph McElroy: I mean the bane of my existence and people can throw darts at me and want it, but I hate homeschooling.</p><p>00:42:27.840 –&gt; 00:42:41.940 Joseph McElroy: I met too many people that are like not even high school graduates are homeschooling their kids I’m saying homeschooling to be what you know it’s like yeah yeah you’re going to do more damage than me, you know train teacher with that sorry I’m.</p><p>00:42:42.270 –&gt; 00:42:43.200 Annette Clapsaddle: i’m being a little political.</p><p>00:42:43.440 –&gt; 00:42:45.180 Joseph McElroy: don’t generally do about this issue.</p><p>00:42:45.570 –&gt; 00:43:02.940 Joseph McElroy: yeah since I got three and a half-year-old twins that got to go through you know life your schooling I’m I am yeah I understand where you’re coming from and I appreciate the work that you did, and I can also understand you know, taking the opportunity to retire from that.</p><p>00:43:07.470 –&gt; 00:43:12.570 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break now and come back and find out what you’re doing next and talk a little bit about mountain bike.</p><p>00:45:15.780 –&gt; 00:45:29.940 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies these podcasts and my guest Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, so Annette, what’s next for you as a writer you’re working on a new book right Is it based on.</p><p>00:45:30.960 –&gt; 00:45:37.170 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah absolutely and I’ve been working on one for a little while now, but again I had to put it aside.</p><p>00:45:38.100 –&gt; 00:45:53.160 Annette Clapsaddle: For the full-time job but um yeah this next novel is contemporary was a female protagonist set in Cherokee so it’s pretty close to home, I got to make sure I stay far enough back from it.</p><p>00:45:54.570 –&gt; 00:45:55.050 Annette Clapsaddle: But.</p><p>00:45:57.030 –&gt; 00:46:00.150 Annette Clapsaddle: I am fairly early in the process, but it’s.</p><p>00:46:01.470 –&gt; 00:46:20.700 Annette Clapsaddle: kind of being it’s inspired by some of our traditional stories it’s not a retelling of those stories, but I have mine those for the values that they instill in our culture and I’m kind of overlaying it on a contemporary and political landscape and cheer up that way.</p><p>00:46:22.320 –&gt; 00:46:23.730 Annette Clapsaddle: So that’s what I’m working on.</p><p>00:46:24.480 –&gt; 00:46:26.400 Joseph McElroy: Your First Non historical fiction.</p><p>00:46:28.500 –&gt; 00:46:29.460 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah exactly.</p><p>00:46:31.980 –&gt; 00:46:34.080 Annette Clapsaddle: The time he ruined may be historical.</p><p>00:46:37.230 –&gt; 00:46:40.590 Joseph McElroy: These will suck to the years of the crisis.</p><p>00:46:42.900 –&gt; 00:46:45.960 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah because in here and now back to rethink.</p><p>00:46:47.010 –&gt; 00:46:49.470 Annette Clapsaddle: Whether you know how could this plays into this.</p><p>00:46:50.070 –&gt; 00:46:51.990 Joseph McElroy: Is covid character yeah.</p><p>00:46:52.260 –&gt; 00:46:54.510 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah so I have to do a lot of.</p><p>00:46:55.920 –&gt; 00:47:02.700 Annette Clapsaddle: nonfiction writing for regional magazines and things like that and I’m a.</p><p>00:47:03.810 –&gt; 00:47:18.840 Annette Clapsaddle: An editor for the Appalachian future series and through the university press of Kentucky so stay pretty busy with different writing projects, but the main one that forces me that focus on the new novel.</p><p>00:47:20.190 –&gt; 00:47:24.630 Joseph McElroy: that’s great and are you doing, are you doing how are things like workshops and.</p><p>00:47:25.110 –&gt; 00:47:26.100 Annette Clapsaddle: Yes, yes.</p><p>00:47:26.430 –&gt; 00:47:33.390 Annette Clapsaddle: cool yeah I think it’s nice to be able to continue to teach and even though I’ll be out of.</p><p>00:47:34.770 –&gt; 00:47:44.850 Annette Clapsaddle: A public high school right so teaching workshops actually leave Friday and for.</p><p>00:47:46.050 –&gt; 00:47:47.370 Annette Clapsaddle: LMU for.</p><p>00:47:48.720 –&gt; 00:48:01.590 Annette Clapsaddle: For the festival there I’ll be teaching workshops and then I’ll be teaching a full week at John C Campbell folks school in Brasstown and North Carolina starting Sunday so.</p><p>00:48:01.980 –&gt; 00:48:09.570 Joseph McElroy: That Bob’s been trying to put together a literary conference here, I hope you participate in that that’d be you’d be a wonderful part of it yeah.</p><p>00:48:11.010 –&gt; 00:48:17.010 Joseph McElroy: That should be good so so I want to talk about you are my mountain biking.</p><p>00:48:19.050 –&gt; 00:48:23.040 Joseph McElroy: enthusiastic yeah, what do you like most about that sport.</p><p>00:48:24.420 –&gt; 00:48:34.800 Annette Clapsaddle: um well I like being in the middle of the woods and feeling very isolated from everything but also going super fast.</p><p>00:48:39.720 –&gt; 00:48:53.610 Annette Clapsaddle: superfast downhill and it’s I think it’s because it is contradictory to how I normally am you know planner and I’m fairly cautious and.</p><p>00:48:55.050 –&gt; 00:48:58.410 Annette Clapsaddle: This is this forces me out of that comfort zone.</p><p>00:48:59.790 –&gt; 00:49:03.780 Annette Clapsaddle: And I mean I could talk for days about all the things I love about it, I just started.</p><p>00:49:04.740 –&gt; 00:49:21.510 Annette Clapsaddle: writing about five years ago and, and you know, first and foremost, for even for my health I’m a former athlete I used to play basketball, but my knees can’t take that anymore I lost about 60 pounds when I started mountain biking.</p><p>00:49:24.990 –&gt; 00:49:25.530 Joseph McElroy: I have a.</p><p>00:49:25.560 –&gt; 00:49:29.700 Joseph McElroy: three-and-a-half-year-old son named Henry that’s challenging you to a race right now.</p><p>00:49:30.210 –&gt; 00:49:32.070 Annette Clapsaddle: oh three.</p><p>00:49:33.510 –&gt; 00:49:37.800 Annette Clapsaddle: My student this semester, it was on my bike and he was running.</p><p>00:49:39.660 –&gt; 00:49:41.850 Annette Clapsaddle: He thought he could beat me that didn’t happen.</p><p>00:49:46.770 –&gt; 00:49:48.360 Joseph McElroy: He loves to go fast.</p><p>00:49:49.980 –&gt; 00:49:52.950 Joseph McElroy: So, what are your favorite local or regional trails.</p><p>00:49:53.520 –&gt; 00:50:01.260 Annette Clapsaddle: And what I consider my home trail is fire mountain trail system and Cherokee and it’s really kind of.</p><p>00:50:01.950 –&gt; 00:50:20.820 Annette Clapsaddle: When that trail system, open and I started learning more about mountain biking in general, so it’s just a few minutes from my house I get there, myself and I are Sali and near Bryson city and the Fontana area I do a lot of writing out there.</p><p>00:50:23.460 –&gt; 00:50:37.320 Annette Clapsaddle: And oh gosh there’s Dupont and regard, and you know we’re really lucky to have so many trails around here and yeah and you know my favorite ones, or maybe not the ones that are more.</p><p>00:50:39.750 –&gt; 00:50:46.200 Joseph McElroy: that’s why, but if you try out some of the new ones up like the new pipe parking chest up the mountain and they would challenge you just.</p><p>00:50:46.230 –&gt; 00:50:53.040 Annette Clapsaddle: Barely I mean so all of these there yeah there are lots of new places it seems like in the last year and a half.</p><p>00:50:53.430 –&gt; 00:50:59.040 Annette Clapsaddle: And so, all these places are kind of on my list I’m excited to have a little more flexibility in my schedule.</p><p>00:50:59.340 –&gt; 00:51:13.590 Annette Clapsaddle: And he had to make some of those day trips and hopefully out with some of my riding buddies may be to go check them out there’s a and a group of predominantly ladies that I ride with we like to check out new trails.</p><p>00:51:14.580 –&gt; 00:51:16.890 Joseph McElroy: cool do you have your son’s right as well?</p><p>00:51:17.550 –&gt; 00:51:19.350 Annette Clapsaddle: They do, and they.</p><p>00:51:20.550 –&gt; 00:51:28.110 Annette Clapsaddle: know the ride, and you know for a while, then they’ll get interested in something else, but they both had bikes so.</p><p>00:51:29.130 –&gt; 00:51:34.890 Annette Clapsaddle: They don’t always go on trails with me and that they’re all over our property.</p><p>00:51:36.630 –&gt; 00:51:39.720 Annette Clapsaddle: at nine and 13 Charlie and Ross</p><p>00:51:40.170 –&gt; 00:51:42.210 Joseph McElroy: All right, almost teenage.</p><p>00:51:46.050 –&gt; 00:52:03.120 Joseph McElroy: There you go so what’s good, and you, is there any is there, you know, one of the things I’d like to ask is a recommendation for a place to eat for people listening to the show for coming to your part of the country out in the cloud qualified and boundary the Cherokee reservation.</p><p>00:52:03.870 –&gt; 00:52:05.670 Annette Clapsaddle: All right, and.</p><p>00:52:07.110 –&gt; 00:52:08.730 Annette Clapsaddle: I feel like I’m sitting on the spot here.</p><p>00:52:08.940 –&gt; 00:52:10.050 I know I know.</p><p>00:52:12.690 –&gt; 00:52:17.190 Annette Clapsaddle: I don’t know what this one just popped into my head and we’re not talking like gourmet food, but.</p><p>00:52:18.870 –&gt; 00:52:19.170 Joseph McElroy: I think.</p><p>00:52:19.230 –&gt; 00:52:33.390 Annette Clapsaddle: The people that joy that’s all yes that’s a sunflower is like a sandwich shop not like a sandwich shop, it is isn’t it shop and near the entrance to the great smoky mountain National Park in the snake village area sassy sunflowers a very.</p><p>00:52:34.950 –&gt; 00:52:40.680 Annette Clapsaddle: Great sandwich place and then I have to say, if you want, like the quintessential.</p><p>00:52:42.450 –&gt; 00:52:52.470 Annette Clapsaddle: Country Buffet, that has been around since the beginning of time, you have to go to grandma’s kitchen and get pie for dessert you got to get high.</p><p>00:52:52.980 –&gt; 00:52:54.960 Joseph McElroy: Five you got to get a pie yeah.</p><p>00:52:56.400 –&gt; 00:53:04.680 Joseph McElroy: cool fabulous well this now, we gotta shout outs, you want to mention how people get in contact with you find out more about your book that sort of stuff.</p><p>00:53:05.190 –&gt; 00:53:12.060 Annette Clapsaddle: So I have a website it’s a new asaunookeclapsaddle.com and luckily I have one of.</p><p>00:53:13.200 –&gt; 00:53:25.260 Annette Clapsaddle: The most unusual names, so you can pretty easily find me on Google search but I’ll be updating that website and the coming weeks, speaking of students.</p><p>00:53:25.560 –&gt; 00:53:31.950 Annette Clapsaddle: And that’s that website was developed by a former student of mine, so I gotta get to updating it with.</p><p>00:53:32.730 –&gt; 00:53:50.760 Annette Clapsaddle: Events going on I’ll be busy all summer with festivals and workshops and things like that and also I’m on Facebook and on Instagram and I just use my name I don’t do anything special so Twitter also so just it’s Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle easy to find.</p><p>00:53:51.390 –&gt; 00:54:04.440 Joseph McElroy: cool well Thank you so much for being on the show today it’s been a wonderful conversation I’m gonna look forward to finishing your book, especially sits in it’s in the North Asheville area where I just moved to find out a little bit about the history of that area.</p><p>00:54:05.700 –&gt; 00:54:12.720 Joseph McElroy: yeah glad to be too, and hopefully we will continue having conversations, and now have you have your Conference at the Meadowlark</p><p>00:54:13.530 –&gt; 00:54:14.040 yeah.</p><p>00:54:15.360 –&gt; 00:54:17.610 Annette Clapsaddle: Maybe like doing you love to do that cool.</p><p>00:54:18.090 –&gt; 00:54:33.180 Joseph McElroy: So this podcast is the gateway to the smokies it’s live-streamed on facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcasts as well as on talkradio.NYC, which is a network of live podcasts.</p><p>00:54:34.800 –&gt; 00:54:43.590 Joseph McElroy: And I recommend you take a chance to look at that network there are a lot of great podcasts to listen to live, which I find to be a very dynamic format.</p><p>00:54:44.430 –&gt; 00:55:00.900 Joseph McElroy: And I think interesting if you want to be involved in conversations that seem real and they range from small business self-help to pet care to any number of things and it’s I think it’s a wonderful network to become aware of and join in.</p><p>00:55:02.130 –&gt; 00:55:08.160 Joseph McElroy: I also have another podcast and it’s never called wise content creates wealth, I have a marketing company that specializes in.</p><p>00:55:08.820 –&gt; 00:55:28.110 Joseph McElroy: content and memorable tourism experiences for travel and I talked about that quite a bit on wise content create wealth so and that’s on Fridays from noon until one, and this podcast gateway to the smokies every week Tuesdays from six to seven on this network.</p><p>00:55:29.130 –&gt; 00:55:39.690 Joseph McElroy: And I hope you will join me again next week for another great guest, and another great conversation, thank you very much it’s been nice having you here.</p><p>00:55:40.680 –&gt; 00:55:44.460 Annette Clapsaddle: yeah, thank you for having me really enjoy it you’re welcome.</p> 44440ee0-4a19-46e9-887c-80f033d7ea29 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/393150cb-f631-4ddb-ba3c-2e2fc3531a28 Tue, 07 Jun 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3023 no full Episode 59: Lyric Mountain and Woodsong Songwriting Retreats Episode 59: Lyric Mountain and Woodsong Songwriting Retreats Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Tune in today as you&#39;ll learn about the changing environment of songwriting retreats, what motivates someone to bring their talent for writing music to share in an artistic retreat-like environment, and the importance of having a mentor guiding your creative efforts.</strong></p><p>Joseph is joined by our special guest <strong>Louisa Branscomb</strong>, an Award-Winning Songwriter, Musician, Bandleader, Teacher, Psychologist, Author, and a Pioneer Trailblazer in Bluegrass music. She is a Grammy-winning songwriter behind such iconic songs as &#34;Steel Rails,&#34; made famous by Allison Krause. Louisa was one of the first females to ever front their own bluegrass band, while also writing original material and playing the banjo.</p><p>Louisa has spent the past 33 years combining her talents and passions to lead songwriting events at her artist retreat—first at Woodsong Farm, in north Georgia, and today at Lyric Mountain Songwriter Retreat near Asheville, N.C. Still active as a performer and writer, she has mentored over 1,000 songwriters during the course of her storied career, including several multiple generational students.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this episode!</p><p>Website: <a href="https://louisabranscomb.com/" rel="nofollow">https://louisabranscomb.com/</a></p><p>‍<strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/d7FKBKEoBB/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/05/17 - Lyric Mountain and Woodsong Songwriting Retreats

GUEST: Louisa Branscomb

In this episode, you'll learn about the changing environment of songwriting retreats, what motivates someone to bring their talent for writing music to share in an artistic retreat-like environment and the importance of having a mentor guiding your creative efforts.

Joseph is joined by our special guest Louisa Branscomb, an Award-Winning Songwriter, Musician, Bandleader, Teacher, Psychologist, Author, and Pioneer Trailblazer in Bluegrass music. She is a Grammy-winning songwriter behind such iconic songs as "Steel Rails," made famous by Allison Krause. Louisa was one of the first females to ever front their own bluegrass band, while also writing original material and playing the banjo.

Louisa has spent the past 33 years combining her talents and passions to lead songwriting events at her artist retreat—first at Woodsong Farm, in north Georgia, and today at Lyric Mountain Songwriter Retreat near Asheville, N.C. Still active as a performer and writer, she has mentored over 1,000 songwriters during the course of her storied career, including several multiple generational students.

Don't miss this episode!

Website: https://louisabranscomb.com/

‍Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

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SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Joseph mentions his sponsor, the Meadowlark Motel and smokiesadventure.com. Some upcoming events include Slingshots in the Smokies from May 31st to June 4th. There's also the Plottfest Reunion Weekend from June 3rd to the 5th. He also introduces his guest, Louisa Branscomb, an Award-Winning Songwriter, Musician, Bandleader, Teacher, Psychologist, Author, and Pioneer Trailblazer in Bluegrass music. Lousia started writing melodies at the age of four. She says that we hear melodies all around us and especially as a child, we have the freedom to be tuned in. Louisa says that one of the key ingredients of songwriting is putting yourself in someone else's shoes. She also mentions Davy Crockett is one of her favorite songs she would sing as a kid.

SEGMENT 2

At age 11, Louisa won first place at the Alabama Student Music Composition Contest and performed with the Birmingham Symphony in front of a large crowd of about 2,000 people. Louisa says that when you compose, it connects you to other people. Music brings people together. Louisa also talks about going to Randolph College because she loved the Appalachians. After graduating, she ended up in North Carolina. Louisa says that she learned to play bluegrass music during college with a good friend who was a banjo player and fell in love with it. They even created a small band together. She went to N.C to play bluegrass along with the band and had written hundreds of songs by then. Her first chart hit was in Japan and the song was called “Blue Ridge Memories.” Louisa also talks about her reason for pursuing education and psychology. She always had a fascination with people and the human spirit. She also had been on the road for 10 years and felt like she needed a break from it. But she says that being a woman on the road in the 70s was incredible and inspiring. When asked about how she did both play bluegrass and study psychology and education, she says that her heart has always had two directions and an interest in how we transform our lives as well as how we use our creativity. She also mentions being inspired by her father.

SEGMENT 3

Louisa talks about starting the Woodsong Farm Songwriters Retreat in North Georgia in 1987. She admits that many things that she has done in her life are because she is simply drawn to them or moved by some kind of passion about it. Her creativity comes out in nature like being on her farm. Those moments when we have that connection with what makes us most human, that's usually the best place to write from. She wanted to share the farm as a place that nurtured people as writers. Louisa says that songwriters who have been to her retreat on this farm have described it as safe and inspiring with nature all around whenever they would pass by and make their way in. There was an implicit trust that the farm gave and it let them give up their guard and let down their normal defenses that we all have sometimes to protect ourselves from the world. It allowed them to connect with each other and songs. Some of the things that Louisa hopes made her a good teacher as a songwriter instructor are the same ingredients that made her interested in connecting with people through sharing and understanding people's journeys as a psychologist. They also discuss the incredible impact of going to retreats not only for creativity but for life in general. Louisa hasn’t done a retreat again since the pandemic began, but she also speaks about trying to find herself within these times as well. She’ll return to doing the retreats in the Asheville area at Lyric Mountain starting in July. Lousia also sings a beautiful song for us. The process with this song was her asking how can you do justice in a song to everything going on right now? She describes it as images of it all and describes some of the unfortunate events in the world today which has also reminded her about the power of music to transform and heal. The song she sings is called “Gold in the Dark.” You can find out more about Louisa at louisabranscomb.com. You can also search for her on Facebook and her email is branscombmusic@gmail.com

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:29.880 –> 00:00:41.880 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about america’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:42.360 –> 00:00:50.880 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty, a deep-storied history, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with the weekly episodes.

00:00:51.630 –> 00:01:02.640 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family has lived in the Great Smokies for over 200 years. My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:03.270 –> 00:01:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Today we are going to talk about Lyric Mountain and Woodsong Songwriting Retreats but first a little bit of.

00:01:12.750 –> 00:01:24.330 Joseph McElroy: Over overhead we got to talk about, first of all, this is my last podcast in New York City I don’t know you know I’ve been doing it between New York and North Carolina but now.

00:01:24.990 –> 00:01:36.750 Joseph McElroy: we’re me and my family we’re all moving down to Western North Carolina and, hopefully, I can maybe have some of the podcasts out in my backyard, which is just a forest so we’ll see.

00:01:37.680 –> 00:01:49.650 Joseph McElroy: But I will talk to you to tell you a little bit about some sponsors First, we want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a “Chic Appalachian” feel.

00:01:50.280 –> 00:02:01.740 Joseph McElroy: A place for adventure and for relaxation. Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream, grill the catch on a fire, and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

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00:02:15.630 –> 00:02:21.570 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor is smokiesadventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure singular calm.

00:02:21.960 –> 00:02:35.160 Joseph McElroy: The Smoky Mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons. Some of the nation’s best hiking trails, waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found right here.

00:02:35.760 –> 00:02:43.110 Joseph McElroy: Start your adventure by using SmokiesAdventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

00:02:43.740 –> 00:02:51.660 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, Cades Cove, and more. Then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment you and your entire family can enjoy.

00:02:52.020 –> 00:03:07.440 Joseph McElroy: And then, if you have outdoor life events like weddings honeymoons romantic adventures, you can find more information about great places to have that the goal that smokies adventures, be the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountain.

00:03:08.610 –> 00:03:09.900 Joseph McElroy: there are some events coming up.

00:03:10.950 –> 00:03:20.010 Joseph McElroy: In Maggie Valley, there’s a Maggie Valley festival grounds that hosts world-class entertainment events such as arts, crafts, car shows, and music concerts.

00:03:20.550 –> 00:03:31.230 Joseph McElroy: And so on May 31 to June 4 heaven slingshots into smokies, which is a slingshot or type of motorcycle I think they’re known for the three being three wheelers and.

00:03:31.740 –> 00:03:38.820 Joseph McElroy: A dangerous thing shots in the smokies is, which is known as the super bowl slingshots events will be taking place in Maggie Valley.

00:03:40.470 –> 00:03:51.840 Joseph McElroy: And there’ll be some new editions this year, and there will be some music and shows and food and all sorts of stuff so check it out.

00:03:52.800 –> 00:04:04.890 Joseph McElroy: May 31st through June 4 and at the Meadowlark June 3rd to the 5th we’re having the PlottFest Reunion weekend the Plott dog

00:04:06.120 –> 00:04:27.090 Joseph McElroy: Is the State dog of the North Carolina and the family that brought the dog, to the United States is the Plott family who resided for the most part in Haywood County, and Bob Plott, who is the General Manager of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center and he is leading a.

00:04:29.160 –> 00:04:37.440 Joseph McElroy: event to bring hot hand aficionados and fans together to celebrate the Plott hound where they’ll have.

00:04:38.790 –> 00:04:50.040 Joseph McElroy: The officially sanctioned UKC bed show other compact competitions are very special warfare is raffled there’ll be Roundtable discussions with.

00:04:50.490 –> 00:05:02.460 Joseph McElroy: The Plott breed icons over history programs will be a free Barbecue dinner and there’ll be a traditional country music concert featuring Will Ritter and Tim McWilliams, on Saturday night.

00:05:03.060 –> 00:05:10.230 Joseph McElroy: This is, this is a huge event last year, everybody loved it, it takes you back in time to hound dogs on the farm.

00:05:11.490 –> 00:05:16.470 Joseph McElroy: And you get to learn a lot about things and get some memorable story because everybody there’s a storyteller.

00:05:17.580 –> 00:05:22.530 Joseph McElroy: Also to Meadowlark and August 12 and 13th, we’re having a Songwriters Camp.

00:05:23.550 –> 00:05:34.590 Joseph McElroy: it’s a songwriters camp in concert with Grammy-winning artist Jim Lauderdale and Charles Humphrey III along with Award-winning artists, such as Darren Nicholson, Clay Mills, and Charles Chamberlain.

00:05:35.130 –> 00:05:39.660 Joseph McElroy: it’s a two-day event of interactive songwriting structure of world-class musicians.

00:05:40.110 –> 00:05:47.070 Joseph McElroy: And a DEMO tape will produce will be produced for each participant and there’ll be a concert of songs from the road band on Friday night.

00:05:47.490 –> 00:05:57.480 Joseph McElroy: And a Barbecue dinner, and also our concert on Saturday night there’s going to be a unique event like no other in space will be limited to ensure individual attention is given to all participants.

00:05:57.960 –> 00:06:08.670 Joseph McElroy: The price of $670 per person includes all the activities and DEMO dates and concerts and Barbecue dinner and then their special pricing for rooms.

00:06:09.000 –> 00:06:20.130 Joseph McElroy: And there’ll be room packages as well call 8289261717 for details and there’s also a limited amount of concert tickets available for the general public and

00:06:20.670 –> 00:06:28.680 Joseph McElroy: Those are available on both Friday and Saturday night then they’re $30 each and again, you can reserve your spot by calling 82896 1717.

00:06:29.970 –> 00:06:37.860 Joseph McElroy: So somebody who knows about songwriting probably should be teaching that songwriting player to care for having a row.

00:06:39.600 –> 00:06:49.680 Joseph McElroy: She is Louisa Branscomb, Alabama native Louisa Branscomb, is a Grammy-award-winning songwriter, musician, bandleader, teacher, psychologist, author,

00:06:49.980 –> 00:06:57.330 Joseph McElroy: and a pioneer trailblazer in the bluegrass music and clinical psychology fields.

00:06:57.870 –> 00:07:11.670 Joseph McElroy: She has spent the past 33 years combining her talents and passions to lead songwriting events at her artist’s retreat—first at Woodsong Farm, in north Georgia, and today at Lyric Mountain Songwriter Retreat near Asheville, North Carolina.

00:07:12.270 –> 00:07:19.200 Joseph McElroy: She has mentored over 1000 songwriters during her storied career. Hello, Louisa.

00:07:19.770 –> 00:07:22.230 Louisa Branscomb: Good evening nice to see you here.

00:07:22.320 –> 00:07:35.760 Joseph McElroy: Yes, good, hey I read somewhere that you started writing melodies at the age of four now I have, I have a daughter about to turn four making up songs is that for 10 well?

00:07:37.500 –> 00:07:51.300 Louisa Branscomb: I think you know we hear melodies all around us, we just don’t call the melodies whether it’s the refrigerator or the birds or and I think you know in kids have the freedom to be tuned in their thinking and melodies from age four yeah I think it’s great.

00:07:52.020 –> 00:07:58.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s great, what do you remember your first saw me from or maybe soon after where you can post something.

00:07:58.920 –> 00:08:03.600 Louisa Branscomb: Yes, I do remember it or what it was about because it’s not very profound.

00:08:04.080 –> 00:08:05.940 Joseph McElroy: that’s all right What was it?

00:08:06.570 –> 00:08:21.270 Louisa Branscomb: It was called the Is she the fishy and the funny thing is, I actually have learned some lessons about songwriting from this song and the song goes is she the fishy couldn’t be much thinner so we had her for our dinner.

00:08:23.910 –> 00:08:30.150 Louisa Branscomb: Now what you don’t want to do is try to pick a word that rhymes just because it rhymes like thinner and dinner

00:08:31.080 –> 00:08:39.630 Louisa Branscomb: But the truth of the matter is, I think one of the key ingredients of songwriting is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

00:08:40.230 –> 00:08:54.030 Louisa Branscomb: In this case, fish and feel compassion and think about what it is like from their point of view so that’s empathy is what that is, and I think whether we’re writing about a tree or a fish, of course, they don’t have shoes.

00:08:55.350 –> 00:09:03.420 Louisa Branscomb: be able to n dwell on a person whose life is different from yours and then write about them.

00:09:04.440 –> 00:09:12.570 Louisa Branscomb: I think teaching our kids to have the freedom to be tuned in and feel compassion for things around them is just a wonderful thing.

00:09:13.110 –> 00:09:28.500 Louisa Branscomb: So that’s what I learned as an adult from is she the fishy it was at a birthday party and the poor fish was caught on a hook and, by the way, that that’s probably a metaphor to caught on the hook because of the first thing that happened a song as a hook.

00:09:30.990 –> 00:09:38.700 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s good that you remember it, you know I remember my first painting, you know I do a little bit of art and yeah I was, I was yeah.

00:09:39.300 –> 00:09:57.240 Joseph McElroy: You don’t want to get yeah and there’s one school of painting trying to evoke emotion right and yeah, and so I probably would have been probably sensors I myself in that school, but my first one was a little bit over the top, it was a flower with the tear on it.

00:10:01.260 –> 00:10:08.610 Louisa Branscomb: it’s over the top, compared to what we seem to value these days in the culture, but it’s really what’s needed, I think, is.

00:10:09.390 –> 00:10:19.830 Louisa Branscomb: You know, and that you know we look back on these stories and they seem kind of embarrassing, but really they have the ingredients for life, the ingredients for arts, job in the world, which is to bring us back.

00:10:20.220 –> 00:10:30.750 Louisa Branscomb: To the flower in the tier which reminds me of you know my favorite song was a Davy Crockett because I mean I thought the idea of a frontier was just awesome and only I thought it was fun tier.

00:10:31.080 –> 00:10:31.410 So.

00:10:32.550 –> 00:10:38.610 Louisa Branscomb: my grandmother saw me playing on the rug and I said I was singing Davy Crockett I just definitely wanted to be a pioneer and.

00:10:39.240 –> 00:10:50.400 Louisa Branscomb: I but I called her in from the kitchen and said what’s a frontier, and she said well like on this rug everything past the edge of the rug that’s the frontier, and I said grandmother it’s fontier, and she said.

00:10:53.130 –> 00:10:57.450 Louisa Branscomb: Oh, I thought you always have fun and but they’re still tears and I’m.

00:10:59.310 –> 00:10:59.760 Joseph McElroy: Good that.

00:11:02.100 –> 00:11:02.820 Joseph McElroy: you’re you.

00:11:03.000 –> 00:11:04.740 Joseph McElroy: You are getting deep early was to.

00:11:06.720 –> 00:11:26.220 Louisa Branscomb: figure it all out, you know I had had an interest in trying to understand, I think the unknown and, and so I don’t know if I was really cut out to be a pioneer or not, but it was my favorite song and you look back on these things and we find you know we were probably right.

00:11:28.440 –> 00:11:36.360 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know it’s funny that you say that you know my two children, I have two and a half year old, but you know actually three now what am I talking about.

00:11:37.590 –> 00:11:45.750 Joseph McElroy: That we named them, you know short interesting names, but there were sort of classic names and we and we started I started seeing a little tune to theirs.

00:11:46.050 –> 00:11:51.600 Joseph McElroy: To their names early on, I still do, to this day, they do it for both of them because I both want to have them.

00:11:51.990 –> 00:12:06.240 Joseph McElroy: You know, to try to figure out what that what it means, and a sense of adventure and flies and it’s to the tune of davy crockett now go Henry Henry Wyatt king of the wild frontier yeah on the Rose Queen of the wild frontier.

00:12:08.370 –> 00:12:10.140 Louisa Branscomb: I’m sure that’ll sink at some level.

00:12:10.200 –> 00:12:12.660 Joseph McElroy: At some point, that sometimes they’ll figure out.

00:12:13.350 –> 00:12:18.510 Louisa Branscomb: it’s going to be Joseph, hope you’ll like the unknown territory that they decide to jump into.

00:12:19.170 –> 00:12:21.420 Joseph McElroy: They are already doing it, let me tell you.

00:12:25.290 –> 00:12:41.040 Joseph McElroy: Well, listen, we have to take a break already it’s been interesting quite so far, and let’s get back into getting into clinical psychology and other things that you’re doing and talk about your course your music all right talk to you soon.

00:14:56.910 –> 00:15:10.740 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcasts and my guest Louisa Branscomb so Louisa you were born out in the Adirondacks and then you got raised, mostly in Alabama.

00:15:12.120 –> 00:15:24.030 Joseph McElroy: And you were a prodigy at age 11 you won first place at the Alabama student music composition contest and perform with Birmingham simply before an audience of 2000 what was that, like for a young girl.

00:15:24.750 –> 00:15:26.880 Louisa Branscomb: Well, I sort of froze and.

00:15:27.900 –> 00:15:36.810 Louisa Branscomb: White about 65 and the conductor was trying to get me to play louder and I just got quieter and quieter and, at the end, he finished with a big flourish.

00:15:37.740 –> 00:15:46.380 Louisa Branscomb: And I don’t I don’t remember the rest of the day, but actually as I look back, I will you know he started looking back at some point in life, and you realize.

00:15:46.890 –> 00:15:57.150 Louisa Branscomb: There are lessons in the memories that we keep for some reason, I think that that blessing and that was the idea that I might create something that had worth.

00:15:58.470 –> 00:16:09.150 Louisa Branscomb: 11 and it was a tall order for me, I was very shy, but I learned about this thing that when you compose it connects you to other people and.

00:16:09.540 –> 00:16:22.380 Louisa Branscomb: Then they’re all these musicians playing my song and and at some level, I think I must have learned about how music brings people together and that’s been a theme of what i’ve wanted to do in my life, all my life really.

00:16:22.650 –> 00:16:24.120 Joseph McElroy: No, was it classical music.

00:16:24.420 –> 00:16:36.780 Louisa Branscomb: Yes, it would was well, I mean it had a melody I mean i’m very melodic I was making these but it yeah I played it on the piano when it has to be classical music it wasn’t very sophisticated so.

00:16:36.960 –> 00:16:38.400 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re 11 but.

00:16:39.960 –> 00:16:47.460 Joseph McElroy: You had a country I heard you had a country music and singing cousin the Texas named Ben who gave you your first guitar.

00:16:47.880 –> 00:16:51.180 Joseph McElroy: And he was he brought you into the country music world did he.

00:16:51.570 –> 00:17:01.770 Louisa Branscomb: Yes, he said, you can’t play that Mexican guitar with nylon strings anymore, and I got back to college and he had sent me a Martin double I 21 and I still have that guitar I love it.

00:17:02.610 –> 00:17:08.100 Joseph McElroy: And that’s you where at random woman’s calls now it’s known or unknown is Randolph college well why’d you go there.

00:17:08.970 –> 00:17:10.650 Louisa Branscomb: I love the Appalachians.

00:17:12.390 –> 00:17:15.420 Louisa Branscomb: I think, almost and looking back and actually it was yells.

00:17:15.930 –> 00:17:27.030 Louisa Branscomb: topics for tonight that made me recognize that I’ve been like the little pin that you put down on your GPS, you know I’ve been like this little pin that went up and down the Appalachians all my life from.

00:17:27.330 –> 00:17:34.170 Louisa Branscomb: sort of up in Virginia, all the way down to the ridges where the mountain starts in Alabama and right now.

00:17:35.190 –> 00:17:40.620 Louisa Branscomb: Asheville North Carolina and I guess, they must have sort of run through my soul.

00:17:42.270 –> 00:17:45.960 Louisa Branscomb: I wasn’t aware of that, I was sort of everywhere I’ve been it’s been.

00:17:46.890 –> 00:17:47.970 Joseph McElroy: let’s kind of interesting.

00:17:48.570 –> 00:17:59.760 Joseph McElroy: One you got a long way to go, cuz you know if you consider Appalachian you going all the way up with 3000 miles, all the way, but not only that like 100 million years ago there was even longer.

00:18:00.060 –> 00:18:09.330 Joseph McElroy: a trail that broken to in the continent split now the other parts over in Ireland and Scottish there’s an international Appalachian trail so you’ve got a lot of places yet to live.

00:18:12.150 –> 00:18:13.440 Louisa Branscomb: Those delta miles going.

00:18:14.100 –> 00:18:14.970 Joseph McElroy: To get those.

00:18:16.140 –> 00:18:23.130 Joseph McElroy: So, so you said that you ended up in North Carolina after you graduated What did you go to their specifically

00:18:24.150 –> 00:18:24.510 Joseph McElroy: Was it.

00:18:25.170 –> 00:18:25.830 Louisa Branscomb: took me there.

00:18:26.160 –> 00:18:27.330 Joseph McElroy: You guys took you there.

00:18:27.510 –> 00:18:36.510 Louisa Branscomb: I learned to play bluegrass at Randolph macon woman’s college, with a good friend named Sally one guy, who was a great banjo player and.

00:18:37.260 –> 00:18:47.370 Louisa Branscomb: And I just fell in love with it instantly, and so I got a flat pick and got my steel string guitar and we had a little band and but I went to.

00:18:47.940 –> 00:18:59.400 Louisa Branscomb: Winston Salem my first job was there at Bowman Gray school of medicine, but I really went there to play bluegrass it was a wonderful seat of bluegrass music and I’ve kind of found out that each Center of.

00:19:00.870 –> 00:19:15.450 Louisa Branscomb: Of acoustic music has its own personality, so I learned an awful lot in the beginning, from the Winston Salem mount airy hills dil de lacks fancy get players and we play a lot of square dances and that’s how I got my chops.

00:19:15.690 –> 00:19:16.140 Louisa Branscomb: And me.

00:19:16.380 –> 00:19:26.100 Louisa Branscomb: I was just on fire to the right, so I had written I guess about 500 songs that I had been careful with that time and I had written steel rails so that was in 1971.

00:19:26.790 –> 00:19:29.310 Joseph McElroy: what’s your first chart it was actually in Japan right.

00:19:30.390 –> 00:19:33.600 Louisa Branscomb: yeah amazing how much you know about me that I promise.

00:19:34.950 –> 00:19:38.850 Louisa Branscomb: It actually was, and it was a song called Blue Ridge memories, here we go again.

00:19:40.470 –> 00:19:54.000 Louisa Branscomb: It was, I signed that on our first second or first or second boot hill album That was the band I had in Winston Salem with Sam signer and played with throughout the 70s.

00:19:54.750 –> 00:20:00.900 Joseph McElroy: wow so, but you know also, at the same time, you made the decision to start.

00:20:01.950 –> 00:20:08.670 Joseph McElroy: Educational psychology and education, what was what spurred you to do that.

00:20:09.780 –> 00:20:18.300 Louisa Branscomb: Well, I had been on the road playing banjo for 10 years and I decided that I just couldn’t eat McDonald’s hamburgers and.

00:20:20.490 –> 00:20:27.510 Louisa Branscomb: It was true that I felt like I needed a break from the road being a woman and bluegrass in the 70s.

00:20:28.860 –> 00:20:30.420 Louisa Branscomb: It was incredible.

00:20:31.800 –> 00:20:38.400 Louisa Branscomb: edible to be a bluegrass musician during that very creative time and bluegrass moving.

00:20:38.430 –> 00:20:41.940 Joseph McElroy: Forward Sally with the first women’s bluegrass band right.

00:20:42.390 –> 00:20:55.080 Louisa Branscomb: We met, we had one, it certainly one of the first and we bluegrass liberation, we were 1971 and up but regardless of gender, just being in bluegrass in the seven was.

00:20:56.370 –> 00:21:07.320 Louisa Branscomb: It just was so inspiring to be in that shift in the music bringing more younger players on Sam Bush and others at that time, but I also felt like.

00:21:07.830 –> 00:21:16.170 Louisa Branscomb: Being on the road, I needed a little bright to figure out, who I was and I always had a fascination with people and learning about.

00:21:16.470 –> 00:21:26.700 Louisa Branscomb: People and kind of the human spirit, how do we survive at all, and so that’s part of what led me to go back to school and psychology but I kept playing I’ve never stopped performing and being in a band.

00:21:27.450 –> 00:21:34.050 Joseph McElroy: wow so you graduated in 88 with a Ph.D. impressive from Georgia state.

00:21:36.690 –> 00:21:48.360 Joseph McElroy: You know, thanks for that almost immediately started getting the real success we know they’re either huge song or steel rails with Alison Krauss reporting recorded that you wrote it in the 70s, but it became a big hit 91 didn’t.

00:21:49.290 –> 00:21:50.190 Louisa Branscomb: um well i’m.

00:21:51.300 –> 00:22:00.270 Louisa Branscomb: eternally grateful to what Allison did with the song 1991 it had been recorded quite a few times by Van starting with Mel Tillis, believe it or not.

00:22:01.500 –> 00:22:11.400 Louisa Branscomb: Who, I had the great fortune to meet and spend the day with, and he published on my songs he recorded steel rails, but he didn’t release it, although I do have it.

00:22:11.820 –> 00:22:28.410 Louisa Branscomb: And then, it was also recorded by the make peace brothers and by my band boot Hill and Allison heard my version of it and unbeknownst to me recorded it and then I found out one very memorable night at the station neon accidentally that she had this hit on steel, or else.

00:22:28.530 –> 00:22:29.280 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.

00:22:29.880 –> 00:22:30.990 Joseph McElroy: And what do you think.

00:22:31.020 –> 00:22:36.420 Joseph McElroy: What do you think about her version why became such a hit and how it actually brought so many new people to bloom.

00:22:38.820 –> 00:22:41.490 Louisa Branscomb: In a word, because of Allison.

00:22:43.080 –> 00:22:52.740 Louisa Branscomb: she’s so beyond gifted I don’t think there’s a word for it and Whenever she touches a song, you know it turns to a sole goal or something like that.

00:22:54.390 –> 00:23:05.730 Louisa Branscomb: I’m saying the heart of that song and it’s a very simple song and as someone who can do simple elegance.

00:23:06.120 –> 00:23:23.010 Louisa Branscomb: Is Allison she’s always had been such a master of taste and knowing when not to sing and she was so wise beyond her time so to deliver a song that I always thought was sort of dorky and simple and make it.

00:23:24.300 –> 00:23:40.260 Louisa Branscomb: In her hands so elegant I think that’s a big part of it, but I’ve also you know also thought a lot about why that particular song would appeal to people and I’m still learning what it is that makes a song connect with other people so.

00:23:41.430 –> 00:23:52.890 Louisa Branscomb: And, and that song, for example, I think it’s the images that the song has almost no conversation almost no sentences as you speak to someone it’s just a string of images.

00:23:53.430 –> 00:24:04.710 Louisa Branscomb: And the powerful thing about an image is that it allows people to connect with this energy around the image, if you don’t have an image this is too tired.

00:24:05.400 –> 00:24:14.400 Louisa Branscomb: Or to obscure if you find an image that’s universal law like like the lamp behind me on the mantle, which is an image of that TIM O’Brien used brilliantly.

00:24:15.990 –> 00:24:27.750 Louisa Branscomb: The lamp is burning on the mantle, I believe, is one of his intro lines on a song and it allows people to immediately connect with their emotions and it bypasses the part of the brain that thinks too much.

00:24:29.670 –> 00:24:37.050 Louisa Branscomb: Is married time not like any other art form because it’s married to time it passes tied to time.

00:24:38.190 –> 00:24:52.140 Louisa Branscomb: Or the listener, they have to be able to get your song as it goes by, think of it as a train with windows, they have to get every window, as it goes by, because if they get lost they miss party or song.

00:24:53.430 –> 00:25:02.220 Louisa Branscomb: the beauty of a song is that most images are people can sort of go into their own reverie about what those images mean to them.

00:25:02.820 –> 00:25:19.650 Louisa Branscomb: So I asked Allison what’s what was the image that is what draws drew her to the song since I was the last night, and she said it was the line winding through the trees, like a ribbon and the wind, and so I always learned from my songs by people giving me feedback.

00:25:20.640 –> 00:25:36.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s cool so so you mean it’s very interesting me because right about the same time that you, you know you got your Ph.D. in psychology the clinical psychology and you also started your your your first songwriting camp right.

00:25:37.860 –> 00:25:44.340 Joseph McElroy: What was it the what would what song farmer songwriting treat and you want to Georgia.

00:25:45.960 –> 00:25:53.550 Joseph McElroy: And it, you know, then there’s you know there’s a history of musicians getting their PhDs like I think Dr john starling.

00:25:54.480 –> 00:26:06.600 Joseph McElroy: With the classic seldom seen ban gave up touring because you know, he pursued his professional degree more than he was pursuing, but you seem to have managed to.

00:26:07.380 –> 00:26:15.420 Joseph McElroy: work at both of them simultaneously for the next 30 years how did you manage that what made you what why, why did you choose one and how did you manage it.

00:26:16.890 –> 00:26:28.080 Louisa Branscomb: All right, I think that’s a valid question and I’d probably say that my heart had two directions and to leave either one either.

00:26:28.530 –> 00:26:33.690 Louisa Branscomb: This desire to connect with people and learn about the resilience of the human spirit through.

00:26:34.440 –> 00:26:44.040 Louisa Branscomb: Being a clinical psychologist and also very interested in creativity and how people transform life, you know we live it’s hard for everyone so.

00:26:44.760 –> 00:27:02.100 Louisa Branscomb: I think art is one way we transform it and then the other side of me I think music is in my bones, I mean my father took me to blues joint in Birmingham, on the other side of what we used to say, the other side of the tracks where mom didn’t know he was taking me because.

00:27:03.300 –> 00:27:12.810 Louisa Branscomb: he knew a lot of the people in those clubs, and I was so lucky to be touched by the authenticity.

00:27:13.290 –> 00:27:31.470 Louisa Branscomb: Of the blues in the African American people in Birmingham is saying in these dives and my father knew, some of them, because he worked with them, they had TB and some of the illnesses that he treated, but my dad played harmonica he played blues harmonica and he played stride piano.

00:27:31.860 –> 00:27:39.930 Louisa Branscomb: So, and we would walk in, and I was 12 or 13 and they go hey Doc and dad would sit in and play with them and.

00:27:40.950 –> 00:27:53.280 Louisa Branscomb: Again it’s a story I look back on and think I learned something music joins us together it’s much more important how we’re alike in life than how we’re different.

00:27:54.330 –> 00:28:01.890 Louisa Branscomb: and seeing my dad I’m surrounded by so much love and the love that he had for other people through his work.

00:28:03.120 –> 00:28:10.020 Louisa Branscomb: Being a health provider and then through his music, I guess, I tried to carry on and wear both hats myself.

00:28:11.070 –> 00:28:16.890 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s lovely It makes me think that maybe we should have our politicians sing their position to talk about.

00:28:18.390 –> 00:28:21.780 Louisa Branscomb: Why them and we should require them to write a song the right.

00:28:23.190 –> 00:28:23.700 Louisa Branscomb: They are.

00:28:24.570 –> 00:28:29.220 Joseph McElroy: I will have to take another break and we’ll come back we’ll talk about your you’re your songwriting.

00:34:02.130 –> 00:34:13.830 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Louisa Branscomb and I think we have to do everything twice right now right.

00:34:15.330 –> 00:34:21.810 Joseph McElroy: Get commercials tried twice again intros twice what else can we talk about toys but anyway.

00:34:25.170 –> 00:34:37.350 Joseph McElroy: So we’ll move on alright so Louise in 1987 mentioned before you started the wood song farm songwriters retreat in North Georgia.

00:34:38.370 –> 00:34:44.760 Joseph McElroy: So, what was the concept and how did you come to own the farm and or locate your retreats there.

00:34:45.900 –> 00:34:54.930 Louisa Branscomb: um well I probably have to be honest and say that in my life, a lot of times I do things simply because I’m drawn to them are moved by.

00:34:56.640 –> 00:34:57.390 Louisa Branscomb: some kind of.

00:34:58.440 –> 00:35:10.410 Louisa Branscomb: passion about it, but then I don’t figure out the concept until later So when I look back, I know that for me when I’m I do my best, creating when I’m in nature, or at least surrounded by.

00:35:11.370 –> 00:35:22.620 Louisa Branscomb: Nature in a beautiful setting where all of the stress of life seems way far away, and for me, that was my farm and I felt like my farm gave me this connection to my own.

00:35:23.160 –> 00:35:28.590 Louisa Branscomb: Humanity you know when we’re not stressed and we’re not having to be anxious and afraid about things around us.

00:35:29.310 –> 00:35:37.500 Louisa Branscomb: That really helps dissolve a lot of our defenses where we can be in touch with what makes us most human and those are usually.

00:35:37.830 –> 00:35:47.430 Louisa Branscomb: that’s usually the best place to write from, so I think I was probably wanting to share the farm as a place that nurtured people as writers.

00:35:47.730 –> 00:35:54.060 Louisa Branscomb: And there’s something about the past as well, like when we’re connected to two people in the past, who have had a hard-working.

00:35:54.630 –> 00:36:12.990 Louisa Branscomb: work ethic which is true of the Appalachians and true of North Georgia is in the southern tip of the Appalachians with cotton farming that my farm is the cotton farm it was 150 years old and had many relics around me I was only I was the first new families on it so.

00:36:14.460 –> 00:36:23.310 Louisa Branscomb: It gave me a connection deep deeper than my life, you know to other lives, where music was so important, were the two.

00:36:24.000 –> 00:36:35.880 Louisa Branscomb: Girls in the family, saying, listen to the mockingbird and put salt on there, you know they lift salt, out of a spoon because I thought it made me sing better and when they played on my album there was like salt all over the floor.

00:36:37.260 –> 00:36:44.880 Louisa Branscomb: You know these things that brought me back to the essential Appalachian heritage, like a song like listening to a mockingbird.

00:36:46.290 –> 00:36:50.040 Louisa Branscomb: That grounded me and my own creativity so though I’ve tried to be.

00:36:51.720 –> 00:36:55.590 Louisa Branscomb: New or have my own unique way of writing as we all do.

00:36:56.280 –> 00:37:04.440 Louisa Branscomb: I’m very aware that it comes from this thread that goes deep into the heart of the mountains, that I come from, and that that’s a big part of me, so I try to.

00:37:04.740 –> 00:37:16.410 Louisa Branscomb: I try to bring that setting to other writers and that that cultural history we don’t have to talk about you can just look at like the old ironing board in the corner over here, am I going to write why.

00:37:17.640 –> 00:37:20.250 Louisa Branscomb: you’re here it is over there.

00:37:21.270 –> 00:37:24.060 Louisa Branscomb: is a reminder of.

00:37:25.740 –> 00:37:35.910 Louisa Branscomb: When life was not easier, but more transparent, simpler than we all need, I think it helps us to reconnect with ourselves.

00:37:36.810 –> 00:37:49.860 Joseph McElroy: Is that what was the so bringing people into a sort of elemental environment was part of the plan for the songwriting retreat, it was actually a real retreat from everything.

00:37:50.430 –> 00:37:58.290 Louisa Branscomb: A real retreat and then we always had a theme that somehow was designed to make a place that was.

00:37:59.340 –> 00:38:02.880 Louisa Branscomb: nurturing and inspirational for songwriters and that.

00:38:03.540 –> 00:38:09.540 Louisa Branscomb: And I think that the farm itself was the biggest teacher without being spelled out when people.

00:38:09.810 –> 00:38:19.680 Louisa Branscomb: And I’ve had this feedback from songwriters now, for you know 35 years is that when they cross the threshold to the farm they felt in another world that was safe.

00:38:20.070 –> 00:38:30.000 Louisa Branscomb: and inspiring with nature all around and the songs of the birds and the songs of the attractor in the distance and the train and the distance all of these things.

00:38:31.260 –> 00:38:41.400 Louisa Branscomb: Let I think lead people dissolve these normal defenses that we have to protect us from the world, and let us connect more quickly with each other and trust each other.

00:38:42.420 –> 00:38:59.250 Louisa Branscomb: sort of there was just an implicit trust that the farm, I think, gave and that allowed us to be better songwriters and to listen to each other’s work and be inspired because you didn’t have to try to protect yourself a world away from the real world.

00:39:00.150 –> 00:39:04.620 Joseph McElroy: And and did you combine your psychology into your retreats as well.

00:39:05.370 –> 00:39:17.310 Louisa Branscomb: But not in an intentional way again and I think, looking back on some of the things that I hope make me a good teacher as a songwriter instructor.

00:39:18.300 –> 00:39:29.040 Louisa Branscomb: These are the same ingredients that have made me interested in connecting with people through sharing people’s journeys as a psychologist and understanding people’s journeys.

00:39:29.460 –> 00:39:46.320 Louisa Branscomb: I feel more of a facilitator than a teacher and I think that’s when we’re our best is when we’re listening to the other person and trying to understand what they’re trying to say whether it’s a conversation or a song or someone sharing their journey and their hardship.

00:39:47.670 –> 00:39:55.830 Louisa Branscomb: I worked a lot with veterans and I work with veterans at a very young age, because I felt like I was out singing songs about peace.

00:39:56.160 –> 00:40:04.020 Louisa Branscomb: during the Vietnam War and I wasn’t very grown up and I didn’t really realize what the hardship of war was, and so I wanted to pay it.

00:40:04.560 –> 00:40:17.430 Louisa Branscomb: forward by working with veterans as a psychologist and I learned so much about how people transform hardship because veterans know about that better than most of us.

00:40:18.150 –> 00:40:27.690 Louisa Branscomb: And so I was often inspired or I worked with a veteran to help them tell their own story and I’d say hey if you put that in one line.

00:40:28.140 –> 00:40:43.830 Louisa Branscomb: What would that line be and that’s the hook, and any of us, you can do this yourself if I ask you right now, what is one line that captures how you are in this moment hey I’ll put you on the spot, Joseph What would it be, and you know it’s words or less.

00:40:44.280 –> 00:40:45.390 Joseph McElroy: Of a transition.

00:40:46.020 –> 00:40:51.030 Louisa Branscomb: yeah OK so moving on or our transition was a little long for.

00:40:51.690 –> 00:40:53.250 Joseph McElroy: Moving on to the new phase of life.

00:40:53.640 –> 00:41:13.800 Louisa Branscomb: yeah you know new phase of life there you have it, a new phase of the moon, and you know there’s a lot of you know, the eclipses over you phase of life so when you work with those images and but back to something more important, which is as humans, we get so cut off from our humanity.

00:41:14.970 –> 00:41:20.790 Louisa Branscomb: Because we’re so busy trying to protect ourselves from that onslaught of information and.

00:41:21.270 –> 00:41:30.180 Louisa Branscomb: In the hardship around us and all around the world, and so we need these places where we can let down and find our creativity.

00:41:30.750 –> 00:41:47.160 Louisa Branscomb: and find our own humanity and that’s the thread that connects us to some universal experience or image that that’s what a song touches other people with so there’s an intimate connection between being safe and the natural world.

00:41:48.210 –> 00:41:50.160 Louisa Branscomb: I believe, to be creative.

00:41:50.700 –> 00:42:00.030 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve done it several times here you’ve connected music to healing and you know, and you know, and you know.

00:42:02.760 –> 00:42:07.860 Joseph McElroy: Experience internal experience that produces a better world and things like that.

00:42:08.970 –> 00:42:14.760 Joseph McElroy: Do you have at your retreats jeff’s specific examples of where people have been changed?

00:42:16.050 –> 00:42:22.650 Louisa Branscomb: I’ve been very touched by some of the stories that I get on after my retreat.

00:42:24.510 –> 00:42:38.610 Louisa Branscomb: Many times I’ve heard you know I thought I was coming to learn to write songs and I left transform and now, who I am is different, so how I write songs is very different, and that always touches me to here again I.

00:42:39.840 –> 00:42:54.120 Louisa Branscomb: I just try to create a place and but I’m pretty focused on how I do, that I don’t allow like a lot of interference coming in from other things and I try to establish a set of trust.

00:42:54.690 –> 00:43:08.880 Louisa Branscomb: I’ve also heard that people came to I thought to learn about songwriting but they felt healed from something in their life in the process of connecting with what they wanted to say in the song.

00:43:09.390 –> 00:43:09.750 Joseph McElroy: So I.

00:43:09.960 –> 00:43:15.360 Louisa Branscomb: think that I’ve heard a lot that the songs they wrote it my retreat we’re transforming for them.

00:43:15.840 –> 00:43:22.860 Louisa Branscomb: And through this, I’ve learned that not only do we transform life by taking a little piece of it and putting it on a song.

00:43:23.250 –> 00:43:32.250 Louisa Branscomb: But, but our songs transform us and people don’t talk about that much, but I have learned so much by listening to my songs.

00:43:33.060 –> 00:43:45.690 Louisa Branscomb: That might sound kind of like well, are you listening to yourself, not really in my way of thinking, because, again, I think all of this is creating an open channel through something bigger than me to come through.

00:43:46.440 –> 00:43:52.710 Louisa Branscomb: something about that, whatever your spirituality is your collective unconscious or the universal human condition.

00:43:53.130 –> 00:43:54.030 Louisa Branscomb: or odd.

00:43:55.530 –> 00:44:14.220 Louisa Branscomb: When that’s flowing because I’m open enough for the flow then often I’m surprised by what my song says and they make me feel better they make me know myself better, so I think, maybe that’s the thing, people are picking up on when I say that about the week retreats that I have.

00:44:14.910 –> 00:44:24.150 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think that you know, I think that retreats are actually incredibly important for people to take in their life right, especially ones that are dealing around creativity, I mean I’ve had some.

00:44:24.690 –> 00:44:32.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah some fundamental experiences, you know after my second wife died and we’ve been married for 20 years I went to Joseph Campbell’s you know heroes journeys retreat.

00:44:32.760 –> 00:44:39.450 Joseph McElroy: which was about exploring creativity in life, but the one point they had us do a funeral for something we won’t like go.

00:44:40.020 –> 00:44:48.450 Joseph McElroy: And you know I just a year earlier than a funeral from my wife, it was I got to thinking about that, but what I ended up doing a funeral for was.

00:44:49.290 –> 00:45:02.310 Joseph McElroy: For the Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McElroy the identity, the identity that I’d had for 20 years which I hadn’t let go and I needed to say goodbye to properly to move on in my life.

00:45:02.670 –> 00:45:12.180 Joseph McElroy: And it was a transcendent experience, and that was you know, a creative retreat I think what use what you described here can produce that kind of profound effects for people, I believe.

00:45:14.160 –> 00:45:23.010 Louisa Branscomb: You just said it brilliantly and not coincidentally I’m hugely influenced by Joseph Campbell’s model of the hero’s journey, and I believe that.

00:45:23.490 –> 00:45:41.250 Louisa Branscomb: It takes a lot of courage to engage with the one we’re in a huge life transition I’m in one right now, so I don’t feel courageous every day, but I do feel like I’m at that point in the journey when we’re in the dark night of the soul like we’re in the middle of change.

00:45:41.610 –> 00:45:44.250 Louisa Branscomb: And we’re not to the next place yet like.

00:45:44.280 –> 00:45:53.940 Louisa Branscomb: There is a death, there is a death of ourselves, and we don’t get to hold on to you know we’re not like those mountain climbers and they’re in a sling and somebody’s going to.

00:45:54.450 –> 00:46:04.200 Louisa Branscomb: pull the rope it feels like we’re falling off the mountain because we can’t use the same solutions that we had before because we’re changing.

00:46:04.740 –> 00:46:15.390 Louisa Branscomb: And in the model of the hero’s journey, you have to have that freefall and then you find what it is, you need to say and what it is, you need to do in your life.

00:46:15.870 –> 00:46:24.000 Louisa Branscomb: That moves your journey forward, and we have to be willing to take the risk of that or like back to Davy Crockett.

00:46:24.780 –> 00:46:34.830 Louisa Branscomb: One of the wild frontiers of our souls to do that and it’s very uncomfortable and this whole last two and a half years has been very uncomfortable because.

00:46:35.220 –> 00:46:46.890 Louisa Branscomb: I myself find found I couldn’t stay stuck, because how I was in the world was changing too much, and so I had to find a new part of me to be with the new world.

00:46:47.520 –> 00:46:48.120 Joseph McElroy: Where you move.

00:46:48.480 –> 00:46:51.840 Joseph McElroy: To a new is that why you moved here to die schmo with.

00:46:53.370 –> 00:47:08.220 Louisa Branscomb: I’m in part, yes, yes I wanted some different things in my life than I could find in the rural area that I was in Georgia, but I also, I think the pandemic was a big part of it happened after I knew it, so I.

00:47:09.540 –> 00:47:15.540 Louisa Branscomb: have not done a workshop in two years, not just because of the pandemic, but because I didn’t know who I was.

00:47:16.860 –> 00:47:19.050 Louisa Branscomb: And I also haven’t written very many songs so.

00:47:21.300 –> 00:47:33.690 Louisa Branscomb: Actually, it was a song that I wrote about a week ago that I’m kind of clarified to me where I’m at it’s like when you write a song you’re it’s kind of like the guy on the top of the mountain and he’s putting a stake.

00:47:34.170 –> 00:47:37.920 Louisa Branscomb: This is me right now I’m On top of this, a mountain I know who I am.

00:47:38.370 –> 00:47:44.400 Louisa Branscomb: And I’m fascinated by these mountain climbing movies go figure I watch Netflix people climbing mountains, all the time.

00:47:44.940 –> 00:48:02.160 Louisa Branscomb: But um you know because I think I like to understand these amazing things we do as human beings that do bring out our core self and so once I finally had the images come to me in this new song which is the one we talked about me playing.

00:48:03.570 –> 00:48:11.400 Louisa Branscomb: I was ready to do a retreat so after I wrote this song about a week ago and I don’t even know if it’s a good song, yet it might not be but.

00:48:11.970 –> 00:48:25.500 Louisa Branscomb: It clarified it spoke to me and said, this is who you are This is where you are, and now I can authentically bring people back together again and do a new retreat and I know what we’ll be talking about.

00:48:26.160 –> 00:48:37.710 Joseph McElroy: wow was that I mean that I mean I think that’s a good illustration of what artists go through in their life having those moments where they feel.

00:48:38.790 –> 00:48:44.340 Joseph McElroy: lost when they’re able to find their way back again in a different way, so that’s fabulous.

00:48:46.200 –> 00:48:52.680 Joseph McElroy: So you know we’re having a new retreat at what’s I’m sorry I’m losing the name of it right, the second.

00:48:53.910 –> 00:48:54.600 Louisa Branscomb: Mountain.

00:48:54.960 –> 00:48:57.990 Joseph McElroy: Mountain and that’s going to be in the Asheville area.

00:48:58.740 –> 00:49:06.750 Louisa Branscomb: Yes, that’s I’m sitting at lyric mountain right now and we were in spot on our which is close to Asheville and black mountain and.

00:49:07.410 –> 00:49:17.370 Louisa Branscomb: it’s a little mountain farm instead of a big goal experience in Georgia cotton environment is it’s lovely and we’ve been working on the main House here all year and getting it ready so.

00:49:18.480 –> 00:49:20.580 Joseph McElroy: It will be natural I’m gonna have to come out and visit right.

00:49:20.760 –> 00:49:21.000 Okay.

00:49:22.890 –> 00:49:23.400 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:49:24.660 –> 00:49:29.130 Joseph McElroy: Bring the kids out there for a little that sort of thing so what’s the first retreat.

00:49:29.850 –> 00:49:47.040 Louisa Branscomb: I’m thinking it that it will be the second weekend in July July 8 weekend and my friends Johnny and Jeanette Williams, who are wonderful Appalachian players are all levels of songs from traditional to cutting-edge.

00:49:48.210 –> 00:49:53.550 Louisa Branscomb: Johnny and Jeanette are from Danville and they’re coming down I’ve been on my retreats for many, many years and.

00:49:54.390 –> 00:50:05.610 Louisa Branscomb: we’ll have a small group and it’ll be an experiential workshop and plenty of time to share songs and enjoy the new setting and maybe the new setting will inspire us and some different ways we’ll probably talk about that too.

00:50:06.480 –> 00:50:08.100 Joseph McElroy: Well that’d be great I mean that.

00:50:10.350 –> 00:50:19.980 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to hearing how that comes out so you know you mentioned that you had a song to sing us sing that song.

00:50:20.670 –> 00:50:22.920 Louisa Branscomb: I think I’d be glad to try it out on you.

00:50:25.980 –> 00:50:30.540 Louisa Branscomb: My process with this song is how do you write.

00:50:32.160 –> 00:50:37.500 Louisa Branscomb: How can you do justice and a song to everything going on right now around us.

00:50:38.940 –> 00:50:50.550 Louisa Branscomb: there’s been where we’re in a new era, I think sometime in the darkness of the pandemic, we all got catapulted into a new era and we’re waking up to.

00:50:51.240 –> 00:50:56.850 Louisa Branscomb: What it even is we don’t even know how to be yet it’s such a profound quantum.

00:50:57.480 –> 00:51:12.960 Louisa Branscomb: change, and so I didn’t know how to write a song capture that and then I realized going back to steel rails it’s just images that we can connect with that make us feel compassion and a sense of meaning and that’s all this song is as a couple of those images, but.

00:51:14.550 –> 00:51:22.470 Louisa Branscomb: One of them came from a show, I saw the iceberg melting another came from the.

00:51:23.580 –> 00:51:31.680 Louisa Branscomb: newscast I saw it on Anderson Cooper you may have seen it on any channel it’s a little girl in Ukraine standing on the table and singing.

00:51:32.520 –> 00:51:41.490 Louisa Branscomb: She was five years old, seven years old, and this bombed-out basement with all these people crowd it in with wounds and bleed.

00:51:42.180 –> 00:51:47.700 Louisa Branscomb: blasted and tattered I’m sure you know a lot of people saw this beautiful news clip.

00:51:48.300 –> 00:52:05.130 Louisa Branscomb: And you saw the spirit of humanity just wake up and everyone in that room when that little girl started singing and one more time, I was reminded about the incredible power of music to transform and heal so that’s in the song too and it’s called gold in the dark

00:52:10.980 –> 00:52:14.760 Louisa Branscomb: I don’t know watch come over me.

00:52:17.820 –> 00:52:20.250 Louisa Branscomb: I just can do nothing right.

00:52:21.750 –> 00:52:28.470 Louisa Branscomb: seems like the world is burning and likewise clock stopped turn and clockwise.

00:52:29.610 –> 00:52:32.400 Louisa Branscomb: we’re all ships in the night.

00:52:34.380 –> 00:52:44.430 Louisa Branscomb: At the edge of the mountain made a wrong, I can count on me your face and the wind on my heart.

00:52:46.230 –> 00:52:56.550 Louisa Branscomb: stairs know when and when the wars one and you and I don’t need one and you’re my gold in the dark.

00:53:00.000 –> 00:53:03.600 Louisa Branscomb: By their last run out of time.

00:53:05.880 –> 00:53:08.670 Louisa Branscomb: She was women for her life.

00:53:10.950 –> 00:53:18.690 Louisa Branscomb: Like every homeless so with nowhere else to go all she needed was.

00:53:20.160 –> 00:53:20.640 Louisa Branscomb: high.

00:53:22.650 –> 00:53:32.760 Louisa Branscomb: At the edge of the mountain I need a rock I can count on need your face at the window of my heart and.

00:53:34.440 –> 00:53:43.980 Louisa Branscomb: there’s no when the wars one year and I don’t need one and your my gold in the dark

00:53:46.860 –> 00:53:49.230 Louisa Branscomb: mom is out of town.

00:53:50.340 –> 00:53:54.450 Louisa Branscomb: Will just call somewhere where everything was hopeless and.

00:53:55.470 –> 00:53:56.490 Louisa Branscomb: So wrong.

00:53:58.860 –> 00:54:08.670 Louisa Branscomb: a seven-year-old girls she stood up on a chair there and efficiently began to sing this song.

00:54:09.720 –> 00:54:20.010 Louisa Branscomb: I’m at the edge of the mountain need a rock I can count on need your face at the window of my heart.

00:54:21.480 –> 00:54:28.230 Louisa Branscomb: Because there’s no when and when this was done and you and I don’t need one and you’re my gold in the dark. you’re my gold in the dark.

00:54:43.200 –> 00:54:48.120 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness that was fantastic oh Thank you so much, that was an honor to have that played on the show.

00:54:49.860 –> 00:54:50.250 Joseph McElroy: You know.

00:54:51.270 –> 00:54:54.240 Joseph McElroy: that’s there’s not really much to say after that.

00:54:57.900 –> 00:55:09.030 Joseph McElroy: it’s been wonderful talking to you, is there a is there ways people can find out more about what you do and information to follow up from this program a website, or something like that.

00:55:09.600 –> 00:55:18.480 Louisa Branscomb: my website is Louisa Branscom online and my Facebook page is of course I’m visible on Facebook and my.

00:55:19.320 –> 00:55:25.410 Louisa Branscomb: email is branscombmusic@gmail.com and i’d love to hear from anyone about anything related to songwriting.

00:55:25.680 –> 00:55:35.760 Louisa Branscomb: we’re a community and not I’ve never met a songwriter I didn’t really like or anyone who’s interested in helping a songwriter and being part of the Community and I sure appreciate what you guys are doing to.

00:55:36.510 –> 00:55:40.050 Joseph McElroy: Thank you it’s we are a Community of art and.

00:55:42.870 –> 00:55:46.110 Joseph McElroy: Culture and it’s sort of special so.

00:55:47.550 –> 00:55:54.390 Joseph McElroy: This is the gateway to the smokies podcast we’re on Facebook.com/gatewayto thesmokiespodcast

00:55:55.800 –> 00:56:05.250 Joseph McElroy: we’re also on talkradio.NYC where the live broadcast goes out to many people in New York City and others around the world.

00:56:06.000 –> 00:56:13.650 Joseph McElroy: The talkradio.nyc network is interesting Okay, but I recommend going to look at the many other programs, they have they’re all live podcasts.

00:56:13.920 –> 00:56:19.800 Joseph McElroy: ranging from self-help the small business to other travel shows, I have another one on here as well, called wise content creates wealth.

00:56:20.280 –> 00:56:30.240 Joseph McElroy: Which is about marketing and the age of Ai and content and next week we’ll have another next week is a rerun because I am moving next week.

00:56:31.110 –> 00:56:49.410 Joseph McElroy: Now to Asheville North Carolina but then the week after that we’ll have a live program on Tuesdays for a gateway to the smokies from six until 7 pm and again thank you Louisa for being on the show today it’s been a pleasure, I look forward to seeing you again.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/d7FKBKEoBB/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/6287ed074467ae1dcb470977_20220517-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/05/17 - Lyric Mountain and Woodsong Songwriting Retreats"></a></p><p>GUEST: <strong>Louisa Branscomb</strong></p><p><strong>In this episode, you&#39;ll learn about the changing environment of songwriting retreats, what motivates someone to bring their talent for writing music to share in an artistic retreat-like environment and the importance of having a mentor guiding your creative efforts.</strong></p><p>Joseph is joined by our special guest <strong>Louisa Branscomb</strong>, an Award-Winning Songwriter, Musician, Bandleader, Teacher, Psychologist, Author, and Pioneer Trailblazer in Bluegrass music. She is a Grammy-winning songwriter behind such iconic songs as &#34;Steel Rails,&#34; made famous by Allison Krause. Louisa was one of the first females to ever front their own bluegrass band, while also writing original material and playing the banjo.</p><p>Louisa has spent the past 33 years combining her talents and passions to lead songwriting events at her artist retreat—first at Woodsong Farm, in north Georgia, and today at Lyric Mountain Songwriter Retreat near Asheville, N.C. Still active as a performer and writer, she has mentored over 1,000 songwriters during the course of her storied career, including several multiple generational students.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this episode!</p><p>Website: <a href="https://louisabranscomb.com/" rel="nofollow">https://louisabranscomb.com/</a></p><p>‍<strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/d7FKBKEoBB/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph mentions his sponsor, the Meadowlark Motel and smokiesadventure.com. Some upcoming events include Slingshots in the Smokies from May 31st to June 4th. There&#39;s also the Plottfest Reunion Weekend from June 3rd to the 5th. He also introduces his guest, Louisa Branscomb, an Award-Winning Songwriter, Musician, Bandleader, Teacher, Psychologist, Author, and Pioneer Trailblazer in Bluegrass music. Lousia started writing melodies at the age of four. She says that we hear melodies all around us and especially as a child, we have the freedom to be tuned in. Louisa says that one of the key ingredients of songwriting is putting yourself in someone else&#39;s shoes. She also mentions Davy Crockett is one of her favorite songs she would sing as a kid.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>At age 11, Louisa won first place at the Alabama Student Music Composition Contest and performed with the Birmingham Symphony in front of a large crowd of about 2,000 people. Louisa says that when you compose, it connects you to other people. Music brings people together. Louisa also talks about going to Randolph College because she loved the Appalachians. After graduating, she ended up in North Carolina. Louisa says that she learned to play bluegrass music during college with a good friend who was a banjo player and fell in love with it. They even created a small band together. She went to N.C to play bluegrass along with the band and had written hundreds of songs by then. Her first chart hit was in Japan and the song was called “Blue Ridge Memories.” Louisa also talks about her reason for pursuing education and psychology. She always had a fascination with people and the human spirit. She also had been on the road for 10 years and felt like she needed a break from it. But she says that being a woman on the road in the 70s was incredible and inspiring. When asked about how she did both play bluegrass and study psychology and education, she says that her heart has always had two directions and an interest in how we transform our lives as well as how we use our creativity. She also mentions being inspired by her father.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Louisa talks about starting the Woodsong Farm Songwriters Retreat in North Georgia in 1987. She admits that many things that she has done in her life are because she is simply drawn to them or moved by some kind of passion about it. Her creativity comes out in nature like being on her farm. Those moments when we have that connection with what makes us most human, that&#39;s usually the best place to write from. She wanted to share the farm as a place that nurtured people as writers. Louisa says that songwriters who have been to her retreat on this farm have described it as safe and inspiring with nature all around whenever they would pass by and make their way in. There was an implicit trust that the farm gave and it let them give up their guard and let down their normal defenses that we all have sometimes to protect ourselves from the world. It allowed them to connect with each other and songs. Some of the things that Louisa hopes made her a good teacher as a songwriter instructor are the same ingredients that made her interested in connecting with people through sharing and understanding people&#39;s journeys as a psychologist. They also discuss the incredible impact of going to retreats not only for creativity but for life in general. Louisa hasn’t done a retreat again since the pandemic began, but she also speaks about trying to find herself within these times as well. She’ll return to doing the retreats in the Asheville area at Lyric Mountain starting in July. Lousia also sings a beautiful song for us. The process with this song was her asking how can you do justice in a song to everything going on right now? She describes it as images of it all and describes some of the unfortunate events in the world today which has also reminded her about the power of music to transform and heal. The song she sings is called “Gold in the Dark.” You can find out more about Louisa at louisabranscomb.com. You can also search for her on Facebook and her email is branscombmusic@gmail.com</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:29.880 –&gt; 00:00:41.880 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about america’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:42.360 –&gt; 00:00:50.880 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty, a deep-storied history, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with the weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:51.630 –&gt; 00:01:02.640 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family has lived in the Great Smokies for over 200 years. My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:03.270 –&gt; 00:01:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Today we are going to talk about Lyric Mountain and Woodsong Songwriting Retreats but first a little bit of.</p><p>00:01:12.750 –&gt; 00:01:24.330 Joseph McElroy: Over overhead we got to talk about, first of all, this is my last podcast in New York City I don’t know you know I’ve been doing it between New York and North Carolina but now.</p><p>00:01:24.990 –&gt; 00:01:36.750 Joseph McElroy: we’re me and my family we’re all moving down to Western North Carolina and, hopefully, I can maybe have some of the podcasts out in my backyard, which is just a forest so we’ll see.</p><p>00:01:37.680 –&gt; 00:01:49.650 Joseph McElroy: But I will talk to you to tell you a little bit about some sponsors First, we want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a “Chic Appalachian” feel.</p><p>00:01:50.280 –&gt; 00:02:01.740 Joseph McElroy: A place for adventure and for relaxation. Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream, grill the catch on a fire, and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:02:02.370 –&gt; 00:02:14.760 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds. There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, NC – your Smoky Mountain Adventures Start with Where You Stay.</p><p>00:02:15.630 –&gt; 00:02:21.570 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor is smokiesadventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure singular calm.</p><p>00:02:21.960 –&gt; 00:02:35.160 Joseph McElroy: The Smoky Mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons. Some of the nation’s best hiking trails, waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found right here.</p><p>00:02:35.760 –&gt; 00:02:43.110 Joseph McElroy: Start your adventure by using SmokiesAdventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:</p><p>00:02:43.740 –&gt; 00:02:51.660 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, Cades Cove, and more. Then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment you and your entire family can enjoy.</p><p>00:02:52.020 –&gt; 00:03:07.440 Joseph McElroy: And then, if you have outdoor life events like weddings honeymoons romantic adventures, you can find more information about great places to have that the goal that smokies adventures, be the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountain.</p><p>00:03:08.610 –&gt; 00:03:09.900 Joseph McElroy: there are some events coming up.</p><p>00:03:10.950 –&gt; 00:03:20.010 Joseph McElroy: In Maggie Valley, there’s a Maggie Valley festival grounds that hosts world-class entertainment events such as arts, crafts, car shows, and music concerts.</p><p>00:03:20.550 –&gt; 00:03:31.230 Joseph McElroy: And so on May 31 to June 4 heaven slingshots into smokies, which is a slingshot or type of motorcycle I think they’re known for the three being three wheelers and.</p><p>00:03:31.740 –&gt; 00:03:38.820 Joseph McElroy: A dangerous thing shots in the smokies is, which is known as the super bowl slingshots events will be taking place in Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:03:40.470 –&gt; 00:03:51.840 Joseph McElroy: And there’ll be some new editions this year, and there will be some music and shows and food and all sorts of stuff so check it out.</p><p>00:03:52.800 –&gt; 00:04:04.890 Joseph McElroy: May 31st through June 4 and at the Meadowlark June 3rd to the 5th we’re having the PlottFest Reunion weekend the Plott dog</p><p>00:04:06.120 –&gt; 00:04:27.090 Joseph McElroy: Is the State dog of the North Carolina and the family that brought the dog, to the United States is the Plott family who resided for the most part in Haywood County, and Bob Plott, who is the General Manager of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center and he is leading a.</p><p>00:04:29.160 –&gt; 00:04:37.440 Joseph McElroy: event to bring hot hand aficionados and fans together to celebrate the Plott hound where they’ll have.</p><p>00:04:38.790 –&gt; 00:04:50.040 Joseph McElroy: The officially sanctioned UKC bed show other compact competitions are very special warfare is raffled there’ll be Roundtable discussions with.</p><p>00:04:50.490 –&gt; 00:05:02.460 Joseph McElroy: The Plott breed icons over history programs will be a free Barbecue dinner and there’ll be a traditional country music concert featuring Will Ritter and Tim McWilliams, on Saturday night.</p><p>00:05:03.060 –&gt; 00:05:10.230 Joseph McElroy: This is, this is a huge event last year, everybody loved it, it takes you back in time to hound dogs on the farm.</p><p>00:05:11.490 –&gt; 00:05:16.470 Joseph McElroy: And you get to learn a lot about things and get some memorable story because everybody there’s a storyteller.</p><p>00:05:17.580 –&gt; 00:05:22.530 Joseph McElroy: Also to Meadowlark and August 12 and 13th, we’re having a Songwriters Camp.</p><p>00:05:23.550 –&gt; 00:05:34.590 Joseph McElroy: it’s a songwriters camp in concert with Grammy-winning artist Jim Lauderdale and Charles Humphrey III along with Award-winning artists, such as Darren Nicholson, Clay Mills, and Charles Chamberlain.</p><p>00:05:35.130 –&gt; 00:05:39.660 Joseph McElroy: it’s a two-day event of interactive songwriting structure of world-class musicians.</p><p>00:05:40.110 –&gt; 00:05:47.070 Joseph McElroy: And a DEMO tape will produce will be produced for each participant and there’ll be a concert of songs from the road band on Friday night.</p><p>00:05:47.490 –&gt; 00:05:57.480 Joseph McElroy: And a Barbecue dinner, and also our concert on Saturday night there’s going to be a unique event like no other in space will be limited to ensure individual attention is given to all participants.</p><p>00:05:57.960 –&gt; 00:06:08.670 Joseph McElroy: The price of $670 per person includes all the activities and DEMO dates and concerts and Barbecue dinner and then their special pricing for rooms.</p><p>00:06:09.000 –&gt; 00:06:20.130 Joseph McElroy: And there’ll be room packages as well call 8289261717 for details and there’s also a limited amount of concert tickets available for the general public and</p><p>00:06:20.670 –&gt; 00:06:28.680 Joseph McElroy: Those are available on both Friday and Saturday night then they’re $30 each and again, you can reserve your spot by calling 82896 1717.</p><p>00:06:29.970 –&gt; 00:06:37.860 Joseph McElroy: So somebody who knows about songwriting probably should be teaching that songwriting player to care for having a row.</p><p>00:06:39.600 –&gt; 00:06:49.680 Joseph McElroy: She is Louisa Branscomb, Alabama native Louisa Branscomb, is a Grammy-award-winning songwriter, musician, bandleader, teacher, psychologist, author,</p><p>00:06:49.980 –&gt; 00:06:57.330 Joseph McElroy: and a pioneer trailblazer in the bluegrass music and clinical psychology fields.</p><p>00:06:57.870 –&gt; 00:07:11.670 Joseph McElroy: She has spent the past 33 years combining her talents and passions to lead songwriting events at her artist’s retreat—first at Woodsong Farm, in north Georgia, and today at Lyric Mountain Songwriter Retreat near Asheville, North Carolina.</p><p>00:07:12.270 –&gt; 00:07:19.200 Joseph McElroy: She has mentored over 1000 songwriters during her storied career. Hello, Louisa.</p><p>00:07:19.770 –&gt; 00:07:22.230 Louisa Branscomb: Good evening nice to see you here.</p><p>00:07:22.320 –&gt; 00:07:35.760 Joseph McElroy: Yes, good, hey I read somewhere that you started writing melodies at the age of four now I have, I have a daughter about to turn four making up songs is that for 10 well?</p><p>00:07:37.500 –&gt; 00:07:51.300 Louisa Branscomb: I think you know we hear melodies all around us, we just don’t call the melodies whether it’s the refrigerator or the birds or and I think you know in kids have the freedom to be tuned in their thinking and melodies from age four yeah I think it’s great.</p><p>00:07:52.020 –&gt; 00:07:58.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s great, what do you remember your first saw me from or maybe soon after where you can post something.</p><p>00:07:58.920 –&gt; 00:08:03.600 Louisa Branscomb: Yes, I do remember it or what it was about because it’s not very profound.</p><p>00:08:04.080 –&gt; 00:08:05.940 Joseph McElroy: that’s all right What was it?</p><p>00:08:06.570 –&gt; 00:08:21.270 Louisa Branscomb: It was called the Is she the fishy and the funny thing is, I actually have learned some lessons about songwriting from this song and the song goes is she the fishy couldn’t be much thinner so we had her for our dinner.</p><p>00:08:23.910 –&gt; 00:08:30.150 Louisa Branscomb: Now what you don’t want to do is try to pick a word that rhymes just because it rhymes like thinner and dinner</p><p>00:08:31.080 –&gt; 00:08:39.630 Louisa Branscomb: But the truth of the matter is, I think one of the key ingredients of songwriting is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.</p><p>00:08:40.230 –&gt; 00:08:54.030 Louisa Branscomb: In this case, fish and feel compassion and think about what it is like from their point of view so that’s empathy is what that is, and I think whether we’re writing about a tree or a fish, of course, they don’t have shoes.</p><p>00:08:55.350 –&gt; 00:09:03.420 Louisa Branscomb: be able to n dwell on a person whose life is different from yours and then write about them.</p><p>00:09:04.440 –&gt; 00:09:12.570 Louisa Branscomb: I think teaching our kids to have the freedom to be tuned in and feel compassion for things around them is just a wonderful thing.</p><p>00:09:13.110 –&gt; 00:09:28.500 Louisa Branscomb: So that’s what I learned as an adult from is she the fishy it was at a birthday party and the poor fish was caught on a hook and, by the way, that that’s probably a metaphor to caught on the hook because of the first thing that happened a song as a hook.</p><p>00:09:30.990 –&gt; 00:09:38.700 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s good that you remember it, you know I remember my first painting, you know I do a little bit of art and yeah I was, I was yeah.</p><p>00:09:39.300 –&gt; 00:09:57.240 Joseph McElroy: You don’t want to get yeah and there’s one school of painting trying to evoke emotion right and yeah, and so I probably would have been probably sensors I myself in that school, but my first one was a little bit over the top, it was a flower with the tear on it.</p><p>00:10:01.260 –&gt; 00:10:08.610 Louisa Branscomb: it’s over the top, compared to what we seem to value these days in the culture, but it’s really what’s needed, I think, is.</p><p>00:10:09.390 –&gt; 00:10:19.830 Louisa Branscomb: You know, and that you know we look back on these stories and they seem kind of embarrassing, but really they have the ingredients for life, the ingredients for arts, job in the world, which is to bring us back.</p><p>00:10:20.220 –&gt; 00:10:30.750 Louisa Branscomb: To the flower in the tier which reminds me of you know my favorite song was a Davy Crockett because I mean I thought the idea of a frontier was just awesome and only I thought it was fun tier.</p><p>00:10:31.080 –&gt; 00:10:31.410 So.</p><p>00:10:32.550 –&gt; 00:10:38.610 Louisa Branscomb: my grandmother saw me playing on the rug and I said I was singing Davy Crockett I just definitely wanted to be a pioneer and.</p><p>00:10:39.240 –&gt; 00:10:50.400 Louisa Branscomb: I but I called her in from the kitchen and said what’s a frontier, and she said well like on this rug everything past the edge of the rug that’s the frontier, and I said grandmother it’s fontier, and she said.</p><p>00:10:53.130 –&gt; 00:10:57.450 Louisa Branscomb: Oh, I thought you always have fun and but they’re still tears and I’m.</p><p>00:10:59.310 –&gt; 00:10:59.760 Joseph McElroy: Good that.</p><p>00:11:02.100 –&gt; 00:11:02.820 Joseph McElroy: you’re you.</p><p>00:11:03.000 –&gt; 00:11:04.740 Joseph McElroy: You are getting deep early was to.</p><p>00:11:06.720 –&gt; 00:11:26.220 Louisa Branscomb: figure it all out, you know I had had an interest in trying to understand, I think the unknown and, and so I don’t know if I was really cut out to be a pioneer or not, but it was my favorite song and you look back on these things and we find you know we were probably right.</p><p>00:11:28.440 –&gt; 00:11:36.360 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know it’s funny that you say that you know my two children, I have two and a half year old, but you know actually three now what am I talking about.</p><p>00:11:37.590 –&gt; 00:11:45.750 Joseph McElroy: That we named them, you know short interesting names, but there were sort of classic names and we and we started I started seeing a little tune to theirs.</p><p>00:11:46.050 –&gt; 00:11:51.600 Joseph McElroy: To their names early on, I still do, to this day, they do it for both of them because I both want to have them.</p><p>00:11:51.990 –&gt; 00:12:06.240 Joseph McElroy: You know, to try to figure out what that what it means, and a sense of adventure and flies and it’s to the tune of davy crockett now go Henry Henry Wyatt king of the wild frontier yeah on the Rose Queen of the wild frontier.</p><p>00:12:08.370 –&gt; 00:12:10.140 Louisa Branscomb: I’m sure that’ll sink at some level.</p><p>00:12:10.200 –&gt; 00:12:12.660 Joseph McElroy: At some point, that sometimes they’ll figure out.</p><p>00:12:13.350 –&gt; 00:12:18.510 Louisa Branscomb: it’s going to be Joseph, hope you’ll like the unknown territory that they decide to jump into.</p><p>00:12:19.170 –&gt; 00:12:21.420 Joseph McElroy: They are already doing it, let me tell you.</p><p>00:12:25.290 –&gt; 00:12:41.040 Joseph McElroy: Well, listen, we have to take a break already it’s been interesting quite so far, and let’s get back into getting into clinical psychology and other things that you’re doing and talk about your course your music all right talk to you soon.</p><p>00:14:56.910 –&gt; 00:15:10.740 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcasts and my guest Louisa Branscomb so Louisa you were born out in the Adirondacks and then you got raised, mostly in Alabama.</p><p>00:15:12.120 –&gt; 00:15:24.030 Joseph McElroy: And you were a prodigy at age 11 you won first place at the Alabama student music composition contest and perform with Birmingham simply before an audience of 2000 what was that, like for a young girl.</p><p>00:15:24.750 –&gt; 00:15:26.880 Louisa Branscomb: Well, I sort of froze and.</p><p>00:15:27.900 –&gt; 00:15:36.810 Louisa Branscomb: White about 65 and the conductor was trying to get me to play louder and I just got quieter and quieter and, at the end, he finished with a big flourish.</p><p>00:15:37.740 –&gt; 00:15:46.380 Louisa Branscomb: And I don’t I don’t remember the rest of the day, but actually as I look back, I will you know he started looking back at some point in life, and you realize.</p><p>00:15:46.890 –&gt; 00:15:57.150 Louisa Branscomb: There are lessons in the memories that we keep for some reason, I think that that blessing and that was the idea that I might create something that had worth.</p><p>00:15:58.470 –&gt; 00:16:09.150 Louisa Branscomb: 11 and it was a tall order for me, I was very shy, but I learned about this thing that when you compose it connects you to other people and.</p><p>00:16:09.540 –&gt; 00:16:22.380 Louisa Branscomb: Then they’re all these musicians playing my song and and at some level, I think I must have learned about how music brings people together and that’s been a theme of what i’ve wanted to do in my life, all my life really.</p><p>00:16:22.650 –&gt; 00:16:24.120 Joseph McElroy: No, was it classical music.</p><p>00:16:24.420 –&gt; 00:16:36.780 Louisa Branscomb: Yes, it would was well, I mean it had a melody I mean i’m very melodic I was making these but it yeah I played it on the piano when it has to be classical music it wasn’t very sophisticated so.</p><p>00:16:36.960 –&gt; 00:16:38.400 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re 11 but.</p><p>00:16:39.960 –&gt; 00:16:47.460 Joseph McElroy: You had a country I heard you had a country music and singing cousin the Texas named Ben who gave you your first guitar.</p><p>00:16:47.880 –&gt; 00:16:51.180 Joseph McElroy: And he was he brought you into the country music world did he.</p><p>00:16:51.570 –&gt; 00:17:01.770 Louisa Branscomb: Yes, he said, you can’t play that Mexican guitar with nylon strings anymore, and I got back to college and he had sent me a Martin double I 21 and I still have that guitar I love it.</p><p>00:17:02.610 –&gt; 00:17:08.100 Joseph McElroy: And that’s you where at random woman’s calls now it’s known or unknown is Randolph college well why’d you go there.</p><p>00:17:08.970 –&gt; 00:17:10.650 Louisa Branscomb: I love the Appalachians.</p><p>00:17:12.390 –&gt; 00:17:15.420 Louisa Branscomb: I think, almost and looking back and actually it was yells.</p><p>00:17:15.930 –&gt; 00:17:27.030 Louisa Branscomb: topics for tonight that made me recognize that I’ve been like the little pin that you put down on your GPS, you know I’ve been like this little pin that went up and down the Appalachians all my life from.</p><p>00:17:27.330 –&gt; 00:17:34.170 Louisa Branscomb: sort of up in Virginia, all the way down to the ridges where the mountain starts in Alabama and right now.</p><p>00:17:35.190 –&gt; 00:17:40.620 Louisa Branscomb: Asheville North Carolina and I guess, they must have sort of run through my soul.</p><p>00:17:42.270 –&gt; 00:17:45.960 Louisa Branscomb: I wasn’t aware of that, I was sort of everywhere I’ve been it’s been.</p><p>00:17:46.890 –&gt; 00:17:47.970 Joseph McElroy: let’s kind of interesting.</p><p>00:17:48.570 –&gt; 00:17:59.760 Joseph McElroy: One you got a long way to go, cuz you know if you consider Appalachian you going all the way up with 3000 miles, all the way, but not only that like 100 million years ago there was even longer.</p><p>00:18:00.060 –&gt; 00:18:09.330 Joseph McElroy: a trail that broken to in the continent split now the other parts over in Ireland and Scottish there’s an international Appalachian trail so you’ve got a lot of places yet to live.</p><p>00:18:12.150 –&gt; 00:18:13.440 Louisa Branscomb: Those delta miles going.</p><p>00:18:14.100 –&gt; 00:18:14.970 Joseph McElroy: To get those.</p><p>00:18:16.140 –&gt; 00:18:23.130 Joseph McElroy: So, so you said that you ended up in North Carolina after you graduated What did you go to their specifically</p><p>00:18:24.150 –&gt; 00:18:24.510 Joseph McElroy: Was it.</p><p>00:18:25.170 –&gt; 00:18:25.830 Louisa Branscomb: took me there.</p><p>00:18:26.160 –&gt; 00:18:27.330 Joseph McElroy: You guys took you there.</p><p>00:18:27.510 –&gt; 00:18:36.510 Louisa Branscomb: I learned to play bluegrass at Randolph macon woman’s college, with a good friend named Sally one guy, who was a great banjo player and.</p><p>00:18:37.260 –&gt; 00:18:47.370 Louisa Branscomb: And I just fell in love with it instantly, and so I got a flat pick and got my steel string guitar and we had a little band and but I went to.</p><p>00:18:47.940 –&gt; 00:18:59.400 Louisa Branscomb: Winston Salem my first job was there at Bowman Gray school of medicine, but I really went there to play bluegrass it was a wonderful seat of bluegrass music and I’ve kind of found out that each Center of.</p><p>00:19:00.870 –&gt; 00:19:15.450 Louisa Branscomb: Of acoustic music has its own personality, so I learned an awful lot in the beginning, from the Winston Salem mount airy hills dil de lacks fancy get players and we play a lot of square dances and that’s how I got my chops.</p><p>00:19:15.690 –&gt; 00:19:16.140 Louisa Branscomb: And me.</p><p>00:19:16.380 –&gt; 00:19:26.100 Louisa Branscomb: I was just on fire to the right, so I had written I guess about 500 songs that I had been careful with that time and I had written steel rails so that was in 1971.</p><p>00:19:26.790 –&gt; 00:19:29.310 Joseph McElroy: what’s your first chart it was actually in Japan right.</p><p>00:19:30.390 –&gt; 00:19:33.600 Louisa Branscomb: yeah amazing how much you know about me that I promise.</p><p>00:19:34.950 –&gt; 00:19:38.850 Louisa Branscomb: It actually was, and it was a song called Blue Ridge memories, here we go again.</p><p>00:19:40.470 –&gt; 00:19:54.000 Louisa Branscomb: It was, I signed that on our first second or first or second boot hill album That was the band I had in Winston Salem with Sam signer and played with throughout the 70s.</p><p>00:19:54.750 –&gt; 00:20:00.900 Joseph McElroy: wow so, but you know also, at the same time, you made the decision to start.</p><p>00:20:01.950 –&gt; 00:20:08.670 Joseph McElroy: Educational psychology and education, what was what spurred you to do that.</p><p>00:20:09.780 –&gt; 00:20:18.300 Louisa Branscomb: Well, I had been on the road playing banjo for 10 years and I decided that I just couldn’t eat McDonald’s hamburgers and.</p><p>00:20:20.490 –&gt; 00:20:27.510 Louisa Branscomb: It was true that I felt like I needed a break from the road being a woman and bluegrass in the 70s.</p><p>00:20:28.860 –&gt; 00:20:30.420 Louisa Branscomb: It was incredible.</p><p>00:20:31.800 –&gt; 00:20:38.400 Louisa Branscomb: edible to be a bluegrass musician during that very creative time and bluegrass moving.</p><p>00:20:38.430 –&gt; 00:20:41.940 Joseph McElroy: Forward Sally with the first women’s bluegrass band right.</p><p>00:20:42.390 –&gt; 00:20:55.080 Louisa Branscomb: We met, we had one, it certainly one of the first and we bluegrass liberation, we were 1971 and up but regardless of gender, just being in bluegrass in the seven was.</p><p>00:20:56.370 –&gt; 00:21:07.320 Louisa Branscomb: It just was so inspiring to be in that shift in the music bringing more younger players on Sam Bush and others at that time, but I also felt like.</p><p>00:21:07.830 –&gt; 00:21:16.170 Louisa Branscomb: Being on the road, I needed a little bright to figure out, who I was and I always had a fascination with people and learning about.</p><p>00:21:16.470 –&gt; 00:21:26.700 Louisa Branscomb: People and kind of the human spirit, how do we survive at all, and so that’s part of what led me to go back to school and psychology but I kept playing I’ve never stopped performing and being in a band.</p><p>00:21:27.450 –&gt; 00:21:34.050 Joseph McElroy: wow so you graduated in 88 with a Ph.D. impressive from Georgia state.</p><p>00:21:36.690 –&gt; 00:21:48.360 Joseph McElroy: You know, thanks for that almost immediately started getting the real success we know they’re either huge song or steel rails with Alison Krauss reporting recorded that you wrote it in the 70s, but it became a big hit 91 didn’t.</p><p>00:21:49.290 –&gt; 00:21:50.190 Louisa Branscomb: um well i’m.</p><p>00:21:51.300 –&gt; 00:22:00.270 Louisa Branscomb: eternally grateful to what Allison did with the song 1991 it had been recorded quite a few times by Van starting with Mel Tillis, believe it or not.</p><p>00:22:01.500 –&gt; 00:22:11.400 Louisa Branscomb: Who, I had the great fortune to meet and spend the day with, and he published on my songs he recorded steel rails, but he didn’t release it, although I do have it.</p><p>00:22:11.820 –&gt; 00:22:28.410 Louisa Branscomb: And then, it was also recorded by the make peace brothers and by my band boot Hill and Allison heard my version of it and unbeknownst to me recorded it and then I found out one very memorable night at the station neon accidentally that she had this hit on steel, or else.</p><p>00:22:28.530 –&gt; 00:22:29.280 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.</p><p>00:22:29.880 –&gt; 00:22:30.990 Joseph McElroy: And what do you think.</p><p>00:22:31.020 –&gt; 00:22:36.420 Joseph McElroy: What do you think about her version why became such a hit and how it actually brought so many new people to bloom.</p><p>00:22:38.820 –&gt; 00:22:41.490 Louisa Branscomb: In a word, because of Allison.</p><p>00:22:43.080 –&gt; 00:22:52.740 Louisa Branscomb: she’s so beyond gifted I don’t think there’s a word for it and Whenever she touches a song, you know it turns to a sole goal or something like that.</p><p>00:22:54.390 –&gt; 00:23:05.730 Louisa Branscomb: I’m saying the heart of that song and it’s a very simple song and as someone who can do simple elegance.</p><p>00:23:06.120 –&gt; 00:23:23.010 Louisa Branscomb: Is Allison she’s always had been such a master of taste and knowing when not to sing and she was so wise beyond her time so to deliver a song that I always thought was sort of dorky and simple and make it.</p><p>00:23:24.300 –&gt; 00:23:40.260 Louisa Branscomb: In her hands so elegant I think that’s a big part of it, but I’ve also you know also thought a lot about why that particular song would appeal to people and I’m still learning what it is that makes a song connect with other people so.</p><p>00:23:41.430 –&gt; 00:23:52.890 Louisa Branscomb: And, and that song, for example, I think it’s the images that the song has almost no conversation almost no sentences as you speak to someone it’s just a string of images.</p><p>00:23:53.430 –&gt; 00:24:04.710 Louisa Branscomb: And the powerful thing about an image is that it allows people to connect with this energy around the image, if you don’t have an image this is too tired.</p><p>00:24:05.400 –&gt; 00:24:14.400 Louisa Branscomb: Or to obscure if you find an image that’s universal law like like the lamp behind me on the mantle, which is an image of that TIM O’Brien used brilliantly.</p><p>00:24:15.990 –&gt; 00:24:27.750 Louisa Branscomb: The lamp is burning on the mantle, I believe, is one of his intro lines on a song and it allows people to immediately connect with their emotions and it bypasses the part of the brain that thinks too much.</p><p>00:24:29.670 –&gt; 00:24:37.050 Louisa Branscomb: Is married time not like any other art form because it’s married to time it passes tied to time.</p><p>00:24:38.190 –&gt; 00:24:52.140 Louisa Branscomb: Or the listener, they have to be able to get your song as it goes by, think of it as a train with windows, they have to get every window, as it goes by, because if they get lost they miss party or song.</p><p>00:24:53.430 –&gt; 00:25:02.220 Louisa Branscomb: the beauty of a song is that most images are people can sort of go into their own reverie about what those images mean to them.</p><p>00:25:02.820 –&gt; 00:25:19.650 Louisa Branscomb: So I asked Allison what’s what was the image that is what draws drew her to the song since I was the last night, and she said it was the line winding through the trees, like a ribbon and the wind, and so I always learned from my songs by people giving me feedback.</p><p>00:25:20.640 –&gt; 00:25:36.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s cool so so you mean it’s very interesting me because right about the same time that you, you know you got your Ph.D. in psychology the clinical psychology and you also started your your your first songwriting camp right.</p><p>00:25:37.860 –&gt; 00:25:44.340 Joseph McElroy: What was it the what would what song farmer songwriting treat and you want to Georgia.</p><p>00:25:45.960 –&gt; 00:25:53.550 Joseph McElroy: And it, you know, then there’s you know there’s a history of musicians getting their PhDs like I think Dr john starling.</p><p>00:25:54.480 –&gt; 00:26:06.600 Joseph McElroy: With the classic seldom seen ban gave up touring because you know, he pursued his professional degree more than he was pursuing, but you seem to have managed to.</p><p>00:26:07.380 –&gt; 00:26:15.420 Joseph McElroy: work at both of them simultaneously for the next 30 years how did you manage that what made you what why, why did you choose one and how did you manage it.</p><p>00:26:16.890 –&gt; 00:26:28.080 Louisa Branscomb: All right, I think that’s a valid question and I’d probably say that my heart had two directions and to leave either one either.</p><p>00:26:28.530 –&gt; 00:26:33.690 Louisa Branscomb: This desire to connect with people and learn about the resilience of the human spirit through.</p><p>00:26:34.440 –&gt; 00:26:44.040 Louisa Branscomb: Being a clinical psychologist and also very interested in creativity and how people transform life, you know we live it’s hard for everyone so.</p><p>00:26:44.760 –&gt; 00:27:02.100 Louisa Branscomb: I think art is one way we transform it and then the other side of me I think music is in my bones, I mean my father took me to blues joint in Birmingham, on the other side of what we used to say, the other side of the tracks where mom didn’t know he was taking me because.</p><p>00:27:03.300 –&gt; 00:27:12.810 Louisa Branscomb: he knew a lot of the people in those clubs, and I was so lucky to be touched by the authenticity.</p><p>00:27:13.290 –&gt; 00:27:31.470 Louisa Branscomb: Of the blues in the African American people in Birmingham is saying in these dives and my father knew, some of them, because he worked with them, they had TB and some of the illnesses that he treated, but my dad played harmonica he played blues harmonica and he played stride piano.</p><p>00:27:31.860 –&gt; 00:27:39.930 Louisa Branscomb: So, and we would walk in, and I was 12 or 13 and they go hey Doc and dad would sit in and play with them and.</p><p>00:27:40.950 –&gt; 00:27:53.280 Louisa Branscomb: Again it’s a story I look back on and think I learned something music joins us together it’s much more important how we’re alike in life than how we’re different.</p><p>00:27:54.330 –&gt; 00:28:01.890 Louisa Branscomb: and seeing my dad I’m surrounded by so much love and the love that he had for other people through his work.</p><p>00:28:03.120 –&gt; 00:28:10.020 Louisa Branscomb: Being a health provider and then through his music, I guess, I tried to carry on and wear both hats myself.</p><p>00:28:11.070 –&gt; 00:28:16.890 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s lovely It makes me think that maybe we should have our politicians sing their position to talk about.</p><p>00:28:18.390 –&gt; 00:28:21.780 Louisa Branscomb: Why them and we should require them to write a song the right.</p><p>00:28:23.190 –&gt; 00:28:23.700 Louisa Branscomb: They are.</p><p>00:28:24.570 –&gt; 00:28:29.220 Joseph McElroy: I will have to take another break and we’ll come back we’ll talk about your you’re your songwriting.</p><p>00:34:02.130 –&gt; 00:34:13.830 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Louisa Branscomb and I think we have to do everything twice right now right.</p><p>00:34:15.330 –&gt; 00:34:21.810 Joseph McElroy: Get commercials tried twice again intros twice what else can we talk about toys but anyway.</p><p>00:34:25.170 –&gt; 00:34:37.350 Joseph McElroy: So we’ll move on alright so Louise in 1987 mentioned before you started the wood song farm songwriters retreat in North Georgia.</p><p>00:34:38.370 –&gt; 00:34:44.760 Joseph McElroy: So, what was the concept and how did you come to own the farm and or locate your retreats there.</p><p>00:34:45.900 –&gt; 00:34:54.930 Louisa Branscomb: um well I probably have to be honest and say that in my life, a lot of times I do things simply because I’m drawn to them are moved by.</p><p>00:34:56.640 –&gt; 00:34:57.390 Louisa Branscomb: some kind of.</p><p>00:34:58.440 –&gt; 00:35:10.410 Louisa Branscomb: passion about it, but then I don’t figure out the concept until later So when I look back, I know that for me when I’m I do my best, creating when I’m in nature, or at least surrounded by.</p><p>00:35:11.370 –&gt; 00:35:22.620 Louisa Branscomb: Nature in a beautiful setting where all of the stress of life seems way far away, and for me, that was my farm and I felt like my farm gave me this connection to my own.</p><p>00:35:23.160 –&gt; 00:35:28.590 Louisa Branscomb: Humanity you know when we’re not stressed and we’re not having to be anxious and afraid about things around us.</p><p>00:35:29.310 –&gt; 00:35:37.500 Louisa Branscomb: That really helps dissolve a lot of our defenses where we can be in touch with what makes us most human and those are usually.</p><p>00:35:37.830 –&gt; 00:35:47.430 Louisa Branscomb: that’s usually the best place to write from, so I think I was probably wanting to share the farm as a place that nurtured people as writers.</p><p>00:35:47.730 –&gt; 00:35:54.060 Louisa Branscomb: And there’s something about the past as well, like when we’re connected to two people in the past, who have had a hard-working.</p><p>00:35:54.630 –&gt; 00:36:12.990 Louisa Branscomb: work ethic which is true of the Appalachians and true of North Georgia is in the southern tip of the Appalachians with cotton farming that my farm is the cotton farm it was 150 years old and had many relics around me I was only I was the first new families on it so.</p><p>00:36:14.460 –&gt; 00:36:23.310 Louisa Branscomb: It gave me a connection deep deeper than my life, you know to other lives, where music was so important, were the two.</p><p>00:36:24.000 –&gt; 00:36:35.880 Louisa Branscomb: Girls in the family, saying, listen to the mockingbird and put salt on there, you know they lift salt, out of a spoon because I thought it made me sing better and when they played on my album there was like salt all over the floor.</p><p>00:36:37.260 –&gt; 00:36:44.880 Louisa Branscomb: You know these things that brought me back to the essential Appalachian heritage, like a song like listening to a mockingbird.</p><p>00:36:46.290 –&gt; 00:36:50.040 Louisa Branscomb: That grounded me and my own creativity so though I’ve tried to be.</p><p>00:36:51.720 –&gt; 00:36:55.590 Louisa Branscomb: New or have my own unique way of writing as we all do.</p><p>00:36:56.280 –&gt; 00:37:04.440 Louisa Branscomb: I’m very aware that it comes from this thread that goes deep into the heart of the mountains, that I come from, and that that’s a big part of me, so I try to.</p><p>00:37:04.740 –&gt; 00:37:16.410 Louisa Branscomb: I try to bring that setting to other writers and that that cultural history we don’t have to talk about you can just look at like the old ironing board in the corner over here, am I going to write why.</p><p>00:37:17.640 –&gt; 00:37:20.250 Louisa Branscomb: you’re here it is over there.</p><p>00:37:21.270 –&gt; 00:37:24.060 Louisa Branscomb: is a reminder of.</p><p>00:37:25.740 –&gt; 00:37:35.910 Louisa Branscomb: When life was not easier, but more transparent, simpler than we all need, I think it helps us to reconnect with ourselves.</p><p>00:37:36.810 –&gt; 00:37:49.860 Joseph McElroy: Is that what was the so bringing people into a sort of elemental environment was part of the plan for the songwriting retreat, it was actually a real retreat from everything.</p><p>00:37:50.430 –&gt; 00:37:58.290 Louisa Branscomb: A real retreat and then we always had a theme that somehow was designed to make a place that was.</p><p>00:37:59.340 –&gt; 00:38:02.880 Louisa Branscomb: nurturing and inspirational for songwriters and that.</p><p>00:38:03.540 –&gt; 00:38:09.540 Louisa Branscomb: And I think that the farm itself was the biggest teacher without being spelled out when people.</p><p>00:38:09.810 –&gt; 00:38:19.680 Louisa Branscomb: And I’ve had this feedback from songwriters now, for you know 35 years is that when they cross the threshold to the farm they felt in another world that was safe.</p><p>00:38:20.070 –&gt; 00:38:30.000 Louisa Branscomb: and inspiring with nature all around and the songs of the birds and the songs of the attractor in the distance and the train and the distance all of these things.</p><p>00:38:31.260 –&gt; 00:38:41.400 Louisa Branscomb: Let I think lead people dissolve these normal defenses that we have to protect us from the world, and let us connect more quickly with each other and trust each other.</p><p>00:38:42.420 –&gt; 00:38:59.250 Louisa Branscomb: sort of there was just an implicit trust that the farm, I think, gave and that allowed us to be better songwriters and to listen to each other’s work and be inspired because you didn’t have to try to protect yourself a world away from the real world.</p><p>00:39:00.150 –&gt; 00:39:04.620 Joseph McElroy: And and did you combine your psychology into your retreats as well.</p><p>00:39:05.370 –&gt; 00:39:17.310 Louisa Branscomb: But not in an intentional way again and I think, looking back on some of the things that I hope make me a good teacher as a songwriter instructor.</p><p>00:39:18.300 –&gt; 00:39:29.040 Louisa Branscomb: These are the same ingredients that have made me interested in connecting with people through sharing people’s journeys as a psychologist and understanding people’s journeys.</p><p>00:39:29.460 –&gt; 00:39:46.320 Louisa Branscomb: I feel more of a facilitator than a teacher and I think that’s when we’re our best is when we’re listening to the other person and trying to understand what they’re trying to say whether it’s a conversation or a song or someone sharing their journey and their hardship.</p><p>00:39:47.670 –&gt; 00:39:55.830 Louisa Branscomb: I worked a lot with veterans and I work with veterans at a very young age, because I felt like I was out singing songs about peace.</p><p>00:39:56.160 –&gt; 00:40:04.020 Louisa Branscomb: during the Vietnam War and I wasn’t very grown up and I didn’t really realize what the hardship of war was, and so I wanted to pay it.</p><p>00:40:04.560 –&gt; 00:40:17.430 Louisa Branscomb: forward by working with veterans as a psychologist and I learned so much about how people transform hardship because veterans know about that better than most of us.</p><p>00:40:18.150 –&gt; 00:40:27.690 Louisa Branscomb: And so I was often inspired or I worked with a veteran to help them tell their own story and I’d say hey if you put that in one line.</p><p>00:40:28.140 –&gt; 00:40:43.830 Louisa Branscomb: What would that line be and that’s the hook, and any of us, you can do this yourself if I ask you right now, what is one line that captures how you are in this moment hey I’ll put you on the spot, Joseph What would it be, and you know it’s words or less.</p><p>00:40:44.280 –&gt; 00:40:45.390 Joseph McElroy: Of a transition.</p><p>00:40:46.020 –&gt; 00:40:51.030 Louisa Branscomb: yeah OK so moving on or our transition was a little long for.</p><p>00:40:51.690 –&gt; 00:40:53.250 Joseph McElroy: Moving on to the new phase of life.</p><p>00:40:53.640 –&gt; 00:41:13.800 Louisa Branscomb: yeah you know new phase of life there you have it, a new phase of the moon, and you know there’s a lot of you know, the eclipses over you phase of life so when you work with those images and but back to something more important, which is as humans, we get so cut off from our humanity.</p><p>00:41:14.970 –&gt; 00:41:20.790 Louisa Branscomb: Because we’re so busy trying to protect ourselves from that onslaught of information and.</p><p>00:41:21.270 –&gt; 00:41:30.180 Louisa Branscomb: In the hardship around us and all around the world, and so we need these places where we can let down and find our creativity.</p><p>00:41:30.750 –&gt; 00:41:47.160 Louisa Branscomb: and find our own humanity and that’s the thread that connects us to some universal experience or image that that’s what a song touches other people with so there’s an intimate connection between being safe and the natural world.</p><p>00:41:48.210 –&gt; 00:41:50.160 Louisa Branscomb: I believe, to be creative.</p><p>00:41:50.700 –&gt; 00:42:00.030 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve done it several times here you’ve connected music to healing and you know, and you know, and you know.</p><p>00:42:02.760 –&gt; 00:42:07.860 Joseph McElroy: Experience internal experience that produces a better world and things like that.</p><p>00:42:08.970 –&gt; 00:42:14.760 Joseph McElroy: Do you have at your retreats jeff’s specific examples of where people have been changed?</p><p>00:42:16.050 –&gt; 00:42:22.650 Louisa Branscomb: I’ve been very touched by some of the stories that I get on after my retreat.</p><p>00:42:24.510 –&gt; 00:42:38.610 Louisa Branscomb: Many times I’ve heard you know I thought I was coming to learn to write songs and I left transform and now, who I am is different, so how I write songs is very different, and that always touches me to here again I.</p><p>00:42:39.840 –&gt; 00:42:54.120 Louisa Branscomb: I just try to create a place and but I’m pretty focused on how I do, that I don’t allow like a lot of interference coming in from other things and I try to establish a set of trust.</p><p>00:42:54.690 –&gt; 00:43:08.880 Louisa Branscomb: I’ve also heard that people came to I thought to learn about songwriting but they felt healed from something in their life in the process of connecting with what they wanted to say in the song.</p><p>00:43:09.390 –&gt; 00:43:09.750 Joseph McElroy: So I.</p><p>00:43:09.960 –&gt; 00:43:15.360 Louisa Branscomb: think that I’ve heard a lot that the songs they wrote it my retreat we’re transforming for them.</p><p>00:43:15.840 –&gt; 00:43:22.860 Louisa Branscomb: And through this, I’ve learned that not only do we transform life by taking a little piece of it and putting it on a song.</p><p>00:43:23.250 –&gt; 00:43:32.250 Louisa Branscomb: But, but our songs transform us and people don’t talk about that much, but I have learned so much by listening to my songs.</p><p>00:43:33.060 –&gt; 00:43:45.690 Louisa Branscomb: That might sound kind of like well, are you listening to yourself, not really in my way of thinking, because, again, I think all of this is creating an open channel through something bigger than me to come through.</p><p>00:43:46.440 –&gt; 00:43:52.710 Louisa Branscomb: something about that, whatever your spirituality is your collective unconscious or the universal human condition.</p><p>00:43:53.130 –&gt; 00:43:54.030 Louisa Branscomb: or odd.</p><p>00:43:55.530 –&gt; 00:44:14.220 Louisa Branscomb: When that’s flowing because I’m open enough for the flow then often I’m surprised by what my song says and they make me feel better they make me know myself better, so I think, maybe that’s the thing, people are picking up on when I say that about the week retreats that I have.</p><p>00:44:14.910 –&gt; 00:44:24.150 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think that you know, I think that retreats are actually incredibly important for people to take in their life right, especially ones that are dealing around creativity, I mean I’ve had some.</p><p>00:44:24.690 –&gt; 00:44:32.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah some fundamental experiences, you know after my second wife died and we’ve been married for 20 years I went to Joseph Campbell’s you know heroes journeys retreat.</p><p>00:44:32.760 –&gt; 00:44:39.450 Joseph McElroy: which was about exploring creativity in life, but the one point they had us do a funeral for something we won’t like go.</p><p>00:44:40.020 –&gt; 00:44:48.450 Joseph McElroy: And you know I just a year earlier than a funeral from my wife, it was I got to thinking about that, but what I ended up doing a funeral for was.</p><p>00:44:49.290 –&gt; 00:45:02.310 Joseph McElroy: For the Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McElroy the identity, the identity that I’d had for 20 years which I hadn’t let go and I needed to say goodbye to properly to move on in my life.</p><p>00:45:02.670 –&gt; 00:45:12.180 Joseph McElroy: And it was a transcendent experience, and that was you know, a creative retreat I think what use what you described here can produce that kind of profound effects for people, I believe.</p><p>00:45:14.160 –&gt; 00:45:23.010 Louisa Branscomb: You just said it brilliantly and not coincidentally I’m hugely influenced by Joseph Campbell’s model of the hero’s journey, and I believe that.</p><p>00:45:23.490 –&gt; 00:45:41.250 Louisa Branscomb: It takes a lot of courage to engage with the one we’re in a huge life transition I’m in one right now, so I don’t feel courageous every day, but I do feel like I’m at that point in the journey when we’re in the dark night of the soul like we’re in the middle of change.</p><p>00:45:41.610 –&gt; 00:45:44.250 Louisa Branscomb: And we’re not to the next place yet like.</p><p>00:45:44.280 –&gt; 00:45:53.940 Louisa Branscomb: There is a death, there is a death of ourselves, and we don’t get to hold on to you know we’re not like those mountain climbers and they’re in a sling and somebody’s going to.</p><p>00:45:54.450 –&gt; 00:46:04.200 Louisa Branscomb: pull the rope it feels like we’re falling off the mountain because we can’t use the same solutions that we had before because we’re changing.</p><p>00:46:04.740 –&gt; 00:46:15.390 Louisa Branscomb: And in the model of the hero’s journey, you have to have that freefall and then you find what it is, you need to say and what it is, you need to do in your life.</p><p>00:46:15.870 –&gt; 00:46:24.000 Louisa Branscomb: That moves your journey forward, and we have to be willing to take the risk of that or like back to Davy Crockett.</p><p>00:46:24.780 –&gt; 00:46:34.830 Louisa Branscomb: One of the wild frontiers of our souls to do that and it’s very uncomfortable and this whole last two and a half years has been very uncomfortable because.</p><p>00:46:35.220 –&gt; 00:46:46.890 Louisa Branscomb: I myself find found I couldn’t stay stuck, because how I was in the world was changing too much, and so I had to find a new part of me to be with the new world.</p><p>00:46:47.520 –&gt; 00:46:48.120 Joseph McElroy: Where you move.</p><p>00:46:48.480 –&gt; 00:46:51.840 Joseph McElroy: To a new is that why you moved here to die schmo with.</p><p>00:46:53.370 –&gt; 00:47:08.220 Louisa Branscomb: I’m in part, yes, yes I wanted some different things in my life than I could find in the rural area that I was in Georgia, but I also, I think the pandemic was a big part of it happened after I knew it, so I.</p><p>00:47:09.540 –&gt; 00:47:15.540 Louisa Branscomb: have not done a workshop in two years, not just because of the pandemic, but because I didn’t know who I was.</p><p>00:47:16.860 –&gt; 00:47:19.050 Louisa Branscomb: And I also haven’t written very many songs so.</p><p>00:47:21.300 –&gt; 00:47:33.690 Louisa Branscomb: Actually, it was a song that I wrote about a week ago that I’m kind of clarified to me where I’m at it’s like when you write a song you’re it’s kind of like the guy on the top of the mountain and he’s putting a stake.</p><p>00:47:34.170 –&gt; 00:47:37.920 Louisa Branscomb: This is me right now I’m On top of this, a mountain I know who I am.</p><p>00:47:38.370 –&gt; 00:47:44.400 Louisa Branscomb: And I’m fascinated by these mountain climbing movies go figure I watch Netflix people climbing mountains, all the time.</p><p>00:47:44.940 –&gt; 00:48:02.160 Louisa Branscomb: But um you know because I think I like to understand these amazing things we do as human beings that do bring out our core self and so once I finally had the images come to me in this new song which is the one we talked about me playing.</p><p>00:48:03.570 –&gt; 00:48:11.400 Louisa Branscomb: I was ready to do a retreat so after I wrote this song about a week ago and I don’t even know if it’s a good song, yet it might not be but.</p><p>00:48:11.970 –&gt; 00:48:25.500 Louisa Branscomb: It clarified it spoke to me and said, this is who you are This is where you are, and now I can authentically bring people back together again and do a new retreat and I know what we’ll be talking about.</p><p>00:48:26.160 –&gt; 00:48:37.710 Joseph McElroy: wow was that I mean that I mean I think that’s a good illustration of what artists go through in their life having those moments where they feel.</p><p>00:48:38.790 –&gt; 00:48:44.340 Joseph McElroy: lost when they’re able to find their way back again in a different way, so that’s fabulous.</p><p>00:48:46.200 –&gt; 00:48:52.680 Joseph McElroy: So you know we’re having a new retreat at what’s I’m sorry I’m losing the name of it right, the second.</p><p>00:48:53.910 –&gt; 00:48:54.600 Louisa Branscomb: Mountain.</p><p>00:48:54.960 –&gt; 00:48:57.990 Joseph McElroy: Mountain and that’s going to be in the Asheville area.</p><p>00:48:58.740 –&gt; 00:49:06.750 Louisa Branscomb: Yes, that’s I’m sitting at lyric mountain right now and we were in spot on our which is close to Asheville and black mountain and.</p><p>00:49:07.410 –&gt; 00:49:17.370 Louisa Branscomb: it’s a little mountain farm instead of a big goal experience in Georgia cotton environment is it’s lovely and we’ve been working on the main House here all year and getting it ready so.</p><p>00:49:18.480 –&gt; 00:49:20.580 Joseph McElroy: It will be natural I’m gonna have to come out and visit right.</p><p>00:49:20.760 –&gt; 00:49:21.000 Okay.</p><p>00:49:22.890 –&gt; 00:49:23.400 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:49:24.660 –&gt; 00:49:29.130 Joseph McElroy: Bring the kids out there for a little that sort of thing so what’s the first retreat.</p><p>00:49:29.850 –&gt; 00:49:47.040 Louisa Branscomb: I’m thinking it that it will be the second weekend in July July 8 weekend and my friends Johnny and Jeanette Williams, who are wonderful Appalachian players are all levels of songs from traditional to cutting-edge.</p><p>00:49:48.210 –&gt; 00:49:53.550 Louisa Branscomb: Johnny and Jeanette are from Danville and they’re coming down I’ve been on my retreats for many, many years and.</p><p>00:49:54.390 –&gt; 00:50:05.610 Louisa Branscomb: we’ll have a small group and it’ll be an experiential workshop and plenty of time to share songs and enjoy the new setting and maybe the new setting will inspire us and some different ways we’ll probably talk about that too.</p><p>00:50:06.480 –&gt; 00:50:08.100 Joseph McElroy: Well that’d be great I mean that.</p><p>00:50:10.350 –&gt; 00:50:19.980 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to hearing how that comes out so you know you mentioned that you had a song to sing us sing that song.</p><p>00:50:20.670 –&gt; 00:50:22.920 Louisa Branscomb: I think I’d be glad to try it out on you.</p><p>00:50:25.980 –&gt; 00:50:30.540 Louisa Branscomb: My process with this song is how do you write.</p><p>00:50:32.160 –&gt; 00:50:37.500 Louisa Branscomb: How can you do justice and a song to everything going on right now around us.</p><p>00:50:38.940 –&gt; 00:50:50.550 Louisa Branscomb: there’s been where we’re in a new era, I think sometime in the darkness of the pandemic, we all got catapulted into a new era and we’re waking up to.</p><p>00:50:51.240 –&gt; 00:50:56.850 Louisa Branscomb: What it even is we don’t even know how to be yet it’s such a profound quantum.</p><p>00:50:57.480 –&gt; 00:51:12.960 Louisa Branscomb: change, and so I didn’t know how to write a song capture that and then I realized going back to steel rails it’s just images that we can connect with that make us feel compassion and a sense of meaning and that’s all this song is as a couple of those images, but.</p><p>00:51:14.550 –&gt; 00:51:22.470 Louisa Branscomb: One of them came from a show, I saw the iceberg melting another came from the.</p><p>00:51:23.580 –&gt; 00:51:31.680 Louisa Branscomb: newscast I saw it on Anderson Cooper you may have seen it on any channel it’s a little girl in Ukraine standing on the table and singing.</p><p>00:51:32.520 –&gt; 00:51:41.490 Louisa Branscomb: She was five years old, seven years old, and this bombed-out basement with all these people crowd it in with wounds and bleed.</p><p>00:51:42.180 –&gt; 00:51:47.700 Louisa Branscomb: blasted and tattered I’m sure you know a lot of people saw this beautiful news clip.</p><p>00:51:48.300 –&gt; 00:52:05.130 Louisa Branscomb: And you saw the spirit of humanity just wake up and everyone in that room when that little girl started singing and one more time, I was reminded about the incredible power of music to transform and heal so that’s in the song too and it’s called gold in the dark</p><p>00:52:10.980 –&gt; 00:52:14.760 Louisa Branscomb: I don’t know watch come over me.</p><p>00:52:17.820 –&gt; 00:52:20.250 Louisa Branscomb: I just can do nothing right.</p><p>00:52:21.750 –&gt; 00:52:28.470 Louisa Branscomb: seems like the world is burning and likewise clock stopped turn and clockwise.</p><p>00:52:29.610 –&gt; 00:52:32.400 Louisa Branscomb: we’re all ships in the night.</p><p>00:52:34.380 –&gt; 00:52:44.430 Louisa Branscomb: At the edge of the mountain made a wrong, I can count on me your face and the wind on my heart.</p><p>00:52:46.230 –&gt; 00:52:56.550 Louisa Branscomb: stairs know when and when the wars one and you and I don’t need one and you’re my gold in the dark.</p><p>00:53:00.000 –&gt; 00:53:03.600 Louisa Branscomb: By their last run out of time.</p><p>00:53:05.880 –&gt; 00:53:08.670 Louisa Branscomb: She was women for her life.</p><p>00:53:10.950 –&gt; 00:53:18.690 Louisa Branscomb: Like every homeless so with nowhere else to go all she needed was.</p><p>00:53:20.160 –&gt; 00:53:20.640 Louisa Branscomb: high.</p><p>00:53:22.650 –&gt; 00:53:32.760 Louisa Branscomb: At the edge of the mountain I need a rock I can count on need your face at the window of my heart and.</p><p>00:53:34.440 –&gt; 00:53:43.980 Louisa Branscomb: there’s no when the wars one year and I don’t need one and your my gold in the dark</p><p>00:53:46.860 –&gt; 00:53:49.230 Louisa Branscomb: mom is out of town.</p><p>00:53:50.340 –&gt; 00:53:54.450 Louisa Branscomb: Will just call somewhere where everything was hopeless and.</p><p>00:53:55.470 –&gt; 00:53:56.490 Louisa Branscomb: So wrong.</p><p>00:53:58.860 –&gt; 00:54:08.670 Louisa Branscomb: a seven-year-old girls she stood up on a chair there and efficiently began to sing this song.</p><p>00:54:09.720 –&gt; 00:54:20.010 Louisa Branscomb: I’m at the edge of the mountain need a rock I can count on need your face at the window of my heart.</p><p>00:54:21.480 –&gt; 00:54:28.230 Louisa Branscomb: Because there’s no when and when this was done and you and I don’t need one and you’re my gold in the dark. you’re my gold in the dark.</p><p>00:54:43.200 –&gt; 00:54:48.120 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness that was fantastic oh Thank you so much, that was an honor to have that played on the show.</p><p>00:54:49.860 –&gt; 00:54:50.250 Joseph McElroy: You know.</p><p>00:54:51.270 –&gt; 00:54:54.240 Joseph McElroy: that’s there’s not really much to say after that.</p><p>00:54:57.900 –&gt; 00:55:09.030 Joseph McElroy: it’s been wonderful talking to you, is there a is there ways people can find out more about what you do and information to follow up from this program a website, or something like that.</p><p>00:55:09.600 –&gt; 00:55:18.480 Louisa Branscomb: my website is Louisa Branscom online and my Facebook page is of course I’m visible on Facebook and my.</p><p>00:55:19.320 –&gt; 00:55:25.410 Louisa Branscomb: email is branscombmusic@gmail.com and i’d love to hear from anyone about anything related to songwriting.</p><p>00:55:25.680 –&gt; 00:55:35.760 Louisa Branscomb: we’re a community and not I’ve never met a songwriter I didn’t really like or anyone who’s interested in helping a songwriter and being part of the Community and I sure appreciate what you guys are doing to.</p><p>00:55:36.510 –&gt; 00:55:40.050 Joseph McElroy: Thank you it’s we are a Community of art and.</p><p>00:55:42.870 –&gt; 00:55:46.110 Joseph McElroy: Culture and it’s sort of special so.</p><p>00:55:47.550 –&gt; 00:55:54.390 Joseph McElroy: This is the gateway to the smokies podcast we’re on Facebook.com/gatewayto thesmokiespodcast</p><p>00:55:55.800 –&gt; 00:56:05.250 Joseph McElroy: we’re also on talkradio.NYC where the live broadcast goes out to many people in New York City and others around the world.</p><p>00:56:06.000 –&gt; 00:56:13.650 Joseph McElroy: The talkradio.nyc network is interesting Okay, but I recommend going to look at the many other programs, they have they’re all live podcasts.</p><p>00:56:13.920 –&gt; 00:56:19.800 Joseph McElroy: ranging from self-help the small business to other travel shows, I have another one on here as well, called wise content creates wealth.</p><p>00:56:20.280 –&gt; 00:56:30.240 Joseph McElroy: Which is about marketing and the age of Ai and content and next week we’ll have another next week is a rerun because I am moving next week.</p><p>00:56:31.110 –&gt; 00:56:49.410 Joseph McElroy: Now to Asheville North Carolina but then the week after that we’ll have a live program on Tuesdays for a gateway to the smokies from six until 7 pm and again thank you Louisa for being on the show today it’s been a pleasure, I look forward to seeing you again.</p> ffdeb1ff-2399-4134-84db-316a84427710 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/19306e18-d31c-4020-9bf3-b2e54be51f65 Tue, 17 May 2022 22:00:00 +0000 2989 no full Episode 58: Dogwood Crafters Cooperative with Brenda Anders Episode 58: Dogwood Crafters Cooperative with Brenda Anders Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>If you love crafts or have an interest or family tradition in making crafts, you are going to love this episode! You&#39;ll learn Dogwood Crafters Cooperative featuring Brenda Anders.</strong></p><p>In today&#39;s episode, Joseph is joined by our special guest <strong>Brenda Anders</strong>, she is a true daughter of the Smokies who has lived in WNC since 1978 when her husband took a job with WCU. Not long after that, Brenda joined Dogwood Crafters, one of the most storied crafts cooperatives in the Southeast, located in historic Dillsboro, N.C. Since then Brenda has played an integral role in the success of the business --which was first formed in 1976 –serving in various key leadership positions including President and Chairman of the Board, along with heading multiple operational committees within the organization.</p><p>Website:<a href="https://dogwoodcrafters.com" rel="nofollow"> https://dogwoodcrafters.com</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/cZhTZOvgx5/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/05/10 - Dogwood Crafters Cooperative with Brenda Anders

GUEST: BRENDA ANDERS

 If you love crafts or have an interest or family tradition in making crafts, you are going to love this episode! You'll learn Dogwood Crafters Cooperative featuring Brenda Anders.

In today's episode, Joseph is joined by our special guest Brenda Anders, she is a true daughter of the Smokies who has lived in WNC since 1978 when her husband took a job with WCU. Not long after that, Brenda joined Dogwood Crafters, one of the most storied crafts cooperatives in the Southeast, located in historic Dillsboro, N.C. Since then Brenda has played an integral role in the success of the business --which was first formed in 1976 –serving in various key leadership positions including President and Chairman of the Board, along with heading multiple operational committees within the organization.

Website: https://dogwoodcrafters.com

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

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SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Joseph begins by mentioning the sponsor, The Meadowlark Motel as well as smokiesadventure.com and some upcoming events. On May 13th and 14th, they're having the Icons of Hotrodding Festival. Also May 31st -June 4, they'll have an event called Slingshots in the Smokies and more festivals and camps later in the summer. Joseph also reads a poem related to today’s topic and events by Marcus B. Christian called “The Craftsman.” He introduces his guest, Brenda Anders, who has lived in WNC since 1978 when her husband took a job with WCU. Not long after that, Brenda joined Dogwood Crafters, one of the most storied crafts cooperatives in the Southeast, located in historic Dillsboro, N.C. Brenda grew up in Tennessee and says that she didn't realize how lucky she was. Sometimes she forgets to look at the mountains and realize the beauty of the environment but is always reminded when she has company in the car with her as she rides. Brenda moved to Western North Carolina when her husband got a job as the director of the Computer Center. She got involved with Dogwood Crafters after falling in love with the art there. She explains the workplace then and now with her team and how they've stayed successful.

SEGMENT 2

Brenda says that there is one active original member in Dogwood Crafters, who also helped get the organization started with their husband. She also mentions another crafter who recently came back, Don Wood, who now does beekeeping. Brenda explains what artists must go through when wanting to create something and be a part of Dogwood Crafters. When you are interested, she says that you would go to Dogwood and fill out an application and bring the item you want to make. A jury committee made up of anonymous crafters, look it over and make sure that it is some time that has not already been offered to make. She mentions having a coordinator for every room in the log cabin where they work and have the chance to showcase everyone's work and sell a variety of items. Brenda also talks about using recycled items. On the Facebook Livestream, she shows us several items like a pair of mittens that were made by using a couple of different sweaters. They can make something with just about everything!

SEGMENT 3

Brenda explains how she and her team were able to acquire all 12 rooms in the log cabin which was once a motel. Everyone in the organization works very hard on keeping things in order from building to supplies, maintenance, flower boxes, and more. Dogwood Crafters also offer free classes to anyone as long as you pay for the supplies that you would be using. They also have a scholarship committee where they give money to different schools and students wanting to learn the Appalachian craft. They have different projects that they do in order to earn this money. They come up with different ideas, for example, she says that they also sell jams and jellies. As a nonprofit, they don't have a lot of money, but the percentages that they earn comes from the crafters and their pantry. Brenda also mentions how Dogwood has been involved in the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. She also talks with Joseph about the rooms in the log cabin and how they are all themed differently.

SEGMENT 4

Brenda talks with Joseph about Mary’s Garden. Mary Nolan was a member of Dogwood Crafters for many years and when she passed away, they wanted to pay tribute to her. So they had their side yard bricked and they have a plaque with her photograph on it and it's called Mary’s Garden. It keeps Mary with them, and Brenda says that everyone in Dogwood is like family. She also mentions supporting customers by continuing to have good quality crafts and each crafter comes up with new ideas. They also talk about Dogwood being a part of festivals. In Dillsboro, they are part of three main festivals. One of them is Front Street in July, Colorfest in October, and Luminaire which takes over the first two weekends in December. Dogwood tries to connect with its community and show people that all of its work is handmade. She mentions the different events that they do like the Easter Parade where hundreds of people join in, being a free event for families. Brenda says that her vision for this co-op and Dogwood Crafters is that they continue to recruit crafters, continue to carry on its legacy and keep it there for generations to come. Although it's hard work and hard to get young people into crafting, she says that they do their best to show them that they can craft their own rug, socks, and much more than they think. You can find out more by searching for Dogwood Crafters on Facebook as well as their website dogwoodcrafters.com.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:45.450 –> 00:00:56.640 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National park and the surrounding towns.

00:00:57.030 –> 00:01:06.660 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty, a deep-storied history, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:07.110 –> 00:01:14.490 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living in great smokies for over 200 years.

00:01:15.030 –> 00:01:27.360 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today we’re gonna be talking about the dogwood crafters cooperative with Brenda Anders but first I got some messages from sponsors and some events.

00:01:29.760 –> 00:01:39.870 Joseph McElroy: imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with the “Chic Appalachian” feel. A place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:40.470 –> 00:01:49.050 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on a fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:49.830 –> 00:02:02.400 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds. There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina. Your Smoky Mountain Adventure starts with where you stay.

00:02:04.620 –> 00:02:09.540 Joseph McElroy: Another Sponsor is SmokiesAdventure.com. The smoky mountains and surrounding areas are a vacation destination for all seasons.

00:02:10.260 –> 00:02:17.070 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails, waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:17.580 –> 00:02:28.230 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com, smokies plural adventure singular.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

00:02:28.620 –> 00:02:37.770 Joseph McElroy: trails waterfalls, Cades Cove, and more. Then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment you and your entire family can enjoy.

00:02:38.160 –> 00:02:48.360 Joseph McElroy: And if you’re looking for places to have a wedding or an outdoor life event or a honeymoon or romantic getaway check it out there are places that you can go to do that there’s well.

00:02:48.630 –> 00:02:56.430 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokies adventure.com is to become a leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.

00:02:57.120 –> 00:03:06.600 Joseph McElroy: Now I mentioned some events coming up in Maggie Valley knowing we have this great festival and the May 13 and 14th for having the icons of a pop music festival.

00:03:07.020 –> 00:03:29.340 Joseph McElroy: And then, in the 1950s and 1960s hot rod and custom cars trucks and vans for cars and vehicles, all of them 1969 and then they’ll be 50s and 60s music automotive vintage vendors kids drivers food vendors judging with awards and trophies presentation it’s a family-friendly.

00:03:31.560 –> 00:03:40.680 Joseph McElroy: urging you to come on down and check it out and then on May 31 of June 4 we have slingshots in the smokies and see and know slingshots in the smokies.

00:03:41.850 –> 00:03:47.370 Joseph McElroy: is known as the super bowl for slingshot of its for those who don’t know slingshots or a sort of a.

00:03:49.200 –> 00:03:58.710 Joseph McElroy: motorcycle on three wheels, and so this will take place in the Maggie Valley festival grounds and again we’ll have all sorts of wonderful things going on.

00:04:00.510 –> 00:04:07.620 Joseph McElroy: Since we’re talking about crafts, I need to talk about July 9 and 10th on Maggie Valley festival grounds, you have the annual.

00:04:08.280 –> 00:04:24.390 Joseph McElroy: Maggie Valley arts and crafts show it’s the largest Maggie Valley largest gathering of artisans and crafters it comes to go to the seller handmade treasures artists and small the southeast attendance and there’ll be chains are demonstrations of lots of festivals.

00:04:26.010 –> 00:04:39.540 Joseph McElroy: So you can go to maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.com to find out more about all the festivals coming to Maggie Valley, which is where you can go and how you can partake in enjoying all these different things now the Meadowlark is, as announced a big.

00:04:40.710 –> 00:04:51.270 Joseph McElroy: big event coming up in August we’re going to have a Songwriters Camp and Concert with Grammy-award winning artist Jim Lauderdale and Charles Humphrey III

00:04:51.660 –> 00:05:03.690 Joseph McElroy: Along with other award-winning artists like Darren Nicholson and Balsam Range, Clay Mills, and Charles Chamberlain. it’s a two-day event of interactive songwriting instruction from world-class musicians.

00:05:04.350 –> 00:05:14.250 Joseph McElroy: a DEMO tape produced for each participant, and concerts by Songs from the Road Band on Friday night and a Barbecue dinner, and also our concert on Saturday night.

00:05:14.910 –> 00:05:21.420 Joseph McElroy: This is a unique event like no other and space will be limited to ensure individual attention is given to all participants.

00:05:21.720 –> 00:05:31.050 Joseph McElroy: the price is $675 per person including all activities and DEMO tape, two world-class concerts, and the Barbecue dinner on Saturday night.

00:05:31.470 –> 00:05:43.980 Joseph McElroy: And then their special room prize packages are offered from different kinds of places to stay to include lodging providing for Friday and Saturday night call 8289261717 for details.

00:05:44.400 –> 00:05:55.110 Joseph McElroy: And there’s also a limited amount of concert tickets available for the concerts and Friday Saturday night so check it out again and reserve your spot at 8289261717 so.

00:05:56.220 –> 00:06:08.370 Joseph McElroy: Now, you know that I like to introduce some times what’s coming up with the bed with a poem I might write your fine I found that interesting going by a guy named Marcus B. Christian written in 1970 is called the Craftsman

00:06:10.320 –> 00:06:19.650 Joseph McElroy: It goes like this, I ply with all the cunning of my art. This little thing, and with consummate care, I fashion it—so that when I depart,

00:06:20.100 –> 00:06:35.070 Joseph McElroy: Those who come after me shall find it fair And beautiful. It must be free of flaws—Pointing no laborings of weary hands; And there must be no flouting of the laws Of beauty—as the artist understands.

00:06:35.670 –> 00:06:46.530 Joseph McElroy: Through passion, yearnings infinite – yet dumb-

I left you from the depths of my own mind And gild you with my soul’s white heat to plumb, The souls of future men.

00:06:47.160 –> 00:07:02.250 Joseph McElroy: I leave behind this thing that in return, this solace gives:

“He who creates true beauty ever lives.”

wonderful poem little focused on one gender but it applies I think across the board.

00:07:03.720 –> 00:07:09.570 Joseph McElroy: So somebody has a lot about crafts and we’ve introduced today is our guest her name is Brendan Anders.

00:07:10.710 –> 00:07:19.770 Joseph McElroy: She’s a Maryville Tennessee native and then a true daughter of the smokies who’s lived in Western North Carolina since 1978.

00:07:20.490 –> 00:07:26.190 Joseph McElroy: Since then Brenda has played an integral role in the success of Dogwood Crafters Cooperative,

00:07:27.000 –> 00:07:34.440 Joseph McElroy: One of the most storied crafts cooperatives in the southeast, located in historic Dillsboro, N.C.

00:07:34.950 –> 00:07:45.690 Joseph McElroy: Brenda has served in various key leadership positions including President and Chairman of the Board, along with heading multiple operational committees within the organization.

00:07:46.260 –> 00:07:58.470 Joseph McElroy: For more than four decades Brenda’s work and leadership with Dogwood Crafters have created a template for many other artists and crafts cooperatives to follow throughout the country.

Hello Brenda, how are you doing?

00:07:59.220 –> 00:08:03.300 Brenda Anders: I’m doing just fine glad to be here and share the story of dogman crafters.

00:08:03.480 –> 00:08:09.060 Joseph McElroy: I’m glad to hear about a little learn a little bit about yourself first you grew up in Maryville Tennessee.

00:08:10.380 –> 00:08:22.170 Brenda Anders: I did, and I went to business college with my husband’s cousin and he came upon a fishing trip to visit his uncle he likes to say he used the wrong bank and got married instead.

00:08:23.550 –> 00:08:34.080 Brenda Anders: And we did get married shortly after we only had about six dates, as he went into the air force, and then we got married moved to Texas for 13 years.

00:08:34.530 –> 00:08:41.520 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah sometimes I mean, I had the opposite experience, I met married my first wife within six weeks.

00:08:43.980 –> 00:08:45.390 Joseph McElroy: didn’t last for three years, but.

00:08:46.920 –> 00:08:52.050 Joseph McElroy: I learned a lot from it so sometimes you learn lots of times you find your life mate right.

00:08:52.470 –> 00:08:52.920 Right.

00:08:53.970 –> 00:08:57.840 Joseph McElroy: So you wrote they’re having grown up in the foothills of those folks.

00:08:58.530 –> 00:09:02.760 Brenda Anders: Well, to me, I didn’t realize at the time how lucky I was.

00:09:03.270 –> 00:09:09.900 Brenda Anders: It was just a natural thing it’s just like right now, when I drive around in the mountains, sometimes I forget to look at them.

00:09:10.320 –> 00:09:12.120 Brenda Anders: Until I have company in the car with.

00:09:12.120 –> 00:09:19.980 Brenda Anders: me and they start commenting on how pretty it is, and I have to jerk myself up and check myself and look around a little bit to appreciate what I have.

00:09:20.670 –> 00:09:26.160 Joseph McElroy: Now America was a sort of a suburb of Nashville right wasn’t more suburb or more role and your.

00:09:27.180 –> 00:09:27.660 Brenda Anders: role.

00:09:27.990 –> 00:09:35.400 Joseph McElroy: yeah and so you got to do all the good home cooking and all that sort of stuff that we all familiar with, he grew up in the mountains.

00:09:36.300 –> 00:09:41.640 Brenda Anders: As the iron, my mother did all the cooking but back in those days, we had to iron.

00:09:42.330 –> 00:09:47.370 Joseph McElroy: Oh, there you go did you have an electric guard do you have to use it like the one here.

00:09:48.300 –> 00:09:49.380 Brenda Anders: I’m not quite that old.

00:09:54.630 –> 00:09:56.280 Joseph McElroy: So when did you read Maryville?

00:09:57.210 –> 00:09:59.460 Brenda Anders: And I married in 1965.

00:10:00.060 –> 00:10:00.480 Okay.

00:10:01.620 –> 00:10:02.280 Joseph McElroy: go around.

00:10:03.510 –> 00:10:06.690 Brenda Anders: He worked for champion paper cut me for just about a month.

00:10:07.710 –> 00:10:18.600 Brenda Anders: Until his school started it and then he was in school got a job at the computer Center and then he’s been in computer work ever since until he retired.

00:10:19.200 –> 00:10:23.700 Joseph McElroy: was good, so what brought you to Western North Carolina.

00:10:25.170 –> 00:10:28.800 Brenda Anders: He was it got a job as Director of the Computer Center at Western.

00:10:29.370 –> 00:10:31.080 Brenda Anders: Ah, and I followed him.

00:10:31.590 –> 00:10:33.030 Joseph McElroy: I guess you had to, right?

00:10:37.290 –> 00:10:39.690 Joseph McElroy: Did you end up in Dillsboro for that time or was.

00:10:40.770 –> 00:10:50.160 Brenda Anders: About four miles, out of a Dillsboro in a town called Sylva all the surrounding areas of Sylva and we have little communities like Webster and Dillsboro.

00:10:51.750 –> 00:11:06.930 Joseph McElroy: I love Sylva and those are there, wonderful little towns so so you got involved with the dogwood craft cooperative I saw it just a couple of years after he’s found it so you are your sort of a founder of it honestly.

00:11:07.980 –> 00:11:14.310 Brenda Anders: Now I wasn’t that lucky I wish I could have said, I was part of the 12 who got that started.

00:11:14.880 –> 00:11:25.710 Brenda Anders: But I was a member of the newcomers club index and county and we had a field trip, one day, and we went into dogwood crafters and I just fell in love with the art.

00:11:26.640 –> 00:11:41.040 Brenda Anders: There, and my question was who does the decorating here and Rosemary jar or who was President that day or that year, she says, I think you do because you’re the first one that ever mentioned that word.

00:11:42.150 –> 00:11:46.200 Brenda Anders: up to that point, the crafters had to get this stuff off of the street.

00:11:47.520 –> 00:11:48.450 Brenda Anders: legs.

00:11:49.500 –> 00:11:52.740 Brenda Anders: The plastic legs things and they were great jewelry over it.

00:11:54.240 –> 00:12:05.220 Brenda Anders: Raw the things that you put electrical wire around the big round things they drug everything they could dig it dogwood started and that.

00:12:06.270 –> 00:12:12.810 Brenda Anders: is a tribute to them, but I got there about three or four years later and I’ve been happy there ever since.

00:12:13.830 –> 00:12:17.970 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you successfully know I’m an artist myself.

00:12:19.980 –> 00:12:24.420 Joseph McElroy: you’re in a speakeasy down there at the Bellagio look around a lot of those are by my paintings.

00:12:25.800 –> 00:12:36.990 Joseph McElroy: And you know it I’ve been involved in a few artists and craft things and they don’t a lot of them have a moment in the sun, then they just disappear, so you guys are really done something.

00:12:37.890 –> 00:12:48.210 Joseph McElroy: To it intrigues me that you managed to create something this last this long list and so successful, and in fact, you’ve sort of become a model across the country for how to run.

00:12:48.870 –> 00:13:02.400 Joseph McElroy: A cooperative so so you know I look forward to this conversation find out more so, so you basically started with land and paper.

00:13:03.150 –> 00:13:11.580 Brenda Anders: Yes, a little ad that says, if you have handmade crafts and that you’d like to sell them, will you come to a meeting at the library.

00:13:12.000 –> 00:13:27.660 Brenda Anders: And 12 people came and they set up the rules and the regulations over the next little while that we still go by today and they started meeting in a House there in Dillsboro that is chocolate factory now, but they would come set up their little.

00:13:28.710 –> 00:13:40.230 Brenda Anders: TV trays and tables they had their own cash box and they sat and visited and, at the end of the day, they fold everything up and took it home pretty soon I realized that.

00:13:40.650 –> 00:13:57.750 Brenda Anders: If I took turns and helped each other like you’d be homemaking crafts, the rest of the tap so that was the word cooperative that we still go back today, because without each and every one of the members of chocolate it couldn’t operate the way it is.

00:13:58.950 –> 00:14:14.400 Brenda Anders: Basically, we have two crafters every day working the front counter a cashier and a bagger, and we have only one paid employee, no one was foolish enough to sign up to do the bookkeeping of the record-keeping of.

00:14:14.850 –> 00:14:26.400 Brenda Anders: club thousands of items that we have a dogwood that the word volunteer and everyone are this thing is the key to the success of Dogwood Crafters.

00:14:26.610 –> 00:14:27.870 Joseph McElroy: Cool. Well, we got to take a break now.

00:14:29.310 –> 00:14:39.060 Joseph McElroy: and come back we’ll talk more about how you how it works and what the insights you gained and then the how’s that actually propagated in the world.

00:14:40.260 –> 00:14:40.770 Brenda Anders: Okay.

00:16:56.790 –> 00:17:04.890 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guest Brenda Anders.

00:17:05.910 –> 00:17:19.860 Joseph McElroy: So Brenda I know that you joined in 1978 how many original members have you had what 12 members and what do you have about 90 now, is there any original members left.

00:17:20.520 –> 00:17:29.880 Brenda Anders: We have one very active original Member her name is Patricia Calvin and she and her husband are very active and getting dogwood started, he was a lawyer.

00:17:30.420 –> 00:17:54.150 Brenda Anders: And he helped get our policies and bio all set up and for years did leather working and she paints on glass, so we have one and another crafter who has recently come back Don Wood he was helpful in getting the Co-op started and he is now a retired from the University does beekeeping.

00:17:54.960 –> 00:17:55.320 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow. You know I’m a beekeeper

00:17:58.080 –> 00:17:58.830 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:18:00.660 –> 00:18:12.330 Joseph McElroy: I did I put these in the South Bronx and actually got some recognition for that, because you know we got help the local communities do some beekeeping.

00:18:13.830 –> 00:18:15.750 Brenda Anders: Those babies when you meant to ask for.

00:18:16.170 –> 00:18:25.680 Joseph McElroy: Well, about you know, the thing is, I would create it I would enjoy it for a while and then I would train somebody in the Community, one of the Community gardens how to take it over and they take it over.

00:18:27.270 –> 00:18:39.900 Joseph McElroy: And then I create another one that now I just made now that I’m now I’m coming down there and create some beehives at the Meadowlark and or at my place and then at nine enough but.

00:18:41.520 –> 00:18:57.300 Joseph McElroy: So you know, I understand that you guys are not like a fleet right you actually your bylaws required I think for homeless originally right that all the artists must be Cherokee an art jury community and then must be the highest quality How does that work.

00:18:58.260 –> 00:19:03.810 Brenda Anders: Well, when you voice an interest you come to that word and you get an application.

00:19:05.160 –> 00:19:18.360 Brenda Anders: You fill out the application and bring one or two items that you want to make a jury committee made up of three anonymous crafters no one wants to know who they are so they can’t blame them if they’re not accepted.

00:19:18.900 –> 00:19:26.400 Brenda Anders: But they look the craft over they make sure that it’s not something already offered in dogwood and you’re in, and you can be.

00:19:26.820 –> 00:19:40.290 Brenda Anders: A 20% crafter means we take 20% of your money at the end of the month, and you promised to work 176 hours a year keeping the shop open working at the counter.

00:19:40.770 –> 00:19:54.480 Brenda Anders: Are you can join as a 40% or you might be older, you might have a real job this a lot of different complications that don’t allow you to work and we take 40% of that application.

00:19:55.470 –> 00:20:04.890 Brenda Anders: So that’s how you become a member, and then, once you’re a member you’re sucked in there to help us work to volunteer on our committees and get things done.

00:20:05.760 –> 00:20:07.410 Joseph McElroy: And why do you mean.

00:20:08.610 –> 00:20:13.650 Joseph McElroy: Why do you think that originally I mean why you know that originally, why did they decide to make it.

00:20:15.030 –> 00:20:23.580 Joseph McElroy: You know, instead of just being a sort of craft a flea market and make it into this real sort of excellent source of art.

00:20:25.170 –> 00:20:33.390 Brenda Anders: Well, we wanted to be the best that we could we have a coordinator now for every room, we have 12 rooms in this log cabin.

00:20:34.560 –> 00:20:50.220 Brenda Anders: That has used to being cannons cottages an overnight stay staying place back in the 30s we joined us with the help of our very helpful landlord three of those log cabins and then built a big room onto the back.

00:20:50.760 –> 00:21:03.630 Brenda Anders: And every room has a different theme and every room has a coordinator that comes and redecorates the room about every six weeks after every major holiday and we did not want everything lined up.

00:21:04.890 –> 00:21:23.100 Brenda Anders: Like a grocery store all the band-aids on one jail all the baskets on one shelf we decorate according to theme and color and that drugs, it gives everybody a fair chance to have their crafts highlighted in the spotlight it’s worked and it works well.

00:21:24.150 –> 00:21:30.090 Joseph McElroy: that’s great is there any restrictions on the materials or what can be displayed they’re.

00:21:31.170 –> 00:21:32.040 Brenda Anders: Not so far.

00:21:32.190 –> 00:21:32.520 yeah.

00:21:36.840 –> 00:21:39.210 Joseph McElroy: Well, you said there might be room for art, you know what I do.

00:21:42.030 –> 00:21:44.490 Brenda Anders: In the first place it’s too big you’ll have you’d have.

00:21:44.550 –> 00:21:46.890 Brenda Anders: To do some smaller to get into our lives.

00:21:48.630 –> 00:21:49.620 Joseph McElroy: A little flower vase.

00:21:51.360 –> 00:21:54.750 Joseph McElroy: But I’m saying you have a Christmas shop right.

00:21:55.830 –> 00:21:56.280 Joseph McElroy: yeah your.

00:21:56.910 –> 00:21:58.650 Joseph McElroy: Christmas selection.

00:21:58.890 –> 00:22:10.470 Brenda Anders: Yes, we have a room that is called the Christmas room and we sell more Christmas items throughout the year, than we actually do Christmas, because during Christmas people mostly look for gifts.

00:22:11.160 –> 00:22:30.780 Brenda Anders: What what I like about dogwood is working behind the counter and the door opens and somebody walks in, and I said oh you’re still here and I said oh you’ve been here before, and he says, my parents, dragged me in here as a child and then during dragging my children in

00:22:31.740 –> 00:22:41.820 Brenda Anders: Where is the toy room now that’s it usually it’s the same place so it’s good that children remember and come back to us.

00:22:42.480 –> 00:22:56.850 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah yeah that’s part of the Meadowlark charm too we had people that had honeymoons in the 60s and they bring their children back and their grandchildren back and they’ll be coming back for you know our whole lives it’s kind of Nice.

00:22:58.500 –> 00:23:08.460 Joseph McElroy: So I understand that you guys take a great deal of pride and using a lot of recycled products very hard to just hold them off the handle of a cane or something like that.

00:23:08.820 –> 00:23:19.110 Brenda Anders: We do like this, this pair of mittens are made out of old sweaters and there are about five or six different sweaters here and there, NASA morn and.

00:23:20.100 –> 00:23:32.820 Brenda Anders: This is not really a recycled item but this little Christmas ornament it’s a pine Cone it’s been run over years and years and it’s really flat and it’s called a roadkill Santa.

00:23:34.740 –> 00:23:44.340 Brenda Anders: And we have a man who recycles concrete nails and missionary nails and he makes this cute little reindeer we recycle.

00:23:45.330 –> 00:24:07.710 Brenda Anders: lot boat doorknobs just a lot of things, and this day in town when people are cleaning out their parent’s house we get a lot of items donated to us fabric yarn and everything and we share those and then pass them on to other crafters and things, so we have about 17 items

00:24:08.730 –> 00:24:13.260 Brenda Anders: Different types of items using recycled material wow.

00:24:13.350 –> 00:24:19.920 Joseph McElroy: Do you have like a little warehouse of recycled material that artists can come to find for them.

00:24:20.190 –> 00:24:29.730 Brenda Anders: We have a very small office when the public brings things to us, we put it in their free atoms somebody might say.

00:24:30.330 –> 00:24:36.840 Brenda Anders: Even a half a bushel basket of light bulbs and bring them in and say we don’t know why we save these, but here you are.

00:24:37.230 –> 00:24:52.560 Brenda Anders: Because we, this is a shop and we say that you, you make things out of lot books so it’s a pass-along thing our customers and the public helps us but recycle we collect liquor bottles from restaurants that.

00:24:53.190 –> 00:24:53.670 Joseph McElroy: For you.

00:24:55.650 –> 00:24:56.700 Joseph McElroy: So you say.

00:24:58.230 –> 00:24:58.590 Brenda Anders: well.

00:24:59.310 –> 00:25:06.390 Brenda Anders: they’re painted with alcohol eighth and little bitty lots put them in them and they make that real beautiful nightlife so.

00:25:07.530 –> 00:25:12.660 Brenda Anders: We can make something out of just about everything, our crafters are very, very smart.

00:25:13.950 –> 00:25:20.250 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool are most of your Members from the area, how far spread is your membership.

00:25:20.970 –> 00:25:29.310 Brenda Anders: Since everyone is in charge of their own inventory and when you join and you’re trained to be a dogwood crafter you’re trying to about.

00:25:29.760 –> 00:25:43.800 Brenda Anders: How the shop is laid out and when you come the next time you put your own crafts out, knowing that you can move some another crafter item over a little bit, but you can’t just throw it to the side or move it to the next room so.

00:25:46.200 –> 00:25:49.380 Brenda Anders: We learned to do that now I forgot your question.

00:25:49.650 –> 00:25:57.510 Joseph McElroy: Of course, it was how big of an area or you remember part of are they like, I mean, how do they live, just to build for the little.

00:25:57.990 –> 00:26:04.950 Brenda Anders: Oh yes, I’m sorry, they have to live within 175 miles.

00:26:06.210 –> 00:26:17.610 Brenda Anders: Of the shop in Hillsboro because we require them to take an active part you can’t just come and drop your things off and that’s the last, we see it, for a year.

00:26:18.780 –> 00:26:26.280 Brenda Anders: If you’re not able to come and work, we require you to come and do other things like donating money for cookies far luminary are.

00:26:27.420 –> 00:26:34.050 Brenda Anders: We make sure that you do something I just a little bit extra because you’re part of the volunteer organization.

00:26:34.440 –> 00:26:42.690 Joseph McElroy: Right, so that means you get, mind you might get people from my bills coming from Cherokee from Asheville your way.

00:26:44.400 –> 00:26:44.820 Brenda Anders: Yes.

00:26:45.150 –> 00:26:45.630 Brenda Anders: Very good.

00:26:46.050 –> 00:26:49.200 Joseph McElroy: As a good diversity to as well as your charity or as.

00:26:50.310 –> 00:27:06.210 Brenda Anders: Well, your you mentioned Cherokee we have Joseph red cloud who cars that lady train whistles and things we don’t have near enough of these things, but you cannot make a crafter craft unless they’re in the right mind.

00:27:06.690 –> 00:27:12.150 Brenda Anders: right but local craft local crafters is what we like recently we’ve had.

00:27:13.200 –> 00:27:18.450 Brenda Anders: A little lady join Alva Houston, and this is her hickory nut doll.

00:27:18.720 –> 00:27:20.190 Brenda Anders: You know, want to hickory night is.

00:27:20.580 –> 00:27:23.040 Brenda Anders: yeah okay her face.

00:27:23.910 –> 00:27:33.600 Brenda Anders: From hickory net and it’s an everything is here is made from her legs from a pipe cleaner covered and hose right up to the little quilt that she’s making.

00:27:33.990 –> 00:27:50.070 Brenda Anders: And that was very good fun, for us, and we have a husband and wife team that makes baskets and canes chairs, this is called the Blue Ridge basket a very sturdy basket with a wooden bottle and bottom and.

00:27:50.730 –> 00:28:06.420 Brenda Anders: She designed that in Chicago at the Blueridge basket and one of our most popular things for people to watch when we’re demonstrating is this braided rug and the children come in and they say oh look that lady’s making a carpet.

00:28:07.020 –> 00:28:11.490 Brenda Anders: You know, we love for the kids to see us ironing.

00:28:12.540 –> 00:28:23.760 Brenda Anders: cutting out things seeing a sewing machine and seeing things that are not exposed to now, so I thought that was very funny one the man says look she’s making carpet.

00:28:25.110 –> 00:28:30.660 Brenda Anders: crafter to make socks hats, we just have an abundance of different items.

00:28:31.290 –> 00:28:46.680 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know that there’s a lot of people that don’t you don’t understand our warcraft and they just deal with it on the superficial level which is you know that’s okay, too, but you know I always like to find people in know also the beauty inherent value of what people create.

00:28:47.520 –> 00:28:49.800 Brenda Anders: Like to be proud of the time.

00:28:49.830 –> 00:29:08.850 Brenda Anders: I went to my girlfriend’s house and her mother and aunt had a bad full of quilts and pillows and I said, what can you do with these well we just make them like nobody’s going to want them, but this, so I talked him into joining and those sisters were two of the most popular.

00:29:09.900 –> 00:29:25.350 Brenda Anders: counter workers that there was an in the shop and they sold the whole bed, full of pillows and blankets and at that time, the government wasn’t involved, and we could sell our homemade jams and jellies.

00:29:26.010 –> 00:29:27.360 Brenda Anders: Well, Miss Verily.

00:29:28.380 –> 00:29:37.230 Brenda Anders: Would not cus, no matter what, so there was a man standing and looking at her Delhi and he said this verily coke must be one hell of a cook.

00:29:39.420 –> 00:29:44.190 Brenda Anders: The expression on her face was something that I’ll never forget it’s such pride.

00:29:44.640 –> 00:30:01.740 Brenda Anders: And, seeing that the people who came in and bought something that they created I’m a firm believer that there is gold in these mountains and it’s up to us to find those people and sell what is so rich in the past that alone on things that are handmade.

00:30:02.280 –> 00:30:07.110 Brenda Anders: Because it’s very hard to keep people interested in handmade crafts.

00:30:07.380 –> 00:30:18.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, we have to take a break now all right, well, we come back we’ll talk more about the nature of handmade crafts and further what you guys are doing in Dillsboro.

00:32:26.220 –> 00:32:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a Gateway to the Smokies Podcasts and my guest Brenda Anders, so Brenda you mentioned earlier about a 12-room log building I guess it was formerly cabins and motel, it was a tourist motel.

00:32:43.860 –> 00:32:45.900 Brenda Anders: yeah yes I’m not cannons cottage.

00:32:47.100 –> 00:32:48.000 Brenda Anders: belong to the.

00:32:48.030 –> 00:33:00.690 Brenda Anders: a family who had become our landlord for all these years, Mr. Wade Wilson, and his wife Becky and like I said, we have, first in the little house one street over and.

00:33:01.230 –> 00:33:22.500 Brenda Anders: He loves dogwood and the concept of having bills for becoming craft capital, so he asked us if we’d like to move over there, pretty soon we expanded and got the next cabin joined together it end up, we took three cabins and we’re still in and that today and.

00:33:24.900 –> 00:33:26.370 Joseph McElroy: The rest of the campus still runs.

00:33:28.140 –> 00:33:29.490 Brenda Anders: No. Without the hall, we have.

00:33:30.660 –> 00:33:31.230 Joseph McElroy: just gone in.

00:33:33.180 –> 00:33:36.090 Brenda Anders: a while back he met me on the street, and he says.

00:33:37.380 –> 00:33:46.200 Brenda Anders: I want to sell your dog crafters and I said but it’s family-owned property how are you going to do that he says, I want it done.

00:33:47.130 –> 00:34:12.480 Brenda Anders: And so, he named his price $350,000 we went to work, having garage sales we learn how to ask for grants and we got it down to a word we only owed $100,000 and our bank Suntrust bank loans are little craft cooperatives $100,000 and within seven years we had our building paid for.

00:34:13.110 –> 00:34:13.320 that’s fabulous, that’s fabulous!

00:34:15.060 –> 00:34:21.240 Joseph McElroy: You guys take care of everything volunteers do everything building flower boxes main interest really sort of.

00:34:21.240 –> 00:34:28.290 Brenda Anders: Special, that is true that’s why I say I’ve been everything from the groundskeeper right on it, because.

00:34:29.220 –> 00:34:36.570 Brenda Anders: We do have grounds that we have to keep and like you said, the flower boxes, as someone orders all of our supplies.

00:34:37.200 –> 00:34:46.050 Brenda Anders: Another lady is in charge of all of our classes and we offer free classes to anyone who would like to come, they only have to pay for the supplies.

00:34:46.740 –> 00:34:56.520 Brenda Anders: They use during that we have a scholarship committee we give them a lot of money to John Campbell Haywood Tech Southwestern.

00:34:57.060 –> 00:35:06.720 Brenda Anders: To students wanting to learn and the Appalachian craft and so uh we have different projects, in order to earn money for that craft.

00:35:07.230 –> 00:35:16.650 Brenda Anders: And of course, we love to advertise and we have one project that we do every year for special expensive advertising, and that is, we sell.

00:35:17.130 –> 00:35:31.320 Brenda Anders: quilt tickets for a raffle quilt and our craft or one of our oldest crafters Laurie Walter who lives in wine soul, has made those quilts for the last five or six years we used to come together as a group, and make that but he says.

00:35:32.400 –> 00:35:39.450 Brenda Anders: I don’t understand it, but he says, the women talk too much and if I would send them home he’d make the damn quilts itself.

00:35:42.060 –> 00:35:51.810 Brenda Anders: So that’s what he’s done and we sell raffle tickets all year long so he can, so we can have special advertising the.

00:35:52.890 –> 00:36:00.660 Brenda Anders: We come up with different ideas such as that to make money but makes me the shop is run by ours.

00:36:02.250 –> 00:36:06.720 Brenda Anders: percentages from our crafters and we also sell jams and jellies.

00:36:09.510 –> 00:36:10.740 Joseph McElroy: Most of the money comes from.

00:36:10.890 –> 00:36:12.810 Joseph McElroy: Yes, so.

00:36:13.350 –> 00:36:14.340 Brenda Anders: As a nonprofit.

00:36:14.400 –> 00:36:16.530 Brenda Anders: we’re not supposed to have a whole lot of money.

00:36:16.800 –> 00:36:18.690 Brenda Anders: So we don’t.

00:36:19.200 –> 00:36:25.170 Brenda Anders: But we needed more so we needed those the money came from jam and jelly so we have a crafter.

00:36:25.710 –> 00:36:33.600 Brenda Anders: A Joan Marston who has volunteered and she orders jams and jellies, we looked all over the country and we found a little shop and tiger Georgia.

00:36:33.960 –> 00:36:46.050 Brenda Anders: still makes her jellies and little for four-gallon pots so it’s as close to homemade is, as we can get and when the man walks in the door, they just go straight to across the hall to our pantry and start.

00:36:46.530 –> 00:36:55.230 Brenda Anders: buying the jelly and the Barbecue sauces and things like that, without the money that we earn from our jams and jellies, it would be hard for us.

00:36:56.250 –> 00:36:59.130 Brenda Anders: To make our quota of expenses.

00:36:59.880 –> 00:37:00.600 Joseph McElroy: Now I hear.

00:37:01.620 –> 00:37:05.700 Joseph McElroy: You so you sell cookbooks and that you have begun writing those Is that true.

00:37:06.840 –> 00:37:17.460 Brenda Anders: here’s the cookbook one of my favorite simply because of the color we’ve had five cookbooks and I think we, we have, four now, that are in print.

00:37:18.000 –> 00:37:35.310 Brenda Anders: I did not write them at all, but I do have recipes in them our customers have recipes on our different crafters have recipes and cookbooks sales are we’ve sold thousands of cookbooks and because of the cookbooks we have.

00:37:36.780 –> 00:37:44.100 Brenda Anders: Well it’s a whole story, I could talk for another hour and how we got to this, but we were on Carolina kitchen.

00:37:45.570 –> 00:37:57.630 Brenda Anders: On WLOS TV every day, they have a five-minute segment of recipes and cookies so I was privileged to go over there and I did that way back in the.

00:37:58.830 –> 00:38:05.340 Brenda Anders: I’ve done it for about 20 years, of course, the code would put a stop to that for right now but I’m trying to figure out a way how.

00:38:06.390 –> 00:38:08.940 Brenda Anders: I don’t want them to come and gentlemen, my house.

00:38:10.590 –> 00:38:12.120 Brenda Anders: That would require housekeeping.

00:38:12.150 –> 00:38:15.090 Joseph McElroy: detail now, oh no you’re an expert at zoom just do it.

00:38:16.470 –> 00:38:20.430 Brenda Anders: Oh I’m at your friend’s place doing this.

00:38:21.630 –> 00:38:22.710 Brenda Anders: On a flip phone.

00:38:24.390 –> 00:38:26.910 Joseph McElroy: Well, you did a zoom on a flip phone.

00:38:27.360 –> 00:38:28.500 Brenda Anders: No, no, no I have a flip phone.

00:38:32.160 –> 00:38:41.400 Joseph McElroy: By my father still on a flip phone too so yeah you know it’s funny that they’re now making smartphones to look like and flip like a flip phone.

00:38:42.660 –> 00:38:45.630 Joseph McElroy: gen Z loves the concept of the flip phone.

00:38:45.960 –> 00:38:46.950 Joseph McElroy: Not knowing that.

00:38:48.000 –> 00:38:49.470 Joseph McElroy: That we had that 30 years ago.

00:38:50.340 –> 00:39:03.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah right yeah so, but so so you guys do that’s really nice do all this promotion, with the cooking it’s really you know we’re wanting to do some interesting mountain cooking

00:39:03.870 –> 00:39:12.120 Joseph McElroy: recipes for any restaurant come in the Meadowlark so I definitely want to see your cookbook to see if we can find some things that might be interesting for that.

00:39:14.610 –> 00:39:14.940 Joseph McElroy: and

00:39:16.170 –> 00:39:26.760 Brenda Anders: That over crafters are good cooks and we have many recipes in our fast cookbooks that come from our mothers and grandmothers so we’ll help you out on that.

00:39:28.290 –> 00:39:29.040 Joseph McElroy: So tell me.

00:39:30.390 –> 00:39:38.610 Joseph McElroy: How you know I just moved to Asheville so I know you have a moment in the mountain seekers it’s a national it’s a pretty nice event yes.

00:39:38.640 –> 00:39:43.920 Brenda Anders: dogwood has gone to the North Carolina mountain state fair since it began.

00:39:45.330 –> 00:39:58.260 Brenda Anders: I’m not good at naming dates, but about 27 years and we started out, we had loose on the dirt there in the arena, and now we have a wonderful new building built by.

00:40:00.690 –> 00:40:10.140 Brenda Anders: The North Carolina folks that they in the regulators from Raleigh and about four or five years ago dogwood was asked to take over the.

00:40:10.860 –> 00:40:27.540 Brenda Anders: historic heritage crafters there, which was a real privilege for us and we are in constant search of heritage crafters and we have so much fun working 13 days 10 days 13 hours a day.

00:40:28.980 –> 00:40:34.830 Brenda Anders: selling and meeting the folks and introducing them to traditional mountain crafts.

00:40:35.220 –> 00:40:36.810 Joseph McElroy: And when is that usually held

00:40:38.130 –> 00:40:42.060 Brenda Anders: It starts Thursday after Labor day and for the next 10 days.

00:40:43.470 –> 00:40:44.970 Brenda Anders: I expect you to be coming there.

00:40:45.330 –> 00:40:47.430 Joseph McElroy: I will be coming there we live right there.

00:40:50.070 –> 00:40:56.070 Joseph McElroy: I got a balloon and off I’m on my second rodeo and I got three and a half-year-old twins

00:40:57.150 –> 00:41:03.840 Joseph McElroy: So so I’ll be bringing them to show them all sorts of mountain culture, I think they’ll get a kick out that I look forward to.

00:41:05.580 –> 00:41:16.350 Brenda Anders: they’ll love it, they have the last birthing of the cows, then calves and pig races and but don’t forget to bring them to Virginia been building and say that crafters.

00:41:17.760 –> 00:41:29.910 Joseph McElroy: So you, you mentioned, going back to you know I love Cabin right, so what I wanted to ask about that he said the rooms were thinking about doing things, what are the themes of your rooms?

00:41:30.540 –> 00:41:37.560 Brenda Anders: Well, as you enter the room it’s the main room and we live near Eastern we have that decorated for Easter.

00:41:38.250 –> 00:41:46.590 Brenda Anders: mother’s day father’s day and, as you enter then go to the right, we have the lodge a lot of people who come and visit us want.

00:41:47.580 –> 00:42:08.070 Brenda Anders: To decorate their lodge so we have that than around the fireplace we have our Christmas room and then into the next room is our children’s and toy room, we have our pantry with jams and jellies, we have a room that has handmade soap pillows and.

00:42:09.510 –> 00:42:18.510 Brenda Anders: Some jewelry items and things, then we have the traditional large room, which has the baskets brand new drugs, and things like that.

00:42:19.080 –> 00:42:27.570 Brenda Anders: Then we have the bouquet of handmade hats and gloves and dresses and aprons and then we have a kitchen, which has.

00:42:28.170 –> 00:42:47.520 Brenda Anders: kitchen items handmade kitchen items and then you’re not going to find stainless steel spoons or anything everything in our shop is handmade, then the big room that we built on to the cabins out to the back it’s called the gallery, and we call it that, because.

00:42:48.600 –> 00:42:50.610 Brenda Anders: It has lots of walls that.

00:42:51.810 –> 00:43:04.290 Brenda Anders: We can hang photographs and original paintings and prints and things like that, but we did have to put tables and shells in there because we have to have room for crafts.

00:43:05.760 –> 00:43:17.520 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous well, we got to take one last break here we’ll come back we’ll talk a little bit about you know other things going on and how people find out of that all right.

00:43:17.700 –> 00:43:18.210 Okay.

 

00:45:21.630 –> 00:45:29.970 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Podcast Gateway to the Smokies with my guest Brenda Anders so Brenda.

00:45:30.990 –> 00:45:37.500 Joseph McElroy: I read that you added a new feature to the Co-op and that’s Mary’s Garden, what does that how did it come about.

00:45:39.000 –> 00:45:51.900 Brenda Anders: Mary Nolan was a member of dogwood for many, many years, and when she passed away, we wanted to pay tribute to her in a special way, so we had our side yard brick.

00:45:52.680 –> 00:45:57.180 Brenda Anders: And we have a black with her photograph on it, and everything is just called Mary’s garden.

00:45:57.720 –> 00:46:11.130 Brenda Anders: And we’re a firm believer at the dogwood that if you make the men comfortable sitting out on a patio with a good comfortable bench daily deal long while you’re in the shot buying things so mary’s garden has.

00:46:12.330 –> 00:46:25.560 Brenda Anders: It keeps Mary with us, she was very important to us as dogwood every Member when you become a member of a dog and you become a member of dogwood your family when you’re sick we help you.

00:46:25.950 –> 00:46:45.420 Brenda Anders: When when you have a death in the family, we help you and you are as important there’s no one there are people like me, have a good mouth and can talk about dogwood and things, but each and every Member of dogwood makes it a volunteer cooperative shop.

00:46:46.620 –> 00:46:47.460 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:46:49.080 –> 00:46:57.570 Joseph McElroy: it’s obviously real dedication to your Members, but I also feel like the last this long your real dedication to your customers, how do you support them?

00:46:58.710 –> 00:47:23.970 Brenda Anders: We support them by continuing to have good quality crafts, we try each of our crafters come up with new ideas and our longtime customers notice when they come in, they say Oh well, this is new and every item has a tag on it and that crafters name is on the tech, so they know that.

00:47:25.410 –> 00:47:36.870 Brenda Anders: Geneva has a new chair, or Judy Horn has some new gourds or they identify by name, not just a number on the tag so.

00:47:38.340 –> 00:47:48.720 Brenda Anders: We try to support them by having new things and staying open it’s really hard to stay open as a business now and it’s a privilege to say that we.

00:47:49.080 –> 00:47:59.700 Brenda Anders: have made this happen for as many years, as we have when we first started well not when we first started, but about 20 years into it handmade in America became very popular.

00:48:00.420 –> 00:48:12.480 Brenda Anders: And they asked us to help other craft cooperatives get started so Mary and I would take these trips to different towns all around and.

00:48:13.500 –> 00:48:24.300 Brenda Anders: We would talk to them about how we got started and what we did, and one of our Members Susie Ray wrote a book dogwood crafters our first 25 years.

00:48:24.840 –> 00:48:39.480 Brenda Anders: And in that book, it tells exactly how we got started our recommendations of how a craft cooperative works, and you can take that look, and you can find a good location in your own town, and you can have your own doctor crafters cooperatives.

00:48:40.260 –> 00:48:47.280 Joseph McElroy: fabulous that’s fabulous and you know, in your own town, but you go around the festivals as well.

00:48:48.450 –> 00:48:51.210 Joseph McElroy: Yes, a big holiday, can you tell me about those?

00:48:52.260 –> 00:48:52.950 Brenda Anders: Dillsboro

00:48:54.270 –> 00:49:04.470 Brenda Anders: has three main festivals, we have a front street in July color fest in October, and our luminary, which is the first two full weekends in

00:49:05.310 –> 00:49:24.810 Brenda Anders: December and that is where the streets are all by candles and white bags to thousands and thousands of fit and the shops offer refreshments and when we can get the horses to work there are horse-drawn buggy rides and everything and.

00:49:26.610 –> 00:49:36.840 Brenda Anders: While the train comes to Dillsboro we like to have demonstrations, so the spring fling and fall fling has started and that’s just on.

00:49:37.320 –> 00:49:49.200 Brenda Anders: Certain Saturdays I can’t remember the dates, right now, but we have crafters and in the front of each shop we don’t cross the streets off for those things but.

00:49:50.160 –> 00:50:07.590 Brenda Anders: Again we’re trying to let people say that hey things are handmade and we have several good shops in town that, of course, they don’t all carry handmade things but they’re good quality shops that are restaurants can be beaten in Dillsboro

00:50:08.370 –> 00:50:09.630 Joseph McElroy:Dillsboro

00:50:11.250 –> 00:50:13.380 Joseph McElroy: has nice restaurants there Okay, yes.

00:50:14.130 –> 00:50:19.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah I can’t speak more highly of it and you gotta you have a brewery there now to innovation.

00:50:20.880 –> 00:50:22.050 Joseph McElroy: Innovation right brewery.

00:50:22.350 –> 00:50:22.770 Yes.

00:50:24.000 –> 00:50:29.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s good time to visit, then people should visit and then go to the go-to coop and buy some crafts would be a.

00:50:29.790 –> 00:50:30.030 Brenda Anders: Great.

00:50:30.570 –> 00:50:31.830 Joseph McElroy: A great day trip.

00:50:32.040 –> 00:50:33.480 Joseph McElroy: And a fun thing that we have.

00:50:34.710 –> 00:50:47.880 Brenda Anders: A fun thing that we have is the Easter parade and that got started 37 years ago when several shops decided well we’ll just have our own parade, and so they put on funny hats and they marched around town.

00:50:48.150 –> 00:50:56.520 Brenda Anders: Oh now, we continue to have that, and hundreds of people come our state magazine came and interviewed and stayed all day.

00:50:56.520 –> 00:51:07.590 Brenda Anders: And took pictures and it’s a free event for families and it’s always the Saturday before Easter this year, we had a goat come.

00:51:09.030 –> 00:51:17.910 Brenda Anders: Last year, oh, and we have a cat that has been coming up for five years, her name is a bonus, and she walks around on the leash last year at a chicken come.

00:51:18.330 –> 00:51:27.690 Brenda Anders: So it’s always fun to see who shows up and watch shows up that it’s a good Dillsboro is a walkabout town it’s too long blocks.

00:51:28.680 –> 00:51:40.320 Brenda Anders: front and back street and that, where you can park your car and go in and out all these shops and stop to eat and have a really good day that away from the maddening crowds.

00:51:40.950 –> 00:51:43.140 Joseph McElroy: So what’s the future for the Coop.

00:51:44.910 –> 00:51:45.660 Joseph McElroy: what’s your vision?

00:51:46.770 –> 00:52:03.720 Brenda Anders: My vision is that we can continue to recruit crafters to carry on dogwood crafters as it has been for the last since 76 and keep it there for generations to come it’s hard work.

00:52:05.100 –> 00:52:15.510 Brenda Anders: Getting younger people to want to make a craft that’s why we have to demonstrate and show that you can make carpet and you can make your own socks and crochet your own hat and.

00:52:16.230 –> 00:52:24.540 Brenda Anders: Dollies I love Dollies I can have a lot of deaths, but I dare say that a lot of people don’t know what a dollies is

00:52:25.260 –> 00:52:25.620 Brenda Anders: and

00:52:26.460 –> 00:52:28.080 Brenda Anders: We just want to keep that alive.

00:52:28.500 –> 00:52:38.700 Brenda Anders: And if we can do that the dog will be there for another 25 or 75 years I won’t be meaning for crafters won’t be but dogwood will be there.

00:52:39.120 –> 00:52:45.330 Joseph McElroy: For you on the next generation that’s important So how do people find out more about you?

00:52:46.410 –> 00:52:54.780 Brenda Anders: Well, Facebook or dogwood crafters are on Facebook, we have a website dogwoodcrafters.com.

00:52:57.810 –> 00:53:12.330 Brenda Anders: And we still are old fashion and have brochures and some of the welcome centers and things like that, but I think, where people can just Google it and find us in Dillsboro.

00:53:12.870 –> 00:53:18.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, I invite you to bring your quilt raffle tickets over the Meadowlark and try to sell some for it.

00:53:19.020 –> 00:53:20.280 Joseph McElroy: Okay, and.

00:53:21.180 –> 00:53:22.140 Brenda Anders: we’re very lucky.

00:53:22.290 –> 00:53:30.660 Brenda Anders: Where we’re located we’re on how by 441 at the red light, there were three hours from Charlotte three hours from Atlanta three hours from.

00:53:32.520 –> 00:53:42.420 Brenda Anders: major hubs one hour from Asheville so if you’re wanting to go to Cherokee stop 14 miles before you get to Cherokee and you’ll find dogwood crafters.

00:53:42.540 –> 00:53:43.710 Joseph McElroy: And of course, you’re pretty close to.

00:53:45.810 –> 00:53:50.280 Joseph McElroy: Maggie Valley you know I hope you guys come to our craft and arts and crafts show.

00:53:51.960 –> 00:53:56.850 Joseph McElroy: All right, good well it’s been a pleasure, having you on the show today Thank you so much.

00:53:58.440 –> 00:54:08.730 Joseph McElroy: I’ve learned a lot it’s nice to know about you that stimulates things in my brain, you know I’m involved in the arts and crafts, so I definitely come and check you out and see what’s going on.

00:54:09.960 –> 00:54:17.760 Joseph McElroy: So thank you again, this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find out more about us at.

00:54:20.520 –> 00:54:27.540 Joseph McElroy: Talkradio. NYC, is a network of live podcasts about what happened there every day.

00:54:28.590 –> 00:54:42.330 Joseph McElroy: During every day of the week, where you’ll find out information that’s interesting they talk about small business and talk about you have self help it talks about cats, dogs and animals and all sorts of different things.

00:54:43.800 –> 00:54:44.250 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:54:47.190 –> 00:54:48.810 Joseph McElroy: it’s a pleasure to have you here.

00:54:49.860 –> 00:54:59.670 Joseph McElroy: And and have you should listen to the show, so I encourage you to go see and listen to other podcasts on the network, I.

00:55:00.780 –> 00:55:08.610 Joseph McElroy: This specific show has a Facebook page facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast where you find the.

00:55:08.940 –> 00:55:15.870 Joseph McElroy: The local live broadcasts and everything else we’re also smokiesadventure.com there’s a link that shows all the previous.

00:55:16.560 –> 00:55:25.230 Joseph McElroy: podcasts and transcripts, as well as information that’s useful my mutual to us, was events know things going on and I.

00:55:26.040 –> 00:55:31.080 Joseph McElroy: I have another podcast on this network that can wise content creates wealth which is about.

00:55:31.590 –> 00:55:39.540 Joseph McElroy: Using AI and behavioral science to help marketing your business So if you get a chance to look at look for that podcast on Fridays from.

00:55:40.170 –> 00:55:56.100 Joseph McElroy: From noon to one, this podcast is on Tuesdays from six to seven every week and it’s been a pleasure letting you into our world here, and hopefully, you’ll come to visit us and I’ll talk to you next week.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/cZhTZOvgx5/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/627d8d1862a28fb207962eb4_20220510-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/05/10 - Dogwood Crafters Cooperative with Brenda Anders"></a></p><p><strong><em>GUEST: BRENDA ANDERS</em></strong></p><p> <strong>If you love crafts or have an interest or family tradition in making crafts, you are going to love this episode! You&#39;ll learn Dogwood Crafters Cooperative featuring Brenda Anders.</strong></p><p>In today&#39;s episode, Joseph is joined by our special guest <strong>Brenda Anders</strong>, she is a true daughter of the Smokies who has lived in WNC since 1978 when her husband took a job with WCU. Not long after that, Brenda joined Dogwood Crafters, one of the most storied crafts cooperatives in the Southeast, located in historic Dillsboro, N.C. Since then Brenda has played an integral role in the success of the business --which was first formed in 1976 –serving in various key leadership positions including President and Chairman of the Board, along with heading multiple operational committees within the organization.</p><p>Website:<a href="https://dogwoodcrafters.com" rel="nofollow"> https://dogwoodcrafters.com</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/cZhTZOvgx5/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph begins by mentioning the sponsor, The Meadowlark Motel as well as smokiesadventure.com and some upcoming events. On May 13th and 14th, they&#39;re having the Icons of Hotrodding Festival. Also May 31st -June 4, they&#39;ll have an event called Slingshots in the Smokies and more festivals and camps later in the summer. Joseph also reads a poem related to today’s topic and events by Marcus B. Christian called “The Craftsman.” He introduces his guest, Brenda Anders, who has lived in WNC since 1978 when her husband took a job with WCU. Not long after that, Brenda joined Dogwood Crafters, one of the most storied crafts cooperatives in the Southeast, located in historic Dillsboro, N.C. Brenda grew up in Tennessee and says that she didn&#39;t realize how lucky she was. Sometimes she forgets to look at the mountains and realize the beauty of the environment but is always reminded when she has company in the car with her as she rides. Brenda moved to Western North Carolina when her husband got a job as the director of the Computer Center. She got involved with Dogwood Crafters after falling in love with the art there. She explains the workplace then and now with her team and how they&#39;ve stayed successful.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Brenda says that there is one active original member in Dogwood Crafters, who also helped get the organization started with their husband. She also mentions another crafter who recently came back, Don Wood, who now does beekeeping. Brenda explains what artists must go through when wanting to create something and be a part of Dogwood Crafters. When you are interested, she says that you would go to Dogwood and fill out an application and bring the item you want to make. A jury committee made up of anonymous crafters, look it over and make sure that it is some time that has not already been offered to make. She mentions having a coordinator for every room in the log cabin where they work and have the chance to showcase everyone&#39;s work and sell a variety of items. Brenda also talks about using recycled items. On the Facebook Livestream, she shows us several items like a pair of mittens that were made by using a couple of different sweaters. They can make something with just about everything!</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Brenda explains how she and her team were able to acquire all 12 rooms in the log cabin which was once a motel. Everyone in the organization works very hard on keeping things in order from building to supplies, maintenance, flower boxes, and more. Dogwood Crafters also offer free classes to anyone as long as you pay for the supplies that you would be using. They also have a scholarship committee where they give money to different schools and students wanting to learn the Appalachian craft. They have different projects that they do in order to earn this money. They come up with different ideas, for example, she says that they also sell jams and jellies. As a nonprofit, they don&#39;t have a lot of money, but the percentages that they earn comes from the crafters and their pantry. Brenda also mentions how Dogwood has been involved in the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. She also talks with Joseph about the rooms in the log cabin and how they are all themed differently.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Brenda talks with Joseph about Mary’s Garden. Mary Nolan was a member of Dogwood Crafters for many years and when she passed away, they wanted to pay tribute to her. So they had their side yard bricked and they have a plaque with her photograph on it and it&#39;s called Mary’s Garden. It keeps Mary with them, and Brenda says that everyone in Dogwood is like family. She also mentions supporting customers by continuing to have good quality crafts and each crafter comes up with new ideas. They also talk about Dogwood being a part of festivals. In Dillsboro, they are part of three main festivals. One of them is Front Street in July, Colorfest in October, and Luminaire which takes over the first two weekends in December. Dogwood tries to connect with its community and show people that all of its work is handmade. She mentions the different events that they do like the Easter Parade where hundreds of people join in, being a free event for families. Brenda says that her vision for this co-op and Dogwood Crafters is that they continue to recruit crafters, continue to carry on its legacy and keep it there for generations to come. Although it&#39;s hard work and hard to get young people into crafting, she says that they do their best to show them that they can craft their own rug, socks, and much more than they think. You can find out more by searching for Dogwood Crafters on Facebook as well as their website dogwoodcrafters.com.</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:45.450 –&gt; 00:00:56.640 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National park and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:57.030 –&gt; 00:01:06.660 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty, a deep-storied history, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:07.110 –&gt; 00:01:14.490 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living in great smokies for over 200 years.</p><p>00:01:15.030 –&gt; 00:01:27.360 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today we’re gonna be talking about the dogwood crafters cooperative with Brenda Anders but first I got some messages from sponsors and some events.</p><p>00:01:29.760 –&gt; 00:01:39.870 Joseph McElroy: imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with the “Chic Appalachian” feel. A place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:40.470 –&gt; 00:01:49.050 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on a fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:49.830 –&gt; 00:02:02.400 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds. There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina. Your Smoky Mountain Adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:02:04.620 –&gt; 00:02:09.540 Joseph McElroy: Another Sponsor is SmokiesAdventure.com. The smoky mountains and surrounding areas are a vacation destination for all seasons.</p><p>00:02:10.260 –&gt; 00:02:17.070 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails, waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:17.580 –&gt; 00:02:28.230 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com, smokies plural adventure singular.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</p><p>00:02:28.620 –&gt; 00:02:37.770 Joseph McElroy: trails waterfalls, Cades Cove, and more. Then check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment you and your entire family can enjoy.</p><p>00:02:38.160 –&gt; 00:02:48.360 Joseph McElroy: And if you’re looking for places to have a wedding or an outdoor life event or a honeymoon or romantic getaway check it out there are places that you can go to do that there’s well.</p><p>00:02:48.630 –&gt; 00:02:56.430 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokies adventure.com is to become a leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:57.120 –&gt; 00:03:06.600 Joseph McElroy: Now I mentioned some events coming up in Maggie Valley knowing we have this great festival and the May 13 and 14th for having the icons of a pop music festival.</p><p>00:03:07.020 –&gt; 00:03:29.340 Joseph McElroy: And then, in the 1950s and 1960s hot rod and custom cars trucks and vans for cars and vehicles, all of them 1969 and then they’ll be 50s and 60s music automotive vintage vendors kids drivers food vendors judging with awards and trophies presentation it’s a family-friendly.</p><p>00:03:31.560 –&gt; 00:03:40.680 Joseph McElroy: urging you to come on down and check it out and then on May 31 of June 4 we have slingshots in the smokies and see and know slingshots in the smokies.</p><p>00:03:41.850 –&gt; 00:03:47.370 Joseph McElroy: is known as the super bowl for slingshot of its for those who don’t know slingshots or a sort of a.</p><p>00:03:49.200 –&gt; 00:03:58.710 Joseph McElroy: motorcycle on three wheels, and so this will take place in the Maggie Valley festival grounds and again we’ll have all sorts of wonderful things going on.</p><p>00:04:00.510 –&gt; 00:04:07.620 Joseph McElroy: Since we’re talking about crafts, I need to talk about July 9 and 10th on Maggie Valley festival grounds, you have the annual.</p><p>00:04:08.280 –&gt; 00:04:24.390 Joseph McElroy: Maggie Valley arts and crafts show it’s the largest Maggie Valley largest gathering of artisans and crafters it comes to go to the seller handmade treasures artists and small the southeast attendance and there’ll be chains are demonstrations of lots of festivals.</p><p>00:04:26.010 –&gt; 00:04:39.540 Joseph McElroy: So you can go to maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.com to find out more about all the festivals coming to Maggie Valley, which is where you can go and how you can partake in enjoying all these different things now the Meadowlark is, as announced a big.</p><p>00:04:40.710 –&gt; 00:04:51.270 Joseph McElroy: big event coming up in August we’re going to have a Songwriters Camp and Concert with Grammy-award winning artist Jim Lauderdale and Charles Humphrey III</p><p>00:04:51.660 –&gt; 00:05:03.690 Joseph McElroy: Along with other award-winning artists like Darren Nicholson and Balsam Range, Clay Mills, and Charles Chamberlain. it’s a two-day event of interactive songwriting instruction from world-class musicians.</p><p>00:05:04.350 –&gt; 00:05:14.250 Joseph McElroy: a DEMO tape produced for each participant, and concerts by Songs from the Road Band on Friday night and a Barbecue dinner, and also our concert on Saturday night.</p><p>00:05:14.910 –&gt; 00:05:21.420 Joseph McElroy: This is a unique event like no other and space will be limited to ensure individual attention is given to all participants.</p><p>00:05:21.720 –&gt; 00:05:31.050 Joseph McElroy: the price is $675 per person including all activities and DEMO tape, two world-class concerts, and the Barbecue dinner on Saturday night.</p><p>00:05:31.470 –&gt; 00:05:43.980 Joseph McElroy: And then their special room prize packages are offered from different kinds of places to stay to include lodging providing for Friday and Saturday night call 8289261717 for details.</p><p>00:05:44.400 –&gt; 00:05:55.110 Joseph McElroy: And there’s also a limited amount of concert tickets available for the concerts and Friday Saturday night so check it out again and reserve your spot at 8289261717 so.</p><p>00:05:56.220 –&gt; 00:06:08.370 Joseph McElroy: Now, you know that I like to introduce some times what’s coming up with the bed with a poem I might write your fine I found that interesting going by a guy named Marcus B. Christian written in 1970 is called the Craftsman</p><p>00:06:10.320 –&gt; 00:06:19.650 Joseph McElroy: It goes like this, I ply with all the cunning of my art. This little thing, and with consummate care, I fashion it—so that when I depart,</p><p>00:06:20.100 –&gt; 00:06:35.070 Joseph McElroy: Those who come after me shall find it fair And beautiful. It must be free of flaws—Pointing no laborings of weary hands; And there must be no flouting of the laws Of beauty—as the artist understands.</p><p>00:06:35.670 –&gt; 00:06:46.530 Joseph McElroy: Through passion, yearnings infinite – yet dumb-</p><p>I left you from the depths of my own mind And gild you with my soul’s white heat to plumb, The souls of future men.</p><p>00:06:47.160 –&gt; 00:07:02.250 Joseph McElroy: I leave behind this thing that in return, this solace gives:</p><p>“He who creates true beauty ever lives.”</p><p>wonderful poem little focused on one gender but it applies I think across the board.</p><p>00:07:03.720 –&gt; 00:07:09.570 Joseph McElroy: So somebody has a lot about crafts and we’ve introduced today is our guest her name is Brendan Anders.</p><p>00:07:10.710 –&gt; 00:07:19.770 Joseph McElroy: She’s a Maryville Tennessee native and then a true daughter of the smokies who’s lived in Western North Carolina since 1978.</p><p>00:07:20.490 –&gt; 00:07:26.190 Joseph McElroy: Since then Brenda has played an integral role in the success of Dogwood Crafters Cooperative,</p><p>00:07:27.000 –&gt; 00:07:34.440 Joseph McElroy: One of the most storied crafts cooperatives in the southeast, located in historic Dillsboro, N.C.</p><p>00:07:34.950 –&gt; 00:07:45.690 Joseph McElroy: Brenda has served in various key leadership positions including President and Chairman of the Board, along with heading multiple operational committees within the organization.</p><p>00:07:46.260 –&gt; 00:07:58.470 Joseph McElroy: For more than four decades Brenda’s work and leadership with Dogwood Crafters have created a template for many other artists and crafts cooperatives to follow throughout the country.</p><p>Hello Brenda, how are you doing?</p><p>00:07:59.220 –&gt; 00:08:03.300 Brenda Anders: I’m doing just fine glad to be here and share the story of dogman crafters.</p><p>00:08:03.480 –&gt; 00:08:09.060 Joseph McElroy: I’m glad to hear about a little learn a little bit about yourself first you grew up in Maryville Tennessee.</p><p>00:08:10.380 –&gt; 00:08:22.170 Brenda Anders: I did, and I went to business college with my husband’s cousin and he came upon a fishing trip to visit his uncle he likes to say he used the wrong bank and got married instead.</p><p>00:08:23.550 –&gt; 00:08:34.080 Brenda Anders: And we did get married shortly after we only had about six dates, as he went into the air force, and then we got married moved to Texas for 13 years.</p><p>00:08:34.530 –&gt; 00:08:41.520 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah sometimes I mean, I had the opposite experience, I met married my first wife within six weeks.</p><p>00:08:43.980 –&gt; 00:08:45.390 Joseph McElroy: didn’t last for three years, but.</p><p>00:08:46.920 –&gt; 00:08:52.050 Joseph McElroy: I learned a lot from it so sometimes you learn lots of times you find your life mate right.</p><p>00:08:52.470 –&gt; 00:08:52.920 Right.</p><p>00:08:53.970 –&gt; 00:08:57.840 Joseph McElroy: So you wrote they’re having grown up in the foothills of those folks.</p><p>00:08:58.530 –&gt; 00:09:02.760 Brenda Anders: Well, to me, I didn’t realize at the time how lucky I was.</p><p>00:09:03.270 –&gt; 00:09:09.900 Brenda Anders: It was just a natural thing it’s just like right now, when I drive around in the mountains, sometimes I forget to look at them.</p><p>00:09:10.320 –&gt; 00:09:12.120 Brenda Anders: Until I have company in the car with.</p><p>00:09:12.120 –&gt; 00:09:19.980 Brenda Anders: me and they start commenting on how pretty it is, and I have to jerk myself up and check myself and look around a little bit to appreciate what I have.</p><p>00:09:20.670 –&gt; 00:09:26.160 Joseph McElroy: Now America was a sort of a suburb of Nashville right wasn’t more suburb or more role and your.</p><p>00:09:27.180 –&gt; 00:09:27.660 Brenda Anders: role.</p><p>00:09:27.990 –&gt; 00:09:35.400 Joseph McElroy: yeah and so you got to do all the good home cooking and all that sort of stuff that we all familiar with, he grew up in the mountains.</p><p>00:09:36.300 –&gt; 00:09:41.640 Brenda Anders: As the iron, my mother did all the cooking but back in those days, we had to iron.</p><p>00:09:42.330 –&gt; 00:09:47.370 Joseph McElroy: Oh, there you go did you have an electric guard do you have to use it like the one here.</p><p>00:09:48.300 –&gt; 00:09:49.380 Brenda Anders: I’m not quite that old.</p><p>00:09:54.630 –&gt; 00:09:56.280 Joseph McElroy: So when did you read Maryville?</p><p>00:09:57.210 –&gt; 00:09:59.460 Brenda Anders: And I married in 1965.</p><p>00:10:00.060 –&gt; 00:10:00.480 Okay.</p><p>00:10:01.620 –&gt; 00:10:02.280 Joseph McElroy: go around.</p><p>00:10:03.510 –&gt; 00:10:06.690 Brenda Anders: He worked for champion paper cut me for just about a month.</p><p>00:10:07.710 –&gt; 00:10:18.600 Brenda Anders: Until his school started it and then he was in school got a job at the computer Center and then he’s been in computer work ever since until he retired.</p><p>00:10:19.200 –&gt; 00:10:23.700 Joseph McElroy: was good, so what brought you to Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:10:25.170 –&gt; 00:10:28.800 Brenda Anders: He was it got a job as Director of the Computer Center at Western.</p><p>00:10:29.370 –&gt; 00:10:31.080 Brenda Anders: Ah, and I followed him.</p><p>00:10:31.590 –&gt; 00:10:33.030 Joseph McElroy: I guess you had to, right?</p><p>00:10:37.290 –&gt; 00:10:39.690 Joseph McElroy: Did you end up in Dillsboro for that time or was.</p><p>00:10:40.770 –&gt; 00:10:50.160 Brenda Anders: About four miles, out of a Dillsboro in a town called Sylva all the surrounding areas of Sylva and we have little communities like Webster and Dillsboro.</p><p>00:10:51.750 –&gt; 00:11:06.930 Joseph McElroy: I love Sylva and those are there, wonderful little towns so so you got involved with the dogwood craft cooperative I saw it just a couple of years after he’s found it so you are your sort of a founder of it honestly.</p><p>00:11:07.980 –&gt; 00:11:14.310 Brenda Anders: Now I wasn’t that lucky I wish I could have said, I was part of the 12 who got that started.</p><p>00:11:14.880 –&gt; 00:11:25.710 Brenda Anders: But I was a member of the newcomers club index and county and we had a field trip, one day, and we went into dogwood crafters and I just fell in love with the art.</p><p>00:11:26.640 –&gt; 00:11:41.040 Brenda Anders: There, and my question was who does the decorating here and Rosemary jar or who was President that day or that year, she says, I think you do because you’re the first one that ever mentioned that word.</p><p>00:11:42.150 –&gt; 00:11:46.200 Brenda Anders: up to that point, the crafters had to get this stuff off of the street.</p><p>00:11:47.520 –&gt; 00:11:48.450 Brenda Anders: legs.</p><p>00:11:49.500 –&gt; 00:11:52.740 Brenda Anders: The plastic legs things and they were great jewelry over it.</p><p>00:11:54.240 –&gt; 00:12:05.220 Brenda Anders: Raw the things that you put electrical wire around the big round things they drug everything they could dig it dogwood started and that.</p><p>00:12:06.270 –&gt; 00:12:12.810 Brenda Anders: is a tribute to them, but I got there about three or four years later and I’ve been happy there ever since.</p><p>00:12:13.830 –&gt; 00:12:17.970 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you successfully know I’m an artist myself.</p><p>00:12:19.980 –&gt; 00:12:24.420 Joseph McElroy: you’re in a speakeasy down there at the Bellagio look around a lot of those are by my paintings.</p><p>00:12:25.800 –&gt; 00:12:36.990 Joseph McElroy: And you know it I’ve been involved in a few artists and craft things and they don’t a lot of them have a moment in the sun, then they just disappear, so you guys are really done something.</p><p>00:12:37.890 –&gt; 00:12:48.210 Joseph McElroy: To it intrigues me that you managed to create something this last this long list and so successful, and in fact, you’ve sort of become a model across the country for how to run.</p><p>00:12:48.870 –&gt; 00:13:02.400 Joseph McElroy: A cooperative so so you know I look forward to this conversation find out more so, so you basically started with land and paper.</p><p>00:13:03.150 –&gt; 00:13:11.580 Brenda Anders: Yes, a little ad that says, if you have handmade crafts and that you’d like to sell them, will you come to a meeting at the library.</p><p>00:13:12.000 –&gt; 00:13:27.660 Brenda Anders: And 12 people came and they set up the rules and the regulations over the next little while that we still go by today and they started meeting in a House there in Dillsboro that is chocolate factory now, but they would come set up their little.</p><p>00:13:28.710 –&gt; 00:13:40.230 Brenda Anders: TV trays and tables they had their own cash box and they sat and visited and, at the end of the day, they fold everything up and took it home pretty soon I realized that.</p><p>00:13:40.650 –&gt; 00:13:57.750 Brenda Anders: If I took turns and helped each other like you’d be homemaking crafts, the rest of the tap so that was the word cooperative that we still go back today, because without each and every one of the members of chocolate it couldn’t operate the way it is.</p><p>00:13:58.950 –&gt; 00:14:14.400 Brenda Anders: Basically, we have two crafters every day working the front counter a cashier and a bagger, and we have only one paid employee, no one was foolish enough to sign up to do the bookkeeping of the record-keeping of.</p><p>00:14:14.850 –&gt; 00:14:26.400 Brenda Anders: club thousands of items that we have a dogwood that the word volunteer and everyone are this thing is the key to the success of Dogwood Crafters.</p><p>00:14:26.610 –&gt; 00:14:27.870 Joseph McElroy: Cool. Well, we got to take a break now.</p><p>00:14:29.310 –&gt; 00:14:39.060 Joseph McElroy: and come back we’ll talk more about how you how it works and what the insights you gained and then the how’s that actually propagated in the world.</p><p>00:14:40.260 –&gt; 00:14:40.770 Brenda Anders: Okay.</p><p>00:16:56.790 –&gt; 00:17:04.890 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guest Brenda Anders.</p><p>00:17:05.910 –&gt; 00:17:19.860 Joseph McElroy: So Brenda I know that you joined in 1978 how many original members have you had what 12 members and what do you have about 90 now, is there any original members left.</p><p>00:17:20.520 –&gt; 00:17:29.880 Brenda Anders: We have one very active original Member her name is Patricia Calvin and she and her husband are very active and getting dogwood started, he was a lawyer.</p><p>00:17:30.420 –&gt; 00:17:54.150 Brenda Anders: And he helped get our policies and bio all set up and for years did leather working and she paints on glass, so we have one and another crafter who has recently come back Don Wood he was helpful in getting the Co-op started and he is now a retired from the University does beekeeping.</p><p>00:17:54.960 –&gt; 00:17:55.320 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow. You know I’m a beekeeper</p><p>00:17:58.080 –&gt; 00:17:58.830 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:18:00.660 –&gt; 00:18:12.330 Joseph McElroy: I did I put these in the South Bronx and actually got some recognition for that, because you know we got help the local communities do some beekeeping.</p><p>00:18:13.830 –&gt; 00:18:15.750 Brenda Anders: Those babies when you meant to ask for.</p><p>00:18:16.170 –&gt; 00:18:25.680 Joseph McElroy: Well, about you know, the thing is, I would create it I would enjoy it for a while and then I would train somebody in the Community, one of the Community gardens how to take it over and they take it over.</p><p>00:18:27.270 –&gt; 00:18:39.900 Joseph McElroy: And then I create another one that now I just made now that I’m now I’m coming down there and create some beehives at the Meadowlark and or at my place and then at nine enough but.</p><p>00:18:41.520 –&gt; 00:18:57.300 Joseph McElroy: So you know, I understand that you guys are not like a fleet right you actually your bylaws required I think for homeless originally right that all the artists must be Cherokee an art jury community and then must be the highest quality How does that work.</p><p>00:18:58.260 –&gt; 00:19:03.810 Brenda Anders: Well, when you voice an interest you come to that word and you get an application.</p><p>00:19:05.160 –&gt; 00:19:18.360 Brenda Anders: You fill out the application and bring one or two items that you want to make a jury committee made up of three anonymous crafters no one wants to know who they are so they can’t blame them if they’re not accepted.</p><p>00:19:18.900 –&gt; 00:19:26.400 Brenda Anders: But they look the craft over they make sure that it’s not something already offered in dogwood and you’re in, and you can be.</p><p>00:19:26.820 –&gt; 00:19:40.290 Brenda Anders: A 20% crafter means we take 20% of your money at the end of the month, and you promised to work 176 hours a year keeping the shop open working at the counter.</p><p>00:19:40.770 –&gt; 00:19:54.480 Brenda Anders: Are you can join as a 40% or you might be older, you might have a real job this a lot of different complications that don’t allow you to work and we take 40% of that application.</p><p>00:19:55.470 –&gt; 00:20:04.890 Brenda Anders: So that’s how you become a member, and then, once you’re a member you’re sucked in there to help us work to volunteer on our committees and get things done.</p><p>00:20:05.760 –&gt; 00:20:07.410 Joseph McElroy: And why do you mean.</p><p>00:20:08.610 –&gt; 00:20:13.650 Joseph McElroy: Why do you think that originally I mean why you know that originally, why did they decide to make it.</p><p>00:20:15.030 –&gt; 00:20:23.580 Joseph McElroy: You know, instead of just being a sort of craft a flea market and make it into this real sort of excellent source of art.</p><p>00:20:25.170 –&gt; 00:20:33.390 Brenda Anders: Well, we wanted to be the best that we could we have a coordinator now for every room, we have 12 rooms in this log cabin.</p><p>00:20:34.560 –&gt; 00:20:50.220 Brenda Anders: That has used to being cannons cottages an overnight stay staying place back in the 30s we joined us with the help of our very helpful landlord three of those log cabins and then built a big room onto the back.</p><p>00:20:50.760 –&gt; 00:21:03.630 Brenda Anders: And every room has a different theme and every room has a coordinator that comes and redecorates the room about every six weeks after every major holiday and we did not want everything lined up.</p><p>00:21:04.890 –&gt; 00:21:23.100 Brenda Anders: Like a grocery store all the band-aids on one jail all the baskets on one shelf we decorate according to theme and color and that drugs, it gives everybody a fair chance to have their crafts highlighted in the spotlight it’s worked and it works well.</p><p>00:21:24.150 –&gt; 00:21:30.090 Joseph McElroy: that’s great is there any restrictions on the materials or what can be displayed they’re.</p><p>00:21:31.170 –&gt; 00:21:32.040 Brenda Anders: Not so far.</p><p>00:21:32.190 –&gt; 00:21:32.520 yeah.</p><p>00:21:36.840 –&gt; 00:21:39.210 Joseph McElroy: Well, you said there might be room for art, you know what I do.</p><p>00:21:42.030 –&gt; 00:21:44.490 Brenda Anders: In the first place it’s too big you’ll have you’d have.</p><p>00:21:44.550 –&gt; 00:21:46.890 Brenda Anders: To do some smaller to get into our lives.</p><p>00:21:48.630 –&gt; 00:21:49.620 Joseph McElroy: A little flower vase.</p><p>00:21:51.360 –&gt; 00:21:54.750 Joseph McElroy: But I’m saying you have a Christmas shop right.</p><p>00:21:55.830 –&gt; 00:21:56.280 Joseph McElroy: yeah your.</p><p>00:21:56.910 –&gt; 00:21:58.650 Joseph McElroy: Christmas selection.</p><p>00:21:58.890 –&gt; 00:22:10.470 Brenda Anders: Yes, we have a room that is called the Christmas room and we sell more Christmas items throughout the year, than we actually do Christmas, because during Christmas people mostly look for gifts.</p><p>00:22:11.160 –&gt; 00:22:30.780 Brenda Anders: What what I like about dogwood is working behind the counter and the door opens and somebody walks in, and I said oh you’re still here and I said oh you’ve been here before, and he says, my parents, dragged me in here as a child and then during dragging my children in</p><p>00:22:31.740 –&gt; 00:22:41.820 Brenda Anders: Where is the toy room now that’s it usually it’s the same place so it’s good that children remember and come back to us.</p><p>00:22:42.480 –&gt; 00:22:56.850 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah yeah that’s part of the Meadowlark charm too we had people that had honeymoons in the 60s and they bring their children back and their grandchildren back and they’ll be coming back for you know our whole lives it’s kind of Nice.</p><p>00:22:58.500 –&gt; 00:23:08.460 Joseph McElroy: So I understand that you guys take a great deal of pride and using a lot of recycled products very hard to just hold them off the handle of a cane or something like that.</p><p>00:23:08.820 –&gt; 00:23:19.110 Brenda Anders: We do like this, this pair of mittens are made out of old sweaters and there are about five or six different sweaters here and there, NASA morn and.</p><p>00:23:20.100 –&gt; 00:23:32.820 Brenda Anders: This is not really a recycled item but this little Christmas ornament it’s a pine Cone it’s been run over years and years and it’s really flat and it’s called a roadkill Santa.</p><p>00:23:34.740 –&gt; 00:23:44.340 Brenda Anders: And we have a man who recycles concrete nails and missionary nails and he makes this cute little reindeer we recycle.</p><p>00:23:45.330 –&gt; 00:24:07.710 Brenda Anders: lot boat doorknobs just a lot of things, and this day in town when people are cleaning out their parent’s house we get a lot of items donated to us fabric yarn and everything and we share those and then pass them on to other crafters and things, so we have about 17 items</p><p>00:24:08.730 –&gt; 00:24:13.260 Brenda Anders: Different types of items using recycled material wow.</p><p>00:24:13.350 –&gt; 00:24:19.920 Joseph McElroy: Do you have like a little warehouse of recycled material that artists can come to find for them.</p><p>00:24:20.190 –&gt; 00:24:29.730 Brenda Anders: We have a very small office when the public brings things to us, we put it in their free atoms somebody might say.</p><p>00:24:30.330 –&gt; 00:24:36.840 Brenda Anders: Even a half a bushel basket of light bulbs and bring them in and say we don’t know why we save these, but here you are.</p><p>00:24:37.230 –&gt; 00:24:52.560 Brenda Anders: Because we, this is a shop and we say that you, you make things out of lot books so it’s a pass-along thing our customers and the public helps us but recycle we collect liquor bottles from restaurants that.</p><p>00:24:53.190 –&gt; 00:24:53.670 Joseph McElroy: For you.</p><p>00:24:55.650 –&gt; 00:24:56.700 Joseph McElroy: So you say.</p><p>00:24:58.230 –&gt; 00:24:58.590 Brenda Anders: well.</p><p>00:24:59.310 –&gt; 00:25:06.390 Brenda Anders: they’re painted with alcohol eighth and little bitty lots put them in them and they make that real beautiful nightlife so.</p><p>00:25:07.530 –&gt; 00:25:12.660 Brenda Anders: We can make something out of just about everything, our crafters are very, very smart.</p><p>00:25:13.950 –&gt; 00:25:20.250 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool are most of your Members from the area, how far spread is your membership.</p><p>00:25:20.970 –&gt; 00:25:29.310 Brenda Anders: Since everyone is in charge of their own inventory and when you join and you’re trained to be a dogwood crafter you’re trying to about.</p><p>00:25:29.760 –&gt; 00:25:43.800 Brenda Anders: How the shop is laid out and when you come the next time you put your own crafts out, knowing that you can move some another crafter item over a little bit, but you can’t just throw it to the side or move it to the next room so.</p><p>00:25:46.200 –&gt; 00:25:49.380 Brenda Anders: We learned to do that now I forgot your question.</p><p>00:25:49.650 –&gt; 00:25:57.510 Joseph McElroy: Of course, it was how big of an area or you remember part of are they like, I mean, how do they live, just to build for the little.</p><p>00:25:57.990 –&gt; 00:26:04.950 Brenda Anders: Oh yes, I’m sorry, they have to live within 175 miles.</p><p>00:26:06.210 –&gt; 00:26:17.610 Brenda Anders: Of the shop in Hillsboro because we require them to take an active part you can’t just come and drop your things off and that’s the last, we see it, for a year.</p><p>00:26:18.780 –&gt; 00:26:26.280 Brenda Anders: If you’re not able to come and work, we require you to come and do other things like donating money for cookies far luminary are.</p><p>00:26:27.420 –&gt; 00:26:34.050 Brenda Anders: We make sure that you do something I just a little bit extra because you’re part of the volunteer organization.</p><p>00:26:34.440 –&gt; 00:26:42.690 Joseph McElroy: Right, so that means you get, mind you might get people from my bills coming from Cherokee from Asheville your way.</p><p>00:26:44.400 –&gt; 00:26:44.820 Brenda Anders: Yes.</p><p>00:26:45.150 –&gt; 00:26:45.630 Brenda Anders: Very good.</p><p>00:26:46.050 –&gt; 00:26:49.200 Joseph McElroy: As a good diversity to as well as your charity or as.</p><p>00:26:50.310 –&gt; 00:27:06.210 Brenda Anders: Well, your you mentioned Cherokee we have Joseph red cloud who cars that lady train whistles and things we don’t have near enough of these things, but you cannot make a crafter craft unless they’re in the right mind.</p><p>00:27:06.690 –&gt; 00:27:12.150 Brenda Anders: right but local craft local crafters is what we like recently we’ve had.</p><p>00:27:13.200 –&gt; 00:27:18.450 Brenda Anders: A little lady join Alva Houston, and this is her hickory nut doll.</p><p>00:27:18.720 –&gt; 00:27:20.190 Brenda Anders: You know, want to hickory night is.</p><p>00:27:20.580 –&gt; 00:27:23.040 Brenda Anders: yeah okay her face.</p><p>00:27:23.910 –&gt; 00:27:33.600 Brenda Anders: From hickory net and it’s an everything is here is made from her legs from a pipe cleaner covered and hose right up to the little quilt that she’s making.</p><p>00:27:33.990 –&gt; 00:27:50.070 Brenda Anders: And that was very good fun, for us, and we have a husband and wife team that makes baskets and canes chairs, this is called the Blue Ridge basket a very sturdy basket with a wooden bottle and bottom and.</p><p>00:27:50.730 –&gt; 00:28:06.420 Brenda Anders: She designed that in Chicago at the Blueridge basket and one of our most popular things for people to watch when we’re demonstrating is this braided rug and the children come in and they say oh look that lady’s making a carpet.</p><p>00:28:07.020 –&gt; 00:28:11.490 Brenda Anders: You know, we love for the kids to see us ironing.</p><p>00:28:12.540 –&gt; 00:28:23.760 Brenda Anders: cutting out things seeing a sewing machine and seeing things that are not exposed to now, so I thought that was very funny one the man says look she’s making carpet.</p><p>00:28:25.110 –&gt; 00:28:30.660 Brenda Anders: crafter to make socks hats, we just have an abundance of different items.</p><p>00:28:31.290 –&gt; 00:28:46.680 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know that there’s a lot of people that don’t you don’t understand our warcraft and they just deal with it on the superficial level which is you know that’s okay, too, but you know I always like to find people in know also the beauty inherent value of what people create.</p><p>00:28:47.520 –&gt; 00:28:49.800 Brenda Anders: Like to be proud of the time.</p><p>00:28:49.830 –&gt; 00:29:08.850 Brenda Anders: I went to my girlfriend’s house and her mother and aunt had a bad full of quilts and pillows and I said, what can you do with these well we just make them like nobody’s going to want them, but this, so I talked him into joining and those sisters were two of the most popular.</p><p>00:29:09.900 –&gt; 00:29:25.350 Brenda Anders: counter workers that there was an in the shop and they sold the whole bed, full of pillows and blankets and at that time, the government wasn’t involved, and we could sell our homemade jams and jellies.</p><p>00:29:26.010 –&gt; 00:29:27.360 Brenda Anders: Well, Miss Verily.</p><p>00:29:28.380 –&gt; 00:29:37.230 Brenda Anders: Would not cus, no matter what, so there was a man standing and looking at her Delhi and he said this verily coke must be one hell of a cook.</p><p>00:29:39.420 –&gt; 00:29:44.190 Brenda Anders: The expression on her face was something that I’ll never forget it’s such pride.</p><p>00:29:44.640 –&gt; 00:30:01.740 Brenda Anders: And, seeing that the people who came in and bought something that they created I’m a firm believer that there is gold in these mountains and it’s up to us to find those people and sell what is so rich in the past that alone on things that are handmade.</p><p>00:30:02.280 –&gt; 00:30:07.110 Brenda Anders: Because it’s very hard to keep people interested in handmade crafts.</p><p>00:30:07.380 –&gt; 00:30:18.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, we have to take a break now all right, well, we come back we’ll talk more about the nature of handmade crafts and further what you guys are doing in Dillsboro.</p><p>00:32:26.220 –&gt; 00:32:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a Gateway to the Smokies Podcasts and my guest Brenda Anders, so Brenda you mentioned earlier about a 12-room log building I guess it was formerly cabins and motel, it was a tourist motel.</p><p>00:32:43.860 –&gt; 00:32:45.900 Brenda Anders: yeah yes I’m not cannons cottage.</p><p>00:32:47.100 –&gt; 00:32:48.000 Brenda Anders: belong to the.</p><p>00:32:48.030 –&gt; 00:33:00.690 Brenda Anders: a family who had become our landlord for all these years, Mr. Wade Wilson, and his wife Becky and like I said, we have, first in the little house one street over and.</p><p>00:33:01.230 –&gt; 00:33:22.500 Brenda Anders: He loves dogwood and the concept of having bills for becoming craft capital, so he asked us if we’d like to move over there, pretty soon we expanded and got the next cabin joined together it end up, we took three cabins and we’re still in and that today and.</p><p>00:33:24.900 –&gt; 00:33:26.370 Joseph McElroy: The rest of the campus still runs.</p><p>00:33:28.140 –&gt; 00:33:29.490 Brenda Anders: No. Without the hall, we have.</p><p>00:33:30.660 –&gt; 00:33:31.230 Joseph McElroy: just gone in.</p><p>00:33:33.180 –&gt; 00:33:36.090 Brenda Anders: a while back he met me on the street, and he says.</p><p>00:33:37.380 –&gt; 00:33:46.200 Brenda Anders: I want to sell your dog crafters and I said but it’s family-owned property how are you going to do that he says, I want it done.</p><p>00:33:47.130 –&gt; 00:34:12.480 Brenda Anders: And so, he named his price $350,000 we went to work, having garage sales we learn how to ask for grants and we got it down to a word we only owed $100,000 and our bank Suntrust bank loans are little craft cooperatives $100,000 and within seven years we had our building paid for.</p><p>00:34:13.110 –&gt; 00:34:13.320 that’s fabulous, that’s fabulous!</p><p>00:34:15.060 –&gt; 00:34:21.240 Joseph McElroy: You guys take care of everything volunteers do everything building flower boxes main interest really sort of.</p><p>00:34:21.240 –&gt; 00:34:28.290 Brenda Anders: Special, that is true that’s why I say I’ve been everything from the groundskeeper right on it, because.</p><p>00:34:29.220 –&gt; 00:34:36.570 Brenda Anders: We do have grounds that we have to keep and like you said, the flower boxes, as someone orders all of our supplies.</p><p>00:34:37.200 –&gt; 00:34:46.050 Brenda Anders: Another lady is in charge of all of our classes and we offer free classes to anyone who would like to come, they only have to pay for the supplies.</p><p>00:34:46.740 –&gt; 00:34:56.520 Brenda Anders: They use during that we have a scholarship committee we give them a lot of money to John Campbell Haywood Tech Southwestern.</p><p>00:34:57.060 –&gt; 00:35:06.720 Brenda Anders: To students wanting to learn and the Appalachian craft and so uh we have different projects, in order to earn money for that craft.</p><p>00:35:07.230 –&gt; 00:35:16.650 Brenda Anders: And of course, we love to advertise and we have one project that we do every year for special expensive advertising, and that is, we sell.</p><p>00:35:17.130 –&gt; 00:35:31.320 Brenda Anders: quilt tickets for a raffle quilt and our craft or one of our oldest crafters Laurie Walter who lives in wine soul, has made those quilts for the last five or six years we used to come together as a group, and make that but he says.</p><p>00:35:32.400 –&gt; 00:35:39.450 Brenda Anders: I don’t understand it, but he says, the women talk too much and if I would send them home he’d make the damn quilts itself.</p><p>00:35:42.060 –&gt; 00:35:51.810 Brenda Anders: So that’s what he’s done and we sell raffle tickets all year long so he can, so we can have special advertising the.</p><p>00:35:52.890 –&gt; 00:36:00.660 Brenda Anders: We come up with different ideas such as that to make money but makes me the shop is run by ours.</p><p>00:36:02.250 –&gt; 00:36:06.720 Brenda Anders: percentages from our crafters and we also sell jams and jellies.</p><p>00:36:09.510 –&gt; 00:36:10.740 Joseph McElroy: Most of the money comes from.</p><p>00:36:10.890 –&gt; 00:36:12.810 Joseph McElroy: Yes, so.</p><p>00:36:13.350 –&gt; 00:36:14.340 Brenda Anders: As a nonprofit.</p><p>00:36:14.400 –&gt; 00:36:16.530 Brenda Anders: we’re not supposed to have a whole lot of money.</p><p>00:36:16.800 –&gt; 00:36:18.690 Brenda Anders: So we don’t.</p><p>00:36:19.200 –&gt; 00:36:25.170 Brenda Anders: But we needed more so we needed those the money came from jam and jelly so we have a crafter.</p><p>00:36:25.710 –&gt; 00:36:33.600 Brenda Anders: A Joan Marston who has volunteered and she orders jams and jellies, we looked all over the country and we found a little shop and tiger Georgia.</p><p>00:36:33.960 –&gt; 00:36:46.050 Brenda Anders: still makes her jellies and little for four-gallon pots so it’s as close to homemade is, as we can get and when the man walks in the door, they just go straight to across the hall to our pantry and start.</p><p>00:36:46.530 –&gt; 00:36:55.230 Brenda Anders: buying the jelly and the Barbecue sauces and things like that, without the money that we earn from our jams and jellies, it would be hard for us.</p><p>00:36:56.250 –&gt; 00:36:59.130 Brenda Anders: To make our quota of expenses.</p><p>00:36:59.880 –&gt; 00:37:00.600 Joseph McElroy: Now I hear.</p><p>00:37:01.620 –&gt; 00:37:05.700 Joseph McElroy: You so you sell cookbooks and that you have begun writing those Is that true.</p><p>00:37:06.840 –&gt; 00:37:17.460 Brenda Anders: here’s the cookbook one of my favorite simply because of the color we’ve had five cookbooks and I think we, we have, four now, that are in print.</p><p>00:37:18.000 –&gt; 00:37:35.310 Brenda Anders: I did not write them at all, but I do have recipes in them our customers have recipes on our different crafters have recipes and cookbooks sales are we’ve sold thousands of cookbooks and because of the cookbooks we have.</p><p>00:37:36.780 –&gt; 00:37:44.100 Brenda Anders: Well it’s a whole story, I could talk for another hour and how we got to this, but we were on Carolina kitchen.</p><p>00:37:45.570 –&gt; 00:37:57.630 Brenda Anders: On WLOS TV every day, they have a five-minute segment of recipes and cookies so I was privileged to go over there and I did that way back in the.</p><p>00:37:58.830 –&gt; 00:38:05.340 Brenda Anders: I’ve done it for about 20 years, of course, the code would put a stop to that for right now but I’m trying to figure out a way how.</p><p>00:38:06.390 –&gt; 00:38:08.940 Brenda Anders: I don’t want them to come and gentlemen, my house.</p><p>00:38:10.590 –&gt; 00:38:12.120 Brenda Anders: That would require housekeeping.</p><p>00:38:12.150 –&gt; 00:38:15.090 Joseph McElroy: detail now, oh no you’re an expert at zoom just do it.</p><p>00:38:16.470 –&gt; 00:38:20.430 Brenda Anders: Oh I’m at your friend’s place doing this.</p><p>00:38:21.630 –&gt; 00:38:22.710 Brenda Anders: On a flip phone.</p><p>00:38:24.390 –&gt; 00:38:26.910 Joseph McElroy: Well, you did a zoom on a flip phone.</p><p>00:38:27.360 –&gt; 00:38:28.500 Brenda Anders: No, no, no I have a flip phone.</p><p>00:38:32.160 –&gt; 00:38:41.400 Joseph McElroy: By my father still on a flip phone too so yeah you know it’s funny that they’re now making smartphones to look like and flip like a flip phone.</p><p>00:38:42.660 –&gt; 00:38:45.630 Joseph McElroy: gen Z loves the concept of the flip phone.</p><p>00:38:45.960 –&gt; 00:38:46.950 Joseph McElroy: Not knowing that.</p><p>00:38:48.000 –&gt; 00:38:49.470 Joseph McElroy: That we had that 30 years ago.</p><p>00:38:50.340 –&gt; 00:39:03.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah right yeah so, but so so you guys do that’s really nice do all this promotion, with the cooking it’s really you know we’re wanting to do some interesting mountain cooking</p><p>00:39:03.870 –&gt; 00:39:12.120 Joseph McElroy: recipes for any restaurant come in the Meadowlark so I definitely want to see your cookbook to see if we can find some things that might be interesting for that.</p><p>00:39:14.610 –&gt; 00:39:14.940 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:39:16.170 –&gt; 00:39:26.760 Brenda Anders: That over crafters are good cooks and we have many recipes in our fast cookbooks that come from our mothers and grandmothers so we’ll help you out on that.</p><p>00:39:28.290 –&gt; 00:39:29.040 Joseph McElroy: So tell me.</p><p>00:39:30.390 –&gt; 00:39:38.610 Joseph McElroy: How you know I just moved to Asheville so I know you have a moment in the mountain seekers it’s a national it’s a pretty nice event yes.</p><p>00:39:38.640 –&gt; 00:39:43.920 Brenda Anders: dogwood has gone to the North Carolina mountain state fair since it began.</p><p>00:39:45.330 –&gt; 00:39:58.260 Brenda Anders: I’m not good at naming dates, but about 27 years and we started out, we had loose on the dirt there in the arena, and now we have a wonderful new building built by.</p><p>00:40:00.690 –&gt; 00:40:10.140 Brenda Anders: The North Carolina folks that they in the regulators from Raleigh and about four or five years ago dogwood was asked to take over the.</p><p>00:40:10.860 –&gt; 00:40:27.540 Brenda Anders: historic heritage crafters there, which was a real privilege for us and we are in constant search of heritage crafters and we have so much fun working 13 days 10 days 13 hours a day.</p><p>00:40:28.980 –&gt; 00:40:34.830 Brenda Anders: selling and meeting the folks and introducing them to traditional mountain crafts.</p><p>00:40:35.220 –&gt; 00:40:36.810 Joseph McElroy: And when is that usually held</p><p>00:40:38.130 –&gt; 00:40:42.060 Brenda Anders: It starts Thursday after Labor day and for the next 10 days.</p><p>00:40:43.470 –&gt; 00:40:44.970 Brenda Anders: I expect you to be coming there.</p><p>00:40:45.330 –&gt; 00:40:47.430 Joseph McElroy: I will be coming there we live right there.</p><p>00:40:50.070 –&gt; 00:40:56.070 Joseph McElroy: I got a balloon and off I’m on my second rodeo and I got three and a half-year-old twins</p><p>00:40:57.150 –&gt; 00:41:03.840 Joseph McElroy: So so I’ll be bringing them to show them all sorts of mountain culture, I think they’ll get a kick out that I look forward to.</p><p>00:41:05.580 –&gt; 00:41:16.350 Brenda Anders: they’ll love it, they have the last birthing of the cows, then calves and pig races and but don’t forget to bring them to Virginia been building and say that crafters.</p><p>00:41:17.760 –&gt; 00:41:29.910 Joseph McElroy: So you, you mentioned, going back to you know I love Cabin right, so what I wanted to ask about that he said the rooms were thinking about doing things, what are the themes of your rooms?</p><p>00:41:30.540 –&gt; 00:41:37.560 Brenda Anders: Well, as you enter the room it’s the main room and we live near Eastern we have that decorated for Easter.</p><p>00:41:38.250 –&gt; 00:41:46.590 Brenda Anders: mother’s day father’s day and, as you enter then go to the right, we have the lodge a lot of people who come and visit us want.</p><p>00:41:47.580 –&gt; 00:42:08.070 Brenda Anders: To decorate their lodge so we have that than around the fireplace we have our Christmas room and then into the next room is our children’s and toy room, we have our pantry with jams and jellies, we have a room that has handmade soap pillows and.</p><p>00:42:09.510 –&gt; 00:42:18.510 Brenda Anders: Some jewelry items and things, then we have the traditional large room, which has the baskets brand new drugs, and things like that.</p><p>00:42:19.080 –&gt; 00:42:27.570 Brenda Anders: Then we have the bouquet of handmade hats and gloves and dresses and aprons and then we have a kitchen, which has.</p><p>00:42:28.170 –&gt; 00:42:47.520 Brenda Anders: kitchen items handmade kitchen items and then you’re not going to find stainless steel spoons or anything everything in our shop is handmade, then the big room that we built on to the cabins out to the back it’s called the gallery, and we call it that, because.</p><p>00:42:48.600 –&gt; 00:42:50.610 Brenda Anders: It has lots of walls that.</p><p>00:42:51.810 –&gt; 00:43:04.290 Brenda Anders: We can hang photographs and original paintings and prints and things like that, but we did have to put tables and shells in there because we have to have room for crafts.</p><p>00:43:05.760 –&gt; 00:43:17.520 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous well, we got to take one last break here we’ll come back we’ll talk a little bit about you know other things going on and how people find out of that all right.</p><p>00:43:17.700 –&gt; 00:43:18.210 Okay.</p><p> </p><p>00:45:21.630 –&gt; 00:45:29.970 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Podcast Gateway to the Smokies with my guest Brenda Anders so Brenda.</p><p>00:45:30.990 –&gt; 00:45:37.500 Joseph McElroy: I read that you added a new feature to the Co-op and that’s Mary’s Garden, what does that how did it come about.</p><p>00:45:39.000 –&gt; 00:45:51.900 Brenda Anders: Mary Nolan was a member of dogwood for many, many years, and when she passed away, we wanted to pay tribute to her in a special way, so we had our side yard brick.</p><p>00:45:52.680 –&gt; 00:45:57.180 Brenda Anders: And we have a black with her photograph on it, and everything is just called Mary’s garden.</p><p>00:45:57.720 –&gt; 00:46:11.130 Brenda Anders: And we’re a firm believer at the dogwood that if you make the men comfortable sitting out on a patio with a good comfortable bench daily deal long while you’re in the shot buying things so mary’s garden has.</p><p>00:46:12.330 –&gt; 00:46:25.560 Brenda Anders: It keeps Mary with us, she was very important to us as dogwood every Member when you become a member of a dog and you become a member of dogwood your family when you’re sick we help you.</p><p>00:46:25.950 –&gt; 00:46:45.420 Brenda Anders: When when you have a death in the family, we help you and you are as important there’s no one there are people like me, have a good mouth and can talk about dogwood and things, but each and every Member of dogwood makes it a volunteer cooperative shop.</p><p>00:46:46.620 –&gt; 00:46:47.460 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:46:49.080 –&gt; 00:46:57.570 Joseph McElroy: it’s obviously real dedication to your Members, but I also feel like the last this long your real dedication to your customers, how do you support them?</p><p>00:46:58.710 –&gt; 00:47:23.970 Brenda Anders: We support them by continuing to have good quality crafts, we try each of our crafters come up with new ideas and our longtime customers notice when they come in, they say Oh well, this is new and every item has a tag on it and that crafters name is on the tech, so they know that.</p><p>00:47:25.410 –&gt; 00:47:36.870 Brenda Anders: Geneva has a new chair, or Judy Horn has some new gourds or they identify by name, not just a number on the tag so.</p><p>00:47:38.340 –&gt; 00:47:48.720 Brenda Anders: We try to support them by having new things and staying open it’s really hard to stay open as a business now and it’s a privilege to say that we.</p><p>00:47:49.080 –&gt; 00:47:59.700 Brenda Anders: have made this happen for as many years, as we have when we first started well not when we first started, but about 20 years into it handmade in America became very popular.</p><p>00:48:00.420 –&gt; 00:48:12.480 Brenda Anders: And they asked us to help other craft cooperatives get started so Mary and I would take these trips to different towns all around and.</p><p>00:48:13.500 –&gt; 00:48:24.300 Brenda Anders: We would talk to them about how we got started and what we did, and one of our Members Susie Ray wrote a book dogwood crafters our first 25 years.</p><p>00:48:24.840 –&gt; 00:48:39.480 Brenda Anders: And in that book, it tells exactly how we got started our recommendations of how a craft cooperative works, and you can take that look, and you can find a good location in your own town, and you can have your own doctor crafters cooperatives.</p><p>00:48:40.260 –&gt; 00:48:47.280 Joseph McElroy: fabulous that’s fabulous and you know, in your own town, but you go around the festivals as well.</p><p>00:48:48.450 –&gt; 00:48:51.210 Joseph McElroy: Yes, a big holiday, can you tell me about those?</p><p>00:48:52.260 –&gt; 00:48:52.950 Brenda Anders: Dillsboro</p><p>00:48:54.270 –&gt; 00:49:04.470 Brenda Anders: has three main festivals, we have a front street in July color fest in October, and our luminary, which is the first two full weekends in</p><p>00:49:05.310 –&gt; 00:49:24.810 Brenda Anders: December and that is where the streets are all by candles and white bags to thousands and thousands of fit and the shops offer refreshments and when we can get the horses to work there are horse-drawn buggy rides and everything and.</p><p>00:49:26.610 –&gt; 00:49:36.840 Brenda Anders: While the train comes to Dillsboro we like to have demonstrations, so the spring fling and fall fling has started and that’s just on.</p><p>00:49:37.320 –&gt; 00:49:49.200 Brenda Anders: Certain Saturdays I can’t remember the dates, right now, but we have crafters and in the front of each shop we don’t cross the streets off for those things but.</p><p>00:49:50.160 –&gt; 00:50:07.590 Brenda Anders: Again we’re trying to let people say that hey things are handmade and we have several good shops in town that, of course, they don’t all carry handmade things but they’re good quality shops that are restaurants can be beaten in Dillsboro</p><p>00:50:08.370 –&gt; 00:50:09.630 Joseph McElroy:Dillsboro</p><p>00:50:11.250 –&gt; 00:50:13.380 Joseph McElroy: has nice restaurants there Okay, yes.</p><p>00:50:14.130 –&gt; 00:50:19.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah I can’t speak more highly of it and you gotta you have a brewery there now to innovation.</p><p>00:50:20.880 –&gt; 00:50:22.050 Joseph McElroy: Innovation right brewery.</p><p>00:50:22.350 –&gt; 00:50:22.770 Yes.</p><p>00:50:24.000 –&gt; 00:50:29.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s good time to visit, then people should visit and then go to the go-to coop and buy some crafts would be a.</p><p>00:50:29.790 –&gt; 00:50:30.030 Brenda Anders: Great.</p><p>00:50:30.570 –&gt; 00:50:31.830 Joseph McElroy: A great day trip.</p><p>00:50:32.040 –&gt; 00:50:33.480 Joseph McElroy: And a fun thing that we have.</p><p>00:50:34.710 –&gt; 00:50:47.880 Brenda Anders: A fun thing that we have is the Easter parade and that got started 37 years ago when several shops decided well we’ll just have our own parade, and so they put on funny hats and they marched around town.</p><p>00:50:48.150 –&gt; 00:50:56.520 Brenda Anders: Oh now, we continue to have that, and hundreds of people come our state magazine came and interviewed and stayed all day.</p><p>00:50:56.520 –&gt; 00:51:07.590 Brenda Anders: And took pictures and it’s a free event for families and it’s always the Saturday before Easter this year, we had a goat come.</p><p>00:51:09.030 –&gt; 00:51:17.910 Brenda Anders: Last year, oh, and we have a cat that has been coming up for five years, her name is a bonus, and she walks around on the leash last year at a chicken come.</p><p>00:51:18.330 –&gt; 00:51:27.690 Brenda Anders: So it’s always fun to see who shows up and watch shows up that it’s a good Dillsboro is a walkabout town it’s too long blocks.</p><p>00:51:28.680 –&gt; 00:51:40.320 Brenda Anders: front and back street and that, where you can park your car and go in and out all these shops and stop to eat and have a really good day that away from the maddening crowds.</p><p>00:51:40.950 –&gt; 00:51:43.140 Joseph McElroy: So what’s the future for the Coop.</p><p>00:51:44.910 –&gt; 00:51:45.660 Joseph McElroy: what’s your vision?</p><p>00:51:46.770 –&gt; 00:52:03.720 Brenda Anders: My vision is that we can continue to recruit crafters to carry on dogwood crafters as it has been for the last since 76 and keep it there for generations to come it’s hard work.</p><p>00:52:05.100 –&gt; 00:52:15.510 Brenda Anders: Getting younger people to want to make a craft that’s why we have to demonstrate and show that you can make carpet and you can make your own socks and crochet your own hat and.</p><p>00:52:16.230 –&gt; 00:52:24.540 Brenda Anders: Dollies I love Dollies I can have a lot of deaths, but I dare say that a lot of people don’t know what a dollies is</p><p>00:52:25.260 –&gt; 00:52:25.620 Brenda Anders: and</p><p>00:52:26.460 –&gt; 00:52:28.080 Brenda Anders: We just want to keep that alive.</p><p>00:52:28.500 –&gt; 00:52:38.700 Brenda Anders: And if we can do that the dog will be there for another 25 or 75 years I won’t be meaning for crafters won’t be but dogwood will be there.</p><p>00:52:39.120 –&gt; 00:52:45.330 Joseph McElroy: For you on the next generation that’s important So how do people find out more about you?</p><p>00:52:46.410 –&gt; 00:52:54.780 Brenda Anders: Well, Facebook or dogwood crafters are on Facebook, we have a website dogwoodcrafters.com.</p><p>00:52:57.810 –&gt; 00:53:12.330 Brenda Anders: And we still are old fashion and have brochures and some of the welcome centers and things like that, but I think, where people can just Google it and find us in Dillsboro.</p><p>00:53:12.870 –&gt; 00:53:18.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, I invite you to bring your quilt raffle tickets over the Meadowlark and try to sell some for it.</p><p>00:53:19.020 –&gt; 00:53:20.280 Joseph McElroy: Okay, and.</p><p>00:53:21.180 –&gt; 00:53:22.140 Brenda Anders: we’re very lucky.</p><p>00:53:22.290 –&gt; 00:53:30.660 Brenda Anders: Where we’re located we’re on how by 441 at the red light, there were three hours from Charlotte three hours from Atlanta three hours from.</p><p>00:53:32.520 –&gt; 00:53:42.420 Brenda Anders: major hubs one hour from Asheville so if you’re wanting to go to Cherokee stop 14 miles before you get to Cherokee and you’ll find dogwood crafters.</p><p>00:53:42.540 –&gt; 00:53:43.710 Joseph McElroy: And of course, you’re pretty close to.</p><p>00:53:45.810 –&gt; 00:53:50.280 Joseph McElroy: Maggie Valley you know I hope you guys come to our craft and arts and crafts show.</p><p>00:53:51.960 –&gt; 00:53:56.850 Joseph McElroy: All right, good well it’s been a pleasure, having you on the show today Thank you so much.</p><p>00:53:58.440 –&gt; 00:54:08.730 Joseph McElroy: I’ve learned a lot it’s nice to know about you that stimulates things in my brain, you know I’m involved in the arts and crafts, so I definitely come and check you out and see what’s going on.</p><p>00:54:09.960 –&gt; 00:54:17.760 Joseph McElroy: So thank you again, this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find out more about us at.</p><p>00:54:20.520 –&gt; 00:54:27.540 Joseph McElroy: Talkradio. NYC, is a network of live podcasts about what happened there every day.</p><p>00:54:28.590 –&gt; 00:54:42.330 Joseph McElroy: During every day of the week, where you’ll find out information that’s interesting they talk about small business and talk about you have self help it talks about cats, dogs and animals and all sorts of different things.</p><p>00:54:43.800 –&gt; 00:54:44.250 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:54:47.190 –&gt; 00:54:48.810 Joseph McElroy: it’s a pleasure to have you here.</p><p>00:54:49.860 –&gt; 00:54:59.670 Joseph McElroy: And and have you should listen to the show, so I encourage you to go see and listen to other podcasts on the network, I.</p><p>00:55:00.780 –&gt; 00:55:08.610 Joseph McElroy: This specific show has a Facebook page facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast where you find the.</p><p>00:55:08.940 –&gt; 00:55:15.870 Joseph McElroy: The local live broadcasts and everything else we’re also smokiesadventure.com there’s a link that shows all the previous.</p><p>00:55:16.560 –&gt; 00:55:25.230 Joseph McElroy: podcasts and transcripts, as well as information that’s useful my mutual to us, was events know things going on and I.</p><p>00:55:26.040 –&gt; 00:55:31.080 Joseph McElroy: I have another podcast on this network that can wise content creates wealth which is about.</p><p>00:55:31.590 –&gt; 00:55:39.540 Joseph McElroy: Using AI and behavioral science to help marketing your business So if you get a chance to look at look for that podcast on Fridays from.</p><p>00:55:40.170 –&gt; 00:55:56.100 Joseph McElroy: From noon to one, this podcast is on Tuesdays from six to seven every week and it’s been a pleasure letting you into our world here, and hopefully, you’ll come to visit us and I’ll talk to you next week.</p> 0cb74afb-7204-4041-8f64-d1273d7f11de https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/f2e2b13d-f060-4252-8d77-e553ffb4c362 Tue, 10 May 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3031 no full Episode 57: Forging a Blacksmithing Career in the Smoky Mountains Episode 57: Forging a Blacksmithing Career in the Smoky Mountains Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>In today&#39;s episode, you will learn about the art of blacksmithing and metalworking in the Smoky Mountains. </strong></p><p><strong>Matthew Sirey</strong><span> is an Award-winning Blacksmith and Metalworking Artist who has resided in Sylva, N.C. for over 15 years. A native of Pennsylvania, Matthew has been a full-time craftsman since 2017 and the Owner of Shira Forge since 2005. </span></p><p><span>Matthew was also the winner of the 2022 season premiere of the History Channel hit television show –Forged in Fire! He will discuss what it means to be a blacksmith in the 21st century and see how he forged his career out of metal at an early age.</span></p><p><span>Website: </span><a href="https://www.shiraforge.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.shiraforge.com/</a></p><p><span>Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/matthew.shirey.54" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/matthew.shirey.54</a></p><p><span>Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shiraforge/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/shiraforge/</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/05/03 - Forging a Blacksmithing Career in the Smoky Mountains

GUEST: MATTHEW SHIREY

In this episode, you will learn about the art of blacksmithing and metalworking in the Smoky Mountains. 

Matthew Shirey is an Award-winning Blacksmith and Metalworking Artist who has resided in Sylva, N.C. for over 15 years. A native of Pennsylvania, Matthew has been a full-time craftsman since 2017 and the Owner of Shira Forge since 2005. 

Matthew was also the winner of the 2022 season premiere of the History Channel hit television show –Forged in Fire! He will discuss what it means to be a blacksmith in the 21st century and see how he forged his career out of metal at an early age.

Website: https://www.shiraforge.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthew.shirey.54

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiraforge/

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

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SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Joseph Franklin McElroy kicks off the show by mentioning the sponsor of the show, which is of course his own, the Meadowlark Motel and also smokiesadventure.com. Some upcoming events at the motel include this weekend, May 6th through the 8th called Wildcrafting and Mother Nature’s natural garden program honoring women empowerment and celebrating Mother’s Day. The poem Joseph reads to us today is by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow called The Village Blacksmith. The poem talks about being proud of the things you've done in your life and being a role model. He introduces his guest, Matthew Shirey, owner of Shira Forge since 2005. Matthew grew up in Pennsylvania and went to college there as well. He also spent time in Montana and Oregon. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do, but he did know that he wanted to do blacksmithing as his career. At one point, he threw whatever he could in the back of his van and traveled to Waynesville, North Carolina when an opportunity came up from a friend who needed a blacksmith. Before this, he spent several years working with kids, and different faculties did carpentry work, washed dishes in kitchens, and more.

SEGMENT 2

Matthew got into archeology and history while in high school which got him interested in blacksmithing. He walked into a heritage center in his hometown where they had a blacksmithing class. He spent a weekend one summer doing this and knew this was what he wanted to do for his career. Shirey says that it's the magic of forging, getting a steel pot, and being able to manipulate it. He also has always had an obsession with knives and metal and what you can create with them. Shirey talks about blacksmithing in the 18th and 19th century as well as today. He mostly learned a lot on his own through books, going to other blacksmiths, picking their brains, and the use of the internet. Shirey mentions Herschel, Frank, and John, otherwise known as the House Brothers, as influences. They make flintlock rifles, knives, axes, and other early American tools. Shirey’s main focus of what he makes are knives, axes, and carbon steel frying pans. He also explains the difference between carbon steel pans and cast iron pans. Carbon steel pans are super strong and have a little more advantage in various ways.

SEGMENT 3

Shirey talks a bit about his business, Shira Forge, and not going into it full-time until about 2017. He mentions that he had a teaching job with Southwestern Community College and was enjoying it. He also worked as a welder and carpenter. Shirey also talks about the name of his business which is paying homage to his ancestors as well as being a part of the show Forged in the Fire on the History Channel in season 9. He applied twice to be in the show and was able to be a part of the show in 2021. In the show, there are three rounds of competition and 4 bladesmiths. In the first round, you would have three hours to forge and heat treat a knife within whatever challenge was set forth. In the second round for Shirey, he had to put a handle and guard on a knife within a limited time frame. The final two competitors would go home to their own shop for a couple of days and forge whatever weapon was given to them as a challenge. The judges would look at not only the aesthetic of tools but also the functionality. The grand prize was 10,000 dollars which allowed Shirey to invest in his business and own tools.

SEGMENT 4

Shirey talks about wanting to get back into teaching such as maybe offering small workshops in his shop and reconnecting with other schools around the country. He may also be interested in creating YouTube videos as well. In the Great Smoky Mountains, Shirey likes to hunt and fish and just be outside whenever possible. In Sylva, he enjoys eating at the Guadalupe Café. Joseph also talks with Shirey about his favorite entertainment places to visit. They also talk about a celebration for Shirey’s win in the competition show which was held at the Lazy Hiker Taproom in Sylva. Shirey thanks Joseph for bringing him on the show to share his passion. You can find more about Matthew Shirey and his work at shiraforge.com, and on Instagram at Shiraforge.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:40.710 –> 00:00:42.060 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to

00:00:42.240 –> 00:00:52.500 Joseph McElroy: The gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:53.040 –> 00:01:01.350 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty and deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:01.680 –> 00:01:12.630 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in these great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.

00:01:13.380 –> 00:01:22.320 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re gonna be talking about forging a blacksmithing career in the smoky mountains, but first I got a message from our sponsor which happens to be me.

00:01:23.670 –> 00:01:34.200 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts in the past yet modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel, a place for adventure and full relaxation.

00:01:34.860 –> 00:01:43.710 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by a fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:44.160 –> 00:01:58.380 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place that old-time music and world cultural sound, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.

00:01:59.460 –> 00:02:08.160 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokiesadventure.com the smoky mountains in the surrounding areas of vacation destination for all season.

00:02:09.210 –> 00:02:15.510 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:15.900 –> 00:02:27.390 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure singular dot com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

00:02:27.840 –> 00:02:32.730 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, cade’s cove, they got elk and historic.

00:02:33.450 –> 00:02:40.230 Joseph McElroy: buildings and more than check out the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy.

00:02:40.560 –> 00:02:50.940 Joseph McElroy: And if you’re looking to have an interesting life event you can find places to have interesting outdoor weddings or allotments or honeymoons or just romantic getaway.

00:02:51.690 –> 00:02:58.800 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokiesadventure.com is to become the leading information portal for adventures in the great smoky mountains.

00:02:59.700 –> 00:03:19.500 Joseph McElroy: will tell you about a few minutes events coming up here at the Meadowlark Motel we’re going to have a wonderful event for the celebration of mother’s day this weekend may 6 to the eighth 2022 is called wildcrafting in mother nature’s natural garden program with Illa Hatter

00:03:21.630 –> 00:03:25.860 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a weekend honoring female empowerment and iconic Appalachian women.

00:03:26.460 –> 00:03:31.710 Joseph McElroy: And that’s what better time to do that and mother’s day it kicks off Friday night when we will have.

00:03:32.100 –> 00:03:42.060 Joseph McElroy: acclaimed author wilderness survival expert Haywood County search and rescue team Member and record-setting endurance athlete Nancy East to present our Program.

00:03:42.600 –> 00:03:49.500 Joseph McElroy: moms moving mountains and she will experience to share experiences in the great outdoors as well as her.

00:03:49.890 –> 00:03:58.440 Joseph McElroy: amazing endurance hiking achievements and and a lot of our search and rescue stories that are quite interesting and then she’ll have a book signing of her.

00:03:59.340 –> 00:04:09.360 Joseph McElroy: New book and that’s $10 for admission and it’s free for the guests in the motel and then on Saturday in the afternoon we’re going to have a whole.

00:04:11.700 –> 00:04:25.620 Joseph McElroy: adventure with Illa Hatter who’s a legendary wildcrafting expert renowned author filmmaker instructor and tour guide for the great smoky mountains National Park at their elite field school.

00:04:26.640 –> 00:04:43.650 Joseph McElroy: she’s an expert on edible pan plants medicinal herbs and new things for tape pertaining to wildcraft foraging and Appalachian plants trees and flowers she’s been on TV shows and videos and books and has worked on his advisor for movies and TV shows.

00:04:45.030 –> 00:04:52.650 Joseph McElroy: And she will be presenting her beloved program mother’s nature natural garden and leading, which is talking about forging and all the things that.

00:04:53.310 –> 00:05:05.670 Joseph McElroy: You know that you can do with those plants and herbs in the mountains and then she’s actually going to lead a tour on the grounds of the Meadowlark Motel which has a large wooden recreation area and a.

00:05:06.870 –> 00:05:16.170 Joseph McElroy: Natural mountain heritage trout stream was and identifying nature’s bounty so you can actually get hands-on experience finding these things right in your backyard.

00:05:16.620 –> 00:05:25.500 Joseph McElroy: And then it will there will be that all will culminate with a free Barbecue supper and music by Michael Ogletree and friends and the admission, for that is $20 or.

00:05:26.190 –> 00:05:36.570 Joseph McElroy: Is free for motel guests, and then on Sunday morning, we have a mother’s brunch where they can have a enjoy cake and champagne at the motel so please come by if you can.

00:05:37.770 –> 00:05:49.500 Joseph McElroy: upcoming events at the festival grounds on March 13 and 14th there are the icons of hot rodding festival well you’ll get the 50s and 60s hot Rod and custom cars truck events.

00:05:50.640 –> 00:06:07.590 Joseph McElroy: And for models or 1969 and older and it’ll be the 50s and 60s music vintage vendors pinstripe or food vendors judging awards and presentations and so that I will look forward to that very much um, as you know, sometimes I’d like to do a poem.

00:06:09.630 –> 00:06:27.510 Joseph McElroy: About about that’s related to the content of the show that we’re gonna be doing and I found one is by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who’s around for making their 1807-1882 and it’s called “the village blacksmith” but you know it’s I’m also.

00:06:28.800 –> 00:06:45.300 Joseph McElroy: It talks about you know it also talks a lot about do you know have lived life and to be proud of your accomplishments and the things that you’ve done and work every day with pride in that you know and some of that I, you know I spent 27 years in New York.

00:06:46.350 –> 00:06:52.290 Joseph McElroy: You know, doing a lot of things there and a mouse seasons come where I’m moving back to North Carolina.

00:06:52.890 –> 00:07:03.210 Joseph McElroy: And will be full time in the smoky mountain area now we’re actually gonna be living in Ashville and somehow this spoke to me as well, so let me tell you about this poem is.

00:07:03.720 –> 00:07:17.430 Joseph McElroy: Under a spreading chestnut tree, The village smithy stands; the Smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands, And the muscles of his brawny arms, Are strong as iron bands.

00:07:18.330 –> 00:07:28.350 Joseph McElroy: His hair is crisp and black, and long; His face is like the tan;

His brow is wet with honest sweat, He earns whatever he can,

00:07:29.190 –> 00:07:44.880 Joseph McElroy: And looks the whole world in the face, For he owes not any man. Week in, week out, from morn till night, You can hear his bellows blow; You can hear him swing his heavy sledge, With measured beat and slow,

00:07:45.420 –> 00:07:50.160 Joseph McElroy: Like a sexton ringing the village bell, the evening sun is low.

00:07:50.610 –> 00:08:04.710 Joseph McElroy: And children coming home from school look in at that open door they love to see that flaming forge and hear the bellows roar and catch the burning sparks that fly like chaff from a threshing floor.

00:08:05.580 –> 00:08:18.720 Joseph McElroy: He goes on Sunday to the church and sits amongst his boys; he hears the parson pray and he hears his daughter’s voice Singing in the village choir, and it makes his heart rejoice.

00:08:19.170 –> 00:08:32.490 Joseph McElroy: It sounds to him, like his mother’s voice, Singing in Paradise!

He needs must think of her once more, How in the grave she lies; And with his hard, rough hand he wipes, A tear out of his eyes.

00:08:33.870 –> 00:08:48.030 Joseph McElroy: Toiling,—rejoicing,—sorrowing, Onward through life he goes; Each morning sees some task begin, Each evening sees it close; Something attempted, something done,

00:08:49.110 –> 00:09:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Has earned a night’s repose. Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lesson thou hast taught! Thus at the flaming forge of life,  Our fortunes must be wrought; Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Each burning deed and thought.

00:09:13.320 –> 00:09:18.210 Joseph McElroy: So, today our guest is Matthew Shirey.

00:09:18.720 –> 00:09:21.930 Joseph McElroy: is an award-winning blacksmith and metalworking artist

00:09:21.960 –> 00:09:32.610 Joseph McElroy: who has resided in Sylva, N.C. for over 15 years and native of Pennsylvania, Matthew has been a full-time craftsman since 2017

00:09:32.970 –> 00:09:47.370 Joseph McElroy: and owner of Shira Forge since 2005. He is a member of the American Bladesmith Society and attended the John C. Campbell Folk School and Penland School of Craft. yeah, both of which we mentioned in this program before.

00:09:48.330 –> 00:09:56.730 Joseph McElroy: and breaking news he was also the winner of the 2022 Season 9 premiere of the History channel’s hit show Forged in Fire!

00:09:58.170 –> 00:10:09.330 Joseph McElroy: Matthew’s unique style is the result of studying 18th and 19th-century ironwork and cutlery combined with the lessons learned while forging all his products literally by hand.

00:10:10.290 –> 00:10:21.690 Joseph McElroy: And when he was in creating major function art in any shape he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and a notable Sylva photographer– and their two children. Hello Matthew!

00:10:22.200 –> 00:10:23.910 Joseph McElroy: hi how are you doing today.

00:10:23.970 –> 00:10:24.900 Mathew Shirey: I’m doing great.

00:10:25.320 –> 00:10:39.930 Joseph McElroy: yeah well you know, obviously we were talking about your recent national TV show, but I want to explore what you’ve done before that because I think the richness of your life is more important than the transit glory of a media these days.

00:10:41.100 –> 00:10:42.300 Joseph McElroy: But congrats on that.

00:10:43.590 –> 00:10:48.360 Joseph McElroy: So let’s talk about your journey, you came from Pennsylvania, where in Pennsylvania?

00:10:49.200 –> 00:10:55.620 Mathew Shirey: And I grew up in a little village called Mayport in Clarion County Pennsylvania, is the western part of the state.

00:10:56.850 –> 00:10:59.010 Mathew Shirey: Is kind of the northern tip of Appalachia.

00:11:00.780 –> 00:11:06.180 Joseph McElroy: cool and where did you what was your journey from there where did you go? After Pennsylvania?

00:11:06.720 –> 00:11:11.190 Mathew Shirey: my gosh I went I went to college right there and clarion county kind of.

00:11:12.270 –> 00:11:15.990 Mathew Shirey: was in and out of school a few times and then.

00:11:17.190 –> 00:11:23.970 Mathew Shirey: I made a couple of journeys out West spend a little time in Montana, and then lived in Oregon for about a year and a half and

00:11:25.110 –> 00:11:28.800 Mathew Shirey: That kind of fell through for me and I moved back to Pennsylvania and.

00:11:30.150 –> 00:11:38.790 Mathew Shirey: I was kind of in limbo and didn’t really know what I was going to do, I just knew at that point, I set my sights on blacksmithing as a career and

00:11:39.900 –> 00:11:47.520 Mathew Shirey: A friend of mine worked at Camp Daniel Boone down here in Waynesville North Carolina and he called me up and said hey if you’re looking for work, they.

00:11:47.970 –> 00:11:58.650 Mathew Shirey: They have an 18th-century living history program called boots bro village and their blacksmith bail out at the last minute, and they need someone in four days to be down here and ready to work for the summer.

00:11:59.340 –> 00:12:04.770 Mathew Shirey: And so I threw my forge and anvil and everything I had in the back minivan and cruise on down here.

00:12:05.520 –> 00:12:08.640 Joseph McElroy: Wow it’s that that was an opportune moment for you huh.

00:12:09.060 –> 00:12:11.220 Mathew Shirey: yeah yeah it’s pretty serendipitous.

00:12:11.310 –> 00:12:12.570 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool and.

00:12:13.680 –> 00:12:23.490 Joseph McElroy: So before that you, you just you found your calling is a blacksmith he didn’t really have a career, other than so your your your focus has been what you’ve achieved all along, right,

00:12:24.390 –> 00:12:31.230 Mathew Shirey: yeah I spent a number of years working with kids and different faculties and.

00:12:32.580 –> 00:12:40.050 Mathew Shirey: You know wash dishes in kitchens and did carpentry work and did you know did whatever I do pay the bills until till.

00:12:40.590 –> 00:12:43.050 Joseph McElroy: The other any other crafts, that you explored.

00:12:44.190 –> 00:12:59.310 Mathew Shirey: A I’ve done a lot of woodworking as well, I was, I was a shop teacher for six years before I made the jump into smithing full time, and so I did a lot of wind turning on the lane and got into building some banjos and you know I built.

00:13:00.450 –> 00:13:07.770 Mathew Shirey: an addition on our house and some other you know some other carpentry framing kind of work so we’ve done a lot of what as well cool.

00:13:08.280 –> 00:13:17.040 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re yeah I talked to a lot in this first segment, so now we have to explore how you came to blacksmithing and the next slide which we’re going to take a break right now okay.

00:15:33.030 –> 00:15:40.530 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast, and my guest Matthew Shirey.

00:15:41.490 –> 00:15:59.370 Joseph McElroy: Some of you know that I like to often have a beer craft beer local craft beer when I’m on the shows, and today I am having an IPA called the king of the mountain from a local brewery here and Haywood county called Buju brewery and I, I recommend it highly it’s really it’s kind of good.

00:16:00.690 –> 00:16:03.540 Joseph McElroy: And Matt are you drinking water, you got something else that.

00:16:03.780 –> 00:16:04.920 Mathew Shirey: i’ve got a cup of tea.

00:16:05.550 –> 00:16:06.000 Okay.

00:16:09.330 –> 00:16:13.260 Joseph McElroy: So you have a story about how you became interested in and.

00:16:14.730 –> 00:16:19.650 Joseph McElroy: In vaccinating attended a workshop at a State farm state park near your hometown.

00:16:20.670 –> 00:16:33.300 Mathew Shirey: yeah I had an in high school I got into the living history of experimental archaeology stuff you know dressing like a frontiersman of the 1800s shooting flintlock rifles and that stuff.

00:16:33.900 –> 00:16:43.230 Mathew Shirey: And so that got me interested in the blacksmithing and I started looking locally for anybody that could teach me anything and help me get-go and

00:16:44.250 –> 00:16:57.870Mathew Shirey: I happen to walk into like a heritage Center and cook for a state park and Northwest Pennsylvania, and they have some classes going on that summer and it just so happened they had a weekend blacksmith and class with a couple of local blacksmiths and.

00:16:58.890 –> 00:17:12.720Mathew Shirey: So I signed up and showed up and spend the weekend standing out in the hot sun fortune away and pretty much knew at the end of that weekend that this was something I had to do, and hopefully would someday be able to do it for a living and.

00:17:13.770 –> 00:17:18.720 Mathew Shirey: One of the blacksmiths that taught the class ended up calling me a week or two later he scored.

00:17:19.590 –> 00:17:39.090 Mathew Shirey: An old champion hand crank riveters forge and were nice enough to give it to me from 50 bucks when it was worth probably 200, and so I got home and set that up and somebody else gave me an anvil they had sitting in a barn forever and I that was it I bought a bag of coal and started forging.

00:17:39.600 –> 00:17:50.010 Joseph McElroy: fabulous So what do you think you know you said you had been would work or two is that the hands-on what separated from doing woodwork what made it your life’s calling.

00:17:51.600 –> 00:18:01.500 Mathew Shirey: I think, just the magic of forging you know just getting that steel pod and being able to manipulate it install it, and shape it into whatever I wanted.

00:18:01.860 –> 00:18:08.010 Mathew Shirey: and make something functional and I just, you know as long as I can remember, I always had an obsession with knives.

00:18:08.370 –> 00:18:22.560 Mathew Shirey: And one you know was always trying to make when my dad shop when I was a kid and whatnot frying and old files and saw blades and stuff so just you know woodworking is fine there’s a lot of things I like about what but metals just were attacked for me.

00:18:23.160 –> 00:18:29.790 Joseph McElroy: But you know I can understand you know, besides being a businessman right I’ve actually been an artist as well you know a few pieces here and there.

00:18:30.240 –> 00:18:40.050 Joseph McElroy: But the thing that was the essence, for me, was learning to really draw you know, and I tried lots of other things, but I started learning to draw and lots of media, and I just felt.

00:18:40.710 –> 00:18:55.170 Joseph McElroy: I felt like a real pleasant emotional experience when I just let myself get lost in that sort of right brain left brain dichotomy and you know it’s almost like there’s you get a buzz.

00:18:56.610 –> 00:19:04.860 Joseph McElroy: Right, so you know when you find your medium, you know it’s like seeing in your blood right.

00:19:05.100 –> 00:19:20.220 Mathew Shirey: yeah yeah getting in that creative zone, you know the rest of the world kind of disappears and you know I find myself up with a shot, two or three hours will go by and I’m kind of unaware of it, you know completely immersed in the process and kind of lose myself, you know.

00:19:20.940 –> 00:19:28.290 Joseph McElroy: But it’s interesting somebody could walk in and you bet you when you’re in that phase and then start talking to you, and you can look at them and you can’t even understand what they’re saying.

00:19:28.740 –> 00:19:29.610 Mathew Shirey: yeah sometimes.

00:19:31.140 –> 00:19:37.890 Joseph McElroy: Right it’s like it takes a second for you to switch your consciousness so that you could actually you know speaking the language.

00:19:38.400 –> 00:19:40.890 Mathew Shirey: Man yeah I’ve got to help her one day a week and.

00:19:42.300 –> 00:19:55.110 Mathew Shirey: Sometimes I run them out of their little earlier than I intended to you because I just need to have the space to myself and not have the distraction, you know and not have that kind of need to communicate I just need to be able to like focus on what I’m doing.

00:19:56.550 –> 00:20:03.120 Joseph McElroy: So that you say you I mean I read that you focus of your focus sort of like 18th-century blacksmithing right?

00:20:04.140 –> 00:20:11.100 Joseph McElroy: Is that different than the 1920 century blacksmithing or there’s it just the tools or what is it.

00:20:11.820 –> 00:20:18.000 Mathew Shirey: Well, you know I use modern tools I’ve got a hydraulic press and power hammer and belt Sander and all of that.

00:20:18.540 –> 00:20:27.780 Mathew Shirey: I’m not you know not doing everything in 18th-century manner, but a lot of the process is still the same as it was hundreds of years ago, I mean I’m still.

00:20:28.230 –> 00:20:43.050 Terri Clark: You know, forging and doing a lot of the same stuff and I think ultimately I’m a lot of times I’m trying to make things that fit into that time period are period direct for that time period and authentic for that time period.

00:20:44.520 –> 00:20:51.750 Joseph McElroy: So you went to I saw you with some really good craft schools is that how you learn or did you also learn a lot on your own.

00:20:53.130 –> 00:20:54.720 Mathew Shirey: I have mostly learned, on my own.

00:20:54.810 –> 00:21:04.350 Mathew Shirey: As a bigger yeah when I started, you know the Internet was kind of a new thing at our fingertips, and so I started digging on there and.

00:21:04.830 –> 00:21:15.270 Mathew Shirey: Any books, I could find on the blacksmithing and I was reading, and you know when I lived in Oregon I kind of found a couple of local blacksmiths and just started hanging out of their shop and.

00:21:15.840 –> 00:21:21.510 Mathew Shirey: Picking their brains as much as I could, but you know, mostly just hours and hours at the forge stumbling through it.

00:21:22.560 –> 00:21:29.460 Mathew Shirey: You know I’ve got scrapped knives and X is laying everywhere that are a failure, you know failed attempts.

00:21:31.740 –> 00:21:39.480 Mathew Shirey: Then you know when I when I moved here, I was here for a few years and took a class in school and a Penland, and you know, I was pretty.

00:21:40.800 –> 00:21:44.970 Mathew Shirey: Pretty established as a blacksmith by then, but those those classes definitely.

00:21:46.320 –> 00:21:49.050 Mathew Shirey: You know, improve my capabilities quite a bit.

00:21:49.440 –> 00:21:59.580 Joseph McElroy: They give you your classes and help you get into some specific texting techniques that that other person spent that time that you did on yours.

00:21:59.670 –> 00:22:07.770 Joseph McElroy: Right and you don’t have to spend that time, but you know you have a specific board or it could give you an idea of what you need to do for certain pieces that you’re working on.

00:22:08.130 –> 00:22:15.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah so that’s cool do you have any influences that you consider important to you.

00:22:18.810 –> 00:22:20.130 Joseph McElroy: there’s influences.

00:22:21.240 –> 00:22:21.990 Mathew Shirey: say that again.

00:22:22.380 –> 00:22:24.600 Joseph McElroy: mentors or influences, you know.

00:22:24.960 –> 00:22:30.360 Mathew Shirey: I again grew up with an interest in early American frontier stuff.

00:22:31.410 –> 00:22:36.720 Mathew Shirey: I don’t know if you’re familiar with the House brothers out of woodbury Kentucky herschel frank and john.

00:22:37.650 –> 00:22:54.000 Mathew Shirey They make flintlock rifles and knives and axes and kind of the whole gamut of early American tools and their work was always really inspiring to me again when I was in high school I discovered the Foxfire books.

00:22:54.360 –> 00:22:54.720 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:22:56.190 –> 00:23:00.630 Mathew Shirey: Those have been a an endless resource to me and a source of inspiration.

00:23:03.120 –> 00:23:20.730 Mathew Shirey: I outside of the early American kind of stuff I got into the work of our Paley alive when I first got started on his early stuff you know I did some architectural ironwork for a while so engage in fireplace screens and stuff and so His work was always really inspiring to me.

00:23:22.380 –> 00:23:24.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, it will come and what was the first thing you made?

00:23:25.770 –> 00:23:29.580 Mathew Shirey: The first thing I made in that workshop was a fork and a little bracelet.

00:23:30.150 –> 00:23:31.050 Joseph McElroy: Did you still have them.

00:23:31.710 –> 00:23:32.820 Mathew Shirey: I do not know.

00:23:32.910 –> 00:23:36.690 Mathew Shirey: Oh, I have no idea where those ended up, I actually may have them.

00:23:36.690 –> 00:23:38.370 Mathew Shirey: Somewhere but I don’t know where they’re at.

00:23:38.820 –> 00:23:41.220 Joseph McElroy: With one of the first things that you made it to still have.

00:23:42.600 –> 00:23:43.230 Mathew Shirey: gosh.

00:23:44.700 –> 00:23:50.130 Mathew Shirey: I still have a couple of knives I made years ago that I don’t think I would let see the light of day.

00:23:52.080 –> 00:24:02.850 Joseph McElroy: Listen i’m you know i’m sitting in a room in the motel where I’ve put a lot of my old artworks and you know I look at it there’s like this stuff is sucks but you know.

00:24:04.860 –> 00:24:11.760 Joseph McElroy: it’s also my private history now so it’s like I also remember the fun I had from discovering things from it so.

00:24:12.030 –> 00:24:18.750 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah so yeah you didn’t want it to get out of here and the commandment is burning when I die.

00:24:19.140 –> 00:24:19.800 Mathew Shirey: Here right.

00:24:22.320 –> 00:24:24.630 Joseph McElroy: So do you remember the first item, you so.

00:24:28.050 –> 00:24:39.840 Mathew Shirey: I think I think the first thing I ever sold was a friend of mine, asked me to make a dinner triangle, she wanted to hang and dinner triangle on the porch and I remember it being.

00:24:41.640 –> 00:24:44.460 Mathew Shirey: quite a bit lower on the bar than I was aiming for.

00:24:45.810 –> 00:24:48.420 Mathew Shirey: But she still was kind enough to pay me for it.

00:24:52.290 –> 00:24:56.460 Joseph McElroy: The first time I ever saw was my dad had you know somebody that was from.

00:24:58.140 –> 00:25:07.290 Joseph McElroy: Some car company and they wanted a little painting on a thing in their kitchen on the thing going over the sink, so I made it I got paid for it was like wow yeah.

00:25:09.030 –> 00:25:11.010 Joseph McElroy: They actually put it up, they actually put it up.

00:25:13.980 –> 00:25:18.150 Joseph McElroy: I was like dumbstruck that they actually thought it was worthwhile putting it up so that was fun.

00:25:19.920 –> 00:25:20.880 Joseph McElroy: So um.

00:25:24.480 –> 00:25:27.480 Joseph McElroy: What is the, what are the types of stuff that you make right now?

00:25:28.500 –> 00:25:33.480 Mathew Shirey: I am focused mainly on knives axes and carbon steel frying camps.

00:25:34.440 –> 00:25:42.570 Mathew Shirey: that’s really like I said I got into doing architectural ironwork for a little bit I kind of thought that was where I needed to go to make a living at it and.

00:25:42.960 –> 00:25:45.420 Mathew Shirey: A friend of mine who I think you’ve had on here, David Brew and.

00:25:46.380 –> 00:25:53.490 Mathew Shirey: He said listen, I spent most of my career doing architectural ironwork, and I wish I’d spent most of that time-making knives and axes

00:25:54.000 –> 00:26:03.210 Terri Clark: And he said, do what you love and you know it’ll come to fruition don’t get boxed into doing something that’s going to make you miserable.

00:26:03.720 –> 00:26:15.120 Terri Clark: And so I kind of stepped away from the architectural ironwork a few years ago and start focusing on knives and axes and got into making these frying camps because I saw that there was a market for it and.

00:26:16.470 –> 00:26:18.240 Terri Clark: I have no regrets, I really.

00:26:19.320 –> 00:26:26.190 Terri Clark: You know I think about still doing architectural ironwork I wouldn’t enjoy it anymore, and I wouldn’t you know I wouldn’t be happy doing it so.

00:26:26.460 –> 00:26:41.280 Joseph McElroy: Why would, I have a question, you know I’ve gotten interested in campfires and campfire cooking and you know cast iron cooking but I’ve been intrigued by the carbon steel stuff what’s the difference between the carbon steel pans in the cast iron pan.

00:26:42.090 –> 00:26:52.440 Terri Clark: The main difference is the creative process, you know cast iron is just that its desire and it’s been melted and forward into form and cast.

00:26:53.970 –> 00:27:03.570 Terri Clark: It tends to be you know more brittle than carbon steel cast iron pans can break, whereas carbon steel they’re forced to shape.

00:27:04.620 –> 00:27:18.690 Terri Clark: You could throw them against a brick wall and they are not going to break I mean they’re super strong functionally speaking they’re very similar my pans are probably a little lighter compared to the same size as cat and cast iron and.

00:27:19.980 –> 00:27:33.960 Terri Clark: I think the biggest advantage my pants have over cast iron is a longer handle so it doesn’t it’ll get warm and we’ll get hot if you’re cooking Heidi but, for the most part, you don’t ever need another name for it and they’re a little thinner and smoother than cast iron as well.

00:27:34.110 –> 00:27:38.040 Joseph McElroy: Can you saute with a cast with a carbon steel pan.

00:27:38.940 –> 00:27:39.420Mathew Shirey: Day.

00:27:39.540 –> 00:27:44.370 Joseph McElroy: make you can see her it’s hard to do it in a cast iron to do when you go shake it and all that stuff.

00:27:44.490 –> 00:27:45.660 Joseph McElroy: Right every right.

00:27:45.960 –> 00:27:48.750 Mathew Shirey: yeah yeah that’s something little handles hard to get Ahold of in.

00:27:48.750 –> 00:27:49.860 Mathew Shirey: My Nice.

00:27:49.920 –> 00:27:55.080 Mathew Shirey: curve handled, and you can get that I can’t do, but if you can do the flip you can do these.

00:27:55.620 –> 00:28:00.240 Joseph McElroy: You know I’m six foot five 300 pounds I got a little bit strange, but still even tough for me now.

00:28:00.570 –> 00:28:01.110 Mathew Shirey: So yeah.

00:28:02.610 –> 00:28:07.050 Joseph McElroy: Well, listen, we got to take another break we’ll come back we’ll talk more about your art the things that you’ve done.

00:30:13.500 –> 00:30:22.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Matthew Shirey so Matthew.

00:30:23.580 –> 00:30:39.600 Joseph McElroy: I was reading on your website you formed here forge in 2005 but you didn’t actually go to in full time in 2017 so imagine having kids yeah things like that it took a while for the business build-up is that the reason you to get to be able to full time with that?

00:30:40.140 –> 00:30:55.200 Mathew Shirey: yeah and through the bulk of that time I had a teaching job with Southwestern Community College, I was teaching shop and local high school and yeah it was a really good job and I enjoyed it and so there’s no reason to give it up and then.

00:30:56.700 –> 00:31:07.110 Mathew Shirey: One day, the funding for a dried up and things changed, and I was out the door, so I spent a year or two working as a welder and as a carpenter and

00:31:07.800 –> 00:31:16.980 Mathew Shirey: I was driving all the way up to cashers every day and I was kind of sick of that so I said, you know what I’ve got a shop here that I can make a living in and so I took the leap.

00:31:17.970 –> 00:31:22.890 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous as I saw you one different you got lots of different recognition somebody should go to your

00:31:23.340 –> 00:31:34.770 Joseph McElroy: Your website we’ll talk about that the end see that all the pressure got you’ve done some fabulous thing that I think it’s pretty inspiring for anybody wanting to be in the craft a world that you can actually make a living at it right.

00:31:35.220 –> 00:31:38.880 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so you.

00:31:39.990 –> 00:31:43.290 Joseph McElroy: So what is where did the name Shira forged come from.

00:31:44.310 –> 00:31:45.600 Mathew Shirey: Shira forge and.

00:31:46.140 –> 00:31:47.640 Mathew Shireyk: Sorry sorry that’s okay.

00:31:49.380 –> 00:31:51.720 Mathew Shirey: it’s the original spelling of my last name.

00:31:52.860 –> 00:32:05.970 Mathew Shirey: my ancestors have been in western Pennsylvania, since the late 1700s and you know, over time, that name got changed to Shirey but the original spelling a few hundred years ago, was Shira so.

00:32:07.170 –> 00:32:11.400 Mathew Shirey: You know I’ve always been really fascinated with my ancestry and one on so it was kind of a.

00:32:12.690 –> 00:32:14.250 Mathew Shirey: paying homage to my ancestors.

00:32:14.970 –> 00:32:18.120 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous so you say your name I started saying the Shira right.

00:32:18.450 –> 00:32:25.950 Joseph McElroy: mm hmm yeah you know I get these I get you to know Bob Plott who’s the head of the smoky mountain.

00:32:28.770 –> 00:32:46.230 Joseph McElroy: Mountain Heritage Center for the Meadowlark you know introduces me to people and provides you know the background information and sometimes I don’t have the time because, like right now I’m moving into Asheville I don’t get to do the research on your name, so I apologize for not correct.

00:32:47.730 –> 00:32:57.090 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so life is good in the smoky mountains right I’m moving back, I obviously always wanted to be here, you know, but I had to try my

00:32:57.810 –> 00:33:11.550 Joseph McElroy: adventures in the world and the particular line of business, I was in required to be there, so what’s your careers for flourishing and then you got to be at a TV hit series, how did that happen forged by fire forge in the fire.

00:33:11.850 –> 00:33:19.020 Mathew Shirey: And so it’s been on you know, I was just on the season premiere of season nine so it’s been on eight years now.

00:33:20.580 –> 00:33:26.070 Mathew Shirey: And, of course, you know, being a blacksmith, I was interested in the show soon as I saw it and.

00:33:27.270 –> 00:33:38.070 Mathew Shirey: Five or six years ago I applied to be on it and I didn’t get a call back I interviewed and all that but I didn’t get a callback and then a couple of years ago, I decided to try again and.

00:33:39.300 –> 00:33:50.310 Mathew Shirey: got the interview, and they said we’ll be in touch and then the pandemic happened, and they said logo everything’s on hold, right now, but we’ll be in touch and so.

00:33:51.000 –> 00:34:02.610 Mathew Shirey: Last July I got the call from them had the plane ticket was all said to go film and two days before I was supposed to fly out I got tested positive for covid

00:34:03.480 –> 00:34:04.260 Mathew Shirey: Know anywhere.

00:34:04.560 –> 00:34:12.180 Mathew Shirey: yeah and then by the end of October, they called me again and said, are you ready, this time, and so it all came together.

00:34:12.750 –> 00:34:19.020 Joseph McElroy: cool and for people listening, can you explain the format of the show to us and how you participated.

00:34:19.320 –> 00:34:29.250 Mathew Shirey: Sure, so there are three rounds of competition there is four bladesmiths in the first round, you have three hours to forge and he treated a knife.

00:34:29.730 –> 00:34:44.730 Mathew Shirey: Within whatever parameters and challenge, they said for my episode, it was a crushed car challenge, so when we walked out on the floor, they uncovered a car that had been crushed and we had to salvage our steel for the night, out of that.

00:34:45.330 –> 00:34:46.350 Mathew Shirey: bed hidden some.

00:34:46.560 –> 00:34:51.600 Mathew Shirey: Some good pieces of steel in there, or you know, in my case, I found a piece in the front end.

00:34:52.770 –> 00:34:58.320 Mathew Shirey: CV joint That was really good steel that I can make a knife out of so anyway, the first round.

00:34:58.830 –> 00:35:11.700 Mathew Shirey: One person’s eliminated second round, you have we had two hours to put a handle and a guard on the knife and then they put it through some pretty severe testing and a second person was eliminated.

00:35:12.210 –> 00:35:25.020 Mathew Shirey: And then the final to go home to their own shot for four or five days and for whatever epic weapons they choose, and so, for us it was down to me and a fella named Mike from Nebraska.

00:35:26.370 –> 00:35:36.780Mathew Shirey: We had a fortune a pair of curve guitars which are a weapon from ancient India they had to match that have folders in the blades and some other parameters to follow.

00:35:37.680 –> 00:35:51.300 Mathew Shirey: So got back down here it’s been four days in the in my shop with a camera crew and forge these weapons went back up to the set and the judges put them through a final round of testing and then choose the winner.

00:35:52.080 –> 00:35:55.020 Joseph McElroy: Well, and what’s what are they what’s their criteria for the winner.

00:35:56.700 –> 00:36:02.460 Mathew Shirey: A they put it through you know it had to meet all the parameters blade length shape all that.

00:36:03.510 –> 00:36:10.590 Mathew Shirey: And then they put it through all kinds of testing of us there was like a stabbing test with the ballistics gummy.

00:36:11.730 –> 00:36:13.680 Mathew Shirey: A slicing test with.

00:36:15.150 –> 00:36:27.570 Mathew Shirey: Some some Kane kind of things, so you know they went through several different tests see how the knives perform, and then the judges kind of step away for a minute and make their decision.

00:36:28.650 –> 00:36:33.780 Mathew Shirey: So basically they’re judging not only the aesthetics, of the weapon, but the functionality of it so.

00:36:34.020 –> 00:36:42.030 Joseph McElroy: A little sort of a remote way it’s like the chef competition show that, were they going to cook based upon the parameters of the.

00:36:43.140 –> 00:36:43.560 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:36:43.680 –> 00:36:47.400 Joseph McElroy: Right, how did you know what to Qatar, it looks like or how.

00:36:48.390 –> 00:36:55.830 Mathew Shirey: I had a vague familiarity with them before you know the reveal on the final round.

00:36:57.390 –> 00:37:02.220 Mathew Shirey: And I did you know I I did a little research and looked at some Google images and whatnot.

00:37:03.540 –> 00:37:05.340 Mathew Shirey: And then just kind of went for it, you know.

00:37:05.850 –> 00:37:08.460 Joseph McElroy: cool how it was the grand prize.

00:37:09.030 –> 00:37:11.400 Joseph McElroy: $10,000 so bad right.

00:37:12.090 –> 00:37:13.710 Joseph McElroy: Nice forever right.

00:37:14.970 –> 00:37:18.390 Joseph McElroy: And you get to go back on future shows right we compete against other champions.

00:37:18.480 –> 00:37:32.490 Mathew Shirey: If they ever call me I’d be happy to go back often they do have you know, a championship round or a beat the judges round or something like that, where they call people back on you know, keeping my fingers crossed that I get that call next season or something.

00:37:33.090 –> 00:37:34.230 Joseph McElroy: And how is it.

00:37:35.280 –> 00:37:39.960 Joseph McElroy: How is it changed your life personally and professionally or are people asked every autograph now.

00:37:40.980 –> 00:37:45.540 Mathew Shirey: I’ve had one little boy, and my son at a soccer game asked for my autograph which was pretty funny.

00:37:48.090 –> 00:37:53.670 Mathew Shirey: You know professionally it’s allowed me to invest in my business a little bit more and upgrade some of my tooling and stuff.

00:37:54.810 –> 00:38:04.530 Mathew Shirey: And you know it’s here in the Sylva area I definitely have people I’ve never met before if come up and congratulate me and whatnot I feel like I’ve.

00:38:05.490 –> 00:38:16.440 Mathew Shirey: probably got more local business from it, than anything else you know, being in the local paper and whatnot it’s given me some exposure here in Western North Carolina and it’s been really good.

00:38:18.120 –> 00:38:19.350 Joseph McElroy: it’s helped your business that.

00:38:19.800 –> 00:38:21.390 Mathew Shirey: Sure sure absolutely.

00:38:21.960 –> 00:38:28.110 Joseph McElroy: cool I mean that’s good I mean yeah I mean these reality TV shows can be nice.

00:38:28.800 –> 00:38:33.960 Joseph McElroy: A nice thing, but they don’t really change your business like that much I have a friend of mine that we wonder.

00:38:34.470 –> 00:38:44.430 Joseph McElroy: What does that project runway or was in it really change your fashion life that much so she had one or two years of things, but it’s also good to have on your resume yeah.

00:38:44.610 –> 00:38:50.250 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah you’re still a fairly young man right, you are what your 30s.

00:38:50.280 –> 00:38:56.010 Joseph McElroy: Or maybe 44 So what are your future plans you got any projects you’re looking to do.

00:38:58.350 –> 00:39:07.680 Mathew Shirey: I plan on just continuing doing what I’m doing you know, trying to improve my craft get better what I’m doing you know I I’m.

00:39:08.160 –> 00:39:18.090 Mathew Shirey: I’m eligible at this point to test for my journeymen stamp with the American blade Smith society so in the next year or so I’m hoping to go through that process and get my journeymen stamp.

00:39:19.830 –> 00:39:24.330 Mathew Shirey: You know I’m hoping here in the next year or two to start teaching again.

00:39:25.800 –> 00:39:29.100Mathew Shirey: i’ve taught classes in different different places.

00:39:30.420 –> 00:39:35.610 Mathew Shirey: With the last one being Haywood Community college and flown tops and blacksmith and classes there and.

00:39:36.000 –> 00:39:47.310 Mathew Shirey: I took a break for the last two or three years, focused on my business, but I think you know the older I get more I’d like to get back into teaching some you know pass on what I’ve spent 20 years figuring out.

00:39:48.720 –> 00:39:51.030 Joseph McElroy: cool are you doing any other product bugs.

00:39:52.770 –> 00:39:54.630 Mathew Shirey: really what I’m trying to do now is.

00:39:56.550 –> 00:40:10.620 Mathew Shirey: make more one-off knives I’ve been kind of making them in batches and that sort of thing and I’m going to continue doing that, but I really want to get to the place where I can kind of make what I’m inspired to make and make some more one of a kind pieces.

00:40:11.040 –> 00:40:14.040 Joseph McElroy: I said, you made a lot of a belt, a lot of belt bags

00:40:15.450 –> 00:40:17.400 Joseph McElroy: Like what you’re wearing your belt was that with me.

00:40:17.880 –> 00:40:28.020 Mathew Shirey: yeah just kind of everyday carry a knife or running knife, you know I I like to carry a fixed blade knife so I’ve always got a little three or four-inch blade on me.

00:40:29.160 –> 00:40:31.350 Mathew Shirey: So I make a lot, a lot of knives like that.

00:40:32.340 –> 00:40:38.010 Joseph McElroy: You know now that I’m back in North Carolina could carry a knife with me all the time, you know New York, you have a limit of like four inches.

00:40:39.930 –> 00:40:50.070 Joseph McElroy: You know I want, I want to talk to you, I do want to you know I’m getting into the whole cast iron and cooking and heritage cooking and things like that I do want to talk to you about doing.

00:40:50.610 –> 00:41:00.750 Joseph McElroy: A custom, you know some sort of you know, this is it’s trivial but it’s I think it’s important to I want to do a knife that looks good on camera.

00:41:01.200 –> 00:41:09.390 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah right, I think that if we’re doing cooking shows this guy looks like oh wow that’s really cool what somebody looks at night right.

00:41:09.840 –> 00:41:12.570 Mathew Shirey: So maybe I’ve been messing with the mask is quite a bit lately.

00:41:13.380 –> 00:41:18.090 Mathew Shirey: You know, you know if you’re familiar with I’m sure you are made it looks pretty.

00:41:18.660 –> 00:41:19.740 Joseph McElroy: yeah right yeah.

00:41:20.280 –> 00:41:31.710 Joseph McElroy: Oh also you talking about mountain heritage is just look at things like the old hickory I mean I don’t know how good they are I don’t want to necessarily be that primitive but you know the same time there’s a sort of authenticity to that right.

00:41:32.010 –> 00:41:33.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.

00:41:33.570 –> 00:41:35.970 Mathew Shirey: yeah and I do a lot of my knives I leave some.

00:41:35.970 –> 00:41:49.920 Mathew Shirey: forge texture you know I you know, some of them I clean up the whole way, but I really like that for texture and that kind of primitive natural look, you know I want I, like my knives and stuff to look like they belong when they’re in the woods, you know.

00:41:51.870 –> 00:42:02.850 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s exactly the kind of thing that I think works well and you also do the senior he did butcher boots or whatever there are big butcher blades.

00:42:03.120 –> 00:42:04.740 Mathew Shirey: mm hmm like a cleaver.

00:42:04.920 –> 00:42:05.610 Joseph McElroy: Cleaver yeah.

00:42:05.700 –> 00:42:06.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah so.

00:42:08.490 –> 00:42:12.450 Joseph McElroy: From my own, I have had half the beer so I’m not drawing blanks on for certain.

00:42:14.250 –> 00:42:15.600 Mathew Shirey: that’s why I stuck with the tea.

00:42:17.190 –> 00:42:21.750 Joseph McElroy: Well, it makes me a little more loquacious but sometimes it makes me less intelligent.

00:42:25.440 –> 00:42:32.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah but it’s worthwhile right, I guess is that as a model not like I’m live wait wait wait I’m live but it’s maybe.

00:42:34.710 –> 00:42:39.480 Joseph McElroy: So so so that’s great and.

00:42:40.680 –> 00:42:59.520 Joseph McElroy: Now I am and what there was one of the lines you do can’t you’ve done some of those things like kitchen stuff and ironwork and things like that would you do anything like camp kitchen experiences, you know, like setups and stuff like that girl we’re.

00:42:59.520 –> 00:43:05.580 Mathew Shirey: not really you know my frying pan to work rate on an open fire, just as well as the stove.

00:43:06.720 –> 00:43:18.000 Mathew Shirey: In the past, I made some fireplace set or you know fire irons and whatnot for a campfire cooking but I don’t really do that kind of stuff for myself, these days, but I don’t really make them sell cool.

00:43:18.540 –> 00:43:31.320 Joseph McElroy: Well, we have to take our last break here and then we’ll come back and we’ll talk about you know some of the other things that you’ve done, and you know the things that you find appealing about the scope and so.

00:43:32.220 –> 00:43:32.940 Mathew Shirey: sounds good.

 

00:45:33.150 –> 00:45:40.620 Joseph McElroy: howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Matthew Shirey.

00:45:41.070 –> 00:45:41.820 Mathew Shirey: Shirey

00:45:42.060 –> 00:45:43.530 Joseph McElroy: Sorry sorry oh my.

00:45:45.180 –> 00:45:47.550 Mathew Shirey: The business is Shira the last name is Shirey

00:45:48.000 –> 00:45:52.980 Joseph McElroy: Shirey okay so Shirey okay, so I got it now I’ll remember it so.

00:45:54.180 –> 00:46:03.150 Joseph McElroy: we’re talking about blacksmithing in the mountains so um you mentioned, you want to get back into teaching you think you might open your own school.

00:46:04.230 –> 00:46:11.280 Mathew Shirey: Nah, I don’t think I have any interest in that I think I might start offering some small workshops in my shop.

00:46:12.330 –> 00:46:21.120Mathew Shirey: I can my shots pretty small, I can only accommodate probably three people in a class but i’m thinking about doing some like little weekend workshops in my shop and.

00:46:22.020 –> 00:46:30.300 Mathew Shirey: Maybe reconnecting with Haywood Community College and starting to reach out to John C Campbell folks school and some other schools around the country like that.

00:46:31.830 –> 00:46:32.040 Mathew Shirey: they’re there’s.

00:46:32.670 –> 00:46:34.800 Mathew Shirey: Some really great facilities out there, I don’t need to.

00:46:34.800 –> 00:46:35.430 Mathew Shirey: build one.

00:46:36.240 –> 00:46:44.220 Joseph McElroy: On my you know your shop could be a school, but it would be all the students would be online right you could do a YouTube thing.

00:46:44.370 –> 00:46:45.570 Mathew Shirey: Or you could be yeah.

00:46:45.630 –> 00:46:47.040 Joseph McElroy: You do live podcast.

00:46:47.070 –> 00:46:56.190 Mathew Shirey: Right yeah my 13-year-old is really getting into making videos and he’s been helping me with some videos and stuff so there may come a point where I start making some more YouTube.

00:46:56.760 –> 00:47:09.300 Joseph McElroy: So you have somebody that knows how to do YouTube videos and they have a wife that it’s great at the lighting I, you should be able, you know you should be able to do something, maybe you just might want to get somebody to help me write some scripts or something like that, but.

00:47:09.300 –> 00:47:11.220 Mathew Shirey: yeah I’ve got a couple of ideas.

00:47:11.250 –> 00:47:13.320 Mathew Shirey: just got to find time to make it happen.

00:47:15.330 –> 00:47:30.300 Joseph McElroy: cool so you know the show is also about a little bit about tourism in the mountains and I love talking to really great people and cultural icons and things but also So what do you enjoy doing in the Smoky Mountain?

00:47:32.310 –> 00:47:33.540 Mathew Shirey: Anything outside.

00:47:33.750 –> 00:47:34.470 Joseph McElroy: You know, we.

00:47:34.590 –> 00:47:38.490 Mathew Shirey: try to get on the lakes and rivers, as much as possible in the summer.

00:47:39.810 –> 00:47:44.610 Mathew Shirey: We do a lot of hiking I’m an avid hunter and fisherman when I can find time to do it.

00:47:45.930 –> 00:47:52.230 Mathew Shirey: Just you know the natural beauty of this place is what brought me here and we try to make the most of it.

00:47:52.470 –> 00:47:57.450 Joseph McElroy: cool and when you’re in Silva, what is your favorite place to get breakfast.

00:47:58.740 –> 00:48:02.520 Mathew Shirey: My favorite place to eat period and Sylvia Guadalupe CAFE.

00:48:02.970 –> 00:48:04.950 Mathew Shirey: Ah yeah mainstream.

00:48:05.100 –> 00:48:08.820 Joseph McElroy: I love you get that tray with the multiple salsas right.

00:48:09.120 –> 00:48:10.500 Joseph McElroy: yeah That is incredible.

00:48:12.750 –> 00:48:22.890 Joseph McElroy: yeah we went there during covid you know and you were still able to sit on a picnic table after and get that salsas those multiple VM and everything else there was great.

00:48:23.130 –> 00:48:23.460 yeah.

00:48:24.690 –> 00:48:29.730 Joseph McElroy: How about entertainment, what kind of it was a great entertainment place and so.

00:48:30.510 –> 00:48:36.180 Mathew Shirey: I innovation brewing both in Sylva their Hillsborough location, they often have music.

00:48:38.460 –> 00:48:44.610 Mathew Shirey: let’s see where else you know every Friday night, they have music down the bridge park in town in the summers.

00:48:46.020 –> 00:48:47.640 Mathew Shirey: So that’s you know.

00:48:48.660 –> 00:48:51.000 Mathew Shirey: Those are kind of our general go-to places.

00:48:52.230 –> 00:48:55.890 Mathew Shirey: Honestly, especially since the pandemic we don’t make it out very much but.

00:48:56.400 –> 00:48:56.790 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:48:56.940 –> 00:48:58.680 Mathew Shirey: When we do those are the places we had.

00:48:59.430 –> 00:49:02.790 Joseph McElroy: And now you know you’ve raised your children here in the smokies right.

00:49:03.210 –> 00:49:03.570 Mathew Shirey: mm hmm.

00:49:03.900 –> 00:49:14.430 Joseph McElroy: So now I’m would be bringing three and a half-year-olds here alright, so you had you’ve had children of that age, what are the things I should do with three and a half-year-olds in the smokies but can’t get anywhere else.

00:49:15.210 –> 00:49:19.470 Mathew Shirey: And this again getting on the lakes, is always fun.

00:49:19.530 –> 00:49:20.580 Joseph McElroy: You know what’s your favorite lake?

00:49:21.450 –> 00:49:23.760 Mathew Shirey: We go down to Fontana.

00:49:23.910 –> 00:49:24.630 quite a bit.

00:49:26.370 –> 00:49:28.680 Mathew Shirey: I’ve actually got a favorite late but I’m not going to tell you.

00:49:28.890 –> 00:49:29.490 Joseph McElroy: Ah.

00:49:29.550 –> 00:49:30.360 Mathew Shirey: got all the.

00:49:31.500 –> 00:49:32.700 Joseph McElroy: checks to me in the chat.

00:49:32.700 –> 00:49:32.880 For.

00:49:34.320 –> 00:49:34.890 Mathew Shirey: me.

00:49:35.100 –> 00:49:39.090 Mathew Shirey: it’s pretty tiny went around here and not many people know about it, I want to keep it that way.

00:49:39.900 –> 00:49:43.080 Joseph McElroy: Okay, but at the chat give me a break.

00:49:45.870 –> 00:49:55.890 Joseph McElroy: Oh so well that’s great I mean yeah like my parents go Have you had a place that we used to go to down in Georgia line with them you know.

00:49:57.120 –> 00:50:02.580 Joseph McElroy: drawing a blank on the name of it’s been a while so since we were there but they had a pontoon boat there’s always a blast.

00:50:02.820 –> 00:50:22.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you know we’re a building a Heritage Center right documentary to do the number talking about I want to do cooking yeah I was thinking of getting a you know, a sort of a large size camp kitchen built right with a cook set things like that any recommendations, how to do that.

00:50:25.980 –> 00:50:27.210 Mathew Shirey: Honestly, not really.

00:50:28.500 –> 00:50:34.650 Mathew Shirey: I mean there you know I think the sky’s the limit but i’ve never built an outdoor kitchen and don’t know you know a lot about it but.

00:50:37.560 –> 00:50:44.760 Mathew Shirey: If you get to that point, let me know, maybe I can you know, come up with some fire brokers and utensils and stuff like that for you.

00:50:45.150 –> 00:50:45.870 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool.

00:50:47.520 –> 00:51:00.960 Joseph McElroy: So you know I noticed that a local bar and restaurant is had a big screening and welcome home event for you after you want to convince your competition, I thought that was great what was a venue.

00:51:02.190 –> 00:51:05.040 Mathew Shirey: That was lazy hiker taproom on mainstream Sylva.

00:51:06.930 –> 00:51:21.180 Mathew Shirey: you know we small town, we know, everybody in the managers there and whatnot we went said hey we really like to have a party and invite all of our friends to come to watch this on the big screen there, so they were more than happy to make it happen cool.

00:51:21.810 –> 00:51:23.940 Joseph McElroy: Now How can people find out more about you.

00:51:25.320 –> 00:51:30.480 Mathew Shirey: My website are definitely the easiest way to find me www.shiraforge.com

00:51:31.950 –> 00:51:34.650 Joseph McElroy: And here is your Facebook.

00:51:35.400 –> 00:51:39.540 Mathew Shirey: I am on Facebook, I do most of my social media stuff on Instagram.

00:51:41.070 –> 00:51:44.550 Joseph McElroy: Okay lots of pictures of stuff that you produce that makes sense right.

00:51:46.320 –> 00:51:46.740 Joseph McElroy: and

00:51:47.910 –> 00:51:52.710 Joseph McElroy: Can people ask for custom work from you or just buy from that site what are they what can they do.

00:51:53.460 –> 00:52:01.800 Mathew Shirey: Both I’ve got you to know products listed on the website that they can order everything’s made to order I don’t really have anything in stock generally.

00:52:02.820 –> 00:52:10.170 Mathew Shirey: But if you have you know, a custom knife or ax or something you want to be made shoots me an email, and we can try and figure something out.

00:52:10.620 –> 00:52:13.350 Joseph McElroy: What do they need to provide you to make a custom product.

00:52:14.460 –> 00:52:24.660 Mathew Shirey: Generally, like they want a custom knife, you know I need to know if they want mono steel or Damascus, what kind of blade shape blade length handle material.

00:52:25.920 –> 00:52:34.260 Mathew Shirey: You know, handle construction whether it’s a full Tang or hidden Tang process, so you know just all those little details and then.

00:52:35.550 –> 00:52:41.400 Mathew Shirey: Sometimes we just go into the details and other times I can sketch something up if somebody wants to.

00:52:41.940 –> 00:52:46.620 Joseph McElroy: cool or well any other shoutouts you like to give.

00:52:48.300 –> 00:52:50.580 Mathew Shirey: Thanks to you, guys, for having me on here, I really appreciate it.

00:52:51.060 –> 00:52:53.820 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I hope you’ll come by you know we’re doing.

00:52:54.540 –> 00:53:03.480 Joseph McElroy: At the smoky mountain heritage Center the bob’s doing we’re having events where they have things like you know reenactment so you mentioned earlier, that you are doing that they have.

00:53:03.900 –> 00:53:18.960 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think you’re gonna have blacksmithing things going on and you’re going to have you know all sorts of heritage events, I think you would enjoy, so we will come by and meet me in person, and we can you know talk about pans and knives

00:53:19.590 –> 00:53:25.650 Mathew Shirey: And I know I’d love to participate in some of the events you’ve got going on there, and maybe teach a class there at some point.

00:53:25.800 –> 00:53:31.530 Joseph McElroy: That would be fun, I mean we’re starting to do some really good classes like that, and I think that.

00:53:32.370 –> 00:53:41.340 Joseph McElroy: it’s beneficial for everyone involved because I really love celebrating the culture of these Appalachians and historical things and celebrating what’s good about our history.

00:53:41.820 –> 00:53:50.850 Joseph McElroy: And you know the craft was by far, one of the most beautiful things of our history yeah all right absolutely so we’re part of the.

00:53:52.740 –> 00:53:56.250 Joseph McElroy:talkradio.nycnetwork.

00:53:57.270 –> 00:54:14.370 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is every Tuesday from six to seven and there are many other podcasts on this network that I, you know enjoy we can try to convince you to see because it ranges from small business to other travel.

00:54:15.390 –> 00:54:21.420 Joseph McElroy: shows to self-help to know information about pets information about insurance.

00:54:22.560 –> 00:54:39.870 Joseph McElroy: Personal wellness spirituality so it’s not often you get a network that’s all live podcast, so I think there’s a dynamic there has to live that and yeah and less formality, that you can get you to know the host is on the show drinking.

00:54:41.370 –> 00:54:48.450 Joseph McElroy: And screwing up names and words, but it makes you It makes you off, but you also know that you get some authentic information it’s.

00:54:48.450 –> 00:54:49.050 Mathew Shirey: not right.

00:54:49.230 –> 00:55:00.720 Joseph McElroy: it’s not pre-planned media so anybody listening, please go to talkradio.nyc and find the shows that might be of interest to you or you can find out more about this podcast on

00:55:01.620 –> 00:55:17.580 Joseph McElroy: Facebook at facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast where we will stream live every Tuesday and also have the previous episodes and other information about the smokies that you might find useful and the towns and crafts and things going on.

00:55:19.170 –> 00:55:25.740 Joseph McElroy: And we are also all our previous episodes are hosted on smokiesadventure.com.

00:55:26.100 –> 00:55:35.490 Joseph McElroy: If you go to that site smokiesadventure.com you’ll find a link at the top saying gateway to smokies podcast and you can go and see all the podcasts and we’ve had great people from.

00:55:35.790 –> 00:55:47.970 Joseph McElroy: pressman to politicians to outdoorsman to historians to book writers things like that we’re starting to get a nice inventory I think it’s well over 60 now of

00:55:49.530 –> 00:56:00.450 Joseph McElroy: shows that are not they’re not just tourism, you know oh look at this great place to come and see it gets into some bottom about.

00:56:00.930 –> 00:56:12.840 Joseph McElroy: The people here and representing well how you know, thoughtful intelligent and deep this mountain culture is and I encourage you to go there and.

00:56:13.440 –> 00:56:19.740 Joseph McElroy: I also run another podcast and talkradio.nyc called wise content creates wealth, I have to be a marketing expert and I’m

00:56:20.160 –> 00:56:28.590 Joseph McElroy: delving into the world of the AI artificial intelligence and how it’s changing content production and

00:56:29.280 –> 00:56:39.060 Joseph McElroy: And you know to search and marketing and how behavioral science and is used to switch reading so both from a business perspective.

00:56:39.360 –> 00:56:45.180 Joseph McElroy: And from understanding what’s happening to as you go to sites and going to information.

00:56:45.540 –> 00:57:00.480 Joseph McElroy: You know, to help you understand the world as it’s being presented to you it’s good I think it’s a good show alright, so thank you I’ll see you next time on the gateway to the smokies podcast from six to seven next week on Tuesday ciao.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/cPOHBW_qAA/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/627410738fb3822ab40561ee_20220503-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/05/03 - Forging a Blacksmithing Career in the Smoky Mountains"></a></p><p>GUEST: MATTHEW SHIREY</p><p><strong>In this episode, you will learn about the art of blacksmithing and metalworking in the Smoky Mountains. </strong></p><p><strong>Matthew Shirey</strong> is an Award-winning Blacksmith and Metalworking Artist who has resided in Sylva, N.C. for over 15 years. A native of Pennsylvania, Matthew has been a full-time craftsman since 2017 and the Owner of Shira Forge since 2005. </p><p>Matthew was also the winner of the 2022 season premiere of the History Channel hit television show –Forged in Fire! He will discuss what it means to be a blacksmith in the 21st century and see how he forged his career out of metal at an early age.</p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.shiraforge.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.shiraforge.com/</a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/matthew.shirey.54" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/matthew.shirey.54</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shiraforge/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/shiraforge/</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph Franklin McElroy kicks off the show by mentioning the sponsor of the show, which is of course his own, the Meadowlark Motel and also smokiesadventure.com. Some upcoming events at the motel include this weekend, May 6th through the 8th called Wildcrafting and Mother Nature’s natural garden program honoring women empowerment and celebrating Mother’s Day. The poem Joseph reads to us today is by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow called The Village Blacksmith. The poem talks about being proud of the things you&#39;ve done in your life and being a role model. He introduces his guest, Matthew Shirey, owner of Shira Forge since 2005. Matthew grew up in Pennsylvania and went to college there as well. He also spent time in Montana and Oregon. He wasn&#39;t sure what he wanted to do, but he did know that he wanted to do blacksmithing as his career. At one point, he threw whatever he could in the back of his van and traveled to Waynesville, North Carolina when an opportunity came up from a friend who needed a blacksmith. Before this, he spent several years working with kids, and different faculties did carpentry work, washed dishes in kitchens, and more.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Matthew got into archeology and history while in high school which got him interested in blacksmithing. He walked into a heritage center in his hometown where they had a blacksmithing class. He spent a weekend one summer doing this and knew this was what he wanted to do for his career. Shirey says that it&#39;s the magic of forging, getting a steel pot, and being able to manipulate it. He also has always had an obsession with knives and metal and what you can create with them. Shirey talks about blacksmithing in the 18th and 19th century as well as today. He mostly learned a lot on his own through books, going to other blacksmiths, picking their brains, and the use of the internet. Shirey mentions Herschel, Frank, and John, otherwise known as the House Brothers, as influences. They make flintlock rifles, knives, axes, and other early American tools. Shirey’s main focus of what he makes are knives, axes, and carbon steel frying pans. He also explains the difference between carbon steel pans and cast iron pans. Carbon steel pans are super strong and have a little more advantage in various ways.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Shirey talks a bit about his business, Shira Forge, and not going into it full-time until about 2017. He mentions that he had a teaching job with Southwestern Community College and was enjoying it. He also worked as a welder and carpenter. Shirey also talks about the name of his business which is paying homage to his ancestors as well as being a part of the show Forged in the Fire on the History Channel in season 9. He applied twice to be in the show and was able to be a part of the show in 2021. In the show, there are three rounds of competition and 4 bladesmiths. In the first round, you would have three hours to forge and heat treat a knife within whatever challenge was set forth. In the second round for Shirey, he had to put a handle and guard on a knife within a limited time frame. The final two competitors would go home to their own shop for a couple of days and forge whatever weapon was given to them as a challenge. The judges would look at not only the aesthetic of tools but also the functionality. The grand prize was 10,000 dollars which allowed Shirey to invest in his business and own tools.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Shirey talks about wanting to get back into teaching such as maybe offering small workshops in his shop and reconnecting with other schools around the country. He may also be interested in creating YouTube videos as well. In the Great Smoky Mountains, Shirey likes to hunt and fish and just be outside whenever possible. In Sylva, he enjoys eating at the Guadalupe Café. Joseph also talks with Shirey about his favorite entertainment places to visit. They also talk about a celebration for Shirey’s win in the competition show which was held at the Lazy Hiker Taproom in Sylva. Shirey thanks Joseph for bringing him on the show to share his passion. You can find more about Matthew Shirey and his work at shiraforge.com, and on Instagram at Shiraforge.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:40.710 –&gt; 00:00:42.060 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to</p><p>00:00:42.240 –&gt; 00:00:52.500 Joseph McElroy: The gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:53.040 –&gt; 00:01:01.350 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty and deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:01.680 –&gt; 00:01:12.630 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in these great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:13.380 –&gt; 00:01:22.320 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re gonna be talking about forging a blacksmithing career in the smoky mountains, but first I got a message from our sponsor which happens to be me.</p><p>00:01:23.670 –&gt; 00:01:34.200 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts in the past yet modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel, a place for adventure and full relaxation.</p><p>00:01:34.860 –&gt; 00:01:43.710 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by a fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:44.160 –&gt; 00:01:58.380 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place that old-time music and world cultural sound, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventures start with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:59.460 –&gt; 00:02:08.160 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokiesadventure.com the smoky mountains in the surrounding areas of vacation destination for all season.</p><p>00:02:09.210 –&gt; 00:02:15.510 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:15.900 –&gt; 00:02:27.390 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure singular dot com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</p><p>00:02:27.840 –&gt; 00:02:32.730 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, cade’s cove, they got elk and historic.</p><p>00:02:33.450 –&gt; 00:02:40.230 Joseph McElroy: buildings and more than check out the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy.</p><p>00:02:40.560 –&gt; 00:02:50.940 Joseph McElroy: And if you’re looking to have an interesting life event you can find places to have interesting outdoor weddings or allotments or honeymoons or just romantic getaway.</p><p>00:02:51.690 –&gt; 00:02:58.800 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokiesadventure.com is to become the leading information portal for adventures in the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:59.700 –&gt; 00:03:19.500 Joseph McElroy: will tell you about a few minutes events coming up here at the Meadowlark Motel we’re going to have a wonderful event for the celebration of mother’s day this weekend may 6 to the eighth 2022 is called wildcrafting in mother nature’s natural garden program with Illa Hatter</p><p>00:03:21.630 –&gt; 00:03:25.860 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a weekend honoring female empowerment and iconic Appalachian women.</p><p>00:03:26.460 –&gt; 00:03:31.710 Joseph McElroy: And that’s what better time to do that and mother’s day it kicks off Friday night when we will have.</p><p>00:03:32.100 –&gt; 00:03:42.060 Joseph McElroy: acclaimed author wilderness survival expert Haywood County search and rescue team Member and record-setting endurance athlete Nancy East to present our Program.</p><p>00:03:42.600 –&gt; 00:03:49.500 Joseph McElroy: moms moving mountains and she will experience to share experiences in the great outdoors as well as her.</p><p>00:03:49.890 –&gt; 00:03:58.440 Joseph McElroy: amazing endurance hiking achievements and and a lot of our search and rescue stories that are quite interesting and then she’ll have a book signing of her.</p><p>00:03:59.340 –&gt; 00:04:09.360 Joseph McElroy: New book and that’s $10 for admission and it’s free for the guests in the motel and then on Saturday in the afternoon we’re going to have a whole.</p><p>00:04:11.700 –&gt; 00:04:25.620 Joseph McElroy: adventure with Illa Hatter who’s a legendary wildcrafting expert renowned author filmmaker instructor and tour guide for the great smoky mountains National Park at their elite field school.</p><p>00:04:26.640 –&gt; 00:04:43.650 Joseph McElroy: she’s an expert on edible pan plants medicinal herbs and new things for tape pertaining to wildcraft foraging and Appalachian plants trees and flowers she’s been on TV shows and videos and books and has worked on his advisor for movies and TV shows.</p><p>00:04:45.030 –&gt; 00:04:52.650 Joseph McElroy: And she will be presenting her beloved program mother’s nature natural garden and leading, which is talking about forging and all the things that.</p><p>00:04:53.310 –&gt; 00:05:05.670 Joseph McElroy: You know that you can do with those plants and herbs in the mountains and then she’s actually going to lead a tour on the grounds of the Meadowlark Motel which has a large wooden recreation area and a.</p><p>00:05:06.870 –&gt; 00:05:16.170 Joseph McElroy: Natural mountain heritage trout stream was and identifying nature’s bounty so you can actually get hands-on experience finding these things right in your backyard.</p><p>00:05:16.620 –&gt; 00:05:25.500 Joseph McElroy: And then it will there will be that all will culminate with a free Barbecue supper and music by Michael Ogletree and friends and the admission, for that is $20 or.</p><p>00:05:26.190 –&gt; 00:05:36.570 Joseph McElroy: Is free for motel guests, and then on Sunday morning, we have a mother’s brunch where they can have a enjoy cake and champagne at the motel so please come by if you can.</p><p>00:05:37.770 –&gt; 00:05:49.500 Joseph McElroy: upcoming events at the festival grounds on March 13 and 14th there are the icons of hot rodding festival well you’ll get the 50s and 60s hot Rod and custom cars truck events.</p><p>00:05:50.640 –&gt; 00:06:07.590 Joseph McElroy: And for models or 1969 and older and it’ll be the 50s and 60s music vintage vendors pinstripe or food vendors judging awards and presentations and so that I will look forward to that very much um, as you know, sometimes I’d like to do a poem.</p><p>00:06:09.630 –&gt; 00:06:27.510 Joseph McElroy: About about that’s related to the content of the show that we’re gonna be doing and I found one is by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who’s around for making their 1807-1882 and it’s called “the village blacksmith” but you know it’s I’m also.</p><p>00:06:28.800 –&gt; 00:06:45.300 Joseph McElroy: It talks about you know it also talks a lot about do you know have lived life and to be proud of your accomplishments and the things that you’ve done and work every day with pride in that you know and some of that I, you know I spent 27 years in New York.</p><p>00:06:46.350 –&gt; 00:06:52.290 Joseph McElroy: You know, doing a lot of things there and a mouse seasons come where I’m moving back to North Carolina.</p><p>00:06:52.890 –&gt; 00:07:03.210 Joseph McElroy: And will be full time in the smoky mountain area now we’re actually gonna be living in Ashville and somehow this spoke to me as well, so let me tell you about this poem is.</p><p>00:07:03.720 –&gt; 00:07:17.430 Joseph McElroy: Under a spreading chestnut tree, The village smithy stands; the Smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands, And the muscles of his brawny arms, Are strong as iron bands.</p><p>00:07:18.330 –&gt; 00:07:28.350 Joseph McElroy: His hair is crisp and black, and long; His face is like the tan;</p><p>His brow is wet with honest sweat, He earns whatever he can,</p><p>00:07:29.190 –&gt; 00:07:44.880 Joseph McElroy: And looks the whole world in the face, For he owes not any man. Week in, week out, from morn till night, You can hear his bellows blow; You can hear him swing his heavy sledge, With measured beat and slow,</p><p>00:07:45.420 –&gt; 00:07:50.160 Joseph McElroy: Like a sexton ringing the village bell, the evening sun is low.</p><p>00:07:50.610 –&gt; 00:08:04.710 Joseph McElroy: And children coming home from school look in at that open door they love to see that flaming forge and hear the bellows roar and catch the burning sparks that fly like chaff from a threshing floor.</p><p>00:08:05.580 –&gt; 00:08:18.720 Joseph McElroy: He goes on Sunday to the church and sits amongst his boys; he hears the parson pray and he hears his daughter’s voice Singing in the village choir, and it makes his heart rejoice.</p><p>00:08:19.170 –&gt; 00:08:32.490 Joseph McElroy: It sounds to him, like his mother’s voice, Singing in Paradise!</p><p>He needs must think of her once more, How in the grave she lies; And with his hard, rough hand he wipes, A tear out of his eyes.</p><p>00:08:33.870 –&gt; 00:08:48.030 Joseph McElroy: Toiling,—rejoicing,—sorrowing, Onward through life he goes; Each morning sees some task begin, Each evening sees it close; Something attempted, something done,</p><p>00:08:49.110 –&gt; 00:09:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Has earned a night’s repose. Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lesson thou hast taught! Thus at the flaming forge of life,  Our fortunes must be wrought; Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Each burning deed and thought.</p><p>00:09:13.320 –&gt; 00:09:18.210 Joseph McElroy: So, today our guest is Matthew Shirey.</p><p>00:09:18.720 –&gt; 00:09:21.930 Joseph McElroy: is an award-winning blacksmith and metalworking artist</p><p>00:09:21.960 –&gt; 00:09:32.610 Joseph McElroy: who has resided in Sylva, N.C. for over 15 years and native of Pennsylvania, Matthew has been a full-time craftsman since 2017</p><p>00:09:32.970 –&gt; 00:09:47.370 Joseph McElroy: and owner of Shira Forge since 2005. He is a member of the American Bladesmith Society and attended the John C. Campbell Folk School and Penland School of Craft. yeah, both of which we mentioned in this program before.</p><p>00:09:48.330 –&gt; 00:09:56.730 Joseph McElroy: and breaking news he was also the winner of the 2022 Season 9 premiere of the History channel’s hit show Forged in Fire!</p><p>00:09:58.170 –&gt; 00:10:09.330 Joseph McElroy: Matthew’s unique style is the result of studying 18th and 19th-century ironwork and cutlery combined with the lessons learned while forging all his products literally by hand.</p><p>00:10:10.290 –&gt; 00:10:21.690 Joseph McElroy: And when he was in creating major function art in any shape he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and a notable Sylva photographer– and their two children. Hello Matthew!</p><p>00:10:22.200 –&gt; 00:10:23.910 Joseph McElroy: hi how are you doing today.</p><p>00:10:23.970 –&gt; 00:10:24.900 Mathew Shirey: I’m doing great.</p><p>00:10:25.320 –&gt; 00:10:39.930 Joseph McElroy: yeah well you know, obviously we were talking about your recent national TV show, but I want to explore what you’ve done before that because I think the richness of your life is more important than the transit glory of a media these days.</p><p>00:10:41.100 –&gt; 00:10:42.300 Joseph McElroy: But congrats on that.</p><p>00:10:43.590 –&gt; 00:10:48.360 Joseph McElroy: So let’s talk about your journey, you came from Pennsylvania, where in Pennsylvania?</p><p>00:10:49.200 –&gt; 00:10:55.620 Mathew Shirey: And I grew up in a little village called Mayport in Clarion County Pennsylvania, is the western part of the state.</p><p>00:10:56.850 –&gt; 00:10:59.010 Mathew Shirey: Is kind of the northern tip of Appalachia.</p><p>00:11:00.780 –&gt; 00:11:06.180 Joseph McElroy: cool and where did you what was your journey from there where did you go? After Pennsylvania?</p><p>00:11:06.720 –&gt; 00:11:11.190 Mathew Shirey: my gosh I went I went to college right there and clarion county kind of.</p><p>00:11:12.270 –&gt; 00:11:15.990 Mathew Shirey: was in and out of school a few times and then.</p><p>00:11:17.190 –&gt; 00:11:23.970 Mathew Shirey: I made a couple of journeys out West spend a little time in Montana, and then lived in Oregon for about a year and a half and</p><p>00:11:25.110 –&gt; 00:11:28.800 Mathew Shirey: That kind of fell through for me and I moved back to Pennsylvania and.</p><p>00:11:30.150 –&gt; 00:11:38.790 Mathew Shirey: I was kind of in limbo and didn’t really know what I was going to do, I just knew at that point, I set my sights on blacksmithing as a career and</p><p>00:11:39.900 –&gt; 00:11:47.520 Mathew Shirey: A friend of mine worked at Camp Daniel Boone down here in Waynesville North Carolina and he called me up and said hey if you’re looking for work, they.</p><p>00:11:47.970 –&gt; 00:11:58.650 Mathew Shirey: They have an 18th-century living history program called boots bro village and their blacksmith bail out at the last minute, and they need someone in four days to be down here and ready to work for the summer.</p><p>00:11:59.340 –&gt; 00:12:04.770 Mathew Shirey: And so I threw my forge and anvil and everything I had in the back minivan and cruise on down here.</p><p>00:12:05.520 –&gt; 00:12:08.640 Joseph McElroy: Wow it’s that that was an opportune moment for you huh.</p><p>00:12:09.060 –&gt; 00:12:11.220 Mathew Shirey: yeah yeah it’s pretty serendipitous.</p><p>00:12:11.310 –&gt; 00:12:12.570 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool and.</p><p>00:12:13.680 –&gt; 00:12:23.490 Joseph McElroy: So before that you, you just you found your calling is a blacksmith he didn’t really have a career, other than so your your your focus has been what you’ve achieved all along, right,</p><p>00:12:24.390 –&gt; 00:12:31.230 Mathew Shirey: yeah I spent a number of years working with kids and different faculties and.</p><p>00:12:32.580 –&gt; 00:12:40.050 Mathew Shirey: You know wash dishes in kitchens and did carpentry work and did you know did whatever I do pay the bills until till.</p><p>00:12:40.590 –&gt; 00:12:43.050 Joseph McElroy: The other any other crafts, that you explored.</p><p>00:12:44.190 –&gt; 00:12:59.310 Mathew Shirey: A I’ve done a lot of woodworking as well, I was, I was a shop teacher for six years before I made the jump into smithing full time, and so I did a lot of wind turning on the lane and got into building some banjos and you know I built.</p><p>00:13:00.450 –&gt; 00:13:07.770 Mathew Shirey: an addition on our house and some other you know some other carpentry framing kind of work so we’ve done a lot of what as well cool.</p><p>00:13:08.280 –&gt; 00:13:17.040 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re yeah I talked to a lot in this first segment, so now we have to explore how you came to blacksmithing and the next slide which we’re going to take a break right now okay.</p><p>00:15:33.030 –&gt; 00:15:40.530 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast, and my guest Matthew Shirey.</p><p>00:15:41.490 –&gt; 00:15:59.370 Joseph McElroy: Some of you know that I like to often have a beer craft beer local craft beer when I’m on the shows, and today I am having an IPA called the king of the mountain from a local brewery here and Haywood county called Buju brewery and I, I recommend it highly it’s really it’s kind of good.</p><p>00:16:00.690 –&gt; 00:16:03.540 Joseph McElroy: And Matt are you drinking water, you got something else that.</p><p>00:16:03.780 –&gt; 00:16:04.920 Mathew Shirey: i’ve got a cup of tea.</p><p>00:16:05.550 –&gt; 00:16:06.000 Okay.</p><p>00:16:09.330 –&gt; 00:16:13.260 Joseph McElroy: So you have a story about how you became interested in and.</p><p>00:16:14.730 –&gt; 00:16:19.650 Joseph McElroy: In vaccinating attended a workshop at a State farm state park near your hometown.</p><p>00:16:20.670 –&gt; 00:16:33.300 Mathew Shirey: yeah I had an in high school I got into the living history of experimental archaeology stuff you know dressing like a frontiersman of the 1800s shooting flintlock rifles and that stuff.</p><p>00:16:33.900 –&gt; 00:16:43.230 Mathew Shirey: And so that got me interested in the blacksmithing and I started looking locally for anybody that could teach me anything and help me get-go and</p><p>00:16:44.250 –&gt; 00:16:57.870Mathew Shirey: I happen to walk into like a heritage Center and cook for a state park and Northwest Pennsylvania, and they have some classes going on that summer and it just so happened they had a weekend blacksmith and class with a couple of local blacksmiths and.</p><p>00:16:58.890 –&gt; 00:17:12.720Mathew Shirey: So I signed up and showed up and spend the weekend standing out in the hot sun fortune away and pretty much knew at the end of that weekend that this was something I had to do, and hopefully would someday be able to do it for a living and.</p><p>00:17:13.770 –&gt; 00:17:18.720 Mathew Shirey: One of the blacksmiths that taught the class ended up calling me a week or two later he scored.</p><p>00:17:19.590 –&gt; 00:17:39.090 Mathew Shirey: An old champion hand crank riveters forge and were nice enough to give it to me from 50 bucks when it was worth probably 200, and so I got home and set that up and somebody else gave me an anvil they had sitting in a barn forever and I that was it I bought a bag of coal and started forging.</p><p>00:17:39.600 –&gt; 00:17:50.010 Joseph McElroy: fabulous So what do you think you know you said you had been would work or two is that the hands-on what separated from doing woodwork what made it your life’s calling.</p><p>00:17:51.600 –&gt; 00:18:01.500 Mathew Shirey: I think, just the magic of forging you know just getting that steel pod and being able to manipulate it install it, and shape it into whatever I wanted.</p><p>00:18:01.860 –&gt; 00:18:08.010 Mathew Shirey: and make something functional and I just, you know as long as I can remember, I always had an obsession with knives.</p><p>00:18:08.370 –&gt; 00:18:22.560 Mathew Shirey: And one you know was always trying to make when my dad shop when I was a kid and whatnot frying and old files and saw blades and stuff so just you know woodworking is fine there’s a lot of things I like about what but metals just were attacked for me.</p><p>00:18:23.160 –&gt; 00:18:29.790 Joseph McElroy: But you know I can understand you know, besides being a businessman right I’ve actually been an artist as well you know a few pieces here and there.</p><p>00:18:30.240 –&gt; 00:18:40.050 Joseph McElroy: But the thing that was the essence, for me, was learning to really draw you know, and I tried lots of other things, but I started learning to draw and lots of media, and I just felt.</p><p>00:18:40.710 –&gt; 00:18:55.170 Joseph McElroy: I felt like a real pleasant emotional experience when I just let myself get lost in that sort of right brain left brain dichotomy and you know it’s almost like there’s you get a buzz.</p><p>00:18:56.610 –&gt; 00:19:04.860 Joseph McElroy: Right, so you know when you find your medium, you know it’s like seeing in your blood right.</p><p>00:19:05.100 –&gt; 00:19:20.220 Mathew Shirey: yeah yeah getting in that creative zone, you know the rest of the world kind of disappears and you know I find myself up with a shot, two or three hours will go by and I’m kind of unaware of it, you know completely immersed in the process and kind of lose myself, you know.</p><p>00:19:20.940 –&gt; 00:19:28.290 Joseph McElroy: But it’s interesting somebody could walk in and you bet you when you’re in that phase and then start talking to you, and you can look at them and you can’t even understand what they’re saying.</p><p>00:19:28.740 –&gt; 00:19:29.610 Mathew Shirey: yeah sometimes.</p><p>00:19:31.140 –&gt; 00:19:37.890 Joseph McElroy: Right it’s like it takes a second for you to switch your consciousness so that you could actually you know speaking the language.</p><p>00:19:38.400 –&gt; 00:19:40.890 Mathew Shirey: Man yeah I’ve got to help her one day a week and.</p><p>00:19:42.300 –&gt; 00:19:55.110 Mathew Shirey: Sometimes I run them out of their little earlier than I intended to you because I just need to have the space to myself and not have the distraction, you know and not have that kind of need to communicate I just need to be able to like focus on what I’m doing.</p><p>00:19:56.550 –&gt; 00:20:03.120 Joseph McElroy: So that you say you I mean I read that you focus of your focus sort of like 18th-century blacksmithing right?</p><p>00:20:04.140 –&gt; 00:20:11.100 Joseph McElroy: Is that different than the 1920 century blacksmithing or there’s it just the tools or what is it.</p><p>00:20:11.820 –&gt; 00:20:18.000 Mathew Shirey: Well, you know I use modern tools I’ve got a hydraulic press and power hammer and belt Sander and all of that.</p><p>00:20:18.540 –&gt; 00:20:27.780 Mathew Shirey: I’m not you know not doing everything in 18th-century manner, but a lot of the process is still the same as it was hundreds of years ago, I mean I’m still.</p><p>00:20:28.230 –&gt; 00:20:43.050 Terri Clark: You know, forging and doing a lot of the same stuff and I think ultimately I’m a lot of times I’m trying to make things that fit into that time period are period direct for that time period and authentic for that time period.</p><p>00:20:44.520 –&gt; 00:20:51.750 Joseph McElroy: So you went to I saw you with some really good craft schools is that how you learn or did you also learn a lot on your own.</p><p>00:20:53.130 –&gt; 00:20:54.720 Mathew Shirey: I have mostly learned, on my own.</p><p>00:20:54.810 –&gt; 00:21:04.350 Mathew Shirey: As a bigger yeah when I started, you know the Internet was kind of a new thing at our fingertips, and so I started digging on there and.</p><p>00:21:04.830 –&gt; 00:21:15.270 Mathew Shirey: Any books, I could find on the blacksmithing and I was reading, and you know when I lived in Oregon I kind of found a couple of local blacksmiths and just started hanging out of their shop and.</p><p>00:21:15.840 –&gt; 00:21:21.510 Mathew Shirey: Picking their brains as much as I could, but you know, mostly just hours and hours at the forge stumbling through it.</p><p>00:21:22.560 –&gt; 00:21:29.460 Mathew Shirey: You know I’ve got scrapped knives and X is laying everywhere that are a failure, you know failed attempts.</p><p>00:21:31.740 –&gt; 00:21:39.480 Mathew Shirey: Then you know when I when I moved here, I was here for a few years and took a class in school and a Penland, and you know, I was pretty.</p><p>00:21:40.800 –&gt; 00:21:44.970 Mathew Shirey: Pretty established as a blacksmith by then, but those those classes definitely.</p><p>00:21:46.320 –&gt; 00:21:49.050 Mathew Shirey: You know, improve my capabilities quite a bit.</p><p>00:21:49.440 –&gt; 00:21:59.580 Joseph McElroy: They give you your classes and help you get into some specific texting techniques that that other person spent that time that you did on yours.</p><p>00:21:59.670 –&gt; 00:22:07.770 Joseph McElroy: Right and you don’t have to spend that time, but you know you have a specific board or it could give you an idea of what you need to do for certain pieces that you’re working on.</p><p>00:22:08.130 –&gt; 00:22:15.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah so that’s cool do you have any influences that you consider important to you.</p><p>00:22:18.810 –&gt; 00:22:20.130 Joseph McElroy: there’s influences.</p><p>00:22:21.240 –&gt; 00:22:21.990 Mathew Shirey: say that again.</p><p>00:22:22.380 –&gt; 00:22:24.600 Joseph McElroy: mentors or influences, you know.</p><p>00:22:24.960 –&gt; 00:22:30.360 Mathew Shirey: I again grew up with an interest in early American frontier stuff.</p><p>00:22:31.410 –&gt; 00:22:36.720 Mathew Shirey: I don’t know if you’re familiar with the House brothers out of woodbury Kentucky herschel frank and john.</p><p>00:22:37.650 –&gt; 00:22:54.000 Mathew Shirey They make flintlock rifles and knives and axes and kind of the whole gamut of early American tools and their work was always really inspiring to me again when I was in high school I discovered the Foxfire books.</p><p>00:22:54.360 –&gt; 00:22:54.720 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:22:56.190 –&gt; 00:23:00.630 Mathew Shirey: Those have been a an endless resource to me and a source of inspiration.</p><p>00:23:03.120 –&gt; 00:23:20.730 Mathew Shirey: I outside of the early American kind of stuff I got into the work of our Paley alive when I first got started on his early stuff you know I did some architectural ironwork for a while so engage in fireplace screens and stuff and so His work was always really inspiring to me.</p><p>00:23:22.380 –&gt; 00:23:24.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, it will come and what was the first thing you made?</p><p>00:23:25.770 –&gt; 00:23:29.580 Mathew Shirey: The first thing I made in that workshop was a fork and a little bracelet.</p><p>00:23:30.150 –&gt; 00:23:31.050 Joseph McElroy: Did you still have them.</p><p>00:23:31.710 –&gt; 00:23:32.820 Mathew Shirey: I do not know.</p><p>00:23:32.910 –&gt; 00:23:36.690 Mathew Shirey: Oh, I have no idea where those ended up, I actually may have them.</p><p>00:23:36.690 –&gt; 00:23:38.370 Mathew Shirey: Somewhere but I don’t know where they’re at.</p><p>00:23:38.820 –&gt; 00:23:41.220 Joseph McElroy: With one of the first things that you made it to still have.</p><p>00:23:42.600 –&gt; 00:23:43.230 Mathew Shirey: gosh.</p><p>00:23:44.700 –&gt; 00:23:50.130 Mathew Shirey: I still have a couple of knives I made years ago that I don’t think I would let see the light of day.</p><p>00:23:52.080 –&gt; 00:24:02.850 Joseph McElroy: Listen i’m you know i’m sitting in a room in the motel where I’ve put a lot of my old artworks and you know I look at it there’s like this stuff is sucks but you know.</p><p>00:24:04.860 –&gt; 00:24:11.760 Joseph McElroy: it’s also my private history now so it’s like I also remember the fun I had from discovering things from it so.</p><p>00:24:12.030 –&gt; 00:24:18.750 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah so yeah you didn’t want it to get out of here and the commandment is burning when I die.</p><p>00:24:19.140 –&gt; 00:24:19.800 Mathew Shirey: Here right.</p><p>00:24:22.320 –&gt; 00:24:24.630 Joseph McElroy: So do you remember the first item, you so.</p><p>00:24:28.050 –&gt; 00:24:39.840 Mathew Shirey: I think I think the first thing I ever sold was a friend of mine, asked me to make a dinner triangle, she wanted to hang and dinner triangle on the porch and I remember it being.</p><p>00:24:41.640 –&gt; 00:24:44.460 Mathew Shirey: quite a bit lower on the bar than I was aiming for.</p><p>00:24:45.810 –&gt; 00:24:48.420 Mathew Shirey: But she still was kind enough to pay me for it.</p><p>00:24:52.290 –&gt; 00:24:56.460 Joseph McElroy: The first time I ever saw was my dad had you know somebody that was from.</p><p>00:24:58.140 –&gt; 00:25:07.290 Joseph McElroy: Some car company and they wanted a little painting on a thing in their kitchen on the thing going over the sink, so I made it I got paid for it was like wow yeah.</p><p>00:25:09.030 –&gt; 00:25:11.010 Joseph McElroy: They actually put it up, they actually put it up.</p><p>00:25:13.980 –&gt; 00:25:18.150 Joseph McElroy: I was like dumbstruck that they actually thought it was worthwhile putting it up so that was fun.</p><p>00:25:19.920 –&gt; 00:25:20.880 Joseph McElroy: So um.</p><p>00:25:24.480 –&gt; 00:25:27.480 Joseph McElroy: What is the, what are the types of stuff that you make right now?</p><p>00:25:28.500 –&gt; 00:25:33.480 Mathew Shirey: I am focused mainly on knives axes and carbon steel frying camps.</p><p>00:25:34.440 –&gt; 00:25:42.570 Mathew Shirey: that’s really like I said I got into doing architectural ironwork for a little bit I kind of thought that was where I needed to go to make a living at it and.</p><p>00:25:42.960 –&gt; 00:25:45.420 Mathew Shirey: A friend of mine who I think you’ve had on here, David Brew and.</p><p>00:25:46.380 –&gt; 00:25:53.490 Mathew Shirey: He said listen, I spent most of my career doing architectural ironwork, and I wish I’d spent most of that time-making knives and axes</p><p>00:25:54.000 –&gt; 00:26:03.210 Terri Clark: And he said, do what you love and you know it’ll come to fruition don’t get boxed into doing something that’s going to make you miserable.</p><p>00:26:03.720 –&gt; 00:26:15.120 Terri Clark: And so I kind of stepped away from the architectural ironwork a few years ago and start focusing on knives and axes and got into making these frying camps because I saw that there was a market for it and.</p><p>00:26:16.470 –&gt; 00:26:18.240 Terri Clark: I have no regrets, I really.</p><p>00:26:19.320 –&gt; 00:26:26.190 Terri Clark: You know I think about still doing architectural ironwork I wouldn’t enjoy it anymore, and I wouldn’t you know I wouldn’t be happy doing it so.</p><p>00:26:26.460 –&gt; 00:26:41.280 Joseph McElroy: Why would, I have a question, you know I’ve gotten interested in campfires and campfire cooking and you know cast iron cooking but I’ve been intrigued by the carbon steel stuff what’s the difference between the carbon steel pans in the cast iron pan.</p><p>00:26:42.090 –&gt; 00:26:52.440 Terri Clark: The main difference is the creative process, you know cast iron is just that its desire and it’s been melted and forward into form and cast.</p><p>00:26:53.970 –&gt; 00:27:03.570 Terri Clark: It tends to be you know more brittle than carbon steel cast iron pans can break, whereas carbon steel they’re forced to shape.</p><p>00:27:04.620 –&gt; 00:27:18.690 Terri Clark: You could throw them against a brick wall and they are not going to break I mean they’re super strong functionally speaking they’re very similar my pans are probably a little lighter compared to the same size as cat and cast iron and.</p><p>00:27:19.980 –&gt; 00:27:33.960 Terri Clark: I think the biggest advantage my pants have over cast iron is a longer handle so it doesn’t it’ll get warm and we’ll get hot if you’re cooking Heidi but, for the most part, you don’t ever need another name for it and they’re a little thinner and smoother than cast iron as well.</p><p>00:27:34.110 –&gt; 00:27:38.040 Joseph McElroy: Can you saute with a cast with a carbon steel pan.</p><p>00:27:38.940 –&gt; 00:27:39.420Mathew Shirey: Day.</p><p>00:27:39.540 –&gt; 00:27:44.370 Joseph McElroy: make you can see her it’s hard to do it in a cast iron to do when you go shake it and all that stuff.</p><p>00:27:44.490 –&gt; 00:27:45.660 Joseph McElroy: Right every right.</p><p>00:27:45.960 –&gt; 00:27:48.750 Mathew Shirey: yeah yeah that’s something little handles hard to get Ahold of in.</p><p>00:27:48.750 –&gt; 00:27:49.860 Mathew Shirey: My Nice.</p><p>00:27:49.920 –&gt; 00:27:55.080 Mathew Shirey: curve handled, and you can get that I can’t do, but if you can do the flip you can do these.</p><p>00:27:55.620 –&gt; 00:28:00.240 Joseph McElroy: You know I’m six foot five 300 pounds I got a little bit strange, but still even tough for me now.</p><p>00:28:00.570 –&gt; 00:28:01.110 Mathew Shirey: So yeah.</p><p>00:28:02.610 –&gt; 00:28:07.050 Joseph McElroy: Well, listen, we got to take another break we’ll come back we’ll talk more about your art the things that you’ve done.</p><p>00:30:13.500 –&gt; 00:30:22.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Matthew Shirey so Matthew.</p><p>00:30:23.580 –&gt; 00:30:39.600 Joseph McElroy: I was reading on your website you formed here forge in 2005 but you didn’t actually go to in full time in 2017 so imagine having kids yeah things like that it took a while for the business build-up is that the reason you to get to be able to full time with that?</p><p>00:30:40.140 –&gt; 00:30:55.200 Mathew Shirey: yeah and through the bulk of that time I had a teaching job with Southwestern Community College, I was teaching shop and local high school and yeah it was a really good job and I enjoyed it and so there’s no reason to give it up and then.</p><p>00:30:56.700 –&gt; 00:31:07.110 Mathew Shirey: One day, the funding for a dried up and things changed, and I was out the door, so I spent a year or two working as a welder and as a carpenter and</p><p>00:31:07.800 –&gt; 00:31:16.980 Mathew Shirey: I was driving all the way up to cashers every day and I was kind of sick of that so I said, you know what I’ve got a shop here that I can make a living in and so I took the leap.</p><p>00:31:17.970 –&gt; 00:31:22.890 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous as I saw you one different you got lots of different recognition somebody should go to your</p><p>00:31:23.340 –&gt; 00:31:34.770 Joseph McElroy: Your website we’ll talk about that the end see that all the pressure got you’ve done some fabulous thing that I think it’s pretty inspiring for anybody wanting to be in the craft a world that you can actually make a living at it right.</p><p>00:31:35.220 –&gt; 00:31:38.880 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so you.</p><p>00:31:39.990 –&gt; 00:31:43.290 Joseph McElroy: So what is where did the name Shira forged come from.</p><p>00:31:44.310 –&gt; 00:31:45.600 Mathew Shirey: Shira forge and.</p><p>00:31:46.140 –&gt; 00:31:47.640 Mathew Shireyk: Sorry sorry that’s okay.</p><p>00:31:49.380 –&gt; 00:31:51.720 Mathew Shirey: it’s the original spelling of my last name.</p><p>00:31:52.860 –&gt; 00:32:05.970 Mathew Shirey: my ancestors have been in western Pennsylvania, since the late 1700s and you know, over time, that name got changed to Shirey but the original spelling a few hundred years ago, was Shira so.</p><p>00:32:07.170 –&gt; 00:32:11.400 Mathew Shirey: You know I’ve always been really fascinated with my ancestry and one on so it was kind of a.</p><p>00:32:12.690 –&gt; 00:32:14.250 Mathew Shirey: paying homage to my ancestors.</p><p>00:32:14.970 –&gt; 00:32:18.120 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous so you say your name I started saying the Shira right.</p><p>00:32:18.450 –&gt; 00:32:25.950 Joseph McElroy: mm hmm yeah you know I get these I get you to know Bob Plott who’s the head of the smoky mountain.</p><p>00:32:28.770 –&gt; 00:32:46.230 Joseph McElroy: Mountain Heritage Center for the Meadowlark you know introduces me to people and provides you know the background information and sometimes I don’t have the time because, like right now I’m moving into Asheville I don’t get to do the research on your name, so I apologize for not correct.</p><p>00:32:47.730 –&gt; 00:32:57.090 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so life is good in the smoky mountains right I’m moving back, I obviously always wanted to be here, you know, but I had to try my</p><p>00:32:57.810 –&gt; 00:33:11.550 Joseph McElroy: adventures in the world and the particular line of business, I was in required to be there, so what’s your careers for flourishing and then you got to be at a TV hit series, how did that happen forged by fire forge in the fire.</p><p>00:33:11.850 –&gt; 00:33:19.020 Mathew Shirey: And so it’s been on you know, I was just on the season premiere of season nine so it’s been on eight years now.</p><p>00:33:20.580 –&gt; 00:33:26.070 Mathew Shirey: And, of course, you know, being a blacksmith, I was interested in the show soon as I saw it and.</p><p>00:33:27.270 –&gt; 00:33:38.070 Mathew Shirey: Five or six years ago I applied to be on it and I didn’t get a call back I interviewed and all that but I didn’t get a callback and then a couple of years ago, I decided to try again and.</p><p>00:33:39.300 –&gt; 00:33:50.310 Mathew Shirey: got the interview, and they said we’ll be in touch and then the pandemic happened, and they said logo everything’s on hold, right now, but we’ll be in touch and so.</p><p>00:33:51.000 –&gt; 00:34:02.610 Mathew Shirey: Last July I got the call from them had the plane ticket was all said to go film and two days before I was supposed to fly out I got tested positive for covid</p><p>00:34:03.480 –&gt; 00:34:04.260 Mathew Shirey: Know anywhere.</p><p>00:34:04.560 –&gt; 00:34:12.180 Mathew Shirey: yeah and then by the end of October, they called me again and said, are you ready, this time, and so it all came together.</p><p>00:34:12.750 –&gt; 00:34:19.020 Joseph McElroy: cool and for people listening, can you explain the format of the show to us and how you participated.</p><p>00:34:19.320 –&gt; 00:34:29.250 Mathew Shirey: Sure, so there are three rounds of competition there is four bladesmiths in the first round, you have three hours to forge and he treated a knife.</p><p>00:34:29.730 –&gt; 00:34:44.730 Mathew Shirey: Within whatever parameters and challenge, they said for my episode, it was a crushed car challenge, so when we walked out on the floor, they uncovered a car that had been crushed and we had to salvage our steel for the night, out of that.</p><p>00:34:45.330 –&gt; 00:34:46.350 Mathew Shirey: bed hidden some.</p><p>00:34:46.560 –&gt; 00:34:51.600 Mathew Shirey: Some good pieces of steel in there, or you know, in my case, I found a piece in the front end.</p><p>00:34:52.770 –&gt; 00:34:58.320 Mathew Shirey: CV joint That was really good steel that I can make a knife out of so anyway, the first round.</p><p>00:34:58.830 –&gt; 00:35:11.700 Mathew Shirey: One person’s eliminated second round, you have we had two hours to put a handle and a guard on the knife and then they put it through some pretty severe testing and a second person was eliminated.</p><p>00:35:12.210 –&gt; 00:35:25.020 Mathew Shirey: And then the final to go home to their own shot for four or five days and for whatever epic weapons they choose, and so, for us it was down to me and a fella named Mike from Nebraska.</p><p>00:35:26.370 –&gt; 00:35:36.780Mathew Shirey: We had a fortune a pair of curve guitars which are a weapon from ancient India they had to match that have folders in the blades and some other parameters to follow.</p><p>00:35:37.680 –&gt; 00:35:51.300 Mathew Shirey: So got back down here it’s been four days in the in my shop with a camera crew and forge these weapons went back up to the set and the judges put them through a final round of testing and then choose the winner.</p><p>00:35:52.080 –&gt; 00:35:55.020 Joseph McElroy: Well, and what’s what are they what’s their criteria for the winner.</p><p>00:35:56.700 –&gt; 00:36:02.460 Mathew Shirey: A they put it through you know it had to meet all the parameters blade length shape all that.</p><p>00:36:03.510 –&gt; 00:36:10.590 Mathew Shirey: And then they put it through all kinds of testing of us there was like a stabbing test with the ballistics gummy.</p><p>00:36:11.730 –&gt; 00:36:13.680 Mathew Shirey: A slicing test with.</p><p>00:36:15.150 –&gt; 00:36:27.570 Mathew Shirey: Some some Kane kind of things, so you know they went through several different tests see how the knives perform, and then the judges kind of step away for a minute and make their decision.</p><p>00:36:28.650 –&gt; 00:36:33.780 Mathew Shirey: So basically they’re judging not only the aesthetics, of the weapon, but the functionality of it so.</p><p>00:36:34.020 –&gt; 00:36:42.030 Joseph McElroy: A little sort of a remote way it’s like the chef competition show that, were they going to cook based upon the parameters of the.</p><p>00:36:43.140 –&gt; 00:36:43.560 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:36:43.680 –&gt; 00:36:47.400 Joseph McElroy: Right, how did you know what to Qatar, it looks like or how.</p><p>00:36:48.390 –&gt; 00:36:55.830 Mathew Shirey: I had a vague familiarity with them before you know the reveal on the final round.</p><p>00:36:57.390 –&gt; 00:37:02.220 Mathew Shirey: And I did you know I I did a little research and looked at some Google images and whatnot.</p><p>00:37:03.540 –&gt; 00:37:05.340 Mathew Shirey: And then just kind of went for it, you know.</p><p>00:37:05.850 –&gt; 00:37:08.460 Joseph McElroy: cool how it was the grand prize.</p><p>00:37:09.030 –&gt; 00:37:11.400 Joseph McElroy: $10,000 so bad right.</p><p>00:37:12.090 –&gt; 00:37:13.710 Joseph McElroy: Nice forever right.</p><p>00:37:14.970 –&gt; 00:37:18.390 Joseph McElroy: And you get to go back on future shows right we compete against other champions.</p><p>00:37:18.480 –&gt; 00:37:32.490 Mathew Shirey: If they ever call me I’d be happy to go back often they do have you know, a championship round or a beat the judges round or something like that, where they call people back on you know, keeping my fingers crossed that I get that call next season or something.</p><p>00:37:33.090 –&gt; 00:37:34.230 Joseph McElroy: And how is it.</p><p>00:37:35.280 –&gt; 00:37:39.960 Joseph McElroy: How is it changed your life personally and professionally or are people asked every autograph now.</p><p>00:37:40.980 –&gt; 00:37:45.540 Mathew Shirey: I’ve had one little boy, and my son at a soccer game asked for my autograph which was pretty funny.</p><p>00:37:48.090 –&gt; 00:37:53.670 Mathew Shirey: You know professionally it’s allowed me to invest in my business a little bit more and upgrade some of my tooling and stuff.</p><p>00:37:54.810 –&gt; 00:38:04.530 Mathew Shirey: And you know it’s here in the Sylva area I definitely have people I’ve never met before if come up and congratulate me and whatnot I feel like I’ve.</p><p>00:38:05.490 –&gt; 00:38:16.440 Mathew Shirey: probably got more local business from it, than anything else you know, being in the local paper and whatnot it’s given me some exposure here in Western North Carolina and it’s been really good.</p><p>00:38:18.120 –&gt; 00:38:19.350 Joseph McElroy: it’s helped your business that.</p><p>00:38:19.800 –&gt; 00:38:21.390 Mathew Shirey: Sure sure absolutely.</p><p>00:38:21.960 –&gt; 00:38:28.110 Joseph McElroy: cool I mean that’s good I mean yeah I mean these reality TV shows can be nice.</p><p>00:38:28.800 –&gt; 00:38:33.960 Joseph McElroy: A nice thing, but they don’t really change your business like that much I have a friend of mine that we wonder.</p><p>00:38:34.470 –&gt; 00:38:44.430 Joseph McElroy: What does that project runway or was in it really change your fashion life that much so she had one or two years of things, but it’s also good to have on your resume yeah.</p><p>00:38:44.610 –&gt; 00:38:50.250 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah you’re still a fairly young man right, you are what your 30s.</p><p>00:38:50.280 –&gt; 00:38:56.010 Joseph McElroy: Or maybe 44 So what are your future plans you got any projects you’re looking to do.</p><p>00:38:58.350 –&gt; 00:39:07.680 Mathew Shirey: I plan on just continuing doing what I’m doing you know, trying to improve my craft get better what I’m doing you know I I’m.</p><p>00:39:08.160 –&gt; 00:39:18.090 Mathew Shirey: I’m eligible at this point to test for my journeymen stamp with the American blade Smith society so in the next year or so I’m hoping to go through that process and get my journeymen stamp.</p><p>00:39:19.830 –&gt; 00:39:24.330 Mathew Shirey: You know I’m hoping here in the next year or two to start teaching again.</p><p>00:39:25.800 –&gt; 00:39:29.100Mathew Shirey: i’ve taught classes in different different places.</p><p>00:39:30.420 –&gt; 00:39:35.610 Mathew Shirey: With the last one being Haywood Community college and flown tops and blacksmith and classes there and.</p><p>00:39:36.000 –&gt; 00:39:47.310 Mathew Shirey: I took a break for the last two or three years, focused on my business, but I think you know the older I get more I’d like to get back into teaching some you know pass on what I’ve spent 20 years figuring out.</p><p>00:39:48.720 –&gt; 00:39:51.030 Joseph McElroy: cool are you doing any other product bugs.</p><p>00:39:52.770 –&gt; 00:39:54.630 Mathew Shirey: really what I’m trying to do now is.</p><p>00:39:56.550 –&gt; 00:40:10.620 Mathew Shirey: make more one-off knives I’ve been kind of making them in batches and that sort of thing and I’m going to continue doing that, but I really want to get to the place where I can kind of make what I’m inspired to make and make some more one of a kind pieces.</p><p>00:40:11.040 –&gt; 00:40:14.040 Joseph McElroy: I said, you made a lot of a belt, a lot of belt bags</p><p>00:40:15.450 –&gt; 00:40:17.400 Joseph McElroy: Like what you’re wearing your belt was that with me.</p><p>00:40:17.880 –&gt; 00:40:28.020 Mathew Shirey: yeah just kind of everyday carry a knife or running knife, you know I I like to carry a fixed blade knife so I’ve always got a little three or four-inch blade on me.</p><p>00:40:29.160 –&gt; 00:40:31.350 Mathew Shirey: So I make a lot, a lot of knives like that.</p><p>00:40:32.340 –&gt; 00:40:38.010 Joseph McElroy: You know now that I’m back in North Carolina could carry a knife with me all the time, you know New York, you have a limit of like four inches.</p><p>00:40:39.930 –&gt; 00:40:50.070 Joseph McElroy: You know I want, I want to talk to you, I do want to you know I’m getting into the whole cast iron and cooking and heritage cooking and things like that I do want to talk to you about doing.</p><p>00:40:50.610 –&gt; 00:41:00.750 Joseph McElroy: A custom, you know some sort of you know, this is it’s trivial but it’s I think it’s important to I want to do a knife that looks good on camera.</p><p>00:41:01.200 –&gt; 00:41:09.390 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah right, I think that if we’re doing cooking shows this guy looks like oh wow that’s really cool what somebody looks at night right.</p><p>00:41:09.840 –&gt; 00:41:12.570 Mathew Shirey: So maybe I’ve been messing with the mask is quite a bit lately.</p><p>00:41:13.380 –&gt; 00:41:18.090 Mathew Shirey: You know, you know if you’re familiar with I’m sure you are made it looks pretty.</p><p>00:41:18.660 –&gt; 00:41:19.740 Joseph McElroy: yeah right yeah.</p><p>00:41:20.280 –&gt; 00:41:31.710 Joseph McElroy: Oh also you talking about mountain heritage is just look at things like the old hickory I mean I don’t know how good they are I don’t want to necessarily be that primitive but you know the same time there’s a sort of authenticity to that right.</p><p>00:41:32.010 –&gt; 00:41:33.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:41:33.570 –&gt; 00:41:35.970 Mathew Shirey: yeah and I do a lot of my knives I leave some.</p><p>00:41:35.970 –&gt; 00:41:49.920 Mathew Shirey: forge texture you know I you know, some of them I clean up the whole way, but I really like that for texture and that kind of primitive natural look, you know I want I, like my knives and stuff to look like they belong when they’re in the woods, you know.</p><p>00:41:51.870 –&gt; 00:42:02.850 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s exactly the kind of thing that I think works well and you also do the senior he did butcher boots or whatever there are big butcher blades.</p><p>00:42:03.120 –&gt; 00:42:04.740 Mathew Shirey: mm hmm like a cleaver.</p><p>00:42:04.920 –&gt; 00:42:05.610 Joseph McElroy: Cleaver yeah.</p><p>00:42:05.700 –&gt; 00:42:06.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah so.</p><p>00:42:08.490 –&gt; 00:42:12.450 Joseph McElroy: From my own, I have had half the beer so I’m not drawing blanks on for certain.</p><p>00:42:14.250 –&gt; 00:42:15.600 Mathew Shirey: that’s why I stuck with the tea.</p><p>00:42:17.190 –&gt; 00:42:21.750 Joseph McElroy: Well, it makes me a little more loquacious but sometimes it makes me less intelligent.</p><p>00:42:25.440 –&gt; 00:42:32.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah but it’s worthwhile right, I guess is that as a model not like I’m live wait wait wait I’m live but it’s maybe.</p><p>00:42:34.710 –&gt; 00:42:39.480 Joseph McElroy: So so so that’s great and.</p><p>00:42:40.680 –&gt; 00:42:59.520 Joseph McElroy: Now I am and what there was one of the lines you do can’t you’ve done some of those things like kitchen stuff and ironwork and things like that would you do anything like camp kitchen experiences, you know, like setups and stuff like that girl we’re.</p><p>00:42:59.520 –&gt; 00:43:05.580 Mathew Shirey: not really you know my frying pan to work rate on an open fire, just as well as the stove.</p><p>00:43:06.720 –&gt; 00:43:18.000 Mathew Shirey: In the past, I made some fireplace set or you know fire irons and whatnot for a campfire cooking but I don’t really do that kind of stuff for myself, these days, but I don’t really make them sell cool.</p><p>00:43:18.540 –&gt; 00:43:31.320 Joseph McElroy: Well, we have to take our last break here and then we’ll come back and we’ll talk about you know some of the other things that you’ve done, and you know the things that you find appealing about the scope and so.</p><p>00:43:32.220 –&gt; 00:43:32.940 Mathew Shirey: sounds good.</p><p> </p><p>00:45:33.150 –&gt; 00:45:40.620 Joseph McElroy: howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Matthew Shirey.</p><p>00:45:41.070 –&gt; 00:45:41.820 Mathew Shirey: Shirey</p><p>00:45:42.060 –&gt; 00:45:43.530 Joseph McElroy: Sorry sorry oh my.</p><p>00:45:45.180 –&gt; 00:45:47.550 Mathew Shirey: The business is Shira the last name is Shirey</p><p>00:45:48.000 –&gt; 00:45:52.980 Joseph McElroy: Shirey okay so Shirey okay, so I got it now I’ll remember it so.</p><p>00:45:54.180 –&gt; 00:46:03.150 Joseph McElroy: we’re talking about blacksmithing in the mountains so um you mentioned, you want to get back into teaching you think you might open your own school.</p><p>00:46:04.230 –&gt; 00:46:11.280 Mathew Shirey: Nah, I don’t think I have any interest in that I think I might start offering some small workshops in my shop.</p><p>00:46:12.330 –&gt; 00:46:21.120Mathew Shirey: I can my shots pretty small, I can only accommodate probably three people in a class but i’m thinking about doing some like little weekend workshops in my shop and.</p><p>00:46:22.020 –&gt; 00:46:30.300 Mathew Shirey: Maybe reconnecting with Haywood Community College and starting to reach out to John C Campbell folks school and some other schools around the country like that.</p><p>00:46:31.830 –&gt; 00:46:32.040 Mathew Shirey: they’re there’s.</p><p>00:46:32.670 –&gt; 00:46:34.800 Mathew Shirey: Some really great facilities out there, I don’t need to.</p><p>00:46:34.800 –&gt; 00:46:35.430 Mathew Shirey: build one.</p><p>00:46:36.240 –&gt; 00:46:44.220 Joseph McElroy: On my you know your shop could be a school, but it would be all the students would be online right you could do a YouTube thing.</p><p>00:46:44.370 –&gt; 00:46:45.570 Mathew Shirey: Or you could be yeah.</p><p>00:46:45.630 –&gt; 00:46:47.040 Joseph McElroy: You do live podcast.</p><p>00:46:47.070 –&gt; 00:46:56.190 Mathew Shirey: Right yeah my 13-year-old is really getting into making videos and he’s been helping me with some videos and stuff so there may come a point where I start making some more YouTube.</p><p>00:46:56.760 –&gt; 00:47:09.300 Joseph McElroy: So you have somebody that knows how to do YouTube videos and they have a wife that it’s great at the lighting I, you should be able, you know you should be able to do something, maybe you just might want to get somebody to help me write some scripts or something like that, but.</p><p>00:47:09.300 –&gt; 00:47:11.220 Mathew Shirey: yeah I’ve got a couple of ideas.</p><p>00:47:11.250 –&gt; 00:47:13.320 Mathew Shirey: just got to find time to make it happen.</p><p>00:47:15.330 –&gt; 00:47:30.300 Joseph McElroy: cool so you know the show is also about a little bit about tourism in the mountains and I love talking to really great people and cultural icons and things but also So what do you enjoy doing in the Smoky Mountain?</p><p>00:47:32.310 –&gt; 00:47:33.540 Mathew Shirey: Anything outside.</p><p>00:47:33.750 –&gt; 00:47:34.470 Joseph McElroy: You know, we.</p><p>00:47:34.590 –&gt; 00:47:38.490 Mathew Shirey: try to get on the lakes and rivers, as much as possible in the summer.</p><p>00:47:39.810 –&gt; 00:47:44.610 Mathew Shirey: We do a lot of hiking I’m an avid hunter and fisherman when I can find time to do it.</p><p>00:47:45.930 –&gt; 00:47:52.230 Mathew Shirey: Just you know the natural beauty of this place is what brought me here and we try to make the most of it.</p><p>00:47:52.470 –&gt; 00:47:57.450 Joseph McElroy: cool and when you’re in Silva, what is your favorite place to get breakfast.</p><p>00:47:58.740 –&gt; 00:48:02.520 Mathew Shirey: My favorite place to eat period and Sylvia Guadalupe CAFE.</p><p>00:48:02.970 –&gt; 00:48:04.950 Mathew Shirey: Ah yeah mainstream.</p><p>00:48:05.100 –&gt; 00:48:08.820 Joseph McElroy: I love you get that tray with the multiple salsas right.</p><p>00:48:09.120 –&gt; 00:48:10.500 Joseph McElroy: yeah That is incredible.</p><p>00:48:12.750 –&gt; 00:48:22.890 Joseph McElroy: yeah we went there during covid you know and you were still able to sit on a picnic table after and get that salsas those multiple VM and everything else there was great.</p><p>00:48:23.130 –&gt; 00:48:23.460 yeah.</p><p>00:48:24.690 –&gt; 00:48:29.730 Joseph McElroy: How about entertainment, what kind of it was a great entertainment place and so.</p><p>00:48:30.510 –&gt; 00:48:36.180 Mathew Shirey: I innovation brewing both in Sylva their Hillsborough location, they often have music.</p><p>00:48:38.460 –&gt; 00:48:44.610 Mathew Shirey: let’s see where else you know every Friday night, they have music down the bridge park in town in the summers.</p><p>00:48:46.020 –&gt; 00:48:47.640 Mathew Shirey: So that’s you know.</p><p>00:48:48.660 –&gt; 00:48:51.000 Mathew Shirey: Those are kind of our general go-to places.</p><p>00:48:52.230 –&gt; 00:48:55.890 Mathew Shirey: Honestly, especially since the pandemic we don’t make it out very much but.</p><p>00:48:56.400 –&gt; 00:48:56.790 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:48:56.940 –&gt; 00:48:58.680 Mathew Shirey: When we do those are the places we had.</p><p>00:48:59.430 –&gt; 00:49:02.790 Joseph McElroy: And now you know you’ve raised your children here in the smokies right.</p><p>00:49:03.210 –&gt; 00:49:03.570 Mathew Shirey: mm hmm.</p><p>00:49:03.900 –&gt; 00:49:14.430 Joseph McElroy: So now I’m would be bringing three and a half-year-olds here alright, so you had you’ve had children of that age, what are the things I should do with three and a half-year-olds in the smokies but can’t get anywhere else.</p><p>00:49:15.210 –&gt; 00:49:19.470 Mathew Shirey: And this again getting on the lakes, is always fun.</p><p>00:49:19.530 –&gt; 00:49:20.580 Joseph McElroy: You know what’s your favorite lake?</p><p>00:49:21.450 –&gt; 00:49:23.760 Mathew Shirey: We go down to Fontana.</p><p>00:49:23.910 –&gt; 00:49:24.630 quite a bit.</p><p>00:49:26.370 –&gt; 00:49:28.680 Mathew Shirey: I’ve actually got a favorite late but I’m not going to tell you.</p><p>00:49:28.890 –&gt; 00:49:29.490 Joseph McElroy: Ah.</p><p>00:49:29.550 –&gt; 00:49:30.360 Mathew Shirey: got all the.</p><p>00:49:31.500 –&gt; 00:49:32.700 Joseph McElroy: checks to me in the chat.</p><p>00:49:32.700 –&gt; 00:49:32.880 For.</p><p>00:49:34.320 –&gt; 00:49:34.890 Mathew Shirey: me.</p><p>00:49:35.100 –&gt; 00:49:39.090 Mathew Shirey: it’s pretty tiny went around here and not many people know about it, I want to keep it that way.</p><p>00:49:39.900 –&gt; 00:49:43.080 Joseph McElroy: Okay, but at the chat give me a break.</p><p>00:49:45.870 –&gt; 00:49:55.890 Joseph McElroy: Oh so well that’s great I mean yeah like my parents go Have you had a place that we used to go to down in Georgia line with them you know.</p><p>00:49:57.120 –&gt; 00:50:02.580 Joseph McElroy: drawing a blank on the name of it’s been a while so since we were there but they had a pontoon boat there’s always a blast.</p><p>00:50:02.820 –&gt; 00:50:22.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you know we’re a building a Heritage Center right documentary to do the number talking about I want to do cooking yeah I was thinking of getting a you know, a sort of a large size camp kitchen built right with a cook set things like that any recommendations, how to do that.</p><p>00:50:25.980 –&gt; 00:50:27.210 Mathew Shirey: Honestly, not really.</p><p>00:50:28.500 –&gt; 00:50:34.650 Mathew Shirey: I mean there you know I think the sky’s the limit but i’ve never built an outdoor kitchen and don’t know you know a lot about it but.</p><p>00:50:37.560 –&gt; 00:50:44.760 Mathew Shirey: If you get to that point, let me know, maybe I can you know, come up with some fire brokers and utensils and stuff like that for you.</p><p>00:50:45.150 –&gt; 00:50:45.870 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool.</p><p>00:50:47.520 –&gt; 00:51:00.960 Joseph McElroy: So you know I noticed that a local bar and restaurant is had a big screening and welcome home event for you after you want to convince your competition, I thought that was great what was a venue.</p><p>00:51:02.190 –&gt; 00:51:05.040 Mathew Shirey: That was lazy hiker taproom on mainstream Sylva.</p><p>00:51:06.930 –&gt; 00:51:21.180 Mathew Shirey: you know we small town, we know, everybody in the managers there and whatnot we went said hey we really like to have a party and invite all of our friends to come to watch this on the big screen there, so they were more than happy to make it happen cool.</p><p>00:51:21.810 –&gt; 00:51:23.940 Joseph McElroy: Now How can people find out more about you.</p><p>00:51:25.320 –&gt; 00:51:30.480 Mathew Shirey: My website are definitely the easiest way to find me www.shiraforge.com</p><p>00:51:31.950 –&gt; 00:51:34.650 Joseph McElroy: And here is your Facebook.</p><p>00:51:35.400 –&gt; 00:51:39.540 Mathew Shirey: I am on Facebook, I do most of my social media stuff on Instagram.</p><p>00:51:41.070 –&gt; 00:51:44.550 Joseph McElroy: Okay lots of pictures of stuff that you produce that makes sense right.</p><p>00:51:46.320 –&gt; 00:51:46.740 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:51:47.910 –&gt; 00:51:52.710 Joseph McElroy: Can people ask for custom work from you or just buy from that site what are they what can they do.</p><p>00:51:53.460 –&gt; 00:52:01.800 Mathew Shirey: Both I’ve got you to know products listed on the website that they can order everything’s made to order I don’t really have anything in stock generally.</p><p>00:52:02.820 –&gt; 00:52:10.170 Mathew Shirey: But if you have you know, a custom knife or ax or something you want to be made shoots me an email, and we can try and figure something out.</p><p>00:52:10.620 –&gt; 00:52:13.350 Joseph McElroy: What do they need to provide you to make a custom product.</p><p>00:52:14.460 –&gt; 00:52:24.660 Mathew Shirey: Generally, like they want a custom knife, you know I need to know if they want mono steel or Damascus, what kind of blade shape blade length handle material.</p><p>00:52:25.920 –&gt; 00:52:34.260 Mathew Shirey: You know, handle construction whether it’s a full Tang or hidden Tang process, so you know just all those little details and then.</p><p>00:52:35.550 –&gt; 00:52:41.400 Mathew Shirey: Sometimes we just go into the details and other times I can sketch something up if somebody wants to.</p><p>00:52:41.940 –&gt; 00:52:46.620 Joseph McElroy: cool or well any other shoutouts you like to give.</p><p>00:52:48.300 –&gt; 00:52:50.580 Mathew Shirey: Thanks to you, guys, for having me on here, I really appreciate it.</p><p>00:52:51.060 –&gt; 00:52:53.820 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I hope you’ll come by you know we’re doing.</p><p>00:52:54.540 –&gt; 00:53:03.480 Joseph McElroy: At the smoky mountain heritage Center the bob’s doing we’re having events where they have things like you know reenactment so you mentioned earlier, that you are doing that they have.</p><p>00:53:03.900 –&gt; 00:53:18.960 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think you’re gonna have blacksmithing things going on and you’re going to have you know all sorts of heritage events, I think you would enjoy, so we will come by and meet me in person, and we can you know talk about pans and knives</p><p>00:53:19.590 –&gt; 00:53:25.650 Mathew Shirey: And I know I’d love to participate in some of the events you’ve got going on there, and maybe teach a class there at some point.</p><p>00:53:25.800 –&gt; 00:53:31.530 Joseph McElroy: That would be fun, I mean we’re starting to do some really good classes like that, and I think that.</p><p>00:53:32.370 –&gt; 00:53:41.340 Joseph McElroy: it’s beneficial for everyone involved because I really love celebrating the culture of these Appalachians and historical things and celebrating what’s good about our history.</p><p>00:53:41.820 –&gt; 00:53:50.850 Joseph McElroy: And you know the craft was by far, one of the most beautiful things of our history yeah all right absolutely so we’re part of the.</p><p>00:53:52.740 –&gt; 00:53:56.250 Joseph McElroy:talkradio.nycnetwork.</p><p>00:53:57.270 –&gt; 00:54:14.370 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is every Tuesday from six to seven and there are many other podcasts on this network that I, you know enjoy we can try to convince you to see because it ranges from small business to other travel.</p><p>00:54:15.390 –&gt; 00:54:21.420 Joseph McElroy: shows to self-help to know information about pets information about insurance.</p><p>00:54:22.560 –&gt; 00:54:39.870 Joseph McElroy: Personal wellness spirituality so it’s not often you get a network that’s all live podcast, so I think there’s a dynamic there has to live that and yeah and less formality, that you can get you to know the host is on the show drinking.</p><p>00:54:41.370 –&gt; 00:54:48.450 Joseph McElroy: And screwing up names and words, but it makes you It makes you off, but you also know that you get some authentic information it’s.</p><p>00:54:48.450 –&gt; 00:54:49.050 Mathew Shirey: not right.</p><p>00:54:49.230 –&gt; 00:55:00.720 Joseph McElroy: it’s not pre-planned media so anybody listening, please go to talkradio.nyc and find the shows that might be of interest to you or you can find out more about this podcast on</p><p>00:55:01.620 –&gt; 00:55:17.580 Joseph McElroy: Facebook at facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast where we will stream live every Tuesday and also have the previous episodes and other information about the smokies that you might find useful and the towns and crafts and things going on.</p><p>00:55:19.170 –&gt; 00:55:25.740 Joseph McElroy: And we are also all our previous episodes are hosted on smokiesadventure.com.</p><p>00:55:26.100 –&gt; 00:55:35.490 Joseph McElroy: If you go to that site smokiesadventure.com you’ll find a link at the top saying gateway to smokies podcast and you can go and see all the podcasts and we’ve had great people from.</p><p>00:55:35.790 –&gt; 00:55:47.970 Joseph McElroy: pressman to politicians to outdoorsman to historians to book writers things like that we’re starting to get a nice inventory I think it’s well over 60 now of</p><p>00:55:49.530 –&gt; 00:56:00.450 Joseph McElroy: shows that are not they’re not just tourism, you know oh look at this great place to come and see it gets into some bottom about.</p><p>00:56:00.930 –&gt; 00:56:12.840 Joseph McElroy: The people here and representing well how you know, thoughtful intelligent and deep this mountain culture is and I encourage you to go there and.</p><p>00:56:13.440 –&gt; 00:56:19.740 Joseph McElroy: I also run another podcast and talkradio.nyc called wise content creates wealth, I have to be a marketing expert and I’m</p><p>00:56:20.160 –&gt; 00:56:28.590 Joseph McElroy: delving into the world of the AI artificial intelligence and how it’s changing content production and</p><p>00:56:29.280 –&gt; 00:56:39.060 Joseph McElroy: And you know to search and marketing and how behavioral science and is used to switch reading so both from a business perspective.</p><p>00:56:39.360 –&gt; 00:56:45.180 Joseph McElroy: And from understanding what’s happening to as you go to sites and going to information.</p><p>00:56:45.540 –&gt; 00:57:00.480 Joseph McElroy: You know, to help you understand the world as it’s being presented to you it’s good I think it’s a good show alright, so thank you I’ll see you next time on the gateway to the smokies podcast from six to seven next week on Tuesday ciao.</p> 88d3508c-8d4b-4fe8-945f-add8082ee20e https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/eddbab0f-1d15-40cc-95f3-f5f94bfd255e Tue, 03 May 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3094 no full Episode 56: Preserving the Past and Building for the Future Episode 56: Preserving the Past and Building for the Future Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Tune in to this week&#39;s episode of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast featuring Joe Sam Queen, as he discusses the cultural and historical side of his career and other aspects of his life that folks might not be aware of. You will learn from him about the responsibility of preserving our past to make room for our future. </strong></p><p><strong>Joe Sam Queen </strong><span>is a renowned Architect, Historian, Dancer, Dance caller, and Politician – having served in both N.C. Senate and the N.C. House of Representatives –and is on the Traditional Artists Roster of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Association.</span></p><p><span>He has been director of the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival for over 30 years and has served on the Board of Directors for Folkmoot and the Shelton House, as well as playing an active role as an officer in the local Sons of the American Revolution chapter along with many other regional charities, clubs, and historical groups. </span></p><p><span>Joe Sam&#39;s experiences growing up in Western North Carolina epitomize the cultural expression and deep-rooted tradition of the Smoky Mountains. Relive the past and learn about the future. </span></p><p><span>Don&#39;t miss this incredible conversation with a great man!</span></p><p><span>LinkedIn: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-sam-queen-7b66a376/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-sam-queen-7b66a376/ </a></p><p><span>Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joesam.queen" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/joesam.queen </a></p><p><span>Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/joesamqueennc/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/joesamqueennc/?hl=en</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/04/26 - Preserving the Past and Building for the Future

GUEST: JOE SAM QUEEN

In this episode of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast featuring Joe Sam Queen, he discusses the cultural and historical side of his career and other aspects of his life that folks might not be aware of. You will learn from him about the responsibility of preserving our past to make room for our future. 

Joe Sam Queen is a renowned Architect, Historian, Dancer, Dance caller, and Politician – having served in both N.C. Senate and the N.C. House of Representatives –and is on the Traditional Artists Roster of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Association.

He has been director of the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival for over 30 years and has served on the Board of Directors for Folkmoot and the Shelton House, as well as playing an active role as an officer in the local Sons of the American Revolution chapter along with many other regional charities, clubs, and historical groups. 

Joe Sam's experiences growing up in Western North Carolina epitomize the cultural expression and deep-rooted tradition of the Smoky Mountains. Relive the past and learn about the future. 

Don't miss this incredible conversation with a great man!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-sam-queen-7b66a376/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joesam.queen 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joesamqueennc/?hl=en

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

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SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Joseph talks about some upcoming events in Maggie Valley. On April 19th through May 1st there is a motorcycle rally called the Thunder in the Smokies. A new event will happen called Boho Hippie Fest with live music, vendors, bounce houses, food trucks, and more. At the Meadowlark Motel, there will be an event called Mom’s Moving Mountains and Mother Nature’s Natural Garden. There will also be an event featuring a wildcraft expert. Joseph also introduces his guest for today’s show, Joe Sam Queen. Joe Sam is a renowned Architect, Historian, Dancer, Dance caller, and Politician. Joe Sam talks about where his name comes from and his passion for dance and following in his grandfather’s footsteps in continuing the legacy and culture that is popular in the Great Smoky Mountains.

SEGMENT 2

Joseph talks with Joe Sam about his family being some of the earliest settlers in Haywood County. His family settled close to Dellwood in Maggie Valley. He talks about his grandfather who put together a square dance team around a time when radio was emerging. Joe Sam also discusses the meaning of the different kinds of folk dance. Clogging, he says, comes from Scott-Irish-German ancestors. Flat footing, he says is a kind of dance that everyone does a little differently, and you can be very creative with it. Buck Dancing is an African American term. They discuss a little about the history of these dances and music. His grandfather created the group called the Soco Gap Cloggers. Joe Sam says that President Roosevelt made his grandfather famous and was beloved in the mountains. He tells a story of how Roosevelt invited the king and queen of England to the White House. Roosevelt changed the traditions and instead brought a square dance team to perform, which was Joe Sam’s grandfather’s dance group.

SEGMENT 3

Joe Sam talks about sociability being the whole point of the Appalachian dance. He describes it as joining hands together, socializing and hospitality. Joseph makes a point that it can teach young people about manners, society, and of course, culture. Joe Sam mentions more different dances and music that tell a story about life and society. He also talks about what is in a square dance band. He says that square dance is very sociable and includes the banjo, bass, fiddle, and guitar. Joe Sam talks about being a dance caller as well. You're instructing, watching a certain dance, and calling it on the beat. There are also times when the caller may be dancing themselves. Joseph describes it as a man who is a dynamic composer.

SEGMENT 4

Joe Sam talks about square dancing and fiddling in today’s day in age. He says that he doesn't think square dance is dying out which is one of the reasons why he does the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival. He is also involved in Folkmoot, something else that he is trying to be involved in this coming summer. Joe Sam passionately talks about the positivity of these kinds of events as well as the beauty of nature in North Carolina. He also mentions being a part of building the HART theater in Haywood County as well as a charitable foundation that he has with his wife called The Queen Family Foundation. They support things like Sons of the American Revolution and the Arts Council in Haywood County. From the traditions of mountain music and the stories behind them to the general passion for North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains, Joseph thanks Joe Sam Queen for joining him for today’s episode!


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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:19.980 –> 00:00:22.140 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! Welcome to the gateway to the.

00:00:22.140 –> 00:00:31.860 Joseph McElroy: smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.

00:00:32.640 –> 00:00:41.400 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with the weekly episode.

00:00:42.060 –> 00:00:54.690 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy amount of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses and travel, but my heart is a culture.

00:00:55.410 –> 00:01:05.040 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to be talking about preserving and perpetuating our culture and the great smoky mountains, but first a sponsor message or two, and the first sponsor is me.

00:01:06.120 –> 00:01:17.670 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, you had a modern environment with chic Appalachian and feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:18.330 –> 00:01:27.540 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill a catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beer.

00:01:28.410 –> 00:01:41.460 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sale, there is no other place like the metal art motel and Maggie valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:01:43.020 –> 00:01:49.020 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure.com at smokies plural adventure singular calm.

00:01:49.440 –> 00:02:02.010 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and the surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures, and family entertainment be found, right here.

00:02:02.790 –> 00:02:13.890 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure calm to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountain National Park trails and waterfalls kids code and more.

00:02:14.520 –> 00:02:19.710 Joseph McElroy: than you know right now check out the spring flowers that are coming in and crazy beauty.

00:02:20.280 –> 00:02:36.240 Joseph McElroy: And then check out all the awesome family attractions, entertainment and things you can do in the surrounding area with you and your family The goal is smokies adventures to become the leading information portal for adventure and ventures experiences and the great smoky mountain.

00:02:38.100 –> 00:02:44.970 Joseph McElroy: So, as you know, we’d like to publicize some events are coming up and Maggie valley happens to have a lot of festivals coming up.

00:02:46.530 –> 00:02:51.270 Joseph McElroy: April 19 through May 1 we have thunder and the smoky spring motorcycle rally.

00:02:51.810 –> 00:03:03.090 Joseph McElroy: You know the rides in the mountains of the Smokies are some of the best in the world we’re doing motorcycle rides or you know bicycle rides or any kind so a lot of people come here to celebrate.

00:03:03.900 –> 00:03:13.380 Joseph McElroy: Their passions and the thunder and the smokies is one of the oldest our rallies and Maggie valley and even the surrounding areas and it happens on.

00:03:14.070 –> 00:03:23.700 Joseph McElroy: Friday Saturday and Sunday and it has tour rides lots of vendors selling crafts includes and as bike shows and games and prizes and concerts.

00:03:24.060 –> 00:03:37.140 Joseph McElroy: Fire dancers and you know people jumping up and down and having a good time so come out and check out thunder in the smokies calm or call 828-246-2101 to find out more about it.

00:03:38.580 –> 00:03:47.430 Joseph McElroy: Now, this is a new event no not even sure what it’s about but it sounds interesting then on May 7 or have something called boho hippie fest.

00:03:48.270 –> 00:03:56.970 Joseph McElroy: Now I’m a man what I’m imagining is people and tie dye dancing and things like that, but they say it’s gonna be live music performance arts.

00:03:57.330 –> 00:04:10.530 Joseph McElroy: demonstration vendors bounce houses games food trucks so for more information call contact hothead events, a 28246 1978, which is a really good year.

00:04:11.340 –> 00:04:31.410 Joseph McElroy: or email hothead events@gmail.com and then another traditional one here in the mountains, is the kk O icons of hot rodding festival and that’s a May 13 and 14th, and this is 1950s and 1960s hot rods and custom cars trucks and vans.

00:04:32.550 –> 00:04:45.300 Joseph McElroy: with lots of 50s and 60s music vintage venter’s pinstripes food and vendors and every judging with awards and trophies reach out to H to custom camp of america.com.

00:04:46.530 –> 00:04:49.890 Joseph McElroy: With case, in place of the seas accepted America.

00:04:51.690 –> 00:05:01.470 Joseph McElroy: And then we have our own event the middle are coming out and that’s a mom is moving mountains and mother nature’s natural garden program with Nancy Eastern Iowa had her.

00:05:01.890 –> 00:05:11.880 Joseph McElroy: Some of you might remember Nancy East did a wilderness survival course here a few weeks back that was well attended and very popular she showed us how to survive.

00:05:12.300 –> 00:05:15.900 Joseph McElroy: The 10 things that you needed to go out in the wilderness how to build a fire how to build.

00:05:16.290 –> 00:05:27.030 Joseph McElroy: A camp, how do you know, save yourself would be broke your leg and stuck in the bottom of it somewhere and she’s just really knowledgeable she’s on the.

00:05:27.900 –> 00:05:34.590 Joseph McElroy: The rescue team here the search and rescue team here in a wood county and the smoky mountains and she goes on lots of.

00:05:36.930 –> 00:05:44.820 Joseph McElroy: search and rescue missions every season so she’s going to do on Friday night a whole presentation with pictures and everything of some of the more.

00:05:46.230 –> 00:05:53.130 Joseph McElroy: compelling stories that she has from those search and rescues and then on Saturday, May 7.

00:05:54.120 –> 00:06:03.570 Joseph McElroy: there’s a legendary wildcrafting expert here and she’s a renowned author filmmaker instructor and tour guide for the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:06:04.080 –> 00:06:13.290 Joseph McElroy: DSM field school is I had her and she’s an expert on edible plants medicinal herbs anything pertaining to wildcraft forward to.

00:06:13.800 –> 00:06:20.100 Joseph McElroy: Appalachian plants trees and flowers and she’s been on TV shows videos books.

00:06:21.090 –> 00:06:30.330 Joseph McElroy: And and she’s just really well known, on the subject and so she is going to present a program and tell mother nature’s natural garden.

00:06:30.720 –> 00:06:40.320 Joseph McElroy: And leading actually a tour of the grounds and area around here to find out what is the nature’s bounty that you can eat right in our own backyards.

00:06:40.830 –> 00:06:49.800 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll have that and I will culminate with a free Barbecue supper maybe a few of the dishes from what we find in the music by Mike Ogletree.

00:06:50.250 –> 00:06:54.810 Joseph McElroy: And some of his friends on Saturday, you can reach out to the metal log motel.

00:06:55.500 –> 00:07:07.470 Joseph McElroy: at eight to 89261717 to reserve rooms day or if you’re just a local monochrome its $20 per person, and you can reach out to reserve your space, but call me to 89261717.

00:07:07.800 –> 00:07:14.970 Joseph McElroy: And then, a mother’s day we’re going to have a cake and cookies and cake and champagne in the lounge along with our traditional breakfast.

00:07:15.750 –> 00:07:22.530 Joseph McElroy: So today we have a great yes he’s a legend in these mountain Parts I think the whole state, maybe even the name.

00:07:23.250 –> 00:07:30.990 Joseph McElroy: His name is Joe Sam Queen and he has deep family roots in Haywood county dating back to the revolutionary war born in Waynesville.

00:07:31.920 –> 00:07:40.020 Joseph McElroy: And he’s a graduate of nc state and architecture and he’s a renowned architect historian dancer collar and politician.

00:07:40.500 –> 00:07:50.070 Joseph McElroy: having served in both the nc state Senate and the nc House of Representatives and he’s on the traditional artist’s rosters of the blue Ridge and national heritage.

00:07:50.820 –> 00:08:00.030 Joseph McElroy: heritage association has been the director of the folk’s smoky mountain folk festival for over 50 years and has served on the board of directors, for the folk.

00:08:01.650 –> 00:08:08.910 Joseph McElroy: folk route and the Shell, the House as well wills played an active role as an officer in the local songs of the American Revolution chapter.

00:08:10.560 –> 00:08:27.630 Joseph McElroy: When he isn’t working in this business or these other organizations he enjoys calling dances dancing spending time as a family, working with his wife herself or an accomplished woman Dr. K queen on their own terrible foundation, how you doing Sam Joe Joe Sam.

00:08:29.130 –> 00:08:31.020 Joe Sam Queen: Sam queen a little dough rain me.

00:08:31.140 –> 00:08:31.980 Joseph McElroy: yeah there you.

00:08:32.340 –> 00:08:41.940 Joe Sam Queen: I’m doing great it’s great to be on your show it’s great to promote all the good heritage and culture of Western North Carolina We really are.

00:08:43.110 –> 00:08:44.130 Joe Sam Queen: A hotspot.

00:08:45.180 –> 00:08:48.030 Joe Sam Queen: Welcoming the world so come and see us cool.

00:08:48.420 –> 00:08:52.290 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re so glad to have you to tell me, you know how did you get the name, Joe Sam.

00:08:53.460 –> 00:08:54.600 Joseph McElroy: that’s an interesting name.

00:08:54.900 –> 00:08:58.260 Joe Sam Queen: Well, just my grandfather was Sam Sam.

00:08:58.980 –> 00:09:11.310 Joe Sam Queen: A great name, my father was saying, love doing your he didn’t like being a junior and his best GI but he was demon marine my father is his best buddy was.

00:09:12.990 –> 00:09:32.460 Joe Sam Queen: Terry jump Johnson Cherokee friend over cross so go gap and so I’m named after his best buddy Terry Joe Johnson, and it just call me Joe and my and Sarah went down to the Clerk of the Court and said that’s not enough name for a boy, we got to add a Sam in there.

00:09:32.850 –> 00:09:45.510 Joe Sam Queen: So they gave me a little del Rey me Joe Sam Queen and the homeland as an architect, I think a Frank Lloyd Wright and it just a great name, so I can.

00:09:45.750 –> 00:09:49.470 Joseph McElroy: read it does have a rhythm to it it’s like it’s a song when you.

00:09:49.470 –> 00:09:50.250 Joe Sam Queen: Say his.

00:09:50.400 –> 00:09:52.050 Joe Sam Queen: Name you’re young and with a little poem.

00:09:52.080 –> 00:10:04.230 Joseph McElroy: that’s a good beer, so you know we we we have a lot of common and having a deep heritage and Haywood county and we both you know the different ways, I mean I think you’re more accomplished at it, but in.

00:10:05.520 –> 00:10:24.540 Joseph McElroy: sharing a passion for preserving and perpetuating our culture, but making people aware of the cultural history by encouraging them to create our own smoky mountain experiences and you have you do a lot of educating folks in the area right yeah well.

00:10:24.570 –> 00:10:36.090 Joe Sam Queen: You know my passion is that our region dance with you it’s often referred to as the big brown but it’s a southern Appalachian square dance.

00:10:36.750 –> 00:10:51.540 Joe Sam Queen: it’s an American dance it’s a melting pot bands, it has Scotch Irish it has Cherokee it has African American roots, but it’s an American dance and its hotspot is right here, and they would camp.

00:10:52.230 –> 00:11:03.930 Joe Sam Queen: Oh, and I follow a sword in my grandfather’s footsteps because he made famous a Maggie valley square dance team, called the soco gap cloggers which.

00:11:05.010 –> 00:11:11.700 Joe Sam Queen: You know he was part of the cultural revival that radio started.

00:11:12.960 –> 00:11:24.690 Joe Sam Queen: With the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers and the early roots of country music and the radio and dancing you didn’t have.

00:11:25.710 –> 00:11:36.240 Joe Sam Queen: Music unless you had dance that the musicians follow the dancers, that it was a social event and the dance was so important, and this is a.

00:11:37.200 –> 00:11:51.840 Joe Sam Queen: Social dances we call it on the streets of Wayne’s when we come out it’s our institution of hospitality, that the let’s all join hands and one big circle that’s our motto up here in Western North Carolina.

00:11:52.380 –> 00:12:01.920 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think it’s great and it’s interesting talking about radio introducing that I was reading I think it was in today’s papers how back in 1870 some people came up from.

00:12:02.550 –> 00:12:11.520 Joseph McElroy: You know from the North and wrote deep stories and about the mountains and one of them was Waynesville really painted us as a violent.

00:12:11.850 –> 00:12:20.370 Joseph McElroy: painter crowd, and so it took a while, for it to penetrate back into the the the whole United States and hey maybe there’s more going on here.

00:12:20.790 –> 00:12:29.790 Joseph McElroy: You know the great smoky mountains, opening up and you know the great things coming out and then people find it out there’s wonderful this dance and everything else.

00:12:30.390 –> 00:12:37.170 Joseph McElroy: When we come back you have a story about Roosevelt and your grandfather that I think people will be interesting to hear about.

00:14:54.180 –> 00:15:14.490 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with my guest Joe Sam queen on the gateway to the smokies podcast so Joe Sam you know talking about you know history your family, the Queen family, but some of the early settlers here in our regions right we.

00:15:14.550 –> 00:15:30.420 Joe Sam Queen: We followed referred I’ve been known representative for the Cherokee and Haywood county so I don’t call myself a native there the natives but we wrote in 1776 and we haven’t left.

00:15:31.230 –> 00:15:38.130 Joseph McElroy: 1776 and they haven’t left wow so I knew where did they first settling the account.

00:15:38.880 –> 00:15:49.590 Joe Sam Queen: Well, they settled in what they call raccoon co out by that well known as the test farm area that was my first settling family yeah.

00:15:49.890 –> 00:16:03.120 Joe Sam Queen: They settled down and finds creek and then crabtree and finally got to do, and which is head and Maggie Valley, as you know, and so we’re known as deal with Queens in the last couple of generations.

00:16:03.600 –> 00:16:10.410 Joseph McElroy: yeah queen family sort of became famous for dancing and really popularized the whole thing.

00:16:10.620 –> 00:16:15.990 Joe Sam Queen: yeah my grandfather was the great leader there I sort of fell I hit him, and he was the.

00:16:16.080 –> 00:16:17.040 Joe Sam Queen: He was the legend.

00:16:17.460 –> 00:16:19.590 Joe Sam Queen: But he was born in 1888 and.

00:16:20.280 –> 00:16:27.690 Joe Sam Queen: grew up in a time when square dancing was really the most important social institution of the Community.

00:16:28.440 –> 00:16:42.210 Joe Sam Queen: that’s how people gather together that’s how they courted that’s how they educated their children, at the square dance moves are a pre-literate institution to train the young people.

00:16:42.540 –> 00:16:52.200 Joe Sam Queen: How to import how to have manners how to join the Community has how to how to be a man and a woman in the Community and.

00:16:52.980 –> 00:17:00.150 Joe Sam Queen: And of course, it was all about the fiddle and then banjo and the music that went with it and the good times and.

00:17:01.050 –> 00:17:15.240 Joe Sam Queen: And in the early days, you know there were no big square dance halls that the big fan square dance halls followed the railroad they didn’t get here to you know at the 1910s or something get up over the mountain if they were late.

00:17:15.660 –> 00:17:28.320 Joe Sam Queen: So they developed some hotels and have big fan rooms, that you can have a big square dancing but prior to that you, you answer a little on your porch in front of your fireplace is to the fiddled in the banjo and.

00:17:29.370 –> 00:17:38.820 Joe Sam Queen: and learn the clock and do the little step but, but my grandfather came along, you know, in the 20s and 30s like I said, with the radio and.

00:17:39.210 –> 00:17:52.890 Joe Sam Queen: In the advent of these fun hotels and they develop the dance ethic, and he put together a square dance team, and they can all dance and they all but dance together in a.

00:17:52.920 –> 00:18:07.050 Joe Sam Queen: district-wide open to the music, he said he never gave a lesson you got went with him took me around advance some just pay attention you dance with your partner in the circle and the music that’s all you need to know.

00:18:08.070 –> 00:18:08.550 Joe Sam Queen: Well, let me.

00:18:08.610 –> 00:18:19.650 Joseph McElroy: Let me just clarify some things you know, because you know I know what it means, but a lot of people don’t you have clogging book dancing square dancing flat-footing now what are all those.

00:18:19.740 –> 00:18:20.760 Joe Sam Queen: Well they’re all.

00:18:21.810 –> 00:18:22.650 Joe Sam Queen: Community of.

00:18:23.940 –> 00:18:33.510 Joe Sam Queen: Terms clogging comes from the sort of our Scotch Irish German ancestors, and again they had would choose and they call.

00:18:34.680 –> 00:18:44.220 Joe Sam Queen: A bit you know they danced but their shoes weren’t good leather shoes and they’re there and they were on a small porch or a little cobblestone street.

00:18:44.700 –> 00:18:48.690 Joe Sam Queen: Now we didn’t have any streets out in western North Carolina we were yard dancers.

00:18:49.230 –> 00:19:00.840 Joe Sam Queen: Yet a fine sheared sheep cheered pastor the dancing before we had wood floors so we had a big dance and we took from the Cherokee the big circle.

00:19:01.350 –> 00:19:11.250 Joe Sam Queen: The big circle is a Cherokee contribution and there are plenty of moves like that the big black snake, which we call when the clock, a lot of time, but.

00:19:11.610 –> 00:19:20.760 Joe Sam Queen: They call up the Cherokee friendship dance but it’s the same thing we integrated into the American square dance the Appalachian square dance and.

00:19:22.050 –> 00:19:41.370 Joe Sam Queen: But then there’s flat-footing, which is a little softer version, a little more musical jazzy version of flat-footing it’s quite creative everybody does it a little differently, you as a flat footer you develop your style you develop your few little steps you’re a little lip, as they say.

00:19:41.790 –> 00:19:42.180 and

00:19:44.160 –> 00:20:00.660 Joe Sam Queen: And and and if you’re in a circle nobody’s the some of the modern teams all dance precision, but that’s very contemporary that traditional teams every dancer dance to the music his own way, have, as he heard it in.

00:20:01.590 –> 00:20:03.030 Joseph McElroy: A book dancing was.

00:20:03.690 –> 00:20:11.610 Joe Sam Queen: dancing is another term again it’s an African American term the African American was the buck, where the buck wouldn’t allow in.

00:20:12.630 –> 00:20:22.020 Joe Sam Queen: You know before integration to enter the circle, but they were often the musicians and they were often great dancers, so they danced.

00:20:22.440 –> 00:20:30.930 Joe Sam Queen: And even on Main Street, they would you go to them when I was a little boy we go to Wayne’s world to get a haircut and in the barbershop then be a.

00:20:31.350 –> 00:20:47.850 Joe Sam Queen: lad China and choose with can slap the rhythm with his rag on the shoe or he can play the harmonica and my grandfather gets up and dance and in the African American to shatter get up and try it out dancing and they would that’s what to call but dancing.

00:20:48.420 –> 00:20:48.870 Joe Sam Queen: So I.

00:20:49.200 –> 00:21:01.230 Joseph McElroy: used to I used to tell people, you know that you know, in the mountains, yeah you know you know you don’t America lot of times ago there was a reputation that white men don’t dance right or old good.

00:21:02.040 –> 00:21:07.680 Joseph McElroy: we’ll get up and dance by themselves, I said hey listen, I was born and raised bantam by myself doing some God book this.

00:21:09.270 –> 00:21:16.710 Joe Sam Queen: Money comes from there, the African American tradition because they often my grandfather was taught how to call by.

00:21:17.190 –> 00:21:21.090 Joe Sam Queen: An African American fiddler and blacksmith when he would just a little more.

00:21:21.600 –> 00:21:33.600 Joe Sam Queen: He never got to join the circle, but he was a fiddler so is often the musician on the side of the dance, and so we knew the dance he knew the call so he gave my grandfather some lessons.

00:21:34.170 –> 00:21:47.970 Joe Sam Queen: And my grandmother, my grandfather’s mother, my great grandmother his mother taught him to do the flat-footed and to follow the step in the barn off because that is the only wooden floor the head is much counter dancing.

00:21:49.410 –> 00:21:51.030 Joe Sam Queen: And we had dances in the barn law.

00:21:52.290 –> 00:21:54.300 Joe Sam Queen: Today in tobacco we’d have a dance.

00:21:55.080 –> 00:22:07.050 Joseph McElroy: But you know it’s interesting that so many people don’t really know that there’s a lot of West African tradition in mountain culture, you know, like bluegrass itself the banjo was from West Africa.

00:22:07.110 –> 00:22:07.500 Joe Sam Queen: that’s why.

00:22:07.530 –> 00:22:17.100 Joseph McElroy: And, you know it really took Scottish Irish ballad music and added a beat to it rhythm right and that’s whole new music, this is a crazy all over the nation.

00:22:17.130 –> 00:22:25.680 Joe Sam Queen: c are real and we don’t have a drum we have the foot, we have the clock step and then the banjo had the banjo head, so you could wrap it with your finger.

00:22:26.430 –> 00:22:40.350 Joe Sam Queen: And slap it if you want it to and, but it was African and in origin, and it really took off in the civil war, what when soldiers could carry it in 42 around hmm.

00:22:40.950 –> 00:22:48.900 Joseph McElroy: So your grandfather just sort of put all this together, and really started you create The SOFA gap cloggers so.

00:22:49.950 –> 00:22:51.780 Joseph McElroy: sort of became sort of famous right.

00:22:51.840 –> 00:23:01.770 Joe Sam Queen: They were awesome they could dance like nobody else everybody’s trying to be what those guys could gown and the fellows they could just dance-like.

00:23:02.250 –> 00:23:10.860 Joe Sam Queen: or wins will they my grandfather put this team together and they and Roosevelt made him famous quote Franklin.

00:23:11.610 –> 00:23:23.610 Joe Sam Queen: Roosevelt was beloved in the mountains, he brought us out of the Great Depression my father and uncle Richard de la they were G is a love Roosevelt well Roosevelt and 39 was.

00:23:24.120 –> 00:23:40.920 Joe Sam Queen: Was was trying to get the Congress, which was pacifist and an obstructionist, and then it’s time he was trying to get them to pass the land lease provision, so I could help Great Britain survive and they were being very.

00:23:42.210 –> 00:23:52.350 Joe Sam Queen: reluctant, so he invited Roseville I did the King Queen of England, for the only Royal visit in history in 1939 and part of Roosevelt’s.

00:23:52.980 –> 00:24:01.110 Joe Sam Queen: Cultural diplomacy was that, instead of having a black tarball for the King and Queen of England, which would be kind of traditional.

00:24:01.830 –> 00:24:06.690 Joe Sam Queen: He decided to have an American square dance in the White House for the kings and Queens.

00:24:07.530 –> 00:24:18.120 Joe Sam Queen: So he could show that that the people of the British Isles and the American people will one people that’s what that was part of Roosevelt’s political genius and.

00:24:18.660 –> 00:24:25.530 Joe Sam Queen: His cultural diplomacy, so my grandfather went up there with the soco gap Congress and their and their band was the.

00:24:26.370 –> 00:24:35.340 Joe Sam Queen: The concrete sisters of an all-women’s string band out of Kentucky and they they’re famous number is how many biscuits can eat.

00:24:35.850 –> 00:24:46.140 Joe Sam Queen: You know, a half a dozen and a half of me, you know they were great, and that was the primary entertainment for the King Queen of England, for their.

00:24:46.980 –> 00:24:58.170 Joe Sam Queen: What would have been a black tie ball and he went on the Newsreels and all over the world and laugh and post, and it was a big deal, so the circle gap Congress became.

00:24:59.460 –> 00:25:04.950 Joe Sam Queen: The rave of the nation and my grandfather was there that was their leader.

00:25:05.730 –> 00:25:10.530 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic I heard that your grandmother was also quite a dancer to she was dancing 96.

00:25:11.550 –> 00:25:14.310 Joe Sam Queen: Well, my his mother.

00:25:15.060 –> 00:25:15.870 Joseph McElroy: His mother.

00:25:16.470 –> 00:25:26.220 Joe Sam Queen: Clean she was the famous dancer and my grandmother would dance little but she pretty much let Sam carry on and he’s on the way I say it was a.

00:25:28.500 –> 00:25:46.860 Joe Sam Queen: force of nature they’ll we call him the old man Sam but he handsome Sam locally because my father was Sam I’m a Sam we’re the same queen brand so you got to kind of distinguish one generation from the other but Sally was a great dancer too.

00:25:47.910 –> 00:25:48.780 Joseph McElroy: cool it and.

00:25:48.960 –> 00:26:03.540 Joseph McElroy: She was dancing till 9696 wow so yeah there’s a lot of dance styles that are sort of in a way, considered indigenous the United States, even though that’s very debatable, which have Western square dance.

00:26:04.050 –> 00:26:13.080 Joseph McElroy: And you have, and then you have you know things that people claim or you know similar, which is the Irish dancing how are these all different from what we know is square dance.

00:26:13.140 –> 00:26:23.490 Joe Sam Queen: Well, again, our dance the the the people here settled in Maggie valiant Haywood county and Western were Scotch Irish we came in with rutherford on.

00:26:24.570 –> 00:26:40.380 Joe Sam Queen: Scotch Irish trail we settle early they lack the isolation and that and the fertility of the mountains it’s Monday to their homeland and a lot of Germans that we had cloggers from German we had Scotch I never.

00:26:40.920 –> 00:26:46.860 Joe Sam Queen: The Scottish and Irish were not very URBAN, particularly the Scots they were rural.

00:26:47.280 –> 00:26:52.950 Joe Sam Queen: So they were yard dancers, I said they dance in the pasture and they were big circle dancers.

00:26:54.750 –> 00:27:12.870 Joe Sam Queen: A lot of the Germans in anybody came from town they would dance in an on a cobblestone street with things like the real of Virginia real is a linear that but our dance is not linear and it’s not defined by size it’s not an eight couple bands it’s it can be 200 couples.

00:27:13.170 –> 00:27:26.340 Joe Sam Queen: We have the big circle dance, and we really got that from the Cherokee the cherokee friendship dance and in their large circle dance around their fire and their social celebrations so.

00:27:26.370 –> 00:27:27.240 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s good.

00:27:27.330 –> 00:27:33.600 Joe Sam Queen: African Americans brought a ton of steps along with the Irish, along with the German.

00:27:34.710 –> 00:27:45.510 Joe Sam Queen: Along with even the English and well chanda certain amount of fiddling and step dance, and that they did any sort of it melted in the milk great American.

00:27:46.140 –> 00:27:50.820 Joe Sam Queen: Part of American and the reason we have a color is the color.

00:27:51.300 –> 00:28:00.120 Joe Sam Queen: decides what you’re going to dance if you were coming from a German village you knew your dance nobody had to call it, you have started and you went through it to the end.

00:28:00.420 –> 00:28:13.050 Joe Sam Queen: By the time you were old enough to dance you you you learn to dance, but in America, they share little pieces from everybody’s cultural little German little stocks little Irish little African American little Cherokee.

00:28:13.980 –> 00:28:19.290 Joe Sam Queen: And they mixed it all together, so you always had a caller that that managed the mix.

00:28:19.770 –> 00:28:25.200 Joseph McElroy: cool, but we have to take another break and we’ll call it will come back we’ll talk more about call it a square there.

00:28:25.740 –> 00:28:26.220 Joe Sam Queen: Thank you.

00:28:31.980 –> 00:28:37.560 00:28:38.070 –> 00:28:49.860

00:28:51.240 –> 00:28:55.620 www.00:28:58.590 –> 00:29:12.120

00:29:12.540 –> 00:29:24.630 00:29:29.130 –> 00:29:40.050

00:29:40.650 –> 00:29:53.310

00:29:58.140 –> 00:30:06.870 :30:31.650 –> 00:30:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I guess job Sam queen a musical note.

00:30:42.390 –> 00:30:47.460 Joseph McElroy: So you know I read on the blue Ridge heritage, you know the cultural site.

00:30:48.690 –> 00:30:52.320 Joseph McElroy: You have an entry about being you know, an area.

00:30:53.940 –> 00:31:11.670 Joseph McElroy: craftsman and I’m an entertainer and everything else, and you said social sociability is the whole point of the Appalachian dance is that really the essence of it is getting together to be sociable and bring people in.

00:31:12.930 –> 00:31:22.320 Joe Sam Queen: that’s right, it is a, it is our social institution of hospitality it’s an institution of hospitality but I’ll just give you an example.

00:31:23.310 –> 00:31:38.790 Joe Sam Queen: The opening line is let’s all join hands in one big circle Community let’s join hands together it’s sort of like tabor fellow table fellowship and then you then the women wrote a lot of the dance calls they help them and, like.

00:31:39.870 –> 00:31:42.480 Joe Sam Queen: You go right hands across and halfway back.

00:31:43.620 –> 00:31:57.840 Joe Sam Queen: Well halfway back is the first lesson in life, you can change your mind and then then it’s ladies in front and Jim’s spine, but the next lesson laughing gentlemen, you need to learn to follow you latency you know you’re not always the one out front and then.

00:31:59.310 –> 00:32:17.790 Joe Sam Queen: it’s honor your partner honor your opposite around hands across with a, how do you do I left pans back with a fine Thank you that’s a little low a little lesson in in in hospitality and manners so it’s socializing country bumpkins you know.

00:32:18.120 –> 00:32:18.360 I.

00:32:19.440 –> 00:32:19.980 Joe Sam Queen: learned that.

00:32:20.160 –> 00:32:31.560 Joe Sam Queen: They got to learn to come and Courtney and not getting a fistfight over the girl next door, you know they gotta be I got to share in the dance Oh, my goodness well that’s one lesson and laugh or an Appalachian mail.

00:32:32.370 –> 00:32:41.850 Joseph McElroy: that’s I mean that’s interesting that’s like the teaching the youth and especially teenagers, you know how to be more civilized.

00:32:42.150 –> 00:32:44.070 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t think about that that is a.

00:32:45.990 –> 00:32:51.240 Joe Sam Queen: Very literate institution of instruction and socializing.

00:32:52.440 –> 00:32:54.720 Joe Sam Queen: And being sociable intergenerational.

00:32:58.290 –> 00:33:07.530 Joe Sam Queen: The first move is the grand right and left where you go one way the girls go one way and the boys go together and they all the girls made all the boys.

00:33:07.890 –> 00:33:18.810 Joe Sam Queen: Because when you entered the dance you probably dancing with your first cousin but you’re looking around for some other Gal dance within she’s grabbed that start with her, but she’s looking around for the Lambda.

00:33:19.980 –> 00:33:20.430 Joe Sam Queen: Around there too.

00:33:21.690 –> 00:33:38.340 Joe Sam Queen: And these are guys up the hall that you only see a few times when you get together with some local musicians, to have a little dance that’s the only society going around and rural Appalachian in the 1800s.

00:33:39.000 –> 00:33:41.430 Joseph McElroy: or limited time to get them social.

00:33:43.800 –> 00:34:00.330 Joe Sam Queen: And it’s usually fun, I mean it’s not land dancing it’s not you, you squeeze these gals, you know as my grandpa says, you can tell their weight by golly when you get done with this dance, you can tell they’re done and.

00:34:01.620 –> 00:34:07.740 Joe Sam Queen: it’s very sociable dance it’s sort of hold off a little deer in code because it is so.

00:34:09.990 –> 00:34:11.880 Joe Sam Queen: we’re hoping to start it back this summer.

00:34:14.220 –> 00:34:28.200 Joseph McElroy: I was reading today that this last thing of covert 75% of kids that you know I got three year old so they caught it this last one, there you know 75% 75% of kids caught it so it’s pretty much done for kids.

00:34:29.490 –> 00:34:32.490 Joseph McElroy: So you should be able to get together, but you know The thing that.

00:34:33.750 –> 00:34:41.820 Joseph McElroy: struck me is that do you teach teaching people nursery rhymes and back in the day was also about teaching and a lot of nursery rhymes actually we’re.

00:34:42.150 –> 00:34:53.790 Joseph McElroy: Dealing with how to you know deal with some dark stuff is, is there any kind of that tradition in the music as well to deal with some dark emotions and things like that the dark events.

00:34:57.570 –> 00:35:11.340 Joe Sam Queen: I like to say yeah the four leaf clover I like to introduce it’s you all join hands all for its two couples, the American square dance.

00:35:11.940 –> 00:35:20.460 Joe Sam Queen: The Appalachian square dance is a big round, so you start with a big round everybody mute in the circle does one, and then you break up into figure for.

00:35:21.090 –> 00:35:34.530 Joe Sam Queen: You and your partner and an opposite cup and then you change after every figure for well the four leaf clover is y’all just the four of you join hands and you turn yourself inside out and tie yourself into a not.

00:35:35.130 –> 00:35:46.830 Joe Sam Queen: We back off and it looks like a four-leaf clover, then you back out and untie yourself from that not and so you tie yourself into not and you untie yourself and you never break fellowship.

00:35:47.190 –> 00:36:00.870 Joe Sam Queen: So that is another little story of how you navigate life and then it’s done for the Austrian up to the clam and throw away the old him can’t and that that’s kind of a pollution story, you know.

00:36:01.200 –> 00:36:01.950 Joseph McElroy: Oh interesting.

00:36:03.750 –> 00:36:04.200 Joe Sam Queen: and

00:36:05.220 –> 00:36:05.700 Joe Sam Queen: The.

00:36:07.380 –> 00:36:10.560 Joe Sam Queen: there’s a ton of them and shoot the buffalo.

00:36:11.700 –> 00:36:24.930 Joe Sam Queen: Which is like our ocean way, we have a lot of in the mountains, we have a lot of moves like a move like ocean way we’re a long way from the ocean, but the Scotch Irish all live.

00:36:25.410 –> 00:36:44.340 Joe Sam Queen: by the sea and a lot of the Germans and other immigrants did so they tell about the sea to their children and family in the mountains of North Carolina even though we’re a long way from it, a lot of never got to see again but they still dance to the thought.

00:36:45.330 –> 00:36:53.430 Joseph McElroy: wow you know, I was talking to some I was talking to so we had some you know some musicians that are pretty good come over a bluegrass musicians come.

00:36:54.630 –> 00:37:01.230 Joseph McElroy: Back come to the motel and play you know, during Nicholson some of his fellows and things I.

00:37:01.230 –> 00:37:02.310 Joseph McElroy: was talking to me.

00:37:02.310 –> 00:37:04.140 Joe Sam Queen: So some range, we got some great.

00:37:04.560 –> 00:37:12.420 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah they said, you know, and bluegrass there’s a tradition of what a band can comprise of it if you go away from that tradition.

00:37:12.720 –> 00:37:25.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah the bluegrass mafia comes after you now in square dancing I mean it’s pretty much a lot of times bluegrass, but what is the, what are the requirements of a blue square dance band, what are the instruments.

00:37:26.280 –> 00:37:27.180 Joseph McElroy: Is there well.

00:37:27.270 –> 00:37:41.010 Joe Sam Queen: There the classic bluegrass fallen from all time old time music is folk music and it’s dance music it’s got a dance rhythm, a lot of bluegrass is so fast, you have to be a weed eater if you gotta keep up with.

00:37:41.220 –> 00:37:41.910 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah.

00:37:42.000 –> 00:37:58.920 Joe Sam Queen: Excellent square dance music as a nice beat it’s very sociable you can dance with your partner keep the beat that’s why you say flat-footed is tap into music it’s the banjo the fiddle the base the stand-up bass and guitar.

00:37:59.220 –> 00:38:00.630 Joe Sam Queen: Right no it’s a.

00:38:01.230 –> 00:38:03.750 Joseph McElroy: Number of drawing ever a drummer anything like that.

00:38:03.750 –> 00:38:04.050 Joseph McElroy: ever.

00:38:04.260 –> 00:38:27.510 Joe Sam Queen: Ever ever ever so often they’ll play a paper sack family or the spoons or they’ll wrap the head of a banjo and then and then it’s and then it’s the cog step is as the drum but no there’s no real drum to traditional music wow.

00:38:27.990 –> 00:38:40.830 Joseph McElroy: So now color’s your ears beer a color right now How do people become collars to leave these things this experience, or that they studied, or what was the requirements well.

00:38:41.100 –> 00:38:48.210 Joe Sam Queen: Most of them it just experienced you go to a lot of dances you get the sense of it, you like you got a decent memory.

00:38:51.990 –> 00:39:06.750 Joe Sam Queen: You can sort of live to pay attention because you’re instructing and watching the circle dance and colonnade on beat so it moves appropriately with the music and has a nice flow to it it’s not hard to be a color, but you have to sort of pay attention.

00:39:07.980 –> 00:39:14.820 Joe Sam Queen: As my grandfather said, yet it adds an inner circle with your partner, and to the music that’s all you need to know.

00:39:16.620 –> 00:39:20.580 Joseph McElroy: But wasn’t a color like almost a band vocalist I mean it is sort of the.

00:39:20.640 –> 00:39:21.150 Oh, you can.

00:39:22.680 –> 00:39:26.250 Joe Sam Queen: You get to sing the song you get to make up the tunes you know.

00:39:27.930 –> 00:39:39.300 Joe Sam Queen: Lady around the lady in the gym don’t go lady around the gym in the gym go slow that’s one where you let your partner go around the opposite man and look mo.

00:39:39.900 –> 00:39:50.430 Joe Sam Queen: Then come back in a circle, then the opposite lady gets to come around you but you don’t get to go so it’s a way to let the ladies have a turn in smoking over the gentleman.

00:39:52.560 –> 00:40:02.610 Joe Sam Queen: Which is usually the opposite the way it is again the ladies road, a lot of these little duties to strain they’re going to be respectful.

00:40:02.700 –> 00:40:10.920 Joseph McElroy: be respectful oh that’s interesting so a caller had to learn, I mean how many different calls are there, do you know.

00:40:11.520 –> 00:40:19.620 Joe Sam Queen: Oh there’s probably scores and scores for sure you know, in a dance you end up calling them.

00:40:21.480 –> 00:40:22.800 Joe Sam Queen: The primary doesn’t.

00:40:23.280 –> 00:40:33.600 Joe Sam Queen: Because you were allowed with if you do, that many you know like we do a two-hour street dance in Waynesville we’d probably call four to five sets.

00:40:34.230 –> 00:40:49.530 Joe Sam Queen: Because we, you have the figure four and then you have the big circle dances which is really just lots of fun you all join hands it’s it, you know we do folk move here in Western North Carolina which is international folk dance.

00:40:49.770 –> 00:41:02.760 Joe Sam Queen: Right, those were a hotspot of traditional folk dance our Appalachian American authentic folk dance is right here, so we welcome the world to bring their so they come from.

00:41:03.180 –> 00:41:11.040 Joe Sam Queen: They come from Ukraine they’ve been from Ukraine they’ve come from Lebanon they’ve come from Australia they’ve come from China and.

00:41:11.430 –> 00:41:27.960 Joe Sam Queen: And and South America, a lot of folk dances have this big circle gathering for sure they often have little sets the American square dance team is eight to 10 and couples, but the actual social dance, it has no limit, you can have.

00:41:30.720 –> 00:41:31.890 Joe Sam Queen: couples in a dance.

00:41:32.130 –> 00:41:34.260 Joseph McElroy: Now these other traditions have a color.

00:41:34.740 –> 00:41:39.570 Joe Sam Queen: And that the American tradition has callers, but most of the other traditions done.

00:41:41.100 –> 00:41:49.500 Joe Sam Queen: That because they all come from a village or a single place where America is really the melting pot we he Pluribus Unum.

00:41:50.640 –> 00:41:56.070 Joe Sam Queen: Out of many one, so we need a color to set the tone and.

00:41:56.130 –> 00:41:56.610 Joseph McElroy: If I have.

00:41:57.750 –> 00:41:59.820 Joseph McElroy: Both so the color is dynamic.

00:41:59.820 –> 00:42:01.590 Joe Sam Queen: composer he’s a composer.

00:42:01.650 –> 00:42:02.400 Joe Sam Queen: He really is.

00:42:02.970 –> 00:42:08.340 Joe Sam Queen: wow he will make the poem he’ll make the the the the.

00:42:09.390 –> 00:42:18.510 Joe Sam Queen: he’ll make this the motion to some little poetry and it helps you remember to help you keep it straight in the in day.

00:42:19.680 –> 00:42:24.510 Joseph McElroy: wow well I guess the colors are traditionally have been pretty much in demand.

00:42:25.440 –> 00:42:30.180 Joe Sam Queen: Well, they are they help my grandfather was in huge demand.

00:42:30.300 –> 00:42:41.010 Joe Sam Queen: Oh yeah he danced somewhere from 1935 to 1955 he dad somewhere almost every night of the week.

00:42:41.820 –> 00:42:50.550 Joe Sam Queen: Go to one big hotel on big dance hall after another, he would go all around I mean if you had a big political event, you had a big square dance I.

00:42:51.000 –> 00:43:07.560 Joe Sam Queen: You know I politic by let’s all join hands in one big circle that’s my political monster that’s my social monitor that’s who asked that’s what I stand for so it’s a great metaphor for Community and in and politics but Franklin.

00:43:08.220 –> 00:43:11.760 Joseph McElroy: cool well, we got to take another break and we’ll come back and.

00:43:12.990 –> 00:43:19.530 Joseph McElroy: talk a little bit more about calling and other stories that you might have to get it, thank you.

00:43:23.040 –> 00:43:32.01000:43:32.700 –> 00:43:46.380

00:43:49.980 –> 00:43:52.770 00:43:53.190 –> 00:43:59.190

00:43:59.490 –> 00:44:08.70000:44:09.150 –> 00:44:15.300

00:44:22.200 –> 00:44:23.340

00:44:24.540 –> 00:44:39.510 00:44:40.710 –> 00:44:45.240 00:44:48.690 –> 00:44:57.000 :45:20.520 –> 00:45:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with gateway to the smokies podcast and my My guess the legendary Joe Sam queen so Joe talking about calling and Square and square dancing and the music, are you finding that young people today are becoming collars and becoming.

00:45:41.010 –> 00:45:43.770 Joseph McElroy: fillers and stuff in a squared answer is dynamic.

00:45:45.600 –> 00:45:45.930 Joe Sam Queen: Now.

00:45:47.010 –> 00:46:00.870 Joe Sam Queen: We work to keep it alive that’s why I do the smoky mountain folk festival to keep young musicians coming forward, we have the junior Appalachian musicians, which we teach string music.

00:46:02.160 –> 00:46:12.150 Joe Sam Queen: I mean that’s the fiddle the banjo the bass guitar in a little ensemble band after school after school program Appalachian music.

00:46:13.470 –> 00:46:21.270 Joe Sam Queen: week we always part of our folk festival, we have a little outside tent we let the young folks come in, have a little part of the show.

00:46:22.260 –> 00:46:28.980 Joe Sam Queen: their elders are on the main stage but beforehand, we let everybody have a little stir so we keep bringing it on that were.

00:46:29.760 –> 00:46:47.700 Joe Sam Queen: an active group of square dances were trying to bounce back after coded I mean coven square dancing was definitely a spreader event so once I’ve laid low for the last couple of years, but we’re feeling fairly comfortable that this summer, will be a summer to dance again.

00:46:48.120 –> 00:46:50.220 Joseph McElroy: No more sociability distancing.

00:46:51.120 –> 00:46:52.800 Joe Sam Queen: No more sociability and the.

00:46:54.210 –> 00:46:56.070 Joe Sam Queen: square dancing is not this it’s.

00:46:56.940 –> 00:46:57.420 Joseph McElroy: too close.

00:46:57.780 –> 00:47:03.780 Joseph McElroy: together so so are you got some little collars coming up some good ones yeah we.

00:47:03.930 –> 00:47:16.770 Joe Sam Queen: You know, cars are there they’re not just a dime a dozen good ones they never have been a lot of good bands and you don’t have good music, if you don’t have dance, so my grandfather.

00:47:17.280 –> 00:47:27.630 Joe Sam Queen: He kept a lot of musicians alive, because in the 30s and 40s and you didn’t have any money floating around, but you can have a dance you could pass the hat.

00:47:28.050 –> 00:47:36.690 Joe Sam Queen: In in and they could get enough for fifth the liquor you know before the knives out, you know so they kind of data big success and had a big time doing it.

00:47:38.520 –> 00:47:40.950 Joseph McElroy: Well cool so you’re building a lot of things.

00:47:41.190 –> 00:47:43.590 Joseph McElroy: You know you mentioned folk mood your involvement.

00:47:43.680 –> 00:47:46.620 Joseph McElroy: You know that it’s coming back this summer is going to be.

00:47:47.010 –> 00:47:47.430 Joe Sam Queen: they’re gonna.

00:47:47.460 –> 00:48:04.200 Joe Sam Queen: they’re trying, you know they have been had a couple of double whammy is at 911 which really interrupting international travel what folk movie is for people that don’t know if we are here in Haywood county we have the international folk festival the finest one in America.

00:48:05.460 –> 00:48:18.510 Joe Sam Queen: In the northern hemisphere for that question it’s right here it’s in western North Carolina we go to 20 communities when they’re here we have an old elementary school we’ve taken over and we house.

00:48:20.850 –> 00:48:33.960 Joe Sam Queen: Eight or 10 dancing sometimes it does and from all over the world they’re all internationals they come they bring their musicians every dancing has a band with them, I mean we’ve had some.

00:48:35.190 –> 00:48:36.150 Joseph McElroy: Dependence it’s just.

00:48:36.540 –> 00:48:54.330 Joe Sam Queen: Really submit, and we, and we, and we look at this as world where the world meets on mainstream, just like the sociability for our people, we do this for the world, right here, because dancing all joining hands in one big circle is a world monitor.

00:48:54.420 –> 00:48:54.930 Joseph McElroy: It is.

00:48:55.080 –> 00:49:06.270 Joseph McElroy: My at my wife is from Trinidad and there’s a bazillion drummer now and see I got her to come to Maggie the first time because of food so yeah really.

00:49:06.600 –> 00:49:08.130 Joseph McElroy: You know when we were dating.

00:49:08.160 –> 00:49:18.900 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s like wow they do this international thing and he’s from Trinidad so you know it’s The thing that makes people feel welcome I think it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done here yeah yeah.

00:49:21.480 –> 00:49:22.110 Joe Sam Queen: I agree.

00:49:23.550 –> 00:49:32.460 Joe Sam Queen: And it’s still coming back so people just keep your ears open we’re going to bring it back you know I’ll say this a little bit you started off with some of your sponsors.

00:49:33.030 –> 00:49:44.700 Joe Sam Queen: Another international hotspot we are for birds we kneel tropical warblers hotspot in this hemisphere, the western hemisphere.

00:49:45.570 –> 00:49:56.820 Joe Sam Queen: Coming up from South America crossing the Gulf and they nest in this great smoky mountains these little warblers seeing their magnificence right now the month.

00:49:57.420 –> 00:50:03.960 Joe Sam Queen: of May is the time to see them because they come in the leaves haven’t hardly gotten out so you can find them.

00:50:04.320 –> 00:50:11.370 Joe Sam Queen: they’re small they’re very vocal and sociable little creature and they’re calling and they’re vocalizing and.

00:50:11.850 –> 00:50:23.490 Joe Sam Queen: and capturing their territory and their mate and they sing like you know songbirds there, they are the songbirds of the world, right here in Western North Carolina, we have more than any other place in the world.

00:50:24.570 –> 00:50:37.230 Joseph McElroy: Literally, if you go in the backyard and our wooded area you’ll see the dozen different types of warblers I mean it’s you know and it’s not it’s, not even the even it’s, not even the right into the smoky mountains it’s incredible.

00:50:38.550 –> 00:50:41.820 Joe Sam Queen: feat you rise, you get another population of different birds.

00:50:41.910 –> 00:50:42.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:50:42.420 –> 00:50:52.740 Joe Sam Queen: And we have like at least four or five tiers of barbers that come, all the way across the Gulf every summer to nest in the great smokers.

00:50:53.370 –> 00:51:03.960 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re going to run out of time, I wanted to hit one other thing that you, you you’re involved with you know I I was in Waynesville has a pretty well known did are called heart theater.

00:51:04.140 –> 00:51:16.140 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah and back in the day I did a couple performances in there and I’m you know and then last one decade or two you’ve built a theater and actual real great facility and you were involved in that.

00:51:16.140 –> 00:51:23.970 Joe Sam Queen: Right, I was their architect, and in its is fine, an Appalachian structure of wood, as you will find in America so come to the heart theater.

00:51:24.480 –> 00:51:34.260 Joe Sam Queen: anything we do, there is good, I can take anything we have won the national community theater award at that theater twice in the last eight or nine years.

00:51:35.010 –> 00:51:48.300 Joe Sam Queen: we’ve represented America in Edinburgh, the famous Scottish the universal in Prague for the famous European theater festival so anything we do is great, if you want to be, it is really.

00:51:49.620 –> 00:51:54.120 Joe Sam Queen: An a thing not to miss and Haywood county the heart theater cool.

00:51:54.420 –> 00:52:01.740 Joseph McElroy: And we just have a couple maybe a minute or two, so you and your wife, Dr. K queen have a charitable foundation, what can you tell us about that.

00:52:02.280 –> 00:52:04.770 Joe Sam Queen: Well, you know we’ve enjoyed.

00:52:06.900 –> 00:52:23.160 Joe Sam Queen: doing well, by doing good our whole life practice architecture she’s a doctor and we support lots of things from the sons of the American revolution to Shelton house the heart theater to the arts counts in Haywood county.

00:52:25.170 –> 00:52:29.280 Joe Sam Queen: You know this lots of good things we just try to be part of the Community.

00:52:30.600 –> 00:52:37.110 Joe Sam Queen: As I think so many Americans do it’s just it’s a great heritage in America to give back.

00:52:37.620 –> 00:52:39.060 Joseph McElroy: And what’s the name of your foundation.

00:52:39.420 –> 00:52:44.100 Joe Sam Queen: it’s just the the the Queen family foundation week or.

00:52:44.610 –> 00:52:45.720 Joseph McElroy: So is there any other.

00:52:46.740 –> 00:52:50.910 Joseph McElroy: Things you’d like to shout out links websites and social media anything you want to mention.

00:52:51.660 –> 00:52:53.130 Joe Sam Queen: Well vote democrat and I’ll.

00:52:53.130 –> 00:52:53.550 Joseph McElroy: tell you.

00:52:55.590 –> 00:52:56.910 Joe Sam Queen: it’s not a political show but.

00:52:57.090 –> 00:52:57.690 Joseph McElroy: Yes.

00:52:57.870 –> 00:53:00.180 Joe Sam Queen: it’s important, and you know.

00:53:02.430 –> 00:53:14.790 Joe Sam Queen: At your place metal are not too long ago we honored Charles Miller and in are landing and they are both friends of the American revolution, so I I am we’re just.

00:53:15.990 –> 00:53:24.480 Joe Sam Queen: Four or five years from the the 200 and 50th 50th anniversary of the American revolution, so we are, we are trying to.

00:53:25.230 –> 00:53:32.580 Joe Sam Queen: expand on our revolutionary war heritage here in North Carolina, particularly Western North Carolina where we had the militia.

00:53:33.510 –> 00:53:48.840 Joe Sam Queen: And in the flintlock rifle I mean the reason we have the second amendment is the flintlock rifled gun was a very different weapon, then the musket and they were deadly and sharp and.

00:53:49.950 –> 00:53:54.480 Joe Sam Queen: And, and the British didn’t like them at all, because they could shoot die out an office.

00:53:54.720 –> 00:54:03.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah well that’s good, well, thank you so much for being on the show it’s been a pleasure talking to learn about you know the traditions of mountain music and.

00:54:04.530 –> 00:54:16.710 Joseph McElroy: And I’m very, very proud of the accomplishments you have done for Haywood county and North Carolina and the United States and, as I said, your legend and you deserve any accolades that you get.

00:54:18.330 –> 00:54:18.780 Joseph McElroy: and

00:54:18.960 –> 00:54:20.220 Joe Sam Queen: you’re so kind Thank you.

00:54:20.610 –> 00:54:36.240 Joseph McElroy: Thank you you’re welcome this is the gateway to the smokies podcast and you can find out more about@facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast or you go to talk radio dot nyc and find the show there and it’s.

00:54:36.990 –> 00:54:52.800 Joseph McElroy: it’s streamed live talk radio dot nyc is a great network of free live podcasts every day that range from self-help to small business to travel too.

00:54:53.400 –> 00:55:03.660 Joseph McElroy: Politics to pets, you know it’s one of those talk networks that you, you don’t know what you might hear here next though it’s all scheduled out.

00:55:04.290 –> 00:55:15.840 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is every Tuesday at six until seven talking about the smoky mountains, I also run another podcast called wise content creates well.

00:55:16.140 –> 00:55:24.900 Joseph McElroy: Which is about marketing and content, marketing and the coming evolution of Ai into marketing and insights of how you can take advantage of that.

00:55:25.170 –> 00:55:36.210 Joseph McElroy: To build your business and your nonprofit and your opportunities, so I hope you’ll show up for that and that’s on Fridays from noon until one, and I thank you for listening to this show and I’ll see you next week.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/cH1JLhLvK-/" rel="nofollow"><strong><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/626b4d9bc56633230cfde33d_20220426-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/04/26 - Preserving the Past and Building for the Future"></strong></a></p><p><strong>GUEST: JOE SAM QUEEN</strong></p><p><strong>In this episode of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast featuring Joe Sam Queen, he discusses the cultural and historical side of his career and other aspects of his life that folks might not be aware of. You will learn from him about the responsibility of preserving our past to make room for our future. </strong></p><p><strong>Joe Sam Queen </strong>is a renowned Architect, Historian, Dancer, Dance caller, and Politician – having served in both N.C. Senate and the N.C. House of Representatives –and is on the Traditional Artists Roster of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Association.</p><p>He has been director of the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival for over 30 years and has served on the Board of Directors for Folkmoot and the Shelton House, as well as playing an active role as an officer in the local Sons of the American Revolution chapter along with many other regional charities, clubs, and historical groups. </p><p>Joe Sam&#39;s experiences growing up in Western North Carolina epitomize the cultural expression and deep-rooted tradition of the Smoky Mountains. Relive the past and learn about the future. </p><p>Don&#39;t miss this incredible conversation with a great man!</p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-sam-queen-7b66a376/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-sam-queen-7b66a376/ </a></p><p><strong>Facebook: </strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joesam.queen" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/joesam.queen </a></p><p><strong>Instagram: </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/joesamqueennc/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/joesamqueennc/?hl=en</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/cH1JLhLvK-/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph talks about some upcoming events in Maggie Valley. On April 19th through May 1st there is a motorcycle rally called the Thunder in the Smokies. A new event will happen called Boho Hippie Fest with live music, vendors, bounce houses, food trucks, and more. At the Meadowlark Motel, there will be an event called Mom’s Moving Mountains and Mother Nature’s Natural Garden. There will also be an event featuring a wildcraft expert. Joseph also introduces his guest for today’s show, Joe Sam Queen. Joe Sam is a renowned Architect, Historian, Dancer, Dance caller, and Politician. Joe Sam talks about where his name comes from and his passion for dance and following in his grandfather’s footsteps in continuing the legacy and culture that is popular in the Great Smoky Mountains.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph talks with Joe Sam about his family being some of the earliest settlers in Haywood County. His family settled close to Dellwood in Maggie Valley. He talks about his grandfather who put together a square dance team around a time when radio was emerging. Joe Sam also discusses the meaning of the different kinds of folk dance. Clogging, he says, comes from Scott-Irish-German ancestors. Flat footing, he says is a kind of dance that everyone does a little differently, and you can be very creative with it. Buck Dancing is an African American term. They discuss a little about the history of these dances and music. His grandfather created the group called the Soco Gap Cloggers. Joe Sam says that President Roosevelt made his grandfather famous and was beloved in the mountains. He tells a story of how Roosevelt invited the king and queen of England to the White House. Roosevelt changed the traditions and instead brought a square dance team to perform, which was Joe Sam’s grandfather’s dance group.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joe Sam talks about sociability being the whole point of the Appalachian dance. He describes it as joining hands together, socializing and hospitality. Joseph makes a point that it can teach young people about manners, society, and of course, culture. Joe Sam mentions more different dances and music that tell a story about life and society. He also talks about what is in a square dance band. He says that square dance is very sociable and includes the banjo, bass, fiddle, and guitar. Joe Sam talks about being a dance caller as well. You&#39;re instructing, watching a certain dance, and calling it on the beat. There are also times when the caller may be dancing themselves. Joseph describes it as a man who is a dynamic composer.</p><h4><em>SEGMENT 4</em></h4><p>Joe Sam talks about square dancing and fiddling in today’s day in age. He says that he doesn&#39;t think square dance is dying out which is one of the reasons why he does the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival. He is also involved in Folkmoot, something else that he is trying to be involved in this coming summer. Joe Sam passionately talks about the positivity of these kinds of events as well as the beauty of nature in North Carolina. He also mentions being a part of building the HART theater in Haywood County as well as a charitable foundation that he has with his wife called The Queen Family Foundation. They support things like Sons of the American Revolution and the Arts Council in Haywood County. From the traditions of mountain music and the stories behind them to the general passion for North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains, Joseph thanks Joe Sam Queen for joining him for today’s episode!</p><p><br></p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>TRANSCRIPT</h3><p>00:00:19.980 –&gt; 00:00:22.140 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! Welcome to the gateway to the.</p><p>00:00:22.140 –&gt; 00:00:31.860 Joseph McElroy: smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:32.640 –&gt; 00:00:41.400 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with the weekly episode.</p><p>00:00:42.060 –&gt; 00:00:54.690 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy amount of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses and travel, but my heart is a culture.</p><p>00:00:55.410 –&gt; 00:01:05.040 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to be talking about preserving and perpetuating our culture and the great smoky mountains, but first a sponsor message or two, and the first sponsor is me.</p><p>00:01:06.120 –&gt; 00:01:17.670 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, you had a modern environment with chic Appalachian and feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:18.330 –&gt; 00:01:27.540 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill a catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beer.</p><p>00:01:28.410 –&gt; 00:01:41.460 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sale, there is no other place like the metal art motel and Maggie valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:43.020 –&gt; 00:01:49.020 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure.com at smokies plural adventure singular calm.</p><p>00:01:49.440 –&gt; 00:02:02.010 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and the surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures, and family entertainment be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:02.790 –&gt; 00:02:13.890 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure calm to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountain National Park trails and waterfalls kids code and more.</p><p>00:02:14.520 –&gt; 00:02:19.710 Joseph McElroy: than you know right now check out the spring flowers that are coming in and crazy beauty.</p><p>00:02:20.280 –&gt; 00:02:36.240 Joseph McElroy: And then check out all the awesome family attractions, entertainment and things you can do in the surrounding area with you and your family The goal is smokies adventures to become the leading information portal for adventure and ventures experiences and the great smoky mountain.</p><p>00:02:38.100 –&gt; 00:02:44.970 Joseph McElroy: So, as you know, we’d like to publicize some events are coming up and Maggie valley happens to have a lot of festivals coming up.</p><p>00:02:46.530 –&gt; 00:02:51.270 Joseph McElroy: April 19 through May 1 we have thunder and the smoky spring motorcycle rally.</p><p>00:02:51.810 –&gt; 00:03:03.090 Joseph McElroy: You know the rides in the mountains of the Smokies are some of the best in the world we’re doing motorcycle rides or you know bicycle rides or any kind so a lot of people come here to celebrate.</p><p>00:03:03.900 –&gt; 00:03:13.380 Joseph McElroy: Their passions and the thunder and the smokies is one of the oldest our rallies and Maggie valley and even the surrounding areas and it happens on.</p><p>00:03:14.070 –&gt; 00:03:23.700 Joseph McElroy: Friday Saturday and Sunday and it has tour rides lots of vendors selling crafts includes and as bike shows and games and prizes and concerts.</p><p>00:03:24.060 –&gt; 00:03:37.140 Joseph McElroy: Fire dancers and you know people jumping up and down and having a good time so come out and check out thunder in the smokies calm or call 828-246-2101 to find out more about it.</p><p>00:03:38.580 –&gt; 00:03:47.430 Joseph McElroy: Now, this is a new event no not even sure what it’s about but it sounds interesting then on May 7 or have something called boho hippie fest.</p><p>00:03:48.270 –&gt; 00:03:56.970 Joseph McElroy: Now I’m a man what I’m imagining is people and tie dye dancing and things like that, but they say it’s gonna be live music performance arts.</p><p>00:03:57.330 –&gt; 00:04:10.530 Joseph McElroy: demonstration vendors bounce houses games food trucks so for more information call contact hothead events, a 28246 1978, which is a really good year.</p><p>00:04:11.340 –&gt; 00:04:31.410 Joseph McElroy: or email hothead events@gmail.com and then another traditional one here in the mountains, is the kk O icons of hot rodding festival and that’s a May 13 and 14th, and this is 1950s and 1960s hot rods and custom cars trucks and vans.</p><p>00:04:32.550 –&gt; 00:04:45.300 Joseph McElroy: with lots of 50s and 60s music vintage venter’s pinstripes food and vendors and every judging with awards and trophies reach out to H to custom camp of america.com.</p><p>00:04:46.530 –&gt; 00:04:49.890 Joseph McElroy: With case, in place of the seas accepted America.</p><p>00:04:51.690 –&gt; 00:05:01.470 Joseph McElroy: And then we have our own event the middle are coming out and that’s a mom is moving mountains and mother nature’s natural garden program with Nancy Eastern Iowa had her.</p><p>00:05:01.890 –&gt; 00:05:11.880 Joseph McElroy: Some of you might remember Nancy East did a wilderness survival course here a few weeks back that was well attended and very popular she showed us how to survive.</p><p>00:05:12.300 –&gt; 00:05:15.900 Joseph McElroy: The 10 things that you needed to go out in the wilderness how to build a fire how to build.</p><p>00:05:16.290 –&gt; 00:05:27.030 Joseph McElroy: A camp, how do you know, save yourself would be broke your leg and stuck in the bottom of it somewhere and she’s just really knowledgeable she’s on the.</p><p>00:05:27.900 –&gt; 00:05:34.590 Joseph McElroy: The rescue team here the search and rescue team here in a wood county and the smoky mountains and she goes on lots of.</p><p>00:05:36.930 –&gt; 00:05:44.820 Joseph McElroy: search and rescue missions every season so she’s going to do on Friday night a whole presentation with pictures and everything of some of the more.</p><p>00:05:46.230 –&gt; 00:05:53.130 Joseph McElroy: compelling stories that she has from those search and rescues and then on Saturday, May 7.</p><p>00:05:54.120 –&gt; 00:06:03.570 Joseph McElroy: there’s a legendary wildcrafting expert here and she’s a renowned author filmmaker instructor and tour guide for the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:06:04.080 –&gt; 00:06:13.290 Joseph McElroy: DSM field school is I had her and she’s an expert on edible plants medicinal herbs anything pertaining to wildcraft forward to.</p><p>00:06:13.800 –&gt; 00:06:20.100 Joseph McElroy: Appalachian plants trees and flowers and she’s been on TV shows videos books.</p><p>00:06:21.090 –&gt; 00:06:30.330 Joseph McElroy: And and she’s just really well known, on the subject and so she is going to present a program and tell mother nature’s natural garden.</p><p>00:06:30.720 –&gt; 00:06:40.320 Joseph McElroy: And leading actually a tour of the grounds and area around here to find out what is the nature’s bounty that you can eat right in our own backyards.</p><p>00:06:40.830 –&gt; 00:06:49.800 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll have that and I will culminate with a free Barbecue supper maybe a few of the dishes from what we find in the music by Mike Ogletree.</p><p>00:06:50.250 –&gt; 00:06:54.810 Joseph McElroy: And some of his friends on Saturday, you can reach out to the metal log motel.</p><p>00:06:55.500 –&gt; 00:07:07.470 Joseph McElroy: at eight to 89261717 to reserve rooms day or if you’re just a local monochrome its $20 per person, and you can reach out to reserve your space, but call me to 89261717.</p><p>00:07:07.800 –&gt; 00:07:14.970 Joseph McElroy: And then, a mother’s day we’re going to have a cake and cookies and cake and champagne in the lounge along with our traditional breakfast.</p><p>00:07:15.750 –&gt; 00:07:22.530 Joseph McElroy: So today we have a great yes he’s a legend in these mountain Parts I think the whole state, maybe even the name.</p><p>00:07:23.250 –&gt; 00:07:30.990 Joseph McElroy: His name is Joe Sam Queen and he has deep family roots in Haywood county dating back to the revolutionary war born in Waynesville.</p><p>00:07:31.920 –&gt; 00:07:40.020 Joseph McElroy: And he’s a graduate of nc state and architecture and he’s a renowned architect historian dancer collar and politician.</p><p>00:07:40.500 –&gt; 00:07:50.070 Joseph McElroy: having served in both the nc state Senate and the nc House of Representatives and he’s on the traditional artist’s rosters of the blue Ridge and national heritage.</p><p>00:07:50.820 –&gt; 00:08:00.030 Joseph McElroy: heritage association has been the director of the folk’s smoky mountain folk festival for over 50 years and has served on the board of directors, for the folk.</p><p>00:08:01.650 –&gt; 00:08:08.910 Joseph McElroy: folk route and the Shell, the House as well wills played an active role as an officer in the local songs of the American Revolution chapter.</p><p>00:08:10.560 –&gt; 00:08:27.630 Joseph McElroy: When he isn’t working in this business or these other organizations he enjoys calling dances dancing spending time as a family, working with his wife herself or an accomplished woman Dr. K queen on their own terrible foundation, how you doing Sam Joe Joe Sam.</p><p>00:08:29.130 –&gt; 00:08:31.020 Joe Sam Queen: Sam queen a little dough rain me.</p><p>00:08:31.140 –&gt; 00:08:31.980 Joseph McElroy: yeah there you.</p><p>00:08:32.340 –&gt; 00:08:41.940 Joe Sam Queen: I’m doing great it’s great to be on your show it’s great to promote all the good heritage and culture of Western North Carolina We really are.</p><p>00:08:43.110 –&gt; 00:08:44.130 Joe Sam Queen: A hotspot.</p><p>00:08:45.180 –&gt; 00:08:48.030 Joe Sam Queen: Welcoming the world so come and see us cool.</p><p>00:08:48.420 –&gt; 00:08:52.290 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re so glad to have you to tell me, you know how did you get the name, Joe Sam.</p><p>00:08:53.460 –&gt; 00:08:54.600 Joseph McElroy: that’s an interesting name.</p><p>00:08:54.900 –&gt; 00:08:58.260 Joe Sam Queen: Well, just my grandfather was Sam Sam.</p><p>00:08:58.980 –&gt; 00:09:11.310 Joe Sam Queen: A great name, my father was saying, love doing your he didn’t like being a junior and his best GI but he was demon marine my father is his best buddy was.</p><p>00:09:12.990 –&gt; 00:09:32.460 Joe Sam Queen: Terry jump Johnson Cherokee friend over cross so go gap and so I’m named after his best buddy Terry Joe Johnson, and it just call me Joe and my and Sarah went down to the Clerk of the Court and said that’s not enough name for a boy, we got to add a Sam in there.</p><p>00:09:32.850 –&gt; 00:09:45.510 Joe Sam Queen: So they gave me a little del Rey me Joe Sam Queen and the homeland as an architect, I think a Frank Lloyd Wright and it just a great name, so I can.</p><p>00:09:45.750 –&gt; 00:09:49.470 Joseph McElroy: read it does have a rhythm to it it’s like it’s a song when you.</p><p>00:09:49.470 –&gt; 00:09:50.250 Joe Sam Queen: Say his.</p><p>00:09:50.400 –&gt; 00:09:52.050 Joe Sam Queen: Name you’re young and with a little poem.</p><p>00:09:52.080 –&gt; 00:10:04.230 Joseph McElroy: that’s a good beer, so you know we we we have a lot of common and having a deep heritage and Haywood county and we both you know the different ways, I mean I think you’re more accomplished at it, but in.</p><p>00:10:05.520 –&gt; 00:10:24.540 Joseph McElroy: sharing a passion for preserving and perpetuating our culture, but making people aware of the cultural history by encouraging them to create our own smoky mountain experiences and you have you do a lot of educating folks in the area right yeah well.</p><p>00:10:24.570 –&gt; 00:10:36.090 Joe Sam Queen: You know my passion is that our region dance with you it’s often referred to as the big brown but it’s a southern Appalachian square dance.</p><p>00:10:36.750 –&gt; 00:10:51.540 Joe Sam Queen: it’s an American dance it’s a melting pot bands, it has Scotch Irish it has Cherokee it has African American roots, but it’s an American dance and its hotspot is right here, and they would camp.</p><p>00:10:52.230 –&gt; 00:11:03.930 Joe Sam Queen: Oh, and I follow a sword in my grandfather’s footsteps because he made famous a Maggie valley square dance team, called the soco gap cloggers which.</p><p>00:11:05.010 –&gt; 00:11:11.700 Joe Sam Queen: You know he was part of the cultural revival that radio started.</p><p>00:11:12.960 –&gt; 00:11:24.690 Joe Sam Queen: With the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers and the early roots of country music and the radio and dancing you didn’t have.</p><p>00:11:25.710 –&gt; 00:11:36.240 Joe Sam Queen: Music unless you had dance that the musicians follow the dancers, that it was a social event and the dance was so important, and this is a.</p><p>00:11:37.200 –&gt; 00:11:51.840 Joe Sam Queen: Social dances we call it on the streets of Wayne’s when we come out it’s our institution of hospitality, that the let’s all join hands and one big circle that’s our motto up here in Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:11:52.380 –&gt; 00:12:01.920 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think it’s great and it’s interesting talking about radio introducing that I was reading I think it was in today’s papers how back in 1870 some people came up from.</p><p>00:12:02.550 –&gt; 00:12:11.520 Joseph McElroy: You know from the North and wrote deep stories and about the mountains and one of them was Waynesville really painted us as a violent.</p><p>00:12:11.850 –&gt; 00:12:20.370 Joseph McElroy: painter crowd, and so it took a while, for it to penetrate back into the the the whole United States and hey maybe there’s more going on here.</p><p>00:12:20.790 –&gt; 00:12:29.790 Joseph McElroy: You know the great smoky mountains, opening up and you know the great things coming out and then people find it out there’s wonderful this dance and everything else.</p><p>00:12:30.390 –&gt; 00:12:37.170 Joseph McElroy: When we come back you have a story about Roosevelt and your grandfather that I think people will be interesting to hear about.</p><p>00:14:54.180 –&gt; 00:15:14.490 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with my guest Joe Sam queen on the gateway to the smokies podcast so Joe Sam you know talking about you know history your family, the Queen family, but some of the early settlers here in our regions right we.</p><p>00:15:14.550 –&gt; 00:15:30.420 Joe Sam Queen: We followed referred I’ve been known representative for the Cherokee and Haywood county so I don’t call myself a native there the natives but we wrote in 1776 and we haven’t left.</p><p>00:15:31.230 –&gt; 00:15:38.130 Joseph McElroy: 1776 and they haven’t left wow so I knew where did they first settling the account.</p><p>00:15:38.880 –&gt; 00:15:49.590 Joe Sam Queen: Well, they settled in what they call raccoon co out by that well known as the test farm area that was my first settling family yeah.</p><p>00:15:49.890 –&gt; 00:16:03.120 Joe Sam Queen: They settled down and finds creek and then crabtree and finally got to do, and which is head and Maggie Valley, as you know, and so we’re known as deal with Queens in the last couple of generations.</p><p>00:16:03.600 –&gt; 00:16:10.410 Joseph McElroy: yeah queen family sort of became famous for dancing and really popularized the whole thing.</p><p>00:16:10.620 –&gt; 00:16:15.990 Joe Sam Queen: yeah my grandfather was the great leader there I sort of fell I hit him, and he was the.</p><p>00:16:16.080 –&gt; 00:16:17.040 Joe Sam Queen: He was the legend.</p><p>00:16:17.460 –&gt; 00:16:19.590 Joe Sam Queen: But he was born in 1888 and.</p><p>00:16:20.280 –&gt; 00:16:27.690 Joe Sam Queen: grew up in a time when square dancing was really the most important social institution of the Community.</p><p>00:16:28.440 –&gt; 00:16:42.210 Joe Sam Queen: that’s how people gather together that’s how they courted that’s how they educated their children, at the square dance moves are a pre-literate institution to train the young people.</p><p>00:16:42.540 –&gt; 00:16:52.200 Joe Sam Queen: How to import how to have manners how to join the Community has how to how to be a man and a woman in the Community and.</p><p>00:16:52.980 –&gt; 00:17:00.150 Joe Sam Queen: And of course, it was all about the fiddle and then banjo and the music that went with it and the good times and.</p><p>00:17:01.050 –&gt; 00:17:15.240 Joe Sam Queen: And in the early days, you know there were no big square dance halls that the big fan square dance halls followed the railroad they didn’t get here to you know at the 1910s or something get up over the mountain if they were late.</p><p>00:17:15.660 –&gt; 00:17:28.320 Joe Sam Queen: So they developed some hotels and have big fan rooms, that you can have a big square dancing but prior to that you, you answer a little on your porch in front of your fireplace is to the fiddled in the banjo and.</p><p>00:17:29.370 –&gt; 00:17:38.820 Joe Sam Queen: and learn the clock and do the little step but, but my grandfather came along, you know, in the 20s and 30s like I said, with the radio and.</p><p>00:17:39.210 –&gt; 00:17:52.890 Joe Sam Queen: In the advent of these fun hotels and they develop the dance ethic, and he put together a square dance team, and they can all dance and they all but dance together in a.</p><p>00:17:52.920 –&gt; 00:18:07.050 Joe Sam Queen: district-wide open to the music, he said he never gave a lesson you got went with him took me around advance some just pay attention you dance with your partner in the circle and the music that’s all you need to know.</p><p>00:18:08.070 –&gt; 00:18:08.550 Joe Sam Queen: Well, let me.</p><p>00:18:08.610 –&gt; 00:18:19.650 Joseph McElroy: Let me just clarify some things you know, because you know I know what it means, but a lot of people don’t you have clogging book dancing square dancing flat-footing now what are all those.</p><p>00:18:19.740 –&gt; 00:18:20.760 Joe Sam Queen: Well they’re all.</p><p>00:18:21.810 –&gt; 00:18:22.650 Joe Sam Queen: Community of.</p><p>00:18:23.940 –&gt; 00:18:33.510 Joe Sam Queen: Terms clogging comes from the sort of our Scotch Irish German ancestors, and again they had would choose and they call.</p><p>00:18:34.680 –&gt; 00:18:44.220 Joe Sam Queen: A bit you know they danced but their shoes weren’t good leather shoes and they’re there and they were on a small porch or a little cobblestone street.</p><p>00:18:44.700 –&gt; 00:18:48.690 Joe Sam Queen: Now we didn’t have any streets out in western North Carolina we were yard dancers.</p><p>00:18:49.230 –&gt; 00:19:00.840 Joe Sam Queen: Yet a fine sheared sheep cheered pastor the dancing before we had wood floors so we had a big dance and we took from the Cherokee the big circle.</p><p>00:19:01.350 –&gt; 00:19:11.250 Joe Sam Queen: The big circle is a Cherokee contribution and there are plenty of moves like that the big black snake, which we call when the clock, a lot of time, but.</p><p>00:19:11.610 –&gt; 00:19:20.760 Joe Sam Queen: They call up the Cherokee friendship dance but it’s the same thing we integrated into the American square dance the Appalachian square dance and.</p><p>00:19:22.050 –&gt; 00:19:41.370 Joe Sam Queen: But then there’s flat-footing, which is a little softer version, a little more musical jazzy version of flat-footing it’s quite creative everybody does it a little differently, you as a flat footer you develop your style you develop your few little steps you’re a little lip, as they say.</p><p>00:19:41.790 –&gt; 00:19:42.180 and</p><p>00:19:44.160 –&gt; 00:20:00.660 Joe Sam Queen: And and and if you’re in a circle nobody’s the some of the modern teams all dance precision, but that’s very contemporary that traditional teams every dancer dance to the music his own way, have, as he heard it in.</p><p>00:20:01.590 –&gt; 00:20:03.030 Joseph McElroy: A book dancing was.</p><p>00:20:03.690 –&gt; 00:20:11.610 Joe Sam Queen: dancing is another term again it’s an African American term the African American was the buck, where the buck wouldn’t allow in.</p><p>00:20:12.630 –&gt; 00:20:22.020 Joe Sam Queen: You know before integration to enter the circle, but they were often the musicians and they were often great dancers, so they danced.</p><p>00:20:22.440 –&gt; 00:20:30.930 Joe Sam Queen: And even on Main Street, they would you go to them when I was a little boy we go to Wayne’s world to get a haircut and in the barbershop then be a.</p><p>00:20:31.350 –&gt; 00:20:47.850 Joe Sam Queen: lad China and choose with can slap the rhythm with his rag on the shoe or he can play the harmonica and my grandfather gets up and dance and in the African American to shatter get up and try it out dancing and they would that’s what to call but dancing.</p><p>00:20:48.420 –&gt; 00:20:48.870 Joe Sam Queen: So I.</p><p>00:20:49.200 –&gt; 00:21:01.230 Joseph McElroy: used to I used to tell people, you know that you know, in the mountains, yeah you know you know you don’t America lot of times ago there was a reputation that white men don’t dance right or old good.</p><p>00:21:02.040 –&gt; 00:21:07.680 Joseph McElroy: we’ll get up and dance by themselves, I said hey listen, I was born and raised bantam by myself doing some God book this.</p><p>00:21:09.270 –&gt; 00:21:16.710 Joe Sam Queen: Money comes from there, the African American tradition because they often my grandfather was taught how to call by.</p><p>00:21:17.190 –&gt; 00:21:21.090 Joe Sam Queen: An African American fiddler and blacksmith when he would just a little more.</p><p>00:21:21.600 –&gt; 00:21:33.600 Joe Sam Queen: He never got to join the circle, but he was a fiddler so is often the musician on the side of the dance, and so we knew the dance he knew the call so he gave my grandfather some lessons.</p><p>00:21:34.170 –&gt; 00:21:47.970 Joe Sam Queen: And my grandmother, my grandfather’s mother, my great grandmother his mother taught him to do the flat-footed and to follow the step in the barn off because that is the only wooden floor the head is much counter dancing.</p><p>00:21:49.410 –&gt; 00:21:51.030 Joe Sam Queen: And we had dances in the barn law.</p><p>00:21:52.290 –&gt; 00:21:54.300 Joe Sam Queen: Today in tobacco we’d have a dance.</p><p>00:21:55.080 –&gt; 00:22:07.050 Joseph McElroy: But you know it’s interesting that so many people don’t really know that there’s a lot of West African tradition in mountain culture, you know, like bluegrass itself the banjo was from West Africa.</p><p>00:22:07.110 –&gt; 00:22:07.500 Joe Sam Queen: that’s why.</p><p>00:22:07.530 –&gt; 00:22:17.100 Joseph McElroy: And, you know it really took Scottish Irish ballad music and added a beat to it rhythm right and that’s whole new music, this is a crazy all over the nation.</p><p>00:22:17.130 –&gt; 00:22:25.680 Joe Sam Queen: c are real and we don’t have a drum we have the foot, we have the clock step and then the banjo had the banjo head, so you could wrap it with your finger.</p><p>00:22:26.430 –&gt; 00:22:40.350 Joe Sam Queen: And slap it if you want it to and, but it was African and in origin, and it really took off in the civil war, what when soldiers could carry it in 42 around hmm.</p><p>00:22:40.950 –&gt; 00:22:48.900 Joseph McElroy: So your grandfather just sort of put all this together, and really started you create The SOFA gap cloggers so.</p><p>00:22:49.950 –&gt; 00:22:51.780 Joseph McElroy: sort of became sort of famous right.</p><p>00:22:51.840 –&gt; 00:23:01.770 Joe Sam Queen: They were awesome they could dance like nobody else everybody’s trying to be what those guys could gown and the fellows they could just dance-like.</p><p>00:23:02.250 –&gt; 00:23:10.860 Joe Sam Queen: or wins will they my grandfather put this team together and they and Roosevelt made him famous quote Franklin.</p><p>00:23:11.610 –&gt; 00:23:23.610 Joe Sam Queen: Roosevelt was beloved in the mountains, he brought us out of the Great Depression my father and uncle Richard de la they were G is a love Roosevelt well Roosevelt and 39 was.</p><p>00:23:24.120 –&gt; 00:23:40.920 Joe Sam Queen: Was was trying to get the Congress, which was pacifist and an obstructionist, and then it’s time he was trying to get them to pass the land lease provision, so I could help Great Britain survive and they were being very.</p><p>00:23:42.210 –&gt; 00:23:52.350 Joe Sam Queen: reluctant, so he invited Roseville I did the King Queen of England, for the only Royal visit in history in 1939 and part of Roosevelt’s.</p><p>00:23:52.980 –&gt; 00:24:01.110 Joe Sam Queen: Cultural diplomacy was that, instead of having a black tarball for the King and Queen of England, which would be kind of traditional.</p><p>00:24:01.830 –&gt; 00:24:06.690 Joe Sam Queen: He decided to have an American square dance in the White House for the kings and Queens.</p><p>00:24:07.530 –&gt; 00:24:18.120 Joe Sam Queen: So he could show that that the people of the British Isles and the American people will one people that’s what that was part of Roosevelt’s political genius and.</p><p>00:24:18.660 –&gt; 00:24:25.530 Joe Sam Queen: His cultural diplomacy, so my grandfather went up there with the soco gap Congress and their and their band was the.</p><p>00:24:26.370 –&gt; 00:24:35.340 Joe Sam Queen: The concrete sisters of an all-women’s string band out of Kentucky and they they’re famous number is how many biscuits can eat.</p><p>00:24:35.850 –&gt; 00:24:46.140 Joe Sam Queen: You know, a half a dozen and a half of me, you know they were great, and that was the primary entertainment for the King Queen of England, for their.</p><p>00:24:46.980 –&gt; 00:24:58.170 Joe Sam Queen: What would have been a black tie ball and he went on the Newsreels and all over the world and laugh and post, and it was a big deal, so the circle gap Congress became.</p><p>00:24:59.460 –&gt; 00:25:04.950 Joe Sam Queen: The rave of the nation and my grandfather was there that was their leader.</p><p>00:25:05.730 –&gt; 00:25:10.530 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic I heard that your grandmother was also quite a dancer to she was dancing 96.</p><p>00:25:11.550 –&gt; 00:25:14.310 Joe Sam Queen: Well, my his mother.</p><p>00:25:15.060 –&gt; 00:25:15.870 Joseph McElroy: His mother.</p><p>00:25:16.470 –&gt; 00:25:26.220 Joe Sam Queen: Clean she was the famous dancer and my grandmother would dance little but she pretty much let Sam carry on and he’s on the way I say it was a.</p><p>00:25:28.500 –&gt; 00:25:46.860 Joe Sam Queen: force of nature they’ll we call him the old man Sam but he handsome Sam locally because my father was Sam I’m a Sam we’re the same queen brand so you got to kind of distinguish one generation from the other but Sally was a great dancer too.</p><p>00:25:47.910 –&gt; 00:25:48.780 Joseph McElroy: cool it and.</p><p>00:25:48.960 –&gt; 00:26:03.540 Joseph McElroy: She was dancing till 9696 wow so yeah there’s a lot of dance styles that are sort of in a way, considered indigenous the United States, even though that’s very debatable, which have Western square dance.</p><p>00:26:04.050 –&gt; 00:26:13.080 Joseph McElroy: And you have, and then you have you know things that people claim or you know similar, which is the Irish dancing how are these all different from what we know is square dance.</p><p>00:26:13.140 –&gt; 00:26:23.490 Joe Sam Queen: Well, again, our dance the the the people here settled in Maggie valiant Haywood county and Western were Scotch Irish we came in with rutherford on.</p><p>00:26:24.570 –&gt; 00:26:40.380 Joe Sam Queen: Scotch Irish trail we settle early they lack the isolation and that and the fertility of the mountains it’s Monday to their homeland and a lot of Germans that we had cloggers from German we had Scotch I never.</p><p>00:26:40.920 –&gt; 00:26:46.860 Joe Sam Queen: The Scottish and Irish were not very URBAN, particularly the Scots they were rural.</p><p>00:26:47.280 –&gt; 00:26:52.950 Joe Sam Queen: So they were yard dancers, I said they dance in the pasture and they were big circle dancers.</p><p>00:26:54.750 –&gt; 00:27:12.870 Joe Sam Queen: A lot of the Germans in anybody came from town they would dance in an on a cobblestone street with things like the real of Virginia real is a linear that but our dance is not linear and it’s not defined by size it’s not an eight couple bands it’s it can be 200 couples.</p><p>00:27:13.170 –&gt; 00:27:26.340 Joe Sam Queen: We have the big circle dance, and we really got that from the Cherokee the cherokee friendship dance and in their large circle dance around their fire and their social celebrations so.</p><p>00:27:26.370 –&gt; 00:27:27.240 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s good.</p><p>00:27:27.330 –&gt; 00:27:33.600 Joe Sam Queen: African Americans brought a ton of steps along with the Irish, along with the German.</p><p>00:27:34.710 –&gt; 00:27:45.510 Joe Sam Queen: Along with even the English and well chanda certain amount of fiddling and step dance, and that they did any sort of it melted in the milk great American.</p><p>00:27:46.140 –&gt; 00:27:50.820 Joe Sam Queen: Part of American and the reason we have a color is the color.</p><p>00:27:51.300 –&gt; 00:28:00.120 Joe Sam Queen: decides what you’re going to dance if you were coming from a German village you knew your dance nobody had to call it, you have started and you went through it to the end.</p><p>00:28:00.420 –&gt; 00:28:13.050 Joe Sam Queen: By the time you were old enough to dance you you you learn to dance, but in America, they share little pieces from everybody’s cultural little German little stocks little Irish little African American little Cherokee.</p><p>00:28:13.980 –&gt; 00:28:19.290 Joe Sam Queen: And they mixed it all together, so you always had a caller that that managed the mix.</p><p>00:28:19.770 –&gt; 00:28:25.200 Joseph McElroy: cool, but we have to take another break and we’ll call it will come back we’ll talk more about call it a square there.</p><p>00:28:25.740 –&gt; 00:28:26.220 Joe Sam Queen: Thank you.</p><p>00:28:31.980 –&gt; 00:28:37.560 00:28:38.070 –&gt; 00:28:49.860</p><p>00:28:51.240 –&gt; 00:28:55.620 www.00:28:58.590 –&gt; 00:29:12.120</p><p>00:29:12.540 –&gt; 00:29:24.630 00:29:29.130 –&gt; 00:29:40.050</p><p>00:29:40.650 –&gt; 00:29:53.310</p><p>00:29:58.140 –&gt; 00:30:06.870 :30:31.650 –&gt; 00:30:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I guess job Sam queen a musical note.</p><p>00:30:42.390 –&gt; 00:30:47.460 Joseph McElroy: So you know I read on the blue Ridge heritage, you know the cultural site.</p><p>00:30:48.690 –&gt; 00:30:52.320 Joseph McElroy: You have an entry about being you know, an area.</p><p>00:30:53.940 –&gt; 00:31:11.670 Joseph McElroy: craftsman and I’m an entertainer and everything else, and you said social sociability is the whole point of the Appalachian dance is that really the essence of it is getting together to be sociable and bring people in.</p><p>00:31:12.930 –&gt; 00:31:22.320 Joe Sam Queen: that’s right, it is a, it is our social institution of hospitality it’s an institution of hospitality but I’ll just give you an example.</p><p>00:31:23.310 –&gt; 00:31:38.790 Joe Sam Queen: The opening line is let’s all join hands in one big circle Community let’s join hands together it’s sort of like tabor fellow table fellowship and then you then the women wrote a lot of the dance calls they help them and, like.</p><p>00:31:39.870 –&gt; 00:31:42.480 Joe Sam Queen: You go right hands across and halfway back.</p><p>00:31:43.620 –&gt; 00:31:57.840 Joe Sam Queen: Well halfway back is the first lesson in life, you can change your mind and then then it’s ladies in front and Jim’s spine, but the next lesson laughing gentlemen, you need to learn to follow you latency you know you’re not always the one out front and then.</p><p>00:31:59.310 –&gt; 00:32:17.790 Joe Sam Queen: it’s honor your partner honor your opposite around hands across with a, how do you do I left pans back with a fine Thank you that’s a little low a little lesson in in in hospitality and manners so it’s socializing country bumpkins you know.</p><p>00:32:18.120 –&gt; 00:32:18.360 I.</p><p>00:32:19.440 –&gt; 00:32:19.980 Joe Sam Queen: learned that.</p><p>00:32:20.160 –&gt; 00:32:31.560 Joe Sam Queen: They got to learn to come and Courtney and not getting a fistfight over the girl next door, you know they gotta be I got to share in the dance Oh, my goodness well that’s one lesson and laugh or an Appalachian mail.</p><p>00:32:32.370 –&gt; 00:32:41.850 Joseph McElroy: that’s I mean that’s interesting that’s like the teaching the youth and especially teenagers, you know how to be more civilized.</p><p>00:32:42.150 –&gt; 00:32:44.070 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t think about that that is a.</p><p>00:32:45.990 –&gt; 00:32:51.240 Joe Sam Queen: Very literate institution of instruction and socializing.</p><p>00:32:52.440 –&gt; 00:32:54.720 Joe Sam Queen: And being sociable intergenerational.</p><p>00:32:58.290 –&gt; 00:33:07.530 Joe Sam Queen: The first move is the grand right and left where you go one way the girls go one way and the boys go together and they all the girls made all the boys.</p><p>00:33:07.890 –&gt; 00:33:18.810 Joe Sam Queen: Because when you entered the dance you probably dancing with your first cousin but you’re looking around for some other Gal dance within she’s grabbed that start with her, but she’s looking around for the Lambda.</p><p>00:33:19.980 –&gt; 00:33:20.430 Joe Sam Queen: Around there too.</p><p>00:33:21.690 –&gt; 00:33:38.340 Joe Sam Queen: And these are guys up the hall that you only see a few times when you get together with some local musicians, to have a little dance that’s the only society going around and rural Appalachian in the 1800s.</p><p>00:33:39.000 –&gt; 00:33:41.430 Joseph McElroy: or limited time to get them social.</p><p>00:33:43.800 –&gt; 00:34:00.330 Joe Sam Queen: And it’s usually fun, I mean it’s not land dancing it’s not you, you squeeze these gals, you know as my grandpa says, you can tell their weight by golly when you get done with this dance, you can tell they’re done and.</p><p>00:34:01.620 –&gt; 00:34:07.740 Joe Sam Queen: it’s very sociable dance it’s sort of hold off a little deer in code because it is so.</p><p>00:34:09.990 –&gt; 00:34:11.880 Joe Sam Queen: we’re hoping to start it back this summer.</p><p>00:34:14.220 –&gt; 00:34:28.200 Joseph McElroy: I was reading today that this last thing of covert 75% of kids that you know I got three year old so they caught it this last one, there you know 75% 75% of kids caught it so it’s pretty much done for kids.</p><p>00:34:29.490 –&gt; 00:34:32.490 Joseph McElroy: So you should be able to get together, but you know The thing that.</p><p>00:34:33.750 –&gt; 00:34:41.820 Joseph McElroy: struck me is that do you teach teaching people nursery rhymes and back in the day was also about teaching and a lot of nursery rhymes actually we’re.</p><p>00:34:42.150 –&gt; 00:34:53.790 Joseph McElroy: Dealing with how to you know deal with some dark stuff is, is there any kind of that tradition in the music as well to deal with some dark emotions and things like that the dark events.</p><p>00:34:57.570 –&gt; 00:35:11.340 Joe Sam Queen: I like to say yeah the four leaf clover I like to introduce it’s you all join hands all for its two couples, the American square dance.</p><p>00:35:11.940 –&gt; 00:35:20.460 Joe Sam Queen: The Appalachian square dance is a big round, so you start with a big round everybody mute in the circle does one, and then you break up into figure for.</p><p>00:35:21.090 –&gt; 00:35:34.530 Joe Sam Queen: You and your partner and an opposite cup and then you change after every figure for well the four leaf clover is y’all just the four of you join hands and you turn yourself inside out and tie yourself into a not.</p><p>00:35:35.130 –&gt; 00:35:46.830 Joe Sam Queen: We back off and it looks like a four-leaf clover, then you back out and untie yourself from that not and so you tie yourself into not and you untie yourself and you never break fellowship.</p><p>00:35:47.190 –&gt; 00:36:00.870 Joe Sam Queen: So that is another little story of how you navigate life and then it’s done for the Austrian up to the clam and throw away the old him can’t and that that’s kind of a pollution story, you know.</p><p>00:36:01.200 –&gt; 00:36:01.950 Joseph McElroy: Oh interesting.</p><p>00:36:03.750 –&gt; 00:36:04.200 Joe Sam Queen: and</p><p>00:36:05.220 –&gt; 00:36:05.700 Joe Sam Queen: The.</p><p>00:36:07.380 –&gt; 00:36:10.560 Joe Sam Queen: there’s a ton of them and shoot the buffalo.</p><p>00:36:11.700 –&gt; 00:36:24.930 Joe Sam Queen: Which is like our ocean way, we have a lot of in the mountains, we have a lot of moves like a move like ocean way we’re a long way from the ocean, but the Scotch Irish all live.</p><p>00:36:25.410 –&gt; 00:36:44.340 Joe Sam Queen: by the sea and a lot of the Germans and other immigrants did so they tell about the sea to their children and family in the mountains of North Carolina even though we’re a long way from it, a lot of never got to see again but they still dance to the thought.</p><p>00:36:45.330 –&gt; 00:36:53.430 Joseph McElroy: wow you know, I was talking to some I was talking to so we had some you know some musicians that are pretty good come over a bluegrass musicians come.</p><p>00:36:54.630 –&gt; 00:37:01.230 Joseph McElroy: Back come to the motel and play you know, during Nicholson some of his fellows and things I.</p><p>00:37:01.230 –&gt; 00:37:02.310 Joseph McElroy: was talking to me.</p><p>00:37:02.310 –&gt; 00:37:04.140 Joe Sam Queen: So some range, we got some great.</p><p>00:37:04.560 –&gt; 00:37:12.420 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah they said, you know, and bluegrass there’s a tradition of what a band can comprise of it if you go away from that tradition.</p><p>00:37:12.720 –&gt; 00:37:25.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah the bluegrass mafia comes after you now in square dancing I mean it’s pretty much a lot of times bluegrass, but what is the, what are the requirements of a blue square dance band, what are the instruments.</p><p>00:37:26.280 –&gt; 00:37:27.180 Joseph McElroy: Is there well.</p><p>00:37:27.270 –&gt; 00:37:41.010 Joe Sam Queen: There the classic bluegrass fallen from all time old time music is folk music and it’s dance music it’s got a dance rhythm, a lot of bluegrass is so fast, you have to be a weed eater if you gotta keep up with.</p><p>00:37:41.220 –&gt; 00:37:41.910 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah.</p><p>00:37:42.000 –&gt; 00:37:58.920 Joe Sam Queen: Excellent square dance music as a nice beat it’s very sociable you can dance with your partner keep the beat that’s why you say flat-footed is tap into music it’s the banjo the fiddle the base the stand-up bass and guitar.</p><p>00:37:59.220 –&gt; 00:38:00.630 Joe Sam Queen: Right no it’s a.</p><p>00:38:01.230 –&gt; 00:38:03.750 Joseph McElroy: Number of drawing ever a drummer anything like that.</p><p>00:38:03.750 –&gt; 00:38:04.050 Joseph McElroy: ever.</p><p>00:38:04.260 –&gt; 00:38:27.510 Joe Sam Queen: Ever ever ever so often they’ll play a paper sack family or the spoons or they’ll wrap the head of a banjo and then and then it’s and then it’s the cog step is as the drum but no there’s no real drum to traditional music wow.</p><p>00:38:27.990 –&gt; 00:38:40.830 Joseph McElroy: So now color’s your ears beer a color right now How do people become collars to leave these things this experience, or that they studied, or what was the requirements well.</p><p>00:38:41.100 –&gt; 00:38:48.210 Joe Sam Queen: Most of them it just experienced you go to a lot of dances you get the sense of it, you like you got a decent memory.</p><p>00:38:51.990 –&gt; 00:39:06.750 Joe Sam Queen: You can sort of live to pay attention because you’re instructing and watching the circle dance and colonnade on beat so it moves appropriately with the music and has a nice flow to it it’s not hard to be a color, but you have to sort of pay attention.</p><p>00:39:07.980 –&gt; 00:39:14.820 Joe Sam Queen: As my grandfather said, yet it adds an inner circle with your partner, and to the music that’s all you need to know.</p><p>00:39:16.620 –&gt; 00:39:20.580 Joseph McElroy: But wasn’t a color like almost a band vocalist I mean it is sort of the.</p><p>00:39:20.640 –&gt; 00:39:21.150 Oh, you can.</p><p>00:39:22.680 –&gt; 00:39:26.250 Joe Sam Queen: You get to sing the song you get to make up the tunes you know.</p><p>00:39:27.930 –&gt; 00:39:39.300 Joe Sam Queen: Lady around the lady in the gym don’t go lady around the gym in the gym go slow that’s one where you let your partner go around the opposite man and look mo.</p><p>00:39:39.900 –&gt; 00:39:50.430 Joe Sam Queen: Then come back in a circle, then the opposite lady gets to come around you but you don’t get to go so it’s a way to let the ladies have a turn in smoking over the gentleman.</p><p>00:39:52.560 –&gt; 00:40:02.610 Joe Sam Queen: Which is usually the opposite the way it is again the ladies road, a lot of these little duties to strain they’re going to be respectful.</p><p>00:40:02.700 –&gt; 00:40:10.920 Joseph McElroy: be respectful oh that’s interesting so a caller had to learn, I mean how many different calls are there, do you know.</p><p>00:40:11.520 –&gt; 00:40:19.620 Joe Sam Queen: Oh there’s probably scores and scores for sure you know, in a dance you end up calling them.</p><p>00:40:21.480 –&gt; 00:40:22.800 Joe Sam Queen: The primary doesn’t.</p><p>00:40:23.280 –&gt; 00:40:33.600 Joe Sam Queen: Because you were allowed with if you do, that many you know like we do a two-hour street dance in Waynesville we’d probably call four to five sets.</p><p>00:40:34.230 –&gt; 00:40:49.530 Joe Sam Queen: Because we, you have the figure four and then you have the big circle dances which is really just lots of fun you all join hands it’s it, you know we do folk move here in Western North Carolina which is international folk dance.</p><p>00:40:49.770 –&gt; 00:41:02.760 Joe Sam Queen: Right, those were a hotspot of traditional folk dance our Appalachian American authentic folk dance is right here, so we welcome the world to bring their so they come from.</p><p>00:41:03.180 –&gt; 00:41:11.040 Joe Sam Queen: They come from Ukraine they’ve been from Ukraine they’ve come from Lebanon they’ve come from Australia they’ve come from China and.</p><p>00:41:11.430 –&gt; 00:41:27.960 Joe Sam Queen: And and South America, a lot of folk dances have this big circle gathering for sure they often have little sets the American square dance team is eight to 10 and couples, but the actual social dance, it has no limit, you can have.</p><p>00:41:30.720 –&gt; 00:41:31.890 Joe Sam Queen: couples in a dance.</p><p>00:41:32.130 –&gt; 00:41:34.260 Joseph McElroy: Now these other traditions have a color.</p><p>00:41:34.740 –&gt; 00:41:39.570 Joe Sam Queen: And that the American tradition has callers, but most of the other traditions done.</p><p>00:41:41.100 –&gt; 00:41:49.500 Joe Sam Queen: That because they all come from a village or a single place where America is really the melting pot we he Pluribus Unum.</p><p>00:41:50.640 –&gt; 00:41:56.070 Joe Sam Queen: Out of many one, so we need a color to set the tone and.</p><p>00:41:56.130 –&gt; 00:41:56.610 Joseph McElroy: If I have.</p><p>00:41:57.750 –&gt; 00:41:59.820 Joseph McElroy: Both so the color is dynamic.</p><p>00:41:59.820 –&gt; 00:42:01.590 Joe Sam Queen: composer he’s a composer.</p><p>00:42:01.650 –&gt; 00:42:02.400 Joe Sam Queen: He really is.</p><p>00:42:02.970 –&gt; 00:42:08.340 Joe Sam Queen: wow he will make the poem he’ll make the the the the.</p><p>00:42:09.390 –&gt; 00:42:18.510 Joe Sam Queen: he’ll make this the motion to some little poetry and it helps you remember to help you keep it straight in the in day.</p><p>00:42:19.680 –&gt; 00:42:24.510 Joseph McElroy: wow well I guess the colors are traditionally have been pretty much in demand.</p><p>00:42:25.440 –&gt; 00:42:30.180 Joe Sam Queen: Well, they are they help my grandfather was in huge demand.</p><p>00:42:30.300 –&gt; 00:42:41.010 Joe Sam Queen: Oh yeah he danced somewhere from 1935 to 1955 he dad somewhere almost every night of the week.</p><p>00:42:41.820 –&gt; 00:42:50.550 Joe Sam Queen: Go to one big hotel on big dance hall after another, he would go all around I mean if you had a big political event, you had a big square dance I.</p><p>00:42:51.000 –&gt; 00:43:07.560 Joe Sam Queen: You know I politic by let’s all join hands in one big circle that’s my political monster that’s my social monitor that’s who asked that’s what I stand for so it’s a great metaphor for Community and in and politics but Franklin.</p><p>00:43:08.220 –&gt; 00:43:11.760 Joseph McElroy: cool well, we got to take another break and we’ll come back and.</p><p>00:43:12.990 –&gt; 00:43:19.530 Joseph McElroy: talk a little bit more about calling and other stories that you might have to get it, thank you.</p><p>00:43:23.040 –&gt; 00:43:32.01000:43:32.700 –&gt; 00:43:46.380</p><p>00:43:49.980 –&gt; 00:43:52.770 00:43:53.190 –&gt; 00:43:59.190</p><p>00:43:59.490 –&gt; 00:44:08.70000:44:09.150 –&gt; 00:44:15.300</p><p>00:44:22.200 –&gt; 00:44:23.340</p><p>00:44:24.540 –&gt; 00:44:39.510 00:44:40.710 –&gt; 00:44:45.240 00:44:48.690 –&gt; 00:44:57.000 :45:20.520 –&gt; 00:45:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with gateway to the smokies podcast and my My guess the legendary Joe Sam queen so Joe talking about calling and Square and square dancing and the music, are you finding that young people today are becoming collars and becoming.</p><p>00:45:41.010 –&gt; 00:45:43.770 Joseph McElroy: fillers and stuff in a squared answer is dynamic.</p><p>00:45:45.600 –&gt; 00:45:45.930 Joe Sam Queen: Now.</p><p>00:45:47.010 –&gt; 00:46:00.870 Joe Sam Queen: We work to keep it alive that’s why I do the smoky mountain folk festival to keep young musicians coming forward, we have the junior Appalachian musicians, which we teach string music.</p><p>00:46:02.160 –&gt; 00:46:12.150 Joe Sam Queen: I mean that’s the fiddle the banjo the bass guitar in a little ensemble band after school after school program Appalachian music.</p><p>00:46:13.470 –&gt; 00:46:21.270 Joe Sam Queen: week we always part of our folk festival, we have a little outside tent we let the young folks come in, have a little part of the show.</p><p>00:46:22.260 –&gt; 00:46:28.980 Joe Sam Queen: their elders are on the main stage but beforehand, we let everybody have a little stir so we keep bringing it on that were.</p><p>00:46:29.760 –&gt; 00:46:47.700 Joe Sam Queen: an active group of square dances were trying to bounce back after coded I mean coven square dancing was definitely a spreader event so once I’ve laid low for the last couple of years, but we’re feeling fairly comfortable that this summer, will be a summer to dance again.</p><p>00:46:48.120 –&gt; 00:46:50.220 Joseph McElroy: No more sociability distancing.</p><p>00:46:51.120 –&gt; 00:46:52.800 Joe Sam Queen: No more sociability and the.</p><p>00:46:54.210 –&gt; 00:46:56.070 Joe Sam Queen: square dancing is not this it’s.</p><p>00:46:56.940 –&gt; 00:46:57.420 Joseph McElroy: too close.</p><p>00:46:57.780 –&gt; 00:47:03.780 Joseph McElroy: together so so are you got some little collars coming up some good ones yeah we.</p><p>00:47:03.930 –&gt; 00:47:16.770 Joe Sam Queen: You know, cars are there they’re not just a dime a dozen good ones they never have been a lot of good bands and you don’t have good music, if you don’t have dance, so my grandfather.</p><p>00:47:17.280 –&gt; 00:47:27.630 Joe Sam Queen: He kept a lot of musicians alive, because in the 30s and 40s and you didn’t have any money floating around, but you can have a dance you could pass the hat.</p><p>00:47:28.050 –&gt; 00:47:36.690 Joe Sam Queen: In in and they could get enough for fifth the liquor you know before the knives out, you know so they kind of data big success and had a big time doing it.</p><p>00:47:38.520 –&gt; 00:47:40.950 Joseph McElroy: Well cool so you’re building a lot of things.</p><p>00:47:41.190 –&gt; 00:47:43.590 Joseph McElroy: You know you mentioned folk mood your involvement.</p><p>00:47:43.680 –&gt; 00:47:46.620 Joseph McElroy: You know that it’s coming back this summer is going to be.</p><p>00:47:47.010 –&gt; 00:47:47.430 Joe Sam Queen: they’re gonna.</p><p>00:47:47.460 –&gt; 00:48:04.200 Joe Sam Queen: they’re trying, you know they have been had a couple of double whammy is at 911 which really interrupting international travel what folk movie is for people that don’t know if we are here in Haywood county we have the international folk festival the finest one in America.</p><p>00:48:05.460 –&gt; 00:48:18.510 Joe Sam Queen: In the northern hemisphere for that question it’s right here it’s in western North Carolina we go to 20 communities when they’re here we have an old elementary school we’ve taken over and we house.</p><p>00:48:20.850 –&gt; 00:48:33.960 Joe Sam Queen: Eight or 10 dancing sometimes it does and from all over the world they’re all internationals they come they bring their musicians every dancing has a band with them, I mean we’ve had some.</p><p>00:48:35.190 –&gt; 00:48:36.150 Joseph McElroy: Dependence it’s just.</p><p>00:48:36.540 –&gt; 00:48:54.330 Joe Sam Queen: Really submit, and we, and we, and we look at this as world where the world meets on mainstream, just like the sociability for our people, we do this for the world, right here, because dancing all joining hands in one big circle is a world monitor.</p><p>00:48:54.420 –&gt; 00:48:54.930 Joseph McElroy: It is.</p><p>00:48:55.080 –&gt; 00:49:06.270 Joseph McElroy: My at my wife is from Trinidad and there’s a bazillion drummer now and see I got her to come to Maggie the first time because of food so yeah really.</p><p>00:49:06.600 –&gt; 00:49:08.130 Joseph McElroy: You know when we were dating.</p><p>00:49:08.160 –&gt; 00:49:18.900 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s like wow they do this international thing and he’s from Trinidad so you know it’s The thing that makes people feel welcome I think it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done here yeah yeah.</p><p>00:49:21.480 –&gt; 00:49:22.110 Joe Sam Queen: I agree.</p><p>00:49:23.550 –&gt; 00:49:32.460 Joe Sam Queen: And it’s still coming back so people just keep your ears open we’re going to bring it back you know I’ll say this a little bit you started off with some of your sponsors.</p><p>00:49:33.030 –&gt; 00:49:44.700 Joe Sam Queen: Another international hotspot we are for birds we kneel tropical warblers hotspot in this hemisphere, the western hemisphere.</p><p>00:49:45.570 –&gt; 00:49:56.820 Joe Sam Queen: Coming up from South America crossing the Gulf and they nest in this great smoky mountains these little warblers seeing their magnificence right now the month.</p><p>00:49:57.420 –&gt; 00:50:03.960 Joe Sam Queen: of May is the time to see them because they come in the leaves haven’t hardly gotten out so you can find them.</p><p>00:50:04.320 –&gt; 00:50:11.370 Joe Sam Queen: they’re small they’re very vocal and sociable little creature and they’re calling and they’re vocalizing and.</p><p>00:50:11.850 –&gt; 00:50:23.490 Joe Sam Queen: and capturing their territory and their mate and they sing like you know songbirds there, they are the songbirds of the world, right here in Western North Carolina, we have more than any other place in the world.</p><p>00:50:24.570 –&gt; 00:50:37.230 Joseph McElroy: Literally, if you go in the backyard and our wooded area you’ll see the dozen different types of warblers I mean it’s you know and it’s not it’s, not even the even it’s, not even the right into the smoky mountains it’s incredible.</p><p>00:50:38.550 –&gt; 00:50:41.820 Joe Sam Queen: feat you rise, you get another population of different birds.</p><p>00:50:41.910 –&gt; 00:50:42.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:50:42.420 –&gt; 00:50:52.740 Joe Sam Queen: And we have like at least four or five tiers of barbers that come, all the way across the Gulf every summer to nest in the great smokers.</p><p>00:50:53.370 –&gt; 00:51:03.960 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re going to run out of time, I wanted to hit one other thing that you, you you’re involved with you know I I was in Waynesville has a pretty well known did are called heart theater.</p><p>00:51:04.140 –&gt; 00:51:16.140 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah and back in the day I did a couple performances in there and I’m you know and then last one decade or two you’ve built a theater and actual real great facility and you were involved in that.</p><p>00:51:16.140 –&gt; 00:51:23.970 Joe Sam Queen: Right, I was their architect, and in its is fine, an Appalachian structure of wood, as you will find in America so come to the heart theater.</p><p>00:51:24.480 –&gt; 00:51:34.260 Joe Sam Queen: anything we do, there is good, I can take anything we have won the national community theater award at that theater twice in the last eight or nine years.</p><p>00:51:35.010 –&gt; 00:51:48.300 Joe Sam Queen: we’ve represented America in Edinburgh, the famous Scottish the universal in Prague for the famous European theater festival so anything we do is great, if you want to be, it is really.</p><p>00:51:49.620 –&gt; 00:51:54.120 Joe Sam Queen: An a thing not to miss and Haywood county the heart theater cool.</p><p>00:51:54.420 –&gt; 00:52:01.740 Joseph McElroy: And we just have a couple maybe a minute or two, so you and your wife, Dr. K queen have a charitable foundation, what can you tell us about that.</p><p>00:52:02.280 –&gt; 00:52:04.770 Joe Sam Queen: Well, you know we’ve enjoyed.</p><p>00:52:06.900 –&gt; 00:52:23.160 Joe Sam Queen: doing well, by doing good our whole life practice architecture she’s a doctor and we support lots of things from the sons of the American revolution to Shelton house the heart theater to the arts counts in Haywood county.</p><p>00:52:25.170 –&gt; 00:52:29.280 Joe Sam Queen: You know this lots of good things we just try to be part of the Community.</p><p>00:52:30.600 –&gt; 00:52:37.110 Joe Sam Queen: As I think so many Americans do it’s just it’s a great heritage in America to give back.</p><p>00:52:37.620 –&gt; 00:52:39.060 Joseph McElroy: And what’s the name of your foundation.</p><p>00:52:39.420 –&gt; 00:52:44.100 Joe Sam Queen: it’s just the the the Queen family foundation week or.</p><p>00:52:44.610 –&gt; 00:52:45.720 Joseph McElroy: So is there any other.</p><p>00:52:46.740 –&gt; 00:52:50.910 Joseph McElroy: Things you’d like to shout out links websites and social media anything you want to mention.</p><p>00:52:51.660 –&gt; 00:52:53.130 Joe Sam Queen: Well vote democrat and I’ll.</p><p>00:52:53.130 –&gt; 00:52:53.550 Joseph McElroy: tell you.</p><p>00:52:55.590 –&gt; 00:52:56.910 Joe Sam Queen: it’s not a political show but.</p><p>00:52:57.090 –&gt; 00:52:57.690 Joseph McElroy: Yes.</p><p>00:52:57.870 –&gt; 00:53:00.180 Joe Sam Queen: it’s important, and you know.</p><p>00:53:02.430 –&gt; 00:53:14.790 Joe Sam Queen: At your place metal are not too long ago we honored Charles Miller and in are landing and they are both friends of the American revolution, so I I am we’re just.</p><p>00:53:15.990 –&gt; 00:53:24.480 Joe Sam Queen: Four or five years from the the 200 and 50th 50th anniversary of the American revolution, so we are, we are trying to.</p><p>00:53:25.230 –&gt; 00:53:32.580 Joe Sam Queen: expand on our revolutionary war heritage here in North Carolina, particularly Western North Carolina where we had the militia.</p><p>00:53:33.510 –&gt; 00:53:48.840 Joe Sam Queen: And in the flintlock rifle I mean the reason we have the second amendment is the flintlock rifled gun was a very different weapon, then the musket and they were deadly and sharp and.</p><p>00:53:49.950 –&gt; 00:53:54.480 Joe Sam Queen: And, and the British didn’t like them at all, because they could shoot die out an office.</p><p>00:53:54.720 –&gt; 00:54:03.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah well that’s good, well, thank you so much for being on the show it’s been a pleasure talking to learn about you know the traditions of mountain music and.</p><p>00:54:04.530 –&gt; 00:54:16.710 Joseph McElroy: And I’m very, very proud of the accomplishments you have done for Haywood county and North Carolina and the United States and, as I said, your legend and you deserve any accolades that you get.</p><p>00:54:18.330 –&gt; 00:54:18.780 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:54:18.960 –&gt; 00:54:20.220 Joe Sam Queen: you’re so kind Thank you.</p><p>00:54:20.610 –&gt; 00:54:36.240 Joseph McElroy: Thank you you’re welcome this is the gateway to the smokies podcast and you can find out more about@facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast or you go to talk radio dot nyc and find the show there and it’s.</p><p>00:54:36.990 –&gt; 00:54:52.800 Joseph McElroy: it’s streamed live talk radio dot nyc is a great network of free live podcasts every day that range from self-help to small business to travel too.</p><p>00:54:53.400 –&gt; 00:55:03.660 Joseph McElroy: Politics to pets, you know it’s one of those talk networks that you, you don’t know what you might hear here next though it’s all scheduled out.</p><p>00:55:04.290 –&gt; 00:55:15.840 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is every Tuesday at six until seven talking about the smoky mountains, I also run another podcast called wise content creates well.</p><p>00:55:16.140 –&gt; 00:55:24.900 Joseph McElroy: Which is about marketing and content, marketing and the coming evolution of Ai into marketing and insights of how you can take advantage of that.</p><p>00:55:25.170 –&gt; 00:55:36.210 Joseph McElroy: To build your business and your nonprofit and your opportunities, so I hope you’ll show up for that and that’s on Fridays from noon until one, and I thank you for listening to this show and I’ll see you next week.</p> f5b0260c-902e-4d5e-84f9-fecf52adc24f https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/738766dd-15b4-4845-bbb7-82d10004effa Tue, 26 Apr 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3030 no full Episode 55: Rally in the Valley—Smoky Mountain Motorcycle Adventures Episode 55: Rally in the Valley—Smoky Mountain Motorcycle Adventures Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>In this episode, you&#39;ll discover the Great Smoky Mountain region is home to some of the most remarkable riding destinations in the world. A land of enchanting beauty and endless possibilities for adventure on two wheels. A space to explore your greatest passions surrounded by the natural beauty of majestic mountain </strong><span>ranges, endlessly winding roads, and rustic cabins.</span></p><p><span>We are joined by our special guest, Chris Parker, who is the Founder and Chief Designer of Road Wolf Design, a company based in Greer S.C. that he founded in 2007. His clients include Texas Pete Hot Sauces, Touring Sport BMW, Spartanburg Regional Health Care System, and Beowulf Technologies-- among many others.</span></p><p><span>Prior to starting his own company, Chris spent over a decade working as a designer and artist in some of the top art departments in his industry. Chris is an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast who has spent a large part of his adult life riding his bike in the Great Smoky Mountain region of WNC and East Tennessee, as well as in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia and across the United States. </span></p><p><span>We will discuss the upcoming Rally in Valley scheduled for May, as well as his expertise in creating memorable riding adventures in the Great Smokies.</span></p><p><span>Website: </span><a href="http://roadwolfdesign.com/" rel="nofollow">http://roadwolfdesign.com/ </a></p><p><span>LinkedIn: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-parker-8442179/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-parker-8442179/</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>

In this episode, you'll discover the Great Smoky Mountain region is home to some of the most remarkable riding destinations in the world. A land of enchanting beauty and endless possibilities for adventure on two wheels. A space to explore your greatest passions surrounded by the natural beauty of majestic mountain ranges, endlessly winding roads, and rustic cabins.

We are joined by our special guest, Chris Parker, who is the Founder and Chief Designer of Road Wolf Design, a company based in Greer S.C. that he founded in 2007. His clients include Texas Pete Hot Sauces, Touring Sport BMW, Spartanburg Regional Health Care System, and Beowulf Technologies-- among many others.

Prior to starting his own company, Chris spent over a decade working as a designer and artist in some of the top art departments in his industry. Chris is an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast who has spent a large part of his adult life riding his bike in the Great Smoky Mountain region of WNC and East Tennessee, as well as in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia and across the United States. 

We will discuss the upcoming Rally in Valley scheduled for May, as well as his expertise in creating memorable riding adventures in the Great Smokies.

Website: http://roadwolfdesign.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-parker-8442179/

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

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SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Joseph opens up to upcoming events happening at the Great Smoky Mountains over the next couple of weeks: ranging from motorcycle to Mother’s Day events. Following, he transitions into introducing his guest, Chris Parker, who is the owner and Chief Designer of Road Wolf Design. It is a creative design company based in Greer, South Carolina, that Parker founded in 2007. Chris is an avid motorcycle enthusiast who has spent much of his adult years riding in The Great Smoky Mountains and across the U.S. Chris has been to the Smokies countless times since he started riding in Western Carolina in 2000. Originally from Scotland, Chris has moved around a lot. He has lived in South Carolina since 1991.

SEGMENT 2

Chris has been riding motorcycles for 22 years, his first bike was a used Honda Pacific Coast. Within 9 months he moved to a BMW bike, which he stayed on since. Chris obtained his BMW from a mutual work colleague who called a friend of his, saying his father-in-law was downsizing and moving, and he had an old 1998 BMW R-11 Hundred GS which he wanted to sell. After seeing photos, Chris’s interest grew, and a friendship sparked with the bike’s original owner. The two made a deal for Chris to buy the bike but as the friendship grew the owner offered the bike for free, with Chris only paying for the service. He flew to CA to pick up the bike, making a stop to meet the original owner in person. He then drove the bike across the country back home to S. Carolina in 6 days. Chris still owns the bike and says he will never get rid of it. Joseph shares his own interesting story. A friend of his was getting married, and he had a Yamaha 185 dirt bike which his wife was making him get rid of. During this friend’s bachelor party, Joseph drunkenly bought the bike. Three years later, Joseph was getting married and his friend was getting divorced, leading his friend to buy the bike back from him. They continue to share some motorcycle adventure stories– including one of an intense accident with a deer. Chris works for the BMW RA Organization. He is involved with the club and magazine. Chris has been the art director for the magazine for the past four years, and recently became the editor for the mag. as well. His first issue was the March/April ‘22 issue. The club is one of 2 motorcycle clubs that are national and are under the international umbrella, The BMW Club Council out of Germany. Chris describes the club as an enthusiast club that supports the love of all things BMW motorcycles.

SEGMENT 3

Joseph starts the segment by talking about the National BMW RA Rally which was held in September 2021 at Hayward County. There are plans for the rally to be held around the fall of ‘22 for a third year however it’s not confirmed yet. There were several factors that went into the organization choosing Hayward County for setup, the roads being the main factor for motorcyclists. The theme of the upcoming rally will be celebrating 50 years of the organization and ride attitude, for the enthusiast motorcycle club which is made up of riders who put in serious miles. The location provides them the epic opportunity to enjoy legendary roads, with people alike. The organization is looking into doing weekend getaways to make up for those who can’t make the once-a-year rally. The RA organization is also planning an upcoming regional event at the Meadowlark Hotel in Maggie Valley, to which Joseph is connected to. Joseph says they look forward to it. The area and the hotel are extremely motorcycle friendly. The big Steakhouse, Jay Arthurs, in the Valley is going to host them a big steak dinner, with live music, and a speakeasy area. This will be the first event Chris will host as a rally chair. They plan to end the rally with a challenging ride. This is the first announcement of this activity. Chris and others are going to be test driving this route this upcoming weekend. It’s about a 4-hour ride. Riding the Smokies is a magical experience.

SEGMENT 4

Chris shares some safety tips for riding in the Smokies–two of which are, pacing yourself, especially in unknown areas, and wearing your safety gear at all times when riding. There are hidden gem roads that can be found and taken once people get to know the area, which can avoid some traffic. Joseph shares that the Bear Water Brewery is a great place for motorcyclists to have a meal and enjoy the ambiance of the mountain. He asks Chris what are some of his favorite places to make a stop in the Smokies. A favorite of Chris’s is in North Carolina, a restaurant in a gas station called Café Rell. The chef was originally from Atlanta. He left city life and returned back to his hometown, opening up this French cuisine café. The location is surprising but the food is even more so. In Downtown Waynesville, he recommends Beach Mountain Diner. In closing the episode, Chris shares that people can join the RA via their website www.bmwra.org, there is an event tab where you can find the upcoming events that people can register for. He clarifies riders do not have to have a BMW to join, any motorcycle is welcomed.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:41.040 –> 00:00:43.410 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! Welcome to the Gateways to the Smokies Podcast.

00:00:43.410 –> 00:00:53.700 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:54.450 –> 00:01:04.500 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:05.310 –> 00:01:26.520 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. today we’re going to talk about smoky mountain motorcycle adventures.

00:01:27.660 –> 00:01:34.350 Joseph McElroy: But first, a couple of sponsors messages and then some events that are upcoming that you might find interesting.

00:01:35.280 –> 00:01:48.450 Joseph McElroy: First, imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past in modern and vibrant with Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure for relaxation.

00:01:49.170 –> 00:02:01.860 Joseph McElroy: imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on a fire eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:02:02.490 –> 00:02:16.020 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place in the old-time music world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina, your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay!

00:02:17.400 –> 00:02:29.460 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure.com smokies plural adventure singular the smoky mountains and surrounding area or areas of vacation destination for all seasons.

00:02:30.000 –> 00:02:39.480 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found, right here in these mountains.

00:02:40.200 –> 00:02:48.870 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

00:02:49.500 –> 00:03:01.230 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, caves cove or the elk are and more than check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy.

00:03:02.550 –> 00:03:09.900 Joseph McElroy: The goal is smokiesadventure.com is to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.

00:03:10.710 –> 00:03:21.660 Joseph McElroy: Now some events coming up most of these events are at the Maggie Valley festival grounds and it’s now become the big festival season in the mountains and the smoky mountain area.

00:03:22.440 –> 00:03:37.440 Joseph McElroy: April 22nd to 24th is the Annual Southeastern mini trucking nationals it’s an open car and truck show featuring food and vendors and many trucks which are a hoot.

00:03:38.760 –> 00:03:51.690 Joseph McElroy: April 19th to May 1st is Thunder in the Smokies Spring Motorcycle Rally, this is a Big Motorcycle Rally about three times a year and it’s the largest and oldest rally in Maggie Valley.

00:03:52.200 –> 00:04:01.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s all day Friday and Saturday and half the day on Sunday is got tour rides vendors bike shows games prizes concerts.

00:04:02.190 –> 00:04:10.470 Joseph McElroy: Fire dancers, the latest bikes and motor products on display, and more you can go to thunderinthesmokies.com to find out more.

00:04:11.100 –> 00:04:26.940 Joseph McElroy: May 7th is a new event that I haven’t during know where it is called the boho hippie feast it’s got live music performances art demonstrations vendors bounce houses games food trucks and more sounds like it’s going to be sort of a Bohemian.

00:04:28.080 –> 00:04:46.890 Joseph McElroy: arts and crafts show with lots of fun so I’m looking forward to checking that out, and they may 13 to the 14th is the kk OA icons of the hot rodding festival, and this is going to be the 1950s and 1960s hot-rodding custom cars and trailer trucks and then have it.

00:04:48.210 –> 00:04:59.730 Joseph McElroy: For models that are older than 1969 have automotive and vintage vendors pinstripe burrs and food vendors awards and trophies and all sorts of things.

00:05:00.990 –> 00:05:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Now the Meadowlark you know, we have the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center where we have lots of mountain heritage and music events so in.

00:05:12.510 –> 00:05:13.230 Joseph McElroy: In May.

00:05:14.310 –> 00:05:30.930 Joseph McElroy: On May 6th through the 8th we’re going to have mother’s day events and it’s gonna have moms moving mountains and mother nature’s natural garden programs Nancy East and Ila Hatter.

00:05:32.310 –> 00:05:50.370 Joseph McElroy: So first one there on a Friday night may six-seven acclaimed authors and wilderness survival expert Nancy East will be presenting mom’s moving mountains and she will share her experiences in the great outdoors as well as her amazing endurance hiking achievements.

00:05:51.780 –> 00:06:03.630 Joseph McElroy: This is serious just here doing what wilderness survival is course is hugely valuable and she has some great adventures to talk about the show you picture things like that, then a May 7.

00:06:04.320 –> 00:06:14.130 Joseph McElroy: The afternoon will feature legendary wildcrafting expert and renowned author filmmaker instructor and tour guide for the general some great smoky mountain National Park elite.

00:06:14.940 –> 00:06:24.120 Joseph McElroy: GSM Field School Illa Hatter. Ila is an expert on edible plants, medicinal herbs, and anything pertaining to wildcraft foraging and Appalachian plants, trees, and flowers.

00:06:24.600 –> 00:06:32.010 Joseph McElroy: she’s been featured in a lot of stuff like TV shows, and things like that.

00:06:32.880 –> 00:06:44.100 Joseph McElroy: But she will be presenting your her beloved program Mother Nature natural garden and leading a short tour of the grounds, identifying nature’s bounty that can be found in our own backyards.

00:06:44.610 –> 00:06:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll have a combination with the free Barbecue separate music on Saturday night.

00:06:49.950 –> 00:07:06.720 Joseph McElroy: So reach out and then In mother’s day in the morning will have will be having cake and champagne for people as they’re leaving in the morning, so come and reach out to meadowlarkmotel.com call 8289261717 to find out more and reserve your spot for these programs.

00:07:08.970 –> 00:07:18.090 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know if everybody knows, but one of the best motorcycle museums in the country, if not the world is located right next to the Meadowlark motel.

00:07:18.720 –> 00:07:31.380 Joseph McElroy: And it’s called the wheels through time museum and it’s home to the world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles memorabilia and a distinct array of unique one-off American automobiles.

00:07:32.940 –> 00:07:56.040 Joseph McElroy: It has a collection of over 350 rare machines comprised of 25 makes including Harley Davidson Indian excelsior Henderson Popeil crocker flying Merkel and many, many more, it was opened on July 4 2002 in a 38,000 square foot facility, and now it says 15th year of operation.

00:07:57.270 –> 00:08:02.070 Joseph McElroy: it’s gotten worldwide media attention and brought hundreds of thousands of visitors to Maggie Valley.

00:08:02.520 –> 00:08:16.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a unique display it has events going on thrill rides and all the machines run even the older some of the rarest in the world have been made into working order and every day.

00:08:17.370 –> 00:08:24.360 Joseph McElroy: Thursday through Monday, they will actually get some of these different old machines running so you can hear how they sound.

00:08:24.600 –> 00:08:35.400 Joseph McElroy: feel their vibrations, you know feel like a part of it, and then and the museum itself is a really wonderful experience because you’re walking through something that’s almost like a giant garage.

00:08:35.700 –> 00:08:45.870 Joseph McElroy: Then it has art and automobiles represent a representative of the times right and motorcycles representative of the time in the exhibits.

00:08:46.890 –> 00:08:55.620 Joseph McElroy: It was founded by Dale Walker who recently died, but his son has taken over who’s also an accomplished motorcycle.

00:08:56.310 –> 00:09:04.680 Joseph McElroy: Now expert knowledge, so I recommend coming to stay in the Meadowlark and going over the wheels through the time museum to get your motorcycle on.

00:09:05.520 –> 00:09:09.480 Joseph McElroy: Somebody knows about motorcycles our guest today his name is Chris Parker.

00:09:10.050 –> 00:09:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Chris Parker is the owner and Chief Designer of Road Wolf Design it’s a creative design company based in Greer South Carolina where he was founded in 2007 his clients include Texas Pete Hot Sauces yay I love hot sauces, Texas Pete.

00:09:26.430 –> 00:09:34.650 Joseph McElroy: touring sport BMW, and many others, Chris is an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast who has been a large part of his adult life.

00:09:35.040 –> 00:09:45.900 Joseph McElroy: riding his bike in the great smoky mountains regions and all across the United States now Chris has partnered with the staff of the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley to create a new event.

00:09:46.320 –> 00:09:58.020 Joseph McElroy: For this prestigious group called the BMWRA group on May 12-15 2022 and at the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley and so hello, Chris how are you doing?

00:09:58.680 –> 00:10:00.210 Chris Parker: Great good to be here.

00:10:00.570 –> 00:10:05.730 Joseph McElroy: cool we are thrilled to have you with us here today, Chris and we’re.

00:10:06.300 –> 00:10:19.410 Joseph McElroy: we’re really just like so I mean I’m very excited to discuss your upcoming rally in the valley scheduled for May and as well as you share your expertise and you know, creating memorable riding adventure so let’s get started.

00:10:20.640 –> 00:10:25.890 Joseph McElroy: You live in a relatively short ride from Maggie valley when was your first trip to our region?

00:10:27.450 –> 00:10:41.610 Chris Parker: Well, I’ve been up there so many times I’ve lost count been riding in western North Carolina since 2000, 22 years easily hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of miles.

00:10:43.020 –> 00:10:49.620 Chris Parker: Maggie Valley, Waynesville area, a lot, because of the roads are just their epic so yeah.

00:10:50.280 –> 00:10:52.680 Joseph McElroy: Are you originally from Greer or Where are you from originally.

00:10:53.550 –> 00:11:06.960 Chris Parker: um well as a navy brat I was born in Scotland and moved around and then eventually made it to the US, but I’ve been living in the southeast primarily since the mid-70s, hence the accent.

00:11:08.040 –> 00:11:19.020 Chris Parker: And in South Carolina since 1981 so I’m in the upstate of South Carolina which when you explain to people South Carolina they automatically assume you’re from Charleston or the beach.

00:11:19.410 –> 00:11:30.030 Chris Parker: And you have to remind them that there’s the upstate which is mountainous it’s at the foothills of the mountains of where you’re at and North Carolina so you know you.

00:11:30.360 –> 00:11:40.110 Joseph McElroy: Did you when you’ve been visiting if you get a chance to hook up with Mike Ogletree he’s our artist in residence and he was born in Scotland and played with a lot of Scottish bands.

00:11:40.260 –> 00:11:45.540 Chris Parker: Did you get the time I met him, I met him last September, when I came up to visit the motel.

00:11:46.020 –> 00:12:01.980 Chris Parker: and his background, when I found out who he was with I just my jaw dropped simple minds, I mean who doesn’t know who that band is and then he’s from Scotland and he’s got the accent I don’t, but we did have a chat he’s a nice guy.

00:12:02.280 –> 00:12:18.240 Joseph McElroy: Oh good well that’s I mean yeah that’s yeah there’s actually a lot of Scottish heritage in the mountains right, so you probably find a little bit of that connecting up with people and you should go by the Scottish Tartan Museum in Franklin it’s.

00:12:19.290 –> 00:12:19.620 Chris Parker: Like.

00:12:20.250 –> 00:12:23.670 Joseph McElroy: it’s the greatest Tartan collection in the world, I think right.

00:12:24.180 –> 00:12:31.770 Joseph McElroy: it’s pretty it is pretty impressive you know, we had him out for the Burn’s Day celebration of Robert Burns and.

00:12:32.160 –> 00:12:36.930 Joseph McElroy: They brought some tartans and they brought some pictures and they did a whole discussion, so it was pretty cool.

00:12:37.860 –> 00:12:53.730 Joseph McElroy: Pretty cool opportunity to find more about and I recommend people find out about that museum, because we know it’s of all the many museums, we have in the mountains that’s one of them that’s I think is pretty special hey so I’ve talked a lot, so we have to take our first break.

00:12:55.170 –> 00:13:00.750 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll come back and we’ll find more will find a little bit more about you and then writing BMW is in the mountains.

00:13:02.070 –> 00:13:02.460 Okay.

00:15:17.460 –> 00:15:27.660 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Chris Parker so Chris how long have you been riding motorcycles?

00:15:29.790 –> 00:15:30.990 Chris Parker: 22 years.

00:15:31.500 –> 00:15:34.590 Joseph McElroy: 22 years and did was a BMW your first one.

00:15:35.550 –> 00:15:53.400 Chris Parker: No, it wasn’t I bought a used Honda Pacific coast and learn to ride on that, and within nine months and about 15,000 miles later I moved to a BMW pretty quick and pretty much stayed on them for the last 22 years.

00:15:54.090 –> 00:15:56.040 Joseph McElroy: Now, Bob folks,

00:15:57.810 –> 00:16:12.750 Joseph McElroy: involved and helped me put together these programs he’s also Bob Plott and he’s also general manager of the smoky mountain heritage Center so he told me, you have a really unique story about how you obtain your BMW bite that you know that you now own so what’s that story.

00:16:13.620 –> 00:16:16.080 Chris Parker: that’s a pretty long one, but I’ll try to give you the.

00:16:16.860 –> 00:16:20.970 Chris Parker: Two-second versions I had a mutual work colleague.

00:16:22.050 –> 00:16:22.860 Chris Parker: call me.

00:16:24.120 –> 00:16:33.990 Chris Parker: A friend of mine last March 2021 said that he had his father-in-law, was downsizing and they were moving him from California to North Carolina.

00:16:34.350 –> 00:16:43.620 Chris Parker: And he had an old BMW that he was trying to sell figure out the value of it, he knew I knew bikes being very bikes and show me some pictures and I saw it, and I was like wow that’s a really nice.

00:16:45.090 –> 00:17:03.420 Chris Parker: BMW or 1100 G, yes, which is there on road offered by and it was a mint condition and I saw the odometer reading on it, it said 13,191 miles, and I was like wow so I did my due diligence getting some pricing and one thing led to another and.

00:17:04.740 –> 00:17:18.030 Chris Parker: Because of my interest in it, it looked like I was going to be the guy that bought it and I did well sort of I’m in talks with the owner of the bike gab widening of Earl picture.

00:17:18.690 –> 00:17:33.240 Chris Parker: He and I struck up a really nice friendship and through a series of conversations and circumstances I ended up getting a call from him when the bike was picked up from the local dealer in.

00:17:34.350 –> 00:17:41.970 Chris Parker: BMW dealer in Temecula California and they went over it, and they said God this thing is a time capsule it is meant.

00:17:43.470 –> 00:17:45.690 Chris Parker: can’t believe the condition is in and.

00:17:46.920 –> 00:17:51.960 Chris Parker: So in talking with them, we had struck up a deal that I would buy the bike for a really good price.

00:17:52.500 –> 00:18:02.730 Chris Parker: And he would pay for the bike to be serviced and I just couldn’t believe he was willing to do that, but once we got to know each other, he called me after the bike was a.

00:18:03.540 –> 00:18:12.690 Chris Parker: checked out by the dealership and he surprised me with the gift of saying hey Chris why don’t you pay for the service and after the service, the bike is yours.

00:18:13.680 –> 00:18:24.570 Chris Parker: I stood there in my living room and I heard him say those words and I didn’t quite understand what he was talking about and he’s I said what I don’t What do you mean he says I’m giving you the bike.

00:18:25.320 –> 00:18:26.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.

00:18:26.340 –> 00:18:34.800 Chris Parker: I’m like why he said, well, I checked you out, I know that you’re with a BMW riders association you do the magazine.

00:18:35.460 –> 00:18:53.490 Chris Parker: And then you had a deer strike in 2018 on your GPS adventure and you use it almost total G, but you got back on the horse and you continue to ride and you’re my kind of guy in terms of you keep riding and you’ll take care of this body, so I flew out.

00:18:54.600 –> 00:19:03.810 Chris Parker: With my gear and toe and I landed in Temecula and got the bike it was exactly as you described and I rode it.

00:19:04.320 –> 00:19:21.180 Chris Parker: From the dealership to his place in palm desert California and I met him and I got to eat dinner with him and spend a night and we had breakfast and then I run cross country on that bike from California to South Carolina in six days.

00:19:21.780 –> 00:19:25.890 Chris Parker: wow so it’s uh I’ll never get rid of that by that bike is.

00:19:26.190 –> 00:19:35.220 Joseph McElroy: it’s already a part of you now, so you know I have my interesting story is buys a number, there was a big bike rider back in my youth.

00:19:35.670 –> 00:19:47.160 Joseph McElroy: A friend of mine was getting married in here to Yamaha 185 right which is a dirt bike and he said, well, I gotta get rid of it my wife and we have it so I’m drinking his bachelor party and I buy it right.

00:19:47.940 –> 00:19:56.070 Joseph McElroy: I had it for about three years and then I started to get married he now is going through a divorce, where the best of my bachelor party and he buys it back from me.

00:19:59.820 –> 00:20:09.750 Joseph McElroy: So meant for a single guy going out and taking a little adventure, but you know this story of dear what happened with that what happened, my dear jumped out in front of you.

00:20:10.230 –> 00:20:22.140 Chris Parker: yeah this was coming up four years ago, I was actually heading to the BMW writers association national rally in Wellsboro Pennsylvania.

00:20:22.890 –> 00:20:29.220 Chris Parker: And I was going to do it in two days and stayed my first night at a really nice motorcycle campground that I love and

00:20:29.940 –> 00:20:39.720 Chris Parker: metals of Dan Virginia called will do and I had written I don’t like leaving at night, but my workday was such that I left late in the afternoon.

00:20:40.200 –> 00:20:48.300 Chris Parker: which would have me arriving there late at night and I had written about 260 miles, with five more miles to go.

00:20:49.080 –> 00:21:00.600 Chris Parker: And next thing I know I’m calling out of the ditch and wondering what happened and trying to flag someone down to help me and I was my whole left side was on fire.

00:21:01.200 –> 00:21:09.600 Chris Parker: didn’t know what would have happened if I like passing out or well in this instance, I found out with a guy come in to rescue me.

00:21:11.040 –> 00:21:15.360 Chris Parker: telling me they don’t move to help us on the way and I asked him.

00:21:16.380 –> 00:21:18.990 Chris Parker: What happened, he said dude you hit a deer.

00:21:19.410 –> 00:21:20.100 Joseph McElroy: Oh well.

00:21:20.220 –> 00:21:29.340 Chris Parker: Like a 200-pound Oh, and I was airlifted to Winston Salem and I stayed there for two weeks and broke ribs front and rear.

00:21:30.660 –> 00:21:45.990 Chris Parker: shoulder blade fracture it and then broke my collarbone and I lacerated my spleen which they were able to repair that without we’re moving in and since then and back at it, since it was three months later, I.

00:21:47.220 –> 00:21:59.910 Chris Parker: You know, I was wondering if I was going to quit riding or if I was going to take a hiatus and I knew that wasn’t going to work because I was spending my wee hours of the morning on my computer looking at you know bikes.

00:22:01.140 –> 00:22:03.930 Chris Parker: trying to figure out what I was going to get and return to so.

00:22:04.260 –> 00:22:10.680 Joseph McElroy: Is that something that you can avoid is there or is it just that that’s just the one that’s a freak accident.

00:22:10.740 –> 00:22:21.570 Chris Parker: It was a freak accident, plus there are things that you can mitigate it like don’t ride at night or in the morning and then, of course, in the fall with dears running.

00:22:22.230 –> 00:22:25.590 Chris Parker: they’re out a little more than they would be throughout the rest of the year.

00:22:26.220 –> 00:22:34.800 Chris Parker: And you just kind of get a feel for it’s your spidey sense is going off and you’re like yeah they got probably need to not be out and I just ignored.

00:22:35.340 –> 00:22:51.720 Chris Parker: I’d probably did I did everything right in that I had all the gear I wear full Armor I actually wear a neck brace when I arrived, which is a preventive measure, and I was wearing it and it’s to keep you from injury your cervical spine around your neck so that you don’t have any.

00:22:52.020 –> 00:22:59.460 Joseph McElroy: that’s amazing because you know the sounds from the accident that was expecting yeah like spinal, but it was, like all sort of.

00:22:59.910 –> 00:23:08.730 Joseph McElroy: Except for the spleen things sort of like super you know, like for the better words minor praise, but I mean they weren’t minor but they were yeah they were.

00:23:09.420 –> 00:23:18.360 Joseph McElroy: They were not in you know you didn’t get peril paralysis and all that sort of stuff so and predictive stuff sounds like it really works that’s great.

00:23:19.080 –> 00:23:27.030 Chris Parker: yeah it was pretty emotional to come home after being away from my kids those two weeks and I got home, I can.

00:23:29.700 –> 00:23:37.200 Joseph McElroy: You know, a mutual friend who introduced us Larry Schatz had an accident not too far ago he’s backed upright and again.

00:23:37.770 –> 00:23:42.060 Chris Parker: yeah actually ride with him fairly regularly and he’s amazing.

00:23:43.020 –> 00:23:43.950 Joseph McElroy: How did you meet him.

00:23:45.210 –> 00:23:46.680 Chris Parker: He joined.

00:23:47.730 –> 00:23:58.500 Chris Parker: A group of writers, that I have been writing with for 20 plus years and he heard about us through social media, and then we actually met him.

00:23:59.040 –> 00:24:10.290 Chris Parker: On a ride several years ago, he was new to the area coming back well moved from New York City Manhattan to near Asheville.

00:24:11.160 –> 00:24:30.390 Chris Parker: He was looking for like-minded writers and we met through Facebook, I think it was and then, of course, with that, we’ve written many times with him he’s just he’s a fast rider as you know, an accident can happen.

00:24:30.720 –> 00:24:36.480 Chris Parker: but also his skill level is like I’m here and he’s up here.

00:24:36.960 –> 00:24:39.030 Chris Parker: That it doesn’t track day so.

00:24:39.480 –> 00:24:40.890 Joseph McElroy: He admits that he led his.

00:24:40.890 –> 00:24:43.770 Joseph McElroy: ego gets ahead of him, and then there’s Ryan, he was.

00:24:43.800 –> 00:24:53.490 Joseph McElroy: Trying to keep up with somebody he said I can’t do that anymore, he said he admitted that he actually when he gets his training so now that.

00:24:54.300 –> 00:25:12.810 Joseph McElroy: that’s you know that happens to everybody so but he’s back on and he’s riding again and I’m glad he introduced this and we’re you know we you got your work, you work with BMWRA you also the board and you also added the magazine right.

00:25:13.860 –> 00:25:16.080 Chris Parker: I’m not a board member, but I am a.

00:25:17.640 –> 00:25:27.150 Chris Parker: a person involved with the club in two areas, one of which, for the last four years I’ve been the art director for the magazine, so I laid it out.

00:25:28.440 –> 00:25:41.700 Chris Parker: I’ve been doing that, since March, April 2018, and then an esteemed editor that was under the most of those four years John Flores he.

00:25:42.420 –> 00:25:55.680 Chris Parker: of New Jersey, an amazing photographer and mono journalist, stepped down due to just his workload and he let me know that you know.

00:25:56.550 –> 00:26:13.440 Chris Parker: I think it was November of last year, and I was like holy crap, what are we gonna do now, and he said, Chris, you should take it on, and I was like an editor and he said yeah I think you did great at it and so I’m now, the editor of the magazine my first issue was.

00:26:14.700 –> 00:26:18.750 Chris Parker: The March, April of 2022 it’s been in the hands of the Members.

00:26:19.830 –> 00:26:24.030 Chris Parker: For about a month now, and I’m working on my second issue now it’s going to the printer this week.

00:26:24.420 –> 00:26:28.050 Joseph McElroy: So congratulations, so can you tell us.

00:26:28.110 –> 00:26:34.830 Chris Parker: Real quick also help out with related graphics that are outside of the magazine.

00:26:36.000 –> 00:26:41.070 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us you know a little bit about what the BMWRA organization is.

00:26:42.090 –> 00:26:47.400 Chris Parker: Well it’s a BMW motorcycle club that’s been in existence since 1972.

00:26:48.450 –> 00:27:00.570 Chris Parker: We are one of two motorcycle clubs that are national and we are actually under the international umbrella of the BMW club Council out of Germany.

00:27:01.290 –> 00:27:25.080 Chris Parker: BMW motor add is the motorcycle division of BMW AG so everyone hears that you know there are cars, but they also make motorcycles, in fact, that and making motorcycles longer than I have been making cars and so we’re an enthusiast club that supports the love of all things BMW motorcycles.

00:27:26.400 –> 00:27:32.700 Chris Parker: it’s the Riders association and we just shorten it to ra but everyone knows who we are cool.

00:27:33.090 –> 00:27:37.290 Joseph McElroy: And you, you had your national rally in Haywood County this last year did.

00:27:38.040 –> 00:27:42.930 Chris Parker: We did in Waynesville at the Smoky Mountain Event Center off of two.

00:27:44.370 –> 00:27:46.710 Chris Parker: In August of last year .cool.

00:27:47.280 –> 00:27:54.480 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, we, I want to talk more about that, but we got to take a break real quick and then we’ll come back we’ll talk about why you guys decided to come to play with.

00:30:01.020 –> 00:30:08.910 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateways to the Smokies Podcasts and my guest Chris Parker.

00:30:09.300 –> 00:30:22.560 Joseph McElroy: So, Chris we were talking about the national BMWRA Rally that was held in Haywood County I think in September 2021 and I think you have it has plans for at least 2022 and 2023 right?

00:30:23.550 –> 00:30:41.820 Chris Parker: Well, definitely for 2022 there are discussions for maybe possibly returning the third year we don’t know that for sure, but right now, I know that this coming fall it’ll actually be later in the year it’ll be in September September 29 through October, the second.

00:30:43.170 –> 00:30:44.610 Chris Parker: location so.

00:30:44.940 –> 00:30:46.920 Joseph McElroy: same weekend as well fest so.

00:30:48.300 –> 00:30:52.380 Joseph McElroy: Why did you why BMWRA choose Haywood County?

00:30:53.940 –> 00:31:07.200 Chris Parker: Well, obviously there have to be several factors involved, one of which is a location that can accommodate anywhere from 1200 to 1500 people camping and facilities for vendors.

00:31:08.370 –> 00:31:18.330 Chris Parker: But really the ideal setup was the roads, because of the legendary roads that are within striking distance of that location.

00:31:19.230 –> 00:31:39.360 Chris Parker: There are famous it’s not just people in the United States that come here to the southeast arrived these words I actually have a friend, that is from Germany and the comments on the fact that these roads have a nature of a quality that would go up against stuff in the House.

00:31:40.590 –> 00:31:52.380 Chris Parker: they’ll fly here and they’ll come to Western North Carolina Southwest Virginia Eastern Tennessee Northeast Georgia because of what’s around you guys in.

00:31:54.090 –> 00:32:02.700 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know there’s some really famous one like with a tail of the dragon and the rattler and a copperhead is there any other there that you think are particularly famous that.

00:32:03.990 –> 00:32:04.350 Joseph McElroy: That.

00:32:04.380 –> 00:32:07.170 Chris Parker: Well, I don’t want to announce them too much, because then.

00:32:07.200 –> 00:32:07.620 Once you.

00:32:09.450 –> 00:32:11.700 Chris Parker: they’re no longer your personal roller coaster but.

00:32:11.730 –> 00:32:18.270 Chris Parker: Right, there are some roads that are they don’t really have names assigned to them like the rattler or.

00:32:19.620 –> 00:32:23.190 Chris Parker: deals gaps Taylor dragon or the moon Shauna which is.

00:32:24.630 –> 00:32:35.430 Chris Parker: going through parts of South Carolina and Western North Carolina but I’ll just throw out some names North Carolina to anyone North Carolina 215

00:32:37.680 –> 00:32:48.780 Chris Parker: Those are some pretty epic roads that will actually have people pointing him to take when we have an event at your at the Meadowlark.

00:32:49.890 –> 00:32:51.810 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re planning so.

00:32:52.950 –> 00:33:03.210 Joseph McElroy: let’s just sit back for an SEC, I want to talk about the plans that they’ve been learned Oh, you know you would say that the national event that it made sense to do a regional event here right.

00:33:04.380 –> 00:33:17.280 Chris Parker: yeah so the thinking here with the RA’s is so just a little background on the RA’s it’s a national organization it’s been around we’re celebrating our 50th year this year, and so the.

00:33:18.240 –> 00:33:31.650 Chris Parker: The theme for the rally in Waynesville is going to be 50 years of the RIED attitude RIED and the RA is known as a just enthusiast

00:33:32.550 –> 00:33:54.690 Chris Parker: motorcycle club, the people that come to this event arm riders they put on serious miles and coming to Western North Carolina game is just providing them an epic opportunity to enjoy these legendary roads in the have four days at the campground at the smoky mountain Center.

00:33:55.710 –> 00:34:04.950 Chris Parker: Doing you know hanging out there’s going to be food and all that kind of stuff, and so the idea of them coming back I know people when they heard the announcement.

00:34:05.460 –> 00:34:19.620 Chris Parker: They were shocked that we were coming back because they’ve never really done that, before, but then I think the overall vibe of the reaction was yeah, this is a good move because of you know you’re from this area, you know what it’s like.

00:34:19.800 –> 00:34:20.490 Joseph McElroy: yeah right.

00:34:21.570 –> 00:34:24.450 Joseph McElroy: And then, and then do it a regional one made sense as well right.

00:34:24.900 –> 00:34:34.440 Chris Parker: Oh yeah so yeah the question was why a regional event in that the national rally is once a year, and sometimes people can’t make that.

00:34:35.220 –> 00:34:45.030 Chris Parker: So we were we’re opening up the possibility of doing these smaller weekend getaways and because of the connection with Larry new and I.

00:34:45.690 –> 00:34:53.250 Chris Parker: It was just assumed that it would make sense to do one and Maggie Valley, even though it’s close to where the national rally would be at a different time of the year.

00:34:53.640 –> 00:35:03.930 Chris Parker: And then, because of what I think is going to be a successful event in Meadowlark with the registrations that we have so far and the reaction to this event they’re going to do more of these.

00:35:04.050 –> 00:35:08.820 Chris Parker: And so, in September in the upper peninsula of.

00:35:10.290 –> 00:35:23.070 Chris Parker: Michigan there’s going to be an event that’s sponsored by the RA that’s going to be at a place called big snow resort in Wakefield Michigan and then there’s a possibility of one in Virginia near.

00:35:24.810 –> 00:35:28.620 Chris Parker: West Virginia and Virginia up in the Shenandoah Valley.

00:35:29.100 –> 00:35:29.850 Chris Parker: So we’re.

00:35:29.910 –> 00:35:31.680 Chris Parker: we’re in early stages of that.

00:35:32.430 –> 00:35:40.740 Joseph McElroy: Well cool well the Meadowlark you know we know Maggie Valley itself is considered like the best motorcycle town.

00:35:41.280 –> 00:35:52.200 Joseph McElroy: In Western North Carolina and because it’s near all those famous roads, easy access big road to get in and out of you know, has it actually has a festival grounds that holds a lot of.

00:35:53.970 –> 00:36:01.500 Joseph McElroy: You know trucking and motorcycle events and the culture are very conducive to yeah motorcyclists enjoying.

00:36:02.790 –> 00:36:07.050 Joseph McElroy: You know, restaurants and everything are very motorcycle friendly.

00:36:08.100 –> 00:36:13.230 Joseph McElroy: You know people do things like you know the motels do things like have you know motorcycle rags and little.

00:36:13.710 –> 00:36:21.090 Joseph McElroy: Little buckets right outside the room, so they can clean and wash their motorcycles and stuff like that which I think that yeah it’s just a.

00:36:21.510 –> 00:36:32.010 Joseph McElroy: it’s a really nice environment, you know and we’re and you know we’re putting together so that people have stepped up in the valley of the big steak house J Arthur’s is going to host all you guys for a big steak dinner.

00:36:32.370 –> 00:36:39.570 Joseph McElroy: And then we have a pavilion we’re gonna have live music poetry Michael Ogletree, and I think he’s gonna do a simple mind acoustic concert.

00:36:40.200 –> 00:36:53.940 Joseph McElroy: Right and we’ve opened up a new speakeasy which you didn’t even know about before where you know, on the later in the evening come in, listen to really cool music and hang back and have nice drinks and things like that so we’re looking forward to it.

00:36:55.500 –> 00:37:01.650 Joseph McElroy: So, but you are also planning some things for the event, you were talking about a special ride you put together.

00:37:02.670 –> 00:37:21.570 Chris Parker: yeah, so this is being the first event that I’ve ever hosted I’m being a rally chair, we were trying to figure out a group of us who are behind the scenes, putting the pieces together what we can add to the already announced.

00:37:22.830 –> 00:37:24.960 Chris Parker: Activities you know the dinners.

00:37:26.130 –> 00:37:27.300 Chris Parker: The live music.

00:37:28.350 –> 00:37:37.770 Chris Parker: Some of the vendors that are going to be on-site that on the 14th the last full day of the rally we’re going to have the rally in the valley challenge ride

00:37:38.460 –> 00:37:47.970 Chris Parker: And it’s going to be a way to snag some extra door prize tickets raffle prize tickets by participating in it and so we’ve.

00:37:48.450 –> 00:37:57.900 Chris Parker: come up with a route that’s gonna be about 160 something miles, that if you take it and you follow it and take proof.

00:37:58.590 –> 00:38:12.090 Chris Parker: of taking it by stopping in some waypoints take pictures of you and your bike and then will you know for each one of those if you stop at we will award you an extra ticket for a chance to win some really awesome prizes.

00:38:12.540 –> 00:38:16.650 Chris Parker: I’ll tell you more about what those are looking like right.

00:38:17.700 –> 00:38:28.260 Chris Parker: So that’s news that it’s not been announced until this podcast that we’re planning on In fact this Thursday about four of us are going to do a test ride.

00:38:28.740 –> 00:38:39.030 Chris Parker: To make sure that the route that we’ve planned has a quality we just been doing it, the mapping software, and now we’re going to go and test it this coming week.

00:38:39.510 –> 00:38:40.620 Joseph McElroy: How long the riders and.

00:38:41.520 –> 00:38:51.060 Chris Parker: it’s gonna be about four hours it’s a loop that takes you northeast of Maggie Valley and it’ll take you into.

00:38:52.290 –> 00:39:02.940 Chris Parker: close to the Tennessee state line it’ll sneak around some of the brands, which will be on our two and on obviously North kind of 63, which is a trust.

00:39:04.080 –> 00:39:12.060 Chris Parker: there’s some dirt roads that you can take for extra bonus points for those that don’t know this BMW has a lot of bikes called GSS.

00:39:12.390 –> 00:39:27.840 Chris Parker: And they’re the type of bike that wants to pay money Angie you keep going so if you want to go down for us but we’ve got a few things set up in the round so that that is going to be a new feature to the to the rally and then.

00:39:28.890 –> 00:39:39.630 Chris Parker: I mentioned vendors, we have about five that are committed to showing up the main one in terms of what people would recognize as.

00:39:40.230 –> 00:39:58.290 Chris Parker: wonderfully USA there is a BMW motorcycle accessories company out of Germany and their North American headquarters is in Hendersonville was nearby and they’re going to be there with their products, their tents and people to you know talk about what they offer for BMW motorcycles.

00:39:59.250 –> 00:40:08.610 Joseph McElroy: cool and do you ever have besides, you know people going out writing do you have any other plan activities for people coming besides, you know the dinner we’ve set up and that sort of thing.

00:40:09.270 –> 00:40:20.670 Chris Parker: Well it’s going to be had laid back in that with the way these guys I’m imagining gals and guys come in they’re going to ride to the location and they’re going to want to rest and relax.

00:40:21.180 –> 00:40:37.290 Chris Parker: And they’re on their own there’s a dinner Friday night and then there’s a dinner on Saturday night there’s also going to be continental breakfast provided by the Meadowlark in the overflow hotels, that may be handling people will have access to that.

00:40:38.430 –> 00:40:43.320 Chris Parker: But as far as anything outside of that we will have a local.

00:40:44.760 –> 00:40:55.200 Chris Parker: vendor from Waynesville Wayne Bush of America rods maps his maps are epic for the BMW Roddick community and other motorcycle brands.

00:40:56.040 –> 00:41:02.640 Chris Parker: They love is matt he’s going to be on hand and the talk is that he’s going to be debuting a new APP.

00:41:03.240 –> 00:41:17.160 Chris Parker: That he wants to have you know the to unveil at the event, we still don’t know if that’s a done deal but he’s going to be there on hand and then the other thing a good friend of mine who lives in balsam which is not far from Maggie Valley.

00:41:18.420 –> 00:41:25.830 Chris Parker: harkens back, he is a God moto journalist all-around good guy and a stand-up comedian.

00:41:27.180 –> 00:41:31.350 Chris Parker: he’s going to be there on Saturday night at J Arthur’s.

00:41:32.550 –> 00:41:35.730 Chris Parker: doing a every team.

00:41:36.810 –> 00:41:51.570 Chris Parker: he’s uh he’s written three books on writing in the southeast and he’s going to have them on hand to talk about and to help people out with you know where do you go, you know what’s around here, he knows all the relatives so.

00:41:53.040 –> 00:41:58.770 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah well you know riding around the smoky mountains it’s just a joyous experience you know.

00:41:59.280 –> 00:42:07.710 Joseph McElroy: there are so many places to go see I mean oftentimes you can just stop and spur the moment and see a magnificent waterfall right.

00:42:08.580 –> 00:42:14.430 Joseph McElroy: Or you know you may walk 100 feet into the forest and boom there it is it’s just huge right.

00:42:15.120 –> 00:42:20.220 Joseph McElroy: In fact, we have one right up above Maggie called Soco falls it’s right off the road.

00:42:20.640 –> 00:42:29.460 Joseph McElroy: You can people can go up there, and just jump out yeah park will walk you know few hundred feet and boom here this magnificent waterfall near the mountains are.

00:42:29.880 –> 00:42:39.480 Joseph McElroy: known for those waterfalls So hopefully people can get a combined outdoor road experience little that little outdoor adventure experienced it right.

00:42:41.010 –> 00:42:49.290 Joseph McElroy: And i’d encourage people to you know to also if they want some relaxation time don’t forget that there’s fishing at the Meadowlark

00:42:49.860 –> 00:42:55.260 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can put you can do some real trial, we just had a fish camp and people were catching fish there

00:42:55.950 –> 00:43:10.320 Joseph McElroy: Nice rainbows and some brown trouts right there in the backyard there’s a little bait shop tackle shop right up the road from us so hopefully, they can experience a little bit of everything the mountain culture has are going to music and we’ll have food.

00:43:11.670 –> 00:43:14.700 Joseph McElroy: You know waterfalls and riding the road so.

00:43:16.260 –> 00:43:18.300 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to you guys coming in here so.

00:43:19.500 –> 00:43:26.040 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to take another break right now and come back we’ll finish up talking about some of your favorite spots in the smokies.

00:43:27.180 –> 00:43:29.760 Joseph McElroy: Anything else you want to mention some shoutouts for things that.

00:43:30.870 –> 00:43:32.430 Joseph McElroy: You want us to pay attention to.

00:43:34.050 –> 00:43:35.580 Chris Parker: Okay sounds good.

00:45:33.870 –> 00:45:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Chris Parker.

00:45:41.400 –> 00:45:48.600 Joseph McElroy: So, Chris you know we got little people listening to this and we’re talking about coming up motorcycling in the smokies and I think it’s a great thing but.

00:45:48.990 –> 00:45:56.730 Joseph McElroy: You know, but yeah I think we should mention just briefly what are some safety tips for coming up or writing in the smokies do you have some.

00:45:58.500 –> 00:45:59.100 Chris Parker: well.

00:46:00.240 –> 00:46:08.520 Chris Parker: Especially if you’re running in a group Roger override make sure that you don’t like we know a mutual friend get in over their head.

00:46:09.720 –> 00:46:20.550 Chris Parker: The roads here are pretty technical but also you can ride at your own pace there are some roads that are like I think in the notes for this.

00:46:21.540 –> 00:46:37.500 Chris Parker: podcast tonight someone who said what about the Chair of the hollow skyway over there, near robin’s Ville and TELCO planes, it is 50 something miles of sweepers roads that are at high elevation but they aren’t as titan twisty as fields gap.

00:46:38.760 –> 00:46:43.560 Chris Parker: Just be prepared to see a lot of traffic on the road and stay in your lane.

00:46:45.270 –> 00:46:59.760 Chris Parker: If you aren’t sure where you’re at just dial it down a bit and it’s better to take a slower pace and arrive in one piece stand to the Ricky racer on the road and end up in an ambulance heading to the nearest hospital.

00:47:00.960 –> 00:47:10.350 Chris Parker: and always obviously with the BMW crowd typically they’re known for wearing their gear we look like the Power Rangers set with our vortex.

00:47:12.300 –> 00:47:30.150 Chris Parker: outfits our helmets glove Armor you know we tend to be one of the more safety-conscious types of motorcycle groups out there and you’ll see a lot of that when you see a show up you’re going to like think we’re you know rejects from NASA’s Space Program.

00:47:32.070 –> 00:47:36.660 Joseph McElroy: Well, have you had that experience with a dear how often are little animals dirt out on the road.

00:47:37.320 –> 00:47:48.540 Chris Parker: that’s it’s It really is the law of averages if you ride more like I do you’re going to see more of it it’s if you’re out as an occasional rider and you’ll see it occasionally.

00:47:48.960 –> 00:48:00.000 Chris Parker: But as you rack up the miles and you put on as many miles, as someone like myself, has you’re more prone to see everything from squirrels two rabbits dogs to dear.

00:48:00.450 –> 00:48:03.240 Chris Parker: yeah I’ve actually seen a bear once.

00:48:03.540 –> 00:48:03.960 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:48:04.290 –> 00:48:08.190 Chris Parker: Okay that’ll be hard to get I mean not hard to hit, but if.

00:48:08.220 –> 00:48:15.480 Joseph McElroy: You hit that that’s good well you know we get some big elk and Maggie value coming up the middle of that road sometimes you have to watch out for that.

00:48:16.740 –> 00:48:19.050 Chris Parker: I don’t wanna I don’t want to let that dissuade people.

00:48:19.050 –> 00:48:23.820 Joseph McElroy: From no, it’s not that prevalent and most of the time, you can see it coming.

00:48:24.390 –> 00:48:33.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah how about other drivers in the smokies, if you found them to be these are there are they swivel in your head looking stuff too much.

00:48:34.440 –> 00:48:48.870 Chris Parker: Well it’s a mixed bag, obviously, if you like, to go at a brisk pace, it can be a bit of an irritant but at the same time, you know the rules of the road, are what they are, you know they’re driving have as much right to the road as we, and vice versa.

00:48:50.460 –> 00:49:03.870 Chris Parker: But in the fall you tend to see more traffic because of the leaf papers, the colors changing in the mountains so you’ll see an increased amount of traffic, especially if you’re on like the Blueridge parkway.

00:49:05.010 –> 00:49:12.360 Chris Parker: But there are hidden gems that you can take once you start to know the roads in the area that will be.

00:49:12.870 –> 00:49:29.100 Chris Parker: kind of the traffic, the level of traffic will be less than some of the more scenic routes like I know people will talk about deals gap and I actually think the road to deals gap is a better road, because how a 28 from.

00:49:31.110 –> 00:49:33.000 Chris Parker: Bryson city area.

00:49:33.240 –> 00:49:44.370 Chris Parker: Of Fontana damn is brilliant and it’s actually a less travel road and then to align which you’re familiar with on the rattler going to hot springs.

00:49:44.520 –> 00:49:45.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah I love that right.

00:49:45.690 –> 00:49:51.510 Chris Parker: You know that that road you know they’ll have traffic, but you know you can get around it, you can manage it.

00:49:52.440 –> 00:50:03.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s not that bad of traffic it’s I mean it is there some is too little, too late and winding road and the only reason it gets backed up sometimes is this person a little bit nervous coming down and going up it but.

00:50:04.290 –> 00:50:05.310 Joseph McElroy: For the most part it’s a.

00:50:05.310 –> 00:50:17.850 Joseph McElroy: pretty good it’s a pretty yeah I’ve gone through very busy times and then hot springs as a little town we’re stopping that it’s got some good food there and it’s got the hot springs resort so which you can usually jump into to get a little spray.

00:50:19.260 –> 00:50:29.580 Chris Parker: I’ll add I was tickled pink when they select Waynesville to and on the smoky mountain event Center and.

00:50:30.690 –> 00:50:41.820 Chris Parker: I just laughed I was like these guys are the attendees to the rally are going to leave the parking lot the entrance turn right and then for 25 miles to hot springs.

00:50:41.880 –> 00:50:43.050 Joseph McElroy: It was a perfect that was.

00:50:43.050 –> 00:50:46.980 Joseph McElroy: A perfect thing right it’s like and it was perfect yeah.

00:50:48.630 –> 00:50:53.760 Joseph McElroy: So that’s good, and one thing I do I mentioned to people is that you know, in the mountains, especially in the summer.

00:50:54.120 –> 00:51:03.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah we get we haven’t funny whether we’re pretty dry, but then we’ll usually just about five days out of the week have a big thunderstorm pop up for about an hour, and then disappear.

00:51:04.830 –> 00:51:17.400 Joseph McElroy: So you need to be aware that you know you want to have rain gear and be prepared for a sudden weather change when you ride around but it’s not very long and it goes away real quick.

00:51:20.190 –> 00:51:34.830 Joseph McElroy: So, what are your you know, I think that the bear water brewery Maggie Valley is a great place for motorcycles to go and have a meal and you’ll be able to park and you know even sit down in a deck and just enjoy the ambiance of the mountains right.

00:51:36.150 –> 00:51:42.210 Joseph McElroy: What are some other great places that you like, to stop at in your motorcycling travels through the smokies.

00:51:43.680 –> 00:51:58.230 Chris Parker: was a favorite of mine in my writing group it’s epic and it’s an I imagine people that know the area Franklin North Carolina there is a restaurant that’s in a gas station called CAFE rel.

00:51:58.860 –> 00:51:59.550 Chris Parker: Now.

00:51:59.670 –> 00:52:13.470 Chris Parker: And I was there for the first time, five or six years ago and it’s a four-star five-star chef from Atlanta who left the big city life, he was from Franklin and he returned.

00:52:14.010 –> 00:52:27.780 Chris Parker: back to his hometown and open up this French cuisine CAFE at reasonable prices, but the food is amazing when it’s as attached to a hotspot gas station as you would not think that would.

00:52:27.840 –> 00:52:29.850 Joseph McElroy: be a place that so what’s the name of the place.

00:52:30.120 –> 00:52:37.380 Chris Parker: CAFE Rel and it’s R EL and it’s the abbreviation of the guide and Richard E Long.

00:52:37.680 –> 00:52:39.120 Joseph McElroy: I’m gonna have to go check that out.

00:52:39.150 –> 00:52:39.660 yeah.

00:52:40.680 –> 00:52:47.970 Chris Parker: they’re closed on Wednesdays and their close Sundays and Mondays and they only pay cash they don’t take debit.

00:52:47.970 –> 00:52:57.780 Joseph McElroy: we know what if you get a chance to go to Wayne’s will go to hazelwood smokehouse which has been top 20 Barbecue places in the nation.

00:52:58.230 –> 00:53:08.940 Chris Parker: And then for near nearby I mean there’s a lot of restaurants and Maggie Valley, that will have access to so there’s that you place in downtown Waynesville is.

00:53:10.170 –> 00:53:11.310 Chris Parker: beach mountain diner.

00:53:11.550 –> 00:53:15.120 Chris Parker: Oh yeah that’s good yeah.

00:53:15.240 –> 00:53:24.570 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re coming to a close, here I want you to do some shout-outs, where people can find out more about what you’re doing or your club, but how can they find out more.

00:53:25.290 –> 00:53:39.960 Chris Parker: Well, you can join the RA at BMWRA.org, and then there is the events tab at the top that shows the activities of the club, the national rally this one is called the rally in the valley.

00:53:40.530 –> 00:53:49.590 Chris Parker: And you can register there, we still have plenty of spots where we’re going to take onsite registration last minute.

00:53:50.310 –> 00:54:01.230 Chris Parker: There might be an issue with you getting a meal if you wait till the last minute to register and then we are also selling a T-shirt that if you want to get one you have to.

00:54:02.190 –> 00:54:15.960 Chris Parker: Let us know by tomorrow, and you can get your name in the hat for a shirt so you can join the club there if you’re not a Member Oh, an important you do not have to ride a BMW to come to this.

00:54:16.200 –> 00:54:17.460 Chris Parker: We will allow.

00:54:17.490 –> 00:54:19.740 Chris Parker: Anybody allow.

00:54:19.830 –> 00:54:26.910 Chris Parker: We will accept and welcome anybody on any kind of bike so don’t feel like you have to have a BMW, to be able to attain cool.

00:54:27.150 –> 00:54:31.680 Joseph McElroy: And then, what is your image shout out your for your design company’s website.

00:54:32.310 –> 00:54:38.730 Chris Parker: As roadwolfdesign.com or roadwolfdesigned.com.

00:54:38.850 –> 00:54:42.330 Joseph McElroy: cool and I’m assuming you also got some Facebook and that sort of stuff people.

00:54:43.260 –> 00:54:51.930 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well, thank you very much for being on the show I’m looking forward to the event in May, and I think it’s gonna be fantastic and you’ve.

00:54:52.800 –> 00:55:04.890 Joseph McElroy: represented Well now, this program is the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast you can find it on Facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast it’s also.

00:55:05.700 –> 00:55:17.490 Joseph McElroy: On the episodes listed on smokiesadventure.com there’s a tab at the top, it allows you to click into a listing of all the episodes with some reason transcripts, and video.

00:55:18.510 –> 00:55:25.350 Joseph McElroy: That we are part of the talkradio.NYC network, which is a radio network of the live podcasts that happen, you know every day.

00:55:25.770 –> 00:55:38.880 Joseph McElroy: And I encourage you to look at them they’re small business ones there’s lifestyle there’s you know politics there’s a self help all sorts of different programs on this network it’s a good network to hear some great podcast.

00:55:39.690 –> 00:55:48.930 Joseph McElroy: it’s talkradio.nyc I have another one on this network called wise content creates wealth, which is about content marketing and Ai.

00:55:49.650 –> 00:55:58.620 Joseph McElroy: And that’s on Fridays from noon to one, and this podcast gateway to the smokies is always on Tuesday from six to seven and I’ll look forward to seeing you.

00:55:59.130 –> 00:56:12.000 Joseph McElroy: Next week we’ll have another great guest, it’s a legend in this in the mountains, look forward to having you meet and hear him talk to you later.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/cyCV67lvjg/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/62659846baa98c1f72c07913_20220419-GTTS%20(1).png"></a></p><p><strong>In this episode, you&#39;ll discover the Great Smoky Mountain region is home to some of the most remarkable riding destinations in the world. A land of enchanting beauty and endless possibilities for adventure on two wheels. A space to explore your greatest passions surrounded by the natural beauty of majestic mountain </strong>ranges, endlessly winding roads, and rustic cabins.</p><p>We are joined by our special guest, Chris Parker, who is the Founder and Chief Designer of Road Wolf Design, a company based in Greer S.C. that he founded in 2007. His clients include Texas Pete Hot Sauces, Touring Sport BMW, Spartanburg Regional Health Care System, and Beowulf Technologies-- among many others.</p><p>Prior to starting his own company, Chris spent over a decade working as a designer and artist in some of the top art departments in his industry. Chris is an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast who has spent a large part of his adult life riding his bike in the Great Smoky Mountain region of WNC and East Tennessee, as well as in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia and across the United States. </p><p>We will discuss the upcoming Rally in Valley scheduled for May, as well as his expertise in creating memorable riding adventures in the Great Smokies.</p><p>Website: <a href="http://roadwolfdesign.com/" rel="nofollow">http://roadwolfdesign.com/ </a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-parker-8442179/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-parker-8442179/</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/cyCV67lvjg/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph opens up to upcoming events happening at the Great Smoky Mountains over the next couple of weeks: ranging from motorcycle to Mother’s Day events. Following, he transitions into introducing his guest, Chris Parker, who is the owner and Chief Designer of Road Wolf Design. It is a creative design company based in Greer, South Carolina, that Parker founded in 2007. Chris is an avid motorcycle enthusiast who has spent much of his adult years riding in The Great Smoky Mountains and across the U.S. Chris has been to the Smokies countless times since he started riding in Western Carolina in 2000. Originally from Scotland, Chris has moved around a lot. He has lived in South Carolina since 1991.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Chris has been riding motorcycles for 22 years, his first bike was a used Honda Pacific Coast. Within 9 months he moved to a BMW bike, which he stayed on since. Chris obtained his BMW from a mutual work colleague who called a friend of his, saying his father-in-law was downsizing and moving, and he had an old 1998 BMW R-11 Hundred GS which he wanted to sell. After seeing photos, Chris’s interest grew, and a friendship sparked with the bike’s original owner. The two made a deal for Chris to buy the bike but as the friendship grew the owner offered the bike for free, with Chris only paying for the service. He flew to CA to pick up the bike, making a stop to meet the original owner in person. He then drove the bike across the country back home to S. Carolina in 6 days. Chris still owns the bike and says he will never get rid of it. Joseph shares his own interesting story. A friend of his was getting married, and he had a Yamaha 185 dirt bike which his wife was making him get rid of. During this friend’s bachelor party, Joseph drunkenly bought the bike. Three years later, Joseph was getting married and his friend was getting divorced, leading his friend to buy the bike back from him. They continue to share some motorcycle adventure stories– including one of an intense accident with a deer. Chris works for the BMW RA Organization. He is involved with the club and magazine. Chris has been the art director for the magazine for the past four years, and recently became the editor for the mag. as well. His first issue was the March/April ‘22 issue. The club is one of 2 motorcycle clubs that are national and are under the international umbrella, The BMW Club Council out of Germany. Chris describes the club as an enthusiast club that supports the love of all things BMW motorcycles.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts the segment by talking about the National BMW RA Rally which was held in September 2021 at Hayward County. There are plans for the rally to be held around the fall of ‘22 for a third year however it’s not confirmed yet. There were several factors that went into the organization choosing Hayward County for setup, the roads being the main factor for motorcyclists. The theme of the upcoming rally will be celebrating 50 years of the organization and ride attitude, for the enthusiast motorcycle club which is made up of riders who put in serious miles. The location provides them the epic opportunity to enjoy legendary roads, with people alike. The organization is looking into doing weekend getaways to make up for those who can’t make the once-a-year rally. The RA organization is also planning an upcoming regional event at the Meadowlark Hotel in Maggie Valley, to which Joseph is connected to. Joseph says they look forward to it. The area and the hotel are extremely motorcycle friendly. The big Steakhouse, Jay Arthurs, in the Valley is going to host them a big steak dinner, with live music, and a speakeasy area. This will be the first event Chris will host as a rally chair. They plan to end the rally with a challenging ride. This is the first announcement of this activity. Chris and others are going to be test driving this route this upcoming weekend. It’s about a 4-hour ride. Riding the Smokies is a magical experience.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Chris shares some safety tips for riding in the Smokies–two of which are, pacing yourself, especially in unknown areas, and wearing your safety gear at all times when riding. There are hidden gem roads that can be found and taken once people get to know the area, which can avoid some traffic. Joseph shares that the Bear Water Brewery is a great place for motorcyclists to have a meal and enjoy the ambiance of the mountain. He asks Chris what are some of his favorite places to make a stop in the Smokies. A favorite of Chris’s is in North Carolina, a restaurant in a gas station called Café Rell. The chef was originally from Atlanta. He left city life and returned back to his hometown, opening up this French cuisine café. The location is surprising but the food is even more so. In Downtown Waynesville, he recommends Beach Mountain Diner. In closing the episode, Chris shares that people can join the RA via their website <a href="http://www.bmwra.org/" rel="nofollow">www.bmwra.org</a>, there is an event tab where you can find the upcoming events that people can register for. He clarifies riders do not have to have a BMW to join, any motorcycle is welcomed.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:00:41.040 –&gt; 00:00:43.410 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! Welcome to the Gateways to the Smokies Podcast.</p><p>00:00:43.410 –&gt; 00:00:53.700 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:54.450 –&gt; 00:01:04.500 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:05.310 –&gt; 00:01:26.520 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. today we’re going to talk about smoky mountain motorcycle adventures.</p><p>00:01:27.660 –&gt; 00:01:34.350 Joseph McElroy: But first, a couple of sponsors messages and then some events that are upcoming that you might find interesting.</p><p>00:01:35.280 –&gt; 00:01:48.450 Joseph McElroy: First, imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past in modern and vibrant with Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:49.170 –&gt; 00:02:01.860 Joseph McElroy: imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on a fire eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:02:02.490 –&gt; 00:02:16.020 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place in the old-time music world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina, your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay!</p><p>00:02:17.400 –&gt; 00:02:29.460 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure.com smokies plural adventure singular the smoky mountains and surrounding area or areas of vacation destination for all seasons.</p><p>00:02:30.000 –&gt; 00:02:39.480 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found, right here in these mountains.</p><p>00:02:40.200 –&gt; 00:02:48.870 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</p><p>00:02:49.500 –&gt; 00:03:01.230 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, caves cove or the elk are and more than check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy.</p><p>00:03:02.550 –&gt; 00:03:09.900 Joseph McElroy: The goal is smokiesadventure.com is to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:03:10.710 –&gt; 00:03:21.660 Joseph McElroy: Now some events coming up most of these events are at the Maggie Valley festival grounds and it’s now become the big festival season in the mountains and the smoky mountain area.</p><p>00:03:22.440 –&gt; 00:03:37.440 Joseph McElroy: April 22nd to 24th is the Annual Southeastern mini trucking nationals it’s an open car and truck show featuring food and vendors and many trucks which are a hoot.</p><p>00:03:38.760 –&gt; 00:03:51.690 Joseph McElroy: April 19th to May 1st is Thunder in the Smokies Spring Motorcycle Rally, this is a Big Motorcycle Rally about three times a year and it’s the largest and oldest rally in Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:03:52.200 –&gt; 00:04:01.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s all day Friday and Saturday and half the day on Sunday is got tour rides vendors bike shows games prizes concerts.</p><p>00:04:02.190 –&gt; 00:04:10.470 Joseph McElroy: Fire dancers, the latest bikes and motor products on display, and more you can go to thunderinthesmokies.com to find out more.</p><p>00:04:11.100 –&gt; 00:04:26.940 Joseph McElroy: May 7th is a new event that I haven’t during know where it is called the boho hippie feast it’s got live music performances art demonstrations vendors bounce houses games food trucks and more sounds like it’s going to be sort of a Bohemian.</p><p>00:04:28.080 –&gt; 00:04:46.890 Joseph McElroy: arts and crafts show with lots of fun so I’m looking forward to checking that out, and they may 13 to the 14th is the kk OA icons of the hot rodding festival, and this is going to be the 1950s and 1960s hot-rodding custom cars and trailer trucks and then have it.</p><p>00:04:48.210 –&gt; 00:04:59.730 Joseph McElroy: For models that are older than 1969 have automotive and vintage vendors pinstripe burrs and food vendors awards and trophies and all sorts of things.</p><p>00:05:00.990 –&gt; 00:05:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Now the Meadowlark you know, we have the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center where we have lots of mountain heritage and music events so in.</p><p>00:05:12.510 –&gt; 00:05:13.230 Joseph McElroy: In May.</p><p>00:05:14.310 –&gt; 00:05:30.930 Joseph McElroy: On May 6th through the 8th we’re going to have mother’s day events and it’s gonna have moms moving mountains and mother nature’s natural garden programs Nancy East and Ila Hatter.</p><p>00:05:32.310 –&gt; 00:05:50.370 Joseph McElroy: So first one there on a Friday night may six-seven acclaimed authors and wilderness survival expert Nancy East will be presenting mom’s moving mountains and she will share her experiences in the great outdoors as well as her amazing endurance hiking achievements.</p><p>00:05:51.780 –&gt; 00:06:03.630 Joseph McElroy: This is serious just here doing what wilderness survival is course is hugely valuable and she has some great adventures to talk about the show you picture things like that, then a May 7.</p><p>00:06:04.320 –&gt; 00:06:14.130 Joseph McElroy: The afternoon will feature legendary wildcrafting expert and renowned author filmmaker instructor and tour guide for the general some great smoky mountain National Park elite.</p><p>00:06:14.940 –&gt; 00:06:24.120 Joseph McElroy: GSM Field School Illa Hatter. Ila is an expert on edible plants, medicinal herbs, and anything pertaining to wildcraft foraging and Appalachian plants, trees, and flowers.</p><p>00:06:24.600 –&gt; 00:06:32.010 Joseph McElroy: she’s been featured in a lot of stuff like TV shows, and things like that.</p><p>00:06:32.880 –&gt; 00:06:44.100 Joseph McElroy: But she will be presenting your her beloved program Mother Nature natural garden and leading a short tour of the grounds, identifying nature’s bounty that can be found in our own backyards.</p><p>00:06:44.610 –&gt; 00:06:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll have a combination with the free Barbecue separate music on Saturday night.</p><p>00:06:49.950 –&gt; 00:07:06.720 Joseph McElroy: So reach out and then In mother’s day in the morning will have will be having cake and champagne for people as they’re leaving in the morning, so come and reach out to meadowlarkmotel.com call 8289261717 to find out more and reserve your spot for these programs.</p><p>00:07:08.970 –&gt; 00:07:18.090 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know if everybody knows, but one of the best motorcycle museums in the country, if not the world is located right next to the Meadowlark motel.</p><p>00:07:18.720 –&gt; 00:07:31.380 Joseph McElroy: And it’s called the wheels through time museum and it’s home to the world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles memorabilia and a distinct array of unique one-off American automobiles.</p><p>00:07:32.940 –&gt; 00:07:56.040 Joseph McElroy: It has a collection of over 350 rare machines comprised of 25 makes including Harley Davidson Indian excelsior Henderson Popeil crocker flying Merkel and many, many more, it was opened on July 4 2002 in a 38,000 square foot facility, and now it says 15th year of operation.</p><p>00:07:57.270 –&gt; 00:08:02.070 Joseph McElroy: it’s gotten worldwide media attention and brought hundreds of thousands of visitors to Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:08:02.520 –&gt; 00:08:16.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a unique display it has events going on thrill rides and all the machines run even the older some of the rarest in the world have been made into working order and every day.</p><p>00:08:17.370 –&gt; 00:08:24.360 Joseph McElroy: Thursday through Monday, they will actually get some of these different old machines running so you can hear how they sound.</p><p>00:08:24.600 –&gt; 00:08:35.400 Joseph McElroy: feel their vibrations, you know feel like a part of it, and then and the museum itself is a really wonderful experience because you’re walking through something that’s almost like a giant garage.</p><p>00:08:35.700 –&gt; 00:08:45.870 Joseph McElroy: Then it has art and automobiles represent a representative of the times right and motorcycles representative of the time in the exhibits.</p><p>00:08:46.890 –&gt; 00:08:55.620 Joseph McElroy: It was founded by Dale Walker who recently died, but his son has taken over who’s also an accomplished motorcycle.</p><p>00:08:56.310 –&gt; 00:09:04.680 Joseph McElroy: Now expert knowledge, so I recommend coming to stay in the Meadowlark and going over the wheels through the time museum to get your motorcycle on.</p><p>00:09:05.520 –&gt; 00:09:09.480 Joseph McElroy: Somebody knows about motorcycles our guest today his name is Chris Parker.</p><p>00:09:10.050 –&gt; 00:09:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Chris Parker is the owner and Chief Designer of Road Wolf Design it’s a creative design company based in Greer South Carolina where he was founded in 2007 his clients include Texas Pete Hot Sauces yay I love hot sauces, Texas Pete.</p><p>00:09:26.430 –&gt; 00:09:34.650 Joseph McElroy: touring sport BMW, and many others, Chris is an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast who has been a large part of his adult life.</p><p>00:09:35.040 –&gt; 00:09:45.900 Joseph McElroy: riding his bike in the great smoky mountains regions and all across the United States now Chris has partnered with the staff of the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley to create a new event.</p><p>00:09:46.320 –&gt; 00:09:58.020 Joseph McElroy: For this prestigious group called the BMWRA group on May 12-15 2022 and at the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley and so hello, Chris how are you doing?</p><p>00:09:58.680 –&gt; 00:10:00.210 Chris Parker: Great good to be here.</p><p>00:10:00.570 –&gt; 00:10:05.730 Joseph McElroy: cool we are thrilled to have you with us here today, Chris and we’re.</p><p>00:10:06.300 –&gt; 00:10:19.410 Joseph McElroy: we’re really just like so I mean I’m very excited to discuss your upcoming rally in the valley scheduled for May and as well as you share your expertise and you know, creating memorable riding adventure so let’s get started.</p><p>00:10:20.640 –&gt; 00:10:25.890 Joseph McElroy: You live in a relatively short ride from Maggie valley when was your first trip to our region?</p><p>00:10:27.450 –&gt; 00:10:41.610 Chris Parker: Well, I’ve been up there so many times I’ve lost count been riding in western North Carolina since 2000, 22 years easily hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of miles.</p><p>00:10:43.020 –&gt; 00:10:49.620 Chris Parker: Maggie Valley, Waynesville area, a lot, because of the roads are just their epic so yeah.</p><p>00:10:50.280 –&gt; 00:10:52.680 Joseph McElroy: Are you originally from Greer or Where are you from originally.</p><p>00:10:53.550 –&gt; 00:11:06.960 Chris Parker: um well as a navy brat I was born in Scotland and moved around and then eventually made it to the US, but I’ve been living in the southeast primarily since the mid-70s, hence the accent.</p><p>00:11:08.040 –&gt; 00:11:19.020 Chris Parker: And in South Carolina since 1981 so I’m in the upstate of South Carolina which when you explain to people South Carolina they automatically assume you’re from Charleston or the beach.</p><p>00:11:19.410 –&gt; 00:11:30.030 Chris Parker: And you have to remind them that there’s the upstate which is mountainous it’s at the foothills of the mountains of where you’re at and North Carolina so you know you.</p><p>00:11:30.360 –&gt; 00:11:40.110 Joseph McElroy: Did you when you’ve been visiting if you get a chance to hook up with Mike Ogletree he’s our artist in residence and he was born in Scotland and played with a lot of Scottish bands.</p><p>00:11:40.260 –&gt; 00:11:45.540 Chris Parker: Did you get the time I met him, I met him last September, when I came up to visit the motel.</p><p>00:11:46.020 –&gt; 00:12:01.980 Chris Parker: and his background, when I found out who he was with I just my jaw dropped simple minds, I mean who doesn’t know who that band is and then he’s from Scotland and he’s got the accent I don’t, but we did have a chat he’s a nice guy.</p><p>00:12:02.280 –&gt; 00:12:18.240 Joseph McElroy: Oh good well that’s I mean yeah that’s yeah there’s actually a lot of Scottish heritage in the mountains right, so you probably find a little bit of that connecting up with people and you should go by the Scottish Tartan Museum in Franklin it’s.</p><p>00:12:19.290 –&gt; 00:12:19.620 Chris Parker: Like.</p><p>00:12:20.250 –&gt; 00:12:23.670 Joseph McElroy: it’s the greatest Tartan collection in the world, I think right.</p><p>00:12:24.180 –&gt; 00:12:31.770 Joseph McElroy: it’s pretty it is pretty impressive you know, we had him out for the Burn’s Day celebration of Robert Burns and.</p><p>00:12:32.160 –&gt; 00:12:36.930 Joseph McElroy: They brought some tartans and they brought some pictures and they did a whole discussion, so it was pretty cool.</p><p>00:12:37.860 –&gt; 00:12:53.730 Joseph McElroy: Pretty cool opportunity to find more about and I recommend people find out about that museum, because we know it’s of all the many museums, we have in the mountains that’s one of them that’s I think is pretty special hey so I’ve talked a lot, so we have to take our first break.</p><p>00:12:55.170 –&gt; 00:13:00.750 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll come back and we’ll find more will find a little bit more about you and then writing BMW is in the mountains.</p><p>00:13:02.070 –&gt; 00:13:02.460 Okay.</p><p>00:15:17.460 –&gt; 00:15:27.660 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Chris Parker so Chris how long have you been riding motorcycles?</p><p>00:15:29.790 –&gt; 00:15:30.990 Chris Parker: 22 years.</p><p>00:15:31.500 –&gt; 00:15:34.590 Joseph McElroy: 22 years and did was a BMW your first one.</p><p>00:15:35.550 –&gt; 00:15:53.400 Chris Parker: No, it wasn’t I bought a used Honda Pacific coast and learn to ride on that, and within nine months and about 15,000 miles later I moved to a BMW pretty quick and pretty much stayed on them for the last 22 years.</p><p>00:15:54.090 –&gt; 00:15:56.040 Joseph McElroy: Now, Bob folks,</p><p>00:15:57.810 –&gt; 00:16:12.750 Joseph McElroy: involved and helped me put together these programs he’s also Bob Plott and he’s also general manager of the smoky mountain heritage Center so he told me, you have a really unique story about how you obtain your BMW bite that you know that you now own so what’s that story.</p><p>00:16:13.620 –&gt; 00:16:16.080 Chris Parker: that’s a pretty long one, but I’ll try to give you the.</p><p>00:16:16.860 –&gt; 00:16:20.970 Chris Parker: Two-second versions I had a mutual work colleague.</p><p>00:16:22.050 –&gt; 00:16:22.860 Chris Parker: call me.</p><p>00:16:24.120 –&gt; 00:16:33.990 Chris Parker: A friend of mine last March 2021 said that he had his father-in-law, was downsizing and they were moving him from California to North Carolina.</p><p>00:16:34.350 –&gt; 00:16:43.620 Chris Parker: And he had an old BMW that he was trying to sell figure out the value of it, he knew I knew bikes being very bikes and show me some pictures and I saw it, and I was like wow that’s a really nice.</p><p>00:16:45.090 –&gt; 00:17:03.420 Chris Parker: BMW or 1100 G, yes, which is there on road offered by and it was a mint condition and I saw the odometer reading on it, it said 13,191 miles, and I was like wow so I did my due diligence getting some pricing and one thing led to another and.</p><p>00:17:04.740 –&gt; 00:17:18.030 Chris Parker: Because of my interest in it, it looked like I was going to be the guy that bought it and I did well sort of I’m in talks with the owner of the bike gab widening of Earl picture.</p><p>00:17:18.690 –&gt; 00:17:33.240 Chris Parker: He and I struck up a really nice friendship and through a series of conversations and circumstances I ended up getting a call from him when the bike was picked up from the local dealer in.</p><p>00:17:34.350 –&gt; 00:17:41.970 Chris Parker: BMW dealer in Temecula California and they went over it, and they said God this thing is a time capsule it is meant.</p><p>00:17:43.470 –&gt; 00:17:45.690 Chris Parker: can’t believe the condition is in and.</p><p>00:17:46.920 –&gt; 00:17:51.960 Chris Parker: So in talking with them, we had struck up a deal that I would buy the bike for a really good price.</p><p>00:17:52.500 –&gt; 00:18:02.730 Chris Parker: And he would pay for the bike to be serviced and I just couldn’t believe he was willing to do that, but once we got to know each other, he called me after the bike was a.</p><p>00:18:03.540 –&gt; 00:18:12.690 Chris Parker: checked out by the dealership and he surprised me with the gift of saying hey Chris why don’t you pay for the service and after the service, the bike is yours.</p><p>00:18:13.680 –&gt; 00:18:24.570 Chris Parker: I stood there in my living room and I heard him say those words and I didn’t quite understand what he was talking about and he’s I said what I don’t What do you mean he says I’m giving you the bike.</p><p>00:18:25.320 –&gt; 00:18:26.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.</p><p>00:18:26.340 –&gt; 00:18:34.800 Chris Parker: I’m like why he said, well, I checked you out, I know that you’re with a BMW riders association you do the magazine.</p><p>00:18:35.460 –&gt; 00:18:53.490 Chris Parker: And then you had a deer strike in 2018 on your GPS adventure and you use it almost total G, but you got back on the horse and you continue to ride and you’re my kind of guy in terms of you keep riding and you’ll take care of this body, so I flew out.</p><p>00:18:54.600 –&gt; 00:19:03.810 Chris Parker: With my gear and toe and I landed in Temecula and got the bike it was exactly as you described and I rode it.</p><p>00:19:04.320 –&gt; 00:19:21.180 Chris Parker: From the dealership to his place in palm desert California and I met him and I got to eat dinner with him and spend a night and we had breakfast and then I run cross country on that bike from California to South Carolina in six days.</p><p>00:19:21.780 –&gt; 00:19:25.890 Chris Parker: wow so it’s uh I’ll never get rid of that by that bike is.</p><p>00:19:26.190 –&gt; 00:19:35.220 Joseph McElroy: it’s already a part of you now, so you know I have my interesting story is buys a number, there was a big bike rider back in my youth.</p><p>00:19:35.670 –&gt; 00:19:47.160 Joseph McElroy: A friend of mine was getting married in here to Yamaha 185 right which is a dirt bike and he said, well, I gotta get rid of it my wife and we have it so I’m drinking his bachelor party and I buy it right.</p><p>00:19:47.940 –&gt; 00:19:56.070 Joseph McElroy: I had it for about three years and then I started to get married he now is going through a divorce, where the best of my bachelor party and he buys it back from me.</p><p>00:19:59.820 –&gt; 00:20:09.750 Joseph McElroy: So meant for a single guy going out and taking a little adventure, but you know this story of dear what happened with that what happened, my dear jumped out in front of you.</p><p>00:20:10.230 –&gt; 00:20:22.140 Chris Parker: yeah this was coming up four years ago, I was actually heading to the BMW writers association national rally in Wellsboro Pennsylvania.</p><p>00:20:22.890 –&gt; 00:20:29.220 Chris Parker: And I was going to do it in two days and stayed my first night at a really nice motorcycle campground that I love and</p><p>00:20:29.940 –&gt; 00:20:39.720 Chris Parker: metals of Dan Virginia called will do and I had written I don’t like leaving at night, but my workday was such that I left late in the afternoon.</p><p>00:20:40.200 –&gt; 00:20:48.300 Chris Parker: which would have me arriving there late at night and I had written about 260 miles, with five more miles to go.</p><p>00:20:49.080 –&gt; 00:21:00.600 Chris Parker: And next thing I know I’m calling out of the ditch and wondering what happened and trying to flag someone down to help me and I was my whole left side was on fire.</p><p>00:21:01.200 –&gt; 00:21:09.600 Chris Parker: didn’t know what would have happened if I like passing out or well in this instance, I found out with a guy come in to rescue me.</p><p>00:21:11.040 –&gt; 00:21:15.360 Chris Parker: telling me they don’t move to help us on the way and I asked him.</p><p>00:21:16.380 –&gt; 00:21:18.990 Chris Parker: What happened, he said dude you hit a deer.</p><p>00:21:19.410 –&gt; 00:21:20.100 Joseph McElroy: Oh well.</p><p>00:21:20.220 –&gt; 00:21:29.340 Chris Parker: Like a 200-pound Oh, and I was airlifted to Winston Salem and I stayed there for two weeks and broke ribs front and rear.</p><p>00:21:30.660 –&gt; 00:21:45.990 Chris Parker: shoulder blade fracture it and then broke my collarbone and I lacerated my spleen which they were able to repair that without we’re moving in and since then and back at it, since it was three months later, I.</p><p>00:21:47.220 –&gt; 00:21:59.910 Chris Parker: You know, I was wondering if I was going to quit riding or if I was going to take a hiatus and I knew that wasn’t going to work because I was spending my wee hours of the morning on my computer looking at you know bikes.</p><p>00:22:01.140 –&gt; 00:22:03.930 Chris Parker: trying to figure out what I was going to get and return to so.</p><p>00:22:04.260 –&gt; 00:22:10.680 Joseph McElroy: Is that something that you can avoid is there or is it just that that’s just the one that’s a freak accident.</p><p>00:22:10.740 –&gt; 00:22:21.570 Chris Parker: It was a freak accident, plus there are things that you can mitigate it like don’t ride at night or in the morning and then, of course, in the fall with dears running.</p><p>00:22:22.230 –&gt; 00:22:25.590 Chris Parker: they’re out a little more than they would be throughout the rest of the year.</p><p>00:22:26.220 –&gt; 00:22:34.800 Chris Parker: And you just kind of get a feel for it’s your spidey sense is going off and you’re like yeah they got probably need to not be out and I just ignored.</p><p>00:22:35.340 –&gt; 00:22:51.720 Chris Parker: I’d probably did I did everything right in that I had all the gear I wear full Armor I actually wear a neck brace when I arrived, which is a preventive measure, and I was wearing it and it’s to keep you from injury your cervical spine around your neck so that you don’t have any.</p><p>00:22:52.020 –&gt; 00:22:59.460 Joseph McElroy: that’s amazing because you know the sounds from the accident that was expecting yeah like spinal, but it was, like all sort of.</p><p>00:22:59.910 –&gt; 00:23:08.730 Joseph McElroy: Except for the spleen things sort of like super you know, like for the better words minor praise, but I mean they weren’t minor but they were yeah they were.</p><p>00:23:09.420 –&gt; 00:23:18.360 Joseph McElroy: They were not in you know you didn’t get peril paralysis and all that sort of stuff so and predictive stuff sounds like it really works that’s great.</p><p>00:23:19.080 –&gt; 00:23:27.030 Chris Parker: yeah it was pretty emotional to come home after being away from my kids those two weeks and I got home, I can.</p><p>00:23:29.700 –&gt; 00:23:37.200 Joseph McElroy: You know, a mutual friend who introduced us Larry Schatz had an accident not too far ago he’s backed upright and again.</p><p>00:23:37.770 –&gt; 00:23:42.060 Chris Parker: yeah actually ride with him fairly regularly and he’s amazing.</p><p>00:23:43.020 –&gt; 00:23:43.950 Joseph McElroy: How did you meet him.</p><p>00:23:45.210 –&gt; 00:23:46.680 Chris Parker: He joined.</p><p>00:23:47.730 –&gt; 00:23:58.500 Chris Parker: A group of writers, that I have been writing with for 20 plus years and he heard about us through social media, and then we actually met him.</p><p>00:23:59.040 –&gt; 00:24:10.290 Chris Parker: On a ride several years ago, he was new to the area coming back well moved from New York City Manhattan to near Asheville.</p><p>00:24:11.160 –&gt; 00:24:30.390 Chris Parker: He was looking for like-minded writers and we met through Facebook, I think it was and then, of course, with that, we’ve written many times with him he’s just he’s a fast rider as you know, an accident can happen.</p><p>00:24:30.720 –&gt; 00:24:36.480 Chris Parker: but also his skill level is like I’m here and he’s up here.</p><p>00:24:36.960 –&gt; 00:24:39.030 Chris Parker: That it doesn’t track day so.</p><p>00:24:39.480 –&gt; 00:24:40.890 Joseph McElroy: He admits that he led his.</p><p>00:24:40.890 –&gt; 00:24:43.770 Joseph McElroy: ego gets ahead of him, and then there’s Ryan, he was.</p><p>00:24:43.800 –&gt; 00:24:53.490 Joseph McElroy: Trying to keep up with somebody he said I can’t do that anymore, he said he admitted that he actually when he gets his training so now that.</p><p>00:24:54.300 –&gt; 00:25:12.810 Joseph McElroy: that’s you know that happens to everybody so but he’s back on and he’s riding again and I’m glad he introduced this and we’re you know we you got your work, you work with BMWRA you also the board and you also added the magazine right.</p><p>00:25:13.860 –&gt; 00:25:16.080 Chris Parker: I’m not a board member, but I am a.</p><p>00:25:17.640 –&gt; 00:25:27.150 Chris Parker: a person involved with the club in two areas, one of which, for the last four years I’ve been the art director for the magazine, so I laid it out.</p><p>00:25:28.440 –&gt; 00:25:41.700 Chris Parker: I’ve been doing that, since March, April 2018, and then an esteemed editor that was under the most of those four years John Flores he.</p><p>00:25:42.420 –&gt; 00:25:55.680 Chris Parker: of New Jersey, an amazing photographer and mono journalist, stepped down due to just his workload and he let me know that you know.</p><p>00:25:56.550 –&gt; 00:26:13.440 Chris Parker: I think it was November of last year, and I was like holy crap, what are we gonna do now, and he said, Chris, you should take it on, and I was like an editor and he said yeah I think you did great at it and so I’m now, the editor of the magazine my first issue was.</p><p>00:26:14.700 –&gt; 00:26:18.750 Chris Parker: The March, April of 2022 it’s been in the hands of the Members.</p><p>00:26:19.830 –&gt; 00:26:24.030 Chris Parker: For about a month now, and I’m working on my second issue now it’s going to the printer this week.</p><p>00:26:24.420 –&gt; 00:26:28.050 Joseph McElroy: So congratulations, so can you tell us.</p><p>00:26:28.110 –&gt; 00:26:34.830 Chris Parker: Real quick also help out with related graphics that are outside of the magazine.</p><p>00:26:36.000 –&gt; 00:26:41.070 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us you know a little bit about what the BMWRA organization is.</p><p>00:26:42.090 –&gt; 00:26:47.400 Chris Parker: Well it’s a BMW motorcycle club that’s been in existence since 1972.</p><p>00:26:48.450 –&gt; 00:27:00.570 Chris Parker: We are one of two motorcycle clubs that are national and we are actually under the international umbrella of the BMW club Council out of Germany.</p><p>00:27:01.290 –&gt; 00:27:25.080 Chris Parker: BMW motor add is the motorcycle division of BMW AG so everyone hears that you know there are cars, but they also make motorcycles, in fact, that and making motorcycles longer than I have been making cars and so we’re an enthusiast club that supports the love of all things BMW motorcycles.</p><p>00:27:26.400 –&gt; 00:27:32.700 Chris Parker: it’s the Riders association and we just shorten it to ra but everyone knows who we are cool.</p><p>00:27:33.090 –&gt; 00:27:37.290 Joseph McElroy: And you, you had your national rally in Haywood County this last year did.</p><p>00:27:38.040 –&gt; 00:27:42.930 Chris Parker: We did in Waynesville at the Smoky Mountain Event Center off of two.</p><p>00:27:44.370 –&gt; 00:27:46.710 Chris Parker: In August of last year .cool.</p><p>00:27:47.280 –&gt; 00:27:54.480 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, we, I want to talk more about that, but we got to take a break real quick and then we’ll come back we’ll talk about why you guys decided to come to play with.</p><p>00:30:01.020 –&gt; 00:30:08.910 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateways to the Smokies Podcasts and my guest Chris Parker.</p><p>00:30:09.300 –&gt; 00:30:22.560 Joseph McElroy: So, Chris we were talking about the national BMWRA Rally that was held in Haywood County I think in September 2021 and I think you have it has plans for at least 2022 and 2023 right?</p><p>00:30:23.550 –&gt; 00:30:41.820 Chris Parker: Well, definitely for 2022 there are discussions for maybe possibly returning the third year we don’t know that for sure, but right now, I know that this coming fall it’ll actually be later in the year it’ll be in September September 29 through October, the second.</p><p>00:30:43.170 –&gt; 00:30:44.610 Chris Parker: location so.</p><p>00:30:44.940 –&gt; 00:30:46.920 Joseph McElroy: same weekend as well fest so.</p><p>00:30:48.300 –&gt; 00:30:52.380 Joseph McElroy: Why did you why BMWRA choose Haywood County?</p><p>00:30:53.940 –&gt; 00:31:07.200 Chris Parker: Well, obviously there have to be several factors involved, one of which is a location that can accommodate anywhere from 1200 to 1500 people camping and facilities for vendors.</p><p>00:31:08.370 –&gt; 00:31:18.330 Chris Parker: But really the ideal setup was the roads, because of the legendary roads that are within striking distance of that location.</p><p>00:31:19.230 –&gt; 00:31:39.360 Chris Parker: There are famous it’s not just people in the United States that come here to the southeast arrived these words I actually have a friend, that is from Germany and the comments on the fact that these roads have a nature of a quality that would go up against stuff in the House.</p><p>00:31:40.590 –&gt; 00:31:52.380 Chris Parker: they’ll fly here and they’ll come to Western North Carolina Southwest Virginia Eastern Tennessee Northeast Georgia because of what’s around you guys in.</p><p>00:31:54.090 –&gt; 00:32:02.700 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know there’s some really famous one like with a tail of the dragon and the rattler and a copperhead is there any other there that you think are particularly famous that.</p><p>00:32:03.990 –&gt; 00:32:04.350 Joseph McElroy: That.</p><p>00:32:04.380 –&gt; 00:32:07.170 Chris Parker: Well, I don’t want to announce them too much, because then.</p><p>00:32:07.200 –&gt; 00:32:07.620 Once you.</p><p>00:32:09.450 –&gt; 00:32:11.700 Chris Parker: they’re no longer your personal roller coaster but.</p><p>00:32:11.730 –&gt; 00:32:18.270 Chris Parker: Right, there are some roads that are they don’t really have names assigned to them like the rattler or.</p><p>00:32:19.620 –&gt; 00:32:23.190 Chris Parker: deals gaps Taylor dragon or the moon Shauna which is.</p><p>00:32:24.630 –&gt; 00:32:35.430 Chris Parker: going through parts of South Carolina and Western North Carolina but I’ll just throw out some names North Carolina to anyone North Carolina 215</p><p>00:32:37.680 –&gt; 00:32:48.780 Chris Parker: Those are some pretty epic roads that will actually have people pointing him to take when we have an event at your at the Meadowlark.</p><p>00:32:49.890 –&gt; 00:32:51.810 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re planning so.</p><p>00:32:52.950 –&gt; 00:33:03.210 Joseph McElroy: let’s just sit back for an SEC, I want to talk about the plans that they’ve been learned Oh, you know you would say that the national event that it made sense to do a regional event here right.</p><p>00:33:04.380 –&gt; 00:33:17.280 Chris Parker: yeah so the thinking here with the RA’s is so just a little background on the RA’s it’s a national organization it’s been around we’re celebrating our 50th year this year, and so the.</p><p>00:33:18.240 –&gt; 00:33:31.650 Chris Parker: The theme for the rally in Waynesville is going to be 50 years of the RIED attitude RIED and the RA is known as a just enthusiast</p><p>00:33:32.550 –&gt; 00:33:54.690 Chris Parker: motorcycle club, the people that come to this event arm riders they put on serious miles and coming to Western North Carolina game is just providing them an epic opportunity to enjoy these legendary roads in the have four days at the campground at the smoky mountain Center.</p><p>00:33:55.710 –&gt; 00:34:04.950 Chris Parker: Doing you know hanging out there’s going to be food and all that kind of stuff, and so the idea of them coming back I know people when they heard the announcement.</p><p>00:34:05.460 –&gt; 00:34:19.620 Chris Parker: They were shocked that we were coming back because they’ve never really done that, before, but then I think the overall vibe of the reaction was yeah, this is a good move because of you know you’re from this area, you know what it’s like.</p><p>00:34:19.800 –&gt; 00:34:20.490 Joseph McElroy: yeah right.</p><p>00:34:21.570 –&gt; 00:34:24.450 Joseph McElroy: And then, and then do it a regional one made sense as well right.</p><p>00:34:24.900 –&gt; 00:34:34.440 Chris Parker: Oh yeah so yeah the question was why a regional event in that the national rally is once a year, and sometimes people can’t make that.</p><p>00:34:35.220 –&gt; 00:34:45.030 Chris Parker: So we were we’re opening up the possibility of doing these smaller weekend getaways and because of the connection with Larry new and I.</p><p>00:34:45.690 –&gt; 00:34:53.250 Chris Parker: It was just assumed that it would make sense to do one and Maggie Valley, even though it’s close to where the national rally would be at a different time of the year.</p><p>00:34:53.640 –&gt; 00:35:03.930 Chris Parker: And then, because of what I think is going to be a successful event in Meadowlark with the registrations that we have so far and the reaction to this event they’re going to do more of these.</p><p>00:35:04.050 –&gt; 00:35:08.820 Chris Parker: And so, in September in the upper peninsula of.</p><p>00:35:10.290 –&gt; 00:35:23.070 Chris Parker: Michigan there’s going to be an event that’s sponsored by the RA that’s going to be at a place called big snow resort in Wakefield Michigan and then there’s a possibility of one in Virginia near.</p><p>00:35:24.810 –&gt; 00:35:28.620 Chris Parker: West Virginia and Virginia up in the Shenandoah Valley.</p><p>00:35:29.100 –&gt; 00:35:29.850 Chris Parker: So we’re.</p><p>00:35:29.910 –&gt; 00:35:31.680 Chris Parker: we’re in early stages of that.</p><p>00:35:32.430 –&gt; 00:35:40.740 Joseph McElroy: Well cool well the Meadowlark you know we know Maggie Valley itself is considered like the best motorcycle town.</p><p>00:35:41.280 –&gt; 00:35:52.200 Joseph McElroy: In Western North Carolina and because it’s near all those famous roads, easy access big road to get in and out of you know, has it actually has a festival grounds that holds a lot of.</p><p>00:35:53.970 –&gt; 00:36:01.500 Joseph McElroy: You know trucking and motorcycle events and the culture are very conducive to yeah motorcyclists enjoying.</p><p>00:36:02.790 –&gt; 00:36:07.050 Joseph McElroy: You know, restaurants and everything are very motorcycle friendly.</p><p>00:36:08.100 –&gt; 00:36:13.230 Joseph McElroy: You know people do things like you know the motels do things like have you know motorcycle rags and little.</p><p>00:36:13.710 –&gt; 00:36:21.090 Joseph McElroy: Little buckets right outside the room, so they can clean and wash their motorcycles and stuff like that which I think that yeah it’s just a.</p><p>00:36:21.510 –&gt; 00:36:32.010 Joseph McElroy: it’s a really nice environment, you know and we’re and you know we’re putting together so that people have stepped up in the valley of the big steak house J Arthur’s is going to host all you guys for a big steak dinner.</p><p>00:36:32.370 –&gt; 00:36:39.570 Joseph McElroy: And then we have a pavilion we’re gonna have live music poetry Michael Ogletree, and I think he’s gonna do a simple mind acoustic concert.</p><p>00:36:40.200 –&gt; 00:36:53.940 Joseph McElroy: Right and we’ve opened up a new speakeasy which you didn’t even know about before where you know, on the later in the evening come in, listen to really cool music and hang back and have nice drinks and things like that so we’re looking forward to it.</p><p>00:36:55.500 –&gt; 00:37:01.650 Joseph McElroy: So, but you are also planning some things for the event, you were talking about a special ride you put together.</p><p>00:37:02.670 –&gt; 00:37:21.570 Chris Parker: yeah, so this is being the first event that I’ve ever hosted I’m being a rally chair, we were trying to figure out a group of us who are behind the scenes, putting the pieces together what we can add to the already announced.</p><p>00:37:22.830 –&gt; 00:37:24.960 Chris Parker: Activities you know the dinners.</p><p>00:37:26.130 –&gt; 00:37:27.300 Chris Parker: The live music.</p><p>00:37:28.350 –&gt; 00:37:37.770 Chris Parker: Some of the vendors that are going to be on-site that on the 14th the last full day of the rally we’re going to have the rally in the valley challenge ride</p><p>00:37:38.460 –&gt; 00:37:47.970 Chris Parker: And it’s going to be a way to snag some extra door prize tickets raffle prize tickets by participating in it and so we’ve.</p><p>00:37:48.450 –&gt; 00:37:57.900 Chris Parker: come up with a route that’s gonna be about 160 something miles, that if you take it and you follow it and take proof.</p><p>00:37:58.590 –&gt; 00:38:12.090 Chris Parker: of taking it by stopping in some waypoints take pictures of you and your bike and then will you know for each one of those if you stop at we will award you an extra ticket for a chance to win some really awesome prizes.</p><p>00:38:12.540 –&gt; 00:38:16.650 Chris Parker: I’ll tell you more about what those are looking like right.</p><p>00:38:17.700 –&gt; 00:38:28.260 Chris Parker: So that’s news that it’s not been announced until this podcast that we’re planning on In fact this Thursday about four of us are going to do a test ride.</p><p>00:38:28.740 –&gt; 00:38:39.030 Chris Parker: To make sure that the route that we’ve planned has a quality we just been doing it, the mapping software, and now we’re going to go and test it this coming week.</p><p>00:38:39.510 –&gt; 00:38:40.620 Joseph McElroy: How long the riders and.</p><p>00:38:41.520 –&gt; 00:38:51.060 Chris Parker: it’s gonna be about four hours it’s a loop that takes you northeast of Maggie Valley and it’ll take you into.</p><p>00:38:52.290 –&gt; 00:39:02.940 Chris Parker: close to the Tennessee state line it’ll sneak around some of the brands, which will be on our two and on obviously North kind of 63, which is a trust.</p><p>00:39:04.080 –&gt; 00:39:12.060 Chris Parker: there’s some dirt roads that you can take for extra bonus points for those that don’t know this BMW has a lot of bikes called GSS.</p><p>00:39:12.390 –&gt; 00:39:27.840 Chris Parker: And they’re the type of bike that wants to pay money Angie you keep going so if you want to go down for us but we’ve got a few things set up in the round so that that is going to be a new feature to the to the rally and then.</p><p>00:39:28.890 –&gt; 00:39:39.630 Chris Parker: I mentioned vendors, we have about five that are committed to showing up the main one in terms of what people would recognize as.</p><p>00:39:40.230 –&gt; 00:39:58.290 Chris Parker: wonderfully USA there is a BMW motorcycle accessories company out of Germany and their North American headquarters is in Hendersonville was nearby and they’re going to be there with their products, their tents and people to you know talk about what they offer for BMW motorcycles.</p><p>00:39:59.250 –&gt; 00:40:08.610 Joseph McElroy: cool and do you ever have besides, you know people going out writing do you have any other plan activities for people coming besides, you know the dinner we’ve set up and that sort of thing.</p><p>00:40:09.270 –&gt; 00:40:20.670 Chris Parker: Well it’s going to be had laid back in that with the way these guys I’m imagining gals and guys come in they’re going to ride to the location and they’re going to want to rest and relax.</p><p>00:40:21.180 –&gt; 00:40:37.290 Chris Parker: And they’re on their own there’s a dinner Friday night and then there’s a dinner on Saturday night there’s also going to be continental breakfast provided by the Meadowlark in the overflow hotels, that may be handling people will have access to that.</p><p>00:40:38.430 –&gt; 00:40:43.320 Chris Parker: But as far as anything outside of that we will have a local.</p><p>00:40:44.760 –&gt; 00:40:55.200 Chris Parker: vendor from Waynesville Wayne Bush of America rods maps his maps are epic for the BMW Roddick community and other motorcycle brands.</p><p>00:40:56.040 –&gt; 00:41:02.640 Chris Parker: They love is matt he’s going to be on hand and the talk is that he’s going to be debuting a new APP.</p><p>00:41:03.240 –&gt; 00:41:17.160 Chris Parker: That he wants to have you know the to unveil at the event, we still don’t know if that’s a done deal but he’s going to be there on hand and then the other thing a good friend of mine who lives in balsam which is not far from Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:41:18.420 –&gt; 00:41:25.830 Chris Parker: harkens back, he is a God moto journalist all-around good guy and a stand-up comedian.</p><p>00:41:27.180 –&gt; 00:41:31.350 Chris Parker: he’s going to be there on Saturday night at J Arthur’s.</p><p>00:41:32.550 –&gt; 00:41:35.730 Chris Parker: doing a every team.</p><p>00:41:36.810 –&gt; 00:41:51.570 Chris Parker: he’s uh he’s written three books on writing in the southeast and he’s going to have them on hand to talk about and to help people out with you know where do you go, you know what’s around here, he knows all the relatives so.</p><p>00:41:53.040 –&gt; 00:41:58.770 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah well you know riding around the smoky mountains it’s just a joyous experience you know.</p><p>00:41:59.280 –&gt; 00:42:07.710 Joseph McElroy: there are so many places to go see I mean oftentimes you can just stop and spur the moment and see a magnificent waterfall right.</p><p>00:42:08.580 –&gt; 00:42:14.430 Joseph McElroy: Or you know you may walk 100 feet into the forest and boom there it is it’s just huge right.</p><p>00:42:15.120 –&gt; 00:42:20.220 Joseph McElroy: In fact, we have one right up above Maggie called Soco falls it’s right off the road.</p><p>00:42:20.640 –&gt; 00:42:29.460 Joseph McElroy: You can people can go up there, and just jump out yeah park will walk you know few hundred feet and boom here this magnificent waterfall near the mountains are.</p><p>00:42:29.880 –&gt; 00:42:39.480 Joseph McElroy: known for those waterfalls So hopefully people can get a combined outdoor road experience little that little outdoor adventure experienced it right.</p><p>00:42:41.010 –&gt; 00:42:49.290 Joseph McElroy: And i’d encourage people to you know to also if they want some relaxation time don’t forget that there’s fishing at the Meadowlark</p><p>00:42:49.860 –&gt; 00:42:55.260 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can put you can do some real trial, we just had a fish camp and people were catching fish there</p><p>00:42:55.950 –&gt; 00:43:10.320 Joseph McElroy: Nice rainbows and some brown trouts right there in the backyard there’s a little bait shop tackle shop right up the road from us so hopefully, they can experience a little bit of everything the mountain culture has are going to music and we’ll have food.</p><p>00:43:11.670 –&gt; 00:43:14.700 Joseph McElroy: You know waterfalls and riding the road so.</p><p>00:43:16.260 –&gt; 00:43:18.300 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to you guys coming in here so.</p><p>00:43:19.500 –&gt; 00:43:26.040 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to take another break right now and come back we’ll finish up talking about some of your favorite spots in the smokies.</p><p>00:43:27.180 –&gt; 00:43:29.760 Joseph McElroy: Anything else you want to mention some shoutouts for things that.</p><p>00:43:30.870 –&gt; 00:43:32.430 Joseph McElroy: You want us to pay attention to.</p><p>00:43:34.050 –&gt; 00:43:35.580 Chris Parker: Okay sounds good.</p><p>00:45:33.870 –&gt; 00:45:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Chris Parker.</p><p>00:45:41.400 –&gt; 00:45:48.600 Joseph McElroy: So, Chris you know we got little people listening to this and we’re talking about coming up motorcycling in the smokies and I think it’s a great thing but.</p><p>00:45:48.990 –&gt; 00:45:56.730 Joseph McElroy: You know, but yeah I think we should mention just briefly what are some safety tips for coming up or writing in the smokies do you have some.</p><p>00:45:58.500 –&gt; 00:45:59.100 Chris Parker: well.</p><p>00:46:00.240 –&gt; 00:46:08.520 Chris Parker: Especially if you’re running in a group Roger override make sure that you don’t like we know a mutual friend get in over their head.</p><p>00:46:09.720 –&gt; 00:46:20.550 Chris Parker: The roads here are pretty technical but also you can ride at your own pace there are some roads that are like I think in the notes for this.</p><p>00:46:21.540 –&gt; 00:46:37.500 Chris Parker: podcast tonight someone who said what about the Chair of the hollow skyway over there, near robin’s Ville and TELCO planes, it is 50 something miles of sweepers roads that are at high elevation but they aren’t as titan twisty as fields gap.</p><p>00:46:38.760 –&gt; 00:46:43.560 Chris Parker: Just be prepared to see a lot of traffic on the road and stay in your lane.</p><p>00:46:45.270 –&gt; 00:46:59.760 Chris Parker: If you aren’t sure where you’re at just dial it down a bit and it’s better to take a slower pace and arrive in one piece stand to the Ricky racer on the road and end up in an ambulance heading to the nearest hospital.</p><p>00:47:00.960 –&gt; 00:47:10.350 Chris Parker: and always obviously with the BMW crowd typically they’re known for wearing their gear we look like the Power Rangers set with our vortex.</p><p>00:47:12.300 –&gt; 00:47:30.150 Chris Parker: outfits our helmets glove Armor you know we tend to be one of the more safety-conscious types of motorcycle groups out there and you’ll see a lot of that when you see a show up you’re going to like think we’re you know rejects from NASA’s Space Program.</p><p>00:47:32.070 –&gt; 00:47:36.660 Joseph McElroy: Well, have you had that experience with a dear how often are little animals dirt out on the road.</p><p>00:47:37.320 –&gt; 00:47:48.540 Chris Parker: that’s it’s It really is the law of averages if you ride more like I do you’re going to see more of it it’s if you’re out as an occasional rider and you’ll see it occasionally.</p><p>00:47:48.960 –&gt; 00:48:00.000 Chris Parker: But as you rack up the miles and you put on as many miles, as someone like myself, has you’re more prone to see everything from squirrels two rabbits dogs to dear.</p><p>00:48:00.450 –&gt; 00:48:03.240 Chris Parker: yeah I’ve actually seen a bear once.</p><p>00:48:03.540 –&gt; 00:48:03.960 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:48:04.290 –&gt; 00:48:08.190 Chris Parker: Okay that’ll be hard to get I mean not hard to hit, but if.</p><p>00:48:08.220 –&gt; 00:48:15.480 Joseph McElroy: You hit that that’s good well you know we get some big elk and Maggie value coming up the middle of that road sometimes you have to watch out for that.</p><p>00:48:16.740 –&gt; 00:48:19.050 Chris Parker: I don’t wanna I don’t want to let that dissuade people.</p><p>00:48:19.050 –&gt; 00:48:23.820 Joseph McElroy: From no, it’s not that prevalent and most of the time, you can see it coming.</p><p>00:48:24.390 –&gt; 00:48:33.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah how about other drivers in the smokies, if you found them to be these are there are they swivel in your head looking stuff too much.</p><p>00:48:34.440 –&gt; 00:48:48.870 Chris Parker: Well it’s a mixed bag, obviously, if you like, to go at a brisk pace, it can be a bit of an irritant but at the same time, you know the rules of the road, are what they are, you know they’re driving have as much right to the road as we, and vice versa.</p><p>00:48:50.460 –&gt; 00:49:03.870 Chris Parker: But in the fall you tend to see more traffic because of the leaf papers, the colors changing in the mountains so you’ll see an increased amount of traffic, especially if you’re on like the Blueridge parkway.</p><p>00:49:05.010 –&gt; 00:49:12.360 Chris Parker: But there are hidden gems that you can take once you start to know the roads in the area that will be.</p><p>00:49:12.870 –&gt; 00:49:29.100 Chris Parker: kind of the traffic, the level of traffic will be less than some of the more scenic routes like I know people will talk about deals gap and I actually think the road to deals gap is a better road, because how a 28 from.</p><p>00:49:31.110 –&gt; 00:49:33.000 Chris Parker: Bryson city area.</p><p>00:49:33.240 –&gt; 00:49:44.370 Chris Parker: Of Fontana damn is brilliant and it’s actually a less travel road and then to align which you’re familiar with on the rattler going to hot springs.</p><p>00:49:44.520 –&gt; 00:49:45.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah I love that right.</p><p>00:49:45.690 –&gt; 00:49:51.510 Chris Parker: You know that that road you know they’ll have traffic, but you know you can get around it, you can manage it.</p><p>00:49:52.440 –&gt; 00:50:03.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s not that bad of traffic it’s I mean it is there some is too little, too late and winding road and the only reason it gets backed up sometimes is this person a little bit nervous coming down and going up it but.</p><p>00:50:04.290 –&gt; 00:50:05.310 Joseph McElroy: For the most part it’s a.</p><p>00:50:05.310 –&gt; 00:50:17.850 Joseph McElroy: pretty good it’s a pretty yeah I’ve gone through very busy times and then hot springs as a little town we’re stopping that it’s got some good food there and it’s got the hot springs resort so which you can usually jump into to get a little spray.</p><p>00:50:19.260 –&gt; 00:50:29.580 Chris Parker: I’ll add I was tickled pink when they select Waynesville to and on the smoky mountain event Center and.</p><p>00:50:30.690 –&gt; 00:50:41.820 Chris Parker: I just laughed I was like these guys are the attendees to the rally are going to leave the parking lot the entrance turn right and then for 25 miles to hot springs.</p><p>00:50:41.880 –&gt; 00:50:43.050 Joseph McElroy: It was a perfect that was.</p><p>00:50:43.050 –&gt; 00:50:46.980 Joseph McElroy: A perfect thing right it’s like and it was perfect yeah.</p><p>00:50:48.630 –&gt; 00:50:53.760 Joseph McElroy: So that’s good, and one thing I do I mentioned to people is that you know, in the mountains, especially in the summer.</p><p>00:50:54.120 –&gt; 00:51:03.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah we get we haven’t funny whether we’re pretty dry, but then we’ll usually just about five days out of the week have a big thunderstorm pop up for about an hour, and then disappear.</p><p>00:51:04.830 –&gt; 00:51:17.400 Joseph McElroy: So you need to be aware that you know you want to have rain gear and be prepared for a sudden weather change when you ride around but it’s not very long and it goes away real quick.</p><p>00:51:20.190 –&gt; 00:51:34.830 Joseph McElroy: So, what are your you know, I think that the bear water brewery Maggie Valley is a great place for motorcycles to go and have a meal and you’ll be able to park and you know even sit down in a deck and just enjoy the ambiance of the mountains right.</p><p>00:51:36.150 –&gt; 00:51:42.210 Joseph McElroy: What are some other great places that you like, to stop at in your motorcycling travels through the smokies.</p><p>00:51:43.680 –&gt; 00:51:58.230 Chris Parker: was a favorite of mine in my writing group it’s epic and it’s an I imagine people that know the area Franklin North Carolina there is a restaurant that’s in a gas station called CAFE rel.</p><p>00:51:58.860 –&gt; 00:51:59.550 Chris Parker: Now.</p><p>00:51:59.670 –&gt; 00:52:13.470 Chris Parker: And I was there for the first time, five or six years ago and it’s a four-star five-star chef from Atlanta who left the big city life, he was from Franklin and he returned.</p><p>00:52:14.010 –&gt; 00:52:27.780 Chris Parker: back to his hometown and open up this French cuisine CAFE at reasonable prices, but the food is amazing when it’s as attached to a hotspot gas station as you would not think that would.</p><p>00:52:27.840 –&gt; 00:52:29.850 Joseph McElroy: be a place that so what’s the name of the place.</p><p>00:52:30.120 –&gt; 00:52:37.380 Chris Parker: CAFE Rel and it’s R EL and it’s the abbreviation of the guide and Richard E Long.</p><p>00:52:37.680 –&gt; 00:52:39.120 Joseph McElroy: I’m gonna have to go check that out.</p><p>00:52:39.150 –&gt; 00:52:39.660 yeah.</p><p>00:52:40.680 –&gt; 00:52:47.970 Chris Parker: they’re closed on Wednesdays and their close Sundays and Mondays and they only pay cash they don’t take debit.</p><p>00:52:47.970 –&gt; 00:52:57.780 Joseph McElroy: we know what if you get a chance to go to Wayne’s will go to hazelwood smokehouse which has been top 20 Barbecue places in the nation.</p><p>00:52:58.230 –&gt; 00:53:08.940 Chris Parker: And then for near nearby I mean there’s a lot of restaurants and Maggie Valley, that will have access to so there’s that you place in downtown Waynesville is.</p><p>00:53:10.170 –&gt; 00:53:11.310 Chris Parker: beach mountain diner.</p><p>00:53:11.550 –&gt; 00:53:15.120 Chris Parker: Oh yeah that’s good yeah.</p><p>00:53:15.240 –&gt; 00:53:24.570 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re coming to a close, here I want you to do some shout-outs, where people can find out more about what you’re doing or your club, but how can they find out more.</p><p>00:53:25.290 –&gt; 00:53:39.960 Chris Parker: Well, you can join the RA at BMWRA.org, and then there is the events tab at the top that shows the activities of the club, the national rally this one is called the rally in the valley.</p><p>00:53:40.530 –&gt; 00:53:49.590 Chris Parker: And you can register there, we still have plenty of spots where we’re going to take onsite registration last minute.</p><p>00:53:50.310 –&gt; 00:54:01.230 Chris Parker: There might be an issue with you getting a meal if you wait till the last minute to register and then we are also selling a T-shirt that if you want to get one you have to.</p><p>00:54:02.190 –&gt; 00:54:15.960 Chris Parker: Let us know by tomorrow, and you can get your name in the hat for a shirt so you can join the club there if you’re not a Member Oh, an important you do not have to ride a BMW to come to this.</p><p>00:54:16.200 –&gt; 00:54:17.460 Chris Parker: We will allow.</p><p>00:54:17.490 –&gt; 00:54:19.740 Chris Parker: Anybody allow.</p><p>00:54:19.830 –&gt; 00:54:26.910 Chris Parker: We will accept and welcome anybody on any kind of bike so don’t feel like you have to have a BMW, to be able to attain cool.</p><p>00:54:27.150 –&gt; 00:54:31.680 Joseph McElroy: And then, what is your image shout out your for your design company’s website.</p><p>00:54:32.310 –&gt; 00:54:38.730 Chris Parker: As roadwolfdesign.com or roadwolfdesigned.com.</p><p>00:54:38.850 –&gt; 00:54:42.330 Joseph McElroy: cool and I’m assuming you also got some Facebook and that sort of stuff people.</p><p>00:54:43.260 –&gt; 00:54:51.930 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well, thank you very much for being on the show I’m looking forward to the event in May, and I think it’s gonna be fantastic and you’ve.</p><p>00:54:52.800 –&gt; 00:55:04.890 Joseph McElroy: represented Well now, this program is the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast you can find it on Facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast it’s also.</p><p>00:55:05.700 –&gt; 00:55:17.490 Joseph McElroy: On the episodes listed on smokiesadventure.com there’s a tab at the top, it allows you to click into a listing of all the episodes with some reason transcripts, and video.</p><p>00:55:18.510 –&gt; 00:55:25.350 Joseph McElroy: That we are part of the talkradio.NYC network, which is a radio network of the live podcasts that happen, you know every day.</p><p>00:55:25.770 –&gt; 00:55:38.880 Joseph McElroy: And I encourage you to look at them they’re small business ones there’s lifestyle there’s you know politics there’s a self help all sorts of different programs on this network it’s a good network to hear some great podcast.</p><p>00:55:39.690 –&gt; 00:55:48.930 Joseph McElroy: it’s talkradio.nyc I have another one on this network called wise content creates wealth, which is about content marketing and Ai.</p><p>00:55:49.650 –&gt; 00:55:58.620 Joseph McElroy: And that’s on Fridays from noon to one, and this podcast gateway to the smokies is always on Tuesday from six to seven and I’ll look forward to seeing you.</p><p>00:55:59.130 –&gt; 00:56:12.000 Joseph McElroy: Next week we’ll have another great guest, it’s a legend in this in the mountains, look forward to having you meet and hear him talk to you later.</p> b6cc3333-45f2-4a0d-80cf-9bd5d2e2ef2d https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/c9feeeb9-c249-4351-a2ae-2cae9b8f5533 Tue, 19 Apr 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3045 no full Episode 54: Jackson County Treasures in the Great Smoky Mountains Episode 54: Jackson County Treasures in the Great Smoky Mountains Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Jackson County is a wonderful area to live, work, and have fun in! Beautiful waterfalls, excellent stores, fantastic restaurants, and wonderful companies abound in that area. This week&#39;s episode features a special guest, Kelly Donaldson. He will be bringing you up to speed on all the big things happening in town. You&#39;ll learn about the best waterfalls to check out, where to grab a bite to eat and what businesses have the best gifts.</strong></p><p>Kelly Donaldson is the Assistant Director of the Jackson County, N.C. Chamber of Commerce –a job he has held for the past eight years. Kelly’s wife, Julie Donaldson is the Executive Director of the same organization and has served in that role for 23 years. Kelly spent 15 years as a Sports Journalist and Editor for various publications in WNC—as well as in Gainesville, Georgia, before embarking on his career with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in 2014. </p><p>Kelly’s hobbies include photography, attending WCU sporting events, and spending time with his family, along with an impressive resume of volunteer work in the community he loves and promotes so well. He will keep you up to date on all the great things happening in Jackson County that you need to know about. So, tune in and don&#39;t miss out!</p><p>Websites: <a href="https://www.mountainlovers.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.mountainlovers.com/ </a></p><p><a href="https://www.nctroutcapital.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.nctroutcapital.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hooklinedrinkerfest.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.hooklinedrinkerfest.com/ </a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mountainlovers/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/mountainlovers/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ConcertsOnTheCreek" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/ConcertsOnTheCreek</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/co88VFfm1J/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/04/12 - Jackson County Treasures in the Great Smoky Mountains


Jackson County is a wonderful area to live, work, and have fun in! Beautiful waterfalls, excellent stores, fantastic restaurants, and wonderful companies abound in that area. This week's episode features a special guest, Kelly Donaldson. He will be bringing you up to speed on all the big things happening in town. You'll learn about the best waterfalls to check out, where to grab a bite to eat and what businesses have the best gifts.

Kelly Donaldson is the Assistant Director of the Jackson County, N.C. Chamber of Commerce –a job he has held for the past eight years. Kelly’s wife, Julie Donaldson is the Executive Director of the same organization and has served in that role for 23 years. Kelly spent 15 years as a Sports Journalist and Editor for various publications in WNC—as well as in Gainesville, Georgia, before embarking on his career with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in 2014. 

Kelly’s hobbies include photography, attending WCU sporting events, and spending time with his family, along with an impressive resume of volunteer work in the community he loves and promotes so well. He will keep you up to date on all the great things happening in Jackson County that you need to know about. So, tune in and don't miss out!

Websites: https://www.mountainlovers.com/ 

https://www.nctroutcapital.com/

https://www.hooklinedrinkerfest.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountainlovers/

https://www.facebook.com/ConcertsOnTheCreek

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

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SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Joseph as always begins with the sponsor, his own, the Meadowlark Motel and smokiesadventure.com. He also mentions upcoming events such as a fly fishing camp weekend and being one with the river while witnessing a valuable ecosystem. He also reads a poem by Eunice Lamberton called “Trout Fishing”. Joseph also introduces his guest, Kelly Donaldson, the Assistant Director of the Jackson County, N.C. Chamber of Commerce. Kelly started his career as a technical writer and then became an executive assistant in sales and marketing. Kelly says that he always believed that he'd be in a career dealing with media in some way. When making a jump to being a sports editor, Kelly says that he got to work for Transylvania Times after graduating from college. He started covering local college sports and high school sports as well as other topics like music while getting to interact with the community. He worked for a few years in places like Gainsville, Georgia for a daily newspaper, getting into bigger sports teams and games.

SEGMENT 2

Kelly speaks about moving from working with The Crossroads Chronicle newspaper as an editor to doing more community work. He got more involved with the community along with the Chamber of Commerce in Sylva, North Carolina. Kelly would be involved in planning events, writing press releases, and taking pictures and videos. Kelly and Joseph talk about using media to promote yourself, business, and in Kelly's case, Jackson County. Kelly also talks about working with his wife, Julie Donaldson, who is the Executive Director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Kelly describes being able to balance work and life together with his wife as they work together in the same organization. He also speaks about some projects they are working on like at Pinnacle Park where there may be a mountain bike trail. They speak about the area being great for adding mountain biking as a focus as well as trouting.


SEGMENT 3

Joseph mentions Jackson County having the Greening up the Mountains Festival. Kelly says that they will be having it again soon this month of April to celebrate the mountains turning green but also the people turning green with the environment. They have music, vendors, information about greenery, and much more. Kelly says that you can visit greeningupthemountains.com to learn more about this exciting event. Kelly is also involved with the Concerts on the Creek Series, something that his wife started and it’s now in its 13th year. They speak about some bands and artists that they’ve been involved with like Darren Nicholson and Balsam Range. They also discuss some of Kelly’s favorite waterfalls as well as areas for hiking. Kelly also mentions a program that his wife started where each business can showcase itself and where other businesses come together for networking.

SEGMENT 4

Kelly talks about more exciting things that happen in Jackson County throughout the year. He says that they have a big concert in Sylva on the 4th of July and they also have a lot of fireworks that the community could get a great view of. He also mentions having fireworks during the holidays. He also discusses great things in Dillsboro, a town in the county. Kelly also mentions still doing editing work while working on the Our Town publication and Eating out in Jackson County Guide. To learn more about Jackson County and the Chamber of Commerce at mountainlovers.com. Joseph thanks Kelly Donaldson for this great conversation!

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:41.040 –> 00:00:43.410 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! Welcome to the Gateways to the Smokies Podcast.

00:00:43.410 –> 00:00:53.700 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:54.450 –> 00:01:04.500 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:05.310 –> 00:01:26.520 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. today we’re going to talk about smoky mountain motorcycle adventures.

00:01:27.660 –> 00:01:34.350 Joseph McElroy: But first, a couple of sponsors messages and then some events that are upcoming that you might find interesting.

00:01:35.280 –> 00:01:48.450 Joseph McElroy: First, imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past in modern and vibrant with Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure for relaxation.

00:01:49.170 –> 00:02:01.860 Joseph McElroy: imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on a fire eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:02:02.490 –> 00:02:16.020 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place in the old-time music world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina, your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay!

00:02:17.400 –> 00:02:29.460 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure.com smokies plural adventure singular the smoky mountains and surrounding area or areas of vacation destination for all seasons.

00:02:30.000 –> 00:02:39.480 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found, right here in these mountains.

00:02:40.200 –> 00:02:48.870 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

00:02:49.500 –> 00:03:01.230 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, caves cove or the elk are and more than check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy.

00:03:02.550 –> 00:03:09.900 Joseph McElroy: The goal is smokiesadventure.com is to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.

00:03:10.710 –> 00:03:21.660 Joseph McElroy: Now some events coming up most of these events are at the Maggie Valley festival grounds and it’s now become the big festival season in the mountains and the smoky mountain area.

00:03:22.440 –> 00:03:37.440 Joseph McElroy: April 22nd to 24th is the Annual Southeastern mini trucking nationals it’s an open car and truck show featuring food and vendors and many trucks which are a hoot.

00:03:38.760 –> 00:03:51.690 Joseph McElroy: April 19th to May 1st is Thunder in the Smokies Spring Motorcycle Rally, this is a Big Motorcycle Rally about three times a year and it’s the largest and oldest rally in Maggie Valley.

00:03:52.200 –> 00:04:01.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s all day Friday and Saturday and half the day on Sunday is got tour rides vendors bike shows games prizes concerts.

00:04:02.190 –> 00:04:10.470 Joseph McElroy: Fire dancers, the latest bikes and motor products on display, and more you can go to thunderinthesmokies.com to find out more.

00:04:11.100 –> 00:04:26.940 Joseph McElroy: May 7th is a new event that I haven’t during know where it is called the boho hippie feast it’s got live music performances art demonstrations vendors bounce houses games food trucks and more sounds like it’s going to be sort of a Bohemian.

00:04:28.080 –> 00:04:46.890 Joseph McElroy: arts and crafts show with lots of fun so I’m looking forward to checking that out, and they may 13 to the 14th is the kk OA icons of the hot rodding festival, and this is going to be the 1950s and 1960s hot-rodding custom cars and trailer trucks and then have it.

00:04:48.210 –> 00:04:59.730 Joseph McElroy: For models that are older than 1969 have automotive and vintage vendors pinstripe burrs and food vendors awards and trophies and all sorts of things.

00:05:00.990 –> 00:05:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Now the Meadowlark you know, we have the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center where we have lots of mountain heritage and music events so in.

00:05:12.510 –> 00:05:13.230 Joseph McElroy: In May.

00:05:14.310 –> 00:05:30.930 Joseph McElroy: On May 6th through the 8th we’re going to have mother’s day events and it’s gonna have moms moving mountains and mother nature’s natural garden programs Nancy East and Ila Hatter.

00:05:32.310 –> 00:05:50.370 Joseph McElroy: So first one there on a Friday night may six-seven acclaimed authors and wilderness survival expert Nancy East will be presenting mom’s moving mountains and she will share her experiences in the great outdoors as well as her amazing endurance hiking achievements.

00:05:51.780 –> 00:06:03.630 Joseph McElroy: This is serious just here doing what wilderness survival is course is hugely valuable and she has some great adventures to talk about the show you picture things like that, then a May 7.

00:06:04.320 –> 00:06:14.130 Joseph McElroy: The afternoon will feature legendary wildcrafting expert and renowned author filmmaker instructor and tour guide for the general some great smoky mountain National Park elite.

00:06:14.940 –> 00:06:24.120 Joseph McElroy: GSM Field School Illa Hatter. Ila is an expert on edible plants, medicinal herbs, and anything pertaining to wildcraft foraging and Appalachian plants, trees, and flowers.

00:06:24.600 –> 00:06:32.010 Joseph McElroy: she’s been featured in a lot of stuff like TV shows, and things like that.

00:06:32.880 –> 00:06:44.100 Joseph McElroy: But she will be presenting your her beloved program Mother Nature natural garden and leading a short tour of the grounds, identifying nature’s bounty that can be found in our own backyards.

00:06:44.610 –> 00:06:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll have a combination with the free Barbecue separate music on Saturday night.

00:06:49.950 –> 00:07:06.720 Joseph McElroy: So reach out and then In mother’s day in the morning will have will be having cake and champagne for people as they’re leaving in the morning, so come and reach out to meadowlarkmotel.com call 8289261717 to find out more and reserve your spot for these programs.

00:07:08.970 –> 00:07:18.090 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know if everybody knows, but one of the best motorcycle museums in the country, if not the world is located right next to the Meadowlark motel.

00:07:18.720 –> 00:07:31.380 Joseph McElroy: And it’s called the wheels through time museum and it’s home to the world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles memorabilia and a distinct array of unique one-off American automobiles.

00:07:32.940 –> 00:07:56.040 Joseph McElroy: It has a collection of over 350 rare machines comprised of 25 makes including Harley Davidson Indian excelsior Henderson Popeil crocker flying Merkel and many, many more, it was opened on July 4 2002 in a 38,000 square foot facility, and now it says 15th year of operation.

00:07:57.270 –> 00:08:02.070 Joseph McElroy: it’s gotten worldwide media attention and brought hundreds of thousands of visitors to Maggie Valley.

00:08:02.520 –> 00:08:16.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a unique display it has events going on thrill rides and all the machines run even the older some of the rarest in the world have been made into working order and every day.

00:08:17.370 –> 00:08:24.360 Joseph McElroy: Thursday through Monday, they will actually get some of these different old machines running so you can hear how they sound.

00:08:24.600 –> 00:08:35.400 Joseph McElroy: feel their vibrations, you know feel like a part of it, and then and the museum itself is a really wonderful experience because you’re walking through something that’s almost like a giant garage.

00:08:35.700 –> 00:08:45.870 Joseph McElroy: Then it has art and automobiles represent a representative of the times right and motorcycles representative of the time in the exhibits.

00:08:46.890 –> 00:08:55.620 Joseph McElroy: It was founded by Dale Walker who recently died, but his son has taken over who’s also an accomplished motorcycle.

00:08:56.310 –> 00:09:04.680 Joseph McElroy: Now expert knowledge, so I recommend coming to stay in the Meadowlark and going over the wheels through the time museum to get your motorcycle on.

00:09:05.520 –> 00:09:09.480 Joseph McElroy: Somebody knows about motorcycles our guest today his name is Chris Parker.

00:09:10.050 –> 00:09:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Chris Parker is the owner and Chief Designer of Road Wolf Design it’s a creative design company based in Greer South Carolina where he was founded in 2007 his clients include Texas Pete Hot Sauces yay I love hot sauces, Texas Pete.

00:09:26.430 –> 00:09:34.650 Joseph McElroy: touring sport BMW, and many others, Chris is an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast who has been a large part of his adult life.

00:09:35.040 –> 00:09:45.900 Joseph McElroy: riding his bike in the great smoky mountains regions and all across the United States now Chris has partnered with the staff of the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley to create a new event.

00:09:46.320 –> 00:09:58.020 Joseph McElroy: For this prestigious group called the BMWRA group on May 12-15 2022 and at the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley and so hello, Chris how are you doing?

00:09:58.680 –> 00:10:00.210 Chris Parker: Great good to be here.

00:10:00.570 –> 00:10:05.730 Joseph McElroy: cool we are thrilled to have you with us here today, Chris and we’re.

00:10:06.300 –> 00:10:19.410 Joseph McElroy: we’re really just like so I mean I’m very excited to discuss your upcoming rally in the valley scheduled for May and as well as you share your expertise and you know, creating memorable riding adventure so let’s get started.

00:10:20.640 –> 00:10:25.890 Joseph McElroy: You live in a relatively short ride from Maggie valley when was your first trip to our region?

00:10:27.450 –> 00:10:41.610 Chris Parker: Well, I’ve been up there so many times I’ve lost count been riding in western North Carolina since 2000, 22 years easily hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of miles.

00:10:43.020 –> 00:10:49.620 Chris Parker: Maggie Valley, Waynesville area, a lot, because of the roads are just their epic so yeah.

00:10:50.280 –> 00:10:52.680 Joseph McElroy: Are you originally from Greer or Where are you from originally.

00:10:53.550 –> 00:11:06.960 Chris Parker: um well as a navy brat I was born in Scotland and moved around and then eventually made it to the US, but I’ve been living in the southeast primarily since the mid-70s, hence the accent.

00:11:08.040 –> 00:11:19.020 Chris Parker: And in South Carolina since 1981 so I’m in the upstate of South Carolina which when you explain to people South Carolina they automatically assume you’re from Charleston or the beach.

00:11:19.410 –> 00:11:30.030 Chris Parker: And you have to remind them that there’s the upstate which is mountainous it’s at the foothills of the mountains of where you’re at and North Carolina so you know you.

00:11:30.360 –> 00:11:40.110 Joseph McElroy: Did you when you’ve been visiting if you get a chance to hook up with Mike Ogletree he’s our artist in residence and he was born in Scotland and played with a lot of Scottish bands.

00:11:40.260 –> 00:11:45.540 Chris Parker: Did you get the time I met him, I met him last September, when I came up to visit the motel.

00:11:46.020 –> 00:12:01.980 Chris Parker: and his background, when I found out who he was with I just my jaw dropped simple minds, I mean who doesn’t know who that band is and then he’s from Scotland and he’s got the accent I don’t, but we did have a chat he’s a nice guy.

00:12:02.280 –> 00:12:18.240 Joseph McElroy: Oh good well that’s I mean yeah that’s yeah there’s actually a lot of Scottish heritage in the mountains right, so you probably find a little bit of that connecting up with people and you should go by the Scottish Tartan Museum in Franklin it’s.

00:12:19.290 –> 00:12:19.620 Chris Parker: Like.

00:12:20.250 –> 00:12:23.670 Joseph McElroy: it’s the greatest Tartan collection in the world, I think right.

00:12:24.180 –> 00:12:31.770 Joseph McElroy: it’s pretty it is pretty impressive you know, we had him out for the Burn’s Day celebration of Robert Burns and.

00:12:32.160 –> 00:12:36.930 Joseph McElroy: They brought some tartans and they brought some pictures and they did a whole discussion, so it was pretty cool.

00:12:37.860 –> 00:12:53.730 Joseph McElroy: Pretty cool opportunity to find more about and I recommend people find out about that museum, because we know it’s of all the many museums, we have in the mountains that’s one of them that’s I think is pretty special hey so I’ve talked a lot, so we have to take our first break.

00:12:55.170 –> 00:13:00.750 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll come back and we’ll find more will find a little bit more about you and then writing BMW is in the mountains.

00:13:02.070 –> 00:13:02.460 Okay.

00:15:17.460 –> 00:15:27.660 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Chris Parker so Chris how long have you been riding motorcycles?

00:15:29.790 –> 00:15:30.990 Chris Parker: 22 years.

00:15:31.500 –> 00:15:34.590 Joseph McElroy: 22 years and did was a BMW your first one.

00:15:35.550 –> 00:15:53.400 Chris Parker: No, it wasn’t I bought a used Honda Pacific coast and learn to ride on that, and within nine months and about 15,000 miles later I moved to a BMW pretty quick and pretty much stayed on them for the last 22 years.

00:15:54.090 –> 00:15:56.040 Joseph McElroy: Now, Bob folks,

00:15:57.810 –> 00:16:12.750 Joseph McElroy: involved and helped me put together these programs he’s also Bob Plott and he’s also general manager of the smoky mountain heritage Center so he told me, you have a really unique story about how you obtain your BMW bite that you know that you now own so what’s that story.

00:16:13.620 –> 00:16:16.080 Chris Parker: that’s a pretty long one, but I’ll try to give you the.

00:16:16.860 –> 00:16:20.970 Chris Parker: Two-second versions I had a mutual work colleague.

00:16:22.050 –> 00:16:22.860 Chris Parker: call me.

00:16:24.120 –> 00:16:33.990 Chris Parker: A friend of mine last March 2021 said that he had his father-in-law, was downsizing and they were moving him from California to North Carolina.

00:16:34.350 –> 00:16:43.620 Chris Parker: And he had an old BMW that he was trying to sell figure out the value of it, he knew I knew bikes being very bikes and show me some pictures and I saw it, and I was like wow that’s a really nice.

00:16:45.090 –> 00:17:03.420 Chris Parker: BMW or 1100 G, yes, which is there on road offered by and it was a mint condition and I saw the odometer reading on it, it said 13,191 miles, and I was like wow so I did my due diligence getting some pricing and one thing led to another and.

00:17:04.740 –> 00:17:18.030 Chris Parker: Because of my interest in it, it looked like I was going to be the guy that bought it and I did well sort of I’m in talks with the owner of the bike gab widening of Earl picture.

00:17:18.690 –> 00:17:33.240 Chris Parker: He and I struck up a really nice friendship and through a series of conversations and circumstances I ended up getting a call from him when the bike was picked up from the local dealer in.

00:17:34.350 –> 00:17:41.970 Chris Parker: BMW dealer in Temecula California and they went over it, and they said God this thing is a time capsule it is meant.

00:17:43.470 –> 00:17:45.690 Chris Parker: can’t believe the condition is in and.

00:17:46.920 –> 00:17:51.960 Chris Parker: So in talking with them, we had struck up a deal that I would buy the bike for a really good price.

00:17:52.500 –> 00:18:02.730 Chris Parker: And he would pay for the bike to be serviced and I just couldn’t believe he was willing to do that, but once we got to know each other, he called me after the bike was a.

00:18:03.540 –> 00:18:12.690 Chris Parker: checked out by the dealership and he surprised me with the gift of saying hey Chris why don’t you pay for the service and after the service, the bike is yours.

00:18:13.680 –> 00:18:24.570 Chris Parker: I stood there in my living room and I heard him say those words and I didn’t quite understand what he was talking about and he’s I said what I don’t What do you mean he says I’m giving you the bike.

00:18:25.320 –> 00:18:26.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.

00:18:26.340 –> 00:18:34.800 Chris Parker: I’m like why he said, well, I checked you out, I know that you’re with a BMW riders association you do the magazine.

00:18:35.460 –> 00:18:53.490 Chris Parker: And then you had a deer strike in 2018 on your GPS adventure and you use it almost total G, but you got back on the horse and you continue to ride and you’re my kind of guy in terms of you keep riding and you’ll take care of this body, so I flew out.

00:18:54.600 –> 00:19:03.810 Chris Parker: With my gear and toe and I landed in Temecula and got the bike it was exactly as you described and I rode it.

00:19:04.320 –> 00:19:21.180 Chris Parker: From the dealership to his place in palm desert California and I met him and I got to eat dinner with him and spend a night and we had breakfast and then I run cross country on that bike from California to South Carolina in six days.

00:19:21.780 –> 00:19:25.890 Chris Parker: wow so it’s uh I’ll never get rid of that by that bike is.

00:19:26.190 –> 00:19:35.220 Joseph McElroy: it’s already a part of you now, so you know I have my interesting story is buys a number, there was a big bike rider back in my youth.

00:19:35.670 –> 00:19:47.160 Joseph McElroy: A friend of mine was getting married in here to Yamaha 185 right which is a dirt bike and he said, well, I gotta get rid of it my wife and we have it so I’m drinking his bachelor party and I buy it right.

00:19:47.940 –> 00:19:56.070 Joseph McElroy: I had it for about three years and then I started to get married he now is going through a divorce, where the best of my bachelor party and he buys it back from me.

00:19:59.820 –> 00:20:09.750 Joseph McElroy: So meant for a single guy going out and taking a little adventure, but you know this story of dear what happened with that what happened, my dear jumped out in front of you.

00:20:10.230 –> 00:20:22.140 Chris Parker: yeah this was coming up four years ago, I was actually heading to the BMW writers association national rally in Wellsboro Pennsylvania.

00:20:22.890 –> 00:20:29.220 Chris Parker: And I was going to do it in two days and stayed my first night at a really nice motorcycle campground that I love and

00:20:29.940 –> 00:20:39.720 Chris Parker: metals of Dan Virginia called will do and I had written I don’t like leaving at night, but my workday was such that I left late in the afternoon.

00:20:40.200 –> 00:20:48.300 Chris Parker: which would have me arriving there late at night and I had written about 260 miles, with five more miles to go.

00:20:49.080 –> 00:21:00.600 Chris Parker: And next thing I know I’m calling out of the ditch and wondering what happened and trying to flag someone down to help me and I was my whole left side was on fire.

00:21:01.200 –> 00:21:09.600 Chris Parker: didn’t know what would have happened if I like passing out or well in this instance, I found out with a guy come in to rescue me.

00:21:11.040 –> 00:21:15.360 Chris Parker: telling me they don’t move to help us on the way and I asked him.

00:21:16.380 –> 00:21:18.990 Chris Parker: What happened, he said dude you hit a deer.

00:21:19.410 –> 00:21:20.100 Joseph McElroy: Oh well.

00:21:20.220 –> 00:21:29.340 Chris Parker: Like a 200-pound Oh, and I was airlifted to Winston Salem and I stayed there for two weeks and broke ribs front and rear.

00:21:30.660 –> 00:21:45.990 Chris Parker: shoulder blade fracture it and then broke my collarbone and I lacerated my spleen which they were able to repair that without we’re moving in and since then and back at it, since it was three months later, I.

00:21:47.220 –> 00:21:59.910 Chris Parker: You know, I was wondering if I was going to quit riding or if I was going to take a hiatus and I knew that wasn’t going to work because I was spending my wee hours of the morning on my computer looking at you know bikes.

00:22:01.140 –> 00:22:03.930 Chris Parker: trying to figure out what I was going to get and return to so.

00:22:04.260 –> 00:22:10.680 Joseph McElroy: Is that something that you can avoid is there or is it just that that’s just the one that’s a freak accident.

00:22:10.740 –> 00:22:21.570 Chris Parker: It was a freak accident, plus there are things that you can mitigate it like don’t ride at night or in the morning and then, of course, in the fall with dears running.

00:22:22.230 –> 00:22:25.590 Chris Parker: they’re out a little more than they would be throughout the rest of the year.

00:22:26.220 –> 00:22:34.800 Chris Parker: And you just kind of get a feel for it’s your spidey sense is going off and you’re like yeah they got probably need to not be out and I just ignored.

00:22:35.340 –> 00:22:51.720 Chris Parker: I’d probably did I did everything right in that I had all the gear I wear full Armor I actually wear a neck brace when I arrived, which is a preventive measure, and I was wearing it and it’s to keep you from injury your cervical spine around your neck so that you don’t have any.

00:22:52.020 –> 00:22:59.460 Joseph McElroy: that’s amazing because you know the sounds from the accident that was expecting yeah like spinal, but it was, like all sort of.

00:22:59.910 –> 00:23:08.730 Joseph McElroy: Except for the spleen things sort of like super you know, like for the better words minor praise, but I mean they weren’t minor but they were yeah they were.

00:23:09.420 –> 00:23:18.360 Joseph McElroy: They were not in you know you didn’t get peril paralysis and all that sort of stuff so and predictive stuff sounds like it really works that’s great.

00:23:19.080 –> 00:23:27.030 Chris Parker: yeah it was pretty emotional to come home after being away from my kids those two weeks and I got home, I can.

00:23:29.700 –> 00:23:37.200 Joseph McElroy: You know, a mutual friend who introduced us Larry Schatz had an accident not too far ago he’s backed upright and again.

00:23:37.770 –> 00:23:42.060 Chris Parker: yeah actually ride with him fairly regularly and he’s amazing.

00:23:43.020 –> 00:23:43.950 Joseph McElroy: How did you meet him.

00:23:45.210 –> 00:23:46.680 Chris Parker: He joined.

00:23:47.730 –> 00:23:58.500 Chris Parker: A group of writers, that I have been writing with for 20 plus years and he heard about us through social media, and then we actually met him.

00:23:59.040 –> 00:24:10.290 Chris Parker: On a ride several years ago, he was new to the area coming back well moved from New York City Manhattan to near Asheville.

00:24:11.160 –> 00:24:30.390 Chris Parker: He was looking for like-minded writers and we met through Facebook, I think it was and then, of course, with that, we’ve written many times with him he’s just he’s a fast rider as you know, an accident can happen.

00:24:30.720 –> 00:24:36.480 Chris Parker: but also his skill level is like I’m here and he’s up here.

00:24:36.960 –> 00:24:39.030 Chris Parker: That it doesn’t track day so.

00:24:39.480 –> 00:24:40.890 Joseph McElroy: He admits that he led his.

00:24:40.890 –> 00:24:43.770 Joseph McElroy: ego gets ahead of him, and then there’s Ryan, he was.

00:24:43.800 –> 00:24:53.490 Joseph McElroy: Trying to keep up with somebody he said I can’t do that anymore, he said he admitted that he actually when he gets his training so now that.

00:24:54.300 –> 00:25:12.810 Joseph McElroy: that’s you know that happens to everybody so but he’s back on and he’s riding again and I’m glad he introduced this and we’re you know we you got your work, you work with BMWRA you also the board and you also added the magazine right.

00:25:13.860 –> 00:25:16.080 Chris Parker: I’m not a board member, but I am a.

00:25:17.640 –> 00:25:27.150 Chris Parker: a person involved with the club in two areas, one of which, for the last four years I’ve been the art director for the magazine, so I laid it out.

00:25:28.440 –> 00:25:41.700 Chris Parker: I’ve been doing that, since March, April 2018, and then an esteemed editor that was under the most of those four years John Flores he.

00:25:42.420 –> 00:25:55.680 Chris Parker: of New Jersey, an amazing photographer and mono journalist, stepped down due to just his workload and he let me know that you know.

00:25:56.550 –> 00:26:13.440 Chris Parker: I think it was November of last year, and I was like holy crap, what are we gonna do now, and he said, Chris, you should take it on, and I was like an editor and he said yeah I think you did great at it and so I’m now, the editor of the magazine my first issue was.

00:26:14.700 –> 00:26:18.750 Chris Parker: The March, April of 2022 it’s been in the hands of the Members.

00:26:19.830 –> 00:26:24.030 Chris Parker: For about a month now, and I’m working on my second issue now it’s going to the printer this week.

00:26:24.420 –> 00:26:28.050 Joseph McElroy: So congratulations, so can you tell us.

00:26:28.110 –> 00:26:34.830 Chris Parker: Real quick also help out with related graphics that are outside of the magazine.

00:26:36.000 –> 00:26:41.070 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us you know a little bit about what the BMWRA organization is.

00:26:42.090 –> 00:26:47.400 Chris Parker: Well it’s a BMW motorcycle club that’s been in existence since 1972.

00:26:48.450 –> 00:27:00.570 Chris Parker: We are one of two motorcycle clubs that are national and we are actually under the international umbrella of the BMW club Council out of Germany.

00:27:01.290 –> 00:27:25.080 Chris Parker: BMW motor add is the motorcycle division of BMW AG so everyone hears that you know there are cars, but they also make motorcycles, in fact, that and making motorcycles longer than I have been making cars and so we’re an enthusiast club that supports the love of all things BMW motorcycles.

00:27:26.400 –> 00:27:32.700 Chris Parker: it’s the Riders association and we just shorten it to ra but everyone knows who we are cool.

00:27:33.090 –> 00:27:37.290 Joseph McElroy: And you, you had your national rally in Haywood County this last year did.

00:27:38.040 –> 00:27:42.930 Chris Parker: We did in Waynesville at the Smoky Mountain Event Center off of two.

00:27:44.370 –> 00:27:46.710 Chris Parker: In August of last year .cool.

00:27:47.280 –> 00:27:54.480 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, we, I want to talk more about that, but we got to take a break real quick and then we’ll come back we’ll talk about why you guys decided to come to play with.

00:30:01.020 –> 00:30:08.910 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateways to the Smokies Podcasts and my guest Chris Parker.

00:30:09.300 –> 00:30:22.560 Joseph McElroy: So, Chris we were talking about the national BMWRA Rally that was held in Haywood County I think in September 2021 and I think you have it has plans for at least 2022 and 2023 right?

00:30:23.550 –> 00:30:41.820 Chris Parker: Well, definitely for 2022 there are discussions for maybe possibly returning the third year we don’t know that for sure, but right now, I know that this coming fall it’ll actually be later in the year it’ll be in September September 29 through October, the second.

00:30:43.170 –> 00:30:44.610 Chris Parker: location so.

00:30:44.940 –> 00:30:46.920 Joseph McElroy: same weekend as well fest so.

00:30:48.300 –> 00:30:52.380 Joseph McElroy: Why did you why BMWRA choose Haywood County?

00:30:53.940 –> 00:31:07.200 Chris Parker: Well, obviously there have to be several factors involved, one of which is a location that can accommodate anywhere from 1200 to 1500 people camping and facilities for vendors.

00:31:08.370 –> 00:31:18.330 Chris Parker: But really the ideal setup was the roads, because of the legendary roads that are within striking distance of that location.

00:31:19.230 –> 00:31:39.360 Chris Parker: There are famous it’s not just people in the United States that come here to the southeast arrived these words I actually have a friend, that is from Germany and the comments on the fact that these roads have a nature of a quality that would go up against stuff in the House.

00:31:40.590 –> 00:31:52.380 Chris Parker: they’ll fly here and they’ll come to Western North Carolina Southwest Virginia Eastern Tennessee Northeast Georgia because of what’s around you guys in.

00:31:54.090 –> 00:32:02.700 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know there’s some really famous one like with a tail of the dragon and the rattler and a copperhead is there any other there that you think are particularly famous that.

00:32:03.990 –> 00:32:04.350 Joseph McElroy: That.

00:32:04.380 –> 00:32:07.170 Chris Parker: Well, I don’t want to announce them too much, because then.

00:32:07.200 –> 00:32:07.620 Once you.

00:32:09.450 –> 00:32:11.700 Chris Parker: they’re no longer your personal roller coaster but.

00:32:11.730 –> 00:32:18.270 Chris Parker: Right, there are some roads that are they don’t really have names assigned to them like the rattler or.

00:32:19.620 –> 00:32:23.190 Chris Parker: deals gaps Taylor dragon or the moon Shauna which is.

00:32:24.630 –> 00:32:35.430 Chris Parker: going through parts of South Carolina and Western North Carolina but I’ll just throw out some names North Carolina to anyone North Carolina 215

00:32:37.680 –> 00:32:48.780 Chris Parker: Those are some pretty epic roads that will actually have people pointing him to take when we have an event at your at the Meadowlark.

00:32:49.890 –> 00:32:51.810 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re planning so.

00:32:52.950 –> 00:33:03.210 Joseph McElroy: let’s just sit back for an SEC, I want to talk about the plans that they’ve been learned Oh, you know you would say that the national event that it made sense to do a regional event here right.

00:33:04.380 –> 00:33:17.280 Chris Parker: yeah so the thinking here with the RA’s is so just a little background on the RA’s it’s a national organization it’s been around we’re celebrating our 50th year this year, and so the.

00:33:18.240 –> 00:33:31.650 Chris Parker: The theme for the rally in Waynesville is going to be 50 years of the RIED attitude RIED and the RA is known as a just enthusiast

00:33:32.550 –> 00:33:54.690 Chris Parker: motorcycle club, the people that come to this event arm riders they put on serious miles and coming to Western North Carolina game is just providing them an epic opportunity to enjoy these legendary roads in the have four days at the campground at the smoky mountain Center.

00:33:55.710 –> 00:34:04.950 Chris Parker: Doing you know hanging out there’s going to be food and all that kind of stuff, and so the idea of them coming back I know people when they heard the announcement.

00:34:05.460 –> 00:34:19.620 Chris Parker: They were shocked that we were coming back because they’ve never really done that, before, but then I think the overall vibe of the reaction was yeah, this is a good move because of you know you’re from this area, you know what it’s like.

00:34:19.800 –> 00:34:20.490 Joseph McElroy: yeah right.

00:34:21.570 –> 00:34:24.450 Joseph McElroy: And then, and then do it a regional one made sense as well right.

00:34:24.900 –> 00:34:34.440 Chris Parker: Oh yeah so yeah the question was why a regional event in that the national rally is once a year, and sometimes people can’t make that.

00:34:35.220 –> 00:34:45.030 Chris Parker: So we were we’re opening up the possibility of doing these smaller weekend getaways and because of the connection with Larry new and I.

00:34:45.690 –> 00:34:53.250 Chris Parker: It was just assumed that it would make sense to do one and Maggie Valley, even though it’s close to where the national rally would be at a different time of the year.

00:34:53.640 –> 00:35:03.930 Chris Parker: And then, because of what I think is going to be a successful event in Meadowlark with the registrations that we have so far and the reaction to this event they’re going to do more of these.

00:35:04.050 –> 00:35:08.820 Chris Parker: And so, in September in the upper peninsula of.

00:35:10.290 –> 00:35:23.070 Chris Parker: Michigan there’s going to be an event that’s sponsored by the RA that’s going to be at a place called big snow resort in Wakefield Michigan and then there’s a possibility of one in Virginia near.

00:35:24.810 –> 00:35:28.620 Chris Parker: West Virginia and Virginia up in the Shenandoah Valley.

00:35:29.100 –> 00:35:29.850 Chris Parker: So we’re.

00:35:29.910 –> 00:35:31.680 Chris Parker: we’re in early stages of that.

00:35:32.430 –> 00:35:40.740 Joseph McElroy: Well cool well the Meadowlark you know we know Maggie Valley itself is considered like the best motorcycle town.

00:35:41.280 –> 00:35:52.200 Joseph McElroy: In Western North Carolina and because it’s near all those famous roads, easy access big road to get in and out of you know, has it actually has a festival grounds that holds a lot of.

00:35:53.970 –> 00:36:01.500 Joseph McElroy: You know trucking and motorcycle events and the culture are very conducive to yeah motorcyclists enjoying.

00:36:02.790 –> 00:36:07.050 Joseph McElroy: You know, restaurants and everything are very motorcycle friendly.

00:36:08.100 –> 00:36:13.230 Joseph McElroy: You know people do things like you know the motels do things like have you know motorcycle rags and little.

00:36:13.710 –> 00:36:21.090 Joseph McElroy: Little buckets right outside the room, so they can clean and wash their motorcycles and stuff like that which I think that yeah it’s just a.

00:36:21.510 –> 00:36:32.010 Joseph McElroy: it’s a really nice environment, you know and we’re and you know we’re putting together so that people have stepped up in the valley of the big steak house J Arthur’s is going to host all you guys for a big steak dinner.

00:36:32.370 –> 00:36:39.570 Joseph McElroy: And then we have a pavilion we’re gonna have live music poetry Michael Ogletree, and I think he’s gonna do a simple mind acoustic concert.

00:36:40.200 –> 00:36:53.940 Joseph McElroy: Right and we’ve opened up a new speakeasy which you didn’t even know about before where you know, on the later in the evening come in, listen to really cool music and hang back and have nice drinks and things like that so we’re looking forward to it.

00:36:55.500 –> 00:37:01.650 Joseph McElroy: So, but you are also planning some things for the event, you were talking about a special ride you put together.

00:37:02.670 –> 00:37:21.570 Chris Parker: yeah, so this is being the first event that I’ve ever hosted I’m being a rally chair, we were trying to figure out a group of us who are behind the scenes, putting the pieces together what we can add to the already announced.

00:37:22.830 –> 00:37:24.960 Chris Parker: Activities you know the dinners.

00:37:26.130 –> 00:37:27.300 Chris Parker: The live music.

00:37:28.350 –> 00:37:37.770 Chris Parker: Some of the vendors that are going to be on-site that on the 14th the last full day of the rally we’re going to have the rally in the valley challenge ride

00:37:38.460 –> 00:37:47.970 Chris Parker: And it’s going to be a way to snag some extra door prize tickets raffle prize tickets by participating in it and so we’ve.

00:37:48.450 –> 00:37:57.900 Chris Parker: come up with a route that’s gonna be about 160 something miles, that if you take it and you follow it and take proof.

00:37:58.590 –> 00:38:12.090 Chris Parker: of taking it by stopping in some waypoints take pictures of you and your bike and then will you know for each one of those if you stop at we will award you an extra ticket for a chance to win some really awesome prizes.

00:38:12.540 –> 00:38:16.650 Chris Parker: I’ll tell you more about what those are looking like right.

00:38:17.700 –> 00:38:28.260 Chris Parker: So that’s news that it’s not been announced until this podcast that we’re planning on In fact this Thursday about four of us are going to do a test ride.

00:38:28.740 –> 00:38:39.030 Chris Parker: To make sure that the route that we’ve planned has a quality we just been doing it, the mapping software, and now we’re going to go and test it this coming week.

00:38:39.510 –> 00:38:40.620 Joseph McElroy: How long the riders and.

00:38:41.520 –> 00:38:51.060 Chris Parker: it’s gonna be about four hours it’s a loop that takes you northeast of Maggie Valley and it’ll take you into.

00:38:52.290 –> 00:39:02.940 Chris Parker: close to the Tennessee state line it’ll sneak around some of the brands, which will be on our two and on obviously North kind of 63, which is a trust.

00:39:04.080 –> 00:39:12.060 Chris Parker: there’s some dirt roads that you can take for extra bonus points for those that don’t know this BMW has a lot of bikes called GSS.

00:39:12.390 –> 00:39:27.840 Chris Parker: And they’re the type of bike that wants to pay money Angie you keep going so if you want to go down for us but we’ve got a few things set up in the round so that that is going to be a new feature to the to the rally and then.

00:39:28.890 –> 00:39:39.630 Chris Parker: I mentioned vendors, we have about five that are committed to showing up the main one in terms of what people would recognize as.

00:39:40.230 –> 00:39:58.290 Chris Parker: wonderfully USA there is a BMW motorcycle accessories company out of Germany and their North American headquarters is in Hendersonville was nearby and they’re going to be there with their products, their tents and people to you know talk about what they offer for BMW motorcycles.

00:39:59.250 –> 00:40:08.610 Joseph McElroy: cool and do you ever have besides, you know people going out writing do you have any other plan activities for people coming besides, you know the dinner we’ve set up and that sort of thing.

00:40:09.270 –> 00:40:20.670 Chris Parker: Well it’s going to be had laid back in that with the way these guys I’m imagining gals and guys come in they’re going to ride to the location and they’re going to want to rest and relax.

00:40:21.180 –> 00:40:37.290 Chris Parker: And they’re on their own there’s a dinner Friday night and then there’s a dinner on Saturday night there’s also going to be continental breakfast provided by the Meadowlark in the overflow hotels, that may be handling people will have access to that.

00:40:38.430 –> 00:40:43.320 Chris Parker: But as far as anything outside of that we will have a local.

00:40:44.760 –> 00:40:55.200 Chris Parker: vendor from Waynesville Wayne Bush of America rods maps his maps are epic for the BMW Roddick community and other motorcycle brands.

00:40:56.040 –> 00:41:02.640 Chris Parker: They love is matt he’s going to be on hand and the talk is that he’s going to be debuting a new APP.

00:41:03.240 –> 00:41:17.160 Chris Parker: That he wants to have you know the to unveil at the event, we still don’t know if that’s a done deal but he’s going to be there on hand and then the other thing a good friend of mine who lives in balsam which is not far from Maggie Valley.

00:41:18.420 –> 00:41:25.830 Chris Parker: harkens back, he is a God moto journalist all-around good guy and a stand-up comedian.

00:41:27.180 –> 00:41:31.350 Chris Parker: he’s going to be there on Saturday night at J Arthur’s.

00:41:32.550 –> 00:41:35.730 Chris Parker: doing a every team.

00:41:36.810 –> 00:41:51.570 Chris Parker: he’s uh he’s written three books on writing in the southeast and he’s going to have them on hand to talk about and to help people out with you know where do you go, you know what’s around here, he knows all the relatives so.

00:41:53.040 –> 00:41:58.770 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah well you know riding around the smoky mountains it’s just a joyous experience you know.

00:41:59.280 –> 00:42:07.710 Joseph McElroy: there are so many places to go see I mean oftentimes you can just stop and spur the moment and see a magnificent waterfall right.

00:42:08.580 –> 00:42:14.430 Joseph McElroy: Or you know you may walk 100 feet into the forest and boom there it is it’s just huge right.

00:42:15.120 –> 00:42:20.220 Joseph McElroy: In fact, we have one right up above Maggie called Soco falls it’s right off the road.

00:42:20.640 –> 00:42:29.460 Joseph McElroy: You can people can go up there, and just jump out yeah park will walk you know few hundred feet and boom here this magnificent waterfall near the mountains are.

00:42:29.880 –> 00:42:39.480 Joseph McElroy: known for those waterfalls So hopefully people can get a combined outdoor road experience little that little outdoor adventure experienced it right.

00:42:41.010 –> 00:42:49.290 Joseph McElroy: And i’d encourage people to you know to also if they want some relaxation time don’t forget that there’s fishing at the Meadowlark

00:42:49.860 –> 00:42:55.260 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can put you can do some real trial, we just had a fish camp and people were catching fish there

00:42:55.950 –> 00:43:10.320 Joseph McElroy: Nice rainbows and some brown trouts right there in the backyard there’s a little bait shop tackle shop right up the road from us so hopefully, they can experience a little bit of everything the mountain culture has are going to music and we’ll have food.

00:43:11.670 –> 00:43:14.700 Joseph McElroy: You know waterfalls and riding the road so.

00:43:16.260 –> 00:43:18.300 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to you guys coming in here so.

00:43:19.500 –> 00:43:26.040 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to take another break right now and come back we’ll finish up talking about some of your favorite spots in the smokies.

00:43:27.180 –> 00:43:29.760 Joseph McElroy: Anything else you want to mention some shoutouts for things that.

00:43:30.870 –> 00:43:32.430 Joseph McElroy: You want us to pay attention to.

00:43:34.050 –> 00:43:35.580 Chris Parker: Okay sounds good.

00:45:33.870 –> 00:45:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Chris Parker.

00:45:41.400 –> 00:45:48.600 Joseph McElroy: So, Chris you know we got little people listening to this and we’re talking about coming up motorcycling in the smokies and I think it’s a great thing but.

00:45:48.990 –> 00:45:56.730 Joseph McElroy: You know, but yeah I think we should mention just briefly what are some safety tips for coming up or writing in the smokies do you have some.

00:45:58.500 –> 00:45:59.100 Chris Parker: well.

00:46:00.240 –> 00:46:08.520 Chris Parker: Especially if you’re running in a group Roger override make sure that you don’t like we know a mutual friend get in over their head.

00:46:09.720 –> 00:46:20.550 Chris Parker: The roads here are pretty technical but also you can ride at your own pace there are some roads that are like I think in the notes for this.

00:46:21.540 –> 00:46:37.500 Chris Parker: podcast tonight someone who said what about the Chair of the hollow skyway over there, near robin’s Ville and TELCO planes, it is 50 something miles of sweepers roads that are at high elevation but they aren’t as titan twisty as fields gap.

00:46:38.760 –> 00:46:43.560 Chris Parker: Just be prepared to see a lot of traffic on the road and stay in your lane.

00:46:45.270 –> 00:46:59.760 Chris Parker: If you aren’t sure where you’re at just dial it down a bit and it’s better to take a slower pace and arrive in one piece stand to the Ricky racer on the road and end up in an ambulance heading to the nearest hospital.

00:47:00.960 –> 00:47:10.350 Chris Parker: and always obviously with the BMW crowd typically they’re known for wearing their gear we look like the Power Rangers set with our vortex.

00:47:12.300 –> 00:47:30.150 Chris Parker: outfits our helmets glove Armor you know we tend to be one of the more safety-conscious types of motorcycle groups out there and you’ll see a lot of that when you see a show up you’re going to like think we’re you know rejects from NASA’s Space Program.

00:47:32.070 –> 00:47:36.660 Joseph McElroy: Well, have you had that experience with a dear how often are little animals dirt out on the road.

00:47:37.320 –> 00:47:48.540 Chris Parker: that’s it’s It really is the law of averages if you ride more like I do you’re going to see more of it it’s if you’re out as an occasional rider and you’ll see it occasionally.

00:47:48.960 –> 00:48:00.000 Chris Parker: But as you rack up the miles and you put on as many miles, as someone like myself, has you’re more prone to see everything from squirrels two rabbits dogs to dear.

00:48:00.450 –> 00:48:03.240 Chris Parker: yeah I’ve actually seen a bear once.

00:48:03.540 –> 00:48:03.960 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:48:04.290 –> 00:48:08.190 Chris Parker: Okay that’ll be hard to get I mean not hard to hit, but if.

00:48:08.220 –> 00:48:15.480 Joseph McElroy: You hit that that’s good well you know we get some big elk and Maggie value coming up the middle of that road sometimes you have to watch out for that.

00:48:16.740 –> 00:48:19.050 Chris Parker: I don’t wanna I don’t want to let that dissuade people.

00:48:19.050 –> 00:48:23.820 Joseph McElroy: From no, it’s not that prevalent and most of the time, you can see it coming.

00:48:24.390 –> 00:48:33.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah how about other drivers in the smokies, if you found them to be these are there are they swivel in your head looking stuff too much.

00:48:34.440 –> 00:48:48.870 Chris Parker: Well it’s a mixed bag, obviously, if you like, to go at a brisk pace, it can be a bit of an irritant but at the same time, you know the rules of the road, are what they are, you know they’re driving have as much right to the road as we, and vice versa.

00:48:50.460 –> 00:49:03.870 Chris Parker: But in the fall you tend to see more traffic because of the leaf papers, the colors changing in the mountains so you’ll see an increased amount of traffic, especially if you’re on like the Blueridge parkway.

00:49:05.010 –> 00:49:12.360 Chris Parker: But there are hidden gems that you can take once you start to know the roads in the area that will be.

00:49:12.870 –> 00:49:29.100 Chris Parker: kind of the traffic, the level of traffic will be less than some of the more scenic routes like I know people will talk about deals gap and I actually think the road to deals gap is a better road, because how a 28 from.

00:49:31.110 –> 00:49:33.000 Chris Parker: Bryson city area.

00:49:33.240 –> 00:49:44.370 Chris Parker: Of Fontana damn is brilliant and it’s actually a less travel road and then to align which you’re familiar with on the rattler going to hot springs.

00:49:44.520 –> 00:49:45.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah I love that right.

00:49:45.690 –> 00:49:51.510 Chris Parker: You know that that road you know they’ll have traffic, but you know you can get around it, you can manage it.

00:49:52.440 –> 00:50:03.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s not that bad of traffic it’s I mean it is there some is too little, too late and winding road and the only reason it gets backed up sometimes is this person a little bit nervous coming down and going up it but.

00:50:04.290 –> 00:50:05.310 Joseph McElroy: For the most part it’s a.

00:50:05.310 –> 00:50:17.850 Joseph McElroy: pretty good it’s a pretty yeah I’ve gone through very busy times and then hot springs as a little town we’re stopping that it’s got some good food there and it’s got the hot springs resort so which you can usually jump into to get a little spray.

00:50:19.260 –> 00:50:29.580 Chris Parker: I’ll add I was tickled pink when they select Waynesville to and on the smoky mountain event Center and.

00:50:30.690 –> 00:50:41.820 Chris Parker: I just laughed I was like these guys are the attendees to the rally are going to leave the parking lot the entrance turn right and then for 25 miles to hot springs.

00:50:41.880 –> 00:50:43.050 Joseph McElroy: It was a perfect that was.

00:50:43.050 –> 00:50:46.980 Joseph McElroy: A perfect thing right it’s like and it was perfect yeah.

00:50:48.630 –> 00:50:53.760 Joseph McElroy: So that’s good, and one thing I do I mentioned to people is that you know, in the mountains, especially in the summer.

00:50:54.120 –> 00:51:03.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah we get we haven’t funny whether we’re pretty dry, but then we’ll usually just about five days out of the week have a big thunderstorm pop up for about an hour, and then disappear.

00:51:04.830 –> 00:51:17.400 Joseph McElroy: So you need to be aware that you know you want to have rain gear and be prepared for a sudden weather change when you ride around but it’s not very long and it goes away real quick.

00:51:20.190 –> 00:51:34.830 Joseph McElroy: So, what are your you know, I think that the bear water brewery Maggie Valley is a great place for motorcycles to go and have a meal and you’ll be able to park and you know even sit down in a deck and just enjoy the ambiance of the mountains right.

00:51:36.150 –> 00:51:42.210 Joseph McElroy: What are some other great places that you like, to stop at in your motorcycling travels through the smokies.

00:51:43.680 –> 00:51:58.230 Chris Parker: was a favorite of mine in my writing group it’s epic and it’s an I imagine people that know the area Franklin North Carolina there is a restaurant that’s in a gas station called CAFE rel.

00:51:58.860 –> 00:51:59.550 Chris Parker: Now.

00:51:59.670 –> 00:52:13.470 Chris Parker: And I was there for the first time, five or six years ago and it’s a four-star five-star chef from Atlanta who left the big city life, he was from Franklin and he returned.

00:52:14.010 –> 00:52:27.780 Chris Parker: back to his hometown and open up this French cuisine CAFE at reasonable prices, but the food is amazing when it’s as attached to a hotspot gas station as you would not think that would.

00:52:27.840 –> 00:52:29.850 Joseph McElroy: be a place that so what’s the name of the place.

00:52:30.120 –> 00:52:37.380 Chris Parker: CAFE Rel and it’s R EL and it’s the abbreviation of the guide and Richard E Long.

00:52:37.680 –> 00:52:39.120 Joseph McElroy: I’m gonna have to go check that out.

00:52:39.150 –> 00:52:39.660 yeah.

00:52:40.680 –> 00:52:47.970 Chris Parker: they’re closed on Wednesdays and their close Sundays and Mondays and they only pay cash they don’t take debit.

00:52:47.970 –> 00:52:57.780 Joseph McElroy: we know what if you get a chance to go to Wayne’s will go to hazelwood smokehouse which has been top 20 Barbecue places in the nation.

00:52:58.230 –> 00:53:08.940 Chris Parker: And then for near nearby I mean there’s a lot of restaurants and Maggie Valley, that will have access to so there’s that you place in downtown Waynesville is.

00:53:10.170 –> 00:53:11.310 Chris Parker: beach mountain diner.

00:53:11.550 –> 00:53:15.120 Chris Parker: Oh yeah that’s good yeah.

00:53:15.240 –> 00:53:24.570 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re coming to a close, here I want you to do some shout-outs, where people can find out more about what you’re doing or your club, but how can they find out more.

00:53:25.290 –> 00:53:39.960 Chris Parker: Well, you can join the RA at BMWRA.org, and then there is the events tab at the top that shows the activities of the club, the national rally this one is called the rally in the valley.

00:53:40.530 –> 00:53:49.590 Chris Parker: And you can register there, we still have plenty of spots where we’re going to take onsite registration last minute.

00:53:50.310 –> 00:54:01.230 Chris Parker: There might be an issue with you getting a meal if you wait till the last minute to register and then we are also selling a T-shirt that if you want to get one you have to.

00:54:02.190 –> 00:54:15.960 Chris Parker: Let us know by tomorrow, and you can get your name in the hat for a shirt so you can join the club there if you’re not a Member Oh, an important you do not have to ride a BMW to come to this.

00:54:16.200 –> 00:54:17.460 Chris Parker: We will allow.

00:54:17.490 –> 00:54:19.740 Chris Parker: Anybody allow.

00:54:19.830 –> 00:54:26.910 Chris Parker: We will accept and welcome anybody on any kind of bike so don’t feel like you have to have a BMW, to be able to attain cool.

00:54:27.150 –> 00:54:31.680 Joseph McElroy: And then, what is your image shout out your for your design company’s website.

00:54:32.310 –> 00:54:38.730 Chris Parker: As roadwolfdesign.com or roadwolfdesigned.com.

00:54:38.850 –> 00:54:42.330 Joseph McElroy: cool and I’m assuming you also got some Facebook and that sort of stuff people.

00:54:43.260 –> 00:54:51.930 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well, thank you very much for being on the show I’m looking forward to the event in May, and I think it’s gonna be fantastic and you’ve.

00:54:52.800 –> 00:55:04.890 Joseph McElroy: represented Well now, this program is the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast you can find it on Facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast it’s also.

00:55:05.700 –> 00:55:17.490 Joseph McElroy: On the episodes listed on smokiesadventure.com there’s a tab at the top, it allows you to click into a listing of all the episodes with some reason transcripts, and video.

00:55:18.510 –> 00:55:25.350 Joseph McElroy: That we are part of the talkradio.NYC network, which is a radio network of the live podcasts that happen, you know every day.

00:55:25.770 –> 00:55:38.880 Joseph McElroy: And I encourage you to look at them they’re small business ones there’s lifestyle there’s you know politics there’s a self help all sorts of different programs on this network it’s a good network to hear some great podcast.

00:55:39.690 –> 00:55:48.930 Joseph McElroy: it’s talkradio.nyc I have another one on this network called wise content creates wealth, which is about content marketing and Ai.

00:55:49.650 –> 00:55:58.620 Joseph McElroy: And that’s on Fridays from noon to one, and this podcast gateway to the smokies is always on Tuesday from six to seven and I’ll look forward to seeing you.

00:55:59.130 –> 00:56:12.000 Joseph McElroy: Next week we’ll have another great guest, it’s a legend in this in the mountains, look forward to having you meet and hear him talk to you later.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/co88VFfm1J/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/62586c1df2da74b7f44e8b7f_20220412-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/04/12 - Jackson County Treasures in the Great Smoky Mountains"></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Jackson County is a wonderful area to live, work, and have fun in! Beautiful waterfalls, excellent stores, fantastic restaurants, and wonderful companies abound in that area. This week&#39;s episode features a special guest, Kelly Donaldson. He will be bringing you up to speed on all the big things happening in town. You&#39;ll learn about the best waterfalls to check out, where to grab a bite to eat and what businesses have the best gifts.</strong></p><p>Kelly Donaldson is the Assistant Director of the Jackson County, N.C. Chamber of Commerce –a job he has held for the past eight years. Kelly’s wife, Julie Donaldson is the Executive Director of the same organization and has served in that role for 23 years. Kelly spent 15 years as a Sports Journalist and Editor for various publications in WNC—as well as in Gainesville, Georgia, before embarking on his career with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in 2014. </p><p>Kelly’s hobbies include photography, attending WCU sporting events, and spending time with his family, along with an impressive resume of volunteer work in the community he loves and promotes so well. He will keep you up to date on all the great things happening in Jackson County that you need to know about. So, tune in and don&#39;t miss out!</p><p>Websites: <a href="https://www.mountainlovers.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.mountainlovers.com/ </a></p><p><a href="https://www.nctroutcapital.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.nctroutcapital.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hooklinedrinkerfest.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.hooklinedrinkerfest.com/ </a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mountainlovers/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/mountainlovers/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ConcertsOnTheCreek" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/ConcertsOnTheCreek</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/co88VFfm1J/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph as always begins with the sponsor, his own, the Meadowlark Motel and smokiesadventure.com. He also mentions upcoming events such as a fly fishing camp weekend and being one with the river while witnessing a valuable ecosystem. He also reads a poem by Eunice Lamberton called “Trout Fishing”. Joseph also introduces his guest, Kelly Donaldson, the Assistant Director of the Jackson County, N.C. Chamber of Commerce. Kelly started his career as a technical writer and then became an executive assistant in sales and marketing. Kelly says that he always believed that he&#39;d be in a career dealing with media in some way. When making a jump to being a sports editor, Kelly says that he got to work for Transylvania Times after graduating from college. He started covering local college sports and high school sports as well as other topics like music while getting to interact with the community. He worked for a few years in places like Gainsville, Georgia for a daily newspaper, getting into bigger sports teams and games.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Kelly speaks about moving from working with The Crossroads Chronicle newspaper as an editor to doing more community work. He got more involved with the community along with the Chamber of Commerce in Sylva, North Carolina. Kelly would be involved in planning events, writing press releases, and taking pictures and videos. Kelly and Joseph talk about using media to promote yourself, business, and in Kelly&#39;s case, Jackson County. Kelly also talks about working with his wife, Julie Donaldson, who is the Executive Director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Kelly describes being able to balance work and life together with his wife as they work together in the same organization. He also speaks about some projects they are working on like at Pinnacle Park where there may be a mountain bike trail. They speak about the area being great for adding mountain biking as a focus as well as trouting.</p><h4><br></h4><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph mentions Jackson County having the Greening up the Mountains Festival. Kelly says that they will be having it again soon this month of April to celebrate the mountains turning green but also the people turning green with the environment. They have music, vendors, information about greenery, and much more. Kelly says that you can visit greeningupthemountains.com to learn more about this exciting event. Kelly is also involved with the Concerts on the Creek Series, something that his wife started and it’s now in its 13th year. They speak about some bands and artists that they’ve been involved with like Darren Nicholson and Balsam Range. They also discuss some of Kelly’s favorite waterfalls as well as areas for hiking. Kelly also mentions a program that his wife started where each business can showcase itself and where other businesses come together for networking.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Kelly talks about more exciting things that happen in Jackson County throughout the year. He says that they have a big concert in Sylva on the 4th of July and they also have a lot of fireworks that the community could get a great view of. He also mentions having fireworks during the holidays. He also discusses great things in Dillsboro, a town in the county. Kelly also mentions still doing editing work while working on the Our Town publication and Eating out in Jackson County Guide. To learn more about Jackson County and the Chamber of Commerce at mountainlovers.com. Joseph thanks Kelly Donaldson for this great conversation!</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:00:41.040 –&gt; 00:00:43.410 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! Welcome to the Gateways to the Smokies Podcast.</p><p>00:00:43.410 –&gt; 00:00:53.700 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:54.450 –&gt; 00:01:04.500 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:05.310 –&gt; 00:01:26.520 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. today we’re going to talk about smoky mountain motorcycle adventures.</p><p>00:01:27.660 –&gt; 00:01:34.350 Joseph McElroy: But first, a couple of sponsors messages and then some events that are upcoming that you might find interesting.</p><p>00:01:35.280 –&gt; 00:01:48.450 Joseph McElroy: First, imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past in modern and vibrant with Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:49.170 –&gt; 00:02:01.860 Joseph McElroy: imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on a fire eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:02:02.490 –&gt; 00:02:16.020 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place in the old-time music world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina, your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay!</p><p>00:02:17.400 –&gt; 00:02:29.460 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure.com smokies plural adventure singular the smoky mountains and surrounding area or areas of vacation destination for all seasons.</p><p>00:02:30.000 –&gt; 00:02:39.480 Joseph McElroy: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found, right here in these mountains.</p><p>00:02:40.200 –&gt; 00:02:48.870 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</p><p>00:02:49.500 –&gt; 00:03:01.230 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, caves cove or the elk are and more than check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy.</p><p>00:03:02.550 –&gt; 00:03:09.900 Joseph McElroy: The goal is smokiesadventure.com is to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:03:10.710 –&gt; 00:03:21.660 Joseph McElroy: Now some events coming up most of these events are at the Maggie Valley festival grounds and it’s now become the big festival season in the mountains and the smoky mountain area.</p><p>00:03:22.440 –&gt; 00:03:37.440 Joseph McElroy: April 22nd to 24th is the Annual Southeastern mini trucking nationals it’s an open car and truck show featuring food and vendors and many trucks which are a hoot.</p><p>00:03:38.760 –&gt; 00:03:51.690 Joseph McElroy: April 19th to May 1st is Thunder in the Smokies Spring Motorcycle Rally, this is a Big Motorcycle Rally about three times a year and it’s the largest and oldest rally in Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:03:52.200 –&gt; 00:04:01.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s all day Friday and Saturday and half the day on Sunday is got tour rides vendors bike shows games prizes concerts.</p><p>00:04:02.190 –&gt; 00:04:10.470 Joseph McElroy: Fire dancers, the latest bikes and motor products on display, and more you can go to thunderinthesmokies.com to find out more.</p><p>00:04:11.100 –&gt; 00:04:26.940 Joseph McElroy: May 7th is a new event that I haven’t during know where it is called the boho hippie feast it’s got live music performances art demonstrations vendors bounce houses games food trucks and more sounds like it’s going to be sort of a Bohemian.</p><p>00:04:28.080 –&gt; 00:04:46.890 Joseph McElroy: arts and crafts show with lots of fun so I’m looking forward to checking that out, and they may 13 to the 14th is the kk OA icons of the hot rodding festival, and this is going to be the 1950s and 1960s hot-rodding custom cars and trailer trucks and then have it.</p><p>00:04:48.210 –&gt; 00:04:59.730 Joseph McElroy: For models that are older than 1969 have automotive and vintage vendors pinstripe burrs and food vendors awards and trophies and all sorts of things.</p><p>00:05:00.990 –&gt; 00:05:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Now the Meadowlark you know, we have the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center where we have lots of mountain heritage and music events so in.</p><p>00:05:12.510 –&gt; 00:05:13.230 Joseph McElroy: In May.</p><p>00:05:14.310 –&gt; 00:05:30.930 Joseph McElroy: On May 6th through the 8th we’re going to have mother’s day events and it’s gonna have moms moving mountains and mother nature’s natural garden programs Nancy East and Ila Hatter.</p><p>00:05:32.310 –&gt; 00:05:50.370 Joseph McElroy: So first one there on a Friday night may six-seven acclaimed authors and wilderness survival expert Nancy East will be presenting mom’s moving mountains and she will share her experiences in the great outdoors as well as her amazing endurance hiking achievements.</p><p>00:05:51.780 –&gt; 00:06:03.630 Joseph McElroy: This is serious just here doing what wilderness survival is course is hugely valuable and she has some great adventures to talk about the show you picture things like that, then a May 7.</p><p>00:06:04.320 –&gt; 00:06:14.130 Joseph McElroy: The afternoon will feature legendary wildcrafting expert and renowned author filmmaker instructor and tour guide for the general some great smoky mountain National Park elite.</p><p>00:06:14.940 –&gt; 00:06:24.120 Joseph McElroy: GSM Field School Illa Hatter. Ila is an expert on edible plants, medicinal herbs, and anything pertaining to wildcraft foraging and Appalachian plants, trees, and flowers.</p><p>00:06:24.600 –&gt; 00:06:32.010 Joseph McElroy: she’s been featured in a lot of stuff like TV shows, and things like that.</p><p>00:06:32.880 –&gt; 00:06:44.100 Joseph McElroy: But she will be presenting your her beloved program Mother Nature natural garden and leading a short tour of the grounds, identifying nature’s bounty that can be found in our own backyards.</p><p>00:06:44.610 –&gt; 00:06:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll have a combination with the free Barbecue separate music on Saturday night.</p><p>00:06:49.950 –&gt; 00:07:06.720 Joseph McElroy: So reach out and then In mother’s day in the morning will have will be having cake and champagne for people as they’re leaving in the morning, so come and reach out to meadowlarkmotel.com call 8289261717 to find out more and reserve your spot for these programs.</p><p>00:07:08.970 –&gt; 00:07:18.090 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know if everybody knows, but one of the best motorcycle museums in the country, if not the world is located right next to the Meadowlark motel.</p><p>00:07:18.720 –&gt; 00:07:31.380 Joseph McElroy: And it’s called the wheels through time museum and it’s home to the world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles memorabilia and a distinct array of unique one-off American automobiles.</p><p>00:07:32.940 –&gt; 00:07:56.040 Joseph McElroy: It has a collection of over 350 rare machines comprised of 25 makes including Harley Davidson Indian excelsior Henderson Popeil crocker flying Merkel and many, many more, it was opened on July 4 2002 in a 38,000 square foot facility, and now it says 15th year of operation.</p><p>00:07:57.270 –&gt; 00:08:02.070 Joseph McElroy: it’s gotten worldwide media attention and brought hundreds of thousands of visitors to Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:08:02.520 –&gt; 00:08:16.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a unique display it has events going on thrill rides and all the machines run even the older some of the rarest in the world have been made into working order and every day.</p><p>00:08:17.370 –&gt; 00:08:24.360 Joseph McElroy: Thursday through Monday, they will actually get some of these different old machines running so you can hear how they sound.</p><p>00:08:24.600 –&gt; 00:08:35.400 Joseph McElroy: feel their vibrations, you know feel like a part of it, and then and the museum itself is a really wonderful experience because you’re walking through something that’s almost like a giant garage.</p><p>00:08:35.700 –&gt; 00:08:45.870 Joseph McElroy: Then it has art and automobiles represent a representative of the times right and motorcycles representative of the time in the exhibits.</p><p>00:08:46.890 –&gt; 00:08:55.620 Joseph McElroy: It was founded by Dale Walker who recently died, but his son has taken over who’s also an accomplished motorcycle.</p><p>00:08:56.310 –&gt; 00:09:04.680 Joseph McElroy: Now expert knowledge, so I recommend coming to stay in the Meadowlark and going over the wheels through the time museum to get your motorcycle on.</p><p>00:09:05.520 –&gt; 00:09:09.480 Joseph McElroy: Somebody knows about motorcycles our guest today his name is Chris Parker.</p><p>00:09:10.050 –&gt; 00:09:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Chris Parker is the owner and Chief Designer of Road Wolf Design it’s a creative design company based in Greer South Carolina where he was founded in 2007 his clients include Texas Pete Hot Sauces yay I love hot sauces, Texas Pete.</p><p>00:09:26.430 –&gt; 00:09:34.650 Joseph McElroy: touring sport BMW, and many others, Chris is an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast who has been a large part of his adult life.</p><p>00:09:35.040 –&gt; 00:09:45.900 Joseph McElroy: riding his bike in the great smoky mountains regions and all across the United States now Chris has partnered with the staff of the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley to create a new event.</p><p>00:09:46.320 –&gt; 00:09:58.020 Joseph McElroy: For this prestigious group called the BMWRA group on May 12-15 2022 and at the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley and so hello, Chris how are you doing?</p><p>00:09:58.680 –&gt; 00:10:00.210 Chris Parker: Great good to be here.</p><p>00:10:00.570 –&gt; 00:10:05.730 Joseph McElroy: cool we are thrilled to have you with us here today, Chris and we’re.</p><p>00:10:06.300 –&gt; 00:10:19.410 Joseph McElroy: we’re really just like so I mean I’m very excited to discuss your upcoming rally in the valley scheduled for May and as well as you share your expertise and you know, creating memorable riding adventure so let’s get started.</p><p>00:10:20.640 –&gt; 00:10:25.890 Joseph McElroy: You live in a relatively short ride from Maggie valley when was your first trip to our region?</p><p>00:10:27.450 –&gt; 00:10:41.610 Chris Parker: Well, I’ve been up there so many times I’ve lost count been riding in western North Carolina since 2000, 22 years easily hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of miles.</p><p>00:10:43.020 –&gt; 00:10:49.620 Chris Parker: Maggie Valley, Waynesville area, a lot, because of the roads are just their epic so yeah.</p><p>00:10:50.280 –&gt; 00:10:52.680 Joseph McElroy: Are you originally from Greer or Where are you from originally.</p><p>00:10:53.550 –&gt; 00:11:06.960 Chris Parker: um well as a navy brat I was born in Scotland and moved around and then eventually made it to the US, but I’ve been living in the southeast primarily since the mid-70s, hence the accent.</p><p>00:11:08.040 –&gt; 00:11:19.020 Chris Parker: And in South Carolina since 1981 so I’m in the upstate of South Carolina which when you explain to people South Carolina they automatically assume you’re from Charleston or the beach.</p><p>00:11:19.410 –&gt; 00:11:30.030 Chris Parker: And you have to remind them that there’s the upstate which is mountainous it’s at the foothills of the mountains of where you’re at and North Carolina so you know you.</p><p>00:11:30.360 –&gt; 00:11:40.110 Joseph McElroy: Did you when you’ve been visiting if you get a chance to hook up with Mike Ogletree he’s our artist in residence and he was born in Scotland and played with a lot of Scottish bands.</p><p>00:11:40.260 –&gt; 00:11:45.540 Chris Parker: Did you get the time I met him, I met him last September, when I came up to visit the motel.</p><p>00:11:46.020 –&gt; 00:12:01.980 Chris Parker: and his background, when I found out who he was with I just my jaw dropped simple minds, I mean who doesn’t know who that band is and then he’s from Scotland and he’s got the accent I don’t, but we did have a chat he’s a nice guy.</p><p>00:12:02.280 –&gt; 00:12:18.240 Joseph McElroy: Oh good well that’s I mean yeah that’s yeah there’s actually a lot of Scottish heritage in the mountains right, so you probably find a little bit of that connecting up with people and you should go by the Scottish Tartan Museum in Franklin it’s.</p><p>00:12:19.290 –&gt; 00:12:19.620 Chris Parker: Like.</p><p>00:12:20.250 –&gt; 00:12:23.670 Joseph McElroy: it’s the greatest Tartan collection in the world, I think right.</p><p>00:12:24.180 –&gt; 00:12:31.770 Joseph McElroy: it’s pretty it is pretty impressive you know, we had him out for the Burn’s Day celebration of Robert Burns and.</p><p>00:12:32.160 –&gt; 00:12:36.930 Joseph McElroy: They brought some tartans and they brought some pictures and they did a whole discussion, so it was pretty cool.</p><p>00:12:37.860 –&gt; 00:12:53.730 Joseph McElroy: Pretty cool opportunity to find more about and I recommend people find out about that museum, because we know it’s of all the many museums, we have in the mountains that’s one of them that’s I think is pretty special hey so I’ve talked a lot, so we have to take our first break.</p><p>00:12:55.170 –&gt; 00:13:00.750 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll come back and we’ll find more will find a little bit more about you and then writing BMW is in the mountains.</p><p>00:13:02.070 –&gt; 00:13:02.460 Okay.</p><p>00:15:17.460 –&gt; 00:15:27.660 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Chris Parker so Chris how long have you been riding motorcycles?</p><p>00:15:29.790 –&gt; 00:15:30.990 Chris Parker: 22 years.</p><p>00:15:31.500 –&gt; 00:15:34.590 Joseph McElroy: 22 years and did was a BMW your first one.</p><p>00:15:35.550 –&gt; 00:15:53.400 Chris Parker: No, it wasn’t I bought a used Honda Pacific coast and learn to ride on that, and within nine months and about 15,000 miles later I moved to a BMW pretty quick and pretty much stayed on them for the last 22 years.</p><p>00:15:54.090 –&gt; 00:15:56.040 Joseph McElroy: Now, Bob folks,</p><p>00:15:57.810 –&gt; 00:16:12.750 Joseph McElroy: involved and helped me put together these programs he’s also Bob Plott and he’s also general manager of the smoky mountain heritage Center so he told me, you have a really unique story about how you obtain your BMW bite that you know that you now own so what’s that story.</p><p>00:16:13.620 –&gt; 00:16:16.080 Chris Parker: that’s a pretty long one, but I’ll try to give you the.</p><p>00:16:16.860 –&gt; 00:16:20.970 Chris Parker: Two-second versions I had a mutual work colleague.</p><p>00:16:22.050 –&gt; 00:16:22.860 Chris Parker: call me.</p><p>00:16:24.120 –&gt; 00:16:33.990 Chris Parker: A friend of mine last March 2021 said that he had his father-in-law, was downsizing and they were moving him from California to North Carolina.</p><p>00:16:34.350 –&gt; 00:16:43.620 Chris Parker: And he had an old BMW that he was trying to sell figure out the value of it, he knew I knew bikes being very bikes and show me some pictures and I saw it, and I was like wow that’s a really nice.</p><p>00:16:45.090 –&gt; 00:17:03.420 Chris Parker: BMW or 1100 G, yes, which is there on road offered by and it was a mint condition and I saw the odometer reading on it, it said 13,191 miles, and I was like wow so I did my due diligence getting some pricing and one thing led to another and.</p><p>00:17:04.740 –&gt; 00:17:18.030 Chris Parker: Because of my interest in it, it looked like I was going to be the guy that bought it and I did well sort of I’m in talks with the owner of the bike gab widening of Earl picture.</p><p>00:17:18.690 –&gt; 00:17:33.240 Chris Parker: He and I struck up a really nice friendship and through a series of conversations and circumstances I ended up getting a call from him when the bike was picked up from the local dealer in.</p><p>00:17:34.350 –&gt; 00:17:41.970 Chris Parker: BMW dealer in Temecula California and they went over it, and they said God this thing is a time capsule it is meant.</p><p>00:17:43.470 –&gt; 00:17:45.690 Chris Parker: can’t believe the condition is in and.</p><p>00:17:46.920 –&gt; 00:17:51.960 Chris Parker: So in talking with them, we had struck up a deal that I would buy the bike for a really good price.</p><p>00:17:52.500 –&gt; 00:18:02.730 Chris Parker: And he would pay for the bike to be serviced and I just couldn’t believe he was willing to do that, but once we got to know each other, he called me after the bike was a.</p><p>00:18:03.540 –&gt; 00:18:12.690 Chris Parker: checked out by the dealership and he surprised me with the gift of saying hey Chris why don’t you pay for the service and after the service, the bike is yours.</p><p>00:18:13.680 –&gt; 00:18:24.570 Chris Parker: I stood there in my living room and I heard him say those words and I didn’t quite understand what he was talking about and he’s I said what I don’t What do you mean he says I’m giving you the bike.</p><p>00:18:25.320 –&gt; 00:18:26.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.</p><p>00:18:26.340 –&gt; 00:18:34.800 Chris Parker: I’m like why he said, well, I checked you out, I know that you’re with a BMW riders association you do the magazine.</p><p>00:18:35.460 –&gt; 00:18:53.490 Chris Parker: And then you had a deer strike in 2018 on your GPS adventure and you use it almost total G, but you got back on the horse and you continue to ride and you’re my kind of guy in terms of you keep riding and you’ll take care of this body, so I flew out.</p><p>00:18:54.600 –&gt; 00:19:03.810 Chris Parker: With my gear and toe and I landed in Temecula and got the bike it was exactly as you described and I rode it.</p><p>00:19:04.320 –&gt; 00:19:21.180 Chris Parker: From the dealership to his place in palm desert California and I met him and I got to eat dinner with him and spend a night and we had breakfast and then I run cross country on that bike from California to South Carolina in six days.</p><p>00:19:21.780 –&gt; 00:19:25.890 Chris Parker: wow so it’s uh I’ll never get rid of that by that bike is.</p><p>00:19:26.190 –&gt; 00:19:35.220 Joseph McElroy: it’s already a part of you now, so you know I have my interesting story is buys a number, there was a big bike rider back in my youth.</p><p>00:19:35.670 –&gt; 00:19:47.160 Joseph McElroy: A friend of mine was getting married in here to Yamaha 185 right which is a dirt bike and he said, well, I gotta get rid of it my wife and we have it so I’m drinking his bachelor party and I buy it right.</p><p>00:19:47.940 –&gt; 00:19:56.070 Joseph McElroy: I had it for about three years and then I started to get married he now is going through a divorce, where the best of my bachelor party and he buys it back from me.</p><p>00:19:59.820 –&gt; 00:20:09.750 Joseph McElroy: So meant for a single guy going out and taking a little adventure, but you know this story of dear what happened with that what happened, my dear jumped out in front of you.</p><p>00:20:10.230 –&gt; 00:20:22.140 Chris Parker: yeah this was coming up four years ago, I was actually heading to the BMW writers association national rally in Wellsboro Pennsylvania.</p><p>00:20:22.890 –&gt; 00:20:29.220 Chris Parker: And I was going to do it in two days and stayed my first night at a really nice motorcycle campground that I love and</p><p>00:20:29.940 –&gt; 00:20:39.720 Chris Parker: metals of Dan Virginia called will do and I had written I don’t like leaving at night, but my workday was such that I left late in the afternoon.</p><p>00:20:40.200 –&gt; 00:20:48.300 Chris Parker: which would have me arriving there late at night and I had written about 260 miles, with five more miles to go.</p><p>00:20:49.080 –&gt; 00:21:00.600 Chris Parker: And next thing I know I’m calling out of the ditch and wondering what happened and trying to flag someone down to help me and I was my whole left side was on fire.</p><p>00:21:01.200 –&gt; 00:21:09.600 Chris Parker: didn’t know what would have happened if I like passing out or well in this instance, I found out with a guy come in to rescue me.</p><p>00:21:11.040 –&gt; 00:21:15.360 Chris Parker: telling me they don’t move to help us on the way and I asked him.</p><p>00:21:16.380 –&gt; 00:21:18.990 Chris Parker: What happened, he said dude you hit a deer.</p><p>00:21:19.410 –&gt; 00:21:20.100 Joseph McElroy: Oh well.</p><p>00:21:20.220 –&gt; 00:21:29.340 Chris Parker: Like a 200-pound Oh, and I was airlifted to Winston Salem and I stayed there for two weeks and broke ribs front and rear.</p><p>00:21:30.660 –&gt; 00:21:45.990 Chris Parker: shoulder blade fracture it and then broke my collarbone and I lacerated my spleen which they were able to repair that without we’re moving in and since then and back at it, since it was three months later, I.</p><p>00:21:47.220 –&gt; 00:21:59.910 Chris Parker: You know, I was wondering if I was going to quit riding or if I was going to take a hiatus and I knew that wasn’t going to work because I was spending my wee hours of the morning on my computer looking at you know bikes.</p><p>00:22:01.140 –&gt; 00:22:03.930 Chris Parker: trying to figure out what I was going to get and return to so.</p><p>00:22:04.260 –&gt; 00:22:10.680 Joseph McElroy: Is that something that you can avoid is there or is it just that that’s just the one that’s a freak accident.</p><p>00:22:10.740 –&gt; 00:22:21.570 Chris Parker: It was a freak accident, plus there are things that you can mitigate it like don’t ride at night or in the morning and then, of course, in the fall with dears running.</p><p>00:22:22.230 –&gt; 00:22:25.590 Chris Parker: they’re out a little more than they would be throughout the rest of the year.</p><p>00:22:26.220 –&gt; 00:22:34.800 Chris Parker: And you just kind of get a feel for it’s your spidey sense is going off and you’re like yeah they got probably need to not be out and I just ignored.</p><p>00:22:35.340 –&gt; 00:22:51.720 Chris Parker: I’d probably did I did everything right in that I had all the gear I wear full Armor I actually wear a neck brace when I arrived, which is a preventive measure, and I was wearing it and it’s to keep you from injury your cervical spine around your neck so that you don’t have any.</p><p>00:22:52.020 –&gt; 00:22:59.460 Joseph McElroy: that’s amazing because you know the sounds from the accident that was expecting yeah like spinal, but it was, like all sort of.</p><p>00:22:59.910 –&gt; 00:23:08.730 Joseph McElroy: Except for the spleen things sort of like super you know, like for the better words minor praise, but I mean they weren’t minor but they were yeah they were.</p><p>00:23:09.420 –&gt; 00:23:18.360 Joseph McElroy: They were not in you know you didn’t get peril paralysis and all that sort of stuff so and predictive stuff sounds like it really works that’s great.</p><p>00:23:19.080 –&gt; 00:23:27.030 Chris Parker: yeah it was pretty emotional to come home after being away from my kids those two weeks and I got home, I can.</p><p>00:23:29.700 –&gt; 00:23:37.200 Joseph McElroy: You know, a mutual friend who introduced us Larry Schatz had an accident not too far ago he’s backed upright and again.</p><p>00:23:37.770 –&gt; 00:23:42.060 Chris Parker: yeah actually ride with him fairly regularly and he’s amazing.</p><p>00:23:43.020 –&gt; 00:23:43.950 Joseph McElroy: How did you meet him.</p><p>00:23:45.210 –&gt; 00:23:46.680 Chris Parker: He joined.</p><p>00:23:47.730 –&gt; 00:23:58.500 Chris Parker: A group of writers, that I have been writing with for 20 plus years and he heard about us through social media, and then we actually met him.</p><p>00:23:59.040 –&gt; 00:24:10.290 Chris Parker: On a ride several years ago, he was new to the area coming back well moved from New York City Manhattan to near Asheville.</p><p>00:24:11.160 –&gt; 00:24:30.390 Chris Parker: He was looking for like-minded writers and we met through Facebook, I think it was and then, of course, with that, we’ve written many times with him he’s just he’s a fast rider as you know, an accident can happen.</p><p>00:24:30.720 –&gt; 00:24:36.480 Chris Parker: but also his skill level is like I’m here and he’s up here.</p><p>00:24:36.960 –&gt; 00:24:39.030 Chris Parker: That it doesn’t track day so.</p><p>00:24:39.480 –&gt; 00:24:40.890 Joseph McElroy: He admits that he led his.</p><p>00:24:40.890 –&gt; 00:24:43.770 Joseph McElroy: ego gets ahead of him, and then there’s Ryan, he was.</p><p>00:24:43.800 –&gt; 00:24:53.490 Joseph McElroy: Trying to keep up with somebody he said I can’t do that anymore, he said he admitted that he actually when he gets his training so now that.</p><p>00:24:54.300 –&gt; 00:25:12.810 Joseph McElroy: that’s you know that happens to everybody so but he’s back on and he’s riding again and I’m glad he introduced this and we’re you know we you got your work, you work with BMWRA you also the board and you also added the magazine right.</p><p>00:25:13.860 –&gt; 00:25:16.080 Chris Parker: I’m not a board member, but I am a.</p><p>00:25:17.640 –&gt; 00:25:27.150 Chris Parker: a person involved with the club in two areas, one of which, for the last four years I’ve been the art director for the magazine, so I laid it out.</p><p>00:25:28.440 –&gt; 00:25:41.700 Chris Parker: I’ve been doing that, since March, April 2018, and then an esteemed editor that was under the most of those four years John Flores he.</p><p>00:25:42.420 –&gt; 00:25:55.680 Chris Parker: of New Jersey, an amazing photographer and mono journalist, stepped down due to just his workload and he let me know that you know.</p><p>00:25:56.550 –&gt; 00:26:13.440 Chris Parker: I think it was November of last year, and I was like holy crap, what are we gonna do now, and he said, Chris, you should take it on, and I was like an editor and he said yeah I think you did great at it and so I’m now, the editor of the magazine my first issue was.</p><p>00:26:14.700 –&gt; 00:26:18.750 Chris Parker: The March, April of 2022 it’s been in the hands of the Members.</p><p>00:26:19.830 –&gt; 00:26:24.030 Chris Parker: For about a month now, and I’m working on my second issue now it’s going to the printer this week.</p><p>00:26:24.420 –&gt; 00:26:28.050 Joseph McElroy: So congratulations, so can you tell us.</p><p>00:26:28.110 –&gt; 00:26:34.830 Chris Parker: Real quick also help out with related graphics that are outside of the magazine.</p><p>00:26:36.000 –&gt; 00:26:41.070 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us you know a little bit about what the BMWRA organization is.</p><p>00:26:42.090 –&gt; 00:26:47.400 Chris Parker: Well it’s a BMW motorcycle club that’s been in existence since 1972.</p><p>00:26:48.450 –&gt; 00:27:00.570 Chris Parker: We are one of two motorcycle clubs that are national and we are actually under the international umbrella of the BMW club Council out of Germany.</p><p>00:27:01.290 –&gt; 00:27:25.080 Chris Parker: BMW motor add is the motorcycle division of BMW AG so everyone hears that you know there are cars, but they also make motorcycles, in fact, that and making motorcycles longer than I have been making cars and so we’re an enthusiast club that supports the love of all things BMW motorcycles.</p><p>00:27:26.400 –&gt; 00:27:32.700 Chris Parker: it’s the Riders association and we just shorten it to ra but everyone knows who we are cool.</p><p>00:27:33.090 –&gt; 00:27:37.290 Joseph McElroy: And you, you had your national rally in Haywood County this last year did.</p><p>00:27:38.040 –&gt; 00:27:42.930 Chris Parker: We did in Waynesville at the Smoky Mountain Event Center off of two.</p><p>00:27:44.370 –&gt; 00:27:46.710 Chris Parker: In August of last year .cool.</p><p>00:27:47.280 –&gt; 00:27:54.480 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, we, I want to talk more about that, but we got to take a break real quick and then we’ll come back we’ll talk about why you guys decided to come to play with.</p><p>00:30:01.020 –&gt; 00:30:08.910 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateways to the Smokies Podcasts and my guest Chris Parker.</p><p>00:30:09.300 –&gt; 00:30:22.560 Joseph McElroy: So, Chris we were talking about the national BMWRA Rally that was held in Haywood County I think in September 2021 and I think you have it has plans for at least 2022 and 2023 right?</p><p>00:30:23.550 –&gt; 00:30:41.820 Chris Parker: Well, definitely for 2022 there are discussions for maybe possibly returning the third year we don’t know that for sure, but right now, I know that this coming fall it’ll actually be later in the year it’ll be in September September 29 through October, the second.</p><p>00:30:43.170 –&gt; 00:30:44.610 Chris Parker: location so.</p><p>00:30:44.940 –&gt; 00:30:46.920 Joseph McElroy: same weekend as well fest so.</p><p>00:30:48.300 –&gt; 00:30:52.380 Joseph McElroy: Why did you why BMWRA choose Haywood County?</p><p>00:30:53.940 –&gt; 00:31:07.200 Chris Parker: Well, obviously there have to be several factors involved, one of which is a location that can accommodate anywhere from 1200 to 1500 people camping and facilities for vendors.</p><p>00:31:08.370 –&gt; 00:31:18.330 Chris Parker: But really the ideal setup was the roads, because of the legendary roads that are within striking distance of that location.</p><p>00:31:19.230 –&gt; 00:31:39.360 Chris Parker: There are famous it’s not just people in the United States that come here to the southeast arrived these words I actually have a friend, that is from Germany and the comments on the fact that these roads have a nature of a quality that would go up against stuff in the House.</p><p>00:31:40.590 –&gt; 00:31:52.380 Chris Parker: they’ll fly here and they’ll come to Western North Carolina Southwest Virginia Eastern Tennessee Northeast Georgia because of what’s around you guys in.</p><p>00:31:54.090 –&gt; 00:32:02.700 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know there’s some really famous one like with a tail of the dragon and the rattler and a copperhead is there any other there that you think are particularly famous that.</p><p>00:32:03.990 –&gt; 00:32:04.350 Joseph McElroy: That.</p><p>00:32:04.380 –&gt; 00:32:07.170 Chris Parker: Well, I don’t want to announce them too much, because then.</p><p>00:32:07.200 –&gt; 00:32:07.620 Once you.</p><p>00:32:09.450 –&gt; 00:32:11.700 Chris Parker: they’re no longer your personal roller coaster but.</p><p>00:32:11.730 –&gt; 00:32:18.270 Chris Parker: Right, there are some roads that are they don’t really have names assigned to them like the rattler or.</p><p>00:32:19.620 –&gt; 00:32:23.190 Chris Parker: deals gaps Taylor dragon or the moon Shauna which is.</p><p>00:32:24.630 –&gt; 00:32:35.430 Chris Parker: going through parts of South Carolina and Western North Carolina but I’ll just throw out some names North Carolina to anyone North Carolina 215</p><p>00:32:37.680 –&gt; 00:32:48.780 Chris Parker: Those are some pretty epic roads that will actually have people pointing him to take when we have an event at your at the Meadowlark.</p><p>00:32:49.890 –&gt; 00:32:51.810 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re planning so.</p><p>00:32:52.950 –&gt; 00:33:03.210 Joseph McElroy: let’s just sit back for an SEC, I want to talk about the plans that they’ve been learned Oh, you know you would say that the national event that it made sense to do a regional event here right.</p><p>00:33:04.380 –&gt; 00:33:17.280 Chris Parker: yeah so the thinking here with the RA’s is so just a little background on the RA’s it’s a national organization it’s been around we’re celebrating our 50th year this year, and so the.</p><p>00:33:18.240 –&gt; 00:33:31.650 Chris Parker: The theme for the rally in Waynesville is going to be 50 years of the RIED attitude RIED and the RA is known as a just enthusiast</p><p>00:33:32.550 –&gt; 00:33:54.690 Chris Parker: motorcycle club, the people that come to this event arm riders they put on serious miles and coming to Western North Carolina game is just providing them an epic opportunity to enjoy these legendary roads in the have four days at the campground at the smoky mountain Center.</p><p>00:33:55.710 –&gt; 00:34:04.950 Chris Parker: Doing you know hanging out there’s going to be food and all that kind of stuff, and so the idea of them coming back I know people when they heard the announcement.</p><p>00:34:05.460 –&gt; 00:34:19.620 Chris Parker: They were shocked that we were coming back because they’ve never really done that, before, but then I think the overall vibe of the reaction was yeah, this is a good move because of you know you’re from this area, you know what it’s like.</p><p>00:34:19.800 –&gt; 00:34:20.490 Joseph McElroy: yeah right.</p><p>00:34:21.570 –&gt; 00:34:24.450 Joseph McElroy: And then, and then do it a regional one made sense as well right.</p><p>00:34:24.900 –&gt; 00:34:34.440 Chris Parker: Oh yeah so yeah the question was why a regional event in that the national rally is once a year, and sometimes people can’t make that.</p><p>00:34:35.220 –&gt; 00:34:45.030 Chris Parker: So we were we’re opening up the possibility of doing these smaller weekend getaways and because of the connection with Larry new and I.</p><p>00:34:45.690 –&gt; 00:34:53.250 Chris Parker: It was just assumed that it would make sense to do one and Maggie Valley, even though it’s close to where the national rally would be at a different time of the year.</p><p>00:34:53.640 –&gt; 00:35:03.930 Chris Parker: And then, because of what I think is going to be a successful event in Meadowlark with the registrations that we have so far and the reaction to this event they’re going to do more of these.</p><p>00:35:04.050 –&gt; 00:35:08.820 Chris Parker: And so, in September in the upper peninsula of.</p><p>00:35:10.290 –&gt; 00:35:23.070 Chris Parker: Michigan there’s going to be an event that’s sponsored by the RA that’s going to be at a place called big snow resort in Wakefield Michigan and then there’s a possibility of one in Virginia near.</p><p>00:35:24.810 –&gt; 00:35:28.620 Chris Parker: West Virginia and Virginia up in the Shenandoah Valley.</p><p>00:35:29.100 –&gt; 00:35:29.850 Chris Parker: So we’re.</p><p>00:35:29.910 –&gt; 00:35:31.680 Chris Parker: we’re in early stages of that.</p><p>00:35:32.430 –&gt; 00:35:40.740 Joseph McElroy: Well cool well the Meadowlark you know we know Maggie Valley itself is considered like the best motorcycle town.</p><p>00:35:41.280 –&gt; 00:35:52.200 Joseph McElroy: In Western North Carolina and because it’s near all those famous roads, easy access big road to get in and out of you know, has it actually has a festival grounds that holds a lot of.</p><p>00:35:53.970 –&gt; 00:36:01.500 Joseph McElroy: You know trucking and motorcycle events and the culture are very conducive to yeah motorcyclists enjoying.</p><p>00:36:02.790 –&gt; 00:36:07.050 Joseph McElroy: You know, restaurants and everything are very motorcycle friendly.</p><p>00:36:08.100 –&gt; 00:36:13.230 Joseph McElroy: You know people do things like you know the motels do things like have you know motorcycle rags and little.</p><p>00:36:13.710 –&gt; 00:36:21.090 Joseph McElroy: Little buckets right outside the room, so they can clean and wash their motorcycles and stuff like that which I think that yeah it’s just a.</p><p>00:36:21.510 –&gt; 00:36:32.010 Joseph McElroy: it’s a really nice environment, you know and we’re and you know we’re putting together so that people have stepped up in the valley of the big steak house J Arthur’s is going to host all you guys for a big steak dinner.</p><p>00:36:32.370 –&gt; 00:36:39.570 Joseph McElroy: And then we have a pavilion we’re gonna have live music poetry Michael Ogletree, and I think he’s gonna do a simple mind acoustic concert.</p><p>00:36:40.200 –&gt; 00:36:53.940 Joseph McElroy: Right and we’ve opened up a new speakeasy which you didn’t even know about before where you know, on the later in the evening come in, listen to really cool music and hang back and have nice drinks and things like that so we’re looking forward to it.</p><p>00:36:55.500 –&gt; 00:37:01.650 Joseph McElroy: So, but you are also planning some things for the event, you were talking about a special ride you put together.</p><p>00:37:02.670 –&gt; 00:37:21.570 Chris Parker: yeah, so this is being the first event that I’ve ever hosted I’m being a rally chair, we were trying to figure out a group of us who are behind the scenes, putting the pieces together what we can add to the already announced.</p><p>00:37:22.830 –&gt; 00:37:24.960 Chris Parker: Activities you know the dinners.</p><p>00:37:26.130 –&gt; 00:37:27.300 Chris Parker: The live music.</p><p>00:37:28.350 –&gt; 00:37:37.770 Chris Parker: Some of the vendors that are going to be on-site that on the 14th the last full day of the rally we’re going to have the rally in the valley challenge ride</p><p>00:37:38.460 –&gt; 00:37:47.970 Chris Parker: And it’s going to be a way to snag some extra door prize tickets raffle prize tickets by participating in it and so we’ve.</p><p>00:37:48.450 –&gt; 00:37:57.900 Chris Parker: come up with a route that’s gonna be about 160 something miles, that if you take it and you follow it and take proof.</p><p>00:37:58.590 –&gt; 00:38:12.090 Chris Parker: of taking it by stopping in some waypoints take pictures of you and your bike and then will you know for each one of those if you stop at we will award you an extra ticket for a chance to win some really awesome prizes.</p><p>00:38:12.540 –&gt; 00:38:16.650 Chris Parker: I’ll tell you more about what those are looking like right.</p><p>00:38:17.700 –&gt; 00:38:28.260 Chris Parker: So that’s news that it’s not been announced until this podcast that we’re planning on In fact this Thursday about four of us are going to do a test ride.</p><p>00:38:28.740 –&gt; 00:38:39.030 Chris Parker: To make sure that the route that we’ve planned has a quality we just been doing it, the mapping software, and now we’re going to go and test it this coming week.</p><p>00:38:39.510 –&gt; 00:38:40.620 Joseph McElroy: How long the riders and.</p><p>00:38:41.520 –&gt; 00:38:51.060 Chris Parker: it’s gonna be about four hours it’s a loop that takes you northeast of Maggie Valley and it’ll take you into.</p><p>00:38:52.290 –&gt; 00:39:02.940 Chris Parker: close to the Tennessee state line it’ll sneak around some of the brands, which will be on our two and on obviously North kind of 63, which is a trust.</p><p>00:39:04.080 –&gt; 00:39:12.060 Chris Parker: there’s some dirt roads that you can take for extra bonus points for those that don’t know this BMW has a lot of bikes called GSS.</p><p>00:39:12.390 –&gt; 00:39:27.840 Chris Parker: And they’re the type of bike that wants to pay money Angie you keep going so if you want to go down for us but we’ve got a few things set up in the round so that that is going to be a new feature to the to the rally and then.</p><p>00:39:28.890 –&gt; 00:39:39.630 Chris Parker: I mentioned vendors, we have about five that are committed to showing up the main one in terms of what people would recognize as.</p><p>00:39:40.230 –&gt; 00:39:58.290 Chris Parker: wonderfully USA there is a BMW motorcycle accessories company out of Germany and their North American headquarters is in Hendersonville was nearby and they’re going to be there with their products, their tents and people to you know talk about what they offer for BMW motorcycles.</p><p>00:39:59.250 –&gt; 00:40:08.610 Joseph McElroy: cool and do you ever have besides, you know people going out writing do you have any other plan activities for people coming besides, you know the dinner we’ve set up and that sort of thing.</p><p>00:40:09.270 –&gt; 00:40:20.670 Chris Parker: Well it’s going to be had laid back in that with the way these guys I’m imagining gals and guys come in they’re going to ride to the location and they’re going to want to rest and relax.</p><p>00:40:21.180 –&gt; 00:40:37.290 Chris Parker: And they’re on their own there’s a dinner Friday night and then there’s a dinner on Saturday night there’s also going to be continental breakfast provided by the Meadowlark in the overflow hotels, that may be handling people will have access to that.</p><p>00:40:38.430 –&gt; 00:40:43.320 Chris Parker: But as far as anything outside of that we will have a local.</p><p>00:40:44.760 –&gt; 00:40:55.200 Chris Parker: vendor from Waynesville Wayne Bush of America rods maps his maps are epic for the BMW Roddick community and other motorcycle brands.</p><p>00:40:56.040 –&gt; 00:41:02.640 Chris Parker: They love is matt he’s going to be on hand and the talk is that he’s going to be debuting a new APP.</p><p>00:41:03.240 –&gt; 00:41:17.160 Chris Parker: That he wants to have you know the to unveil at the event, we still don’t know if that’s a done deal but he’s going to be there on hand and then the other thing a good friend of mine who lives in balsam which is not far from Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:41:18.420 –&gt; 00:41:25.830 Chris Parker: harkens back, he is a God moto journalist all-around good guy and a stand-up comedian.</p><p>00:41:27.180 –&gt; 00:41:31.350 Chris Parker: he’s going to be there on Saturday night at J Arthur’s.</p><p>00:41:32.550 –&gt; 00:41:35.730 Chris Parker: doing a every team.</p><p>00:41:36.810 –&gt; 00:41:51.570 Chris Parker: he’s uh he’s written three books on writing in the southeast and he’s going to have them on hand to talk about and to help people out with you know where do you go, you know what’s around here, he knows all the relatives so.</p><p>00:41:53.040 –&gt; 00:41:58.770 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah well you know riding around the smoky mountains it’s just a joyous experience you know.</p><p>00:41:59.280 –&gt; 00:42:07.710 Joseph McElroy: there are so many places to go see I mean oftentimes you can just stop and spur the moment and see a magnificent waterfall right.</p><p>00:42:08.580 –&gt; 00:42:14.430 Joseph McElroy: Or you know you may walk 100 feet into the forest and boom there it is it’s just huge right.</p><p>00:42:15.120 –&gt; 00:42:20.220 Joseph McElroy: In fact, we have one right up above Maggie called Soco falls it’s right off the road.</p><p>00:42:20.640 –&gt; 00:42:29.460 Joseph McElroy: You can people can go up there, and just jump out yeah park will walk you know few hundred feet and boom here this magnificent waterfall near the mountains are.</p><p>00:42:29.880 –&gt; 00:42:39.480 Joseph McElroy: known for those waterfalls So hopefully people can get a combined outdoor road experience little that little outdoor adventure experienced it right.</p><p>00:42:41.010 –&gt; 00:42:49.290 Joseph McElroy: And i’d encourage people to you know to also if they want some relaxation time don’t forget that there’s fishing at the Meadowlark</p><p>00:42:49.860 –&gt; 00:42:55.260 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can put you can do some real trial, we just had a fish camp and people were catching fish there</p><p>00:42:55.950 –&gt; 00:43:10.320 Joseph McElroy: Nice rainbows and some brown trouts right there in the backyard there’s a little bait shop tackle shop right up the road from us so hopefully, they can experience a little bit of everything the mountain culture has are going to music and we’ll have food.</p><p>00:43:11.670 –&gt; 00:43:14.700 Joseph McElroy: You know waterfalls and riding the road so.</p><p>00:43:16.260 –&gt; 00:43:18.300 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to you guys coming in here so.</p><p>00:43:19.500 –&gt; 00:43:26.040 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to take another break right now and come back we’ll finish up talking about some of your favorite spots in the smokies.</p><p>00:43:27.180 –&gt; 00:43:29.760 Joseph McElroy: Anything else you want to mention some shoutouts for things that.</p><p>00:43:30.870 –&gt; 00:43:32.430 Joseph McElroy: You want us to pay attention to.</p><p>00:43:34.050 –&gt; 00:43:35.580 Chris Parker: Okay sounds good.</p><p>00:45:33.870 –&gt; 00:45:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Chris Parker.</p><p>00:45:41.400 –&gt; 00:45:48.600 Joseph McElroy: So, Chris you know we got little people listening to this and we’re talking about coming up motorcycling in the smokies and I think it’s a great thing but.</p><p>00:45:48.990 –&gt; 00:45:56.730 Joseph McElroy: You know, but yeah I think we should mention just briefly what are some safety tips for coming up or writing in the smokies do you have some.</p><p>00:45:58.500 –&gt; 00:45:59.100 Chris Parker: well.</p><p>00:46:00.240 –&gt; 00:46:08.520 Chris Parker: Especially if you’re running in a group Roger override make sure that you don’t like we know a mutual friend get in over their head.</p><p>00:46:09.720 –&gt; 00:46:20.550 Chris Parker: The roads here are pretty technical but also you can ride at your own pace there are some roads that are like I think in the notes for this.</p><p>00:46:21.540 –&gt; 00:46:37.500 Chris Parker: podcast tonight someone who said what about the Chair of the hollow skyway over there, near robin’s Ville and TELCO planes, it is 50 something miles of sweepers roads that are at high elevation but they aren’t as titan twisty as fields gap.</p><p>00:46:38.760 –&gt; 00:46:43.560 Chris Parker: Just be prepared to see a lot of traffic on the road and stay in your lane.</p><p>00:46:45.270 –&gt; 00:46:59.760 Chris Parker: If you aren’t sure where you’re at just dial it down a bit and it’s better to take a slower pace and arrive in one piece stand to the Ricky racer on the road and end up in an ambulance heading to the nearest hospital.</p><p>00:47:00.960 –&gt; 00:47:10.350 Chris Parker: and always obviously with the BMW crowd typically they’re known for wearing their gear we look like the Power Rangers set with our vortex.</p><p>00:47:12.300 –&gt; 00:47:30.150 Chris Parker: outfits our helmets glove Armor you know we tend to be one of the more safety-conscious types of motorcycle groups out there and you’ll see a lot of that when you see a show up you’re going to like think we’re you know rejects from NASA’s Space Program.</p><p>00:47:32.070 –&gt; 00:47:36.660 Joseph McElroy: Well, have you had that experience with a dear how often are little animals dirt out on the road.</p><p>00:47:37.320 –&gt; 00:47:48.540 Chris Parker: that’s it’s It really is the law of averages if you ride more like I do you’re going to see more of it it’s if you’re out as an occasional rider and you’ll see it occasionally.</p><p>00:47:48.960 –&gt; 00:48:00.000 Chris Parker: But as you rack up the miles and you put on as many miles, as someone like myself, has you’re more prone to see everything from squirrels two rabbits dogs to dear.</p><p>00:48:00.450 –&gt; 00:48:03.240 Chris Parker: yeah I’ve actually seen a bear once.</p><p>00:48:03.540 –&gt; 00:48:03.960 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:48:04.290 –&gt; 00:48:08.190 Chris Parker: Okay that’ll be hard to get I mean not hard to hit, but if.</p><p>00:48:08.220 –&gt; 00:48:15.480 Joseph McElroy: You hit that that’s good well you know we get some big elk and Maggie value coming up the middle of that road sometimes you have to watch out for that.</p><p>00:48:16.740 –&gt; 00:48:19.050 Chris Parker: I don’t wanna I don’t want to let that dissuade people.</p><p>00:48:19.050 –&gt; 00:48:23.820 Joseph McElroy: From no, it’s not that prevalent and most of the time, you can see it coming.</p><p>00:48:24.390 –&gt; 00:48:33.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah how about other drivers in the smokies, if you found them to be these are there are they swivel in your head looking stuff too much.</p><p>00:48:34.440 –&gt; 00:48:48.870 Chris Parker: Well it’s a mixed bag, obviously, if you like, to go at a brisk pace, it can be a bit of an irritant but at the same time, you know the rules of the road, are what they are, you know they’re driving have as much right to the road as we, and vice versa.</p><p>00:48:50.460 –&gt; 00:49:03.870 Chris Parker: But in the fall you tend to see more traffic because of the leaf papers, the colors changing in the mountains so you’ll see an increased amount of traffic, especially if you’re on like the Blueridge parkway.</p><p>00:49:05.010 –&gt; 00:49:12.360 Chris Parker: But there are hidden gems that you can take once you start to know the roads in the area that will be.</p><p>00:49:12.870 –&gt; 00:49:29.100 Chris Parker: kind of the traffic, the level of traffic will be less than some of the more scenic routes like I know people will talk about deals gap and I actually think the road to deals gap is a better road, because how a 28 from.</p><p>00:49:31.110 –&gt; 00:49:33.000 Chris Parker: Bryson city area.</p><p>00:49:33.240 –&gt; 00:49:44.370 Chris Parker: Of Fontana damn is brilliant and it’s actually a less travel road and then to align which you’re familiar with on the rattler going to hot springs.</p><p>00:49:44.520 –&gt; 00:49:45.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah I love that right.</p><p>00:49:45.690 –&gt; 00:49:51.510 Chris Parker: You know that that road you know they’ll have traffic, but you know you can get around it, you can manage it.</p><p>00:49:52.440 –&gt; 00:50:03.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s not that bad of traffic it’s I mean it is there some is too little, too late and winding road and the only reason it gets backed up sometimes is this person a little bit nervous coming down and going up it but.</p><p>00:50:04.290 –&gt; 00:50:05.310 Joseph McElroy: For the most part it’s a.</p><p>00:50:05.310 –&gt; 00:50:17.850 Joseph McElroy: pretty good it’s a pretty yeah I’ve gone through very busy times and then hot springs as a little town we’re stopping that it’s got some good food there and it’s got the hot springs resort so which you can usually jump into to get a little spray.</p><p>00:50:19.260 –&gt; 00:50:29.580 Chris Parker: I’ll add I was tickled pink when they select Waynesville to and on the smoky mountain event Center and.</p><p>00:50:30.690 –&gt; 00:50:41.820 Chris Parker: I just laughed I was like these guys are the attendees to the rally are going to leave the parking lot the entrance turn right and then for 25 miles to hot springs.</p><p>00:50:41.880 –&gt; 00:50:43.050 Joseph McElroy: It was a perfect that was.</p><p>00:50:43.050 –&gt; 00:50:46.980 Joseph McElroy: A perfect thing right it’s like and it was perfect yeah.</p><p>00:50:48.630 –&gt; 00:50:53.760 Joseph McElroy: So that’s good, and one thing I do I mentioned to people is that you know, in the mountains, especially in the summer.</p><p>00:50:54.120 –&gt; 00:51:03.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah we get we haven’t funny whether we’re pretty dry, but then we’ll usually just about five days out of the week have a big thunderstorm pop up for about an hour, and then disappear.</p><p>00:51:04.830 –&gt; 00:51:17.400 Joseph McElroy: So you need to be aware that you know you want to have rain gear and be prepared for a sudden weather change when you ride around but it’s not very long and it goes away real quick.</p><p>00:51:20.190 –&gt; 00:51:34.830 Joseph McElroy: So, what are your you know, I think that the bear water brewery Maggie Valley is a great place for motorcycles to go and have a meal and you’ll be able to park and you know even sit down in a deck and just enjoy the ambiance of the mountains right.</p><p>00:51:36.150 –&gt; 00:51:42.210 Joseph McElroy: What are some other great places that you like, to stop at in your motorcycling travels through the smokies.</p><p>00:51:43.680 –&gt; 00:51:58.230 Chris Parker: was a favorite of mine in my writing group it’s epic and it’s an I imagine people that know the area Franklin North Carolina there is a restaurant that’s in a gas station called CAFE rel.</p><p>00:51:58.860 –&gt; 00:51:59.550 Chris Parker: Now.</p><p>00:51:59.670 –&gt; 00:52:13.470 Chris Parker: And I was there for the first time, five or six years ago and it’s a four-star five-star chef from Atlanta who left the big city life, he was from Franklin and he returned.</p><p>00:52:14.010 –&gt; 00:52:27.780 Chris Parker: back to his hometown and open up this French cuisine CAFE at reasonable prices, but the food is amazing when it’s as attached to a hotspot gas station as you would not think that would.</p><p>00:52:27.840 –&gt; 00:52:29.850 Joseph McElroy: be a place that so what’s the name of the place.</p><p>00:52:30.120 –&gt; 00:52:37.380 Chris Parker: CAFE Rel and it’s R EL and it’s the abbreviation of the guide and Richard E Long.</p><p>00:52:37.680 –&gt; 00:52:39.120 Joseph McElroy: I’m gonna have to go check that out.</p><p>00:52:39.150 –&gt; 00:52:39.660 yeah.</p><p>00:52:40.680 –&gt; 00:52:47.970 Chris Parker: they’re closed on Wednesdays and their close Sundays and Mondays and they only pay cash they don’t take debit.</p><p>00:52:47.970 –&gt; 00:52:57.780 Joseph McElroy: we know what if you get a chance to go to Wayne’s will go to hazelwood smokehouse which has been top 20 Barbecue places in the nation.</p><p>00:52:58.230 –&gt; 00:53:08.940 Chris Parker: And then for near nearby I mean there’s a lot of restaurants and Maggie Valley, that will have access to so there’s that you place in downtown Waynesville is.</p><p>00:53:10.170 –&gt; 00:53:11.310 Chris Parker: beach mountain diner.</p><p>00:53:11.550 –&gt; 00:53:15.120 Chris Parker: Oh yeah that’s good yeah.</p><p>00:53:15.240 –&gt; 00:53:24.570 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re coming to a close, here I want you to do some shout-outs, where people can find out more about what you’re doing or your club, but how can they find out more.</p><p>00:53:25.290 –&gt; 00:53:39.960 Chris Parker: Well, you can join the RA at BMWRA.org, and then there is the events tab at the top that shows the activities of the club, the national rally this one is called the rally in the valley.</p><p>00:53:40.530 –&gt; 00:53:49.590 Chris Parker: And you can register there, we still have plenty of spots where we’re going to take onsite registration last minute.</p><p>00:53:50.310 –&gt; 00:54:01.230 Chris Parker: There might be an issue with you getting a meal if you wait till the last minute to register and then we are also selling a T-shirt that if you want to get one you have to.</p><p>00:54:02.190 –&gt; 00:54:15.960 Chris Parker: Let us know by tomorrow, and you can get your name in the hat for a shirt so you can join the club there if you’re not a Member Oh, an important you do not have to ride a BMW to come to this.</p><p>00:54:16.200 –&gt; 00:54:17.460 Chris Parker: We will allow.</p><p>00:54:17.490 –&gt; 00:54:19.740 Chris Parker: Anybody allow.</p><p>00:54:19.830 –&gt; 00:54:26.910 Chris Parker: We will accept and welcome anybody on any kind of bike so don’t feel like you have to have a BMW, to be able to attain cool.</p><p>00:54:27.150 –&gt; 00:54:31.680 Joseph McElroy: And then, what is your image shout out your for your design company’s website.</p><p>00:54:32.310 –&gt; 00:54:38.730 Chris Parker: As roadwolfdesign.com or roadwolfdesigned.com.</p><p>00:54:38.850 –&gt; 00:54:42.330 Joseph McElroy: cool and I’m assuming you also got some Facebook and that sort of stuff people.</p><p>00:54:43.260 –&gt; 00:54:51.930 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well, thank you very much for being on the show I’m looking forward to the event in May, and I think it’s gonna be fantastic and you’ve.</p><p>00:54:52.800 –&gt; 00:55:04.890 Joseph McElroy: represented Well now, this program is the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast you can find it on Facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast it’s also.</p><p>00:55:05.700 –&gt; 00:55:17.490 Joseph McElroy: On the episodes listed on smokiesadventure.com there’s a tab at the top, it allows you to click into a listing of all the episodes with some reason transcripts, and video.</p><p>00:55:18.510 –&gt; 00:55:25.350 Joseph McElroy: That we are part of the talkradio.NYC network, which is a radio network of the live podcasts that happen, you know every day.</p><p>00:55:25.770 –&gt; 00:55:38.880 Joseph McElroy: And I encourage you to look at them they’re small business ones there’s lifestyle there’s you know politics there’s a self help all sorts of different programs on this network it’s a good network to hear some great podcast.</p><p>00:55:39.690 –&gt; 00:55:48.930 Joseph McElroy: it’s talkradio.nyc I have another one on this network called wise content creates wealth, which is about content marketing and Ai.</p><p>00:55:49.650 –&gt; 00:55:58.620 Joseph McElroy: And that’s on Fridays from noon to one, and this podcast gateway to the smokies is always on Tuesday from six to seven and I’ll look forward to seeing you.</p><p>00:55:59.130 –&gt; 00:56:12.000 Joseph McElroy: Next week we’ll have another great guest, it’s a legend in this in the mountains, look forward to having you meet and hear him talk to you later.</p> 27ce0dcc-03d8-4e48-a099-f46ba1eedaf7 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/7e86c6fd-d285-462a-850a-719b5cd786b3 Tue, 12 Apr 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3545 no full Episode 53: Canton Recovers and Builds a Mountain Biking Park Episode 53: Canton Recovers and Builds a Mountain Biking Park Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Tune in with this week&#39;s episode of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast featuring Zeb Smathers as he discusses the economic development in Haywood County and the region, along with his work to open a new park in the area; Chestnut Mountain Park.</strong></p><p>Our host Joseph McElroy, Owner of the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, NC. is joined by an incredible guest, <strong>Zeb Smathers</strong>, he is a graduate of Duke University and UNC Law School who resides with his wife and son in Canton, N.C. Like his father, Patrick Smathers, before him, Zeb is currently Mayor of <a href="https://www.cantonnc.com/" rel="nofollow">Canton</a>, while also working as an Attorney with his dad. </p><p>Zeb has guided an Economic Resurgence in Canton and recently spearheaded the efforts to open an incredible new park in Haywood County—Chestnut Mountain Park – while also helping steer rebuilding efforts through two epic floods that nearly destroyed downtown Canton and surrounding communities.  </p><p>Zeb is a highly respected community leader, renowned for his ability to avoid partisan politics while always working in the best interests of his constituents—regardless of party affiliation.</p><p>‍<strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/cdMaViAyXF/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/04/05 - Canton Recovers and Builds a Mountain Biking Park

Zeb Smathers, discusses the economic development in Haywood County and the region, along with his work to open a new park in the area; Chestnut Mountain Park.

Our host Joseph McElroy, Owner of the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, NC. is joined by an incredible guest, Zeb Smathers, he is a graduate of Duke University and UNC Law School who resides with his wife and son in Canton, N.C. Like his father, Patrick Smathers, before him, Zeb is currently Mayor of Canton, while also working as an Attorney with his dad. 

Zeb has guided an Economic Resurgence in Canton and recently spearheaded the efforts to open an incredible new park in Haywood County—Chestnut Mountain Park – while also helping steer rebuilding efforts through two epic floods that nearly destroyed downtown Canton and surrounding communities.  

Zeb is a highly respected community leader, renowned for his ability to avoid partisan politics while always working in the best interests of his constituents—regardless of party affiliation.

‍Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1

Joseph kicks off the episode by mentioning the sponsor for the show, the Meadowlark Motel as well as upcoming events. This weekend, part 2 of the mountain heritage book series is happening at the motel. The following weekend, there's a fishing camp led by Grammy award-winning musician Charles Humphrey III. He also introduces his guest, Zeb Smathers, the mayor of Canton, North Carolina since 2017. Zeb also works as an attorney with his dad. Zeb was born and raised in Haywood County. He is also a graduate of Duke University and UNC Law School. He says that after the 90s, he was seeing a downhill spiral for the town of Canton. Buildings were breaking down and businesses were closing. When he returned home after finishing school, he noticed that there would be a change in Asheville. Around this time in 2008, President Barack Obama visited Ashville several times and Zeb knew that there would be growth and increases in housing and more. So he thought that Canton could also take advantage of this opportunity.

SEGMENT 2

Joseph talks with Zeb about what it means for him to be from Haywood County and now mayor of Canton. Zeb says that it is something special and is proud of the community that he serves. He describes it as “what you see is what you get.” He describes everything about Canton and Haywood County as a place where people are sincere and real. When talking about his leadership skills, Zeb talks about his father who was always not afraid to talk about big ideas which pushed him to do the same. Zeb and Joseph also talk about other qualities in leadership like asking questions and listening and how our stories affect how leaders and communities can come together. Zeb also mentions more about his family’s legacy, what they have in Canton as well as some od Zeb’s accomplishments. They also discuss Haywood County being authentic and not too commercialized.

SEGMENT 3

Zeb discusses more the comeback story of Canton and some new things within the town that he has been a part of bringing in along with the community. He mentions the Imperial, a building with a lot of history that is now a restaurant called Southern Porch. He mentions more food places as well as a coffee shop called Papertown Coffee. Joseph and Zeb also talk about other improvements that Zeb has helped with such as the environment. He also discusses the many challenges such as the recent flooding that brought losses for the community and how he and the community have been able to move forward.

SEGMENT 4

Joseph mentions how Zeb was able to raise about $600,000 or more to build Chestnut Mountain Park. He says that this was accomplished with the help of the Southern Appalachian Conservancy, which help preserve mountain land. The park is 450 acres and will open this month. A major part of the park will be for mountain biking. Zeb also talks about the meaning behind the park and its location as well as the experience it provides for anyone passing through the Great Smoky Mountains. Zeb passionately talks about the local community and keeping the culture alive. Joseph thanks Zeb Smathers for being able to speak with him and loves what Zeb has been able to accomplish as mayor of Canton.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:26.910 –> 00:00:32.250 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of Gateway to the Smokies.

00:00:32.610 –> 00:00:40.500 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:40.770 –> 00:00:48.960 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:49.500 –> 00:01:00.060 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:00.870 –> 00:01:10.980 Joseph McElroy: In today’s podcast where I talk about a little mountain town called Canton and then also about mountain biking but first let’s talk about our sponsor’s message, and this case happens to be me.

00:01:12.270 –> 00:01:19.890 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, you had modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.

00:01:20.520 –> 00:01:33.030 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by a fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:33.630 –> 00:01:45.270 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. Your Smoky Mountain Adventure Starts with Where you Stay.

00:01:46.440 –> 00:01:51.840 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure that’s smokies plural adventure singular.com

00:01:52.380 –> 00:02:06.660 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails, motorcycle trails, waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:07.140 –> 00:02:18.630 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the trails, the waterfalls, cade cove, the elk, and more.

00:02:18.990 –> 00:02:24.510 Joseph McElroy: then check out all the family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy in the area.

00:02:25.530 –> 00:02:31.830 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokies adventures is to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences, the great smoky mountain.

00:02:33.600 –> 00:02:38.970 Joseph McElroy: I wanted I there’s a there’s an event coming up this weekend, I want to let you know about there’s a.

00:02:39.660 –> 00:02:51.120 Joseph McElroy: in Meadowlark we have a heritage book series, and this one’s going to be presentation of the book the Legendary Hunters of the Southern Highlands a century of sport and survival and the great smokies.

00:02:51.630 –> 00:03:00.300 Joseph McElroy: From the heyday of the Cherokee nation and on through the 20th century, the great smoky have nurtured some of the most celebrated hundreds in American history.

00:03:00.870 –> 00:03:11.730 Joseph McElroy: predicting changes in the weather and almost telepathically sensing animal behavior this outdoorsman was linked inextricably with the land that is sustainable.

00:03:12.330 –> 00:03:20.460 Joseph McElroy: Local Author and General Manager of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Bob Plott lovingly recalls the tales.

00:03:20.910 –> 00:03:32.340 Joseph McElroy: Of those hundreds rife with characters like the honest job the bear whose habit of killing only enough livestock to eat it one sitting granted him a reputation as one.

00:03:32.670 –> 00:03:39.930 Joseph McElroy: At one chivalrous and menacing and little George Plott, a Legendary Marksman turns World War Two hero.

00:03:40.830 –> 00:03:44.190 Joseph McElroy: That linger among the region’s harbored for us and misty for.

00:03:44.670 –> 00:03:55.410 Joseph McElroy: These tales. Rediscover an era of self sufficient mountain living where folks labored in logging camps brewed moonshine hunted for survival and fought for what they believe it.

00:03:56.010 –> 00:04:09.450 Joseph McElroy: it’s April night this Saturday at 4 pm at the Meadowlark Motel and there’ll be followed by a book signing and a free Barbecue for the guests $10 for people that are not staying in the motel and then music at the Meadowlark.

00:04:10.980 –> 00:04:12.540 Joseph McElroy: So I hope to see you there.

00:04:13.620 –> 00:04:19.680 Joseph McElroy: Were also, next weekend, not this week next weekend we’re having I was having a fishing camp, with some acclaimed.

00:04:21.030 –> 00:04:38.910 Joseph McElroy: Fishing guides including Charles Humphrey III, who is also a Grammy award-winning musician call the motel for either one of these nights 82 89261717 to get to your place to be and stay, this is coming this April so.

00:04:40.470 –> 00:04:53.370 Joseph McElroy: We are, we are pleased to have a Leader of the Community and Haywood County specifically Canton his name is Zeb Smathers, he is a graduate of Duke University, hey Duke.

00:04:53.790 –> 00:05:12.270 Joseph McElroy: And UNC Law School who resides with his wife and son and Canton North Carolina. He is a working Attorney at Smathers and Smathers Law firm in Canada and he’s also been the Mayor of Canton since 2017, he’s been attracting national attention, since then hello Zeb, how are you doing?

00:05:12.840 –> 00:05:14.280 Zeb Smathers: Joseph, great to be here with you.

00:05:14.760 –> 00:05:23.430 Joseph McElroy: Oh, it is, I know that you’ve been suffering, some storm there just talking about and some hard weather down there hopefully the wind does it kick up like it’s been doing.

00:05:24.300 –> 00:05:34.500 Zeb Smathers: Yes, I said anytime it rains in Canton since the floods of August of 2021 every day, every time it rains I just get this bad my spider-sense goes off.

00:05:34.560 –> 00:05:35.250 Joseph McElroy: But yeah.

00:05:35.310 –> 00:05:36.390 Joseph McElroy: Right it’s like.

00:05:36.390 –> 00:05:36.990 Oh.

00:05:39.300 –> 00:05:42.930 Joseph McElroy: You know since that happened I look at the creek behind the Meadowlark and you know.

00:05:43.320 –> 00:05:53.430 Joseph McElroy: It has an escaped its banks and for 40 years my dad actually raised the ground about three feet all over the place, so you know but he’s been lucky.

00:05:53.790 –> 00:06:04.590 Joseph McElroy: I think the big thing is, we had all used to be bear mountains around there from logging, and now it’s all grown up, and I think that change the trajectory of the wash down and maybe didn’t get flooding anymore.

00:06:05.250 –> 00:06:16.170 Joseph McElroy: So I guess we’re lucky in that regard, but I think we’re excited I’m very excited we’re going to talk a little bit about the Chestnut Mountain Park that you folks are working on and we’re going to talk about the floods, but.

00:06:18.240 –> 00:06:32.700 Joseph McElroy: As a fellow Haywood County native and Duke Grad I’d like our visitors to get to know you better and then you know, and you know, and what will, how will a little bit about to so you were born and raised in Haywood County right, I mean I know your name, I have to, you have to be.

00:06:34.080 –> 00:06:38.910 Zeb Smathers: My son my two-year-old son. He actually is the not generation Smathers.

00:06:39.990 –> 00:06:48.990 Zeb Smathers: I tell people you know, I was, I was lucky to find a girl I wasn’t related to the Marry here and but no, I mean I was born in 1982.

00:06:50.160 –> 00:06:59.010 Zeb Smathers: My dad is an attorney my grandfather owned when the first modern supermarkets in Western North Carolina.

00:06:59.670 –> 00:07:12.840 Zeb Smathers: And you know I have memories of the store in the Canton in the late 80s, but also remember the ones in the early 90s, and it was a summary guard, I was a normal childhood and doing me to things you just you know advertised.

00:07:13.860 –> 00:07:25.800 Zeb Smathers: Your motel I mean just you know walking these mountains and playing in the streams and playing sports and the 90s, was a fun time to grow up with the birth of the Internet and just changes in movies and entertainment.

00:07:26.610 –> 00:07:33.900 Zeb Smathers: But that was more nationally, you know locally, we started watching the decline of Canton and Canton is a paper mill town.

00:07:34.740 –> 00:07:52.140 Zeb Smathers: And not you know much like other towns across North Carolina across the United States, these manufacturing towns these furniture towns, textiles, you know once employed so many people and so many you know, jobs and just the Center of culture, they started closing up.

00:07:53.190 –> 00:08:01.860 Zeb Smathers: A close to losing our paper mill camp is a paper mill currently evergreen packaging owns the paper mill here employees 1200 people.

00:08:02.400 –> 00:08:12.510 Zeb Smathers: But in our downtown, you started noticing boarded-up buildings and buildings falling down and just not just you know boarded-up windows.

00:08:12.960 –> 00:08:30.390 Zeb Smathers: But people’s spirits were broken and there wasn’t understanding, like so many places in the United States, our best days were behind us that there was simply no place for small towns, especially small manufacturing towns in the 21st century, and so I graduated Tesco High School in 2001

00:08:32.070 –> 00:08:43.890 Zeb Smathers: played football and basketball there you know your visitors, I mean the people listening, you know Canton and Haywood County is home to the greatest football rivalry in High School in the State of North Carolina.

00:08:44.040 –> 00:08:47.910 Joseph McElroy: And I happened to be on the other side of that equation, I went to test Cola.

00:08:49.560 –> 00:08:50.670 Zeb Smathers: No one’s perfect Joseph.

00:08:52.200 –> 00:08:58.860 Zeb Smathers: But you know we love work pays good and winds were Tesco, and that game draws anywhere from 13 to 15,000 people.

00:08:59.940 –> 00:09:00.840 Zeb Smathers: In so.

00:09:01.020 –> 00:09:02.580 Zeb Smathers: You know, after 2001.

00:09:03.990 –> 00:09:19.440 Zeb Smathers: Travel four hours away to Durham to Duke university graduated in 05 with a major in political science and modern history, then I traveled non-miles, the other direction to UNC-Chapel Hill to Law school.

00:09:19.650 –> 00:09:23.910 Joseph McElroy: why you made that decision I also went to Duke so.

00:09:25.560 –> 00:09:26.400 Zeb Smathers: Both blues.

00:09:27.840 –> 00:09:28.200 Joseph McElroy: But.

00:09:28.260 –> 00:09:37.530 Zeb Smathers: After that, you know I returned home, I always want to come home and practice law with my father, we have a general small-town practice a little bit of everything.

00:09:38.460 –> 00:09:49.050 Zeb Smathers: I ran for Alderman you know, which is our city council in 2013 because spending seven years in the Triangle Raleigh Durham Chapel hill.

00:09:49.470 –> 00:10:00.240 Zeb Smathers: I noticed, something I noticed these large metropolitan areas like Raleigh like Durham they were expanding they were suffering new you know, the new economy, new people you know.

00:10:00.300 –> 00:10:03.660 Joseph McElroy: I remember back then they were going crazy and expanded oh yeah.

00:10:03.900 –> 00:10:22.710 Zeb Smathers: And I noticed this, and so, when I returned home Canton is 20 minutes from Asheville an absolutely wonderful city with so much culture and art and craft brewing and it was in 2008 that’s when the Obama’s made several trips to Asheville I think really put Asheville on the map.

00:10:23.850 –> 00:10:27.030 Zeb Smathers: know, President Obama has his favorite Barbecue place in Ashville.

00:10:27.060 –> 00:10:30.360 Joseph McElroy: 12 bones know who they were 12 bones the bones right.

00:10:30.900 –> 00:10:35.880 Zeb Smathers: So I’m I had you know I put all that, together, and I said wait for a second here.

00:10:36.390 –> 00:10:52.620 Zeb Smathers: something’s getting ready to happen here ash Bergen county it’s going to grow it’s going to expand there are going to increase in housing and Lena let’s just logistic issues, and I said, you know if Canton if we play our cards right, we can take advantage of this.

00:10:52.800 –> 00:10:53.160 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:10:53.250 –> 00:10:57.210 Zeb Smathers: A lot of people looked at me as crazy luckily enough people who voted for me and didn’t think I was crazy.

00:10:58.260 –> 00:11:03.150 Zeb Smathers: But you know that, but you know you know that point is very important.

00:11:03.390 –> 00:11:10.650 Zeb Smathers: This was to have people believe that there was a place for places like Canton, in the 21st century.

00:11:10.650 –> 00:11:17.640 Joseph McElroy: When I think that that’s you know I think that’s important, and you know we’re talking a little bit about what some of the things you did to bring it back, which I think.

00:11:17.670 –> 00:11:18.600 are really impressive.

00:11:19.770 –> 00:11:30.030 Joseph McElroy: You know some of the things I know when I want to put a little bit more history into this, because you know I looked up a little bit about your background the Smathers and what did it five Smathers brothers migrated from.

00:11:31.260 –> 00:11:36.540 Joseph McElroy: The Scotch Irish and dramatic roles and Rowan County and then ended up here in Dutch cove and Haywood county right.

00:11:36.840 –> 00:11:44.580 Zeb Smathers: I don’t know what happened in Rowan County that they thought the best idea was to leave town quickly and hit to that point the frontier land but.

00:11:45.300 –> 00:11:55.830 Zeb Smathers: I’m glad they did but yeah absolutely we traveled here five brothers, if you ever come across the Smathers that are not from Haywood County they’re lying to you.

00:11:55.860 –> 00:12:02.610 Zeb Smathers: That is one Smather family in Massachusetts which has no direct relation to us but everybody else.

00:12:03.870 –> 00:12:13.590 Zeb Smathers: comes from this part of the woods and there’s actually been there was this Smathers in Camelot Senator George Smathers of Florida was very close to JFK.

00:12:14.580 –> 00:12:23.280 Zeb Smathers: I’ve always been told the story, you know these mountains are on the stories are true they make good legends that he actually introduced Jackie O to JFK.

00:12:23.400 –> 00:12:27.690 Joseph McElroy: And so you might as well grab a legend if you can you know what I mean it doesn’t matter when politics.

00:12:27.870 –> 00:12:29.490 Joseph McElroy: It doesn’t really matter whether it’s true.

00:12:29.490 –> 00:12:29.790 Joseph McElroy: or not.

00:12:30.240 –> 00:12:35.340 Joseph McElroy: there’s getting the perception of it turns out the George Washington did actually jumped up though Tara great.

00:12:36.630 –> 00:12:39.180 Joseph McElroy: But he grabbed that story or somebody did for.

00:12:40.650 –> 00:12:48.870 Joseph McElroy: So cool well you know your family like mine has been in the county for 200 years right so there’s a lot of history in Haywood county.

00:12:49.830 –> 00:13:01.530 Joseph McElroy: And I really like to talk about that, and when we come back, I want to touch a little bit on your immediate family history your father was a Mayor, and then were Canton growing from that.

00:13:01.860 –> 00:13:02.310 Absolutely.

 

00:15:18.390 –> 00:15:25.890 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a Gateway to the Smokies Podcasts with my guest Zeb Smathers.

00:15:26.340 –> 00:15:33.210 Joseph McElroy: that’d be no I’m one of the things I tried to do this podcast yeah there’s a lot of great professionals.

00:15:33.810 –> 00:15:41.310 Joseph McElroy: I mean brilliant people that come out of Haywood County and we can easily get talking to the ideas and accomplishments and plans and future.

00:15:41.700 –> 00:15:51.750 Joseph McElroy: And that’s all important you know, but you know, one of the things that is special about Haywood County is the community and family or the color connections.

00:15:52.050 –> 00:16:03.840 Joseph McElroy: Right it’s it there’s a very connectedness to your past, even though it goes into thinking about the future, you know and it’s you know, and you, like me, grew up and with.

00:16:04.320 –> 00:16:12.930 Joseph McElroy: Long family ties there, my father was Mayor of Maggie Valley I don’t know exactly when your father was Mayor, but my father was an Alderman for a long time, so they probably knew each other.

00:16:13.470 –> 00:16:30.600 Joseph McElroy: Now, your dad was a Lawyer and you know started this Law Firm that you’re in and then he served as Mayor and then he was an athlete appears good hall of Famer there and he also put went to Duke so you know how does it like to have that connection to who you are?

00:16:31.290 –> 00:16:38.160 Zeb Smathers: Well, I think you know being from Haywood County in this region it’s just truly part of your DNA and you know.

00:16:38.520 –> 00:16:44.130 Zeb Smathers: it’s one of those things where no matter and I have been blessed to travel the world and experience wonderful things.

00:16:44.850 –> 00:16:53.490 Zeb Smathers: But you don’t forget where you come from, and I think there’s something special about being from Haywood County and being around the people in the communities and schools and churches.

00:16:53.910 –> 00:17:03.120 Zeb Smathers: And what you see, is what you get and I’m very proud in Canton we’re a blue-collar town and what you see, is what you get and in a superficial society.

00:17:04.110 –> 00:17:14.640 Zeb Smathers: That is, you know so much of it is marketing and span when you come across places like Canton and the people of the Canton and you will you see you know what’s real.

00:17:15.780 –> 00:17:25.920 Zeb Smathers: And you’re just drawn to it because so much of his know the rest of the world is just made up and it’s more look and feels like something else, but when you come across the real McCoy.

00:17:26.280 –> 00:17:38.280 Zeb Smathers: You just feel it and I think that in Haywood County when someone says how are you or yet you they mean it and I think that’s that sincere, but I think on a greater level.

00:17:39.090 –> 00:17:51.960 Zeb Smathers: Is you know part of the challenge, but I think we’re doing it again and very proud of is how do you bring in new people new ideas, new money, new opportunity if you don’t change who you are and.

00:17:52.860 –> 00:18:00.480 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s you’re hitting the nail on the head there’s don’t change who you are you be who you are, you know look I’m sitting in the middle of New York City and.

00:18:00.840 –> 00:18:08.670 Joseph McElroy: You know I decided to have a brand about you know my family home, you know places like a Meadowlark motel.

00:18:09.030 –> 00:18:19.920 Joseph McElroy: And I decide to be authentic to that brand and while I’m modernizer’s left side I’m wearing overalls you know where I’m every day right my grandfather did right, so I mean you have to be.

00:18:20.340 –> 00:18:26.370 Joseph McElroy: There had to be some sort of leadership values that your father instilled to do what, what do you think those were.

00:18:27.000 –> 00:18:40.560 Zeb Smathers: Well, I think it was you know dad even, at times, I think it sometimes worries me, he is a huge optimist and in sometimes I think he was a man before his time a lot of the ideas that dad had.

00:18:41.160 –> 00:18:50.100 Zeb Smathers: I saw them come to fruition, he was again probably 10 years before his time and he has huge large big ideas, but when you’re around people like that.

00:18:50.490 –> 00:19:04.140 Zeb Smathers: That you know again going back to Canada I’m a big believer in the new frontier speech you know the big is the moon shots you know part of this country and part of being in West, North Carolina is not being afraid of the big idea.

00:19:04.830 –> 00:19:21.750 Zeb Smathers: To set out on those big adventures, and we need some more of that in our American discussions in politics and so dad was always pushing and when your son looking at your father and you see him lean in to not being afraid and talking about those big ideas, even when they don’t succeed.

00:19:22.860 –> 00:19:29.220 Zeb Smathers: gives you a belief and confidence, the push you to do the same.

00:19:29.310 –> 00:19:30.030 Zeb Smathers: And I think that’s.

00:19:30.090 –> 00:19:39.450 Zeb Smathers: All that leadership is it’s not being afraid of the big idea finding away working across partisan lines or whatever and lines of divisions exists.

00:19:39.840 –> 00:19:48.210 Zeb Smathers: and saying yes, we can do this, and I think that’s something that you find time and time again in the mountains and smokies of smoky mountains of West, North Carolina.

00:19:48.660 –> 00:19:52.950 Joseph McElroy: I think I that you’ve demonstrated the ability to actually.

00:19:54.390 –> 00:20:02.250 Joseph McElroy: tell people, something that they don’t want to hear right, you know people there might be a poll, it says people want something, and instead of.

00:20:03.870 –> 00:20:10.200 Joseph McElroy: Just going with it, you actually like to educate people a little bit sometimes all right, because there are things that they don’t know.

00:20:10.650 –> 00:20:23.970 Joseph McElroy: Right and you provide that information and then allow them to make a decision and a lot of times you’ll find that decision comes around and what would be the right thing to do, and I think that the politicians who do that are the two leaders well.

00:20:24.480 –> 00:20:27.660 Zeb Smathers: yeah and I do think there’s an importance, especially these days to listen.

00:20:28.080 –> 00:20:37.830 Zeb Smathers: To be around people that you may not be with but ask you know, listen to, while they feel that way, and if you do that don’t just push them away I think that’s part of the problem is that.

00:20:38.070 –> 00:20:48.180 Zeb Smathers: Well, this person is wrong or I can’t believe they believe this way or vote this way listen to their story, everyone has a unique story, I mean, as part of this podcast and what you’re trying to do.

00:20:48.720 –> 00:20:59.550 Zeb Smathers: And if you do that, time and time again, you will find common ground that you may not agree on everything, but if you can find those common issues you can push it forward.

00:20:59.850 –> 00:21:05.460 Zeb Smathers: You know and it’s amazing how about New York City New York New York city’s just a bunch of little small towns, but very.

00:21:07.050 –> 00:21:07.500 Zeb Smathers: Energy.

00:21:07.530 –> 00:21:08.400 Joseph McElroy: A lot of little small.

00:21:09.330 –> 00:21:16.410 Zeb Smathers: But I think I think North Carolina especially but also across the United States, even in these large cities, you know you can call them burrows.

00:21:17.070 –> 00:21:28.830 Zeb Smathers: Is that if you understand small towns and where people you know their past and what got them where they are man Do you realize how many similarities, we may have different accents we may have different Barbecue.

00:21:28.830 –> 00:21:38.250 Zeb Smathers: sauces but truly we have so many common denominators that link us, and if you carry the conversation, you can actually get things done.

00:21:38.910 –> 00:21:44.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah we if you look at, even though you’re talking about you look at kind of co-op boards you look at.

00:21:45.030 –> 00:21:48.480 Joseph McElroy: Historical societies and a few hundred people and Members, and you have aboard.

00:21:48.720 –> 00:21:55.050 Joseph McElroy: I mean those are all like small towns being run with a board and the President and they’re all dealing with the same exact issues.

00:21:55.290 –> 00:22:06.720 Joseph McElroy: Many, many times in the city you know when I was doing that I record I recognize the same issues my dad went through is the mayor of a small town hey I’m in this historical society I’m dealing with the same issue.

00:22:09.360 –> 00:22:15.090 Joseph McElroy: Well let’s get back to Canton and you know and some things there I like to talk about some of the special stuff and we’re going to get to but.

00:22:15.450 –> 00:22:29.130 Joseph McElroy: I do not leave your father behind the last thing is, I noticed that he helped lead the effort to create that small Smathers farmer and public market, which I think is a really cool thing and in Canton, they have music there and all sorts of stuff.

00:22:30.120 –> 00:22:34.950 Zeb Smathers: Well, you really can’t be a small town and the 21st century, unless you have a brewery and a farmers market.

00:22:34.980 –> 00:22:35.610 Joseph McElroy: there you go.

00:22:36.840 –> 00:22:38.520 Joseph McElroy: don’t forget to go to have a church too.

00:22:38.760 –> 00:22:39.060 church.

00:22:42.030 –> 00:22:42.270 Joseph McElroy: But.

00:22:42.540 –> 00:22:53.310 Zeb Smathers: We have wonderful bear water brewing and that was a huge success for us several years ago they do a great job, but yet again, one of those big ideas that you know, sometimes that just we’re doing this and I just.

00:22:53.580 –> 00:23:04.050 Zeb Smathers: He doesn’t even give me time to add my input as many fathers don’t to their students, but we have these wonderful farmers market that brings people together with music beer crafts.

00:23:04.560 –> 00:23:17.220 Zeb Smathers: And again, it, you know it’s in the parking lot of my grandfather’s supermarket where our law offices, now that for so many years, you know wasn’t gathering spot over the same things it was stories, it was food a.

00:23:18.180 –> 00:23:29.340 Zeb Smathers: a lot has changed since the 80s, but again to have some Smathers market return in some regards and bring people together, you know for dad and my uncle Max Max my others and.

00:23:29.730 –> 00:23:38.670 Zeb Smathers: And their kids and this all the ones that are connected to Smathers market, but again, it makes my point valid where it’s different.

00:23:39.720 –> 00:23:48.150 Zeb Smathers: But it’s something new, but it’s a throwback to the past, you know and that’s important again howdy in that new energy.

00:23:48.600 –> 00:24:04.890 Zeb Smathers: But it goes back to your past of bringing people together over food and fellowship and commonalities and it’s the perfect example again know where you’re from what got you here, but also not be afraid to evolve it and listen and make changes, but not lose your soul.

00:24:05.340 –> 00:24:09.660 Joseph McElroy: You know there’s academic research that I become something of an expert.

00:24:10.230 –> 00:24:14.790 Joseph McElroy: For the marketing side enough from the academic side about something called memorable tourism experiences.

00:24:15.180 –> 00:24:19.560 Joseph McElroy: and part of that is cultural tourism and cultural heritage tourism.

00:24:19.890 –> 00:24:27.270 Joseph McElroy: And there’s actually lots of evidence that so that if you stay true to your cultural heritage and really emphasize and develop that, as you know.

00:24:27.570 –> 00:24:37.770 Joseph McElroy: And you know and use it as a part of your marketing and your approach to how you build your infrastructure and stuff like that it actually is highly successful in attracting tourism.

00:24:38.100 –> 00:24:50.370 Joseph McElroy: And it’s authentic how Haywood County can avoid becoming I mean I love Gatlinburg I love you know Pigeon Forge for what they are, but they’re very commercialized and Haywood county is not becoming like that so far.

00:24:50.670 –> 00:24:54.180 Joseph McElroy: Right, and I think that that’s a great success of what we’re doing.

00:24:54.630 –> 00:24:55.020 Zeb Smathers: mm hmm.

00:24:55.200 –> 00:25:08.580 Zeb Smathers: yeah absolutely and again is you know, in your background, you see a champion, as I tell some friends that do live in New York City, you know you have my skyscrapers you have your skyscrapers and I have mine, you know my mountains and.

00:25:09.360 –> 00:25:10.140 Joseph McElroy: Exactly.

00:25:11.070 –> 00:25:18.840 Zeb Smathers: How many people in marketing are drawn to places like Canton because you know what they’re for manufacturing towns are they remember going in visit their grandparents.

00:25:19.140 –> 00:25:28.140 Zeb Smathers: And it’s amazing they’ll come across a store a memory, a smell, and it will they will go back decades.

00:25:28.800 –> 00:25:42.060 Zeb Smathers: grandparents farm or you know the where their father lived in Ohio or a cold town in West Virginia, and this at it ignites this memory and energy and, more importantly, puts a smile on their face and.

00:25:42.390 –> 00:25:45.180 Joseph McElroy: So Haywood County can still do that it hasn’t.

00:25:45.180 –> 00:25:53.190 Joseph McElroy: become this huge commercialized empire it’s become very authentic I mean it’s very successful now and becoming more so, but it hasn’t been.

00:25:53.580 –> 00:26:03.630 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely, so one last thing before we move on from the history, you know you know my father back in the day is Mayra’s tried to do something, where he would.

00:26:03.990 –> 00:26:09.900 Joseph McElroy: He would have the town by this old motel that had you know that was near the festival grounds and would become an artist.

00:26:10.680 –> 00:26:23.100 Joseph McElroy: sponsored our artists to come community, of course, it didn’t go over, but I know it’s something I would like to see happen, is there any ideas that your dad had but didn’t get implemented that you think you would like to pursue.

00:26:24.900 –> 00:26:30.030 Zeb Smathers: A lot of them, we have accomplished and I’ve tried to give credit where credit is due, and I.

00:26:30.030 –> 00:26:30.390 Zeb Smathers: Probably.

00:26:30.720 –> 00:26:40.020 Zeb Smathers: The better job with that you know I’ve we’ve talked about the Co OPS, I think there’s a great success for co OPS, the farmers market was a big one.

00:26:41.190 –> 00:26:47.040 Zeb Smathers: That is a really good question um you know I think again having more.

00:26:47.880 –> 00:26:55.230 Zeb Smathers: I would like to see more people get involved and encourage you to know, a downtown business association, but I’m a big believer.

00:26:55.590 –> 00:27:11.160 Zeb Smathers: That that’s not the government’s job to do yeah I want to see that organically come from business owners and have them have a stake in it will help any way that we can, but people need skin in the game, and it would really be nice to have a good downtown association.

00:27:12.180 –> 00:27:24.840 Zeb Smathers: And because that opens up tremendous other opportunities from business owners, but again that’s something for our business owners to get involved with but we’re only to that point for years and years, we had no businesses to do it organization.

00:27:24.930 –> 00:27:25.350 and

00:27:26.490 –> 00:27:35.790 Zeb Smathers: In 2013 we had about 20% occupancy right downtown we’re now up near 90 and I’m very proud of that watching our downtown come back to life.

00:27:36.480 –> 00:27:42.780 Joseph McElroy: By just you know we’re getting close to the end of the break here, I just wanted to before we move on to the next stuff when we’re talking about the things that you’ve done.

00:27:43.140 –> 00:27:50.160 Joseph McElroy: But I just wanted to do a shout-out that your last year, I think was selected as one of 19 leaders across the country.

00:27:50.490 –> 00:28:04.980 Joseph McElroy: to join the New Deal development of exceptional American leaders and just a selective national network of state and local elected officials, so I think that’s very proud of crop compliment and I congratulate you on that.

00:28:06.360 –> 00:28:08.340 Zeb Smathers: Well there’s the worse list I’m probably on but.

00:28:09.600 –> 00:28:11.700 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re not on the list that I bought.

00:28:14.130 –> 00:28:20.040 Joseph McElroy: All right, let’s take a break and we’ll come back we’ll start talking about the flood and the bicycle park.

 

00:30:26.730 –> 00:30:37.050 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcasts. My guest is Zeb Smathers Mayor of Canton North Carolina.

00:30:37.830 –> 00:30:46.920 Joseph McElroy: You talked about, you know how there was this you know things seem to be going downhill but there’s now been a resurgence and you’ve led the way for this resurgence of Canton.

00:30:47.370 –> 00:30:56.190 Joseph McElroy: And you know and I’ve been here the whole time I came every you know for 30 years I’ve been coming every six weeks back, they would count and never you know, Miss more than.

00:30:56.610 –> 00:31:06.390 Joseph McElroy: Two months at a time and spend a week here, you know family other things I’ve got to do here, I just love it, it will business has been elsewhere now been here quite a lot, because of the business and Maggie.

00:31:06.870 –> 00:31:16.140 Joseph McElroy: And, especially in the past few years I’ve been going through Canton, you know what I just noticed that resurgence like I think you’re one of the first towns and started putting out these barrels of flowers in them.

00:31:16.650 –> 00:31:21.450 Joseph McElroy: right that was pretty cool because now, all the other towns copied it right yeah.

00:31:22.830 –> 00:31:29.610 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the new shops and restaurants and things and then breweries that you’ve brought there because it’s pretty exciting, I think.

00:31:29.970 –> 00:31:32.700 Zeb Smathers: yeah and I’ll try to name them all because each of them is special.

00:31:33.090 –> 00:31:41.520 Zeb Smathers: And again I’m just part of a good great team I’ve got a great group of elected officials Democrats and Republicans in our town employees are absolutely amazing.

00:31:41.760 –> 00:31:56.370 Zeb Smathers: They don’t just believe in their job they believe that are making a difference and so I’m just part of a good a very, very good team, but I mean the first and is actually you know, a building that the dad owns the imperial it was the original.

00:31:57.600 –> 00:32:05.010 Zeb Smathers: This Victorian Hotel goes back to the 1890s it actually was here before the Biltmore house was built in Asheville.

00:32:05.640 –> 00:32:14.310 Zeb Smathers: And over the course of a decade dad had been renovating it in a piece by piece and another one those ideas I’m not sure I ever thought would happen, but.

00:32:15.000 –> 00:32:25.290 Zeb Smathers: It is a lot, it was the spark and now there’s a wonderful restaurant there to southern porch has the absolute best Bourbon selection in Western North Carolina I’m a Bourbon guy, so I have an.

00:32:26.790 –> 00:32:27.750 Zeb Smathers: expert on that.

00:32:28.470 –> 00:32:29.220 Joseph McElroy: An old fashioned.

00:32:29.490 –> 00:32:30.720 Zeb Smathers: yeah exactly and.

00:32:30.720 –> 00:32:32.430 Joseph McElroy: Put it aside put in a speakeasy.

00:32:32.460 –> 00:32:33.690 Joseph McElroy: we’re gonna have some smoky oh.

00:32:33.690 –> 00:32:37.200 Zeb Smathers: Nice very nice, let me, let me just let me know when that happens.

00:32:38.640 –> 00:32:43.500 Zeb Smathers: You know it’s it was the first restaurant it wasn’t the southern portion then it was said domain.

00:32:44.130 –> 00:32:53.910 Zeb Smathers: And the owners, then believe in Canton and it was you know it sounds crazy looking back, it was the first real true restaurant Canton had in decades, especially when the first serve alcohol.

00:32:54.390 –> 00:33:04.140 Zeb Smathers: And it started the Canton come back That was our hashtag because again to be a small town you gotta have a brewery got a farmers market he had to have a hashtag and ours come back.

00:33:04.650 –> 00:33:18.600 Zeb Smathers: Because that’s exactly what it was American loves to come back story and that’s what we did, and I’m still doing, but we have places like the Southern Porch we have Jay Rose, you know great Philly cheese hamburgers you gotta have a hamburger place.

00:33:18.690 –> 00:33:22.050 Zeb Smathers: Right, we have the Pigeon River Mercantile.

00:33:23.070 –> 00:33:27.180 Zeb Smathers: You know these paper town crafts, with all of these.

00:33:27.930 –> 00:33:36.060 Zeb Smathers: shops have started up paper town coffee I would put paper town coffee up against any coffee shop in New York City now I’m sure I’ll get some.

00:33:36.420 –> 00:33:44.220 Zeb Smathers: comments about that, but I’m truly but this couple, could you know they are truly artists in the coffee world.

00:33:44.550 –> 00:33:53.430 Zeb Smathers: And they could have gone anywhere in North Carolina or the United States and they chose can’t and because they were drawn again to all the stuff we talked about to our comeback story.

00:33:53.790 –> 00:34:07.110 Zeb Smathers: And you know the people and how we have a such a sense of community-based based around what we are and who we are and what we stand for, and so we have attracted so many businesses, like those and bear waters brewing.

00:34:08.640 –> 00:34:16.320 Zeb Smathers: Their waters are done an amazing job, both here and Maggie Valley and Waynesville again being on the river, you know we have.

00:34:16.740 –> 00:34:28.470 Zeb Smathers: For years and years, we didn’t realize how lucky we were to have the River now people we have breweries own it we have people to bring it in the summer I mean I was my sister’s house is on the river.

00:34:28.950 –> 00:34:43.500 Zeb Smathers: And I remember during covid I mean people would float down and the course being a mayor, I want to know where they were from it was places Raleigh, Atlanta, Chicago floating down the very same river I floated down, but now, people are paying good money to float down that river.

00:34:45.180 –> 00:34:54.870 Zeb Smathers: It is things like that, but again it’s these businesses that are very much part of us like I said the coffee place it’s paper town coffee, we are a paper town.

00:34:55.890 –> 00:35:08.940 Joseph McElroy: that’s an interesting thing I mean because I see a lot of times when you’re talking about the town, especially tourism, you say we’re not a tourist town we’re a mill town, but yet you got all these things and starting to have tourists come there.

00:35:09.060 –> 00:35:22.140 Zeb Smathers: yeah because people because we’re different nothing against any other cities or towns in western Carolina, but a lot of are somewhat indistinguishable and tourism, and here we stand out we’re a paper mill town, so I think again when you’re different.

00:35:22.710 –> 00:35:26.820 Zeb Smathers: When you have something else to sell and your story’s a little bit different.

00:35:27.330 –> 00:35:38.280 Zeb Smathers: People are drawn to that because it is different and, especially, once again, people are coming to place what you see, is what you get and I’m not saying we’re not perfect and have flaws, but I promise you, the people of the Canton.

00:35:38.880 –> 00:35:42.660 Zeb Smathers: What you see, is what you get and there’s a boolean that they’re really.

00:35:42.810 –> 00:35:45.120 Joseph McElroy: You know, being in Middletown everybody probably knows and we.

00:35:45.120 –> 00:35:53.760 Joseph McElroy: can’t we can’t ignore it, but back in the day used to smell really bad all the time and people would tell me who can’t say well that’s the smell of money.

00:35:54.630 –> 00:36:05.430 Joseph McElroy: Now I noticed it’s cleaned up a lot but occasionally there’s a little bit how bad how How often is the owner there and as it gets even better than that it wasn’t bad when I was there.

00:36:05.640 –> 00:36:12.630 Zeb Smathers: I can’t say enough about the evergreen pag gene and what they’ve been able to do with the environment I work with my first project is an older man was helping.

00:36:13.350 –> 00:36:20.670 Zeb Smathers: One of the bowlers switch from coal over to natural gas they’ve done such a great job and like anyone else, we have a long way to go.

00:36:21.000 –> 00:36:27.570 Zeb Smathers: But I remember when I was younger going back and again we have flaws, the River used to be covered with the phone.

00:36:28.230 –> 00:36:31.800 Zeb Smathers: There used to sit on the cars, the older was every day.

00:36:32.280 –> 00:36:44.760 Zeb Smathers: and actually looking back how no one stepped up early decades ago, so this is wrong, but now you know you used to cut you couldn’t fish below the meal Now you can fish below the meal it’s things like that, but.

00:36:45.240 –> 00:36:50.910 Zeb Smathers: we’re working with evergreen and on a lot of different projects because we don’t want to stop we want to keep getting better.

00:36:51.180 –> 00:36:59.880 Zeb Smathers: And again, I think if there’s a breakdown there’s a problem with a meal that you’re catching odor every once in a while that’s not stopping us from growing and that’s again.

00:37:00.030 –> 00:37:10.830 Joseph McElroy: I wasn’t even the one day I happen to catch up with everything that it was, it was not bad it wasn’t like you know the soul from hell coming in going in and your sinuses.

00:37:12.750 –> 00:37:17.250 Joseph McElroy: Like it used to be, it was like barely bear oh I smell that okay yeah.

00:37:18.990 –> 00:37:32.100 Joseph McElroy: And that was you know, I was there, several times, and that was there was only one time that there was a smell, so you know it’s not I don’t think it’s a problem with the milton’s has been highly their technology work with them has been highly successful so.

00:37:33.180 –> 00:37:46.650 Joseph McElroy: Put you’ve had some problems recently right, which has been a sort of a big story you’ve had a couple floods right and hence it like bear water got destroyed and a couple other things, how how was that for you and how you been recovering from.

00:37:46.650 –> 00:37:57.630 Zeb Smathers: That, in August 16 17th of last year, out of nowhere without any warning, we knew we’re going to get a lot of rain about 330 that afternoon.

00:37:58.230 –> 00:38:06.300 Zeb Smathers: canton haywood county was hit with a tremendous flood event from the remnants of tropical storm Fred.

00:38:06.870 –> 00:38:16.590 Zeb Smathers: Six lives were lost 300 homes are downtown businesses by the River were completely flooded you’re talking about 20 feet of water.

00:38:17.460 –> 00:38:31.590 Zeb Smathers: Going back to that in oh four we had floods and so forth, to hurricanes back to back, they said they were 500 year floods, we made it 17 years luckily I was able to lean on dad for a lot of emergency management.

00:38:32.730 –> 00:38:39.330 Zeb Smathers: You know a lot of lives were saved common citizens jumped in the water, again, this was a flash flood and an hour and a half.

00:38:39.840 –> 00:38:54.750 Zeb Smathers: It came out of nowhere at one point I had to jump in and getting people out of the water, but so many others did and, if not the death toll would have been possibly into the hundreds, especially if it was later in the day and schools were out most of our bridges were knocked out.

00:38:56.400 –> 00:39:04.500 Zeb Smathers: And it was such an event, you just cannot explain in the intensity of the water, the level of water was similar to.

00:39:05.940 –> 00:39:21.030 Zeb Smathers: But there were places they got flooded and oh four that are no longer standing you can call it, global warming and climate change, whatever, but I think a lot of us realize that the intensity of these storms and what we’re seeing across the United States.

00:39:22.350 –> 00:39:28.890 Zeb Smathers: We need to have discussions, we should be having discussions, because how can I build back a town, how can I have manufacturing.

00:39:29.370 –> 00:39:42.300 Zeb Smathers: went on any given summer is going to be knocked down in a mountain town we’re talking about major flooding that you’d expect on in the coast in a small mountain time but they come up from the Gulf these hurricanes come straight up from the Gulf lot of energy.

00:39:43.350 –> 00:39:46.110 Zeb Smathers: And they dumped on us and so again.

00:39:47.250 –> 00:39:57.360 Zeb Smathers: out of nowhere, and this was an August my sister lost her home least the bottom part of her home, I say this just to make a point on August 2 my sister tragically lost her husband.

00:39:59.280 –> 00:40:12.000 Zeb Smathers: Two weeks later, she loses her home and then, all this is all the chaos and I say that because you know as Mayor and watching your little sister go through that there’s not words.

00:40:12.330 –> 00:40:30.270 Zeb Smathers: But myself, especially people who did lose those six families that lost people, the people of haywood county to dig deep and with the benefit of everybody from politicians to prayers across the United States and me, I had we had people on supplies being sent to us, you know from Hawaii.

00:40:31.650 –> 00:40:32.880 Joseph McElroy: moto motels and Maggie we’re putting.

00:40:32.880 –> 00:40:33.750 Zeb Smathers: motels and lagging.

00:40:33.870 –> 00:40:44.490 Zeb Smathers: Everybody coming together in these moments of tragedy and i’ve said time and time again, it is tragic that it takes tragedies to bring us together and bring out the best in people.

00:40:45.330 –> 00:40:58.950 Zeb Smathers: You watch people that lost everything find a way and even today to recover and i’m I don’t care if you’re a mayor, I don’t care where you are when you hear these stories recovery and they happen every single day and people coming together.

00:40:59.340 –> 00:41:08.850 Zeb Smathers: Especially in these times, it gives you that push to keep going so when people ask me said hey you know you’ve been through a lot, how are you doing you keep going.

00:41:09.120 –> 00:41:09.600 Zeb Smathers: that’s what.

00:41:09.690 –> 00:41:11.730 Joseph McElroy: You doing the mountain, so you you’ve done.

00:41:12.210 –> 00:41:20.970 Joseph McElroy: you’ve done an amazing job you know the you know the lots of the infrastructure is backup bear water bruins backup you know Maggie has a version of the.

00:41:21.330 –> 00:41:29.790 Joseph McElroy: One of the Alex bear water for a while it was the main one, and now the main ones back open up and can, and you did an amazing job, what is the.

00:41:30.660 –> 00:41:36.900 Joseph McElroy: You know I don’t want to get too much into climate change and discussing that we could go on for an hour about yeah the solutions for the world.

00:41:37.320 –> 00:41:50.760 Joseph McElroy: What specifically can can do to help alleviate the future things and I don’t want to give you a long discussion about this, a lot of time, but do you have any quick things to reassure people that were taken action to make it less dangerous.

00:41:51.150 –> 00:42:01.620 Zeb Smathers: yeah our our obligation is no matter what we do, rebuilding back moving things we have to ask the question, what can we do to help mitigate future storms again.

00:42:01.920 –> 00:42:11.880 Zeb Smathers: In 2004, we were told, would it be another 500 years before this happened, we made it 17 and so everything we do is we build back, we have to see.

00:42:12.300 –> 00:42:23.610 Zeb Smathers: Whether on a large scale, or a small scale, what we can do and it’s not easy just tearing everything down again we have to fight for our soul and much like cove and how do we balance safety.

00:42:24.780 –> 00:42:37.050 Zeb Smathers: without sacrificing you know our soul and as we rebuild you know some things, whether it be historic theaters or armories or stadiums they’re going back, but in small ways we’re looking at what can we do.

00:42:37.410 –> 00:42:46.830 Zeb Smathers: To mitigate future damages, but also where are we building homes, where we building businesses and that’s, not just in the floodplains that’s all tops like you said in Maggie.

00:42:47.280 –> 00:42:56.820 Zeb Smathers: All that increases water flow so having those discussions calmly about what we can do we shouldn’t be doing anything unless we understand.

00:42:57.090 –> 00:43:09.870 Zeb Smathers: The world we live in, whether we like it or not, or understand everything it’s a reality, and I think part of leadership is not leading in a world that we wish that there was, we have to leave in the world that is and follow those reasons.

00:43:10.140 –> 00:43:17.610 Joseph McElroy: that’s a great answer so we’re going to take a break and then we’ll come back and finish up talking about chest that mountain Barker I think everybody’s excited by that.

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00:45:19.980 –> 00:45:28.710 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and I guess eps matters and the Mayor of can North Carolina so.

00:45:29.070 –> 00:45:42.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah these strategies, you also had an economic resurgence resurgence, but somehow you also were able to raise $600,000 maybe more to acquire 450 acres of land and you’ve built a state of the art park outside of can.

00:45:43.140 –> 00:45:46.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s called chest out market mountain Park, can you tell us about that far.

00:45:46.800 –> 00:46:03.330 Zeb Smathers: yeah absolutely but two years ago now, I received a phone call from honey mujer she’s the Executive Director of the southern appalachian conservancy and what this group does is throughout the mountains, they purchase and help preserve mountain land, which is so important.

00:46:04.710 –> 00:46:14.250 Zeb Smathers: You know as much as we love, economic development and manufacturing, we cannot just give away or develop every piece of want to god’s greatest treasures and.

00:46:14.970 –> 00:46:28.050 Zeb Smathers: So she says, I have this idea and there’s there’s 450 acres located chestnut mountain outside right outside the city limits back in the early 1990s, there was plans to make it a nascar track those fell through.

00:46:29.130 –> 00:46:35.100 Zeb Smathers: There has been a lot of crazy ideas through the years there’s been talk of everything from.

00:46:36.120 –> 00:46:44.790 Zeb Smathers: You know meeting locations and camping to rock stories and so, with the help of public and private partnerships.

00:46:45.270 –> 00:47:02.070 Zeb Smathers: Southern appalachian was able to purchase that property and we’ll hand the keys over in April in our grand opening and we’re, it is a 450 acre absolutely amazing beautiful land for outdoor recreation and a major part of it is going to be mountain bikes.

00:47:03.240 –> 00:47:16.350 Zeb Smathers: A well known mountain biker from asheville has raised probably over about $280,000 to open, something it burn park it’s his personal park open to the public.

00:47:17.100 –> 00:47:22.650 Zeb Smathers: And again it’s the perfect example if something’s going to bring in new people new ideas economic growth.

00:47:23.100 –> 00:47:31.350 Zeb Smathers: But it doesn’t change, who we are it’s used to the mountains it’s low impact it preserves his land and the beauty.

00:47:31.890 –> 00:47:38.490 Zeb Smathers: Of and it’s just that perfect situation and it sits on the bumpkin county where asheville is located and haywood county line.

00:47:38.970 –> 00:47:53.730 Zeb Smathers: And I love the show’s called gateway to the smokies one of my favorite quotes is from Walt Disney that if you want to control the experience control the entrance haywood county in canton where the gateway the smokies if you come West or.

00:47:53.730 –> 00:47:54.900 Joseph McElroy: Heaven yes.

00:47:54.990 –> 00:48:12.300 Zeb Smathers: We can West asheville whether it’s waynesville Maggie valley Western Carolina university cherokee Murphy any of those places, you have to pass through can either through the interstate or old asheville highway where this park is located and to put this park.

00:48:13.410 –> 00:48:24.600 Zeb Smathers: at the entrance of the smokies it speaks volumes about what we are what we intend to be and again the economic growth, I know very little about mountain mountain biking.

00:48:25.320 –> 00:48:25.890 Joseph McElroy: can be viewed.

00:48:26.280 –> 00:48:36.480 Zeb Smathers: As not my field, I do know something about economic impact, and you know going for a hike and then wanting to get a beer afterwards or getting a T shirt going to eat.

00:48:36.990 –> 00:48:45.570 Zeb Smathers: And if we can open our arms of outdoor recreation and then, once they get can get the Maggie valley get them the cherokee tell our story.

00:48:46.560 –> 00:48:56.370 Zeb Smathers: You know I think that’s part of the experience that we want to provide, and it goes back to flood recovery is we build back canton you know in our REC part we’re going to we are raising money.

00:48:56.940 –> 00:49:02.640 Zeb Smathers: We want to build an absolute fantastic and large all abilities playground because.

00:49:03.060 –> 00:49:10.500 Zeb Smathers: When you come back from a flood people are going to ask you, you know what are you focusing on if we can do something in our REC park.

00:49:10.980 –> 00:49:20.640 Zeb Smathers: That that smiles on children’s faces and families faces, no matter what they’ve been through in life, especially if they’re if they’re they’re suffering from special needs.

00:49:21.330 –> 00:49:33.330 Zeb Smathers: Especially in these times, where kids and families, we need a smile again we’re back and we don’t want Kobe to take more from us than it already has and it’s taking so many and so many lives.

00:49:33.900 –> 00:49:34.260 Zeb Smathers: and

00:49:34.470 –> 00:49:35.940 Zeb Smathers: What that is our forefront.

00:49:36.030 –> 00:49:41.550 Joseph McElroy: To say make it, you know, everybody can enjoy it, I agree with you, you.

00:49:42.300 –> 00:49:52.860 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the things exciting to me is i’ve read that there’s something called a type bike trail that’s going to be in this new area, I have three and a half year olds, you know so they’re writing their little bikes down but executive be.

00:49:53.160 –> 00:49:57.750 Zeb Smathers: Well, hopefully plays like my two year old you can turn loose safely, let me get some energy out, for they come home.

00:49:58.530 –> 00:50:00.030 Joseph McElroy: found biking for tops.

00:50:01.140 –> 00:50:04.050 Zeb Smathers: Come one it’s a byob bring your own box.

00:50:04.050 –> 00:50:04.470 So.

00:50:06.240 –> 00:50:23.820 Zeb Smathers: Once again, I mean we see that’s what’s in many parts of West, North Carolina it’s retirees its people moving here from different places in eastern haywood we’re focusing on young families, we won’t young families our school system, I became schools is ranked number 11th in North Carolina.

00:50:24.840 –> 00:50:33.360 Zeb Smathers: We love our sports we love our schools, I mean we can provide the total package, but again, we love having people come visit us and and move here.

00:50:33.750 –> 00:50:44.790 Zeb Smathers: But it’s important to us that we don’t lose who we are and if we lean into that I think we can have the best of both worlds and people will be drawn to us because of our past, present and also our future.

00:50:45.210 –> 00:50:51.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah I agree with you, if you celebrate your good heritage of you live it and live the good heritage.

00:50:51.720 –> 00:50:58.200 Joseph McElroy: Then, your heritage, the people coming in to adopt it instead of you adopting there’s right, so you know the.

00:50:58.470 –> 00:51:09.420 Joseph McElroy: You know that’s all we celebrate dance and music and fishing and all these things at the middle art because it’s about promoting a positive a positive experience of mountain culture.

00:51:09.960 –> 00:51:15.930 Joseph McElroy: So these are a little bit more details, I just wanted for the viewers, do you know how long these biking trails are going to be.

00:51:16.680 –> 00:51:17.430 Zeb Smathers: How long.

00:51:17.730 –> 00:51:20.850 Joseph McElroy: Do they have any measurements how much how many miles.

00:51:21.510 –> 00:51:35.670 Zeb Smathers: pins I mean long term we the money, you spoke of we received about $750,000 of grant money from the state which will allow us to really complete the second phase and there’s going to be the largest rails to trails the top the outdoor classrooms.

00:51:36.750 –> 00:51:45.780 Zeb Smathers: I think the the I don’t know the exact length, but the barn Park, you know these are the jumps, these are the you know the barrels and.

00:51:45.780 –> 00:51:46.140 Joseph McElroy: All the.

00:51:46.410 –> 00:51:47.880 Joseph McElroy: Other fancy stuff right.

00:51:48.150 –> 00:51:50.910 Zeb Smathers: fancy you know the the fancy stuff out there, so.

00:51:51.390 –> 00:51:53.550 Joseph McElroy: world class of biking facility right.

00:51:53.610 –> 00:52:02.040 Zeb Smathers: yeah, this is not something that was very important to myself and our elected officials that if we’re going to do this we’re going to do it throughout way, and so this is state of the art.

00:52:02.460 –> 00:52:11.820 Zeb Smathers: done by amazing contractors that have just really no use the land, I mean the mountains themselves create trials and they create jumps, so this is not.

00:52:12.960 –> 00:52:16.830 Zeb Smathers: This is again what you see, is what you get, and these are some great mountain bike trails.

00:52:17.100 –> 00:52:27.600 Joseph McElroy: All right, well cool, then you know we’re going to close it up here I want you to anything else you want to tell our viewers about canton and then any shout out to want to give and where they can find out more information.

00:52:28.170 –> 00:52:35.820 Zeb Smathers: No, I mean, I think, obviously, Google any of these things are websites explore west, north Carolina our people love to tell our stories.

00:52:36.570 –> 00:52:47.340 Zeb Smathers: that’s something that is just you know ingrained in us and you know again we’re so much surrounded by food and fellowship but again i’ll go back to the little bit higher and I saw this during the floods and I saw this working with.

00:52:47.760 –> 00:52:57.840 Zeb Smathers: democrats and Republicans, and this is a message I say I don’t mean this to be political is you know, again we have to make week, we have the decision each day is people.

00:52:58.590 –> 00:53:05.040 Zeb Smathers: To what type of law for we’re going to live, what type of decisions we’re going to make what are we going to demand from our leaders.

00:53:05.370 –> 00:53:14.490 Zeb Smathers: And we don’t have to settle for the toxicity and the division that surround us, I once you see what I was able to witness and others.

00:53:14.910 –> 00:53:21.030 Zeb Smathers: In haywood county during the floods and happens every time there’s a disaster in this country we don’t have to go back.

00:53:21.480 –> 00:53:30.330 Zeb Smathers: To where the way things were of division and just you know people tearing each other down, we can do better, but you have to demand it because, once you see it.

00:53:30.630 –> 00:53:38.310 Zeb Smathers: You know it exists, you just you have to lean into it and he can accomplish and so again I don’t want that to be one of the legacies from the floods.

00:53:38.880 –> 00:53:49.020 Zeb Smathers: Not the death toll, not the destruction, but maybe just maybe we started the walk towards less division and more cooperation and doing things.

00:53:49.290 –> 00:53:59.370 Zeb Smathers: for the common good, because it does exist and i’m just glad to be part of it with our employees and our elected officials and everyday citizens trying to make haywood county the best place that can be.

00:53:59.880 –> 00:54:07.230 Joseph McElroy: Well, I congratulate you on what you’ve done so far and I thank you for being on this show it’s been a pleasure talking to you and you’re doing exciting things.

00:54:07.560 –> 00:54:21.660 Joseph McElroy: I love the biking mountain, because I think that’s gonna be huge tourism thing for the for the for the haywood county and of course me being in tourism itself actually meeting my my personal goals, but I also think it’s great for the Community.

00:54:22.950 –> 00:54:28.620 Zeb Smathers: Thank you so much it’s been a privilege being part of you, I hope, some of my friends in New York City hard my my southern accent today.

00:54:29.070 –> 00:54:31.350 Joseph McElroy: So so to let me know if you did.

00:54:31.620 –> 00:54:51.810 Joseph McElroy: I will, so this has been the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find out more about this podcast by going to smokies adventure calm and there’s a link to all the previous podcasts touching and peruse it’s also This is also done was streamed live on talk radio dot nyc.

00:54:53.070 –> 00:54:58.500 Joseph McElroy: And that happens every week on Tuesdays from six to seven, this is a wonderful network.

00:54:58.890 –> 00:55:08.160 Joseph McElroy: I encourage you to investigate other shows on this network, because all live podcast so you get a very dynamic experience listening to things that range from self help.

00:55:08.550 –> 00:55:19.530 Joseph McElroy: To to New York City to other travel shows to pets and you know it’s it’s a it’s a it’s almost like a Community radio just done in the big city.

00:55:20.640 –> 00:55:28.800 Joseph McElroy: And I encourage you to come, look at it, I actually have another podcast on this network called wise content creates well, which is about.

00:55:29.850 –> 00:55:39.270 Joseph McElroy: Marketing and content marketing seo and artificial intelligence in the upcoming all the augmentation of human creativity with Ai.

00:55:40.290 –> 00:55:48.210 Joseph McElroy: And how that’s necessary for the future of marketing, so I hope you will come and listen to that and that’s on Fridays from noon until one.

00:55:49.470 –> 00:55:56.070 Joseph McElroy: And I appreciate you being here today and listening to this wonderful program that we had and i’ll see you next week same time.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/576456633489619" rel="nofollow"><strong><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/624f48d9c73773c49a354121_20220405-GTTS.png" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/04/05 - Canton Recovers and Builds a Mountain Biking Park"></strong></a></p><p><strong>Zeb Smathers, discusses the economic development in Haywood County and the region, along with his work to open a new park in the area; Chestnut Mountain Park.</strong></p><p><strong>Our host Joseph McElroy, Owner of the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, NC. is joined by an incredible guest, Zeb Smathers</strong>, he is a graduate of Duke University and UNC Law School who resides with his wife and son in Canton, N.C. Like his father, Patrick Smathers, before him, Zeb is currently Mayor of <a href="https://www.cantonnc.com/" rel="nofollow">Canton</a>, while also working as an Attorney with his dad. </p><p>Zeb has guided an Economic Resurgence in Canton and recently spearheaded the efforts to open an incredible new park in Haywood County—Chestnut Mountain Park – while also helping steer rebuilding efforts through two epic floods that nearly destroyed downtown Canton and surrounding communities.  </p><p>Zeb is a highly respected community leader, renowned for his ability to avoid partisan politics while always working in the best interests of his constituents—regardless of party affiliation.</p><p>‍<strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/cdMaViAyXF/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph kicks off the episode by mentioning the sponsor for the show, the Meadowlark Motel as well as upcoming events. This weekend, part 2 of the mountain heritage book series is happening at the motel. The following weekend, there&#39;s a fishing camp led by Grammy award-winning musician Charles Humphrey III. He also introduces his guest, Zeb Smathers, the mayor of Canton, North Carolina since 2017. Zeb also works as an attorney with his dad. Zeb was born and raised in Haywood County. He is also a graduate of Duke University and UNC Law School. He says that after the 90s, he was seeing a downhill spiral for the town of Canton. Buildings were breaking down and businesses were closing. When he returned home after finishing school, he noticed that there would be a change in Asheville. Around this time in 2008, President Barack Obama visited Ashville several times and Zeb knew that there would be growth and increases in housing and more. So he thought that Canton could also take advantage of this opportunity.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph talks with Zeb about what it means for him to be from Haywood County and now mayor of Canton. Zeb says that it is something special and is proud of the community that he serves. He describes it as “what you see is what you get.” He describes everything about Canton and Haywood County as a place where people are sincere and real. When talking about his leadership skills, Zeb talks about his father who was always not afraid to talk about big ideas which pushed him to do the same. Zeb and Joseph also talk about other qualities in leadership like asking questions and listening and how our stories affect how leaders and communities can come together. Zeb also mentions more about his family’s legacy, what they have in Canton as well as some od Zeb’s accomplishments. They also discuss Haywood County being authentic and not too commercialized.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Zeb discusses more the comeback story of Canton and some new things within the town that he has been a part of bringing in along with the community. He mentions the Imperial, a building with a lot of history that is now a restaurant called Southern Porch. He mentions more food places as well as a coffee shop called Papertown Coffee. Joseph and Zeb also talk about other improvements that Zeb has helped with such as the environment. He also discusses the many challenges such as the recent flooding that brought losses for the community and how he and the community have been able to move forward.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph mentions how Zeb was able to raise about $600,000 or more to build Chestnut Mountain Park. He says that this was accomplished with the help of the Southern Appalachian Conservancy, which help preserve mountain land. The park is 450 acres and will open this month. A major part of the park will be for mountain biking. Zeb also talks about the meaning behind the park and its location as well as the experience it provides for anyone passing through the Great Smoky Mountains. Zeb passionately talks about the local community and keeping the culture alive. Joseph thanks Zeb Smathers for being able to speak with him and loves what Zeb has been able to accomplish as mayor of Canton.</p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>TRANSCRIPT</h3><p>00:00:26.910 –&gt; 00:00:32.250 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of Gateway to the Smokies.</p><p>00:00:32.610 –&gt; 00:00:40.500 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:40.770 –&gt; 00:00:48.960 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:49.500 –&gt; 00:01:00.060 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:00.870 –&gt; 00:01:10.980 Joseph McElroy: In today’s podcast where I talk about a little mountain town called Canton and then also about mountain biking but first let’s talk about our sponsor’s message, and this case happens to be me.</p><p>00:01:12.270 –&gt; 00:01:19.890 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, you had modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.</p><p>00:01:20.520 –&gt; 00:01:33.030 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by a fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:33.630 –&gt; 00:01:45.270 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. Your Smoky Mountain Adventure Starts with Where you Stay.</p><p>00:01:46.440 –&gt; 00:01:51.840 Joseph McElroy: and other sponsors smokies adventure that’s smokies plural adventure singular.com</p><p>00:01:52.380 –&gt; 00:02:06.660 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails, motorcycle trails, waterfalls, outdoor adventures, and family entertainment can be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:07.140 –&gt; 00:02:18.630 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the trails, the waterfalls, cade cove, the elk, and more.</p><p>00:02:18.990 –&gt; 00:02:24.510 Joseph McElroy: then check out all the family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy in the area.</p><p>00:02:25.530 –&gt; 00:02:31.830 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokies adventures is to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences, the great smoky mountain.</p><p>00:02:33.600 –&gt; 00:02:38.970 Joseph McElroy: I wanted I there’s a there’s an event coming up this weekend, I want to let you know about there’s a.</p><p>00:02:39.660 –&gt; 00:02:51.120 Joseph McElroy: in Meadowlark we have a heritage book series, and this one’s going to be presentation of the book the Legendary Hunters of the Southern Highlands a century of sport and survival and the great smokies.</p><p>00:02:51.630 –&gt; 00:03:00.300 Joseph McElroy: From the heyday of the Cherokee nation and on through the 20th century, the great smoky have nurtured some of the most celebrated hundreds in American history.</p><p>00:03:00.870 –&gt; 00:03:11.730 Joseph McElroy: predicting changes in the weather and almost telepathically sensing animal behavior this outdoorsman was linked inextricably with the land that is sustainable.</p><p>00:03:12.330 –&gt; 00:03:20.460 Joseph McElroy: Local Author and General Manager of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Bob Plott lovingly recalls the tales.</p><p>00:03:20.910 –&gt; 00:03:32.340 Joseph McElroy: Of those hundreds rife with characters like the honest job the bear whose habit of killing only enough livestock to eat it one sitting granted him a reputation as one.</p><p>00:03:32.670 –&gt; 00:03:39.930 Joseph McElroy: At one chivalrous and menacing and little George Plott, a Legendary Marksman turns World War Two hero.</p><p>00:03:40.830 –&gt; 00:03:44.190 Joseph McElroy: That linger among the region’s harbored for us and misty for.</p><p>00:03:44.670 –&gt; 00:03:55.410 Joseph McElroy: These tales. Rediscover an era of self sufficient mountain living where folks labored in logging camps brewed moonshine hunted for survival and fought for what they believe it.</p><p>00:03:56.010 –&gt; 00:04:09.450 Joseph McElroy: it’s April night this Saturday at 4 pm at the Meadowlark Motel and there’ll be followed by a book signing and a free Barbecue for the guests $10 for people that are not staying in the motel and then music at the Meadowlark.</p><p>00:04:10.980 –&gt; 00:04:12.540 Joseph McElroy: So I hope to see you there.</p><p>00:04:13.620 –&gt; 00:04:19.680 Joseph McElroy: Were also, next weekend, not this week next weekend we’re having I was having a fishing camp, with some acclaimed.</p><p>00:04:21.030 –&gt; 00:04:38.910 Joseph McElroy: Fishing guides including Charles Humphrey III, who is also a Grammy award-winning musician call the motel for either one of these nights 82 89261717 to get to your place to be and stay, this is coming this April so.</p><p>00:04:40.470 –&gt; 00:04:53.370 Joseph McElroy: We are, we are pleased to have a Leader of the Community and Haywood County specifically Canton his name is Zeb Smathers, he is a graduate of Duke University, hey Duke.</p><p>00:04:53.790 –&gt; 00:05:12.270 Joseph McElroy: And UNC Law School who resides with his wife and son and Canton North Carolina. He is a working Attorney at Smathers and Smathers Law firm in Canada and he’s also been the Mayor of Canton since 2017, he’s been attracting national attention, since then hello Zeb, how are you doing?</p><p>00:05:12.840 –&gt; 00:05:14.280 Zeb Smathers: Joseph, great to be here with you.</p><p>00:05:14.760 –&gt; 00:05:23.430 Joseph McElroy: Oh, it is, I know that you’ve been suffering, some storm there just talking about and some hard weather down there hopefully the wind does it kick up like it’s been doing.</p><p>00:05:24.300 –&gt; 00:05:34.500 Zeb Smathers: Yes, I said anytime it rains in Canton since the floods of August of 2021 every day, every time it rains I just get this bad my spider-sense goes off.</p><p>00:05:34.560 –&gt; 00:05:35.250 Joseph McElroy: But yeah.</p><p>00:05:35.310 –&gt; 00:05:36.390 Joseph McElroy: Right it’s like.</p><p>00:05:36.390 –&gt; 00:05:36.990 Oh.</p><p>00:05:39.300 –&gt; 00:05:42.930 Joseph McElroy: You know since that happened I look at the creek behind the Meadowlark and you know.</p><p>00:05:43.320 –&gt; 00:05:53.430 Joseph McElroy: It has an escaped its banks and for 40 years my dad actually raised the ground about three feet all over the place, so you know but he’s been lucky.</p><p>00:05:53.790 –&gt; 00:06:04.590 Joseph McElroy: I think the big thing is, we had all used to be bear mountains around there from logging, and now it’s all grown up, and I think that change the trajectory of the wash down and maybe didn’t get flooding anymore.</p><p>00:06:05.250 –&gt; 00:06:16.170 Joseph McElroy: So I guess we’re lucky in that regard, but I think we’re excited I’m very excited we’re going to talk a little bit about the Chestnut Mountain Park that you folks are working on and we’re going to talk about the floods, but.</p><p>00:06:18.240 –&gt; 00:06:32.700 Joseph McElroy: As a fellow Haywood County native and Duke Grad I’d like our visitors to get to know you better and then you know, and you know, and what will, how will a little bit about to so you were born and raised in Haywood County right, I mean I know your name, I have to, you have to be.</p><p>00:06:34.080 –&gt; 00:06:38.910 Zeb Smathers: My son my two-year-old son. He actually is the not generation Smathers.</p><p>00:06:39.990 –&gt; 00:06:48.990 Zeb Smathers: I tell people you know, I was, I was lucky to find a girl I wasn’t related to the Marry here and but no, I mean I was born in 1982.</p><p>00:06:50.160 –&gt; 00:06:59.010 Zeb Smathers: My dad is an attorney my grandfather owned when the first modern supermarkets in Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:06:59.670 –&gt; 00:07:12.840 Zeb Smathers: And you know I have memories of the store in the Canton in the late 80s, but also remember the ones in the early 90s, and it was a summary guard, I was a normal childhood and doing me to things you just you know advertised.</p><p>00:07:13.860 –&gt; 00:07:25.800 Zeb Smathers: Your motel I mean just you know walking these mountains and playing in the streams and playing sports and the 90s, was a fun time to grow up with the birth of the Internet and just changes in movies and entertainment.</p><p>00:07:26.610 –&gt; 00:07:33.900 Zeb Smathers: But that was more nationally, you know locally, we started watching the decline of Canton and Canton is a paper mill town.</p><p>00:07:34.740 –&gt; 00:07:52.140 Zeb Smathers: And not you know much like other towns across North Carolina across the United States, these manufacturing towns these furniture towns, textiles, you know once employed so many people and so many you know, jobs and just the Center of culture, they started closing up.</p><p>00:07:53.190 –&gt; 00:08:01.860 Zeb Smathers: A close to losing our paper mill camp is a paper mill currently evergreen packaging owns the paper mill here employees 1200 people.</p><p>00:08:02.400 –&gt; 00:08:12.510 Zeb Smathers: But in our downtown, you started noticing boarded-up buildings and buildings falling down and just not just you know boarded-up windows.</p><p>00:08:12.960 –&gt; 00:08:30.390 Zeb Smathers: But people’s spirits were broken and there wasn’t understanding, like so many places in the United States, our best days were behind us that there was simply no place for small towns, especially small manufacturing towns in the 21st century, and so I graduated Tesco High School in 2001</p><p>00:08:32.070 –&gt; 00:08:43.890 Zeb Smathers: played football and basketball there you know your visitors, I mean the people listening, you know Canton and Haywood County is home to the greatest football rivalry in High School in the State of North Carolina.</p><p>00:08:44.040 –&gt; 00:08:47.910 Joseph McElroy: And I happened to be on the other side of that equation, I went to test Cola.</p><p>00:08:49.560 –&gt; 00:08:50.670 Zeb Smathers: No one’s perfect Joseph.</p><p>00:08:52.200 –&gt; 00:08:58.860 Zeb Smathers: But you know we love work pays good and winds were Tesco, and that game draws anywhere from 13 to 15,000 people.</p><p>00:08:59.940 –&gt; 00:09:00.840 Zeb Smathers: In so.</p><p>00:09:01.020 –&gt; 00:09:02.580 Zeb Smathers: You know, after 2001.</p><p>00:09:03.990 –&gt; 00:09:19.440 Zeb Smathers: Travel four hours away to Durham to Duke university graduated in 05 with a major in political science and modern history, then I traveled non-miles, the other direction to UNC-Chapel Hill to Law school.</p><p>00:09:19.650 –&gt; 00:09:23.910 Joseph McElroy: why you made that decision I also went to Duke so.</p><p>00:09:25.560 –&gt; 00:09:26.400 Zeb Smathers: Both blues.</p><p>00:09:27.840 –&gt; 00:09:28.200 Joseph McElroy: But.</p><p>00:09:28.260 –&gt; 00:09:37.530 Zeb Smathers: After that, you know I returned home, I always want to come home and practice law with my father, we have a general small-town practice a little bit of everything.</p><p>00:09:38.460 –&gt; 00:09:49.050 Zeb Smathers: I ran for Alderman you know, which is our city council in 2013 because spending seven years in the Triangle Raleigh Durham Chapel hill.</p><p>00:09:49.470 –&gt; 00:10:00.240 Zeb Smathers: I noticed, something I noticed these large metropolitan areas like Raleigh like Durham they were expanding they were suffering new you know, the new economy, new people you know.</p><p>00:10:00.300 –&gt; 00:10:03.660 Joseph McElroy: I remember back then they were going crazy and expanded oh yeah.</p><p>00:10:03.900 –&gt; 00:10:22.710 Zeb Smathers: And I noticed this, and so, when I returned home Canton is 20 minutes from Asheville an absolutely wonderful city with so much culture and art and craft brewing and it was in 2008 that’s when the Obama’s made several trips to Asheville I think really put Asheville on the map.</p><p>00:10:23.850 –&gt; 00:10:27.030 Zeb Smathers: know, President Obama has his favorite Barbecue place in Ashville.</p><p>00:10:27.060 –&gt; 00:10:30.360 Joseph McElroy: 12 bones know who they were 12 bones the bones right.</p><p>00:10:30.900 –&gt; 00:10:35.880 Zeb Smathers: So I’m I had you know I put all that, together, and I said wait for a second here.</p><p>00:10:36.390 –&gt; 00:10:52.620 Zeb Smathers: something’s getting ready to happen here ash Bergen county it’s going to grow it’s going to expand there are going to increase in housing and Lena let’s just logistic issues, and I said, you know if Canton if we play our cards right, we can take advantage of this.</p><p>00:10:52.800 –&gt; 00:10:53.160 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:10:53.250 –&gt; 00:10:57.210 Zeb Smathers: A lot of people looked at me as crazy luckily enough people who voted for me and didn’t think I was crazy.</p><p>00:10:58.260 –&gt; 00:11:03.150 Zeb Smathers: But you know that, but you know you know that point is very important.</p><p>00:11:03.390 –&gt; 00:11:10.650 Zeb Smathers: This was to have people believe that there was a place for places like Canton, in the 21st century.</p><p>00:11:10.650 –&gt; 00:11:17.640 Joseph McElroy: When I think that that’s you know I think that’s important, and you know we’re talking a little bit about what some of the things you did to bring it back, which I think.</p><p>00:11:17.670 –&gt; 00:11:18.600 are really impressive.</p><p>00:11:19.770 –&gt; 00:11:30.030 Joseph McElroy: You know some of the things I know when I want to put a little bit more history into this, because you know I looked up a little bit about your background the Smathers and what did it five Smathers brothers migrated from.</p><p>00:11:31.260 –&gt; 00:11:36.540 Joseph McElroy: The Scotch Irish and dramatic roles and Rowan County and then ended up here in Dutch cove and Haywood county right.</p><p>00:11:36.840 –&gt; 00:11:44.580 Zeb Smathers: I don’t know what happened in Rowan County that they thought the best idea was to leave town quickly and hit to that point the frontier land but.</p><p>00:11:45.300 –&gt; 00:11:55.830 Zeb Smathers: I’m glad they did but yeah absolutely we traveled here five brothers, if you ever come across the Smathers that are not from Haywood County they’re lying to you.</p><p>00:11:55.860 –&gt; 00:12:02.610 Zeb Smathers: That is one Smather family in Massachusetts which has no direct relation to us but everybody else.</p><p>00:12:03.870 –&gt; 00:12:13.590 Zeb Smathers: comes from this part of the woods and there’s actually been there was this Smathers in Camelot Senator George Smathers of Florida was very close to JFK.</p><p>00:12:14.580 –&gt; 00:12:23.280 Zeb Smathers: I’ve always been told the story, you know these mountains are on the stories are true they make good legends that he actually introduced Jackie O to JFK.</p><p>00:12:23.400 –&gt; 00:12:27.690 Joseph McElroy: And so you might as well grab a legend if you can you know what I mean it doesn’t matter when politics.</p><p>00:12:27.870 –&gt; 00:12:29.490 Joseph McElroy: It doesn’t really matter whether it’s true.</p><p>00:12:29.490 –&gt; 00:12:29.790 Joseph McElroy: or not.</p><p>00:12:30.240 –&gt; 00:12:35.340 Joseph McElroy: there’s getting the perception of it turns out the George Washington did actually jumped up though Tara great.</p><p>00:12:36.630 –&gt; 00:12:39.180 Joseph McElroy: But he grabbed that story or somebody did for.</p><p>00:12:40.650 –&gt; 00:12:48.870 Joseph McElroy: So cool well you know your family like mine has been in the county for 200 years right so there’s a lot of history in Haywood county.</p><p>00:12:49.830 –&gt; 00:13:01.530 Joseph McElroy: And I really like to talk about that, and when we come back, I want to touch a little bit on your immediate family history your father was a Mayor, and then were Canton growing from that.</p><p>00:13:01.860 –&gt; 00:13:02.310 Absolutely.</p><p> </p><p>00:15:18.390 –&gt; 00:15:25.890 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a Gateway to the Smokies Podcasts with my guest Zeb Smathers.</p><p>00:15:26.340 –&gt; 00:15:33.210 Joseph McElroy: that’d be no I’m one of the things I tried to do this podcast yeah there’s a lot of great professionals.</p><p>00:15:33.810 –&gt; 00:15:41.310 Joseph McElroy: I mean brilliant people that come out of Haywood County and we can easily get talking to the ideas and accomplishments and plans and future.</p><p>00:15:41.700 –&gt; 00:15:51.750 Joseph McElroy: And that’s all important you know, but you know, one of the things that is special about Haywood County is the community and family or the color connections.</p><p>00:15:52.050 –&gt; 00:16:03.840 Joseph McElroy: Right it’s it there’s a very connectedness to your past, even though it goes into thinking about the future, you know and it’s you know, and you, like me, grew up and with.</p><p>00:16:04.320 –&gt; 00:16:12.930 Joseph McElroy: Long family ties there, my father was Mayor of Maggie Valley I don’t know exactly when your father was Mayor, but my father was an Alderman for a long time, so they probably knew each other.</p><p>00:16:13.470 –&gt; 00:16:30.600 Joseph McElroy: Now, your dad was a Lawyer and you know started this Law Firm that you’re in and then he served as Mayor and then he was an athlete appears good hall of Famer there and he also put went to Duke so you know how does it like to have that connection to who you are?</p><p>00:16:31.290 –&gt; 00:16:38.160 Zeb Smathers: Well, I think you know being from Haywood County in this region it’s just truly part of your DNA and you know.</p><p>00:16:38.520 –&gt; 00:16:44.130 Zeb Smathers: it’s one of those things where no matter and I have been blessed to travel the world and experience wonderful things.</p><p>00:16:44.850 –&gt; 00:16:53.490 Zeb Smathers: But you don’t forget where you come from, and I think there’s something special about being from Haywood County and being around the people in the communities and schools and churches.</p><p>00:16:53.910 –&gt; 00:17:03.120 Zeb Smathers: And what you see, is what you get and I’m very proud in Canton we’re a blue-collar town and what you see, is what you get and in a superficial society.</p><p>00:17:04.110 –&gt; 00:17:14.640 Zeb Smathers: That is, you know so much of it is marketing and span when you come across places like Canton and the people of the Canton and you will you see you know what’s real.</p><p>00:17:15.780 –&gt; 00:17:25.920 Zeb Smathers: And you’re just drawn to it because so much of his know the rest of the world is just made up and it’s more look and feels like something else, but when you come across the real McCoy.</p><p>00:17:26.280 –&gt; 00:17:38.280 Zeb Smathers: You just feel it and I think that in Haywood County when someone says how are you or yet you they mean it and I think that’s that sincere, but I think on a greater level.</p><p>00:17:39.090 –&gt; 00:17:51.960 Zeb Smathers: Is you know part of the challenge, but I think we’re doing it again and very proud of is how do you bring in new people new ideas, new money, new opportunity if you don’t change who you are and.</p><p>00:17:52.860 –&gt; 00:18:00.480 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s you’re hitting the nail on the head there’s don’t change who you are you be who you are, you know look I’m sitting in the middle of New York City and.</p><p>00:18:00.840 –&gt; 00:18:08.670 Joseph McElroy: You know I decided to have a brand about you know my family home, you know places like a Meadowlark motel.</p><p>00:18:09.030 –&gt; 00:18:19.920 Joseph McElroy: And I decide to be authentic to that brand and while I’m modernizer’s left side I’m wearing overalls you know where I’m every day right my grandfather did right, so I mean you have to be.</p><p>00:18:20.340 –&gt; 00:18:26.370 Joseph McElroy: There had to be some sort of leadership values that your father instilled to do what, what do you think those were.</p><p>00:18:27.000 –&gt; 00:18:40.560 Zeb Smathers: Well, I think it was you know dad even, at times, I think it sometimes worries me, he is a huge optimist and in sometimes I think he was a man before his time a lot of the ideas that dad had.</p><p>00:18:41.160 –&gt; 00:18:50.100 Zeb Smathers: I saw them come to fruition, he was again probably 10 years before his time and he has huge large big ideas, but when you’re around people like that.</p><p>00:18:50.490 –&gt; 00:19:04.140 Zeb Smathers: That you know again going back to Canada I’m a big believer in the new frontier speech you know the big is the moon shots you know part of this country and part of being in West, North Carolina is not being afraid of the big idea.</p><p>00:19:04.830 –&gt; 00:19:21.750 Zeb Smathers: To set out on those big adventures, and we need some more of that in our American discussions in politics and so dad was always pushing and when your son looking at your father and you see him lean in to not being afraid and talking about those big ideas, even when they don’t succeed.</p><p>00:19:22.860 –&gt; 00:19:29.220 Zeb Smathers: gives you a belief and confidence, the push you to do the same.</p><p>00:19:29.310 –&gt; 00:19:30.030 Zeb Smathers: And I think that’s.</p><p>00:19:30.090 –&gt; 00:19:39.450 Zeb Smathers: All that leadership is it’s not being afraid of the big idea finding away working across partisan lines or whatever and lines of divisions exists.</p><p>00:19:39.840 –&gt; 00:19:48.210 Zeb Smathers: and saying yes, we can do this, and I think that’s something that you find time and time again in the mountains and smokies of smoky mountains of West, North Carolina.</p><p>00:19:48.660 –&gt; 00:19:52.950 Joseph McElroy: I think I that you’ve demonstrated the ability to actually.</p><p>00:19:54.390 –&gt; 00:20:02.250 Joseph McElroy: tell people, something that they don’t want to hear right, you know people there might be a poll, it says people want something, and instead of.</p><p>00:20:03.870 –&gt; 00:20:10.200 Joseph McElroy: Just going with it, you actually like to educate people a little bit sometimes all right, because there are things that they don’t know.</p><p>00:20:10.650 –&gt; 00:20:23.970 Joseph McElroy: Right and you provide that information and then allow them to make a decision and a lot of times you’ll find that decision comes around and what would be the right thing to do, and I think that the politicians who do that are the two leaders well.</p><p>00:20:24.480 –&gt; 00:20:27.660 Zeb Smathers: yeah and I do think there’s an importance, especially these days to listen.</p><p>00:20:28.080 –&gt; 00:20:37.830 Zeb Smathers: To be around people that you may not be with but ask you know, listen to, while they feel that way, and if you do that don’t just push them away I think that’s part of the problem is that.</p><p>00:20:38.070 –&gt; 00:20:48.180 Zeb Smathers: Well, this person is wrong or I can’t believe they believe this way or vote this way listen to their story, everyone has a unique story, I mean, as part of this podcast and what you’re trying to do.</p><p>00:20:48.720 –&gt; 00:20:59.550 Zeb Smathers: And if you do that, time and time again, you will find common ground that you may not agree on everything, but if you can find those common issues you can push it forward.</p><p>00:20:59.850 –&gt; 00:21:05.460 Zeb Smathers: You know and it’s amazing how about New York City New York New York city’s just a bunch of little small towns, but very.</p><p>00:21:07.050 –&gt; 00:21:07.500 Zeb Smathers: Energy.</p><p>00:21:07.530 –&gt; 00:21:08.400 Joseph McElroy: A lot of little small.</p><p>00:21:09.330 –&gt; 00:21:16.410 Zeb Smathers: But I think I think North Carolina especially but also across the United States, even in these large cities, you know you can call them burrows.</p><p>00:21:17.070 –&gt; 00:21:28.830 Zeb Smathers: Is that if you understand small towns and where people you know their past and what got them where they are man Do you realize how many similarities, we may have different accents we may have different Barbecue.</p><p>00:21:28.830 –&gt; 00:21:38.250 Zeb Smathers: sauces but truly we have so many common denominators that link us, and if you carry the conversation, you can actually get things done.</p><p>00:21:38.910 –&gt; 00:21:44.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah we if you look at, even though you’re talking about you look at kind of co-op boards you look at.</p><p>00:21:45.030 –&gt; 00:21:48.480 Joseph McElroy: Historical societies and a few hundred people and Members, and you have aboard.</p><p>00:21:48.720 –&gt; 00:21:55.050 Joseph McElroy: I mean those are all like small towns being run with a board and the President and they’re all dealing with the same exact issues.</p><p>00:21:55.290 –&gt; 00:22:06.720 Joseph McElroy: Many, many times in the city you know when I was doing that I record I recognize the same issues my dad went through is the mayor of a small town hey I’m in this historical society I’m dealing with the same issue.</p><p>00:22:09.360 –&gt; 00:22:15.090 Joseph McElroy: Well let’s get back to Canton and you know and some things there I like to talk about some of the special stuff and we’re going to get to but.</p><p>00:22:15.450 –&gt; 00:22:29.130 Joseph McElroy: I do not leave your father behind the last thing is, I noticed that he helped lead the effort to create that small Smathers farmer and public market, which I think is a really cool thing and in Canton, they have music there and all sorts of stuff.</p><p>00:22:30.120 –&gt; 00:22:34.950 Zeb Smathers: Well, you really can’t be a small town and the 21st century, unless you have a brewery and a farmers market.</p><p>00:22:34.980 –&gt; 00:22:35.610 Joseph McElroy: there you go.</p><p>00:22:36.840 –&gt; 00:22:38.520 Joseph McElroy: don’t forget to go to have a church too.</p><p>00:22:38.760 –&gt; 00:22:39.060 church.</p><p>00:22:42.030 –&gt; 00:22:42.270 Joseph McElroy: But.</p><p>00:22:42.540 –&gt; 00:22:53.310 Zeb Smathers: We have wonderful bear water brewing and that was a huge success for us several years ago they do a great job, but yet again, one of those big ideas that you know, sometimes that just we’re doing this and I just.</p><p>00:22:53.580 –&gt; 00:23:04.050 Zeb Smathers: He doesn’t even give me time to add my input as many fathers don’t to their students, but we have these wonderful farmers market that brings people together with music beer crafts.</p><p>00:23:04.560 –&gt; 00:23:17.220 Zeb Smathers: And again, it, you know it’s in the parking lot of my grandfather’s supermarket where our law offices, now that for so many years, you know wasn’t gathering spot over the same things it was stories, it was food a.</p><p>00:23:18.180 –&gt; 00:23:29.340 Zeb Smathers: a lot has changed since the 80s, but again to have some Smathers market return in some regards and bring people together, you know for dad and my uncle Max Max my others and.</p><p>00:23:29.730 –&gt; 00:23:38.670 Zeb Smathers: And their kids and this all the ones that are connected to Smathers market, but again, it makes my point valid where it’s different.</p><p>00:23:39.720 –&gt; 00:23:48.150 Zeb Smathers: But it’s something new, but it’s a throwback to the past, you know and that’s important again howdy in that new energy.</p><p>00:23:48.600 –&gt; 00:24:04.890 Zeb Smathers: But it goes back to your past of bringing people together over food and fellowship and commonalities and it’s the perfect example again know where you’re from what got you here, but also not be afraid to evolve it and listen and make changes, but not lose your soul.</p><p>00:24:05.340 –&gt; 00:24:09.660 Joseph McElroy: You know there’s academic research that I become something of an expert.</p><p>00:24:10.230 –&gt; 00:24:14.790 Joseph McElroy: For the marketing side enough from the academic side about something called memorable tourism experiences.</p><p>00:24:15.180 –&gt; 00:24:19.560 Joseph McElroy: and part of that is cultural tourism and cultural heritage tourism.</p><p>00:24:19.890 –&gt; 00:24:27.270 Joseph McElroy: And there’s actually lots of evidence that so that if you stay true to your cultural heritage and really emphasize and develop that, as you know.</p><p>00:24:27.570 –&gt; 00:24:37.770 Joseph McElroy: And you know and use it as a part of your marketing and your approach to how you build your infrastructure and stuff like that it actually is highly successful in attracting tourism.</p><p>00:24:38.100 –&gt; 00:24:50.370 Joseph McElroy: And it’s authentic how Haywood County can avoid becoming I mean I love Gatlinburg I love you know Pigeon Forge for what they are, but they’re very commercialized and Haywood county is not becoming like that so far.</p><p>00:24:50.670 –&gt; 00:24:54.180 Joseph McElroy: Right, and I think that that’s a great success of what we’re doing.</p><p>00:24:54.630 –&gt; 00:24:55.020 Zeb Smathers: mm hmm.</p><p>00:24:55.200 –&gt; 00:25:08.580 Zeb Smathers: yeah absolutely and again is you know, in your background, you see a champion, as I tell some friends that do live in New York City, you know you have my skyscrapers you have your skyscrapers and I have mine, you know my mountains and.</p><p>00:25:09.360 –&gt; 00:25:10.140 Joseph McElroy: Exactly.</p><p>00:25:11.070 –&gt; 00:25:18.840 Zeb Smathers: How many people in marketing are drawn to places like Canton because you know what they’re for manufacturing towns are they remember going in visit their grandparents.</p><p>00:25:19.140 –&gt; 00:25:28.140 Zeb Smathers: And it’s amazing they’ll come across a store a memory, a smell, and it will they will go back decades.</p><p>00:25:28.800 –&gt; 00:25:42.060 Zeb Smathers: grandparents farm or you know the where their father lived in Ohio or a cold town in West Virginia, and this at it ignites this memory and energy and, more importantly, puts a smile on their face and.</p><p>00:25:42.390 –&gt; 00:25:45.180 Joseph McElroy: So Haywood County can still do that it hasn’t.</p><p>00:25:45.180 –&gt; 00:25:53.190 Joseph McElroy: become this huge commercialized empire it’s become very authentic I mean it’s very successful now and becoming more so, but it hasn’t been.</p><p>00:25:53.580 –&gt; 00:26:03.630 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely, so one last thing before we move on from the history, you know you know my father back in the day is Mayra’s tried to do something, where he would.</p><p>00:26:03.990 –&gt; 00:26:09.900 Joseph McElroy: He would have the town by this old motel that had you know that was near the festival grounds and would become an artist.</p><p>00:26:10.680 –&gt; 00:26:23.100 Joseph McElroy: sponsored our artists to come community, of course, it didn’t go over, but I know it’s something I would like to see happen, is there any ideas that your dad had but didn’t get implemented that you think you would like to pursue.</p><p>00:26:24.900 –&gt; 00:26:30.030 Zeb Smathers: A lot of them, we have accomplished and I’ve tried to give credit where credit is due, and I.</p><p>00:26:30.030 –&gt; 00:26:30.390 Zeb Smathers: Probably.</p><p>00:26:30.720 –&gt; 00:26:40.020 Zeb Smathers: The better job with that you know I’ve we’ve talked about the Co OPS, I think there’s a great success for co OPS, the farmers market was a big one.</p><p>00:26:41.190 –&gt; 00:26:47.040 Zeb Smathers: That is a really good question um you know I think again having more.</p><p>00:26:47.880 –&gt; 00:26:55.230 Zeb Smathers: I would like to see more people get involved and encourage you to know, a downtown business association, but I’m a big believer.</p><p>00:26:55.590 –&gt; 00:27:11.160 Zeb Smathers: That that’s not the government’s job to do yeah I want to see that organically come from business owners and have them have a stake in it will help any way that we can, but people need skin in the game, and it would really be nice to have a good downtown association.</p><p>00:27:12.180 –&gt; 00:27:24.840 Zeb Smathers: And because that opens up tremendous other opportunities from business owners, but again that’s something for our business owners to get involved with but we’re only to that point for years and years, we had no businesses to do it organization.</p><p>00:27:24.930 –&gt; 00:27:25.350 and</p><p>00:27:26.490 –&gt; 00:27:35.790 Zeb Smathers: In 2013 we had about 20% occupancy right downtown we’re now up near 90 and I’m very proud of that watching our downtown come back to life.</p><p>00:27:36.480 –&gt; 00:27:42.780 Joseph McElroy: By just you know we’re getting close to the end of the break here, I just wanted to before we move on to the next stuff when we’re talking about the things that you’ve done.</p><p>00:27:43.140 –&gt; 00:27:50.160 Joseph McElroy: But I just wanted to do a shout-out that your last year, I think was selected as one of 19 leaders across the country.</p><p>00:27:50.490 –&gt; 00:28:04.980 Joseph McElroy: to join the New Deal development of exceptional American leaders and just a selective national network of state and local elected officials, so I think that’s very proud of crop compliment and I congratulate you on that.</p><p>00:28:06.360 –&gt; 00:28:08.340 Zeb Smathers: Well there’s the worse list I’m probably on but.</p><p>00:28:09.600 –&gt; 00:28:11.700 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re not on the list that I bought.</p><p>00:28:14.130 –&gt; 00:28:20.040 Joseph McElroy: All right, let’s take a break and we’ll come back we’ll start talking about the flood and the bicycle park.</p><p> </p><p>00:30:26.730 –&gt; 00:30:37.050 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcasts. My guest is Zeb Smathers Mayor of Canton North Carolina.</p><p>00:30:37.830 –&gt; 00:30:46.920 Joseph McElroy: You talked about, you know how there was this you know things seem to be going downhill but there’s now been a resurgence and you’ve led the way for this resurgence of Canton.</p><p>00:30:47.370 –&gt; 00:30:56.190 Joseph McElroy: And you know and I’ve been here the whole time I came every you know for 30 years I’ve been coming every six weeks back, they would count and never you know, Miss more than.</p><p>00:30:56.610 –&gt; 00:31:06.390 Joseph McElroy: Two months at a time and spend a week here, you know family other things I’ve got to do here, I just love it, it will business has been elsewhere now been here quite a lot, because of the business and Maggie.</p><p>00:31:06.870 –&gt; 00:31:16.140 Joseph McElroy: And, especially in the past few years I’ve been going through Canton, you know what I just noticed that resurgence like I think you’re one of the first towns and started putting out these barrels of flowers in them.</p><p>00:31:16.650 –&gt; 00:31:21.450 Joseph McElroy: right that was pretty cool because now, all the other towns copied it right yeah.</p><p>00:31:22.830 –&gt; 00:31:29.610 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the new shops and restaurants and things and then breweries that you’ve brought there because it’s pretty exciting, I think.</p><p>00:31:29.970 –&gt; 00:31:32.700 Zeb Smathers: yeah and I’ll try to name them all because each of them is special.</p><p>00:31:33.090 –&gt; 00:31:41.520 Zeb Smathers: And again I’m just part of a good great team I’ve got a great group of elected officials Democrats and Republicans in our town employees are absolutely amazing.</p><p>00:31:41.760 –&gt; 00:31:56.370 Zeb Smathers: They don’t just believe in their job they believe that are making a difference and so I’m just part of a good a very, very good team, but I mean the first and is actually you know, a building that the dad owns the imperial it was the original.</p><p>00:31:57.600 –&gt; 00:32:05.010 Zeb Smathers: This Victorian Hotel goes back to the 1890s it actually was here before the Biltmore house was built in Asheville.</p><p>00:32:05.640 –&gt; 00:32:14.310 Zeb Smathers: And over the course of a decade dad had been renovating it in a piece by piece and another one those ideas I’m not sure I ever thought would happen, but.</p><p>00:32:15.000 –&gt; 00:32:25.290 Zeb Smathers: It is a lot, it was the spark and now there’s a wonderful restaurant there to southern porch has the absolute best Bourbon selection in Western North Carolina I’m a Bourbon guy, so I have an.</p><p>00:32:26.790 –&gt; 00:32:27.750 Zeb Smathers: expert on that.</p><p>00:32:28.470 –&gt; 00:32:29.220 Joseph McElroy: An old fashioned.</p><p>00:32:29.490 –&gt; 00:32:30.720 Zeb Smathers: yeah exactly and.</p><p>00:32:30.720 –&gt; 00:32:32.430 Joseph McElroy: Put it aside put in a speakeasy.</p><p>00:32:32.460 –&gt; 00:32:33.690 Joseph McElroy: we’re gonna have some smoky oh.</p><p>00:32:33.690 –&gt; 00:32:37.200 Zeb Smathers: Nice very nice, let me, let me just let me know when that happens.</p><p>00:32:38.640 –&gt; 00:32:43.500 Zeb Smathers: You know it’s it was the first restaurant it wasn’t the southern portion then it was said domain.</p><p>00:32:44.130 –&gt; 00:32:53.910 Zeb Smathers: And the owners, then believe in Canton and it was you know it sounds crazy looking back, it was the first real true restaurant Canton had in decades, especially when the first serve alcohol.</p><p>00:32:54.390 –&gt; 00:33:04.140 Zeb Smathers: And it started the Canton come back That was our hashtag because again to be a small town you gotta have a brewery got a farmers market he had to have a hashtag and ours come back.</p><p>00:33:04.650 –&gt; 00:33:18.600 Zeb Smathers: Because that’s exactly what it was American loves to come back story and that’s what we did, and I’m still doing, but we have places like the Southern Porch we have Jay Rose, you know great Philly cheese hamburgers you gotta have a hamburger place.</p><p>00:33:18.690 –&gt; 00:33:22.050 Zeb Smathers: Right, we have the Pigeon River Mercantile.</p><p>00:33:23.070 –&gt; 00:33:27.180 Zeb Smathers: You know these paper town crafts, with all of these.</p><p>00:33:27.930 –&gt; 00:33:36.060 Zeb Smathers: shops have started up paper town coffee I would put paper town coffee up against any coffee shop in New York City now I’m sure I’ll get some.</p><p>00:33:36.420 –&gt; 00:33:44.220 Zeb Smathers: comments about that, but I’m truly but this couple, could you know they are truly artists in the coffee world.</p><p>00:33:44.550 –&gt; 00:33:53.430 Zeb Smathers: And they could have gone anywhere in North Carolina or the United States and they chose can’t and because they were drawn again to all the stuff we talked about to our comeback story.</p><p>00:33:53.790 –&gt; 00:34:07.110 Zeb Smathers: And you know the people and how we have a such a sense of community-based based around what we are and who we are and what we stand for, and so we have attracted so many businesses, like those and bear waters brewing.</p><p>00:34:08.640 –&gt; 00:34:16.320 Zeb Smathers: Their waters are done an amazing job, both here and Maggie Valley and Waynesville again being on the river, you know we have.</p><p>00:34:16.740 –&gt; 00:34:28.470 Zeb Smathers: For years and years, we didn’t realize how lucky we were to have the River now people we have breweries own it we have people to bring it in the summer I mean I was my sister’s house is on the river.</p><p>00:34:28.950 –&gt; 00:34:43.500 Zeb Smathers: And I remember during covid I mean people would float down and the course being a mayor, I want to know where they were from it was places Raleigh, Atlanta, Chicago floating down the very same river I floated down, but now, people are paying good money to float down that river.</p><p>00:34:45.180 –&gt; 00:34:54.870 Zeb Smathers: It is things like that, but again it’s these businesses that are very much part of us like I said the coffee place it’s paper town coffee, we are a paper town.</p><p>00:34:55.890 –&gt; 00:35:08.940 Joseph McElroy: that’s an interesting thing I mean because I see a lot of times when you’re talking about the town, especially tourism, you say we’re not a tourist town we’re a mill town, but yet you got all these things and starting to have tourists come there.</p><p>00:35:09.060 –&gt; 00:35:22.140 Zeb Smathers: yeah because people because we’re different nothing against any other cities or towns in western Carolina, but a lot of are somewhat indistinguishable and tourism, and here we stand out we’re a paper mill town, so I think again when you’re different.</p><p>00:35:22.710 –&gt; 00:35:26.820 Zeb Smathers: When you have something else to sell and your story’s a little bit different.</p><p>00:35:27.330 –&gt; 00:35:38.280 Zeb Smathers: People are drawn to that because it is different and, especially, once again, people are coming to place what you see, is what you get and I’m not saying we’re not perfect and have flaws, but I promise you, the people of the Canton.</p><p>00:35:38.880 –&gt; 00:35:42.660 Zeb Smathers: What you see, is what you get and there’s a boolean that they’re really.</p><p>00:35:42.810 –&gt; 00:35:45.120 Joseph McElroy: You know, being in Middletown everybody probably knows and we.</p><p>00:35:45.120 –&gt; 00:35:53.760 Joseph McElroy: can’t we can’t ignore it, but back in the day used to smell really bad all the time and people would tell me who can’t say well that’s the smell of money.</p><p>00:35:54.630 –&gt; 00:36:05.430 Joseph McElroy: Now I noticed it’s cleaned up a lot but occasionally there’s a little bit how bad how How often is the owner there and as it gets even better than that it wasn’t bad when I was there.</p><p>00:36:05.640 –&gt; 00:36:12.630 Zeb Smathers: I can’t say enough about the evergreen pag gene and what they’ve been able to do with the environment I work with my first project is an older man was helping.</p><p>00:36:13.350 –&gt; 00:36:20.670 Zeb Smathers: One of the bowlers switch from coal over to natural gas they’ve done such a great job and like anyone else, we have a long way to go.</p><p>00:36:21.000 –&gt; 00:36:27.570 Zeb Smathers: But I remember when I was younger going back and again we have flaws, the River used to be covered with the phone.</p><p>00:36:28.230 –&gt; 00:36:31.800 Zeb Smathers: There used to sit on the cars, the older was every day.</p><p>00:36:32.280 –&gt; 00:36:44.760 Zeb Smathers: and actually looking back how no one stepped up early decades ago, so this is wrong, but now you know you used to cut you couldn’t fish below the meal Now you can fish below the meal it’s things like that, but.</p><p>00:36:45.240 –&gt; 00:36:50.910 Zeb Smathers: we’re working with evergreen and on a lot of different projects because we don’t want to stop we want to keep getting better.</p><p>00:36:51.180 –&gt; 00:36:59.880 Zeb Smathers: And again, I think if there’s a breakdown there’s a problem with a meal that you’re catching odor every once in a while that’s not stopping us from growing and that’s again.</p><p>00:37:00.030 –&gt; 00:37:10.830 Joseph McElroy: I wasn’t even the one day I happen to catch up with everything that it was, it was not bad it wasn’t like you know the soul from hell coming in going in and your sinuses.</p><p>00:37:12.750 –&gt; 00:37:17.250 Joseph McElroy: Like it used to be, it was like barely bear oh I smell that okay yeah.</p><p>00:37:18.990 –&gt; 00:37:32.100 Joseph McElroy: And that was you know, I was there, several times, and that was there was only one time that there was a smell, so you know it’s not I don’t think it’s a problem with the milton’s has been highly their technology work with them has been highly successful so.</p><p>00:37:33.180 –&gt; 00:37:46.650 Joseph McElroy: Put you’ve had some problems recently right, which has been a sort of a big story you’ve had a couple floods right and hence it like bear water got destroyed and a couple other things, how how was that for you and how you been recovering from.</p><p>00:37:46.650 –&gt; 00:37:57.630 Zeb Smathers: That, in August 16 17th of last year, out of nowhere without any warning, we knew we’re going to get a lot of rain about 330 that afternoon.</p><p>00:37:58.230 –&gt; 00:38:06.300 Zeb Smathers: canton haywood county was hit with a tremendous flood event from the remnants of tropical storm Fred.</p><p>00:38:06.870 –&gt; 00:38:16.590 Zeb Smathers: Six lives were lost 300 homes are downtown businesses by the River were completely flooded you’re talking about 20 feet of water.</p><p>00:38:17.460 –&gt; 00:38:31.590 Zeb Smathers: Going back to that in oh four we had floods and so forth, to hurricanes back to back, they said they were 500 year floods, we made it 17 years luckily I was able to lean on dad for a lot of emergency management.</p><p>00:38:32.730 –&gt; 00:38:39.330 Zeb Smathers: You know a lot of lives were saved common citizens jumped in the water, again, this was a flash flood and an hour and a half.</p><p>00:38:39.840 –&gt; 00:38:54.750 Zeb Smathers: It came out of nowhere at one point I had to jump in and getting people out of the water, but so many others did and, if not the death toll would have been possibly into the hundreds, especially if it was later in the day and schools were out most of our bridges were knocked out.</p><p>00:38:56.400 –&gt; 00:39:04.500 Zeb Smathers: And it was such an event, you just cannot explain in the intensity of the water, the level of water was similar to.</p><p>00:39:05.940 –&gt; 00:39:21.030 Zeb Smathers: But there were places they got flooded and oh four that are no longer standing you can call it, global warming and climate change, whatever, but I think a lot of us realize that the intensity of these storms and what we’re seeing across the United States.</p><p>00:39:22.350 –&gt; 00:39:28.890 Zeb Smathers: We need to have discussions, we should be having discussions, because how can I build back a town, how can I have manufacturing.</p><p>00:39:29.370 –&gt; 00:39:42.300 Zeb Smathers: went on any given summer is going to be knocked down in a mountain town we’re talking about major flooding that you’d expect on in the coast in a small mountain time but they come up from the Gulf these hurricanes come straight up from the Gulf lot of energy.</p><p>00:39:43.350 –&gt; 00:39:46.110 Zeb Smathers: And they dumped on us and so again.</p><p>00:39:47.250 –&gt; 00:39:57.360 Zeb Smathers: out of nowhere, and this was an August my sister lost her home least the bottom part of her home, I say this just to make a point on August 2 my sister tragically lost her husband.</p><p>00:39:59.280 –&gt; 00:40:12.000 Zeb Smathers: Two weeks later, she loses her home and then, all this is all the chaos and I say that because you know as Mayor and watching your little sister go through that there’s not words.</p><p>00:40:12.330 –&gt; 00:40:30.270 Zeb Smathers: But myself, especially people who did lose those six families that lost people, the people of haywood county to dig deep and with the benefit of everybody from politicians to prayers across the United States and me, I had we had people on supplies being sent to us, you know from Hawaii.</p><p>00:40:31.650 –&gt; 00:40:32.880 Joseph McElroy: moto motels and Maggie we’re putting.</p><p>00:40:32.880 –&gt; 00:40:33.750 Zeb Smathers: motels and lagging.</p><p>00:40:33.870 –&gt; 00:40:44.490 Zeb Smathers: Everybody coming together in these moments of tragedy and i’ve said time and time again, it is tragic that it takes tragedies to bring us together and bring out the best in people.</p><p>00:40:45.330 –&gt; 00:40:58.950 Zeb Smathers: You watch people that lost everything find a way and even today to recover and i’m I don’t care if you’re a mayor, I don’t care where you are when you hear these stories recovery and they happen every single day and people coming together.</p><p>00:40:59.340 –&gt; 00:41:08.850 Zeb Smathers: Especially in these times, it gives you that push to keep going so when people ask me said hey you know you’ve been through a lot, how are you doing you keep going.</p><p>00:41:09.120 –&gt; 00:41:09.600 Zeb Smathers: that’s what.</p><p>00:41:09.690 –&gt; 00:41:11.730 Joseph McElroy: You doing the mountain, so you you’ve done.</p><p>00:41:12.210 –&gt; 00:41:20.970 Joseph McElroy: you’ve done an amazing job you know the you know the lots of the infrastructure is backup bear water bruins backup you know Maggie has a version of the.</p><p>00:41:21.330 –&gt; 00:41:29.790 Joseph McElroy: One of the Alex bear water for a while it was the main one, and now the main ones back open up and can, and you did an amazing job, what is the.</p><p>00:41:30.660 –&gt; 00:41:36.900 Joseph McElroy: You know I don’t want to get too much into climate change and discussing that we could go on for an hour about yeah the solutions for the world.</p><p>00:41:37.320 –&gt; 00:41:50.760 Joseph McElroy: What specifically can can do to help alleviate the future things and I don’t want to give you a long discussion about this, a lot of time, but do you have any quick things to reassure people that were taken action to make it less dangerous.</p><p>00:41:51.150 –&gt; 00:42:01.620 Zeb Smathers: yeah our our obligation is no matter what we do, rebuilding back moving things we have to ask the question, what can we do to help mitigate future storms again.</p><p>00:42:01.920 –&gt; 00:42:11.880 Zeb Smathers: In 2004, we were told, would it be another 500 years before this happened, we made it 17 and so everything we do is we build back, we have to see.</p><p>00:42:12.300 –&gt; 00:42:23.610 Zeb Smathers: Whether on a large scale, or a small scale, what we can do and it’s not easy just tearing everything down again we have to fight for our soul and much like cove and how do we balance safety.</p><p>00:42:24.780 –&gt; 00:42:37.050 Zeb Smathers: without sacrificing you know our soul and as we rebuild you know some things, whether it be historic theaters or armories or stadiums they’re going back, but in small ways we’re looking at what can we do.</p><p>00:42:37.410 –&gt; 00:42:46.830 Zeb Smathers: To mitigate future damages, but also where are we building homes, where we building businesses and that’s, not just in the floodplains that’s all tops like you said in Maggie.</p><p>00:42:47.280 –&gt; 00:42:56.820 Zeb Smathers: All that increases water flow so having those discussions calmly about what we can do we shouldn’t be doing anything unless we understand.</p><p>00:42:57.090 –&gt; 00:43:09.870 Zeb Smathers: The world we live in, whether we like it or not, or understand everything it’s a reality, and I think part of leadership is not leading in a world that we wish that there was, we have to leave in the world that is and follow those reasons.</p><p>00:43:10.140 –&gt; 00:43:17.610 Joseph McElroy: that’s a great answer so we’re going to take a break and then we’ll come back and finish up talking about chest that mountain Barker I think everybody’s excited by that.</p><p>00:43:21.630 –&gt; 00:43:22.230 www.TalkRadio.nyc: Everybody.</p><p>00:43:22.260 –&gt; 00:43:25.290 www.TalkRadio.nyc: Is cami D, the nonprofit sector connected coming at you.</p><p>00:43:25.290 –&gt; 00:43:32.850 www.TalkRadio.nyc: From my attic each week here on talk radio dot nyc I host program philanthropy and nonprofit nonprofits in practice.</p><p>00:43:33.360 –&gt; 00:43:44.970 www.TalkRadio.nyc: Every day and it’s my focus that helps amplify their message tell their story listen each week at 10am Eastern standard time until 11am Eastern standard time right here on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:43:48.630 –&gt; 00:43:57.780 www.TalkRadio.nyc: You may have many unanswered questions regarding your health are you looking to live a healthier lifestyle, do you have a desire to learn more about mental health and enhance your quality of life.</p><p>00:43:58.110 –&gt; 00:44:07.290 www.TalkRadio.nyc: Or do you just want to participate in self understanding and awareness i’m frank are Harrison host of frank about health any Thursday I will tackle these questions and work to enlighten you.</p><p>00:44:07.740 –&gt; 00:44:13.890 www.TalkRadio.nyc: tune in every Griffin 5pm on talk radio dot nyc and I will be frank about help to advocate for all of us.</p><p>00:44:20.790 –&gt; 00:44:21.930 owning all got loaders.</p><p>00:44:23.130 –&gt; 00:44:38.130 avengers assemble on the professionals and animal lovers show we believe the bond between animal lovers is incredibly strong it mirrors that bond between pets and their owners, through this program we come together to learn educate and advocate.</p><p>00:44:39.960 –&gt; 00:44:43.830 Every Wednesday at 2pm and talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:44:47.430 –&gt; 00:44:55.590 www.TalkRadio.nyc: Listening to talk radio nyc at www talk radio dot nyc now broadcasting 24 hours.</p><p>00:45:19.980 –&gt; 00:45:28.710 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and I guess eps matters and the Mayor of can North Carolina so.</p><p>00:45:29.070 –&gt; 00:45:42.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah these strategies, you also had an economic resurgence resurgence, but somehow you also were able to raise $600,000 maybe more to acquire 450 acres of land and you’ve built a state of the art park outside of can.</p><p>00:45:43.140 –&gt; 00:45:46.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s called chest out market mountain Park, can you tell us about that far.</p><p>00:45:46.800 –&gt; 00:46:03.330 Zeb Smathers: yeah absolutely but two years ago now, I received a phone call from honey mujer she’s the Executive Director of the southern appalachian conservancy and what this group does is throughout the mountains, they purchase and help preserve mountain land, which is so important.</p><p>00:46:04.710 –&gt; 00:46:14.250 Zeb Smathers: You know as much as we love, economic development and manufacturing, we cannot just give away or develop every piece of want to god’s greatest treasures and.</p><p>00:46:14.970 –&gt; 00:46:28.050 Zeb Smathers: So she says, I have this idea and there’s there’s 450 acres located chestnut mountain outside right outside the city limits back in the early 1990s, there was plans to make it a nascar track those fell through.</p><p>00:46:29.130 –&gt; 00:46:35.100 Zeb Smathers: There has been a lot of crazy ideas through the years there’s been talk of everything from.</p><p>00:46:36.120 –&gt; 00:46:44.790 Zeb Smathers: You know meeting locations and camping to rock stories and so, with the help of public and private partnerships.</p><p>00:46:45.270 –&gt; 00:47:02.070 Zeb Smathers: Southern appalachian was able to purchase that property and we’ll hand the keys over in April in our grand opening and we’re, it is a 450 acre absolutely amazing beautiful land for outdoor recreation and a major part of it is going to be mountain bikes.</p><p>00:47:03.240 –&gt; 00:47:16.350 Zeb Smathers: A well known mountain biker from asheville has raised probably over about $280,000 to open, something it burn park it’s his personal park open to the public.</p><p>00:47:17.100 –&gt; 00:47:22.650 Zeb Smathers: And again it’s the perfect example if something’s going to bring in new people new ideas economic growth.</p><p>00:47:23.100 –&gt; 00:47:31.350 Zeb Smathers: But it doesn’t change, who we are it’s used to the mountains it’s low impact it preserves his land and the beauty.</p><p>00:47:31.890 –&gt; 00:47:38.490 Zeb Smathers: Of and it’s just that perfect situation and it sits on the bumpkin county where asheville is located and haywood county line.</p><p>00:47:38.970 –&gt; 00:47:53.730 Zeb Smathers: And I love the show’s called gateway to the smokies one of my favorite quotes is from Walt Disney that if you want to control the experience control the entrance haywood county in canton where the gateway the smokies if you come West or.</p><p>00:47:53.730 –&gt; 00:47:54.900 Joseph McElroy: Heaven yes.</p><p>00:47:54.990 –&gt; 00:48:12.300 Zeb Smathers: We can West asheville whether it’s waynesville Maggie valley Western Carolina university cherokee Murphy any of those places, you have to pass through can either through the interstate or old asheville highway where this park is located and to put this park.</p><p>00:48:13.410 –&gt; 00:48:24.600 Zeb Smathers: at the entrance of the smokies it speaks volumes about what we are what we intend to be and again the economic growth, I know very little about mountain mountain biking.</p><p>00:48:25.320 –&gt; 00:48:25.890 Joseph McElroy: can be viewed.</p><p>00:48:26.280 –&gt; 00:48:36.480 Zeb Smathers: As not my field, I do know something about economic impact, and you know going for a hike and then wanting to get a beer afterwards or getting a T shirt going to eat.</p><p>00:48:36.990 –&gt; 00:48:45.570 Zeb Smathers: And if we can open our arms of outdoor recreation and then, once they get can get the Maggie valley get them the cherokee tell our story.</p><p>00:48:46.560 –&gt; 00:48:56.370 Zeb Smathers: You know I think that’s part of the experience that we want to provide, and it goes back to flood recovery is we build back canton you know in our REC part we’re going to we are raising money.</p><p>00:48:56.940 –&gt; 00:49:02.640 Zeb Smathers: We want to build an absolute fantastic and large all abilities playground because.</p><p>00:49:03.060 –&gt; 00:49:10.500 Zeb Smathers: When you come back from a flood people are going to ask you, you know what are you focusing on if we can do something in our REC park.</p><p>00:49:10.980 –&gt; 00:49:20.640 Zeb Smathers: That that smiles on children’s faces and families faces, no matter what they’ve been through in life, especially if they’re if they’re they’re suffering from special needs.</p><p>00:49:21.330 –&gt; 00:49:33.330 Zeb Smathers: Especially in these times, where kids and families, we need a smile again we’re back and we don’t want Kobe to take more from us than it already has and it’s taking so many and so many lives.</p><p>00:49:33.900 –&gt; 00:49:34.260 Zeb Smathers: and</p><p>00:49:34.470 –&gt; 00:49:35.940 Zeb Smathers: What that is our forefront.</p><p>00:49:36.030 –&gt; 00:49:41.550 Joseph McElroy: To say make it, you know, everybody can enjoy it, I agree with you, you.</p><p>00:49:42.300 –&gt; 00:49:52.860 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the things exciting to me is i’ve read that there’s something called a type bike trail that’s going to be in this new area, I have three and a half year olds, you know so they’re writing their little bikes down but executive be.</p><p>00:49:53.160 –&gt; 00:49:57.750 Zeb Smathers: Well, hopefully plays like my two year old you can turn loose safely, let me get some energy out, for they come home.</p><p>00:49:58.530 –&gt; 00:50:00.030 Joseph McElroy: found biking for tops.</p><p>00:50:01.140 –&gt; 00:50:04.050 Zeb Smathers: Come one it’s a byob bring your own box.</p><p>00:50:04.050 –&gt; 00:50:04.470 So.</p><p>00:50:06.240 –&gt; 00:50:23.820 Zeb Smathers: Once again, I mean we see that’s what’s in many parts of West, North Carolina it’s retirees its people moving here from different places in eastern haywood we’re focusing on young families, we won’t young families our school system, I became schools is ranked number 11th in North Carolina.</p><p>00:50:24.840 –&gt; 00:50:33.360 Zeb Smathers: We love our sports we love our schools, I mean we can provide the total package, but again, we love having people come visit us and and move here.</p><p>00:50:33.750 –&gt; 00:50:44.790 Zeb Smathers: But it’s important to us that we don’t lose who we are and if we lean into that I think we can have the best of both worlds and people will be drawn to us because of our past, present and also our future.</p><p>00:50:45.210 –&gt; 00:50:51.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah I agree with you, if you celebrate your good heritage of you live it and live the good heritage.</p><p>00:50:51.720 –&gt; 00:50:58.200 Joseph McElroy: Then, your heritage, the people coming in to adopt it instead of you adopting there’s right, so you know the.</p><p>00:50:58.470 –&gt; 00:51:09.420 Joseph McElroy: You know that’s all we celebrate dance and music and fishing and all these things at the middle art because it’s about promoting a positive a positive experience of mountain culture.</p><p>00:51:09.960 –&gt; 00:51:15.930 Joseph McElroy: So these are a little bit more details, I just wanted for the viewers, do you know how long these biking trails are going to be.</p><p>00:51:16.680 –&gt; 00:51:17.430 Zeb Smathers: How long.</p><p>00:51:17.730 –&gt; 00:51:20.850 Joseph McElroy: Do they have any measurements how much how many miles.</p><p>00:51:21.510 –&gt; 00:51:35.670 Zeb Smathers: pins I mean long term we the money, you spoke of we received about $750,000 of grant money from the state which will allow us to really complete the second phase and there’s going to be the largest rails to trails the top the outdoor classrooms.</p><p>00:51:36.750 –&gt; 00:51:45.780 Zeb Smathers: I think the the I don’t know the exact length, but the barn Park, you know these are the jumps, these are the you know the barrels and.</p><p>00:51:45.780 –&gt; 00:51:46.140 Joseph McElroy: All the.</p><p>00:51:46.410 –&gt; 00:51:47.880 Joseph McElroy: Other fancy stuff right.</p><p>00:51:48.150 –&gt; 00:51:50.910 Zeb Smathers: fancy you know the the fancy stuff out there, so.</p><p>00:51:51.390 –&gt; 00:51:53.550 Joseph McElroy: world class of biking facility right.</p><p>00:51:53.610 –&gt; 00:52:02.040 Zeb Smathers: yeah, this is not something that was very important to myself and our elected officials that if we’re going to do this we’re going to do it throughout way, and so this is state of the art.</p><p>00:52:02.460 –&gt; 00:52:11.820 Zeb Smathers: done by amazing contractors that have just really no use the land, I mean the mountains themselves create trials and they create jumps, so this is not.</p><p>00:52:12.960 –&gt; 00:52:16.830 Zeb Smathers: This is again what you see, is what you get, and these are some great mountain bike trails.</p><p>00:52:17.100 –&gt; 00:52:27.600 Joseph McElroy: All right, well cool, then you know we’re going to close it up here I want you to anything else you want to tell our viewers about canton and then any shout out to want to give and where they can find out more information.</p><p>00:52:28.170 –&gt; 00:52:35.820 Zeb Smathers: No, I mean, I think, obviously, Google any of these things are websites explore west, north Carolina our people love to tell our stories.</p><p>00:52:36.570 –&gt; 00:52:47.340 Zeb Smathers: that’s something that is just you know ingrained in us and you know again we’re so much surrounded by food and fellowship but again i’ll go back to the little bit higher and I saw this during the floods and I saw this working with.</p><p>00:52:47.760 –&gt; 00:52:57.840 Zeb Smathers: democrats and Republicans, and this is a message I say I don’t mean this to be political is you know, again we have to make week, we have the decision each day is people.</p><p>00:52:58.590 –&gt; 00:53:05.040 Zeb Smathers: To what type of law for we’re going to live, what type of decisions we’re going to make what are we going to demand from our leaders.</p><p>00:53:05.370 –&gt; 00:53:14.490 Zeb Smathers: And we don’t have to settle for the toxicity and the division that surround us, I once you see what I was able to witness and others.</p><p>00:53:14.910 –&gt; 00:53:21.030 Zeb Smathers: In haywood county during the floods and happens every time there’s a disaster in this country we don’t have to go back.</p><p>00:53:21.480 –&gt; 00:53:30.330 Zeb Smathers: To where the way things were of division and just you know people tearing each other down, we can do better, but you have to demand it because, once you see it.</p><p>00:53:30.630 –&gt; 00:53:38.310 Zeb Smathers: You know it exists, you just you have to lean into it and he can accomplish and so again I don’t want that to be one of the legacies from the floods.</p><p>00:53:38.880 –&gt; 00:53:49.020 Zeb Smathers: Not the death toll, not the destruction, but maybe just maybe we started the walk towards less division and more cooperation and doing things.</p><p>00:53:49.290 –&gt; 00:53:59.370 Zeb Smathers: for the common good, because it does exist and i’m just glad to be part of it with our employees and our elected officials and everyday citizens trying to make haywood county the best place that can be.</p><p>00:53:59.880 –&gt; 00:54:07.230 Joseph McElroy: Well, I congratulate you on what you’ve done so far and I thank you for being on this show it’s been a pleasure talking to you and you’re doing exciting things.</p><p>00:54:07.560 –&gt; 00:54:21.660 Joseph McElroy: I love the biking mountain, because I think that’s gonna be huge tourism thing for the for the for the haywood county and of course me being in tourism itself actually meeting my my personal goals, but I also think it’s great for the Community.</p><p>00:54:22.950 –&gt; 00:54:28.620 Zeb Smathers: Thank you so much it’s been a privilege being part of you, I hope, some of my friends in New York City hard my my southern accent today.</p><p>00:54:29.070 –&gt; 00:54:31.350 Joseph McElroy: So so to let me know if you did.</p><p>00:54:31.620 –&gt; 00:54:51.810 Joseph McElroy: I will, so this has been the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find out more about this podcast by going to smokies adventure calm and there’s a link to all the previous podcasts touching and peruse it’s also This is also done was streamed live on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:54:53.070 –&gt; 00:54:58.500 Joseph McElroy: And that happens every week on Tuesdays from six to seven, this is a wonderful network.</p><p>00:54:58.890 –&gt; 00:55:08.160 Joseph McElroy: I encourage you to investigate other shows on this network, because all live podcast so you get a very dynamic experience listening to things that range from self help.</p><p>00:55:08.550 –&gt; 00:55:19.530 Joseph McElroy: To to New York City to other travel shows to pets and you know it’s it’s a it’s a it’s almost like a Community radio just done in the big city.</p><p>00:55:20.640 –&gt; 00:55:28.800 Joseph McElroy: And I encourage you to come, look at it, I actually have another podcast on this network called wise content creates well, which is about.</p><p>00:55:29.850 –&gt; 00:55:39.270 Joseph McElroy: Marketing and content marketing seo and artificial intelligence in the upcoming all the augmentation of human creativity with Ai.</p><p>00:55:40.290 –&gt; 00:55:48.210 Joseph McElroy: And how that’s necessary for the future of marketing, so I hope you will come and listen to that and that’s on Fridays from noon until one.</p><p>00:55:49.470 –&gt; 00:55:56.070 Joseph McElroy: And I appreciate you being here today and listening to this wonderful program that we had and i’ll see you next week same time.</p> 75266d58-c901-4719-85a3-3a3b21b780a8 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/d5ad1901-51a9-46f2-87c9-d97738f8f34f Tue, 05 Apr 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3043 no full Episode 52: Carrying the Torch for Traditional Cherokee Crafts Episode 52: Carrying the Torch for Traditional Cherokee Crafts Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Tune in with this week&#39;s episode of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast featuring Ed Sharpe as he discusses Medicine Man Crafts and Cherokee craftsmanship.</strong></p><p>Joseph is joined by our special guest, <strong>Ed Sharpe</strong>, Owner and Operator of <a href="https://medicinemancrafts.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Medicine Man Crafts</strong></a> in Cherokee N.C.The business, founded by Tom Underwood in 1963, and later sold to Kay Sharpe—Ed’s late mother – is one of the oldest and most prestigious purveyors of authentic Cherokee crafts on the Qualla Boundary. Ed is also an avid hiker and nature photographer –is proud to carry on the great legacy of true Cherokee culture created by Tom Underwood and Kay Sharpe.</p><p>You will hear from him the history of Cherokee crafts and how the tradition has been passed down to him. Don&#39;t miss this fun interview! </p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/c4NIt46Iwe/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/03/29 - Carrying the Torch for Traditional Cherokee Crafts

Ed Sharpe discusses Medicine Man Crafts and Cherokee Craftsmanship.

Ed Sharpe, Owner, and Operator of Medicine Man Crafts in Cherokee N.C.The business, founded by Tom Underwood in 1963, and later sold to Kay Sharpe—Ed’s late mother – is one of the oldest and most prestigious purveyors of authentic Cherokee crafts on the Qualla Boundary. Ed is also an avid hiker and nature photographer –is proud to carry on the great legacy of true Cherokee culture created by Tom Underwood and Kay Sharpe.

You will hear from him about the history of Cherokee crafts and how the tradition has been passed down to him. Don't miss this fun interview! 

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1

Joseph starts talking about the Meadowlark Motel which is also a sponsor for the show as well as upcoming events. Some upcoming events include a mountain heritage book series happening in Maggie Valley at the motel. He also mentions a fly fishing camp weekend to bring like-minded people together through fishing, songs, campfire and more. Joseph also talks about the Cherokee’s origin story for the Smoky Mountains. He introduces his guest, Ed Sharpe, Owner and Operator of Medicine Man Crafts in Cherokee N.C. The business, founded by Tom Underwood in 1963, and later sold to Kay Sharpe, Ed’s late mother, is one of the oldest and most prestigious purveyors of authentic Cherokee crafts on the Qualla Boundary. Ed is also an avid hiker and nature photographer. Ed talks about his family’s story of how they ended up in Cherokee, North Carolina. He also discusses with Joseph about Medicine Man Crafts and what he knows about Tom Underwood who was the founder.

SEGMENT 2

Ed speaks more about growing up and being around Tom Underwood who was “a part of the family” and an influence on him and his mother. He recalls certain pieces of art growing up as well as playing at the Oconaluftee River. Ed talks about Medicine Man Crafts and their relationship with crafters who have known the store for years. Joseph asks Ed about him leaving for college and getting into a musical career in Asheville. He studied music composition and was also a voice major. Ed found a passion in sound engineering and was in the country music scene where he worked with a lot of people. He also moved into live sound. With his success in his sound engineering career, he decided to make a change as the pandemic came along. His mother was retiring and asked if he would like to take over Medicine Man Crafts, which of course he did. His mother passed away in 2020. Joseph and Ed share a lot in common like growing up in a business and mourning the loss of their mothers around the same time. Ed also talks about the history of the location where the store lives.

SEGMENT 3

Ed talks with Joseph about selling books about herbs and the history of Cherokee and the language. Tom, he says, wrote books about crafting and more. His father and Tom had a business called Cherokee Publications. Things like medicinal herbs are something that Ed has been working on expanding more in the store; he mentions teas, soaps, as well as ceremonial traditions as things people can find in the store. When talking about craft, he sells handcrafted items like wood, pottery, baskets, and stone carvings as well as weaponry items. Ed also mentions crafts from great artists that he carries in the store spanning from generations. Ed and Joseph discuss pottery and stonework. They talk about the culture and traditions revolving around things like wedding pottery, baskets, and Cherokee masks.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:33.420 –> 00:00:36.270 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:00:36.930 –> 00:00:51.960 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountain National Park in the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history in which mountain cultures that we explore weekly.

00:00:53.460 –> 00:01:03.660 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living in great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:04.500 –> 00:01:13.620 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about traditional Cherokee crafts and iconic craft stores, but first I got a few little sponsor message events and things coming up.

00:01:14.430 –> 00:01:23.610 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel, a place for adventure for relaxation.

00:01:24.180 –> 00:01:32.820 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wines or craft beer.

00:01:33.600 –> 00:01:45.510 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place and old-time music world cultural sound, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel, in Maggie Valley, North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:01:48.030 –> 00:01:59.970 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding areas of vacation destination for all seasons some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:00.750 –> 00:02:12.690 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using the smokies adventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure singular .com to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountain National Park.

00:02:13.170 –> 00:02:25.920 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, cades code, and more than check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment during the time your entire family can enjoy if you want you to do things like weddings in the mountain

00:02:26.940 –> 00:02:37.740 Joseph McElroy: To go on a honeymoon and other romantic adventures, the goal of smokies adventures is to become the leading information for portal for adventures and experiences and the great smoky mountains.

00:02:38.940 –> 00:02:40.410 Joseph McElroy: So upcoming events.

00:02:42.270 –> 00:02:50.820 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark Smoky Mountain heritage Center has a heritage book series.

00:02:51.450 –> 00:03:00.630 Joseph McElroy: or your presentation heritage books about the smokies upcoming one is a presentation of the legendary hunters of the southern highlands.

00:03:00.990 –> 00:03:13.200 Joseph McElroy: A century of sport and survival, the great smoky mountains from the heyday of the Cherokee nation on through the 20th century, the great smoky mountains of nurtured seller this most celebrated hunters in American history.

00:03:13.890 –> 00:03:24.390 Joseph McElroy: predicting changes in weather and almost telepathically sensing animal Haber these outdoor doors been released in an extremely with the plan that sustainable.

00:03:25.410 –> 00:03:33.750 Joseph McElroy: Local author and general manager of the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center but I love to read will lovely recall the tales.

00:03:34.080 –> 00:03:45.000 Joseph McElroy: write with characters like artist John the bear is having a killing only enough livestock to eat and one sitting granted him a reputation at once chivalrous and menisci.

00:03:45.510 –> 00:03:55.170 Joseph McElroy: And little George Plott the legendary marksman during World War Two and a hero that lingers among the region’s hardwood floors and misty fulfills.

00:03:55.800 –> 00:04:05.490 Joseph McElroy: the rediscovered era of self-sufficient mountain living with folks labored in logging camps Bruton chided how did for survival and fraught with that, for what they believe.

00:04:06.450 –> 00:04:18.630 Joseph McElroy: it’s on April 9 Saturday, April 9, 4 PM and it’s followed by a book signing by Bob Plott and a Barbecue and music acoustic music at the Meadowlark Motel.

00:04:19.410 –> 00:04:30.780 Joseph McElroy: guest in Heritage Club Members are getting free and others can come for 10 just $10 a person again that’s April 9th at 4 pm at the Meadowlark Motel upcoming in April, also as a fly fishing camp

00:04:32.130 –> 00:04:47.130 Joseph McElroy: the Meadowlark motels are offering a fly fishing camp weekend on April 15 through the 17th and the smoky mountains, our goal is to bring like-minded people together to fly fishing food, drink songs and stories and a campfire.

00:04:48.330 –> 00:04:57.330 Joseph McElroy: Led by Charles Humphrey the third, who was previously on this podcast and is not only a grammy award-winning songwriter who might.

00:04:58.080 –> 00:05:07.470 Joseph McElroy: might be persuaded to break into a few songs around the campfire but he’s also an accomplished expert fly fishing guide and he has a compadre.

00:05:08.250 –> 00:05:19.770 Joseph McElroy: A few compadres are also great fly fishing experts so there’ll be a Friday night fishing tales presentation, and there will be some food there’ll be lodging.

00:05:20.250 –> 00:05:30.990 Joseph McElroy: Saturday night w breakfast and they’ll be a half a day of instruction and four or five hours of intense fishing it will be additional fishing just dinner, or we have a mountain heritage stream in the backyard.

00:05:31.320 –> 00:05:41.880 Joseph McElroy: Barbecue dinner live musical entertainment campers a lot so call 8289261717 to find out more about this fantastic weekend.

00:05:43.200 –> 00:05:51.030 Joseph McElroy: Now I like to try to tie in a little bit of story of poetry or something into the guest’s content that’s coming up.

00:05:51.480 –> 00:06:00.000 Joseph McElroy: And I thought it’d be interesting to talk about the Cherokee’s origin story for the smoky mountains according to legend a long time ago.

00:06:00.750 –> 00:06:14.760 Joseph McElroy: Before selfishness came into the world the Cherokee people were happily sharing the hunting and fishing places with their neighbors all this changed when selfishness came into the world and man began to call.

00:06:16.140 –> 00:06:24.120 Joseph McElroy: The Cherokee Indian quote tribes, and finally the Chiefs of several times tribes met encounter we’re trying to settle the dispute.

00:06:24.840 –> 00:06:37.410 Joseph McElroy: They smoke the pipe and continue to call for seven days and seven nights this displeased the great spirit because people are not supposed to smoke the pipe until they make peace.

00:06:38.130 –> 00:06:54.990 Joseph McElroy: As he looked upon the old men with heads bowed he just decided to do something to remind people to smoke the pipe only at the time they make peace, the great spirit turned the old men into these grayish flowers now called in invites and he made.

00:06:57.210 –> 00:07:06.720 Joseph McElroy: Were friends and relatives had closed he made the smoke hanging over these mountains until all the people all over the world, learn to live together in peace.

00:07:08.460 –> 00:07:17.490 Joseph McElroy: So a man there’s a little bit about the Cherokee and the stories and the folklore and traditions is it guiding Ed Sharpe.

00:07:18.150 –> 00:07:25.530 Joseph McElroy: Ed, he’s the guest tonight ED Sharpe grew up in Swain County is a graduate of Swain County High School and Warren Wilson College.

00:07:26.250 –> 00:07:35.730 Joseph McElroy: After a 25-year career as a musician songwriter, it sounds engineer in Nashville Tennessee Ed and his wife moved back to Swain county in 2018.

00:07:36.060 –> 00:07:41.610 Joseph McElroy: They took over the renowned medicine man craft shop in Cherokee North Carolina.

00:07:42.330 –> 00:08:00.180 Joseph McElroy: The business, founded by Tom Underwood in 1963, and later sold to Kay Sharpe—Ed’s late mother – is one of the oldest and most prestigious purveyors of authentic Cherokee crafts on the Qualla Boundary.  hello Ed, how are you doing?

00:08:01.350 –> 00:08:05.040 Ed Sharpe: Hi, I’m doing good Thank you thanks for having me.

00:08:05.730 –> 00:08:15.990 Joseph McElroy: Oh sure thing, so you know yeah there’s a little bit of you know your story is a little bit reminiscent of what I’m doing I grew up in the Maggie Valley.

00:08:16.470 –> 00:08:24.150 Joseph McElroy: Right and lived in my parents ran a motel you know traditional motel and Maggie Valley, starting in the early 70s.

00:08:24.600 –> 00:08:32.370 Joseph McElroy: I grew up there, and then I will offer a career and I still have that career, because I got a business, but I came back and I.

00:08:33.300 –> 00:08:43.290 Joseph McElroy: took over the motel in 2018 and have been renovating along with my wife, and you know and putting in a lot of things like the ventures and.

00:08:43.800 –> 00:08:57.150 Joseph McElroy: Events and stuff like that we’re doing so, we don’t have a far December path you are music, I was a little bit, the arts, but I mostly a computer and a marketing guy now, but so you know my family.

00:08:58.230 –> 00:09:14.820 Joseph McElroy: You know why I were originally from this area they did go off for a little while then came back in around 6668 something like that to the after about three-four years away so your family came back came into swain county 1966 right.

00:09:15.750 –> 00:09:17.580 Ed Sharpe: that’s right yeah.

00:09:18.360 –> 00:09:19.740 Joseph McElroy: where’s the originally come from.

00:09:21.540 –> 00:09:26.070 Ed Sharpe: We were originally from Greensboro North Carolina and.

00:09:27.540 –> 00:09:38.250 Ed Sharpe: My dad is going to seminary in New Orleans so I spent my preschool years in New Orleans Louisiana and

00:09:39.540 –> 00:09:49.680 Ed Sharpe: it’s a funny story because back in 1958 my dad and mom were married and they honeymooned in Cherokee North Carolina.

00:09:51.000 –> 00:10:01.800 Ed Sharpe: there’s the story that dad saw an old check on the side of the road, and he said man I’d love to live here if I could live in that little dilapidated check.

00:10:04.560 –> 00:10:05.850 Ed Sharpe: As fate would have it.

00:10:06.870 –> 00:10:23.940 Ed Sharpe: When he graduated seminary in New Orleans 66 they placed in Cherokee badness church in the Center of charity and, believe it or not, they put him in a house directly across the road from that little shack.

00:10:26.940 –> 00:10:27.690 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great.

00:10:29.610 –> 00:10:36.510 Ed Sharpe: Little shack loves us but, so I think it was meant for my family to be here yeah.

00:10:36.570 –> 00:10:43.260 Joseph McElroy: that’s amazing well your mom was Kaye Sharpe she and that same year, she started working for the medicine man craft right?

00:10:44.640 –> 00:10:46.650 Ed Sharpe: Then or soon after yeah.

00:10:46.710 –> 00:10:48.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah now.

00:10:48.360 –> 00:10:50.910 Joseph McElroy: Tom has a fairly famous guy.

00:10:50.970 –> 00:11:06.540 Joseph McElroy: In these parts, he was the founder of the business, but he was a pretty interesting character and his father was a sort of a well-known guy he was a principal of the school there was highly regarded by the tribe almost an ordinary travel right.

00:11:07.680 –> 00:11:08.910 Ed Sharpe: that’s right yeah.

00:11:09.240 –> 00:11:20.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then Tom was was instrumental in getting the outdoor drama onto these hills, as well as the kind of lucky in the village started in the late 50s and early 60s, is that right.

00:11:21.720 –> 00:11:22.590 Ed Sharpe: that’s right.

00:11:22.890 –> 00:11:26.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah, what do you know about that story that sounds interesting to me.

00:11:27.420 –> 00:11:32.340 Ed Sharpe: You know I don’t know a whole lot about his time there was before my time, but.

00:11:33.510 –> 00:11:48.270 Ed Sharpe: He grew up, as you said, is that was a teacher prominent teacher in the area, so he grew up with the Cherokee people and friends and peers, and so I think his experience that.

00:11:49.260 –> 00:12:05.730 Ed Sharpe: The outdoor drama and the village, especially he really got to know them as crafters and their work and probably the business side of things, you know so eventually opened his own business, where I.

00:12:05.730 –> 00:12:08.850 Ed Sharpe: was naturally incorporated with the craftsman.

00:12:11.100 –> 00:12:18.600 Joseph McElroy: So yeah so I guess he got a lot of trust, with the prospect of getting them to give you their wares sell is not easy.

00:12:18.630 –> 00:12:23.370 Ed Sharpe: yeah thanks, so I think it was just connected that way, through his experience.

00:12:23.430 –> 00:12:27.330 Joseph McElroy: Yes, I restarted both the craft store and the motel that time right.

00:12:29.610 –> 00:12:31.650 Ed Sharpe: He did not have the hotel but.

00:12:31.680 –> 00:12:32.520 Ed Sharpe: Our current and.

00:12:33.330 –> 00:12:34.350 Ed Sharpe: They were working.

00:12:35.550 –> 00:12:37.530 Ed Sharpe: On the ground floor of the motel

00:12:38.910 –> 00:12:47.880 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool all right yeah, of course, you know I’m I’m always intrigued by motel what they did back in the day right so yeah.

00:12:47.940 –> 00:12:51.390 Ed Sharpe: yeah it’s an interesting one around Cherokee as you know.

00:12:51.570 –> 00:12:57.720 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness well there’s interest all these mountains have all these motels and they’re starting to be.

00:12:58.800 –> 00:13:04.320 Joseph McElroy: starting to be a number of them are renovated and becoming interesting again right, just like the meadowlark yeah.

00:13:04.410 –> 00:13:05.670 Ed Sharpe: Man yeah.

00:13:05.730 –> 00:13:08.190 Joseph McElroy: yeah alright, so we got to take a break.

00:13:09.420 –> 00:13:16.860 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll come back and find out more about the history of your medicine man crafts store.

00:13:18.060 –> 00:13:18.810 Ed Sharpe: And so they.

00:15:33.960 –> 00:15:46.530 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Ed Sharpe, so Ed I guess you know of growing up your mom working in you know.

00:15:47.550 –> 00:15:54.750 Joseph McElroy: Getting to meet Tom Underwood you know he had probably a good quite an influence on you and your mother right.

00:15:56.520 –> 00:16:00.000 Ed Sharpe: He did yeah he really became part of our family.

00:16:01.230 –> 00:16:12.270 Joseph McElroy: Did he set the tone of the shop, you know why it’s so so well known today is that authentic Cherokee cultural artifacts.

00:16:14.220 –> 00:16:24.270 Ed Sharpe: He certainly did yeah his relationships with the local people and the tribal members, you know, and all their wares.

00:16:25.350 –> 00:16:28.710 Ed Sharpe: It was fascinating as a young kid to see that.

00:16:29.880 –> 00:16:44.640 Joseph McElroy: Do you have you know I guess you know, like like like me, you grow up you know when your parents are involved in the business you grow up in the business right, you have some really great wonderful culturally rich memories of that time.

00:16:48.690 –> 00:16:51.180 Ed Sharpe: I do with a lot of the art.

00:16:52.320 –> 00:17:03.480 Ed Sharpe: For a long time, we had a piece by John Well called the Eco band I don’t know if you saw that, but it was a statue type of wood carving.

00:17:04.050 –> 00:17:19.260 Ed Sharpe: That was just beautifully done and in a case there and it kind of became the icon of the medicine man that piece, so I remember that well and aside from that a lot of playing in the River out back after school.

00:17:20.970 –> 00:17:22.380 Joseph McElroy: What river, with it, you remember.

00:17:23.160 –> 00:17:25.080 Ed Sharpe: That oh comma lefty run the.

00:17:25.080 –> 00:17:25.350 Right.

00:17:26.640 –> 00:17:27.960 Joseph McElroy: All right, great yeah.

00:17:29.490 –> 00:17:30.870 Ed Sharpe: Through hideous down.

00:17:32.910 –> 00:17:36.270 Joseph McElroy: To do you work at the did you work in the shop is a boy.

00:17:38.040 –> 00:17:44.250 Ed Sharpe: I did not, but I was around it a lot I’m sure my mom had me doing some jobs here and there.

00:17:47.190 –> 00:17:49.800 Joseph McElroy: I I had to clean room.

00:17:52.200 –> 00:17:52.950 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:17:53.790 –> 00:17:54.840 Joseph McElroy: Well, that was about it.

00:17:56.190 –> 00:17:56.610 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:17:58.890 –> 00:18:01.320 Joseph McElroy: So, so you know the business.

00:18:03.090 –> 00:18:12.480 Joseph McElroy: You know it, you know, I have some memory of it, and you know, a more recent to do I’ve been I’ve gone to the museum many times you’re right there.

00:18:14.130 –> 00:18:32.280 Joseph McElroy: And it’s you know it’s not like one of those tourist traps right, it has trinkets from overseas and rubber tajbakhsh and now what while there’s always a place for that the world it’s not for people that want to get into the real authentic Cherokee Preston’s.

00:18:34.110 –> 00:18:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Can you elaborate a bit on your commitment and the difference in how you achieve that sort of authenticity?

00:18:44.940 –> 00:18:54.240 Ed Sharpe: yeah so that’s been the focus of the medicine man for years in it it’s all in the relationships with these crafters.

00:18:54.720 –> 00:19:14.280 Ed Sharpe: That known the medicine man for years and generations, you know so that was really one of my biggest goals when I took over a few years ago, was to maintain those relationships, some of the people I knew, even from childhood and others I would need.

00:19:15.360 –> 00:19:26.190 Ed Sharpe: And had met through mom so yeah I took great care to keep those relationships going with the local people in the local crafters.

00:19:27.060 –> 00:19:43.620 Joseph McElroy: wow Well, yes it’s interesting that you came back you know, I was you know you you you left for a while, you went to college, then you got into a musical career in Nashville tell me about that what were you doing.

00:19:44.790 –> 00:19:45.240 Ed Sharpe: yeah.

00:19:47.760 –> 00:19:51.120 Ed Sharpe: I went to Warren Wilson, which is right outside of Asheville.

00:19:52.500 –> 00:20:00.240 Ed Sharpe: and studying music composition and voice, I was a singer so I was a voice major as well

00:20:01.440 –> 00:20:11.520 Joseph McElroy: there’s a Warren Wilson was sort of interesting school right it’s got its got to like you have to work on projects around the school right yeah.

00:20:11.700 –> 00:20:21.360 Ed Sharpe: yeah they have a work program there are a few other schools in the country that way, but if you stay on campus you work for your room and board.

00:20:22.080 –> 00:20:29.520 Ed Sharpe: Well, everyone works 15 hours, I was lucky enough to work in the music library, which is very beneficial.

00:20:31.170 –> 00:20:31.650 Joseph McElroy: Though.

00:20:31.950 –> 00:20:36.990 Ed Sharpe: So yeah actually moved to Nashville and pursued music.

00:20:37.080 –> 00:20:50.640 Ed Sharpe: And did a lot of songwriting and a lot of writers and writers rounds playing the broken spoke and the bluebird and that whole thing, while working odd jobs, you know waiting tables.

00:20:51.900 –> 00:20:59.790 Ed Sharpe: But eventually, I needed to pay the bills, so I got into sound engineering which I’m very much into as well.

00:21:01.290 –> 00:21:04.080 Joseph McElroy: You have a passion for sound engineering right?

00:21:05.460 –> 00:21:08.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah did you get to work with who did you get to work with you got the name-dropping do.

00:21:11.100 –> 00:21:18.000 Ed Sharpe: Well, I was in the heart of the country music scene, so I met and worked with a lot of people.

00:21:19.770 –> 00:21:36.600 Ed Sharpe: I had gone to recording engineering school briefly to get my certification and they placed it in a Jingle studio, which was a national Jingle studio of the law they worked with a lot of people in my

00:21:37.650 –> 00:21:41.850 Ed Sharpe: first month there I think Dolly Parton was recording her.

00:21:42.990 –> 00:21:47.940 Ed Sharpe: stuff for darling so I met her right away and fell in love, as everyone does.

00:21:49.530 –> 00:21:59.760 Ed Sharpe: And through that experience, they were connected with contemporary Christian and country, so you know work with any brand Michael W and.

00:22:01.290 –> 00:22:06.630 Ed Sharpe: Another one was Martin Sheen I’m a big Apocalypse Now fan I got to meet Martin Sheen.

00:22:06.720 –> 00:22:08.490 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow that’s great yeah.

00:22:09.330 –> 00:22:23.010 Ed Sharpe: From thereafter that experience, I’ve moved into live sound, which I fell in love with, and work for Opryland productions which has the grand Ole opry and the hotel and rhyme and.

00:22:24.240 –> 00:22:34.500 Ed Sharpe: So yeah a lot of met a lot of my heroes their morale Loretta and Tanzania and all those people, a lot of fun.

00:22:35.100 –> 00:22:39.540 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great you know Dolly Parton is actually I’ve never met her but she’s a cousin of mine, she.

00:22:40.290 –> 00:22:56.310 Joseph McElroy: actually used to come up and define good Gary and then drive my great grandfather grocery stores what people told me, I never, never got to see it I got to know her but it’s kind of nice to know there’s a cousin like that.

00:22:58.350 –> 00:22:58.800 Ed Sharpe: sweet.

00:22:59.970 –> 00:23:06.720 Joseph McElroy: yeah she’s a treasure, the United States true absolutely.

00:23:08.040 –> 00:23:10.290 Joseph McElroy: Yes, everything right every time just about.

00:23:11.730 –> 00:23:14.730 Ed Sharpe: And I ended up working with Brenda Lee if you.

00:23:16.440 –> 00:23:18.600 Ed Sharpe: Did rocking around the Christmas tree.

00:23:18.930 –> 00:23:19.710 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah.

00:23:20.400 –> 00:23:28.410 Ed Sharpe: sweetheart just a beautiful beautiful lady, and so our sound guy for over 10 years you know she kind of just a few years.

00:23:29.730 –> 00:23:47.400 Joseph McElroy: So you have this wonderfully successful sound and during we’re getting them, you know interact with all your idols and you decide to come back to Swain County and take over the shop well what what what was the inspiration for that was a shocker across from Richard.

00:23:51.330 –> 00:24:09.750 Ed Sharpe: Well, it just the time was worked out, you know Cobra came along, so all the Games and the touring kind of dried up, and my wife and I were both wanted to be closer to our family our parents, you know.

00:24:11.670 –> 00:24:23.940 Ed Sharpe: her parents live close by as well, our homes are like two miles apart here, so it just felt right and mom was ready to retire and asked me if I’d be interested and I said yeah.

00:24:25.170 –> 00:24:31.110 Ed Sharpe: I absolutely love that store, you know grew up with it and I’m loving every minute.

00:24:32.310 –> 00:24:34.800 Joseph McElroy: How hard, was it for you to take back and take it oh.

00:24:36.810 –> 00:24:37.890 Ed Sharpe: Well, I tell you.

00:24:39.060 –> 00:24:42.750 Ed Sharpe: there are two ladies that have been there for over 20 years.

00:24:43.470 –> 00:24:44.700 Ed Sharpe: Thank goodness to them.

00:24:44.700 –> 00:24:47.880 Ed Sharpe: you know I couldn’t have done it without them, they pretty much trained me.

00:24:49.680 –> 00:24:57.660 Ed Sharpe: Je n Fe are still there, right now, today, and with their health yeah.

00:24:58.830 –> 00:25:07.560 Ed Sharpe: My mom you know I had a couple of years of her coaching me I got back into that I really do love it I’m passionate about it and now.

00:25:10.320 –> 00:25:17.880 Joseph McElroy: Your mom died 20 which I’m sorry about my mom died 21 yeah so it’s like we sort of have this sort of the trajectory here.

00:25:19.140 –> 00:25:19.410 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:25:20.040 –> 00:25:21.030 Ed Sharpe: A lot in common.

00:25:21.450 –> 00:25:27.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah a lot of common we’re gonna be we’re gonna make million-dollar successes out of these businesses so.

00:25:27.930 –> 00:25:29.730 Joseph McElroy: You better hold up your end of that all right.

00:25:32.820 –> 00:25:33.450 Ed Sharpe: challenge.

00:25:36.720 –> 00:25:40.980 Joseph McElroy: So you know running this kind of business you.

00:25:42.360 –> 00:25:47.610 Joseph McElroy: You really had to get you had to really take over the relationships with the crash people how did you do that.

00:25:50.940 –> 00:26:04.770 Ed Sharpe: just talking and you know at I had some connections because I’ve been in and out of Cherokee my whole life and I had some friends from when I went to school here, you know so a lot of people.

00:26:05.250 –> 00:26:23.820 Ed Sharpe: In- Cherokee here are related family-wise, you know and so yeah just everyday people coming in and making friends and they knew who, I am a lot of them in building those relationships yeah.

00:26:25.980 –> 00:26:31.500 Joseph McElroy: The old-timers are Community that the people, the Community accept you back pretty much with open arms now.

00:26:32.340 –> 00:26:47.070 Ed Sharpe: Oh yeah, of course, yeah it was a very loving environment always has been and that’s a testament to my mom to you know she wanted that shot to be a place where people can just come hang out and feel the love.

00:26:48.510 –> 00:26:53.040 Joseph McElroy: You have a pretty good location right it’s right across some of that wonderful.

00:26:54.120 –> 00:26:55.470 Joseph McElroy: Cherokee museum, is it.

00:26:56.400 –> 00:27:08.910 Ed Sharpe: that’s right yeah we’re in the historical district they’re kind of set apart from all the other shops really where we’re in a little shopping center by ourselves.

00:27:10.410 –> 00:27:16.470 Ed Sharpe: But yeah it’s kind of a unique place but it’s always been there, so people know that well.

00:27:17.100 –> 00:27:18.930 Joseph McElroy: So how to get there, how did you get that look.

00:27:21.840 –> 00:27:37.260 Ed Sharpe: Well, I mean this from the very start, when Tom it was connected to right next door and an 82 they had a fire which was very tragic because it the whole place Burnt

00:27:37.830 –> 00:27:43.950 Ed Sharpe: And I started from ground zero at that point next to the Brahma in the motel

00:27:44.550 –> 00:27:45.420 Joseph McElroy: And, but.

00:27:45.480 –> 00:27:48.600 Ed Sharpe: The building we’re in now was an old laundromat that Tom.

00:27:49.890 –> 00:27:55.470 Ed Sharpe: And they refurbished it so that the crash stop could have space there.

00:27:56.430 –> 00:28:00.810 Joseph McElroy: And that was you predated the museum and the other nice craft stores right really.

00:28:02.280 –> 00:28:13.500 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah that’s great all right, we have to take a break, when we come back let’s talk about you know the products of the things that you sell interesting adventures people might have with your store.

00:28:14.850 –> 00:28:15.780 Ed Sharpe: Great sounds good.

00:30:20.640 –> 00:30:29.340 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Ed Sharpe, so Ed.

00:30:29.850 –> 00:30:42.390 Joseph McElroy: You know I took a look at your site, you know there’s a lot of things yourself your website and I noticed that you have a lot of books is that a big area of your here so sales.

00:30:44.070 –> 00:30:58.140 Ed Sharpe: yeah we do carry out a lot of books on Cherokee history and language and as well as herbs the herbals ceremonial and this one, been a big part of our business.

00:30:58.740 –> 00:30:59.430 Joseph McElroy: So you.

00:31:00.540 –> 00:31:01.050 Ed Sharpe: know the thing.

00:31:01.710 –> 00:31:10.560 Joseph McElroy: That I noticed the calmest under would you had some titles and you add details in there, what kind of books to the Tom write.

00:31:12.330 –> 00:31:22.260 Ed Sharpe: yeah Tom wrote informative books about Cherokee you know store, as well as just cracking kind of thing.

00:31:23.280 –> 00:31:24.270 Ed Sharpe: And my dad.

00:31:26.700 –> 00:31:27.090 Ed Sharpe: said.

00:31:29.040 –> 00:31:30.630 Joseph McElroy: Oh, your dad wrote the books.

00:31:32.580 –> 00:31:35.520 Ed Sharpe: My books I’m a junior so.

00:31:35.820 –> 00:31:38.130 Ed Sharpe: With our good with Tom closely.

00:31:38.220 –> 00:31:43.530 Ed Sharpe: On writing and yeah they had a business called Cherokee publications and.

00:31:43.590 –> 00:31:45.120 Joseph McElroy: A really lot of there.

00:31:45.420 –> 00:31:48.210 Ed Sharpe: As well as others that are still out there yeah.

00:31:48.930 –> 00:31:52.200 Joseph McElroy: wow that must be pretty nice to read you the words of your dad right.

00:31:53.610 –> 00:31:54.450 Ed Sharpe: yeah.

00:31:54.690 –> 00:31:55.590 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool.

00:31:55.620 –> 00:31:56.580 Do you still maintain that.

00:31:58.980 –> 00:32:00.690 Joseph McElroy: You still maintain that publishing company.

00:32:02.370 –> 00:32:03.780 Ed Sharpe: I know it was so.

00:32:05.070 –> 00:32:12.600 Ed Sharpe: decade or so ago I just before my dad passed so we sell around Cherokee publications.

00:32:12.960 –> 00:32:14.550 Joseph McElroy: But you know what is.

00:32:15.870 –> 00:32:18.060 Joseph McElroy: what’s the best selling book in your store.

00:32:19.830 –> 00:32:33.990 Ed Sharpe: Oh wow that’s a difficult one, we sell a lot of languages but there’s a Cherokee dictionary it’s very popular, you know as well as genealogy types.

00:32:35.580 –> 00:32:39.450 Joseph McElroy: wow now you mentioned herbal stuff what kind of herbal things to do.

00:32:40.590 –> 00:32:48.120 Ed Sharpe: yeah that’s become a big part of our business, it was always there but I’m really been expanding on it since I’ve been there.

00:32:48.930 –> 00:33:02.970 Ed Sharpe: A lot of medicinal herbs with tinctures and Brian T soaps and sass and then we have another section that ceremonial that goes back to the ancient Cherokee traditions and native American.

00:33:04.080 –> 00:33:08.310 Ed Sharpe: sage and lavender and sweetgrass and that type thing.

00:33:10.020 –> 00:33:15.120 Joseph McElroy: Well, and you carry them in the store so people just come there and get them but.

00:33:15.330 –> 00:33:16.860 Ed Sharpe: We did yeah.

00:33:17.520 –> 00:33:17.940 Joseph McElroy: We don’t know.

00:33:19.980 –> 00:33:22.470 Joseph McElroy: Do do do the source of locally.

00:33:24.840 –> 00:33:37.890 Ed Sharpe: Not everything some things we do we have a lot of yellow routes that are harvested locally and our main herbalist does harvest, a lot of her stuff for the teachers and aunties and that kind of thing.

00:33:39.000 –> 00:33:42.420 Joseph McElroy: So yeah these are pretty big things now right?

00:33:43.770 –> 00:33:44.010 Ed Sharpe: With.

00:33:44.790 –> 00:33:47.610 Joseph McElroy: Our t’s a pretty big item they usually are.

00:33:48.330 –> 00:33:50.370 Ed Sharpe: yeah yeah.

00:33:50.400 –> 00:33:54.660 Joseph McElroy: what’s a good Cherokee tea what’s a good tea that people work with?

00:33:56.640 –> 00:34:00.210 Ed Sharpe: Well, we have some blends that are really good you know.

00:34:01.410 –> 00:34:13.380 Ed Sharpe: Green tea is a big thing, but people will come, for they may have certain ailments or they’ll come for accepted for digestion or something for joint pain, you know and so.

00:34:13.800 –> 00:34:24.180 Ed Sharpe: A lot of these teas and then sabz our old old medicinal recipes you know from the pioneers really plant medicine.

00:34:24.750 –> 00:34:37.680 Joseph McElroy: Right well you know the Scotch Irish settlers came in and they had a tradition of herbalism too and but they changed it all based upon will herewith base upon the Cherokee traditions right.

00:34:38.730 –> 00:34:39.120 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:34:39.930 –> 00:34:44.670 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s very interesting there was this cross-cultural tradition exchange of

00:34:45.930 –> 00:34:55.920 Joseph McElroy: Information that really made the smoky mountains, one of the top areas for herbal and natural remedies, I think.

00:34:57.750 –> 00:35:02.580 Joseph McElroy: Of course, the whole story is not the whole story is that none of it works, unless you have a shot of moonshine with it.

00:35:07.440 –> 00:35:08.160 Ed Sharpe: Absolutely.

00:35:09.300 –> 00:35:20.880 Joseph McElroy: yeah I was surprised to see, aside from the herbals of the TVs and books, you have a lot of crafts there right what are some of the most popular craft categories?

00:35:22.530 –> 00:35:31.980 Ed Sharpe: yeah we sell a lot of baskets and pottery that are locally made you know wood and stone carvings.

00:35:34.050 –> 00:35:40.200 Ed Sharpe: A lot of those as well as weaponry stuff like old blowguns and bows.

00:35:42.780 –> 00:35:51.300 Ed Sharpe: Tomahawk that kind of thing we have a lot of musical stuff the 10 practice to flutes and rattles yeah.

00:35:52.770 –> 00:35:53.280 Joseph McElroy: And who were.

00:35:54.570 –> 00:35:56.160 Joseph McElroy: Who were some of your top artists?

00:35:59.070 –> 00:36:15.810 Ed Sharpe: Well, we have a lot we have some young people Kevin Watney Johnny Bradley is a fantastic painter as well as low a swimmer who paints on feathers very popular you know.

00:36:17.160 –> 00:36:33.510 Ed Sharpe: We have pottery from the great Amanda Swimmers family her children Don Swimmer and Melvina Swimmer will bring in traditional pottery as it’s been made for years and years, you know who.

00:36:35.910 –> 00:36:39.390 Ed Sharpe: You know a lot of generations, down from some of the greats.

00:36:40.530 –> 00:36:58.740 Ed Sharpe: John Willnote, he, of course, was a great one and recently we lost Fred his son, who, who was a fantastic stone Carver we have a lot of his work and his son third-generation Freddy Barry Kaufman.

00:37:01.200 –> 00:37:05.160 Joseph McElroy: wow yeah stove carving yo is tremendous.

00:37:06.210 –> 00:37:16.710 Joseph McElroy: You know, skill, you know my not just the carving but actually doing things like just building beautiful stone walls, like my father, you know is high end.

00:37:17.580 –> 00:37:28.710 Joseph McElroy: construction company here for a long time in the mountains and he would work with the Cherokee Indian stonemasons because they knew that they had had had their own tradition.

00:37:29.520 –> 00:37:34.650 Joseph McElroy: For a long time of doing stonework and then you know when the.

00:37:35.280 –> 00:37:44.700 Joseph McElroy: Appalachian trail came through and the partner parkways and all that the state and the government brought in tallying stonemasons to do a lot of that right.

00:37:45.000 –> 00:37:52.380 Joseph McElroy: And so, then the Cherokee Indians work with them and they gave so they also have their own tradition, they gained experience of working with.

00:37:52.770 –> 00:38:08.400 Joseph McElroy: European traditions of stonemasons so they become some of the best in the world, and you know I think it’s fascinating to look at these rock walls and you see that each one of them has a little signature in there, like a diamond or turtle or an arrowhead that’s great yeah.

00:38:10.920 –> 00:38:15.990 Ed Sharpe: yeah I love, looking at the step there’s some fantastic stonework in Syria.

00:38:19.080 –> 00:38:35.250 Joseph McElroy: No it’s pretty cool out the pottery you know, do they do you have to carry that what is it, though the wedding pottery, the wedding pot so ones are the two handles the tooth spouts of that and then at the end they break it carry those.

00:38:36.000 –> 00:38:39.690 Ed Sharpe: yeah yeah major piece.

00:38:40.050 –> 00:38:54.150 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know it’s kind of interesting but there’s the same tradition in Jewish weddings I think it’s fascinating I don’t have that happen to have this same similar tradition and they break it at the end, the same way right yeah.

00:38:59.190 –> 00:39:17.730 Joseph McElroy: No, I actually went out and saw a video you mother and put together, I think it was from you know, maybe it was a mother, I think it was your mother, but she was talking about that sort of thing I thought was a very interesting the video from like 2012 you know and then.

00:39:17.760 –> 00:39:19.020 Ed Sharpe: yeah yeah.

00:39:19.860 –> 00:39:28.200 Joseph McElroy: And you have those baskets that cut that you know, there you have these baskets like they have to take very large trees and save them or something like that.

00:39:29.730 –> 00:39:31.110 Ed Sharpe: Yes, yeah.

00:39:31.470 –> 00:39:33.600 Joseph McElroy: The one of those oh yeah.

00:39:33.750 –> 00:39:35.130 Ed Sharpe: like this.

00:39:35.190 –> 00:39:47.640 Ed Sharpe: yeah river cane baskets light up and then honeysuckle a lot of people do work with mine but that work that’s hard work.

00:39:48.150 –> 00:40:00.210 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my gosh I mean that’s an incredible amount of work, and but yeah I think that there’s some of the most highly sought-after set up sought after baskets in the world right.

00:40:01.230 –> 00:40:01.590 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:40:01.800 –> 00:40:02.760 Ed Sharpe: yeah yeah.

00:40:03.570 –> 00:40:23.670 Joseph McElroy: cool now I’m a particular fan of masks you know I went to have been to a few places in the world and seen some tremendous masks and I’ve collected a few by the Cherokee mask or you know we’re studying that means that the features and a lot of these master haunting right.

00:40:24.960 –> 00:40:27.720 Joseph McElroy: There so well crafted I mean they’re.

00:40:29.130 –> 00:40:33.960 Joseph McElroy: they’re both a caricature and a human face, at the same time.

00:40:35.160 –> 00:40:49.320 Joseph McElroy: And I really don’t know how they capture that right, and then they use all these natural you know fibers and grasses and things like that you know, to make them into yeah who’s your tap who’s your top mask artists there now.

00:40:51.990 –> 00:40:55.860 Ed Sharpe: wow we have a gentleman named Richard Out.

00:40:56.220 –> 00:40:57.690 who’s fantastic.

00:40:58.830 –> 00:41:06.450 Ed Sharpe: He does a lot of masks or there’s the booger mask you know medicine mass that is traditional.

00:41:07.320 –> 00:41:24.450 Ed Sharpe: But I’m with you I’m always been fascinated with that and since I’ve been back here I’ve learned a lot about the museum had a fantastic showing a year or so ago on mask there’s a lot of history and culture in that yeah.

00:41:25.140 –> 00:41:27.480 Joseph McElroy: Oh, oh yeah I mean it’s.

00:41:28.560 –> 00:41:39.660 Joseph McElroy: it’s you know a lot of ways to study achievement I’m yeah I’m not sure if it is prevalent in Cherokee culture, but a lot of mask indigenous mask makers around the world.

00:41:40.050 –> 00:41:57.150 Joseph McElroy: would always make the outside that mask be really wonderful, but then on the inside, they would make some sort of private declaration that they only knew about they only see it was their mystery right and that was the essence of the character, do they do that with the Cherokee mask.

00:41:57.840 –> 00:41:59.820 Ed Sharpe: i’ve seen that yeah yeah.

00:42:01.740 –> 00:42:02.190 Ed Sharpe: yeah.

00:42:03.270 –> 00:42:04.110 Ed Sharpe: fascinating.

00:42:04.590 –> 00:42:05.610 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my gosh.

00:42:06.150 –> 00:42:11.880 Joseph McElroy: Well, artists do live things to inspire themselves so who would be younger artists coming up.

00:42:14.460 –> 00:42:22.230 Ed Sharpe: Well, you know there’s not a whole lot of them really you know it takes a special person to carry on, but.

00:42:23.280 –> 00:42:33.480 Ed Sharpe: Like I mentioned that it’s Kevin Whitey who does mask and woodcarvings very and it has his own style, as well as

00:42:34.770 –> 00:42:38.400 Ed Sharpe: the lowest swimmer who I mentioned does the feather paintings.

00:42:41.160 –> 00:42:55.290 Ed Sharpe: it’s always interesting to see people come in and some of them will pass it down, you know in teach their children so it’s a learning process constant learning process.

00:42:56.040 –> 00:43:05.790 Joseph McElroy: Well, since your business has been in business, what for 15 years it, you must work with, often with generations right, how do you keep the generations involved.

00:43:09.090 –> 00:43:17.040 Ed Sharpe: I just everyone that comes in, I find out their story and it seems like they’re all related everyone.

00:43:17.700 –> 00:43:18.330 From one day.

00:43:23.640 –> 00:43:23.850 Joseph McElroy: As.

00:43:26.220 –> 00:43:29.850 Joseph McElroy: All the counties in North Carolina and Western North Carolina are a little bit like this.

00:43:33.180 –> 00:43:36.630 Ed Sharpe: Hello you’re selling so brother I got it.

00:43:38.130 –> 00:43:48.240 Joseph McElroy: All right, well we’re going to take another break and come back and finish up with you know some odds and ends and some things that visitors might like to learn and and and shout out, alright.

00:43:49.110 –> 00:43:49.770 Ed Sharpe: Great good.

00:44:52.680 –> 00:44:53.820 owning all got lovers.

00:45:51.510 –> 00:45:59.970 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast my guest Ed Sharp.

00:46:00.870 –> 00:46:09.780 Joseph McElroy: Ed, you know where we too are very passionate about the perpetuation of Appalachian history at Cherokee culture at the.

00:46:10.440 –> 00:46:18.360 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center Resort, and we, you know we’re going to feature several charities being programs this year with artists like Davey Arch and very.

00:46:19.050 –> 00:46:26.430 Joseph McElroy: Much involved and we love your commitment to perpetuate the legacy of these artists, as well as your beloved mother and Tom on.

00:46:27.630 –> 00:46:34.320 Joseph McElroy: My wife, is doing the same thing and Maggie Valley at the motel my parents may take this for half a century, as well as the creation of this heritage said.

00:46:34.890 –> 00:46:43.560 Joseph McElroy: However, with that passion for passing also comes responsibility for building the future So what does the future hold for the medicine man crafts?

00:46:46.410 –> 00:46:56.790 Ed Sharpe: I’m working every day on growing there you know, at first, it seemed like a big issue probably felt a big responsibility to carry on such a.

00:46:58.110 –> 00:47:14.520 Ed Sharpe: legacy, you know, in the area, but even before I moved back home, I started a website and started getting some social media together so since I’ve been there.

00:47:15.480 –> 00:47:32.880 Ed Sharpe: I’ve been growing the business that way just online, we have a website where you can order it’s an e-commerce site now, as well as social media channels and that kind of thing so yeah as well as the herbal business we’re growing.

00:47:34.980 –> 00:47:49.740 Joseph McElroy: cool now, I would reverse be remiss for my kids because I, you know, I have an I have no I’ve been around for a while, I have three and a half-year-old twins and I noticed, you have a kid section on your website what’s the most popular kids item that’s craft.

00:47:52.890 –> 00:47:57.720 Ed Sharpe: we’ve got little mini logans and pea-shooters that I love.

00:48:03.270 –> 00:48:12.210 Ed Sharpe: yeah all kinds of things from you know traditional little dolls and clothing and.

00:48:13.290 –> 00:48:16.020 Ed Sharpe: Tomahawks and all that fun stuff.

00:48:16.410 –> 00:48:27.990 Joseph McElroy: Oh-oh, I remember Tomahawk I remember also coming back I think slingshots from the craft stores back in the day, but I don’t know what that I have no idea what that did with that related to the culture here.

00:48:31.710 –> 00:48:32.070 Joseph McElroy: But.

00:48:32.160 –> 00:48:33.330 Joseph McElroy: They had little things.

00:48:33.360 –> 00:48:35.190 Joseph McElroy: on them so that that made them authentic.

00:48:39.720 –> 00:48:41.040 Joseph McElroy: yeah so.

00:48:42.300 –> 00:48:45.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so aside from being in business for half a century.

00:48:46.800 –> 00:48:54.000 Joseph McElroy: And all your great stable of craftsman what sets apart the medicine man carfts from the other local shops.

00:48:56.160 –> 00:48:56.970 Ed Sharpe: Well, I think.

00:48:58.230 –> 00:49:17.490 Ed Sharpe: Just the time that it’s been there and the relationships we’ve developed, but our focus really is on local handmade stuff and just creating an atmosphere where people can come and really feel the culture and feel at home, you know.

00:49:18.840 –> 00:49:34.530 Ed Sharpe: it’s funny we talked about generations of crafters, but we also now have generations of visitors, you know that come by year after year, a lot of people will come in and say, man, I remember being here as a little kid and.

00:49:35.670 –> 00:49:37.620 Ed Sharpe: producing this this place.

00:49:39.870 –> 00:49:40.890 Ed Sharpe: it’s a joy.

00:49:42.000 –> 00:49:48.660 Joseph McElroy: Yeah and you know I like to because you know we’re pitching you’re talking about two people hope they’ll come to visit.

00:49:49.260 –> 00:50:00.510 Joseph McElroy: You know, besides your store what else would they visit there you don’t let me see of course that is pushing it what would be a good place safer go get some really good food near your business.

00:50:01.500 –> 00:50:19.260 Ed Sharpe: yeah there’s a several family places there’s a POs restaurant, which does family traditional meals like trout and fry bread and stuff like that there’s a brand new brewery restaurant up the street.

00:50:20.400 –> 00:50:22.080 Ed Sharpe: that’s doing well and.

00:50:23.580 –> 00:50:27.540 Ed Sharpe: As well as you know, the Mexican and Asian.

00:50:29.220 –> 00:50:33.900 Ed Sharpe: there’s a great little local Deli called sassy sunflower.

00:50:34.980 –> 00:50:35.490 Joseph McElroy: This.

00:50:35.700 –> 00:50:38.220 Ed Sharpe: Real well it’s run by locals you know so.

00:50:39.240 –> 00:50:45.630 Joseph McElroy: cool and is there any other entertainment near there that you would recommend people to see.

00:50:47.340 –> 00:50:52.590 Ed Sharpe: Well, I always point people to the drama, you know, and to these hills and.

00:50:54.330 –> 00:50:59.520 Ed Sharpe: And, and the old kind of left the village it’s been there.

00:51:00.630 –> 00:51:06.930 Ed Sharpe: Did the test of time and it’s very educational and great for people to visit you know

00:51:07.890 –> 00:51:18.240 Joseph McElroy: cool, and you’re an avid hiker right so and photographer in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park so you’re working on the 900 milers certificate certification.

00:51:19.530 –> 00:51:19.860 Ed Sharpe: Yes.

00:51:21.300 –> 00:51:23.370 Ed Sharpe: we’ll see how long it takes to.

00:51:26.460 –> 00:51:30.840 Joseph McElroy: go through all the 900 miles of trails of the smoky mountains right yeah.

00:51:31.410 –> 00:51:33.150 Ed Sharpe: that’s the goal yeah.

00:51:33.210 –> 00:51:33.720 Joseph McElroy: And how long.

00:51:35.970 –> 00:51:41.280 Ed Sharpe: Well, I think I’ve covered about 60% and the three years I’ve been here so.

00:51:43.050 –> 00:51:49.380 Ed Sharpe: Indication, of course, I left the hardest trails last it could take me a while.

00:51:51.150 –> 00:51:51.570 Joseph McElroy: So what.

00:51:53.070 –> 00:51:57.690 Joseph McElroy: What so far what’s your favorite hike you’ve done in the Smoky Mountain National Park.

00:51:58.650 –> 00:52:09.570 Ed Sharpe: Oh wow Mount Le Conte is something special you know there are five different trails they go up there and they’re all just breathtaking you know.

00:52:11.670 –> 00:52:13.830 Ed Sharpe: Maybe my favorite place to go.

00:52:14.850 –> 00:52:18.360 Joseph McElroy: I would spray it’s about springtime now what’s the best place for the wildflowers.

00:52:20.190 –> 00:52:25.020 Ed Sharpe: Oh, the park is is full of them, you know there’s a lot of trails.

00:52:27.180 –> 00:52:29.370 Ed Sharpe: I was just on I’m trying to think of.

00:52:31.620 –> 00:52:33.090 Ed Sharpe: Losing losing.

00:52:34.170 –> 00:52:36.930 Ed Sharpe: Now it’s parsons branch maybe are.

00:52:36.960 –> 00:52:45.990 Ed Sharpe: our Greek wonderful wildflowers, I was there a week or so ago and they’re already on their little heads out so.

00:52:46.530 –> 00:52:48.120 Ed Sharpe: Great it’s.

00:52:48.330 –> 00:52:49.020 Ed Sharpe: So wrong.

00:52:49.530 –> 00:52:51.660 Joseph McElroy: You figure go wrong right so.

00:52:52.740 –> 00:52:58.380 Joseph McElroy: What what’s your website, social media address so people know where to reach out to you.

00:52:59.310 –> 00:53:03.360 Ed Sharpe: Sure, the website is medicinemanandcrafts.com

00:53:05.970 –> 00:53:13.620 Ed Sharpe: And, as I say, we have a lot of our herbals and crafts on there, not everything in the store of course.

00:53:14.970 –> 00:53:20.790 Ed Sharpe: But that’s our website we’re on Facebook and Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter

00:53:21.180 –> 00:53:25.470 Joseph McElroy: Just search for medicine man crafts, with those are all those.

00:53:26.460 –> 00:53:29.820 Joseph McElroy: cool and do you have any personal?

00:53:30.960 –> 00:53:34.380 Joseph McElroy: media that you send out or is it all just related to medicine and crafts.

00:53:36.690 –> 00:53:39.360 Ed Sharpe: are related they’re pretty much that’s not good enough.

00:53:40.140 –> 00:53:41.520 Joseph McElroy: yeah alright cool.

00:53:42.900 –> 00:53:46.710 Joseph McElroy: And so any other shoutouts, you want to do.

00:53:48.420 –> 00:53:56.790 Ed Sharpe: Oh man, thank you for having me it’s a wonderful opportunity, and thanks again to Judy and the team for

00:53:58.230 –> 00:54:00.780 Ed Sharpe: Being there I couldn’t do it without them so.

00:54:03.090 –> 00:54:21.540 Joseph McElroy: Alright, great So this is the Gateway to the Smokies podcast you can find out more about us@facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast or you go to smokiesadventure.com and you’ll see a link to all the episodes of top of the menu.

00:54:22.770 –> 00:54:38.160 Joseph McElroy: We are involved in a network called talkradio.nyc which features a lot of live podcasts and one of which we are one of the ranges from self-help to

00:54:38.880 –> 00:54:50.760 Joseph McElroy: To this small business to travel-centric to you know dealing with pets it’s a bass range was very interesting network and I appreciate everybody just go out there and check out some of the other.

00:54:51.330 –> 00:54:59.370 Joseph McElroy: programs are going on, I actually have another program called wise content creates wealth, it is a podcast about.

00:54:59.850 –> 00:55:15.000 Joseph McElroy: Modern marketing with content and things like AI and behavioral science and things like that happen to be my expertise which I, you know used to raise the money that’s helping rebirth revive the Meadowlark motel renovated.

00:55:16.170 –> 00:55:20.040 Joseph McElroy: And that airs on Fridays from.

00:55:21.240 –> 00:55:33.090 Joseph McElroy: noon until one and I have some of the top people in the business digital marketing, especially in content marketing SEO, AI, behavioral science things like that come.

00:55:35.580 –> 00:55:40.170 Joseph McElroy: to mind with this podcast is every Tuesday from

00:55:41.520 –> 00:55:47.430 Joseph McElroy: Six until seven and I look forward to having you see you next week and listening.

00:55:48.540 –> 00:55:54.720 Joseph McElroy: To what we have to say about the smoky mountains, a great place to come visit and thank you very much.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/c4NIt46Iwe/" rel="nofollow"><strong><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/62450e5e821f5fd90311c104_20220329-GTTS.jpg" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/03/29 - Carrying the Torch for Traditional Cherokee Crafts"></strong></a></p><p><strong> Ed Sharpe discusses Medicine Man Crafts and Cherokee Craftsmanship.</strong></p><p><strong> Ed Sharpe</strong>, Owner, and Operator of <a href="https://medicinemancrafts.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Medicine Man Crafts</strong></a> in Cherokee N.C.The business, founded by Tom Underwood in 1963, and later sold to Kay Sharpe—Ed’s late mother – is one of the oldest and most prestigious purveyors of authentic Cherokee crafts on the Qualla Boundary. Ed is also an avid hiker and nature photographer –is proud to carry on the great legacy of true Cherokee culture created by Tom Underwood and Kay Sharpe.</p><p>You will hear from him about the history of Cherokee crafts and how the tradition has been passed down to him. Don&#39;t miss this fun interview! </p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/c4NIt46Iwe/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts talking about the Meadowlark Motel which is also a sponsor for the show as well as upcoming events. Some upcoming events include a mountain heritage book series happening in Maggie Valley at the motel. He also mentions a fly fishing camp weekend to bring like-minded people together through fishing, songs, campfire and more. Joseph also talks about the Cherokee’s origin story for the Smoky Mountains. He introduces his guest, Ed Sharpe, Owner and Operator of Medicine Man Crafts in Cherokee N.C. The business, founded by Tom Underwood in 1963, and later sold to Kay Sharpe, Ed’s late mother, is one of the oldest and most prestigious purveyors of authentic Cherokee crafts on the Qualla Boundary. Ed is also an avid hiker and nature photographer. Ed talks about his family’s story of how they ended up in Cherokee, North Carolina. He also discusses with Joseph about Medicine Man Crafts and what he knows about Tom Underwood who was the founder.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Ed speaks more about growing up and being around Tom Underwood who was “a part of the family” and an influence on him and his mother. He recalls certain pieces of art growing up as well as playing at the Oconaluftee River. Ed talks about Medicine Man Crafts and their relationship with crafters who have known the store for years. Joseph asks Ed about him leaving for college and getting into a musical career in Asheville. He studied music composition and was also a voice major. Ed found a passion in sound engineering and was in the country music scene where he worked with a lot of people. He also moved into live sound. With his success in his sound engineering career, he decided to make a change as the pandemic came along. His mother was retiring and asked if he would like to take over Medicine Man Crafts, which of course he did. His mother passed away in 2020. Joseph and Ed share a lot in common like growing up in a business and mourning the loss of their mothers around the same time. Ed also talks about the history of the location where the store lives.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Ed talks with Joseph about selling books about herbs and the history of Cherokee and the language. Tom, he says, wrote books about crafting and more. His father and Tom had a business called Cherokee Publications. Things like medicinal herbs are something that Ed has been working on expanding more in the store; he mentions teas, soaps, as well as ceremonial traditions as things people can find in the store. When talking about craft, he sells handcrafted items like wood, pottery, baskets, and stone carvings as well as weaponry items. Ed also mentions crafts from great artists that he carries in the store spanning from generations. Ed and Joseph discuss pottery and stonework. They talk about the culture and traditions revolving around things like wedding pottery, baskets, and Cherokee masks.</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:33.420 –&gt; 00:00:36.270 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:00:36.930 –&gt; 00:00:51.960 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountain National Park in the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history in which mountain cultures that we explore weekly.</p><p>00:00:53.460 –&gt; 00:01:03.660 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living in great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:04.500 –&gt; 00:01:13.620 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about traditional Cherokee crafts and iconic craft stores, but first I got a few little sponsor message events and things coming up.</p><p>00:01:14.430 –&gt; 00:01:23.610 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel, a place for adventure for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:24.180 –&gt; 00:01:32.820 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wines or craft beer.</p><p>00:01:33.600 –&gt; 00:01:45.510 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place and old-time music world cultural sound, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel, in Maggie Valley, North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:48.030 –&gt; 00:01:59.970 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding areas of vacation destination for all seasons some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:00.750 –&gt; 00:02:12.690 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using the smokies adventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure singular .com to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountain National Park.</p><p>00:02:13.170 –&gt; 00:02:25.920 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, cades code, and more than check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment during the time your entire family can enjoy if you want you to do things like weddings in the mountain</p><p>00:02:26.940 –&gt; 00:02:37.740 Joseph McElroy: To go on a honeymoon and other romantic adventures, the goal of smokies adventures is to become the leading information for portal for adventures and experiences and the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:38.940 –&gt; 00:02:40.410 Joseph McElroy: So upcoming events.</p><p>00:02:42.270 –&gt; 00:02:50.820 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark Smoky Mountain heritage Center has a heritage book series.</p><p>00:02:51.450 –&gt; 00:03:00.630 Joseph McElroy: or your presentation heritage books about the smokies upcoming one is a presentation of the legendary hunters of the southern highlands.</p><p>00:03:00.990 –&gt; 00:03:13.200 Joseph McElroy: A century of sport and survival, the great smoky mountains from the heyday of the Cherokee nation on through the 20th century, the great smoky mountains of nurtured seller this most celebrated hunters in American history.</p><p>00:03:13.890 –&gt; 00:03:24.390 Joseph McElroy: predicting changes in weather and almost telepathically sensing animal Haber these outdoor doors been released in an extremely with the plan that sustainable.</p><p>00:03:25.410 –&gt; 00:03:33.750 Joseph McElroy: Local author and general manager of the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center but I love to read will lovely recall the tales.</p><p>00:03:34.080 –&gt; 00:03:45.000 Joseph McElroy: write with characters like artist John the bear is having a killing only enough livestock to eat and one sitting granted him a reputation at once chivalrous and menisci.</p><p>00:03:45.510 –&gt; 00:03:55.170 Joseph McElroy: And little George Plott the legendary marksman during World War Two and a hero that lingers among the region’s hardwood floors and misty fulfills.</p><p>00:03:55.800 –&gt; 00:04:05.490 Joseph McElroy: the rediscovered era of self-sufficient mountain living with folks labored in logging camps Bruton chided how did for survival and fraught with that, for what they believe.</p><p>00:04:06.450 –&gt; 00:04:18.630 Joseph McElroy: it’s on April 9 Saturday, April 9, 4 PM and it’s followed by a book signing by Bob Plott and a Barbecue and music acoustic music at the Meadowlark Motel.</p><p>00:04:19.410 –&gt; 00:04:30.780 Joseph McElroy: guest in Heritage Club Members are getting free and others can come for 10 just $10 a person again that’s April 9th at 4 pm at the Meadowlark Motel upcoming in April, also as a fly fishing camp</p><p>00:04:32.130 –&gt; 00:04:47.130 Joseph McElroy: the Meadowlark motels are offering a fly fishing camp weekend on April 15 through the 17th and the smoky mountains, our goal is to bring like-minded people together to fly fishing food, drink songs and stories and a campfire.</p><p>00:04:48.330 –&gt; 00:04:57.330 Joseph McElroy: Led by Charles Humphrey the third, who was previously on this podcast and is not only a grammy award-winning songwriter who might.</p><p>00:04:58.080 –&gt; 00:05:07.470 Joseph McElroy: might be persuaded to break into a few songs around the campfire but he’s also an accomplished expert fly fishing guide and he has a compadre.</p><p>00:05:08.250 –&gt; 00:05:19.770 Joseph McElroy: A few compadres are also great fly fishing experts so there’ll be a Friday night fishing tales presentation, and there will be some food there’ll be lodging.</p><p>00:05:20.250 –&gt; 00:05:30.990 Joseph McElroy: Saturday night w breakfast and they’ll be a half a day of instruction and four or five hours of intense fishing it will be additional fishing just dinner, or we have a mountain heritage stream in the backyard.</p><p>00:05:31.320 –&gt; 00:05:41.880 Joseph McElroy: Barbecue dinner live musical entertainment campers a lot so call 8289261717 to find out more about this fantastic weekend.</p><p>00:05:43.200 –&gt; 00:05:51.030 Joseph McElroy: Now I like to try to tie in a little bit of story of poetry or something into the guest’s content that’s coming up.</p><p>00:05:51.480 –&gt; 00:06:00.000 Joseph McElroy: And I thought it’d be interesting to talk about the Cherokee’s origin story for the smoky mountains according to legend a long time ago.</p><p>00:06:00.750 –&gt; 00:06:14.760 Joseph McElroy: Before selfishness came into the world the Cherokee people were happily sharing the hunting and fishing places with their neighbors all this changed when selfishness came into the world and man began to call.</p><p>00:06:16.140 –&gt; 00:06:24.120 Joseph McElroy: The Cherokee Indian quote tribes, and finally the Chiefs of several times tribes met encounter we’re trying to settle the dispute.</p><p>00:06:24.840 –&gt; 00:06:37.410 Joseph McElroy: They smoke the pipe and continue to call for seven days and seven nights this displeased the great spirit because people are not supposed to smoke the pipe until they make peace.</p><p>00:06:38.130 –&gt; 00:06:54.990 Joseph McElroy: As he looked upon the old men with heads bowed he just decided to do something to remind people to smoke the pipe only at the time they make peace, the great spirit turned the old men into these grayish flowers now called in invites and he made.</p><p>00:06:57.210 –&gt; 00:07:06.720 Joseph McElroy: Were friends and relatives had closed he made the smoke hanging over these mountains until all the people all over the world, learn to live together in peace.</p><p>00:07:08.460 –&gt; 00:07:17.490 Joseph McElroy: So a man there’s a little bit about the Cherokee and the stories and the folklore and traditions is it guiding Ed Sharpe.</p><p>00:07:18.150 –&gt; 00:07:25.530 Joseph McElroy: Ed, he’s the guest tonight ED Sharpe grew up in Swain County is a graduate of Swain County High School and Warren Wilson College.</p><p>00:07:26.250 –&gt; 00:07:35.730 Joseph McElroy: After a 25-year career as a musician songwriter, it sounds engineer in Nashville Tennessee Ed and his wife moved back to Swain county in 2018.</p><p>00:07:36.060 –&gt; 00:07:41.610 Joseph McElroy: They took over the renowned medicine man craft shop in Cherokee North Carolina.</p><p>00:07:42.330 –&gt; 00:08:00.180 Joseph McElroy: The business, founded by Tom Underwood in 1963, and later sold to Kay Sharpe—Ed’s late mother – is one of the oldest and most prestigious purveyors of authentic Cherokee crafts on the Qualla Boundary.  hello Ed, how are you doing?</p><p>00:08:01.350 –&gt; 00:08:05.040 Ed Sharpe: Hi, I’m doing good Thank you thanks for having me.</p><p>00:08:05.730 –&gt; 00:08:15.990 Joseph McElroy: Oh sure thing, so you know yeah there’s a little bit of you know your story is a little bit reminiscent of what I’m doing I grew up in the Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:08:16.470 –&gt; 00:08:24.150 Joseph McElroy: Right and lived in my parents ran a motel you know traditional motel and Maggie Valley, starting in the early 70s.</p><p>00:08:24.600 –&gt; 00:08:32.370 Joseph McElroy: I grew up there, and then I will offer a career and I still have that career, because I got a business, but I came back and I.</p><p>00:08:33.300 –&gt; 00:08:43.290 Joseph McElroy: took over the motel in 2018 and have been renovating along with my wife, and you know and putting in a lot of things like the ventures and.</p><p>00:08:43.800 –&gt; 00:08:57.150 Joseph McElroy: Events and stuff like that we’re doing so, we don’t have a far December path you are music, I was a little bit, the arts, but I mostly a computer and a marketing guy now, but so you know my family.</p><p>00:08:58.230 –&gt; 00:09:14.820 Joseph McElroy: You know why I were originally from this area they did go off for a little while then came back in around 6668 something like that to the after about three-four years away so your family came back came into swain county 1966 right.</p><p>00:09:15.750 –&gt; 00:09:17.580 Ed Sharpe: that’s right yeah.</p><p>00:09:18.360 –&gt; 00:09:19.740 Joseph McElroy: where’s the originally come from.</p><p>00:09:21.540 –&gt; 00:09:26.070 Ed Sharpe: We were originally from Greensboro North Carolina and.</p><p>00:09:27.540 –&gt; 00:09:38.250 Ed Sharpe: My dad is going to seminary in New Orleans so I spent my preschool years in New Orleans Louisiana and</p><p>00:09:39.540 –&gt; 00:09:49.680 Ed Sharpe: it’s a funny story because back in 1958 my dad and mom were married and they honeymooned in Cherokee North Carolina.</p><p>00:09:51.000 –&gt; 00:10:01.800 Ed Sharpe: there’s the story that dad saw an old check on the side of the road, and he said man I’d love to live here if I could live in that little dilapidated check.</p><p>00:10:04.560 –&gt; 00:10:05.850 Ed Sharpe: As fate would have it.</p><p>00:10:06.870 –&gt; 00:10:23.940 Ed Sharpe: When he graduated seminary in New Orleans 66 they placed in Cherokee badness church in the Center of charity and, believe it or not, they put him in a house directly across the road from that little shack.</p><p>00:10:26.940 –&gt; 00:10:27.690 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great.</p><p>00:10:29.610 –&gt; 00:10:36.510 Ed Sharpe: Little shack loves us but, so I think it was meant for my family to be here yeah.</p><p>00:10:36.570 –&gt; 00:10:43.260 Joseph McElroy: that’s amazing well your mom was Kaye Sharpe she and that same year, she started working for the medicine man craft right?</p><p>00:10:44.640 –&gt; 00:10:46.650 Ed Sharpe: Then or soon after yeah.</p><p>00:10:46.710 –&gt; 00:10:48.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah now.</p><p>00:10:48.360 –&gt; 00:10:50.910 Joseph McElroy: Tom has a fairly famous guy.</p><p>00:10:50.970 –&gt; 00:11:06.540 Joseph McElroy: In these parts, he was the founder of the business, but he was a pretty interesting character and his father was a sort of a well-known guy he was a principal of the school there was highly regarded by the tribe almost an ordinary travel right.</p><p>00:11:07.680 –&gt; 00:11:08.910 Ed Sharpe: that’s right yeah.</p><p>00:11:09.240 –&gt; 00:11:20.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then Tom was was instrumental in getting the outdoor drama onto these hills, as well as the kind of lucky in the village started in the late 50s and early 60s, is that right.</p><p>00:11:21.720 –&gt; 00:11:22.590 Ed Sharpe: that’s right.</p><p>00:11:22.890 –&gt; 00:11:26.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah, what do you know about that story that sounds interesting to me.</p><p>00:11:27.420 –&gt; 00:11:32.340 Ed Sharpe: You know I don’t know a whole lot about his time there was before my time, but.</p><p>00:11:33.510 –&gt; 00:11:48.270 Ed Sharpe: He grew up, as you said, is that was a teacher prominent teacher in the area, so he grew up with the Cherokee people and friends and peers, and so I think his experience that.</p><p>00:11:49.260 –&gt; 00:12:05.730 Ed Sharpe: The outdoor drama and the village, especially he really got to know them as crafters and their work and probably the business side of things, you know so eventually opened his own business, where I.</p><p>00:12:05.730 –&gt; 00:12:08.850 Ed Sharpe: was naturally incorporated with the craftsman.</p><p>00:12:11.100 –&gt; 00:12:18.600 Joseph McElroy: So yeah so I guess he got a lot of trust, with the prospect of getting them to give you their wares sell is not easy.</p><p>00:12:18.630 –&gt; 00:12:23.370 Ed Sharpe: yeah thanks, so I think it was just connected that way, through his experience.</p><p>00:12:23.430 –&gt; 00:12:27.330 Joseph McElroy: Yes, I restarted both the craft store and the motel that time right.</p><p>00:12:29.610 –&gt; 00:12:31.650 Ed Sharpe: He did not have the hotel but.</p><p>00:12:31.680 –&gt; 00:12:32.520 Ed Sharpe: Our current and.</p><p>00:12:33.330 –&gt; 00:12:34.350 Ed Sharpe: They were working.</p><p>00:12:35.550 –&gt; 00:12:37.530 Ed Sharpe: On the ground floor of the motel</p><p>00:12:38.910 –&gt; 00:12:47.880 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool all right yeah, of course, you know I’m I’m always intrigued by motel what they did back in the day right so yeah.</p><p>00:12:47.940 –&gt; 00:12:51.390 Ed Sharpe: yeah it’s an interesting one around Cherokee as you know.</p><p>00:12:51.570 –&gt; 00:12:57.720 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness well there’s interest all these mountains have all these motels and they’re starting to be.</p><p>00:12:58.800 –&gt; 00:13:04.320 Joseph McElroy: starting to be a number of them are renovated and becoming interesting again right, just like the meadowlark yeah.</p><p>00:13:04.410 –&gt; 00:13:05.670 Ed Sharpe: Man yeah.</p><p>00:13:05.730 –&gt; 00:13:08.190 Joseph McElroy: yeah alright, so we got to take a break.</p><p>00:13:09.420 –&gt; 00:13:16.860 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll come back and find out more about the history of your medicine man crafts store.</p><p>00:13:18.060 –&gt; 00:13:18.810 Ed Sharpe: And so they.</p><p>00:15:33.960 –&gt; 00:15:46.530 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Ed Sharpe, so Ed I guess you know of growing up your mom working in you know.</p><p>00:15:47.550 –&gt; 00:15:54.750 Joseph McElroy: Getting to meet Tom Underwood you know he had probably a good quite an influence on you and your mother right.</p><p>00:15:56.520 –&gt; 00:16:00.000 Ed Sharpe: He did yeah he really became part of our family.</p><p>00:16:01.230 –&gt; 00:16:12.270 Joseph McElroy: Did he set the tone of the shop, you know why it’s so so well known today is that authentic Cherokee cultural artifacts.</p><p>00:16:14.220 –&gt; 00:16:24.270 Ed Sharpe: He certainly did yeah his relationships with the local people and the tribal members, you know, and all their wares.</p><p>00:16:25.350 –&gt; 00:16:28.710 Ed Sharpe: It was fascinating as a young kid to see that.</p><p>00:16:29.880 –&gt; 00:16:44.640 Joseph McElroy: Do you have you know I guess you know, like like like me, you grow up you know when your parents are involved in the business you grow up in the business right, you have some really great wonderful culturally rich memories of that time.</p><p>00:16:48.690 –&gt; 00:16:51.180 Ed Sharpe: I do with a lot of the art.</p><p>00:16:52.320 –&gt; 00:17:03.480 Ed Sharpe: For a long time, we had a piece by John Well called the Eco band I don’t know if you saw that, but it was a statue type of wood carving.</p><p>00:17:04.050 –&gt; 00:17:19.260 Ed Sharpe: That was just beautifully done and in a case there and it kind of became the icon of the medicine man that piece, so I remember that well and aside from that a lot of playing in the River out back after school.</p><p>00:17:20.970 –&gt; 00:17:22.380 Joseph McElroy: What river, with it, you remember.</p><p>00:17:23.160 –&gt; 00:17:25.080 Ed Sharpe: That oh comma lefty run the.</p><p>00:17:25.080 –&gt; 00:17:25.350 Right.</p><p>00:17:26.640 –&gt; 00:17:27.960 Joseph McElroy: All right, great yeah.</p><p>00:17:29.490 –&gt; 00:17:30.870 Ed Sharpe: Through hideous down.</p><p>00:17:32.910 –&gt; 00:17:36.270 Joseph McElroy: To do you work at the did you work in the shop is a boy.</p><p>00:17:38.040 –&gt; 00:17:44.250 Ed Sharpe: I did not, but I was around it a lot I’m sure my mom had me doing some jobs here and there.</p><p>00:17:47.190 –&gt; 00:17:49.800 Joseph McElroy: I I had to clean room.</p><p>00:17:52.200 –&gt; 00:17:52.950 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:17:53.790 –&gt; 00:17:54.840 Joseph McElroy: Well, that was about it.</p><p>00:17:56.190 –&gt; 00:17:56.610 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:17:58.890 –&gt; 00:18:01.320 Joseph McElroy: So, so you know the business.</p><p>00:18:03.090 –&gt; 00:18:12.480 Joseph McElroy: You know it, you know, I have some memory of it, and you know, a more recent to do I’ve been I’ve gone to the museum many times you’re right there.</p><p>00:18:14.130 –&gt; 00:18:32.280 Joseph McElroy: And it’s you know it’s not like one of those tourist traps right, it has trinkets from overseas and rubber tajbakhsh and now what while there’s always a place for that the world it’s not for people that want to get into the real authentic Cherokee Preston’s.</p><p>00:18:34.110 –&gt; 00:18:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Can you elaborate a bit on your commitment and the difference in how you achieve that sort of authenticity?</p><p>00:18:44.940 –&gt; 00:18:54.240 Ed Sharpe: yeah so that’s been the focus of the medicine man for years in it it’s all in the relationships with these crafters.</p><p>00:18:54.720 –&gt; 00:19:14.280 Ed Sharpe: That known the medicine man for years and generations, you know so that was really one of my biggest goals when I took over a few years ago, was to maintain those relationships, some of the people I knew, even from childhood and others I would need.</p><p>00:19:15.360 –&gt; 00:19:26.190 Ed Sharpe: And had met through mom so yeah I took great care to keep those relationships going with the local people in the local crafters.</p><p>00:19:27.060 –&gt; 00:19:43.620 Joseph McElroy: wow Well, yes it’s interesting that you came back you know, I was you know you you you left for a while, you went to college, then you got into a musical career in Nashville tell me about that what were you doing.</p><p>00:19:44.790 –&gt; 00:19:45.240 Ed Sharpe: yeah.</p><p>00:19:47.760 –&gt; 00:19:51.120 Ed Sharpe: I went to Warren Wilson, which is right outside of Asheville.</p><p>00:19:52.500 –&gt; 00:20:00.240 Ed Sharpe: and studying music composition and voice, I was a singer so I was a voice major as well</p><p>00:20:01.440 –&gt; 00:20:11.520 Joseph McElroy: there’s a Warren Wilson was sort of interesting school right it’s got its got to like you have to work on projects around the school right yeah.</p><p>00:20:11.700 –&gt; 00:20:21.360 Ed Sharpe: yeah they have a work program there are a few other schools in the country that way, but if you stay on campus you work for your room and board.</p><p>00:20:22.080 –&gt; 00:20:29.520 Ed Sharpe: Well, everyone works 15 hours, I was lucky enough to work in the music library, which is very beneficial.</p><p>00:20:31.170 –&gt; 00:20:31.650 Joseph McElroy: Though.</p><p>00:20:31.950 –&gt; 00:20:36.990 Ed Sharpe: So yeah actually moved to Nashville and pursued music.</p><p>00:20:37.080 –&gt; 00:20:50.640 Ed Sharpe: And did a lot of songwriting and a lot of writers and writers rounds playing the broken spoke and the bluebird and that whole thing, while working odd jobs, you know waiting tables.</p><p>00:20:51.900 –&gt; 00:20:59.790 Ed Sharpe: But eventually, I needed to pay the bills, so I got into sound engineering which I’m very much into as well.</p><p>00:21:01.290 –&gt; 00:21:04.080 Joseph McElroy: You have a passion for sound engineering right?</p><p>00:21:05.460 –&gt; 00:21:08.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah did you get to work with who did you get to work with you got the name-dropping do.</p><p>00:21:11.100 –&gt; 00:21:18.000 Ed Sharpe: Well, I was in the heart of the country music scene, so I met and worked with a lot of people.</p><p>00:21:19.770 –&gt; 00:21:36.600 Ed Sharpe: I had gone to recording engineering school briefly to get my certification and they placed it in a Jingle studio, which was a national Jingle studio of the law they worked with a lot of people in my</p><p>00:21:37.650 –&gt; 00:21:41.850 Ed Sharpe: first month there I think Dolly Parton was recording her.</p><p>00:21:42.990 –&gt; 00:21:47.940 Ed Sharpe: stuff for darling so I met her right away and fell in love, as everyone does.</p><p>00:21:49.530 –&gt; 00:21:59.760 Ed Sharpe: And through that experience, they were connected with contemporary Christian and country, so you know work with any brand Michael W and.</p><p>00:22:01.290 –&gt; 00:22:06.630 Ed Sharpe: Another one was Martin Sheen I’m a big Apocalypse Now fan I got to meet Martin Sheen.</p><p>00:22:06.720 –&gt; 00:22:08.490 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow that’s great yeah.</p><p>00:22:09.330 –&gt; 00:22:23.010 Ed Sharpe: From thereafter that experience, I’ve moved into live sound, which I fell in love with, and work for Opryland productions which has the grand Ole opry and the hotel and rhyme and.</p><p>00:22:24.240 –&gt; 00:22:34.500 Ed Sharpe: So yeah a lot of met a lot of my heroes their morale Loretta and Tanzania and all those people, a lot of fun.</p><p>00:22:35.100 –&gt; 00:22:39.540 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great you know Dolly Parton is actually I’ve never met her but she’s a cousin of mine, she.</p><p>00:22:40.290 –&gt; 00:22:56.310 Joseph McElroy: actually used to come up and define good Gary and then drive my great grandfather grocery stores what people told me, I never, never got to see it I got to know her but it’s kind of nice to know there’s a cousin like that.</p><p>00:22:58.350 –&gt; 00:22:58.800 Ed Sharpe: sweet.</p><p>00:22:59.970 –&gt; 00:23:06.720 Joseph McElroy: yeah she’s a treasure, the United States true absolutely.</p><p>00:23:08.040 –&gt; 00:23:10.290 Joseph McElroy: Yes, everything right every time just about.</p><p>00:23:11.730 –&gt; 00:23:14.730 Ed Sharpe: And I ended up working with Brenda Lee if you.</p><p>00:23:16.440 –&gt; 00:23:18.600 Ed Sharpe: Did rocking around the Christmas tree.</p><p>00:23:18.930 –&gt; 00:23:19.710 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah.</p><p>00:23:20.400 –&gt; 00:23:28.410 Ed Sharpe: sweetheart just a beautiful beautiful lady, and so our sound guy for over 10 years you know she kind of just a few years.</p><p>00:23:29.730 –&gt; 00:23:47.400 Joseph McElroy: So you have this wonderfully successful sound and during we’re getting them, you know interact with all your idols and you decide to come back to Swain County and take over the shop well what what what was the inspiration for that was a shocker across from Richard.</p><p>00:23:51.330 –&gt; 00:24:09.750 Ed Sharpe: Well, it just the time was worked out, you know Cobra came along, so all the Games and the touring kind of dried up, and my wife and I were both wanted to be closer to our family our parents, you know.</p><p>00:24:11.670 –&gt; 00:24:23.940 Ed Sharpe: her parents live close by as well, our homes are like two miles apart here, so it just felt right and mom was ready to retire and asked me if I’d be interested and I said yeah.</p><p>00:24:25.170 –&gt; 00:24:31.110 Ed Sharpe: I absolutely love that store, you know grew up with it and I’m loving every minute.</p><p>00:24:32.310 –&gt; 00:24:34.800 Joseph McElroy: How hard, was it for you to take back and take it oh.</p><p>00:24:36.810 –&gt; 00:24:37.890 Ed Sharpe: Well, I tell you.</p><p>00:24:39.060 –&gt; 00:24:42.750 Ed Sharpe: there are two ladies that have been there for over 20 years.</p><p>00:24:43.470 –&gt; 00:24:44.700 Ed Sharpe: Thank goodness to them.</p><p>00:24:44.700 –&gt; 00:24:47.880 Ed Sharpe: you know I couldn’t have done it without them, they pretty much trained me.</p><p>00:24:49.680 –&gt; 00:24:57.660 Ed Sharpe: Je n Fe are still there, right now, today, and with their health yeah.</p><p>00:24:58.830 –&gt; 00:25:07.560 Ed Sharpe: My mom you know I had a couple of years of her coaching me I got back into that I really do love it I’m passionate about it and now.</p><p>00:25:10.320 –&gt; 00:25:17.880 Joseph McElroy: Your mom died 20 which I’m sorry about my mom died 21 yeah so it’s like we sort of have this sort of the trajectory here.</p><p>00:25:19.140 –&gt; 00:25:19.410 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:25:20.040 –&gt; 00:25:21.030 Ed Sharpe: A lot in common.</p><p>00:25:21.450 –&gt; 00:25:27.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah a lot of common we’re gonna be we’re gonna make million-dollar successes out of these businesses so.</p><p>00:25:27.930 –&gt; 00:25:29.730 Joseph McElroy: You better hold up your end of that all right.</p><p>00:25:32.820 –&gt; 00:25:33.450 Ed Sharpe: challenge.</p><p>00:25:36.720 –&gt; 00:25:40.980 Joseph McElroy: So you know running this kind of business you.</p><p>00:25:42.360 –&gt; 00:25:47.610 Joseph McElroy: You really had to get you had to really take over the relationships with the crash people how did you do that.</p><p>00:25:50.940 –&gt; 00:26:04.770 Ed Sharpe: just talking and you know at I had some connections because I’ve been in and out of Cherokee my whole life and I had some friends from when I went to school here, you know so a lot of people.</p><p>00:26:05.250 –&gt; 00:26:23.820 Ed Sharpe: In- Cherokee here are related family-wise, you know and so yeah just everyday people coming in and making friends and they knew who, I am a lot of them in building those relationships yeah.</p><p>00:26:25.980 –&gt; 00:26:31.500 Joseph McElroy: The old-timers are Community that the people, the Community accept you back pretty much with open arms now.</p><p>00:26:32.340 –&gt; 00:26:47.070 Ed Sharpe: Oh yeah, of course, yeah it was a very loving environment always has been and that’s a testament to my mom to you know she wanted that shot to be a place where people can just come hang out and feel the love.</p><p>00:26:48.510 –&gt; 00:26:53.040 Joseph McElroy: You have a pretty good location right it’s right across some of that wonderful.</p><p>00:26:54.120 –&gt; 00:26:55.470 Joseph McElroy: Cherokee museum, is it.</p><p>00:26:56.400 –&gt; 00:27:08.910 Ed Sharpe: that’s right yeah we’re in the historical district they’re kind of set apart from all the other shops really where we’re in a little shopping center by ourselves.</p><p>00:27:10.410 –&gt; 00:27:16.470 Ed Sharpe: But yeah it’s kind of a unique place but it’s always been there, so people know that well.</p><p>00:27:17.100 –&gt; 00:27:18.930 Joseph McElroy: So how to get there, how did you get that look.</p><p>00:27:21.840 –&gt; 00:27:37.260 Ed Sharpe: Well, I mean this from the very start, when Tom it was connected to right next door and an 82 they had a fire which was very tragic because it the whole place Burnt</p><p>00:27:37.830 –&gt; 00:27:43.950 Ed Sharpe: And I started from ground zero at that point next to the Brahma in the motel</p><p>00:27:44.550 –&gt; 00:27:45.420 Joseph McElroy: And, but.</p><p>00:27:45.480 –&gt; 00:27:48.600 Ed Sharpe: The building we’re in now was an old laundromat that Tom.</p><p>00:27:49.890 –&gt; 00:27:55.470 Ed Sharpe: And they refurbished it so that the crash stop could have space there.</p><p>00:27:56.430 –&gt; 00:28:00.810 Joseph McElroy: And that was you predated the museum and the other nice craft stores right really.</p><p>00:28:02.280 –&gt; 00:28:13.500 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah that’s great all right, we have to take a break, when we come back let’s talk about you know the products of the things that you sell interesting adventures people might have with your store.</p><p>00:28:14.850 –&gt; 00:28:15.780 Ed Sharpe: Great sounds good.</p><p>00:30:20.640 –&gt; 00:30:29.340 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest Ed Sharpe, so Ed.</p><p>00:30:29.850 –&gt; 00:30:42.390 Joseph McElroy: You know I took a look at your site, you know there’s a lot of things yourself your website and I noticed that you have a lot of books is that a big area of your here so sales.</p><p>00:30:44.070 –&gt; 00:30:58.140 Ed Sharpe: yeah we do carry out a lot of books on Cherokee history and language and as well as herbs the herbals ceremonial and this one, been a big part of our business.</p><p>00:30:58.740 –&gt; 00:30:59.430 Joseph McElroy: So you.</p><p>00:31:00.540 –&gt; 00:31:01.050 Ed Sharpe: know the thing.</p><p>00:31:01.710 –&gt; 00:31:10.560 Joseph McElroy: That I noticed the calmest under would you had some titles and you add details in there, what kind of books to the Tom write.</p><p>00:31:12.330 –&gt; 00:31:22.260 Ed Sharpe: yeah Tom wrote informative books about Cherokee you know store, as well as just cracking kind of thing.</p><p>00:31:23.280 –&gt; 00:31:24.270 Ed Sharpe: And my dad.</p><p>00:31:26.700 –&gt; 00:31:27.090 Ed Sharpe: said.</p><p>00:31:29.040 –&gt; 00:31:30.630 Joseph McElroy: Oh, your dad wrote the books.</p><p>00:31:32.580 –&gt; 00:31:35.520 Ed Sharpe: My books I’m a junior so.</p><p>00:31:35.820 –&gt; 00:31:38.130 Ed Sharpe: With our good with Tom closely.</p><p>00:31:38.220 –&gt; 00:31:43.530 Ed Sharpe: On writing and yeah they had a business called Cherokee publications and.</p><p>00:31:43.590 –&gt; 00:31:45.120 Joseph McElroy: A really lot of there.</p><p>00:31:45.420 –&gt; 00:31:48.210 Ed Sharpe: As well as others that are still out there yeah.</p><p>00:31:48.930 –&gt; 00:31:52.200 Joseph McElroy: wow that must be pretty nice to read you the words of your dad right.</p><p>00:31:53.610 –&gt; 00:31:54.450 Ed Sharpe: yeah.</p><p>00:31:54.690 –&gt; 00:31:55.590 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool.</p><p>00:31:55.620 –&gt; 00:31:56.580 Do you still maintain that.</p><p>00:31:58.980 –&gt; 00:32:00.690 Joseph McElroy: You still maintain that publishing company.</p><p>00:32:02.370 –&gt; 00:32:03.780 Ed Sharpe: I know it was so.</p><p>00:32:05.070 –&gt; 00:32:12.600 Ed Sharpe: decade or so ago I just before my dad passed so we sell around Cherokee publications.</p><p>00:32:12.960 –&gt; 00:32:14.550 Joseph McElroy: But you know what is.</p><p>00:32:15.870 –&gt; 00:32:18.060 Joseph McElroy: what’s the best selling book in your store.</p><p>00:32:19.830 –&gt; 00:32:33.990 Ed Sharpe: Oh wow that’s a difficult one, we sell a lot of languages but there’s a Cherokee dictionary it’s very popular, you know as well as genealogy types.</p><p>00:32:35.580 –&gt; 00:32:39.450 Joseph McElroy: wow now you mentioned herbal stuff what kind of herbal things to do.</p><p>00:32:40.590 –&gt; 00:32:48.120 Ed Sharpe: yeah that’s become a big part of our business, it was always there but I’m really been expanding on it since I’ve been there.</p><p>00:32:48.930 –&gt; 00:33:02.970 Ed Sharpe: A lot of medicinal herbs with tinctures and Brian T soaps and sass and then we have another section that ceremonial that goes back to the ancient Cherokee traditions and native American.</p><p>00:33:04.080 –&gt; 00:33:08.310 Ed Sharpe: sage and lavender and sweetgrass and that type thing.</p><p>00:33:10.020 –&gt; 00:33:15.120 Joseph McElroy: Well, and you carry them in the store so people just come there and get them but.</p><p>00:33:15.330 –&gt; 00:33:16.860 Ed Sharpe: We did yeah.</p><p>00:33:17.520 –&gt; 00:33:17.940 Joseph McElroy: We don’t know.</p><p>00:33:19.980 –&gt; 00:33:22.470 Joseph McElroy: Do do do the source of locally.</p><p>00:33:24.840 –&gt; 00:33:37.890 Ed Sharpe: Not everything some things we do we have a lot of yellow routes that are harvested locally and our main herbalist does harvest, a lot of her stuff for the teachers and aunties and that kind of thing.</p><p>00:33:39.000 –&gt; 00:33:42.420 Joseph McElroy: So yeah these are pretty big things now right?</p><p>00:33:43.770 –&gt; 00:33:44.010 Ed Sharpe: With.</p><p>00:33:44.790 –&gt; 00:33:47.610 Joseph McElroy: Our t’s a pretty big item they usually are.</p><p>00:33:48.330 –&gt; 00:33:50.370 Ed Sharpe: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:33:50.400 –&gt; 00:33:54.660 Joseph McElroy: what’s a good Cherokee tea what’s a good tea that people work with?</p><p>00:33:56.640 –&gt; 00:34:00.210 Ed Sharpe: Well, we have some blends that are really good you know.</p><p>00:34:01.410 –&gt; 00:34:13.380 Ed Sharpe: Green tea is a big thing, but people will come, for they may have certain ailments or they’ll come for accepted for digestion or something for joint pain, you know and so.</p><p>00:34:13.800 –&gt; 00:34:24.180 Ed Sharpe: A lot of these teas and then sabz our old old medicinal recipes you know from the pioneers really plant medicine.</p><p>00:34:24.750 –&gt; 00:34:37.680 Joseph McElroy: Right well you know the Scotch Irish settlers came in and they had a tradition of herbalism too and but they changed it all based upon will herewith base upon the Cherokee traditions right.</p><p>00:34:38.730 –&gt; 00:34:39.120 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:34:39.930 –&gt; 00:34:44.670 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s very interesting there was this cross-cultural tradition exchange of</p><p>00:34:45.930 –&gt; 00:34:55.920 Joseph McElroy: Information that really made the smoky mountains, one of the top areas for herbal and natural remedies, I think.</p><p>00:34:57.750 –&gt; 00:35:02.580 Joseph McElroy: Of course, the whole story is not the whole story is that none of it works, unless you have a shot of moonshine with it.</p><p>00:35:07.440 –&gt; 00:35:08.160 Ed Sharpe: Absolutely.</p><p>00:35:09.300 –&gt; 00:35:20.880 Joseph McElroy: yeah I was surprised to see, aside from the herbals of the TVs and books, you have a lot of crafts there right what are some of the most popular craft categories?</p><p>00:35:22.530 –&gt; 00:35:31.980 Ed Sharpe: yeah we sell a lot of baskets and pottery that are locally made you know wood and stone carvings.</p><p>00:35:34.050 –&gt; 00:35:40.200 Ed Sharpe: A lot of those as well as weaponry stuff like old blowguns and bows.</p><p>00:35:42.780 –&gt; 00:35:51.300 Ed Sharpe: Tomahawk that kind of thing we have a lot of musical stuff the 10 practice to flutes and rattles yeah.</p><p>00:35:52.770 –&gt; 00:35:53.280 Joseph McElroy: And who were.</p><p>00:35:54.570 –&gt; 00:35:56.160 Joseph McElroy: Who were some of your top artists?</p><p>00:35:59.070 –&gt; 00:36:15.810 Ed Sharpe: Well, we have a lot we have some young people Kevin Watney Johnny Bradley is a fantastic painter as well as low a swimmer who paints on feathers very popular you know.</p><p>00:36:17.160 –&gt; 00:36:33.510 Ed Sharpe: We have pottery from the great Amanda Swimmers family her children Don Swimmer and Melvina Swimmer will bring in traditional pottery as it’s been made for years and years, you know who.</p><p>00:36:35.910 –&gt; 00:36:39.390 Ed Sharpe: You know a lot of generations, down from some of the greats.</p><p>00:36:40.530 –&gt; 00:36:58.740 Ed Sharpe: John Willnote, he, of course, was a great one and recently we lost Fred his son, who, who was a fantastic stone Carver we have a lot of his work and his son third-generation Freddy Barry Kaufman.</p><p>00:37:01.200 –&gt; 00:37:05.160 Joseph McElroy: wow yeah stove carving yo is tremendous.</p><p>00:37:06.210 –&gt; 00:37:16.710 Joseph McElroy: You know, skill, you know my not just the carving but actually doing things like just building beautiful stone walls, like my father, you know is high end.</p><p>00:37:17.580 –&gt; 00:37:28.710 Joseph McElroy: construction company here for a long time in the mountains and he would work with the Cherokee Indian stonemasons because they knew that they had had had their own tradition.</p><p>00:37:29.520 –&gt; 00:37:34.650 Joseph McElroy: For a long time of doing stonework and then you know when the.</p><p>00:37:35.280 –&gt; 00:37:44.700 Joseph McElroy: Appalachian trail came through and the partner parkways and all that the state and the government brought in tallying stonemasons to do a lot of that right.</p><p>00:37:45.000 –&gt; 00:37:52.380 Joseph McElroy: And so, then the Cherokee Indians work with them and they gave so they also have their own tradition, they gained experience of working with.</p><p>00:37:52.770 –&gt; 00:38:08.400 Joseph McElroy: European traditions of stonemasons so they become some of the best in the world, and you know I think it’s fascinating to look at these rock walls and you see that each one of them has a little signature in there, like a diamond or turtle or an arrowhead that’s great yeah.</p><p>00:38:10.920 –&gt; 00:38:15.990 Ed Sharpe: yeah I love, looking at the step there’s some fantastic stonework in Syria.</p><p>00:38:19.080 –&gt; 00:38:35.250 Joseph McElroy: No it’s pretty cool out the pottery you know, do they do you have to carry that what is it, though the wedding pottery, the wedding pot so ones are the two handles the tooth spouts of that and then at the end they break it carry those.</p><p>00:38:36.000 –&gt; 00:38:39.690 Ed Sharpe: yeah yeah major piece.</p><p>00:38:40.050 –&gt; 00:38:54.150 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know it’s kind of interesting but there’s the same tradition in Jewish weddings I think it’s fascinating I don’t have that happen to have this same similar tradition and they break it at the end, the same way right yeah.</p><p>00:38:59.190 –&gt; 00:39:17.730 Joseph McElroy: No, I actually went out and saw a video you mother and put together, I think it was from you know, maybe it was a mother, I think it was your mother, but she was talking about that sort of thing I thought was a very interesting the video from like 2012 you know and then.</p><p>00:39:17.760 –&gt; 00:39:19.020 Ed Sharpe: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:39:19.860 –&gt; 00:39:28.200 Joseph McElroy: And you have those baskets that cut that you know, there you have these baskets like they have to take very large trees and save them or something like that.</p><p>00:39:29.730 –&gt; 00:39:31.110 Ed Sharpe: Yes, yeah.</p><p>00:39:31.470 –&gt; 00:39:33.600 Joseph McElroy: The one of those oh yeah.</p><p>00:39:33.750 –&gt; 00:39:35.130 Ed Sharpe: like this.</p><p>00:39:35.190 –&gt; 00:39:47.640 Ed Sharpe: yeah river cane baskets light up and then honeysuckle a lot of people do work with mine but that work that’s hard work.</p><p>00:39:48.150 –&gt; 00:40:00.210 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my gosh I mean that’s an incredible amount of work, and but yeah I think that there’s some of the most highly sought-after set up sought after baskets in the world right.</p><p>00:40:01.230 –&gt; 00:40:01.590 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:40:01.800 –&gt; 00:40:02.760 Ed Sharpe: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:40:03.570 –&gt; 00:40:23.670 Joseph McElroy: cool now I’m a particular fan of masks you know I went to have been to a few places in the world and seen some tremendous masks and I’ve collected a few by the Cherokee mask or you know we’re studying that means that the features and a lot of these master haunting right.</p><p>00:40:24.960 –&gt; 00:40:27.720 Joseph McElroy: There so well crafted I mean they’re.</p><p>00:40:29.130 –&gt; 00:40:33.960 Joseph McElroy: they’re both a caricature and a human face, at the same time.</p><p>00:40:35.160 –&gt; 00:40:49.320 Joseph McElroy: And I really don’t know how they capture that right, and then they use all these natural you know fibers and grasses and things like that you know, to make them into yeah who’s your tap who’s your top mask artists there now.</p><p>00:40:51.990 –&gt; 00:40:55.860 Ed Sharpe: wow we have a gentleman named Richard Out.</p><p>00:40:56.220 –&gt; 00:40:57.690 who’s fantastic.</p><p>00:40:58.830 –&gt; 00:41:06.450 Ed Sharpe: He does a lot of masks or there’s the booger mask you know medicine mass that is traditional.</p><p>00:41:07.320 –&gt; 00:41:24.450 Ed Sharpe: But I’m with you I’m always been fascinated with that and since I’ve been back here I’ve learned a lot about the museum had a fantastic showing a year or so ago on mask there’s a lot of history and culture in that yeah.</p><p>00:41:25.140 –&gt; 00:41:27.480 Joseph McElroy: Oh, oh yeah I mean it’s.</p><p>00:41:28.560 –&gt; 00:41:39.660 Joseph McElroy: it’s you know a lot of ways to study achievement I’m yeah I’m not sure if it is prevalent in Cherokee culture, but a lot of mask indigenous mask makers around the world.</p><p>00:41:40.050 –&gt; 00:41:57.150 Joseph McElroy: would always make the outside that mask be really wonderful, but then on the inside, they would make some sort of private declaration that they only knew about they only see it was their mystery right and that was the essence of the character, do they do that with the Cherokee mask.</p><p>00:41:57.840 –&gt; 00:41:59.820 Ed Sharpe: i’ve seen that yeah yeah.</p><p>00:42:01.740 –&gt; 00:42:02.190 Ed Sharpe: yeah.</p><p>00:42:03.270 –&gt; 00:42:04.110 Ed Sharpe: fascinating.</p><p>00:42:04.590 –&gt; 00:42:05.610 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my gosh.</p><p>00:42:06.150 –&gt; 00:42:11.880 Joseph McElroy: Well, artists do live things to inspire themselves so who would be younger artists coming up.</p><p>00:42:14.460 –&gt; 00:42:22.230 Ed Sharpe: Well, you know there’s not a whole lot of them really you know it takes a special person to carry on, but.</p><p>00:42:23.280 –&gt; 00:42:33.480 Ed Sharpe: Like I mentioned that it’s Kevin Whitey who does mask and woodcarvings very and it has his own style, as well as</p><p>00:42:34.770 –&gt; 00:42:38.400 Ed Sharpe: the lowest swimmer who I mentioned does the feather paintings.</p><p>00:42:41.160 –&gt; 00:42:55.290 Ed Sharpe: it’s always interesting to see people come in and some of them will pass it down, you know in teach their children so it’s a learning process constant learning process.</p><p>00:42:56.040 –&gt; 00:43:05.790 Joseph McElroy: Well, since your business has been in business, what for 15 years it, you must work with, often with generations right, how do you keep the generations involved.</p><p>00:43:09.090 –&gt; 00:43:17.040 Ed Sharpe: I just everyone that comes in, I find out their story and it seems like they’re all related everyone.</p><p>00:43:17.700 –&gt; 00:43:18.330 From one day.</p><p>00:43:23.640 –&gt; 00:43:23.850 Joseph McElroy: As.</p><p>00:43:26.220 –&gt; 00:43:29.850 Joseph McElroy: All the counties in North Carolina and Western North Carolina are a little bit like this.</p><p>00:43:33.180 –&gt; 00:43:36.630 Ed Sharpe: Hello you’re selling so brother I got it.</p><p>00:43:38.130 –&gt; 00:43:48.240 Joseph McElroy: All right, well we’re going to take another break and come back and finish up with you know some odds and ends and some things that visitors might like to learn and and and shout out, alright.</p><p>00:43:49.110 –&gt; 00:43:49.770 Ed Sharpe: Great good.</p><p>00:44:52.680 –&gt; 00:44:53.820 owning all got lovers.</p><p>00:45:51.510 –&gt; 00:45:59.970 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast my guest Ed Sharp.</p><p>00:46:00.870 –&gt; 00:46:09.780 Joseph McElroy: Ed, you know where we too are very passionate about the perpetuation of Appalachian history at Cherokee culture at the.</p><p>00:46:10.440 –&gt; 00:46:18.360 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center Resort, and we, you know we’re going to feature several charities being programs this year with artists like Davey Arch and very.</p><p>00:46:19.050 –&gt; 00:46:26.430 Joseph McElroy: Much involved and we love your commitment to perpetuate the legacy of these artists, as well as your beloved mother and Tom on.</p><p>00:46:27.630 –&gt; 00:46:34.320 Joseph McElroy: My wife, is doing the same thing and Maggie Valley at the motel my parents may take this for half a century, as well as the creation of this heritage said.</p><p>00:46:34.890 –&gt; 00:46:43.560 Joseph McElroy: However, with that passion for passing also comes responsibility for building the future So what does the future hold for the medicine man crafts?</p><p>00:46:46.410 –&gt; 00:46:56.790 Ed Sharpe: I’m working every day on growing there you know, at first, it seemed like a big issue probably felt a big responsibility to carry on such a.</p><p>00:46:58.110 –&gt; 00:47:14.520 Ed Sharpe: legacy, you know, in the area, but even before I moved back home, I started a website and started getting some social media together so since I’ve been there.</p><p>00:47:15.480 –&gt; 00:47:32.880 Ed Sharpe: I’ve been growing the business that way just online, we have a website where you can order it’s an e-commerce site now, as well as social media channels and that kind of thing so yeah as well as the herbal business we’re growing.</p><p>00:47:34.980 –&gt; 00:47:49.740 Joseph McElroy: cool now, I would reverse be remiss for my kids because I, you know, I have an I have no I’ve been around for a while, I have three and a half-year-old twins and I noticed, you have a kid section on your website what’s the most popular kids item that’s craft.</p><p>00:47:52.890 –&gt; 00:47:57.720 Ed Sharpe: we’ve got little mini logans and pea-shooters that I love.</p><p>00:48:03.270 –&gt; 00:48:12.210 Ed Sharpe: yeah all kinds of things from you know traditional little dolls and clothing and.</p><p>00:48:13.290 –&gt; 00:48:16.020 Ed Sharpe: Tomahawks and all that fun stuff.</p><p>00:48:16.410 –&gt; 00:48:27.990 Joseph McElroy: Oh-oh, I remember Tomahawk I remember also coming back I think slingshots from the craft stores back in the day, but I don’t know what that I have no idea what that did with that related to the culture here.</p><p>00:48:31.710 –&gt; 00:48:32.070 Joseph McElroy: But.</p><p>00:48:32.160 –&gt; 00:48:33.330 Joseph McElroy: They had little things.</p><p>00:48:33.360 –&gt; 00:48:35.190 Joseph McElroy: on them so that that made them authentic.</p><p>00:48:39.720 –&gt; 00:48:41.040 Joseph McElroy: yeah so.</p><p>00:48:42.300 –&gt; 00:48:45.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so aside from being in business for half a century.</p><p>00:48:46.800 –&gt; 00:48:54.000 Joseph McElroy: And all your great stable of craftsman what sets apart the medicine man carfts from the other local shops.</p><p>00:48:56.160 –&gt; 00:48:56.970 Ed Sharpe: Well, I think.</p><p>00:48:58.230 –&gt; 00:49:17.490 Ed Sharpe: Just the time that it’s been there and the relationships we’ve developed, but our focus really is on local handmade stuff and just creating an atmosphere where people can come and really feel the culture and feel at home, you know.</p><p>00:49:18.840 –&gt; 00:49:34.530 Ed Sharpe: it’s funny we talked about generations of crafters, but we also now have generations of visitors, you know that come by year after year, a lot of people will come in and say, man, I remember being here as a little kid and.</p><p>00:49:35.670 –&gt; 00:49:37.620 Ed Sharpe: producing this this place.</p><p>00:49:39.870 –&gt; 00:49:40.890 Ed Sharpe: it’s a joy.</p><p>00:49:42.000 –&gt; 00:49:48.660 Joseph McElroy: Yeah and you know I like to because you know we’re pitching you’re talking about two people hope they’ll come to visit.</p><p>00:49:49.260 –&gt; 00:50:00.510 Joseph McElroy: You know, besides your store what else would they visit there you don’t let me see of course that is pushing it what would be a good place safer go get some really good food near your business.</p><p>00:50:01.500 –&gt; 00:50:19.260 Ed Sharpe: yeah there’s a several family places there’s a POs restaurant, which does family traditional meals like trout and fry bread and stuff like that there’s a brand new brewery restaurant up the street.</p><p>00:50:20.400 –&gt; 00:50:22.080 Ed Sharpe: that’s doing well and.</p><p>00:50:23.580 –&gt; 00:50:27.540 Ed Sharpe: As well as you know, the Mexican and Asian.</p><p>00:50:29.220 –&gt; 00:50:33.900 Ed Sharpe: there’s a great little local Deli called sassy sunflower.</p><p>00:50:34.980 –&gt; 00:50:35.490 Joseph McElroy: This.</p><p>00:50:35.700 –&gt; 00:50:38.220 Ed Sharpe: Real well it’s run by locals you know so.</p><p>00:50:39.240 –&gt; 00:50:45.630 Joseph McElroy: cool and is there any other entertainment near there that you would recommend people to see.</p><p>00:50:47.340 –&gt; 00:50:52.590 Ed Sharpe: Well, I always point people to the drama, you know, and to these hills and.</p><p>00:50:54.330 –&gt; 00:50:59.520 Ed Sharpe: And, and the old kind of left the village it’s been there.</p><p>00:51:00.630 –&gt; 00:51:06.930 Ed Sharpe: Did the test of time and it’s very educational and great for people to visit you know</p><p>00:51:07.890 –&gt; 00:51:18.240 Joseph McElroy: cool, and you’re an avid hiker right so and photographer in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park so you’re working on the 900 milers certificate certification.</p><p>00:51:19.530 –&gt; 00:51:19.860 Ed Sharpe: Yes.</p><p>00:51:21.300 –&gt; 00:51:23.370 Ed Sharpe: we’ll see how long it takes to.</p><p>00:51:26.460 –&gt; 00:51:30.840 Joseph McElroy: go through all the 900 miles of trails of the smoky mountains right yeah.</p><p>00:51:31.410 –&gt; 00:51:33.150 Ed Sharpe: that’s the goal yeah.</p><p>00:51:33.210 –&gt; 00:51:33.720 Joseph McElroy: And how long.</p><p>00:51:35.970 –&gt; 00:51:41.280 Ed Sharpe: Well, I think I’ve covered about 60% and the three years I’ve been here so.</p><p>00:51:43.050 –&gt; 00:51:49.380 Ed Sharpe: Indication, of course, I left the hardest trails last it could take me a while.</p><p>00:51:51.150 –&gt; 00:51:51.570 Joseph McElroy: So what.</p><p>00:51:53.070 –&gt; 00:51:57.690 Joseph McElroy: What so far what’s your favorite hike you’ve done in the Smoky Mountain National Park.</p><p>00:51:58.650 –&gt; 00:52:09.570 Ed Sharpe: Oh wow Mount Le Conte is something special you know there are five different trails they go up there and they’re all just breathtaking you know.</p><p>00:52:11.670 –&gt; 00:52:13.830 Ed Sharpe: Maybe my favorite place to go.</p><p>00:52:14.850 –&gt; 00:52:18.360 Joseph McElroy: I would spray it’s about springtime now what’s the best place for the wildflowers.</p><p>00:52:20.190 –&gt; 00:52:25.020 Ed Sharpe: Oh, the park is is full of them, you know there’s a lot of trails.</p><p>00:52:27.180 –&gt; 00:52:29.370 Ed Sharpe: I was just on I’m trying to think of.</p><p>00:52:31.620 –&gt; 00:52:33.090 Ed Sharpe: Losing losing.</p><p>00:52:34.170 –&gt; 00:52:36.930 Ed Sharpe: Now it’s parsons branch maybe are.</p><p>00:52:36.960 –&gt; 00:52:45.990 Ed Sharpe: our Greek wonderful wildflowers, I was there a week or so ago and they’re already on their little heads out so.</p><p>00:52:46.530 –&gt; 00:52:48.120 Ed Sharpe: Great it’s.</p><p>00:52:48.330 –&gt; 00:52:49.020 Ed Sharpe: So wrong.</p><p>00:52:49.530 –&gt; 00:52:51.660 Joseph McElroy: You figure go wrong right so.</p><p>00:52:52.740 –&gt; 00:52:58.380 Joseph McElroy: What what’s your website, social media address so people know where to reach out to you.</p><p>00:52:59.310 –&gt; 00:53:03.360 Ed Sharpe: Sure, the website is medicinemanandcrafts.com</p><p>00:53:05.970 –&gt; 00:53:13.620 Ed Sharpe: And, as I say, we have a lot of our herbals and crafts on there, not everything in the store of course.</p><p>00:53:14.970 –&gt; 00:53:20.790 Ed Sharpe: But that’s our website we’re on Facebook and Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter</p><p>00:53:21.180 –&gt; 00:53:25.470 Joseph McElroy: Just search for medicine man crafts, with those are all those.</p><p>00:53:26.460 –&gt; 00:53:29.820 Joseph McElroy: cool and do you have any personal?</p><p>00:53:30.960 –&gt; 00:53:34.380 Joseph McElroy: media that you send out or is it all just related to medicine and crafts.</p><p>00:53:36.690 –&gt; 00:53:39.360 Ed Sharpe: are related they’re pretty much that’s not good enough.</p><p>00:53:40.140 –&gt; 00:53:41.520 Joseph McElroy: yeah alright cool.</p><p>00:53:42.900 –&gt; 00:53:46.710 Joseph McElroy: And so any other shoutouts, you want to do.</p><p>00:53:48.420 –&gt; 00:53:56.790 Ed Sharpe: Oh man, thank you for having me it’s a wonderful opportunity, and thanks again to Judy and the team for</p><p>00:53:58.230 –&gt; 00:54:00.780 Ed Sharpe: Being there I couldn’t do it without them so.</p><p>00:54:03.090 –&gt; 00:54:21.540 Joseph McElroy: Alright, great So this is the Gateway to the Smokies podcast you can find out more about us@facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast or you go to smokiesadventure.com and you’ll see a link to all the episodes of top of the menu.</p><p>00:54:22.770 –&gt; 00:54:38.160 Joseph McElroy: We are involved in a network called talkradio.nyc which features a lot of live podcasts and one of which we are one of the ranges from self-help to</p><p>00:54:38.880 –&gt; 00:54:50.760 Joseph McElroy: To this small business to travel-centric to you know dealing with pets it’s a bass range was very interesting network and I appreciate everybody just go out there and check out some of the other.</p><p>00:54:51.330 –&gt; 00:54:59.370 Joseph McElroy: programs are going on, I actually have another program called wise content creates wealth, it is a podcast about.</p><p>00:54:59.850 –&gt; 00:55:15.000 Joseph McElroy: Modern marketing with content and things like AI and behavioral science and things like that happen to be my expertise which I, you know used to raise the money that’s helping rebirth revive the Meadowlark motel renovated.</p><p>00:55:16.170 –&gt; 00:55:20.040 Joseph McElroy: And that airs on Fridays from.</p><p>00:55:21.240 –&gt; 00:55:33.090 Joseph McElroy: noon until one and I have some of the top people in the business digital marketing, especially in content marketing SEO, AI, behavioral science things like that come.</p><p>00:55:35.580 –&gt; 00:55:40.170 Joseph McElroy: to mind with this podcast is every Tuesday from</p><p>00:55:41.520 –&gt; 00:55:47.430 Joseph McElroy: Six until seven and I look forward to having you see you next week and listening.</p><p>00:55:48.540 –&gt; 00:55:54.720 Joseph McElroy: To what we have to say about the smoky mountains, a great place to come visit and thank you very much.</p> 6c922499-6aba-4618-b000-5149971ce93b https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/d0390530-5c7e-48cd-a3bc-05b979aa1368 Tue, 29 Mar 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3034 no full Episode 51: Crafting Quality Brews & Quality Lives in the Smokies Episode 51: Crafting Quality Brews & Quality Lives in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong><em>In today&#39;s episode, we&#39;ll explore the wonderful world of beer and the amazing craft beer revolution, and what it takes to turn your passion into profit.</em></strong></p><p>Today, Joseph is joined by our special guest,<strong> Corey Bryson</strong>, Co-Owner with his wife, Laurie Bryson, of <a href="http://balsamfallsbrewing.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Balsam Falls Brewery</strong></a>—is an award-winning craft beer artisan and certified beer judge hailing from Tampa, Florida. He and his wife are also Cicerone Certified Beer Servers. They now own and operate Balsam Falls Brewing in Sylva where Corey has family roots that go back over 150 years.</p><p>He will talk about his craft beer brewing passion and how he and Laurie are making a big impact in the Smokies. Don&#39;t miss this fun interview!</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/bX4jXbztjT/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a>.</p><p><br></p>

In this episode, we'll explore the wonderful world of beer and the amazing craft beer revolution, and what it takes to turn your passion into profit.

Corey Bryson, Co-Owner with his wife, Laurie Bryson, of Balsam Falls Brewery—is an award-winning craft beer artisan and certified beer judge hailing from Tampa, Florida. He and his wife are also Cicerone Certified Beer Servers. They now own and operate Balsam Falls Brewing in Sylva where Corey has family roots that go back over 150 years.

He will talk about his craft beer brewing passion and how he and Laurie are making a big impact in the Smokies. Don't miss this fun interview!

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1

Joseph starts by talking about the Meadowlark Motel which is the show’s sponsor and also smokiesadventure.com, another sponsor as well. Some upcoming events include a mountain heritage book series happening in Maggie Valley at the motel. He also mentions a fly fishing weekend which you can learn more about at meadowlarkmotel.com. Joseph talks about brewing and the industry that is growing in Asheville which supports about 3,500 jobs. He introduces his guest, Corey Bryson, Co-Owner with his wife, Laurie Bryson, of Balsam Falls Brewery. Corey grew up in the Southeast but also spent a lot of time in the Smoky Mountains with his grandparents. Corey also has an information technology background. He was a broadcast engineer for a tv station and also went into IT before opening Balsam Falls Brewery. Out of all of his hobbies, brewing was what stuck with him for a long time. Corey also speaks with Joseph about judging a beer which is what he also does as a trained professional.

SEGMENT 2

Corey is a Cicerone Certified Beer Server which he talks about with Joseph. It takes about 6 weeks to earn this which is considered a first-level sommelier. An expert in beer, he says, would know what makes one beer different from the other like how wine experts would know about wine. Corey says that when he lived in Tampa, Florida, he was very involved in the craft beer scene. His wife was the co-organizer of an international women’s craft beer organization. Corey and his wife worked with some friends from their brew club who decided to open a brewery in Tampa. Corey and his wife had been wanting to move to North Carolina to do the same. They sold their house in Tampa, quit their jobs, and finally moved after a couple of years. Although he only spent summers in North Carolina, he talks about the Smoky Mountains feeling like home to him. He discusses with Joseph the success of his brewery and how hospitality has been an important factor in its success and connection with its customers. Corey also speaks about the brewery’s name, what it means and how he and his wife came up with it.

SEGMENT 3

Corey talks more with Joseph about glassware and what a real beer glass looks like. He mentions that it actually makes a difference in how the beer tastes. Corey speaks about the Founders Club, which he created but no longer exists. The idea was to get labor but also gain supporters for their brewery. These people would help with things like paintings and fixing the location. He also speaks about his interest in environmental issues and how it’s important for his business. His brewery is a nano brewery and he speaks with Joseph about the work it takes for production and some of its benefits. Corey also discusses bringing a restaurant into the brewery, although most breweries bring in food trucks instead. The food that they have includes sandwiches, burgers, wings, and more. As for the beers, Corey says that he loves all kinds of beer. They have End of the Mist, their Southern IPA, Go West which is a West Coast Style IPA and more. He says that you’ll never know what you’ll find exactly when coming into the brewery.

SEGMENT 4

Balsam Falls Brewery also has a winery license, so Corey says that they can also make mead, something that Joseph brings up from his own experience. Joseph asks Corey about what he will be doing next. Corey says that he wants to expand the brew house and their kitchen. He is also thinking of having a second location in Haywood County. Balsam Falls Brewery is located in Sylva, North Carolina, and Corey says that visitors coming to the area, can visit places like Pinnacle Mountain to hike, visit waterfalls, and even have breakfast at White Moon Cafe. To find out more about Balsam Falls Brewery, visit balsamfallsbrewing.com and the same name on Facebook and Instagram.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:33.540 –> 00:00:44.250 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: hey welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.

00:00:44.640 –> 00:00:57.810 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty, deep-storied history, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes. I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains.

00:00:58.470 –> 00:01:12.480 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: My family is living in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today we’re going to talk about quality brewing in the smokies but first, sponsor’s message, which happens to be me.

00:01:14.160 –> 00:01:23.760 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts in the past, yet a modern environment with a Chic Appalachian feel and the amenities, of a country in

00:01:24.180 –> 00:01:36.330 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:36.870 –> 00:01:48.900 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Imagine a place for the old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:01:49.860 –> 00:02:02.190 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: and other sponsors smokies adventure. com that’s smokies plural adventure singular.com the smoky mountains and surrounding areas of vacation us a destination for all seasons.

00:02:02.490 –> 00:02:10.140 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:10.740 –> 00:02:22.710 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: start your adventure by using smokies adventures.com for all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains natural park trails, waterfalls, Cage Code, the elk, and more.

00:02:23.190 –> 00:02:29.220 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: then check out the awesome family attractions in the entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy.

00:02:29.850 –> 00:02:41.340 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And if you want you to do things like outdoor life events like weddings honeymoons smokies adventures got you covered it can let you know what are some of the great places to go and to have your event can happen.

00:02:41.820 –> 00:02:48.480 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: The goals of smokies adventures.com has become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.

00:02:49.740 –> 00:02:52.020 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So I want to give you a couple of events that are coming up.

00:02:53.190 –> 00:03:02.730 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: there’s a mountain Heritage book series happening inMaggie Valley North Carolina at the Meadowlark Motel and on Saturday, March 26 2022 at 4 pm.

00:03:03.030 –> 00:03:09.270 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: renowned author Bob Plott will lead a seminar on the history of hunting in the great smoky mountains.

00:03:09.570 –> 00:03:22.200 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: followed by a Barbecue dinner and music with Mike Ogletree former drummers of simple minds and various guests for that evening call 82 89261717 for more information.

00:03:23.130 –> 00:03:36.690 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And, as I mentioned before we’re going to have a big fly fishing camp in April here at the meadowlark motel what’s better for the soul than throwing a line upstream watching it past do it again and again, and perhaps getting a bite.

00:03:37.290 –> 00:03:44.430 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I don’t know all anglers know that fishing is only about reeling in the big one, although that always gets our blood pumping.

00:03:45.660 –> 00:03:53.070 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: The fly fishing is about being one with the River its magnificence presence well witnessing invaluable ecosystem.

00:03:53.760 –> 00:04:00.510 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: The meadowlark motels offering a fly fishing camp on a weekend on April 15 through the 17th and the smoky mountains.

00:04:00.840 –> 00:04:13.320 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Our goal is to bring like-minded people together to fly fishing food, drinking stories, and campfire Friday night will feature fishing tales of the smokies beverages of your choice, the speakeasy.

00:04:15.210 –> 00:04:27.840 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: charcuterie board full of small bites and trout those delicacies and lodging at the Meadowlark motel and then Saturday breakfast full of wonderful delights a half-day of on hands.

00:04:28.320 –> 00:04:36.900 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: instructions for four hours of intense fishing elite regional trout stream and then additional fat fishing in the mountain heritage trout stream in the backyard.

00:04:37.200 –> 00:04:49.260 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: there’ll be a Barbecue dinner live musical entertainment campfires and again lodging at the meadowlark motel call 8289261717 to get more information and to reserve your space.

00:04:49.950 –> 00:05:00.540 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: we’re gonna be talking about brewing in this smoky soon, and I just wanted to give you a little insight into it, you know that this area has become quite a brewmaster.

00:05:01.080 –> 00:05:11.910 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: paradise is actually considered one of the top areas for getting a craft beer in the nation Asheville is considered oftentimes the top city to get a.

00:05:12.660 –> 00:05:21.870 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: get a craft beer and there are many surrounding towns and counties that have become grown into quite little brew capitals on themselves.

00:05:22.230 –> 00:05:32.550 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: There are more breweries around Asheville than you can shake a stick at and the economic impact of this brewing industry is almost a billion dollars.

00:05:32.880 –> 00:05:52.920 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Right, the local beer industry is the second-largest manufacturing employer in the Asheville metro area, it supports almost 3500 jobs, the industry generated 33.4 million local tax revenues and it’s it is generated over 115 million for local state and federal governments.

00:05:54.270 –> 00:06:12.210 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: it’s all a 357% growth from 2014 to 2019 these statistics are from 2018, let me tell you, after a couple of months in 2020 when we shut down for covid has been growing even more has been growing great jobs it’s added.

00:06:12.630 –> 00:06:17.670 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: You know well over 1200 jobs, most the most of them and manufacturing industries.

00:06:17.910 –> 00:06:29.220 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And for every direct job in the industry, approximately one additional role has created support for the local economy so not only is it a wonderful tourism experience.

00:06:29.490 –> 00:06:41.070 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: and culinary and imbibing experience but it’s also been important for the local economy here in the mountains, so we have an expert with us today.

00:06:41.640 –> 00:06:48.210 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: His name is Corey Bryson he is the Co-owner, with his wife Lorie Bryson in the balsam falls brewery.

00:06:48.720 –> 00:06:56.940 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Which is an award-winning crap he’s an award-winning craft beer artisan and certified beer judge he and his wife, are also.

00:06:57.360 –> 00:07:04.950 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I think it’s cicerone he’ll tell me in a minute, whether it’s correctly said or not certified beer servers they now own and operate.

00:07:05.190 –> 00:07:16.230 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Balsam Falls Brewing in Sylva where Corey has family roots that go back over 150 years he and Laurie are also well-known Community activists in Jackson county.

00:07:16.500 –> 00:07:23.100 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: and take pride in making their homes there Hello Corey how are you doing

Corey Bryson: I’m doing good today.

00:07:23.760 –> 00:07:39.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah so, you didn’t grow up here, but your family right?

Corey Bryson: that’s correct my dad went off to college, I went to nc state when in the navy, and I was actually born in California I grew up all over the southeast but every summer I spent in these mountains, with my grandparents,

00:07:40.380 –> 00:07:46.800 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: that’s fabulous you know that’s exactly what I do my son Ethan, he then has down 30 is that.

00:07:47.370 –> 00:07:57.660 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: You know I left and went out to New York and different places, but I made sure he did come back every summer right, and I think it’s important to touch base with your cultural.

00:07:58.350 –> 00:08:08.940 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: roots that way, because both of us, you know how hundreds of years of cultural Beijing here so it’s great that you come back so you’ve lived a lot of places that you ended up in Florida right, I did.

00:08:09.750 –> 00:08:24.480 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: We moved to Florida in 2000 mm-hmm and lived there until 2016 school and you have an information technology background, yes, so where did you go to school uh.

00:08:25.020 –> 00:08:34.860 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I have an associate’s degree in electronics actually from a school that was in Louisville Kentucky I don’t think it’s around anymore at rest electronics Institute.

00:08:36.210 –> 00:08:37.320 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I went into.

00:08:39.330 –> 00:08:47.580 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: That a few different things, one of the things I did was I was a broadcast engineer for a TV station that’s good rock and then I went into IT and I.

00:08:48.360 –> 00:08:58.530 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: worked in that pretty much up until we open the business and I’ve worked in it, some recently cool since then, but, but you know my son was when he.

00:08:59.190 –> 00:09:03.120 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: When he left his school went to school is gonna be a marine biologist right.

00:09:03.810 –> 00:09:14.580 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And then he went to when we too and he discovered that they had this wonderful kinetic science degree, which was learning about how the body, in the end, up getting interested in powerlifting.

00:09:15.180 –> 00:09:29.910 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Oh, and so he’s been doing, like powerlifting for 10 years plus I had he got a wellness position with a corporation and stuff but now recently he’s told me he’s going to be IT, and you know, I have some IT background in my past so.

00:09:31.020 –> 00:09:37.470 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: that’s pretty cool you know it’s a good business to be in but sometimes it’s not as fun, as it could be.

00:09:40.620 –> 00:09:42.660 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Sometimes you find a hobby that.

00:09:44.100 –> 00:09:51.570 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: You just can’t shake the and in my life, I’ve been called a collector of hobbies so I take up one hobby and.

00:09:52.650 –> 00:09:55.830 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: work and work and I get tired of it go on to something else.

00:09:57.270 –> 00:10:01.860 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But when I took up brewing it just stuck oh really and it.

00:10:03.060 –> 00:10:04.140 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: took over a good party.

00:10:05.670 –> 00:10:10.950 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And I said well if I’m this interested in it if they can keep my attention for more than three months.

00:10:11.850 –> 00:10:28.530 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And then, more than a year, more than two years, more than five years, maybe there’s something here that I can work so so so you started yeah that’s an interesting thing started as a hobby, what is your hobby before for what was an example of a hobby.

00:10:30.030 –> 00:10:32.280 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: wow you name it.

00:10:34.440 –> 00:10:36.810 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Gaming, yeah I was a gamer for.

00:10:38.310 –> 00:10:52.650 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I built computers, I was a photographer in geography, for a while did a lot of digital photography did some weddings and things like what do you see this artwork here, I consider that a hobby vote an avocation instead of a vocation right.

00:10:53.760 –> 00:11:09.240 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So I’m so used to your hobby becoming a reality in Tampa Florida, right now, and you know as you and you started getting a reputation for it there right yeah when I first got interested in brewing.

00:11:11.490 –> 00:11:15.990 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: We joined a local homebrew club branded bootleggers homebrew club.

00:11:17.280 –> 00:11:18.510 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: They had.

00:11:20.070 –> 00:11:25.620 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: monthly meetings and they had a lot of great people there that brewed beer and.

00:11:27.360 –> 00:11:39.180 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: learned a lot from them together separately as kind of a side project of the club was a competition team and we get together once a month and judge.

00:11:40.320 –> 00:11:43.530 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: several different beers they could be craft beers could be homebrew.

00:11:44.640 –> 00:11:51.540 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And we would go through your standard judge judging score sheet and that helped.

00:11:55.440 –> 00:12:03.810 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: A calibrates my palate to what it should be, and to know what I’m tasting and why it’s there, or why it shouldn’t be there.

00:12:04.350 –> 00:12:19.860 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And that really got me interested in judging beer and that’s how I moved on it well, I mean it’s probably very complex but is there some things that you can tell people to how to judge appears good Those are some of the simple measures that you could yeah well.

00:12:21.270 –> 00:12:28.470 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: As a beer just saying is, you have to judge a beer based on style hmm if it doesn’t fit into a soft category.

00:12:29.760 –> 00:12:37.980 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Then the question becomes does it taste good does it taste like it’s well balanced, is this a beer, that you can drink and enjoy.

00:12:39.990 –> 00:12:55.530 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Maybe one another one, or if it’s a fear that you drink and you’re not sure about and not sure you want another one well that’s that’s your own personal preference and taste and that’s, the most important thing and repin drinking beer is drinking beer that you like.

00:12:56.820 –> 00:13:00.570 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: that you enjoy, so the other day, if you like, it just appropriately right.

00:13:02.760 –> 00:13:03.060 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But.

00:13:04.170 –> 00:13:09.570 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: The thing is, is there’s like the gradation right yeah I mean there’s a big difference between judging a beer.

00:13:10.650 –> 00:13:22.590 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Based on very stringent style guidelines and drinking a beer just to enjoy, so we have to take a break and we’ll come back we’ll talk more about that and then how it evolved into a career.

00:15:39.330 –> 00:15:52.650 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Corey Brysonso, Corey you are a Cicerone Certified Beer Server so tell me what that means.

00:15:53.880 –> 00:15:59.160 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Well, the cicerone program is equivalent to a sommelier and wine.

00:16:00.480 –> 00:16:02.640 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And that is the entry-level.

00:16:04.080 –> 00:16:13.170 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: it’s something that we encourage our staff to go through to take that certification so that they have a better.

00:16:14.250 –> 00:16:27.000 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Based on beer knowledge so it’s really an entry-level certification when my wife and I decided to start this business, we said well at the very least we should have that for ourselves.

00:16:27.540 –> 00:16:33.900 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: know what it takes to pass it and encourage our staff to be the same, and how long does it usually take to get one of those um.

00:16:35.160 –> 00:16:36.270 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: i’d say.

00:16:37.290 –> 00:16:40.980 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: depending on who you are and your knowledge and how well you study.

00:16:42.420 –> 00:16:50.370 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Probably about six weeks, and you can get the information down and then, once higher than that what’s the word to hire, then you become.

00:16:51.390 –> 00:17:06.060 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: A that’s the Level one, I guess, and then you become a certified cicerone, I see, which that is equivalent to a base or first-level sommelier as well in beer so as soon as big as it.

00:17:06.990 –> 00:17:20.040 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Is it’s not as well known as a sommelier yeah right well trying to become that well-known that I, it is, but it’s all it’s very becoming very well respected in the industry.

00:17:20.550 –> 00:17:30.090 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Because sommelier wine is is always promoted as being the high culture thing and.

00:17:30.660 –> 00:17:47.610 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: What many people don’t realize is a beer has such a deep deep history, and we have hundreds of classic styles that are out in what makes one different from the other that’s what an expert in beer would know.

00:17:48.480 –> 00:17:59.430 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Whereas an expert in wine can tell you the difference between different grapes, and things like that well you’re basically using all the same ingredients.

00:18:00.630 –> 00:18:10.230 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: You know your Maltese your mouth your hops are your hops all their different types of POPs and there are different types of malts depending on how highly they’re killed.

00:18:11.250 –> 00:18:23.700 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: That determines how dark the Maltese and like hell, the darker beer becomes but so wow and what I don’t want to introduce Bob what is cicerone mean?

00:18:26.580 –> 00:18:38.100 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Honestly, I’ve seen the definition of it before, but I don’t recall, is it a name or a that’s interesting it almost sounds like a classic character for some literature.

00:18:39.330 –> 00:19:03.210 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: yeah oh Shakespeare okay cool alright that was Mike our engineering, the background you give us an insight, yeah so so you came here to you start did you start your beer business in Tampa or you know, I was very involved in the Tampa Bay craft beer scene hmm along with my homebrew club.

00:19:04.800 –> 00:19:15.570 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: in Florida, huggers could bring their creations to beer festivals and serve there, so our homebrew club was invited to a number of the.

00:19:16.440 –> 00:19:30.780 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: The beer festivals that Tampa Bay had, and so we met a lot of the brewers there, the Community is very open and very engaged in that craft beer scene, so we became very involved with that.

00:19:32.280 –> 00:19:39.510 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: wife who’s not here with us was the Co-organizer of the bay area of charlie’s angels, which was a women’s.

00:19:42.480 –> 00:19:43.470 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: women’s I agree.

00:19:45.180 –> 00:20:02.070 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: it’s a national or probably international women’s craft beer organization right, and they would go around and visit breweries and talk to brewery wraps, and so we just kind of became embedded in that that culture in Tampa.

00:20:03.330 –> 00:20:09.690 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: It wasn’t until we had a couple of guys from our homework for a club who decided to open a brewery in Tampa.

00:20:10.890 –> 00:20:19.890 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: That we thought well that’s kind of interesting because we have been wanting to move back move here just Silva and to Western North Carolina.

00:20:21.210 –> 00:20:27.090 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But weren’t sure how we were going to make it happen hmm so we were looking for a way to make it happen and.

00:20:27.840 –> 00:20:37.200 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: After seeing these two guys one was a banker, the other was an auto body mechanic and they got together and got some investors and open a brewery.

00:20:37.650 –> 00:20:48.960 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And were very successful and we thought huh huh that that might be a possibility, so we’ve talked to them, they shared their business plan with us, we worked on it for about three years and.

00:20:50.670 –> 00:20:54.360 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Finally, came to the point where we needed to.

00:20:56.310 –> 00:21:07.530 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: make it happen so we got the shoulder house in Tampa quit our jobs moved up here and started working to make it happen, so why did you decide to do it and so.

00:21:10.320 –> 00:21:11.970 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: i’ve always loved Western Carolina.

00:21:13.620 –> 00:21:16.290 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I didn’t grow up here, but I spent every summer here.

00:21:17.970 –> 00:21:25.860 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I’ve always loved it it always felt like home because I moved around a lot as a kid I lived all over the southeast and.

00:21:27.450 –> 00:21:31.650 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: These mountains have always felt like home to me and I wanted to be here.

00:21:33.180 –> 00:21:44.340 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So when we started looking we were looking at Jackson county was sold as Anna Haywood county we looked in Waynesville in canton as well when we’re looking for locations.

00:21:44.820 –> 00:21:59.340 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And finally decided on so well, so it was a lovely little town is a great place for you already had a couple of breweries there, and one of them died right, I actually had two of them that went out of business, there were three breweries and Silva when we.

00:22:00.450 –> 00:22:04.830 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Finally, made the decision that someone was going to be our home the home for the brewery.

00:22:06.330 –> 00:22:11.190 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And we were a little bit concerned with three breweries already in a very small town.

00:22:13.230 –> 00:22:28.620 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But we knew that we could make it happen so we wow so I mean I mean when you smarting small businesses is tough, it is, and you come into the town of three breweries, how did you succeed, how to do stay in existence um.

00:22:29.430 –> 00:22:38.820 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Well, one month before we open one of the breweries closed, and it was unfortunate because I knew the owner really well and liked him.

00:22:40.740 –> 00:22:52.080 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And even talked to him about petitioner because potentially doing a joint venture, and you know, having us come in and maybe work with him and make that brewery into what it could be.

00:22:53.370 –> 00:22:56.400 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But that didn’t work out so he ended up closing.

00:22:57.600 –> 00:22:59.550 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And then, once we had open.

00:23:04.710 –> 00:23:10.110 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: It was a lot about the feeling and the audience um our location.

00:23:11.280 –> 00:23:23.010 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: We wanted to be warm and friendly and family-friendly and inviting the place that you can come into and if you’re a regular everybody knows your name, you know.

00:23:23.520 –> 00:23:38.190 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: kind of the cheers mentality and that’s what we did so from day one, the focus was to take care of our customers to be there for our customers to make them feel wanted and welcome and.

00:23:39.060 –> 00:23:49.020 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: not be these the industrial brewery where you know you want to be a here to here and then nobody talks to you and they’re they’re too busy to.

00:23:49.410 –> 00:23:56.730 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: To even give you the time of day, so hospitality is an important right, not just the brewery it’s hospitality as well, so that the right cool.

00:23:57.150 –> 00:24:02.850 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So named balsam falls right yes there’s a beautiful waterfall near there also falls.

00:24:03.270 –> 00:24:16.170 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And is it is, and I know waters, important for all making of beer, wine, whatever is that is that reason why he named it Boston false um no actually when we came up with the name balsam falls there wasn’t a Boston fall so really.

00:24:17.700 –> 00:24:24.000 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: searched and searched we did up the whole trademark search we’ve seen too many of our friends in the brewing industry.

00:24:24.690 –> 00:24:36.900 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Get hammered with $100,000 worth of legal bills because someone wanted to challenge them on their name so before we even moved up here, we started the trademark process on that name.

00:24:38.910 –> 00:24:57.030 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But the name came from two things number one in the early 70s and Silva, there was an active waterfall and it was the only municipality in the country that had an active waterfall within the city limits when they put the great smoky mountain expressway through.

00:24:58.080 –> 00:25:11.820 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: They diverted the waterfall and it was called bills false we actually have a picture of it on the front of our bar so we wanted to pay homage to that and we also wanted to have a name that really evoked.

00:25:13.830 –> 00:25:23.400 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Our locality, and you know we’ve got the plot balsam mountain range that runs right between where we are here and soma and.

00:25:24.540 –> 00:25:34.200 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: balsam was was something that just kept coming up and balsam just felt like the smoky mountains and move the plot ball so mountain ranges top by.

00:25:35.400 –> 00:25:38.760 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: By balsam trees you’ve got he balsam and she bosses.

00:25:40.830 –> 00:25:43.260 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: You got the spruce trees and the poetry so.

00:25:45.090 –> 00:25:49.920 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Those things really spoke to us and we wanted to evoke them.

00:25:51.210 –> 00:26:01.740 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: a feeling of this area and at some point later on someone I don’t know if they just named this fall’s balsam falls and put it on the Internet, but we spent a lot of but i’m sure.

00:26:02.280 –> 00:26:10.710 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: There wasn’t a balsam fall just to make sure we got our trademark that was fabulous, so there is a lot of breweries in this area right there.

00:26:12.330 –> 00:26:28.620 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So I mean hospitality you’ve already mentioned, is there any other competitive advantages that you’ve created for your beer and your brewery well, there are a few things, one of the things that that we saw that we really wanted to do is we wanted to.

00:26:29.760 –> 00:26:37.200 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: create a place where people who are new to craft beer could come and learn about what makes craft beer craft beer.

00:26:38.280 –> 00:26:41.790 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: We wanted to serve that craft beer in real beer glasses.

00:26:43.230 –> 00:26:52.890 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Most breweries that you go to their content with putting their beer in your standard cocktail check your glasses right.

00:26:54.900 –> 00:26:58.890 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: As part of our sister and certified beer server.

00:27:00.090 –> 00:27:13.740 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Something that I knew long before that but was that a real beer glass should have cursed and that’s why our hashtag is your curves are better is because, not because I’m fat, but because.

00:27:15.090 –> 00:27:20.820 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: The curves in those glasses have a purpose So these are three glasses, I, unfortunately.

00:27:21.900 –> 00:27:23.130 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: will be my first choice.

00:27:24.720 –> 00:27:42.150 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But we’re doing it for perpetrated about four yeah that’s fine but yeah if you go to Europe every beer has its own glass where you don’t order a beer in Europe and get it in a shaker glass know those glasses.

00:27:43.560 –> 00:27:56.880 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Get on my soapbox but yeah those glasses were designed to shake cocktails and they were cheap, they were like you know they’re like 50 cents apiece you can drop them on the floor, they don’t break so in the 80s.

00:27:57.540 –> 00:28:06.780 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: A name big industrial beer company decided to put their logo on the side of these glasses, give them away to bars and say here for beer in that glass.

00:28:07.230 –> 00:28:16.710 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: It was never meant to be a beer glass real beer glasses have curves those curves have a purpose when it curves in that helps retain the head and retain the aroma.

00:28:17.160 –> 00:28:27.480 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: The curve out at the lip of the glass let’s help missing that helps her role on your tongue so cool, we have to take a break now and we’re going to talk more about your brewery when we get back.

00:30:35.700 –> 00:30:43.440 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Corey Bryson so Corey.

00:30:44.820 –> 00:30:51.600 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I interrupted you because we had to go to break to talk about glass glassware, and I thought was pretty interesting, can you tell us a little bit more about that.

00:30:52.950 –> 00:31:00.060 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Well let’s put it this way, if you’ve got a good beer glass at home, you can do an experiment for yourself.

00:31:00.750 –> 00:31:14.130 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Take one of the shaker pint glasses and take a real beer glass that has the curves like I’m talking about and put your favorite beer in each glass and then takes a SIP out of each one and see.

00:31:14.520 –> 00:31:21.780 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Or take two sips out of each one of these want to acclimate your power take two steps out of each one and see if you notice the difference.

00:31:22.740 –> 00:31:31.650 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: We were planning our glassware, for the brewery we did exactly that we order samples of a bunch of glassware from the company, we were going with.

00:31:32.220 –> 00:31:45.690 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And we sat down and we had we did in sets of four, we had a shaker glass as our control, and then we had three other beer glasses and we put the same beer and each one tasted each one.

00:31:46.230 –> 00:31:59.250 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: to determine which one we thought accentuated that beer, the best we ended up choosing two glasses, one for our ipas one for our standard pilots since then we’ve added.

00:31:59.910 –> 00:32:04.140 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: balloon glasses Belgian style beer glasses for smaller pores.

00:32:04.560 –> 00:32:16.290 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And things like that, but well so that’s very much like a brandy snifter right there, yes it’s like you can tell the major difference in brandy, I mean you can get the experience of brandy without the right cool.

00:32:16.710 –> 00:32:27.570 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I didn’t even know that that that that the beer had that sort of thing and I didn’t drink it all the time, yeah well, I mean you gotta realize our sense of taste.

00:32:27.900 –> 00:32:38.550 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Is not really our sense of taste it’s mostly our sense of smell good so if you’re not getting the aromas from that beer that you’re supposed to get that the brewer intended you to get.

00:32:39.090 –> 00:32:46.530 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And you’re missing out on half the experience so when you created your your your business.

00:32:47.460 –> 00:32:59.040 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And it’s not dissimilar to what we’re doing is we create some called the heritage club you created something called founders club and help you build that what was the founders club uh well, it was something that is now closed.

00:33:00.570 –> 00:33:01.560 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: First opening.

00:33:02.610 –> 00:33:09.270 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: We needed to get a lot of work done so we needed painting mud drywall and.

00:33:10.350 –> 00:33:12.750 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Do all kinds of trim work and things like that.

00:33:13.890 –> 00:33:17.400 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So we put it out to our friends and family and things like that.

00:33:18.750 –> 00:33:21.240 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: hey if you want to become a founder here’s what you do.

00:33:22.350 –> 00:33:26.490 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Give us 25 hours of work while we’re trying to get this business open.

00:33:28.590 –> 00:33:47.640 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: in exchange will give you a T-shirt that unique T-shirt that says founders club on it you’re the only one that will ever have one of those and will also give you some other discounts it so it wasn’t like a sort of a gofundme with for labor yeah we got that idea from.

00:33:48.660 –> 00:33:54.630 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: brewery in the Tampa Bay area that opened did something very similar and it worked well for you.

00:33:55.020 –> 00:34:01.770 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: It worked really well for us, we got the painting done we made some great friends, I mean even more loyal customer you know yeah I mean.

00:34:02.190 –> 00:34:12.060 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: The idea was okay we’re getting the Labor sure, but we’re also creating our cheerleaders because hopefully.

00:34:12.690 –> 00:34:20.460 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: and probably about half the people that that finished becoming complete founders are now regular customers are so.

00:34:21.300 –> 00:34:34.260 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: yeah we give them free stuff but they come in all the time they bring their friends and their friends of ours, so I mean these people are we’ve known him for over four and a half years at this point and.

00:34:35.850 –> 00:34:42.030 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: they’re like family well you know it’s interesting you know I have this motels you know, been around since the 50s.

00:34:42.810 –> 00:34:49.170 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And there are people who come here, and I say there they were here for their honeymoons 60 so we’re talking about heritage club and one thing we’re doing.

00:34:49.440 –> 00:34:57.360 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: This character event, but I am thinking about you know rewarding these people like with a special status because listen to they.

00:34:58.170 –> 00:35:15.780 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: reported at all the years right, but I think I I like about you, you know we’re a three-star pine three find three pine hotel-motel where I think we’re the only three fine west of actual right which is a state designation of sustainability okay all right.

00:35:16.860 –> 00:35:32.190 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And I know you’re active that you’re active in environmental issues right, yes, so how does that become part of your business well brewers use a lot of water and they generates a lot of waste.

00:35:33.540 –> 00:35:37.710 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: it’s forcing you to have to figure out is how are you going to get rid of some of that waste.

00:35:39.000 –> 00:35:56.430 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Spent grain after it’s gone through the matching process it still has some nutritional value, so we connected with a local farmer who comes by on brew days and drops off drums we fill them up with spent grain he takes him back and feeds some to his.

00:35:57.660 –> 00:36:03.000 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: His holiday mostly I believe so wow, and that makes them in probably like that.

00:36:05.940 –> 00:36:24.030 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: collects a lot so you’re nano brewing operations is a nano brewing is generally considered under three barrels per batch production we’re actually a one-barrel brewery so.

00:36:25.110 –> 00:36:35.190 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Once we complete a cycle of brewing we expect to get about 31 gallons of beer out on the back end I see now is that a licensed sort of a.

00:36:35.820 –> 00:36:43.560 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Difference the difference, I know there’s not a licensing differentiation it’s really just a matter of production so.

00:36:44.160 –> 00:36:54.300 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I mean, I used to work with breweries of New York and I knew that a microbrewery you know, had certain limitations, but it also got the benefits certain things just to be in a brewer.

00:36:54.750 –> 00:37:10.740 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: wider right, I know the bill is a something you have to get an MRI designation in North Carolina, no, no, you do not you just have to once you have your federal version of this you go to the State and get it set up to them, but it’s not.

00:37:12.540 –> 00:37:13.920 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: there’s not any type of.

00:37:15.300 –> 00:37:22.830 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: a level that you have to stay with it now are most breweries in North Carolina know, though, I would say not.

00:37:23.910 –> 00:37:29.430 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I’ve met a few other nano breweries most breweries that are starting up no better.

00:37:32.340 –> 00:37:35.310 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Because manufacturing is very Labor intensive.

00:37:36.570 –> 00:37:44.670 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: You know, most of the time we’re not bringing one barrel of beer, we were double batching in an 11 hour day we’re in two barrels and putting that in the perimeter.

00:37:45.750 –> 00:37:53.070 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And we will do that two times three times, sometimes four times a week, depending on the demand at that point so.

00:37:53.700 –> 00:38:01.500 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Now most breweries I don’t know most, but I would say my experience of a lot of breweries is they don’t actually build a restaurant.

00:38:02.400 –> 00:38:13.350 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: right they get a food truck come in if they do anything right, and so you actually have done the work of bringing in a restaurant that’s expensive why uh well a couple of reasons, when we.

00:38:14.490 –> 00:38:15.240 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: First, opened.

00:38:16.350 –> 00:38:24.900 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Our thoughts were to do exactly that bringing a food truck and we talked to the town, a couple of times and.

00:38:26.100 –> 00:38:31.290 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: didn’t really get very far with them about giving us a parking spot for a food truck.

00:38:32.430 –> 00:38:45.390 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Just in the evenings and weekends and things like that it was we couldn’t gain traction on that right so within the first couple of months we knew that we needed food on-site and we tried other things as well we.

00:38:46.860 –> 00:38:50.610 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: could have done catering yeah we did catering a couple of times.

00:38:51.750 –> 00:39:01.290 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: We actually set up special deals with a few other restaurants in the area to deliver straight to our souls and in fact one of the businesses.

00:39:02.220 –> 00:39:12.900 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: They had did not have a delivery service at all at that time, but they would deliver to us and you know how they’ve got a huge delivery business, so I really help them out.

00:39:13.500 –> 00:39:21.360 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But we just realized early on that it just wasn’t going to work, so we started fairly early working on getting food there on site.

00:39:22.650 –> 00:39:31.980 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: To get a chef how did you create well initially we had we built out the kitchen and we had a tenant in that space.

00:39:33.840 –> 00:39:36.150 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: That we opened in August,2019 with.

00:39:37.200 –> 00:39:52.500 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: With that, then of course coven shutdown march 2020 when we were able to reopen in June of 2020 the lease was almost up and we decided to part ways with our tenant.

00:39:53.010 –> 00:40:09.270 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: and take over that space entirely at that point we didn’t hire an executive chef to help us put in the right equipment plan our menu and get us where we needed to be and what kind of food, did you have no we have.

00:40:10.920 –> 00:40:21.750 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Of course burgers, we have flatbreads we have wings, we have a variety of sandwiches Cuban we love spicy chicken sandwich.

00:40:23.250 –> 00:40:32.910 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And you’re all day right yes also breakfast lunch and dinner not breakfast breakfast breakfast isn’t really beer time oh yeah well yeah but yeah we open at 11.

00:40:33.660 –> 00:40:41.730 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: starts everyone’s cool you know there’s a restaurant in New York City it’s a French restaurant started in France and as part of my winery.

00:40:42.630 –> 00:40:48.960 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Right there’s an interesting story about it can’t be replicated right, but what they did is they had to.

00:40:49.380 –> 00:40:55.740 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: yeah they needed if people really wanted to have food whether drinking wine right, so they created one dish.

00:40:56.130 –> 00:41:04.170 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And they get some of you to create one dish which a steak with this with the steak and the special sauce and in free switch your Fries right.

00:41:04.650 –> 00:41:12.780 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: All the special sauce is so great that the food became this huge hit that people came from Moscow and, by the way, they drank wine to right.

00:41:13.440 –> 00:41:25.800 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And it became such a big thing they create just a restaurant that goes now in several places all over the world, all it said serves is this steak fruits with this special sauce and then you pick your wines and think he deserves.

00:41:28.440 –> 00:41:30.300 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Right it’s kind of interesting right.

00:41:31.920 –> 00:41:35.580 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So, can you tell us about the bruise the beers brew.

00:41:36.960 –> 00:41:46.260 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: uh well as we were talking earlier as a brewer I like a lot of different kinds of beer I’m not the same person will just drink one.

00:41:47.550 –> 00:41:53.220 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So we have a lot of variety in our brewery we have a total of 36 taps wow.

00:41:54.630 –> 00:41:59.670 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Two of those are taken up as guest taps one for white line one for porsecco.

00:42:02.460 –> 00:42:03.690 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: People like their muscles.

00:42:06.570 –> 00:42:13.020 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But the other 36 taps our goal is to keep beers and our other products on those.

00:42:14.760 –> 00:42:15.000 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Are.

00:42:17.250 –> 00:42:21.240 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: You never know what you’re going to find when you come in, you know, right now, what are your staples.

00:42:21.900 –> 00:42:37.320 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: We have into the mess, which is our southern IPA what we call a southern, yeah we’ve got by the encounter, which is a double IPA we’ve got go West, which is a former West Coast-style IPA we’ve got at 87 eagle blonde

00:42:38.400 –> 00:42:44.910 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: The one year I did live here growing up with my senior year in high school graduated from several Webster and oh wow seven.

00:42:45.960 –> 00:42:58.080 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: wow and their mascot was the golden eagles so I was looking for a name for the one there you go at eight seven eagle blonde that’s one of our most popular we’ve got our salt rock with bonus defeat robust porter.

00:42:59.880 –> 00:43:11.190 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: let’s see we got a few others, but they rotate on and off the view here I mean you’re pretty young brewery wanting words yet and we have one a couple so far.

00:43:12.930 –> 00:43:14.370 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: There were some.

00:43:16.350 –> 00:43:18.240 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: competitions in asheville.

00:43:19.830 –> 00:43:25.170 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: done by Raven farms where they gave you ingredients for their farm and actually to brew with them.

00:43:26.280 –> 00:43:34.140 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: it’s fairly limited competition, it was limited to 10 breweries one year we came in second place in that year, we came in the first place so.

00:43:36.000 –> 00:43:45.150 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Now, do you do things like me filter hard cider yes, yes, we did that’s one of the things after coming out of covid.

00:43:45.720 –> 00:43:51.510 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Knowing that we needed to make some improvements to our business, we got our winery license so that we could reduce cider.

00:43:52.320 –> 00:44:07.080 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: We so we started producing our own cider we also started producing our own self serve we’ve got a five and a half percent seltzer and an 11% seltzer wow are 11% seltzer is our answer to the fact we don’t have a liquor license.

00:44:08.280 –> 00:44:14.370 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And we can make mixed drinks with that, so you can mix it 11% seltzer down and still have.

00:44:15.570 –> 00:44:23.580 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Decent abv drink so cool all right well we’re going to take another break here and we’ll come back we’ll finish up with more information about what you’re doing and then.

00:44:24.720 –> 00:44:25.170 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: All right.

00:46:26.970 –> 00:46:37.410 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Corey Bryson so Corey I was talking about Plott, who is introduced us the other day.

00:46:38.010 –> 00:46:41.910 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And I was talking to you know, I was a beekeeper all right and.

00:46:42.720 –> 00:46:49.710 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And that was in the beekeeper in the Bronx right South Bronx know, so I hope they get the Community to be involved, they were the else.

00:46:49.980 –> 00:47:09.000 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: and actually it’s funny that the Church of stop shopping, which is a far less or the far left organization I’m not far left by any means, but they said because I was doing this in the South Bronx they made me a saint of their church stop shopping, so I have that accolade on my

00:47:10.110 –> 00:47:12.960 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Like that, I could ever run for office for somebody bring that up.

00:47:14.730 –> 00:47:22.770 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But the thing that was discussed with is that yeah I looked it up, and you can make like from one beehive you know.

00:47:23.970 –> 00:47:34.920 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Like 120 gallons of need, this is it something that you guys do is make me a yes, as a matter of fact, we with our winery license we can make me, we can make great line if we want to do.

00:47:35.850 –> 00:47:50.730 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And we actually just released, our first made last week very small scale only have a very, very limited quantity of it, but it is a 14.2% fortified wine man.

00:47:54.060 –> 00:47:54.540 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: legally.

00:47:56.160 –> 00:47:58.140 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But yeah it’s made with a.

00:47:59.280 –> 00:48:13.140 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: a bunch of honey and some nutrients for the East and just let them do their thing and it’s dry as a bone but still sweet from alcohol So where do you hope.

00:48:14.370 –> 00:48:15.390 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: This.

00:48:16.800 –> 00:48:23.700 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: kind of national honey supply or X to dispatch we do have some local a period so we’ve been talking to you.

00:48:24.930 –> 00:48:30.570 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I’ll be talking to you because when I put it behind in the south Bronx of the Waldorf Astoria so I started using my honey.

00:48:31.200 –> 00:48:44.760 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I can make good have you been oh yeah Father academies and I hope is over, with it, so I grew up here and doing honey and I learned how to do it from my grandfather my father was up there, I last had the benefit of being by the botanical gardens.

00:48:46.050 –> 00:48:50.700 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And I got some real while there was some interesting stuff there so anyway.

00:48:52.320 –> 00:49:06.660 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: it’s interesting so you’re always thinking of new products things to do right and things like that so what’s your future, what are you gonna be doing next uh well at the moment, we need to expand a little.

00:49:07.770 –> 00:49:16.860 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: As we discussed, I have a very small brewery house and need to expand that and also expand our kitchen, because our kitchen is very small, at the moment.

00:49:17.880 –> 00:49:22.110 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So we’re working on a plan to do that and.

00:49:23.760 –> 00:49:28.350 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: hoping to eventually have a second location were you thinking about having.

00:49:29.850 –> 00:49:33.150 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: we’re hoping for Haywood County so Maggie Valley

00:49:36.750 –> 00:49:47.880 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: yeah that’d be great yeah, we need, we need a brewery in Maggie Valley now the other distilleries and I wanna I want to have a craft beverage, though, that the festival grounds, you know festival.

00:49:48.630 –> 00:49:55.770 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: That would be cool right yeah I think that’d be good so yeah I use this podcast to like put you on the spot again.

00:49:59.010 –> 00:50:01.680 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: We can’t forget our friends at bear waters, they do have a.

00:50:02.400 –> 00:50:14.280 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Great they’re good down the street yeah we’re good for the good they have good food, I mean like you know yeah I love them I love they even have gluten-free pizza right now, but so they do a good job, but you know they.

00:50:15.270 –> 00:50:20.310 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: You know they’re they also you love business ready and during the winter was nobody else does because they’re new to the ski resort.

00:50:20.940 –> 00:50:27.570 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Right so but there’s room in this county for another brewery or two I think everybody’s still doing well it’s like.

00:50:27.900 –> 00:50:43.560 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So let’s move the pie bigger right exactly and that and as breweries come in everyone says well there’s got to be too many breweries now I mean you look at Asheville they’ve got I don’t even know I think they’re 25 breweries on South slope, and at this point.

00:50:45.600 –> 00:50:52.740 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: But people are still opening breweries so most of them are successful, I think it all comes down to.

00:50:53.940 –> 00:50:55.710 What your focus is on the business.

00:50:57.060 –> 00:51:11.670 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So what you’re instilling I know this is a travel show to somebody comes to a soda of food and beer at your place what else are they visiting so well, we do have the most photographed courthouse in North Carolina or they always said it was.

00:51:12.930 –> 00:51:19.290 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: A courthouse up on a hill actually not a courthouse anymore, now the library right so that’s beautiful.

00:51:22.020 –> 00:51:34.500 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: opportunity to take pictures and things we’ve got pinnacle mountain, which is a nice hike that people can go on there’s lots of waterfalls and other places to hide their lakes.

00:51:35.970 –> 00:51:39.480 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: And there’s somebody who sits you know certain records will be a good place to go get breakfast.

00:51:40.530 –> 00:51:43.980 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Oh let’s see well if you’re just looking for.

00:51:45.570 –> 00:51:53.550 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: or just some your regular greasy spoon there’s a coffee shop and that one if you’re looking for something a little bit.

00:51:54.570 –> 00:52:02.910 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: little bit higher class, we do have the white linen cafes and downtown also city lights CAFE they both serve breakfast.

00:52:05.010 –> 00:52:07.320 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: they’re probably a few other places, I think.

00:52:09.030 –> 00:52:27.120 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: there are some new places that I haven’t necessarily been to yet cool and then I mean you serve lunch and dinner but yeah somebody asked you to twice on the same day, so why, but where would be the other place that they would he’d love to um.

00:52:28.920 –> 00:52:39.720 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: lose down the street they’re a really nice sit-down restaurant and we’ve got elders which are kind of they call it a cross between Italian and southern food.

00:52:40.800 –> 00:52:41.730 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: it’s really good.

00:52:45.450 –> 00:52:53.670 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: we have your standard Mexican restaurants and everything Guadalupe Guadalupe yeah that’s a popular place cool.

00:52:54.360 –> 00:53:02.370 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So how can people find out more about you, your hours of operation that sort of thing Oh well, Monday through Friday we’re open 11 to 10.

00:53:03.120 –> 00:53:20.880 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Saturdays and Sundays, we do open early at 10 am for brunch and close again at 10 pm they can find out more about us on Facebook or Instagram awesome false brewing also Boston Paul spring.com cool, I have a to-do you have any.

00:53:21.900 –> 00:53:29.100 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Any social media that you are talking about out there, you know, promoting things like that they follow you or your wife.

00:53:30.510 –> 00:53:33.450 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I don’t do a whole lot I mean you should do to talk at least.

00:53:36.870 –> 00:53:43.860 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: shows how to cook some sub say my life just started doing Instagram and she’s all right, she was telling me the other day how many followers she has.

00:53:45.330 –> 00:53:47.310 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: what’s her Instagram I know.

00:53:52.140 –> 00:53:52.980 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: she’s probably listening.

00:53:54.690 –> 00:53:59.010 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: pull up a fun earlier and went to go to our Instagram for balsam falls when I’m like.

00:53:59.760 –> 00:54:06.960 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: huh they change the password on didn’t make sense yeah even have a personal Instagram account so yeah well that’s all right.

00:54:07.470 –> 00:54:20.700 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I think it’d be great to have you on the show, I really appreciate it great to be here yeah it’s been good to find out about this, I love the brewery scene in North Carolina I’d love to see it, even more, Maggie Valley love their water being here, but even more.

00:54:21.960 –> 00:54:41.460 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: So I encourage you to look at Maggie valley opportunities and I think it’d be great So this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find out more about us@facebook.com/gatewaytothe smokiespodcast we also.

00:54:43.290 –> 00:54:52.470 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Are we actually have all our videos on smokiesadventure.com you can go there and you’ll see the link at the top of the smokiesadventures, and we have.

00:54:52.830 –> 00:55:07.590 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Not only the shows but we have transcripts so you can read it and find things that you want to do and other information and newsletter you can sign up for this podcast is on talkradio.nyc network it broadcast person to New York City.

00:55:08.790 –> 00:55:20.790 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: and other you know other places it’s a live network of lots of podcasts arranging for small business to other travel shows to self-help to you know to.

00:55:21.600 –> 00:55:30.150 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: To cats and dogs anything, a lot of different things it’s seven days a week, you know many hours out of the day, so go to talkradio.nyc.

00:55:30.510 –> 00:55:39.600 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: To look for shows that you might find interesting I love the live show format because you find out, they have a very vital experience.

00:55:40.020 –> 00:55:53.790 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: I also run another podcast on this network called wise content creates wealth, I will help people understand how to use content marketing SEO to build a business, which is something I’m doing for the businesses I’m doing.

00:55:54.960 –> 00:56:03.780 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: Which is the Meadowlark motel it’s a very successful approach and I’m sharing the information I learned on how to do that.

00:56:04.440 –> 00:56:18.990 Joseph McElroy & Corey Bryson: There and that’s on Fridays from noon until one so, but this podcast gateway to the smokies is on Tuesdays from six to seven, I look forward to being here next week, and having you join us to listen to the next grade expert from the smoky mountains, thank you very much.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/bX4jXbztjT/" rel="nofollow"><strong><em><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/623b58c0302f8d702924a5fe_20220322-GTTS.jpg"></em></strong></a></p><p><strong><em>In this episode, we&#39;ll explore the wonderful world of beer and the amazing craft beer revolution, and what it takes to turn your passion into profit.</em></strong></p><p><strong> Corey Bryson</strong>, Co-Owner with his wife, Laurie Bryson, of <a href="http://balsamfallsbrewing.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Balsam Falls Brewery</strong></a>—is an award-winning craft beer artisan and certified beer judge hailing from Tampa, Florida. He and his wife are also Cicerone Certified Beer Servers. They now own and operate Balsam Falls Brewing in Sylva where Corey has family roots that go back over 150 years.</p><p>He will talk about his craft beer brewing passion and how he and Laurie are making a big impact in the Smokies. Don&#39;t miss this fun interview!</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/bX4jXbztjT/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a>.</p><p><br></p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts by talking about the Meadowlark Motel which is the show’s sponsor and also smokiesadventure.com, another sponsor as well. Some upcoming events include a mountain heritage book series happening in Maggie Valley at the motel. He also mentions a fly fishing weekend which you can learn more about at meadowlarkmotel.com. Joseph talks about brewing and the industry that is growing in Asheville which supports about 3,500 jobs. He introduces his guest, Corey Bryson, Co-Owner with his wife, Laurie Bryson, of Balsam Falls Brewery. Corey grew up in the Southeast but also spent a lot of time in the Smoky Mountains with his grandparents. Corey also has an information technology background. He was a broadcast engineer for a tv station and also went into IT before opening Balsam Falls Brewery. Out of all of his hobbies, brewing was what stuck with him for a long time. Corey also speaks with Joseph about judging a beer which is what he also does as a trained professional.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Corey is a Cicerone Certified Beer Server which he talks about with Joseph. It takes about 6 weeks to earn this which is considered a first-level sommelier. An expert in beer, he says, would know what makes one beer different from the other like how wine experts would know about wine. Corey says that when he lived in Tampa, Florida, he was very involved in the craft beer scene. His wife was the co-organizer of an international women’s craft beer organization. Corey and his wife worked with some friends from their brew club who decided to open a brewery in Tampa. Corey and his wife had been wanting to move to North Carolina to do the same. They sold their house in Tampa, quit their jobs, and finally moved after a couple of years. Although he only spent summers in North Carolina, he talks about the Smoky Mountains feeling like home to him. He discusses with Joseph the success of his brewery and how hospitality has been an important factor in its success and connection with its customers. Corey also speaks about the brewery’s name, what it means and how he and his wife came up with it.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Corey talks more with Joseph about glassware and what a real beer glass looks like. He mentions that it actually makes a difference in how the beer tastes. Corey speaks about the Founders Club, which he created but no longer exists. The idea was to get labor but also gain supporters for their brewery. These people would help with things like paintings and fixing the location. He also speaks about his interest in environmental issues and how it’s important for his business. His brewery is a nano brewery and he speaks with Joseph about the work it takes for production and some of its benefits. Corey also discusses bringing a restaurant into the brewery, although most breweries bring in food trucks instead. The food that they have includes sandwiches, burgers, wings, and more. As for the beers, Corey says that he loves all kinds of beer. They have End of the Mist, their Southern IPA, Go West which is a West Coast Style IPA and more. He says that you’ll never know what you’ll find exactly when coming into the brewery.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Balsam Falls Brewery also has a winery license, so Corey says that they can also make mead, something that Joseph brings up from his own experience. Joseph asks Corey about what he will be doing next. Corey says that he wants to expand the brew house and their kitchen. He is also thinking of having a second location in Haywood County. Balsam Falls Brewery is located in Sylva, North Carolina, and Corey says that visitors coming to the area, can visit places like Pinnacle Mountain to hike, visit waterfalls, and even have breakfast at White Moon Cafe. To find out more about Balsam Falls Brewery, visit balsamfallsbrewing.com and the same name on Facebook and Instagram.</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:33.540 –&gt; 00:00:44.250 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: hey welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:44.640 –&gt; 00:00:57.810 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty, deep-storied history, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes. I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains.</p><p>00:00:58.470 –&gt; 00:01:12.480 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: My family is living in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today we’re going to talk about quality brewing in the smokies but first, sponsor’s message, which happens to be me.</p><p>00:01:14.160 –&gt; 00:01:23.760 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts in the past, yet a modern environment with a Chic Appalachian feel and the amenities, of a country in</p><p>00:01:24.180 –&gt; 00:01:36.330 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:36.870 –&gt; 00:01:48.900 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Imagine a place for the old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:49.860 –&gt; 00:02:02.190 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: and other sponsors smokies adventure. com that’s smokies plural adventure singular.com the smoky mountains and surrounding areas of vacation us a destination for all seasons.</p><p>00:02:02.490 –&gt; 00:02:10.140 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:10.740 –&gt; 00:02:22.710 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: start your adventure by using smokies adventures.com for all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains natural park trails, waterfalls, Cage Code, the elk, and more.</p><p>00:02:23.190 –&gt; 00:02:29.220 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: then check out the awesome family attractions in the entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy.</p><p>00:02:29.850 –&gt; 00:02:41.340 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And if you want you to do things like outdoor life events like weddings honeymoons smokies adventures got you covered it can let you know what are some of the great places to go and to have your event can happen.</p><p>00:02:41.820 –&gt; 00:02:48.480 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: The goals of smokies adventures.com has become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:49.740 –&gt; 00:02:52.020 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So I want to give you a couple of events that are coming up.</p><p>00:02:53.190 –&gt; 00:03:02.730 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: there’s a mountain Heritage book series happening inMaggie Valley North Carolina at the Meadowlark Motel and on Saturday, March 26 2022 at 4 pm.</p><p>00:03:03.030 –&gt; 00:03:09.270 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: renowned author Bob Plott will lead a seminar on the history of hunting in the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:03:09.570 –&gt; 00:03:22.200 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: followed by a Barbecue dinner and music with Mike Ogletree former drummers of simple minds and various guests for that evening call 82 89261717 for more information.</p><p>00:03:23.130 –&gt; 00:03:36.690 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And, as I mentioned before we’re going to have a big fly fishing camp in April here at the meadowlark motel what’s better for the soul than throwing a line upstream watching it past do it again and again, and perhaps getting a bite.</p><p>00:03:37.290 –&gt; 00:03:44.430 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I don’t know all anglers know that fishing is only about reeling in the big one, although that always gets our blood pumping.</p><p>00:03:45.660 –&gt; 00:03:53.070 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: The fly fishing is about being one with the River its magnificence presence well witnessing invaluable ecosystem.</p><p>00:03:53.760 –&gt; 00:04:00.510 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: The meadowlark motels offering a fly fishing camp on a weekend on April 15 through the 17th and the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:04:00.840 –&gt; 00:04:13.320 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Our goal is to bring like-minded people together to fly fishing food, drinking stories, and campfire Friday night will feature fishing tales of the smokies beverages of your choice, the speakeasy.</p><p>00:04:15.210 –&gt; 00:04:27.840 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: charcuterie board full of small bites and trout those delicacies and lodging at the Meadowlark motel and then Saturday breakfast full of wonderful delights a half-day of on hands.</p><p>00:04:28.320 –&gt; 00:04:36.900 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: instructions for four hours of intense fishing elite regional trout stream and then additional fat fishing in the mountain heritage trout stream in the backyard.</p><p>00:04:37.200 –&gt; 00:04:49.260 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: there’ll be a Barbecue dinner live musical entertainment campfires and again lodging at the meadowlark motel call 8289261717 to get more information and to reserve your space.</p><p>00:04:49.950 –&gt; 00:05:00.540 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: we’re gonna be talking about brewing in this smoky soon, and I just wanted to give you a little insight into it, you know that this area has become quite a brewmaster.</p><p>00:05:01.080 –&gt; 00:05:11.910 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: paradise is actually considered one of the top areas for getting a craft beer in the nation Asheville is considered oftentimes the top city to get a.</p><p>00:05:12.660 –&gt; 00:05:21.870 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: get a craft beer and there are many surrounding towns and counties that have become grown into quite little brew capitals on themselves.</p><p>00:05:22.230 –&gt; 00:05:32.550 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: There are more breweries around Asheville than you can shake a stick at and the economic impact of this brewing industry is almost a billion dollars.</p><p>00:05:32.880 –&gt; 00:05:52.920 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Right, the local beer industry is the second-largest manufacturing employer in the Asheville metro area, it supports almost 3500 jobs, the industry generated 33.4 million local tax revenues and it’s it is generated over 115 million for local state and federal governments.</p><p>00:05:54.270 –&gt; 00:06:12.210 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: it’s all a 357% growth from 2014 to 2019 these statistics are from 2018, let me tell you, after a couple of months in 2020 when we shut down for covid has been growing even more has been growing great jobs it’s added.</p><p>00:06:12.630 –&gt; 00:06:17.670 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: You know well over 1200 jobs, most the most of them and manufacturing industries.</p><p>00:06:17.910 –&gt; 00:06:29.220 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And for every direct job in the industry, approximately one additional role has created support for the local economy so not only is it a wonderful tourism experience.</p><p>00:06:29.490 –&gt; 00:06:41.070 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: and culinary and imbibing experience but it’s also been important for the local economy here in the mountains, so we have an expert with us today.</p><p>00:06:41.640 –&gt; 00:06:48.210 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: His name is Corey Bryson he is the Co-owner, with his wife Lorie Bryson in the balsam falls brewery.</p><p>00:06:48.720 –&gt; 00:06:56.940 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Which is an award-winning crap he’s an award-winning craft beer artisan and certified beer judge he and his wife, are also.</p><p>00:06:57.360 –&gt; 00:07:04.950 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I think it’s cicerone he’ll tell me in a minute, whether it’s correctly said or not certified beer servers they now own and operate.</p><p>00:07:05.190 –&gt; 00:07:16.230 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Balsam Falls Brewing in Sylva where Corey has family roots that go back over 150 years he and Laurie are also well-known Community activists in Jackson county.</p><p>00:07:16.500 –&gt; 00:07:23.100 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: and take pride in making their homes there Hello Corey how are you doing</p><p>Corey Bryson: I’m doing good today.</p><p>00:07:23.760 –&gt; 00:07:39.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah so, you didn’t grow up here, but your family right?</p><p>Corey Bryson: that’s correct my dad went off to college, I went to nc state when in the navy, and I was actually born in California I grew up all over the southeast but every summer I spent in these mountains, with my grandparents,</p><p>00:07:40.380 –&gt; 00:07:46.800 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: that’s fabulous you know that’s exactly what I do my son Ethan, he then has down 30 is that.</p><p>00:07:47.370 –&gt; 00:07:57.660 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: You know I left and went out to New York and different places, but I made sure he did come back every summer right, and I think it’s important to touch base with your cultural.</p><p>00:07:58.350 –&gt; 00:08:08.940 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: roots that way, because both of us, you know how hundreds of years of cultural Beijing here so it’s great that you come back so you’ve lived a lot of places that you ended up in Florida right, I did.</p><p>00:08:09.750 –&gt; 00:08:24.480 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: We moved to Florida in 2000 mm-hmm and lived there until 2016 school and you have an information technology background, yes, so where did you go to school uh.</p><p>00:08:25.020 –&gt; 00:08:34.860 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I have an associate’s degree in electronics actually from a school that was in Louisville Kentucky I don’t think it’s around anymore at rest electronics Institute.</p><p>00:08:36.210 –&gt; 00:08:37.320 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I went into.</p><p>00:08:39.330 –&gt; 00:08:47.580 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: That a few different things, one of the things I did was I was a broadcast engineer for a TV station that’s good rock and then I went into IT and I.</p><p>00:08:48.360 –&gt; 00:08:58.530 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: worked in that pretty much up until we open the business and I’ve worked in it, some recently cool since then, but, but you know my son was when he.</p><p>00:08:59.190 –&gt; 00:09:03.120 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: When he left his school went to school is gonna be a marine biologist right.</p><p>00:09:03.810 –&gt; 00:09:14.580 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And then he went to when we too and he discovered that they had this wonderful kinetic science degree, which was learning about how the body, in the end, up getting interested in powerlifting.</p><p>00:09:15.180 –&gt; 00:09:29.910 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Oh, and so he’s been doing, like powerlifting for 10 years plus I had he got a wellness position with a corporation and stuff but now recently he’s told me he’s going to be IT, and you know, I have some IT background in my past so.</p><p>00:09:31.020 –&gt; 00:09:37.470 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: that’s pretty cool you know it’s a good business to be in but sometimes it’s not as fun, as it could be.</p><p>00:09:40.620 –&gt; 00:09:42.660 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Sometimes you find a hobby that.</p><p>00:09:44.100 –&gt; 00:09:51.570 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: You just can’t shake the and in my life, I’ve been called a collector of hobbies so I take up one hobby and.</p><p>00:09:52.650 –&gt; 00:09:55.830 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: work and work and I get tired of it go on to something else.</p><p>00:09:57.270 –&gt; 00:10:01.860 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But when I took up brewing it just stuck oh really and it.</p><p>00:10:03.060 –&gt; 00:10:04.140 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: took over a good party.</p><p>00:10:05.670 –&gt; 00:10:10.950 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And I said well if I’m this interested in it if they can keep my attention for more than three months.</p><p>00:10:11.850 –&gt; 00:10:28.530 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And then, more than a year, more than two years, more than five years, maybe there’s something here that I can work so so so you started yeah that’s an interesting thing started as a hobby, what is your hobby before for what was an example of a hobby.</p><p>00:10:30.030 –&gt; 00:10:32.280 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: wow you name it.</p><p>00:10:34.440 –&gt; 00:10:36.810 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Gaming, yeah I was a gamer for.</p><p>00:10:38.310 –&gt; 00:10:52.650 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I built computers, I was a photographer in geography, for a while did a lot of digital photography did some weddings and things like what do you see this artwork here, I consider that a hobby vote an avocation instead of a vocation right.</p><p>00:10:53.760 –&gt; 00:11:09.240 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So I’m so used to your hobby becoming a reality in Tampa Florida, right now, and you know as you and you started getting a reputation for it there right yeah when I first got interested in brewing.</p><p>00:11:11.490 –&gt; 00:11:15.990 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: We joined a local homebrew club branded bootleggers homebrew club.</p><p>00:11:17.280 –&gt; 00:11:18.510 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: They had.</p><p>00:11:20.070 –&gt; 00:11:25.620 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: monthly meetings and they had a lot of great people there that brewed beer and.</p><p>00:11:27.360 –&gt; 00:11:39.180 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: learned a lot from them together separately as kind of a side project of the club was a competition team and we get together once a month and judge.</p><p>00:11:40.320 –&gt; 00:11:43.530 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: several different beers they could be craft beers could be homebrew.</p><p>00:11:44.640 –&gt; 00:11:51.540 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And we would go through your standard judge judging score sheet and that helped.</p><p>00:11:55.440 –&gt; 00:12:03.810 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: A calibrates my palate to what it should be, and to know what I’m tasting and why it’s there, or why it shouldn’t be there.</p><p>00:12:04.350 –&gt; 00:12:19.860 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And that really got me interested in judging beer and that’s how I moved on it well, I mean it’s probably very complex but is there some things that you can tell people to how to judge appears good Those are some of the simple measures that you could yeah well.</p><p>00:12:21.270 –&gt; 00:12:28.470 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: As a beer just saying is, you have to judge a beer based on style hmm if it doesn’t fit into a soft category.</p><p>00:12:29.760 –&gt; 00:12:37.980 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Then the question becomes does it taste good does it taste like it’s well balanced, is this a beer, that you can drink and enjoy.</p><p>00:12:39.990 –&gt; 00:12:55.530 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Maybe one another one, or if it’s a fear that you drink and you’re not sure about and not sure you want another one well that’s that’s your own personal preference and taste and that’s, the most important thing and repin drinking beer is drinking beer that you like.</p><p>00:12:56.820 –&gt; 00:13:00.570 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: that you enjoy, so the other day, if you like, it just appropriately right.</p><p>00:13:02.760 –&gt; 00:13:03.060 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But.</p><p>00:13:04.170 –&gt; 00:13:09.570 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: The thing is, is there’s like the gradation right yeah I mean there’s a big difference between judging a beer.</p><p>00:13:10.650 –&gt; 00:13:22.590 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Based on very stringent style guidelines and drinking a beer just to enjoy, so we have to take a break and we’ll come back we’ll talk more about that and then how it evolved into a career.</p><p>00:15:39.330 –&gt; 00:15:52.650 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Corey Brysonso, Corey you are a Cicerone Certified Beer Server so tell me what that means.</p><p>00:15:53.880 –&gt; 00:15:59.160 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Well, the cicerone program is equivalent to a sommelier and wine.</p><p>00:16:00.480 –&gt; 00:16:02.640 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And that is the entry-level.</p><p>00:16:04.080 –&gt; 00:16:13.170 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: it’s something that we encourage our staff to go through to take that certification so that they have a better.</p><p>00:16:14.250 –&gt; 00:16:27.000 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Based on beer knowledge so it’s really an entry-level certification when my wife and I decided to start this business, we said well at the very least we should have that for ourselves.</p><p>00:16:27.540 –&gt; 00:16:33.900 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: know what it takes to pass it and encourage our staff to be the same, and how long does it usually take to get one of those um.</p><p>00:16:35.160 –&gt; 00:16:36.270 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: i’d say.</p><p>00:16:37.290 –&gt; 00:16:40.980 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: depending on who you are and your knowledge and how well you study.</p><p>00:16:42.420 –&gt; 00:16:50.370 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Probably about six weeks, and you can get the information down and then, once higher than that what’s the word to hire, then you become.</p><p>00:16:51.390 –&gt; 00:17:06.060 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: A that’s the Level one, I guess, and then you become a certified cicerone, I see, which that is equivalent to a base or first-level sommelier as well in beer so as soon as big as it.</p><p>00:17:06.990 –&gt; 00:17:20.040 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Is it’s not as well known as a sommelier yeah right well trying to become that well-known that I, it is, but it’s all it’s very becoming very well respected in the industry.</p><p>00:17:20.550 –&gt; 00:17:30.090 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Because sommelier wine is is always promoted as being the high culture thing and.</p><p>00:17:30.660 –&gt; 00:17:47.610 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: What many people don’t realize is a beer has such a deep deep history, and we have hundreds of classic styles that are out in what makes one different from the other that’s what an expert in beer would know.</p><p>00:17:48.480 –&gt; 00:17:59.430 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Whereas an expert in wine can tell you the difference between different grapes, and things like that well you’re basically using all the same ingredients.</p><p>00:18:00.630 –&gt; 00:18:10.230 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: You know your Maltese your mouth your hops are your hops all their different types of POPs and there are different types of malts depending on how highly they’re killed.</p><p>00:18:11.250 –&gt; 00:18:23.700 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: That determines how dark the Maltese and like hell, the darker beer becomes but so wow and what I don’t want to introduce Bob what is cicerone mean?</p><p>00:18:26.580 –&gt; 00:18:38.100 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Honestly, I’ve seen the definition of it before, but I don’t recall, is it a name or a that’s interesting it almost sounds like a classic character for some literature.</p><p>00:18:39.330 –&gt; 00:19:03.210 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: yeah oh Shakespeare okay cool alright that was Mike our engineering, the background you give us an insight, yeah so so you came here to you start did you start your beer business in Tampa or you know, I was very involved in the Tampa Bay craft beer scene hmm along with my homebrew club.</p><p>00:19:04.800 –&gt; 00:19:15.570 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: in Florida, huggers could bring their creations to beer festivals and serve there, so our homebrew club was invited to a number of the.</p><p>00:19:16.440 –&gt; 00:19:30.780 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: The beer festivals that Tampa Bay had, and so we met a lot of the brewers there, the Community is very open and very engaged in that craft beer scene, so we became very involved with that.</p><p>00:19:32.280 –&gt; 00:19:39.510 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: wife who’s not here with us was the Co-organizer of the bay area of charlie’s angels, which was a women’s.</p><p>00:19:42.480 –&gt; 00:19:43.470 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: women’s I agree.</p><p>00:19:45.180 –&gt; 00:20:02.070 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: it’s a national or probably international women’s craft beer organization right, and they would go around and visit breweries and talk to brewery wraps, and so we just kind of became embedded in that that culture in Tampa.</p><p>00:20:03.330 –&gt; 00:20:09.690 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: It wasn’t until we had a couple of guys from our homework for a club who decided to open a brewery in Tampa.</p><p>00:20:10.890 –&gt; 00:20:19.890 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: That we thought well that’s kind of interesting because we have been wanting to move back move here just Silva and to Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:20:21.210 –&gt; 00:20:27.090 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But weren’t sure how we were going to make it happen hmm so we were looking for a way to make it happen and.</p><p>00:20:27.840 –&gt; 00:20:37.200 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: After seeing these two guys one was a banker, the other was an auto body mechanic and they got together and got some investors and open a brewery.</p><p>00:20:37.650 –&gt; 00:20:48.960 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And were very successful and we thought huh huh that that might be a possibility, so we’ve talked to them, they shared their business plan with us, we worked on it for about three years and.</p><p>00:20:50.670 –&gt; 00:20:54.360 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Finally, came to the point where we needed to.</p><p>00:20:56.310 –&gt; 00:21:07.530 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: make it happen so we got the shoulder house in Tampa quit our jobs moved up here and started working to make it happen, so why did you decide to do it and so.</p><p>00:21:10.320 –&gt; 00:21:11.970 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: i’ve always loved Western Carolina.</p><p>00:21:13.620 –&gt; 00:21:16.290 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I didn’t grow up here, but I spent every summer here.</p><p>00:21:17.970 –&gt; 00:21:25.860 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I’ve always loved it it always felt like home because I moved around a lot as a kid I lived all over the southeast and.</p><p>00:21:27.450 –&gt; 00:21:31.650 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: These mountains have always felt like home to me and I wanted to be here.</p><p>00:21:33.180 –&gt; 00:21:44.340 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So when we started looking we were looking at Jackson county was sold as Anna Haywood county we looked in Waynesville in canton as well when we’re looking for locations.</p><p>00:21:44.820 –&gt; 00:21:59.340 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And finally decided on so well, so it was a lovely little town is a great place for you already had a couple of breweries there, and one of them died right, I actually had two of them that went out of business, there were three breweries and Silva when we.</p><p>00:22:00.450 –&gt; 00:22:04.830 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Finally, made the decision that someone was going to be our home the home for the brewery.</p><p>00:22:06.330 –&gt; 00:22:11.190 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And we were a little bit concerned with three breweries already in a very small town.</p><p>00:22:13.230 –&gt; 00:22:28.620 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But we knew that we could make it happen so we wow so I mean I mean when you smarting small businesses is tough, it is, and you come into the town of three breweries, how did you succeed, how to do stay in existence um.</p><p>00:22:29.430 –&gt; 00:22:38.820 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Well, one month before we open one of the breweries closed, and it was unfortunate because I knew the owner really well and liked him.</p><p>00:22:40.740 –&gt; 00:22:52.080 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And even talked to him about petitioner because potentially doing a joint venture, and you know, having us come in and maybe work with him and make that brewery into what it could be.</p><p>00:22:53.370 –&gt; 00:22:56.400 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But that didn’t work out so he ended up closing.</p><p>00:22:57.600 –&gt; 00:22:59.550 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And then, once we had open.</p><p>00:23:04.710 –&gt; 00:23:10.110 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: It was a lot about the feeling and the audience um our location.</p><p>00:23:11.280 –&gt; 00:23:23.010 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: We wanted to be warm and friendly and family-friendly and inviting the place that you can come into and if you’re a regular everybody knows your name, you know.</p><p>00:23:23.520 –&gt; 00:23:38.190 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: kind of the cheers mentality and that’s what we did so from day one, the focus was to take care of our customers to be there for our customers to make them feel wanted and welcome and.</p><p>00:23:39.060 –&gt; 00:23:49.020 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: not be these the industrial brewery where you know you want to be a here to here and then nobody talks to you and they’re they’re too busy to.</p><p>00:23:49.410 –&gt; 00:23:56.730 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: To even give you the time of day, so hospitality is an important right, not just the brewery it’s hospitality as well, so that the right cool.</p><p>00:23:57.150 –&gt; 00:24:02.850 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So named balsam falls right yes there’s a beautiful waterfall near there also falls.</p><p>00:24:03.270 –&gt; 00:24:16.170 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And is it is, and I know waters, important for all making of beer, wine, whatever is that is that reason why he named it Boston false um no actually when we came up with the name balsam falls there wasn’t a Boston fall so really.</p><p>00:24:17.700 –&gt; 00:24:24.000 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: searched and searched we did up the whole trademark search we’ve seen too many of our friends in the brewing industry.</p><p>00:24:24.690 –&gt; 00:24:36.900 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Get hammered with $100,000 worth of legal bills because someone wanted to challenge them on their name so before we even moved up here, we started the trademark process on that name.</p><p>00:24:38.910 –&gt; 00:24:57.030 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But the name came from two things number one in the early 70s and Silva, there was an active waterfall and it was the only municipality in the country that had an active waterfall within the city limits when they put the great smoky mountain expressway through.</p><p>00:24:58.080 –&gt; 00:25:11.820 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: They diverted the waterfall and it was called bills false we actually have a picture of it on the front of our bar so we wanted to pay homage to that and we also wanted to have a name that really evoked.</p><p>00:25:13.830 –&gt; 00:25:23.400 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Our locality, and you know we’ve got the plot balsam mountain range that runs right between where we are here and soma and.</p><p>00:25:24.540 –&gt; 00:25:34.200 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: balsam was was something that just kept coming up and balsam just felt like the smoky mountains and move the plot ball so mountain ranges top by.</p><p>00:25:35.400 –&gt; 00:25:38.760 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: By balsam trees you’ve got he balsam and she bosses.</p><p>00:25:40.830 –&gt; 00:25:43.260 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: You got the spruce trees and the poetry so.</p><p>00:25:45.090 –&gt; 00:25:49.920 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Those things really spoke to us and we wanted to evoke them.</p><p>00:25:51.210 –&gt; 00:26:01.740 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: a feeling of this area and at some point later on someone I don’t know if they just named this fall’s balsam falls and put it on the Internet, but we spent a lot of but i’m sure.</p><p>00:26:02.280 –&gt; 00:26:10.710 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: There wasn’t a balsam fall just to make sure we got our trademark that was fabulous, so there is a lot of breweries in this area right there.</p><p>00:26:12.330 –&gt; 00:26:28.620 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So I mean hospitality you’ve already mentioned, is there any other competitive advantages that you’ve created for your beer and your brewery well, there are a few things, one of the things that that we saw that we really wanted to do is we wanted to.</p><p>00:26:29.760 –&gt; 00:26:37.200 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: create a place where people who are new to craft beer could come and learn about what makes craft beer craft beer.</p><p>00:26:38.280 –&gt; 00:26:41.790 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: We wanted to serve that craft beer in real beer glasses.</p><p>00:26:43.230 –&gt; 00:26:52.890 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Most breweries that you go to their content with putting their beer in your standard cocktail check your glasses right.</p><p>00:26:54.900 –&gt; 00:26:58.890 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: As part of our sister and certified beer server.</p><p>00:27:00.090 –&gt; 00:27:13.740 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Something that I knew long before that but was that a real beer glass should have cursed and that’s why our hashtag is your curves are better is because, not because I’m fat, but because.</p><p>00:27:15.090 –&gt; 00:27:20.820 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: The curves in those glasses have a purpose So these are three glasses, I, unfortunately.</p><p>00:27:21.900 –&gt; 00:27:23.130 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: will be my first choice.</p><p>00:27:24.720 –&gt; 00:27:42.150 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But we’re doing it for perpetrated about four yeah that’s fine but yeah if you go to Europe every beer has its own glass where you don’t order a beer in Europe and get it in a shaker glass know those glasses.</p><p>00:27:43.560 –&gt; 00:27:56.880 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Get on my soapbox but yeah those glasses were designed to shake cocktails and they were cheap, they were like you know they’re like 50 cents apiece you can drop them on the floor, they don’t break so in the 80s.</p><p>00:27:57.540 –&gt; 00:28:06.780 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: A name big industrial beer company decided to put their logo on the side of these glasses, give them away to bars and say here for beer in that glass.</p><p>00:28:07.230 –&gt; 00:28:16.710 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: It was never meant to be a beer glass real beer glasses have curves those curves have a purpose when it curves in that helps retain the head and retain the aroma.</p><p>00:28:17.160 –&gt; 00:28:27.480 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: The curve out at the lip of the glass let’s help missing that helps her role on your tongue so cool, we have to take a break now and we’re going to talk more about your brewery when we get back.</p><p>00:30:35.700 –&gt; 00:30:43.440 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Corey Bryson so Corey.</p><p>00:30:44.820 –&gt; 00:30:51.600 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I interrupted you because we had to go to break to talk about glass glassware, and I thought was pretty interesting, can you tell us a little bit more about that.</p><p>00:30:52.950 –&gt; 00:31:00.060 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Well let’s put it this way, if you’ve got a good beer glass at home, you can do an experiment for yourself.</p><p>00:31:00.750 –&gt; 00:31:14.130 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Take one of the shaker pint glasses and take a real beer glass that has the curves like I’m talking about and put your favorite beer in each glass and then takes a SIP out of each one and see.</p><p>00:31:14.520 –&gt; 00:31:21.780 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Or take two sips out of each one of these want to acclimate your power take two steps out of each one and see if you notice the difference.</p><p>00:31:22.740 –&gt; 00:31:31.650 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: We were planning our glassware, for the brewery we did exactly that we order samples of a bunch of glassware from the company, we were going with.</p><p>00:31:32.220 –&gt; 00:31:45.690 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And we sat down and we had we did in sets of four, we had a shaker glass as our control, and then we had three other beer glasses and we put the same beer and each one tasted each one.</p><p>00:31:46.230 –&gt; 00:31:59.250 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: to determine which one we thought accentuated that beer, the best we ended up choosing two glasses, one for our ipas one for our standard pilots since then we’ve added.</p><p>00:31:59.910 –&gt; 00:32:04.140 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: balloon glasses Belgian style beer glasses for smaller pores.</p><p>00:32:04.560 –&gt; 00:32:16.290 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And things like that, but well so that’s very much like a brandy snifter right there, yes it’s like you can tell the major difference in brandy, I mean you can get the experience of brandy without the right cool.</p><p>00:32:16.710 –&gt; 00:32:27.570 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I didn’t even know that that that that the beer had that sort of thing and I didn’t drink it all the time, yeah well, I mean you gotta realize our sense of taste.</p><p>00:32:27.900 –&gt; 00:32:38.550 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Is not really our sense of taste it’s mostly our sense of smell good so if you’re not getting the aromas from that beer that you’re supposed to get that the brewer intended you to get.</p><p>00:32:39.090 –&gt; 00:32:46.530 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And you’re missing out on half the experience so when you created your your your business.</p><p>00:32:47.460 –&gt; 00:32:59.040 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And it’s not dissimilar to what we’re doing is we create some called the heritage club you created something called founders club and help you build that what was the founders club uh well, it was something that is now closed.</p><p>00:33:00.570 –&gt; 00:33:01.560 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: First opening.</p><p>00:33:02.610 –&gt; 00:33:09.270 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: We needed to get a lot of work done so we needed painting mud drywall and.</p><p>00:33:10.350 –&gt; 00:33:12.750 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Do all kinds of trim work and things like that.</p><p>00:33:13.890 –&gt; 00:33:17.400 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So we put it out to our friends and family and things like that.</p><p>00:33:18.750 –&gt; 00:33:21.240 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: hey if you want to become a founder here’s what you do.</p><p>00:33:22.350 –&gt; 00:33:26.490 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Give us 25 hours of work while we’re trying to get this business open.</p><p>00:33:28.590 –&gt; 00:33:47.640 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: in exchange will give you a T-shirt that unique T-shirt that says founders club on it you’re the only one that will ever have one of those and will also give you some other discounts it so it wasn’t like a sort of a gofundme with for labor yeah we got that idea from.</p><p>00:33:48.660 –&gt; 00:33:54.630 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: brewery in the Tampa Bay area that opened did something very similar and it worked well for you.</p><p>00:33:55.020 –&gt; 00:34:01.770 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: It worked really well for us, we got the painting done we made some great friends, I mean even more loyal customer you know yeah I mean.</p><p>00:34:02.190 –&gt; 00:34:12.060 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: The idea was okay we’re getting the Labor sure, but we’re also creating our cheerleaders because hopefully.</p><p>00:34:12.690 –&gt; 00:34:20.460 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: and probably about half the people that that finished becoming complete founders are now regular customers are so.</p><p>00:34:21.300 –&gt; 00:34:34.260 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: yeah we give them free stuff but they come in all the time they bring their friends and their friends of ours, so I mean these people are we’ve known him for over four and a half years at this point and.</p><p>00:34:35.850 –&gt; 00:34:42.030 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: they’re like family well you know it’s interesting you know I have this motels you know, been around since the 50s.</p><p>00:34:42.810 –&gt; 00:34:49.170 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And there are people who come here, and I say there they were here for their honeymoons 60 so we’re talking about heritage club and one thing we’re doing.</p><p>00:34:49.440 –&gt; 00:34:57.360 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: This character event, but I am thinking about you know rewarding these people like with a special status because listen to they.</p><p>00:34:58.170 –&gt; 00:35:15.780 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: reported at all the years right, but I think I I like about you, you know we’re a three-star pine three find three pine hotel-motel where I think we’re the only three fine west of actual right which is a state designation of sustainability okay all right.</p><p>00:35:16.860 –&gt; 00:35:32.190 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And I know you’re active that you’re active in environmental issues right, yes, so how does that become part of your business well brewers use a lot of water and they generates a lot of waste.</p><p>00:35:33.540 –&gt; 00:35:37.710 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: it’s forcing you to have to figure out is how are you going to get rid of some of that waste.</p><p>00:35:39.000 –&gt; 00:35:56.430 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Spent grain after it’s gone through the matching process it still has some nutritional value, so we connected with a local farmer who comes by on brew days and drops off drums we fill them up with spent grain he takes him back and feeds some to his.</p><p>00:35:57.660 –&gt; 00:36:03.000 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: His holiday mostly I believe so wow, and that makes them in probably like that.</p><p>00:36:05.940 –&gt; 00:36:24.030 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: collects a lot so you’re nano brewing operations is a nano brewing is generally considered under three barrels per batch production we’re actually a one-barrel brewery so.</p><p>00:36:25.110 –&gt; 00:36:35.190 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Once we complete a cycle of brewing we expect to get about 31 gallons of beer out on the back end I see now is that a licensed sort of a.</p><p>00:36:35.820 –&gt; 00:36:43.560 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Difference the difference, I know there’s not a licensing differentiation it’s really just a matter of production so.</p><p>00:36:44.160 –&gt; 00:36:54.300 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I mean, I used to work with breweries of New York and I knew that a microbrewery you know, had certain limitations, but it also got the benefits certain things just to be in a brewer.</p><p>00:36:54.750 –&gt; 00:37:10.740 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: wider right, I know the bill is a something you have to get an MRI designation in North Carolina, no, no, you do not you just have to once you have your federal version of this you go to the State and get it set up to them, but it’s not.</p><p>00:37:12.540 –&gt; 00:37:13.920 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: there’s not any type of.</p><p>00:37:15.300 –&gt; 00:37:22.830 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: a level that you have to stay with it now are most breweries in North Carolina know, though, I would say not.</p><p>00:37:23.910 –&gt; 00:37:29.430 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I’ve met a few other nano breweries most breweries that are starting up no better.</p><p>00:37:32.340 –&gt; 00:37:35.310 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Because manufacturing is very Labor intensive.</p><p>00:37:36.570 –&gt; 00:37:44.670 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: You know, most of the time we’re not bringing one barrel of beer, we were double batching in an 11 hour day we’re in two barrels and putting that in the perimeter.</p><p>00:37:45.750 –&gt; 00:37:53.070 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And we will do that two times three times, sometimes four times a week, depending on the demand at that point so.</p><p>00:37:53.700 –&gt; 00:38:01.500 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Now most breweries I don’t know most, but I would say my experience of a lot of breweries is they don’t actually build a restaurant.</p><p>00:38:02.400 –&gt; 00:38:13.350 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: right they get a food truck come in if they do anything right, and so you actually have done the work of bringing in a restaurant that’s expensive why uh well a couple of reasons, when we.</p><p>00:38:14.490 –&gt; 00:38:15.240 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: First, opened.</p><p>00:38:16.350 –&gt; 00:38:24.900 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Our thoughts were to do exactly that bringing a food truck and we talked to the town, a couple of times and.</p><p>00:38:26.100 –&gt; 00:38:31.290 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: didn’t really get very far with them about giving us a parking spot for a food truck.</p><p>00:38:32.430 –&gt; 00:38:45.390 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Just in the evenings and weekends and things like that it was we couldn’t gain traction on that right so within the first couple of months we knew that we needed food on-site and we tried other things as well we.</p><p>00:38:46.860 –&gt; 00:38:50.610 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: could have done catering yeah we did catering a couple of times.</p><p>00:38:51.750 –&gt; 00:39:01.290 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: We actually set up special deals with a few other restaurants in the area to deliver straight to our souls and in fact one of the businesses.</p><p>00:39:02.220 –&gt; 00:39:12.900 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: They had did not have a delivery service at all at that time, but they would deliver to us and you know how they’ve got a huge delivery business, so I really help them out.</p><p>00:39:13.500 –&gt; 00:39:21.360 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But we just realized early on that it just wasn’t going to work, so we started fairly early working on getting food there on site.</p><p>00:39:22.650 –&gt; 00:39:31.980 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: To get a chef how did you create well initially we had we built out the kitchen and we had a tenant in that space.</p><p>00:39:33.840 –&gt; 00:39:36.150 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: That we opened in August,2019 with.</p><p>00:39:37.200 –&gt; 00:39:52.500 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: With that, then of course coven shutdown march 2020 when we were able to reopen in June of 2020 the lease was almost up and we decided to part ways with our tenant.</p><p>00:39:53.010 –&gt; 00:40:09.270 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: and take over that space entirely at that point we didn’t hire an executive chef to help us put in the right equipment plan our menu and get us where we needed to be and what kind of food, did you have no we have.</p><p>00:40:10.920 –&gt; 00:40:21.750 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Of course burgers, we have flatbreads we have wings, we have a variety of sandwiches Cuban we love spicy chicken sandwich.</p><p>00:40:23.250 –&gt; 00:40:32.910 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And you’re all day right yes also breakfast lunch and dinner not breakfast breakfast breakfast isn’t really beer time oh yeah well yeah but yeah we open at 11.</p><p>00:40:33.660 –&gt; 00:40:41.730 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: starts everyone’s cool you know there’s a restaurant in New York City it’s a French restaurant started in France and as part of my winery.</p><p>00:40:42.630 –&gt; 00:40:48.960 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Right there’s an interesting story about it can’t be replicated right, but what they did is they had to.</p><p>00:40:49.380 –&gt; 00:40:55.740 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: yeah they needed if people really wanted to have food whether drinking wine right, so they created one dish.</p><p>00:40:56.130 –&gt; 00:41:04.170 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And they get some of you to create one dish which a steak with this with the steak and the special sauce and in free switch your Fries right.</p><p>00:41:04.650 –&gt; 00:41:12.780 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: All the special sauce is so great that the food became this huge hit that people came from Moscow and, by the way, they drank wine to right.</p><p>00:41:13.440 –&gt; 00:41:25.800 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And it became such a big thing they create just a restaurant that goes now in several places all over the world, all it said serves is this steak fruits with this special sauce and then you pick your wines and think he deserves.</p><p>00:41:28.440 –&gt; 00:41:30.300 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Right it’s kind of interesting right.</p><p>00:41:31.920 –&gt; 00:41:35.580 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So, can you tell us about the bruise the beers brew.</p><p>00:41:36.960 –&gt; 00:41:46.260 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: uh well as we were talking earlier as a brewer I like a lot of different kinds of beer I’m not the same person will just drink one.</p><p>00:41:47.550 –&gt; 00:41:53.220 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So we have a lot of variety in our brewery we have a total of 36 taps wow.</p><p>00:41:54.630 –&gt; 00:41:59.670 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Two of those are taken up as guest taps one for white line one for porsecco.</p><p>00:42:02.460 –&gt; 00:42:03.690 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: People like their muscles.</p><p>00:42:06.570 –&gt; 00:42:13.020 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But the other 36 taps our goal is to keep beers and our other products on those.</p><p>00:42:14.760 –&gt; 00:42:15.000 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Are.</p><p>00:42:17.250 –&gt; 00:42:21.240 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: You never know what you’re going to find when you come in, you know, right now, what are your staples.</p><p>00:42:21.900 –&gt; 00:42:37.320 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: We have into the mess, which is our southern IPA what we call a southern, yeah we’ve got by the encounter, which is a double IPA we’ve got go West, which is a former West Coast-style IPA we’ve got at 87 eagle blonde</p><p>00:42:38.400 –&gt; 00:42:44.910 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: The one year I did live here growing up with my senior year in high school graduated from several Webster and oh wow seven.</p><p>00:42:45.960 –&gt; 00:42:58.080 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: wow and their mascot was the golden eagles so I was looking for a name for the one there you go at eight seven eagle blonde that’s one of our most popular we’ve got our salt rock with bonus defeat robust porter.</p><p>00:42:59.880 –&gt; 00:43:11.190 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: let’s see we got a few others, but they rotate on and off the view here I mean you’re pretty young brewery wanting words yet and we have one a couple so far.</p><p>00:43:12.930 –&gt; 00:43:14.370 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: There were some.</p><p>00:43:16.350 –&gt; 00:43:18.240 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: competitions in asheville.</p><p>00:43:19.830 –&gt; 00:43:25.170 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: done by Raven farms where they gave you ingredients for their farm and actually to brew with them.</p><p>00:43:26.280 –&gt; 00:43:34.140 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: it’s fairly limited competition, it was limited to 10 breweries one year we came in second place in that year, we came in the first place so.</p><p>00:43:36.000 –&gt; 00:43:45.150 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Now, do you do things like me filter hard cider yes, yes, we did that’s one of the things after coming out of covid.</p><p>00:43:45.720 –&gt; 00:43:51.510 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Knowing that we needed to make some improvements to our business, we got our winery license so that we could reduce cider.</p><p>00:43:52.320 –&gt; 00:44:07.080 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: We so we started producing our own cider we also started producing our own self serve we’ve got a five and a half percent seltzer and an 11% seltzer wow are 11% seltzer is our answer to the fact we don’t have a liquor license.</p><p>00:44:08.280 –&gt; 00:44:14.370 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And we can make mixed drinks with that, so you can mix it 11% seltzer down and still have.</p><p>00:44:15.570 –&gt; 00:44:23.580 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Decent abv drink so cool all right well we’re going to take another break here and we’ll come back we’ll finish up with more information about what you’re doing and then.</p><p>00:44:24.720 –&gt; 00:44:25.170 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: All right.</p><p>00:46:26.970 –&gt; 00:46:37.410 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Corey Bryson so Corey I was talking about Plott, who is introduced us the other day.</p><p>00:46:38.010 –&gt; 00:46:41.910 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And I was talking to you know, I was a beekeeper all right and.</p><p>00:46:42.720 –&gt; 00:46:49.710 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And that was in the beekeeper in the Bronx right South Bronx know, so I hope they get the Community to be involved, they were the else.</p><p>00:46:49.980 –&gt; 00:47:09.000 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: and actually it’s funny that the Church of stop shopping, which is a far less or the far left organization I’m not far left by any means, but they said because I was doing this in the South Bronx they made me a saint of their church stop shopping, so I have that accolade on my</p><p>00:47:10.110 –&gt; 00:47:12.960 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Like that, I could ever run for office for somebody bring that up.</p><p>00:47:14.730 –&gt; 00:47:22.770 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But the thing that was discussed with is that yeah I looked it up, and you can make like from one beehive you know.</p><p>00:47:23.970 –&gt; 00:47:34.920 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Like 120 gallons of need, this is it something that you guys do is make me a yes, as a matter of fact, we with our winery license we can make me, we can make great line if we want to do.</p><p>00:47:35.850 –&gt; 00:47:50.730 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And we actually just released, our first made last week very small scale only have a very, very limited quantity of it, but it is a 14.2% fortified wine man.</p><p>00:47:54.060 –&gt; 00:47:54.540 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: legally.</p><p>00:47:56.160 –&gt; 00:47:58.140 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But yeah it’s made with a.</p><p>00:47:59.280 –&gt; 00:48:13.140 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: a bunch of honey and some nutrients for the East and just let them do their thing and it’s dry as a bone but still sweet from alcohol So where do you hope.</p><p>00:48:14.370 –&gt; 00:48:15.390 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: This.</p><p>00:48:16.800 –&gt; 00:48:23.700 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: kind of national honey supply or X to dispatch we do have some local a period so we’ve been talking to you.</p><p>00:48:24.930 –&gt; 00:48:30.570 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I’ll be talking to you because when I put it behind in the south Bronx of the Waldorf Astoria so I started using my honey.</p><p>00:48:31.200 –&gt; 00:48:44.760 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I can make good have you been oh yeah Father academies and I hope is over, with it, so I grew up here and doing honey and I learned how to do it from my grandfather my father was up there, I last had the benefit of being by the botanical gardens.</p><p>00:48:46.050 –&gt; 00:48:50.700 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And I got some real while there was some interesting stuff there so anyway.</p><p>00:48:52.320 –&gt; 00:49:06.660 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: it’s interesting so you’re always thinking of new products things to do right and things like that so what’s your future, what are you gonna be doing next uh well at the moment, we need to expand a little.</p><p>00:49:07.770 –&gt; 00:49:16.860 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: As we discussed, I have a very small brewery house and need to expand that and also expand our kitchen, because our kitchen is very small, at the moment.</p><p>00:49:17.880 –&gt; 00:49:22.110 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So we’re working on a plan to do that and.</p><p>00:49:23.760 –&gt; 00:49:28.350 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: hoping to eventually have a second location were you thinking about having.</p><p>00:49:29.850 –&gt; 00:49:33.150 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: we’re hoping for Haywood County so Maggie Valley</p><p>00:49:36.750 –&gt; 00:49:47.880 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: yeah that’d be great yeah, we need, we need a brewery in Maggie Valley now the other distilleries and I wanna I want to have a craft beverage, though, that the festival grounds, you know festival.</p><p>00:49:48.630 –&gt; 00:49:55.770 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: That would be cool right yeah I think that’d be good so yeah I use this podcast to like put you on the spot again.</p><p>00:49:59.010 –&gt; 00:50:01.680 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: We can’t forget our friends at bear waters, they do have a.</p><p>00:50:02.400 –&gt; 00:50:14.280 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Great they’re good down the street yeah we’re good for the good they have good food, I mean like you know yeah I love them I love they even have gluten-free pizza right now, but so they do a good job, but you know they.</p><p>00:50:15.270 –&gt; 00:50:20.310 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: You know they’re they also you love business ready and during the winter was nobody else does because they’re new to the ski resort.</p><p>00:50:20.940 –&gt; 00:50:27.570 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Right so but there’s room in this county for another brewery or two I think everybody’s still doing well it’s like.</p><p>00:50:27.900 –&gt; 00:50:43.560 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So let’s move the pie bigger right exactly and that and as breweries come in everyone says well there’s got to be too many breweries now I mean you look at Asheville they’ve got I don’t even know I think they’re 25 breweries on South slope, and at this point.</p><p>00:50:45.600 –&gt; 00:50:52.740 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: But people are still opening breweries so most of them are successful, I think it all comes down to.</p><p>00:50:53.940 –&gt; 00:50:55.710 What your focus is on the business.</p><p>00:50:57.060 –&gt; 00:51:11.670 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So what you’re instilling I know this is a travel show to somebody comes to a soda of food and beer at your place what else are they visiting so well, we do have the most photographed courthouse in North Carolina or they always said it was.</p><p>00:51:12.930 –&gt; 00:51:19.290 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: A courthouse up on a hill actually not a courthouse anymore, now the library right so that’s beautiful.</p><p>00:51:22.020 –&gt; 00:51:34.500 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: opportunity to take pictures and things we’ve got pinnacle mountain, which is a nice hike that people can go on there’s lots of waterfalls and other places to hide their lakes.</p><p>00:51:35.970 –&gt; 00:51:39.480 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: And there’s somebody who sits you know certain records will be a good place to go get breakfast.</p><p>00:51:40.530 –&gt; 00:51:43.980 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Oh let’s see well if you’re just looking for.</p><p>00:51:45.570 –&gt; 00:51:53.550 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: or just some your regular greasy spoon there’s a coffee shop and that one if you’re looking for something a little bit.</p><p>00:51:54.570 –&gt; 00:52:02.910 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: little bit higher class, we do have the white linen cafes and downtown also city lights CAFE they both serve breakfast.</p><p>00:52:05.010 –&gt; 00:52:07.320 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: they’re probably a few other places, I think.</p><p>00:52:09.030 –&gt; 00:52:27.120 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: there are some new places that I haven’t necessarily been to yet cool and then I mean you serve lunch and dinner but yeah somebody asked you to twice on the same day, so why, but where would be the other place that they would he’d love to um.</p><p>00:52:28.920 –&gt; 00:52:39.720 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: lose down the street they’re a really nice sit-down restaurant and we’ve got elders which are kind of they call it a cross between Italian and southern food.</p><p>00:52:40.800 –&gt; 00:52:41.730 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: it’s really good.</p><p>00:52:45.450 –&gt; 00:52:53.670 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: we have your standard Mexican restaurants and everything Guadalupe Guadalupe yeah that’s a popular place cool.</p><p>00:52:54.360 –&gt; 00:53:02.370 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So how can people find out more about you, your hours of operation that sort of thing Oh well, Monday through Friday we’re open 11 to 10.</p><p>00:53:03.120 –&gt; 00:53:20.880 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Saturdays and Sundays, we do open early at 10 am for brunch and close again at 10 pm they can find out more about us on Facebook or Instagram awesome false brewing also Boston Paul spring.com cool, I have a to-do you have any.</p><p>00:53:21.900 –&gt; 00:53:29.100 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Any social media that you are talking about out there, you know, promoting things like that they follow you or your wife.</p><p>00:53:30.510 –&gt; 00:53:33.450 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I don’t do a whole lot I mean you should do to talk at least.</p><p>00:53:36.870 –&gt; 00:53:43.860 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: shows how to cook some sub say my life just started doing Instagram and she’s all right, she was telling me the other day how many followers she has.</p><p>00:53:45.330 –&gt; 00:53:47.310 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: what’s her Instagram I know.</p><p>00:53:52.140 –&gt; 00:53:52.980 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: she’s probably listening.</p><p>00:53:54.690 –&gt; 00:53:59.010 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: pull up a fun earlier and went to go to our Instagram for balsam falls when I’m like.</p><p>00:53:59.760 –&gt; 00:54:06.960 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: huh they change the password on didn’t make sense yeah even have a personal Instagram account so yeah well that’s all right.</p><p>00:54:07.470 –&gt; 00:54:20.700 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I think it’d be great to have you on the show, I really appreciate it great to be here yeah it’s been good to find out about this, I love the brewery scene in North Carolina I’d love to see it, even more, Maggie Valley love their water being here, but even more.</p><p>00:54:21.960 –&gt; 00:54:41.460 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: So I encourage you to look at Maggie valley opportunities and I think it’d be great So this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find out more about us@facebook.com/gatewaytothe smokiespodcast we also.</p><p>00:54:43.290 –&gt; 00:54:52.470 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Are we actually have all our videos on smokiesadventure.com you can go there and you’ll see the link at the top of the smokiesadventures, and we have.</p><p>00:54:52.830 –&gt; 00:55:07.590 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Not only the shows but we have transcripts so you can read it and find things that you want to do and other information and newsletter you can sign up for this podcast is on talkradio.nyc network it broadcast person to New York City.</p><p>00:55:08.790 –&gt; 00:55:20.790 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: and other you know other places it’s a live network of lots of podcasts arranging for small business to other travel shows to self-help to you know to.</p><p>00:55:21.600 –&gt; 00:55:30.150 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: To cats and dogs anything, a lot of different things it’s seven days a week, you know many hours out of the day, so go to talkradio.nyc.</p><p>00:55:30.510 –&gt; 00:55:39.600 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: To look for shows that you might find interesting I love the live show format because you find out, they have a very vital experience.</p><p>00:55:40.020 –&gt; 00:55:53.790 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: I also run another podcast on this network called wise content creates wealth, I will help people understand how to use content marketing SEO to build a business, which is something I’m doing for the businesses I’m doing.</p><p>00:55:54.960 –&gt; 00:56:03.780 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: Which is the Meadowlark motel it’s a very successful approach and I’m sharing the information I learned on how to do that.</p><p>00:56:04.440 –&gt; 00:56:18.990 Joseph McElroy &amp; Corey Bryson: There and that’s on Fridays from noon until one so, but this podcast gateway to the smokies is on Tuesdays from six to seven, I look forward to being here next week, and having you join us to listen to the next grade expert from the smoky mountains, thank you very much.</p> 7d32e360-e99b-4a55-840e-3163b628b9fe https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/3ab0d1d2-656f-4dea-be79-db1c371f7d0b Tue, 22 Mar 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3058 no full Episode 50: Journalist Garret Woodward talks about Music in the Smokies and the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild Episode 50: Journalist Garret Woodward talks about Music in the Smokies and the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Join us for a podcast episode with Garret Woodward. Tune in to hear about his coverage of the local music scene and his conversation with the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild.</strong></p><p><strong>Garret Woodward</strong> is an award-winning journalist, author, events promoter, and musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. A native of upstate New York, he was a college track star. After graduating with a degree in Journalism and working across the country in a variety of Journalism jobs, he became a weekly Columnist for Smoky Mountain News in 2012, and later also a columnist for <a href="https://www.smliv.com/topics/garret-k.-woodward/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Smoky Mountain Living</strong></a>. Best known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human-interest stories, Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. </p><p>A popular past guest on our show, Garret returns today to discuss his books, his music, and the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild. He will also mention some new exciting projects and catch up on post-pandemic event plans.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this fun interview!</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/bOkuapdM2D/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Starting off today’s episode, Joseph mentions his very own Meadowlark Motel, which is the sponsor for the show and some upcoming events. On March 26th, renowned author and General Manager at the motel for the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Bob Plott, wil be doing a seminar about the history of hunting in the Smokies along with a barbeque dinner and live music! He also mentions a fly fishing camp weekend on April 15-17. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Garret Woodward, an award-winning journalist, author, events promoter, and musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. He is also a native of Upstate New York. Garret still works for the Rolling Stone magazine. He is currently working on writing about the state of bluegrass music. Garret and Joseph share their love for interacting with people. Garret says that even if this wasn’t his job, he would still be talking to everyone and asking questions.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Garret speaks about having an older father and because of this, he was able to learn about much older music that his father listened to as well as what it was like for his father to grow up during WWII. he also talks with Joseph about coming to live in the Smokies which he thought would only be temporary. Garret speaks about running a company where he is looking to give more attention to quality live music in West Asheville, North Carolina. He also talks about meeting Darren Nicholson from Balsam Range to interview him while just arriving in North Carolina literally minutes ago without having moved in yet into his apartment. They discuss more about the music scene in the Smoky Mountains. Garret also says that going to breweries, restaurants and other locations are where the music comes alive.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Garret talks about his books. He is also currently working on a book about bluegrass legend Raymond Fairchild who was an American banjo player. Garret was able to receive a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council to write the book. Joseph and Garret both knew Raymond and reminisced about the kind of person he was. Garret recalls interviewing Raymond early in his career. Garret’s experience was great considering that Raymond didn’t take a liking to any media. Raymond enjoyed talking to Garret. They had a connection that was special, especially with their passion for bluegrass music. Garret says that Raymond was a sweet man when you really got the chance to know him. For the title of the book, Garret says that he doesn’t know the exact title yet but it will most likely be called <em>Lord I’m Coming Home: The legend and Lore of Raymond Fairchild.</em></p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the final break, Garret speaks about recently learning to play the guitar. He really loves it and started learning during the early part of the pandemic. Joseph mentions his speakeasy and the motel where people also come together for music and tells Garret that he can come by anytime to play music. Garret also talks about collecting vintage guitars. Every guitar he says has a different vibe and feeling. On the Facebook live video, he shows us one of his guitars, a 1940s Rotary Deluxe Parlor Guitar. It is beautifully decorated and Joseph was very excited to see it. Garret is also excited to hear that Joseph will have Jim Lauderdale, Darren Nicholson, and Charles Humphrey III to run the fly fishing camp. During this weekend long event, they’ll also play some tunes around a campfire. It’s all about being connected with the outdoors and more! You can learn more about it by visiting meadowlarkmotel.com. To learn more about Garret Woodward, you can go to smokymountainnews.com and follow him @garretkwoodward on Instagram.</p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/03/15 - Journalist Garret Woodward talks about Music in the Smokies and the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild

In this episode with Garret Woodward. you'll hear about his coverage of the local music scene and his conversation with the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild.

Garret Woodward is an award-winning journalist, author, events promoter, and musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. A native of upstate New York, he was a college track star. After graduating with a degree in Journalism and working across the country in a variety of Journalism jobs, he became a weekly Columnist for Smoky Mountain News in 2012, and later also a columnist for Smoky Mountain Living. Best known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human-interest stories, Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. 

A popular past guest on our show, Garret returns today to discuss his books, his music, and the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild. He will also mention some new exciting projects and catch up on post-pandemic event plans.

Don't miss this fun interview!

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes

Segment 1

Starting off today’s episode, Joseph mentions his very own Meadowlark Motel, which is the sponsor for the show and some upcoming events. On March 26th, renowned author and General Manager at the motel for the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Bob Plott, wil be doing a seminar about the history of hunting in the Smokies along with a barbeque dinner and live music! He also mentions a fly fishing camp weekend on April 15-17. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Garret Woodward, an award-winning journalist, author, events promoter, and musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. He is also a native of Upstate New York. Garret still works for the Rolling Stone magazine. He is currently working on writing about the state of bluegrass music. Garret and Joseph share their love for interacting with people. Garret says that even if this wasn’t his job, he would still be talking to everyone and asking questions.

Segment 2

Garret speaks about having an older father and because of this, he was able to learn about much older music that his father listened to as well as what it was like for his father to grow up during WWII. he also talks with Joseph about coming to live in the Smokies which he thought would only be temporary. Garret speaks about running a company where he is looking to give more attention to quality live music in West Asheville, North Carolina. He also talks about meeting Darren Nicholson from Balsam Range to interview him while just arriving in North Carolina literally minutes ago without having moved in yet into his apartment. They discuss more about the music scene in the Smoky Mountains. Garret also says that going to breweries, restaurants and other locations are where the music comes alive.

Segment 3

Garret talks about his books. He is also currently working on a book about bluegrass legend Raymond Fairchild who was an American banjo player. Garret was able to receive a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council to write the book. Joseph and Garret both knew Raymond and reminisced about the kind of person he was. Garret recalls interviewing Raymond early in his career. Garret’s experience was great considering that Raymond didn’t take a liking to any media. Raymond enjoyed talking to Garret. They had a connection that was special, especially with their passion for bluegrass music. Garret says that Raymond was a sweet man when you really got the chance to know him. For the title of the book, Garret says that he doesn’t know the exact title yet but it will most likely be called Lord I’m Coming Home: The legend and Lore of Raymond Fairchild.

Segment 4

Coming back from the final break, Garret speaks about recently learning to play the guitar. He really loves it and started learning during the early part of the pandemic. Joseph mentions his speakeasy and the motel where people also come together for music and tells Garret that he can come by anytime to play music. Garret also talks about collecting vintage guitars. Every guitar he says has a different vibe and feeling. On the Facebook live video, he shows us one of his guitars, a 1940s Rotary Deluxe Parlor Guitar. It is beautifully decorated and Joseph was very excited to see it. Garret is also excited to hear that Joseph will have Jim Lauderdale, Darren Nicholson, and Charles Humphrey III to run the fly fishing camp. During this weekend-long event, they’ll also play some tunes around a campfire. It’s all about being connected with the outdoors and more! You can learn more about it by visiting meadowlarkmotel.com. To learn more about Garret Woodward, you can go to smokymountainnews.com and follow him @garretkwoodward on Instagram.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:31.020 –> 00:00:34.710 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:00:35.100 –> 00:00:45.690 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty.

00:00:46.320 –> 00:00:51.600 Joseph McElroy: A deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:52.260 –> 00:01:11.220 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today we’re going to talk about some legendary mountain use but first, a message from our sponsors.

00:01:12.360 –> 00:01:13.380 Joseph McElroy: which happens to be me.

00:01:14.910 –> 00:01:26.190 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of both of course of the past at modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:26.820 –> 00:01:34.920 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied but fine wine and craft beers.

00:01:35.430 –> 00:01:47.130 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music world cultural sounds there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:01:48.570 –> 00:01:54.870 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor is smokies adventure.com that smokies plural adventure singular.com.

00:01:55.260 –> 00:02:08.580 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding areas vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:09.360 –> 00:02:16.650 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains natural park.

00:02:17.190 –> 00:02:27.210 Joseph McElroy: That the trails the waterfalls cage cove and more than check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy the area.

00:02:27.930 –> 00:02:34.530 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokies adventures to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.

00:02:35.670 –> 00:02:51.390 Joseph McElroy: So adventure coming up at the Meadowlark on march 26 Saturday at 4 pm renowned Author Bob Plott, and also the General Manager of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountains Heritage Center will lead a seminar.

00:02:51.870 –> 00:02:56.160 Joseph McElroy: On the history of hunting in the great smoky mountains, based upon his book of the same name.

00:02:56.700 –> 00:03:11.430 Joseph McElroy: followed by this will be followed by a Barbecue dinner and music with Mike Ogletree the former drummer for simple minds and some of his guests call 828-926-1717 for a very, very fun and informative

00:03:13.230 –> 00:03:25.590 Joseph McElroy: Evening in the mountains and Maggie Valley now what’s better for the soul than throwing a line upstream watching it past doing it again and again and perhaps getting a bite.

00:03:26.040 –> 00:03:35.730 Joseph McElroy: All anglers know that fly fishing isn’t only about really in the big one all that’s that all that always gets the heart jumping.

00:03:36.150 –> 00:03:44.730 Joseph McElroy: fly fishing is about being one with the river and his magnificence presence by witnessing value equals ecosystem.

00:03:45.420 –> 00:04:04.860 Joseph McElroy: the Meadowlark Motel is offering a fly fishing camp on April a whole weekend on April 15 through the 17th 2022 hopefully every year thereafter in the smoky mountains, our goal is to bring like-minded people together to fly fishing food, drink stories of the campfires.

00:04:06.300 –> 00:04:06.990 Joseph McElroy: We.

00:04:08.010 –> 00:04:12.510 Joseph McElroy: Will our place in the mountains, has a mountain heritage trout stream on it.

00:04:12.840 –> 00:04:24.750 Joseph McElroy: Close we’re in the middle of a lot of wonderful trout streams so there’s going to be a couple of days of different kinds of events, for example, on Friday night there’s gonna be a fishing tales of the smoky and present a video presentation.

00:04:25.200 –> 00:04:34.890 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be beverages of your choice and the speakeasy every charcuterie board for small bites including some trout delicacies like smoked trout.

00:04:35.220 –> 00:04:41.730 Joseph McElroy: And then you get included will have logic at the Meadowlark motel for two nights and then Saturday, will be a breakfast.

00:04:42.060 –> 00:04:52.290 Joseph McElroy: And then, a half-day of hands-on instruction and several hours of intense fishing on elite regional trout streams and there’s an additional help.

00:04:53.220 –> 00:04:57.240 Joseph McElroy: The fishing right to the property here the mountain there is traveling we have in the backyard.

00:04:57.600 –> 00:05:13.740 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a Barbecue dinner there’ll be live musical entertainment every campfire they’ll be a speakeasy and there’ll be lots of fun call 828-926- 1717 to find out the details, but the whole weekend, including lodging of meals, is 875.

00:05:15.180 –> 00:05:28.770 Joseph McElroy: So today we have a wonderful guest his name is Garrett Woodward he’s an award-winning Journalist, Author, Events promoter, and musician now living in Waynesville North Carolina he’s a native of upstate New York.

00:05:29.880 –> 00:05:45.240 Joseph McElroy: where he was also a college track star he has been a weekly call this for smoky mountain news since 2012 and he’s also a columnist for smoky mountain living magazine, and he has a couple of books out that are pretty important reading so Hello Garret, how are you doing?

00:05:45.690 –> 00:05:47.460 Garret Woodward: Joseph good to see you again.

00:05:47.940 –> 00:05:53.250 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’s really good to good to see you it’s been it’s yours.

00:05:55.200 –> 00:06:04.170 Joseph McElroy: was a pretty popular one and in the rankings and we get all those statistics so and I enjoy talking to a bit well as well, so.

00:06:05.280 –> 00:06:06.960 Garret Woodward: upstate New York beer I brought on.

00:06:08.730 –> 00:06:11.310 Garret Woodward: got a nice lake placid craft beer.

00:06:12.120 –> 00:06:18.810 Joseph McElroy: I have, I have a king of the mountain whoops you can’t see it it’s it well it’s in the.

00:06:19.140 –> 00:06:20.280 Joseph McElroy: mug I put it in a mug.

00:06:20.730 –> 00:06:33.480 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah I was telling Garrett earlier, I am supposed to fly into Maggie on Saturday, but because it’s a sweetened windstorm I got canceled and I hadn’t come in on.

00:06:33.870 –> 00:06:41.790 Joseph McElroy: On am in the morning it’s like you know, like, I had to get up at four o’clock or something like that so I’m like I’m feeling the.

00:06:42.180 –> 00:06:52.200 Joseph McElroy: feeling the result of not having that sleep I usually get I said, I have a couple of beers just as if I can’t be interactive and witty at least be tips.

00:06:53.430 –> 00:06:59.220 Garret Woodward: You know, we spent all day putting out the newspaper I’m also in the same boat needing a beer after that.

00:07:01.110 –> 00:07:10.800 Joseph McElroy: So you know, last time we talked about you were born in upstate and then and then worked all over the country before moving to Western North Carolina and taking the job with smoky mountain news.

00:07:11.160 –> 00:07:22.470 Joseph McElroy: And I recommend everybody goes listen to that podcast was a really, really great podcast but, and you know, he also talks about being a freelancer for Rolling Stones are you still working for the rolling so.

00:07:22.770 –> 00:07:31.410 Garret Woodward: yeah I will be on the road for Rolling Stone probably starting next month again I’m actually working on an article from right now.

00:07:33.360 –> 00:07:42.360 Garret Woodward: Technically, on assignment so actually now that I think about it, I am on the road with them this weekend I’m doing a story right now about the state of bluegrass music.

00:07:43.350 –> 00:07:54.570 Garret Woodward: About what’s going on as a lot of big things going on with billy strings obviously selling out, you know, a reno’s as a four-piece bluegrass band so there’s a big seismic shift in the high lonesome sound.

00:07:54.900 –> 00:08:11.280 Garret Woodward: come in the mainstream again and I’m heading down the Florida Thursday to go do some more interviews in the field for Rolling Stone about the state of bluegrass music going down to the Sewanee spring reunion down there and live up to beautiful place in the pan, near the panhandle.

00:08:12.240 –> 00:08:17.700 Joseph McElroy: wow that’s fabulous so that’s gonna be a wonderful series of articles or.

00:08:17.910 –> 00:08:35.820 Garret Woodward: it’s one big article I’ve been working on chipping away at it on the side, since January I’ve interviewed about 20 musicians for it all people from all over bluegrass and all over the music industry Billy Strings if you’re familiar, a lot of bluegrass down Mccurry Bobby Osbourne Sam Bush.

00:08:37.530 –> 00:08:44.310 Garret Woodward: Who else was in there, oh Dan our back from the black keys because he’s a big bluegrass guy so I was chatting with him the other day about it and.

00:08:44.970 –> 00:09:01.080 Garret Woodward: Sierra whole molly Tuttle Rhonda Vincent whole slew of people so I’ve been kind of slowly chipping away at it and trying to get it done for April, but I’m going to tie the bow on it by going down to that festival this weekend and getting the last the interviews that I need.

00:09:02.010 –> 00:09:08.730 Joseph McElroy: cool that must be a real blast it’s it sounds like a job that’s both a lot of work and also a lot of fun.

00:09:09.270 –> 00:09:11.070 Garret Woodward: Organized chaos, but I love it.

00:09:11.970 –> 00:09:17.070 Garret Woodward: it’s not you know it’s a lot of work, but you get to hang out with musicians and go see shows no.

00:09:18.480 –> 00:09:27.150 Joseph McElroy: way no I doing this podcast and then running a hospitality business I sort of get a taste of it, you know I’ve been a big marketer and a technology guy for a long time.

00:09:27.630 –> 00:09:39.630 Joseph McElroy: And I’m transitioning into this life, you know, and you know getting to talk to people, and you know and having conversations and making it into some content this case video content.

00:09:40.080 –> 00:09:51.150 Joseph McElroy: But also then taking that and trying to apply it to the other things in life, like you know, like of hospitality and bringing you to know some of those interesting people here to

00:09:51.510 –> 00:09:52.200 Garret Woodward: la, and I mean.

00:09:52.290 –> 00:09:56.250 Garret Woodward: I would talk to people, even if I was if it wasn’t my job, I would still do this.

00:09:56.310 –> 00:10:08.760 Garret Woodward: it’s just I’ve always even since I was a little kid I’ve always been fascinated with what people do with their lives, you know, I was that little kid that was talking to adults, I grew up in an older family, so you know my parents.

00:10:09.900 –> 00:10:14.370 Garret Woodward: Were my dad was 43 when I was born and I’m the oldest and.

00:10:14.520 –> 00:10:15.180 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.

00:10:18.000 –> 00:10:18.960 Joseph McElroy: Oh, the youngest in the.

00:10:19.440 –> 00:10:20.490 Garret Woodward: Two years behind me.

00:10:21.330 –> 00:10:21.660 But.

00:10:22.950 –> 00:10:33.690 Garret Woodward: yeah so we were always just raised around adults or older people, so I was always fascinated by asking people questions actually one of my first jobs was working in hospitality, my uncle.

00:10:34.290 –> 00:10:48.780 Garret Woodward: At the time when I got out of high school as well when I’m a senior year in high school yeah at a motel in Lake placid so I worked front desk there every summer I was out of college, so I lived in the motel all summer as front desk and maintenance guy.

00:10:48.870 –> 00:10:50.790 Garret Woodward: and pool boy so.

00:10:51.120 –> 00:10:56.940 Joseph McElroy: If you want to relive those years for a few weeks or a few months to do just give us a call.

00:10:57.600 –> 00:11:02.670 Garret Woodward: I really work at the front desk really kind of hone my skills and how to talk to people because.

00:11:03.030 –> 00:11:03.480 Garret Woodward: People from.

00:11:03.510 –> 00:11:07.530 Garret Woodward: all walks of life will roll into lake placid just what they do and Maggie valley and.

00:11:08.670 –> 00:11:08.880 Garret Woodward: You.

00:11:09.270 –> 00:11:10.350 Joseph McElroy: know, I was reading.

00:11:10.530 –> 00:11:13.470 Joseph McElroy: I was reading rooms at 13 years old.

00:11:14.670 –> 00:11:18.630 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah it definitely teaches you how to have a conversation for.

00:11:18.630 –> 00:11:19.110 Joseph McElroy: sure.

00:11:19.140 –> 00:11:23.850 Garret Woodward: You can be shy working at the front desk, especially people’s advice on where to go and what to do.

00:11:24.180 –> 00:11:28.440 Joseph McElroy: yeah so any other big projects or articles plan for this year.

00:11:29.040 –> 00:11:39.030 Garret Woodward: um well you know, every week I’m writing stuff for the art entertainment section for the newspaper and then bi-monthly with smoky mountain living but.

00:11:40.140 –> 00:11:43.260 Garret Woodward: I will be back on the road for merle fast and Floyd fast.

00:11:44.370 –> 00:11:49.680 Garret Woodward: Real fast being like the bluegrass bastion that it is, and then.

00:11:51.510 –> 00:12:00.810 Garret Woodward: Floyd fesses up in Virginia big jam band Americana festival and then hoping to get up to Dell fest may in the panhandle of Maryland.

00:12:01.590 –> 00:12:04.800 Garret Woodward: But other than that I’m just kind of hitting the road a lot.

00:12:06.240 –> 00:12:18.540 Garret Woodward: got some big trips planned but I’m also working on chipping away at a book right now and Raymond Fairchild is you know bluegrass that passed away a couple of years ago well let’s say.

00:12:20.220 –> 00:12:23.940 Garret Woodward: October of 2019 so tune in about two and a half years.

00:12:25.650 –> 00:12:30.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah I want to get more I want to get into that a little bit, because I, you know knew Raymond Fairchild so we’ll talk about that.

00:12:32.370 –> 00:12:34.920 Garret Woodward: there’s always something I mean I’m writing articles all the time.

00:12:34.920 –> 00:12:40.890 Garret Woodward: Like it, so second nature is I mean I enjoy doing it and I’m literally writing an article a day at this point.

00:12:42.330 –> 00:12:44.070 Joseph McElroy: As you do it, it gets easier right it’s like.

00:12:44.100 –> 00:12:46.080 Joseph McElroy: podcasting and it was really.

00:12:46.170 –> 00:12:46.770 Joseph McElroy: painful.

00:12:46.800 –> 00:12:54.660 Joseph McElroy: For me, at first, and then you know, once you start getting used to it and keep doing it and keep doing it just seems to get easier, though, the workers, so there yeah.

00:12:56.520 –> 00:12:57.000 Joseph McElroy: pain.

00:12:57.930 –> 00:12:58.620 Garret Woodward: was like.

00:12:59.910 –> 00:13:04.920 Garret Woodward: I don’t know it’s weird is that I’m so used to the productivity of it.

00:13:06.180 –> 00:13:13.050 Garret Woodward: That now that things get offered I can’t really turn them down I’m trying to learn to say no to projects but it’s hard because.

00:13:14.100 –> 00:13:14.640 Garret Woodward: The word.

00:13:15.990 –> 00:13:21.840 Garret Woodward: Say no when people say, do you want to go over to this place and interview this person and I’m like yeah I do want to talk to that person.

00:13:22.860 –> 00:13:23.280 Garret Woodward: So.

00:13:23.910 –> 00:13:25.020 Garret Woodward: it’s organized chaos.

00:13:26.400 –> 00:13:35.580 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break, I was a little bit long-winded the beginning of this segment so we’ll get more into what you’re doing now, and then we’ll start talking about your books all right.

00:13:36.150 –> 00:13:36.480 Garret Woodward: All right.

00:15:54.090 –> 00:16:09.810 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guests Garret Woodward, So Garret when you were mentioning that you had an older Father it popped into my head, you know I am actually 60 year old now, and I have three-year-old twins.

00:16:10.500 –> 00:16:13.110 Joseph McElroy: So I had 57 when I had my

00:16:13.350 –> 00:16:15.150 Joseph McElroy: twin I now, I also have a 30-year-old.

00:16:15.180 –> 00:16:17.970 Garret Woodward: But, and my dad turns 80 tomorrow.

00:16:19.530 –> 00:16:31.890 Joseph McElroy: So The thing that I was going to tell you, is, I did research right and it turns out the research has found that children have older fathers have a longer life.

00:16:34.080 –> 00:16:36.450 Garret Woodward: And nobody that go knock on wood I.

00:16:39.510 –> 00:16:42.630 Garret Woodward: was an I had I love.

00:16:44.010 –> 00:17:02.220 Garret Woodward: Love having an older father, because I was exposed to so many different things that I might not have with the younger father, in terms of music and culture, you know my dad was a child of the 30s and a teenager in the 50s and so you know, and my mom was a fire child in the 60s so.

00:17:03.900 –> 00:17:15.930 Garret Woodward: hanging out with my dad he’s telling me, you know about being a kid during World War Two and then telling me about growing up my grandfather was a minor up in New York, he was an iron or minor and growing up in a row house.

00:17:18.030 –> 00:17:20.100 Joseph McElroy: get married and have a kid at 43 that’s.

00:17:20.100 –> 00:17:21.270 Garret Woodward: Pretty yeah they were.

00:17:23.040 –> 00:17:24.060 Garret Woodward: 13 years.

00:17:24.240 –> 00:17:27.510 Garret Woodward: wow when they had kids yeah no they.

00:17:28.590 –> 00:17:38.700 Garret Woodward: Be in the car with my dad and he’d be playing hank Williams and Web Peers and Kitty Wells and Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan and then I’d be with my mom she’s playing the Beatles the Rolling Stones.

00:17:38.730 –> 00:17:40.710 Joseph McElroy: You gotta get a full life of.

00:17:41.070 –> 00:17:42.210 Joseph McElroy: Music grow it up.

00:17:42.630 –> 00:17:45.390 Joseph McElroy: I mean it’s pretty great now you know yeah.

00:17:46.110 –> 00:17:47.070 Garret Woodward: But but.

00:17:47.430 –> 00:18:01.110 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know we’re still you know that you know so you’re still a young guy but we’ve established that you’re live a long life, but you know also your children and go live a long life because that sort of turns out that it’s passed down through generations increase like so.

00:18:02.130 –> 00:18:05.910 Joseph McElroy: You live in waves all the smoky mountains you think here every year for that long life.

00:18:06.570 –> 00:18:19.590 Garret Woodward: yeah I mean I, I want to travel and I do travel quite often but there’s one place, I want to be, I was very transients for many years in my 20s I didn’t really want to stay anywhere, I wanted to bounce around.

00:18:21.540 –> 00:18:31.020 Garret Woodward: And then I came here, I was only going to stay one year and save money and try to get back out West he’s lived out in the Tetons Jackson hole Wyoming and Eastern Idaho area.

00:18:31.410 –> 00:18:45.780 Garret Woodward: Still, my favorite place in the world is that region in terms of just the aesthetics, but this is where I want to live and it’s just funny that I thought it was going to be a year stint and it’s coming on 10 years right now so.

00:18:46.230 –> 00:18:56.850 Joseph McElroy: Well, you really established yourself, you got all these writing things but you’ve also got a couple of companies right, you have a musical promotions company yeah company that promotes craft beers, can you tell us about those.

00:18:57.150 –> 00:19:10.200 Garret Woodward: Well um there’s a side project slash company that I’m running right now I’m the Vice President of its co-partner, but with my partner, Patrick Snyder it’s called the diamonds entertainment.

00:19:10.620 –> 00:19:19.830 Garret Woodward: What we’re looking to do is trying to put more quality live music west of Asheville there’s so much potential right now in terms of.

00:19:20.700 –> 00:19:27.990 Garret Woodward: Where we live and what we do Asheville is such a bastion right now for live music, I mean it’s one of the best music cities in the country.

00:19:28.530 –> 00:19:37.290 Garret Woodward: By far and we want to try to put you know large scale shows larger scale shows west of the city towards the smokies.

00:19:37.860 –> 00:19:52.800 Garret Woodward: I mean we’re equidistant from the National Park, as we are Asheville so we’ve been thinking about putting on medium to large scale shows we did a few tests run shows we actually launched the company two weeks before the shutdown.

00:19:54.510 –> 00:20:05.970 Garret Woodward: yeah it was like February 28 2020 it was when we had our launch, but we did four or five tester shows last year just to see what the appetite was in the area.

00:20:06.390 –> 00:20:18.090 Garret Woodward: We had some success with that and now we’re partnering up with some larger scale-spaces and Haywood county to put on medium-level shows in terms of like you know 500 to 1000 people.

00:20:18.510 –> 00:20:21.000 Garret Woodward: And the full-scale production side of things.

00:20:21.270 –> 00:20:24.210 Joseph McElroy: We do that in the festival grounds are begging now it’s easy to.

00:20:24.270 –> 00:20:27.540 Garret Woodward: yeah I miss having the drive and shows, I mean, I know that.

00:20:27.540 –> 00:20:30.630 Garret Woodward: We somewhat returned back to normalcy in terms of.

00:20:31.710 –> 00:20:41.220 Garret Woodward: indoor venues, but for me personally, I really liked those driving shows you got to catch it even last year, but it was really cool just to.

00:20:41.910 –> 00:20:54.120 Garret Woodward: Have like a BYOB hanging on your tailgate and watch a band, I mean instead of being in some even before the shutdown I hated crowded venues it couldn’t move around takes forever to get anywhere inside.

00:20:55.200 –> 00:20:57.810 Garret Woodward: But I know so, our goal is to bring more.

00:20:59.040 –> 00:21:01.950 Garret Woodward: prolific acts west of the city tours and mountains.

00:21:02.490 –> 00:21:10.650 Joseph McElroy: But we’re trying to get we’re trying to be involved in that, too, I mean we can’t do 500 or thousand people, but we were going to do you know 100 people to 200 people things I mean.

00:21:11.430 –> 00:21:14.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah which is awesome which is you know intimate and we’ve done.

00:21:15.990 –> 00:21:23.370 Joseph McElroy: we’ve done some stuff with that dare Nicholson, who I know you just recently worked with on the phone recently the bluegrass boogie how did that go.

00:21:23.490 –> 00:21:34.680 Garret Woodward: yeah well Darren was actually the first friend I ever made in Haywood county no joke, I had moved here sight unseen I’d been to Asheville and the smokies before but.

00:21:36.060 –> 00:21:45.960 Garret Woodward: I’ve never been to Waynesville and I took the job it’s a long story with that, but short of it is I ended up driving with everything I owned in my truck from New York.

00:21:46.590 –> 00:21:53.850 Garret Woodward: And I rolled into the newspaper on Friday afternoon, it was the balsam range paper town release party which Darren is a member and.

00:21:55.980 –> 00:22:07.200 Garret Woodward: My publisher handed me a pad of paper a pen and a camera and said go to the balsam range release party at the colonial theater and can I say who’s balsam range where’s can you know and.

00:22:08.730 –> 00:22:16.860 Garret Woodward: rolled in there and the front doors locked the side door was locked at all my stuff in the back of my truck and I still hadn’t moved into my apartment yet.

00:22:17.610 –> 00:22:30.300 Garret Woodward: And there I am and I walk into the back door, and I hear a mandolin on the stage I walk in there’s Darren and told him who I was with the newspaper here to interview him we started talking I started interviewing them and.

00:22:31.740 –> 00:22:37.920 Garret Woodward: He goes man you don’t have an accent on new Where are you from, I said New York, how long you been in Haywood county I said about 45 minutes.

00:22:40.230 –> 00:22:45.570 Garret Woodward: It was the truth they’re interviewing them I literally been in town 45 minutes from.

00:22:45.570 –> 00:22:45.960 Garret Woodward: New York.

00:22:46.920 –> 00:22:51.300 Joseph McElroy: So those like oh yeah you do, you also told me about a lot of research.

00:22:52.050 –> 00:22:53.370 Garret Woodward: He still wanted, my dear.

00:22:53.370 –> 00:22:56.010 Garret Woodward: Friends this weekend actually is.

00:22:57.480 –> 00:23:15.420 Garret Woodward: That the boogeyman real well where did, that the folk mood Center at the Queen auditorium there and Hazelwood neighborhood of Waynesville but this weekend is it Saturday, is the Steve Sutton memorial concert at full moon at the Queen auditorium that Darren’s hosting.

00:23:15.630 –> 00:23:17.880 Garret Woodward: His best friend was Steve Sutton who was.

00:23:18.180 –> 00:23:30.870 Garret Woodward: regarded as one of the best banjo players that ever played in bluegrass music, he was also a really good friend of mine, I knew Steve really well and he sadly passed away unexpectedly about five years ago now.

00:23:31.260 –> 00:23:33.030 Garret Woodward: Well yeah when he’s 2017.

00:23:34.710 –> 00:23:43.740 Garret Woodward: yeah he passed away unexpectedly, and he was only 61 and so Darren’s had this, this is a third annual Steve some memorial concert.

00:23:44.700 –> 00:23:59.280 Garret Woodward: The proceeds half of the procedure, a portion of the proceeds go to the international bluegrass music association scholarship fund, and then another portion of the proceeds goes to a student at testicle a high school in Waynesville that’s pursuing music as a career.

00:24:01.020 –> 00:24:05.790 Garret Woodward: it’s really cool so that’s this Saturday at the Folkmoot Center if you want to go check it out what.

00:24:06.240 –> 00:24:07.050 Joseph McElroy: Are you hearing.

00:24:07.230 –> 00:24:15.900 Joseph McElroy: impaired likes to do those things, we had a band camp here last year, where there was one young person they’re still doing things now with the.

00:24:17.310 –> 00:24:21.990 Joseph McElroy: learn how to play in a band he’s still got them is he still got there, and as a.

00:24:21.990 –> 00:24:22.920 Garret Woodward: mentor yeah.

00:24:23.130 –> 00:24:29.190 Joseph McElroy: Right and then you know he’s really excelling at it, so you know Darren’s really got a.

00:24:30.360 –> 00:24:32.970 Joseph McElroy: You know, a real charitable heart, you know.

00:24:33.030 –> 00:24:39.090 Garret Woodward: Well, and that’s all balsam range, I mean all of those guys will do anything for the community they’re all.

00:24:39.960 –> 00:24:54.510 Garret Woodward: Some of the most generous folks that are met Darren you know, do you want to talk about Ambassadors of hospitality and culture and Haywood County in western North Carolina you don’t look much further than Darren Nicholson and the guys in balsam range, I mean.

00:24:55.680 –> 00:25:09.780 Garret Woodward: You know anytime anywhere if there’s a cause they’re always there to play music to raise money for something I mean we had that I think, since the last time we talked we had the big concert in canton for the flood victims in Crusoe in Bethel.

00:25:10.500 –> 00:25:14.760 Garret Woodward: I think the final total is somewhere around $40,000 we raised.

00:25:15.090 –> 00:25:15.690 well.

00:25:16.860 –> 00:25:24.300 Garret Woodward: Which is a drop in the bucket but you know the plus side, though, was it was a free concert and we wanted just to get people’s minds.

00:25:24.780 –> 00:25:34.680 Garret Woodward: off of the devastation I know it’s been you know six or seven months since the floods so it’s kind of out of people’s minds, sadly, but if you drive through Crusoe.

00:25:36.420 –> 00:25:38.220 Garret Woodward: I mean there’s still cars and trees there’s.

00:25:38.220 –> 00:25:43.620 Garret Woodward: Still houses in the river, you know there’s still Arby’s in the river.

00:25:44.910 –> 00:25:54.630 Garret Woodward: it’s like a ghost town in some aspects, but you know, I was there I was there that morning after the floods on the ground reporting putting my heart news hat on.

00:25:55.740 –> 00:25:58.800 Joseph McElroy: me I was here at the time, and I was putting people up and some.

00:25:58.800 –> 00:26:01.110 Garret Woodward: Motel yeah it was doing.

00:26:01.830 –> 00:26:10.680 Garret Woodward: Terrible but what was so crazy was when we had that show it was you know, a month and a half after the floods, but it was in Searles park and downtown canton where.

00:26:12.000 –> 00:26:18.030 Garret Woodward: During the floods, the exact place to stage was during the floods there is, you know eight feet of water.

00:26:19.410 –> 00:26:20.730 Garret Woodward: Above the River bank.

00:26:20.790 –> 00:26:28.290 Garret Woodward: And, and it was just crazy to be there and it was the same weekend that bear waters brewing reopened after they got flooded out.

00:26:28.560 –> 00:26:29.460 Garret Woodward: So it was a really.

00:26:29.850 –> 00:26:38.340 Garret Woodward: crazy joyous occasion you know, we had an I would say, God two or 3000 people showed up, and it was a free show and we raise that much money and.

00:26:38.940 –> 00:26:39.930 Garret Woodward: It was unbelievable.

00:26:40.830 –> 00:26:42.000 Garret Woodward: That county for you.

00:26:42.720 –> 00:26:48.840 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know you really have your pulse on the scene, you know music scene here in the smoky mountains, you know.

00:26:49.140 –> 00:27:02.430 Joseph McElroy: This show is for your visitors that might be coming here where what would you say is yes, places to go in the smoky mountains, where they can really get in touch with that authentic us.

00:27:03.540 –> 00:27:04.710 Garret Woodward: In terms of music.

00:27:06.240 –> 00:27:06.600 Garret Woodward: yeah.

00:27:07.080 –> 00:27:08.160 Garret Woodward: yeah in terms of music.

00:27:08.550 –> 00:27:09.750 Garret Woodward: um I mean.

00:27:11.430 –> 00:27:20.550 Garret Woodward: there’s not what’s interesting is there’s not necessarily a specific place that is known as a music venue in western North Carolina most of it is.

00:27:21.150 –> 00:27:35.670 Garret Woodward: breweries restaurants, cafes small venues that have regular music and you can’t really, especially with the breweries that have really brought the live music scene up a couple of notches you know you got a boo jump in.

00:27:36.870 –> 00:27:50.820 Garret Woodward: Waynesville you got innovation and so lazy hiker and Silva and in Franklin Nana HALO brewing and Silva mountain layers brewing and Bryson city and all those spots have live music every weekend.

00:27:52.110 –> 00:27:56.190 Garret Woodward: If not, multiple times a week in terms of bluegrass Americana and roots.

00:27:57.660 –> 00:28:03.330 Garret Woodward: Which that’s good, you know that’s a good kind of representation of where we’re at.

00:28:05.280 –> 00:28:13.590 Garret Woodward: Ever since the Maggie valley Opera House closed that kind of lost a lot when Raymond passed away but I’ve been told, through the grapevine that it’s going to reopen.

00:28:14.700 –> 00:28:22.710 Garret Woodward: I don’t know when, but I have had people reach out and say that they were interested in kind of Kickstarter another one is elevated mountain distilling right in the heart of.

00:28:23.220 –> 00:28:34.050 Garret Woodward: Maggie valley has weekly music Dave Angel does such a great job bringing local bands in there that’s always a fun spot you get to drink some legal moonshine.

00:28:35.520 –> 00:28:48.450 Garret Woodward: You get to drink some legal moonshine yeah and enjoy music right in the heart of Maggie Valley and what’s cool is one of their main flagship products is Raven Fairchild’s root beer moonshine it’s actually his recipe and.

00:28:50.340 –> 00:28:54.750 Garret Woodward: It doesn’t get more real in terms of Appalachian moonshine and Raymond Fairchild

00:28:56.010 –> 00:28:57.900 Garret Woodward: God rest his soul man, what a good dude.

00:28:58.890 –> 00:29:00.420 Joseph McElroy: Man, you know I knew him very.

00:29:00.420 –> 00:29:08.400 Joseph McElroy: Well, we will be talking about him and just a couple minutes to take a break now but I look forward to Reminiscing and.

00:29:08.430 –> 00:29:09.000 Garret Woodward: Finally, yeah.

00:29:09.720 –> 00:29:10.230 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:31:17.040 –> 00:31:30.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Garret Woodward, so Garrett I’ve understood you you’ve written two books, you mentioned them right is that right.

00:31:30.870 –> 00:31:39.600 Garret Woodward: Well, I wrote a novella years ago but uh I wrote a bluegrass book about five years ago called if you can’t play get off the stage.

00:31:41.520 –> 00:31:43.800 Garret Woodward: In western North Carolina and beyond.

00:31:45.060 –> 00:31:58.950 Garret Woodward: which was great I interviewed all these bluegrass legends in western North Carolina and southern Appalachian did like a book tour on it it’s still available in bookstores and Asheville and Haywood county and other areas around the region.

00:31:59.370 –> 00:32:01.950 Joseph McElroy: And we did talk about that one in ours.

00:32:01.950 –> 00:32:07.890 Joseph McElroy: podcast before and I think people should go back to that because it was a really good interesting conversation but.

00:32:09.060 –> 00:32:09.480 Joseph McElroy: Go ahead.

00:32:09.810 –> 00:32:14.700 Garret Woodward: Oh, I was gonna say so, like I’ve been itching to kind of do a project and.

00:32:15.960 –> 00:32:20.700 Garret Woodward: You know they’re the reason that this Raymond Fairchild book came about was.

00:32:21.810 –> 00:32:27.960 Garret Woodward: There was an art grant that was you know I worked for the paper so every week I get all these emails.

00:32:28.350 –> 00:32:36.180 Garret Woodward: And we turn them into press releases for things going on in the area art-wise and then I put them you know put them in our formula, and then we put them in the paper.

00:32:36.630 –> 00:32:41.910 Garret Woodward: And one of the emails was to apply for an art grant through the North Carolina arts Council.

00:32:42.780 –> 00:32:51.630 Garret Woodward: And you know, every year, I put it in the paper and people, you know to apply and then this year I was like you know heck I’m gonna apply.

00:32:52.170 –> 00:32:58.440 Garret Woodward: And I had an idea to do something about Raymond because I’ve been talking with some friends in the music industry about how.

00:32:58.860 –> 00:33:06.240 Garret Woodward: It bothered our minds that a lot of people didn’t realize who he was and I don’t want them to be forgotten, he was an incredible person and.

00:33:07.140 –> 00:33:21.180 Garret Woodward: world-class musician right from our backyard here, so I just kind of put out a proposal together, I was sitting in a coffee shop just going through emails and I just sat there and wrote out this long proposal and submitted it didn’t think twice about it.

00:33:21.870 –> 00:33:23.940 Garret Woodward: Well, I don’t think I was gonna get it, and then.

00:33:25.440 –> 00:33:32.970 Garret Woodward: This past January a couple of months ago I got an email that I received a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council to write this book.

00:33:34.230 –> 00:33:36.660 Garret Woodward: At least enough to get the project off and running.

00:33:38.370 –> 00:33:38.550 Garret Woodward: well.

00:33:39.300 –> 00:33:45.240 Joseph McElroy: He was a great guy you know, he was an interesting character and you know you knew him personally right.

00:33:45.420 –> 00:33:46.560 Garret Woodward: Oh yeah I mean.

00:33:46.860 –> 00:33:51.000 Garret Woodward: yeah he told me he gave me he told me, I was the only journalist you ever like.

00:33:52.020 –> 00:33:53.940 Joseph McElroy: You know, he didn’t take to everybody.

00:33:54.000 –> 00:33:54.450 Joseph McElroy: Oh.

00:33:55.140 –> 00:33:55.470 He was.

00:33:56.970 –> 00:33:58.080 Joseph McElroy: I knew of growing up.

00:33:58.110 –> 00:34:12.600 Joseph McElroy: You know, I was, I was taking music lessons from him, but I, you know I didn’t know anything that I went on do something else, my dad had arranged it but yeah he was famous for not being you know, some people were in, and some people were out.

00:34:12.840 –> 00:34:21.450 Garret Woodward: He was a very rough around the edges guy but that comes from you know who he was he lived a very hardscrabble life, he grew up.

00:34:21.930 –> 00:34:34.410 Garret Woodward: You know, he grew up dirt poor and became a world-famous musician, and I mean hesaid uh you know he’s had a gun on him, he was well known for pulling a gun on promoters who didn’t pay him what they told him that.

00:34:36.990 –> 00:34:39.030 Garret Woodward: I’ve heard a couple of stories about him.

00:34:40.350 –> 00:34:42.390 Garret Woodward: With his gun one.

00:34:44.100 –> 00:34:50.850 Garret Woodward: I’ve been told it’s verified I’ve been told by multiple people this story, and of which I think it actually happened was.

00:34:51.480 –> 00:35:01.560 Garret Woodward: He was trying to tune up his banjo backstage at a show, and there was a bit stand-up bass player that was going through his rhythm and Raymond told him just.

00:35:01.890 –> 00:35:11.040 Garret Woodward: quit playing the banjo so he could tune-up or quit playing bass, so you can tune up his banjo and the guide blew him off and cream and pulled out his gun and shot it right through the list okay.

00:35:12.660 –> 00:35:14.340 Garret Woodward: I’ve heard that from multiple people.

00:35:15.300 –> 00:35:19.800 Garret Woodward: But he was very rough around the edges, but that’s what I liked about him, he was a real person.

00:35:20.880 –> 00:35:23.220 Garret Woodward: He could smell bs a mile away man, he was.

00:35:23.880 –> 00:35:33.450 Garret Woodward: You couldn’t pull your you couldn’t pull the wool over his eyes Nah he’d been around the block several times, and the first week I worked at the paper and August of 2012.

00:35:34.590 –> 00:35:43.590 Garret Woodward: They wanted to do a story on the Opera House and nobody wanted to jump on it, because everyone was kind of intimidated by Raymond I just started at the paper.

00:35:43.950 –> 00:35:58.620 Garret Woodward: I didn’t know any better, so I said yeah I’ll take the story and I went over there, and you know, I was a 27-year-old young journalist from upstate New York and him at the time, he was this guy in his early 70s.

00:35:59.640 –> 00:36:07.560 Garret Woodward: You know, half Cherokee blood moonshiner mountain man gun holster banjo legend.

00:36:08.430 –> 00:36:15.240 Garret Woodward: Just really real deal Appalachian mountain man, I mean the quintessential legitimate Appalachian mountain man.

00:36:15.720 –> 00:36:25.380 Garret Woodward: And we could not be more different people, but at the same time, we also had a deep love for bluegrass and also nature and things like that, but um.

00:36:26.160 –> 00:36:31.800 Garret Woodward: yeah we ended he first was reluctant to interview you kept blowing me off, he didn’t want to talk.

00:36:32.550 –> 00:36:44.910 Garret Woodward: And then I sat there and watched the show, and I really enjoyed it and then he saw that I mean generally wanted to talk to him because I stayed for the show you know and we ended up doing a great interview and.

00:36:46.260 –> 00:36:50.190 Garret Woodward: He said he said you’re only journalist I’ve met that’s not full of shit.

00:36:52.650 –> 00:37:03.780 Garret Woodward: He goes if you can do that if you can keep that then you’ll go far in life, and it was funny was you know we did I did, probably for four or five cover stories on them in the newspaper over the.

00:37:05.880 –> 00:37:09.600 Garret Woodward: seven or eight years, we were friends before he passed away and.

00:37:10.710 –> 00:37:20.430 Garret Woodward: He would always it was weird because, like people are always like I can’t believe that like he lets you interview him because he wouldn’t talk to anybody I swear to you like, he would not talk to journalists, he.

00:37:20.430 –> 00:37:20.580 didn’t.

00:37:22.260 –> 00:37:30.960 Garret Woodward: He didn’t like media he didn’t like newspapers you like anything but he would call me up at the paper and say I got a story for it to come over to the Opera House and we’ll talk and.

00:37:32.220 –> 00:37:46.050 Garret Woodward: And it was great to read before he passed he had turned 80 and it was really cool we got I got to do a final interview was I didn’t know he was gonna pass, obviously, but like I wanted to celebrate him turning 80 so we did a big interview and.

00:37:47.610 –> 00:37:54.180 Garret Woodward: It was fantastic just to sit with him, you know he had been in good spirits he had some health issues because he got a serious accident.

00:37:55.800 –> 00:38:05.820 Garret Woodward: A few a couple of years before that he had flipped a tractor on himself, he got seriously hurt in a tractor accident and he was back touring again.

00:38:06.630 –> 00:38:16.830 Garret Woodward: And we had a great time just sitting there Reminiscing and we did this whole story on him and he passed away a couple of months later and I’m just really glad that I had that time to spend with them.

00:38:18.030 –> 00:38:27.570 Garret Woodward: I think about probably the most fun interview I ever did with him was when he got inducted into the bluegrass hall of fame bill Monroe’s bluegrass hall of fame up and Dean blossoms Indiana.

00:38:28.080 –> 00:38:41.730 Garret Woodward: And 20 I think it was 2015 and I convinced my publisher to like let me go up there, you know, I was like you gotta let me go up there he’s getting inducted into the bluegrass often so I convinced them to at least throw me some gas money I didn’t care if I slept in my truck.

00:38:42.060 –> 00:38:52.980 Garret Woodward: yeah I was like just throw me some gas money I gotta go up there, and it was while just to be up there and see him surrounded by all these other bluegrass legends as they honored them to get inducted.

00:38:53.640 –> 00:39:05.670 Garret Woodward: And it was the one time, I think I ever one time, I think I ever saw him smile was when he got that award he always was he was a very happy jovial person, but he also you never showed it.

00:39:06.720 –> 00:39:06.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:39:07.890 –> 00:39:10.830 Joseph McElroy: He is a grammy right did you win a grammy.

00:39:11.160 –> 00:39:18.840 Garret Woodward: Now he was nominated he’s got several gold and platinum records he sold probably two or 3 million records.

00:39:19.140 –> 00:39:21.120 Joseph McElroy: Was he was famous for what kind of music.

00:39:21.150 –> 00:39:25.110 Garret Woodward: What will mule was his most famous this is instrumental where he makes his.

00:39:25.110 –> 00:39:26.640 Garret Woodward: banjo sound like a mule.

00:39:27.660 –> 00:39:37.470 Garret Woodward: He Han but many of his songs are considered standards and bluegrass now especially will muel that was a 2 million records seller.

00:39:38.190 –> 00:39:53.100 Garret Woodward: Back in the day and then he was on the grand old opry numerous times, he was friends with Johnny cash, he was friends Jimmy Martin bill Monroe he had so many random friends, I mean Bobby Brown like I’ve seen photos with him with all these random people.

00:39:53.370 –> 00:39:53.580 Joseph McElroy: That.

00:39:54.120 –> 00:39:58.860 Garret Woodward: He posted it was like I didn’t realize he knew all these people Merle Haggard is close with Merle Haggard and.

00:40:00.660 –> 00:40:02.700 Garret Woodward: But, and it was just funny was.

00:40:04.140 –> 00:40:19.500 Garret Woodward: You think about you know, like how this he literally grew up and nothing and how just became this worldwide sensation you watch those videos like lookup Raymond Fairchild whole muel you’ll have him out the opry my goodness, you know fingers like lightning.

00:40:19.590 –> 00:40:21.630 Garret Woodward: I swear to you unbelievably.

00:40:22.470 –> 00:40:34.080 Joseph McElroy: I mean I got to see him several times growing up, but you know my dad was you know the mayor and you know heavily involved in mad mad cow the grand Ole opry you know he knew, so they were they had a lot of working on and.

00:40:34.410 –> 00:40:41.730 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know we got a few jars of ravens moonshine over the years I’ve.

00:40:41.790 –> 00:40:42.720 Garret Woodward: been all costs or.

00:40:43.260 –> 00:40:44.730 Joseph McElroy: Did you ever get to taste, it even.

00:40:44.760 –> 00:40:45.450 Garret Woodward: moonshine.

00:40:45.960 –> 00:40:48.450 Garret Woodward: I think I saw absolutely hold on a second here wait.

00:40:53.880 –> 00:40:55.290 Garret Woodward: Actually, I think I still have.

00:40:55.410 –> 00:40:56.850 Joseph McElroy: It right here, you go.

00:41:00.360 –> 00:41:00.840 Garret Woodward: There you go.

00:41:02.790 –> 00:41:03.120 Joseph McElroy: here.

00:41:08.520 –> 00:41:11.610 Garret Woodward: It was really funny was I forgot that I was still in there.

00:41:13.470 –> 00:41:16.770 Garret Woodward: And what’s great is you know the real stuff is.

00:41:18.330 –> 00:41:34.590 Garret Woodward: crazily enough, the real deal-like quality-made moonshine actually goes down pretty smooth, and his stuff I mean you get in trouble with that, but he always denied that he was still making it, but I highly doubt that he wasn’t.

00:41:35.820 –> 00:41:37.890 Garret Woodward: He was too good at what he did.

00:41:39.150 –> 00:41:47.760 Garret Woodward: But he was such a sweet man, which is weird because some people might not agree with me, but that’s their last because they didn’t get to know but.

00:41:48.480 –> 00:41:58.770 Garret Woodward: he’s just he always had just amazing stories to tell about you know running moonshine in the middle of the night Holland barrels to the woods over the mountain ridges.

00:41:59.370 –> 00:42:02.130 Joseph McElroy: And those stories are priceless, then you know my

00:42:02.130 –> 00:42:04.200 Garret Woodward: grandma was involved.

00:42:04.680 –> 00:42:05.340 involved.

00:42:06.480 –> 00:42:09.960 Garret Woodward: wow when you think about it, you know just one step ahead of the Lord.

00:42:10.380 –> 00:42:13.590 Garret Woodward: And he and popcorn sudden we’re really close and.

00:42:15.180 –> 00:42:19.620 Garret Woodward: it’s just as when you think about that really wasn’t that long ago, you know.

00:42:21.780 –> 00:42:32.280 Garret Woodward: One or two generations behind us, that was, I mean, to be honest with you, even though there’s a lot of legal moonshines I know as a journalist around these parts there’s definitely a lot of moonshiners that.

00:42:32.280 –> 00:42:33.180 Joseph McElroy: are still.

00:42:33.240 –> 00:42:40.800 Joseph McElroy: On there, and you told me 100 years that you know everybody’s got a relative grandfather and then and then there are the ones that can keep on with it.

00:42:40.890 –> 00:42:43.530 Garret Woodward: And if they don’t if they say they don’t they’re lying.

00:42:43.770 –> 00:42:50.940 Joseph McElroy: Exactly yeah so I mean it was important, actually, it was important to the source of income in the mountains NASA and Appalachian culture for long.

00:42:51.720 –> 00:43:05.220 Joseph McElroy: yeah it was all sorts of it was a source of problems as a source of you know, crime, a source of alcoholism, the sickness and things like that, but it was also incredibly important and bringing being important cash crop in the mountains.

00:43:05.280 –> 00:43:06.660 Garret Woodward: and his ass car.

00:43:07.470 –> 00:43:09.720 Joseph McElroy: yeah So do you have a working title for the book.

00:43:10.680 –> 00:43:19.380 Garret Woodward: it’s going to be called a Lord I’m coming home the legend and lore of Raymond Fairchild.

00:43:20.580 –> 00:43:24.090 Garret Woodward: musician moonshine or mountain man some something to that effect.

00:43:24.510 –> 00:43:28.170 Joseph McElroy: Well, I want to keep we you know we have a bookstore here, so we carry it when you get it out all right.

00:43:28.170 –> 00:43:34.830 Joseph McElroy: heavily and will, I want to host you for a book, you know presentation signing because I think that’ll be great yeah.

00:43:34.860 –> 00:43:39.330 Garret Woodward: you’re a man I’d love to I really love what you and Bob are doing out there.

00:43:39.360 –> 00:43:40.650 Garret Woodward: it’s it’s so cool.

00:43:41.730 –> 00:43:52.410 Garret Woodward: I have really high help, especially with things opening up again about y’all haven’t some great events out there you already have had some phenomenal event but I can’t even imagine how much bigger it’s going to get.

00:43:52.950 –> 00:44:01.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I saved we’re on a three-year plan, the first year is just to get the name out the second year we started getting a little bit of audience and the third year was start getting a decent audience so.

00:44:02.370 –> 00:44:08.850 Joseph McElroy: we’re gonna take a break now and come back and finish up with just some you know audience ends and shout out.

00:46:13.980 –> 00:46:25.950 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Garrett Woodward, Garrett I’m starting to feel the drinks now.

00:46:29.460 –> 00:46:34.770 Joseph McElroy: If you’ve made it all the way to end this listen to this podcast yes now here I start being silly, I think, but.

00:46:34.890 –> 00:46:35.400 yeah.

00:46:36.870 –> 00:46:37.680 Garret Woodward: it’s good stuff.

00:46:37.920 –> 00:46:39.450 Joseph McElroy: it’s good stuff man I.

00:46:39.990 –> 00:46:41.520 Garret Woodward: Live two blocks from the brewery.

00:46:42.630 –> 00:46:44.490 Joseph McElroy: And you know they’re good food there, by the way.

00:46:45.150 –> 00:46:47.370 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah really great food there so.

00:46:47.940 –> 00:46:49.080 Joseph McElroy: I like bojo

00:46:50.190 –> 00:46:58.290 Joseph McElroy: I like bear water and Maggie valley to yeah so um yeah last time we talked you were started learning the guitar how’s that go.

00:46:59.100 –> 00:47:05.970 Garret Woodward: Going great I play every day, I am not a proficient musician by any means, but.

00:47:07.560 –> 00:47:15.240 Garret Woodward: I guess I can consider myself a rhythm guitarist at this point, but I love it I wish I had picked it up years ago I picked it up during the shutdown.

00:47:15.780 –> 00:47:31.530 Garret Woodward: You know I live by myself and I figured what a time to finally do what I’ve been wanting to do for years, so I started to learn how to do it and I play you know, every day, I mean anytime I got free time I look forward to, I look forward to coming home and playing every day and.

00:47:31.800 –> 00:47:33.060 Joseph McElroy: You play like a steady jet

00:47:34.110 –> 00:47:36.390 Garret Woodward: i’m not as like an act.

00:47:36.420 –> 00:47:37.110 Joseph McElroy: But I had.

00:47:37.140 –> 00:47:38.910 Garret Woodward: jumped up to play with people.

00:47:40.200 –> 00:47:47.130 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know we have this weekly thing, especially the pavilion you should come by Mike would be glad to have you.

00:47:47.190 –> 00:47:48.480 Garret Woodward: On i’m definitely down.

00:47:48.720 –> 00:47:54.960 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah you know you know there for the guests and it’s fun to have people just jam to you know.

00:47:55.200 –> 00:47:58.410 Garret Woodward: So Mike is the drummer from the simple mind is that, where you were saying.

00:47:58.620 –> 00:48:03.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah he was a drummer from a simple mind he introduced sort of that the reggae beat to their sound.

00:48:03.090 –> 00:48:06.630 Garret Woodward: yeah how did he end up in Maggie Valley.

00:48:06.720 –> 00:48:17.340 Joseph McElroy: Well, it was a friend of mine in New York City and you know he’s exploring Scottish music roots of Scottish music where we’re Scottish.

00:48:17.640 –> 00:48:29.400 Joseph McElroy: music is gone, you know and the Appalachian has so much you know Scottish heritage that you know coming here, and you know he became basically these called the artist in residence right.

00:48:29.610 –> 00:48:30.420 Garret Woodward: Does he live here.

00:48:30.930 –> 00:48:32.010 Joseph McElroy: He lives here yeah.

00:48:32.220 –> 00:48:34.590 Garret Woodward: Oh man I gotta meet this guy sounds pretty awesome.

00:48:34.710 –> 00:48:48.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah he’s awesome oh yeah definitely he’s got and he’s you know he really started listening to what people wanted and so he actually brings in a repertoire that sort of combines Scottish but also you know southern roots music.

00:48:49.200 –> 00:48:59.670 Joseph McElroy: Mountain music, but he brings his own sort of you know, he also has a West African heritage his father was African American from Birmingham, so I bring sort of that you know how we introduced reggae to.

00:48:59.940 –> 00:49:02.520 Joseph McElroy: Yes, simple mind he brings a little bit of a beat.

00:49:02.520 –> 00:49:10.860 Joseph McElroy: To bluegrass which is you know is heresy in terms of lupus purity but it’s kind of cool yeah.

00:49:12.090 –> 00:49:14.880 Garret Woodward: Pretty awesome I wanna I want to come in to hang out and.

00:49:16.200 –> 00:49:17.400 Garret Woodward: ground and play rhythm guitar.

00:49:17.970 –> 00:49:21.930 Joseph McElroy: All right, yeah no you’re welcome to do that so so.

00:49:23.160 –> 00:49:38.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah, so I think that would be absolutely fantastic you would love it if it’s meant to be a place we’re actually I mean I’m promoting yourself, but you know the music here is meant to be sort of a music musicians place.

00:49:38.190 –> 00:49:38.610 Garret Woodward: yeah right.

00:49:39.000 –> 00:49:47.940 Joseph McElroy: Where you know where musicians come to the jam and talk about music and guess just get the benefit of having that experience.

00:49:47.940 –> 00:50:01.920 Joseph McElroy: Right now, and that’s you know that’s what we’re developing speakeasies also right it’s like you know it’s about the music and music people that are either musicians are really well versed in music.

00:50:02.400 –> 00:50:14.910 Joseph McElroy: get together and just create an interesting atmosphere so many times we’ve just had, where they pull up videos on the screen, you know and everybody starts singing or listening or learn something new it’s kind of cool right.

00:50:15.150 –> 00:50:21.660 Garret Woodward: yeah I’m down, I definitely want to I’m proud of y’all too because it looks like you got a heck of a year plan already but.

00:50:21.810 –> 00:50:35.550 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah yeah Bob is doing well and plus you know we have a boy here who used to run a blues guitar up in Richmond blues bar and enrichment and he’s bringing another aspect to it, and you know of course Mike has his own total thing.

00:50:37.140 –> 00:50:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah we’re kicking it yeah but.

00:50:42.450 –> 00:50:47.910 Joseph McElroy: I heard you know the interesting thing I got little birds tell me a little birds name is Bob.

00:50:49.770 –> 00:50:51.990 Joseph McElroy: And he tells me you’re collecting vintage guitars.

00:50:52.740 –> 00:51:03.900 Garret Woodward: uh yeah kind of I have a, I guess, we think here, well, I had like I started buying a guitar in the chatroom.

00:51:05.160 –> 00:51:05.640 Garret Woodward: If.

00:51:05.700 –> 00:51:13.320 Garret Woodward: It happens, anyone who plays guitar knows what I’m talking about once you buy every guitar is a different vibe a different field.

00:51:15.180 –> 00:51:16.080 Garret Woodward: But I ended up.

00:51:17.160 –> 00:51:27.840 Garret Woodward: I have two vintage guitars right now but I own five total 4 acoustic and electric but here I’ll actually show you one.

00:51:27.900 –> 00:51:29.220 Joseph McElroy: The vintage one’s really cool.

00:51:32.520 –> 00:51:33.450 Garret Woodward: This is a.

00:51:35.490 –> 00:51:42.810 Garret Woodward: it’s a 1940 1940s Rotary deluxe cowboy parlor guitar.

00:51:43.740 –> 00:51:48.540 Garret Woodward: what’s cool about it is these guitars to chicken on out.

00:51:52.860 –> 00:51:54.750 Garret Woodward: And that’s the original stencils.

00:51:54.900 –> 00:51:56.820 Garret Woodward: whoa crazy.

00:51:57.000 –> 00:51:58.500 Joseph McElroy: That is crazy what.

00:51:58.500 –> 00:52:00.990 Garret Woodward: I love is that is last so in the moon, right here.

00:52:01.110 –> 00:52:03.510 Joseph McElroy: You go bring that play in here come on.

00:52:05.040 –> 00:52:09.420 Garret Woodward: A 1940 we figure about a 42 or 43.

00:52:11.310 –> 00:52:14.670 Garret Woodward: But it’s an old blues parlor you’re tired, but what’s crazy about it is.

00:52:16.170 –> 00:52:19.740 Garret Woodward: Most of those guitars weren’t meant to last this long you know, these were.

00:52:20.580 –> 00:52:34.800 Garret Woodward: very inexpensive kind of like sears and roebuck guitars that you know back then people didn’t think about preserving guitars you know you played them and they broke, and you got another one we’re now like it’s a whole thing about you know.

00:52:36.450 –> 00:52:39.420 Garret Woodward: collector’s items and stuff like that, but I came across that.

00:52:41.100 –> 00:52:44.790 Garret Woodward: One night after a couple of beers and I said oh man I gotta buy that.

00:52:45.870 –> 00:52:48.150 Joseph McElroy: is right, oh yeah.

00:52:48.240 –> 00:52:54.870 Garret Woodward: I love it because it was really funny if it’s a small parlor guitar but man it cranks like a cannon.

00:52:55.920 –> 00:52:57.180 Garret Woodward: it’s extremely loud.

00:52:58.050 –> 00:53:03.780 Joseph McElroy: Well, when you come over and hang out with us here I’m going to tell you some stories about some things I bought all had a few drinks.

00:53:06.900 –> 00:53:19.380 Joseph McElroy: Things I sold at the same time, but you know it’s been good, you know I wanted to let you know that yeah we’re gonna have a couple of things you’re gonna be interesting, here we have a songwriters camp, with the Darren Nicholson, Jim Lauderdale.

00:53:19.650 –> 00:53:21.570 Garret Woodward: Oh man Jim Lauderdale.

00:53:21.840 –> 00:53:23.160 Joseph McElroy: and August, so you got to.

00:53:23.160 –> 00:53:25.950 Joseph McElroy: Come at least got to cover it if you can’t do anything.

00:53:25.950 –> 00:53:27.090 Garret Woodward: I told

00:53:27.360 –> 00:53:36.660 Garret Woodward: Bob that I would definitely do that definitely cover it because Jim Lauderdale I mean Darren’s a world-class musician but like Jim Lauderdale is a world-class songwriter.

00:53:36.900 –> 00:53:39.480 Garret Woodward: yeah you know he’s one of my favorites I mean.

00:53:39.810 –> 00:53:41.430 Joseph McElroy: Charles Humphrey the third will be that.

00:53:41.430 –> 00:53:43.920 Garret Woodward: Too Oh, then you got a grammy award-winning.

00:53:44.370 –> 00:53:46.710 Garret Woodward: You know you have a grammy award-winning.

00:53:47.040 –> 00:53:50.550 Garret Woodward: Charles’s good friend of mine to actually just saw him recently.

00:53:51.480 –> 00:53:53.250 Joseph McElroy: What he’s doing here in April.

00:53:53.280 –> 00:54:02.640 Garret Woodward: yeah oh wow so I mean if anyone’s listening that’s pretty amazing that you have Darren Jim and Charles and Charles are running the fishing camp good.

00:54:02.790 –> 00:54:10.380 Joseph McElroy: Good Lord man oh yeah cuz we’re gonna have you know the fish he can’t sell through iTunes or on the fire and Charles and his friends are going to do some fun stuff.

00:54:10.560 –> 00:54:15.780 Joseph McElroy: I mean you’re talking you’re welcome to queue up going to come out here to time podcasts or you’re in a special club.

00:54:17.490 –> 00:54:22.620 Joseph McElroy: Right, so what website social media, you want to shout outlet everybody know who you.

00:54:22.620 –> 00:54:31.350 Garret Woodward: Are smokymountainnews.com smokymountainnews.COM all of our articles, whether it’s arts outdoors.

00:54:32.070 –> 00:54:42.330 Garret Woodward: Travel stuff that we do it’s all free to read it’s good to go smoky mountain news COM and then on Instagram I’m GarrettKWoodward GARRETKWOODWARD

00:54:43.290 –> 00:54:59.640 Garret Woodward: Other than that, go to the Meadowlark, I mean you hope your listeners realize how cool, that is, that you have Jim Lauderdale Charles and Darren there that’s a pretty big deal you got Grammy award winners and IBM legends hanging out in a very intimate setting so.

00:55:00.840 –> 00:55:10.200 Joseph McElroy: that’s the point it’s a musician’s musician place as well as other particular you know you know things we know we got the bottom, we have Plott dogs so anyway.

00:55:11.400 –> 00:55:13.380 Garret Woodward: Bob is a walking encyclopedia.

00:55:13.410 –> 00:55:23.460 Joseph McElroy: I know the walking encyclopedia, well, thank you for coming, this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find out more about us and facebook.com slash.

00:55:24.000 –> 00:55:29.160 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies podcasts we’re also on the talk radio dot nyc network.

00:55:30.120 –> 00:55:38.820 Joseph McElroy: which has a lot of podcasts that are really interesting, ranging from help for small businesses to self-help to travel to New York to

00:55:39.600 –> 00:55:53.670 Joseph McElroy: Many issues, the spirituality things like that and they’re all live broadcasts, the most podcasts are recorded there, these are all it’s like the best of podcasting and live radio so and I really enjoy so I.

00:55:54.150 –> 00:56:05.130 Joseph McElroy: hope you will check this out, I also run a marketing podcast called Wise Content Creates Wealth, I have a big marketing background, especially in SEO and content marketing that’s on Fridays from.

00:56:05.640 –> 00:56:15.210 Joseph McElroy: noon to one and then, this one is always on Tuesday from six to seven that half of it happy to be here Thank you again, Garrett, and

00:56:15.570 –> 00:56:16.620 Garret Woodward: record to come back.

00:56:17.130 –> 00:56:17.580 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:56:19.950 –> 00:56:20.910 Joseph McElroy: Talk to you later bye.

00:56:21.180 –> 00:56:21.780 Garret Woodward: Have a good one.

00:56:22.200 –> 00:56:22.590 Joseph McElroy: You too.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/bOkuapdM2D/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/623299b25f703466b79a4142_20220315-GTTS.jpg" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/03/15 - Journalist Garret Woodward talks about Music in the Smokies and the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild"></a></p><p><strong>In this episode with Garret Woodward. you&#39;ll hear about his coverage of the local music scene and his conversation with the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild.</strong></p><p><strong>Garret Woodward</strong> is an award-winning journalist, author, events promoter, and musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. A native of upstate New York, he was a college track star. After graduating with a degree in Journalism and working across the country in a variety of Journalism jobs, he became a weekly Columnist for Smoky Mountain News in 2012, and later also a columnist for <a href="https://www.smliv.com/topics/garret-k.-woodward/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Smoky Mountain Living</strong></a>. Best known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human-interest stories, Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. </p><p>A popular past guest on our show, Garret returns today to discuss his books, his music, and the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild. He will also mention some new exciting projects and catch up on post-pandemic event plans.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this fun interview!</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/bOkuapdM2D/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Starting off today’s episode, Joseph mentions his very own Meadowlark Motel, which is the sponsor for the show and some upcoming events. On March 26th, renowned author and General Manager at the motel for the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Bob Plott, wil be doing a seminar about the history of hunting in the Smokies along with a barbeque dinner and live music! He also mentions a fly fishing camp weekend on April 15-17. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Garret Woodward, an award-winning journalist, author, events promoter, and musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. He is also a native of Upstate New York. Garret still works for the Rolling Stone magazine. He is currently working on writing about the state of bluegrass music. Garret and Joseph share their love for interacting with people. Garret says that even if this wasn’t his job, he would still be talking to everyone and asking questions.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Garret speaks about having an older father and because of this, he was able to learn about much older music that his father listened to as well as what it was like for his father to grow up during WWII. he also talks with Joseph about coming to live in the Smokies which he thought would only be temporary. Garret speaks about running a company where he is looking to give more attention to quality live music in West Asheville, North Carolina. He also talks about meeting Darren Nicholson from Balsam Range to interview him while just arriving in North Carolina literally minutes ago without having moved in yet into his apartment. They discuss more about the music scene in the Smoky Mountains. Garret also says that going to breweries, restaurants and other locations are where the music comes alive.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Garret talks about his books. He is also currently working on a book about bluegrass legend Raymond Fairchild who was an American banjo player. Garret was able to receive a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council to write the book. Joseph and Garret both knew Raymond and reminisced about the kind of person he was. Garret recalls interviewing Raymond early in his career. Garret’s experience was great considering that Raymond didn’t take a liking to any media. Raymond enjoyed talking to Garret. They had a connection that was special, especially with their passion for bluegrass music. Garret says that Raymond was a sweet man when you really got the chance to know him. For the title of the book, Garret says that he doesn’t know the exact title yet but it will most likely be called <em>Lord I’m Coming Home: The legend and Lore of Raymond Fairchild.</em></p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the final break, Garret speaks about recently learning to play the guitar. He really loves it and started learning during the early part of the pandemic. Joseph mentions his speakeasy and the motel where people also come together for music and tells Garret that he can come by anytime to play music. Garret also talks about collecting vintage guitars. Every guitar he says has a different vibe and feeling. On the Facebook live video, he shows us one of his guitars, a 1940s Rotary Deluxe Parlor Guitar. It is beautifully decorated and Joseph was very excited to see it. Garret is also excited to hear that Joseph will have Jim Lauderdale, Darren Nicholson, and Charles Humphrey III to run the fly fishing camp. During this weekend-long event, they’ll also play some tunes around a campfire. It’s all about being connected with the outdoors and more! You can learn more about it by visiting meadowlarkmotel.com. To learn more about Garret Woodward, you can go to smokymountainnews.com and follow him @garretkwoodward on Instagram.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:00:31.020 –&gt; 00:00:34.710 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:00:35.100 –&gt; 00:00:45.690 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty.</p><p>00:00:46.320 –&gt; 00:00:51.600 Joseph McElroy: A deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:52.260 –&gt; 00:01:11.220 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today we’re going to talk about some legendary mountain use but first, a message from our sponsors.</p><p>00:01:12.360 –&gt; 00:01:13.380 Joseph McElroy: which happens to be me.</p><p>00:01:14.910 –&gt; 00:01:26.190 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of both of course of the past at modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:26.820 –&gt; 00:01:34.920 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied but fine wine and craft beers.</p><p>00:01:35.430 –&gt; 00:01:47.130 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music world cultural sounds there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:48.570 –&gt; 00:01:54.870 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor is smokies adventure.com that smokies plural adventure singular.com.</p><p>00:01:55.260 –&gt; 00:02:08.580 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding areas vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.</p><p>00:02:09.360 –&gt; 00:02:16.650 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using smokies adventure.com to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains natural park.</p><p>00:02:17.190 –&gt; 00:02:27.210 Joseph McElroy: That the trails the waterfalls cage cove and more than check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy the area.</p><p>00:02:27.930 –&gt; 00:02:34.530 Joseph McElroy: The goal of smokies adventures to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:35.670 –&gt; 00:02:51.390 Joseph McElroy: So adventure coming up at the Meadowlark on march 26 Saturday at 4 pm renowned Author Bob Plott, and also the General Manager of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountains Heritage Center will lead a seminar.</p><p>00:02:51.870 –&gt; 00:02:56.160 Joseph McElroy: On the history of hunting in the great smoky mountains, based upon his book of the same name.</p><p>00:02:56.700 –&gt; 00:03:11.430 Joseph McElroy: followed by this will be followed by a Barbecue dinner and music with Mike Ogletree the former drummer for simple minds and some of his guests call 828-926-1717 for a very, very fun and informative</p><p>00:03:13.230 –&gt; 00:03:25.590 Joseph McElroy: Evening in the mountains and Maggie Valley now what’s better for the soul than throwing a line upstream watching it past doing it again and again and perhaps getting a bite.</p><p>00:03:26.040 –&gt; 00:03:35.730 Joseph McElroy: All anglers know that fly fishing isn’t only about really in the big one all that’s that all that always gets the heart jumping.</p><p>00:03:36.150 –&gt; 00:03:44.730 Joseph McElroy: fly fishing is about being one with the river and his magnificence presence by witnessing value equals ecosystem.</p><p>00:03:45.420 –&gt; 00:04:04.860 Joseph McElroy: the Meadowlark Motel is offering a fly fishing camp on April a whole weekend on April 15 through the 17th 2022 hopefully every year thereafter in the smoky mountains, our goal is to bring like-minded people together to fly fishing food, drink stories of the campfires.</p><p>00:04:06.300 –&gt; 00:04:06.990 Joseph McElroy: We.</p><p>00:04:08.010 –&gt; 00:04:12.510 Joseph McElroy: Will our place in the mountains, has a mountain heritage trout stream on it.</p><p>00:04:12.840 –&gt; 00:04:24.750 Joseph McElroy: Close we’re in the middle of a lot of wonderful trout streams so there’s going to be a couple of days of different kinds of events, for example, on Friday night there’s gonna be a fishing tales of the smoky and present a video presentation.</p><p>00:04:25.200 –&gt; 00:04:34.890 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be beverages of your choice and the speakeasy every charcuterie board for small bites including some trout delicacies like smoked trout.</p><p>00:04:35.220 –&gt; 00:04:41.730 Joseph McElroy: And then you get included will have logic at the Meadowlark motel for two nights and then Saturday, will be a breakfast.</p><p>00:04:42.060 –&gt; 00:04:52.290 Joseph McElroy: And then, a half-day of hands-on instruction and several hours of intense fishing on elite regional trout streams and there’s an additional help.</p><p>00:04:53.220 –&gt; 00:04:57.240 Joseph McElroy: The fishing right to the property here the mountain there is traveling we have in the backyard.</p><p>00:04:57.600 –&gt; 00:05:13.740 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a Barbecue dinner there’ll be live musical entertainment every campfire they’ll be a speakeasy and there’ll be lots of fun call 828-926- 1717 to find out the details, but the whole weekend, including lodging of meals, is 875.</p><p>00:05:15.180 –&gt; 00:05:28.770 Joseph McElroy: So today we have a wonderful guest his name is Garrett Woodward he’s an award-winning Journalist, Author, Events promoter, and musician now living in Waynesville North Carolina he’s a native of upstate New York.</p><p>00:05:29.880 –&gt; 00:05:45.240 Joseph McElroy: where he was also a college track star he has been a weekly call this for smoky mountain news since 2012 and he’s also a columnist for smoky mountain living magazine, and he has a couple of books out that are pretty important reading so Hello Garret, how are you doing?</p><p>00:05:45.690 –&gt; 00:05:47.460 Garret Woodward: Joseph good to see you again.</p><p>00:05:47.940 –&gt; 00:05:53.250 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’s really good to good to see you it’s been it’s yours.</p><p>00:05:55.200 –&gt; 00:06:04.170 Joseph McElroy: was a pretty popular one and in the rankings and we get all those statistics so and I enjoy talking to a bit well as well, so.</p><p>00:06:05.280 –&gt; 00:06:06.960 Garret Woodward: upstate New York beer I brought on.</p><p>00:06:08.730 –&gt; 00:06:11.310 Garret Woodward: got a nice lake placid craft beer.</p><p>00:06:12.120 –&gt; 00:06:18.810 Joseph McElroy: I have, I have a king of the mountain whoops you can’t see it it’s it well it’s in the.</p><p>00:06:19.140 –&gt; 00:06:20.280 Joseph McElroy: mug I put it in a mug.</p><p>00:06:20.730 –&gt; 00:06:33.480 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah I was telling Garrett earlier, I am supposed to fly into Maggie on Saturday, but because it’s a sweetened windstorm I got canceled and I hadn’t come in on.</p><p>00:06:33.870 –&gt; 00:06:41.790 Joseph McElroy: On am in the morning it’s like you know, like, I had to get up at four o’clock or something like that so I’m like I’m feeling the.</p><p>00:06:42.180 –&gt; 00:06:52.200 Joseph McElroy: feeling the result of not having that sleep I usually get I said, I have a couple of beers just as if I can’t be interactive and witty at least be tips.</p><p>00:06:53.430 –&gt; 00:06:59.220 Garret Woodward: You know, we spent all day putting out the newspaper I’m also in the same boat needing a beer after that.</p><p>00:07:01.110 –&gt; 00:07:10.800 Joseph McElroy: So you know, last time we talked about you were born in upstate and then and then worked all over the country before moving to Western North Carolina and taking the job with smoky mountain news.</p><p>00:07:11.160 –&gt; 00:07:22.470 Joseph McElroy: And I recommend everybody goes listen to that podcast was a really, really great podcast but, and you know, he also talks about being a freelancer for Rolling Stones are you still working for the rolling so.</p><p>00:07:22.770 –&gt; 00:07:31.410 Garret Woodward: yeah I will be on the road for Rolling Stone probably starting next month again I’m actually working on an article from right now.</p><p>00:07:33.360 –&gt; 00:07:42.360 Garret Woodward: Technically, on assignment so actually now that I think about it, I am on the road with them this weekend I’m doing a story right now about the state of bluegrass music.</p><p>00:07:43.350 –&gt; 00:07:54.570 Garret Woodward: About what’s going on as a lot of big things going on with billy strings obviously selling out, you know, a reno’s as a four-piece bluegrass band so there’s a big seismic shift in the high lonesome sound.</p><p>00:07:54.900 –&gt; 00:08:11.280 Garret Woodward: come in the mainstream again and I’m heading down the Florida Thursday to go do some more interviews in the field for Rolling Stone about the state of bluegrass music going down to the Sewanee spring reunion down there and live up to beautiful place in the pan, near the panhandle.</p><p>00:08:12.240 –&gt; 00:08:17.700 Joseph McElroy: wow that’s fabulous so that’s gonna be a wonderful series of articles or.</p><p>00:08:17.910 –&gt; 00:08:35.820 Garret Woodward: it’s one big article I’ve been working on chipping away at it on the side, since January I’ve interviewed about 20 musicians for it all people from all over bluegrass and all over the music industry Billy Strings if you’re familiar, a lot of bluegrass down Mccurry Bobby Osbourne Sam Bush.</p><p>00:08:37.530 –&gt; 00:08:44.310 Garret Woodward: Who else was in there, oh Dan our back from the black keys because he’s a big bluegrass guy so I was chatting with him the other day about it and.</p><p>00:08:44.970 –&gt; 00:09:01.080 Garret Woodward: Sierra whole molly Tuttle Rhonda Vincent whole slew of people so I’ve been kind of slowly chipping away at it and trying to get it done for April, but I’m going to tie the bow on it by going down to that festival this weekend and getting the last the interviews that I need.</p><p>00:09:02.010 –&gt; 00:09:08.730 Joseph McElroy: cool that must be a real blast it’s it sounds like a job that’s both a lot of work and also a lot of fun.</p><p>00:09:09.270 –&gt; 00:09:11.070 Garret Woodward: Organized chaos, but I love it.</p><p>00:09:11.970 –&gt; 00:09:17.070 Garret Woodward: it’s not you know it’s a lot of work, but you get to hang out with musicians and go see shows no.</p><p>00:09:18.480 –&gt; 00:09:27.150 Joseph McElroy: way no I doing this podcast and then running a hospitality business I sort of get a taste of it, you know I’ve been a big marketer and a technology guy for a long time.</p><p>00:09:27.630 –&gt; 00:09:39.630 Joseph McElroy: And I’m transitioning into this life, you know, and you know getting to talk to people, and you know and having conversations and making it into some content this case video content.</p><p>00:09:40.080 –&gt; 00:09:51.150 Joseph McElroy: But also then taking that and trying to apply it to the other things in life, like you know, like of hospitality and bringing you to know some of those interesting people here to</p><p>00:09:51.510 –&gt; 00:09:52.200 Garret Woodward: la, and I mean.</p><p>00:09:52.290 –&gt; 00:09:56.250 Garret Woodward: I would talk to people, even if I was if it wasn’t my job, I would still do this.</p><p>00:09:56.310 –&gt; 00:10:08.760 Garret Woodward: it’s just I’ve always even since I was a little kid I’ve always been fascinated with what people do with their lives, you know, I was that little kid that was talking to adults, I grew up in an older family, so you know my parents.</p><p>00:10:09.900 –&gt; 00:10:14.370 Garret Woodward: Were my dad was 43 when I was born and I’m the oldest and.</p><p>00:10:14.520 –&gt; 00:10:15.180 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.</p><p>00:10:18.000 –&gt; 00:10:18.960 Joseph McElroy: Oh, the youngest in the.</p><p>00:10:19.440 –&gt; 00:10:20.490 Garret Woodward: Two years behind me.</p><p>00:10:21.330 –&gt; 00:10:21.660 But.</p><p>00:10:22.950 –&gt; 00:10:33.690 Garret Woodward: yeah so we were always just raised around adults or older people, so I was always fascinated by asking people questions actually one of my first jobs was working in hospitality, my uncle.</p><p>00:10:34.290 –&gt; 00:10:48.780 Garret Woodward: At the time when I got out of high school as well when I’m a senior year in high school yeah at a motel in Lake placid so I worked front desk there every summer I was out of college, so I lived in the motel all summer as front desk and maintenance guy.</p><p>00:10:48.870 –&gt; 00:10:50.790 Garret Woodward: and pool boy so.</p><p>00:10:51.120 –&gt; 00:10:56.940 Joseph McElroy: If you want to relive those years for a few weeks or a few months to do just give us a call.</p><p>00:10:57.600 –&gt; 00:11:02.670 Garret Woodward: I really work at the front desk really kind of hone my skills and how to talk to people because.</p><p>00:11:03.030 –&gt; 00:11:03.480 Garret Woodward: People from.</p><p>00:11:03.510 –&gt; 00:11:07.530 Garret Woodward: all walks of life will roll into lake placid just what they do and Maggie valley and.</p><p>00:11:08.670 –&gt; 00:11:08.880 Garret Woodward: You.</p><p>00:11:09.270 –&gt; 00:11:10.350 Joseph McElroy: know, I was reading.</p><p>00:11:10.530 –&gt; 00:11:13.470 Joseph McElroy: I was reading rooms at 13 years old.</p><p>00:11:14.670 –&gt; 00:11:18.630 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah it definitely teaches you how to have a conversation for.</p><p>00:11:18.630 –&gt; 00:11:19.110 Joseph McElroy: sure.</p><p>00:11:19.140 –&gt; 00:11:23.850 Garret Woodward: You can be shy working at the front desk, especially people’s advice on where to go and what to do.</p><p>00:11:24.180 –&gt; 00:11:28.440 Joseph McElroy: yeah so any other big projects or articles plan for this year.</p><p>00:11:29.040 –&gt; 00:11:39.030 Garret Woodward: um well you know, every week I’m writing stuff for the art entertainment section for the newspaper and then bi-monthly with smoky mountain living but.</p><p>00:11:40.140 –&gt; 00:11:43.260 Garret Woodward: I will be back on the road for merle fast and Floyd fast.</p><p>00:11:44.370 –&gt; 00:11:49.680 Garret Woodward: Real fast being like the bluegrass bastion that it is, and then.</p><p>00:11:51.510 –&gt; 00:12:00.810 Garret Woodward: Floyd fesses up in Virginia big jam band Americana festival and then hoping to get up to Dell fest may in the panhandle of Maryland.</p><p>00:12:01.590 –&gt; 00:12:04.800 Garret Woodward: But other than that I’m just kind of hitting the road a lot.</p><p>00:12:06.240 –&gt; 00:12:18.540 Garret Woodward: got some big trips planned but I’m also working on chipping away at a book right now and Raymond Fairchild is you know bluegrass that passed away a couple of years ago well let’s say.</p><p>00:12:20.220 –&gt; 00:12:23.940 Garret Woodward: October of 2019 so tune in about two and a half years.</p><p>00:12:25.650 –&gt; 00:12:30.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah I want to get more I want to get into that a little bit, because I, you know knew Raymond Fairchild so we’ll talk about that.</p><p>00:12:32.370 –&gt; 00:12:34.920 Garret Woodward: there’s always something I mean I’m writing articles all the time.</p><p>00:12:34.920 –&gt; 00:12:40.890 Garret Woodward: Like it, so second nature is I mean I enjoy doing it and I’m literally writing an article a day at this point.</p><p>00:12:42.330 –&gt; 00:12:44.070 Joseph McElroy: As you do it, it gets easier right it’s like.</p><p>00:12:44.100 –&gt; 00:12:46.080 Joseph McElroy: podcasting and it was really.</p><p>00:12:46.170 –&gt; 00:12:46.770 Joseph McElroy: painful.</p><p>00:12:46.800 –&gt; 00:12:54.660 Joseph McElroy: For me, at first, and then you know, once you start getting used to it and keep doing it and keep doing it just seems to get easier, though, the workers, so there yeah.</p><p>00:12:56.520 –&gt; 00:12:57.000 Joseph McElroy: pain.</p><p>00:12:57.930 –&gt; 00:12:58.620 Garret Woodward: was like.</p><p>00:12:59.910 –&gt; 00:13:04.920 Garret Woodward: I don’t know it’s weird is that I’m so used to the productivity of it.</p><p>00:13:06.180 –&gt; 00:13:13.050 Garret Woodward: That now that things get offered I can’t really turn them down I’m trying to learn to say no to projects but it’s hard because.</p><p>00:13:14.100 –&gt; 00:13:14.640 Garret Woodward: The word.</p><p>00:13:15.990 –&gt; 00:13:21.840 Garret Woodward: Say no when people say, do you want to go over to this place and interview this person and I’m like yeah I do want to talk to that person.</p><p>00:13:22.860 –&gt; 00:13:23.280 Garret Woodward: So.</p><p>00:13:23.910 –&gt; 00:13:25.020 Garret Woodward: it’s organized chaos.</p><p>00:13:26.400 –&gt; 00:13:35.580 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break, I was a little bit long-winded the beginning of this segment so we’ll get more into what you’re doing now, and then we’ll start talking about your books all right.</p><p>00:13:36.150 –&gt; 00:13:36.480 Garret Woodward: All right.</p><p>00:15:54.090 –&gt; 00:16:09.810 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guests Garret Woodward, So Garret when you were mentioning that you had an older Father it popped into my head, you know I am actually 60 year old now, and I have three-year-old twins.</p><p>00:16:10.500 –&gt; 00:16:13.110 Joseph McElroy: So I had 57 when I had my</p><p>00:16:13.350 –&gt; 00:16:15.150 Joseph McElroy: twin I now, I also have a 30-year-old.</p><p>00:16:15.180 –&gt; 00:16:17.970 Garret Woodward: But, and my dad turns 80 tomorrow.</p><p>00:16:19.530 –&gt; 00:16:31.890 Joseph McElroy: So The thing that I was going to tell you, is, I did research right and it turns out the research has found that children have older fathers have a longer life.</p><p>00:16:34.080 –&gt; 00:16:36.450 Garret Woodward: And nobody that go knock on wood I.</p><p>00:16:39.510 –&gt; 00:16:42.630 Garret Woodward: was an I had I love.</p><p>00:16:44.010 –&gt; 00:17:02.220 Garret Woodward: Love having an older father, because I was exposed to so many different things that I might not have with the younger father, in terms of music and culture, you know my dad was a child of the 30s and a teenager in the 50s and so you know, and my mom was a fire child in the 60s so.</p><p>00:17:03.900 –&gt; 00:17:15.930 Garret Woodward: hanging out with my dad he’s telling me, you know about being a kid during World War Two and then telling me about growing up my grandfather was a minor up in New York, he was an iron or minor and growing up in a row house.</p><p>00:17:18.030 –&gt; 00:17:20.100 Joseph McElroy: get married and have a kid at 43 that’s.</p><p>00:17:20.100 –&gt; 00:17:21.270 Garret Woodward: Pretty yeah they were.</p><p>00:17:23.040 –&gt; 00:17:24.060 Garret Woodward: 13 years.</p><p>00:17:24.240 –&gt; 00:17:27.510 Garret Woodward: wow when they had kids yeah no they.</p><p>00:17:28.590 –&gt; 00:17:38.700 Garret Woodward: Be in the car with my dad and he’d be playing hank Williams and Web Peers and Kitty Wells and Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan and then I’d be with my mom she’s playing the Beatles the Rolling Stones.</p><p>00:17:38.730 –&gt; 00:17:40.710 Joseph McElroy: You gotta get a full life of.</p><p>00:17:41.070 –&gt; 00:17:42.210 Joseph McElroy: Music grow it up.</p><p>00:17:42.630 –&gt; 00:17:45.390 Joseph McElroy: I mean it’s pretty great now you know yeah.</p><p>00:17:46.110 –&gt; 00:17:47.070 Garret Woodward: But but.</p><p>00:17:47.430 –&gt; 00:18:01.110 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know we’re still you know that you know so you’re still a young guy but we’ve established that you’re live a long life, but you know also your children and go live a long life because that sort of turns out that it’s passed down through generations increase like so.</p><p>00:18:02.130 –&gt; 00:18:05.910 Joseph McElroy: You live in waves all the smoky mountains you think here every year for that long life.</p><p>00:18:06.570 –&gt; 00:18:19.590 Garret Woodward: yeah I mean I, I want to travel and I do travel quite often but there’s one place, I want to be, I was very transients for many years in my 20s I didn’t really want to stay anywhere, I wanted to bounce around.</p><p>00:18:21.540 –&gt; 00:18:31.020 Garret Woodward: And then I came here, I was only going to stay one year and save money and try to get back out West he’s lived out in the Tetons Jackson hole Wyoming and Eastern Idaho area.</p><p>00:18:31.410 –&gt; 00:18:45.780 Garret Woodward: Still, my favorite place in the world is that region in terms of just the aesthetics, but this is where I want to live and it’s just funny that I thought it was going to be a year stint and it’s coming on 10 years right now so.</p><p>00:18:46.230 –&gt; 00:18:56.850 Joseph McElroy: Well, you really established yourself, you got all these writing things but you’ve also got a couple of companies right, you have a musical promotions company yeah company that promotes craft beers, can you tell us about those.</p><p>00:18:57.150 –&gt; 00:19:10.200 Garret Woodward: Well um there’s a side project slash company that I’m running right now I’m the Vice President of its co-partner, but with my partner, Patrick Snyder it’s called the diamonds entertainment.</p><p>00:19:10.620 –&gt; 00:19:19.830 Garret Woodward: What we’re looking to do is trying to put more quality live music west of Asheville there’s so much potential right now in terms of.</p><p>00:19:20.700 –&gt; 00:19:27.990 Garret Woodward: Where we live and what we do Asheville is such a bastion right now for live music, I mean it’s one of the best music cities in the country.</p><p>00:19:28.530 –&gt; 00:19:37.290 Garret Woodward: By far and we want to try to put you know large scale shows larger scale shows west of the city towards the smokies.</p><p>00:19:37.860 –&gt; 00:19:52.800 Garret Woodward: I mean we’re equidistant from the National Park, as we are Asheville so we’ve been thinking about putting on medium to large scale shows we did a few tests run shows we actually launched the company two weeks before the shutdown.</p><p>00:19:54.510 –&gt; 00:20:05.970 Garret Woodward: yeah it was like February 28 2020 it was when we had our launch, but we did four or five tester shows last year just to see what the appetite was in the area.</p><p>00:20:06.390 –&gt; 00:20:18.090 Garret Woodward: We had some success with that and now we’re partnering up with some larger scale-spaces and Haywood county to put on medium-level shows in terms of like you know 500 to 1000 people.</p><p>00:20:18.510 –&gt; 00:20:21.000 Garret Woodward: And the full-scale production side of things.</p><p>00:20:21.270 –&gt; 00:20:24.210 Joseph McElroy: We do that in the festival grounds are begging now it’s easy to.</p><p>00:20:24.270 –&gt; 00:20:27.540 Garret Woodward: yeah I miss having the drive and shows, I mean, I know that.</p><p>00:20:27.540 –&gt; 00:20:30.630 Garret Woodward: We somewhat returned back to normalcy in terms of.</p><p>00:20:31.710 –&gt; 00:20:41.220 Garret Woodward: indoor venues, but for me personally, I really liked those driving shows you got to catch it even last year, but it was really cool just to.</p><p>00:20:41.910 –&gt; 00:20:54.120 Garret Woodward: Have like a BYOB hanging on your tailgate and watch a band, I mean instead of being in some even before the shutdown I hated crowded venues it couldn’t move around takes forever to get anywhere inside.</p><p>00:20:55.200 –&gt; 00:20:57.810 Garret Woodward: But I know so, our goal is to bring more.</p><p>00:20:59.040 –&gt; 00:21:01.950 Garret Woodward: prolific acts west of the city tours and mountains.</p><p>00:21:02.490 –&gt; 00:21:10.650 Joseph McElroy: But we’re trying to get we’re trying to be involved in that, too, I mean we can’t do 500 or thousand people, but we were going to do you know 100 people to 200 people things I mean.</p><p>00:21:11.430 –&gt; 00:21:14.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah which is awesome which is you know intimate and we’ve done.</p><p>00:21:15.990 –&gt; 00:21:23.370 Joseph McElroy: we’ve done some stuff with that dare Nicholson, who I know you just recently worked with on the phone recently the bluegrass boogie how did that go.</p><p>00:21:23.490 –&gt; 00:21:34.680 Garret Woodward: yeah well Darren was actually the first friend I ever made in Haywood county no joke, I had moved here sight unseen I’d been to Asheville and the smokies before but.</p><p>00:21:36.060 –&gt; 00:21:45.960 Garret Woodward: I’ve never been to Waynesville and I took the job it’s a long story with that, but short of it is I ended up driving with everything I owned in my truck from New York.</p><p>00:21:46.590 –&gt; 00:21:53.850 Garret Woodward: And I rolled into the newspaper on Friday afternoon, it was the balsam range paper town release party which Darren is a member and.</p><p>00:21:55.980 –&gt; 00:22:07.200 Garret Woodward: My publisher handed me a pad of paper a pen and a camera and said go to the balsam range release party at the colonial theater and can I say who’s balsam range where’s can you know and.</p><p>00:22:08.730 –&gt; 00:22:16.860 Garret Woodward: rolled in there and the front doors locked the side door was locked at all my stuff in the back of my truck and I still hadn’t moved into my apartment yet.</p><p>00:22:17.610 –&gt; 00:22:30.300 Garret Woodward: And there I am and I walk into the back door, and I hear a mandolin on the stage I walk in there’s Darren and told him who I was with the newspaper here to interview him we started talking I started interviewing them and.</p><p>00:22:31.740 –&gt; 00:22:37.920 Garret Woodward: He goes man you don’t have an accent on new Where are you from, I said New York, how long you been in Haywood county I said about 45 minutes.</p><p>00:22:40.230 –&gt; 00:22:45.570 Garret Woodward: It was the truth they’re interviewing them I literally been in town 45 minutes from.</p><p>00:22:45.570 –&gt; 00:22:45.960 Garret Woodward: New York.</p><p>00:22:46.920 –&gt; 00:22:51.300 Joseph McElroy: So those like oh yeah you do, you also told me about a lot of research.</p><p>00:22:52.050 –&gt; 00:22:53.370 Garret Woodward: He still wanted, my dear.</p><p>00:22:53.370 –&gt; 00:22:56.010 Garret Woodward: Friends this weekend actually is.</p><p>00:22:57.480 –&gt; 00:23:15.420 Garret Woodward: That the boogeyman real well where did, that the folk mood Center at the Queen auditorium there and Hazelwood neighborhood of Waynesville but this weekend is it Saturday, is the Steve Sutton memorial concert at full moon at the Queen auditorium that Darren’s hosting.</p><p>00:23:15.630 –&gt; 00:23:17.880 Garret Woodward: His best friend was Steve Sutton who was.</p><p>00:23:18.180 –&gt; 00:23:30.870 Garret Woodward: regarded as one of the best banjo players that ever played in bluegrass music, he was also a really good friend of mine, I knew Steve really well and he sadly passed away unexpectedly about five years ago now.</p><p>00:23:31.260 –&gt; 00:23:33.030 Garret Woodward: Well yeah when he’s 2017.</p><p>00:23:34.710 –&gt; 00:23:43.740 Garret Woodward: yeah he passed away unexpectedly, and he was only 61 and so Darren’s had this, this is a third annual Steve some memorial concert.</p><p>00:23:44.700 –&gt; 00:23:59.280 Garret Woodward: The proceeds half of the procedure, a portion of the proceeds go to the international bluegrass music association scholarship fund, and then another portion of the proceeds goes to a student at testicle a high school in Waynesville that’s pursuing music as a career.</p><p>00:24:01.020 –&gt; 00:24:05.790 Garret Woodward: it’s really cool so that’s this Saturday at the Folkmoot Center if you want to go check it out what.</p><p>00:24:06.240 –&gt; 00:24:07.050 Joseph McElroy: Are you hearing.</p><p>00:24:07.230 –&gt; 00:24:15.900 Joseph McElroy: impaired likes to do those things, we had a band camp here last year, where there was one young person they’re still doing things now with the.</p><p>00:24:17.310 –&gt; 00:24:21.990 Joseph McElroy: learn how to play in a band he’s still got them is he still got there, and as a.</p><p>00:24:21.990 –&gt; 00:24:22.920 Garret Woodward: mentor yeah.</p><p>00:24:23.130 –&gt; 00:24:29.190 Joseph McElroy: Right and then you know he’s really excelling at it, so you know Darren’s really got a.</p><p>00:24:30.360 –&gt; 00:24:32.970 Joseph McElroy: You know, a real charitable heart, you know.</p><p>00:24:33.030 –&gt; 00:24:39.090 Garret Woodward: Well, and that’s all balsam range, I mean all of those guys will do anything for the community they’re all.</p><p>00:24:39.960 –&gt; 00:24:54.510 Garret Woodward: Some of the most generous folks that are met Darren you know, do you want to talk about Ambassadors of hospitality and culture and Haywood County in western North Carolina you don’t look much further than Darren Nicholson and the guys in balsam range, I mean.</p><p>00:24:55.680 –&gt; 00:25:09.780 Garret Woodward: You know anytime anywhere if there’s a cause they’re always there to play music to raise money for something I mean we had that I think, since the last time we talked we had the big concert in canton for the flood victims in Crusoe in Bethel.</p><p>00:25:10.500 –&gt; 00:25:14.760 Garret Woodward: I think the final total is somewhere around $40,000 we raised.</p><p>00:25:15.090 –&gt; 00:25:15.690 well.</p><p>00:25:16.860 –&gt; 00:25:24.300 Garret Woodward: Which is a drop in the bucket but you know the plus side, though, was it was a free concert and we wanted just to get people’s minds.</p><p>00:25:24.780 –&gt; 00:25:34.680 Garret Woodward: off of the devastation I know it’s been you know six or seven months since the floods so it’s kind of out of people’s minds, sadly, but if you drive through Crusoe.</p><p>00:25:36.420 –&gt; 00:25:38.220 Garret Woodward: I mean there’s still cars and trees there’s.</p><p>00:25:38.220 –&gt; 00:25:43.620 Garret Woodward: Still houses in the river, you know there’s still Arby’s in the river.</p><p>00:25:44.910 –&gt; 00:25:54.630 Garret Woodward: it’s like a ghost town in some aspects, but you know, I was there I was there that morning after the floods on the ground reporting putting my heart news hat on.</p><p>00:25:55.740 –&gt; 00:25:58.800 Joseph McElroy: me I was here at the time, and I was putting people up and some.</p><p>00:25:58.800 –&gt; 00:26:01.110 Garret Woodward: Motel yeah it was doing.</p><p>00:26:01.830 –&gt; 00:26:10.680 Garret Woodward: Terrible but what was so crazy was when we had that show it was you know, a month and a half after the floods, but it was in Searles park and downtown canton where.</p><p>00:26:12.000 –&gt; 00:26:18.030 Garret Woodward: During the floods, the exact place to stage was during the floods there is, you know eight feet of water.</p><p>00:26:19.410 –&gt; 00:26:20.730 Garret Woodward: Above the River bank.</p><p>00:26:20.790 –&gt; 00:26:28.290 Garret Woodward: And, and it was just crazy to be there and it was the same weekend that bear waters brewing reopened after they got flooded out.</p><p>00:26:28.560 –&gt; 00:26:29.460 Garret Woodward: So it was a really.</p><p>00:26:29.850 –&gt; 00:26:38.340 Garret Woodward: crazy joyous occasion you know, we had an I would say, God two or 3000 people showed up, and it was a free show and we raise that much money and.</p><p>00:26:38.940 –&gt; 00:26:39.930 Garret Woodward: It was unbelievable.</p><p>00:26:40.830 –&gt; 00:26:42.000 Garret Woodward: That county for you.</p><p>00:26:42.720 –&gt; 00:26:48.840 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know you really have your pulse on the scene, you know music scene here in the smoky mountains, you know.</p><p>00:26:49.140 –&gt; 00:27:02.430 Joseph McElroy: This show is for your visitors that might be coming here where what would you say is yes, places to go in the smoky mountains, where they can really get in touch with that authentic us.</p><p>00:27:03.540 –&gt; 00:27:04.710 Garret Woodward: In terms of music.</p><p>00:27:06.240 –&gt; 00:27:06.600 Garret Woodward: yeah.</p><p>00:27:07.080 –&gt; 00:27:08.160 Garret Woodward: yeah in terms of music.</p><p>00:27:08.550 –&gt; 00:27:09.750 Garret Woodward: um I mean.</p><p>00:27:11.430 –&gt; 00:27:20.550 Garret Woodward: there’s not what’s interesting is there’s not necessarily a specific place that is known as a music venue in western North Carolina most of it is.</p><p>00:27:21.150 –&gt; 00:27:35.670 Garret Woodward: breweries restaurants, cafes small venues that have regular music and you can’t really, especially with the breweries that have really brought the live music scene up a couple of notches you know you got a boo jump in.</p><p>00:27:36.870 –&gt; 00:27:50.820 Garret Woodward: Waynesville you got innovation and so lazy hiker and Silva and in Franklin Nana HALO brewing and Silva mountain layers brewing and Bryson city and all those spots have live music every weekend.</p><p>00:27:52.110 –&gt; 00:27:56.190 Garret Woodward: If not, multiple times a week in terms of bluegrass Americana and roots.</p><p>00:27:57.660 –&gt; 00:28:03.330 Garret Woodward: Which that’s good, you know that’s a good kind of representation of where we’re at.</p><p>00:28:05.280 –&gt; 00:28:13.590 Garret Woodward: Ever since the Maggie valley Opera House closed that kind of lost a lot when Raymond passed away but I’ve been told, through the grapevine that it’s going to reopen.</p><p>00:28:14.700 –&gt; 00:28:22.710 Garret Woodward: I don’t know when, but I have had people reach out and say that they were interested in kind of Kickstarter another one is elevated mountain distilling right in the heart of.</p><p>00:28:23.220 –&gt; 00:28:34.050 Garret Woodward: Maggie valley has weekly music Dave Angel does such a great job bringing local bands in there that’s always a fun spot you get to drink some legal moonshine.</p><p>00:28:35.520 –&gt; 00:28:48.450 Garret Woodward: You get to drink some legal moonshine yeah and enjoy music right in the heart of Maggie Valley and what’s cool is one of their main flagship products is Raven Fairchild’s root beer moonshine it’s actually his recipe and.</p><p>00:28:50.340 –&gt; 00:28:54.750 Garret Woodward: It doesn’t get more real in terms of Appalachian moonshine and Raymond Fairchild</p><p>00:28:56.010 –&gt; 00:28:57.900 Garret Woodward: God rest his soul man, what a good dude.</p><p>00:28:58.890 –&gt; 00:29:00.420 Joseph McElroy: Man, you know I knew him very.</p><p>00:29:00.420 –&gt; 00:29:08.400 Joseph McElroy: Well, we will be talking about him and just a couple minutes to take a break now but I look forward to Reminiscing and.</p><p>00:29:08.430 –&gt; 00:29:09.000 Garret Woodward: Finally, yeah.</p><p>00:29:09.720 –&gt; 00:29:10.230 Joseph McElroy: All right.</p><p>00:31:17.040 –&gt; 00:31:30.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Garret Woodward, so Garrett I’ve understood you you’ve written two books, you mentioned them right is that right.</p><p>00:31:30.870 –&gt; 00:31:39.600 Garret Woodward: Well, I wrote a novella years ago but uh I wrote a bluegrass book about five years ago called if you can’t play get off the stage.</p><p>00:31:41.520 –&gt; 00:31:43.800 Garret Woodward: In western North Carolina and beyond.</p><p>00:31:45.060 –&gt; 00:31:58.950 Garret Woodward: which was great I interviewed all these bluegrass legends in western North Carolina and southern Appalachian did like a book tour on it it’s still available in bookstores and Asheville and Haywood county and other areas around the region.</p><p>00:31:59.370 –&gt; 00:32:01.950 Joseph McElroy: And we did talk about that one in ours.</p><p>00:32:01.950 –&gt; 00:32:07.890 Joseph McElroy: podcast before and I think people should go back to that because it was a really good interesting conversation but.</p><p>00:32:09.060 –&gt; 00:32:09.480 Joseph McElroy: Go ahead.</p><p>00:32:09.810 –&gt; 00:32:14.700 Garret Woodward: Oh, I was gonna say so, like I’ve been itching to kind of do a project and.</p><p>00:32:15.960 –&gt; 00:32:20.700 Garret Woodward: You know they’re the reason that this Raymond Fairchild book came about was.</p><p>00:32:21.810 –&gt; 00:32:27.960 Garret Woodward: There was an art grant that was you know I worked for the paper so every week I get all these emails.</p><p>00:32:28.350 –&gt; 00:32:36.180 Garret Woodward: And we turn them into press releases for things going on in the area art-wise and then I put them you know put them in our formula, and then we put them in the paper.</p><p>00:32:36.630 –&gt; 00:32:41.910 Garret Woodward: And one of the emails was to apply for an art grant through the North Carolina arts Council.</p><p>00:32:42.780 –&gt; 00:32:51.630 Garret Woodward: And you know, every year, I put it in the paper and people, you know to apply and then this year I was like you know heck I’m gonna apply.</p><p>00:32:52.170 –&gt; 00:32:58.440 Garret Woodward: And I had an idea to do something about Raymond because I’ve been talking with some friends in the music industry about how.</p><p>00:32:58.860 –&gt; 00:33:06.240 Garret Woodward: It bothered our minds that a lot of people didn’t realize who he was and I don’t want them to be forgotten, he was an incredible person and.</p><p>00:33:07.140 –&gt; 00:33:21.180 Garret Woodward: world-class musician right from our backyard here, so I just kind of put out a proposal together, I was sitting in a coffee shop just going through emails and I just sat there and wrote out this long proposal and submitted it didn’t think twice about it.</p><p>00:33:21.870 –&gt; 00:33:23.940 Garret Woodward: Well, I don’t think I was gonna get it, and then.</p><p>00:33:25.440 –&gt; 00:33:32.970 Garret Woodward: This past January a couple of months ago I got an email that I received a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council to write this book.</p><p>00:33:34.230 –&gt; 00:33:36.660 Garret Woodward: At least enough to get the project off and running.</p><p>00:33:38.370 –&gt; 00:33:38.550 Garret Woodward: well.</p><p>00:33:39.300 –&gt; 00:33:45.240 Joseph McElroy: He was a great guy you know, he was an interesting character and you know you knew him personally right.</p><p>00:33:45.420 –&gt; 00:33:46.560 Garret Woodward: Oh yeah I mean.</p><p>00:33:46.860 –&gt; 00:33:51.000 Garret Woodward: yeah he told me he gave me he told me, I was the only journalist you ever like.</p><p>00:33:52.020 –&gt; 00:33:53.940 Joseph McElroy: You know, he didn’t take to everybody.</p><p>00:33:54.000 –&gt; 00:33:54.450 Joseph McElroy: Oh.</p><p>00:33:55.140 –&gt; 00:33:55.470 He was.</p><p>00:33:56.970 –&gt; 00:33:58.080 Joseph McElroy: I knew of growing up.</p><p>00:33:58.110 –&gt; 00:34:12.600 Joseph McElroy: You know, I was, I was taking music lessons from him, but I, you know I didn’t know anything that I went on do something else, my dad had arranged it but yeah he was famous for not being you know, some people were in, and some people were out.</p><p>00:34:12.840 –&gt; 00:34:21.450 Garret Woodward: He was a very rough around the edges guy but that comes from you know who he was he lived a very hardscrabble life, he grew up.</p><p>00:34:21.930 –&gt; 00:34:34.410 Garret Woodward: You know, he grew up dirt poor and became a world-famous musician, and I mean hesaid uh you know he’s had a gun on him, he was well known for pulling a gun on promoters who didn’t pay him what they told him that.</p><p>00:34:36.990 –&gt; 00:34:39.030 Garret Woodward: I’ve heard a couple of stories about him.</p><p>00:34:40.350 –&gt; 00:34:42.390 Garret Woodward: With his gun one.</p><p>00:34:44.100 –&gt; 00:34:50.850 Garret Woodward: I’ve been told it’s verified I’ve been told by multiple people this story, and of which I think it actually happened was.</p><p>00:34:51.480 –&gt; 00:35:01.560 Garret Woodward: He was trying to tune up his banjo backstage at a show, and there was a bit stand-up bass player that was going through his rhythm and Raymond told him just.</p><p>00:35:01.890 –&gt; 00:35:11.040 Garret Woodward: quit playing the banjo so he could tune-up or quit playing bass, so you can tune up his banjo and the guide blew him off and cream and pulled out his gun and shot it right through the list okay.</p><p>00:35:12.660 –&gt; 00:35:14.340 Garret Woodward: I’ve heard that from multiple people.</p><p>00:35:15.300 –&gt; 00:35:19.800 Garret Woodward: But he was very rough around the edges, but that’s what I liked about him, he was a real person.</p><p>00:35:20.880 –&gt; 00:35:23.220 Garret Woodward: He could smell bs a mile away man, he was.</p><p>00:35:23.880 –&gt; 00:35:33.450 Garret Woodward: You couldn’t pull your you couldn’t pull the wool over his eyes Nah he’d been around the block several times, and the first week I worked at the paper and August of 2012.</p><p>00:35:34.590 –&gt; 00:35:43.590 Garret Woodward: They wanted to do a story on the Opera House and nobody wanted to jump on it, because everyone was kind of intimidated by Raymond I just started at the paper.</p><p>00:35:43.950 –&gt; 00:35:58.620 Garret Woodward: I didn’t know any better, so I said yeah I’ll take the story and I went over there, and you know, I was a 27-year-old young journalist from upstate New York and him at the time, he was this guy in his early 70s.</p><p>00:35:59.640 –&gt; 00:36:07.560 Garret Woodward: You know, half Cherokee blood moonshiner mountain man gun holster banjo legend.</p><p>00:36:08.430 –&gt; 00:36:15.240 Garret Woodward: Just really real deal Appalachian mountain man, I mean the quintessential legitimate Appalachian mountain man.</p><p>00:36:15.720 –&gt; 00:36:25.380 Garret Woodward: And we could not be more different people, but at the same time, we also had a deep love for bluegrass and also nature and things like that, but um.</p><p>00:36:26.160 –&gt; 00:36:31.800 Garret Woodward: yeah we ended he first was reluctant to interview you kept blowing me off, he didn’t want to talk.</p><p>00:36:32.550 –&gt; 00:36:44.910 Garret Woodward: And then I sat there and watched the show, and I really enjoyed it and then he saw that I mean generally wanted to talk to him because I stayed for the show you know and we ended up doing a great interview and.</p><p>00:36:46.260 –&gt; 00:36:50.190 Garret Woodward: He said he said you’re only journalist I’ve met that’s not full of shit.</p><p>00:36:52.650 –&gt; 00:37:03.780 Garret Woodward: He goes if you can do that if you can keep that then you’ll go far in life, and it was funny was you know we did I did, probably for four or five cover stories on them in the newspaper over the.</p><p>00:37:05.880 –&gt; 00:37:09.600 Garret Woodward: seven or eight years, we were friends before he passed away and.</p><p>00:37:10.710 –&gt; 00:37:20.430 Garret Woodward: He would always it was weird because, like people are always like I can’t believe that like he lets you interview him because he wouldn’t talk to anybody I swear to you like, he would not talk to journalists, he.</p><p>00:37:20.430 –&gt; 00:37:20.580 didn’t.</p><p>00:37:22.260 –&gt; 00:37:30.960 Garret Woodward: He didn’t like media he didn’t like newspapers you like anything but he would call me up at the paper and say I got a story for it to come over to the Opera House and we’ll talk and.</p><p>00:37:32.220 –&gt; 00:37:46.050 Garret Woodward: And it was great to read before he passed he had turned 80 and it was really cool we got I got to do a final interview was I didn’t know he was gonna pass, obviously, but like I wanted to celebrate him turning 80 so we did a big interview and.</p><p>00:37:47.610 –&gt; 00:37:54.180 Garret Woodward: It was fantastic just to sit with him, you know he had been in good spirits he had some health issues because he got a serious accident.</p><p>00:37:55.800 –&gt; 00:38:05.820 Garret Woodward: A few a couple of years before that he had flipped a tractor on himself, he got seriously hurt in a tractor accident and he was back touring again.</p><p>00:38:06.630 –&gt; 00:38:16.830 Garret Woodward: And we had a great time just sitting there Reminiscing and we did this whole story on him and he passed away a couple of months later and I’m just really glad that I had that time to spend with them.</p><p>00:38:18.030 –&gt; 00:38:27.570 Garret Woodward: I think about probably the most fun interview I ever did with him was when he got inducted into the bluegrass hall of fame bill Monroe’s bluegrass hall of fame up and Dean blossoms Indiana.</p><p>00:38:28.080 –&gt; 00:38:41.730 Garret Woodward: And 20 I think it was 2015 and I convinced my publisher to like let me go up there, you know, I was like you gotta let me go up there he’s getting inducted into the bluegrass often so I convinced them to at least throw me some gas money I didn’t care if I slept in my truck.</p><p>00:38:42.060 –&gt; 00:38:52.980 Garret Woodward: yeah I was like just throw me some gas money I gotta go up there, and it was while just to be up there and see him surrounded by all these other bluegrass legends as they honored them to get inducted.</p><p>00:38:53.640 –&gt; 00:39:05.670 Garret Woodward: And it was the one time, I think I ever one time, I think I ever saw him smile was when he got that award he always was he was a very happy jovial person, but he also you never showed it.</p><p>00:39:06.720 –&gt; 00:39:06.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:39:07.890 –&gt; 00:39:10.830 Joseph McElroy: He is a grammy right did you win a grammy.</p><p>00:39:11.160 –&gt; 00:39:18.840 Garret Woodward: Now he was nominated he’s got several gold and platinum records he sold probably two or 3 million records.</p><p>00:39:19.140 –&gt; 00:39:21.120 Joseph McElroy: Was he was famous for what kind of music.</p><p>00:39:21.150 –&gt; 00:39:25.110 Garret Woodward: What will mule was his most famous this is instrumental where he makes his.</p><p>00:39:25.110 –&gt; 00:39:26.640 Garret Woodward: banjo sound like a mule.</p><p>00:39:27.660 –&gt; 00:39:37.470 Garret Woodward: He Han but many of his songs are considered standards and bluegrass now especially will muel that was a 2 million records seller.</p><p>00:39:38.190 –&gt; 00:39:53.100 Garret Woodward: Back in the day and then he was on the grand old opry numerous times, he was friends with Johnny cash, he was friends Jimmy Martin bill Monroe he had so many random friends, I mean Bobby Brown like I’ve seen photos with him with all these random people.</p><p>00:39:53.370 –&gt; 00:39:53.580 Joseph McElroy: That.</p><p>00:39:54.120 –&gt; 00:39:58.860 Garret Woodward: He posted it was like I didn’t realize he knew all these people Merle Haggard is close with Merle Haggard and.</p><p>00:40:00.660 –&gt; 00:40:02.700 Garret Woodward: But, and it was just funny was.</p><p>00:40:04.140 –&gt; 00:40:19.500 Garret Woodward: You think about you know, like how this he literally grew up and nothing and how just became this worldwide sensation you watch those videos like lookup Raymond Fairchild whole muel you’ll have him out the opry my goodness, you know fingers like lightning.</p><p>00:40:19.590 –&gt; 00:40:21.630 Garret Woodward: I swear to you unbelievably.</p><p>00:40:22.470 –&gt; 00:40:34.080 Joseph McElroy: I mean I got to see him several times growing up, but you know my dad was you know the mayor and you know heavily involved in mad mad cow the grand Ole opry you know he knew, so they were they had a lot of working on and.</p><p>00:40:34.410 –&gt; 00:40:41.730 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know we got a few jars of ravens moonshine over the years I’ve.</p><p>00:40:41.790 –&gt; 00:40:42.720 Garret Woodward: been all costs or.</p><p>00:40:43.260 –&gt; 00:40:44.730 Joseph McElroy: Did you ever get to taste, it even.</p><p>00:40:44.760 –&gt; 00:40:45.450 Garret Woodward: moonshine.</p><p>00:40:45.960 –&gt; 00:40:48.450 Garret Woodward: I think I saw absolutely hold on a second here wait.</p><p>00:40:53.880 –&gt; 00:40:55.290 Garret Woodward: Actually, I think I still have.</p><p>00:40:55.410 –&gt; 00:40:56.850 Joseph McElroy: It right here, you go.</p><p>00:41:00.360 –&gt; 00:41:00.840 Garret Woodward: There you go.</p><p>00:41:02.790 –&gt; 00:41:03.120 Joseph McElroy: here.</p><p>00:41:08.520 –&gt; 00:41:11.610 Garret Woodward: It was really funny was I forgot that I was still in there.</p><p>00:41:13.470 –&gt; 00:41:16.770 Garret Woodward: And what’s great is you know the real stuff is.</p><p>00:41:18.330 –&gt; 00:41:34.590 Garret Woodward: crazily enough, the real deal-like quality-made moonshine actually goes down pretty smooth, and his stuff I mean you get in trouble with that, but he always denied that he was still making it, but I highly doubt that he wasn’t.</p><p>00:41:35.820 –&gt; 00:41:37.890 Garret Woodward: He was too good at what he did.</p><p>00:41:39.150 –&gt; 00:41:47.760 Garret Woodward: But he was such a sweet man, which is weird because some people might not agree with me, but that’s their last because they didn’t get to know but.</p><p>00:41:48.480 –&gt; 00:41:58.770 Garret Woodward: he’s just he always had just amazing stories to tell about you know running moonshine in the middle of the night Holland barrels to the woods over the mountain ridges.</p><p>00:41:59.370 –&gt; 00:42:02.130 Joseph McElroy: And those stories are priceless, then you know my</p><p>00:42:02.130 –&gt; 00:42:04.200 Garret Woodward: grandma was involved.</p><p>00:42:04.680 –&gt; 00:42:05.340 involved.</p><p>00:42:06.480 –&gt; 00:42:09.960 Garret Woodward: wow when you think about it, you know just one step ahead of the Lord.</p><p>00:42:10.380 –&gt; 00:42:13.590 Garret Woodward: And he and popcorn sudden we’re really close and.</p><p>00:42:15.180 –&gt; 00:42:19.620 Garret Woodward: it’s just as when you think about that really wasn’t that long ago, you know.</p><p>00:42:21.780 –&gt; 00:42:32.280 Garret Woodward: One or two generations behind us, that was, I mean, to be honest with you, even though there’s a lot of legal moonshines I know as a journalist around these parts there’s definitely a lot of moonshiners that.</p><p>00:42:32.280 –&gt; 00:42:33.180 Joseph McElroy: are still.</p><p>00:42:33.240 –&gt; 00:42:40.800 Joseph McElroy: On there, and you told me 100 years that you know everybody’s got a relative grandfather and then and then there are the ones that can keep on with it.</p><p>00:42:40.890 –&gt; 00:42:43.530 Garret Woodward: And if they don’t if they say they don’t they’re lying.</p><p>00:42:43.770 –&gt; 00:42:50.940 Joseph McElroy: Exactly yeah so I mean it was important, actually, it was important to the source of income in the mountains NASA and Appalachian culture for long.</p><p>00:42:51.720 –&gt; 00:43:05.220 Joseph McElroy: yeah it was all sorts of it was a source of problems as a source of you know, crime, a source of alcoholism, the sickness and things like that, but it was also incredibly important and bringing being important cash crop in the mountains.</p><p>00:43:05.280 –&gt; 00:43:06.660 Garret Woodward: and his ass car.</p><p>00:43:07.470 –&gt; 00:43:09.720 Joseph McElroy: yeah So do you have a working title for the book.</p><p>00:43:10.680 –&gt; 00:43:19.380 Garret Woodward: it’s going to be called a Lord I’m coming home the legend and lore of Raymond Fairchild.</p><p>00:43:20.580 –&gt; 00:43:24.090 Garret Woodward: musician moonshine or mountain man some something to that effect.</p><p>00:43:24.510 –&gt; 00:43:28.170 Joseph McElroy: Well, I want to keep we you know we have a bookstore here, so we carry it when you get it out all right.</p><p>00:43:28.170 –&gt; 00:43:34.830 Joseph McElroy: heavily and will, I want to host you for a book, you know presentation signing because I think that’ll be great yeah.</p><p>00:43:34.860 –&gt; 00:43:39.330 Garret Woodward: you’re a man I’d love to I really love what you and Bob are doing out there.</p><p>00:43:39.360 –&gt; 00:43:40.650 Garret Woodward: it’s it’s so cool.</p><p>00:43:41.730 –&gt; 00:43:52.410 Garret Woodward: I have really high help, especially with things opening up again about y’all haven’t some great events out there you already have had some phenomenal event but I can’t even imagine how much bigger it’s going to get.</p><p>00:43:52.950 –&gt; 00:44:01.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I saved we’re on a three-year plan, the first year is just to get the name out the second year we started getting a little bit of audience and the third year was start getting a decent audience so.</p><p>00:44:02.370 –&gt; 00:44:08.850 Joseph McElroy: we’re gonna take a break now and come back and finish up with just some you know audience ends and shout out.</p><p>00:46:13.980 –&gt; 00:46:25.950 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Garrett Woodward, Garrett I’m starting to feel the drinks now.</p><p>00:46:29.460 –&gt; 00:46:34.770 Joseph McElroy: If you’ve made it all the way to end this listen to this podcast yes now here I start being silly, I think, but.</p><p>00:46:34.890 –&gt; 00:46:35.400 yeah.</p><p>00:46:36.870 –&gt; 00:46:37.680 Garret Woodward: it’s good stuff.</p><p>00:46:37.920 –&gt; 00:46:39.450 Joseph McElroy: it’s good stuff man I.</p><p>00:46:39.990 –&gt; 00:46:41.520 Garret Woodward: Live two blocks from the brewery.</p><p>00:46:42.630 –&gt; 00:46:44.490 Joseph McElroy: And you know they’re good food there, by the way.</p><p>00:46:45.150 –&gt; 00:46:47.370 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah really great food there so.</p><p>00:46:47.940 –&gt; 00:46:49.080 Joseph McElroy: I like bojo</p><p>00:46:50.190 –&gt; 00:46:58.290 Joseph McElroy: I like bear water and Maggie valley to yeah so um yeah last time we talked you were started learning the guitar how’s that go.</p><p>00:46:59.100 –&gt; 00:47:05.970 Garret Woodward: Going great I play every day, I am not a proficient musician by any means, but.</p><p>00:47:07.560 –&gt; 00:47:15.240 Garret Woodward: I guess I can consider myself a rhythm guitarist at this point, but I love it I wish I had picked it up years ago I picked it up during the shutdown.</p><p>00:47:15.780 –&gt; 00:47:31.530 Garret Woodward: You know I live by myself and I figured what a time to finally do what I’ve been wanting to do for years, so I started to learn how to do it and I play you know, every day, I mean anytime I got free time I look forward to, I look forward to coming home and playing every day and.</p><p>00:47:31.800 –&gt; 00:47:33.060 Joseph McElroy: You play like a steady jet</p><p>00:47:34.110 –&gt; 00:47:36.390 Garret Woodward: i’m not as like an act.</p><p>00:47:36.420 –&gt; 00:47:37.110 Joseph McElroy: But I had.</p><p>00:47:37.140 –&gt; 00:47:38.910 Garret Woodward: jumped up to play with people.</p><p>00:47:40.200 –&gt; 00:47:47.130 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know we have this weekly thing, especially the pavilion you should come by Mike would be glad to have you.</p><p>00:47:47.190 –&gt; 00:47:48.480 Garret Woodward: On i’m definitely down.</p><p>00:47:48.720 –&gt; 00:47:54.960 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah you know you know there for the guests and it’s fun to have people just jam to you know.</p><p>00:47:55.200 –&gt; 00:47:58.410 Garret Woodward: So Mike is the drummer from the simple mind is that, where you were saying.</p><p>00:47:58.620 –&gt; 00:48:03.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah he was a drummer from a simple mind he introduced sort of that the reggae beat to their sound.</p><p>00:48:03.090 –&gt; 00:48:06.630 Garret Woodward: yeah how did he end up in Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:48:06.720 –&gt; 00:48:17.340 Joseph McElroy: Well, it was a friend of mine in New York City and you know he’s exploring Scottish music roots of Scottish music where we’re Scottish.</p><p>00:48:17.640 –&gt; 00:48:29.400 Joseph McElroy: music is gone, you know and the Appalachian has so much you know Scottish heritage that you know coming here, and you know he became basically these called the artist in residence right.</p><p>00:48:29.610 –&gt; 00:48:30.420 Garret Woodward: Does he live here.</p><p>00:48:30.930 –&gt; 00:48:32.010 Joseph McElroy: He lives here yeah.</p><p>00:48:32.220 –&gt; 00:48:34.590 Garret Woodward: Oh man I gotta meet this guy sounds pretty awesome.</p><p>00:48:34.710 –&gt; 00:48:48.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah he’s awesome oh yeah definitely he’s got and he’s you know he really started listening to what people wanted and so he actually brings in a repertoire that sort of combines Scottish but also you know southern roots music.</p><p>00:48:49.200 –&gt; 00:48:59.670 Joseph McElroy: Mountain music, but he brings his own sort of you know, he also has a West African heritage his father was African American from Birmingham, so I bring sort of that you know how we introduced reggae to.</p><p>00:48:59.940 –&gt; 00:49:02.520 Joseph McElroy: Yes, simple mind he brings a little bit of a beat.</p><p>00:49:02.520 –&gt; 00:49:10.860 Joseph McElroy: To bluegrass which is you know is heresy in terms of lupus purity but it’s kind of cool yeah.</p><p>00:49:12.090 –&gt; 00:49:14.880 Garret Woodward: Pretty awesome I wanna I want to come in to hang out and.</p><p>00:49:16.200 –&gt; 00:49:17.400 Garret Woodward: ground and play rhythm guitar.</p><p>00:49:17.970 –&gt; 00:49:21.930 Joseph McElroy: All right, yeah no you’re welcome to do that so so.</p><p>00:49:23.160 –&gt; 00:49:38.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah, so I think that would be absolutely fantastic you would love it if it’s meant to be a place we’re actually I mean I’m promoting yourself, but you know the music here is meant to be sort of a music musicians place.</p><p>00:49:38.190 –&gt; 00:49:38.610 Garret Woodward: yeah right.</p><p>00:49:39.000 –&gt; 00:49:47.940 Joseph McElroy: Where you know where musicians come to the jam and talk about music and guess just get the benefit of having that experience.</p><p>00:49:47.940 –&gt; 00:50:01.920 Joseph McElroy: Right now, and that’s you know that’s what we’re developing speakeasies also right it’s like you know it’s about the music and music people that are either musicians are really well versed in music.</p><p>00:50:02.400 –&gt; 00:50:14.910 Joseph McElroy: get together and just create an interesting atmosphere so many times we’ve just had, where they pull up videos on the screen, you know and everybody starts singing or listening or learn something new it’s kind of cool right.</p><p>00:50:15.150 –&gt; 00:50:21.660 Garret Woodward: yeah I’m down, I definitely want to I’m proud of y’all too because it looks like you got a heck of a year plan already but.</p><p>00:50:21.810 –&gt; 00:50:35.550 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah yeah Bob is doing well and plus you know we have a boy here who used to run a blues guitar up in Richmond blues bar and enrichment and he’s bringing another aspect to it, and you know of course Mike has his own total thing.</p><p>00:50:37.140 –&gt; 00:50:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah we’re kicking it yeah but.</p><p>00:50:42.450 –&gt; 00:50:47.910 Joseph McElroy: I heard you know the interesting thing I got little birds tell me a little birds name is Bob.</p><p>00:50:49.770 –&gt; 00:50:51.990 Joseph McElroy: And he tells me you’re collecting vintage guitars.</p><p>00:50:52.740 –&gt; 00:51:03.900 Garret Woodward: uh yeah kind of I have a, I guess, we think here, well, I had like I started buying a guitar in the chatroom.</p><p>00:51:05.160 –&gt; 00:51:05.640 Garret Woodward: If.</p><p>00:51:05.700 –&gt; 00:51:13.320 Garret Woodward: It happens, anyone who plays guitar knows what I’m talking about once you buy every guitar is a different vibe a different field.</p><p>00:51:15.180 –&gt; 00:51:16.080 Garret Woodward: But I ended up.</p><p>00:51:17.160 –&gt; 00:51:27.840 Garret Woodward: I have two vintage guitars right now but I own five total 4 acoustic and electric but here I’ll actually show you one.</p><p>00:51:27.900 –&gt; 00:51:29.220 Joseph McElroy: The vintage one’s really cool.</p><p>00:51:32.520 –&gt; 00:51:33.450 Garret Woodward: This is a.</p><p>00:51:35.490 –&gt; 00:51:42.810 Garret Woodward: it’s a 1940 1940s Rotary deluxe cowboy parlor guitar.</p><p>00:51:43.740 –&gt; 00:51:48.540 Garret Woodward: what’s cool about it is these guitars to chicken on out.</p><p>00:51:52.860 –&gt; 00:51:54.750 Garret Woodward: And that’s the original stencils.</p><p>00:51:54.900 –&gt; 00:51:56.820 Garret Woodward: whoa crazy.</p><p>00:51:57.000 –&gt; 00:51:58.500 Joseph McElroy: That is crazy what.</p><p>00:51:58.500 –&gt; 00:52:00.990 Garret Woodward: I love is that is last so in the moon, right here.</p><p>00:52:01.110 –&gt; 00:52:03.510 Joseph McElroy: You go bring that play in here come on.</p><p>00:52:05.040 –&gt; 00:52:09.420 Garret Woodward: A 1940 we figure about a 42 or 43.</p><p>00:52:11.310 –&gt; 00:52:14.670 Garret Woodward: But it’s an old blues parlor you’re tired, but what’s crazy about it is.</p><p>00:52:16.170 –&gt; 00:52:19.740 Garret Woodward: Most of those guitars weren’t meant to last this long you know, these were.</p><p>00:52:20.580 –&gt; 00:52:34.800 Garret Woodward: very inexpensive kind of like sears and roebuck guitars that you know back then people didn’t think about preserving guitars you know you played them and they broke, and you got another one we’re now like it’s a whole thing about you know.</p><p>00:52:36.450 –&gt; 00:52:39.420 Garret Woodward: collector’s items and stuff like that, but I came across that.</p><p>00:52:41.100 –&gt; 00:52:44.790 Garret Woodward: One night after a couple of beers and I said oh man I gotta buy that.</p><p>00:52:45.870 –&gt; 00:52:48.150 Joseph McElroy: is right, oh yeah.</p><p>00:52:48.240 –&gt; 00:52:54.870 Garret Woodward: I love it because it was really funny if it’s a small parlor guitar but man it cranks like a cannon.</p><p>00:52:55.920 –&gt; 00:52:57.180 Garret Woodward: it’s extremely loud.</p><p>00:52:58.050 –&gt; 00:53:03.780 Joseph McElroy: Well, when you come over and hang out with us here I’m going to tell you some stories about some things I bought all had a few drinks.</p><p>00:53:06.900 –&gt; 00:53:19.380 Joseph McElroy: Things I sold at the same time, but you know it’s been good, you know I wanted to let you know that yeah we’re gonna have a couple of things you’re gonna be interesting, here we have a songwriters camp, with the Darren Nicholson, Jim Lauderdale.</p><p>00:53:19.650 –&gt; 00:53:21.570 Garret Woodward: Oh man Jim Lauderdale.</p><p>00:53:21.840 –&gt; 00:53:23.160 Joseph McElroy: and August, so you got to.</p><p>00:53:23.160 –&gt; 00:53:25.950 Joseph McElroy: Come at least got to cover it if you can’t do anything.</p><p>00:53:25.950 –&gt; 00:53:27.090 Garret Woodward: I told</p><p>00:53:27.360 –&gt; 00:53:36.660 Garret Woodward: Bob that I would definitely do that definitely cover it because Jim Lauderdale I mean Darren’s a world-class musician but like Jim Lauderdale is a world-class songwriter.</p><p>00:53:36.900 –&gt; 00:53:39.480 Garret Woodward: yeah you know he’s one of my favorites I mean.</p><p>00:53:39.810 –&gt; 00:53:41.430 Joseph McElroy: Charles Humphrey the third will be that.</p><p>00:53:41.430 –&gt; 00:53:43.920 Garret Woodward: Too Oh, then you got a grammy award-winning.</p><p>00:53:44.370 –&gt; 00:53:46.710 Garret Woodward: You know you have a grammy award-winning.</p><p>00:53:47.040 –&gt; 00:53:50.550 Garret Woodward: Charles’s good friend of mine to actually just saw him recently.</p><p>00:53:51.480 –&gt; 00:53:53.250 Joseph McElroy: What he’s doing here in April.</p><p>00:53:53.280 –&gt; 00:54:02.640 Garret Woodward: yeah oh wow so I mean if anyone’s listening that’s pretty amazing that you have Darren Jim and Charles and Charles are running the fishing camp good.</p><p>00:54:02.790 –&gt; 00:54:10.380 Joseph McElroy: Good Lord man oh yeah cuz we’re gonna have you know the fish he can’t sell through iTunes or on the fire and Charles and his friends are going to do some fun stuff.</p><p>00:54:10.560 –&gt; 00:54:15.780 Joseph McElroy: I mean you’re talking you’re welcome to queue up going to come out here to time podcasts or you’re in a special club.</p><p>00:54:17.490 –&gt; 00:54:22.620 Joseph McElroy: Right, so what website social media, you want to shout outlet everybody know who you.</p><p>00:54:22.620 –&gt; 00:54:31.350 Garret Woodward: Are smokymountainnews.com smokymountainnews.COM all of our articles, whether it’s arts outdoors.</p><p>00:54:32.070 –&gt; 00:54:42.330 Garret Woodward: Travel stuff that we do it’s all free to read it’s good to go smoky mountain news COM and then on Instagram I’m GarrettKWoodward GARRETKWOODWARD</p><p>00:54:43.290 –&gt; 00:54:59.640 Garret Woodward: Other than that, go to the Meadowlark, I mean you hope your listeners realize how cool, that is, that you have Jim Lauderdale Charles and Darren there that’s a pretty big deal you got Grammy award winners and IBM legends hanging out in a very intimate setting so.</p><p>00:55:00.840 –&gt; 00:55:10.200 Joseph McElroy: that’s the point it’s a musician’s musician place as well as other particular you know you know things we know we got the bottom, we have Plott dogs so anyway.</p><p>00:55:11.400 –&gt; 00:55:13.380 Garret Woodward: Bob is a walking encyclopedia.</p><p>00:55:13.410 –&gt; 00:55:23.460 Joseph McElroy: I know the walking encyclopedia, well, thank you for coming, this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find out more about us and facebook.com slash.</p><p>00:55:24.000 –&gt; 00:55:29.160 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies podcasts we’re also on the talk radio dot nyc network.</p><p>00:55:30.120 –&gt; 00:55:38.820 Joseph McElroy: which has a lot of podcasts that are really interesting, ranging from help for small businesses to self-help to travel to New York to</p><p>00:55:39.600 –&gt; 00:55:53.670 Joseph McElroy: Many issues, the spirituality things like that and they’re all live broadcasts, the most podcasts are recorded there, these are all it’s like the best of podcasting and live radio so and I really enjoy so I.</p><p>00:55:54.150 –&gt; 00:56:05.130 Joseph McElroy: hope you will check this out, I also run a marketing podcast called Wise Content Creates Wealth, I have a big marketing background, especially in SEO and content marketing that’s on Fridays from.</p><p>00:56:05.640 –&gt; 00:56:15.210 Joseph McElroy: noon to one and then, this one is always on Tuesday from six to seven that half of it happy to be here Thank you again, Garrett, and</p><p>00:56:15.570 –&gt; 00:56:16.620 Garret Woodward: record to come back.</p><p>00:56:17.130 –&gt; 00:56:17.580 Joseph McElroy: All right.</p><p>00:56:19.950 –&gt; 00:56:20.910 Joseph McElroy: Talk to you later bye.</p><p>00:56:21.180 –&gt; 00:56:21.780 Garret Woodward: Have a good one.</p><p>00:56:22.200 –&gt; 00:56:22.590 Joseph McElroy: You too.</p> 0a1065cc-1c5b-45ae-b5f4-499b1db60f41 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/f2598d04-7605-4c76-8aca-426b42093125 Tue, 15 Mar 2022 22:00:00 +0000 3058 no full Episode 49: Writing Tunes And Catching Fish In The Smokies Episode 49: Writing Tunes And Catching Fish In The Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>If you’re looking for music to harmonize to, or a guide for your next river adventure, this episode is for you because our guest this week is a musician and a fly-fishing expert.</strong></p><p><strong>You will find out more about songwriting, fly-fishing, and life in Asheville. Whether you are a musician yourself, or just a music lover, you will find this episode&#39;s insights fascinating.</strong></p><p>Today, Joseph is joined by our special guest, <strong>Charles Humphrey III</strong>, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer and musician, and owner of Lucks Dumpy Toad Records. Currently leading his own group –the superb chart-topping, Songs from the Road Band – Humphrey was a charter member of the Steep Canyon Rangers for 15 years while also backing up other renowned artists such as Steve Martin and Edie Brickel among others.</p><p>Charles is also an expert fly-fishing guide and endurance runner and resides with his two children in Asheville. </p><p>We will also mention here his two upcoming big events this year in Maggie Valley which are -Fly Fishing camp in April and the Songwriters camp in August.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this episode!!</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/bEWOgL3xXo/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><h4><em>SEGMENT 1</em></h4><p>Joseph opens up tonight’s episode talking about the Meadowlark Motel and some upcoming events. One of these events deals with wilderness survival skills and it’s importance during times like natural disasters and more. There will also be a fly fishing camp weekend. To learn more, reach out at their website at meadowlarkmotel.com. He introduces his guest, Charles Humphrey III. Charles started fly fishing himself when he was a teen. Charles is a bluegrass musician and a Grammy award winning songwriter, musician and producer. Charles started fishing with his father when he was a kid and also got into music and playing bluegrass. He loves the “zen” feeling he gets when connecting with nature in this way. He talks more with Joseph about his passion as a musician and his passion for fishing. Charles loves that he is able to educate others about both topics, something that he will also be doing at the Meadowlark Motel!</p><h4><em>SEGMENT 2</em></h4><p>Charles and Joseph talk more about fly fishing and Charles talks about some of the staff that will also be guiding in the events coming soon. Charles mentions tying flies and the interesting aspect of this. They both have an engaging conversation about how important this part is for anglers, or people who fish with a rod and line and interesting stories they’ve experienced themselves fly fishing. Joseph asks Charles about some of the best streams to fish in Haywood County and what locations he might take people participating in the fishing camp. He mentions Jonathan Creek that is close to the motel as well as the Pigeon river. He also says that in the camp, they&#39;ll also be teaching a technique called tight line fishing as well as how to set the hook, control the head, avoid letting go of the fish they catch and much more.</p><h4><em>SEGMENT 3</em></h4><p>Joseph talks with Charles about his other passion, being a musician and writing music. Like fly fishing, Charles says that writing music takes a lot of luck. In this case, it’s because you never know if people will enjoy your music. He also mentions writing music that is on an album by Willie Nelson. He also talks about moving on from the Steep Canyon Rangers who he was a member of for 15 years. Now, he is part of Songs from the Road Band. You can listen to their music almost on any platform like SiriusXM, Pandora, etc. He says that he is excited to be able to play live music again like many other artists and musicians now that things are a bit more normal when it comes to gatherings. Charles also mentions the other event which is the writer’s camp where he along with other great musicians and singer-songwriter’s will teach and encourage all inclusive songwriting. They’ll also teach others about making music from the creative process to being behind the microphone. Charles also talks about his friendship with Darren Nicholson who was also a guest here on the show. They wrote a couple of songs together which you can hear on <em>Man on a Mission</em>, Darren’s new EP. Charles mentions more people he’d love to work with.</p><h4><em>SEGMENT 4</em></h4><p>Coming back from the final break, Charles talks about owning Lucks Dumpy Toad Records. He uses this to also release music from Songs from the Road Band. Charles and Joseph also speak about how music is released today compared to when there were no digital releases for music. They also mention different audio formats like mp3, vinyl, and cds and how they feel about the different quality of music when listened to in different ways. Charles speaks about being an endurance runner too and the rewarding feeling by taking care of himself and connecting with others through this activity. Also, Songs from the Road Band will be releasing music later this year. You can go to songsfromtheroadband.com and also use the same name to search them on social media platforms. You can also find Charles and learn more about fishing visiting beastcoastanglers.com!</p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/03/08 - Writing Tunes and Catching Fish in the Smokies

If you’re looking for music to harmonize to, or a guide for your next river adventure, this episode is for you because our guest this week is a musician and a fly-fishing expert.

You will find out more about songwriting, fly-fishing, and life in Asheville. Whether you are a musician yourself, or just a music lover, you will find this episode's insights fascinating.

Charles Humphrey III is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer, musician, and owner of Lucks Dumpy Toad Records. Currently leading his own group –the superb chart-topping, Songs from the Road Band – Humphrey was a charter member of the Steep Canyon Rangers for 15 years while also backing up other renowned artists such as Steve Martin and Edie Brickel among others.

Charles is also an expert fly-fishing guide and endurance runner and resides with his two children in Asheville. 

We will also mention here his two upcoming big events this year in Maggie Valley which are -the Fly Fishing camp in April and the Songwriters camp in August.

Don't miss this episode!!

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Joseph opens up tonight’s episode talking about the Meadowlark Motel and some upcoming events. One of these events deals with wilderness survival skills and their importance during times like natural disasters and more. There will also be a fly fishing camp weekend. To learn more, reach out at their website at meadowlarkmotel.com. He introduces his guest, Charles Humphrey III. Charles started fly fishing himself when he was a teen. Charles is a bluegrass musician and a Grammy award-winning songwriter, musician, and producer. Charles started fishing with his father when he was a kid and also got into music and playing bluegrass. He loves the “zen” feeling he gets when connecting with nature in this way. He talks more with Joseph about his passion as a musician and his passion for fishing. Charles loves that he is able to educate others about both topics, something that he will also be doing at the Meadowlark Motel!

SEGMENT 2

Charles and Joseph talk more about fly fishing and Charles talks about some of the staff that will also be guiding in the events coming soon. Charles mentions tying flies and the interesting aspect of this. They both have an engaging conversation about how important this part is for anglers or people who fish with a rod and line and interesting stories they’ve experienced themselves fly fishing. Joseph asks Charles about some of the best streams to fish in Haywood County and what locations he might take people participating in the fishing camp. He mentions Jonathan Creek which is close to the motel as well as the Pigeon river. He also says that in the camp, they'll also be teaching a technique called tight line fishing as well as how to set the hook, control the head, avoid letting go of the fish they catch, and much more.

SEGMENT 3

Joseph talks with Charles about his other passion, being a musician and writing music. Like fly fishing, Charles says that writing music takes a lot of luck. In this case, it’s because you never know if people will enjoy your music. He also mentions writing music that is on an album by Willie Nelson. He also talks about moving on from the Steep Canyon Rangers who he was a member of for 15 years. Now, he is part of Songs from the Road Band. You can listen to their music almost on any platform like SiriusXM, Pandora, etc. He says that he is excited to be able to play live music again like many other artists and musicians now that things are a bit more normal when it comes to gatherings. Charles also mentions the other event which is the writer’s camp where he along with other great musicians and singer-songwriters will teach and encourage all-inclusive songwriting. They’ll also teach others about making music from the creative process to being behind the microphone. Charles also talks about his friendship with Darren Nicholson who was also a guest here on the show. They wrote a couple of songs together which you can hear on Man on a Mission, Darren’s new EP. Charles mentions more people he’d love to work with.

SEGMENT 4

Coming back from the final break, Charles talks about owning Lucks Dumpy Toad Records. He uses this to also release music from Songs from the Road Band. Charles and Joseph also speak about how music is released today compared to when there were no digital releases for music. They also mention different audio formats like mp3, vinyl, and CDs and how they feel about the different quality of music when listened to in different ways. Charles speaks about being an endurance runner too and the rewarding feeling of taking care of himself and connecting with others through this activity. Also, Songs from the Road Band will be releasing music later this year. You can go to songsfromtheroadband.com and also use the same name to search for them on social media platforms. You can also find Charles and learn more about fishing by visiting beastcoastanglers.com!


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIPT

00:00:30.930 –> 00:00:36.960 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:37.500 –> 00:00:49.590 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns these areas filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history.

00:00:50.160 –> 00:00:59.430 Joseph McElroy: and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also a deep root in these mountains.

00:01:00.030 –> 00:01:15.480 Joseph McElroy: My family is living the great smoky for over 200 years my business in travel, but my heart is in culture today’s podcast will be talking about fly fishing and tune making but the first sponsors which happened to be me.

00:01:18.360 –> 00:01:29.040 Joseph McElroy: So imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:29.730 –> 00:01:39.270 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish it a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:39.630 –> 00:01:56.370 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine and place the mountain heritage, food, and underground speakeasy there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie valley your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:01:57.600 –> 00:02:05.490 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventure.com smokies plural adventure singular information listings about the smokies hiking,

00:02:05.910 –> 00:02:14.340 Joseph McElroy: wedding venues books trail maps resources to make your adventures in the smokies more meaningful and enjoyable.

00:02:14.670 –> 00:02:23.520 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smokies adventure is outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on logic.

00:02:23.940 –> 00:02:32.940 Joseph McElroy: Family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more this goal of this site is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.

00:02:34.020 –> 00:02:47.370 Joseph McElroy: So I guess about upcoming events to talk about in today’s world you might forget that for all of history humankind has lived or journey into environments that require fundamental survival skills in order to flourish.

00:02:47.940 –> 00:02:59.370 Joseph McElroy: Wilderness survival, also known as push bushcraft his ability is the ability to utilize natural and limited materials and traditional ways to stay alive and escape danger.

00:03:00.540 –> 00:03:08.460 Joseph McElroy: and modern society learning wilderness survival skills is not only important for the occasional forays into dangerous environments.

00:03:08.850 –> 00:03:17.430 Joseph McElroy: But also helps in building confidence self-esteem and instilling a sense of self-knowledge, while we’re reconnecting with nature and our human past.

00:03:18.270 –> 00:03:27.510 Joseph McElroy: While we might not think we need wilderness survival skills, if we avoid nature, there are still instance instances where we might need to call upon them.

00:03:27.870 –> 00:03:35.970 Joseph McElroy: Including natural disasters, wars, getting lost in the woods extreme shifts, and weather accidents caused.

00:03:36.540 –> 00:03:43.050 Joseph McElroy: causing some former can protect incapacitation and many other unforeseen circumstances.

00:03:43.500 –> 00:03:54.900 Joseph McElroy: Therefore it is prudent and wise for every human to have at least a rudimentary capability in the basic skills of survival, to ensure their continued existence.

00:03:55.170 –> 00:04:11.910 Joseph McElroy: These include the ability to build a fire build a shelter tie certain knots navigate without a GPS apply first aid evaluate the appropriate gears and supplies and carry what you need and master the essentials of hiking and camping.

00:04:12.750 –> 00:04:18.630 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center is proud to announce the addition of an acclaimed author.

00:04:19.140 –> 00:04:34.530 Joseph McElroy: outdoor survival expert, record-setting hiker, and elite wilderness search and rescue team Member Nancy East who is here just a couple of weeks ago on our podcast to our roster of expert artists for 2022 programs.

00:04:35.040 –> 00:04:40.740 Joseph McElroy: Nancy will launch the spring hiking season, with a presentation on Friday night March 18.

00:04:41.190 –> 00:04:48.090 Joseph McElroy: Describing her adventures as a search and rescue member and there have been some exciting things over the last couple of years where they rescued.

00:04:48.330 –> 00:04:56.460 Joseph McElroy: Some people in some pretty interesting situations and then on Saturday march 19 Nancy will devote an entire day.

00:04:56.850 –> 00:05:08.280 Joseph McElroy: To a variety of the above-mentioned wilderness survival topics to ensure your safety comfort enjoyment, as you create memorable experiences hiking in the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:05:08.970 –> 00:05:16.470 Joseph McElroy: So space is limited to 10 students and met Nancy provides all the materials, you might need for the event.

00:05:16.890 –> 00:05:25.680 Joseph McElroy: The price is 275 which includes two nights of lodging breakfast and dinner on Saturday night, along with entertainment, so, please.

00:05:26.070 –> 00:05:38.700 Joseph McElroy: reach out to the Meadowlark Motel 82 8-926-1717 to reserve your spot also coming up it’s relevant to our guest tonight is a fishing fly fishing camp.

00:05:40.140 –> 00:05:48.840 Joseph McElroy: what’s better than for the soul been throwing a live stream watching it pass doing it again and again, and perhaps getting about it.

00:05:49.950 –> 00:05:54.600 Joseph McElroy: All anglers know that fly fishing isn’t only about reeling in the big one.

00:05:55.140 –> 00:06:06.240 Joseph McElroy: Although that always gets our hearts jumping fly fishing is about being one with a river and his magnificence presence, while witnessing a very valuable ecosystem.

00:06:06.990 –> 00:06:11.490 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark motel is offering a trapping camp weekend in the smoky mountains.

00:06:11.970 –> 00:06:21.870 Joseph McElroy: What began as a way to get a group of friends together on a river is going into a way of bringing like-minded people together through fly fishing food and drink and campfire.

00:06:22.170 –> 00:06:28.320 Joseph McElroy: And our recreation area to have a memorable experience and learn about fly fishing in the Smokies.

00:06:28.860 –> 00:06:34.350 Joseph McElroy: camp weekends are perfect for those new to fly fishing and those looking for some extra instruction.

00:06:34.860 –> 00:06:44.850 Joseph McElroy: Anyone with experience, who enjoys fishing and a small group and making new friends its trip is built around those attending and we will all share in the experience.

00:06:45.150 –> 00:07:03.690 Joseph McElroy: You can expect quality time in the river and nights around the campfire or in the speakeasy with a drink in hand truth that tall tales are all out of the camp and camps are very limited only to 20 20 anglers allowed So the first one is April 15 to the 16th and 2022.

00:07:05.220 –> 00:07:09.690 Joseph McElroy: that’s $ 875 per person that includes the light stays as well.

00:07:11.220 –> 00:07:13.530 Joseph McElroy: The you’re gonna be doing.

00:07:14.820 –> 00:07:22.410 Joseph McElroy: there’s gonna be a presentation on Friday night with videos about how tall tales and revolver behavior of

00:07:24.150 –> 00:07:34.950 Joseph McElroy: a trip to reminisce trial people have your and then a Saturday there’ll be instruction hands-on instruction on Saturday morning, and then the out.

00:07:35.190 –> 00:07:44.910 Joseph McElroy: In the afternoon there’ll be intense fishing on elite streams all over the area, as well as we have a mountain heritage trout stream in the backyard, which is also able to use.

00:07:46.890 –> 00:07:57.930 Joseph McElroy: And then you will be able to check out on Sunday morning so call 828-9261717 to make your reservations so.

00:07:58.650 –> 00:08:10.470 Joseph McElroy: Our podcast today I mentioned is about fishing and fly fishing in tunes and we’re also talking about the fly fishing camping our guest today is Charles Humphrey III and those a little bit about this.

00:08:10.830 –> 00:08:20.190 Joseph McElroy: He is the founder of Beast coast anglers he started fly fishing as a teenager many, many years ago, maybe not that many I have many, many years ago he has many.

00:08:23.340 –> 00:08:37.020 Joseph McElroy: he is called the waters of Western North Carolina home since 1999 as a touring bluegrass musician he has had the opportunity to fly fishing Colorado Montana Idaho Wyoming Nevada Oregon Alaskan Canada.

00:08:37.740 –> 00:08:43.890 Joseph McElroy: And addition to being a season fly fisherman he is also a Grammy award-winning songwriter-producer.

00:08:44.310 –> 00:08:56.100 Joseph McElroy: A Western states 100 and during ultra run finisher a Kentucky Colonel a North Carolina hall of fame.

00:08:56.640 –> 00:09:09.240 Joseph McElroy: Music hall of fame Member touring musician and songs from the road band, and the father of two. Charles’s two foremost passions in life are spreading joy through music and fly fishing, how are you doing Charles?

00:09:09.450 –> 00:09:12.510 Charles Humphrey III: Thanks I’m doing great Joseph thanks for having me on the show.

00:09:13.740 –> 00:09:14.340 Charles Humphrey III: me here.

00:09:14.550 –> 00:09:27.810 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re one of our most popular guests last year, as one of my favorite people to interview, so we wanted to get you back to cover some of the things we miss lap time, as well as talking about this fly fishing camp and.

00:09:28.200 –> 00:09:29.040 so far.

00:09:30.420 –> 00:09:34.800 Joseph McElroy: And even further than one we got that you guys have a songwriting camp in August.

00:09:35.220 –> 00:09:40.260 Charles Humphrey III: A lot of cool things going on, you know the Meadowlark is the perfect location for it it’s such a great place.

00:09:40.830 –> 00:09:46.020 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so let’s get to it, so I will talk about music a little bit, but let’s start with the fly fishing.

00:09:46.710 –> 00:09:51.570 Joseph McElroy: So yeah evidently even fly fishing over 20 years right, how did you get started.

00:09:52.380 –> 00:09:53.220 Charles Humphrey III: I started.

00:09:54.510 –> 00:10:04.770 Charles Humphrey III: I grew up well I’ll start fishing with my dad before I mean on the outer banks during thanksgiving saltwater grew up freshwater fishing that’s where I started using the fly rod.

00:10:05.940 –> 00:10:19.110 Charles Humphrey III: started touring playing bluegrass music and moved to Western North Carolina in 1999 and during the mid-90s and late 90s, I started to fly fishing all over the country with bandmates and I’ve been doing it ever since it’s just a.

00:10:20.400 –> 00:10:24.930 Charles Humphrey III: it’s kind of like music it’s a passion and it’s just so rewarding on so many levels.

00:10:25.620 –> 00:10:37.110 Charles Humphrey III: it’s not all about catching fish, you know enjoy the education side of it, I love the Zen part of it just being out in nature, and I really love the camaraderie and the people that you meet who share the passion for the sport.

00:10:37.770 –> 00:10:39.870 Joseph McElroy: Now How long have you been guiding people.

00:10:40.890 –> 00:10:51.240 Charles Humphrey III: I’ve been guiding a little over two years professionally and just absolutely love it, you know we work in North Carolina Tennessee, and Georgia and.

00:10:51.690 –> 00:11:04.170 Charles Humphrey III: Do both Wade and float trips so there’s a variety of different styles, you know you can go out and fish private water or public water go for wild trout or stocks trout big trout little trial, we do it all.

00:11:04.920 –> 00:11:09.210 Joseph McElroy: And why did you call your company Beast Coast Anglers?

00:11:09.570 –> 00:11:19.650 Charles Humphrey III: You know that’s a good question as we discussed last time I have a running fast the ultra running fast and that running company that I.

00:11:20.190 –> 00:11:29.580 Charles Humphrey III: created there were beast coast runners and it kind of represents the whole east coast and I was like well, we already got the runners might as well get the anglers in there’s two.

00:11:30.090 –> 00:11:32.940 Charles Humphrey III: there are just a lot of fun things you can do with the beast you know.

00:11:34.680 –> 00:11:39.090 Charles Humphrey III: You can tell I’ve got a lot of hair, so it was a natural fit and we are on the east coast so.

00:11:41.850 –> 00:11:42.300 Charles Humphrey III: So, like.

00:11:48.270 –> 00:11:52.380 Joseph McElroy: yeah go ahead so, is it is your internal nickname for yourself beast.

00:11:53.400 –> 00:11:56.010 Charles Humphrey III: um yeah my girlfriend calls me beast but.

00:11:57.360 –> 00:11:58.680 Charles Humphrey III: that’s tmr not.

00:11:58.980 –> 00:12:01.620 Joseph McElroy: Well, that can be really good or that can be really bad.

00:12:05.190 –> 00:12:09.540 Joseph McElroy: I would take it, I would take it with the best out of Asia, you can imagine.

00:12:12.330 –> 00:12:12.840 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:12:14.610 –> 00:12:15.210 Joseph McElroy: Imagine.

00:12:16.530 –> 00:12:26.700 Joseph McElroy: You know that there’s that you mentioned that you know there’s a passion there what other similarities between your two careers as a musician and fly fisherman do you find.

00:12:28.860 –> 00:12:30.660 Charles Humphrey III: They both take up a lot of time honestly.

00:12:34.170 –> 00:12:41.880 Charles Humphrey III: yeah you know you’re fishing all day every day to prepare for the next trip and always gaining more knowledge or you’re out on the road touring and.

00:12:42.330 –> 00:12:51.210 Charles Humphrey III: Also at home, you know we do a lot of co-writing virtually through songwriting sessions and whatnot but it’s just such a blessing to be able to.

00:12:51.990 –> 00:13:05.700 Charles Humphrey III: to educate people on both and do it right here in Western North Carolina at the Meadowlark, it is an absolutely wonderful location, I spent a lot of time there this winter chaperoning kids on a ski trip, as they go to Cataloochee every week so.

00:13:05.700 –> 00:13:13.920 Charles Humphrey III: So I’m just driving by every day couldn’t wait to get in there for these events, and I hope we have a great crowd of people that will come and join us.

00:13:14.160 –> 00:13:16.020 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’ll be great I think so.

00:13:17.040 –> 00:13:25.350 Joseph McElroy: So you have we’re gonna you know, right now, we got to take a break, but we’ll talk more about your guide sentence service when we get back alright.

00:13:25.860 –> 00:13:27.570 Charles Humphrey III: sounds good, Joseph Thank you cool.

00:15:44.160 –> 00:15:51.930 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Charles Humphrey III.

00:15:52.530 –> 00:16:04.140 Joseph McElroy: So Charles you know I am I had one heck of a day, I have to tell you that hey some construction crew knocked out the Internet here than some reason to sell your service muscle Turkey.

00:16:05.130 –> 00:16:11.250 Joseph McElroy: So I’ve just actually just got back in the saddle this about a half-hour before we come on the show so.

00:16:11.520 –> 00:16:13.170 Charles Humphrey III: that’s a small miracle that we’re even.

00:16:13.170 –> 00:16:13.740 Charles Humphrey III: Talking right.

00:16:13.800 –> 00:16:17.100 Joseph McElroy: it’s a small miracle, and I grabbed myself a beer and it turns out it’s a.

00:16:17.310 –> 00:16:20.340 Joseph McElroy: 10% beer, I was trying to show you so if I.

00:16:23.940 –> 00:16:24.960 Charles Humphrey III: Get pretty interesting.

00:16:27.150 –> 00:16:29.070 Joseph McElroy: At the end here, you guys will know why.

00:16:30.540 –> 00:16:32.700 Charles Humphrey III: I’ve got some coffee here.

00:16:33.090 –> 00:16:33.420 Charles Humphrey III: All right.

00:16:34.800 –> 00:16:35.790 Joseph McElroy: Good over there.

00:16:37.170 –> 00:16:40.740 Charles Humphrey III: Datsun fishing company there that’s my red drum coffee mug.

00:16:41.160 –> 00:16:42.240 Charles Humphrey III: Alright cool.

00:16:42.720 –> 00:16:47.610 Joseph McElroy: You gotta get yourself our the new Meadowlark coffee mugs have you seen them.

00:16:48.570 –> 00:16:52.860 Charles Humphrey III: I’ll come down pick one up I’d love to have a Meadowlark coffee mug.

00:16:53.010 –> 00:16:56.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s a tin cup and on the outside it says, this could be moonshine.

00:16:58.380 –> 00:16:59.040 Charles Humphrey III: that’s perfect.

00:17:03.000 –> 00:17:12.960 Joseph McElroy: that’s a perfect one, so so you create this new guide service you’ve been guided for a couple of years but so you created this new one, what was the impetus for that.

00:17:13.560 –> 00:17:18.840 Charles Humphrey III: yeah well it’s just it’s so time-consuming I know it’s something I’m going to do for the rest of my life, and I just wanted.

00:17:19.320 –> 00:17:28.350 Charles Humphrey III: To be putting all my effort into a brand that I knew was going to last and, just like the music stuff and then running stuff I like to be able to express myself creatively and.

00:17:29.310 –> 00:17:40.680 Charles Humphrey III: It just made sense and I’ve got I’m lucky and blessed have a lot of good friends and a great team of anglers that I’m working with and everything kind of fell into place but it’s a lot of work, just like anything else you know.

00:17:41.460 –> 00:17:54.570 Charles Humphrey III: Music or anything like that you can be talented artists but you’ve also got to know how to run the business side of it and luckily I had some experience with that, as well as you know, I hear you are now on social media promoting events it’s a lot of work.

00:17:55.320 –> 00:18:09.840 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’s a constant thing you know I’m a yeah there you have to get yourself one of these programs that lets you aggregate all your social media and then you start playing the deck you know where I’m going to throw things out all the time it’s.

00:18:10.710 –> 00:18:14.280 Joseph McElroy: The whole social promotion is incredibly important.

00:18:14.790 –> 00:18:16.650 Charles Humphrey III: we’re really fired up about this.

00:18:16.890 –> 00:18:22.620 Charles Humphrey III: Fishing event, though some of the guys that will have on staff or Doug Mchaleby from mountain fly anglers.

00:18:23.220 –> 00:18:31.290 Charles Humphrey III: Miles Perry who works with the Beast coast anglers Zach Phillips is an interesting gentleman he owned a flower shop for a long time in Atlanta Georgia.

00:18:31.680 –> 00:18:43.950 Charles Humphrey III: And is located in hot springs North Carolina but he’s flown all around the country to tie flies Miles Perry is also a master tie flyer flat tire, and so I think I’ve got those.

00:18:44.370 –> 00:18:52.410 Charles Humphrey III: guys talked into it well at least one out of two of them know about it, but I think we’re going to incorporate some fly tying events as well, while they’re there we’ll put them to work.

00:18:52.980 –> 00:18:54.780 Charles Humphrey III: On Friday night or Saturday, they.

00:18:55.770 –> 00:19:05.280 Charles Humphrey III: demonstrations and we can get the people that are there involved and let them have some their own flaws, who knows, they may even be able to tie their own fly and then go out and catch a fish on that day.

00:19:05.340 –> 00:19:06.480 Joseph McElroy: Well there’s a whole.

00:19:07.500 –> 00:19:10.170 Joseph McElroy: there’s whole mythology about fly tying is it there.

00:19:11.430 –> 00:19:13.620 Charles Humphrey III: it’s like me tell me.

00:19:14.100 –> 00:19:24.090 Joseph McElroy: yeah I mean it’s like no it’s like what is the appropriate tie fly for their appropriate time of year, and you know what is the.

00:19:24.270 –> 00:19:25.170 Charles Humphrey III: yeah well yeah.

00:19:25.230 –> 00:19:28.530 Joseph McElroy: really wants and what is it for you know.

00:19:28.620 –> 00:19:40.710 Charles Humphrey III: Action the hatch matching the hatch that’s a big thing to me there’s two kinds of flies and two kinds of people that are time flies there are flies that catch fish and there are flies that catch fish and fishermen.

00:19:41.310 –> 00:19:41.790 yeah.

00:19:43.110 –> 00:19:48.870 Charles Humphrey III: These two guys here, they can catch the fly as a top catch fish and fishermen, because they’re.

00:19:48.960 –> 00:19:59.910 Charles Humphrey III: So good and look so cool like little pieces of art, I tie flies mind just catch fish they don’t catch fisherman, as well as these other two guys these guys are top-notch in the industry.

00:20:00.420 –> 00:20:13.140 Joseph McElroy: I know some guys that I know you know I went to a couple of things and I know at least one guy that he actually doesn’t fish anymore, he just ties flies his whole passion became about the flies.

00:20:13.380 –> 00:20:18.450 Charles Humphrey III: Man there I’m just watching the stuff that’s out there on social media and these people.

00:20:19.110 –> 00:20:32.580 Charles Humphrey III: I’ve got these cameras that capture all the intricacies of it and just the time and the thought and the pieces of natural feathers, and for that go into making these things is unbelievable it truly is an art.

00:20:33.330 –> 00:20:39.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I mean I you know I I you know it’s like Well, first of all, my fingers are so big guys like I yeah.

00:20:41.250 –> 00:20:44.670 Joseph McElroy: I will let you guys do it, I tried I couldn’t even time my girls my.

00:20:44.790 –> 00:20:47.820 Joseph McElroy: daughter’s my daughter’s ballet shoes.

00:20:49.740 –> 00:20:51.150 Charles Humphrey III: Barely get the worm on the hook.

00:20:54.060 –> 00:21:00.750 Joseph McElroy: Yes, I mean I need somebody to do all that for me and I’ll throw it in catch it, I know I imagine you’ve had some great.

00:21:02.640 –> 00:21:10.200 Joseph McElroy: memorable experiences guiding what is something that is a really experiential learning experience that you’ve had.

00:21:10.500 –> 00:21:11.760 Charles Humphrey III: I love.

00:21:12.120 –> 00:21:25.500 Charles Humphrey III: I love seeing a beginner really dial in their skills and the first time that they catch a fish on the fly that’s a big deal, you know they just are related they’re just so happy to see that enjoyment on their faces really, really warms your heart.

00:21:25.860 –> 00:21:30.030 Charles Humphrey III: And we do work with a lot of again there’s a lot of first-timers or when you see somebody out there.

00:21:30.330 –> 00:21:43.830 Charles Humphrey III: And then maybe they’re an accomplished angler but then they catch a personal best PV, as they say, the biggest rainbow brown are broke they’ve ever caught and they reach a new goal in their fishing career and you’ve helped them get there that’s rewarding as well.

00:21:44.190 –> 00:21:44.580 Charles Humphrey III: and

00:21:45.150 –> 00:21:56.520 Charles Humphrey III: we’ve had some crazy stuff happen just last week, I was with the client and the fish broke them off and he was like oh man, that was a big, big fish were ever seen, and then the next cast.

00:21:57.750 –> 00:22:00.300 Charles Humphrey III: I was giving them a demonstration and I hooked.

00:22:01.380 –> 00:22:17.100 Charles Humphrey III: A fish but actually when it happened as a hook, the hook, one of the hooks that were on his fish that he broke off, so this fish had a fly in its mouth barbarous granted another fly that was barbarous and with my bar let’s fly I took his barbarous fly.

00:22:17.580 –> 00:22:27.510 Charles Humphrey III: pull the rig the fish and just to barbarous flies holding on, and then we actually sell the myth his fish was not that big I mean it was pretty big.

00:22:29.160 –> 00:22:29.520 Charles Humphrey III: Maybe.

00:22:29.550 –> 00:22:31.590 Charles Humphrey III: 18 inches but it wasn’t 30.

00:22:31.950 –> 00:22:34.710 Charles Humphrey III: The fact that we were able to get that fish in.

00:22:35.040 –> 00:22:43.170 Charles Humphrey III: Get the hook out of his mouth and the fact we got it I’m just crazy stuff you never know what’s gonna happen that was just a recent example of something totally weird that happened.

00:22:43.590 –> 00:22:51.390 Joseph McElroy: Oh man, you know I grew up not too far from Maggie part of my you know my youth and I, you know, end up in the middle school in Maggie.

00:22:51.810 –> 00:23:07.260 Joseph McElroy: But before that, it was a box run and we had a pond out there right, and I would go fishing pond because I was like 6 7 8 years old, I didn’t have to do, river fishing, yet I go that pond and I, you know I’d take one of those wire things to hold the fish on right.

00:23:07.800 –> 00:23:18.030 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah a little hook, so I caught a fish and put it on my hat on that wire thing, but I didn’t hook it up well and the fish got off and took that wire thing with it right.

00:23:18.240 –> 00:23:18.840 Charles Humphrey III: Oh no.

00:23:19.200 –> 00:23:25.020 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah but a couple of months later, I was back fishing there and I caught that fish again and he still had the wire thing.

00:23:27.360 –> 00:23:29.820 Charles Humphrey III: wow he’s still live that whole time that’s.

00:23:30.540 –> 00:23:34.560 Joseph McElroy: All the time oh yeah I don’t know how much longer you live, but he was still there.

00:23:35.190 –> 00:23:43.410 Joseph McElroy: So you know I I think it’s great that you love teaching beginners because you know the middle is.

00:23:44.010 –> 00:23:57.360 Joseph McElroy: Now that mountain trout that mountain heritage streaming the back is perfect for beginners and it’s for people that are readers will be experienced, because I mean we’ve had some great fishnet there you know I caught a 28 inch or one South back there when I was growing up.

00:23:57.900 –> 00:24:06.720 Charles Humphrey III: Jonathan creek it’s a great creek you know and it’s managed just select the rest of in North Carolina we have great great great fisheries thousands of miles.

00:24:07.200 –> 00:24:13.020 Charles Humphrey III: Of managed rivers and it’s a testament to the North Carolina you know.

00:24:13.590 –> 00:24:30.030 Charles Humphrey III: wildlife people that do that provide those fisheries and maintain those fisheries and trout unlimited and organizations like that it truly is a destination world-class destination for people to come and visit and take in the smokies and fish it’s a great fishery really is.

00:24:30.570 –> 00:24:39.480 Joseph McElroy: So what are some of the, what are the some of the best streams deficient to Haywood County in the area and we’re might you take some people I’m going to officially can.

00:24:40.620 –> 00:24:49.380 Charles Humphrey III: See well you like you said you’ve got Jonathan Creek right there on the hotel we’re close both close to the east and the west fork of the.

00:24:49.950 –> 00:24:58.500 Charles Humphrey III: pigeon river, you know Cherokee is not too far away they’ve got several rivers there that are maintained by their own fishery.

00:24:59.010 –> 00:25:08.910 Charles Humphrey III: it’ll depend on the weather conditions, honestly, and what’s fishing the best because we want to take our clients to an area.

00:25:09.330 –> 00:25:19.980 Charles Humphrey III: Where they can reach their goals and so we’ll see what the water temperatures are the water clarity and things like that and kind of tailor it for that week that we can and put them in a place with think will be most productive.

00:25:20.460 –> 00:25:26.760 Joseph McElroy: cool that’s a good idea, so what is a typical trip like to one of these Creeks?

00:25:27.840 –> 00:25:41.520 Charles Humphrey III: Well, we do half-day and full-day trips, either on a boat or about Wade I think we’ll be doing some Wade fishing with our groups here in the camp and will be teaching a technique called tight line fishing where you’re basically.

00:25:44.130 –> 00:25:51.510 Charles Humphrey III: Putting the poll out and keeping the line tight and waiting for the fish to hit and but will also be doing some dry fly techniques dreamer and indicator fishing.

00:25:51.810 –> 00:26:02.010 Charles Humphrey III: And you go out and you, you do a little preparation, you know get your boots and waiters on tell them how everything set up tell them how to set the hook, how to.

00:26:02.490 –> 00:26:09.810 Charles Humphrey III: Set the hook on swing out to keep pressure on the Rod and the line wants the fish hits how to get head control and.

00:26:10.230 –> 00:26:19.530 Charles Humphrey III: Keep that fish from getting away from me and then ultimately how to position the Rod, in order to get that fish to the Net and then we’ll teach him how to handle the fish and do a healthy release.

00:26:20.040 –> 00:26:33.060 Charles Humphrey III: And let them put all that into practice to where it becomes second nature for them because they need that experience a lot of times you can tell somebody how to do something, but at the moment when that fish gets all in there, so excited everything you’ve told him it’s gone.

00:26:34.140 –> 00:26:35.100 Charles Humphrey III: window there like.

00:26:36.420 –> 00:26:50.820 Charles Humphrey III: I said we’re going to get past that point, give them some actual hands-on experience in coaching so they’ll have some skills to go forward and we like to teach people enough educated enough to where they can go out have all the skills they need to go out and do it on their own.

00:26:51.540 –> 00:26:54.510 Joseph McElroy: Now, will they need to bring their own waiters and boots or whatever, will you.

00:26:54.750 –> 00:26:55.170 Charles Humphrey III: will be.

00:26:55.440 –> 00:27:03.210 Charles Humphrey III: will be providing all the gear all the waiters the boots the rods the flies and everything so they just need to show up and smile on the face.

00:27:03.630 –> 00:27:06.450 Joseph McElroy: All right, that’s all we need alright cool sounds good.

00:27:07.860 –> 00:27:14.970 Joseph McElroy: And then, then come back afterward and either do a little bit more efficiently in the Jonathan creek which I’m sure you’ll be around the.

00:27:16.200 –> 00:27:16.950 Joseph McElroy: advice and.

00:27:17.700 –> 00:27:20.460 Charles Humphrey III: The hangout will have all the boys hanging out, we got a good crew half the.

00:27:20.460 –> 00:27:31.020 Charles Humphrey III: People that I fished with are all musicians too so maybe we can get them over to the speakeasy around the campfire to get out their guitars and who knows what’s gonna happen it’s gonna be fun.

00:27:31.560 –> 00:27:45.480 Joseph McElroy: yeah we got several options, now we got to speakeasy In case it’s not whether it’s not that Nice and then if it’s Nice we got the pavilion with a fireplace on the stage, and then we got fire fire fire pits all over the place so that that’ll be a.

00:27:45.510 –> 00:27:45.900 Joseph McElroy: blast.

00:27:45.930 –> 00:27:46.380 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:27:46.710 –> 00:27:56.730 Charles Humphrey III: I got members of red clay revival and caribou collective and songs from the road band, and I mean you know and Maggie valley you can’t throw a rock without hitting a banjo picker one will probably show up.

00:27:58.560 –> 00:28:04.170 Joseph McElroy: Well, that sounds like a blast man so we’re going to take a break here, and then we’ll come back talk a little bit more about your music.

00:28:04.290 –> 00:28:05.790 Charles Humphrey III: Alright sounds good, Joseph Thank you.

00:30:11.910 –> 00:30:30.840 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Charles Humphrey III, Charles you know you, besides being one of the top fishermen and wet and North Carolina you also happened to be something of a musician.

00:30:32.340 –> 00:30:38.700 Joseph McElroy: And you know you actually well known for writing music So is there a is there.

00:30:39.900 –> 00:30:49.740 Joseph McElroy: Is there something about fishing and writing music that has a similarity patient or something that that that you find.

00:30:50.520 –> 00:30:51.060 Charles Humphrey III: Oh yeah.

00:30:52.170 –> 00:30:56.070 Charles Humphrey III: Oh yeah, I think, at least in my case, they both take a lot of luck.

00:30:57.240 –> 00:30:57.690 Oh, really.

00:31:01.800 –> 00:31:06.690 Charles Humphrey III: he’s kind of thrown it out there into the world and you’re hoping to finish go to come up.

00:31:09.870 –> 00:31:20.190 Joseph McElroy: With a great entrepreneur or anything it’s like you gotta be prepared you gotta have the skills, but then you really waiting for that moment of luck and you’re ready for it.

00:31:20.250 –> 00:31:23.730 Charles Humphrey III: Right it’s a lot better to be lucky than good I’ll tell you that.

00:31:25.230 –> 00:31:25.320 Joseph McElroy: I.

00:31:25.740 –> 00:31:27.240 Charles Humphrey III: just found out recently.

00:31:28.560 –> 00:31:35.910 Charles Humphrey III: Willie Nelson’s gonna be having a birthday on April 28 and a song that I wrote it’s going to be on this new album were released a new album oh fabulous.

00:31:36.480 –> 00:31:50.370 Charles Humphrey III: And you know that was pretty lucky, as I was, as a co-write with the great Sean camp and about two years ago, I was over at his house in Nashville and he and he said, you know anything about gambling, I said oh man you’re talking to the right guy.

00:31:51.750 –> 00:31:54.390 Charles Humphrey III: I’ve got a lot of experience at losing money.

00:31:55.530 –> 00:31:55.980 Joseph McElroy: he’s like.

00:31:56.370 –> 00:32:02.700 Charles Humphrey III: I don’t gamble I don’t know anything about it, but we gotta write this song about gambling Willie Nelson’s got an album coming out and I get.

00:32:02.970 –> 00:32:08.160 Charles Humphrey III: So we sat there and we wrote that song and he sent it over to the producer that night I was over, at my friend’s house girl out.

00:32:08.580 –> 00:32:19.170 Charles Humphrey III: Shannon can’t come back soon oh man you’re not gonna believe this producer loves the song he’s going to send it Willie calls you back when he heard it he loves it and then two years later it’s on a record so.

00:32:19.230 –> 00:32:20.670 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s fabulous well.

00:32:20.670 –> 00:32:25.230 Joseph McElroy: done you’re done Archie Archie done now can’t you just sit back and collect.

00:32:27.000 –> 00:32:34.080 Charles Humphrey III: I don’t think it works that way anymore, with all the streaming, but it is you know he’s always been a hero of mine so it’s.

00:32:34.350 –> 00:32:36.540 Charles Humphrey III: Not I don’t know what to say it’s cute.

00:32:37.830 –> 00:32:39.660 Charles Humphrey III: and very, very lucky but.

00:32:40.230 –> 00:32:42.750 Joseph McElroy: Have you been to one of his backstage parties.

00:32:43.590 –> 00:32:52.380 Charles Humphrey III: know I haven’t Sean Sean I spent a lot of time with him playing on his records that were kind of the basis of this song he had been in Hawaii at a poker game.

00:32:52.920 –> 00:32:58.830 Charles Humphrey III: Willie nelson’s house and he’s got a little place back there called Django Django Django is an orchid lounge and.

00:32:59.430 –> 00:33:10.890 Charles Humphrey III: I think Sean was sitting there with Willie Nelson and there are some other fellows there Woody Harrelson and some people and they’re shooting tequila and telling jokes and lies and Sean I just kind of wrote about that whole night and put it in a song.

00:33:12.180 –> 00:33:14.400 Charles Humphrey III: ended up liking it all right, I guess.

00:33:14.580 –> 00:33:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know my wife is a, besides being a great mother and wife and she also happens to be Brazilian percussionist that has had some success, she was.

00:33:25.410 –> 00:33:33.180 Joseph McElroy: She was a travel agency actually does travel for that what’s that harmonica player that’s pretty famous that works with Willie I forget his name I’m sorry.

00:33:33.240 –> 00:33:34.920 Charles Humphrey III: Oh yeah.

00:33:35.160 –> 00:33:47.550 Joseph McElroy: yeah so she does his travel and she’s gotten invited backstage to couple willie’s concerts and those parties sound like something to behold man.

00:33:48.630 –> 00:33:50.610 Charles Humphrey III: Man that is so cool.

00:33:52.920 –> 00:33:54.810 Joseph McElroy: it’s like I want to go to those parties.

00:33:56.070 –> 00:33:57.750 Joseph McElroy: what’s cool so um.

00:33:58.230 –> 00:34:01.170 Charles Humphrey III: So you Mickey Rafi LLC you’re thinking about.

00:34:01.230 –> 00:34:15.390 Joseph McElroy: that’s right yeah so you had a successful career, you with the steep Canyon Rangers and then you decided to follow your own path, which I think is really stimulates your creativity, was that a difficult decision for you to move on.

00:34:16.560 –> 00:34:27.270 Charles Humphrey III: It was, it was a natural progression and where we’re working on our six-album now getting ready to head down to Florida this month for a couple of big festivals got the Sewanee Springer Union.

00:34:27.600 –> 00:34:37.200 Charles Humphrey III: And the EMS spring bluegrass festival, and that the whole year starting to fill up it’s nice because the last two years before that we’re all affected with.

00:34:37.680 –> 00:34:44.190 Charles Humphrey III: pandemic concerns and seems like things are getting back to a little bit more normal, which is great to be making music with my buddies.

00:34:44.580 –> 00:34:47.190 Joseph McElroy: cool, this is the song from Rhode’s band right.

00:34:47.580 –> 00:35:03.210 Charles Humphrey III: Yes, Sir songs on the road band all the guys are based here, out of Asheville North Carolina and we were very grateful to be able to do what we do we’ve had some songs on the charts we’ve got one that’s number two on the bluegrass grass khana chart this week and.

00:35:04.290 –> 00:35:18.000 Charles Humphrey III: You can hear some serious XM bluegrass junction or your favorite local radio station, or would like to tell people on Spotify if you’re about to go to sleep just put on songs from the road band and just let it spin while you sleep let’s rack up those place.

00:35:18.450 –> 00:35:19.860 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:35:21.750 –> 00:35:33.870 Joseph McElroy: Well, I hope to get hope to besides just the songwriting camp, we can get you out there, doing playing at the Meadowlark, you know we have a nice old-style dance Hall, you know really sort of place to do a little bit of music.

00:35:34.440 –> 00:35:36.690 Charles Humphrey III: I would absolutely love to do that Joseph.

00:35:36.690 –> 00:35:45.480 Joseph McElroy: Fair so so let’s talk about what you guys are wanting to do you were talking about doing a songwriter cramping an August, like.

00:35:46.080 –> 00:35:46.260 it’s.

00:35:47.460 –> 00:36:05.250 Charles Humphrey III: it’s going to happen it’s going to be a world-class event again it’s just such an honor to work with you and Bob and your love of the heritage of the area and traditions we’ve got a great event lined up I think we’re going to announce it soon it will be there with Jim Lauderdale.

00:36:05.940 –> 00:36:06.900 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my God yeah it’s.

00:36:06.960 –> 00:36:14.370 Charles Humphrey III: Art is just a legend he’s almost like a national treasure absolutely loves is picking his writing and singing.

00:36:15.120 –> 00:36:22.080 Charles Humphrey III: we’re going to have Clay Mills who’s written number one country songs he works with song town the USA based out of Nashville Tennessee.

00:36:22.470 –> 00:36:30.990 Charles Humphrey III: He knows the industry inside and out from creating the pitching to demoing so he’s going to be a huge asset to have on board.

00:36:31.770 –> 00:36:36.870 Charles Humphrey III: we’re going to have Darren Nicholson from awesome range who’s an amazing singer and songwriter he’s had.

00:36:37.350 –> 00:36:47.640 Charles Humphrey III: A lot of success throughout the years we co-wrote one last year that went up to number one entitled lonesome is the price up flat pay on all bluegrass charts.

00:36:47.970 –> 00:36:59.820 Charles Humphrey III: And then we’re gonna have Charlie Chan Chamberlain who’s a musician and a producer in Nashville and he’s gonna be bringing a portable studio so the people at the camp, not only are they going to get to learn about how to create and how to pitch.

00:37:00.930 –> 00:37:10.200 Charles Humphrey III: they’re going to hopefully get to go away with a work tape or a DEMO of something they’ve created and see what it’s like to be in front of the microphones and pitched artists as well, so it’s really.

00:37:10.650 –> 00:37:22.050 Charles Humphrey III: going to be an all-inclusive writers camp, not only are we going to talk about different ways to create music and arrange songs and write songs but we’re going to talk about the industry, how do you get songs to other people.

00:37:22.380 –> 00:37:36.420 Charles Humphrey III: And then kind of give you a process of how to record, something that could go on to land and another artist, or perhaps your artists, but it’s going to be a great event and we’ve got a world-class lineup so something really.

00:37:36.420 –> 00:37:41.040 Joseph McElroy: and it’s also awesome I mean I don’t know if you know that.

00:37:41.940 –> 00:37:52.560 Joseph McElroy: I know, besides being a businessman, and having a technical background I started doing art in the 90s, and I have a real passion for artists all right and.

00:37:53.220 –> 00:38:03.630 Joseph McElroy: You know the Meadowlark is about allowing artists and especially heritage artists to you know to sign and evolve.

00:38:04.260 –> 00:38:14.610 Joseph McElroy: Their mediums, right, to really you know you know, I believe that you know a lot of people try to you know petrified things and sort of like the past.

00:38:15.120 –> 00:38:30.210 Joseph McElroy: And I think that bluegrass and all the art forms that we have in this mountain heritage are able to blossom even further and bigger than what they are, and I really think that you’re one of those guys just doing that.

00:38:31.170 –> 00:38:38.610 Charles Humphrey III: Well, you know it’s people that support the arts and make it possible, and there’s no better place to do it than meadowlark I agree it’s a special spot.

00:38:39.270 –> 00:38:40.920 Joseph McElroy: cool so.

00:38:42.240 –> 00:38:47.940 Joseph McElroy: So, how did you help you know Darren’s been at our place a couple of times, what do you know Darren.

00:38:48.990 –> 00:38:56.880 Charles Humphrey III: Darren and I met in the bluegrass world you know, the first time we really got to know each other, I believe we were up in Yukon Territory and Alaska.

00:38:57.690 –> 00:39:08.880 Charles Humphrey III: And we had to ride in the back of a van to cross the border together and he was playing with Alicia Nugent at the time, and we did some picking and then he got on with balsam range.

00:39:09.630 –> 00:39:19.320 Charles Humphrey III: And we’ve just always kind of known each other, and I said Darren I really, really like to write with you, I know you’re a hell of a musician and I love your singing.

00:39:19.830 –> 00:39:34.890 Charles Humphrey III: And we wrote a song, I think the first song we wrote was one called any highway we both ended up recording it Darren Nicholson band and songs and road band, and then we went through the pandemic we wrote tons and tons of songs he’s got a new EP out called the man on a mission Darren Nicholson.

00:39:34.950 –> 00:39:43.080 Joseph McElroy: man on the moon oh I love that are you know that I just had that album recently, he was on the show and I love that out.

00:39:43.320 –> 00:39:45.720 Charles Humphrey III: All right, we wrote about four songs on that.

00:39:45.750 –> 00:39:54.000 Charles Humphrey III: we’ve got some that have made it to other bands as well, so you meet people sometimes where you just mesh were each other.

00:39:54.390 –> 00:40:04.080 Charles Humphrey III: talents or personalities compliment each other and that’s kind of what Darren and I found where we get together and it’s just fun it’s natural it’s quick, we always get something.

00:40:04.440 –> 00:40:13.500 Charles Humphrey III: That we’re proud of, we trust each other’s opinions and so it’s been an honor to work with him and he’s a great talent and so.

00:40:13.920 –> 00:40:25.170 Charles Humphrey III: it’s really the songwriting that has brought our friendship closer than anything else, after knowing each other for 20 years in the past two years from getting together to write songs together is how we really become.

00:40:25.410 –> 00:40:27.720 Joseph McElroy: Close we, I mean you had songs on there that went.

00:40:27.720 –> 00:40:31.530 Joseph McElroy: flight from a bluegrass rift into southern rock and roll song.

00:40:32.160 –> 00:40:33.060 Charles Humphrey III: I mean oh yeah.

00:40:33.330 –> 00:40:37.440 Charles Humphrey III: I think he was a man on a mission I think his mission was to rock that’s.

00:40:38.520 –> 00:40:40.920 Charles Humphrey III: Pretty cool album oh yeah man he.

00:40:40.920 –> 00:40:41.730 Charles Humphrey III: doesn’t either.

00:40:41.970 –> 00:40:52.680 Charles Humphrey III: It was so neat to see those songs come from an idea to a full-on Rockin EP he did a great job everybody’s got to check it out man on a mission Darren Nicholson

00:40:52.680 –> 00:40:57.900 Joseph McElroy: so this is going to be a great lineup for the songwriter can I can tell you that and new.

00:40:58.710 –> 00:41:03.480 Charles Humphrey III: I mean we’ve got songs from the road band performing on Friday night.

00:41:03.840 –> 00:41:05.250 Joseph McElroy: All right, fabulous and then.

00:41:05.250 –> 00:41:05.760 Charles Humphrey III: You got.

00:41:06.210 –> 00:41:21.780 Charles Humphrey III: As the people check-in and so actually that ban which I’m in will be performing songs that have been co-written with every single person that’s there so we’ll be able to discuss that and see how that works as well it’s going to be a unique blend of musical ideas.

00:41:22.320 –> 00:41:30.330 Joseph McElroy: oh I know Jim Lauderdale it’s like we said 30 or more albums and yeah I think he’s like the grandfather of this right yeah.

00:41:30.360 –> 00:41:32.970 Charles Humphrey III: it’s close to 40 Jim is awesome and.

00:41:33.300 –> 00:41:34.830 Charles Humphrey III: we’ve been backing him up for.

00:41:34.830 –> 00:41:43.770 Charles Humphrey III: About two years now doing a lot of shows on this bluegrass stuff we’ve had some great opportunities to perform at some festivals like merle fast and things like that he’s.

00:41:44.790 –> 00:41:46.410 Charles Humphrey III: What can you say he’s Jim Lauderdale.

00:41:48.210 –> 00:41:50.370 Joseph McElroy: What can you say you know there’s not much.

00:41:52.020 –> 00:41:53.130 Joseph McElroy: So um.

00:41:54.540 –> 00:41:55.920 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve.

00:41:57.300 –> 00:42:01.260 Joseph McElroy: So lets we’re about to.

00:42:03.090 –> 00:42:12.300 Joseph McElroy: launch on to a whole bunch of other things, who are some other folks famous folks you’ve worked with that are who’s on your bucket list that you would like to work with.

00:42:14.850 –> 00:42:22.590 Charles Humphrey III: let’s see that’s a good question see my brains work and I’m efficient all day well like I said, working with Sean Camp and Jim Lauderdale or pleasure Darren.

00:42:22.980 –> 00:42:33.750 Charles Humphrey III: Nicholson there’s an interesting guy from Charlotte his name is Josh Daniel and during the pandemic, he played a two-hour show every single day for 365 days.

00:42:35.100 –> 00:42:46.170 Charles Humphrey III: yeah it was amazing he plays kind of like grateful dead inspired jam band music, he must know 1000 songs I was like josh man you’ve got a similar Darren’s like when we’ve got a ride I love your plan I love your singing.

00:42:46.590 –> 00:42:53.910 Charles Humphrey III: And so we’ve written a lot together, and I say that’s somebody that you need to check out if you haven’t heard of him he’s really going places name’s Josh Daniel.

00:42:55.260 –> 00:43:03.180 Charles Humphrey III: I just saw her coming up on a radio break but there’s a long list of people Becky Worn in Nashville Sarah Siskin that lives in.

00:43:03.540 –> 00:43:09.570 Charles Humphrey III: North Carolina Britain has a lot of stuff with her Charlie Chamberlain and, of course, he will be at the songwriters camp.

00:43:10.560 –> 00:43:18.690 Charles Humphrey III: Marty Dotson’s another name he’s the other half of song town the USA in Nashville Tennessee a great writer he’s written for everyone and he’s written a lot of.

00:43:19.080 –> 00:43:27.330 Charles Humphrey III: My favorite songs that we’ve created and been able to record songs from the Rodin Mason Via who just recently joined oh crow medicine show I write a lot with him.

00:43:27.690 –> 00:43:32.250 Charles Humphrey III: He is a young fireball of a musician who can do it all right big dancing.

00:43:33.120 –> 00:43:40.800 Charles Humphrey III: Nick Dolphin a place to Larry Stephenson he and I haven’t written a whole lot recently he’s just a talent, to the list goes on and on, Joe.

00:43:41.100 –> 00:43:48.690 Charles Humphrey III: So many great people to work within western North Carolina and you know with the Internet to kind of opens up the boundaries, where you don’t have to be in the same room.

00:43:49.890 –> 00:43:56.910 Joseph McElroy: But cool we’re gonna take a break as you mentioned and we’ll come back and talk a little bit about Western North Carolina and what’s going on in there.

00:43:57.300 –> 00:43:57.960 Charles Humphrey III: let’s do it.

00:45:59.310 –> 00:46:07.620 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Charles Humphrey III.

00:46:08.130 –> 00:46:21.570 Joseph McElroy: Charles you are in all the last things, I think that, besides being a natural artist, you do seem to be a natural entrepreneur, so you actually able to record label called Lucks dumpy toads how’s that going.

00:46:22.560 –> 00:46:27.930 Charles Humphrey III: it’s going well, mostly use it to release the songs from the road band albums.

00:46:29.010 –> 00:46:46.470 Charles Humphrey III: But it’s neat to look at the music industry that way where you’re working with promoters who get music out to the radio DJ and communicating with them and releasing stuff on to streaming platforms apple music and Spotify and.

00:46:49.680 –> 00:47:01.320 Charles Humphrey III: CD baby is one of the things we used to release their music and then getting the records printed on vinyl and I’m wondering whether they’re gonna we’re gonna stop making cd’s I feel like that day is coming I.

00:47:01.320 –> 00:47:04.230 Joseph McElroy: Think CDs are done but vinyl will stick around because you know.

00:47:04.350 –> 00:47:09.990 Charles Humphrey III: I was gonna stick around I’m just kind of waiting for that day, where we don’t have to print up 1000 CDs.

00:47:10.710 –> 00:47:11.220 Charles Humphrey III: Okay.

00:47:11.280 –> 00:47:13.230 Joseph McElroy: I wouldn’t be done with CDs and DVDs or.

00:47:13.230 –> 00:47:13.800 everybody’s.

00:47:15.450 –> 00:47:18.060 Charles Humphrey III: People don’t even know what CDs are anymore they’re not.

00:47:18.660 –> 00:47:25.710 Charles Humphrey III: Ours anymore, but then you go to these festivals and people with like that style of music they’ve got cassette players.

00:47:25.710 –> 00:47:28.350 Charles Humphrey III: And it’s eight tracks and likes.

00:47:28.590 –> 00:47:29.310 Joseph McElroy: I guess, we know that.

00:47:29.490 –> 00:47:35.280 Joseph McElroy: The speakeasy we put in a nice we put it in a nice record player so we’re going to want to help.

00:47:36.180 –> 00:47:37.380 Charles Humphrey III: awesome yeah.

00:47:37.410 –> 00:47:37.770 yeah.

00:47:39.240 –> 00:47:40.620 Charles Humphrey III: it’s got all that analog.

00:47:40.620 –> 00:47:41.790 Joseph McElroy: Sound you know.

00:47:42.210 –> 00:47:45.540 Joseph McElroy: I was, I was once working with somebody doing a deal with Sony.

00:47:45.930 –> 00:48:00.300 Joseph McElroy: That was trying to do you know to add this the audio you know there’s a lot of that when you when they turn it to digital they lose a lot of sounds I don’t know if you know it, but it’s an amazing amount of sound that they lose when they turn it.

00:48:00.300 –> 00:48:03.060 Charles Humphrey III: down your, you’re your absolute absolutely right everything gets.

00:48:03.510 –> 00:48:04.620 Joseph McElroy: compressed and you learn.

00:48:05.010 –> 00:48:14.610 Charles Humphrey III: stuff Neil young was fighting for that for a long time he had created this other style of music player that kind of holding on to some of that original sound, and I think it was.

00:48:15.570 –> 00:48:22.350 Charles Humphrey III: just going to be too much too expensive to get it to the everyday person or either the people that were doing music, the other way I didn’t want him to release it.

00:48:23.820 –> 00:48:28.890 Joseph McElroy: Well, I made it I made, I made the deal Sony was all excited this is funny I made the deal with these guys that.

00:48:29.280 –> 00:48:36.060 Joseph McElroy: That Sony was going to redo all their their their we’re going to start with the offer and do all their offer with this new technology.

00:48:36.360 –> 00:48:48.330 Joseph McElroy: And they were all excited and we do the deal they’re willing to do it, and then the guys Come on, so it’s a great deal, but you know we forgot to tell you that it takes a half-hour engineer time for each song, and I was like Jesus Christ.

00:48:52.680 –> 00:48:53.100 Charles Humphrey III: yeah.

00:48:53.460 –> 00:49:01.590 Joseph McElroy: we’re talking about you know 10s of thousands of hours of songs and albums it’s like you know there’s no way.

00:49:03.660 –> 00:49:06.210 Joseph McElroy: boy is there, there is a way to add.

00:49:06.210 –> 00:49:14.460 Joseph McElroy: The analog back, but still takes a lot of time at some point, it will come back in digital but right now.

00:49:16.440 –> 00:49:19.830 Charles Humphrey III: there’s even a big difference between MP3 and wave file it’s.

00:49:22.200 –> 00:49:29.820 Charles Humphrey III: For me, it’s hard to listen to the radio sometime it’s just it’s so shrill it sounds like it’s just grinding in my ears and it’s tough.

00:49:30.420 –> 00:49:45.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you know I mean, I think that you know that it’s there’s a world of what’s going to happen and audio is still not even begun so I’m excited to see what you guys will see in the future, but.

00:49:47.130 –> 00:50:00.900 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the things I want to do is is uh yeah we’re gonna have we’re having all this stuff happened in the Meadowlark, like, I want to do a Meadowlark sounds from the Meadowlark albums so maybe I’ll talk to your Lucks Dumpy Toads records talking about doing that one.

00:50:01.110 –> 00:50:09.000 Charles Humphrey III: that’s a great idea we love to do it man that’d be a heck of an album just if you just got the people that have been there and be fantastic I love that idea.

00:50:09.660 –> 00:50:16.080 Joseph McElroy: cool so now the things you’re doing what’s your Hell of the endurance athletes what’s happened in there.

00:50:16.800 –> 00:50:24.630 Charles Humphrey III: Not a lot we were hoping to do our 50 K over in Dupont forest this year, which raises money for the candidate foundation that’s.

00:50:25.470 –> 00:50:35.370 Charles Humphrey III: The nonprofit wing of Oskar blues they do things like trail restoration and flood relief and we’re tunes ambassadors, where we get instruments to kids that need them.

00:50:35.910 –> 00:50:45.600 Charles Humphrey III: And that race, the hullabaloo 50 K and really like benefits that nonprofit but they’re doing a lot of trail renovation over there, near guy on-farm by the rebrand we’re usually to our event.

00:50:45.930 –> 00:50:48.510 Charles Humphrey III: We haven’t been able to do it the past two years for permitting.

00:50:49.050 –> 00:50:56.160 Charles Humphrey III: Concerns due to the pandemic it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen this year so that’s still on the back burner, but it may be something that will go back to.

00:50:56.880 –> 00:51:08.340 Charles Humphrey III: The the race director on that event as far as running myself it’s kind of taken a backseat to the fishing lately that’s another thing to stay in shape for it, it really does take a lot of time, you know you need to.

00:51:08.670 –> 00:51:17.070 Charles Humphrey III: run at least a little bit every day, and if you’re doing those long events, sometimes you have to do things like back to back runs and get in that multi-hour.

00:51:17.550 –> 00:51:27.660 Charles Humphrey III: You know, double-digit long runs to prepare for those big events and it’s a lot of fun it’s rewarding is a great way to stay in shape, you can eat whatever you want when you’re training the people.

00:51:28.590 –> 00:51:33.960 Charles Humphrey III: are absolutely amazing they come from all walks of life, the only thing that ties you together.

00:51:34.320 –> 00:51:45.630 Charles Humphrey III: Being crazy enough to go out there and run through the mountains and you get out there with these people you’re just meeting in your suffering together for the first time you have this instant bond of like why in the world are we doing this to ourselves.

00:51:45.960 –> 00:51:47.610 Charles Humphrey III: This is horrible but I love it.

00:51:48.960 –> 00:51:55.950 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I’m a competitive drinker and so those long-distance distance drinking events I have I gotta deal with the same issues you know.

00:51:56.280 –> 00:51:57.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah I got.

00:51:57.840 –> 00:52:05.490 Charles Humphrey III: guitar the guitar player in our band said oh yeah man, I do marathons to Netflix marathons what’s your favorite show.

00:52:07.860 –> 00:52:11.430 Joseph McElroy: So you got any new recording projects coming out soon.

00:52:12.480 –> 00:52:22.440 Charles Humphrey III: We are putting the finishing touches on the new songs in the road album band I’ve got to master four more songs and we’re trying to get it out in the fall, which will be nice we’ve had.

00:52:23.070 –> 00:52:28.260 Charles Humphrey III: Three or four singles that have been released they’ve all gone up to number one or two on the charts.

00:52:28.800 –> 00:52:43.410 Charles Humphrey III: So we’re hoping to get that out and it’s going to be through candidate as well, we will have that on vinyl and then we’ll go back into the studio and record the next project and start releasing singles as well, so it’s time to get it out there, I need a.

00:52:43.500 –> 00:52:46.230 Joseph McElroy: So culture first vinyl okay all right.

00:52:46.260 –> 00:52:49.140 Charles Humphrey III: we’ll do it I’ll go ahead and save it for you.

00:52:49.560 –> 00:52:50.190 All right.

00:52:51.900 –> 00:52:58.200 Joseph McElroy: Oh good so um so so people are looking for that What were they need to watch for to get that.

00:52:59.160 –> 00:53:02.910 Charles Humphrey III: They would need to watch songs on the road band.com

00:53:04.350 –> 00:53:09.540 Charles Humphrey III: They could find us on Instagram or Facebook songs from the road band as well.

00:53:10.680 –> 00:53:19.500 Charles Humphrey III: We are on all major music outlets and we would love for people to come to visit us and stay in touch and follow and.

00:53:19.770 –> 00:53:30.210 Charles Humphrey III: share the music ads to playlists all that good stuff you can find out information about our live shows we’d love for them to come out and meet the band and hang out and have a good time with us as well.

00:53:30.720 –> 00:53:33.030 Joseph McElroy: And if a venue wants to book you how do they do that.

00:53:34.110 –> 00:53:43.530 Charles Humphrey III: They would do that through the website as well songsfromtheroadband.com and we have a wonderful wonderful agent his name is Curtis Guerin he works at prater day.

00:53:44.040 –> 00:53:51.660 Charles Humphrey III: And he would gladly take your call and we could arrange something to come and play for you at your festival club or even a private event.

00:53:52.440 –> 00:53:57.330 Joseph McElroy: cool and if somebody wants to book you for guides to the fishing guide, what do they do.

00:53:58.200 –> 00:54:08.430 Charles Humphrey III: If you would like to go out on a weight or float trip on public or private water with winning with one of our many talented guides just go to beastcoastanglers.com

00:54:08.880 –> 00:54:16.200 Charles Humphrey III: And all the information there all the information that you need is there to either give us a call or shoot us an email cool.

00:54:16.470 –> 00:54:22.080 Joseph McElroy: And if they want to follow what you’re doing personally or in you know online what are they were worthy.

00:54:24.270 –> 00:54:33.300 Charles Humphrey III: To keep track with me personally, is just Charles Humphrey III and I have public accounts on Facebook and Instagram and

00:54:33.600 –> 00:54:46.050 Charles Humphrey III: very active with the fishing company based coast anglers and with the band songs and the road band so I’m not too hard to find and I would love to chat with anybody and visit you know let’s put a smile on someone’s face and I’ll have a great day.

00:54:46.440 –> 00:54:52.350 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well, I will be down there starting Saturday for two weeks so let’s get together when you come back, I want to come down alright.

00:54:52.770 –> 00:54:58.470 Charles Humphrey III: guys just give me a call I would love it, yet you have to promise to call me, I want to take you out fishing.

00:54:58.770 –> 00:55:03.690 Joseph McElroy: Alright sounds good, so thank you for being here this this this podcast has been great.

00:55:04.230 –> 00:55:07.230 Charles Humphrey III: It was a pleasure thanks for having me on the show really appreciate it was a lot of fun.

00:55:07.950 –> 00:55:15.630 Joseph McElroy: So you find out more about this podcast it’s smokiesadventure.com the link to all the podcasts is on the top of the site.

00:55:15.990 –> 00:55:21.180 Joseph McElroy: You can also go to facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast were in it.

00:55:21.570 –> 00:55:30.240 Joseph McElroy: and watch the live podcast and see the previous podcast we are part of the talk radio.NYC network, where they have a lot of live podcasts.

00:55:30.570 –> 00:55:39.810 Joseph McElroy: That worthwhile for you to watch deal with travel and small business and New York and self-help and health and things I advise you to take a chance to listen.

00:55:40.110 –> 00:55:52.890 Joseph McElroy: And I actually have another podcast every Friday about a business called wise content creates wealth from noon until one so hope you will take a look at that as well and it’s been good to see you and I’ll see you next week.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/bEWOgL3xXo/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/622932a5da1fe43af0f97480_20220308-GTTS.jpg" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/03/08 - Writing Tunes and Catching Fish in the Smokies"></a></p><p><strong>If you’re looking for music to harmonize to, or a guide for your next river adventure, this episode is for you because our guest this week is a musician and a fly-fishing expert.</strong></p><p><strong>You will find out more about songwriting, fly-fishing, and life in Asheville. Whether you are a musician yourself, or just a music lover, you will find this episode&#39;s insights fascinating.</strong></p><p><strong>Charles Humphrey III</strong> is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer, musician, and owner of Lucks Dumpy Toad Records. Currently leading his own group –the superb chart-topping, Songs from the Road Band – Humphrey was a charter member of the Steep Canyon Rangers for 15 years while also backing up other renowned artists such as Steve Martin and Edie Brickel among others.</p><p>Charles is also an expert fly-fishing guide and endurance runner and resides with his two children in Asheville. </p><p>We will also mention here his two upcoming big events this year in Maggie Valley which are -the Fly Fishing camp in April and the Songwriters camp in August.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this episode!!</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/bEWOgL3xXo/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph opens up tonight’s episode talking about the Meadowlark Motel and some upcoming events. One of these events deals with wilderness survival skills and their importance during times like natural disasters and more. There will also be a fly fishing camp weekend. To learn more, reach out at their website at meadowlarkmotel.com. He introduces his guest, Charles Humphrey III. Charles started fly fishing himself when he was a teen. Charles is a bluegrass musician and a Grammy award-winning songwriter, musician, and producer. Charles started fishing with his father when he was a kid and also got into music and playing bluegrass. He loves the “zen” feeling he gets when connecting with nature in this way. He talks more with Joseph about his passion as a musician and his passion for fishing. Charles loves that he is able to educate others about both topics, something that he will also be doing at the Meadowlark Motel!</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Charles and Joseph talk more about fly fishing and Charles talks about some of the staff that will also be guiding in the events coming soon. Charles mentions tying flies and the interesting aspect of this. They both have an engaging conversation about how important this part is for anglers or people who fish with a rod and line and interesting stories they’ve experienced themselves fly fishing. Joseph asks Charles about some of the best streams to fish in Haywood County and what locations he might take people participating in the fishing camp. He mentions Jonathan Creek which is close to the motel as well as the Pigeon river. He also says that in the camp, they&#39;ll also be teaching a technique called tight line fishing as well as how to set the hook, control the head, avoid letting go of the fish they catch, and much more.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph talks with Charles about his other passion, being a musician and writing music. Like fly fishing, Charles says that writing music takes a lot of luck. In this case, it’s because you never know if people will enjoy your music. He also mentions writing music that is on an album by Willie Nelson. He also talks about moving on from the Steep Canyon Rangers who he was a member of for 15 years. Now, he is part of Songs from the Road Band. You can listen to their music almost on any platform like SiriusXM, Pandora, etc. He says that he is excited to be able to play live music again like many other artists and musicians now that things are a bit more normal when it comes to gatherings. Charles also mentions the other event which is the writer’s camp where he along with other great musicians and singer-songwriters will teach and encourage all-inclusive songwriting. They’ll also teach others about making music from the creative process to being behind the microphone. Charles also talks about his friendship with Darren Nicholson who was also a guest here on the show. They wrote a couple of songs together which you can hear on <em>Man on a Mission</em>, Darren’s new EP. Charles mentions more people he’d love to work with.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the final break, Charles talks about owning Lucks Dumpy Toad Records. He uses this to also release music from Songs from the Road Band. Charles and Joseph also speak about how music is released today compared to when there were no digital releases for music. They also mention different audio formats like mp3, vinyl, and CDs and how they feel about the different quality of music when listened to in different ways. Charles speaks about being an endurance runner too and the rewarding feeling of taking care of himself and connecting with others through this activity. Also, Songs from the Road Band will be releasing music later this year. You can go to songsfromtheroadband.com and also use the same name to search for them on social media platforms. You can also find Charles and learn more about fishing by visiting beastcoastanglers.com!</p><p><br></p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:00:30.930 –&gt; 00:00:36.960 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:37.500 –&gt; 00:00:49.590 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns these areas filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history.</p><p>00:00:50.160 –&gt; 00:00:59.430 Joseph McElroy: and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also a deep root in these mountains.</p><p>00:01:00.030 –&gt; 00:01:15.480 Joseph McElroy: My family is living the great smoky for over 200 years my business in travel, but my heart is in culture today’s podcast will be talking about fly fishing and tune making but the first sponsors which happened to be me.</p><p>00:01:18.360 –&gt; 00:01:29.040 Joseph McElroy: So imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:29.730 –&gt; 00:01:39.270 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish it a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:39.630 –&gt; 00:01:56.370 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine and place the mountain heritage, food, and underground speakeasy there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie valley your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:57.600 –&gt; 00:02:05.490 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventure.com smokies plural adventure singular information listings about the smokies hiking,</p><p>00:02:05.910 –&gt; 00:02:14.340 Joseph McElroy: wedding venues books trail maps resources to make your adventures in the smokies more meaningful and enjoyable.</p><p>00:02:14.670 –&gt; 00:02:23.520 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smokies adventure is outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on logic.</p><p>00:02:23.940 –&gt; 00:02:32.940 Joseph McElroy: Family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more this goal of this site is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:34.020 –&gt; 00:02:47.370 Joseph McElroy: So I guess about upcoming events to talk about in today’s world you might forget that for all of history humankind has lived or journey into environments that require fundamental survival skills in order to flourish.</p><p>00:02:47.940 –&gt; 00:02:59.370 Joseph McElroy: Wilderness survival, also known as push bushcraft his ability is the ability to utilize natural and limited materials and traditional ways to stay alive and escape danger.</p><p>00:03:00.540 –&gt; 00:03:08.460 Joseph McElroy: and modern society learning wilderness survival skills is not only important for the occasional forays into dangerous environments.</p><p>00:03:08.850 –&gt; 00:03:17.430 Joseph McElroy: But also helps in building confidence self-esteem and instilling a sense of self-knowledge, while we’re reconnecting with nature and our human past.</p><p>00:03:18.270 –&gt; 00:03:27.510 Joseph McElroy: While we might not think we need wilderness survival skills, if we avoid nature, there are still instance instances where we might need to call upon them.</p><p>00:03:27.870 –&gt; 00:03:35.970 Joseph McElroy: Including natural disasters, wars, getting lost in the woods extreme shifts, and weather accidents caused.</p><p>00:03:36.540 –&gt; 00:03:43.050 Joseph McElroy: causing some former can protect incapacitation and many other unforeseen circumstances.</p><p>00:03:43.500 –&gt; 00:03:54.900 Joseph McElroy: Therefore it is prudent and wise for every human to have at least a rudimentary capability in the basic skills of survival, to ensure their continued existence.</p><p>00:03:55.170 –&gt; 00:04:11.910 Joseph McElroy: These include the ability to build a fire build a shelter tie certain knots navigate without a GPS apply first aid evaluate the appropriate gears and supplies and carry what you need and master the essentials of hiking and camping.</p><p>00:04:12.750 –&gt; 00:04:18.630 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center is proud to announce the addition of an acclaimed author.</p><p>00:04:19.140 –&gt; 00:04:34.530 Joseph McElroy: outdoor survival expert, record-setting hiker, and elite wilderness search and rescue team Member Nancy East who is here just a couple of weeks ago on our podcast to our roster of expert artists for 2022 programs.</p><p>00:04:35.040 –&gt; 00:04:40.740 Joseph McElroy: Nancy will launch the spring hiking season, with a presentation on Friday night March 18.</p><p>00:04:41.190 –&gt; 00:04:48.090 Joseph McElroy: Describing her adventures as a search and rescue member and there have been some exciting things over the last couple of years where they rescued.</p><p>00:04:48.330 –&gt; 00:04:56.460 Joseph McElroy: Some people in some pretty interesting situations and then on Saturday march 19 Nancy will devote an entire day.</p><p>00:04:56.850 –&gt; 00:05:08.280 Joseph McElroy: To a variety of the above-mentioned wilderness survival topics to ensure your safety comfort enjoyment, as you create memorable experiences hiking in the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:05:08.970 –&gt; 00:05:16.470 Joseph McElroy: So space is limited to 10 students and met Nancy provides all the materials, you might need for the event.</p><p>00:05:16.890 –&gt; 00:05:25.680 Joseph McElroy: The price is 275 which includes two nights of lodging breakfast and dinner on Saturday night, along with entertainment, so, please.</p><p>00:05:26.070 –&gt; 00:05:38.700 Joseph McElroy: reach out to the Meadowlark Motel 82 8-926-1717 to reserve your spot also coming up it’s relevant to our guest tonight is a fishing fly fishing camp.</p><p>00:05:40.140 –&gt; 00:05:48.840 Joseph McElroy: what’s better than for the soul been throwing a live stream watching it pass doing it again and again, and perhaps getting about it.</p><p>00:05:49.950 –&gt; 00:05:54.600 Joseph McElroy: All anglers know that fly fishing isn’t only about reeling in the big one.</p><p>00:05:55.140 –&gt; 00:06:06.240 Joseph McElroy: Although that always gets our hearts jumping fly fishing is about being one with a river and his magnificence presence, while witnessing a very valuable ecosystem.</p><p>00:06:06.990 –&gt; 00:06:11.490 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark motel is offering a trapping camp weekend in the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:06:11.970 –&gt; 00:06:21.870 Joseph McElroy: What began as a way to get a group of friends together on a river is going into a way of bringing like-minded people together through fly fishing food and drink and campfire.</p><p>00:06:22.170 –&gt; 00:06:28.320 Joseph McElroy: And our recreation area to have a memorable experience and learn about fly fishing in the Smokies.</p><p>00:06:28.860 –&gt; 00:06:34.350 Joseph McElroy: camp weekends are perfect for those new to fly fishing and those looking for some extra instruction.</p><p>00:06:34.860 –&gt; 00:06:44.850 Joseph McElroy: Anyone with experience, who enjoys fishing and a small group and making new friends its trip is built around those attending and we will all share in the experience.</p><p>00:06:45.150 –&gt; 00:07:03.690 Joseph McElroy: You can expect quality time in the river and nights around the campfire or in the speakeasy with a drink in hand truth that tall tales are all out of the camp and camps are very limited only to 20 20 anglers allowed So the first one is April 15 to the 16th and 2022.</p><p>00:07:05.220 –&gt; 00:07:09.690 Joseph McElroy: that’s $ 875 per person that includes the light stays as well.</p><p>00:07:11.220 –&gt; 00:07:13.530 Joseph McElroy: The you’re gonna be doing.</p><p>00:07:14.820 –&gt; 00:07:22.410 Joseph McElroy: there’s gonna be a presentation on Friday night with videos about how tall tales and revolver behavior of</p><p>00:07:24.150 –&gt; 00:07:34.950 Joseph McElroy: a trip to reminisce trial people have your and then a Saturday there’ll be instruction hands-on instruction on Saturday morning, and then the out.</p><p>00:07:35.190 –&gt; 00:07:44.910 Joseph McElroy: In the afternoon there’ll be intense fishing on elite streams all over the area, as well as we have a mountain heritage trout stream in the backyard, which is also able to use.</p><p>00:07:46.890 –&gt; 00:07:57.930 Joseph McElroy: And then you will be able to check out on Sunday morning so call 828-9261717 to make your reservations so.</p><p>00:07:58.650 –&gt; 00:08:10.470 Joseph McElroy: Our podcast today I mentioned is about fishing and fly fishing in tunes and we’re also talking about the fly fishing camping our guest today is Charles Humphrey III and those a little bit about this.</p><p>00:08:10.830 –&gt; 00:08:20.190 Joseph McElroy: He is the founder of Beast coast anglers he started fly fishing as a teenager many, many years ago, maybe not that many I have many, many years ago he has many.</p><p>00:08:23.340 –&gt; 00:08:37.020 Joseph McElroy: he is called the waters of Western North Carolina home since 1999 as a touring bluegrass musician he has had the opportunity to fly fishing Colorado Montana Idaho Wyoming Nevada Oregon Alaskan Canada.</p><p>00:08:37.740 –&gt; 00:08:43.890 Joseph McElroy: And addition to being a season fly fisherman he is also a Grammy award-winning songwriter-producer.</p><p>00:08:44.310 –&gt; 00:08:56.100 Joseph McElroy: A Western states 100 and during ultra run finisher a Kentucky Colonel a North Carolina hall of fame.</p><p>00:08:56.640 –&gt; 00:09:09.240 Joseph McElroy: Music hall of fame Member touring musician and songs from the road band, and the father of two. Charles’s two foremost passions in life are spreading joy through music and fly fishing, how are you doing Charles?</p><p>00:09:09.450 –&gt; 00:09:12.510 Charles Humphrey III: Thanks I’m doing great Joseph thanks for having me on the show.</p><p>00:09:13.740 –&gt; 00:09:14.340 Charles Humphrey III: me here.</p><p>00:09:14.550 –&gt; 00:09:27.810 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re one of our most popular guests last year, as one of my favorite people to interview, so we wanted to get you back to cover some of the things we miss lap time, as well as talking about this fly fishing camp and.</p><p>00:09:28.200 –&gt; 00:09:29.040 so far.</p><p>00:09:30.420 –&gt; 00:09:34.800 Joseph McElroy: And even further than one we got that you guys have a songwriting camp in August.</p><p>00:09:35.220 –&gt; 00:09:40.260 Charles Humphrey III: A lot of cool things going on, you know the Meadowlark is the perfect location for it it’s such a great place.</p><p>00:09:40.830 –&gt; 00:09:46.020 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so let’s get to it, so I will talk about music a little bit, but let’s start with the fly fishing.</p><p>00:09:46.710 –&gt; 00:09:51.570 Joseph McElroy: So yeah evidently even fly fishing over 20 years right, how did you get started.</p><p>00:09:52.380 –&gt; 00:09:53.220 Charles Humphrey III: I started.</p><p>00:09:54.510 –&gt; 00:10:04.770 Charles Humphrey III: I grew up well I’ll start fishing with my dad before I mean on the outer banks during thanksgiving saltwater grew up freshwater fishing that’s where I started using the fly rod.</p><p>00:10:05.940 –&gt; 00:10:19.110 Charles Humphrey III: started touring playing bluegrass music and moved to Western North Carolina in 1999 and during the mid-90s and late 90s, I started to fly fishing all over the country with bandmates and I’ve been doing it ever since it’s just a.</p><p>00:10:20.400 –&gt; 00:10:24.930 Charles Humphrey III: it’s kind of like music it’s a passion and it’s just so rewarding on so many levels.</p><p>00:10:25.620 –&gt; 00:10:37.110 Charles Humphrey III: it’s not all about catching fish, you know enjoy the education side of it, I love the Zen part of it just being out in nature, and I really love the camaraderie and the people that you meet who share the passion for the sport.</p><p>00:10:37.770 –&gt; 00:10:39.870 Joseph McElroy: Now How long have you been guiding people.</p><p>00:10:40.890 –&gt; 00:10:51.240 Charles Humphrey III: I’ve been guiding a little over two years professionally and just absolutely love it, you know we work in North Carolina Tennessee, and Georgia and.</p><p>00:10:51.690 –&gt; 00:11:04.170 Charles Humphrey III: Do both Wade and float trips so there’s a variety of different styles, you know you can go out and fish private water or public water go for wild trout or stocks trout big trout little trial, we do it all.</p><p>00:11:04.920 –&gt; 00:11:09.210 Joseph McElroy: And why did you call your company Beast Coast Anglers?</p><p>00:11:09.570 –&gt; 00:11:19.650 Charles Humphrey III: You know that’s a good question as we discussed last time I have a running fast the ultra running fast and that running company that I.</p><p>00:11:20.190 –&gt; 00:11:29.580 Charles Humphrey III: created there were beast coast runners and it kind of represents the whole east coast and I was like well, we already got the runners might as well get the anglers in there’s two.</p><p>00:11:30.090 –&gt; 00:11:32.940 Charles Humphrey III: there are just a lot of fun things you can do with the beast you know.</p><p>00:11:34.680 –&gt; 00:11:39.090 Charles Humphrey III: You can tell I’ve got a lot of hair, so it was a natural fit and we are on the east coast so.</p><p>00:11:41.850 –&gt; 00:11:42.300 Charles Humphrey III: So, like.</p><p>00:11:48.270 –&gt; 00:11:52.380 Joseph McElroy: yeah go ahead so, is it is your internal nickname for yourself beast.</p><p>00:11:53.400 –&gt; 00:11:56.010 Charles Humphrey III: um yeah my girlfriend calls me beast but.</p><p>00:11:57.360 –&gt; 00:11:58.680 Charles Humphrey III: that’s tmr not.</p><p>00:11:58.980 –&gt; 00:12:01.620 Joseph McElroy: Well, that can be really good or that can be really bad.</p><p>00:12:05.190 –&gt; 00:12:09.540 Joseph McElroy: I would take it, I would take it with the best out of Asia, you can imagine.</p><p>00:12:12.330 –&gt; 00:12:12.840 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:12:14.610 –&gt; 00:12:15.210 Joseph McElroy: Imagine.</p><p>00:12:16.530 –&gt; 00:12:26.700 Joseph McElroy: You know that there’s that you mentioned that you know there’s a passion there what other similarities between your two careers as a musician and fly fisherman do you find.</p><p>00:12:28.860 –&gt; 00:12:30.660 Charles Humphrey III: They both take up a lot of time honestly.</p><p>00:12:34.170 –&gt; 00:12:41.880 Charles Humphrey III: yeah you know you’re fishing all day every day to prepare for the next trip and always gaining more knowledge or you’re out on the road touring and.</p><p>00:12:42.330 –&gt; 00:12:51.210 Charles Humphrey III: Also at home, you know we do a lot of co-writing virtually through songwriting sessions and whatnot but it’s just such a blessing to be able to.</p><p>00:12:51.990 –&gt; 00:13:05.700 Charles Humphrey III: to educate people on both and do it right here in Western North Carolina at the Meadowlark, it is an absolutely wonderful location, I spent a lot of time there this winter chaperoning kids on a ski trip, as they go to Cataloochee every week so.</p><p>00:13:05.700 –&gt; 00:13:13.920 Charles Humphrey III: So I’m just driving by every day couldn’t wait to get in there for these events, and I hope we have a great crowd of people that will come and join us.</p><p>00:13:14.160 –&gt; 00:13:16.020 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’ll be great I think so.</p><p>00:13:17.040 –&gt; 00:13:25.350 Joseph McElroy: So you have we’re gonna you know, right now, we got to take a break, but we’ll talk more about your guide sentence service when we get back alright.</p><p>00:13:25.860 –&gt; 00:13:27.570 Charles Humphrey III: sounds good, Joseph Thank you cool.</p><p>00:15:44.160 –&gt; 00:15:51.930 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Charles Humphrey III.</p><p>00:15:52.530 –&gt; 00:16:04.140 Joseph McElroy: So Charles you know I am I had one heck of a day, I have to tell you that hey some construction crew knocked out the Internet here than some reason to sell your service muscle Turkey.</p><p>00:16:05.130 –&gt; 00:16:11.250 Joseph McElroy: So I’ve just actually just got back in the saddle this about a half-hour before we come on the show so.</p><p>00:16:11.520 –&gt; 00:16:13.170 Charles Humphrey III: that’s a small miracle that we’re even.</p><p>00:16:13.170 –&gt; 00:16:13.740 Charles Humphrey III: Talking right.</p><p>00:16:13.800 –&gt; 00:16:17.100 Joseph McElroy: it’s a small miracle, and I grabbed myself a beer and it turns out it’s a.</p><p>00:16:17.310 –&gt; 00:16:20.340 Joseph McElroy: 10% beer, I was trying to show you so if I.</p><p>00:16:23.940 –&gt; 00:16:24.960 Charles Humphrey III: Get pretty interesting.</p><p>00:16:27.150 –&gt; 00:16:29.070 Joseph McElroy: At the end here, you guys will know why.</p><p>00:16:30.540 –&gt; 00:16:32.700 Charles Humphrey III: I’ve got some coffee here.</p><p>00:16:33.090 –&gt; 00:16:33.420 Charles Humphrey III: All right.</p><p>00:16:34.800 –&gt; 00:16:35.790 Joseph McElroy: Good over there.</p><p>00:16:37.170 –&gt; 00:16:40.740 Charles Humphrey III: Datsun fishing company there that’s my red drum coffee mug.</p><p>00:16:41.160 –&gt; 00:16:42.240 Charles Humphrey III: Alright cool.</p><p>00:16:42.720 –&gt; 00:16:47.610 Joseph McElroy: You gotta get yourself our the new Meadowlark coffee mugs have you seen them.</p><p>00:16:48.570 –&gt; 00:16:52.860 Charles Humphrey III: I’ll come down pick one up I’d love to have a Meadowlark coffee mug.</p><p>00:16:53.010 –&gt; 00:16:56.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s a tin cup and on the outside it says, this could be moonshine.</p><p>00:16:58.380 –&gt; 00:16:59.040 Charles Humphrey III: that’s perfect.</p><p>00:17:03.000 –&gt; 00:17:12.960 Joseph McElroy: that’s a perfect one, so so you create this new guide service you’ve been guided for a couple of years but so you created this new one, what was the impetus for that.</p><p>00:17:13.560 –&gt; 00:17:18.840 Charles Humphrey III: yeah well it’s just it’s so time-consuming I know it’s something I’m going to do for the rest of my life, and I just wanted.</p><p>00:17:19.320 –&gt; 00:17:28.350 Charles Humphrey III: To be putting all my effort into a brand that I knew was going to last and, just like the music stuff and then running stuff I like to be able to express myself creatively and.</p><p>00:17:29.310 –&gt; 00:17:40.680 Charles Humphrey III: It just made sense and I’ve got I’m lucky and blessed have a lot of good friends and a great team of anglers that I’m working with and everything kind of fell into place but it’s a lot of work, just like anything else you know.</p><p>00:17:41.460 –&gt; 00:17:54.570 Charles Humphrey III: Music or anything like that you can be talented artists but you’ve also got to know how to run the business side of it and luckily I had some experience with that, as well as you know, I hear you are now on social media promoting events it’s a lot of work.</p><p>00:17:55.320 –&gt; 00:18:09.840 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’s a constant thing you know I’m a yeah there you have to get yourself one of these programs that lets you aggregate all your social media and then you start playing the deck you know where I’m going to throw things out all the time it’s.</p><p>00:18:10.710 –&gt; 00:18:14.280 Joseph McElroy: The whole social promotion is incredibly important.</p><p>00:18:14.790 –&gt; 00:18:16.650 Charles Humphrey III: we’re really fired up about this.</p><p>00:18:16.890 –&gt; 00:18:22.620 Charles Humphrey III: Fishing event, though some of the guys that will have on staff or Doug Mchaleby from mountain fly anglers.</p><p>00:18:23.220 –&gt; 00:18:31.290 Charles Humphrey III: Miles Perry who works with the Beast coast anglers Zach Phillips is an interesting gentleman he owned a flower shop for a long time in Atlanta Georgia.</p><p>00:18:31.680 –&gt; 00:18:43.950 Charles Humphrey III: And is located in hot springs North Carolina but he’s flown all around the country to tie flies Miles Perry is also a master tie flyer flat tire, and so I think I’ve got those.</p><p>00:18:44.370 –&gt; 00:18:52.410 Charles Humphrey III: guys talked into it well at least one out of two of them know about it, but I think we’re going to incorporate some fly tying events as well, while they’re there we’ll put them to work.</p><p>00:18:52.980 –&gt; 00:18:54.780 Charles Humphrey III: On Friday night or Saturday, they.</p><p>00:18:55.770 –&gt; 00:19:05.280 Charles Humphrey III: demonstrations and we can get the people that are there involved and let them have some their own flaws, who knows, they may even be able to tie their own fly and then go out and catch a fish on that day.</p><p>00:19:05.340 –&gt; 00:19:06.480 Joseph McElroy: Well there’s a whole.</p><p>00:19:07.500 –&gt; 00:19:10.170 Joseph McElroy: there’s whole mythology about fly tying is it there.</p><p>00:19:11.430 –&gt; 00:19:13.620 Charles Humphrey III: it’s like me tell me.</p><p>00:19:14.100 –&gt; 00:19:24.090 Joseph McElroy: yeah I mean it’s like no it’s like what is the appropriate tie fly for their appropriate time of year, and you know what is the.</p><p>00:19:24.270 –&gt; 00:19:25.170 Charles Humphrey III: yeah well yeah.</p><p>00:19:25.230 –&gt; 00:19:28.530 Joseph McElroy: really wants and what is it for you know.</p><p>00:19:28.620 –&gt; 00:19:40.710 Charles Humphrey III: Action the hatch matching the hatch that’s a big thing to me there’s two kinds of flies and two kinds of people that are time flies there are flies that catch fish and there are flies that catch fish and fishermen.</p><p>00:19:41.310 –&gt; 00:19:41.790 yeah.</p><p>00:19:43.110 –&gt; 00:19:48.870 Charles Humphrey III: These two guys here, they can catch the fly as a top catch fish and fishermen, because they’re.</p><p>00:19:48.960 –&gt; 00:19:59.910 Charles Humphrey III: So good and look so cool like little pieces of art, I tie flies mind just catch fish they don’t catch fisherman, as well as these other two guys these guys are top-notch in the industry.</p><p>00:20:00.420 –&gt; 00:20:13.140 Joseph McElroy: I know some guys that I know you know I went to a couple of things and I know at least one guy that he actually doesn’t fish anymore, he just ties flies his whole passion became about the flies.</p><p>00:20:13.380 –&gt; 00:20:18.450 Charles Humphrey III: Man there I’m just watching the stuff that’s out there on social media and these people.</p><p>00:20:19.110 –&gt; 00:20:32.580 Charles Humphrey III: I’ve got these cameras that capture all the intricacies of it and just the time and the thought and the pieces of natural feathers, and for that go into making these things is unbelievable it truly is an art.</p><p>00:20:33.330 –&gt; 00:20:39.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I mean I you know I I you know it’s like Well, first of all, my fingers are so big guys like I yeah.</p><p>00:20:41.250 –&gt; 00:20:44.670 Joseph McElroy: I will let you guys do it, I tried I couldn’t even time my girls my.</p><p>00:20:44.790 –&gt; 00:20:47.820 Joseph McElroy: daughter’s my daughter’s ballet shoes.</p><p>00:20:49.740 –&gt; 00:20:51.150 Charles Humphrey III: Barely get the worm on the hook.</p><p>00:20:54.060 –&gt; 00:21:00.750 Joseph McElroy: Yes, I mean I need somebody to do all that for me and I’ll throw it in catch it, I know I imagine you’ve had some great.</p><p>00:21:02.640 –&gt; 00:21:10.200 Joseph McElroy: memorable experiences guiding what is something that is a really experiential learning experience that you’ve had.</p><p>00:21:10.500 –&gt; 00:21:11.760 Charles Humphrey III: I love.</p><p>00:21:12.120 –&gt; 00:21:25.500 Charles Humphrey III: I love seeing a beginner really dial in their skills and the first time that they catch a fish on the fly that’s a big deal, you know they just are related they’re just so happy to see that enjoyment on their faces really, really warms your heart.</p><p>00:21:25.860 –&gt; 00:21:30.030 Charles Humphrey III: And we do work with a lot of again there’s a lot of first-timers or when you see somebody out there.</p><p>00:21:30.330 –&gt; 00:21:43.830 Charles Humphrey III: And then maybe they’re an accomplished angler but then they catch a personal best PV, as they say, the biggest rainbow brown are broke they’ve ever caught and they reach a new goal in their fishing career and you’ve helped them get there that’s rewarding as well.</p><p>00:21:44.190 –&gt; 00:21:44.580 Charles Humphrey III: and</p><p>00:21:45.150 –&gt; 00:21:56.520 Charles Humphrey III: we’ve had some crazy stuff happen just last week, I was with the client and the fish broke them off and he was like oh man, that was a big, big fish were ever seen, and then the next cast.</p><p>00:21:57.750 –&gt; 00:22:00.300 Charles Humphrey III: I was giving them a demonstration and I hooked.</p><p>00:22:01.380 –&gt; 00:22:17.100 Charles Humphrey III: A fish but actually when it happened as a hook, the hook, one of the hooks that were on his fish that he broke off, so this fish had a fly in its mouth barbarous granted another fly that was barbarous and with my bar let’s fly I took his barbarous fly.</p><p>00:22:17.580 –&gt; 00:22:27.510 Charles Humphrey III: pull the rig the fish and just to barbarous flies holding on, and then we actually sell the myth his fish was not that big I mean it was pretty big.</p><p>00:22:29.160 –&gt; 00:22:29.520 Charles Humphrey III: Maybe.</p><p>00:22:29.550 –&gt; 00:22:31.590 Charles Humphrey III: 18 inches but it wasn’t 30.</p><p>00:22:31.950 –&gt; 00:22:34.710 Charles Humphrey III: The fact that we were able to get that fish in.</p><p>00:22:35.040 –&gt; 00:22:43.170 Charles Humphrey III: Get the hook out of his mouth and the fact we got it I’m just crazy stuff you never know what’s gonna happen that was just a recent example of something totally weird that happened.</p><p>00:22:43.590 –&gt; 00:22:51.390 Joseph McElroy: Oh man, you know I grew up not too far from Maggie part of my you know my youth and I, you know, end up in the middle school in Maggie.</p><p>00:22:51.810 –&gt; 00:23:07.260 Joseph McElroy: But before that, it was a box run and we had a pond out there right, and I would go fishing pond because I was like 6 7 8 years old, I didn’t have to do, river fishing, yet I go that pond and I, you know I’d take one of those wire things to hold the fish on right.</p><p>00:23:07.800 –&gt; 00:23:18.030 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah a little hook, so I caught a fish and put it on my hat on that wire thing, but I didn’t hook it up well and the fish got off and took that wire thing with it right.</p><p>00:23:18.240 –&gt; 00:23:18.840 Charles Humphrey III: Oh no.</p><p>00:23:19.200 –&gt; 00:23:25.020 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah but a couple of months later, I was back fishing there and I caught that fish again and he still had the wire thing.</p><p>00:23:27.360 –&gt; 00:23:29.820 Charles Humphrey III: wow he’s still live that whole time that’s.</p><p>00:23:30.540 –&gt; 00:23:34.560 Joseph McElroy: All the time oh yeah I don’t know how much longer you live, but he was still there.</p><p>00:23:35.190 –&gt; 00:23:43.410 Joseph McElroy: So you know I I think it’s great that you love teaching beginners because you know the middle is.</p><p>00:23:44.010 –&gt; 00:23:57.360 Joseph McElroy: Now that mountain trout that mountain heritage streaming the back is perfect for beginners and it’s for people that are readers will be experienced, because I mean we’ve had some great fishnet there you know I caught a 28 inch or one South back there when I was growing up.</p><p>00:23:57.900 –&gt; 00:24:06.720 Charles Humphrey III: Jonathan creek it’s a great creek you know and it’s managed just select the rest of in North Carolina we have great great great fisheries thousands of miles.</p><p>00:24:07.200 –&gt; 00:24:13.020 Charles Humphrey III: Of managed rivers and it’s a testament to the North Carolina you know.</p><p>00:24:13.590 –&gt; 00:24:30.030 Charles Humphrey III: wildlife people that do that provide those fisheries and maintain those fisheries and trout unlimited and organizations like that it truly is a destination world-class destination for people to come and visit and take in the smokies and fish it’s a great fishery really is.</p><p>00:24:30.570 –&gt; 00:24:39.480 Joseph McElroy: So what are some of the, what are the some of the best streams deficient to Haywood County in the area and we’re might you take some people I’m going to officially can.</p><p>00:24:40.620 –&gt; 00:24:49.380 Charles Humphrey III: See well you like you said you’ve got Jonathan Creek right there on the hotel we’re close both close to the east and the west fork of the.</p><p>00:24:49.950 –&gt; 00:24:58.500 Charles Humphrey III: pigeon river, you know Cherokee is not too far away they’ve got several rivers there that are maintained by their own fishery.</p><p>00:24:59.010 –&gt; 00:25:08.910 Charles Humphrey III: it’ll depend on the weather conditions, honestly, and what’s fishing the best because we want to take our clients to an area.</p><p>00:25:09.330 –&gt; 00:25:19.980 Charles Humphrey III: Where they can reach their goals and so we’ll see what the water temperatures are the water clarity and things like that and kind of tailor it for that week that we can and put them in a place with think will be most productive.</p><p>00:25:20.460 –&gt; 00:25:26.760 Joseph McElroy: cool that’s a good idea, so what is a typical trip like to one of these Creeks?</p><p>00:25:27.840 –&gt; 00:25:41.520 Charles Humphrey III: Well, we do half-day and full-day trips, either on a boat or about Wade I think we’ll be doing some Wade fishing with our groups here in the camp and will be teaching a technique called tight line fishing where you’re basically.</p><p>00:25:44.130 –&gt; 00:25:51.510 Charles Humphrey III: Putting the poll out and keeping the line tight and waiting for the fish to hit and but will also be doing some dry fly techniques dreamer and indicator fishing.</p><p>00:25:51.810 –&gt; 00:26:02.010 Charles Humphrey III: And you go out and you, you do a little preparation, you know get your boots and waiters on tell them how everything set up tell them how to set the hook, how to.</p><p>00:26:02.490 –&gt; 00:26:09.810 Charles Humphrey III: Set the hook on swing out to keep pressure on the Rod and the line wants the fish hits how to get head control and.</p><p>00:26:10.230 –&gt; 00:26:19.530 Charles Humphrey III: Keep that fish from getting away from me and then ultimately how to position the Rod, in order to get that fish to the Net and then we’ll teach him how to handle the fish and do a healthy release.</p><p>00:26:20.040 –&gt; 00:26:33.060 Charles Humphrey III: And let them put all that into practice to where it becomes second nature for them because they need that experience a lot of times you can tell somebody how to do something, but at the moment when that fish gets all in there, so excited everything you’ve told him it’s gone.</p><p>00:26:34.140 –&gt; 00:26:35.100 Charles Humphrey III: window there like.</p><p>00:26:36.420 –&gt; 00:26:50.820 Charles Humphrey III: I said we’re going to get past that point, give them some actual hands-on experience in coaching so they’ll have some skills to go forward and we like to teach people enough educated enough to where they can go out have all the skills they need to go out and do it on their own.</p><p>00:26:51.540 –&gt; 00:26:54.510 Joseph McElroy: Now, will they need to bring their own waiters and boots or whatever, will you.</p><p>00:26:54.750 –&gt; 00:26:55.170 Charles Humphrey III: will be.</p><p>00:26:55.440 –&gt; 00:27:03.210 Charles Humphrey III: will be providing all the gear all the waiters the boots the rods the flies and everything so they just need to show up and smile on the face.</p><p>00:27:03.630 –&gt; 00:27:06.450 Joseph McElroy: All right, that’s all we need alright cool sounds good.</p><p>00:27:07.860 –&gt; 00:27:14.970 Joseph McElroy: And then, then come back afterward and either do a little bit more efficiently in the Jonathan creek which I’m sure you’ll be around the.</p><p>00:27:16.200 –&gt; 00:27:16.950 Joseph McElroy: advice and.</p><p>00:27:17.700 –&gt; 00:27:20.460 Charles Humphrey III: The hangout will have all the boys hanging out, we got a good crew half the.</p><p>00:27:20.460 –&gt; 00:27:31.020 Charles Humphrey III: People that I fished with are all musicians too so maybe we can get them over to the speakeasy around the campfire to get out their guitars and who knows what’s gonna happen it’s gonna be fun.</p><p>00:27:31.560 –&gt; 00:27:45.480 Joseph McElroy: yeah we got several options, now we got to speakeasy In case it’s not whether it’s not that Nice and then if it’s Nice we got the pavilion with a fireplace on the stage, and then we got fire fire fire pits all over the place so that that’ll be a.</p><p>00:27:45.510 –&gt; 00:27:45.900 Joseph McElroy: blast.</p><p>00:27:45.930 –&gt; 00:27:46.380 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:27:46.710 –&gt; 00:27:56.730 Charles Humphrey III: I got members of red clay revival and caribou collective and songs from the road band, and I mean you know and Maggie valley you can’t throw a rock without hitting a banjo picker one will probably show up.</p><p>00:27:58.560 –&gt; 00:28:04.170 Joseph McElroy: Well, that sounds like a blast man so we’re going to take a break here, and then we’ll come back talk a little bit more about your music.</p><p>00:28:04.290 –&gt; 00:28:05.790 Charles Humphrey III: Alright sounds good, Joseph Thank you.</p><p>00:30:11.910 –&gt; 00:30:30.840 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Charles Humphrey III, Charles you know you, besides being one of the top fishermen and wet and North Carolina you also happened to be something of a musician.</p><p>00:30:32.340 –&gt; 00:30:38.700 Joseph McElroy: And you know you actually well known for writing music So is there a is there.</p><p>00:30:39.900 –&gt; 00:30:49.740 Joseph McElroy: Is there something about fishing and writing music that has a similarity patient or something that that that you find.</p><p>00:30:50.520 –&gt; 00:30:51.060 Charles Humphrey III: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:30:52.170 –&gt; 00:30:56.070 Charles Humphrey III: Oh yeah, I think, at least in my case, they both take a lot of luck.</p><p>00:30:57.240 –&gt; 00:30:57.690 Oh, really.</p><p>00:31:01.800 –&gt; 00:31:06.690 Charles Humphrey III: he’s kind of thrown it out there into the world and you’re hoping to finish go to come up.</p><p>00:31:09.870 –&gt; 00:31:20.190 Joseph McElroy: With a great entrepreneur or anything it’s like you gotta be prepared you gotta have the skills, but then you really waiting for that moment of luck and you’re ready for it.</p><p>00:31:20.250 –&gt; 00:31:23.730 Charles Humphrey III: Right it’s a lot better to be lucky than good I’ll tell you that.</p><p>00:31:25.230 –&gt; 00:31:25.320 Joseph McElroy: I.</p><p>00:31:25.740 –&gt; 00:31:27.240 Charles Humphrey III: just found out recently.</p><p>00:31:28.560 –&gt; 00:31:35.910 Charles Humphrey III: Willie Nelson’s gonna be having a birthday on April 28 and a song that I wrote it’s going to be on this new album were released a new album oh fabulous.</p><p>00:31:36.480 –&gt; 00:31:50.370 Charles Humphrey III: And you know that was pretty lucky, as I was, as a co-write with the great Sean camp and about two years ago, I was over at his house in Nashville and he and he said, you know anything about gambling, I said oh man you’re talking to the right guy.</p><p>00:31:51.750 –&gt; 00:31:54.390 Charles Humphrey III: I’ve got a lot of experience at losing money.</p><p>00:31:55.530 –&gt; 00:31:55.980 Joseph McElroy: he’s like.</p><p>00:31:56.370 –&gt; 00:32:02.700 Charles Humphrey III: I don’t gamble I don’t know anything about it, but we gotta write this song about gambling Willie Nelson’s got an album coming out and I get.</p><p>00:32:02.970 –&gt; 00:32:08.160 Charles Humphrey III: So we sat there and we wrote that song and he sent it over to the producer that night I was over, at my friend’s house girl out.</p><p>00:32:08.580 –&gt; 00:32:19.170 Charles Humphrey III: Shannon can’t come back soon oh man you’re not gonna believe this producer loves the song he’s going to send it Willie calls you back when he heard it he loves it and then two years later it’s on a record so.</p><p>00:32:19.230 –&gt; 00:32:20.670 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s fabulous well.</p><p>00:32:20.670 –&gt; 00:32:25.230 Joseph McElroy: done you’re done Archie Archie done now can’t you just sit back and collect.</p><p>00:32:27.000 –&gt; 00:32:34.080 Charles Humphrey III: I don’t think it works that way anymore, with all the streaming, but it is you know he’s always been a hero of mine so it’s.</p><p>00:32:34.350 –&gt; 00:32:36.540 Charles Humphrey III: Not I don’t know what to say it’s cute.</p><p>00:32:37.830 –&gt; 00:32:39.660 Charles Humphrey III: and very, very lucky but.</p><p>00:32:40.230 –&gt; 00:32:42.750 Joseph McElroy: Have you been to one of his backstage parties.</p><p>00:32:43.590 –&gt; 00:32:52.380 Charles Humphrey III: know I haven’t Sean Sean I spent a lot of time with him playing on his records that were kind of the basis of this song he had been in Hawaii at a poker game.</p><p>00:32:52.920 –&gt; 00:32:58.830 Charles Humphrey III: Willie nelson’s house and he’s got a little place back there called Django Django Django is an orchid lounge and.</p><p>00:32:59.430 –&gt; 00:33:10.890 Charles Humphrey III: I think Sean was sitting there with Willie Nelson and there are some other fellows there Woody Harrelson and some people and they’re shooting tequila and telling jokes and lies and Sean I just kind of wrote about that whole night and put it in a song.</p><p>00:33:12.180 –&gt; 00:33:14.400 Charles Humphrey III: ended up liking it all right, I guess.</p><p>00:33:14.580 –&gt; 00:33:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know my wife is a, besides being a great mother and wife and she also happens to be Brazilian percussionist that has had some success, she was.</p><p>00:33:25.410 –&gt; 00:33:33.180 Joseph McElroy: She was a travel agency actually does travel for that what’s that harmonica player that’s pretty famous that works with Willie I forget his name I’m sorry.</p><p>00:33:33.240 –&gt; 00:33:34.920 Charles Humphrey III: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:33:35.160 –&gt; 00:33:47.550 Joseph McElroy: yeah so she does his travel and she’s gotten invited backstage to couple willie’s concerts and those parties sound like something to behold man.</p><p>00:33:48.630 –&gt; 00:33:50.610 Charles Humphrey III: Man that is so cool.</p><p>00:33:52.920 –&gt; 00:33:54.810 Joseph McElroy: it’s like I want to go to those parties.</p><p>00:33:56.070 –&gt; 00:33:57.750 Joseph McElroy: what’s cool so um.</p><p>00:33:58.230 –&gt; 00:34:01.170 Charles Humphrey III: So you Mickey Rafi LLC you’re thinking about.</p><p>00:34:01.230 –&gt; 00:34:15.390 Joseph McElroy: that’s right yeah so you had a successful career, you with the steep Canyon Rangers and then you decided to follow your own path, which I think is really stimulates your creativity, was that a difficult decision for you to move on.</p><p>00:34:16.560 –&gt; 00:34:27.270 Charles Humphrey III: It was, it was a natural progression and where we’re working on our six-album now getting ready to head down to Florida this month for a couple of big festivals got the Sewanee Springer Union.</p><p>00:34:27.600 –&gt; 00:34:37.200 Charles Humphrey III: And the EMS spring bluegrass festival, and that the whole year starting to fill up it’s nice because the last two years before that we’re all affected with.</p><p>00:34:37.680 –&gt; 00:34:44.190 Charles Humphrey III: pandemic concerns and seems like things are getting back to a little bit more normal, which is great to be making music with my buddies.</p><p>00:34:44.580 –&gt; 00:34:47.190 Joseph McElroy: cool, this is the song from Rhode’s band right.</p><p>00:34:47.580 –&gt; 00:35:03.210 Charles Humphrey III: Yes, Sir songs on the road band all the guys are based here, out of Asheville North Carolina and we were very grateful to be able to do what we do we’ve had some songs on the charts we’ve got one that’s number two on the bluegrass grass khana chart this week and.</p><p>00:35:04.290 –&gt; 00:35:18.000 Charles Humphrey III: You can hear some serious XM bluegrass junction or your favorite local radio station, or would like to tell people on Spotify if you’re about to go to sleep just put on songs from the road band and just let it spin while you sleep let’s rack up those place.</p><p>00:35:18.450 –&gt; 00:35:19.860 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:35:21.750 –&gt; 00:35:33.870 Joseph McElroy: Well, I hope to get hope to besides just the songwriting camp, we can get you out there, doing playing at the Meadowlark, you know we have a nice old-style dance Hall, you know really sort of place to do a little bit of music.</p><p>00:35:34.440 –&gt; 00:35:36.690 Charles Humphrey III: I would absolutely love to do that Joseph.</p><p>00:35:36.690 –&gt; 00:35:45.480 Joseph McElroy: Fair so so let’s talk about what you guys are wanting to do you were talking about doing a songwriter cramping an August, like.</p><p>00:35:46.080 –&gt; 00:35:46.260 it’s.</p><p>00:35:47.460 –&gt; 00:36:05.250 Charles Humphrey III: it’s going to happen it’s going to be a world-class event again it’s just such an honor to work with you and Bob and your love of the heritage of the area and traditions we’ve got a great event lined up I think we’re going to announce it soon it will be there with Jim Lauderdale.</p><p>00:36:05.940 –&gt; 00:36:06.900 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my God yeah it’s.</p><p>00:36:06.960 –&gt; 00:36:14.370 Charles Humphrey III: Art is just a legend he’s almost like a national treasure absolutely loves is picking his writing and singing.</p><p>00:36:15.120 –&gt; 00:36:22.080 Charles Humphrey III: we’re going to have Clay Mills who’s written number one country songs he works with song town the USA based out of Nashville Tennessee.</p><p>00:36:22.470 –&gt; 00:36:30.990 Charles Humphrey III: He knows the industry inside and out from creating the pitching to demoing so he’s going to be a huge asset to have on board.</p><p>00:36:31.770 –&gt; 00:36:36.870 Charles Humphrey III: we’re going to have Darren Nicholson from awesome range who’s an amazing singer and songwriter he’s had.</p><p>00:36:37.350 –&gt; 00:36:47.640 Charles Humphrey III: A lot of success throughout the years we co-wrote one last year that went up to number one entitled lonesome is the price up flat pay on all bluegrass charts.</p><p>00:36:47.970 –&gt; 00:36:59.820 Charles Humphrey III: And then we’re gonna have Charlie Chan Chamberlain who’s a musician and a producer in Nashville and he’s gonna be bringing a portable studio so the people at the camp, not only are they going to get to learn about how to create and how to pitch.</p><p>00:37:00.930 –&gt; 00:37:10.200 Charles Humphrey III: they’re going to hopefully get to go away with a work tape or a DEMO of something they’ve created and see what it’s like to be in front of the microphones and pitched artists as well, so it’s really.</p><p>00:37:10.650 –&gt; 00:37:22.050 Charles Humphrey III: going to be an all-inclusive writers camp, not only are we going to talk about different ways to create music and arrange songs and write songs but we’re going to talk about the industry, how do you get songs to other people.</p><p>00:37:22.380 –&gt; 00:37:36.420 Charles Humphrey III: And then kind of give you a process of how to record, something that could go on to land and another artist, or perhaps your artists, but it’s going to be a great event and we’ve got a world-class lineup so something really.</p><p>00:37:36.420 –&gt; 00:37:41.040 Joseph McElroy: and it’s also awesome I mean I don’t know if you know that.</p><p>00:37:41.940 –&gt; 00:37:52.560 Joseph McElroy: I know, besides being a businessman, and having a technical background I started doing art in the 90s, and I have a real passion for artists all right and.</p><p>00:37:53.220 –&gt; 00:38:03.630 Joseph McElroy: You know the Meadowlark is about allowing artists and especially heritage artists to you know to sign and evolve.</p><p>00:38:04.260 –&gt; 00:38:14.610 Joseph McElroy: Their mediums, right, to really you know you know, I believe that you know a lot of people try to you know petrified things and sort of like the past.</p><p>00:38:15.120 –&gt; 00:38:30.210 Joseph McElroy: And I think that bluegrass and all the art forms that we have in this mountain heritage are able to blossom even further and bigger than what they are, and I really think that you’re one of those guys just doing that.</p><p>00:38:31.170 –&gt; 00:38:38.610 Charles Humphrey III: Well, you know it’s people that support the arts and make it possible, and there’s no better place to do it than meadowlark I agree it’s a special spot.</p><p>00:38:39.270 –&gt; 00:38:40.920 Joseph McElroy: cool so.</p><p>00:38:42.240 –&gt; 00:38:47.940 Joseph McElroy: So, how did you help you know Darren’s been at our place a couple of times, what do you know Darren.</p><p>00:38:48.990 –&gt; 00:38:56.880 Charles Humphrey III: Darren and I met in the bluegrass world you know, the first time we really got to know each other, I believe we were up in Yukon Territory and Alaska.</p><p>00:38:57.690 –&gt; 00:39:08.880 Charles Humphrey III: And we had to ride in the back of a van to cross the border together and he was playing with Alicia Nugent at the time, and we did some picking and then he got on with balsam range.</p><p>00:39:09.630 –&gt; 00:39:19.320 Charles Humphrey III: And we’ve just always kind of known each other, and I said Darren I really, really like to write with you, I know you’re a hell of a musician and I love your singing.</p><p>00:39:19.830 –&gt; 00:39:34.890 Charles Humphrey III: And we wrote a song, I think the first song we wrote was one called any highway we both ended up recording it Darren Nicholson band and songs and road band, and then we went through the pandemic we wrote tons and tons of songs he’s got a new EP out called the man on a mission Darren Nicholson.</p><p>00:39:34.950 –&gt; 00:39:43.080 Joseph McElroy: man on the moon oh I love that are you know that I just had that album recently, he was on the show and I love that out.</p><p>00:39:43.320 –&gt; 00:39:45.720 Charles Humphrey III: All right, we wrote about four songs on that.</p><p>00:39:45.750 –&gt; 00:39:54.000 Charles Humphrey III: we’ve got some that have made it to other bands as well, so you meet people sometimes where you just mesh were each other.</p><p>00:39:54.390 –&gt; 00:40:04.080 Charles Humphrey III: talents or personalities compliment each other and that’s kind of what Darren and I found where we get together and it’s just fun it’s natural it’s quick, we always get something.</p><p>00:40:04.440 –&gt; 00:40:13.500 Charles Humphrey III: That we’re proud of, we trust each other’s opinions and so it’s been an honor to work with him and he’s a great talent and so.</p><p>00:40:13.920 –&gt; 00:40:25.170 Charles Humphrey III: it’s really the songwriting that has brought our friendship closer than anything else, after knowing each other for 20 years in the past two years from getting together to write songs together is how we really become.</p><p>00:40:25.410 –&gt; 00:40:27.720 Joseph McElroy: Close we, I mean you had songs on there that went.</p><p>00:40:27.720 –&gt; 00:40:31.530 Joseph McElroy: flight from a bluegrass rift into southern rock and roll song.</p><p>00:40:32.160 –&gt; 00:40:33.060 Charles Humphrey III: I mean oh yeah.</p><p>00:40:33.330 –&gt; 00:40:37.440 Charles Humphrey III: I think he was a man on a mission I think his mission was to rock that’s.</p><p>00:40:38.520 –&gt; 00:40:40.920 Charles Humphrey III: Pretty cool album oh yeah man he.</p><p>00:40:40.920 –&gt; 00:40:41.730 Charles Humphrey III: doesn’t either.</p><p>00:40:41.970 –&gt; 00:40:52.680 Charles Humphrey III: It was so neat to see those songs come from an idea to a full-on Rockin EP he did a great job everybody’s got to check it out man on a mission Darren Nicholson</p><p>00:40:52.680 –&gt; 00:40:57.900 Joseph McElroy: so this is going to be a great lineup for the songwriter can I can tell you that and new.</p><p>00:40:58.710 –&gt; 00:41:03.480 Charles Humphrey III: I mean we’ve got songs from the road band performing on Friday night.</p><p>00:41:03.840 –&gt; 00:41:05.250 Joseph McElroy: All right, fabulous and then.</p><p>00:41:05.250 –&gt; 00:41:05.760 Charles Humphrey III: You got.</p><p>00:41:06.210 –&gt; 00:41:21.780 Charles Humphrey III: As the people check-in and so actually that ban which I’m in will be performing songs that have been co-written with every single person that’s there so we’ll be able to discuss that and see how that works as well it’s going to be a unique blend of musical ideas.</p><p>00:41:22.320 –&gt; 00:41:30.330 Joseph McElroy: oh I know Jim Lauderdale it’s like we said 30 or more albums and yeah I think he’s like the grandfather of this right yeah.</p><p>00:41:30.360 –&gt; 00:41:32.970 Charles Humphrey III: it’s close to 40 Jim is awesome and.</p><p>00:41:33.300 –&gt; 00:41:34.830 Charles Humphrey III: we’ve been backing him up for.</p><p>00:41:34.830 –&gt; 00:41:43.770 Charles Humphrey III: About two years now doing a lot of shows on this bluegrass stuff we’ve had some great opportunities to perform at some festivals like merle fast and things like that he’s.</p><p>00:41:44.790 –&gt; 00:41:46.410 Charles Humphrey III: What can you say he’s Jim Lauderdale.</p><p>00:41:48.210 –&gt; 00:41:50.370 Joseph McElroy: What can you say you know there’s not much.</p><p>00:41:52.020 –&gt; 00:41:53.130 Joseph McElroy: So um.</p><p>00:41:54.540 –&gt; 00:41:55.920 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve.</p><p>00:41:57.300 –&gt; 00:42:01.260 Joseph McElroy: So lets we’re about to.</p><p>00:42:03.090 –&gt; 00:42:12.300 Joseph McElroy: launch on to a whole bunch of other things, who are some other folks famous folks you’ve worked with that are who’s on your bucket list that you would like to work with.</p><p>00:42:14.850 –&gt; 00:42:22.590 Charles Humphrey III: let’s see that’s a good question see my brains work and I’m efficient all day well like I said, working with Sean Camp and Jim Lauderdale or pleasure Darren.</p><p>00:42:22.980 –&gt; 00:42:33.750 Charles Humphrey III: Nicholson there’s an interesting guy from Charlotte his name is Josh Daniel and during the pandemic, he played a two-hour show every single day for 365 days.</p><p>00:42:35.100 –&gt; 00:42:46.170 Charles Humphrey III: yeah it was amazing he plays kind of like grateful dead inspired jam band music, he must know 1000 songs I was like josh man you’ve got a similar Darren’s like when we’ve got a ride I love your plan I love your singing.</p><p>00:42:46.590 –&gt; 00:42:53.910 Charles Humphrey III: And so we’ve written a lot together, and I say that’s somebody that you need to check out if you haven’t heard of him he’s really going places name’s Josh Daniel.</p><p>00:42:55.260 –&gt; 00:43:03.180 Charles Humphrey III: I just saw her coming up on a radio break but there’s a long list of people Becky Worn in Nashville Sarah Siskin that lives in.</p><p>00:43:03.540 –&gt; 00:43:09.570 Charles Humphrey III: North Carolina Britain has a lot of stuff with her Charlie Chamberlain and, of course, he will be at the songwriters camp.</p><p>00:43:10.560 –&gt; 00:43:18.690 Charles Humphrey III: Marty Dotson’s another name he’s the other half of song town the USA in Nashville Tennessee a great writer he’s written for everyone and he’s written a lot of.</p><p>00:43:19.080 –&gt; 00:43:27.330 Charles Humphrey III: My favorite songs that we’ve created and been able to record songs from the Rodin Mason Via who just recently joined oh crow medicine show I write a lot with him.</p><p>00:43:27.690 –&gt; 00:43:32.250 Charles Humphrey III: He is a young fireball of a musician who can do it all right big dancing.</p><p>00:43:33.120 –&gt; 00:43:40.800 Charles Humphrey III: Nick Dolphin a place to Larry Stephenson he and I haven’t written a whole lot recently he’s just a talent, to the list goes on and on, Joe.</p><p>00:43:41.100 –&gt; 00:43:48.690 Charles Humphrey III: So many great people to work within western North Carolina and you know with the Internet to kind of opens up the boundaries, where you don’t have to be in the same room.</p><p>00:43:49.890 –&gt; 00:43:56.910 Joseph McElroy: But cool we’re gonna take a break as you mentioned and we’ll come back and talk a little bit about Western North Carolina and what’s going on in there.</p><p>00:43:57.300 –&gt; 00:43:57.960 Charles Humphrey III: let’s do it.</p><p>00:45:59.310 –&gt; 00:46:07.620 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Charles Humphrey III.</p><p>00:46:08.130 –&gt; 00:46:21.570 Joseph McElroy: Charles you are in all the last things, I think that, besides being a natural artist, you do seem to be a natural entrepreneur, so you actually able to record label called Lucks dumpy toads how’s that going.</p><p>00:46:22.560 –&gt; 00:46:27.930 Charles Humphrey III: it’s going well, mostly use it to release the songs from the road band albums.</p><p>00:46:29.010 –&gt; 00:46:46.470 Charles Humphrey III: But it’s neat to look at the music industry that way where you’re working with promoters who get music out to the radio DJ and communicating with them and releasing stuff on to streaming platforms apple music and Spotify and.</p><p>00:46:49.680 –&gt; 00:47:01.320 Charles Humphrey III: CD baby is one of the things we used to release their music and then getting the records printed on vinyl and I’m wondering whether they’re gonna we’re gonna stop making cd’s I feel like that day is coming I.</p><p>00:47:01.320 –&gt; 00:47:04.230 Joseph McElroy: Think CDs are done but vinyl will stick around because you know.</p><p>00:47:04.350 –&gt; 00:47:09.990 Charles Humphrey III: I was gonna stick around I’m just kind of waiting for that day, where we don’t have to print up 1000 CDs.</p><p>00:47:10.710 –&gt; 00:47:11.220 Charles Humphrey III: Okay.</p><p>00:47:11.280 –&gt; 00:47:13.230 Joseph McElroy: I wouldn’t be done with CDs and DVDs or.</p><p>00:47:13.230 –&gt; 00:47:13.800 everybody’s.</p><p>00:47:15.450 –&gt; 00:47:18.060 Charles Humphrey III: People don’t even know what CDs are anymore they’re not.</p><p>00:47:18.660 –&gt; 00:47:25.710 Charles Humphrey III: Ours anymore, but then you go to these festivals and people with like that style of music they’ve got cassette players.</p><p>00:47:25.710 –&gt; 00:47:28.350 Charles Humphrey III: And it’s eight tracks and likes.</p><p>00:47:28.590 –&gt; 00:47:29.310 Joseph McElroy: I guess, we know that.</p><p>00:47:29.490 –&gt; 00:47:35.280 Joseph McElroy: The speakeasy we put in a nice we put it in a nice record player so we’re going to want to help.</p><p>00:47:36.180 –&gt; 00:47:37.380 Charles Humphrey III: awesome yeah.</p><p>00:47:37.410 –&gt; 00:47:37.770 yeah.</p><p>00:47:39.240 –&gt; 00:47:40.620 Charles Humphrey III: it’s got all that analog.</p><p>00:47:40.620 –&gt; 00:47:41.790 Joseph McElroy: Sound you know.</p><p>00:47:42.210 –&gt; 00:47:45.540 Joseph McElroy: I was, I was once working with somebody doing a deal with Sony.</p><p>00:47:45.930 –&gt; 00:48:00.300 Joseph McElroy: That was trying to do you know to add this the audio you know there’s a lot of that when you when they turn it to digital they lose a lot of sounds I don’t know if you know it, but it’s an amazing amount of sound that they lose when they turn it.</p><p>00:48:00.300 –&gt; 00:48:03.060 Charles Humphrey III: down your, you’re your absolute absolutely right everything gets.</p><p>00:48:03.510 –&gt; 00:48:04.620 Joseph McElroy: compressed and you learn.</p><p>00:48:05.010 –&gt; 00:48:14.610 Charles Humphrey III: stuff Neil young was fighting for that for a long time he had created this other style of music player that kind of holding on to some of that original sound, and I think it was.</p><p>00:48:15.570 –&gt; 00:48:22.350 Charles Humphrey III: just going to be too much too expensive to get it to the everyday person or either the people that were doing music, the other way I didn’t want him to release it.</p><p>00:48:23.820 –&gt; 00:48:28.890 Joseph McElroy: Well, I made it I made, I made the deal Sony was all excited this is funny I made the deal with these guys that.</p><p>00:48:29.280 –&gt; 00:48:36.060 Joseph McElroy: That Sony was going to redo all their their their we’re going to start with the offer and do all their offer with this new technology.</p><p>00:48:36.360 –&gt; 00:48:48.330 Joseph McElroy: And they were all excited and we do the deal they’re willing to do it, and then the guys Come on, so it’s a great deal, but you know we forgot to tell you that it takes a half-hour engineer time for each song, and I was like Jesus Christ.</p><p>00:48:52.680 –&gt; 00:48:53.100 Charles Humphrey III: yeah.</p><p>00:48:53.460 –&gt; 00:49:01.590 Joseph McElroy: we’re talking about you know 10s of thousands of hours of songs and albums it’s like you know there’s no way.</p><p>00:49:03.660 –&gt; 00:49:06.210 Joseph McElroy: boy is there, there is a way to add.</p><p>00:49:06.210 –&gt; 00:49:14.460 Joseph McElroy: The analog back, but still takes a lot of time at some point, it will come back in digital but right now.</p><p>00:49:16.440 –&gt; 00:49:19.830 Charles Humphrey III: there’s even a big difference between MP3 and wave file it’s.</p><p>00:49:22.200 –&gt; 00:49:29.820 Charles Humphrey III: For me, it’s hard to listen to the radio sometime it’s just it’s so shrill it sounds like it’s just grinding in my ears and it’s tough.</p><p>00:49:30.420 –&gt; 00:49:45.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you know I mean, I think that you know that it’s there’s a world of what’s going to happen and audio is still not even begun so I’m excited to see what you guys will see in the future, but.</p><p>00:49:47.130 –&gt; 00:50:00.900 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the things I want to do is is uh yeah we’re gonna have we’re having all this stuff happened in the Meadowlark, like, I want to do a Meadowlark sounds from the Meadowlark albums so maybe I’ll talk to your Lucks Dumpy Toads records talking about doing that one.</p><p>00:50:01.110 –&gt; 00:50:09.000 Charles Humphrey III: that’s a great idea we love to do it man that’d be a heck of an album just if you just got the people that have been there and be fantastic I love that idea.</p><p>00:50:09.660 –&gt; 00:50:16.080 Joseph McElroy: cool so now the things you’re doing what’s your Hell of the endurance athletes what’s happened in there.</p><p>00:50:16.800 –&gt; 00:50:24.630 Charles Humphrey III: Not a lot we were hoping to do our 50 K over in Dupont forest this year, which raises money for the candidate foundation that’s.</p><p>00:50:25.470 –&gt; 00:50:35.370 Charles Humphrey III: The nonprofit wing of Oskar blues they do things like trail restoration and flood relief and we’re tunes ambassadors, where we get instruments to kids that need them.</p><p>00:50:35.910 –&gt; 00:50:45.600 Charles Humphrey III: And that race, the hullabaloo 50 K and really like benefits that nonprofit but they’re doing a lot of trail renovation over there, near guy on-farm by the rebrand we’re usually to our event.</p><p>00:50:45.930 –&gt; 00:50:48.510 Charles Humphrey III: We haven’t been able to do it the past two years for permitting.</p><p>00:50:49.050 –&gt; 00:50:56.160 Charles Humphrey III: Concerns due to the pandemic it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen this year so that’s still on the back burner, but it may be something that will go back to.</p><p>00:50:56.880 –&gt; 00:51:08.340 Charles Humphrey III: The the race director on that event as far as running myself it’s kind of taken a backseat to the fishing lately that’s another thing to stay in shape for it, it really does take a lot of time, you know you need to.</p><p>00:51:08.670 –&gt; 00:51:17.070 Charles Humphrey III: run at least a little bit every day, and if you’re doing those long events, sometimes you have to do things like back to back runs and get in that multi-hour.</p><p>00:51:17.550 –&gt; 00:51:27.660 Charles Humphrey III: You know, double-digit long runs to prepare for those big events and it’s a lot of fun it’s rewarding is a great way to stay in shape, you can eat whatever you want when you’re training the people.</p><p>00:51:28.590 –&gt; 00:51:33.960 Charles Humphrey III: are absolutely amazing they come from all walks of life, the only thing that ties you together.</p><p>00:51:34.320 –&gt; 00:51:45.630 Charles Humphrey III: Being crazy enough to go out there and run through the mountains and you get out there with these people you’re just meeting in your suffering together for the first time you have this instant bond of like why in the world are we doing this to ourselves.</p><p>00:51:45.960 –&gt; 00:51:47.610 Charles Humphrey III: This is horrible but I love it.</p><p>00:51:48.960 –&gt; 00:51:55.950 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I’m a competitive drinker and so those long-distance distance drinking events I have I gotta deal with the same issues you know.</p><p>00:51:56.280 –&gt; 00:51:57.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah I got.</p><p>00:51:57.840 –&gt; 00:52:05.490 Charles Humphrey III: guitar the guitar player in our band said oh yeah man, I do marathons to Netflix marathons what’s your favorite show.</p><p>00:52:07.860 –&gt; 00:52:11.430 Joseph McElroy: So you got any new recording projects coming out soon.</p><p>00:52:12.480 –&gt; 00:52:22.440 Charles Humphrey III: We are putting the finishing touches on the new songs in the road album band I’ve got to master four more songs and we’re trying to get it out in the fall, which will be nice we’ve had.</p><p>00:52:23.070 –&gt; 00:52:28.260 Charles Humphrey III: Three or four singles that have been released they’ve all gone up to number one or two on the charts.</p><p>00:52:28.800 –&gt; 00:52:43.410 Charles Humphrey III: So we’re hoping to get that out and it’s going to be through candidate as well, we will have that on vinyl and then we’ll go back into the studio and record the next project and start releasing singles as well, so it’s time to get it out there, I need a.</p><p>00:52:43.500 –&gt; 00:52:46.230 Joseph McElroy: So culture first vinyl okay all right.</p><p>00:52:46.260 –&gt; 00:52:49.140 Charles Humphrey III: we’ll do it I’ll go ahead and save it for you.</p><p>00:52:49.560 –&gt; 00:52:50.190 All right.</p><p>00:52:51.900 –&gt; 00:52:58.200 Joseph McElroy: Oh good so um so so people are looking for that What were they need to watch for to get that.</p><p>00:52:59.160 –&gt; 00:53:02.910 Charles Humphrey III: They would need to watch songs on the road band.com</p><p>00:53:04.350 –&gt; 00:53:09.540 Charles Humphrey III: They could find us on Instagram or Facebook songs from the road band as well.</p><p>00:53:10.680 –&gt; 00:53:19.500 Charles Humphrey III: We are on all major music outlets and we would love for people to come to visit us and stay in touch and follow and.</p><p>00:53:19.770 –&gt; 00:53:30.210 Charles Humphrey III: share the music ads to playlists all that good stuff you can find out information about our live shows we’d love for them to come out and meet the band and hang out and have a good time with us as well.</p><p>00:53:30.720 –&gt; 00:53:33.030 Joseph McElroy: And if a venue wants to book you how do they do that.</p><p>00:53:34.110 –&gt; 00:53:43.530 Charles Humphrey III: They would do that through the website as well songsfromtheroadband.com and we have a wonderful wonderful agent his name is Curtis Guerin he works at prater day.</p><p>00:53:44.040 –&gt; 00:53:51.660 Charles Humphrey III: And he would gladly take your call and we could arrange something to come and play for you at your festival club or even a private event.</p><p>00:53:52.440 –&gt; 00:53:57.330 Joseph McElroy: cool and if somebody wants to book you for guides to the fishing guide, what do they do.</p><p>00:53:58.200 –&gt; 00:54:08.430 Charles Humphrey III: If you would like to go out on a weight or float trip on public or private water with winning with one of our many talented guides just go to beastcoastanglers.com</p><p>00:54:08.880 –&gt; 00:54:16.200 Charles Humphrey III: And all the information there all the information that you need is there to either give us a call or shoot us an email cool.</p><p>00:54:16.470 –&gt; 00:54:22.080 Joseph McElroy: And if they want to follow what you’re doing personally or in you know online what are they were worthy.</p><p>00:54:24.270 –&gt; 00:54:33.300 Charles Humphrey III: To keep track with me personally, is just Charles Humphrey III and I have public accounts on Facebook and Instagram and</p><p>00:54:33.600 –&gt; 00:54:46.050 Charles Humphrey III: very active with the fishing company based coast anglers and with the band songs and the road band so I’m not too hard to find and I would love to chat with anybody and visit you know let’s put a smile on someone’s face and I’ll have a great day.</p><p>00:54:46.440 –&gt; 00:54:52.350 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well, I will be down there starting Saturday for two weeks so let’s get together when you come back, I want to come down alright.</p><p>00:54:52.770 –&gt; 00:54:58.470 Charles Humphrey III: guys just give me a call I would love it, yet you have to promise to call me, I want to take you out fishing.</p><p>00:54:58.770 –&gt; 00:55:03.690 Joseph McElroy: Alright sounds good, so thank you for being here this this this podcast has been great.</p><p>00:55:04.230 –&gt; 00:55:07.230 Charles Humphrey III: It was a pleasure thanks for having me on the show really appreciate it was a lot of fun.</p><p>00:55:07.950 –&gt; 00:55:15.630 Joseph McElroy: So you find out more about this podcast it’s smokiesadventure.com the link to all the podcasts is on the top of the site.</p><p>00:55:15.990 –&gt; 00:55:21.180 Joseph McElroy: You can also go to facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast were in it.</p><p>00:55:21.570 –&gt; 00:55:30.240 Joseph McElroy: and watch the live podcast and see the previous podcast we are part of the talk radio.NYC network, where they have a lot of live podcasts.</p><p>00:55:30.570 –&gt; 00:55:39.810 Joseph McElroy: That worthwhile for you to watch deal with travel and small business and New York and self-help and health and things I advise you to take a chance to listen.</p><p>00:55:40.110 –&gt; 00:55:52.890 Joseph McElroy: And I actually have another podcast every Friday about a business called wise content creates wealth from noon until one so hope you will take a look at that as well and it’s been good to see you and I’ll see you next week.</p> 690316f7-21c9-4823-a1b7-b5eb2841983a https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/e1df53f8-d9d3-47f2-a842-b6a4c09cbdcd Tue, 08 Mar 2022 23:00:00 +0000 3036 no full Episode 48: Creating Memorable Hiking and Outdoor Adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains Episode 48: Creating Memorable Hiking and Outdoor Adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains is a beautiful and iconic way to experience the area, as well as a unique way to connect with nature and find tranquility. Today, our guest will discuss some of his amazing hiking adventures and the social media impact he has had on so many individuals.</strong></p><p>Creating Memorable Hiking and Outdoor Adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains Our host, Joseph Franklyn McElroy, is joined by our special guest, <a href="https://www.outdoorproject.com/articles/whyihike-johnny-osborne" rel="nofollow"><strong>Johnny Osborne</strong></a>, an acclaimed long-distance hiker, adventurer, rock climber, and mountain biker, also renowned for his social media skills. With well over a million followers on various forms of social media platforms, Johnny is a master at creating memorable online hiking experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains –and throughout the United States –while documenting his accomplishments as a hiker. </p><p>Johnny is especially passionate about promoting, protecting, and perpetuating the legacy of the Great Smokies Mountain National Park. When not enjoying various outdoor pursuits, Osborne resides in Alcoa Tennessee, where he manages his social media platforms and works with clients such as Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain Resort.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/bvk58dZhB1/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3><strong>Show Notes</strong></h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts off tonight’s show with of course his sponsor which is his own, the Meadowlark Motel! He mentions several upcoming events that you can find at meadowlarkmotel.com. Joseph also reads a poem by Lawrence Hall called “New Hiking Shoes for the Trail Ahead.” He transitions into introducing his guest, Johnny Osborne, an acclaimed long-distance hiker, adventurer, rock climber, and mountain biker, also renowned for his social media skills, with well over a million followers on various forms of social media platforms. He lives in Tennessee and is 20 minutes away from the Smokies National Park. He became passionate about outdoor lifestyles due to his fond memories with his family like going to the Smokies and bonding. Osborne became serious about hiking after being invited by his sister numerous times to go hiking with her. He used to run rather than hike while in college but once he went hiking with his sister again, it “ignited a fire” that made him fall in love with it again. He talks with Joseph about some intriguing memories hiking.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph mentions Johnny’s social media channels and how he talks about the leave no trace principles of hiking in many of his videos. This topic is about cleaning our environment, educating, advocating, and more when it comes to recreating responsibly. Johnny also mentions a nonprofit organization, Save Our Smokies, who are having an event on the weekend of Earth Day to clean the entire Smokies National Park. He also talks about the positive impacts of being a part of the hiking community like being the voice of information to provide knowledge about being safe. Joseph talks with Johnny about his impressive social media skills and having a big following. He wants to grow and create more educational content for his youtube channel. Johnny talks about doing challenges and taking on the South Beyond 6,000 challenge which he read about in an article. This challenge encourages hikers to climb forty 6000 foot peaks in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Johnny speaks with Joseph about his experience hiking in the Black Mountain Crest Trail. He also did the Great Smoky Mountains National Park nine hundred mile hike which includes going through all of the trails in the area. Johnny also speaks about doing the Foothills Trail Hike in the Appalachian Mountains. He talks about a funny moment of how on his first day on this hike, a huge storm came along. When this happened, he found a spot to camp and the next morning he realized that he was about only 2 miles from where he wanted to be. Johnny has hiked in many states and countries. He reminisces about the beautiful atmosphere when he hiked in the Rocky Mountains. When it comes to his social media, he refers to himself as someone who is encouraging and not an influencer. He differentiates these two terms as someone who is selling something (influencer) and someone who is coaching (encouraging). He says that it&#39;s about supporting and motivating others when educating people about hiking. Johnny also gives some of his thoughts about how other people on social media can grow their platforms and build a community. He speaks about being consistent in delivering relatable content.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>In the final segment, Johnny speaks about being involved with the Blackberry Farm and Mountain Resort in Tennessee. He has been with them for 7 years and is an information technology manager at Blackberry Mountain. He says that they are opening up a restaurant at the brewery they have in the location. Johnny speaks about his passion about the Great Smoky Mountains and advocating for being responsible while enjoying recreation and memorable experiences. Other things Johnny also enjoys besides hiking is to go mountain biking or even kayaking. He talks more with Joseph about places he enjoys visiting in Tennessee and the Smokies. His favorite rock climbing spot for example is Ijams in Knox County. You can reach out to Johnny on Instagram at johnny onthetrail, as well as Facebook and Youtube with the same username. Johnny also shares with us that he has merch and the proceeds will go to nonprofit organizations and park charities. Joseph thanks Johnny Osborne for being on the show and looks forward to hiking with him some time soon!</p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/03/01 - Creating Memorable Hiking and Outdoor Adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains

Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains is a beautiful and iconic way to experience the area, as well as a unique way to connect with nature and find tranquility. Today, our guest will discuss some of his amazing hiking adventures and the social media impact he has had on so many individuals.

Creating Memorable Hiking and Outdoor Adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains Our host, Joseph Franklyn McElroy, is joined by our special guest, Johnny Osborne, an acclaimed long-distance hiker, adventurer, and rock climber, and mountain biker, also renowned for his social media skills. With well over a million followers on various forms of social media platforms, Johnny is a master at creating memorable online hiking experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains –and throughout the United States –while documenting his accomplishments as a hiker. 

Johnny is especially passionate about promoting, protecting, and perpetuating the legacy of the Great Smokies Mountain National Park. When not enjoying various outdoor pursuits, Osborne resides in Alcoa Tennessee, where he manages his social media platforms and works with clients such as Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain Resort.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph starts off tonight’s show with of course his sponsor which is his own, the Meadowlark Motel! He mentions several upcoming events that you can find at meadowlarkmotel.com. Joseph also reads a poem by Lawrence Hall called “New Hiking Shoes for the Trail Ahead.” He transitions into introducing his guest, Johnny Osborne, an acclaimed long-distance hiker, adventurer, rock climber, and mountain biker, also renowned for his social media skills, with well over a million followers on various forms of social media platforms. He lives in Tennessee and is 20 minutes away from the Smokies National Park. He became passionate about outdoor lifestyles due to his fond memories with his family like going to the Smokies and bonding. Osborne became serious about hiking after being invited by his sister numerous times to go hiking with her. He used to run rather than hike while in college but once he went hiking with his sister again, it “ignited a fire” that made him fall in love with it again. He talks with Joseph about some intriguing memories of hiking.

Segment 2

Joseph mentions Johnny’s social media channels and how he talks about the leave no trace principles of hiking in many of his videos. This topic is about cleaning our environment, educating, advocating, and more when it comes to recreating responsibly. Johnny also mentions a nonprofit organization, Save Our Smokies, which is having an event on the weekend of Earth Day to clean the entire Smokies National Park. He also talks about the positive impacts of being a part of the hiking community like being the voice of information to provide knowledge about being safe. Joseph talks with Johnny about his impressive social media skills and have big following. He wants to grow and create more educational content for his youtube channel. Johnny talks about doing challenges and taking on the South Beyond 6,000 challenge which he read about in an article. This challenge encourages hikers to climb forty 6000-foot peaks in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Segment 3

Johnny speaks with Joseph about his experience hiking in the Black Mountain Crest Trail. He also did the Great Smoky Mountains National Park nine hundred-mile hike which includes going through all of the trails in the area. Johnny also speaks about doing the Foothills Trail Hike in the Appalachian Mountains. He talks about a funny moment of how on his first day on this hike, a huge storm came along. When this happened, he found a spot to camp, and the next morning he realized that he was about only 2 miles from where he wanted to be. Johnny has hiked in many states and countries. He reminisces about the beautiful atmosphere when he hiked in the Rocky Mountains. When it comes to his social media, he refers to himself as someone who is encouraging and not an influencer. He differentiates these two terms as someone who is selling something (influencer) and someone who is coaching (encouraging). He says that it's about supporting and motivating others when educating people about hiking. Johnny also gives some of his thoughts about how other people on social media can grow their platforms and build a community. He speaks about being consistent in delivering relatable content.

Segment 4

In the final segment, Johnny speaks about being involved with the Blackberry Farm and Mountain Resort in Tennessee. He has been with them for 7 years and is an information technology manager at Blackberry Mountain. He says that they are opening up a restaurant at the brewery they have in the location. Johnny speaks about his passion for the Great Smoky Mountains and advocating for being responsible while enjoying recreation and memorable experiences. Other things Johnny also enjoys besides hiking is going mountain biking or even kayaking. He talks more with Joseph about places he enjoys visiting in Tennessee and the Smokies. His favorite rock climbing spot for example is Ijams in Knox County. You can reach out to Johnny on Instagram at johnny on the trail, as well as on Facebook and Youtube with the same username. Johnny also shares with us that he has merch and the proceeds will go to nonprofit organizations and park charities. Joseph thanks Johnny Osborne for being on the show and looks forward to hiking with him sometime soon!

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:30.270 –> 00:00:35.220 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of Gateway to the Smokies.

00:00:36.090 –> 00:00:47.370 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty.

00:00:48.030 –> 00:00:53.280 Joseph McElroy: A deep-storied history of rich mountain cultures that we explore with the weekly episodes.

00:00:54.120 –> 00:01:02.550 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains, my families living the great smokies for over 200 years.

00:01:03.360 –> 00:01:17.640 Joseph McElroy: my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. In today’s podcast we’re talking about hiking and experiences in the smokies but first, let’s talk about sponsors has happened to be me.

00:01:20.160 –> 00:01:30.510 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motors courts of the past in a modern environment with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:31.110 –> 00:01:40.650 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by a fine wine and craft beers.

00:01:41.010 –> 00:01:58.710 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place in the old-time music, the World Cultural sounds imagine a place where we’re mountain heritage food, and that was an underground Speakeasy. There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay. Also, sponsoring us

00:02:00.060 –> 00:02:07.050 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com smokies plural adventure singular information and listings about the smoky.

00:02:07.860 –> 00:02:15.030 Joseph McElroy: it’s got information about hiking wedding menus and books is got resources like trail maps and guides.

00:02:15.510 –> 00:02:24.990 Joseph McElroy: and histories of the smokies the emphasis of smokies adventure is on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with.

00:02:25.320 –> 00:02:35.220 Joseph McElroy: Providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more the goal is to become the leading information portal, the smoky mountains.

00:02:36.570 –> 00:02:38.970 Joseph McElroy: I have some upcoming events table.

00:02:40.410 –> 00:02:46.590 Joseph McElroy: We have never seen winter’s final hurrah but the first by sides of springs are starting to emerge in Haywood County.

00:02:47.430 –> 00:02:55.080 Joseph McElroy: Witness the changing of the stream seasons first hand by joining a guided height with the Haywood County recreation.

00:02:55.800 –> 00:03:08.160 Joseph McElroy: The guided hike offer a chance to connect with fellow hikers and explore new trails will experience local guide it’s only $10 per hike and you can call 828-452-6789

00:03:08.940 –> 00:03:18.000 Joseph McElroy: To find out more information there’s for a hike there’s for hikes already I know for March there are more slides it’s a 5.5-mile hike the.

00:03:18.810 –> 00:03:28.650 Joseph McElroy: trail and shiny rock march 16 is a 7.5 mile like in the Boggerman trail that Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

00:03:29.190 –> 00:03:37.140 Joseph McElroy: there’s a march 19 and 9.4-mile hike have a little Cataloochee trail, and unless you have traveled area, the Cataloochee

00:03:37.740 –> 00:04:00.690 Joseph McElroy: And march 30 there’s a 5.6-mile moderate hike in the mountains to see the trail to Scott Creek overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is a part of the install isn’t a storm in the mountains to sea trail hiking series hiking the MST from Haywood County lead by Kathy or Body and Steve.

00:04:04.140 –> 00:04:10.050 Joseph McElroy: I just looked at that it says a Penske so I’m assuming hopefully I did justice to it.

00:04:11.820 –> 00:04:18.330 Joseph McElroy: upcoming to the Meadowlark in today’s world you might forget that for all of history humankind has lived or journey.

00:04:18.750 –> 00:04:23.220 Joseph McElroy: into environments that require fundamental survival skills in order to flourish.

00:04:23.730 –> 00:04:33.810 Joseph McElroy: Wilderness survival, also known as bushcraft because the ability to utilize natural and limited materials of the traditional ways to stay alive and escape danger.

00:04:34.470 –> 00:04:37.680 Joseph McElroy: We might not think we need these skills if we avoid it.

00:04:38.430 –> 00:04:47.970 Joseph McElroy: But there are still interesting instances where we might need to call a pet that includes natural disasters, getting lost in the woods extreme shifts, and weather accidents.

00:04:48.300 –> 00:04:54.960 Joseph McElroy: causing some form of contract incapacitation and many other unforeseen circumstances.

00:04:55.710 –> 00:05:02.880 Joseph McElroy: Therefore it is proven wise for every human to have at least a rudimentary capability in the basic skills of survival.

00:05:03.450 –> 00:05:17.790 Joseph McElroy: These include the ability to build a fire build a shelter tie knots navigate without a GPS apply first aid, evaluate and choose the right gears and supplies and master the essentials of hiking and camping.

00:05:18.600 –> 00:05:34.890 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center is proud to announce the addition of Acclaimed Author outdoors outdoor survival expert record-setting high hiker elite wilderness search and rescue team Member Nancy East to a roster of expert artists for 2022

00:05:36.540 –> 00:05:50.640 Joseph McElroy: Remember, she was on the program here a couple of weeks ago and so we’re having a first wilderness survival skills weekend with Nancy East on March 19 at 4 pm through March 20 to all-day 11 pm.

00:05:51.990 –> 00:06:04.590 Joseph McElroy: it’s $275 Nancy will launch the presentation Friday night describing her adventures as a search and rescue Member and she’s had some really exciting stories and.

00:06:05.010 –> 00:06:15.540 Joseph McElroy: And rescues to talk about and then on Saturday march 19 will default, the Internet, it will devote the entire day to a variety of those survival skills.

00:06:16.440 –> 00:06:30.900 Joseph McElroy: topics to ensure your safety comfort of enjoyment, as you create memorable experiences hiking in the great smokies space is limited to 10 students to their guarantee you get individual tension and Nancy provides all the materials needed for the event.

00:06:31.980 –> 00:06:42.030 Joseph McElroy: after the event, you will be able to have a free Barbecue and listen to wonderful music like Mike by Mike Ogletree was a former drummer simple minds on Saturday night.

00:06:42.750 –> 00:06:53.280 Joseph McElroy: So it makes for an enjoyable weekend your website meadowlarkmotel.com to purchase your tickets or just call 828 926 1717 to reserve.

00:06:54.210 –> 00:07:08.100 Joseph McElroy: And don’t forget to remember to go little details but there’s a fishing camp coming up on April 15 and 16th at the meadowlark motel and there’s gonna be an able to two-day event with lots of wonderful fishing.

00:07:09.120 –> 00:07:10.740 Joseph McElroy: instruction hands on.

00:07:11.820 –> 00:07:26.010 Joseph McElroy: You know, going actually out to the streams and fishing, you know be trout tales and entertainment and foods things like that so again, you can call 828 926 1717 to find out more and make reservations.

00:07:27.150 –> 00:07:29.580 Joseph McElroy: And a lot of you know I like to do a little poem sometimes.

00:07:30.960 –> 00:07:39.690 Joseph McElroy: Since we’re talking about hiking a lot today, I found one by Lawrence Hall it’s called New hiking shoes for the trail ahead.

00:07:40.770 –> 00:07:52.890 Joseph McElroy: While I was looking for something else I found a pair of hiking shoes still in their box from a year ago in anticipation of a summer vacation that never was.

00:07:53.460 –> 00:08:05.700 Joseph McElroy: And there was no holiday again that here it was all coronavirus and foreign wars I’d forgotten those shoes, but here they are already for some sunlit summer road.

00:08:06.750 –> 00:08:12.840 Joseph McElroy: While I was looking for something else I found a pair of hiking boots and a bit of hope.

00:08:14.550 –> 00:08:19.050 Joseph McElroy: So today we have a great guest his name is Johnny Osborne.

00:08:20.790 –> 00:08:31.050 Joseph McElroy: He’s a Tennessee native and he’s an acclaimed long-distance hiker adventure rock climber, and mountain but also renowned for his social media skills.

00:08:31.590 –> 00:08:44.280 Joseph McElroy: With well over a million followers in various forms of social media platforms Johnny is a master of creating memorable online hiking experiences of the great smoky mountains, for which he has a passion.

00:08:44.970 –> 00:08:54.360 Joseph McElroy: Johnny also uses his social media skills to help brands like Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain Resort. Hello Johnny how are you doing?

00:08:54.930 –> 00:08:57.060 Johnny Osborne: Hey Joseph I’m doing well, how are you?

00:08:57.270 –> 00:09:03.360 Joseph McElroy: Fine, fine so we’re talking about hiking shoes, do you do boots or sneakers.

00:09:04.980 –> 00:09:06.060 Johnny Osborne: I do both.

00:09:06.390 –> 00:09:08.490 Johnny Osborne: yeah yeah sometimes a trial run.

00:09:09.030 –> 00:09:10.290 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah that’s truly cool.

00:09:11.460 –> 00:09:12.180 Joseph McElroy: So you were.

00:09:13.020 –> 00:09:15.330 Joseph McElroy: You were born and raised in East Tennessee right.

00:09:15.630 –> 00:09:22.290 Johnny Osborne: yeah I was born and raised in East Tennessee my entire life I grew up here but county on a small country farm.

00:09:23.400 –> 00:09:26.490 Johnny Osborne: plan outside was just normal natural for me so.

00:09:27.750 –> 00:09:28.500 Johnny Osborne: Just where I am.

00:09:29.190 –> 00:09:40.320 Joseph McElroy: I grew up in Western North Carolina and my grandfather had a small farm we lived up on top of the mountain and it just living outside it’s basically what you do.

00:09:41.880 –> 00:09:42.270 Johnny Osborne: Right.

00:09:43.350 –> 00:09:46.110 Joseph McElroy: So you still live in our code Tennessee right.

00:09:46.890 –> 00:09:52.410 Johnny Osborne: I do they still live now code I’ve been that code for about 15 years but I’ve always been in La County.

00:09:53.520 –> 00:09:54.150 Joseph McElroy: You know, still.

00:09:54.780 –> 00:09:56.130 Johnny Osborne: To South Carolina.

00:09:56.850 –> 00:09:59.160 Joseph McElroy: yeah what keeps you in this focus.

00:10:00.060 –> 00:10:08.520 Johnny Osborne: You know focus is really, really close to, I mean there is a 20-minute drive from my home and from my work from my office just a few steps away.

00:10:09.000 –> 00:10:24.570 Johnny Osborne: I’m taking a walk out of my office and being the national park and minutes, which is really nice so it’s nice to you know, be able to get away and go for a quick hoc after work or picnic or overnight trip and.

00:10:25.980 –> 00:10:38.730 Johnny Osborne: I think the things that keep me going to the smokies it’s just nice to go and unplug from society, you know, being in technology and it’s nice to go in and plug and then one from the stress of the day.

00:10:40.170 –> 00:10:47.370 Joseph McElroy: Like if you guys are so passionate about the great outdoors I mean besides that relaxation, I mean there seems to be more of an also a deep passion for it.

00:10:48.540 –> 00:10:48.930 Johnny Osborne: yeah.

00:10:50.130 –> 00:11:03.210 Johnny Osborne: gosh my passion came from A to the smokies instead is from my parents, when my sister and I were little when we were younger and our parents took us to smokies quite often.

00:11:03.840 –> 00:11:15.300 Johnny Osborne: And we’d go up for a mixer to hack and Sam I’m fondest memories are just as playing the strings we did more string playing, and I think we get hockey but.

00:11:16.410 –> 00:11:24.330 Johnny Osborne: This seven my parents always did with us going to the smokies and having family fun bonding time.

00:11:25.980 –> 00:11:31.230 Joseph McElroy: And you know you’ve become a real, serious hiker how did you become serious about hiking.

00:11:32.160 –> 00:11:32.730 Johnny Osborne: Oh gosh.

00:11:34.650 –> 00:11:35.250 Johnny Osborne: and

00:11:36.720 –> 00:11:39.090 Johnny Osborne: You know hocked early on in life and.

00:11:40.140 –> 00:11:42.090 Johnny Osborne: And, as I got into school and.

00:11:43.800 –> 00:11:49.650 Johnny Osborne: college and all that I stopped hocking as much and started running another runner.

00:11:50.880 –> 00:12:02.880 Johnny Osborne: And my sister Cape on and on and on about coming with me come hock with me, come hock with me and I’m like no I bet this run the day that you know 10 miles 15 miles whatever I want to run.

00:12:03.930 –> 00:12:15.930 Johnny Osborne: And now I’m not going to go and I’ll just wait and she was very persistent about it and so she kept on following I gave in and went but I’m really, really glad that she did because I mean that.

00:12:17.190 –> 00:12:23.910 Johnny Osborne: hurt invited me to come hock with her in the smokies was, I mean it just ignited a fresh start.

00:12:26.010 –> 00:12:35.130 Johnny Osborne: And I fell in love with hacking and stuff he’s all over in here, it was just I’d forgotten what it was like after all those times being away from it so.

00:12:36.330 –> 00:12:39.510 Johnny Osborne: a fun fact about my sister as far as we know.

00:12:41.490 –> 00:12:47.100 Johnny Osborne: we’re the only two siblings that have hot and all the trails in the Smokies and our.

00:12:49.020 –> 00:12:49.590 Joseph McElroy: fabulous.

00:12:49.920 –> 00:12:52.170 Joseph McElroy: yeah How often do you like now?

00:12:54.060 –> 00:12:57.540 Johnny Osborne: And I try to hack at least oh my gosh.

00:12:58.710 –> 00:12:59.310 Johnny Osborne: At least.

00:13:02.280 –> 00:13:06.630 Johnny Osborne: I tried at least three weekends and Sundays in a week.

00:13:09.330 –> 00:13:09.690 Johnny Osborne: hmm.

00:13:11.220 –> 00:13:11.640 Johnny Osborne: Very.

00:13:12.210 –> 00:13:14.400 Joseph McElroy: Good you gotta feed that social media profile too.

00:13:17.100 –> 00:13:19.860 Joseph McElroy: Internet is a gaping more than needs content.

00:13:20.100 –> 00:13:22.050 Johnny Osborne: yeah I gotta keep creating content.

00:13:23.010 –> 00:13:29.490 Joseph McElroy: So I have you had any exciting adventures, well, I think, like meeting a bear or boar or something like that.

00:13:30.030 –> 00:13:36.360 Johnny Osborne: um yeah bet both I was at what shelter was that it was.

00:13:38.250 –> 00:13:47.370 Johnny Osborne: Oh gosh I don’t remember them the shelter, but I was getting water and filling it with water bladder for not Pack and I had just raised up my coffee cup and.

00:13:47.970 –> 00:14:01.500 Johnny Osborne: about water by the water source and I’m blaming them there and filling up a water bladder and this bear just walked up right behind me, I mean probably 10 feet from me, I didn’t see it didn’t hear it.

00:14:03.750 –> 00:14:20.160 Johnny Osborne: Well, if my stuff’s they’re backed away slowly facing the bear the entire time and it was just a curious Barry walked up to my water bladder my coffee cup and sniff around a little bit he took his Paul and he just you know to turn my water butter over to smell it and the.

00:14:21.240 –> 00:14:26.370 Johnny Osborne: shredding the water bladder and I know why, over the next couple of days, but.

00:14:28.380 –> 00:14:30.570 Johnny Osborne: Should we shoot the airway he left.

00:14:32.100 –> 00:14:42.540 Johnny Osborne: And then I get my things and pack the rest of my beer from the shelter and left so it’s very eventful but still exciting.

00:14:42.960 –> 00:14:45.240 Joseph McElroy: Still, mostly yeah it’s exciting right.

00:14:45.240 –> 00:14:51.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I grew up living in the mountains remember not too far from the Appalachians.

00:14:52.470 –> 00:15:05.490 Joseph McElroy: I would sleep at night, I had an outdoor deck in Cali slept with me and I will I woke up one night in the middle of the night and I left my window open my dog was screaming bloody head up and I looked up and there was bear stinking his head in my window.

00:15:08.490 –> 00:15:09.300 Joseph McElroy: Just a curious.

00:15:10.290 –> 00:15:10.890 curious.

00:15:12.120 –> 00:15:12.570 Johnny Osborne: curious.

00:15:13.470 –> 00:15:23.160 Joseph McElroy: Well, listen we gotta take a break, but I’m gonna come back are talk about some of the principles you employ a wall while you hike and then we’ll maybe we’ll get into social media or life.

00:15:23.670 –> 00:15:25.260 Johnny Osborne: sounds great mm-hmm.

00:17:41.100 –> 00:17:46.890 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast my guest Johnny Osborne.

00:17:48.390 –> 00:17:59.100 Joseph McElroy: So Johnny I looked at your YouTube channel, as well as your tik-tok too, but most of your YouTube channels, the ones got like 1.5 million or 1.15 million followers.

00:17:59.790 –> 00:18:11.460 Joseph McElroy: It’s a pretty impressive following I looked at some of your videos and you often talk about the leave no trace principles of hiking in the wilderness, can you tell my audience about that.

00:18:12.120 –> 00:18:26.550 Johnny Osborne: Absolutely and I’ll even take it a step further than leave no trace, which is responsible stewardship and those values are deeply rooted in that together we can foster ethics, to make all of our public lands cleaner and better place for everyone.

00:18:27.690 –> 00:18:39.390 Johnny Osborne: And we’ll do that through education, education through action, whether it’s digitally Facebook YouTube Instagram or physically go out and volunteering.

00:18:40.650 –> 00:18:52.020 Johnny Osborne: You want to be an advocate you want to raise awareness of the issues of our public land sorry we want to raise awareness of the issues of public lands to face and use our reach, to become a part of the solution.

00:18:53.820 –> 00:18:54.540 Johnny Osborne: donate.

00:18:55.710 –> 00:19:02.910 Johnny Osborne: Give with a purpose either financially or physically and know your impact may prepared and know what to expect.

00:19:03.900 –> 00:19:19.200 Johnny Osborne: And the last of those ethics take action, which is to volunteer in the park or several so many volunteer programs that the park offers and that you can be part of they have to get back to the park and all that’s.

00:19:20.250 –> 00:19:23.790 Johnny Osborne: All tied together to rick recreating responsibly.

00:19:25.590 –> 00:19:29.130 Joseph McElroy: cool and there are some fundamental principles of leave no trace right this.

00:19:29.130 –> 00:19:32.160 Johnny Osborne: year are there are seven principles to leave no trace.

00:19:34.500 –> 00:19:36.300 Johnny Osborne: concertos are like but.

00:19:36.780 –> 00:19:40.290 Joseph McElroy: I think it’s good I mean think it’s good to educate, if you do it quickly, though, that I think.

00:19:40.950 –> 00:19:42.210 Joseph McElroy: Sure yeah.

00:19:42.570 –> 00:19:43.170 yeah so.

00:19:46.350 –> 00:20:03.480 Johnny Osborne: plan ahead and prepare, so I was one of my favorites I always want to you know to prepare for your hot for you though you’re backpacking trip that you want to add to this travel and camp on durable surfaces three dispose of waste properly and that’s really a huge issue in the smokies.

00:20:04.680 –> 00:20:10.380 Johnny Osborne: For belief what you find number five minimize campfire impacts.

00:20:11.520 –> 00:20:16.530 Johnny Osborne: Six respect the wildlife and seven is to be considerate of others.

00:20:17.460 –> 00:20:19.320 Joseph McElroy: which we have a problem with sometimes too right.

00:20:19.380 –> 00:20:21.210 Johnny Osborne: And we did.

00:20:21.960 –> 00:20:27.000 Joseph McElroy: I think we’re I think that the clothes that are popular part because people were not being considered right.

00:20:27.030 –> 00:20:28.800 Johnny Osborne: Reason let’s turn.

00:20:29.220 –> 00:20:35.970 Joseph McElroy: there’s a real shame that yeah they were just abusing it so badly that was getting ruined, we had to close it down so yeah.

00:20:36.090 –> 00:20:37.710 Johnny Osborne: That was what Max types, I think.

00:20:37.770 –> 00:20:43.980 Joseph McElroy: Re Max patches a popular one not to parking maybe so yeah I think they close it down for the whole year right so.

00:20:44.190 –> 00:20:48.450 Johnny Osborne: Now they close it down at sunset and it’s open back up at sunrise.

00:20:50.190 –> 00:20:52.200 Joseph McElroy: camping That was a people would camp.

00:20:52.290 –> 00:20:52.680 Johnny Osborne: yeah.

00:20:52.770 –> 00:20:55.950 Joseph McElroy: And they were just abusing it badly camping ruin it.

00:20:56.040 –> 00:21:00.000 Johnny Osborne: Leaving Dreading that being a big college party scene.

00:21:00.060 –> 00:21:11.640 Johnny Osborne: area getting trashed every weekend and several friends of mine, would go up there and the weekend after weekend every weekend and carry out loads and loads and loads of trash.

00:21:11.910 –> 00:21:14.370 Johnny Osborne: yeah so something had to be done.

00:21:15.120 –> 00:21:27.600 Joseph McElroy: It has to be a culture of is you know when I went to burning man, believe it or not, right and they do that they had like when I went there I don’t know what how many people now, but I did it like 2002 and I was young enough to walk around half-naked.

00:21:30.930 –> 00:21:32.580 Joseph McElroy: Maybe a little bit more than half-naked.

00:21:37.260 –> 00:21:39.120 Joseph McElroy: or another for another story.

00:21:40.590 –> 00:21:47.340 Joseph McElroy: But they would have 30,000 people in the desert bringing in the camping and everything else, but when they left.

00:21:48.060 –> 00:21:56.700 Joseph McElroy: They left it pristine and they actually went you know inch by inch over that whole property getting rid of anything that might have been left behind so.

00:21:57.240 –> 00:22:13.230 Joseph McElroy: If a culture of it yeah yeah so it’s important to have been advocates, for you know, taking care of our resources, I appreciate you doing that so consistently and in your work so yeah.

00:22:13.410 –> 00:22:23.490 Johnny Osborne: And speaking of that I want to flood the save our smokies real quick, they are doing a huge event on April, the 23rd is Earth Day weekend that we can.

00:22:24.990 –> 00:22:29.880 Johnny Osborne: They are the plan is to clean the entire smoky mountains National Park.

00:22:30.270 –> 00:22:30.960 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.

00:22:31.080 –> 00:22:40.650 Johnny Osborne: yeah so the registration for this opens starts today marks the first, and you can register for this that save our smokies.org.

00:22:41.520 –> 00:22:48.960 Johnny Osborne: And at the end of the day that day we’re going to they’re going to provide food and drinks and live music for all the volunteers.

00:22:49.500 –> 00:23:03.300 Johnny Osborne: And the goal that days to remove 5000 pounds of the layer from the park and remain as much as possible, so it’s gonna be a super fun day I’m definitely going, and I would encourage anybody else that loves the smokies come on out.

00:23:03.750 –> 00:23:07.590 Joseph McElroy: yeah Oh well, this is April 23 right.

00:23:08.700 –> 00:23:13.860 Joseph McElroy: I’ll show you know that’s around that that fishing event I think so maybe I’ll try to.

00:23:14.340 –> 00:23:16.560 Joseph McElroy: Fish a little bit and then come down and go to that too.

00:23:18.150 –> 00:23:31.500 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah that’d be great so obviously you are very passionate about the Hiking Community so So what are the positive impacts, for you, you know that you find that.

00:23:32.790 –> 00:23:39.840 Joseph McElroy: Hiking Community like personally socially physically mentally what is being part of that community, what are the positive impacts.

00:23:46.710 –> 00:23:51.900 Johnny Osborne: I guess the positive impacts that I’m seeing is what I like to be a part of is you know getting back and.

00:23:53.880 –> 00:23:58.830 Johnny Osborne: Being that voice of information, you know give back in a sense that.

00:24:00.240 –> 00:24:06.270 Johnny Osborne: I can provide some knowledge, it may be beneficial to someone that hasn’t been out and has hockey as much.

00:24:09.300 –> 00:24:10.170 Johnny Osborne: I just like.

00:24:11.310 –> 00:24:12.330 Johnny Osborne: I can talk for.

00:24:13.470 –> 00:24:17.130 Johnny Osborne: hours about hockey tip to new people you know.

00:24:17.610 –> 00:24:21.210 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you know I look I’m gonna be I’m sort of doing more hiking.

00:24:21.270 –> 00:24:29.100 Joseph McElroy: You know, even in the even in the get-go and starting to notice that yo legs are working, a little bit better from this.

00:24:29.880 –> 00:24:42.510 Joseph McElroy: I’m gonna do a lot more I’ve only been at and a neophyte of it but and there seems to be also it’s also a Community hiker know each other, and you know and communicate right and there are clubs and things like that.

00:24:44.880 –> 00:24:47.280 Johnny Osborne: yeah there are in one of the things.

00:24:48.630 –> 00:24:59.730 Johnny Osborne: says here one of the things that I’m really super proud of is this Facebook group that was created about four years ago, three, four years ago, five years ago, maybe hacking the smokies

00:25:00.600 –> 00:25:03.270 Johnny Osborne: And it’s just really fun.

00:25:04.290 –> 00:25:07.560 Johnny Osborne: a group of people very knowledgeable of.

00:25:08.790 –> 00:25:12.210 Johnny Osborne: what’s going on trail conditions things like that.

00:25:13.980 –> 00:25:13.980 Johnny Osborne: and

00:25:14.970 –> 00:25:18.450 Joseph McElroy: Now I’ve been a member and I didn’t know that was you so yeah.

00:25:18.840 –> 00:25:21.750 Johnny Osborne: yeah I mean I think there’s like 85,000 members.

00:25:21.750 –> 00:25:23.370 Joseph McElroy: Now, if we have a.

00:25:23.640 –> 00:25:24.330 crazy.

00:25:25.620 –> 00:25:42.900 Joseph McElroy: So so um it was someone born and raised in the smoky mountains myself I’m always interested in how people acquire their skills, especially in the computer things, how did you learn about your social media skill you just do it yourself, do you go to college went to do.

00:25:43.290 –> 00:25:46.740 Johnny Osborne: And you know it’s I’m still learning social media skills

00:25:47.250 –> 00:25:47.370 As.

00:25:48.990 –> 00:25:51.690 Joseph McElroy: Well, that they changed it every day you’re never going to stop.

00:25:53.010 –> 00:25:54.630 Joseph McElroy: bandwagon for long yeah.

00:25:56.640 –> 00:26:03.870 Johnny Osborne: The algorithms change so frequently it’s like so what’s the end now and Instagram reals are it photos is it.

00:26:05.130 –> 00:26:09.870 Johnny Osborne: works, I mean what’s the thing, there was a new craze now yeah.

00:26:12.390 –> 00:26:22.080 Joseph McElroy: So just you know, one of the things I tell people is that you know teaching yourself, is the best way with, especially with computers in general, you know and.

00:26:22.800 –> 00:26:34.200 Joseph McElroy: You know because it’s really it’s an amalgam of human mind thought and getting in there and understanding that at that level is much better for you than trying to learn rules.

00:26:34.440 –> 00:26:34.950 But now.

00:26:36.450 –> 00:26:47.340 Johnny Osborne: One of the things I want to do this year and I found my mom for quite a while, is, I want to create more education on YouTube content and, if anything, just for the betterment of the hacking community.

00:26:48.930 –> 00:26:51.870 Johnny Osborne: You know it’s really so hard to compete.

00:26:54.570 –> 00:27:00.630 Johnny Osborne: With the larger YouTube channels and it’s hard to be seen, sometimes as a small YouTuber.

00:27:01.980 –> 00:27:07.050 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah well, I mean you gotta put that in perspective, most of our bigger small.

00:27:07.110 –> 00:27:08.040 youtuber is.

00:27:09.180 –> 00:27:14.700 Joseph McElroy: A few hundred or a few thousand and they think of them, as well as a small YouTube here a big you do remote people but.

00:27:16.800 –> 00:27:34.650 Joseph McElroy: What do you think million 1 million mark you’re of interest in a way, so well cool and I wanted to talk about some of the accomplishments and so people know you know sort of fun things that you can do, and so you are a South beyond 6000 finishers what’s that.

00:27:37.500 –> 00:27:38.790 Johnny Osborne: The southern sixer.

00:27:41.280 –> 00:27:51.480 Johnny Osborne: yeah I love that challenge that was one of my favorite challenges and how I kind of got to this to do this, the South be on 6000 was.

00:27:52.230 –> 00:28:05.640 Johnny Osborne: I was wrapping up my smokies 900 miler my APP and I’ll think about what I wanted to do next, and the idea of the sat down 6000 came to me after reading an article online about this challenge and.

00:28:06.540 –> 00:28:14.370 Johnny Osborne: read about how hard it was and that’s kind of up my alley I like to do hard challenges but.

00:28:15.930 –> 00:28:31.440 Johnny Osborne: I had one little issue, though it kind of worried me a little bit, and I know how to use a map, I know that he’s accomplice, and all that good stuff but I wasn’t Okay, with just you know mediocre right, I wanted to know more, I wanted to know.

00:28:32.670 –> 00:28:41.940 Johnny Osborne: Because I know a lot of those 6000 that Piques our Australia hawks and so really wanting to brush up on my knowledge is reading a map and compass and.

00:28:42.930 –> 00:29:02.190 Johnny Osborne: So I reached out to my friend lane, the cost is Haywood County search rescue team Member and he was holding an off or he was about to hold it off and bounced off-trail hiking sorry nostril navigation class, and so I reached out to him and signed up for that it was wonderful.

00:29:03.480 –> 00:29:21.450 Johnny Osborne: Today overnight trip at Max match and one of the biggest and most helpful takeaways from this class from him was that it gave me the confidence that I needed to go out and do these off-trail hawks and climb these mountains because there aren’t for us to the summits.

00:29:22.080 –> 00:29:30.480 Joseph McElroy: Like so how many mountains and you have to climb to achieve this finish there was like they’re all 6000 or more per night right.

00:29:30.570 –> 00:29:41.250 Johnny Osborne: yeah they are if there’s 40 well there’s more than 40 but there’s 40 that’s designated by the Carolina mountain climb for this challenge, so there’s 46,000-foot summits

00:29:41.790 –> 00:29:46.740 Joseph McElroy: So it’s 40 heights you gotta go climb a mountain to finish well how long it is a few.

00:29:48.990 –> 00:29:51.360 Johnny Osborne: They got them and about a year, maybe listen to yours.

00:29:51.600 –> 00:29:55.350 Joseph McElroy: cool well that’s like one almost one every week yeah.

00:29:55.620 –> 00:29:57.510 Joseph McElroy: Now yeah it was cool.

00:29:57.600 –> 00:29:59.100 Johnny Osborne: And a few of those I did you know.

00:30:00.630 –> 00:30:15.780 Johnny Osborne: The black mountain Crest try their luck as fat peaks on that trade-off I did those five that we can or well that day I didn’t two more, the day before the day after I can’t remember which so that’d be a few hours each weekend cool.

00:30:16.080 –> 00:30:25.230 Joseph McElroy: Well, we have to take another break and we’ll come back and we’ll talk about some of these other fun travel trips and then get into a little bit about more about your social media and stuff like.

00:32:31.830 –> 00:32:38.520 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Johnny Osborne.

00:32:39.690 –> 00:32:46.650 Joseph McElroy: So John you’ve done some amazing different hikes you mentioned the Black Mountain CREST trail had some peaks on what was that in it.

00:32:48.180 –> 00:32:54.600 Johnny Osborne: Oh, my gosh that was so fun and I love that too I love that hock and.

00:32:55.680 –> 00:33:11.250 Johnny Osborne: I started out first off it’s called the march of death right map quest has more to do with is one of those crazy weekends, is a subtle hot, for me, I didn’t really know what to expect and I’ve heard the trail was super brutal it kind of was.

00:33:12.720 –> 00:33:27.720 Johnny Osborne: So I packed my bag my backpack for an overnight trip, just in case I ran into any issues or couldn’t finish it as a day hock but I didn’t I fishes they hocked but started Bowling creek and a hocked it all the way through to Mount Mitchell.

00:33:30.780 –> 00:33:34.920 Johnny Osborne: Like I said earlier, things five or six 6000 foot summits.

00:33:35.160 –> 00:33:35.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:33:35.730 –> 00:33:40.440 Johnny Osborne: there are some ropes on the training after I’ve kind of used to pull yourself up.

00:33:43.350 –> 00:33:44.100 Johnny Osborne: It was amazing.

00:33:44.790 –> 00:33:48.270 Johnny Osborne: The views up there, just like anywhere else so beautiful.

00:33:48.720 –> 00:33:52.260 Johnny Osborne: wow I’m hoping to go back and maybe the next month.

00:33:52.950 –> 00:33:57.090 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah that sounds like if that there’s really clear to pull up I’m probably.

00:33:57.090 –> 00:33:57.570 Johnny Osborne: Not yeah.

00:33:58.800 –> 00:33:59.790 Johnny Osborne: yeah exactly.

00:34:00.870 –> 00:34:01.740 Johnny Osborne: So crazy.

00:34:02.130 –> 00:34:09.990 Joseph McElroy: And then you did the great smoky mountains National Park 900 mile which is doing all the trails in the smoky mountain National Park right.

00:34:11.520 –> 00:34:11.790 Johnny Osborne: yeah.

00:34:11.820 –> 00:34:13.050 Joseph McElroy: Did you do a good time.

00:34:13.890 –> 00:34:17.070 Johnny Osborne: I did it in about a little over a year.

00:34:17.430 –> 00:34:20.940 Johnny Osborne: And I wasn’t in any hurry to do it, or anything but.

00:34:22.770 –> 00:34:30.540 Johnny Osborne: it’s kind of fun and I’m doing a second one soda and not really said it’s official but about halfway through with a second one, but.

00:34:30.930 –> 00:34:47.910 Johnny Osborne: wow it’s just one of the things I’m just going out on a weekend or whatever and I’ll make I may go out and do a backpacking trip or just a short day hock and how about that trail and done cool thing about that too is I just checked the stats a.

00:34:49.260 –> 00:34:54.030 Johnny Osborne: a couple of weeks ago there were 733 members of the 900 our club.

00:34:54.810 –> 00:34:57.810 Johnny Osborne: Was super cool it’s a small crowd.

00:34:58.770 –> 00:35:02.550 Joseph McElroy: Now you’ve also done the foothills through trail thru-hike what is that.

00:35:03.480 –> 00:35:20.520 Johnny Osborne: yeah and the thumbnails trail goes from table rock to county state park and took off a few days for more to solo hock through at least through such a boozy trail loved it, it was well maintained through and through.

00:35:21.690 –> 00:35:28.740 Johnny Osborne: gosh it was such a delight to Hock and I would totally hock that through any time again and a funny story about that hock.

00:35:30.210 –> 00:35:41.550 Johnny Osborne: My first day on the Hock I was I had planned my campsite long before I went, but on the trail, I was talking along and the storm came is a huge storm.

00:35:42.240 –> 00:35:53.160 Johnny Osborne: And I’m like well I’m not where I want to be for camp, so I dove into this little spot and had my tarp and my hammock and cook dinner hi my feedback and.

00:35:53.640 –> 00:36:03.150 Johnny Osborne: Change clothes went to bed that makes more impact up and started hocking and come to find out, I was Point two miles from where one is the first place I mean, even though.

00:36:14.340 –> 00:36:15.420 Joseph McElroy: That story right.

00:36:15.630 –> 00:36:16.770 Johnny Osborne: yeah yeah.

00:36:17.130 –> 00:36:21.390 Joseph McElroy: I was sleeping I’m sleeping on the one side of the mountain where we’re supposed to be was just oh yeah.

00:36:26.100 –> 00:36:33.090 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so So if I mean you’ve done a lot in the smokies I assume you’ve done the Appalachian trail right.

00:36:33.360 –> 00:36:34.260 Johnny Osborne: I have not.

00:36:34.320 –> 00:36:38.880 Joseph McElroy: You have not okay yeah that’s one on your bucket list right.

00:36:39.360 –> 00:36:41.100 Johnny Osborne: um gosh you know.

00:36:42.750 –> 00:36:49.380 Johnny Osborne: Maybe maybe not matter right, I really don’t have a desire to hockey but I’ve got so many sections of it.

00:36:51.720 –> 00:36:52.320 Johnny Osborne: One day.

00:36:52.710 –> 00:36:55.200 Joseph McElroy: you’ve hiked in other places across the United States right.

00:36:55.200 –> 00:37:01.380 Johnny Osborne: Now absolutely I thought oh my gosh I’m having so many states and so many countries.

00:37:02.250 –> 00:37:05.940 Joseph McElroy: Was it what’s one highlight of those two you can recommend.

00:37:07.380 –> 00:37:08.340 Johnny Osborne: Of the.

00:37:08.430 –> 00:37:10.410 Joseph McElroy: Other hypothesizes smokies yet.

00:37:11.130 –> 00:37:21.420 Johnny Osborne: yeah I went to the Rockies last year was my first time to the Rockies and that was really a neat experience out there because when I went in the fall will say in those Aspen trees.

00:37:22.350 –> 00:37:40.290 Johnny Osborne: It was such a delight those things are so beautiful and those our panel aches for one they’re beautiful but today it’s no joke get into them because are over 10,000 feet right so you’re climbing a lot to get to him so, but it was worth that ever been it was worth it.

00:37:41.940 –> 00:37:57.000 Johnny Osborne: And one of my last hocks in Colorado with a quandary peak, which is a 14,271-foot summit, and I was just I mean when I got to the summit, I was just really overjoyed with happiness.

00:37:58.080 –> 00:38:12.870 Johnny Osborne: mean it was I literally cried, in fact, if you watch my YouTube video of this I’m bawling it’s tonight, and the fact is all about Africa mark can’t believe it it’s just so humbling to be there was just so cool but.

00:38:12.900 –> 00:38:18.300 Joseph McElroy: Talking about YouTube you have you on social media you call yourself an encourager

00:38:18.330 –> 00:38:19.860 Joseph McElroy: Not an influencer, why do you.

00:38:19.860 –> 00:38:20.550 differentiate.

00:38:22.050 –> 00:38:24.450 Johnny Osborne: that’s a really good question and.

00:38:25.740 –> 00:38:30.330 Johnny Osborne: To me, and in my opinion, to influence and persuade someone in something or.

00:38:31.830 –> 00:38:36.600 Johnny Osborne: And most influencers, in my opinion, are selling something or fishing something on you.

00:38:38.160 –> 00:38:42.570 Johnny Osborne: As an encourager is kinda like coaching you know I’ve had thousands of miles.

00:38:44.160 –> 00:38:51.330 Johnny Osborne: And in my mind, I believe that anyone can have any single trail, I thought I mean there’s absolutely no reason they can’t.

00:38:52.140 –> 00:39:05.670 Johnny Osborne: You know, all it is is one step at a time and it’s at your own pace and that’s, the keyword at your own pace and so to me, it’s about supporting them or to motivate me motivated.

00:39:07.860 –> 00:39:11.160 Johnny Osborne: Whereas to influence is to control or manipulate something or someone.

00:39:12.180 –> 00:39:28.560 Johnny Osborne: So I try to be like a coach or be the good advice or you know I’m just today, you know commenting on a friend amounts post that’s working on a 900 mater map and I’m like hey so proud of you keep going.

00:39:29.790 –> 00:39:31.080 Johnny Osborne: Now, and I think that’s.

00:39:31.860 –> 00:39:40.830 Joseph McElroy: etc, do you feel like you make an impact in the Community, we are seeing in the stories of how you’ve impacted by that sort of differentiation.

00:39:41.550 –> 00:39:44.910 Johnny Osborne: um you know from time to time, I might see.

00:39:46.020 –> 00:39:51.510 Johnny Osborne: Someone that I’ve you know encouraged along the way, reach that goal.

00:39:52.530 –> 00:39:55.560 Johnny Osborne: I mean it’s really hard to it’s hard to say if know.

00:39:56.820 –> 00:40:01.170 Johnny Osborne: How, you know what their what’s in their mind, or what they’re doing what they’re going through, but.

00:40:02.640 –> 00:40:09.660 Johnny Osborne: um you know I just think it’s gratifying to coach others and give them encouragement keep motivating them but keep going.

00:40:11.730 –> 00:40:19.410 Johnny Osborne: Going after something that maybe they had doubts about that first hock or that first overnight trip in the smokies or wherever it may be.

00:40:21.480 –> 00:40:24.690 Johnny Osborne: I did get some feedback, but not not not a whole lot.

00:40:25.110 –> 00:40:26.400 Johnny Osborne: yeah yeah.

00:40:27.090 –> 00:40:30.060 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you know you have you know.

00:40:31.170 –> 00:40:39.150 Joseph McElroy: You have a large following and you know, on yeah on Twitter, you have some Facebook and YouTube definitely got it.

00:40:40.350 –> 00:40:47.520 Joseph McElroy: Is there you know these platforms, you know there’s a lot of businesses use them and, like you said influencers trying to sell something.

00:40:48.000 –> 00:40:58.110 Joseph McElroy: But for people that don’t necessarily want the selling thing, but in to encourage people to build communities do you have any particular tips or secrets you like to share with them to help build their community.

00:41:02.280 –> 00:41:07.290 Johnny Osborne: gosh, you know I’m always looking for somewhere to add value on social media platforms.

00:41:08.490 –> 00:41:10.380 Johnny Osborne: You know whether it’s Instagram or Facebook.

00:41:11.430 –> 00:41:11.910 But.

00:41:14.100 –> 00:41:26.400 Johnny Osborne: I think the girl these platforms, you know to me once worked for me just be consistent with content, you know, create fresh, new and here’s, the keyword in my mom is relatable content.

00:41:26.940 –> 00:41:38.880 Johnny Osborne: If I can create content that’s relatable to the person watching it or searching for it then they’re most likely going to follow or subscribe, or whatever so I’m just trying to create content daily that’s relatable.

00:41:39.690 –> 00:41:51.570 Joseph McElroy: mm hmm have you found any format, so the content that makes it more viral or more watchable we’re getting more views than than than other types of formats.

00:41:53.340 –> 00:42:07.470 Johnny Osborne: Right now Instagram reels are absolutely taken off, I mean they’re not now Instagram reels there’s there aren’t any advertisements on this grammar so it’s kind of like an open market that Instagrams kind of opened up.

00:42:07.980 –> 00:42:19.980 Johnny Osborne: Their platform to go hey we need content creators to come on and create reels and if you’ll create real express will promote your videos and.

00:42:21.510 –> 00:42:26.400 Johnny Osborne: You get tons of locks and tons of use it’s crazy how it works.

00:42:27.420 –> 00:42:29.400 Johnny Osborne: same with YouTube shorts and.

00:42:30.630 –> 00:42:34.410 Johnny Osborne: Think there’s another platform it over call everyone, we have a law that.

00:42:36.000 –> 00:42:42.840 Johnny Osborne: You just have kind of have to deal with what’s trending right now it’s not want to be like open forever is from reels isn’t that.

00:42:42.900 –> 00:42:43.650 Johnny Osborne: Right now it’s.

00:42:43.950 –> 00:42:45.060 Johnny Osborne: wide open for the.

00:42:45.180 –> 00:42:52.920 Joseph McElroy: For the taking my target I might check that out my wife loves he loves Instagram so you have something called base camp chat what is that.

00:42:54.330 –> 00:43:09.930 Johnny Osborne: Okay yeah basically chat I was a guest on the hock podcast with Lori Pramod and also on the podcast just or section hacks host about Julie Gay heart and we had so much fun chatting better ventures.

00:43:10.980 –> 00:43:22.470 Johnny Osborne: And, along with the Beanie Braden we started base camp chat two years ago with a fourth episode season one and we talked about anything from our fears, while, on the trail.

00:43:23.250 –> 00:43:30.840 Johnny Osborne: To you know to advance that we would give to the listener, that it may be their first time hockey or their first time backpacking.

00:43:32.250 –> 00:43:47.790 Johnny Osborne: And the base camp chat was just the feedback was phenomenal so we brought it back for season two, we have already recorded season or episode one into episode one is out already.

00:43:48.870 –> 00:43:53.970 Johnny Osborne: And season two will be or episode two will be out later this week or next.

00:43:55.230 –> 00:44:01.770 Johnny Osborne: But our objective here was just to create a fun educational atmosphere about hacking or the outdoors.

00:44:02.790 –> 00:44:05.070 Johnny Osborne: For the listeners just to make the content relatable.

00:44:06.150 –> 00:44:14.550 Johnny Osborne: And one cool thing, though, our fourth and last show season two will be alive, so will be fielding questions and comments from our listeners.

00:44:15.210 –> 00:44:16.410 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow that’s good.

00:44:16.950 –> 00:44:19.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah live interaction is always good yeah.

00:44:19.740 –> 00:44:20.700 Johnny Osborne: Sometimes ticket.

00:44:21.270 –> 00:44:23.250 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, you can go south, you have to get the.

00:44:23.250 –> 00:44:23.520 Right.

00:44:26.790 –> 00:44:27.330 Johnny Osborne: what’s the answer.

00:44:29.670 –> 00:44:36.690 Joseph McElroy: will do you think social media is a good way to learn about this, the great smoky mountains, and to promote it.

00:44:38.700 –> 00:44:46.020 Johnny Osborne: Then yeah I think if you want to you know go out and hack or spend time in the smokies it’s good there’s some homework or.

00:44:46.740 –> 00:44:57.960 Johnny Osborne: The number one principle ain’t no traces plan and prepare so you know to go online study the trail and one cool thing about the hock in the smokies Facebook group is.

00:44:59.250 –> 00:45:14.730 Johnny Osborne: If you’re wanting to hockey and smokies go and do a search and that group for that trail and say what feedback, you may get back you’re going to see that out of 85,000 members somebody hock the trail you’re looking for recently.

00:45:15.990 –> 00:45:30.090 Johnny Osborne: To get the most current up-to-date trail conditions that you wouldn’t get from you to know any other website was kind of almost start loud but it’s you know days or weeks oh come, you know, information and it’s always helpful.

00:45:30.630 –> 00:45:33.210 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah we got to take another break.

00:45:33.690 –> 00:45:40.980 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll come back we’ll finish up with some of the other things that you’re doing and switch out to us.

00:47:43.440 –> 00:47:49.710 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Johnny Osborne.

00:47:51.150 –> 00:48:03.690 Joseph McElroy: Johnny you’re involved with a place called Blackberry farm and mountain resort and East Tennessee now it’s a big beautiful place also become fairly large enterprise didn’t they just by Wyndham resorts.

00:48:04.830 –> 00:48:07.020 Joseph McElroy: heard the rumor mill that they might have.

00:48:09.150 –> 00:48:24.150 Joseph McElroy: The resort winded had its own separate resort business and, though we might my company excuse to do some content for them and I thought it wasn’t a great buy that they had so I was pretty surprised, but can you tell us about the Blackberry farm and mountain resort?

00:48:24.630 –> 00:48:30.120 Johnny Osborne: Sure absolutely and, as far as that Wyndham I don’t know if they have or not.

00:48:31.560 –> 00:48:41.700 Johnny Osborne: But we have my reform like very mountain and over in the cashiers, we have Hampton inn and it’s all a family tree resort hotel.

00:48:42.810 –> 00:48:46.230 Johnny Osborne: Every farm Blackberry mountains, right at the foothills of the great smoky mountains.

00:48:47.340 –> 00:48:55.050 Johnny Osborne: In-wall in Tennessee and I’ve been with the company for seven years I’m an information technology manager at library mountain.

00:48:56.130 –> 00:49:05.700 Johnny Osborne: And as I said earlier, the property butts up at Instagram smoky mountain National Park, so he stepped away, I mean apart super cool.

00:49:06.720 –> 00:49:08.370 Joseph McElroy: Like a brewery there and.

00:49:08.370 –> 00:49:10.620 Johnny Osborne: All that yeah we have a brewery.

00:49:12.540 –> 00:49:19.770 Johnny Osborne: we’re getting ready to open up a food restaurant there to the brewery so it’s happening, I think, in April.

00:49:21.030 –> 00:49:21.540 Johnny Osborne: yeah.

00:49:23.910 –> 00:49:40.410 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know I am I heard, I read recently that where you said, your goal is to create memorable experiences and the great smoky mountain National Park, while also promoting and perpetuating the park’s legacy is that a fair depiction of your quote.

00:49:41.100 –> 00:49:48.900 Johnny Osborne: It is yeah I felt like we cherish our memories and I want to encourage others to go out and create those new ones spring swan smokies.

00:49:49.530 –> 00:50:04.350 Johnny Osborne: Really anywhere but for me here in the snow peas, but to go a step further, but also preserving parks history back creating the generational sustainability and this goes back to responsible stewardship recreating responsibly.

00:50:05.670 –> 00:50:14.970 Johnny Osborne: And the objectives are just to go to a park at Dell business park and trade as law firm here with his friends and family but leave the park better than you found it.

00:50:15.570 –> 00:50:25.680 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah that’s pretty cool you know one of the intentions of the Meadowlark and why we built a Heritage Center and everything else is to create a memorable experience.

00:50:25.830 –> 00:50:34.920 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah one is you know it’s my heritage and I, you know I want to have people have those flashbulb memories of something wonderful happening for them.

00:50:35.340 –> 00:50:43.530 Joseph McElroy: But from a marketing standpoint, if you market were you creating memorable experiences you actually create.

00:50:44.130 –> 00:50:59.580 Joseph McElroy: Better brand loyalty and better revisit intention so it’s both practical and good for people for companies to turn to try to create those memorable experiences and so that is our ethics, so I really appreciate what you’re doing there.

00:50:59.730 –> 00:51:01.290 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah.

00:51:02.820 –> 00:51:08.670 Joseph McElroy: So you’re actually a wide variety in another outdoor thing besides hiking right.

00:51:09.990 –> 00:51:17.250 Joseph McElroy: So what are some other good adventurous locations to do things besides taking that you enjoy the smoky mountains.

00:51:18.000 –> 00:51:26.100 Johnny Osborne: And I left a mountain bike rode cycle course I’ve been running earlier left to run I’m also a kayaker.

00:51:27.660 –> 00:51:28.020 Johnny Osborne: and

00:51:29.070 –> 00:51:30.810 Johnny Osborne: Nothing anything outside.

00:51:31.320 –> 00:51:33.570 Joseph McElroy: what’s your favorite mountain biking spot.

00:51:33.600 –> 00:51:51.840 Johnny Osborne: The most folks yeah we have a spot here in Knoxville called items it’s at the see as part of the legacy parks foundation part there and South Knoxville and logo in there to ride, one of my other favorite places in obstacles makers creek and.

00:51:53.550 –> 00:51:55.230 Johnny Osborne: it’s two types of riding so.

00:51:56.940 –> 00:52:04.740 Johnny Osborne: This is more like cross country riding where it’s like makers creatures down he’ll be riding with big massive jumps.

00:52:05.280 –> 00:52:18.180 Johnny Osborne: And both are super fun, but we pick and choose how you feel that they and there’s also a brand new mountain biking area that just recently opened later part of last year in towns and it’s called the hollow.

00:52:19.200 –> 00:52:25.290 Johnny Osborne: I haven’t been yet, but as soon as the weather breaks stops raining dries out want to go check it out.

00:52:25.830 –> 00:52:28.440 Joseph McElroy: How about the North Carolina side any places you like to go.

00:52:29.040 –> 00:52:33.060 Johnny Osborne: I am there are gosh what’s it called and.

00:52:35.910 –> 00:52:41.700 Johnny Osborne: there’s a place over there, that I went a few years ago, spend some time writing De pon.

00:52:42.150 –> 00:52:42.750 Joseph McElroy: Okay.

00:52:42.810 –> 00:52:43.860 Johnny Osborne: The de pon area.

00:52:45.180 –> 00:52:55.230 Johnny Osborne: Lots of really good writing over there loved it and I really can’t wait to go back and do this more so much, of course, like here, this is your riding up a mountain to ride down.

00:52:57.300 –> 00:52:59.970 Johnny Osborne: In an hour ride never run a ton of amount.

00:53:01.080 –> 00:53:04.500 Joseph McElroy: Of this, that you can work to get up and then you get to enjoy coming down.

00:53:06.900 –> 00:53:07.320 Johnny Osborne: Right.

00:53:07.650 –> 00:53:09.990 Joseph McElroy: So you rock climbing what’s your favorite Rockland spot.

00:53:10.860 –> 00:53:23.190 Johnny Osborne: At the rock and rock climb Stephen I used to do with my friends years and years ago and I kind of picked it back up about two or three years ago I don’t even know why to pick it back up but I enjoy it it’s like.

00:53:24.330 –> 00:53:33.180 Johnny Osborne: To me, it’s kind of like solving a puzzle or working with a puzzle, you know each handhold and each foot move is like putting a piece of the puzzle together but.

00:53:35.520 –> 00:53:42.960 Johnny Osborne: This is a new challenge for me, but my favorite spot to climb is outdated it’s one of my favorite areas to go there, quite often.

00:53:44.430 –> 00:53:46.080 Johnny Osborne: there’s a place in Knoxville.

00:53:47.130 –> 00:54:00.810 Johnny Osborne: Also at items that are done climates and established plumbing destination Maggie legacy Ford foundation it’s bolted, which is super cool and it’s a lot crowded, and this every time.

00:54:01.230 –> 00:54:05.430 Johnny Osborne: They so I’m making cheese I go there, go to the gym.

00:54:06.540 –> 00:54:07.110 Joseph McElroy: cool.

00:54:07.590 –> 00:54:19.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah So what if somebody wants to you get so many things to shout out what you wanted to shout out your how people will follow you find out more about you things like that.

00:54:19.710 –> 00:54:24.810 Johnny Osborne: Sure yeah I mean you can reach out to me on Instagram at Johnny on the trail.

00:54:26.010 –> 00:54:36.750 Johnny Osborne: Facebook Instagram and Facebook YouTube saying Johnny on the trail or you can search for Johnny Osborne on Facebook I’m on there as well, grabbed me that way too.

00:54:37.110 –> 00:54:38.190 Joseph McElroy: And you have a link tree right.

00:54:39.210 –> 00:54:42.600 Johnny Osborne: And I do yeah it’s on my Instagram page.

00:54:43.830 –> 00:54:45.120 Joseph McElroy: So you’re the Instagram look for.

00:54:45.120 –> 00:54:47.460 Joseph McElroy: jazz wasn’t Johnny on the trail and then.

00:54:47.730 –> 00:54:49.170 Joseph McElroy: find your link tree cool.

00:54:50.190 –> 00:54:56.490 Joseph McElroy: And you’re doing some interesting stuff in social media, they have you doing much more merchandise.

00:54:56.730 –> 00:54:57.390 Joseph McElroy: But you’re actually.

00:54:57.420 –> 00:55:00.420 Joseph McElroy: donating it also the park charities all right.

00:55:00.690 –> 00:55:08.820 Johnny Osborne: yeah we sure are and we are an idea that I had thought of a while back into quite a bit of time to get some things together for it but.

00:55:09.930 –> 00:55:20.280 Johnny Osborne: After talking to some of my group’s admins about creating some sort of fundraiser we decided to do some you know some marketing perhaps a merchant bass and.

00:55:20.970 –> 00:55:28.950 Johnny Osborne: Have all that profit that we raised on that bill to nonprofits and the idea really took off quickly.

00:55:29.700 –> 00:55:36.480 Johnny Osborne: And so we designed the logo and we came up with some clever wording and the wording is really cool it’s together we are.

00:55:37.320 –> 00:55:54.510 Johnny Osborne: Together we are hocking the smokies and that’s what’s on our shirt together we are funny and that was meant to represent that the committee at this might represent the Community as a whole that together we are supporting the park and together we are supporting the nonprofits.

00:55:55.590 –> 00:55:58.770 Joseph McElroy: And together with us in building a Community that’s enjoying it so that’s.

00:55:58.860 –> 00:55:59.970 Johnny Osborne: Absolutely yeah.

00:56:00.360 –> 00:56:02.670 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you so much for being on the show this.

00:56:02.730 –> 00:56:06.240 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely, I look forward to maybe hiking with us at some point.

00:56:06.660 –> 00:56:07.320 Johnny Osborne: me great.

00:56:07.410 –> 00:56:13.980 Joseph McElroy: sounds good, this is the gateways to the smoky podcast and you find out more about this.

00:56:14.460 –> 00:56:25.860 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventure.com and there’s a link to the gateways to the smokies podcast on the top of the menu bar, you also go to facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast.

00:56:26.220 –> 00:56:42.270 Joseph McElroy: Where we have these live broadcasts as well as some of the old shows and posts about things going on in the smoky mountains that were part of talkradio.nyc network and network of live podcasts every day, seven days a week.

00:56:43.560 –> 00:56:53.970 Joseph McElroy: That has a vast variety of shows, ranging from self-help to travel to small business and big business marketing.

00:56:55.410 –> 00:57:09.480 Joseph McElroy: dogs and cats health, so I recommend you look at the go-to the talk radio dot nyc and look up the shows you listen to live while you’re there to whatever’s going on and it’s really fulfilling effort.

00:57:11.310 –> 00:57:25.350 Joseph McElroy: I actually have two podcasts of those networks, I have another one about content and marketing called wise content creates wealth on Fridays from noon until till one.

00:57:26.250 –> 00:57:36.240 Joseph McElroy: Hope you’ve come visit that and, of course, this podcast gateway the smokies runs on Tuesdays from six to seven, I look forward to seeing you next week, and thank you very much for listening.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/bvk58dZhB1/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/621f972b0ff2ffaf419c23ed_20220301-GTTS.jpg" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/03/01 - Creating Memorable Hiking and Outdoor Adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains"></a></p><p><strong>Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains is a beautiful and iconic way to experience the area, as well as a unique way to connect with nature and find tranquility. Today, our guest will discuss some of his amazing hiking adventures and the social media impact he has had on so many individuals.</strong></p><p>Creating Memorable Hiking and Outdoor Adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains Our host, Joseph Franklyn McElroy, is joined by our special guest, <a href="https://www.outdoorproject.com/articles/whyihike-johnny-osborne" rel="nofollow"><strong>Johnny Osborne</strong></a>, an acclaimed long-distance hiker, adventurer, and rock climber, and mountain biker, also renowned for his social media skills. With well over a million followers on various forms of social media platforms, Johnny is a master at creating memorable online hiking experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains –and throughout the United States –while documenting his accomplishments as a hiker. </p><p>Johnny is especially passionate about promoting, protecting, and perpetuating the legacy of the Great Smokies Mountain National Park. When not enjoying various outdoor pursuits, Osborne resides in Alcoa Tennessee, where he manages his social media platforms and works with clients such as Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain Resort.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/bvk58dZhB1/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3><strong>Show Notes</strong></h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts off tonight’s show with of course his sponsor which is his own, the Meadowlark Motel! He mentions several upcoming events that you can find at meadowlarkmotel.com. Joseph also reads a poem by Lawrence Hall called “New Hiking Shoes for the Trail Ahead.” He transitions into introducing his guest, Johnny Osborne, an acclaimed long-distance hiker, adventurer, rock climber, and mountain biker, also renowned for his social media skills, with well over a million followers on various forms of social media platforms. He lives in Tennessee and is 20 minutes away from the Smokies National Park. He became passionate about outdoor lifestyles due to his fond memories with his family like going to the Smokies and bonding. Osborne became serious about hiking after being invited by his sister numerous times to go hiking with her. He used to run rather than hike while in college but once he went hiking with his sister again, it “ignited a fire” that made him fall in love with it again. He talks with Joseph about some intriguing memories of hiking.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph mentions Johnny’s social media channels and how he talks about the leave no trace principles of hiking in many of his videos. This topic is about cleaning our environment, educating, advocating, and more when it comes to recreating responsibly. Johnny also mentions a nonprofit organization, Save Our Smokies, which is having an event on the weekend of Earth Day to clean the entire Smokies National Park. He also talks about the positive impacts of being a part of the hiking community like being the voice of information to provide knowledge about being safe. Joseph talks with Johnny about his impressive social media skills and have big following. He wants to grow and create more educational content for his youtube channel. Johnny talks about doing challenges and taking on the South Beyond 6,000 challenge which he read about in an article. This challenge encourages hikers to climb forty 6000-foot peaks in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Johnny speaks with Joseph about his experience hiking in the Black Mountain Crest Trail. He also did the Great Smoky Mountains National Park nine hundred-mile hike which includes going through all of the trails in the area. Johnny also speaks about doing the Foothills Trail Hike in the Appalachian Mountains. He talks about a funny moment of how on his first day on this hike, a huge storm came along. When this happened, he found a spot to camp, and the next morning he realized that he was about only 2 miles from where he wanted to be. Johnny has hiked in many states and countries. He reminisces about the beautiful atmosphere when he hiked in the Rocky Mountains. When it comes to his social media, he refers to himself as someone who is encouraging and not an influencer. He differentiates these two terms as someone who is selling something (influencer) and someone who is coaching (encouraging). He says that it&#39;s about supporting and motivating others when educating people about hiking. Johnny also gives some of his thoughts about how other people on social media can grow their platforms and build a community. He speaks about being consistent in delivering relatable content.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>In the final segment, Johnny speaks about being involved with the Blackberry Farm and Mountain Resort in Tennessee. He has been with them for 7 years and is an information technology manager at Blackberry Mountain. He says that they are opening up a restaurant at the brewery they have in the location. Johnny speaks about his passion for the Great Smoky Mountains and advocating for being responsible while enjoying recreation and memorable experiences. Other things Johnny also enjoys besides hiking is going mountain biking or even kayaking. He talks more with Joseph about places he enjoys visiting in Tennessee and the Smokies. His favorite rock climbing spot for example is Ijams in Knox County. You can reach out to Johnny on Instagram at johnny on the trail, as well as on Facebook and Youtube with the same username. Johnny also shares with us that he has merch and the proceeds will go to nonprofit organizations and park charities. Joseph thanks Johnny Osborne for being on the show and looks forward to hiking with him sometime soon!</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:00:30.270 –&gt; 00:00:35.220 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of Gateway to the Smokies.</p><p>00:00:36.090 –&gt; 00:00:47.370 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty.</p><p>00:00:48.030 –&gt; 00:00:53.280 Joseph McElroy: A deep-storied history of rich mountain cultures that we explore with the weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:54.120 –&gt; 00:01:02.550 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains, my families living the great smokies for over 200 years.</p><p>00:01:03.360 –&gt; 00:01:17.640 Joseph McElroy: my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. In today’s podcast we’re talking about hiking and experiences in the smokies but first, let’s talk about sponsors has happened to be me.</p><p>00:01:20.160 –&gt; 00:01:30.510 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motors courts of the past in a modern environment with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:31.110 –&gt; 00:01:40.650 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by a fine wine and craft beers.</p><p>00:01:41.010 –&gt; 00:01:58.710 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place in the old-time music, the World Cultural sounds imagine a place where we’re mountain heritage food, and that was an underground Speakeasy. There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay. Also, sponsoring us</p><p>00:02:00.060 –&gt; 00:02:07.050 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com smokies plural adventure singular information and listings about the smoky.</p><p>00:02:07.860 –&gt; 00:02:15.030 Joseph McElroy: it’s got information about hiking wedding menus and books is got resources like trail maps and guides.</p><p>00:02:15.510 –&gt; 00:02:24.990 Joseph McElroy: and histories of the smokies the emphasis of smokies adventure is on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with.</p><p>00:02:25.320 –&gt; 00:02:35.220 Joseph McElroy: Providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more the goal is to become the leading information portal, the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:36.570 –&gt; 00:02:38.970 Joseph McElroy: I have some upcoming events table.</p><p>00:02:40.410 –&gt; 00:02:46.590 Joseph McElroy: We have never seen winter’s final hurrah but the first by sides of springs are starting to emerge in Haywood County.</p><p>00:02:47.430 –&gt; 00:02:55.080 Joseph McElroy: Witness the changing of the stream seasons first hand by joining a guided height with the Haywood County recreation.</p><p>00:02:55.800 –&gt; 00:03:08.160 Joseph McElroy: The guided hike offer a chance to connect with fellow hikers and explore new trails will experience local guide it’s only $10 per hike and you can call 828-452-6789</p><p>00:03:08.940 –&gt; 00:03:18.000 Joseph McElroy: To find out more information there’s for a hike there’s for hikes already I know for March there are more slides it’s a 5.5-mile hike the.</p><p>00:03:18.810 –&gt; 00:03:28.650 Joseph McElroy: trail and shiny rock march 16 is a 7.5 mile like in the Boggerman trail that Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</p><p>00:03:29.190 –&gt; 00:03:37.140 Joseph McElroy: there’s a march 19 and 9.4-mile hike have a little Cataloochee trail, and unless you have traveled area, the Cataloochee</p><p>00:03:37.740 –&gt; 00:04:00.690 Joseph McElroy: And march 30 there’s a 5.6-mile moderate hike in the mountains to see the trail to Scott Creek overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is a part of the install isn’t a storm in the mountains to sea trail hiking series hiking the MST from Haywood County lead by Kathy or Body and Steve.</p><p>00:04:04.140 –&gt; 00:04:10.050 Joseph McElroy: I just looked at that it says a Penske so I’m assuming hopefully I did justice to it.</p><p>00:04:11.820 –&gt; 00:04:18.330 Joseph McElroy: upcoming to the Meadowlark in today’s world you might forget that for all of history humankind has lived or journey.</p><p>00:04:18.750 –&gt; 00:04:23.220 Joseph McElroy: into environments that require fundamental survival skills in order to flourish.</p><p>00:04:23.730 –&gt; 00:04:33.810 Joseph McElroy: Wilderness survival, also known as bushcraft because the ability to utilize natural and limited materials of the traditional ways to stay alive and escape danger.</p><p>00:04:34.470 –&gt; 00:04:37.680 Joseph McElroy: We might not think we need these skills if we avoid it.</p><p>00:04:38.430 –&gt; 00:04:47.970 Joseph McElroy: But there are still interesting instances where we might need to call a pet that includes natural disasters, getting lost in the woods extreme shifts, and weather accidents.</p><p>00:04:48.300 –&gt; 00:04:54.960 Joseph McElroy: causing some form of contract incapacitation and many other unforeseen circumstances.</p><p>00:04:55.710 –&gt; 00:05:02.880 Joseph McElroy: Therefore it is proven wise for every human to have at least a rudimentary capability in the basic skills of survival.</p><p>00:05:03.450 –&gt; 00:05:17.790 Joseph McElroy: These include the ability to build a fire build a shelter tie knots navigate without a GPS apply first aid, evaluate and choose the right gears and supplies and master the essentials of hiking and camping.</p><p>00:05:18.600 –&gt; 00:05:34.890 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center is proud to announce the addition of Acclaimed Author outdoors outdoor survival expert record-setting high hiker elite wilderness search and rescue team Member Nancy East to a roster of expert artists for 2022</p><p>00:05:36.540 –&gt; 00:05:50.640 Joseph McElroy: Remember, she was on the program here a couple of weeks ago and so we’re having a first wilderness survival skills weekend with Nancy East on March 19 at 4 pm through March 20 to all-day 11 pm.</p><p>00:05:51.990 –&gt; 00:06:04.590 Joseph McElroy: it’s $275 Nancy will launch the presentation Friday night describing her adventures as a search and rescue Member and she’s had some really exciting stories and.</p><p>00:06:05.010 –&gt; 00:06:15.540 Joseph McElroy: And rescues to talk about and then on Saturday march 19 will default, the Internet, it will devote the entire day to a variety of those survival skills.</p><p>00:06:16.440 –&gt; 00:06:30.900 Joseph McElroy: topics to ensure your safety comfort of enjoyment, as you create memorable experiences hiking in the great smokies space is limited to 10 students to their guarantee you get individual tension and Nancy provides all the materials needed for the event.</p><p>00:06:31.980 –&gt; 00:06:42.030 Joseph McElroy: after the event, you will be able to have a free Barbecue and listen to wonderful music like Mike by Mike Ogletree was a former drummer simple minds on Saturday night.</p><p>00:06:42.750 –&gt; 00:06:53.280 Joseph McElroy: So it makes for an enjoyable weekend your website meadowlarkmotel.com to purchase your tickets or just call 828 926 1717 to reserve.</p><p>00:06:54.210 –&gt; 00:07:08.100 Joseph McElroy: And don’t forget to remember to go little details but there’s a fishing camp coming up on April 15 and 16th at the meadowlark motel and there’s gonna be an able to two-day event with lots of wonderful fishing.</p><p>00:07:09.120 –&gt; 00:07:10.740 Joseph McElroy: instruction hands on.</p><p>00:07:11.820 –&gt; 00:07:26.010 Joseph McElroy: You know, going actually out to the streams and fishing, you know be trout tales and entertainment and foods things like that so again, you can call 828 926 1717 to find out more and make reservations.</p><p>00:07:27.150 –&gt; 00:07:29.580 Joseph McElroy: And a lot of you know I like to do a little poem sometimes.</p><p>00:07:30.960 –&gt; 00:07:39.690 Joseph McElroy: Since we’re talking about hiking a lot today, I found one by Lawrence Hall it’s called New hiking shoes for the trail ahead.</p><p>00:07:40.770 –&gt; 00:07:52.890 Joseph McElroy: While I was looking for something else I found a pair of hiking shoes still in their box from a year ago in anticipation of a summer vacation that never was.</p><p>00:07:53.460 –&gt; 00:08:05.700 Joseph McElroy: And there was no holiday again that here it was all coronavirus and foreign wars I’d forgotten those shoes, but here they are already for some sunlit summer road.</p><p>00:08:06.750 –&gt; 00:08:12.840 Joseph McElroy: While I was looking for something else I found a pair of hiking boots and a bit of hope.</p><p>00:08:14.550 –&gt; 00:08:19.050 Joseph McElroy: So today we have a great guest his name is Johnny Osborne.</p><p>00:08:20.790 –&gt; 00:08:31.050 Joseph McElroy: He’s a Tennessee native and he’s an acclaimed long-distance hiker adventure rock climber, and mountain but also renowned for his social media skills.</p><p>00:08:31.590 –&gt; 00:08:44.280 Joseph McElroy: With well over a million followers in various forms of social media platforms Johnny is a master of creating memorable online hiking experiences of the great smoky mountains, for which he has a passion.</p><p>00:08:44.970 –&gt; 00:08:54.360 Joseph McElroy: Johnny also uses his social media skills to help brands like Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain Resort. Hello Johnny how are you doing?</p><p>00:08:54.930 –&gt; 00:08:57.060 Johnny Osborne: Hey Joseph I’m doing well, how are you?</p><p>00:08:57.270 –&gt; 00:09:03.360 Joseph McElroy: Fine, fine so we’re talking about hiking shoes, do you do boots or sneakers.</p><p>00:09:04.980 –&gt; 00:09:06.060 Johnny Osborne: I do both.</p><p>00:09:06.390 –&gt; 00:09:08.490 Johnny Osborne: yeah yeah sometimes a trial run.</p><p>00:09:09.030 –&gt; 00:09:10.290 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah that’s truly cool.</p><p>00:09:11.460 –&gt; 00:09:12.180 Joseph McElroy: So you were.</p><p>00:09:13.020 –&gt; 00:09:15.330 Joseph McElroy: You were born and raised in East Tennessee right.</p><p>00:09:15.630 –&gt; 00:09:22.290 Johnny Osborne: yeah I was born and raised in East Tennessee my entire life I grew up here but county on a small country farm.</p><p>00:09:23.400 –&gt; 00:09:26.490 Johnny Osborne: plan outside was just normal natural for me so.</p><p>00:09:27.750 –&gt; 00:09:28.500 Johnny Osborne: Just where I am.</p><p>00:09:29.190 –&gt; 00:09:40.320 Joseph McElroy: I grew up in Western North Carolina and my grandfather had a small farm we lived up on top of the mountain and it just living outside it’s basically what you do.</p><p>00:09:41.880 –&gt; 00:09:42.270 Johnny Osborne: Right.</p><p>00:09:43.350 –&gt; 00:09:46.110 Joseph McElroy: So you still live in our code Tennessee right.</p><p>00:09:46.890 –&gt; 00:09:52.410 Johnny Osborne: I do they still live now code I’ve been that code for about 15 years but I’ve always been in La County.</p><p>00:09:53.520 –&gt; 00:09:54.150 Joseph McElroy: You know, still.</p><p>00:09:54.780 –&gt; 00:09:56.130 Johnny Osborne: To South Carolina.</p><p>00:09:56.850 –&gt; 00:09:59.160 Joseph McElroy: yeah what keeps you in this focus.</p><p>00:10:00.060 –&gt; 00:10:08.520 Johnny Osborne: You know focus is really, really close to, I mean there is a 20-minute drive from my home and from my work from my office just a few steps away.</p><p>00:10:09.000 –&gt; 00:10:24.570 Johnny Osborne: I’m taking a walk out of my office and being the national park and minutes, which is really nice so it’s nice to you know, be able to get away and go for a quick hoc after work or picnic or overnight trip and.</p><p>00:10:25.980 –&gt; 00:10:38.730 Johnny Osborne: I think the things that keep me going to the smokies it’s just nice to go and unplug from society, you know, being in technology and it’s nice to go in and plug and then one from the stress of the day.</p><p>00:10:40.170 –&gt; 00:10:47.370 Joseph McElroy: Like if you guys are so passionate about the great outdoors I mean besides that relaxation, I mean there seems to be more of an also a deep passion for it.</p><p>00:10:48.540 –&gt; 00:10:48.930 Johnny Osborne: yeah.</p><p>00:10:50.130 –&gt; 00:11:03.210 Johnny Osborne: gosh my passion came from A to the smokies instead is from my parents, when my sister and I were little when we were younger and our parents took us to smokies quite often.</p><p>00:11:03.840 –&gt; 00:11:15.300 Johnny Osborne: And we’d go up for a mixer to hack and Sam I’m fondest memories are just as playing the strings we did more string playing, and I think we get hockey but.</p><p>00:11:16.410 –&gt; 00:11:24.330 Johnny Osborne: This seven my parents always did with us going to the smokies and having family fun bonding time.</p><p>00:11:25.980 –&gt; 00:11:31.230 Joseph McElroy: And you know you’ve become a real, serious hiker how did you become serious about hiking.</p><p>00:11:32.160 –&gt; 00:11:32.730 Johnny Osborne: Oh gosh.</p><p>00:11:34.650 –&gt; 00:11:35.250 Johnny Osborne: and</p><p>00:11:36.720 –&gt; 00:11:39.090 Johnny Osborne: You know hocked early on in life and.</p><p>00:11:40.140 –&gt; 00:11:42.090 Johnny Osborne: And, as I got into school and.</p><p>00:11:43.800 –&gt; 00:11:49.650 Johnny Osborne: college and all that I stopped hocking as much and started running another runner.</p><p>00:11:50.880 –&gt; 00:12:02.880 Johnny Osborne: And my sister Cape on and on and on about coming with me come hock with me, come hock with me and I’m like no I bet this run the day that you know 10 miles 15 miles whatever I want to run.</p><p>00:12:03.930 –&gt; 00:12:15.930 Johnny Osborne: And now I’m not going to go and I’ll just wait and she was very persistent about it and so she kept on following I gave in and went but I’m really, really glad that she did because I mean that.</p><p>00:12:17.190 –&gt; 00:12:23.910 Johnny Osborne: hurt invited me to come hock with her in the smokies was, I mean it just ignited a fresh start.</p><p>00:12:26.010 –&gt; 00:12:35.130 Johnny Osborne: And I fell in love with hacking and stuff he’s all over in here, it was just I’d forgotten what it was like after all those times being away from it so.</p><p>00:12:36.330 –&gt; 00:12:39.510 Johnny Osborne: a fun fact about my sister as far as we know.</p><p>00:12:41.490 –&gt; 00:12:47.100 Johnny Osborne: we’re the only two siblings that have hot and all the trails in the Smokies and our.</p><p>00:12:49.020 –&gt; 00:12:49.590 Joseph McElroy: fabulous.</p><p>00:12:49.920 –&gt; 00:12:52.170 Joseph McElroy: yeah How often do you like now?</p><p>00:12:54.060 –&gt; 00:12:57.540 Johnny Osborne: And I try to hack at least oh my gosh.</p><p>00:12:58.710 –&gt; 00:12:59.310 Johnny Osborne: At least.</p><p>00:13:02.280 –&gt; 00:13:06.630 Johnny Osborne: I tried at least three weekends and Sundays in a week.</p><p>00:13:09.330 –&gt; 00:13:09.690 Johnny Osborne: hmm.</p><p>00:13:11.220 –&gt; 00:13:11.640 Johnny Osborne: Very.</p><p>00:13:12.210 –&gt; 00:13:14.400 Joseph McElroy: Good you gotta feed that social media profile too.</p><p>00:13:17.100 –&gt; 00:13:19.860 Joseph McElroy: Internet is a gaping more than needs content.</p><p>00:13:20.100 –&gt; 00:13:22.050 Johnny Osborne: yeah I gotta keep creating content.</p><p>00:13:23.010 –&gt; 00:13:29.490 Joseph McElroy: So I have you had any exciting adventures, well, I think, like meeting a bear or boar or something like that.</p><p>00:13:30.030 –&gt; 00:13:36.360 Johnny Osborne: um yeah bet both I was at what shelter was that it was.</p><p>00:13:38.250 –&gt; 00:13:47.370 Johnny Osborne: Oh gosh I don’t remember them the shelter, but I was getting water and filling it with water bladder for not Pack and I had just raised up my coffee cup and.</p><p>00:13:47.970 –&gt; 00:14:01.500 Johnny Osborne: about water by the water source and I’m blaming them there and filling up a water bladder and this bear just walked up right behind me, I mean probably 10 feet from me, I didn’t see it didn’t hear it.</p><p>00:14:03.750 –&gt; 00:14:20.160 Johnny Osborne: Well, if my stuff’s they’re backed away slowly facing the bear the entire time and it was just a curious Barry walked up to my water bladder my coffee cup and sniff around a little bit he took his Paul and he just you know to turn my water butter over to smell it and the.</p><p>00:14:21.240 –&gt; 00:14:26.370 Johnny Osborne: shredding the water bladder and I know why, over the next couple of days, but.</p><p>00:14:28.380 –&gt; 00:14:30.570 Johnny Osborne: Should we shoot the airway he left.</p><p>00:14:32.100 –&gt; 00:14:42.540 Johnny Osborne: And then I get my things and pack the rest of my beer from the shelter and left so it’s very eventful but still exciting.</p><p>00:14:42.960 –&gt; 00:14:45.240 Joseph McElroy: Still, mostly yeah it’s exciting right.</p><p>00:14:45.240 –&gt; 00:14:51.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I grew up living in the mountains remember not too far from the Appalachians.</p><p>00:14:52.470 –&gt; 00:15:05.490 Joseph McElroy: I would sleep at night, I had an outdoor deck in Cali slept with me and I will I woke up one night in the middle of the night and I left my window open my dog was screaming bloody head up and I looked up and there was bear stinking his head in my window.</p><p>00:15:08.490 –&gt; 00:15:09.300 Joseph McElroy: Just a curious.</p><p>00:15:10.290 –&gt; 00:15:10.890 curious.</p><p>00:15:12.120 –&gt; 00:15:12.570 Johnny Osborne: curious.</p><p>00:15:13.470 –&gt; 00:15:23.160 Joseph McElroy: Well, listen we gotta take a break, but I’m gonna come back are talk about some of the principles you employ a wall while you hike and then we’ll maybe we’ll get into social media or life.</p><p>00:15:23.670 –&gt; 00:15:25.260 Johnny Osborne: sounds great mm-hmm.</p><p>00:17:41.100 –&gt; 00:17:46.890 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast my guest Johnny Osborne.</p><p>00:17:48.390 –&gt; 00:17:59.100 Joseph McElroy: So Johnny I looked at your YouTube channel, as well as your tik-tok too, but most of your YouTube channels, the ones got like 1.5 million or 1.15 million followers.</p><p>00:17:59.790 –&gt; 00:18:11.460 Joseph McElroy: It’s a pretty impressive following I looked at some of your videos and you often talk about the leave no trace principles of hiking in the wilderness, can you tell my audience about that.</p><p>00:18:12.120 –&gt; 00:18:26.550 Johnny Osborne: Absolutely and I’ll even take it a step further than leave no trace, which is responsible stewardship and those values are deeply rooted in that together we can foster ethics, to make all of our public lands cleaner and better place for everyone.</p><p>00:18:27.690 –&gt; 00:18:39.390 Johnny Osborne: And we’ll do that through education, education through action, whether it’s digitally Facebook YouTube Instagram or physically go out and volunteering.</p><p>00:18:40.650 –&gt; 00:18:52.020 Johnny Osborne: You want to be an advocate you want to raise awareness of the issues of our public land sorry we want to raise awareness of the issues of public lands to face and use our reach, to become a part of the solution.</p><p>00:18:53.820 –&gt; 00:18:54.540 Johnny Osborne: donate.</p><p>00:18:55.710 –&gt; 00:19:02.910 Johnny Osborne: Give with a purpose either financially or physically and know your impact may prepared and know what to expect.</p><p>00:19:03.900 –&gt; 00:19:19.200 Johnny Osborne: And the last of those ethics take action, which is to volunteer in the park or several so many volunteer programs that the park offers and that you can be part of they have to get back to the park and all that’s.</p><p>00:19:20.250 –&gt; 00:19:23.790 Johnny Osborne: All tied together to rick recreating responsibly.</p><p>00:19:25.590 –&gt; 00:19:29.130 Joseph McElroy: cool and there are some fundamental principles of leave no trace right this.</p><p>00:19:29.130 –&gt; 00:19:32.160 Johnny Osborne: year are there are seven principles to leave no trace.</p><p>00:19:34.500 –&gt; 00:19:36.300 Johnny Osborne: concertos are like but.</p><p>00:19:36.780 –&gt; 00:19:40.290 Joseph McElroy: I think it’s good I mean think it’s good to educate, if you do it quickly, though, that I think.</p><p>00:19:40.950 –&gt; 00:19:42.210 Joseph McElroy: Sure yeah.</p><p>00:19:42.570 –&gt; 00:19:43.170 yeah so.</p><p>00:19:46.350 –&gt; 00:20:03.480 Johnny Osborne: plan ahead and prepare, so I was one of my favorites I always want to you know to prepare for your hot for you though you’re backpacking trip that you want to add to this travel and camp on durable surfaces three dispose of waste properly and that’s really a huge issue in the smokies.</p><p>00:20:04.680 –&gt; 00:20:10.380 Johnny Osborne: For belief what you find number five minimize campfire impacts.</p><p>00:20:11.520 –&gt; 00:20:16.530 Johnny Osborne: Six respect the wildlife and seven is to be considerate of others.</p><p>00:20:17.460 –&gt; 00:20:19.320 Joseph McElroy: which we have a problem with sometimes too right.</p><p>00:20:19.380 –&gt; 00:20:21.210 Johnny Osborne: And we did.</p><p>00:20:21.960 –&gt; 00:20:27.000 Joseph McElroy: I think we’re I think that the clothes that are popular part because people were not being considered right.</p><p>00:20:27.030 –&gt; 00:20:28.800 Johnny Osborne: Reason let’s turn.</p><p>00:20:29.220 –&gt; 00:20:35.970 Joseph McElroy: there’s a real shame that yeah they were just abusing it so badly that was getting ruined, we had to close it down so yeah.</p><p>00:20:36.090 –&gt; 00:20:37.710 Johnny Osborne: That was what Max types, I think.</p><p>00:20:37.770 –&gt; 00:20:43.980 Joseph McElroy: Re Max patches a popular one not to parking maybe so yeah I think they close it down for the whole year right so.</p><p>00:20:44.190 –&gt; 00:20:48.450 Johnny Osborne: Now they close it down at sunset and it’s open back up at sunrise.</p><p>00:20:50.190 –&gt; 00:20:52.200 Joseph McElroy: camping That was a people would camp.</p><p>00:20:52.290 –&gt; 00:20:52.680 Johnny Osborne: yeah.</p><p>00:20:52.770 –&gt; 00:20:55.950 Joseph McElroy: And they were just abusing it badly camping ruin it.</p><p>00:20:56.040 –&gt; 00:21:00.000 Johnny Osborne: Leaving Dreading that being a big college party scene.</p><p>00:21:00.060 –&gt; 00:21:11.640 Johnny Osborne: area getting trashed every weekend and several friends of mine, would go up there and the weekend after weekend every weekend and carry out loads and loads and loads of trash.</p><p>00:21:11.910 –&gt; 00:21:14.370 Johnny Osborne: yeah so something had to be done.</p><p>00:21:15.120 –&gt; 00:21:27.600 Joseph McElroy: It has to be a culture of is you know when I went to burning man, believe it or not, right and they do that they had like when I went there I don’t know what how many people now, but I did it like 2002 and I was young enough to walk around half-naked.</p><p>00:21:30.930 –&gt; 00:21:32.580 Joseph McElroy: Maybe a little bit more than half-naked.</p><p>00:21:37.260 –&gt; 00:21:39.120 Joseph McElroy: or another for another story.</p><p>00:21:40.590 –&gt; 00:21:47.340 Joseph McElroy: But they would have 30,000 people in the desert bringing in the camping and everything else, but when they left.</p><p>00:21:48.060 –&gt; 00:21:56.700 Joseph McElroy: They left it pristine and they actually went you know inch by inch over that whole property getting rid of anything that might have been left behind so.</p><p>00:21:57.240 –&gt; 00:22:13.230 Joseph McElroy: If a culture of it yeah yeah so it’s important to have been advocates, for you know, taking care of our resources, I appreciate you doing that so consistently and in your work so yeah.</p><p>00:22:13.410 –&gt; 00:22:23.490 Johnny Osborne: And speaking of that I want to flood the save our smokies real quick, they are doing a huge event on April, the 23rd is Earth Day weekend that we can.</p><p>00:22:24.990 –&gt; 00:22:29.880 Johnny Osborne: They are the plan is to clean the entire smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:22:30.270 –&gt; 00:22:30.960 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.</p><p>00:22:31.080 –&gt; 00:22:40.650 Johnny Osborne: yeah so the registration for this opens starts today marks the first, and you can register for this that save our smokies.org.</p><p>00:22:41.520 –&gt; 00:22:48.960 Johnny Osborne: And at the end of the day that day we’re going to they’re going to provide food and drinks and live music for all the volunteers.</p><p>00:22:49.500 –&gt; 00:23:03.300 Johnny Osborne: And the goal that days to remove 5000 pounds of the layer from the park and remain as much as possible, so it’s gonna be a super fun day I’m definitely going, and I would encourage anybody else that loves the smokies come on out.</p><p>00:23:03.750 –&gt; 00:23:07.590 Joseph McElroy: yeah Oh well, this is April 23 right.</p><p>00:23:08.700 –&gt; 00:23:13.860 Joseph McElroy: I’ll show you know that’s around that that fishing event I think so maybe I’ll try to.</p><p>00:23:14.340 –&gt; 00:23:16.560 Joseph McElroy: Fish a little bit and then come down and go to that too.</p><p>00:23:18.150 –&gt; 00:23:31.500 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah that’d be great so obviously you are very passionate about the Hiking Community so So what are the positive impacts, for you, you know that you find that.</p><p>00:23:32.790 –&gt; 00:23:39.840 Joseph McElroy: Hiking Community like personally socially physically mentally what is being part of that community, what are the positive impacts.</p><p>00:23:46.710 –&gt; 00:23:51.900 Johnny Osborne: I guess the positive impacts that I’m seeing is what I like to be a part of is you know getting back and.</p><p>00:23:53.880 –&gt; 00:23:58.830 Johnny Osborne: Being that voice of information, you know give back in a sense that.</p><p>00:24:00.240 –&gt; 00:24:06.270 Johnny Osborne: I can provide some knowledge, it may be beneficial to someone that hasn’t been out and has hockey as much.</p><p>00:24:09.300 –&gt; 00:24:10.170 Johnny Osborne: I just like.</p><p>00:24:11.310 –&gt; 00:24:12.330 Johnny Osborne: I can talk for.</p><p>00:24:13.470 –&gt; 00:24:17.130 Johnny Osborne: hours about hockey tip to new people you know.</p><p>00:24:17.610 –&gt; 00:24:21.210 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you know I look I’m gonna be I’m sort of doing more hiking.</p><p>00:24:21.270 –&gt; 00:24:29.100 Joseph McElroy: You know, even in the even in the get-go and starting to notice that yo legs are working, a little bit better from this.</p><p>00:24:29.880 –&gt; 00:24:42.510 Joseph McElroy: I’m gonna do a lot more I’ve only been at and a neophyte of it but and there seems to be also it’s also a Community hiker know each other, and you know and communicate right and there are clubs and things like that.</p><p>00:24:44.880 –&gt; 00:24:47.280 Johnny Osborne: yeah there are in one of the things.</p><p>00:24:48.630 –&gt; 00:24:59.730 Johnny Osborne: says here one of the things that I’m really super proud of is this Facebook group that was created about four years ago, three, four years ago, five years ago, maybe hacking the smokies</p><p>00:25:00.600 –&gt; 00:25:03.270 Johnny Osborne: And it’s just really fun.</p><p>00:25:04.290 –&gt; 00:25:07.560 Johnny Osborne: a group of people very knowledgeable of.</p><p>00:25:08.790 –&gt; 00:25:12.210 Johnny Osborne: what’s going on trail conditions things like that.</p><p>00:25:13.980 –&gt; 00:25:13.980 Johnny Osborne: and</p><p>00:25:14.970 –&gt; 00:25:18.450 Joseph McElroy: Now I’ve been a member and I didn’t know that was you so yeah.</p><p>00:25:18.840 –&gt; 00:25:21.750 Johnny Osborne: yeah I mean I think there’s like 85,000 members.</p><p>00:25:21.750 –&gt; 00:25:23.370 Joseph McElroy: Now, if we have a.</p><p>00:25:23.640 –&gt; 00:25:24.330 crazy.</p><p>00:25:25.620 –&gt; 00:25:42.900 Joseph McElroy: So so um it was someone born and raised in the smoky mountains myself I’m always interested in how people acquire their skills, especially in the computer things, how did you learn about your social media skill you just do it yourself, do you go to college went to do.</p><p>00:25:43.290 –&gt; 00:25:46.740 Johnny Osborne: And you know it’s I’m still learning social media skills</p><p>00:25:47.250 –&gt; 00:25:47.370 As.</p><p>00:25:48.990 –&gt; 00:25:51.690 Joseph McElroy: Well, that they changed it every day you’re never going to stop.</p><p>00:25:53.010 –&gt; 00:25:54.630 Joseph McElroy: bandwagon for long yeah.</p><p>00:25:56.640 –&gt; 00:26:03.870 Johnny Osborne: The algorithms change so frequently it’s like so what’s the end now and Instagram reals are it photos is it.</p><p>00:26:05.130 –&gt; 00:26:09.870 Johnny Osborne: works, I mean what’s the thing, there was a new craze now yeah.</p><p>00:26:12.390 –&gt; 00:26:22.080 Joseph McElroy: So just you know, one of the things I tell people is that you know teaching yourself, is the best way with, especially with computers in general, you know and.</p><p>00:26:22.800 –&gt; 00:26:34.200 Joseph McElroy: You know because it’s really it’s an amalgam of human mind thought and getting in there and understanding that at that level is much better for you than trying to learn rules.</p><p>00:26:34.440 –&gt; 00:26:34.950 But now.</p><p>00:26:36.450 –&gt; 00:26:47.340 Johnny Osborne: One of the things I want to do this year and I found my mom for quite a while, is, I want to create more education on YouTube content and, if anything, just for the betterment of the hacking community.</p><p>00:26:48.930 –&gt; 00:26:51.870 Johnny Osborne: You know it’s really so hard to compete.</p><p>00:26:54.570 –&gt; 00:27:00.630 Johnny Osborne: With the larger YouTube channels and it’s hard to be seen, sometimes as a small YouTuber.</p><p>00:27:01.980 –&gt; 00:27:07.050 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah well, I mean you gotta put that in perspective, most of our bigger small.</p><p>00:27:07.110 –&gt; 00:27:08.040 youtuber is.</p><p>00:27:09.180 –&gt; 00:27:14.700 Joseph McElroy: A few hundred or a few thousand and they think of them, as well as a small YouTube here a big you do remote people but.</p><p>00:27:16.800 –&gt; 00:27:34.650 Joseph McElroy: What do you think million 1 million mark you’re of interest in a way, so well cool and I wanted to talk about some of the accomplishments and so people know you know sort of fun things that you can do, and so you are a South beyond 6000 finishers what’s that.</p><p>00:27:37.500 –&gt; 00:27:38.790 Johnny Osborne: The southern sixer.</p><p>00:27:41.280 –&gt; 00:27:51.480 Johnny Osborne: yeah I love that challenge that was one of my favorite challenges and how I kind of got to this to do this, the South be on 6000 was.</p><p>00:27:52.230 –&gt; 00:28:05.640 Johnny Osborne: I was wrapping up my smokies 900 miler my APP and I’ll think about what I wanted to do next, and the idea of the sat down 6000 came to me after reading an article online about this challenge and.</p><p>00:28:06.540 –&gt; 00:28:14.370 Johnny Osborne: read about how hard it was and that’s kind of up my alley I like to do hard challenges but.</p><p>00:28:15.930 –&gt; 00:28:31.440 Johnny Osborne: I had one little issue, though it kind of worried me a little bit, and I know how to use a map, I know that he’s accomplice, and all that good stuff but I wasn’t Okay, with just you know mediocre right, I wanted to know more, I wanted to know.</p><p>00:28:32.670 –&gt; 00:28:41.940 Johnny Osborne: Because I know a lot of those 6000 that Piques our Australia hawks and so really wanting to brush up on my knowledge is reading a map and compass and.</p><p>00:28:42.930 –&gt; 00:29:02.190 Johnny Osborne: So I reached out to my friend lane, the cost is Haywood County search rescue team Member and he was holding an off or he was about to hold it off and bounced off-trail hiking sorry nostril navigation class, and so I reached out to him and signed up for that it was wonderful.</p><p>00:29:03.480 –&gt; 00:29:21.450 Johnny Osborne: Today overnight trip at Max match and one of the biggest and most helpful takeaways from this class from him was that it gave me the confidence that I needed to go out and do these off-trail hawks and climb these mountains because there aren’t for us to the summits.</p><p>00:29:22.080 –&gt; 00:29:30.480 Joseph McElroy: Like so how many mountains and you have to climb to achieve this finish there was like they’re all 6000 or more per night right.</p><p>00:29:30.570 –&gt; 00:29:41.250 Johnny Osborne: yeah they are if there’s 40 well there’s more than 40 but there’s 40 that’s designated by the Carolina mountain climb for this challenge, so there’s 46,000-foot summits</p><p>00:29:41.790 –&gt; 00:29:46.740 Joseph McElroy: So it’s 40 heights you gotta go climb a mountain to finish well how long it is a few.</p><p>00:29:48.990 –&gt; 00:29:51.360 Johnny Osborne: They got them and about a year, maybe listen to yours.</p><p>00:29:51.600 –&gt; 00:29:55.350 Joseph McElroy: cool well that’s like one almost one every week yeah.</p><p>00:29:55.620 –&gt; 00:29:57.510 Joseph McElroy: Now yeah it was cool.</p><p>00:29:57.600 –&gt; 00:29:59.100 Johnny Osborne: And a few of those I did you know.</p><p>00:30:00.630 –&gt; 00:30:15.780 Johnny Osborne: The black mountain Crest try their luck as fat peaks on that trade-off I did those five that we can or well that day I didn’t two more, the day before the day after I can’t remember which so that’d be a few hours each weekend cool.</p><p>00:30:16.080 –&gt; 00:30:25.230 Joseph McElroy: Well, we have to take another break and we’ll come back and we’ll talk about some of these other fun travel trips and then get into a little bit about more about your social media and stuff like.</p><p>00:32:31.830 –&gt; 00:32:38.520 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Johnny Osborne.</p><p>00:32:39.690 –&gt; 00:32:46.650 Joseph McElroy: So John you’ve done some amazing different hikes you mentioned the Black Mountain CREST trail had some peaks on what was that in it.</p><p>00:32:48.180 –&gt; 00:32:54.600 Johnny Osborne: Oh, my gosh that was so fun and I love that too I love that hock and.</p><p>00:32:55.680 –&gt; 00:33:11.250 Johnny Osborne: I started out first off it’s called the march of death right map quest has more to do with is one of those crazy weekends, is a subtle hot, for me, I didn’t really know what to expect and I’ve heard the trail was super brutal it kind of was.</p><p>00:33:12.720 –&gt; 00:33:27.720 Johnny Osborne: So I packed my bag my backpack for an overnight trip, just in case I ran into any issues or couldn’t finish it as a day hock but I didn’t I fishes they hocked but started Bowling creek and a hocked it all the way through to Mount Mitchell.</p><p>00:33:30.780 –&gt; 00:33:34.920 Johnny Osborne: Like I said earlier, things five or six 6000 foot summits.</p><p>00:33:35.160 –&gt; 00:33:35.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:33:35.730 –&gt; 00:33:40.440 Johnny Osborne: there are some ropes on the training after I’ve kind of used to pull yourself up.</p><p>00:33:43.350 –&gt; 00:33:44.100 Johnny Osborne: It was amazing.</p><p>00:33:44.790 –&gt; 00:33:48.270 Johnny Osborne: The views up there, just like anywhere else so beautiful.</p><p>00:33:48.720 –&gt; 00:33:52.260 Johnny Osborne: wow I’m hoping to go back and maybe the next month.</p><p>00:33:52.950 –&gt; 00:33:57.090 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah that sounds like if that there’s really clear to pull up I’m probably.</p><p>00:33:57.090 –&gt; 00:33:57.570 Johnny Osborne: Not yeah.</p><p>00:33:58.800 –&gt; 00:33:59.790 Johnny Osborne: yeah exactly.</p><p>00:34:00.870 –&gt; 00:34:01.740 Johnny Osborne: So crazy.</p><p>00:34:02.130 –&gt; 00:34:09.990 Joseph McElroy: And then you did the great smoky mountains National Park 900 mile which is doing all the trails in the smoky mountain National Park right.</p><p>00:34:11.520 –&gt; 00:34:11.790 Johnny Osborne: yeah.</p><p>00:34:11.820 –&gt; 00:34:13.050 Joseph McElroy: Did you do a good time.</p><p>00:34:13.890 –&gt; 00:34:17.070 Johnny Osborne: I did it in about a little over a year.</p><p>00:34:17.430 –&gt; 00:34:20.940 Johnny Osborne: And I wasn’t in any hurry to do it, or anything but.</p><p>00:34:22.770 –&gt; 00:34:30.540 Johnny Osborne: it’s kind of fun and I’m doing a second one soda and not really said it’s official but about halfway through with a second one, but.</p><p>00:34:30.930 –&gt; 00:34:47.910 Johnny Osborne: wow it’s just one of the things I’m just going out on a weekend or whatever and I’ll make I may go out and do a backpacking trip or just a short day hock and how about that trail and done cool thing about that too is I just checked the stats a.</p><p>00:34:49.260 –&gt; 00:34:54.030 Johnny Osborne: a couple of weeks ago there were 733 members of the 900 our club.</p><p>00:34:54.810 –&gt; 00:34:57.810 Johnny Osborne: Was super cool it’s a small crowd.</p><p>00:34:58.770 –&gt; 00:35:02.550 Joseph McElroy: Now you’ve also done the foothills through trail thru-hike what is that.</p><p>00:35:03.480 –&gt; 00:35:20.520 Johnny Osborne: yeah and the thumbnails trail goes from table rock to county state park and took off a few days for more to solo hock through at least through such a boozy trail loved it, it was well maintained through and through.</p><p>00:35:21.690 –&gt; 00:35:28.740 Johnny Osborne: gosh it was such a delight to Hock and I would totally hock that through any time again and a funny story about that hock.</p><p>00:35:30.210 –&gt; 00:35:41.550 Johnny Osborne: My first day on the Hock I was I had planned my campsite long before I went, but on the trail, I was talking along and the storm came is a huge storm.</p><p>00:35:42.240 –&gt; 00:35:53.160 Johnny Osborne: And I’m like well I’m not where I want to be for camp, so I dove into this little spot and had my tarp and my hammock and cook dinner hi my feedback and.</p><p>00:35:53.640 –&gt; 00:36:03.150 Johnny Osborne: Change clothes went to bed that makes more impact up and started hocking and come to find out, I was Point two miles from where one is the first place I mean, even though.</p><p>00:36:14.340 –&gt; 00:36:15.420 Joseph McElroy: That story right.</p><p>00:36:15.630 –&gt; 00:36:16.770 Johnny Osborne: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:36:17.130 –&gt; 00:36:21.390 Joseph McElroy: I was sleeping I’m sleeping on the one side of the mountain where we’re supposed to be was just oh yeah.</p><p>00:36:26.100 –&gt; 00:36:33.090 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so So if I mean you’ve done a lot in the smokies I assume you’ve done the Appalachian trail right.</p><p>00:36:33.360 –&gt; 00:36:34.260 Johnny Osborne: I have not.</p><p>00:36:34.320 –&gt; 00:36:38.880 Joseph McElroy: You have not okay yeah that’s one on your bucket list right.</p><p>00:36:39.360 –&gt; 00:36:41.100 Johnny Osborne: um gosh you know.</p><p>00:36:42.750 –&gt; 00:36:49.380 Johnny Osborne: Maybe maybe not matter right, I really don’t have a desire to hockey but I’ve got so many sections of it.</p><p>00:36:51.720 –&gt; 00:36:52.320 Johnny Osborne: One day.</p><p>00:36:52.710 –&gt; 00:36:55.200 Joseph McElroy: you’ve hiked in other places across the United States right.</p><p>00:36:55.200 –&gt; 00:37:01.380 Johnny Osborne: Now absolutely I thought oh my gosh I’m having so many states and so many countries.</p><p>00:37:02.250 –&gt; 00:37:05.940 Joseph McElroy: Was it what’s one highlight of those two you can recommend.</p><p>00:37:07.380 –&gt; 00:37:08.340 Johnny Osborne: Of the.</p><p>00:37:08.430 –&gt; 00:37:10.410 Joseph McElroy: Other hypothesizes smokies yet.</p><p>00:37:11.130 –&gt; 00:37:21.420 Johnny Osborne: yeah I went to the Rockies last year was my first time to the Rockies and that was really a neat experience out there because when I went in the fall will say in those Aspen trees.</p><p>00:37:22.350 –&gt; 00:37:40.290 Johnny Osborne: It was such a delight those things are so beautiful and those our panel aches for one they’re beautiful but today it’s no joke get into them because are over 10,000 feet right so you’re climbing a lot to get to him so, but it was worth that ever been it was worth it.</p><p>00:37:41.940 –&gt; 00:37:57.000 Johnny Osborne: And one of my last hocks in Colorado with a quandary peak, which is a 14,271-foot summit, and I was just I mean when I got to the summit, I was just really overjoyed with happiness.</p><p>00:37:58.080 –&gt; 00:38:12.870 Johnny Osborne: mean it was I literally cried, in fact, if you watch my YouTube video of this I’m bawling it’s tonight, and the fact is all about Africa mark can’t believe it it’s just so humbling to be there was just so cool but.</p><p>00:38:12.900 –&gt; 00:38:18.300 Joseph McElroy: Talking about YouTube you have you on social media you call yourself an encourager</p><p>00:38:18.330 –&gt; 00:38:19.860 Joseph McElroy: Not an influencer, why do you.</p><p>00:38:19.860 –&gt; 00:38:20.550 differentiate.</p><p>00:38:22.050 –&gt; 00:38:24.450 Johnny Osborne: that’s a really good question and.</p><p>00:38:25.740 –&gt; 00:38:30.330 Johnny Osborne: To me, and in my opinion, to influence and persuade someone in something or.</p><p>00:38:31.830 –&gt; 00:38:36.600 Johnny Osborne: And most influencers, in my opinion, are selling something or fishing something on you.</p><p>00:38:38.160 –&gt; 00:38:42.570 Johnny Osborne: As an encourager is kinda like coaching you know I’ve had thousands of miles.</p><p>00:38:44.160 –&gt; 00:38:51.330 Johnny Osborne: And in my mind, I believe that anyone can have any single trail, I thought I mean there’s absolutely no reason they can’t.</p><p>00:38:52.140 –&gt; 00:39:05.670 Johnny Osborne: You know, all it is is one step at a time and it’s at your own pace and that’s, the keyword at your own pace and so to me, it’s about supporting them or to motivate me motivated.</p><p>00:39:07.860 –&gt; 00:39:11.160 Johnny Osborne: Whereas to influence is to control or manipulate something or someone.</p><p>00:39:12.180 –&gt; 00:39:28.560 Johnny Osborne: So I try to be like a coach or be the good advice or you know I’m just today, you know commenting on a friend amounts post that’s working on a 900 mater map and I’m like hey so proud of you keep going.</p><p>00:39:29.790 –&gt; 00:39:31.080 Johnny Osborne: Now, and I think that’s.</p><p>00:39:31.860 –&gt; 00:39:40.830 Joseph McElroy: etc, do you feel like you make an impact in the Community, we are seeing in the stories of how you’ve impacted by that sort of differentiation.</p><p>00:39:41.550 –&gt; 00:39:44.910 Johnny Osborne: um you know from time to time, I might see.</p><p>00:39:46.020 –&gt; 00:39:51.510 Johnny Osborne: Someone that I’ve you know encouraged along the way, reach that goal.</p><p>00:39:52.530 –&gt; 00:39:55.560 Johnny Osborne: I mean it’s really hard to it’s hard to say if know.</p><p>00:39:56.820 –&gt; 00:40:01.170 Johnny Osborne: How, you know what their what’s in their mind, or what they’re doing what they’re going through, but.</p><p>00:40:02.640 –&gt; 00:40:09.660 Johnny Osborne: um you know I just think it’s gratifying to coach others and give them encouragement keep motivating them but keep going.</p><p>00:40:11.730 –&gt; 00:40:19.410 Johnny Osborne: Going after something that maybe they had doubts about that first hock or that first overnight trip in the smokies or wherever it may be.</p><p>00:40:21.480 –&gt; 00:40:24.690 Johnny Osborne: I did get some feedback, but not not not a whole lot.</p><p>00:40:25.110 –&gt; 00:40:26.400 Johnny Osborne: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:40:27.090 –&gt; 00:40:30.060 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you know you have you know.</p><p>00:40:31.170 –&gt; 00:40:39.150 Joseph McElroy: You have a large following and you know, on yeah on Twitter, you have some Facebook and YouTube definitely got it.</p><p>00:40:40.350 –&gt; 00:40:47.520 Joseph McElroy: Is there you know these platforms, you know there’s a lot of businesses use them and, like you said influencers trying to sell something.</p><p>00:40:48.000 –&gt; 00:40:58.110 Joseph McElroy: But for people that don’t necessarily want the selling thing, but in to encourage people to build communities do you have any particular tips or secrets you like to share with them to help build their community.</p><p>00:41:02.280 –&gt; 00:41:07.290 Johnny Osborne: gosh, you know I’m always looking for somewhere to add value on social media platforms.</p><p>00:41:08.490 –&gt; 00:41:10.380 Johnny Osborne: You know whether it’s Instagram or Facebook.</p><p>00:41:11.430 –&gt; 00:41:11.910 But.</p><p>00:41:14.100 –&gt; 00:41:26.400 Johnny Osborne: I think the girl these platforms, you know to me once worked for me just be consistent with content, you know, create fresh, new and here’s, the keyword in my mom is relatable content.</p><p>00:41:26.940 –&gt; 00:41:38.880 Johnny Osborne: If I can create content that’s relatable to the person watching it or searching for it then they’re most likely going to follow or subscribe, or whatever so I’m just trying to create content daily that’s relatable.</p><p>00:41:39.690 –&gt; 00:41:51.570 Joseph McElroy: mm hmm have you found any format, so the content that makes it more viral or more watchable we’re getting more views than than than other types of formats.</p><p>00:41:53.340 –&gt; 00:42:07.470 Johnny Osborne: Right now Instagram reels are absolutely taken off, I mean they’re not now Instagram reels there’s there aren’t any advertisements on this grammar so it’s kind of like an open market that Instagrams kind of opened up.</p><p>00:42:07.980 –&gt; 00:42:19.980 Johnny Osborne: Their platform to go hey we need content creators to come on and create reels and if you’ll create real express will promote your videos and.</p><p>00:42:21.510 –&gt; 00:42:26.400 Johnny Osborne: You get tons of locks and tons of use it’s crazy how it works.</p><p>00:42:27.420 –&gt; 00:42:29.400 Johnny Osborne: same with YouTube shorts and.</p><p>00:42:30.630 –&gt; 00:42:34.410 Johnny Osborne: Think there’s another platform it over call everyone, we have a law that.</p><p>00:42:36.000 –&gt; 00:42:42.840 Johnny Osborne: You just have kind of have to deal with what’s trending right now it’s not want to be like open forever is from reels isn’t that.</p><p>00:42:42.900 –&gt; 00:42:43.650 Johnny Osborne: Right now it’s.</p><p>00:42:43.950 –&gt; 00:42:45.060 Johnny Osborne: wide open for the.</p><p>00:42:45.180 –&gt; 00:42:52.920 Joseph McElroy: For the taking my target I might check that out my wife loves he loves Instagram so you have something called base camp chat what is that.</p><p>00:42:54.330 –&gt; 00:43:09.930 Johnny Osborne: Okay yeah basically chat I was a guest on the hock podcast with Lori Pramod and also on the podcast just or section hacks host about Julie Gay heart and we had so much fun chatting better ventures.</p><p>00:43:10.980 –&gt; 00:43:22.470 Johnny Osborne: And, along with the Beanie Braden we started base camp chat two years ago with a fourth episode season one and we talked about anything from our fears, while, on the trail.</p><p>00:43:23.250 –&gt; 00:43:30.840 Johnny Osborne: To you know to advance that we would give to the listener, that it may be their first time hockey or their first time backpacking.</p><p>00:43:32.250 –&gt; 00:43:47.790 Johnny Osborne: And the base camp chat was just the feedback was phenomenal so we brought it back for season two, we have already recorded season or episode one into episode one is out already.</p><p>00:43:48.870 –&gt; 00:43:53.970 Johnny Osborne: And season two will be or episode two will be out later this week or next.</p><p>00:43:55.230 –&gt; 00:44:01.770 Johnny Osborne: But our objective here was just to create a fun educational atmosphere about hacking or the outdoors.</p><p>00:44:02.790 –&gt; 00:44:05.070 Johnny Osborne: For the listeners just to make the content relatable.</p><p>00:44:06.150 –&gt; 00:44:14.550 Johnny Osborne: And one cool thing, though, our fourth and last show season two will be alive, so will be fielding questions and comments from our listeners.</p><p>00:44:15.210 –&gt; 00:44:16.410 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow that’s good.</p><p>00:44:16.950 –&gt; 00:44:19.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah live interaction is always good yeah.</p><p>00:44:19.740 –&gt; 00:44:20.700 Johnny Osborne: Sometimes ticket.</p><p>00:44:21.270 –&gt; 00:44:23.250 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, you can go south, you have to get the.</p><p>00:44:23.250 –&gt; 00:44:23.520 Right.</p><p>00:44:26.790 –&gt; 00:44:27.330 Johnny Osborne: what’s the answer.</p><p>00:44:29.670 –&gt; 00:44:36.690 Joseph McElroy: will do you think social media is a good way to learn about this, the great smoky mountains, and to promote it.</p><p>00:44:38.700 –&gt; 00:44:46.020 Johnny Osborne: Then yeah I think if you want to you know go out and hack or spend time in the smokies it’s good there’s some homework or.</p><p>00:44:46.740 –&gt; 00:44:57.960 Johnny Osborne: The number one principle ain’t no traces plan and prepare so you know to go online study the trail and one cool thing about the hock in the smokies Facebook group is.</p><p>00:44:59.250 –&gt; 00:45:14.730 Johnny Osborne: If you’re wanting to hockey and smokies go and do a search and that group for that trail and say what feedback, you may get back you’re going to see that out of 85,000 members somebody hock the trail you’re looking for recently.</p><p>00:45:15.990 –&gt; 00:45:30.090 Johnny Osborne: To get the most current up-to-date trail conditions that you wouldn’t get from you to know any other website was kind of almost start loud but it’s you know days or weeks oh come, you know, information and it’s always helpful.</p><p>00:45:30.630 –&gt; 00:45:33.210 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah we got to take another break.</p><p>00:45:33.690 –&gt; 00:45:40.980 Joseph McElroy: And then we’ll come back we’ll finish up with some of the other things that you’re doing and switch out to us.</p><p>00:47:43.440 –&gt; 00:47:49.710 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Johnny Osborne.</p><p>00:47:51.150 –&gt; 00:48:03.690 Joseph McElroy: Johnny you’re involved with a place called Blackberry farm and mountain resort and East Tennessee now it’s a big beautiful place also become fairly large enterprise didn’t they just by Wyndham resorts.</p><p>00:48:04.830 –&gt; 00:48:07.020 Joseph McElroy: heard the rumor mill that they might have.</p><p>00:48:09.150 –&gt; 00:48:24.150 Joseph McElroy: The resort winded had its own separate resort business and, though we might my company excuse to do some content for them and I thought it wasn’t a great buy that they had so I was pretty surprised, but can you tell us about the Blackberry farm and mountain resort?</p><p>00:48:24.630 –&gt; 00:48:30.120 Johnny Osborne: Sure absolutely and, as far as that Wyndham I don’t know if they have or not.</p><p>00:48:31.560 –&gt; 00:48:41.700 Johnny Osborne: But we have my reform like very mountain and over in the cashiers, we have Hampton inn and it’s all a family tree resort hotel.</p><p>00:48:42.810 –&gt; 00:48:46.230 Johnny Osborne: Every farm Blackberry mountains, right at the foothills of the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:48:47.340 –&gt; 00:48:55.050 Johnny Osborne: In-wall in Tennessee and I’ve been with the company for seven years I’m an information technology manager at library mountain.</p><p>00:48:56.130 –&gt; 00:49:05.700 Johnny Osborne: And as I said earlier, the property butts up at Instagram smoky mountain National Park, so he stepped away, I mean apart super cool.</p><p>00:49:06.720 –&gt; 00:49:08.370 Joseph McElroy: Like a brewery there and.</p><p>00:49:08.370 –&gt; 00:49:10.620 Johnny Osborne: All that yeah we have a brewery.</p><p>00:49:12.540 –&gt; 00:49:19.770 Johnny Osborne: we’re getting ready to open up a food restaurant there to the brewery so it’s happening, I think, in April.</p><p>00:49:21.030 –&gt; 00:49:21.540 Johnny Osborne: yeah.</p><p>00:49:23.910 –&gt; 00:49:40.410 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know I am I heard, I read recently that where you said, your goal is to create memorable experiences and the great smoky mountain National Park, while also promoting and perpetuating the park’s legacy is that a fair depiction of your quote.</p><p>00:49:41.100 –&gt; 00:49:48.900 Johnny Osborne: It is yeah I felt like we cherish our memories and I want to encourage others to go out and create those new ones spring swan smokies.</p><p>00:49:49.530 –&gt; 00:50:04.350 Johnny Osborne: Really anywhere but for me here in the snow peas, but to go a step further, but also preserving parks history back creating the generational sustainability and this goes back to responsible stewardship recreating responsibly.</p><p>00:50:05.670 –&gt; 00:50:14.970 Johnny Osborne: And the objectives are just to go to a park at Dell business park and trade as law firm here with his friends and family but leave the park better than you found it.</p><p>00:50:15.570 –&gt; 00:50:25.680 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah that’s pretty cool you know one of the intentions of the Meadowlark and why we built a Heritage Center and everything else is to create a memorable experience.</p><p>00:50:25.830 –&gt; 00:50:34.920 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah one is you know it’s my heritage and I, you know I want to have people have those flashbulb memories of something wonderful happening for them.</p><p>00:50:35.340 –&gt; 00:50:43.530 Joseph McElroy: But from a marketing standpoint, if you market were you creating memorable experiences you actually create.</p><p>00:50:44.130 –&gt; 00:50:59.580 Joseph McElroy: Better brand loyalty and better revisit intention so it’s both practical and good for people for companies to turn to try to create those memorable experiences and so that is our ethics, so I really appreciate what you’re doing there.</p><p>00:50:59.730 –&gt; 00:51:01.290 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah.</p><p>00:51:02.820 –&gt; 00:51:08.670 Joseph McElroy: So you’re actually a wide variety in another outdoor thing besides hiking right.</p><p>00:51:09.990 –&gt; 00:51:17.250 Joseph McElroy: So what are some other good adventurous locations to do things besides taking that you enjoy the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:51:18.000 –&gt; 00:51:26.100 Johnny Osborne: And I left a mountain bike rode cycle course I’ve been running earlier left to run I’m also a kayaker.</p><p>00:51:27.660 –&gt; 00:51:28.020 Johnny Osborne: and</p><p>00:51:29.070 –&gt; 00:51:30.810 Johnny Osborne: Nothing anything outside.</p><p>00:51:31.320 –&gt; 00:51:33.570 Joseph McElroy: what’s your favorite mountain biking spot.</p><p>00:51:33.600 –&gt; 00:51:51.840 Johnny Osborne: The most folks yeah we have a spot here in Knoxville called items it’s at the see as part of the legacy parks foundation part there and South Knoxville and logo in there to ride, one of my other favorite places in obstacles makers creek and.</p><p>00:51:53.550 –&gt; 00:51:55.230 Johnny Osborne: it’s two types of riding so.</p><p>00:51:56.940 –&gt; 00:52:04.740 Johnny Osborne: This is more like cross country riding where it’s like makers creatures down he’ll be riding with big massive jumps.</p><p>00:52:05.280 –&gt; 00:52:18.180 Johnny Osborne: And both are super fun, but we pick and choose how you feel that they and there’s also a brand new mountain biking area that just recently opened later part of last year in towns and it’s called the hollow.</p><p>00:52:19.200 –&gt; 00:52:25.290 Johnny Osborne: I haven’t been yet, but as soon as the weather breaks stops raining dries out want to go check it out.</p><p>00:52:25.830 –&gt; 00:52:28.440 Joseph McElroy: How about the North Carolina side any places you like to go.</p><p>00:52:29.040 –&gt; 00:52:33.060 Johnny Osborne: I am there are gosh what’s it called and.</p><p>00:52:35.910 –&gt; 00:52:41.700 Johnny Osborne: there’s a place over there, that I went a few years ago, spend some time writing De pon.</p><p>00:52:42.150 –&gt; 00:52:42.750 Joseph McElroy: Okay.</p><p>00:52:42.810 –&gt; 00:52:43.860 Johnny Osborne: The de pon area.</p><p>00:52:45.180 –&gt; 00:52:55.230 Johnny Osborne: Lots of really good writing over there loved it and I really can’t wait to go back and do this more so much, of course, like here, this is your riding up a mountain to ride down.</p><p>00:52:57.300 –&gt; 00:52:59.970 Johnny Osborne: In an hour ride never run a ton of amount.</p><p>00:53:01.080 –&gt; 00:53:04.500 Joseph McElroy: Of this, that you can work to get up and then you get to enjoy coming down.</p><p>00:53:06.900 –&gt; 00:53:07.320 Johnny Osborne: Right.</p><p>00:53:07.650 –&gt; 00:53:09.990 Joseph McElroy: So you rock climbing what’s your favorite Rockland spot.</p><p>00:53:10.860 –&gt; 00:53:23.190 Johnny Osborne: At the rock and rock climb Stephen I used to do with my friends years and years ago and I kind of picked it back up about two or three years ago I don’t even know why to pick it back up but I enjoy it it’s like.</p><p>00:53:24.330 –&gt; 00:53:33.180 Johnny Osborne: To me, it’s kind of like solving a puzzle or working with a puzzle, you know each handhold and each foot move is like putting a piece of the puzzle together but.</p><p>00:53:35.520 –&gt; 00:53:42.960 Johnny Osborne: This is a new challenge for me, but my favorite spot to climb is outdated it’s one of my favorite areas to go there, quite often.</p><p>00:53:44.430 –&gt; 00:53:46.080 Johnny Osborne: there’s a place in Knoxville.</p><p>00:53:47.130 –&gt; 00:54:00.810 Johnny Osborne: Also at items that are done climates and established plumbing destination Maggie legacy Ford foundation it’s bolted, which is super cool and it’s a lot crowded, and this every time.</p><p>00:54:01.230 –&gt; 00:54:05.430 Johnny Osborne: They so I’m making cheese I go there, go to the gym.</p><p>00:54:06.540 –&gt; 00:54:07.110 Joseph McElroy: cool.</p><p>00:54:07.590 –&gt; 00:54:19.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah So what if somebody wants to you get so many things to shout out what you wanted to shout out your how people will follow you find out more about you things like that.</p><p>00:54:19.710 –&gt; 00:54:24.810 Johnny Osborne: Sure yeah I mean you can reach out to me on Instagram at Johnny on the trail.</p><p>00:54:26.010 –&gt; 00:54:36.750 Johnny Osborne: Facebook Instagram and Facebook YouTube saying Johnny on the trail or you can search for Johnny Osborne on Facebook I’m on there as well, grabbed me that way too.</p><p>00:54:37.110 –&gt; 00:54:38.190 Joseph McElroy: And you have a link tree right.</p><p>00:54:39.210 –&gt; 00:54:42.600 Johnny Osborne: And I do yeah it’s on my Instagram page.</p><p>00:54:43.830 –&gt; 00:54:45.120 Joseph McElroy: So you’re the Instagram look for.</p><p>00:54:45.120 –&gt; 00:54:47.460 Joseph McElroy: jazz wasn’t Johnny on the trail and then.</p><p>00:54:47.730 –&gt; 00:54:49.170 Joseph McElroy: find your link tree cool.</p><p>00:54:50.190 –&gt; 00:54:56.490 Joseph McElroy: And you’re doing some interesting stuff in social media, they have you doing much more merchandise.</p><p>00:54:56.730 –&gt; 00:54:57.390 Joseph McElroy: But you’re actually.</p><p>00:54:57.420 –&gt; 00:55:00.420 Joseph McElroy: donating it also the park charities all right.</p><p>00:55:00.690 –&gt; 00:55:08.820 Johnny Osborne: yeah we sure are and we are an idea that I had thought of a while back into quite a bit of time to get some things together for it but.</p><p>00:55:09.930 –&gt; 00:55:20.280 Johnny Osborne: After talking to some of my group’s admins about creating some sort of fundraiser we decided to do some you know some marketing perhaps a merchant bass and.</p><p>00:55:20.970 –&gt; 00:55:28.950 Johnny Osborne: Have all that profit that we raised on that bill to nonprofits and the idea really took off quickly.</p><p>00:55:29.700 –&gt; 00:55:36.480 Johnny Osborne: And so we designed the logo and we came up with some clever wording and the wording is really cool it’s together we are.</p><p>00:55:37.320 –&gt; 00:55:54.510 Johnny Osborne: Together we are hocking the smokies and that’s what’s on our shirt together we are funny and that was meant to represent that the committee at this might represent the Community as a whole that together we are supporting the park and together we are supporting the nonprofits.</p><p>00:55:55.590 –&gt; 00:55:58.770 Joseph McElroy: And together with us in building a Community that’s enjoying it so that’s.</p><p>00:55:58.860 –&gt; 00:55:59.970 Johnny Osborne: Absolutely yeah.</p><p>00:56:00.360 –&gt; 00:56:02.670 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you so much for being on the show this.</p><p>00:56:02.730 –&gt; 00:56:06.240 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely, I look forward to maybe hiking with us at some point.</p><p>00:56:06.660 –&gt; 00:56:07.320 Johnny Osborne: me great.</p><p>00:56:07.410 –&gt; 00:56:13.980 Joseph McElroy: sounds good, this is the gateways to the smoky podcast and you find out more about this.</p><p>00:56:14.460 –&gt; 00:56:25.860 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventure.com and there’s a link to the gateways to the smokies podcast on the top of the menu bar, you also go to facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast.</p><p>00:56:26.220 –&gt; 00:56:42.270 Joseph McElroy: Where we have these live broadcasts as well as some of the old shows and posts about things going on in the smoky mountains that were part of talkradio.nyc network and network of live podcasts every day, seven days a week.</p><p>00:56:43.560 –&gt; 00:56:53.970 Joseph McElroy: That has a vast variety of shows, ranging from self-help to travel to small business and big business marketing.</p><p>00:56:55.410 –&gt; 00:57:09.480 Joseph McElroy: dogs and cats health, so I recommend you look at the go-to the talk radio dot nyc and look up the shows you listen to live while you’re there to whatever’s going on and it’s really fulfilling effort.</p><p>00:57:11.310 –&gt; 00:57:25.350 Joseph McElroy: I actually have two podcasts of those networks, I have another one about content and marketing called wise content creates wealth on Fridays from noon until till one.</p><p>00:57:26.250 –&gt; 00:57:36.240 Joseph McElroy: Hope you’ve come visit that and, of course, this podcast gateway the smokies runs on Tuesdays from six to seven, I look forward to seeing you next week, and thank you very much for listening.</p> e9bd6c5e-e1f7-45ad-8cc7-5cec9959d7bb https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/2d87c106-b611-4d53-927b-a5c61ee867d9 Tue, 01 Mar 2022 23:00:00 +0000 3139 no full Episode 47: Keeping the Past Alive, While Building For the Future Episode 47: Keeping the Past Alive, While Building For the Future Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>In today&#39;s episode, we will learn the amazing life and career of a man who has dedicated his life to the study of early mountain music.  He is dedicated to preserving the history, talent, and culture of old time music.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Joseph is joined by our special guest, <strong>William Ritter</strong>, He is an award-winning historian, author, folklorist, singer, songwriter, can play almost any stringed instrument, is an expert on heirloom seeds and has devoted a good part of his adult life to documenting the contributions of old-time Appalachian musicians and ballad singers.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>https://www.songtoseed.com/#/</strong></p><p><a href="https://sarahandwilliam.weebly.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://sarahandwilliam.weebly.com/</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Joseph opens today’s show mentioning a couple of events coming up. The Meadowlark Smoky Mountains Heritage Center which is located at the Meadowlark Motel is having a series of twenty heritage themed events scheduled for this year to inform people about different elements of Smoky Mountain culture. The first event is this Saturday. Another event is about fly fishing. The motel is offering a fly fishing camp weekend. Their goal is to bring like minded people together through fly fishing, food, camp and more. Learn more at meadowlarkmotel.com. Joseph also reads the lyrics of “The Storyteller” written by Mike Jones, a folk singer in the 1980s. He then introduces his guest today, an award winning historian, author, folklorist, singer, and songwriter, William Ritter.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>Joseph talks with Ritter about an event Ritter did where he did a performance of an adaptation of Sheakspeare’s MidSummer Night’s Dream. He worked with a group of young actors who were in college and mentions how special it was for him to work with them and being a part of their early experiences in front of an audience. They also discuss the Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention, which Ritter has been a part of in the past. The convention was on a two year hiatus but will be back this year. Ritter speaks about what makes the Smokies special for him. He mentions the mountain culture and the scenes of nature around the area. He also mentions the food being special. The culinary tradition is something he says is much different from something you’d find outside of the Smoky Mountains. It’s very unique.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>Ritter talks about growing up going to the Penland School of Craft where his parents were also instructors. He also talks with Joseph about working with Bob Plott, the manager at the Meadowlark Motel and with Bobby McMillion, ballad singer, musician, and storyteller. Ritter was able to do performances with McMillion. Through the North Carolina Arts Council in partnership with a foundation called South Arts, they put together a grant opportunity for a mentor and an apprentice to study together. Ritter was trying to find an apprentice for Bobby and Bobby told Ritter that he should be the person. He was able to document Bobby going on the road to performances. Ritter would record their conversation during their rides in the car and mention the great stories Bobby would talk about with him on stage and on their rides. Ritter describes how special Bobby was as a storyteller as he&#39;d make you feel like you were speaking to a random person at a bar or anywhere else. He made it feel intimate and not so much like a performance in front of a lot of people. He was the same person on and off stage. Ritter talks more about McMillion’s life, his passing, and the Bobby McMillion Project to continue his legacy. </span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>Ritter is booked for a special concert at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center’s Plot Fest Reunion in June. he says that there will be a mix of different ranges of country music, Appalachian culture, and mentions several artists and storytellers of influence. Joseph asks him about how he stays active as a musician during these different times since the pandemic began. Ritter says that he recently tried something new called Riverside FM, where you can record audio and videos with good quality. They both talk more about the mediums used for storytelling and different platforms. The advanced technology today has created a lot of opportunities for creators. To find out more about what William Ritter is up to, you can go to blueridgeheritage.com as well as sarahandwilliam.weebly.com. Joseph thanks William Ritter for joining him again for today’s podcast episode.</span></p> Facebook Live Video from 2022/02/22 - Keeping the Past Alive, While Building For the Future

GUEST: WILLIAM RITTER

In this episode, you will learn about the amazing life and career of a man who has dedicated his life to the study of early mountain music. He is dedicated to preserving the history, talent, and culture of old-time music.

Our host, Joseph is joined by our special guest, William Ritter, He is an award-winning historian, author, folklorist, singer, and songwriter, can play almost any stringed instrument, is an expert on heirloom seeds, and has devoted a good part of his adult life to documenting the contributions of old-time Appalachian musicians and ballad singers.

https://www.songtoseed.com/#/

https://sarahandwilliam.weebly.com/

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Joseph opens today’s show mentioning a couple of events coming up. The Meadowlark Smoky Mountains Heritage Center which is located at the Meadowlark Motel is having a series of twenty heritage-themed events scheduled for this year to inform people about different elements of Smoky Mountain culture. The first event is this Saturday. Another event is about fly fishing. The motel is offering a fly fishing camp weekend. Their goal is to bring like-minded people together through fly fishing, food, camp, and more. Learn more at meadowlarkmotel.com. Joseph also reads the lyrics of “The Storyteller” written by Mike Jones, a folk singer in the 1980s. He then introduces his guest today, an award-winning historian, author, folklorist, singer, and songwriter, William Ritter.

SEGMENT 2

Joseph talks with Ritter about an event Ritter did where he did a performance of an adaptation of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night’s Dream. He worked with a group of young actors who were in college and mentions how special it was for him to work with them and be a part of their early experiences in front of an audience. They also discuss the Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention, which Ritter has been a part of in the past. The convention was on a two-year hiatus but will be back this year. Ritter speaks about what makes the Smokies special for him. He mentions the mountain culture and the scenes of nature around the area. He also mentions the food is special. The culinary tradition is something he says is much different from something you’d find outside of the Smoky Mountains. It’s very unique.

SEGMENT 3

Ritter talks about growing up going to the Penland School of Craft where his parents were also instructors. He also talks with Joseph about working with Bob Plott, the manager at the Meadowlark Motel and with Bobby McMillion, ballad singer, musician, and storyteller. Ritter was able to do performances with McMillion. Through the North Carolina Arts Council in partnership with a foundation called South Arts, they put together a grant opportunity for a mentor and an apprentice to study together. Ritter was trying to find an apprentice for Bobby and Bobby told Ritter that he should be the person. He was able to document Bobby going on the road to performances. Ritter would record their conversation during their rides in the car and mention the great stories Bobby would talk about with him on stage and on their rides. Ritter describes how special Bobby was as a storyteller as he'd make you feel like you were speaking to a random person at a bar or anywhere else. He made it feel intimate and not so much like a performance in front of a lot of people. He was the same person on and off stage. Ritter talks more about McMillion’s life, his passing, and the Bobby McMillion Project to continue his legacy.

SEGMENT 4

Ritter is booked for a special concert at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center’s Plot Fest Reunion in June. he says that there will be a mix of different ranges of country music and Appalachian culture, and mentions several artists and storytellers of influence. Joseph asks him about how he stays active as a musician during these different times since the pandemic began. Ritter says that he recently tried something new called Riverside FM, where you can record audio and videos with good quality. They both talk more about the mediums used for storytelling and different platforms. Advanced technology today has created a lot of opportunities for creators. To find out more about what William Ritter is up to, you can go to blueridgeheritage.com as well as sarahandwilliam.weebly.com. Joseph thanks William Ritter for joining him again for today’s podcast episode.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIPT

00:00:41.250 –> 00:00:44.610 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy I’m herewith.

00:00:44.640 –> 00:00:55.770 Joseph McElroy: This week’s episode of Gateway to the Smokies, this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:56.250 –> 00:01:05.010 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:05.610 –> 00:01:18.720 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, as I mentioned once already, A man of the world but also deep roots in these mountains my family is lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is a culture.

00:01:19.530 –> 00:01:29.580 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we’re talking about a legendary storyteller of the smokies amongst other interesting tidbits but first a little bit from our sponsors.

00:01:30.420 –> 00:01:41.040 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past at modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:41.610 –> 00:01:52.020 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:52.470 –> 00:02:10.440 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine a place with mountain heritage, food, and underground speakeasy there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:02:11.760 –> 00:02:17.760 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com at smokies plural adventure singular.com

00:02:18.360 –> 00:02:29.760 Joseph McElroy: it’s a place for information listings about the smokies hiking and wedding venues books and trail marks and trail maps and resources to help you experience the smoky mountains.

00:02:30.120 –> 00:02:36.300 Joseph McElroy: In a more fulfilling way, the emphasis of the smokies is on outdoor recreation outdoor.

00:02:36.720 –> 00:02:50.790 Joseph McElroy: Life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons, and more The goal of this site is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountain.

00:02:52.950 –> 00:02:54.840 Joseph McElroy: So I got a couple of events to tell you about.

00:02:56.220 –> 00:03:04.590 Joseph McElroy: somewhere between character and caricature their existing authentic a truly unique culture of the smoky mountains.

00:03:05.160 –> 00:03:17.250 Joseph McElroy: understanding that culture blends the global and the local the old the new and gains relevance and understanding of the elements of cup culture that brought us to where we are now and where we can go in the future.

00:03:18.930 –> 00:03:31.890 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center located at the beautiful Meadowlark Motel is proud to announce a series of 20 I think now 21 heritage-themed events scheduled for 2022.

00:03:32.640 –> 00:03:48.660 Joseph McElroy: Each of these events is designed to be to understand a different element of smoky mountain culture elite members and guests on a journey of understanding for the past and the future and the first event is this Saturday, February 26 at 4 pm at the Meadowlark Motel.

00:03:49.980 –> 00:03:58.260 Joseph McElroy: it’s going to be led by Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center General Manager and Award-winning Author Bob Plott.

00:03:58.830 –> 00:04:08.820 Joseph McElroy: As he launches the first of six heritage book programs and a book signing of his book Bob’s first program this weekend focuses on the history of the Plott Hound

00:04:09.300 –> 00:04:23.070 Joseph McElroy: The official state dog of North Carolina is a legendary breed with a rich and storied history in Haywood County and it features Bob’s first book strike and stays the story of the Plott Hound.

00:04:25.350 –> 00:04:38.970 Joseph McElroy: This fun informative program we followed by a delicious Barbecue dinner and acoustic music with Mike Ogletree former drummer for simple minds and some friends, making for an entertaining afternoon and evening.

00:04:39.690 –> 00:04:48.150 Joseph McElroy: the event is free to motel guests and heritage club members and nonmembers and local residents are welcome to attend the program enjoy.

00:04:48.510 –> 00:05:02.280 Joseph McElroy: dinner music for only $10 call 828 926 1717 to book your room and or your reservation, to find out, but other events and the heritage series and go to the website Meadowlarkmotel.com

00:05:03.540 –> 00:05:07.500 Joseph McElroy: And look at this document Heritage Center under events under the events.

00:05:08.610 –> 00:05:09.630 Joseph McElroy: menu selection.

00:05:10.920 –> 00:05:12.600 Joseph McElroy: Coming up in March.

00:05:14.070 –> 00:05:18.660 Joseph McElroy: And April coming up into action April is a fly fishing camp.

00:05:19.830 –> 00:05:27.990 Joseph McElroy: what’s better for the soul than throwing a line upstream watching it pass and doing it again and again, and perhaps getting a bite.

00:05:29.430 –> 00:05:38.520 Joseph McElroy: All anglers know that fly fishing isn’t only about reeling in the big one that always the, although that always gets my heart jumping.

00:05:39.090 –> 00:05:46.860 Joseph McElroy: fly fishing is about being one with the river and its magnificent presence while witnessing a valuable ecosystem.

00:05:47.850 –> 00:06:02.760 Joseph McElroy: So the Meadowlark Motel offering a fly fishing camp weekend in the smoky mountains, our goal and we’re gonna do multiple this in the first ones in May, but our goal is to bring like-minded people together through fly fishing to drink stories at a campfire.

00:06:04.140 –> 00:06:14.490 Joseph McElroy: camp weekends are perfect for those new to fly fishing and who are in those looking for some extra instruction or anyone with experience who enjoys fishing and small group and making new friends.

00:06:14.940 –> 00:06:23.580 Joseph McElroy: Each trip is built around those attending and we will all share in the experience you can expect quality time in the river and nights around the campfire with.

00:06:24.000 –> 00:06:35.640 Joseph McElroy: A drink in hand truths and tall tales are allowed, are all allowed at the camp camps are limited to 20 anglers it’s good to have some great.

00:06:37.620 –> 00:06:49.590 Joseph McElroy: Experts expert guides it’ll be led by Dan Sasser and Charles Humphrey III and the ancestors, the owner of high trout guides limited based in Highlands North Carolina.

00:06:50.370 –> 00:06:56.790 Joseph McElroy: and his mission is to provide and promote the ultimate fly fishing experiences for clients and friends.

00:06:58.860 –> 00:07:08.940 Joseph McElroy: It was formed by Sasser lead professional fly fishing tracks from Montana to Georgia, it was renowned as an innovator in the fly fishing industry.

00:07:09.870 –> 00:07:25.200 Joseph McElroy: Charles Humphrey III who’s been on this show is a grammy award-winning musician and endurance athlete who also has three decades of elite guiding experience and fly fishing he’s led fishing John’s from Alaska candidate Oregon Wyoming.

00:07:26.250 –> 00:07:35.430 Joseph McElroy: Colorado and all across the smoky mountains and there’ll be additional guides professional guides as well because there’ll be a minimum of one guy per to participants.

00:07:35.880 –> 00:07:49.770 Joseph McElroy: So the weekend is April 15 and 16th there’ll be beside the five fishing there’ll be an evening of videos on stories of smoked trout fishing in the mountains.

00:07:50.370 –> 00:07:56.220 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be the music they’ll be free Barbecue there’ll be breakfast is that includes two nights

00:07:56.760 –> 00:08:07.890 Joseph McElroy: The price is $875 per person includes two nights’ lodging the breakfast is the barbecues you know beverages in the Speakeasy.

00:08:08.490 –> 00:08:14.160 Joseph McElroy: And then hands-on instruction on Saturday morning and then real intense fishing on some elite streams.

00:08:14.430 –> 00:08:26.670 Joseph McElroy: In the afternoon and, of course, we have a trout stream at the Meadowlark Motel it’s a Mountain Heritage Trout Stream so on your own time or as part of this wherever you want to fish you’ll have time to also fish and practice what you learn.

00:08:28.500 –> 00:08:32.370 Joseph McElroy: Call 82 89261717 to make reservations.

00:08:33.420 –> 00:08:46.800 Joseph McElroy: So we’re talking about fishtails and we’re gonna be talking about storytellers so you know I like to you know, sometimes find a poem or something and last time I think I made will break down and cry and solve on the show so.

00:08:47.160 –> 00:08:47.760 William Ritter: This is.

00:08:48.030 –> 00:09:00.330 Joseph McElroy: This was trying to accomplish that again so in the 1980s at focusing or night may Mike Jones wrote a song called the storyteller but I’m not a singer so I’m a read the lyrics as a poem.

00:09:02.700 –> 00:09:16.290 Joseph McElroy: I’m a Teller of tales a spinner of yarns a Weaver of dreams and a liar I’ll teach you some stories to tell your friends while sitting at home by the fire.

00:09:16.980 –> 00:09:28.530 Joseph McElroy: You may not believe everything that I say but there’s one thing I’ll tell you that’s true for my stories are given as presents to me and now they’re my gift to you.

00:09:29.370 –> 00:09:42.630 Joseph McElroy: My stories are as old as the mountains and rivers that flow through the land that they were born in they were told in the homes of peasants and rags and kings with buying clothes adorning.

00:09:43.800 –> 00:09:49.410 Joseph McElroy: there’s no need for civil a goal in great store for tail becomes richer with telling.

00:09:50.460 –> 00:09:56.820 Joseph McElroy: And as long as each listener, has a pair of good ears and matters not where they are dwelling.

00:09:57.990 –> 00:10:08.730 Joseph McElroy: A story well told can lift up your hearts and help you forget all your sorrows it can give you strength and the courage to stand and face all your troubles tomorrow.

00:10:09.450 –> 00:10:21.720 Joseph McElroy: For there’s wisdom and with beauty and charm there’s laughter and sometimes there are tears, but when the story is over and the spell is broken you’ll find there’s nothing to fear.

00:10:22.800 –> 00:10:32.970 Joseph McElroy: My stories were learned in my grandparent’s home where their grandfathers also had heard them, they have given us payment by traveling folk.

00:10:33.480 –> 00:10:49.650 Joseph McElroy: For a warm place to lay down their burdens nice stories are ages, they never grow old with each telling they are born anew, and when my story is ended how still be alive in the tales that I’ve given to you.

00:10:52.680 –> 00:11:05.160 Joseph McElroy: So today, I have a great guest his name is William Ritter he’s been on the show before he is an Award-winning Historian, Author, Folklore, Singer-Songwriter and how it can play almost any stringed instrument.

00:11:05.670 –> 00:11:15.660 Joseph McElroy: And is an expert on Heirloom Seeds and has devoted a good part of his adult life to documenting that contribute contributions of old-time Appalachian musicians and ballad singers.

00:11:16.410 –> 00:11:24.480 Joseph McElroy: William is a repeat guest on the show is on several events at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center and has several lined up for this year as well Hello William how are you doing.

00:11:24.840 –> 00:11:26.580 William Ritter: I’m good thanks for having me, Joseph.

00:11:27.480 –> 00:11:29.520 Joseph McElroy: Good how’s that farm up in Bakersfield.

00:11:30.390 –> 00:11:43.470 William Ritter: Well it’s still pretty sleepy we have the springs just starting to pop the Easter flowers or John calls or daffodils are peeking out in the crocus’s or are daring to bloom so.

00:11:44.340 –> 00:11:45.420 William Ritter: Things are starting you know.

00:11:45.420 –> 00:11:52.740 Joseph McElroy: What’s gonna be planting season soon you, you gave me some candy roasters seeds, I really appreciate that once.

00:11:53.670 –> 00:11:55.560 William Ritter: yeah yeah Maybe you can plant some out.

00:11:56.550 –> 00:11:57.000 William Ritter: The Meadowlark

00:11:57.390 –> 00:11:58.170 Joseph McElroy: yeah right.

00:11:59.400 –> 00:12:00.660 Joseph McElroy: when’s a good time to plant them.

00:12:01.860 –> 00:12:11.790 William Ritter: Well, that that depends I’m with well you know it’s interesting that you should say that I actually going through.

00:12:12.780 –> 00:12:17.130 William Ritter: we’ll talk a little bit more about Bob and McMillan later, but going through his things.

00:12:17.820 –> 00:12:25.800 William Ritter: There was a little bit of what I call nature sign planting which is different from celestial zodiac sign planting.

00:12:26.640 –> 00:12:37.380 William Ritter: When you will actually observe nature, to see what it’s doing to help you know when you should plant that and so cucumbers, which aren’t all that different in their requirements to squash.

00:12:38.760 –> 00:12:40.320 William Ritter: Under our nerves kind of related.

00:12:42.390 –> 00:12:50.280 William Ritter: That Bobby wrote in one of his journals that you should plant your cucumbers and I would say, you could do your squash to potentially.

00:12:50.670 –> 00:13:03.510 William Ritter: I wouldn’t plan all your seed, then, because you could have a frost, but when the the the dogwood flower is blooming is when you could go ahead and plan them that feels a little early but.

00:13:04.050 –> 00:13:04.440 Maybe.

00:13:05.820 –> 00:13:06.060 William Ritter: Not.

00:13:06.570 –> 00:13:07.710 Joseph McElroy: Every time i’ve.

00:13:08.010 –> 00:13:09.300 William Ritter: also heard when they’ve hit when.

00:13:09.300 –> 00:13:14.640 William Ritter: The when the dogwood flower actually hit the ground is when you could start and so.

00:13:14.940 –> 00:13:16.470 Joseph McElroy: I’m playing never plan all your seed

00:13:16.860 –> 00:13:18.360 William Ritter: yeah i’m back.

00:13:18.840 –> 00:13:27.600 Joseph McElroy: I’m planning on being there for March 20 to the 27th so I figured That was a give me a good window to plant some things right oh boy you.

00:13:28.050 –> 00:13:29.940 William Ritter: Just gotta look for those dogwoods.

00:13:30.180 –> 00:13:44.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah look for that dogwoods all right, well, I was so long-winded I get to the break time so we’re gonna take a break and then we’ll finish when we come back and talk a little bit more about your current events and then get into the store, you know storytelling Bobby McMillan.

00:16:00.390 –> 00:16:12.450 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a Gateway to the Smokies podcasts and my guest William Ritter, so William I saw I was looking around sneaking around stalking you a little bit.

00:16:14.490 –> 00:16:27.960 Joseph McElroy: And I saw that you did the music and perform live for 80 minutes adaption of Shakespeare’s midnight’s summers midsummer’s night dream this last fall, how did you end up doing that and how was it, how did it go.

00:16:28.890 –> 00:16:30.840 William Ritter: I mean, I think it went really well.

00:16:33.510 –> 00:16:40.170 William Ritter: It was pretty magical for me and that’s not a joke about it being a very magical play cinematically but.

00:16:41.700 –> 00:16:47.220 William Ritter: It was nice because it’s been a little while since I’ve been involved in theatre, I actually got my

00:16:47.610 –> 00:16:55.260 William Ritter: theater degree, which is another long-winded story because it’s kind of amazing I ended up with that, but if you take a lot of random classes in college you never know what you might end up.

00:16:55.260 –> 00:16:55.440 With.

00:16:57.840 –> 00:17:09.360 William Ritter: But anyways so I got invited to do this play because I had provided this the music for a previous play at Western Carolina where they had done the.

00:17:10.110 –> 00:17:18.030 William Ritter: midsummer night’s dream Shakespeare and they’d said it in the 20s in the 20s in Appalachia so it’s kind of interesting.

00:17:18.990 –> 00:17:32.970 William Ritter: To kind of draw some threads together of Shakespearean language and songs and music and kind of stew, that in together with traditional mostly tunes I mostly play traditional fiddle tunes.

00:17:34.500 –> 00:17:43.380 William Ritter: But when I did it earlier, we had had more singing and that the but they asked me I guess it was 10 years had passed since that happened, which blows my mind.

00:17:44.430 –> 00:17:50.640 William Ritter: And so they asked me again to come down last year and help with another new crop of young.

00:17:51.660 –> 00:18:08.670 William Ritter: thespians to put on the show, but they did it outside which it’s a classic play for outdoor performance and they renovated the picnic shelter into a really nice stage it was pretty amazing so Hats off to them for that, but I think what was really special to me was just.

00:18:09.810 –> 00:18:17.220 William Ritter: The kids you know they hadn’t been able to really be in front of a live audience in a long time and mean, these are actors in that.

00:18:18.300 –> 00:18:25.350 William Ritter: And, because of the pandemic had really not had an opportunity to have an audience in front of them, so it was really powerful in that to

00:18:25.860 –> 00:18:35.010 William Ritter: have them have that opportunity to they’ve been had been kind of withheld from them for a while, in me to really but also a lot of there were students that they said we’re.

00:18:36.360 –> 00:18:44.790 William Ritter: first-year juniors what’s the first-year junior gold, they were a junior in credits, but it was the first year they’d really had been like you know.

00:18:46.380 –> 00:18:48.120 Joseph McElroy: They got all their advanced placement stuff and they.

00:18:48.120 –> 00:18:50.370 Joseph McElroy: got right into junior year wow.

00:18:50.760 –> 00:18:54.450 William Ritter: Well yeah but, but you know wasn’t because they like we’re smart and went to.

00:18:55.530 –> 00:19:01.830 William Ritter: You know, a Community College, it was because there they were taking all the classes from home.

00:19:02.850 –> 00:19:06.990 William Ritter: Because of the pandemics, so it was the first play a lot of them.

00:19:07.770 –> 00:19:09.750 William Ritter: Even though they’ve been a theater major for a.

00:19:09.840 –> 00:19:16.500 William Ritter: Before that so, but they did a great job and they had a lot of passion, it was, It was good to be around.

00:19:17.010 –> 00:19:32.850 Joseph McElroy: well you know the I mean most people don’t know that the Mount smoky mountain area has a lot of actually really innovative, you know theater and you know you know Western Carolina University Ashville you know other places, you know the.

00:19:33.000 –> 00:19:33.930 William Ritter: city’s else.

00:19:34.020 –> 00:19:50.610 Joseph McElroy: Under the chosen if you consider that the black mountain school our schools there and performances and happening started, you know they’re right at John Cage doing things and Rauschenberg and you know, so the mountains have really been a place where you know.

00:19:51.690 –> 00:19:57.330 Joseph McElroy: theater performances really yeah a lot of times gone over into the real our guard.

00:19:57.870 –> 00:20:05.790 William Ritter: Right in the outdoor theater kind of movement in North Carolina has been huge and was really huge in that movement um.

00:20:06.030 –> 00:20:09.570 William Ritter: there’s a lot of interesting history interesting there for sure.

00:20:09.960 –> 00:20:18.180 Joseph McElroy: cool so are you are you serious I see you’re still involved with the Happy Valley Fiddler’s Convention, the mountains folk festival, are they going on this year they’re going last year.

00:20:18.210 –> 00:20:34.890 William Ritter: Yes, yeah we’re both of them are on so I’m excited about that we look forward to finally bringing Happy Valley Fiddler’s Convention back after you know, a two-year hiatus.

00:20:36.390 –> 00:20:40.650 William Ritter: And that’s all going well and we’re excited about it.

00:20:41.820 –> 00:20:49.620 William Ritter: And then, also the music in the mountains, last year we had it for the first time, even though it’s a 30 to 30-year-old.

00:20:51.720 –> 00:21:04.770 William Ritter: Well it’s decades in the making that they’ve had the music in the mountains in Burnsville but last year we actually moved its location so we’d have could do it outside to

00:21:05.670 –> 00:21:18.480 William Ritter: homeplace beer company, which is a great really interesting kind of an Appalachian Chic actually brewery to borrow a phrase from the Meadowlark in Burnsville and it was hugely attended.

00:21:19.980 –> 00:21:20.340 William Ritter: and

00:21:21.480 –> 00:21:28.860 William Ritter: It went well and we’re looking to build on that this year so we’re very excited about that.

00:21:29.670 –> 00:21:37.920 Joseph McElroy: And if you know I remember that you and your wife actually performed with them, I like your wife is Sarah Ogletree you guys do a lot of performances together lately.

00:21:38.880 –> 00:21:43.590 William Ritter: um no not really though we did just play at the Pinecone.

00:21:45.660 –> 00:21:50.850 William Ritter: performed as part of the Pine Cone performance series down in Raleigh just a few nights ago.

00:21:51.870 –> 00:21:58.890 William Ritter: And that was really fun that was nice to get out as part of a kind of North Carolina Gospel traditions concert.

00:22:00.480 –> 00:22:02.760 William Ritter: And we had to shake off quite a bit of rust.

00:22:04.830 –> 00:22:06.090 William Ritter: I haven’t been playing much.

00:22:06.390 –> 00:22:12.720 William Ritter: With the people, I normally play with or with Sarah either it was partly because of her work, but also just you know gigs.

00:22:13.710 –> 00:22:20.130 William Ritter: We all know how they’ve they’ve really disappeared or dried up or changed into digital events and things so.

00:22:20.880 –> 00:22:34.560 William Ritter: It was very refreshing to get out in front of a live audience and form, and it was the Pinecone is a great organization worth looking up, and if you’re in Raleigh definitely go see some of their shows.

00:22:35.280 –> 00:22:43.980 Joseph McElroy: You know I grew up in was born raised in the smokies my family came from a long time, and you know the cultural heritage that the performances.

00:22:44.430 –> 00:22:50.910 Joseph McElroy: you know it’s about that’s probably what I cherish about the region, I mean there’s the beauty there are the natural wonders.

00:22:51.300 –> 00:22:59.100 Joseph McElroy: But you know I’m not a big hiker I do I go and I’m not a big camper but I love to have a campfire at night that’s because I like to sit around and talk with people.

00:22:59.610 –> 00:23:08.340 Joseph McElroy: And you know of course there’s my family roots there so, but you know really the cultural heritage is what I find so special What about this region is so special to you.

00:23:10.380 –> 00:23:11.550 William Ritter: How long do we have.

00:23:14.100 –> 00:23:15.180 Joseph McElroy: top three highlights.

00:23:15.720 –> 00:23:20.820 William Ritter: yeah well um I would say, you know the people.

00:23:21.900 –> 00:23:23.670 William Ritter: Is big which that can.

00:23:25.110 –> 00:23:37.620 William Ritter: brings all those threads together but um you know mountain culture is its own culture um people have their own ways of talking and thinking and doing and.

00:23:39.180 –> 00:23:44.280 William Ritter: So that’s I don’t know part of its because I grew up with it and.

00:23:45.660 –> 00:24:02.010 William Ritter: it’s something that just does feel like home to me but, but it is a really rich area for folklore and traditions and there’s a rich heritage of celebrating them to which might be why we have as much as we do because of places like the Meadowlark

00:24:03.180 –> 00:24:12.060 William Ritter: You know I’ve continued to put for artists, you know, an on a platform to share with people coming into the region or the people that already live here.

00:24:13.440 –> 00:24:31.380 William Ritter: And so that is that’s a really deep well, that means a lot to me but also there’s just you can’t beat the scenic beauty, I think, whether it’s the, no matter what time of year it is there’s something about being able to see either all that green or all those colors all up before you.

00:24:32.970 –> 00:24:40.230 William Ritter: And and and in the winter all the definition and the contrast it’s it’s beautiful you know I remember.

00:24:42.150 –> 00:24:56.190 William Ritter: going to Scotland and I’m going to one spot your calendar where were some of my ancestors are from, and I remember, was the Sarah that’s like wow this is this Plott is so beautiful she’s like that looks like where we came from.

00:24:59.760 –> 00:25:09.810 William Ritter: Everywhere, I go I’m always finding something that kind of reminds me of home and that’s my favorite thing and it often frustrates people, but I love living in the mountains, I shriveled up.

00:25:09.810 –> 00:25:10.290 William Ritter: Like a.

00:25:10.350 –> 00:25:15.930 William Ritter: Little prune when I left to a place that wasn’t even really that far out of the mountains so.

00:25:16.260 –> 00:25:20.970 William Ritter: it’s just really a part of me I don’t know so the people, the place and the third thing.

00:25:25.320 –> 00:25:28.080 William Ritter: Would would maybe be the food.

00:25:32.640 –> 00:25:39.570 William Ritter: yeah I love the culinary traditions here many of which have been pretty obscured and are not easily.

00:25:40.260 –> 00:25:49.470 William Ritter: You know they’re not easily ported over into something that you would get at a restaurant, you know that they’re either like health codes would be like, no, no, no, you can’t do that.

00:25:50.850 –> 00:25:56.070 William Ritter: or they’re just they would be kind of expensive, even though they weren’t like a rich man’s food it’s just.

00:25:57.720 –> 00:26:00.660 William Ritter: kind of slow food type of thing, but you can’t really.

00:26:01.440 –> 00:26:02.610 William Ritter: monetize easily.

00:26:03.000 –> 00:26:11.040 Joseph McElroy: or people you know, the thing is that people look at southern food nothing’s that’s the same thing that we’re talking about the mountain food is not exactly like southern food.

00:26:11.370 –> 00:26:12.270 William Ritter: No, no.

00:26:13.170 –> 00:26:13.410 yeah.

00:26:15.300 –> 00:26:30.210 Joseph McElroy: I was telling people I used to eat for breakfast growing up as beans and cornbread with with with purple onions, you know, and you know and things like that you’d be amazed how good, that is when it’s done right yeah.

00:26:31.110 –> 00:26:33.930 William Ritter: yeah totally I mean yeah.

00:26:36.180 –> 00:26:38.010 William Ritter: I, I completely agree.

00:26:38.520 –> 00:26:46.290 Joseph McElroy: yeah and slow Barbecue and the way they cook chicken and the other things are just slightly different than what you would.

00:26:46.980 –> 00:26:57.510 Joseph McElroy: Consider southern food so not that I, you know, there was southern food here as well, but there was a mountain cuisine now one of the things I want to do it the Meadowlark yeah I don’t know if you know but we’re creating a restaurant.

00:26:58.350 –> 00:27:09.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh, what I’m trying to do is to find, I want to do old mountain you know recipes you know, maybe with a slight twist right yeah and so.

00:27:09.660 –> 00:27:10.770 William Ritter: Appalachian Chic, right.

00:27:11.040 –> 00:27:19.800 Joseph McElroy: Appalachian Chic here now take that that that dish of beans and cornbread and onions, well done and add some avocado on it.

00:27:21.060 –> 00:27:23.610 Joseph McElroy: Right it’s like that’s like a keen wall ball.

00:27:26.430 –> 00:27:31.560 Joseph McElroy: ball yeah mountain ball with healthy and robust and good tasting.

00:27:32.730 –> 00:27:34.380 Joseph McElroy: And hot sauce goes with it really well.

00:27:35.640 –> 00:27:38.790 William Ritter: My process and everything so pretty much I think even ice cream.

00:27:39.720 –> 00:27:40.890 Joseph McElroy: yeah so.

00:27:42.480 –> 00:27:46.200 Joseph McElroy: But no, I think that’s that you know we’re going to take another break here.

00:27:47.370 –> 00:27:57.180 Joseph McElroy: So I don’t want to start another line of questioning because we got a whole little section to go through here but we’ll be back in just a moment we’ll start talking about Bobby.

00:30:03.030 –> 00:30:12.150 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a Gateway to the Smokies Podcasts with my guest William Ritter, so William you know you’ve.

00:30:12.810 –> 00:30:27.390 Joseph McElroy: You know, I was reading how you actually grew up on the grounds of the Pentland Focus School, which were your parents or instructors that must have been the incredible experience you learned a lot about storytelling and folk songs there right.

00:30:27.960 –> 00:30:28.320 well.

00:30:29.550 –> 00:30:38.130 William Ritter: I should say, to a degree, I mean, so the Pentland school of craft now as it was the pinnacle of crafts when I.

00:30:38.940 –> 00:30:48.570 William Ritter: was going over there, I didn’t wouldn’t say exactly grew up on the grounds, but I was there a lot because my parents met there back in the 70s.

00:30:49.440 –> 00:31:00.840 William Ritter: And they did teach a lot there over the course of the years and we didn’t live very far from there, so I was taken over to depend on quite a bit not quite as much as some of the other artist’s kids.

00:31:01.830 –> 00:31:16.410 William Ritter: But, but I certainly did spend a lot of time there, especially if mom and dad were teaching a class, you know, I have to go over there after getting out of school or something, and it was it honestly is a pretty magical place, unlike maybe like the

00:31:17.640 –> 00:31:31.230 William Ritter: Maybe like Aramark or Johnson Campbell folks school it leans a little bit more on to the the the high end of the craft, though I don’t I’m not trying to pigeonhole them there.

00:31:31.230 –> 00:31:31.770 Joseph McElroy: No, no.

00:31:33.210 –> 00:31:34.830 Joseph McElroy: I just think it is a bit of magic.

00:31:35.640 –> 00:31:47.760 Joseph McElroy: You know it intrigued me that you grew up on it so it’s kind of cool I mean you’re involved so much in heritage, music, and storytelling I mean think one of your mentors was mentors early on, was Ray danger.

00:31:48.090 –> 00:31:53.400 Joseph McElroy: Yes, yeah we talked about last time, and you know and then lately.

00:31:55.050 –> 00:32:04.110 Joseph McElroy: you’ve been involved with a guy that was you know, a legend Bobby McMillan who is was an acclaimed ballad singer and New York

00:32:04.500 –> 00:32:11.280 Joseph McElroy: North Carolina folk heritage award winner and he spent his lifetime collecting the local songs and regional variations.

00:32:11.730 –> 00:32:20.250 Joseph McElroy: And I, and I didn’t get to hear all of it, but he had one of the most expensive repertoires of any singer and you know it was.

00:32:20.880 –> 00:32:30.120 Joseph McElroy: It was incredible and you know he came to the Meadowlark last year and I guess it was one of his you know, last performances I don’t know what exactly, but it would have been in the year.

00:32:30.510 –> 00:32:40.860 Joseph McElroy: You know, and he told a great story about which ended up I love to tell dimension is ended up somehow he was hunting and he ended up catching 50 fishes pant legs.

00:32:42.330 –> 00:32:42.660 William Ritter: yeah.

00:32:43.020 –> 00:32:44.880 Joseph McElroy: And then he’s saying His story so.

00:32:46.590 –> 00:32:58.110 Joseph McElroy: And I think that you and Bob and Bobby, Bob Plott who’s the manager of the most I’ve done a lot of things together with programs together haven’t you.

00:32:58.980 –> 00:33:05.880 William Ritter: yeah we got a few do a few you know I think if it hadn’t been for the pandemic, we would have been able to do more.

00:33:06.960 –> 00:33:07.500 William Ritter: But.

00:33:08.640 –> 00:33:20.040 William Ritter: yeah we have got to do some shows together, which was really, really fun, for me, I mean it’s always fun to sing or you know or drive Bobby around and take him to performances and

00:33:21.030 –> 00:33:36.840 William Ritter: And that sort of thing but also just really you know I remember, like the look on Bob’s face when he first really like got to hear Bobby you know it was like oh my gosh you know it took him back to when he was hanging out with Stanley Hicks and those old old guys.

00:33:38.040 –> 00:33:46.560 William Ritter: And really Bobby was like a kind of really was like a blast from the past is as in terms of the storyteller he really.

00:33:46.830 –> 00:34:00.300 Joseph McElroy: was great it was it took me right back, because I, you know I remember my grandfather would tell a tall tale like Abaddon which ended up with him shooting using a musket to shoot a squirrel and in the shot it with the tamper they came out.

00:34:05.370 –> 00:34:18.540 Joseph McElroy: So you know, but I know that you were really excited to get a special grab to fund the documenting the life and works with Bobby and get them out doing shows again, can you tell us about that.

00:34:18.870 –> 00:34:29.190 William Ritter: yeah yeah so that was through the North Carolina Arts Council in partnership with a foundation that I am always happy to brag on.

00:34:30.060 –> 00:34:32.190 William Ritter: called South arts out of Atlanta.

00:34:33.870 –> 00:34:42.480 William Ritter: And they put together a grant opportunity for a mentor and an apprentice to study together.

00:34:43.650 –> 00:34:49.410 William Ritter: And it was about a $10,000 grant mostly that went towards the mentor.

00:34:50.700 –> 00:34:58.410 William Ritter: But just to try to encourage you to know that kind of deeper relationships and help fund people that might not have you know the finances to really.

00:34:59.580 –> 00:35:06.270 William Ritter: work together, you know you can be so caught up in the hustle of just paying rent and you know feeding yourself and all that that you don’t.

00:35:07.380 –> 00:35:09.810 William Ritter: get to kind of take some of those opportunities.

00:35:11.280 –> 00:35:17.760 William Ritter: And, but really what happened with me and Bobby is I was kind of doing the thing that I’m always trying to do, which is trying to like help.

00:35:18.480 –> 00:35:32.220 William Ritter: You know, help other artists, with some opportunities that I see coming down the Pike and I was trying to find an apprentice for Bobby and, finally, he said, William why don’t you just be my apprentice, and I was like.

00:35:33.300 –> 00:35:35.250 William Ritter: You know that’s a great idea let’s Do this so.

00:35:36.660 –> 00:35:42.090 William Ritter: I put together this you know package of an application.

00:35:43.380 –> 00:35:55.500 William Ritter: And just is one of those things where you just had incredible unknown foresight Bobby and I live kind of far from each other, so I developed the whole thing that we could do it mostly remotely.

00:35:56.610 –> 00:35:58.350 William Ritter: But this was before the pandemic.

00:35:59.400 –> 00:36:09.180 William Ritter: So I had no idea that that the whole thing ended up being designed perfectly really to work during a pandemic because we were able to do so much of it remotely.

00:36:10.290 –> 00:36:15.120 William Ritter: On the downside, we didn’t get to do as much of me taking him to gigs because those just disappeared.

00:36:16.350 –> 00:36:29.190 William Ritter: That was my favorite thing I put a little camera on the like you know GoPro in the car and we’d film and record the car rides because that’s like you know, a slice of.

00:36:30.330 –> 00:36:39.450 William Ritter: Of its own kind of folklore it’s just riding with these traditional artists in these old-timers places like I mean it’s just the best stories you’ve ever heard.

00:36:40.440 –> 00:36:50.730 William Ritter: In a different totally different kind of storytelling in a way, then when you get up on a stage so Bobby was always the same storyteller I felt like on a stage or singer has he was in his living room.

00:36:51.780 –> 00:36:54.990 Joseph McElroy: very, very authentic like you just tell the story to.

00:36:54.990 –> 00:36:56.730 Joseph McElroy: Friends when he’s on stage yeah.

00:36:56.790 –> 00:36:57.390 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:36:57.870 –> 00:37:08.550 William Ritter: Very important him to be like that to be like I’m not be putting on any kind of special added saucy just wanted to be himself up there a lot, you know you.

00:37:08.790 –> 00:37:20.220 William Ritter: that’s kinda like the way Doc Watson was there’s a lot of artists, that I admire that just really tried to be themselves, or at least it seemed like that or they’re trying to do, I think it was true with both of them.

00:37:21.300 –> 00:37:31.320 William Ritter: And I kind of tried to do that to it can and redeal injure you know that’s the way he was and when we get up and play you did he said is that always said is who is and I can’t get any wizard.

00:37:33.150 –> 00:37:33.540 William Ritter: and

00:37:34.080 –> 00:37:44.730 William Ritter: I always like that there’s something kind of liberating and kind of you know, can really make some people feel uncomfortable about being themselves in front of a big crowd of people, but I think it’s really.

00:37:45.690 –> 00:37:49.890 William Ritter: I’ve liked that feeling doesn’t really want to try to be anyone else and that’s part of why I.

00:37:49.890 –> 00:37:50.700 William Ritter: stopped doing theatre.

00:37:52.350 –> 00:38:01.950 William Ritter: But that’s something that I really enjoyed working with Bobby is he really was just an old-time storyteller and I love that he wasn’t.

00:38:03.150 –> 00:38:08.190 William Ritter: I hate to use the term like a Jonesboro storyteller but there’s some more professionalized.

00:38:08.190 –> 00:38:17.100 William Ritter: storyteller gets up and it’s just a different thing, but he felt like I was sitting next to some old dude in a general store hundred years ago talon yeah story.

00:38:17.310 –> 00:38:18.420 Joseph McElroy: He looked like a Uri.

00:38:18.690 –> 00:38:19.920 Uri sat around.

00:38:20.940 –> 00:38:27.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah so he died last year, what what’s the status or project now, what are you continuing.

00:38:28.200 –> 00:38:30.150 William Ritter: So we’re.

00:38:32.190 –> 00:38:44.190 William Ritter: You know, it was funny for someone That was really in poor health Bobby suffered from diabetes and some weight issues and all the things that come with diabetes.

00:38:45.750 –> 00:38:54.570 William Ritter: And, but we really all were very caught off guard by his passing, even though we hadn’t been well and it had a lot of health issues.

00:38:55.110 –> 00:39:09.030 William Ritter: It really did just kind of surprise us because Bobby had been in poor health for so long and away just he seemed to just keep ticking and I guess maybe we were we got used to the privilege of having him, and so when he passed.

00:39:10.920 –> 00:39:23.070 William Ritter: His his wife was generous and that she donated to us all of his books, what do you mean to me but but but I, you know.

00:39:24.360 –> 00:39:26.820 William Ritter: I think she did so, knowing that I would not like to keep them.

00:39:28.260 –> 00:39:30.390 William Ritter: I felt like they needed to be shared with all his books.

00:39:30.690 –> 00:39:37.230 William Ritter: His notebooks where he sat down and wrote you know all of these stories and song lyrics he’d come across.

00:39:39.060 –> 00:39:44.220 William Ritter: And just I mean a lifetimes work of papers.

00:39:45.390 –> 00:39:46.680 William Ritter: And so I.

00:39:48.660 –> 00:39:57.030 William Ritter: got together with Sheila Adams, who was probably Bobby’s one of his closest friends of not as the closest friend for over.

00:39:57.570 –> 00:40:16.020 William Ritter: 40, 40 some years and she’s a great ballad singer and storyteller and author and then she’s well acclaimed and has one you know national awards for doing the work that she does, but so and she’s on the product and also Rodney Sutton, who is great.

00:40:18.330 –> 00:40:32.310 William Ritter: dancer and personality and really, really interesting person, but both of them worked with Bobby quite a bit particularly Sheila but also Rodney documented him a lot and a project that they did together.

00:40:33.330 –> 00:40:42.900 William Ritter: And so we three got together and you know also kind of working with some other people in the network that new Bobby and appreciated him.

00:40:43.470 –> 00:40:53.880 William Ritter: kind of brainstormed on where we might take all of his papers and books and we took them decided to go to Mars Hill University, which is a small college.

00:40:55.290 –> 00:41:05.400 William Ritter: And, but it happens to be in Madison county which is kind of like you know I think of the heartland of Appalachian bouncing and because it’s still carried on there, in a way that it’s in.

00:41:06.270 –> 00:41:12.150 William Ritter: Not in a lot of other communities by people that are like you know we’re kin to the people that were.

00:41:12.390 –> 00:41:13.650 recorded before them.

00:41:14.910 –> 00:41:20.280 William Ritter: And so we felt like it was important to have it there, and so what we’ve been doing is.

00:41:21.480 –> 00:41:29.610 William Ritter: Taking bobby’s papers which are blessed his heart not well organized and try to get them organized so that.

00:41:30.570 –> 00:41:34.440 William Ritter: One you know over so that we can continue to learn from Bobby.

00:41:35.040 –> 00:41:52.110 William Ritter: For on into perpetuity but, but also to kind of fill in the blanks because Sheila and Rodney and me and others, no answers to questions that you know researcher will never know in the future so we’re just trying to be responsible, making accessible.

00:41:52.530 –> 00:41:54.090 Joseph McElroy: Good how are you funding this.

00:41:55.170 –> 00:42:00.840 William Ritter: Well, right now, we just started with a gofundme, which is a Bobby McMillan legacy.

00:42:02.670 –> 00:42:15.900 William Ritter: And that’s you can find that relatively easily online, you can also go to my song to seed website, and it has talks about the bombing McMillan legacy project we’re doing and we just crusted 4000.

00:42:16.650 –> 00:42:28.920 William Ritter: But part of that’s going to go back towards his wife Joyce because she was so generous and sharing all of this material with us, they could have ended up just moldering in a closet or being sold, because the books were valuable.

00:42:29.310 –> 00:42:41.910 William Ritter: So we’re going to give her what we’d call a love offering, which is a little financial gift but also will use the rest of it for matching grants some travel to do research and and and some other things.

00:42:43.680 –> 00:42:50.550 William Ritter: But we’re really grateful for the start that we have but there’s still a lot to go, I think, to make this what it needs to be and should be.

00:42:51.150 –> 00:42:55.980 Joseph McElroy: And what are your future plans to do with all this for honoring Bobby and perpetuating his legacy.

00:42:56.310 –> 00:43:01.440 William Ritter: Well, I will probably sing a song that Bobby did every time that I ever play anywhere.

00:43:02.010 –> 00:43:02.340 Joseph McElroy: that’s.

00:43:02.460 –> 00:43:13.080 William Ritter: On a personal level, but also, I just want to figure out through a website, maybe my website to make his stuff that scattered different places, make it accessible and way this.

00:43:14.790 –> 00:43:16.650 Joseph McElroy: album where the stories would be.

00:43:16.680 –> 00:43:18.510 William Ritter: yeah so we’ve got plans for.

00:43:18.570 –> 00:43:29.580 William Ritter: for doing something similar we’ve been talking about doing something like that there’s a lot of different threads I think that one is to have a reading room and Mars hill so people can go and they can listen to all Bobby’s music, they can read all of his.

00:43:29.790 –> 00:43:43.350 William Ritter: books and look at his notebooks there and learn from him like we learned from him so that’s part of the plan, but there’s that there’s a lot of artistic opportunities, I think, to move forward, I know, with Bobby’s work so.

00:43:44.220 –> 00:43:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh well, so I guess, I mean it had to be devastating, and I think to rising, and you know, find a way to perpetuate legacy is a good way to deal with that devastation right yeah.

00:43:56.520 –> 00:43:58.200 William Ritter: Totally definitely been healing.

00:43:58.980 –> 00:44:00.540 Joseph McElroy: I can imagine it’s been healing.

00:44:01.890 –> 00:44:02.790 Joseph McElroy: You know um.

00:44:05.280 –> 00:44:12.390 Joseph McElroy: You know I want to get into the next things that we’re going to talk about what we’re about to have a break so.

00:44:13.950 –> 00:44:19.230 Joseph McElroy: let’s take a break now and then we come back we’ll talk about some of the things that are coming up.

00:46:21.240 –> 00:46:32.880 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest William Ritter, so William I know that you have booked.

00:46:34.380 –> 00:46:53.160 Joseph McElroy: With TIM McWilliams for a special concert at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center Plott Fest Reunion on June 3rd to 5th 2022 that’s coming up this do, that is a little different from your typical old-time musical show how is, how is that.

00:46:54.510 –> 00:46:56.430 William Ritter: uh well.

00:46:58.500 –> 00:47:00.060 William Ritter: I don’t want to get into like a loaded.

00:47:00.060 –> 00:47:02.070 William Ritter: a critique of the old-time music genre.

00:47:02.430 –> 00:47:03.270 Joseph McElroy: No, no okay.

00:47:03.330 –> 00:47:06.690 William Ritter: um well well I think it’s a little bit different um.

00:47:08.220 –> 00:47:09.810 William Ritter: Talking about old-time music.

00:47:11.400 –> 00:47:12.180 William Ritter: In a real.

00:47:13.440 –> 00:47:14.700 William Ritter: Is this like a way to just like.

00:47:14.910 –> 00:47:15.540 William Ritter: The timing.

00:47:15.930 –> 00:47:20.970 Joseph McElroy: is just like old-time mountain music or old-time country music which one is it here.

00:47:21.060 –> 00:47:23.040 William Ritter: So it’ll be a mix of things.

00:47:24.090 –> 00:47:40.110 William Ritter: You know, Tim and I, you know, on one hand, like we love to play like Doc Watson and TIM O’Brien and some other artists, of course, both of those are Appalachian artists.

00:47:41.550 –> 00:47:47.550 William Ritter: But we also do some you know some foreign young and some other country, you know.

00:47:50.460 –> 00:47:51.090 William Ritter: You know.

00:47:52.740 –> 00:47:54.900 William Ritter: Country groups I’m.

00:47:56.130 –> 00:48:20.610 William Ritter: Pretty wide-ranging but, but just lately, I know that TIM has been doing a lot of work with Josh Goforth and Josh Goforth and TIM actually received the same grant that Bobby and I did to work together josh go forth is an amazing musician incredible storyteller and just I.

00:48:22.140 –> 00:48:38.910 William Ritter: it’s hard to say it’s hard to overstate how good of a musician he is, to be honest, they call them the acoustic wizard he’s definitely worth looking up some time as very, very talented but he also is really connected to Madison county music roots.

00:48:40.350 –> 00:48:48.750 William Ritter: and has put a lot of time into you know kind of absorbing the I would say, like the Asheville greater Asheville.

00:48:49.320 –> 00:48:54.540 William Ritter: kind of Middle Western North Carolina music traditions and so he’s been passing that on.

00:48:55.170 –> 00:49:10.050 William Ritter: To TIM and in with hopes that you know, Tim will continue to pass it on to which he does he’s a TIM as a music teacher in Ashville so he’s been trying to incorporate some of that into his school curriculum so that’s a really, really neat thing.

00:49:11.160 –> 00:49:27.870 William Ritter: So, but we are really connected to a lot of real Appalachian like local regional stuff kind of the deep cuts, we do some things that you may have heard a version of that song that we do, but it’s your different version than you probably heard.

00:49:27.870 –> 00:49:28.410 Before.

00:49:29.940 –> 00:49:40.680 William Ritter: But we also do some stuff that’s common is dirt you know that everybody played because we like that and it’s if nobody wants to hear, I think a concert where they’ve never heard any of the songs before.

00:49:42.030 –> 00:49:55.290 William Ritter: And so we do a real I think a real healthy mix and we have a lot of fun, I mean that’s the biggest thing we just have a whole lot of fun it’s always been great fun to play with TIM we both went to Grad school together at APP state.

00:49:56.970 –> 00:50:00.270 William Ritter: And so we really enjoy kind of.

00:50:01.980 –> 00:50:11.820 William Ritter: Like I said digging deeply into some of these Western North Carolina music traditions but also playing some of this stuff like I said that are the POP hits of the.

00:50:12.720 –> 00:50:13.290 Joseph McElroy: I look for.

00:50:14.670 –> 00:50:17.820 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to hearing about here and that I’ll be there for sure.

00:50:19.110 –> 00:50:33.120 Joseph McElroy: So um you know this pandemic has been tough right and I imagine it’s been tough, especially in the winter, how do you keep yourself active as a musician and performer and these times, or even doing it.

00:50:34.110 –> 00:50:36.780 William Ritter: it’s a good question Joseph, did I know the answer to.

00:50:36.780 –> 00:50:36.960 That.

00:50:39.720 –> 00:50:41.460 Joseph McElroy: Well, I mean you can do zoom concerts.

00:50:41.460 –> 00:50:43.800 Joseph McElroy: Are all the way, but it’s just not the same thing.

00:50:43.830 –> 00:50:44.580 Right now.

00:50:45.720 –> 00:50:50.760 William Ritter: Though I did recently just try something new called riverside FM.

00:50:51.420 –> 00:50:55.500 William Ritter: Which is like a podcasting service kind of like zoom ish you know.

00:50:56.550 –> 00:51:10.290 William Ritter: And did that with Sheila Adams, as the just kind of test out the service and that actually went really well I would I was really happy with that so that was neat and I’d like to try to do more of that kind of thing.

00:51:11.010 –> 00:51:27.750 Joseph McElroy: No, I would think that the clubhouse you heard a clubhouse it’s a clubhouse as an APP that’s become very popular where it’s basically people get on and it’s all audio chat rooms and people get on the talk I think that’d be great for the storyteller.

00:51:28.260 –> 00:51:30.120 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah yeah.

00:51:30.600 –> 00:51:31.320 William Ritter: That sounds.

00:51:31.800 –> 00:51:34.950 Joseph McElroy: yeah so definitely investigate that clubhouse.

00:51:34.980 –> 00:51:35.790 William Ritter: Now, look into that.

00:51:36.000 –> 00:51:46.020 Joseph McElroy: Because I know a lot of poets, especially urban poets, are doing it and having very big success getting big crowds and things coming, but I think the mountain storytelling be great on the clubhouse.

00:51:46.920 –> 00:51:59.370 William Ritter: yeah yeah, I think, maybe that’s a yeah I’ve really been I’ve been thinking about this for a long time ways that this kind of digital experience can help us kind of spread.

00:52:00.000 –> 00:52:10.590 William Ritter: kind of evangelize for these mountain traditions and I, you know even before the pandemic, I was thinking I knew all these like elder you know.

00:52:11.130 –> 00:52:21.090 William Ritter: Tradition bears as we call them or folk practitioners people that knew all these old ways and told these great stories and they weren’t necessarily always like professionals in

00:52:21.510 –> 00:52:33.720 William Ritter: You know, then in presenting their art, but you know that’s what I wanted really it was a had this I hate to use the word authenticity, but, but that was what I was looking for.

00:52:34.890 –> 00:52:48.060 William Ritter: And I wanted to find a way that people that couldn’t really even get out of their house necessarily or were really mobility bound or their health prevented them from sharing their art but um.

00:52:48.960 –> 00:52:55.260 William Ritter: You know I don’t know so I want to figure out a way to do that and that’s part of why I was exploring with Bobby.

00:52:56.880 –> 00:53:08.880 William Ritter: And did learn a lot about I think that some possibilities and I think more have come out of it because of the endemic more opportunities have come along that we’ve invested in the technology more people are familiar with it.

00:53:09.780 –> 00:53:14.850 William Ritter: But you know, like a podcast is a great medium for an older story Teller.

00:53:16.410 –> 00:53:17.520 William Ritter: To get out anymore.

00:53:18.150 –> 00:53:23.820 Joseph McElroy: I think this club has I’ve been thinking about doing like a Meadowlark storytelling lounge or something like that yeah.

00:53:23.850 –> 00:53:25.440 Joseph McElroy: Because I think it was great.

00:53:25.470 –> 00:53:26.850 Joseph McElroy: medium for that yeah.

00:53:27.150 –> 00:53:28.440 William Ritter: yeah I.

00:53:28.680 –> 00:53:34.140 William Ritter: I’d love to see something like that I, you know there’s a really good storyteller in.

00:53:34.680 –> 00:53:40.530 William Ritter: Silva named Gary Carden um and he has you know some pretty serious health issues that he sees.

00:53:40.860 –> 00:53:56.820 William Ritter: That you know, had to work with and it made it hard for him to get out but he’s a fabulous storyteller I mean to use these really incredible he’s just kind of relaunched, but a podcast that someone’s helping him do, and I really hope that works out for him.

00:53:57.660 –> 00:53:58.530 Joseph McElroy: that’d be great.

00:53:58.650 –> 00:53:58.950 But.

00:54:00.060 –> 00:54:00.450 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:54:00.780 –> 00:54:03.870 Joseph McElroy: Great so uh anything that.

00:54:05.040 –> 00:54:12.210 Joseph McElroy: you’re coming from you’d like to let the audience know about you know anything that they should watch out for.

00:54:13.080 –> 00:54:15.360 William Ritter: um well you know, dear.

00:54:18.360 –> 00:54:27.030 Joseph McElroy: I just had the wildlife guy here last week that’s doing the Crossways over the I- 40 so.

00:54:27.960 –> 00:54:29.700 William Ritter: fascinating I am just.

00:54:29.790 –> 00:54:34.350 William Ritter: I am thrilled that they’re doing that and it’s a really good idea, because, let me it’s incredibly dangerous.

00:54:34.440 –> 00:54:35.070 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:54:36.480 –> 00:54:40.080 Joseph McElroy: So how can people get Ahold of you where to look you up to find out more about what you do.

00:54:40.440 –> 00:54:49.050 William Ritter: yeah so um there’s a couple of ways, one you could go to a songtosee.com that song and to not a number two song to.

00:54:50.520 –> 00:54:57.210 William Ritter: songtosee.com and on there, you can actually there’s a section, that is, the.

00:54:58.350 –> 00:55:03.000 William Ritter: The Bobby McMillan legacy that’s kind of home for it right now, you can listen to a lot of bobby’s recordings.

00:55:03.870 –> 00:55:10.200 William Ritter: And things like that, as like transfer them over for these cassettes, and things and some bits of wisdom that we’re finding.

00:55:10.980 –> 00:55:21.390 William Ritter: And then, but, but also on our website, you can find out more about what I do from music and also the seed saving part which we talk more about and the last podcast that I was on here.

00:55:22.710 –> 00:55:30.390 William Ritter: But then there’s also you could go to the Blue Ridge Heritage area website, they have a directory that you can find all these different.

00:55:31.830 –> 00:55:36.210 William Ritter: You know, artists, that are practicing traditional.

00:55:37.770 –> 00:55:48.960 William Ritter: folkways and folk songs on things like that, so you can find a lot of them on there I’m on there, it says a little bit about me and also there’s a website that’s

00:55:49.530 –> 00:56:03.840 William Ritter: My wife and I have that’s SarahandWilliam.Weebly.COM, but any of those ways will get you to me and also songtoseed has a, of course, has a Facebook page, but we also have a YouTube channel.

00:56:04.980 –> 00:56:13.260 William Ritter: where you can go and most of what I have on there, right now, as Bobby McMillan stuff that I’ve been uploading so you can kind of see in here some of what we’ve been talking about.

00:56:13.470 –> 00:56:29.550 Joseph McElroy: Well, I want to, I want to thank you for being on the show today second time around, has been very informative very good I’m pleased to have you and I look forward to seeing you this summer at the Meadowlark Heritage Center Plott Fest it some other things too.

00:56:30.000 –> 00:56:32.340 William Ritter: yeah me too I’m definitely looking forward to it.

00:56:32.850 –> 00:56:40.470 Joseph McElroy: Yes, this is the Gateway to the Smokies podcast we’re on if you go to smokies adventure.com, you can see the podcast.

00:56:41.190 –> 00:56:56.490 Joseph McElroy: Link at the top of the page to get all the previous things we also have a Facebook page Facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast where you can watch it live what streaming find out more information we’re part of talkradio. nyc, which is a network of.

00:56:58.260 –> 00:57:13.830 Joseph McElroy: That has live podcast every day, ranging from small business and self-help to travel to all sorts of interesting thing, so this podcast the gateway the smokies is every week Tuesdays from six to seven now see you next Tuesday, thank you all for listening.

]]> <p><a href="https://fb.watch/bmJZtvtN3K/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/6216fee0dc18ab03003b8510_20220222-GTTS.jpg" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2022/02/22 - Keeping the Past Alive, While Building For the Future"></a></p><p><strong><em>GUEST: WILLIAM RITTER</em></strong></p><p><strong>In this episode, you will learn about the amazing life and career of a man who has dedicated his life to the study of early mountain music. He is dedicated to preserving the history, talent, and culture of old-time music.</strong></p><p>Our host, Joseph is joined by our special guest, <strong>William Ritter</strong>, He is an award-winning historian, author, folklorist, singer, and songwriter, can play almost any stringed instrument, is an expert on heirloom seeds, and has devoted a good part of his adult life to documenting the contributions of old-time Appalachian musicians and ballad singers.</p><p><strong>https://www.songtoseed.com/#/</strong></p><p><a href="https://sarahandwilliam.weebly.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://sarahandwilliam.weebly.com/</strong></a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="https://fb.watch/bmJZtvtN3K/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>SHOW NOTES</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph opens today’s show mentioning a couple of events coming up. The Meadowlark Smoky Mountains Heritage Center which is located at the Meadowlark Motel is having a series of twenty heritage-themed events scheduled for this year to inform people about different elements of Smoky Mountain culture. The first event is this Saturday. Another event is about fly fishing. The motel is offering a fly fishing camp weekend. Their goal is to bring like-minded people together through fly fishing, food, camp, and more. Learn more at meadowlarkmotel.com. Joseph also reads the lyrics of “The Storyteller” written by Mike Jones, a folk singer in the 1980s. He then introduces his guest today, an award-winning historian, author, folklorist, singer, and songwriter, William Ritter.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph talks with Ritter about an event Ritter did where he did a performance of an adaptation of Shakespeare&#39;s Midsummer Night’s Dream. He worked with a group of young actors who were in college and mentions how special it was for him to work with them and be a part of their early experiences in front of an audience. They also discuss the Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention, which Ritter has been a part of in the past. The convention was on a two-year hiatus but will be back this year. Ritter speaks about what makes the Smokies special for him. He mentions the mountain culture and the scenes of nature around the area. He also mentions the food is special. The culinary tradition is something he says is much different from something you’d find outside of the Smoky Mountains. It’s very unique.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Ritter talks about growing up going to the Penland School of Craft where his parents were also instructors. He also talks with Joseph about working with Bob Plott, the manager at the Meadowlark Motel and with Bobby McMillion, ballad singer, musician, and storyteller. Ritter was able to do performances with McMillion. Through the North Carolina Arts Council in partnership with a foundation called South Arts, they put together a grant opportunity for a mentor and an apprentice to study together. Ritter was trying to find an apprentice for Bobby and Bobby told Ritter that he should be the person. He was able to document Bobby going on the road to performances. Ritter would record their conversation during their rides in the car and mention the great stories Bobby would talk about with him on stage and on their rides. Ritter describes how special Bobby was as a storyteller as he&#39;d make you feel like you were speaking to a random person at a bar or anywhere else. He made it feel intimate and not so much like a performance in front of a lot of people. He was the same person on and off stage. Ritter talks more about McMillion’s life, his passing, and the Bobby McMillion Project to continue his legacy.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Ritter is booked for a special concert at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center’s Plot Fest Reunion in June. he says that there will be a mix of different ranges of country music and Appalachian culture, and mentions several artists and storytellers of influence. Joseph asks him about how he stays active as a musician during these different times since the pandemic began. Ritter says that he recently tried something new called Riverside FM, where you can record audio and videos with good quality. They both talk more about the mediums used for storytelling and different platforms. Advanced technology today has created a lot of opportunities for creators. To find out more about what William Ritter is up to, you can go to blueridgeheritage.com as well as sarahandwilliam.weebly.com. Joseph thanks William Ritter for joining him again for today’s podcast episode.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:00:41.250 –&gt; 00:00:44.610 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy I’m herewith.</p><p>00:00:44.640 –&gt; 00:00:55.770 Joseph McElroy: This week’s episode of Gateway to the Smokies, this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:56.250 –&gt; 00:01:05.010 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:05.610 –&gt; 00:01:18.720 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, as I mentioned once already, A man of the world but also deep roots in these mountains my family is lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is a culture.</p><p>00:01:19.530 –&gt; 00:01:29.580 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we’re talking about a legendary storyteller of the smokies amongst other interesting tidbits but first a little bit from our sponsors.</p><p>00:01:30.420 –&gt; 00:01:41.040 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past at modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:41.610 –&gt; 00:01:52.020 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:52.470 –&gt; 00:02:10.440 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine a place with mountain heritage, food, and underground speakeasy there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:02:11.760 –&gt; 00:02:17.760 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com at smokies plural adventure singular.com</p><p>00:02:18.360 –&gt; 00:02:29.760 Joseph McElroy: it’s a place for information listings about the smokies hiking and wedding venues books and trail marks and trail maps and resources to help you experience the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:30.120 –&gt; 00:02:36.300 Joseph McElroy: In a more fulfilling way, the emphasis of the smokies is on outdoor recreation outdoor.</p><p>00:02:36.720 –&gt; 00:02:50.790 Joseph McElroy: Life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons, and more The goal of this site is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountain.</p><p>00:02:52.950 –&gt; 00:02:54.840 Joseph McElroy: So I got a couple of events to tell you about.</p><p>00:02:56.220 –&gt; 00:03:04.590 Joseph McElroy: somewhere between character and caricature their existing authentic a truly unique culture of the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:03:05.160 –&gt; 00:03:17.250 Joseph McElroy: understanding that culture blends the global and the local the old the new and gains relevance and understanding of the elements of cup culture that brought us to where we are now and where we can go in the future.</p><p>00:03:18.930 –&gt; 00:03:31.890 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center located at the beautiful Meadowlark Motel is proud to announce a series of 20 I think now 21 heritage-themed events scheduled for 2022.</p><p>00:03:32.640 –&gt; 00:03:48.660 Joseph McElroy: Each of these events is designed to be to understand a different element of smoky mountain culture elite members and guests on a journey of understanding for the past and the future and the first event is this Saturday, February 26 at 4 pm at the Meadowlark Motel.</p><p>00:03:49.980 –&gt; 00:03:58.260 Joseph McElroy: it’s going to be led by Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center General Manager and Award-winning Author Bob Plott.</p><p>00:03:58.830 –&gt; 00:04:08.820 Joseph McElroy: As he launches the first of six heritage book programs and a book signing of his book Bob’s first program this weekend focuses on the history of the Plott Hound</p><p>00:04:09.300 –&gt; 00:04:23.070 Joseph McElroy: The official state dog of North Carolina is a legendary breed with a rich and storied history in Haywood County and it features Bob’s first book strike and stays the story of the Plott Hound.</p><p>00:04:25.350 –&gt; 00:04:38.970 Joseph McElroy: This fun informative program we followed by a delicious Barbecue dinner and acoustic music with Mike Ogletree former drummer for simple minds and some friends, making for an entertaining afternoon and evening.</p><p>00:04:39.690 –&gt; 00:04:48.150 Joseph McElroy: the event is free to motel guests and heritage club members and nonmembers and local residents are welcome to attend the program enjoy.</p><p>00:04:48.510 –&gt; 00:05:02.280 Joseph McElroy: dinner music for only $10 call 828 926 1717 to book your room and or your reservation, to find out, but other events and the heritage series and go to the website Meadowlarkmotel.com</p><p>00:05:03.540 –&gt; 00:05:07.500 Joseph McElroy: And look at this document Heritage Center under events under the events.</p><p>00:05:08.610 –&gt; 00:05:09.630 Joseph McElroy: menu selection.</p><p>00:05:10.920 –&gt; 00:05:12.600 Joseph McElroy: Coming up in March.</p><p>00:05:14.070 –&gt; 00:05:18.660 Joseph McElroy: And April coming up into action April is a fly fishing camp.</p><p>00:05:19.830 –&gt; 00:05:27.990 Joseph McElroy: what’s better for the soul than throwing a line upstream watching it pass and doing it again and again, and perhaps getting a bite.</p><p>00:05:29.430 –&gt; 00:05:38.520 Joseph McElroy: All anglers know that fly fishing isn’t only about reeling in the big one that always the, although that always gets my heart jumping.</p><p>00:05:39.090 –&gt; 00:05:46.860 Joseph McElroy: fly fishing is about being one with the river and its magnificent presence while witnessing a valuable ecosystem.</p><p>00:05:47.850 –&gt; 00:06:02.760 Joseph McElroy: So the Meadowlark Motel offering a fly fishing camp weekend in the smoky mountains, our goal and we’re gonna do multiple this in the first ones in May, but our goal is to bring like-minded people together through fly fishing to drink stories at a campfire.</p><p>00:06:04.140 –&gt; 00:06:14.490 Joseph McElroy: camp weekends are perfect for those new to fly fishing and who are in those looking for some extra instruction or anyone with experience who enjoys fishing and small group and making new friends.</p><p>00:06:14.940 –&gt; 00:06:23.580 Joseph McElroy: Each trip is built around those attending and we will all share in the experience you can expect quality time in the river and nights around the campfire with.</p><p>00:06:24.000 –&gt; 00:06:35.640 Joseph McElroy: A drink in hand truths and tall tales are allowed, are all allowed at the camp camps are limited to 20 anglers it’s good to have some great.</p><p>00:06:37.620 –&gt; 00:06:49.590 Joseph McElroy: Experts expert guides it’ll be led by Dan Sasser and Charles Humphrey III and the ancestors, the owner of high trout guides limited based in Highlands North Carolina.</p><p>00:06:50.370 –&gt; 00:06:56.790 Joseph McElroy: and his mission is to provide and promote the ultimate fly fishing experiences for clients and friends.</p><p>00:06:58.860 –&gt; 00:07:08.940 Joseph McElroy: It was formed by Sasser lead professional fly fishing tracks from Montana to Georgia, it was renowned as an innovator in the fly fishing industry.</p><p>00:07:09.870 –&gt; 00:07:25.200 Joseph McElroy: Charles Humphrey III who’s been on this show is a grammy award-winning musician and endurance athlete who also has three decades of elite guiding experience and fly fishing he’s led fishing John’s from Alaska candidate Oregon Wyoming.</p><p>00:07:26.250 –&gt; 00:07:35.430 Joseph McElroy: Colorado and all across the smoky mountains and there’ll be additional guides professional guides as well because there’ll be a minimum of one guy per to participants.</p><p>00:07:35.880 –&gt; 00:07:49.770 Joseph McElroy: So the weekend is April 15 and 16th there’ll be beside the five fishing there’ll be an evening of videos on stories of smoked trout fishing in the mountains.</p><p>00:07:50.370 –&gt; 00:07:56.220 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be the music they’ll be free Barbecue there’ll be breakfast is that includes two nights</p><p>00:07:56.760 –&gt; 00:08:07.890 Joseph McElroy: The price is $875 per person includes two nights’ lodging the breakfast is the barbecues you know beverages in the Speakeasy.</p><p>00:08:08.490 –&gt; 00:08:14.160 Joseph McElroy: And then hands-on instruction on Saturday morning and then real intense fishing on some elite streams.</p><p>00:08:14.430 –&gt; 00:08:26.670 Joseph McElroy: In the afternoon and, of course, we have a trout stream at the Meadowlark Motel it’s a Mountain Heritage Trout Stream so on your own time or as part of this wherever you want to fish you’ll have time to also fish and practice what you learn.</p><p>00:08:28.500 –&gt; 00:08:32.370 Joseph McElroy: Call 82 89261717 to make reservations.</p><p>00:08:33.420 –&gt; 00:08:46.800 Joseph McElroy: So we’re talking about fishtails and we’re gonna be talking about storytellers so you know I like to you know, sometimes find a poem or something and last time I think I made will break down and cry and solve on the show so.</p><p>00:08:47.160 –&gt; 00:08:47.760 William Ritter: This is.</p><p>00:08:48.030 –&gt; 00:09:00.330 Joseph McElroy: This was trying to accomplish that again so in the 1980s at focusing or night may Mike Jones wrote a song called the storyteller but I’m not a singer so I’m a read the lyrics as a poem.</p><p>00:09:02.700 –&gt; 00:09:16.290 Joseph McElroy: I’m a Teller of tales a spinner of yarns a Weaver of dreams and a liar I’ll teach you some stories to tell your friends while sitting at home by the fire.</p><p>00:09:16.980 –&gt; 00:09:28.530 Joseph McElroy: You may not believe everything that I say but there’s one thing I’ll tell you that’s true for my stories are given as presents to me and now they’re my gift to you.</p><p>00:09:29.370 –&gt; 00:09:42.630 Joseph McElroy: My stories are as old as the mountains and rivers that flow through the land that they were born in they were told in the homes of peasants and rags and kings with buying clothes adorning.</p><p>00:09:43.800 –&gt; 00:09:49.410 Joseph McElroy: there’s no need for civil a goal in great store for tail becomes richer with telling.</p><p>00:09:50.460 –&gt; 00:09:56.820 Joseph McElroy: And as long as each listener, has a pair of good ears and matters not where they are dwelling.</p><p>00:09:57.990 –&gt; 00:10:08.730 Joseph McElroy: A story well told can lift up your hearts and help you forget all your sorrows it can give you strength and the courage to stand and face all your troubles tomorrow.</p><p>00:10:09.450 –&gt; 00:10:21.720 Joseph McElroy: For there’s wisdom and with beauty and charm there’s laughter and sometimes there are tears, but when the story is over and the spell is broken you’ll find there’s nothing to fear.</p><p>00:10:22.800 –&gt; 00:10:32.970 Joseph McElroy: My stories were learned in my grandparent’s home where their grandfathers also had heard them, they have given us payment by traveling folk.</p><p>00:10:33.480 –&gt; 00:10:49.650 Joseph McElroy: For a warm place to lay down their burdens nice stories are ages, they never grow old with each telling they are born anew, and when my story is ended how still be alive in the tales that I’ve given to you.</p><p>00:10:52.680 –&gt; 00:11:05.160 Joseph McElroy: So today, I have a great guest his name is William Ritter he’s been on the show before he is an Award-winning Historian, Author, Folklore, Singer-Songwriter and how it can play almost any stringed instrument.</p><p>00:11:05.670 –&gt; 00:11:15.660 Joseph McElroy: And is an expert on Heirloom Seeds and has devoted a good part of his adult life to documenting that contribute contributions of old-time Appalachian musicians and ballad singers.</p><p>00:11:16.410 –&gt; 00:11:24.480 Joseph McElroy: William is a repeat guest on the show is on several events at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center and has several lined up for this year as well Hello William how are you doing.</p><p>00:11:24.840 –&gt; 00:11:26.580 William Ritter: I’m good thanks for having me, Joseph.</p><p>00:11:27.480 –&gt; 00:11:29.520 Joseph McElroy: Good how’s that farm up in Bakersfield.</p><p>00:11:30.390 –&gt; 00:11:43.470 William Ritter: Well it’s still pretty sleepy we have the springs just starting to pop the Easter flowers or John calls or daffodils are peeking out in the crocus’s or are daring to bloom so.</p><p>00:11:44.340 –&gt; 00:11:45.420 William Ritter: Things are starting you know.</p><p>00:11:45.420 –&gt; 00:11:52.740 Joseph McElroy: What’s gonna be planting season soon you, you gave me some candy roasters seeds, I really appreciate that once.</p><p>00:11:53.670 –&gt; 00:11:55.560 William Ritter: yeah yeah Maybe you can plant some out.</p><p>00:11:56.550 –&gt; 00:11:57.000 William Ritter: The Meadowlark</p><p>00:11:57.390 –&gt; 00:11:58.170 Joseph McElroy: yeah right.</p><p>00:11:59.400 –&gt; 00:12:00.660 Joseph McElroy: when’s a good time to plant them.</p><p>00:12:01.860 –&gt; 00:12:11.790 William Ritter: Well, that that depends I’m with well you know it’s interesting that you should say that I actually going through.</p><p>00:12:12.780 –&gt; 00:12:17.130 William Ritter: we’ll talk a little bit more about Bob and McMillan later, but going through his things.</p><p>00:12:17.820 –&gt; 00:12:25.800 William Ritter: There was a little bit of what I call nature sign planting which is different from celestial zodiac sign planting.</p><p>00:12:26.640 –&gt; 00:12:37.380 William Ritter: When you will actually observe nature, to see what it’s doing to help you know when you should plant that and so cucumbers, which aren’t all that different in their requirements to squash.</p><p>00:12:38.760 –&gt; 00:12:40.320 William Ritter: Under our nerves kind of related.</p><p>00:12:42.390 –&gt; 00:12:50.280 William Ritter: That Bobby wrote in one of his journals that you should plant your cucumbers and I would say, you could do your squash to potentially.</p><p>00:12:50.670 –&gt; 00:13:03.510 William Ritter: I wouldn’t plan all your seed, then, because you could have a frost, but when the the the dogwood flower is blooming is when you could go ahead and plan them that feels a little early but.</p><p>00:13:04.050 –&gt; 00:13:04.440 Maybe.</p><p>00:13:05.820 –&gt; 00:13:06.060 William Ritter: Not.</p><p>00:13:06.570 –&gt; 00:13:07.710 Joseph McElroy: Every time i’ve.</p><p>00:13:08.010 –&gt; 00:13:09.300 William Ritter: also heard when they’ve hit when.</p><p>00:13:09.300 –&gt; 00:13:14.640 William Ritter: The when the dogwood flower actually hit the ground is when you could start and so.</p><p>00:13:14.940 –&gt; 00:13:16.470 Joseph McElroy: I’m playing never plan all your seed</p><p>00:13:16.860 –&gt; 00:13:18.360 William Ritter: yeah i’m back.</p><p>00:13:18.840 –&gt; 00:13:27.600 Joseph McElroy: I’m planning on being there for March 20 to the 27th so I figured That was a give me a good window to plant some things right oh boy you.</p><p>00:13:28.050 –&gt; 00:13:29.940 William Ritter: Just gotta look for those dogwoods.</p><p>00:13:30.180 –&gt; 00:13:44.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah look for that dogwoods all right, well, I was so long-winded I get to the break time so we’re gonna take a break and then we’ll finish when we come back and talk a little bit more about your current events and then get into the store, you know storytelling Bobby McMillan.</p><p>00:16:00.390 –&gt; 00:16:12.450 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a Gateway to the Smokies podcasts and my guest William Ritter, so William I saw I was looking around sneaking around stalking you a little bit.</p><p>00:16:14.490 –&gt; 00:16:27.960 Joseph McElroy: And I saw that you did the music and perform live for 80 minutes adaption of Shakespeare’s midnight’s summers midsummer’s night dream this last fall, how did you end up doing that and how was it, how did it go.</p><p>00:16:28.890 –&gt; 00:16:30.840 William Ritter: I mean, I think it went really well.</p><p>00:16:33.510 –&gt; 00:16:40.170 William Ritter: It was pretty magical for me and that’s not a joke about it being a very magical play cinematically but.</p><p>00:16:41.700 –&gt; 00:16:47.220 William Ritter: It was nice because it’s been a little while since I’ve been involved in theatre, I actually got my</p><p>00:16:47.610 –&gt; 00:16:55.260 William Ritter: theater degree, which is another long-winded story because it’s kind of amazing I ended up with that, but if you take a lot of random classes in college you never know what you might end up.</p><p>00:16:55.260 –&gt; 00:16:55.440 With.</p><p>00:16:57.840 –&gt; 00:17:09.360 William Ritter: But anyways so I got invited to do this play because I had provided this the music for a previous play at Western Carolina where they had done the.</p><p>00:17:10.110 –&gt; 00:17:18.030 William Ritter: midsummer night’s dream Shakespeare and they’d said it in the 20s in the 20s in Appalachia so it’s kind of interesting.</p><p>00:17:18.990 –&gt; 00:17:32.970 William Ritter: To kind of draw some threads together of Shakespearean language and songs and music and kind of stew, that in together with traditional mostly tunes I mostly play traditional fiddle tunes.</p><p>00:17:34.500 –&gt; 00:17:43.380 William Ritter: But when I did it earlier, we had had more singing and that the but they asked me I guess it was 10 years had passed since that happened, which blows my mind.</p><p>00:17:44.430 –&gt; 00:17:50.640 William Ritter: And so they asked me again to come down last year and help with another new crop of young.</p><p>00:17:51.660 –&gt; 00:18:08.670 William Ritter: thespians to put on the show, but they did it outside which it’s a classic play for outdoor performance and they renovated the picnic shelter into a really nice stage it was pretty amazing so Hats off to them for that, but I think what was really special to me was just.</p><p>00:18:09.810 –&gt; 00:18:17.220 William Ritter: The kids you know they hadn’t been able to really be in front of a live audience in a long time and mean, these are actors in that.</p><p>00:18:18.300 –&gt; 00:18:25.350 William Ritter: And, because of the pandemic had really not had an opportunity to have an audience in front of them, so it was really powerful in that to</p><p>00:18:25.860 –&gt; 00:18:35.010 William Ritter: have them have that opportunity to they’ve been had been kind of withheld from them for a while, in me to really but also a lot of there were students that they said we’re.</p><p>00:18:36.360 –&gt; 00:18:44.790 William Ritter: first-year juniors what’s the first-year junior gold, they were a junior in credits, but it was the first year they’d really had been like you know.</p><p>00:18:46.380 –&gt; 00:18:48.120 Joseph McElroy: They got all their advanced placement stuff and they.</p><p>00:18:48.120 –&gt; 00:18:50.370 Joseph McElroy: got right into junior year wow.</p><p>00:18:50.760 –&gt; 00:18:54.450 William Ritter: Well yeah but, but you know wasn’t because they like we’re smart and went to.</p><p>00:18:55.530 –&gt; 00:19:01.830 William Ritter: You know, a Community College, it was because there they were taking all the classes from home.</p><p>00:19:02.850 –&gt; 00:19:06.990 William Ritter: Because of the pandemics, so it was the first play a lot of them.</p><p>00:19:07.770 –&gt; 00:19:09.750 William Ritter: Even though they’ve been a theater major for a.</p><p>00:19:09.840 –&gt; 00:19:16.500 William Ritter: Before that so, but they did a great job and they had a lot of passion, it was, It was good to be around.</p><p>00:19:17.010 –&gt; 00:19:32.850 Joseph McElroy: well you know the I mean most people don’t know that the Mount smoky mountain area has a lot of actually really innovative, you know theater and you know you know Western Carolina University Ashville you know other places, you know the.</p><p>00:19:33.000 –&gt; 00:19:33.930 William Ritter: city’s else.</p><p>00:19:34.020 –&gt; 00:19:50.610 Joseph McElroy: Under the chosen if you consider that the black mountain school our schools there and performances and happening started, you know they’re right at John Cage doing things and Rauschenberg and you know, so the mountains have really been a place where you know.</p><p>00:19:51.690 –&gt; 00:19:57.330 Joseph McElroy: theater performances really yeah a lot of times gone over into the real our guard.</p><p>00:19:57.870 –&gt; 00:20:05.790 William Ritter: Right in the outdoor theater kind of movement in North Carolina has been huge and was really huge in that movement um.</p><p>00:20:06.030 –&gt; 00:20:09.570 William Ritter: there’s a lot of interesting history interesting there for sure.</p><p>00:20:09.960 –&gt; 00:20:18.180 Joseph McElroy: cool so are you are you serious I see you’re still involved with the Happy Valley Fiddler’s Convention, the mountains folk festival, are they going on this year they’re going last year.</p><p>00:20:18.210 –&gt; 00:20:34.890 William Ritter: Yes, yeah we’re both of them are on so I’m excited about that we look forward to finally bringing Happy Valley Fiddler’s Convention back after you know, a two-year hiatus.</p><p>00:20:36.390 –&gt; 00:20:40.650 William Ritter: And that’s all going well and we’re excited about it.</p><p>00:20:41.820 –&gt; 00:20:49.620 William Ritter: And then, also the music in the mountains, last year we had it for the first time, even though it’s a 30 to 30-year-old.</p><p>00:20:51.720 –&gt; 00:21:04.770 William Ritter: Well it’s decades in the making that they’ve had the music in the mountains in Burnsville but last year we actually moved its location so we’d have could do it outside to</p><p>00:21:05.670 –&gt; 00:21:18.480 William Ritter: homeplace beer company, which is a great really interesting kind of an Appalachian Chic actually brewery to borrow a phrase from the Meadowlark in Burnsville and it was hugely attended.</p><p>00:21:19.980 –&gt; 00:21:20.340 William Ritter: and</p><p>00:21:21.480 –&gt; 00:21:28.860 William Ritter: It went well and we’re looking to build on that this year so we’re very excited about that.</p><p>00:21:29.670 –&gt; 00:21:37.920 Joseph McElroy: And if you know I remember that you and your wife actually performed with them, I like your wife is Sarah Ogletree you guys do a lot of performances together lately.</p><p>00:21:38.880 –&gt; 00:21:43.590 William Ritter: um no not really though we did just play at the Pinecone.</p><p>00:21:45.660 –&gt; 00:21:50.850 William Ritter: performed as part of the Pine Cone performance series down in Raleigh just a few nights ago.</p><p>00:21:51.870 –&gt; 00:21:58.890 William Ritter: And that was really fun that was nice to get out as part of a kind of North Carolina Gospel traditions concert.</p><p>00:22:00.480 –&gt; 00:22:02.760 William Ritter: And we had to shake off quite a bit of rust.</p><p>00:22:04.830 –&gt; 00:22:06.090 William Ritter: I haven’t been playing much.</p><p>00:22:06.390 –&gt; 00:22:12.720 William Ritter: With the people, I normally play with or with Sarah either it was partly because of her work, but also just you know gigs.</p><p>00:22:13.710 –&gt; 00:22:20.130 William Ritter: We all know how they’ve they’ve really disappeared or dried up or changed into digital events and things so.</p><p>00:22:20.880 –&gt; 00:22:34.560 William Ritter: It was very refreshing to get out in front of a live audience and form, and it was the Pinecone is a great organization worth looking up, and if you’re in Raleigh definitely go see some of their shows.</p><p>00:22:35.280 –&gt; 00:22:43.980 Joseph McElroy: You know I grew up in was born raised in the smokies my family came from a long time, and you know the cultural heritage that the performances.</p><p>00:22:44.430 –&gt; 00:22:50.910 Joseph McElroy: you know it’s about that’s probably what I cherish about the region, I mean there’s the beauty there are the natural wonders.</p><p>00:22:51.300 –&gt; 00:22:59.100 Joseph McElroy: But you know I’m not a big hiker I do I go and I’m not a big camper but I love to have a campfire at night that’s because I like to sit around and talk with people.</p><p>00:22:59.610 –&gt; 00:23:08.340 Joseph McElroy: And you know of course there’s my family roots there so, but you know really the cultural heritage is what I find so special What about this region is so special to you.</p><p>00:23:10.380 –&gt; 00:23:11.550 William Ritter: How long do we have.</p><p>00:23:14.100 –&gt; 00:23:15.180 Joseph McElroy: top three highlights.</p><p>00:23:15.720 –&gt; 00:23:20.820 William Ritter: yeah well um I would say, you know the people.</p><p>00:23:21.900 –&gt; 00:23:23.670 William Ritter: Is big which that can.</p><p>00:23:25.110 –&gt; 00:23:37.620 William Ritter: brings all those threads together but um you know mountain culture is its own culture um people have their own ways of talking and thinking and doing and.</p><p>00:23:39.180 –&gt; 00:23:44.280 William Ritter: So that’s I don’t know part of its because I grew up with it and.</p><p>00:23:45.660 –&gt; 00:24:02.010 William Ritter: it’s something that just does feel like home to me but, but it is a really rich area for folklore and traditions and there’s a rich heritage of celebrating them to which might be why we have as much as we do because of places like the Meadowlark</p><p>00:24:03.180 –&gt; 00:24:12.060 William Ritter: You know I’ve continued to put for artists, you know, an on a platform to share with people coming into the region or the people that already live here.</p><p>00:24:13.440 –&gt; 00:24:31.380 William Ritter: And so that is that’s a really deep well, that means a lot to me but also there’s just you can’t beat the scenic beauty, I think, whether it’s the, no matter what time of year it is there’s something about being able to see either all that green or all those colors all up before you.</p><p>00:24:32.970 –&gt; 00:24:40.230 William Ritter: And and and in the winter all the definition and the contrast it’s it’s beautiful you know I remember.</p><p>00:24:42.150 –&gt; 00:24:56.190 William Ritter: going to Scotland and I’m going to one spot your calendar where were some of my ancestors are from, and I remember, was the Sarah that’s like wow this is this Plott is so beautiful she’s like that looks like where we came from.</p><p>00:24:59.760 –&gt; 00:25:09.810 William Ritter: Everywhere, I go I’m always finding something that kind of reminds me of home and that’s my favorite thing and it often frustrates people, but I love living in the mountains, I shriveled up.</p><p>00:25:09.810 –&gt; 00:25:10.290 William Ritter: Like a.</p><p>00:25:10.350 –&gt; 00:25:15.930 William Ritter: Little prune when I left to a place that wasn’t even really that far out of the mountains so.</p><p>00:25:16.260 –&gt; 00:25:20.970 William Ritter: it’s just really a part of me I don’t know so the people, the place and the third thing.</p><p>00:25:25.320 –&gt; 00:25:28.080 William Ritter: Would would maybe be the food.</p><p>00:25:32.640 –&gt; 00:25:39.570 William Ritter: yeah I love the culinary traditions here many of which have been pretty obscured and are not easily.</p><p>00:25:40.260 –&gt; 00:25:49.470 William Ritter: You know they’re not easily ported over into something that you would get at a restaurant, you know that they’re either like health codes would be like, no, no, no, you can’t do that.</p><p>00:25:50.850 –&gt; 00:25:56.070 William Ritter: or they’re just they would be kind of expensive, even though they weren’t like a rich man’s food it’s just.</p><p>00:25:57.720 –&gt; 00:26:00.660 William Ritter: kind of slow food type of thing, but you can’t really.</p><p>00:26:01.440 –&gt; 00:26:02.610 William Ritter: monetize easily.</p><p>00:26:03.000 –&gt; 00:26:11.040 Joseph McElroy: or people you know, the thing is that people look at southern food nothing’s that’s the same thing that we’re talking about the mountain food is not exactly like southern food.</p><p>00:26:11.370 –&gt; 00:26:12.270 William Ritter: No, no.</p><p>00:26:13.170 –&gt; 00:26:13.410 yeah.</p><p>00:26:15.300 –&gt; 00:26:30.210 Joseph McElroy: I was telling people I used to eat for breakfast growing up as beans and cornbread with with with purple onions, you know, and you know and things like that you’d be amazed how good, that is when it’s done right yeah.</p><p>00:26:31.110 –&gt; 00:26:33.930 William Ritter: yeah totally I mean yeah.</p><p>00:26:36.180 –&gt; 00:26:38.010 William Ritter: I, I completely agree.</p><p>00:26:38.520 –&gt; 00:26:46.290 Joseph McElroy: yeah and slow Barbecue and the way they cook chicken and the other things are just slightly different than what you would.</p><p>00:26:46.980 –&gt; 00:26:57.510 Joseph McElroy: Consider southern food so not that I, you know, there was southern food here as well, but there was a mountain cuisine now one of the things I want to do it the Meadowlark yeah I don’t know if you know but we’re creating a restaurant.</p><p>00:26:58.350 –&gt; 00:27:09.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh, what I’m trying to do is to find, I want to do old mountain you know recipes you know, maybe with a slight twist right yeah and so.</p><p>00:27:09.660 –&gt; 00:27:10.770 William Ritter: Appalachian Chic, right.</p><p>00:27:11.040 –&gt; 00:27:19.800 Joseph McElroy: Appalachian Chic here now take that that that dish of beans and cornbread and onions, well done and add some avocado on it.</p><p>00:27:21.060 –&gt; 00:27:23.610 Joseph McElroy: Right it’s like that’s like a keen wall ball.</p><p>00:27:26.430 –&gt; 00:27:31.560 Joseph McElroy: ball yeah mountain ball with healthy and robust and good tasting.</p><p>00:27:32.730 –&gt; 00:27:34.380 Joseph McElroy: And hot sauce goes with it really well.</p><p>00:27:35.640 –&gt; 00:27:38.790 William Ritter: My process and everything so pretty much I think even ice cream.</p><p>00:27:39.720 –&gt; 00:27:40.890 Joseph McElroy: yeah so.</p><p>00:27:42.480 –&gt; 00:27:46.200 Joseph McElroy: But no, I think that’s that you know we’re going to take another break here.</p><p>00:27:47.370 –&gt; 00:27:57.180 Joseph McElroy: So I don’t want to start another line of questioning because we got a whole little section to go through here but we’ll be back in just a moment we’ll start talking about Bobby.</p><p>00:30:03.030 –&gt; 00:30:12.150 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a Gateway to the Smokies Podcasts with my guest William Ritter, so William you know you’ve.</p><p>00:30:12.810 –&gt; 00:30:27.390 Joseph McElroy: You know, I was reading how you actually grew up on the grounds of the Pentland Focus School, which were your parents or instructors that must have been the incredible experience you learned a lot about storytelling and folk songs there right.</p><p>00:30:27.960 –&gt; 00:30:28.320 well.</p><p>00:30:29.550 –&gt; 00:30:38.130 William Ritter: I should say, to a degree, I mean, so the Pentland school of craft now as it was the pinnacle of crafts when I.</p><p>00:30:38.940 –&gt; 00:30:48.570 William Ritter: was going over there, I didn’t wouldn’t say exactly grew up on the grounds, but I was there a lot because my parents met there back in the 70s.</p><p>00:30:49.440 –&gt; 00:31:00.840 William Ritter: And they did teach a lot there over the course of the years and we didn’t live very far from there, so I was taken over to depend on quite a bit not quite as much as some of the other artist’s kids.</p><p>00:31:01.830 –&gt; 00:31:16.410 William Ritter: But, but I certainly did spend a lot of time there, especially if mom and dad were teaching a class, you know, I have to go over there after getting out of school or something, and it was it honestly is a pretty magical place, unlike maybe like the</p><p>00:31:17.640 –&gt; 00:31:31.230 William Ritter: Maybe like Aramark or Johnson Campbell folks school it leans a little bit more on to the the the high end of the craft, though I don’t I’m not trying to pigeonhole them there.</p><p>00:31:31.230 –&gt; 00:31:31.770 Joseph McElroy: No, no.</p><p>00:31:33.210 –&gt; 00:31:34.830 Joseph McElroy: I just think it is a bit of magic.</p><p>00:31:35.640 –&gt; 00:31:47.760 Joseph McElroy: You know it intrigued me that you grew up on it so it’s kind of cool I mean you’re involved so much in heritage, music, and storytelling I mean think one of your mentors was mentors early on, was Ray danger.</p><p>00:31:48.090 –&gt; 00:31:53.400 Joseph McElroy: Yes, yeah we talked about last time, and you know and then lately.</p><p>00:31:55.050 –&gt; 00:32:04.110 Joseph McElroy: you’ve been involved with a guy that was you know, a legend Bobby McMillan who is was an acclaimed ballad singer and New York</p><p>00:32:04.500 –&gt; 00:32:11.280 Joseph McElroy: North Carolina folk heritage award winner and he spent his lifetime collecting the local songs and regional variations.</p><p>00:32:11.730 –&gt; 00:32:20.250 Joseph McElroy: And I, and I didn’t get to hear all of it, but he had one of the most expensive repertoires of any singer and you know it was.</p><p>00:32:20.880 –&gt; 00:32:30.120 Joseph McElroy: It was incredible and you know he came to the Meadowlark last year and I guess it was one of his you know, last performances I don’t know what exactly, but it would have been in the year.</p><p>00:32:30.510 –&gt; 00:32:40.860 Joseph McElroy: You know, and he told a great story about which ended up I love to tell dimension is ended up somehow he was hunting and he ended up catching 50 fishes pant legs.</p><p>00:32:42.330 –&gt; 00:32:42.660 William Ritter: yeah.</p><p>00:32:43.020 –&gt; 00:32:44.880 Joseph McElroy: And then he’s saying His story so.</p><p>00:32:46.590 –&gt; 00:32:58.110 Joseph McElroy: And I think that you and Bob and Bobby, Bob Plott who’s the manager of the most I’ve done a lot of things together with programs together haven’t you.</p><p>00:32:58.980 –&gt; 00:33:05.880 William Ritter: yeah we got a few do a few you know I think if it hadn’t been for the pandemic, we would have been able to do more.</p><p>00:33:06.960 –&gt; 00:33:07.500 William Ritter: But.</p><p>00:33:08.640 –&gt; 00:33:20.040 William Ritter: yeah we have got to do some shows together, which was really, really fun, for me, I mean it’s always fun to sing or you know or drive Bobby around and take him to performances and</p><p>00:33:21.030 –&gt; 00:33:36.840 William Ritter: And that sort of thing but also just really you know I remember, like the look on Bob’s face when he first really like got to hear Bobby you know it was like oh my gosh you know it took him back to when he was hanging out with Stanley Hicks and those old old guys.</p><p>00:33:38.040 –&gt; 00:33:46.560 William Ritter: And really Bobby was like a kind of really was like a blast from the past is as in terms of the storyteller he really.</p><p>00:33:46.830 –&gt; 00:34:00.300 Joseph McElroy: was great it was it took me right back, because I, you know I remember my grandfather would tell a tall tale like Abaddon which ended up with him shooting using a musket to shoot a squirrel and in the shot it with the tamper they came out.</p><p>00:34:05.370 –&gt; 00:34:18.540 Joseph McElroy: So you know, but I know that you were really excited to get a special grab to fund the documenting the life and works with Bobby and get them out doing shows again, can you tell us about that.</p><p>00:34:18.870 –&gt; 00:34:29.190 William Ritter: yeah yeah so that was through the North Carolina Arts Council in partnership with a foundation that I am always happy to brag on.</p><p>00:34:30.060 –&gt; 00:34:32.190 William Ritter: called South arts out of Atlanta.</p><p>00:34:33.870 –&gt; 00:34:42.480 William Ritter: And they put together a grant opportunity for a mentor and an apprentice to study together.</p><p>00:34:43.650 –&gt; 00:34:49.410 William Ritter: And it was about a $10,000 grant mostly that went towards the mentor.</p><p>00:34:50.700 –&gt; 00:34:58.410 William Ritter: But just to try to encourage you to know that kind of deeper relationships and help fund people that might not have you know the finances to really.</p><p>00:34:59.580 –&gt; 00:35:06.270 William Ritter: work together, you know you can be so caught up in the hustle of just paying rent and you know feeding yourself and all that that you don’t.</p><p>00:35:07.380 –&gt; 00:35:09.810 William Ritter: get to kind of take some of those opportunities.</p><p>00:35:11.280 –&gt; 00:35:17.760 William Ritter: And, but really what happened with me and Bobby is I was kind of doing the thing that I’m always trying to do, which is trying to like help.</p><p>00:35:18.480 –&gt; 00:35:32.220 William Ritter: You know, help other artists, with some opportunities that I see coming down the Pike and I was trying to find an apprentice for Bobby and, finally, he said, William why don’t you just be my apprentice, and I was like.</p><p>00:35:33.300 –&gt; 00:35:35.250 William Ritter: You know that’s a great idea let’s Do this so.</p><p>00:35:36.660 –&gt; 00:35:42.090 William Ritter: I put together this you know package of an application.</p><p>00:35:43.380 –&gt; 00:35:55.500 William Ritter: And just is one of those things where you just had incredible unknown foresight Bobby and I live kind of far from each other, so I developed the whole thing that we could do it mostly remotely.</p><p>00:35:56.610 –&gt; 00:35:58.350 William Ritter: But this was before the pandemic.</p><p>00:35:59.400 –&gt; 00:36:09.180 William Ritter: So I had no idea that that the whole thing ended up being designed perfectly really to work during a pandemic because we were able to do so much of it remotely.</p><p>00:36:10.290 –&gt; 00:36:15.120 William Ritter: On the downside, we didn’t get to do as much of me taking him to gigs because those just disappeared.</p><p>00:36:16.350 –&gt; 00:36:29.190 William Ritter: That was my favorite thing I put a little camera on the like you know GoPro in the car and we’d film and record the car rides because that’s like you know, a slice of.</p><p>00:36:30.330 –&gt; 00:36:39.450 William Ritter: Of its own kind of folklore it’s just riding with these traditional artists in these old-timers places like I mean it’s just the best stories you’ve ever heard.</p><p>00:36:40.440 –&gt; 00:36:50.730 William Ritter: In a different totally different kind of storytelling in a way, then when you get up on a stage so Bobby was always the same storyteller I felt like on a stage or singer has he was in his living room.</p><p>00:36:51.780 –&gt; 00:36:54.990 Joseph McElroy: very, very authentic like you just tell the story to.</p><p>00:36:54.990 –&gt; 00:36:56.730 Joseph McElroy: Friends when he’s on stage yeah.</p><p>00:36:56.790 –&gt; 00:36:57.390 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:36:57.870 –&gt; 00:37:08.550 William Ritter: Very important him to be like that to be like I’m not be putting on any kind of special added saucy just wanted to be himself up there a lot, you know you.</p><p>00:37:08.790 –&gt; 00:37:20.220 William Ritter: that’s kinda like the way Doc Watson was there’s a lot of artists, that I admire that just really tried to be themselves, or at least it seemed like that or they’re trying to do, I think it was true with both of them.</p><p>00:37:21.300 –&gt; 00:37:31.320 William Ritter: And I kind of tried to do that to it can and redeal injure you know that’s the way he was and when we get up and play you did he said is that always said is who is and I can’t get any wizard.</p><p>00:37:33.150 –&gt; 00:37:33.540 William Ritter: and</p><p>00:37:34.080 –&gt; 00:37:44.730 William Ritter: I always like that there’s something kind of liberating and kind of you know, can really make some people feel uncomfortable about being themselves in front of a big crowd of people, but I think it’s really.</p><p>00:37:45.690 –&gt; 00:37:49.890 William Ritter: I’ve liked that feeling doesn’t really want to try to be anyone else and that’s part of why I.</p><p>00:37:49.890 –&gt; 00:37:50.700 William Ritter: stopped doing theatre.</p><p>00:37:52.350 –&gt; 00:38:01.950 William Ritter: But that’s something that I really enjoyed working with Bobby is he really was just an old-time storyteller and I love that he wasn’t.</p><p>00:38:03.150 –&gt; 00:38:08.190 William Ritter: I hate to use the term like a Jonesboro storyteller but there’s some more professionalized.</p><p>00:38:08.190 –&gt; 00:38:17.100 William Ritter: storyteller gets up and it’s just a different thing, but he felt like I was sitting next to some old dude in a general store hundred years ago talon yeah story.</p><p>00:38:17.310 –&gt; 00:38:18.420 Joseph McElroy: He looked like a Uri.</p><p>00:38:18.690 –&gt; 00:38:19.920 Uri sat around.</p><p>00:38:20.940 –&gt; 00:38:27.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah so he died last year, what what’s the status or project now, what are you continuing.</p><p>00:38:28.200 –&gt; 00:38:30.150 William Ritter: So we’re.</p><p>00:38:32.190 –&gt; 00:38:44.190 William Ritter: You know, it was funny for someone That was really in poor health Bobby suffered from diabetes and some weight issues and all the things that come with diabetes.</p><p>00:38:45.750 –&gt; 00:38:54.570 William Ritter: And, but we really all were very caught off guard by his passing, even though we hadn’t been well and it had a lot of health issues.</p><p>00:38:55.110 –&gt; 00:39:09.030 William Ritter: It really did just kind of surprise us because Bobby had been in poor health for so long and away just he seemed to just keep ticking and I guess maybe we were we got used to the privilege of having him, and so when he passed.</p><p>00:39:10.920 –&gt; 00:39:23.070 William Ritter: His his wife was generous and that she donated to us all of his books, what do you mean to me but but but I, you know.</p><p>00:39:24.360 –&gt; 00:39:26.820 William Ritter: I think she did so, knowing that I would not like to keep them.</p><p>00:39:28.260 –&gt; 00:39:30.390 William Ritter: I felt like they needed to be shared with all his books.</p><p>00:39:30.690 –&gt; 00:39:37.230 William Ritter: His notebooks where he sat down and wrote you know all of these stories and song lyrics he’d come across.</p><p>00:39:39.060 –&gt; 00:39:44.220 William Ritter: And just I mean a lifetimes work of papers.</p><p>00:39:45.390 –&gt; 00:39:46.680 William Ritter: And so I.</p><p>00:39:48.660 –&gt; 00:39:57.030 William Ritter: got together with Sheila Adams, who was probably Bobby’s one of his closest friends of not as the closest friend for over.</p><p>00:39:57.570 –&gt; 00:40:16.020 William Ritter: 40, 40 some years and she’s a great ballad singer and storyteller and author and then she’s well acclaimed and has one you know national awards for doing the work that she does, but so and she’s on the product and also Rodney Sutton, who is great.</p><p>00:40:18.330 –&gt; 00:40:32.310 William Ritter: dancer and personality and really, really interesting person, but both of them worked with Bobby quite a bit particularly Sheila but also Rodney documented him a lot and a project that they did together.</p><p>00:40:33.330 –&gt; 00:40:42.900 William Ritter: And so we three got together and you know also kind of working with some other people in the network that new Bobby and appreciated him.</p><p>00:40:43.470 –&gt; 00:40:53.880 William Ritter: kind of brainstormed on where we might take all of his papers and books and we took them decided to go to Mars Hill University, which is a small college.</p><p>00:40:55.290 –&gt; 00:41:05.400 William Ritter: And, but it happens to be in Madison county which is kind of like you know I think of the heartland of Appalachian bouncing and because it’s still carried on there, in a way that it’s in.</p><p>00:41:06.270 –&gt; 00:41:12.150 William Ritter: Not in a lot of other communities by people that are like you know we’re kin to the people that were.</p><p>00:41:12.390 –&gt; 00:41:13.650 recorded before them.</p><p>00:41:14.910 –&gt; 00:41:20.280 William Ritter: And so we felt like it was important to have it there, and so what we’ve been doing is.</p><p>00:41:21.480 –&gt; 00:41:29.610 William Ritter: Taking bobby’s papers which are blessed his heart not well organized and try to get them organized so that.</p><p>00:41:30.570 –&gt; 00:41:34.440 William Ritter: One you know over so that we can continue to learn from Bobby.</p><p>00:41:35.040 –&gt; 00:41:52.110 William Ritter: For on into perpetuity but, but also to kind of fill in the blanks because Sheila and Rodney and me and others, no answers to questions that you know researcher will never know in the future so we’re just trying to be responsible, making accessible.</p><p>00:41:52.530 –&gt; 00:41:54.090 Joseph McElroy: Good how are you funding this.</p><p>00:41:55.170 –&gt; 00:42:00.840 William Ritter: Well, right now, we just started with a gofundme, which is a Bobby McMillan legacy.</p><p>00:42:02.670 –&gt; 00:42:15.900 William Ritter: And that’s you can find that relatively easily online, you can also go to my song to seed website, and it has talks about the bombing McMillan legacy project we’re doing and we just crusted 4000.</p><p>00:42:16.650 –&gt; 00:42:28.920 William Ritter: But part of that’s going to go back towards his wife Joyce because she was so generous and sharing all of this material with us, they could have ended up just moldering in a closet or being sold, because the books were valuable.</p><p>00:42:29.310 –&gt; 00:42:41.910 William Ritter: So we’re going to give her what we’d call a love offering, which is a little financial gift but also will use the rest of it for matching grants some travel to do research and and and some other things.</p><p>00:42:43.680 –&gt; 00:42:50.550 William Ritter: But we’re really grateful for the start that we have but there’s still a lot to go, I think, to make this what it needs to be and should be.</p><p>00:42:51.150 –&gt; 00:42:55.980 Joseph McElroy: And what are your future plans to do with all this for honoring Bobby and perpetuating his legacy.</p><p>00:42:56.310 –&gt; 00:43:01.440 William Ritter: Well, I will probably sing a song that Bobby did every time that I ever play anywhere.</p><p>00:43:02.010 –&gt; 00:43:02.340 Joseph McElroy: that’s.</p><p>00:43:02.460 –&gt; 00:43:13.080 William Ritter: On a personal level, but also, I just want to figure out through a website, maybe my website to make his stuff that scattered different places, make it accessible and way this.</p><p>00:43:14.790 –&gt; 00:43:16.650 Joseph McElroy: album where the stories would be.</p><p>00:43:16.680 –&gt; 00:43:18.510 William Ritter: yeah so we’ve got plans for.</p><p>00:43:18.570 –&gt; 00:43:29.580 William Ritter: for doing something similar we’ve been talking about doing something like that there’s a lot of different threads I think that one is to have a reading room and Mars hill so people can go and they can listen to all Bobby’s music, they can read all of his.</p><p>00:43:29.790 –&gt; 00:43:43.350 William Ritter: books and look at his notebooks there and learn from him like we learned from him so that’s part of the plan, but there’s that there’s a lot of artistic opportunities, I think, to move forward, I know, with Bobby’s work so.</p><p>00:43:44.220 –&gt; 00:43:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh well, so I guess, I mean it had to be devastating, and I think to rising, and you know, find a way to perpetuate legacy is a good way to deal with that devastation right yeah.</p><p>00:43:56.520 –&gt; 00:43:58.200 William Ritter: Totally definitely been healing.</p><p>00:43:58.980 –&gt; 00:44:00.540 Joseph McElroy: I can imagine it’s been healing.</p><p>00:44:01.890 –&gt; 00:44:02.790 Joseph McElroy: You know um.</p><p>00:44:05.280 –&gt; 00:44:12.390 Joseph McElroy: You know I want to get into the next things that we’re going to talk about what we’re about to have a break so.</p><p>00:44:13.950 –&gt; 00:44:19.230 Joseph McElroy: let’s take a break now and then we come back we’ll talk about some of the things that are coming up.</p><p>00:46:21.240 –&gt; 00:46:32.880 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies Podcast and my guest William Ritter, so William I know that you have booked.</p><p>00:46:34.380 –&gt; 00:46:53.160 Joseph McElroy: With TIM McWilliams for a special concert at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center Plott Fest Reunion on June 3rd to 5th 2022 that’s coming up this do, that is a little different from your typical old-time musical show how is, how is that.</p><p>00:46:54.510 –&gt; 00:46:56.430 William Ritter: uh well.</p><p>00:46:58.500 –&gt; 00:47:00.060 William Ritter: I don’t want to get into like a loaded.</p><p>00:47:00.060 –&gt; 00:47:02.070 William Ritter: a critique of the old-time music genre.</p><p>00:47:02.430 –&gt; 00:47:03.270 Joseph McElroy: No, no okay.</p><p>00:47:03.330 –&gt; 00:47:06.690 William Ritter: um well well I think it’s a little bit different um.</p><p>00:47:08.220 –&gt; 00:47:09.810 William Ritter: Talking about old-time music.</p><p>00:47:11.400 –&gt; 00:47:12.180 William Ritter: In a real.</p><p>00:47:13.440 –&gt; 00:47:14.700 William Ritter: Is this like a way to just like.</p><p>00:47:14.910 –&gt; 00:47:15.540 William Ritter: The timing.</p><p>00:47:15.930 –&gt; 00:47:20.970 Joseph McElroy: is just like old-time mountain music or old-time country music which one is it here.</p><p>00:47:21.060 –&gt; 00:47:23.040 William Ritter: So it’ll be a mix of things.</p><p>00:47:24.090 –&gt; 00:47:40.110 William Ritter: You know, Tim and I, you know, on one hand, like we love to play like Doc Watson and TIM O’Brien and some other artists, of course, both of those are Appalachian artists.</p><p>00:47:41.550 –&gt; 00:47:47.550 William Ritter: But we also do some you know some foreign young and some other country, you know.</p><p>00:47:50.460 –&gt; 00:47:51.090 William Ritter: You know.</p><p>00:47:52.740 –&gt; 00:47:54.900 William Ritter: Country groups I’m.</p><p>00:47:56.130 –&gt; 00:48:20.610 William Ritter: Pretty wide-ranging but, but just lately, I know that TIM has been doing a lot of work with Josh Goforth and Josh Goforth and TIM actually received the same grant that Bobby and I did to work together josh go forth is an amazing musician incredible storyteller and just I.</p><p>00:48:22.140 –&gt; 00:48:38.910 William Ritter: it’s hard to say it’s hard to overstate how good of a musician he is, to be honest, they call them the acoustic wizard he’s definitely worth looking up some time as very, very talented but he also is really connected to Madison county music roots.</p><p>00:48:40.350 –&gt; 00:48:48.750 William Ritter: and has put a lot of time into you know kind of absorbing the I would say, like the Asheville greater Asheville.</p><p>00:48:49.320 –&gt; 00:48:54.540 William Ritter: kind of Middle Western North Carolina music traditions and so he’s been passing that on.</p><p>00:48:55.170 –&gt; 00:49:10.050 William Ritter: To TIM and in with hopes that you know, Tim will continue to pass it on to which he does he’s a TIM as a music teacher in Ashville so he’s been trying to incorporate some of that into his school curriculum so that’s a really, really neat thing.</p><p>00:49:11.160 –&gt; 00:49:27.870 William Ritter: So, but we are really connected to a lot of real Appalachian like local regional stuff kind of the deep cuts, we do some things that you may have heard a version of that song that we do, but it’s your different version than you probably heard.</p><p>00:49:27.870 –&gt; 00:49:28.410 Before.</p><p>00:49:29.940 –&gt; 00:49:40.680 William Ritter: But we also do some stuff that’s common is dirt you know that everybody played because we like that and it’s if nobody wants to hear, I think a concert where they’ve never heard any of the songs before.</p><p>00:49:42.030 –&gt; 00:49:55.290 William Ritter: And so we do a real I think a real healthy mix and we have a lot of fun, I mean that’s the biggest thing we just have a whole lot of fun it’s always been great fun to play with TIM we both went to Grad school together at APP state.</p><p>00:49:56.970 –&gt; 00:50:00.270 William Ritter: And so we really enjoy kind of.</p><p>00:50:01.980 –&gt; 00:50:11.820 William Ritter: Like I said digging deeply into some of these Western North Carolina music traditions but also playing some of this stuff like I said that are the POP hits of the.</p><p>00:50:12.720 –&gt; 00:50:13.290 Joseph McElroy: I look for.</p><p>00:50:14.670 –&gt; 00:50:17.820 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to hearing about here and that I’ll be there for sure.</p><p>00:50:19.110 –&gt; 00:50:33.120 Joseph McElroy: So um you know this pandemic has been tough right and I imagine it’s been tough, especially in the winter, how do you keep yourself active as a musician and performer and these times, or even doing it.</p><p>00:50:34.110 –&gt; 00:50:36.780 William Ritter: it’s a good question Joseph, did I know the answer to.</p><p>00:50:36.780 –&gt; 00:50:36.960 That.</p><p>00:50:39.720 –&gt; 00:50:41.460 Joseph McElroy: Well, I mean you can do zoom concerts.</p><p>00:50:41.460 –&gt; 00:50:43.800 Joseph McElroy: Are all the way, but it’s just not the same thing.</p><p>00:50:43.830 –&gt; 00:50:44.580 Right now.</p><p>00:50:45.720 –&gt; 00:50:50.760 William Ritter: Though I did recently just try something new called riverside FM.</p><p>00:50:51.420 –&gt; 00:50:55.500 William Ritter: Which is like a podcasting service kind of like zoom ish you know.</p><p>00:50:56.550 –&gt; 00:51:10.290 William Ritter: And did that with Sheila Adams, as the just kind of test out the service and that actually went really well I would I was really happy with that so that was neat and I’d like to try to do more of that kind of thing.</p><p>00:51:11.010 –&gt; 00:51:27.750 Joseph McElroy: No, I would think that the clubhouse you heard a clubhouse it’s a clubhouse as an APP that’s become very popular where it’s basically people get on and it’s all audio chat rooms and people get on the talk I think that’d be great for the storyteller.</p><p>00:51:28.260 –&gt; 00:51:30.120 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah yeah.</p><p>00:51:30.600 –&gt; 00:51:31.320 William Ritter: That sounds.</p><p>00:51:31.800 –&gt; 00:51:34.950 Joseph McElroy: yeah so definitely investigate that clubhouse.</p><p>00:51:34.980 –&gt; 00:51:35.790 William Ritter: Now, look into that.</p><p>00:51:36.000 –&gt; 00:51:46.020 Joseph McElroy: Because I know a lot of poets, especially urban poets, are doing it and having very big success getting big crowds and things coming, but I think the mountain storytelling be great on the clubhouse.</p><p>00:51:46.920 –&gt; 00:51:59.370 William Ritter: yeah yeah, I think, maybe that’s a yeah I’ve really been I’ve been thinking about this for a long time ways that this kind of digital experience can help us kind of spread.</p><p>00:52:00.000 –&gt; 00:52:10.590 William Ritter: kind of evangelize for these mountain traditions and I, you know even before the pandemic, I was thinking I knew all these like elder you know.</p><p>00:52:11.130 –&gt; 00:52:21.090 William Ritter: Tradition bears as we call them or folk practitioners people that knew all these old ways and told these great stories and they weren’t necessarily always like professionals in</p><p>00:52:21.510 –&gt; 00:52:33.720 William Ritter: You know, then in presenting their art, but you know that’s what I wanted really it was a had this I hate to use the word authenticity, but, but that was what I was looking for.</p><p>00:52:34.890 –&gt; 00:52:48.060 William Ritter: And I wanted to find a way that people that couldn’t really even get out of their house necessarily or were really mobility bound or their health prevented them from sharing their art but um.</p><p>00:52:48.960 –&gt; 00:52:55.260 William Ritter: You know I don’t know so I want to figure out a way to do that and that’s part of why I was exploring with Bobby.</p><p>00:52:56.880 –&gt; 00:53:08.880 William Ritter: And did learn a lot about I think that some possibilities and I think more have come out of it because of the endemic more opportunities have come along that we’ve invested in the technology more people are familiar with it.</p><p>00:53:09.780 –&gt; 00:53:14.850 William Ritter: But you know, like a podcast is a great medium for an older story Teller.</p><p>00:53:16.410 –&gt; 00:53:17.520 William Ritter: To get out anymore.</p><p>00:53:18.150 –&gt; 00:53:23.820 Joseph McElroy: I think this club has I’ve been thinking about doing like a Meadowlark storytelling lounge or something like that yeah.</p><p>00:53:23.850 –&gt; 00:53:25.440 Joseph McElroy: Because I think it was great.</p><p>00:53:25.470 –&gt; 00:53:26.850 Joseph McElroy: medium for that yeah.</p><p>00:53:27.150 –&gt; 00:53:28.440 William Ritter: yeah I.</p><p>00:53:28.680 –&gt; 00:53:34.140 William Ritter: I’d love to see something like that I, you know there’s a really good storyteller in.</p><p>00:53:34.680 –&gt; 00:53:40.530 William Ritter: Silva named Gary Carden um and he has you know some pretty serious health issues that he sees.</p><p>00:53:40.860 –&gt; 00:53:56.820 William Ritter: That you know, had to work with and it made it hard for him to get out but he’s a fabulous storyteller I mean to use these really incredible he’s just kind of relaunched, but a podcast that someone’s helping him do, and I really hope that works out for him.</p><p>00:53:57.660 –&gt; 00:53:58.530 Joseph McElroy: that’d be great.</p><p>00:53:58.650 –&gt; 00:53:58.950 But.</p><p>00:54:00.060 –&gt; 00:54:00.450 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:54:00.780 –&gt; 00:54:03.870 Joseph McElroy: Great so uh anything that.</p><p>00:54:05.040 –&gt; 00:54:12.210 Joseph McElroy: you’re coming from you’d like to let the audience know about you know anything that they should watch out for.</p><p>00:54:13.080 –&gt; 00:54:15.360 William Ritter: um well you know, dear.</p><p>00:54:18.360 –&gt; 00:54:27.030 Joseph McElroy: I just had the wildlife guy here last week that’s doing the Crossways over the I- 40 so.</p><p>00:54:27.960 –&gt; 00:54:29.700 William Ritter: fascinating I am just.</p><p>00:54:29.790 –&gt; 00:54:34.350 William Ritter: I am thrilled that they’re doing that and it’s a really good idea, because, let me it’s incredibly dangerous.</p><p>00:54:34.440 –&gt; 00:54:35.070 Joseph McElroy: All right.</p><p>00:54:36.480 –&gt; 00:54:40.080 Joseph McElroy: So how can people get Ahold of you where to look you up to find out more about what you do.</p><p>00:54:40.440 –&gt; 00:54:49.050 William Ritter: yeah so um there’s a couple of ways, one you could go to a songtosee.com that song and to not a number two song to.</p><p>00:54:50.520 –&gt; 00:54:57.210 William Ritter: songtosee.com and on there, you can actually there’s a section, that is, the.</p><p>00:54:58.350 –&gt; 00:55:03.000 William Ritter: The Bobby McMillan legacy that’s kind of home for it right now, you can listen to a lot of bobby’s recordings.</p><p>00:55:03.870 –&gt; 00:55:10.200 William Ritter: And things like that, as like transfer them over for these cassettes, and things and some bits of wisdom that we’re finding.</p><p>00:55:10.980 –&gt; 00:55:21.390 William Ritter: And then, but, but also on our website, you can find out more about what I do from music and also the seed saving part which we talk more about and the last podcast that I was on here.</p><p>00:55:22.710 –&gt; 00:55:30.390 William Ritter: But then there’s also you could go to the Blue Ridge Heritage area website, they have a directory that you can find all these different.</p><p>00:55:31.830 –&gt; 00:55:36.210 William Ritter: You know, artists, that are practicing traditional.</p><p>00:55:37.770 –&gt; 00:55:48.960 William Ritter: folkways and folk songs on things like that, so you can find a lot of them on there I’m on there, it says a little bit about me and also there’s a website that’s</p><p>00:55:49.530 –&gt; 00:56:03.840 William Ritter: My wife and I have that’s SarahandWilliam.Weebly.COM, but any of those ways will get you to me and also songtoseed has a, of course, has a Facebook page, but we also have a YouTube channel.</p><p>00:56:04.980 –&gt; 00:56:13.260 William Ritter: where you can go and most of what I have on there, right now, as Bobby McMillan stuff that I’ve been uploading so you can kind of see in here some of what we’ve been talking about.</p><p>00:56:13.470 –&gt; 00:56:29.550 Joseph McElroy: Well, I want to, I want to thank you for being on the show today second time around, has been very informative very good I’m pleased to have you and I look forward to seeing you this summer at the Meadowlark Heritage Center Plott Fest it some other things too.</p><p>00:56:30.000 –&gt; 00:56:32.340 William Ritter: yeah me too I’m definitely looking forward to it.</p><p>00:56:32.850 –&gt; 00:56:40.470 Joseph McElroy: Yes, this is the Gateway to the Smokies podcast we’re on if you go to smokies adventure.com, you can see the podcast.</p><p>00:56:41.190 –&gt; 00:56:56.490 Joseph McElroy: Link at the top of the page to get all the previous things we also have a Facebook page Facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast where you can watch it live what streaming find out more information we’re part of talkradio. nyc, which is a network of.</p><p>00:56:58.260 –&gt; 00:57:13.830 Joseph McElroy: That has live podcast every day, ranging from small business and self-help to travel to all sorts of interesting thing, so this podcast the gateway the smokies is every week Tuesdays from six to seven now see you next Tuesday, thank you all for listening.</p> 2a8106a2-5810-43d8-9ede-00daa66578ca https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/590d0767-f6d1-42dc-ab8c-c187923df860 Tue, 22 Feb 2022 23:00:00 +0000 3604 no full Episode 46:Creating Safe Wildlife Passage and Preserving the Smokies Episode 46:Creating Safe Wildlife Passage and Preserving the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Today, you will learn the importance of Preserving our Natural Resources and improving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. You will hear about how you can help by spreading awareness, identifying solutions and providing leadership to make it happen.</strong></p><p><span>Joseph McElroy is joined by our special guest today, Jeff Hunter, Senior Program Manager with National Parks ConservationAssociation (NPCA) in Asheville, where he works on a variety of issues pertaining to protecting and improving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Presently, he is focused heavily on a collaborative project designing and building a wildlife crossing on I-40 in the Pigeon Forge in Haywood County, near the Tennessee state line. Don&#39;t miss this show!</span></p><p><a href="https://smokiessafepassage.org/" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://smokiessafepassage.org/ </strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.npca.org/people/jeffrey-hunter" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://www.npca.org/people/jeffrey-hunter</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> Video thumbnail

About this Episode: 

We are joined by our special guest, Jeff Hunter, Senior Program Manager with the National Parks ConservationAssociation (NPCA) in Asheville, where he works on a variety of issues pertaining to protecting and improving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Presently, he is focused heavily on a collaborative project designing and building a wildlife crossing on I-40 in the Pigeon Forge in Haywood County, near the Tennessee state line.

In our conversation with Jeff, he discusses the importance of Preserving our Natural Resources and improving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. He mentioned how you can help by spreading awareness, identifying solutions, and providing leadership to make it happen.

https://smokiessafepassage.org/ 

https://www.npca.org/people/jeffrey-hunter


Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:41.010 –> 00:00:44.400 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of

00:00:44.460 –> 00:00:54.240 Joseph McElroy: Gateway to the Smokies, this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:54.600 –> 00:01:05.610 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep-storied history wonderful adventures and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:06.060 –> 00:01:19.290 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in mountain culture.

00:01:20.460 –> 00:01:24.510 Joseph McElroy: Today’s podcast we’re talking about safe wildlife passages in the smokies.

00:01:25.920 –> 00:01:29.460 Joseph McElroy: But first let’s hear from our sponsors, which happens to be me.

00:01:31.320 –> 00:01:40.020 Joseph McElroy: hey imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past in modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.

00:01:41.010 –> 00:02:01.560 Joseph McElroy: The amenities, of a country and a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill to catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place with the old-time music and world cultural sounds.

00:02:02.820 –> 00:02:15.630 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with mountain heritage, food, and an underground speakeasy there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina, your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:02:17.250 –> 00:02:28.170 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com that’s plural smokies singular adventure information and listings about the smokies it, it provides lots of.

00:02:29.970 –> 00:02:42.420 Joseph McElroy: Resources for hiking, trail maps, knowledge about the area even things like wedding venues outdoor wedding venues, you can get books, you can get.

00:02:44.040 –> 00:02:51.600 Joseph McElroy: hiking guide, you can get books about the mountain culture it’s a really great resource, the emphasis of the smokies adventure.

00:02:51.870 –> 00:03:12.870 Joseph McElroy: Is I said outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information about lodging entertainment events conventions honeymoons tourist opportunities and it’s a great resource for being one of the top information portals on the smoky mountains.

00:03:14.580 –> 00:03:25.140 Joseph McElroy: Upcoming, so somewhere between caricature and character, there exists in authentic a truly unique culture of the smoky mountains.

00:03:25.950 –> 00:03:38.160 Joseph McElroy: understanding that culture blends the global and the local the old and the new and gains relevance and understanding of the elements of culture that brought us to where we are now and where we can go in the future.

00:03:39.210 –> 00:03:52.200 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center located at the beautiful Meadowlark Motel is proud to announce a series of 20 heritage-themed events scheduled for 2022.

00:03:53.430 –> 00:04:02.520 Joseph McElroy: Each of these events is designed to understand a different element of smoky mountain culture and lead members and guests on a journey of understanding for the past and the future.

00:04:03.270 –> 00:04:11.640 Joseph McElroy: The first event is Saturday, February 26 2022 at 4 pm at the Meadowlark Motel, Maggie Valley.

00:04:12.540 –> 00:04:25.500 Joseph McElroy: it’ll be led by the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center General Manager and Award-winning Author Bob Plott, as he launches the first of six heritage book programs and a book signing of his books.

00:04:26.100 –> 00:04:42.600 Joseph McElroy: The first program focuses on the history, of the Plott Hound the official state dog of North Carolina a legendary breed with a rich and storied history in Haywood County featured will be Bob’s first book strike and stay the story of the Plott hound.

00:04:43.890 –> 00:04:56.760 Joseph McElroy: Which is recognized as one of the premier hunting dogs in America, the Plott hound is unique among honey dog breeds because it descends from Germanic stock rather than the traditional English foxhound.

00:04:57.390 –> 00:05:07.260 Joseph McElroy: The breed story began when its original breeder Joe Hound Plott and his brother Enoch left Germany in 1750 with their prize honey dogs.

00:05:07.710 –> 00:05:19.830 Joseph McElroy: it’s this trip across the Atlantic that began the 200-year journey that will culminate in the North Carolina Mountains with the development it was now arguably the world’s finest breed of honey hunting dog.

00:05:20.880 –> 00:05:34.860 Joseph McElroy: This fascinating story of the Plott family and the Plott hound is a classic American tale of adventures and underdogs a story that Bob Plott, the great great great grandson of Joe Hounds Plott is uniquely qualified to tell.

00:05:35.460 –> 00:05:40.470 Joseph McElroy: This upon an informative program will be followed by a delicious Barbecue dinner and acoustic.

00:05:40.920 –> 00:05:47.970 Joseph McElroy: Music with Mike Ogletree the former drummer for Simple Minds and some other friends, making for an entertaining afternoon and evening.

00:05:48.540 –> 00:06:04.440 Joseph McElroy: The event is free to motel guests and heritage club members and non-members and local residents are welcome to attend the program and enjoy dinner and music for only $10 per person call 828 926 1717 to book your room and or your reservation.

00:06:05.520 –> 00:06:14.880 Joseph McElroy: More upcoming what’s better for the soul than throwing a line upstream watching it pass doing again and again and perhaps getting a bite.

00:06:15.630 –> 00:06:20.820 Joseph McElroy: All anglers know that fly fishing isn’t only about reeling in the big one.

00:06:21.540 –> 00:06:32.970 Joseph McElroy: All that’s all though that’s the one that always gets our hearts jumping blushes fishing is about being one with the river and its magnificent presence while witnessing a valuable ecosystem.

00:06:33.630 –> 00:06:39.330 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark Motel is offering fly fishing trout camp weekends and the smoky mountains.

00:06:39.870 –> 00:06:51.120 Joseph McElroy: What began as a way to get a group of friends together on the river is going into a way of bringing like-minded people together through fly fishing food, drinking the campfire in our recreation area.

00:06:51.690 –> 00:07:01.980 Joseph McElroy: camp weekends are perfect for those new to fly fishing and those looking for some extra instruction or anyone with experience, who enjoys fishing and a small group of making new friends.

00:07:02.640 –> 00:07:14.520 Joseph McElroy: Each trip is built around those attending and we all share those experiences, you can expect quality time in the river and nights around the campfire or in the speakeasy if it’s not so nice.

00:07:14.790 –> 00:07:24.690 Joseph McElroy: With a drink in half-truths and tall tales are always at the camp and camps are limited to 20 anglers and there’s going to be one instructor to every two campers.

00:07:25.770 –> 00:07:39.750 Joseph McElroy: So the first one is April 15 to 16th 2022 located at the Meadowlark Motel that’s $875 per person in the guide services beast coast anglers owned and operated by

00:07:40.260 –> 00:07:50.880 Joseph McElroy: Charles Humphrey III, really interesting guys have master fisherman he’s also been on this podcast talking about.

00:07:51.570 –> 00:07:59.700 Joseph McElroy: Music, amongst other things, he’s an award-winning songwriter in fact we’re talking about doing a songwriting camp with him later in the year.

00:08:01.140 –> 00:08:07.560 Joseph McElroy: and includes a couple of nights for lodging free breakfast and on Saturday and Sunday for a Barbecue dinner.

00:08:08.160 –> 00:08:16.140 Joseph McElroy: To free beverages and speakeasy a half a day of hands-on instruction in the morning and then four hours of intense fishing on this.

00:08:16.410 –> 00:08:25.350 Joseph McElroy: On an elite stream Saturday afternoon and entertainment at the motel Saturday evening, and then a little checkout and Sunday morning with a nice breakfast probably with some trap.

00:08:27.120 –> 00:08:34.290 Joseph McElroy: Call eight to 8289261717 to make reservations and they are also some programs on the history of fly fishing.

00:08:35.250 –> 00:08:41.280 Joseph McElroy: And also what’s happening in the mountains about fishing, but now we’re here to talk about wildlife.

00:08:42.030 –> 00:08:53.490 Joseph McElroy: passages and preserving the smokies and our guest today is Jeff Hunter he is a Senior Program Manager of the National Parks Conservation Association, the NPA CA and national.

00:08:53.910 –> 00:09:04.740 Joseph McElroy: where he works on a variety of issues pretending to protect and improve the great smoky mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National scenic trail.

00:09:06.090 –> 00:09:17.670 Joseph McElroy: Presently, he is focused heavily on a collaborative project designing and building a wildlife crossing on I-40 in the Pigeon Forge in Haywood County, near the Tennessee state line. Hello Jeff.

00:09:18.510 –> 00:09:20.550 Jeff Hunter: hey Joseph good to see you thanks for having me.

00:09:20.820 –> 00:09:26.610 Joseph McElroy: Sure thing good to see you, so I understand you’re originally from New York State Rockland County I think.

00:09:26.970 –> 00:09:27.570 Jeff Hunter: I am.

00:09:28.080 –> 00:09:32.760 Jeff Hunter: yeah CHF and Clark county high school North class of 1979.

00:09:33.060 –> 00:09:40.680 Joseph McElroy: cool well back then raccoon was I was pretty full of wildlife, I read that you called your childhood Pharaoh What did you mean.

00:09:41.490 –> 00:09:50.430 Jeff Hunter: I was in the woods every chance, I could get fishing and looking for frogs and toads and turtles and snakes anything I could find that was while.

00:09:51.840 –> 00:09:58.200 Jeff Hunter: And that slow, I saw that slowly disappear over the years, you know, was an inspiration to do what I do today.

00:09:58.740 –> 00:10:01.530 Joseph McElroy: wow you know I grew up in Haywood County and.

00:10:02.760 –> 00:10:05.160 Joseph McElroy: I guess I would describe mine as a little bit Feral like that.

00:10:06.750 –> 00:10:10.380 Joseph McElroy: I think, was to go down to the pond or the Greek and fish for our so.

00:10:12.420 –> 00:10:24.450 Joseph McElroy: So I’m so pretty early on, you got involved in environmental issues, you were part I ever that you were part of an effort in the 90s, to save sterling forest what inspired you and how did you get involved in that.

00:10:24.960 –> 00:10:26.130 Jeff Hunter: Well, that was my home.

00:10:26.760 –> 00:10:28.620 Jeff Hunter: Forest was you know my backyard.

00:10:29.130 –> 00:10:34.680 Jeff Hunter: Well, I hike or I fished, and there was a this is 18,000 acres with a privately-owned lance.

00:10:35.190 –> 00:10:50.340 Jeff Hunter: And the orange of those lands had plans for 14,000 housing units and 8 million square feet of commercial office space in the headwaters of North New Jersey is drinking water supply and so myself and others who love that place got together and.

00:10:51.480 –> 00:11:00.390 Jeff Hunter: You know, eventually, the owner of that land became a willing seller and turn that over, and now we have sterling for a state park in New York, so what.

00:11:00.450 –> 00:11:01.740 Jeff Hunter: about protecting what you love.

00:11:02.640 –> 00:11:05.940 Joseph McElroy: What was the what will you think there was a tipping point to make that happen.

00:11:06.780 –> 00:11:16.170 Jeff Hunter: I think the public sentiment and persuading the local Congressman that it was in the best interests of his constituents to protect this place so.

00:11:16.890 –> 00:11:19.230 Joseph McElroy: How big is your crew, did you guys have that we’re doing this.

00:11:19.530 –> 00:11:23.370 Jeff Hunter: Oh, there were hundreds of folks I played I played a bit part let’s be honest.

00:11:23.430 –> 00:11:25.230 Joseph McElroy: I mean you were young, yeah you know.

00:11:26.280 –> 00:11:32.100 Jeff Hunter: You know, I was in my 30s at the time, and I was raising a family, but I stood up at public meetings and.

00:11:33.240 –> 00:11:39.060 Jeff Hunter: Let my voice be heard and volunteer and got involved at the volunteer level right.

00:11:40.290 –> 00:11:46.020 Jeff Hunter: And that set the stage for you know changing careers and moving on to what I do today.

00:11:46.680 –> 00:12:00.840 Joseph McElroy: Well, prior to coming down South you had a 20-year degree career 20-year career in New York, most of that was a Verizon as an engineer, but your college degree was in environmental studies, how did you end up there.

00:12:02.580 –> 00:12:17.340 Jeff Hunter: Good question, so I ended up in Verizon because I didn’t apply myself in college, shall we say, so what one takes what they get but you know I worked hard and I started in the Union position and was promoted to management and.

00:12:18.720 –> 00:12:26.730 Jeff Hunter: You know, raise some kids and bought a home in orange county New York, but eventually, you know that wasn’t enough, so I wanted a little bit more out of life and.

00:12:28.080 –> 00:12:31.950 Jeff Hunter: started to look around for volunteer opportunities and get involved in the Community.

00:12:33.150 –> 00:12:35.040 Jeff Hunter: And one thing leads to another, and here we are.

00:12:35.370 –> 00:12:42.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah well remember you were telling me one story about something happening in New York City of you are involved with security or something like that.

00:12:43.830 –> 00:12:51.630 Jeff Hunter: yeah I handled a New York state’s metadata for the horizon and the 90s and that’s every single call the data so.

00:12:52.890 –> 00:13:03.090 Jeff Hunter: I worked with those national security issues, and it was an interesting time it was usually pretty boring but every once in a while, like a hot when there was a terrorist incident, for instance.

00:13:04.500 –> 00:13:04.980 Jeff Hunter: So.

00:13:06.390 –> 00:13:15.990 Joseph McElroy: cool wow big difference well we’re gonna take a break right now and then we’ll come back and we’re talking about how you made that change what led up to that change in your life.

00:13:16.890 –> 00:13:17.190 Okay.

00:15:32.910 –> 00:15:45.030 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts with my guest Jeff Hunter so Jeff, I will, I have two different stories yeah ready website that.

00:15:45.690 –> 00:15:58.080 Joseph McElroy: The Appalachian trail through high changed your life and that’s why you made your career change with you just you texted me about music and you said, the grateful dead or larger responsible for my career change, so I got two stories I got here.

00:15:58.380 –> 00:16:03.060 Jeff Hunter: Sure sure okay so back in the 90s.

00:16:04.440 –> 00:16:23.490 Jeff Hunter: You know, I was a fan of live music and the dead was one of my favorite bands and I got some tickets to go see a benefit concert at the garden in New York, and so I attended, and it was the dead and a bunch of other folks Baba today all the tunji the great Nigerian drummer and.

00:16:25.080 –> 00:16:31.530 Jeff Hunter: lots of other folks and they were talking in between artists about the issue of tropical rainforest ecosystems.

00:16:32.220 –> 00:16:46.500 Jeff Hunter: And it really you know I’d never heard anything about it, and so I started a group in my community and started reaching out to public schools and engaging Community members, and you know, I was that lit my fire more than.

00:16:48.120 –> 00:16:49.170 Jeff Hunter: Verizon did shall we.

00:16:49.170 –> 00:16:49.470 say.

00:16:50.550 –> 00:16:57.270 Jeff Hunter: And so you know if you can find a way to get paid for what your passion is you know that’s the path that I chose to follow.

00:16:57.870 –> 00:17:06.330 Jeff Hunter: And you know along the way, speaking of paths, you know, then the Appalachian trail came along, and in 2000 I took a leave of absence and.

00:17:06.870 –> 00:17:17.190 Jeff Hunter: walk from Georgia domain and that was the coup de gras right there the corporate experience you know I did not want to go back to white noise and 68 degrees and the hum of mainframe computers.

00:17:18.690 –> 00:17:24.630 Jeff Hunter: The call of the wild, shall we say, apologies to jack London was begging to me.

00:17:25.200 –> 00:17:26.940 Joseph McElroy: You know that’s it’s funny but you know.

00:17:29.070 –> 00:17:40.170 Joseph McElroy: The grateful dead concert was also instrumental in me making a major career-changing my existence, I was working at IBM research triangle park out of college for eight years and.

00:17:40.890 –> 00:17:48.210 Joseph McElroy: You know I sort of got burned out, you know wasn’t I did really well, but I wasn’t I didn’t like big corporate existence and I.

00:17:48.630 –> 00:18:07.740 Joseph McElroy: I went to I and I’ve been working on losing some weight and lost a lot of weight and then I went to a grateful dead concert and in Raleigh right and I went dressed in a coat and tie suit and tie right from work, and when I left I no longer had the coat and tie and bought.

00:18:09.090 –> 00:18:09.930 Joseph McElroy: All sorts of.

00:18:11.010 –> 00:18:13.440 Joseph McElroy: stuff and it was working that.

00:18:14.670 –> 00:18:32.070 Joseph McElroy: And really after that never looked never even considered core corporate existence anymore, within a few months, I had left and was you know traveling and doing my artistic entrepreneur existence, it was like you know it was like the catalyst.

00:18:32.130 –> 00:18:38.430 Jeff Hunter: So you know, and I know that there’s nothing like a grateful dead concert and you know those are days gone by.

00:18:38.700 –> 00:18:47.790 Jeff Hunter: Oh, it was such a profound experience you know, and when issues of the day, were brought into that wonderful music, it was moving and inspiring.

00:18:48.120 –> 00:18:58.350 Joseph McElroy: yeah so um so so you know this so 2000 years how long did you how did long did it take you to do that three through like I mean it’s interesting to me.

00:18:59.040 –> 00:19:11.400 Jeff Hunter: If people five and a half months, so I started march seven down in Georgia, you know winter conditions in the mountains for sure and got to Maine on August 21st so.

00:19:12.870 –> 00:19:21.420 Jeff Hunter: five and a half months with 26 or 28 days, where I didn’t walk a mile what we would call a zero-day where you take a day off so.

00:19:21.930 –> 00:19:28.620 Joseph McElroy: We hear a lot about people taking us working through walking it, but how many people actually do the through the whole thing.

00:19:29.460 –> 00:19:33.210 Jeff Hunter: You know, since I did it 22 years ago the numbers have almost doubled.

00:19:33.480 –> 00:19:36.540 Jeff Hunter: Really, which is a concern, because you know listen.

00:19:37.920 –> 00:19:40.200 Jeff Hunter: There are finite resources in the mountains and.

00:19:42.120 –> 00:19:42.420 Jeff Hunter: But.

00:19:43.530 –> 00:19:53.640 Jeff Hunter: it’s the most beloved trail in the world, and I think at the time that I did it there were maybe somewhere around 400 or 500 people who completed it that year.

00:19:53.970 –> 00:20:00.690 Jeff Hunter: mm hmm I don’t know what the current numbers are but the volume of traffic on the trail is increased significantly.

00:20:01.410 –> 00:20:04.350 Joseph McElroy: that’s interesting, do you think they’ll have to do some sort of.

00:20:05.730 –> 00:20:13.200 Joseph McElroy: eventually have to do something to slow that down or segment it out, or you know, giving maybe let people do segments, or what would they do.

00:20:13.380 –> 00:20:15.840 Jeff Hunter: You know that’s a question for brighter minds the mind.

00:20:15.870 –> 00:20:28.890 Jeff Hunter: But, clearly we want to have a sustainable trail right, we want to have an experience that our children can have our grandchildren can have, and make sure that that remains, you know, an amazing place.

00:20:30.090 –> 00:20:31.170 Jeff Hunter: to inspire and.

00:20:33.450 –> 00:20:35.460 Jeff Hunter: make people curious about the natural world.

00:20:36.330 –> 00:20:51.090 Jeff Hunter: So thankfully it’s the largest volunteer effort, I think, in the States, it’s the trail is maintained by volunteers, the Appalachian trail conservancy is amazing in their stewardship of this trail it’s also a unit of the National Park service.

00:20:51.450 –> 00:20:51.900 So.

00:20:53.130 –> 00:20:54.900 Jeff Hunter: it’s got some own behind it, shall we say.

00:20:54.960 –> 00:20:59.550 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know there’s a nice little segment of it that goes to the rocky mountain park right.

00:21:00.330 –> 00:21:02.880 Jeff Hunter: yeah the smokies I did the smokies and six days.

00:21:04.290 –> 00:21:09.870 Jeff Hunter: It was cold, it was wet and I was glad to come out of the mountains, but the beauty was not lost on me.

00:21:09.960 –> 00:21:10.170 Right.

00:21:11.250 –> 00:21:16.620 Jeff Hunter: You know whether it was climbing the rich molly’s rich damn Python time and Bam or you know.

00:21:17.790 –> 00:21:26.220 Jeff Hunter: up at newfound gap trying to hitchhike a ride down into Gatlinburg to no avail, and then continuing in the snow onto the north, end of the park.

00:21:27.990 –> 00:21:33.420 Jeff Hunter: Now I probably complained a little bit back then, but here I am in the warmth of the home, and I can look back and say.

00:21:34.740 –> 00:21:36.210 Jeff Hunter: Forget about the aches and pains.

00:21:37.860 –> 00:21:45.540 Joseph McElroy: You know we have a lot of hikers that come and stay at the hotel when they come out of the mountain and they all talk about the beauty of it, you know it’s like a.

00:21:45.990 –> 00:21:53.460 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s really a trend transcended for some of them, so when you did this hike was that your first time in the smoky mountains.

00:21:53.880 –> 00:21:54.810 Jeff Hunter: It was actually.

00:21:55.290 –> 00:21:57.000 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s funny today.

00:21:58.230 –> 00:22:03.480 Jeff Hunter: my daughter Martha sent me a photograph of something I mailed to her from the trail.

00:22:04.710 –> 00:22:06.090 Jeff Hunter: I was at a hostel in

00:22:07.350 –> 00:22:14.970 Jeff Hunter: a place that no longer exists called mountain mama’s country store was your big creek at the Waterville exit off I- 40.

00:22:15.630 –> 00:22:26.460 Jeff Hunter: And I found a piece of sycamore bark and I wrote my daughter a note on this piece of bark and I mailed it to her when she was 10 years old and so 22 years later today.

00:22:27.330 –> 00:22:36.420 Jeff Hunter: And it said something to the effect of you know, this is a beautiful place and I want to, I want to bring you here someday and she lives in Tennessee now and I live in North Carolina.

00:22:36.450 –> 00:22:41.580 Joseph McElroy: wow did you ever think when you were doing that hike you would end up living in this area.

00:22:41.970 –> 00:22:44.370 Jeff Hunter: Not in my wildest dreams, to be honest with you.

00:22:45.660 –> 00:22:48.150 Jeff Hunter: it’s you know I’m a lucky man.

00:22:49.350 –> 00:22:59.190 Jeff Hunter: You know my I followed my passion and my dad used to always say work hard and it’s not my favorite thing to do, but.

00:23:00.840 –> 00:23:05.130 Jeff Hunter: I tried to follow his advice and it’s led to some good outcomes I’m grateful for that.

00:23:05.580 –> 00:23:06.990 Joseph McElroy: Well, how did you end up in the smokies

00:23:09.390 –> 00:23:10.830 Jeff Hunter: You mean on the trail or.

00:23:10.890 –> 00:23:13.290 Joseph McElroy: No, no, moving down here how did you end up here.

00:23:13.530 –> 00:23:21.360 Jeff Hunter: Oh gosh so it’s a real circuitous journey, I guess, in 2003 I moved from the lower Hudson Valley, I was living in Warwick New York.

00:23:21.420 –> 00:23:22.140 Jeff Hunter: orange county.

00:23:22.320 –> 00:23:33.570 Jeff Hunter: Apple Country to Chattanooga Tennessee and I worked for five years for the American hiking society working on recreation issues involving trails in a nine-state region.

00:23:34.410 –> 00:23:46.740 Jeff Hunter: And from there, I was recruited to go and lead a wilderness campaign focused on the Cherokee national forest which eventually protected permanently four and a half miles of the Appalachian trail and a new wilderness area.

00:23:48.630 –> 00:24:04.470 Jeff Hunter: From there, I was recruited to go out to California, to the Eastern Sierra a high desert landscape, to work on that in that place, and then I was lucky enough to be able to come back here to the East and work for National Parks Conservation Association in the Asheville area.

00:24:05.130 –> 00:24:11.850 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool what was a well when we first came here to American hiking society, what was the project that attracted you.

00:24:12.570 –> 00:24:21.270 Jeff Hunter: it’s called the Southern Appalachian initiative, and it was an effort to build a 5000-mile interconnected network of hiking trails in a nine-state region.

00:24:22.830 –> 00:24:27.690 Jeff Hunter: included something at the time that was called the Western Appalachian alternative which was.

00:24:28.140 –> 00:24:43.890 Jeff Hunter: This view of long-distance south to north hiking trail west of the Appalachian trail, which today exists it’s called the Great Eastern trail so that vision of a new system of protected lands that would offer experiences to folks really called to me.

00:24:45.570 –> 00:24:51.240 Jeff Hunter: And it’s funny a friend of mine sent me that job posting for someone who I met in Manhattan.

00:24:52.290 –> 00:25:05.250 Jeff Hunter: who’s now he’s gone he’s passed, but I would not have known about that job unless you’ve mailed me that that announcement you know so sometimes it’s about being in the right place right time and connected to the right people and.

00:25:05.850 –> 00:25:10.620 Joseph McElroy: Did you have anything to the mountain to the sea trail part of that or is it something different.

00:25:10.920 –> 00:25:19.470 Jeff Hunter: Oh yeah the mouse to sea trail was definitely involved so in 2007 I I’m a facilitator it’s one of the things I do I facilitated their first-ever.

00:25:21.210 –> 00:25:22.170 Jeff Hunter: Strategic Plan.

00:25:23.280 –> 00:25:29.820 Jeff Hunter: I also work with the Carolina mountain Club in Asheville that same year, and helped them with this change plan their first.

00:25:32.520 –> 00:25:39.930 Jeff Hunter: So yeah I love the MST I’ve walked parts of it in the smokies and parts of it along the Blue Ridge parkway it’s a great system.

00:25:40.860 –> 00:25:45.930 Joseph McElroy: So you, you went hippie for a little while went out to California and then he came back.

00:25:48.480 –> 00:25:54.090 Joseph McElroy: And what was the project that brought you back to the national parks conservatory conservation association.

00:25:54.210 –> 00:25:57.060 Jeff Hunter: Well it’s interesting you know when I interviewed for the job.

00:25:58.830 –> 00:26:05.280 Jeff Hunter: The gentleman interviewing me tossed up a book on the table in front of me and said there’s your work plan, and it was a.

00:26:05.970 –> 00:26:14.790 Jeff Hunter: was a document that was drafted by a friend and colleague of mine who are when you know works for the wilderness society, it was called return the great forest.

00:26:15.420 –> 00:26:22.380 Jeff Hunter: And in that document, it talked about the issue with interstate 40 being an obstacle to wildlife moving from the South to the North.

00:26:23.040 –> 00:26:31.620 Jeff Hunter: And that, when I heard about that I thought wow that’s a topic, I think I could sink my teeth into because who likes to see an animal get hit on the road right nobody.

00:26:32.730 –> 00:26:41.040 Jeff Hunter: And the older, I get the more it pisses me off, frankly, and so it provided an opportunity to put some energy into that effort.

00:26:42.360 –> 00:26:47.520 Joseph McElroy: So what is the type of work that you do, what is it you actually do in your job.

00:26:48.090 –> 00:26:51.960 Jeff Hunter: Sure, I like to think I bring people together to have.

00:26:53.610 –> 00:26:56.730 Jeff Hunter: Successful meetings with good outcomes that benefit the natural world.

00:26:58.200 –> 00:27:05.670 Jeff Hunter: And the communities that surround them so whether it’s protecting clean water or clean air or teaching the next generation about.

00:27:07.350 –> 00:27:20.820 Jeff Hunter: civics how to get involved in the system, how our parks are owned by all of us that’s lost on people they don’t realize the smokies belongs to every single American is our heritage.

00:27:21.960 –> 00:27:31.350 Jeff Hunter: And it’s entrusted to the National Park service they manage those lands for us but Congress ultimately appropriates the funds that make that system run.

00:27:31.860 –> 00:27:35.430 Jeff Hunter: And, and the American voice is important, so we lift up voices and.

00:27:36.690 –> 00:27:39.450 Jeff Hunter: Protect place and wildlife and it’s.

00:27:42.840 –> 00:27:45.390 Jeff Hunter: it’s it’s a large responsibility.

00:27:46.800 –> 00:27:47.190 Jeff Hunter: To have.

00:27:48.090 –> 00:27:53.910 Joseph McElroy: So a little bit of a Community organizing a little bit of PR and a little bit of hard work right.

00:27:54.750 –> 00:28:05.220 Jeff Hunter: yeah you know I learned how to be an organizer when I lead the Tennessee wild wilderness campaign if you’re going to pass legislation in Congress, you need to bring people together and so it’s about.

00:28:06.690 –> 00:28:12.960 Jeff Hunter: Bringing diverse voices, you know all across the political spectrum together and common cause and that’s what I do.

00:28:14.730 –> 00:28:21.600 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, we have to take another break and when we come back we’ll talk the more about this passion for the wildlife and the safe passage.

00:30:28.110 –> 00:30:34.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jeff Hunter.

00:30:35.130 –> 00:30:41.820 Joseph McElroy: So Jeff one of our earliest guests in the show is a colleague of yours, Frances Figart and we’re carrying her.

00:30:42.630 –> 00:30:56.580 Joseph McElroy: You know her book safe passages book at the Heritage Center bookstore and you know it’s a wonderful little story for finding out about, especially for teams, I think, to learn about wildlife crossings and why they’re good.

00:30:57.690 –> 00:30:58.320 Joseph McElroy: Can you.

00:30:59.520 –> 00:31:05.370 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us you’re working on a project now to create a wildlife crossing you mentioned, where is that.

00:31:06.660 –> 00:31:18.120 Jeff Hunter: Here, so I facilitate a collaborative effort it’s you know we have federal state tribal and non-governmental organizations coming together around the table.

00:31:18.870 –> 00:31:28.170 Jeff Hunter: working to improve wildlife’s ability to cross Interstate 40 in a 28-mile stretch just outside the smokies that are eight miles in Tennessee.

00:31:28.500 –> 00:31:38.670 Jeff Hunter: And 20 miles north Carolina from the Maggie valley exit to the State line in the state line to the foothills parkway in Tennessee we’re looking really closely and seeing how can we.

00:31:40.080 –> 00:31:41.520 Jeff Hunter: How can we fix this situation.

00:31:42.630 –> 00:31:49.140 Jeff Hunter: For instance, we had 101 dead bears down along the side of the road, and the last three years.

00:31:50.220 –> 00:31:57.630 Jeff Hunter: 2019 2020 2021 three years and that’s probably two and a half times low that numbers and that’s.

00:31:59.040 –> 00:32:05.670 Jeff Hunter: Some people would say that’s the cost of doing business and I disagree and so we’re coming together working on that.

00:32:06.990 –> 00:32:09.630 Joseph McElroy: Have you how do you get, how do you get those mortality records.

00:32:11.250 –> 00:32:18.960 Jeff Hunter: Well, historically, they exist across various agencies, but you know, for the real-time stuff the last three years are driving surveys.

00:32:20.010 –> 00:32:26.040 Jeff Hunter: Every week going out and driving the corridor and looking you know, on the road to see.

00:32:27.300 –> 00:32:36.300 Jeff Hunter: what’s been hit our focus species have been black bear white-tailed deer and elk big stuff you know, because if you hit that with your car.

00:32:36.690 –> 00:32:41.700 Jeff Hunter: It could cause serious property damage, maybe personal injury and you can actually quantify the impact.

00:32:42.300 –> 00:33:00.750 Jeff Hunter: Of that damage and, of course, if you can make it better for those big things to cross the road, perhaps you, you can improve it for the little stuff right and the smokies are filled with little stuff whether it’s salamanders or snakes or you name it, you know raccoons small mammals.

00:33:01.830 –> 00:33:09.090 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I mean for all those big ones die there are probably 10 times that are the small animals or die right.

00:33:09.240 –> 00:33:10.770 Jeff Hunter: The small stuff has no shot.

00:33:10.800 –> 00:33:18.240 Jeff Hunter: In this corner right there’s it’s two lanes each direction there’s a concrete barrier in the middle.

00:33:19.800 –> 00:33:28.110 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s a death trap, but some of the big stuff can get through, but with 26,000 vehicles, a day you know a lot of stuff that gets killed.

00:33:28.410 –> 00:33:38.310 Jeff Hunter: we’re looking forward to the day when there’s 35,000 vehicles, a day or 45,000 vehicles, a day and nothing has a shot that’s the situation we’re trying to avoid.

00:33:38.700 –> 00:33:43.560 Joseph McElroy: When a lot of cases humans get hurt too, but pretty badly there’s a lot of costs associated with that right.

00:33:44.040 –> 00:33:50.670 Jeff Hunter: Well, on average over 200 Americans every year are killed in wildlife-vehicle collisions so it’s a real situation.

00:33:51.960 –> 00:33:58.020 Jeff Hunter: You know and Maggie Valley right there are thousand-pound bull elk you did not want to hit a bullet with your

00:33:59.550 –> 00:34:00.510 Joseph McElroy: Total your car.

00:34:01.470 –> 00:34:02.280 Jeff Hunter: You know so.

00:34:02.370 –> 00:34:17.100 Jeff Hunter: You know the US 19 through Maggie Valley right there that’s a slower road than I 40 and so you’re going 60 miles an hour on I-40 and an elephant here in the middle of the road that’s a problem that’s a big problem.

00:34:18.750 –> 00:34:29.670 Joseph McElroy: You know I you I went to that presentation you didn’t Maggie Valley chamber, commerce and you were talking about that I thought was an interesting project you guys do use you put up live cameras right to keep track of where they’re crossing.

00:34:30.540 –> 00:34:40.080 Jeff Hunter: Now we had about 120 cameras spread out in the gorge over two years you know, in the right of way seeing what’s encroaching on the roadway also.

00:34:41.670 –> 00:34:51.780 Jeff Hunter: Checking structures, like you know exits are their animals going underneath the bridge or the crossing on the highway there and so we’ve got an A tremendous amount of information.

00:34:52.980 –> 00:35:08.580 Jeff Hunter: Next month will be reconvening the stakeholders and making some key decisions about our research findings, you know where can we agree on priority areas in the gorge you can’t fix everything right you can’t literally fix everything on every road.

00:35:09.450 –> 00:35:16.320 Jeff Hunter: We can establish priorities and get together and make a concerted effort to make the world that place we’ve all wanted to see.

00:35:17.400 –> 00:35:27.330 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool you know, one of the wonderful I really sort of uniquely memorable experiences reaches is not only the great geographical beauty but.

00:35:28.380 –> 00:35:38.670 Joseph McElroy: The easy access and exposure to unusual wildlife big ones like the elk and deer Turkey and black bears and I know that, during my lifetime.

00:35:40.170 –> 00:35:51.750 Joseph McElroy: When there was time those animals were almost extinct, and you know, in our case, the elk was extinct and it’s got reintroduced so it’s really great to see all these species have rebounded and are increasing.

00:35:52.980 –> 00:36:05.760 Joseph McElroy: But it took decades to do that, and the last thing we want is to see these animals will be decimated again now so I’m pretty happier doing so what is the current status of the project.

00:36:06.720 –> 00:36:07.290 So.

00:36:08.370 –> 00:36:22.080 Jeff Hunter: We conducted this to your research, as I mentioned, and we’re in the final stages of analysis and late in late March march 29 actually will be convening stakeholders and Haywood Community College.

00:36:23.760 –> 00:36:27.930 Jeff Hunter: Shannon Rabbie there who runs the wildlife program is opening up that.

00:36:29.940 –> 00:36:36.330 Jeff Hunter: That University that College for us that Community college and will be his students will actually be volunteering and observing.

00:36:36.690 –> 00:36:52.170 Jeff Hunter: Alongside folks from the National Park Service, the fire service, the North Carolina Department of Transportation the Tennessee wildlife resource agency, and lots of other groups, looking at maps, looking at the hotspots where stuff getting killed and what might we do together.

00:36:53.490 –> 00:37:00.930 Jeff Hunter: to fix that and I certainly don’t have all the answers, right here, right now, those answers will need to come together.

00:37:02.970 –> 00:37:03.930 Jeff Hunter: through collaboration.

00:37:04.290 –> 00:37:05.730 Joseph McElroy: mm hmm what.

00:37:06.750 –> 00:37:12.660 Joseph McElroy: What is it all government-funded or also private money or donations how’s it getting funded.

00:37:13.080 –> 00:37:20.640 Jeff Hunter: So so for my work, we don’t receive government funding national parks conservation association is funding funded by ours.

00:37:21.090 –> 00:37:33.630 Jeff Hunter: members and supporters and if folks want to learn more they can check us out at mpc a dot Org but in terms of safe passage our research partners, while dance network and my organization.

00:37:34.710 –> 00:37:36.990 Jeff Hunter: Are funding the research have funded the research.

00:37:38.040 –> 00:37:48.270 Jeff Hunter: And we’re coming together when we first started talking about this issue, there were no dollars at the state or federal level to do anything about reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions.

00:37:48.750 –> 00:37:57.240 Jeff Hunter: But here’s the good story here’s the exciting stuff now just in the last six months, Congress has passed an infrastructure bill.

00:37:58.230 –> 00:38:06.180 Jeff Hunter: That appropriate that that provides 350 million dollars over five years for pilot projects to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.

00:38:07.110 –> 00:38:21.030 Jeff Hunter: So there are issues all over the country, but when you have all the stakeholders together in one room already talking about the issues following science taking a science-based approach we’ve got a real shot at those competitive dollars so.

00:38:22.620 –> 00:38:24.600 Jeff Hunter: there’s good stuff on the horizon we’re hoping.

00:38:25.020 –> 00:38:28.440 Joseph McElroy: As soon as well you know how long it take to takes to complete this one.

00:38:29.580 –> 00:38:35.070 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s hard to say, this is nothing that happens quickly in the transportation world.

00:38:36.180 –> 00:38:44.310 Jeff Hunter: These agencies plan out 2025 years so looking at the growth they’re anticipating where they’ll need to widen roads so.

00:38:45.690 –> 00:39:01.080 Jeff Hunter: Hopefully there’ll be some short-term benefits for wildlife, you know if we can figure out areas where fencing can funnel wildlife to existing structures and get them safely under the road to protect motorists and the wildlife themselves.

00:39:02.400 –> 00:39:09.900 Jeff Hunter: will look for those I’m sure bigger stuff if there’s the new infrastructure needed, you know whether that’s why like overpasses or underpasses.

00:39:11.160 –> 00:39:13.980 Jeff Hunter: That will take a little longer right because you have feasibility.

00:39:16.350 –> 00:39:20.370 Jeff Hunter: I’m an organizer our research tells us where the problems are right, but you need.

00:39:20.370 –> 00:39:30.420 Jeff Hunter: an engineer to say Okay, the geology here is stable enough to do something, whether it’s a wildlife overpass or an underpass so those folks you know.

00:39:30.900 –> 00:39:40.380 Joseph McElroy: So you’re going to build a mix of things like going through culverts and doing stuff at overpasses and only animals use and that sort of there will be people be able to use as overpasses.

00:39:41.310 –> 00:39:45.480 Jeff Hunter: So, best practices wildlife only for overpasses right.

00:39:46.710 –> 00:40:02.760 Jeff Hunter: And so that would be certainly my desire, I will say this, that not far from Maggie Valley it’s probably about a 90-minute drive if someone was Dr 19 down to near Fontana Dam on North Carolina 143.

00:40:04.080 –> 00:40:12.000 Jeff Hunter: The do T as an answer they’re going to build a bridge for wildlife and Appalachian trail hikers at a place called stucco a gap.

00:40:12.300 –> 00:40:24.240 Jeff Hunter: Oh, this is between sheila bald and Fontana damn on the trail that’s a rugged area it’s also the first place, I did a 20-mile day to get to a payphone to call my 10-year-old daughter, on her.

00:40:27.960 –> 00:40:38.130 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s fabulous I mean it’s so nice to see that there are others are there, others are happening, do you are, you are you do you know of any other projects, you might be working on that are.

00:40:41.130 –> 00:40:48.030 Jeff Hunter: You know, every interstate highway this east, west where it passes through public lands becomes a problem for wildlife.

00:40:48.120 –> 00:40:50.250 Jeff Hunter: If you don’t have wildlife.

00:40:52.320 –> 00:40:59.940 Jeff Hunter: factored into the design of the roadway so so we’re looking you know where we’re looking at I 40 we’re looking a little north or south.

00:41:01.020 –> 00:41:05.880 Jeff Hunter: The key is that we’re working with the agencies we’re building a community of practice right.

00:41:06.240 –> 00:41:07.770 Jeff Hunter: Here in the East, you don’t have as.

00:41:07.770 –> 00:41:16.500 Jeff Hunter: Many wildlife overpass underpass structures to see do out West, you know, because the majority of public lands in this country let’s face it, or out West.

00:41:17.070 –> 00:41:33.570 Jeff Hunter: But here in North Carolina and Tennessee we’ve got the smokies but 523 000 acres you know, surrounded by the napa Haleigh the pisco Cherokee national forests, the Blue Ridge parkway there’s an abundance of public lands and so it’s in the public’s interest right.

00:41:34.680 –> 00:41:37.230 Jeff Hunter: 14.1 million visitors to the smokies.

00:41:37.350 –> 00:41:42.690 Jeff Hunter: yeah who wants to hit a bear on your way to make a what a way to ruin a vacation right.

00:41:42.750 –> 00:41:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Real quick.

00:41:43.320 –> 00:41:44.520 Joseph McElroy: Real quick in her yeah.

00:41:44.940 –> 00:41:45.720 Jeff Hunter: Right so.

00:41:47.250 –> 00:41:49.680 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s a big picture approach we’re taking.

00:41:50.460 –> 00:42:01.560 Joseph McElroy: Well, besides, you know obvious government regulations and bureaucracy and things like that Where are you getting pushback from anything for doing this sort of thing.

00:42:02.580 –> 00:42:11.730 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s funny it’s nice to have an issue like this right, I mentioned earlier, I ran a wilderness campaign wilderness can be pretty contentious you know because.

00:42:11.940 –> 00:42:20.910 Jeff Hunter: you can’t take a mountain bike you can’t take anything motorized and wilderness can’t even take a chainsaw wilderness right, you have to clear the trails with a cross-cut saw the old-timey way.

00:42:21.960 –> 00:42:28.290 Jeff Hunter: The issue I’m working on with safe passage is is the public is just responding and great ways.

00:42:29.370 –> 00:42:43.560 Jeff Hunter: They understand the issues clearly I mean every you drive the interstate you’re going to see that there are deer dead raccoons dead foxes and coyotes it gets old right it’s like can we fix that and.

00:42:44.730 –> 00:42:51.870 Jeff Hunter: So people get excited about the idea of actually having their tax dollars spent on something that not only benefits them but benefits wildlife.

00:42:52.740 –> 00:43:04.860 Joseph McElroy: cool well, we got to take another break here when we come back we’ll talk a little bit about you know your knowledge of the area where visitors might want to come to do.

00:45:05.910 –> 00:45:12.120 Joseph McElroy: howdy it is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Jeff Hunter so.

00:45:12.540 –> 00:45:17.400 Joseph McElroy: Jeff you, you know the Appalachian trail you’ve gone the whole distance and you know you know the.

00:45:17.970 –> 00:45:33.360 Joseph McElroy: Great smoky mountain national park and the Blue Ridge parkway so I doubt there are many folks that know all these betters all these three areas, better than you so where what would you tell visited this area that are really nice places to visit what’s your favorite place.

00:45:33.930 –> 00:45:35.580 Jeff Hunter: Oh gosh there’s so many.

00:45:36.900 –> 00:45:45.330 Jeff Hunter: You know I’ve got a map of the smokies here, open up on my desk while I’m talking to you, and you know, one of my favorite places of the Blue Ridge parkway.

00:45:46.080 –> 00:45:53.520 Jeff Hunter: To hike in the smokies is that flat creek trail and that’s just a short distance from Maggie Valley it’s.

00:45:54.120 –> 00:46:12.630 Jeff Hunter: it’s a relatively easy trail of walk with big rewards, particularly in spring with songbirds and flowers that are a favorite place or you can drive up to the parkway and go north to what a rock knob which has over 6000 feet beautiful views cool weather.

00:46:14.460 –> 00:46:18.750 Jeff Hunter: You know that’s close right now, because of the season, but those are a couple of favorite places.

00:46:20.130 –> 00:46:21.330 Jeff Hunter: The Cataloochee Valley.

00:46:21.810 –> 00:46:23.310 Jeff Hunter: um which is you know.

00:46:23.370 –> 00:46:24.390 Joseph McElroy: A spectacular.

00:46:25.020 –> 00:46:40.020 Jeff Hunter: Maggie Valleys the gateway there that’s where elk reintroduced just over 20 years ago and there are historic structures there a lot of historical interpretation about the folks who live there, back in the day and.

00:46:41.100 –> 00:46:49.710 Jeff Hunter: Last time I was there I saw a couple of bears eating apples and some apple trees that and those trees are there because there were settlers there.

00:46:50.190 –> 00:46:51.570 Jeff Hunter: And one of the partners created.

00:46:53.430 –> 00:47:01.920 Joseph McElroy: Now I took my three-year-old up there, when I was, like last time now down there they just they got to see out for the first time that first big animal of any sort and they were just dumped.

00:47:03.540 –> 00:47:09.960 Joseph McElroy: old enough to know that it was something you know what I mean it’s like yeah getting their experience the wildlife early is great.

00:47:11.610 –> 00:47:18.660 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any places where a real experienced hiker needs to get you would have to go to anything like that.

00:47:18.810 –> 00:47:22.890 Jeff Hunter: Oh yeah I totally do I’m flipping the map over here.

00:47:24.660 –> 00:47:28.560 Jeff Hunter: I’ll tell you a little story, if I may.

00:47:28.830 –> 00:47:32.010 Jeff Hunter: Sure, my wife and I, Carra.

00:47:33.660 –> 00:47:41.820 Jeff Hunter: We went to the park in late December with the goal of hiking the Booger Man trail.

00:47:42.270 –> 00:47:52.680 Jeff Hunter: Boogerman trail goes through the old-growth forest this huge giant oak trees and poplar trees and all the hemlocks are dead, sadly, but lots of big trees remain.

00:47:53.250 –> 00:48:01.470 Jeff Hunter: We were going to make a loop with the Caldwell for the trail, and unfortunately there were a series of bridges out on the Caldwell for the trail.

00:48:02.280 –> 00:48:13.770 Jeff Hunter: that’s a result of the maintenance backlog with the park service and that’s an issue we work on to ensure park funding so that parking infrastructure allows for safe experiences for visitors now.

00:48:15.000 –> 00:48:24.450 Jeff Hunter: I guess we’re not your typical visitors we like that you know Alan a hairy edge sometimes, so we ended up doing all those stream crossings waiting across them in the winter.

00:48:25.920 –> 00:48:28.260 Jeff Hunter: The water was waist-deep in some places.

00:48:30.330 –> 00:48:36.990 Jeff Hunter: It was exhilarating it was in nursing, but in the end, it’s an experience will never forget.

00:48:37.590 –> 00:48:39.960 Joseph McElroy: So that the experience people don’t take your kids there.

00:48:41.760 –> 00:48:51.000 Joseph McElroy: But that’s cool well you’re also you told me a music aficionado and you live in the Asheville area whatever what are you some of your favorite music places in that area.

00:48:51.330 –> 00:48:57.210 Jeff Hunter: Well, so there’s a new place called rabbit downtown that has a lot of outdoor shows.

00:48:58.230 –> 00:48:59.010 Jeff Hunter: In Ashville.

00:49:00.120 –> 00:49:10.560 Jeff Hunter: And we have tickets to go see bony there this June and Bonnie light Horsemen that should be fun of course he had the orange peel and places like the great eagle great venues.

00:49:11.790 –> 00:49:16.230 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s really a shame, what the pandemic has done to these live music venues they’re.

00:49:17.520 –> 00:49:27.960 Jeff Hunter: Really they’re there they’re trying to keep above water, so you know as we emerged from this crisis, you know I would encourage people to support the local establishment’s local music scene.

00:49:28.590 –> 00:49:38.670 Jeff Hunter: You know here in Burnsville where I live, and Yancey County, which is about 40 minutes from Asheville we have a place called the homeplace brewery and you’ll get a kick out of this.

00:49:39.690 –> 00:49:44.160 Jeff Hunter: This spring marks the 50th anniversary of the grateful dead’s Europe 72 tour.

00:49:44.310 –> 00:49:48.990 Jeff Hunter: Oh so on may 25 of 2022.

00:49:49.590 –> 00:49:50.160 Jeff Hunter: On the air.

00:49:50.250 –> 00:50:04.080 Jeff Hunter: The MC and a host for an event at the homeplace brewery in Burnsville where we will stream the show from May 26 1972 the Lyceum in London, England, and will stream that in its entirety.

00:50:04.920 –> 00:50:11.700 Jeff Hunter: Hopefully, will you know get the dance a little bit and enjoy the days leading up to Memorial Day weekend so.

00:50:11.790 –> 00:50:15.240 Joseph McElroy: wow you’d be able to give some commentary about what you remember.

00:50:15.810 –> 00:50:19.680 Jeff Hunter: Well, you know at the time I was 11 right my show is was 78.

00:50:19.740 –> 00:50:30.510 Jeff Hunter: So, but that’s my favorite period of music the beauty, is that folks back in the day recorded the show, so these recordings for man are artifacts.

00:50:32.310 –> 00:50:37.770 Jeff Hunter: And they’re out in the public domain it’s you know it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

00:50:38.160 –> 00:50:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Did you see that documentary of the Beatles that last concert that just recently came out.

00:50:43.590 –> 00:50:52.650 Jeff Hunter: I haven’t known, and you mentioned Frances who you had on your podcast recently she and I were corresponding over the weekend and she asked if the car and I had seen that yet.

00:50:52.950 –> 00:50:57.870 Jeff Hunter: She and her husband had just seen it so it’s on the yes pile, but we will get there.

00:50:58.440 –> 00:51:02.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah I got so many on my got to see pile it’s like yeah.

00:51:03.090 –> 00:51:16.680 Joseph McElroy: there’s too much content these days and I’m a content producer so it’s always an adventure so what’s the website people can go to to find out more information about wildlife past the wildlife passages.

00:51:16.860 –> 00:51:27.690 Jeff Hunter: sure that the address is smokies safe passage and that’s Smokiessafepassage.Org

00:51:29.190 –> 00:51:38.580 Jeff Hunter: And you know, there are six nonprofit organizations that have come together, specifically to create that website and push information out to the public.

00:51:39.240 –> 00:51:44.850 Joseph McElroy: cool and if they want to follow you is do you have any place for them to come follow you.

00:51:45.690 –> 00:52:00.960 Jeff Hunter: I, the only place I’m at other than here and Burnsville are LinkedIn, believe it or not, you know, I was an early adopter to that networking platform and that’s really it’s actually helped in my work and building the efforts.

00:52:02.280 –> 00:52:04.290 Jeff Hunter: To protect places like the smokies so.

00:52:04.590 –> 00:52:09.780 Joseph McElroy: I noticed that to find you those Jeffrey H you don’t have your last name up there yeah.

00:52:09.840 –> 00:52:12.330 Jeff Hunter: I think that’s the privacy setting you just have to.

00:52:12.720 –> 00:52:13.170 Jeff Hunter: Really.

00:52:13.230 –> 00:52:15.090 Jeff Hunter: Unless you’re connected to me you can’t see the last name.

00:52:15.180 –> 00:52:21.660 Joseph McElroy: Well, to try and find somebody is trying to search for you right you try to search for the different hunter and you will find you.

00:52:22.590 –> 00:52:23.790 Jeff Hunter: I think they’ll find, I think.

00:52:24.960 –> 00:52:34.560 Joseph McElroy: I was just trying to do that earlier and I couldn’t I had to do it, I had actually gone Jeffrey and then your position and you’re an organization that’s I found.

00:52:34.710 –> 00:52:41.040 Jeff Hunter: yeah listen to people who want to reach out here’s my email is Jayhunter@NPCA.Org

00:52:41.460 –> 00:52:43.560 Jeff Hunter: And I love a conversation over coffee.

00:52:43.560 –> 00:52:45.030 Jeff Hunter: Virtual or otherwise.

00:52:45.540 –> 00:52:54.750 Joseph McElroy: Well cool I appreciate when I come down here, you should come out to Meadowlark and see what we’re doing there and hang out and have a car, I have, I have something the speakeasy we’re doing some music now too so.

00:52:55.410 –> 00:52:58.050 Jeff Hunter: I’ll do that, you can rest assured.

00:52:58.470 –> 00:53:09.510 Joseph McElroy: All right, that’d be cool I’d like to hang out appreciate you being on this podcast it’s been enlightening I think you’re doing is a fantastic thing and I love the grateful dead connection.

00:53:12.270 –> 00:53:13.410 Joseph McElroy: Of the small world isn’t it.

00:53:13.410 –> 00:53:15.270 Joseph McElroy: Oh, to do a dead, have you ever been to burning man.

00:53:16.320 –> 00:53:16.770 Jeff Hunter: You know.

00:53:17.490 –> 00:53:31.260 Jeff Hunter: I’ll just throw this and I actually teach classes on the grateful dead at UNC Asheville it’s a volunteer effort, I just through the pandemic I’ve been doing it virtually to bring people together and build community and that’s what I do is build Community I try anyway.

00:53:31.770 –> 00:53:44.610 Joseph McElroy: So cool alright so again, thank you very much, so this podcast is on the talk radio dot NYC network, which is a network of the live podcasts.

00:53:45.720 –> 00:53:52.620 Joseph McElroy: ranging from small business help to self-help to travel shows to you know to.

00:53:53.760 –> 00:54:01.830 Joseph McElroy: Health shows alternative wellness and I think it’s a very interesting network, you should go to talkradio.NYC and look at all the shows and.

00:54:02.130 –> 00:54:11.130 Joseph McElroy: Follow someone can listen to them live, I also have another podcast on Fridays at noon it’s called wise content creates wealth, which focuses in.

00:54:11.580 –> 00:54:22.650 Joseph McElroy: On using content to build your opportunities, whether it’s you’re looking for a profit of monetary sense or building a community is fun getting followers is just giving a cause known.

00:54:23.520 –> 00:54:41.670 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can find out more about that, on my podcast this podcast at the gateway to the smokies and you can find out more about it it’s smokiesadventure.com there is a link at the top, for the gateway to smoking’s podcast you can see all the previous podcast.

00:54:42.930 –> 00:54:50.970 Joseph McElroy: And, and the newsletter that you can sign up to you can also go to talk radio dot nyc to their shows section and click there and find out more about the shows.

00:54:51.780 –> 00:55:01.410 Joseph McElroy: We also have a Facebook page where it streamed live its facebook.com/gateway tothesmokiespodcast where you will definitely.

00:55:03.060 –> 00:55:06.000 Joseph McElroy: see more and more about us.

00:55:07.290 –> 00:55:12.990 Joseph McElroy: it’s been a really great pleasure to have you again, and I want everybody to go to that safe.

00:55:14.070 –> 00:55:30.480 Joseph McElroy: passages website that he mentioned and donate I notice there’s a donate button there, and so we should all go in a little, because what is happening is very important, and I think that we should be part of it looks like you got a great section on getting involved too.

00:55:30.870 –> 00:55:32.730 Joseph McElroy: Really for newsletter take a.

00:55:32.730 –> 00:55:38.460 Joseph McElroy: pledge education and even though, about what upcoming events you have that grateful dead there when I hope so.

00:55:40.290 –> 00:55:44.070 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, see you guys next week it’s been a pleasure bye.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/1289875804830902/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/273362357_1290360424782440_4012375438585880943_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=p7mCYh2lc5AAX-q4NIQ&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63017D76&oh=00_AT8nF1teNpiUjdDyss9GjqAovFOsDUtPMOr_DCRg_kljdw&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350&tn=ssl5RjlRCRqdhHNg" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><h3>About this Episode: </h3><p>We are joined by our special guest,<strong> Jeff Hunter,</strong> Senior Program Manager with the National Parks ConservationAssociation (NPCA) in Asheville, where he works on a variety of issues pertaining to protecting and improving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Presently, he is focused heavily on a collaborative project designing and building a wildlife crossing on I-40 in the Pigeon Forge in Haywood County, near the Tennessee state line.</p><p>In our conversation with Jeff, he discusses the importance of Preserving our Natural Resources and improving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. He mentioned how you can help by spreading awareness, identifying solutions, and providing leadership to make it happen.</p><p><a href="https://smokiessafepassage.org/" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://smokiessafepassage.org/ </strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.npca.org/people/jeffrey-hunter" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://www.npca.org/people/jeffrey-hunter</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Connect with Jeff:</h3><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalParks" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.npca.org/people/jeffrey-hunter?fbclid=IwAR2IhshYp-JxiAqfoUTJvfQkPgbCaKM7MxplkMbJZ3JTNZCioj44rbirzkI" rel="nofollow"><strong>Website</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://smokiessafepassage.org/?fbclid=IwAR24OVHA26iaiQBbwXPa0ud-3qHO_4w-onCoD2SmWpkszFKcjJbOVjiyukc" rel="nofollow"><strong>Smokies Safe Passage</strong></a></p><h3>Connect with our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</h3><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmcelroy/" rel="nofollow"><strong>LinkedIn</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Meadowlarkmotel" rel="nofollow"><strong>Business Facebook Page</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://meadowlarkmotel.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Website</strong></a></p><h3><strong>Check out our Social Media:</strong></h3><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gatewaytothesmokies/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Instagram</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3Cpxa49" rel="nofollow"><strong>Youtube</strong></a></p><p><br></p><h3><strong><span></span>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:41.010 –&gt; 00:00:44.400 Joseph McElroy: Howdy! Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of</p><p>00:00:44.460 –&gt; 00:00:54.240 Joseph McElroy: Gateway to the Smokies, this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:54.600 –&gt; 00:01:05.610 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep-storied history wonderful adventures and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:06.060 –&gt; 00:01:19.290 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in mountain culture.</p><p>00:01:20.460 –&gt; 00:01:24.510 Joseph McElroy: Today’s podcast we’re talking about safe wildlife passages in the smokies.</p><p>00:01:25.920 –&gt; 00:01:29.460 Joseph McElroy: But first let’s hear from our sponsors, which happens to be me.</p><p>00:01:31.320 –&gt; 00:01:40.020 Joseph McElroy: hey imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past in modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.</p><p>00:01:41.010 –&gt; 00:02:01.560 Joseph McElroy: The amenities, of a country and a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill to catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place with the old-time music and world cultural sounds.</p><p>00:02:02.820 –&gt; 00:02:15.630 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with mountain heritage, food, and an underground speakeasy there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina, your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:02:17.250 –&gt; 00:02:28.170 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com that’s plural smokies singular adventure information and listings about the smokies it, it provides lots of.</p><p>00:02:29.970 –&gt; 00:02:42.420 Joseph McElroy: Resources for hiking, trail maps, knowledge about the area even things like wedding venues outdoor wedding venues, you can get books, you can get.</p><p>00:02:44.040 –&gt; 00:02:51.600 Joseph McElroy: hiking guide, you can get books about the mountain culture it’s a really great resource, the emphasis of the smokies adventure.</p><p>00:02:51.870 –&gt; 00:03:12.870 Joseph McElroy: Is I said outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information about lodging entertainment events conventions honeymoons tourist opportunities and it’s a great resource for being one of the top information portals on the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:03:14.580 –&gt; 00:03:25.140 Joseph McElroy: Upcoming, so somewhere between caricature and character, there exists in authentic a truly unique culture of the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:03:25.950 –&gt; 00:03:38.160 Joseph McElroy: understanding that culture blends the global and the local the old and the new and gains relevance and understanding of the elements of culture that brought us to where we are now and where we can go in the future.</p><p>00:03:39.210 –&gt; 00:03:52.200 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center located at the beautiful Meadowlark Motel is proud to announce a series of 20 heritage-themed events scheduled for 2022.</p><p>00:03:53.430 –&gt; 00:04:02.520 Joseph McElroy: Each of these events is designed to understand a different element of smoky mountain culture and lead members and guests on a journey of understanding for the past and the future.</p><p>00:04:03.270 –&gt; 00:04:11.640 Joseph McElroy: The first event is Saturday, February 26 2022 at 4 pm at the Meadowlark Motel, Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:04:12.540 –&gt; 00:04:25.500 Joseph McElroy: it’ll be led by the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center General Manager and Award-winning Author Bob Plott, as he launches the first of six heritage book programs and a book signing of his books.</p><p>00:04:26.100 –&gt; 00:04:42.600 Joseph McElroy: The first program focuses on the history, of the Plott Hound the official state dog of North Carolina a legendary breed with a rich and storied history in Haywood County featured will be Bob’s first book strike and stay the story of the Plott hound.</p><p>00:04:43.890 –&gt; 00:04:56.760 Joseph McElroy: Which is recognized as one of the premier hunting dogs in America, the Plott hound is unique among honey dog breeds because it descends from Germanic stock rather than the traditional English foxhound.</p><p>00:04:57.390 –&gt; 00:05:07.260 Joseph McElroy: The breed story began when its original breeder Joe Hound Plott and his brother Enoch left Germany in 1750 with their prize honey dogs.</p><p>00:05:07.710 –&gt; 00:05:19.830 Joseph McElroy: it’s this trip across the Atlantic that began the 200-year journey that will culminate in the North Carolina Mountains with the development it was now arguably the world’s finest breed of honey hunting dog.</p><p>00:05:20.880 –&gt; 00:05:34.860 Joseph McElroy: This fascinating story of the Plott family and the Plott hound is a classic American tale of adventures and underdogs a story that Bob Plott, the great great great grandson of Joe Hounds Plott is uniquely qualified to tell.</p><p>00:05:35.460 –&gt; 00:05:40.470 Joseph McElroy: This upon an informative program will be followed by a delicious Barbecue dinner and acoustic.</p><p>00:05:40.920 –&gt; 00:05:47.970 Joseph McElroy: Music with Mike Ogletree the former drummer for Simple Minds and some other friends, making for an entertaining afternoon and evening.</p><p>00:05:48.540 –&gt; 00:06:04.440 Joseph McElroy: The event is free to motel guests and heritage club members and non-members and local residents are welcome to attend the program and enjoy dinner and music for only $10 per person call 828 926 1717 to book your room and or your reservation.</p><p>00:06:05.520 –&gt; 00:06:14.880 Joseph McElroy: More upcoming what’s better for the soul than throwing a line upstream watching it pass doing again and again and perhaps getting a bite.</p><p>00:06:15.630 –&gt; 00:06:20.820 Joseph McElroy: All anglers know that fly fishing isn’t only about reeling in the big one.</p><p>00:06:21.540 –&gt; 00:06:32.970 Joseph McElroy: All that’s all though that’s the one that always gets our hearts jumping blushes fishing is about being one with the river and its magnificent presence while witnessing a valuable ecosystem.</p><p>00:06:33.630 –&gt; 00:06:39.330 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark Motel is offering fly fishing trout camp weekends and the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:06:39.870 –&gt; 00:06:51.120 Joseph McElroy: What began as a way to get a group of friends together on the river is going into a way of bringing like-minded people together through fly fishing food, drinking the campfire in our recreation area.</p><p>00:06:51.690 –&gt; 00:07:01.980 Joseph McElroy: camp weekends are perfect for those new to fly fishing and those looking for some extra instruction or anyone with experience, who enjoys fishing and a small group of making new friends.</p><p>00:07:02.640 –&gt; 00:07:14.520 Joseph McElroy: Each trip is built around those attending and we all share those experiences, you can expect quality time in the river and nights around the campfire or in the speakeasy if it’s not so nice.</p><p>00:07:14.790 –&gt; 00:07:24.690 Joseph McElroy: With a drink in half-truths and tall tales are always at the camp and camps are limited to 20 anglers and there’s going to be one instructor to every two campers.</p><p>00:07:25.770 –&gt; 00:07:39.750 Joseph McElroy: So the first one is April 15 to 16th 2022 located at the Meadowlark Motel that’s $875 per person in the guide services beast coast anglers owned and operated by</p><p>00:07:40.260 –&gt; 00:07:50.880 Joseph McElroy: Charles Humphrey III, really interesting guys have master fisherman he’s also been on this podcast talking about.</p><p>00:07:51.570 –&gt; 00:07:59.700 Joseph McElroy: Music, amongst other things, he’s an award-winning songwriter in fact we’re talking about doing a songwriting camp with him later in the year.</p><p>00:08:01.140 –&gt; 00:08:07.560 Joseph McElroy: and includes a couple of nights for lodging free breakfast and on Saturday and Sunday for a Barbecue dinner.</p><p>00:08:08.160 –&gt; 00:08:16.140 Joseph McElroy: To free beverages and speakeasy a half a day of hands-on instruction in the morning and then four hours of intense fishing on this.</p><p>00:08:16.410 –&gt; 00:08:25.350 Joseph McElroy: On an elite stream Saturday afternoon and entertainment at the motel Saturday evening, and then a little checkout and Sunday morning with a nice breakfast probably with some trap.</p><p>00:08:27.120 –&gt; 00:08:34.290 Joseph McElroy: Call eight to 8289261717 to make reservations and they are also some programs on the history of fly fishing.</p><p>00:08:35.250 –&gt; 00:08:41.280 Joseph McElroy: And also what’s happening in the mountains about fishing, but now we’re here to talk about wildlife.</p><p>00:08:42.030 –&gt; 00:08:53.490 Joseph McElroy: passages and preserving the smokies and our guest today is Jeff Hunter he is a Senior Program Manager of the National Parks Conservation Association, the NPA CA and national.</p><p>00:08:53.910 –&gt; 00:09:04.740 Joseph McElroy: where he works on a variety of issues pretending to protect and improve the great smoky mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National scenic trail.</p><p>00:09:06.090 –&gt; 00:09:17.670 Joseph McElroy: Presently, he is focused heavily on a collaborative project designing and building a wildlife crossing on I-40 in the Pigeon Forge in Haywood County, near the Tennessee state line. Hello Jeff.</p><p>00:09:18.510 –&gt; 00:09:20.550 Jeff Hunter: hey Joseph good to see you thanks for having me.</p><p>00:09:20.820 –&gt; 00:09:26.610 Joseph McElroy: Sure thing good to see you, so I understand you’re originally from New York State Rockland County I think.</p><p>00:09:26.970 –&gt; 00:09:27.570 Jeff Hunter: I am.</p><p>00:09:28.080 –&gt; 00:09:32.760 Jeff Hunter: yeah CHF and Clark county high school North class of 1979.</p><p>00:09:33.060 –&gt; 00:09:40.680 Joseph McElroy: cool well back then raccoon was I was pretty full of wildlife, I read that you called your childhood Pharaoh What did you mean.</p><p>00:09:41.490 –&gt; 00:09:50.430 Jeff Hunter: I was in the woods every chance, I could get fishing and looking for frogs and toads and turtles and snakes anything I could find that was while.</p><p>00:09:51.840 –&gt; 00:09:58.200 Jeff Hunter: And that slow, I saw that slowly disappear over the years, you know, was an inspiration to do what I do today.</p><p>00:09:58.740 –&gt; 00:10:01.530 Joseph McElroy: wow you know I grew up in Haywood County and.</p><p>00:10:02.760 –&gt; 00:10:05.160 Joseph McElroy: I guess I would describe mine as a little bit Feral like that.</p><p>00:10:06.750 –&gt; 00:10:10.380 Joseph McElroy: I think, was to go down to the pond or the Greek and fish for our so.</p><p>00:10:12.420 –&gt; 00:10:24.450 Joseph McElroy: So I’m so pretty early on, you got involved in environmental issues, you were part I ever that you were part of an effort in the 90s, to save sterling forest what inspired you and how did you get involved in that.</p><p>00:10:24.960 –&gt; 00:10:26.130 Jeff Hunter: Well, that was my home.</p><p>00:10:26.760 –&gt; 00:10:28.620 Jeff Hunter: Forest was you know my backyard.</p><p>00:10:29.130 –&gt; 00:10:34.680 Jeff Hunter: Well, I hike or I fished, and there was a this is 18,000 acres with a privately-owned lance.</p><p>00:10:35.190 –&gt; 00:10:50.340 Jeff Hunter: And the orange of those lands had plans for 14,000 housing units and 8 million square feet of commercial office space in the headwaters of North New Jersey is drinking water supply and so myself and others who love that place got together and.</p><p>00:10:51.480 –&gt; 00:11:00.390 Jeff Hunter: You know, eventually, the owner of that land became a willing seller and turn that over, and now we have sterling for a state park in New York, so what.</p><p>00:11:00.450 –&gt; 00:11:01.740 Jeff Hunter: about protecting what you love.</p><p>00:11:02.640 –&gt; 00:11:05.940 Joseph McElroy: What was the what will you think there was a tipping point to make that happen.</p><p>00:11:06.780 –&gt; 00:11:16.170 Jeff Hunter: I think the public sentiment and persuading the local Congressman that it was in the best interests of his constituents to protect this place so.</p><p>00:11:16.890 –&gt; 00:11:19.230 Joseph McElroy: How big is your crew, did you guys have that we’re doing this.</p><p>00:11:19.530 –&gt; 00:11:23.370 Jeff Hunter: Oh, there were hundreds of folks I played I played a bit part let’s be honest.</p><p>00:11:23.430 –&gt; 00:11:25.230 Joseph McElroy: I mean you were young, yeah you know.</p><p>00:11:26.280 –&gt; 00:11:32.100 Jeff Hunter: You know, I was in my 30s at the time, and I was raising a family, but I stood up at public meetings and.</p><p>00:11:33.240 –&gt; 00:11:39.060 Jeff Hunter: Let my voice be heard and volunteer and got involved at the volunteer level right.</p><p>00:11:40.290 –&gt; 00:11:46.020 Jeff Hunter: And that set the stage for you know changing careers and moving on to what I do today.</p><p>00:11:46.680 –&gt; 00:12:00.840 Joseph McElroy: Well, prior to coming down South you had a 20-year degree career 20-year career in New York, most of that was a Verizon as an engineer, but your college degree was in environmental studies, how did you end up there.</p><p>00:12:02.580 –&gt; 00:12:17.340 Jeff Hunter: Good question, so I ended up in Verizon because I didn’t apply myself in college, shall we say, so what one takes what they get but you know I worked hard and I started in the Union position and was promoted to management and.</p><p>00:12:18.720 –&gt; 00:12:26.730 Jeff Hunter: You know, raise some kids and bought a home in orange county New York, but eventually, you know that wasn’t enough, so I wanted a little bit more out of life and.</p><p>00:12:28.080 –&gt; 00:12:31.950 Jeff Hunter: started to look around for volunteer opportunities and get involved in the Community.</p><p>00:12:33.150 –&gt; 00:12:35.040 Jeff Hunter: And one thing leads to another, and here we are.</p><p>00:12:35.370 –&gt; 00:12:42.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah well remember you were telling me one story about something happening in New York City of you are involved with security or something like that.</p><p>00:12:43.830 –&gt; 00:12:51.630 Jeff Hunter: yeah I handled a New York state’s metadata for the horizon and the 90s and that’s every single call the data so.</p><p>00:12:52.890 –&gt; 00:13:03.090 Jeff Hunter: I worked with those national security issues, and it was an interesting time it was usually pretty boring but every once in a while, like a hot when there was a terrorist incident, for instance.</p><p>00:13:04.500 –&gt; 00:13:04.980 Jeff Hunter: So.</p><p>00:13:06.390 –&gt; 00:13:15.990 Joseph McElroy: cool wow big difference well we’re gonna take a break right now and then we’ll come back and we’re talking about how you made that change what led up to that change in your life.</p><p>00:13:16.890 –&gt; 00:13:17.190 Okay.</p><p>00:15:32.910 –&gt; 00:15:45.030 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts with my guest Jeff Hunter so Jeff, I will, I have two different stories yeah ready website that.</p><p>00:15:45.690 –&gt; 00:15:58.080 Joseph McElroy: The Appalachian trail through high changed your life and that’s why you made your career change with you just you texted me about music and you said, the grateful dead or larger responsible for my career change, so I got two stories I got here.</p><p>00:15:58.380 –&gt; 00:16:03.060 Jeff Hunter: Sure sure okay so back in the 90s.</p><p>00:16:04.440 –&gt; 00:16:23.490 Jeff Hunter: You know, I was a fan of live music and the dead was one of my favorite bands and I got some tickets to go see a benefit concert at the garden in New York, and so I attended, and it was the dead and a bunch of other folks Baba today all the tunji the great Nigerian drummer and.</p><p>00:16:25.080 –&gt; 00:16:31.530 Jeff Hunter: lots of other folks and they were talking in between artists about the issue of tropical rainforest ecosystems.</p><p>00:16:32.220 –&gt; 00:16:46.500 Jeff Hunter: And it really you know I’d never heard anything about it, and so I started a group in my community and started reaching out to public schools and engaging Community members, and you know, I was that lit my fire more than.</p><p>00:16:48.120 –&gt; 00:16:49.170 Jeff Hunter: Verizon did shall we.</p><p>00:16:49.170 –&gt; 00:16:49.470 say.</p><p>00:16:50.550 –&gt; 00:16:57.270 Jeff Hunter: And so you know if you can find a way to get paid for what your passion is you know that’s the path that I chose to follow.</p><p>00:16:57.870 –&gt; 00:17:06.330 Jeff Hunter: And you know along the way, speaking of paths, you know, then the Appalachian trail came along, and in 2000 I took a leave of absence and.</p><p>00:17:06.870 –&gt; 00:17:17.190 Jeff Hunter: walk from Georgia domain and that was the coup de gras right there the corporate experience you know I did not want to go back to white noise and 68 degrees and the hum of mainframe computers.</p><p>00:17:18.690 –&gt; 00:17:24.630 Jeff Hunter: The call of the wild, shall we say, apologies to jack London was begging to me.</p><p>00:17:25.200 –&gt; 00:17:26.940 Joseph McElroy: You know that’s it’s funny but you know.</p><p>00:17:29.070 –&gt; 00:17:40.170 Joseph McElroy: The grateful dead concert was also instrumental in me making a major career-changing my existence, I was working at IBM research triangle park out of college for eight years and.</p><p>00:17:40.890 –&gt; 00:17:48.210 Joseph McElroy: You know I sort of got burned out, you know wasn’t I did really well, but I wasn’t I didn’t like big corporate existence and I.</p><p>00:17:48.630 –&gt; 00:18:07.740 Joseph McElroy: I went to I and I’ve been working on losing some weight and lost a lot of weight and then I went to a grateful dead concert and in Raleigh right and I went dressed in a coat and tie suit and tie right from work, and when I left I no longer had the coat and tie and bought.</p><p>00:18:09.090 –&gt; 00:18:09.930 Joseph McElroy: All sorts of.</p><p>00:18:11.010 –&gt; 00:18:13.440 Joseph McElroy: stuff and it was working that.</p><p>00:18:14.670 –&gt; 00:18:32.070 Joseph McElroy: And really after that never looked never even considered core corporate existence anymore, within a few months, I had left and was you know traveling and doing my artistic entrepreneur existence, it was like you know it was like the catalyst.</p><p>00:18:32.130 –&gt; 00:18:38.430 Jeff Hunter: So you know, and I know that there’s nothing like a grateful dead concert and you know those are days gone by.</p><p>00:18:38.700 –&gt; 00:18:47.790 Jeff Hunter: Oh, it was such a profound experience you know, and when issues of the day, were brought into that wonderful music, it was moving and inspiring.</p><p>00:18:48.120 –&gt; 00:18:58.350 Joseph McElroy: yeah so um so so you know this so 2000 years how long did you how did long did it take you to do that three through like I mean it’s interesting to me.</p><p>00:18:59.040 –&gt; 00:19:11.400 Jeff Hunter: If people five and a half months, so I started march seven down in Georgia, you know winter conditions in the mountains for sure and got to Maine on August 21st so.</p><p>00:19:12.870 –&gt; 00:19:21.420 Jeff Hunter: five and a half months with 26 or 28 days, where I didn’t walk a mile what we would call a zero-day where you take a day off so.</p><p>00:19:21.930 –&gt; 00:19:28.620 Joseph McElroy: We hear a lot about people taking us working through walking it, but how many people actually do the through the whole thing.</p><p>00:19:29.460 –&gt; 00:19:33.210 Jeff Hunter: You know, since I did it 22 years ago the numbers have almost doubled.</p><p>00:19:33.480 –&gt; 00:19:36.540 Jeff Hunter: Really, which is a concern, because you know listen.</p><p>00:19:37.920 –&gt; 00:19:40.200 Jeff Hunter: There are finite resources in the mountains and.</p><p>00:19:42.120 –&gt; 00:19:42.420 Jeff Hunter: But.</p><p>00:19:43.530 –&gt; 00:19:53.640 Jeff Hunter: it’s the most beloved trail in the world, and I think at the time that I did it there were maybe somewhere around 400 or 500 people who completed it that year.</p><p>00:19:53.970 –&gt; 00:20:00.690 Jeff Hunter: mm hmm I don’t know what the current numbers are but the volume of traffic on the trail is increased significantly.</p><p>00:20:01.410 –&gt; 00:20:04.350 Joseph McElroy: that’s interesting, do you think they’ll have to do some sort of.</p><p>00:20:05.730 –&gt; 00:20:13.200 Joseph McElroy: eventually have to do something to slow that down or segment it out, or you know, giving maybe let people do segments, or what would they do.</p><p>00:20:13.380 –&gt; 00:20:15.840 Jeff Hunter: You know that’s a question for brighter minds the mind.</p><p>00:20:15.870 –&gt; 00:20:28.890 Jeff Hunter: But, clearly we want to have a sustainable trail right, we want to have an experience that our children can have our grandchildren can have, and make sure that that remains, you know, an amazing place.</p><p>00:20:30.090 –&gt; 00:20:31.170 Jeff Hunter: to inspire and.</p><p>00:20:33.450 –&gt; 00:20:35.460 Jeff Hunter: make people curious about the natural world.</p><p>00:20:36.330 –&gt; 00:20:51.090 Jeff Hunter: So thankfully it’s the largest volunteer effort, I think, in the States, it’s the trail is maintained by volunteers, the Appalachian trail conservancy is amazing in their stewardship of this trail it’s also a unit of the National Park service.</p><p>00:20:51.450 –&gt; 00:20:51.900 So.</p><p>00:20:53.130 –&gt; 00:20:54.900 Jeff Hunter: it’s got some own behind it, shall we say.</p><p>00:20:54.960 –&gt; 00:20:59.550 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know there’s a nice little segment of it that goes to the rocky mountain park right.</p><p>00:21:00.330 –&gt; 00:21:02.880 Jeff Hunter: yeah the smokies I did the smokies and six days.</p><p>00:21:04.290 –&gt; 00:21:09.870 Jeff Hunter: It was cold, it was wet and I was glad to come out of the mountains, but the beauty was not lost on me.</p><p>00:21:09.960 –&gt; 00:21:10.170 Right.</p><p>00:21:11.250 –&gt; 00:21:16.620 Jeff Hunter: You know whether it was climbing the rich molly’s rich damn Python time and Bam or you know.</p><p>00:21:17.790 –&gt; 00:21:26.220 Jeff Hunter: up at newfound gap trying to hitchhike a ride down into Gatlinburg to no avail, and then continuing in the snow onto the north, end of the park.</p><p>00:21:27.990 –&gt; 00:21:33.420 Jeff Hunter: Now I probably complained a little bit back then, but here I am in the warmth of the home, and I can look back and say.</p><p>00:21:34.740 –&gt; 00:21:36.210 Jeff Hunter: Forget about the aches and pains.</p><p>00:21:37.860 –&gt; 00:21:45.540 Joseph McElroy: You know we have a lot of hikers that come and stay at the hotel when they come out of the mountain and they all talk about the beauty of it, you know it’s like a.</p><p>00:21:45.990 –&gt; 00:21:53.460 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s really a trend transcended for some of them, so when you did this hike was that your first time in the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:21:53.880 –&gt; 00:21:54.810 Jeff Hunter: It was actually.</p><p>00:21:55.290 –&gt; 00:21:57.000 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s funny today.</p><p>00:21:58.230 –&gt; 00:22:03.480 Jeff Hunter: my daughter Martha sent me a photograph of something I mailed to her from the trail.</p><p>00:22:04.710 –&gt; 00:22:06.090 Jeff Hunter: I was at a hostel in</p><p>00:22:07.350 –&gt; 00:22:14.970 Jeff Hunter: a place that no longer exists called mountain mama’s country store was your big creek at the Waterville exit off I- 40.</p><p>00:22:15.630 –&gt; 00:22:26.460 Jeff Hunter: And I found a piece of sycamore bark and I wrote my daughter a note on this piece of bark and I mailed it to her when she was 10 years old and so 22 years later today.</p><p>00:22:27.330 –&gt; 00:22:36.420 Jeff Hunter: And it said something to the effect of you know, this is a beautiful place and I want to, I want to bring you here someday and she lives in Tennessee now and I live in North Carolina.</p><p>00:22:36.450 –&gt; 00:22:41.580 Joseph McElroy: wow did you ever think when you were doing that hike you would end up living in this area.</p><p>00:22:41.970 –&gt; 00:22:44.370 Jeff Hunter: Not in my wildest dreams, to be honest with you.</p><p>00:22:45.660 –&gt; 00:22:48.150 Jeff Hunter: it’s you know I’m a lucky man.</p><p>00:22:49.350 –&gt; 00:22:59.190 Jeff Hunter: You know my I followed my passion and my dad used to always say work hard and it’s not my favorite thing to do, but.</p><p>00:23:00.840 –&gt; 00:23:05.130 Jeff Hunter: I tried to follow his advice and it’s led to some good outcomes I’m grateful for that.</p><p>00:23:05.580 –&gt; 00:23:06.990 Joseph McElroy: Well, how did you end up in the smokies</p><p>00:23:09.390 –&gt; 00:23:10.830 Jeff Hunter: You mean on the trail or.</p><p>00:23:10.890 –&gt; 00:23:13.290 Joseph McElroy: No, no, moving down here how did you end up here.</p><p>00:23:13.530 –&gt; 00:23:21.360 Jeff Hunter: Oh gosh so it’s a real circuitous journey, I guess, in 2003 I moved from the lower Hudson Valley, I was living in Warwick New York.</p><p>00:23:21.420 –&gt; 00:23:22.140 Jeff Hunter: orange county.</p><p>00:23:22.320 –&gt; 00:23:33.570 Jeff Hunter: Apple Country to Chattanooga Tennessee and I worked for five years for the American hiking society working on recreation issues involving trails in a nine-state region.</p><p>00:23:34.410 –&gt; 00:23:46.740 Jeff Hunter: And from there, I was recruited to go and lead a wilderness campaign focused on the Cherokee national forest which eventually protected permanently four and a half miles of the Appalachian trail and a new wilderness area.</p><p>00:23:48.630 –&gt; 00:24:04.470 Jeff Hunter: From there, I was recruited to go out to California, to the Eastern Sierra a high desert landscape, to work on that in that place, and then I was lucky enough to be able to come back here to the East and work for National Parks Conservation Association in the Asheville area.</p><p>00:24:05.130 –&gt; 00:24:11.850 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool what was a well when we first came here to American hiking society, what was the project that attracted you.</p><p>00:24:12.570 –&gt; 00:24:21.270 Jeff Hunter: it’s called the Southern Appalachian initiative, and it was an effort to build a 5000-mile interconnected network of hiking trails in a nine-state region.</p><p>00:24:22.830 –&gt; 00:24:27.690 Jeff Hunter: included something at the time that was called the Western Appalachian alternative which was.</p><p>00:24:28.140 –&gt; 00:24:43.890 Jeff Hunter: This view of long-distance south to north hiking trail west of the Appalachian trail, which today exists it’s called the Great Eastern trail so that vision of a new system of protected lands that would offer experiences to folks really called to me.</p><p>00:24:45.570 –&gt; 00:24:51.240 Jeff Hunter: And it’s funny a friend of mine sent me that job posting for someone who I met in Manhattan.</p><p>00:24:52.290 –&gt; 00:25:05.250 Jeff Hunter: who’s now he’s gone he’s passed, but I would not have known about that job unless you’ve mailed me that that announcement you know so sometimes it’s about being in the right place right time and connected to the right people and.</p><p>00:25:05.850 –&gt; 00:25:10.620 Joseph McElroy: Did you have anything to the mountain to the sea trail part of that or is it something different.</p><p>00:25:10.920 –&gt; 00:25:19.470 Jeff Hunter: Oh yeah the mouse to sea trail was definitely involved so in 2007 I I’m a facilitator it’s one of the things I do I facilitated their first-ever.</p><p>00:25:21.210 –&gt; 00:25:22.170 Jeff Hunter: Strategic Plan.</p><p>00:25:23.280 –&gt; 00:25:29.820 Jeff Hunter: I also work with the Carolina mountain Club in Asheville that same year, and helped them with this change plan their first.</p><p>00:25:32.520 –&gt; 00:25:39.930 Jeff Hunter: So yeah I love the MST I’ve walked parts of it in the smokies and parts of it along the Blue Ridge parkway it’s a great system.</p><p>00:25:40.860 –&gt; 00:25:45.930 Joseph McElroy: So you, you went hippie for a little while went out to California and then he came back.</p><p>00:25:48.480 –&gt; 00:25:54.090 Joseph McElroy: And what was the project that brought you back to the national parks conservatory conservation association.</p><p>00:25:54.210 –&gt; 00:25:57.060 Jeff Hunter: Well it’s interesting you know when I interviewed for the job.</p><p>00:25:58.830 –&gt; 00:26:05.280 Jeff Hunter: The gentleman interviewing me tossed up a book on the table in front of me and said there’s your work plan, and it was a.</p><p>00:26:05.970 –&gt; 00:26:14.790 Jeff Hunter: was a document that was drafted by a friend and colleague of mine who are when you know works for the wilderness society, it was called return the great forest.</p><p>00:26:15.420 –&gt; 00:26:22.380 Jeff Hunter: And in that document, it talked about the issue with interstate 40 being an obstacle to wildlife moving from the South to the North.</p><p>00:26:23.040 –&gt; 00:26:31.620 Jeff Hunter: And that, when I heard about that I thought wow that’s a topic, I think I could sink my teeth into because who likes to see an animal get hit on the road right nobody.</p><p>00:26:32.730 –&gt; 00:26:41.040 Jeff Hunter: And the older, I get the more it pisses me off, frankly, and so it provided an opportunity to put some energy into that effort.</p><p>00:26:42.360 –&gt; 00:26:47.520 Joseph McElroy: So what is the type of work that you do, what is it you actually do in your job.</p><p>00:26:48.090 –&gt; 00:26:51.960 Jeff Hunter: Sure, I like to think I bring people together to have.</p><p>00:26:53.610 –&gt; 00:26:56.730 Jeff Hunter: Successful meetings with good outcomes that benefit the natural world.</p><p>00:26:58.200 –&gt; 00:27:05.670 Jeff Hunter: And the communities that surround them so whether it’s protecting clean water or clean air or teaching the next generation about.</p><p>00:27:07.350 –&gt; 00:27:20.820 Jeff Hunter: civics how to get involved in the system, how our parks are owned by all of us that’s lost on people they don’t realize the smokies belongs to every single American is our heritage.</p><p>00:27:21.960 –&gt; 00:27:31.350 Jeff Hunter: And it’s entrusted to the National Park service they manage those lands for us but Congress ultimately appropriates the funds that make that system run.</p><p>00:27:31.860 –&gt; 00:27:35.430 Jeff Hunter: And, and the American voice is important, so we lift up voices and.</p><p>00:27:36.690 –&gt; 00:27:39.450 Jeff Hunter: Protect place and wildlife and it’s.</p><p>00:27:42.840 –&gt; 00:27:45.390 Jeff Hunter: it’s it’s a large responsibility.</p><p>00:27:46.800 –&gt; 00:27:47.190 Jeff Hunter: To have.</p><p>00:27:48.090 –&gt; 00:27:53.910 Joseph McElroy: So a little bit of a Community organizing a little bit of PR and a little bit of hard work right.</p><p>00:27:54.750 –&gt; 00:28:05.220 Jeff Hunter: yeah you know I learned how to be an organizer when I lead the Tennessee wild wilderness campaign if you’re going to pass legislation in Congress, you need to bring people together and so it’s about.</p><p>00:28:06.690 –&gt; 00:28:12.960 Jeff Hunter: Bringing diverse voices, you know all across the political spectrum together and common cause and that’s what I do.</p><p>00:28:14.730 –&gt; 00:28:21.600 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, we have to take another break and when we come back we’ll talk the more about this passion for the wildlife and the safe passage.</p><p>00:30:28.110 –&gt; 00:30:34.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jeff Hunter.</p><p>00:30:35.130 –&gt; 00:30:41.820 Joseph McElroy: So Jeff one of our earliest guests in the show is a colleague of yours, Frances Figart and we’re carrying her.</p><p>00:30:42.630 –&gt; 00:30:56.580 Joseph McElroy: You know her book safe passages book at the Heritage Center bookstore and you know it’s a wonderful little story for finding out about, especially for teams, I think, to learn about wildlife crossings and why they’re good.</p><p>00:30:57.690 –&gt; 00:30:58.320 Joseph McElroy: Can you.</p><p>00:30:59.520 –&gt; 00:31:05.370 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us you’re working on a project now to create a wildlife crossing you mentioned, where is that.</p><p>00:31:06.660 –&gt; 00:31:18.120 Jeff Hunter: Here, so I facilitate a collaborative effort it’s you know we have federal state tribal and non-governmental organizations coming together around the table.</p><p>00:31:18.870 –&gt; 00:31:28.170 Jeff Hunter: working to improve wildlife’s ability to cross Interstate 40 in a 28-mile stretch just outside the smokies that are eight miles in Tennessee.</p><p>00:31:28.500 –&gt; 00:31:38.670 Jeff Hunter: And 20 miles north Carolina from the Maggie valley exit to the State line in the state line to the foothills parkway in Tennessee we’re looking really closely and seeing how can we.</p><p>00:31:40.080 –&gt; 00:31:41.520 Jeff Hunter: How can we fix this situation.</p><p>00:31:42.630 –&gt; 00:31:49.140 Jeff Hunter: For instance, we had 101 dead bears down along the side of the road, and the last three years.</p><p>00:31:50.220 –&gt; 00:31:57.630 Jeff Hunter: 2019 2020 2021 three years and that’s probably two and a half times low that numbers and that’s.</p><p>00:31:59.040 –&gt; 00:32:05.670 Jeff Hunter: Some people would say that’s the cost of doing business and I disagree and so we’re coming together working on that.</p><p>00:32:06.990 –&gt; 00:32:09.630 Joseph McElroy: Have you how do you get, how do you get those mortality records.</p><p>00:32:11.250 –&gt; 00:32:18.960 Jeff Hunter: Well, historically, they exist across various agencies, but you know, for the real-time stuff the last three years are driving surveys.</p><p>00:32:20.010 –&gt; 00:32:26.040 Jeff Hunter: Every week going out and driving the corridor and looking you know, on the road to see.</p><p>00:32:27.300 –&gt; 00:32:36.300 Jeff Hunter: what’s been hit our focus species have been black bear white-tailed deer and elk big stuff you know, because if you hit that with your car.</p><p>00:32:36.690 –&gt; 00:32:41.700 Jeff Hunter: It could cause serious property damage, maybe personal injury and you can actually quantify the impact.</p><p>00:32:42.300 –&gt; 00:33:00.750 Jeff Hunter: Of that damage and, of course, if you can make it better for those big things to cross the road, perhaps you, you can improve it for the little stuff right and the smokies are filled with little stuff whether it’s salamanders or snakes or you name it, you know raccoons small mammals.</p><p>00:33:01.830 –&gt; 00:33:09.090 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I mean for all those big ones die there are probably 10 times that are the small animals or die right.</p><p>00:33:09.240 –&gt; 00:33:10.770 Jeff Hunter: The small stuff has no shot.</p><p>00:33:10.800 –&gt; 00:33:18.240 Jeff Hunter: In this corner right there’s it’s two lanes each direction there’s a concrete barrier in the middle.</p><p>00:33:19.800 –&gt; 00:33:28.110 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s a death trap, but some of the big stuff can get through, but with 26,000 vehicles, a day you know a lot of stuff that gets killed.</p><p>00:33:28.410 –&gt; 00:33:38.310 Jeff Hunter: we’re looking forward to the day when there’s 35,000 vehicles, a day or 45,000 vehicles, a day and nothing has a shot that’s the situation we’re trying to avoid.</p><p>00:33:38.700 –&gt; 00:33:43.560 Joseph McElroy: When a lot of cases humans get hurt too, but pretty badly there’s a lot of costs associated with that right.</p><p>00:33:44.040 –&gt; 00:33:50.670 Jeff Hunter: Well, on average over 200 Americans every year are killed in wildlife-vehicle collisions so it’s a real situation.</p><p>00:33:51.960 –&gt; 00:33:58.020 Jeff Hunter: You know and Maggie Valley right there are thousand-pound bull elk you did not want to hit a bullet with your</p><p>00:33:59.550 –&gt; 00:34:00.510 Joseph McElroy: Total your car.</p><p>00:34:01.470 –&gt; 00:34:02.280 Jeff Hunter: You know so.</p><p>00:34:02.370 –&gt; 00:34:17.100 Jeff Hunter: You know the US 19 through Maggie Valley right there that’s a slower road than I 40 and so you’re going 60 miles an hour on I-40 and an elephant here in the middle of the road that’s a problem that’s a big problem.</p><p>00:34:18.750 –&gt; 00:34:29.670 Joseph McElroy: You know I you I went to that presentation you didn’t Maggie Valley chamber, commerce and you were talking about that I thought was an interesting project you guys do use you put up live cameras right to keep track of where they’re crossing.</p><p>00:34:30.540 –&gt; 00:34:40.080 Jeff Hunter: Now we had about 120 cameras spread out in the gorge over two years you know, in the right of way seeing what’s encroaching on the roadway also.</p><p>00:34:41.670 –&gt; 00:34:51.780 Jeff Hunter: Checking structures, like you know exits are their animals going underneath the bridge or the crossing on the highway there and so we’ve got an A tremendous amount of information.</p><p>00:34:52.980 –&gt; 00:35:08.580 Jeff Hunter: Next month will be reconvening the stakeholders and making some key decisions about our research findings, you know where can we agree on priority areas in the gorge you can’t fix everything right you can’t literally fix everything on every road.</p><p>00:35:09.450 –&gt; 00:35:16.320 Jeff Hunter: We can establish priorities and get together and make a concerted effort to make the world that place we’ve all wanted to see.</p><p>00:35:17.400 –&gt; 00:35:27.330 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool you know, one of the wonderful I really sort of uniquely memorable experiences reaches is not only the great geographical beauty but.</p><p>00:35:28.380 –&gt; 00:35:38.670 Joseph McElroy: The easy access and exposure to unusual wildlife big ones like the elk and deer Turkey and black bears and I know that, during my lifetime.</p><p>00:35:40.170 –&gt; 00:35:51.750 Joseph McElroy: When there was time those animals were almost extinct, and you know, in our case, the elk was extinct and it’s got reintroduced so it’s really great to see all these species have rebounded and are increasing.</p><p>00:35:52.980 –&gt; 00:36:05.760 Joseph McElroy: But it took decades to do that, and the last thing we want is to see these animals will be decimated again now so I’m pretty happier doing so what is the current status of the project.</p><p>00:36:06.720 –&gt; 00:36:07.290 So.</p><p>00:36:08.370 –&gt; 00:36:22.080 Jeff Hunter: We conducted this to your research, as I mentioned, and we’re in the final stages of analysis and late in late March march 29 actually will be convening stakeholders and Haywood Community College.</p><p>00:36:23.760 –&gt; 00:36:27.930 Jeff Hunter: Shannon Rabbie there who runs the wildlife program is opening up that.</p><p>00:36:29.940 –&gt; 00:36:36.330 Jeff Hunter: That University that College for us that Community college and will be his students will actually be volunteering and observing.</p><p>00:36:36.690 –&gt; 00:36:52.170 Jeff Hunter: Alongside folks from the National Park Service, the fire service, the North Carolina Department of Transportation the Tennessee wildlife resource agency, and lots of other groups, looking at maps, looking at the hotspots where stuff getting killed and what might we do together.</p><p>00:36:53.490 –&gt; 00:37:00.930 Jeff Hunter: to fix that and I certainly don’t have all the answers, right here, right now, those answers will need to come together.</p><p>00:37:02.970 –&gt; 00:37:03.930 Jeff Hunter: through collaboration.</p><p>00:37:04.290 –&gt; 00:37:05.730 Joseph McElroy: mm hmm what.</p><p>00:37:06.750 –&gt; 00:37:12.660 Joseph McElroy: What is it all government-funded or also private money or donations how’s it getting funded.</p><p>00:37:13.080 –&gt; 00:37:20.640 Jeff Hunter: So so for my work, we don’t receive government funding national parks conservation association is funding funded by ours.</p><p>00:37:21.090 –&gt; 00:37:33.630 Jeff Hunter: members and supporters and if folks want to learn more they can check us out at mpc a dot Org but in terms of safe passage our research partners, while dance network and my organization.</p><p>00:37:34.710 –&gt; 00:37:36.990 Jeff Hunter: Are funding the research have funded the research.</p><p>00:37:38.040 –&gt; 00:37:48.270 Jeff Hunter: And we’re coming together when we first started talking about this issue, there were no dollars at the state or federal level to do anything about reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions.</p><p>00:37:48.750 –&gt; 00:37:57.240 Jeff Hunter: But here’s the good story here’s the exciting stuff now just in the last six months, Congress has passed an infrastructure bill.</p><p>00:37:58.230 –&gt; 00:38:06.180 Jeff Hunter: That appropriate that that provides 350 million dollars over five years for pilot projects to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.</p><p>00:38:07.110 –&gt; 00:38:21.030 Jeff Hunter: So there are issues all over the country, but when you have all the stakeholders together in one room already talking about the issues following science taking a science-based approach we’ve got a real shot at those competitive dollars so.</p><p>00:38:22.620 –&gt; 00:38:24.600 Jeff Hunter: there’s good stuff on the horizon we’re hoping.</p><p>00:38:25.020 –&gt; 00:38:28.440 Joseph McElroy: As soon as well you know how long it take to takes to complete this one.</p><p>00:38:29.580 –&gt; 00:38:35.070 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s hard to say, this is nothing that happens quickly in the transportation world.</p><p>00:38:36.180 –&gt; 00:38:44.310 Jeff Hunter: These agencies plan out 2025 years so looking at the growth they’re anticipating where they’ll need to widen roads so.</p><p>00:38:45.690 –&gt; 00:39:01.080 Jeff Hunter: Hopefully there’ll be some short-term benefits for wildlife, you know if we can figure out areas where fencing can funnel wildlife to existing structures and get them safely under the road to protect motorists and the wildlife themselves.</p><p>00:39:02.400 –&gt; 00:39:09.900 Jeff Hunter: will look for those I’m sure bigger stuff if there’s the new infrastructure needed, you know whether that’s why like overpasses or underpasses.</p><p>00:39:11.160 –&gt; 00:39:13.980 Jeff Hunter: That will take a little longer right because you have feasibility.</p><p>00:39:16.350 –&gt; 00:39:20.370 Jeff Hunter: I’m an organizer our research tells us where the problems are right, but you need.</p><p>00:39:20.370 –&gt; 00:39:30.420 Jeff Hunter: an engineer to say Okay, the geology here is stable enough to do something, whether it’s a wildlife overpass or an underpass so those folks you know.</p><p>00:39:30.900 –&gt; 00:39:40.380 Joseph McElroy: So you’re going to build a mix of things like going through culverts and doing stuff at overpasses and only animals use and that sort of there will be people be able to use as overpasses.</p><p>00:39:41.310 –&gt; 00:39:45.480 Jeff Hunter: So, best practices wildlife only for overpasses right.</p><p>00:39:46.710 –&gt; 00:40:02.760 Jeff Hunter: And so that would be certainly my desire, I will say this, that not far from Maggie Valley it’s probably about a 90-minute drive if someone was Dr 19 down to near Fontana Dam on North Carolina 143.</p><p>00:40:04.080 –&gt; 00:40:12.000 Jeff Hunter: The do T as an answer they’re going to build a bridge for wildlife and Appalachian trail hikers at a place called stucco a gap.</p><p>00:40:12.300 –&gt; 00:40:24.240 Jeff Hunter: Oh, this is between sheila bald and Fontana damn on the trail that’s a rugged area it’s also the first place, I did a 20-mile day to get to a payphone to call my 10-year-old daughter, on her.</p><p>00:40:27.960 –&gt; 00:40:38.130 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s fabulous I mean it’s so nice to see that there are others are there, others are happening, do you are, you are you do you know of any other projects, you might be working on that are.</p><p>00:40:41.130 –&gt; 00:40:48.030 Jeff Hunter: You know, every interstate highway this east, west where it passes through public lands becomes a problem for wildlife.</p><p>00:40:48.120 –&gt; 00:40:50.250 Jeff Hunter: If you don’t have wildlife.</p><p>00:40:52.320 –&gt; 00:40:59.940 Jeff Hunter: factored into the design of the roadway so so we’re looking you know where we’re looking at I 40 we’re looking a little north or south.</p><p>00:41:01.020 –&gt; 00:41:05.880 Jeff Hunter: The key is that we’re working with the agencies we’re building a community of practice right.</p><p>00:41:06.240 –&gt; 00:41:07.770 Jeff Hunter: Here in the East, you don’t have as.</p><p>00:41:07.770 –&gt; 00:41:16.500 Jeff Hunter: Many wildlife overpass underpass structures to see do out West, you know, because the majority of public lands in this country let’s face it, or out West.</p><p>00:41:17.070 –&gt; 00:41:33.570 Jeff Hunter: But here in North Carolina and Tennessee we’ve got the smokies but 523 000 acres you know, surrounded by the napa Haleigh the pisco Cherokee national forests, the Blue Ridge parkway there’s an abundance of public lands and so it’s in the public’s interest right.</p><p>00:41:34.680 –&gt; 00:41:37.230 Jeff Hunter: 14.1 million visitors to the smokies.</p><p>00:41:37.350 –&gt; 00:41:42.690 Jeff Hunter: yeah who wants to hit a bear on your way to make a what a way to ruin a vacation right.</p><p>00:41:42.750 –&gt; 00:41:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Real quick.</p><p>00:41:43.320 –&gt; 00:41:44.520 Joseph McElroy: Real quick in her yeah.</p><p>00:41:44.940 –&gt; 00:41:45.720 Jeff Hunter: Right so.</p><p>00:41:47.250 –&gt; 00:41:49.680 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s a big picture approach we’re taking.</p><p>00:41:50.460 –&gt; 00:42:01.560 Joseph McElroy: Well, besides, you know obvious government regulations and bureaucracy and things like that Where are you getting pushback from anything for doing this sort of thing.</p><p>00:42:02.580 –&gt; 00:42:11.730 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s funny it’s nice to have an issue like this right, I mentioned earlier, I ran a wilderness campaign wilderness can be pretty contentious you know because.</p><p>00:42:11.940 –&gt; 00:42:20.910 Jeff Hunter: you can’t take a mountain bike you can’t take anything motorized and wilderness can’t even take a chainsaw wilderness right, you have to clear the trails with a cross-cut saw the old-timey way.</p><p>00:42:21.960 –&gt; 00:42:28.290 Jeff Hunter: The issue I’m working on with safe passage is is the public is just responding and great ways.</p><p>00:42:29.370 –&gt; 00:42:43.560 Jeff Hunter: They understand the issues clearly I mean every you drive the interstate you’re going to see that there are deer dead raccoons dead foxes and coyotes it gets old right it’s like can we fix that and.</p><p>00:42:44.730 –&gt; 00:42:51.870 Jeff Hunter: So people get excited about the idea of actually having their tax dollars spent on something that not only benefits them but benefits wildlife.</p><p>00:42:52.740 –&gt; 00:43:04.860 Joseph McElroy: cool well, we got to take another break here when we come back we’ll talk a little bit about you know your knowledge of the area where visitors might want to come to do.</p><p>00:45:05.910 –&gt; 00:45:12.120 Joseph McElroy: howdy it is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Jeff Hunter so.</p><p>00:45:12.540 –&gt; 00:45:17.400 Joseph McElroy: Jeff you, you know the Appalachian trail you’ve gone the whole distance and you know you know the.</p><p>00:45:17.970 –&gt; 00:45:33.360 Joseph McElroy: Great smoky mountain national park and the Blue Ridge parkway so I doubt there are many folks that know all these betters all these three areas, better than you so where what would you tell visited this area that are really nice places to visit what’s your favorite place.</p><p>00:45:33.930 –&gt; 00:45:35.580 Jeff Hunter: Oh gosh there’s so many.</p><p>00:45:36.900 –&gt; 00:45:45.330 Jeff Hunter: You know I’ve got a map of the smokies here, open up on my desk while I’m talking to you, and you know, one of my favorite places of the Blue Ridge parkway.</p><p>00:45:46.080 –&gt; 00:45:53.520 Jeff Hunter: To hike in the smokies is that flat creek trail and that’s just a short distance from Maggie Valley it’s.</p><p>00:45:54.120 –&gt; 00:46:12.630 Jeff Hunter: it’s a relatively easy trail of walk with big rewards, particularly in spring with songbirds and flowers that are a favorite place or you can drive up to the parkway and go north to what a rock knob which has over 6000 feet beautiful views cool weather.</p><p>00:46:14.460 –&gt; 00:46:18.750 Jeff Hunter: You know that’s close right now, because of the season, but those are a couple of favorite places.</p><p>00:46:20.130 –&gt; 00:46:21.330 Jeff Hunter: The Cataloochee Valley.</p><p>00:46:21.810 –&gt; 00:46:23.310 Jeff Hunter: um which is you know.</p><p>00:46:23.370 –&gt; 00:46:24.390 Joseph McElroy: A spectacular.</p><p>00:46:25.020 –&gt; 00:46:40.020 Jeff Hunter: Maggie Valleys the gateway there that’s where elk reintroduced just over 20 years ago and there are historic structures there a lot of historical interpretation about the folks who live there, back in the day and.</p><p>00:46:41.100 –&gt; 00:46:49.710 Jeff Hunter: Last time I was there I saw a couple of bears eating apples and some apple trees that and those trees are there because there were settlers there.</p><p>00:46:50.190 –&gt; 00:46:51.570 Jeff Hunter: And one of the partners created.</p><p>00:46:53.430 –&gt; 00:47:01.920 Joseph McElroy: Now I took my three-year-old up there, when I was, like last time now down there they just they got to see out for the first time that first big animal of any sort and they were just dumped.</p><p>00:47:03.540 –&gt; 00:47:09.960 Joseph McElroy: old enough to know that it was something you know what I mean it’s like yeah getting their experience the wildlife early is great.</p><p>00:47:11.610 –&gt; 00:47:18.660 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any places where a real experienced hiker needs to get you would have to go to anything like that.</p><p>00:47:18.810 –&gt; 00:47:22.890 Jeff Hunter: Oh yeah I totally do I’m flipping the map over here.</p><p>00:47:24.660 –&gt; 00:47:28.560 Jeff Hunter: I’ll tell you a little story, if I may.</p><p>00:47:28.830 –&gt; 00:47:32.010 Jeff Hunter: Sure, my wife and I, Carra.</p><p>00:47:33.660 –&gt; 00:47:41.820 Jeff Hunter: We went to the park in late December with the goal of hiking the Booger Man trail.</p><p>00:47:42.270 –&gt; 00:47:52.680 Jeff Hunter: Boogerman trail goes through the old-growth forest this huge giant oak trees and poplar trees and all the hemlocks are dead, sadly, but lots of big trees remain.</p><p>00:47:53.250 –&gt; 00:48:01.470 Jeff Hunter: We were going to make a loop with the Caldwell for the trail, and unfortunately there were a series of bridges out on the Caldwell for the trail.</p><p>00:48:02.280 –&gt; 00:48:13.770 Jeff Hunter: that’s a result of the maintenance backlog with the park service and that’s an issue we work on to ensure park funding so that parking infrastructure allows for safe experiences for visitors now.</p><p>00:48:15.000 –&gt; 00:48:24.450 Jeff Hunter: I guess we’re not your typical visitors we like that you know Alan a hairy edge sometimes, so we ended up doing all those stream crossings waiting across them in the winter.</p><p>00:48:25.920 –&gt; 00:48:28.260 Jeff Hunter: The water was waist-deep in some places.</p><p>00:48:30.330 –&gt; 00:48:36.990 Jeff Hunter: It was exhilarating it was in nursing, but in the end, it’s an experience will never forget.</p><p>00:48:37.590 –&gt; 00:48:39.960 Joseph McElroy: So that the experience people don’t take your kids there.</p><p>00:48:41.760 –&gt; 00:48:51.000 Joseph McElroy: But that’s cool well you’re also you told me a music aficionado and you live in the Asheville area whatever what are you some of your favorite music places in that area.</p><p>00:48:51.330 –&gt; 00:48:57.210 Jeff Hunter: Well, so there’s a new place called rabbit downtown that has a lot of outdoor shows.</p><p>00:48:58.230 –&gt; 00:48:59.010 Jeff Hunter: In Ashville.</p><p>00:49:00.120 –&gt; 00:49:10.560 Jeff Hunter: And we have tickets to go see bony there this June and Bonnie light Horsemen that should be fun of course he had the orange peel and places like the great eagle great venues.</p><p>00:49:11.790 –&gt; 00:49:16.230 Jeff Hunter: You know it’s really a shame, what the pandemic has done to these live music venues they’re.</p><p>00:49:17.520 –&gt; 00:49:27.960 Jeff Hunter: Really they’re there they’re trying to keep above water, so you know as we emerged from this crisis, you know I would encourage people to support the local establishment’s local music scene.</p><p>00:49:28.590 –&gt; 00:49:38.670 Jeff Hunter: You know here in Burnsville where I live, and Yancey County, which is about 40 minutes from Asheville we have a place called the homeplace brewery and you’ll get a kick out of this.</p><p>00:49:39.690 –&gt; 00:49:44.160 Jeff Hunter: This spring marks the 50th anniversary of the grateful dead’s Europe 72 tour.</p><p>00:49:44.310 –&gt; 00:49:48.990 Jeff Hunter: Oh so on may 25 of 2022.</p><p>00:49:49.590 –&gt; 00:49:50.160 Jeff Hunter: On the air.</p><p>00:49:50.250 –&gt; 00:50:04.080 Jeff Hunter: The MC and a host for an event at the homeplace brewery in Burnsville where we will stream the show from May 26 1972 the Lyceum in London, England, and will stream that in its entirety.</p><p>00:50:04.920 –&gt; 00:50:11.700 Jeff Hunter: Hopefully, will you know get the dance a little bit and enjoy the days leading up to Memorial Day weekend so.</p><p>00:50:11.790 –&gt; 00:50:15.240 Joseph McElroy: wow you’d be able to give some commentary about what you remember.</p><p>00:50:15.810 –&gt; 00:50:19.680 Jeff Hunter: Well, you know at the time I was 11 right my show is was 78.</p><p>00:50:19.740 –&gt; 00:50:30.510 Jeff Hunter: So, but that’s my favorite period of music the beauty, is that folks back in the day recorded the show, so these recordings for man are artifacts.</p><p>00:50:32.310 –&gt; 00:50:37.770 Jeff Hunter: And they’re out in the public domain it’s you know it’s a gift that keeps on giving.</p><p>00:50:38.160 –&gt; 00:50:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Did you see that documentary of the Beatles that last concert that just recently came out.</p><p>00:50:43.590 –&gt; 00:50:52.650 Jeff Hunter: I haven’t known, and you mentioned Frances who you had on your podcast recently she and I were corresponding over the weekend and she asked if the car and I had seen that yet.</p><p>00:50:52.950 –&gt; 00:50:57.870 Jeff Hunter: She and her husband had just seen it so it’s on the yes pile, but we will get there.</p><p>00:50:58.440 –&gt; 00:51:02.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah I got so many on my got to see pile it’s like yeah.</p><p>00:51:03.090 –&gt; 00:51:16.680 Joseph McElroy: there’s too much content these days and I’m a content producer so it’s always an adventure so what’s the website people can go to to find out more information about wildlife past the wildlife passages.</p><p>00:51:16.860 –&gt; 00:51:27.690 Jeff Hunter: sure that the address is smokies safe passage and that’s Smokiessafepassage.Org</p><p>00:51:29.190 –&gt; 00:51:38.580 Jeff Hunter: And you know, there are six nonprofit organizations that have come together, specifically to create that website and push information out to the public.</p><p>00:51:39.240 –&gt; 00:51:44.850 Joseph McElroy: cool and if they want to follow you is do you have any place for them to come follow you.</p><p>00:51:45.690 –&gt; 00:52:00.960 Jeff Hunter: I, the only place I’m at other than here and Burnsville are LinkedIn, believe it or not, you know, I was an early adopter to that networking platform and that’s really it’s actually helped in my work and building the efforts.</p><p>00:52:02.280 –&gt; 00:52:04.290 Jeff Hunter: To protect places like the smokies so.</p><p>00:52:04.590 –&gt; 00:52:09.780 Joseph McElroy: I noticed that to find you those Jeffrey H you don’t have your last name up there yeah.</p><p>00:52:09.840 –&gt; 00:52:12.330 Jeff Hunter: I think that’s the privacy setting you just have to.</p><p>00:52:12.720 –&gt; 00:52:13.170 Jeff Hunter: Really.</p><p>00:52:13.230 –&gt; 00:52:15.090 Jeff Hunter: Unless you’re connected to me you can’t see the last name.</p><p>00:52:15.180 –&gt; 00:52:21.660 Joseph McElroy: Well, to try and find somebody is trying to search for you right you try to search for the different hunter and you will find you.</p><p>00:52:22.590 –&gt; 00:52:23.790 Jeff Hunter: I think they’ll find, I think.</p><p>00:52:24.960 –&gt; 00:52:34.560 Joseph McElroy: I was just trying to do that earlier and I couldn’t I had to do it, I had actually gone Jeffrey and then your position and you’re an organization that’s I found.</p><p>00:52:34.710 –&gt; 00:52:41.040 Jeff Hunter: yeah listen to people who want to reach out here’s my email is Jayhunter@NPCA.Org</p><p>00:52:41.460 –&gt; 00:52:43.560 Jeff Hunter: And I love a conversation over coffee.</p><p>00:52:43.560 –&gt; 00:52:45.030 Jeff Hunter: Virtual or otherwise.</p><p>00:52:45.540 –&gt; 00:52:54.750 Joseph McElroy: Well cool I appreciate when I come down here, you should come out to Meadowlark and see what we’re doing there and hang out and have a car, I have, I have something the speakeasy we’re doing some music now too so.</p><p>00:52:55.410 –&gt; 00:52:58.050 Jeff Hunter: I’ll do that, you can rest assured.</p><p>00:52:58.470 –&gt; 00:53:09.510 Joseph McElroy: All right, that’d be cool I’d like to hang out appreciate you being on this podcast it’s been enlightening I think you’re doing is a fantastic thing and I love the grateful dead connection.</p><p>00:53:12.270 –&gt; 00:53:13.410 Joseph McElroy: Of the small world isn’t it.</p><p>00:53:13.410 –&gt; 00:53:15.270 Joseph McElroy: Oh, to do a dead, have you ever been to burning man.</p><p>00:53:16.320 –&gt; 00:53:16.770 Jeff Hunter: You know.</p><p>00:53:17.490 –&gt; 00:53:31.260 Jeff Hunter: I’ll just throw this and I actually teach classes on the grateful dead at UNC Asheville it’s a volunteer effort, I just through the pandemic I’ve been doing it virtually to bring people together and build community and that’s what I do is build Community I try anyway.</p><p>00:53:31.770 –&gt; 00:53:44.610 Joseph McElroy: So cool alright so again, thank you very much, so this podcast is on the talk radio dot NYC network, which is a network of the live podcasts.</p><p>00:53:45.720 –&gt; 00:53:52.620 Joseph McElroy: ranging from small business help to self-help to travel shows to you know to.</p><p>00:53:53.760 –&gt; 00:54:01.830 Joseph McElroy: Health shows alternative wellness and I think it’s a very interesting network, you should go to talkradio.NYC and look at all the shows and.</p><p>00:54:02.130 –&gt; 00:54:11.130 Joseph McElroy: Follow someone can listen to them live, I also have another podcast on Fridays at noon it’s called wise content creates wealth, which focuses in.</p><p>00:54:11.580 –&gt; 00:54:22.650 Joseph McElroy: On using content to build your opportunities, whether it’s you’re looking for a profit of monetary sense or building a community is fun getting followers is just giving a cause known.</p><p>00:54:23.520 –&gt; 00:54:41.670 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can find out more about that, on my podcast this podcast at the gateway to the smokies and you can find out more about it it’s smokiesadventure.com there is a link at the top, for the gateway to smoking’s podcast you can see all the previous podcast.</p><p>00:54:42.930 –&gt; 00:54:50.970 Joseph McElroy: And, and the newsletter that you can sign up to you can also go to talk radio dot nyc to their shows section and click there and find out more about the shows.</p><p>00:54:51.780 –&gt; 00:55:01.410 Joseph McElroy: We also have a Facebook page where it streamed live its facebook.com/gateway tothesmokiespodcast where you will definitely.</p><p>00:55:03.060 –&gt; 00:55:06.000 Joseph McElroy: see more and more about us.</p><p>00:55:07.290 –&gt; 00:55:12.990 Joseph McElroy: it’s been a really great pleasure to have you again, and I want everybody to go to that safe.</p><p>00:55:14.070 –&gt; 00:55:30.480 Joseph McElroy: passages website that he mentioned and donate I notice there’s a donate button there, and so we should all go in a little, because what is happening is very important, and I think that we should be part of it looks like you got a great section on getting involved too.</p><p>00:55:30.870 –&gt; 00:55:32.730 Joseph McElroy: Really for newsletter take a.</p><p>00:55:32.730 –&gt; 00:55:38.460 Joseph McElroy: pledge education and even though, about what upcoming events you have that grateful dead there when I hope so.</p><p>00:55:40.290 –&gt; 00:55:44.070 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, see you guys next week it’s been a pleasure bye.</p> 63251d12-8f1b-4c96-a213-a7bdfac714d9 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/1345bd2f-dfcc-43f5-956b-e36b80647ee8 Tue, 15 Feb 2022 23:00:00 +0000 3514 no full Episode 45: Original American Music from the Mountains of Western North Carolina Episode 45: Original American Music from the Mountains of Western North Carolina Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Darren Nicholson is a gifted singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. You will learn from him some of his original American music from the mountains of Western North Carolina. He will also discuss with us his newly released project &#34; Man on a Mission.&#34;  And if you love Lake Junaluska, Darren will tell us about the Lake Junaluska Arts Festival. </strong></p><p><br></p><p><span> In today&#39;s podcast,</span><strong> Joseph McElroy</strong><span> is joined by our special guest,</span><strong> Darren Nicholson</strong><span>, an award-winning charter member of the legendary contemporary bluegrass group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians-- including duo concerts with his wife Jennifer. </span></p><p><span>We had him on the show last season and even repeated it once last year due to its popularity, so we invited him again this year, especially since he has a new project that has just been released-“Man on a Mission.” Don&#39;t miss this episode!</span></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DarrenNicholsonBand/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/DarrenNicholsonBand/ </a></p><p><a href="https://darrennicholson.net/" rel="nofollow">https://darrennicholson.net</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DarrenNicholsonMusic/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/DarrenNicholsonMusic/</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Joining us again on this second season of Gateway to the Smokies, is Darren Nicholson. Before speaking with Nicholson, Joseph talks about his sponsor for today’s show which is his own Meadowlark Motel and Smokiesadventure.com, focusing on outdoor life in the Smoky Mountains. He also goes into special events happening at the motel such as activities like fly fishing. He then introduces Nicholson, who is a member of the legendary contemporary bluegrass group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians. Nicholson talks about dealing with the pandemic and getting back to songwriting going into 2021 when he wasn’t performing live. Joseph recalls when Nicholson helped out during last year in Haywood County when there was a big flood. He along with Balsam Range did a concert to bring the community together during the relief efforts. Nicholson also talks about the Balsam Range Art of Music Festival.</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>Joseph and Nicholson discussed their collaboration last year to create the Darren Nicholson All Star Bluegrass Band Camp. Nicholson talks about wanting to do this to pass down and share the Mountain music and keep the culture strong with others who are passionate about music and want to play. He describes it as a communal experience inspiring and engaging with others. Nicholson also mentions some artists in his line up for his music festival and how special it was to have them in. They talk about his recent past performances at the motel and Haywood County and more about bluegrass music. Nicholson also talks to Joseph about being more of a mentor now being almost a veteran in the bluegrass industry. He talks about one of his own mentors, Steve Sutton, and the invaluable time he spent with him and how he has helped him over time in maturing and becoming the man he is today.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>Joseph talks with Darren about his new album called “Man on a Mission.” Darren talks about some of the music on the album sounding edgy to even some having a bluegrass sound as well as rock n roll. This he says is his fourth solo project which is on the Mountain Home Label. Darren mentions writing about himself and his experiences. He says he likes to write songs that tell stories, not paint pictures. He says that there&#39;s something about bluegrass and country music that is so authentic and connects people together. Joseph says that his favorite song for the album is called “All Night Long.” he says that it relates to old Appalachian music. Darren talks about the feeling of loss and lonesome which was one of the emotions that he wanted to get out of this song. </span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>Joseph and Darren talk about Charles Humphrey who was a co writer on his EP. You can go to darrennicholson.net to check out more of Darren’s music and merchandise. His new album can be downloaded on many streaming platforms like Itunes. Some Of his merchandise are stickers. Being someone who is an old school wrestling fan, they joke about some of the humor like putting his face on Ric Flair’s body. He also talks about Balsam Range going into their 15th year together as well as making a Vinyl record. Darren also mentions that later this year he’ll be releasing a gospel album called “Songs of Hope and Inspiration.” Darren is also working with a bluegrass band called The No Joke Jimmys, from Nashville. There are a lot of fun shows he will be a part of this year. Darren also discusses always wanting to reinvent himself with his music. Joseph thanks Darren for coming on for today’s episode and Darren thanks him as well for a great conversation and for being a part of keeping the culture strong in North Carolina.</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p> Video thumbnail

About this Episode:

We are joined by our special guest, Darren Nicholson, an Award-winning Charter Member of the Legendary Contemporary Bluegrass Group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians-- including duo concerts with his wife Jennifer.

We had him on the show last season and even repeated it once last year due to its popularity, so we invited him again this year, especially since he has a new project that has just been released-“Man on a Mission.”

Darren Nicholson is a gifted singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. You will learn from him some of his original American music from the mountains of Western North Carolina. He also discusses with us his newly released project " Man on a Mission."

Connect with Darren:

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Connect with our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy:

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Check out our Social Media:

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Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1

Joining us again on this second season of Gateway to the Smokies is Darren Nicholson. Before speaking with Nicholson, Joseph talks about his sponsor for today’s show which is his own Meadowlark Motel and Smokiesadventure.com, focusing on outdoor life in the Smoky Mountains. He also goes into special events happening at the motel such as activities like fly fishing. He then introduces Nicholson, who is a member of the legendary contemporary bluegrass group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians. Nicholson talks about dealing with the pandemic and getting back to songwriting going into 2021 when he wasn’t performing live. Joseph recalls when Nicholson helped out last year in Haywood County when there was a big flood. He along with Balsam Range did a concert to bring the community together during the relief efforts. Nicholson also talks about the Balsam Range Art of Music Festival.

SEGMENT 2

Joseph and Nicholson discussed their collaboration last year to create the Darren Nicholson All-Star Bluegrass Band Camp. Nicholson talks about wanting to do this to pass down and share the Mountain music and keep the culture strong with others who are passionate about music and want to play. He describes it as a communal experience inspiring and engaging with others. Nicholson also mentions some artists in his lineup for his music festival and how special it was to have them in. They talk about his recent past performances at the motel and Haywood County and more about bluegrass music. Nicholson also talks to Joseph about being more of a mentor now being almost a veteran in the bluegrass industry. He talks about one of his own mentors, Steve Sutton, and the invaluable time he spent with him and how he has helped him over time in maturing and becoming the man he is today.

SEGMENT 3

Joseph talks with Darren about his new album called “Man on a Mission.” Darren talks about some of the music on the album sounding edgy to even some having a bluegrass sound as well as rock n roll. This he says is his fourth solo project which is on the Mountain Home label. Darren mentions writing about himself and his experiences. He says he likes to write songs that tell stories, not paint pictures. He says that there's something about bluegrass and country music that is so authentic and connects people together. Joseph says that his favorite song for the album is called “All Night Long.” he says that it relates to old Appalachian music. Darren talks about the feeling of loss and lonesome which was one of the emotions that he wanted to get out of this song.

SEGMENT 4

Joseph and Darren talk about Charles Humphrey who was a co-writer on his EP. You can go to darrennicholson.net to check out more of Darren’s music and merchandise. His new album can be downloaded on many streaming platforms like Itunes. Some Of his merchandise are stickers. Being someone who is an old-school wrestling fan, they joke about some of the humor like putting his face on Ric Flair’s body. He also talks about Balsam Range going into their 15th year together as well as making a Vinyl record. Darren also mentions that later this year he’ll be releasing a gospel album called “Songs of Hope and Inspiration.” Darren is also working with a bluegrass band called The No Joke Jimmys, from Nashville. There are a lot of fun shows he will be a part of this year. Darren also discusses always wanting to reinvent himself with his music. Joseph thanks Darren for coming on for today’s episode and Darren thanks him as well for a great conversation and for being a part of keeping the culture strong in North Carolina.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:03:01.980 –> 00:03:06.630 Joseph McElroy: Today, thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:03:07.140 –> 00:03:08.820 Joseph McElroy: This is the second season.

00:03:09.120 –> 00:03:19.440 Joseph McElroy: Of this podcast focuses on the life, culture, and tourism of America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.

00:03:19.920 –> 00:03:29.520 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and stunning adventures, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly events or

00:03:30.420 –> 00:03:43.560 Joseph McElroy: episodes I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also a deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:03:44.460 –> 00:03:50.040 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we’re talking about original Americana music coming from Western North Carolina.

00:03:51.090 –> 00:03:55.080 Joseph McElroy: First let’s talk about our sponsors, which happens to be me in this case.

00:03:57.780 –> 00:04:11.850 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, it modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a country in amenities, a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:04:12.360 –> 00:04:23.580 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by a fine wine and craft beers.

00:04:24.030 –> 00:04:37.740 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sound imagine a place with mountain heritage, food, and an underground speakeasy where music kind of source play and listen to really great tracks.

00:04:38.370 –> 00:04:45.690 Joseph McElroy: There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:04:47.760 –> 00:04:58.050 Joseph McElroy: Also, sponsoring us as smokies adventure.com smokies, smokies is plural, adventure is singular.com it’s got information and listings about the smokies it’s a.

00:04:58.410 –> 00:05:12.720 Joseph McElroy: Big directory and also has a lot of articles about the going and enjoying the smokies focuses on outdoor life like hiking camping and family adventures and outdoor recreation also gets into.

00:05:13.260 –> 00:05:24.780 Joseph McElroy: where you can have outdoor weddings and then find out information on lodging and cabins and conventions of honeymoons and more it’s it’s going to become the leading information portal just smoking out.

00:05:26.160 –> 00:05:33.300 Joseph McElroy: Now there’s a couple of events coming up at the Meadowlark I wanted to mention on February 26 at 4 pm we

00:05:33.900 –> 00:05:39.960 Joseph McElroy: were going to launch the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center six-part heritage book series.

00:05:40.560 –> 00:05:50.910 Joseph McElroy: With award-winning author and general manager of the meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center Bob Plott, the first book will be talked about what we strike and stay the story the Plot Hound

00:05:51.900 –> 00:06:00.210 Joseph McElroy: recognize now is one of the premier hunting dogs in America, the Plott bear, how does unique among honey dog breeds because it descends from Germanic stock.

00:06:00.720 –> 00:06:11.490 Joseph McElroy: Rather than the traditional English box, the breed story began when its original breeder Joe hands Plott and his brother Enoch left Germany in 1750 with their price, how many dogs.

00:06:11.910 –> 00:06:24.840 Joseph McElroy: And the trip across the Atlantic to give a 200-year journey that would culminate in the North Carolina mountains, with the development of what is now arguably the world’s finest breed of hunting dog.

00:06:25.500 –> 00:06:36.390 Joseph McElroy: And it’s now the state dog of North Carolina so the program well will be about that book and have wonderful stories that Bob is a great storyteller.

00:06:36.660 –> 00:06:42.720 Joseph McElroy: And it will be followed by a Barbecue dinner around six culminating in live acoustic music with Mike Ogletree

00:06:43.170 –> 00:06:55.170 Joseph McElroy: Former drummer with the super band simple minds and some of his friends, all this is free for Motel guests and $10 for visitors call eight to 8289261717 and reserve your spot.

00:06:56.160 –> 00:07:02.250 Joseph McElroy: And then I want to mention far ahead and April on the 15th and 16th we’re gonna have a fly fishing camp.

00:07:02.790 –> 00:07:13.050 Joseph McElroy: it’s a there’s going to be high trout guides limited it’s and owned by world-class fishermen named Dan Sastre who’s a 15 year veteran of the fly fishing industry.

00:07:13.410 –> 00:07:21.630 Joseph McElroy: and staff, including Charles Humphrey III a Grammy award-winning songwriter and long-time fly fishing expert.

00:07:22.050 –> 00:07:27.150 Joseph McElroy: There will be an instructor for every two students with a maximum of 20 students.

00:07:27.630 –> 00:07:41.820 Joseph McElroy: The price is $875 per student and includes and it will be in the instruction, but two nights of lodging free breakfast Saturday and Sunday free Barbecue dinner Saturday night two free beverages of your choice at the speakeasy on Friday night.

00:07:42.330 –> 00:07:48.840 Joseph McElroy: one half of the day, on Saturday, will be instruction on in the morning on Saturday and then you’re going to go out with the instructors.

00:07:49.470 –> 00:08:01.680 Joseph McElroy: For four hours of intense fishing on various elite streams around Haywood County and then it will be able to come back to have some Barbecue and entertainment on the Motel on Saturday evening.

00:08:03.000 –> 00:08:19.110 Joseph McElroy: And then we have a mountain heritage for stream right in the backyard and mountain meadowlark where you, you can practice your trout stream experience fishing experience and learn a few things on your own call eight to 8289261717 to book your experience.

00:08:20.850 –> 00:08:34.770 Joseph McElroy: Now, as I mentioned, we will be talking about original new Americana music in Western North Carolina day, and in my research, I found a brief cold call poem called smoky mountain woman by Mary Lou Iweaka.

00:08:35.820 –> 00:08:49.860 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountain woman herself of Cherokee and Scotch Irish descent so often I think ballads and songs of Appalachia focus on a woman from a man’s point of view, so I thought I would just read this as an acknowledgment.

00:08:50.970 –> 00:08:59.010 Joseph McElroy: I rise in silence steadfast in the elements with thought a smoke movil drown drawn around me.

00:08:59.700 –> 00:09:11.130 Joseph McElroy: seasons clothed me and Laurel and bittersweet in ice, but my art part is constant fire scars and Torrance a road my shape.

00:09:11.700 –> 00:09:40.530 Joseph McElroy: But strength wells within me to bear new life and sustain what lives already four streams of wit relieve my heavy mind smoothing boulders cast up raw edge and the raven’s lonesome cry reminds me that the soul is is, as it has ever been time cannot support my stubborn thrust toward heaven.

00:09:42.720 –> 00:09:43.800 Joseph McElroy: I think that a man can.

00:09:45.510 –> 00:09:50.310 Joseph McElroy: Understand that who’s actually I think written some songs that talk about that.

00:09:50.700 –> 00:09:57.720 Joseph McElroy: Is Darren Nicholson he an award-winning charter member of the legendary contemporary bluegrass group balsam range.

00:09:58.080 –> 00:10:08.430 Joseph McElroy: And they also front his own Darren Nicholson band man on many side projects, I also did, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians.

00:10:08.820 –> 00:10:29.280 Joseph McElroy: Including duo concerts with his wife Jennifer a gifted songwriter singer and instrumentalists Darren’s new solo project is a man on a mission which captures a wide range of his talents, as he focuses on the various variety of electric and acoustic American economy music. Hello Darren

00:10:29.790 –> 00:10:31.560 Darren N: I think, but glad to be here.

00:10:32.400 –> 00:10:39.540 Joseph McElroy: I’m glad you’re back it’s a really appreciate you coming back, we had you on our show last season.

00:10:40.590 –> 00:10:48.060 Joseph McElroy: Then we even repeated at once, because you were so popular you were by far the biggest listen to episode.

00:10:49.140 –> 00:10:49.800 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:10:50.850 –> 00:10:53.340 Darren N: I remember, they must have been desperate during the pandemic.

00:10:53.670 –> 00:10:53.970 Joseph McElroy: I know.

00:10:54.000 –> 00:10:57.720 Joseph McElroy: must have been desperate desperation maybe it’s just my stellar questioning.

00:11:00.750 –> 00:11:17.520 Joseph McElroy: But you have a new album which we’ll talk about a little bit, but tell me, we met, we talked in the middle of 2021 and you were just getting back to starting to do some live tour this 2020 was a pretty horrible year, what was the highlights of 2021 for you.

00:11:22.170 –> 00:11:24.570 Darren N: I tell you what there were a lot of great highlights for.

00:11:26.250 –> 00:11:32.010 Darren N: Well 2020 and 2021 you know I tried to keep a good attitude to the whole thing I think that’s important.

00:11:32.790 –> 00:11:38.760 Darren N: You know, when you can’t change the things around you you can’t change your attitude and so.

00:11:39.450 –> 00:11:51.540 Darren N: That helped me through the pandemic, but in 21 and even the year before I really dove into songwriting because I wasn’t touring I wasn’t playing live shows, I really.

00:11:52.230 –> 00:12:01.590 Darren N: dug my heels into the songwriting aspect and recording so I’ve got I’m sitting on a pile of recordings right now that that is going to be coming out in the next year and a half that.

00:12:02.280 –> 00:12:06.930 Darren N: That are just sitting on the shelf there’s going to be a bunch of new music released in the next year and.

00:12:08.250 –> 00:12:16.350 Darren N: Just lit a fire in me to create and now I get to go out and play live shows as well, so it’s an exciting time for my musical.

00:12:17.640 –> 00:12:18.450 Darren N: creativity.

00:12:18.990 –> 00:12:27.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah it looks like you guys that balsam range you launched a new album and September what was called moxie and metal and that was, I think, received pretty well right.

00:12:28.140 –> 00:12:34.320 Darren N: Oh yeah yeah we had four number one songs off of it, one was number one for six weeks.

00:12:35.400 –> 00:12:39.060 Darren N: And it’s been a good record for us.

00:12:39.420 –> 00:12:41.850 Joseph McElroy: Santa Barbara That was the one that was like four weeks.

00:12:42.240 –> 00:12:43.770 Darren N: I think it was richest man.

00:12:43.860 –> 00:12:44.730 Joseph McElroy: richest man.

00:12:47.190 –> 00:12:48.630 Darren N: Barbara was number one.

00:12:50.160 –> 00:12:53.070 Darren N: Rivers and rains runaway trains and.

00:12:55.620 –> 00:12:59.370 Darren N: Trends think there was maybe possibly grit and grace.

00:12:59.940 –> 00:13:02.910 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well i’m.

00:13:03.060 –> 00:13:04.020 Darren N: dying time anyway.

00:13:04.320 –> 00:13:09.000 Joseph McElroy: So you didn’t get to start doing some touring there so I think like you said that was really good.

00:13:09.690 –> 00:13:22.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah but you know one thing that stuck out to me, and I remember reading about it and reminded about it when we’re here is you guys really stepped up when the Haywood county had a big flood last year and.

00:13:23.280 –> 00:13:29.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah and you, you guys jumped right in and did some relief work for the victims and you did a concert right.

00:13:30.330 –> 00:13:41.490 Darren N: But we did in August of last year, there was a major catastrophe here and haywood county major flooding several people lost their lives and.

00:13:41.970 –> 00:13:57.960 Darren N: Hundreds of people were displaced lost their homes lost everything and it was a and you know balsam range was a part of that, but it was just a chance for the community to come together a lot of people in this Community worked really hard and that’s what you do.

00:13:59.190 –> 00:14:12.810 Darren N: You there there’s so much divisive missing and things in our country now where it’s there’s so many polarizing issues and when something like it, unfortunately, it takes something like.

00:14:13.260 –> 00:14:24.390 Darren N: 911 or a major catastrophe, whether it’s on a major you know, a national scale or in your community to realize hey we’re.

00:14:25.830 –> 00:14:33.810 Darren N: we’re kind of in this together we’re still human beings, and we have to help each other and love each other and we got to be there to support each other and.

00:14:34.680 –> 00:14:51.000 Darren N: And that’s what people did, and it got our mind off the riffraff and the fray for a few minutes, and we all dug in and really helped and then a couple of months later, we went right back to crapping on each other on Instagram Twitter as we did.

00:14:54.150 –> 00:14:55.350 Darren N: Like we did it that’s all we do.

00:14:57.840 –> 00:14:58.740 Joseph McElroy: More yeah.

00:14:59.610 –> 00:14:59.850 Darren N: But.

00:14:59.880 –> 00:15:03.870 Darren N: But it was good, it was good to see the Community pulled together and.

00:15:03.870 –> 00:15:06.420 Darren N: We have we were part of that same way so.

00:15:06.660 –> 00:15:13.920 Joseph McElroy: You guys actually do a number of concerts even though you’re like a big band number ones, all that stuff you do you actually do I think.

00:15:16.710 –> 00:15:23.190 Joseph McElroy: More than a surprising amount of concerts in Haywood County right you got your own balsam range festival right.

00:15:24.060 –> 00:15:40.860 Darren N: Here we usually do to concerts a year in Haywood County has balsam range both of those are like Junalaska the auditorium and that’s probably the biggest venue there and the art of music festival that’s in December, the first weekend of December.

00:15:41.910 –> 00:15:52.800 Darren N: And we did that, for a couple of reasons, one economically that was the slowest weekend on record every year in Haywood County so we wanted to do something to bring folks into the show.

00:15:53.910 –> 00:16:01.470 Darren N: All these people were we travel all over the country we tell them about Western North Carolina balsam range, which is the mountain range here and Haywood County.

00:16:02.010 –> 00:16:11.310 Darren N: And we invite them to our home and they get to come and December, and it does something to stimulate the economy here, and it also is a chance for us to

00:16:11.760 –> 00:16:24.540 Darren N: showcase mute bring music that we find out on the road and show off to our home folks that they wouldn’t ever get to see and Haywood county and we get to bring folks in and show off our home county and so.

00:16:25.860 –> 00:16:32.940 Darren N: it’s just it’s been growing we started it as we’re in the fourth or fifth year now doing it exciting.

00:16:33.720 –> 00:16:36.420 Joseph McElroy: exciting it’s a big it’s a pretty big thing and that’s.

00:16:37.290 –> 00:16:43.140 Joseph McElroy: You and the other one is your own is that the balsam range festival, is that the way to Junaluska art festival.

00:16:44.250 –> 00:16:50.910 Darren N: it’s the same thing it’s it’s like General it’s like Junalaska but it’s called the balsam range art of music festival.

00:16:50.970 –> 00:16:52.080 Joseph McElroy: I see okay.

00:16:52.620 –> 00:16:58.260 Darren N: Because we didn’t call it a bluegrass festival because it’s not just bluegrass.

00:16:58.590 –> 00:17:02.970 Darren N: We did an album with the Atlanta POPs orchestra, and so we do a set of music.

00:17:04.140 –> 00:17:16.740 Darren N: that’s balsam range with the orchestra, but you know we have everything from rock and roll to country to do it’s too old-time ragtime blues, and so it really is music, which is what we love.

00:17:17.070 –> 00:17:29.520 Joseph McElroy: You know Bob Plott loves that you know I mentioned him as a GM of the Meadowlark and he wanted to make sure that I put in a pitch to say hey you know you do some openings prior to that we can we come in the Meadowlark

00:17:31.890 –> 00:17:32.460 Joseph McElroy: I.

00:17:32.490 –> 00:17:37.470 Darren N: we’re open to anything we want to we’ve tried to get Haywood County involved and incorporate.

00:17:38.520 –> 00:17:43.410 Darren N: Different venues and places throughout the year so we’re always open for new ideas.

00:17:43.650 –> 00:17:46.170 Joseph McElroy: Alright sounds good, well, we got to take a break.

00:17:48.600 –> 00:17:55.470 Joseph McElroy: Now, and we’ll come back we’ll talk about a little bit more about some stuff we’ve done ago, like the bluegrass band camp and then we’ll get into how.

00:20:11.430 –> 00:20:20.970 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Darren Nicholson, so there last year last summer.

00:20:22.020 –> 00:20:29.670 Joseph McElroy: We collaborated actually on presenting a band camp, the Darren Nicholson all-star bluegrass band camp.

00:20:30.270 –> 00:20:43.740 Joseph McElroy: And it was holding them in Meadowlark and I thought you know, for the first year we were doing anything with the mountain the smoky mountain heritage Center I think it was the most successful event, I think it was successful for being the first one.

00:20:44.940 –> 00:20:53.250 Joseph McElroy: And you know, I was, I was pleased now I wasn’t very heavily involved in creating that or whatever Bob and you, I think, discussing how did that come about.

00:20:54.210 –> 00:21:08.640 Darren N: Well, I think it was Bob’s idea, he approached me about doing something like that, at the Meadowlark and I said yeah I think that’d be a great idea I’m always for bringing new artists to Haywood County and I’m all always.

00:21:09.960 –> 00:21:22.380 Darren N: Looking to anything to promote mountain music, especially if it’s a band camp where folks are coming who are interested in music and doing workshops and camps, who are interested in playing because that is.

00:21:23.370 –> 00:21:29.940 Darren N: A big part of the fabric of Western North Carolina and and and mountain music is passing it down passing it on.

00:21:30.420 –> 00:21:39.060 Darren N: Like in my family, it was a family thing from generation to generation, but it was also a Community thing and that music was shared and.

00:21:39.570 –> 00:21:50.850 Darren N: that’s how the music got around you know it left Kentucky East Tennessee and Western North Carolina and bluegrass is all over the world, now, you know there’s bluegrass.

00:21:51.270 –> 00:22:01.740 Darren N: association in Switzerland there’s a bluegrass association in Europe and Australia I’ve played bluegrass there’s a fest there are festivals in Australia and.

00:22:02.370 –> 00:22:09.120 Darren N: I know, in the 50s and 60s my dad left Western North Carolina and these.

00:22:09.870 –> 00:22:20.070 Darren N: mountain people they went a lot of them went out West to the Seattle area to be a part of the login boom and they were part of the logging industry, just like.

00:22:20.490 –> 00:22:27.780 Darren N: folks in Tennessee and Virginia went north to work in the auto industry near Detroit and Ohio.

00:22:28.560 –> 00:22:34.800 Darren N: They went out west to log and they took the music with them and now there are bluegrass festivals and old-time music.

00:22:35.220 –> 00:22:46.320 Darren N: all over the place in Barrington Washington and Seattle there’s winter grass winter hog there’s all this bluegrass out there, so much that years ago they used to have a festival and say I will call the tar heel picnic.

00:22:47.520 –> 00:23:02.730 Darren N: It all comes from that spirit of sharing this music and sharing this culture right so anytime somebody has an idea to do something like that which I know Bob’s a big fan of that stuff and when y’all offered I’m on board with anything like that.

00:23:03.120 –> 00:23:12.390 Joseph McElroy: I remember seeing a young guy young boy, there was this guitar sitting the audience and then you go for, but he was like ecstatic right.

00:23:13.020 –> 00:23:14.070 Darren N: And then he still.

00:23:14.070 –> 00:23:16.740 Joseph McElroy: playing a really you know in.

00:23:16.770 –> 00:23:26.550 Darren N: Those kind of thing I remember as a player when players that I looked up to or older players encouraged me and said hey come on people with us and.

00:23:27.090 –> 00:23:34.260 Darren N: And and it’s such a Community thing music is one of the things that really brings people together and.

00:23:35.070 –> 00:23:44.010 Darren N: It is a communal experience and that young man is now I’ll let him borrow mandolin that I’ve got and he’s playing the mandolin he’s playing the.

00:23:44.910 –> 00:23:54.330 Darren N: guitar he’s doing less than several times a week and he’s becoming quite a musician and I’m really he’s named Henry and I’m really proud of him and.

00:23:55.110 –> 00:23:55.830 Darren N: But that’s.

00:23:56.370 –> 00:23:58.710 Darren N: that’s the lifeblood of this music.

00:23:59.610 –> 00:24:09.420 Joseph McElroy: wow that’s amazing you know that’s that is you’re getting younger generations to become totally enthralled with it and embrace it as a way it lives on.

00:24:09.990 –> 00:24:21.360 Joseph McElroy: forever I’m really glad of that and what small part I might have helped you know it makes me feel good that we did that now, you had an incredible all-star lineup including ADI Blaylock all right.

00:24:22.290 –> 00:24:27.660 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell me I can’t tell us about the people you lined up for that, and what they’re known for.

00:24:28.410 –> 00:24:35.670 Darren N: yeah already blade lock is a professional touring bluegrass musician he makes his home in Indiana but.

00:24:36.780 –> 00:24:44.040 Darren N: He started as a teenager with one of the legends of bluegrass Mr. Jimmy Martin Mr good and country.

00:24:52.110 –> 00:25:01.140 Darren N: And so, he went to school with and learned traditional bluegrass from probably the best teacher there was and.

00:25:02.220 –> 00:25:05.790 Darren N: And so already I’ve always loved his singing and he’s got this amazing.

00:25:06.840 –> 00:25:16.080 Darren N: voice, he can switch from lead to tanner just flawlessly he was born to sing bluegrass and country music and and and so.

00:25:16.920 –> 00:25:25.560 Darren N: far he doesn’t get to play in western North Carolina whole lot and for us to be able to bring him down here was a with a great big tree because he’s got a lot of fans, but he.

00:25:27.060 –> 00:25:38.520 Darren N: He was on the list of bass players was read Jones he tours with Ali and I knew they would they’re so used to playing in together the rhythm section very important in bluegrass so the.

00:25:38.520 –> 00:25:39.690 Darren N: bass guitar where.

00:25:40.140 –> 00:25:49.470 Darren N: I wanted that to be locked in and the fellow who played banjo is an award-winning banjo player from up in Wilkes Barre North Carolina name Eric Ellis.

00:25:49.890 –> 00:26:02.280 Darren N: And Eric’s a legendary banjo player he never traveled much he’s gone out and he did professional recordings and travel some but Eric was one of those guys that.

00:26:03.030 –> 00:26:21.900 Darren N: He was smart enough to get a job with the state of North Carolina and play bluegrass on the weekends and we live in an area it blows people’s minds that they’re guys that that work at the post office that play bluegrass at a higher level than most people in Ashville.

00:26:22.020 –> 00:26:23.040 Darren N: Right, no, I mean.

00:26:23.610 –> 00:26:33.690 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I mean I think bluegrass is like you know they say poets usually can’t make a living and they have big jobs, I think it was the same thing for bluegrass right.

00:26:34.650 –> 00:26:38.700 Joseph McElroy: It can make poetry with the music, but a lot of times they have big jobs.

00:26:39.570 –> 00:26:40.530 Darren N: Exactly but.

00:26:40.860 –> 00:26:54.210 Darren N: It was fun, it was a fun time and On another note, audio is coming back in at the end of March 1 of April to do a couple of shows in Asheville and Haywood county with me so that’s all.

00:26:54.990 –> 00:26:56.700 Joseph McElroy: The haters your wife.

00:26:57.870 –> 00:26:59.700 Darren N: yeah well it’s his first cousin.

00:27:00.120 –> 00:27:10.080 Darren N: Oh really years ago I’d filled in with him at IBMA, he was in Nashville at the time, the international bluegrass music awards association and.

00:27:11.550 –> 00:27:24.720 Darren N: And he called me and I went and did a road date with him a couple of months later in Michigan and he said we’re playing it his cousin school and we went up there and, in my mind, I thought his cousin.

00:27:25.890 –> 00:27:30.390 Darren N: I don’t know why I had this in my head, because he didn’t say either way, but I thought his cousin was a guy.

00:27:31.110 –> 00:27:41.700 Darren N: And we went he’s we’re walking up to her apartment he said we’re going to go see my cousin was the night before we played the show the next day we’re walking up there, and he said hey my cousin’s pretty good looking.

00:27:44.130 –> 00:27:48.750 Darren N: And I realized what was going on and We walked through the door and man, she was.

00:27:50.520 –> 00:27:52.590 Darren N: And that’s how we met and.

00:27:54.150 –> 00:27:55.080 Darren N: next thing you know.

00:27:55.440 –> 00:27:56.520 Joseph McElroy: You play music together.

00:27:57.750 –> 00:27:58.170 Darren N: together.

00:27:59.040 –> 00:28:10.440 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous well I, you know that was, I want to say that that you that bluegrass man, which you sort of put together for this was a fabulous I mean that was the hard drive and.

00:28:11.970 –> 00:28:20.760 Joseph McElroy: That was real you guys play for hours, I mean it wasn’t just an hour concert you play for a long time you just seem like you’re having a blast right.

00:28:21.240 –> 00:28:35.310 Darren N: That was like getting the that was like getting a full dose of medicine, it was the straight shot to the arm of full unadulterated in your face.

00:28:36.960 –> 00:28:49.920 Darren N: adrenaline bluegrass like high octane bluegrass not just there’s within bluegrass there are 50 different styles, but that is like intense.

00:28:50.400 –> 00:29:03.210 Darren N: You got to bring your a game it’s not for the faint of heart bluegrass and in it, it puts it keeps me on my toes it’s at the top of what I can do musically and it challenges me and that’s why I like playing with him.

00:29:03.750 –> 00:29:07.890 Joseph McElroy: And the audience is there because it’s bluegrass they were just they were really into.

00:29:08.370 –> 00:29:12.300 Darren N: They don’t get to hear music like that it’s like a punk rock it’s that intensity.

00:29:12.450 –> 00:29:12.900 Joseph McElroy: And like.

00:29:13.830 –> 00:29:19.830 Darren N: A lot of bluegrass doesn’t sound like that and it’s as mark says it’s like getting hit in the face with a wet squirrel.

00:29:22.230 –> 00:29:25.050 Joseph McElroy: Well I’m hoping that we can do another one you think we can.

00:29:25.620 –> 00:29:29.340 Darren N: we’d love to yeah the guys, they said they’d love to come back anytime so.

00:29:29.490 –> 00:29:33.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think it’s Bob’s putting it on the schedule and working it out because I think it’d be.

00:29:33.570 –> 00:29:47.490 Joseph McElroy: Great of the fact you know, we want to do things where there are more camp things for not only adults or kids too and yeah now it’s where we’re you know we’re looking at some others as well.

00:29:48.840 –> 00:29:53.280 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know you have you’ve been having you actually had an opportunity.

00:29:54.480 –> 00:30:04.590 Joseph McElroy: To mentor and teach those guests about the music and songwriting on an afternoon is that something you enjoy doing is mentoring, the mentor quite often.

00:30:05.850 –> 00:30:18.630 Darren N: We get when people ask you know you know I, I would like to say that you know I’ve had some influence on you know some folks but.

00:30:19.110 –> 00:30:27.450 Darren N: I’ve always you know I’m the youngest one in the band I’ve always kind of been the one that’s been mentors but I’m starting to get to that point in my career where.

00:30:29.070 –> 00:30:33.450 Darren N: I’m getting some age on me, you know my hair’s falling out my beards turning Gray and.

00:30:34.890 –> 00:30:36.120 Darren N: I actually did a gig.

00:30:37.980 –> 00:30:47.010 Darren N: a few weeks ago over in Tennessee and I got there and I played with a young guy i’d never met before his name was John and he’s like what.

00:30:47.730 –> 00:30:59.100 Darren N: I was like hey I’m there and Nice to meet you and he goes what’s your last name and I said Nicholson and he said oh my God I love your me he goes I’ve listened to you since I was a little kid.

00:31:00.870 –> 00:31:01.290 Darren N: honor.

00:31:02.280 –> 00:31:02.580 And that’s.

00:31:05.850 –> 00:31:08.100 Darren N: talk to me the rest of that but.

00:31:09.720 –> 00:31:11.910 Joseph McElroy: Your third year 38 right now you’re still.

00:31:13.470 –> 00:31:15.090 Darren N: he’s 20 you know he’s 20.

00:31:15.780 –> 00:31:16.080 well.

00:31:17.220 –> 00:31:18.090 Joseph McElroy: Your toddler.

00:31:19.710 –> 00:31:22.800 Darren N: yeah he was he was super nice but.

00:31:23.970 –> 00:31:29.010 Darren N: yeah I’m starting to become the older generation of bluegrass and maybe.

00:31:30.060 –> 00:31:34.020 Darren N: Maybe I can mentor some folks I’ve been more of the tour mentor.

00:31:35.370 –> 00:31:35.610 Darren N: and

00:31:38.850 –> 00:31:44.070 Joseph McElroy: Well you’ve had you said, your boss ranger been mentor you had a great mentor and Steve Sutton did you.

00:31:45.600 –> 00:31:54.630 Darren N: yeah yeah he was one of the guys who played with Jimmy Martin and he knew more about music than anybody ever met.

00:31:55.020 –> 00:32:02.970 Darren N: And not only did I learn everything I know about music, but everything I know about people and how to treat people in the music business.

00:32:03.360 –> 00:32:15.420 Darren N: We would travel to Nashville almost every week and so it’d be a four-hour drive down a four-hour drive back in the whole time we were talking about music or people or relationships or.

00:32:17.040 –> 00:32:19.590 Darren N: And you know, he was.

00:32:20.670 –> 00:32:39.090 Darren N: My number one influence and now that I’m getting older and getting some clarity and maturity, there are a lot of things that he said to me, you know 15 16 years ago that are just now I’m like oh now nobody man and my time with him are invaluable I owe him everything.

00:32:39.960 –> 00:32:43.440 Joseph McElroy: You have in a benefit concert an auction coming up for his family right.

00:32:43.740 –> 00:32:52.560 Darren N: yeah it’s actually not for his family we’ve we’ve set up a trust fund and we give a scholarship we give half the money to the IBMA trust fund.

00:32:53.340 –> 00:33:03.630 Darren N: To help musicians in need and then the other half goes to a scholarship for a test cola hospital student for music scholarship he was a trumpet major at Tesco.

00:33:05.010 –> 00:33:16.590 Darren N: We just it’s something to help the Community and keep his name out there and that’s going to be Friday march 18 at holt move Center in Waynesville okay cool.

00:33:17.850 –> 00:33:18.060 Joseph McElroy: thing.

00:33:19.230 –> 00:33:20.160 Joseph McElroy: To find out about it.

00:33:20.670 –> 00:33:22.500 Darren N: and get tickets at fault move to work.

00:33:23.400 –> 00:33:28.440 Joseph McElroy: OK cool Oh, we got to take a break now and then we’ll come back and finally talk about this new album you got.

00:35:35.250 –> 00:35:48.180 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McIlroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Darren Nicholson, So Darren, you have a new musical project out an album called the man and the mission.

00:35:49.770 –> 00:35:54.750 Joseph McElroy: And the I guess is devoted to Americana music, correct?

00:35:55.860 –> 00:36:01.770 Darren N: I guess when they can’t figure out what label, to put it under.

00:36:03.300 –> 00:36:07.920 Darren N: But it’s not really a genre clearly that they just call it America.

00:36:09.060 –> 00:36:12.300 Joseph McElroy: Like from like show tunes to country music right.

00:36:13.230 –> 00:36:15.180 Darren N: Exactly yeah exactly.

00:36:16.320 –> 00:36:16.800 Darren N: reggae.

00:36:17.280 –> 00:36:29.730 Joseph McElroy: But you that you use a lot of electric and acoustic instruments and wide variety songs I mean I listened to it and it’s like goes from blues to bluegrass to old-time country all sorts of stuff.

00:36:30.240 –> 00:36:42.330 Darren N: yeah well that’s what I want to sound like some of these tunes are a little more edgy rock and roll edgy and then there’s a song on there, that is straight-up country music and then there’s one song that.

00:36:43.200 –> 00:36:51.210 Darren N: sounds like something maybe Glen Campbell would have done back in the day, like you know it’s almost like a pop.

00:36:52.320 –> 00:36:52.590 Darren N: But.

00:36:53.010 –> 00:37:08.460 Darren N: it’s almost a bluegrass song and then, then there are a blues seven-bar blues and then there’s one slow pretty ballot on there and then it ends up with more rock and roll in your face with Lita Jones lyric Jones.

00:37:09.360 –> 00:37:11.850 Joseph McElroy: singing on there so whatever goes.

00:37:13.080 –> 00:37:17.100 Joseph McElroy: It started out with a bluegrass thing, and all of a sudden, it goes into southern rock and rolls it’s like.

00:37:17.130 –> 00:37:22.980 Joseph McElroy: yeah it was crazy that was that the drop there was like wow.

00:37:24.810 –> 00:37:26.490 Joseph McElroy: I totally took me by surprise.

00:37:26.520 –> 00:37:32.970 Darren N: that’s what I was wanting I wanted this album to be a curveball if I would have done this record on an electric record four or five years ago.

00:37:33.570 –> 00:37:47.430 Darren N: I think people would I would have done a classic country-sounding record and I think that’s what people were expecting out of me and so I’ve just got that rebellious thing in me where I can’t do what people are expecting.

00:37:47.940 –> 00:37:57.720 Joseph McElroy: yeah wow so you’ve had you this is on the mountain home label right me, but you have experienced with them it’s balsam range, but this is what your first solo project with that right.

00:37:58.710 –> 00:38:03.630 Darren N: yeah, this is my fourth solo record, but my first one on that label.

00:38:04.080 –> 00:38:07.260 Joseph McElroy: And what does that mean for you know that’s a pretty prestigious label so it’s.

00:38:07.290 –> 00:38:10.080 Darren N: it’s pretty yeah for sure, and just to have it.

00:38:11.160 –> 00:38:21.300 Darren N: That quality and I brought in a co-producer because I’ve done three records on my own, I know what a record sounds like when I produce it and I’ve had success doing that.

00:38:22.290 –> 00:38:28.980 Darren N: I locked away my record sound when I produce them I know exactly what I will, but I also I don’t want to get in a rut.

00:38:29.640 –> 00:38:39.120 Darren N: This sounds the same every this guy’s records they sound the same every time and so Jeff Collins came in and produce to help produce this thing.

00:38:39.570 –> 00:38:45.030 Darren N: And he got me out of my comfort zone, a little bit there were, I gave him the songs.

00:38:45.390 –> 00:38:57.450 Darren N: I had some very specific ideas on some songs we had some knock down drag out fights over some things, and then there were some things that I let go up that’s why you have a guy there and then there are some things that you.

00:38:59.130 –> 00:39:13.260 Darren N: That he took and made totally different and I’m like man that’s awesome I never would have thought of that and, and so it was just we think we both had a great time hey we would do another one together in a heartbeat I think is a great experience.

00:39:13.830 –> 00:39:19.800 Joseph McElroy: Well, I saw I saw a quote, that you the paper of you’re describing this album right.

00:39:20.280 –> 00:39:30.450 Joseph McElroy: And it was almost poetry, and it was you said it was a journey into the human condition with relationships and feelings turned into Appalachian Americana roots tapestry.

00:39:30.990 –> 00:39:38.850 Joseph McElroy: And then you were saying it’s saying goodbye to an old friend and a hello to a new one it’s like a rocket Saturday night house party and lonely Sunday morning.

00:39:39.150 –> 00:39:51.660 Joseph McElroy: its tongue in cheek it’s from the heart and songs written about the life and human condition now that’s a pretty amazing scope right there that’s a huge but ambition right, how do you feel about that how far you went towards that.

00:39:52.410 –> 00:39:55.140 Darren N: I think I nailed all those things in this record.

00:39:55.560 –> 00:40:02.460 Darren N: yeah that that that’s what I was going for because and that’s what I write about you know I write about.

00:40:04.170 –> 00:40:15.900 Darren N: My life, the only thing I’m qualified to write about is myself, you know and I’ve you know I’ve had relationships that didn’t work out I’ve had really hard difficult things I’ve been through I’ve had.

00:40:16.980 –> 00:40:23.730 Darren N: You know funny experiences in life, you know I don’t write about living in a cabin 200 years ago.

00:40:24.000 –> 00:40:30.180 Darren N: Now I never have you know, but I can write about things that I’ve experienced and.

00:40:31.650 –> 00:40:39.900 Darren N: You know, sometimes I’ll write a song I don’t like I would rather write songs it tells stories than songs that paint pictures.

00:40:40.320 –> 00:40:49.320 Darren N: I know to me anybody can write a song that paints a picture, but to tell your story and open up and talk about what you’re really feeling.

00:40:50.460 –> 00:40:56.340 Darren N: It just goes a little deeper, and I think people can connect with it that’s what I always loved about country music.

00:40:56.820 –> 00:41:03.960 Darren N: Is it was heartache it was trying, it was a Gospel song, it was hope and inspiration, it was.

00:41:04.770 –> 00:41:20.250 Darren N: It was sadness, it was the joy it was all those things in the music, you know it was a journey through real-life and authenticity there’s something about country music and when I say country music, I mean bluegrass.

00:41:22.410 –> 00:41:25.980 Darren N: I mean a lot of these different things you know it’s.

00:41:28.170 –> 00:41:31.620 Darren N: it’s authentic it’s the real deal.

00:41:33.900 –> 00:41:47.430 Joseph McElroy: You know this is, I mean for surprisingly how much it affected me, I mean, and then you know I heard you were describing the song called love is war, you described in all relationships, not just romantic has been a battle.

00:41:48.960 –> 00:41:52.740 Joseph McElroy: And then you said in there you don’t have to agree with somebody to love them.

00:41:53.760 –> 00:41:54.210 Darren N: and

00:41:54.300 –> 00:42:06.390 Joseph McElroy: I can’t help but think you know that that it was not just personal I felt like there you are also speaking to this polarized age this age of where we’re battling each other as citizens.

00:42:06.810 –> 00:42:10.710 Joseph McElroy: And I felt like there were some element of that and, in this in this song.

00:42:11.100 –> 00:42:21.960 Joseph McElroy: Are you saying we can as citizens love each other that agree on each other, I don’t know if that’s true, but I just felt there was a sense of that the two were channeling something in the Zeitgeist of where we’re living now.

00:42:22.470 –> 00:42:25.650 Darren N: What we do where the society that likes to scold each other.

00:42:26.040 –> 00:42:28.680 Darren N: Right, you know and that’s.

00:42:30.210 –> 00:42:42.180 Darren N: that’s and don’t realize that the hypocrisy and that is hey none of us are perfect mm-hmm, but I think what we don’t realize is is that where we get.

00:42:43.230 –> 00:42:46.920 Darren N: Where we get value in that is it makes us feel better.

00:42:47.490 –> 00:42:57.660 Darren N: When we cut someone else’s head off it makes us feel taller and we don’t have to look at our sales, as long as somebody else is screwing up worse than me that I don’t have to look in the mirror at myself.

00:42:58.410 –> 00:43:03.000 Darren N: And so you know, and I think that’s where a lot of that comes from is nobody.

00:43:03.690 –> 00:43:16.350 Darren N: You know it’s kinda it’s really hypocritical, but you know and I’ve been guilty of it, you know, but as I get older I realized that you know if I want to be forgiven and I have to learn to forgive.

00:43:18.510 –> 00:43:19.140 Joseph McElroy: We lost you.

00:43:22.380 –> 00:43:30.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, he jumped off folks will be back in just a second I’m pretty sure, but he had some I’m going to tell you this was a great album.

00:43:31.890 –> 00:43:37.860 Joseph McElroy: There was an I really enjoyed this song called all night long on that album.

00:43:39.390 –> 00:43:45.000 Joseph McElroy: And it was and I felt that a song that really resonated with old Appalachian music.

00:43:46.830 –> 00:43:47.250 Joseph McElroy: It was.

00:43:48.300 –> 00:43:53.250 Joseph McElroy: You know, like the old ballads from Scotland and Ireland, and also like.

00:43:54.270 –> 00:44:05.790 Joseph McElroy: Like classic American American song, so I guess you’d call Americana like nat King Cole seeing stardust or George Jones seeing he stopped loving her today.

00:44:07.230 –> 00:44:24.210 Joseph McElroy: I’m sure that he was he if he gets back here, he would talk about how that really had a real sort of reached back in time to that old kind of balance and then made him current because it was really about.

00:44:25.440 –> 00:44:25.890 Joseph McElroy: You know.

00:44:26.970 –> 00:44:35.760 Joseph McElroy: sort of a loss, and you know that the trigger but that the protagonists were going to be there all night long there is hey.

00:44:38.820 –> 00:44:39.840 Joseph McElroy: I can’t hear you.

00:44:42.900 –> 00:44:44.070 Joseph McElroy: I can hear you now okay.

00:44:44.130 –> 00:44:46.710 iPhone: More than I like I’m so sorry I lost you there.

00:44:47.340 –> 00:44:51.510 Joseph McElroy: that’s all right, well, I was telling everybody about your song all night long right.

00:44:51.570 –> 00:44:52.080 iPhone: Oh yeah.

00:44:52.530 –> 00:45:00.360 Joseph McElroy: And I was saying that I thought it resonated with that belief old Appalachian music, because it was you know, like the old balance from Scotland and.

00:45:01.650 –> 00:45:13.680 Joseph McElroy: It talked about last right, it was like that hi hi lumps of sound, but I also thought it resonated they brought me back to classic old American songs like even like nat King Cole singing stardust.

00:45:14.130 –> 00:45:19.860 Joseph McElroy: or floors don’t sing he stopped loving her today what was your inspiration for that song.

00:45:20.730 –> 00:45:26.250 iPhone: yeah well that’s I mean that’s what we were going for I was like that song needs to be.

00:45:27.270 –> 00:45:41.070 iPhone: pitifully lonesome because that’s the feeling, you know that’s the feeling you’re trying to convey and then it’s someone who’s lost, you know the person who means everything to them, you know, or you know.

00:45:42.900 –> 00:45:43.380 iPhone: That.

00:45:45.180 –> 00:45:52.410 iPhone: And there’s no I want the music to match the lyrics I’ve heard sad songs that have really happy music.

00:45:52.980 –> 00:45:57.300 iPhone: And I know we’ve got a drag to the long term, out of this.

00:45:57.690 –> 00:45:59.790 Joseph McElroy: But I was a classic.

00:45:59.790 –> 00:46:03.990 Joseph McElroy: High lonesome sound man I just I cried I really literally cry.

00:46:04.260 –> 00:46:08.460 iPhone: Well, thank you man that’s that’s probably my favorite song on the record.

00:46:09.660 –> 00:46:16.500 iPhone: And I started writing down these words when I had the first verse and.

00:46:18.840 –> 00:46:28.920 iPhone: and part of the chorus and I sent it to send it in a text to Charles Humphrey and I just I wrote it down, just like poetry and send it to him.

00:46:29.670 –> 00:46:44.010 iPhone: And then he started he sent back the third verse and we tweaked a few things we got together the next day and tweaked a few things and I picked a key on the guitar and I started arranging the music and then.

00:46:45.090 –> 00:46:47.310 iPhone: When we got in there, it was just an idea to put.

00:46:48.420 –> 00:46:52.860 iPhone: A stack of who’s on it, just like the eagles would.

00:46:54.240 –> 00:47:08.730 iPhone: You know, and so it’s got this vocal chorus in there that’s reminiscent of something in the eagles where there’s an in the bridge and it just turned out beautifully it’s losing the living life and.

00:47:09.060 –> 00:47:13.290 Joseph McElroy: it’s a classic song man I’m just telling it to class I hope it gets.

00:47:13.320 –> 00:47:14.190 iPhone: It gets me the.

00:47:14.280 –> 00:47:14.760 Joseph McElroy: way.

00:47:15.150 –> 00:47:16.680 iPhone: I will go ahead.

00:47:17.400 –> 00:47:18.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah I know.

00:47:21.630 –> 00:47:24.990 Joseph McElroy: Because I felt like that actually spoke to smoky mountains history because.

00:47:25.410 –> 00:47:34.380 Joseph McElroy: You know, if you read about history and some of the women scholars right today, you know smoky mountain women Appalachian women really had to deal with a lot of hardship and everything else, and they.

00:47:34.920 –> 00:47:41.040 Joseph McElroy: They could come across as being hard a little bit hateful, but they were really loved by their husbands right.

00:47:41.130 –> 00:47:41.910 iPhone: Oh yeah that.

00:47:42.540 –> 00:47:45.300 Joseph McElroy: That that I think that that really brought a.

00:47:46.800 –> 00:47:55.380 Joseph McElroy: a sense of that Appalachian woman like that original poet, but who found you found relief in her wit and you know.

00:47:55.500 –> 00:47:57.930 Joseph McElroy: around you know found loving her husband.

00:47:58.110 –> 00:48:05.910 iPhone: Right oh yeah yeah tongue in cheek very, very fun, you know it meant to be fun yeah yeah.

00:48:06.810 –> 00:48:12.270 Joseph McElroy: Well cool we’re going to take another break and come back and finish up with a little bit of what’s going on in the future here.

00:50:13.950 –> 00:50:22.560 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Darren Nicholson, so there, and you mentioned Charles Humphrey.

00:50:23.340 –> 00:50:28.020 Joseph McElroy: he’s a Co-writer on that on that EP and a fellow songwriter and.

00:50:28.740 –> 00:50:34.110 Joseph McElroy: And he’s also been a guest on this show, and he said he’s gonna be doing a fly fisherman camp and April with us, but.

00:50:36.930 –> 00:50:42.180 Joseph McElroy: he’s talking, I think, working with you to do a songwriting camp later this year is think that might happen.

00:50:43.140 –> 00:50:44.430 Darren N: There and be a lot of fun.

00:50:46.710 –> 00:50:53.220 Darren N: Or are the six songs on the EP, I wrote, with him, I wrote a song with him last week I’m going to go record tomorrow the DEMO for it we’ve written.

00:50:53.910 –> 00:51:04.650 Darren N: A 90% of the songs I’ve written I wrote with I’ve written with him and he’s an amazing talent and he is an incredible Fly fisher, Fisherman, I mean he’s the man.

00:51:06.210 –> 00:51:07.740 Joseph McElroy: He knows his stuff I.

00:51:08.850 –> 00:51:19.500 Joseph McElroy: mean we talk fishing quite a bit so where can people find get a copy of this this this album and your other music as well.

00:51:19.950 –> 00:51:28.200 Darren N: yeah well, you can, if you want to support the artists directly there and nicholson.net is the best place to do it my website darrennicholson.net

00:51:30.870 –> 00:51:43.440 Darren N: darrennicholson.net and I’ve got T-shirts and my other albums are on there I’ve got a new Gospel album instrumental mandolin record my other solo projects are on there all kinds of stuff hats things.

00:51:44.700 –> 00:51:51.480 Darren N: And then, if you want to find man on a mission it’s on all the streaming services, you can download it on iTunes.

00:51:52.650 –> 00:51:55.950 Darren N: Is a great way to get it, but the streaming services as well.

00:51:56.700 –> 00:51:57.630 Joseph McElroy: anywhere you.

00:51:58.800 –> 00:51:59.640 Joseph McElroy: Go sorry.

00:52:00.300 –> 00:52:00.660 Darren N: Go ahead.

00:52:01.350 –> 00:52:05.490 Joseph McElroy: I was gonna say you know the stickers and T-shirts are hilarious how.

00:52:06.000 –> 00:52:07.170 Joseph McElroy: Did you come up with those ideas.

00:52:08.100 –> 00:52:16.770 Darren N: yeah I’ve got well I’ve got a friend up in Kentucky who who who actually designed a couple of those I can’t take credit for that, but.

00:52:17.550 –> 00:52:36.420 Darren N: I have taken credit for ordering them and selling them but he’s in graphic designer he just sent me a new one, the other day because I’m always joking about wrestling old school wrestling and he did, one of my faces on rick flares body and it’s pretty cool.

00:52:37.290 –> 00:52:37.890 Joseph McElroy: I mean a.

00:52:38.730 –> 00:52:41.880 Darren N: Great the two great North Carolinians Earl Scruggs and Rick Flair

00:52:45.330 –> 00:52:56.970 Joseph McElroy: Wait to tell you I don’t know how do you have fulfill those orders, but what we discovered a new service service recently it’s pretty good it’s called principle right and they actually will manufacture on-demand T-shirts and.

00:52:57.000 –> 00:53:01.470 Joseph McElroy: mugs and all that, so you don’t have to keep any inventory it’s like.

00:53:01.470 –> 00:53:03.150 Joseph McElroy: it’s crazy it’s good yeah.

00:53:03.330 –> 00:53:04.560 Darren N: that’s really good yeah.

00:53:05.130 –> 00:53:07.320 Darren N: Because one one T shirt.

00:53:07.410 –> 00:53:08.100 Darren N: A year so.

00:53:08.220 –> 00:53:09.210 that’s really good.

00:53:10.920 –> 00:53:13.440 Joseph McElroy: yeah you buy 100 T shirts to keep them for 10 years.

00:53:16.770 –> 00:53:22.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s like buying by the library books and sold a couple everyone so i’m still.

00:53:22.020 –> 00:53:25.920 Darren N: Trying to sell some cassette tapes I’m going to feel those are you guys looking for.

00:53:26.940 –> 00:53:30.270 Joseph McElroy: I met a guy wants to put out an album and he.

00:53:31.920 –> 00:53:35.070 Joseph McElroy: hadn’t sold me had like 2000 copies under his bed.

00:53:36.660 –> 00:53:40.830 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s All I will say this bottle is making a comeback.

00:53:40.890 –> 00:53:51.780 Darren N: In the plan is, you know i’m not trying to let the cat out of the bag, but the plan is for balsam range to do some kind of vinyl at some point because this is 15 this year is 15 years of balsam range.

00:53:52.200 –> 00:53:59.370 Darren N: And so I don’t have any details or any specifics on that, but you know that’s that’s.

00:54:00.300 –> 00:54:07.350 Joseph McElroy: We put a fabulous record player in the speakeasy with a actually a wall mounted album.

00:54:09.000 –> 00:54:16.050 Joseph McElroy: You know, storage and when we play albums there, so you definitely have to get us one of those man.

00:54:16.560 –> 00:54:31.890 Darren N: was a warm sound there they go that plan is to only print like 200 and do you know, and if people who love balsam range and the real diehard fans that have been there for 15 years of people won’t want it’s kind of a novelty, you know.

00:54:32.490 –> 00:54:34.530 Joseph McElroy: i’m i’m buying.

00:54:36.660 –> 00:54:39.990 Joseph McElroy: I’m buying it, no matter what it costs all right well yeah.

00:54:40.110 –> 00:54:41.640 Darren N: i’m not gonna spend a million oh that’s.

00:54:42.720 –> 00:54:43.830 Darren N: $8,000 apiece.

00:54:47.070 –> 00:54:47.250 Joseph McElroy: what’s.

00:54:47.910 –> 00:54:49.770 Darren N: what’s the most you give and not back out.

00:54:50.880 –> 00:54:52.230 Joseph McElroy: The most out give.

00:54:52.440 –> 00:54:53.490 Darren N: For now back out.

00:54:54.000 –> 00:54:54.360 Darren N: And not.

00:54:55.860 –> 00:54:56.100 Darren N: yeah.

00:54:56.940 –> 00:54:58.080 Darren N: that’s my feet.

00:54:58.170 –> 00:54:58.650 Joseph McElroy: My buddy.

00:55:01.860 –> 00:55:06.720 Darren N: I was trying to buy this instrument off my buddy Danny one time, and I said how much do you want for it, and he said.

00:55:07.980 –> 00:55:09.330 Darren N: what’s give and not back out.

00:55:13.170 –> 00:55:17.010 Joseph McElroy: So any other big projects, you have coming up this year.

00:55:17.610 –> 00:55:20.040 Darren N: yeah several things actually.

00:55:21.510 –> 00:55:29.880 Darren N: i’m going to officially be releasing this you can get a copy of my Gospel album through the website it’s kind of a pre order thing.

00:55:30.840 –> 00:55:37.680 Darren N: But i’m later on in the year i’m going to be releasing a Gospel record called songs of hope and inspiration and.

00:55:38.400 –> 00:55:49.080 Darren N: One of the songs I wrote with my buddy Eric Gibson and it’s being played on satellite radio right now and it’s been a few stations if bluegrass DJ is out there woman, they can contact me and get it, but.

00:55:51.060 –> 00:55:56.220 Darren N: balsam range I talked about the the 15 years we’re going to do some special for that.

00:55:58.230 –> 00:56:05.550 Darren N: I’m also recording and doing a handful of shows, with a blue all star bluegrass band called the no joke jimmies.

00:56:07.260 –> 00:56:16.320 Darren N: bunch of guys from Nashville and a bunch of around the country that are in national touring bands ones in the seldom-seen two is from the grass goals.

00:56:16.740 –> 00:56:24.270 Darren N: One you know plays with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder and it’s a bunch of buddies of got together and we’re in the process of.

00:56:24.660 –> 00:56:41.010 Darren N: We just released a single we’re making a full album i’ve been in Nashville last weekend recording on that and we’re going to be doing some of the major festivals around the country obviously when i’m not with balsam range and they’re not with their respective bands, but.

00:56:42.480 –> 00:57:01.770 Darren N: And also end of March 1 of April, going to be doing some shows in western North Carolina with all the block and just writing songs cranking out music got a bunch of bands and bluegrass who have a bunch of my songs i’ve written on hold it’s just an exciting time a.

00:57:01.800 –> 00:57:02.220 Darren N: lot of.

00:57:02.250 –> 00:57:10.530 Darren N: Really fun shows coming up this year things that I’m really excited about and life is good, you know.

00:57:11.070 –> 00:57:18.600 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, a Gospel thing sounds great I mean you know i’ve been in a couple places like Barbados and plays and other places, never.

00:57:18.990 –> 00:57:30.810 Joseph McElroy: A Gospel brunch on Sunday is everybody, leaving the tourism area and they’re huge they’re really huge you know people really love that especially a Gospel on a Sunday morning.

00:57:31.200 –> 00:57:42.720 Joseph McElroy: right they not gonna be able to stay until 12 and go to you know go-to service that they go through 10 or 11 or whatever, and then get on the road, but they love that that the things I’ve been thinking about that, yeah but.

00:57:45.840 –> 00:57:48.120 Darren N: Gospel thing is something i’ve wanted to do for a while.

00:57:49.200 –> 00:57:56.760 Darren N: This man on the mission, I want to keep I want to keep reinventing myself there’s guys like Marty Stuart and Darrell Scott, who.

00:57:57.450 –> 00:58:06.540 Darren N: Who when they do records they might do a California country record they might do a blues record they might do a black Gospel record they might do a bluegrass record.

00:58:07.020 –> 00:58:17.100 Darren N: But they’re always changing it up, but it’s always a quality record I don’t know what Marty Stewart’s going to do next, but I will go by his record, because I know.

00:58:17.610 –> 00:58:28.620 Darren N: he’s a steward of American music and and he wants to carry American music forward whether it’s bluegrass country old time Gospel roots music.

00:58:29.880 –> 00:58:38.160 Darren N: But his records are always good and he kind of keeps reinventing himself and keeps pushing boundaries and that’s what I want to do with my music.

00:58:38.730 –> 00:58:39.060 and

00:58:40.200 –> 00:58:47.970 Joseph McElroy: Random you’re doing an Americana is actually a brilliant move on your part, because you can really go wide range with that.

00:58:48.420 –> 00:58:50.550 Darren N: Open canvas yeah.

00:58:50.760 –> 00:59:04.620 Joseph McElroy: It really is it’s a brilliant idea, well, I am I got a call to close it’s been a wonderful thing I wanted a whole time talking to you I didn’t get a chance to ask about your feud with the cleverly bland band but i’m sure other.

00:59:04.710 –> 00:59:07.080 Joseph McElroy: Well, I wouldn’t I wouldn’t talk about them anyway.

00:59:07.350 –> 00:59:07.920 Okay.

00:59:10.350 –> 00:59:10.800 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:59:12.210 –> 00:59:23.520 Joseph McElroy: so next time we will we will hopefully have another time but anyway we’ll see a few things in the future, I thank you for showing up.

00:59:23.670 –> 00:59:29.310 Darren N: Alright, so much for having me appreciate what you do for our culture here in Western North Carolina oh.

00:59:29.820 –> 00:59:38.640 Joseph McElroy: This this you can find more about this podcast on facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:59:39.630 –> 00:59:45.210 Joseph McElroy: we’re streamed live, we also have on smokies adventures.COM, there is a.

00:59:45.870 –> 00:59:52.650 Joseph McElroy: there’s a link at the top, taking you to the smokies to the gateway to the smokies podcasts and all the episodes and transcripts.

00:59:53.070 –> 01:00:10.620 Joseph McElroy: and other information mailing list touching it on to find out more about what’s coming up this podcast is on the talk radio talkradio.nyc network where there are lots of great podcasts about travel business self-help and various other things are all live podcasts.

01:00:11.700 –> 01:00:16.830 Joseph McElroy: scheduled weekly this podcast appears every Tuesday from six to seven.

01:00:17.970 –> 01:00:27.120 Joseph McElroy: And we’ll have another great show next week for you and I look forward to seeing all of you again or well here, and all of you, or something like that.

01:00:28.500 –> 01:00:29.520 Joseph McElroy: Thank you very much.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/944844552835662/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/272721777_945434612776656_3784908274294894842_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=DeUcmVph5nwAX8SF7Xf&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301D6CD&oh=00_AT-cob_wnVeum2m9wH8IJWenOsUZAMexMv_SWsselrKWfQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><h2><strong>About this Episode:</strong></h2><p>We are joined by our special guest,<strong> Darren Nicholson</strong>, an Award-winning Charter Member of the Legendary Contemporary Bluegrass Group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians-- including duo concerts with his wife Jennifer.</p><p>We had him on the show last season and even repeated it once last year due to its popularity, so we invited him again this year, especially since he has a new project that has just been released-“Man on a Mission.”</p><p>Darren Nicholson is a gifted singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. You will learn from him some of his original American music from the mountains of Western North Carolina. He also discusses with us his newly released project &#34; Man on a Mission.&#34;</p><h3>Connect with Darren:</h3><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DarrenNicholsonMusic/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://darrennicholson.net" rel="nofollow"><strong>Website</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/darrennicholsonmusic/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Instagram</strong></a></p><h3>Connect with our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy:</h3><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmcelroy/" rel="nofollow"><strong>LinkedIn</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Meadowlarkmotel" rel="nofollow"><strong>Business Facebook Page</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://meadowlarkmotel.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Website</strong></a></p><h3><strong>Check out our Social Media:</strong></h3><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gatewaytothesmokies/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Instagram</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3Cpxa49" rel="nofollow"><strong>Youtube</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h2>SHOW NOTES</h2><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joining us again on this second season of Gateway to the Smokies is Darren Nicholson. Before speaking with Nicholson, Joseph talks about his sponsor for today’s show which is his own Meadowlark Motel and Smokiesadventure.com, focusing on outdoor life in the Smoky Mountains. He also goes into special events happening at the motel such as activities like fly fishing. He then introduces Nicholson, who is a member of the legendary contemporary bluegrass group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians. Nicholson talks about dealing with the pandemic and getting back to songwriting going into 2021 when he wasn’t performing live. Joseph recalls when Nicholson helped out last year in Haywood County when there was a big flood. He along with Balsam Range did a concert to bring the community together during the relief efforts. Nicholson also talks about the Balsam Range Art of Music Festival.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph and Nicholson discussed their collaboration last year to create the Darren Nicholson All-Star Bluegrass Band Camp. Nicholson talks about wanting to do this to pass down and share the Mountain music and keep the culture strong with others who are passionate about music and want to play. He describes it as a communal experience inspiring and engaging with others. Nicholson also mentions some artists in his lineup for his music festival and how special it was to have them in. They talk about his recent past performances at the motel and Haywood County and more about bluegrass music. Nicholson also talks to Joseph about being more of a mentor now being almost a veteran in the bluegrass industry. He talks about one of his own mentors, Steve Sutton, and the invaluable time he spent with him and how he has helped him over time in maturing and becoming the man he is today.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph talks with Darren about his new album called “Man on a Mission.” Darren talks about some of the music on the album sounding edgy to even some having a bluegrass sound as well as rock n roll. This he says is his fourth solo project which is on the Mountain Home label. Darren mentions writing about himself and his experiences. He says he likes to write songs that tell stories, not paint pictures. He says that there&#39;s something about bluegrass and country music that is so authentic and connects people together. Joseph says that his favorite song for the album is called “All Night Long.” he says that it relates to old Appalachian music. Darren talks about the feeling of loss and lonesome which was one of the emotions that he wanted to get out of this song.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph and Darren talk about Charles Humphrey who was a co-writer on his EP. You can go to darrennicholson.net to check out more of Darren’s music and merchandise. His new album can be downloaded on many streaming platforms like Itunes. Some Of his merchandise are stickers. Being someone who is an old-school wrestling fan, they joke about some of the humor like putting his face on Ric Flair’s body. He also talks about Balsam Range going into their 15th year together as well as making a Vinyl record. Darren also mentions that later this year he’ll be releasing a gospel album called “Songs of Hope and Inspiration.” Darren is also working with a bluegrass band called The No Joke Jimmys, from Nashville. There are a lot of fun shows he will be a part of this year. Darren also discusses always wanting to reinvent himself with his music. Joseph thanks Darren for coming on for today’s episode and Darren thanks him as well for a great conversation and for being a part of keeping the culture strong in North Carolina.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:03:01.980 –&gt; 00:03:06.630 Joseph McElroy: Today, thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:03:07.140 –&gt; 00:03:08.820 Joseph McElroy: This is the second season.</p><p>00:03:09.120 –&gt; 00:03:19.440 Joseph McElroy: Of this podcast focuses on the life, culture, and tourism of America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:03:19.920 –&gt; 00:03:29.520 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and stunning adventures, and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly events or</p><p>00:03:30.420 –&gt; 00:03:43.560 Joseph McElroy: episodes I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also a deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:03:44.460 –&gt; 00:03:50.040 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we’re talking about original Americana music coming from Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:03:51.090 –&gt; 00:03:55.080 Joseph McElroy: First let’s talk about our sponsors, which happens to be me in this case.</p><p>00:03:57.780 –&gt; 00:04:11.850 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, it modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a country in amenities, a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:04:12.360 –&gt; 00:04:23.580 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by a fine wine and craft beers.</p><p>00:04:24.030 –&gt; 00:04:37.740 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sound imagine a place with mountain heritage, food, and an underground speakeasy where music kind of source play and listen to really great tracks.</p><p>00:04:38.370 –&gt; 00:04:45.690 Joseph McElroy: There is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:04:47.760 –&gt; 00:04:58.050 Joseph McElroy: Also, sponsoring us as smokies adventure.com smokies, smokies is plural, adventure is singular.com it’s got information and listings about the smokies it’s a.</p><p>00:04:58.410 –&gt; 00:05:12.720 Joseph McElroy: Big directory and also has a lot of articles about the going and enjoying the smokies focuses on outdoor life like hiking camping and family adventures and outdoor recreation also gets into.</p><p>00:05:13.260 –&gt; 00:05:24.780 Joseph McElroy: where you can have outdoor weddings and then find out information on lodging and cabins and conventions of honeymoons and more it’s it’s going to become the leading information portal just smoking out.</p><p>00:05:26.160 –&gt; 00:05:33.300 Joseph McElroy: Now there’s a couple of events coming up at the Meadowlark I wanted to mention on February 26 at 4 pm we</p><p>00:05:33.900 –&gt; 00:05:39.960 Joseph McElroy: were going to launch the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center six-part heritage book series.</p><p>00:05:40.560 –&gt; 00:05:50.910 Joseph McElroy: With award-winning author and general manager of the meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center Bob Plott, the first book will be talked about what we strike and stay the story the Plot Hound</p><p>00:05:51.900 –&gt; 00:06:00.210 Joseph McElroy: recognize now is one of the premier hunting dogs in America, the Plott bear, how does unique among honey dog breeds because it descends from Germanic stock.</p><p>00:06:00.720 –&gt; 00:06:11.490 Joseph McElroy: Rather than the traditional English box, the breed story began when its original breeder Joe hands Plott and his brother Enoch left Germany in 1750 with their price, how many dogs.</p><p>00:06:11.910 –&gt; 00:06:24.840 Joseph McElroy: And the trip across the Atlantic to give a 200-year journey that would culminate in the North Carolina mountains, with the development of what is now arguably the world’s finest breed of hunting dog.</p><p>00:06:25.500 –&gt; 00:06:36.390 Joseph McElroy: And it’s now the state dog of North Carolina so the program well will be about that book and have wonderful stories that Bob is a great storyteller.</p><p>00:06:36.660 –&gt; 00:06:42.720 Joseph McElroy: And it will be followed by a Barbecue dinner around six culminating in live acoustic music with Mike Ogletree</p><p>00:06:43.170 –&gt; 00:06:55.170 Joseph McElroy: Former drummer with the super band simple minds and some of his friends, all this is free for Motel guests and $10 for visitors call eight to 8289261717 and reserve your spot.</p><p>00:06:56.160 –&gt; 00:07:02.250 Joseph McElroy: And then I want to mention far ahead and April on the 15th and 16th we’re gonna have a fly fishing camp.</p><p>00:07:02.790 –&gt; 00:07:13.050 Joseph McElroy: it’s a there’s going to be high trout guides limited it’s and owned by world-class fishermen named Dan Sastre who’s a 15 year veteran of the fly fishing industry.</p><p>00:07:13.410 –&gt; 00:07:21.630 Joseph McElroy: and staff, including Charles Humphrey III a Grammy award-winning songwriter and long-time fly fishing expert.</p><p>00:07:22.050 –&gt; 00:07:27.150 Joseph McElroy: There will be an instructor for every two students with a maximum of 20 students.</p><p>00:07:27.630 –&gt; 00:07:41.820 Joseph McElroy: The price is $875 per student and includes and it will be in the instruction, but two nights of lodging free breakfast Saturday and Sunday free Barbecue dinner Saturday night two free beverages of your choice at the speakeasy on Friday night.</p><p>00:07:42.330 –&gt; 00:07:48.840 Joseph McElroy: one half of the day, on Saturday, will be instruction on in the morning on Saturday and then you’re going to go out with the instructors.</p><p>00:07:49.470 –&gt; 00:08:01.680 Joseph McElroy: For four hours of intense fishing on various elite streams around Haywood County and then it will be able to come back to have some Barbecue and entertainment on the Motel on Saturday evening.</p><p>00:08:03.000 –&gt; 00:08:19.110 Joseph McElroy: And then we have a mountain heritage for stream right in the backyard and mountain meadowlark where you, you can practice your trout stream experience fishing experience and learn a few things on your own call eight to 8289261717 to book your experience.</p><p>00:08:20.850 –&gt; 00:08:34.770 Joseph McElroy: Now, as I mentioned, we will be talking about original new Americana music in Western North Carolina day, and in my research, I found a brief cold call poem called smoky mountain woman by Mary Lou Iweaka.</p><p>00:08:35.820 –&gt; 00:08:49.860 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountain woman herself of Cherokee and Scotch Irish descent so often I think ballads and songs of Appalachia focus on a woman from a man’s point of view, so I thought I would just read this as an acknowledgment.</p><p>00:08:50.970 –&gt; 00:08:59.010 Joseph McElroy: I rise in silence steadfast in the elements with thought a smoke movil drown drawn around me.</p><p>00:08:59.700 –&gt; 00:09:11.130 Joseph McElroy: seasons clothed me and Laurel and bittersweet in ice, but my art part is constant fire scars and Torrance a road my shape.</p><p>00:09:11.700 –&gt; 00:09:40.530 Joseph McElroy: But strength wells within me to bear new life and sustain what lives already four streams of wit relieve my heavy mind smoothing boulders cast up raw edge and the raven’s lonesome cry reminds me that the soul is is, as it has ever been time cannot support my stubborn thrust toward heaven.</p><p>00:09:42.720 –&gt; 00:09:43.800 Joseph McElroy: I think that a man can.</p><p>00:09:45.510 –&gt; 00:09:50.310 Joseph McElroy: Understand that who’s actually I think written some songs that talk about that.</p><p>00:09:50.700 –&gt; 00:09:57.720 Joseph McElroy: Is Darren Nicholson he an award-winning charter member of the legendary contemporary bluegrass group balsam range.</p><p>00:09:58.080 –&gt; 00:10:08.430 Joseph McElroy: And they also front his own Darren Nicholson band man on many side projects, I also did, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians.</p><p>00:10:08.820 –&gt; 00:10:29.280 Joseph McElroy: Including duo concerts with his wife Jennifer a gifted songwriter singer and instrumentalists Darren’s new solo project is a man on a mission which captures a wide range of his talents, as he focuses on the various variety of electric and acoustic American economy music. Hello Darren</p><p>00:10:29.790 –&gt; 00:10:31.560 Darren N: I think, but glad to be here.</p><p>00:10:32.400 –&gt; 00:10:39.540 Joseph McElroy: I’m glad you’re back it’s a really appreciate you coming back, we had you on our show last season.</p><p>00:10:40.590 –&gt; 00:10:48.060 Joseph McElroy: Then we even repeated at once, because you were so popular you were by far the biggest listen to episode.</p><p>00:10:49.140 –&gt; 00:10:49.800 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:10:50.850 –&gt; 00:10:53.340 Darren N: I remember, they must have been desperate during the pandemic.</p><p>00:10:53.670 –&gt; 00:10:53.970 Joseph McElroy: I know.</p><p>00:10:54.000 –&gt; 00:10:57.720 Joseph McElroy: must have been desperate desperation maybe it’s just my stellar questioning.</p><p>00:11:00.750 –&gt; 00:11:17.520 Joseph McElroy: But you have a new album which we’ll talk about a little bit, but tell me, we met, we talked in the middle of 2021 and you were just getting back to starting to do some live tour this 2020 was a pretty horrible year, what was the highlights of 2021 for you.</p><p>00:11:22.170 –&gt; 00:11:24.570 Darren N: I tell you what there were a lot of great highlights for.</p><p>00:11:26.250 –&gt; 00:11:32.010 Darren N: Well 2020 and 2021 you know I tried to keep a good attitude to the whole thing I think that’s important.</p><p>00:11:32.790 –&gt; 00:11:38.760 Darren N: You know, when you can’t change the things around you you can’t change your attitude and so.</p><p>00:11:39.450 –&gt; 00:11:51.540 Darren N: That helped me through the pandemic, but in 21 and even the year before I really dove into songwriting because I wasn’t touring I wasn’t playing live shows, I really.</p><p>00:11:52.230 –&gt; 00:12:01.590 Darren N: dug my heels into the songwriting aspect and recording so I’ve got I’m sitting on a pile of recordings right now that that is going to be coming out in the next year and a half that.</p><p>00:12:02.280 –&gt; 00:12:06.930 Darren N: That are just sitting on the shelf there’s going to be a bunch of new music released in the next year and.</p><p>00:12:08.250 –&gt; 00:12:16.350 Darren N: Just lit a fire in me to create and now I get to go out and play live shows as well, so it’s an exciting time for my musical.</p><p>00:12:17.640 –&gt; 00:12:18.450 Darren N: creativity.</p><p>00:12:18.990 –&gt; 00:12:27.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah it looks like you guys that balsam range you launched a new album and September what was called moxie and metal and that was, I think, received pretty well right.</p><p>00:12:28.140 –&gt; 00:12:34.320 Darren N: Oh yeah yeah we had four number one songs off of it, one was number one for six weeks.</p><p>00:12:35.400 –&gt; 00:12:39.060 Darren N: And it’s been a good record for us.</p><p>00:12:39.420 –&gt; 00:12:41.850 Joseph McElroy: Santa Barbara That was the one that was like four weeks.</p><p>00:12:42.240 –&gt; 00:12:43.770 Darren N: I think it was richest man.</p><p>00:12:43.860 –&gt; 00:12:44.730 Joseph McElroy: richest man.</p><p>00:12:47.190 –&gt; 00:12:48.630 Darren N: Barbara was number one.</p><p>00:12:50.160 –&gt; 00:12:53.070 Darren N: Rivers and rains runaway trains and.</p><p>00:12:55.620 –&gt; 00:12:59.370 Darren N: Trends think there was maybe possibly grit and grace.</p><p>00:12:59.940 –&gt; 00:13:02.910 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well i’m.</p><p>00:13:03.060 –&gt; 00:13:04.020 Darren N: dying time anyway.</p><p>00:13:04.320 –&gt; 00:13:09.000 Joseph McElroy: So you didn’t get to start doing some touring there so I think like you said that was really good.</p><p>00:13:09.690 –&gt; 00:13:22.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah but you know one thing that stuck out to me, and I remember reading about it and reminded about it when we’re here is you guys really stepped up when the Haywood county had a big flood last year and.</p><p>00:13:23.280 –&gt; 00:13:29.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah and you, you guys jumped right in and did some relief work for the victims and you did a concert right.</p><p>00:13:30.330 –&gt; 00:13:41.490 Darren N: But we did in August of last year, there was a major catastrophe here and haywood county major flooding several people lost their lives and.</p><p>00:13:41.970 –&gt; 00:13:57.960 Darren N: Hundreds of people were displaced lost their homes lost everything and it was a and you know balsam range was a part of that, but it was just a chance for the community to come together a lot of people in this Community worked really hard and that’s what you do.</p><p>00:13:59.190 –&gt; 00:14:12.810 Darren N: You there there’s so much divisive missing and things in our country now where it’s there’s so many polarizing issues and when something like it, unfortunately, it takes something like.</p><p>00:14:13.260 –&gt; 00:14:24.390 Darren N: 911 or a major catastrophe, whether it’s on a major you know, a national scale or in your community to realize hey we’re.</p><p>00:14:25.830 –&gt; 00:14:33.810 Darren N: we’re kind of in this together we’re still human beings, and we have to help each other and love each other and we got to be there to support each other and.</p><p>00:14:34.680 –&gt; 00:14:51.000 Darren N: And that’s what people did, and it got our mind off the riffraff and the fray for a few minutes, and we all dug in and really helped and then a couple of months later, we went right back to crapping on each other on Instagram Twitter as we did.</p><p>00:14:54.150 –&gt; 00:14:55.350 Darren N: Like we did it that’s all we do.</p><p>00:14:57.840 –&gt; 00:14:58.740 Joseph McElroy: More yeah.</p><p>00:14:59.610 –&gt; 00:14:59.850 Darren N: But.</p><p>00:14:59.880 –&gt; 00:15:03.870 Darren N: But it was good, it was good to see the Community pulled together and.</p><p>00:15:03.870 –&gt; 00:15:06.420 Darren N: We have we were part of that same way so.</p><p>00:15:06.660 –&gt; 00:15:13.920 Joseph McElroy: You guys actually do a number of concerts even though you’re like a big band number ones, all that stuff you do you actually do I think.</p><p>00:15:16.710 –&gt; 00:15:23.190 Joseph McElroy: More than a surprising amount of concerts in Haywood County right you got your own balsam range festival right.</p><p>00:15:24.060 –&gt; 00:15:40.860 Darren N: Here we usually do to concerts a year in Haywood County has balsam range both of those are like Junalaska the auditorium and that’s probably the biggest venue there and the art of music festival that’s in December, the first weekend of December.</p><p>00:15:41.910 –&gt; 00:15:52.800 Darren N: And we did that, for a couple of reasons, one economically that was the slowest weekend on record every year in Haywood County so we wanted to do something to bring folks into the show.</p><p>00:15:53.910 –&gt; 00:16:01.470 Darren N: All these people were we travel all over the country we tell them about Western North Carolina balsam range, which is the mountain range here and Haywood County.</p><p>00:16:02.010 –&gt; 00:16:11.310 Darren N: And we invite them to our home and they get to come and December, and it does something to stimulate the economy here, and it also is a chance for us to</p><p>00:16:11.760 –&gt; 00:16:24.540 Darren N: showcase mute bring music that we find out on the road and show off to our home folks that they wouldn’t ever get to see and Haywood county and we get to bring folks in and show off our home county and so.</p><p>00:16:25.860 –&gt; 00:16:32.940 Darren N: it’s just it’s been growing we started it as we’re in the fourth or fifth year now doing it exciting.</p><p>00:16:33.720 –&gt; 00:16:36.420 Joseph McElroy: exciting it’s a big it’s a pretty big thing and that’s.</p><p>00:16:37.290 –&gt; 00:16:43.140 Joseph McElroy: You and the other one is your own is that the balsam range festival, is that the way to Junaluska art festival.</p><p>00:16:44.250 –&gt; 00:16:50.910 Darren N: it’s the same thing it’s it’s like General it’s like Junalaska but it’s called the balsam range art of music festival.</p><p>00:16:50.970 –&gt; 00:16:52.080 Joseph McElroy: I see okay.</p><p>00:16:52.620 –&gt; 00:16:58.260 Darren N: Because we didn’t call it a bluegrass festival because it’s not just bluegrass.</p><p>00:16:58.590 –&gt; 00:17:02.970 Darren N: We did an album with the Atlanta POPs orchestra, and so we do a set of music.</p><p>00:17:04.140 –&gt; 00:17:16.740 Darren N: that’s balsam range with the orchestra, but you know we have everything from rock and roll to country to do it’s too old-time ragtime blues, and so it really is music, which is what we love.</p><p>00:17:17.070 –&gt; 00:17:29.520 Joseph McElroy: You know Bob Plott loves that you know I mentioned him as a GM of the Meadowlark and he wanted to make sure that I put in a pitch to say hey you know you do some openings prior to that we can we come in the Meadowlark</p><p>00:17:31.890 –&gt; 00:17:32.460 Joseph McElroy: I.</p><p>00:17:32.490 –&gt; 00:17:37.470 Darren N: we’re open to anything we want to we’ve tried to get Haywood County involved and incorporate.</p><p>00:17:38.520 –&gt; 00:17:43.410 Darren N: Different venues and places throughout the year so we’re always open for new ideas.</p><p>00:17:43.650 –&gt; 00:17:46.170 Joseph McElroy: Alright sounds good, well, we got to take a break.</p><p>00:17:48.600 –&gt; 00:17:55.470 Joseph McElroy: Now, and we’ll come back we’ll talk about a little bit more about some stuff we’ve done ago, like the bluegrass band camp and then we’ll get into how.</p><p>00:20:11.430 –&gt; 00:20:20.970 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Darren Nicholson, so there last year last summer.</p><p>00:20:22.020 –&gt; 00:20:29.670 Joseph McElroy: We collaborated actually on presenting a band camp, the Darren Nicholson all-star bluegrass band camp.</p><p>00:20:30.270 –&gt; 00:20:43.740 Joseph McElroy: And it was holding them in Meadowlark and I thought you know, for the first year we were doing anything with the mountain the smoky mountain heritage Center I think it was the most successful event, I think it was successful for being the first one.</p><p>00:20:44.940 –&gt; 00:20:53.250 Joseph McElroy: And you know, I was, I was pleased now I wasn’t very heavily involved in creating that or whatever Bob and you, I think, discussing how did that come about.</p><p>00:20:54.210 –&gt; 00:21:08.640 Darren N: Well, I think it was Bob’s idea, he approached me about doing something like that, at the Meadowlark and I said yeah I think that’d be a great idea I’m always for bringing new artists to Haywood County and I’m all always.</p><p>00:21:09.960 –&gt; 00:21:22.380 Darren N: Looking to anything to promote mountain music, especially if it’s a band camp where folks are coming who are interested in music and doing workshops and camps, who are interested in playing because that is.</p><p>00:21:23.370 –&gt; 00:21:29.940 Darren N: A big part of the fabric of Western North Carolina and and and mountain music is passing it down passing it on.</p><p>00:21:30.420 –&gt; 00:21:39.060 Darren N: Like in my family, it was a family thing from generation to generation, but it was also a Community thing and that music was shared and.</p><p>00:21:39.570 –&gt; 00:21:50.850 Darren N: that’s how the music got around you know it left Kentucky East Tennessee and Western North Carolina and bluegrass is all over the world, now, you know there’s bluegrass.</p><p>00:21:51.270 –&gt; 00:22:01.740 Darren N: association in Switzerland there’s a bluegrass association in Europe and Australia I’ve played bluegrass there’s a fest there are festivals in Australia and.</p><p>00:22:02.370 –&gt; 00:22:09.120 Darren N: I know, in the 50s and 60s my dad left Western North Carolina and these.</p><p>00:22:09.870 –&gt; 00:22:20.070 Darren N: mountain people they went a lot of them went out West to the Seattle area to be a part of the login boom and they were part of the logging industry, just like.</p><p>00:22:20.490 –&gt; 00:22:27.780 Darren N: folks in Tennessee and Virginia went north to work in the auto industry near Detroit and Ohio.</p><p>00:22:28.560 –&gt; 00:22:34.800 Darren N: They went out west to log and they took the music with them and now there are bluegrass festivals and old-time music.</p><p>00:22:35.220 –&gt; 00:22:46.320 Darren N: all over the place in Barrington Washington and Seattle there’s winter grass winter hog there’s all this bluegrass out there, so much that years ago they used to have a festival and say I will call the tar heel picnic.</p><p>00:22:47.520 –&gt; 00:23:02.730 Darren N: It all comes from that spirit of sharing this music and sharing this culture right so anytime somebody has an idea to do something like that which I know Bob’s a big fan of that stuff and when y’all offered I’m on board with anything like that.</p><p>00:23:03.120 –&gt; 00:23:12.390 Joseph McElroy: I remember seeing a young guy young boy, there was this guitar sitting the audience and then you go for, but he was like ecstatic right.</p><p>00:23:13.020 –&gt; 00:23:14.070 Darren N: And then he still.</p><p>00:23:14.070 –&gt; 00:23:16.740 Joseph McElroy: playing a really you know in.</p><p>00:23:16.770 –&gt; 00:23:26.550 Darren N: Those kind of thing I remember as a player when players that I looked up to or older players encouraged me and said hey come on people with us and.</p><p>00:23:27.090 –&gt; 00:23:34.260 Darren N: And and it’s such a Community thing music is one of the things that really brings people together and.</p><p>00:23:35.070 –&gt; 00:23:44.010 Darren N: It is a communal experience and that young man is now I’ll let him borrow mandolin that I’ve got and he’s playing the mandolin he’s playing the.</p><p>00:23:44.910 –&gt; 00:23:54.330 Darren N: guitar he’s doing less than several times a week and he’s becoming quite a musician and I’m really he’s named Henry and I’m really proud of him and.</p><p>00:23:55.110 –&gt; 00:23:55.830 Darren N: But that’s.</p><p>00:23:56.370 –&gt; 00:23:58.710 Darren N: that’s the lifeblood of this music.</p><p>00:23:59.610 –&gt; 00:24:09.420 Joseph McElroy: wow that’s amazing you know that’s that is you’re getting younger generations to become totally enthralled with it and embrace it as a way it lives on.</p><p>00:24:09.990 –&gt; 00:24:21.360 Joseph McElroy: forever I’m really glad of that and what small part I might have helped you know it makes me feel good that we did that now, you had an incredible all-star lineup including ADI Blaylock all right.</p><p>00:24:22.290 –&gt; 00:24:27.660 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell me I can’t tell us about the people you lined up for that, and what they’re known for.</p><p>00:24:28.410 –&gt; 00:24:35.670 Darren N: yeah already blade lock is a professional touring bluegrass musician he makes his home in Indiana but.</p><p>00:24:36.780 –&gt; 00:24:44.040 Darren N: He started as a teenager with one of the legends of bluegrass Mr. Jimmy Martin Mr good and country.</p><p>00:24:52.110 –&gt; 00:25:01.140 Darren N: And so, he went to school with and learned traditional bluegrass from probably the best teacher there was and.</p><p>00:25:02.220 –&gt; 00:25:05.790 Darren N: And so already I’ve always loved his singing and he’s got this amazing.</p><p>00:25:06.840 –&gt; 00:25:16.080 Darren N: voice, he can switch from lead to tanner just flawlessly he was born to sing bluegrass and country music and and and so.</p><p>00:25:16.920 –&gt; 00:25:25.560 Darren N: far he doesn’t get to play in western North Carolina whole lot and for us to be able to bring him down here was a with a great big tree because he’s got a lot of fans, but he.</p><p>00:25:27.060 –&gt; 00:25:38.520 Darren N: He was on the list of bass players was read Jones he tours with Ali and I knew they would they’re so used to playing in together the rhythm section very important in bluegrass so the.</p><p>00:25:38.520 –&gt; 00:25:39.690 Darren N: bass guitar where.</p><p>00:25:40.140 –&gt; 00:25:49.470 Darren N: I wanted that to be locked in and the fellow who played banjo is an award-winning banjo player from up in Wilkes Barre North Carolina name Eric Ellis.</p><p>00:25:49.890 –&gt; 00:26:02.280 Darren N: And Eric’s a legendary banjo player he never traveled much he’s gone out and he did professional recordings and travel some but Eric was one of those guys that.</p><p>00:26:03.030 –&gt; 00:26:21.900 Darren N: He was smart enough to get a job with the state of North Carolina and play bluegrass on the weekends and we live in an area it blows people’s minds that they’re guys that that work at the post office that play bluegrass at a higher level than most people in Ashville.</p><p>00:26:22.020 –&gt; 00:26:23.040 Darren N: Right, no, I mean.</p><p>00:26:23.610 –&gt; 00:26:33.690 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I mean I think bluegrass is like you know they say poets usually can’t make a living and they have big jobs, I think it was the same thing for bluegrass right.</p><p>00:26:34.650 –&gt; 00:26:38.700 Joseph McElroy: It can make poetry with the music, but a lot of times they have big jobs.</p><p>00:26:39.570 –&gt; 00:26:40.530 Darren N: Exactly but.</p><p>00:26:40.860 –&gt; 00:26:54.210 Darren N: It was fun, it was a fun time and On another note, audio is coming back in at the end of March 1 of April to do a couple of shows in Asheville and Haywood county with me so that’s all.</p><p>00:26:54.990 –&gt; 00:26:56.700 Joseph McElroy: The haters your wife.</p><p>00:26:57.870 –&gt; 00:26:59.700 Darren N: yeah well it’s his first cousin.</p><p>00:27:00.120 –&gt; 00:27:10.080 Darren N: Oh really years ago I’d filled in with him at IBMA, he was in Nashville at the time, the international bluegrass music awards association and.</p><p>00:27:11.550 –&gt; 00:27:24.720 Darren N: And he called me and I went and did a road date with him a couple of months later in Michigan and he said we’re playing it his cousin school and we went up there and, in my mind, I thought his cousin.</p><p>00:27:25.890 –&gt; 00:27:30.390 Darren N: I don’t know why I had this in my head, because he didn’t say either way, but I thought his cousin was a guy.</p><p>00:27:31.110 –&gt; 00:27:41.700 Darren N: And we went he’s we’re walking up to her apartment he said we’re going to go see my cousin was the night before we played the show the next day we’re walking up there, and he said hey my cousin’s pretty good looking.</p><p>00:27:44.130 –&gt; 00:27:48.750 Darren N: And I realized what was going on and We walked through the door and man, she was.</p><p>00:27:50.520 –&gt; 00:27:52.590 Darren N: And that’s how we met and.</p><p>00:27:54.150 –&gt; 00:27:55.080 Darren N: next thing you know.</p><p>00:27:55.440 –&gt; 00:27:56.520 Joseph McElroy: You play music together.</p><p>00:27:57.750 –&gt; 00:27:58.170 Darren N: together.</p><p>00:27:59.040 –&gt; 00:28:10.440 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous well I, you know that was, I want to say that that you that bluegrass man, which you sort of put together for this was a fabulous I mean that was the hard drive and.</p><p>00:28:11.970 –&gt; 00:28:20.760 Joseph McElroy: That was real you guys play for hours, I mean it wasn’t just an hour concert you play for a long time you just seem like you’re having a blast right.</p><p>00:28:21.240 –&gt; 00:28:35.310 Darren N: That was like getting the that was like getting a full dose of medicine, it was the straight shot to the arm of full unadulterated in your face.</p><p>00:28:36.960 –&gt; 00:28:49.920 Darren N: adrenaline bluegrass like high octane bluegrass not just there’s within bluegrass there are 50 different styles, but that is like intense.</p><p>00:28:50.400 –&gt; 00:29:03.210 Darren N: You got to bring your a game it’s not for the faint of heart bluegrass and in it, it puts it keeps me on my toes it’s at the top of what I can do musically and it challenges me and that’s why I like playing with him.</p><p>00:29:03.750 –&gt; 00:29:07.890 Joseph McElroy: And the audience is there because it’s bluegrass they were just they were really into.</p><p>00:29:08.370 –&gt; 00:29:12.300 Darren N: They don’t get to hear music like that it’s like a punk rock it’s that intensity.</p><p>00:29:12.450 –&gt; 00:29:12.900 Joseph McElroy: And like.</p><p>00:29:13.830 –&gt; 00:29:19.830 Darren N: A lot of bluegrass doesn’t sound like that and it’s as mark says it’s like getting hit in the face with a wet squirrel.</p><p>00:29:22.230 –&gt; 00:29:25.050 Joseph McElroy: Well I’m hoping that we can do another one you think we can.</p><p>00:29:25.620 –&gt; 00:29:29.340 Darren N: we’d love to yeah the guys, they said they’d love to come back anytime so.</p><p>00:29:29.490 –&gt; 00:29:33.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think it’s Bob’s putting it on the schedule and working it out because I think it’d be.</p><p>00:29:33.570 –&gt; 00:29:47.490 Joseph McElroy: Great of the fact you know, we want to do things where there are more camp things for not only adults or kids too and yeah now it’s where we’re you know we’re looking at some others as well.</p><p>00:29:48.840 –&gt; 00:29:53.280 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know you have you’ve been having you actually had an opportunity.</p><p>00:29:54.480 –&gt; 00:30:04.590 Joseph McElroy: To mentor and teach those guests about the music and songwriting on an afternoon is that something you enjoy doing is mentoring, the mentor quite often.</p><p>00:30:05.850 –&gt; 00:30:18.630 Darren N: We get when people ask you know you know I, I would like to say that you know I’ve had some influence on you know some folks but.</p><p>00:30:19.110 –&gt; 00:30:27.450 Darren N: I’ve always you know I’m the youngest one in the band I’ve always kind of been the one that’s been mentors but I’m starting to get to that point in my career where.</p><p>00:30:29.070 –&gt; 00:30:33.450 Darren N: I’m getting some age on me, you know my hair’s falling out my beards turning Gray and.</p><p>00:30:34.890 –&gt; 00:30:36.120 Darren N: I actually did a gig.</p><p>00:30:37.980 –&gt; 00:30:47.010 Darren N: a few weeks ago over in Tennessee and I got there and I played with a young guy i’d never met before his name was John and he’s like what.</p><p>00:30:47.730 –&gt; 00:30:59.100 Darren N: I was like hey I’m there and Nice to meet you and he goes what’s your last name and I said Nicholson and he said oh my God I love your me he goes I’ve listened to you since I was a little kid.</p><p>00:31:00.870 –&gt; 00:31:01.290 Darren N: honor.</p><p>00:31:02.280 –&gt; 00:31:02.580 And that’s.</p><p>00:31:05.850 –&gt; 00:31:08.100 Darren N: talk to me the rest of that but.</p><p>00:31:09.720 –&gt; 00:31:11.910 Joseph McElroy: Your third year 38 right now you’re still.</p><p>00:31:13.470 –&gt; 00:31:15.090 Darren N: he’s 20 you know he’s 20.</p><p>00:31:15.780 –&gt; 00:31:16.080 well.</p><p>00:31:17.220 –&gt; 00:31:18.090 Joseph McElroy: Your toddler.</p><p>00:31:19.710 –&gt; 00:31:22.800 Darren N: yeah he was he was super nice but.</p><p>00:31:23.970 –&gt; 00:31:29.010 Darren N: yeah I’m starting to become the older generation of bluegrass and maybe.</p><p>00:31:30.060 –&gt; 00:31:34.020 Darren N: Maybe I can mentor some folks I’ve been more of the tour mentor.</p><p>00:31:35.370 –&gt; 00:31:35.610 Darren N: and</p><p>00:31:38.850 –&gt; 00:31:44.070 Joseph McElroy: Well you’ve had you said, your boss ranger been mentor you had a great mentor and Steve Sutton did you.</p><p>00:31:45.600 –&gt; 00:31:54.630 Darren N: yeah yeah he was one of the guys who played with Jimmy Martin and he knew more about music than anybody ever met.</p><p>00:31:55.020 –&gt; 00:32:02.970 Darren N: And not only did I learn everything I know about music, but everything I know about people and how to treat people in the music business.</p><p>00:32:03.360 –&gt; 00:32:15.420 Darren N: We would travel to Nashville almost every week and so it’d be a four-hour drive down a four-hour drive back in the whole time we were talking about music or people or relationships or.</p><p>00:32:17.040 –&gt; 00:32:19.590 Darren N: And you know, he was.</p><p>00:32:20.670 –&gt; 00:32:39.090 Darren N: My number one influence and now that I’m getting older and getting some clarity and maturity, there are a lot of things that he said to me, you know 15 16 years ago that are just now I’m like oh now nobody man and my time with him are invaluable I owe him everything.</p><p>00:32:39.960 –&gt; 00:32:43.440 Joseph McElroy: You have in a benefit concert an auction coming up for his family right.</p><p>00:32:43.740 –&gt; 00:32:52.560 Darren N: yeah it’s actually not for his family we’ve we’ve set up a trust fund and we give a scholarship we give half the money to the IBMA trust fund.</p><p>00:32:53.340 –&gt; 00:33:03.630 Darren N: To help musicians in need and then the other half goes to a scholarship for a test cola hospital student for music scholarship he was a trumpet major at Tesco.</p><p>00:33:05.010 –&gt; 00:33:16.590 Darren N: We just it’s something to help the Community and keep his name out there and that’s going to be Friday march 18 at holt move Center in Waynesville okay cool.</p><p>00:33:17.850 –&gt; 00:33:18.060 Joseph McElroy: thing.</p><p>00:33:19.230 –&gt; 00:33:20.160 Joseph McElroy: To find out about it.</p><p>00:33:20.670 –&gt; 00:33:22.500 Darren N: and get tickets at fault move to work.</p><p>00:33:23.400 –&gt; 00:33:28.440 Joseph McElroy: OK cool Oh, we got to take a break now and then we’ll come back and finally talk about this new album you got.</p><p>00:35:35.250 –&gt; 00:35:48.180 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McIlroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Darren Nicholson, So Darren, you have a new musical project out an album called the man and the mission.</p><p>00:35:49.770 –&gt; 00:35:54.750 Joseph McElroy: And the I guess is devoted to Americana music, correct?</p><p>00:35:55.860 –&gt; 00:36:01.770 Darren N: I guess when they can’t figure out what label, to put it under.</p><p>00:36:03.300 –&gt; 00:36:07.920 Darren N: But it’s not really a genre clearly that they just call it America.</p><p>00:36:09.060 –&gt; 00:36:12.300 Joseph McElroy: Like from like show tunes to country music right.</p><p>00:36:13.230 –&gt; 00:36:15.180 Darren N: Exactly yeah exactly.</p><p>00:36:16.320 –&gt; 00:36:16.800 Darren N: reggae.</p><p>00:36:17.280 –&gt; 00:36:29.730 Joseph McElroy: But you that you use a lot of electric and acoustic instruments and wide variety songs I mean I listened to it and it’s like goes from blues to bluegrass to old-time country all sorts of stuff.</p><p>00:36:30.240 –&gt; 00:36:42.330 Darren N: yeah well that’s what I want to sound like some of these tunes are a little more edgy rock and roll edgy and then there’s a song on there, that is straight-up country music and then there’s one song that.</p><p>00:36:43.200 –&gt; 00:36:51.210 Darren N: sounds like something maybe Glen Campbell would have done back in the day, like you know it’s almost like a pop.</p><p>00:36:52.320 –&gt; 00:36:52.590 Darren N: But.</p><p>00:36:53.010 –&gt; 00:37:08.460 Darren N: it’s almost a bluegrass song and then, then there are a blues seven-bar blues and then there’s one slow pretty ballot on there and then it ends up with more rock and roll in your face with Lita Jones lyric Jones.</p><p>00:37:09.360 –&gt; 00:37:11.850 Joseph McElroy: singing on there so whatever goes.</p><p>00:37:13.080 –&gt; 00:37:17.100 Joseph McElroy: It started out with a bluegrass thing, and all of a sudden, it goes into southern rock and rolls it’s like.</p><p>00:37:17.130 –&gt; 00:37:22.980 Joseph McElroy: yeah it was crazy that was that the drop there was like wow.</p><p>00:37:24.810 –&gt; 00:37:26.490 Joseph McElroy: I totally took me by surprise.</p><p>00:37:26.520 –&gt; 00:37:32.970 Darren N: that’s what I was wanting I wanted this album to be a curveball if I would have done this record on an electric record four or five years ago.</p><p>00:37:33.570 –&gt; 00:37:47.430 Darren N: I think people would I would have done a classic country-sounding record and I think that’s what people were expecting out of me and so I’ve just got that rebellious thing in me where I can’t do what people are expecting.</p><p>00:37:47.940 –&gt; 00:37:57.720 Joseph McElroy: yeah wow so you’ve had you this is on the mountain home label right me, but you have experienced with them it’s balsam range, but this is what your first solo project with that right.</p><p>00:37:58.710 –&gt; 00:38:03.630 Darren N: yeah, this is my fourth solo record, but my first one on that label.</p><p>00:38:04.080 –&gt; 00:38:07.260 Joseph McElroy: And what does that mean for you know that’s a pretty prestigious label so it’s.</p><p>00:38:07.290 –&gt; 00:38:10.080 Darren N: it’s pretty yeah for sure, and just to have it.</p><p>00:38:11.160 –&gt; 00:38:21.300 Darren N: That quality and I brought in a co-producer because I’ve done three records on my own, I know what a record sounds like when I produce it and I’ve had success doing that.</p><p>00:38:22.290 –&gt; 00:38:28.980 Darren N: I locked away my record sound when I produce them I know exactly what I will, but I also I don’t want to get in a rut.</p><p>00:38:29.640 –&gt; 00:38:39.120 Darren N: This sounds the same every this guy’s records they sound the same every time and so Jeff Collins came in and produce to help produce this thing.</p><p>00:38:39.570 –&gt; 00:38:45.030 Darren N: And he got me out of my comfort zone, a little bit there were, I gave him the songs.</p><p>00:38:45.390 –&gt; 00:38:57.450 Darren N: I had some very specific ideas on some songs we had some knock down drag out fights over some things, and then there were some things that I let go up that’s why you have a guy there and then there are some things that you.</p><p>00:38:59.130 –&gt; 00:39:13.260 Darren N: That he took and made totally different and I’m like man that’s awesome I never would have thought of that and, and so it was just we think we both had a great time hey we would do another one together in a heartbeat I think is a great experience.</p><p>00:39:13.830 –&gt; 00:39:19.800 Joseph McElroy: Well, I saw I saw a quote, that you the paper of you’re describing this album right.</p><p>00:39:20.280 –&gt; 00:39:30.450 Joseph McElroy: And it was almost poetry, and it was you said it was a journey into the human condition with relationships and feelings turned into Appalachian Americana roots tapestry.</p><p>00:39:30.990 –&gt; 00:39:38.850 Joseph McElroy: And then you were saying it’s saying goodbye to an old friend and a hello to a new one it’s like a rocket Saturday night house party and lonely Sunday morning.</p><p>00:39:39.150 –&gt; 00:39:51.660 Joseph McElroy: its tongue in cheek it’s from the heart and songs written about the life and human condition now that’s a pretty amazing scope right there that’s a huge but ambition right, how do you feel about that how far you went towards that.</p><p>00:39:52.410 –&gt; 00:39:55.140 Darren N: I think I nailed all those things in this record.</p><p>00:39:55.560 –&gt; 00:40:02.460 Darren N: yeah that that that’s what I was going for because and that’s what I write about you know I write about.</p><p>00:40:04.170 –&gt; 00:40:15.900 Darren N: My life, the only thing I’m qualified to write about is myself, you know and I’ve you know I’ve had relationships that didn’t work out I’ve had really hard difficult things I’ve been through I’ve had.</p><p>00:40:16.980 –&gt; 00:40:23.730 Darren N: You know funny experiences in life, you know I don’t write about living in a cabin 200 years ago.</p><p>00:40:24.000 –&gt; 00:40:30.180 Darren N: Now I never have you know, but I can write about things that I’ve experienced and.</p><p>00:40:31.650 –&gt; 00:40:39.900 Darren N: You know, sometimes I’ll write a song I don’t like I would rather write songs it tells stories than songs that paint pictures.</p><p>00:40:40.320 –&gt; 00:40:49.320 Darren N: I know to me anybody can write a song that paints a picture, but to tell your story and open up and talk about what you’re really feeling.</p><p>00:40:50.460 –&gt; 00:40:56.340 Darren N: It just goes a little deeper, and I think people can connect with it that’s what I always loved about country music.</p><p>00:40:56.820 –&gt; 00:41:03.960 Darren N: Is it was heartache it was trying, it was a Gospel song, it was hope and inspiration, it was.</p><p>00:41:04.770 –&gt; 00:41:20.250 Darren N: It was sadness, it was the joy it was all those things in the music, you know it was a journey through real-life and authenticity there’s something about country music and when I say country music, I mean bluegrass.</p><p>00:41:22.410 –&gt; 00:41:25.980 Darren N: I mean a lot of these different things you know it’s.</p><p>00:41:28.170 –&gt; 00:41:31.620 Darren N: it’s authentic it’s the real deal.</p><p>00:41:33.900 –&gt; 00:41:47.430 Joseph McElroy: You know this is, I mean for surprisingly how much it affected me, I mean, and then you know I heard you were describing the song called love is war, you described in all relationships, not just romantic has been a battle.</p><p>00:41:48.960 –&gt; 00:41:52.740 Joseph McElroy: And then you said in there you don’t have to agree with somebody to love them.</p><p>00:41:53.760 –&gt; 00:41:54.210 Darren N: and</p><p>00:41:54.300 –&gt; 00:42:06.390 Joseph McElroy: I can’t help but think you know that that it was not just personal I felt like there you are also speaking to this polarized age this age of where we’re battling each other as citizens.</p><p>00:42:06.810 –&gt; 00:42:10.710 Joseph McElroy: And I felt like there were some element of that and, in this in this song.</p><p>00:42:11.100 –&gt; 00:42:21.960 Joseph McElroy: Are you saying we can as citizens love each other that agree on each other, I don’t know if that’s true, but I just felt there was a sense of that the two were channeling something in the Zeitgeist of where we’re living now.</p><p>00:42:22.470 –&gt; 00:42:25.650 Darren N: What we do where the society that likes to scold each other.</p><p>00:42:26.040 –&gt; 00:42:28.680 Darren N: Right, you know and that’s.</p><p>00:42:30.210 –&gt; 00:42:42.180 Darren N: that’s and don’t realize that the hypocrisy and that is hey none of us are perfect mm-hmm, but I think what we don’t realize is is that where we get.</p><p>00:42:43.230 –&gt; 00:42:46.920 Darren N: Where we get value in that is it makes us feel better.</p><p>00:42:47.490 –&gt; 00:42:57.660 Darren N: When we cut someone else’s head off it makes us feel taller and we don’t have to look at our sales, as long as somebody else is screwing up worse than me that I don’t have to look in the mirror at myself.</p><p>00:42:58.410 –&gt; 00:43:03.000 Darren N: And so you know, and I think that’s where a lot of that comes from is nobody.</p><p>00:43:03.690 –&gt; 00:43:16.350 Darren N: You know it’s kinda it’s really hypocritical, but you know and I’ve been guilty of it, you know, but as I get older I realized that you know if I want to be forgiven and I have to learn to forgive.</p><p>00:43:18.510 –&gt; 00:43:19.140 Joseph McElroy: We lost you.</p><p>00:43:22.380 –&gt; 00:43:30.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, he jumped off folks will be back in just a second I’m pretty sure, but he had some I’m going to tell you this was a great album.</p><p>00:43:31.890 –&gt; 00:43:37.860 Joseph McElroy: There was an I really enjoyed this song called all night long on that album.</p><p>00:43:39.390 –&gt; 00:43:45.000 Joseph McElroy: And it was and I felt that a song that really resonated with old Appalachian music.</p><p>00:43:46.830 –&gt; 00:43:47.250 Joseph McElroy: It was.</p><p>00:43:48.300 –&gt; 00:43:53.250 Joseph McElroy: You know, like the old ballads from Scotland and Ireland, and also like.</p><p>00:43:54.270 –&gt; 00:44:05.790 Joseph McElroy: Like classic American American song, so I guess you’d call Americana like nat King Cole seeing stardust or George Jones seeing he stopped loving her today.</p><p>00:44:07.230 –&gt; 00:44:24.210 Joseph McElroy: I’m sure that he was he if he gets back here, he would talk about how that really had a real sort of reached back in time to that old kind of balance and then made him current because it was really about.</p><p>00:44:25.440 –&gt; 00:44:25.890 Joseph McElroy: You know.</p><p>00:44:26.970 –&gt; 00:44:35.760 Joseph McElroy: sort of a loss, and you know that the trigger but that the protagonists were going to be there all night long there is hey.</p><p>00:44:38.820 –&gt; 00:44:39.840 Joseph McElroy: I can’t hear you.</p><p>00:44:42.900 –&gt; 00:44:44.070 Joseph McElroy: I can hear you now okay.</p><p>00:44:44.130 –&gt; 00:44:46.710 iPhone: More than I like I’m so sorry I lost you there.</p><p>00:44:47.340 –&gt; 00:44:51.510 Joseph McElroy: that’s all right, well, I was telling everybody about your song all night long right.</p><p>00:44:51.570 –&gt; 00:44:52.080 iPhone: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:44:52.530 –&gt; 00:45:00.360 Joseph McElroy: And I was saying that I thought it resonated with that belief old Appalachian music, because it was you know, like the old balance from Scotland and.</p><p>00:45:01.650 –&gt; 00:45:13.680 Joseph McElroy: It talked about last right, it was like that hi hi lumps of sound, but I also thought it resonated they brought me back to classic old American songs like even like nat King Cole singing stardust.</p><p>00:45:14.130 –&gt; 00:45:19.860 Joseph McElroy: or floors don’t sing he stopped loving her today what was your inspiration for that song.</p><p>00:45:20.730 –&gt; 00:45:26.250 iPhone: yeah well that’s I mean that’s what we were going for I was like that song needs to be.</p><p>00:45:27.270 –&gt; 00:45:41.070 iPhone: pitifully lonesome because that’s the feeling, you know that’s the feeling you’re trying to convey and then it’s someone who’s lost, you know the person who means everything to them, you know, or you know.</p><p>00:45:42.900 –&gt; 00:45:43.380 iPhone: That.</p><p>00:45:45.180 –&gt; 00:45:52.410 iPhone: And there’s no I want the music to match the lyrics I’ve heard sad songs that have really happy music.</p><p>00:45:52.980 –&gt; 00:45:57.300 iPhone: And I know we’ve got a drag to the long term, out of this.</p><p>00:45:57.690 –&gt; 00:45:59.790 Joseph McElroy: But I was a classic.</p><p>00:45:59.790 –&gt; 00:46:03.990 Joseph McElroy: High lonesome sound man I just I cried I really literally cry.</p><p>00:46:04.260 –&gt; 00:46:08.460 iPhone: Well, thank you man that’s that’s probably my favorite song on the record.</p><p>00:46:09.660 –&gt; 00:46:16.500 iPhone: And I started writing down these words when I had the first verse and.</p><p>00:46:18.840 –&gt; 00:46:28.920 iPhone: and part of the chorus and I sent it to send it in a text to Charles Humphrey and I just I wrote it down, just like poetry and send it to him.</p><p>00:46:29.670 –&gt; 00:46:44.010 iPhone: And then he started he sent back the third verse and we tweaked a few things we got together the next day and tweaked a few things and I picked a key on the guitar and I started arranging the music and then.</p><p>00:46:45.090 –&gt; 00:46:47.310 iPhone: When we got in there, it was just an idea to put.</p><p>00:46:48.420 –&gt; 00:46:52.860 iPhone: A stack of who’s on it, just like the eagles would.</p><p>00:46:54.240 –&gt; 00:47:08.730 iPhone: You know, and so it’s got this vocal chorus in there that’s reminiscent of something in the eagles where there’s an in the bridge and it just turned out beautifully it’s losing the living life and.</p><p>00:47:09.060 –&gt; 00:47:13.290 Joseph McElroy: it’s a classic song man I’m just telling it to class I hope it gets.</p><p>00:47:13.320 –&gt; 00:47:14.190 iPhone: It gets me the.</p><p>00:47:14.280 –&gt; 00:47:14.760 Joseph McElroy: way.</p><p>00:47:15.150 –&gt; 00:47:16.680 iPhone: I will go ahead.</p><p>00:47:17.400 –&gt; 00:47:18.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah I know.</p><p>00:47:21.630 –&gt; 00:47:24.990 Joseph McElroy: Because I felt like that actually spoke to smoky mountains history because.</p><p>00:47:25.410 –&gt; 00:47:34.380 Joseph McElroy: You know, if you read about history and some of the women scholars right today, you know smoky mountain women Appalachian women really had to deal with a lot of hardship and everything else, and they.</p><p>00:47:34.920 –&gt; 00:47:41.040 Joseph McElroy: They could come across as being hard a little bit hateful, but they were really loved by their husbands right.</p><p>00:47:41.130 –&gt; 00:47:41.910 iPhone: Oh yeah that.</p><p>00:47:42.540 –&gt; 00:47:45.300 Joseph McElroy: That that I think that that really brought a.</p><p>00:47:46.800 –&gt; 00:47:55.380 Joseph McElroy: a sense of that Appalachian woman like that original poet, but who found you found relief in her wit and you know.</p><p>00:47:55.500 –&gt; 00:47:57.930 Joseph McElroy: around you know found loving her husband.</p><p>00:47:58.110 –&gt; 00:48:05.910 iPhone: Right oh yeah yeah tongue in cheek very, very fun, you know it meant to be fun yeah yeah.</p><p>00:48:06.810 –&gt; 00:48:12.270 Joseph McElroy: Well cool we’re going to take another break and come back and finish up with a little bit of what’s going on in the future here.</p><p>00:50:13.950 –&gt; 00:50:22.560 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Darren Nicholson, so there, and you mentioned Charles Humphrey.</p><p>00:50:23.340 –&gt; 00:50:28.020 Joseph McElroy: he’s a Co-writer on that on that EP and a fellow songwriter and.</p><p>00:50:28.740 –&gt; 00:50:34.110 Joseph McElroy: And he’s also been a guest on this show, and he said he’s gonna be doing a fly fisherman camp and April with us, but.</p><p>00:50:36.930 –&gt; 00:50:42.180 Joseph McElroy: he’s talking, I think, working with you to do a songwriting camp later this year is think that might happen.</p><p>00:50:43.140 –&gt; 00:50:44.430 Darren N: There and be a lot of fun.</p><p>00:50:46.710 –&gt; 00:50:53.220 Darren N: Or are the six songs on the EP, I wrote, with him, I wrote a song with him last week I’m going to go record tomorrow the DEMO for it we’ve written.</p><p>00:50:53.910 –&gt; 00:51:04.650 Darren N: A 90% of the songs I’ve written I wrote with I’ve written with him and he’s an amazing talent and he is an incredible Fly fisher, Fisherman, I mean he’s the man.</p><p>00:51:06.210 –&gt; 00:51:07.740 Joseph McElroy: He knows his stuff I.</p><p>00:51:08.850 –&gt; 00:51:19.500 Joseph McElroy: mean we talk fishing quite a bit so where can people find get a copy of this this this album and your other music as well.</p><p>00:51:19.950 –&gt; 00:51:28.200 Darren N: yeah well, you can, if you want to support the artists directly there and nicholson.net is the best place to do it my website darrennicholson.net</p><p>00:51:30.870 –&gt; 00:51:43.440 Darren N: darrennicholson.net and I’ve got T-shirts and my other albums are on there I’ve got a new Gospel album instrumental mandolin record my other solo projects are on there all kinds of stuff hats things.</p><p>00:51:44.700 –&gt; 00:51:51.480 Darren N: And then, if you want to find man on a mission it’s on all the streaming services, you can download it on iTunes.</p><p>00:51:52.650 –&gt; 00:51:55.950 Darren N: Is a great way to get it, but the streaming services as well.</p><p>00:51:56.700 –&gt; 00:51:57.630 Joseph McElroy: anywhere you.</p><p>00:51:58.800 –&gt; 00:51:59.640 Joseph McElroy: Go sorry.</p><p>00:52:00.300 –&gt; 00:52:00.660 Darren N: Go ahead.</p><p>00:52:01.350 –&gt; 00:52:05.490 Joseph McElroy: I was gonna say you know the stickers and T-shirts are hilarious how.</p><p>00:52:06.000 –&gt; 00:52:07.170 Joseph McElroy: Did you come up with those ideas.</p><p>00:52:08.100 –&gt; 00:52:16.770 Darren N: yeah I’ve got well I’ve got a friend up in Kentucky who who who actually designed a couple of those I can’t take credit for that, but.</p><p>00:52:17.550 –&gt; 00:52:36.420 Darren N: I have taken credit for ordering them and selling them but he’s in graphic designer he just sent me a new one, the other day because I’m always joking about wrestling old school wrestling and he did, one of my faces on rick flares body and it’s pretty cool.</p><p>00:52:37.290 –&gt; 00:52:37.890 Joseph McElroy: I mean a.</p><p>00:52:38.730 –&gt; 00:52:41.880 Darren N: Great the two great North Carolinians Earl Scruggs and Rick Flair</p><p>00:52:45.330 –&gt; 00:52:56.970 Joseph McElroy: Wait to tell you I don’t know how do you have fulfill those orders, but what we discovered a new service service recently it’s pretty good it’s called principle right and they actually will manufacture on-demand T-shirts and.</p><p>00:52:57.000 –&gt; 00:53:01.470 Joseph McElroy: mugs and all that, so you don’t have to keep any inventory it’s like.</p><p>00:53:01.470 –&gt; 00:53:03.150 Joseph McElroy: it’s crazy it’s good yeah.</p><p>00:53:03.330 –&gt; 00:53:04.560 Darren N: that’s really good yeah.</p><p>00:53:05.130 –&gt; 00:53:07.320 Darren N: Because one one T shirt.</p><p>00:53:07.410 –&gt; 00:53:08.100 Darren N: A year so.</p><p>00:53:08.220 –&gt; 00:53:09.210 that’s really good.</p><p>00:53:10.920 –&gt; 00:53:13.440 Joseph McElroy: yeah you buy 100 T shirts to keep them for 10 years.</p><p>00:53:16.770 –&gt; 00:53:22.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s like buying by the library books and sold a couple everyone so i’m still.</p><p>00:53:22.020 –&gt; 00:53:25.920 Darren N: Trying to sell some cassette tapes I’m going to feel those are you guys looking for.</p><p>00:53:26.940 –&gt; 00:53:30.270 Joseph McElroy: I met a guy wants to put out an album and he.</p><p>00:53:31.920 –&gt; 00:53:35.070 Joseph McElroy: hadn’t sold me had like 2000 copies under his bed.</p><p>00:53:36.660 –&gt; 00:53:40.830 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s All I will say this bottle is making a comeback.</p><p>00:53:40.890 –&gt; 00:53:51.780 Darren N: In the plan is, you know i’m not trying to let the cat out of the bag, but the plan is for balsam range to do some kind of vinyl at some point because this is 15 this year is 15 years of balsam range.</p><p>00:53:52.200 –&gt; 00:53:59.370 Darren N: And so I don’t have any details or any specifics on that, but you know that’s that’s.</p><p>00:54:00.300 –&gt; 00:54:07.350 Joseph McElroy: We put a fabulous record player in the speakeasy with a actually a wall mounted album.</p><p>00:54:09.000 –&gt; 00:54:16.050 Joseph McElroy: You know, storage and when we play albums there, so you definitely have to get us one of those man.</p><p>00:54:16.560 –&gt; 00:54:31.890 Darren N: was a warm sound there they go that plan is to only print like 200 and do you know, and if people who love balsam range and the real diehard fans that have been there for 15 years of people won’t want it’s kind of a novelty, you know.</p><p>00:54:32.490 –&gt; 00:54:34.530 Joseph McElroy: i’m i’m buying.</p><p>00:54:36.660 –&gt; 00:54:39.990 Joseph McElroy: I’m buying it, no matter what it costs all right well yeah.</p><p>00:54:40.110 –&gt; 00:54:41.640 Darren N: i’m not gonna spend a million oh that’s.</p><p>00:54:42.720 –&gt; 00:54:43.830 Darren N: $8,000 apiece.</p><p>00:54:47.070 –&gt; 00:54:47.250 Joseph McElroy: what’s.</p><p>00:54:47.910 –&gt; 00:54:49.770 Darren N: what’s the most you give and not back out.</p><p>00:54:50.880 –&gt; 00:54:52.230 Joseph McElroy: The most out give.</p><p>00:54:52.440 –&gt; 00:54:53.490 Darren N: For now back out.</p><p>00:54:54.000 –&gt; 00:54:54.360 Darren N: And not.</p><p>00:54:55.860 –&gt; 00:54:56.100 Darren N: yeah.</p><p>00:54:56.940 –&gt; 00:54:58.080 Darren N: that’s my feet.</p><p>00:54:58.170 –&gt; 00:54:58.650 Joseph McElroy: My buddy.</p><p>00:55:01.860 –&gt; 00:55:06.720 Darren N: I was trying to buy this instrument off my buddy Danny one time, and I said how much do you want for it, and he said.</p><p>00:55:07.980 –&gt; 00:55:09.330 Darren N: what’s give and not back out.</p><p>00:55:13.170 –&gt; 00:55:17.010 Joseph McElroy: So any other big projects, you have coming up this year.</p><p>00:55:17.610 –&gt; 00:55:20.040 Darren N: yeah several things actually.</p><p>00:55:21.510 –&gt; 00:55:29.880 Darren N: i’m going to officially be releasing this you can get a copy of my Gospel album through the website it’s kind of a pre order thing.</p><p>00:55:30.840 –&gt; 00:55:37.680 Darren N: But i’m later on in the year i’m going to be releasing a Gospel record called songs of hope and inspiration and.</p><p>00:55:38.400 –&gt; 00:55:49.080 Darren N: One of the songs I wrote with my buddy Eric Gibson and it’s being played on satellite radio right now and it’s been a few stations if bluegrass DJ is out there woman, they can contact me and get it, but.</p><p>00:55:51.060 –&gt; 00:55:56.220 Darren N: balsam range I talked about the the 15 years we’re going to do some special for that.</p><p>00:55:58.230 –&gt; 00:56:05.550 Darren N: I’m also recording and doing a handful of shows, with a blue all star bluegrass band called the no joke jimmies.</p><p>00:56:07.260 –&gt; 00:56:16.320 Darren N: bunch of guys from Nashville and a bunch of around the country that are in national touring bands ones in the seldom-seen two is from the grass goals.</p><p>00:56:16.740 –&gt; 00:56:24.270 Darren N: One you know plays with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder and it’s a bunch of buddies of got together and we’re in the process of.</p><p>00:56:24.660 –&gt; 00:56:41.010 Darren N: We just released a single we’re making a full album i’ve been in Nashville last weekend recording on that and we’re going to be doing some of the major festivals around the country obviously when i’m not with balsam range and they’re not with their respective bands, but.</p><p>00:56:42.480 –&gt; 00:57:01.770 Darren N: And also end of March 1 of April, going to be doing some shows in western North Carolina with all the block and just writing songs cranking out music got a bunch of bands and bluegrass who have a bunch of my songs i’ve written on hold it’s just an exciting time a.</p><p>00:57:01.800 –&gt; 00:57:02.220 Darren N: lot of.</p><p>00:57:02.250 –&gt; 00:57:10.530 Darren N: Really fun shows coming up this year things that I’m really excited about and life is good, you know.</p><p>00:57:11.070 –&gt; 00:57:18.600 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, a Gospel thing sounds great I mean you know i’ve been in a couple places like Barbados and plays and other places, never.</p><p>00:57:18.990 –&gt; 00:57:30.810 Joseph McElroy: A Gospel brunch on Sunday is everybody, leaving the tourism area and they’re huge they’re really huge you know people really love that especially a Gospel on a Sunday morning.</p><p>00:57:31.200 –&gt; 00:57:42.720 Joseph McElroy: right they not gonna be able to stay until 12 and go to you know go-to service that they go through 10 or 11 or whatever, and then get on the road, but they love that that the things I’ve been thinking about that, yeah but.</p><p>00:57:45.840 –&gt; 00:57:48.120 Darren N: Gospel thing is something i’ve wanted to do for a while.</p><p>00:57:49.200 –&gt; 00:57:56.760 Darren N: This man on the mission, I want to keep I want to keep reinventing myself there’s guys like Marty Stuart and Darrell Scott, who.</p><p>00:57:57.450 –&gt; 00:58:06.540 Darren N: Who when they do records they might do a California country record they might do a blues record they might do a black Gospel record they might do a bluegrass record.</p><p>00:58:07.020 –&gt; 00:58:17.100 Darren N: But they’re always changing it up, but it’s always a quality record I don’t know what Marty Stewart’s going to do next, but I will go by his record, because I know.</p><p>00:58:17.610 –&gt; 00:58:28.620 Darren N: he’s a steward of American music and and he wants to carry American music forward whether it’s bluegrass country old time Gospel roots music.</p><p>00:58:29.880 –&gt; 00:58:38.160 Darren N: But his records are always good and he kind of keeps reinventing himself and keeps pushing boundaries and that’s what I want to do with my music.</p><p>00:58:38.730 –&gt; 00:58:39.060 and</p><p>00:58:40.200 –&gt; 00:58:47.970 Joseph McElroy: Random you’re doing an Americana is actually a brilliant move on your part, because you can really go wide range with that.</p><p>00:58:48.420 –&gt; 00:58:50.550 Darren N: Open canvas yeah.</p><p>00:58:50.760 –&gt; 00:59:04.620 Joseph McElroy: It really is it’s a brilliant idea, well, I am I got a call to close it’s been a wonderful thing I wanted a whole time talking to you I didn’t get a chance to ask about your feud with the cleverly bland band but i’m sure other.</p><p>00:59:04.710 –&gt; 00:59:07.080 Joseph McElroy: Well, I wouldn’t I wouldn’t talk about them anyway.</p><p>00:59:07.350 –&gt; 00:59:07.920 Okay.</p><p>00:59:10.350 –&gt; 00:59:10.800 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:59:12.210 –&gt; 00:59:23.520 Joseph McElroy: so next time we will we will hopefully have another time but anyway we’ll see a few things in the future, I thank you for showing up.</p><p>00:59:23.670 –&gt; 00:59:29.310 Darren N: Alright, so much for having me appreciate what you do for our culture here in Western North Carolina oh.</p><p>00:59:29.820 –&gt; 00:59:38.640 Joseph McElroy: This this you can find more about this podcast on facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:59:39.630 –&gt; 00:59:45.210 Joseph McElroy: we’re streamed live, we also have on smokies adventures.COM, there is a.</p><p>00:59:45.870 –&gt; 00:59:52.650 Joseph McElroy: there’s a link at the top, taking you to the smokies to the gateway to the smokies podcasts and all the episodes and transcripts.</p><p>00:59:53.070 –&gt; 01:00:10.620 Joseph McElroy: and other information mailing list touching it on to find out more about what’s coming up this podcast is on the talk radio talkradio.nyc network where there are lots of great podcasts about travel business self-help and various other things are all live podcasts.</p><p>01:00:11.700 –&gt; 01:00:16.830 Joseph McElroy: scheduled weekly this podcast appears every Tuesday from six to seven.</p><p>01:00:17.970 –&gt; 01:00:27.120 Joseph McElroy: And we’ll have another great show next week for you and I look forward to seeing all of you again or well here, and all of you, or something like that.</p><p>01:00:28.500 –&gt; 01:00:29.520 Joseph McElroy: Thank you very much.</p> fffa0efd-0db9-42ab-b98d-c9b842edcc83 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/44cd8d04-0e0b-4f0e-b42a-02efc8d8dbc9 Tue, 08 Feb 2022 23:00:00 +0000 3660 no full Episode 44: Finding Comfort and Memorable Experiences in the Smokies Episode 44: Finding Comfort and Memorable Experiences in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>Boyd will share with us some of his world-class memorable tourism experiences. Watch this episode and you will learn about local culture, refreshments and hedonism in the Great Smoky Mountains. </strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Don&#39;t miss this show!</strong></p><p><br></p><p>In today&#39;s podcast episode, <strong>Joseph McElroy</strong> is joined by our special guest, <strong>Boyd Burton</strong>, a world-class pickle ballplayer, an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast, as well food, music, and beverage aficionado. For more than three decades Boyd has traveled the globe, working hard and playing hard, utilizing these skills as he has created and developed world-class memorable tourism experiences for his clients and guests--just as he is doing today at the &#34;Appalachian Chic&#34; Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, N.C.&#34; </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Starting off tonight&#39;s show, Joseph mentions his sponsor, who is part of his business. The topic of tonight is about comfort and memorable experiences. Joseph’s guest is Boyd Burton who has 25 years of experience in management consulting. He also specializes in operational and financial consulting for hospitality, construction and manufacturing industries. Now, Boyd is the manager at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. When talking about being a management consultant, Boyd says that he focused on helping businesses run better financially as well as changes with technology. Overtime, Boyd felt like he had done everything he wanted to do in his career. So he ventured on to other aspirations and eventually came back to consulting for a bit more. Boyd ended up doing what he does best as a consultant in Costa Rica, having met two people who were architects and were doing good business. He recalls around 2008-09 when the economy wasn’t doing well, that he bought a hotel that had a defunct restaurant and casino. He renovated the place and turned it into something that hopefully people around can enjoy. Boyd and Joseph talk more about Boyd’s career in hospitality as well as some of his upbringing.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>Boyd discusses his journey coming to North Carolina and Maggie Valley. Boyd is a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed riding through N.C. Passing by the Meadowlark Motel, he eventually met Joseph. Their ideas on hospitality were very similar and Boyd also likes the decor and look of the motel. He likes to see and make people happy, something that he shares with Joseph. They also discuss the changes happening in the motel as Boyd began to join them. Joseph talks about the demand in hospitality to make sure people are safe. They talk about the relationship they have with visitors and customers who stay at the Meadowlark and how they bring people together to create an enjoyable experience. Boyd and Joseph emphasize creating a family feeling, especially since Joseph grew up in this area and grew up with a family in the hospitality industry. They mention music performances that happen in the motel and recreating what Joseph enjoyed growing up but in the world that we live in now.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>Boyd and Joseph talk about the challenges they&#39;ve experienced in creating a great experience for customers. They also talk about the mountain culture and American culture that they bring to the experience including things like music and souvenirs. Boyd recalls a customer who told him that they were so distracted being at the motel that they forgot to check their phone for two days, expressing how great their stay was. Joseph says that it’s refreshing when the structure of your day changes like this. They also talk about creating a real speakeasy in the basement of the motel. They found that creating this place where people can hang out, have a drink and listen to music, becomes fun when they and the customers enjoy it together. Joseph also mentions bringing his New York experience to this as well. Joseph and Boyd say that they also have a vision of bringing good, and not so complicated food that fits the place and that customers will like. </span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>Joseph and Boyd talk about road culture and motorcycles. Boyd says that sections of West N.C and Virginia are great places for riding. He says the traffic, views and weather are great for him. Boyd mentions about the future of the Motel such as events coming up into the Spring such as weddings, live music, barbecues and more. You can find out more about Boyd Burton through visiting meadowlarkmotel.com. Boyd says that anyone can call and ask for him, or ask any questions about their stay and experience and even recommend music or anything that you would want to see from the motel. They always welcome any ideas to make sure your experience is the best. Joseph also says that they will be having a heritage club that focuses on the local culture.</span></p> Video thumbnail

GUEST: Boyd Burton

Boyd shared with us some of his world-class memorable tourism experiences. Watch this episode and you will learn about local culture, refreshments, and hedonism in the Great Smoky Mountains. 

In today's podcast episode, Joseph McElroy is joined by our special guest, Boyd Burton, a world-class pickle ballplayer, an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast, as well food, music, and beverage aficionado. For more than three decades Boyd has traveled the globe, working hard and playing hard, utilizing these skills as he has created and developed world-class memorable tourism experiences for his clients and guests--just as he is doing today at the "Appalachian Chic" Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, N.C." 


Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

Segment 1

Starting off tonight's show, Joseph mentions his sponsor, who is part of his business. The topic of tonight is comfort and memorable experiences. Joseph’s guest is Boyd Burton who has 25 years of experience in management consulting. He also specializes in operational and financial consulting for hospitality, construction, and manufacturing industries. Now, Boyd is the manager at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. When talking about being a management consultant, Boyd says that he focused on helping businesses run better financially as well as changes with technology. Over time, Boyd felt like he had done everything he wanted to do in his career. So he ventured on to other aspirations and eventually came back to consulting for a bit more. Boyd ended up doing what he does best as a consultant in Costa Rica, having met two people who were architects and were doing good business. He recalls around 2008-09 when the economy wasn’t doing well, that he bought a hotel that had a defunct restaurant and casino. He renovated the place and turned it into something that hopefully people around can enjoy. Boyd and Joseph talk more about Boyd’s career in hospitality as well as some of his upbringing.


Segment 2

Boyd discusses his journey coming to North Carolina and Maggie Valley. Boyd is a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed riding through N.C. Passing by the Meadowlark Motel, he eventually met Joseph. Their ideas on hospitality were very similar and Boyd also likes the decor and look of the motel. He likes to see and make people happy, something that he shares with Joseph. They also discuss the changes happening in the motel as Boyd began to join them. Joseph talks about the demand in hospitality to make sure people are safe. They talk about the relationship they have with visitors and customers who stay at the Meadowlark and how they bring people together to create an enjoyable experience. Boyd and Joseph emphasize creating a family feeling, especially since Joseph grew up in this area and grew up with a family in the hospitality industry. They mention music performances that happen in the motel and recreating what Joseph enjoyed growing up but in the world that we live in now.


Segment 3

Boyd and Joseph talk about the challenges they've experienced in creating a great experience for customers. They also talk about the mountain culture and American culture that they bring to the experience including things like music and souvenirs. Boyd recalls a customer who told him that they were so distracted being at the motel that they forgot to check their phone for two days, expressing how great their stay was. Joseph says that it’s refreshing when the structure of your day changes like this. They also talk about creating a real speakeasy in the basement of the motel. They found that creating this place where people can hang out, have a drink and listen to music, becomes fun when they and the customers enjoy it together. Joseph also mentions bringing his New York experience to this as well. Joseph and Boyd say that they also have a vision of bringing good, and not-so-complicated food that fits the place and that customers will like. 


Segment 4

Joseph and Boyd talk about road culture and motorcycles. Boyd says that sections of West N.C and Virginia are great places for riding. He says the traffic, views, and weather are great for him. Boyd mentions the future of the Motel such as events coming up into the Spring such as weddings, live music, barbecues, and more. You can find out more about Boyd Burton by visiting meadowlarkmotel.com. Boyd says that anyone can call and ask for him, or ask any questions about their stay and experience and even recommend music or anything that you would want to see from the motel. They always welcome any ideas to make sure your experience is the best. Joseph also says that they will be having a heritage club that focuses on the local culture.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:02:53.280 –> 00:03:03.780 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.

00:03:04.170 –> 00:03:18.060 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns there are areas filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:03:19.080 –> 00:03:20.220 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy

00:03:23.310 –> 00:03:33.480 Joseph McElroy: a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. today we’re talking about finding comfort.

00:03:34.110 –> 00:03:43.590 Joseph McElroy: And memorable experiences in the smokies, first let me tell you a little bit about our sponsors now the sponsors are obviously.

00:03:44.100 –> 00:03:53.010 Joseph McElroy: Some of you watch a long time is also part of my business so we happen to be sitting at the meadowlark motel in Maggie Valley.

00:03:53.460 –> 00:03:59.910 Joseph McElroy: in Meadowlark Motel I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts in the past.

00:04:00.300 –> 00:04:20.460 Joseph McElroy: Yet, with a modern and vibrant feel that we have Appalachian the chic it’s got the services and amenities, an old country in it’s a place for adventure and relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream real the catch on fire and eat accompanied by a fine wine or craft beer

00:04:22.830 –> 00:04:38.970 Joseph McElroy: imagine a place with old-time music and world country sounds cultural says there is no other place like the meadowlark motel your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:04:41.790 –> 00:04:46.110 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to be talking about comfort and.

00:04:47.250 –> 00:04:56.790 Joseph McElroy: memorable experiences and I have a great guest his name is Boyd Burton and he has had a 25-year career in management consulting.

00:04:57.450 –> 00:05:14.490 Joseph McElroy: And with an international CPA consulting for one of the top five firms, he specialized in operational and financial consulting for hospitality construction and manufacturing industries, but then you got into a different life.

00:05:16.350 –> 00:05:18.990 Joseph McElroy: And he left that world and he became.

00:05:20.430 –> 00:05:31.590 Joseph McElroy: involved heavily in hospitality hotels, restaurants, and bars in places like Virginia, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, but then he ended up in Maggie Valley.

00:05:32.130 –> 00:05:36.720 Joseph McElroy: Looking to perhaps retire and I talked to him and now he.

00:05:37.350 –> 00:05:43.020 Joseph McElroy: believed in the vision we have here, and he become the manager of the Meadowlark motel here in Maggie Valley.

00:05:43.260 –> 00:05:52.860 Joseph McElroy: Hello Boyd, how are you doing?

Boyd: good glad to be here,

00:05:53.370 –> 00:06:03.150 Joseph McElroy: So, you grew up in Richmond so there are some similarities to the southern culture of Richmond to the mountain culture, the smoky mountain very much so I grew up south of Richmond towards Petersburg and if you look back at the migration patterns, the Scotch Irish.

00:06:03.540 –> 00:06:10.530 Joseph McElroy: came into Central Virginia and spread to the mountains of Virginia mountains of North Carolina when I’m here the names are mostly the same.

00:06:11.310 –> 00:06:20.640 Joseph McElroy: The people look and culturally or a lot like people that I grew up with just the accents a little bit different and the land is a lot less flat yeah.

00:06:24.720 –> 00:06:35.910 Joseph McElroy: You know this, this area is because now, but you’re right the the the Scotch Irish the settlers, besides the Cherokee and stuff do have a certain look that is reminiscent of what you see in other parts of.

00:06:36.900 –> 00:06:45.360 Joseph McElroy: The mountains here, because the Scotch Irish came in through the Charleston and Philadelphia just build up the Appalachians and surrounding areas so.

00:06:46.770 –> 00:06:49.860 Joseph McElroy: You were a management consultant tell me what that means.

00:06:51.480 –> 00:07:01.320 Joseph McElroy: Well, in my practice, it was helping companies early in my career, I did very big fortune 500 companies and mid to later part of my career, I focused on privately held.

00:07:01.800 –> 00:07:09.000 Joseph McElroy: You know, a medium hotel chain 100 million a year manufacturer My job was to go in and help them.

00:07:09.510 –> 00:07:22.020 Joseph McElroy: run more efficient operations and understand their finances better and provide the skill sets that as a medium-sized company they couldn’t necessarily afford on their own and help them in the last 30 years.

00:07:24.360 –> 00:07:30.300 Joseph McElroy: The technology changes the transition that midsize successful businesses have been pressured hard from the big.

00:07:31.020 –> 00:07:40.470 Joseph McElroy: brother to Walmart or whatever, and we, we tried to even the playing field a little bit form, yeah I mean yeah I remember that very good, I was in IBM and that time and now.

00:07:40.950 –> 00:07:46.020 Joseph McElroy: While they had they were still being very much a technology company, not as much management consulting but.

00:07:46.470 –> 00:08:02.670 Joseph McElroy: You know, you were mentioning stuff about EDI and that air I was being involved in the EDI and XML and that transition, so it was an exciting and troubling time, it seems like for lifetimes ago right, so how did you.

00:08:04.080 –> 00:08:10.080 Joseph McElroy: You know 25 years and you were senior partner, how did you just decide to go off into hospitality.

00:08:11.040 –> 00:08:21.720 Joseph McElroy: Well, I really wasn’t a decision to go off in the hospitality, it was more of a decision that I didn’t think I could do 20 more years as a partner working 80 hours a week I kind of lost.

00:08:23.730 –> 00:08:24.150 Joseph McElroy: My.

00:08:25.440 –> 00:08:35.250 Joseph McElroy: lost my desire to do it well at it and it was financially successful but I have done I’ve accomplished what I wanted to do I tend to be kind of goal-driven and, at the time I didn’t have.

00:08:36.300 –> 00:08:41.250 Joseph McElroy: No children and was divorced at the time and to be quite honest, I just needed to do something else for a bit.

00:08:41.760 –> 00:08:49.980 Joseph McElroy: And something else was one of my true love which is blues music water neighborhood bar and converted it into a blues venue with local, regional, national.

00:08:50.370 –> 00:08:57.360 Joseph McElroy: acts and in Virginia you can’t have just a bar, you have to have a restaurant, so it a little boutique restaurant music venue and I did that.

00:08:57.840 –> 00:09:03.420 Joseph McElroy: And instead of taking it easy I worked 80 hours a week, doing that for three years and making no money.

00:09:04.200 –> 00:09:16.530 Joseph McElroy: But I saw some of the great blues acts all down the east coast, really, and it was a Labor of love yeah they’re truly was a Labor of love, and what was the transition from that where did you go after that what was the reason for the transition.

00:09:17.700 –> 00:09:21.480 Joseph McElroy: I was tired yeah I got tired of the bar business the bar part of art.

00:09:24.630 –> 00:09:34.170 Joseph McElroy: and music venues all music venues are really tough yeah and at that point, I went back and did some consulting for young individual consulting for some of my clients.

00:09:34.800 –> 00:09:42.390 Joseph McElroy: out of the blue, some guys I’d done some work for asked me to go to Costa Rica and evaluate some companies they wanted to buy do due diligence on it, and I.

00:09:42.780 –> 00:09:52.530 Joseph McElroy: knew nothing about Costa Rica, other than I heard it was a nice place to go visit and I spoke zero Spanish, so I took the job, again I tend to you know in those days in particular.

00:09:53.070 –> 00:10:00.750 Joseph McElroy: I wasn’t tied down or something interesting I went down from 90 days actually recommended that they not by the company which ended up being pretty good advice.

00:10:01.140 –> 00:10:21.360 Joseph McElroy: While I was down there and a poker game, I met a Colombian architect, and a Spanish engineer we’re building hotels and condos and Panama Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica and they knew how to build and they knew how to run.

00:10:24.030 –> 00:10:30.480 Joseph McElroy: Businesses in those countries, needed an operations finance guy that understood construction hospitality I happen to be one of those.

00:10:31.440 –> 00:10:43.170 Joseph McElroy: They literally offered me the job, a few days later, and I just decided to stay so I’ve now been living in Costa Rica, trying to learn Spanish on the fly which I’m functional with very ugly Spanish.

00:10:44.640 –> 00:10:55.920 Joseph McElroy: I can deal with taxi drivers and restaurants and I speak in phrases but uh mostly can do what construction guys enjoyed it, it was great yeah I had worked a lot internationally.

00:10:56.310 –> 00:11:03.300 Joseph McElroy: But this was the first time actually moved out of the country, and it was interesting Costa Rica, has a lot of English speakers and a lot of.

00:11:04.110 –> 00:11:11.550 Joseph McElroy: A blog people love to go there right yeah the weather 60 days, and then the valley, and you know there’s some things I didn’t like as much tubers lovely place.

00:11:11.940 –> 00:11:22.590 Joseph McElroy: And I enjoyed the work until the real estate crash wipe this just about out but didn’t you own a hotel room I did, but that was a result of the crap.

00:11:24.840 –> 00:11:33.660 Joseph McElroy: out, so I built up some equity in this business whole business was basically Canadians and Americans coming down by in second condos and 2008 2009 and.

00:11:34.740 –> 00:11:45.360 Joseph McElroy: It hit her further down harder down there yeah in order to get my equity out I took a boutique hotel that had a defunct restaurant at the casino license.

00:11:46.320 –> 00:11:55.680 Joseph McElroy: I took that because I couldn’t cash out, so I run a restaurant before and I’d run a bar before I knew about the hotel business but hadn’t hands-on runway.

00:11:56.280 –> 00:12:16.620 Joseph McElroy: So we renovated, the place put a little casino in it and turned it into a very focused ex-pat bar that’s kind of are you looking at the experiences that people were looking for and made it man exactly so something as simple as we had a real Philly cheesesteak no.

00:12:18.270 –> 00:12:23.010 Joseph McElroy: One in Costa Rica, I would have guys drive three hours to the beach on a sunny day.

00:12:25.830 –> 00:12:37.860 Joseph McElroy: or even got corn before me, and it was a neighborhood bar where everybody was welcome locals and expats from all over the world and we had music and food, and it was a comfortable place to be if you’re in Costa Rica is a.

00:12:39.330 –> 00:12:46.650 Joseph McElroy: hotel little banner, and it was 35 rooms right yeah you know, actually, it was either it’s either 34 35 this is how many we have here.

00:12:47.640 –> 00:12:56.760 Joseph McElroy: I was kind of luck yeah so you know how did, how did that, how did you get out of that one I ended up getting married and had a daughter and.

00:12:57.540 –> 00:13:08.850 Joseph McElroy: My wife at the time was from Nicaragua and I had an opportunity to sell my share I didn’t know it all, but I was one of the main owners and also, I was the general manager and President.

00:13:10.350 –> 00:13:15.930 Joseph McElroy: cashed out and we moved to Nicaragua for a couple of years and again bottle small hotel up there.

00:13:17.070 –> 00:13:23.160 Joseph McElroy: With less success actually yeah tougher market we get Okay, with it, I was.

00:13:26.430 –> 00:13:32.310 Joseph McElroy: Good reputations Costa Rica for pleasant, it was building to that the surfers are they are great Sir and.

00:13:32.850 –> 00:13:43.830 Joseph McElroy: Before I was actually statistically safe and unsafe in Costa Rica have enough here I mean Everybody talks about Costa Rica early versions of the tourists are getting out of surfers are coming to start building towards it, and that was kind of the hope and.

00:13:44.850 –> 00:13:55.650 Joseph McElroy: It got hard enough to make enough to support you know the future for my daughter, and all that I came back home, decide to come back to Virginia Richmond Virginia right yeah.

00:13:56.310 –> 00:14:08.850 Joseph McElroy: So, and you got a historical preservation business yeah so I had always been involved in that I’m from five generations of partners, the same Scotch Irish burton’s from North from Yorkshire and southern Scott when.

00:14:10.050 –> 00:14:16.200 Joseph McElroy: My grandfather always said, they all learned to be carpenters because they hated pulling the backup um that was much better

00:14:17.490 –> 00:14:22.500 Joseph McElroy: then I pulled the bag That was their options and made by and they all would shake their head.

00:14:26.430 –> 00:14:33.390 Joseph McElroy: That is, I grew up in a small home building business and my mom and dad encouraged me to go to school, and get a good education but I worked.

00:14:33.780 –> 00:14:43.800 Joseph McElroy: weekends and summers my whole childhood and into it and then personally when I lived in Richmond all those years, and of course, Richmond and peter are where we’re from have some of the most historic houses in the country.

00:14:44.250 –> 00:14:52.260 Joseph McElroy: I always personally lived in historic houses and restore them and thought when I would get them just about right that sell them and torture myself with another one.

00:14:52.770 –> 00:15:02.070 Joseph McElroy: For another four or five years, but I decided when I came back, I wanted to kind of reopen Burton custom builders, and actually renamed it Burton built.

00:15:02.580 –> 00:15:15.060 Joseph McElroy: and focus exclusively on historic houses pretty much 1880 and, earlier we worked on some stuff from the 19 1600s or at least 1700s the Thomas Wallace house where Lincoln and.

00:15:15.720 –> 00:15:22.410 Joseph McElroy: grant shook hands at the end of the civil war, we rebuilt, the porch where they shook hands on well I want some architectural awards for that.

00:15:26.280 –> 00:15:35.040 Joseph McElroy: And what it was kind of a Labor of love, I really the theme throughout the big farm management consulting which I love that the time I’ve kind of done whatever interesting at the time.

00:15:35.550 –> 00:15:48.030 Joseph McElroy: Not so focused about making money but doing things that I enjoy yeah and try to make a little bit of money at it well good, well, when we come back we’ll take a break now, when we come back we’re talking about how your how you ended up at the Meadowlark and found that joy good.

00:18:05.670 –> 00:18:15.750 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Boyd Burton happens to be the manager of the Meadowlark Motel.

00:18:16.890 –> 00:18:22.320 Joseph McElroy: So Boyd your Richmond you’re going to historical preservation business.

00:18:26.910 –> 00:18:32.310 Joseph McElroy: skills as a master carpenter but you again, you decided to retire.

00:18:33.390 –> 00:18:40.500 Joseph McElroy: I sold my company to my partner, am I share the data my intent I’ve been coming to the smoke East arrived my I’m an avid motorcyclist.

00:18:41.190 –> 00:18:49.350 Joseph McElroy: BMW guys and coming up here to ride motorcycles forever he 20 years all through North Carolina and Virginia and I’ve written the entire parkway.

00:18:49.980 –> 00:18:55.470 Joseph McElroy: And I decided, I wanted to be somewhere in this vicinity west of Asheville and.

00:18:56.070 –> 00:19:02.040 Joseph McElroy: was looking around and found a beautiful place here Maggie valley and kind of fell in love with the place and my goal was to.

00:19:02.490 –> 00:19:18.600 Joseph McElroy: knock around for a couple of years and ride motorcycles play a little poker and just take it easy and that lasted about a week actually lasted about 45 days I really, really nice 45-day vacation yeah riding motorcycles and playing poker and eating good food.

00:19:21.300 –> 00:19:24.690 Joseph McElroy: And ran into you, yeah That was the real key to it.

00:19:28.290 –> 00:19:40.560 Joseph McElroy: No idea I’ve seen the meadowlark sign is a very interesting retro 50 sign, which is part of my design style and the place looks more like a lodge than a motel I’ve been riding by here and.

00:19:41.850 –> 00:19:50.340 Joseph McElroy: I had the opportunity to meet you and you are so very clear about which one to do with the place that you know more than a room and a key and that.

00:19:50.730 –> 00:19:57.900 Joseph McElroy: You wanted it to be as we later started to say yes still look and feel like a retro 50s motel to run it like a nice country yeah.

00:19:58.560 –> 00:20:11.430 Joseph McElroy: and your ideas about hospitality and the front end match the way I felt about it, as someone who had spent most of my adult life staying in hotels and motels and an end and.

00:20:12.780 –> 00:20:15.180 Joseph McElroy: Also, just the future, the place itself is beautiful.

00:20:16.320 –> 00:20:24.960 Joseph McElroy: The actual grounds, here in the buildings have a lot to offer as far as the renovation and potential for which we’re.

00:20:27.390 –> 00:20:33.720 Joseph McElroy: In the process of as kind of all over the place, which is kind of the last 20 years that’s what’s happened yeah it’s all over the place in a.

00:20:33.930 –> 00:20:41.610 Joseph McElroy: kind of have to be that way for me to want to work now yeah I couldn’t go back and do management consulting for any amount of money is like I can’t go and do.

00:20:41.940 –> 00:20:49.380 Joseph McElroy: I can’t do coding or thanks for people yeah it’s like if the certain boy year you’re beyond the on-call performance of things you know and.

00:20:50.220 –> 00:20:56.400 Joseph McElroy: it’s like you go to pursue the things you love when we have to make people happy here, I like making people happy that’s fundamental.

00:20:56.880 –> 00:21:03.390 Joseph McElroy: You know the hospitality gene is there with me and that I genuinely like seeing people well you know what I appreciate is that.

00:21:04.020 –> 00:21:08.010 Joseph McElroy: You make sure when you know there’s going to be a number of people here.

00:21:08.460 –> 00:21:25.290 Joseph McElroy: You make sure every time, no matter what’s happened you’re here in the morning to hear them as they come in to have breakfast and say hello and talk to them and feel the pulse of what they were they enjoyed themselves and you really want to help them feel like they.

00:21:27.810 –> 00:21:34.170 Joseph McElroy: were themselves into you know into figure out what if something’s wrong to fix it thing, I think that whole sense of.

00:21:35.070 –> 00:21:50.160 Joseph McElroy: of your care for the people is permeated the whole staff right well we’re lucky with the staff we have Kate and Amanda and Sharon and Linda and Alford are phenomenal we had a whole staff turnover when I got here if you remember when I got here you’re cleaning.

00:21:51.180 –> 00:22:02.790 Joseph McElroy: And I asked who the staff was you said you’re looking at them don’t know I put I know I, I have to add bit twins, I have three-year-old twins and.

00:22:03.210 –> 00:22:10.740 Joseph McElroy: yeah at the time, you know I would come down, and I wanted to bring them down because their grandparents are here, but yeah was.

00:22:11.100 –> 00:22:25.860 Joseph McElroy: You know they can’t get back say don’t three years old, and so I wanted to bring them to a safe environment, but then I found out that nobody here was vaccinated which I’ve been led to believe they were so I put in a vaccine mandates right yeah good old fashioned back.

00:22:29.880 –> 00:22:40.680 Joseph McElroy: But both the concern, out of concern for my children and yeah this is hospitality right our ethics demand is to provide a safe place for our clientele.

00:22:41.130 –> 00:22:51.780 Joseph McElroy: And whether you agree with it or not, 70% of the people think that vaccinated establishment is the most safe so being a businessman I’m going to.

00:22:52.170 –> 00:23:03.720 Joseph McElroy: Of course cater to my biggest clientele right so and the ethics of it which I also happen to believe was is that I need to put in a vaccine mandate well, as you know that went nationwide.

00:23:04.830 –> 00:23:14.040 Joseph McElroy: A little no tellin Maggie valley and nationwide press I got all sorts of interesting responses to it, but then you showed up because I was doing it all, on my own.

00:23:14.850 –> 00:23:26.220 Joseph McElroy: I was renting rooms drive around the cart taking telephone calls and things like that, and here you show up, it was like almost like it was really surreal I couldn’t be some of your experience.

00:23:29.220 –> 00:23:40.050 Joseph McElroy: And I was interested and working here, it was there was a big turnaround for us, yeah well I just for me it was wonderful I fall in love with the place and.

00:23:40.560 –> 00:23:48.540 Joseph McElroy: The good news is we’re able to go out and find a staff that you know, had similar feelings about things, how we wanted to do things and we can teach them.

00:23:49.230 –> 00:24:03.180 Joseph McElroy: Are kind of focused on hospitality and what we wanted the hotel to be there wasn’t any baggage leftover from prior regime so that part was a little tough, the first month on have on you, in particular, cleaning rooms, but we got through it and.

00:24:04.290 –> 00:24:07.950 Joseph McElroy: The fun in hospitality I think it’s just a hands-on thing right.

00:24:08.220 –> 00:24:16.200 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can have a really nice place but people want when they come to a place like this, they want to kind of get to know the people, the fact that you grew up here in the building it’s important to them.

00:24:16.950 –> 00:24:26.310 Joseph McElroy: The fact that I’m willing to set out front and talk to them, and you know it’s very much by design and you’re exactly right breakfast is when and also.

00:24:28.470 –> 00:24:33.900 Joseph McElroy: While they’re still here if something isn’t exactly right or there’s more we can do for them, I can fix that.

00:24:34.410 –> 00:24:42.150 Joseph McElroy: Three days from now, and they’re gone yeah it’s either a good review or a bad review or meeting review, but there’s not anything I can do about it right it’s a sunk cost at that point.

00:24:42.540 –> 00:24:49.230 Joseph McElroy: or sunk opportunity and you really get the pulse of it, the Saturday morning breakfast and we also use that as a way.

00:24:49.710 –> 00:25:00.270 Joseph McElroy: of setting, we do a free Barbecue for everybody every Saturday night and live music and it’s a way of getting the customers here a connection to us and it’d be it’s fine.

00:25:00.690 –> 00:25:07.860 Joseph McElroy: Foods good and the music’s good but a way of getting them connected to us in the place and each other people from all over meet each other.

00:25:08.430 –> 00:25:18.480 Joseph McElroy: And some people want to be left alone and want to sit by the fire pit and eat their bbq and just chill out, but other people are you know, want to meet other motorcyclist or other leaf watchers or other.

00:25:18.960 –> 00:25:26.340 Joseph McElroy: Family trail hikers or other families and we have a lot of that, and people are starting to schedule to come back together, which is really.

00:25:29.100 –> 00:25:38.940 Joseph McElroy: really makes me feel good when that happens, and even in our gifts six months, together, we already are having quite a bit of repeat business, yeah I, including today, let a couple that was a family was here for the big snow and.

00:25:39.150 –> 00:25:42.870 Joseph McElroy: You wanted to bring his wife back for a couple of days just husband and wife getaway.

00:25:43.470 –> 00:25:49.680 Joseph McElroy: And there with us today, the hospitality, because you know I think it’s a lost art in some ways and connecting.

00:25:50.010 –> 00:25:56.700 Joseph McElroy: Listen to one of the things that have been a challenge for me is I grew up in a family of hospitality and the classic roadside.

00:25:57.120 –> 00:26:04.170 Joseph McElroy: motel traditions right there’s family own they’re here now even that it was all just.

00:26:04.860 –> 00:26:13.050 Joseph McElroy: A cop, you know, a place to put your head, it was on the road, but because of his family and you got to come to have a conversation with family and things.

00:26:13.320 –> 00:26:27.210 Joseph McElroy: There was conventionality there was a relaxed environment, you know that you were connected very close to the what the local culture, and I do, I wanted to really recreate that because.

00:26:30.090 –> 00:26:42.870 Joseph McElroy: other places, our not owned by people that area or their investment properties and they put in real staff that are professional adequate, but not necessarily that sort of family feel.

00:26:43.350 –> 00:26:52.890 Joseph McElroy: successfully been able to understand what I’ve been trying to do and create that family field here when you’re a big part of that, and the other thing that people realize people realize genuine versus non-genuine.

00:26:53.880 –> 00:27:00.240 Joseph McElroy: They realize that we care about the place be it’s part of your family your heritage that it’s really important to you.

00:27:00.960 –> 00:27:10.260 Joseph McElroy: and see that we enjoy being here, we like the place we like the music we like the bbq we like seeing them and they realize that you can’t fake that.

00:27:10.650 –> 00:27:27.480 Joseph McElroy: yeah people realize that Well, no, you guys like being here to this must be a fun place that you can see it and everybody always you know, a friendly owner that’s on-premises quite a bit and is enjoying themselves is a huge asset right people always want to make them feel.

00:27:29.820 –> 00:27:39.300 Joseph McElroy: Better about saving money here yeah when you for one of the first things you learned is that when we got here, we had Michael tree, he was the drummer for simple minds badminton is the artist’s arrest and he does a great job.

00:27:39.690 –> 00:27:46.620 Joseph McElroy: of putting on task interesting show for people, and so a lot of music here is performed by him or curated by him right.

00:27:48.270 –> 00:27:54.990 Joseph McElroy: And, but we had a pavilion that was the law of this performance in the warm in and what’s the weather performed right.

00:27:55.860 –> 00:28:00.300 Joseph McElroy: That had basically no management so Mike was on his own doing a performance.

00:28:00.720 –> 00:28:07.590 Joseph McElroy: You know what was the challenges of getting the pavilion into a structure that makes people really happy and keep some sticking around.

00:28:07.980 –> 00:28:20.310 Joseph McElroy: interacting with each other and enjoying the experience, well, I think, quite honestly, you had all the components that pavilions great it’s got a stage it’s got a bar it’s got a kitchen it’s got a bathroom got a fireplace I’ve got a fireplace it sets you to know.

00:28:20.610 –> 00:28:25.020 Joseph McElroy: A short distance from the creek has got fire pits all around it it’s beautiful, so it would.

00:28:26.700 –> 00:28:27.600 Joseph McElroy: mix an intro.

00:28:31.980 –> 00:28:39.660 Joseph McElroy: a combination of Irish and Scottish people like to hear and fits culturally here, it really just needed it needed a bartender and a host.

00:28:40.320 –> 00:28:53.100 Joseph McElroy: And really that’s convincing people to come out there it’s a short walk across the yard, but the front just team and myself if you’ve been here a couple of days leading into a Saturday, and you haven’t had at least three of us invite you to the BAT.

00:28:54.540 –> 00:29:01.680 Joseph McElroy: We feel like we’ve you know when they say oh yeah I’ve heard that everybody in this building has told me that makes me very happy very, very happy.

00:29:02.460 –> 00:29:11.280 Joseph McElroy: When they get out there, once again just be friendly offer them a beer talk to them a little bit introduce them to the guy that’s two doors down from the hotel.

00:29:11.820 –> 00:29:27.540 Joseph McElroy: And it’s really a nice environment so well I didn’t think that was the hard part, well, it was interesting because you know I’ve been in marketing and am not grew up in this business, it was a different kind of time, then so you know people come into a motel or hospitality experience.

00:29:31.110 –> 00:29:33.720 Joseph McElroy: To be direct with people versus like a.

00:29:34.710 –> 00:29:42.960 Joseph McElroy: movie or something and so trying to create recreate that experience I grew up with, but in a different world was a challenge for me and see what the things that you are doing.

00:29:43.260 –> 00:29:55.290 Joseph McElroy: Is an inspiration yeah I created the, yeah I mean I stole the idea, a little bit, but I started cooking cookies in the afternoon exactly and reminding them about the bbq and that was really.

00:29:55.680 –> 00:30:01.950 Joseph McElroy: Fulfilling and successful right it’s just a small thing like that, and the other thing we talked about this, the other day.

00:30:02.400 –> 00:30:10.500 Joseph McElroy: Is that well look it’s a free Barbecue we provide it now do you look at that as well that’s a cost, we provided as something that attracts people here.

00:30:11.040 –> 00:30:23.370 Joseph McElroy: But you know, are we interested in everybody in the place eating the bbq well, yeah we actually sit, even though we’re not charging them for the bbq we’re selling them on the idea of how much fun it’s going to be, and it is, and it is it’s always asked.

00:30:23.850 –> 00:30:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re gonna come back we’ll talk more about the things that we’re doing and interest.

00:32:39.150 –> 00:32:53.460 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and My guest Boyd Burton, who is the manager of the Meadowlark Motel, amongst many other great and fabulous skills.

00:32:54.870 –> 00:33:04.890 Joseph McElroy: You know, we were talking about the other challenges that we faced you know getting restarted and really focusing on the experiences that we give customers.

00:33:05.580 –> 00:33:11.280 Joseph McElroy: One of the things that we brought in, is the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center.

00:33:11.760 –> 00:33:29.220 Joseph McElroy: Which is doing a lot of interesting special that’s how difficult, is it to have been to integrate those into our you know our offerings to clients, as well as I think it’s it’s a very good fit and nobody else here in this area seems to be particularly focused on it and.

00:33:32.820 –> 00:33:45.150 Joseph McElroy: People are interested in the mountain here and offering some insight into that and understanding that was not a weekend goes by, we don’t get some five people to say yeah my family Scotch Irish from somewhere in the mid-Atlantic.

00:33:45.660 –> 00:33:55.620 Joseph McElroy: And they’re interested in the Scotch Irish mountain culture and you know people frankly love you know to love you know the music the music big part of the.

00:33:56.220 –> 00:34:00.510 Joseph McElroy: hospitality, because you know you’re being friendly to people was always a big part of.

00:34:00.810 –> 00:34:09.600 Joseph McElroy: growing up here in the here, in the main building we play Appalachian music all day long yeah just to help kind of set the tone of this is where you’re at and you’re.

00:34:10.020 –> 00:34:17.430 Joseph McElroy: getting an authentic experience this place has been authentic mountains from the basic end of the 40s.

00:34:17.910 –> 00:34:29.520 Joseph McElroy: I mean the first little built was built in the 40s yeah it has been part of roadside American culture and mountain culture, its whole existence now and it’s really I’m really pleased by how successful.

00:34:32.130 –> 00:34:46.800 Joseph McElroy: We are now in a modern setting all the modern efficiencies and the computer systems and things like that, but we’re still able to we’ve translated that whole you know, experience and you’ve understood that experience to be.

00:34:48.300 –> 00:35:02.220 Joseph McElroy: Getting a true mountain culture experience with the cover and with the road motel part of it, people get excited about having a real key that’s yeah we get four or five comments, a week of man, a real key this is cool those are you know.

00:35:03.330 –> 00:35:08.760 Joseph McElroy: We have little blue tags and sort of diamond shape blue tags, those are original tags from.

00:35:09.600 –> 00:35:20.220 Joseph McElroy: Right and people really liked the idea, and you know we found we found shot glasses that we’re assuming your shot glasses from 70 or 74 that we’re.

00:35:20.610 –> 00:35:30.180 Joseph McElroy: Selling that we have a big stock of it was surprising we’re selling those you know so it’s been good, but the Heritage Center has been interesting because we’ve been very.

00:35:33.390 –> 00:35:42.630 Joseph McElroy: difficult to hers and you know and more foragers and Cherokee culture and even some West African influences on the mountain cultures.

00:35:43.500 –> 00:35:57.720 Joseph McElroy: And so I’ve been I think that’s been a huge success in terms of you know, creating awareness and you know we call it memorable experience right and it’s understanding connecting to you know, a local, you know traditions.

00:35:58.500 –> 00:36:07.410 Joseph McElroy: And I think that we’ve been very good at that, and I think it’s yeah you’ve been on the forefront of really even very quickly pushing it along with Bob Plott who’s yeah.

00:36:07.920 –> 00:36:19.920 Joseph McElroy: That means that’s his life he’s written six books rises these, one that top of the civilian award in the state of North Carolina so you know he is creative God of that heritage, saying that there’s has to be.

00:36:20.400 –> 00:36:30.180 Joseph McElroy: organizational thing to make it happen, I just think it’s such a natural fit with what we do here yeah well it’s I mean there’s actually if you look at my original business plan.

00:36:32.160 –> 00:36:44.490 Joseph McElroy: So I mean I hadn’t thought it out well, this is, we need to bring heritage, you know the original people recent people came to the mountain just because of mountain culture right yeah then me the parks.

00:36:44.970 –> 00:36:50.550 Joseph McElroy: goes down in Hollywood and all these things came in and it’s great and they’re fun they’re wonderful, but their their their consumer culture.

00:36:50.850 –> 00:36:55.170 Joseph McElroy: right there consumer culture where’s mountain culture is authentic and my.

00:36:55.410 –> 00:37:04.170 Joseph McElroy: a goal which you have totally embraced is this authenticity of mountain culture and a place to relax yes and a place to relax I think that’s a really important that.

00:37:04.410 –> 00:37:10.980 Joseph McElroy: You can really like your it’s not like you’re an old-time or new time in the future the past year, in no time when you’re here.

00:37:11.460 –> 00:37:21.630 Joseph McElroy: And no time exists here it’s like everything exists at once, and you can enjoy it all, and you know if we’re super friendly with the guests, and we also have a five-acre.

00:37:22.290 –> 00:37:30.270 Joseph McElroy: green space along the creek if a guest wants to sit and do nothing next to a fire nobody’s going to bother them while they’re.

00:37:31.290 –> 00:37:40.320 Joseph McElroy: Doing nothing and just this past weekend I had a guest say that they forgot to check their phone for two days and.

00:37:41.790 –> 00:37:47.970 Joseph McElroy: I got really excited about it, it kind of startled them they’re like oh that makes me so happy like why I mean cuz you relax.

00:37:48.300 –> 00:38:06.090 Joseph McElroy: You know, this morning I said yeah I was, I was, I was sitting outside drinking beer and enjoying the snow as forgot to check this morning I got up, we have down here and I got up, I went out to the rise and shine Chamber commerce, which is actually pretty good.

00:38:07.380 –> 00:38:09.210 Joseph McElroy: a group of people, business people around here.

00:38:10.260 –> 00:38:20.490 Joseph McElroy: But they meet very informally and yeah I went to that and I did a couple of things and I was going to the coffee shop we’re going to be to look for the business person I realized.

00:38:20.910 –> 00:38:30.510 Joseph McElroy: I hadn’t had my phone for all-day all morning I had my phone and check my phone and the interest of my phone is like yeah I live in New York City I’m on my phone constantly.

00:38:33.210 –> 00:38:42.810 Joseph McElroy: Here it changes the structure of your day right exactly the structure of your existence gets changed and it’s very refreshing.

00:38:43.050 –> 00:38:50.130 Joseph McElroy: And you know people come here to make you value for a number of reasons, we have motorcyclist we have people that want to come, see the leaves and October.

00:38:50.820 –> 00:38:56.970 Joseph McElroy: We have people that come from weddings where people come just to get away from the heat and humidity and places like where I’m from Richmond.

00:38:57.300 –> 00:39:02.460 Joseph McElroy: come up here where it’s much cooler people come to ski and the snow they come from the mountain culture.

00:39:02.940 –> 00:39:12.810 Joseph McElroy: I think our job is twofold one provides them a nice comfortable place to stay that’s the fundamental basis of it, clean comfortable place to say treat them nicely.

00:39:13.290 –> 00:39:23.280 Joseph McElroy: But the next step, and what we’ve done here, and are still continuing to improve upon is a place for them to enjoy and relax while they’re here doing other things they’re doing yeah.

00:39:23.760 –> 00:39:30.480 Joseph McElroy: And then, when they leave and say the best part of my whole day was where was the bbq in the music and.

00:39:33.360 –> 00:39:36.600 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing that and we just hung around and fun yeah yeah.

00:39:37.980 –> 00:39:49.740 Joseph McElroy: excited about that well, what do you feel we’ve done something new or created a real speakeasy I had a basement area that hasn’t been to us, you and I collaborated we’ve created a real speakeasy.

00:39:51.000 –> 00:40:02.160 Joseph McElroy: In the Meadowlark motels what, what do you think about that what’s the vision for that oh I’m super excited about when it’s a beautiful little space we are handled bar Joseph’s artwork.

00:40:02.640 –> 00:40:13.620 Joseph McElroy: is in there very good artwork and a little story is I use I studied a lot at the classically from the nudes so I have a lot of paintings big paintings of nudes.

00:40:13.920 –> 00:40:26.700 Joseph McElroy: So we know these would be good for a speakeasy my wife was like yeah see who’s The co-designer of the experience here, and you see everything that visual here my wife has been heavily involved in making sure that it’s totally aesthetic.

00:40:27.390 –> 00:40:30.570 Joseph McElroy: But she was like well okay, but if you’re going to put nudes

00:40:34.380 –> 00:40:39.270 Joseph McElroy: You can’t lose I don’t want a man cave so we’ve also got male nudes on the wall

00:40:40.680 –> 00:40:48.300 Joseph McElroy: guests yeah we’ve been opened, it’s up on Fridays and Saturdays and basically, we were all music aficionados here you guys.

00:40:49.260 –> 00:40:59.580 Joseph McElroy: rock and roll star and you’ve been headed blues bar with some of the top people in the world and we curated just an incredible list of world music and but it’s just you know.

00:41:00.150 –> 00:41:13.800 Joseph McElroy: Typical night down there at this point is, people are out snow skiing they come back they’ve had dinner, they want to come down have a couple of beers we start playing some music and yo two Saturdays ago turned into a dance party this one.

00:41:15.030 –> 00:41:21.480 Joseph McElroy: Again, the place was designed to be a place that we enjoyed and wanted to hang out and we find that the guests to

00:41:21.720 –> 00:41:31.050 Joseph McElroy: yeah I would say that the essence of us in a lot of ways, is the music started right the musical under the place and we had that Bob was really great that recruiting some.

00:41:33.870 –> 00:41:46.470 Joseph McElroy: Great music Balsam Range Member playing Darren Nicholson and a few others here and yeah we’ve had world-class music here I mean that has been one of the greatest.

00:41:46.800 –> 00:41:53.670 Joseph McElroy: News sources of pride, I have is the world-class music, we now have, if I don’t say so myself world-class art.

00:41:55.080 –> 00:42:04.590 Joseph McElroy: I got things in museums accounts right yeah it’s been really like the art isn’t meant to be a fun key and something different, and Maggie Valleys a.

00:42:05.760 –> 00:42:09.300 Joseph McElroy: The local watering holes and Maggie Valley, or what I would kind of determine as.

00:42:10.260 –> 00:42:18.930 Joseph McElroy: Sports bars and one of them, I like to go to watch football and have a drink but it’s a sports bar a lot of TVs kind of loud basic menu and or.

00:42:19.530 –> 00:42:31.890 Joseph McElroy: restaurant bars, but no yeah not really any bar so we went to this will be a funky little bar yeah for people to hang out after a long day and yeah they don’t have to drive anywhere and I wanted.

00:42:34.770 –> 00:42:39.240 Joseph McElroy: Everything about heritage and every part of my from my childhood my growth and everything else but.

00:42:39.690 –> 00:42:45.330 Joseph McElroy: I wanted to bring a little bit of my New York experience here too yeah so it’s got that so we got like a little sliding thing for people to.

00:42:46.260 –> 00:42:54.660 Joseph McElroy: ask for permission to come in collecting but fine so we’re also creating a restaurant because to get lifted by the drinks North Carolina hotels got to have a restaurant.

00:42:54.960 –> 00:43:02.820 Joseph McElroy: So we’ve actually come up with the concept for a restaurant and you have a great experience with that what would you say is the vision that we’ve been talking about.

00:43:03.540 –> 00:43:12.240 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think you know we’re still flushing it out, I think we need more restaurants and Maggie Valley, we need more restaurants that serve past nine o’clock at night.

00:43:12.720 –> 00:43:16.860 Joseph McElroy: So there’s definitely demand there and certain people want to eat where they’re staying.

00:43:17.520 –> 00:43:32.280 Joseph McElroy: So we believe that demands there and we have the facility to do it, we have a kitchen we’re converting We already have a nice dining room right over behind us, but I think the food we want it to be accessible, we want to have dishes that.

00:43:35.520 –> 00:43:46.500 Joseph McElroy: altar but also to them, yes right thing that both Joseph and I are I characterize ourselves as good amateur cooks not chefs, yeah but we’re both food easy probably tell by looking at.

00:43:47.010 –> 00:43:52.500 Joseph McElroy: That we haven’t missed a whole lot of meals and we’ve eaten all over the world, and we want some interesting but not.

00:43:53.040 –> 00:44:01.800 Joseph McElroy: Not food, food, not complicated interesting good food that’s different once again a different offering but still that you’re comfortable and accessible.

00:44:02.160 –> 00:44:08.400 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s the framework and we’re building the menu, I mean, I think that yeah we are, we know some really good line cups.

00:44:08.850 –> 00:44:15.540 Joseph McElroy: But what we’re gonna do is we’re you know it’s hard to get a chef to come to the real small motel in the mountains alright

00:44:15.870 –> 00:44:32.550 Joseph McElroy: But as he said, we know a lot of important we’re going to curate great recipes and then have really good natural cook people cook it right good ingredients and that’s the fun part is curating the menu, and once again just like we’re doing with the.

00:44:36.630 –> 00:44:41.550 Joseph McElroy: a menu that we think fits the place and customers like, but also that we like yeah yeah.

00:44:42.750 –> 00:44:52.980 Joseph McElroy: So we’re not In addition the restaurants were actually also arranging for Meadowlark to respond toMeadowlark design tours right.

00:44:53.490 –> 00:45:00.480 Joseph McElroy: And I know you haven’t been as much involved this yet, but I think you feel it is pretty important to have this kind of adventure, to offer people.

00:45:00.780 –> 00:45:05.460 Joseph McElroy: And a lot of them are going to be very comfortable tours like you’re gonna be able to see the mountains, particularly.

00:45:05.820 –> 00:45:10.710 Joseph McElroy: You have a van that’s going to drive exactly, but you have the opportunity to get out and enjoy it.

00:45:11.130 –> 00:45:21.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah we yeah because of where we’re at we have people come in and they want to do things in the area and we have other places that we recommend that tour companies, we have tour companies we’re partnering with but yeah.

00:45:22.500 –> 00:45:32.760 Joseph McElroy: one of the reasons I moved here is because this is one of them, I think, maybe the absolute best spot to ride a motorcycle and certainly on the east coast and maybe the whole United States yeah.

00:45:37.680 –> 00:45:48.990 Joseph McElroy: And you know I wanted for that, for our guests and walking tours and fishing tourists and make sure that we can actually really help them maximize the enjoyment, while they’re here and not just hope that they find something that suits them somewhere else.

00:45:49.410 –> 00:45:56.010 Joseph McElroy: Well, I mean we have we’re gonna come back and we have to take a break now where it comes back in a few minutes to talk about some of the.

00:45:56.280 –> 00:46:06.180 Joseph McElroy: motorcycle rides that you’ve been on because he’s a bit on all the motorcycle rides the world, and maybe we talk about some that you’ve done in this area and other road culture type things that you might want to talk.

00:48:08.280 –> 00:48:17.430 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Boyd Burton the manager of the Meadowlark Motel, So Boyd,

00:48:17.910 –> 00:48:33.660 Joseph McElroy: You know, we do a lot of adventure start from this area Maggie Valley, you know Meadowlark Motel Smoky Mountains yeah outdoor adventures, and one of the biggest things is road culture right yeah a lot of people come here to go.

00:48:36.390 –> 00:48:45.150 Joseph McElroy: the fact we have a motorcycle museum across the creek from us in our backyard that people go to so it’s an important part of you know what’s.

00:48:45.630 –> 00:48:52.770 Joseph McElroy: What happens in the mountains is you know, being able to travel and see so you’ve been all over the world, with the motorcycle riding right.

00:48:53.460 –> 00:49:02.400 Joseph McElroy: Some of the best rides at least in the country I have to say that this is the best right for my money the Northern Rockies.

00:49:02.880 –> 00:49:11.250 Joseph McElroy: Glacier National Park that area is maybe more spectacular, but in terms of mountain roads that are rideable and enjoyable on a motorcycle I think.

00:49:11.640 –> 00:49:18.060 Joseph McElroy: You know, really, this whole this section of Western North Carolina and then the similar sections of Southwestern Virginia.

00:49:18.630 –> 00:49:33.720 Joseph McElroy: I think is just I think they’re the best and I’ve got you to know pretty good I’ve been everywhere in the lower 48 riding right and then there are beautiful rods all over but you’ve got good writing weather eight months out of the year it’s not too hot in the summer we just.

00:49:37.170 –> 00:49:46.740 Joseph McElroy: The traffic’s not bad and there’s titan twisting our roads will spectacular views every direction the gas come in and go, you know, give me your favorite ride I jokingly say pick a direction and go uphill.

00:49:47.580 –> 00:49:58.950 Joseph McElroy: in every direction is upheld, by the way, we’re in a valley yeah and then a lot of famous rides a tail of the dragon and the rattler and sure house skyway all are within you know.

00:50:00.180 –> 00:50:06.720 Joseph McElroy: less than an hour yeah less than an hour, if you draw a circle, this is a great place to be base camp for motorcycles.

00:50:07.320 –> 00:50:15.660 Joseph McElroy: As a motorcyclist, I like to drink and have a beer, but I don’t like to do that and ride yeah so being able to come back somewhere like the Meadowlark and.

00:50:16.620 –> 00:50:33.390 Joseph McElroy: be able to hang out go anywhere else go anywhere is really important, we a lot of car shows here and it’s just a beautiful place to come for a ride yeah I mean road culture was a big part of Americana you know when we were identifying what our modern culture is and.

00:50:37.590 –> 00:50:42.540 Joseph McElroy: So you know Mountain Heritage and American road culture heritage are important.

00:50:42.900 –> 00:50:51.810 Joseph McElroy: You know aspects of it, and you know frankly road closures are perfect for the covid era right because you write it upright to your door you don’t have to interact with anybody if you’re worried.

00:50:52.200 –> 00:51:05.700 Joseph McElroy: Right, so I walk right in the door because it is a motel, and uh yeah we get some people have been coming up here for road vacations for 40 years yeah that new your grandmother, and your mother still ask of them yeah I know.

00:51:06.840 –> 00:51:21.060 Joseph McElroy: That makes me feel good you connected to something real that’s been here for a few generations, we have about 1974 Meadowlark sign backlit down the Speakeasy that I think is a nice reminder of that the history of the place.

00:51:22.080 –> 00:51:28.830 Joseph McElroy: So what are some upcoming things that you’re looking forward to hearing well really the spring, for us, is about.

00:51:30.120 –> 00:51:34.260 Joseph McElroy: Getting the restaurant open and getting the full ABC.

00:51:37.260 –> 00:51:42.210 Joseph McElroy: We have lots of events coming up recycle groups and car groups and.

00:51:42.660 –> 00:51:54.750 Joseph McElroy: wedding parties so really getting ready for spring and the next step for us as a full restaurant and full bar environment to go along with the pavilion and what we’ve done this year it’s additive to it, and this is more opportunity to.

00:51:55.140 –> 00:52:05.250 Joseph McElroy: host and be hospitable and enjoy you know the company of our clients it’s a lot of work we’ve got a lot to do in the next 90 days to be ready for spring but we’re.

00:52:05.850 –> 00:52:12.930 Joseph McElroy: we’re on track I’m pretty proud that you know when you think about it when we open the when the summer comes we’re going to have.

00:52:13.500 –> 00:52:21.720 Joseph McElroy: him, do you not only get your experience to come to stay in a nice place and sleep, you know to go to take your ventures all over when you come back you got.

00:52:23.070 –> 00:52:34.680 Joseph McElroy: A restaurant, this will be mountain parodies inspired you’re gonna have a speakeasy you have a pavilion that’s them live music Barbecue you have a really nice pool environment where you can.

00:52:37.590 –> 00:52:49.200 Joseph McElroy: tie this huge recreation purpose so mountain heritage trout stream, you can fish in the children to learn a lot and also tube in the water, so it’s pretty exciting.

00:52:50.220 –> 00:52:52.410 about what we were creating here.

00:52:54.210 –> 00:52:59.670 Joseph McElroy: So what where do people find out more about you right.

00:53:01.350 –> 00:53:16.260 Joseph McElroy: Well, as part of that getting away from it all thing I came to the mountains, I actually decided to I had a pretty big social media presence related to historic to music and historic preservation and part of my semi-retirement were to get away from that.

00:53:17.400 –> 00:53:34.530 Joseph McElroy: But I now connect you know connecting back in through things like this podcast and our website and the smokies adventure, so I can go to our website and use the contact for sure we’d love to look for ideas for music and then also our for.

00:53:37.890 –> 00:53:45.870 Joseph McElroy: So can come into booking agencies or book directly through our site, you also can pick up the phone and call and you will get myself, Amanda, Kate.

00:53:46.170 –> 00:53:52.770 Joseph McElroy: We will do our very best to help you on the phone and talk to any questions you have been booked the room old style and also things like tours and exactly.

00:53:53.130 –> 00:54:02.880 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s really cool it’s like family, you know family-run place done if you know corporate efficiency, but without the near of.

00:54:03.360 –> 00:54:12.360 Joseph McElroy: That corporate dryness it’s all about you know, being the family, yeah we’re here enjoying the place, so we hope people will come to enjoy it with us yeah I think so.

00:54:12.750 –> 00:54:28.680 Joseph McElroy: So the site is meadowlarkmotel.com, yes, we have a couple of Facebook pages, we have the Facebook page for the meadowlark motel but we also have a Facebook page for the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center so you can just search for both those right.

00:54:30.000 –> 00:54:35.250 Joseph McElroy: You need to contact form on our website to get to both me and Anvil.

00:54:38.610 –> 00:54:47.220 Joseph McElroy: make suggestions or recommend music, you know always open to ideas that fit within and this now boy, thank you for being on the show oh it’s my pleasure.

00:54:47.520 –> 00:54:55.440 Joseph McElroy: Nice enjoyed the time and he did it out of the goodness of his heart it’s not like yeah it’s a motel or anything now, this is a Labor of love.

00:54:56.550 –> 00:55:05.400 Joseph McElroy: And I fell in love with the place and so we’re part of the talkradio.nycnetwork and

00:55:05.910 –> 00:55:17.580 Joseph McElroy: This podcast appears every Tuesday from six to seven on that network, I recommend you investigate the little I podcast on this network there are some great ones from self-help to

00:55:17.970 –> 00:55:30.270 Joseph McElroy: You know, to business to other travel destinations, you know there’s a great one on the work that you have to explore and you know I live in New York, as well as live I live in two places at once, somehow, but I’m here.

00:55:30.630 –> 00:55:35.700 Joseph McElroy: You know, constantly because I’m really dedicated passionate about this, but I have a family.

00:55:39.300 –> 00:55:42.000 Joseph McElroy: Through your parents, I’m involved with that as well

00:55:43.200 –> 00:55:53.610 Joseph McElroy: You can with this we are, we have the podcast also smokiesadventure.com, you can click on a link at the top of take you to all the previous podcasts.

00:55:54.810 –> 00:55:58.620 Joseph McElroy: As well as links to interesting information related to the podcast.

00:55:59.700 –> 00:56:11.700 Joseph McElroy: We, have a Facebook page it’s a gateway to the smokies podcast on Facebook, which I recommend highly that you take a look at.

00:56:13.080 –> 00:56:18.330 Joseph McElroy: Where there are the live feeds are going on all the time, and we also have good conversations.

00:56:19.350 –> 00:56:32.250 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure is a great website for you to visit it’s related to what we’re doing but it runs independently, it provides lots of information about.

00:56:33.390 –> 00:56:35.910 Joseph McElroy: You know, visiting the smokies where to stay what.

00:56:38.910 –> 00:56:46.560 Joseph McElroy: Part of books and trail guide and explanations about what to do in your outdoor adventures of the smokies.

00:56:47.280 –> 00:56:55.290 Joseph McElroy: And then the Meadowlark motel we have a great site that also has a lot of interesting shopping we just introduced a tin cup that’s become very popular.

00:56:55.590 –> 00:57:04.620 Joseph McElroy: And my wife sourced it and she came up with the idea that, basically, says the on the outside of the cup you drink out of this TIM coffee cup and it says.

00:57:06.240 –> 00:57:07.590 Joseph McElroy: This might be moonshine

00:57:09.810 –> 00:57:19.530 Joseph McElroy: we’re loving that so I recommend you go to our website look at that we got some good T-shirts and things like that, as well and we’re going to be introducing a Heritage club.

00:57:19.980 –> 00:57:35.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s more focused on regional and local people to be able to come on a regular basis we’re going to be doing things like we’re naming some of the rooms with when we’re doing sort of museum quality, you know installations in the rooms of pictures in history, the first one to be the.

00:57:39.570 –> 00:57:43.350 Joseph McElroy: legendary women of the smaller craft room mountain crafts room.

00:57:44.670 –> 00:57:53.250 Joseph McElroy: And we have openings in these rooms it’s going to have you know a lot of discussions about the art history related we’re also going to be doing.

00:57:54.090 –> 00:58:08.250 Joseph McElroy: A series of mountain cultures with books and authors that have written things about the mountain, so we look forward to you coming and visiting us and listening to this to gateway the smokies and thank you all for being here and see you next week.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/467067105057398/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/273337956_467656384998470_3729070421786963678_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=hDmt5KXnnQIAX8c6bCe&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6302117B&oh=00_AT_GIRoyoeW4ssnfEX274cyen6-7sw0ARx-vYX3rSTs42w&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>GUEST: Boyd Burton</p><p><strong>Boyd shared with us some of his world-class memorable tourism experiences. Watch this episode and you will learn about local culture, refreshments, and hedonism in the Great Smoky Mountains. </strong></p><p>In today&#39;s podcast episode, <strong>Joseph McElroy</strong> is joined by our special guest, <strong>Boyd Burton</strong>, a world-class pickle ballplayer, an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast, as well food, music, and beverage aficionado. For more than three decades Boyd has traveled the globe, working hard and playing hard, utilizing these skills as he has created and developed world-class memorable tourism experiences for his clients and guests--just as he is doing today at the &#34;Appalachian Chic&#34; Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, N.C.&#34; </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>Starting off tonight&#39;s show, Joseph mentions his sponsor, who is part of his business. The topic of tonight is comfort and memorable experiences. Joseph’s guest is Boyd Burton who has 25 years of experience in management consulting. He also specializes in operational and financial consulting for hospitality, construction, and manufacturing industries. Now, Boyd is the manager at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. When talking about being a management consultant, Boyd says that he focused on helping businesses run better financially as well as changes with technology. Over time, Boyd felt like he had done everything he wanted to do in his career. So he ventured on to other aspirations and eventually came back to consulting for a bit more. Boyd ended up doing what he does best as a consultant in Costa Rica, having met two people who were architects and were doing good business. He recalls around 2008-09 when the economy wasn’t doing well, that he bought a hotel that had a defunct restaurant and casino. He renovated the place and turned it into something that hopefully people around can enjoy. Boyd and Joseph talk more about Boyd’s career in hospitality as well as some of his upbringing.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>Boyd discusses his journey coming to North Carolina and Maggie Valley. Boyd is a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed riding through N.C. Passing by the Meadowlark Motel, he eventually met Joseph. Their ideas on hospitality were very similar and Boyd also likes the decor and look of the motel. He likes to see and make people happy, something that he shares with Joseph. They also discuss the changes happening in the motel as Boyd began to join them. Joseph talks about the demand in hospitality to make sure people are safe. They talk about the relationship they have with visitors and customers who stay at the Meadowlark and how they bring people together to create an enjoyable experience. Boyd and Joseph emphasize creating a family feeling, especially since Joseph grew up in this area and grew up with a family in the hospitality industry. They mention music performances that happen in the motel and recreating what Joseph enjoyed growing up but in the world that we live in now.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>Boyd and Joseph talk about the challenges they&#39;ve experienced in creating a great experience for customers. They also talk about the mountain culture and American culture that they bring to the experience including things like music and souvenirs. Boyd recalls a customer who told him that they were so distracted being at the motel that they forgot to check their phone for two days, expressing how great their stay was. Joseph says that it’s refreshing when the structure of your day changes like this. They also talk about creating a real speakeasy in the basement of the motel. They found that creating this place where people can hang out, have a drink and listen to music, becomes fun when they and the customers enjoy it together. Joseph also mentions bringing his New York experience to this as well. Joseph and Boyd say that they also have a vision of bringing good, and not-so-complicated food that fits the place and that customers will like. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>Joseph and Boyd talk about road culture and motorcycles. Boyd says that sections of West N.C and Virginia are great places for riding. He says the traffic, views, and weather are great for him. Boyd mentions the future of the Motel such as events coming up into the Spring such as weddings, live music, barbecues, and more. You can find out more about Boyd Burton by visiting meadowlarkmotel.com. Boyd says that anyone can call and ask for him, or ask any questions about their stay and experience and even recommend music or anything that you would want to see from the motel. They always welcome any ideas to make sure your experience is the best. Joseph also says that they will be having a heritage club that focuses on the local culture.</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:02:53.280 –&gt; 00:03:03.780 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.</p><p>00:03:04.170 –&gt; 00:03:18.060 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns there are areas filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:03:19.080 –&gt; 00:03:20.220 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy</p><p>00:03:23.310 –&gt; 00:03:33.480 Joseph McElroy: a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. today we’re talking about finding comfort.</p><p>00:03:34.110 –&gt; 00:03:43.590 Joseph McElroy: And memorable experiences in the smokies, first let me tell you a little bit about our sponsors now the sponsors are obviously.</p><p>00:03:44.100 –&gt; 00:03:53.010 Joseph McElroy: Some of you watch a long time is also part of my business so we happen to be sitting at the meadowlark motel in Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:03:53.460 –&gt; 00:03:59.910 Joseph McElroy: in Meadowlark Motel I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts in the past.</p><p>00:04:00.300 –&gt; 00:04:20.460 Joseph McElroy: Yet, with a modern and vibrant feel that we have Appalachian the chic it’s got the services and amenities, an old country in it’s a place for adventure and relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream real the catch on fire and eat accompanied by a fine wine or craft beer</p><p>00:04:22.830 –&gt; 00:04:38.970 Joseph McElroy: imagine a place with old-time music and world country sounds cultural says there is no other place like the meadowlark motel your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:04:41.790 –&gt; 00:04:46.110 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to be talking about comfort and.</p><p>00:04:47.250 –&gt; 00:04:56.790 Joseph McElroy: memorable experiences and I have a great guest his name is Boyd Burton and he has had a 25-year career in management consulting.</p><p>00:04:57.450 –&gt; 00:05:14.490 Joseph McElroy: And with an international CPA consulting for one of the top five firms, he specialized in operational and financial consulting for hospitality construction and manufacturing industries, but then you got into a different life.</p><p>00:05:16.350 –&gt; 00:05:18.990 Joseph McElroy: And he left that world and he became.</p><p>00:05:20.430 –&gt; 00:05:31.590 Joseph McElroy: involved heavily in hospitality hotels, restaurants, and bars in places like Virginia, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, but then he ended up in Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:05:32.130 –&gt; 00:05:36.720 Joseph McElroy: Looking to perhaps retire and I talked to him and now he.</p><p>00:05:37.350 –&gt; 00:05:43.020 Joseph McElroy: believed in the vision we have here, and he become the manager of the Meadowlark motel here in Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:05:43.260 –&gt; 00:05:52.860 Joseph McElroy: Hello Boyd, how are you doing?</p><p>Boyd: good glad to be here,</p><p>00:05:53.370 –&gt; 00:06:03.150 Joseph McElroy: So, you grew up in Richmond so there are some similarities to the southern culture of Richmond to the mountain culture, the smoky mountain very much so I grew up south of Richmond towards Petersburg and if you look back at the migration patterns, the Scotch Irish.</p><p>00:06:03.540 –&gt; 00:06:10.530 Joseph McElroy: came into Central Virginia and spread to the mountains of Virginia mountains of North Carolina when I’m here the names are mostly the same.</p><p>00:06:11.310 –&gt; 00:06:20.640 Joseph McElroy: The people look and culturally or a lot like people that I grew up with just the accents a little bit different and the land is a lot less flat yeah.</p><p>00:06:24.720 –&gt; 00:06:35.910 Joseph McElroy: You know this, this area is because now, but you’re right the the the Scotch Irish the settlers, besides the Cherokee and stuff do have a certain look that is reminiscent of what you see in other parts of.</p><p>00:06:36.900 –&gt; 00:06:45.360 Joseph McElroy: The mountains here, because the Scotch Irish came in through the Charleston and Philadelphia just build up the Appalachians and surrounding areas so.</p><p>00:06:46.770 –&gt; 00:06:49.860 Joseph McElroy: You were a management consultant tell me what that means.</p><p>00:06:51.480 –&gt; 00:07:01.320 Joseph McElroy: Well, in my practice, it was helping companies early in my career, I did very big fortune 500 companies and mid to later part of my career, I focused on privately held.</p><p>00:07:01.800 –&gt; 00:07:09.000 Joseph McElroy: You know, a medium hotel chain 100 million a year manufacturer My job was to go in and help them.</p><p>00:07:09.510 –&gt; 00:07:22.020 Joseph McElroy: run more efficient operations and understand their finances better and provide the skill sets that as a medium-sized company they couldn’t necessarily afford on their own and help them in the last 30 years.</p><p>00:07:24.360 –&gt; 00:07:30.300 Joseph McElroy: The technology changes the transition that midsize successful businesses have been pressured hard from the big.</p><p>00:07:31.020 –&gt; 00:07:40.470 Joseph McElroy: brother to Walmart or whatever, and we, we tried to even the playing field a little bit form, yeah I mean yeah I remember that very good, I was in IBM and that time and now.</p><p>00:07:40.950 –&gt; 00:07:46.020 Joseph McElroy: While they had they were still being very much a technology company, not as much management consulting but.</p><p>00:07:46.470 –&gt; 00:08:02.670 Joseph McElroy: You know, you were mentioning stuff about EDI and that air I was being involved in the EDI and XML and that transition, so it was an exciting and troubling time, it seems like for lifetimes ago right, so how did you.</p><p>00:08:04.080 –&gt; 00:08:10.080 Joseph McElroy: You know 25 years and you were senior partner, how did you just decide to go off into hospitality.</p><p>00:08:11.040 –&gt; 00:08:21.720 Joseph McElroy: Well, I really wasn’t a decision to go off in the hospitality, it was more of a decision that I didn’t think I could do 20 more years as a partner working 80 hours a week I kind of lost.</p><p>00:08:23.730 –&gt; 00:08:24.150 Joseph McElroy: My.</p><p>00:08:25.440 –&gt; 00:08:35.250 Joseph McElroy: lost my desire to do it well at it and it was financially successful but I have done I’ve accomplished what I wanted to do I tend to be kind of goal-driven and, at the time I didn’t have.</p><p>00:08:36.300 –&gt; 00:08:41.250 Joseph McElroy: No children and was divorced at the time and to be quite honest, I just needed to do something else for a bit.</p><p>00:08:41.760 –&gt; 00:08:49.980 Joseph McElroy: And something else was one of my true love which is blues music water neighborhood bar and converted it into a blues venue with local, regional, national.</p><p>00:08:50.370 –&gt; 00:08:57.360 Joseph McElroy: acts and in Virginia you can’t have just a bar, you have to have a restaurant, so it a little boutique restaurant music venue and I did that.</p><p>00:08:57.840 –&gt; 00:09:03.420 Joseph McElroy: And instead of taking it easy I worked 80 hours a week, doing that for three years and making no money.</p><p>00:09:04.200 –&gt; 00:09:16.530 Joseph McElroy: But I saw some of the great blues acts all down the east coast, really, and it was a Labor of love yeah they’re truly was a Labor of love, and what was the transition from that where did you go after that what was the reason for the transition.</p><p>00:09:17.700 –&gt; 00:09:21.480 Joseph McElroy: I was tired yeah I got tired of the bar business the bar part of art.</p><p>00:09:24.630 –&gt; 00:09:34.170 Joseph McElroy: and music venues all music venues are really tough yeah and at that point, I went back and did some consulting for young individual consulting for some of my clients.</p><p>00:09:34.800 –&gt; 00:09:42.390 Joseph McElroy: out of the blue, some guys I’d done some work for asked me to go to Costa Rica and evaluate some companies they wanted to buy do due diligence on it, and I.</p><p>00:09:42.780 –&gt; 00:09:52.530 Joseph McElroy: knew nothing about Costa Rica, other than I heard it was a nice place to go visit and I spoke zero Spanish, so I took the job, again I tend to you know in those days in particular.</p><p>00:09:53.070 –&gt; 00:10:00.750 Joseph McElroy: I wasn’t tied down or something interesting I went down from 90 days actually recommended that they not by the company which ended up being pretty good advice.</p><p>00:10:01.140 –&gt; 00:10:21.360 Joseph McElroy: While I was down there and a poker game, I met a Colombian architect, and a Spanish engineer we’re building hotels and condos and Panama Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica and they knew how to build and they knew how to run.</p><p>00:10:24.030 –&gt; 00:10:30.480 Joseph McElroy: Businesses in those countries, needed an operations finance guy that understood construction hospitality I happen to be one of those.</p><p>00:10:31.440 –&gt; 00:10:43.170 Joseph McElroy: They literally offered me the job, a few days later, and I just decided to stay so I’ve now been living in Costa Rica, trying to learn Spanish on the fly which I’m functional with very ugly Spanish.</p><p>00:10:44.640 –&gt; 00:10:55.920 Joseph McElroy: I can deal with taxi drivers and restaurants and I speak in phrases but uh mostly can do what construction guys enjoyed it, it was great yeah I had worked a lot internationally.</p><p>00:10:56.310 –&gt; 00:11:03.300 Joseph McElroy: But this was the first time actually moved out of the country, and it was interesting Costa Rica, has a lot of English speakers and a lot of.</p><p>00:11:04.110 –&gt; 00:11:11.550 Joseph McElroy: A blog people love to go there right yeah the weather 60 days, and then the valley, and you know there’s some things I didn’t like as much tubers lovely place.</p><p>00:11:11.940 –&gt; 00:11:22.590 Joseph McElroy: And I enjoyed the work until the real estate crash wipe this just about out but didn’t you own a hotel room I did, but that was a result of the crap.</p><p>00:11:24.840 –&gt; 00:11:33.660 Joseph McElroy: out, so I built up some equity in this business whole business was basically Canadians and Americans coming down by in second condos and 2008 2009 and.</p><p>00:11:34.740 –&gt; 00:11:45.360 Joseph McElroy: It hit her further down harder down there yeah in order to get my equity out I took a boutique hotel that had a defunct restaurant at the casino license.</p><p>00:11:46.320 –&gt; 00:11:55.680 Joseph McElroy: I took that because I couldn’t cash out, so I run a restaurant before and I’d run a bar before I knew about the hotel business but hadn’t hands-on runway.</p><p>00:11:56.280 –&gt; 00:12:16.620 Joseph McElroy: So we renovated, the place put a little casino in it and turned it into a very focused ex-pat bar that’s kind of are you looking at the experiences that people were looking for and made it man exactly so something as simple as we had a real Philly cheesesteak no.</p><p>00:12:18.270 –&gt; 00:12:23.010 Joseph McElroy: One in Costa Rica, I would have guys drive three hours to the beach on a sunny day.</p><p>00:12:25.830 –&gt; 00:12:37.860 Joseph McElroy: or even got corn before me, and it was a neighborhood bar where everybody was welcome locals and expats from all over the world and we had music and food, and it was a comfortable place to be if you’re in Costa Rica is a.</p><p>00:12:39.330 –&gt; 00:12:46.650 Joseph McElroy: hotel little banner, and it was 35 rooms right yeah you know, actually, it was either it’s either 34 35 this is how many we have here.</p><p>00:12:47.640 –&gt; 00:12:56.760 Joseph McElroy: I was kind of luck yeah so you know how did, how did that, how did you get out of that one I ended up getting married and had a daughter and.</p><p>00:12:57.540 –&gt; 00:13:08.850 Joseph McElroy: My wife at the time was from Nicaragua and I had an opportunity to sell my share I didn’t know it all, but I was one of the main owners and also, I was the general manager and President.</p><p>00:13:10.350 –&gt; 00:13:15.930 Joseph McElroy: cashed out and we moved to Nicaragua for a couple of years and again bottle small hotel up there.</p><p>00:13:17.070 –&gt; 00:13:23.160 Joseph McElroy: With less success actually yeah tougher market we get Okay, with it, I was.</p><p>00:13:26.430 –&gt; 00:13:32.310 Joseph McElroy: Good reputations Costa Rica for pleasant, it was building to that the surfers are they are great Sir and.</p><p>00:13:32.850 –&gt; 00:13:43.830 Joseph McElroy: Before I was actually statistically safe and unsafe in Costa Rica have enough here I mean Everybody talks about Costa Rica early versions of the tourists are getting out of surfers are coming to start building towards it, and that was kind of the hope and.</p><p>00:13:44.850 –&gt; 00:13:55.650 Joseph McElroy: It got hard enough to make enough to support you know the future for my daughter, and all that I came back home, decide to come back to Virginia Richmond Virginia right yeah.</p><p>00:13:56.310 –&gt; 00:14:08.850 Joseph McElroy: So, and you got a historical preservation business yeah so I had always been involved in that I’m from five generations of partners, the same Scotch Irish burton’s from North from Yorkshire and southern Scott when.</p><p>00:14:10.050 –&gt; 00:14:16.200 Joseph McElroy: My grandfather always said, they all learned to be carpenters because they hated pulling the backup um that was much better</p><p>00:14:17.490 –&gt; 00:14:22.500 Joseph McElroy: then I pulled the bag That was their options and made by and they all would shake their head.</p><p>00:14:26.430 –&gt; 00:14:33.390 Joseph McElroy: That is, I grew up in a small home building business and my mom and dad encouraged me to go to school, and get a good education but I worked.</p><p>00:14:33.780 –&gt; 00:14:43.800 Joseph McElroy: weekends and summers my whole childhood and into it and then personally when I lived in Richmond all those years, and of course, Richmond and peter are where we’re from have some of the most historic houses in the country.</p><p>00:14:44.250 –&gt; 00:14:52.260 Joseph McElroy: I always personally lived in historic houses and restore them and thought when I would get them just about right that sell them and torture myself with another one.</p><p>00:14:52.770 –&gt; 00:15:02.070 Joseph McElroy: For another four or five years, but I decided when I came back, I wanted to kind of reopen Burton custom builders, and actually renamed it Burton built.</p><p>00:15:02.580 –&gt; 00:15:15.060 Joseph McElroy: and focus exclusively on historic houses pretty much 1880 and, earlier we worked on some stuff from the 19 1600s or at least 1700s the Thomas Wallace house where Lincoln and.</p><p>00:15:15.720 –&gt; 00:15:22.410 Joseph McElroy: grant shook hands at the end of the civil war, we rebuilt, the porch where they shook hands on well I want some architectural awards for that.</p><p>00:15:26.280 –&gt; 00:15:35.040 Joseph McElroy: And what it was kind of a Labor of love, I really the theme throughout the big farm management consulting which I love that the time I’ve kind of done whatever interesting at the time.</p><p>00:15:35.550 –&gt; 00:15:48.030 Joseph McElroy: Not so focused about making money but doing things that I enjoy yeah and try to make a little bit of money at it well good, well, when we come back we’ll take a break now, when we come back we’re talking about how your how you ended up at the Meadowlark and found that joy good.</p><p>00:18:05.670 –&gt; 00:18:15.750 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Boyd Burton happens to be the manager of the Meadowlark Motel.</p><p>00:18:16.890 –&gt; 00:18:22.320 Joseph McElroy: So Boyd your Richmond you’re going to historical preservation business.</p><p>00:18:26.910 –&gt; 00:18:32.310 Joseph McElroy: skills as a master carpenter but you again, you decided to retire.</p><p>00:18:33.390 –&gt; 00:18:40.500 Joseph McElroy: I sold my company to my partner, am I share the data my intent I’ve been coming to the smoke East arrived my I’m an avid motorcyclist.</p><p>00:18:41.190 –&gt; 00:18:49.350 Joseph McElroy: BMW guys and coming up here to ride motorcycles forever he 20 years all through North Carolina and Virginia and I’ve written the entire parkway.</p><p>00:18:49.980 –&gt; 00:18:55.470 Joseph McElroy: And I decided, I wanted to be somewhere in this vicinity west of Asheville and.</p><p>00:18:56.070 –&gt; 00:19:02.040 Joseph McElroy: was looking around and found a beautiful place here Maggie valley and kind of fell in love with the place and my goal was to.</p><p>00:19:02.490 –&gt; 00:19:18.600 Joseph McElroy: knock around for a couple of years and ride motorcycles play a little poker and just take it easy and that lasted about a week actually lasted about 45 days I really, really nice 45-day vacation yeah riding motorcycles and playing poker and eating good food.</p><p>00:19:21.300 –&gt; 00:19:24.690 Joseph McElroy: And ran into you, yeah That was the real key to it.</p><p>00:19:28.290 –&gt; 00:19:40.560 Joseph McElroy: No idea I’ve seen the meadowlark sign is a very interesting retro 50 sign, which is part of my design style and the place looks more like a lodge than a motel I’ve been riding by here and.</p><p>00:19:41.850 –&gt; 00:19:50.340 Joseph McElroy: I had the opportunity to meet you and you are so very clear about which one to do with the place that you know more than a room and a key and that.</p><p>00:19:50.730 –&gt; 00:19:57.900 Joseph McElroy: You wanted it to be as we later started to say yes still look and feel like a retro 50s motel to run it like a nice country yeah.</p><p>00:19:58.560 –&gt; 00:20:11.430 Joseph McElroy: and your ideas about hospitality and the front end match the way I felt about it, as someone who had spent most of my adult life staying in hotels and motels and an end and.</p><p>00:20:12.780 –&gt; 00:20:15.180 Joseph McElroy: Also, just the future, the place itself is beautiful.</p><p>00:20:16.320 –&gt; 00:20:24.960 Joseph McElroy: The actual grounds, here in the buildings have a lot to offer as far as the renovation and potential for which we’re.</p><p>00:20:27.390 –&gt; 00:20:33.720 Joseph McElroy: In the process of as kind of all over the place, which is kind of the last 20 years that’s what’s happened yeah it’s all over the place in a.</p><p>00:20:33.930 –&gt; 00:20:41.610 Joseph McElroy: kind of have to be that way for me to want to work now yeah I couldn’t go back and do management consulting for any amount of money is like I can’t go and do.</p><p>00:20:41.940 –&gt; 00:20:49.380 Joseph McElroy: I can’t do coding or thanks for people yeah it’s like if the certain boy year you’re beyond the on-call performance of things you know and.</p><p>00:20:50.220 –&gt; 00:20:56.400 Joseph McElroy: it’s like you go to pursue the things you love when we have to make people happy here, I like making people happy that’s fundamental.</p><p>00:20:56.880 –&gt; 00:21:03.390 Joseph McElroy: You know the hospitality gene is there with me and that I genuinely like seeing people well you know what I appreciate is that.</p><p>00:21:04.020 –&gt; 00:21:08.010 Joseph McElroy: You make sure when you know there’s going to be a number of people here.</p><p>00:21:08.460 –&gt; 00:21:25.290 Joseph McElroy: You make sure every time, no matter what’s happened you’re here in the morning to hear them as they come in to have breakfast and say hello and talk to them and feel the pulse of what they were they enjoyed themselves and you really want to help them feel like they.</p><p>00:21:27.810 –&gt; 00:21:34.170 Joseph McElroy: were themselves into you know into figure out what if something’s wrong to fix it thing, I think that whole sense of.</p><p>00:21:35.070 –&gt; 00:21:50.160 Joseph McElroy: of your care for the people is permeated the whole staff right well we’re lucky with the staff we have Kate and Amanda and Sharon and Linda and Alford are phenomenal we had a whole staff turnover when I got here if you remember when I got here you’re cleaning.</p><p>00:21:51.180 –&gt; 00:22:02.790 Joseph McElroy: And I asked who the staff was you said you’re looking at them don’t know I put I know I, I have to add bit twins, I have three-year-old twins and.</p><p>00:22:03.210 –&gt; 00:22:10.740 Joseph McElroy: yeah at the time, you know I would come down, and I wanted to bring them down because their grandparents are here, but yeah was.</p><p>00:22:11.100 –&gt; 00:22:25.860 Joseph McElroy: You know they can’t get back say don’t three years old, and so I wanted to bring them to a safe environment, but then I found out that nobody here was vaccinated which I’ve been led to believe they were so I put in a vaccine mandates right yeah good old fashioned back.</p><p>00:22:29.880 –&gt; 00:22:40.680 Joseph McElroy: But both the concern, out of concern for my children and yeah this is hospitality right our ethics demand is to provide a safe place for our clientele.</p><p>00:22:41.130 –&gt; 00:22:51.780 Joseph McElroy: And whether you agree with it or not, 70% of the people think that vaccinated establishment is the most safe so being a businessman I’m going to.</p><p>00:22:52.170 –&gt; 00:23:03.720 Joseph McElroy: Of course cater to my biggest clientele right so and the ethics of it which I also happen to believe was is that I need to put in a vaccine mandate well, as you know that went nationwide.</p><p>00:23:04.830 –&gt; 00:23:14.040 Joseph McElroy: A little no tellin Maggie valley and nationwide press I got all sorts of interesting responses to it, but then you showed up because I was doing it all, on my own.</p><p>00:23:14.850 –&gt; 00:23:26.220 Joseph McElroy: I was renting rooms drive around the cart taking telephone calls and things like that, and here you show up, it was like almost like it was really surreal I couldn’t be some of your experience.</p><p>00:23:29.220 –&gt; 00:23:40.050 Joseph McElroy: And I was interested and working here, it was there was a big turnaround for us, yeah well I just for me it was wonderful I fall in love with the place and.</p><p>00:23:40.560 –&gt; 00:23:48.540 Joseph McElroy: The good news is we’re able to go out and find a staff that you know, had similar feelings about things, how we wanted to do things and we can teach them.</p><p>00:23:49.230 –&gt; 00:24:03.180 Joseph McElroy: Are kind of focused on hospitality and what we wanted the hotel to be there wasn’t any baggage leftover from prior regime so that part was a little tough, the first month on have on you, in particular, cleaning rooms, but we got through it and.</p><p>00:24:04.290 –&gt; 00:24:07.950 Joseph McElroy: The fun in hospitality I think it’s just a hands-on thing right.</p><p>00:24:08.220 –&gt; 00:24:16.200 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can have a really nice place but people want when they come to a place like this, they want to kind of get to know the people, the fact that you grew up here in the building it’s important to them.</p><p>00:24:16.950 –&gt; 00:24:26.310 Joseph McElroy: The fact that I’m willing to set out front and talk to them, and you know it’s very much by design and you’re exactly right breakfast is when and also.</p><p>00:24:28.470 –&gt; 00:24:33.900 Joseph McElroy: While they’re still here if something isn’t exactly right or there’s more we can do for them, I can fix that.</p><p>00:24:34.410 –&gt; 00:24:42.150 Joseph McElroy: Three days from now, and they’re gone yeah it’s either a good review or a bad review or meeting review, but there’s not anything I can do about it right it’s a sunk cost at that point.</p><p>00:24:42.540 –&gt; 00:24:49.230 Joseph McElroy: or sunk opportunity and you really get the pulse of it, the Saturday morning breakfast and we also use that as a way.</p><p>00:24:49.710 –&gt; 00:25:00.270 Joseph McElroy: of setting, we do a free Barbecue for everybody every Saturday night and live music and it’s a way of getting the customers here a connection to us and it’d be it’s fine.</p><p>00:25:00.690 –&gt; 00:25:07.860 Joseph McElroy: Foods good and the music’s good but a way of getting them connected to us in the place and each other people from all over meet each other.</p><p>00:25:08.430 –&gt; 00:25:18.480 Joseph McElroy: And some people want to be left alone and want to sit by the fire pit and eat their bbq and just chill out, but other people are you know, want to meet other motorcyclist or other leaf watchers or other.</p><p>00:25:18.960 –&gt; 00:25:26.340 Joseph McElroy: Family trail hikers or other families and we have a lot of that, and people are starting to schedule to come back together, which is really.</p><p>00:25:29.100 –&gt; 00:25:38.940 Joseph McElroy: really makes me feel good when that happens, and even in our gifts six months, together, we already are having quite a bit of repeat business, yeah I, including today, let a couple that was a family was here for the big snow and.</p><p>00:25:39.150 –&gt; 00:25:42.870 Joseph McElroy: You wanted to bring his wife back for a couple of days just husband and wife getaway.</p><p>00:25:43.470 –&gt; 00:25:49.680 Joseph McElroy: And there with us today, the hospitality, because you know I think it’s a lost art in some ways and connecting.</p><p>00:25:50.010 –&gt; 00:25:56.700 Joseph McElroy: Listen to one of the things that have been a challenge for me is I grew up in a family of hospitality and the classic roadside.</p><p>00:25:57.120 –&gt; 00:26:04.170 Joseph McElroy: motel traditions right there’s family own they’re here now even that it was all just.</p><p>00:26:04.860 –&gt; 00:26:13.050 Joseph McElroy: A cop, you know, a place to put your head, it was on the road, but because of his family and you got to come to have a conversation with family and things.</p><p>00:26:13.320 –&gt; 00:26:27.210 Joseph McElroy: There was conventionality there was a relaxed environment, you know that you were connected very close to the what the local culture, and I do, I wanted to really recreate that because.</p><p>00:26:30.090 –&gt; 00:26:42.870 Joseph McElroy: other places, our not owned by people that area or their investment properties and they put in real staff that are professional adequate, but not necessarily that sort of family feel.</p><p>00:26:43.350 –&gt; 00:26:52.890 Joseph McElroy: successfully been able to understand what I’ve been trying to do and create that family field here when you’re a big part of that, and the other thing that people realize people realize genuine versus non-genuine.</p><p>00:26:53.880 –&gt; 00:27:00.240 Joseph McElroy: They realize that we care about the place be it’s part of your family your heritage that it’s really important to you.</p><p>00:27:00.960 –&gt; 00:27:10.260 Joseph McElroy: and see that we enjoy being here, we like the place we like the music we like the bbq we like seeing them and they realize that you can’t fake that.</p><p>00:27:10.650 –&gt; 00:27:27.480 Joseph McElroy: yeah people realize that Well, no, you guys like being here to this must be a fun place that you can see it and everybody always you know, a friendly owner that’s on-premises quite a bit and is enjoying themselves is a huge asset right people always want to make them feel.</p><p>00:27:29.820 –&gt; 00:27:39.300 Joseph McElroy: Better about saving money here yeah when you for one of the first things you learned is that when we got here, we had Michael tree, he was the drummer for simple minds badminton is the artist’s arrest and he does a great job.</p><p>00:27:39.690 –&gt; 00:27:46.620 Joseph McElroy: of putting on task interesting show for people, and so a lot of music here is performed by him or curated by him right.</p><p>00:27:48.270 –&gt; 00:27:54.990 Joseph McElroy: And, but we had a pavilion that was the law of this performance in the warm in and what’s the weather performed right.</p><p>00:27:55.860 –&gt; 00:28:00.300 Joseph McElroy: That had basically no management so Mike was on his own doing a performance.</p><p>00:28:00.720 –&gt; 00:28:07.590 Joseph McElroy: You know what was the challenges of getting the pavilion into a structure that makes people really happy and keep some sticking around.</p><p>00:28:07.980 –&gt; 00:28:20.310 Joseph McElroy: interacting with each other and enjoying the experience, well, I think, quite honestly, you had all the components that pavilions great it’s got a stage it’s got a bar it’s got a kitchen it’s got a bathroom got a fireplace I’ve got a fireplace it sets you to know.</p><p>00:28:20.610 –&gt; 00:28:25.020 Joseph McElroy: A short distance from the creek has got fire pits all around it it’s beautiful, so it would.</p><p>00:28:26.700 –&gt; 00:28:27.600 Joseph McElroy: mix an intro.</p><p>00:28:31.980 –&gt; 00:28:39.660 Joseph McElroy: a combination of Irish and Scottish people like to hear and fits culturally here, it really just needed it needed a bartender and a host.</p><p>00:28:40.320 –&gt; 00:28:53.100 Joseph McElroy: And really that’s convincing people to come out there it’s a short walk across the yard, but the front just team and myself if you’ve been here a couple of days leading into a Saturday, and you haven’t had at least three of us invite you to the BAT.</p><p>00:28:54.540 –&gt; 00:29:01.680 Joseph McElroy: We feel like we’ve you know when they say oh yeah I’ve heard that everybody in this building has told me that makes me very happy very, very happy.</p><p>00:29:02.460 –&gt; 00:29:11.280 Joseph McElroy: When they get out there, once again just be friendly offer them a beer talk to them a little bit introduce them to the guy that’s two doors down from the hotel.</p><p>00:29:11.820 –&gt; 00:29:27.540 Joseph McElroy: And it’s really a nice environment so well I didn’t think that was the hard part, well, it was interesting because you know I’ve been in marketing and am not grew up in this business, it was a different kind of time, then so you know people come into a motel or hospitality experience.</p><p>00:29:31.110 –&gt; 00:29:33.720 Joseph McElroy: To be direct with people versus like a.</p><p>00:29:34.710 –&gt; 00:29:42.960 Joseph McElroy: movie or something and so trying to create recreate that experience I grew up with, but in a different world was a challenge for me and see what the things that you are doing.</p><p>00:29:43.260 –&gt; 00:29:55.290 Joseph McElroy: Is an inspiration yeah I created the, yeah I mean I stole the idea, a little bit, but I started cooking cookies in the afternoon exactly and reminding them about the bbq and that was really.</p><p>00:29:55.680 –&gt; 00:30:01.950 Joseph McElroy: Fulfilling and successful right it’s just a small thing like that, and the other thing we talked about this, the other day.</p><p>00:30:02.400 –&gt; 00:30:10.500 Joseph McElroy: Is that well look it’s a free Barbecue we provide it now do you look at that as well that’s a cost, we provided as something that attracts people here.</p><p>00:30:11.040 –&gt; 00:30:23.370 Joseph McElroy: But you know, are we interested in everybody in the place eating the bbq well, yeah we actually sit, even though we’re not charging them for the bbq we’re selling them on the idea of how much fun it’s going to be, and it is, and it is it’s always asked.</p><p>00:30:23.850 –&gt; 00:30:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re gonna come back we’ll talk more about the things that we’re doing and interest.</p><p>00:32:39.150 –&gt; 00:32:53.460 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and My guest Boyd Burton, who is the manager of the Meadowlark Motel, amongst many other great and fabulous skills.</p><p>00:32:54.870 –&gt; 00:33:04.890 Joseph McElroy: You know, we were talking about the other challenges that we faced you know getting restarted and really focusing on the experiences that we give customers.</p><p>00:33:05.580 –&gt; 00:33:11.280 Joseph McElroy: One of the things that we brought in, is the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center.</p><p>00:33:11.760 –&gt; 00:33:29.220 Joseph McElroy: Which is doing a lot of interesting special that’s how difficult, is it to have been to integrate those into our you know our offerings to clients, as well as I think it’s it’s a very good fit and nobody else here in this area seems to be particularly focused on it and.</p><p>00:33:32.820 –&gt; 00:33:45.150 Joseph McElroy: People are interested in the mountain here and offering some insight into that and understanding that was not a weekend goes by, we don’t get some five people to say yeah my family Scotch Irish from somewhere in the mid-Atlantic.</p><p>00:33:45.660 –&gt; 00:33:55.620 Joseph McElroy: And they’re interested in the Scotch Irish mountain culture and you know people frankly love you know to love you know the music the music big part of the.</p><p>00:33:56.220 –&gt; 00:34:00.510 Joseph McElroy: hospitality, because you know you’re being friendly to people was always a big part of.</p><p>00:34:00.810 –&gt; 00:34:09.600 Joseph McElroy: growing up here in the here, in the main building we play Appalachian music all day long yeah just to help kind of set the tone of this is where you’re at and you’re.</p><p>00:34:10.020 –&gt; 00:34:17.430 Joseph McElroy: getting an authentic experience this place has been authentic mountains from the basic end of the 40s.</p><p>00:34:17.910 –&gt; 00:34:29.520 Joseph McElroy: I mean the first little built was built in the 40s yeah it has been part of roadside American culture and mountain culture, its whole existence now and it’s really I’m really pleased by how successful.</p><p>00:34:32.130 –&gt; 00:34:46.800 Joseph McElroy: We are now in a modern setting all the modern efficiencies and the computer systems and things like that, but we’re still able to we’ve translated that whole you know, experience and you’ve understood that experience to be.</p><p>00:34:48.300 –&gt; 00:35:02.220 Joseph McElroy: Getting a true mountain culture experience with the cover and with the road motel part of it, people get excited about having a real key that’s yeah we get four or five comments, a week of man, a real key this is cool those are you know.</p><p>00:35:03.330 –&gt; 00:35:08.760 Joseph McElroy: We have little blue tags and sort of diamond shape blue tags, those are original tags from.</p><p>00:35:09.600 –&gt; 00:35:20.220 Joseph McElroy: Right and people really liked the idea, and you know we found we found shot glasses that we’re assuming your shot glasses from 70 or 74 that we’re.</p><p>00:35:20.610 –&gt; 00:35:30.180 Joseph McElroy: Selling that we have a big stock of it was surprising we’re selling those you know so it’s been good, but the Heritage Center has been interesting because we’ve been very.</p><p>00:35:33.390 –&gt; 00:35:42.630 Joseph McElroy: difficult to hers and you know and more foragers and Cherokee culture and even some West African influences on the mountain cultures.</p><p>00:35:43.500 –&gt; 00:35:57.720 Joseph McElroy: And so I’ve been I think that’s been a huge success in terms of you know, creating awareness and you know we call it memorable experience right and it’s understanding connecting to you know, a local, you know traditions.</p><p>00:35:58.500 –&gt; 00:36:07.410 Joseph McElroy: And I think that we’ve been very good at that, and I think it’s yeah you’ve been on the forefront of really even very quickly pushing it along with Bob Plott who’s yeah.</p><p>00:36:07.920 –&gt; 00:36:19.920 Joseph McElroy: That means that’s his life he’s written six books rises these, one that top of the civilian award in the state of North Carolina so you know he is creative God of that heritage, saying that there’s has to be.</p><p>00:36:20.400 –&gt; 00:36:30.180 Joseph McElroy: organizational thing to make it happen, I just think it’s such a natural fit with what we do here yeah well it’s I mean there’s actually if you look at my original business plan.</p><p>00:36:32.160 –&gt; 00:36:44.490 Joseph McElroy: So I mean I hadn’t thought it out well, this is, we need to bring heritage, you know the original people recent people came to the mountain just because of mountain culture right yeah then me the parks.</p><p>00:36:44.970 –&gt; 00:36:50.550 Joseph McElroy: goes down in Hollywood and all these things came in and it’s great and they’re fun they’re wonderful, but their their their consumer culture.</p><p>00:36:50.850 –&gt; 00:36:55.170 Joseph McElroy: right there consumer culture where’s mountain culture is authentic and my.</p><p>00:36:55.410 –&gt; 00:37:04.170 Joseph McElroy: a goal which you have totally embraced is this authenticity of mountain culture and a place to relax yes and a place to relax I think that’s a really important that.</p><p>00:37:04.410 –&gt; 00:37:10.980 Joseph McElroy: You can really like your it’s not like you’re an old-time or new time in the future the past year, in no time when you’re here.</p><p>00:37:11.460 –&gt; 00:37:21.630 Joseph McElroy: And no time exists here it’s like everything exists at once, and you can enjoy it all, and you know if we’re super friendly with the guests, and we also have a five-acre.</p><p>00:37:22.290 –&gt; 00:37:30.270 Joseph McElroy: green space along the creek if a guest wants to sit and do nothing next to a fire nobody’s going to bother them while they’re.</p><p>00:37:31.290 –&gt; 00:37:40.320 Joseph McElroy: Doing nothing and just this past weekend I had a guest say that they forgot to check their phone for two days and.</p><p>00:37:41.790 –&gt; 00:37:47.970 Joseph McElroy: I got really excited about it, it kind of startled them they’re like oh that makes me so happy like why I mean cuz you relax.</p><p>00:37:48.300 –&gt; 00:38:06.090 Joseph McElroy: You know, this morning I said yeah I was, I was, I was sitting outside drinking beer and enjoying the snow as forgot to check this morning I got up, we have down here and I got up, I went out to the rise and shine Chamber commerce, which is actually pretty good.</p><p>00:38:07.380 –&gt; 00:38:09.210 Joseph McElroy: a group of people, business people around here.</p><p>00:38:10.260 –&gt; 00:38:20.490 Joseph McElroy: But they meet very informally and yeah I went to that and I did a couple of things and I was going to the coffee shop we’re going to be to look for the business person I realized.</p><p>00:38:20.910 –&gt; 00:38:30.510 Joseph McElroy: I hadn’t had my phone for all-day all morning I had my phone and check my phone and the interest of my phone is like yeah I live in New York City I’m on my phone constantly.</p><p>00:38:33.210 –&gt; 00:38:42.810 Joseph McElroy: Here it changes the structure of your day right exactly the structure of your existence gets changed and it’s very refreshing.</p><p>00:38:43.050 –&gt; 00:38:50.130 Joseph McElroy: And you know people come here to make you value for a number of reasons, we have motorcyclist we have people that want to come, see the leaves and October.</p><p>00:38:50.820 –&gt; 00:38:56.970 Joseph McElroy: We have people that come from weddings where people come just to get away from the heat and humidity and places like where I’m from Richmond.</p><p>00:38:57.300 –&gt; 00:39:02.460 Joseph McElroy: come up here where it’s much cooler people come to ski and the snow they come from the mountain culture.</p><p>00:39:02.940 –&gt; 00:39:12.810 Joseph McElroy: I think our job is twofold one provides them a nice comfortable place to stay that’s the fundamental basis of it, clean comfortable place to say treat them nicely.</p><p>00:39:13.290 –&gt; 00:39:23.280 Joseph McElroy: But the next step, and what we’ve done here, and are still continuing to improve upon is a place for them to enjoy and relax while they’re here doing other things they’re doing yeah.</p><p>00:39:23.760 –&gt; 00:39:30.480 Joseph McElroy: And then, when they leave and say the best part of my whole day was where was the bbq in the music and.</p><p>00:39:33.360 –&gt; 00:39:36.600 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing that and we just hung around and fun yeah yeah.</p><p>00:39:37.980 –&gt; 00:39:49.740 Joseph McElroy: excited about that well, what do you feel we’ve done something new or created a real speakeasy I had a basement area that hasn’t been to us, you and I collaborated we’ve created a real speakeasy.</p><p>00:39:51.000 –&gt; 00:40:02.160 Joseph McElroy: In the Meadowlark motels what, what do you think about that what’s the vision for that oh I’m super excited about when it’s a beautiful little space we are handled bar Joseph’s artwork.</p><p>00:40:02.640 –&gt; 00:40:13.620 Joseph McElroy: is in there very good artwork and a little story is I use I studied a lot at the classically from the nudes so I have a lot of paintings big paintings of nudes.</p><p>00:40:13.920 –&gt; 00:40:26.700 Joseph McElroy: So we know these would be good for a speakeasy my wife was like yeah see who’s The co-designer of the experience here, and you see everything that visual here my wife has been heavily involved in making sure that it’s totally aesthetic.</p><p>00:40:27.390 –&gt; 00:40:30.570 Joseph McElroy: But she was like well okay, but if you’re going to put nudes</p><p>00:40:34.380 –&gt; 00:40:39.270 Joseph McElroy: You can’t lose I don’t want a man cave so we’ve also got male nudes on the wall</p><p>00:40:40.680 –&gt; 00:40:48.300 Joseph McElroy: guests yeah we’ve been opened, it’s up on Fridays and Saturdays and basically, we were all music aficionados here you guys.</p><p>00:40:49.260 –&gt; 00:40:59.580 Joseph McElroy: rock and roll star and you’ve been headed blues bar with some of the top people in the world and we curated just an incredible list of world music and but it’s just you know.</p><p>00:41:00.150 –&gt; 00:41:13.800 Joseph McElroy: Typical night down there at this point is, people are out snow skiing they come back they’ve had dinner, they want to come down have a couple of beers we start playing some music and yo two Saturdays ago turned into a dance party this one.</p><p>00:41:15.030 –&gt; 00:41:21.480 Joseph McElroy: Again, the place was designed to be a place that we enjoyed and wanted to hang out and we find that the guests to</p><p>00:41:21.720 –&gt; 00:41:31.050 Joseph McElroy: yeah I would say that the essence of us in a lot of ways, is the music started right the musical under the place and we had that Bob was really great that recruiting some.</p><p>00:41:33.870 –&gt; 00:41:46.470 Joseph McElroy: Great music Balsam Range Member playing Darren Nicholson and a few others here and yeah we’ve had world-class music here I mean that has been one of the greatest.</p><p>00:41:46.800 –&gt; 00:41:53.670 Joseph McElroy: News sources of pride, I have is the world-class music, we now have, if I don’t say so myself world-class art.</p><p>00:41:55.080 –&gt; 00:42:04.590 Joseph McElroy: I got things in museums accounts right yeah it’s been really like the art isn’t meant to be a fun key and something different, and Maggie Valleys a.</p><p>00:42:05.760 –&gt; 00:42:09.300 Joseph McElroy: The local watering holes and Maggie Valley, or what I would kind of determine as.</p><p>00:42:10.260 –&gt; 00:42:18.930 Joseph McElroy: Sports bars and one of them, I like to go to watch football and have a drink but it’s a sports bar a lot of TVs kind of loud basic menu and or.</p><p>00:42:19.530 –&gt; 00:42:31.890 Joseph McElroy: restaurant bars, but no yeah not really any bar so we went to this will be a funky little bar yeah for people to hang out after a long day and yeah they don’t have to drive anywhere and I wanted.</p><p>00:42:34.770 –&gt; 00:42:39.240 Joseph McElroy: Everything about heritage and every part of my from my childhood my growth and everything else but.</p><p>00:42:39.690 –&gt; 00:42:45.330 Joseph McElroy: I wanted to bring a little bit of my New York experience here too yeah so it’s got that so we got like a little sliding thing for people to.</p><p>00:42:46.260 –&gt; 00:42:54.660 Joseph McElroy: ask for permission to come in collecting but fine so we’re also creating a restaurant because to get lifted by the drinks North Carolina hotels got to have a restaurant.</p><p>00:42:54.960 –&gt; 00:43:02.820 Joseph McElroy: So we’ve actually come up with the concept for a restaurant and you have a great experience with that what would you say is the vision that we’ve been talking about.</p><p>00:43:03.540 –&gt; 00:43:12.240 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think you know we’re still flushing it out, I think we need more restaurants and Maggie Valley, we need more restaurants that serve past nine o’clock at night.</p><p>00:43:12.720 –&gt; 00:43:16.860 Joseph McElroy: So there’s definitely demand there and certain people want to eat where they’re staying.</p><p>00:43:17.520 –&gt; 00:43:32.280 Joseph McElroy: So we believe that demands there and we have the facility to do it, we have a kitchen we’re converting We already have a nice dining room right over behind us, but I think the food we want it to be accessible, we want to have dishes that.</p><p>00:43:35.520 –&gt; 00:43:46.500 Joseph McElroy: altar but also to them, yes right thing that both Joseph and I are I characterize ourselves as good amateur cooks not chefs, yeah but we’re both food easy probably tell by looking at.</p><p>00:43:47.010 –&gt; 00:43:52.500 Joseph McElroy: That we haven’t missed a whole lot of meals and we’ve eaten all over the world, and we want some interesting but not.</p><p>00:43:53.040 –&gt; 00:44:01.800 Joseph McElroy: Not food, food, not complicated interesting good food that’s different once again a different offering but still that you’re comfortable and accessible.</p><p>00:44:02.160 –&gt; 00:44:08.400 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s the framework and we’re building the menu, I mean, I think that yeah we are, we know some really good line cups.</p><p>00:44:08.850 –&gt; 00:44:15.540 Joseph McElroy: But what we’re gonna do is we’re you know it’s hard to get a chef to come to the real small motel in the mountains alright</p><p>00:44:15.870 –&gt; 00:44:32.550 Joseph McElroy: But as he said, we know a lot of important we’re going to curate great recipes and then have really good natural cook people cook it right good ingredients and that’s the fun part is curating the menu, and once again just like we’re doing with the.</p><p>00:44:36.630 –&gt; 00:44:41.550 Joseph McElroy: a menu that we think fits the place and customers like, but also that we like yeah yeah.</p><p>00:44:42.750 –&gt; 00:44:52.980 Joseph McElroy: So we’re not In addition the restaurants were actually also arranging for Meadowlark to respond toMeadowlark design tours right.</p><p>00:44:53.490 –&gt; 00:45:00.480 Joseph McElroy: And I know you haven’t been as much involved this yet, but I think you feel it is pretty important to have this kind of adventure, to offer people.</p><p>00:45:00.780 –&gt; 00:45:05.460 Joseph McElroy: And a lot of them are going to be very comfortable tours like you’re gonna be able to see the mountains, particularly.</p><p>00:45:05.820 –&gt; 00:45:10.710 Joseph McElroy: You have a van that’s going to drive exactly, but you have the opportunity to get out and enjoy it.</p><p>00:45:11.130 –&gt; 00:45:21.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah we yeah because of where we’re at we have people come in and they want to do things in the area and we have other places that we recommend that tour companies, we have tour companies we’re partnering with but yeah.</p><p>00:45:22.500 –&gt; 00:45:32.760 Joseph McElroy: one of the reasons I moved here is because this is one of them, I think, maybe the absolute best spot to ride a motorcycle and certainly on the east coast and maybe the whole United States yeah.</p><p>00:45:37.680 –&gt; 00:45:48.990 Joseph McElroy: And you know I wanted for that, for our guests and walking tours and fishing tourists and make sure that we can actually really help them maximize the enjoyment, while they’re here and not just hope that they find something that suits them somewhere else.</p><p>00:45:49.410 –&gt; 00:45:56.010 Joseph McElroy: Well, I mean we have we’re gonna come back and we have to take a break now where it comes back in a few minutes to talk about some of the.</p><p>00:45:56.280 –&gt; 00:46:06.180 Joseph McElroy: motorcycle rides that you’ve been on because he’s a bit on all the motorcycle rides the world, and maybe we talk about some that you’ve done in this area and other road culture type things that you might want to talk.</p><p>00:48:08.280 –&gt; 00:48:17.430 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Boyd Burton the manager of the Meadowlark Motel, So Boyd,</p><p>00:48:17.910 –&gt; 00:48:33.660 Joseph McElroy: You know, we do a lot of adventure start from this area Maggie Valley, you know Meadowlark Motel Smoky Mountains yeah outdoor adventures, and one of the biggest things is road culture right yeah a lot of people come here to go.</p><p>00:48:36.390 –&gt; 00:48:45.150 Joseph McElroy: the fact we have a motorcycle museum across the creek from us in our backyard that people go to so it’s an important part of you know what’s.</p><p>00:48:45.630 –&gt; 00:48:52.770 Joseph McElroy: What happens in the mountains is you know, being able to travel and see so you’ve been all over the world, with the motorcycle riding right.</p><p>00:48:53.460 –&gt; 00:49:02.400 Joseph McElroy: Some of the best rides at least in the country I have to say that this is the best right for my money the Northern Rockies.</p><p>00:49:02.880 –&gt; 00:49:11.250 Joseph McElroy: Glacier National Park that area is maybe more spectacular, but in terms of mountain roads that are rideable and enjoyable on a motorcycle I think.</p><p>00:49:11.640 –&gt; 00:49:18.060 Joseph McElroy: You know, really, this whole this section of Western North Carolina and then the similar sections of Southwestern Virginia.</p><p>00:49:18.630 –&gt; 00:49:33.720 Joseph McElroy: I think is just I think they’re the best and I’ve got you to know pretty good I’ve been everywhere in the lower 48 riding right and then there are beautiful rods all over but you’ve got good writing weather eight months out of the year it’s not too hot in the summer we just.</p><p>00:49:37.170 –&gt; 00:49:46.740 Joseph McElroy: The traffic’s not bad and there’s titan twisting our roads will spectacular views every direction the gas come in and go, you know, give me your favorite ride I jokingly say pick a direction and go uphill.</p><p>00:49:47.580 –&gt; 00:49:58.950 Joseph McElroy: in every direction is upheld, by the way, we’re in a valley yeah and then a lot of famous rides a tail of the dragon and the rattler and sure house skyway all are within you know.</p><p>00:50:00.180 –&gt; 00:50:06.720 Joseph McElroy: less than an hour yeah less than an hour, if you draw a circle, this is a great place to be base camp for motorcycles.</p><p>00:50:07.320 –&gt; 00:50:15.660 Joseph McElroy: As a motorcyclist, I like to drink and have a beer, but I don’t like to do that and ride yeah so being able to come back somewhere like the Meadowlark and.</p><p>00:50:16.620 –&gt; 00:50:33.390 Joseph McElroy: be able to hang out go anywhere else go anywhere is really important, we a lot of car shows here and it’s just a beautiful place to come for a ride yeah I mean road culture was a big part of Americana you know when we were identifying what our modern culture is and.</p><p>00:50:37.590 –&gt; 00:50:42.540 Joseph McElroy: So you know Mountain Heritage and American road culture heritage are important.</p><p>00:50:42.900 –&gt; 00:50:51.810 Joseph McElroy: You know aspects of it, and you know frankly road closures are perfect for the covid era right because you write it upright to your door you don’t have to interact with anybody if you’re worried.</p><p>00:50:52.200 –&gt; 00:51:05.700 Joseph McElroy: Right, so I walk right in the door because it is a motel, and uh yeah we get some people have been coming up here for road vacations for 40 years yeah that new your grandmother, and your mother still ask of them yeah I know.</p><p>00:51:06.840 –&gt; 00:51:21.060 Joseph McElroy: That makes me feel good you connected to something real that’s been here for a few generations, we have about 1974 Meadowlark sign backlit down the Speakeasy that I think is a nice reminder of that the history of the place.</p><p>00:51:22.080 –&gt; 00:51:28.830 Joseph McElroy: So what are some upcoming things that you’re looking forward to hearing well really the spring, for us, is about.</p><p>00:51:30.120 –&gt; 00:51:34.260 Joseph McElroy: Getting the restaurant open and getting the full ABC.</p><p>00:51:37.260 –&gt; 00:51:42.210 Joseph McElroy: We have lots of events coming up recycle groups and car groups and.</p><p>00:51:42.660 –&gt; 00:51:54.750 Joseph McElroy: wedding parties so really getting ready for spring and the next step for us as a full restaurant and full bar environment to go along with the pavilion and what we’ve done this year it’s additive to it, and this is more opportunity to.</p><p>00:51:55.140 –&gt; 00:52:05.250 Joseph McElroy: host and be hospitable and enjoy you know the company of our clients it’s a lot of work we’ve got a lot to do in the next 90 days to be ready for spring but we’re.</p><p>00:52:05.850 –&gt; 00:52:12.930 Joseph McElroy: we’re on track I’m pretty proud that you know when you think about it when we open the when the summer comes we’re going to have.</p><p>00:52:13.500 –&gt; 00:52:21.720 Joseph McElroy: him, do you not only get your experience to come to stay in a nice place and sleep, you know to go to take your ventures all over when you come back you got.</p><p>00:52:23.070 –&gt; 00:52:34.680 Joseph McElroy: A restaurant, this will be mountain parodies inspired you’re gonna have a speakeasy you have a pavilion that’s them live music Barbecue you have a really nice pool environment where you can.</p><p>00:52:37.590 –&gt; 00:52:49.200 Joseph McElroy: tie this huge recreation purpose so mountain heritage trout stream, you can fish in the children to learn a lot and also tube in the water, so it’s pretty exciting.</p><p>00:52:50.220 –&gt; 00:52:52.410 about what we were creating here.</p><p>00:52:54.210 –&gt; 00:52:59.670 Joseph McElroy: So what where do people find out more about you right.</p><p>00:53:01.350 –&gt; 00:53:16.260 Joseph McElroy: Well, as part of that getting away from it all thing I came to the mountains, I actually decided to I had a pretty big social media presence related to historic to music and historic preservation and part of my semi-retirement were to get away from that.</p><p>00:53:17.400 –&gt; 00:53:34.530 Joseph McElroy: But I now connect you know connecting back in through things like this podcast and our website and the smokies adventure, so I can go to our website and use the contact for sure we’d love to look for ideas for music and then also our for.</p><p>00:53:37.890 –&gt; 00:53:45.870 Joseph McElroy: So can come into booking agencies or book directly through our site, you also can pick up the phone and call and you will get myself, Amanda, Kate.</p><p>00:53:46.170 –&gt; 00:53:52.770 Joseph McElroy: We will do our very best to help you on the phone and talk to any questions you have been booked the room old style and also things like tours and exactly.</p><p>00:53:53.130 –&gt; 00:54:02.880 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s really cool it’s like family, you know family-run place done if you know corporate efficiency, but without the near of.</p><p>00:54:03.360 –&gt; 00:54:12.360 Joseph McElroy: That corporate dryness it’s all about you know, being the family, yeah we’re here enjoying the place, so we hope people will come to enjoy it with us yeah I think so.</p><p>00:54:12.750 –&gt; 00:54:28.680 Joseph McElroy: So the site is meadowlarkmotel.com, yes, we have a couple of Facebook pages, we have the Facebook page for the meadowlark motel but we also have a Facebook page for the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center so you can just search for both those right.</p><p>00:54:30.000 –&gt; 00:54:35.250 Joseph McElroy: You need to contact form on our website to get to both me and Anvil.</p><p>00:54:38.610 –&gt; 00:54:47.220 Joseph McElroy: make suggestions or recommend music, you know always open to ideas that fit within and this now boy, thank you for being on the show oh it’s my pleasure.</p><p>00:54:47.520 –&gt; 00:54:55.440 Joseph McElroy: Nice enjoyed the time and he did it out of the goodness of his heart it’s not like yeah it’s a motel or anything now, this is a Labor of love.</p><p>00:54:56.550 –&gt; 00:55:05.400 Joseph McElroy: And I fell in love with the place and so we’re part of the talkradio.nycnetwork and</p><p>00:55:05.910 –&gt; 00:55:17.580 Joseph McElroy: This podcast appears every Tuesday from six to seven on that network, I recommend you investigate the little I podcast on this network there are some great ones from self-help to</p><p>00:55:17.970 –&gt; 00:55:30.270 Joseph McElroy: You know, to business to other travel destinations, you know there’s a great one on the work that you have to explore and you know I live in New York, as well as live I live in two places at once, somehow, but I’m here.</p><p>00:55:30.630 –&gt; 00:55:35.700 Joseph McElroy: You know, constantly because I’m really dedicated passionate about this, but I have a family.</p><p>00:55:39.300 –&gt; 00:55:42.000 Joseph McElroy: Through your parents, I’m involved with that as well</p><p>00:55:43.200 –&gt; 00:55:53.610 Joseph McElroy: You can with this we are, we have the podcast also smokiesadventure.com, you can click on a link at the top of take you to all the previous podcasts.</p><p>00:55:54.810 –&gt; 00:55:58.620 Joseph McElroy: As well as links to interesting information related to the podcast.</p><p>00:55:59.700 –&gt; 00:56:11.700 Joseph McElroy: We, have a Facebook page it’s a gateway to the smokies podcast on Facebook, which I recommend highly that you take a look at.</p><p>00:56:13.080 –&gt; 00:56:18.330 Joseph McElroy: Where there are the live feeds are going on all the time, and we also have good conversations.</p><p>00:56:19.350 –&gt; 00:56:32.250 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure is a great website for you to visit it’s related to what we’re doing but it runs independently, it provides lots of information about.</p><p>00:56:33.390 –&gt; 00:56:35.910 Joseph McElroy: You know, visiting the smokies where to stay what.</p><p>00:56:38.910 –&gt; 00:56:46.560 Joseph McElroy: Part of books and trail guide and explanations about what to do in your outdoor adventures of the smokies.</p><p>00:56:47.280 –&gt; 00:56:55.290 Joseph McElroy: And then the Meadowlark motel we have a great site that also has a lot of interesting shopping we just introduced a tin cup that’s become very popular.</p><p>00:56:55.590 –&gt; 00:57:04.620 Joseph McElroy: And my wife sourced it and she came up with the idea that, basically, says the on the outside of the cup you drink out of this TIM coffee cup and it says.</p><p>00:57:06.240 –&gt; 00:57:07.590 Joseph McElroy: This might be moonshine</p><p>00:57:09.810 –&gt; 00:57:19.530 Joseph McElroy: we’re loving that so I recommend you go to our website look at that we got some good T-shirts and things like that, as well and we’re going to be introducing a Heritage club.</p><p>00:57:19.980 –&gt; 00:57:35.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s more focused on regional and local people to be able to come on a regular basis we’re going to be doing things like we’re naming some of the rooms with when we’re doing sort of museum quality, you know installations in the rooms of pictures in history, the first one to be the.</p><p>00:57:39.570 –&gt; 00:57:43.350 Joseph McElroy: legendary women of the smaller craft room mountain crafts room.</p><p>00:57:44.670 –&gt; 00:57:53.250 Joseph McElroy: And we have openings in these rooms it’s going to have you know a lot of discussions about the art history related we’re also going to be doing.</p><p>00:57:54.090 –&gt; 00:58:08.250 Joseph McElroy: A series of mountain cultures with books and authors that have written things about the mountain, so we look forward to you coming and visiting us and listening to this to gateway the smokies and thank you all for being here and see you next week.</p> 7009dba3-9913-4e97-92eb-8e2751a77d49 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/8ec8339b-254a-4c38-bed4-d3831b0d0eed Tue, 01 Feb 2022 23:00:00 +0000 3527 no full Episode 43:Family Outings in the Great Smokies Episode 43:Family Outings in the Great Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>In this episode, you will learn about some hiking trails and trips in Haywood County. Nancy will share with us some of her favorite regional hiking trails, from easy to strenuous. You&#39;ll also hear about her memorable tourism experiences, and she&#39;ll give us suggestions for the best places to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Don&#39;t miss this show!</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Join us this Tuesday with our special guest, Nancy East, a renowned Author, Program Director, Outdoor Survivalist and Search and Rescue Expert, as well as a Record-setting Distance Hiker. A former Veterinarian, Nancy has hiked and led seminars and programs all over the United States, but her favorite trails are near her Haywood County home in the Great Smoky Mountains. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.hopeandfeathertravels.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.hopeandfeathertravels.com/</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>On today’s episode Joseph and his guest, renowned Author and Outdoor Survivalist, Nancy East, talk about things for families to do. The first place Joseph begins talking about is down in North Carolina called the Cataloochee Ski Resort which is one of Joseph’s family favorite places to visit. Joseph talks about a few other places that he and his family enjoy visiting including a few foodie towns and some restaurants that serve what he calls “mountain heritage food.” Nancy begins to talk about how she ended up in Haywood County where she has been for twenty years now. </span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>At the beginning of the second segment Nancy talks about what drew her to Haywood County, and she talks about how she loves the natural beauty and the strong community. Nancy begins talking about one of her rescue stories in a crazy snow storm, and how she and her team serve by saving others in some dangerous endeavors. Nancy begins talking about how she raised her kids to learn safety protocols whether that be skiing, dressing correctly, or using the proper equipment so that they won’t ever be in harm; in the same way she tells others to be cautious when they are planning a trip so that they will always have the right equipment as well. </span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>Joseph and Nancy begin talking about how to keep little kids engaged when you are on an adventure, and Nancy has some great ideas from her years of experience, such as a scavenger hunt, or using electronics to learn compass and mathematics. There are also some great places for you to take your children to hike such as Flat Creek and Big Creek; they are one way hike’s which makes it super easy for the whole family. Nancy says that kids love water so any trail with a creek or a waterfall will keep the kids occupied. Nancy talks about a term she used in her book called the Nature Deficit Disorder where Nancy explains that parents these days are so afraid of the woods. Nancy is aware that electronics are used more than outdoor time is allotted, but she isn’t fond of this, and definitely is a firm believer in the outdoors. At the end of this segment, Joseph and Nancy begin talking about her book, Chasing the Smokies Moon. </span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>At the beginning of the last segment, Nancy and Joseph talk about their memorable moments in the Smokies. One of Nancy’s first experiences was backpacking around the Smokies which she chose to do instead of getting a hotel, and this showed her how much she loves the outdoors, nature, and being in the mountains. These experiences that Joseph and Nancy are talking about, Joseph refers to them as “flashable memory experiences.” There are so many treasures to see in the mountains, and Joseph and Nancy both agree that there are breathtaking things to do and to see in all of these mountain resorts they talk about today. </span></p> Video thumbnail

GUEST: Nancy East

In this episode, you will learn about some hiking trails and trips in Haywood County. Nancy will share with us some of her favorite regional hiking trails, from easy to strenuous. You'll also hear about her memorable tourism experiences, and she'll give us suggestions for the best places to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Our special guest, Nancy East, is a renowned Author, Program Director, Outdoor Survivalist, and Search and Rescue Expert, as well as a Record-setting Distance Hiker. A former Veterinarian, Nancy has hiked and led seminars and programs all over the United States, but her favorite trails are near her Haywood County home in the Great Smoky Mountains. 

https://www.hopeandfeathertravels.com/

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

Segment 1

In today’s episode Joseph and his guest, renowned Author and Outdoor Survivalist, Nancy East, talk about things for families to do. The first place Joseph begins talking about is down in North Carolina called the Cataloochee Ski Resort which is one of Joseph’s family's favorite places to visit. Joseph talks about a few other places that he and his family enjoy visiting including a few foodie towns and some restaurants that serve what he calls “mountain heritage food.” Nancy begins to talk about how she ended up in Haywood County where she has been for twenty years now. 

Segment 2

At the beginning of the second segment Nancy talks about what drew her to Haywood County, and she talks about how she loves the natural beauty and the strong community. Nancy begins talking about one of her rescue stories in a crazy snowstorm, and how she and her team serve by saving others in some dangerous endeavors. Nancy begins talking about how she raised her kids to learn safety protocols whether that be skiing, dressing correctly, or using the proper equipment so that they won’t ever be in harm; in the same way she tells others to be cautious when they are planning a trip so that they will always have the right equipment as well.

Segment 3

Joseph and Nancy begin talking about how to keep little kids engaged when they are on an adventure, and Nancy has some great ideas from her years of experience, such as a scavenger hunt, or using electronics to learn compass and mathematics. There are also some great places for you to take your children to hike such as Flat Creek and Big Creek; they are one-way hikes which makes it super easy for the whole family. Nancy says that kids love water so any trail with a creek or a waterfall will keep the kids occupied. Nancy talks about a term she used in her book called Nature Deficit Disorder where Nancy explains that parents these days are so afraid of the woods. Nancy is aware that electronics are used more than outdoor time is allotted, but she isn’t fond of this, and definitely is a firm believer in the outdoors. At the end of this segment, Joseph and Nancy begin talking about her book, Chasing the Smokies Moon. 

Segment 4

At the beginning of the last segment, Nancy and Joseph talk about their memorable moments in the Smokies. One of Nancy’s first experiences was backpacking around the Smokies which she chose to do instead of getting a hotel, and this showed her how much she loves the outdoors, nature, and being in the mountains. These experiences that Joseph and Nancy are talking about, Joseph refers to them as “flashable memory experiences.” There are so many treasures to see in the mountains, and Joseph and Nancy both agree that there are breathtaking things to do and to see in all of these mountain resorts they talk about today.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:02:53.370 –> 00:02:54.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:02:54.330 –> 00:03:04.710 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies, this is the second season of this podcast which focuses on life, culture, and tourism.

00:03:05.070 –> 00:03:14.190 Joseph McElroy: In America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty.

00:03:14.580 –> 00:03:21.600 Joseph McElroy: A deep-storied history of stunning adventures and rich mountain cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:03:22.080 –> 00:03:33.930 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.

00:03:35.490 –> 00:03:43.140 Joseph McElroy: In today’s podcast we’re talking about family adventures and outdoor experiences in the smokies, but first, let’s talk about our sponsors.

00:03:43.650 –> 00:03:52.860 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark Motel imagine a place evocative motor courts of the past, yet moderate and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.

00:03:53.490 –> 00:04:06.120 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine and craft beers.

00:04:06.630 –> 00:04:24.930 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine a place with mountain heritage, food, and underground speakeasy there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:04:26.610 –> 00:04:31.380 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor is smokies adventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure.

00:04:32.160 –> 00:04:42.960 Joseph McElroy: singular.com is a site for information and listings about the smokies hiking information wedding venues, books, trail maps resources.

00:04:43.260 –> 00:04:55.650 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smokies adventures on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons, and more.

00:04:56.190 –> 00:05:01.290 Joseph McElroy: The goal of this site and its becoming, that is, become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.

00:05:03.030 –> 00:05:13.590 Joseph McElroy: So we’re talking about family today and I have three-year-old twins and so we’ve experienced some things to do in the mountains with family and I thought I mentioned a few of the things that we do.

00:05:15.720 –> 00:05:30.180 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know if you know it, but North Carolina has the southernmost ski resort in the nation it’s a Cataloochee ski resort and there you can go skiing and snowboarding from essentially the end of November, until March.

00:05:31.680 –> 00:05:38.370 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it has a fairly lengthy snow season and also manufacturers its own so snow.

00:05:39.660 –> 00:05:51.000 Joseph McElroy: And the slopes are very good for beginners 44% of them are for beginners so that’s great for families to go to and in 39% intermediate so there’s very little advanced.

00:05:51.930 –> 00:06:01.710 Joseph McElroy: But there’s enough for one family member to go to the advanced stuff and then the rest of the family goes to the intermediate and basic stuff and they got great.

00:06:02.340 –> 00:06:13.020 Joseph McElroy: classes in the fact I took classes there when I was a kid and private lessons if you want and there’s also snowboarding up there, in fact, there’s great snowboarding sharp.

00:06:13.530 –> 00:06:28.980 Joseph McElroy: snowboarding shop at the foot of the hills recently, one of the X Games Gold Medal of gold medal winners was a snowboarder from Waynesville North Carolina to spend a lot of his time training on Cataloochee

00:06:29.340 –> 00:06:43.110 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a great place to go for winter adventures now at the bottom in the mountain right in Maggie itself is snow, to me, and they manufacturer the kitty slope of.

00:06:44.670 –> 00:06:57.390 Joseph McElroy: snow and kids can go up there and have just an incredibly fun time so let’s see sliding down on tubes almost the whole winter season is great for the entire family because they got these giant tubes that I could sit on.

00:06:58.710 –> 00:07:02.820 Joseph McElroy: And I’m a pretty big dude so it’s an unforgettable experience.

00:07:03.870 –> 00:07:07.980 Joseph McElroy: And you should book a time before you go, because it can get crowded, especially on the.

00:07:08.520 –> 00:07:19.830 Joseph McElroy: On the weekend now don’t forget to go winter hiking and smokies there are a lot of easy hikes you can look up online and they are sure our guests coming up, you mentioned a few but.

00:07:20.760 –> 00:07:32.070 Joseph McElroy: the beauty of hiking in the mountains as a couple in the winter is a couple one is it it’s not crowded like it is during the spring and summer in the fall.

00:07:32.550 –> 00:07:40.470 Joseph McElroy: And so you don’t have to deal with a lot of crowds but to is you might think losing all the leaves is a detriment, but.

00:07:40.770 –> 00:07:54.540 Joseph McElroy: What you get when you lose all the leaves his views you give incredible vistas that you get to look at and see so it’s something that you don’t get any other time of the year is this vast vista that you can see.

00:07:55.050 –> 00:08:15.180 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a great time to come up, it can be very safe, and you know and some of those waterfalls get ice on them that just make them dazzling frozen spectacles, and now you can also find museums in the mountains and there are some great ones, I personally went.

00:08:16.830 –> 00:08:22.200 Joseph McElroy: With the cred the new museum of the Cherokee Indian a few years back, I went there and I was dumbfounded.

00:08:22.590 –> 00:08:31.620 Joseph McElroy: They had a hologram which doctor that followed you through the whole presentation every exhibition is holograms show up, and it was just.

00:08:31.980 –> 00:08:49.200 Joseph McElroy: Incredibly, engaging and it’s just it’s a really beautiful elegant experience explaining a lot of the Cherokee culture that I just can’t recommend highly more highly enough, and they have, there are also lots of arts and crafts there’s actually a big.

00:08:50.280 –> 00:09:03.780 Joseph McElroy: You know sort of facility near next right across from the museum that has lots of native American Cherokee Indian crafts, especially mask incredibly number of mass and I love that place.

00:09:04.860 –> 00:09:11.040 Joseph McElroy: You can also, the Meadowlark motels and actually put into Meadowlark smoky mountain Heritage Center where we have.

00:09:11.400 –> 00:09:18.000 Joseph McElroy: A little we have exhibits on like the Plott hound and the State dog North Carolina we’re actually installing.

00:09:18.990 –> 00:09:29.700 Joseph McElroy: regularly new exhibits right now we’re installing one for called them moonshine room and we’ll have openings for people to see you know the history of moonshiners in the mountains.

00:09:30.420 –> 00:09:35.310 Joseph McElroy: In a way, maybe you haven’t seen before, so, and of course the Asheville museum.

00:09:36.120 –> 00:09:51.780 Joseph McElroy: there are museums in Gatlinburg in Pigeon Forge so it’s and there’s lots of great art, you know the Asheville area was immersive arts, for most of its time and said some great writers great artists, you know the black mountain school with.

00:09:52.830 –> 00:09:54.120 Joseph McElroy: Jake about bears and.

00:09:55.470 –> 00:10:02.310 Joseph McElroy: Rauschenberg and those others of that period, all work the black mountain school and it was incredible.

00:10:04.110 –> 00:10:13.950 Joseph McElroy: Speaking Asheville is a foodie town, and I could recommend restaurants galore in Asheville is, I think one of the top three towns in North Carolina may be in the eastern seaboard.

00:10:15.150 –> 00:10:23.280 Joseph McElroy: And you can go there, but in terms of things in the area, Silva has some great little restaurants Gulu pays is fabulous.

00:10:24.360 –> 00:10:34.770 Joseph McElroy: Mexican restaurant Silva Waynesville have some really good ones like sweet onion or they have one of the top 10 Barbecue joints in the nation according to the really recent magazine.

00:10:35.010 –> 00:10:40.920 Joseph McElroy: called Hazelwood smokehouse, of course, Maggie Valley, we have a wonderful family restaurant called J Arthur’s.

00:10:41.280 –> 00:10:52.800 Joseph McElroy: It from its get-go over 40 years ago the earth was a family-oriented steakhouse where fathers could get a steaks kid could get good food that appeals to them moms could get a great big.

00:10:53.190 –> 00:11:01.650 Joseph McElroy: Famous gorgonzola salad if she wanted, but they also serve fabulous rainbow trout there’s a great Barbecue place in Maggie called POPs but on the creek.

00:11:02.970 –> 00:11:18.930 Joseph McElroy: And it’s just fabulous, of course, the Meadowlark is opening upstarts and crafts that’ll be coming soon and it’s gonna be a small place but focusing on a different take a mountain heritage food so look forward to that.

00:11:20.190 –> 00:11:28.680 Joseph McElroy: Other places to go and in the mountains is there’s a lot of greats shopping and there’s a Christmas shop.

00:11:29.010 –> 00:11:44.070 Joseph McElroy: You know there’s a there’s one called Nancy touch Christmas shop, but of course, in Maggie, we have a wonderful one called cabbage rose is very unique and it’s got an eclectic shopping Center I think it has over 2000 square feet of Christmas.

00:11:45.630 –> 00:11:53.520 Joseph McElroy: Experience and you know and displays and mannequins and trains and moving parts and things like that.

00:11:53.850 –> 00:12:07.560 Joseph McElroy: So don’t forget that also I really love and recommend people go to the Maggie Valley rock and rock shop and Jim mine is really great for kids I get to see all these colorful stones and you know and experiences.

00:12:08.310 –> 00:12:13.500 Joseph McElroy: That, I think, is worthwhile and of course, there’s the market square in Maggie Valley, it has a lot of.

00:12:13.920 –> 00:12:21.990 Joseph McElroy: gift shops that are got a lot of one of a kind things, and then the beginning of Maggie there’s a mountain now you mountain near crafts, which is.

00:12:22.500 –> 00:12:34.560 Joseph McElroy: Which is a is an institution in Maggie valley been there for 10,000 years and it’s just a wonderful place to take kids because there are all sorts of wonderful gifts and toys that kids can enjoy.

00:12:35.280 –> 00:12:39.690 Joseph McElroy: So anyway, some ideas about what you can do in Maggie valley there’s a lot more.

00:12:40.140 –> 00:12:50.160 Joseph McElroy: You can just search online ago family things to do in the mountains, you can find there are all sorts of amusement parks you got you got the polar express, which is railroads.

00:12:50.850 –> 00:13:00.450 Joseph McElroy: there are still some amusement parks like Sanchez land, of course, over and the gap that in Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge area there’s a tremendous thing like Dollywood and.

00:13:01.260 –> 00:13:09.840 Joseph McElroy: Things like that and worthwhile taking them kids and family to in general, you know you know if you go up in the cage cove and go look at the elk.

00:13:10.260 –> 00:13:16.050 Joseph McElroy: and take the kids up there there are things to do, besides just seeing the elks which blow them away but there are old buildings.

00:13:16.320 –> 00:13:24.180 Joseph McElroy: There streams there are things that just will tickle their imagination, even a three-year-old, we took him up there, and they were engaged the whole time.

00:13:24.990 –> 00:13:35.850 Joseph McElroy: So anyway person who might know about a lot of this is our guest Nancy East, Nancy is a renowned author hiker, and outdoor educator.

00:13:36.270 –> 00:13:42.840 Joseph McElroy: A former veterinarian, not Nancy is hiked and leads seminars and programs all over the United States.

00:13:43.290 –> 00:13:54.210 Joseph McElroy: But our favorite trails are near her Haywood County home in the great smoky mountains, where she holds the fastest known time for hiking over 900 miles of all the trails.

00:13:54.630 –> 00:14:05.940 Joseph McElroy: In the smoky mountain National Park, she has an outdoors blog where she writes about the outdoors and what are the possible adventures with children in the wilderness Hello Nancy.

00:14:06.390 –> 00:14:08.370 Nancy Mercure East: hey there glad to be here.

00:14:08.670 –> 00:14:22.530 Joseph McElroy: I’m glad you’re here, so I like one of your quotes that I saw that although all you’re not a native and Haywood county you got here as fast as he could and now resided here for over 20 years.

00:14:22.620 –> 00:14:23.790 Nancy Mercure East: I have something.

00:14:24.060 –> 00:14:25.410 Joseph McElroy: To where were you before.

00:14:25.860 –> 00:14:34.770 Nancy Mercure East: Atlanta so definitely a big departure from where I grew up but I welcome change I think I’ve always been a country girl at heart, who just happened to grow up in a city.

00:14:35.730 –> 00:14:39.330 Joseph McElroy: and your What was your skills and professional background in Atlanta.

00:14:39.960 –> 00:14:49.590 Nancy Mercure East: yeah so I went to high school, they are graduated from high school and I headed over to Alabama lived there for about eight years, while I was an undergraduate and veterinary school.

00:14:49.800 –> 00:14:59.580 Nancy Mercure East: And then I was lucky enough to land my first job right here in Waynesville downtown Waynesville and I’ve never left it’s always been home since and it’s where I’ve raised my family.

00:14:59.880 –> 00:15:04.950 Joseph McElroy: Great it’s a great place to live raise a family so that’s why you’re Haywood county that’s fabulous.

00:15:05.100 –> 00:15:17.550 Joseph McElroy: yeah well um, we have to take a break now, I guess, I was long-winded on that first stuff so I want to talk about so you know what you learned about the region and then there’s some recent news we got to talk about.

00:15:17.640 –> 00:15:19.710 Nancy Mercure East: Alright sounds good.

00:17:34.800 –> 00:17:41.550 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Nancy East

00:17:42.570 –> 00:17:57.030 Joseph McElroy: So Nancy you came to the Haywood County and got raise your family, and you know to build a life here what’s, the most important thing you’ve learned about this real region, and so what it what are some of the qualities you enjoy the most.

00:17:57.600 –> 00:18:07.080 Nancy Mercure East: yeah gosh that’s a great question so anything’s to answer that one that we will what brought me here undeniably was just the natural beauty.

00:18:07.800 –> 00:18:15.990 Nancy Mercure East: It was just to me almost an unfounded treasure at the time, you know Wayne’s world has grown I’m sure as you’ve seen all your life, but just in the.

00:18:16.290 –> 00:18:24.900 Nancy Mercure East: Nearly 25 years that I’ve been here to it has grown exponentially, as far as just a minute ease and services and just people but.

00:18:25.470 –> 00:18:36.150 Nancy Mercure East: The people are what makes it so special to I love the sense of community I love raising my family here and having you know, a tight network of friends, but then a broader base.

00:18:36.420 –> 00:18:41.250 Nancy Mercure East: of just Community contacts everybody seems to want to help each other in Waynesville and.

00:18:41.550 –> 00:18:54.300 Nancy Mercure East: That means a lot, you know it’s hard to find that I think sometimes in a big city it’s a little harder to seek out and find anyway, so it felt like an instant connection when I moved here in that regard and has never let me down.

00:18:55.260 –> 00:19:01.440 Joseph McElroy: You know, when I grew up that I mean that was always the mountain hospitality or something we’re always proud of yeah.

00:19:02.400 –> 00:19:14.700 Joseph McElroy: Always there’d be a hitchhiker coming in the mountains and then my dad would stop and pick him up many times you find out there were students from somewhere like in German student once we put them up in a camper that we had on the property.

00:19:14.910 –> 00:19:17.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah it was like yeah that was important to just.

00:19:18.390 –> 00:19:19.470 Joseph McElroy: Be hospitable.

00:19:19.530 –> 00:19:21.870 Joseph McElroy: Right, I guess it runs in my blood that’s why I’m on.

00:19:22.050 –> 00:19:23.460 Joseph McElroy: hospitality guy now.

00:19:24.420 –> 00:19:25.710 Nancy Mercure East: There you go very fitting.

00:19:26.730 –> 00:19:38.040 Joseph McElroy: So you’re on the search and rescue team for Haywood County and there is some recent news that made the papers that were what a recent.

00:19:39.150 –> 00:19:44.430 Joseph McElroy: hiker got lost in the region snowstorm and shining rock Miller scenario.

00:19:44.610 –> 00:19:50.670 Nancy Mercure East: yeah yeah that was quite an interesting search, it was the day that the snow came in, you know the heavy snow we had.

00:19:50.670 –> 00:19:56.460 Nancy Mercure East: Last area yeah and I honestly I was walking back from my bedroom into the kitchen.

00:19:56.790 –> 00:20:04.470 Nancy Mercure East: And my husband said, you have a call out your phone just we have an alert that goes off on our phones and I really thought he was playing a prank I said yeah right he said no seriously you.

00:20:05.400 –> 00:20:10.260 Nancy Mercure East: And even still I thought this has got to be a practical joke nobody’s out in this weather, but they were.

00:20:10.650 –> 00:20:20.490 Nancy Mercure East: And it was a hiker or a backpacker rather who was hiking the art low trail, which is you know, is about a 30-mile trail that traverses through the shining rock wilderness.

00:20:20.910 –> 00:20:31.080 Nancy Mercure East: And that’s about when he called 911 was when he was upon the highest point near black balsam tenant mountain You know, as you know about 6000 feet in elevation.

00:20:31.440 –> 00:20:38.220 Nancy Mercure East: And he was standing, probably in about a foot of snow at that point and was in over his head as far as skillset gear.

00:20:38.580 –> 00:20:53.070 Nancy Mercure East: The whole bit he just didn’t check the weather, it was an innocent mistake that you would not believe, how many people may before they head into our hills and so he did the right thing, I applaud him for doing the right thing and calling for help because that’s what we’re here for.

00:20:54.150 –> 00:20:56.190 Joseph McElroy: fabulous but you guys breastfeed him right.

00:20:56.220 –> 00:20:58.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah your picture was in the paper I.

00:20:58.770 –> 00:20:59.760 Joseph McElroy: saw you right there.

00:21:00.180 –> 00:21:12.180 Nancy Mercure East: Was yeah so yeah we won’t do it on snowshoes and yeah that’s not that quick selfie of our team and yeah that thing just it’s been all over the nation, now it got a lot of media attention, for whatever reason, it was a fun picture.

00:21:12.930 –> 00:21:19.980 Joseph McElroy: So you knew the hiker personally he was a guest that he was like the father of somebody that’s a friend, with your kids or something like that.

00:21:20.310 –> 00:21:22.590 Nancy Mercure East: No, no, I didn’t know this particular hiker.

00:21:22.590 –> 00:21:23.790 Nancy Mercure East: I really because you were.

00:21:23.790 –> 00:21:33.030 Joseph McElroy: quoted as saying it fuels my fire to keep going out there for him, all I have to do is just look at my husband, the bed next to me and think it could be him out there.

00:21:33.390 –> 00:21:35.490 Joseph McElroy: because somebody that somebody love.

00:21:35.520 –> 00:21:37.020 Nancy Mercure East: dearly yeah.

00:21:37.380 –> 00:21:40.530 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s what drives us all, but what he didn’t know him.

00:21:40.650 –> 00:21:49.230 Nancy Mercure East: I did not know him but yeah to your point, though that’s all I have to do is to think of my child or my husband or my sister’s brothers anybody that I love dearly.

00:21:49.530 –> 00:21:55.950 Nancy Mercure East: Being the one that we’re going to help and it’s all I have to do to drop everything, even when it’s you know risking my own.

00:21:56.760 –> 00:22:06.180 Nancy Mercure East: You know, safety in the endeavor and that’s I think how our whole team feels you know we’d love to be outdoors we’re not going to lie we kind of enjoy getting called out in some of these crazy experiences, but.

00:22:06.480 –> 00:22:13.290 Nancy Mercure East: At the same time, what drives it for us over and over and over is the love of helping other people, you know just.

00:22:14.370 –> 00:22:16.290 Joseph McElroy: empathy for the family of the last.

00:22:16.290 –> 00:22:17.400 Joseph McElroy: that drives you right.

00:22:17.430 –> 00:22:18.510 Nancy Mercure East: Absolutely yep.

00:22:18.990 –> 00:22:23.520 Joseph McElroy: cool so as a father of three-year-olds I’m very interesting.

00:22:24.840 –> 00:22:30.330 Joseph McElroy: very interested in that family and do that and all the aspects of the family, you write about on your blog.

00:22:30.810 –> 00:22:35.460 Joseph McElroy: And I’m interested in having a great experience outdoor and I read on your website.

00:22:35.880 –> 00:22:43.860 Joseph McElroy: I’m an avid believer and Richard loves principles outline is popular book last child in the woods curing nature deficit disorder.

00:22:44.310 –> 00:22:58.260 Joseph McElroy: My goal is apparent is to raise my kids as stewards of the earth and with an understanding of how vital the natural world is for the mental health of happiness So how do you start teaching kids to be stewards of the earth and understanding the importance of the natural world.

00:22:59.160 –> 00:23:08.610 Nancy Mercure East: yeah So for me and for everybody that looks differently, but for me personally just from a young age, even as infants, it meant something as simple as.

00:23:08.880 –> 00:23:16.770 Nancy Mercure East: rocking my babies out on my front porch when the weather was nice or even when it wasn’t bundling them up, so we were prepared for those conditions and.

00:23:17.100 –> 00:23:27.660 Nancy Mercure East: just getting them outdoors and not being scared to face certain elements as long as we are prepared to instill that confidence in them from an early age really to.

00:23:28.320 –> 00:23:38.250 Nancy Mercure East: get to the zero such things as bad weather just improper clothing and gear are kind of my mantra and it’s I think a Swedish proverb that that comes from that says it much more eloquently than that but.

00:23:38.550 –> 00:23:44.490 Nancy Mercure East: Just from yeah their infancy I’ve really just tried to expose them to as many opportunities as I can, through.

00:23:44.790 –> 00:23:52.680 Nancy Mercure East: hiking backpacking skiing we’re very outdoorsy as a family, so, whatever their energy wants to be channeled into.

00:23:52.920 –> 00:24:02.070 Nancy Mercure East: We seize on that and just take advantage of it and it changes all our kids are teenagers now so it’s a completely different realm than what you’re in and he tells you it’s not going to get any easier, but.

00:24:04.500 –> 00:24:12.360 Joseph McElroy: I keep seeing these tik tok videos and videos of three years old skiing down the mountains like it’s nothing how likely it is I’m gonna be able to teach back its.

00:24:14.220 –> 00:24:14.700 Joseph McElroy: Old.

00:24:15.870 –> 00:24:25.620 Nancy Mercure East: yeah I’m not a skier so my husband’s on ski patrol in Cataloochee actually so yeah so where they’re well versed in skiing but their mom I would rather cross country ski if I’m going to ski.

00:24:25.950 –> 00:24:26.910 Joseph McElroy: OK cool.

00:24:27.690 –> 00:24:38.070 Joseph McElroy: So if, as a parent, I’m worried about taking my children out in the wilderness, what is the best advice you can give me to keep my children, safe and not last.

00:24:38.460 –> 00:24:52.890 Nancy Mercure East: Oh, I love this question prepare yourself don’t ever forget to pack, you know really what’s between your ears your brain that most importantly, but fill that brain up with the knowledge, you need to stay safe, most importantly.

00:24:53.460 –> 00:25:02.190 Nancy Mercure East: Think almost in a negative fashion before setting out and think what could go wrong, what if somebody gets injured and we can’t walk out and have to wait out help.

00:25:02.490 –> 00:25:11.370 Nancy Mercure East: What kind of weather is going to come our way in the next few days that’s a very common mistake, just like the backpacker and shining rock did not check the weather forecast beyond the day of their height.

00:25:11.820 –> 00:25:18.510 Nancy Mercure East: And then, all of a sudden they’re stuck in a snowstorm or drench will rain without the proper gear to endure that or clothing.

00:25:19.110 –> 00:25:24.750 Nancy Mercure East: So just empower yourself with knowledge, but also and it’s all on my website if people want to look it up.

00:25:25.230 –> 00:25:30.750 Nancy Mercure East: carry those 10 essentials it’s a very common kind of a buzz phrase in hiking and mountaineering

00:25:31.050 –> 00:25:38.640 Nancy Mercure East: These 10 essentials and they don’t have to weigh you down you don’t have to feel like a pack mule but it’s just basic things that will keep you safe.

00:25:38.880 –> 00:25:49.170 Nancy Mercure East: Should you need it and also might just enhance your experience, even if you’re not in an emergency situation if you just want to have a fire in a back country campsite while you enjoy your lunch or whatnot.

00:25:49.710 –> 00:26:03.600 Nancy Mercure East: You know, having those fire-making materials is a good thing to have for that, too, so not a big deal to do all these things, but people tend to think just don’t know what they don’t know and then they go out and realize what they don’t know when they need it, the most.

00:26:04.230 –> 00:26:19.380 Joseph McElroy: We know when I take them into a city Park, you know kids parks it’s like Oh, maybe 100 feet long 50 feet wide got some swings and things like that I have two three-year-olds right and it luckily, it has a.

00:26:20.370 –> 00:26:26.490 Joseph McElroy: fence, all the way around it, but I can what I’m them can distract me from maybe one second.

00:26:27.030 –> 00:26:31.230 Joseph McElroy: And then I’ve lost the other one now what would that be a big problem if I take them out.

00:26:33.300 –> 00:26:34.530 Nancy Mercure East: You might want to leave.

00:26:37.050 –> 00:26:41.160 Nancy Mercure East: No, but seriously, you know yours are kind of on the cusp of understanding.

00:26:41.730 –> 00:26:49.290 Nancy Mercure East: What could happen if they run off for mom and dad, but it is important, even from their ages and especially as they get older to really instill.

00:26:49.530 –> 00:27:00.720 Nancy Mercure East: Just some basic safety measures if, for some reason they did get separated from you, you know there’s the old boy scout adage of just hug a tree and that’s a good thing to teach a kid just to stay good.

00:27:00.960 –> 00:27:01.860 Nancy Mercure East: yeah yeah.

00:27:02.400 –> 00:27:06.720 Nancy Mercure East: that’s you know you don’t want to make kids think about too many things if they get lost but.

00:27:07.020 –> 00:27:17.370 Nancy Mercure East: I do one thing I used to do for my kids when they were younger and could read packed a little note I did make them carry their own backpack with just a few basic things like a warm coat.

00:27:17.730 –> 00:27:22.380 Nancy Mercure East: Ring gear that type of thing if they do get separated from me they at least had some basic survival.

00:27:22.980 –> 00:27:30.240 Nancy Mercure East: clothing items that they could put on, but I also stuck a note in there and just wrote down little bullet points of what they should do because.

00:27:30.450 –> 00:27:40.200 Nancy Mercure East: As you know, whenever we’re panicked and scared in a situation we don’t always think rationally and kids don’t either, and so, if they have just that little love note, you know, obviously with some just words of.

00:27:40.590 –> 00:27:52.380 Nancy Mercure East: You know affirmation and just hopefully comfort for them if they were ever in that situation, but also, you know sit down eat the snack and your backpack take your stuffed animal out and talk to it just really.

00:27:53.490 –> 00:27:59.250 Nancy Mercure East: keep them to stay put because really internally that’s The worst thing I can do is keep running away and trying to find you.

00:27:59.610 –> 00:28:02.790 Joseph McElroy: wow, what do you, what do you tell them to do if I see a bear.

00:28:04.050 –> 00:28:11.250 Nancy Mercure East: yeah that same thing I tell adults do not run stand your ground, you know get a little bit higher ground if possible.

00:28:12.210 –> 00:28:18.990 Nancy Mercure East: One of the things that work, the best for me honestly noise-making noise hasn’t always worked to drive them off, especially if they’re habituated.

00:28:19.290 –> 00:28:32.760 Nancy Mercure East: But waving my hiking Poles above my head that always scares them they run off it seems like every time if I do that, so it just makes me look bigger it’s as simple as that, but just giving yourself, even just those hiking Poles, the height of that it tricks them.

00:28:33.930 –> 00:28:47.160 Nancy Mercure East: yeah but do not approach the bear that’s another thing just bears have become, as you know, I’m sure so habituated in this area and it’s easy to think I can go up and pet this little cuddly bear cub or mama and obviously that’s not going to lead anywhere good.

00:28:48.000 –> 00:28:59.790 Joseph McElroy: And you know my wife was interested in a couple of questions you said what if she’s very much into natural stuff right and not buying like insects spray and things what are some natural things you can do to protect them from bugs.

00:29:00.060 –> 00:29:08.970 Nancy Mercure East: that’s yeah I tapped into a really great resource and it’s actually made here locally from hazelwood soap company it’s called both be gone and it’s a lotion.

00:29:09.240 –> 00:29:15.540 Nancy Mercure East: That has just a proprietary blend of you know citron ella and probably lemon grass I’m not sure what they put in it.

00:29:15.930 –> 00:29:29.700 Nancy Mercure East: But it’s just a bunch of just natural products that they put into a base of lotion and you just rub it on like sunscreen and it really does a great job I was skeptical my best friend used to own this company and she sold it, but I was skeptical but it works.

00:29:31.410 –> 00:29:36.150 Joseph McElroy: And then my wife, want to know is, if the track is a track is a tracking device advisable impossible.

00:29:36.810 –> 00:29:41.850 Nancy Mercure East: yeah no it’s a great thing I don’t have mine with me, but something like a satellite device a Garmin.

00:29:42.210 –> 00:29:51.000 Nancy Mercure East: In reaches what I carry and it has an SOS button, so if I’m ever in a situation where I truly need help and I don’t have cell service, which would be more common than not.

00:29:51.210 –> 00:30:02.250 Nancy Mercure East: All I have to do is push a button and obviously you want to reserve that for a true emergency but it’s a great thing to have if you can afford one before the subscription and all that I always encourage it, but a lot of people it’s cost-prohibitive.

00:30:03.300 –> 00:30:10.470 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know we have to take another break now, but when we come back we’ll finish up talking about a little bit more about the little ones, and then we’ll talk about your book.

00:30:10.890 –> 00:30:12.030 Nancy Mercure East: All right, thank you.

00:32:17.730 –> 00:32:32.490 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Nancy East so Nancy got a couple more questions from my wife and me, my wife is a city girl and her idea of camping is with the Butler and.

00:32:34.410 –> 00:32:35.670 Joseph McElroy: And it really fancy dead.

00:32:37.800 –> 00:32:52.740 Joseph McElroy: So, but okay I’m working on her to say we got to get kids out there and experience what I experienced the mountain so she wants to know is, you know yeah engaging little ones, what can you do in the woods, that really engages little children.

00:32:53.370 –> 00:33:04.020 Nancy Mercure East: yeah I think the two things that came to my mind immediately when you ask that one would be a scavenger hunt of sorts, something that is educational but fun.

00:33:04.350 –> 00:33:13.080 Nancy Mercure East: To look for something you know your kid’s ages, you said three they’re both true yeah I mean that would be like really like looking for a brown leaf or.

00:33:13.560 –> 00:33:22.650 Nancy Mercure East: pink flower, you know really keep it simple but as they grow to make those questions, a little bit more advanced maybe play on some things that they might be learning in school.

00:33:23.400 –> 00:33:31.260 Nancy Mercure East: You know, or just something that you want to teach them and have interest in anything from navigation looking at distant peaks you know even using I’m.

00:33:31.650 –> 00:33:39.480 Nancy Mercure East: I used to be really opposed to using technology in the woods, with my kids and I really started to bend the rules when I thought they’re going to have more fun if I let them.

00:33:39.720 –> 00:33:48.330 Nancy Mercure East: have this phone or an iPod or whatever it is to take a picture and try to identify a wildflower or use an APP to identify a distance.

00:33:48.330 –> 00:33:48.660 p.

00:33:49.680 –> 00:34:00.990 Nancy Mercure East: thing, so I use it to supplement I also teach the map and compass skills and you know, interestingly kids really love that stuff if you do it in the way in a way that engages them and empowers them.

00:34:01.350 –> 00:34:15.360 Nancy Mercure East: More times than not they will actually get into it, they may be resistant at first, but if you just get over that little hump of getting them out there, usually they have a much better time than they act like they will before you leave home, at least in my experience.

00:34:15.630 –> 00:34:18.930 Joseph McElroy: that’s great now that’s some good ammunition for me to take back home.

00:34:20.130 –> 00:34:22.350 Nancy Mercure East: Again, the other thing I was gonna say is games.

00:34:22.350 –> 00:34:30.420 Nancy Mercure East: file names that you know alphabet games, you can look online and Google hiking games, but my kids love to play games, or they did their teenagers so.

00:34:30.840 –> 00:34:34.620 Joseph McElroy: I love anything version of you know I spy with my little lie.

00:34:34.920 –> 00:34:40.920 Nancy Mercure East: yeah exactly no that’s the perfect one, for their ages yeah yeah really gets them interested.

00:34:41.280 –> 00:34:47.190 Joseph McElroy: Now, is there any special gear, besides the technology like electronic technology for little ones.

00:34:48.240 –> 00:34:57.390 Nancy Mercure East: You know they make specific backpacks and sleeping bags and all that type of thing if you wanted to take them on more backcountry pursuits if you’re just going to go car camping.

00:34:57.600 –> 00:35:04.050 Nancy Mercure East: I think what you probably already have at home for sleepovers and you know just grabbing blankets off of the bed is probably fine too.

00:35:04.680 –> 00:35:21.090 Nancy Mercure East: But yeah you can go crazy with a budget, and you know, there are many, many options, but I like to usually advise people to start simple see what they like, and then work up to pricier maybe just better-made things that might suit them as they grow cool.

00:35:21.300 –> 00:35:24.030 Joseph McElroy: Well, I can guarantee I’m not starting out with that.

00:35:28.890 –> 00:35:30.390 Joseph McElroy: have to be at least 10 plus.

00:35:32.370 –> 00:35:33.690 Nancy Mercure East: You may need a camper van.

00:35:37.860 –> 00:35:41.070 Joseph McElroy: So what are some great places to hike in the smokies for children.

00:35:41.910 –> 00:35:50.670 Nancy Mercure East: yeah there are so many fun places it brings back so many memories when people ask me this question and they’re still interestingly, the places I returned with my kids as teenagers.

00:35:51.000 –> 00:35:54.090 Nancy Mercure East: Just off the top of my head, some of my favorites in the park.

00:35:54.780 –> 00:36:00.600 Nancy Mercure East: Really, my top one of my top favorites for myself or with children is a flat creek which is off the Blue Ridge parkway.

00:36:00.960 –> 00:36:10.170 Nancy Mercure East: On I guess it’s up near mile-high campground and the balsam mountain campground it’s a one-way hike and you can either shuttle cars or just have a parent.

00:36:10.440 –> 00:36:15.570 Nancy Mercure East: backtrack I think it’s only about a two-mile trail backtrack to the car and drive down to the other end.

00:36:16.290 –> 00:36:18.510 Nancy Mercure East: Big creek is another family favorite.

00:36:18.810 –> 00:36:29.220 Nancy Mercure East: You can either go all the way back into walnut bottoms which is five miles one way, so that’s a little bit of a track for younger kids but even if you just go to mouse creek falls, which I think is about two miles in.

00:36:29.490 –> 00:36:33.930 Nancy Mercure East: that’s a great turnaround spot and have a picnic lunch come back out call it ago.

00:36:34.080 –> 00:36:38.040 Joseph McElroy: Three and a half old I could see it about a mile and a half I’m putting them on my back.

00:36:38.310 –> 00:36:42.030 Nancy Mercure East: yeah my two little now you’re still on the carry on the back.

00:36:42.030 –> 00:36:42.360 Things.

00:36:43.740 –> 00:36:45.780 Nancy Mercure East: you’re not far off though you’re on the coast.

00:36:46.560 –> 00:36:48.870 Joseph McElroy: Of about a half mile right now, maybe.

00:36:50.130 –> 00:36:54.360 Nancy Mercure East: ya know you can look at Cataloochee device that’s another one that I really, really love.

00:36:54.600 –> 00:36:57.690 Nancy Mercure East: Just because it’s an easy one to access from Haywood county.

00:36:57.960 –> 00:37:06.690 Nancy Mercure East: And you can go as far as you like you’ve got those big rich top views from the trail kids really like that, but really, what I find kids especially younger kids like the most is water.

00:37:06.870 –> 00:37:16.950 Nancy Mercure East: If you can find a creek that’s not flowing too strong that becomes a hazard, you know, give a kid a creek and they’re happy all day looking for salamanders and crawl it adds all that kind of stuff.

00:37:17.940 –> 00:37:18.870 Nancy Mercure East: Our data creek.

00:37:19.470 –> 00:37:32.310 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s what a lot of people with families like to come to the Meadowlark we have that Nice Jonathan creek in our backyard and then we have like the not we have you know the side that serious has gotten out of the rapids and things making a splash around and things like that.

00:37:32.580 –> 00:37:35.850 Nancy Mercure East: Absolutely yeah they never want to leave yeah no that’s a great spot.

00:37:36.450 –> 00:37:44.190 Joseph McElroy: Now, what term you used in your in that title of that book and I just wanted you to explain it real quick, is what is it nature deficit disorder.

00:37:44.880 –> 00:37:55.950 Nancy Mercure East: yeah nature deficit disorder so Richard Lewis, as you mentioned earlier coined that phrase and wrote an entire book, I even brought it since we had talked about it earlier it’s a big fat thick book, I mean it’s it became, though.

00:37:56.250 –> 00:38:02.370 Nancy Mercure East: My Bible really is, I was raising kids to give me ideas and validation that what I was doing wasn’t crazy.

00:38:02.790 –> 00:38:08.520 Nancy Mercure East: Because honestly what I found as a young mother is that people seem to fear the woods mothers fathers even.

00:38:08.910 –> 00:38:16.110 Nancy Mercure East: Were fearful of taking their kids out thinking you know there are parents out there there’s venomous snakes all these things that could hurt my children or me.

00:38:16.560 –> 00:38:23.850 Nancy Mercure East: And it’s such a disservice to our children to raise them like that, in my opinion, because if we can empower them with knowledge and.

00:38:24.240 –> 00:38:33.840 Nancy Mercure East: teach them how to mitigate those situations because sure all those things are out there there are 100 different things that most people worry about the wrong things are worried about the bears when they should worry about the ticks you know the tick.

00:38:35.610 –> 00:38:45.870 Nancy Mercure East: Well, you know that his whole just mo what that book was to get people outside again because his big kids became more connected to digital devices.

00:38:46.230 –> 00:38:49.620 Nancy Mercure East: They became more disconnected from the natural world and.

00:38:50.220 –> 00:39:02.310 Nancy Mercure East: You know, again we’re fearful of it just doesn’t it doesn’t foster stewardship of it if they don’t appreciate it and we’re just raising a generation that won’t care for it like it needs to be cared for and protected if we don’t get them out there.

00:39:02.610 –> 00:39:14.430 Joseph McElroy: And it’s really seriously not that dangerous I mean my parents would send us walking two miles down through wooded gravel road pick up the bus before was even light of day.

00:39:14.640 –> 00:39:29.610 Joseph McElroy: And we were, six, seven and eight years old train trip is traipsing through the woods and the mountains now and then coming back from school three o’clock we were out, I would go miles away from fishing ponds seven years old.

00:39:30.000 –> 00:39:30.990 Joseph McElroy: Nobody around.

00:39:31.020 –> 00:39:32.160 Joseph McElroy: No things like that.

00:39:32.340 –> 00:39:34.770 Nancy Mercure East: Absolutely yeah nobody had to tell us to go play.

00:39:34.770 –> 00:39:38.460 Nancy Mercure East: outside his kids yeah this day and age it’s a little tougher I.

00:39:38.460 –> 00:39:39.180 Nancy Mercure East: find so.

00:39:39.930 –> 00:39:43.140 Joseph McElroy: If I fell in the pond I had to figure out how to save myself and I did.

00:39:44.130 –> 00:39:45.900 Nancy Mercure East: Learn by the school of hard knocks.

00:39:45.990 –> 00:39:46.440 Right.

00:39:48.030 –> 00:39:53.670 Joseph McElroy: Now, do you have any you know any sort of programs for our programs for kids is aware of any.

00:39:54.090 –> 00:39:59.400 Nancy Mercure East: yeah I’ve worked with some local schools for sure, in the past, but I haven’t done as much of that lately.

00:39:59.460 –> 00:40:07.920 Nancy Mercure East: I work more with adults, these days, but I enjoy working with anybody who wants to learn and I’ve got some young nephews who are the age, a little bit older than your kids but.

00:40:08.190 –> 00:40:17.910 Nancy Mercure East: They are very inquisitive and curious and are being raised to really appreciate the outdoors and so that just speaks my love language all day long but yeah I treasure working with kids.

00:40:18.030 –> 00:40:30.660 Joseph McElroy: Oh, Bob Bob wanted me to give you a nudge and say hey we’re wanting to do some kids stuff and then lark are you interested in doing some things that are outdoor activities for kids and the future.

00:40:30.930 –> 00:40:43.530 Nancy Mercure East: Absolutely yeah I’d love to talk more about it and find a way to work together and do that because I think it would be a really tremendous resource to offer your guest, you know to learn together with parents and children it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.

00:40:43.860 –> 00:40:57.450 Joseph McElroy: I think, so I think that I really liked the idea of you know summer camps, you know that take advantage of hospitality, but you know that can do families can come with both great for the family and for the kids so.

00:40:57.540 –> 00:40:58.740 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely alright.

00:40:59.040 –> 00:41:04.620 Joseph McElroy: So now, you have a book called chasing the smokies moon I love that is this your first book.

00:41:04.890 –> 00:41:10.920 Nancy Mercure East: It is my first book, yes, I used to think it was my one and only but I’ve already got too many ideas in my head now, so I don’t think it will be.

00:41:11.490 –> 00:41:13.440 Joseph McElroy: Oh no yeah you should use.

00:41:13.800 –> 00:41:16.110 Joseph McElroy: The reviews are great I’m seeing people love that book.

00:41:17.850 –> 00:41:19.200 Joseph McElroy: So, how did it come about.

00:41:19.770 –> 00:41:31.950 Nancy Mercure East: yeah so it came about and kind of a multi-faceted point in my life I was on the verge of turning I think 48 at the time and feeling kind of middle-aged feeling like if I don’t do something big.

00:41:32.220 –> 00:41:40.650 Nancy Mercure East: athletically I may not be able to do it, which is kind of silly because I knew I had plenty of years left but I always wanted to pursue something that really tested by limits of endurance.

00:41:41.040 –> 00:41:48.060 Nancy Mercure East: Simultaneous to this phase of my life with my search and rescue team, we were involved in a search in the National Park at the Clement stone.

00:41:48.420 –> 00:41:58.380 Nancy Mercure East: For a woman by the name of Susan Clements she was here on vacation with her daughter and got lost on one of the most popular trails less than a mile from her car at the trailer.

00:41:58.890 –> 00:42:09.780 Nancy Mercure East: yeah it was yeah highly publicized and so she Paris she died of exposure or hypothermia where her core body temperature was no longer sustainable with life and.

00:42:10.110 –> 00:42:14.940 Joseph McElroy: It really because it was like 40 and 50 degrees, I really didn’t understand it at the time.

00:42:14.970 –> 00:42:21.450 Nancy Mercure East: yeah well but wind and rain came in and I’d rather be in 30 degrees in snow than I would 40 degrees and rain and.

00:42:21.840 –> 00:42:27.270 Nancy Mercure East: burnt, you are absolute yeah so it wasn’t surprising any of us on search and rescue that she died, but.

00:42:27.630 –> 00:42:34.500 Nancy Mercure East: It really impacted my life, and so I wanted to start that that was really a pivotal point in my life, where I wanted to retire from veterinary medicine.

00:42:34.800 –> 00:42:41.730 Nancy Mercure East: And do more intentional work with the outdoor community to educate them to stay what I like to call safe and found and so.

00:42:41.970 –> 00:42:53.400 Nancy Mercure East: I decided to merge this middle you know midlife crisis, if you will, with a fundraiser to try and raise money for the part to implement search and rescue or preventative search and rescue programs and so.

00:42:53.640 –> 00:43:08.640 Nancy Mercure East: I thought I gotta do something flashy I can’t raise $30,000 just by saying hey you know I think this is a great idea, so I teamed up with one of my best friends and we chased the speed record for hiking all the trails and the bark to draw the attention to the cause.

00:43:09.450 –> 00:43:10.710 Joseph McElroy: And you want you got the.

00:43:10.710 –> 00:43:11.160 speaker.

00:43:12.600 –> 00:43:25.770 Nancy Mercure East: was more surprised than me my friend, is a natural athlete is that a lot of really big things and it’s like that, politically, whereas I had never done anything except run a marathon so it was a stretch, for me, but yeah I got through it and we were successful.

00:43:26.040 –> 00:43:31.410 Joseph McElroy: Well, I read that there was also a human-bear tragedy that happened at the same time as that.

00:43:32.400 –> 00:43:41.220 Nancy Mercure East: It was terrible I mean there have only been two fatalities in the park in the history of the part from a bear, and this was the second in our story became interwoven in that one.

00:43:41.430 –> 00:43:52.650 Nancy Mercure East: Not in the sense that one of us or anybody we knew was attacked and was this person involved in this vitality, but it impacted our hike we had all our routes planned out in advance and we had to.

00:43:53.190 –> 00:44:01.950 Nancy Mercure East: shuffle the deck a little bit and we’re sending our team into the exact same back countryside of the exact same time this was happening so it was a little sobering.

00:44:02.400 –> 00:44:14.310 Joseph McElroy: Wrong so this I mean you basically survived a grueling endeavor with lots of things stories, I became intertwined so this really set you on a track for a new life hmm.

00:44:14.640 –> 00:44:23.040 Nancy Mercure East: It did yeah really was a turning point, but a very positive one, I loved veterinary medicine, I truly love my career and helping animals but.

00:44:23.310 –> 00:44:33.360 Nancy Mercure East: I was just feeling like it was time to move on and do something different I’ve always been a little mercurial in nature and like to just I don’t know I go where the wind takes me so that’s where it took me.

00:44:33.990 –> 00:44:40.650 Joseph McElroy: So what would you say the arc of that book is if somebody is reading it, what are they gonna walk away with in terms of experience.

00:44:41.100 –> 00:44:55.200 Nancy Mercure East: yeah I think a sense of empowerment if they doubt themselves would be a pretty big one, I certainly am the worst about second guessing myself and my abilities and, more often than not, I prove myself wrong if I set my mind to something and really.

00:44:55.920 –> 00:45:04.470 Nancy Mercure East: channel my energies to a goal and a purpose and typically not always but certainly motivated to finish, and do, but.

00:45:05.070 –> 00:45:16.080 Nancy Mercure East: As I would say that it will also teach people just safety for hikes I interweave a lot of search and rescue stories in it and I try to teach by example, so people might take a step back and say wow.

00:45:16.530 –> 00:45:26.100 Nancy Mercure East: I’ve never thought about that, and maybe I should prepare a little better before my next height, so I don’t become you know in this earth find myself in the same situation is this person did.

00:45:26.610 –> 00:45:38.340 Joseph McElroy: wow so it’s a great book for somebody who wants to live vicariously or that somebody wants to actually experience it themselves that’s a double whammy I like they get this on Amazon and places like that.

00:45:38.640 –> 00:45:45.510 Nancy Mercure East: They can print quality on Amazon, to be honest, it’s not great if they do their own printing and they kind of print it as people buy it but.

00:45:45.780 –> 00:45:53.640 Nancy Mercure East: I have had a bunch of them printed from a printer that does a much better job was the quality of the paper, the print quality everything about it so.

00:45:54.990 –> 00:45:55.440 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:45:55.470 –> 00:45:56.400 Joseph McElroy: Where is that so that.

00:45:56.460 –> 00:46:02.610 Nancy Mercure East: that’s on my website just my website, yeah and I match amazon’s price, so there they all get free shipping so.

00:46:03.330 –> 00:46:04.350 Joseph McElroy: We sell some books.

00:46:04.350 –> 00:46:08.130 Joseph McElroy: To say we should you should talk to Bob and sounds like a wonderful book, we could promote.

00:46:08.190 –> 00:46:10.680 Nancy Mercure East: yeah sure no I’d love to sell it there yeah.

00:46:10.740 –> 00:46:11.160 Nancy Mercure East: yeah.

00:46:11.220 –> 00:46:12.240 Nancy Mercure East: Like a fun keepsake.

00:46:12.870 –> 00:46:18.570 Joseph McElroy: All right, we’re going to take a break and then we’re talking about come back and talk about some wonderful experiences you recommend it.

00:46:19.590 –> 00:46:20.340 Nancy Mercure East: sounds good.

00:48:21.270 –> 00:48:30.720 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with my guest Nancy East on the gateway to the smokies podcast so.

00:48:31.470 –> 00:48:42.300 Joseph McElroy: You know, we always talk about here at the gateway and the Meadowlark of memorable tourism experienced this is actually an academic study, but we were more practical about it and it’s um.

00:48:42.750 –> 00:48:57.360 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s about experiences that are flashbulb memories that people have right from things they do by traveling or hiking or going out or doing things and it relates to you know.

00:48:58.080 –> 00:49:05.790 Joseph McElroy: A lot of emotions and sensory perception, or you know refreshment they get from seeing new art or.

00:49:06.090 –> 00:49:14.190 Joseph McElroy: You know, the mystic moment of diving into the cold water under a wall of the waterfall just the physical you know experience or.

00:49:14.520 –> 00:49:33.600 Joseph McElroy: You know or meeting local characters or having an event with loved ones, so you know this kind of things, create these flashbulb memories so I’m just gonna put you on the spot and Nancy and say what is your most memorable flashbulb experiences if you hadn’t the smoky mountains.

00:49:34.500 –> 00:49:46.680 Nancy Mercure East: um gosh there are so numerous that’s hard to pinpoint but probably one of the first ones that popped in my head was when I first came to interview here 25 years ago about.

00:49:47.010 –> 00:49:57.630 Nancy Mercure East: And I had this interview all set up for obviously business hours, but instead of getting a hotel I’m a poor college student loans and I don’t want to keep accruing, and so I went out and backpack.

00:49:57.990 –> 00:50:01.500 Nancy Mercure East: and actually got a little turned around if I’m telling the truth and.

00:50:01.830 –> 00:50:10.320 Nancy Mercure East: had to really figure it out, it was my first experience with not really knowing where I was and having to draw and the knowledge that I had learned with mapping compass, and all that but.

00:50:10.710 –> 00:50:20.400 Nancy Mercure East: It really, even though I was a little mixed up and wasn’t sure how to find my way back, and I look at that trail now, and I think yeah I can see how I got lost so many people still get lost there but.

00:50:21.180 –> 00:50:30.960 Nancy Mercure East: It was really one of those flashbulb moments, where I thought, even though I’m scared I know I’m going to figure this out and I love it here, this is going to be home and I can’t wait to come back.

00:50:31.440 –> 00:50:35.580 Joseph McElroy: Well, that is, that is that’s a feeling of self-knowledge right.

00:50:35.820 –> 00:50:48.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you find out something about yourself, and you know you can really find that out in the mountains, you know when you go out of doors, you can really discover things about yourself that create permanent memories, for the rest of your life.

00:50:49.050 –> 00:50:54.570 Nancy Mercure East: yeah absolutely the bad ones, you know can sometimes turn into the most meaningful experiences.

00:50:54.600 –> 00:51:04.290 Joseph McElroy: isn’t one of the emotional factors that measure these academic studies is negative experiences actually can make them memorable and create revisit intention.

00:51:04.800 –> 00:51:07.110 Joseph McElroy: So it’s an interesting.

00:51:07.170 –> 00:51:16.350 Joseph McElroy: concept that I’m really thoroughly enjoying, but it also creates a depth of understanding of human beings I’m really enjoying too.

00:51:16.680 –> 00:51:27.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah so, can you think of other places and smokies that you think somebody could have a one of those like flashbulb memory experiences.

00:51:27.300 –> 00:51:30.840 Nancy Mercure East: yeah for sure so many of them, I would say.

00:51:31.320 –> 00:51:42.300 Nancy Mercure East: places like Cataloochee Valley, you know, I was such a treasure just to go down if you can get there early in the morning before the sun rises and be there when the outcome down off the hills just to.

00:51:42.630 –> 00:51:52.020 Nancy Mercure East: graze in those meadows before they go back up I don’t like the heat so they’ll go back up, there are some wonderful tour companies actually in Waynesville one that I work for so I’m a little biased but.

00:51:52.860 –> 00:51:54.300 Nancy Mercure East: yeah Cataloochee valley tours.

00:51:54.570 –> 00:52:03.630 Nancy Mercure East: Esther Blakely the owner does a wonderful job of taking people into the valley to see those elk in the fall when they’re in the rut you know part of their life cycle.

00:52:04.530 –> 00:52:14.790 Nancy Mercure East: synchronous fireflies that’s another tour she leads that’s quite the experience, but even just going it doesn’t have to be anything elaborate just going on a simple hike to a place like a big creek or deep creek.

00:52:15.390 –> 00:52:17.490 Nancy Mercure East: flat creek which I mentioned earlier.

00:52:18.030 –> 00:52:24.510 Nancy Mercure East: Even down into Cherokee they’ll call me lefty river trail is such a great one with the young kids you can even bike that one.

00:52:24.750 –> 00:52:35.940 Nancy Mercure East: and take your dogs you can’t take your dogs on any other trail, except that one and there’s one in Gatlinburg that you the Gatlinburg trail but otherwise not allowed to take the dog so Those are some of my family favorites.

00:52:37.050 –> 00:52:42.450 Joseph McElroy: Well, and then, besides the smoky mountains there are actually lovely little towns around the smoky mountains.

00:52:42.540 –> 00:52:46.110 Joseph McElroy: Yes, you live in the Waynesville where you live in Waynesville right.

00:52:46.530 –> 00:52:58.710 Joseph McElroy: yeah I, like you know we only have a few minutes, but I, like our guests, to tell us what would be a little nice itinerary for a day in Waynesville yeah breakfast what to do, lunch what to do, dinner.

00:52:59.040 –> 00:53:04.530 Nancy Mercure East: that’s a great question yeah I would actually probably start the day in Maggie I would go to POPs place that’s.

00:53:04.530 –> 00:53:04.980 Joseph McElroy: All you’re.

00:53:06.450 –> 00:53:07.740 Nancy Mercure East: Doing is great too, but.

00:53:07.770 –> 00:53:17.220 Nancy Mercure East: yeah POPs I have a little stronger preference for personally so that’s where I would probably start my day and then maybe meander around Maggie but I love downtown Waynesville.

00:53:17.730 –> 00:53:24.450 Nancy Mercure East: Even hazelwood is got some just wonderful shops, and these are with soap company that place that I mentioned before, Robin blue.

00:53:25.140 –> 00:53:37.260 Nancy Mercure East: there’s a coffee shop downtown lots of fun little three stores if people are into drifting that is just really well organized and not just a hodgepodge of stuff they really try to categorize things and thoughtful way.

00:53:38.370 –> 00:53:52.590 Nancy Mercure East: Great bookstores you can certainly find my book and a couple of them and then I would probably have lunch, it can be nice That would be my top pick on North main in Waynesville my daughter actually works there, so if you do go there you got to get a big good because she’s making she’s.

00:53:53.700 –> 00:53:55.350 Nancy Mercure East: Very talented bakers so.

00:53:55.350 –> 00:54:01.680 Nancy Mercure East: She who will make your Brown and your cake, or whatever you decide to get, but it really is a great restaurant.

00:54:02.850 –> 00:54:16.410 Nancy Mercure East: yeah and then for dinner that night gosh so many choices I probably have a beer I’d want to go and sit by the creek and have a beer so bear waters, maybe over in canton or naggy or frog level down in downtown Waynesville

00:54:16.470 –> 00:54:18.600 Joseph McElroy: be another time they all increased by that’s pretty.

00:54:18.600 –> 00:54:19.740 Nancy Mercure East: cool yeah it’s.

00:54:19.800 –> 00:54:27.570 Nancy Mercure East: Very yeah opportunistic places to have a brewery with live music and the water it’s just a great atmosphere So those are my topics.

00:54:27.960 –> 00:54:39.300 Nancy Mercure East: And then for dinner, it would just depend on the mood I’m in I probably hit up while Tommy if I were interested in something Asian I love dope boys pizza particularly their salads and have great salads.

00:54:40.440 –> 00:54:46.620 Nancy Mercure East: If I wanted something a little swankier maybe frogs leap and yeah that would probably wrap up my.

00:54:48.450 –> 00:54:50.310 Nancy Mercure East: Line yep on the parkway or something.

00:54:52.440 –> 00:54:56.340 Joseph McElroy: So how can people find out more about to contact you that sort of thing.

00:54:57.030 –> 00:55:01.950 Nancy Mercure East: yeah that website really is the best place because that channels into any social media I’m not.

00:55:02.010 –> 00:55:13.830 Nancy Mercure East: The greatest with staying engaged on social media, but my blog has a wealth of information about everything and anything that we’ve talked about, and then some I’m becoming more intentional about posting articles about safety and outdoor to.

00:55:14.040 –> 00:55:15.540 Joseph McElroy: Give the URL for your website.

00:55:15.720 –> 00:55:20.580 Nancy Mercure East: Sure yeah it’s just my name NancyEast.com East like the direction com.

00:55:20.640 –> 00:55:22.110 Nancy Mercure East: So all of its there.

00:55:22.320 –> 00:55:24.870 Joseph McElroy: I don’t you have another one hope something or.

00:55:24.960 –> 00:55:26.790 Nancy Mercure East: yeah they all go to the same place.

00:55:26.790 –> 00:55:27.660 Joseph McElroy: I read.

00:55:28.410 –> 00:55:31.710 Nancy Mercure East: The book yeah it’s one of those things somebody professional told me to do.

00:55:33.660 –> 00:55:34.380 Joseph McElroy: com

00:55:34.710 –> 00:55:35.130 Nancy Mercure East: yeah.

00:55:35.220 –> 00:55:37.710 Joseph McElroy: Well, and then get to everything else, they need to about you.

00:55:37.950 –> 00:55:39.150 Nancy Mercure East: Exactly it’s all their.

00:55:39.450 –> 00:55:43.980 Joseph McElroy: social media channel that you posted that as a lot of good information that you like you you’re proud of.

00:55:44.340 –> 00:55:50.160 Nancy Mercure East: yeah I’m probably more active on Facebook and I’m Instagram I’m old enough to think facebook’s a little cooler than Instagram but.

00:55:50.520 –> 00:55:51.330 yeah.

00:55:52.800 –> 00:55:56.010 Nancy Mercure East: So, but I’m not a tiktoker or anything like that I’m not that cool.

00:55:57.420 –> 00:56:08.310 Joseph McElroy: Well cool, thank you for being part of our show, and hopefully, we’ll have you back again sometime talking about all the other wonderful things you do you’re incredibly talented and diverse and once you do so, I look forward to that.

00:56:08.370 –> 00:56:11.010 Nancy Mercure East: Well, I would treasure it Thank you so much for having me.

00:56:11.010 –> 00:56:22.380 Joseph McElroy: cool so um this you can find out more about this podcast gateway to the smokies dot fun, which actually now forward to our smokies adventure slash.

00:56:23.070 –> 00:56:33.840 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies site, we also publish this on Facebook.COM slash gateway to the smokies podcasts where you can actually see the live broadcast streaming.

00:56:34.890 –> 00:56:44.130 Joseph McElroy: we’re part of the talkradio. NYC network, which is a network in New York that broadcasts, a lot of live broadcasts.

00:56:45.930 –> 00:57:01.380 Joseph McElroy: Every day of the week with lots of different shows, ranging from travel to self-help to finance the business, I actually have another podcast on this network called wise is content creates wealth, because I’m a content marketing expert.

00:57:02.400 –> 00:57:04.710 Joseph McElroy: And so you can look that up as well.

00:57:05.820 –> 00:57:11.850 Joseph McElroy: And I recommend you stick around for a show after this, which is about New York, and I think you enjoy it.

00:57:13.290 –> 00:57:14.040 Joseph McElroy: You can.

00:57:15.060 –> 00:57:27.090 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that the meadowlark motel is having a special right now, which is you know weekday special come stay 3nigths of those nights free if you bring a kid you know.

00:57:27.630 –> 00:57:40.290 Joseph McElroy: met the Cataloochee has a kid ski free promotion during the week as well, so you can get a free night and a free ski ticket for your child So hopefully, we’ll see you there’s lots of snow lately lots of.

00:57:41.580 –> 00:57:48.630 Joseph McElroy: fun times and this the tubing is great, and we also have you also do winter fishing and in the mountains and it’s very good fishing.

00:57:49.620 –> 00:58:02.880 Joseph McElroy: So you can fish in our backyard is a thing, of course, we have fire pits and fireplaces speakeasy to get all company with after you do your mountain adventures so come on by so I’ll see you next week.

00:58:04.050 –> 00:58:24.360 Joseph McElroy: We will have Boyd Burton, who is actually the manager of the motel we’re going to talk about finding a lot of comfortable and enjoyable hedonistic things in a good sense that, in the mountains, to enjoy yeah so thank you very much, see you next week Tuesdays from six to seven bye.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/251440730468197/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/272716702_252201370392133_3637176849446543333_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=vL9NYRjEI1wAX-SMBzn&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=630136CD&oh=00_AT_7dqcgWWRPcG1OyWuZ1ftQr7DhF6P_8-Wv7dFPkueadw&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p><strong><em>GUEST: Nancy East</em></strong></p><p><strong>In this episode, you will learn about some hiking trails and trips in Haywood County. Nancy will share with us some of her favorite regional hiking trails, from easy to strenuous. You&#39;ll also hear about her memorable tourism experiences, and she&#39;ll give us suggestions for the best places to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains.</strong></p><p>Our special guest, Nancy East, is a renowned Author, Program Director, Outdoor Survivalist, and Search and Rescue Expert, as well as a Record-setting Distance Hiker. A former Veterinarian, Nancy has hiked and led seminars and programs all over the United States, but her favorite trails are near her Haywood County home in the Great Smoky Mountains. </p><p><a href="https://www.hopeandfeathertravels.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.hopeandfeathertravels.com/</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>In today’s episode Joseph and his guest, renowned Author and Outdoor Survivalist, Nancy East, talk about things for families to do. The first place Joseph begins talking about is down in North Carolina called the Cataloochee Ski Resort which is one of Joseph’s family&#39;s favorite places to visit. Joseph talks about a few other places that he and his family enjoy visiting including a few foodie towns and some restaurants that serve what he calls “mountain heritage food.” Nancy begins to talk about how she ended up in Haywood County where she has been for twenty years now. </p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>At the beginning of the second segment Nancy talks about what drew her to Haywood County, and she talks about how she loves the natural beauty and the strong community. Nancy begins talking about one of her rescue stories in a crazy snowstorm, and how she and her team serve by saving others in some dangerous endeavors. Nancy begins talking about how she raised her kids to learn safety protocols whether that be skiing, dressing correctly, or using the proper equipment so that they won’t ever be in harm; in the same way she tells others to be cautious when they are planning a trip so that they will always have the right equipment as well.</p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>Joseph and Nancy begin talking about how to keep little kids engaged when they are on an adventure, and Nancy has some great ideas from her years of experience, such as a scavenger hunt, or using electronics to learn compass and mathematics. There are also some great places for you to take your children to hike such as Flat Creek and Big Creek; they are one-way hikes which makes it super easy for the whole family. Nancy says that kids love water so any trail with a creek or a waterfall will keep the kids occupied. Nancy talks about a term she used in her book called Nature Deficit Disorder where Nancy explains that parents these days are so afraid of the woods. Nancy is aware that electronics are used more than outdoor time is allotted, but she isn’t fond of this, and definitely is a firm believer in the outdoors. At the end of this segment, Joseph and Nancy begin talking about her book, Chasing the Smokies Moon. </p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>At the beginning of the last segment, Nancy and Joseph talk about their memorable moments in the Smokies. One of Nancy’s first experiences was backpacking around the Smokies which she chose to do instead of getting a hotel, and this showed her how much she loves the outdoors, nature, and being in the mountains. These experiences that Joseph and Nancy are talking about, Joseph refers to them as “flashable memory experiences.” There are so many treasures to see in the mountains, and Joseph and Nancy both agree that there are breathtaking things to do and to see in all of these mountain resorts they talk about today.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:02:53.370 –&gt; 00:02:54.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy.</p><p>00:02:54.330 –&gt; 00:03:04.710 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies, this is the second season of this podcast which focuses on life, culture, and tourism.</p><p>00:03:05.070 –&gt; 00:03:14.190 Joseph McElroy: In America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty.</p><p>00:03:14.580 –&gt; 00:03:21.600 Joseph McElroy: A deep-storied history of stunning adventures and rich mountain cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:03:22.080 –&gt; 00:03:33.930 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:03:35.490 –&gt; 00:03:43.140 Joseph McElroy: In today’s podcast we’re talking about family adventures and outdoor experiences in the smokies, but first, let’s talk about our sponsors.</p><p>00:03:43.650 –&gt; 00:03:52.860 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark Motel imagine a place evocative motor courts of the past, yet moderate and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.</p><p>00:03:53.490 –&gt; 00:04:06.120 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine and craft beers.</p><p>00:04:06.630 –&gt; 00:04:24.930 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine a place with mountain heritage, food, and underground speakeasy there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:04:26.610 –&gt; 00:04:31.380 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor is smokies adventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure.</p><p>00:04:32.160 –&gt; 00:04:42.960 Joseph McElroy: singular.com is a site for information and listings about the smokies hiking information wedding venues, books, trail maps resources.</p><p>00:04:43.260 –&gt; 00:04:55.650 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smokies adventures on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons, and more.</p><p>00:04:56.190 –&gt; 00:05:01.290 Joseph McElroy: The goal of this site and its becoming, that is, become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:05:03.030 –&gt; 00:05:13.590 Joseph McElroy: So we’re talking about family today and I have three-year-old twins and so we’ve experienced some things to do in the mountains with family and I thought I mentioned a few of the things that we do.</p><p>00:05:15.720 –&gt; 00:05:30.180 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know if you know it, but North Carolina has the southernmost ski resort in the nation it’s a Cataloochee ski resort and there you can go skiing and snowboarding from essentially the end of November, until March.</p><p>00:05:31.680 –&gt; 00:05:38.370 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it has a fairly lengthy snow season and also manufacturers its own so snow.</p><p>00:05:39.660 –&gt; 00:05:51.000 Joseph McElroy: And the slopes are very good for beginners 44% of them are for beginners so that’s great for families to go to and in 39% intermediate so there’s very little advanced.</p><p>00:05:51.930 –&gt; 00:06:01.710 Joseph McElroy: But there’s enough for one family member to go to the advanced stuff and then the rest of the family goes to the intermediate and basic stuff and they got great.</p><p>00:06:02.340 –&gt; 00:06:13.020 Joseph McElroy: classes in the fact I took classes there when I was a kid and private lessons if you want and there’s also snowboarding up there, in fact, there’s great snowboarding sharp.</p><p>00:06:13.530 –&gt; 00:06:28.980 Joseph McElroy: snowboarding shop at the foot of the hills recently, one of the X Games Gold Medal of gold medal winners was a snowboarder from Waynesville North Carolina to spend a lot of his time training on Cataloochee</p><p>00:06:29.340 –&gt; 00:06:43.110 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a great place to go for winter adventures now at the bottom in the mountain right in Maggie itself is snow, to me, and they manufacturer the kitty slope of.</p><p>00:06:44.670 –&gt; 00:06:57.390 Joseph McElroy: snow and kids can go up there and have just an incredibly fun time so let’s see sliding down on tubes almost the whole winter season is great for the entire family because they got these giant tubes that I could sit on.</p><p>00:06:58.710 –&gt; 00:07:02.820 Joseph McElroy: And I’m a pretty big dude so it’s an unforgettable experience.</p><p>00:07:03.870 –&gt; 00:07:07.980 Joseph McElroy: And you should book a time before you go, because it can get crowded, especially on the.</p><p>00:07:08.520 –&gt; 00:07:19.830 Joseph McElroy: On the weekend now don’t forget to go winter hiking and smokies there are a lot of easy hikes you can look up online and they are sure our guests coming up, you mentioned a few but.</p><p>00:07:20.760 –&gt; 00:07:32.070 Joseph McElroy: the beauty of hiking in the mountains as a couple in the winter is a couple one is it it’s not crowded like it is during the spring and summer in the fall.</p><p>00:07:32.550 –&gt; 00:07:40.470 Joseph McElroy: And so you don’t have to deal with a lot of crowds but to is you might think losing all the leaves is a detriment, but.</p><p>00:07:40.770 –&gt; 00:07:54.540 Joseph McElroy: What you get when you lose all the leaves his views you give incredible vistas that you get to look at and see so it’s something that you don’t get any other time of the year is this vast vista that you can see.</p><p>00:07:55.050 –&gt; 00:08:15.180 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a great time to come up, it can be very safe, and you know and some of those waterfalls get ice on them that just make them dazzling frozen spectacles, and now you can also find museums in the mountains and there are some great ones, I personally went.</p><p>00:08:16.830 –&gt; 00:08:22.200 Joseph McElroy: With the cred the new museum of the Cherokee Indian a few years back, I went there and I was dumbfounded.</p><p>00:08:22.590 –&gt; 00:08:31.620 Joseph McElroy: They had a hologram which doctor that followed you through the whole presentation every exhibition is holograms show up, and it was just.</p><p>00:08:31.980 –&gt; 00:08:49.200 Joseph McElroy: Incredibly, engaging and it’s just it’s a really beautiful elegant experience explaining a lot of the Cherokee culture that I just can’t recommend highly more highly enough, and they have, there are also lots of arts and crafts there’s actually a big.</p><p>00:08:50.280 –&gt; 00:09:03.780 Joseph McElroy: You know sort of facility near next right across from the museum that has lots of native American Cherokee Indian crafts, especially mask incredibly number of mass and I love that place.</p><p>00:09:04.860 –&gt; 00:09:11.040 Joseph McElroy: You can also, the Meadowlark motels and actually put into Meadowlark smoky mountain Heritage Center where we have.</p><p>00:09:11.400 –&gt; 00:09:18.000 Joseph McElroy: A little we have exhibits on like the Plott hound and the State dog North Carolina we’re actually installing.</p><p>00:09:18.990 –&gt; 00:09:29.700 Joseph McElroy: regularly new exhibits right now we’re installing one for called them moonshine room and we’ll have openings for people to see you know the history of moonshiners in the mountains.</p><p>00:09:30.420 –&gt; 00:09:35.310 Joseph McElroy: In a way, maybe you haven’t seen before, so, and of course the Asheville museum.</p><p>00:09:36.120 –&gt; 00:09:51.780 Joseph McElroy: there are museums in Gatlinburg in Pigeon Forge so it’s and there’s lots of great art, you know the Asheville area was immersive arts, for most of its time and said some great writers great artists, you know the black mountain school with.</p><p>00:09:52.830 –&gt; 00:09:54.120 Joseph McElroy: Jake about bears and.</p><p>00:09:55.470 –&gt; 00:10:02.310 Joseph McElroy: Rauschenberg and those others of that period, all work the black mountain school and it was incredible.</p><p>00:10:04.110 –&gt; 00:10:13.950 Joseph McElroy: Speaking Asheville is a foodie town, and I could recommend restaurants galore in Asheville is, I think one of the top three towns in North Carolina may be in the eastern seaboard.</p><p>00:10:15.150 –&gt; 00:10:23.280 Joseph McElroy: And you can go there, but in terms of things in the area, Silva has some great little restaurants Gulu pays is fabulous.</p><p>00:10:24.360 –&gt; 00:10:34.770 Joseph McElroy: Mexican restaurant Silva Waynesville have some really good ones like sweet onion or they have one of the top 10 Barbecue joints in the nation according to the really recent magazine.</p><p>00:10:35.010 –&gt; 00:10:40.920 Joseph McElroy: called Hazelwood smokehouse, of course, Maggie Valley, we have a wonderful family restaurant called J Arthur’s.</p><p>00:10:41.280 –&gt; 00:10:52.800 Joseph McElroy: It from its get-go over 40 years ago the earth was a family-oriented steakhouse where fathers could get a steaks kid could get good food that appeals to them moms could get a great big.</p><p>00:10:53.190 –&gt; 00:11:01.650 Joseph McElroy: Famous gorgonzola salad if she wanted, but they also serve fabulous rainbow trout there’s a great Barbecue place in Maggie called POPs but on the creek.</p><p>00:11:02.970 –&gt; 00:11:18.930 Joseph McElroy: And it’s just fabulous, of course, the Meadowlark is opening upstarts and crafts that’ll be coming soon and it’s gonna be a small place but focusing on a different take a mountain heritage food so look forward to that.</p><p>00:11:20.190 –&gt; 00:11:28.680 Joseph McElroy: Other places to go and in the mountains is there’s a lot of greats shopping and there’s a Christmas shop.</p><p>00:11:29.010 –&gt; 00:11:44.070 Joseph McElroy: You know there’s a there’s one called Nancy touch Christmas shop, but of course, in Maggie, we have a wonderful one called cabbage rose is very unique and it’s got an eclectic shopping Center I think it has over 2000 square feet of Christmas.</p><p>00:11:45.630 –&gt; 00:11:53.520 Joseph McElroy: Experience and you know and displays and mannequins and trains and moving parts and things like that.</p><p>00:11:53.850 –&gt; 00:12:07.560 Joseph McElroy: So don’t forget that also I really love and recommend people go to the Maggie Valley rock and rock shop and Jim mine is really great for kids I get to see all these colorful stones and you know and experiences.</p><p>00:12:08.310 –&gt; 00:12:13.500 Joseph McElroy: That, I think, is worthwhile and of course, there’s the market square in Maggie Valley, it has a lot of.</p><p>00:12:13.920 –&gt; 00:12:21.990 Joseph McElroy: gift shops that are got a lot of one of a kind things, and then the beginning of Maggie there’s a mountain now you mountain near crafts, which is.</p><p>00:12:22.500 –&gt; 00:12:34.560 Joseph McElroy: Which is a is an institution in Maggie valley been there for 10,000 years and it’s just a wonderful place to take kids because there are all sorts of wonderful gifts and toys that kids can enjoy.</p><p>00:12:35.280 –&gt; 00:12:39.690 Joseph McElroy: So anyway, some ideas about what you can do in Maggie valley there’s a lot more.</p><p>00:12:40.140 –&gt; 00:12:50.160 Joseph McElroy: You can just search online ago family things to do in the mountains, you can find there are all sorts of amusement parks you got you got the polar express, which is railroads.</p><p>00:12:50.850 –&gt; 00:13:00.450 Joseph McElroy: there are still some amusement parks like Sanchez land, of course, over and the gap that in Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge area there’s a tremendous thing like Dollywood and.</p><p>00:13:01.260 –&gt; 00:13:09.840 Joseph McElroy: Things like that and worthwhile taking them kids and family to in general, you know you know if you go up in the cage cove and go look at the elk.</p><p>00:13:10.260 –&gt; 00:13:16.050 Joseph McElroy: and take the kids up there there are things to do, besides just seeing the elks which blow them away but there are old buildings.</p><p>00:13:16.320 –&gt; 00:13:24.180 Joseph McElroy: There streams there are things that just will tickle their imagination, even a three-year-old, we took him up there, and they were engaged the whole time.</p><p>00:13:24.990 –&gt; 00:13:35.850 Joseph McElroy: So anyway person who might know about a lot of this is our guest Nancy East, Nancy is a renowned author hiker, and outdoor educator.</p><p>00:13:36.270 –&gt; 00:13:42.840 Joseph McElroy: A former veterinarian, not Nancy is hiked and leads seminars and programs all over the United States.</p><p>00:13:43.290 –&gt; 00:13:54.210 Joseph McElroy: But our favorite trails are near her Haywood County home in the great smoky mountains, where she holds the fastest known time for hiking over 900 miles of all the trails.</p><p>00:13:54.630 –&gt; 00:14:05.940 Joseph McElroy: In the smoky mountain National Park, she has an outdoors blog where she writes about the outdoors and what are the possible adventures with children in the wilderness Hello Nancy.</p><p>00:14:06.390 –&gt; 00:14:08.370 Nancy Mercure East: hey there glad to be here.</p><p>00:14:08.670 –&gt; 00:14:22.530 Joseph McElroy: I’m glad you’re here, so I like one of your quotes that I saw that although all you’re not a native and Haywood county you got here as fast as he could and now resided here for over 20 years.</p><p>00:14:22.620 –&gt; 00:14:23.790 Nancy Mercure East: I have something.</p><p>00:14:24.060 –&gt; 00:14:25.410 Joseph McElroy: To where were you before.</p><p>00:14:25.860 –&gt; 00:14:34.770 Nancy Mercure East: Atlanta so definitely a big departure from where I grew up but I welcome change I think I’ve always been a country girl at heart, who just happened to grow up in a city.</p><p>00:14:35.730 –&gt; 00:14:39.330 Joseph McElroy: and your What was your skills and professional background in Atlanta.</p><p>00:14:39.960 –&gt; 00:14:49.590 Nancy Mercure East: yeah so I went to high school, they are graduated from high school and I headed over to Alabama lived there for about eight years, while I was an undergraduate and veterinary school.</p><p>00:14:49.800 –&gt; 00:14:59.580 Nancy Mercure East: And then I was lucky enough to land my first job right here in Waynesville downtown Waynesville and I’ve never left it’s always been home since and it’s where I’ve raised my family.</p><p>00:14:59.880 –&gt; 00:15:04.950 Joseph McElroy: Great it’s a great place to live raise a family so that’s why you’re Haywood county that’s fabulous.</p><p>00:15:05.100 –&gt; 00:15:17.550 Joseph McElroy: yeah well um, we have to take a break now, I guess, I was long-winded on that first stuff so I want to talk about so you know what you learned about the region and then there’s some recent news we got to talk about.</p><p>00:15:17.640 –&gt; 00:15:19.710 Nancy Mercure East: Alright sounds good.</p><p>00:17:34.800 –&gt; 00:17:41.550 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Nancy East</p><p>00:17:42.570 –&gt; 00:17:57.030 Joseph McElroy: So Nancy you came to the Haywood County and got raise your family, and you know to build a life here what’s, the most important thing you’ve learned about this real region, and so what it what are some of the qualities you enjoy the most.</p><p>00:17:57.600 –&gt; 00:18:07.080 Nancy Mercure East: yeah gosh that’s a great question so anything’s to answer that one that we will what brought me here undeniably was just the natural beauty.</p><p>00:18:07.800 –&gt; 00:18:15.990 Nancy Mercure East: It was just to me almost an unfounded treasure at the time, you know Wayne’s world has grown I’m sure as you’ve seen all your life, but just in the.</p><p>00:18:16.290 –&gt; 00:18:24.900 Nancy Mercure East: Nearly 25 years that I’ve been here to it has grown exponentially, as far as just a minute ease and services and just people but.</p><p>00:18:25.470 –&gt; 00:18:36.150 Nancy Mercure East: The people are what makes it so special to I love the sense of community I love raising my family here and having you know, a tight network of friends, but then a broader base.</p><p>00:18:36.420 –&gt; 00:18:41.250 Nancy Mercure East: of just Community contacts everybody seems to want to help each other in Waynesville and.</p><p>00:18:41.550 –&gt; 00:18:54.300 Nancy Mercure East: That means a lot, you know it’s hard to find that I think sometimes in a big city it’s a little harder to seek out and find anyway, so it felt like an instant connection when I moved here in that regard and has never let me down.</p><p>00:18:55.260 –&gt; 00:19:01.440 Joseph McElroy: You know, when I grew up that I mean that was always the mountain hospitality or something we’re always proud of yeah.</p><p>00:19:02.400 –&gt; 00:19:14.700 Joseph McElroy: Always there’d be a hitchhiker coming in the mountains and then my dad would stop and pick him up many times you find out there were students from somewhere like in German student once we put them up in a camper that we had on the property.</p><p>00:19:14.910 –&gt; 00:19:17.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah it was like yeah that was important to just.</p><p>00:19:18.390 –&gt; 00:19:19.470 Joseph McElroy: Be hospitable.</p><p>00:19:19.530 –&gt; 00:19:21.870 Joseph McElroy: Right, I guess it runs in my blood that’s why I’m on.</p><p>00:19:22.050 –&gt; 00:19:23.460 Joseph McElroy: hospitality guy now.</p><p>00:19:24.420 –&gt; 00:19:25.710 Nancy Mercure East: There you go very fitting.</p><p>00:19:26.730 –&gt; 00:19:38.040 Joseph McElroy: So you’re on the search and rescue team for Haywood County and there is some recent news that made the papers that were what a recent.</p><p>00:19:39.150 –&gt; 00:19:44.430 Joseph McElroy: hiker got lost in the region snowstorm and shining rock Miller scenario.</p><p>00:19:44.610 –&gt; 00:19:50.670 Nancy Mercure East: yeah yeah that was quite an interesting search, it was the day that the snow came in, you know the heavy snow we had.</p><p>00:19:50.670 –&gt; 00:19:56.460 Nancy Mercure East: Last area yeah and I honestly I was walking back from my bedroom into the kitchen.</p><p>00:19:56.790 –&gt; 00:20:04.470 Nancy Mercure East: And my husband said, you have a call out your phone just we have an alert that goes off on our phones and I really thought he was playing a prank I said yeah right he said no seriously you.</p><p>00:20:05.400 –&gt; 00:20:10.260 Nancy Mercure East: And even still I thought this has got to be a practical joke nobody’s out in this weather, but they were.</p><p>00:20:10.650 –&gt; 00:20:20.490 Nancy Mercure East: And it was a hiker or a backpacker rather who was hiking the art low trail, which is you know, is about a 30-mile trail that traverses through the shining rock wilderness.</p><p>00:20:20.910 –&gt; 00:20:31.080 Nancy Mercure East: And that’s about when he called 911 was when he was upon the highest point near black balsam tenant mountain You know, as you know about 6000 feet in elevation.</p><p>00:20:31.440 –&gt; 00:20:38.220 Nancy Mercure East: And he was standing, probably in about a foot of snow at that point and was in over his head as far as skillset gear.</p><p>00:20:38.580 –&gt; 00:20:53.070 Nancy Mercure East: The whole bit he just didn’t check the weather, it was an innocent mistake that you would not believe, how many people may before they head into our hills and so he did the right thing, I applaud him for doing the right thing and calling for help because that’s what we’re here for.</p><p>00:20:54.150 –&gt; 00:20:56.190 Joseph McElroy: fabulous but you guys breastfeed him right.</p><p>00:20:56.220 –&gt; 00:20:58.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah your picture was in the paper I.</p><p>00:20:58.770 –&gt; 00:20:59.760 Joseph McElroy: saw you right there.</p><p>00:21:00.180 –&gt; 00:21:12.180 Nancy Mercure East: Was yeah so yeah we won’t do it on snowshoes and yeah that’s not that quick selfie of our team and yeah that thing just it’s been all over the nation, now it got a lot of media attention, for whatever reason, it was a fun picture.</p><p>00:21:12.930 –&gt; 00:21:19.980 Joseph McElroy: So you knew the hiker personally he was a guest that he was like the father of somebody that’s a friend, with your kids or something like that.</p><p>00:21:20.310 –&gt; 00:21:22.590 Nancy Mercure East: No, no, I didn’t know this particular hiker.</p><p>00:21:22.590 –&gt; 00:21:23.790 Nancy Mercure East: I really because you were.</p><p>00:21:23.790 –&gt; 00:21:33.030 Joseph McElroy: quoted as saying it fuels my fire to keep going out there for him, all I have to do is just look at my husband, the bed next to me and think it could be him out there.</p><p>00:21:33.390 –&gt; 00:21:35.490 Joseph McElroy: because somebody that somebody love.</p><p>00:21:35.520 –&gt; 00:21:37.020 Nancy Mercure East: dearly yeah.</p><p>00:21:37.380 –&gt; 00:21:40.530 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s what drives us all, but what he didn’t know him.</p><p>00:21:40.650 –&gt; 00:21:49.230 Nancy Mercure East: I did not know him but yeah to your point, though that’s all I have to do is to think of my child or my husband or my sister’s brothers anybody that I love dearly.</p><p>00:21:49.530 –&gt; 00:21:55.950 Nancy Mercure East: Being the one that we’re going to help and it’s all I have to do to drop everything, even when it’s you know risking my own.</p><p>00:21:56.760 –&gt; 00:22:06.180 Nancy Mercure East: You know, safety in the endeavor and that’s I think how our whole team feels you know we’d love to be outdoors we’re not going to lie we kind of enjoy getting called out in some of these crazy experiences, but.</p><p>00:22:06.480 –&gt; 00:22:13.290 Nancy Mercure East: At the same time, what drives it for us over and over and over is the love of helping other people, you know just.</p><p>00:22:14.370 –&gt; 00:22:16.290 Joseph McElroy: empathy for the family of the last.</p><p>00:22:16.290 –&gt; 00:22:17.400 Joseph McElroy: that drives you right.</p><p>00:22:17.430 –&gt; 00:22:18.510 Nancy Mercure East: Absolutely yep.</p><p>00:22:18.990 –&gt; 00:22:23.520 Joseph McElroy: cool so as a father of three-year-olds I’m very interesting.</p><p>00:22:24.840 –&gt; 00:22:30.330 Joseph McElroy: very interested in that family and do that and all the aspects of the family, you write about on your blog.</p><p>00:22:30.810 –&gt; 00:22:35.460 Joseph McElroy: And I’m interested in having a great experience outdoor and I read on your website.</p><p>00:22:35.880 –&gt; 00:22:43.860 Joseph McElroy: I’m an avid believer and Richard loves principles outline is popular book last child in the woods curing nature deficit disorder.</p><p>00:22:44.310 –&gt; 00:22:58.260 Joseph McElroy: My goal is apparent is to raise my kids as stewards of the earth and with an understanding of how vital the natural world is for the mental health of happiness So how do you start teaching kids to be stewards of the earth and understanding the importance of the natural world.</p><p>00:22:59.160 –&gt; 00:23:08.610 Nancy Mercure East: yeah So for me and for everybody that looks differently, but for me personally just from a young age, even as infants, it meant something as simple as.</p><p>00:23:08.880 –&gt; 00:23:16.770 Nancy Mercure East: rocking my babies out on my front porch when the weather was nice or even when it wasn’t bundling them up, so we were prepared for those conditions and.</p><p>00:23:17.100 –&gt; 00:23:27.660 Nancy Mercure East: just getting them outdoors and not being scared to face certain elements as long as we are prepared to instill that confidence in them from an early age really to.</p><p>00:23:28.320 –&gt; 00:23:38.250 Nancy Mercure East: get to the zero such things as bad weather just improper clothing and gear are kind of my mantra and it’s I think a Swedish proverb that that comes from that says it much more eloquently than that but.</p><p>00:23:38.550 –&gt; 00:23:44.490 Nancy Mercure East: Just from yeah their infancy I’ve really just tried to expose them to as many opportunities as I can, through.</p><p>00:23:44.790 –&gt; 00:23:52.680 Nancy Mercure East: hiking backpacking skiing we’re very outdoorsy as a family, so, whatever their energy wants to be channeled into.</p><p>00:23:52.920 –&gt; 00:24:02.070 Nancy Mercure East: We seize on that and just take advantage of it and it changes all our kids are teenagers now so it’s a completely different realm than what you’re in and he tells you it’s not going to get any easier, but.</p><p>00:24:04.500 –&gt; 00:24:12.360 Joseph McElroy: I keep seeing these tik tok videos and videos of three years old skiing down the mountains like it’s nothing how likely it is I’m gonna be able to teach back its.</p><p>00:24:14.220 –&gt; 00:24:14.700 Joseph McElroy: Old.</p><p>00:24:15.870 –&gt; 00:24:25.620 Nancy Mercure East: yeah I’m not a skier so my husband’s on ski patrol in Cataloochee actually so yeah so where they’re well versed in skiing but their mom I would rather cross country ski if I’m going to ski.</p><p>00:24:25.950 –&gt; 00:24:26.910 Joseph McElroy: OK cool.</p><p>00:24:27.690 –&gt; 00:24:38.070 Joseph McElroy: So if, as a parent, I’m worried about taking my children out in the wilderness, what is the best advice you can give me to keep my children, safe and not last.</p><p>00:24:38.460 –&gt; 00:24:52.890 Nancy Mercure East: Oh, I love this question prepare yourself don’t ever forget to pack, you know really what’s between your ears your brain that most importantly, but fill that brain up with the knowledge, you need to stay safe, most importantly.</p><p>00:24:53.460 –&gt; 00:25:02.190 Nancy Mercure East: Think almost in a negative fashion before setting out and think what could go wrong, what if somebody gets injured and we can’t walk out and have to wait out help.</p><p>00:25:02.490 –&gt; 00:25:11.370 Nancy Mercure East: What kind of weather is going to come our way in the next few days that’s a very common mistake, just like the backpacker and shining rock did not check the weather forecast beyond the day of their height.</p><p>00:25:11.820 –&gt; 00:25:18.510 Nancy Mercure East: And then, all of a sudden they’re stuck in a snowstorm or drench will rain without the proper gear to endure that or clothing.</p><p>00:25:19.110 –&gt; 00:25:24.750 Nancy Mercure East: So just empower yourself with knowledge, but also and it’s all on my website if people want to look it up.</p><p>00:25:25.230 –&gt; 00:25:30.750 Nancy Mercure East: carry those 10 essentials it’s a very common kind of a buzz phrase in hiking and mountaineering</p><p>00:25:31.050 –&gt; 00:25:38.640 Nancy Mercure East: These 10 essentials and they don’t have to weigh you down you don’t have to feel like a pack mule but it’s just basic things that will keep you safe.</p><p>00:25:38.880 –&gt; 00:25:49.170 Nancy Mercure East: Should you need it and also might just enhance your experience, even if you’re not in an emergency situation if you just want to have a fire in a back country campsite while you enjoy your lunch or whatnot.</p><p>00:25:49.710 –&gt; 00:26:03.600 Nancy Mercure East: You know, having those fire-making materials is a good thing to have for that, too, so not a big deal to do all these things, but people tend to think just don’t know what they don’t know and then they go out and realize what they don’t know when they need it, the most.</p><p>00:26:04.230 –&gt; 00:26:19.380 Joseph McElroy: We know when I take them into a city Park, you know kids parks it’s like Oh, maybe 100 feet long 50 feet wide got some swings and things like that I have two three-year-olds right and it luckily, it has a.</p><p>00:26:20.370 –&gt; 00:26:26.490 Joseph McElroy: fence, all the way around it, but I can what I’m them can distract me from maybe one second.</p><p>00:26:27.030 –&gt; 00:26:31.230 Joseph McElroy: And then I’ve lost the other one now what would that be a big problem if I take them out.</p><p>00:26:33.300 –&gt; 00:26:34.530 Nancy Mercure East: You might want to leave.</p><p>00:26:37.050 –&gt; 00:26:41.160 Nancy Mercure East: No, but seriously, you know yours are kind of on the cusp of understanding.</p><p>00:26:41.730 –&gt; 00:26:49.290 Nancy Mercure East: What could happen if they run off for mom and dad, but it is important, even from their ages and especially as they get older to really instill.</p><p>00:26:49.530 –&gt; 00:27:00.720 Nancy Mercure East: Just some basic safety measures if, for some reason they did get separated from you, you know there’s the old boy scout adage of just hug a tree and that’s a good thing to teach a kid just to stay good.</p><p>00:27:00.960 –&gt; 00:27:01.860 Nancy Mercure East: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:27:02.400 –&gt; 00:27:06.720 Nancy Mercure East: that’s you know you don’t want to make kids think about too many things if they get lost but.</p><p>00:27:07.020 –&gt; 00:27:17.370 Nancy Mercure East: I do one thing I used to do for my kids when they were younger and could read packed a little note I did make them carry their own backpack with just a few basic things like a warm coat.</p><p>00:27:17.730 –&gt; 00:27:22.380 Nancy Mercure East: Ring gear that type of thing if they do get separated from me they at least had some basic survival.</p><p>00:27:22.980 –&gt; 00:27:30.240 Nancy Mercure East: clothing items that they could put on, but I also stuck a note in there and just wrote down little bullet points of what they should do because.</p><p>00:27:30.450 –&gt; 00:27:40.200 Nancy Mercure East: As you know, whenever we’re panicked and scared in a situation we don’t always think rationally and kids don’t either, and so, if they have just that little love note, you know, obviously with some just words of.</p><p>00:27:40.590 –&gt; 00:27:52.380 Nancy Mercure East: You know affirmation and just hopefully comfort for them if they were ever in that situation, but also, you know sit down eat the snack and your backpack take your stuffed animal out and talk to it just really.</p><p>00:27:53.490 –&gt; 00:27:59.250 Nancy Mercure East: keep them to stay put because really internally that’s The worst thing I can do is keep running away and trying to find you.</p><p>00:27:59.610 –&gt; 00:28:02.790 Joseph McElroy: wow, what do you, what do you tell them to do if I see a bear.</p><p>00:28:04.050 –&gt; 00:28:11.250 Nancy Mercure East: yeah that same thing I tell adults do not run stand your ground, you know get a little bit higher ground if possible.</p><p>00:28:12.210 –&gt; 00:28:18.990 Nancy Mercure East: One of the things that work, the best for me honestly noise-making noise hasn’t always worked to drive them off, especially if they’re habituated.</p><p>00:28:19.290 –&gt; 00:28:32.760 Nancy Mercure East: But waving my hiking Poles above my head that always scares them they run off it seems like every time if I do that, so it just makes me look bigger it’s as simple as that, but just giving yourself, even just those hiking Poles, the height of that it tricks them.</p><p>00:28:33.930 –&gt; 00:28:47.160 Nancy Mercure East: yeah but do not approach the bear that’s another thing just bears have become, as you know, I’m sure so habituated in this area and it’s easy to think I can go up and pet this little cuddly bear cub or mama and obviously that’s not going to lead anywhere good.</p><p>00:28:48.000 –&gt; 00:28:59.790 Joseph McElroy: And you know my wife was interested in a couple of questions you said what if she’s very much into natural stuff right and not buying like insects spray and things what are some natural things you can do to protect them from bugs.</p><p>00:29:00.060 –&gt; 00:29:08.970 Nancy Mercure East: that’s yeah I tapped into a really great resource and it’s actually made here locally from hazelwood soap company it’s called both be gone and it’s a lotion.</p><p>00:29:09.240 –&gt; 00:29:15.540 Nancy Mercure East: That has just a proprietary blend of you know citron ella and probably lemon grass I’m not sure what they put in it.</p><p>00:29:15.930 –&gt; 00:29:29.700 Nancy Mercure East: But it’s just a bunch of just natural products that they put into a base of lotion and you just rub it on like sunscreen and it really does a great job I was skeptical my best friend used to own this company and she sold it, but I was skeptical but it works.</p><p>00:29:31.410 –&gt; 00:29:36.150 Joseph McElroy: And then my wife, want to know is, if the track is a track is a tracking device advisable impossible.</p><p>00:29:36.810 –&gt; 00:29:41.850 Nancy Mercure East: yeah no it’s a great thing I don’t have mine with me, but something like a satellite device a Garmin.</p><p>00:29:42.210 –&gt; 00:29:51.000 Nancy Mercure East: In reaches what I carry and it has an SOS button, so if I’m ever in a situation where I truly need help and I don’t have cell service, which would be more common than not.</p><p>00:29:51.210 –&gt; 00:30:02.250 Nancy Mercure East: All I have to do is push a button and obviously you want to reserve that for a true emergency but it’s a great thing to have if you can afford one before the subscription and all that I always encourage it, but a lot of people it’s cost-prohibitive.</p><p>00:30:03.300 –&gt; 00:30:10.470 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know we have to take another break now, but when we come back we’ll finish up talking about a little bit more about the little ones, and then we’ll talk about your book.</p><p>00:30:10.890 –&gt; 00:30:12.030 Nancy Mercure East: All right, thank you.</p><p>00:32:17.730 –&gt; 00:32:32.490 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Nancy East so Nancy got a couple more questions from my wife and me, my wife is a city girl and her idea of camping is with the Butler and.</p><p>00:32:34.410 –&gt; 00:32:35.670 Joseph McElroy: And it really fancy dead.</p><p>00:32:37.800 –&gt; 00:32:52.740 Joseph McElroy: So, but okay I’m working on her to say we got to get kids out there and experience what I experienced the mountain so she wants to know is, you know yeah engaging little ones, what can you do in the woods, that really engages little children.</p><p>00:32:53.370 –&gt; 00:33:04.020 Nancy Mercure East: yeah I think the two things that came to my mind immediately when you ask that one would be a scavenger hunt of sorts, something that is educational but fun.</p><p>00:33:04.350 –&gt; 00:33:13.080 Nancy Mercure East: To look for something you know your kid’s ages, you said three they’re both true yeah I mean that would be like really like looking for a brown leaf or.</p><p>00:33:13.560 –&gt; 00:33:22.650 Nancy Mercure East: pink flower, you know really keep it simple but as they grow to make those questions, a little bit more advanced maybe play on some things that they might be learning in school.</p><p>00:33:23.400 –&gt; 00:33:31.260 Nancy Mercure East: You know, or just something that you want to teach them and have interest in anything from navigation looking at distant peaks you know even using I’m.</p><p>00:33:31.650 –&gt; 00:33:39.480 Nancy Mercure East: I used to be really opposed to using technology in the woods, with my kids and I really started to bend the rules when I thought they’re going to have more fun if I let them.</p><p>00:33:39.720 –&gt; 00:33:48.330 Nancy Mercure East: have this phone or an iPod or whatever it is to take a picture and try to identify a wildflower or use an APP to identify a distance.</p><p>00:33:48.330 –&gt; 00:33:48.660 p.</p><p>00:33:49.680 –&gt; 00:34:00.990 Nancy Mercure East: thing, so I use it to supplement I also teach the map and compass skills and you know, interestingly kids really love that stuff if you do it in the way in a way that engages them and empowers them.</p><p>00:34:01.350 –&gt; 00:34:15.360 Nancy Mercure East: More times than not they will actually get into it, they may be resistant at first, but if you just get over that little hump of getting them out there, usually they have a much better time than they act like they will before you leave home, at least in my experience.</p><p>00:34:15.630 –&gt; 00:34:18.930 Joseph McElroy: that’s great now that’s some good ammunition for me to take back home.</p><p>00:34:20.130 –&gt; 00:34:22.350 Nancy Mercure East: Again, the other thing I was gonna say is games.</p><p>00:34:22.350 –&gt; 00:34:30.420 Nancy Mercure East: file names that you know alphabet games, you can look online and Google hiking games, but my kids love to play games, or they did their teenagers so.</p><p>00:34:30.840 –&gt; 00:34:34.620 Joseph McElroy: I love anything version of you know I spy with my little lie.</p><p>00:34:34.920 –&gt; 00:34:40.920 Nancy Mercure East: yeah exactly no that’s the perfect one, for their ages yeah yeah really gets them interested.</p><p>00:34:41.280 –&gt; 00:34:47.190 Joseph McElroy: Now, is there any special gear, besides the technology like electronic technology for little ones.</p><p>00:34:48.240 –&gt; 00:34:57.390 Nancy Mercure East: You know they make specific backpacks and sleeping bags and all that type of thing if you wanted to take them on more backcountry pursuits if you’re just going to go car camping.</p><p>00:34:57.600 –&gt; 00:35:04.050 Nancy Mercure East: I think what you probably already have at home for sleepovers and you know just grabbing blankets off of the bed is probably fine too.</p><p>00:35:04.680 –&gt; 00:35:21.090 Nancy Mercure East: But yeah you can go crazy with a budget, and you know, there are many, many options, but I like to usually advise people to start simple see what they like, and then work up to pricier maybe just better-made things that might suit them as they grow cool.</p><p>00:35:21.300 –&gt; 00:35:24.030 Joseph McElroy: Well, I can guarantee I’m not starting out with that.</p><p>00:35:28.890 –&gt; 00:35:30.390 Joseph McElroy: have to be at least 10 plus.</p><p>00:35:32.370 –&gt; 00:35:33.690 Nancy Mercure East: You may need a camper van.</p><p>00:35:37.860 –&gt; 00:35:41.070 Joseph McElroy: So what are some great places to hike in the smokies for children.</p><p>00:35:41.910 –&gt; 00:35:50.670 Nancy Mercure East: yeah there are so many fun places it brings back so many memories when people ask me this question and they’re still interestingly, the places I returned with my kids as teenagers.</p><p>00:35:51.000 –&gt; 00:35:54.090 Nancy Mercure East: Just off the top of my head, some of my favorites in the park.</p><p>00:35:54.780 –&gt; 00:36:00.600 Nancy Mercure East: Really, my top one of my top favorites for myself or with children is a flat creek which is off the Blue Ridge parkway.</p><p>00:36:00.960 –&gt; 00:36:10.170 Nancy Mercure East: On I guess it’s up near mile-high campground and the balsam mountain campground it’s a one-way hike and you can either shuttle cars or just have a parent.</p><p>00:36:10.440 –&gt; 00:36:15.570 Nancy Mercure East: backtrack I think it’s only about a two-mile trail backtrack to the car and drive down to the other end.</p><p>00:36:16.290 –&gt; 00:36:18.510 Nancy Mercure East: Big creek is another family favorite.</p><p>00:36:18.810 –&gt; 00:36:29.220 Nancy Mercure East: You can either go all the way back into walnut bottoms which is five miles one way, so that’s a little bit of a track for younger kids but even if you just go to mouse creek falls, which I think is about two miles in.</p><p>00:36:29.490 –&gt; 00:36:33.930 Nancy Mercure East: that’s a great turnaround spot and have a picnic lunch come back out call it ago.</p><p>00:36:34.080 –&gt; 00:36:38.040 Joseph McElroy: Three and a half old I could see it about a mile and a half I’m putting them on my back.</p><p>00:36:38.310 –&gt; 00:36:42.030 Nancy Mercure East: yeah my two little now you’re still on the carry on the back.</p><p>00:36:42.030 –&gt; 00:36:42.360 Things.</p><p>00:36:43.740 –&gt; 00:36:45.780 Nancy Mercure East: you’re not far off though you’re on the coast.</p><p>00:36:46.560 –&gt; 00:36:48.870 Joseph McElroy: Of about a half mile right now, maybe.</p><p>00:36:50.130 –&gt; 00:36:54.360 Nancy Mercure East: ya know you can look at Cataloochee device that’s another one that I really, really love.</p><p>00:36:54.600 –&gt; 00:36:57.690 Nancy Mercure East: Just because it’s an easy one to access from Haywood county.</p><p>00:36:57.960 –&gt; 00:37:06.690 Nancy Mercure East: And you can go as far as you like you’ve got those big rich top views from the trail kids really like that, but really, what I find kids especially younger kids like the most is water.</p><p>00:37:06.870 –&gt; 00:37:16.950 Nancy Mercure East: If you can find a creek that’s not flowing too strong that becomes a hazard, you know, give a kid a creek and they’re happy all day looking for salamanders and crawl it adds all that kind of stuff.</p><p>00:37:17.940 –&gt; 00:37:18.870 Nancy Mercure East: Our data creek.</p><p>00:37:19.470 –&gt; 00:37:32.310 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s what a lot of people with families like to come to the Meadowlark we have that Nice Jonathan creek in our backyard and then we have like the not we have you know the side that serious has gotten out of the rapids and things making a splash around and things like that.</p><p>00:37:32.580 –&gt; 00:37:35.850 Nancy Mercure East: Absolutely yeah they never want to leave yeah no that’s a great spot.</p><p>00:37:36.450 –&gt; 00:37:44.190 Joseph McElroy: Now, what term you used in your in that title of that book and I just wanted you to explain it real quick, is what is it nature deficit disorder.</p><p>00:37:44.880 –&gt; 00:37:55.950 Nancy Mercure East: yeah nature deficit disorder so Richard Lewis, as you mentioned earlier coined that phrase and wrote an entire book, I even brought it since we had talked about it earlier it’s a big fat thick book, I mean it’s it became, though.</p><p>00:37:56.250 –&gt; 00:38:02.370 Nancy Mercure East: My Bible really is, I was raising kids to give me ideas and validation that what I was doing wasn’t crazy.</p><p>00:38:02.790 –&gt; 00:38:08.520 Nancy Mercure East: Because honestly what I found as a young mother is that people seem to fear the woods mothers fathers even.</p><p>00:38:08.910 –&gt; 00:38:16.110 Nancy Mercure East: Were fearful of taking their kids out thinking you know there are parents out there there’s venomous snakes all these things that could hurt my children or me.</p><p>00:38:16.560 –&gt; 00:38:23.850 Nancy Mercure East: And it’s such a disservice to our children to raise them like that, in my opinion, because if we can empower them with knowledge and.</p><p>00:38:24.240 –&gt; 00:38:33.840 Nancy Mercure East: teach them how to mitigate those situations because sure all those things are out there there are 100 different things that most people worry about the wrong things are worried about the bears when they should worry about the ticks you know the tick.</p><p>00:38:35.610 –&gt; 00:38:45.870 Nancy Mercure East: Well, you know that his whole just mo what that book was to get people outside again because his big kids became more connected to digital devices.</p><p>00:38:46.230 –&gt; 00:38:49.620 Nancy Mercure East: They became more disconnected from the natural world and.</p><p>00:38:50.220 –&gt; 00:39:02.310 Nancy Mercure East: You know, again we’re fearful of it just doesn’t it doesn’t foster stewardship of it if they don’t appreciate it and we’re just raising a generation that won’t care for it like it needs to be cared for and protected if we don’t get them out there.</p><p>00:39:02.610 –&gt; 00:39:14.430 Joseph McElroy: And it’s really seriously not that dangerous I mean my parents would send us walking two miles down through wooded gravel road pick up the bus before was even light of day.</p><p>00:39:14.640 –&gt; 00:39:29.610 Joseph McElroy: And we were, six, seven and eight years old train trip is traipsing through the woods and the mountains now and then coming back from school three o’clock we were out, I would go miles away from fishing ponds seven years old.</p><p>00:39:30.000 –&gt; 00:39:30.990 Joseph McElroy: Nobody around.</p><p>00:39:31.020 –&gt; 00:39:32.160 Joseph McElroy: No things like that.</p><p>00:39:32.340 –&gt; 00:39:34.770 Nancy Mercure East: Absolutely yeah nobody had to tell us to go play.</p><p>00:39:34.770 –&gt; 00:39:38.460 Nancy Mercure East: outside his kids yeah this day and age it’s a little tougher I.</p><p>00:39:38.460 –&gt; 00:39:39.180 Nancy Mercure East: find so.</p><p>00:39:39.930 –&gt; 00:39:43.140 Joseph McElroy: If I fell in the pond I had to figure out how to save myself and I did.</p><p>00:39:44.130 –&gt; 00:39:45.900 Nancy Mercure East: Learn by the school of hard knocks.</p><p>00:39:45.990 –&gt; 00:39:46.440 Right.</p><p>00:39:48.030 –&gt; 00:39:53.670 Joseph McElroy: Now, do you have any you know any sort of programs for our programs for kids is aware of any.</p><p>00:39:54.090 –&gt; 00:39:59.400 Nancy Mercure East: yeah I’ve worked with some local schools for sure, in the past, but I haven’t done as much of that lately.</p><p>00:39:59.460 –&gt; 00:40:07.920 Nancy Mercure East: I work more with adults, these days, but I enjoy working with anybody who wants to learn and I’ve got some young nephews who are the age, a little bit older than your kids but.</p><p>00:40:08.190 –&gt; 00:40:17.910 Nancy Mercure East: They are very inquisitive and curious and are being raised to really appreciate the outdoors and so that just speaks my love language all day long but yeah I treasure working with kids.</p><p>00:40:18.030 –&gt; 00:40:30.660 Joseph McElroy: Oh, Bob Bob wanted me to give you a nudge and say hey we’re wanting to do some kids stuff and then lark are you interested in doing some things that are outdoor activities for kids and the future.</p><p>00:40:30.930 –&gt; 00:40:43.530 Nancy Mercure East: Absolutely yeah I’d love to talk more about it and find a way to work together and do that because I think it would be a really tremendous resource to offer your guest, you know to learn together with parents and children it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.</p><p>00:40:43.860 –&gt; 00:40:57.450 Joseph McElroy: I think, so I think that I really liked the idea of you know summer camps, you know that take advantage of hospitality, but you know that can do families can come with both great for the family and for the kids so.</p><p>00:40:57.540 –&gt; 00:40:58.740 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely alright.</p><p>00:40:59.040 –&gt; 00:41:04.620 Joseph McElroy: So now, you have a book called chasing the smokies moon I love that is this your first book.</p><p>00:41:04.890 –&gt; 00:41:10.920 Nancy Mercure East: It is my first book, yes, I used to think it was my one and only but I’ve already got too many ideas in my head now, so I don’t think it will be.</p><p>00:41:11.490 –&gt; 00:41:13.440 Joseph McElroy: Oh no yeah you should use.</p><p>00:41:13.800 –&gt; 00:41:16.110 Joseph McElroy: The reviews are great I’m seeing people love that book.</p><p>00:41:17.850 –&gt; 00:41:19.200 Joseph McElroy: So, how did it come about.</p><p>00:41:19.770 –&gt; 00:41:31.950 Nancy Mercure East: yeah so it came about and kind of a multi-faceted point in my life I was on the verge of turning I think 48 at the time and feeling kind of middle-aged feeling like if I don’t do something big.</p><p>00:41:32.220 –&gt; 00:41:40.650 Nancy Mercure East: athletically I may not be able to do it, which is kind of silly because I knew I had plenty of years left but I always wanted to pursue something that really tested by limits of endurance.</p><p>00:41:41.040 –&gt; 00:41:48.060 Nancy Mercure East: Simultaneous to this phase of my life with my search and rescue team, we were involved in a search in the National Park at the Clement stone.</p><p>00:41:48.420 –&gt; 00:41:58.380 Nancy Mercure East: For a woman by the name of Susan Clements she was here on vacation with her daughter and got lost on one of the most popular trails less than a mile from her car at the trailer.</p><p>00:41:58.890 –&gt; 00:42:09.780 Nancy Mercure East: yeah it was yeah highly publicized and so she Paris she died of exposure or hypothermia where her core body temperature was no longer sustainable with life and.</p><p>00:42:10.110 –&gt; 00:42:14.940 Joseph McElroy: It really because it was like 40 and 50 degrees, I really didn’t understand it at the time.</p><p>00:42:14.970 –&gt; 00:42:21.450 Nancy Mercure East: yeah well but wind and rain came in and I’d rather be in 30 degrees in snow than I would 40 degrees and rain and.</p><p>00:42:21.840 –&gt; 00:42:27.270 Nancy Mercure East: burnt, you are absolute yeah so it wasn’t surprising any of us on search and rescue that she died, but.</p><p>00:42:27.630 –&gt; 00:42:34.500 Nancy Mercure East: It really impacted my life, and so I wanted to start that that was really a pivotal point in my life, where I wanted to retire from veterinary medicine.</p><p>00:42:34.800 –&gt; 00:42:41.730 Nancy Mercure East: And do more intentional work with the outdoor community to educate them to stay what I like to call safe and found and so.</p><p>00:42:41.970 –&gt; 00:42:53.400 Nancy Mercure East: I decided to merge this middle you know midlife crisis, if you will, with a fundraiser to try and raise money for the part to implement search and rescue or preventative search and rescue programs and so.</p><p>00:42:53.640 –&gt; 00:43:08.640 Nancy Mercure East: I thought I gotta do something flashy I can’t raise $30,000 just by saying hey you know I think this is a great idea, so I teamed up with one of my best friends and we chased the speed record for hiking all the trails and the bark to draw the attention to the cause.</p><p>00:43:09.450 –&gt; 00:43:10.710 Joseph McElroy: And you want you got the.</p><p>00:43:10.710 –&gt; 00:43:11.160 speaker.</p><p>00:43:12.600 –&gt; 00:43:25.770 Nancy Mercure East: was more surprised than me my friend, is a natural athlete is that a lot of really big things and it’s like that, politically, whereas I had never done anything except run a marathon so it was a stretch, for me, but yeah I got through it and we were successful.</p><p>00:43:26.040 –&gt; 00:43:31.410 Joseph McElroy: Well, I read that there was also a human-bear tragedy that happened at the same time as that.</p><p>00:43:32.400 –&gt; 00:43:41.220 Nancy Mercure East: It was terrible I mean there have only been two fatalities in the park in the history of the part from a bear, and this was the second in our story became interwoven in that one.</p><p>00:43:41.430 –&gt; 00:43:52.650 Nancy Mercure East: Not in the sense that one of us or anybody we knew was attacked and was this person involved in this vitality, but it impacted our hike we had all our routes planned out in advance and we had to.</p><p>00:43:53.190 –&gt; 00:44:01.950 Nancy Mercure East: shuffle the deck a little bit and we’re sending our team into the exact same back countryside of the exact same time this was happening so it was a little sobering.</p><p>00:44:02.400 –&gt; 00:44:14.310 Joseph McElroy: Wrong so this I mean you basically survived a grueling endeavor with lots of things stories, I became intertwined so this really set you on a track for a new life hmm.</p><p>00:44:14.640 –&gt; 00:44:23.040 Nancy Mercure East: It did yeah really was a turning point, but a very positive one, I loved veterinary medicine, I truly love my career and helping animals but.</p><p>00:44:23.310 –&gt; 00:44:33.360 Nancy Mercure East: I was just feeling like it was time to move on and do something different I’ve always been a little mercurial in nature and like to just I don’t know I go where the wind takes me so that’s where it took me.</p><p>00:44:33.990 –&gt; 00:44:40.650 Joseph McElroy: So what would you say the arc of that book is if somebody is reading it, what are they gonna walk away with in terms of experience.</p><p>00:44:41.100 –&gt; 00:44:55.200 Nancy Mercure East: yeah I think a sense of empowerment if they doubt themselves would be a pretty big one, I certainly am the worst about second guessing myself and my abilities and, more often than not, I prove myself wrong if I set my mind to something and really.</p><p>00:44:55.920 –&gt; 00:45:04.470 Nancy Mercure East: channel my energies to a goal and a purpose and typically not always but certainly motivated to finish, and do, but.</p><p>00:45:05.070 –&gt; 00:45:16.080 Nancy Mercure East: As I would say that it will also teach people just safety for hikes I interweave a lot of search and rescue stories in it and I try to teach by example, so people might take a step back and say wow.</p><p>00:45:16.530 –&gt; 00:45:26.100 Nancy Mercure East: I’ve never thought about that, and maybe I should prepare a little better before my next height, so I don’t become you know in this earth find myself in the same situation is this person did.</p><p>00:45:26.610 –&gt; 00:45:38.340 Joseph McElroy: wow so it’s a great book for somebody who wants to live vicariously or that somebody wants to actually experience it themselves that’s a double whammy I like they get this on Amazon and places like that.</p><p>00:45:38.640 –&gt; 00:45:45.510 Nancy Mercure East: They can print quality on Amazon, to be honest, it’s not great if they do their own printing and they kind of print it as people buy it but.</p><p>00:45:45.780 –&gt; 00:45:53.640 Nancy Mercure East: I have had a bunch of them printed from a printer that does a much better job was the quality of the paper, the print quality everything about it so.</p><p>00:45:54.990 –&gt; 00:45:55.440 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:45:55.470 –&gt; 00:45:56.400 Joseph McElroy: Where is that so that.</p><p>00:45:56.460 –&gt; 00:46:02.610 Nancy Mercure East: that’s on my website just my website, yeah and I match amazon’s price, so there they all get free shipping so.</p><p>00:46:03.330 –&gt; 00:46:04.350 Joseph McElroy: We sell some books.</p><p>00:46:04.350 –&gt; 00:46:08.130 Joseph McElroy: To say we should you should talk to Bob and sounds like a wonderful book, we could promote.</p><p>00:46:08.190 –&gt; 00:46:10.680 Nancy Mercure East: yeah sure no I’d love to sell it there yeah.</p><p>00:46:10.740 –&gt; 00:46:11.160 Nancy Mercure East: yeah.</p><p>00:46:11.220 –&gt; 00:46:12.240 Nancy Mercure East: Like a fun keepsake.</p><p>00:46:12.870 –&gt; 00:46:18.570 Joseph McElroy: All right, we’re going to take a break and then we’re talking about come back and talk about some wonderful experiences you recommend it.</p><p>00:46:19.590 –&gt; 00:46:20.340 Nancy Mercure East: sounds good.</p><p>00:48:21.270 –&gt; 00:48:30.720 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with my guest Nancy East on the gateway to the smokies podcast so.</p><p>00:48:31.470 –&gt; 00:48:42.300 Joseph McElroy: You know, we always talk about here at the gateway and the Meadowlark of memorable tourism experienced this is actually an academic study, but we were more practical about it and it’s um.</p><p>00:48:42.750 –&gt; 00:48:57.360 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s about experiences that are flashbulb memories that people have right from things they do by traveling or hiking or going out or doing things and it relates to you know.</p><p>00:48:58.080 –&gt; 00:49:05.790 Joseph McElroy: A lot of emotions and sensory perception, or you know refreshment they get from seeing new art or.</p><p>00:49:06.090 –&gt; 00:49:14.190 Joseph McElroy: You know, the mystic moment of diving into the cold water under a wall of the waterfall just the physical you know experience or.</p><p>00:49:14.520 –&gt; 00:49:33.600 Joseph McElroy: You know or meeting local characters or having an event with loved ones, so you know this kind of things, create these flashbulb memories so I’m just gonna put you on the spot and Nancy and say what is your most memorable flashbulb experiences if you hadn’t the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:49:34.500 –&gt; 00:49:46.680 Nancy Mercure East: um gosh there are so numerous that’s hard to pinpoint but probably one of the first ones that popped in my head was when I first came to interview here 25 years ago about.</p><p>00:49:47.010 –&gt; 00:49:57.630 Nancy Mercure East: And I had this interview all set up for obviously business hours, but instead of getting a hotel I’m a poor college student loans and I don’t want to keep accruing, and so I went out and backpack.</p><p>00:49:57.990 –&gt; 00:50:01.500 Nancy Mercure East: and actually got a little turned around if I’m telling the truth and.</p><p>00:50:01.830 –&gt; 00:50:10.320 Nancy Mercure East: had to really figure it out, it was my first experience with not really knowing where I was and having to draw and the knowledge that I had learned with mapping compass, and all that but.</p><p>00:50:10.710 –&gt; 00:50:20.400 Nancy Mercure East: It really, even though I was a little mixed up and wasn’t sure how to find my way back, and I look at that trail now, and I think yeah I can see how I got lost so many people still get lost there but.</p><p>00:50:21.180 –&gt; 00:50:30.960 Nancy Mercure East: It was really one of those flashbulb moments, where I thought, even though I’m scared I know I’m going to figure this out and I love it here, this is going to be home and I can’t wait to come back.</p><p>00:50:31.440 –&gt; 00:50:35.580 Joseph McElroy: Well, that is, that is that’s a feeling of self-knowledge right.</p><p>00:50:35.820 –&gt; 00:50:48.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you find out something about yourself, and you know you can really find that out in the mountains, you know when you go out of doors, you can really discover things about yourself that create permanent memories, for the rest of your life.</p><p>00:50:49.050 –&gt; 00:50:54.570 Nancy Mercure East: yeah absolutely the bad ones, you know can sometimes turn into the most meaningful experiences.</p><p>00:50:54.600 –&gt; 00:51:04.290 Joseph McElroy: isn’t one of the emotional factors that measure these academic studies is negative experiences actually can make them memorable and create revisit intention.</p><p>00:51:04.800 –&gt; 00:51:07.110 Joseph McElroy: So it’s an interesting.</p><p>00:51:07.170 –&gt; 00:51:16.350 Joseph McElroy: concept that I’m really thoroughly enjoying, but it also creates a depth of understanding of human beings I’m really enjoying too.</p><p>00:51:16.680 –&gt; 00:51:27.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah so, can you think of other places and smokies that you think somebody could have a one of those like flashbulb memory experiences.</p><p>00:51:27.300 –&gt; 00:51:30.840 Nancy Mercure East: yeah for sure so many of them, I would say.</p><p>00:51:31.320 –&gt; 00:51:42.300 Nancy Mercure East: places like Cataloochee Valley, you know, I was such a treasure just to go down if you can get there early in the morning before the sun rises and be there when the outcome down off the hills just to.</p><p>00:51:42.630 –&gt; 00:51:52.020 Nancy Mercure East: graze in those meadows before they go back up I don’t like the heat so they’ll go back up, there are some wonderful tour companies actually in Waynesville one that I work for so I’m a little biased but.</p><p>00:51:52.860 –&gt; 00:51:54.300 Nancy Mercure East: yeah Cataloochee valley tours.</p><p>00:51:54.570 –&gt; 00:52:03.630 Nancy Mercure East: Esther Blakely the owner does a wonderful job of taking people into the valley to see those elk in the fall when they’re in the rut you know part of their life cycle.</p><p>00:52:04.530 –&gt; 00:52:14.790 Nancy Mercure East: synchronous fireflies that’s another tour she leads that’s quite the experience, but even just going it doesn’t have to be anything elaborate just going on a simple hike to a place like a big creek or deep creek.</p><p>00:52:15.390 –&gt; 00:52:17.490 Nancy Mercure East: flat creek which I mentioned earlier.</p><p>00:52:18.030 –&gt; 00:52:24.510 Nancy Mercure East: Even down into Cherokee they’ll call me lefty river trail is such a great one with the young kids you can even bike that one.</p><p>00:52:24.750 –&gt; 00:52:35.940 Nancy Mercure East: and take your dogs you can’t take your dogs on any other trail, except that one and there’s one in Gatlinburg that you the Gatlinburg trail but otherwise not allowed to take the dog so Those are some of my family favorites.</p><p>00:52:37.050 –&gt; 00:52:42.450 Joseph McElroy: Well, and then, besides the smoky mountains there are actually lovely little towns around the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:52:42.540 –&gt; 00:52:46.110 Joseph McElroy: Yes, you live in the Waynesville where you live in Waynesville right.</p><p>00:52:46.530 –&gt; 00:52:58.710 Joseph McElroy: yeah I, like you know we only have a few minutes, but I, like our guests, to tell us what would be a little nice itinerary for a day in Waynesville yeah breakfast what to do, lunch what to do, dinner.</p><p>00:52:59.040 –&gt; 00:53:04.530 Nancy Mercure East: that’s a great question yeah I would actually probably start the day in Maggie I would go to POPs place that’s.</p><p>00:53:04.530 –&gt; 00:53:04.980 Joseph McElroy: All you’re.</p><p>00:53:06.450 –&gt; 00:53:07.740 Nancy Mercure East: Doing is great too, but.</p><p>00:53:07.770 –&gt; 00:53:17.220 Nancy Mercure East: yeah POPs I have a little stronger preference for personally so that’s where I would probably start my day and then maybe meander around Maggie but I love downtown Waynesville.</p><p>00:53:17.730 –&gt; 00:53:24.450 Nancy Mercure East: Even hazelwood is got some just wonderful shops, and these are with soap company that place that I mentioned before, Robin blue.</p><p>00:53:25.140 –&gt; 00:53:37.260 Nancy Mercure East: there’s a coffee shop downtown lots of fun little three stores if people are into drifting that is just really well organized and not just a hodgepodge of stuff they really try to categorize things and thoughtful way.</p><p>00:53:38.370 –&gt; 00:53:52.590 Nancy Mercure East: Great bookstores you can certainly find my book and a couple of them and then I would probably have lunch, it can be nice That would be my top pick on North main in Waynesville my daughter actually works there, so if you do go there you got to get a big good because she’s making she’s.</p><p>00:53:53.700 –&gt; 00:53:55.350 Nancy Mercure East: Very talented bakers so.</p><p>00:53:55.350 –&gt; 00:54:01.680 Nancy Mercure East: She who will make your Brown and your cake, or whatever you decide to get, but it really is a great restaurant.</p><p>00:54:02.850 –&gt; 00:54:16.410 Nancy Mercure East: yeah and then for dinner that night gosh so many choices I probably have a beer I’d want to go and sit by the creek and have a beer so bear waters, maybe over in canton or naggy or frog level down in downtown Waynesville</p><p>00:54:16.470 –&gt; 00:54:18.600 Joseph McElroy: be another time they all increased by that’s pretty.</p><p>00:54:18.600 –&gt; 00:54:19.740 Nancy Mercure East: cool yeah it’s.</p><p>00:54:19.800 –&gt; 00:54:27.570 Nancy Mercure East: Very yeah opportunistic places to have a brewery with live music and the water it’s just a great atmosphere So those are my topics.</p><p>00:54:27.960 –&gt; 00:54:39.300 Nancy Mercure East: And then for dinner, it would just depend on the mood I’m in I probably hit up while Tommy if I were interested in something Asian I love dope boys pizza particularly their salads and have great salads.</p><p>00:54:40.440 –&gt; 00:54:46.620 Nancy Mercure East: If I wanted something a little swankier maybe frogs leap and yeah that would probably wrap up my.</p><p>00:54:48.450 –&gt; 00:54:50.310 Nancy Mercure East: Line yep on the parkway or something.</p><p>00:54:52.440 –&gt; 00:54:56.340 Joseph McElroy: So how can people find out more about to contact you that sort of thing.</p><p>00:54:57.030 –&gt; 00:55:01.950 Nancy Mercure East: yeah that website really is the best place because that channels into any social media I’m not.</p><p>00:55:02.010 –&gt; 00:55:13.830 Nancy Mercure East: The greatest with staying engaged on social media, but my blog has a wealth of information about everything and anything that we’ve talked about, and then some I’m becoming more intentional about posting articles about safety and outdoor to.</p><p>00:55:14.040 –&gt; 00:55:15.540 Joseph McElroy: Give the URL for your website.</p><p>00:55:15.720 –&gt; 00:55:20.580 Nancy Mercure East: Sure yeah it’s just my name NancyEast.com East like the direction com.</p><p>00:55:20.640 –&gt; 00:55:22.110 Nancy Mercure East: So all of its there.</p><p>00:55:22.320 –&gt; 00:55:24.870 Joseph McElroy: I don’t you have another one hope something or.</p><p>00:55:24.960 –&gt; 00:55:26.790 Nancy Mercure East: yeah they all go to the same place.</p><p>00:55:26.790 –&gt; 00:55:27.660 Joseph McElroy: I read.</p><p>00:55:28.410 –&gt; 00:55:31.710 Nancy Mercure East: The book yeah it’s one of those things somebody professional told me to do.</p><p>00:55:33.660 –&gt; 00:55:34.380 Joseph McElroy: com</p><p>00:55:34.710 –&gt; 00:55:35.130 Nancy Mercure East: yeah.</p><p>00:55:35.220 –&gt; 00:55:37.710 Joseph McElroy: Well, and then get to everything else, they need to about you.</p><p>00:55:37.950 –&gt; 00:55:39.150 Nancy Mercure East: Exactly it’s all their.</p><p>00:55:39.450 –&gt; 00:55:43.980 Joseph McElroy: social media channel that you posted that as a lot of good information that you like you you’re proud of.</p><p>00:55:44.340 –&gt; 00:55:50.160 Nancy Mercure East: yeah I’m probably more active on Facebook and I’m Instagram I’m old enough to think facebook’s a little cooler than Instagram but.</p><p>00:55:50.520 –&gt; 00:55:51.330 yeah.</p><p>00:55:52.800 –&gt; 00:55:56.010 Nancy Mercure East: So, but I’m not a tiktoker or anything like that I’m not that cool.</p><p>00:55:57.420 –&gt; 00:56:08.310 Joseph McElroy: Well cool, thank you for being part of our show, and hopefully, we’ll have you back again sometime talking about all the other wonderful things you do you’re incredibly talented and diverse and once you do so, I look forward to that.</p><p>00:56:08.370 –&gt; 00:56:11.010 Nancy Mercure East: Well, I would treasure it Thank you so much for having me.</p><p>00:56:11.010 –&gt; 00:56:22.380 Joseph McElroy: cool so um this you can find out more about this podcast gateway to the smokies dot fun, which actually now forward to our smokies adventure slash.</p><p>00:56:23.070 –&gt; 00:56:33.840 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies site, we also publish this on Facebook.COM slash gateway to the smokies podcasts where you can actually see the live broadcast streaming.</p><p>00:56:34.890 –&gt; 00:56:44.130 Joseph McElroy: we’re part of the talkradio. NYC network, which is a network in New York that broadcasts, a lot of live broadcasts.</p><p>00:56:45.930 –&gt; 00:57:01.380 Joseph McElroy: Every day of the week with lots of different shows, ranging from travel to self-help to finance the business, I actually have another podcast on this network called wise is content creates wealth, because I’m a content marketing expert.</p><p>00:57:02.400 –&gt; 00:57:04.710 Joseph McElroy: And so you can look that up as well.</p><p>00:57:05.820 –&gt; 00:57:11.850 Joseph McElroy: And I recommend you stick around for a show after this, which is about New York, and I think you enjoy it.</p><p>00:57:13.290 –&gt; 00:57:14.040 Joseph McElroy: You can.</p><p>00:57:15.060 –&gt; 00:57:27.090 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that the meadowlark motel is having a special right now, which is you know weekday special come stay 3nigths of those nights free if you bring a kid you know.</p><p>00:57:27.630 –&gt; 00:57:40.290 Joseph McElroy: met the Cataloochee has a kid ski free promotion during the week as well, so you can get a free night and a free ski ticket for your child So hopefully, we’ll see you there’s lots of snow lately lots of.</p><p>00:57:41.580 –&gt; 00:57:48.630 Joseph McElroy: fun times and this the tubing is great, and we also have you also do winter fishing and in the mountains and it’s very good fishing.</p><p>00:57:49.620 –&gt; 00:58:02.880 Joseph McElroy: So you can fish in our backyard is a thing, of course, we have fire pits and fireplaces speakeasy to get all company with after you do your mountain adventures so come on by so I’ll see you next week.</p><p>00:58:04.050 –&gt; 00:58:24.360 Joseph McElroy: We will have Boyd Burton, who is actually the manager of the motel we’re going to talk about finding a lot of comfortable and enjoyable hedonistic things in a good sense that, in the mountains, to enjoy yeah so thank you very much, see you next week Tuesdays from six to seven bye.</p> 87615014-1b64-432e-a38b-da03df851b93 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/26f5721d-7da6-477a-a5b1-d34d3a4ab16f Tue, 25 Jan 2022 23:00:00 +0000 3542 no full Episode 42: Crafting an Artistic Life in the Smokies Episode 42: Crafting an Artistic Life in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><strong>In this episode, the audience will get more information about pottery and crafts that Cory and Joseph will talk about during the podcast live but they will focus on discussing the Great Smoky Mountains and the outdoor activities that Cory will share with us. </strong></p><p><br></p><p>Join us to our newest podcast episode this Tuesday with our  special guest <strong>Cory Plott</strong>, he is a direct descendant of the famed Haywood County Plott clan who are credited with originating what later became the official state dog of North Carolina –the Plott hound. While Cory appreciates and respects the history of his family and their dogs, he has made his own mark as a renowned artist here in the Great Smokies. His work has been sold all over the world –including a specially designed mug that he crafted for PlottFest that can be purchased at the MSMHC. </p><p> </p><p>Don&#39;t miss this fun interview with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cory.plott.3" rel="nofollow">Cory Plott</a> as he shares with us some interesting stories about potteries and crafts and his experiences in the Great Smoky Mountain. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cory.plott.3" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/cory.plott.3</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Joseph opens up the show mentioning a sponsor as well as a virtual event celebrating Scot-Irish heritage January 25th. Today’s topic is about pottery, originating from the neolithic period. Joseph goes into detail about why people love pottery such as the aesthetic, form of expression, symbolism, and art as well as how it is made. Pottery is also used for storytelling and functional purposes. His guest for tonight’s show is Cory Plott, a descendant of the framed Haywood County Plott clan who are credited with originating what became the official state dog of North Carolina. He has sold his own pottery all over the world. He has been working with pottery for 10 years. He focuses on the East Coast as well when selling pottery. Living in the Smokies has been great for him and he loves being in Haywood county.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>Cory talks about working in stoneware and why he likes it. Stoneware is very durable and can be used in several settings. He also has done sculpture. He got into pottery being inspired by the fact that he can be creative while making a living out of it. Cory was also inspired by artists such as one of his professors from his time in college. He was also motivated by his father who fully supported him. Cory has several items that he makes from mixing bowls to mugs and puts his own twists on it. He talks about agateware, a medieval technique which allows for patterns and different effects. He explains how this technique is used. He also mentions using a lot of woodashe in his pottery and explains how the texture of the wood affects the outcomes of the colors.</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>Cory discusses the process it takes to make mugs and more of his pottery. He takes clay and loosen it up a little. Cory makes sure that he wedges it a certain way. Once he gets it to the shape that he needs, he continues to shoot for consistency. He likes to make several of the same pottery and in different sizes. Each week he does one batch of each item that he works on. He lines up his year quarterly which allows him to work on his 12 items. Cory goes into how the Cherokee make pottery and some history about them. The biggest piece that Cory has made is a base with a really tall neck, a 4 foot tall pottery. Cory loves being able to inspire and teach others to use their creativity which is why he also enjoys being at events like the North Carolina State Fair. He also just got into lamps as well.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>Cory recalls doing pottery in elementary and middle school. Back then, he says they used earthenware. Cory’s favorite thing to create are roosters. Joseph jokes that he should make him a 4 foot rooster. Cory also talks about maybe teaching pottery himself one day. For exploration, he recommends visiting Dillsboro where they have a unique shop with pottery. You can find more of Cory’s work on Facebook as well as Youtube. Joseph also promotes an event from The Meadowlark who are having a weekday getaway special. You can learn more at themeadowlarkmotel.com. </span></p> Video thumbnail

In this episode, the audience will get more information about pottery and crafts that Cory and Joseph will talk about during the podcast live but they will focus on discussing the Great Smoky Mountains and the outdoor activities that Cory will share with us. 

Our special guest is Cory Plott, he is a direct descendant of the famed Haywood County Plott clan who is credited with originating what later became the official state dog of North Carolina –the Plott hound. While Cory appreciates and respects the history of his family and their dogs, he has made his own mark as a renowned artist here in the Great Smokies. His work has been sold all over the world –including a specially designed mug that he crafted for PlottFest that can be purchased at the MSMHC. 

Don't miss this fun interview with Cory Plott as he shares with us some interesting stories about potteries and crafts and his experiences in the Great Smoky Mountain. 

https://www.facebook.com/cory.plott.3

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

Joseph opens up the show by mentioning a sponsor as well as a virtual event celebrating Scot-Irish heritage on January 25th. Today’s topic is pottery, originating from the Neolithic period. Joseph goes into detail about why people love pottery such as the aesthetic, form of expression, symbolism, and art as well as how it is made. Pottery is also used for storytelling and functional purposes. His guest for tonight’s show is Cory Plott, a descendant of the framed Haywood County Plott clan who is credited with originating what became the official state dog of North Carolina. He has sold his own pottery all over the world. He has been working with pottery for 10 years. He focuses on the East Coast as well when selling pottery. Living in the Smokies has been great for him and he loves being in Haywood county.

Segment 2

Cory talks about working in stoneware and why he likes it. Stoneware is very durable and can be used in several settings. He also has done sculpture. He got into pottery is inspired by the fact that he can be creative while making a living out of it. Cory was also inspired by artists such as one of his professors from his time in college. He was also motivated by his father who fully supported him. Cory has several items that he makes from mixing bowls to mugs and puts his own twists on it. He talks about agateware, a medieval technique that allows for patterns and different effects. He explains how this technique is used. He also mentions using a lot of woodashe in his pottery and explains how the texture of the wood affects the outcomes of the colors.

Segment 3

Cory discusses the process it takes to make mugs and more of his pottery. He takes clay and loosens it up a little. Cory makes sure that he wedges it a certain way. Once he gets it to the shape that he needs, he continues to shoot for consistency. He likes to make several of the same pottery in different sizes. Each week he does one batch of each item that he works on. He lines up his year quarterly which allows him to work on his 12 items. Cory goes into how the Cherokee make pottery and some history about them. The biggest piece that Cory has made is a base with a really tall neck, 4-foot-tall pottery. Cory loves being able to inspire and teach others to use their creativity which is why he also enjoys being at events like the North Carolina State Fair. He also just got into lamps as well.

Segment 4

Cory recalls doing pottery in elementary and middle school. Back then, he says they used earthenware. Cory’s favorite thing to create is roosters. Joseph jokes that he should make him a 4-foot rooster. Cory also talks about maybe teaching pottery himself one day. For exploration, he recommends visiting Dillsboro where they have a unique shop with pottery. You can find more of Cory’s work on Facebook as well as on Youtube. Joseph also promotes an event from The Meadowlark which is having a weekday getaway special. You can learn more at themeadowlarkmotel.com.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:03:02.610 –> 00:03:14.910 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies, this is the second season of this podcast which focuses on life, culture, and tourism.

00:03:15.270 –> 00:03:24.990 Joseph McElroy: In America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty.

00:03:25.440 –> 00:03:32.520 Joseph McElroy: with deep-storied history stunning adventures and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:03:33.210 –> 00:03:46.260 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:03:47.130 –> 00:03:55.650 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we’re talking about North Carolina pottery with a local potter may build a big reputation and crafting a life of the smokies.

00:03:56.940 –> 00:04:04.500 Joseph McElroy: So, as you all can see we’ve had some big snow here in the Maggie Valley area.

00:04:05.040 –> 00:04:18.210 Joseph McElroy: In my background for those of you who can’t see it it’s the motel covered in snow but it’s the beautiful day we had a full House people came up we had fires, we had sledding we had food we drink, we had a just a good old time.

00:04:20.040 –> 00:04:29.430 Joseph McElroy: And speaking of the Meadowlark of course it’s one of the main sponsors of the show, and I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past.

00:04:29.910 –> 00:04:42.000 Joseph McElroy: Yet, modern and vibrance with a Chic Appalachian field feel a place for adventure in for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain where it is a trout stream.

00:04:42.660 –> 00:04:56.340 Joseph McElroy: grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wines or craft beers imagine a place for the old-time music and world country sounds imagine a place with country cooking but in.

00:04:57.570 –> 00:04:58.860 Joseph McElroy: Modern SpeakEasy.

00:04:59.880 –> 00:05:08.100 Joseph McElroy: And there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:05:09.000 –> 00:05:16.830 Joseph McElroy: Now our other sponsor’s smokies adventure.com it’s smokies plural adventure singular.com.

00:05:17.280 –> 00:05:27.450 Joseph McElroy: And that is a provides a lot of content articles about the smokies from about hiking about waterfalls about wedding venues about.

00:05:28.050 –> 00:05:39.990 Joseph McElroy: And destinations that you might want to visit and it provides you know the opportunity to give books and trail maps and all sorts of resources to help you enjoy your experience in the mountains of.

00:05:40.470 –> 00:05:55.410 Joseph McElroy: The smokies it’s focused on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, and it provides a lot of information on where you can go for lodging family entertainment events Convention times, and more.

00:05:55.890 –> 00:06:01.320 Joseph McElroy: Its goal is to become the leading information portal of them, so the smoky mountains, I think it’s getting there.

00:06:02.580 –> 00:06:17.940 Joseph McElroy: Some event is coming up Tuesday, January 25, 2022, you have the Robert Burns birthday supper and we’re having we were going to have a full event happening, but you know there’s omicron.

00:06:18.780 –> 00:06:34.710 Joseph McElroy: viruses put a kibosh on that so we’re going to do a virtual event as part of the meadowlark heritage smoky mountain cultural heritage program and it’s a celebration of Scotch Irish heritage in the mountains, with the virtual birthday supper comprised of.

00:06:36.360 –> 00:06:40.980 Joseph McElroy: You know ideas of the food and poetry music and song and storytelling.

00:06:41.460 –> 00:06:51.750 Joseph McElroy: That happens and it burns dinner and it’s and then be more to honor that Scottish Bard Robert Burns the black Scotsman Mike Ogletree.

00:06:52.140 –> 00:07:02.220 Joseph McElroy: An expert on the Bards work and a resident artist, the Meadowlark c will host the virtual burns separate live stream from this mountain getaway in the mountains of North Carolina.

00:07:02.640 –> 00:07:17.340 Joseph McElroy: it’ll start at 5 pm on eastern standard time on January 25 you can go to facebook.com slash the meadowlark motel to get updates on the event and get access to the live stream.

00:07:18.330 –> 00:07:35.400 Joseph McElroy: So today we’re talking about pottery and I’m gonna give you a little bit of insights I found about pottery over the years and some information that people told me or I found now because you know I love pottery but I never really got into researching it and.

00:07:36.450 –> 00:07:45.330 Joseph McElroy: I decided to do that maybe I should know more about it so more pottery is an ancient form of art that originates from the Neolithic period.

00:07:46.140 –> 00:07:56.820 Joseph McElroy: Almost every ancient civilization practiced in some shape or form using different techniques and methods to achieve a piece of art that had a symbolic function.

00:07:58.200 –> 00:08:06.480 Joseph McElroy: Today, people love pottery because it really is an escape from the real world of mass production and consumerism.

00:08:07.080 –> 00:08:18.840 Joseph McElroy: Individual search for a sense of nostalgia and creating something beautiful or buying something beautiful that was made with the hand and it was that was similar to what our ancestors had.

00:08:19.260 –> 00:08:32.940 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a form of expression that grounds people in the present and represents in some symbolic membership and some tribe that they feel very akin to.

00:08:33.690 –> 00:08:45.060 Joseph McElroy: So to summarize the basics potter is the craft of making objects or claim materials and it comprises three major types earthenware porcelain and stoneware.

00:08:46.080 –> 00:09:01.380 Joseph McElroy: As you’re shaping the clay, the potter uses he can make it waterproof before decorating the exterior and it can have all painting glazing in other decorative moments I’m sure our potter here today or expert will give us some really good ideas.

00:09:02.790 –> 00:09:09.240 Joseph McElroy: So you know what is it, I talked about symbolism what is pottery symbolized.

00:09:10.470 –> 00:09:19.860 Joseph McElroy: audience pottery and ceramic I’ll just have a sick significance beyond utility and aesthetics and make your mind aspects of traditional and contemporary art.

00:09:21.060 –> 00:09:36.240 Joseph McElroy: Every you know I’m an artist as well, every art form carry some sort of symbolic meaning and from the materials to the symbols that they use, but a potter especially gets a lot of.

00:09:37.140 –> 00:09:48.690 Joseph McElroy: symbolism from the material the clay represents the earth and water used to mold it represents the bodies of water on this planet.

00:09:48.960 –> 00:10:08.010 Joseph McElroy: And it has religious connotations many religions believe that god’s sculptures the first humans from Zurich unless we come from the earth and many ancient culture use potter is a form of storytelling similar to decorative grieved races that narrate the legends of Greek gods.

00:10:10.140 –> 00:10:18.420 Joseph McElroy: You know, in the past, people first use pottery to carry water before creating it for decorative person’s personal purposes, now that they use it.

00:10:19.020 –> 00:10:28.500 Joseph McElroy: To try to understand the lifestyle they the living and the people in the past, and even the paste pieces we make today become artifacts for the future.

00:10:29.250 –> 00:10:37.650 Joseph McElroy: Now Maggie Valley in North Carolina and the surrounding great smoky mountains have been making handcrafted items like pottery since this area was first settled.

00:10:38.880 –> 00:10:46.350 Joseph McElroy: You know, in the beginning, it was used to make it was a utilitarian purpose, you know plates and things like that, but then.

00:10:47.430 –> 00:10:57.360 Joseph McElroy: As artists started becoming more involved in beauty and heritage, they started creating artistically studying, as well as functional people pieces.

00:10:57.960 –> 00:11:03.300 Joseph McElroy: And then, similar to the way storytelling served as practical purposes, preserving Appalachian culture.

00:11:04.110 –> 00:11:15.450 Joseph McElroy: What began as making everyday items I play some bowls became a treasured art form that is celebrated all around Maggie Valley and throughout the whole of the smokies.

00:11:16.110 –> 00:11:30.960 Joseph McElroy: Now you know if you’re coming to Haywood County and let you know, a couple few places, you can go visit and then we’ll get into speaking with our expert and artistic potter we have with us today now.

00:11:32.190 –> 00:11:42.090 Joseph McElroy: On the show before and Maggie Valley, we have the different drummer pottery, which is a local potter at homeroom and you’ve added residents and his family actually helped was.

00:11:43.110 –> 00:11:50.760 Joseph McElroy: Had the Meadowlark before my family did and actually built, one of the buildings there, so we had a very close connection in terms of.

00:11:51.150 –> 00:12:02.820 Joseph McElroy: And their potter is only a few doors down from the Meadowlark motel and it’s an old log cabin so it’s an interesting place to visit and it’s been working since 1980.

00:12:03.390 –> 00:12:13.140 Joseph McElroy: And then over in Boston North Carolina there’s the mud damaged pottery which is been operating since 1988 it’s a fully functioning studio and gallery that’s family.

00:12:13.980 –> 00:12:21.660 Joseph McElroy: And you can watch them throw play on the wheel and use our hands and special suits tools to create magic out of the air.

00:12:22.140 –> 00:12:25.710 Joseph McElroy: there’s an in Waynesville on Main Street there’s the Magnum park.

00:12:26.220 –> 00:12:36.390 Joseph McElroy: I know in Weaver bill and there’s the manga pottery well you find all sorts of gorgeous things, and of course, Asheville river arts district is as a Mecca for pottery.

00:12:37.290 –> 00:12:48.540 Joseph McElroy: As chocolate, full of all sorts of art galleries and a lot of them are Jalen ceramics and pottery both that the utility and the utilitarian level ended the artistic level.

00:12:49.890 –> 00:13:01.230 Joseph McElroy: And you have to go there and then there is the Blue Ridge parkway folk art Center it’s a one-stop-shop for all things of Appalachian heritage, including some stunning handcrafted pottery.

00:13:01.770 –> 00:13:06.990 Joseph McElroy: And it says, the main showcase for the southern Highland good craft Guild, which is one of the oldest graph CAP.

00:13:07.710 –> 00:13:16.770 Joseph McElroy: craft girls in the mountains and maybe the United States you’ll find a wealth of smoky mountain additions at your fingertips, you can meander through the well-curated galleries.

00:13:17.010 –> 00:13:27.540 Joseph McElroy: browse the bookshelf bookstore library pick out gifts from the craft shop and for the best part all you do is hang out in the lobby for up-close demonstrations and local artisans.

00:13:27.870 –> 00:13:35.520 Joseph McElroy: whipping up starting creations right before your eyes and don’t forget we at the Meadowlark have a smoky mountain heritage Center that has.

00:13:36.390 –> 00:13:47.130 Joseph McElroy: Some ceramic our artwork and utilitarian of the artifacts including mugs created by today’s guest Cory Plott.

00:13:47.550 –> 00:13:52.920 Joseph McElroy: And Cory is a Haywood County native is a direct descendant of the famed Haywood county Plott clan.

00:13:53.460 –> 00:13:57.510 Joseph McElroy: who’s credited with originating what later became the state dog with North Carolina.

00:13:57.900 –> 00:14:13.410 Joseph McElroy: The Plot hound, however, Cory has made his own mark as a renowned potter and sculptor here the great smokies his work is sold all over the world, as well as those those those mugs at the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center how are you doing Cory?

00:14:14.130 –> 00:14:15.930 cory plott: hey I’m doing good today man, I hope you are.

00:14:16.800 –> 00:14:17.940 Joseph McElroy: doing fantastic.

00:14:18.720 –> 00:14:19.230 Good.

00:14:21.060 –> 00:14:26.370 Joseph McElroy: Food from snow in the mountains to ice in the New York City I’m having a wonderful.

00:14:28.590 –> 00:14:33.090 Joseph McElroy: Experience in the course of week one before we were talking about having no winter at all.

00:14:35.010 –> 00:14:35.550 cory plott: came quick.

00:14:35.970 –> 00:14:41.100 Joseph McElroy: And I just said, your work today and you’re the only one there because there is no dude right.

00:14:41.310 –> 00:14:41.730 cory plott: I know.

00:14:41.820 –> 00:14:46.080 cory plott: I know, everybody else Snowden but anyway I’ll show up I’ll open it I’ll close it.

00:14:46.230 –> 00:14:51.180 cory plott: and work this podcast I’m so excited about it, so I appreciate your time appreciate you having me.

00:14:51.420 –> 00:14:55.380 Joseph McElroy: Sure, so all over the world, where some of the places you’ve sold.

00:14:56.700 –> 00:15:12.390 cory plott: Oh well, you know, mainly I’d go up and down the East Coast, you know that’s what I focused on and that’s still what I focus on today yeah I’ve been turning pottery for about 10 years I’ve heard a piece is going up to Canada so that’s good I didn’t take there myself but they’re up there.

00:15:14.070 –> 00:15:14.310 Joseph McElroy: well.

00:15:14.760 –> 00:15:17.610 Joseph McElroy: there’s a mug in New York City yeah.

00:15:17.730 –> 00:15:18.270 cory plott: There we go.

00:15:18.420 –> 00:15:18.780 Okay.

00:15:22.290 –> 00:15:32.310 cory plott: that’s great so yeah but uh yeah like I said I just focus on the east coast, mainly from Philly all the way to Miami and I’ve worked a show somewhere every single weekend.

00:15:33.270 –> 00:15:34.200 cory plott: You know so.

00:15:34.380 –> 00:15:35.310 cory plott: yeah it was good.

00:15:36.030 –> 00:15:40.050 Joseph McElroy: We know, having you’re having been a guy that you know is

00:15:40.950 –> 00:15:48.720 Joseph McElroy: is maintained his heritage and is it is an Origination and everything I do, even though I’m ended up having to.

00:15:48.990 –> 00:15:59.730 Joseph McElroy: do a lot of work in New York City, because my other business, you see, I keep a lot of my original heritage like you know we’re over all the time, right now, their status over there, so overall.

00:16:01.890 –> 00:16:17.280 Joseph McElroy: A lot of people, a lot of people were Carhart down, I was, I was going into the Highland you know furniture store yes down there and some guy you know very old-timer came up to me said where’d you get them.

00:16:18.480 –> 00:16:24.120 Joseph McElroy: overalls I really liked him and I told him I got an Amazon, I said boy it’s hard to get over all these days, I really like overall.

00:16:29.700 –> 00:16:30.870 Joseph McElroy: Confirmation yeah.

00:16:32.550 –> 00:16:37.530 Joseph McElroy: How have you found living in the smokies has influenced your work.

00:16:38.640 –> 00:16:45.870 cory plott: Well, you know I mean ever traveling and everything you know I thought I fall in love with somewhere else, but I never did.

00:16:46.770 –> 00:16:59.280 cory plott: Even from traveling to big cities little towns working these shows that people were Nice and they were always respectful but nothing’s like here and Haywood county yeah just feel even more in love with Maggie.

00:17:00.270 –> 00:17:07.530 cory plott: and especially with the diversity that Asheville brings we didn’t leave because we never had to everything’s offered here.

00:17:08.580 –> 00:17:14.460 Cory Plott: So that was a surprise to me, I thought, surely, I find somewhere else but there’s no bait near I promise.

00:17:15.030 –> 00:17:15.570 cory plott: You.

00:17:15.900 –> 00:17:24.690 Joseph McElroy: hey listen, we have to take our first break, I guess, I talked too much, to begin with, but when we come back we’ll start talking about a little bit about your pottery alright.

00:17:25.350 –> 00:17:26.550 cory plott: sounds good alright.

00:19:42.900 –> 00:19:56.640 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with my guest Cory Plott on the gateway to the smokies podcast now for I’ve seen those mugs you made and they’re really beautiful back to drink for one right now.

00:19:56.700 –> 00:19:57.030 cory plott: Oh yeah.

00:19:57.870 –> 00:19:58.530 cory plott: yeah I know.

00:20:00.510 –> 00:20:01.710 Joseph McElroy: You had to and.

00:20:02.820 –> 00:20:07.920 Joseph McElroy: And, by the way, you go to Meadowlark Motel and buy those on that website.

00:20:09.060 –> 00:20:15.030 Joseph McElroy: And, and you know I need you to make me a mug that says, this is my moonshine cup but anyway.

00:20:15.780 –> 00:20:16.110 cory plott: I will

00:20:16.170 –> 00:20:16.920 cory plott: I will

00:20:18.840 –> 00:20:29.880 Joseph McElroy: I saw I saw the job that you made for the awards, are some of the people and things like that, but tell me what is the extent of what you work in pottery you mentioned that your sculptor to what do you work it.

00:20:31.350 –> 00:20:43.350 cory plott: well, I work in stoneware and that’s, not just for its historical purposes, it was mainly the Germans worked in stoneware and they brought that with them, you know, of course, whenever they came over and family Appalachia.

00:20:44.310 –> 00:20:53.310 cory plott: But I like stoneware because of its durability and also, I, like the way it turns on the wheel it’s got a lot of St in it it’s real smooth that’s really durable.

00:20:54.210 –> 00:21:00.960 cory plott: You have to wrestle it a little bit more because oftentimes it’s stiffer but you could really make a nice top part and make it really smooth shape.

00:21:01.890 –> 00:21:13.890 cory plott: But, mainly for its durability stone where’s to me number one, especially since you’ve mentioned at the dishwasher so you throw the dishwasher put in the oven you don’t have to worry about it but hands down I’ve always worked in stoneware.

00:21:13.950 –> 00:21:16.950 Joseph McElroy: And that’s opposed to porcelain.

00:21:17.070 –> 00:21:19.620 cory plott: And yeah porcelain or earthenware.

00:21:19.860 –> 00:21:21.720 cory plott: Now there’s a rich history of earthenware.

00:21:22.770 –> 00:21:39.930 cory plott: In Winston Salem with the meridian pottery or were little animal figuring flasks you know little squirrel flask it or read where slip trailed way or there’s a rich history in that too, and if I was to do anything but stone, where I would go into earthenware.

00:21:40.170 –> 00:21:40.530 Joseph McElroy: But I.

00:21:40.560 –> 00:21:53.520 cory plott: don’t think I’ll ever mess with porcelain ya know it’s porcelain to me it’s a little fickle you know I want to turn it put a handle on it put it on the shelf and dried out and rotate doesn’t double you know I don’t want anything to fickle.

00:21:55.980 –> 00:22:06.990 Joseph McElroy: seen you on your site, you had some fancy like look like pictures are either that or they were Turkish you know smoking implements but.

00:22:10.890 –> 00:22:11.790 Joseph McElroy: They were like long.

00:22:15.000 –> 00:22:15.990 Joseph McElroy: kind of cool but.

00:22:17.760 –> 00:22:18.030 cory plott: What.

00:22:18.480 –> 00:22:20.010 Joseph McElroy: You do sculpture as well.

00:22:20.610 –> 00:22:25.170 cory plott: I do yeah and that’s it thanks to Terrence Painter, down there a different drummer.

00:22:25.440 –> 00:22:27.120 cory plott: Every machine is working growing up.

00:22:27.120 –> 00:22:32.550 cory plott: seen his work out detail-oriented it was most partners don’t put that attention to detail.

00:22:33.000 –> 00:22:35.250 cory plott: But I always admired him for doing that I’d see.

00:22:35.250 –> 00:22:45.330 cory plott: His work at quickdraw for scholarship programs for the schools here in Haywood county it’s beautiful trees and stuff so once I saw his work and I’d always drawn and painted.

00:22:45.810 –> 00:22:55.680 cory plott: So I’ve decided to do those rooster jokes which is it’s their tedious father, my father I covered entire jug and scope of research on it and I’m now turning them into lunch.

00:22:56.010 –> 00:22:58.950 cory plott: wow so yeah so it’s a good.

00:22:58.950 –> 00:22:59.430 balance.

00:23:00.600 –> 00:23:04.830 Joseph McElroy: Have you met his son he’s come back and is now working full time as a partner with that.

00:23:05.100 –> 00:23:12.360 cory plott: He was telling me about that yeah it’s been a while now, but the last time I talked to him, he said yeah his son gateway so.

00:23:12.720 –> 00:23:16.170 cory plott: that’s awesome so maybe one day it’ll be popular pottery and sons, who knows.

00:23:18.600 –> 00:23:20.670 Joseph McElroy: Brazilian drones are interesting to me.

00:23:20.670 –> 00:23:22.890 cory plott: was saying that I thought I had to make it through them and.

00:23:24.450 –> 00:23:25.620 Joseph McElroy: said, you can do all sorts of.

00:23:25.620 –> 00:23:26.460 Joseph McElroy: stuff so.

00:23:26.520 –> 00:23:30.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah that you had that contemporary flair to your work right yeah.

00:23:30.840 –> 00:23:33.930 cory plott: yeah little bit about trying to bring you to bring in a little bit about.

00:23:35.430 –> 00:23:39.750 Joseph McElroy: How you got started as a potter is seeing Terry painter and getting into it, or what was.

00:23:39.750 –> 00:23:40.410 cory plott: In a way.

00:23:40.680 –> 00:23:52.650 cory plott: We went to school for it my after high school my best friend took a pottery class and I wouldn’t be in love with it, I thought Okay, you know easy yay all right, I draw and paint you know.

00:23:53.340 –> 00:24:04.470 cory plott: I’m not in the pottery but after the first semester my pottery Professor said Cory you’re the last one here semesters over you don’t have to go home I don’t care where you go you can’t stay here get your stuff and get.

00:24:06.510 –> 00:24:16.260 cory plott: I had about 24 months that I needed to take home in the day was young, you know it didn’t even really get started as about two o’clock so I took my belt off.

00:24:16.560 –> 00:24:24.150 cory plott: rang my bell through all the handles of the mugs and then drove to Main Street and walked up and down Main Street peddling these things.

00:24:24.720 –> 00:24:32.400 cory plott: wow yeah and I got ran out of a few stores that’s a no, no, I didn’t think about it, I was just trying to sell my mug.

00:24:34.290 –> 00:24:39.420 cory plott: But I was 18 I sold 24 months for $20 a patient about two hours.

00:24:40.890 –> 00:24:41.460 Joseph McElroy: right there.

00:24:42.360 –> 00:24:42.990 cory plott: When they click.

00:24:43.020 –> 00:24:49.350 cory plott: I thought Okay, I like pottery I’ll go into this, as long as I make live being creative I’m fine so.

00:24:50.790 –> 00:25:02.610 Joseph McElroy: In the arts are certain things they say like you know if your printer and as an artist as a visual artist the printer always makes money, the other artists don’t always make money but yeah yeah.

00:25:03.690 –> 00:25:08.430 Joseph McElroy: scope in the sculpting art a potter usually can make money right.

00:25:09.300 –> 00:25:14.700 cory plott: yeah well when you got the best about you could sculpt but I’ve always had my roots in production pottery.

00:25:15.840 –> 00:25:21.270 cory plott: And that’s exactly I took an apprenticeship, while I was at Haywood Community college with brad Dotson in Boston.

00:25:21.810 –> 00:25:33.660 cory plott: Oh, you know it’s I studied with him, while I was in school, and I mean he really taught me a lot about production and bread and butter and what it takes, you know I’ve always got my roots in production.

00:25:34.440 –> 00:25:35.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah now.

00:25:36.240 –> 00:25:43.230 Joseph McElroy: Besides, those guys you got any other specific artists that you really feel or mentors or influencers.

00:25:44.130 –> 00:25:55.530 cory plott: Or, well, I mean my Professor His name was Steve Annoyed I wish, she was with us, you know today, but he asked a while back, but I’ve got one of his teapots and I’ve got it in a really special place you know and I’m always thinking about.

00:25:55.950 –> 00:26:05.280 cory plott: You know, as far as mentors and stuff and he was real artsy you know, he was real artsy so I had that balance which is unusual, I had that artsy

00:26:06.660 –> 00:26:20.430 cory plott: Professor but then I’d go to my apprenticeship, you know, whereas graph production produces quantity, so I had the best of both sides of the coin right off the BAT which is unusual, it is a privilege.

00:26:20.760 –> 00:26:30.600 cory plott: Right yeah but other than that, of course, my dad you know I told him I was like oh yeah I’m gonna be a potter and he’s like oh yeah are you know.

00:26:33.570 –> 00:26:34.500 cory plott: over time.

00:26:34.740 –> 00:26:35.130 cory plott: You know.

00:26:38.700 –> 00:26:39.030 cory plott: My mom.

00:26:40.020 –> 00:26:43.320 Joseph McElroy: told me, potter, yes, you said don’t smoke too much.

00:26:43.980 –> 00:26:44.790 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:26:45.450 –> 00:26:47.760 cory plott: Are you sure you don’t get a real job.

00:26:50.970 –> 00:26:58.320 Joseph McElroy: So uh yeah do you how do you classify you were in the canon of it or have you got your own genre, what do you, what do you call it.

00:26:59.160 –> 00:27:04.260 cory plott: um well you know I’ve got 12 items that I make you know and.

00:27:05.130 –> 00:27:14.430 cory plott: that’s you know mugs bowls I’ve got my production basis mixing bowls you know, and these are all things that I’ll crack open a history book and look at.

00:27:14.970 –> 00:27:19.590 cory plott: And then put my own twist on it like right now what I’m focusing on now is.

00:27:20.040 –> 00:27:35.010 cory plott: it’s a medieval technique and German Jews did a lot to it’s called agate where it’s we’re used to different colors of clay so I’ll turn my stoneware pot put the color clay on it and it swirls it looks like it’s a marble.

00:27:35.580 –> 00:27:51.480 cory plott: mm hmm so it’s yeah and to me what I love about it, is it captures how fast that part was spinning so even after its fire that thing you can tell it spun around my wheel 1000 miles an hour eternity it captures that motion.

00:27:52.920 –> 00:28:00.540 cory plott: So, even though it’s a medieval technique and the Germans used it, I still put my little spin on it, and it can be modern and minimal too.

00:28:01.440 –> 00:28:07.410 Joseph McElroy: Now you know you do you don’t use electric spinning right use your own foot speed is that right.

00:28:07.650 –> 00:28:23.850 cory plott: Exactly I’ve got a kick wheel that I use a locker be kicked we’ll adjust it up a little bit put a little brass light switch on it now it’s got a motor but it’s also a free-spinning wheel and I’ve got the treadmill wheel I drove up to Kentucky to get that thing it was so beautiful.

00:28:24.090 –> 00:28:24.930 cory plott: And what is it oh.

00:28:25.470 –> 00:28:31.110 cory plott: it’s usually up on a board you lean upon it, and this is what traditional North Carolina potter’s you.

00:28:31.560 –> 00:28:48.390 cory plott: you’ve got the big pan, this is the three by four so it’s a box with the spinning wheel in it with the wheel head and it’s got a board that comes out that you leaned on one leg with your other leg you’re kicking a board, which spins the way at the bottom to turn the wheel.

00:28:49.980 –> 00:28:56.550 cory plott: There you’re constantly kicking it’s got a lot of torque once you get going you’re fine you know.

00:28:57.240 –> 00:28:57.450 When.

00:28:58.650 –> 00:29:02.940 Joseph McElroy: We do a lot of work that way don’t mean to start favorite one leg in a different way.

00:29:03.990 –> 00:29:08.730 cory plott: You cannot switch legs, if I take off too fast, I have a hard left and I’m like oh easy you know.

00:29:10.500 –> 00:29:12.150 cory plott: I run in circles if I go running too fast.

00:29:14.700 –> 00:29:20.190 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow that’s interesting and yeah and use action you’re in you’re right.

00:29:21.150 –> 00:29:21.630 Joseph McElroy: I do.

00:29:21.930 –> 00:29:30.930 cory plott: I do, I use a lot of wood ash and it would actually have been predominantly that go to especially with North Carolina pottery and especially Western North Carolina pottery.

00:29:31.710 –> 00:29:46.320 cory plott: mainly because you know they had used the word to fire, the Council wood ash was in abundance and they saw that if the punch in the front of the Kingdom there was getting blasted by all this fire and blasted by all this heat and ash would they have drips on it.

00:29:47.490 –> 00:30:04.710 cory plott: And what they would do is they would save it down put it on top of the clay, on top of the pot if that he would melt it because what it is, is silica net and tree whenever it’s alive it pulls up silica from the ground that’s why it’s so rich it needs silica to be strong.

00:30:05.220 –> 00:30:15.570 cory plott: Right so yeah to that silica is exactly what Milton creates those drips in wood-fired pieces and with you, using ash places even in an electric eel.

00:30:17.010 –> 00:30:17.730 cory plott: So.

00:30:18.060 –> 00:30:34.200 cory plott: it’s real and what’s really neat, let me tell you this, which really date is the softer the wood, the green or the ash the density as follows the color wheel by the color of the ash, so if it’s a soft good it’s a green medium yellow and if it’s a hardwood it’s orange or Brown.

00:30:34.620 –> 00:30:35.670 wow.

00:30:37.320 –> 00:30:41.340 cory plott: yeah just to uncover one of these natural phenomena, I mean it’s just neat.

00:30:41.910 –> 00:30:52.620 Joseph McElroy: wow yeah cool so uh so we’re gonna take another break here when we come back we’ll find more about what’s your process and things you’ve been doing all right.

00:30:53.220 –> 00:30:53.580 cory plott: All right.

00:32:59.760 –> 00:33:15.030 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Cory Plott. hey, Cory so they made some mugs in jugs for us at the Plott fest that will be held this year.

00:33:16.080 –> 00:33:19.050 Joseph McElroy: What did what does it take, how do you what’s the process of making.

00:33:20.220 –> 00:33:21.420 Joseph McElroy: a jug or a mug?

00:33:22.380 –> 00:33:24.630 cory plott: Okay, so what I’ll do start to finish, is.

00:33:25.950 –> 00:33:31.800 cory plott: I’ll get the clay and I’ll widget so what I’ll do is I’ll loosen it up a little bit I’ll take the block it plays out.

00:33:32.130 –> 00:33:39.510 cory plott: Unless I’ve dug it if it’s a special batch and I’ve dug it let’s start there say I’ve dug it and I’m mixing some local clay in with some clay I’ve already got.

00:33:39.870 –> 00:33:53.520 cory plott: I’ll save it down get the rocks out of it, you know at least the big rocks leave a few of in there for the character, yet, but I’ll save it down mix it in there with it and then I’ll begin to which, so what I’ll do is I’ll widget by.

00:33:54.960 –> 00:34:07.590 cory plott: it’s gosh it’s called a spiral which so I’ll need it basically you just need it in the same way, over and over and clay actually has a memory in it whenever it’s turning and whenever it’s firing.

00:34:08.070 –> 00:34:09.030 cory plott: So when.

00:34:09.840 –> 00:34:11.760 Joseph McElroy: You use a lot of local players that.

00:34:12.240 –> 00:34:27.690 cory plott: yeah I do now, just like what you’d mentioned it’s more of a special art form, I don’t do it in my plates and bowls but I’ll do it for a teapot or I’ll do it for a rooster I’ll do it for the nicer pieces to add a little home edge, you know what an honor to use in this local clay.

00:34:28.200 –> 00:34:29.160 cory plott: right, so.

00:34:30.240 –> 00:34:39.870 cory plott: I’ll need a widget together and I’ll make sure that I widget in such a way that it’s spiraling in the same way that whenever I put it on the wheel in the same direction.

00:34:41.040 –> 00:34:43.530 cory plott: Now that’s a neat little trick it’s got a memory.

00:34:44.040 –> 00:34:47.190 cory plott: Right it’s like whenever you fire it’ll untwist a little bit.

00:34:48.300 –> 00:34:48.930 cory plott: it’ll move.

00:34:49.470 –> 00:35:01.710 cory plott: yeah so so I put it on the wheel in the same direction, I needed in and I’ll get that kick we’ll go in I’ll get the momentum I’ll start kicking on that treadmill we’ll Center it open it up and stand up.

00:35:02.820 –> 00:35:11.160 cory plott: So you just kind of REACH in there and squeeze it and pull it up as far as you can with your inside hand up a little bit above your outside.

00:35:12.510 –> 00:35:17.400 cory plott: push it up and push in because this centrifugal force will want to push it out.

00:35:17.880 –> 00:35:23.070 cory plott: Right so to keep it pushed in and collard up straight that’s, the best thing to do.

00:35:24.180 –> 00:35:40.470 cory plott: Then, after once I’ve turned it to the height that I need I’ll use a piece of metal called a rib and then I’ll smooth it out so I’ll put my hand back in there with my robe on the outside in smooth it out and scrape all that with clay off which compresses the pot for durability.

00:35:42.120 –> 00:35:52.860 cory plott: So once I get into the shape that I need I always measure my stuff if you’ve seen any of my time lapses or any of my videos on Facebook I’ve been trying to do a lot more little bit more than that since show slowed up a little bit.

00:35:53.070 –> 00:35:55.770 cory plott: yeah I figured well I better go virtual now, I guess, I have to.

00:35:56.310 –> 00:35:56.730 cory plott: You know.

00:35:57.750 –> 00:36:08.670 cory plott: I got my yardsticks out I’m always measuring I’m always shooting for consistency, which is another old-school way I don’t make one-off batches I make doesn’t to the same thing similar sizes.

00:36:10.080 –> 00:36:26.190 cory plott: So once it’s turned way tonight, let it get leather hard and they put a handle on it I’ll pull in stretching handle and then put a handle on it so it’s stepping up whenever I’m pushing on it couldn’t handle alone it’s not going to push the potty and then deformed it.

00:36:26.850 –> 00:36:28.200 cory plott: Right yep.

00:36:28.530 –> 00:36:29.520 Joseph McElroy: And then you fire it.

00:36:30.420 –> 00:36:33.660 cory plott: Well I’ll let it dry out I let it dry out for a couple of weeks yeah.

00:36:33.990 –> 00:36:43.650 cory plott: And then, this fire it so I’ll fire it about 1200 degrees, which is low, most founders could have 1600 but I’m just trying to get just what I need to get.

00:36:43.950 –> 00:36:45.510 cory plott: You know and that’s good about stone.

00:36:46.470 –> 00:36:54.030 cory plott: stone where it’s got a little leeway so far it’s 1200 pull it out and it’s like a terracotta pot right there’s no place it’s got a little thing.

00:36:54.480 –> 00:37:08.400 cory plott: But it’s a terracotta pop basically then I’ll put the glaze on it I’ll pour the body of the glaze and then dip the top in the ashes wipe the bottom is, if you don’t want the bottom it’ll fuse to the Shell right, you know.

00:37:10.170 –> 00:37:19.890 cory plott: yeah so wipe the bottom sign it plot and put the year on it put it in the kill and then I’ll fire to 2300 degrees 20 3050.

00:37:21.030 –> 00:37:21.420 Joseph McElroy: wow.

00:37:21.450 –> 00:37:34.830 cory plott: And then man, then it comes out it’s got a nice teen it’s got a good ring if it’s cracked in any way you’ll hear it on my waiter very good you could just hear it, you know it’s got a cracker it’s flawed, you could tell right away, but.

00:37:37.560 –> 00:37:38.100 cory plott: I do.

00:37:38.490 –> 00:37:39.300 cory plott: I really do.

00:37:39.570 –> 00:37:44.820 cory plott: yeah well I’ve got a spot off to the edge of my property because there’s a lot.

00:37:45.210 –> 00:37:45.720 Joseph McElroy: You know.

00:37:45.840 –> 00:37:47.430 cory plott: Over time there’s a lot.

00:37:47.640 –> 00:37:50.310 cory plott: yeah you know kind of a fan.

00:37:51.060 –> 00:37:54.540 Joseph McElroy: I have to tell you I read somewhere you don’t like tons of Calais or.

00:37:55.650 –> 00:37:56.730 cory plott: eight times the.

00:37:57.180 –> 00:37:58.170 cory plott: return is.

00:37:58.200 –> 00:38:00.360 cory plott: 850 500 bucks.

00:38:00.660 –> 00:38:01.290 cory plott: wow and.

00:38:01.770 –> 00:38:10.230 cory plott: The way that I do that I’ve got 12 items that I’m making it I’m focused I’m not you know I’m not often space I got my feet on the ground.

00:38:10.290 –> 00:38:17.400 cory plott: You know I got to play, so I do 12 items each week I’ll do just one batch of it, each item.

00:38:17.850 –> 00:38:21.330 cory plott: Right, so what I mean is I’ll do 350 pounds of batter balls.

00:38:22.560 –> 00:38:33.750 cory plott: You know or I’ll do quarter-ton pitchers like if they’re eight pounds, you might be able to afford or 10 a week and then so then every 12 weeks comes around which is a quarter.

00:38:34.410 –> 00:38:43.470 cory plott: Well, my years playing out quarterly Then I come back on the rotation and it’s been a while, since I’ve made mugs because it’s been three months, and then I could do it again, you know.

00:38:43.530 –> 00:38:44.340 Keep it fresh.

00:38:45.600 –> 00:38:46.080 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:38:47.220 –> 00:38:49.200 Joseph McElroy: So where do you get all that play.

00:38:50.400 –> 00:39:07.020 cory Plott: we’ll add you know what I buy I buy by the time be honest, I really I bought by the time from high water clay, they make the great place you sell a stone I love it it’s light clay, it reminds me of pipeclay, which is what we have here its light.

00:39:08.280 –> 00:39:19.950 cory plott: Gray clay and it’s here in these mountains it’s type clay and then there’s another kind of clay it’s like a real Ramzi kind of Green clay, but Zilla stone reminds me a pipe play which is here.

00:39:20.340 –> 00:39:21.000 cory plott: Oh so.

00:39:21.300 –> 00:39:22.410 Joseph McElroy: Why is that.

00:39:22.680 –> 00:39:27.030 Joseph McElroy: So you get all your claim from that one source you, you get some local clay from somewhere.

00:39:27.780 –> 00:39:36.630 cory plott: A tech-like people will reach out to me they’ll say hey Cory you know I’ve got this vein of clay and I’ll say now you sure to call you to know, can you make a pretzel out of it and they’ll.

00:39:36.630 –> 00:39:37.440 cory plott: Say yeah it’s quite.

00:39:37.590 –> 00:39:41.790 cory plott: So then I’ll go get some and it makes it in with the specialty pieces.

00:39:41.880 –> 00:39:50.850 cory plott: Oh that’s good I remember it hey what Haywood Community college they dug out the foundation for the new Hazelwood elementary school on the Plott creek.

00:39:51.060 –> 00:39:58.110 cory plott: right they had this huge deposited clay, I mean dump truckload to this stuff that’s all I turned in college was the local clay.

00:39:58.620 –> 00:39:59.940 Joseph McElroy: wow yeah.

00:40:00.630 –> 00:40:02.460 cory plott: That process that and turn it out so.

00:40:03.210 –> 00:40:14.400 Joseph McElroy: So you know the Cherokee had a long tradition of making pottery as well, how does, how does your work as a potter compared to what the charity, do we.

00:40:14.730 –> 00:40:19.080 cory plott: Will Cherokee have an awesome history, a lot of their pieces were.

00:40:20.130 –> 00:40:24.870 cory plott: fired like a pit fire earthenware which is neat you know it.

00:40:25.890 –> 00:40:36.630 cory plott: It actually they will burnish the pot so much they’ll use around the stone and burnish it dirty it compresses the surface of the clay so much to where it’s.

00:40:37.380 –> 00:40:51.900 cory plott: it’s not waterproof but it’s usable you know they don’t have to glaze it, it could be fired at a lower temperature because they put the elbow grease and burnish that pot so much where it’ll hold food and water fine and has for years since.

00:40:53.130 –> 00:41:00.540 cory plott: Oh yeah so they don’t glaze they don’t, but they will use the pit firing and the burnishing to make it food safe, which is fun.

00:41:01.680 –> 00:41:02.280 Joseph McElroy: interesting.

00:41:02.910 –> 00:41:09.990 cory plott: yeah so, but now here’s something now I didn’t know this speaking of Cherokee until I read the white road, which is a book by Edmund to the wall.

00:41:10.650 –> 00:41:28.320 cory plott: And the wide road mentioned that back in the 70s 60s with Joe sigh which would you know which would pottery stoke on Trent England way across the world, heard about Cherokee and actually Cherokee has some of the finest porcelain on the earth.

00:41:30.210 –> 00:41:31.920 Joseph McElroy: If Kalan right there that would.

00:41:32.970 –> 00:41:33.690 cory plott: be what it is and.

00:41:34.470 –> 00:41:35.670 Joseph McElroy: lining there yeah.

00:41:35.760 –> 00:41:51.900 cory plott: yeah that’s exactly what it is now even on the other side of the world and the 1760s which would found out the battle, so the mountains have always been just I mean just so so full of natural material it’s not funny it’s been on the map for centuries so.

00:41:52.230 –> 00:41:56.370 Joseph McElroy: Is there still any other than these mountains oh yeah yeah yeah.

00:41:57.240 –> 00:41:59.970 Joseph McElroy: cool they just don’t mind it as much anymore, though right.

00:42:00.000 –> 00:42:01.290 cory plott: Probably not much, but yeah.

00:42:02.010 –> 00:42:08.880 cory plott: Exactly, I think I think the need for it went down a little bit stuff comes and goes, you know they need entered now, it might not be you know so.

00:42:09.840 –> 00:42:12.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah what’s the biggest piece of pottery maybe.

00:42:13.140 –> 00:42:31.680 cory plott: the biggest piece is I’ve actually got it I I said the village of yesteryear working in the North Carolina state Bayer l with my treadmill wheel I love the North Carolina state fair, you know and our ability to address colonial you got to demonstrate it’s all about teaching people.

00:42:31.890 –> 00:42:44.670 cory plott: it’s all about the team, but I’ve turned this fictional piece, and it was all my little turtle wheel, nobody would have guessed it, but I turned a 12-pound bass and then with a 12 anyway there are four sections.

00:42:45.570 –> 00:42:46.170 cory plott: And then.

00:42:46.260 –> 00:42:55.200 cory plott: I turn this thing so tall on purpose with these different shapes and it looks pretty but what I had to do, I had been whenever I had that crowd.

00:42:55.740 –> 00:43:05.790 cory plott: watching me do this and I was demonstrating and teaching this I had to call a little kid I said a little buddy come here, I need you to kick this because I’m gonna have to get on this stool, so I can reach the top of this pond.

00:43:07.800 –> 00:43:08.610 cory plott: So here.

00:43:09.360 –> 00:43:12.090 cory plott: This little kid he was working that will thank you, Robin, like a boat.

00:43:14.880 –> 00:43:19.230 cory plott: And I was just sitting up there up top hoping I didn’t have to slow down say what’s going to happen with that guy down there.

00:43:21.660 –> 00:43:21.750 cory plott: It.

00:43:23.880 –> 00:43:24.750 Joseph McElroy: kind of follows it.

00:43:25.500 –> 00:43:34.740 cory plott: Will it be a big bass I turned a big base with a really tall Neck and then I ended up putting two of my rooster heads off of it real or name.

00:43:35.070 –> 00:43:35.970 cory plott: Real wow.

00:43:36.090 –> 00:43:43.830 cory plott: How many just total demonstrations it’s about four feet tall and I’ve got a house I don’t know how I got that thing back in one piece, but I did so.

00:43:45.330 –> 00:44:00.870 cory plott: But yeah yeah and that’s part of my passion anything I can do to inspire somebody anything I can do to teach somebody to show a little kid in this virtual world that you can make things with your hands that you do have good ideas that are what I’m here to do.

00:44:01.590 –> 00:44:10.710 Joseph McElroy: wow so you have to mention mugs and jugs and bases and roosters do you do laps and tables.

00:44:11.250 –> 00:44:18.030 cory plott: I just got into lamps yeah I really did I just got into lamps cuz I just looking at Christopher.

00:44:19.680 –> 00:44:34.920 cory plott: spits Miller, I think I’ve never met him or nothing but I was just looking at his videos up in New York, you made me think of it whenever you mentioned New York, yeah but anyway, he makes nothing but lamps and I thought that’d be the LIFE make nothing but lamps.

00:44:39.060 –> 00:44:41.700 Joseph McElroy: You can be the Thomas K, to have a.

00:44:41.730 –> 00:44:44.340 Joseph McElroy: potter’s and be the potter of light.

00:44:48.990 –> 00:44:58.950 Joseph McElroy: But we have to take another break and we’ll come, the last thing we’ll talk a little bit about the things you’d like to North Carolina finish up talking about how they can even find out about your pottery.

00:44:59.790 –> 00:45:00.120 Okay.

00:47:01.680 –> 00:47:18.090 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and My guest Cory Plott so Cory you know I hate to admit it, but the 50 years ago I was in elementary school rock hill elementary and.

00:47:19.140 –> 00:47:30.300 Joseph McElroy: Then on Jonathan creek seems like only yesterday, but we used to make in-class pottery I remember that like candle holders and ashtrays did you have to do that grown-up.

00:47:31.110 –> 00:47:35.460 cory plott: Oh yeah yeah I had missed Loveland in middle school.

00:47:35.910 –> 00:47:46.260 cory plott: And elementary school and both of them just such nice people that you know slow, their role and teach and to me that really let them are.

00:47:47.340 –> 00:47:48.720 Joseph McElroy: What kind of pottery was that.

00:47:49.980 –> 00:47:52.110 Joseph McElroy: You remember yeah well what.

00:47:53.040 –> 00:47:53.400 cory plott: Was it.

00:47:53.670 –> 00:47:56.940 Joseph McElroy: Was it was earthware, was it stone.

00:47:58.800 –> 00:47:59.580 cory plott: it was earthenware

00:48:00.300 –> 00:48:05.100 cory plott: yeah and I remember my high school teacher mystery laser he was a.

00:48:06.090 –> 00:48:15.600 cory plott: sergeant and then he went into our teaching and his favorite phrase was drawn to your notice, please you know don’t get up that you’re done draw draw draw draw and.

00:48:16.350 –> 00:48:30.030 cory plott: So he sat me down with a piece of clay and he said I want you to take all day and just do one thing so anyway, I made a little planner and it had this little face on it and that face had so many details because he made me sit there to do it all day.

00:48:31.860 –> 00:48:33.960 cory plott: But i’ll never forget that either so.

00:48:35.100 –> 00:48:35.490 cory plott: yeah.

00:48:36.000 –> 00:48:39.150 Joseph McElroy: wow so um what’s your favorite thing to create.

00:48:41.160 –> 00:48:45.480 cory plott: My favorite thing to create definitely my roosters you know there’s so much.

00:48:46.920 –> 00:48:51.420 Joseph McElroy: I actually when I was in the Meadowlark okay all right we’re gonna talk about that.

00:48:51.660 –> 00:48:51.990 Okay.

00:48:54.630 –> 00:48:56.250 Joseph McElroy: I got we got them in a few.

00:48:56.280 –> 00:48:59.520 Joseph McElroy: metal was, but some stoneware ones might be pretty good.

00:48:59.610 –> 00:49:00.930 cory plott: yeah that’d be good.

00:49:01.200 –> 00:49:03.600 Joseph McElroy: Maybe maybe we get a six-foot-tall was.

00:49:05.550 –> 00:49:06.030 Joseph McElroy: One today.

00:49:07.650 –> 00:49:08.730 cory plott: don’t do me i’ll do it.

00:49:11.250 –> 00:49:18.600 Joseph McElroy: Are you going to do any other mediums are you going to break out of your 12 of 12 items, or is this a commited for a while.

00:49:19.650 –> 00:49:22.290 cory plott: Well, I don’t know if I came in I don’t know if I could.

00:49:22.620 –> 00:49:37.260 cory plott: I mean, I thought about getting a little weird lately, you know, but I don’t need another you know I can’t it’s too much me to potteries too much epic I mean you know it’s you know I just came, you know I sketching stuff and I don’t.

00:49:38.250 –> 00:49:40.770 cory plott: know what I mean I don’t anymore, just because I found such wealth.

00:49:41.220 –> 00:49:41.580 Joseph McElroy: of you.

00:49:42.030 –> 00:49:43.200 cory plott: Know loving it.

00:49:44.130 –> 00:49:49.410 cory plott: yeah yeah, first of all, you can’t get bored it’s so personal you can do anything.

00:49:49.440 –> 00:49:55.740 Joseph McElroy: Well potters are great you can live a whole lot most potters start out as potters they end up as barters they just love.

00:49:56.910 –> 00:50:07.080 Joseph McElroy: I love it from the get-go you just because of the medium itself is like a this gets into your sensory you know.

00:50:07.320 –> 00:50:12.840 Joseph McElroy: aesthetic and you just yeah So do you teach do you do any kind of classes.

00:50:12.840 –> 00:50:13.500 cory plott: One day.

00:50:13.710 –> 00:50:20.970 cory plott: One day okay yeah that’s kind of my that’s my plan later down the road Emperor I’ve done it, you know what I mean quite a while.

00:50:21.540 –> 00:50:22.080 You know.

00:50:26.130 –> 00:50:28.470 Joseph McElroy: Bob’s trying to put together some summer camps.

00:50:43.980 –> 00:50:46.770 Joseph McElroy: One of the things I like to do all right is.

00:50:48.180 –> 00:51:01.590 Joseph McElroy: is also you live in Haywood county and they are in the gateway to the smokies and you know people listen this life know to do things that we give them a lot of ideas about pottery places to go, is there any other pottery places you’d recommend them to go.

00:51:02.370 –> 00:51:18.090 cory plott: Oh well, well I’m one of my favorite little towns in Hillsborough you know to go buy deals for a check it out a beautiful scratch, you get the train right there the triangle take you there you know Costas great place to eat, but my favorite places a.

00:51:19.320 –> 00:51:22.290 cory plott: dog would grab that crafters dogwood crafters they.

00:51:22.710 –> 00:51:22.860 They.

00:51:24.360 –> 00:51:25.590 cory plott: shop yeah hillsborough.

00:51:25.950 –> 00:51:27.420 cory plott: they’ve got such a unique shop.

00:51:27.450 –> 00:51:40.050 cory plott: All these different mediums so many different artists, I mean it’s just wild that you can fit that many things under one roof, I mean really you know me back 10 years ago for a scholarship for me hey what Haywood Community college.

00:51:41.130 –> 00:51:47.370 cory plott: And so I’ve become a part of them and a part of what they do and put my pottery in here as well, and help them.

00:51:48.540 –> 00:51:54.120 cory plott: get more scholarships for future students and for future craftspeople I mean you can’t beat it.

00:51:54.660 –> 00:52:06.000 Joseph McElroy: Oh so like 25 minutes from Maggie so it’s an easy little per trip for our guests, to go to and really a wonderful day trip catch the train do that too it’s like an old steam train it’s.

00:52:06.630 –> 00:52:15.540 Joseph McElroy: A it’s a wonderful experience so yeah yeah so uh any places and Clyde or can you would recommend going to eat.

00:52:16.560 –> 00:52:20.970 cory plott: Now, well, I mean you know you the pioneers always say you go The funny.

00:52:21.720 –> 00:52:23.760 cory plott: yeah yes it’s great.

00:52:24.240 –> 00:52:25.650 Joseph McElroy: it’s been there forever

00:52:25.950 –> 00:52:28.410 cory plott: it’s been there forever I like to go the blue ridge

00:52:29.220 –> 00:52:29.430 Oh.

00:52:31.170 –> 00:52:31.410 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:52:32.430 –> 00:52:32.910 Joseph McElroy: place.

00:52:33.390 –> 00:52:35.820 cory plott: yeah there, but the only place where that chicken livers.

00:52:38.640 –> 00:52:39.240 cory plott: really good.

00:52:40.110 –> 00:52:48.720 Joseph McElroy: Good shrimp and grits it’s not it’s a mall but you know it’s a good place it’s like a real country place yeah really it’s really good I mean it’s really.

00:52:48.720 –> 00:52:49.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.

00:52:50.040 –> 00:52:59.520 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so tell me how people could go and find out more about your pottery buy it even order, it will where can people to look you up.

00:53:00.240 –> 00:53:08.850 cory plott: Well, you know I’m really gonna pile a lot and a dog with crap you know there’s gonna be a lot of dogwood crackers also mountainous gallery and blackmail.

00:53:09.300 –> 00:53:10.140 cory plott: With Steve Anderson.

00:53:10.710 –> 00:53:23.760 cory plott: yep Stephen Tina Anderson sweet people I mean you go in there they’ve got so many different things just the shop and what they put together, I mean you know with the mountain so I’m just glad to be a part of I mean really I’m mean really.

00:53:26.010 –> 00:53:27.000 Joseph McElroy: Their website is.

00:53:27.630 –> 00:53:29.070 cory plott: I think it’s a mountainous gallery.

00:53:31.800 –> 00:53:33.240 Joseph McElroy: You know their website is.

00:53:34.110 –> 00:53:36.570 cory plott: A dog with graphics COM.

00:53:36.840 –> 00:53:40.260 Joseph McElroy: Alright, you have a Facebook page for.

00:53:40.260 –> 00:53:41.190 Joseph McElroy: plott ware right.

00:53:41.670 –> 00:53:44.190 cory plott: yeah exactly yeah I’m website expire.

00:53:44.370 –> 00:53:58.020 cory plott: Because I’m changing the look a lot changed in the look I’m going to change the way I do it a little bit normally I just wholesale and I’ve always loved wholesaling and working shows, because to me wholesale it is old school.

00:53:58.080 –> 00:54:05.340 cory plott: You know you get to work from home it’s a real cottage industry, you know you work from home you crank it out.

00:54:05.790 –> 00:54:17.100 cory plott: I literally take it to the shops, you know it, not just dog with crafters in a black mountain, you know that and mountain nest not just them, but I haven’t several shops if I was working a show in that area.

00:54:17.430 –> 00:54:24.480 cory plott: I would send pictures and reach out to the galleries in that area and wholesale it to I’m talking to old school 5050.

00:54:25.200 –> 00:54:33.450 cory plott: You know they’d come by the end of the show it just about why me out, you know they come in, they love the look and we start talking Turkey 5050.

00:54:35.340 –> 00:54:41.700 cory plott: So I love that and I don’t I don’t know if I’m sure I’m having a shop and that’s probably will never I’ll be ready to teach.

00:54:42.000 –> 00:54:47.310 cory plott: yeah you know but I’m not worried about that I like having the flexibility I’ll get up at five and crank it out.

00:54:47.730 –> 00:54:48.150 cory plott: You know.

00:54:48.780 –> 00:54:57.150 Joseph McElroy: So let me, let me ask you what How can people follow you personally, do you have a YouTube channel, do you have a Twitter, you have.

00:54:58.860 –> 00:55:02.550 Joseph McElroy: someplace to a Facebook page that thing just finds out about you what you’re doing.

00:55:03.000 –> 00:55:09.030 cory plott: So this year I’ve been focusing on Facebook this last year has been focusing most on Facebook, but.

00:55:10.050 –> 00:55:26.310 cory plott: This year, like I said I’m going to reinvent the website lot of pictures going to become it, I want to do a YouTube channel, so instead of the time-lapse videos it’s going to be more of me slow and down teaching, you know, showing what I’m doing and stuff like that you know, on YouTube.

00:55:26.730 –> 00:55:28.140 cory plott: So i’ve got to come around.

00:55:28.140 –> 00:55:36.660 cory plott: To it I’m own so I don’t want to be staring at a computer all day I want to be making pots, but I gotta do a lot of marketing ghetto and that’s why.

00:55:37.290 –> 00:55:37.980 cory plott: i’m excited.

00:55:38.190 –> 00:55:40.980 cory plott: I’m excited to say it’s gonna be fun so.

00:55:41.400 –> 00:55:46.440 Joseph McElroy: feel free to call me I knew all about this stuff right so yeah oh yeah.

00:55:47.670 –> 00:55:55.260 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank you so much for being on this show, I look forward to seeing you in June at the plot fest and more of you.

00:55:56.310 –> 00:56:01.860 Joseph McElroy: And I think we’re gonna you’re gonna be at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Festival later in the year right yeah.

00:56:02.370 –> 00:56:04.680 Joseph McElroy: So anyway, anyway, Bob says.

00:56:08.460 –> 00:56:09.210 Joseph McElroy: Years I guess he’s.

00:56:14.340 –> 00:56:15.450 Joseph McElroy: never been on here.

00:56:15.840 –> 00:56:16.500 cory plott: All right.

00:56:17.550 –> 00:56:22.020 cory plott: My pleasure, thank you for the opportunity thanks for taking the time open it take up too much your time.

00:56:22.470 –> 00:56:32.310 Joseph McElroy: I’m glad to be here so that will be a little promotion here the meadowlark is having a week-day getaway special combined with the keys.

00:56:32.880 –> 00:56:47.580 Joseph McElroy: kids ski free promotion, but at Cataloochee, So if you come in arrive on Sunday or two or Sunday through Tuesday at the Meadowlark and stay overnight, you will get a third.

00:56:48.060 –> 00:56:54.690 Joseph McElroy: A third night free in your space day so to stay tuned and take these you say three nights to get who own paper too.

00:56:55.140 –> 00:57:03.180 Joseph McElroy: and your kids one of your kids have an adult goes with them and pays for themself a kid gets to go skiing for free at Cataloochee

00:57:03.570 –> 00:57:18.600 Joseph McElroy: So reach out and go to the Meadowlarkmotel.com reserve a three-day stay starting on Monday through Tuesday Sunday through Tuesday and we’ll arrange for you to get a free ticket for the kids now if you.

00:57:20.160 –> 00:57:28.140 Joseph McElroy: If you need guides and things to do in the mountains go to the Meadowlark motel.COM site go to the store or shop and you can find guides and

00:57:28.830 –> 00:57:34.200 Joseph McElroy: And books and all sorts of things to help you enjoy your adventures in the mountains now.

00:57:34.980 –> 00:57:42.750 Joseph McElroy: So be sure to go there and then are you can find this podcast@facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcasts.

00:57:43.620 –> 00:57:52.800 Joseph McElroy: or smokiesadventures.COM, they have a link to the podcast we’re part of the talkradio.NYC network there’s a lot of great shows here.

00:57:53.700 –> 00:58:01.710 Joseph McElroy: A lot of them about travel and there’s others about shopping there are things about New York there are all sorts of things so stay tuned listen to more live broadcasts.

00:58:02.400 –> 00:58:11.250 Joseph McElroy: On this on this network and I’ll see you next Tuesday from six to seven talking about the gateway the smokies again and talk to you later bye.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/661303914908569/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/272184771_661764691529158_4642979106943220210_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=7oyK6oMZX20AX9zFuSR&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=630110C4&oh=00_AT-pf8GN67VZQr7F_Wxu83CxvyAXSjpzghSDhDr9tcGHXA&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350&tn=ssl5RjlRCRqdhHNg" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p><strong>In this episode, the audience will get more information about pottery and crafts that Cory and Joseph will talk about during the podcast live but they will focus on discussing the Great Smoky Mountains and the outdoor activities that Cory will share with us. </strong></p><p>Our special guest is <strong>Cory Plott</strong>, he is a direct descendant of the famed Haywood County Plott clan who is credited with originating what later became the official state dog of North Carolina –the Plott hound. While Cory appreciates and respects the history of his family and their dogs, he has made his own mark as a renowned artist here in the Great Smokies. His work has been sold all over the world –including a specially designed mug that he crafted for PlottFest that can be purchased at the MSMHC. </p><p>Don&#39;t miss this fun interview with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cory.plott.3" rel="nofollow">Cory Plott</a> as he shares with us some interesting stories about potteries and crafts and his experiences in the Great Smoky Mountain. </p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cory.plott.3" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/cory.plott.3</a></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>SHOW NOTES:</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>Joseph opens up the show by mentioning a sponsor as well as a virtual event celebrating Scot-Irish heritage on January 25th. Today’s topic is pottery, originating from the Neolithic period. Joseph goes into detail about why people love pottery such as the aesthetic, form of expression, symbolism, and art as well as how it is made. Pottery is also used for storytelling and functional purposes. His guest for tonight’s show is Cory Plott, a descendant of the framed Haywood County Plott clan who is credited with originating what became the official state dog of North Carolina. He has sold his own pottery all over the world. He has been working with pottery for 10 years. He focuses on the East Coast as well when selling pottery. Living in the Smokies has been great for him and he loves being in Haywood county.</p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>Cory talks about working in stoneware and why he likes it. Stoneware is very durable and can be used in several settings. He also has done sculpture. He got into pottery is inspired by the fact that he can be creative while making a living out of it. Cory was also inspired by artists such as one of his professors from his time in college. He was also motivated by his father who fully supported him. Cory has several items that he makes from mixing bowls to mugs and puts his own twists on it. He talks about agateware, a medieval technique that allows for patterns and different effects. He explains how this technique is used. He also mentions using a lot of woodashe in his pottery and explains how the texture of the wood affects the outcomes of the colors.</p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>Cory discusses the process it takes to make mugs and more of his pottery. He takes clay and loosens it up a little. Cory makes sure that he wedges it a certain way. Once he gets it to the shape that he needs, he continues to shoot for consistency. He likes to make several of the same pottery in different sizes. Each week he does one batch of each item that he works on. He lines up his year quarterly which allows him to work on his 12 items. Cory goes into how the Cherokee make pottery and some history about them. The biggest piece that Cory has made is a base with a really tall neck, 4-foot-tall pottery. Cory loves being able to inspire and teach others to use their creativity which is why he also enjoys being at events like the North Carolina State Fair. He also just got into lamps as well.</p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>Cory recalls doing pottery in elementary and middle school. Back then, he says they used earthenware. Cory’s favorite thing to create is roosters. Joseph jokes that he should make him a 4-foot rooster. Cory also talks about maybe teaching pottery himself one day. For exploration, he recommends visiting Dillsboro where they have a unique shop with pottery. You can find more of Cory’s work on Facebook as well as on Youtube. Joseph also promotes an event from The Meadowlark which is having a weekday getaway special. You can learn more at themeadowlarkmotel.com.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:03:02.610 –&gt; 00:03:14.910 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies, this is the second season of this podcast which focuses on life, culture, and tourism.</p><p>00:03:15.270 –&gt; 00:03:24.990 Joseph McElroy: In America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty.</p><p>00:03:25.440 –&gt; 00:03:32.520 Joseph McElroy: with deep-storied history stunning adventures and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:03:33.210 –&gt; 00:03:46.260 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:03:47.130 –&gt; 00:03:55.650 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we’re talking about North Carolina pottery with a local potter may build a big reputation and crafting a life of the smokies.</p><p>00:03:56.940 –&gt; 00:04:04.500 Joseph McElroy: So, as you all can see we’ve had some big snow here in the Maggie Valley area.</p><p>00:04:05.040 –&gt; 00:04:18.210 Joseph McElroy: In my background for those of you who can’t see it it’s the motel covered in snow but it’s the beautiful day we had a full House people came up we had fires, we had sledding we had food we drink, we had a just a good old time.</p><p>00:04:20.040 –&gt; 00:04:29.430 Joseph McElroy: And speaking of the Meadowlark of course it’s one of the main sponsors of the show, and I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past.</p><p>00:04:29.910 –&gt; 00:04:42.000 Joseph McElroy: Yet, modern and vibrance with a Chic Appalachian field feel a place for adventure in for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain where it is a trout stream.</p><p>00:04:42.660 –&gt; 00:04:56.340 Joseph McElroy: grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wines or craft beers imagine a place for the old-time music and world country sounds imagine a place with country cooking but in.</p><p>00:04:57.570 –&gt; 00:04:58.860 Joseph McElroy: Modern SpeakEasy.</p><p>00:04:59.880 –&gt; 00:05:08.100 Joseph McElroy: And there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:05:09.000 –&gt; 00:05:16.830 Joseph McElroy: Now our other sponsor’s smokies adventure.com it’s smokies plural adventure singular.com.</p><p>00:05:17.280 –&gt; 00:05:27.450 Joseph McElroy: And that is a provides a lot of content articles about the smokies from about hiking about waterfalls about wedding venues about.</p><p>00:05:28.050 –&gt; 00:05:39.990 Joseph McElroy: And destinations that you might want to visit and it provides you know the opportunity to give books and trail maps and all sorts of resources to help you enjoy your experience in the mountains of.</p><p>00:05:40.470 –&gt; 00:05:55.410 Joseph McElroy: The smokies it’s focused on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, and it provides a lot of information on where you can go for lodging family entertainment events Convention times, and more.</p><p>00:05:55.890 –&gt; 00:06:01.320 Joseph McElroy: Its goal is to become the leading information portal of them, so the smoky mountains, I think it’s getting there.</p><p>00:06:02.580 –&gt; 00:06:17.940 Joseph McElroy: Some event is coming up Tuesday, January 25, 2022, you have the Robert Burns birthday supper and we’re having we were going to have a full event happening, but you know there’s omicron.</p><p>00:06:18.780 –&gt; 00:06:34.710 Joseph McElroy: viruses put a kibosh on that so we’re going to do a virtual event as part of the meadowlark heritage smoky mountain cultural heritage program and it’s a celebration of Scotch Irish heritage in the mountains, with the virtual birthday supper comprised of.</p><p>00:06:36.360 –&gt; 00:06:40.980 Joseph McElroy: You know ideas of the food and poetry music and song and storytelling.</p><p>00:06:41.460 –&gt; 00:06:51.750 Joseph McElroy: That happens and it burns dinner and it’s and then be more to honor that Scottish Bard Robert Burns the black Scotsman Mike Ogletree.</p><p>00:06:52.140 –&gt; 00:07:02.220 Joseph McElroy: An expert on the Bards work and a resident artist, the Meadowlark c will host the virtual burns separate live stream from this mountain getaway in the mountains of North Carolina.</p><p>00:07:02.640 –&gt; 00:07:17.340 Joseph McElroy: it’ll start at 5 pm on eastern standard time on January 25 you can go to facebook.com slash the meadowlark motel to get updates on the event and get access to the live stream.</p><p>00:07:18.330 –&gt; 00:07:35.400 Joseph McElroy: So today we’re talking about pottery and I’m gonna give you a little bit of insights I found about pottery over the years and some information that people told me or I found now because you know I love pottery but I never really got into researching it and.</p><p>00:07:36.450 –&gt; 00:07:45.330 Joseph McElroy: I decided to do that maybe I should know more about it so more pottery is an ancient form of art that originates from the Neolithic period.</p><p>00:07:46.140 –&gt; 00:07:56.820 Joseph McElroy: Almost every ancient civilization practiced in some shape or form using different techniques and methods to achieve a piece of art that had a symbolic function.</p><p>00:07:58.200 –&gt; 00:08:06.480 Joseph McElroy: Today, people love pottery because it really is an escape from the real world of mass production and consumerism.</p><p>00:08:07.080 –&gt; 00:08:18.840 Joseph McElroy: Individual search for a sense of nostalgia and creating something beautiful or buying something beautiful that was made with the hand and it was that was similar to what our ancestors had.</p><p>00:08:19.260 –&gt; 00:08:32.940 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a form of expression that grounds people in the present and represents in some symbolic membership and some tribe that they feel very akin to.</p><p>00:08:33.690 –&gt; 00:08:45.060 Joseph McElroy: So to summarize the basics potter is the craft of making objects or claim materials and it comprises three major types earthenware porcelain and stoneware.</p><p>00:08:46.080 –&gt; 00:09:01.380 Joseph McElroy: As you’re shaping the clay, the potter uses he can make it waterproof before decorating the exterior and it can have all painting glazing in other decorative moments I’m sure our potter here today or expert will give us some really good ideas.</p><p>00:09:02.790 –&gt; 00:09:09.240 Joseph McElroy: So you know what is it, I talked about symbolism what is pottery symbolized.</p><p>00:09:10.470 –&gt; 00:09:19.860 Joseph McElroy: audience pottery and ceramic I’ll just have a sick significance beyond utility and aesthetics and make your mind aspects of traditional and contemporary art.</p><p>00:09:21.060 –&gt; 00:09:36.240 Joseph McElroy: Every you know I’m an artist as well, every art form carry some sort of symbolic meaning and from the materials to the symbols that they use, but a potter especially gets a lot of.</p><p>00:09:37.140 –&gt; 00:09:48.690 Joseph McElroy: symbolism from the material the clay represents the earth and water used to mold it represents the bodies of water on this planet.</p><p>00:09:48.960 –&gt; 00:10:08.010 Joseph McElroy: And it has religious connotations many religions believe that god’s sculptures the first humans from Zurich unless we come from the earth and many ancient culture use potter is a form of storytelling similar to decorative grieved races that narrate the legends of Greek gods.</p><p>00:10:10.140 –&gt; 00:10:18.420 Joseph McElroy: You know, in the past, people first use pottery to carry water before creating it for decorative person’s personal purposes, now that they use it.</p><p>00:10:19.020 –&gt; 00:10:28.500 Joseph McElroy: To try to understand the lifestyle they the living and the people in the past, and even the paste pieces we make today become artifacts for the future.</p><p>00:10:29.250 –&gt; 00:10:37.650 Joseph McElroy: Now Maggie Valley in North Carolina and the surrounding great smoky mountains have been making handcrafted items like pottery since this area was first settled.</p><p>00:10:38.880 –&gt; 00:10:46.350 Joseph McElroy: You know, in the beginning, it was used to make it was a utilitarian purpose, you know plates and things like that, but then.</p><p>00:10:47.430 –&gt; 00:10:57.360 Joseph McElroy: As artists started becoming more involved in beauty and heritage, they started creating artistically studying, as well as functional people pieces.</p><p>00:10:57.960 –&gt; 00:11:03.300 Joseph McElroy: And then, similar to the way storytelling served as practical purposes, preserving Appalachian culture.</p><p>00:11:04.110 –&gt; 00:11:15.450 Joseph McElroy: What began as making everyday items I play some bowls became a treasured art form that is celebrated all around Maggie Valley and throughout the whole of the smokies.</p><p>00:11:16.110 –&gt; 00:11:30.960 Joseph McElroy: Now you know if you’re coming to Haywood County and let you know, a couple few places, you can go visit and then we’ll get into speaking with our expert and artistic potter we have with us today now.</p><p>00:11:32.190 –&gt; 00:11:42.090 Joseph McElroy: On the show before and Maggie Valley, we have the different drummer pottery, which is a local potter at homeroom and you’ve added residents and his family actually helped was.</p><p>00:11:43.110 –&gt; 00:11:50.760 Joseph McElroy: Had the Meadowlark before my family did and actually built, one of the buildings there, so we had a very close connection in terms of.</p><p>00:11:51.150 –&gt; 00:12:02.820 Joseph McElroy: And their potter is only a few doors down from the Meadowlark motel and it’s an old log cabin so it’s an interesting place to visit and it’s been working since 1980.</p><p>00:12:03.390 –&gt; 00:12:13.140 Joseph McElroy: And then over in Boston North Carolina there’s the mud damaged pottery which is been operating since 1988 it’s a fully functioning studio and gallery that’s family.</p><p>00:12:13.980 –&gt; 00:12:21.660 Joseph McElroy: And you can watch them throw play on the wheel and use our hands and special suits tools to create magic out of the air.</p><p>00:12:22.140 –&gt; 00:12:25.710 Joseph McElroy: there’s an in Waynesville on Main Street there’s the Magnum park.</p><p>00:12:26.220 –&gt; 00:12:36.390 Joseph McElroy: I know in Weaver bill and there’s the manga pottery well you find all sorts of gorgeous things, and of course, Asheville river arts district is as a Mecca for pottery.</p><p>00:12:37.290 –&gt; 00:12:48.540 Joseph McElroy: As chocolate, full of all sorts of art galleries and a lot of them are Jalen ceramics and pottery both that the utility and the utilitarian level ended the artistic level.</p><p>00:12:49.890 –&gt; 00:13:01.230 Joseph McElroy: And you have to go there and then there is the Blue Ridge parkway folk art Center it’s a one-stop-shop for all things of Appalachian heritage, including some stunning handcrafted pottery.</p><p>00:13:01.770 –&gt; 00:13:06.990 Joseph McElroy: And it says, the main showcase for the southern Highland good craft Guild, which is one of the oldest graph CAP.</p><p>00:13:07.710 –&gt; 00:13:16.770 Joseph McElroy: craft girls in the mountains and maybe the United States you’ll find a wealth of smoky mountain additions at your fingertips, you can meander through the well-curated galleries.</p><p>00:13:17.010 –&gt; 00:13:27.540 Joseph McElroy: browse the bookshelf bookstore library pick out gifts from the craft shop and for the best part all you do is hang out in the lobby for up-close demonstrations and local artisans.</p><p>00:13:27.870 –&gt; 00:13:35.520 Joseph McElroy: whipping up starting creations right before your eyes and don’t forget we at the Meadowlark have a smoky mountain heritage Center that has.</p><p>00:13:36.390 –&gt; 00:13:47.130 Joseph McElroy: Some ceramic our artwork and utilitarian of the artifacts including mugs created by today’s guest Cory Plott.</p><p>00:13:47.550 –&gt; 00:13:52.920 Joseph McElroy: And Cory is a Haywood County native is a direct descendant of the famed Haywood county Plott clan.</p><p>00:13:53.460 –&gt; 00:13:57.510 Joseph McElroy: who’s credited with originating what later became the state dog with North Carolina.</p><p>00:13:57.900 –&gt; 00:14:13.410 Joseph McElroy: The Plot hound, however, Cory has made his own mark as a renowned potter and sculptor here the great smokies his work is sold all over the world, as well as those those those mugs at the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center how are you doing Cory?</p><p>00:14:14.130 –&gt; 00:14:15.930 cory plott: hey I’m doing good today man, I hope you are.</p><p>00:14:16.800 –&gt; 00:14:17.940 Joseph McElroy: doing fantastic.</p><p>00:14:18.720 –&gt; 00:14:19.230 Good.</p><p>00:14:21.060 –&gt; 00:14:26.370 Joseph McElroy: Food from snow in the mountains to ice in the New York City I’m having a wonderful.</p><p>00:14:28.590 –&gt; 00:14:33.090 Joseph McElroy: Experience in the course of week one before we were talking about having no winter at all.</p><p>00:14:35.010 –&gt; 00:14:35.550 cory plott: came quick.</p><p>00:14:35.970 –&gt; 00:14:41.100 Joseph McElroy: And I just said, your work today and you’re the only one there because there is no dude right.</p><p>00:14:41.310 –&gt; 00:14:41.730 cory plott: I know.</p><p>00:14:41.820 –&gt; 00:14:46.080 cory plott: I know, everybody else Snowden but anyway I’ll show up I’ll open it I’ll close it.</p><p>00:14:46.230 –&gt; 00:14:51.180 cory plott: and work this podcast I’m so excited about it, so I appreciate your time appreciate you having me.</p><p>00:14:51.420 –&gt; 00:14:55.380 Joseph McElroy: Sure, so all over the world, where some of the places you’ve sold.</p><p>00:14:56.700 –&gt; 00:15:12.390 cory plott: Oh well, you know, mainly I’d go up and down the East Coast, you know that’s what I focused on and that’s still what I focus on today yeah I’ve been turning pottery for about 10 years I’ve heard a piece is going up to Canada so that’s good I didn’t take there myself but they’re up there.</p><p>00:15:14.070 –&gt; 00:15:14.310 Joseph McElroy: well.</p><p>00:15:14.760 –&gt; 00:15:17.610 Joseph McElroy: there’s a mug in New York City yeah.</p><p>00:15:17.730 –&gt; 00:15:18.270 cory plott: There we go.</p><p>00:15:18.420 –&gt; 00:15:18.780 Okay.</p><p>00:15:22.290 –&gt; 00:15:32.310 cory plott: that’s great so yeah but uh yeah like I said I just focus on the east coast, mainly from Philly all the way to Miami and I’ve worked a show somewhere every single weekend.</p><p>00:15:33.270 –&gt; 00:15:34.200 cory plott: You know so.</p><p>00:15:34.380 –&gt; 00:15:35.310 cory plott: yeah it was good.</p><p>00:15:36.030 –&gt; 00:15:40.050 Joseph McElroy: We know, having you’re having been a guy that you know is</p><p>00:15:40.950 –&gt; 00:15:48.720 Joseph McElroy: is maintained his heritage and is it is an Origination and everything I do, even though I’m ended up having to.</p><p>00:15:48.990 –&gt; 00:15:59.730 Joseph McElroy: do a lot of work in New York City, because my other business, you see, I keep a lot of my original heritage like you know we’re over all the time, right now, their status over there, so overall.</p><p>00:16:01.890 –&gt; 00:16:17.280 Joseph McElroy: A lot of people, a lot of people were Carhart down, I was, I was going into the Highland you know furniture store yes down there and some guy you know very old-timer came up to me said where’d you get them.</p><p>00:16:18.480 –&gt; 00:16:24.120 Joseph McElroy: overalls I really liked him and I told him I got an Amazon, I said boy it’s hard to get over all these days, I really like overall.</p><p>00:16:29.700 –&gt; 00:16:30.870 Joseph McElroy: Confirmation yeah.</p><p>00:16:32.550 –&gt; 00:16:37.530 Joseph McElroy: How have you found living in the smokies has influenced your work.</p><p>00:16:38.640 –&gt; 00:16:45.870 cory plott: Well, you know I mean ever traveling and everything you know I thought I fall in love with somewhere else, but I never did.</p><p>00:16:46.770 –&gt; 00:16:59.280 cory plott: Even from traveling to big cities little towns working these shows that people were Nice and they were always respectful but nothing’s like here and Haywood county yeah just feel even more in love with Maggie.</p><p>00:17:00.270 –&gt; 00:17:07.530 cory plott: and especially with the diversity that Asheville brings we didn’t leave because we never had to everything’s offered here.</p><p>00:17:08.580 –&gt; 00:17:14.460 Cory Plott: So that was a surprise to me, I thought, surely, I find somewhere else but there’s no bait near I promise.</p><p>00:17:15.030 –&gt; 00:17:15.570 cory plott: You.</p><p>00:17:15.900 –&gt; 00:17:24.690 Joseph McElroy: hey listen, we have to take our first break, I guess, I talked too much, to begin with, but when we come back we’ll start talking about a little bit about your pottery alright.</p><p>00:17:25.350 –&gt; 00:17:26.550 cory plott: sounds good alright.</p><p>00:19:42.900 –&gt; 00:19:56.640 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with my guest Cory Plott on the gateway to the smokies podcast now for I’ve seen those mugs you made and they’re really beautiful back to drink for one right now.</p><p>00:19:56.700 –&gt; 00:19:57.030 cory plott: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:19:57.870 –&gt; 00:19:58.530 cory plott: yeah I know.</p><p>00:20:00.510 –&gt; 00:20:01.710 Joseph McElroy: You had to and.</p><p>00:20:02.820 –&gt; 00:20:07.920 Joseph McElroy: And, by the way, you go to Meadowlark Motel and buy those on that website.</p><p>00:20:09.060 –&gt; 00:20:15.030 Joseph McElroy: And, and you know I need you to make me a mug that says, this is my moonshine cup but anyway.</p><p>00:20:15.780 –&gt; 00:20:16.110 cory plott: I will</p><p>00:20:16.170 –&gt; 00:20:16.920 cory plott: I will</p><p>00:20:18.840 –&gt; 00:20:29.880 Joseph McElroy: I saw I saw the job that you made for the awards, are some of the people and things like that, but tell me what is the extent of what you work in pottery you mentioned that your sculptor to what do you work it.</p><p>00:20:31.350 –&gt; 00:20:43.350 cory plott: well, I work in stoneware and that’s, not just for its historical purposes, it was mainly the Germans worked in stoneware and they brought that with them, you know, of course, whenever they came over and family Appalachia.</p><p>00:20:44.310 –&gt; 00:20:53.310 cory plott: But I like stoneware because of its durability and also, I, like the way it turns on the wheel it’s got a lot of St in it it’s real smooth that’s really durable.</p><p>00:20:54.210 –&gt; 00:21:00.960 cory plott: You have to wrestle it a little bit more because oftentimes it’s stiffer but you could really make a nice top part and make it really smooth shape.</p><p>00:21:01.890 –&gt; 00:21:13.890 cory plott: But, mainly for its durability stone where’s to me number one, especially since you’ve mentioned at the dishwasher so you throw the dishwasher put in the oven you don’t have to worry about it but hands down I’ve always worked in stoneware.</p><p>00:21:13.950 –&gt; 00:21:16.950 Joseph McElroy: And that’s opposed to porcelain.</p><p>00:21:17.070 –&gt; 00:21:19.620 cory plott: And yeah porcelain or earthenware.</p><p>00:21:19.860 –&gt; 00:21:21.720 cory plott: Now there’s a rich history of earthenware.</p><p>00:21:22.770 –&gt; 00:21:39.930 cory plott: In Winston Salem with the meridian pottery or were little animal figuring flasks you know little squirrel flask it or read where slip trailed way or there’s a rich history in that too, and if I was to do anything but stone, where I would go into earthenware.</p><p>00:21:40.170 –&gt; 00:21:40.530 Joseph McElroy: But I.</p><p>00:21:40.560 –&gt; 00:21:53.520 cory plott: don’t think I’ll ever mess with porcelain ya know it’s porcelain to me it’s a little fickle you know I want to turn it put a handle on it put it on the shelf and dried out and rotate doesn’t double you know I don’t want anything to fickle.</p><p>00:21:55.980 –&gt; 00:22:06.990 Joseph McElroy: seen you on your site, you had some fancy like look like pictures are either that or they were Turkish you know smoking implements but.</p><p>00:22:10.890 –&gt; 00:22:11.790 Joseph McElroy: They were like long.</p><p>00:22:15.000 –&gt; 00:22:15.990 Joseph McElroy: kind of cool but.</p><p>00:22:17.760 –&gt; 00:22:18.030 cory plott: What.</p><p>00:22:18.480 –&gt; 00:22:20.010 Joseph McElroy: You do sculpture as well.</p><p>00:22:20.610 –&gt; 00:22:25.170 cory plott: I do yeah and that’s it thanks to Terrence Painter, down there a different drummer.</p><p>00:22:25.440 –&gt; 00:22:27.120 cory plott: Every machine is working growing up.</p><p>00:22:27.120 –&gt; 00:22:32.550 cory plott: seen his work out detail-oriented it was most partners don’t put that attention to detail.</p><p>00:22:33.000 –&gt; 00:22:35.250 cory plott: But I always admired him for doing that I’d see.</p><p>00:22:35.250 –&gt; 00:22:45.330 cory plott: His work at quickdraw for scholarship programs for the schools here in Haywood county it’s beautiful trees and stuff so once I saw his work and I’d always drawn and painted.</p><p>00:22:45.810 –&gt; 00:22:55.680 cory plott: So I’ve decided to do those rooster jokes which is it’s their tedious father, my father I covered entire jug and scope of research on it and I’m now turning them into lunch.</p><p>00:22:56.010 –&gt; 00:22:58.950 cory plott: wow so yeah so it’s a good.</p><p>00:22:58.950 –&gt; 00:22:59.430 balance.</p><p>00:23:00.600 –&gt; 00:23:04.830 Joseph McElroy: Have you met his son he’s come back and is now working full time as a partner with that.</p><p>00:23:05.100 –&gt; 00:23:12.360 cory plott: He was telling me about that yeah it’s been a while now, but the last time I talked to him, he said yeah his son gateway so.</p><p>00:23:12.720 –&gt; 00:23:16.170 cory plott: that’s awesome so maybe one day it’ll be popular pottery and sons, who knows.</p><p>00:23:18.600 –&gt; 00:23:20.670 Joseph McElroy: Brazilian drones are interesting to me.</p><p>00:23:20.670 –&gt; 00:23:22.890 cory plott: was saying that I thought I had to make it through them and.</p><p>00:23:24.450 –&gt; 00:23:25.620 Joseph McElroy: said, you can do all sorts of.</p><p>00:23:25.620 –&gt; 00:23:26.460 Joseph McElroy: stuff so.</p><p>00:23:26.520 –&gt; 00:23:30.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah that you had that contemporary flair to your work right yeah.</p><p>00:23:30.840 –&gt; 00:23:33.930 cory plott: yeah little bit about trying to bring you to bring in a little bit about.</p><p>00:23:35.430 –&gt; 00:23:39.750 Joseph McElroy: How you got started as a potter is seeing Terry painter and getting into it, or what was.</p><p>00:23:39.750 –&gt; 00:23:40.410 cory plott: In a way.</p><p>00:23:40.680 –&gt; 00:23:52.650 cory plott: We went to school for it my after high school my best friend took a pottery class and I wouldn’t be in love with it, I thought Okay, you know easy yay all right, I draw and paint you know.</p><p>00:23:53.340 –&gt; 00:24:04.470 cory plott: I’m not in the pottery but after the first semester my pottery Professor said Cory you’re the last one here semesters over you don’t have to go home I don’t care where you go you can’t stay here get your stuff and get.</p><p>00:24:06.510 –&gt; 00:24:16.260 cory plott: I had about 24 months that I needed to take home in the day was young, you know it didn’t even really get started as about two o’clock so I took my belt off.</p><p>00:24:16.560 –&gt; 00:24:24.150 cory plott: rang my bell through all the handles of the mugs and then drove to Main Street and walked up and down Main Street peddling these things.</p><p>00:24:24.720 –&gt; 00:24:32.400 cory plott: wow yeah and I got ran out of a few stores that’s a no, no, I didn’t think about it, I was just trying to sell my mug.</p><p>00:24:34.290 –&gt; 00:24:39.420 cory plott: But I was 18 I sold 24 months for $20 a patient about two hours.</p><p>00:24:40.890 –&gt; 00:24:41.460 Joseph McElroy: right there.</p><p>00:24:42.360 –&gt; 00:24:42.990 cory plott: When they click.</p><p>00:24:43.020 –&gt; 00:24:49.350 cory plott: I thought Okay, I like pottery I’ll go into this, as long as I make live being creative I’m fine so.</p><p>00:24:50.790 –&gt; 00:25:02.610 Joseph McElroy: In the arts are certain things they say like you know if your printer and as an artist as a visual artist the printer always makes money, the other artists don’t always make money but yeah yeah.</p><p>00:25:03.690 –&gt; 00:25:08.430 Joseph McElroy: scope in the sculpting art a potter usually can make money right.</p><p>00:25:09.300 –&gt; 00:25:14.700 cory plott: yeah well when you got the best about you could sculpt but I’ve always had my roots in production pottery.</p><p>00:25:15.840 –&gt; 00:25:21.270 cory plott: And that’s exactly I took an apprenticeship, while I was at Haywood Community college with brad Dotson in Boston.</p><p>00:25:21.810 –&gt; 00:25:33.660 cory plott: Oh, you know it’s I studied with him, while I was in school, and I mean he really taught me a lot about production and bread and butter and what it takes, you know I’ve always got my roots in production.</p><p>00:25:34.440 –&gt; 00:25:35.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah now.</p><p>00:25:36.240 –&gt; 00:25:43.230 Joseph McElroy: Besides, those guys you got any other specific artists that you really feel or mentors or influencers.</p><p>00:25:44.130 –&gt; 00:25:55.530 cory plott: Or, well, I mean my Professor His name was Steve Annoyed I wish, she was with us, you know today, but he asked a while back, but I’ve got one of his teapots and I’ve got it in a really special place you know and I’m always thinking about.</p><p>00:25:55.950 –&gt; 00:26:05.280 cory plott: You know, as far as mentors and stuff and he was real artsy you know, he was real artsy so I had that balance which is unusual, I had that artsy</p><p>00:26:06.660 –&gt; 00:26:20.430 cory plott: Professor but then I’d go to my apprenticeship, you know, whereas graph production produces quantity, so I had the best of both sides of the coin right off the BAT which is unusual, it is a privilege.</p><p>00:26:20.760 –&gt; 00:26:30.600 cory plott: Right yeah but other than that, of course, my dad you know I told him I was like oh yeah I’m gonna be a potter and he’s like oh yeah are you know.</p><p>00:26:33.570 –&gt; 00:26:34.500 cory plott: over time.</p><p>00:26:34.740 –&gt; 00:26:35.130 cory plott: You know.</p><p>00:26:38.700 –&gt; 00:26:39.030 cory plott: My mom.</p><p>00:26:40.020 –&gt; 00:26:43.320 Joseph McElroy: told me, potter, yes, you said don’t smoke too much.</p><p>00:26:43.980 –&gt; 00:26:44.790 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:26:45.450 –&gt; 00:26:47.760 cory plott: Are you sure you don’t get a real job.</p><p>00:26:50.970 –&gt; 00:26:58.320 Joseph McElroy: So uh yeah do you how do you classify you were in the canon of it or have you got your own genre, what do you, what do you call it.</p><p>00:26:59.160 –&gt; 00:27:04.260 cory plott: um well you know I’ve got 12 items that I make you know and.</p><p>00:27:05.130 –&gt; 00:27:14.430 cory plott: that’s you know mugs bowls I’ve got my production basis mixing bowls you know, and these are all things that I’ll crack open a history book and look at.</p><p>00:27:14.970 –&gt; 00:27:19.590 cory plott: And then put my own twist on it like right now what I’m focusing on now is.</p><p>00:27:20.040 –&gt; 00:27:35.010 cory plott: it’s a medieval technique and German Jews did a lot to it’s called agate where it’s we’re used to different colors of clay so I’ll turn my stoneware pot put the color clay on it and it swirls it looks like it’s a marble.</p><p>00:27:35.580 –&gt; 00:27:51.480 cory plott: mm hmm so it’s yeah and to me what I love about it, is it captures how fast that part was spinning so even after its fire that thing you can tell it spun around my wheel 1000 miles an hour eternity it captures that motion.</p><p>00:27:52.920 –&gt; 00:28:00.540 cory plott: So, even though it’s a medieval technique and the Germans used it, I still put my little spin on it, and it can be modern and minimal too.</p><p>00:28:01.440 –&gt; 00:28:07.410 Joseph McElroy: Now you know you do you don’t use electric spinning right use your own foot speed is that right.</p><p>00:28:07.650 –&gt; 00:28:23.850 cory plott: Exactly I’ve got a kick wheel that I use a locker be kicked we’ll adjust it up a little bit put a little brass light switch on it now it’s got a motor but it’s also a free-spinning wheel and I’ve got the treadmill wheel I drove up to Kentucky to get that thing it was so beautiful.</p><p>00:28:24.090 –&gt; 00:28:24.930 cory plott: And what is it oh.</p><p>00:28:25.470 –&gt; 00:28:31.110 cory plott: it’s usually up on a board you lean upon it, and this is what traditional North Carolina potter’s you.</p><p>00:28:31.560 –&gt; 00:28:48.390 cory plott: you’ve got the big pan, this is the three by four so it’s a box with the spinning wheel in it with the wheel head and it’s got a board that comes out that you leaned on one leg with your other leg you’re kicking a board, which spins the way at the bottom to turn the wheel.</p><p>00:28:49.980 –&gt; 00:28:56.550 cory plott: There you’re constantly kicking it’s got a lot of torque once you get going you’re fine you know.</p><p>00:28:57.240 –&gt; 00:28:57.450 When.</p><p>00:28:58.650 –&gt; 00:29:02.940 Joseph McElroy: We do a lot of work that way don’t mean to start favorite one leg in a different way.</p><p>00:29:03.990 –&gt; 00:29:08.730 cory plott: You cannot switch legs, if I take off too fast, I have a hard left and I’m like oh easy you know.</p><p>00:29:10.500 –&gt; 00:29:12.150 cory plott: I run in circles if I go running too fast.</p><p>00:29:14.700 –&gt; 00:29:20.190 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow that’s interesting and yeah and use action you’re in you’re right.</p><p>00:29:21.150 –&gt; 00:29:21.630 Joseph McElroy: I do.</p><p>00:29:21.930 –&gt; 00:29:30.930 cory plott: I do, I use a lot of wood ash and it would actually have been predominantly that go to especially with North Carolina pottery and especially Western North Carolina pottery.</p><p>00:29:31.710 –&gt; 00:29:46.320 cory plott: mainly because you know they had used the word to fire, the Council wood ash was in abundance and they saw that if the punch in the front of the Kingdom there was getting blasted by all this fire and blasted by all this heat and ash would they have drips on it.</p><p>00:29:47.490 –&gt; 00:30:04.710 cory plott: And what they would do is they would save it down put it on top of the clay, on top of the pot if that he would melt it because what it is, is silica net and tree whenever it’s alive it pulls up silica from the ground that’s why it’s so rich it needs silica to be strong.</p><p>00:30:05.220 –&gt; 00:30:15.570 cory plott: Right so yeah to that silica is exactly what Milton creates those drips in wood-fired pieces and with you, using ash places even in an electric eel.</p><p>00:30:17.010 –&gt; 00:30:17.730 cory plott: So.</p><p>00:30:18.060 –&gt; 00:30:34.200 cory plott: it’s real and what’s really neat, let me tell you this, which really date is the softer the wood, the green or the ash the density as follows the color wheel by the color of the ash, so if it’s a soft good it’s a green medium yellow and if it’s a hardwood it’s orange or Brown.</p><p>00:30:34.620 –&gt; 00:30:35.670 wow.</p><p>00:30:37.320 –&gt; 00:30:41.340 cory plott: yeah just to uncover one of these natural phenomena, I mean it’s just neat.</p><p>00:30:41.910 –&gt; 00:30:52.620 Joseph McElroy: wow yeah cool so uh so we’re gonna take another break here when we come back we’ll find more about what’s your process and things you’ve been doing all right.</p><p>00:30:53.220 –&gt; 00:30:53.580 cory plott: All right.</p><p>00:32:59.760 –&gt; 00:33:15.030 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Cory Plott. hey, Cory so they made some mugs in jugs for us at the Plott fest that will be held this year.</p><p>00:33:16.080 –&gt; 00:33:19.050 Joseph McElroy: What did what does it take, how do you what’s the process of making.</p><p>00:33:20.220 –&gt; 00:33:21.420 Joseph McElroy: a jug or a mug?</p><p>00:33:22.380 –&gt; 00:33:24.630 cory plott: Okay, so what I’ll do start to finish, is.</p><p>00:33:25.950 –&gt; 00:33:31.800 cory plott: I’ll get the clay and I’ll widget so what I’ll do is I’ll loosen it up a little bit I’ll take the block it plays out.</p><p>00:33:32.130 –&gt; 00:33:39.510 cory plott: Unless I’ve dug it if it’s a special batch and I’ve dug it let’s start there say I’ve dug it and I’m mixing some local clay in with some clay I’ve already got.</p><p>00:33:39.870 –&gt; 00:33:53.520 cory plott: I’ll save it down get the rocks out of it, you know at least the big rocks leave a few of in there for the character, yet, but I’ll save it down mix it in there with it and then I’ll begin to which, so what I’ll do is I’ll widget by.</p><p>00:33:54.960 –&gt; 00:34:07.590 cory plott: it’s gosh it’s called a spiral which so I’ll need it basically you just need it in the same way, over and over and clay actually has a memory in it whenever it’s turning and whenever it’s firing.</p><p>00:34:08.070 –&gt; 00:34:09.030 cory plott: So when.</p><p>00:34:09.840 –&gt; 00:34:11.760 Joseph McElroy: You use a lot of local players that.</p><p>00:34:12.240 –&gt; 00:34:27.690 cory plott: yeah I do now, just like what you’d mentioned it’s more of a special art form, I don’t do it in my plates and bowls but I’ll do it for a teapot or I’ll do it for a rooster I’ll do it for the nicer pieces to add a little home edge, you know what an honor to use in this local clay.</p><p>00:34:28.200 –&gt; 00:34:29.160 cory plott: right, so.</p><p>00:34:30.240 –&gt; 00:34:39.870 cory plott: I’ll need a widget together and I’ll make sure that I widget in such a way that it’s spiraling in the same way that whenever I put it on the wheel in the same direction.</p><p>00:34:41.040 –&gt; 00:34:43.530 cory plott: Now that’s a neat little trick it’s got a memory.</p><p>00:34:44.040 –&gt; 00:34:47.190 cory plott: Right it’s like whenever you fire it’ll untwist a little bit.</p><p>00:34:48.300 –&gt; 00:34:48.930 cory plott: it’ll move.</p><p>00:34:49.470 –&gt; 00:35:01.710 cory plott: yeah so so I put it on the wheel in the same direction, I needed in and I’ll get that kick we’ll go in I’ll get the momentum I’ll start kicking on that treadmill we’ll Center it open it up and stand up.</p><p>00:35:02.820 –&gt; 00:35:11.160 cory plott: So you just kind of REACH in there and squeeze it and pull it up as far as you can with your inside hand up a little bit above your outside.</p><p>00:35:12.510 –&gt; 00:35:17.400 cory plott: push it up and push in because this centrifugal force will want to push it out.</p><p>00:35:17.880 –&gt; 00:35:23.070 cory plott: Right so to keep it pushed in and collard up straight that’s, the best thing to do.</p><p>00:35:24.180 –&gt; 00:35:40.470 cory plott: Then, after once I’ve turned it to the height that I need I’ll use a piece of metal called a rib and then I’ll smooth it out so I’ll put my hand back in there with my robe on the outside in smooth it out and scrape all that with clay off which compresses the pot for durability.</p><p>00:35:42.120 –&gt; 00:35:52.860 cory plott: So once I get into the shape that I need I always measure my stuff if you’ve seen any of my time lapses or any of my videos on Facebook I’ve been trying to do a lot more little bit more than that since show slowed up a little bit.</p><p>00:35:53.070 –&gt; 00:35:55.770 cory plott: yeah I figured well I better go virtual now, I guess, I have to.</p><p>00:35:56.310 –&gt; 00:35:56.730 cory plott: You know.</p><p>00:35:57.750 –&gt; 00:36:08.670 cory plott: I got my yardsticks out I’m always measuring I’m always shooting for consistency, which is another old-school way I don’t make one-off batches I make doesn’t to the same thing similar sizes.</p><p>00:36:10.080 –&gt; 00:36:26.190 cory plott: So once it’s turned way tonight, let it get leather hard and they put a handle on it I’ll pull in stretching handle and then put a handle on it so it’s stepping up whenever I’m pushing on it couldn’t handle alone it’s not going to push the potty and then deformed it.</p><p>00:36:26.850 –&gt; 00:36:28.200 cory plott: Right yep.</p><p>00:36:28.530 –&gt; 00:36:29.520 Joseph McElroy: And then you fire it.</p><p>00:36:30.420 –&gt; 00:36:33.660 cory plott: Well I’ll let it dry out I let it dry out for a couple of weeks yeah.</p><p>00:36:33.990 –&gt; 00:36:43.650 cory plott: And then, this fire it so I’ll fire it about 1200 degrees, which is low, most founders could have 1600 but I’m just trying to get just what I need to get.</p><p>00:36:43.950 –&gt; 00:36:45.510 cory plott: You know and that’s good about stone.</p><p>00:36:46.470 –&gt; 00:36:54.030 cory plott: stone where it’s got a little leeway so far it’s 1200 pull it out and it’s like a terracotta pot right there’s no place it’s got a little thing.</p><p>00:36:54.480 –&gt; 00:37:08.400 cory plott: But it’s a terracotta pop basically then I’ll put the glaze on it I’ll pour the body of the glaze and then dip the top in the ashes wipe the bottom is, if you don’t want the bottom it’ll fuse to the Shell right, you know.</p><p>00:37:10.170 –&gt; 00:37:19.890 cory plott: yeah so wipe the bottom sign it plot and put the year on it put it in the kill and then I’ll fire to 2300 degrees 20 3050.</p><p>00:37:21.030 –&gt; 00:37:21.420 Joseph McElroy: wow.</p><p>00:37:21.450 –&gt; 00:37:34.830 cory plott: And then man, then it comes out it’s got a nice teen it’s got a good ring if it’s cracked in any way you’ll hear it on my waiter very good you could just hear it, you know it’s got a cracker it’s flawed, you could tell right away, but.</p><p>00:37:37.560 –&gt; 00:37:38.100 cory plott: I do.</p><p>00:37:38.490 –&gt; 00:37:39.300 cory plott: I really do.</p><p>00:37:39.570 –&gt; 00:37:44.820 cory plott: yeah well I’ve got a spot off to the edge of my property because there’s a lot.</p><p>00:37:45.210 –&gt; 00:37:45.720 Joseph McElroy: You know.</p><p>00:37:45.840 –&gt; 00:37:47.430 cory plott: Over time there’s a lot.</p><p>00:37:47.640 –&gt; 00:37:50.310 cory plott: yeah you know kind of a fan.</p><p>00:37:51.060 –&gt; 00:37:54.540 Joseph McElroy: I have to tell you I read somewhere you don’t like tons of Calais or.</p><p>00:37:55.650 –&gt; 00:37:56.730 cory plott: eight times the.</p><p>00:37:57.180 –&gt; 00:37:58.170 cory plott: return is.</p><p>00:37:58.200 –&gt; 00:38:00.360 cory plott: 850 500 bucks.</p><p>00:38:00.660 –&gt; 00:38:01.290 cory plott: wow and.</p><p>00:38:01.770 –&gt; 00:38:10.230 cory plott: The way that I do that I’ve got 12 items that I’m making it I’m focused I’m not you know I’m not often space I got my feet on the ground.</p><p>00:38:10.290 –&gt; 00:38:17.400 cory plott: You know I got to play, so I do 12 items each week I’ll do just one batch of it, each item.</p><p>00:38:17.850 –&gt; 00:38:21.330 cory plott: Right, so what I mean is I’ll do 350 pounds of batter balls.</p><p>00:38:22.560 –&gt; 00:38:33.750 cory plott: You know or I’ll do quarter-ton pitchers like if they’re eight pounds, you might be able to afford or 10 a week and then so then every 12 weeks comes around which is a quarter.</p><p>00:38:34.410 –&gt; 00:38:43.470 cory plott: Well, my years playing out quarterly Then I come back on the rotation and it’s been a while, since I’ve made mugs because it’s been three months, and then I could do it again, you know.</p><p>00:38:43.530 –&gt; 00:38:44.340 Keep it fresh.</p><p>00:38:45.600 –&gt; 00:38:46.080 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:38:47.220 –&gt; 00:38:49.200 Joseph McElroy: So where do you get all that play.</p><p>00:38:50.400 –&gt; 00:39:07.020 cory Plott: we’ll add you know what I buy I buy by the time be honest, I really I bought by the time from high water clay, they make the great place you sell a stone I love it it’s light clay, it reminds me of pipeclay, which is what we have here its light.</p><p>00:39:08.280 –&gt; 00:39:19.950 cory plott: Gray clay and it’s here in these mountains it’s type clay and then there’s another kind of clay it’s like a real Ramzi kind of Green clay, but Zilla stone reminds me a pipe play which is here.</p><p>00:39:20.340 –&gt; 00:39:21.000 cory plott: Oh so.</p><p>00:39:21.300 –&gt; 00:39:22.410 Joseph McElroy: Why is that.</p><p>00:39:22.680 –&gt; 00:39:27.030 Joseph McElroy: So you get all your claim from that one source you, you get some local clay from somewhere.</p><p>00:39:27.780 –&gt; 00:39:36.630 cory plott: A tech-like people will reach out to me they’ll say hey Cory you know I’ve got this vein of clay and I’ll say now you sure to call you to know, can you make a pretzel out of it and they’ll.</p><p>00:39:36.630 –&gt; 00:39:37.440 cory plott: Say yeah it’s quite.</p><p>00:39:37.590 –&gt; 00:39:41.790 cory plott: So then I’ll go get some and it makes it in with the specialty pieces.</p><p>00:39:41.880 –&gt; 00:39:50.850 cory plott: Oh that’s good I remember it hey what Haywood Community college they dug out the foundation for the new Hazelwood elementary school on the Plott creek.</p><p>00:39:51.060 –&gt; 00:39:58.110 cory plott: right they had this huge deposited clay, I mean dump truckload to this stuff that’s all I turned in college was the local clay.</p><p>00:39:58.620 –&gt; 00:39:59.940 Joseph McElroy: wow yeah.</p><p>00:40:00.630 –&gt; 00:40:02.460 cory plott: That process that and turn it out so.</p><p>00:40:03.210 –&gt; 00:40:14.400 Joseph McElroy: So you know the Cherokee had a long tradition of making pottery as well, how does, how does your work as a potter compared to what the charity, do we.</p><p>00:40:14.730 –&gt; 00:40:19.080 cory plott: Will Cherokee have an awesome history, a lot of their pieces were.</p><p>00:40:20.130 –&gt; 00:40:24.870 cory plott: fired like a pit fire earthenware which is neat you know it.</p><p>00:40:25.890 –&gt; 00:40:36.630 cory plott: It actually they will burnish the pot so much they’ll use around the stone and burnish it dirty it compresses the surface of the clay so much to where it’s.</p><p>00:40:37.380 –&gt; 00:40:51.900 cory plott: it’s not waterproof but it’s usable you know they don’t have to glaze it, it could be fired at a lower temperature because they put the elbow grease and burnish that pot so much where it’ll hold food and water fine and has for years since.</p><p>00:40:53.130 –&gt; 00:41:00.540 cory plott: Oh yeah so they don’t glaze they don’t, but they will use the pit firing and the burnishing to make it food safe, which is fun.</p><p>00:41:01.680 –&gt; 00:41:02.280 Joseph McElroy: interesting.</p><p>00:41:02.910 –&gt; 00:41:09.990 cory plott: yeah so, but now here’s something now I didn’t know this speaking of Cherokee until I read the white road, which is a book by Edmund to the wall.</p><p>00:41:10.650 –&gt; 00:41:28.320 cory plott: And the wide road mentioned that back in the 70s 60s with Joe sigh which would you know which would pottery stoke on Trent England way across the world, heard about Cherokee and actually Cherokee has some of the finest porcelain on the earth.</p><p>00:41:30.210 –&gt; 00:41:31.920 Joseph McElroy: If Kalan right there that would.</p><p>00:41:32.970 –&gt; 00:41:33.690 cory plott: be what it is and.</p><p>00:41:34.470 –&gt; 00:41:35.670 Joseph McElroy: lining there yeah.</p><p>00:41:35.760 –&gt; 00:41:51.900 cory plott: yeah that’s exactly what it is now even on the other side of the world and the 1760s which would found out the battle, so the mountains have always been just I mean just so so full of natural material it’s not funny it’s been on the map for centuries so.</p><p>00:41:52.230 –&gt; 00:41:56.370 Joseph McElroy: Is there still any other than these mountains oh yeah yeah yeah.</p><p>00:41:57.240 –&gt; 00:41:59.970 Joseph McElroy: cool they just don’t mind it as much anymore, though right.</p><p>00:42:00.000 –&gt; 00:42:01.290 cory plott: Probably not much, but yeah.</p><p>00:42:02.010 –&gt; 00:42:08.880 cory plott: Exactly, I think I think the need for it went down a little bit stuff comes and goes, you know they need entered now, it might not be you know so.</p><p>00:42:09.840 –&gt; 00:42:12.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah what’s the biggest piece of pottery maybe.</p><p>00:42:13.140 –&gt; 00:42:31.680 cory plott: the biggest piece is I’ve actually got it I I said the village of yesteryear working in the North Carolina state Bayer l with my treadmill wheel I love the North Carolina state fair, you know and our ability to address colonial you got to demonstrate it’s all about teaching people.</p><p>00:42:31.890 –&gt; 00:42:44.670 cory plott: it’s all about the team, but I’ve turned this fictional piece, and it was all my little turtle wheel, nobody would have guessed it, but I turned a 12-pound bass and then with a 12 anyway there are four sections.</p><p>00:42:45.570 –&gt; 00:42:46.170 cory plott: And then.</p><p>00:42:46.260 –&gt; 00:42:55.200 cory plott: I turn this thing so tall on purpose with these different shapes and it looks pretty but what I had to do, I had been whenever I had that crowd.</p><p>00:42:55.740 –&gt; 00:43:05.790 cory plott: watching me do this and I was demonstrating and teaching this I had to call a little kid I said a little buddy come here, I need you to kick this because I’m gonna have to get on this stool, so I can reach the top of this pond.</p><p>00:43:07.800 –&gt; 00:43:08.610 cory plott: So here.</p><p>00:43:09.360 –&gt; 00:43:12.090 cory plott: This little kid he was working that will thank you, Robin, like a boat.</p><p>00:43:14.880 –&gt; 00:43:19.230 cory plott: And I was just sitting up there up top hoping I didn’t have to slow down say what’s going to happen with that guy down there.</p><p>00:43:21.660 –&gt; 00:43:21.750 cory plott: It.</p><p>00:43:23.880 –&gt; 00:43:24.750 Joseph McElroy: kind of follows it.</p><p>00:43:25.500 –&gt; 00:43:34.740 cory plott: Will it be a big bass I turned a big base with a really tall Neck and then I ended up putting two of my rooster heads off of it real or name.</p><p>00:43:35.070 –&gt; 00:43:35.970 cory plott: Real wow.</p><p>00:43:36.090 –&gt; 00:43:43.830 cory plott: How many just total demonstrations it’s about four feet tall and I’ve got a house I don’t know how I got that thing back in one piece, but I did so.</p><p>00:43:45.330 –&gt; 00:44:00.870 cory plott: But yeah yeah and that’s part of my passion anything I can do to inspire somebody anything I can do to teach somebody to show a little kid in this virtual world that you can make things with your hands that you do have good ideas that are what I’m here to do.</p><p>00:44:01.590 –&gt; 00:44:10.710 Joseph McElroy: wow so you have to mention mugs and jugs and bases and roosters do you do laps and tables.</p><p>00:44:11.250 –&gt; 00:44:18.030 cory plott: I just got into lamps yeah I really did I just got into lamps cuz I just looking at Christopher.</p><p>00:44:19.680 –&gt; 00:44:34.920 cory plott: spits Miller, I think I’ve never met him or nothing but I was just looking at his videos up in New York, you made me think of it whenever you mentioned New York, yeah but anyway, he makes nothing but lamps and I thought that’d be the LIFE make nothing but lamps.</p><p>00:44:39.060 –&gt; 00:44:41.700 Joseph McElroy: You can be the Thomas K, to have a.</p><p>00:44:41.730 –&gt; 00:44:44.340 Joseph McElroy: potter’s and be the potter of light.</p><p>00:44:48.990 –&gt; 00:44:58.950 Joseph McElroy: But we have to take another break and we’ll come, the last thing we’ll talk a little bit about the things you’d like to North Carolina finish up talking about how they can even find out about your pottery.</p><p>00:44:59.790 –&gt; 00:45:00.120 Okay.</p><p>00:47:01.680 –&gt; 00:47:18.090 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and My guest Cory Plott so Cory you know I hate to admit it, but the 50 years ago I was in elementary school rock hill elementary and.</p><p>00:47:19.140 –&gt; 00:47:30.300 Joseph McElroy: Then on Jonathan creek seems like only yesterday, but we used to make in-class pottery I remember that like candle holders and ashtrays did you have to do that grown-up.</p><p>00:47:31.110 –&gt; 00:47:35.460 cory plott: Oh yeah yeah I had missed Loveland in middle school.</p><p>00:47:35.910 –&gt; 00:47:46.260 cory plott: And elementary school and both of them just such nice people that you know slow, their role and teach and to me that really let them are.</p><p>00:47:47.340 –&gt; 00:47:48.720 Joseph McElroy: What kind of pottery was that.</p><p>00:47:49.980 –&gt; 00:47:52.110 Joseph McElroy: You remember yeah well what.</p><p>00:47:53.040 –&gt; 00:47:53.400 cory plott: Was it.</p><p>00:47:53.670 –&gt; 00:47:56.940 Joseph McElroy: Was it was earthware, was it stone.</p><p>00:47:58.800 –&gt; 00:47:59.580 cory plott: it was earthenware</p><p>00:48:00.300 –&gt; 00:48:05.100 cory plott: yeah and I remember my high school teacher mystery laser he was a.</p><p>00:48:06.090 –&gt; 00:48:15.600 cory plott: sergeant and then he went into our teaching and his favorite phrase was drawn to your notice, please you know don’t get up that you’re done draw draw draw draw and.</p><p>00:48:16.350 –&gt; 00:48:30.030 cory plott: So he sat me down with a piece of clay and he said I want you to take all day and just do one thing so anyway, I made a little planner and it had this little face on it and that face had so many details because he made me sit there to do it all day.</p><p>00:48:31.860 –&gt; 00:48:33.960 cory plott: But i’ll never forget that either so.</p><p>00:48:35.100 –&gt; 00:48:35.490 cory plott: yeah.</p><p>00:48:36.000 –&gt; 00:48:39.150 Joseph McElroy: wow so um what’s your favorite thing to create.</p><p>00:48:41.160 –&gt; 00:48:45.480 cory plott: My favorite thing to create definitely my roosters you know there’s so much.</p><p>00:48:46.920 –&gt; 00:48:51.420 Joseph McElroy: I actually when I was in the Meadowlark okay all right we’re gonna talk about that.</p><p>00:48:51.660 –&gt; 00:48:51.990 Okay.</p><p>00:48:54.630 –&gt; 00:48:56.250 Joseph McElroy: I got we got them in a few.</p><p>00:48:56.280 –&gt; 00:48:59.520 Joseph McElroy: metal was, but some stoneware ones might be pretty good.</p><p>00:48:59.610 –&gt; 00:49:00.930 cory plott: yeah that’d be good.</p><p>00:49:01.200 –&gt; 00:49:03.600 Joseph McElroy: Maybe maybe we get a six-foot-tall was.</p><p>00:49:05.550 –&gt; 00:49:06.030 Joseph McElroy: One today.</p><p>00:49:07.650 –&gt; 00:49:08.730 cory plott: don’t do me i’ll do it.</p><p>00:49:11.250 –&gt; 00:49:18.600 Joseph McElroy: Are you going to do any other mediums are you going to break out of your 12 of 12 items, or is this a commited for a while.</p><p>00:49:19.650 –&gt; 00:49:22.290 cory plott: Well, I don’t know if I came in I don’t know if I could.</p><p>00:49:22.620 –&gt; 00:49:37.260 cory plott: I mean, I thought about getting a little weird lately, you know, but I don’t need another you know I can’t it’s too much me to potteries too much epic I mean you know it’s you know I just came, you know I sketching stuff and I don’t.</p><p>00:49:38.250 –&gt; 00:49:40.770 cory plott: know what I mean I don’t anymore, just because I found such wealth.</p><p>00:49:41.220 –&gt; 00:49:41.580 Joseph McElroy: of you.</p><p>00:49:42.030 –&gt; 00:49:43.200 cory plott: Know loving it.</p><p>00:49:44.130 –&gt; 00:49:49.410 cory plott: yeah yeah, first of all, you can’t get bored it’s so personal you can do anything.</p><p>00:49:49.440 –&gt; 00:49:55.740 Joseph McElroy: Well potters are great you can live a whole lot most potters start out as potters they end up as barters they just love.</p><p>00:49:56.910 –&gt; 00:50:07.080 Joseph McElroy: I love it from the get-go you just because of the medium itself is like a this gets into your sensory you know.</p><p>00:50:07.320 –&gt; 00:50:12.840 Joseph McElroy: aesthetic and you just yeah So do you teach do you do any kind of classes.</p><p>00:50:12.840 –&gt; 00:50:13.500 cory plott: One day.</p><p>00:50:13.710 –&gt; 00:50:20.970 cory plott: One day okay yeah that’s kind of my that’s my plan later down the road Emperor I’ve done it, you know what I mean quite a while.</p><p>00:50:21.540 –&gt; 00:50:22.080 You know.</p><p>00:50:26.130 –&gt; 00:50:28.470 Joseph McElroy: Bob’s trying to put together some summer camps.</p><p>00:50:43.980 –&gt; 00:50:46.770 Joseph McElroy: One of the things I like to do all right is.</p><p>00:50:48.180 –&gt; 00:51:01.590 Joseph McElroy: is also you live in Haywood county and they are in the gateway to the smokies and you know people listen this life know to do things that we give them a lot of ideas about pottery places to go, is there any other pottery places you’d recommend them to go.</p><p>00:51:02.370 –&gt; 00:51:18.090 cory plott: Oh well, well I’m one of my favorite little towns in Hillsborough you know to go buy deals for a check it out a beautiful scratch, you get the train right there the triangle take you there you know Costas great place to eat, but my favorite places a.</p><p>00:51:19.320 –&gt; 00:51:22.290 cory plott: dog would grab that crafters dogwood crafters they.</p><p>00:51:22.710 –&gt; 00:51:22.860 They.</p><p>00:51:24.360 –&gt; 00:51:25.590 cory plott: shop yeah hillsborough.</p><p>00:51:25.950 –&gt; 00:51:27.420 cory plott: they’ve got such a unique shop.</p><p>00:51:27.450 –&gt; 00:51:40.050 cory plott: All these different mediums so many different artists, I mean it’s just wild that you can fit that many things under one roof, I mean really you know me back 10 years ago for a scholarship for me hey what Haywood Community college.</p><p>00:51:41.130 –&gt; 00:51:47.370 cory plott: And so I’ve become a part of them and a part of what they do and put my pottery in here as well, and help them.</p><p>00:51:48.540 –&gt; 00:51:54.120 cory plott: get more scholarships for future students and for future craftspeople I mean you can’t beat it.</p><p>00:51:54.660 –&gt; 00:52:06.000 Joseph McElroy: Oh so like 25 minutes from Maggie so it’s an easy little per trip for our guests, to go to and really a wonderful day trip catch the train do that too it’s like an old steam train it’s.</p><p>00:52:06.630 –&gt; 00:52:15.540 Joseph McElroy: A it’s a wonderful experience so yeah yeah so uh any places and Clyde or can you would recommend going to eat.</p><p>00:52:16.560 –&gt; 00:52:20.970 cory plott: Now, well, I mean you know you the pioneers always say you go The funny.</p><p>00:52:21.720 –&gt; 00:52:23.760 cory plott: yeah yes it’s great.</p><p>00:52:24.240 –&gt; 00:52:25.650 Joseph McElroy: it’s been there forever</p><p>00:52:25.950 –&gt; 00:52:28.410 cory plott: it’s been there forever I like to go the blue ridge</p><p>00:52:29.220 –&gt; 00:52:29.430 Oh.</p><p>00:52:31.170 –&gt; 00:52:31.410 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:52:32.430 –&gt; 00:52:32.910 Joseph McElroy: place.</p><p>00:52:33.390 –&gt; 00:52:35.820 cory plott: yeah there, but the only place where that chicken livers.</p><p>00:52:38.640 –&gt; 00:52:39.240 cory plott: really good.</p><p>00:52:40.110 –&gt; 00:52:48.720 Joseph McElroy: Good shrimp and grits it’s not it’s a mall but you know it’s a good place it’s like a real country place yeah really it’s really good I mean it’s really.</p><p>00:52:48.720 –&gt; 00:52:49.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:52:50.040 –&gt; 00:52:59.520 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so tell me how people could go and find out more about your pottery buy it even order, it will where can people to look you up.</p><p>00:53:00.240 –&gt; 00:53:08.850 cory plott: Well, you know I’m really gonna pile a lot and a dog with crap you know there’s gonna be a lot of dogwood crackers also mountainous gallery and blackmail.</p><p>00:53:09.300 –&gt; 00:53:10.140 cory plott: With Steve Anderson.</p><p>00:53:10.710 –&gt; 00:53:23.760 cory plott: yep Stephen Tina Anderson sweet people I mean you go in there they’ve got so many different things just the shop and what they put together, I mean you know with the mountain so I’m just glad to be a part of I mean really I’m mean really.</p><p>00:53:26.010 –&gt; 00:53:27.000 Joseph McElroy: Their website is.</p><p>00:53:27.630 –&gt; 00:53:29.070 cory plott: I think it’s a mountainous gallery.</p><p>00:53:31.800 –&gt; 00:53:33.240 Joseph McElroy: You know their website is.</p><p>00:53:34.110 –&gt; 00:53:36.570 cory plott: A dog with graphics COM.</p><p>00:53:36.840 –&gt; 00:53:40.260 Joseph McElroy: Alright, you have a Facebook page for.</p><p>00:53:40.260 –&gt; 00:53:41.190 Joseph McElroy: plott ware right.</p><p>00:53:41.670 –&gt; 00:53:44.190 cory plott: yeah exactly yeah I’m website expire.</p><p>00:53:44.370 –&gt; 00:53:58.020 cory plott: Because I’m changing the look a lot changed in the look I’m going to change the way I do it a little bit normally I just wholesale and I’ve always loved wholesaling and working shows, because to me wholesale it is old school.</p><p>00:53:58.080 –&gt; 00:54:05.340 cory plott: You know you get to work from home it’s a real cottage industry, you know you work from home you crank it out.</p><p>00:54:05.790 –&gt; 00:54:17.100 cory plott: I literally take it to the shops, you know it, not just dog with crafters in a black mountain, you know that and mountain nest not just them, but I haven’t several shops if I was working a show in that area.</p><p>00:54:17.430 –&gt; 00:54:24.480 cory plott: I would send pictures and reach out to the galleries in that area and wholesale it to I’m talking to old school 5050.</p><p>00:54:25.200 –&gt; 00:54:33.450 cory plott: You know they’d come by the end of the show it just about why me out, you know they come in, they love the look and we start talking Turkey 5050.</p><p>00:54:35.340 –&gt; 00:54:41.700 cory plott: So I love that and I don’t I don’t know if I’m sure I’m having a shop and that’s probably will never I’ll be ready to teach.</p><p>00:54:42.000 –&gt; 00:54:47.310 cory plott: yeah you know but I’m not worried about that I like having the flexibility I’ll get up at five and crank it out.</p><p>00:54:47.730 –&gt; 00:54:48.150 cory plott: You know.</p><p>00:54:48.780 –&gt; 00:54:57.150 Joseph McElroy: So let me, let me ask you what How can people follow you personally, do you have a YouTube channel, do you have a Twitter, you have.</p><p>00:54:58.860 –&gt; 00:55:02.550 Joseph McElroy: someplace to a Facebook page that thing just finds out about you what you’re doing.</p><p>00:55:03.000 –&gt; 00:55:09.030 cory plott: So this year I’ve been focusing on Facebook this last year has been focusing most on Facebook, but.</p><p>00:55:10.050 –&gt; 00:55:26.310 cory plott: This year, like I said I’m going to reinvent the website lot of pictures going to become it, I want to do a YouTube channel, so instead of the time-lapse videos it’s going to be more of me slow and down teaching, you know, showing what I’m doing and stuff like that you know, on YouTube.</p><p>00:55:26.730 –&gt; 00:55:28.140 cory plott: So i’ve got to come around.</p><p>00:55:28.140 –&gt; 00:55:36.660 cory plott: To it I’m own so I don’t want to be staring at a computer all day I want to be making pots, but I gotta do a lot of marketing ghetto and that’s why.</p><p>00:55:37.290 –&gt; 00:55:37.980 cory plott: i’m excited.</p><p>00:55:38.190 –&gt; 00:55:40.980 cory plott: I’m excited to say it’s gonna be fun so.</p><p>00:55:41.400 –&gt; 00:55:46.440 Joseph McElroy: feel free to call me I knew all about this stuff right so yeah oh yeah.</p><p>00:55:47.670 –&gt; 00:55:55.260 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank you so much for being on this show, I look forward to seeing you in June at the plot fest and more of you.</p><p>00:55:56.310 –&gt; 00:56:01.860 Joseph McElroy: And I think we’re gonna you’re gonna be at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Festival later in the year right yeah.</p><p>00:56:02.370 –&gt; 00:56:04.680 Joseph McElroy: So anyway, anyway, Bob says.</p><p>00:56:08.460 –&gt; 00:56:09.210 Joseph McElroy: Years I guess he’s.</p><p>00:56:14.340 –&gt; 00:56:15.450 Joseph McElroy: never been on here.</p><p>00:56:15.840 –&gt; 00:56:16.500 cory plott: All right.</p><p>00:56:17.550 –&gt; 00:56:22.020 cory plott: My pleasure, thank you for the opportunity thanks for taking the time open it take up too much your time.</p><p>00:56:22.470 –&gt; 00:56:32.310 Joseph McElroy: I’m glad to be here so that will be a little promotion here the meadowlark is having a week-day getaway special combined with the keys.</p><p>00:56:32.880 –&gt; 00:56:47.580 Joseph McElroy: kids ski free promotion, but at Cataloochee, So if you come in arrive on Sunday or two or Sunday through Tuesday at the Meadowlark and stay overnight, you will get a third.</p><p>00:56:48.060 –&gt; 00:56:54.690 Joseph McElroy: A third night free in your space day so to stay tuned and take these you say three nights to get who own paper too.</p><p>00:56:55.140 –&gt; 00:57:03.180 Joseph McElroy: and your kids one of your kids have an adult goes with them and pays for themself a kid gets to go skiing for free at Cataloochee</p><p>00:57:03.570 –&gt; 00:57:18.600 Joseph McElroy: So reach out and go to the Meadowlarkmotel.com reserve a three-day stay starting on Monday through Tuesday Sunday through Tuesday and we’ll arrange for you to get a free ticket for the kids now if you.</p><p>00:57:20.160 –&gt; 00:57:28.140 Joseph McElroy: If you need guides and things to do in the mountains go to the Meadowlark motel.COM site go to the store or shop and you can find guides and</p><p>00:57:28.830 –&gt; 00:57:34.200 Joseph McElroy: And books and all sorts of things to help you enjoy your adventures in the mountains now.</p><p>00:57:34.980 –&gt; 00:57:42.750 Joseph McElroy: So be sure to go there and then are you can find this podcast@facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcasts.</p><p>00:57:43.620 –&gt; 00:57:52.800 Joseph McElroy: or smokiesadventures.COM, they have a link to the podcast we’re part of the talkradio.NYC network there’s a lot of great shows here.</p><p>00:57:53.700 –&gt; 00:58:01.710 Joseph McElroy: A lot of them about travel and there’s others about shopping there are things about New York there are all sorts of things so stay tuned listen to more live broadcasts.</p><p>00:58:02.400 –&gt; 00:58:11.250 Joseph McElroy: On this on this network and I’ll see you next Tuesday from six to seven talking about the gateway the smokies again and talk to you later bye.</p> ed4643d3-292c-434f-ba07-01b37fccac8b https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/f3a8d32c-09da-4e76-b3b9-562fcfc49a0e Tue, 18 Jan 2022 23:00:00 +0000 3522 no full Episode 41: Mountain Girl Outdoors Episode 41: Mountain Girl Outdoors Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Join us in the next episode of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast with <strong>Joetta Newman Holder</strong>, she is a Kentucky native and a graduate of Morehead State University with a BS degree in Veterinary Technology.</p><p>She moved to WNC in 1992 and began her career as a vet tech in Asheville, helped start the Humane Alliance charitable organization in Asheville, and later was a teacher at Asheville Buncombe Tech as well serving as Chairperson for the vet tech program at the college. She is an avid dog lover.</p><p>She became active in search and rescue operations in 1994, and in 2015 opened her own business—Mountain Girl Outdoors- a business begun with her late husband, that is devoted to getting more females actively involved in outdoor pursuits such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, conservation, and shooting sports.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this interview with Joetta, she will share with us her passion for animals and how she loves taking pictures pertaining to the outdoors.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/9MUsPxhE2b/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts off the show with his usual intro before going into the sponsored message. After the message, Joseph talks about a traditional, Scottish festival he was attending, with concerts and kilts galore. Then, Joseph introduces the guest of the episode, Joetta Newman. Joseph asks her where she grew up in Kentucky and what it was like. She talks about how she got into the outdoors, explaining how she expressed little interest in the outdoors growing up, contrary to who she is now. They transition into Joetta’s veterinarian degree and what she did as a veterinarian before heading to the break.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Returning from the break, Joseph wanted to learn about how Joetta met her late husband, Denver Holder. She recalls it was during her time doing search and rescues where she would volunteer to, as she describes it, train dogs in hide-and-seek. Her most memorable rescue was a lost old man who wanted McDonald&#39;s and some love. Joetta then talks about geocaching, a sort of scavenger hunt in which the player would explore the environment using GPS and apps. Joetta depicts her experience in getting over her fear of guns and learning how to shoot. This sparks a discussion on guns and the experiences between the two before going to a commercial break.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back, Joseph asks Joetta how she created her business, Mountain Girl Outdoors. She explains how when she got more involved with the outdoors, more women were also asking about the outdoors so Denver and Joetta started up the business in response. She goes on to describe the different programs they offered, the firearms program becoming more and more popular. Now, they offer outdoors, photography, and more. Joseph switches the conversation to her part in turkey conservation. She explains her role in bringing the turkey population back up and succeeding, now having more restrictions on turkey hunting. She also talks about public events offered by her business, although right now, they only offer classes and private lessons.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Back from the final break, Joseph asked about Joetta’s involvement in her time as a circus photography. She explains how her friend was a part of a circus, and she was offered to take pictures of them, leading to Joetta traveling with them for a while. Joseph then wanted to know Joetta’s ideal itinerary in Canton. She talks about her ideal breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots along with activities to do in between everything. These can include walks in different parks and axe throwing. They finish off with where they can find Joetta and her business.</p> Video thumbnail

Joetta Newman Holder is a Kentucky native and a graduate of Morehead State University with a BS degree in Veterinary Technology.

She moved to WNC in 1992 and began her career as a vet tech in Asheville, helped start the Humane Alliance charitable organization in Asheville, and later was a teacher at Asheville Buncombe Tech as well serving as Chairperson for the vet tech program at the college. She is an avid dog lover.

She became active in search and rescue operations in 1994, and in 2015 opened her own business—Mountain Girl Outdoors- a business begun with her late husband, that is devoted to getting more females actively involved in outdoor pursuits such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, conservation, and shooting sports.

She with us her passion for animals and how she loves taking pictures pertaining to the outdoors.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

-------------------------------------------------------

Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph starts off the show with his usual intro before going into the sponsored message. After the message, Joseph talks about a traditional, Scottish festival he was attending, with concerts and kilts galore. Then, Joseph introduces the guest of the episode, Joetta Newman. Joseph asks her where she grew up in Kentucky and what it was like. She talks about how she got into the outdoors, explaining how she expressed little interest in the outdoors growing up, contrary to who she is now. They transition into Joetta’s veterinarian degree and what she did as a veterinarian before heading to the break.

Segment 2

Returning from the break, Joseph wanted to learn about how Joetta met her late husband, Denver Holder. She recalls it was during her time doing search and rescues that she would volunteer to, as she describes it, train dogs in hide-and-seek. Her most memorable rescue was a lost old man who wanted McDonald's and some love. Joetta then talks about geocaching, a sort of scavenger hunt in which the player would explore the environment using GPS and apps. Joetta depicts her experience in getting over her fear of guns and learning how to shoot. This sparks a discussion on guns and the experiences between the two before going to a commercial break.

Segment 3

Coming back, Joseph asks Joetta how she created her business, Mountain Girl Outdoors. She explains how when she got more involved with the outdoors, more women were also asking about the outdoors so Denver and Joetta started up the business in response. She goes on to describe the different programs they offered, the firearms program becoming more and more popular. Now, they offer outdoors, photography, and more. Joseph switches the conversation to her part in turkey conservation. She explains her role in bringing the turkey population back up and succeeding, now having more restrictions on turkey hunting. She also talks about public events offered by her business, although right now, they only offer classes and private lessons.

Segment 4

Back from the final break, Joseph asked about Joetta’s involvement in her time as a circus photographer. She explains how her friend was a part of a circus, and she was offered to take pictures of them, leading to Joetta traveling with them for a while. Joseph then wanted to know Joetta’s ideal itinerary in Canton. She talks about her ideal breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots along with activities to do in between everything. These can include walks in different parks and ax throwing. They finish off with where they can find Joetta and her business.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:33.660 –> 00:00:45.120 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great.

00:00:45.900 –> 00:00:57.720 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns this area’s filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain culture that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:58.410 –> 00:01:10.170 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:11.130 –> 00:01:17.730 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about mountain girls outdoors but first let’s talk about sponsors and things like that.

00:01:18.570 –> 00:01:31.620 Joseph McElroy: So I was here to imagine a place evocative motor courts of the past, the modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian few a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:32.310 –> 00:01:45.570 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain where it’s trout stream grill that catches on fire, is he accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place with old.

00:01:46.740 –> 00:01:50.940 Joseph McElroy: Music world cultural so imagine a place with a.

00:01:53.220 –> 00:02:10.230 Joseph McElroy: Natural Heritage pavilion where they play bluegrass at a speakeasy reminiscent of New York with it played modern means there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:02:11.250 –> 00:02:15.930 Joseph McElroy: Now there’s a bunch of events coming up so I’m gonna go and hit the highlights of it.

00:02:18.000 –> 00:02:29.670 Joseph McElroy: there’s going to be a big holiday party and discovery teeth and it’s going to feature sad and Mrs. Claus coming by around seven o’clock and the children come and.

00:02:30.720 –> 00:02:35.520 Joseph McElroy: tell Santa there what they want for toys will be Christmas music there’ll be eggnog.

00:02:36.540 –> 00:02:54.360 Joseph McElroy: Quote quote special punch but boy there’ll be some heritage goodies desserts and cash bar raffles and prizes a reading of the night before Christmas, by yours truly, so I hope you can make it out on the 18th locals are coming stay with us.

00:02:55.560 –> 00:03:03.000 Joseph McElroy: on December 25th and 6 pm we’re going to have an Appalachian Christmas supper.

00:03:04.290 –> 00:03:14.370 Joseph McElroy: which will feature all the Turkey and ham and all the fixings and you know sweet potatoes green beans that’d be mincemeat pie black rum cake or fruitcake.

00:03:15.300 –> 00:03:26.250 Joseph McElroy: Which are traditional in these mountains other desserts pumps eggnog and a Nice cash bar and there’ll be an after-party at the speakeasy so that’s on December 25 at 6 pm.

00:03:27.930 –> 00:03:31.110 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a new year’s Eve place in the speakeasy.

00:03:32.160 –> 00:03:47.100 Joseph McElroy: it’s good to have traditional hog gels black eye peas Greens, but in a way you’ve never had them before all right there’ll be a champagne toast cash bar lots of music live music and party favor so come out to see you have a good time it’s 8 pm to 1 am.

00:03:49.590 –> 00:04:03.210 Joseph McElroy: And then save the date I don’t know if you know about it, but in the mountains for many centuries, they used to celebrate Christmas on January six because there was a mix-up or transition from one type of calendar to another.

00:04:04.800 –> 00:04:20.790 Joseph McElroy: And so January six was the date that they would celebrate Christmas on now January 6 also in other traditions is known as a is a all kings day or something like that, but here is called old Christmas so we’re going to have some old Christmas.

00:04:22.110 –> 00:04:29.580 Joseph McElroy: celebrations going on, along with big on Thursday to January six will actually have a look.

00:04:31.980 –> 00:04:35.430 Joseph McElroy: Know like we were called a lecture but I call it like that.

00:04:36.600 –> 00:04:47.640 Joseph McElroy: Discussion by Bob Plott the resident historian here at the motel heritage expert talking about what they used to do for Christmas in math.

00:04:48.720 –> 00:04:55.380 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountains in on the on that Friday we’re going to have probably got some old Christmas storyteller and my son.

00:04:56.790 –> 00:05:07.200 Joseph McElroy: A good storyteller here in these mountains on Saturday night we’ll have Barbecue and music so keep that open and then the big event for January is the Robert Burns.

00:05:08.010 –> 00:05:22.320 Joseph McElroy: dinner that’s going to happen on Tuesday, January 25, which is the traditional day of having a Robert Burns Mr dinner now You might ask what did Robert Burns dinner well Robert Burns was the national poet lower of Scotland.

00:05:23.460 –> 00:05:32.460 Joseph McElroy: Around the time all the Scots Irish people came to the United States, and you know migrating to the mountains of North Carolina and they course really revered and.

00:05:32.820 –> 00:05:43.860 Joseph McElroy: And, and he was also an expert in a lot of the ballads if they would sing you create a lot of them, and he documented the others, so he is a national hero Scotland and.

00:05:44.250 –> 00:05:57.060 Joseph McElroy: It brings a lot of delight to the people in this area, now the burns dinner is traditionally a very raucous revolve with it, you have whiskey tastings and you have.

00:05:57.540 –> 00:06:08.010 Joseph McElroy: Really sumptuous food, you have something called hogs which some people love and some people hey but it’s always worth touching tasting one time in your lifetime is traditional and then there’s toast.

00:06:08.970 –> 00:06:19.380 Joseph McElroy: To the last season than the last season respond back and then there’s music and dancing so it’s a great night it’s very robust and fun entertainment.

00:06:20.340 –> 00:06:28.830 Joseph McElroy: And we’re going to do it now I’ll be wearing a kilt and so some of the other people so you’re welcome to come, but even the days before that starting on the Friday before that 21st.

00:06:29.190 –> 00:06:36.750 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to have Scottish themes events like a whiskey tasting and a concert in the speakeasy Saturday there’ll be another concert.

00:06:37.530 –> 00:06:48.090 Joseph McElroy: In the pavilion, if the weather’s committee otherwise it’ll be up in the lounge will have an on Sunday, with a bonfire historical program by Bob plot.

00:06:49.170 –> 00:06:54.480 Joseph McElroy: And some Scottish ballads by will William Ritter, and then Monday before the bird’s dinner we’re gonna have.

00:06:55.170 –> 00:07:03.030 Joseph McElroy: The program and we asked her Scott’s in North Carolina for presented by Mike Mclean the president of the Haywood county historical society.

00:07:03.510 –> 00:07:13.050 Joseph McElroy: And that should be all a great week of events and fun and you know and it’s great the time so come up to the mountains and cedar and day come to these events in the evening.

00:07:13.590 –> 00:07:19.440 Joseph McElroy: there’s also winter hiking as a tremendous time to visit and see things in the mouth.

00:07:20.370 –> 00:07:31.230 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor smokies adventure.com information listings about the smoke it wedding venues books trail maps and resources, about the smokies the emphasis.

00:07:31.470 –> 00:07:42.630 Joseph McElroy: Of smokies adventures of outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, hello, providing information and logic family entertainment events conventions honeymoons in war.

00:07:43.140 –> 00:07:48.150 Joseph McElroy: The goal of this site is to become the leading information portal on smoky mountains, and I think it’s reset.

00:07:49.470 –> 00:08:00.660 Joseph McElroy: So today we have a great guest her name is JoEtta Newman Holder a Kentucky native and she’s in Kentucky today she’s doing this route from Kentucky.

00:08:01.200 –> 00:08:06.900 Joseph McElroy: And a graduate of Morehead State University, with a bs degree in veterinary technology.

00:08:07.590 –> 00:08:24.840 Joseph McElroy: In 2015 she opened a business called mountain girls Outdoor that is devoted to getting more females actively involved in outdoor pursuits such as camping hiking fishing hunting conservation and shooting sports hi Joanna how are you doing.

00:08:25.350 –> 00:08:26.700 JoEtta Newman-Holder: hi just fine.

00:08:27.090 –> 00:08:30.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah it feels cold up there and Kentucky today.

00:08:31.080 –> 00:08:32.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Today, very cold yes.

00:08:34.260 –> 00:08:48.570 Joseph McElroy: Usually you’re in Canada, which is not far from Maggie Valley, but now we’re and usually I’m in New York, so now I’m in Maggie Valley and you’re happy so well, we all we’re all living at this multi-dimensional life these days right.

00:08:49.350 –> 00:08:55.170 Joseph McElroy: Definitely yeah so you grew up in sort of an urban setting Kentucky right.

00:08:56.730 –> 00:08:58.140 Joseph McElroy: Where was what city was that.

00:08:58.800 –> 00:09:00.270 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um ashland Kentucky.

00:09:02.220 –> 00:09:04.320 Joseph McElroy: And you didn’t really do a lot outdoors right.

00:09:04.890 –> 00:09:25.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: No, I grew up basically being in the gymnastics world, so I spent my time in the gym and competing on weekends and that sort of thing and then, when I got a little older into high school I got into the band, and that became my life and.

00:09:27.150 –> 00:09:35.550 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Continued on into college and really didn’t get started in the outdoors until I was in college or after.

00:09:36.120 –> 00:09:55.860 Joseph McElroy: wow you know I saw statistics a statistic that was like there was you know, in terms of girls growing up and boys growing up how often they got the opportunity to be in the outdoors and it’s like almost 20% difference in the opportunities presented to them, right.

00:09:56.040 –> 00:09:59.370 Joseph McElroy: it’s nice sometimes it’s, not even a consideration, it must be difficult.

00:09:59.370 –> 00:09:59.970 Joseph McElroy: thing right.

00:10:00.390 –> 00:10:10.230 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It is and it’s also difficult for females than in later life decide to get involved, they don’t know how or where.

00:10:11.940 –> 00:10:16.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it can be intimidating if, particularly if you’re going into.

00:10:18.990 –> 00:10:24.750 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Not necessarily male-dominated but more males and females.

00:10:26.430 –> 00:10:33.780 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Where they’ve had a chance to do it and growing up, and you haven’t and it can be a little intimidating so.

00:10:35.940 –> 00:10:45.120 Joseph McElroy: Now, did you will talk, I want to get into that we’re going to delve into that a little bit later because that’s what you’re doing and I think it’s potentially interesting, but I want to.

00:10:45.210 –> 00:10:47.550 Joseph McElroy: find out more about how we got here.

00:10:48.000 –> 00:10:49.620 Joseph McElroy: So did you have any.

00:10:51.630 –> 00:10:53.040 Joseph McElroy: interest when you were growing up.

00:10:53.730 –> 00:10:58.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um I did, and I would occasionally get to go.

00:11:01.590 –> 00:11:13.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Fishing on rare occasions or getting to go on a picnic or I’m here in this area there’s a State Park, that is.

00:11:16.740 –> 00:11:30.630 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Carter caves and we’d go and hype Carter page and go into the cage and that sort of thing, but as a regular occurrence really never got to and.

00:11:31.950 –> 00:11:39.810 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The local girl scouts and that sort of thing weren’t focused on outdoor stuff.

00:11:40.980 –> 00:12:06.900 JoEtta Newman-Holder: If I’d had a chance at that time being boy scouts or something closer to that maybe I would have been more involved in the outdoors but locally our girl scouts and all those types of programs are more geared toward crafting indoor stuff for women and cooking and sewing and.

00:12:07.500 –> 00:12:10.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: that’s the thing it wasn’t a whole lot of outdoors.

00:12:10.800 –> 00:12:13.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: opportunity so um.

00:12:14.160 –> 00:12:15.930 Joseph McElroy: I sort of know i’m.

00:12:17.040 –> 00:12:26.550 Joseph McElroy: A very mature age and I could remember that dichotomy about wasn’t girls and boys are in turn careers to do is a pretty dramatic difference in this area.

00:12:27.990 –> 00:12:35.400 JoEtta Newman-Holder: In this area too and I’m probably about your age so it’s very, very similar.

00:12:35.580 –> 00:12:42.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so you grew up, we did some things band stuff like that, but you went to Morehead state where you graduated.

00:12:44.580 –> 00:12:48.000 Joseph McElroy: And you’d graduated with a veterinarian technical degree right.

00:12:48.390 –> 00:12:50.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Yes, so that was a.

00:12:51.240 –> 00:12:52.680 Joseph McElroy: Very tech, I mean is that, like.

00:12:53.310 –> 00:12:59.250 Joseph McElroy: started, be a lot more technology involved in doing that nary work, and you, you are on a few of the other guard of that.

00:12:59.910 –> 00:13:04.350 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Well it’s more of a nurse.

00:13:05.460 –> 00:13:28.140 JoEtta Newman-Holder: nurse and the field are actually starting to adopt that name but it’s much more than that we do all the radiology we do all the dentistry we do all of the laboratory work we do everything behind the scenes, other than the diagnosis, or the actual treating.

00:13:29.490 –> 00:13:33.870 Joseph McElroy: Just knowing the technology is a pretty intensive course of action now.

00:13:34.470 –> 00:13:36.300 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my God yeah so.

00:13:36.540 –> 00:13:48.720 Joseph McElroy: So you graduated you gotten the job field, and now you are like the Chair of the veterinary technology astral astral bumping Community called bashful welcome fact right.

00:13:48.990 –> 00:13:53.760 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I was I did that for about four years, four or five years.

00:13:54.780 –> 00:14:03.930 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I started out there as an adjunct instructor when the program began, and then eventually moved into the chairperson.

00:14:06.090 –> 00:14:08.760 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s a pretty impressive career path so.

00:14:09.870 –> 00:14:12.210 Joseph McElroy: a fairly short period of time, I think rightly so.

00:14:12.390 –> 00:14:12.780 yeah.

00:14:13.980 –> 00:14:19.560 Joseph McElroy: So you know we’re going to take a break now and we’re talking about your migration to this whole outdoor.

00:14:20.400 –> 00:14:21.210 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Okay, great.

00:16:37.890 –> 00:16:52.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest to edit Newman older so Joanna so around 2005 you met and married your late husband right.

00:16:53.130 –> 00:17:11.760 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I did um we met in search and rescue and he was a local and he grew up in the canton area and his upbringing and his experience in the outdoors was very, very, very different than mine.

00:17:12.300 –> 00:17:16.710 Joseph McElroy: I can imagine growing up here, you know you have to get there and what was his name I missed that.

00:17:17.040 –> 00:17:18.030 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Denver boulder.

00:17:18.600 –> 00:17:23.610 Joseph McElroy: Denver holder right so so so it was a.

00:17:24.690 –> 00:17:31.530 Joseph McElroy: Bob targets talk, he said, Bob, you know of course made some of these give me some of the information he said it was a marriage made in heaven.

00:17:33.120 –> 00:17:39.060 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was it took us a while to get there, we eventually did.

00:17:39.810 –> 00:17:42.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah but you had some hesitation about guns.

00:17:43.470 –> 00:17:44.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I did.

00:17:45.450 –> 00:17:54.210 JoEtta Newman-Holder: growing up, I was in even well past college, I was terrified of guns I couldn’t.

00:17:55.380 –> 00:18:05.430 JoEtta Newman-Holder: walk into a sporting good store anything with guns, in the cases, I literally break out in the cold sweat and.

00:18:07.140 –> 00:18:13.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was a really new world to me whenever my husband and I met and.

00:18:15.270 –> 00:18:25.260 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We ended up at that point, realizing that if our relationship was going to go any further then I was gonna have to get used to guns real quick.

00:18:27.510 –> 00:18:34.050 Joseph McElroy: Well, you guys met its search and rescue I mean what got you interested in search and rescue.

00:18:34.770 –> 00:18:46.470 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Well I’m got to the area fell in love with the outdoors and already had love of dogs and training and that sort of thing and so.

00:18:48.150 –> 00:19:00.450 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Through a friend and one dog group ended up getting connected to a search and rescue group in the area and it kind of.

00:19:01.500 –> 00:19:13.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: fuse the two things that time that I love the outdoors and dogs into one thing and got to do, I like to do on a volunteer basis.

00:19:14.430 –> 00:19:16.890 Joseph McElroy: What is the essence of search and rescue training.

00:19:18.660 –> 00:19:31.320 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Basically it’s I’m trying to get the dog to play a game basically teaching dogs, how to do hide and seek and.

00:19:32.880 –> 00:19:55.830 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The difficult part is actually training the people it isn’t the dogs are really good at the whole game, and if they enjoy it they’re really good at it and it doesn’t take a lot of training for them, but the training on the human side is a lot more intensive and a lot more difficult.

00:19:59.160 –> 00:20:03.270 Joseph McElroy: Now, did you get to go out on some a search and rescue operation.

00:20:03.720 –> 00:20:08.160 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh yeah many, many, many yes I’m loved it.

00:20:09.630 –> 00:20:17.310 JoEtta Newman-Holder: always seemed that we got called after dark and more than not, it was raining.

00:20:17.760 –> 00:20:18.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So you.

00:20:18.480 –> 00:20:21.690 JoEtta Newman-Holder: got to go try and play around in the dark in the ring.

00:20:22.140 –> 00:20:23.700 Joseph McElroy: What was your most memorable last year.

00:20:24.930 –> 00:20:35.460 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um probably a little old man that had walked away from a nursing home and.

00:20:37.110 –> 00:20:57.420 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We found him and he was so incredibly cold, we found him in a creek and um I was just happy, he was talking to us, but I was trying to getting to talk to me and I didn’t really care what he was saying, as long as he was talking to me, and he ended up proposing.

00:21:02.640 –> 00:21:07.800 Joseph McElroy: that’s nice right yes he’s looking for love, maybe that’s what it out for looking for love right.

00:21:10.020 –> 00:21:19.620 JoEtta Newman-Holder: He wanted to go to McDonald’s and he was out for a while trying to get to McDonald’s and he had always been looking for a woman so.

00:21:22.050 –> 00:21:22.770 Joseph McElroy: There you go.

00:21:24.390 –> 00:21:26.160 Joseph McElroy: So, but your husband probably didn’t agree.

00:21:29.430 –> 00:21:30.030 JoEtta Newman-Holder: With me.

00:21:32.370 –> 00:21:33.780 Joseph McElroy: It was one of those kinds of proposed.

00:21:37.080 –> 00:21:53.490 Joseph McElroy: So, so you, you know you have developed some pretty impressive field, crafts still right is tracking wilderness survival navigational medical medicine, but there was something I saw you learned about GEO caching what is the geocaching.

00:21:53.940 –> 00:22:07.950 JoEtta Newman-Holder: GEO caching is something fun to do outside of search and rescue it in it actually helps with your navigation skills and how to use GPS basically it’s been going on for.

00:22:08.460 –> 00:22:21.270 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Probably 2030 years now, but people set up courses, where you have a starting point, you they give you coordinates are clues.

00:22:22.050 –> 00:22:31.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Via GPS that you go to, and if you get to the end of it’s like a scavenger hunt if you get to the end of it there’s typically a.

00:22:32.490 –> 00:22:54.750 JoEtta Newman-Holder: treasure at the end and basically you leave something behind some small token or something behind or there may be a note inside that you add to it or something like that, but it’s a lot of fun to go do it and in the.

00:22:56.280 –> 00:22:58.500 JoEtta Newman-Holder: haywood county area there’s.

00:22:58.710 –> 00:23:00.660 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A lot of.

00:23:02.160 –> 00:23:05.910 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Hidden treasures geocaching.

00:23:06.930 –> 00:23:08.280 JoEtta Newman-Holder: sites to go to.

00:23:08.670 –> 00:23:12.990 Joseph McElroy: or interesting is done, as a game on so.

00:23:13.080 –> 00:23:20.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah it is it’s basically a game of kind of a cross between hiding and seek and I’m.

00:23:22.830 –> 00:23:24.540 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A scavenger hunt so.

00:23:25.050 –> 00:23:26.010 Joseph McElroy: Is there an APP for that.

00:23:26.190 –> 00:23:28.920 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah there’s a lot of Apps actually.

00:23:29.130 –> 00:23:37.650 Joseph McElroy: Really wow yeah something somebody is a visitor could come here and use GEO caching is a fun way to engage with the environment, ready.

00:23:38.100 –> 00:23:38.790 Yes.

00:23:39.810 –> 00:24:05.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Definitely, and that was kind of how it was started and people wanting to get out the area or areas and explore and get other people involved, and it was about the same time as GPS has started coming out and getting more popular and affordable and then it just took off from there.

00:24:06.360 –> 00:24:08.130 Joseph McElroy: And what do you think is the best APP for that.

00:24:09.480 –> 00:24:14.100 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh, my goodness um there are so many of them now that’s.

00:24:14.460 –> 00:24:20.100 Joseph McElroy: fairly simple for somebody coming to the air that’s just wanted to have it sort of a casual fun experience.

00:24:21.000 –> 00:24:38.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Basically, if you go and search geocaching in Haywood county and it will actually bring up different lists of caching sites and you can just choose which one you want to go find your day.

00:24:39.090 –> 00:24:44.490 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow okay cool alright that sounds like a real adventure, I have to.

00:24:45.810 –> 00:24:52.080 Joseph McElroy: I’m now writing that down and they’re going to look that up because that could be great for my guests here, the Meadowlark motel, right.

00:24:52.290 –> 00:25:01.620 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah yes and there’s several in Maggie um and there are easier ones are harder ones train wise.

00:25:02.880 –> 00:25:07.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: there’s actually a couple over on paper Community college campus.

00:25:08.730 –> 00:25:17.010 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So if you’re just getting started and don’t want to go out and get lost in the woods and it’s easy.

00:25:19.200 –> 00:25:23.850 Joseph McElroy: You can do some training, the first day before you go, yes, all right there you go cool.

00:25:25.350 –> 00:25:40.020 Joseph McElroy: So you overcame your fear of guns and you learned all these survival skills so then your husband was an expert in hunting and fishing and target shooting and you took an interest.

00:25:40.710 –> 00:25:42.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh, I did um.

00:25:43.710 –> 00:25:49.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Once we got together and I realized, I was gonna have to come overcome the whole gun issue.

00:25:51.030 –> 00:26:05.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: He actually brought me a little, and I sat on the couch and literally didn’t open the box for probably the first two weeks and just sat there and touched it and got used to being in there and.

00:26:06.630 –> 00:26:09.570 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Then open the box and shut the box and then start.

00:26:11.640 –> 00:26:17.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And finally got the instruction manual out and Dug it by reading it and.

00:26:18.930 –> 00:26:30.870 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Finally, started actually touching the gun itself and then learned how to take it apart, one of my husband’s favorite stories was one night he came home and he said.

00:26:32.460 –> 00:26:34.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: You got it taken apart now, what are you gonna do.

00:26:37.560 –> 00:26:40.110 JoEtta Newman-Holder: tomorrow night I’ll put it back together tomorrow night.

00:26:42.750 –> 00:26:51.960 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And then, it took me about 18 months before I started shooting and after that, I literally fell in love with it.

00:26:53.370 –> 00:26:54.330 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and

00:26:55.890 –> 00:27:05.820 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It kind of took off from there and I started hunting and coming from an animal care background, it was kind of interesting.

00:27:07.350 –> 00:27:13.410 Joseph McElroy: How did you make that jump from loving animals and animal care into a willingness to shoot.

00:27:14.250 –> 00:27:20.040 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I had always until that point I didn’t want to kill Bambi etc.

00:27:21.390 –> 00:27:43.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: But once I got into that side of the culture and realized, it was a lot more than just going out and killing an animal and I was going out to do it for actual food and we used that everything that we possibly use of the animal.

00:27:45.210 –> 00:27:54.780 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was also very, very, very social, not only with other people, but it was something that my husband and I could go out and do together and we really enjoyed it.

00:27:55.530 –> 00:28:07.830 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Because he had grown up hunting and he spent more time outdoors than he did indoors growing up, so it was one more thing that we could do together and we really enjoyed doing together.

00:28:09.660 –> 00:28:13.440 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So I got past that.

00:28:15.720 –> 00:28:27.120 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was more of an I’m not just going out and aimlessly killing something I’m actually going out and for purpose.

00:28:28.320 –> 00:28:30.900 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And at that time.

00:28:32.160 –> 00:28:38.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Beef and chicken were giving me issues, and when I switched to deer meat venison.

00:28:40.050 –> 00:28:41.370 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Those issues went away.

00:28:42.420 –> 00:28:45.120 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So it was a.

00:28:47.550 –> 00:28:49.440 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was kind of a necessity.

00:28:49.830 –> 00:28:56.250 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And overcame that severe love doesn’t kill.

00:28:57.360 –> 00:29:03.690 JoEtta Newman-Holder: mentality and it’s been it hasn’t been that bad of a journey.

00:29:03.990 –> 00:29:06.120 Joseph McElroy: sounds like you thought about it and then.

00:29:07.980 –> 00:29:19.590 Joseph McElroy: In general Nada is a big gun advocate but I’m not the I grew up here so I’m not like you know, a rabid anti-gun either you know, like you know I know the farmers got it sometimes have a.

00:29:21.600 –> 00:29:26.520 Joseph McElroy: sort of fast shooting gun, you know to take care of codes that are about to kill our livestock me.

00:29:26.580 –> 00:29:39.480 Joseph McElroy: Right and then you know and then there’s been no humankind is to destroy a lot of predators, which means that a lot of the other animals get overcrowded they starve to death, so.

00:29:39.840 –> 00:29:53.700 Joseph McElroy: letting humans, be the predators, they are in certain situations is a necessity because it’s the only alternative, so I, so we have to take a break we’ll come back and we’ll talk about your mountain.

00:29:54.900 –> 00:29:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Mountain girls outdoors.

00:30:01.980 –> 00:30:02.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: New.

00:32:03.780 –> 00:32:14.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Joetta Newman Holder so to add to that.

00:32:15.090 –> 00:32:30.660 Joseph McElroy: So 2005 you met your husband and you were doing little certain random search rescue, but you were by far not involved in Hunting, Fishing, and all this sort of stuff 2015 rolls around and you’re creating mountain girls outdoors tell me how that happened.

00:32:34.620 –> 00:32:36.180 Joseph McElroy: It got to the point that.

00:32:36.600 –> 00:32:39.150 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It got to the point that I was.

00:32:41.010 –> 00:32:51.780 JoEtta Newman-Holder: getting more and more involved in the outdoors and more and more women were wanting to know how to get involved in the outdoors and so.

00:32:52.860 –> 00:33:07.290 JoEtta Newman-Holder: At that time I had left my job at ad tech as the chairperson for the vet tech program and my husband and I decided that start a business for

00:33:08.910 –> 00:33:16.110 JoEtta Newman-Holder: trying to get more women involved in the outdoors kind of evolved and started.

00:33:17.430 –> 00:33:23.430 JoEtta Newman-Holder: getting us thinking about doing it, and so we opened it up and.

00:33:27.270 –> 00:33:31.290 JoEtta Newman-Holder: In hopes of getting more women involved in the outdoors.

00:33:32.610 –> 00:33:33.240 cool.

00:33:35.610 –> 00:33:47.970 Joseph McElroy: And you were what we spent you were focused on like single mothers and young and old, women, and we were trying to introduce outdoor skills and familiarity of firearms about for both sport and protection right.

00:33:48.330 –> 00:34:02.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Yes, well, it started out trying to get women in particular involved in the outdoors because we felt that if you get the female and female part of the family involved.

00:34:03.240 –> 00:34:21.330 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Then they’re more likely to participate with the rest of the family, so if they had ways or other female children, and they would also get them out the wars and involved in the outdoors if they were married.

00:34:22.950 –> 00:34:39.900 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And the husband and the boys in the family, like to go outside and hunt fish camp, whatever it happened to be, and she felt a little intimidated or wasn’t as involved as she could be.

00:34:40.920 –> 00:34:58.050 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We were trying to give her white and become more knowledgeable about those things, so they wouldn’t be as intimidated and hopefully get more families outdoors whether was camping or fishing or.

00:34:59.190 –> 00:35:01.530 JoEtta Newman-Holder: farms or whatever it may be.

00:35:03.690 –> 00:35:17.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it kind of evolved from there, we were we did everything and do everything from basic camping land navigation hiking.

00:35:18.600 –> 00:35:46.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We did do some fishing whether it’s regular like lake fishing or fly fishing and we started some archery classes and during the process, I became an instructor for multiple firearms and started offering introductory classes for women.

00:35:48.660 –> 00:36:01.710 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Whether or not they wanted to have a gun to protect themselves, or if there was a gun already in the House, and they were terrified of guns like I was.

00:36:02.220 –> 00:36:25.470 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And just wanted to become a little bit more familiar with guns, so they weren’t as terrifying and then it just kind of evolved from there into we were doing more and more firearms classes, then we were a lot of the outdoor classes, we were doing a few outdoor classes, but.

00:36:27.030 –> 00:36:32.280 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It became more and more of a demand for the firearm classes.

00:36:32.760 –> 00:36:33.210 Right.

00:36:34.230 –> 00:36:39.300 Joseph McElroy: So, so you initially had a broke brick and mortar school store, but to hear that right.

00:36:39.720 –> 00:36:41.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah we ended up.

00:36:43.200 –> 00:36:44.880 JoEtta Newman-Holder: coven kind of did that in.

00:36:45.060 –> 00:36:46.230 Joseph McElroy: yeah we did that.

00:36:48.120 –> 00:36:48.750 Joseph McElroy: And then.

00:36:49.830 –> 00:36:54.030 Joseph McElroy: You know, and 2019, of course, your husband died, which I’m so sorry about.

00:36:54.450 –> 00:36:55.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: That, thank you, I appreciate it.

00:36:55.950 –> 00:37:00.540 Joseph McElroy: I had my spouse long time die in 2014 so.

00:37:02.790 –> 00:37:13.200 Joseph McElroy: I know it’s impressive that you were able to maintain and build upon a business that you both have created so my Hats off to do that because I wasn’t able to do that.

00:37:15.360 –> 00:37:18.030 Joseph McElroy: So what, what do you offer now.

00:37:19.110 –> 00:37:38.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And we still offer a lot of outdoor classes and if somebody is interested in camping or fishing or fly fishing or just hiking getting to know where to go, what do I need to take with my basics.

00:37:39.420 –> 00:37:45.990 JoEtta Newman-Holder: To actually set up trips and we also do.

00:37:48.030 –> 00:37:56.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: photography type classes and that’s something else that I’ve gotten into recently hardwood heavy is a lot of photography so.

00:37:58.620 –> 00:37:59.730 Joseph McElroy: wildlife photography.

00:38:00.210 –> 00:38:09.540 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A wildlife landscape and in about the last month, a lot of portrait family stuff.

00:38:10.020 –> 00:38:13.050 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And I was doing events.

00:38:13.110 –> 00:38:15.480 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Like Meadowlark and that sort of thing.

00:38:17.040 –> 00:38:18.630 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I was doing.

00:38:20.220 –> 00:38:24.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I would go over to Cherokee and do the.

00:38:25.680 –> 00:38:29.550 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Stickball games for stickball gains.

00:38:30.780 –> 00:38:37.110 JoEtta Newman-Holder: full moon I would do a lot of photography dance and their events and that sort of thing.

00:38:39.000 –> 00:38:52.320 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it’s kind of evolved recently I’ve had a few friends ask me to do some family stuff for a while and it’s I’m starting to get busier and busier.

00:38:53.070 –> 00:39:00.990 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s fabulous so I was reading, you are, you are part of the national wild Turkey federation, what is that.

00:39:01.740 –> 00:39:05.580 JoEtta Newman-Holder: National wild Turkey federation originally was.

00:39:05.970 –> 00:39:06.810 Joseph McElroy: Not only.

00:39:08.010 –> 00:39:08.490 JoEtta Newman-Holder: No.

00:39:09.540 –> 00:39:11.100 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Wrong wild Turkey that.

00:39:12.750 –> 00:39:23.340 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m day we’re almost eradicated from most of the US from over honey and.

00:39:25.650 –> 00:39:38.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A group of people decided that they wanted to bring back turkeys in the population and over several years it has been very, very successful.

00:39:39.570 –> 00:39:54.090 JoEtta Newman-Holder: in areas like eastern and western North Carolina and Eastern North Carolina and they have populated, to the point that they have been able to open up hunting seasons again.

00:39:56.040 –> 00:40:17.280 JoEtta Newman-Holder: they’re running around all over the place, you can drive down the road we’ll see him on the side we’re very easy going into cow Ricci and they’re all over the place, so they’ve gone from basically almost extinct in some areas to very, very, very, very populous again.

00:40:17.790 –> 00:40:27.600 Joseph McElroy: Now, do you have you also in terms of saving and you also have efforts to you know do hunting is sustainable and.

00:40:27.960 –> 00:40:28.260 Yes.

00:40:29.280 –> 00:40:29.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: That is.

00:40:30.180 –> 00:40:46.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A large part of it is once they get established in the area and they come back into populations that you can sustain hunting is trying to work with local areas state.

00:40:48.090 –> 00:40:50.370 JoEtta Newman-Holder: wildlife trying to.

00:40:52.860 –> 00:40:56.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Do it responsibly, so we don’t eradicate them again.

00:40:57.090 –> 00:40:58.860 Joseph McElroy: And they do that over.

00:40:58.890 –> 00:41:02.670 Joseph McElroy: The coyotes become so big prevalent because they.

00:41:05.790 –> 00:41:09.150 Joseph McElroy: Have no history, no meanwhile wild turkeys Is that true.

00:41:10.620 –> 00:41:20.070 JoEtta Newman-Holder: There is some truth to that there they do have a lot of other predators like skunk some possums and.

00:41:20.550 –> 00:41:21.030 Joseph McElroy: Oh, really.

00:41:21.390 –> 00:41:22.080 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah and.

00:41:23.430 –> 00:41:30.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And there’s a lot of other predators out there and coyotes are a big part of it, but they’re.

00:41:31.410 –> 00:41:39.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: they’re not as big of a problem as some people think that they are

00:41:41.820 –> 00:41:46.950 Joseph McElroy: . OK cool. So, what is your website for this, the only people who find more information about it?

00:41:48.000 –> 00:41:50.700 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Is mountaingirloutdoors.com.

00:41:51.780 –> 00:41:52.410 Joseph McElroy: What is a.

00:41:53.010 –> 00:41:54.930 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Mountaingirloutdoors.com

00:41:55.350 –> 00:41:59.310 Joseph McElroy: Mountaingirls.outdoors.com and your Facebook page too.

00:41:59.880 –> 00:42:00.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.

00:42:01.110 –> 00:42:04.980 Joseph McElroy: And you have events for the general public, or is it all classes.

00:42:05.760 –> 00:42:06.300 and

00:42:07.500 –> 00:42:19.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Right now, it is all basically classes and eventually hopefully we’ll start opening up to doing some.

00:42:21.720 –> 00:42:30.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Like some public hikes and things like that, but right now, it is mostly classes and.

00:42:31.650 –> 00:42:39.210 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We will do private classes, we will actually go into the home, on occasion, if a group of.

00:42:41.550 –> 00:43:03.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: 610 people want to a specific class will actually go to somebody’s home or a business and there’s a couple of businesses around town that have gone and done classes for the entire staff and that sort of thing is either team building or just something fun that they all want to do.

00:43:05.850 –> 00:43:09.960 Joseph McElroy: Are hunting and camping and fishing and that sort of classes.

00:43:10.320 –> 00:43:11.790 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Yes, and.

00:43:13.170 –> 00:43:22.560 JoEtta Newman-Holder: If there’s a group of people that want like a concealed carry class um I will do that for concealed carry as well.

00:43:23.220 –> 00:43:37.650 Joseph McElroy: And if there’s a woman, that is trepidations about getting involved in the outdoors in a way that she’s never been before yeah How would you approach you to start something that would be your first course of action that says they should take.

00:43:39.270 –> 00:43:43.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and get room get with somebody that you trust.

00:43:44.700 –> 00:43:49.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: That was wondering reasons why we started the business was because.

00:43:50.940 –> 00:44:04.710 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A lot of times, particularly with hunting and shooting and those in fishing those types of things it’s so male-dominated that males tend to be a little.

00:44:05.580 –> 00:44:15.960 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Less patient and be a little bit forceful or um I don’t know really how to explain it but.

00:44:16.500 –> 00:44:35.670 JoEtta Newman-Holder: They can be more intimidating and I’ve been in that place of intimidation and just terrified and I understand that and I know that and I will meet somebody where they’re at and not push them past what they can handle or what they’re ready for.

00:44:36.150 –> 00:44:45.900 Joseph McElroy: Okay well we’ll take a break here we’ll come back we’ll talk about some of the areas that you think are great to visit in the mountains here in North Carolina both of honey and then just in general.

00:44:45.990 –> 00:44:46.950 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Alright sounds great.

00:46:48.990 –> 00:47:04.920 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Joetta Newman Holder so Joetta before we move on to canton area and things to do in the smokies I know one thing that bothered pointed out to me that.

00:47:07.980 –> 00:47:08.670 Joseph McElroy: pictures.

00:47:10.710 –> 00:47:11.610 Joseph McElroy: where’d that come from.

00:47:12.480 –> 00:47:15.060 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m sorry it froze and I.

00:47:15.060 –> 00:47:20.520 Joseph McElroy: Miss so you were working with circuses you’re taking photography photographs of circuits is quite a bit.

00:47:21.270 –> 00:47:42.090 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah that was I there was a circus that came in local to Asheville and I befriended a couple of the cast members and started going back over and over and over and taking photos for them and then ended up following them too.

00:47:43.410 –> 00:47:51.720 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Georgia and spent a couple of weeks there with them, so it was a lot of fun.

00:47:51.990 –> 00:47:54.210 Joseph McElroy: You like to take adventures, what was the name of the surface.

00:47:54.810 –> 00:47:56.340 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Then either circus.

00:47:56.670 –> 00:47:57.570 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.

00:47:59.130 –> 00:48:06.960 Joseph McElroy: So uh yeah we’re managed to survive toby things are going on, do you have any future plans for your business.

00:48:08.010 –> 00:48:12.570 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m actually and just trying to keep it up and going.

00:48:14.040 –> 00:48:15.780 Joseph McElroy: Hard these times so that’s good.

00:48:17.130 –> 00:48:17.790 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and

00:48:19.380 –> 00:48:27.720 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m excited to expand to the photography side of things so that’s where it’s going at the moment.

00:48:29.160 –> 00:48:41.400 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know when I talk with guests and live in the area I like to find out things that they find interesting where would be a good place for somebody to go view wildlife this area take photographs.

00:48:42.270 –> 00:48:53.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And one of my favorite places to go in the area and it’s relatively easy to access the wildlife is.

00:48:54.870 –> 00:48:56.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The Coyote Valley.

00:48:57.240 –> 00:49:06.720 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Where there’s a lot of wild turkey’s there’s, of course, squirrels and birds and that sort of thing but you’ve got the elk as well.

00:49:07.830 –> 00:49:22.380 JoEtta Newman-Holder: One of my other favorite places to go is paid code and it’s very, very busy, but if you’re in dissing wildlife chances of getting to see deer in there and that sort of thing is fairly high.

00:49:24.090 –> 00:49:31.200 Joseph McElroy: And when you take people out on the humps or things like that you take you take them out places.

00:49:31.620 –> 00:49:39.060 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I can, and I have done some mentor hunts with the wild Turkey federation.

00:49:40.080 –> 00:49:50.100 JoEtta Newman-Holder: with different chapters that have hosted women-only mentored hunts and I’ve taken women out on those.

00:49:50.430 –> 00:49:50.790 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And that’s.

00:49:51.390 –> 00:49:56.190 Joseph McElroy: Where do you take, where you lose happened to me you don’t mess with your the detail work general areas.

00:49:56.460 –> 00:50:10.740 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And typically the ones in particular that I’ve participated in the past have been more central to and to eastern North Carolina I’m.

00:50:10.860 –> 00:50:12.000 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Down passionately.

00:50:12.690 –> 00:50:22.680 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool um so you know you live in canton, which is part of a wood county and it’s a wonderful place to live.

00:50:22.860 –> 00:50:23.430 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Right yeah.

00:50:23.820 –> 00:50:28.080 Joseph McElroy: I like to talk about an itinerary today no small mountain town.

00:50:29.130 –> 00:50:39.210 Joseph McElroy: With the people who live there for a while, so I mentioned this to you, so you know if you were if somebody came to visit canton Where would you recommend they have breakfast.

00:50:39.840 –> 00:50:55.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: One of my favorite actress spots it’s a little mom and pop for when the wall is the pioneer it’s actually inclined and not very far outside of communion but that’s one of my favorite breakfast places.

00:50:56.370 –> 00:51:00.630 Joseph McElroy: cool and then after they finish their breakfast which the favorite dishes there.

00:51:01.470 –> 00:51:04.290 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh gosh and that’s hard.

00:51:07.230 –> 00:51:07.830 Joseph McElroy: really good.

00:51:08.850 –> 00:51:12.360 Joseph McElroy: Good good biscuits and gravy and all that sort of stuff right but.

00:51:12.390 –> 00:51:12.840 yeah.

00:51:14.070 –> 00:51:17.370 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And I’ll twin Maggie better biscuit.

00:51:17.520 –> 00:51:25.230 Joseph McElroy: Is awesome yeah So if you so if somebody after breakfast Where would you recommend going out have some fun.

00:51:26.460 –> 00:51:35.520 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um depending on what you want to go blue if you just want to go for a drive the parkways are always an amazing place to go for a drive.

00:51:35.910 –> 00:51:44.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah and it’s it and, again, one of my favorite places to go is down in cattle he valley and that’s kind of.

00:51:46.020 –> 00:51:48.420 JoEtta Newman-Holder: An experience, just to get there.

00:51:48.540 –> 00:51:49.260 In itself.

00:51:53.040 –> 00:51:55.740 Joseph McElroy: in Canada, what is in Canada what’s fun to do.

00:51:56.400 –> 00:52:06.660 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m actually in and around Clinton and there’s not a whole unfortunately there’s not a whole lot.

00:52:07.860 –> 00:52:15.960 JoEtta Newman-Holder: To go do during the day, we do have a few nice shops downtown to go visit.

00:52:17.610 –> 00:52:28.440 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We also during, particularly the summer there’s a lot of Nice festivals and picking in the park and.

00:52:28.740 –> 00:52:34.860 Joseph McElroy: Things like that you have a good farmers market there that would be somewhat Saturday Sunday that has music yeah.

00:52:35.100 –> 00:52:43.860 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah and it’s expanded recently and they’ve been open like Thursday through Saturday it’s been.

00:52:44.340 –> 00:52:52.020 Joseph McElroy: really nice little like a little market square Mike has gone there and play he really, really does it’s kind of cool it’s kind of Nice.

00:52:52.050 –> 00:52:56.940 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So it is it’s really nice and then.

00:52:58.740 –> 00:53:01.530 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Well, the floods kind of did the park in.

00:53:02.070 –> 00:53:03.540 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And Colin.

00:53:04.680 –> 00:53:07.500 Joseph McElroy: was a perfect little come back yeah but.

00:53:07.830 –> 00:53:15.690 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Once they come back and are cleaned up and it’s the park runs along the river.

00:53:16.260 –> 00:53:17.190 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it’s a.

00:53:17.280 –> 00:53:19.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Really really nice place to walk.

00:53:21.540 –> 00:53:23.940 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Or take the kids and play the.

00:53:24.720 –> 00:53:26.400 Joseph McElroy: Wherever you’re going to do for lunch.

00:53:28.020 –> 00:53:37.260 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh there’s a lot of really good lunch places, and I particularly enjoy like the southern porch in canton.

00:53:37.740 –> 00:53:38.400 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and

00:53:38.490 –> 00:53:39.990 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I like Jay rose.

00:53:41.340 –> 00:53:43.050 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Great sandwiches.

00:53:44.760 –> 00:53:52.500 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh gosh there’s then just outside the area there are Mexican restaurants and.

00:53:52.890 –> 00:53:57.270 Joseph McElroy: there are lots of great things and how about bear water is a pretty good place right.

00:53:57.570 –> 00:53:58.950 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh yeah bad water.

00:54:00.210 –> 00:54:02.940 JoEtta Newman-Holder: it’s another place, that the flood.

00:54:03.240 –> 00:54:08.580 Joseph McElroy: God, but they were early they have a great restaurant and Maggie Valley, to call the bear.

00:54:09.270 –> 00:54:09.780 But.

00:54:10.890 –> 00:54:12.240 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The second place yeah.

00:54:12.630 –> 00:54:13.170 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s.

00:54:13.830 –> 00:54:14.580 JoEtta Newman-Holder: going out.

00:54:15.420 –> 00:54:16.380 Joseph McElroy: And when they get the kids.

00:54:16.410 –> 00:54:20.970 Joseph McElroy: When they get the canton one back, it will be worthwhile because it’s beautiful, that was a beautiful place that was fun.

00:54:22.140 –> 00:54:23.400 Joseph McElroy: afternoon, what would you do.

00:54:23.550 –> 00:54:25.890 Joseph McElroy: yeah I mean I’m sure similar things but.

00:54:27.420 –> 00:54:30.720 Joseph McElroy: They have some things going on this afternoon that’s worthwhile.

00:54:31.140 –> 00:54:35.010 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I hear rumors that they’re getting ready to open up.

00:54:36.120 –> 00:54:41.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Some new shops and possibly an x following disability.

00:54:41.340 –> 00:54:45.510 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous all right so something I’ve been talking about doing that Maggie two.

00:54:47.820 –> 00:54:49.440 Joseph McElroy: Extra is a thing to do.

00:54:50.580 –> 00:54:50.700 Joseph McElroy: It.

00:54:52.140 –> 00:54:52.680 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:54:54.240 –> 00:55:03.210 Joseph McElroy: You know I gotta take us down because we’re coming to the end of our time, so if you have one name to shout out for dinner shout it out now.

00:55:04.170 –> 00:55:11.910 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh dinner, one of my favorite places for dinner it’s not in canton it’s just outside canton and blue rooster.

00:55:14.340 –> 00:55:18.450 Joseph McElroy: A blue rooster is kind of not I really liked the shrimp and grits they’re really good so.

00:55:19.890 –> 00:55:22.320 Joseph McElroy: It is to the mall but the food is really good.

00:55:22.440 –> 00:55:24.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah playing land is to die.

00:55:24.510 –> 00:55:31.290 Joseph McElroy: For so any other shoutouts anything any other way you want people to reach out to you in any way.

00:55:32.220 –> 00:55:40.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And I just they can reach me via my most likely The easiest way to get me through Facebook.

00:55:42.630 –> 00:55:47.520 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And the websites up and down right now trying to reconstruct it.

00:55:48.990 –> 00:56:04.650 Joseph McElroy: So that’s the mountain girl girls out the mountain girl outdoors webs web Facebook page which you can find things mountain outdoors girl right alright cool Well, this is, I appreciate so much you’ve been on the show and it’s been.

00:56:04.650 –> 00:56:05.730 Joseph McElroy: very interesting.

00:56:06.990 –> 00:56:10.230 Joseph McElroy: This is the been the gateway the smoke podcast

00:56:11.280 –> 00:56:23.220 Joseph McElroy: As we’re every week on talk radio NYC talkradio.nyc, which is a great network of live podcasts right after this one is coffee talk XL, which is a wonderful podcast.

00:56:24.180 –> 00:56:29.850 Joseph McElroy: And you can find more about this podcast on Facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast.

00:56:30.150 –> 00:56:40.650 Joseph McElroy: Or you can find all the episodes on smokiesadventure.com click on the gateway to the smokies podcast at the top of the page and you can find out all sorts of information about this podcast.

00:56:40.980 –> 00:56:59.790 Joseph McElroy: Again I’ll see you guys will be in reruns for a few weeks, but after the middle of January we back more live shows again talk, listen to the reruns next week same time six to seven, and thank you for being part of the show today.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/1060971168068254/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/264352574_1061610628004308_2866051048536153452_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=wHYh9AdnadkAX8mj_eZ&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63012721&oh=00_AT-gabY6m5aqnr6nY3Twq4a7B8MqqSDf5Q8Mx47QDhzzfQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p><strong>Joetta Newman Holder</strong> is a Kentucky native and a graduate of Morehead State University with a BS degree in Veterinary Technology.</p><p>She moved to WNC in 1992 and began her career as a vet tech in Asheville, helped start the Humane Alliance charitable organization in Asheville, and later was a teacher at Asheville Buncombe Tech as well serving as Chairperson for the vet tech program at the college. She is an avid dog lover.</p><p>She became active in search and rescue operations in 1994, and in 2015 opened her own business—Mountain Girl Outdoors- a business begun with her late husband, that is devoted to getting more females actively involved in outdoor pursuits such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, conservation, and shooting sports.</p><p>She with us her passion for animals and how she loves taking pictures pertaining to the outdoors.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/9MUsPxhE2b/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>-------------------------------------------------------</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts off the show with his usual intro before going into the sponsored message. After the message, Joseph talks about a traditional, Scottish festival he was attending, with concerts and kilts galore. Then, Joseph introduces the guest of the episode, Joetta Newman. Joseph asks her where she grew up in Kentucky and what it was like. She talks about how she got into the outdoors, explaining how she expressed little interest in the outdoors growing up, contrary to who she is now. They transition into Joetta’s veterinarian degree and what she did as a veterinarian before heading to the break.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Returning from the break, Joseph wanted to learn about how Joetta met her late husband, Denver Holder. She recalls it was during her time doing search and rescues that she would volunteer to, as she describes it, train dogs in hide-and-seek. Her most memorable rescue was a lost old man who wanted McDonald&#39;s and some love. Joetta then talks about geocaching, a sort of scavenger hunt in which the player would explore the environment using GPS and apps. Joetta depicts her experience in getting over her fear of guns and learning how to shoot. This sparks a discussion on guns and the experiences between the two before going to a commercial break.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back, Joseph asks Joetta how she created her business, Mountain Girl Outdoors. She explains how when she got more involved with the outdoors, more women were also asking about the outdoors so Denver and Joetta started up the business in response. She goes on to describe the different programs they offered, the firearms program becoming more and more popular. Now, they offer outdoors, photography, and more. Joseph switches the conversation to her part in turkey conservation. She explains her role in bringing the turkey population back up and succeeding, now having more restrictions on turkey hunting. She also talks about public events offered by her business, although right now, they only offer classes and private lessons.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Back from the final break, Joseph asked about Joetta’s involvement in her time as a circus photographer. She explains how her friend was a part of a circus, and she was offered to take pictures of them, leading to Joetta traveling with them for a while. Joseph then wanted to know Joetta’s ideal itinerary in Canton. She talks about her ideal breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots along with activities to do in between everything. These can include walks in different parks and ax throwing. They finish off with where they can find Joetta and her business.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:33.660 –&gt; 00:00:45.120 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great.</p><p>00:00:45.900 –&gt; 00:00:57.720 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns this area’s filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain culture that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:58.410 –&gt; 00:01:10.170 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:11.130 –&gt; 00:01:17.730 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about mountain girls outdoors but first let’s talk about sponsors and things like that.</p><p>00:01:18.570 –&gt; 00:01:31.620 Joseph McElroy: So I was here to imagine a place evocative motor courts of the past, the modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian few a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:32.310 –&gt; 00:01:45.570 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain where it’s trout stream grill that catches on fire, is he accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place with old.</p><p>00:01:46.740 –&gt; 00:01:50.940 Joseph McElroy: Music world cultural so imagine a place with a.</p><p>00:01:53.220 –&gt; 00:02:10.230 Joseph McElroy: Natural Heritage pavilion where they play bluegrass at a speakeasy reminiscent of New York with it played modern means there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:02:11.250 –&gt; 00:02:15.930 Joseph McElroy: Now there’s a bunch of events coming up so I’m gonna go and hit the highlights of it.</p><p>00:02:18.000 –&gt; 00:02:29.670 Joseph McElroy: there’s going to be a big holiday party and discovery teeth and it’s going to feature sad and Mrs. Claus coming by around seven o’clock and the children come and.</p><p>00:02:30.720 –&gt; 00:02:35.520 Joseph McElroy: tell Santa there what they want for toys will be Christmas music there’ll be eggnog.</p><p>00:02:36.540 –&gt; 00:02:54.360 Joseph McElroy: Quote quote special punch but boy there’ll be some heritage goodies desserts and cash bar raffles and prizes a reading of the night before Christmas, by yours truly, so I hope you can make it out on the 18th locals are coming stay with us.</p><p>00:02:55.560 –&gt; 00:03:03.000 Joseph McElroy: on December 25th and 6 pm we’re going to have an Appalachian Christmas supper.</p><p>00:03:04.290 –&gt; 00:03:14.370 Joseph McElroy: which will feature all the Turkey and ham and all the fixings and you know sweet potatoes green beans that’d be mincemeat pie black rum cake or fruitcake.</p><p>00:03:15.300 –&gt; 00:03:26.250 Joseph McElroy: Which are traditional in these mountains other desserts pumps eggnog and a Nice cash bar and there’ll be an after-party at the speakeasy so that’s on December 25 at 6 pm.</p><p>00:03:27.930 –&gt; 00:03:31.110 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a new year’s Eve place in the speakeasy.</p><p>00:03:32.160 –&gt; 00:03:47.100 Joseph McElroy: it’s good to have traditional hog gels black eye peas Greens, but in a way you’ve never had them before all right there’ll be a champagne toast cash bar lots of music live music and party favor so come out to see you have a good time it’s 8 pm to 1 am.</p><p>00:03:49.590 –&gt; 00:04:03.210 Joseph McElroy: And then save the date I don’t know if you know about it, but in the mountains for many centuries, they used to celebrate Christmas on January six because there was a mix-up or transition from one type of calendar to another.</p><p>00:04:04.800 –&gt; 00:04:20.790 Joseph McElroy: And so January six was the date that they would celebrate Christmas on now January 6 also in other traditions is known as a is a all kings day or something like that, but here is called old Christmas so we’re going to have some old Christmas.</p><p>00:04:22.110 –&gt; 00:04:29.580 Joseph McElroy: celebrations going on, along with big on Thursday to January six will actually have a look.</p><p>00:04:31.980 –&gt; 00:04:35.430 Joseph McElroy: Know like we were called a lecture but I call it like that.</p><p>00:04:36.600 –&gt; 00:04:47.640 Joseph McElroy: Discussion by Bob Plott the resident historian here at the motel heritage expert talking about what they used to do for Christmas in math.</p><p>00:04:48.720 –&gt; 00:04:55.380 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountains in on the on that Friday we’re going to have probably got some old Christmas storyteller and my son.</p><p>00:04:56.790 –&gt; 00:05:07.200 Joseph McElroy: A good storyteller here in these mountains on Saturday night we’ll have Barbecue and music so keep that open and then the big event for January is the Robert Burns.</p><p>00:05:08.010 –&gt; 00:05:22.320 Joseph McElroy: dinner that’s going to happen on Tuesday, January 25, which is the traditional day of having a Robert Burns Mr dinner now You might ask what did Robert Burns dinner well Robert Burns was the national poet lower of Scotland.</p><p>00:05:23.460 –&gt; 00:05:32.460 Joseph McElroy: Around the time all the Scots Irish people came to the United States, and you know migrating to the mountains of North Carolina and they course really revered and.</p><p>00:05:32.820 –&gt; 00:05:43.860 Joseph McElroy: And, and he was also an expert in a lot of the ballads if they would sing you create a lot of them, and he documented the others, so he is a national hero Scotland and.</p><p>00:05:44.250 –&gt; 00:05:57.060 Joseph McElroy: It brings a lot of delight to the people in this area, now the burns dinner is traditionally a very raucous revolve with it, you have whiskey tastings and you have.</p><p>00:05:57.540 –&gt; 00:06:08.010 Joseph McElroy: Really sumptuous food, you have something called hogs which some people love and some people hey but it’s always worth touching tasting one time in your lifetime is traditional and then there’s toast.</p><p>00:06:08.970 –&gt; 00:06:19.380 Joseph McElroy: To the last season than the last season respond back and then there’s music and dancing so it’s a great night it’s very robust and fun entertainment.</p><p>00:06:20.340 –&gt; 00:06:28.830 Joseph McElroy: And we’re going to do it now I’ll be wearing a kilt and so some of the other people so you’re welcome to come, but even the days before that starting on the Friday before that 21st.</p><p>00:06:29.190 –&gt; 00:06:36.750 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to have Scottish themes events like a whiskey tasting and a concert in the speakeasy Saturday there’ll be another concert.</p><p>00:06:37.530 –&gt; 00:06:48.090 Joseph McElroy: In the pavilion, if the weather’s committee otherwise it’ll be up in the lounge will have an on Sunday, with a bonfire historical program by Bob plot.</p><p>00:06:49.170 –&gt; 00:06:54.480 Joseph McElroy: And some Scottish ballads by will William Ritter, and then Monday before the bird’s dinner we’re gonna have.</p><p>00:06:55.170 –&gt; 00:07:03.030 Joseph McElroy: The program and we asked her Scott’s in North Carolina for presented by Mike Mclean the president of the Haywood county historical society.</p><p>00:07:03.510 –&gt; 00:07:13.050 Joseph McElroy: And that should be all a great week of events and fun and you know and it’s great the time so come up to the mountains and cedar and day come to these events in the evening.</p><p>00:07:13.590 –&gt; 00:07:19.440 Joseph McElroy: there’s also winter hiking as a tremendous time to visit and see things in the mouth.</p><p>00:07:20.370 –&gt; 00:07:31.230 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor smokies adventure.com information listings about the smoke it wedding venues books trail maps and resources, about the smokies the emphasis.</p><p>00:07:31.470 –&gt; 00:07:42.630 Joseph McElroy: Of smokies adventures of outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, hello, providing information and logic family entertainment events conventions honeymoons in war.</p><p>00:07:43.140 –&gt; 00:07:48.150 Joseph McElroy: The goal of this site is to become the leading information portal on smoky mountains, and I think it’s reset.</p><p>00:07:49.470 –&gt; 00:08:00.660 Joseph McElroy: So today we have a great guest her name is JoEtta Newman Holder a Kentucky native and she’s in Kentucky today she’s doing this route from Kentucky.</p><p>00:08:01.200 –&gt; 00:08:06.900 Joseph McElroy: And a graduate of Morehead State University, with a bs degree in veterinary technology.</p><p>00:08:07.590 –&gt; 00:08:24.840 Joseph McElroy: In 2015 she opened a business called mountain girls Outdoor that is devoted to getting more females actively involved in outdoor pursuits such as camping hiking fishing hunting conservation and shooting sports hi Joanna how are you doing.</p><p>00:08:25.350 –&gt; 00:08:26.700 JoEtta Newman-Holder: hi just fine.</p><p>00:08:27.090 –&gt; 00:08:30.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah it feels cold up there and Kentucky today.</p><p>00:08:31.080 –&gt; 00:08:32.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Today, very cold yes.</p><p>00:08:34.260 –&gt; 00:08:48.570 Joseph McElroy: Usually you’re in Canada, which is not far from Maggie Valley, but now we’re and usually I’m in New York, so now I’m in Maggie Valley and you’re happy so well, we all we’re all living at this multi-dimensional life these days right.</p><p>00:08:49.350 –&gt; 00:08:55.170 Joseph McElroy: Definitely yeah so you grew up in sort of an urban setting Kentucky right.</p><p>00:08:56.730 –&gt; 00:08:58.140 Joseph McElroy: Where was what city was that.</p><p>00:08:58.800 –&gt; 00:09:00.270 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um ashland Kentucky.</p><p>00:09:02.220 –&gt; 00:09:04.320 Joseph McElroy: And you didn’t really do a lot outdoors right.</p><p>00:09:04.890 –&gt; 00:09:25.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: No, I grew up basically being in the gymnastics world, so I spent my time in the gym and competing on weekends and that sort of thing and then, when I got a little older into high school I got into the band, and that became my life and.</p><p>00:09:27.150 –&gt; 00:09:35.550 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Continued on into college and really didn’t get started in the outdoors until I was in college or after.</p><p>00:09:36.120 –&gt; 00:09:55.860 Joseph McElroy: wow you know I saw statistics a statistic that was like there was you know, in terms of girls growing up and boys growing up how often they got the opportunity to be in the outdoors and it’s like almost 20% difference in the opportunities presented to them, right.</p><p>00:09:56.040 –&gt; 00:09:59.370 Joseph McElroy: it’s nice sometimes it’s, not even a consideration, it must be difficult.</p><p>00:09:59.370 –&gt; 00:09:59.970 Joseph McElroy: thing right.</p><p>00:10:00.390 –&gt; 00:10:10.230 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It is and it’s also difficult for females than in later life decide to get involved, they don’t know how or where.</p><p>00:10:11.940 –&gt; 00:10:16.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it can be intimidating if, particularly if you’re going into.</p><p>00:10:18.990 –&gt; 00:10:24.750 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Not necessarily male-dominated but more males and females.</p><p>00:10:26.430 –&gt; 00:10:33.780 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Where they’ve had a chance to do it and growing up, and you haven’t and it can be a little intimidating so.</p><p>00:10:35.940 –&gt; 00:10:45.120 Joseph McElroy: Now, did you will talk, I want to get into that we’re going to delve into that a little bit later because that’s what you’re doing and I think it’s potentially interesting, but I want to.</p><p>00:10:45.210 –&gt; 00:10:47.550 Joseph McElroy: find out more about how we got here.</p><p>00:10:48.000 –&gt; 00:10:49.620 Joseph McElroy: So did you have any.</p><p>00:10:51.630 –&gt; 00:10:53.040 Joseph McElroy: interest when you were growing up.</p><p>00:10:53.730 –&gt; 00:10:58.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um I did, and I would occasionally get to go.</p><p>00:11:01.590 –&gt; 00:11:13.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Fishing on rare occasions or getting to go on a picnic or I’m here in this area there’s a State Park, that is.</p><p>00:11:16.740 –&gt; 00:11:30.630 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Carter caves and we’d go and hype Carter page and go into the cage and that sort of thing, but as a regular occurrence really never got to and.</p><p>00:11:31.950 –&gt; 00:11:39.810 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The local girl scouts and that sort of thing weren’t focused on outdoor stuff.</p><p>00:11:40.980 –&gt; 00:12:06.900 JoEtta Newman-Holder: If I’d had a chance at that time being boy scouts or something closer to that maybe I would have been more involved in the outdoors but locally our girl scouts and all those types of programs are more geared toward crafting indoor stuff for women and cooking and sewing and.</p><p>00:12:07.500 –&gt; 00:12:10.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: that’s the thing it wasn’t a whole lot of outdoors.</p><p>00:12:10.800 –&gt; 00:12:13.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: opportunity so um.</p><p>00:12:14.160 –&gt; 00:12:15.930 Joseph McElroy: I sort of know i’m.</p><p>00:12:17.040 –&gt; 00:12:26.550 Joseph McElroy: A very mature age and I could remember that dichotomy about wasn’t girls and boys are in turn careers to do is a pretty dramatic difference in this area.</p><p>00:12:27.990 –&gt; 00:12:35.400 JoEtta Newman-Holder: In this area too and I’m probably about your age so it’s very, very similar.</p><p>00:12:35.580 –&gt; 00:12:42.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so you grew up, we did some things band stuff like that, but you went to Morehead state where you graduated.</p><p>00:12:44.580 –&gt; 00:12:48.000 Joseph McElroy: And you’d graduated with a veterinarian technical degree right.</p><p>00:12:48.390 –&gt; 00:12:50.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Yes, so that was a.</p><p>00:12:51.240 –&gt; 00:12:52.680 Joseph McElroy: Very tech, I mean is that, like.</p><p>00:12:53.310 –&gt; 00:12:59.250 Joseph McElroy: started, be a lot more technology involved in doing that nary work, and you, you are on a few of the other guard of that.</p><p>00:12:59.910 –&gt; 00:13:04.350 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Well it’s more of a nurse.</p><p>00:13:05.460 –&gt; 00:13:28.140 JoEtta Newman-Holder: nurse and the field are actually starting to adopt that name but it’s much more than that we do all the radiology we do all the dentistry we do all of the laboratory work we do everything behind the scenes, other than the diagnosis, or the actual treating.</p><p>00:13:29.490 –&gt; 00:13:33.870 Joseph McElroy: Just knowing the technology is a pretty intensive course of action now.</p><p>00:13:34.470 –&gt; 00:13:36.300 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my God yeah so.</p><p>00:13:36.540 –&gt; 00:13:48.720 Joseph McElroy: So you graduated you gotten the job field, and now you are like the Chair of the veterinary technology astral astral bumping Community called bashful welcome fact right.</p><p>00:13:48.990 –&gt; 00:13:53.760 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I was I did that for about four years, four or five years.</p><p>00:13:54.780 –&gt; 00:14:03.930 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I started out there as an adjunct instructor when the program began, and then eventually moved into the chairperson.</p><p>00:14:06.090 –&gt; 00:14:08.760 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s a pretty impressive career path so.</p><p>00:14:09.870 –&gt; 00:14:12.210 Joseph McElroy: a fairly short period of time, I think rightly so.</p><p>00:14:12.390 –&gt; 00:14:12.780 yeah.</p><p>00:14:13.980 –&gt; 00:14:19.560 Joseph McElroy: So you know we’re going to take a break now and we’re talking about your migration to this whole outdoor.</p><p>00:14:20.400 –&gt; 00:14:21.210 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Okay, great.</p><p>00:16:37.890 –&gt; 00:16:52.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest to edit Newman older so Joanna so around 2005 you met and married your late husband right.</p><p>00:16:53.130 –&gt; 00:17:11.760 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I did um we met in search and rescue and he was a local and he grew up in the canton area and his upbringing and his experience in the outdoors was very, very, very different than mine.</p><p>00:17:12.300 –&gt; 00:17:16.710 Joseph McElroy: I can imagine growing up here, you know you have to get there and what was his name I missed that.</p><p>00:17:17.040 –&gt; 00:17:18.030 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Denver boulder.</p><p>00:17:18.600 –&gt; 00:17:23.610 Joseph McElroy: Denver holder right so so so it was a.</p><p>00:17:24.690 –&gt; 00:17:31.530 Joseph McElroy: Bob targets talk, he said, Bob, you know of course made some of these give me some of the information he said it was a marriage made in heaven.</p><p>00:17:33.120 –&gt; 00:17:39.060 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was it took us a while to get there, we eventually did.</p><p>00:17:39.810 –&gt; 00:17:42.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah but you had some hesitation about guns.</p><p>00:17:43.470 –&gt; 00:17:44.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I did.</p><p>00:17:45.450 –&gt; 00:17:54.210 JoEtta Newman-Holder: growing up, I was in even well past college, I was terrified of guns I couldn’t.</p><p>00:17:55.380 –&gt; 00:18:05.430 JoEtta Newman-Holder: walk into a sporting good store anything with guns, in the cases, I literally break out in the cold sweat and.</p><p>00:18:07.140 –&gt; 00:18:13.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was a really new world to me whenever my husband and I met and.</p><p>00:18:15.270 –&gt; 00:18:25.260 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We ended up at that point, realizing that if our relationship was going to go any further then I was gonna have to get used to guns real quick.</p><p>00:18:27.510 –&gt; 00:18:34.050 Joseph McElroy: Well, you guys met its search and rescue I mean what got you interested in search and rescue.</p><p>00:18:34.770 –&gt; 00:18:46.470 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Well I’m got to the area fell in love with the outdoors and already had love of dogs and training and that sort of thing and so.</p><p>00:18:48.150 –&gt; 00:19:00.450 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Through a friend and one dog group ended up getting connected to a search and rescue group in the area and it kind of.</p><p>00:19:01.500 –&gt; 00:19:13.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: fuse the two things that time that I love the outdoors and dogs into one thing and got to do, I like to do on a volunteer basis.</p><p>00:19:14.430 –&gt; 00:19:16.890 Joseph McElroy: What is the essence of search and rescue training.</p><p>00:19:18.660 –&gt; 00:19:31.320 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Basically it’s I’m trying to get the dog to play a game basically teaching dogs, how to do hide and seek and.</p><p>00:19:32.880 –&gt; 00:19:55.830 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The difficult part is actually training the people it isn’t the dogs are really good at the whole game, and if they enjoy it they’re really good at it and it doesn’t take a lot of training for them, but the training on the human side is a lot more intensive and a lot more difficult.</p><p>00:19:59.160 –&gt; 00:20:03.270 Joseph McElroy: Now, did you get to go out on some a search and rescue operation.</p><p>00:20:03.720 –&gt; 00:20:08.160 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh yeah many, many, many yes I’m loved it.</p><p>00:20:09.630 –&gt; 00:20:17.310 JoEtta Newman-Holder: always seemed that we got called after dark and more than not, it was raining.</p><p>00:20:17.760 –&gt; 00:20:18.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So you.</p><p>00:20:18.480 –&gt; 00:20:21.690 JoEtta Newman-Holder: got to go try and play around in the dark in the ring.</p><p>00:20:22.140 –&gt; 00:20:23.700 Joseph McElroy: What was your most memorable last year.</p><p>00:20:24.930 –&gt; 00:20:35.460 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um probably a little old man that had walked away from a nursing home and.</p><p>00:20:37.110 –&gt; 00:20:57.420 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We found him and he was so incredibly cold, we found him in a creek and um I was just happy, he was talking to us, but I was trying to getting to talk to me and I didn’t really care what he was saying, as long as he was talking to me, and he ended up proposing.</p><p>00:21:02.640 –&gt; 00:21:07.800 Joseph McElroy: that’s nice right yes he’s looking for love, maybe that’s what it out for looking for love right.</p><p>00:21:10.020 –&gt; 00:21:19.620 JoEtta Newman-Holder: He wanted to go to McDonald’s and he was out for a while trying to get to McDonald’s and he had always been looking for a woman so.</p><p>00:21:22.050 –&gt; 00:21:22.770 Joseph McElroy: There you go.</p><p>00:21:24.390 –&gt; 00:21:26.160 Joseph McElroy: So, but your husband probably didn’t agree.</p><p>00:21:29.430 –&gt; 00:21:30.030 JoEtta Newman-Holder: With me.</p><p>00:21:32.370 –&gt; 00:21:33.780 Joseph McElroy: It was one of those kinds of proposed.</p><p>00:21:37.080 –&gt; 00:21:53.490 Joseph McElroy: So, so you, you know you have developed some pretty impressive field, crafts still right is tracking wilderness survival navigational medical medicine, but there was something I saw you learned about GEO caching what is the geocaching.</p><p>00:21:53.940 –&gt; 00:22:07.950 JoEtta Newman-Holder: GEO caching is something fun to do outside of search and rescue it in it actually helps with your navigation skills and how to use GPS basically it’s been going on for.</p><p>00:22:08.460 –&gt; 00:22:21.270 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Probably 2030 years now, but people set up courses, where you have a starting point, you they give you coordinates are clues.</p><p>00:22:22.050 –&gt; 00:22:31.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Via GPS that you go to, and if you get to the end of it’s like a scavenger hunt if you get to the end of it there’s typically a.</p><p>00:22:32.490 –&gt; 00:22:54.750 JoEtta Newman-Holder: treasure at the end and basically you leave something behind some small token or something behind or there may be a note inside that you add to it or something like that, but it’s a lot of fun to go do it and in the.</p><p>00:22:56.280 –&gt; 00:22:58.500 JoEtta Newman-Holder: haywood county area there’s.</p><p>00:22:58.710 –&gt; 00:23:00.660 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A lot of.</p><p>00:23:02.160 –&gt; 00:23:05.910 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Hidden treasures geocaching.</p><p>00:23:06.930 –&gt; 00:23:08.280 JoEtta Newman-Holder: sites to go to.</p><p>00:23:08.670 –&gt; 00:23:12.990 Joseph McElroy: or interesting is done, as a game on so.</p><p>00:23:13.080 –&gt; 00:23:20.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah it is it’s basically a game of kind of a cross between hiding and seek and I’m.</p><p>00:23:22.830 –&gt; 00:23:24.540 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A scavenger hunt so.</p><p>00:23:25.050 –&gt; 00:23:26.010 Joseph McElroy: Is there an APP for that.</p><p>00:23:26.190 –&gt; 00:23:28.920 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah there’s a lot of Apps actually.</p><p>00:23:29.130 –&gt; 00:23:37.650 Joseph McElroy: Really wow yeah something somebody is a visitor could come here and use GEO caching is a fun way to engage with the environment, ready.</p><p>00:23:38.100 –&gt; 00:23:38.790 Yes.</p><p>00:23:39.810 –&gt; 00:24:05.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Definitely, and that was kind of how it was started and people wanting to get out the area or areas and explore and get other people involved, and it was about the same time as GPS has started coming out and getting more popular and affordable and then it just took off from there.</p><p>00:24:06.360 –&gt; 00:24:08.130 Joseph McElroy: And what do you think is the best APP for that.</p><p>00:24:09.480 –&gt; 00:24:14.100 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh, my goodness um there are so many of them now that’s.</p><p>00:24:14.460 –&gt; 00:24:20.100 Joseph McElroy: fairly simple for somebody coming to the air that’s just wanted to have it sort of a casual fun experience.</p><p>00:24:21.000 –&gt; 00:24:38.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Basically, if you go and search geocaching in Haywood county and it will actually bring up different lists of caching sites and you can just choose which one you want to go find your day.</p><p>00:24:39.090 –&gt; 00:24:44.490 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow okay cool alright that sounds like a real adventure, I have to.</p><p>00:24:45.810 –&gt; 00:24:52.080 Joseph McElroy: I’m now writing that down and they’re going to look that up because that could be great for my guests here, the Meadowlark motel, right.</p><p>00:24:52.290 –&gt; 00:25:01.620 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah yes and there’s several in Maggie um and there are easier ones are harder ones train wise.</p><p>00:25:02.880 –&gt; 00:25:07.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: there’s actually a couple over on paper Community college campus.</p><p>00:25:08.730 –&gt; 00:25:17.010 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So if you’re just getting started and don’t want to go out and get lost in the woods and it’s easy.</p><p>00:25:19.200 –&gt; 00:25:23.850 Joseph McElroy: You can do some training, the first day before you go, yes, all right there you go cool.</p><p>00:25:25.350 –&gt; 00:25:40.020 Joseph McElroy: So you overcame your fear of guns and you learned all these survival skills so then your husband was an expert in hunting and fishing and target shooting and you took an interest.</p><p>00:25:40.710 –&gt; 00:25:42.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh, I did um.</p><p>00:25:43.710 –&gt; 00:25:49.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Once we got together and I realized, I was gonna have to come overcome the whole gun issue.</p><p>00:25:51.030 –&gt; 00:26:05.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: He actually brought me a little, and I sat on the couch and literally didn’t open the box for probably the first two weeks and just sat there and touched it and got used to being in there and.</p><p>00:26:06.630 –&gt; 00:26:09.570 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Then open the box and shut the box and then start.</p><p>00:26:11.640 –&gt; 00:26:17.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And finally got the instruction manual out and Dug it by reading it and.</p><p>00:26:18.930 –&gt; 00:26:30.870 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Finally, started actually touching the gun itself and then learned how to take it apart, one of my husband’s favorite stories was one night he came home and he said.</p><p>00:26:32.460 –&gt; 00:26:34.590 JoEtta Newman-Holder: You got it taken apart now, what are you gonna do.</p><p>00:26:37.560 –&gt; 00:26:40.110 JoEtta Newman-Holder: tomorrow night I’ll put it back together tomorrow night.</p><p>00:26:42.750 –&gt; 00:26:51.960 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And then, it took me about 18 months before I started shooting and after that, I literally fell in love with it.</p><p>00:26:53.370 –&gt; 00:26:54.330 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and</p><p>00:26:55.890 –&gt; 00:27:05.820 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It kind of took off from there and I started hunting and coming from an animal care background, it was kind of interesting.</p><p>00:27:07.350 –&gt; 00:27:13.410 Joseph McElroy: How did you make that jump from loving animals and animal care into a willingness to shoot.</p><p>00:27:14.250 –&gt; 00:27:20.040 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I had always until that point I didn’t want to kill Bambi etc.</p><p>00:27:21.390 –&gt; 00:27:43.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: But once I got into that side of the culture and realized, it was a lot more than just going out and killing an animal and I was going out to do it for actual food and we used that everything that we possibly use of the animal.</p><p>00:27:45.210 –&gt; 00:27:54.780 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was also very, very, very social, not only with other people, but it was something that my husband and I could go out and do together and we really enjoyed it.</p><p>00:27:55.530 –&gt; 00:28:07.830 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Because he had grown up hunting and he spent more time outdoors than he did indoors growing up, so it was one more thing that we could do together and we really enjoyed doing together.</p><p>00:28:09.660 –&gt; 00:28:13.440 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So I got past that.</p><p>00:28:15.720 –&gt; 00:28:27.120 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was more of an I’m not just going out and aimlessly killing something I’m actually going out and for purpose.</p><p>00:28:28.320 –&gt; 00:28:30.900 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And at that time.</p><p>00:28:32.160 –&gt; 00:28:38.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Beef and chicken were giving me issues, and when I switched to deer meat venison.</p><p>00:28:40.050 –&gt; 00:28:41.370 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Those issues went away.</p><p>00:28:42.420 –&gt; 00:28:45.120 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So it was a.</p><p>00:28:47.550 –&gt; 00:28:49.440 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It was kind of a necessity.</p><p>00:28:49.830 –&gt; 00:28:56.250 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And overcame that severe love doesn’t kill.</p><p>00:28:57.360 –&gt; 00:29:03.690 JoEtta Newman-Holder: mentality and it’s been it hasn’t been that bad of a journey.</p><p>00:29:03.990 –&gt; 00:29:06.120 Joseph McElroy: sounds like you thought about it and then.</p><p>00:29:07.980 –&gt; 00:29:19.590 Joseph McElroy: In general Nada is a big gun advocate but I’m not the I grew up here so I’m not like you know, a rabid anti-gun either you know, like you know I know the farmers got it sometimes have a.</p><p>00:29:21.600 –&gt; 00:29:26.520 Joseph McElroy: sort of fast shooting gun, you know to take care of codes that are about to kill our livestock me.</p><p>00:29:26.580 –&gt; 00:29:39.480 Joseph McElroy: Right and then you know and then there’s been no humankind is to destroy a lot of predators, which means that a lot of the other animals get overcrowded they starve to death, so.</p><p>00:29:39.840 –&gt; 00:29:53.700 Joseph McElroy: letting humans, be the predators, they are in certain situations is a necessity because it’s the only alternative, so I, so we have to take a break we’ll come back and we’ll talk about your mountain.</p><p>00:29:54.900 –&gt; 00:29:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Mountain girls outdoors.</p><p>00:30:01.980 –&gt; 00:30:02.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: New.</p><p>00:32:03.780 –&gt; 00:32:14.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Joetta Newman Holder so to add to that.</p><p>00:32:15.090 –&gt; 00:32:30.660 Joseph McElroy: So 2005 you met your husband and you were doing little certain random search rescue, but you were by far not involved in Hunting, Fishing, and all this sort of stuff 2015 rolls around and you’re creating mountain girls outdoors tell me how that happened.</p><p>00:32:34.620 –&gt; 00:32:36.180 Joseph McElroy: It got to the point that.</p><p>00:32:36.600 –&gt; 00:32:39.150 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It got to the point that I was.</p><p>00:32:41.010 –&gt; 00:32:51.780 JoEtta Newman-Holder: getting more and more involved in the outdoors and more and more women were wanting to know how to get involved in the outdoors and so.</p><p>00:32:52.860 –&gt; 00:33:07.290 JoEtta Newman-Holder: At that time I had left my job at ad tech as the chairperson for the vet tech program and my husband and I decided that start a business for</p><p>00:33:08.910 –&gt; 00:33:16.110 JoEtta Newman-Holder: trying to get more women involved in the outdoors kind of evolved and started.</p><p>00:33:17.430 –&gt; 00:33:23.430 JoEtta Newman-Holder: getting us thinking about doing it, and so we opened it up and.</p><p>00:33:27.270 –&gt; 00:33:31.290 JoEtta Newman-Holder: In hopes of getting more women involved in the outdoors.</p><p>00:33:32.610 –&gt; 00:33:33.240 cool.</p><p>00:33:35.610 –&gt; 00:33:47.970 Joseph McElroy: And you were what we spent you were focused on like single mothers and young and old, women, and we were trying to introduce outdoor skills and familiarity of firearms about for both sport and protection right.</p><p>00:33:48.330 –&gt; 00:34:02.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Yes, well, it started out trying to get women in particular involved in the outdoors because we felt that if you get the female and female part of the family involved.</p><p>00:34:03.240 –&gt; 00:34:21.330 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Then they’re more likely to participate with the rest of the family, so if they had ways or other female children, and they would also get them out the wars and involved in the outdoors if they were married.</p><p>00:34:22.950 –&gt; 00:34:39.900 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And the husband and the boys in the family, like to go outside and hunt fish camp, whatever it happened to be, and she felt a little intimidated or wasn’t as involved as she could be.</p><p>00:34:40.920 –&gt; 00:34:58.050 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We were trying to give her white and become more knowledgeable about those things, so they wouldn’t be as intimidated and hopefully get more families outdoors whether was camping or fishing or.</p><p>00:34:59.190 –&gt; 00:35:01.530 JoEtta Newman-Holder: farms or whatever it may be.</p><p>00:35:03.690 –&gt; 00:35:17.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it kind of evolved from there, we were we did everything and do everything from basic camping land navigation hiking.</p><p>00:35:18.600 –&gt; 00:35:46.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We did do some fishing whether it’s regular like lake fishing or fly fishing and we started some archery classes and during the process, I became an instructor for multiple firearms and started offering introductory classes for women.</p><p>00:35:48.660 –&gt; 00:36:01.710 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Whether or not they wanted to have a gun to protect themselves, or if there was a gun already in the House, and they were terrified of guns like I was.</p><p>00:36:02.220 –&gt; 00:36:25.470 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And just wanted to become a little bit more familiar with guns, so they weren’t as terrifying and then it just kind of evolved from there into we were doing more and more firearms classes, then we were a lot of the outdoor classes, we were doing a few outdoor classes, but.</p><p>00:36:27.030 –&gt; 00:36:32.280 JoEtta Newman-Holder: It became more and more of a demand for the firearm classes.</p><p>00:36:32.760 –&gt; 00:36:33.210 Right.</p><p>00:36:34.230 –&gt; 00:36:39.300 Joseph McElroy: So, so you initially had a broke brick and mortar school store, but to hear that right.</p><p>00:36:39.720 –&gt; 00:36:41.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah we ended up.</p><p>00:36:43.200 –&gt; 00:36:44.880 JoEtta Newman-Holder: coven kind of did that in.</p><p>00:36:45.060 –&gt; 00:36:46.230 Joseph McElroy: yeah we did that.</p><p>00:36:48.120 –&gt; 00:36:48.750 Joseph McElroy: And then.</p><p>00:36:49.830 –&gt; 00:36:54.030 Joseph McElroy: You know, and 2019, of course, your husband died, which I’m so sorry about.</p><p>00:36:54.450 –&gt; 00:36:55.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: That, thank you, I appreciate it.</p><p>00:36:55.950 –&gt; 00:37:00.540 Joseph McElroy: I had my spouse long time die in 2014 so.</p><p>00:37:02.790 –&gt; 00:37:13.200 Joseph McElroy: I know it’s impressive that you were able to maintain and build upon a business that you both have created so my Hats off to do that because I wasn’t able to do that.</p><p>00:37:15.360 –&gt; 00:37:18.030 Joseph McElroy: So what, what do you offer now.</p><p>00:37:19.110 –&gt; 00:37:38.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And we still offer a lot of outdoor classes and if somebody is interested in camping or fishing or fly fishing or just hiking getting to know where to go, what do I need to take with my basics.</p><p>00:37:39.420 –&gt; 00:37:45.990 JoEtta Newman-Holder: To actually set up trips and we also do.</p><p>00:37:48.030 –&gt; 00:37:56.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: photography type classes and that’s something else that I’ve gotten into recently hardwood heavy is a lot of photography so.</p><p>00:37:58.620 –&gt; 00:37:59.730 Joseph McElroy: wildlife photography.</p><p>00:38:00.210 –&gt; 00:38:09.540 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A wildlife landscape and in about the last month, a lot of portrait family stuff.</p><p>00:38:10.020 –&gt; 00:38:13.050 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And I was doing events.</p><p>00:38:13.110 –&gt; 00:38:15.480 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Like Meadowlark and that sort of thing.</p><p>00:38:17.040 –&gt; 00:38:18.630 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I was doing.</p><p>00:38:20.220 –&gt; 00:38:24.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I would go over to Cherokee and do the.</p><p>00:38:25.680 –&gt; 00:38:29.550 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Stickball games for stickball gains.</p><p>00:38:30.780 –&gt; 00:38:37.110 JoEtta Newman-Holder: full moon I would do a lot of photography dance and their events and that sort of thing.</p><p>00:38:39.000 –&gt; 00:38:52.320 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it’s kind of evolved recently I’ve had a few friends ask me to do some family stuff for a while and it’s I’m starting to get busier and busier.</p><p>00:38:53.070 –&gt; 00:39:00.990 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s fabulous so I was reading, you are, you are part of the national wild Turkey federation, what is that.</p><p>00:39:01.740 –&gt; 00:39:05.580 JoEtta Newman-Holder: National wild Turkey federation originally was.</p><p>00:39:05.970 –&gt; 00:39:06.810 Joseph McElroy: Not only.</p><p>00:39:08.010 –&gt; 00:39:08.490 JoEtta Newman-Holder: No.</p><p>00:39:09.540 –&gt; 00:39:11.100 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Wrong wild Turkey that.</p><p>00:39:12.750 –&gt; 00:39:23.340 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m day we’re almost eradicated from most of the US from over honey and.</p><p>00:39:25.650 –&gt; 00:39:38.130 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A group of people decided that they wanted to bring back turkeys in the population and over several years it has been very, very successful.</p><p>00:39:39.570 –&gt; 00:39:54.090 JoEtta Newman-Holder: in areas like eastern and western North Carolina and Eastern North Carolina and they have populated, to the point that they have been able to open up hunting seasons again.</p><p>00:39:56.040 –&gt; 00:40:17.280 JoEtta Newman-Holder: they’re running around all over the place, you can drive down the road we’ll see him on the side we’re very easy going into cow Ricci and they’re all over the place, so they’ve gone from basically almost extinct in some areas to very, very, very, very populous again.</p><p>00:40:17.790 –&gt; 00:40:27.600 Joseph McElroy: Now, do you have you also in terms of saving and you also have efforts to you know do hunting is sustainable and.</p><p>00:40:27.960 –&gt; 00:40:28.260 Yes.</p><p>00:40:29.280 –&gt; 00:40:29.850 JoEtta Newman-Holder: That is.</p><p>00:40:30.180 –&gt; 00:40:46.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A large part of it is once they get established in the area and they come back into populations that you can sustain hunting is trying to work with local areas state.</p><p>00:40:48.090 –&gt; 00:40:50.370 JoEtta Newman-Holder: wildlife trying to.</p><p>00:40:52.860 –&gt; 00:40:56.610 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Do it responsibly, so we don’t eradicate them again.</p><p>00:40:57.090 –&gt; 00:40:58.860 Joseph McElroy: And they do that over.</p><p>00:40:58.890 –&gt; 00:41:02.670 Joseph McElroy: The coyotes become so big prevalent because they.</p><p>00:41:05.790 –&gt; 00:41:09.150 Joseph McElroy: Have no history, no meanwhile wild turkeys Is that true.</p><p>00:41:10.620 –&gt; 00:41:20.070 JoEtta Newman-Holder: There is some truth to that there they do have a lot of other predators like skunk some possums and.</p><p>00:41:20.550 –&gt; 00:41:21.030 Joseph McElroy: Oh, really.</p><p>00:41:21.390 –&gt; 00:41:22.080 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah and.</p><p>00:41:23.430 –&gt; 00:41:30.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And there’s a lot of other predators out there and coyotes are a big part of it, but they’re.</p><p>00:41:31.410 –&gt; 00:41:39.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: they’re not as big of a problem as some people think that they are</p><p>00:41:41.820 –&gt; 00:41:46.950 Joseph McElroy: . OK cool. So, what is your website for this, the only people who find more information about it?</p><p>00:41:48.000 –&gt; 00:41:50.700 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Is mountaingirloutdoors.com.</p><p>00:41:51.780 –&gt; 00:41:52.410 Joseph McElroy: What is a.</p><p>00:41:53.010 –&gt; 00:41:54.930 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Mountaingirloutdoors.com</p><p>00:41:55.350 –&gt; 00:41:59.310 Joseph McElroy: Mountaingirls.outdoors.com and your Facebook page too.</p><p>00:41:59.880 –&gt; 00:42:00.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:42:01.110 –&gt; 00:42:04.980 Joseph McElroy: And you have events for the general public, or is it all classes.</p><p>00:42:05.760 –&gt; 00:42:06.300 and</p><p>00:42:07.500 –&gt; 00:42:19.980 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Right now, it is all basically classes and eventually hopefully we’ll start opening up to doing some.</p><p>00:42:21.720 –&gt; 00:42:30.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Like some public hikes and things like that, but right now, it is mostly classes and.</p><p>00:42:31.650 –&gt; 00:42:39.210 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We will do private classes, we will actually go into the home, on occasion, if a group of.</p><p>00:42:41.550 –&gt; 00:43:03.390 JoEtta Newman-Holder: 610 people want to a specific class will actually go to somebody’s home or a business and there’s a couple of businesses around town that have gone and done classes for the entire staff and that sort of thing is either team building or just something fun that they all want to do.</p><p>00:43:05.850 –&gt; 00:43:09.960 Joseph McElroy: Are hunting and camping and fishing and that sort of classes.</p><p>00:43:10.320 –&gt; 00:43:11.790 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Yes, and.</p><p>00:43:13.170 –&gt; 00:43:22.560 JoEtta Newman-Holder: If there’s a group of people that want like a concealed carry class um I will do that for concealed carry as well.</p><p>00:43:23.220 –&gt; 00:43:37.650 Joseph McElroy: And if there’s a woman, that is trepidations about getting involved in the outdoors in a way that she’s never been before yeah How would you approach you to start something that would be your first course of action that says they should take.</p><p>00:43:39.270 –&gt; 00:43:43.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and get room get with somebody that you trust.</p><p>00:43:44.700 –&gt; 00:43:49.680 JoEtta Newman-Holder: That was wondering reasons why we started the business was because.</p><p>00:43:50.940 –&gt; 00:44:04.710 JoEtta Newman-Holder: A lot of times, particularly with hunting and shooting and those in fishing those types of things it’s so male-dominated that males tend to be a little.</p><p>00:44:05.580 –&gt; 00:44:15.960 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Less patient and be a little bit forceful or um I don’t know really how to explain it but.</p><p>00:44:16.500 –&gt; 00:44:35.670 JoEtta Newman-Holder: They can be more intimidating and I’ve been in that place of intimidation and just terrified and I understand that and I know that and I will meet somebody where they’re at and not push them past what they can handle or what they’re ready for.</p><p>00:44:36.150 –&gt; 00:44:45.900 Joseph McElroy: Okay well we’ll take a break here we’ll come back we’ll talk about some of the areas that you think are great to visit in the mountains here in North Carolina both of honey and then just in general.</p><p>00:44:45.990 –&gt; 00:44:46.950 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Alright sounds great.</p><p>00:46:48.990 –&gt; 00:47:04.920 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Joetta Newman Holder so Joetta before we move on to canton area and things to do in the smokies I know one thing that bothered pointed out to me that.</p><p>00:47:07.980 –&gt; 00:47:08.670 Joseph McElroy: pictures.</p><p>00:47:10.710 –&gt; 00:47:11.610 Joseph McElroy: where’d that come from.</p><p>00:47:12.480 –&gt; 00:47:15.060 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m sorry it froze and I.</p><p>00:47:15.060 –&gt; 00:47:20.520 Joseph McElroy: Miss so you were working with circuses you’re taking photography photographs of circuits is quite a bit.</p><p>00:47:21.270 –&gt; 00:47:42.090 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah that was I there was a circus that came in local to Asheville and I befriended a couple of the cast members and started going back over and over and over and taking photos for them and then ended up following them too.</p><p>00:47:43.410 –&gt; 00:47:51.720 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Georgia and spent a couple of weeks there with them, so it was a lot of fun.</p><p>00:47:51.990 –&gt; 00:47:54.210 Joseph McElroy: You like to take adventures, what was the name of the surface.</p><p>00:47:54.810 –&gt; 00:47:56.340 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Then either circus.</p><p>00:47:56.670 –&gt; 00:47:57.570 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.</p><p>00:47:59.130 –&gt; 00:48:06.960 Joseph McElroy: So uh yeah we’re managed to survive toby things are going on, do you have any future plans for your business.</p><p>00:48:08.010 –&gt; 00:48:12.570 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m actually and just trying to keep it up and going.</p><p>00:48:14.040 –&gt; 00:48:15.780 Joseph McElroy: Hard these times so that’s good.</p><p>00:48:17.130 –&gt; 00:48:17.790 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and</p><p>00:48:19.380 –&gt; 00:48:27.720 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m excited to expand to the photography side of things so that’s where it’s going at the moment.</p><p>00:48:29.160 –&gt; 00:48:41.400 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know when I talk with guests and live in the area I like to find out things that they find interesting where would be a good place for somebody to go view wildlife this area take photographs.</p><p>00:48:42.270 –&gt; 00:48:53.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And one of my favorite places to go in the area and it’s relatively easy to access the wildlife is.</p><p>00:48:54.870 –&gt; 00:48:56.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The Coyote Valley.</p><p>00:48:57.240 –&gt; 00:49:06.720 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Where there’s a lot of wild turkey’s there’s, of course, squirrels and birds and that sort of thing but you’ve got the elk as well.</p><p>00:49:07.830 –&gt; 00:49:22.380 JoEtta Newman-Holder: One of my other favorite places to go is paid code and it’s very, very busy, but if you’re in dissing wildlife chances of getting to see deer in there and that sort of thing is fairly high.</p><p>00:49:24.090 –&gt; 00:49:31.200 Joseph McElroy: And when you take people out on the humps or things like that you take you take them out places.</p><p>00:49:31.620 –&gt; 00:49:39.060 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I can, and I have done some mentor hunts with the wild Turkey federation.</p><p>00:49:40.080 –&gt; 00:49:50.100 JoEtta Newman-Holder: with different chapters that have hosted women-only mentored hunts and I’ve taken women out on those.</p><p>00:49:50.430 –&gt; 00:49:50.790 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And that’s.</p><p>00:49:51.390 –&gt; 00:49:56.190 Joseph McElroy: Where do you take, where you lose happened to me you don’t mess with your the detail work general areas.</p><p>00:49:56.460 –&gt; 00:50:10.740 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And typically the ones in particular that I’ve participated in the past have been more central to and to eastern North Carolina I’m.</p><p>00:50:10.860 –&gt; 00:50:12.000 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Down passionately.</p><p>00:50:12.690 –&gt; 00:50:22.680 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool um so you know you live in canton, which is part of a wood county and it’s a wonderful place to live.</p><p>00:50:22.860 –&gt; 00:50:23.430 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Right yeah.</p><p>00:50:23.820 –&gt; 00:50:28.080 Joseph McElroy: I like to talk about an itinerary today no small mountain town.</p><p>00:50:29.130 –&gt; 00:50:39.210 Joseph McElroy: With the people who live there for a while, so I mentioned this to you, so you know if you were if somebody came to visit canton Where would you recommend they have breakfast.</p><p>00:50:39.840 –&gt; 00:50:55.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: One of my favorite actress spots it’s a little mom and pop for when the wall is the pioneer it’s actually inclined and not very far outside of communion but that’s one of my favorite breakfast places.</p><p>00:50:56.370 –&gt; 00:51:00.630 Joseph McElroy: cool and then after they finish their breakfast which the favorite dishes there.</p><p>00:51:01.470 –&gt; 00:51:04.290 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh gosh and that’s hard.</p><p>00:51:07.230 –&gt; 00:51:07.830 Joseph McElroy: really good.</p><p>00:51:08.850 –&gt; 00:51:12.360 Joseph McElroy: Good good biscuits and gravy and all that sort of stuff right but.</p><p>00:51:12.390 –&gt; 00:51:12.840 yeah.</p><p>00:51:14.070 –&gt; 00:51:17.370 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And I’ll twin Maggie better biscuit.</p><p>00:51:17.520 –&gt; 00:51:25.230 Joseph McElroy: Is awesome yeah So if you so if somebody after breakfast Where would you recommend going out have some fun.</p><p>00:51:26.460 –&gt; 00:51:35.520 JoEtta Newman-Holder: um depending on what you want to go blue if you just want to go for a drive the parkways are always an amazing place to go for a drive.</p><p>00:51:35.910 –&gt; 00:51:44.730 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah and it’s it and, again, one of my favorite places to go is down in cattle he valley and that’s kind of.</p><p>00:51:46.020 –&gt; 00:51:48.420 JoEtta Newman-Holder: An experience, just to get there.</p><p>00:51:48.540 –&gt; 00:51:49.260 In itself.</p><p>00:51:53.040 –&gt; 00:51:55.740 Joseph McElroy: in Canada, what is in Canada what’s fun to do.</p><p>00:51:56.400 –&gt; 00:52:06.660 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I’m actually in and around Clinton and there’s not a whole unfortunately there’s not a whole lot.</p><p>00:52:07.860 –&gt; 00:52:15.960 JoEtta Newman-Holder: To go do during the day, we do have a few nice shops downtown to go visit.</p><p>00:52:17.610 –&gt; 00:52:28.440 JoEtta Newman-Holder: We also during, particularly the summer there’s a lot of Nice festivals and picking in the park and.</p><p>00:52:28.740 –&gt; 00:52:34.860 Joseph McElroy: Things like that you have a good farmers market there that would be somewhat Saturday Sunday that has music yeah.</p><p>00:52:35.100 –&gt; 00:52:43.860 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah and it’s expanded recently and they’ve been open like Thursday through Saturday it’s been.</p><p>00:52:44.340 –&gt; 00:52:52.020 Joseph McElroy: really nice little like a little market square Mike has gone there and play he really, really does it’s kind of cool it’s kind of Nice.</p><p>00:52:52.050 –&gt; 00:52:56.940 JoEtta Newman-Holder: So it is it’s really nice and then.</p><p>00:52:58.740 –&gt; 00:53:01.530 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Well, the floods kind of did the park in.</p><p>00:53:02.070 –&gt; 00:53:03.540 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And Colin.</p><p>00:53:04.680 –&gt; 00:53:07.500 Joseph McElroy: was a perfect little come back yeah but.</p><p>00:53:07.830 –&gt; 00:53:15.690 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Once they come back and are cleaned up and it’s the park runs along the river.</p><p>00:53:16.260 –&gt; 00:53:17.190 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And it’s a.</p><p>00:53:17.280 –&gt; 00:53:19.770 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Really really nice place to walk.</p><p>00:53:21.540 –&gt; 00:53:23.940 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Or take the kids and play the.</p><p>00:53:24.720 –&gt; 00:53:26.400 Joseph McElroy: Wherever you’re going to do for lunch.</p><p>00:53:28.020 –&gt; 00:53:37.260 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh there’s a lot of really good lunch places, and I particularly enjoy like the southern porch in canton.</p><p>00:53:37.740 –&gt; 00:53:38.400 JoEtta Newman-Holder: and</p><p>00:53:38.490 –&gt; 00:53:39.990 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I like Jay rose.</p><p>00:53:41.340 –&gt; 00:53:43.050 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Great sandwiches.</p><p>00:53:44.760 –&gt; 00:53:52.500 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh gosh there’s then just outside the area there are Mexican restaurants and.</p><p>00:53:52.890 –&gt; 00:53:57.270 Joseph McElroy: there are lots of great things and how about bear water is a pretty good place right.</p><p>00:53:57.570 –&gt; 00:53:58.950 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh yeah bad water.</p><p>00:54:00.210 –&gt; 00:54:02.940 JoEtta Newman-Holder: it’s another place, that the flood.</p><p>00:54:03.240 –&gt; 00:54:08.580 Joseph McElroy: God, but they were early they have a great restaurant and Maggie Valley, to call the bear.</p><p>00:54:09.270 –&gt; 00:54:09.780 But.</p><p>00:54:10.890 –&gt; 00:54:12.240 JoEtta Newman-Holder: The second place yeah.</p><p>00:54:12.630 –&gt; 00:54:13.170 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s.</p><p>00:54:13.830 –&gt; 00:54:14.580 JoEtta Newman-Holder: going out.</p><p>00:54:15.420 –&gt; 00:54:16.380 Joseph McElroy: And when they get the kids.</p><p>00:54:16.410 –&gt; 00:54:20.970 Joseph McElroy: When they get the canton one back, it will be worthwhile because it’s beautiful, that was a beautiful place that was fun.</p><p>00:54:22.140 –&gt; 00:54:23.400 Joseph McElroy: afternoon, what would you do.</p><p>00:54:23.550 –&gt; 00:54:25.890 Joseph McElroy: yeah I mean I’m sure similar things but.</p><p>00:54:27.420 –&gt; 00:54:30.720 Joseph McElroy: They have some things going on this afternoon that’s worthwhile.</p><p>00:54:31.140 –&gt; 00:54:35.010 JoEtta Newman-Holder: I hear rumors that they’re getting ready to open up.</p><p>00:54:36.120 –&gt; 00:54:41.220 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Some new shops and possibly an x following disability.</p><p>00:54:41.340 –&gt; 00:54:45.510 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous all right so something I’ve been talking about doing that Maggie two.</p><p>00:54:47.820 –&gt; 00:54:49.440 Joseph McElroy: Extra is a thing to do.</p><p>00:54:50.580 –&gt; 00:54:50.700 Joseph McElroy: It.</p><p>00:54:52.140 –&gt; 00:54:52.680 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:54:54.240 –&gt; 00:55:03.210 Joseph McElroy: You know I gotta take us down because we’re coming to the end of our time, so if you have one name to shout out for dinner shout it out now.</p><p>00:55:04.170 –&gt; 00:55:11.910 JoEtta Newman-Holder: Oh dinner, one of my favorite places for dinner it’s not in canton it’s just outside canton and blue rooster.</p><p>00:55:14.340 –&gt; 00:55:18.450 Joseph McElroy: A blue rooster is kind of not I really liked the shrimp and grits they’re really good so.</p><p>00:55:19.890 –&gt; 00:55:22.320 Joseph McElroy: It is to the mall but the food is really good.</p><p>00:55:22.440 –&gt; 00:55:24.510 JoEtta Newman-Holder: yeah playing land is to die.</p><p>00:55:24.510 –&gt; 00:55:31.290 Joseph McElroy: For so any other shoutouts anything any other way you want people to reach out to you in any way.</p><p>00:55:32.220 –&gt; 00:55:40.890 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And I just they can reach me via my most likely The easiest way to get me through Facebook.</p><p>00:55:42.630 –&gt; 00:55:47.520 JoEtta Newman-Holder: And the websites up and down right now trying to reconstruct it.</p><p>00:55:48.990 –&gt; 00:56:04.650 Joseph McElroy: So that’s the mountain girl girls out the mountain girl outdoors webs web Facebook page which you can find things mountain outdoors girl right alright cool Well, this is, I appreciate so much you’ve been on the show and it’s been.</p><p>00:56:04.650 –&gt; 00:56:05.730 Joseph McElroy: very interesting.</p><p>00:56:06.990 –&gt; 00:56:10.230 Joseph McElroy: This is the been the gateway the smoke podcast</p><p>00:56:11.280 –&gt; 00:56:23.220 Joseph McElroy: As we’re every week on talk radio NYC talkradio.nyc, which is a great network of live podcasts right after this one is coffee talk XL, which is a wonderful podcast.</p><p>00:56:24.180 –&gt; 00:56:29.850 Joseph McElroy: And you can find more about this podcast on Facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast.</p><p>00:56:30.150 –&gt; 00:56:40.650 Joseph McElroy: Or you can find all the episodes on smokiesadventure.com click on the gateway to the smokies podcast at the top of the page and you can find out all sorts of information about this podcast.</p><p>00:56:40.980 –&gt; 00:56:59.790 Joseph McElroy: Again I’ll see you guys will be in reruns for a few weeks, but after the middle of January we back more live shows again talk, listen to the reruns next week same time six to seven, and thank you for being part of the show today.</p> 8e624f16-5038-486e-a777-dbd88fa20271 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/299e816c-db4d-401e-9653-c4633519844c Tue, 07 Dec 2021 23:00:00 +0000 3100 no full Episode 40: Local Boy Made Good Episode 40: Local Boy Made Good Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Join us in the next episode of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast with <strong>Jason Brady</strong>, a native of the Caney Fork Community of Jackson County, N.C.</p><p>He graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and worked several years for a telecommunications firm in Raleigh, N.C. before returning home for a job at his alma mater.</p><p>Jason has worked for the past two decades at WCU and now works in Special Collections for the university – the department he has worked in for the past 13 years. He is also a fine writer and an avid hiker.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this fun interview with Jason Brady as he shares with us some interesting stories about his work on the Special Collection for the WCU and his experiences being a historian and archivist.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/9DjH5G7gyP/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph begins the show with his usual intro before going into his sponsored message. Afterwards, he reads a poem called <em>The Recipe.</em> Introducing the guest, Jason Brady, Joseph asks him what it was like living up in his native county. Jason talks about the tight-knit community and nature walks he would have. He also discusses the origin of his love of history, reading books as a kid and gravitating to history naturally. Joseph then asks him about his electrical engineering degree and what he did with it. Jason describes how the pay and job were enjoyable, but his homesickness overtook him, so he took an opportunity to work in a library back in his hometown before working in special collections in WCU.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Jason about the Mountain Heritage Day Festival and if Jason had any play in setting it up. Jason talks about how the pandemic forced the festival to take a break for a year, but coming right back the next. Joseph then gets into Jason’s mentor and friend, the historian who got Jason into being a historian himself. Joseph asks him what a typical day looks like for an archivist looks like, and he describes how he is a walking analog historical log for people. Before the break, Joseph brings up how, in the next segment, he wanted to know if Jason knew or if the WCU had any information on Horace Kephart, the man who is credited to be one of the founders of the Smoky Mountain National Park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back, Joseph asks about other founders of the Smoky Mountains Park, sparking memory of several influential people such as Kelly Bennett. Jason explains how thousands of photos were discovered of Bennett and how an exhibit of Bennett is being planned. Jason also talks about the different artifacts the WCU collects to archive like photos, letters, or business ventures. He then talks about the thousands of photos that were discovered of Bennett, and the person behind the photographs, a botanist named Wells. Joseph wanted to discuss future plans Jason was planning. He describes how the scanning of the Bennett photos was going to take them some time in addition to trying to identify people in the photos, before making an exhibit of all these photos. They talk about ways to donate artifacts to the WCU through contacts with the university itself or Jason himself. Any materials pertaining to regional history is welcome to the WCU’s collection.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>After the break, Joseph asks Jason what kind of dogs and hobbies he may have. Jason characterizes his dogs as enjoying the same things he does like taking hikes and exploring the trails. This brings the discussion to his favorite hikes and trails for people and their pets. Many parts of the park have different rules on the topic of bringing pets so make sure you read the rules beforehand. Joseph then asks Jason’s ideal itinerary for Jackson County. The day begins with breakfast with coffee, spending time on the parkway, eating lunch at South Philly, and heading to Frog’s Leap for a few drinks or to the best brewery, according to Jason, Innovation. The day concludes with heading to Asheville, and underground speakeasies. Finally, Jason finishes off the show with a WCU promotion.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is Jason Brady, a native of the Caney Fork Community of Jackson County, N.C. He graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and worked several years for a telecommunications firm in Raleigh, N.C. before returning home for a job at his alma mater.

Jason has worked for the past two decades at WCU and now works in Special Collections for the university – the department he has worked in for the past 13 years. He is also a fine writer and an avid hiker.

Don't miss this fun interview with Jason Brady as he shares with us some interesting stories about his work on the Special Collection for the WCU and his experiences being a historian and archivist.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph begins the show with his usual intro before going into his sponsored message. Afterward, he reads a poem called The Recipe. Introducing the guest, Jason Brady, Joseph asks him what it was like living up in his native county. Jason talks about the tight-knit community and nature walks he would have. He also discusses the origin of his love of history, reading books as a kid and gravitating to history naturally. Joseph then asks him about his electrical engineering degree and what he did with it. Jason describes how the pay and job were enjoyable, but his homesickness overtook him, so he took an opportunity to work in a library back in his hometown before working in special collections in WCU.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Jason about the Mountain Heritage Day Festival and if Jason had any play in setting it up. Jason talks about how the pandemic forced the festival to take a break for a year, but come right back the next. Joseph then gets into Jason’s mentor and friend, the historian who got Jason into being a historian himself. Joseph asks him what a typical day looks like for an archivist looks like, and he describes how he is a walking analog historical log for people. Before the break, Joseph brings up how, in the next segment, he wanted to know if Jason knew or if the WCU had any information on Horace Kephart, the man who is credited to be one of the founders of the Smoky Mountain National Park.

Segment 3

Coming back, Joseph asks about other founders of the Smoky Mountains Park, sparking the memory of several influential people such as Kelly Bennett. Jason explains how thousands of photos were discovered of Bennett and how an exhibit of Bennett is being planned. Jason also talks about the different artifacts the WCU collects from archives like photos, letters, or business ventures. He then talks about the thousands of photos that were discovered of Bennett, and the person behind the photographs, a botanist named Wells. Joseph wanted to discuss future plans Jason was planning. He describes how the scanning of the Bennett photos was going to take them some time in addition to trying to identify people in the photos, before making an exhibit of all these photos. They talk about ways to donate artifacts to the WCU through contacts with the university itself or Jason himself. Any materials pertaining to regional history are welcome to the WCU’s collection.

Segment 4

After the break, Joseph asks Jason what kind of dogs and hobbies he may have. Jason characterizes his dogs as enjoying the same things he does like taking hikes and exploring the trails. This brings the discussion to his favorite hikes and trails for people and their pets. Many parts of the park have different rules on the topic of bringing pets so make sure you read the rules beforehand. Joseph then asks about Jason’s ideal itinerary for Jackson County. The day begins with breakfast with coffee, spending time on the parkway, eating lunch at South Philly, and heading to Frog’s Leap for a few drinks or to the best brewery, according to Jason, Innovation. The day concludes with heading to Asheville and underground speakeasies. Finally, Jason finishes off the show with a WCU promotion.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:36.660 –> 00:00:40.200 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of

00:00:40.620 –> 00:00:51.360 Joseph McElroy: Gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:51.990 –> 00:01:00.990 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty with a deep-storied history and rich in cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:01.770 –> 00:01:14.490 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world but also has deep roots and in this Mountain, my family has been living the great smoky for over 200 years my businesses is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:15.360 –> 00:01:21.870 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we’re talking to a local boy made good, the first let’s hear from some sponsors.

00:01:23.100 –> 00:01:31.290 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of the motor courts of the past, modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian.

00:01:32.580 –> 00:01:45.600 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in the mountain areas trout stream grill the catch on fire, and the company by fine wine or craft beers.

00:01:45.930 –> 00:02:04.980 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine a place with mountain heritage food underground speakeasies there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:02:07.110 –> 00:02:18.330 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com smokies are plural adventure singular it’s a site for with information and listings about the smoky mountains, including hiking and.

00:02:19.170 –> 00:02:28.230 Joseph McElroy: wedding venues, and has links to both the trail and resources to help you experience the smokies in an old different way.

00:02:28.710 –> 00:02:46.290 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smokies adventures outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and ventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons, and more, it is the leading information portal for smoky now.

00:02:48.720 –> 00:02:53.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s good to see you or hear you or be part of your listening experience this week.

00:02:55.380 –> 00:02:57.840 Joseph McElroy: And I’m glad to be back we’ve had a couple of weeks off.

00:02:59.100 –> 00:03:13.110 Joseph McElroy: I got a little poem that’s relevant I think some of the things we’re talking about today and it’s called the recipes via a user online a craft the mermaids I’m not sure, a lot of us to but it’s simple it’s called the resin.

00:03:13.950 –> 00:03:39.360 Joseph McElroy: sweet recipe handed down Chris teen dried fruit perfect eggs golden batter in my aunt’s pyrex bowl but cousin Lucy check the legs, the batter’s too dark she turned left oh hi that’s just the brandy, I could feel my internal over her grave.

00:03:41.400 –> 00:03:43.410 Joseph McElroy: that’s talking about fruit cakes, of course.

00:03:44.910 –> 00:03:51.420 Joseph McElroy: And, as you know, I’m the owner of the Meadowlark Motel we’re going to have some fruit cake coming up.

00:03:52.470 –> 00:04:05.100 Joseph McElroy: You know, have companies have a holiday party for employees and family what the Meadowlark, are we going to have our guests at our company party as well, and every December 18.

00:04:05.460 –> 00:04:17.580 Joseph McElroy: The week before Christmas, we will celebrate with traditional mountain treats like fruitcake and, by the way, you know fruitcake which you know came over with the Scots Irish settlers.

00:04:18.690 –> 00:04:23.130 Joseph McElroy: And, and my wife who’s actually a Trinidadian descent, where they have a similar.

00:04:24.390 –> 00:04:34.830 Joseph McElroy: traditions of Scots Irish coming there she might do a Trinidadian black wrong jake will have mincemeat pies and other treats, we will also.

00:04:35.280 –> 00:04:43.650 Joseph McElroy: serenade wasn’t called carefully when I wrote this poem serenade serenading people in front of the rooms and giving them warm cookies.

00:04:44.100 –> 00:05:00.120 Joseph McElroy: will set, we will send Santa letters to the berries for delivery, this means throw them into the fire and, of course, you have good drinks and use it, but guess who attend free locals can get in $15 will show up as have a good time week for Christmas.

00:05:01.590 –> 00:05:13.110 Joseph McElroy: we’re also the Meadowlark in January I’m very excited about something that we’re gonna be doing two years ago we had what was called a Robert Burns suffers.

00:05:13.650 –> 00:05:25.050 Joseph McElroy: Robert Burns is the poet laureate of Scotland during the essentially the time when we a lot of us got divers coming over to settle in the.

00:05:25.740 –> 00:05:35.070 Joseph McElroy: In the smoky mountains and the rest of the Appalachian and they surely news Robert Burns who’s one of their favorite poets as well.

00:05:35.490 –> 00:05:53.700 Joseph McElroy: And he also was recorded and actually wrote down and also created a lot of balance that was popular to sing at the time that we were the settlers in the smoke in the Appalachians so there’s an annual.

00:05:55.680 –> 00:06:00.270 Joseph McElroy: birthday celebration in Scotland and other places that love is poetry.

00:06:01.500 –> 00:06:15.960 Joseph McElroy: The JET on January 25 of every year, and this is it’s called the burn some supper it’s an institution of Scottish life celebrating the life and work of the national bar scholar.

00:06:16.500 –> 00:06:28.470 Joseph McElroy: it’s a combination of culinary delights pomp and circumstance artistry and entertainment and culminating in a raw rowdy rivaled fun-filled life that is helping you.

00:06:29.040 –> 00:06:35.220 Joseph McElroy: And I don’t feature things like a haggis which is not everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s worth tasting once in a lifetime.

00:06:35.910 –> 00:06:48.180 Joseph McElroy: And it’s going to Meadowlark on January 25 which is my family owns it for many years and we’re known for our hospitality passion for culture and art.

00:06:49.140 –> 00:06:58.920 Joseph McElroy: It will be an evening filled with delicious Scottish food and wine tasting whiskey patients and toasts and all sorts of things, but not only lad that.

00:06:59.520 –> 00:07:14.490 Joseph McElroy: For the four days prior to the event we’re going to be doing many Scottish themes event by Friday, there will be a whiskey tasting in the speakeasy and when we have Scottish artists and residents will be doing music.

00:07:16.620 –> 00:07:20.220 Joseph McElroy: DJ music, then he will also a Saturday created concert.

00:07:21.240 –> 00:07:36.900 Joseph McElroy: With Mike and some of his friends, and that in either the pavilion or in the speakeasy then on Sunday, to be a bonfire historical programs by Bob Plott and more balanced sung

00:07:37.500 –> 00:07:47.490 Joseph McElroy: by an artist named William Ritter, then, on Monday there’ll be a program presented in my MAC Mclean President of the Haywood historical society county historical society.

00:07:48.030 –> 00:07:52.350 Joseph McElroy: about the Ulster Scott North Carolina and then Tuesday night, of course, will be the.

00:07:52.710 –> 00:08:04.290 Joseph McElroy: big involved rockets event that’s called burns dinner, and many of us will be wearing our kills from our family heritage and doing toasts and just having a grand old time.

00:08:04.950 –> 00:08:16.590 Joseph McElroy: So I look forward to seeing you at some of these events that we’re having and, of course, on Christmas Day, we have a Christmas meal for our guests and on the new year’s Eve, we have a wonderful.

00:08:18.210 –> 00:08:23.910 Joseph McElroy: toast and champagne and whatnot in the speakeasy for our guests.

00:08:25.470 –> 00:08:35.640 Joseph McElroy: So today’s podcast we have a wonderful guest his name is Jason Brady and he worked for the past two decades in Western Carolina University.

00:08:36.150 –> 00:08:52.470 Joseph McElroy: And now works, I think, is an intern Chief of special collections from the university, the department, he been working for the past 13 years Jason is a fine writer avid hiker, enjoy spending time with his wife and their beloved dogs Hello Jason.

00:08:54.690 –> 00:08:55.380 Jason Brady: hey there.

00:08:56.760 –> 00:09:00.390 Joseph McElroy: How are you doing today how’s Western North Carolina.

00:09:01.440 –> 00:09:02.070 Jason Brady: Oh it’s great.

00:09:03.450 –> 00:09:04.410 Jason Brady: Great place to be.

00:09:04.770 –> 00:09:13.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you grew up in our native of one of the most beautiful communities in our region Caney Fork for what was it like growing up, there is a boy.

00:09:15.210 –> 00:09:25.650 Jason Brady: Well, it was fantastic really um it was much more rural when I was kid lot more agriculture there’s a lot of farming.

00:09:26.820 –> 00:09:28.500 Jason Brady: very tight knit community.

00:09:30.030 –> 00:09:32.880 Jason Brady: It was just a wonderful place to be a kid.

00:09:34.050 –> 00:09:38.340 Joseph McElroy: What were some of the things that you enjoy doing in Caney fork when you were growing up.

00:09:39.960 –> 00:09:47.370 Jason Brady: We used to go on what we call a creek walks we just take off up the creek just walking in the Caney Fork.

00:09:47.490 –> 00:09:48.750 Jason Brady: it’s about river.

00:09:50.700 –> 00:09:51.180 Jason Brady: I spent.

00:09:52.740 –> 00:09:59.040 Jason Brady: More than a little time in the cane break New York a fork in front of our house.

00:10:01.230 –> 00:10:05.370 Jason Brady: actually spent a little bit of time in the tobacco fields nearby to

00:10:07.440 –> 00:10:13.950 Jason Brady: We really it was a really special place to be as a kid.

00:10:14.280 –> 00:10:16.170 Joseph McElroy: sort of idyllic right yeah.

00:10:16.230 –> 00:10:18.000 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely cool.

00:10:19.170 –> 00:10:19.590 Joseph McElroy: and

00:10:20.850 –> 00:10:33.900 Joseph McElroy: Did you start did you have any interest in history and that sort of stuff when you were a kid in that area that’s things piqued your interest that you can look back and say that’s maybe more so my thought processes came from.

00:10:34.860 –> 00:10:35.970 Jason Brady: I did um.

00:10:37.200 –> 00:10:52.350 Jason Brady: I read a lot as a kid and gravitated towards history, but I always just saw it as an interesting thing is a hobby I never pictured some sort of career path.

00:10:53.610 –> 00:10:59.160 Joseph McElroy: I guess Oh, you know a lot of people don’t when they when you say exciting history people somebody’s gonna be a lawyer.

00:11:00.480 –> 00:11:00.900 Jason Brady: Right.

00:11:01.050 –> 00:11:07.290 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah it’s not necessarily the most obvious lawyer, Professor so.

00:11:08.580 –> 00:11:14.850 Joseph McElroy: So you went to Western Carolina University and you graduated in 1999.

00:11:16.230 –> 00:11:19.620 Joseph McElroy: With a degree in electronics electrical engineering.

00:11:22.260 –> 00:11:29.250 Joseph McElroy: And then you hit it off with a big city north of Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina how did you get into like to.

00:11:30.600 –> 00:11:32.190 Joseph McElroy: end an area, what did you do there.

00:11:33.090 –> 00:11:35.700 Jason Brady: Well, I don’t know, I was always I’m.

00:11:37.230 –> 00:11:43.500 Jason Brady: Always bit math and science, and that was the height of the tech boom, you know.

00:11:43.860 –> 00:11:44.340 Jason Brady: That was.

00:11:44.670 –> 00:11:54.360 Jason Brady: That was what people were doing, and the money was great and they were hiring people straight out of college for pretty obscene amounts of money.

00:11:55.830 –> 00:12:02.070 Joseph McElroy: raised a few million dollars right in 1999 and I raised a bunch of money at the coffee I know all Well back crazy.

00:12:04.230 –> 00:12:08.850 Jason Brady: It was wild yeah so I didn’t think I’d missed the mountains that much.

00:12:09.990 –> 00:12:16.650 Jason Brady: I just they just never crossed my mind, because I guess if you grow up in a place you just don’t really.

00:12:17.700 –> 00:12:23.040 Jason Brady: You don’t really truly appreciate it for what it is, but I did once I got down there.

00:12:23.760 –> 00:12:26.070 Joseph McElroy: And how long have you worked on it.

00:12:27.060 –> 00:12:28.080 Jason Brady: About a year and a half.

00:12:28.440 –> 00:12:32.070 Joseph McElroy: right and it really got me was like that’s enough for me.

00:12:32.940 –> 00:12:39.060 Jason Brady: yeah pretty much I like the work, the work was once I got to know what I was doing.

00:12:40.110 –> 00:12:43.080 Jason Brady: I enjoyed the word, but I just.

00:12:43.800 –> 00:12:45.780 Joseph McElroy: reprogramming are you doing.

00:12:46.590 –> 00:12:47.160 Jason Brady: I was doing.

00:12:47.940 –> 00:12:51.450 Jason Brady: I was doing fiber-optic communications, I was doing.

00:12:53.760 –> 00:13:01.410 Jason Brady: I was working for one of the major long-distance carriers and network providers in the country.

00:13:03.390 –> 00:13:06.900 Jason Brady: It was challenging and it was interesting but.

00:13:08.100 –> 00:13:13.200 Jason Brady: I really I miss my family and I missed this place an awful lot so.

00:13:15.270 –> 00:13:18.150 Joseph McElroy: An opportunity to have that opportunity.

00:13:19.170 –> 00:13:25.470 Jason Brady: Well um I got an opportunity to come back actually started working at Western again.

00:13:26.880 –> 00:13:31.800 Jason Brady: And I worked in the library when I was a student at Western.

00:13:33.120 –> 00:13:33.630 Jason Brady: and

00:13:34.680 –> 00:13:36.240 Jason Brady: Always miss the library to.

00:13:37.650 –> 00:13:40.650 Jason Brady: library it’s just a wonderful place to be so.

00:13:41.760 –> 00:13:43.500 Jason Brady: When I came back I worked.

00:13:45.420 –> 00:13:50.010 Jason Brady: I’ve worked for several departments in the library, but I spent quite a while and catalog.

00:13:51.840 –> 00:13:55.800 Jason Brady: But then the opportunity arose in special collections.

00:13:56.370 –> 00:14:02.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh, and of course that’s a lot of us digital so you have a pretty good familiarity with that.

00:14:02.910 –> 00:14:04.080 Jason Brady: Right exactly.

00:14:04.800 –> 00:14:10.260 Jason Brady: And I worked as I worked in special collections with George Brazil when I was a student.

00:14:10.590 –> 00:14:11.100 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:14:12.030 –> 00:14:13.530 Jason Brady: I was already in so.

00:14:14.040 –> 00:14:22.620 Joseph McElroy: cool so when we come back we’re going to break now we’ll talk more about the roles and His story and special questions like that.

00:16:39.210 –> 00:16:46.950 Joseph McElroy: It is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jason Brady.

00:16:48.150 –> 00:16:57.510 Joseph McElroy: So Jason your Western Carolina has been the director of the special digital collections at WCU.

00:16:58.920 –> 00:17:01.740 Joseph McElroy: know I guess all your historian and activists.

00:17:02.880 –> 00:17:10.980 Joseph McElroy: But you know I want to there’s something that I wanted to get you to know as first, is that there’s a huge event that happens related to.

00:17:11.280 –> 00:17:22.560 Joseph McElroy: where you are every year, so one of the top 10 events in the southeast I think festivals, with the Western Carolina university mountain heritage day, are you involved in planning or playing an active role in that.

00:17:23.820 –> 00:17:42.300 Jason Brady: Not a whole lot um I have a lot of great memories of going to it when I was a kid and when we when they put that on we always have a large influx of folks come into special collections, who were interested in our region’s history.

00:17:43.680 –> 00:17:51.720 Joseph McElroy: That now you do you ever do any yeah exhibits there during the day or any kind of programs involving festival.

00:17:52.680 –> 00:17:54.270 Jason Brady: The library does sometimes.

00:17:55.530 –> 00:18:06.900 Jason Brady: We play a supporting role to the mountain heritage Center if they need photographs historic photographs or anything else we’re kind of behind the scenes are.

00:18:07.680 –> 00:18:10.020 Joseph McElroy: It really is an awesome festival isn’t it.

00:18:11.040 –> 00:18:12.090 Jason Brady: It really is.

00:18:13.320 –> 00:18:23.340 Jason Brady: That was one of those things that as a kid you just never missed mountain heritage day it was always something on the calendar.

00:18:24.060 –> 00:18:30.930 Joseph McElroy: And yeah last year was canceled, where it was bad no was it last year 40,000 computers over the years we’ve been encoded.

00:18:32.250 –> 00:18:36.960 Joseph McElroy: But it was back right after going after code restrictions, replacing it was incredible right.

00:18:37.440 –> 00:18:38.760 Jason Brady: yeah it sure was.

00:18:39.840 –> 00:18:47.070 Jason Brady: It was it’s it was good to see it come back yeah they had that they thought it was best to take a year off.

00:18:49.320 –> 00:18:51.690 Joseph McElroy: They do a virtual right.

00:18:52.530 –> 00:18:57.480 Jason Brady: I don’t think so um I don’t believe I don’t think there was.

00:18:58.800 –> 00:19:10.470 Joseph McElroy: So let’s get back to you all right, you mentioned George Brazil, who was like what was the director of, especially the WC Center for like 30 some years right.

00:19:11.190 –> 00:19:13.920 Jason Brady: yeah north of three decades yeah he was.

00:19:14.940 –> 00:19:18.330 Joseph McElroy: Historical icon another local boy you work with them.

00:19:18.390 –> 00:19:23.640 Jason Brady: Oh yeah uh yeah I was George’s assistant for about 10 years.

00:19:25.170 –> 00:19:34.830 Jason Brady: And George George is definitely he’s an accomplished historian, especially, especially for local history, he just.

00:19:35.880 –> 00:19:37.350 Jason Brady: he’s amazing.

00:19:37.920 –> 00:19:41.100 Joseph McElroy: Right and you work with when you were in school that right.

00:19:41.850 –> 00:19:45.660 Jason Brady: I did I worked, I worked with I worked for George when I was a student as well.

00:19:45.900 –> 00:19:49.140 Joseph McElroy: But inspired you from the get-go that’s why you came back probably.

00:19:49.980 –> 00:19:59.490 Jason Brady: it’s a big part of it he’s a good friend to and George George is just he’s so knowledgeable and he’s just so generous.

00:20:01.440 –> 00:20:03.660 Jason Brady: I learned I learned so much from George.

00:20:04.470 –> 00:20:10.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s really cool to have a mentor like that to get to really start your career.

00:20:11.460 –> 00:20:15.780 Joseph McElroy: But after he retired you worked as an interim director for.

00:20:17.790 –> 00:20:34.440 Jason Brady: Well I’m actually we had a merger, especially in digital collections and librarian who ran the digital collections part became the library and especially digital collections and when she left, I became an interim head of special and digital collections.

00:20:35.040 –> 00:20:37.230 Joseph McElroy: cool and hopefully that will change to be.

00:20:40.440 –> 00:20:42.270 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s a that I get.

00:20:43.590 –> 00:20:45.450 Jason Brady: She actually we hired we.

00:20:45.690 –> 00:20:46.710 Jason Brady: we’ve hired.

00:20:46.920 –> 00:20:47.580 Joseph McElroy: So, really.

00:20:47.820 –> 00:20:52.590 Jason Brady: I don’t have to do that stuff anymore I get to work with the materials now.

00:20:54.510 –> 00:20:54.960 Jason Brady: yeah.

00:20:55.200 –> 00:21:12.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah one of the things I worked at IBM right when I first started my career as a young guy and I loved program I love programming, but then they promoted me started promoting it up the chain I got to be cheaper where nothing was the chief program was just an administrator.

00:21:12.270 –> 00:21:14.010 Joseph McElroy: I cant he doesn’t Program.

00:21:14.520 –> 00:21:24.360 Joseph McElroy: I could not stand it I ended up quitting I could not stand was a big job and I could not stand it I just that is just literally drove me NUTS yeah yeah.

00:21:24.900 –> 00:21:27.630 Jason Brady: I’m with it that’s exactly how it is.

00:21:27.720 –> 00:21:31.440 Jason Brady: Either vastly prefer to interact with.

00:21:32.790 –> 00:21:39.990 Jason Brady: The donors and the users of our materials and the materials themselves.

00:21:40.020 –> 00:21:48.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah now anytime I’ve ever been got smart as close to being like, I have to be the administrator of doing this stuff is like that, not for me at.

00:21:49.380 –> 00:21:58.860 Joseph McElroy: The be a business owner is your you finally you get to be the top of thing choose what parts are doing so I do the parts of actually involved doing stuff.

00:22:01.890 –> 00:22:08.370 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a very special collection, that is a great honor actually it is perpetuating a bunch of George’s legs.

00:22:09.540 –> 00:22:11.910 Joseph McElroy: What are your earliest challenges with it.

00:22:13.440 –> 00:22:25.590 Jason Brady: Well, the first major challenge of losing George is losing George I mean the amount of information that he carries around with him is just staggering.

00:22:27.690 –> 00:22:29.580 Jason Brady: And really.

00:22:31.290 –> 00:22:42.570 Jason Brady: Keeping keeping contact with the organizations and individual people who are such good friends of special collections I’m.

00:22:44.550 –> 00:22:47.190 Jason Brady: Keeping a good personal relationship with these folks.

00:22:48.330 –> 00:22:50.550 Jason Brady: You know they know George so.

00:22:52.950 –> 00:22:54.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah they’re not George.

00:22:55.620 –> 00:22:56.850 Jason Brady: George exactly.

00:23:00.090 –> 00:23:07.350 Jason Brady: You know, we do our best, but that was a that’s one of those losses that you just don’t take easily.

00:23:07.740 –> 00:23:13.530 Joseph McElroy: yeah you can’t you can’t reproduce it yet that you have to build your own legacy in a different way.

00:23:13.890 –> 00:23:15.090 Jason Brady: Right exactly you.

00:23:15.090 –> 00:23:15.480 Joseph McElroy: have to.

00:23:15.570 –> 00:23:21.480 Jason Brady: You have to build those relationships with folks, and I mean it’s wonderful we’ve got great folks it’s.

00:23:22.890 –> 00:23:29.970 Jason Brady: But he was he like I said he was George’s very generous and he introduced me to all sorts of people.

00:23:31.380 –> 00:23:33.720 Jason Brady: In the years before his retirement oh.

00:23:34.440 –> 00:23:35.910 Joseph McElroy: Just so I could be helpful.

00:23:36.300 –> 00:23:39.150 Joseph McElroy: And you got to direct the appendix for one of those great books right.

00:23:40.080 –> 00:23:56.820 Jason Brady: yeah he and may Claxton did a book on Horace Kephart’s writings it was published by the University of Tennessee press and I got to write the appendix that describes HoraceKepharts library books that are in his library.

00:23:57.540 –> 00:24:00.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah you have any other writing credits that you like.

00:24:02.160 –> 00:24:09.780 Jason Brady: um no not really I write a bunch of finding aids like sure.

00:24:13.050 –> 00:24:22.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah well listen before it took me until I was in my 40s to actually do anything but technical writing, but then I got into poetry and other things I started.

00:24:23.100 –> 00:24:33.900 Joseph McElroy: doing some things and found I liked it like my credits before say 45 or you know the reasons why Q theory is working for blah blah blah.

00:24:36.600 –> 00:24:39.540 Joseph McElroy: But you know, the people in the world would find interesting.

00:24:41.670 –> 00:24:46.320 Joseph McElroy: So what is the typical day like for professional historical archivists.

00:24:46.980 –> 00:24:47.910 For this as well.

00:24:49.110 –> 00:25:06.810 Jason Brady: they’re there they very um I take in new collections are all I’ll be describing old collections I’ll be doing space management, working with donors and mostly helping people find answers to their questions.

00:25:08.610 –> 00:25:13.230 Joseph McElroy: Or if you’re sort of like analog Internet.

00:25:14.100 –> 00:25:18.300 Jason Brady: yeah pretty much it’s it kind of feels like that sometimes.

00:25:18.330 –> 00:25:18.840 Right.

00:25:19.920 –> 00:25:24.180 Joseph McElroy: And you just have to back yourself up a little digital information yeah.

00:25:24.210 –> 00:25:24.990 Jason Brady: yeah right.

00:25:25.680 –> 00:25:29.880 Joseph McElroy: Your digital memory bank, do you think it’s like one of the first chips that are provided.

00:25:31.080 –> 00:25:32.940 Joseph McElroy: An index of lots of information.

00:25:35.070 –> 00:25:50.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah so you know you we did a Kephart’s festival at the Meadowlark smoky mountain Heritage site and you really assist us with some displays and programs that were incredible I really appreciate it, thank you.

00:25:52.320 –> 00:26:03.030 Joseph McElroy: And you know, the question I would think you’re like what should count your department parallel universes special collections has to be world’s foremost Kephart culture right.

00:26:04.740 –> 00:26:08.730 Jason Brady: I would like to think so I can’t imagine that anybody could be better.

00:26:09.930 –> 00:26:10.440 Jason Brady: We have.

00:26:11.850 –> 00:26:15.210 Jason Brady: Enormous collection that haveKephart’s

00:26:17.040 –> 00:26:24.660 Jason Brady: Information his his his personal possessions, when he passed his library his journals photographs.

00:26:25.800 –> 00:26:29.340 Jason Brady: drive drafts of writing works and so forth.

00:26:30.540 –> 00:26:32.550 Jason Brady: it’s it’s a large collection and.

00:26:33.990 –> 00:26:45.330 Jason Brady: After that, we’ve received collections of family correspondence and all sorts of other things from Libby Kephart Hargrave he’s great-granddaughter.

00:26:45.540 –> 00:26:48.870 Joseph McElroy: Oh, oh wedding dress you bought that too.

00:26:48.900 –> 00:26:49.740 Jason Brady: Others right.

00:26:50.490 –> 00:26:52.170 Joseph McElroy: Yes, exactly yeah.

00:26:52.200 –> 00:27:03.780 Jason Brady: yeah so our Kephart’s collection is just fantastic and much of the collection is honored by our digital projects online.

00:27:04.920 –> 00:27:05.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh well, for those.

00:27:07.200 –> 00:27:20.250 Joseph McElroy: Listening Horrace Kephart don’t know already talked about it but or kat bar was one of the quote quote-unquote original founders or inspirations for the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:27:21.660 –> 00:27:32.070 Joseph McElroy: And he’s also quite an interesting character, with a really intense personal story that creates lots of.

00:27:33.510 –> 00:27:40.200 Joseph McElroy: claim, as well as lots of controversies so it’s nice to have a lot of information about him.

00:27:41.610 –> 00:27:51.720 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break, when we come back we’ll talk about some of the other founders that she might have some you know some info in the collection of the smoky mountains.

00:27:56.520 –> 00:27:57.510 Jason Brady: Most of our.

00:29:58.920 –> 00:30:09.720 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back to the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jason Brady you have you know other founders of the.

00:30:10.290 –> 00:30:21.720 Joseph McElroy: Of the great smoky mountains artifacts and information there that special collections and WCU like George lots of Japanese photographer he’s an interesting guy right.

00:30:22.590 –> 00:30:24.900 Jason Brady: Oh yeah absolutely always.

00:30:25.410 –> 00:30:27.390 Joseph McElroy: And I think you’re pretty elaborate.

00:30:28.830 –> 00:30:31.050 Joseph McElroy: Collection about him right.

00:30:31.500 –> 00:30:35.910 Jason Brady: yeah it’s uh it’s also the things that were in his possession when he died.

00:30:36.330 –> 00:30:42.360 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow but you know what I really learned about you Kelly better photo archives.

00:30:43.980 –> 00:30:45.000 Joseph McElroy: Recently right.

00:30:45.720 –> 00:30:47.460 Jason Brady: Yes, very exciting.

00:30:48.540 –> 00:30:54.870 Jason Brady: it’s a large photo archive taken by the Bryson city pharmacist Kelly minute.

00:30:55.230 –> 00:30:58.890 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us a little bit about him and was it contribution or.

00:30:59.460 –> 00:31:01.680 Jason Brady: Oh gosh we don’t have time.

00:31:02.040 –> 00:31:02.430 Oh.

00:31:05.580 –> 00:31:16.260 Jason Brady: He was a State Senator he was a state representative, he was mayor of Bryson city, he was the sole pharmacist, besides his father and his brother.

00:31:18.240 –> 00:31:24.660 Jason Brady: Besides his father opens the first pharmacy in the area in Bryson and city and.

00:31:27.210 –> 00:31:29.130 Jason Brady: Kelly was.

00:31:31.080 –> 00:31:42.930 Jason Brady: Is intensely involved in all sorts of civic things he was he was it everything is his photographs are any indication he took photographs of all sorts of things like.

00:31:44.700 –> 00:31:50.340 Jason Brady: athletic events scrap metal drives from World War Two.

00:31:51.480 –> 00:31:54.000 Jason Brady: He took thousands of photographs.

00:31:54.090 –> 00:31:58.020 Joseph McElroy: But it ended up being an amateur historian, etc.

00:31:59.070 –> 00:31:59.730 Jason Brady: yeah he was.

00:32:00.090 –> 00:32:02.700 Joseph McElroy: pencil with an intense documentation.

00:32:03.780 –> 00:32:08.220 Jason Brady: yeah and he really knew what he was doing to his photographs are just.

00:32:09.780 –> 00:32:11.220 Jason Brady: brilliantly executed.

00:32:12.660 –> 00:32:19.830 Joseph McElroy: wow you know bomb plot, you know Bob’s video is that he works with these that general manager of ours Meadowlark smoky mountain here is.

00:32:20.460 –> 00:32:34.500 Joseph McElroy: The new Mr. Bennett is a boy, and I visited roast or off of it, he bumps are the grapes and milkshakes and now you’ll never forget the side as Bennett he knows a sort of good marketing there right.

00:32:35.460 –> 00:32:38.520 Jason Brady: yeah It really is, and I doubt it’s wrong.

00:32:39.270 –> 00:32:41.760 Jason Brady: it’s he’s it’s serious.

00:32:43.620 –> 00:32:54.060 Joseph McElroy: So, so he said he took a lot of photographers lot of photographs and he did he took photographs of Horrace right you got some of his photos of Horrace Kephart.

00:32:54.300 –> 00:32:55.320 Jason Brady: Oh yeah.

00:32:56.100 –> 00:32:59.820 Jason Brady: It was amazing at the first just the first run-through.

00:33:01.050 –> 00:33:05.370 Jason Brady: There was were a dozen new photographs of Horrace Kephart that we hadn’t seen.

00:33:06.690 –> 00:33:07.050 Jason Brady: and

00:33:08.100 –> 00:33:20.280 Jason Brady: that’s uncommon I haven’t I’ve only seen one in my career I’ve only seen one previously unknown photo of Horrace Kephart of her and all sudden there’s 12 hours.

00:33:20.640 –> 00:33:22.230 Jason Brady: Day turns out there’s even more.

00:33:23.490 –> 00:33:31.050 Jason Brady: And we haven’t been through all of them, yet so yeah there are tons of new photos of Horrace Kephart in this.

00:33:31.770 –> 00:33:44.190 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s an interesting guy Bob wanted me to ask you about Jack Code Covert, who is a supposed train Boxer about Malfoy referred to him as the practice not What was it, what was the what was this story.

00:33:45.750 –> 00:33:52.380 Jason Brady: He is not from the area but came here when he was a young man and was a.

00:33:54.330 –> 00:34:11.520 Jason Brady: Timberman and land speculator and he was at during the 20s and early 30s he was probably the wealthiest man in the far western counties of North Carolina.

00:34:12.840 –> 00:34:22.290 Jason Brady: And just uh there are so many good stories about jack he and the thing about the stories are when you see photographs on.

00:34:23.340 –> 00:34:29.220 Jason Brady: The person that’s described in the stories or you can tell it’s it’s him.

00:34:30.360 –> 00:34:32.760 Jason Brady: He just comes across in the photos.

00:34:34.110 –> 00:34:37.830 Jason Brady: There, there are some pretty good photos of jack in the.

00:34:38.400 –> 00:34:39.810 Joseph McElroy: photos really matter.

00:34:41.760 –> 00:34:43.260 Jason Brady: Not not not too many.

00:34:44.190 –> 00:34:44.790 Jason Brady: Too many.

00:34:46.200 –> 00:34:47.520 Joseph McElroy: But enough to give a picture.

00:34:48.120 –> 00:34:50.430 Jason Brady: yeah enough to get a picture of jack.

00:34:51.720 –> 00:34:52.050 Jason Brady: The.

00:34:53.220 –> 00:35:01.830 Jason Brady: Always presence, the gar that’s just either dangling from his lips or his fingers and never let.

00:35:04.830 –> 00:35:05.460 Joseph McElroy: So how many.

00:35:06.480 –> 00:35:07.590 Joseph McElroy: How many photos are involved.

00:35:08.280 –> 00:35:10.050 Jason Brady: I don’t have an exact number but.

00:35:12.060 –> 00:35:17.280 Jason Brady: We haven’t done them all it’s it’s I think it’s probably somewhere between three and 4000.

00:35:17.850 –> 00:35:20.580 Joseph McElroy: wow and are you planning an exhibit soon.

00:35:22.110 –> 00:35:32.070 Jason Brady: we’re hoping to have a small exhibit up in our reading room in special collections now but we’re currently going through a swap.

00:35:33.270 –> 00:35:38.610 Jason Brady: Our online content management system is being updated we’re completely redoing it.

00:35:39.900 –> 00:35:51.990 Jason Brady: So we’re having to hold off on some new content on the website until that’s finished and once that’s finished yeah I think I think we’re going to do some.

00:35:53.550 –> 00:35:53.970 Joseph McElroy: don’t.

00:35:54.030 –> 00:35:56.520 Joseph McElroy: know you don’t have yet a big unveiling.

00:35:56.520 –> 00:35:57.270 Joseph McElroy: plan right.

00:35:58.170 –> 00:35:59.100 Jason Brady: No, not yet.

00:36:00.690 –> 00:36:03.090 Jason Brady: We don’t even have them all scanned yet so.

00:36:04.410 –> 00:36:15.840 Jason Brady: we’ve got the first couple thousand scanned and they’ve started going online, but it’s it’s so exciting to see these things it’s just their old but they’re new.

00:36:18.030 –> 00:36:22.980 Joseph McElroy: So you know photos are not only part of what to do, but you also have oral.

00:36:24.690 –> 00:36:38.460 Joseph McElroy: History as well that was really that you use our interviews conducted by the Western North Carolina tomorrow or have you to use black oral History project as part of 100 library special data collection.

00:36:41.100 –> 00:36:45.360 Joseph McElroy: What a fascinating glimpse and experience with African Americans Carolina

00:36:46.170 –> 00:36:48.960 Jason Brady: yeah it’s neat it’s a neat project.

00:36:50.130 –> 00:36:57.240 Jason Brady: Those interviews are they’re all online now and they are they’re really worth a list.

00:36:57.540 –> 00:36:58.920 Joseph McElroy: They they really are.

00:36:59.490 –> 00:37:00.690 Jason Brady: We also collect.

00:37:01.920 –> 00:37:03.690 Jason Brady: letters and.

00:37:05.340 –> 00:37:11.100 Jason Brady: ledger’s business records all sorts of historical materials about the area.

00:37:14.910 –> 00:37:17.280 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think it’s interesting that you discover.

00:37:18.690 –> 00:37:26.670 Joseph McElroy: You know, things that you discover and are able to find this was read this interesting story that you found.

00:37:27.780 –> 00:37:35.160 Joseph McElroy: There was a bunch of photos that appeared in the printed brochure called a remarkable for of the great smoky mountains by.

00:37:36.270 –> 00:37:44.910 Joseph McElroy: By brochure by PWL and published in the 20s and 30s, but you can see these photographs in masses collection.

00:37:45.150 –> 00:37:47.700 Joseph McElroy: So you try and do they really long to you.

00:37:49.110 –> 00:37:55.170 Jason Brady: Right yeah we didn’t know who had taken them and they were in masses.

00:37:56.250 –> 00:38:03.270 Jason Brady: possessions, when he died, and I was doing really it just mundane.

00:38:04.380 –> 00:38:17.700 Jason Brady: Improving inventory kind of work and discovered I I was flipping through this obscure pamphlet and recognize these photographs and.

00:38:19.620 –> 00:38:29.370 Jason Brady: just put a bunch of connections together real fast, but yeah barge Whittier Welles was a botanist at North Carolina State University and provided the photographs for this.

00:38:29.760 –> 00:38:39.690 Jason Brady: This brochure is a remarkable floor of the great smoky mountains and I don’t know how George Masa wound up with the originals but he did.

00:38:40.290 –> 00:38:42.630 Joseph McElroy: And how do you determine who took the.

00:38:44.070 –> 00:38:44.790 Joseph McElroy: figure that out.

00:38:45.360 –> 00:38:45.750 well.

00:38:47.970 –> 00:38:57.090 Jason Brady: First it was he’s credited in the brochure well is credited in the brochure, and then I just started looking at.

00:38:58.770 –> 00:38:59.490 Jason Brady: Other known.

00:39:00.990 –> 00:39:09.210 Jason Brady: works by wells on North Carolina state university’s website and there was no mistaking it was definitely wells.

00:39:11.550 –> 00:39:13.590 Jason Brady: But yeah that was.

00:39:14.610 –> 00:39:16.170 Jason Brady: That was exciting actually.

00:39:17.880 –> 00:39:24.090 Joseph McElroy: That would be exciting, I mean it’s like you know you discover a mystery, in a sense, right.

00:39:25.440 –> 00:39:31.770 Jason Brady: yeah we never knew exactly what these were and there was always lots of speculation, because.

00:39:32.310 –> 00:39:45.960 Jason Brady: They have primitive photoshop these photographs these original somebody has taken a very, very fine paintbrush and lighten the lights and dark and the darks with these photos and they’re beautiful they’re just there.

00:39:47.520 –> 00:39:53.880 Jason Brady: But, but they did that to up the contrast so that they would reproduce well in this brochure and.

00:39:56.490 –> 00:39:57.480 Jason Brady: We always just.

00:39:58.590 –> 00:40:04.650 Jason Brady: a lot of speculation wasn’t they were just art pieces, but it was just preeminent photoshop well.

00:40:04.920 –> 00:40:05.370 cool.

00:40:06.420 –> 00:40:14.940 Joseph McElroy: So are there any other projects you’re working on at the at the at the collections department, they got planned for the future, you can tell us about.

00:40:15.480 –> 00:40:20.280 Jason Brady: Well we’ve had a lot of great donations in the last couple of years.

00:40:21.390 –> 00:40:24.420 Jason Brady: We have been adding them to the digital collections.

00:40:25.530 –> 00:40:26.790 Jason Brady: as fast as we can.

00:40:28.170 –> 00:40:31.230 Jason Brady: And those collections.

00:40:32.790 –> 00:40:34.410 Jason Brady: Many of them are actually.

00:40:35.490 –> 00:40:37.110 Jason Brady: A lot of them are from swine county.

00:40:38.190 –> 00:40:45.330 Jason Brady: we’ve been working closely with the friends of the Bryson city cemetery to identify people in these photographs.

00:40:47.100 –> 00:40:47.550 Jason Brady: and

00:40:48.870 –> 00:40:58.980 Jason Brady: The photos that are coming for the digital collections that are that’s really exciting stuff the French fry photography and.

00:41:00.030 –> 00:41:05.010 Jason Brady: The IK Stern’s photography and of course Kelly Bennett.

00:41:08.040 –> 00:41:16.380 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah we’re uh yeah it’s been interesting for us and taking them in the motel and we have process of family transitioning things.

00:41:16.710 –> 00:41:22.110 Joseph McElroy: And we found lots of clothes from the 60s and 70s of roadside culture in the mountains, because you know we.

00:41:23.010 –> 00:41:29.190 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark motels have been around for a long time and it’s really interesting going through all this ancient.

00:41:29.730 –> 00:41:38.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah things to see how life is a change that things are similar I think different what’s the out but what’s happened is a lot of information in there, you know we created to do.

00:41:38.430 –> 00:41:50.280 Joseph McElroy: roadside motel roadside we create a new site for the hotel based upon a picture of the original sign that we happen to find from the like the 60s in school.

00:41:52.380 –> 00:42:01.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah so if somebody wanted to donate something to Western Carolina university how do they go about doing it.

00:42:02.430 –> 00:42:04.710 Jason Brady: Well, they can contact us directly.

00:42:06.360 –> 00:42:08.160 Jason Brady: You can go to.

00:42:11.100 –> 00:42:21.900 Jason Brady: westerns website and follow the quick link to the library and then go to special in digital collections and there’s a sidebar on our website that.

00:42:22.950 –> 00:42:29.670 Jason Brady: says donating your collection and you can just visit that or you can contact me directly.

00:42:31.020 –> 00:42:37.770 Jason Brady: At my email address, which is Jay Brady that’s jbrady@wcu.edu

00:42:38.430 –> 00:42:46.140 Joseph McElroy: Is there any particular types of photos or collections or particular historical period you’re looking for an hour be excited to get.

00:42:47.190 –> 00:42:47.550 Jason Brady: i’m.

00:42:48.570 –> 00:43:08.760 Jason Brady: Not in particular we’re always open to any materials that pertained to regional history and that’s that’s not just Jackson county it’s or Western Carolina University is located, but it’s all the Western counties were very interested in the cultural and.

00:43:10.800 –> 00:43:16.350 Jason Brady: All the history of the region, so if you have letters.

00:43:17.460 –> 00:43:19.350 Jason Brady: or photographs or.

00:43:20.820 –> 00:43:27.000 Jason Brady: Business ledgers or anything pertaining to a place in this area we’re interested in.

00:43:27.540 –> 00:43:36.840 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know we’re gonna take a break now, when we come back we’ll talk about what’s current in this area that you like, and things you know things that you find exciting and interesting.

00:43:37.920 –> 00:43:38.430 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:43:39.120 –> 00:43:39.480 Jason Brady: All right.

00:45:41.340 –> 00:45:56.640 Joseph McElroy: Audi this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jason Brady hey Jason that that commercial right reporter about pet lovers of mine that you’re a dog lover what kind of dog do you got.

00:45:57.810 –> 00:46:00.750 Jason Brady: I have four Brittany’s.

00:46:01.380 –> 00:46:04.350 Joseph McElroy: And what you do anything with every just enjoy.

00:46:06.120 –> 00:46:11.070 Jason Brady: I basically just try to keep up with them and keep them from killing themselves.

00:46:13.980 –> 00:46:15.510 Joseph McElroy: You have any other hobbies like that.

00:46:16.890 –> 00:46:19.590 Jason Brady: No pretty much that that keeps me busy.

00:46:21.360 –> 00:46:26.100 Jason Brady: They like the same things I do so it’s a natural fit.

00:46:27.210 –> 00:46:29.250 Joseph McElroy: You go you take them hiking quite a bit.

00:46:30.240 –> 00:46:34.260 Jason Brady: yep every chance I get but not often enough to save them.

00:46:34.950 –> 00:46:39.750 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the favorite hiding places people take a dog with them to go.

00:46:40.890 –> 00:46:44.280 Jason Brady: Well, I don’t have any favorites to speak of.

00:46:45.300 –> 00:46:48.840 Jason Brady: I go all over Nana Halen national forest.

00:46:50.100 –> 00:46:50.520 Jason Brady: and

00:46:51.930 –> 00:47:08.610 Jason Brady: Really, if I was to recommend some places for folks you can just hit the parkway and most of the scenic overlooks the parking areas there are trail ads there’s no shortage there are all kinds of places to go.

00:47:09.060 –> 00:47:17.970 Joseph McElroy: So just getting a car and then go someplace on the parkway and go to go to seem to go blue there’ll be a trailhead there, and you just go yep.

00:47:18.000 –> 00:47:18.690 Jason Brady: pretty much.

00:47:18.840 –> 00:47:19.230 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s.

00:47:19.350 –> 00:47:21.480 Jason Brady: it’s very that’s the best.

00:47:21.930 –> 00:47:22.200 One of the.

00:47:23.280 –> 00:47:23.700 Jason Brady: Nice.

00:47:23.850 –> 00:47:25.530 Joseph McElroy: And, most of them are dog-friendly right.

00:47:27.660 –> 00:47:30.120 Jason Brady: Within with it right at the beginning.

00:47:31.860 –> 00:47:37.290 Jason Brady: If you’re within the bounds of the blue Ridge parkway you have to be leashed but otherwise yeah.

00:47:37.920 –> 00:47:45.000 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool about the great smoky national archives that have dogs in on the trails and hiking in there.

00:47:45.720 –> 00:47:46.830 Jason Brady: They have rules.

00:47:48.630 –> 00:47:49.080 Jason Brady: Careful.

00:47:49.830 –> 00:47:52.020 Joseph McElroy: You said that the rules.

00:47:53.880 –> 00:48:04.350 Jason Brady: You got to be careful about that you got some trails it’s okay to have dogs on a leash but that’s why I spend more time in the national forests.

00:48:05.010 –> 00:48:14.850 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool all right so visitors, be aware that look up the rules of the great smoky mountain National Park, which ones yeah.

00:48:16.500 –> 00:48:17.040 Joseph McElroy: Right.

00:48:17.310 –> 00:48:21.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah So do you do you live in Caney Fork now.

00:48:22.260 –> 00:48:27.960 Jason Brady: No, I don’t I got an opportunity to to buy a home from family members.

00:48:30.240 –> 00:48:32.190 Jason Brady: Close by in cali.

00:48:33.630 –> 00:48:46.620 Joseph McElroy: Cali right yeah so you can just like best Western Carolina university is Hillsborough still a manager that’s a real marquee name for people love it a really good experience.

00:48:47.460 –> 00:49:00.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah one of the things I’d like to talk to my guests about is an active area for somebody who’s visiting your area now what would you do for breakfast Where would you go afterward, with different lives let’s walk, would you be willing to walk through that.

00:49:00.840 –> 00:49:07.140 Jason Brady: Sure um well, one of the fixtures in silver for breakfast is a coffee shop.

00:49:09.270 –> 00:49:14.700 Joseph McElroy: coffee shop is great that sounds like a place i’ve got to go what’s your favorite food there.

00:49:16.080 –> 00:49:22.080 Jason Brady: they’ve got everything, basically, I mean it’s a classic diner kind of situation.

00:49:23.160 –> 00:49:23.760 Jason Brady: Whatever you want.

00:49:24.360 –> 00:49:24.960 Joseph McElroy: And what.

00:49:25.620 –> 00:49:27.870 Joseph McElroy: What do you do, what would you do after breakfast.

00:49:29.100 –> 00:49:30.540 Jason Brady: Oh well.

00:49:35.280 –> 00:49:40.470 Jason Brady: My standard answer is you set up the woods, but you know that’s what I always do.

00:49:40.980 –> 00:49:45.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yes, what would you recommend the guests visit what’s The thing that should see in the morning.

00:49:46.800 –> 00:49:48.060 Jason Brady: Well um.

00:49:49.770 –> 00:49:53.100 Jason Brady: You definitely want to spend some time on the parkway.

00:49:54.690 –> 00:50:00.630 Jason Brady: that’s that’s you’re never going to run out of time up there that’s a wonderful place to go.

00:50:02.550 –> 00:50:03.120 Jason Brady: And then.

00:50:04.950 –> 00:50:05.400 Jason Brady: You know.

00:50:06.420 –> 00:50:11.790 Jason Brady: You can always make your way back down to civilization for lunch.

00:50:13.710 –> 00:50:16.440 Jason Brady: And I like South of Philly.

00:50:17.490 –> 00:50:22.050 Jason Brady: In the Jackson Plaza the in the Plaza and silver where.

00:50:23.640 –> 00:50:28.230 Jason Brady: The movie theater and ABC store or at.

00:50:29.760 –> 00:50:33.720 Jason Brady: South Phillies great place for lunch sandwiches.

00:50:35.310 –> 00:50:36.210 Joseph McElroy: philly cheesesteak.

00:50:36.870 –> 00:50:38.040 Jason Brady: yep they sure do.

00:50:38.460 –> 00:50:38.880 Jason Brady: A lot of.

00:50:40.530 –> 00:50:41.970 Joseph McElroy: belly was known for its effects.

00:50:44.040 –> 00:50:45.030 Jason Brady: it’s a good place.

00:50:47.610 –> 00:50:49.200 Jason Brady: And i’m.

00:50:50.940 –> 00:50:55.260 Jason Brady: Something later on, if you feel like something special.

00:50:56.970 –> 00:51:05.070 Jason Brady: The frogs leap in Waynesville is wonderful I haven’t gotten over there recently but.

00:51:06.930 –> 00:51:11.700 Jason Brady: All the times I’ve been there it’s just been very special, though.

00:51:12.510 –> 00:51:20.910 Joseph McElroy: And if you were someone somebody do something afternoon, what would you tell them you take that trade out of Hillsborough or what would you ever do.

00:51:21.060 –> 00:51:24.120 Jason Brady: Oh sure yeah that’s always a good thing to do.

00:51:25.140 –> 00:51:27.840 Jason Brady: And while you’re waiting, you can go to the innovation station.

00:51:28.320 –> 00:51:29.280 Jason Brady: yeah those were.

00:51:30.780 –> 00:51:31.410 Jason Brady: Which is.

00:51:33.930 –> 00:51:38.100 Jason Brady: Innovation let’s face it, this is the best brewery in western North Carolina.

00:51:41.460 –> 00:51:43.980 Joseph McElroy: boogeyman bear water by good disagree with you.

00:51:45.120 –> 00:51:45.900 Jason Brady: There free to.

00:51:46.110 –> 00:51:46.830 yeah.

00:51:48.120 –> 00:51:59.520 Jason Brady: Now innovations they’re great they’ve got three locations they’ve got the one in Hillsborough the innovation station there’s one on Main Street and Silva and there’s also wanted Western.

00:52:00.870 –> 00:52:05.760 Jason Brady: They have a smaller location in noble hall

00:52:06.270 –> 00:52:10.170 Joseph McElroy: that’s pretty cool then that evening what’s the best place to get some anything.

00:52:12.660 –> 00:52:15.270 Jason Brady: I’m probably not the best to ask for that.

00:52:17.130 –> 00:52:18.240 Joseph McElroy: What are you heard.

00:52:18.660 –> 00:52:20.520 Jason Brady: I don’t get out much but I’m

00:52:21.990 –> 00:52:23.790 Jason Brady: Actually, a Asheville.

00:52:24.930 –> 00:52:26.100 Joseph McElroy: Oh gosh was always.

00:52:26.160 –> 00:52:27.270 Joseph McElroy: A good place to go for that.

00:52:27.480 –> 00:52:28.080 stuff.

00:52:29.700 –> 00:52:33.870 Jason Brady: But I’m sure there are some venues around here.

00:52:35.970 –> 00:52:36.510 Jason Brady: I just.

00:52:37.650 –> 00:52:39.090 Jason Brady: I’m a homebody in the evening.

00:52:39.600 –> 00:52:42.390 Joseph McElroy: Well I’ll recommend the speakeasy at the Meadowlark Motel.

00:52:44.160 –> 00:52:44.880 Jason Brady: There you go.

00:52:45.150 –> 00:52:47.160 Jason Brady: There you go right to check that out yeah.

00:52:47.580 –> 00:52:58.020 Joseph McElroy: underground speakeasy so cool so I appreciate you being the guest, is there any other shoutouts and want to give any kind of Facebook social media want to mention or.

00:52:59.820 –> 00:53:02.610 Joseph McElroy: Anything that you want to promote that last minute it’s happening.

00:53:04.140 –> 00:53:05.550 Jason Brady: i’m just just.

00:53:07.080 –> 00:53:09.900 Jason Brady: appreciation for for Western and.

00:53:11.940 –> 00:53:14.910 Jason Brady: enabling us to do what we do, oh.

00:53:15.480 –> 00:53:21.180 Joseph McElroy: Well, I appreciate it it’s been good it’s been a good, very good time talking with you.

00:53:21.900 –> 00:53:39.420 Joseph McElroy: know this podcast is part of the talk NYC radio network and then every week, they have multiple daily live talks shows about different aspects of culture and media and business and life.

00:53:40.290 –> 00:53:55.650 Joseph McElroy: Right after this one is usually a pretty good podcast about, and you know, being in New York and things to do in New York, so I recommend you stick around and listen to the show afterward it’s a great thing and listen to other shows on this network.

00:53:57.750 –> 00:54:02.820 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that Meadowlark motel is going on a weekday getaway special.

00:54:03.810 –> 00:54:12.300 Joseph McElroy: Which is visit Maggie Valley in the heart of the great smoky for three nights getaway arriving on Sunday or Monday and you’ll get one night three.

00:54:12.870 –> 00:54:22.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s a great opportunity to really explore the mountains winter is actually a special time when you walk through the hiking trails.

00:54:23.040 –> 00:54:29.820 Joseph McElroy: You can get better views because there are no liens and your way you get some spectacular views of the mountains.

00:54:30.180 –> 00:54:41.310 Joseph McElroy: And now’s a really good time for its sort of a quiet time right now, so you can get trails and it’s very quiet and you can really have a sort of exam experience smoking’s at this time of year I love it.

00:54:42.480 –> 00:54:52.020 Joseph McElroy: So come on a visit us to do that, you find out more about this podcast that gateway to the smokies. fun, we have a newsletter you can subscribe to there.

00:54:52.500 –> 00:55:09.090 Joseph McElroy: And also it’s all the previous podcasts and alignment and the videos that we did we also have a Facebook page facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast, where we will this, is broadcast live every Tuesday from six to seven.

00:55:10.530 –> 00:55:21.750 Joseph McElroy: So you know, be sure to visit that we’re going to have probably one more live podcast this month and its reruns and then come back at the end of January, the whole new.

00:55:22.470 –> 00:55:30.960 Joseph McElroy: a whole new program of podcasts We look forward to having you here so again Tuesday’s six or seven I’ll see you next week.

00:55:32.040 –> 00:55:35.610 Joseph McElroy: appreciate your listening to us ciao.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/591449958780168/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/261621423_591850782073419_36686650439310192_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=mZ3l-SIQLwUAX_hvqCH&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63013AFA&oh=00_AT9OW2HDX_-ZhJeVuK-xUU8KIQ-l2rHIjRJMwmcNdtNB3A&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is <strong>Jason Brady</strong>, a native of the Caney Fork Community of Jackson County, N.C. He graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and worked several years for a telecommunications firm in Raleigh, N.C. before returning home for a job at his alma mater.</p><p>Jason has worked for the past two decades at WCU and now works in Special Collections for the university – the department he has worked in for the past 13 years. He is also a fine writer and an avid hiker.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss this fun interview with Jason Brady as he shares with us some interesting stories about his work on the Special Collection for the WCU and his experiences being a historian and archivist.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/9DjH5G7gyP/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph begins the show with his usual intro before going into his sponsored message. Afterward, he reads a poem called <em>The Recipe.</em> Introducing the guest, Jason Brady, Joseph asks him what it was like living up in his native county. Jason talks about the tight-knit community and nature walks he would have. He also discusses the origin of his love of history, reading books as a kid and gravitating to history naturally. Joseph then asks him about his electrical engineering degree and what he did with it. Jason describes how the pay and job were enjoyable, but his homesickness overtook him, so he took an opportunity to work in a library back in his hometown before working in special collections in WCU.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Jason about the Mountain Heritage Day Festival and if Jason had any play in setting it up. Jason talks about how the pandemic forced the festival to take a break for a year, but come right back the next. Joseph then gets into Jason’s mentor and friend, the historian who got Jason into being a historian himself. Joseph asks him what a typical day looks like for an archivist looks like, and he describes how he is a walking analog historical log for people. Before the break, Joseph brings up how, in the next segment, he wanted to know if Jason knew or if the WCU had any information on Horace Kephart, the man who is credited to be one of the founders of the Smoky Mountain National Park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back, Joseph asks about other founders of the Smoky Mountains Park, sparking the memory of several influential people such as Kelly Bennett. Jason explains how thousands of photos were discovered of Bennett and how an exhibit of Bennett is being planned. Jason also talks about the different artifacts the WCU collects from archives like photos, letters, or business ventures. He then talks about the thousands of photos that were discovered of Bennett, and the person behind the photographs, a botanist named Wells. Joseph wanted to discuss future plans Jason was planning. He describes how the scanning of the Bennett photos was going to take them some time in addition to trying to identify people in the photos, before making an exhibit of all these photos. They talk about ways to donate artifacts to the WCU through contacts with the university itself or Jason himself. Any materials pertaining to regional history are welcome to the WCU’s collection.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>After the break, Joseph asks Jason what kind of dogs and hobbies he may have. Jason characterizes his dogs as enjoying the same things he does like taking hikes and exploring the trails. This brings the discussion to his favorite hikes and trails for people and their pets. Many parts of the park have different rules on the topic of bringing pets so make sure you read the rules beforehand. Joseph then asks about Jason’s ideal itinerary for Jackson County. The day begins with breakfast with coffee, spending time on the parkway, eating lunch at South Philly, and heading to Frog’s Leap for a few drinks or to the best brewery, according to Jason, Innovation. The day concludes with heading to Asheville and underground speakeasies. Finally, Jason finishes off the show with a WCU promotion.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:36.660 –&gt; 00:00:40.200 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of</p><p>00:00:40.620 –&gt; 00:00:51.360 Joseph McElroy: Gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:51.990 –&gt; 00:01:00.990 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty with a deep-storied history and rich in cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:01.770 –&gt; 00:01:14.490 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world but also has deep roots and in this Mountain, my family has been living the great smoky for over 200 years my businesses is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:15.360 –&gt; 00:01:21.870 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we’re talking to a local boy made good, the first let’s hear from some sponsors.</p><p>00:01:23.100 –&gt; 00:01:31.290 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of the motor courts of the past, modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian.</p><p>00:01:32.580 –&gt; 00:01:45.600 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in the mountain areas trout stream grill the catch on fire, and the company by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:45.930 –&gt; 00:02:04.980 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine a place with mountain heritage food underground speakeasies there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:02:07.110 –&gt; 00:02:18.330 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com smokies are plural adventure singular it’s a site for with information and listings about the smoky mountains, including hiking and.</p><p>00:02:19.170 –&gt; 00:02:28.230 Joseph McElroy: wedding venues, and has links to both the trail and resources to help you experience the smokies in an old different way.</p><p>00:02:28.710 –&gt; 00:02:46.290 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smokies adventures outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and ventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons, and more, it is the leading information portal for smoky now.</p><p>00:02:48.720 –&gt; 00:02:53.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s good to see you or hear you or be part of your listening experience this week.</p><p>00:02:55.380 –&gt; 00:02:57.840 Joseph McElroy: And I’m glad to be back we’ve had a couple of weeks off.</p><p>00:02:59.100 –&gt; 00:03:13.110 Joseph McElroy: I got a little poem that’s relevant I think some of the things we’re talking about today and it’s called the recipes via a user online a craft the mermaids I’m not sure, a lot of us to but it’s simple it’s called the resin.</p><p>00:03:13.950 –&gt; 00:03:39.360 Joseph McElroy: sweet recipe handed down Chris teen dried fruit perfect eggs golden batter in my aunt’s pyrex bowl but cousin Lucy check the legs, the batter’s too dark she turned left oh hi that’s just the brandy, I could feel my internal over her grave.</p><p>00:03:41.400 –&gt; 00:03:43.410 Joseph McElroy: that’s talking about fruit cakes, of course.</p><p>00:03:44.910 –&gt; 00:03:51.420 Joseph McElroy: And, as you know, I’m the owner of the Meadowlark Motel we’re going to have some fruit cake coming up.</p><p>00:03:52.470 –&gt; 00:04:05.100 Joseph McElroy: You know, have companies have a holiday party for employees and family what the Meadowlark, are we going to have our guests at our company party as well, and every December 18.</p><p>00:04:05.460 –&gt; 00:04:17.580 Joseph McElroy: The week before Christmas, we will celebrate with traditional mountain treats like fruitcake and, by the way, you know fruitcake which you know came over with the Scots Irish settlers.</p><p>00:04:18.690 –&gt; 00:04:23.130 Joseph McElroy: And, and my wife who’s actually a Trinidadian descent, where they have a similar.</p><p>00:04:24.390 –&gt; 00:04:34.830 Joseph McElroy: traditions of Scots Irish coming there she might do a Trinidadian black wrong jake will have mincemeat pies and other treats, we will also.</p><p>00:04:35.280 –&gt; 00:04:43.650 Joseph McElroy: serenade wasn’t called carefully when I wrote this poem serenade serenading people in front of the rooms and giving them warm cookies.</p><p>00:04:44.100 –&gt; 00:05:00.120 Joseph McElroy: will set, we will send Santa letters to the berries for delivery, this means throw them into the fire and, of course, you have good drinks and use it, but guess who attend free locals can get in $15 will show up as have a good time week for Christmas.</p><p>00:05:01.590 –&gt; 00:05:13.110 Joseph McElroy: we’re also the Meadowlark in January I’m very excited about something that we’re gonna be doing two years ago we had what was called a Robert Burns suffers.</p><p>00:05:13.650 –&gt; 00:05:25.050 Joseph McElroy: Robert Burns is the poet laureate of Scotland during the essentially the time when we a lot of us got divers coming over to settle in the.</p><p>00:05:25.740 –&gt; 00:05:35.070 Joseph McElroy: In the smoky mountains and the rest of the Appalachian and they surely news Robert Burns who’s one of their favorite poets as well.</p><p>00:05:35.490 –&gt; 00:05:53.700 Joseph McElroy: And he also was recorded and actually wrote down and also created a lot of balance that was popular to sing at the time that we were the settlers in the smoke in the Appalachians so there’s an annual.</p><p>00:05:55.680 –&gt; 00:06:00.270 Joseph McElroy: birthday celebration in Scotland and other places that love is poetry.</p><p>00:06:01.500 –&gt; 00:06:15.960 Joseph McElroy: The JET on January 25 of every year, and this is it’s called the burn some supper it’s an institution of Scottish life celebrating the life and work of the national bar scholar.</p><p>00:06:16.500 –&gt; 00:06:28.470 Joseph McElroy: it’s a combination of culinary delights pomp and circumstance artistry and entertainment and culminating in a raw rowdy rivaled fun-filled life that is helping you.</p><p>00:06:29.040 –&gt; 00:06:35.220 Joseph McElroy: And I don’t feature things like a haggis which is not everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s worth tasting once in a lifetime.</p><p>00:06:35.910 –&gt; 00:06:48.180 Joseph McElroy: And it’s going to Meadowlark on January 25 which is my family owns it for many years and we’re known for our hospitality passion for culture and art.</p><p>00:06:49.140 –&gt; 00:06:58.920 Joseph McElroy: It will be an evening filled with delicious Scottish food and wine tasting whiskey patients and toasts and all sorts of things, but not only lad that.</p><p>00:06:59.520 –&gt; 00:07:14.490 Joseph McElroy: For the four days prior to the event we’re going to be doing many Scottish themes event by Friday, there will be a whiskey tasting in the speakeasy and when we have Scottish artists and residents will be doing music.</p><p>00:07:16.620 –&gt; 00:07:20.220 Joseph McElroy: DJ music, then he will also a Saturday created concert.</p><p>00:07:21.240 –&gt; 00:07:36.900 Joseph McElroy: With Mike and some of his friends, and that in either the pavilion or in the speakeasy then on Sunday, to be a bonfire historical programs by Bob Plott and more balanced sung</p><p>00:07:37.500 –&gt; 00:07:47.490 Joseph McElroy: by an artist named William Ritter, then, on Monday there’ll be a program presented in my MAC Mclean President of the Haywood historical society county historical society.</p><p>00:07:48.030 –&gt; 00:07:52.350 Joseph McElroy: about the Ulster Scott North Carolina and then Tuesday night, of course, will be the.</p><p>00:07:52.710 –&gt; 00:08:04.290 Joseph McElroy: big involved rockets event that’s called burns dinner, and many of us will be wearing our kills from our family heritage and doing toasts and just having a grand old time.</p><p>00:08:04.950 –&gt; 00:08:16.590 Joseph McElroy: So I look forward to seeing you at some of these events that we’re having and, of course, on Christmas Day, we have a Christmas meal for our guests and on the new year’s Eve, we have a wonderful.</p><p>00:08:18.210 –&gt; 00:08:23.910 Joseph McElroy: toast and champagne and whatnot in the speakeasy for our guests.</p><p>00:08:25.470 –&gt; 00:08:35.640 Joseph McElroy: So today’s podcast we have a wonderful guest his name is Jason Brady and he worked for the past two decades in Western Carolina University.</p><p>00:08:36.150 –&gt; 00:08:52.470 Joseph McElroy: And now works, I think, is an intern Chief of special collections from the university, the department, he been working for the past 13 years Jason is a fine writer avid hiker, enjoy spending time with his wife and their beloved dogs Hello Jason.</p><p>00:08:54.690 –&gt; 00:08:55.380 Jason Brady: hey there.</p><p>00:08:56.760 –&gt; 00:09:00.390 Joseph McElroy: How are you doing today how’s Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:09:01.440 –&gt; 00:09:02.070 Jason Brady: Oh it’s great.</p><p>00:09:03.450 –&gt; 00:09:04.410 Jason Brady: Great place to be.</p><p>00:09:04.770 –&gt; 00:09:13.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you grew up in our native of one of the most beautiful communities in our region Caney Fork for what was it like growing up, there is a boy.</p><p>00:09:15.210 –&gt; 00:09:25.650 Jason Brady: Well, it was fantastic really um it was much more rural when I was kid lot more agriculture there’s a lot of farming.</p><p>00:09:26.820 –&gt; 00:09:28.500 Jason Brady: very tight knit community.</p><p>00:09:30.030 –&gt; 00:09:32.880 Jason Brady: It was just a wonderful place to be a kid.</p><p>00:09:34.050 –&gt; 00:09:38.340 Joseph McElroy: What were some of the things that you enjoy doing in Caney fork when you were growing up.</p><p>00:09:39.960 –&gt; 00:09:47.370 Jason Brady: We used to go on what we call a creek walks we just take off up the creek just walking in the Caney Fork.</p><p>00:09:47.490 –&gt; 00:09:48.750 Jason Brady: it’s about river.</p><p>00:09:50.700 –&gt; 00:09:51.180 Jason Brady: I spent.</p><p>00:09:52.740 –&gt; 00:09:59.040 Jason Brady: More than a little time in the cane break New York a fork in front of our house.</p><p>00:10:01.230 –&gt; 00:10:05.370 Jason Brady: actually spent a little bit of time in the tobacco fields nearby to</p><p>00:10:07.440 –&gt; 00:10:13.950 Jason Brady: We really it was a really special place to be as a kid.</p><p>00:10:14.280 –&gt; 00:10:16.170 Joseph McElroy: sort of idyllic right yeah.</p><p>00:10:16.230 –&gt; 00:10:18.000 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely cool.</p><p>00:10:19.170 –&gt; 00:10:19.590 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:10:20.850 –&gt; 00:10:33.900 Joseph McElroy: Did you start did you have any interest in history and that sort of stuff when you were a kid in that area that’s things piqued your interest that you can look back and say that’s maybe more so my thought processes came from.</p><p>00:10:34.860 –&gt; 00:10:35.970 Jason Brady: I did um.</p><p>00:10:37.200 –&gt; 00:10:52.350 Jason Brady: I read a lot as a kid and gravitated towards history, but I always just saw it as an interesting thing is a hobby I never pictured some sort of career path.</p><p>00:10:53.610 –&gt; 00:10:59.160 Joseph McElroy: I guess Oh, you know a lot of people don’t when they when you say exciting history people somebody’s gonna be a lawyer.</p><p>00:11:00.480 –&gt; 00:11:00.900 Jason Brady: Right.</p><p>00:11:01.050 –&gt; 00:11:07.290 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah it’s not necessarily the most obvious lawyer, Professor so.</p><p>00:11:08.580 –&gt; 00:11:14.850 Joseph McElroy: So you went to Western Carolina University and you graduated in 1999.</p><p>00:11:16.230 –&gt; 00:11:19.620 Joseph McElroy: With a degree in electronics electrical engineering.</p><p>00:11:22.260 –&gt; 00:11:29.250 Joseph McElroy: And then you hit it off with a big city north of Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina how did you get into like to.</p><p>00:11:30.600 –&gt; 00:11:32.190 Joseph McElroy: end an area, what did you do there.</p><p>00:11:33.090 –&gt; 00:11:35.700 Jason Brady: Well, I don’t know, I was always I’m.</p><p>00:11:37.230 –&gt; 00:11:43.500 Jason Brady: Always bit math and science, and that was the height of the tech boom, you know.</p><p>00:11:43.860 –&gt; 00:11:44.340 Jason Brady: That was.</p><p>00:11:44.670 –&gt; 00:11:54.360 Jason Brady: That was what people were doing, and the money was great and they were hiring people straight out of college for pretty obscene amounts of money.</p><p>00:11:55.830 –&gt; 00:12:02.070 Joseph McElroy: raised a few million dollars right in 1999 and I raised a bunch of money at the coffee I know all Well back crazy.</p><p>00:12:04.230 –&gt; 00:12:08.850 Jason Brady: It was wild yeah so I didn’t think I’d missed the mountains that much.</p><p>00:12:09.990 –&gt; 00:12:16.650 Jason Brady: I just they just never crossed my mind, because I guess if you grow up in a place you just don’t really.</p><p>00:12:17.700 –&gt; 00:12:23.040 Jason Brady: You don’t really truly appreciate it for what it is, but I did once I got down there.</p><p>00:12:23.760 –&gt; 00:12:26.070 Joseph McElroy: And how long have you worked on it.</p><p>00:12:27.060 –&gt; 00:12:28.080 Jason Brady: About a year and a half.</p><p>00:12:28.440 –&gt; 00:12:32.070 Joseph McElroy: right and it really got me was like that’s enough for me.</p><p>00:12:32.940 –&gt; 00:12:39.060 Jason Brady: yeah pretty much I like the work, the work was once I got to know what I was doing.</p><p>00:12:40.110 –&gt; 00:12:43.080 Jason Brady: I enjoyed the word, but I just.</p><p>00:12:43.800 –&gt; 00:12:45.780 Joseph McElroy: reprogramming are you doing.</p><p>00:12:46.590 –&gt; 00:12:47.160 Jason Brady: I was doing.</p><p>00:12:47.940 –&gt; 00:12:51.450 Jason Brady: I was doing fiber-optic communications, I was doing.</p><p>00:12:53.760 –&gt; 00:13:01.410 Jason Brady: I was working for one of the major long-distance carriers and network providers in the country.</p><p>00:13:03.390 –&gt; 00:13:06.900 Jason Brady: It was challenging and it was interesting but.</p><p>00:13:08.100 –&gt; 00:13:13.200 Jason Brady: I really I miss my family and I missed this place an awful lot so.</p><p>00:13:15.270 –&gt; 00:13:18.150 Joseph McElroy: An opportunity to have that opportunity.</p><p>00:13:19.170 –&gt; 00:13:25.470 Jason Brady: Well um I got an opportunity to come back actually started working at Western again.</p><p>00:13:26.880 –&gt; 00:13:31.800 Jason Brady: And I worked in the library when I was a student at Western.</p><p>00:13:33.120 –&gt; 00:13:33.630 Jason Brady: and</p><p>00:13:34.680 –&gt; 00:13:36.240 Jason Brady: Always miss the library to.</p><p>00:13:37.650 –&gt; 00:13:40.650 Jason Brady: library it’s just a wonderful place to be so.</p><p>00:13:41.760 –&gt; 00:13:43.500 Jason Brady: When I came back I worked.</p><p>00:13:45.420 –&gt; 00:13:50.010 Jason Brady: I’ve worked for several departments in the library, but I spent quite a while and catalog.</p><p>00:13:51.840 –&gt; 00:13:55.800 Jason Brady: But then the opportunity arose in special collections.</p><p>00:13:56.370 –&gt; 00:14:02.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh, and of course that’s a lot of us digital so you have a pretty good familiarity with that.</p><p>00:14:02.910 –&gt; 00:14:04.080 Jason Brady: Right exactly.</p><p>00:14:04.800 –&gt; 00:14:10.260 Jason Brady: And I worked as I worked in special collections with George Brazil when I was a student.</p><p>00:14:10.590 –&gt; 00:14:11.100 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:14:12.030 –&gt; 00:14:13.530 Jason Brady: I was already in so.</p><p>00:14:14.040 –&gt; 00:14:22.620 Joseph McElroy: cool so when we come back we’re going to break now we’ll talk more about the roles and His story and special questions like that.</p><p>00:16:39.210 –&gt; 00:16:46.950 Joseph McElroy: It is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jason Brady.</p><p>00:16:48.150 –&gt; 00:16:57.510 Joseph McElroy: So Jason your Western Carolina has been the director of the special digital collections at WCU.</p><p>00:16:58.920 –&gt; 00:17:01.740 Joseph McElroy: know I guess all your historian and activists.</p><p>00:17:02.880 –&gt; 00:17:10.980 Joseph McElroy: But you know I want to there’s something that I wanted to get you to know as first, is that there’s a huge event that happens related to.</p><p>00:17:11.280 –&gt; 00:17:22.560 Joseph McElroy: where you are every year, so one of the top 10 events in the southeast I think festivals, with the Western Carolina university mountain heritage day, are you involved in planning or playing an active role in that.</p><p>00:17:23.820 –&gt; 00:17:42.300 Jason Brady: Not a whole lot um I have a lot of great memories of going to it when I was a kid and when we when they put that on we always have a large influx of folks come into special collections, who were interested in our region’s history.</p><p>00:17:43.680 –&gt; 00:17:51.720 Joseph McElroy: That now you do you ever do any yeah exhibits there during the day or any kind of programs involving festival.</p><p>00:17:52.680 –&gt; 00:17:54.270 Jason Brady: The library does sometimes.</p><p>00:17:55.530 –&gt; 00:18:06.900 Jason Brady: We play a supporting role to the mountain heritage Center if they need photographs historic photographs or anything else we’re kind of behind the scenes are.</p><p>00:18:07.680 –&gt; 00:18:10.020 Joseph McElroy: It really is an awesome festival isn’t it.</p><p>00:18:11.040 –&gt; 00:18:12.090 Jason Brady: It really is.</p><p>00:18:13.320 –&gt; 00:18:23.340 Jason Brady: That was one of those things that as a kid you just never missed mountain heritage day it was always something on the calendar.</p><p>00:18:24.060 –&gt; 00:18:30.930 Joseph McElroy: And yeah last year was canceled, where it was bad no was it last year 40,000 computers over the years we’ve been encoded.</p><p>00:18:32.250 –&gt; 00:18:36.960 Joseph McElroy: But it was back right after going after code restrictions, replacing it was incredible right.</p><p>00:18:37.440 –&gt; 00:18:38.760 Jason Brady: yeah it sure was.</p><p>00:18:39.840 –&gt; 00:18:47.070 Jason Brady: It was it’s it was good to see it come back yeah they had that they thought it was best to take a year off.</p><p>00:18:49.320 –&gt; 00:18:51.690 Joseph McElroy: They do a virtual right.</p><p>00:18:52.530 –&gt; 00:18:57.480 Jason Brady: I don’t think so um I don’t believe I don’t think there was.</p><p>00:18:58.800 –&gt; 00:19:10.470 Joseph McElroy: So let’s get back to you all right, you mentioned George Brazil, who was like what was the director of, especially the WC Center for like 30 some years right.</p><p>00:19:11.190 –&gt; 00:19:13.920 Jason Brady: yeah north of three decades yeah he was.</p><p>00:19:14.940 –&gt; 00:19:18.330 Joseph McElroy: Historical icon another local boy you work with them.</p><p>00:19:18.390 –&gt; 00:19:23.640 Jason Brady: Oh yeah uh yeah I was George’s assistant for about 10 years.</p><p>00:19:25.170 –&gt; 00:19:34.830 Jason Brady: And George George is definitely he’s an accomplished historian, especially, especially for local history, he just.</p><p>00:19:35.880 –&gt; 00:19:37.350 Jason Brady: he’s amazing.</p><p>00:19:37.920 –&gt; 00:19:41.100 Joseph McElroy: Right and you work with when you were in school that right.</p><p>00:19:41.850 –&gt; 00:19:45.660 Jason Brady: I did I worked, I worked with I worked for George when I was a student as well.</p><p>00:19:45.900 –&gt; 00:19:49.140 Joseph McElroy: But inspired you from the get-go that’s why you came back probably.</p><p>00:19:49.980 –&gt; 00:19:59.490 Jason Brady: it’s a big part of it he’s a good friend to and George George is just he’s so knowledgeable and he’s just so generous.</p><p>00:20:01.440 –&gt; 00:20:03.660 Jason Brady: I learned I learned so much from George.</p><p>00:20:04.470 –&gt; 00:20:10.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s really cool to have a mentor like that to get to really start your career.</p><p>00:20:11.460 –&gt; 00:20:15.780 Joseph McElroy: But after he retired you worked as an interim director for.</p><p>00:20:17.790 –&gt; 00:20:34.440 Jason Brady: Well I’m actually we had a merger, especially in digital collections and librarian who ran the digital collections part became the library and especially digital collections and when she left, I became an interim head of special and digital collections.</p><p>00:20:35.040 –&gt; 00:20:37.230 Joseph McElroy: cool and hopefully that will change to be.</p><p>00:20:40.440 –&gt; 00:20:42.270 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s a that I get.</p><p>00:20:43.590 –&gt; 00:20:45.450 Jason Brady: She actually we hired we.</p><p>00:20:45.690 –&gt; 00:20:46.710 Jason Brady: we’ve hired.</p><p>00:20:46.920 –&gt; 00:20:47.580 Joseph McElroy: So, really.</p><p>00:20:47.820 –&gt; 00:20:52.590 Jason Brady: I don’t have to do that stuff anymore I get to work with the materials now.</p><p>00:20:54.510 –&gt; 00:20:54.960 Jason Brady: yeah.</p><p>00:20:55.200 –&gt; 00:21:12.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah one of the things I worked at IBM right when I first started my career as a young guy and I loved program I love programming, but then they promoted me started promoting it up the chain I got to be cheaper where nothing was the chief program was just an administrator.</p><p>00:21:12.270 –&gt; 00:21:14.010 Joseph McElroy: I cant he doesn’t Program.</p><p>00:21:14.520 –&gt; 00:21:24.360 Joseph McElroy: I could not stand it I ended up quitting I could not stand was a big job and I could not stand it I just that is just literally drove me NUTS yeah yeah.</p><p>00:21:24.900 –&gt; 00:21:27.630 Jason Brady: I’m with it that’s exactly how it is.</p><p>00:21:27.720 –&gt; 00:21:31.440 Jason Brady: Either vastly prefer to interact with.</p><p>00:21:32.790 –&gt; 00:21:39.990 Jason Brady: The donors and the users of our materials and the materials themselves.</p><p>00:21:40.020 –&gt; 00:21:48.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah now anytime I’ve ever been got smart as close to being like, I have to be the administrator of doing this stuff is like that, not for me at.</p><p>00:21:49.380 –&gt; 00:21:58.860 Joseph McElroy: The be a business owner is your you finally you get to be the top of thing choose what parts are doing so I do the parts of actually involved doing stuff.</p><p>00:22:01.890 –&gt; 00:22:08.370 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a very special collection, that is a great honor actually it is perpetuating a bunch of George’s legs.</p><p>00:22:09.540 –&gt; 00:22:11.910 Joseph McElroy: What are your earliest challenges with it.</p><p>00:22:13.440 –&gt; 00:22:25.590 Jason Brady: Well, the first major challenge of losing George is losing George I mean the amount of information that he carries around with him is just staggering.</p><p>00:22:27.690 –&gt; 00:22:29.580 Jason Brady: And really.</p><p>00:22:31.290 –&gt; 00:22:42.570 Jason Brady: Keeping keeping contact with the organizations and individual people who are such good friends of special collections I’m.</p><p>00:22:44.550 –&gt; 00:22:47.190 Jason Brady: Keeping a good personal relationship with these folks.</p><p>00:22:48.330 –&gt; 00:22:50.550 Jason Brady: You know they know George so.</p><p>00:22:52.950 –&gt; 00:22:54.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah they’re not George.</p><p>00:22:55.620 –&gt; 00:22:56.850 Jason Brady: George exactly.</p><p>00:23:00.090 –&gt; 00:23:07.350 Jason Brady: You know, we do our best, but that was a that’s one of those losses that you just don’t take easily.</p><p>00:23:07.740 –&gt; 00:23:13.530 Joseph McElroy: yeah you can’t you can’t reproduce it yet that you have to build your own legacy in a different way.</p><p>00:23:13.890 –&gt; 00:23:15.090 Jason Brady: Right exactly you.</p><p>00:23:15.090 –&gt; 00:23:15.480 Joseph McElroy: have to.</p><p>00:23:15.570 –&gt; 00:23:21.480 Jason Brady: You have to build those relationships with folks, and I mean it’s wonderful we’ve got great folks it’s.</p><p>00:23:22.890 –&gt; 00:23:29.970 Jason Brady: But he was he like I said he was George’s very generous and he introduced me to all sorts of people.</p><p>00:23:31.380 –&gt; 00:23:33.720 Jason Brady: In the years before his retirement oh.</p><p>00:23:34.440 –&gt; 00:23:35.910 Joseph McElroy: Just so I could be helpful.</p><p>00:23:36.300 –&gt; 00:23:39.150 Joseph McElroy: And you got to direct the appendix for one of those great books right.</p><p>00:23:40.080 –&gt; 00:23:56.820 Jason Brady: yeah he and may Claxton did a book on Horace Kephart’s writings it was published by the University of Tennessee press and I got to write the appendix that describes HoraceKepharts library books that are in his library.</p><p>00:23:57.540 –&gt; 00:24:00.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah you have any other writing credits that you like.</p><p>00:24:02.160 –&gt; 00:24:09.780 Jason Brady: um no not really I write a bunch of finding aids like sure.</p><p>00:24:13.050 –&gt; 00:24:22.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah well listen before it took me until I was in my 40s to actually do anything but technical writing, but then I got into poetry and other things I started.</p><p>00:24:23.100 –&gt; 00:24:33.900 Joseph McElroy: doing some things and found I liked it like my credits before say 45 or you know the reasons why Q theory is working for blah blah blah.</p><p>00:24:36.600 –&gt; 00:24:39.540 Joseph McElroy: But you know, the people in the world would find interesting.</p><p>00:24:41.670 –&gt; 00:24:46.320 Joseph McElroy: So what is the typical day like for professional historical archivists.</p><p>00:24:46.980 –&gt; 00:24:47.910 For this as well.</p><p>00:24:49.110 –&gt; 00:25:06.810 Jason Brady: they’re there they very um I take in new collections are all I’ll be describing old collections I’ll be doing space management, working with donors and mostly helping people find answers to their questions.</p><p>00:25:08.610 –&gt; 00:25:13.230 Joseph McElroy: Or if you’re sort of like analog Internet.</p><p>00:25:14.100 –&gt; 00:25:18.300 Jason Brady: yeah pretty much it’s it kind of feels like that sometimes.</p><p>00:25:18.330 –&gt; 00:25:18.840 Right.</p><p>00:25:19.920 –&gt; 00:25:24.180 Joseph McElroy: And you just have to back yourself up a little digital information yeah.</p><p>00:25:24.210 –&gt; 00:25:24.990 Jason Brady: yeah right.</p><p>00:25:25.680 –&gt; 00:25:29.880 Joseph McElroy: Your digital memory bank, do you think it’s like one of the first chips that are provided.</p><p>00:25:31.080 –&gt; 00:25:32.940 Joseph McElroy: An index of lots of information.</p><p>00:25:35.070 –&gt; 00:25:50.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah so you know you we did a Kephart’s festival at the Meadowlark smoky mountain Heritage site and you really assist us with some displays and programs that were incredible I really appreciate it, thank you.</p><p>00:25:52.320 –&gt; 00:26:03.030 Joseph McElroy: And you know, the question I would think you’re like what should count your department parallel universes special collections has to be world’s foremost Kephart culture right.</p><p>00:26:04.740 –&gt; 00:26:08.730 Jason Brady: I would like to think so I can’t imagine that anybody could be better.</p><p>00:26:09.930 –&gt; 00:26:10.440 Jason Brady: We have.</p><p>00:26:11.850 –&gt; 00:26:15.210 Jason Brady: Enormous collection that haveKephart’s</p><p>00:26:17.040 –&gt; 00:26:24.660 Jason Brady: Information his his his personal possessions, when he passed his library his journals photographs.</p><p>00:26:25.800 –&gt; 00:26:29.340 Jason Brady: drive drafts of writing works and so forth.</p><p>00:26:30.540 –&gt; 00:26:32.550 Jason Brady: it’s it’s a large collection and.</p><p>00:26:33.990 –&gt; 00:26:45.330 Jason Brady: After that, we’ve received collections of family correspondence and all sorts of other things from Libby Kephart Hargrave he’s great-granddaughter.</p><p>00:26:45.540 –&gt; 00:26:48.870 Joseph McElroy: Oh, oh wedding dress you bought that too.</p><p>00:26:48.900 –&gt; 00:26:49.740 Jason Brady: Others right.</p><p>00:26:50.490 –&gt; 00:26:52.170 Joseph McElroy: Yes, exactly yeah.</p><p>00:26:52.200 –&gt; 00:27:03.780 Jason Brady: yeah so our Kephart’s collection is just fantastic and much of the collection is honored by our digital projects online.</p><p>00:27:04.920 –&gt; 00:27:05.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh well, for those.</p><p>00:27:07.200 –&gt; 00:27:20.250 Joseph McElroy: Listening Horrace Kephart don’t know already talked about it but or kat bar was one of the quote quote-unquote original founders or inspirations for the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:27:21.660 –&gt; 00:27:32.070 Joseph McElroy: And he’s also quite an interesting character, with a really intense personal story that creates lots of.</p><p>00:27:33.510 –&gt; 00:27:40.200 Joseph McElroy: claim, as well as lots of controversies so it’s nice to have a lot of information about him.</p><p>00:27:41.610 –&gt; 00:27:51.720 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break, when we come back we’ll talk about some of the other founders that she might have some you know some info in the collection of the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:27:56.520 –&gt; 00:27:57.510 Jason Brady: Most of our.</p><p>00:29:58.920 –&gt; 00:30:09.720 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back to the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jason Brady you have you know other founders of the.</p><p>00:30:10.290 –&gt; 00:30:21.720 Joseph McElroy: Of the great smoky mountains artifacts and information there that special collections and WCU like George lots of Japanese photographer he’s an interesting guy right.</p><p>00:30:22.590 –&gt; 00:30:24.900 Jason Brady: Oh yeah absolutely always.</p><p>00:30:25.410 –&gt; 00:30:27.390 Joseph McElroy: And I think you’re pretty elaborate.</p><p>00:30:28.830 –&gt; 00:30:31.050 Joseph McElroy: Collection about him right.</p><p>00:30:31.500 –&gt; 00:30:35.910 Jason Brady: yeah it’s uh it’s also the things that were in his possession when he died.</p><p>00:30:36.330 –&gt; 00:30:42.360 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow but you know what I really learned about you Kelly better photo archives.</p><p>00:30:43.980 –&gt; 00:30:45.000 Joseph McElroy: Recently right.</p><p>00:30:45.720 –&gt; 00:30:47.460 Jason Brady: Yes, very exciting.</p><p>00:30:48.540 –&gt; 00:30:54.870 Jason Brady: it’s a large photo archive taken by the Bryson city pharmacist Kelly minute.</p><p>00:30:55.230 –&gt; 00:30:58.890 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us a little bit about him and was it contribution or.</p><p>00:30:59.460 –&gt; 00:31:01.680 Jason Brady: Oh gosh we don’t have time.</p><p>00:31:02.040 –&gt; 00:31:02.430 Oh.</p><p>00:31:05.580 –&gt; 00:31:16.260 Jason Brady: He was a State Senator he was a state representative, he was mayor of Bryson city, he was the sole pharmacist, besides his father and his brother.</p><p>00:31:18.240 –&gt; 00:31:24.660 Jason Brady: Besides his father opens the first pharmacy in the area in Bryson and city and.</p><p>00:31:27.210 –&gt; 00:31:29.130 Jason Brady: Kelly was.</p><p>00:31:31.080 –&gt; 00:31:42.930 Jason Brady: Is intensely involved in all sorts of civic things he was he was it everything is his photographs are any indication he took photographs of all sorts of things like.</p><p>00:31:44.700 –&gt; 00:31:50.340 Jason Brady: athletic events scrap metal drives from World War Two.</p><p>00:31:51.480 –&gt; 00:31:54.000 Jason Brady: He took thousands of photographs.</p><p>00:31:54.090 –&gt; 00:31:58.020 Joseph McElroy: But it ended up being an amateur historian, etc.</p><p>00:31:59.070 –&gt; 00:31:59.730 Jason Brady: yeah he was.</p><p>00:32:00.090 –&gt; 00:32:02.700 Joseph McElroy: pencil with an intense documentation.</p><p>00:32:03.780 –&gt; 00:32:08.220 Jason Brady: yeah and he really knew what he was doing to his photographs are just.</p><p>00:32:09.780 –&gt; 00:32:11.220 Jason Brady: brilliantly executed.</p><p>00:32:12.660 –&gt; 00:32:19.830 Joseph McElroy: wow you know bomb plot, you know Bob’s video is that he works with these that general manager of ours Meadowlark smoky mountain here is.</p><p>00:32:20.460 –&gt; 00:32:34.500 Joseph McElroy: The new Mr. Bennett is a boy, and I visited roast or off of it, he bumps are the grapes and milkshakes and now you’ll never forget the side as Bennett he knows a sort of good marketing there right.</p><p>00:32:35.460 –&gt; 00:32:38.520 Jason Brady: yeah It really is, and I doubt it’s wrong.</p><p>00:32:39.270 –&gt; 00:32:41.760 Jason Brady: it’s he’s it’s serious.</p><p>00:32:43.620 –&gt; 00:32:54.060 Joseph McElroy: So, so he said he took a lot of photographers lot of photographs and he did he took photographs of Horrace right you got some of his photos of Horrace Kephart.</p><p>00:32:54.300 –&gt; 00:32:55.320 Jason Brady: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:32:56.100 –&gt; 00:32:59.820 Jason Brady: It was amazing at the first just the first run-through.</p><p>00:33:01.050 –&gt; 00:33:05.370 Jason Brady: There was were a dozen new photographs of Horrace Kephart that we hadn’t seen.</p><p>00:33:06.690 –&gt; 00:33:07.050 Jason Brady: and</p><p>00:33:08.100 –&gt; 00:33:20.280 Jason Brady: that’s uncommon I haven’t I’ve only seen one in my career I’ve only seen one previously unknown photo of Horrace Kephart of her and all sudden there’s 12 hours.</p><p>00:33:20.640 –&gt; 00:33:22.230 Jason Brady: Day turns out there’s even more.</p><p>00:33:23.490 –&gt; 00:33:31.050 Jason Brady: And we haven’t been through all of them, yet so yeah there are tons of new photos of Horrace Kephart in this.</p><p>00:33:31.770 –&gt; 00:33:44.190 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s an interesting guy Bob wanted me to ask you about Jack Code Covert, who is a supposed train Boxer about Malfoy referred to him as the practice not What was it, what was the what was this story.</p><p>00:33:45.750 –&gt; 00:33:52.380 Jason Brady: He is not from the area but came here when he was a young man and was a.</p><p>00:33:54.330 –&gt; 00:34:11.520 Jason Brady: Timberman and land speculator and he was at during the 20s and early 30s he was probably the wealthiest man in the far western counties of North Carolina.</p><p>00:34:12.840 –&gt; 00:34:22.290 Jason Brady: And just uh there are so many good stories about jack he and the thing about the stories are when you see photographs on.</p><p>00:34:23.340 –&gt; 00:34:29.220 Jason Brady: The person that’s described in the stories or you can tell it’s it’s him.</p><p>00:34:30.360 –&gt; 00:34:32.760 Jason Brady: He just comes across in the photos.</p><p>00:34:34.110 –&gt; 00:34:37.830 Jason Brady: There, there are some pretty good photos of jack in the.</p><p>00:34:38.400 –&gt; 00:34:39.810 Joseph McElroy: photos really matter.</p><p>00:34:41.760 –&gt; 00:34:43.260 Jason Brady: Not not not too many.</p><p>00:34:44.190 –&gt; 00:34:44.790 Jason Brady: Too many.</p><p>00:34:46.200 –&gt; 00:34:47.520 Joseph McElroy: But enough to give a picture.</p><p>00:34:48.120 –&gt; 00:34:50.430 Jason Brady: yeah enough to get a picture of jack.</p><p>00:34:51.720 –&gt; 00:34:52.050 Jason Brady: The.</p><p>00:34:53.220 –&gt; 00:35:01.830 Jason Brady: Always presence, the gar that’s just either dangling from his lips or his fingers and never let.</p><p>00:35:04.830 –&gt; 00:35:05.460 Joseph McElroy: So how many.</p><p>00:35:06.480 –&gt; 00:35:07.590 Joseph McElroy: How many photos are involved.</p><p>00:35:08.280 –&gt; 00:35:10.050 Jason Brady: I don’t have an exact number but.</p><p>00:35:12.060 –&gt; 00:35:17.280 Jason Brady: We haven’t done them all it’s it’s I think it’s probably somewhere between three and 4000.</p><p>00:35:17.850 –&gt; 00:35:20.580 Joseph McElroy: wow and are you planning an exhibit soon.</p><p>00:35:22.110 –&gt; 00:35:32.070 Jason Brady: we’re hoping to have a small exhibit up in our reading room in special collections now but we’re currently going through a swap.</p><p>00:35:33.270 –&gt; 00:35:38.610 Jason Brady: Our online content management system is being updated we’re completely redoing it.</p><p>00:35:39.900 –&gt; 00:35:51.990 Jason Brady: So we’re having to hold off on some new content on the website until that’s finished and once that’s finished yeah I think I think we’re going to do some.</p><p>00:35:53.550 –&gt; 00:35:53.970 Joseph McElroy: don’t.</p><p>00:35:54.030 –&gt; 00:35:56.520 Joseph McElroy: know you don’t have yet a big unveiling.</p><p>00:35:56.520 –&gt; 00:35:57.270 Joseph McElroy: plan right.</p><p>00:35:58.170 –&gt; 00:35:59.100 Jason Brady: No, not yet.</p><p>00:36:00.690 –&gt; 00:36:03.090 Jason Brady: We don’t even have them all scanned yet so.</p><p>00:36:04.410 –&gt; 00:36:15.840 Jason Brady: we’ve got the first couple thousand scanned and they’ve started going online, but it’s it’s so exciting to see these things it’s just their old but they’re new.</p><p>00:36:18.030 –&gt; 00:36:22.980 Joseph McElroy: So you know photos are not only part of what to do, but you also have oral.</p><p>00:36:24.690 –&gt; 00:36:38.460 Joseph McElroy: History as well that was really that you use our interviews conducted by the Western North Carolina tomorrow or have you to use black oral History project as part of 100 library special data collection.</p><p>00:36:41.100 –&gt; 00:36:45.360 Joseph McElroy: What a fascinating glimpse and experience with African Americans Carolina</p><p>00:36:46.170 –&gt; 00:36:48.960 Jason Brady: yeah it’s neat it’s a neat project.</p><p>00:36:50.130 –&gt; 00:36:57.240 Jason Brady: Those interviews are they’re all online now and they are they’re really worth a list.</p><p>00:36:57.540 –&gt; 00:36:58.920 Joseph McElroy: They they really are.</p><p>00:36:59.490 –&gt; 00:37:00.690 Jason Brady: We also collect.</p><p>00:37:01.920 –&gt; 00:37:03.690 Jason Brady: letters and.</p><p>00:37:05.340 –&gt; 00:37:11.100 Jason Brady: ledger’s business records all sorts of historical materials about the area.</p><p>00:37:14.910 –&gt; 00:37:17.280 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think it’s interesting that you discover.</p><p>00:37:18.690 –&gt; 00:37:26.670 Joseph McElroy: You know, things that you discover and are able to find this was read this interesting story that you found.</p><p>00:37:27.780 –&gt; 00:37:35.160 Joseph McElroy: There was a bunch of photos that appeared in the printed brochure called a remarkable for of the great smoky mountains by.</p><p>00:37:36.270 –&gt; 00:37:44.910 Joseph McElroy: By brochure by PWL and published in the 20s and 30s, but you can see these photographs in masses collection.</p><p>00:37:45.150 –&gt; 00:37:47.700 Joseph McElroy: So you try and do they really long to you.</p><p>00:37:49.110 –&gt; 00:37:55.170 Jason Brady: Right yeah we didn’t know who had taken them and they were in masses.</p><p>00:37:56.250 –&gt; 00:38:03.270 Jason Brady: possessions, when he died, and I was doing really it just mundane.</p><p>00:38:04.380 –&gt; 00:38:17.700 Jason Brady: Improving inventory kind of work and discovered I I was flipping through this obscure pamphlet and recognize these photographs and.</p><p>00:38:19.620 –&gt; 00:38:29.370 Jason Brady: just put a bunch of connections together real fast, but yeah barge Whittier Welles was a botanist at North Carolina State University and provided the photographs for this.</p><p>00:38:29.760 –&gt; 00:38:39.690 Jason Brady: This brochure is a remarkable floor of the great smoky mountains and I don’t know how George Masa wound up with the originals but he did.</p><p>00:38:40.290 –&gt; 00:38:42.630 Joseph McElroy: And how do you determine who took the.</p><p>00:38:44.070 –&gt; 00:38:44.790 Joseph McElroy: figure that out.</p><p>00:38:45.360 –&gt; 00:38:45.750 well.</p><p>00:38:47.970 –&gt; 00:38:57.090 Jason Brady: First it was he’s credited in the brochure well is credited in the brochure, and then I just started looking at.</p><p>00:38:58.770 –&gt; 00:38:59.490 Jason Brady: Other known.</p><p>00:39:00.990 –&gt; 00:39:09.210 Jason Brady: works by wells on North Carolina state university’s website and there was no mistaking it was definitely wells.</p><p>00:39:11.550 –&gt; 00:39:13.590 Jason Brady: But yeah that was.</p><p>00:39:14.610 –&gt; 00:39:16.170 Jason Brady: That was exciting actually.</p><p>00:39:17.880 –&gt; 00:39:24.090 Joseph McElroy: That would be exciting, I mean it’s like you know you discover a mystery, in a sense, right.</p><p>00:39:25.440 –&gt; 00:39:31.770 Jason Brady: yeah we never knew exactly what these were and there was always lots of speculation, because.</p><p>00:39:32.310 –&gt; 00:39:45.960 Jason Brady: They have primitive photoshop these photographs these original somebody has taken a very, very fine paintbrush and lighten the lights and dark and the darks with these photos and they’re beautiful they’re just there.</p><p>00:39:47.520 –&gt; 00:39:53.880 Jason Brady: But, but they did that to up the contrast so that they would reproduce well in this brochure and.</p><p>00:39:56.490 –&gt; 00:39:57.480 Jason Brady: We always just.</p><p>00:39:58.590 –&gt; 00:40:04.650 Jason Brady: a lot of speculation wasn’t they were just art pieces, but it was just preeminent photoshop well.</p><p>00:40:04.920 –&gt; 00:40:05.370 cool.</p><p>00:40:06.420 –&gt; 00:40:14.940 Joseph McElroy: So are there any other projects you’re working on at the at the at the collections department, they got planned for the future, you can tell us about.</p><p>00:40:15.480 –&gt; 00:40:20.280 Jason Brady: Well we’ve had a lot of great donations in the last couple of years.</p><p>00:40:21.390 –&gt; 00:40:24.420 Jason Brady: We have been adding them to the digital collections.</p><p>00:40:25.530 –&gt; 00:40:26.790 Jason Brady: as fast as we can.</p><p>00:40:28.170 –&gt; 00:40:31.230 Jason Brady: And those collections.</p><p>00:40:32.790 –&gt; 00:40:34.410 Jason Brady: Many of them are actually.</p><p>00:40:35.490 –&gt; 00:40:37.110 Jason Brady: A lot of them are from swine county.</p><p>00:40:38.190 –&gt; 00:40:45.330 Jason Brady: we’ve been working closely with the friends of the Bryson city cemetery to identify people in these photographs.</p><p>00:40:47.100 –&gt; 00:40:47.550 Jason Brady: and</p><p>00:40:48.870 –&gt; 00:40:58.980 Jason Brady: The photos that are coming for the digital collections that are that’s really exciting stuff the French fry photography and.</p><p>00:41:00.030 –&gt; 00:41:05.010 Jason Brady: The IK Stern’s photography and of course Kelly Bennett.</p><p>00:41:08.040 –&gt; 00:41:16.380 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah we’re uh yeah it’s been interesting for us and taking them in the motel and we have process of family transitioning things.</p><p>00:41:16.710 –&gt; 00:41:22.110 Joseph McElroy: And we found lots of clothes from the 60s and 70s of roadside culture in the mountains, because you know we.</p><p>00:41:23.010 –&gt; 00:41:29.190 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark motels have been around for a long time and it’s really interesting going through all this ancient.</p><p>00:41:29.730 –&gt; 00:41:38.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah things to see how life is a change that things are similar I think different what’s the out but what’s happened is a lot of information in there, you know we created to do.</p><p>00:41:38.430 –&gt; 00:41:50.280 Joseph McElroy: roadside motel roadside we create a new site for the hotel based upon a picture of the original sign that we happen to find from the like the 60s in school.</p><p>00:41:52.380 –&gt; 00:42:01.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah so if somebody wanted to donate something to Western Carolina university how do they go about doing it.</p><p>00:42:02.430 –&gt; 00:42:04.710 Jason Brady: Well, they can contact us directly.</p><p>00:42:06.360 –&gt; 00:42:08.160 Jason Brady: You can go to.</p><p>00:42:11.100 –&gt; 00:42:21.900 Jason Brady: westerns website and follow the quick link to the library and then go to special in digital collections and there’s a sidebar on our website that.</p><p>00:42:22.950 –&gt; 00:42:29.670 Jason Brady: says donating your collection and you can just visit that or you can contact me directly.</p><p>00:42:31.020 –&gt; 00:42:37.770 Jason Brady: At my email address, which is Jay Brady that’s jbrady@wcu.edu</p><p>00:42:38.430 –&gt; 00:42:46.140 Joseph McElroy: Is there any particular types of photos or collections or particular historical period you’re looking for an hour be excited to get.</p><p>00:42:47.190 –&gt; 00:42:47.550 Jason Brady: i’m.</p><p>00:42:48.570 –&gt; 00:43:08.760 Jason Brady: Not in particular we’re always open to any materials that pertained to regional history and that’s that’s not just Jackson county it’s or Western Carolina University is located, but it’s all the Western counties were very interested in the cultural and.</p><p>00:43:10.800 –&gt; 00:43:16.350 Jason Brady: All the history of the region, so if you have letters.</p><p>00:43:17.460 –&gt; 00:43:19.350 Jason Brady: or photographs or.</p><p>00:43:20.820 –&gt; 00:43:27.000 Jason Brady: Business ledgers or anything pertaining to a place in this area we’re interested in.</p><p>00:43:27.540 –&gt; 00:43:36.840 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know we’re gonna take a break now, when we come back we’ll talk about what’s current in this area that you like, and things you know things that you find exciting and interesting.</p><p>00:43:37.920 –&gt; 00:43:38.430 Joseph McElroy: All right.</p><p>00:43:39.120 –&gt; 00:43:39.480 Jason Brady: All right.</p><p>00:45:41.340 –&gt; 00:45:56.640 Joseph McElroy: Audi this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Jason Brady hey Jason that that commercial right reporter about pet lovers of mine that you’re a dog lover what kind of dog do you got.</p><p>00:45:57.810 –&gt; 00:46:00.750 Jason Brady: I have four Brittany’s.</p><p>00:46:01.380 –&gt; 00:46:04.350 Joseph McElroy: And what you do anything with every just enjoy.</p><p>00:46:06.120 –&gt; 00:46:11.070 Jason Brady: I basically just try to keep up with them and keep them from killing themselves.</p><p>00:46:13.980 –&gt; 00:46:15.510 Joseph McElroy: You have any other hobbies like that.</p><p>00:46:16.890 –&gt; 00:46:19.590 Jason Brady: No pretty much that that keeps me busy.</p><p>00:46:21.360 –&gt; 00:46:26.100 Jason Brady: They like the same things I do so it’s a natural fit.</p><p>00:46:27.210 –&gt; 00:46:29.250 Joseph McElroy: You go you take them hiking quite a bit.</p><p>00:46:30.240 –&gt; 00:46:34.260 Jason Brady: yep every chance I get but not often enough to save them.</p><p>00:46:34.950 –&gt; 00:46:39.750 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the favorite hiding places people take a dog with them to go.</p><p>00:46:40.890 –&gt; 00:46:44.280 Jason Brady: Well, I don’t have any favorites to speak of.</p><p>00:46:45.300 –&gt; 00:46:48.840 Jason Brady: I go all over Nana Halen national forest.</p><p>00:46:50.100 –&gt; 00:46:50.520 Jason Brady: and</p><p>00:46:51.930 –&gt; 00:47:08.610 Jason Brady: Really, if I was to recommend some places for folks you can just hit the parkway and most of the scenic overlooks the parking areas there are trail ads there’s no shortage there are all kinds of places to go.</p><p>00:47:09.060 –&gt; 00:47:17.970 Joseph McElroy: So just getting a car and then go someplace on the parkway and go to go to seem to go blue there’ll be a trailhead there, and you just go yep.</p><p>00:47:18.000 –&gt; 00:47:18.690 Jason Brady: pretty much.</p><p>00:47:18.840 –&gt; 00:47:19.230 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s.</p><p>00:47:19.350 –&gt; 00:47:21.480 Jason Brady: it’s very that’s the best.</p><p>00:47:21.930 –&gt; 00:47:22.200 One of the.</p><p>00:47:23.280 –&gt; 00:47:23.700 Jason Brady: Nice.</p><p>00:47:23.850 –&gt; 00:47:25.530 Joseph McElroy: And, most of them are dog-friendly right.</p><p>00:47:27.660 –&gt; 00:47:30.120 Jason Brady: Within with it right at the beginning.</p><p>00:47:31.860 –&gt; 00:47:37.290 Jason Brady: If you’re within the bounds of the blue Ridge parkway you have to be leashed but otherwise yeah.</p><p>00:47:37.920 –&gt; 00:47:45.000 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool about the great smoky national archives that have dogs in on the trails and hiking in there.</p><p>00:47:45.720 –&gt; 00:47:46.830 Jason Brady: They have rules.</p><p>00:47:48.630 –&gt; 00:47:49.080 Jason Brady: Careful.</p><p>00:47:49.830 –&gt; 00:47:52.020 Joseph McElroy: You said that the rules.</p><p>00:47:53.880 –&gt; 00:48:04.350 Jason Brady: You got to be careful about that you got some trails it’s okay to have dogs on a leash but that’s why I spend more time in the national forests.</p><p>00:48:05.010 –&gt; 00:48:14.850 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool all right so visitors, be aware that look up the rules of the great smoky mountain National Park, which ones yeah.</p><p>00:48:16.500 –&gt; 00:48:17.040 Joseph McElroy: Right.</p><p>00:48:17.310 –&gt; 00:48:21.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah So do you do you live in Caney Fork now.</p><p>00:48:22.260 –&gt; 00:48:27.960 Jason Brady: No, I don’t I got an opportunity to to buy a home from family members.</p><p>00:48:30.240 –&gt; 00:48:32.190 Jason Brady: Close by in cali.</p><p>00:48:33.630 –&gt; 00:48:46.620 Joseph McElroy: Cali right yeah so you can just like best Western Carolina university is Hillsborough still a manager that’s a real marquee name for people love it a really good experience.</p><p>00:48:47.460 –&gt; 00:49:00.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah one of the things I’d like to talk to my guests about is an active area for somebody who’s visiting your area now what would you do for breakfast Where would you go afterward, with different lives let’s walk, would you be willing to walk through that.</p><p>00:49:00.840 –&gt; 00:49:07.140 Jason Brady: Sure um well, one of the fixtures in silver for breakfast is a coffee shop.</p><p>00:49:09.270 –&gt; 00:49:14.700 Joseph McElroy: coffee shop is great that sounds like a place i’ve got to go what’s your favorite food there.</p><p>00:49:16.080 –&gt; 00:49:22.080 Jason Brady: they’ve got everything, basically, I mean it’s a classic diner kind of situation.</p><p>00:49:23.160 –&gt; 00:49:23.760 Jason Brady: Whatever you want.</p><p>00:49:24.360 –&gt; 00:49:24.960 Joseph McElroy: And what.</p><p>00:49:25.620 –&gt; 00:49:27.870 Joseph McElroy: What do you do, what would you do after breakfast.</p><p>00:49:29.100 –&gt; 00:49:30.540 Jason Brady: Oh well.</p><p>00:49:35.280 –&gt; 00:49:40.470 Jason Brady: My standard answer is you set up the woods, but you know that’s what I always do.</p><p>00:49:40.980 –&gt; 00:49:45.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yes, what would you recommend the guests visit what’s The thing that should see in the morning.</p><p>00:49:46.800 –&gt; 00:49:48.060 Jason Brady: Well um.</p><p>00:49:49.770 –&gt; 00:49:53.100 Jason Brady: You definitely want to spend some time on the parkway.</p><p>00:49:54.690 –&gt; 00:50:00.630 Jason Brady: that’s that’s you’re never going to run out of time up there that’s a wonderful place to go.</p><p>00:50:02.550 –&gt; 00:50:03.120 Jason Brady: And then.</p><p>00:50:04.950 –&gt; 00:50:05.400 Jason Brady: You know.</p><p>00:50:06.420 –&gt; 00:50:11.790 Jason Brady: You can always make your way back down to civilization for lunch.</p><p>00:50:13.710 –&gt; 00:50:16.440 Jason Brady: And I like South of Philly.</p><p>00:50:17.490 –&gt; 00:50:22.050 Jason Brady: In the Jackson Plaza the in the Plaza and silver where.</p><p>00:50:23.640 –&gt; 00:50:28.230 Jason Brady: The movie theater and ABC store or at.</p><p>00:50:29.760 –&gt; 00:50:33.720 Jason Brady: South Phillies great place for lunch sandwiches.</p><p>00:50:35.310 –&gt; 00:50:36.210 Joseph McElroy: philly cheesesteak.</p><p>00:50:36.870 –&gt; 00:50:38.040 Jason Brady: yep they sure do.</p><p>00:50:38.460 –&gt; 00:50:38.880 Jason Brady: A lot of.</p><p>00:50:40.530 –&gt; 00:50:41.970 Joseph McElroy: belly was known for its effects.</p><p>00:50:44.040 –&gt; 00:50:45.030 Jason Brady: it’s a good place.</p><p>00:50:47.610 –&gt; 00:50:49.200 Jason Brady: And i’m.</p><p>00:50:50.940 –&gt; 00:50:55.260 Jason Brady: Something later on, if you feel like something special.</p><p>00:50:56.970 –&gt; 00:51:05.070 Jason Brady: The frogs leap in Waynesville is wonderful I haven’t gotten over there recently but.</p><p>00:51:06.930 –&gt; 00:51:11.700 Jason Brady: All the times I’ve been there it’s just been very special, though.</p><p>00:51:12.510 –&gt; 00:51:20.910 Joseph McElroy: And if you were someone somebody do something afternoon, what would you tell them you take that trade out of Hillsborough or what would you ever do.</p><p>00:51:21.060 –&gt; 00:51:24.120 Jason Brady: Oh sure yeah that’s always a good thing to do.</p><p>00:51:25.140 –&gt; 00:51:27.840 Jason Brady: And while you’re waiting, you can go to the innovation station.</p><p>00:51:28.320 –&gt; 00:51:29.280 Jason Brady: yeah those were.</p><p>00:51:30.780 –&gt; 00:51:31.410 Jason Brady: Which is.</p><p>00:51:33.930 –&gt; 00:51:38.100 Jason Brady: Innovation let’s face it, this is the best brewery in western North Carolina.</p><p>00:51:41.460 –&gt; 00:51:43.980 Joseph McElroy: boogeyman bear water by good disagree with you.</p><p>00:51:45.120 –&gt; 00:51:45.900 Jason Brady: There free to.</p><p>00:51:46.110 –&gt; 00:51:46.830 yeah.</p><p>00:51:48.120 –&gt; 00:51:59.520 Jason Brady: Now innovations they’re great they’ve got three locations they’ve got the one in Hillsborough the innovation station there’s one on Main Street and Silva and there’s also wanted Western.</p><p>00:52:00.870 –&gt; 00:52:05.760 Jason Brady: They have a smaller location in noble hall</p><p>00:52:06.270 –&gt; 00:52:10.170 Joseph McElroy: that’s pretty cool then that evening what’s the best place to get some anything.</p><p>00:52:12.660 –&gt; 00:52:15.270 Jason Brady: I’m probably not the best to ask for that.</p><p>00:52:17.130 –&gt; 00:52:18.240 Joseph McElroy: What are you heard.</p><p>00:52:18.660 –&gt; 00:52:20.520 Jason Brady: I don’t get out much but I’m</p><p>00:52:21.990 –&gt; 00:52:23.790 Jason Brady: Actually, a Asheville.</p><p>00:52:24.930 –&gt; 00:52:26.100 Joseph McElroy: Oh gosh was always.</p><p>00:52:26.160 –&gt; 00:52:27.270 Joseph McElroy: A good place to go for that.</p><p>00:52:27.480 –&gt; 00:52:28.080 stuff.</p><p>00:52:29.700 –&gt; 00:52:33.870 Jason Brady: But I’m sure there are some venues around here.</p><p>00:52:35.970 –&gt; 00:52:36.510 Jason Brady: I just.</p><p>00:52:37.650 –&gt; 00:52:39.090 Jason Brady: I’m a homebody in the evening.</p><p>00:52:39.600 –&gt; 00:52:42.390 Joseph McElroy: Well I’ll recommend the speakeasy at the Meadowlark Motel.</p><p>00:52:44.160 –&gt; 00:52:44.880 Jason Brady: There you go.</p><p>00:52:45.150 –&gt; 00:52:47.160 Jason Brady: There you go right to check that out yeah.</p><p>00:52:47.580 –&gt; 00:52:58.020 Joseph McElroy: underground speakeasy so cool so I appreciate you being the guest, is there any other shoutouts and want to give any kind of Facebook social media want to mention or.</p><p>00:52:59.820 –&gt; 00:53:02.610 Joseph McElroy: Anything that you want to promote that last minute it’s happening.</p><p>00:53:04.140 –&gt; 00:53:05.550 Jason Brady: i’m just just.</p><p>00:53:07.080 –&gt; 00:53:09.900 Jason Brady: appreciation for for Western and.</p><p>00:53:11.940 –&gt; 00:53:14.910 Jason Brady: enabling us to do what we do, oh.</p><p>00:53:15.480 –&gt; 00:53:21.180 Joseph McElroy: Well, I appreciate it it’s been good it’s been a good, very good time talking with you.</p><p>00:53:21.900 –&gt; 00:53:39.420 Joseph McElroy: know this podcast is part of the talk NYC radio network and then every week, they have multiple daily live talks shows about different aspects of culture and media and business and life.</p><p>00:53:40.290 –&gt; 00:53:55.650 Joseph McElroy: Right after this one is usually a pretty good podcast about, and you know, being in New York and things to do in New York, so I recommend you stick around and listen to the show afterward it’s a great thing and listen to other shows on this network.</p><p>00:53:57.750 –&gt; 00:54:02.820 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that Meadowlark motel is going on a weekday getaway special.</p><p>00:54:03.810 –&gt; 00:54:12.300 Joseph McElroy: Which is visit Maggie Valley in the heart of the great smoky for three nights getaway arriving on Sunday or Monday and you’ll get one night three.</p><p>00:54:12.870 –&gt; 00:54:22.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s a great opportunity to really explore the mountains winter is actually a special time when you walk through the hiking trails.</p><p>00:54:23.040 –&gt; 00:54:29.820 Joseph McElroy: You can get better views because there are no liens and your way you get some spectacular views of the mountains.</p><p>00:54:30.180 –&gt; 00:54:41.310 Joseph McElroy: And now’s a really good time for its sort of a quiet time right now, so you can get trails and it’s very quiet and you can really have a sort of exam experience smoking’s at this time of year I love it.</p><p>00:54:42.480 –&gt; 00:54:52.020 Joseph McElroy: So come on a visit us to do that, you find out more about this podcast that gateway to the smokies. fun, we have a newsletter you can subscribe to there.</p><p>00:54:52.500 –&gt; 00:55:09.090 Joseph McElroy: And also it’s all the previous podcasts and alignment and the videos that we did we also have a Facebook page facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast, where we will this, is broadcast live every Tuesday from six to seven.</p><p>00:55:10.530 –&gt; 00:55:21.750 Joseph McElroy: So you know, be sure to visit that we’re going to have probably one more live podcast this month and its reruns and then come back at the end of January, the whole new.</p><p>00:55:22.470 –&gt; 00:55:30.960 Joseph McElroy: a whole new program of podcasts We look forward to having you here so again Tuesday’s six or seven I’ll see you next week.</p><p>00:55:32.040 –&gt; 00:55:35.610 Joseph McElroy: appreciate your listening to us ciao.</p> 75feca69-c4e6-4bfd-ac34-39afbb7f6b6e https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/3e966e9e-3a71-4726-af7d-cb4d7a02bfc8 Tue, 30 Nov 2021 23:00:00 +0000 3012 no full Episode 39: Western North Carolina Heritage Center Episode 39: Western North Carolina Heritage Center Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><span>Join us for an interview with </span><strong>Pam Meister</strong><span>, Director of the </span><strong><em>Mountain Heritage Center</em></strong><span> at Western Carolina University, she has an impressive resume working with elite museums and historical organizations such as the Atlanta History Center, the Charlotte Museum of History, and the Upcountry History Museum in high-level management positions, as well as a long career at WCU in various leadership roles.</span></p><p><span>Pam is well known for her work with one of the most popular and largest Heritage festivals in the Southeast, Mountain Heritage Day, held annually in late September at WCU.</span></p><p><span>On this episode, Joseph and Pam will discuss the many fascinating stories of </span><strong><em>Western North Carolina Heritage Center</em></strong><span>.</span></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Joseph opens up with the usual show intro and after the sponsored message, introduces the guest, Pam Meister. They get into the origin of Mountain Heritage Day before Joseph starts off the interview by asking Pam if she got into her dream of being in theater. She talks about how she got to see rehearsals, behind the scenes, and her first Broadway musical, then talks about how instead of wanting to be a performer, she always wanted to be a producer of sorts. She loved the idea of costume designing, art directing, and stage managing more than the thought of dancing and acting on stage. Joseph asks what Pam’s career was looking like right out of college, and she depicts her first year out of college working as the navy merchandise manager and a helper on Saturday Night Live.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>The show comes back to Pam’s museum career and how she got into it. Pam describes her desire to expand her career from running the stage to running the entire theater, so she got in contact with the University of Georgia to learn how to run theaters. Pam got an offer to manage an outdoor festival and this got her connected to multiple museums. She quit her job at a dance company and then got an offer to work in a museum and ended becoming the executive director of that museum. Pam then describes what it takes to work at a museum, the passion to teach and celebrate history and the want to preserve culture were the main parts in her opinion. Pam gets another offer to open a museum, and she talks about trying to learn the technology that came with it in quick time before it opened.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>After the break, Pam’s job at the Western North Carolina Heritage Center is brought up, and she describes getting a phone call from the director at the time who offered her a job to teach kids and create programs. She accepted and worked in this position before becoming the director. Joseph exclaims that he is impressed with the cultural diversity the Mountain Heritage Day possesses. Pam describes how the festival wanted to educate on African American, Cherokee, and more cultures of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The goal of the Heritage center is to build bridges and celebrate local cultures.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>After the final break, they get into some of Pam’s upcoming projects involving new programs and exhibits, and digitizing over a thousand photographs of a famous photographer. They finish off the episode with the future of the heritage center, what to expect from it, and where to find it.</span></p> Video thumbnail

In this episode, our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy interviews Pam Meister, Director of the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University, she has an impressive resume working with elite museums and historical organizations such as the Atlanta History Center, the Charlotte Museum of History, and the Upcountry History Museum in high-level management positions, as well as a long career at WCU in various leadership roles.

Pam is well known for her work with one of the most popular and largest Heritage festivals in the Southeast, Mountain Heritage Day, held annually in late September at WCU.

In this episode, Joseph and Pam will discuss the many fascinating stories of the Western North Carolina Heritage Center.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

Segment 1

Joseph opens up with the usual show intro and after the sponsored message, introduces the guest, Pam Meister. They get into the origin of Mountain Heritage Day before Joseph starts off the interview by asking Pam if she got into her dream of being in theater. She talks about how she got to see rehearsals, behind the scenes, and her first Broadway musical then talks about how instead of wanting to be a performer, she always wanted to be a producer of sorts. She loved the idea of costume designing, art directing, and stage managing more than the thought of dancing and acting on stage. Joseph asks what Pam’s career was looking like right out of college, and she depicts her first year out of college working as the navy merchandise manager and a helper on Saturday Night Live.

Segment 2

The show comes back to Pam’s museum career and how she got into it. Pam describes her desire to expand her career from running the stage to running the entire theater, so she got in contact with the University of Georgia to learn how to run theaters. Pam got an offer to manage an outdoor festival and this got her connected to multiple museums. She quit her job at a dance company and then got an offer to work in a museum and ended up becoming the executive director of that museum. Pam then describes what it takes to work at a museum, the passion to teach and celebrate history, and the want to preserve culture were the main parts in her opinion. Pam gets another offer to open a museum, and she talks about trying to learn the technology that came with it in a quick time before it opened.

Segment 3

After the break, Pam’s job at the Western North Carolina Heritage Center is brought up, and she describes getting a phone call from the director at the time who offered her a job to teach kids and create programs. She accepted and worked in this position before becoming the director. Joseph exclaims that he is impressed with the cultural diversity Mountain Heritage Day possesses. Pam describes how the festival wanted to educate African Americans, Cherokee, and other cultures of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The goal of the Heritage center is to build bridges and celebrate local cultures.

Segment 4

After the final break, they get into some of Pam’s upcoming projects involving new programs and exhibits and digitizing over a thousand photographs of a famous photographer. They finish off the episode with the future of the heritage center, what to expect from it, and where to find it.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:03:15.300 –> 00:03:18.330 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us this week episode

00:03:18.360 –> 00:03:26.850 Joseph McElroy: of the gateway to the smokies this podcast about America’s most visited National Park.

00:03:27.180 –> 00:03:39.330 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains national park and surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with the weekly episode.

00:03:39.810 –> 00:03:57.570 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also a deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. today’s podcast is about Western Carolina University’s mountain heritage Center.

00:03:58.650 –> 00:04:01.140 Joseph McElroy: But first let’s talk about our sponsors.

00:04:02.280 –> 00:04:12.960 Joseph McElroy: So imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:04:13.530 –> 00:04:22.800 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catches on fire and needs to be accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:04:23.220 –> 00:04:40.110 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine a place with the amenities of an old country and there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure start with where you stay.

00:04:41.820 –> 00:04:48.360 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventures.com plural on the smokies singular on the adventure.

00:04:48.840 –> 00:04:57.030 Joseph McElroy: Information and listings about the smokies you have hiking and wedding venues books trail maps and resources.

00:04:57.480 –> 00:05:08.040 Joseph McElroy: And guides for hiking in the mountains, the emphasis of the smokies adventurous outdoor recreation outdoor life events and adventures long providing information on lodging.

00:05:08.310 –> 00:05:15.900 Joseph McElroy: Family entertainment events conventions honeymoons in more it’s going to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.

00:05:18.300 –> 00:05:26.910 Joseph McElroy: a couple of several upcoming events for the Meadowlark motel that you might be wanting to be aware of is we’re gonna have an Appalachian thanksgiving meal on

00:05:28.350 –> 00:05:38.520 Joseph McElroy: thanksgiving featuring traditional American fare but also having things like game meat Chilean butternut squash stuffed with vegetarian entrees.

00:05:39.840 –> 00:05:55.140 Joseph McElroy: You know coconut cream pie banana pudding you know elderberry cranberry sauce all sorts of good stuff we’re also going to have a campfire Christmas before Christmas on December 18 and then coming up on January 25.

00:05:55.800 –> 00:06:13.050 Joseph McElroy: Week-long celebration leading to a dinner on January 25 celebrating the Scottish poet Robert Burns and the traditional Robert Burns celebration, which is the event of a revolving rocket is if I can say so myself and not to be missed.

00:06:14.580 –> 00:06:15.270 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:06:19.800 –> 00:06:30.390 Joseph McElroy: our guest today is Pam Meister all right, who is the director of the Western Carolina mountain heritage Center in

00:06:30.870 –> 00:06:36.120 Joseph McElroy: Western Carolina University Kellaway North Carolina she is has a long history as a

00:06:36.870 –> 00:06:56.130 Joseph McElroy: As the top of organizations have multiple museums and colleges in the southeast she’s also one of the co-founders of the mountain heritage day which usually ends of the last week of September, which is one of the southeast top premier music and heritage events Hello Pam.

00:06:57.390 –> 00:06:58.050 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I Joseph.

00:06:58.800 –> 00:07:04.230 Joseph McElroy: How are you doing, how did I do in that biocide somehow they erased the bio here, so I had to do it from memory.

00:07:05.310 –> 00:07:17.280 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: walks not bad, except that I was not the Co-founder of mountain heritage day actually started in 1974 with the inauguration.

00:07:18.030 –> 00:07:29.100 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The new Chancellor, Harold cottoned Robinson, who was a proud native of a bandana North Carolina and decided that he didn’t just want a pokey old.

00:07:29.850 –> 00:07:41.430 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Academic procession to celebrate his inauguration as Chancellor he wanted a good old fashioned how down with Barbecue and square dancing and music.

00:07:43.470 –> 00:07:44.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: They decided to do it.

00:07:44.970 –> 00:07:50.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Ever after and the only year they ever missed since then was 2020.

00:07:50.790 –> 00:07:51.900 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow well.

00:07:53.790 –> 00:07:55.350 Joseph McElroy: 2020 whatever happened.

00:07:55.440 –> 00:07:59.250 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah really, really, but yeah so I can’t claim to flight to.

00:08:00.870 –> 00:08:05.250 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: founding that one but boy I have really enjoyed working on it for the.

00:08:06.060 –> 00:08:09.270 Joseph McElroy: I just know I just claimed it for you so.

00:08:10.560 –> 00:08:13.110 Joseph McElroy: The part where you deny it, and then you can own it forever all right.

00:08:13.290 –> 00:08:13.740 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: All right.

00:08:15.990 –> 00:08:23.820 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in Louisiana and then went to the College at the University of new New Orleans for you got a BA in theater.

00:08:24.300 –> 00:08:35.700 Joseph McElroy: And then undergraduate school at the University of Georgia, where you got an MFA in arts management, so let me add, I know you’re a museum professional but did you ever get to pursue your interest in theater.

00:08:36.300 –> 00:08:45.030 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Oh yeah absolutely I actually got serious about theatre, when I was 15 years old, and in New Orleans there was.

00:08:45.660 –> 00:08:56.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: a really good regional repertory theater you know, there was a set of regional theaters that were founded in the mid-70s and so.

00:08:57.030 –> 00:09:01.200 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: They had a teenage volunteer program and I was involved with that.

00:09:01.590 –> 00:09:10.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And we did you know any kind of work they threw at us and, in return, they, let us in on rehearsals and things like that, and so.

00:09:10.950 –> 00:09:21.150 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: got to see the workings of a fully professional theatre from behind the scenes very early and you know it was strange I was inspired with theater.

00:09:21.570 –> 00:09:34.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I remember vividly going to see my first broadway roadshow in New Orleans which was Man of La Mancha and oh man, you know the saying the impossible dream, and it was Jose Farrar.

00:09:34.740 –> 00:09:35.430 In that role.

00:09:36.840 –> 00:09:37.620 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: is like.

00:09:39.960 –> 00:09:52.560 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know I never really wanted to be up there on that stage singing my impulse was this theater stuff is really important, I want to make it happen, I think it was a born producer.

00:09:52.770 –> 00:10:11.070 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So never you know was much you know, a performer and my career aspirations, when I was at university of Georgia, were to work as a stage manager and a theatrical designer and costumer and I really did that and.

00:10:11.790 –> 00:10:23.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: No both did pay jobs, actually, you know, one of the ways I made money when I was in college was working in the costume shop so I’m pretty good seamstress to this day, I must say.

00:10:24.450 –> 00:10:35.250 Joseph McElroy: We know I can I mean I started out doing some theater in Durham North Carolina and ended up doing some on the stage in Philly and I even got to do some performances in New York City way.

00:10:35.730 –> 00:10:44.010 Joseph McElroy: Today, well, I never was anything my claim to fame is I got to do performance and CBD bees and the kitchen sort of performance art sort of stuff but they’re pretty.

00:10:44.190 –> 00:10:46.350 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well that’s that sounds like lots of fun.

00:10:46.980 –> 00:10:55.680 Joseph McElroy: But you know, the biggest thing that I know is that a good stage manager is indispensable for production right it’s like.

00:10:56.820 –> 00:11:02.100 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That organizational skills and that kind of make people do what you need them to do.

00:11:03.180 –> 00:11:08.670 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: really well in a lot of facets of the performing arts and also in the museum so since he’s

00:11:11.100 –> 00:11:16.950 Joseph McElroy: Be in business to if you don’t have that one person that coordinates all the traffic you just.

00:11:17.850 –> 00:11:23.160 Joseph McElroy: you’re just going nowhere, so what was your big first job out of college.

00:11:23.400 –> 00:11:23.730 hey.

00:11:25.050 –> 00:11:36.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: This is pretty funny I went to work for New Orleans has a pretty are did at the time, a pretty big military presence, I went to work for.

00:11:36.960 –> 00:11:46.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The naval air station as their visual merchandising manager and again the design skills there, so I was in charge of.

00:11:47.580 –> 00:12:03.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Their post exchange all of their store decor and display, and there was a small print shop and I had an employee that I supervised, and so we did all of the store decoration and display and.

00:12:04.200 –> 00:12:14.910 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We also did special events for the stores like Santa Claus and the Easter parade and stuff like that, so it was a pretty cool job and.

00:12:15.810 –> 00:12:30.270 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A nice thing about it, too, is that they sent me to the Brooklyn navy yard to learn for like a week and a half course in the window display and you know.

00:12:30.270 –> 00:12:47.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Managing patient and all that kind of stuff and what happened with that were I also you know, this is what you do when you’re 21 years old right yeah so I have a day job I have an evening job where I’m moonlighting at a local dinner theater and remember this is like 1977.

00:12:48.000 –> 00:12:49.980 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The inner theater’s work and.

00:12:51.030 –> 00:12:51.930 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so i’m.

00:12:53.100 –> 00:13:06.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The wardrobe person at the dinner theater the grapevine I hear that this you know kind of upstart TV show has decided to come to New Orleans during mardi gras.

00:13:07.470 –> 00:13:15.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: To do their first television special and they were looking for local crew members well that upstart TV show was Saturday night live.

00:13:17.490 –> 00:13:35.880 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: season and so it’s Mardi grass and here comes chevy chase and John Belushi and Lorraine Newman, the whole Radner and you know they’re like you know typical TV movie people the world’s going to stop for them will in New Orleans mardi gras don’t stop for anybody.

00:13:36.120 –> 00:13:44.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: know so they turn out for the local P, and I was hired you know to be a crew member, so I took vacation time.

00:13:44.430 –> 00:13:53.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: From my day job, and you know when to work for Saturday night live in my biggest attraction was being a native daughter.

00:13:53.430 –> 00:14:04.800 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I knew my way around the French Quarter, and of course, they block off the streets, where the mardi gras parades and they couldn’t get their equipment through and stuff and I could also take them to the nearest bar, which is very important to that group.

00:14:05.010 –> 00:14:05.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh, very important.

00:14:06.990 –> 00:14:10.320 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Anyway, we had a great time I loved.

00:14:10.410 –> 00:14:22.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Working with Saturday night live, and you know got be kind of chummy with them and they said well you know what’s next for you and I said Well, this is exciting I’m going to the Brooklyn navy yard to learn how to dress mannequins.

00:14:22.740 –> 00:14:26.400 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And they said hey we’ll give you tickets to our next show in New York.

00:14:28.440 –> 00:14:37.260 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: to New York, I had tickets to the Saturday night live show, and I remember the kinks were the band that played.

00:14:37.290 –> 00:14:38.850 Joseph McElroy: For that oh my God you got a great.

00:14:39.630 –> 00:14:44.070 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so that was my best first year out of work experience.

00:14:44.100 –> 00:14:46.830 Joseph McElroy: that’s an incredible first year.

00:14:46.830 –> 00:14:57.480 Joseph McElroy: Experience everybody dreams, to have that kind of experience, you know SNL for this day is you know even from then on to this day it’s like one of the most impossible tickets to get right so.

00:14:58.140 –> 00:15:14.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah so that’s amazing and my wife got to play on Saturday night live and I had an impossible job to get tickets there, but I somehow managed to do it within a week’s notice, but it was like I had to pull in every favor string I got my life.

00:15:15.510 –> 00:15:17.340 Joseph McElroy: yeah side things in blood.

00:15:18.540 –> 00:15:28.290 Joseph McElroy: To get some tickets onto their so, but so you know we’re going to take a break right now right, and when we get into your museum professional.

00:15:29.550 –> 00:15:31.110 Joseph McElroy: Alright sounds good.

00:15:31.470 –> 00:15:32.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: sounds great.

00:17:48.210 –> 00:18:04.410 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Pam Meister so Pam when did you after SNL and after the Brooklyn navy yard when did you end up getting into the museum professional career.

00:18:05.220 –> 00:18:22.650 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, it was a while later after that year and in New Orleans, I decided, I was going to blow pokey all New Orleans and go to Hollywood so I went there for a year and worked, but I really missed the south, and so, when did my way back and.

00:18:23.400 –> 00:18:32.040 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ended up reconnecting with my mentors from University of New Orleans who had moved on to the University of Georgia, because by that time.

00:18:32.280 –> 00:18:40.920 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Working out in Los Angeles, and it was strange, you know movie capital of the world, I worked in live theater the entire year I was there and.

00:18:41.520 –> 00:18:51.870 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: When I was doing that you know, looking around at the theater I was working in and going, you know I’d really like to run this theater I bet I could run this theater and not just the stage.

00:18:53.190 –> 00:19:05.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: wonder how I could do that maybe there’s a college program that would teach me to do that, so I was checking out colleges and you know talking to them about, but you know this was the dark ages and there were very few.

00:19:06.210 –> 00:19:09.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know theater management program arts management programs.

00:19:10.260 –> 00:19:24.780 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So I was back in New Orleans and like said reconnecting with my mentors who had moved on to Georgia and they said, well, what are you up to you, and I said I’m trying to find a college program where I could learn to run theaters and they said to pay on guessing what we want.

00:19:25.470 –> 00:19:36.690 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A program like that here at the University of Georgia and basically we need a guinea pig how’d you like to come on you can be a graduate assistant, and you know will pay for your education.

00:19:37.020 –> 00:19:37.980 Joseph McElroy: And suck.

00:19:39.210 –> 00:19:39.660 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A lot.

00:19:42.420 –> 00:19:50.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So I went to the University of New Orleans and did that MFA which included.

00:19:50.940 –> 00:19:51.540 Joseph McElroy: George right.

00:19:51.630 –> 00:20:03.090 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: internship at the alliance theatre in Atlanta, and you know got to use my stage management skills and things like that, basically, worked all over the place.

00:20:04.350 –> 00:20:19.140 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And when he graduated I had amongst the things I’ve done at the University of Georgia was taken a tutorial about grants writing and wrote a grant to the National Endowment for the arts basically as practice.

00:20:19.770 –> 00:20:31.530 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: For they had at that point in time an arts management fellowship program and I was finishing up my graduate career in Italy because I had a studies abroad program.

00:20:31.890 –> 00:20:41.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And they wanted theatre components, and so I was able to stage manager for an Italian theatre company and Cortana Italy.

00:20:43.350 –> 00:20:51.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: back from that and boom, there was a letter from the National Endowment for the arts saying we tried to get hold of you, but we were told you in Europe.

00:20:52.350 –> 00:21:05.280 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You want to fellowship and so, once again, you know Pam goes yeah I would love to do that, so, then I went to Washington DC and spent the year with the National Endowment for the arts, which was really neat.

00:21:06.750 –> 00:21:07.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and

00:21:08.520 –> 00:21:24.840 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: How that year for the first time are near North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms was attempting to abolish National Endowment for the arts, so I thought you know, maybe it’s time to move on and get a job let’s see what we can do.

00:21:26.040 –> 00:21:48.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ended up back in Atlanta through connections I’ve made with the alliance managing a modern dance company the Carl Ratcliffe dance theater so I did that from 1981 to 1985 and managing modern dance company in Atlanta which back in the early 80s was still pretty conservative place.

00:21:49.890 –> 00:22:04.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A kind of a burnout job, and so, when my old buddies at the University of Georgia called and said guess what Pam we’re going down to Jekyll island GA to run an outdoor musical comedy festival how’d you like to come over.

00:22:06.270 –> 00:22:16.830 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Here, once again, you know that can you, is there a thread in this, I am always the one people offer me these crazy propositions and I always say yes.

00:22:18.750 –> 00:22:19.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So.

00:22:19.350 –> 00:22:20.640 Joseph McElroy: you’re very good at improv.

00:22:20.910 –> 00:22:21.360 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: let’s go.

00:22:23.910 –> 00:22:38.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and run and run and outdoor company and It so happened that the theater you know Jekyll island has a national historic landmark district, it was owned by a group of ultra-rich people.

00:22:39.720 –> 00:22:46.680 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know, William Rockefeller Joseph Pulitzer JP Morgan people like that, with these little cottages there.

00:22:47.460 –> 00:22:57.570 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so the actors, for the company or house in one of the historic buildings, and so one of the things I was in charge of.

00:22:57.960 –> 00:23:09.060 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Keeping this historic building pristine and not letting the actors mess it up, and so I became had a closing cordial relationship with the museum director there.

00:23:09.420 –> 00:23:18.180 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Who introduced me to a neighboring museum director who had a museum in way cross Georgia, which is like.

00:23:18.600 –> 00:23:22.530 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Not quite an hour’s drive inland from the coast there.

00:23:22.860 –> 00:23:32.370 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And at the end of the summer, because I had quit my job with the dance theater to take this and was just you know kind of in denial about oh God, I need to get my resume out what am I going to do.

00:23:32.730 –> 00:23:40.860 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so we’ll Martin the way cross museum director said hey why don’t you come work for me and I said bill.

00:23:41.520 –> 00:23:51.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I love museums, but you know I’m a performing arts person I know anything about museums, he said, you have an MFA in arts management it’s those skills that.

00:23:51.990 –> 00:24:09.870 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I need and also your personality, I think the last person he worked with he didn’t get along too well, he said, I know you I know we can work together harmoniously come to a cross you’ve never lived in a really small town or worked in a museum, this will be fun guess what Pam said.

00:24:10.710 –> 00:24:12.300 Joseph McElroy: Yes, yes, yes.

00:24:14.130 –> 00:24:26.550 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And I know kind of pre looking at your questions that you were asking about the culture shock that I didn’t have any culture shock about coming to the mountains because I had come to the mountain so lie.

00:24:26.850 –> 00:24:30.180 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: But real culture shock in way cross Georgia.

00:24:31.440 –> 00:24:36.840 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah yeah I mean that’s the kind of place where if they’re polite to you, they say.

00:24:37.950 –> 00:24:45.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And what is your church home and polite to you, they say, do you call Jesus Christ your savior.

00:24:47.850 –> 00:24:48.300 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Just like.

00:24:50.010 –> 00:24:54.240 Joseph McElroy: Very culture, I grew up sort of in that environment, I come from America is very small.

00:24:54.270 –> 00:24:55.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Town and air yeah.

00:24:55.680 –> 00:24:58.620 Joseph McElroy: I understand, but then so now you’re in the museum world.

00:25:00.600 –> 00:25:01.170 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: world.

00:25:01.200 –> 00:25:09.120 Joseph McElroy: And you go through a few places right and you ended up Executive Director of the South Carolina a country museum.

00:25:09.720 –> 00:25:14.820 Joseph McElroy: And you know what I found you co-created a presentation at this South Carolina federation and museums called.

00:25:15.120 –> 00:25:26.550 Joseph McElroy: leadership and museums directors words of wisdom it and the brief was to write a brief was the role of museum directors change as quickly as the prerequisites for the job.

00:25:26.970 –> 00:25:38.370 Joseph McElroy: So what What did you talk about that, and how is it different now, what is the what, what are the challenges you faced and skills and training that are that have served you well over the years.

00:25:39.120 –> 00:25:40.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, you know.

00:25:42.270 –> 00:25:45.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: the world has, as you know, profoundly changed.

00:25:45.990 –> 00:25:47.070 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The past.

00:25:47.130 –> 00:26:02.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: few years I mean it is a whole new ballpark right now, but when you get right down to it, you know, particularly I think people who work in museums and all people, not just directors, but.

00:26:02.460 –> 00:26:14.580 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I am firmly convinced that everybody who really resonates with museums and is happy working in them is a lifelong learner you have to go oh Goody I’m going to learn something new today.

00:26:15.660 –> 00:26:29.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I think everyone who works in a museum has to really believe in the museum’s mission which is usually some variation of.

00:26:30.810 –> 00:26:37.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We want to preserve history and culture, we want to connect with our Community.

00:26:37.740 –> 00:26:49.350 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We want to enrich and serve our community, and we want to educate, I think you know that’s all of that kind of thing we’re all just big old do-gooder do-gooders at heart.

00:26:49.770 –> 00:27:01.020 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And we’re fascinated with learning new things, and we want other people to be fascinated along with us now when you get to the museum director set of skills.

00:27:01.920 –> 00:27:16.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know you really there are some museum directors, maybe, who are not people persons, but mostly you have to be a connector you have to be a leader, you have to be a negotiator.

00:27:18.210 –> 00:27:20.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And you have to have a lot of energy.

00:27:22.830 –> 00:27:29.220 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know when you were also at the I think that I think there were a lot of things you are pre-staging in your time at the.

00:27:29.490 –> 00:27:36.120 Joseph McElroy: That museum, because you had some other quotes I thought I thought they were all interesting you were quoted online talking about.

00:27:36.780 –> 00:27:45.210 Joseph McElroy: South Carolina country show saying we want to show how engaging and entertaining and also thought-provoking a museum can be.

00:27:45.840 –> 00:27:54.150 Joseph McElroy: So I mean I think that’s a little different the or that early on, you know, going from showing knowledge to actually thinking about in terms of.

00:27:54.900 –> 00:28:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Engagement entertains and maybe in some cases if God exists that accessing this day that the spectacle, but whatever it’s were you making that and whether and how does that subsequently become more a part of your career.

00:28:08.520 –> 00:28:09.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well i’m.

00:28:10.620 –> 00:28:27.930 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A little background about the upcountry history museum, I came to that museum five months before the museum was scheduled to open the building had been built for five years and then the people who were planning ahead sticker shock about what.

00:28:28.110 –> 00:28:42.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Professional design museum exhibits cost and it took them several years to get the money to put together a set of exhibits which they did in conjunction with historians, but not any practicing.

00:28:42.930 –> 00:28:57.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: museum professionals and so they’re getting close to opening and they kind of realized Oh, we need somebody to like hire staff and tell us how to operate this thing and.

00:28:58.200 –> 00:29:12.120 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know kind of activate the machine so enter tam with another crazy proposition and I thought you know I’ve never opened a museum before this would be an interesting challenge I didn’t sleep for about a year.

00:29:13.020 –> 00:29:26.310 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: But it was like a real fast track and I have something I’m not sure if this will show up, but I have a picture of the Atrium of this museum can use.

00:29:26.790 –> 00:29:32.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah we can get it, and if you send me the picture I’ll put it up on the website all right.

00:29:32.310 –> 00:29:39.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Okay, well, it is it’s the most dramatic museum you’ve ever seen it looks like a stage set, and actually.

00:29:40.110 –> 00:29:52.020 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: They hired this fabulous lighting design firm where all of the principles came out of the theater world, and so the lighting and the idea was that you walked into this Atrium.

00:29:52.320 –> 00:30:04.020 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And there would be a sound and light show that would take you in like three and a half minutes through 300 years of upcountry South Carolina history, it was.

00:30:05.640 –> 00:30:13.380 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: amazing, and so I came in in time to help that crew get that thing activated and it had.

00:30:14.100 –> 00:30:31.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Like couldn’t be computer activated and things like that, and so it had some built-in drama going on, also there were these really beautiful sculptural statues throughout the museum, the one in that particular picture there’s a pig drover coming around.

00:30:31.080 –> 00:30:34.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Because of wagon road those through that area.

00:30:36.210 –> 00:30:37.530 Joseph McElroy: So you really.

00:30:38.190 –> 00:30:45.210 Joseph McElroy: You really were able to manage that whole aspect of pre-making it engaging and.

00:30:45.270 –> 00:30:45.990 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: It really.

00:30:47.820 –> 00:30:48.840 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: spoke to me, but they.

00:30:49.590 –> 00:31:02.640 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: did a very good job of kind of forging a path through the whole thing, but what I did you know after you know learning in recruiting staff and all of us, learning how to work this technology.

00:31:03.540 –> 00:31:16.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: was some of the programmings, we did my favorite programming Joseph and you will love this too is this museum was just crying for a kid sleepover.

00:31:16.380 –> 00:31:18.030 Joseph McElroy: wow yes.

00:31:18.900 –> 00:31:20.730 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ebbets came to life.

00:31:20.820 –> 00:31:22.110 Joseph McElroy: There you go I my kids.

00:31:22.260 –> 00:31:24.540 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: love that so we did that.

00:31:24.720 –> 00:31:25.500 wow.

00:31:26.640 –> 00:31:37.920 Joseph McElroy: We have to take a break, now that gives me a wonderful image and aspiration when we go away and when we come back we’re going to talk about the get into the mountain heritage stuff.

00:33:45.030 –> 00:33:54.690 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Pam Meister so Pam we got to fast forward you.

00:33:55.260 –> 00:34:13.140 Joseph McElroy: went through the Atlanta History Center and then you were the President and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of history, among many other wonderful accomplishments in the museum industry so when what question was asked of you that you said yes to the brought to you to Western Carolina University.

00:34:15.540 –> 00:34:20.610 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, at that point in time, I was back in Atlanta.

00:34:21.780 –> 00:34:30.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: At the Atlanta History Center creating a new business model for the regional museum association.

00:34:31.560 –> 00:34:42.450 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so, had an office at the Atlanta History Center and was in touch with people all over the southeast and had a phone call one day.

00:34:42.780 –> 00:34:54.810 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: From Scott Filial who was then the director of the mountain heritage Center and who I had known through professional development activities.

00:34:55.380 –> 00:35:04.260 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Through the southeastern museum’s Conference, so he called and said hi Pam how you doing and I said I’m doing great you know where we’re working on.

00:35:04.830 –> 00:35:14.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know, moving this regional association into the Atlanta History Center and working out a management agreement and it’s going really well.

00:35:14.430 –> 00:35:26.190 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And he said, well, I have a favor to ask of you, I really need to feel a key position and need your help, and I said sure no problem, you know s EMC has a great job board.

00:35:26.460 –> 00:35:33.990 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We can get that out there, and you know send it out to you know music professionals in the 12 southeastern states and he said no.

00:35:34.680 –> 00:35:44.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I really want your personal connections, let me tell you about this job we are looking for a curator for their mountain heritage Center.

00:35:44.550 –> 00:35:50.490 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and proceeds to tell me that it’s all about developing exhibits and working with students.

00:35:50.820 –> 00:35:58.200 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, the last thing on my career wish list was to have a job, because by this point in time.

00:35:58.470 –> 00:36:08.460 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I had taught in several museum studies programs in Charlotte and in the Atlanta area, and I really loved working with students and, of course.

00:36:08.730 –> 00:36:23.730 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: At all the various museums, I worked, I had supervised intern so I really wanted to be involved with training the next generation as a big part of my job, instead of just sort of a sideline, and so I was thinking about it, and then I thought.

00:36:24.690 –> 00:36:27.870 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Maybe I shouldn’t say it to Scott and so.

00:36:28.560 –> 00:36:39.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That I thought about it and then he said Oh well, shoot why now hey Scott, you know how would you what would you say, do you think it’s a conflict of interests, given that you know we know each other, we work together.

00:36:39.600 –> 00:36:45.090 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: If I applied for that job he’s like oh my God apply for it right now so.

00:36:47.370 –> 00:37:06.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I did so, I went to the mountain heritage Center not as Director, but as curator my idea being I’m going to leave all that boring administrative stuff behind and just do the stuff that I think is most fun in the world, creating exhibits in.

00:37:06.300 –> 00:37:06.990 In teaching.

00:37:08.940 –> 00:37:09.720 Joseph McElroy: To do stuff.

00:37:10.890 –> 00:37:14.670 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That well that worked for a good four years.

00:37:15.420 –> 00:37:26.520 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And then Scott, unfortunately, had some health challenges and really felt that he needed to step down and just go back into full-time faculty work.

00:37:26.790 –> 00:37:38.400 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So boom, I became interim director and I kept being an interim director in interim director and, finally, they said Pam we would really like to meet you.

00:37:42.450 –> 00:37:42.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: said.

00:37:43.860 –> 00:37:49.560 Joseph McElroy: So you the mound heritage Center puts on that we already talked about it, the mountain heritage Day, which was going on.

00:37:49.860 –> 00:37:51.030 Joseph McElroy: 74 so I guess.

00:37:51.030 –> 00:37:58.560 Joseph McElroy: You took the Mount Heritage Center took over that responsibility and it’s like well the top 20 events in the southeast with.

00:37:58.980 –> 00:38:15.510 Joseph McElroy: Live entertainment hundred 30 plus food and craft vendors tons of activities and kid stuff and performances and demonstration this demonstrating SAB South southern Appalachian mountain culture and it’s typically held last weekend of September is always free to the public right.

00:38:15.780 –> 00:38:16.890 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: that’s Nice.

00:38:17.070 –> 00:38:25.830 Joseph McElroy: So what are you involved in planning that and how, what does involvement, putting it all is it a big.

00:38:26.640 –> 00:38:35.970 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: It is a big deal and it’s a university-wide event over the years it’s really changed a lot, you know.

00:38:36.570 –> 00:38:48.210 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Back in 2014 mountain heritage day had its 40th anniversary, and so I created an exhibit about the history of mountain heritage day so.

00:38:48.720 –> 00:38:57.780 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: It started out, you know back in cotton Robinson stay with him pulling together a steering committee of faculty and staff at the university.

00:38:58.050 –> 00:39:12.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Who, then you know kind of spread it out and made it happen with the help of a lot of Community volunteers and sponsors to and then over the years it shifted to.

00:39:13.290 –> 00:39:20.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Management when I very first came in the mountain heritage Center really was sort of the lead entity.

00:39:20.430 –> 00:39:44.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And there was a position on our staff called mountain heritage day coordinator and that’s what that person did was just year-round, or mountain heritage day but, in the course of my end I just had my 11th anniversary with Western Carolina university yesterday it’s been a.

00:39:45.360 –> 00:39:47.940 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: graduation yeah yeah so.

00:39:49.500 –> 00:40:01.860 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: In the course of my tenure there it’s shifted to the university administration had evolved so that there was this whole office of special events under the university chief of staff.

00:40:02.190 –> 00:40:13.860 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so the main coordination of the festival, including like the sponsorships and a lot of the logistics.

00:40:14.370 –> 00:40:26.670 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: shifted over to them, but the mountain heritage Center still to this day, is very, very involved in the performers the demonstrators.

00:40:27.600 –> 00:40:39.120 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: All of the activities that go on a mountain heritage and also another thing that we are totally involved in, now is the mountain heritage awards as well.

00:40:39.600 –> 00:40:54.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Of course, is something that I just love so much that every year we publicly acknowledge a person and in position for some very special aspect of cultural preservation that’s great.

00:40:54.810 –> 00:41:03.930 Joseph McElroy: I also love that you involve you know it’s not just about Scotch Irish settlers it’s also about the Cherokee and African American cultures and other cultures.

00:41:05.160 –> 00:41:10.620 Joseph McElroy: What are the types of what you know you mentioned, we kind of types of things that you do to represent that diversity.

00:41:11.400 –> 00:41:19.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And you know again that’s been built in there from the very, very beginning, which I think is absolutely wonderful.

00:41:19.500 –> 00:41:30.090 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: One of the things that really me away when I first started hearing about the festival was the fact that they have Cherokee stickball games smack in the middle of the festival and.

00:41:30.480 –> 00:41:45.450 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know, really serious competitive games and they have a narrator there who explains what’s going on, and you know, we have also always had, of course, who wouldn’t I mean the Cherokee.

00:41:45.540 –> 00:42:00.660 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: crafts, people are amazing are just amazing, and you know if you have craftspeople of that caliber sitting basically on your doorstep, of course, you would invite them to.

00:42:02.460 –> 00:42:06.330 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The festival and same thing with.

00:42:06.990 –> 00:42:20.580 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: African American Community Members because, although the percentage of African American residents longtime residents of this region it’s maybe not as great as it would be like down in the coast.

00:42:20.880 –> 00:42:33.450 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: But these are people who have been here, their families have been here for hundreds of years and they have fabulous history and traditions and food to share.

00:42:34.020 –> 00:42:36.270 Joseph McElroy: Things well I read a thing, where you talked.

00:42:36.270 –> 00:42:38.880 Joseph McElroy: about the history of Barbecue right.

00:42:39.180 –> 00:42:44.190 Joseph McElroy: I am Barbecue, as we know, it would not exist without African American men.

00:42:45.450 –> 00:42:46.470 Joseph McElroy: right because.

00:42:47.850 –> 00:42:49.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: pit masters yeah.

00:42:49.980 –> 00:42:52.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah and again it’s one of those you know.

00:42:52.740 –> 00:43:03.810 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: grilling meat over a slow fire is multicultural activity, you can find this in several different cultures, but certainly the American manifestation.

00:43:04.110 –> 00:43:16.770 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: has to do with southern African Americans and it’s spread out from there, and you know I for 1 am very grateful for that tradition but yeah my friends at.

00:43:17.160 –> 00:43:27.540 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Scotts creek liberty Baptist church we’re back at this year’s mountain heritage day with their fish right, so we have that and we had fat Calhoun’s.

00:43:28.740 –> 00:43:33.120 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Indian fry bread from Cherokee how again, you know we are.

00:43:34.140 –> 00:43:35.760 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re doing well, so.

00:43:35.760 –> 00:43:38.700 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: speaks to a lot of us, so the mountain heritage day as.

00:43:38.700 –> 00:43:44.520 Joseph McElroy: Part of actually a bigger thing, which is the West, the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University.

00:43:45.630 –> 00:43:51.750 Joseph McElroy: And what is, do you think the overall mission of the whole Center.

00:43:52.800 –> 00:44:06.330 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I can tell to you exactly what mountain Heritage Center is a museum of Appalachian history and culture which we sell it to collect and preserve.

00:44:06.720 –> 00:44:21.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And what we do with that stuff is we connect people with local history we build bridges between the university and the Community and we serve as a cultural resource for the region that we are and what we do.

00:44:22.320 –> 00:44:31.560 Joseph McElroy: That you know I’m impressed I’ve read a couple of things that really impressed me because you not only celebrate hairs but you also challenge the heritage right, like, for example.

00:44:32.460 –> 00:44:38.070 Joseph McElroy: You had an exhibit titled rightfully ours women’s suffrage in western North Carolina.

00:44:38.520 –> 00:44:46.680 Joseph McElroy: Which feature three parts, focusing on the national struggle for voting rights local suffragists and on capping notice and, at the time, you said.

00:44:47.040 –> 00:45:01.530 Joseph McElroy: The women’s suffrage movement ultimately became a State rights issue, you cannot talk about the movement without taking talking about the reconstruction of Jim crow laws and the racist aspects of this movement that’s really a strong statement.

00:45:02.520 –> 00:45:11.280 Joseph McElroy: that’s even more about that it’s not as that you know celebrates what we’ve done but also challenges, what happened.

00:45:12.450 –> 00:45:13.320 Joseph McElroy: Right so.

00:45:14.970 –> 00:45:25.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: There is equal, you know celebration and challenge because you know, once the 19th amendment was passed the very first female.

00:45:26.970 –> 00:45:57.000 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: State Senator and state legislator came from Western North Carolina you know our first Senator was guilt nurtured deals McKee from Hillsborough and then Silva North Carolina and our first general assembly Member from the House side was Lillian XM Clement who from bumpkin bum can.

00:46:00.720 –> 00:46:01.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Say bank account.

00:46:02.640 –> 00:46:05.760 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And she was also before she you know.

00:46:05.820 –> 00:46:22.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: went into politics, she was a lawyer and was passed the law bar with the highest score of one in her entire class was the first woman to hang out your shingle without male partners so.

00:46:22.620 –> 00:46:23.640 Joseph McElroy: We have to take a break.

00:46:25.230 –> 00:46:34.800 Joseph McElroy: I have to mention that my grandmother was the first woman broker in western North Carolina, but I have a government of papers at the time and stuff like that, but.

00:46:35.460 –> 00:46:45.120 Joseph McElroy: We have to take a break now, and when we come back we’ll finish up a little bit more about some of the exhibits and then what’s your ideas of things to do in the mountains.

00:48:46.440 –> 00:48:59.940 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest is PamMeister so Pam you were kind enough to help us install a traveling set of panels on the plot pounds history at our own.

00:49:00.570 –> 00:49:04.410 Joseph McElroy: meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center and I really want to thank you for that.

00:49:05.520 –> 00:49:08.490 Joseph McElroy: You had a big show about the plot House why did that happen.

00:49:10.560 –> 00:49:21.300 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Again, that was a little right before my time I, unfortunately, was not the one to collaborate with Bob on that wonderful exhibit.

00:49:21.630 –> 00:49:28.920 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: that my colleague, Peter, who is still there was involved with that, as was the previous curator and.

00:49:29.550 –> 00:49:52.320 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know that is a fabulous exhibit and I really loved it when the plot fest was going full tilt at the Maggie valley festival fairgrounds because that inspired us to create a version of that exhibit which was designed you hang on a chain-link fence, so we would take our last.

00:49:52.950 –> 00:49:54.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Day of the exhibit.

00:49:55.080 –> 00:50:12.060 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: hanging on the fence real early in the morning of that festival and then all the plant hound owners would come and sit their dogs in front of the exhibit and take selfies with the dog and we just love that so much now there is audience engagement for you.

00:50:12.150 –> 00:50:12.870 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:50:12.990 –> 00:50:14.370 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, you know we’re gonna have.

00:50:14.550 –> 00:50:29.880 Joseph McElroy: The Plott fest reunion, we had the first one this year we’re going to have it again the first week of June and we’re actually going to have the UK see judging of pot house, but you made a traveling show out of the auto out of that.

00:50:31.590 –> 00:50:32.310 Joseph McElroy: going on.

00:50:32.580 –> 00:50:36.810 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Yes, and it’s really popular at other festivals and.

00:50:37.380 –> 00:50:45.060 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know bomb plot is a total example of the incredible local resources we have around here.

00:50:45.330 –> 00:51:04.560 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And how invariably generous people are about sharing their family traditions their specialized knowledge and then we try to serve as a platform for these wonderful people in these wonderful traditions and get it out there in the world, and so.

00:51:05.280 –> 00:51:09.570 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That exhibit has a long and happy life, and I think it’s going to keep going for a lot.

00:51:09.840 –> 00:51:10.980 Joseph McElroy: of people enjoy people.

00:51:11.250 –> 00:51:19.800 Joseph McElroy: love it, we have our version of it, the panels really are popular at the motel so you’re a self-proclaimed Boris Kephart fanatic.

00:51:21.120 –> 00:51:23.820 Joseph McElroy: And you guys have created your own.

00:51:25.020 –> 00:51:32.580 Joseph McElroy: I mean you, you actually helped us with a little clip art festival, and he brought over that wedding dress have kept parts wife, which was spectacular.

00:51:33.840 –> 00:51:34.110 Joseph McElroy: and

00:51:35.340 –> 00:51:41.520 Joseph McElroy: Again, thank you for that, but you also have a CAP our archive of it, the Western Carolina university what’s what is that.

00:51:41.580 –> 00:51:56.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: what’s the night, actually, that is run by our next-door neighbor’s hunter libraries department of special collections and that archive is well the people in Ithaca might.

00:51:58.170 –> 00:52:11.460 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: not agree with me, but it’s the best-kept archive in the world because it contains 27 horoscope hearts original notebooks he kept these journals.

00:52:11.790 –> 00:52:22.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: In his own handwriting which is amazing, and you know put all sorts of notes and photographs and clippings and things like it’s extraordinary.

00:52:23.910 –> 00:52:34.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: get a record of his time here in the mountains and just his thought processes as he was working on all his articles and.

00:52:35.130 –> 00:52:50.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: it’s pretty amazing and, since then, of course, our relationship with the CAP heart family and the CAP heart foundation is very cordial, and so they keep finding with this and donate to Western Carolina University.

00:52:51.600 –> 00:53:02.790 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We love it, so the mountain heritage Center is the custodian of the objects, because when he passed away so suddenly in that automobile accident.

00:53:04.080 –> 00:53:14.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: His executor who was his friend local businessman Stearns you know saw to it that many of these things were preserved and.

00:53:15.330 –> 00:53:31.620 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: given to Western Carolina University and really have enough kept part things of objects I’ve done two exhibits now over the course of the years I’ve been there, where we actually recreated counterparts campsite because we have.

00:53:32.010 –> 00:53:34.740 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: This fabulous Hence we have a champion.

00:53:35.760 –> 00:53:47.820 Joseph McElroy: Yes, these are things people enjoy coming to see I know very much and now you’re also another founder of the smoky mountains you’re digitizing the photography of Kelly Bennett what is that can be available for everybody to see.

00:53:48.330 –> 00:53:53.280 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, you know, again, that is special collections and.

00:53:53.910 –> 00:54:12.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Kelly Bennett was, I think the pharmacist in Bryson city and an extremely talented amateur photography and any street photographer and an extremely prolific one that collection they haven’t given me an exact number but it’s multiple thousands of images.

00:54:13.170 –> 00:54:23.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And remember from that that kept our weekend there were a dozen new images of Horus Kepler that had.

00:54:23.580 –> 00:54:44.190 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ever seen before critically, he was wearing a suit in most of them, which was amazing you know that’s not the case that we have in the collection, at this point in time so there’s an excellent website called Horace counterpart revealing an enigma that is on the hunter library.

00:54:46.230 –> 00:55:06.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know web page for the university and if people will just Google that title Horace Kephart revealing an enigma they’ll get to it, and it has an amazing array of photographs images and high-quality photographs of the objects that we own as well, so that’s.

00:55:07.260 –> 00:55:12.180 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Speaking to the fellow Kepler fanatics out there, look that one.

00:55:14.040 –> 00:55:23.070 Joseph McElroy: quickly we’re getting close to the end here what’s next for you, and how do people find out about you and and and and the collections.

00:55:24.870 –> 00:55:33.780 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Mountain heritage Center is moving right along, we still have our river cane Renaissance exhibit up right now, which is something that.

00:55:34.230 –> 00:55:48.270 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: melds biology ecology cultural traditions and some really fabulous river cane artifacts to talk about the history of ever Kane its cultural importance to native people.

00:55:48.630 –> 00:56:01.920 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and ecological importance of it today is a flood barrier so that’s up right now to the end of the year, it goes on tour for two and a half years so it’ll be around in North Carolina.

00:56:02.610 –> 00:56:16.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Next year, we have two months of an African American artist and Miller Woodward’s works, and then we move on to quilts we have a fabulous.

00:56:16.650 –> 00:56:35.610 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: collection and so we’ll have quotes up march through August and then next fall we move back to discussing native people were having an exhibit a traveling exhibit is coming to us called away from home native American boarding school stories with.

00:56:37.320 –> 00:56:37.710 Joseph McElroy: A very.

00:56:37.950 –> 00:56:39.390 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Big lineup for next year.

00:56:39.660 –> 00:56:53.550 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And again, we are also on the way to your website and again mhc.wcu.edu will get you to the mountain heritage center’s website.

00:56:53.850 –> 00:56:58.020 Joseph McElroy: and any any any Facebook page or anything for you, for you personally.

00:56:58.170 –> 00:57:02.340 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I’m not for me personally, but the mountain heritage Center has.

00:57:02.880 –> 00:57:15.330 Joseph McElroy: Great well, I want to thank you for being on this show and it’s been a pleasure, having you I look forward to seeing you at heritage events it’s part of our heritage to be involved with that.

00:57:15.360 –> 00:57:19.050 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah I will be down the road to come and see you in Maggie’s belly and.

00:57:19.230 –> 00:57:20.100 Joseph McElroy: sounds good.

00:57:20.940 –> 00:57:22.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Come see us someday too.

00:57:23.550 –> 00:57:38.730 Joseph McElroy: So this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find more about us a gateway to the smokies dot fun or at the see live streams to this on Facebook facebook.com so as a gateway to the smokies.

00:57:39.780 –> 00:57:58.860 Joseph McElroy: podcast I want to mention that was on the October 31, 2021, issue of the front page of the Charlotte observer talking about me in the Meadowlark so get yourself over to the website and read about it’s a really wonderful story, I think you know, a timely thing about covid and hospitality.

00:58:01.050 –> 00:58:08.550 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is carried on the talk radio.NYC network.

00:58:08.910 –> 00:58:21.630 Joseph McElroy: This is a great network of live podcasts 24 hours a day, and it has some really interesting lots of very cultural and political and business interests.

00:58:21.840 –> 00:58:27.030 Joseph McElroy: the podcast after this is about New York City, in turn, going to visit New York City so.

00:58:27.270 –> 00:58:39.120 Joseph McElroy: I would love for you to stick around and listen to the next podcast and catch us next week from six to seven on Tuesday night for another great podcast episode of gateway to the smokies Thank you.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/4455627271222674/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/251013604_4456647747787293_4743929664800218256_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=U3WVqCeOiGMAX880pDq&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63020ADA&oh=00_AT_GJb3iP032YyJVV5h5uEX8XIvn6LTayTlZF9g2KoPzeA&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>In this episode, our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy interviews <strong>Pam Meister</strong>, Director of the <strong><em>Mountain Heritage Center</em></strong> at Western Carolina University, she has an impressive resume working with elite museums and historical organizations such as the Atlanta History Center, the Charlotte Museum of History, and the Upcountry History Museum in high-level management positions, as well as a long career at WCU in various leadership roles.</p><p>Pam is well known for her work with one of the most popular and largest Heritage festivals in the Southeast, Mountain Heritage Day, held annually in late September at WCU.</p><p>In this episode, Joseph and Pam will discuss the many fascinating stories of the <strong><em>Western North Carolina Heritage Center</em></strong>.</p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>Joseph opens up with the usual show intro and after the sponsored message, introduces the guest, Pam Meister. They get into the origin of Mountain Heritage Day before Joseph starts off the interview by asking Pam if she got into her dream of being in theater. She talks about how she got to see rehearsals, behind the scenes, and her first Broadway musical then talks about how instead of wanting to be a performer, she always wanted to be a producer of sorts. She loved the idea of costume designing, art directing, and stage managing more than the thought of dancing and acting on stage. Joseph asks what Pam’s career was looking like right out of college, and she depicts her first year out of college working as the navy merchandise manager and a helper on Saturday Night Live.</p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>The show comes back to Pam’s museum career and how she got into it. Pam describes her desire to expand her career from running the stage to running the entire theater, so she got in contact with the University of Georgia to learn how to run theaters. Pam got an offer to manage an outdoor festival and this got her connected to multiple museums. She quit her job at a dance company and then got an offer to work in a museum and ended up becoming the executive director of that museum. Pam then describes what it takes to work at a museum, the passion to teach and celebrate history, and the want to preserve culture were the main parts in her opinion. Pam gets another offer to open a museum, and she talks about trying to learn the technology that came with it in a quick time before it opened.</p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>After the break, Pam’s job at the Western North Carolina Heritage Center is brought up, and she describes getting a phone call from the director at the time who offered her a job to teach kids and create programs. She accepted and worked in this position before becoming the director. Joseph exclaims that he is impressed with the cultural diversity Mountain Heritage Day possesses. Pam describes how the festival wanted to educate African Americans, Cherokee, and other cultures of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The goal of the Heritage center is to build bridges and celebrate local cultures.</p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>After the final break, they get into some of Pam’s upcoming projects involving new programs and exhibits and digitizing over a thousand photographs of a famous photographer. They finish off the episode with the future of the heritage center, what to expect from it, and where to find it.</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:03:15.300 –&gt; 00:03:18.330 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us this week episode</p><p>00:03:18.360 –&gt; 00:03:26.850 Joseph McElroy: of the gateway to the smokies this podcast about America’s most visited National Park.</p><p>00:03:27.180 –&gt; 00:03:39.330 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains national park and surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with the weekly episode.</p><p>00:03:39.810 –&gt; 00:03:57.570 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also a deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture. today’s podcast is about Western Carolina University’s mountain heritage Center.</p><p>00:03:58.650 –&gt; 00:04:01.140 Joseph McElroy: But first let’s talk about our sponsors.</p><p>00:04:02.280 –&gt; 00:04:12.960 Joseph McElroy: So imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:04:13.530 –&gt; 00:04:22.800 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catches on fire and needs to be accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:04:23.220 –&gt; 00:04:40.110 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sounds imagine a place with the amenities of an old country and there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure start with where you stay.</p><p>00:04:41.820 –&gt; 00:04:48.360 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventures.com plural on the smokies singular on the adventure.</p><p>00:04:48.840 –&gt; 00:04:57.030 Joseph McElroy: Information and listings about the smokies you have hiking and wedding venues books trail maps and resources.</p><p>00:04:57.480 –&gt; 00:05:08.040 Joseph McElroy: And guides for hiking in the mountains, the emphasis of the smokies adventurous outdoor recreation outdoor life events and adventures long providing information on lodging.</p><p>00:05:08.310 –&gt; 00:05:15.900 Joseph McElroy: Family entertainment events conventions honeymoons in more it’s going to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:05:18.300 –&gt; 00:05:26.910 Joseph McElroy: a couple of several upcoming events for the Meadowlark motel that you might be wanting to be aware of is we’re gonna have an Appalachian thanksgiving meal on</p><p>00:05:28.350 –&gt; 00:05:38.520 Joseph McElroy: thanksgiving featuring traditional American fare but also having things like game meat Chilean butternut squash stuffed with vegetarian entrees.</p><p>00:05:39.840 –&gt; 00:05:55.140 Joseph McElroy: You know coconut cream pie banana pudding you know elderberry cranberry sauce all sorts of good stuff we’re also going to have a campfire Christmas before Christmas on December 18 and then coming up on January 25.</p><p>00:05:55.800 –&gt; 00:06:13.050 Joseph McElroy: Week-long celebration leading to a dinner on January 25 celebrating the Scottish poet Robert Burns and the traditional Robert Burns celebration, which is the event of a revolving rocket is if I can say so myself and not to be missed.</p><p>00:06:14.580 –&gt; 00:06:15.270 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:06:19.800 –&gt; 00:06:30.390 Joseph McElroy: our guest today is Pam Meister all right, who is the director of the Western Carolina mountain heritage Center in</p><p>00:06:30.870 –&gt; 00:06:36.120 Joseph McElroy: Western Carolina University Kellaway North Carolina she is has a long history as a</p><p>00:06:36.870 –&gt; 00:06:56.130 Joseph McElroy: As the top of organizations have multiple museums and colleges in the southeast she’s also one of the co-founders of the mountain heritage day which usually ends of the last week of September, which is one of the southeast top premier music and heritage events Hello Pam.</p><p>00:06:57.390 –&gt; 00:06:58.050 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I Joseph.</p><p>00:06:58.800 –&gt; 00:07:04.230 Joseph McElroy: How are you doing, how did I do in that biocide somehow they erased the bio here, so I had to do it from memory.</p><p>00:07:05.310 –&gt; 00:07:17.280 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: walks not bad, except that I was not the Co-founder of mountain heritage day actually started in 1974 with the inauguration.</p><p>00:07:18.030 –&gt; 00:07:29.100 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The new Chancellor, Harold cottoned Robinson, who was a proud native of a bandana North Carolina and decided that he didn’t just want a pokey old.</p><p>00:07:29.850 –&gt; 00:07:41.430 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Academic procession to celebrate his inauguration as Chancellor he wanted a good old fashioned how down with Barbecue and square dancing and music.</p><p>00:07:43.470 –&gt; 00:07:44.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: They decided to do it.</p><p>00:07:44.970 –&gt; 00:07:50.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Ever after and the only year they ever missed since then was 2020.</p><p>00:07:50.790 –&gt; 00:07:51.900 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow well.</p><p>00:07:53.790 –&gt; 00:07:55.350 Joseph McElroy: 2020 whatever happened.</p><p>00:07:55.440 –&gt; 00:07:59.250 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah really, really, but yeah so I can’t claim to flight to.</p><p>00:08:00.870 –&gt; 00:08:05.250 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: founding that one but boy I have really enjoyed working on it for the.</p><p>00:08:06.060 –&gt; 00:08:09.270 Joseph McElroy: I just know I just claimed it for you so.</p><p>00:08:10.560 –&gt; 00:08:13.110 Joseph McElroy: The part where you deny it, and then you can own it forever all right.</p><p>00:08:13.290 –&gt; 00:08:13.740 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: All right.</p><p>00:08:15.990 –&gt; 00:08:23.820 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in Louisiana and then went to the College at the University of new New Orleans for you got a BA in theater.</p><p>00:08:24.300 –&gt; 00:08:35.700 Joseph McElroy: And then undergraduate school at the University of Georgia, where you got an MFA in arts management, so let me add, I know you’re a museum professional but did you ever get to pursue your interest in theater.</p><p>00:08:36.300 –&gt; 00:08:45.030 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Oh yeah absolutely I actually got serious about theatre, when I was 15 years old, and in New Orleans there was.</p><p>00:08:45.660 –&gt; 00:08:56.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: a really good regional repertory theater you know, there was a set of regional theaters that were founded in the mid-70s and so.</p><p>00:08:57.030 –&gt; 00:09:01.200 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: They had a teenage volunteer program and I was involved with that.</p><p>00:09:01.590 –&gt; 00:09:10.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And we did you know any kind of work they threw at us and, in return, they, let us in on rehearsals and things like that, and so.</p><p>00:09:10.950 –&gt; 00:09:21.150 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: got to see the workings of a fully professional theatre from behind the scenes very early and you know it was strange I was inspired with theater.</p><p>00:09:21.570 –&gt; 00:09:34.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I remember vividly going to see my first broadway roadshow in New Orleans which was Man of La Mancha and oh man, you know the saying the impossible dream, and it was Jose Farrar.</p><p>00:09:34.740 –&gt; 00:09:35.430 In that role.</p><p>00:09:36.840 –&gt; 00:09:37.620 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: is like.</p><p>00:09:39.960 –&gt; 00:09:52.560 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know I never really wanted to be up there on that stage singing my impulse was this theater stuff is really important, I want to make it happen, I think it was a born producer.</p><p>00:09:52.770 –&gt; 00:10:11.070 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So never you know was much you know, a performer and my career aspirations, when I was at university of Georgia, were to work as a stage manager and a theatrical designer and costumer and I really did that and.</p><p>00:10:11.790 –&gt; 00:10:23.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: No both did pay jobs, actually, you know, one of the ways I made money when I was in college was working in the costume shop so I’m pretty good seamstress to this day, I must say.</p><p>00:10:24.450 –&gt; 00:10:35.250 Joseph McElroy: We know I can I mean I started out doing some theater in Durham North Carolina and ended up doing some on the stage in Philly and I even got to do some performances in New York City way.</p><p>00:10:35.730 –&gt; 00:10:44.010 Joseph McElroy: Today, well, I never was anything my claim to fame is I got to do performance and CBD bees and the kitchen sort of performance art sort of stuff but they’re pretty.</p><p>00:10:44.190 –&gt; 00:10:46.350 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well that’s that sounds like lots of fun.</p><p>00:10:46.980 –&gt; 00:10:55.680 Joseph McElroy: But you know, the biggest thing that I know is that a good stage manager is indispensable for production right it’s like.</p><p>00:10:56.820 –&gt; 00:11:02.100 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That organizational skills and that kind of make people do what you need them to do.</p><p>00:11:03.180 –&gt; 00:11:08.670 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: really well in a lot of facets of the performing arts and also in the museum so since he’s</p><p>00:11:11.100 –&gt; 00:11:16.950 Joseph McElroy: Be in business to if you don’t have that one person that coordinates all the traffic you just.</p><p>00:11:17.850 –&gt; 00:11:23.160 Joseph McElroy: you’re just going nowhere, so what was your big first job out of college.</p><p>00:11:23.400 –&gt; 00:11:23.730 hey.</p><p>00:11:25.050 –&gt; 00:11:36.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: This is pretty funny I went to work for New Orleans has a pretty are did at the time, a pretty big military presence, I went to work for.</p><p>00:11:36.960 –&gt; 00:11:46.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The naval air station as their visual merchandising manager and again the design skills there, so I was in charge of.</p><p>00:11:47.580 –&gt; 00:12:03.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Their post exchange all of their store decor and display, and there was a small print shop and I had an employee that I supervised, and so we did all of the store decoration and display and.</p><p>00:12:04.200 –&gt; 00:12:14.910 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We also did special events for the stores like Santa Claus and the Easter parade and stuff like that, so it was a pretty cool job and.</p><p>00:12:15.810 –&gt; 00:12:30.270 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A nice thing about it, too, is that they sent me to the Brooklyn navy yard to learn for like a week and a half course in the window display and you know.</p><p>00:12:30.270 –&gt; 00:12:47.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Managing patient and all that kind of stuff and what happened with that were I also you know, this is what you do when you’re 21 years old right yeah so I have a day job I have an evening job where I’m moonlighting at a local dinner theater and remember this is like 1977.</p><p>00:12:48.000 –&gt; 00:12:49.980 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The inner theater’s work and.</p><p>00:12:51.030 –&gt; 00:12:51.930 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so i’m.</p><p>00:12:53.100 –&gt; 00:13:06.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The wardrobe person at the dinner theater the grapevine I hear that this you know kind of upstart TV show has decided to come to New Orleans during mardi gras.</p><p>00:13:07.470 –&gt; 00:13:15.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: To do their first television special and they were looking for local crew members well that upstart TV show was Saturday night live.</p><p>00:13:17.490 –&gt; 00:13:35.880 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: season and so it’s Mardi grass and here comes chevy chase and John Belushi and Lorraine Newman, the whole Radner and you know they’re like you know typical TV movie people the world’s going to stop for them will in New Orleans mardi gras don’t stop for anybody.</p><p>00:13:36.120 –&gt; 00:13:44.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: know so they turn out for the local P, and I was hired you know to be a crew member, so I took vacation time.</p><p>00:13:44.430 –&gt; 00:13:53.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: From my day job, and you know when to work for Saturday night live in my biggest attraction was being a native daughter.</p><p>00:13:53.430 –&gt; 00:14:04.800 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I knew my way around the French Quarter, and of course, they block off the streets, where the mardi gras parades and they couldn’t get their equipment through and stuff and I could also take them to the nearest bar, which is very important to that group.</p><p>00:14:05.010 –&gt; 00:14:05.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh, very important.</p><p>00:14:06.990 –&gt; 00:14:10.320 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Anyway, we had a great time I loved.</p><p>00:14:10.410 –&gt; 00:14:22.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Working with Saturday night live, and you know got be kind of chummy with them and they said well you know what’s next for you and I said Well, this is exciting I’m going to the Brooklyn navy yard to learn how to dress mannequins.</p><p>00:14:22.740 –&gt; 00:14:26.400 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And they said hey we’ll give you tickets to our next show in New York.</p><p>00:14:28.440 –&gt; 00:14:37.260 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: to New York, I had tickets to the Saturday night live show, and I remember the kinks were the band that played.</p><p>00:14:37.290 –&gt; 00:14:38.850 Joseph McElroy: For that oh my God you got a great.</p><p>00:14:39.630 –&gt; 00:14:44.070 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so that was my best first year out of work experience.</p><p>00:14:44.100 –&gt; 00:14:46.830 Joseph McElroy: that’s an incredible first year.</p><p>00:14:46.830 –&gt; 00:14:57.480 Joseph McElroy: Experience everybody dreams, to have that kind of experience, you know SNL for this day is you know even from then on to this day it’s like one of the most impossible tickets to get right so.</p><p>00:14:58.140 –&gt; 00:15:14.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah so that’s amazing and my wife got to play on Saturday night live and I had an impossible job to get tickets there, but I somehow managed to do it within a week’s notice, but it was like I had to pull in every favor string I got my life.</p><p>00:15:15.510 –&gt; 00:15:17.340 Joseph McElroy: yeah side things in blood.</p><p>00:15:18.540 –&gt; 00:15:28.290 Joseph McElroy: To get some tickets onto their so, but so you know we’re going to take a break right now right, and when we get into your museum professional.</p><p>00:15:29.550 –&gt; 00:15:31.110 Joseph McElroy: Alright sounds good.</p><p>00:15:31.470 –&gt; 00:15:32.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: sounds great.</p><p>00:17:48.210 –&gt; 00:18:04.410 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Pam Meister so Pam when did you after SNL and after the Brooklyn navy yard when did you end up getting into the museum professional career.</p><p>00:18:05.220 –&gt; 00:18:22.650 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, it was a while later after that year and in New Orleans, I decided, I was going to blow pokey all New Orleans and go to Hollywood so I went there for a year and worked, but I really missed the south, and so, when did my way back and.</p><p>00:18:23.400 –&gt; 00:18:32.040 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ended up reconnecting with my mentors from University of New Orleans who had moved on to the University of Georgia, because by that time.</p><p>00:18:32.280 –&gt; 00:18:40.920 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Working out in Los Angeles, and it was strange, you know movie capital of the world, I worked in live theater the entire year I was there and.</p><p>00:18:41.520 –&gt; 00:18:51.870 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: When I was doing that you know, looking around at the theater I was working in and going, you know I’d really like to run this theater I bet I could run this theater and not just the stage.</p><p>00:18:53.190 –&gt; 00:19:05.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: wonder how I could do that maybe there’s a college program that would teach me to do that, so I was checking out colleges and you know talking to them about, but you know this was the dark ages and there were very few.</p><p>00:19:06.210 –&gt; 00:19:09.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know theater management program arts management programs.</p><p>00:19:10.260 –&gt; 00:19:24.780 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So I was back in New Orleans and like said reconnecting with my mentors who had moved on to Georgia and they said, well, what are you up to you, and I said I’m trying to find a college program where I could learn to run theaters and they said to pay on guessing what we want.</p><p>00:19:25.470 –&gt; 00:19:36.690 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A program like that here at the University of Georgia and basically we need a guinea pig how’d you like to come on you can be a graduate assistant, and you know will pay for your education.</p><p>00:19:37.020 –&gt; 00:19:37.980 Joseph McElroy: And suck.</p><p>00:19:39.210 –&gt; 00:19:39.660 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A lot.</p><p>00:19:42.420 –&gt; 00:19:50.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So I went to the University of New Orleans and did that MFA which included.</p><p>00:19:50.940 –&gt; 00:19:51.540 Joseph McElroy: George right.</p><p>00:19:51.630 –&gt; 00:20:03.090 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: internship at the alliance theatre in Atlanta, and you know got to use my stage management skills and things like that, basically, worked all over the place.</p><p>00:20:04.350 –&gt; 00:20:19.140 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And when he graduated I had amongst the things I’ve done at the University of Georgia was taken a tutorial about grants writing and wrote a grant to the National Endowment for the arts basically as practice.</p><p>00:20:19.770 –&gt; 00:20:31.530 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: For they had at that point in time an arts management fellowship program and I was finishing up my graduate career in Italy because I had a studies abroad program.</p><p>00:20:31.890 –&gt; 00:20:41.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And they wanted theatre components, and so I was able to stage manager for an Italian theatre company and Cortana Italy.</p><p>00:20:43.350 –&gt; 00:20:51.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: back from that and boom, there was a letter from the National Endowment for the arts saying we tried to get hold of you, but we were told you in Europe.</p><p>00:20:52.350 –&gt; 00:21:05.280 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You want to fellowship and so, once again, you know Pam goes yeah I would love to do that, so, then I went to Washington DC and spent the year with the National Endowment for the arts, which was really neat.</p><p>00:21:06.750 –&gt; 00:21:07.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and</p><p>00:21:08.520 –&gt; 00:21:24.840 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: How that year for the first time are near North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms was attempting to abolish National Endowment for the arts, so I thought you know, maybe it’s time to move on and get a job let’s see what we can do.</p><p>00:21:26.040 –&gt; 00:21:48.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ended up back in Atlanta through connections I’ve made with the alliance managing a modern dance company the Carl Ratcliffe dance theater so I did that from 1981 to 1985 and managing modern dance company in Atlanta which back in the early 80s was still pretty conservative place.</p><p>00:21:49.890 –&gt; 00:22:04.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A kind of a burnout job, and so, when my old buddies at the University of Georgia called and said guess what Pam we’re going down to Jekyll island GA to run an outdoor musical comedy festival how’d you like to come over.</p><p>00:22:06.270 –&gt; 00:22:16.830 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Here, once again, you know that can you, is there a thread in this, I am always the one people offer me these crazy propositions and I always say yes.</p><p>00:22:18.750 –&gt; 00:22:19.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So.</p><p>00:22:19.350 –&gt; 00:22:20.640 Joseph McElroy: you’re very good at improv.</p><p>00:22:20.910 –&gt; 00:22:21.360 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: let’s go.</p><p>00:22:23.910 –&gt; 00:22:38.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and run and run and outdoor company and It so happened that the theater you know Jekyll island has a national historic landmark district, it was owned by a group of ultra-rich people.</p><p>00:22:39.720 –&gt; 00:22:46.680 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know, William Rockefeller Joseph Pulitzer JP Morgan people like that, with these little cottages there.</p><p>00:22:47.460 –&gt; 00:22:57.570 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so the actors, for the company or house in one of the historic buildings, and so one of the things I was in charge of.</p><p>00:22:57.960 –&gt; 00:23:09.060 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Keeping this historic building pristine and not letting the actors mess it up, and so I became had a closing cordial relationship with the museum director there.</p><p>00:23:09.420 –&gt; 00:23:18.180 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Who introduced me to a neighboring museum director who had a museum in way cross Georgia, which is like.</p><p>00:23:18.600 –&gt; 00:23:22.530 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Not quite an hour’s drive inland from the coast there.</p><p>00:23:22.860 –&gt; 00:23:32.370 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And at the end of the summer, because I had quit my job with the dance theater to take this and was just you know kind of in denial about oh God, I need to get my resume out what am I going to do.</p><p>00:23:32.730 –&gt; 00:23:40.860 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so we’ll Martin the way cross museum director said hey why don’t you come work for me and I said bill.</p><p>00:23:41.520 –&gt; 00:23:51.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I love museums, but you know I’m a performing arts person I know anything about museums, he said, you have an MFA in arts management it’s those skills that.</p><p>00:23:51.990 –&gt; 00:24:09.870 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I need and also your personality, I think the last person he worked with he didn’t get along too well, he said, I know you I know we can work together harmoniously come to a cross you’ve never lived in a really small town or worked in a museum, this will be fun guess what Pam said.</p><p>00:24:10.710 –&gt; 00:24:12.300 Joseph McElroy: Yes, yes, yes.</p><p>00:24:14.130 –&gt; 00:24:26.550 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And I know kind of pre looking at your questions that you were asking about the culture shock that I didn’t have any culture shock about coming to the mountains because I had come to the mountain so lie.</p><p>00:24:26.850 –&gt; 00:24:30.180 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: But real culture shock in way cross Georgia.</p><p>00:24:31.440 –&gt; 00:24:36.840 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah yeah I mean that’s the kind of place where if they’re polite to you, they say.</p><p>00:24:37.950 –&gt; 00:24:45.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And what is your church home and polite to you, they say, do you call Jesus Christ your savior.</p><p>00:24:47.850 –&gt; 00:24:48.300 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Just like.</p><p>00:24:50.010 –&gt; 00:24:54.240 Joseph McElroy: Very culture, I grew up sort of in that environment, I come from America is very small.</p><p>00:24:54.270 –&gt; 00:24:55.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Town and air yeah.</p><p>00:24:55.680 –&gt; 00:24:58.620 Joseph McElroy: I understand, but then so now you’re in the museum world.</p><p>00:25:00.600 –&gt; 00:25:01.170 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: world.</p><p>00:25:01.200 –&gt; 00:25:09.120 Joseph McElroy: And you go through a few places right and you ended up Executive Director of the South Carolina a country museum.</p><p>00:25:09.720 –&gt; 00:25:14.820 Joseph McElroy: And you know what I found you co-created a presentation at this South Carolina federation and museums called.</p><p>00:25:15.120 –&gt; 00:25:26.550 Joseph McElroy: leadership and museums directors words of wisdom it and the brief was to write a brief was the role of museum directors change as quickly as the prerequisites for the job.</p><p>00:25:26.970 –&gt; 00:25:38.370 Joseph McElroy: So what What did you talk about that, and how is it different now, what is the what, what are the challenges you faced and skills and training that are that have served you well over the years.</p><p>00:25:39.120 –&gt; 00:25:40.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, you know.</p><p>00:25:42.270 –&gt; 00:25:45.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: the world has, as you know, profoundly changed.</p><p>00:25:45.990 –&gt; 00:25:47.070 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The past.</p><p>00:25:47.130 –&gt; 00:26:02.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: few years I mean it is a whole new ballpark right now, but when you get right down to it, you know, particularly I think people who work in museums and all people, not just directors, but.</p><p>00:26:02.460 –&gt; 00:26:14.580 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I am firmly convinced that everybody who really resonates with museums and is happy working in them is a lifelong learner you have to go oh Goody I’m going to learn something new today.</p><p>00:26:15.660 –&gt; 00:26:29.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I think everyone who works in a museum has to really believe in the museum’s mission which is usually some variation of.</p><p>00:26:30.810 –&gt; 00:26:37.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We want to preserve history and culture, we want to connect with our Community.</p><p>00:26:37.740 –&gt; 00:26:49.350 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We want to enrich and serve our community, and we want to educate, I think you know that’s all of that kind of thing we’re all just big old do-gooder do-gooders at heart.</p><p>00:26:49.770 –&gt; 00:27:01.020 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And we’re fascinated with learning new things, and we want other people to be fascinated along with us now when you get to the museum director set of skills.</p><p>00:27:01.920 –&gt; 00:27:16.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know you really there are some museum directors, maybe, who are not people persons, but mostly you have to be a connector you have to be a leader, you have to be a negotiator.</p><p>00:27:18.210 –&gt; 00:27:20.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And you have to have a lot of energy.</p><p>00:27:22.830 –&gt; 00:27:29.220 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know when you were also at the I think that I think there were a lot of things you are pre-staging in your time at the.</p><p>00:27:29.490 –&gt; 00:27:36.120 Joseph McElroy: That museum, because you had some other quotes I thought I thought they were all interesting you were quoted online talking about.</p><p>00:27:36.780 –&gt; 00:27:45.210 Joseph McElroy: South Carolina country show saying we want to show how engaging and entertaining and also thought-provoking a museum can be.</p><p>00:27:45.840 –&gt; 00:27:54.150 Joseph McElroy: So I mean I think that’s a little different the or that early on, you know, going from showing knowledge to actually thinking about in terms of.</p><p>00:27:54.900 –&gt; 00:28:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Engagement entertains and maybe in some cases if God exists that accessing this day that the spectacle, but whatever it’s were you making that and whether and how does that subsequently become more a part of your career.</p><p>00:28:08.520 –&gt; 00:28:09.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well i’m.</p><p>00:28:10.620 –&gt; 00:28:27.930 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: A little background about the upcountry history museum, I came to that museum five months before the museum was scheduled to open the building had been built for five years and then the people who were planning ahead sticker shock about what.</p><p>00:28:28.110 –&gt; 00:28:42.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Professional design museum exhibits cost and it took them several years to get the money to put together a set of exhibits which they did in conjunction with historians, but not any practicing.</p><p>00:28:42.930 –&gt; 00:28:57.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: museum professionals and so they’re getting close to opening and they kind of realized Oh, we need somebody to like hire staff and tell us how to operate this thing and.</p><p>00:28:58.200 –&gt; 00:29:12.120 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know kind of activate the machine so enter tam with another crazy proposition and I thought you know I’ve never opened a museum before this would be an interesting challenge I didn’t sleep for about a year.</p><p>00:29:13.020 –&gt; 00:29:26.310 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: But it was like a real fast track and I have something I’m not sure if this will show up, but I have a picture of the Atrium of this museum can use.</p><p>00:29:26.790 –&gt; 00:29:32.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah we can get it, and if you send me the picture I’ll put it up on the website all right.</p><p>00:29:32.310 –&gt; 00:29:39.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Okay, well, it is it’s the most dramatic museum you’ve ever seen it looks like a stage set, and actually.</p><p>00:29:40.110 –&gt; 00:29:52.020 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: They hired this fabulous lighting design firm where all of the principles came out of the theater world, and so the lighting and the idea was that you walked into this Atrium.</p><p>00:29:52.320 –&gt; 00:30:04.020 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And there would be a sound and light show that would take you in like three and a half minutes through 300 years of upcountry South Carolina history, it was.</p><p>00:30:05.640 –&gt; 00:30:13.380 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: amazing, and so I came in in time to help that crew get that thing activated and it had.</p><p>00:30:14.100 –&gt; 00:30:31.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Like couldn’t be computer activated and things like that, and so it had some built-in drama going on, also there were these really beautiful sculptural statues throughout the museum, the one in that particular picture there’s a pig drover coming around.</p><p>00:30:31.080 –&gt; 00:30:34.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Because of wagon road those through that area.</p><p>00:30:36.210 –&gt; 00:30:37.530 Joseph McElroy: So you really.</p><p>00:30:38.190 –&gt; 00:30:45.210 Joseph McElroy: You really were able to manage that whole aspect of pre-making it engaging and.</p><p>00:30:45.270 –&gt; 00:30:45.990 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: It really.</p><p>00:30:47.820 –&gt; 00:30:48.840 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: spoke to me, but they.</p><p>00:30:49.590 –&gt; 00:31:02.640 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: did a very good job of kind of forging a path through the whole thing, but what I did you know after you know learning in recruiting staff and all of us, learning how to work this technology.</p><p>00:31:03.540 –&gt; 00:31:16.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: was some of the programmings, we did my favorite programming Joseph and you will love this too is this museum was just crying for a kid sleepover.</p><p>00:31:16.380 –&gt; 00:31:18.030 Joseph McElroy: wow yes.</p><p>00:31:18.900 –&gt; 00:31:20.730 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ebbets came to life.</p><p>00:31:20.820 –&gt; 00:31:22.110 Joseph McElroy: There you go I my kids.</p><p>00:31:22.260 –&gt; 00:31:24.540 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: love that so we did that.</p><p>00:31:24.720 –&gt; 00:31:25.500 wow.</p><p>00:31:26.640 –&gt; 00:31:37.920 Joseph McElroy: We have to take a break, now that gives me a wonderful image and aspiration when we go away and when we come back we’re going to talk about the get into the mountain heritage stuff.</p><p>00:33:45.030 –&gt; 00:33:54.690 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Pam Meister so Pam we got to fast forward you.</p><p>00:33:55.260 –&gt; 00:34:13.140 Joseph McElroy: went through the Atlanta History Center and then you were the President and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of history, among many other wonderful accomplishments in the museum industry so when what question was asked of you that you said yes to the brought to you to Western Carolina University.</p><p>00:34:15.540 –&gt; 00:34:20.610 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, at that point in time, I was back in Atlanta.</p><p>00:34:21.780 –&gt; 00:34:30.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: At the Atlanta History Center creating a new business model for the regional museum association.</p><p>00:34:31.560 –&gt; 00:34:42.450 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so, had an office at the Atlanta History Center and was in touch with people all over the southeast and had a phone call one day.</p><p>00:34:42.780 –&gt; 00:34:54.810 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: From Scott Filial who was then the director of the mountain heritage Center and who I had known through professional development activities.</p><p>00:34:55.380 –&gt; 00:35:04.260 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Through the southeastern museum’s Conference, so he called and said hi Pam how you doing and I said I’m doing great you know where we’re working on.</p><p>00:35:04.830 –&gt; 00:35:14.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know, moving this regional association into the Atlanta History Center and working out a management agreement and it’s going really well.</p><p>00:35:14.430 –&gt; 00:35:26.190 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And he said, well, I have a favor to ask of you, I really need to feel a key position and need your help, and I said sure no problem, you know s EMC has a great job board.</p><p>00:35:26.460 –&gt; 00:35:33.990 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We can get that out there, and you know send it out to you know music professionals in the 12 southeastern states and he said no.</p><p>00:35:34.680 –&gt; 00:35:44.220 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I really want your personal connections, let me tell you about this job we are looking for a curator for their mountain heritage Center.</p><p>00:35:44.550 –&gt; 00:35:50.490 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and proceeds to tell me that it’s all about developing exhibits and working with students.</p><p>00:35:50.820 –&gt; 00:35:58.200 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, the last thing on my career wish list was to have a job, because by this point in time.</p><p>00:35:58.470 –&gt; 00:36:08.460 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I had taught in several museum studies programs in Charlotte and in the Atlanta area, and I really loved working with students and, of course.</p><p>00:36:08.730 –&gt; 00:36:23.730 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: At all the various museums, I worked, I had supervised intern so I really wanted to be involved with training the next generation as a big part of my job, instead of just sort of a sideline, and so I was thinking about it, and then I thought.</p><p>00:36:24.690 –&gt; 00:36:27.870 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Maybe I shouldn’t say it to Scott and so.</p><p>00:36:28.560 –&gt; 00:36:39.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That I thought about it and then he said Oh well, shoot why now hey Scott, you know how would you what would you say, do you think it’s a conflict of interests, given that you know we know each other, we work together.</p><p>00:36:39.600 –&gt; 00:36:45.090 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: If I applied for that job he’s like oh my God apply for it right now so.</p><p>00:36:47.370 –&gt; 00:37:06.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I did so, I went to the mountain heritage Center not as Director, but as curator my idea being I’m going to leave all that boring administrative stuff behind and just do the stuff that I think is most fun in the world, creating exhibits in.</p><p>00:37:06.300 –&gt; 00:37:06.990 In teaching.</p><p>00:37:08.940 –&gt; 00:37:09.720 Joseph McElroy: To do stuff.</p><p>00:37:10.890 –&gt; 00:37:14.670 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That well that worked for a good four years.</p><p>00:37:15.420 –&gt; 00:37:26.520 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And then Scott, unfortunately, had some health challenges and really felt that he needed to step down and just go back into full-time faculty work.</p><p>00:37:26.790 –&gt; 00:37:38.400 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: So boom, I became interim director and I kept being an interim director in interim director and, finally, they said Pam we would really like to meet you.</p><p>00:37:42.450 –&gt; 00:37:42.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: said.</p><p>00:37:43.860 –&gt; 00:37:49.560 Joseph McElroy: So you the mound heritage Center puts on that we already talked about it, the mountain heritage Day, which was going on.</p><p>00:37:49.860 –&gt; 00:37:51.030 Joseph McElroy: 74 so I guess.</p><p>00:37:51.030 –&gt; 00:37:58.560 Joseph McElroy: You took the Mount Heritage Center took over that responsibility and it’s like well the top 20 events in the southeast with.</p><p>00:37:58.980 –&gt; 00:38:15.510 Joseph McElroy: Live entertainment hundred 30 plus food and craft vendors tons of activities and kid stuff and performances and demonstration this demonstrating SAB South southern Appalachian mountain culture and it’s typically held last weekend of September is always free to the public right.</p><p>00:38:15.780 –&gt; 00:38:16.890 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: that’s Nice.</p><p>00:38:17.070 –&gt; 00:38:25.830 Joseph McElroy: So what are you involved in planning that and how, what does involvement, putting it all is it a big.</p><p>00:38:26.640 –&gt; 00:38:35.970 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: It is a big deal and it’s a university-wide event over the years it’s really changed a lot, you know.</p><p>00:38:36.570 –&gt; 00:38:48.210 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Back in 2014 mountain heritage day had its 40th anniversary, and so I created an exhibit about the history of mountain heritage day so.</p><p>00:38:48.720 –&gt; 00:38:57.780 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: It started out, you know back in cotton Robinson stay with him pulling together a steering committee of faculty and staff at the university.</p><p>00:38:58.050 –&gt; 00:39:12.630 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Who, then you know kind of spread it out and made it happen with the help of a lot of Community volunteers and sponsors to and then over the years it shifted to.</p><p>00:39:13.290 –&gt; 00:39:20.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Management when I very first came in the mountain heritage Center really was sort of the lead entity.</p><p>00:39:20.430 –&gt; 00:39:44.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And there was a position on our staff called mountain heritage day coordinator and that’s what that person did was just year-round, or mountain heritage day but, in the course of my end I just had my 11th anniversary with Western Carolina university yesterday it’s been a.</p><p>00:39:45.360 –&gt; 00:39:47.940 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: graduation yeah yeah so.</p><p>00:39:49.500 –&gt; 00:40:01.860 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: In the course of my tenure there it’s shifted to the university administration had evolved so that there was this whole office of special events under the university chief of staff.</p><p>00:40:02.190 –&gt; 00:40:13.860 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And so the main coordination of the festival, including like the sponsorships and a lot of the logistics.</p><p>00:40:14.370 –&gt; 00:40:26.670 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: shifted over to them, but the mountain heritage Center still to this day, is very, very involved in the performers the demonstrators.</p><p>00:40:27.600 –&gt; 00:40:39.120 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: All of the activities that go on a mountain heritage and also another thing that we are totally involved in, now is the mountain heritage awards as well.</p><p>00:40:39.600 –&gt; 00:40:54.420 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Of course, is something that I just love so much that every year we publicly acknowledge a person and in position for some very special aspect of cultural preservation that’s great.</p><p>00:40:54.810 –&gt; 00:41:03.930 Joseph McElroy: I also love that you involve you know it’s not just about Scotch Irish settlers it’s also about the Cherokee and African American cultures and other cultures.</p><p>00:41:05.160 –&gt; 00:41:10.620 Joseph McElroy: What are the types of what you know you mentioned, we kind of types of things that you do to represent that diversity.</p><p>00:41:11.400 –&gt; 00:41:19.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And you know again that’s been built in there from the very, very beginning, which I think is absolutely wonderful.</p><p>00:41:19.500 –&gt; 00:41:30.090 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: One of the things that really me away when I first started hearing about the festival was the fact that they have Cherokee stickball games smack in the middle of the festival and.</p><p>00:41:30.480 –&gt; 00:41:45.450 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know, really serious competitive games and they have a narrator there who explains what’s going on, and you know, we have also always had, of course, who wouldn’t I mean the Cherokee.</p><p>00:41:45.540 –&gt; 00:42:00.660 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: crafts, people are amazing are just amazing, and you know if you have craftspeople of that caliber sitting basically on your doorstep, of course, you would invite them to.</p><p>00:42:02.460 –&gt; 00:42:06.330 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: The festival and same thing with.</p><p>00:42:06.990 –&gt; 00:42:20.580 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: African American Community Members because, although the percentage of African American residents longtime residents of this region it’s maybe not as great as it would be like down in the coast.</p><p>00:42:20.880 –&gt; 00:42:33.450 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: But these are people who have been here, their families have been here for hundreds of years and they have fabulous history and traditions and food to share.</p><p>00:42:34.020 –&gt; 00:42:36.270 Joseph McElroy: Things well I read a thing, where you talked.</p><p>00:42:36.270 –&gt; 00:42:38.880 Joseph McElroy: about the history of Barbecue right.</p><p>00:42:39.180 –&gt; 00:42:44.190 Joseph McElroy: I am Barbecue, as we know, it would not exist without African American men.</p><p>00:42:45.450 –&gt; 00:42:46.470 Joseph McElroy: right because.</p><p>00:42:47.850 –&gt; 00:42:49.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: pit masters yeah.</p><p>00:42:49.980 –&gt; 00:42:52.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah and again it’s one of those you know.</p><p>00:42:52.740 –&gt; 00:43:03.810 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: grilling meat over a slow fire is multicultural activity, you can find this in several different cultures, but certainly the American manifestation.</p><p>00:43:04.110 –&gt; 00:43:16.770 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: has to do with southern African Americans and it’s spread out from there, and you know I for 1 am very grateful for that tradition but yeah my friends at.</p><p>00:43:17.160 –&gt; 00:43:27.540 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Scotts creek liberty Baptist church we’re back at this year’s mountain heritage day with their fish right, so we have that and we had fat Calhoun’s.</p><p>00:43:28.740 –&gt; 00:43:33.120 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Indian fry bread from Cherokee how again, you know we are.</p><p>00:43:34.140 –&gt; 00:43:35.760 Joseph McElroy: Well you’re doing well, so.</p><p>00:43:35.760 –&gt; 00:43:38.700 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: speaks to a lot of us, so the mountain heritage day as.</p><p>00:43:38.700 –&gt; 00:43:44.520 Joseph McElroy: Part of actually a bigger thing, which is the West, the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University.</p><p>00:43:45.630 –&gt; 00:43:51.750 Joseph McElroy: And what is, do you think the overall mission of the whole Center.</p><p>00:43:52.800 –&gt; 00:44:06.330 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I can tell to you exactly what mountain Heritage Center is a museum of Appalachian history and culture which we sell it to collect and preserve.</p><p>00:44:06.720 –&gt; 00:44:21.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And what we do with that stuff is we connect people with local history we build bridges between the university and the Community and we serve as a cultural resource for the region that we are and what we do.</p><p>00:44:22.320 –&gt; 00:44:31.560 Joseph McElroy: That you know I’m impressed I’ve read a couple of things that really impressed me because you not only celebrate hairs but you also challenge the heritage right, like, for example.</p><p>00:44:32.460 –&gt; 00:44:38.070 Joseph McElroy: You had an exhibit titled rightfully ours women’s suffrage in western North Carolina.</p><p>00:44:38.520 –&gt; 00:44:46.680 Joseph McElroy: Which feature three parts, focusing on the national struggle for voting rights local suffragists and on capping notice and, at the time, you said.</p><p>00:44:47.040 –&gt; 00:45:01.530 Joseph McElroy: The women’s suffrage movement ultimately became a State rights issue, you cannot talk about the movement without taking talking about the reconstruction of Jim crow laws and the racist aspects of this movement that’s really a strong statement.</p><p>00:45:02.520 –&gt; 00:45:11.280 Joseph McElroy: that’s even more about that it’s not as that you know celebrates what we’ve done but also challenges, what happened.</p><p>00:45:12.450 –&gt; 00:45:13.320 Joseph McElroy: Right so.</p><p>00:45:14.970 –&gt; 00:45:25.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: There is equal, you know celebration and challenge because you know, once the 19th amendment was passed the very first female.</p><p>00:45:26.970 –&gt; 00:45:57.000 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: State Senator and state legislator came from Western North Carolina you know our first Senator was guilt nurtured deals McKee from Hillsborough and then Silva North Carolina and our first general assembly Member from the House side was Lillian XM Clement who from bumpkin bum can.</p><p>00:46:00.720 –&gt; 00:46:01.710 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Say bank account.</p><p>00:46:02.640 –&gt; 00:46:05.760 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And she was also before she you know.</p><p>00:46:05.820 –&gt; 00:46:22.230 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: went into politics, she was a lawyer and was passed the law bar with the highest score of one in her entire class was the first woman to hang out your shingle without male partners so.</p><p>00:46:22.620 –&gt; 00:46:23.640 Joseph McElroy: We have to take a break.</p><p>00:46:25.230 –&gt; 00:46:34.800 Joseph McElroy: I have to mention that my grandmother was the first woman broker in western North Carolina, but I have a government of papers at the time and stuff like that, but.</p><p>00:46:35.460 –&gt; 00:46:45.120 Joseph McElroy: We have to take a break now, and when we come back we’ll finish up a little bit more about some of the exhibits and then what’s your ideas of things to do in the mountains.</p><p>00:48:46.440 –&gt; 00:48:59.940 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest is PamMeister so Pam you were kind enough to help us install a traveling set of panels on the plot pounds history at our own.</p><p>00:49:00.570 –&gt; 00:49:04.410 Joseph McElroy: meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center and I really want to thank you for that.</p><p>00:49:05.520 –&gt; 00:49:08.490 Joseph McElroy: You had a big show about the plot House why did that happen.</p><p>00:49:10.560 –&gt; 00:49:21.300 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Again, that was a little right before my time I, unfortunately, was not the one to collaborate with Bob on that wonderful exhibit.</p><p>00:49:21.630 –&gt; 00:49:28.920 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: that my colleague, Peter, who is still there was involved with that, as was the previous curator and.</p><p>00:49:29.550 –&gt; 00:49:52.320 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know that is a fabulous exhibit and I really loved it when the plot fest was going full tilt at the Maggie valley festival fairgrounds because that inspired us to create a version of that exhibit which was designed you hang on a chain-link fence, so we would take our last.</p><p>00:49:52.950 –&gt; 00:49:54.750 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Day of the exhibit.</p><p>00:49:55.080 –&gt; 00:50:12.060 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: hanging on the fence real early in the morning of that festival and then all the plant hound owners would come and sit their dogs in front of the exhibit and take selfies with the dog and we just love that so much now there is audience engagement for you.</p><p>00:50:12.150 –&gt; 00:50:12.870 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:50:12.990 –&gt; 00:50:14.370 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, you know we’re gonna have.</p><p>00:50:14.550 –&gt; 00:50:29.880 Joseph McElroy: The Plott fest reunion, we had the first one this year we’re going to have it again the first week of June and we’re actually going to have the UK see judging of pot house, but you made a traveling show out of the auto out of that.</p><p>00:50:31.590 –&gt; 00:50:32.310 Joseph McElroy: going on.</p><p>00:50:32.580 –&gt; 00:50:36.810 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Yes, and it’s really popular at other festivals and.</p><p>00:50:37.380 –&gt; 00:50:45.060 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know bomb plot is a total example of the incredible local resources we have around here.</p><p>00:50:45.330 –&gt; 00:51:04.560 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And how invariably generous people are about sharing their family traditions their specialized knowledge and then we try to serve as a platform for these wonderful people in these wonderful traditions and get it out there in the world, and so.</p><p>00:51:05.280 –&gt; 00:51:09.570 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: That exhibit has a long and happy life, and I think it’s going to keep going for a lot.</p><p>00:51:09.840 –&gt; 00:51:10.980 Joseph McElroy: of people enjoy people.</p><p>00:51:11.250 –&gt; 00:51:19.800 Joseph McElroy: love it, we have our version of it, the panels really are popular at the motel so you’re a self-proclaimed Boris Kephart fanatic.</p><p>00:51:21.120 –&gt; 00:51:23.820 Joseph McElroy: And you guys have created your own.</p><p>00:51:25.020 –&gt; 00:51:32.580 Joseph McElroy: I mean you, you actually helped us with a little clip art festival, and he brought over that wedding dress have kept parts wife, which was spectacular.</p><p>00:51:33.840 –&gt; 00:51:34.110 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:51:35.340 –&gt; 00:51:41.520 Joseph McElroy: Again, thank you for that, but you also have a CAP our archive of it, the Western Carolina university what’s what is that.</p><p>00:51:41.580 –&gt; 00:51:56.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: what’s the night, actually, that is run by our next-door neighbor’s hunter libraries department of special collections and that archive is well the people in Ithaca might.</p><p>00:51:58.170 –&gt; 00:52:11.460 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: not agree with me, but it’s the best-kept archive in the world because it contains 27 horoscope hearts original notebooks he kept these journals.</p><p>00:52:11.790 –&gt; 00:52:22.950 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: In his own handwriting which is amazing, and you know put all sorts of notes and photographs and clippings and things like it’s extraordinary.</p><p>00:52:23.910 –&gt; 00:52:34.500 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: get a record of his time here in the mountains and just his thought processes as he was working on all his articles and.</p><p>00:52:35.130 –&gt; 00:52:50.820 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: it’s pretty amazing and, since then, of course, our relationship with the CAP heart family and the CAP heart foundation is very cordial, and so they keep finding with this and donate to Western Carolina University.</p><p>00:52:51.600 –&gt; 00:53:02.790 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: We love it, so the mountain heritage Center is the custodian of the objects, because when he passed away so suddenly in that automobile accident.</p><p>00:53:04.080 –&gt; 00:53:14.850 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: His executor who was his friend local businessman Stearns you know saw to it that many of these things were preserved and.</p><p>00:53:15.330 –&gt; 00:53:31.620 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: given to Western Carolina University and really have enough kept part things of objects I’ve done two exhibits now over the course of the years I’ve been there, where we actually recreated counterparts campsite because we have.</p><p>00:53:32.010 –&gt; 00:53:34.740 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: This fabulous Hence we have a champion.</p><p>00:53:35.760 –&gt; 00:53:47.820 Joseph McElroy: Yes, these are things people enjoy coming to see I know very much and now you’re also another founder of the smoky mountains you’re digitizing the photography of Kelly Bennett what is that can be available for everybody to see.</p><p>00:53:48.330 –&gt; 00:53:53.280 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Well, you know, again, that is special collections and.</p><p>00:53:53.910 –&gt; 00:54:12.900 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Kelly Bennett was, I think the pharmacist in Bryson city and an extremely talented amateur photography and any street photographer and an extremely prolific one that collection they haven’t given me an exact number but it’s multiple thousands of images.</p><p>00:54:13.170 –&gt; 00:54:23.130 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And remember from that that kept our weekend there were a dozen new images of Horus Kepler that had.</p><p>00:54:23.580 –&gt; 00:54:44.190 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: ever seen before critically, he was wearing a suit in most of them, which was amazing you know that’s not the case that we have in the collection, at this point in time so there’s an excellent website called Horace counterpart revealing an enigma that is on the hunter library.</p><p>00:54:46.230 –&gt; 00:55:06.240 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: You know web page for the university and if people will just Google that title Horace Kephart revealing an enigma they’ll get to it, and it has an amazing array of photographs images and high-quality photographs of the objects that we own as well, so that’s.</p><p>00:55:07.260 –&gt; 00:55:12.180 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Speaking to the fellow Kepler fanatics out there, look that one.</p><p>00:55:14.040 –&gt; 00:55:23.070 Joseph McElroy: quickly we’re getting close to the end here what’s next for you, and how do people find out about you and and and and the collections.</p><p>00:55:24.870 –&gt; 00:55:33.780 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Mountain heritage Center is moving right along, we still have our river cane Renaissance exhibit up right now, which is something that.</p><p>00:55:34.230 –&gt; 00:55:48.270 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: melds biology ecology cultural traditions and some really fabulous river cane artifacts to talk about the history of ever Kane its cultural importance to native people.</p><p>00:55:48.630 –&gt; 00:56:01.920 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: and ecological importance of it today is a flood barrier so that’s up right now to the end of the year, it goes on tour for two and a half years so it’ll be around in North Carolina.</p><p>00:56:02.610 –&gt; 00:56:16.080 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Next year, we have two months of an African American artist and Miller Woodward’s works, and then we move on to quilts we have a fabulous.</p><p>00:56:16.650 –&gt; 00:56:35.610 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: collection and so we’ll have quotes up march through August and then next fall we move back to discussing native people were having an exhibit a traveling exhibit is coming to us called away from home native American boarding school stories with.</p><p>00:56:37.320 –&gt; 00:56:37.710 Joseph McElroy: A very.</p><p>00:56:37.950 –&gt; 00:56:39.390 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Big lineup for next year.</p><p>00:56:39.660 –&gt; 00:56:53.550 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: And again, we are also on the way to your website and again mhc.wcu.edu will get you to the mountain heritage center’s website.</p><p>00:56:53.850 –&gt; 00:56:58.020 Joseph McElroy: and any any any Facebook page or anything for you, for you personally.</p><p>00:56:58.170 –&gt; 00:57:02.340 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: I’m not for me personally, but the mountain heritage Center has.</p><p>00:57:02.880 –&gt; 00:57:15.330 Joseph McElroy: Great well, I want to thank you for being on this show and it’s been a pleasure, having you I look forward to seeing you at heritage events it’s part of our heritage to be involved with that.</p><p>00:57:15.360 –&gt; 00:57:19.050 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: yeah I will be down the road to come and see you in Maggie’s belly and.</p><p>00:57:19.230 –&gt; 00:57:20.100 Joseph McElroy: sounds good.</p><p>00:57:20.940 –&gt; 00:57:22.470 Pam-Mountain Heritage Center, WCU: Come see us someday too.</p><p>00:57:23.550 –&gt; 00:57:38.730 Joseph McElroy: So this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you can find more about us a gateway to the smokies dot fun or at the see live streams to this on Facebook facebook.com so as a gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:57:39.780 –&gt; 00:57:58.860 Joseph McElroy: podcast I want to mention that was on the October 31, 2021, issue of the front page of the Charlotte observer talking about me in the Meadowlark so get yourself over to the website and read about it’s a really wonderful story, I think you know, a timely thing about covid and hospitality.</p><p>00:58:01.050 –&gt; 00:58:08.550 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is carried on the talk radio.NYC network.</p><p>00:58:08.910 –&gt; 00:58:21.630 Joseph McElroy: This is a great network of live podcasts 24 hours a day, and it has some really interesting lots of very cultural and political and business interests.</p><p>00:58:21.840 –&gt; 00:58:27.030 Joseph McElroy: the podcast after this is about New York City, in turn, going to visit New York City so.</p><p>00:58:27.270 –&gt; 00:58:39.120 Joseph McElroy: I would love for you to stick around and listen to the next podcast and catch us next week from six to seven on Tuesday night for another great podcast episode of gateway to the smokies Thank you.</p> 7056f168-ce1e-4598-8c22-6460f9b6554a https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/b36d836e-7d38-4ef2-b874-36f84e0f8c94 Tue, 02 Nov 2021 22:00:00 +0000 3038 no full Episode 38: Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Episode 38: Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><span>Join us for an interview with </span><strong>Brandon Johnson</strong><span>, a native of Lenoir, N.C. now living in Asheville, N.C., where he is the Program Manager for the </span><strong><em>Blue Ridge National Heritage Area</em></strong><span>, an organization that preserves and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of the North Carolina mountains and foothills.</span></p><p><span>He formerly worked as an English Literature instructor at Mars Hill College and is a graduate of both Mars Hill and Appalachian State University.</span></p><p><span>Brandon is also a skilled musician, luthier, and writer.</span></p><p><span>On this episode our host, Joseph Franklyn McElroy sits down with Brandon Johnson to discuss visiting Blue Ridge National Heritage Area that is rich in history.</span></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Joseph starts off with his usual intro before getting into the sponsored message. After the message, he talks about the beautiful fall colors in the Smokies that peak around this time of year. After, he opens the floor for special guest, Brandon Johnson, before asking Brandon what got him into being a musician. Brandon describes a few significant people such as the bands he listened to, a fiddle repairman, and other influences such as watching the fall colored leaves while listening to bluegrass. Then, Brandon talks about the process of making his upcoming album, and some of the behind the scenes. Joseph shifts the conversation to how Brandon got into the writing business, and Brandon depicts his early life of writing short stories as a kid, some of which he still has.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>Coming back after the break, Joseph gets right into it by asking Brandon about his writing career, and some special influences that stuck with Brandon. Brandon remembers a multitude of stories he read as a kid, but one particular story stood out. It was a story about a tall man which made him cry after reading it because it described him perfectly, and he felt heard from it. Following this, Joseph wanted to talk about Brandon’s thesis and what he calls “social energy,” or the creation of connections among the works of others. Brandon elaborates saying that many books pulled material from other books prior to them, and these new books go on to influence future works. From this, one could draw a lineage of literature, almost like a family tree. This isn’t limited to literature as the same concept can be applied to music and visual arts. </span></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>After the commercials, Joseph noted Brandon’s fiddle collection and asked if woodworking was the cause. Brandon conceded that he got into woodworking from watching someone take apart and repair a fiddle, making him curious to do the same. He started by small repairing fiddles, evolving to creating his own and selling them, to expanding into other instruments. Afterwards, the two began discussing what the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area goal is and how it achieves this purpose. Brandon explains that the goal is to educate people on the culture and heritage behind the Appalachians through a variety of programs like the traditional music or hiking trails people once walked on. Following this, Brandon divulges some of the venues he played at, the podcast he works on, and how the podcast helped him expand as a writer.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>After the final ad break, Joseph wanted to talk about Brandon’s opening line to one of his books and the story behind it. Then came time for Brandon to make his ideal itinerary. He lists off many breakfast spots, hiking trails, restaurants for lunch, golfing places, and dinner restaurants before ending the show with Brandon’s social media platforms and where you can find him.</span></p> Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is Brandon Johnson, a native of Lenoir, N.C. now living in Asheville, N.C., where he is the Program Manager for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, an organization that preserves and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of the North Carolina mountains and foothills.

He formerly worked as an English Literature instructor at Mars Hill College and is a graduate of both Mars Hill and Appalachian State University.

Brandon is also a skilled musician, luthier, and writer.

Joseph Franklyn McElroy sits down with Brandon Johnson to discuss visiting Blue Ridge National Heritage Area which is rich in history.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

Joseph starts off with his usual intro before getting into the sponsored message. After the message, he talks about the beautiful fall colors in the Smokies that peak around this time of year. After, he opens the floor for a special guest, Brandon Johnson, before asking Brandon what got him into being a musician. Brandon describes a few significant people such as the bands he listened to, a fiddle repairman, and other influences such as watching the fall-colored leaves while listening to bluegrass. Then, Brandon talks about the process of making his upcoming album, and some of the behind-the-scenes. Joseph shifts the conversation to how Brandon got into the writing business, and Brandon depicts his early life of writing short stories as a kid, some of which he still has.

Segment 2

Coming back after the break, Joseph gets right into it by asking Brandon about his writing career, and some special influences that stuck with Brandon. Brandon remembers a multitude of stories he read as a kid, but one particular story stood out. It was a story about a tall man which made him cry after reading it because it described him perfectly, and he felt heard from it. Following this, Joseph wanted to talk about Brandon’s thesis and what he calls “social energy,” or the creation of connections among the works of others. Brandon elaborates saying that many books pulled material from other books prior to them, and these new books go on to influence future works. From this, one could draw a lineage of literature, almost like a family tree. This isn’t limited to literature as the same concept can be applied to music and visual arts. 

Segment 3

After the commercials, Joseph noted Brandon’s fiddle collection and asked if woodworking was the cause. Brandon conceded that he got into woodworking from watching someone take apart and repair a fiddle, making him curious to do the same. He started by small repairing fiddles, evolving to creating his own and selling them, to expanding into other instruments. Afterward, the two began discussing what the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area's goal is and how it achieves this purpose. Brandon explains that the goal is to educate people on the culture and heritage behind the Appalachians through a variety of programs like the traditional music or hiking trails people once walked on. Following this, Brandon divulges some of the venues he played at, the podcast he works on, and how the podcast helped him expand as a writer.

Segment 4

After the final ad break, Joseph wanted to talk about Brandon’s opening line to one of his books and the story behind it. Then came time for Brandon to make his ideal itinerary. He lists off many breakfast spots, hiking trails, restaurants for lunch, golfing places, and dinner restaurants before ending the show with Brandon’s social media platforms and where you can find him.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:02:54.390 –> 00:02:54.960 Joseph McElroy:Howdy!

00:02:55.050 –> 00:02:59.820 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:03:00.630 –> 00:03:09.270 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding areas and towns.

00:03:09.690 –> 00:03:18.030 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:03:18.600 –> 00:03:29.850 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also a deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:03:30.540 –> 00:03:38.100 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about the Blue Ridge National Heritage areas and some of the music trails and other things related.

00:03:39.030 –> 00:03:49.500 Joseph McElroy: But first let’s talk about our sponsors now imagine a place evocative of the motor courts of the past modern vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.

00:03:49.920 –> 00:03:56.640 Joseph McElroy: A place with a country inns amenities and services, a place for adventure and relaxation.

00:03:57.060 –> 00:04:05.700 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:04:06.150 –> 00:04:19.320 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place for the old-time music world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:04:22.230 –> 00:04:30.600 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventure.com smokies is plural adventure singular is the place to go to get information and listings about the smokies.

00:04:31.380 –> 00:04:43.890 Joseph McElroy: and focuses on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons, and more.

00:04:44.550 –> 00:04:58.050 Joseph McElroy: You can go there to get trail maps and hiking guides and information to help you enjoy your adventures in the smoky mountain its goal is to become the leading information portal on the smoky mountains.

00:04:59.310 –> 00:05:00.000 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:05:01.290 –> 00:05:12.000 Joseph McElroy: we’re in the middle of leaf season down and down in the mountains here smoky mountains we’re just about reached a peak now but it’s going to be going again going on this weekend and for the next week.

00:05:12.870 –> 00:05:19.080 Joseph McElroy: To go see the really the brightest colors you can see, in god’s country and.

00:05:19.830 –> 00:05:26.010 Joseph McElroy: So I recommend everybody, not miss this chance to the end of October and November 1st week in November, seems to be when things are going to.

00:05:27.000 –> 00:05:42.840 Joseph McElroy: hit the top of it we have expected it earlier, but it seems like it got delayed, so I was just down there it’s beautiful and I recommend everybody go out to Maggie valley go to the Meadowlark Motel or just anywhere in the Western North Carolina and see those beautiful colors.

00:05:44.730 –> 00:05:45.330 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:05:46.650 –> 00:05:54.750 Joseph McElroy: I have a wonderful guest today his name is Brandon Johnson, he is a native of Lenoir North Carolina he’s now living in Asheville

00:05:55.380 –> 00:06:05.280 Joseph McElroy: Where he is the Program Manager for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, he formerly worked as English Literature and Appalachian Culture Instructor at Mars Hill College.

00:06:05.910 –> 00:06:17.400 Joseph McElroy: Not only is he a scholar of Appalachian culture, but he also has hands-on experience with leading traditional music and crafts and never, such as the bluff mountain festival Hello Brandon.

00:06:19.110 –> 00:06:21.120 Brandon Johnson: Hey there, Joseph, thanks for having me.

00:06:21.390 –> 00:06:24.660 Joseph McElroy: I’m sure I’m glad you’re like to see all those fiddles in the background, there.

00:06:25.200 –> 00:06:28.320 Brandon Johnson: Sir, yes, Sir we’re coming to you live from the shop here.

00:06:29.130 –> 00:06:36.600 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in North Carolina that’s another small town like Maggie Valley, what is it what is its claim to fame.

00:06:37.440 –> 00:06:46.080 Brandon Johnson: When nor was the furniture capital of the South, for many years and lots of people still have that recollection but there’s not a whole lot of it there anymore.

00:06:46.800 –> 00:06:58.110 Brandon Johnson: Some of the original companies like Bernhard are still there, working, but most of that got shipped overseas with NAFTA in CAFTA and that’s kind of the.

00:06:59.340 –> 00:07:01.950 Brandon Johnson: The core of the past, there are lots of ways.

00:07:02.940 –> 00:07:09.540 Joseph McElroy: craft furniture industry develop your artisan furniture or anything like that to take advantage of the reputation.

00:07:09.960 –> 00:07:26.430 Brandon Johnson: it’s where the so there’s some I know like there’s a hardwood flooring company that moved into one of the factories and there’s some other you know kind of small niche furniture companies moved in focus on, you know American made products and designs and stuff like.

00:07:26.700 –> 00:07:27.600 Brandon Johnson: That so there’s.

00:07:28.560 –> 00:07:30.570 Joseph McElroy: Google, set up a server farm didn’t they.

00:07:31.530 –> 00:07:37.680 Brandon Johnson: Did you Google security force was bigger than one or PD I know at one point so.

00:07:38.580 –> 00:07:41.010 Joseph McElroy: But you know you’re nothing interesting situation.

00:07:41.550 –> 00:07:57.000 Joseph McElroy: So you’re a part of the north part of the foothills of the blue ridge, and the smokies when there’s a lot of great music in that region and likely happy valley fiddler’s convention to those traditions inspire you to become a musician.

00:07:58.080 –> 00:08:02.850 Brandon Johnson: It did, you know I didn’t really lay into the music until I was in college, but I.

00:08:03.990 –> 00:08:05.220 Brandon Johnson: learned enough guitar.

00:08:06.330 –> 00:08:13.500 Brandon Johnson: My dad plays guitar and bass and sings a lot, so I learned enough from him in high school my joke is not to forget it.

00:08:14.550 –> 00:08:21.510 Brandon Johnson: And then, so I went I really started learning in college, but I definitely attended a happy valley fiddlers Convention.

00:08:22.830 –> 00:08:31.560 Brandon Johnson: In the early to mid well, I’d say the mid to late 2000s, and they haven’t added the past two years, so I’m currently the reigning mandolin champion.

00:08:33.630 –> 00:08:33.990 Joseph McElroy: there’s.

00:08:35.340 –> 00:08:36.960 Joseph McElroy: A three a three year crown.

00:08:37.620 –> 00:08:40.500 Brandon Johnson: three-year crown yeah I’ve been fortunate to win it twice, I think I wanted in.

00:08:41.640 –> 00:08:54.210 Brandon Johnson: 2014 and in 2019 So if I went again I can’t compete anymore, but my joke, is that I have a job and house and kids and I can’t practice to keep up with high school kids and more so.

00:08:55.770 –> 00:08:56.370 Brandon Johnson: It looks like.

00:08:57.030 –> 00:09:00.060 Joseph McElroy: So besides your dad who is your other influences on music.

00:09:01.260 –> 00:09:09.180 Brandon Johnson: Oh well, so more of my influences the music came from over here I’m coming to you from North Asheville pretty much we reveal Stoney knob area.

00:09:10.230 –> 00:09:21.600 Brandon Johnson: I have to remember arvo freeman who passed away last week was a good friend of mine and a teacher, I took lessons from him for about six weeks or six months use me a couple of years ago, but I really.

00:09:23.250 –> 00:09:37.050 Brandon Johnson: I picked it up from a lot of musicians around here Roger how is a guy in Mars hill that I got to know when I was going to college and Mars Hill and he repaired fiddles which are kind of part of how I got to do this, but he.

00:09:38.220 –> 00:09:44.610 Brandon Johnson: heard him play a tune called squirrel hunters at the blue mountain festival one time and it made me want to play the fiddle.

00:09:44.880 –> 00:09:49.740 Brandon Johnson: it’s a really great fiddle tune it’s a little different than some of the others, you might see my here.

00:09:50.130 –> 00:09:58.830 Brandon Johnson: And so I said well Roger would you teach me to play that I think I’m gonna get a fit on he said, I will and so that’s kind of one of the key moments that really put me on the fiddle and.

00:10:00.120 –> 00:10:03.780 Brandon Johnson: I just you know kind of got into it in college a lot.

00:10:04.800 –> 00:10:06.390 Brandon Johnson: I started listening to nickel creek.

00:10:08.610 –> 00:10:14.730 Brandon Johnson: And that kind of pulled me back in I remember, we talked about it kind of as a seismic shift in the traditional music world.

00:10:15.810 –> 00:10:23.640 Brandon Johnson: The nickel creek came out and the O brother where art thou album came out around the same time, in the early 2000s, and kind of revitalized interest in.

00:10:23.940 –> 00:10:34.770 Brandon Johnson: bluegrass and traditional and old-time music and my family bought a nickel creek album and oh brother or their album in the same trip to Barnes and noble I remember that distinctly so it was kind of like a.

00:10:35.790 –> 00:10:36.360 Brandon Johnson: You know, a.

00:10:37.440 –> 00:10:44.130 Brandon Johnson: supernovas going off for something for me, at least not I was driving around today actually I’m fortunate enough to get to take the parkway to work.

00:10:45.180 –> 00:10:54.570 Brandon Johnson: And so the leaves are doing great up there, and I was remembering I heard one of the moments I really knew I loved music, I was listening to nickel creek my family was going.

00:10:55.110 –> 00:11:05.850 Brandon Johnson: From blowing rock to banner alkaline to 21 right under the link oh viaduct on the parkway and that was the first time I’d ever really is just probably early 2000s really ever.

00:11:07.050 –> 00:11:14.490 Brandon Johnson: fell in love with the way the edges of maple leaves turn orange say you have that orange and green together, and I remember.

00:11:14.880 –> 00:11:25.080 Brandon Johnson: That visual very distinctly and listening to nickel creek on that drive and that’s kind of to me to where the moments I can trace it all back to of how I really dug in.

00:11:25.470 –> 00:11:39.810 Joseph McElroy: Oh yes, that’s nice actually you know both the visual and audio cues to bring back a memory and actually also instill a passion for something right definitely yeah.

00:11:41.160 –> 00:11:46.290 Joseph McElroy: So your dad wasn’t bluegrass or he was a musician but not in.

00:11:47.550 –> 00:11:52.080 Brandon Johnson: yeah my dad played electric bass and southern rock bands in Spartanburg.

00:11:53.070 –> 00:11:54.570 Brandon Johnson: I think he kind of he laid off of that.

00:11:55.830 –> 00:11:59.190 Brandon Johnson: People hate my dad’s not really a partier as such, so he.

00:11:59.460 –> 00:12:02.970 Brandon Johnson: Has not super into the bar scene, he loved the music, but he didn’t like where he

00:12:02.970 –> 00:12:07.710 Brandon Johnson: played, and he was a huge Marshall Tucker band fan.

00:12:08.490 –> 00:12:16.590 Brandon Johnson: band fan, and when I think it was a toy called well there were rumors in Spartanburg my dad was going to replace him.

00:12:16.650 –> 00:12:16.980 In March.

00:12:18.420 –> 00:12:23.430 Brandon Johnson: But my dad said he couldn’t have hung with him in the studio he probably could have on stage that didn’t happen, however.

00:12:25.050 –> 00:12:31.200 Brandon Johnson: My dad traded in an amp for an acoustic guitar and that’s kind of the one I learned on.

00:12:32.730 –> 00:12:34.740 Joseph McElroy: You didn’t learn a lot of southern rock then.

00:12:36.450 –> 00:12:45.900 Brandon Johnson: You know a little bit my when I was learning really kind of starting to play out at first, I would we play some john Denver my dad is huge john Denver, and I remember it was like.

00:12:46.980 –> 00:12:52.860 Brandon Johnson: A massive day of mourning, and our family when john Denver died, but so you know that music really.

00:12:54.270 –> 00:13:03.810 Brandon Johnson: Powerful you know I think some of the first music you ever hear, is not to go to Thomas Wolfe but it kind of is encoded in you, and when you hear it, it does.

00:13:04.980 –> 00:13:16.650 Brandon Johnson: sync things to you so Thomas or John Denver and James Taylor and Billy Joel some of those that my parents listened to you, I hear that and I getting kind of you to know, takes me back to a different place in time.

00:13:17.730 –> 00:13:20.940 Joseph McElroy: So, so do you play in a band now.

00:13:22.980 –> 00:13:37.560 Brandon Johnson: I do not, I played in a band until about early 2019 and I played in several bands since I’ve been here in Nashville, but I have a five-year-old boy and an 11-week old boy, which are occupying.

00:13:38.670 –> 00:13:39.900 Joseph McElroy: sort of prevents tours.

00:13:39.900 –> 00:13:46.410 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah That being said, I have, I do have an album in the works.

00:13:47.580 –> 00:13:56.130 Brandon Johnson: Under my name, it’d be a Brandon Johnson album that was kind of my father’s day present my wife, what do you want for father’s day and I said oh just a weekend.

00:13:56.580 –> 00:14:09.720 Brandon Johnson: She was pregnant, we were awaiting our second son, and I said just a weekend to go make this happen so I’ve got a good really good friend who’s got a good recording setup, and so we cut most of it, I think there are a couple of things left to do and mixing and mastering and stuff so.

00:14:10.260 –> 00:14:17.910 Joseph McElroy: there’s some good bluegrass and then you know labels in Asheville it’s like it’s got some of them I know the.

00:14:18.990 –> 00:14:24.930 Joseph McElroy: Some of the people associated balsam range are also involved with something there too yeah.

00:14:25.290 –> 00:14:32.220 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah mountain home music organic records really great company really at the forefront of bluegrass.

00:14:33.030 –> 00:14:36.660 Brandon Johnson: And, as some people would call it blue graph to Jason music these days.

00:14:38.190 –> 00:14:40.200 Joseph McElroy: Do you know William Ritter?

00:14:40.440 –> 00:14:41.220 Brandon Johnson: I do yeah.

00:14:41.280 –> 00:14:47.370 Joseph McElroy: OK cool he’s ever had him I had him on the show and he’s actually coming up to play at the Meadowlark for some couple of times.

00:14:47.760 –> 00:14:54.000 Brandon Johnson: yeah that’s a great will and I both went to APP state to get our masters and he was, I think, maybe a year after I was so we.

00:14:54.390 –> 00:15:03.690 Brandon Johnson: We kind of cross paths a little bit we’ve gotten to know each other, a little bit after that I really respect his music and his you know devotion to CS particular and still.

00:15:03.690 –> 00:15:09.240 Joseph McElroy: yeah he’s uh he’s up there, so it’s not too far from where you are right.

00:15:09.300 –> 00:15:10.410 Brandon Johnson: No, Sir, sir.

00:15:11.340 –> 00:15:11.940 cool.

00:15:13.290 –> 00:15:23.040 Joseph McElroy: So, so that that music is a passion, but you ended up getting into academia and writing what was the.

00:15:24.180 –> 00:15:35.460 Joseph McElroy: We only have a minute before we go for the break, so I want to continue this after this, but what would you say is the first thing the first moment when you decided you wanted to do a little bit of writing.

00:15:37.290 –> 00:15:48.420 Brandon Johnson: Well, I remember writing as a kid writing down some stories and my grandmother told me when I was probably four or five there, I do have actually recorded stories, I wrote when I was four or five.

00:15:48.570 –> 00:16:03.630 Brandon Johnson: Oh, but I didn’t I wasn’t really aware of that, so I got kind of into college and actually did some poetry writing it in a nice little bit of fiction in high school, I really fell in love with some particular poetry, which we can follow up on there, but it’s.

00:16:04.830 –> 00:16:10.110 Brandon Johnson: yeah it kind of it started early I guess my family likes to talk and tell stories, so I think that was just part of it.

00:16:10.620 –> 00:16:12.270 Brandon Johnson: Part of me that I couldn’t escape.

00:16:12.750 –> 00:16:28.440 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know my quicks poetry stories I’ve actually written poetry too and but I’ve been more performative than any kind of formal training or anything like that, but I, my claim to fame is I’ve had my poetry published on the jumbotron and Times Square.

00:16:29.910 –> 00:16:31.050 Brandon Johnson: that’s a pretty good claim.

00:16:31.050 –> 00:16:37.980 Joseph McElroy: There yeah so any way we’re gonna take a break we’ll talk more about your academic and writing career.

00:16:39.060 –> 00:16:39.360 Joseph McElroy: off.

00:18:54.180 –> 00:19:10.530 Joseph McElroy: So this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Brandon Johnson so Brandon you, you get into college and you, you get into academia, even though you studying music you decided to become a.

00:19:12.870 –> 00:19:14.070 Joseph McElroy: Creative writer right.

00:19:14.670 –> 00:19:17.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah it’s.

00:19:17.340 –> 00:19:24.780 Brandon Johnson: was always kind of my ambition, more so than teaching, but you kind of gotta do when you get to the other, at least in my way.

00:19:25.860 –> 00:19:31.710 Joseph McElroy: I see that did you, I see that you have a lot of involvement with the Thomas Wolfe literary awards.

00:19:32.010 –> 00:19:34.740 Joseph McElroy: From yes, Caroline is like the Chair of the awards.

00:19:34.740 –> 00:19:35.940 Joseph McElroy: Committee and things and.

00:19:37.080 –> 00:19:42.120 Joseph McElroy: Was was was a Thomas a focus of your academic career or your early writing.

00:19:42.540 –> 00:19:54.510 Brandon Johnson: most definitely I read, I read Thomas Wolfe for the first time, I think it was 2007 maybe, and it was really is hugely impactful for me.

00:19:55.680 –> 00:19:59.160 Brandon Johnson: A as a young man from Western North Carolina.

00:20:00.690 –> 00:20:07.080 Brandon Johnson: You know very much a rural place some education, not a time definitely not healthy.

00:20:08.490 –> 00:20:21.480 Brandon Johnson: You know, he was kind of one of us did it so he was a big you know, a figure for me it’s might look to and lots of writers I’ve heard you know Fred Chapel and RON rash talk about Thomas within that same way.

00:20:23.040 –> 00:20:34.110 Brandon Johnson: So I read him and I read look over an angel for the first time and its kind of like what the hell and then read it subsequently and I really kind of caught a groove with it and started to understand it.

00:20:35.610 –> 00:20:43.680 Brandon Johnson: And so yeah he always and, interestingly enough I’m a little grown a little bit, but we’re about the same size physically.

00:20:44.580 –> 00:20:55.980 Brandon Johnson: He was like six and a half to 50 and I’m about an inch taller than that but where there’s a cut out of him at the Thomas Wolfe house and I’ve got a picture, Stan of the society because we’re kind of the same size and.

00:20:57.210 –> 00:20:59.190 Brandon Johnson: He actually wrote a short story called.

00:21:00.510 –> 00:21:10.050 Brandon Johnson: Gulliver is the story of a tall man, I remember, I was sitting in a coffee shop in Nashville reading and I just broke out in tears because he described my life to me.

00:21:10.560 –> 00:21:20.160 Brandon Johnson: And the whole premise was that people get caught up in someone who’s tall into being tall and ask questions like how’s the weather up there, and did you play basketball and all.

00:21:20.670 –> 00:21:23.670 Brandon Johnson: things which you know I’d heard 8 million times in my life.

00:21:24.900 –> 00:21:30.180 Brandon Johnson: and Thomas was very much like you know what matters in life is the smallest thing that you just barely remember.

00:21:30.810 –> 00:21:31.860 Brandon Johnson: here and there, and so.

00:21:31.920 –> 00:21:41.940 Brandon Johnson: Just kind of exploded on me and he said we, I think, have a lot in common in some ways, and of course, he was brilliant and much more prolific than I am, but.

00:21:43.740 –> 00:21:46.080 Brandon Johnson: yeah it was always there, and so I kind of.

00:21:47.580 –> 00:21:51.180 Brandon Johnson: wrote my master’s thesis on Thomas Wolfe Ts Eliot and Ecclesiastes.

00:21:53.460 –> 00:21:54.870 Joseph McElroy: Word the second yeah.

00:21:54.900 –> 00:21:55.530 yeah.

00:21:57.180 –> 00:22:02.910 Brandon Johnson: I never really read them in class that much so it was kind of the thing I had to pursue myself and.

00:22:04.590 –> 00:22:11.070 Brandon Johnson: And I’ve taught him really going on my way to teach him and literature classes that I’ve taught and it’s been a real honor to work with.

00:22:11.490 –> 00:22:25.740 Brandon Johnson: The women’s diamond legacy and Thomas Wolfe memorial to do a Thomas Wolfe short story book club and so I’ve been a discussion leader at that for probably five or six years now and it’s a good half.

00:22:26.190 –> 00:22:32.550 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know he’s very interesting me I’m also a tall back I’m a little bit heavier than you guys.

00:22:33.810 –> 00:22:37.560 Joseph McElroy: But I’m almost I’m like six-five and a half, so you know up there.

00:22:37.890 –> 00:22:41.370 Joseph McElroy: And I was born and raised in western North Carolina and then I went to New York City.

00:22:41.460 –> 00:22:43.140 Joseph McElroy: You know and finance success here.

00:22:43.170 –> 00:22:43.650 Brandon Johnson: More like.

00:22:43.680 –> 00:22:44.280 Joseph McElroy: pretty much.

00:22:45.720 –> 00:22:53.280 Joseph McElroy: Now you did a presentation for the Appalachian studies, association and you said, where you said is Thomas Wolfe Appalachian.

00:22:53.700 –> 00:22:55.860 Joseph McElroy: What did you decide for that presentation.

00:22:56.010 –> 00:22:59.250 Brandon Johnson: Well, first of all, I do have to say I’ll pronounce it Appalachian.

00:22:59.370 –> 00:23:01.560 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know there’s a lot of people.

00:23:01.560 –> 00:23:01.710 That.

00:23:02.880 –> 00:23:15.900 Brandon Johnson: there’s a lot of talk about that, but I broke that down into a couple of kind of areas to look at it so Thomas Wolfe is is not Appalachian in a sense of what most of what he writes about is not said, an Appalachian.

00:23:16.530 –> 00:23:28.110 Brandon Johnson: The part of most of his writing is an Appalachian Asheville, which is an urban center as opposed to a rural space, which is at Appalachian literature is pretty much is usually set in.

00:23:29.040 –> 00:23:38.070 Brandon Johnson: And also there’s a guy I can’t remember his name right now Jedediah Evans, I think, in Australia that just wrote a book about Thomas Wolfe and I reviewed it.

00:23:38.520 –> 00:23:47.310 Brandon Johnson: And I realized in that review that Thomas Wolfe kind of looks forward instead of looking backward so his nostalgia is nostalgia for longing for warning for.

00:23:47.670 –> 00:23:58.050 Brandon Johnson: Discovering something in the future and not for the past so that’s kind of counterintuitive to the way a lot of people exist and think in Appalachian writing.

00:23:59.610 –> 00:24:09.450 Brandon Johnson: So in those ways, he’s not in a very strict geographic since he is because he’s from actual his family’s from here, he does he wrote a novel.

00:24:10.140 –> 00:24:25.230 Brandon Johnson: called the hills beyond that he didn’t finish actually before he died that followed the family of Zebulon Vance, who was a wartime Governor of North Carolina he’s been a lot of discussion about Zebulon Vance, who is a well documented racist now they’ve taken down advance monument national.

00:24:26.430 –> 00:24:39.330 Brandon Johnson: But the novel followed his family and spent time in rural spaces, so there are some Appalachian situations and Thomas will also have an interesting relationship with race and how we portrayed racing as work.

00:24:41.070 –> 00:24:51.570 Brandon Johnson: And I think part of that was the urban nature of what he wrote so it’s really I said something smart and clever like sometimes yes, sometimes no or something.

00:24:54.000 –> 00:24:55.620 Joseph McElroy: You didn’t do it for the final solution.

00:24:55.620 –> 00:25:04.920 Joseph McElroy: But you know the Appalachians, but I still say Appalachian because actually, I grew up saying it, but I see that I have a problem because I always spell it an I and instead of.

00:25:06.480 –> 00:25:07.590 Joseph McElroy: Because I did that.

00:25:08.790 –> 00:25:09.180 Joseph McElroy: But.

00:25:12.180 –> 00:25:19.560 Joseph McElroy: the Appalachians are or are not some you know uniform group of people, you know.

00:25:20.040 –> 00:25:22.230 Joseph McElroy: You know, only people I was many people fought on the.

00:25:22.230 –> 00:25:35.340 Joseph McElroy: side of the Union is as the confederacy back in the day I mean it’s a fractious lot and I kind of classic and all sorts of different approaches to live in and thinking things.

00:25:35.790 –> 00:25:44.010 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the things we’re doing with the Meadowlark Motel smoky mountain heritage Center it’s I like that what you said about Thomas Wolfe is that it’s focused on.

00:25:44.460 –> 00:25:52.860 Joseph McElroy: An astrologer for the future right is that it’s like bringing What was really wonderful and creative and interesting from the past, but you know, in a way that’s.

00:25:53.910 –> 00:25:58.620 Joseph McElroy: targeted towards the future right and the growth of that so.

00:25:59.820 –> 00:26:03.450 Joseph McElroy: Now I didn’t read the have your I didn’t read your whole thesis but.

00:26:05.430 –> 00:26:06.480 Brandon Johnson: I read a little bit of the as.

00:26:06.510 –> 00:26:07.200 Brandon Johnson: i’ll forgive you.

00:26:09.630 –> 00:26:20.430 Joseph McElroy: And you, you said something really yeah it was interesting to me this you focus on the idea of social energies mean other that was created by two other.

00:26:22.110 –> 00:26:25.680 Joseph McElroy: You know, you know people before you have with their names you’ll know them.

00:26:26.880 –> 00:26:40.200 Joseph McElroy: That the create connections between authors and then work and sort of draw a line of you know, between authors and what they’re working about, and can you tell me a little bit more about that.

00:26:40.740 –> 00:26:47.040 Brandon Johnson: yeah it comes free squarely out of the new historicist literary theory and Stephen green-black.

00:26:48.420 –> 00:26:54.240 Brandon Johnson: I believe he was the author of the main text I use to kind of ground that in theory.

00:26:55.410 –> 00:26:59.820 Brandon Johnson: And so the idea is that social energies flow throughout everything that’s written.

00:27:00.480 –> 00:27:08.490 Brandon Johnson: And so the idea, it really the whole thing came to me it really started some of the first literature ever loved was the love song jail for Prufrock.

00:27:08.940 –> 00:27:15.450 Brandon Johnson: But Ts Eliot and I were really attracted to that because it had echoed Ecclesiastes used in lots of places.

00:27:16.050 –> 00:27:21.630 Brandon Johnson: And you know I grew up in a very religious household and I think that.

00:27:22.110 –> 00:27:31.440 Brandon Johnson: Reading the Bible and understanding the symbolism of the Bible and figure language of the Bible really kind of set me up to think in a literary way as I got older.

00:27:32.370 –> 00:27:41.040 Brandon Johnson: But, so I realized, you know okay well Ts Eliot talks about Ecclesiastes ease and then when I dug into Thomas Wolfe he pulled straight out of Ts Eliot’s poems.

00:27:42.060 –> 00:27:47.760 Brandon Johnson: flow softly sweet Tim’s you know straight out of the wasteland April is the cruelest month.

00:27:49.020 –> 00:27:58.860 Brandon Johnson: So it was kind of like okay something’s happening here because the wolf is pulling from Elliot’s point from Ecclesiastes and then the wolf is also using please yeah I see so.

00:27:59.580 –> 00:28:06.540 Brandon Johnson: The argument is essentially you know Ts Eliot read Ecclesiastes he’s influenced in this way and then we’ll Fred Elliott.

00:28:06.900 –> 00:28:11.820 Brandon Johnson: who had also read Ecclesiastes used and then that influence will find a different way, so you could draw lineage.

00:28:12.330 –> 00:28:22.050 Brandon Johnson: From throughout the centuries, through those texts and how they’ve influenced one another, so what’s in the idea is that once something is written it’s part of literature.

00:28:22.650 –> 00:28:33.600 Brandon Johnson: And so it influences literature period and you can’t really escape the influence of any particular thing because you don’t know what the person who wrote what you’re reading is read in the past.

00:28:34.050 –> 00:28:45.510 Joseph McElroy: So when people invent a word or phrase or something and it catches on they actually create a sort of mortality that has a lineage it goes down through centuries, and you know, maybe even young’s.

00:28:45.960 –> 00:28:46.800 Joseph McElroy: Exactly yeah.

00:28:46.980 –> 00:28:55.530 Joseph McElroy: And and and you and it’d be interesting to network mapping on that to see if you can lineages I mean it’d be interesting like do they can.

00:28:56.400 –> 00:28:57.930 Joseph McElroy: Create lineages with DNA it.

00:28:59.100 –> 00:29:02.130 Joseph McElroy: seems to me, you should be able to create lineages with literature too

00:29:03.390 –> 00:29:10.470 Joseph McElroy: I was wondering if that would also apply to other things besides just the written word, it seems to me that that would be in the arts as well.

00:29:11.340 –> 00:29:12.450 Brandon Johnson: As a reference percent.

00:29:12.900 –> 00:29:17.340 Joseph McElroy: And not marks but also visual arts is referencing it all the way you know you’re pulling stuff.

00:29:17.760 –> 00:29:32.100 Joseph McElroy: back, but you know, then I started thinking oh man it’s probably even in the things like politics, you know, ideas and phrases used in politics, you know, probably have a lineage of that sort of social energy as well.

00:29:32.700 –> 00:29:38.730 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely as a really cool concept, I really liked I like getting into that source stuff.

00:29:39.630 –> 00:29:39.990 yeah.

00:29:42.210 –> 00:29:43.020 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:29:44.190 –> 00:29:45.600 Joseph McElroy: So you.

00:29:47.430 –> 00:29:51.000 Joseph McElroy: you’re getting back a little bit in the music and the stuff that you’re doing.

00:29:52.860 –> 00:29:56.910 Joseph McElroy: You know I have been to the bluff mountain festival in hot springs North you.

00:29:56.910 –> 00:29:57.450 Brandon Johnson: Have.

00:29:58.020 –> 00:30:11.730 Joseph McElroy: Actually, have, believe it or not, I just like to go to the hot springs getting those hot tubs right it’s a nice lunch or and the festival is a lot of fun, a lot of dancing and everything else hello, are you, festival director.

00:30:12.750 –> 00:30:29.640 Brandon Johnson: I love I’m still the best red dress started in 2014 I was co-director in 2014 and so I’ve been doing it since and I started as an intern with Amanda’s county arts Council of with I did do the bottom scholarship it at Marshall college.

00:30:31.050 –> 00:30:44.610 Brandon Johnson: And so I started working kind of as an intern for the festival, and then I ended up directing it, which is really one of the really big honors of my life its festival it’s been going for a quarter-century now.

00:30:46.050 –> 00:31:01.800 Brandon Johnson: And it’s really unique and how I got started, and so it carries on dance traditions balancing traditions barreling traditions storage storytelling traditions in hot springs, which is a really cool and unique place.

00:31:02.550 –> 00:31:03.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah it’s good it’s.

00:31:04.230 –> 00:31:05.610 Joseph McElroy: A tiny little town.

00:31:05.820 –> 00:31:08.640 Joseph McElroy: it’s got some nice little restaurants there, and you know Nice.

00:31:08.640 –> 00:31:09.840 Brandon Johnson: resort, and they have a.

00:31:09.960 –> 00:31:11.580 Brandon Johnson: New brewery and your.

00:31:13.200 –> 00:31:14.310 Brandon Johnson: pillow grew and brewing.

00:31:14.700 –> 00:31:24.930 Joseph McElroy: And then you can go rafting there and then, of course, I got the rattler the motorcycle ride it’s really great to go to get there from Maggie Valley, so all right.

00:31:24.990 –> 00:31:27.420 Brandon Johnson: let’s take a break one of two towns yeah.

00:31:28.830 –> 00:31:30.570 Brandon Johnson: towns with the Appalachian trail goes through.

00:31:31.020 –> 00:31:31.470 yeah.

00:31:32.820 –> 00:31:38.280 Joseph McElroy: So when we get back we’ll talk more about the music and then the blue Ridge national heritage Area.

00:34:16.200 –> 00:34:32.580 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Brandon Johnson so Brandon I see that you also make musical instruments you meant you create an effect, some of those are Those are some of your feelings behind you right.

00:34:33.030 –> 00:34:39.660 Brandon Johnson: yeah these two right here or build and I’ve worked on a parent some of those others there yeah.

00:34:40.410 –> 00:34:41.280 Joseph McElroy: I have yes.

00:34:42.120 –> 00:34:46.590 Brandon Johnson: it’s well it really kind of came together with a couple of things I.

00:34:47.850 –> 00:34:55.980 Brandon Johnson: We bought our first house and I built some shelves and it was the first time I ever really worked in wood and I kind of like that my mom’s.

00:34:56.610 –> 00:35:09.510 Brandon Johnson: Father his name is kitty Carlisle was lived in ducking Caroline was a woodworker had a great shop in our Member he would always just whip up toys for me out of the shop, and that was cool and then.

00:35:10.740 –> 00:35:15.930 Brandon Johnson: I had I was working on the Lunsford festival at Marshall university and my friend Roger how.

00:35:16.800 –> 00:35:30.990 Brandon Johnson: repetitive fiddle have a really great influential fiddler from Western North Carolina and I was there as we kind of video and talked about it so that was the first time ever so many that you take the top off of which is something to see it’s pretty violent and scary.

00:35:32.610 –> 00:35:36.450 Brandon Johnson: If you’ve never seen it before and so all those things kind of happened about the same time.

00:35:39.660 –> 00:35:41.100 Joseph McElroy: But we lost a little bit.

00:35:46.530 –> 00:35:48.960 Joseph McElroy: So brandon is temporarily.

00:35:49.200 –> 00:35:49.740 Brandon Johnson: myself.

00:35:49.830 –> 00:35:51.870 Joseph McElroy: and the other is we lost you for a second there.

00:35:51.900 –> 00:35:53.490 Brandon Johnson: Oh yeah okay.

00:35:53.850 –> 00:35:57.690 Joseph McElroy: So you were violent you ripping apart the violin.

00:35:59.820 –> 00:36:05.430 Brandon Johnson: yeah Reuben making one apart so just kind of seeing what that looked like and how it went and

00:36:05.730 –> 00:36:13.950 Brandon Johnson: I thought well you know, maybe, maybe I should try this and I found one for sale on craigslist for $20 and ask Roger to help me go through it and we did and.

00:36:14.580 –> 00:36:28.830 Brandon Johnson: Then I just started buying cheap instruments off eBay and fixing them and trying to sell them and that’s made enough money to buy the wood to build one and found a good book and just took a lot of time and then have kind of been off to the sense of the race.

00:36:29.610 –> 00:36:32.190 Joseph McElroy: As a fiddle, the only thing you build anything else.

00:36:33.510 –> 00:36:45.300 Brandon Johnson: I am currently building a cello to solve for a very good friend of mine, which is a five-string Baroque instrument it’s between a Viola and cello and it’s actually held across your chest and played like this.

00:36:45.390 –> 00:36:50.640 Brandon Johnson: Oh, and I have plans to build an f5 mandolin like the classic bluegrass mandolin to.

00:36:51.210 –> 00:36:52.410 Joseph McElroy: Everyone, you would play.

00:36:53.100 –> 00:37:06.510 Brandon Johnson: yeah I kind of I don’t have f5 I have a different model and if I was kind of looking for them, and I have this thing where it’s like I want this new instrument, but I probably can’t I shouldn’t buy it because I can probably just build it.

00:37:06.540 –> 00:37:06.840 So.

00:37:10.740 –> 00:37:17.400 Joseph McElroy: I, you know I do a little bit of stuff on the side in terms of creativity I’m an artist as well, so Sometimes I get into that.

00:37:18.240 –> 00:37:27.000 Joseph McElroy: thing like we have the motel and putting art and you know that I create into a lot of the rooms and we want to do, art to go faster and about it all by anybody else’s want to do it myself.

00:37:29.370 –> 00:37:30.060 Joseph McElroy: anyway.

00:37:31.170 –> 00:37:38.280 Joseph McElroy: So let’s talk about you’ve left the academic world downright you’ve taken a full-time job as sort of a big dream job at the.

00:37:38.760 –> 00:37:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Blue Ridge national heritage area, which is an organization that preserves and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of the North Carolina mountains and felt foothills How would you describe what the national heritage area does achieve its missing.

00:37:57.090 –> 00:38:13.800 Brandon Johnson: So we seek to you know to sustain and promote the country, those are the kind of two words that really my in my mind, and I have him in the person at the organization that’s really the most tied into the culture in terms of practice and study.

00:38:15.000 –> 00:38:23.220 Brandon Johnson: So, but we really it’s a really cool organization so then a national heritage is a Congressional designation so Congress has designated that this area.

00:38:23.760 –> 00:38:26.490 Brandon Johnson: The culture of Western North Carolina is important to the.

00:38:27.360 –> 00:38:37.740 Brandon Johnson: To the country, and so we, we have a grants program so matching grants program that we pair with different projects that fit our mission so, for example, we.

00:38:38.070 –> 00:38:53.190 Brandon Johnson: We funded the Cherokee Silbury exhibit it’s on display right now, the museum of the Cherokee Indian we’ve funded a be pollinator pathway we funded signage for a heritage barn display.

00:38:54.540 –> 00:39:02.790 Brandon Johnson: So lots of different things, and we have a trail cultural trails are really kind of our main program so the blue Ridge music trails and blue Ridge craft trails and I’m the.

00:39:03.270 –> 00:39:12.510 Brandon Johnson: program manager for those programs, and so the music Charles is all about connecting people to live, music and the musical heritage of Western North Carolina traditional music.

00:39:12.930 –> 00:39:19.710 Brandon Johnson: And the crowds is about getting visitors to craft, so we want to connect people who are interested in craft with makers.

00:39:20.310 –> 00:39:31.350 Brandon Johnson: arts organizations and galleries, where they can find the authentic handmade 3D craft in western North Carolina have been in Center for craft back centuries into you know Cherokee civilization.

00:39:32.460 –> 00:39:38.190 Brandon Johnson: And so it’s been known, particularly in the 20th century in the 21st century is a real craft Mecca for lots.

00:39:39.210 –> 00:39:45.840 Brandon Johnson: And so I get to drive around and talk to craft people and take pictures and write about and put it online it’s pretty awesome.

00:39:46.410 –> 00:39:48.420 Joseph McElroy: So that’s like the newest program right we had.

00:39:48.540 –> 00:39:49.350 Joseph McElroy: Leslie Hart.

00:39:50.220 –> 00:39:53.820 Joseph McElroy: out here before I guess the public publicity for that right.

00:39:54.420 –> 00:39:56.580 Brandon Johnson: yeah she’s our communications manager.

00:39:57.060 –> 00:40:06.330 Joseph McElroy: So that’s the newest program but it sounds like it’s gonna be a nice success about the music one is well established now right.

00:40:07.020 –> 00:40:08.820 Brandon Johnson: yeah it’s close to 10 years old now.

00:40:09.210 –> 00:40:10.680 Joseph McElroy: And how many venues to have on there.

00:40:11.820 –> 00:40:23.640 Brandon Johnson: it’s well over 200 and so it’s kind of hard to track down because if somebody comes to us with a one-time event will put them on, and you know, promote that event.

00:40:24.720 –> 00:40:35.190 Brandon Johnson: And then say you know, maybe they don’t have an event again but it’s a core of over 200 and kind of expanding as events and venues or concerts happened in different places.

00:40:35.730 –> 00:40:48.360 Joseph McElroy: we’re pretty proud to metal Arc smoky mountain Heritage Center is now on there we’ve had several you know bluegrass events this summer plans and several more next year.

00:40:48.990 –> 00:40:53.850 Brandon Johnson: yeah I hate I couldn’t get down to that bluegrass camp, with their and their necks and Eric Ellison as.

00:40:54.120 –> 00:41:06.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, as those great yeah and then the the the concert they put on that night was like real like old-time you know when you’re growing up in the mountains, you know people would get together.

00:41:06.990 –> 00:41:09.780 Joseph McElroy: And really great musicians and they’d have a party.

00:41:10.110 –> 00:41:17.970 Joseph McElroy: And that’s where they would the band, they would just come together and start playing and they know the songs that they play they know it needs to be some somebody would know how to call it sometimes.

00:41:18.390 –> 00:41:23.700 Joseph McElroy: And you know it’d be ad hoc but it’d be beautiful great music and it was just like that old-timey feel.

00:41:24.780 –> 00:41:26.640 Brandon Johnson: Like in the purest sense yeah.

00:41:26.730 –> 00:41:43.920 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely oh yeah I was like, and of course you know we have sort of a rustic you know stage with a fireplace beside it, you know cement floor, and so it actually felt really authentic to me, I was like it was like I was gone back to going back 40 years.

00:41:45.120 –> 00:41:52.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah 45 years and there, but that, but you know still happening around these mountains.

00:41:52.530 –> 00:41:52.920 Joseph McElroy: So how.

00:41:53.580 –> 00:41:55.830 Joseph McElroy: So how do you find the venues, are they find you.

00:41:57.420 –> 00:42:10.860 Brandon Johnson: um well, so a lot of them are established, and you know we have a contact that they can go to we have a website, we have a Facebook about the weekly newsletter and a podcast that we do with that so.

00:42:11.820 –> 00:42:19.590 Brandon Johnson: You know people can just reach out to us if they have a traditional music event, they want to talk about our website blueRidgemusicnc.com

00:42:20.190 –> 00:42:37.890 Brandon Johnson: leverage music trails on Facebook and the podcast is called down the road on the Blue Ridge music Charles of North Carolina it airs bi-weekly on www. FM that’s been a real pleasure to work on and a new format of writing that I’ve kind of adapted to learn more about.

00:42:38.610 –> 00:42:41.190 Joseph McElroy: cool are you writing the podcast content.

00:42:41.700 –> 00:42:50.940 Brandon Johnson: yeah work with Laura boosting your she’s our consultant great musician herself and we kind of come up with those ideas and bounce back and forth, and she actually does the voiceovers.

00:42:52.440 –> 00:42:55.680 Brandon Johnson: And so, but yeah that’s been it’s been cool to you know.

00:42:56.910 –> 00:42:57.690 Brandon Johnson: To try to tell you.

00:42:57.780 –> 00:42:59.550 Joseph McElroy: can definitely do and it’s very creative.

00:43:00.060 –> 00:43:02.520 Joseph McElroy: yeah have you been to all the venues or.

00:43:03.720 –> 00:43:04.350 Joseph McElroy: Most of them.

00:43:04.380 –> 00:43:21.390 Brandon Johnson: I have, I have I’ve played it a fair number of the venues and music trails I’ve not I couldn’t check off all of them I’ve seen concerts at lots of them now I’ll tell you in terms of the craft trails I’ve visited probably more than probably 150 craft trail sites.

00:43:22.080 –> 00:43:23.160 Brandon Johnson: Last year and a half.

00:43:24.540 –> 00:43:26.280 Brandon Johnson: So I have been to most of those.

00:43:28.530 –> 00:43:33.060 Joseph McElroy: But what any favorite stick out in your mind, these are the craft rails or the music.

00:43:34.770 –> 00:43:43.950 Brandon Johnson: Well uh definitely in terms of venues I grew up well I grew up in college, I went to the Gray eagle a ton and Asheville.

00:43:44.250 –> 00:43:45.060 Joseph McElroy: Which is not a.

00:43:45.450 –> 00:43:47.730 Brandon Johnson: People know about the grateful, but it’s a great spot.

00:43:49.260 –> 00:43:59.760 Brandon Johnson: there’s a place downtown called five walnut downtown Nashville I should say it’s a wine bar with a really cool small space, but they open up the windows and summer.

00:44:00.810 –> 00:44:01.560 Brandon Johnson: who bought.

00:44:02.700 –> 00:44:16.260 Brandon Johnson: The lunchroom festival at Mars hill named after basketball marlins for and the bluff mountain festival or two really central things to me I played it both of those and a rooster love and I was interim director Glenn’s festival one year.

00:44:17.670 –> 00:44:30.300 Brandon Johnson: For its 50th anniversary year so I’ve kind of really grown up musically playing it for lunch or festival was some great friends of mine, and so, of course, the Meadowlark motel.

00:44:32.250 –> 00:44:32.760 Brandon Johnson: as well.

00:44:34.680 –> 00:44:44.730 Joseph McElroy: Maybe it was you know the value that has been famous for music for a long time right yeah ebbs and flows, but it’s growing is the wrong backup a lot right now.

00:44:45.420 –> 00:44:54.060 Brandon Johnson: yeah definitely yeah yeah I was at the smoking bluegrass festival with a booth at fiddles actually this past weekend and.

00:44:54.810 –> 00:45:03.720 Brandon Johnson: Solved long-range unspoken tradition and the crew brothers and then the dirt Nicholson band was going up the road elevated about a distillery that even so there’s there’s great stuff happening.

00:45:03.810 –> 00:45:08.490 Joseph McElroy: For sure oh yeah and yeah so no I.

00:45:10.200 –> 00:45:21.960 Joseph McElroy: went to the flea market a couple of weeks a few weekends ago and they actually had a bluegrass planet in a little gazebo there and I hadn’t seen that in 20 years so it’s it’s kicking back in.

00:45:23.070 –> 00:45:24.210 Brandon Johnson: Yes, Sir, yes, sir.

00:45:24.900 –> 00:45:31.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah so um so you manage the craft trails and manage the traditional artist directory as well.

00:45:32.160 –> 00:45:40.260 Brandon Johnson: yeah I work with that that’s something that’s going to be a bigger part of my role next year because we’ve been so focused on the craft show build but.

00:45:41.070 –> 00:45:49.050 Brandon Johnson: yeah I’ve used the traditional artist directory to book events and to teach classes and so it’s a real honor to get to work on that now.

00:45:50.070 –> 00:45:59.610 Joseph McElroy: I mean it has really great people on there, and I recommend is a resource for anybody looking for all sorts of traditional crafts and music and.

00:45:59.880 –> 00:46:12.090 Joseph McElroy: storytelling artists to do for events and reference, for you know books or whatever it’s just yeah really I really think you guys have done a completely admirable job with that.

00:46:13.980 –> 00:46:15.150 Joseph McElroy: Okay, so a project.

00:46:15.990 –> 00:46:22.320 Joseph McElroy: So we got to take a break and we’ll come back and we’ll finish off we’ll finish up with some of your favorite things to do in the mountains.

00:46:23.610 –> 00:46:23.820 Brandon Johnson: or.

00:46:53.220 –> 00:46:56.640 uninformed about menopause and how it impacts your life.

00:48:26.700 –> 00:48:38.700 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Brandon Johnson so Brandon you wrote a short story on the still.

00:48:39.420 –> 00:48:58.020 Joseph McElroy: called the journey called other delights and I liked your opening line, it was a man needs a few things to be consistent in life, so he doesn’t blow away one of those things for me is Saturday breakfast at Maxwell friendlies so with Mexico friendly a real place.

00:48:58.590 –> 00:49:00.180 Brandon Johnson: it’s based on a real place.

00:49:00.270 –> 00:49:01.500 Joseph McElroy: And what’s that real place.

00:49:02.100 –> 00:49:05.130 Brandon Johnson: That real place is called Clarence is friendly lunch.

00:49:06.150 –> 00:49:12.990 Brandon Johnson: And I guess it’s it would be considered, probably in witness North Carolina which is right around Lenore.

00:49:14.100 –> 00:49:24.750 Brandon Johnson: tried to cross the street from small furniture factories and I grew up going there Clarence was really cool guy and I think he’s going out of business now he’s out some health issues but.

00:49:25.200 –> 00:49:38.160 Brandon Johnson: We would go I went to work with my parents in the summertime, and so we would eat lunch break and go there and he would give me a quarter every time we went so I could get something out of his machines in front of the restaurant.

00:49:41.340 –> 00:49:49.020 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic I mean it’s nice that you’re able to memorialize some of the things that are been meaningful in your life now.

00:49:50.310 –> 00:50:05.250 Joseph McElroy: I like to take a to give guests, to give a little itinerary I mentioned it to you, so that people listen to this is sort of you know guide to where they might want to go traveling to hear could have some you know some real touchpoints to go to so.

00:50:06.480 –> 00:50:18.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah it goes through breakfast lunch blah blah blah blah, you know things so what you live in the Asheville area, so you know and around, so what would be your Maxwell friendlies breakfast place in the Asheville area.

00:50:19.770 –> 00:50:30.900 Brandon Johnson: Well, I really love breakfast so if it’s not my mom’s breakfast, which is great, it would be my number one would be Tartan in Lindvall North Carolina.

00:50:31.920 –> 00:50:42.240 Brandon Johnson: it’s Tartan like the Scottish Highland clan pattern, you can bounce heart and mugs I’ve got several I’ve got one on the bench over there with particular tartans on them.

00:50:42.870 –> 00:50:53.310 Brandon Johnson: it covers the menu is a newspaper from the Highland games which happened just very close to their own grandfather’s mountain property.

00:50:54.450 –> 00:51:04.200 Brandon Johnson: And so, but it’s pretty straight-up breakfast it’s not they have some gentle nods to Scottish fair but it’s more just kind of straight-up good southern country breakfast.

00:51:05.340 –> 00:51:18.900 Brandon Johnson: there’s a place actually right across the street from my house here called stony knob CAFE which has an incredible Sunday brunch you’ve it’s kind of thing where you’ve got to get there at like 945 or you’re going to be waiting an hour.

00:51:20.190 –> 00:51:24.420 Brandon Johnson: I really love, a place downtown just outside of downtown Nashville called five points.

00:51:25.440 –> 00:51:28.680 Brandon Johnson: it’s what it could be right out of luck homered angel in terms of.

00:51:29.700 –> 00:51:37.860 Brandon Johnson: The kind of greasy spoon kitchen diner you know you can sit at the counter and watch the cooks and they’ve got like a treatment you.

00:51:38.790 –> 00:51:58.050 Brandon Johnson: So it’s it literally where five streets come together it’s called five points and then there’s also a place in Mars hill called the wagon wheel, which is a like a good country down-home place and then a place in we reveal come times you may tell I’ve done my research on.

00:51:58.050 –> 00:51:58.740 Joseph McElroy: breakfast you.

00:51:58.770 –> 00:52:00.300 Brandon Johnson: You like breakfast you should.

00:52:00.990 –> 00:52:03.570 Joseph McElroy: You should check out POPs place and Maggie Valley.

00:52:04.590 –> 00:52:06.300 Brandon Johnson: like that, and of course, joey’s yeah.

00:52:07.110 –> 00:52:12.060 Joseph McElroy: So if you are after breakfast what would be your favorite hike.

00:52:13.680 –> 00:52:18.660 Brandon Johnson: favorite hike well, we took the other day, a couple of weeks ago we went to the craggy pinnacle.

00:52:20.190 –> 00:52:31.260 Brandon Johnson: And there’s a hike I think it’s just over a mile it’s not incredibly strenuous, but it is kind of appeal and it had been raining a lot, so we were kind of walking through a creek most of the time, but you get to I think it’s.

00:52:31.860 –> 00:52:38.430 Brandon Johnson: 5800 feet at the top, and you have great views down into the Black Mountains it’s in the black mountains pretty close to Mitchell.

00:52:39.900 –> 00:52:53.700 Brandon Johnson: And that’s a cool height right off the parkway and then also like so I spent a lot of time in Mars Hill and my life Bailey mountain is kind of the dominating peek around Mars Hill and there’s they’ve just.

00:52:55.500 –> 00:53:00.810 Brandon Johnson: there’s a like a conservation group that bought a farmstead to create a new.

00:53:00.840 –> 00:53:03.690 Brandon Johnson: trail up to Bailey mountain and it’s about a Three Mile.

00:53:03.690 –> 00:53:14.460 Brandon Johnson: a hike that is a fairly strenuous appeal to the top of Bailey mountain let’s present some really incredible use of Madison county right that’s just a few minutes outside of downtown Mars Hill and.

00:53:14.850 –> 00:53:16.530 Brandon Johnson: I would definitely suggest that.

00:53:16.800 –> 00:53:25.500 Joseph McElroy: Assuming you don’t do a nice picnic lunch, the top which we always recommend and you came back down Where would you go for a nice little lunch.

00:53:27.240 –> 00:53:35.580 Brandon Johnson: Oh man, so my absolute favorite lunch place is called Centerville luncheonette and it’s in North Asheville just too.

00:53:36.240 –> 00:53:47.340 Brandon Johnson: Maybe two miles or so from where I am and it’s actually my neighbor that runs it he’s from Queens and it’s modeled after the luncheonette diner that was in his neighborhood where he grew up.

00:53:48.990 –> 00:53:49.650 Brandon Johnson: In so it.

00:53:50.370 –> 00:53:50.940 Joseph McElroy: looks like.

00:53:51.810 –> 00:53:56.220 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah so it’s you know just good grilled sandwiches and.

00:53:57.300 –> 00:54:09.720 Brandon Johnson: They do have a nod to like Carolina hamburgers with slaw and Chilean onions and stuff like that, but you know good chicken parm sandwich and Jeff salad and stuff like that, but yeah they’re.

00:54:10.140 –> 00:54:13.830 Brandon Johnson: grilling ham and cheese and hamburgers and tater tots are hard to beat.

00:54:14.070 –> 00:54:21.300 Joseph McElroy: Now, assuming you haven’t worn yourself out from hiking that this is where would you go is a good place to go golf and I know you’re a golfer.

00:54:22.050 –> 00:54:30.300 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah I would suggest, I really like a black mountain golf club, which is a little bit east of Asheville not too far off about 40.

00:54:31.320 –> 00:54:36.390 Brandon Johnson: I think their claim to fame is like a 747-yard par six.

00:54:37.710 –> 00:54:51.510 Brandon Johnson: Which is a pretty sharp dogleg with some crazy downhill lies it’s more difficult than it should be, but it’s good it’s a good course we have to hit a good array of shots and have to have a good short game.

00:54:52.380 –> 00:55:05.730 Brandon Johnson: So I really like that I also love growth, you know, I have to bring in literature stuff F Scott Fitzgerald spent the summer of 1935 and they both barking and he was off the wagon with liquor so he was drinking like 30 beers a day.

00:55:06.660 –> 00:55:23.730 Brandon Johnson: So there’s some great history and growth bark and the courses and old Donald Ross course it’s all don Ross is a golf designer from a doesn’t know that it’s designed like close to 500 courses in the east coast of the country and so it’s got all the characteristic.

00:55:23.760 –> 00:55:24.690 Joseph McElroy: Raw so it’s.

00:55:25.530 –> 00:55:28.800 Brandon Johnson: For me, it’s gorgeous yeah it’s unbelievable.

00:55:29.070 –> 00:55:38.700 Joseph McElroy: I assume you didn’t need it, one of the restaurants and the grove bug park in which is there, wonderful places and I advise you go try those out where else would you go get a nice dinner.

00:55:39.900 –> 00:55:43.980 Brandon Johnson: I’m going to kind of take the touristy thing here and I’m going to say current a.

00:55:44.910 –> 00:55:55.860 Brandon Johnson: Which is run by chef katie button has a beard award nominee Spanish tapas which is really incredible and then lo Monet’s, which is another restaurant.

00:55:56.490 –> 00:56:06.930 Brandon Johnson: downtown Asheville they there so vj sampler is incredible last time we went my wife’s pregnant, so we couldn’t eat this a VJ which kind of killed me, but I will still go back.

00:56:07.230 –> 00:56:08.280 Joseph McElroy: And maybe those are.

00:56:09.570 –> 00:56:10.650 Brandon Johnson: Little monet’s.

00:56:10.710 –> 00:56:17.370 Joseph McElroy: Monet’s okay my life well my wife loves of each one of our favorite things to do is go to BT so we’ll have to check that out.

00:56:17.430 –> 00:56:20.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I appreciate you being on the show today.

00:56:20.640 –> 00:56:22.050 Brandon Johnson: it’s been wanting to have him in.

00:56:22.350 –> 00:56:27.930 Joseph McElroy: Any other do you have some social media some ways, people can follow you anymore other shout outs that you want to do.

00:56:28.500 –> 00:56:42.570 Brandon Johnson: yeah I have, I have my Instagram for the violins is at bj J violins so if you’re interested, you can check that out or email me at being Jay Johnson f5 at Gmail COM.

00:56:43.020 –> 00:56:51.510 Brandon Johnson: If you want to know more about the blue Ridge national heritage area blues music Charles with witchcraft rails, you can email me at Brandon@blue-richheritage.com.

00:56:51.870 –> 00:57:03.690 Brandon Johnson: And so, definitely check out BlueRidgeheritage.com blueRidgemusicNC.com, and BlueRidgecrafttrails.com for more information on what are my day job is I call it.

00:57:04.050 –> 00:57:07.020 Brandon Johnson: yeah well, I look forward to a great honor to have that job.

00:57:07.710 –> 00:57:10.020 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to seeing you in the Meadowlark some time.

00:57:10.110 –> 00:57:11.190 Brandon Johnson: Right, yes, sir.

00:57:11.430 –> 00:57:14.010 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool so close it up.

00:57:15.390 –> 00:57:27.570 Joseph McElroy: To find out more about this podcast you can go gateway to the smokies Doc fun, we have a newsletter you can sign up to get notified of other upcoming podcasts.

00:57:28.770 –> 00:57:41.550 Joseph McElroy: You and, of course, we have a Facebook page called facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast where this is a live stream with video the zoom Stream is as is streamed out on there.

00:57:43.380 –> 00:57:58.680 Joseph McElroy: You can this podcast is part of a talkradio.NYC, which is a live podcast station, and that is in New York City, and it goes out with live podcasts every day.

00:57:59.250 –> 00:58:11.100 Joseph McElroy: That is really interesting and very diverse, ranging from you know the spiritual and divine to practical business to tourism in New York City and, in fact.

00:58:11.490 –> 00:58:24.840 Joseph McElroy: The podcast evolves this one is about visiting New York City and I recommend you listen to it, so you can get a nice balance between rural mountain adventure and a city skyscraper venture.

00:58:26.670 –> 00:58:38.700 Joseph McElroy: And come visit me at both because I live in both worlds, and I thank you all for coming next week, we will have another great show every Tuesday is from.

00:58:39.420 –> 00:58:47.760 Joseph McElroy: from six to seven, we have a new expert and the culture of the smoky mountains adventure coming here and

00:58:48.330 –> 00:58:54.780 Joseph McElroy: check-up to go to the middle of motel calm to find out new current special servicing the mountains right now we have a.

00:58:55.200 –> 00:59:08.700 Joseph McElroy: weekday special you come in on Sunday or Monday night stay three nights where I get one of those free the middle or motel calm and it’s been a pleasure, being a part of this podcast my guest Brandon Johnson, thank you, sir.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/4816762678376592/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/248025297_4816762905043236_4348722808010624700_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=3k9Itge8nLcAX8IdaK_&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63009BFA&oh=00_AT-MwmDDnb-nsPq4-RCWx5Ni3sFAl-_udlreUQbShBGniQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is <strong>Brandon Johnson</strong>, a native of Lenoir, N.C. now living in Asheville, N.C., where he is the Program Manager for the <strong><em>Blue Ridge National Heritage Area</em></strong>, an organization that preserves and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of the North Carolina mountains and foothills.</p><p>He formerly worked as an English Literature instructor at Mars Hill College and is a graduate of both Mars Hill and Appalachian State University.</p><p>Brandon is also a skilled musician, luthier, and writer.</p><p>Joseph Franklyn McElroy sits down with Brandon Johnson to discuss visiting Blue Ridge National Heritage Area which is rich in history.</p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>SHOW NOTES</strong>:</p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>Joseph starts off with his usual intro before getting into the sponsored message. After the message, he talks about the beautiful fall colors in the Smokies that peak around this time of year. After, he opens the floor for a special guest, Brandon Johnson, before asking Brandon what got him into being a musician. Brandon describes a few significant people such as the bands he listened to, a fiddle repairman, and other influences such as watching the fall-colored leaves while listening to bluegrass. Then, Brandon talks about the process of making his upcoming album, and some of the behind-the-scenes. Joseph shifts the conversation to how Brandon got into the writing business, and Brandon depicts his early life of writing short stories as a kid, some of which he still has.</p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>Coming back after the break, Joseph gets right into it by asking Brandon about his writing career, and some special influences that stuck with Brandon. Brandon remembers a multitude of stories he read as a kid, but one particular story stood out. It was a story about a tall man which made him cry after reading it because it described him perfectly, and he felt heard from it. Following this, Joseph wanted to talk about Brandon’s thesis and what he calls “social energy,” or the creation of connections among the works of others. Brandon elaborates saying that many books pulled material from other books prior to them, and these new books go on to influence future works. From this, one could draw a lineage of literature, almost like a family tree. This isn’t limited to literature as the same concept can be applied to music and visual arts. </p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>After the commercials, Joseph noted Brandon’s fiddle collection and asked if woodworking was the cause. Brandon conceded that he got into woodworking from watching someone take apart and repair a fiddle, making him curious to do the same. He started by small repairing fiddles, evolving to creating his own and selling them, to expanding into other instruments. Afterward, the two began discussing what the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area&#39;s goal is and how it achieves this purpose. Brandon explains that the goal is to educate people on the culture and heritage behind the Appalachians through a variety of programs like the traditional music or hiking trails people once walked on. Following this, Brandon divulges some of the venues he played at, the podcast he works on, and how the podcast helped him expand as a writer.</p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>After the final ad break, Joseph wanted to talk about Brandon’s opening line to one of his books and the story behind it. Then came time for Brandon to make his ideal itinerary. He lists off many breakfast spots, hiking trails, restaurants for lunch, golfing places, and dinner restaurants before ending the show with Brandon’s social media platforms and where you can find him.</p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:02:54.390 –&gt; 00:02:54.960 Joseph McElroy:Howdy!</p><p>00:02:55.050 –&gt; 00:02:59.820 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:03:00.630 –&gt; 00:03:09.270 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding areas and towns.</p><p>00:03:09.690 –&gt; 00:03:18.030 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:03:18.600 –&gt; 00:03:29.850 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also a deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:03:30.540 –&gt; 00:03:38.100 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about the Blue Ridge National Heritage areas and some of the music trails and other things related.</p><p>00:03:39.030 –&gt; 00:03:49.500 Joseph McElroy: But first let’s talk about our sponsors now imagine a place evocative of the motor courts of the past modern vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.</p><p>00:03:49.920 –&gt; 00:03:56.640 Joseph McElroy: A place with a country inns amenities and services, a place for adventure and relaxation.</p><p>00:03:57.060 –&gt; 00:04:05.700 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:04:06.150 –&gt; 00:04:19.320 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place for the old-time music world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:04:22.230 –&gt; 00:04:30.600 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventure.com smokies is plural adventure singular is the place to go to get information and listings about the smokies.</p><p>00:04:31.380 –&gt; 00:04:43.890 Joseph McElroy: and focuses on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons, and more.</p><p>00:04:44.550 –&gt; 00:04:58.050 Joseph McElroy: You can go there to get trail maps and hiking guides and information to help you enjoy your adventures in the smoky mountain its goal is to become the leading information portal on the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:04:59.310 –&gt; 00:05:00.000 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:05:01.290 –&gt; 00:05:12.000 Joseph McElroy: we’re in the middle of leaf season down and down in the mountains here smoky mountains we’re just about reached a peak now but it’s going to be going again going on this weekend and for the next week.</p><p>00:05:12.870 –&gt; 00:05:19.080 Joseph McElroy: To go see the really the brightest colors you can see, in god’s country and.</p><p>00:05:19.830 –&gt; 00:05:26.010 Joseph McElroy: So I recommend everybody, not miss this chance to the end of October and November 1st week in November, seems to be when things are going to.</p><p>00:05:27.000 –&gt; 00:05:42.840 Joseph McElroy: hit the top of it we have expected it earlier, but it seems like it got delayed, so I was just down there it’s beautiful and I recommend everybody go out to Maggie valley go to the Meadowlark Motel or just anywhere in the Western North Carolina and see those beautiful colors.</p><p>00:05:44.730 –&gt; 00:05:45.330 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:05:46.650 –&gt; 00:05:54.750 Joseph McElroy: I have a wonderful guest today his name is Brandon Johnson, he is a native of Lenoir North Carolina he’s now living in Asheville</p><p>00:05:55.380 –&gt; 00:06:05.280 Joseph McElroy: Where he is the Program Manager for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, he formerly worked as English Literature and Appalachian Culture Instructor at Mars Hill College.</p><p>00:06:05.910 –&gt; 00:06:17.400 Joseph McElroy: Not only is he a scholar of Appalachian culture, but he also has hands-on experience with leading traditional music and crafts and never, such as the bluff mountain festival Hello Brandon.</p><p>00:06:19.110 –&gt; 00:06:21.120 Brandon Johnson: Hey there, Joseph, thanks for having me.</p><p>00:06:21.390 –&gt; 00:06:24.660 Joseph McElroy: I’m sure I’m glad you’re like to see all those fiddles in the background, there.</p><p>00:06:25.200 –&gt; 00:06:28.320 Brandon Johnson: Sir, yes, Sir we’re coming to you live from the shop here.</p><p>00:06:29.130 –&gt; 00:06:36.600 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in North Carolina that’s another small town like Maggie Valley, what is it what is its claim to fame.</p><p>00:06:37.440 –&gt; 00:06:46.080 Brandon Johnson: When nor was the furniture capital of the South, for many years and lots of people still have that recollection but there’s not a whole lot of it there anymore.</p><p>00:06:46.800 –&gt; 00:06:58.110 Brandon Johnson: Some of the original companies like Bernhard are still there, working, but most of that got shipped overseas with NAFTA in CAFTA and that’s kind of the.</p><p>00:06:59.340 –&gt; 00:07:01.950 Brandon Johnson: The core of the past, there are lots of ways.</p><p>00:07:02.940 –&gt; 00:07:09.540 Joseph McElroy: craft furniture industry develop your artisan furniture or anything like that to take advantage of the reputation.</p><p>00:07:09.960 –&gt; 00:07:26.430 Brandon Johnson: it’s where the so there’s some I know like there’s a hardwood flooring company that moved into one of the factories and there’s some other you know kind of small niche furniture companies moved in focus on, you know American made products and designs and stuff like.</p><p>00:07:26.700 –&gt; 00:07:27.600 Brandon Johnson: That so there’s.</p><p>00:07:28.560 –&gt; 00:07:30.570 Joseph McElroy: Google, set up a server farm didn’t they.</p><p>00:07:31.530 –&gt; 00:07:37.680 Brandon Johnson: Did you Google security force was bigger than one or PD I know at one point so.</p><p>00:07:38.580 –&gt; 00:07:41.010 Joseph McElroy: But you know you’re nothing interesting situation.</p><p>00:07:41.550 –&gt; 00:07:57.000 Joseph McElroy: So you’re a part of the north part of the foothills of the blue ridge, and the smokies when there’s a lot of great music in that region and likely happy valley fiddler’s convention to those traditions inspire you to become a musician.</p><p>00:07:58.080 –&gt; 00:08:02.850 Brandon Johnson: It did, you know I didn’t really lay into the music until I was in college, but I.</p><p>00:08:03.990 –&gt; 00:08:05.220 Brandon Johnson: learned enough guitar.</p><p>00:08:06.330 –&gt; 00:08:13.500 Brandon Johnson: My dad plays guitar and bass and sings a lot, so I learned enough from him in high school my joke is not to forget it.</p><p>00:08:14.550 –&gt; 00:08:21.510 Brandon Johnson: And then, so I went I really started learning in college, but I definitely attended a happy valley fiddlers Convention.</p><p>00:08:22.830 –&gt; 00:08:31.560 Brandon Johnson: In the early to mid well, I’d say the mid to late 2000s, and they haven’t added the past two years, so I’m currently the reigning mandolin champion.</p><p>00:08:33.630 –&gt; 00:08:33.990 Joseph McElroy: there’s.</p><p>00:08:35.340 –&gt; 00:08:36.960 Joseph McElroy: A three a three year crown.</p><p>00:08:37.620 –&gt; 00:08:40.500 Brandon Johnson: three-year crown yeah I’ve been fortunate to win it twice, I think I wanted in.</p><p>00:08:41.640 –&gt; 00:08:54.210 Brandon Johnson: 2014 and in 2019 So if I went again I can’t compete anymore, but my joke, is that I have a job and house and kids and I can’t practice to keep up with high school kids and more so.</p><p>00:08:55.770 –&gt; 00:08:56.370 Brandon Johnson: It looks like.</p><p>00:08:57.030 –&gt; 00:09:00.060 Joseph McElroy: So besides your dad who is your other influences on music.</p><p>00:09:01.260 –&gt; 00:09:09.180 Brandon Johnson: Oh well, so more of my influences the music came from over here I’m coming to you from North Asheville pretty much we reveal Stoney knob area.</p><p>00:09:10.230 –&gt; 00:09:21.600 Brandon Johnson: I have to remember arvo freeman who passed away last week was a good friend of mine and a teacher, I took lessons from him for about six weeks or six months use me a couple of years ago, but I really.</p><p>00:09:23.250 –&gt; 00:09:37.050 Brandon Johnson: I picked it up from a lot of musicians around here Roger how is a guy in Mars hill that I got to know when I was going to college and Mars Hill and he repaired fiddles which are kind of part of how I got to do this, but he.</p><p>00:09:38.220 –&gt; 00:09:44.610 Brandon Johnson: heard him play a tune called squirrel hunters at the blue mountain festival one time and it made me want to play the fiddle.</p><p>00:09:44.880 –&gt; 00:09:49.740 Brandon Johnson: it’s a really great fiddle tune it’s a little different than some of the others, you might see my here.</p><p>00:09:50.130 –&gt; 00:09:58.830 Brandon Johnson: And so I said well Roger would you teach me to play that I think I’m gonna get a fit on he said, I will and so that’s kind of one of the key moments that really put me on the fiddle and.</p><p>00:10:00.120 –&gt; 00:10:03.780 Brandon Johnson: I just you know kind of got into it in college a lot.</p><p>00:10:04.800 –&gt; 00:10:06.390 Brandon Johnson: I started listening to nickel creek.</p><p>00:10:08.610 –&gt; 00:10:14.730 Brandon Johnson: And that kind of pulled me back in I remember, we talked about it kind of as a seismic shift in the traditional music world.</p><p>00:10:15.810 –&gt; 00:10:23.640 Brandon Johnson: The nickel creek came out and the O brother where art thou album came out around the same time, in the early 2000s, and kind of revitalized interest in.</p><p>00:10:23.940 –&gt; 00:10:34.770 Brandon Johnson: bluegrass and traditional and old-time music and my family bought a nickel creek album and oh brother or their album in the same trip to Barnes and noble I remember that distinctly so it was kind of like a.</p><p>00:10:35.790 –&gt; 00:10:36.360 Brandon Johnson: You know, a.</p><p>00:10:37.440 –&gt; 00:10:44.130 Brandon Johnson: supernovas going off for something for me, at least not I was driving around today actually I’m fortunate enough to get to take the parkway to work.</p><p>00:10:45.180 –&gt; 00:10:54.570 Brandon Johnson: And so the leaves are doing great up there, and I was remembering I heard one of the moments I really knew I loved music, I was listening to nickel creek my family was going.</p><p>00:10:55.110 –&gt; 00:11:05.850 Brandon Johnson: From blowing rock to banner alkaline to 21 right under the link oh viaduct on the parkway and that was the first time I’d ever really is just probably early 2000s really ever.</p><p>00:11:07.050 –&gt; 00:11:14.490 Brandon Johnson: fell in love with the way the edges of maple leaves turn orange say you have that orange and green together, and I remember.</p><p>00:11:14.880 –&gt; 00:11:25.080 Brandon Johnson: That visual very distinctly and listening to nickel creek on that drive and that’s kind of to me to where the moments I can trace it all back to of how I really dug in.</p><p>00:11:25.470 –&gt; 00:11:39.810 Joseph McElroy: Oh yes, that’s nice actually you know both the visual and audio cues to bring back a memory and actually also instill a passion for something right definitely yeah.</p><p>00:11:41.160 –&gt; 00:11:46.290 Joseph McElroy: So your dad wasn’t bluegrass or he was a musician but not in.</p><p>00:11:47.550 –&gt; 00:11:52.080 Brandon Johnson: yeah my dad played electric bass and southern rock bands in Spartanburg.</p><p>00:11:53.070 –&gt; 00:11:54.570 Brandon Johnson: I think he kind of he laid off of that.</p><p>00:11:55.830 –&gt; 00:11:59.190 Brandon Johnson: People hate my dad’s not really a partier as such, so he.</p><p>00:11:59.460 –&gt; 00:12:02.970 Brandon Johnson: Has not super into the bar scene, he loved the music, but he didn’t like where he</p><p>00:12:02.970 –&gt; 00:12:07.710 Brandon Johnson: played, and he was a huge Marshall Tucker band fan.</p><p>00:12:08.490 –&gt; 00:12:16.590 Brandon Johnson: band fan, and when I think it was a toy called well there were rumors in Spartanburg my dad was going to replace him.</p><p>00:12:16.650 –&gt; 00:12:16.980 In March.</p><p>00:12:18.420 –&gt; 00:12:23.430 Brandon Johnson: But my dad said he couldn’t have hung with him in the studio he probably could have on stage that didn’t happen, however.</p><p>00:12:25.050 –&gt; 00:12:31.200 Brandon Johnson: My dad traded in an amp for an acoustic guitar and that’s kind of the one I learned on.</p><p>00:12:32.730 –&gt; 00:12:34.740 Joseph McElroy: You didn’t learn a lot of southern rock then.</p><p>00:12:36.450 –&gt; 00:12:45.900 Brandon Johnson: You know a little bit my when I was learning really kind of starting to play out at first, I would we play some john Denver my dad is huge john Denver, and I remember it was like.</p><p>00:12:46.980 –&gt; 00:12:52.860 Brandon Johnson: A massive day of mourning, and our family when john Denver died, but so you know that music really.</p><p>00:12:54.270 –&gt; 00:13:03.810 Brandon Johnson: Powerful you know I think some of the first music you ever hear, is not to go to Thomas Wolfe but it kind of is encoded in you, and when you hear it, it does.</p><p>00:13:04.980 –&gt; 00:13:16.650 Brandon Johnson: sync things to you so Thomas or John Denver and James Taylor and Billy Joel some of those that my parents listened to you, I hear that and I getting kind of you to know, takes me back to a different place in time.</p><p>00:13:17.730 –&gt; 00:13:20.940 Joseph McElroy: So, so do you play in a band now.</p><p>00:13:22.980 –&gt; 00:13:37.560 Brandon Johnson: I do not, I played in a band until about early 2019 and I played in several bands since I’ve been here in Nashville, but I have a five-year-old boy and an 11-week old boy, which are occupying.</p><p>00:13:38.670 –&gt; 00:13:39.900 Joseph McElroy: sort of prevents tours.</p><p>00:13:39.900 –&gt; 00:13:46.410 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah That being said, I have, I do have an album in the works.</p><p>00:13:47.580 –&gt; 00:13:56.130 Brandon Johnson: Under my name, it’d be a Brandon Johnson album that was kind of my father’s day present my wife, what do you want for father’s day and I said oh just a weekend.</p><p>00:13:56.580 –&gt; 00:14:09.720 Brandon Johnson: She was pregnant, we were awaiting our second son, and I said just a weekend to go make this happen so I’ve got a good really good friend who’s got a good recording setup, and so we cut most of it, I think there are a couple of things left to do and mixing and mastering and stuff so.</p><p>00:14:10.260 –&gt; 00:14:17.910 Joseph McElroy: there’s some good bluegrass and then you know labels in Asheville it’s like it’s got some of them I know the.</p><p>00:14:18.990 –&gt; 00:14:24.930 Joseph McElroy: Some of the people associated balsam range are also involved with something there too yeah.</p><p>00:14:25.290 –&gt; 00:14:32.220 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah mountain home music organic records really great company really at the forefront of bluegrass.</p><p>00:14:33.030 –&gt; 00:14:36.660 Brandon Johnson: And, as some people would call it blue graph to Jason music these days.</p><p>00:14:38.190 –&gt; 00:14:40.200 Joseph McElroy: Do you know William Ritter?</p><p>00:14:40.440 –&gt; 00:14:41.220 Brandon Johnson: I do yeah.</p><p>00:14:41.280 –&gt; 00:14:47.370 Joseph McElroy: OK cool he’s ever had him I had him on the show and he’s actually coming up to play at the Meadowlark for some couple of times.</p><p>00:14:47.760 –&gt; 00:14:54.000 Brandon Johnson: yeah that’s a great will and I both went to APP state to get our masters and he was, I think, maybe a year after I was so we.</p><p>00:14:54.390 –&gt; 00:15:03.690 Brandon Johnson: We kind of cross paths a little bit we’ve gotten to know each other, a little bit after that I really respect his music and his you know devotion to CS particular and still.</p><p>00:15:03.690 –&gt; 00:15:09.240 Joseph McElroy: yeah he’s uh he’s up there, so it’s not too far from where you are right.</p><p>00:15:09.300 –&gt; 00:15:10.410 Brandon Johnson: No, Sir, sir.</p><p>00:15:11.340 –&gt; 00:15:11.940 cool.</p><p>00:15:13.290 –&gt; 00:15:23.040 Joseph McElroy: So, so that that music is a passion, but you ended up getting into academia and writing what was the.</p><p>00:15:24.180 –&gt; 00:15:35.460 Joseph McElroy: We only have a minute before we go for the break, so I want to continue this after this, but what would you say is the first thing the first moment when you decided you wanted to do a little bit of writing.</p><p>00:15:37.290 –&gt; 00:15:48.420 Brandon Johnson: Well, I remember writing as a kid writing down some stories and my grandmother told me when I was probably four or five there, I do have actually recorded stories, I wrote when I was four or five.</p><p>00:15:48.570 –&gt; 00:16:03.630 Brandon Johnson: Oh, but I didn’t I wasn’t really aware of that, so I got kind of into college and actually did some poetry writing it in a nice little bit of fiction in high school, I really fell in love with some particular poetry, which we can follow up on there, but it’s.</p><p>00:16:04.830 –&gt; 00:16:10.110 Brandon Johnson: yeah it kind of it started early I guess my family likes to talk and tell stories, so I think that was just part of it.</p><p>00:16:10.620 –&gt; 00:16:12.270 Brandon Johnson: Part of me that I couldn’t escape.</p><p>00:16:12.750 –&gt; 00:16:28.440 Joseph McElroy: cool well you know my quicks poetry stories I’ve actually written poetry too and but I’ve been more performative than any kind of formal training or anything like that, but I, my claim to fame is I’ve had my poetry published on the jumbotron and Times Square.</p><p>00:16:29.910 –&gt; 00:16:31.050 Brandon Johnson: that’s a pretty good claim.</p><p>00:16:31.050 –&gt; 00:16:37.980 Joseph McElroy: There yeah so any way we’re gonna take a break we’ll talk more about your academic and writing career.</p><p>00:16:39.060 –&gt; 00:16:39.360 Joseph McElroy: off.</p><p>00:18:54.180 –&gt; 00:19:10.530 Joseph McElroy: So this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Brandon Johnson so Brandon you, you get into college and you, you get into academia, even though you studying music you decided to become a.</p><p>00:19:12.870 –&gt; 00:19:14.070 Joseph McElroy: Creative writer right.</p><p>00:19:14.670 –&gt; 00:19:17.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah it’s.</p><p>00:19:17.340 –&gt; 00:19:24.780 Brandon Johnson: was always kind of my ambition, more so than teaching, but you kind of gotta do when you get to the other, at least in my way.</p><p>00:19:25.860 –&gt; 00:19:31.710 Joseph McElroy: I see that did you, I see that you have a lot of involvement with the Thomas Wolfe literary awards.</p><p>00:19:32.010 –&gt; 00:19:34.740 Joseph McElroy: From yes, Caroline is like the Chair of the awards.</p><p>00:19:34.740 –&gt; 00:19:35.940 Joseph McElroy: Committee and things and.</p><p>00:19:37.080 –&gt; 00:19:42.120 Joseph McElroy: Was was was a Thomas a focus of your academic career or your early writing.</p><p>00:19:42.540 –&gt; 00:19:54.510 Brandon Johnson: most definitely I read, I read Thomas Wolfe for the first time, I think it was 2007 maybe, and it was really is hugely impactful for me.</p><p>00:19:55.680 –&gt; 00:19:59.160 Brandon Johnson: A as a young man from Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:20:00.690 –&gt; 00:20:07.080 Brandon Johnson: You know very much a rural place some education, not a time definitely not healthy.</p><p>00:20:08.490 –&gt; 00:20:21.480 Brandon Johnson: You know, he was kind of one of us did it so he was a big you know, a figure for me it’s might look to and lots of writers I’ve heard you know Fred Chapel and RON rash talk about Thomas within that same way.</p><p>00:20:23.040 –&gt; 00:20:34.110 Brandon Johnson: So I read him and I read look over an angel for the first time and its kind of like what the hell and then read it subsequently and I really kind of caught a groove with it and started to understand it.</p><p>00:20:35.610 –&gt; 00:20:43.680 Brandon Johnson: And so yeah he always and, interestingly enough I’m a little grown a little bit, but we’re about the same size physically.</p><p>00:20:44.580 –&gt; 00:20:55.980 Brandon Johnson: He was like six and a half to 50 and I’m about an inch taller than that but where there’s a cut out of him at the Thomas Wolfe house and I’ve got a picture, Stan of the society because we’re kind of the same size and.</p><p>00:20:57.210 –&gt; 00:20:59.190 Brandon Johnson: He actually wrote a short story called.</p><p>00:21:00.510 –&gt; 00:21:10.050 Brandon Johnson: Gulliver is the story of a tall man, I remember, I was sitting in a coffee shop in Nashville reading and I just broke out in tears because he described my life to me.</p><p>00:21:10.560 –&gt; 00:21:20.160 Brandon Johnson: And the whole premise was that people get caught up in someone who’s tall into being tall and ask questions like how’s the weather up there, and did you play basketball and all.</p><p>00:21:20.670 –&gt; 00:21:23.670 Brandon Johnson: things which you know I’d heard 8 million times in my life.</p><p>00:21:24.900 –&gt; 00:21:30.180 Brandon Johnson: and Thomas was very much like you know what matters in life is the smallest thing that you just barely remember.</p><p>00:21:30.810 –&gt; 00:21:31.860 Brandon Johnson: here and there, and so.</p><p>00:21:31.920 –&gt; 00:21:41.940 Brandon Johnson: Just kind of exploded on me and he said we, I think, have a lot in common in some ways, and of course, he was brilliant and much more prolific than I am, but.</p><p>00:21:43.740 –&gt; 00:21:46.080 Brandon Johnson: yeah it was always there, and so I kind of.</p><p>00:21:47.580 –&gt; 00:21:51.180 Brandon Johnson: wrote my master’s thesis on Thomas Wolfe Ts Eliot and Ecclesiastes.</p><p>00:21:53.460 –&gt; 00:21:54.870 Joseph McElroy: Word the second yeah.</p><p>00:21:54.900 –&gt; 00:21:55.530 yeah.</p><p>00:21:57.180 –&gt; 00:22:02.910 Brandon Johnson: I never really read them in class that much so it was kind of the thing I had to pursue myself and.</p><p>00:22:04.590 –&gt; 00:22:11.070 Brandon Johnson: And I’ve taught him really going on my way to teach him and literature classes that I’ve taught and it’s been a real honor to work with.</p><p>00:22:11.490 –&gt; 00:22:25.740 Brandon Johnson: The women’s diamond legacy and Thomas Wolfe memorial to do a Thomas Wolfe short story book club and so I’ve been a discussion leader at that for probably five or six years now and it’s a good half.</p><p>00:22:26.190 –&gt; 00:22:32.550 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know he’s very interesting me I’m also a tall back I’m a little bit heavier than you guys.</p><p>00:22:33.810 –&gt; 00:22:37.560 Joseph McElroy: But I’m almost I’m like six-five and a half, so you know up there.</p><p>00:22:37.890 –&gt; 00:22:41.370 Joseph McElroy: And I was born and raised in western North Carolina and then I went to New York City.</p><p>00:22:41.460 –&gt; 00:22:43.140 Joseph McElroy: You know and finance success here.</p><p>00:22:43.170 –&gt; 00:22:43.650 Brandon Johnson: More like.</p><p>00:22:43.680 –&gt; 00:22:44.280 Joseph McElroy: pretty much.</p><p>00:22:45.720 –&gt; 00:22:53.280 Joseph McElroy: Now you did a presentation for the Appalachian studies, association and you said, where you said is Thomas Wolfe Appalachian.</p><p>00:22:53.700 –&gt; 00:22:55.860 Joseph McElroy: What did you decide for that presentation.</p><p>00:22:56.010 –&gt; 00:22:59.250 Brandon Johnson: Well, first of all, I do have to say I’ll pronounce it Appalachian.</p><p>00:22:59.370 –&gt; 00:23:01.560 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know there’s a lot of people.</p><p>00:23:01.560 –&gt; 00:23:01.710 That.</p><p>00:23:02.880 –&gt; 00:23:15.900 Brandon Johnson: there’s a lot of talk about that, but I broke that down into a couple of kind of areas to look at it so Thomas Wolfe is is not Appalachian in a sense of what most of what he writes about is not said, an Appalachian.</p><p>00:23:16.530 –&gt; 00:23:28.110 Brandon Johnson: The part of most of his writing is an Appalachian Asheville, which is an urban center as opposed to a rural space, which is at Appalachian literature is pretty much is usually set in.</p><p>00:23:29.040 –&gt; 00:23:38.070 Brandon Johnson: And also there’s a guy I can’t remember his name right now Jedediah Evans, I think, in Australia that just wrote a book about Thomas Wolfe and I reviewed it.</p><p>00:23:38.520 –&gt; 00:23:47.310 Brandon Johnson: And I realized in that review that Thomas Wolfe kind of looks forward instead of looking backward so his nostalgia is nostalgia for longing for warning for.</p><p>00:23:47.670 –&gt; 00:23:58.050 Brandon Johnson: Discovering something in the future and not for the past so that’s kind of counterintuitive to the way a lot of people exist and think in Appalachian writing.</p><p>00:23:59.610 –&gt; 00:24:09.450 Brandon Johnson: So in those ways, he’s not in a very strict geographic since he is because he’s from actual his family’s from here, he does he wrote a novel.</p><p>00:24:10.140 –&gt; 00:24:25.230 Brandon Johnson: called the hills beyond that he didn’t finish actually before he died that followed the family of Zebulon Vance, who was a wartime Governor of North Carolina he’s been a lot of discussion about Zebulon Vance, who is a well documented racist now they’ve taken down advance monument national.</p><p>00:24:26.430 –&gt; 00:24:39.330 Brandon Johnson: But the novel followed his family and spent time in rural spaces, so there are some Appalachian situations and Thomas will also have an interesting relationship with race and how we portrayed racing as work.</p><p>00:24:41.070 –&gt; 00:24:51.570 Brandon Johnson: And I think part of that was the urban nature of what he wrote so it’s really I said something smart and clever like sometimes yes, sometimes no or something.</p><p>00:24:54.000 –&gt; 00:24:55.620 Joseph McElroy: You didn’t do it for the final solution.</p><p>00:24:55.620 –&gt; 00:25:04.920 Joseph McElroy: But you know the Appalachians, but I still say Appalachian because actually, I grew up saying it, but I see that I have a problem because I always spell it an I and instead of.</p><p>00:25:06.480 –&gt; 00:25:07.590 Joseph McElroy: Because I did that.</p><p>00:25:08.790 –&gt; 00:25:09.180 Joseph McElroy: But.</p><p>00:25:12.180 –&gt; 00:25:19.560 Joseph McElroy: the Appalachians are or are not some you know uniform group of people, you know.</p><p>00:25:20.040 –&gt; 00:25:22.230 Joseph McElroy: You know, only people I was many people fought on the.</p><p>00:25:22.230 –&gt; 00:25:35.340 Joseph McElroy: side of the Union is as the confederacy back in the day I mean it’s a fractious lot and I kind of classic and all sorts of different approaches to live in and thinking things.</p><p>00:25:35.790 –&gt; 00:25:44.010 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the things we’re doing with the Meadowlark Motel smoky mountain heritage Center it’s I like that what you said about Thomas Wolfe is that it’s focused on.</p><p>00:25:44.460 –&gt; 00:25:52.860 Joseph McElroy: An astrologer for the future right is that it’s like bringing What was really wonderful and creative and interesting from the past, but you know, in a way that’s.</p><p>00:25:53.910 –&gt; 00:25:58.620 Joseph McElroy: targeted towards the future right and the growth of that so.</p><p>00:25:59.820 –&gt; 00:26:03.450 Joseph McElroy: Now I didn’t read the have your I didn’t read your whole thesis but.</p><p>00:26:05.430 –&gt; 00:26:06.480 Brandon Johnson: I read a little bit of the as.</p><p>00:26:06.510 –&gt; 00:26:07.200 Brandon Johnson: i’ll forgive you.</p><p>00:26:09.630 –&gt; 00:26:20.430 Joseph McElroy: And you, you said something really yeah it was interesting to me this you focus on the idea of social energies mean other that was created by two other.</p><p>00:26:22.110 –&gt; 00:26:25.680 Joseph McElroy: You know, you know people before you have with their names you’ll know them.</p><p>00:26:26.880 –&gt; 00:26:40.200 Joseph McElroy: That the create connections between authors and then work and sort of draw a line of you know, between authors and what they’re working about, and can you tell me a little bit more about that.</p><p>00:26:40.740 –&gt; 00:26:47.040 Brandon Johnson: yeah it comes free squarely out of the new historicist literary theory and Stephen green-black.</p><p>00:26:48.420 –&gt; 00:26:54.240 Brandon Johnson: I believe he was the author of the main text I use to kind of ground that in theory.</p><p>00:26:55.410 –&gt; 00:26:59.820 Brandon Johnson: And so the idea is that social energies flow throughout everything that’s written.</p><p>00:27:00.480 –&gt; 00:27:08.490 Brandon Johnson: And so the idea, it really the whole thing came to me it really started some of the first literature ever loved was the love song jail for Prufrock.</p><p>00:27:08.940 –&gt; 00:27:15.450 Brandon Johnson: But Ts Eliot and I were really attracted to that because it had echoed Ecclesiastes used in lots of places.</p><p>00:27:16.050 –&gt; 00:27:21.630 Brandon Johnson: And you know I grew up in a very religious household and I think that.</p><p>00:27:22.110 –&gt; 00:27:31.440 Brandon Johnson: Reading the Bible and understanding the symbolism of the Bible and figure language of the Bible really kind of set me up to think in a literary way as I got older.</p><p>00:27:32.370 –&gt; 00:27:41.040 Brandon Johnson: But, so I realized, you know okay well Ts Eliot talks about Ecclesiastes ease and then when I dug into Thomas Wolfe he pulled straight out of Ts Eliot’s poems.</p><p>00:27:42.060 –&gt; 00:27:47.760 Brandon Johnson: flow softly sweet Tim’s you know straight out of the wasteland April is the cruelest month.</p><p>00:27:49.020 –&gt; 00:27:58.860 Brandon Johnson: So it was kind of like okay something’s happening here because the wolf is pulling from Elliot’s point from Ecclesiastes and then the wolf is also using please yeah I see so.</p><p>00:27:59.580 –&gt; 00:28:06.540 Brandon Johnson: The argument is essentially you know Ts Eliot read Ecclesiastes he’s influenced in this way and then we’ll Fred Elliott.</p><p>00:28:06.900 –&gt; 00:28:11.820 Brandon Johnson: who had also read Ecclesiastes used and then that influence will find a different way, so you could draw lineage.</p><p>00:28:12.330 –&gt; 00:28:22.050 Brandon Johnson: From throughout the centuries, through those texts and how they’ve influenced one another, so what’s in the idea is that once something is written it’s part of literature.</p><p>00:28:22.650 –&gt; 00:28:33.600 Brandon Johnson: And so it influences literature period and you can’t really escape the influence of any particular thing because you don’t know what the person who wrote what you’re reading is read in the past.</p><p>00:28:34.050 –&gt; 00:28:45.510 Joseph McElroy: So when people invent a word or phrase or something and it catches on they actually create a sort of mortality that has a lineage it goes down through centuries, and you know, maybe even young’s.</p><p>00:28:45.960 –&gt; 00:28:46.800 Joseph McElroy: Exactly yeah.</p><p>00:28:46.980 –&gt; 00:28:55.530 Joseph McElroy: And and and you and it’d be interesting to network mapping on that to see if you can lineages I mean it’d be interesting like do they can.</p><p>00:28:56.400 –&gt; 00:28:57.930 Joseph McElroy: Create lineages with DNA it.</p><p>00:28:59.100 –&gt; 00:29:02.130 Joseph McElroy: seems to me, you should be able to create lineages with literature too</p><p>00:29:03.390 –&gt; 00:29:10.470 Joseph McElroy: I was wondering if that would also apply to other things besides just the written word, it seems to me that that would be in the arts as well.</p><p>00:29:11.340 –&gt; 00:29:12.450 Brandon Johnson: As a reference percent.</p><p>00:29:12.900 –&gt; 00:29:17.340 Joseph McElroy: And not marks but also visual arts is referencing it all the way you know you’re pulling stuff.</p><p>00:29:17.760 –&gt; 00:29:32.100 Joseph McElroy: back, but you know, then I started thinking oh man it’s probably even in the things like politics, you know, ideas and phrases used in politics, you know, probably have a lineage of that sort of social energy as well.</p><p>00:29:32.700 –&gt; 00:29:38.730 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely as a really cool concept, I really liked I like getting into that source stuff.</p><p>00:29:39.630 –&gt; 00:29:39.990 yeah.</p><p>00:29:42.210 –&gt; 00:29:43.020 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:29:44.190 –&gt; 00:29:45.600 Joseph McElroy: So you.</p><p>00:29:47.430 –&gt; 00:29:51.000 Joseph McElroy: you’re getting back a little bit in the music and the stuff that you’re doing.</p><p>00:29:52.860 –&gt; 00:29:56.910 Joseph McElroy: You know I have been to the bluff mountain festival in hot springs North you.</p><p>00:29:56.910 –&gt; 00:29:57.450 Brandon Johnson: Have.</p><p>00:29:58.020 –&gt; 00:30:11.730 Joseph McElroy: Actually, have, believe it or not, I just like to go to the hot springs getting those hot tubs right it’s a nice lunch or and the festival is a lot of fun, a lot of dancing and everything else hello, are you, festival director.</p><p>00:30:12.750 –&gt; 00:30:29.640 Brandon Johnson: I love I’m still the best red dress started in 2014 I was co-director in 2014 and so I’ve been doing it since and I started as an intern with Amanda’s county arts Council of with I did do the bottom scholarship it at Marshall college.</p><p>00:30:31.050 –&gt; 00:30:44.610 Brandon Johnson: And so I started working kind of as an intern for the festival, and then I ended up directing it, which is really one of the really big honors of my life its festival it’s been going for a quarter-century now.</p><p>00:30:46.050 –&gt; 00:31:01.800 Brandon Johnson: And it’s really unique and how I got started, and so it carries on dance traditions balancing traditions barreling traditions storage storytelling traditions in hot springs, which is a really cool and unique place.</p><p>00:31:02.550 –&gt; 00:31:03.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah it’s good it’s.</p><p>00:31:04.230 –&gt; 00:31:05.610 Joseph McElroy: A tiny little town.</p><p>00:31:05.820 –&gt; 00:31:08.640 Joseph McElroy: it’s got some nice little restaurants there, and you know Nice.</p><p>00:31:08.640 –&gt; 00:31:09.840 Brandon Johnson: resort, and they have a.</p><p>00:31:09.960 –&gt; 00:31:11.580 Brandon Johnson: New brewery and your.</p><p>00:31:13.200 –&gt; 00:31:14.310 Brandon Johnson: pillow grew and brewing.</p><p>00:31:14.700 –&gt; 00:31:24.930 Joseph McElroy: And then you can go rafting there and then, of course, I got the rattler the motorcycle ride it’s really great to go to get there from Maggie Valley, so all right.</p><p>00:31:24.990 –&gt; 00:31:27.420 Brandon Johnson: let’s take a break one of two towns yeah.</p><p>00:31:28.830 –&gt; 00:31:30.570 Brandon Johnson: towns with the Appalachian trail goes through.</p><p>00:31:31.020 –&gt; 00:31:31.470 yeah.</p><p>00:31:32.820 –&gt; 00:31:38.280 Joseph McElroy: So when we get back we’ll talk more about the music and then the blue Ridge national heritage Area.</p><p>00:34:16.200 –&gt; 00:34:32.580 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Brandon Johnson so Brandon I see that you also make musical instruments you meant you create an effect, some of those are Those are some of your feelings behind you right.</p><p>00:34:33.030 –&gt; 00:34:39.660 Brandon Johnson: yeah these two right here or build and I’ve worked on a parent some of those others there yeah.</p><p>00:34:40.410 –&gt; 00:34:41.280 Joseph McElroy: I have yes.</p><p>00:34:42.120 –&gt; 00:34:46.590 Brandon Johnson: it’s well it really kind of came together with a couple of things I.</p><p>00:34:47.850 –&gt; 00:34:55.980 Brandon Johnson: We bought our first house and I built some shelves and it was the first time I ever really worked in wood and I kind of like that my mom’s.</p><p>00:34:56.610 –&gt; 00:35:09.510 Brandon Johnson: Father his name is kitty Carlisle was lived in ducking Caroline was a woodworker had a great shop in our Member he would always just whip up toys for me out of the shop, and that was cool and then.</p><p>00:35:10.740 –&gt; 00:35:15.930 Brandon Johnson: I had I was working on the Lunsford festival at Marshall university and my friend Roger how.</p><p>00:35:16.800 –&gt; 00:35:30.990 Brandon Johnson: repetitive fiddle have a really great influential fiddler from Western North Carolina and I was there as we kind of video and talked about it so that was the first time ever so many that you take the top off of which is something to see it’s pretty violent and scary.</p><p>00:35:32.610 –&gt; 00:35:36.450 Brandon Johnson: If you’ve never seen it before and so all those things kind of happened about the same time.</p><p>00:35:39.660 –&gt; 00:35:41.100 Joseph McElroy: But we lost a little bit.</p><p>00:35:46.530 –&gt; 00:35:48.960 Joseph McElroy: So brandon is temporarily.</p><p>00:35:49.200 –&gt; 00:35:49.740 Brandon Johnson: myself.</p><p>00:35:49.830 –&gt; 00:35:51.870 Joseph McElroy: and the other is we lost you for a second there.</p><p>00:35:51.900 –&gt; 00:35:53.490 Brandon Johnson: Oh yeah okay.</p><p>00:35:53.850 –&gt; 00:35:57.690 Joseph McElroy: So you were violent you ripping apart the violin.</p><p>00:35:59.820 –&gt; 00:36:05.430 Brandon Johnson: yeah Reuben making one apart so just kind of seeing what that looked like and how it went and</p><p>00:36:05.730 –&gt; 00:36:13.950 Brandon Johnson: I thought well you know, maybe, maybe I should try this and I found one for sale on craigslist for $20 and ask Roger to help me go through it and we did and.</p><p>00:36:14.580 –&gt; 00:36:28.830 Brandon Johnson: Then I just started buying cheap instruments off eBay and fixing them and trying to sell them and that’s made enough money to buy the wood to build one and found a good book and just took a lot of time and then have kind of been off to the sense of the race.</p><p>00:36:29.610 –&gt; 00:36:32.190 Joseph McElroy: As a fiddle, the only thing you build anything else.</p><p>00:36:33.510 –&gt; 00:36:45.300 Brandon Johnson: I am currently building a cello to solve for a very good friend of mine, which is a five-string Baroque instrument it’s between a Viola and cello and it’s actually held across your chest and played like this.</p><p>00:36:45.390 –&gt; 00:36:50.640 Brandon Johnson: Oh, and I have plans to build an f5 mandolin like the classic bluegrass mandolin to.</p><p>00:36:51.210 –&gt; 00:36:52.410 Joseph McElroy: Everyone, you would play.</p><p>00:36:53.100 –&gt; 00:37:06.510 Brandon Johnson: yeah I kind of I don’t have f5 I have a different model and if I was kind of looking for them, and I have this thing where it’s like I want this new instrument, but I probably can’t I shouldn’t buy it because I can probably just build it.</p><p>00:37:06.540 –&gt; 00:37:06.840 So.</p><p>00:37:10.740 –&gt; 00:37:17.400 Joseph McElroy: I, you know I do a little bit of stuff on the side in terms of creativity I’m an artist as well, so Sometimes I get into that.</p><p>00:37:18.240 –&gt; 00:37:27.000 Joseph McElroy: thing like we have the motel and putting art and you know that I create into a lot of the rooms and we want to do, art to go faster and about it all by anybody else’s want to do it myself.</p><p>00:37:29.370 –&gt; 00:37:30.060 Joseph McElroy: anyway.</p><p>00:37:31.170 –&gt; 00:37:38.280 Joseph McElroy: So let’s talk about you’ve left the academic world downright you’ve taken a full-time job as sort of a big dream job at the.</p><p>00:37:38.760 –&gt; 00:37:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Blue Ridge national heritage area, which is an organization that preserves and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of the North Carolina mountains and felt foothills How would you describe what the national heritage area does achieve its missing.</p><p>00:37:57.090 –&gt; 00:38:13.800 Brandon Johnson: So we seek to you know to sustain and promote the country, those are the kind of two words that really my in my mind, and I have him in the person at the organization that’s really the most tied into the culture in terms of practice and study.</p><p>00:38:15.000 –&gt; 00:38:23.220 Brandon Johnson: So, but we really it’s a really cool organization so then a national heritage is a Congressional designation so Congress has designated that this area.</p><p>00:38:23.760 –&gt; 00:38:26.490 Brandon Johnson: The culture of Western North Carolina is important to the.</p><p>00:38:27.360 –&gt; 00:38:37.740 Brandon Johnson: To the country, and so we, we have a grants program so matching grants program that we pair with different projects that fit our mission so, for example, we.</p><p>00:38:38.070 –&gt; 00:38:53.190 Brandon Johnson: We funded the Cherokee Silbury exhibit it’s on display right now, the museum of the Cherokee Indian we’ve funded a be pollinator pathway we funded signage for a heritage barn display.</p><p>00:38:54.540 –&gt; 00:39:02.790 Brandon Johnson: So lots of different things, and we have a trail cultural trails are really kind of our main program so the blue Ridge music trails and blue Ridge craft trails and I’m the.</p><p>00:39:03.270 –&gt; 00:39:12.510 Brandon Johnson: program manager for those programs, and so the music Charles is all about connecting people to live, music and the musical heritage of Western North Carolina traditional music.</p><p>00:39:12.930 –&gt; 00:39:19.710 Brandon Johnson: And the crowds is about getting visitors to craft, so we want to connect people who are interested in craft with makers.</p><p>00:39:20.310 –&gt; 00:39:31.350 Brandon Johnson: arts organizations and galleries, where they can find the authentic handmade 3D craft in western North Carolina have been in Center for craft back centuries into you know Cherokee civilization.</p><p>00:39:32.460 –&gt; 00:39:38.190 Brandon Johnson: And so it’s been known, particularly in the 20th century in the 21st century is a real craft Mecca for lots.</p><p>00:39:39.210 –&gt; 00:39:45.840 Brandon Johnson: And so I get to drive around and talk to craft people and take pictures and write about and put it online it’s pretty awesome.</p><p>00:39:46.410 –&gt; 00:39:48.420 Joseph McElroy: So that’s like the newest program right we had.</p><p>00:39:48.540 –&gt; 00:39:49.350 Joseph McElroy: Leslie Hart.</p><p>00:39:50.220 –&gt; 00:39:53.820 Joseph McElroy: out here before I guess the public publicity for that right.</p><p>00:39:54.420 –&gt; 00:39:56.580 Brandon Johnson: yeah she’s our communications manager.</p><p>00:39:57.060 –&gt; 00:40:06.330 Joseph McElroy: So that’s the newest program but it sounds like it’s gonna be a nice success about the music one is well established now right.</p><p>00:40:07.020 –&gt; 00:40:08.820 Brandon Johnson: yeah it’s close to 10 years old now.</p><p>00:40:09.210 –&gt; 00:40:10.680 Joseph McElroy: And how many venues to have on there.</p><p>00:40:11.820 –&gt; 00:40:23.640 Brandon Johnson: it’s well over 200 and so it’s kind of hard to track down because if somebody comes to us with a one-time event will put them on, and you know, promote that event.</p><p>00:40:24.720 –&gt; 00:40:35.190 Brandon Johnson: And then say you know, maybe they don’t have an event again but it’s a core of over 200 and kind of expanding as events and venues or concerts happened in different places.</p><p>00:40:35.730 –&gt; 00:40:48.360 Joseph McElroy: we’re pretty proud to metal Arc smoky mountain Heritage Center is now on there we’ve had several you know bluegrass events this summer plans and several more next year.</p><p>00:40:48.990 –&gt; 00:40:53.850 Brandon Johnson: yeah I hate I couldn’t get down to that bluegrass camp, with their and their necks and Eric Ellison as.</p><p>00:40:54.120 –&gt; 00:41:06.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, as those great yeah and then the the the concert they put on that night was like real like old-time you know when you’re growing up in the mountains, you know people would get together.</p><p>00:41:06.990 –&gt; 00:41:09.780 Joseph McElroy: And really great musicians and they’d have a party.</p><p>00:41:10.110 –&gt; 00:41:17.970 Joseph McElroy: And that’s where they would the band, they would just come together and start playing and they know the songs that they play they know it needs to be some somebody would know how to call it sometimes.</p><p>00:41:18.390 –&gt; 00:41:23.700 Joseph McElroy: And you know it’d be ad hoc but it’d be beautiful great music and it was just like that old-timey feel.</p><p>00:41:24.780 –&gt; 00:41:26.640 Brandon Johnson: Like in the purest sense yeah.</p><p>00:41:26.730 –&gt; 00:41:43.920 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely oh yeah I was like, and of course you know we have sort of a rustic you know stage with a fireplace beside it, you know cement floor, and so it actually felt really authentic to me, I was like it was like I was gone back to going back 40 years.</p><p>00:41:45.120 –&gt; 00:41:52.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah 45 years and there, but that, but you know still happening around these mountains.</p><p>00:41:52.530 –&gt; 00:41:52.920 Joseph McElroy: So how.</p><p>00:41:53.580 –&gt; 00:41:55.830 Joseph McElroy: So how do you find the venues, are they find you.</p><p>00:41:57.420 –&gt; 00:42:10.860 Brandon Johnson: um well, so a lot of them are established, and you know we have a contact that they can go to we have a website, we have a Facebook about the weekly newsletter and a podcast that we do with that so.</p><p>00:42:11.820 –&gt; 00:42:19.590 Brandon Johnson: You know people can just reach out to us if they have a traditional music event, they want to talk about our website blueRidgemusicnc.com</p><p>00:42:20.190 –&gt; 00:42:37.890 Brandon Johnson: leverage music trails on Facebook and the podcast is called down the road on the Blue Ridge music Charles of North Carolina it airs bi-weekly on www. FM that’s been a real pleasure to work on and a new format of writing that I’ve kind of adapted to learn more about.</p><p>00:42:38.610 –&gt; 00:42:41.190 Joseph McElroy: cool are you writing the podcast content.</p><p>00:42:41.700 –&gt; 00:42:50.940 Brandon Johnson: yeah work with Laura boosting your she’s our consultant great musician herself and we kind of come up with those ideas and bounce back and forth, and she actually does the voiceovers.</p><p>00:42:52.440 –&gt; 00:42:55.680 Brandon Johnson: And so, but yeah that’s been it’s been cool to you know.</p><p>00:42:56.910 –&gt; 00:42:57.690 Brandon Johnson: To try to tell you.</p><p>00:42:57.780 –&gt; 00:42:59.550 Joseph McElroy: can definitely do and it’s very creative.</p><p>00:43:00.060 –&gt; 00:43:02.520 Joseph McElroy: yeah have you been to all the venues or.</p><p>00:43:03.720 –&gt; 00:43:04.350 Joseph McElroy: Most of them.</p><p>00:43:04.380 –&gt; 00:43:21.390 Brandon Johnson: I have, I have I’ve played it a fair number of the venues and music trails I’ve not I couldn’t check off all of them I’ve seen concerts at lots of them now I’ll tell you in terms of the craft trails I’ve visited probably more than probably 150 craft trail sites.</p><p>00:43:22.080 –&gt; 00:43:23.160 Brandon Johnson: Last year and a half.</p><p>00:43:24.540 –&gt; 00:43:26.280 Brandon Johnson: So I have been to most of those.</p><p>00:43:28.530 –&gt; 00:43:33.060 Joseph McElroy: But what any favorite stick out in your mind, these are the craft rails or the music.</p><p>00:43:34.770 –&gt; 00:43:43.950 Brandon Johnson: Well uh definitely in terms of venues I grew up well I grew up in college, I went to the Gray eagle a ton and Asheville.</p><p>00:43:44.250 –&gt; 00:43:45.060 Joseph McElroy: Which is not a.</p><p>00:43:45.450 –&gt; 00:43:47.730 Brandon Johnson: People know about the grateful, but it’s a great spot.</p><p>00:43:49.260 –&gt; 00:43:59.760 Brandon Johnson: there’s a place downtown called five walnut downtown Nashville I should say it’s a wine bar with a really cool small space, but they open up the windows and summer.</p><p>00:44:00.810 –&gt; 00:44:01.560 Brandon Johnson: who bought.</p><p>00:44:02.700 –&gt; 00:44:16.260 Brandon Johnson: The lunchroom festival at Mars hill named after basketball marlins for and the bluff mountain festival or two really central things to me I played it both of those and a rooster love and I was interim director Glenn’s festival one year.</p><p>00:44:17.670 –&gt; 00:44:30.300 Brandon Johnson: For its 50th anniversary year so I’ve kind of really grown up musically playing it for lunch or festival was some great friends of mine, and so, of course, the Meadowlark motel.</p><p>00:44:32.250 –&gt; 00:44:32.760 Brandon Johnson: as well.</p><p>00:44:34.680 –&gt; 00:44:44.730 Joseph McElroy: Maybe it was you know the value that has been famous for music for a long time right yeah ebbs and flows, but it’s growing is the wrong backup a lot right now.</p><p>00:44:45.420 –&gt; 00:44:54.060 Brandon Johnson: yeah definitely yeah yeah I was at the smoking bluegrass festival with a booth at fiddles actually this past weekend and.</p><p>00:44:54.810 –&gt; 00:45:03.720 Brandon Johnson: Solved long-range unspoken tradition and the crew brothers and then the dirt Nicholson band was going up the road elevated about a distillery that even so there’s there’s great stuff happening.</p><p>00:45:03.810 –&gt; 00:45:08.490 Joseph McElroy: For sure oh yeah and yeah so no I.</p><p>00:45:10.200 –&gt; 00:45:21.960 Joseph McElroy: went to the flea market a couple of weeks a few weekends ago and they actually had a bluegrass planet in a little gazebo there and I hadn’t seen that in 20 years so it’s it’s kicking back in.</p><p>00:45:23.070 –&gt; 00:45:24.210 Brandon Johnson: Yes, Sir, yes, sir.</p><p>00:45:24.900 –&gt; 00:45:31.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah so um so you manage the craft trails and manage the traditional artist directory as well.</p><p>00:45:32.160 –&gt; 00:45:40.260 Brandon Johnson: yeah I work with that that’s something that’s going to be a bigger part of my role next year because we’ve been so focused on the craft show build but.</p><p>00:45:41.070 –&gt; 00:45:49.050 Brandon Johnson: yeah I’ve used the traditional artist directory to book events and to teach classes and so it’s a real honor to get to work on that now.</p><p>00:45:50.070 –&gt; 00:45:59.610 Joseph McElroy: I mean it has really great people on there, and I recommend is a resource for anybody looking for all sorts of traditional crafts and music and.</p><p>00:45:59.880 –&gt; 00:46:12.090 Joseph McElroy: storytelling artists to do for events and reference, for you know books or whatever it’s just yeah really I really think you guys have done a completely admirable job with that.</p><p>00:46:13.980 –&gt; 00:46:15.150 Joseph McElroy: Okay, so a project.</p><p>00:46:15.990 –&gt; 00:46:22.320 Joseph McElroy: So we got to take a break and we’ll come back and we’ll finish off we’ll finish up with some of your favorite things to do in the mountains.</p><p>00:46:23.610 –&gt; 00:46:23.820 Brandon Johnson: or.</p><p>00:46:53.220 –&gt; 00:46:56.640 uninformed about menopause and how it impacts your life.</p><p>00:48:26.700 –&gt; 00:48:38.700 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Brandon Johnson so Brandon you wrote a short story on the still.</p><p>00:48:39.420 –&gt; 00:48:58.020 Joseph McElroy: called the journey called other delights and I liked your opening line, it was a man needs a few things to be consistent in life, so he doesn’t blow away one of those things for me is Saturday breakfast at Maxwell friendlies so with Mexico friendly a real place.</p><p>00:48:58.590 –&gt; 00:49:00.180 Brandon Johnson: it’s based on a real place.</p><p>00:49:00.270 –&gt; 00:49:01.500 Joseph McElroy: And what’s that real place.</p><p>00:49:02.100 –&gt; 00:49:05.130 Brandon Johnson: That real place is called Clarence is friendly lunch.</p><p>00:49:06.150 –&gt; 00:49:12.990 Brandon Johnson: And I guess it’s it would be considered, probably in witness North Carolina which is right around Lenore.</p><p>00:49:14.100 –&gt; 00:49:24.750 Brandon Johnson: tried to cross the street from small furniture factories and I grew up going there Clarence was really cool guy and I think he’s going out of business now he’s out some health issues but.</p><p>00:49:25.200 –&gt; 00:49:38.160 Brandon Johnson: We would go I went to work with my parents in the summertime, and so we would eat lunch break and go there and he would give me a quarter every time we went so I could get something out of his machines in front of the restaurant.</p><p>00:49:41.340 –&gt; 00:49:49.020 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic I mean it’s nice that you’re able to memorialize some of the things that are been meaningful in your life now.</p><p>00:49:50.310 –&gt; 00:50:05.250 Joseph McElroy: I like to take a to give guests, to give a little itinerary I mentioned it to you, so that people listen to this is sort of you know guide to where they might want to go traveling to hear could have some you know some real touchpoints to go to so.</p><p>00:50:06.480 –&gt; 00:50:18.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah it goes through breakfast lunch blah blah blah blah, you know things so what you live in the Asheville area, so you know and around, so what would be your Maxwell friendlies breakfast place in the Asheville area.</p><p>00:50:19.770 –&gt; 00:50:30.900 Brandon Johnson: Well, I really love breakfast so if it’s not my mom’s breakfast, which is great, it would be my number one would be Tartan in Lindvall North Carolina.</p><p>00:50:31.920 –&gt; 00:50:42.240 Brandon Johnson: it’s Tartan like the Scottish Highland clan pattern, you can bounce heart and mugs I’ve got several I’ve got one on the bench over there with particular tartans on them.</p><p>00:50:42.870 –&gt; 00:50:53.310 Brandon Johnson: it covers the menu is a newspaper from the Highland games which happened just very close to their own grandfather’s mountain property.</p><p>00:50:54.450 –&gt; 00:51:04.200 Brandon Johnson: And so, but it’s pretty straight-up breakfast it’s not they have some gentle nods to Scottish fair but it’s more just kind of straight-up good southern country breakfast.</p><p>00:51:05.340 –&gt; 00:51:18.900 Brandon Johnson: there’s a place actually right across the street from my house here called stony knob CAFE which has an incredible Sunday brunch you’ve it’s kind of thing where you’ve got to get there at like 945 or you’re going to be waiting an hour.</p><p>00:51:20.190 –&gt; 00:51:24.420 Brandon Johnson: I really love, a place downtown just outside of downtown Nashville called five points.</p><p>00:51:25.440 –&gt; 00:51:28.680 Brandon Johnson: it’s what it could be right out of luck homered angel in terms of.</p><p>00:51:29.700 –&gt; 00:51:37.860 Brandon Johnson: The kind of greasy spoon kitchen diner you know you can sit at the counter and watch the cooks and they’ve got like a treatment you.</p><p>00:51:38.790 –&gt; 00:51:58.050 Brandon Johnson: So it’s it literally where five streets come together it’s called five points and then there’s also a place in Mars hill called the wagon wheel, which is a like a good country down-home place and then a place in we reveal come times you may tell I’ve done my research on.</p><p>00:51:58.050 –&gt; 00:51:58.740 Joseph McElroy: breakfast you.</p><p>00:51:58.770 –&gt; 00:52:00.300 Brandon Johnson: You like breakfast you should.</p><p>00:52:00.990 –&gt; 00:52:03.570 Joseph McElroy: You should check out POPs place and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:52:04.590 –&gt; 00:52:06.300 Brandon Johnson: like that, and of course, joey’s yeah.</p><p>00:52:07.110 –&gt; 00:52:12.060 Joseph McElroy: So if you are after breakfast what would be your favorite hike.</p><p>00:52:13.680 –&gt; 00:52:18.660 Brandon Johnson: favorite hike well, we took the other day, a couple of weeks ago we went to the craggy pinnacle.</p><p>00:52:20.190 –&gt; 00:52:31.260 Brandon Johnson: And there’s a hike I think it’s just over a mile it’s not incredibly strenuous, but it is kind of appeal and it had been raining a lot, so we were kind of walking through a creek most of the time, but you get to I think it’s.</p><p>00:52:31.860 –&gt; 00:52:38.430 Brandon Johnson: 5800 feet at the top, and you have great views down into the Black Mountains it’s in the black mountains pretty close to Mitchell.</p><p>00:52:39.900 –&gt; 00:52:53.700 Brandon Johnson: And that’s a cool height right off the parkway and then also like so I spent a lot of time in Mars Hill and my life Bailey mountain is kind of the dominating peek around Mars Hill and there’s they’ve just.</p><p>00:52:55.500 –&gt; 00:53:00.810 Brandon Johnson: there’s a like a conservation group that bought a farmstead to create a new.</p><p>00:53:00.840 –&gt; 00:53:03.690 Brandon Johnson: trail up to Bailey mountain and it’s about a Three Mile.</p><p>00:53:03.690 –&gt; 00:53:14.460 Brandon Johnson: a hike that is a fairly strenuous appeal to the top of Bailey mountain let’s present some really incredible use of Madison county right that’s just a few minutes outside of downtown Mars Hill and.</p><p>00:53:14.850 –&gt; 00:53:16.530 Brandon Johnson: I would definitely suggest that.</p><p>00:53:16.800 –&gt; 00:53:25.500 Joseph McElroy: Assuming you don’t do a nice picnic lunch, the top which we always recommend and you came back down Where would you go for a nice little lunch.</p><p>00:53:27.240 –&gt; 00:53:35.580 Brandon Johnson: Oh man, so my absolute favorite lunch place is called Centerville luncheonette and it’s in North Asheville just too.</p><p>00:53:36.240 –&gt; 00:53:47.340 Brandon Johnson: Maybe two miles or so from where I am and it’s actually my neighbor that runs it he’s from Queens and it’s modeled after the luncheonette diner that was in his neighborhood where he grew up.</p><p>00:53:48.990 –&gt; 00:53:49.650 Brandon Johnson: In so it.</p><p>00:53:50.370 –&gt; 00:53:50.940 Joseph McElroy: looks like.</p><p>00:53:51.810 –&gt; 00:53:56.220 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah so it’s you know just good grilled sandwiches and.</p><p>00:53:57.300 –&gt; 00:54:09.720 Brandon Johnson: They do have a nod to like Carolina hamburgers with slaw and Chilean onions and stuff like that, but you know good chicken parm sandwich and Jeff salad and stuff like that, but yeah they’re.</p><p>00:54:10.140 –&gt; 00:54:13.830 Brandon Johnson: grilling ham and cheese and hamburgers and tater tots are hard to beat.</p><p>00:54:14.070 –&gt; 00:54:21.300 Joseph McElroy: Now, assuming you haven’t worn yourself out from hiking that this is where would you go is a good place to go golf and I know you’re a golfer.</p><p>00:54:22.050 –&gt; 00:54:30.300 Brandon Johnson: yeah yeah I would suggest, I really like a black mountain golf club, which is a little bit east of Asheville not too far off about 40.</p><p>00:54:31.320 –&gt; 00:54:36.390 Brandon Johnson: I think their claim to fame is like a 747-yard par six.</p><p>00:54:37.710 –&gt; 00:54:51.510 Brandon Johnson: Which is a pretty sharp dogleg with some crazy downhill lies it’s more difficult than it should be, but it’s good it’s a good course we have to hit a good array of shots and have to have a good short game.</p><p>00:54:52.380 –&gt; 00:55:05.730 Brandon Johnson: So I really like that I also love growth, you know, I have to bring in literature stuff F Scott Fitzgerald spent the summer of 1935 and they both barking and he was off the wagon with liquor so he was drinking like 30 beers a day.</p><p>00:55:06.660 –&gt; 00:55:23.730 Brandon Johnson: So there’s some great history and growth bark and the courses and old Donald Ross course it’s all don Ross is a golf designer from a doesn’t know that it’s designed like close to 500 courses in the east coast of the country and so it’s got all the characteristic.</p><p>00:55:23.760 –&gt; 00:55:24.690 Joseph McElroy: Raw so it’s.</p><p>00:55:25.530 –&gt; 00:55:28.800 Brandon Johnson: For me, it’s gorgeous yeah it’s unbelievable.</p><p>00:55:29.070 –&gt; 00:55:38.700 Joseph McElroy: I assume you didn’t need it, one of the restaurants and the grove bug park in which is there, wonderful places and I advise you go try those out where else would you go get a nice dinner.</p><p>00:55:39.900 –&gt; 00:55:43.980 Brandon Johnson: I’m going to kind of take the touristy thing here and I’m going to say current a.</p><p>00:55:44.910 –&gt; 00:55:55.860 Brandon Johnson: Which is run by chef katie button has a beard award nominee Spanish tapas which is really incredible and then lo Monet’s, which is another restaurant.</p><p>00:55:56.490 –&gt; 00:56:06.930 Brandon Johnson: downtown Asheville they there so vj sampler is incredible last time we went my wife’s pregnant, so we couldn’t eat this a VJ which kind of killed me, but I will still go back.</p><p>00:56:07.230 –&gt; 00:56:08.280 Joseph McElroy: And maybe those are.</p><p>00:56:09.570 –&gt; 00:56:10.650 Brandon Johnson: Little monet’s.</p><p>00:56:10.710 –&gt; 00:56:17.370 Joseph McElroy: Monet’s okay my life well my wife loves of each one of our favorite things to do is go to BT so we’ll have to check that out.</p><p>00:56:17.430 –&gt; 00:56:20.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I appreciate you being on the show today.</p><p>00:56:20.640 –&gt; 00:56:22.050 Brandon Johnson: it’s been wanting to have him in.</p><p>00:56:22.350 –&gt; 00:56:27.930 Joseph McElroy: Any other do you have some social media some ways, people can follow you anymore other shout outs that you want to do.</p><p>00:56:28.500 –&gt; 00:56:42.570 Brandon Johnson: yeah I have, I have my Instagram for the violins is at bj J violins so if you’re interested, you can check that out or email me at being Jay Johnson f5 at Gmail COM.</p><p>00:56:43.020 –&gt; 00:56:51.510 Brandon Johnson: If you want to know more about the blue Ridge national heritage area blues music Charles with witchcraft rails, you can email me at Brandon@blue-richheritage.com.</p><p>00:56:51.870 –&gt; 00:57:03.690 Brandon Johnson: And so, definitely check out BlueRidgeheritage.com blueRidgemusicNC.com, and BlueRidgecrafttrails.com for more information on what are my day job is I call it.</p><p>00:57:04.050 –&gt; 00:57:07.020 Brandon Johnson: yeah well, I look forward to a great honor to have that job.</p><p>00:57:07.710 –&gt; 00:57:10.020 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to seeing you in the Meadowlark some time.</p><p>00:57:10.110 –&gt; 00:57:11.190 Brandon Johnson: Right, yes, sir.</p><p>00:57:11.430 –&gt; 00:57:14.010 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool so close it up.</p><p>00:57:15.390 –&gt; 00:57:27.570 Joseph McElroy: To find out more about this podcast you can go gateway to the smokies Doc fun, we have a newsletter you can sign up to get notified of other upcoming podcasts.</p><p>00:57:28.770 –&gt; 00:57:41.550 Joseph McElroy: You and, of course, we have a Facebook page called facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast where this is a live stream with video the zoom Stream is as is streamed out on there.</p><p>00:57:43.380 –&gt; 00:57:58.680 Joseph McElroy: You can this podcast is part of a talkradio.NYC, which is a live podcast station, and that is in New York City, and it goes out with live podcasts every day.</p><p>00:57:59.250 –&gt; 00:58:11.100 Joseph McElroy: That is really interesting and very diverse, ranging from you know the spiritual and divine to practical business to tourism in New York City and, in fact.</p><p>00:58:11.490 –&gt; 00:58:24.840 Joseph McElroy: The podcast evolves this one is about visiting New York City and I recommend you listen to it, so you can get a nice balance between rural mountain adventure and a city skyscraper venture.</p><p>00:58:26.670 –&gt; 00:58:38.700 Joseph McElroy: And come visit me at both because I live in both worlds, and I thank you all for coming next week, we will have another great show every Tuesday is from.</p><p>00:58:39.420 –&gt; 00:58:47.760 Joseph McElroy: from six to seven, we have a new expert and the culture of the smoky mountains adventure coming here and</p><p>00:58:48.330 –&gt; 00:58:54.780 Joseph McElroy: check-up to go to the middle of motel calm to find out new current special servicing the mountains right now we have a.</p><p>00:58:55.200 –&gt; 00:59:08.700 Joseph McElroy: weekday special you come in on Sunday or Monday night stay three nights where I get one of those free the middle or motel calm and it’s been a pleasure, being a part of this podcast my guest Brandon Johnson, thank you, sir.</p> b385daa3-7949-44b8-84fa-d48815c83002 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/d8825a35-2358-4bc4-afa1-c50e76396269 Tue, 26 Oct 2021 22:00:00 +0000 3589 no full Episode 37: From Breaking Stories to Breaking Trails with Vesna Plakanis Episode 37: From Breaking Stories to Breaking Trails with Vesna Plakanis Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is <strong>Vesna Plakanis</strong>, she and her husband Erik, are Owners and Operators of one of the oldest and most highly respected guide and tour services in the Great Smoky Mountains, “<em>A Walk in the Woods</em>” located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.</p><p>The award-winning company was formed in 1998 and has been featured in multiple publications and on television networks including among others, Outside, Backpacker, National Geographic, Shape, Women’s Health and the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel and PBS. Vesna and her husband, both dedicated Environmentalists, along with their daughter and beloved pets reside in their 90- acre Eco-Camp in the mountains of East Tennessee.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/8COJ74n0Xp/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>The show begins with Joseph’s introduction of the show and his beer for the episode. He then goes into the sponsored message before describing the autumnal experience in the Smokies, and the leaves turning into their vibrant fall colors. He introduces special guest Vesna Plakanis, then asks Vesna when she began foraging. Her foraging beginnings started with her mother and her mother’s French background. This segways into the discussion of the different countries Vesna lived in throughout her life. Saudi Arabia, France, and Iran are just a few examples. They go further into Vesna’s life and her college days, the time when she met her husband, Eric. She elaborates on how they began dating and the immediate connection she had with him through their love of nature and the outdoors. Joseph asks when her love of the Smokies began, and she describes it as a “love at first sight” deal when she saw the fall colors of the Smokies.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>The show returns with the recounting of Eric’s 10-day vision trip as he went backpacking for 10 days in the Smokies to discover himself. After coming back, Eric describes his vision of how he wanted to educate people on the Smokies and everything it has to offer. Vesna and Eric got together to make a business plan to take people on tour guides of the mountains. She depicts her first tour trip with just a singular customer to how her business grew into what it is today. Joseph asks her how she got from point A to point B with her business. “A family orientated vision and supportive staff” was all she needed. Joseph shifts the conversation into Vesna’s and Eric’s historian and survivalist side, and why they wanted to learn. Vesna explains that historical culture was very important to her and the survivalist tendencies naturally come from years of being outdoors. They get into Vesna’s love of storytelling, and she tells a Cherokee story of how the Appalachian mountains were made.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the ad break, Joseph gets into bears and bear encounters. Vesna talks about a time when she was leading a group of backpackers, and a small bear came up and tried to eat their food. She managed to scare it away and protect the backpacks from the clutches of hungry bears. Vesna gets into the bear protection training she received as a safety precaution. The main thing she learned was that bears didn’t understand boundaries and to show boundaries to them, yelling, throwing objects, and, occasionally, setting off fireworks works like a charm. The conversation pivots to the Coronavirus and how it affected her business. She lost a major part of her customers which damaged the business, but were able to limp along. Moving on, they get into Vesna’s experience with testifying in Congress as an advocate against factory pollutants. One day, Vesna and Eric experienced ozone induced asthma attacks which helped her testify against TVA to get rid of their plants that were polluting the air. Joseph then asks Vesna about the awards she received, and she goes into Eric’s “Best Tour Guide” award as their crowning achievement. They begin to talk about the services her company provides before getting into the commercials.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Back after the final ad break, Joseph asks her what the customers’ favorite tours and car tours were. Waterfalls, mountain peaks, and caves are just a few her customers love. They also offer classes on wildlife, historical cultures, and general nature knowledge. She describes her favorite area to hike in that has everything anyone can ask for. Beautiful wildlife, lush forests, and a rich history behind the area. To end everything off, Vesna talks about future products that will be offered by the company and where the audience can find her.</p> Video thumbnail

Our special guest in this episode is Vesna Plakanis, she and her husband Erik, are Owners and Operators of one of the oldest and most highly respected guides and tour services in the Great Smoky Mountains, “A Walk in the Woods” located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The award-winning company was formed in 1998 and has been featured in multiple publications and on television networks including among others, Outside, Backpacker, National Geographic, Shape, Women’s Health and the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, and PBS. Vesna and her husband, both dedicated Environmentalists, along with their daughter and beloved pets reside in their 90- acre Eco-Camp in the mountains of East Tennessee.‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

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Show Notes

Segment 1

The show begins with Joseph’s introduction of the show and his beer for the episode. He then goes into the sponsored message before describing the autumnal experience in the Smokies, and the leaves turning into their vibrant fall colors. He introduces special guest Vesna Plakanis, then asks Vesna when she began foraging. Her foraging beginnings started with her mother and her mother’s French background. This segways into the discussion of the different countries Vesna lived in throughout her life. Saudi Arabia, France, and Iran are just a few examples. They go further into Vesna’s life and her college days, the time when she met her husband, Eric. She elaborates on how they began dating and the immediate connection she had with him through their love of nature and the outdoors. Joseph asks when her love of the Smokies began, and she describes it as a “love at first sight” deal when she saw the fall colors of the Smokies.

Segment 2

The show returns with the recounting of Eric’s 10-day vision trip as he went backpacking for 10 days in the Smokies to discover himself. After coming back, Eric describes his vision of how he wanted to educate people on the Smokies and everything it has to offer. Vesna and Eric got together to make a business plan to take people on tour guides of the mountains. She depicts her first tour trip with just a singular customer to how her business grew into what it is today. Joseph asks her how she got from point A to point B with her business. “A family-orientated vision and supportive staff” was all she needed. Joseph shifts the conversation into Vesna’s and Eric’s historian and survivalist side, and why they wanted to learn. Vesna explains that historical culture was very important to her and the survivalist tendencies naturally come from years of being outdoors. They get into Vesna’s love of storytelling, and she tells a Cherokee story of how the Appalachian mountains were made.

Segment 3

Coming back from the ad break, Joseph gets into bears and bear encounters. Vesna talks about a time when she was leading a group of backpackers, and a small bear came up and tried to eat their food. She managed to scare it away and protect the backpacks from the clutches of hungry bears. Vesna gets into the bear protection training she received as a safety precaution. The main thing she learned was that bears didn’t understand boundaries and to show boundaries to them, yelling, throwing objects, and, occasionally, setting off fireworks works like a charm. The conversation pivots to the Coronavirus and how it affected her business. She lost a major part of her customers which damaged the business, but were able to limp along. Moving on, they get into Vesna’s experience with testifying in Congress as an advocate against factory pollutants. One day, Vesna and Eric experienced ozone-induced asthma attacks which helped her testify against TVA to get rid of their plants that were polluting the air. Joseph then asks Vesna about the awards she received, and she goes into Eric’s “Best Tour Guide” award as their crowning achievement. They begin to talk about the services her company provides before getting into the commercials.

Segment 4

Back after the final ad break, Joseph asks her what the customers’ favorite tours and car tours were. Waterfalls, mountain peaks, and caves are just a few her customers love. They also offer classes on wildlife, historical cultures, and general nature knowledge. She describes her favorite area to hike in that has everything anyone can ask for. Beautiful wildlife, lush forests, and rich history behind the area. To end everything off, Vesna talks about future products that will be offered by the company and where the audience can find her.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:36.210 –> 00:00:39.810 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of

00:00:40.170 –> 00:00:50.250 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountain national park, and surrounding towns.

00:00:50.580 –> 00:00:59.430 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:59.880 –> 00:01:12.990 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky mountain for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:13.620 –> 00:01:28.770 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about breaking trails of the smokies today’s beer is by the Bronx new brewery now use can’t leave as a double IPA it’s just a second time I’ve done it on the show, but I liked it so.

00:01:31.980 –> 00:01:39.180 Joseph McElroy: I do it I’m going to North Carolina more next time we have a lot of great craft beers and the mountains of North Carolina.

00:01:41.010 –> 00:01:52.950 Joseph McElroy: But first, I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel it please for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:53.430 –> 00:02:03.840 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish and amount inheritance trout street grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:02:04.380 –> 00:02:20.190 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with all-time music and world cultural south, there is no other place like the Meadowlark motel and Maggie valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:02:21.720 –> 00:02:32.730 Joseph McElroy: Now I will also when you want to find out information about the smokies you need to go to smokies adventure.com that’s plural smoky singular adventure COM.

00:02:33.210 –> 00:02:43.050 Joseph McElroy: It has lots of information and lets listings about the smoking’s about hiking about guides for hiking about trail maps and outdoor resources.

00:02:43.320 –> 00:02:58.770 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smoky advanced smokers adventure is outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information and lodging family entertainment events conventions, I mean rooms and more.

00:02:59.790 –> 00:03:03.840 Joseph McElroy: Its goal is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountain.

00:03:06.210 –> 00:03:17.880 Joseph McElroy: So Hello guys, how are you doing so, this is the peak, this is the big tourist season for the smoky mountains because now we’re getting into fall colors they’ve just started.

00:03:18.510 –> 00:03:28.890 Joseph McElroy: And then 2021 which we’re in now you want to be soaking in all the beautiful fall colors that you need, I think everyone should do at least once.

00:03:29.460 –> 00:03:39.600 Joseph McElroy: it’s worth the peace and tranquility of the views are worth the trip Now I will not, not to mention all the things that you do all the here because everybody’s opening everybody to do with it.

00:03:41.760 –> 00:03:46.380 Joseph McElroy: I just read the recent fall report about what’s happening right now.

00:03:47.580 –> 00:03:58.170 Joseph McElroy: And so we’re actually expecting the leaves turn to the cool girl gorgeous fall colors and higher elevations around mid-mid-October, but now.

00:03:58.860 –> 00:04:12.570 Joseph McElroy: continue in the lower elevations until mid-November, so the fall foliage is going to be most vibrant, while the temperatures are in the 70s during the day and dropping the 40s at night, which they are now starting to do.

00:04:13.140 –> 00:04:22.710 Joseph McElroy: So you really can think of, but I, you know I would say that you know, right now, at the motel we’re seeing like everybody booked up right now, this weekend next weekend.

00:04:23.040 –> 00:04:32.490 Joseph McElroy: But you know the last weekend of October and the first one, where we had a November there’s still lots of availability and I think that’s going to be the peak that’s what this is saying there’s going to be the peak.

00:04:32.790 –> 00:04:41.070 Joseph McElroy: So you know get out there and grab your place to come out and see something that’s just spectacular natural wonders of the world.

00:04:42.810 –> 00:04:47.580 Joseph McElroy: So our guest today is Vesna Plakanis

00:04:49.410 –> 00:04:49.890 Joseph McElroy: How you doing.

00:04:51.120 –> 00:04:52.950 Vesna Plakanis: Great Thank you how are you doing.

00:04:53.400 –> 00:04:57.810 Joseph McElroy: Fine, so I forgot I forgot to read your bio let me do that real quick.

00:04:58.950 –> 00:05:09.660 Joseph McElroy: So you and your husband Eric are owners and operators of one of the oldest and most highly respected guides and tour services in the great smoky mountains, to call the walk in the woods.

00:05:10.020 –> 00:05:16.980 Joseph McElroy: And it’s located in Gatlinburg Tennessee now you are an award-winning company that was formed in 1998.

00:05:17.400 –> 00:05:28.620 Joseph McElroy: And you’ve been featured in multiple publications and on television networks, including among others outside backpacker National Geographic shaped women’s health and the discovery channel.

00:05:29.070 –> 00:05:45.510 Joseph McElroy: The travel channel and PBS you and your husband are both dedicated environmentalists along with your daughter and beloved pets who reside on a 98 or ECO camp in the mountains of East Tennessee so welcome back I’m glad to have you here.

00:05:45.930 –> 00:05:47.430 Vesna Plakanis: Thank you it’s great to be here.

00:05:48.780 –> 00:06:01.020 Joseph McElroy: So first off, I was doing a little research, I like to find out a little bit about the people coming on the show, so I read that you are a forger as a child was a common activity in your child in your family.

00:06:02.130 –> 00:06:16.050 Vesna Plakanis: um well my mother is French, and so we certainly you know went out the into the yard and to the good kind of local fields and was and pick mushrooms and herbs things like that, and then.

00:06:16.650 –> 00:06:31.620 Vesna Plakanis: my grandmother was a full-on I was depression era farmer, and you know back in those days you had to make do with everything and so she really taught me a lot about like what to do with weeds and.

00:06:32.760 –> 00:06:43.950 Vesna Plakanis: house and having you know dandelion fried dandelion and you know dandelion salad, and so you know learned about these things are a very, very young age.

00:06:44.370 –> 00:06:46.110 Joseph McElroy: Is that where you grew up in Iowa.

00:06:47.040 –> 00:06:50.670 Vesna Plakanis: No, I am what my husband calls an international met mutt.

00:06:52.710 –> 00:06:54.750 Vesna Plakanis: I grew up all over the world, actually.

00:06:55.110 –> 00:06:59.220 Joseph McElroy: Oh really well yeah give me some examples of where you live.

00:06:59.700 –> 00:07:07.860 Vesna Plakanis: Well, I was born in Germany, my mother’s French, so I spent some time in France lived in Iran and Saudi Arabia.

00:07:08.070 –> 00:07:09.300 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my gosh oh.

00:07:10.140 –> 00:07:11.400 Vesna Plakanis: This little bit of every place.

00:07:11.880 –> 00:07:13.500 Joseph McElroy: And when did you come to the United States.

00:07:13.950 –> 00:07:28.500 Vesna Plakanis: Well, on and off from the time I was too, so my dad is a midwesterner, and so we actually they lived in Minnesota when he was growing up and so Minnesota was kind of our landing pad and we’d come to go back and forth to Minneapolis area.

00:07:28.920 –> 00:07:35.250 Joseph McElroy: I see and during all this traveling around the world, and you get to do a lot of hiking and outdoor activities.

00:07:36.150 –> 00:07:43.590 Vesna Plakanis: um well when I lived in Saudi Arabia, I was actually in the girl scouts and we would camp out on sand dunes.

00:07:47.730 –> 00:07:48.210 Vesna Plakanis: Oh.

00:07:48.630 –> 00:07:51.090 Joseph McElroy: wow we know, I was.

00:07:52.320 –> 00:07:57.060 Joseph McElroy: You know, being in the content marketing business that Saudi Arabia is actually done this whole you know.

00:07:57.450 –> 00:08:08.460 Joseph McElroy: thing to try to be more tourist-friendly destination, and so they were approaching us about doing some content marketing for that and I got into researching them, and while there was a lot of problems with the I didn’t want to deal with at the end of it.

00:08:09.750 –> 00:08:23.520 Joseph McElroy: It really is a beautiful place for outdoor activity as a lot of amazing you know biking trails and our desert rallies and yeah so there’s a there’s quite an eye-opening and what, in which you can do.

00:08:24.480 –> 00:08:33.330 Joseph McElroy: So oh you’re so you’ve had a great journey so, but you, you went off to college you got a communications degree right and you had a career in television.

00:08:33.810 –> 00:08:42.000 Vesna Plakanis: I did yep marketing maybe you know just the whole nine yards, I was everything from advertising to copywriting to the producer.

00:08:43.140 –> 00:08:45.060 Vesna Plakanis: newscaster all of it.

00:08:45.600 –> 00:08:47.610 Joseph McElroy: wow where did you do that.

00:08:48.810 –> 00:08:50.280 Vesna Plakanis: in Illinois and Knoxville.

00:08:50.880 –> 00:08:51.600 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.

00:08:52.080 –> 00:08:56.010 Vesna Plakanis: and actually Atlanta I worked for the Olympics in 96.

00:08:57.360 –> 00:09:01.260 Joseph McElroy: Well, that must have been an interesting time the bomb scare and every day right.

00:09:03.510 –> 00:09:17.490 Joseph McElroy: So your husband Eric is also had a different career he’s your partner right, so he was an accountant right and then, and then presumed a few fields, right here, but what did you guys meet.

00:09:18.510 –> 00:09:25.260 Vesna Plakanis: um well actually he was living in Atlanta, and I was living in Knoxville and he was dating a friend of mine.

00:09:29.190 –> 00:09:31.860 Joseph McElroy: Okay, now we get into the Peyton place to her.

00:09:36.270 –> 00:09:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: And I asked her if it was okay if I called um but we were instantly you know, there was a connection there as soon as we met so I didn’t steal him.

00:09:48.150 –> 00:09:48.780 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:09:49.680 –> 00:09:55.080 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s great well know the psychic connection yeah just created that was weird.

00:09:58.470 –> 00:10:09.720 Joseph McElroy: So, so do you remember you I mean you obviously developed some sort of a bond around nature, I think because you made a career right like instantly from the beginning.

00:10:11.130 –> 00:10:16.530 Vesna Plakanis: I think both of us just loved you know the natural world and when we met, it was just kind of a.

00:10:17.370 –> 00:10:29.550 Vesna Plakanis: kismet um but no I was growing up in Minnesota, even though I was in Minneapolis you know, we had woods in our backyard, I was at it in school at the time.

00:10:30.090 –> 00:10:47.430 Vesna Plakanis: Were they kind of had experimental things in you know in public high schools, and so we had a required outdoor education program and so from the time I was 12 years old, we had a climbing wall, we went camping when we were you know kids you know in sixth grade that was like required.

00:10:48.720 –> 00:10:55.260 Vesna Plakanis: And so I just really got into the natural world and moved around a lot, I was kind of a lonely kid.

00:10:56.070 –> 00:11:03.900 Vesna Plakanis: So it was very natural for me to just go out into the woods and find that solace and then Eric grew up in.

00:11:04.380 –> 00:11:08.790 Vesna Plakanis: New Jersey right on the New Jersey New York state line and ma.

00:11:09.240 –> 00:11:16.470 Vesna Plakanis: Which is right off the Appalachian trail, and so you know he played in the woods, this whole you know childhood to and so both of us just.

00:11:16.680 –> 00:11:24.570 Vesna Plakanis: Love nature and this is what we love to do, and then, when he and I got married we actually went backpacking and camping through Maui for two weeks.

00:11:24.810 –> 00:11:29.670 Joseph McElroy: wow so that’s so for the weekend go you started your bonding over that.

00:11:30.120 –> 00:11:39.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah so when did so you live in Knoxville imagined, and he was in Atlanta Atlanta so did you have your first experience of the smokies together or separately.

00:11:39.600 –> 00:11:48.990 Vesna Plakanis: know I lived in Knoxville for several years, so I worked at the TV station and we used to go up you know, to the park and you know to go camping and do picnics and go hiking and.

00:11:50.040 –> 00:11:58.140 Vesna Plakanis: So now I fell in love with the smoky mountains, when I was in college and my mom and my stepfather had lived in Knoxville.

00:11:58.740 –> 00:12:09.480 Vesna Plakanis: And it just moved down when I started college, so I came downfall break once and just I just remember falling in love coming over the Kentucky border.

00:12:10.140 –> 00:12:21.360 Vesna Plakanis: And it was fall and just the colors were so vibrant and magical and because I moved around so much, I never really felt at home anywhere instantly.

00:12:22.830 –> 00:12:25.380 Vesna Plakanis: Like it just got under my skin, I felt at home.

00:12:26.280 –> 00:12:36.690 Joseph McElroy: And then, according to your website your husband went on a 10-day vision quest in the smokies which then really sort of set you on a path right to have a shared passion.

00:12:37.290 –> 00:12:44.220 Vesna Plakanis: yeah we really Atlanta, and both in corporate America and we’re like oh God I don’t want to do the rest of my life and.

00:12:45.240 –> 00:12:53.430 Vesna Plakanis: So we were having these you know little picnics in downtown Atlanta we’re like you know, we really should do something like homestead and Alaska.

00:12:55.620 –> 00:12:59.070 Vesna Plakanis: sounds crazy and we’re vegetarian, so what would we eat and.

00:13:01.320 –> 00:13:11.070 Vesna Plakanis: One day we after one of these little picnics you know kind of vision, you know, like fantasy picnics we went into a coffee house and picked up a magazine.

00:13:11.490 –> 00:13:18.240 Vesna Plakanis: About a woman who left corporate America and started training under this naturalist school in North Georgia.

00:13:18.840 –> 00:13:29.490 Vesna Plakanis: And she actually left her job and went lived off the land were like this sounds really cool so we started taking classes from this guy in medicine bow and.

00:13:29.970 –> 00:13:41.460 Vesna Plakanis: that’s really sparked our interest in goddess kind of thinking about getting in this direction and then yeah Eric went on his 10-day backpacking vision quest and came down we picked him up and he’s like know what we’re gonna do.

00:13:43.440 –> 00:13:48.660 Joseph McElroy: There we go so we’re gonna take a break down and when we come back we’re going to talk about what you did.

00:16:04.230 –> 00:16:12.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest is Vesna Plakanis

00:16:12.720 –> 00:16:24.390 Joseph McElroy: So you were telling you that you had your husband come down from the mountain after 10 days vision quest and he had a vision of what you guys were going to do what was that vision, what do you guys do.

00:16:26.490 –> 00:16:32.010 Vesna Plakanis: Well, this is the most visited National Park in the country and a lot of people don’t go.

00:16:32.460 –> 00:16:44.310 Vesna Plakanis: More than half a mile you know from the parking lot and he really saw that kind of on his 10-day backpacking trips when you come out and to the parking areas and people would be like where did you just come from.

00:16:45.270 –> 00:16:56.700 Vesna Plakanis: His dirty mouth man, he was you know isn’t backpacking for days so when he came out of the woods after that 10-day backpacking trip, he said, you know I really feel like.

00:16:57.180 –> 00:17:05.820 Vesna Plakanis: People, we need to educate people, we need to get them out there and get them excited about what makes a split place I’m so very special.

00:17:07.020 –> 00:17:19.350 Vesna Plakanis: And so we started to kind of do a business plan on, you know how we would create a guide service, and you know how would we would be more education-oriented, so we didn’t want to take people from point A to Point B.

00:17:20.220 –> 00:17:25.440 Vesna Plakanis: You know, we really wanted people to be immersed and experience what makes the smokies.

00:17:25.890 –> 00:17:43.170 Vesna Plakanis: So very special but also you know, hoping that that would kind of filter out into the greater world so people could understand that you know we are part of this beautiful planet and that was kind of a lofty goal but that’s what we set out to do.

00:17:43.800 –> 00:17:48.060 Joseph McElroy: And how long did it take you when when when was that the vision quest.

00:17:48.690 –> 00:18:01.050 Vesna Plakanis: it was I guess in the summer of 96 so it took us a couple of years to sort of save money and figure out what you know the direction we wanted to take and exactly where we wanted to live.

00:18:01.980 –> 00:18:07.920 Joseph McElroy: And you started your business and what was your first, what do you make sure.

00:18:09.450 –> 00:18:18.630 Vesna Plakanis: So our first money it’s really actually funny because she came back last year um but you know we started out into like outfitters.

00:18:19.320 –> 00:18:32.100 Vesna Plakanis: You know, got to know, everybody that Chamber of Commerce, you know T-shirts, we thought we would walk through the streets of Gatlinburg with our brochures and T-shirts and people would magically stop this and go oh take us for a hike that didn’t happen.

00:18:34.620 –> 00:18:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: Through a very good friend of ours, who helped us with our website, and you know the Chamber of Commerce people eventually started finding us so our very first adventure was going up to Andrews bald.

00:18:47.310 –> 00:18:55.500 Vesna Plakanis: Which right now, by the way, his peak colors are gorgeous so bald is actually a high mountain meadow.

00:18:56.010 –> 00:19:12.660 Vesna Plakanis: Andrews bald is over 5000 feet in elevation and so you got this big wide open gorgeous natural space with you know just see after see you know of mountains and we took one woman both Eric and I.

00:19:14.760 –> 00:19:16.290 Vesna Plakanis: $14.

00:19:20.160 –> 00:19:23.370 Joseph McElroy: He made sure he had a good time for that $14

00:19:25.320 –> 00:19:33.420 Vesna Plakanis: The cute thing is she came back I think last year and hired us again she brought some friends and she said, you know I think I was your very first customer.

00:19:38.010 –> 00:19:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Two owners came along with theirs.

00:19:50.100 –> 00:19:50.670 Vesna Plakanis: From there.

00:19:51.600 –> 00:19:55.440 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s it, you know it’s impressive longevity I mean a small business.

00:19:56.490 –> 00:20:09.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah so it’s 98 yeah that’s what 23 years rightmost small businesses fail within the first five years right, so the IUCN you’re always I’m always looking for.

00:20:10.710 –> 00:20:21.390 Joseph McElroy: better ways to do things I took a look at your website and you have an incredible you know variety of things that you offer you also I looked at, so you have this incredible diversity of.

00:20:22.140 –> 00:20:39.420 Joseph McElroy: the roster of guys of all ages and genders, and all very clearly talented you have like history, you know people with history degrees and former park Rangers and things So what do you how did you build that roster of guys.

00:20:42.000 –> 00:20:47.460 Vesna Plakanis: just getting to know people were very we made friends with people in the park service.

00:20:48.330 –> 00:20:57.510 Vesna Plakanis: Our daughter actually between I think for junior and senior year interned at the park and that’s actually how we got one of our first.

00:20:57.870 –> 00:21:03.840 Vesna Plakanis: guides who’s been with us forever our historian Sam um and then we just built a reputation, you know.

00:21:04.140 –> 00:21:17.040 Vesna Plakanis: Gatlinburg is a very small town, even though we get so many people there are only 4000 people in Gatlinburg and so you pretty much know everybody, you know you bump into people all the time at the grocery store and so just by getting to know people.

00:21:17.640 –> 00:21:26.790 Vesna Plakanis: And I think we also have a reputation, as you know, family-oriented business, and that makes people very comfortable when they come to work for us, you know we’re very.

00:21:28.290 –> 00:21:40.440 Vesna Plakanis: Clear about mentoring and helping to expand our guides and so you know there are certain things that we want from our staff, they have to be wilderness first responders which we will pay for.

00:21:41.220 –> 00:21:50.790 Vesna Plakanis: We also promote you know outside larger you know, education if people want to become naturalist certified naturalist you know we help with that with scholarships.

00:21:51.360 –> 00:21:59.460 Vesna Plakanis: So we’re very supportive in that respect, and we also you know any given time in our office you might have.

00:21:59.970 –> 00:22:10.050 Vesna Plakanis: a toddler running around or five dogs, or you know, last week we even had a one-month-old baby, because one of our guides just had a baby or one of our staff.

00:22:10.530 –> 00:22:19.110 Vesna Plakanis: um you know, so I think we just try to be a very supportive kind of family environment, even though we now have 30 people on our staff we just we still have that core.

00:22:19.590 –> 00:22:25.110 Joseph McElroy: cool no I was, I was pleasantly surprised so, but you know.

00:22:25.170 –> 00:22:27.030 Joseph McElroy: You and your husband combined have.

00:22:27.720 –> 00:22:32.700 Joseph McElroy: Seven years of outdoor experience and you say most of that your husband Eric stuff.

00:22:39.990 –> 00:22:42.660 Vesna Plakanis: Just the two of us did biking and.

00:22:44.340 –> 00:22:55.200 Joseph McElroy: So, but you are also not only a hikers mature expert survivalist, and a historian, so you were in marketing, he was an accounting you had a vision quest came up here.

00:22:55.530 –> 00:23:04.350 Joseph McElroy: So, how did you learn about the different plants and tracking and you know survivalism and how did you go about becoming experts have back.

00:23:05.100 –> 00:23:12.870 Vesna Plakanis: um well, a lot of it was when we first started taking those classes from the naturalist school and in North Georgia.

00:23:13.380 –> 00:23:23.850 Vesna Plakanis: And that’s run by a man named mark Warren medicine bow and he teaches that kind of primitive skills but based on what the Cherokee used to teach and what the turkeys to use.

00:23:24.450 –> 00:23:31.410 Vesna Plakanis: And so, that was a natural way for us to really start learning about the local natives of the area and.

00:23:32.010 –> 00:23:42.630 Vesna Plakanis: I love history, you know, having traveled all over the world I’m very into cultures and understanding how you know people you know things move together, and you can have.

00:23:43.260 –> 00:23:52.800 Vesna Plakanis: You know people moving into an area without understanding the environmental, you know issues and what they’re dealing with and the Scotch Irish you came down here and.

00:23:53.190 –> 00:24:00.900 Vesna Plakanis: The fact that the Appalachian mountains are you know, part of a chain that goes, all the way to Scotland and so when people settled here it felt familiar.

00:24:01.290 –> 00:24:10.890 Vesna Plakanis: So I think it’s just a natural thing when you are a guide in this area, you know to sort of put all those pieces together and where we’re as rich.

00:24:11.640 –> 00:24:24.780 Vesna Plakanis: in human history, as we are in diversity, where the most biodiverse place in the world, north of the tropics we also have the largest collection of human artifacts in any national park in the country, so it all goes really hand in hand.

00:24:25.350 –> 00:24:25.980 wow.

00:24:27.330 –> 00:24:33.150 Joseph McElroy: yeah I was reading about you guy’s depth of knowledge and, of course, you know Bob Plott who’s.

00:24:33.840 –> 00:24:41.820 Joseph McElroy: Who helps me with this program is also a pretty fine historian and understanding the smoke as well just has high things to say about you guys.

00:24:42.420 –> 00:24:49.830 Joseph McElroy: But I also understand you’re really great storyteller so I’m looking forward to hearing some of your stories, so you know a lot about the Cherokee and.

00:24:51.000 –> 00:24:58.620 Joseph McElroy: And the European settlers they know how did you know is that something that’s important on your picking people out.

00:24:59.490 –> 00:25:07.710 Vesna Plakanis: Oh yeah We very much whenever and even as we’re mentoring and training, these new guides you know, one of the things we really try to emphasize is that.

00:25:08.010 –> 00:25:19.440 Vesna Plakanis: You know you’re not just going, and this is a tree, and this is that you know you’re really trying to weave something together, and I was an English major before I became kind of been.

00:25:20.400 –> 00:25:23.730 Vesna Plakanis: into communication which I guess is all part of the same thing.

00:25:24.540 –> 00:25:35.190 Vesna Plakanis: But I really look at being a guide as being a storyteller you know it’s an art it’s you know you’re introducing characters and you’re introducing a plot, and you know, then there’s drama.

00:25:35.550 –> 00:25:43.230 Vesna Plakanis: And then, at the end you know the you’re bringing it all together, and this is such a natural place to tell these wonderful stories.

00:25:43.830 –> 00:25:45.930 Joseph McElroy: what’s it what’s a favorite story you tell.

00:25:47.160 –> 00:25:47.460 Vesna Plakanis: Oh.

00:25:50.160 –> 00:25:51.960 Vesna Plakanis: got a lot of um.

00:25:53.100 –> 00:25:55.440 Joseph McElroy: Quick what we felt like.

00:25:57.300 –> 00:26:02.580 Vesna Plakanis: Well let’s see, let me so so what I love about this one, this is the Cherokee creation story.

00:26:03.300 –> 00:26:13.890 Vesna Plakanis: And what I love about that is that somehow they had this understanding of how these mountains were really created that you know we used to have an ocean here and the story goes that long ago.

00:26:14.430 –> 00:26:23.820 Vesna Plakanis: This with the earth was just this big blue globe and there was nothing but water and all the plants and animals lived in the sky vault and the animals were giant animals.

00:26:24.240 –> 00:26:36.390 Vesna Plakanis: And as time went on population expanded and there wasn’t a lot of room and so they looked down at this place, which was the late, great blue globe and they said, maybe we can move down there, but all they saw was water.

00:26:36.930 –> 00:26:42.900 Vesna Plakanis: And so they sent the little water beetle, who was a great swimmer down to explore, to see if he could find some land.

00:26:43.230 –> 00:26:54.540 Vesna Plakanis: And he went down this web that had been spun by a spider and he went down and he started to swim and look for the earth and he couldn’t find any so we don’t down and he found some mud he brought them.

00:26:54.840 –> 00:27:08.580 Vesna Plakanis: up and, as he brought it up, it expanded into our earth and it was too soft was money, so we went back up and he told everybody, and so the animal sent grandfather buzzard gigantic bird to look for dry land.

00:27:09.030 –> 00:27:26.670 Vesna Plakanis: And he was a big bird and he skipped flu and he flew in his wings were so gigantic but, after a long time he could only find that money got so tired and, as he flew and not more tired his giant wings hit the earth and made valleys and when he brought it back up they made mountains.

00:27:26.880 –> 00:27:36.060 Vesna Plakanis: And after a while, nothing but mountains and valleys and the animal said to come back and he did, and that is how he created the Appalachian mountains.

00:27:36.330 –> 00:27:38.130 Joseph McElroy: Oh, a great culture

00:27:40.470 –> 00:27:41.670 Vesna Plakanis: buzzard that’s right.

00:27:42.000 –> 00:27:59.640 Vesna Plakanis: And if I have time just finish it real quick the sun thought it was so beautiful that the sun took a trip she went from east to west and, as she went over she was so in love with this area, and she dried it all up and all the animals and plants were able to come down to the.

00:28:00.840 –> 00:28:12.030 Joseph McElroy: the fabulous day I love that story, so I want to talk more about stories and more about bears when we come back.

00:28:12.360 –> 00:28:12.720 Okay.

00:30:51.300 –> 00:31:01.320 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Vesna Plakanis

00:31:02.100 –> 00:31:09.480 Joseph McElroy: You know, when people come to visit the motel or talk to me up here, even up here in New York, about the smoky mountains ask

00:31:09.840 –> 00:31:15.600 Joseph McElroy: You know where to start asking a little bit about things they asked about wildlife and they always ask about two things now.

00:31:16.170 –> 00:31:22.890 Joseph McElroy: used to be always about the black bears, and now they talk about else, of course, as well because it’s become somewhat famous.

00:31:23.610 –> 00:31:34.080 Joseph McElroy: When you’re out there I’m sure you had some bear counters on the trails and you know men been what almost a quarter-century now do you have any interesting tour stories about that.

00:31:35.640 –> 00:31:47.220 Vesna Plakanis: um well you know I’ve always been run into them once in a while, especially different times of the year, I did have a group that I was taking out a four-day backpacking trip and.

00:31:47.910 –> 00:31:57.720 Vesna Plakanis: was hearing, I sound kind of you know, on the shelter around the shelter and you know, in the middle of the night kept getting up didn’t see anything.

00:31:58.830 –> 00:32:09.120 Vesna Plakanis: And then I heard a Jingle Jingle Jingle and ran out to the place where you hang your backpack so you know there’s a steel cable pulleys you hang your backpack.

00:32:09.510 –> 00:32:23.280 Vesna Plakanis: And there was this little yearling I’m not a very big bear that was trying very, very, very hard to shake and get our backpacks you know down off those hooks and I was able to you know kind of chase them away and.

00:32:25.020 –> 00:32:34.290 Vesna Plakanis: And, but apparently some of the Appalachian Trail thru-hikers I’m assuming it’s the same one later saw the same little bear.

00:32:35.250 –> 00:32:45.810 Vesna Plakanis: You know, actually trying to learn how to unhook it so he was trying very hard to kind of work on that hug so he can hook back up backpack so bears are incredibly smart.

00:32:46.110 –> 00:32:57.300 Joseph McElroy: wow wait no reason I ask is that I read that you got training with a bear expert, known as the bear whisper his name is Steve Sir all right.

00:32:58.440 –> 00:33:01.170 Joseph McElroy: And what was the What would it be training abilities.

00:33:01.800 –> 00:33:08.400 Vesna Plakanis: So actually Steve Cyril was on animal planet for a while, I think it was a show called the bear whisper.

00:33:10.380 –> 00:33:24.660 Vesna Plakanis: The park and the town of Gatlinburg of back in August around the year 2000 we’re really trying to understand you know how to operate as a gateway Community you know because bears don’t understand boundaries.

00:33:25.560 –> 00:33:30.840 Vesna Plakanis: And so, when you know when the smells are coming from you know the restaurants and.

00:33:31.320 –> 00:33:45.600 Vesna Plakanis: Food season is maybe not so great, you know master crop in the park is not so plentiful or is that in-between time before all the NUTS start falling you know the bears will kind of start coming out and they’ll get into trash will get into you know.

00:33:46.440 –> 00:33:56.550 Vesna Plakanis: they’ll go over to cabins restaurants and things like that so Gatlinburg hired this expert Steve to come and talk to.

00:33:57.060 –> 00:34:10.410 Vesna Plakanis: You know people who are working in the National Park, so we were part of sponsored by the American humane society, and we were part of a group that spent an entire weekend with Steve really learning how to live with bear and.

00:34:11.400 –> 00:34:23.430 Vesna Plakanis: There are basically it’s called a nonlethal bear version technique which includes noise Biggers hate noise, so you know you hear about wave your arms and yell.

00:34:24.030 –> 00:34:34.170 Vesna Plakanis: But there are other steps to that you know, throwing things because they don’t understand you know that that concept of something being thrown at them.

00:34:34.530 –> 00:34:46.890 Vesna Plakanis: and extreme cases, and of course you as a guide or you know, a person in the park can’t do this but I’m like if you have it around your House and our eco-camp, we set off fireworks and it’s.

00:34:48.390 –> 00:35:00.030 Vesna Plakanis: A coughing dog same thing and so it’s all these ways to teach bears that there is a separation and then, once they get to the place that they need to be.

00:35:00.570 –> 00:35:18.180 Vesna Plakanis: You give them silence so you’re really, really, really loud like that bear that you know I saw that was trying to work with that the backpack on the cables bunch of noise and scream and act like idiots and then as soon as they get to a location where it’s Okay, for them to be quiet.

00:35:18.840 –> 00:35:19.380 Vesna Plakanis: And then just.

00:35:19.590 –> 00:35:24.480 Vesna Plakanis: A dog, you know they’re like oh OK, I can be here, but I can’t be here and it’s.

00:35:26.580 –> 00:35:28.590 Joseph McElroy: So you train them that’s pretty cool.

00:35:30.630 –> 00:35:40.710 Joseph McElroy: So um you know you know this has been an interesting time with a pandemic, and you know, in the mountains I’ve had to experience that I put in a.

00:35:41.610 –> 00:35:54.930 Joseph McElroy: vaccine mandate has a little bit of trouble with that got written up in the papers about you know how I ended up having to clean rooms, how is it how’s the pandemic affected your your your business and how have you responded.

00:35:56.580 –> 00:36:09.750 Vesna Plakanis: Last year was a struggle, you know the park closed down for three months, with good reason, um so it was a shift, we lost a lot of our staff only because we didn’t know when we were going to open back up again.

00:36:10.620 –> 00:36:19.590 Vesna Plakanis: Our major client is rei and they’re about 7060 to 70% of our business that rei stopped operating last year.

00:36:19.620 –> 00:36:20.880 All together know.

00:36:22.200 –> 00:36:35.730 Vesna Plakanis: That we had no adventure programs so that really hurt, but you know we pivoted we I was lucky our daughter, who is now an adult living in Boston she was actually working with the.

00:36:37.050 –> 00:36:45.540 Vesna Plakanis: Center for global health and security at Harvard and so she was kind of able to give us a heads up and let us know what was happening.

00:36:46.290 –> 00:36:56.220 Vesna Plakanis: Before a lot of other people did, and so we started putting protocols in place and rewriting our handbook and all that and, and you know, we were able to limp along.

00:36:56.790 –> 00:37:07.350 Joseph McElroy: And now all your guides and all your programs are all very safe and for a cove and all that sort of stuff, which is, I think, important to let people know.

00:37:08.520 –> 00:37:18.060 Joseph McElroy: There is a way to make everything you know secure for people, I mean, like you, we mentioned offline the safety of the.

00:37:18.690 –> 00:37:32.820 Joseph McElroy: In hospitality is paramount right so and we both believe in that I think that’s great you know I’m also you know, I was reading, you know the Meadowlark motels were the only three pine rated.

00:37:33.930 –> 00:37:36.930 Joseph McElroy: Lodging facility west of Asheville.

00:37:38.310 –> 00:37:53.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s the state of North Carolina is ecological we know how high you are rated and things like that, so I see that you’re you are here you’re a superstar and environmental issues you survived testified before Congress or 2016, can you tell us about that.

00:37:56.430 –> 00:38:12.120 Vesna Plakanis: So it goes way back to actually the MID-2000s when both my husband and I had ohs what turned out to be ozone-induced asthma attacks, as we were hiking and leading groups and.

00:38:12.960 –> 00:38:30.270 Vesna Plakanis: The air quality was so bad that they were warning people not to go out into the mountains, and so you know we never had that before we didn’t understand what it was so we became came part of a class-action lawsuit against TBA.

00:38:31.530 –> 00:38:45.300 Vesna Plakanis: To you know help to have them add scrubbers and take a lot of their very old ancient polluting smokestacks offline so eventually they actually ended up closing.

00:38:46.650 –> 00:38:51.090 Vesna Plakanis: Power plants that were so bad, and they had been grandfathered in.

00:38:51.570 –> 00:38:58.950 Vesna Plakanis: And then you know we helped with a lot of other environmental groups to force tba to add scrubbers to all of their smokestacks.

00:38:59.220 –> 00:39:11.940 Vesna Plakanis: So the air quality and the plant life, as a result, went from you know being hazardous sometimes and only seeing you know, five, six miles 10 miles to now you’re seeing.

00:39:12.510 –> 00:39:26.040 Vesna Plakanis: On an average day you know 60 miles or more, and you know it’s not uncommon to have you know 200 mile visibility days, and so I when the EPA was looking at.

00:39:26.520 –> 00:39:39.060 Vesna Plakanis: You know, strengthening these you know regulations, I was invited to go to DC and was able to tell my story about what it was like to have an.

00:39:40.110 –> 00:39:40.980 Vesna Plakanis: asthma attack.

00:39:42.000 –> 00:39:55.440 Joseph McElroy: wow wow looks great so I really appreciate that work because I’m very adamant about, yeah we got to be preserving these, I mean the reason the smokies were created in the first place was because of.

00:39:56.340 –> 00:40:08.670 Joseph McElroy: You know, concerns for deforestation and the smoky so you know you know, ecology environmental issues are sort of the fundamental aspect of the founding of the smokies.

00:40:10.380 –> 00:40:19.950 Joseph McElroy: You live in out and speaking of eco you live in an acre piece of heaven knows the Eco camp that’s what I read on your website, but what does that mean.

00:40:21.270 –> 00:40:39.060 Vesna Plakanis: Well, we have a 90-acre piece of property that is surrounded by national park and we also have an eco-camp there, and so there are some off the grid, you know kitchen and bathrooms and you know 10 platforms and things like that, and so we’re very lucky it’s a beautiful piece of land.

00:40:39.390 –> 00:40:40.050 In cosby.

00:40:41.580 –> 00:40:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Is not clapping right it says.

00:40:45.000 –> 00:40:45.480 Joseph McElroy: Nothing.

00:40:45.660 –> 00:40:46.200 yeah.

00:40:48.930 –> 00:40:56.340 Joseph McElroy: So ECO-friendly Clamping everybody out there, we got the source for that right that’s cool that’s really cool.

00:40:57.660 –> 00:41:00.900 Joseph McElroy: Now you’ve won numerous awards, I saw that you’re in award-winning.

00:41:02.760 –> 00:41:05.340 Joseph McElroy: Current company what tell me about some of the words that you want.

00:41:06.870 –> 00:41:14.310 Vesna Plakanis: Well, the one we’re most proud of is in 2012 my husband one top guide for rei adventures for rei.

00:41:14.850 –> 00:41:25.950 Vesna Plakanis: And you know that’s against you know that’s a worldwide honor, and so we were actually able to go out to Seattle and there was a big ceremony, and he spent a whole week with other guides from around the world.

00:41:27.450 –> 00:41:29.160 Vesna Plakanis: And so that was pretty exciting.

00:41:30.210 –> 00:41:30.840 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool.

00:41:31.170 –> 00:41:31.920 Vesna Plakanis: yeah yeah.

00:41:32.550 –> 00:41:36.000 Vesna Plakanis: yeah we got up to guides that were rei top guides.

00:41:36.300 –> 00:41:36.750 I really.

00:41:38.160 –> 00:41:40.770 Joseph McElroy: So so So what are.

00:41:42.390 –> 00:41:46.080 Joseph McElroy: Some, what are the some, what are the some of the top tours and people can take with you.

00:41:47.640 –> 00:41:58.650 Vesna Plakanis: I well it really depends on the time of year like right now we have a fall color tour that’s obviously very popular and we’ll kind of chase the leaves and take people out to you know where the best spots are.

00:41:59.730 –> 00:42:00.930 Vesna Plakanis: we’re also.

00:42:02.010 –> 00:42:10.350 Vesna Plakanis: we’re very family-oriented so the kind of one that’s near and dear to my heart is our program called exploring nature with children.

00:42:10.860 –> 00:42:26.640 Vesna Plakanis: And you know kids are so overscheduled and there you know, on their phones and all that so it’s an opportunity to just get them out and get them dirty and playing in the mud, and looking for bugs and you know eating wild foods under supervision, of course.

00:42:27.810 –> 00:42:35.640 Vesna Plakanis: And you know it’s always such a hit so anything that’s kind of family-oriented where we can get the kids out there is near and dear to my heart.

00:42:36.630 –> 00:42:41.100 Joseph McElroy: That three-year-old twin toddler so you got something for them.

00:42:42.960 –> 00:42:46.620 Vesna Plakanis: Actually, exploring nature with children is perfect for them.

00:42:46.680 –> 00:42:47.340 They really.

00:42:48.600 –> 00:42:58.560 Vesna Plakanis: Oh yeah we’re looking for salamanders we’re playing in the streams, you know they’re just splashing around and they’re having a ball, yeah that’s that is a great height for kids.

00:42:58.680 –> 00:43:02.730 Joseph McElroy: All right, well then next time I bring him down, we have to set that upright.

00:43:04.860 –> 00:43:07.470 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah cool so um.

00:43:08.520 –> 00:43:14.550 Joseph McElroy: What besides the kid’s tours, yeah I mean you’re driving towards things like that, but what I.

00:43:15.360 –> 00:43:24.930 Joseph McElroy: actually have to take a break now, but I want to talk about a little bit more of what you offer in terms of tours and what people interesting in the mountain smokies might find interesting to do.

00:45:30.510 –> 00:45:42.330 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with my guest Vesna Plakanis in the gateway to the smokies podcast so.

00:45:44.610 –> 00:45:51.060 Joseph McElroy: we’re talking about tours and things that do what are some of the favorite hikes that your customers long ago.

00:45:52.650 –> 00:45:54.300 Vesna Plakanis: Everybody wants to see a waterfall.

00:45:56.190 –> 00:46:00.930 Vesna Plakanis: Know we’re always doing waterfall Doers and we have some very waterfall tours we like to take people that.

00:46:01.680 –> 00:46:15.780 Vesna Plakanis: The less popular ones where there’s not you know gazillion other people um you know, to see the tops of the mountains, people are really into the history of the area, and so we have a lot of historic tours that are very popular.

00:46:16.800 –> 00:46:22.770 Vesna Plakanis: I actually just taught a class on wild edibles and medicinal plants, the other day, and those are always fun.

00:46:23.160 –> 00:46:33.330 Vesna Plakanis: And you know we have burgers on staff so kind of depends on what people are into, and also with the seasons, you know what what is the season ringing and right now the season is bringing colors.

00:46:33.630 –> 00:46:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: we’ve had a lot of rain, so any water hike is just gorgeous so you know opera elevations I think I mentioned Andrews bulb that’s one of my favorites, and this is the time to be there because it’s just everything’s peeking up there.

00:46:47.580 –> 00:46:52.860 Joseph McElroy: So do you leave for did end up doing the cooking or cooking classes things like that.

00:46:54.780 –> 00:46:56.460 Vesna Plakanis: I have in the past, yes.

00:46:57.480 –> 00:47:09.180 Vesna Plakanis: Oh, usually what I do is what you know we’ll have like a kind of a classroom setting where I’ll teach people how to identify plants and I usually bring a few things for people to try depending on what’s going on in the season.

00:47:09.630 –> 00:47:24.450 Joseph McElroy: I have an interest in talking about that because I’m putting in a camp kitchen at the Meadowlark and we want to do some interesting classes like that, so that could be a way to you know people come to get a taste and then go up in the mountains and actually find this stuff.

00:47:28.230 –> 00:47:28.800 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:47:30.390 –> 00:47:36.090 Joseph McElroy: So what this is always a good question I like to put a little competition into this now.

00:47:36.810 –> 00:47:51.480 Joseph McElroy: You have the Tennessee side of the smokies and the North Carolina the silence folkies what are your favorite what’s your favorite Pike and Tennessee side and which one’s your favorite icon North Carolina side and which one is better and I hit hit hit on the North Carolina.

00:47:55.170 –> 00:47:57.330 Vesna Plakanis: Okay that’s put me on the spot, but.

00:47:58.950 –> 00:48:06.120 Vesna Plakanis: I will preface this by saying you know the smokies, as I mentioned, are the most biodiverse place in the world in the temperate zone.

00:48:06.570 –> 00:48:17.100 Vesna Plakanis: And every season is different, every week is different and so really every hike is going to be different, but I have to say my personal favorite.

00:48:17.760 –> 00:48:28.410 Vesna Plakanis: In Tennessee is the Ramsey cascade and Ramsey is so special because it’s deep in the woods there’s not a lot of other trails back there.

00:48:28.770 –> 00:48:35.460 Vesna Plakanis: you’re hiking by this gorgeous gigantic body of water with lots of whitewater and little cascades.

00:48:35.910 –> 00:48:42.720 Vesna Plakanis: And you’re going through some old settlement areas because, as we mentioned people used to live in these mountains before it became a park.

00:48:43.170 –> 00:48:54.630 Vesna Plakanis: And then all of a sudden you get into this old-growth section of the park and one of the things that makes us so biodiverse, is that we contain so much old-growth forest and about.

00:48:55.470 –> 00:49:07.890 Vesna Plakanis: Two and a half miles and you start getting into these massive trees and lush mosses and during wildflower season you don’t shoot the entire health sides are painted and wildflowers.

00:49:08.370 –> 00:49:21.540 Vesna Plakanis: And you know you get in these trees that would take six to seven people to put their arms around I mean that you just can’t beat that’s an amazing variance to see that, and then it ends up at this gorgeous giant waterfall.

00:49:22.590 –> 00:49:27.510 Vesna Plakanis: So I really love that hike that’s actually the very first time I took my husband on when we were first dating.

00:49:28.560 –> 00:49:35.850 Vesna Plakanis: To get them excited about the smokies and then I’d have to say, probably in North Carolina I really love the Cataloochee area

00:49:36.420 –> 00:49:44.100 Vesna Plakanis: So there’s a lot of really neat especially this time of year, you know hiking up the pretty hollow gap and seeing some of the views.

00:49:44.640 –> 00:49:58.110 Vesna Plakanis: And in the springtime seeing all the wildflowers have held bald right now and it’s the all the gorgeous you know fall colors, but when makes Cataloochee so special is especially in October, you get to hear the elk bugling

00:49:58.800 –> 00:50:01.320 Vesna Plakanis: Yes, eating season so.

00:50:03.090 –> 00:50:16.500 Joseph McElroy: Experienced upfront and personal the wildlife that is so famous for the smokies yeah that’s cool people can do a hike you, you are also offered cartoonish right.

00:50:17.070 –> 00:50:19.230 Joseph McElroy: So what would you say, would you say, is the best.

00:50:19.290 –> 00:50:20.670 Joseph McElroy: And most popular cartoon.

00:50:22.500 –> 00:50:34.650 Vesna Plakanis: Well, everybody loves kids cove you know if they’ve never even been to the parking lot of times kids they go to kids cove could actually be its own national park it’s under 3 million visitors a year kids code is beautiful because it’s this.

00:50:35.040 –> 00:50:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: Big wide open area that is a giant sinkhole and so you have lots and lots of you know expansive views you’re surrounded by mountains and it’s also very historic so you get a lot of.

00:50:47.280 –> 00:51:00.330 Vesna Plakanis: The old cabins and barns and cemeteries and old mills thumb that show people what it used to be like when the European you know settlers lift here and then prior to that it’s got some Cherokee history.

00:51:01.110 –> 00:51:12.000 Vesna Plakanis: So that’s a super popular one we like to go to at certain times of the year because otherwise it gets very, very crowded and going on the weekend, unfortunately, gets to be a little prohibitive but that’s a popular one.

00:51:12.480 –> 00:51:18.930 Vesna Plakanis: And then we’ve got another one that we take them up into the upper elevations all the way up to Clemens Dome so they can kind of see.

00:51:19.170 –> 00:51:30.150 Vesna Plakanis: All the different ecozones from you know the lower elevation thick woods up until the upper elevations when you’re in a Canadian zone forest so it’s really fun to see that cool.

00:51:30.420 –> 00:51:43.500 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve worked with Bob developing the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center tours, can you tell me what those and heights, can you tell me what those two additional products are, and I think they’re gonna be available, starting in November right.

00:51:44.160 –> 00:51:57.330 Vesna Plakanis: Yes, so we’re excited I love working with Bob he’s been wonderful um I think what we’re gonna do is we’re going to start with an upper elevation hike and we’re also going to be doing something that’s very historic in nature.

00:51:58.620 –> 00:52:11.190 Vesna Plakanis: In the smoke one area of the park and smoke month has a lot of layers in history it’s got a waterfall but it’s also got an old CCC camp it’s got.

00:52:11.580 –> 00:52:28.200 Vesna Plakanis: Some of that area was logged there were settlers living there you drive by the kind of lefty Visitor Center, which is a working farm and you also get to see the elk, and so I think that’ll be a really nice kind of you know introduction into that side of the mountain.

00:52:28.650 –> 00:52:37.050 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous so if people want to find out more about you and to book tours with you, what where would they go what would they do.

00:52:38.040 –> 00:52:55.020 Vesna Plakanis: So our website is a walkinthewoods.com and you can you know to see all of our tours we have a lot of North Carolina tours we have you know everything from short easy walks to multiple night backpacking trips, or they can just give us a call.

00:52:56.070 –> 00:53:04.770 Vesna Plakanis: You know so, either way, is fine with us, and probably want to look at our website, first because it’ll give you a whole variety get you to understand what we do.

00:53:05.370 –> 00:53:06.480 Joseph McElroy: Any social media.

00:53:07.500 –> 00:53:09.330 Vesna Plakanis: we’re on Facebook and Twitter.

00:53:10.440 –> 00:53:18.240 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, I really appreciate you being on our show today I’m glad to be doing some things with you too it’s gonna be wonderful.

00:53:19.680 –> 00:53:36.450 Joseph McElroy: I think there are lots of opportunities for people to experience the mountains, I love having both you know, the ability to be outdoors in a physical sense but also the ability to do something fairly quickly in a tour, so thank you so much has been terribly enlightening for me.

00:53:38.370 –> 00:53:46.470 Joseph McElroy: And then, so I want to mention that we are on the talkradio.NYC network.

00:53:47.580 –> 00:53:51.540 Joseph McElroy: Which is a network of a lot of live podcasts.

00:53:52.950 –> 00:53:58.890 Joseph McElroy: And I recommend it for anybody to listen, we have a wonderful show coming after us about New York.

00:54:00.030 –> 00:54:01.560 Joseph McElroy: And it’s.

00:54:03.000 –> 00:54:11.970 Joseph McElroy: Something that everybody should take an opportunity to listen to at the meadowlark you know like I mentioned before we’re having a.

00:54:13.170 –> 00:54:24.900 Joseph McElroy: looks like a late-season fall peak so we’re actually offering weekday get-away specials if you come in on Sunday or Monday and you stayed three days you get one night free.

00:54:26.310 –> 00:54:31.140 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a really wonderful way to get in to see the fall.

00:54:31.680 –> 00:54:43.050 Joseph McElroy: colors when there’s not a lot of people necessarily coming, and you know the Meadowlarkmotel.com and just book a room for three days starting on Monday or Sunday or Monday and you’ll get that special.

00:54:43.440 –> 00:54:53.190 Joseph McElroy: it’s been a pleasure being on this show with you and I look forward to seeing you next week, we always have our podcasts on gateway the smokies.fun

00:54:54.480 –> 00:55:12.870 Joseph McElroy: live broadcasts are always on there, as well as on our Facebook page facebook.com/gatewaythesmokies podcasts and next week, we will have from six to seven again another show and so it’ll be something that I look forward to seeing you, thank you very much.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/1007707960015380/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/245245218_1008213819964794_9056934681234187536_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=Ik4S_hicKXsAX84sz4b&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6300BD73&oh=00_AT9lgzeDjJiTVCZi2XhFB9GZPG5QUT4yt9jQK05MZ_ZkTw&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our special guest in this episode is<strong> Vesna Plakanis</strong>, she and her husband Erik, are Owners and Operators of one of the oldest and most highly respected guides and tour services in the <strong>Great Smoky Mountains, “<em>A Walk in the Woods</em>”</strong> located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.</p><p>The award-winning company was formed in 1998 and has been featured in multiple publications and on television networks including among others, Outside, Backpacker, National Geographic, Shape, Women’s Health and the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, and PBS. Vesna and her husband, both dedicated Environmentalists, along with their daughter and beloved pets reside in their 90- acre Eco-Camp in the mountains of East Tennessee.‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/8COJ74n0Xp/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>-------------------------------------------------------</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>The show begins with Joseph’s introduction of the show and his beer for the episode. He then goes into the sponsored message before describing the autumnal experience in the Smokies, and the leaves turning into their vibrant fall colors. He introduces special guest Vesna Plakanis, then asks Vesna when she began foraging. Her foraging beginnings started with her mother and her mother’s French background. This segways into the discussion of the different countries Vesna lived in throughout her life. Saudi Arabia, France, and Iran are just a few examples. They go further into Vesna’s life and her college days, the time when she met her husband, Eric. She elaborates on how they began dating and the immediate connection she had with him through their love of nature and the outdoors. Joseph asks when her love of the Smokies began, and she describes it as a “love at first sight” deal when she saw the fall colors of the Smokies.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>The show returns with the recounting of Eric’s 10-day vision trip as he went backpacking for 10 days in the Smokies to discover himself. After coming back, Eric describes his vision of how he wanted to educate people on the Smokies and everything it has to offer. Vesna and Eric got together to make a business plan to take people on tour guides of the mountains. She depicts her first tour trip with just a singular customer to how her business grew into what it is today. Joseph asks her how she got from point A to point B with her business. “A family-orientated vision and supportive staff” was all she needed. Joseph shifts the conversation into Vesna’s and Eric’s historian and survivalist side, and why they wanted to learn. Vesna explains that historical culture was very important to her and the survivalist tendencies naturally come from years of being outdoors. They get into Vesna’s love of storytelling, and she tells a Cherokee story of how the Appalachian mountains were made.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the ad break, Joseph gets into bears and bear encounters. Vesna talks about a time when she was leading a group of backpackers, and a small bear came up and tried to eat their food. She managed to scare it away and protect the backpacks from the clutches of hungry bears. Vesna gets into the bear protection training she received as a safety precaution. The main thing she learned was that bears didn’t understand boundaries and to show boundaries to them, yelling, throwing objects, and, occasionally, setting off fireworks works like a charm. The conversation pivots to the Coronavirus and how it affected her business. She lost a major part of her customers which damaged the business, but were able to limp along. Moving on, they get into Vesna’s experience with testifying in Congress as an advocate against factory pollutants. One day, Vesna and Eric experienced ozone-induced asthma attacks which helped her testify against TVA to get rid of their plants that were polluting the air. Joseph then asks Vesna about the awards she received, and she goes into Eric’s “Best Tour Guide” award as their crowning achievement. They begin to talk about the services her company provides before getting into the commercials.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Back after the final ad break, Joseph asks her what the customers’ favorite tours and car tours were. Waterfalls, mountain peaks, and caves are just a few her customers love. They also offer classes on wildlife, historical cultures, and general nature knowledge. She describes her favorite area to hike in that has everything anyone can ask for. Beautiful wildlife, lush forests, and rich history behind the area. To end everything off, Vesna talks about future products that will be offered by the company and where the audience can find her.</p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:36.210 –&gt; 00:00:39.810 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of</p><p>00:00:40.170 –&gt; 00:00:50.250 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountain national park, and surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:50.580 –&gt; 00:00:59.430 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:59.880 –&gt; 00:01:12.990 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky mountain for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:13.620 –&gt; 00:01:28.770 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about breaking trails of the smokies today’s beer is by the Bronx new brewery now use can’t leave as a double IPA it’s just a second time I’ve done it on the show, but I liked it so.</p><p>00:01:31.980 –&gt; 00:01:39.180 Joseph McElroy: I do it I’m going to North Carolina more next time we have a lot of great craft beers and the mountains of North Carolina.</p><p>00:01:41.010 –&gt; 00:01:52.950 Joseph McElroy: But first, I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel it please for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:53.430 –&gt; 00:02:03.840 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish and amount inheritance trout street grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:02:04.380 –&gt; 00:02:20.190 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with all-time music and world cultural south, there is no other place like the Meadowlark motel and Maggie valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:02:21.720 –&gt; 00:02:32.730 Joseph McElroy: Now I will also when you want to find out information about the smokies you need to go to smokies adventure.com that’s plural smoky singular adventure COM.</p><p>00:02:33.210 –&gt; 00:02:43.050 Joseph McElroy: It has lots of information and lets listings about the smoking’s about hiking about guides for hiking about trail maps and outdoor resources.</p><p>00:02:43.320 –&gt; 00:02:58.770 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smoky advanced smokers adventure is outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information and lodging family entertainment events conventions, I mean rooms and more.</p><p>00:02:59.790 –&gt; 00:03:03.840 Joseph McElroy: Its goal is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountain.</p><p>00:03:06.210 –&gt; 00:03:17.880 Joseph McElroy: So Hello guys, how are you doing so, this is the peak, this is the big tourist season for the smoky mountains because now we’re getting into fall colors they’ve just started.</p><p>00:03:18.510 –&gt; 00:03:28.890 Joseph McElroy: And then 2021 which we’re in now you want to be soaking in all the beautiful fall colors that you need, I think everyone should do at least once.</p><p>00:03:29.460 –&gt; 00:03:39.600 Joseph McElroy: it’s worth the peace and tranquility of the views are worth the trip Now I will not, not to mention all the things that you do all the here because everybody’s opening everybody to do with it.</p><p>00:03:41.760 –&gt; 00:03:46.380 Joseph McElroy: I just read the recent fall report about what’s happening right now.</p><p>00:03:47.580 –&gt; 00:03:58.170 Joseph McElroy: And so we’re actually expecting the leaves turn to the cool girl gorgeous fall colors and higher elevations around mid-mid-October, but now.</p><p>00:03:58.860 –&gt; 00:04:12.570 Joseph McElroy: continue in the lower elevations until mid-November, so the fall foliage is going to be most vibrant, while the temperatures are in the 70s during the day and dropping the 40s at night, which they are now starting to do.</p><p>00:04:13.140 –&gt; 00:04:22.710 Joseph McElroy: So you really can think of, but I, you know I would say that you know, right now, at the motel we’re seeing like everybody booked up right now, this weekend next weekend.</p><p>00:04:23.040 –&gt; 00:04:32.490 Joseph McElroy: But you know the last weekend of October and the first one, where we had a November there’s still lots of availability and I think that’s going to be the peak that’s what this is saying there’s going to be the peak.</p><p>00:04:32.790 –&gt; 00:04:41.070 Joseph McElroy: So you know get out there and grab your place to come out and see something that’s just spectacular natural wonders of the world.</p><p>00:04:42.810 –&gt; 00:04:47.580 Joseph McElroy: So our guest today is Vesna Plakanis</p><p>00:04:49.410 –&gt; 00:04:49.890 Joseph McElroy: How you doing.</p><p>00:04:51.120 –&gt; 00:04:52.950 Vesna Plakanis: Great Thank you how are you doing.</p><p>00:04:53.400 –&gt; 00:04:57.810 Joseph McElroy: Fine, so I forgot I forgot to read your bio let me do that real quick.</p><p>00:04:58.950 –&gt; 00:05:09.660 Joseph McElroy: So you and your husband Eric are owners and operators of one of the oldest and most highly respected guides and tour services in the great smoky mountains, to call the walk in the woods.</p><p>00:05:10.020 –&gt; 00:05:16.980 Joseph McElroy: And it’s located in Gatlinburg Tennessee now you are an award-winning company that was formed in 1998.</p><p>00:05:17.400 –&gt; 00:05:28.620 Joseph McElroy: And you’ve been featured in multiple publications and on television networks, including among others outside backpacker National Geographic shaped women’s health and the discovery channel.</p><p>00:05:29.070 –&gt; 00:05:45.510 Joseph McElroy: The travel channel and PBS you and your husband are both dedicated environmentalists along with your daughter and beloved pets who reside on a 98 or ECO camp in the mountains of East Tennessee so welcome back I’m glad to have you here.</p><p>00:05:45.930 –&gt; 00:05:47.430 Vesna Plakanis: Thank you it’s great to be here.</p><p>00:05:48.780 –&gt; 00:06:01.020 Joseph McElroy: So first off, I was doing a little research, I like to find out a little bit about the people coming on the show, so I read that you are a forger as a child was a common activity in your child in your family.</p><p>00:06:02.130 –&gt; 00:06:16.050 Vesna Plakanis: um well my mother is French, and so we certainly you know went out the into the yard and to the good kind of local fields and was and pick mushrooms and herbs things like that, and then.</p><p>00:06:16.650 –&gt; 00:06:31.620 Vesna Plakanis: my grandmother was a full-on I was depression era farmer, and you know back in those days you had to make do with everything and so she really taught me a lot about like what to do with weeds and.</p><p>00:06:32.760 –&gt; 00:06:43.950 Vesna Plakanis: house and having you know dandelion fried dandelion and you know dandelion salad, and so you know learned about these things are a very, very young age.</p><p>00:06:44.370 –&gt; 00:06:46.110 Joseph McElroy: Is that where you grew up in Iowa.</p><p>00:06:47.040 –&gt; 00:06:50.670 Vesna Plakanis: No, I am what my husband calls an international met mutt.</p><p>00:06:52.710 –&gt; 00:06:54.750 Vesna Plakanis: I grew up all over the world, actually.</p><p>00:06:55.110 –&gt; 00:06:59.220 Joseph McElroy: Oh really well yeah give me some examples of where you live.</p><p>00:06:59.700 –&gt; 00:07:07.860 Vesna Plakanis: Well, I was born in Germany, my mother’s French, so I spent some time in France lived in Iran and Saudi Arabia.</p><p>00:07:08.070 –&gt; 00:07:09.300 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my gosh oh.</p><p>00:07:10.140 –&gt; 00:07:11.400 Vesna Plakanis: This little bit of every place.</p><p>00:07:11.880 –&gt; 00:07:13.500 Joseph McElroy: And when did you come to the United States.</p><p>00:07:13.950 –&gt; 00:07:28.500 Vesna Plakanis: Well, on and off from the time I was too, so my dad is a midwesterner, and so we actually they lived in Minnesota when he was growing up and so Minnesota was kind of our landing pad and we’d come to go back and forth to Minneapolis area.</p><p>00:07:28.920 –&gt; 00:07:35.250 Joseph McElroy: I see and during all this traveling around the world, and you get to do a lot of hiking and outdoor activities.</p><p>00:07:36.150 –&gt; 00:07:43.590 Vesna Plakanis: um well when I lived in Saudi Arabia, I was actually in the girl scouts and we would camp out on sand dunes.</p><p>00:07:47.730 –&gt; 00:07:48.210 Vesna Plakanis: Oh.</p><p>00:07:48.630 –&gt; 00:07:51.090 Joseph McElroy: wow we know, I was.</p><p>00:07:52.320 –&gt; 00:07:57.060 Joseph McElroy: You know, being in the content marketing business that Saudi Arabia is actually done this whole you know.</p><p>00:07:57.450 –&gt; 00:08:08.460 Joseph McElroy: thing to try to be more tourist-friendly destination, and so they were approaching us about doing some content marketing for that and I got into researching them, and while there was a lot of problems with the I didn’t want to deal with at the end of it.</p><p>00:08:09.750 –&gt; 00:08:23.520 Joseph McElroy: It really is a beautiful place for outdoor activity as a lot of amazing you know biking trails and our desert rallies and yeah so there’s a there’s quite an eye-opening and what, in which you can do.</p><p>00:08:24.480 –&gt; 00:08:33.330 Joseph McElroy: So oh you’re so you’ve had a great journey so, but you, you went off to college you got a communications degree right and you had a career in television.</p><p>00:08:33.810 –&gt; 00:08:42.000 Vesna Plakanis: I did yep marketing maybe you know just the whole nine yards, I was everything from advertising to copywriting to the producer.</p><p>00:08:43.140 –&gt; 00:08:45.060 Vesna Plakanis: newscaster all of it.</p><p>00:08:45.600 –&gt; 00:08:47.610 Joseph McElroy: wow where did you do that.</p><p>00:08:48.810 –&gt; 00:08:50.280 Vesna Plakanis: in Illinois and Knoxville.</p><p>00:08:50.880 –&gt; 00:08:51.600 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.</p><p>00:08:52.080 –&gt; 00:08:56.010 Vesna Plakanis: and actually Atlanta I worked for the Olympics in 96.</p><p>00:08:57.360 –&gt; 00:09:01.260 Joseph McElroy: Well, that must have been an interesting time the bomb scare and every day right.</p><p>00:09:03.510 –&gt; 00:09:17.490 Joseph McElroy: So your husband Eric is also had a different career he’s your partner right, so he was an accountant right and then, and then presumed a few fields, right here, but what did you guys meet.</p><p>00:09:18.510 –&gt; 00:09:25.260 Vesna Plakanis: um well actually he was living in Atlanta, and I was living in Knoxville and he was dating a friend of mine.</p><p>00:09:29.190 –&gt; 00:09:31.860 Joseph McElroy: Okay, now we get into the Peyton place to her.</p><p>00:09:36.270 –&gt; 00:09:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: And I asked her if it was okay if I called um but we were instantly you know, there was a connection there as soon as we met so I didn’t steal him.</p><p>00:09:48.150 –&gt; 00:09:48.780 Joseph McElroy: All right.</p><p>00:09:49.680 –&gt; 00:09:55.080 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s great well know the psychic connection yeah just created that was weird.</p><p>00:09:58.470 –&gt; 00:10:09.720 Joseph McElroy: So, so do you remember you I mean you obviously developed some sort of a bond around nature, I think because you made a career right like instantly from the beginning.</p><p>00:10:11.130 –&gt; 00:10:16.530 Vesna Plakanis: I think both of us just loved you know the natural world and when we met, it was just kind of a.</p><p>00:10:17.370 –&gt; 00:10:29.550 Vesna Plakanis: kismet um but no I was growing up in Minnesota, even though I was in Minneapolis you know, we had woods in our backyard, I was at it in school at the time.</p><p>00:10:30.090 –&gt; 00:10:47.430 Vesna Plakanis: Were they kind of had experimental things in you know in public high schools, and so we had a required outdoor education program and so from the time I was 12 years old, we had a climbing wall, we went camping when we were you know kids you know in sixth grade that was like required.</p><p>00:10:48.720 –&gt; 00:10:55.260 Vesna Plakanis: And so I just really got into the natural world and moved around a lot, I was kind of a lonely kid.</p><p>00:10:56.070 –&gt; 00:11:03.900 Vesna Plakanis: So it was very natural for me to just go out into the woods and find that solace and then Eric grew up in.</p><p>00:11:04.380 –&gt; 00:11:08.790 Vesna Plakanis: New Jersey right on the New Jersey New York state line and ma.</p><p>00:11:09.240 –&gt; 00:11:16.470 Vesna Plakanis: Which is right off the Appalachian trail, and so you know he played in the woods, this whole you know childhood to and so both of us just.</p><p>00:11:16.680 –&gt; 00:11:24.570 Vesna Plakanis: Love nature and this is what we love to do, and then, when he and I got married we actually went backpacking and camping through Maui for two weeks.</p><p>00:11:24.810 –&gt; 00:11:29.670 Joseph McElroy: wow so that’s so for the weekend go you started your bonding over that.</p><p>00:11:30.120 –&gt; 00:11:39.120 Joseph McElroy: yeah so when did so you live in Knoxville imagined, and he was in Atlanta Atlanta so did you have your first experience of the smokies together or separately.</p><p>00:11:39.600 –&gt; 00:11:48.990 Vesna Plakanis: know I lived in Knoxville for several years, so I worked at the TV station and we used to go up you know, to the park and you know to go camping and do picnics and go hiking and.</p><p>00:11:50.040 –&gt; 00:11:58.140 Vesna Plakanis: So now I fell in love with the smoky mountains, when I was in college and my mom and my stepfather had lived in Knoxville.</p><p>00:11:58.740 –&gt; 00:12:09.480 Vesna Plakanis: And it just moved down when I started college, so I came downfall break once and just I just remember falling in love coming over the Kentucky border.</p><p>00:12:10.140 –&gt; 00:12:21.360 Vesna Plakanis: And it was fall and just the colors were so vibrant and magical and because I moved around so much, I never really felt at home anywhere instantly.</p><p>00:12:22.830 –&gt; 00:12:25.380 Vesna Plakanis: Like it just got under my skin, I felt at home.</p><p>00:12:26.280 –&gt; 00:12:36.690 Joseph McElroy: And then, according to your website your husband went on a 10-day vision quest in the smokies which then really sort of set you on a path right to have a shared passion.</p><p>00:12:37.290 –&gt; 00:12:44.220 Vesna Plakanis: yeah we really Atlanta, and both in corporate America and we’re like oh God I don’t want to do the rest of my life and.</p><p>00:12:45.240 –&gt; 00:12:53.430 Vesna Plakanis: So we were having these you know little picnics in downtown Atlanta we’re like you know, we really should do something like homestead and Alaska.</p><p>00:12:55.620 –&gt; 00:12:59.070 Vesna Plakanis: sounds crazy and we’re vegetarian, so what would we eat and.</p><p>00:13:01.320 –&gt; 00:13:11.070 Vesna Plakanis: One day we after one of these little picnics you know kind of vision, you know, like fantasy picnics we went into a coffee house and picked up a magazine.</p><p>00:13:11.490 –&gt; 00:13:18.240 Vesna Plakanis: About a woman who left corporate America and started training under this naturalist school in North Georgia.</p><p>00:13:18.840 –&gt; 00:13:29.490 Vesna Plakanis: And she actually left her job and went lived off the land were like this sounds really cool so we started taking classes from this guy in medicine bow and.</p><p>00:13:29.970 –&gt; 00:13:41.460 Vesna Plakanis: that’s really sparked our interest in goddess kind of thinking about getting in this direction and then yeah Eric went on his 10-day backpacking vision quest and came down we picked him up and he’s like know what we’re gonna do.</p><p>00:13:43.440 –&gt; 00:13:48.660 Joseph McElroy: There we go so we’re gonna take a break down and when we come back we’re going to talk about what you did.</p><p>00:16:04.230 –&gt; 00:16:12.240 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest is Vesna Plakanis</p><p>00:16:12.720 –&gt; 00:16:24.390 Joseph McElroy: So you were telling you that you had your husband come down from the mountain after 10 days vision quest and he had a vision of what you guys were going to do what was that vision, what do you guys do.</p><p>00:16:26.490 –&gt; 00:16:32.010 Vesna Plakanis: Well, this is the most visited National Park in the country and a lot of people don’t go.</p><p>00:16:32.460 –&gt; 00:16:44.310 Vesna Plakanis: More than half a mile you know from the parking lot and he really saw that kind of on his 10-day backpacking trips when you come out and to the parking areas and people would be like where did you just come from.</p><p>00:16:45.270 –&gt; 00:16:56.700 Vesna Plakanis: His dirty mouth man, he was you know isn’t backpacking for days so when he came out of the woods after that 10-day backpacking trip, he said, you know I really feel like.</p><p>00:16:57.180 –&gt; 00:17:05.820 Vesna Plakanis: People, we need to educate people, we need to get them out there and get them excited about what makes a split place I’m so very special.</p><p>00:17:07.020 –&gt; 00:17:19.350 Vesna Plakanis: And so we started to kind of do a business plan on, you know how we would create a guide service, and you know how would we would be more education-oriented, so we didn’t want to take people from point A to Point B.</p><p>00:17:20.220 –&gt; 00:17:25.440 Vesna Plakanis: You know, we really wanted people to be immersed and experience what makes the smokies.</p><p>00:17:25.890 –&gt; 00:17:43.170 Vesna Plakanis: So very special but also you know, hoping that that would kind of filter out into the greater world so people could understand that you know we are part of this beautiful planet and that was kind of a lofty goal but that’s what we set out to do.</p><p>00:17:43.800 –&gt; 00:17:48.060 Joseph McElroy: And how long did it take you when when when was that the vision quest.</p><p>00:17:48.690 –&gt; 00:18:01.050 Vesna Plakanis: it was I guess in the summer of 96 so it took us a couple of years to sort of save money and figure out what you know the direction we wanted to take and exactly where we wanted to live.</p><p>00:18:01.980 –&gt; 00:18:07.920 Joseph McElroy: And you started your business and what was your first, what do you make sure.</p><p>00:18:09.450 –&gt; 00:18:18.630 Vesna Plakanis: So our first money it’s really actually funny because she came back last year um but you know we started out into like outfitters.</p><p>00:18:19.320 –&gt; 00:18:32.100 Vesna Plakanis: You know, got to know, everybody that Chamber of Commerce, you know T-shirts, we thought we would walk through the streets of Gatlinburg with our brochures and T-shirts and people would magically stop this and go oh take us for a hike that didn’t happen.</p><p>00:18:34.620 –&gt; 00:18:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: Through a very good friend of ours, who helped us with our website, and you know the Chamber of Commerce people eventually started finding us so our very first adventure was going up to Andrews bald.</p><p>00:18:47.310 –&gt; 00:18:55.500 Vesna Plakanis: Which right now, by the way, his peak colors are gorgeous so bald is actually a high mountain meadow.</p><p>00:18:56.010 –&gt; 00:19:12.660 Vesna Plakanis: Andrews bald is over 5000 feet in elevation and so you got this big wide open gorgeous natural space with you know just see after see you know of mountains and we took one woman both Eric and I.</p><p>00:19:14.760 –&gt; 00:19:16.290 Vesna Plakanis: $14.</p><p>00:19:20.160 –&gt; 00:19:23.370 Joseph McElroy: He made sure he had a good time for that $14</p><p>00:19:25.320 –&gt; 00:19:33.420 Vesna Plakanis: The cute thing is she came back I think last year and hired us again she brought some friends and she said, you know I think I was your very first customer.</p><p>00:19:38.010 –&gt; 00:19:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Two owners came along with theirs.</p><p>00:19:50.100 –&gt; 00:19:50.670 Vesna Plakanis: From there.</p><p>00:19:51.600 –&gt; 00:19:55.440 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s it, you know it’s impressive longevity I mean a small business.</p><p>00:19:56.490 –&gt; 00:20:09.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah so it’s 98 yeah that’s what 23 years rightmost small businesses fail within the first five years right, so the IUCN you’re always I’m always looking for.</p><p>00:20:10.710 –&gt; 00:20:21.390 Joseph McElroy: better ways to do things I took a look at your website and you have an incredible you know variety of things that you offer you also I looked at, so you have this incredible diversity of.</p><p>00:20:22.140 –&gt; 00:20:39.420 Joseph McElroy: the roster of guys of all ages and genders, and all very clearly talented you have like history, you know people with history degrees and former park Rangers and things So what do you how did you build that roster of guys.</p><p>00:20:42.000 –&gt; 00:20:47.460 Vesna Plakanis: just getting to know people were very we made friends with people in the park service.</p><p>00:20:48.330 –&gt; 00:20:57.510 Vesna Plakanis: Our daughter actually between I think for junior and senior year interned at the park and that’s actually how we got one of our first.</p><p>00:20:57.870 –&gt; 00:21:03.840 Vesna Plakanis: guides who’s been with us forever our historian Sam um and then we just built a reputation, you know.</p><p>00:21:04.140 –&gt; 00:21:17.040 Vesna Plakanis: Gatlinburg is a very small town, even though we get so many people there are only 4000 people in Gatlinburg and so you pretty much know everybody, you know you bump into people all the time at the grocery store and so just by getting to know people.</p><p>00:21:17.640 –&gt; 00:21:26.790 Vesna Plakanis: And I think we also have a reputation, as you know, family-oriented business, and that makes people very comfortable when they come to work for us, you know we’re very.</p><p>00:21:28.290 –&gt; 00:21:40.440 Vesna Plakanis: Clear about mentoring and helping to expand our guides and so you know there are certain things that we want from our staff, they have to be wilderness first responders which we will pay for.</p><p>00:21:41.220 –&gt; 00:21:50.790 Vesna Plakanis: We also promote you know outside larger you know, education if people want to become naturalist certified naturalist you know we help with that with scholarships.</p><p>00:21:51.360 –&gt; 00:21:59.460 Vesna Plakanis: So we’re very supportive in that respect, and we also you know any given time in our office you might have.</p><p>00:21:59.970 –&gt; 00:22:10.050 Vesna Plakanis: a toddler running around or five dogs, or you know, last week we even had a one-month-old baby, because one of our guides just had a baby or one of our staff.</p><p>00:22:10.530 –&gt; 00:22:19.110 Vesna Plakanis: um you know, so I think we just try to be a very supportive kind of family environment, even though we now have 30 people on our staff we just we still have that core.</p><p>00:22:19.590 –&gt; 00:22:25.110 Joseph McElroy: cool no I was, I was pleasantly surprised so, but you know.</p><p>00:22:25.170 –&gt; 00:22:27.030 Joseph McElroy: You and your husband combined have.</p><p>00:22:27.720 –&gt; 00:22:32.700 Joseph McElroy: Seven years of outdoor experience and you say most of that your husband Eric stuff.</p><p>00:22:39.990 –&gt; 00:22:42.660 Vesna Plakanis: Just the two of us did biking and.</p><p>00:22:44.340 –&gt; 00:22:55.200 Joseph McElroy: So, but you are also not only a hikers mature expert survivalist, and a historian, so you were in marketing, he was an accounting you had a vision quest came up here.</p><p>00:22:55.530 –&gt; 00:23:04.350 Joseph McElroy: So, how did you learn about the different plants and tracking and you know survivalism and how did you go about becoming experts have back.</p><p>00:23:05.100 –&gt; 00:23:12.870 Vesna Plakanis: um well, a lot of it was when we first started taking those classes from the naturalist school and in North Georgia.</p><p>00:23:13.380 –&gt; 00:23:23.850 Vesna Plakanis: And that’s run by a man named mark Warren medicine bow and he teaches that kind of primitive skills but based on what the Cherokee used to teach and what the turkeys to use.</p><p>00:23:24.450 –&gt; 00:23:31.410 Vesna Plakanis: And so, that was a natural way for us to really start learning about the local natives of the area and.</p><p>00:23:32.010 –&gt; 00:23:42.630 Vesna Plakanis: I love history, you know, having traveled all over the world I’m very into cultures and understanding how you know people you know things move together, and you can have.</p><p>00:23:43.260 –&gt; 00:23:52.800 Vesna Plakanis: You know people moving into an area without understanding the environmental, you know issues and what they’re dealing with and the Scotch Irish you came down here and.</p><p>00:23:53.190 –&gt; 00:24:00.900 Vesna Plakanis: The fact that the Appalachian mountains are you know, part of a chain that goes, all the way to Scotland and so when people settled here it felt familiar.</p><p>00:24:01.290 –&gt; 00:24:10.890 Vesna Plakanis: So I think it’s just a natural thing when you are a guide in this area, you know to sort of put all those pieces together and where we’re as rich.</p><p>00:24:11.640 –&gt; 00:24:24.780 Vesna Plakanis: in human history, as we are in diversity, where the most biodiverse place in the world, north of the tropics we also have the largest collection of human artifacts in any national park in the country, so it all goes really hand in hand.</p><p>00:24:25.350 –&gt; 00:24:25.980 wow.</p><p>00:24:27.330 –&gt; 00:24:33.150 Joseph McElroy: yeah I was reading about you guy’s depth of knowledge and, of course, you know Bob Plott who’s.</p><p>00:24:33.840 –&gt; 00:24:41.820 Joseph McElroy: Who helps me with this program is also a pretty fine historian and understanding the smoke as well just has high things to say about you guys.</p><p>00:24:42.420 –&gt; 00:24:49.830 Joseph McElroy: But I also understand you’re really great storyteller so I’m looking forward to hearing some of your stories, so you know a lot about the Cherokee and.</p><p>00:24:51.000 –&gt; 00:24:58.620 Joseph McElroy: And the European settlers they know how did you know is that something that’s important on your picking people out.</p><p>00:24:59.490 –&gt; 00:25:07.710 Vesna Plakanis: Oh yeah We very much whenever and even as we’re mentoring and training, these new guides you know, one of the things we really try to emphasize is that.</p><p>00:25:08.010 –&gt; 00:25:19.440 Vesna Plakanis: You know you’re not just going, and this is a tree, and this is that you know you’re really trying to weave something together, and I was an English major before I became kind of been.</p><p>00:25:20.400 –&gt; 00:25:23.730 Vesna Plakanis: into communication which I guess is all part of the same thing.</p><p>00:25:24.540 –&gt; 00:25:35.190 Vesna Plakanis: But I really look at being a guide as being a storyteller you know it’s an art it’s you know you’re introducing characters and you’re introducing a plot, and you know, then there’s drama.</p><p>00:25:35.550 –&gt; 00:25:43.230 Vesna Plakanis: And then, at the end you know the you’re bringing it all together, and this is such a natural place to tell these wonderful stories.</p><p>00:25:43.830 –&gt; 00:25:45.930 Joseph McElroy: what’s it what’s a favorite story you tell.</p><p>00:25:47.160 –&gt; 00:25:47.460 Vesna Plakanis: Oh.</p><p>00:25:50.160 –&gt; 00:25:51.960 Vesna Plakanis: got a lot of um.</p><p>00:25:53.100 –&gt; 00:25:55.440 Joseph McElroy: Quick what we felt like.</p><p>00:25:57.300 –&gt; 00:26:02.580 Vesna Plakanis: Well let’s see, let me so so what I love about this one, this is the Cherokee creation story.</p><p>00:26:03.300 –&gt; 00:26:13.890 Vesna Plakanis: And what I love about that is that somehow they had this understanding of how these mountains were really created that you know we used to have an ocean here and the story goes that long ago.</p><p>00:26:14.430 –&gt; 00:26:23.820 Vesna Plakanis: This with the earth was just this big blue globe and there was nothing but water and all the plants and animals lived in the sky vault and the animals were giant animals.</p><p>00:26:24.240 –&gt; 00:26:36.390 Vesna Plakanis: And as time went on population expanded and there wasn’t a lot of room and so they looked down at this place, which was the late, great blue globe and they said, maybe we can move down there, but all they saw was water.</p><p>00:26:36.930 –&gt; 00:26:42.900 Vesna Plakanis: And so they sent the little water beetle, who was a great swimmer down to explore, to see if he could find some land.</p><p>00:26:43.230 –&gt; 00:26:54.540 Vesna Plakanis: And he went down this web that had been spun by a spider and he went down and he started to swim and look for the earth and he couldn’t find any so we don’t down and he found some mud he brought them.</p><p>00:26:54.840 –&gt; 00:27:08.580 Vesna Plakanis: up and, as he brought it up, it expanded into our earth and it was too soft was money, so we went back up and he told everybody, and so the animal sent grandfather buzzard gigantic bird to look for dry land.</p><p>00:27:09.030 –&gt; 00:27:26.670 Vesna Plakanis: And he was a big bird and he skipped flu and he flew in his wings were so gigantic but, after a long time he could only find that money got so tired and, as he flew and not more tired his giant wings hit the earth and made valleys and when he brought it back up they made mountains.</p><p>00:27:26.880 –&gt; 00:27:36.060 Vesna Plakanis: And after a while, nothing but mountains and valleys and the animal said to come back and he did, and that is how he created the Appalachian mountains.</p><p>00:27:36.330 –&gt; 00:27:38.130 Joseph McElroy: Oh, a great culture</p><p>00:27:40.470 –&gt; 00:27:41.670 Vesna Plakanis: buzzard that’s right.</p><p>00:27:42.000 –&gt; 00:27:59.640 Vesna Plakanis: And if I have time just finish it real quick the sun thought it was so beautiful that the sun took a trip she went from east to west and, as she went over she was so in love with this area, and she dried it all up and all the animals and plants were able to come down to the.</p><p>00:28:00.840 –&gt; 00:28:12.030 Joseph McElroy: the fabulous day I love that story, so I want to talk more about stories and more about bears when we come back.</p><p>00:28:12.360 –&gt; 00:28:12.720 Okay.</p><p>00:30:51.300 –&gt; 00:31:01.320 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Vesna Plakanis</p><p>00:31:02.100 –&gt; 00:31:09.480 Joseph McElroy: You know, when people come to visit the motel or talk to me up here, even up here in New York, about the smoky mountains ask</p><p>00:31:09.840 –&gt; 00:31:15.600 Joseph McElroy: You know where to start asking a little bit about things they asked about wildlife and they always ask about two things now.</p><p>00:31:16.170 –&gt; 00:31:22.890 Joseph McElroy: used to be always about the black bears, and now they talk about else, of course, as well because it’s become somewhat famous.</p><p>00:31:23.610 –&gt; 00:31:34.080 Joseph McElroy: When you’re out there I’m sure you had some bear counters on the trails and you know men been what almost a quarter-century now do you have any interesting tour stories about that.</p><p>00:31:35.640 –&gt; 00:31:47.220 Vesna Plakanis: um well you know I’ve always been run into them once in a while, especially different times of the year, I did have a group that I was taking out a four-day backpacking trip and.</p><p>00:31:47.910 –&gt; 00:31:57.720 Vesna Plakanis: was hearing, I sound kind of you know, on the shelter around the shelter and you know, in the middle of the night kept getting up didn’t see anything.</p><p>00:31:58.830 –&gt; 00:32:09.120 Vesna Plakanis: And then I heard a Jingle Jingle Jingle and ran out to the place where you hang your backpack so you know there’s a steel cable pulleys you hang your backpack.</p><p>00:32:09.510 –&gt; 00:32:23.280 Vesna Plakanis: And there was this little yearling I’m not a very big bear that was trying very, very, very hard to shake and get our backpacks you know down off those hooks and I was able to you know kind of chase them away and.</p><p>00:32:25.020 –&gt; 00:32:34.290 Vesna Plakanis: And, but apparently some of the Appalachian Trail thru-hikers I’m assuming it’s the same one later saw the same little bear.</p><p>00:32:35.250 –&gt; 00:32:45.810 Vesna Plakanis: You know, actually trying to learn how to unhook it so he was trying very hard to kind of work on that hug so he can hook back up backpack so bears are incredibly smart.</p><p>00:32:46.110 –&gt; 00:32:57.300 Joseph McElroy: wow wait no reason I ask is that I read that you got training with a bear expert, known as the bear whisper his name is Steve Sir all right.</p><p>00:32:58.440 –&gt; 00:33:01.170 Joseph McElroy: And what was the What would it be training abilities.</p><p>00:33:01.800 –&gt; 00:33:08.400 Vesna Plakanis: So actually Steve Cyril was on animal planet for a while, I think it was a show called the bear whisper.</p><p>00:33:10.380 –&gt; 00:33:24.660 Vesna Plakanis: The park and the town of Gatlinburg of back in August around the year 2000 we’re really trying to understand you know how to operate as a gateway Community you know because bears don’t understand boundaries.</p><p>00:33:25.560 –&gt; 00:33:30.840 Vesna Plakanis: And so, when you know when the smells are coming from you know the restaurants and.</p><p>00:33:31.320 –&gt; 00:33:45.600 Vesna Plakanis: Food season is maybe not so great, you know master crop in the park is not so plentiful or is that in-between time before all the NUTS start falling you know the bears will kind of start coming out and they’ll get into trash will get into you know.</p><p>00:33:46.440 –&gt; 00:33:56.550 Vesna Plakanis: they’ll go over to cabins restaurants and things like that so Gatlinburg hired this expert Steve to come and talk to.</p><p>00:33:57.060 –&gt; 00:34:10.410 Vesna Plakanis: You know people who are working in the National Park, so we were part of sponsored by the American humane society, and we were part of a group that spent an entire weekend with Steve really learning how to live with bear and.</p><p>00:34:11.400 –&gt; 00:34:23.430 Vesna Plakanis: There are basically it’s called a nonlethal bear version technique which includes noise Biggers hate noise, so you know you hear about wave your arms and yell.</p><p>00:34:24.030 –&gt; 00:34:34.170 Vesna Plakanis: But there are other steps to that you know, throwing things because they don’t understand you know that that concept of something being thrown at them.</p><p>00:34:34.530 –&gt; 00:34:46.890 Vesna Plakanis: and extreme cases, and of course you as a guide or you know, a person in the park can’t do this but I’m like if you have it around your House and our eco-camp, we set off fireworks and it’s.</p><p>00:34:48.390 –&gt; 00:35:00.030 Vesna Plakanis: A coughing dog same thing and so it’s all these ways to teach bears that there is a separation and then, once they get to the place that they need to be.</p><p>00:35:00.570 –&gt; 00:35:18.180 Vesna Plakanis: You give them silence so you’re really, really, really loud like that bear that you know I saw that was trying to work with that the backpack on the cables bunch of noise and scream and act like idiots and then as soon as they get to a location where it’s Okay, for them to be quiet.</p><p>00:35:18.840 –&gt; 00:35:19.380 Vesna Plakanis: And then just.</p><p>00:35:19.590 –&gt; 00:35:24.480 Vesna Plakanis: A dog, you know they’re like oh OK, I can be here, but I can’t be here and it’s.</p><p>00:35:26.580 –&gt; 00:35:28.590 Joseph McElroy: So you train them that’s pretty cool.</p><p>00:35:30.630 –&gt; 00:35:40.710 Joseph McElroy: So um you know you know this has been an interesting time with a pandemic, and you know, in the mountains I’ve had to experience that I put in a.</p><p>00:35:41.610 –&gt; 00:35:54.930 Joseph McElroy: vaccine mandate has a little bit of trouble with that got written up in the papers about you know how I ended up having to clean rooms, how is it how’s the pandemic affected your your your business and how have you responded.</p><p>00:35:56.580 –&gt; 00:36:09.750 Vesna Plakanis: Last year was a struggle, you know the park closed down for three months, with good reason, um so it was a shift, we lost a lot of our staff only because we didn’t know when we were going to open back up again.</p><p>00:36:10.620 –&gt; 00:36:19.590 Vesna Plakanis: Our major client is rei and they’re about 7060 to 70% of our business that rei stopped operating last year.</p><p>00:36:19.620 –&gt; 00:36:20.880 All together know.</p><p>00:36:22.200 –&gt; 00:36:35.730 Vesna Plakanis: That we had no adventure programs so that really hurt, but you know we pivoted we I was lucky our daughter, who is now an adult living in Boston she was actually working with the.</p><p>00:36:37.050 –&gt; 00:36:45.540 Vesna Plakanis: Center for global health and security at Harvard and so she was kind of able to give us a heads up and let us know what was happening.</p><p>00:36:46.290 –&gt; 00:36:56.220 Vesna Plakanis: Before a lot of other people did, and so we started putting protocols in place and rewriting our handbook and all that and, and you know, we were able to limp along.</p><p>00:36:56.790 –&gt; 00:37:07.350 Joseph McElroy: And now all your guides and all your programs are all very safe and for a cove and all that sort of stuff, which is, I think, important to let people know.</p><p>00:37:08.520 –&gt; 00:37:18.060 Joseph McElroy: There is a way to make everything you know secure for people, I mean, like you, we mentioned offline the safety of the.</p><p>00:37:18.690 –&gt; 00:37:32.820 Joseph McElroy: In hospitality is paramount right so and we both believe in that I think that’s great you know I’m also you know, I was reading, you know the Meadowlark motels were the only three pine rated.</p><p>00:37:33.930 –&gt; 00:37:36.930 Joseph McElroy: Lodging facility west of Asheville.</p><p>00:37:38.310 –&gt; 00:37:53.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s the state of North Carolina is ecological we know how high you are rated and things like that, so I see that you’re you are here you’re a superstar and environmental issues you survived testified before Congress or 2016, can you tell us about that.</p><p>00:37:56.430 –&gt; 00:38:12.120 Vesna Plakanis: So it goes way back to actually the MID-2000s when both my husband and I had ohs what turned out to be ozone-induced asthma attacks, as we were hiking and leading groups and.</p><p>00:38:12.960 –&gt; 00:38:30.270 Vesna Plakanis: The air quality was so bad that they were warning people not to go out into the mountains, and so you know we never had that before we didn’t understand what it was so we became came part of a class-action lawsuit against TBA.</p><p>00:38:31.530 –&gt; 00:38:45.300 Vesna Plakanis: To you know help to have them add scrubbers and take a lot of their very old ancient polluting smokestacks offline so eventually they actually ended up closing.</p><p>00:38:46.650 –&gt; 00:38:51.090 Vesna Plakanis: Power plants that were so bad, and they had been grandfathered in.</p><p>00:38:51.570 –&gt; 00:38:58.950 Vesna Plakanis: And then you know we helped with a lot of other environmental groups to force tba to add scrubbers to all of their smokestacks.</p><p>00:38:59.220 –&gt; 00:39:11.940 Vesna Plakanis: So the air quality and the plant life, as a result, went from you know being hazardous sometimes and only seeing you know, five, six miles 10 miles to now you’re seeing.</p><p>00:39:12.510 –&gt; 00:39:26.040 Vesna Plakanis: On an average day you know 60 miles or more, and you know it’s not uncommon to have you know 200 mile visibility days, and so I when the EPA was looking at.</p><p>00:39:26.520 –&gt; 00:39:39.060 Vesna Plakanis: You know, strengthening these you know regulations, I was invited to go to DC and was able to tell my story about what it was like to have an.</p><p>00:39:40.110 –&gt; 00:39:40.980 Vesna Plakanis: asthma attack.</p><p>00:39:42.000 –&gt; 00:39:55.440 Joseph McElroy: wow wow looks great so I really appreciate that work because I’m very adamant about, yeah we got to be preserving these, I mean the reason the smokies were created in the first place was because of.</p><p>00:39:56.340 –&gt; 00:40:08.670 Joseph McElroy: You know, concerns for deforestation and the smoky so you know you know, ecology environmental issues are sort of the fundamental aspect of the founding of the smokies.</p><p>00:40:10.380 –&gt; 00:40:19.950 Joseph McElroy: You live in out and speaking of eco you live in an acre piece of heaven knows the Eco camp that’s what I read on your website, but what does that mean.</p><p>00:40:21.270 –&gt; 00:40:39.060 Vesna Plakanis: Well, we have a 90-acre piece of property that is surrounded by national park and we also have an eco-camp there, and so there are some off the grid, you know kitchen and bathrooms and you know 10 platforms and things like that, and so we’re very lucky it’s a beautiful piece of land.</p><p>00:40:39.390 –&gt; 00:40:40.050 In cosby.</p><p>00:40:41.580 –&gt; 00:40:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Is not clapping right it says.</p><p>00:40:45.000 –&gt; 00:40:45.480 Joseph McElroy: Nothing.</p><p>00:40:45.660 –&gt; 00:40:46.200 yeah.</p><p>00:40:48.930 –&gt; 00:40:56.340 Joseph McElroy: So ECO-friendly Clamping everybody out there, we got the source for that right that’s cool that’s really cool.</p><p>00:40:57.660 –&gt; 00:41:00.900 Joseph McElroy: Now you’ve won numerous awards, I saw that you’re in award-winning.</p><p>00:41:02.760 –&gt; 00:41:05.340 Joseph McElroy: Current company what tell me about some of the words that you want.</p><p>00:41:06.870 –&gt; 00:41:14.310 Vesna Plakanis: Well, the one we’re most proud of is in 2012 my husband one top guide for rei adventures for rei.</p><p>00:41:14.850 –&gt; 00:41:25.950 Vesna Plakanis: And you know that’s against you know that’s a worldwide honor, and so we were actually able to go out to Seattle and there was a big ceremony, and he spent a whole week with other guides from around the world.</p><p>00:41:27.450 –&gt; 00:41:29.160 Vesna Plakanis: And so that was pretty exciting.</p><p>00:41:30.210 –&gt; 00:41:30.840 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool.</p><p>00:41:31.170 –&gt; 00:41:31.920 Vesna Plakanis: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:41:32.550 –&gt; 00:41:36.000 Vesna Plakanis: yeah we got up to guides that were rei top guides.</p><p>00:41:36.300 –&gt; 00:41:36.750 I really.</p><p>00:41:38.160 –&gt; 00:41:40.770 Joseph McElroy: So so So what are.</p><p>00:41:42.390 –&gt; 00:41:46.080 Joseph McElroy: Some, what are the some, what are the some of the top tours and people can take with you.</p><p>00:41:47.640 –&gt; 00:41:58.650 Vesna Plakanis: I well it really depends on the time of year like right now we have a fall color tour that’s obviously very popular and we’ll kind of chase the leaves and take people out to you know where the best spots are.</p><p>00:41:59.730 –&gt; 00:42:00.930 Vesna Plakanis: we’re also.</p><p>00:42:02.010 –&gt; 00:42:10.350 Vesna Plakanis: we’re very family-oriented so the kind of one that’s near and dear to my heart is our program called exploring nature with children.</p><p>00:42:10.860 –&gt; 00:42:26.640 Vesna Plakanis: And you know kids are so overscheduled and there you know, on their phones and all that so it’s an opportunity to just get them out and get them dirty and playing in the mud, and looking for bugs and you know eating wild foods under supervision, of course.</p><p>00:42:27.810 –&gt; 00:42:35.640 Vesna Plakanis: And you know it’s always such a hit so anything that’s kind of family-oriented where we can get the kids out there is near and dear to my heart.</p><p>00:42:36.630 –&gt; 00:42:41.100 Joseph McElroy: That three-year-old twin toddler so you got something for them.</p><p>00:42:42.960 –&gt; 00:42:46.620 Vesna Plakanis: Actually, exploring nature with children is perfect for them.</p><p>00:42:46.680 –&gt; 00:42:47.340 They really.</p><p>00:42:48.600 –&gt; 00:42:58.560 Vesna Plakanis: Oh yeah we’re looking for salamanders we’re playing in the streams, you know they’re just splashing around and they’re having a ball, yeah that’s that is a great height for kids.</p><p>00:42:58.680 –&gt; 00:43:02.730 Joseph McElroy: All right, well then next time I bring him down, we have to set that upright.</p><p>00:43:04.860 –&gt; 00:43:07.470 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah cool so um.</p><p>00:43:08.520 –&gt; 00:43:14.550 Joseph McElroy: What besides the kid’s tours, yeah I mean you’re driving towards things like that, but what I.</p><p>00:43:15.360 –&gt; 00:43:24.930 Joseph McElroy: actually have to take a break now, but I want to talk about a little bit more of what you offer in terms of tours and what people interesting in the mountain smokies might find interesting to do.</p><p>00:45:30.510 –&gt; 00:45:42.330 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with my guest Vesna Plakanis in the gateway to the smokies podcast so.</p><p>00:45:44.610 –&gt; 00:45:51.060 Joseph McElroy: we’re talking about tours and things that do what are some of the favorite hikes that your customers long ago.</p><p>00:45:52.650 –&gt; 00:45:54.300 Vesna Plakanis: Everybody wants to see a waterfall.</p><p>00:45:56.190 –&gt; 00:46:00.930 Vesna Plakanis: Know we’re always doing waterfall Doers and we have some very waterfall tours we like to take people that.</p><p>00:46:01.680 –&gt; 00:46:15.780 Vesna Plakanis: The less popular ones where there’s not you know gazillion other people um you know, to see the tops of the mountains, people are really into the history of the area, and so we have a lot of historic tours that are very popular.</p><p>00:46:16.800 –&gt; 00:46:22.770 Vesna Plakanis: I actually just taught a class on wild edibles and medicinal plants, the other day, and those are always fun.</p><p>00:46:23.160 –&gt; 00:46:33.330 Vesna Plakanis: And you know we have burgers on staff so kind of depends on what people are into, and also with the seasons, you know what what is the season ringing and right now the season is bringing colors.</p><p>00:46:33.630 –&gt; 00:46:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: we’ve had a lot of rain, so any water hike is just gorgeous so you know opera elevations I think I mentioned Andrews bulb that’s one of my favorites, and this is the time to be there because it’s just everything’s peeking up there.</p><p>00:46:47.580 –&gt; 00:46:52.860 Joseph McElroy: So do you leave for did end up doing the cooking or cooking classes things like that.</p><p>00:46:54.780 –&gt; 00:46:56.460 Vesna Plakanis: I have in the past, yes.</p><p>00:46:57.480 –&gt; 00:47:09.180 Vesna Plakanis: Oh, usually what I do is what you know we’ll have like a kind of a classroom setting where I’ll teach people how to identify plants and I usually bring a few things for people to try depending on what’s going on in the season.</p><p>00:47:09.630 –&gt; 00:47:24.450 Joseph McElroy: I have an interest in talking about that because I’m putting in a camp kitchen at the Meadowlark and we want to do some interesting classes like that, so that could be a way to you know people come to get a taste and then go up in the mountains and actually find this stuff.</p><p>00:47:28.230 –&gt; 00:47:28.800 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:47:30.390 –&gt; 00:47:36.090 Joseph McElroy: So what this is always a good question I like to put a little competition into this now.</p><p>00:47:36.810 –&gt; 00:47:51.480 Joseph McElroy: You have the Tennessee side of the smokies and the North Carolina the silence folkies what are your favorite what’s your favorite Pike and Tennessee side and which one’s your favorite icon North Carolina side and which one is better and I hit hit hit on the North Carolina.</p><p>00:47:55.170 –&gt; 00:47:57.330 Vesna Plakanis: Okay that’s put me on the spot, but.</p><p>00:47:58.950 –&gt; 00:48:06.120 Vesna Plakanis: I will preface this by saying you know the smokies, as I mentioned, are the most biodiverse place in the world in the temperate zone.</p><p>00:48:06.570 –&gt; 00:48:17.100 Vesna Plakanis: And every season is different, every week is different and so really every hike is going to be different, but I have to say my personal favorite.</p><p>00:48:17.760 –&gt; 00:48:28.410 Vesna Plakanis: In Tennessee is the Ramsey cascade and Ramsey is so special because it’s deep in the woods there’s not a lot of other trails back there.</p><p>00:48:28.770 –&gt; 00:48:35.460 Vesna Plakanis: you’re hiking by this gorgeous gigantic body of water with lots of whitewater and little cascades.</p><p>00:48:35.910 –&gt; 00:48:42.720 Vesna Plakanis: And you’re going through some old settlement areas because, as we mentioned people used to live in these mountains before it became a park.</p><p>00:48:43.170 –&gt; 00:48:54.630 Vesna Plakanis: And then all of a sudden you get into this old-growth section of the park and one of the things that makes us so biodiverse, is that we contain so much old-growth forest and about.</p><p>00:48:55.470 –&gt; 00:49:07.890 Vesna Plakanis: Two and a half miles and you start getting into these massive trees and lush mosses and during wildflower season you don’t shoot the entire health sides are painted and wildflowers.</p><p>00:49:08.370 –&gt; 00:49:21.540 Vesna Plakanis: And you know you get in these trees that would take six to seven people to put their arms around I mean that you just can’t beat that’s an amazing variance to see that, and then it ends up at this gorgeous giant waterfall.</p><p>00:49:22.590 –&gt; 00:49:27.510 Vesna Plakanis: So I really love that hike that’s actually the very first time I took my husband on when we were first dating.</p><p>00:49:28.560 –&gt; 00:49:35.850 Vesna Plakanis: To get them excited about the smokies and then I’d have to say, probably in North Carolina I really love the Cataloochee area</p><p>00:49:36.420 –&gt; 00:49:44.100 Vesna Plakanis: So there’s a lot of really neat especially this time of year, you know hiking up the pretty hollow gap and seeing some of the views.</p><p>00:49:44.640 –&gt; 00:49:58.110 Vesna Plakanis: And in the springtime seeing all the wildflowers have held bald right now and it’s the all the gorgeous you know fall colors, but when makes Cataloochee so special is especially in October, you get to hear the elk bugling</p><p>00:49:58.800 –&gt; 00:50:01.320 Vesna Plakanis: Yes, eating season so.</p><p>00:50:03.090 –&gt; 00:50:16.500 Joseph McElroy: Experienced upfront and personal the wildlife that is so famous for the smokies yeah that’s cool people can do a hike you, you are also offered cartoonish right.</p><p>00:50:17.070 –&gt; 00:50:19.230 Joseph McElroy: So what would you say, would you say, is the best.</p><p>00:50:19.290 –&gt; 00:50:20.670 Joseph McElroy: And most popular cartoon.</p><p>00:50:22.500 –&gt; 00:50:34.650 Vesna Plakanis: Well, everybody loves kids cove you know if they’ve never even been to the parking lot of times kids they go to kids cove could actually be its own national park it’s under 3 million visitors a year kids code is beautiful because it’s this.</p><p>00:50:35.040 –&gt; 00:50:46.950 Vesna Plakanis: Big wide open area that is a giant sinkhole and so you have lots and lots of you know expansive views you’re surrounded by mountains and it’s also very historic so you get a lot of.</p><p>00:50:47.280 –&gt; 00:51:00.330 Vesna Plakanis: The old cabins and barns and cemeteries and old mills thumb that show people what it used to be like when the European you know settlers lift here and then prior to that it’s got some Cherokee history.</p><p>00:51:01.110 –&gt; 00:51:12.000 Vesna Plakanis: So that’s a super popular one we like to go to at certain times of the year because otherwise it gets very, very crowded and going on the weekend, unfortunately, gets to be a little prohibitive but that’s a popular one.</p><p>00:51:12.480 –&gt; 00:51:18.930 Vesna Plakanis: And then we’ve got another one that we take them up into the upper elevations all the way up to Clemens Dome so they can kind of see.</p><p>00:51:19.170 –&gt; 00:51:30.150 Vesna Plakanis: All the different ecozones from you know the lower elevation thick woods up until the upper elevations when you’re in a Canadian zone forest so it’s really fun to see that cool.</p><p>00:51:30.420 –&gt; 00:51:43.500 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve worked with Bob developing the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center tours, can you tell me what those and heights, can you tell me what those two additional products are, and I think they’re gonna be available, starting in November right.</p><p>00:51:44.160 –&gt; 00:51:57.330 Vesna Plakanis: Yes, so we’re excited I love working with Bob he’s been wonderful um I think what we’re gonna do is we’re going to start with an upper elevation hike and we’re also going to be doing something that’s very historic in nature.</p><p>00:51:58.620 –&gt; 00:52:11.190 Vesna Plakanis: In the smoke one area of the park and smoke month has a lot of layers in history it’s got a waterfall but it’s also got an old CCC camp it’s got.</p><p>00:52:11.580 –&gt; 00:52:28.200 Vesna Plakanis: Some of that area was logged there were settlers living there you drive by the kind of lefty Visitor Center, which is a working farm and you also get to see the elk, and so I think that’ll be a really nice kind of you know introduction into that side of the mountain.</p><p>00:52:28.650 –&gt; 00:52:37.050 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous so if people want to find out more about you and to book tours with you, what where would they go what would they do.</p><p>00:52:38.040 –&gt; 00:52:55.020 Vesna Plakanis: So our website is a walkinthewoods.com and you can you know to see all of our tours we have a lot of North Carolina tours we have you know everything from short easy walks to multiple night backpacking trips, or they can just give us a call.</p><p>00:52:56.070 –&gt; 00:53:04.770 Vesna Plakanis: You know so, either way, is fine with us, and probably want to look at our website, first because it’ll give you a whole variety get you to understand what we do.</p><p>00:53:05.370 –&gt; 00:53:06.480 Joseph McElroy: Any social media.</p><p>00:53:07.500 –&gt; 00:53:09.330 Vesna Plakanis: we’re on Facebook and Twitter.</p><p>00:53:10.440 –&gt; 00:53:18.240 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, I really appreciate you being on our show today I’m glad to be doing some things with you too it’s gonna be wonderful.</p><p>00:53:19.680 –&gt; 00:53:36.450 Joseph McElroy: I think there are lots of opportunities for people to experience the mountains, I love having both you know, the ability to be outdoors in a physical sense but also the ability to do something fairly quickly in a tour, so thank you so much has been terribly enlightening for me.</p><p>00:53:38.370 –&gt; 00:53:46.470 Joseph McElroy: And then, so I want to mention that we are on the talkradio.NYC network.</p><p>00:53:47.580 –&gt; 00:53:51.540 Joseph McElroy: Which is a network of a lot of live podcasts.</p><p>00:53:52.950 –&gt; 00:53:58.890 Joseph McElroy: And I recommend it for anybody to listen, we have a wonderful show coming after us about New York.</p><p>00:54:00.030 –&gt; 00:54:01.560 Joseph McElroy: And it’s.</p><p>00:54:03.000 –&gt; 00:54:11.970 Joseph McElroy: Something that everybody should take an opportunity to listen to at the meadowlark you know like I mentioned before we’re having a.</p><p>00:54:13.170 –&gt; 00:54:24.900 Joseph McElroy: looks like a late-season fall peak so we’re actually offering weekday get-away specials if you come in on Sunday or Monday and you stayed three days you get one night free.</p><p>00:54:26.310 –&gt; 00:54:31.140 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a really wonderful way to get in to see the fall.</p><p>00:54:31.680 –&gt; 00:54:43.050 Joseph McElroy: colors when there’s not a lot of people necessarily coming, and you know the Meadowlarkmotel.com and just book a room for three days starting on Monday or Sunday or Monday and you’ll get that special.</p><p>00:54:43.440 –&gt; 00:54:53.190 Joseph McElroy: it’s been a pleasure being on this show with you and I look forward to seeing you next week, we always have our podcasts on gateway the smokies.fun</p><p>00:54:54.480 –&gt; 00:55:12.870 Joseph McElroy: live broadcasts are always on there, as well as on our Facebook page facebook.com/gatewaythesmokies podcasts and next week, we will have from six to seven again another show and so it’ll be something that I look forward to seeing you, thank you very much.</p> e900b434-8f98-47cc-a5a8-1ab0c80e7c56 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/e1d298fb-74e8-4d68-a45c-05ac08ad93d6 Tue, 12 Oct 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2959 no full Episode 35: Finding a New Home in the Smokies Through Stories and Songs Episode 35: Finding a New Home in the Smokies Through Stories and Songs Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><span>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Garret Woodward, an Award-winning, Journalist, Author, Events promoter and Musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. A native of upstate New York. Woodward was a college track star and after graduating with a degree in Journalism, working across the country in a variety of journalism jobs before becoming a weekly Columnist for the Smoky Mountain News in 2012 and later also a Columnist for Smoky Mountain Living magazine. Best known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human-interest stories, Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live musical events with his own newly formed company. </span></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Joseph starts off this week’s episode by introducing himself and reading off the sponsored message from Smokies Adventure. After the sponsored message, Joseph introduces special guest, Garret Woodward, and they discuss their alcoholic drinks for the hour. The topic of Garret’s upbringing is brought up and Garret’s describes his experiences in his early years living near the Adirondacks compared to when he moved South near the Smokies. Garret explains how his life didn’t change drastically due to the people boring striking similarities, like their love of bluegrass and the mountain culture in both areas. After the break, Joseph wants to delve deeper into Garret’s journalism career.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>After the commercials, Joseph wanted to know why Garret traveled all the way to Europe and Garret explains that he wanted to learn more about his ancestry and a little more behind the person he was named after, his ancestor who left for America during the potato famine. Joseph shifts Garret to the discussion of Garret’s music journalism career and how he started out. He originally wanted to be a DJ, but through a coincidence and a pinch of luck, landed a much-needed internship at a music magazine where he learned how to write for a magazine, and get his first taste of journalism.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>After the break, Joseph asks Garret why he decided to move to the Smokies in the first place, and it was due to a recession in the economy when Garret, who was then freelancing as a music journalist, knew he needed a full time job. After sending out applications, he landed a job in Smoky Mountain News writing columns. It was then when Joseph wanted to explore Garret’s decorated writing career, like his award-winning column about bluegrass music, and the story behind the now famous title of Garret’s book, </span><em>If you can’t Play then get off the F******* Stage.</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>They come back to the final segment to talk about Garret’s recommendation for best live music concerts/festivals. After that, they trade stories of random pedestrians arguing with them about their favorite music or drinks. Once that was all said and done, Joseph asks Garret to create the ideal itinerary for people visiting North Carolina, discussing all the best places to eat breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, grab some coffee, and the best activities to do in between every meal.</span></p> Video thumbnail

In this episode, our special guest is Garret Woodward, an Award-winning, Journalist, Author, Events promoter, and Musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. A native of upstate New York. Woodward was a college track star and after graduating with a degree in Journalism, worked across the country in a variety of journalism jobs before becoming a weekly Columnist for the Smoky Mountain News in 2012 and later also a Columnist for Smoky Mountain Living magazine. Best known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human-interest stories, Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. 

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

Joseph starts off this week’s episode by introducing himself and reading off the sponsored message from Smokies Adventure. After the sponsored message, Joseph introduces a special guest, Garret Woodward, and they discuss their alcoholic drinks for the hour. The topic of Garret’s upbringing is brought up and Garret describes his experiences in his early years living near the Adirondacks compared to when he moved South near the Smokies. Garret explains how his life didn’t change drastically due to the people boring striking similarities, like their love of bluegrass and the mountain culture in both areas. After the break, Joseph wants to delve deeper into Garret’s journalism career.


Segment 2

After the commercials, Joseph wanted to know why Garret traveled all the way to Europe and Garret explains that he wanted to learn more about his ancestry and a little more about the person he was named after, his ancestor who left for America during the potato famine. Joseph shifts Garret to the discussion of Garret’s music journalism career and how he started out. He originally wanted to be a DJ, but through a coincidence and a pinch of luck, landed a much-needed internship at a music magazine where he learned how to write for a magazine, and get his first taste of journalism.


Segment 3

After the break, Joseph asks Garret why he decided to move to the Smokies in the first place, and it was due to a recession in the economy when Garret, who was then freelancing as a music journalist, knew he needed a full-time job. After sending out applications, he landed a job in Smoky Mountain News writing columns. It was then when Joseph wanted to explore Garret’s decorated writing career, like his award-winning column about bluegrass music, and the story behind the now famous title of Garret’s book If you can’t play then get off the F******* Stage.


Segment 4

They come back to the final segment to talk about Garret’s recommendation for the best live music concerts/festivals. After that, they trade stories of random pedestrians arguing with them about their favorite music or drinks. Once that was all said and done, Joseph asks Garret to create the ideal itinerary for people visiting North Carolina, discussing all the best places to eat breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, grab some coffee, and the best activities to do in between every meal.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:02:47.190 –> 00:02:51.510 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of

00:02:51.930 –> 00:03:00.570 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:03:01.020 –> 00:03:11.790 Joseph McElroy: And surrounding towns this area filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we explore with the weekly episode.

00:03:12.510 –> 00:03:25.980 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:03:27.060 –> 00:03:32.310 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is titled finding a new home in the smokies through stories and songs.

00:03:33.540 –> 00:03:46.290 Joseph McElroy: First, let me tell you a little bit about our sponsors imagine a place evocative of the motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.

00:03:46.830 –> 00:03:59.130 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain Heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wines or craft beer.

00:03:59.970 –> 00:04:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds and an old storyteller sitting around the fire talking to you about things in life.

00:04:11.670 –> 00:04:23.580 Joseph McElroy: There is no other place like the Meadowlark motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay. Go to MeadowlarkMotel.com to find out more.

00:04:25.230 –> 00:04:25.590 Joseph McElroy: and

00:04:28.320 –> 00:04:37.260 Joseph McElroy: If you’re looking for information about the smokies look no further than smokiesadventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure.com.

00:04:37.650 –> 00:04:42.300 Joseph McElroy: where you can find information about hiking and wedding and venues and books.

00:04:42.690 –> 00:04:56.460 Joseph McElroy: And trail maps and resources, the emphasis of smokies adventurous outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information and lodging entertainment.

00:04:56.820 –> 00:05:04.230 Joseph McElroy: Events conventions honeymoons and more The goal of this site is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.

00:05:06.210 –> 00:05:16.890 Joseph McElroy: So welcome everybody I’m here today we’re gonna have a nice little conversation, as I do, every time I’m open it up a craft beer sometimes it’s from North Carolina sometimes it’s from New York, this time.

00:05:17.280 –> 00:05:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Is from the Bronx Brewery in New York City, and it is you can’t you now use can’t leave.

00:05:26.640 –> 00:05:34.170 Joseph McElroy: cheers, now I just saw that it is 10.1% So if I get a little funny but, at the end of this show.

00:05:36.750 –> 00:05:39.060 Joseph McElroy: you’ll know what you know the reason they’re at.

00:05:41.010 –> 00:05:43.320 Joseph McElroy: So either.

00:05:44.790 –> 00:05:45.210 Joseph McElroy: I have.

00:05:46.350 –> 00:06:00.330 Joseph McElroy: got a new guy new guests there today his name is Garrett Woodward and he is an award-winning Journalist, Author, Events Promoter, and musician now living in Haywood County and Waynesville North Carolina.

00:06:00.870 –> 00:06:11.640 Joseph McElroy: He is a weekly Columnist for the smoky mountain news since 2012 and later he was also a columnist for the smoky mountain living magazine.

00:06:12.690 –> 00:06:27.960 Joseph McElroy: Yes, known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human interest stories is also the author of two books and as a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine, and, while also promoting live music with his own company.

00:06:28.980 –> 00:06:30.510 Joseph McElroy: Hello Gary how you doing.

00:06:30.840 –> 00:06:33.150 Garret Woodward: hey man, how you doing thanks for having me here.

00:06:33.570 –> 00:06:36.660 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing good and you’re drinking a beer too what you drinking.

00:06:37.320 –> 00:06:44.940 Garret Woodward: Well I’m drinking a beer and solidarity of my native North country which is a moose head Lager.

00:06:45.570 –> 00:06:52.860 Garret Woodward: All right, people forget, although it’s a big beer it’s actually Canada’s oldest and biggest independent brewery.

00:06:53.310 –> 00:06:55.980 Joseph McElroy: Really so it’s the craft beer theoretically.

00:06:56.340 –> 00:07:01.500 Garret Woodward: One of the only it’s one of the only beer companies in Canada that’s not owned by Molson or a bad.

00:07:04.080 –> 00:07:08.640 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in upstate New York not too far from Canada right so.

00:07:10.860 –> 00:07:12.690 Garret Woodward: I grew up in Canada.

00:07:13.170 –> 00:07:16.260 Joseph McElroy: wow That was a very small town right.

00:07:16.740 –> 00:07:25.860 Garret Woodward: extremely small, to put it in reference, we were the big town up there, but we were probably about the size of Bryson City North Carolina, which is about.

00:07:26.370 –> 00:07:35.220 Garret Woodward: 1800 people, so I grew up in a cow town in northern Adirondacks I always say you hit a golf ball for my childhood home and hit Quebec.

00:07:35.910 –> 00:07:45.870 Garret Woodward: And yeah born and bred there until I got out of high school my dad was an immigration officer for the US Government, he was the one that decided if you come in and out of the border.

00:07:46.380 –> 00:07:53.460 Garret Woodward: which was tough, because when I was a teenager and we would go to Quebec to drink beers because it’s 18 to drink, he would be the one I’d come through.

00:07:54.090 –> 00:07:55.800 Garret Woodward: If I can come back to America.

00:07:57.150 –> 00:08:02.940 Garret Woodward: This is true, this really happen, it would be him in the booth saying is that my son back there in the back of that car.

00:08:07.020 –> 00:08:07.320 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:08:08.040 –> 00:08:10.410 Garret Woodward: Make sure he gets home his mom’s gonna be really mad.

00:08:13.830 –> 00:08:15.180 Garret Woodward: cool feature up there too.

00:08:16.050 –> 00:08:21.360 Joseph McElroy: So the culture, so you know you said it was near the Adirondacks here in the Adirondacks right.

00:08:22.800 –> 00:08:23.610 Joseph McElroy: yeah go.

00:08:24.180 –> 00:08:34.740 Garret Woodward: Champlain Valley Northern Adirondacks my whole existence revolves around places like Plattsburgh new york’s Saranac lake placid Tupper lake line mountain.

00:08:35.250 –> 00:08:39.030 Garret Woodward: all the way up to the border and then you know Burlington Vermont was right there.

00:08:39.780 –> 00:08:50.730 Garret Woodward: 30 minutes south of US was Burlington Vermont and then 45 minutes north of US was Montreal Quebec So for me in a cow town, I had to have the world’s greatest cities within an hour of me.

00:08:51.750 –> 00:08:59.130 Joseph McElroy: So that that was a mountain culture right so, is it defined the similarities between it and the smokies.

00:08:59.610 –> 00:09:04.110 Garret Woodward: Well, a lot of people don’t realize that, in essence, like it’s kind of the same mountain chain.

00:09:04.140 –> 00:09:11.070 Garret Woodward: I mean there are considered the northern Appalachians but it depends, who you ask some people won’t claim it but.

00:09:12.090 –> 00:09:19.200 Garret Woodward: It looks very similar Western North Carolina looks very similar to upstate New York, the people are very similar.

00:09:19.770 –> 00:09:29.220 Garret Woodward: It doesn’t matter what your background is your religion or your political affiliation, the only question that remains is, are you a good person or a bad person.

00:09:29.610 –> 00:09:43.470 Garret Woodward: that’s all people care about up there and that’s all people care about down here, you know, are you here to compliment, and I say that with the letter E, not the letter I, are you here to compliment the Community or here to compliment the Community or are you here to just.

00:09:45.570 –> 00:09:49.560 Garret Woodward: You know absorb it and not contribute, you know but.

00:09:49.650 –> 00:09:54.990 Garret Woodward: yeah that’s it that’s a big thing for me in this area, reminds me a lot of where I grew up the people are incredible and.

00:09:55.560 –> 00:10:10.410 Garret Woodward: And up there, it was definitely mountain culture when I’m home, all I do is the same thing I do down here, which is go hike go swim and freshwater lakes and go find live music at some bar on the corner, so my life has not changed that much since I moved down here.

00:10:10.920 –> 00:10:13.740 Joseph McElroy: The rubric was bluegrass and country music big up there.

00:10:14.400 –> 00:10:27.600 Garret Woodward: It is but it’s different like it’s funny is I grew up one town over from where the Gibson brothers are from and they’re very, very popular award-winning bluegrass band.

00:10:28.260 –> 00:10:40.500 Garret Woodward: And they grew up, they were farm kids that were you know, a generation ahead of me but also 10 miles down the road So when I was growing up, they were always playing the local.

00:10:41.100 –> 00:10:48.390 Garret Woodward: You know maple syrup festivals, and all the things that go on up there ice fishing tournaments all that stuff and then.

00:10:49.140 –> 00:11:04.680 Garret Woodward: You know they become nowadays, one of the marquee bluegrass men’s in the United States to which they actually just put out an album that was produced by Darren our back or the black keys the last album he called them up and produced it but what’s so funny is.

00:11:06.390 –> 00:11:20.250 Garret Woodward: When when you talk to the Gibson brothers about it when they play in upstate New York, people are like oh my God you’re keeping the high lonesome sound going, and then when they come down Appalachia people are like oh you guys came close.

00:11:22.920 –> 00:11:30.930 Garret Woodward: Like they’re considered traditional bluegrass in New York, but they’re considered like progressive bluegrass in North Carolina and.

00:11:31.980 –> 00:11:36.210 Joseph McElroy: bluegrass mafia around here you better not introduce something new right I.

00:11:36.210 –> 00:11:48.840 Garret Woodward: know it, but it’s so cool is because I cross paths with them a lot when they’re in Nashville or you know they’re always at the IBM a’s which are this Thursday in Raleigh the international bluegrass music association award show and.

00:11:49.950 –> 00:11:57.150 Garret Woodward: it’s funny because I in the south, I don’t really have any personal connections down here with anybody that’s from up there, so when I run into them.

00:11:57.630 –> 00:12:08.340 Garret Woodward: They know that they know everything, and I know everything about where we’re from and what we’re about so we always end up hanging out and having a couple of beers and just you know chewing the ball, a little bit about the north country.

00:12:10.680 –> 00:12:18.810 Joseph McElroy: So so you’re a writer, but you started, you were sort of a track star at Quinnipiac University weren’t you.

00:12:19.740 –> 00:12:25.770 Garret Woodward: yeah well, I was a track star in high school, but then, when you get to college you realize that everyone’s a track star that goes to college.

00:12:27.450 –> 00:12:35.280 Garret Woodward: So we got a rock star yeah you got you go from top dog in your hometown to you might make the team in college, you know.

00:12:37.200 –> 00:12:41.460 Joseph McElroy: What spurred you that into journalism in history was it because you weren’t a good track star.

00:12:42.390 –> 00:12:44.970 Garret Woodward: And I still run every day, by the way.

00:12:45.030 –> 00:12:51.450 Garret Woodward: I have a six-and-a-half-year-long streak of running every day, which is crazy.

00:12:52.620 –> 00:12:54.600 Garret Woodward: It was initially was to.

00:12:55.680 –> 00:13:03.360 Garret Woodward: spite my father because he’s a huge runner he got me into running he’s an older guy he’s turning 80 this year and.

00:13:03.900 –> 00:13:15.030 Garret Woodward: And I’m 36 and he was older when I was born and he ran you know Boston marathon 20 times, he was one of those guys in the 60s and 70s, that kind of was the start of the running boom and.

00:13:16.650 –> 00:13:22.470 Garret Woodward: I was talking to him, it was actually I was in New York City, I was staying with some friends for new year’s Eve in.

00:13:23.520 –> 00:13:34.290 Garret Woodward: In Greenpoint Brooklyn and I didn’t have usually I would run one-day mount bike one day hike one day that’s always been my routine just kind of you know to cross-train.

00:13:34.740 –> 00:13:43.200 Garret Woodward: And I love to exercise and I’m one of the few people that like I really like to exercise that it’s my Zen zone but, just like live music and writing.

00:13:44.370 –> 00:13:56.220 Garret Woodward: So he told me he I told him I’d run like six days in a row when I was in New York because I didn’t have anything else to do so, I just ran every day it was like six days in a row that’s nothing I ran 100 days in a row I don’t think you’ll ever do that.

00:13:57.810 –> 00:13:58.890 Garret Woodward: Now i’m at a.

00:14:00.000 –> 00:14:02.220 Garret Woodward: I think I’m at like 1800 days in a row.

00:14:02.550 –> 00:14:03.150 well.

00:14:04.350 –> 00:14:09.030 Garret Woodward: No, but it’s like to really you know shove, the point home to the old man.

00:14:10.380 –> 00:14:18.150 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, I think that this is code started I think I’m having a drink 400 days in a row or stuff like that.

00:14:18.960 –> 00:14:20.190 Garret Woodward: I hear you buddy I hear you.

00:14:22.200 –> 00:14:24.720 Joseph McElroy: We all get on the street sometimes so.

00:14:26.610 –> 00:14:42.300 Joseph McElroy: So you know, so how did you well, I think there’s a further discussion here because you know, one of the things I noticed when you made that joke complimentary that’s an irony, you know that is that’s a better joke than a joke that only a writer would.

00:14:44.370 –> 00:14:45.060 Joseph McElroy: You make.

00:14:46.290 –> 00:14:53.400 Joseph McElroy: So I want to get more into your journalism and your and your and your writing career when we come back.

00:14:54.810 –> 00:14:55.980 Joseph McElroy: After this break.

00:17:12.210 –> 00:17:27.690 Joseph McElroy: Oh, this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest is Garret Woodward who is trying to destroy his own computer equipment by boring too much beer fast into a cup.

00:17:30.210 –> 00:17:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Did you save your equipment they’re.

00:17:32.280 –> 00:17:32.910 I’m good.

00:17:34.140 –> 00:17:35.070 Garret Woodward: or bad it’s not.

00:17:35.160 –> 00:17:35.940 Then saved.

00:17:38.490 –> 00:17:50.430 Joseph McElroy: hey you know, they say, like 150 million years ago there was this giant continent that comprise the United States and in Europe and others, and there was a giant.

00:17:50.910 –> 00:17:59.250 Joseph McElroy: mountain range dawn up that that when the continent split apart those mountain ranges split apart and one part of it ended up being the Appalachians.

00:17:59.940 –> 00:18:10.440 Joseph McElroy: And the other part, ended up being over in Europe, and now they have an international Appalachian trail that connects them to together virtually and part of that goes into Scotland and Ireland.

00:18:11.400 –> 00:18:26.580 Joseph McElroy: Now I saw that after college, you went to county Ireland county Kerry and Ireland, so how did you end up there, and did you find those which county is the most mountainous region in our the do you find those mountains similar to.

00:18:28.290 –> 00:18:31.950 Garret Woodward: Well, no trees, they English toral the trees down to build the homes.

00:18:32.670 –> 00:18:33.180 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know.

00:18:33.570 –> 00:18:35.460 Joseph McElroy: The day they didn’t have trees around here either.

00:18:35.850 –> 00:18:47.550 Garret Woodward: yeah they so I actually I was at did it was a semester abroad in college, but I was it was a host family it wasn’t like you were with a bunch of like you.

00:18:48.000 –> 00:18:57.300 Garret Woodward: You weren’t in an American institution or American college with American professors, you were in I was with a host family with five other students for.

00:18:57.930 –> 00:19:07.740 Garret Woodward: four and a half, five months when I was 20 years old, and the reason that it was a big deal to me was my full name is Garrett Kevin Woodward.

00:19:08.220 –> 00:19:14.820 Garret Woodward: and Garret Kevin was the first person for my family to come over to America during the potato famine, so I was named after him.

00:19:15.570 –> 00:19:24.570 Garret Woodward: And it’s always been a dream of mine to go there and when the opportunity came up through Quinnipiac they actually have a direct portal to Ireland.

00:19:25.110 –> 00:19:42.960 Garret Woodward: they’re really big with Irish humanities it’s just a big part of the school, which was amazing of a coincidence that the school actually had a property in Ireland, where they had a host family that you could stay with for five months, and so I jumped on it, and it was in County Kerry.

00:19:44.190 –> 00:19:54.450 Garret Woodward: right out right next to the Dingle peninsula and what was so cool was it was a life-changing experience I recommend anybody if you can figure out where your family’s from.

00:19:54.900 –> 00:20:03.930 Garret Woodward: What town they’re from to go there because it’s one of those experiences that you can’t explain the idea of like time doesn’t exist kind of thing like it’s all.

00:20:04.140 –> 00:20:07.830 Garret Woodward: circle and what was crazy was I’d always heard that.

00:20:09.960 –> 00:20:24.690 Garret Woodward: My family had a pub in County Carlo the town of Boris only like 600 people and I’d heard the Cabinet pub is still there is the exact pub that my ancestor Garrick hasn’t left.

00:20:26.790 –> 00:20:31.980 Garret Woodward: The exact pub and I was like I wonder if it’s still there and it’s still there it’s still a pub.

00:20:32.160 –> 00:20:34.920 Joseph McElroy: Oh, that was spine-tingling right yeah.

00:20:35.340 –> 00:20:42.060 Garret Woodward: yeah it was a pub with a thatched roof it had been there over 150 years and it was still called the Cabinet pub.

00:20:42.660 –> 00:20:53.940 Garret Woodward: So, being the runner that I am I brought my running clothes and I went for a jog around the Community my parents actually met me there because we all wanted to track it down and.

00:20:54.870 –> 00:21:04.530 Garret Woodward: My dad went for a run around one side of the town, I went for a run around the other and we circled back and had got us with my mom in that bar that pub and it was.

00:21:06.090 –> 00:21:09.600 Garret Woodward: Like not to sound cheesy but man, it was a really cosmic experience.

00:21:10.440 –> 00:21:13.410 Garret Woodward: The exact room that your ancestor left for America.

00:21:14.910 –> 00:21:17.940 Garret Woodward: In Europe, like How crazy, is that you know but.

00:21:18.600 –> 00:21:19.050 Joseph McElroy: You know I.

00:21:20.250 –> 00:21:29.190 Joseph McElroy: mean I can go around Haywood county and I can find the things that my ancestors a bit and yeah like old fox hunting cabins and things I get a little bit of that.

00:21:30.060 –> 00:21:45.810 Joseph McElroy: yeah kick it right there so um so you after college you embarked upon this fabulous journalism career so so how did you get into music journalism right.

00:21:46.470 –> 00:21:56.940 Garret Woodward: I since day since I’ve been cognizant as a human being, my life has revolved around music I’ve always been obsessed with it I’ve always loved it.

00:21:57.780 –> 00:22:09.630 Garret Woodward: Well, the second I was old enough to go to concerts I would beg my parents to bring me to shows every weekend the second I got a car and a license I never was home.

00:22:10.290 –> 00:22:10.590 Joseph McElroy: I mean.

00:22:11.370 –> 00:22:17.580 Garret Woodward: You know, I was the 12-year-old kid begging my mom to drop me off at the rock show every weekend I wanted to go see concerts.

00:22:18.090 –> 00:22:27.120 Garret Woodward: And when I was 16 and got a license I worked at McDonald’s That was my first there’s the only job you can get on the border McDonald’s or you work at the Marina and lake Champlain that’s it.

00:22:27.870 –> 00:22:40.470 Garret Woodward: And I spend every dime I made at McDonald’s on gas and concert tickets in its really hasn’t changed since I largely think I became a journalist, I didn’t have to pay for concert tickets.

00:22:42.330 –> 00:22:46.200 Garret Woodward: I think about how much money I’ve not spent on concert tickets.

00:22:48.870 –> 00:22:52.020 Garret Woodward: music has always been my life like it’s always been something that.

00:22:52.260 –> 00:22:58.650 Joseph McElroy: was just that was inevitable than ever there was your journalism was going to be available to be.

00:22:58.680 –> 00:23:00.780 Garret Woodward: I fell in love I fell into journalism.

00:23:00.900 –> 00:23:03.930 Garret Woodward: I plan on being a journalist, to be honest with you.

00:23:05.760 –> 00:23:09.540 Garret Woodward: I’ve always looked at live music as one of the most sacred.

00:23:10.710 –> 00:23:22.470 Garret Woodward: experiences, you can have as a human being is being a room of strangers and having this communal experience that transcends anything you know you can be in a room full of.

00:23:22.470 –> 00:23:26.940 Garret Woodward: people that are completely different of where they’re from what they do, who they are, what they’re about.

00:23:27.750 –> 00:23:35.490 Garret Woodward: But they’re all they’re facing the same direction, looking at something and and and just in anticipation of the magic.

00:23:35.970 –> 00:23:43.440 Garret Woodward: And that’s the thing I do I chased the magic, you know that that one moment every show where you’re just like I’m so glad I’m here right now and.

00:23:44.190 –> 00:23:57.750 Garret Woodward: Even as a kid that I’m like an old soul man, even as a kid I knew that 12 years old, I always thought that, and when I was in high school, this is how I fell into journalism, so I wanted to be an MTV VJ.

00:23:58.170 –> 00:23:58.920 My dream was.

00:24:00.270 –> 00:24:05.550 Garret Woodward: I wanted to be Carson Daly I wanted to be on total request live, I wanted to be.

00:24:06.780 –> 00:24:15.870 Garret Woodward: broadway I wanted to be on the second floor I wanted to host yarrow and I wanted Carson Daly job I still want Carson Jill his job he’s on the today show now.

00:24:15.930 –> 00:24:16.620 But yeah.

00:24:18.090 –> 00:24:29.010 Garret Woodward: So when I was a senior in high school, a friend of mine my mom’s friend from high schools daughter worked at MTV to which was crazy, because where I grew up a lot of people don’t leave that area.

00:24:29.580 –> 00:24:42.090 Garret Woodward: If you have dreams and it’s not pursuing them I love it up there, but people have dreams and they don’t chase them and most people don’t leave my town, and I said I’m bouncing out of here and.

00:24:42.750 –> 00:24:52.590 Garret Woodward: When I was a senior I’d found out that this friend of his daughter my mom’s friend worked at MTV too, and she brought me into the tiro studios in 2002.

00:24:53.280 –> 00:24:56.520 Garret Woodward: Right now, is the biggest show on MTV at that point in.

00:24:57.450 –> 00:25:06.420 Garret Woodward: As long gone well, I think it came back actually but, at the time it was huge to get 1000 people in Times Square, just to watch every broadcast I mean it was wild.

00:25:06.930 –> 00:25:14.310 Garret Woodward: And I got to walk around the studios and I said, this is why I want to do with my life, so I ended up at Quinnipiac because they have a really good broadcast journalism Program.

00:25:15.150 –> 00:25:23.430 Garret Woodward: And then I was kind of pursuing that and then when I had to get an internship my junior year I couldn’t find anything.

00:25:24.060 –> 00:25:30.270 Garret Woodward: When I went back to New York for spring break I had to get an internship by the time I came back from spring break or else I couldn’t graduate.

00:25:30.990 –> 00:25:51.390 Garret Woodward: And so I went to a music festival in Lake placid New York, it was called snow down, it was SN he for the band mo so snow down and I ran into a friend of mine who was my aunt’s ex-boyfriend and he’s is kind of cosmic looking dude big white beard he got me.

00:25:52.650 –> 00:25:54.780 Garret Woodward: got me to the grateful dead when I was nine years old.

00:25:55.170 –> 00:25:55.530 hey.

00:25:58.440 –> 00:26:06.510 Garret Woodward: I ran into him at the festival, this is spring break I had two days to find an internship I had called every radio station on every TV station.

00:26:06.930 –> 00:26:13.710 Garret Woodward: For the summer internship when I was back in Plattsburgh nobody called me back everyone said we’d have we have nothing for you.

00:26:14.400 –> 00:26:22.650 Garret Woodward: So I was, I was like I’m going back to Connecticut to college in two days and I don’t have an internship and I ran into him at the show on Saturday night I’d be back in college Monday.

00:26:23.130 –> 00:26:32.610 Garret Woodward: I ran into him Saturday night at the show in Lake placid and I told him what was going on, he goes well, this is kind of funny a friend of mine who owns a music magazine is here tonight.

00:26:33.270 –> 00:26:45.960 Garret Woodward: I know you’re not a writer, but as you should talk to me, probably get you an internship so I ran into the guy that night and he said so, what do I get to do just say that you did stuff and sign a piece of paper, and I said yeah that’d be.

00:26:45.960 –> 00:26:49.440 Garret Woodward: Great that’d be really great I really need this internship.

00:26:49.980 –> 00:27:00.960 Garret Woodward: And so I was able to fudge my way through it, even though it wasn’t TV or radio my journalism Professor said it was okay because it was a magazine so.

00:27:02.130 –> 00:27:07.890 Garret Woodward: I had no experience with creative writing at all or any kind of magazine writing and.

00:27:08.730 –> 00:27:20.940 Garret Woodward: I jumped on it and that summer I started interning at this music magazine in Burlington Vermont state of a mind music magazine, it was a physical magazine is beautiful magazine taught me everything I learned everything I know about journalism now I learned there.

00:27:21.630 –> 00:27:30.240 Garret Woodward: hasn’t changed every single thing it was it was great it was one of those old school music magazines, where they would give you like a six-page bread, where you can really.

00:27:30.270 –> 00:27:34.890 Garret Woodward: dive into like he could really, really nerd out on artists and.

00:27:36.180 –> 00:27:45.450 Garret Woodward: The editor there Mike McKinley gave me the internship and then about a month into it all, I was doing was like dropping off boxes of magazines at dive bars and.

00:27:46.260 –> 00:27:53.760 Garret Woodward: Helping transcribe interviews and then he said, do you ever want you want to write, for us, I don’t know how to write and he goes well.

00:27:54.750 –> 00:28:04.260 Garret Woodward: Are you gotta do is just tell the truth, like, how do you really feel about this thing like what What if you, what do you feel about this album when you feel about this artist, what do you actually feel yeah.

00:28:04.710 –> 00:28:08.820 Garret Woodward: He said that’s all you gotta do is just say that, and then so that’s where it started.

00:28:09.240 –> 00:28:11.730 Joseph McElroy: And then that’s a great way to.

00:28:11.730 –> 00:28:14.340 Joseph McElroy: start a career is to get you to know that kind of.

00:28:14.970 –> 00:28:22.170 Joseph McElroy: talent yeah falling into it and then having some mentors there to help you that you know and being in a place where you can actually get a rich.

00:28:23.010 –> 00:28:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Experience with their lead you to be able to travel, you know I noticed that you travel early on to a lot of places, but then, what interests me as you went to burning man.

00:28:33.630 –> 00:28:34.200 Garret Woodward: place.

00:28:34.920 –> 00:28:43.710 Garret Woodward: Twice where did you go I went in 2008 and 2009 I actually have I don’t know if you can see it get a burning man tattoo right there.

00:28:46.410 –> 00:28:48.720 Joseph McElroy: You go to into the series.

00:28:50.160 –> 00:28:53.790 Joseph McElroy: I’ve done my thing that’s cool another burner all right.

00:28:54.150 –> 00:28:58.830 Garret Woodward: Good on you man, you know it’s a lot different now I don’t know if I never go back.

00:28:59.370 –> 00:29:03.540 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know you know even then it was getting pretty big it’s like 30,000 I was there, but.

00:29:04.380 –> 00:29:04.740 Garret Woodward: For me.

00:29:05.610 –> 00:29:10.020 Joseph McElroy: to share some stories, you have to come over to the motel I got some real good Bernie man.

00:29:12.930 –> 00:29:15.990 Garret Woodward: There now there’s Internet and cell service I don’t know how I feel about that.

00:29:16.410 –> 00:29:29.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah we know when I put in a satellite to my my my my my vehicle, I have one of these original one original sets I had Internet before anybody in Bernie MAC.

00:29:30.030 –> 00:29:30.810 Garret Woodward: You might only.

00:29:30.900 –> 00:29:32.520 Garret Woodward: a person that could call out of there.

00:29:32.790 –> 00:29:40.890 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I could call, and I could I was doing a newsletter couldn’t do images and heavy media at the time, but I can do some stuff but.

00:29:42.360 –> 00:29:42.960 Joseph McElroy: anyway.

00:29:44.250 –> 00:29:52.230 Joseph McElroy: I’ll have to have another conversation about all those travels that’s pretty good so but let’s get the Haywood county we’re about to you know go to a break.

00:29:53.460 –> 00:29:58.140 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back, I want to talk about your intro to the smoky mountains, yes.

00:32:36.660 –> 00:32:52.350 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest here Woodward Garrett yeah yeah Bob and made us a list of about 100 questions we’ve gone through three of them are they.

00:32:53.670 –> 00:32:54.660 Garret Woodward: Bob is that.

00:32:55.800 –> 00:33:10.020 Joseph McElroy: you’ve you’re good at talking, you know there’s no wonder, you became a journalist, you can write a story man is just a few words you yeah a few questions and ma’am you’re off on a novel yeah.

00:33:10.500 –> 00:33:12.180 Garret Woodward: that’s that Irish blood.

00:33:14.610 –> 00:33:15.720 Garret Woodward: sparing the same.

00:33:16.140 –> 00:33:18.270 Joseph McElroy: sure you can do it, everyone has a podcast.

00:33:18.630 –> 00:33:19.920 Garret Woodward: I was gonna say is that.

00:33:20.700 –> 00:33:26.910 Garret Woodward: No vulgarity all vulgarity aside, when I was younger my father I don’t know if you ever watched that 70 show.

00:33:28.710 –> 00:33:34.050 Garret Woodward: My father was like red foreman still is, but tough love tough to read kind of guy.

00:33:35.430 –> 00:33:44.250 Garret Woodward: never really said much like if you had the best day of your life as I would I would break a school record and he’d be like did you puke at the finish line I said no.

00:33:45.510 –> 00:33:47.190 Garret Woodward: He didn’t run hard enough.

00:33:47.820 –> 00:33:51.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah my dad was an old mountain man, I had that same.

00:33:51.600 –> 00:33:52.380 Joseph McElroy: sort of dad.

00:33:52.740 –> 00:34:01.950 Garret Woodward: yeah so So when I got out of high school, I was, like all right, I get my diploma and I’m walking out of the auditorium from the.

00:34:02.850 –> 00:34:10.710 Garret Woodward: ceremony and he walks up to me and I’m like God is the moment it’s going to tell me he’s proud of me, this is the moment and he walks up to me.

00:34:11.430 –> 00:34:19.200 Garret Woodward: He doesn’t extend his hand he just looks at me right now, and he goes well, he graduated high school you’re bullshitting and you’ve come from a long line of bullshit.

00:34:20.940 –> 00:34:21.930 Garret Woodward: And he’s walked away.

00:34:24.150 –> 00:34:25.800 Garret Woodward: That was him telling you I love you.

00:34:27.750 –> 00:34:33.150 Joseph McElroy: said, your identity, be the same identity So there you go he’s being a father.

00:34:33.480 –> 00:34:34.470 Garret Woodward: I know I know.

00:34:35.790 –> 00:34:39.150 Joseph McElroy: So um let’s talk about the smokies how’d you end up here.

00:34:40.680 –> 00:34:43.110 Garret Woodward: um desperation, but I love it here.

00:34:45.660 –> 00:34:55.230 Garret Woodward: Right after I got out of college, I worked out in my favorite places in the world Jackson hole Wyoming I was living out there as a journalist when I was 22 years old and then.

00:34:56.370 –> 00:35:05.070 Garret Woodward: When the economy tanked I ended up back in New York freelancing covering music festivals for a while and then around the spring of 2012.

00:35:06.210 –> 00:35:18.210 Garret Woodward: I needed to get a full-time job again that was the gig I really needed to get back into it, I was just on the road hustling it was rough when the economy tanked, especially as a journalist, it was rough out there.

00:35:19.710 –> 00:35:20.010 Garret Woodward: I.

00:35:21.330 –> 00:35:32.940 Garret Woodward: I applied for 100 jobs and 30 days so three to four applications a day I was mailing out physical applications to every newspaper that was hiring in June of 2012.

00:35:33.990 –> 00:35:45.840 Garret Woodward: I was applying for jobs in Omaha Nebraska Sarasota Florida, you know Santa Barbara California just anything I just really wanted to be back into a full-time gig instead of just you know.

00:35:47.100 –> 00:35:53.370 Garret Woodward: Whatever I could piecemeal together and I applied to the smoky mountain news and the next day.

00:35:53.940 –> 00:36:08.580 Garret Woodward: The boss, the publisher Scott McCloud who started the newspaper who still my boss, and one of my best friends, he called me up and he was a little apprehensive he’s like would you really moved down here from New York really like your stuff and I said man I just really wanted.

00:36:11.790 –> 00:36:12.060 Garret Woodward: and

00:36:13.350 –> 00:36:17.310 Garret Woodward: I’ve been asked before but I’ve never been in sight unseen I came here.

00:36:18.120 –> 00:36:22.170 Joseph McElroy: wow well how do you how did you find acceptance here.

00:36:23.160 –> 00:36:24.510 Garret Woodward: How did I find acceptance.

00:36:24.930 –> 00:36:25.710 Garret Woodward: I mean, I think.

00:36:26.610 –> 00:36:41.700 Garret Woodward: The biggest thing was not being full of shit like I sincerely like the people I talked to I’m a history buff I’m a history nerd I’m an old soul it’s just what’s in my DNA is talking to people.

00:36:42.990 –> 00:36:50.970 Garret Woodward: Especially in Haywood county, as you know, I’ve always felt that if you don’t give people the time of day you’re not going to last long around here.

00:36:52.110 –> 00:37:08.190 Garret Woodward: You know, like I walked out mainstream and mainstream Waynesville is four blocks, but it might take me 40 minutes because I’ve had 20 people stop me to say hello, or by the way, I have a story idea or I read your column what was that about you know.

00:37:09.030 –> 00:37:17.280 Joseph McElroy: I think I think it’s still got it, yeah this whole area is got this immense amount of still small the small town charm.

00:37:19.290 –> 00:37:25.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah even though it’s you know there’s been changes over the years, still is still wonderful so let’s talk about your writing.

00:37:27.150 –> 00:37:36.240 Joseph McElroy: I mean you have a really great regular column that’s you know, really, I think a lot of ways, you speak with a lot of souls searching and.

00:37:36.720 –> 00:37:54.270 Joseph McElroy: And thinking about things and I recommend anybody read your columns but you have also written some things I think you’ve won awards you run you, you want the North Carolina Press Association Award for a cover story called the state of women in bluegrass so tell me what.

00:37:54.270 –> 00:37:56.160 Joseph McElroy: Is the state of women in bluegrass.

00:37:56.730 –> 00:38:06.150 Garret Woodward: Well, so all the years I’ve been reading about bluegrass which I lived before I moved here, but when you move here becomes part of your life, thankfully, you know I I love bluegrass.

00:38:06.630 –> 00:38:12.030 Garret Woodward: it’s at the core of everything you know they’re there wouldn’t be rock and roll or would it be country music without bluegrass.

00:38:12.630 –> 00:38:29.400 Garret Woodward: If you really look into it and it’s The more I learn about it, the more questions I have and I noticed about maybe possible disparities between male and female performers and so I decided to kind of do like a state of things kind of thing, where it was about.

00:38:31.890 –> 00:38:41.670 Garret Woodward: I interviewed about five or six female bluegrass musicians from small and unknown to some of the biggest stars in the country.

00:38:42.180 –> 00:38:50.460 Garret Woodward: You know Randy and get in and Claire lunch, I mean really get it from Carolina chocolate drops, and I mean she’s won Grammys she’s won everything I mean she’s she’s you know.

00:38:50.910 –> 00:38:57.630 Garret Woodward: One of the biggest names in Americana music and then her and Claire lynch who’s won multiple IBM awards.

00:38:58.110 –> 00:39:06.480 Garret Woodward: And then, all the way down to eight counties Danielle bishop, who at the time was you know, an up and coming female artists and it was more about.

00:39:07.140 –> 00:39:19.740 Garret Woodward: You know where do we stand, right now, and this was in 2015 you know this is before a lot of things kind of change in the realm of like disparities but are things that still need to change, but the.

00:39:20.760 –> 00:39:29.850 Garret Woodward: kind of overarching question was you know if you lead if you’re a female leading a bluegrass man, how do you feel about where you’re at in the industry in the genre.

00:39:30.330 –> 00:39:38.910 Garret Woodward: And also part of like an old boys club and a lot of ways, and so I learned a lot, you know and a lot of times in that process with that story.

00:39:41.130 –> 00:39:44.700 Garret Woodward: Unless I had posed the question they wouldn’t have said anything you know they would.

00:39:45.990 –> 00:39:52.680 Garret Woodward: You know, push forward hell or high water get it done, but what I sat down and kind of dug below the surface.

00:39:53.730 –> 00:40:00.570 Garret Woodward: I got some really not surprising sadly not surprising answers about you to know discrimination about.

00:40:01.830 –> 00:40:03.030 Garret Woodward: You know hey little ad.

00:40:03.960 –> 00:40:04.590 Garret Woodward: You know this is.

00:40:05.550 –> 00:40:07.170 Joseph McElroy: My car I.

00:40:07.230 –> 00:40:19.170 Joseph McElroy: don’t even have a chance to read that I’m a go look up that story so who do you think are the top women bluegrass and Western going now who do.

00:40:20.640 –> 00:40:20.910 Joseph McElroy: I mean.

00:40:21.030 –> 00:40:24.420 Garret Woodward: yeah bluegrass is a pretty flexible word these days.

00:40:27.180 –> 00:40:42.810 Garret Woodward: there’s the aggressive bluegrass is neo-traditional but in terms of Western Carolina I mean real-deal bluegrass like real deal traditional Darren and Brooke Aldridge me Brooke Aldridge is four times in a row, and the reigning.

00:40:43.980 –> 00:40:48.210 Garret Woodward: Female vocalist of the year at the IBM is and she’s from every county North Carolina.

00:40:48.990 –> 00:40:54.630 Garret Woodward: She just played rock fest last week up in Wilkes Barre oh she’s amazing she’s just want to see these people you’re meeting your life.

00:40:55.230 –> 00:41:08.790 Garret Woodward: boys have a songbird Darren and Brooke Aldridge I mean she’s blowing up and it’s that’s more of a traditional thing, but then, when you look kind of the bluegrass blues roots kind of thing you got you to know Amanda and platinum honey cutters and things like that and.

00:41:11.460 –> 00:41:19.320 Garret Woodward: what’s the other 100 hill rose, I think, too, but yeah it’s just he can’t throw a rock around here that hit the bluegrass musician yeah.

00:41:20.160 –> 00:41:30.420 Joseph McElroy: So another bluegrass you actually wrote a book in your debut novel right, I want to make sure I hit some of your highlights here because we’re running out of time we haven’t hit.

00:41:31.380 –> 00:41:31.860 Garret Woodward: Well, I guess.

00:41:31.890 –> 00:41:33.000 Garret Woodward: Clearly we have to do this.

00:41:34.200 –> 00:41:35.910 Joseph McElroy: A 10th of what you do.

00:41:37.500 –> 00:41:38.220 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:41:38.460 –> 00:41:39.000 Garret Woodward: You don’t get.

00:41:41.340 –> 00:41:43.380 Joseph McElroy: Your debut work.

00:41:45.780 –> 00:41:53.640 Joseph McElroy: Was the I love this title knew him to tell me what it means you can’t play get off the stage right.

00:41:53.880 –> 00:41:55.410 Joseph McElroy: The opposite say stay.

00:41:55.920 –> 00:42:00.750 Joseph McElroy: aggressive Western North Carolina and beyond what was the meaning of that title yeah.

00:42:01.200 –> 00:42:02.100 Garret Woodward: Well, so.

00:42:03.510 –> 00:42:08.190 Garret Woodward: I was kicking around the idea of putting together a bluegrass book free for a couple of years.

00:42:09.210 –> 00:42:19.200 Garret Woodward: I had all these interviews, together with you know legends of North Carolina Raymond Fairchild Steve Sutton Carol best balsam range.

00:42:19.920 –> 00:42:24.900 Garret Woodward: Just everybody mountain hard all these great bluegrass musicians and I was sitting all this material.

00:42:25.440 –> 00:42:31.680 Garret Woodward: And there was so much of it, I told my boss, you know we really we had a few too many beers at a Christmas party and I said, you know.

00:42:32.340 –> 00:42:39.810 Garret Woodward: Next year, be kind of grave put a bluegrass book with all this stuff we’ve been sitting on, and I was still conducting interviews during that.

00:42:40.350 –> 00:42:51.750 Garret Woodward: whole year after the summer and I was interviewing Bobby Osbourne from the Osbourne brothers rocky top and Ruby I mean those are legendary bluegrass songs I mean.

00:42:51.810 –> 00:42:52.140 State.

00:42:53.760 –> 00:43:01.320 Garret Woodward: And you know Bobby I was when I was on his tour bus in been blossom Indiana at the Bill Monroe bluegrass hall of fame jam very.

00:43:02.010 –> 00:43:13.350 Garret Woodward: Covering Raymond Fairchild for Maggie valleys induction bluegrass often and I was interviewing Bobby and I said, you know what is it about this, music and being up there, and he goes.

00:43:14.430 –> 00:43:17.850 Garret Woodward: damn it soon, if you can’t play get off the friggin stage.

00:43:18.120 –> 00:43:18.990 And he didn’t say free.

00:43:21.780 –> 00:43:33.540 Garret Woodward: So, when he said that when he said if you can’t play get off the stage I was like you know that’s the title it’s a little aggressive of title, but it was on purpose because it makes you kind of stop and I had people that were kind of.

00:43:34.680 –> 00:43:38.040 Garret Woodward: up to my craw about it, the same it was too aggressive.

00:43:39.660 –> 00:43:41.340 Joseph McElroy: aggressive, but you did do.

00:43:41.610 –> 00:43:42.060 Joseph McElroy: I love it.

00:43:42.570 –> 00:43:57.300 Joseph McElroy: Maybe it made me think man it’s like yeah that’s a good title yeah bluegrass and a lot of ways are gotta you know a little bit an outsider status in this United States and in some ways, you know.

00:43:58.290 –> 00:44:05.130 Joseph McElroy: mainstream culture, and so you know it’s like, but the people who do it love it and do it for a reason because they love it right.

00:44:05.190 –> 00:44:06.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, I want to be good that.

00:44:06.810 –> 00:44:16.680 Garret Woodward: They take it so seriously, and you know Raymond Fairchild who you know you know you know very well before he passed, I mean he’s an icon and Maggie Valley.

00:44:17.730 –> 00:44:32.850 Garret Woodward: He told me, and I believe them he always talked about how bluegrass bands like a team of horses, that if one falls, all of them fall, so if you’re up there you’re up there, and you gotta pull your way, just like a horse in a team of horses and if you don’t do it.

00:44:34.980 –> 00:44:35.760 Garret Woodward: Why do you up there.

00:44:38.670 –> 00:44:41.190 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any other books you got any other books.

00:44:42.060 –> 00:44:44.220 Garret Woodward: I am working on a rock and roll book right now.

00:44:45.330 –> 00:44:46.170 Garret Woodward: Ah.

00:44:46.380 –> 00:44:47.730 Joseph McElroy: yeah I am stone.

00:44:48.870 –> 00:45:03.000 Garret Woodward: yeah I have so many interviews over the years, with rock legends that I’ve always loved and people that I’ve pursued and it’s a little bright over here sorry the sun, all of a sudden just popped up in my window but.

00:45:04.860 –> 00:45:11.580 Garret Woodward: They yes I’m working on a rock and roll book this winter to hope to hopefully get out in the spring, but it’s you know I’d.

00:45:12.330 –> 00:45:16.470 Joseph McElroy: love to bring you back on that love to bring you back on to talk about it, oh.

00:45:17.970 –> 00:45:18.570 Garret Woodward: yeah.

00:45:18.690 –> 00:45:19.080 glass.

00:45:20.370 –> 00:45:20.850 Joseph McElroy: Program.

00:45:21.660 –> 00:45:24.030 Garret Woodward: it’s a really great program I’m definitely coming back.

00:45:26.820 –> 00:45:40.830 Joseph McElroy: Okay we’re taking a break down we’ll come back we’ll talk a little bit about your knowledge of what’s interesting in Haywood county and the Western North Carolina and then how another thing like.

00:47:45.420 –> 00:48:06.660 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Garret Woodward so Garrett, I imagine you’ve done just about every music event festival and concert in the smoky mountains area, so what is the number one place people should not miss.

00:48:07.500 –> 00:48:08.910 Garret Woodward: In terms of live music.

00:48:09.660 –> 00:48:10.620 Joseph McElroy: Live music.

00:48:12.120 –> 00:48:20.370 Garret Woodward: Definitely merle fest that is that just happened last weekend, that is, the premier Americana blue grassroots festival in the country.

00:48:21.090 –> 00:48:21.780 Garret Woodward: More not.

00:48:22.920 –> 00:48:34.560 Garret Woodward: it’s four days of the world’s best musicians and the world’s best up and coming musicians at the works Community college campus that 80,000 people there over four days.

00:48:35.850 –> 00:48:54.210 Garret Woodward: Last weekend, Sergio Simpson, Margo Price, Sam Bush band Sierra Feral Charlie Crockett balsam range from Haywood county and it’s just incredible it’s a huge celebration, other than that you know anything and astral Asheville right now is one of the hottest music scenes in the United States.

00:48:54.630 –> 00:48:57.840 Joseph McElroy: If I mean music and food right, yes, like.

00:48:58.290 –> 00:48:58.560 Garret Woodward: Beer.

00:48:58.620 –> 00:49:01.080 Joseph McElroy: Music food beer beer yeah.

00:49:01.890 –> 00:49:05.160 Garret Woodward: I mean we’re not gonna lie to you man we’re spoiled out here.

00:49:06.900 –> 00:49:19.380 Garret Woodward: I mean what I want to go see a show do I want to try a new brewery do I want to go to a new art gallery do I want to try this great restaurant or do I want to go hike and disappear into the woods it’s all within an hour of my apartment you know.

00:49:20.310 –> 00:49:28.410 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I come to Maggie valley every weekend right for the motel but you know to spend the rest of my

00:49:28.920 –> 00:49:42.210 Joseph McElroy: life in New York City, and you know, one of the things that I don’t have to suffer for is craft beer, the quality is on par down there with anything in the world that I’ve ever.

00:49:42.480 –> 00:49:45.120 Joseph McElroy: Of course, I knew it as well right yeah.

00:49:45.450 –> 00:50:02.820 Garret Woodward: Yes, yes man, you know I wrote, I wrote a cover story about seven years ago about the history of moonshine in Western North Carolina for the spoke about news and, to this day, seven years later, I still have random moonshiners walk up to me at parking lots.

00:50:04.290 –> 00:50:10.800 Garret Woodward: bars at grocery stores saying you think you’ve had the best follow me to my car and then they give me a job.

00:50:11.370 –> 00:50:12.570 What happens to this day.

00:50:14.520 –> 00:50:18.690 Joseph McElroy: that’s good right now I have people walking up to me at

00:50:19.710 –> 00:50:24.900 Joseph McElroy: the grocery stores and not happy with me because I put them Maxine mandated at the motel.

00:50:28.260 –> 00:50:31.080 Joseph McElroy: Did it for ethical reasons, not political, but so.

00:50:32.190 –> 00:50:32.730 Joseph McElroy: People.

00:50:33.630 –> 00:50:36.930 Garret Woodward: But anyway, John doesn’t kill a covid it right cuz.

00:50:36.930 –> 00:50:37.740 Joseph McElroy: I know right.

00:50:38.130 –> 00:50:40.200 Garret Woodward: Great I would be all over that.

00:50:41.340 –> 00:50:50.250 Joseph McElroy: is already great rock and roll places our concerts are things, something that’s not you would just not even think about is the smoky mountains.

00:50:51.120 –> 00:50:53.490 Garret Woodward: Well, in terms like bands or venues.

00:50:54.630 –> 00:50:55.650 Joseph McElroy: or a concert or a.

00:50:55.650 –> 00:51:03.750 Joseph McElroy: festival or anything that you would just say hey This is something that’s fantastic new world-class that you would not expect in the snow.

00:51:03.810 –> 00:51:08.070 Garret Woodward: Well, I mean in terms of rock and roll there’s.

00:51:09.180 –> 00:51:17.550 Garret Woodward: festivals in braveheart and Asheville this weekend is the French broad river fest which is kind of like a reggae root.

00:51:18.630 –> 00:51:25.200 Garret Woodward: rock and roll American festival up in hot springs, which you know is two towns up from Waynesville.

00:51:26.430 –> 00:51:34.470 Garret Woodward: Who oh nine French broad river fest that that one is very eclectic it’s not the normal run of bill bands that you see rolling through.

00:51:35.010 –> 00:51:43.980 Garret Woodward: Some of the festivals out here, most of the stuff west of Asheville it’s bluegrass roots-oriented unless you go to the casino, I mean there’s a lot of really great bands.

00:51:44.760 –> 00:51:52.860 Garret Woodward: That next weekend three dark nights playing there and then in December Dionne Warwick plan like random stuff like that yeah.

00:51:53.460 –> 00:51:53.850 Garret Woodward: yeah.

00:51:54.270 –> 00:51:59.670 Garret Woodward: 30 minutes from downtown now you valley go see three dog night up in the casino.

00:52:00.840 –> 00:52:01.320 Which is great.

00:52:04.110 –> 00:52:13.950 Joseph McElroy: So I’m gonna million play questions about where you would think are great things to do, and you probably have a lot of no’s we definitely have to have you back on, so we can pick your brain but.

00:52:14.400 –> 00:52:24.990 Joseph McElroy: let’s do the itinerary what What would you do let’s talk about Waynesville North Carolina and where, would you eat breakfast in the morning, if you recommend somebody coming there where would you tell them to go.

00:52:25.380 –> 00:52:37.260 Garret Woodward: Well, first and foremost, I will say that Western North Carolina is a pick your own adventure book, I have the shortest attention span known to humanity, I was only going to live here for six months that was nine and a half years ago.

00:52:38.160 –> 00:52:38.670 Garret Woodward: I have.

00:52:38.910 –> 00:52:47.460 Garret Woodward: I have never been bored in this town, I have never been born in this board in this county and I’ve never been bored in western North Carolina if you’re bored here you’re boring.

00:52:47.820 –> 00:52:53.760 Garret Woodward: Because that’s a great man there’s so much going on outside your front door if you can’t have fun here I don’t know why you’re here.

00:52:55.290 –> 00:53:05.520 Garret Woodward: You know, and for Waynesville I mean I love breakfast-wise, I mean on an average day beach mountain, the new spot hazelwood neighborhood of Waynesville.

00:53:05.970 –> 00:53:13.650 Garret Woodward: I love beach mountains have a huge menu the food’s great it’s very plentiful, they only opened about six months ago but they’ve already taken.

00:53:14.040 –> 00:53:20.220 Garret Woodward: The breakfast and heard of it, I haven’t been there, so I’m gonna go there, go there very soon, so what would you do in the morning after.

00:53:20.340 –> 00:53:21.420 Joseph McElroy: The meal.

00:53:21.930 –> 00:53:24.120 Garret Woodward: After I have a food coma leaving beach mountains.

00:53:25.380 –> 00:53:31.140 Garret Woodward: You know that the water and whole have actually the best brunch and Haywood county, in my opinion.

00:53:32.370 –> 00:53:44.490 Garret Woodward: The legendary watering hole they actually have bluegrass musicians play in the afternoons on Sundays Sunday brunch huge portions of food and then you got what’s the one in megabyte POPs has really good.

00:53:46.170 –> 00:53:48.870 Joseph McElroy: They got that shrimp and grits it’s unbelievable yeah.

00:53:48.990 –> 00:53:58.260 Garret Woodward: Oh yeah and if you jump over the Ridge in the silver, which is not far away, you have loose in the rye, which is a gourmet breakfast spot I love Lucy in there I’m in.

00:53:59.700 –> 00:54:02.370 Garret Woodward: Line potatoes for the hash browns.

00:54:03.630 –> 00:54:13.530 Garret Woodward: But then, after you eat a big breakfast you know you gotta have some coffee, I would go to orchard coffee downtown Gainesville it was ranked the number for coffee spots in the United States.

00:54:14.010 –> 00:54:14.370 Joseph McElroy: By.

00:54:15.330 –> 00:54:16.830 Garret Woodward: Like food and wine magazine.

00:54:17.100 –> 00:54:20.460 Joseph McElroy: wow coffee we’re oh my God.

00:54:21.390 –> 00:54:35.040 Garret Woodward: it’s right across from the courthouse in Waynesville it was ranked by food and wine magazine the guy that owns it my buddy capital is the owner and he is a two time United States latte champion I didn’t know that that existed.

00:54:35.370 –> 00:54:36.090 Okay.

00:54:37.230 –> 00:54:47.850 Garret Woodward: he’s known as one of the best latte makers in the United States and it’s at the corner of Main Street and depot so right where the tipping point used to be, which is now sauce and then.

00:54:48.450 –> 00:54:50.880 Joseph McElroy: You just taught me something listen I didn’t even know.

00:54:50.970 –> 00:54:51.810 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t even know.

00:54:53.970 –> 00:54:54.300 Joseph McElroy: I would.

00:54:55.470 –> 00:54:57.330 Garret Woodward: say the roaster on beans on site.

00:54:57.870 –> 00:54:59.730 Joseph McElroy: wow wow.

00:55:00.120 –> 00:55:00.420 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:55:01.680 –> 00:55:03.960 Joseph McElroy: let’s do a quick lunch and a click afternoon.

00:55:05.280 –> 00:55:09.960 Garret Woodward: Quick lunch oh man threw me on the spot there I love.

00:55:11.010 –> 00:55:24.510 Garret Woodward: The patio downtown Waynesville church tree depot burgers are amazing ham patty Hincapie delicious Fries, oh third Bay filling station they used to be the old mechanic shop there on the corner of.

00:55:25.380 –> 00:55:27.990 Garret Woodward: Good oh it’s amazing the food’s amazing.

00:55:30.030 –> 00:55:31.560 Garret Woodward: third day filling station.

00:55:33.090 –> 00:55:41.010 Garret Woodward: The best gourmet sandwiches and soup for lunch and downtown Waynesville you got a little time you got a little extra cash in your pocket go to the suite on in.

00:55:41.220 –> 00:55:42.870 Garret Woodward: that’s always been my favorite spot.

00:55:43.080 –> 00:55:44.670 Joseph McElroy: is always good that’s good for.

00:55:46.080 –> 00:55:58.590 Garret Woodward: Privacy public, but then for me in the afternoon I’m going hiking man I’m going out into the Cataloochee valley I’m going to go to mount sterling sunburst go swimming at sunburst down there are 215 the tough life man.

00:55:59.940 –> 00:56:11.430 Joseph McElroy: Tough life alright so we’re going to call it quits here so tell me how people can follow you get in touch with you or keep track of what you’re doing or buy your books.

00:56:12.420 –> 00:56:22.080 Garret Woodward: Well, so my Instagram is Garrett G A R R E T K and then the last name Woodward W O O D W A R D Garret K Woodward that’s my Instagram

00:56:23.160 –> 00:56:39.570 Garret Woodward: email garret@smokeymountainnews.com all spelled out, I mean I read for all these travel stuff that we do with the newspaper, so if you have any questions get ahold of me I’m always down to point people in the right direction, I love living here come on down.

00:56:39.720 –> 00:56:48.090 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well Thank you so much has been a wonderful interview and definitely have to get the other again because there are a million questions and things to talk about.

00:56:48.510 –> 00:56:49.830 Garret Woodward: That we didn’t do any better real

00:56:49.830 –> 00:56:51.210 Garret Woodward: pleasure, I really appreciate the.

00:56:51.210 –> 00:56:51.870 opportunity.

00:56:53.550 –> 00:57:04.050 Joseph McElroy: So this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you find out more about us a gatewaytothesmokies.fun we’re on the talkradio.NYC network

00:57:04.920 –> 00:57:15.480 Joseph McElroy: there are some great shows on this network following this one is about New York City and tourism there so come to come to talkradio.NYC and listen to some of the great shows.

00:57:16.680 –> 00:57:28.590 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention the Meadowlark motel This is my new once in a while call to action is having weekday getaway specials through December 31.

00:57:28.980 –> 00:57:42.510 Joseph McElroy: And it’s going, you can visit Maggie valley in the heart of the great smokies go see the great colors of the trees and leaves and get a Union three-night getaway price for the.

00:57:42.990 –> 00:57:58.290 Joseph McElroy: getaway package for the price of two that’s good Tues Sunday through Tuesday or Monday through Wednesday and you get King room spa rooms cabins and cottages reach out to eight to 828 9261717 speak to Boyd.

00:57:58.740 –> 00:58:14.880 Joseph McElroy: they’ll get your reservation again eight to 828 9261717 speak to Boyd, and thank you we’ll see you next Tuesday from six to seven for another great show and I won’t be drinking another 10% on the show because of the boy.

00:58:18.330 –> 00:58:18.930 Garret Woodward: Thanks man.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/1973468562829881/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/242732825_1973468679496536_1352524642973927228_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=GfGj-qaf0BMAX8wnQ0z&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63020398&oh=00_AT_5xeAklxG9_VBb47zwfhiCYfMArM9CduqQGg3BIl50pQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>In this episode, our special guest is <strong>Garret Woodward</strong>, an Award-winning, Journalist, Author, Events promoter, and Musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. A native of upstate New York. Woodward was a college track star and after graduating with a degree in Journalism, worked across the country in a variety of journalism jobs before becoming a weekly Columnist for the Smoky Mountain News in 2012 and later also a Columnist for Smoky Mountain Living magazine. Best known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human-interest stories, Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. </p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>SHOW NOTES: </strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>Joseph starts off this week’s episode by introducing himself and reading off the sponsored message from Smokies Adventure. After the sponsored message, Joseph introduces a special guest, Garret Woodward, and they discuss their alcoholic drinks for the hour. The topic of Garret’s upbringing is brought up and Garret describes his experiences in his early years living near the Adirondacks compared to when he moved South near the Smokies. Garret explains how his life didn’t change drastically due to the people boring striking similarities, like their love of bluegrass and the mountain culture in both areas. After the break, Joseph wants to delve deeper into Garret’s journalism career.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>After the commercials, Joseph wanted to know why Garret traveled all the way to Europe and Garret explains that he wanted to learn more about his ancestry and a little more about the person he was named after, his ancestor who left for America during the potato famine. Joseph shifts Garret to the discussion of Garret’s music journalism career and how he started out. He originally wanted to be a DJ, but through a coincidence and a pinch of luck, landed a much-needed internship at a music magazine where he learned how to write for a magazine, and get his first taste of journalism.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>After the break, Joseph asks Garret why he decided to move to the Smokies in the first place, and it was due to a recession in the economy when Garret, who was then freelancing as a music journalist, knew he needed a full-time job. After sending out applications, he landed a job in Smoky Mountain News writing columns. It was then when Joseph wanted to explore Garret’s decorated writing career, like his award-winning column about bluegrass music, and the story behind the now famous title of Garret’s book <em>If you can’t play then get off the F******* Stage.</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>They come back to the final segment to talk about Garret’s recommendation for the best live music concerts/festivals. After that, they trade stories of random pedestrians arguing with them about their favorite music or drinks. Once that was all said and done, Joseph asks Garret to create the ideal itinerary for people visiting North Carolina, discussing all the best places to eat breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, grab some coffee, and the best activities to do in between every meal.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:02:47.190 –&gt; 00:02:51.510 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of</p><p>00:02:51.930 –&gt; 00:03:00.570 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:03:01.020 –&gt; 00:03:11.790 Joseph McElroy: And surrounding towns this area filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we explore with the weekly episode.</p><p>00:03:12.510 –&gt; 00:03:25.980 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:03:27.060 –&gt; 00:03:32.310 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is titled finding a new home in the smokies through stories and songs.</p><p>00:03:33.540 –&gt; 00:03:46.290 Joseph McElroy: First, let me tell you a little bit about our sponsors imagine a place evocative of the motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.</p><p>00:03:46.830 –&gt; 00:03:59.130 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain Heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wines or craft beer.</p><p>00:03:59.970 –&gt; 00:04:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world cultural sounds and an old storyteller sitting around the fire talking to you about things in life.</p><p>00:04:11.670 –&gt; 00:04:23.580 Joseph McElroy: There is no other place like the Meadowlark motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay. Go to MeadowlarkMotel.com to find out more.</p><p>00:04:25.230 –&gt; 00:04:25.590 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:04:28.320 –&gt; 00:04:37.260 Joseph McElroy: If you’re looking for information about the smokies look no further than smokiesadventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure.com.</p><p>00:04:37.650 –&gt; 00:04:42.300 Joseph McElroy: where you can find information about hiking and wedding and venues and books.</p><p>00:04:42.690 –&gt; 00:04:56.460 Joseph McElroy: And trail maps and resources, the emphasis of smokies adventurous outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information and lodging entertainment.</p><p>00:04:56.820 –&gt; 00:05:04.230 Joseph McElroy: Events conventions honeymoons and more The goal of this site is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:05:06.210 –&gt; 00:05:16.890 Joseph McElroy: So welcome everybody I’m here today we’re gonna have a nice little conversation, as I do, every time I’m open it up a craft beer sometimes it’s from North Carolina sometimes it’s from New York, this time.</p><p>00:05:17.280 –&gt; 00:05:24.840 Joseph McElroy: Is from the Bronx Brewery in New York City, and it is you can’t you now use can’t leave.</p><p>00:05:26.640 –&gt; 00:05:34.170 Joseph McElroy: cheers, now I just saw that it is 10.1% So if I get a little funny but, at the end of this show.</p><p>00:05:36.750 –&gt; 00:05:39.060 Joseph McElroy: you’ll know what you know the reason they’re at.</p><p>00:05:41.010 –&gt; 00:05:43.320 Joseph McElroy: So either.</p><p>00:05:44.790 –&gt; 00:05:45.210 Joseph McElroy: I have.</p><p>00:05:46.350 –&gt; 00:06:00.330 Joseph McElroy: got a new guy new guests there today his name is Garrett Woodward and he is an award-winning Journalist, Author, Events Promoter, and musician now living in Haywood County and Waynesville North Carolina.</p><p>00:06:00.870 –&gt; 00:06:11.640 Joseph McElroy: He is a weekly Columnist for the smoky mountain news since 2012 and later he was also a columnist for the smoky mountain living magazine.</p><p>00:06:12.690 –&gt; 00:06:27.960 Joseph McElroy: Yes, known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human interest stories is also the author of two books and as a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine, and, while also promoting live music with his own company.</p><p>00:06:28.980 –&gt; 00:06:30.510 Joseph McElroy: Hello Gary how you doing.</p><p>00:06:30.840 –&gt; 00:06:33.150 Garret Woodward: hey man, how you doing thanks for having me here.</p><p>00:06:33.570 –&gt; 00:06:36.660 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing good and you’re drinking a beer too what you drinking.</p><p>00:06:37.320 –&gt; 00:06:44.940 Garret Woodward: Well I’m drinking a beer and solidarity of my native North country which is a moose head Lager.</p><p>00:06:45.570 –&gt; 00:06:52.860 Garret Woodward: All right, people forget, although it’s a big beer it’s actually Canada’s oldest and biggest independent brewery.</p><p>00:06:53.310 –&gt; 00:06:55.980 Joseph McElroy: Really so it’s the craft beer theoretically.</p><p>00:06:56.340 –&gt; 00:07:01.500 Garret Woodward: One of the only it’s one of the only beer companies in Canada that’s not owned by Molson or a bad.</p><p>00:07:04.080 –&gt; 00:07:08.640 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in upstate New York not too far from Canada right so.</p><p>00:07:10.860 –&gt; 00:07:12.690 Garret Woodward: I grew up in Canada.</p><p>00:07:13.170 –&gt; 00:07:16.260 Joseph McElroy: wow That was a very small town right.</p><p>00:07:16.740 –&gt; 00:07:25.860 Garret Woodward: extremely small, to put it in reference, we were the big town up there, but we were probably about the size of Bryson City North Carolina, which is about.</p><p>00:07:26.370 –&gt; 00:07:35.220 Garret Woodward: 1800 people, so I grew up in a cow town in northern Adirondacks I always say you hit a golf ball for my childhood home and hit Quebec.</p><p>00:07:35.910 –&gt; 00:07:45.870 Garret Woodward: And yeah born and bred there until I got out of high school my dad was an immigration officer for the US Government, he was the one that decided if you come in and out of the border.</p><p>00:07:46.380 –&gt; 00:07:53.460 Garret Woodward: which was tough, because when I was a teenager and we would go to Quebec to drink beers because it’s 18 to drink, he would be the one I’d come through.</p><p>00:07:54.090 –&gt; 00:07:55.800 Garret Woodward: If I can come back to America.</p><p>00:07:57.150 –&gt; 00:08:02.940 Garret Woodward: This is true, this really happen, it would be him in the booth saying is that my son back there in the back of that car.</p><p>00:08:07.020 –&gt; 00:08:07.320 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:08:08.040 –&gt; 00:08:10.410 Garret Woodward: Make sure he gets home his mom’s gonna be really mad.</p><p>00:08:13.830 –&gt; 00:08:15.180 Garret Woodward: cool feature up there too.</p><p>00:08:16.050 –&gt; 00:08:21.360 Joseph McElroy: So the culture, so you know you said it was near the Adirondacks here in the Adirondacks right.</p><p>00:08:22.800 –&gt; 00:08:23.610 Joseph McElroy: yeah go.</p><p>00:08:24.180 –&gt; 00:08:34.740 Garret Woodward: Champlain Valley Northern Adirondacks my whole existence revolves around places like Plattsburgh new york’s Saranac lake placid Tupper lake line mountain.</p><p>00:08:35.250 –&gt; 00:08:39.030 Garret Woodward: all the way up to the border and then you know Burlington Vermont was right there.</p><p>00:08:39.780 –&gt; 00:08:50.730 Garret Woodward: 30 minutes south of US was Burlington Vermont and then 45 minutes north of US was Montreal Quebec So for me in a cow town, I had to have the world’s greatest cities within an hour of me.</p><p>00:08:51.750 –&gt; 00:08:59.130 Joseph McElroy: So that that was a mountain culture right so, is it defined the similarities between it and the smokies.</p><p>00:08:59.610 –&gt; 00:09:04.110 Garret Woodward: Well, a lot of people don’t realize that, in essence, like it’s kind of the same mountain chain.</p><p>00:09:04.140 –&gt; 00:09:11.070 Garret Woodward: I mean there are considered the northern Appalachians but it depends, who you ask some people won’t claim it but.</p><p>00:09:12.090 –&gt; 00:09:19.200 Garret Woodward: It looks very similar Western North Carolina looks very similar to upstate New York, the people are very similar.</p><p>00:09:19.770 –&gt; 00:09:29.220 Garret Woodward: It doesn’t matter what your background is your religion or your political affiliation, the only question that remains is, are you a good person or a bad person.</p><p>00:09:29.610 –&gt; 00:09:43.470 Garret Woodward: that’s all people care about up there and that’s all people care about down here, you know, are you here to compliment, and I say that with the letter E, not the letter I, are you here to compliment the Community or here to compliment the Community or are you here to just.</p><p>00:09:45.570 –&gt; 00:09:49.560 Garret Woodward: You know absorb it and not contribute, you know but.</p><p>00:09:49.650 –&gt; 00:09:54.990 Garret Woodward: yeah that’s it that’s a big thing for me in this area, reminds me a lot of where I grew up the people are incredible and.</p><p>00:09:55.560 –&gt; 00:10:10.410 Garret Woodward: And up there, it was definitely mountain culture when I’m home, all I do is the same thing I do down here, which is go hike go swim and freshwater lakes and go find live music at some bar on the corner, so my life has not changed that much since I moved down here.</p><p>00:10:10.920 –&gt; 00:10:13.740 Joseph McElroy: The rubric was bluegrass and country music big up there.</p><p>00:10:14.400 –&gt; 00:10:27.600 Garret Woodward: It is but it’s different like it’s funny is I grew up one town over from where the Gibson brothers are from and they’re very, very popular award-winning bluegrass band.</p><p>00:10:28.260 –&gt; 00:10:40.500 Garret Woodward: And they grew up, they were farm kids that were you know, a generation ahead of me but also 10 miles down the road So when I was growing up, they were always playing the local.</p><p>00:10:41.100 –&gt; 00:10:48.390 Garret Woodward: You know maple syrup festivals, and all the things that go on up there ice fishing tournaments all that stuff and then.</p><p>00:10:49.140 –&gt; 00:11:04.680 Garret Woodward: You know they become nowadays, one of the marquee bluegrass men’s in the United States to which they actually just put out an album that was produced by Darren our back or the black keys the last album he called them up and produced it but what’s so funny is.</p><p>00:11:06.390 –&gt; 00:11:20.250 Garret Woodward: When when you talk to the Gibson brothers about it when they play in upstate New York, people are like oh my God you’re keeping the high lonesome sound going, and then when they come down Appalachia people are like oh you guys came close.</p><p>00:11:22.920 –&gt; 00:11:30.930 Garret Woodward: Like they’re considered traditional bluegrass in New York, but they’re considered like progressive bluegrass in North Carolina and.</p><p>00:11:31.980 –&gt; 00:11:36.210 Joseph McElroy: bluegrass mafia around here you better not introduce something new right I.</p><p>00:11:36.210 –&gt; 00:11:48.840 Garret Woodward: know it, but it’s so cool is because I cross paths with them a lot when they’re in Nashville or you know they’re always at the IBM a’s which are this Thursday in Raleigh the international bluegrass music association award show and.</p><p>00:11:49.950 –&gt; 00:11:57.150 Garret Woodward: it’s funny because I in the south, I don’t really have any personal connections down here with anybody that’s from up there, so when I run into them.</p><p>00:11:57.630 –&gt; 00:12:08.340 Garret Woodward: They know that they know everything, and I know everything about where we’re from and what we’re about so we always end up hanging out and having a couple of beers and just you know chewing the ball, a little bit about the north country.</p><p>00:12:10.680 –&gt; 00:12:18.810 Joseph McElroy: So so you’re a writer, but you started, you were sort of a track star at Quinnipiac University weren’t you.</p><p>00:12:19.740 –&gt; 00:12:25.770 Garret Woodward: yeah well, I was a track star in high school, but then, when you get to college you realize that everyone’s a track star that goes to college.</p><p>00:12:27.450 –&gt; 00:12:35.280 Garret Woodward: So we got a rock star yeah you got you go from top dog in your hometown to you might make the team in college, you know.</p><p>00:12:37.200 –&gt; 00:12:41.460 Joseph McElroy: What spurred you that into journalism in history was it because you weren’t a good track star.</p><p>00:12:42.390 –&gt; 00:12:44.970 Garret Woodward: And I still run every day, by the way.</p><p>00:12:45.030 –&gt; 00:12:51.450 Garret Woodward: I have a six-and-a-half-year-long streak of running every day, which is crazy.</p><p>00:12:52.620 –&gt; 00:12:54.600 Garret Woodward: It was initially was to.</p><p>00:12:55.680 –&gt; 00:13:03.360 Garret Woodward: spite my father because he’s a huge runner he got me into running he’s an older guy he’s turning 80 this year and.</p><p>00:13:03.900 –&gt; 00:13:15.030 Garret Woodward: And I’m 36 and he was older when I was born and he ran you know Boston marathon 20 times, he was one of those guys in the 60s and 70s, that kind of was the start of the running boom and.</p><p>00:13:16.650 –&gt; 00:13:22.470 Garret Woodward: I was talking to him, it was actually I was in New York City, I was staying with some friends for new year’s Eve in.</p><p>00:13:23.520 –&gt; 00:13:34.290 Garret Woodward: In Greenpoint Brooklyn and I didn’t have usually I would run one-day mount bike one day hike one day that’s always been my routine just kind of you know to cross-train.</p><p>00:13:34.740 –&gt; 00:13:43.200 Garret Woodward: And I love to exercise and I’m one of the few people that like I really like to exercise that it’s my Zen zone but, just like live music and writing.</p><p>00:13:44.370 –&gt; 00:13:56.220 Garret Woodward: So he told me he I told him I’d run like six days in a row when I was in New York because I didn’t have anything else to do so, I just ran every day it was like six days in a row that’s nothing I ran 100 days in a row I don’t think you’ll ever do that.</p><p>00:13:57.810 –&gt; 00:13:58.890 Garret Woodward: Now i’m at a.</p><p>00:14:00.000 –&gt; 00:14:02.220 Garret Woodward: I think I’m at like 1800 days in a row.</p><p>00:14:02.550 –&gt; 00:14:03.150 well.</p><p>00:14:04.350 –&gt; 00:14:09.030 Garret Woodward: No, but it’s like to really you know shove, the point home to the old man.</p><p>00:14:10.380 –&gt; 00:14:18.150 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, I think that this is code started I think I’m having a drink 400 days in a row or stuff like that.</p><p>00:14:18.960 –&gt; 00:14:20.190 Garret Woodward: I hear you buddy I hear you.</p><p>00:14:22.200 –&gt; 00:14:24.720 Joseph McElroy: We all get on the street sometimes so.</p><p>00:14:26.610 –&gt; 00:14:42.300 Joseph McElroy: So you know, so how did you well, I think there’s a further discussion here because you know, one of the things I noticed when you made that joke complimentary that’s an irony, you know that is that’s a better joke than a joke that only a writer would.</p><p>00:14:44.370 –&gt; 00:14:45.060 Joseph McElroy: You make.</p><p>00:14:46.290 –&gt; 00:14:53.400 Joseph McElroy: So I want to get more into your journalism and your and your and your writing career when we come back.</p><p>00:14:54.810 –&gt; 00:14:55.980 Joseph McElroy: After this break.</p><p>00:17:12.210 –&gt; 00:17:27.690 Joseph McElroy: Oh, this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest is Garret Woodward who is trying to destroy his own computer equipment by boring too much beer fast into a cup.</p><p>00:17:30.210 –&gt; 00:17:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Did you save your equipment they’re.</p><p>00:17:32.280 –&gt; 00:17:32.910 I’m good.</p><p>00:17:34.140 –&gt; 00:17:35.070 Garret Woodward: or bad it’s not.</p><p>00:17:35.160 –&gt; 00:17:35.940 Then saved.</p><p>00:17:38.490 –&gt; 00:17:50.430 Joseph McElroy: hey you know, they say, like 150 million years ago there was this giant continent that comprise the United States and in Europe and others, and there was a giant.</p><p>00:17:50.910 –&gt; 00:17:59.250 Joseph McElroy: mountain range dawn up that that when the continent split apart those mountain ranges split apart and one part of it ended up being the Appalachians.</p><p>00:17:59.940 –&gt; 00:18:10.440 Joseph McElroy: And the other part, ended up being over in Europe, and now they have an international Appalachian trail that connects them to together virtually and part of that goes into Scotland and Ireland.</p><p>00:18:11.400 –&gt; 00:18:26.580 Joseph McElroy: Now I saw that after college, you went to county Ireland county Kerry and Ireland, so how did you end up there, and did you find those which county is the most mountainous region in our the do you find those mountains similar to.</p><p>00:18:28.290 –&gt; 00:18:31.950 Garret Woodward: Well, no trees, they English toral the trees down to build the homes.</p><p>00:18:32.670 –&gt; 00:18:33.180 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know.</p><p>00:18:33.570 –&gt; 00:18:35.460 Joseph McElroy: The day they didn’t have trees around here either.</p><p>00:18:35.850 –&gt; 00:18:47.550 Garret Woodward: yeah they so I actually I was at did it was a semester abroad in college, but I was it was a host family it wasn’t like you were with a bunch of like you.</p><p>00:18:48.000 –&gt; 00:18:57.300 Garret Woodward: You weren’t in an American institution or American college with American professors, you were in I was with a host family with five other students for.</p><p>00:18:57.930 –&gt; 00:19:07.740 Garret Woodward: four and a half, five months when I was 20 years old, and the reason that it was a big deal to me was my full name is Garrett Kevin Woodward.</p><p>00:19:08.220 –&gt; 00:19:14.820 Garret Woodward: and Garret Kevin was the first person for my family to come over to America during the potato famine, so I was named after him.</p><p>00:19:15.570 –&gt; 00:19:24.570 Garret Woodward: And it’s always been a dream of mine to go there and when the opportunity came up through Quinnipiac they actually have a direct portal to Ireland.</p><p>00:19:25.110 –&gt; 00:19:42.960 Garret Woodward: they’re really big with Irish humanities it’s just a big part of the school, which was amazing of a coincidence that the school actually had a property in Ireland, where they had a host family that you could stay with for five months, and so I jumped on it, and it was in County Kerry.</p><p>00:19:44.190 –&gt; 00:19:54.450 Garret Woodward: right out right next to the Dingle peninsula and what was so cool was it was a life-changing experience I recommend anybody if you can figure out where your family’s from.</p><p>00:19:54.900 –&gt; 00:20:03.930 Garret Woodward: What town they’re from to go there because it’s one of those experiences that you can’t explain the idea of like time doesn’t exist kind of thing like it’s all.</p><p>00:20:04.140 –&gt; 00:20:07.830 Garret Woodward: circle and what was crazy was I’d always heard that.</p><p>00:20:09.960 –&gt; 00:20:24.690 Garret Woodward: My family had a pub in County Carlo the town of Boris only like 600 people and I’d heard the Cabinet pub is still there is the exact pub that my ancestor Garrick hasn’t left.</p><p>00:20:26.790 –&gt; 00:20:31.980 Garret Woodward: The exact pub and I was like I wonder if it’s still there and it’s still there it’s still a pub.</p><p>00:20:32.160 –&gt; 00:20:34.920 Joseph McElroy: Oh, that was spine-tingling right yeah.</p><p>00:20:35.340 –&gt; 00:20:42.060 Garret Woodward: yeah it was a pub with a thatched roof it had been there over 150 years and it was still called the Cabinet pub.</p><p>00:20:42.660 –&gt; 00:20:53.940 Garret Woodward: So, being the runner that I am I brought my running clothes and I went for a jog around the Community my parents actually met me there because we all wanted to track it down and.</p><p>00:20:54.870 –&gt; 00:21:04.530 Garret Woodward: My dad went for a run around one side of the town, I went for a run around the other and we circled back and had got us with my mom in that bar that pub and it was.</p><p>00:21:06.090 –&gt; 00:21:09.600 Garret Woodward: Like not to sound cheesy but man, it was a really cosmic experience.</p><p>00:21:10.440 –&gt; 00:21:13.410 Garret Woodward: The exact room that your ancestor left for America.</p><p>00:21:14.910 –&gt; 00:21:17.940 Garret Woodward: In Europe, like How crazy, is that you know but.</p><p>00:21:18.600 –&gt; 00:21:19.050 Joseph McElroy: You know I.</p><p>00:21:20.250 –&gt; 00:21:29.190 Joseph McElroy: mean I can go around Haywood county and I can find the things that my ancestors a bit and yeah like old fox hunting cabins and things I get a little bit of that.</p><p>00:21:30.060 –&gt; 00:21:45.810 Joseph McElroy: yeah kick it right there so um so you after college you embarked upon this fabulous journalism career so so how did you get into music journalism right.</p><p>00:21:46.470 –&gt; 00:21:56.940 Garret Woodward: I since day since I’ve been cognizant as a human being, my life has revolved around music I’ve always been obsessed with it I’ve always loved it.</p><p>00:21:57.780 –&gt; 00:22:09.630 Garret Woodward: Well, the second I was old enough to go to concerts I would beg my parents to bring me to shows every weekend the second I got a car and a license I never was home.</p><p>00:22:10.290 –&gt; 00:22:10.590 Joseph McElroy: I mean.</p><p>00:22:11.370 –&gt; 00:22:17.580 Garret Woodward: You know, I was the 12-year-old kid begging my mom to drop me off at the rock show every weekend I wanted to go see concerts.</p><p>00:22:18.090 –&gt; 00:22:27.120 Garret Woodward: And when I was 16 and got a license I worked at McDonald’s That was my first there’s the only job you can get on the border McDonald’s or you work at the Marina and lake Champlain that’s it.</p><p>00:22:27.870 –&gt; 00:22:40.470 Garret Woodward: And I spend every dime I made at McDonald’s on gas and concert tickets in its really hasn’t changed since I largely think I became a journalist, I didn’t have to pay for concert tickets.</p><p>00:22:42.330 –&gt; 00:22:46.200 Garret Woodward: I think about how much money I’ve not spent on concert tickets.</p><p>00:22:48.870 –&gt; 00:22:52.020 Garret Woodward: music has always been my life like it’s always been something that.</p><p>00:22:52.260 –&gt; 00:22:58.650 Joseph McElroy: was just that was inevitable than ever there was your journalism was going to be available to be.</p><p>00:22:58.680 –&gt; 00:23:00.780 Garret Woodward: I fell in love I fell into journalism.</p><p>00:23:00.900 –&gt; 00:23:03.930 Garret Woodward: I plan on being a journalist, to be honest with you.</p><p>00:23:05.760 –&gt; 00:23:09.540 Garret Woodward: I’ve always looked at live music as one of the most sacred.</p><p>00:23:10.710 –&gt; 00:23:22.470 Garret Woodward: experiences, you can have as a human being is being a room of strangers and having this communal experience that transcends anything you know you can be in a room full of.</p><p>00:23:22.470 –&gt; 00:23:26.940 Garret Woodward: people that are completely different of where they’re from what they do, who they are, what they’re about.</p><p>00:23:27.750 –&gt; 00:23:35.490 Garret Woodward: But they’re all they’re facing the same direction, looking at something and and and just in anticipation of the magic.</p><p>00:23:35.970 –&gt; 00:23:43.440 Garret Woodward: And that’s the thing I do I chased the magic, you know that that one moment every show where you’re just like I’m so glad I’m here right now and.</p><p>00:23:44.190 –&gt; 00:23:57.750 Garret Woodward: Even as a kid that I’m like an old soul man, even as a kid I knew that 12 years old, I always thought that, and when I was in high school, this is how I fell into journalism, so I wanted to be an MTV VJ.</p><p>00:23:58.170 –&gt; 00:23:58.920 My dream was.</p><p>00:24:00.270 –&gt; 00:24:05.550 Garret Woodward: I wanted to be Carson Daly I wanted to be on total request live, I wanted to be.</p><p>00:24:06.780 –&gt; 00:24:15.870 Garret Woodward: broadway I wanted to be on the second floor I wanted to host yarrow and I wanted Carson Daly job I still want Carson Jill his job he’s on the today show now.</p><p>00:24:15.930 –&gt; 00:24:16.620 But yeah.</p><p>00:24:18.090 –&gt; 00:24:29.010 Garret Woodward: So when I was a senior in high school, a friend of mine my mom’s friend from high schools daughter worked at MTV to which was crazy, because where I grew up a lot of people don’t leave that area.</p><p>00:24:29.580 –&gt; 00:24:42.090 Garret Woodward: If you have dreams and it’s not pursuing them I love it up there, but people have dreams and they don’t chase them and most people don’t leave my town, and I said I’m bouncing out of here and.</p><p>00:24:42.750 –&gt; 00:24:52.590 Garret Woodward: When I was a senior I’d found out that this friend of his daughter my mom’s friend worked at MTV too, and she brought me into the tiro studios in 2002.</p><p>00:24:53.280 –&gt; 00:24:56.520 Garret Woodward: Right now, is the biggest show on MTV at that point in.</p><p>00:24:57.450 –&gt; 00:25:06.420 Garret Woodward: As long gone well, I think it came back actually but, at the time it was huge to get 1000 people in Times Square, just to watch every broadcast I mean it was wild.</p><p>00:25:06.930 –&gt; 00:25:14.310 Garret Woodward: And I got to walk around the studios and I said, this is why I want to do with my life, so I ended up at Quinnipiac because they have a really good broadcast journalism Program.</p><p>00:25:15.150 –&gt; 00:25:23.430 Garret Woodward: And then I was kind of pursuing that and then when I had to get an internship my junior year I couldn’t find anything.</p><p>00:25:24.060 –&gt; 00:25:30.270 Garret Woodward: When I went back to New York for spring break I had to get an internship by the time I came back from spring break or else I couldn’t graduate.</p><p>00:25:30.990 –&gt; 00:25:51.390 Garret Woodward: And so I went to a music festival in Lake placid New York, it was called snow down, it was SN he for the band mo so snow down and I ran into a friend of mine who was my aunt’s ex-boyfriend and he’s is kind of cosmic looking dude big white beard he got me.</p><p>00:25:52.650 –&gt; 00:25:54.780 Garret Woodward: got me to the grateful dead when I was nine years old.</p><p>00:25:55.170 –&gt; 00:25:55.530 hey.</p><p>00:25:58.440 –&gt; 00:26:06.510 Garret Woodward: I ran into him at the festival, this is spring break I had two days to find an internship I had called every radio station on every TV station.</p><p>00:26:06.930 –&gt; 00:26:13.710 Garret Woodward: For the summer internship when I was back in Plattsburgh nobody called me back everyone said we’d have we have nothing for you.</p><p>00:26:14.400 –&gt; 00:26:22.650 Garret Woodward: So I was, I was like I’m going back to Connecticut to college in two days and I don’t have an internship and I ran into him at the show on Saturday night I’d be back in college Monday.</p><p>00:26:23.130 –&gt; 00:26:32.610 Garret Woodward: I ran into him Saturday night at the show in Lake placid and I told him what was going on, he goes well, this is kind of funny a friend of mine who owns a music magazine is here tonight.</p><p>00:26:33.270 –&gt; 00:26:45.960 Garret Woodward: I know you’re not a writer, but as you should talk to me, probably get you an internship so I ran into the guy that night and he said so, what do I get to do just say that you did stuff and sign a piece of paper, and I said yeah that’d be.</p><p>00:26:45.960 –&gt; 00:26:49.440 Garret Woodward: Great that’d be really great I really need this internship.</p><p>00:26:49.980 –&gt; 00:27:00.960 Garret Woodward: And so I was able to fudge my way through it, even though it wasn’t TV or radio my journalism Professor said it was okay because it was a magazine so.</p><p>00:27:02.130 –&gt; 00:27:07.890 Garret Woodward: I had no experience with creative writing at all or any kind of magazine writing and.</p><p>00:27:08.730 –&gt; 00:27:20.940 Garret Woodward: I jumped on it and that summer I started interning at this music magazine in Burlington Vermont state of a mind music magazine, it was a physical magazine is beautiful magazine taught me everything I learned everything I know about journalism now I learned there.</p><p>00:27:21.630 –&gt; 00:27:30.240 Garret Woodward: hasn’t changed every single thing it was it was great it was one of those old school music magazines, where they would give you like a six-page bread, where you can really.</p><p>00:27:30.270 –&gt; 00:27:34.890 Garret Woodward: dive into like he could really, really nerd out on artists and.</p><p>00:27:36.180 –&gt; 00:27:45.450 Garret Woodward: The editor there Mike McKinley gave me the internship and then about a month into it all, I was doing was like dropping off boxes of magazines at dive bars and.</p><p>00:27:46.260 –&gt; 00:27:53.760 Garret Woodward: Helping transcribe interviews and then he said, do you ever want you want to write, for us, I don’t know how to write and he goes well.</p><p>00:27:54.750 –&gt; 00:28:04.260 Garret Woodward: Are you gotta do is just tell the truth, like, how do you really feel about this thing like what What if you, what do you feel about this album when you feel about this artist, what do you actually feel yeah.</p><p>00:28:04.710 –&gt; 00:28:08.820 Garret Woodward: He said that’s all you gotta do is just say that, and then so that’s where it started.</p><p>00:28:09.240 –&gt; 00:28:11.730 Joseph McElroy: And then that’s a great way to.</p><p>00:28:11.730 –&gt; 00:28:14.340 Joseph McElroy: start a career is to get you to know that kind of.</p><p>00:28:14.970 –&gt; 00:28:22.170 Joseph McElroy: talent yeah falling into it and then having some mentors there to help you that you know and being in a place where you can actually get a rich.</p><p>00:28:23.010 –&gt; 00:28:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Experience with their lead you to be able to travel, you know I noticed that you travel early on to a lot of places, but then, what interests me as you went to burning man.</p><p>00:28:33.630 –&gt; 00:28:34.200 Garret Woodward: place.</p><p>00:28:34.920 –&gt; 00:28:43.710 Garret Woodward: Twice where did you go I went in 2008 and 2009 I actually have I don’t know if you can see it get a burning man tattoo right there.</p><p>00:28:46.410 –&gt; 00:28:48.720 Joseph McElroy: You go to into the series.</p><p>00:28:50.160 –&gt; 00:28:53.790 Joseph McElroy: I’ve done my thing that’s cool another burner all right.</p><p>00:28:54.150 –&gt; 00:28:58.830 Garret Woodward: Good on you man, you know it’s a lot different now I don’t know if I never go back.</p><p>00:28:59.370 –&gt; 00:29:03.540 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know you know even then it was getting pretty big it’s like 30,000 I was there, but.</p><p>00:29:04.380 –&gt; 00:29:04.740 Garret Woodward: For me.</p><p>00:29:05.610 –&gt; 00:29:10.020 Joseph McElroy: to share some stories, you have to come over to the motel I got some real good Bernie man.</p><p>00:29:12.930 –&gt; 00:29:15.990 Garret Woodward: There now there’s Internet and cell service I don’t know how I feel about that.</p><p>00:29:16.410 –&gt; 00:29:29.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah we know when I put in a satellite to my my my my my vehicle, I have one of these original one original sets I had Internet before anybody in Bernie MAC.</p><p>00:29:30.030 –&gt; 00:29:30.810 Garret Woodward: You might only.</p><p>00:29:30.900 –&gt; 00:29:32.520 Garret Woodward: a person that could call out of there.</p><p>00:29:32.790 –&gt; 00:29:40.890 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I could call, and I could I was doing a newsletter couldn’t do images and heavy media at the time, but I can do some stuff but.</p><p>00:29:42.360 –&gt; 00:29:42.960 Joseph McElroy: anyway.</p><p>00:29:44.250 –&gt; 00:29:52.230 Joseph McElroy: I’ll have to have another conversation about all those travels that’s pretty good so but let’s get the Haywood county we’re about to you know go to a break.</p><p>00:29:53.460 –&gt; 00:29:58.140 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back, I want to talk about your intro to the smoky mountains, yes.</p><p>00:32:36.660 –&gt; 00:32:52.350 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest here Woodward Garrett yeah yeah Bob and made us a list of about 100 questions we’ve gone through three of them are they.</p><p>00:32:53.670 –&gt; 00:32:54.660 Garret Woodward: Bob is that.</p><p>00:32:55.800 –&gt; 00:33:10.020 Joseph McElroy: you’ve you’re good at talking, you know there’s no wonder, you became a journalist, you can write a story man is just a few words you yeah a few questions and ma’am you’re off on a novel yeah.</p><p>00:33:10.500 –&gt; 00:33:12.180 Garret Woodward: that’s that Irish blood.</p><p>00:33:14.610 –&gt; 00:33:15.720 Garret Woodward: sparing the same.</p><p>00:33:16.140 –&gt; 00:33:18.270 Joseph McElroy: sure you can do it, everyone has a podcast.</p><p>00:33:18.630 –&gt; 00:33:19.920 Garret Woodward: I was gonna say is that.</p><p>00:33:20.700 –&gt; 00:33:26.910 Garret Woodward: No vulgarity all vulgarity aside, when I was younger my father I don’t know if you ever watched that 70 show.</p><p>00:33:28.710 –&gt; 00:33:34.050 Garret Woodward: My father was like red foreman still is, but tough love tough to read kind of guy.</p><p>00:33:35.430 –&gt; 00:33:44.250 Garret Woodward: never really said much like if you had the best day of your life as I would I would break a school record and he’d be like did you puke at the finish line I said no.</p><p>00:33:45.510 –&gt; 00:33:47.190 Garret Woodward: He didn’t run hard enough.</p><p>00:33:47.820 –&gt; 00:33:51.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah my dad was an old mountain man, I had that same.</p><p>00:33:51.600 –&gt; 00:33:52.380 Joseph McElroy: sort of dad.</p><p>00:33:52.740 –&gt; 00:34:01.950 Garret Woodward: yeah so So when I got out of high school, I was, like all right, I get my diploma and I’m walking out of the auditorium from the.</p><p>00:34:02.850 –&gt; 00:34:10.710 Garret Woodward: ceremony and he walks up to me and I’m like God is the moment it’s going to tell me he’s proud of me, this is the moment and he walks up to me.</p><p>00:34:11.430 –&gt; 00:34:19.200 Garret Woodward: He doesn’t extend his hand he just looks at me right now, and he goes well, he graduated high school you’re bullshitting and you’ve come from a long line of bullshit.</p><p>00:34:20.940 –&gt; 00:34:21.930 Garret Woodward: And he’s walked away.</p><p>00:34:24.150 –&gt; 00:34:25.800 Garret Woodward: That was him telling you I love you.</p><p>00:34:27.750 –&gt; 00:34:33.150 Joseph McElroy: said, your identity, be the same identity So there you go he’s being a father.</p><p>00:34:33.480 –&gt; 00:34:34.470 Garret Woodward: I know I know.</p><p>00:34:35.790 –&gt; 00:34:39.150 Joseph McElroy: So um let’s talk about the smokies how’d you end up here.</p><p>00:34:40.680 –&gt; 00:34:43.110 Garret Woodward: um desperation, but I love it here.</p><p>00:34:45.660 –&gt; 00:34:55.230 Garret Woodward: Right after I got out of college, I worked out in my favorite places in the world Jackson hole Wyoming I was living out there as a journalist when I was 22 years old and then.</p><p>00:34:56.370 –&gt; 00:35:05.070 Garret Woodward: When the economy tanked I ended up back in New York freelancing covering music festivals for a while and then around the spring of 2012.</p><p>00:35:06.210 –&gt; 00:35:18.210 Garret Woodward: I needed to get a full-time job again that was the gig I really needed to get back into it, I was just on the road hustling it was rough when the economy tanked, especially as a journalist, it was rough out there.</p><p>00:35:19.710 –&gt; 00:35:20.010 Garret Woodward: I.</p><p>00:35:21.330 –&gt; 00:35:32.940 Garret Woodward: I applied for 100 jobs and 30 days so three to four applications a day I was mailing out physical applications to every newspaper that was hiring in June of 2012.</p><p>00:35:33.990 –&gt; 00:35:45.840 Garret Woodward: I was applying for jobs in Omaha Nebraska Sarasota Florida, you know Santa Barbara California just anything I just really wanted to be back into a full-time gig instead of just you know.</p><p>00:35:47.100 –&gt; 00:35:53.370 Garret Woodward: Whatever I could piecemeal together and I applied to the smoky mountain news and the next day.</p><p>00:35:53.940 –&gt; 00:36:08.580 Garret Woodward: The boss, the publisher Scott McCloud who started the newspaper who still my boss, and one of my best friends, he called me up and he was a little apprehensive he’s like would you really moved down here from New York really like your stuff and I said man I just really wanted.</p><p>00:36:11.790 –&gt; 00:36:12.060 Garret Woodward: and</p><p>00:36:13.350 –&gt; 00:36:17.310 Garret Woodward: I’ve been asked before but I’ve never been in sight unseen I came here.</p><p>00:36:18.120 –&gt; 00:36:22.170 Joseph McElroy: wow well how do you how did you find acceptance here.</p><p>00:36:23.160 –&gt; 00:36:24.510 Garret Woodward: How did I find acceptance.</p><p>00:36:24.930 –&gt; 00:36:25.710 Garret Woodward: I mean, I think.</p><p>00:36:26.610 –&gt; 00:36:41.700 Garret Woodward: The biggest thing was not being full of shit like I sincerely like the people I talked to I’m a history buff I’m a history nerd I’m an old soul it’s just what’s in my DNA is talking to people.</p><p>00:36:42.990 –&gt; 00:36:50.970 Garret Woodward: Especially in Haywood county, as you know, I’ve always felt that if you don’t give people the time of day you’re not going to last long around here.</p><p>00:36:52.110 –&gt; 00:37:08.190 Garret Woodward: You know, like I walked out mainstream and mainstream Waynesville is four blocks, but it might take me 40 minutes because I’ve had 20 people stop me to say hello, or by the way, I have a story idea or I read your column what was that about you know.</p><p>00:37:09.030 –&gt; 00:37:17.280 Joseph McElroy: I think I think it’s still got it, yeah this whole area is got this immense amount of still small the small town charm.</p><p>00:37:19.290 –&gt; 00:37:25.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah even though it’s you know there’s been changes over the years, still is still wonderful so let’s talk about your writing.</p><p>00:37:27.150 –&gt; 00:37:36.240 Joseph McElroy: I mean you have a really great regular column that’s you know, really, I think a lot of ways, you speak with a lot of souls searching and.</p><p>00:37:36.720 –&gt; 00:37:54.270 Joseph McElroy: And thinking about things and I recommend anybody read your columns but you have also written some things I think you’ve won awards you run you, you want the North Carolina Press Association Award for a cover story called the state of women in bluegrass so tell me what.</p><p>00:37:54.270 –&gt; 00:37:56.160 Joseph McElroy: Is the state of women in bluegrass.</p><p>00:37:56.730 –&gt; 00:38:06.150 Garret Woodward: Well, so all the years I’ve been reading about bluegrass which I lived before I moved here, but when you move here becomes part of your life, thankfully, you know I I love bluegrass.</p><p>00:38:06.630 –&gt; 00:38:12.030 Garret Woodward: it’s at the core of everything you know they’re there wouldn’t be rock and roll or would it be country music without bluegrass.</p><p>00:38:12.630 –&gt; 00:38:29.400 Garret Woodward: If you really look into it and it’s The more I learn about it, the more questions I have and I noticed about maybe possible disparities between male and female performers and so I decided to kind of do like a state of things kind of thing, where it was about.</p><p>00:38:31.890 –&gt; 00:38:41.670 Garret Woodward: I interviewed about five or six female bluegrass musicians from small and unknown to some of the biggest stars in the country.</p><p>00:38:42.180 –&gt; 00:38:50.460 Garret Woodward: You know Randy and get in and Claire lunch, I mean really get it from Carolina chocolate drops, and I mean she’s won Grammys she’s won everything I mean she’s she’s you know.</p><p>00:38:50.910 –&gt; 00:38:57.630 Garret Woodward: One of the biggest names in Americana music and then her and Claire lynch who’s won multiple IBM awards.</p><p>00:38:58.110 –&gt; 00:39:06.480 Garret Woodward: And then, all the way down to eight counties Danielle bishop, who at the time was you know, an up and coming female artists and it was more about.</p><p>00:39:07.140 –&gt; 00:39:19.740 Garret Woodward: You know where do we stand, right now, and this was in 2015 you know this is before a lot of things kind of change in the realm of like disparities but are things that still need to change, but the.</p><p>00:39:20.760 –&gt; 00:39:29.850 Garret Woodward: kind of overarching question was you know if you lead if you’re a female leading a bluegrass man, how do you feel about where you’re at in the industry in the genre.</p><p>00:39:30.330 –&gt; 00:39:38.910 Garret Woodward: And also part of like an old boys club and a lot of ways, and so I learned a lot, you know and a lot of times in that process with that story.</p><p>00:39:41.130 –&gt; 00:39:44.700 Garret Woodward: Unless I had posed the question they wouldn’t have said anything you know they would.</p><p>00:39:45.990 –&gt; 00:39:52.680 Garret Woodward: You know, push forward hell or high water get it done, but what I sat down and kind of dug below the surface.</p><p>00:39:53.730 –&gt; 00:40:00.570 Garret Woodward: I got some really not surprising sadly not surprising answers about you to know discrimination about.</p><p>00:40:01.830 –&gt; 00:40:03.030 Garret Woodward: You know hey little ad.</p><p>00:40:03.960 –&gt; 00:40:04.590 Garret Woodward: You know this is.</p><p>00:40:05.550 –&gt; 00:40:07.170 Joseph McElroy: My car I.</p><p>00:40:07.230 –&gt; 00:40:19.170 Joseph McElroy: don’t even have a chance to read that I’m a go look up that story so who do you think are the top women bluegrass and Western going now who do.</p><p>00:40:20.640 –&gt; 00:40:20.910 Joseph McElroy: I mean.</p><p>00:40:21.030 –&gt; 00:40:24.420 Garret Woodward: yeah bluegrass is a pretty flexible word these days.</p><p>00:40:27.180 –&gt; 00:40:42.810 Garret Woodward: there’s the aggressive bluegrass is neo-traditional but in terms of Western Carolina I mean real-deal bluegrass like real deal traditional Darren and Brooke Aldridge me Brooke Aldridge is four times in a row, and the reigning.</p><p>00:40:43.980 –&gt; 00:40:48.210 Garret Woodward: Female vocalist of the year at the IBM is and she’s from every county North Carolina.</p><p>00:40:48.990 –&gt; 00:40:54.630 Garret Woodward: She just played rock fest last week up in Wilkes Barre oh she’s amazing she’s just want to see these people you’re meeting your life.</p><p>00:40:55.230 –&gt; 00:41:08.790 Garret Woodward: boys have a songbird Darren and Brooke Aldridge I mean she’s blowing up and it’s that’s more of a traditional thing, but then, when you look kind of the bluegrass blues roots kind of thing you got you to know Amanda and platinum honey cutters and things like that and.</p><p>00:41:11.460 –&gt; 00:41:19.320 Garret Woodward: what’s the other 100 hill rose, I think, too, but yeah it’s just he can’t throw a rock around here that hit the bluegrass musician yeah.</p><p>00:41:20.160 –&gt; 00:41:30.420 Joseph McElroy: So another bluegrass you actually wrote a book in your debut novel right, I want to make sure I hit some of your highlights here because we’re running out of time we haven’t hit.</p><p>00:41:31.380 –&gt; 00:41:31.860 Garret Woodward: Well, I guess.</p><p>00:41:31.890 –&gt; 00:41:33.000 Garret Woodward: Clearly we have to do this.</p><p>00:41:34.200 –&gt; 00:41:35.910 Joseph McElroy: A 10th of what you do.</p><p>00:41:37.500 –&gt; 00:41:38.220 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:41:38.460 –&gt; 00:41:39.000 Garret Woodward: You don’t get.</p><p>00:41:41.340 –&gt; 00:41:43.380 Joseph McElroy: Your debut work.</p><p>00:41:45.780 –&gt; 00:41:53.640 Joseph McElroy: Was the I love this title knew him to tell me what it means you can’t play get off the stage right.</p><p>00:41:53.880 –&gt; 00:41:55.410 Joseph McElroy: The opposite say stay.</p><p>00:41:55.920 –&gt; 00:42:00.750 Joseph McElroy: aggressive Western North Carolina and beyond what was the meaning of that title yeah.</p><p>00:42:01.200 –&gt; 00:42:02.100 Garret Woodward: Well, so.</p><p>00:42:03.510 –&gt; 00:42:08.190 Garret Woodward: I was kicking around the idea of putting together a bluegrass book free for a couple of years.</p><p>00:42:09.210 –&gt; 00:42:19.200 Garret Woodward: I had all these interviews, together with you know legends of North Carolina Raymond Fairchild Steve Sutton Carol best balsam range.</p><p>00:42:19.920 –&gt; 00:42:24.900 Garret Woodward: Just everybody mountain hard all these great bluegrass musicians and I was sitting all this material.</p><p>00:42:25.440 –&gt; 00:42:31.680 Garret Woodward: And there was so much of it, I told my boss, you know we really we had a few too many beers at a Christmas party and I said, you know.</p><p>00:42:32.340 –&gt; 00:42:39.810 Garret Woodward: Next year, be kind of grave put a bluegrass book with all this stuff we’ve been sitting on, and I was still conducting interviews during that.</p><p>00:42:40.350 –&gt; 00:42:51.750 Garret Woodward: whole year after the summer and I was interviewing Bobby Osbourne from the Osbourne brothers rocky top and Ruby I mean those are legendary bluegrass songs I mean.</p><p>00:42:51.810 –&gt; 00:42:52.140 State.</p><p>00:42:53.760 –&gt; 00:43:01.320 Garret Woodward: And you know Bobby I was when I was on his tour bus in been blossom Indiana at the Bill Monroe bluegrass hall of fame jam very.</p><p>00:43:02.010 –&gt; 00:43:13.350 Garret Woodward: Covering Raymond Fairchild for Maggie valleys induction bluegrass often and I was interviewing Bobby and I said, you know what is it about this, music and being up there, and he goes.</p><p>00:43:14.430 –&gt; 00:43:17.850 Garret Woodward: damn it soon, if you can’t play get off the friggin stage.</p><p>00:43:18.120 –&gt; 00:43:18.990 And he didn’t say free.</p><p>00:43:21.780 –&gt; 00:43:33.540 Garret Woodward: So, when he said that when he said if you can’t play get off the stage I was like you know that’s the title it’s a little aggressive of title, but it was on purpose because it makes you kind of stop and I had people that were kind of.</p><p>00:43:34.680 –&gt; 00:43:38.040 Garret Woodward: up to my craw about it, the same it was too aggressive.</p><p>00:43:39.660 –&gt; 00:43:41.340 Joseph McElroy: aggressive, but you did do.</p><p>00:43:41.610 –&gt; 00:43:42.060 Joseph McElroy: I love it.</p><p>00:43:42.570 –&gt; 00:43:57.300 Joseph McElroy: Maybe it made me think man it’s like yeah that’s a good title yeah bluegrass and a lot of ways are gotta you know a little bit an outsider status in this United States and in some ways, you know.</p><p>00:43:58.290 –&gt; 00:44:05.130 Joseph McElroy: mainstream culture, and so you know it’s like, but the people who do it love it and do it for a reason because they love it right.</p><p>00:44:05.190 –&gt; 00:44:06.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, I want to be good that.</p><p>00:44:06.810 –&gt; 00:44:16.680 Garret Woodward: They take it so seriously, and you know Raymond Fairchild who you know you know you know very well before he passed, I mean he’s an icon and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:44:17.730 –&gt; 00:44:32.850 Garret Woodward: He told me, and I believe them he always talked about how bluegrass bands like a team of horses, that if one falls, all of them fall, so if you’re up there you’re up there, and you gotta pull your way, just like a horse in a team of horses and if you don’t do it.</p><p>00:44:34.980 –&gt; 00:44:35.760 Garret Woodward: Why do you up there.</p><p>00:44:38.670 –&gt; 00:44:41.190 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any other books you got any other books.</p><p>00:44:42.060 –&gt; 00:44:44.220 Garret Woodward: I am working on a rock and roll book right now.</p><p>00:44:45.330 –&gt; 00:44:46.170 Garret Woodward: Ah.</p><p>00:44:46.380 –&gt; 00:44:47.730 Joseph McElroy: yeah I am stone.</p><p>00:44:48.870 –&gt; 00:45:03.000 Garret Woodward: yeah I have so many interviews over the years, with rock legends that I’ve always loved and people that I’ve pursued and it’s a little bright over here sorry the sun, all of a sudden just popped up in my window but.</p><p>00:45:04.860 –&gt; 00:45:11.580 Garret Woodward: They yes I’m working on a rock and roll book this winter to hope to hopefully get out in the spring, but it’s you know I’d.</p><p>00:45:12.330 –&gt; 00:45:16.470 Joseph McElroy: love to bring you back on that love to bring you back on to talk about it, oh.</p><p>00:45:17.970 –&gt; 00:45:18.570 Garret Woodward: yeah.</p><p>00:45:18.690 –&gt; 00:45:19.080 glass.</p><p>00:45:20.370 –&gt; 00:45:20.850 Joseph McElroy: Program.</p><p>00:45:21.660 –&gt; 00:45:24.030 Garret Woodward: it’s a really great program I’m definitely coming back.</p><p>00:45:26.820 –&gt; 00:45:40.830 Joseph McElroy: Okay we’re taking a break down we’ll come back we’ll talk a little bit about your knowledge of what’s interesting in Haywood county and the Western North Carolina and then how another thing like.</p><p>00:47:45.420 –&gt; 00:48:06.660 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Garret Woodward so Garrett, I imagine you’ve done just about every music event festival and concert in the smoky mountains area, so what is the number one place people should not miss.</p><p>00:48:07.500 –&gt; 00:48:08.910 Garret Woodward: In terms of live music.</p><p>00:48:09.660 –&gt; 00:48:10.620 Joseph McElroy: Live music.</p><p>00:48:12.120 –&gt; 00:48:20.370 Garret Woodward: Definitely merle fest that is that just happened last weekend, that is, the premier Americana blue grassroots festival in the country.</p><p>00:48:21.090 –&gt; 00:48:21.780 Garret Woodward: More not.</p><p>00:48:22.920 –&gt; 00:48:34.560 Garret Woodward: it’s four days of the world’s best musicians and the world’s best up and coming musicians at the works Community college campus that 80,000 people there over four days.</p><p>00:48:35.850 –&gt; 00:48:54.210 Garret Woodward: Last weekend, Sergio Simpson, Margo Price, Sam Bush band Sierra Feral Charlie Crockett balsam range from Haywood county and it’s just incredible it’s a huge celebration, other than that you know anything and astral Asheville right now is one of the hottest music scenes in the United States.</p><p>00:48:54.630 –&gt; 00:48:57.840 Joseph McElroy: If I mean music and food right, yes, like.</p><p>00:48:58.290 –&gt; 00:48:58.560 Garret Woodward: Beer.</p><p>00:48:58.620 –&gt; 00:49:01.080 Joseph McElroy: Music food beer beer yeah.</p><p>00:49:01.890 –&gt; 00:49:05.160 Garret Woodward: I mean we’re not gonna lie to you man we’re spoiled out here.</p><p>00:49:06.900 –&gt; 00:49:19.380 Garret Woodward: I mean what I want to go see a show do I want to try a new brewery do I want to go to a new art gallery do I want to try this great restaurant or do I want to go hike and disappear into the woods it’s all within an hour of my apartment you know.</p><p>00:49:20.310 –&gt; 00:49:28.410 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I come to Maggie valley every weekend right for the motel but you know to spend the rest of my</p><p>00:49:28.920 –&gt; 00:49:42.210 Joseph McElroy: life in New York City, and you know, one of the things that I don’t have to suffer for is craft beer, the quality is on par down there with anything in the world that I’ve ever.</p><p>00:49:42.480 –&gt; 00:49:45.120 Joseph McElroy: Of course, I knew it as well right yeah.</p><p>00:49:45.450 –&gt; 00:50:02.820 Garret Woodward: Yes, yes man, you know I wrote, I wrote a cover story about seven years ago about the history of moonshine in Western North Carolina for the spoke about news and, to this day, seven years later, I still have random moonshiners walk up to me at parking lots.</p><p>00:50:04.290 –&gt; 00:50:10.800 Garret Woodward: bars at grocery stores saying you think you’ve had the best follow me to my car and then they give me a job.</p><p>00:50:11.370 –&gt; 00:50:12.570 What happens to this day.</p><p>00:50:14.520 –&gt; 00:50:18.690 Joseph McElroy: that’s good right now I have people walking up to me at</p><p>00:50:19.710 –&gt; 00:50:24.900 Joseph McElroy: the grocery stores and not happy with me because I put them Maxine mandated at the motel.</p><p>00:50:28.260 –&gt; 00:50:31.080 Joseph McElroy: Did it for ethical reasons, not political, but so.</p><p>00:50:32.190 –&gt; 00:50:32.730 Joseph McElroy: People.</p><p>00:50:33.630 –&gt; 00:50:36.930 Garret Woodward: But anyway, John doesn’t kill a covid it right cuz.</p><p>00:50:36.930 –&gt; 00:50:37.740 Joseph McElroy: I know right.</p><p>00:50:38.130 –&gt; 00:50:40.200 Garret Woodward: Great I would be all over that.</p><p>00:50:41.340 –&gt; 00:50:50.250 Joseph McElroy: is already great rock and roll places our concerts are things, something that’s not you would just not even think about is the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:50:51.120 –&gt; 00:50:53.490 Garret Woodward: Well, in terms like bands or venues.</p><p>00:50:54.630 –&gt; 00:50:55.650 Joseph McElroy: or a concert or a.</p><p>00:50:55.650 –&gt; 00:51:03.750 Joseph McElroy: festival or anything that you would just say hey This is something that’s fantastic new world-class that you would not expect in the snow.</p><p>00:51:03.810 –&gt; 00:51:08.070 Garret Woodward: Well, I mean in terms of rock and roll there’s.</p><p>00:51:09.180 –&gt; 00:51:17.550 Garret Woodward: festivals in braveheart and Asheville this weekend is the French broad river fest which is kind of like a reggae root.</p><p>00:51:18.630 –&gt; 00:51:25.200 Garret Woodward: rock and roll American festival up in hot springs, which you know is two towns up from Waynesville.</p><p>00:51:26.430 –&gt; 00:51:34.470 Garret Woodward: Who oh nine French broad river fest that that one is very eclectic it’s not the normal run of bill bands that you see rolling through.</p><p>00:51:35.010 –&gt; 00:51:43.980 Garret Woodward: Some of the festivals out here, most of the stuff west of Asheville it’s bluegrass roots-oriented unless you go to the casino, I mean there’s a lot of really great bands.</p><p>00:51:44.760 –&gt; 00:51:52.860 Garret Woodward: That next weekend three dark nights playing there and then in December Dionne Warwick plan like random stuff like that yeah.</p><p>00:51:53.460 –&gt; 00:51:53.850 Garret Woodward: yeah.</p><p>00:51:54.270 –&gt; 00:51:59.670 Garret Woodward: 30 minutes from downtown now you valley go see three dog night up in the casino.</p><p>00:52:00.840 –&gt; 00:52:01.320 Which is great.</p><p>00:52:04.110 –&gt; 00:52:13.950 Joseph McElroy: So I’m gonna million play questions about where you would think are great things to do, and you probably have a lot of no’s we definitely have to have you back on, so we can pick your brain but.</p><p>00:52:14.400 –&gt; 00:52:24.990 Joseph McElroy: let’s do the itinerary what What would you do let’s talk about Waynesville North Carolina and where, would you eat breakfast in the morning, if you recommend somebody coming there where would you tell them to go.</p><p>00:52:25.380 –&gt; 00:52:37.260 Garret Woodward: Well, first and foremost, I will say that Western North Carolina is a pick your own adventure book, I have the shortest attention span known to humanity, I was only going to live here for six months that was nine and a half years ago.</p><p>00:52:38.160 –&gt; 00:52:38.670 Garret Woodward: I have.</p><p>00:52:38.910 –&gt; 00:52:47.460 Garret Woodward: I have never been bored in this town, I have never been born in this board in this county and I’ve never been bored in western North Carolina if you’re bored here you’re boring.</p><p>00:52:47.820 –&gt; 00:52:53.760 Garret Woodward: Because that’s a great man there’s so much going on outside your front door if you can’t have fun here I don’t know why you’re here.</p><p>00:52:55.290 –&gt; 00:53:05.520 Garret Woodward: You know, and for Waynesville I mean I love breakfast-wise, I mean on an average day beach mountain, the new spot hazelwood neighborhood of Waynesville.</p><p>00:53:05.970 –&gt; 00:53:13.650 Garret Woodward: I love beach mountains have a huge menu the food’s great it’s very plentiful, they only opened about six months ago but they’ve already taken.</p><p>00:53:14.040 –&gt; 00:53:20.220 Garret Woodward: The breakfast and heard of it, I haven’t been there, so I’m gonna go there, go there very soon, so what would you do in the morning after.</p><p>00:53:20.340 –&gt; 00:53:21.420 Joseph McElroy: The meal.</p><p>00:53:21.930 –&gt; 00:53:24.120 Garret Woodward: After I have a food coma leaving beach mountains.</p><p>00:53:25.380 –&gt; 00:53:31.140 Garret Woodward: You know that the water and whole have actually the best brunch and Haywood county, in my opinion.</p><p>00:53:32.370 –&gt; 00:53:44.490 Garret Woodward: The legendary watering hole they actually have bluegrass musicians play in the afternoons on Sundays Sunday brunch huge portions of food and then you got what’s the one in megabyte POPs has really good.</p><p>00:53:46.170 –&gt; 00:53:48.870 Joseph McElroy: They got that shrimp and grits it’s unbelievable yeah.</p><p>00:53:48.990 –&gt; 00:53:58.260 Garret Woodward: Oh yeah and if you jump over the Ridge in the silver, which is not far away, you have loose in the rye, which is a gourmet breakfast spot I love Lucy in there I’m in.</p><p>00:53:59.700 –&gt; 00:54:02.370 Garret Woodward: Line potatoes for the hash browns.</p><p>00:54:03.630 –&gt; 00:54:13.530 Garret Woodward: But then, after you eat a big breakfast you know you gotta have some coffee, I would go to orchard coffee downtown Gainesville it was ranked the number for coffee spots in the United States.</p><p>00:54:14.010 –&gt; 00:54:14.370 Joseph McElroy: By.</p><p>00:54:15.330 –&gt; 00:54:16.830 Garret Woodward: Like food and wine magazine.</p><p>00:54:17.100 –&gt; 00:54:20.460 Joseph McElroy: wow coffee we’re oh my God.</p><p>00:54:21.390 –&gt; 00:54:35.040 Garret Woodward: it’s right across from the courthouse in Waynesville it was ranked by food and wine magazine the guy that owns it my buddy capital is the owner and he is a two time United States latte champion I didn’t know that that existed.</p><p>00:54:35.370 –&gt; 00:54:36.090 Okay.</p><p>00:54:37.230 –&gt; 00:54:47.850 Garret Woodward: he’s known as one of the best latte makers in the United States and it’s at the corner of Main Street and depot so right where the tipping point used to be, which is now sauce and then.</p><p>00:54:48.450 –&gt; 00:54:50.880 Joseph McElroy: You just taught me something listen I didn’t even know.</p><p>00:54:50.970 –&gt; 00:54:51.810 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t even know.</p><p>00:54:53.970 –&gt; 00:54:54.300 Joseph McElroy: I would.</p><p>00:54:55.470 –&gt; 00:54:57.330 Garret Woodward: say the roaster on beans on site.</p><p>00:54:57.870 –&gt; 00:54:59.730 Joseph McElroy: wow wow.</p><p>00:55:00.120 –&gt; 00:55:00.420 Joseph McElroy: All right.</p><p>00:55:01.680 –&gt; 00:55:03.960 Joseph McElroy: let’s do a quick lunch and a click afternoon.</p><p>00:55:05.280 –&gt; 00:55:09.960 Garret Woodward: Quick lunch oh man threw me on the spot there I love.</p><p>00:55:11.010 –&gt; 00:55:24.510 Garret Woodward: The patio downtown Waynesville church tree depot burgers are amazing ham patty Hincapie delicious Fries, oh third Bay filling station they used to be the old mechanic shop there on the corner of.</p><p>00:55:25.380 –&gt; 00:55:27.990 Garret Woodward: Good oh it’s amazing the food’s amazing.</p><p>00:55:30.030 –&gt; 00:55:31.560 Garret Woodward: third day filling station.</p><p>00:55:33.090 –&gt; 00:55:41.010 Garret Woodward: The best gourmet sandwiches and soup for lunch and downtown Waynesville you got a little time you got a little extra cash in your pocket go to the suite on in.</p><p>00:55:41.220 –&gt; 00:55:42.870 Garret Woodward: that’s always been my favorite spot.</p><p>00:55:43.080 –&gt; 00:55:44.670 Joseph McElroy: is always good that’s good for.</p><p>00:55:46.080 –&gt; 00:55:58.590 Garret Woodward: Privacy public, but then for me in the afternoon I’m going hiking man I’m going out into the Cataloochee valley I’m going to go to mount sterling sunburst go swimming at sunburst down there are 215 the tough life man.</p><p>00:55:59.940 –&gt; 00:56:11.430 Joseph McElroy: Tough life alright so we’re going to call it quits here so tell me how people can follow you get in touch with you or keep track of what you’re doing or buy your books.</p><p>00:56:12.420 –&gt; 00:56:22.080 Garret Woodward: Well, so my Instagram is Garrett G A R R E T K and then the last name Woodward W O O D W A R D Garret K Woodward that’s my Instagram</p><p>00:56:23.160 –&gt; 00:56:39.570 Garret Woodward: email garret@smokeymountainnews.com all spelled out, I mean I read for all these travel stuff that we do with the newspaper, so if you have any questions get ahold of me I’m always down to point people in the right direction, I love living here come on down.</p><p>00:56:39.720 –&gt; 00:56:48.090 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well Thank you so much has been a wonderful interview and definitely have to get the other again because there are a million questions and things to talk about.</p><p>00:56:48.510 –&gt; 00:56:49.830 Garret Woodward: That we didn’t do any better real</p><p>00:56:49.830 –&gt; 00:56:51.210 Garret Woodward: pleasure, I really appreciate the.</p><p>00:56:51.210 –&gt; 00:56:51.870 opportunity.</p><p>00:56:53.550 –&gt; 00:57:04.050 Joseph McElroy: So this is the gateway to the smokies podcast you find out more about us a gatewaytothesmokies.fun we’re on the talkradio.NYC network</p><p>00:57:04.920 –&gt; 00:57:15.480 Joseph McElroy: there are some great shows on this network following this one is about New York City and tourism there so come to come to talkradio.NYC and listen to some of the great shows.</p><p>00:57:16.680 –&gt; 00:57:28.590 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention the Meadowlark motel This is my new once in a while call to action is having weekday getaway specials through December 31.</p><p>00:57:28.980 –&gt; 00:57:42.510 Joseph McElroy: And it’s going, you can visit Maggie valley in the heart of the great smokies go see the great colors of the trees and leaves and get a Union three-night getaway price for the.</p><p>00:57:42.990 –&gt; 00:57:58.290 Joseph McElroy: getaway package for the price of two that’s good Tues Sunday through Tuesday or Monday through Wednesday and you get King room spa rooms cabins and cottages reach out to eight to 828 9261717 speak to Boyd.</p><p>00:57:58.740 –&gt; 00:58:14.880 Joseph McElroy: they’ll get your reservation again eight to 828 9261717 speak to Boyd, and thank you we’ll see you next Tuesday from six to seven for another great show and I won’t be drinking another 10% on the show because of the boy.</p><p>00:58:18.330 –&gt; 00:58:18.930 Garret Woodward: Thanks man.</p> 36a60714-1d80-42c7-bdba-588f97f5ea9b https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/2c91bacc-c3f7-4792-8e25-20bd489d919d Wed, 29 Sep 2021 15:34:39 +0000 3011 no full Episode 34: Stories of Nature Episode 34: Stories of Nature Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><span>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Don Hendershot, a Naturalist, Freelance Writer, Biological Consultant, and Natural History (primarily birding) Tour Guide. His column, The Naturalist Corner ran for more than 20 years. He was also a regular contributor to Smoky Mountain Living Magazine plus has written for Southeast Discovery (Southeastdiscovery.com), Native American Journal, Our State, and covered the BP Gulf Oil Spill for examiner.com. He just published, with Smoky Mountain News – A Year from the Naturalist’s Corner Volume I, a collection of columns. And he contracts with the USDA Forest Service to do bird surveys every spring (since 2004.)</span></p><p> </p><p><span>Joseph and Don will talk about the Story of Nature.</span></p><p> </p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>We start off the show with Joseph McElroy introducing the show and himself before going into a sponsored message. After the message, Joseph brings up where he has been recently and his drink of choice for the episode, and then introduces the special guest, Don Hendershot. Joseph asks Don how he ended up in Haywood County, and Don recounts his journey through divorce, ocean jobs, and how business guided him to the mountains. Joseph then inquires why Don started writing, and Don describes the peer pressure from friends and family to not write, but an opportunity to write for a job presented itself and he took it. To finish off the segment, Joseph brings up a specific article Don wrote about the truth behind “dangerous” animals like bears and alligators, and a little behind the scenes about it.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>They come back from the ad break with stories about close calls with alligators. Joseph interjects with his own story with a close encounter with a bear, and Don takes that momentum and comes in with a bear story of his own. This transitions the conversation to tips on how to deal with a bear encounter in the wild, with additional tips on how to distinguish black bear feces with grizzly bears’. The conversation shifts to cougars in the Smokies and the possibility of their extinction before having to go to the commercial break.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>Once the ad break finishes, Joseph brings up all of Don’s achievements and journalistic awards about conservation of nature, and asks Don what his opinions were on the wildfire state of California. Don explains the serious issue and consequences of the forest fires, such as birds changing their migration patterns and animals going higher in the canopy to escape the heat. They talk about the little things people can do to help with environment conservation, like leaving a smaller carbon footprint and looking to renewable energy resources. They switch topics to a recent book Don wrote, </span><em>A Year from the Naturalist’s Corner Volume I</em><span>, and what Don’s plans are for his future volumes. Don also describes his process and themes are in his columns from the </span><em>Naturalist’s Corner</em><span>.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>They begin the final segment with Don’s hobby of bird watching and how the pandemic has hindered it. That led to the topic of Don’s programs he sees over, like tree identification and nature watching (every animal, not just birds), and his favorite moments from certain sessions he led. Don also lends a helpful tip on how to differentiate between a similar pair of bird species found in the Smokies. They end off this week’s show with how to get in contact with Don and where to find his Book.</span></p> Video thumbnail

In this episode, our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy interviews Don Hendershot, a Naturalist, Freelance Writer, Biological Consultant, and Natural History (primarily birding) Tour Guide. His column, The Naturalist Corner ran for more than 20 years. He was also a regular contributor to Smoky Mountain Living Magazine plus has written for Southeast Discovery (Southeastdiscovery.com), Native American Journal, Our State, and covered the BP Gulf Oil Spill for examiner.com. He just published, with Smoky Mountain News – A Year from the Naturalist’s Corner Volume I, a collection of columns. And he contracts with the USDA Forest Service to do bird surveys every spring (since 2004.)


Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

We start off the show with Joseph McElroy introducing the show and himself before going into a sponsored message. After the message, Joseph brings up where he has been recently and his drink of choice for the episode, and then introduces the special guest, Don Hendershot. Joseph asks Don how he ended up in Haywood County, and Don recounts his journey through divorce, ocean jobs, and how business guided him to the mountains. Joseph then inquires why Don started writing, and Don describes the peer pressure from friends and family to not write, but an opportunity to write for a job presented itself and he took it. To finish off the segment, Joseph brings up a specific article Don wrote about the truth behind “dangerous” animals like bears and alligators, and a little behind the scenes about it.

Segment 2

They come back from the ad break with stories about close calls with alligators. Joseph interjects with his own story with a close encounter with a bear, and Don takes that momentum and comes in with a bear story of his own. This transitions the conversation to tips on how to deal with a bear encounter in the wild, with additional tips on how to distinguish black bear feces from grizzly bears. The conversation shifts to cougars in the Smokies and the possibility of their extinction before having to go to the commercial break.

Segment 3

Once the ad break finishes, Joseph brings up all of Don’s achievements and journalistic awards about the conservation of nature and asks Don what his opinions were on the wildfire state of California. Don explains the serious issue and consequences of the forest fires, such as birds changing their migration patterns and animals going higher in the canopy to escape the heat. They talk about the little things people can do to help with environmental conservation, like leaving a smaller carbon footprint and looking to renewable energy resources. They switch topics to a recent book Don wrote, A Year from the Naturalist’s Corner Volume I, and what Don’s plans are for his future volumes. Don also describes his process and themes in his columns from the Naturalist’s Corner.

Segment 4

They begin the final segment with Don’s hobby of bird watching and how the pandemic has hindered it. That led to the topic of Don’s programs he sees over, like tree identification and nature watching (every animal, not just birds), and his favorite moments from certain sessions he led. Don also lends a helpful tip on how to differentiate between a similar pair of bird species found in the Smokies. They end off this week’s show with how to get in contact with Don and where to find his Book.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/153978670242230/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/241746797_153978706908893_1223061426070787706_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=2Hr3o__3y_IAX9w0NGB&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63025485&oh=00_AT8oC50fr-PjtSkth9JI7Per88xwokes_V6rAS5WQYFUlg&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350&tn=ssl5RjlRCRqdhHNg" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>In this episode, our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy interviews Don Hendershot, a Naturalist, Freelance Writer, Biological Consultant, and Natural History (primarily birding) Tour Guide. His column, The Naturalist Corner ran for more than 20 years. He was also a regular contributor to Smoky Mountain Living Magazine plus has written for Southeast Discovery (Southeastdiscovery.com), Native American Journal, Our State, and covered the BP Gulf Oil Spill for examiner.com. He just published, with Smoky Mountain News – A Year from the Naturalist’s Corner Volume I, a collection of columns. And he contracts with the USDA Forest Service to do bird surveys every spring (since 2004.)</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>SHOW NOTES:</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>We start off the show with Joseph McElroy introducing the show and himself before going into a sponsored message. After the message, Joseph brings up where he has been recently and his drink of choice for the episode, and then introduces the special guest, Don Hendershot. Joseph asks Don how he ended up in Haywood County, and Don recounts his journey through divorce, ocean jobs, and how business guided him to the mountains. Joseph then inquires why Don started writing, and Don describes the peer pressure from friends and family to not write, but an opportunity to write for a job presented itself and he took it. To finish off the segment, Joseph brings up a specific article Don wrote about the truth behind “dangerous” animals like bears and alligators, and a little behind the scenes about it.</p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>They come back from the ad break with stories about close calls with alligators. Joseph interjects with his own story with a close encounter with a bear, and Don takes that momentum and comes in with a bear story of his own. This transitions the conversation to tips on how to deal with a bear encounter in the wild, with additional tips on how to distinguish black bear feces from grizzly bears. The conversation shifts to cougars in the Smokies and the possibility of their extinction before having to go to the commercial break.</p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>Once the ad break finishes, Joseph brings up all of Don’s achievements and journalistic awards about the conservation of nature and asks Don what his opinions were on the wildfire state of California. Don explains the serious issue and consequences of the forest fires, such as birds changing their migration patterns and animals going higher in the canopy to escape the heat. They talk about the little things people can do to help with environmental conservation, like leaving a smaller carbon footprint and looking to renewable energy resources. They switch topics to a recent book Don wrote, <em>A Year from the Naturalist’s Corner Volume I</em>, and what Don’s plans are for his future volumes. Don also describes his process and themes in his columns from the <em>Naturalist’s Corner</em>.</p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>They begin the final segment with Don’s hobby of bird watching and how the pandemic has hindered it. That led to the topic of Don’s programs he sees over, like tree identification and nature watching (every animal, not just birds), and his favorite moments from certain sessions he led. Don also lends a helpful tip on how to differentiate between a similar pair of bird species found in the Smokies. They end off this week’s show with how to get in contact with Don and where to find his Book.</p> 137f91a0-7a51-4be8-add3-b4e5d580b06b https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/2c0ca368-fee3-481e-9642-c111bf7917c5 Wed, 15 Sep 2021 03:54:32 +0000 3020 no full Episode 33: Cataloochee Valley in the Smokies Episode 33: Cataloochee Valley in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><span>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is </span><strong>Patrick Womack</strong><span>, a Presbyterian Minister and Native of Haywood County, now serving as Teaching Pastor of Bay Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, Florida.</span></p><p><span>He is a graduate of Western Carolina University and the Reformed Theological Seminary and has been a full-time Pastor since 1992. Patrick is also a renowned local historian and a superb storyteller who has produced many historical works for his family and friends.</span></p><p><span>He enjoys writing, hiking, hunting, and fishing in his spare time. Joseph McElroy and Patrick will talk about Cataloochee Valley in the Smokies.</span></p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Joseph McElroy starts off the show by introducing himself, his relationship with the Smokies, and his drink of choice for the hour. After talking about an upcoming apple festival, McElroy introduces Patrick Womack and asks him a few questions about his upbringing and how he ended up in the Church he works in today. They then go into greater detail about the mentors Womack had throughout his life and how they affected him. Womack recounts his experiences with his grandparents and a terminally ill man and the wisdom they imparted onto him. They finish off the segment with depictions of a few funny stories from their times and sharing a few laughs</span></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>They return in segment 2 to talk about Womack’s vintage jeep and how he came to own it. They discuss why Womack feels a connection with history and how it came to be. Afterwards, Womack describes a few stories that happened in the valley of Cataloochee, such as how they could dip a tray into the river and pick up a trout for dinner, and the reaction of the people when they learned that they had to move due to the government.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>They return to talk about the most beautiful spots in the Smokies and the Cataloochee valley that Womack hiked through. The conversation shifts from that to how Womack got into ministry. Originally, he didn’t think he was the type to be a preacher, but he first thought about it after running for school president and realizing he could do public speaking well (or as his grandma called it, making a talk). Next, Womack summarizes the history of tiny Indian towns in Haywood County after their territory was pushed West.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>When they come back, McElroy starts off asking why Womack doesn’t drink and a few recommendations for barbeque, including in New York. Finally, McElroy asks what a day in Womack’s life looks like, discussing the best places for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and things to do between all of them according to Womack.</span></p> Video thumbnail

Our special guest is Patrick Womack, a Presbyterian Minister and Native of Haywood County, now serving as Teaching Pastor of Bay Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, Florida.

He is a graduate of Western Carolina University and the Reformed Theological Seminary and has been a full-time Pastor since 1992. Patrick is also a renowned local historian and a superb storyteller who has produced many historical works for his family and friends.

He enjoys writing, hiking, hunting, and fishing in his spare time. Joseph McElroy and Patrick will talk about Cataloochee Valley in the Smokies.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

---------------------------------------------------

SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

Joseph McElroy starts off the show by introducing himself, his relationship with the Smokies, and his drink of choice for the hour. After talking about an upcoming apple festival, McElroy introduces Patrick Womack and asks him a few questions about his upbringing and how he ended up in the Church he works in today. They then go into greater detail about the mentors Womack had throughout his life and how they affected him. Womack recounts his experiences with his grandparents and a terminally ill man and the wisdom they imparted onto him. They finish off the segment with depictions of a few funny stories from their times and sharing a few laughs

Segment 2

They return in segment 2 to talk about Womack’s vintage jeep and how he came to own it. They discuss why Womack feels a connection with history and how it came to be. Afterward, Womack describes a few stories that happened in the valley of Cataloochee, such as how they could dip a tray into the river and pick up a trout for dinner and the reaction of the people when they learned that they had to move due to the government.

Segment 3

They return to talk about the most beautiful spots in the Smokies and the Cataloochee valley that Womack hiked through. The conversation shifts from that to how Womack got into ministry. Originally, he didn’t think he was the type to be a preacher, but he first thought about it after running for school president and realizing he could do public speaking well (or as his grandma called it, making a talk). Next, Womack summarizes the history of tiny Indian towns in Haywood County after their territory was pushed West.

Segment 4

When they come back, McElroy starts off asking why Womack doesn’t drink and a few recommendations for barbeque, including in New York. Finally, McElroy asks what a day in Womack’s life looks like, discussing the best places for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and things to do between them according to Womack.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIPT

00:02:52.590 –> 00:02:53.490 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:02:53.580 –> 00:03:08.400 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns these areas filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history, and rich mountain culture that we explore with the weekly episode.

00:03:12.690 –> 00:03:21.210 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains

00:03:21.480 –> 00:03:26.820 Joseph McElroy: My family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:03:27.360 –> 00:03:44.700 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re gonna talk about a little history of Cataloochee Valley and other things about life in the smokies but first will talk about our sponsors now imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past at modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian.

00:03:45.870 –> 00:03:59.130 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill then catch on fire eat accompanied by fine wine craft beer.

00:03:59.910 –> 00:04:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sale, there is no other place like Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina.

00:04:13.320 –> 00:04:15.600 Joseph McElroy: Your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay.

00:04:16.980 –> 00:04:27.330 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that today I’m having a nice beer called soul nation from innovation brewery in Silver North Carolina they say that this particular.

00:04:27.930 –> 00:04:37.290 Joseph McElroy: brand this particular vintage is a unique IP a result of service collaborative community and it’s brought together by lovable beer and tea.

00:04:38.940 –> 00:04:49.440 Joseph McElroy: The beverage is a beverage like no other that exemplifies the manifestation of people working together so food or you can practically taste the Rainbow.

00:04:50.280 –> 00:04:58.560 Joseph McElroy: it’s actually quite good I don’t I find it to be very IPA not too fruity, but I think that there’s a nice flavor to it so.

00:04:58.830 –> 00:05:09.150 Joseph McElroy: This is what I’m drinking today, you know that the mountains have lots of breweries, I think that Asheville alone has like 38 breweries so it’s a great place to come and sample the fruits.

00:05:13.860 –> 00:05:17.850 Joseph McElroy: All the things that are going to make you a hoppy beer.

00:05:19.410 –> 00:05:29.790 Joseph McElroy: Coming up in Waynesville in October is a festival that I recommend you all go to it’s on October 16 is the annual apple harvest festival.

00:05:30.330 –> 00:05:40.110 Joseph McElroy: And it’s in its 34th year of operation it’s a fun family-friendly festival and it’s owned and operated by the Haywood county chamber of commerce.

00:05:40.410 –> 00:05:50.070 Joseph McElroy: And they take over the streets of downtown way enjoy fill it with almost 200 arts and crafts booth food concessions music partners and more.

00:05:50.490 –> 00:05:58.980 Joseph McElroy: We have a lot of street dances in Waynesville and that’s been going on since I was a kid and they do more street dances with this festival.

00:05:59.580 –> 00:06:09.990 Joseph McElroy: There be local apple grows and set up on the street to sell delicious mountain-grown apples that have a vast variety and there’ll be many vendors are selling apple cider.

00:06:16.650 –> 00:06:26.400 Joseph McElroy: That is October 16 in Waynesville North Carolina and it’s not too far from Maggie Valley, where you can state the Meadowlark motel and come visit Waynesville for that event.

00:06:26.820 –> 00:06:33.330 Joseph McElroy: So today’s episode I mentioned is back Cataloochee Valley and I had somebody here that’s been quite a bit in the history of that.

00:06:34.260 –> 00:06:45.810 Joseph McElroy: His name is Patrick Womack, he is a Presbyterian minister and a native of Haywood County who’s now serving as a teaching pastor of Bay Presbyterian church and Bonita Springs Florida.

00:06:46.380 –> 00:06:54.780 Joseph McElroy: He’s a graduate of Western Carolina for University and the reformed theological seminary and has been a full-time pastor since 1992.

00:06:55.380 –> 00:07:10.590 Joseph McElroy: he’s also a renowned local historian and superb storyteller imagine as a ministry probably is who’s produced many historical works for his family and friends and enjoys writing, I think.

00:07:14.670 –> 00:07:15.090 Joseph McElroy: Doing.

00:07:16.830 –> 00:07:18.180 Patrick Womack: doing well, thank you, Joseph.

00:07:18.600 –> 00:07:19.410 Joseph McElroy: Patrick you doing good.

00:07:20.040 –> 00:07:21.630 Patrick Womack: Everyone joining the show.

00:07:22.200 –> 00:07:24.510 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve only been in Florida for about a year right.

00:07:25.170 –> 00:07:26.370 Patrick Womack: that’s right just over a year.

00:07:26.820 –> 00:07:31.980 Joseph McElroy: So how are you serving mostly time in Waynesville how’d you end up in Florida lately.

00:07:33.120 –> 00:07:40.140 Patrick Womack: Well that’s a that’s an interesting story course born and raised in Haywood county and stay there until graduating from Western.

00:07:40.770 –> 00:07:49.380 Patrick Womack: With the Mississippi to seminary and then I was in the Charlotte area for about 18 years before coming back to Wayne’s world a pastor my home church for about 10 years and then.

00:07:49.770 –> 00:07:58.620 Patrick Womack: This church contacted me out of the blue, and that began a conversation, and after a lot of prayer and consideration we with the load up and moving to Florida.

00:07:59.040 –> 00:08:00.750 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s been a blessing.

00:08:01.020 –> 00:08:02.010 Joseph McElroy: With the warm weather.

00:08:04.320 –> 00:08:14.310 Patrick Womack: Well I’ll tell you what it was nice back in January in February, seeing all those snow pictures when I was sitting out on the back porch sipping on the Fruit Punch and just watching world.

00:08:16.500 –> 00:08:19.710 Joseph McElroy: This is sort of you know you’re working retirement right.

00:08:21.540 –> 00:08:21.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:08:22.230 –> 00:08:24.810 Patrick Womack: Well, in my line of work, I don’t know about retirement.

00:08:25.020 –> 00:08:32.100 Joseph McElroy: I know that’s what I’m saying you’re not going to quit, so this is your people retire in Florida, so I thought it might be your work and retire.

00:08:35.700 –> 00:08:36.990 Patrick Womack: here to teach them how to drive.

00:08:37.290 –> 00:08:37.650 yeah.

00:08:39.450 –> 00:08:46.620 Joseph McElroy: so well, this is a first for our show where you’re the first ordained Minister that we’ve had as a guest.

00:08:47.550 –> 00:08:51.510 Joseph McElroy: So I’ll try to be a good behavior but I don’t think I’ve started off really very well.

00:08:53.550 –> 00:08:56.460 Joseph McElroy: So so we’re in Haywood county where you raised.

00:08:57.360 –> 00:08:59.940 Patrick Womack: raised on the high creek, my mom and dad.

00:09:01.170 –> 00:09:14.520 Patrick Womack: will normally team Jean and Charlie Wyoming settle upon the head of high creek built House there and what’s known as Ochsner cove so I grew up there and then between it and my grandparents place on plot creek That was my tramping around.

00:09:19.470 –> 00:09:27.150 Joseph McElroy: Is it say yeah those are nice areas to grow up and I remember growing up as well, what are your fondest memories of growing up here in a boot camp.

00:09:28.050 –> 00:09:40.410 Patrick Womack: Oh, I don’t know just blessed to have a wonderful family mom and dad really loved us and took care of us, and so I had free range of our property up there on the high creek and I love being in the woods and then.

00:09:41.010 –> 00:09:45.120 Patrick Womack: We were within a couple of miles and my mom’s parents bill and Natalie Winchester.

00:09:46.080 –> 00:10:01.290 Patrick Womack: And so I had a lot of good have a lot of good memories of doing farm work and just tramping around there, I really it’s just being with family growing up my dad’s mother live close by, and we were just really blessed to be around a lot of really good people.

00:10:02.130 –> 00:10:05.970 Joseph McElroy: I thought you were gonna say coming up to just go and see me and your brother wrestling.

00:10:07.410 –> 00:10:10.530 Patrick Womack: that’s on the list, but you know you tell me, we only have so much time.

00:10:16.830 –> 00:10:26.550 Joseph McElroy: So you know I am I understand you know the plot, I see to be on the show, and he told me a little bit about you and I knew that I knew of us, I remember sort of remember you coming up watching us.

00:10:26.580 –> 00:10:35.700 Joseph McElroy: uracil so, but he said he mentioned that you were fortunate you felt that you were fortunate to have some great older mentors when you were a boy, can you tell us a little bit about them.

00:10:36.360 –> 00:10:49.650 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah, of course, in addition to my parents who obviously were key in my life grandparents and our grandfather, especially or she graduated high school and my brother Dan and he can tell you as much as I can but.

00:10:51.060 –> 00:10:59.430 Patrick Womack: Paul was just a tremendous influence and all of our lives, we spent a lot of time in the garden tobacco patch hayfield and.

00:10:59.940 –> 00:11:10.020 Patrick Womack: Just was a kind compassionate gracious person to be around and I just loved hearing him talk about growing up and I don’t know why that we’re just interested in that, from an early age.

00:11:10.350 –> 00:11:10.830 huh.

00:11:11.880 –> 00:11:12.360 Joseph McElroy: What kind of.

00:11:16.440 –> 00:11:28.140 Joseph McElroy: Food here my grandfather find scrape you know, and you go out the FAR and you get to pick blackberries or wild strawberries, and you get to see the cows, you can maybe get lucky enough to cut back a.

00:11:30.000 –> 00:11:30.690 Patrick Womack: lot of that.

00:11:30.960 –> 00:11:44.310 Joseph McElroy: Right and be part of that whole you know, a real rural amount of experience, so I think there is a great deal of mentorship and just that sort of wisdom of the land right.

00:11:45.120 –> 00:11:55.890 Patrick Womack: Absolutely, and you know what not only him, but it was a lot of neighbors around us now that I look back, people who came in my grandmother’s stores he ran high creek grocery their own high creek and.

00:11:56.430 –> 00:12:05.640 Patrick Womack: A lot of older folks came there and then a distant cousin Alan hi who was he had a terminal cancer non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

00:12:06.240 –> 00:12:14.490 Patrick Womack: And he spent a lot of time with me, we would sit out on his front porch and he just told me all kinds of stories, and so there was just a lot of people who fed into my

00:12:14.700 –> 00:12:15.360 interest.

00:12:18.630 –> 00:12:19.260 Joseph McElroy: That.

00:12:20.520 –> 00:12:25.950 Joseph McElroy: How do you, what do you think how would What would you say is that was the biggest impact in later life.

00:12:27.180 –> 00:12:36.420 Joseph McElroy: yeah what how did they teach you away living that they give you some wisdom that you just take us through your whole life that you remember as being like really impactful.

00:12:37.350 –> 00:12:43.260 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah definitely um you know, and my grandfather, especially, along with my parents, of course.

00:12:44.430 –> 00:12:51.900 Patrick Womack: was just a good example it wasn’t always things that were said it was just noting the way that he and they were respected.

00:12:52.710 –> 00:13:03.960 Patrick Womack: Among the people in the Community, and you know that guess that sort of put a desire in me to kind of thing I’d like to be like that when I grow up now still think that when I grow up, I would still like to be like them.

00:13:05.400 –> 00:13:20.130 Patrick Womack: And so, watching them and just seeing that that kind of sound solid integrity and standing in the Community was was meaningful for me, for some reason it just made an impression on me but otherwise just all kinds of wisdom.

00:13:21.150 –> 00:13:28.200 Patrick Womack: That they used to dispense you know along the way, best we could talk about that all evening I suppose.

00:13:28.410 –> 00:13:37.680 Joseph McElroy: I suppose yeah we know when I would go visit my grandfather my dad would open up talk about stories from the beginning, the funny stories I don’t remember.

00:13:38.010 –> 00:13:42.750 Joseph McElroy: If you had some of them it’d be one about my grandfather going out trying to shoot a musket and end up.

00:13:43.200 –> 00:14:02.880 Joseph McElroy: Forgetting to take out the stick and you know and then shoot the stick out in the sheet stick get the squirrel and then another one about you know my dad I think it was a tall tale fallen into the river and getting up with the 12 fishing this past.

00:14:05.640 –> 00:14:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Do you have Do you remember the funny stories from.

00:14:08.220 –> 00:14:18.390 Patrick Womack: That time that you grow it kind of hit me on the spot, but yeah I can think about some have Paul said he his father he’s talked about a fellow who was building a wagon and they came along and.

00:14:18.960 –> 00:14:31.080 Patrick Womack: And they were watching him and he was working on the wagon they had he taken a piece of charcoal and mark to be the letter b on both ends of the wagon man and they asked him said what in the world that for and he said.

00:14:31.560 –> 00:14:37.770 Patrick Womack: let’s so I can tell one from the other he said it’s me from before and before behind so I’ll know how to put it on the chassis.

00:14:44.130 –> 00:14:52.560 Patrick Womack: Also may recap are talking about a fellow who was coming through frog Level one time and they had that old bridge there across ritual and create near were the how a meal was.

00:14:53.520 –> 00:14:56.520 Patrick Womack: And the boy hit the side of the bridge and it.

00:14:57.180 –> 00:15:09.270 Patrick Womack: hurling through the windshield of the whole model T and E skidded on the pavement or the gravel out there and just nearly took all of his clothes off and they said what in the world happened, he said he admitted to it, he said, well, I got into some dandelion one.

00:15:09.990 –> 00:15:15.780 Patrick Womack: He said that was coming up the street there, and he said look like they were three bridges, so he said I just took the one in the middle.

00:15:23.160 –> 00:15:29.730 Joseph McElroy: Well, now that’s just the that’s the stories of our youth I really appreciate growing up with them.

00:15:30.240 –> 00:15:39.570 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break, right now, when we come back we’re going to talk a little bit more about you got a vintage jeep and other couple interesting things I think we will talk about.

00:15:40.050 –> 00:15:40.470 Okay.

00:18:01.290 –> 00:18:14.310 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy turned to learn how to use the tools of my tray here, but this is the gateway to the smokies podcast and I have my guests here, Patrick Womack. So Patrick.

00:18:15.990 –> 00:18:16.470 Joseph McElroy: In.

00:18:19.740 –> 00:18:24.960 Joseph McElroy: History a little you know spirituality a little any number of things, but I think.

00:18:26.100 –> 00:18:31.890 Joseph McElroy: You have something that represents both in a way, you have your own a www.twovintagejeep right.

00:18:33.900 –> 00:18:44.730 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s a 1946 CJ to a so technically it’s a civilian G that the previous owner painted to look like an army G but it’s made all out of surplus parts.

00:18:45.390 –> 00:18:48.120 Joseph McElroy: And why did you how did you end up with that, why did you part.

00:18:49.590 –> 00:18:51.660 Patrick Womack: I just always wanted an old jeep and so.

00:18:51.660 –> 00:18:58.740 Patrick Womack: yeah just started looking for one and a guy had it in a garage down in Fort mill with that I looked at it anyway ended up buying it.

00:18:59.310 –> 00:19:00.750 Joseph McElroy: Did you restore yourself.

00:19:01.380 –> 00:19:05.070 Patrick Womack: No, it was good to go I’ve done very little to it.

00:19:05.700 –> 00:19:07.410 Joseph McElroy: And you have any other vintage vehicles.

00:19:08.340 –> 00:19:12.570 Patrick Womack: No that’s pretty much it lets you kind of 2012 Honda accord.

00:19:13.980 –> 00:19:15.270 Joseph McElroy: call that I call it vintage.

00:19:20.880 –> 00:19:22.140 Joseph McElroy: Sport vehicle right.

00:19:23.880 –> 00:19:24.840 Joseph McElroy: i’m sorry what was then.

00:19:25.110 –> 00:19:30.540 Joseph McElroy: So I said I said, there must be some historic, there must be some pleasure and having a historic vehicle.

00:19:31.050 –> 00:19:39.660 Patrick Womack: Oh, I love drama yeah yeah it’s just you know it’s simple and reminds me of a simpler time and it’s just a fun number.

00:19:40.920 –> 00:19:43.050 Joseph McElroy: So we have Alex McKay.

00:19:44.250 –> 00:19:56.370 Joseph McElroy: Okay, I was a previous guest the local historian here, so you to have a lot of now, I think, similar interest what did you become interested in local history.

00:19:56.820 –> 00:20:03.540 Patrick Womack: Well, first of all, let me say Alex is bonafide so it makes me feel better to know you’ve had some legitimate knowledgeable guests on here.

00:20:05.370 –> 00:20:18.720 Patrick Womack: I don’t know I just kind of was born with this crazy idea and I want to know old things I really cannot explain it can think back in my earliest childhood just liked hearing about old stuff and.

00:20:19.320 –> 00:20:20.850 Patrick Womack: have just carried it through life with me.

00:20:24.420 –> 00:20:37.650 Joseph McElroy: mm hmm and you haven’t you come up you know deep roots connections in this in this in this county and the families here like the plot family who the plot brought you on here, you know Hello Hello has your family been around here.

00:20:38.340 –> 00:20:39.840 Patrick Womack: So, on my mother’s side.

00:20:40.860 –> 00:20:49.050 Patrick Womack: About eight generations her grandmother was cooler before she married a Winchester and the McClure’s moved into Haywood county.

00:20:49.950 –> 00:21:03.900 Patrick Womack: sometime in the last decade of the 1700s and then the wind Chester’s have been in a wood county since 1829 1830 and then a number of other family names Hawkins Ochsner.

00:21:04.920 –> 00:21:06.120 Patrick Womack: Just several.

00:21:07.320 –> 00:21:16.740 Joseph McElroy: that’s nice to have those deep connections with, especially when you talk about history, so you know how you sell yourself short but I call you an expert His story it’s about.

00:21:21.000 –> 00:21:22.200 Joseph McElroy: valley of Cataloochee

00:21:23.670 –> 00:21:29.730 Joseph McElroy: it’s stored and beautiful it’s National Park, can you talk about your connection with that.

00:21:30.510 –> 00:21:44.760 Patrick Womack: Yes, I can initially my connection came through my aunt who married Harley Caldwell, who was the last person born up there among those old families, maybe not 1938 he was born 1937.

00:21:45.240 –> 00:21:56.220 Patrick Womack: So his parents were still living in my childhood and even though, what I wouldn’t directly relate to them about marriage called the memo and that ball Caldwell Jarvis and bonnie Caldwell.

00:21:56.820 –> 00:22:09.900 Patrick Womack: And that was my initial connection, but then I also do have a family connection, my great grandmother whitener was a hall in she was born there in Cataloochee

00:22:10.980 –> 00:22:29.070 Patrick Womack: And the whole family which it’s settled in just after the civil war, my great great great grandfather John Wesley hall moved in after in some form or fashion, fighting with the Union, he moved out of East Tennessee into the valley in the 1860s so that’s my direct to.

00:22:30.150 –> 00:22:34.290 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then you got asked to be.

00:22:36.300 –> 00:22:42.840 Joseph McElroy: The interviewer for a local project that interview, a lot of the descendants right.

00:22:43.200 –> 00:22:49.860 Patrick Womack: Yes, so I moved back to Waynesville in 2010 when my own church called me to be the pastor.

00:22:50.490 –> 00:22:58.380 Patrick Womack: And immediately well pretty soon after moving back became involved in Haywood county’s historical and genealogical society.

00:22:58.920 –> 00:23:08.880 Patrick Womack: And they had the idea of trying to do these interviews of the last generation of Cataloochee because we only have a handful of people, they have to were actually born in the valley.

00:23:10.020 –> 00:23:20.580 Patrick Womack: So I became involved in that project to doing those interviews and then that developed into a documentary that was sponsored jointly by that organization and Western Carolina University.

00:23:26.820 –> 00:23:30.210 Joseph McElroy: And you really interesting people that you interviewed on that documentary.

00:23:30.810 –> 00:23:42.810 Patrick Womack: Oh wonderful people you know I think Mr. Paul woody, for example, who born, I guess 1920 or thereabouts on a little Cataloochee

00:23:43.320 –> 00:23:58.050 Patrick Womack: just listening to him tell stories about being born their own woody creek and how his mother on evenings when she had not had a chance to prepare supper could just go out with a dishpan and dip a massive trout out of the creek with a dish fan.

00:23:58.680 –> 00:23:59.880 Patrick Womack: and have enough for supper.

00:24:01.020 –> 00:24:02.910 Patrick Womack: And just a whole host of other.

00:24:02.910 –> 00:24:05.400 Joseph McElroy: folks that had to be a little bit tall too

00:24:07.020 –> 00:24:12.810 Patrick Womack: know you know if you read how abundant the trout used to be in those streams.

00:24:13.860 –> 00:24:22.380 Patrick Womack: yeah Turkey George Palmer going to last bottom creek and catching 200 trout course Turkey George did tend to you know.

00:24:23.070 –> 00:24:33.840 Patrick Womack: inflated numbers, a little bit, but they are others who testified of the amount of trout that run those streams I really don’t bout that story at all I think it’s entirely credible that she did that.

00:24:34.620 –> 00:24:42.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I mean that would be a wonderful existence just go out and dip it in and pull out your trout having for dinner because they’re good to eat.

00:24:43.560 –> 00:24:44.970 Joseph McElroy: I’ve always had to work to catch.

00:24:45.660 –> 00:24:47.430 Patrick Womack: yeah they’re not like that now.

00:24:47.520 –> 00:24:52.590 Joseph McElroy: No they’re not like that out anybody else that told you to story that you remember that’s really good.

00:24:53.310 –> 00:24:54.750 Patrick Womack: Oh, there is a host of them.

00:24:55.920 –> 00:24:56.580 Patrick Womack: I can.

00:24:58.200 –> 00:25:06.810 Patrick Womack: You know, think about Raymond called will, who was born and raised there and what’s now Palmer Cree back in the older generation, it was known as Indian Creek and.

00:25:07.380 –> 00:25:15.690 Patrick Womack: You know, he talked about the old grist mill and his father operated there and how somebody in the Community gotten the idea that.

00:25:16.200 –> 00:25:22.650 Patrick Womack: He had told on them because they would come in there, and you know the millstones were close together to make cornmeal.

00:25:23.130 –> 00:25:33.000 Patrick Womack: And sometimes people would slip in there at night and spread those stones out a little bit to crack corn so that they could use it to this still liquor and they had done that, and.

00:25:34.080 –> 00:25:40.380 Patrick Womack: Raymond said somebody got the idea that his father Jarvis and informed on them, because the revenue or showed up so.

00:25:40.740 –> 00:25:48.720 Patrick Womack: They were in there one-day Millen and somebody slipped up behind his dad and knocked him in the head knocked him out, but he said his dad just laughed about anyone any big deal.

00:25:50.790 –> 00:25:57.570 Patrick Womack: And, and then he had a cousin who took an electricians correspondence course through a school in Chicago.

00:25:58.110 –> 00:26:03.300 Patrick Womack: Who figured out how to rig up a little mag neato and he put it on that grist mill.

00:26:03.780 –> 00:26:14.880 Patrick Womack: And it produced enough electricity They ran a power cord down to their house just about a quarter of a mile away and they were able to run a couple of lights and radio off of that little generator on their wrist meal so.

00:26:15.240 –> 00:26:17.070 Joseph McElroy: It must have starred with Community man.

00:26:20.520 –> 00:26:21.480 Patrick Womack: That was a cool story.

00:26:25.980 –> 00:26:31.020 Joseph McElroy: an interview that there were they a little wistful about not being about that hope that that that Valley.

00:26:31.770 –> 00:26:38.490 Patrick Womack: You know, it was a mixture, they were folks who remembered very well being angry and bitter about having to move off that.

00:26:39.030 –> 00:26:48.150 Patrick Womack: Most of them, you know so on as a mixed blessing, they said, you know, we had to give up our land, but you know the lands been preserved at least we can go back to it now and it hasn’t been developed.

00:26:50.490 –> 00:26:59.850 Patrick Womack: Remember it’s funny this just jumped in my head, there was one fellow who had negotiated pretty hard with his property and he finally got a check.

00:27:00.510 –> 00:27:10.440 Patrick Womack: From the government for his land and they were making plans to move out and he got angry, his wife, because she was supposed to take the check to Waynesville and deposit in the bank.

00:27:11.010 –> 00:27:17.670 Patrick Womack: And that was going to be what they used to bother next farm to live on well she’d gotten busy and didn’t take it.

00:27:18.330 –> 00:27:31.290 Patrick Womack: And he was all upset about that, but then he found out later had she taken that check the Waynesville the bank had gone out of business, it went broke and had she did it, they would have lost everything.

00:27:31.560 –> 00:27:32.550 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness.

00:27:33.570 –> 00:27:36.390 Patrick Womack: Joseph that story that came out after the depression, you know the great.

00:27:38.070 –> 00:27:48.630 Joseph McElroy: wow yeah no, it was an interesting time they’re moving out things are happening pretty bad at that time and you know made room for the great smoky mountain National Park right.

00:27:49.020 –> 00:27:52.560 Joseph McElroy: I mean I don’t know how many people, I guess, we started talking about explaining it, but the.

00:27:52.560 –> 00:28:07.620 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee, one of the most beautiful places to visit and the great smoky mountains National Park, and it was inhabited up until the well probably a long time ago by the territory and then more recently by old.

00:28:08.490 –> 00:28:20.820 Joseph McElroy: Old mostly Scotch Irish settlers up until the 30s when they were paid to leave after some negotiations to help create.

00:28:24.090 –> 00:28:27.360 Joseph McElroy: So there were a lot of decisions around leaders any left.

00:28:28.680 –> 00:28:30.450 Joseph McElroy: You know if there’s a descendant left.

00:28:32.820 –> 00:28:33.510 Patrick Womack: Of.

00:28:34.830 –> 00:28:38.700 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee Valley, are those people you interviewed, are there any I’m still living.

00:28:39.030 –> 00:28:48.450 Patrick Womack: there’s just a handful left and the only ones who are left now there are very few that actually have a living memory of being there.

00:28:49.230 –> 00:28:52.080 Patrick Womack: our so-called will would be one who remembers it from childhood.

00:28:52.860 –> 00:29:05.220 Patrick Womack: But when Raymond call will pass away a couple of years ago, I think he was probably the last one you actually remembered farming and doing actual work and taking capital up on those Ridge tops that generation is pretty well going.

00:29:05.790 –> 00:29:11.970 Joseph McElroy: But, did you go up and visit quite a bit when you were doing this, you know some of the hiking trails or anything up in the couch about.

00:29:12.330 –> 00:29:30.480 Patrick Womack: Oh I’ve hiked every trail I have gone off-trail I’ve found because the trails under their name aren’t necessarily the ones that the people used and so I’m trying to locate all of those old trails and home places that I possibly could have to scour that valley from one end to the other.

00:29:31.680 –> 00:29:39.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, it was a great place to go up back in the day didn’t church group fill their camp up there, and have revivals and things like that they still do today.

00:29:40.590 –> 00:29:44.280 Patrick Womack: I’m not sure I do know that they were selling to the Greek campground and do that.

00:29:44.640 –> 00:29:47.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah I remember that back in the day yeah.

00:29:48.720 –> 00:29:54.810 Joseph McElroy: But it was you know it’s a lovely place around here so what’s your favorite hiking trail up there.

00:29:56.220 –> 00:30:02.490 Patrick Womack: Oh, it depends on what day you asked me, probably, all in all, I enjoy most going up Palmer creek.

00:30:04.050 –> 00:30:17.220 Patrick Womack: Pretty hollow trail, and then on up you know toward last bottom creek the tops of those ranges those are probably the go-to places I like to get up high as fast as I can, so you know elation.

00:30:17.880 –> 00:30:21.360 Joseph McElroy: There you go well, we come back we’ll talk a little bit more about.

00:30:24.780 –> 00:30:29.700 Joseph McElroy: Some other things that you might have done of interest to our audience okay.

00:33:13.140 –> 00:33:21.750 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Patrick Womack so Patrick.

00:33:24.810 –> 00:33:35.910 Joseph McElroy: I really want to paint a picture for our audience about how beautiful Cataloochee Valley is such a great place to visit is there any other special places in your heart up there.

00:33:36.780 –> 00:33:38.580 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah I mean the whole area.

00:33:39.660 –> 00:33:56.040 Patrick Womack: I love to go up to the end of the valley and go up by the old woody house and you know the rough creek trail and then everything on Caldwell Fork is great and wonderful hiking to go to, what they call the booger man trail named after a man named Robert Palmer who.

00:33:57.090 –> 00:34:04.620 Patrick Womack: Who was called booger man and his childhood that he’ll most of the property that that trail encompasses that’s a great wall, you can go through there and see some large timber.

00:34:05.130 –> 00:34:12.960 Patrick Womack: And some good views and some old stone fences that are still in place and yeah that’s a great place to go.

00:34:13.560 –> 00:34:17.820 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the there are some old buildings up there to what’s your which ones are your favorite old buildings.

00:34:18.540 –> 00:34:21.480 Patrick Womack: There are in a course being pastor unnaturally.

00:34:22.350 –> 00:34:28.380 Patrick Womack: Churches, you know Palmer Chapel united Methodist, not just because it’s a charity I’ve got some good memories.

00:34:28.680 –> 00:34:35.220 Patrick Womack: sitting in there during the homecoming services that are held each year and in childhood sitting up there with Jarvis Caldwell.

00:34:35.700 –> 00:34:41.790 Patrick Womack: Who back in the day led the singing and the worship services, I will remember sitting next to him, and even though he was.

00:34:42.210 –> 00:34:48.180 Patrick Womack: The grandfather my first cousin he would introduce me as his youngest grandson that always made me feel good, even though, what.

00:34:48.930 –> 00:35:01.710 Patrick Womack: And then, of course, over and little catalog it got a hike to get in there, but the Baptist church that that Community is known as Ola back in the day, but little Cataloochee church that’s a great place to go to and I love to do that.

00:35:02.520 –> 00:35:05.520 Joseph McElroy: I’m a great picnic around those places are yeah.

00:35:05.610 –> 00:35:09.300 Patrick Womack: yeah anyway there’s a great place yeah.

00:35:09.780 –> 00:35:21.930 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s time for viewing season and for the alpha and Cataloochee about now September, you know, so we actually had to outcome down Soco road.

00:35:26.250 –> 00:35:29.580 Joseph McElroy: This Sutton’s antique store recently so.

00:35:30.930 –> 00:35:37.290 Joseph McElroy: I started out to do Cataloochee valley where’s the best place to go view Elk in Cataloochee Valley

00:35:37.980 –> 00:35:52.050 Patrick Womack: Oh, those upper fields undoubtedly go up by the old ranger station sometimes you’ll find some there, but most of them are up in those fields either below Palmer Chapel or just above as you, you know get all of the gravel parts of the road.

00:35:52.530 –> 00:35:56.580 Joseph McElroy: um any advice on how to view them anything that you shouldn’t do.

00:35:56.940 –> 00:35:58.380 Patrick Womack: yeah keep your distance.

00:35:59.970 –> 00:36:11.220 Patrick Womack: You know those elk seem pretty tame you know, and you get pretty close to them, but you know those are big powerful animals, you know what a tangle it’s one of those things you got one on one with an lt we’re not going to come out well so.

00:36:11.280 –> 00:36:14.130 Joseph McElroy: No, no, I don’t think those are some of that.

00:36:14.670 –> 00:36:14.880 yeah.

00:36:16.530 –> 00:36:23.610 Joseph McElroy: So uh you know you read this DVD right about the great yeah we’re people get caught.

00:36:25.890 –> 00:36:28.170 Patrick Womack: You know, having been away for over a year now.

00:36:29.220 –> 00:36:44.040 Patrick Womack: not exactly sure I know that Teague super at going into Maggie valley used to keep them on and blue rage books generally had some otherwise you know contact somebody with a would historical genealogical society.

00:36:44.460 –> 00:36:48.630 Joseph McElroy: All right, um have you written any books about this area.

00:36:48.840 –> 00:37:00.120 Patrick Womack: No, no, people tell me, I need to write books I just don’t have time I’ve got all kinds of notes and stuff that I referred to you, but maybe one of these days I’ll get organized enough.

00:37:00.180 –> 00:37:13.320 Joseph McElroy: I kept thinking that you had the same thought I kept saying he must have written the book and I was looking for and I couldn’t find one so yeah I think that’s a destiny right there I think that’s something that’s telling me, you need to write a book right okay.

00:37:14.700 –> 00:37:16.680 Joseph McElroy: you’re now retired in Florida so.

00:37:19.860 –> 00:37:22.800 Joseph McElroy: Take your time and write that book, we want to hear about right.

00:37:24.300 –> 00:37:26.520 Patrick Womack: like an ascended what I posted this thing I can.

00:37:26.580 –> 00:37:32.910 Patrick Womack: I can see several former teachers and professors reaching for lay locks with that thought coming up so we’ll see.

00:37:35.430 –> 00:37:40.680 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah speaking of Florida ministry, I mean what what what led you to the ministry, I mean.

00:37:42.330 –> 00:37:42.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:37:43.470 –> 00:37:47.190 Patrick Womack: Good question well you know, I was raised in the church by our parents.

00:37:47.820 –> 00:37:54.660 Patrick Womack: brought us up in a wonderful way, and so I was in worship in Sunday school growing up at he’s an only Presbyterian church, but I never gave any thought to being a preacher.

00:37:55.170 –> 00:38:03.480 Patrick Womack: People would say something to me was a kid you know mama dress this up, but a little time on me or something somebody would say you look like a preacher I didn’t like that very well.

00:38:04.290 –> 00:38:10.920 Patrick Womack: But it was actually my junior year in high school and 11th grade, I decided to run for student body President.

00:38:11.580 –> 00:38:24.630 Patrick Womack: And for the first time I got up in front of a big group of people and it’s my grandmother used to say, made a talk I got up and made a campaign speech and I said something like you know ask not what your school can do for you, but you know and.

00:38:25.980 –> 00:38:27.120 Patrick Womack: Anyway, I won I won.

00:38:27.120 –> 00:38:27.900 Patrick Womack: Pretty easily.

00:38:27.960 –> 00:38:37.020 Patrick Womack: And I remember walking out of the auditorium that day and I didn’t hear an audible voice, but I had this inner conviction that was like what are you going to do with it.

00:38:37.890 –> 00:38:46.980 Patrick Womack: And it scared me but that began a process in which I realized if I could get in front of people and talk, I had to ask myself what was I going to do with it and so.

00:38:48.030 –> 00:38:55.590 Patrick Womack: yeah just through a process of prayer and talking to people that I had a lot of competency in eventually narrowed down to Gospel Ministry.

00:38:56.610 –> 00:38:59.850 Joseph McElroy: that’s great and you’ve been doing it since 1992 right.

00:39:00.570 –> 00:39:08.310 Patrick Womack: Yes, full time I preach my first sermon in June of 1986 I was only 19 years old and I told him more than I need but.

00:39:09.360 –> 00:39:12.810 Patrick Womack: I’ve been trying to do it, since then, I tell people when I grow up, I want to be a preacher.

00:39:14.040 –> 00:39:14.460 Joseph McElroy: I knew.

00:39:16.860 –> 00:39:17.490 Joseph McElroy: me to.

00:39:18.540 –> 00:39:19.950 Joseph McElroy: I’ll preach about beer, though.

00:39:29.160 –> 00:39:44.160 Joseph McElroy: I mean you guys actually will not put your sermons and you really good at it, so I was pretty impressed I love your church down to Florida you got that backdrop of the water and everything it’s really nice and it’s a beautiful beautiful scene yeah.

00:39:44.760 –> 00:39:49.980 Patrick Womack: So somebody asked me if we baptize people back there I tell no that’s a gator pit for people.

00:39:52.260 –> 00:39:53.400 Joseph McElroy: Is that the burden late.

00:39:55.980 –> 00:39:57.840 Joseph McElroy: I wonder, I wonder where that was.

00:40:01.440 –> 00:40:03.450 Patrick Womack: No it’s a pretty setting it really.

00:40:03.510 –> 00:40:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so So do you also do some talks on the history of the Cataloochee valley right.

00:40:12.390 –> 00:40:13.440 Patrick Womack: yeah here in their.

00:40:14.910 –> 00:40:21.210 Patrick Womack: Education Alex McKay course a good friend of mine who’s done so much research I’m so grateful for that guy.

00:40:21.840 –> 00:40:30.510 Patrick Womack: He has been instrumental in me speaking and a couple of occasions, and then you know just to hear, and they are when I get a chance it’s one of my favorite things to talk about so I love to do it.

00:40:33.810 –> 00:40:38.490 Joseph McElroy: Go any place you got it is there any plans on it in the future, or just, just as it comes up.

00:40:38.820 –> 00:40:41.040 Patrick Womack: Just as it comes up I don’t really have anything specific.

00:40:41.190 –> 00:40:51.600 Joseph McElroy: In the future, you have you I know you said you had written the books, but what books would you recommend to people to read about Cataloochee valley and the history of.

00:40:52.680 –> 00:40:52.890 Joseph McElroy: The.

00:40:54.360 –> 00:40:57.690 Joseph McElroy: spray smokies or other things related to visiting here.

00:40:58.350 –> 00:40:59.280 Patrick Womack: Oh wow.

00:41:00.780 –> 00:41:11.460 Patrick Womack: You know the book on Cataloochee that’s been my go-to is as long out of print it Cataloochee last settlement of the smokies by Elizabeth powers in mark Hannah.

00:41:12.780 –> 00:41:23.460 Patrick Womack: that’s just some good narrative history there and, of course, had a call Well Davis was a good friend of mine has appreciated, you know much of what she said.

00:41:24.660 –> 00:41:32.640 Patrick Womack: Actually, I think the book on Cataloochee has yet to be written and I frankly honestly don’t think I’m the person to do it, I.

00:41:32.640 –> 00:41:33.390 Patrick Womack: Think there’s.

00:41:33.870 –> 00:41:40.410 Patrick Womack: Some people out there, I hate to drop names, but there’s a guy named Linda Noland who could do this.

00:41:40.980 –> 00:41:42.450 Patrick Womack: sounding job with.

00:41:50.340 –> 00:41:51.270 Patrick Womack: Otherwise.

00:41:52.410 –> 00:41:54.150 Patrick Womack: You know, books on Haywood county.

00:41:55.260 –> 00:42:01.170 Patrick Womack: written by William Clark Medford WCAllen they are just some really good go-to works.

00:42:24.060 –> 00:42:25.770 Patrick Womack: And then thinking about others that.

00:42:27.480 –> 00:42:32.160 Patrick Womack: You know others that are written on oh Michael from his has written you know a good one.

00:42:39.270 –> 00:42:41.250 Patrick Womack: Are we back Thank you muted.

00:42:41.400 –> 00:42:41.910 Joseph McElroy: hey I.

00:42:45.780 –> 00:42:49.740 Joseph McElroy: think it was me got kicked off, I think that you are you’re still alive I hope so.

00:42:51.330 –> 00:42:52.470 Joseph McElroy: that’s the first me.

00:42:53.370 –> 00:42:53.670 Oh.

00:42:54.720 –> 00:43:01.860 Joseph McElroy: Well I’m glad you kept explaining the books and stuff I’ll have to listen to the recording to find out what she said.

00:43:03.330 –> 00:43:07.530 Patrick Womack: it’s okay I didn’t I didn’t name any of this kind of going over things I wish were written.

00:43:08.940 –> 00:43:15.030 Joseph McElroy: Are there any other historical projects you’ve done in Haywood county or that that might be of interest.

00:43:16.110 –> 00:43:24.960 Patrick Womack: Well, not really I mean one of the talks that I got to make was that the old Haywood county courtroom where I talked about high creek and plot creek and.

00:43:25.980 –> 00:43:28.200 Patrick Womack: i’ve also i’ve also done.

00:43:29.220 –> 00:43:37.260 Patrick Womack: an interview on the history of son Luke which is you know bullet balsam gap along the old highway there’s just a lot.

00:43:37.290 –> 00:43:42.420 Joseph McElroy: of rich history summarize the history is there a way to summarize that for people with some new.

00:43:43.410 –> 00:43:44.280 Patrick Womack: Well son Luke.

00:43:45.420 –> 00:43:52.680 Patrick Womack: You know, was one of the earliest areas settling Haywood county wants the Indian boundary was pushed further West and.

00:43:53.820 –> 00:44:03.240 Patrick Womack: You know just a lot of formative family settled in there farmed it, of course, when the highway came through in the 1960s that changed the whole nature of the place but.

00:44:04.710 –> 00:44:11.430 Patrick Womack: You know they had a school and church and it was a thriving Community there just like Cataloochee

00:44:11.550 –> 00:44:17.970 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee was it one time yeah that’s what sort of surprising, you know you see the mountains today, and you know you go through the.

00:44:18.420 –> 00:44:26.100 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains and you see Maggie Valley see you see some townships like ironed up and cattle crabtree and things like that.

00:44:26.460 –> 00:44:35.160 Joseph McElroy: Do you don’t realize there were actually a lot more of these little townships in the mountains and what would come of them be totally gone and some are semi preserved.

00:44:36.630 –> 00:44:45.660 Joseph McElroy: You know, there was history now recently my dad was telling me about the others just flooding, he said Maggie Valley, to have a lot more flooding because there used to be.

00:44:46.170 –> 00:44:58.080 Joseph McElroy: farmland at all, now that you know that one of the reasons they created the great smoky mountains is because the mountains are going bald and they wanted to you know, keep that natural beauty and tack.

00:44:59.400 –> 00:45:13.620 Patrick Womack: yeah my grandfather remembered when much of plot creek was underwater after pretty severe flooding was probably 1916 one, but I think that was a direct result of the heavy logging in the upper end of that creek or just didn’t have anywhere to go.

00:45:14.250 –> 00:45:21.810 Joseph McElroy: yeah all right well we’re gonna take a break now, and when we come back let’s talk about a few of your favorite places in Hayward camp.

00:45:22.230 –> 00:45:22.590 Okay.

00:45:54.090 –> 00:45:56.160 pools, and how it impacts on your life.

00:47:26.250 –> 00:47:34.830 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Patrick Womack so Patrick.

00:47:35.160 –> 00:47:44.280 Joseph McElroy: And I’ve been sitting here drinking and savoring this beer is called soul vision, which I did not pick because you save souls, but it’s kind of ironic that’s the name of it.

00:47:50.550 –> 00:48:00.900 Joseph McElroy: I wonder if it’s okay to ask a Presbyterian Minister he has a favorite place to have a cold beer, and I know you don’t drink, you told me that earlier, but this is the only place it’s your parishioners like to go to.

00:48:02.430 –> 00:48:04.740 Patrick Womack: You know I honestly don’t know.

00:48:07.530 –> 00:48:11.520 Patrick Womack: it’s just not anything I’ve done, I mean promise years ago that I wouldn’t drink enough.

00:48:13.440 –> 00:48:16.170 Patrick Womack: You know I know there are a number of places around the people enjoy going to.

00:48:16.680 –> 00:48:19.620 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know the hazelwood smokehouse right.

00:48:20.490 –> 00:48:24.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s been called, one of the top 20 Barbecue places in the nation.

00:48:25.410 –> 00:48:26.190 Joseph McElroy: And he’s got a.

00:48:26.460 –> 00:48:36.870 Joseph McElroy: beard he’s got a wonderful sauce and I really love that place and they have the best craft brew so now, you know the answer to say there were to go with hazel yeah.

00:48:36.960 –> 00:48:46.770 Patrick Womack: Well hey and need a plugin bbq we had two couples from our church here Medina springs that wound up in western North Carolina both of them went to he went smokehouse and thoroughly enjoyed it.

00:48:47.190 –> 00:48:57.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s I had some friends from New York City that had that sort of low yes to this thing going on, but I love it too, you know I love, all I love down-home and I love to do.

00:48:59.220 –> 00:49:09.390 Joseph McElroy: But they thought it was the best thing they’ve ever had to and they actually ordered and keep ordering the Barbecue sauce yeah, so it is definitely.

00:49:10.860 –> 00:49:19.890 Joseph McElroy: a fabulous place so you know I like to ask my guests about the itinerary so you lived in the hazelwood Waynesville area for a.

00:49:20.400 –> 00:49:37.800 Joseph McElroy: Good while so you know we’re trying to entice visitors to come out and experience, our culture here so I’d like to ask about a day itinerary that you might go and do in that area, so if somebody is a wake-up and more than one a good place to go to breakfast Bourbon they go.

00:49:38.490 –> 00:49:46.410 Patrick Womack: Well, I like beach mountain hazelwood Community it is located, where the old hazelwood drugstore used to be and I grew up going in there, eating.

00:49:46.890 –> 00:49:55.530 Patrick Womack: lunch in the afternoon is getting a cheeseburger and so just out of sentimental reasons I like to go there, but the food is really good I’ve been there twice it’s it open it’s.

00:49:55.620 –> 00:49:57.900 Joseph McElroy: it’s good so what’s their signature dessert.

00:49:58.950 –> 00:50:09.240 Patrick Womack: Oh I’m not sure what that would be they are eggs bacon grits pancakes everything seems to be good, they have a brunch menu so.

00:50:09.630 –> 00:50:10.080 Joseph McElroy: cool.

00:50:10.470 –> 00:50:13.530 Joseph McElroy: And then, what after breakfast where would somebody go to have a little bit of.

00:50:13.530 –> 00:50:13.890 fun.

00:50:15.450 –> 00:50:26.220 Patrick Womack: Well, I mean I just enjoy going uptown looking for something to do you know for sentimental reasons as much as anything I just loved it, you know Mainstreet love to go to the mass general store and take out things they are just.

00:50:26.280 –> 00:50:31.590 Joseph McElroy: enjoy walking around that’s wonderful Main Street so hazel’s now part of Waynesville which.

00:50:31.770 –> 00:50:33.270 Joseph McElroy: we’ve grown up, they were too little.

00:50:33.270 –> 00:50:36.660 Joseph McElroy: different cities, but now hazelwood is just as it is now I.

00:50:37.830 –> 00:50:41.040 Joseph McElroy: guess a township or something inside of Waynesville.

00:50:41.250 –> 00:50:50.340 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s just yeah It is simply a part of Waynesville so you know right across from each mountain you’ve got you got smoky mountain roasters you’ve got.

00:50:51.360 –> 00:50:52.470 Patrick Womack: Blue Ridge books.

00:50:53.940 –> 00:50:54.210 Joseph McElroy: Not.

00:50:54.240 –> 00:50:57.630 Patrick Womack: You got a soap company right there, I mean there’s a lot right there and then.

00:50:58.200 –> 00:51:03.570 Joseph McElroy: Then you have to mainstream the waves on there’s that’s just that’s a whole day of entertainment right there.

00:51:05.400 –> 00:51:06.900 Joseph McElroy: Where would you start to have lunch.

00:51:07.980 –> 00:51:14.520 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, he does I’m a hometown boy so most at home and a little bit of time I’ve got my goatee blaze Ammons drive yeah.

00:51:15.090 –> 00:51:18.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I remember that my dad you know built that place.

00:51:18.600 –> 00:51:28.290 Patrick Womack: Oh OK OK Okay, you know go in there, getting a hot dog and chuckwagon I mean I meet my lenten buddy Carolyn Greg that’s just aren’t go to meeting place so.

00:51:28.290 –> 00:51:30.120 Joseph McElroy: I still do dry, you know you can.

00:51:30.390 –> 00:51:33.690 Joseph McElroy: drive without him up to your window it’s like an old-fashioned drive it.

00:51:34.170 –> 00:51:35.610 Joseph McElroy: come right up to when you take.

00:51:35.610 –> 00:51:37.020 Joseph McElroy: Your order it’s really cool.

00:51:37.320 –> 00:51:41.370 Joseph McElroy: And it’s country food, but it’s like country food done really well it’s.

00:51:41.370 –> 00:51:59.130 Joseph McElroy: Country fast food did really well there’s not a thing there that you can’t buy, that is not good all right, and while you know I’m trying to eat healthily and you know and everything else and it’s not exactly the most healthy food it’s the best-tasting food you’re going to have.

00:51:59.430 –> 00:52:01.590 Patrick Womack: not exactly healthy, but it is good.

00:52:01.920 –> 00:52:05.610 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then what would you do in the afternoon to have a little fun.

00:52:06.990 –> 00:52:10.350 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, you know I’m happy to go hiking somewhere, but.

00:52:10.980 –> 00:52:20.340 Patrick Womack: You know I love to get up on the parkway my wife and I were able to do that our last trip up, and you know just they are in Waynesville you can be at the highest point on the Blue Ridge parkway.

00:52:20.970 –> 00:52:33.360 Patrick Womack: Within 30 minutes and or we have it water on so you know those are I’m more inclined to find something to do outside than I am, you know shopping or looking at something around town.

00:52:33.660 –> 00:52:47.400 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s sort of the purpose of this podcast is talk about the outside experience to hear the adventures, you have I mean you can have wonderful Colin air experiences, and you know, entertainment and everything else, but at the end of the day, you know it’s.

00:52:52.950 –> 00:52:55.710 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah I’m still there.

00:52:56.010 –> 00:53:00.000 Joseph McElroy: yeah So what about dinner, where is it Where would you.

00:53:00.000 –> 00:53:02.430 Joseph McElroy: recommend somebody go to have a nice dinner here around here.

00:53:03.660 –> 00:53:16.200 Patrick Womack: You know, of course, we love burgers church street depot is a good go-to place for us, we do enjoy going there or ordering out from there, wait there recently, and you know sweet onions, a good place to go to.

00:53:17.610 –> 00:53:22.680 Patrick Womack: You know, not of course again being hometown boy I’m just as apt to wind up the clouds is anywhere so.

00:53:24.300 –> 00:53:35.250 Joseph McElroy: requires is the plastic old guider I mean it’s been around for 100 years but what sweet, I mean I think is a is a great recommendation I mean that’s got some real chefs involved with it.

00:53:35.730 –> 00:53:48.720 Joseph McElroy: And it does some really different takes on classic country foods, but with some modern twist to it, I just, but it still serves the big portions man.

00:53:50.970 –> 00:53:59.010 Joseph McElroy: that’s emblematic of Haywood county food you get a big plate of food, but it’s really good it’s got some twists that I think are fantastic.

00:54:00.390 –> 00:54:05.550 Joseph McElroy: So after you finish this wonderful meal Where would you settle down a little entertained.

00:54:08.070 –> 00:54:12.750 Patrick Womack: While you’re talking to one of the biggest homeboys you’re gonna have.

00:54:14.100 –> 00:54:16.440 Joseph McElroy: Oh we’re not talking TV or, and I mean there’s got it.

00:54:16.440 –> 00:54:28.080 Patrick Womack: So no I mean I enjoy sitting out on the porch hard our daughter, who still lives there in town, she has a wonderful porch to sit on upon high creek so you know separate properties.

00:54:28.290 –> 00:54:29.130 Joseph McElroy: And I think that’s.

00:54:29.430 –> 00:54:35.250 Joseph McElroy: Actually, a good point because you know I stood out in front of the motel here when I’m here and just look at about.

00:54:35.610 –> 00:54:36.240 Joseph McElroy: You know.

00:54:36.480 –> 00:54:48.150 Joseph McElroy: If there’s a certain peace and serenity just looking out, you know saying hi to friends or walking by you know or people even people that you don’t know the way back to you.

00:54:48.600 –> 00:55:03.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah right and it’s a sort of essence of like a Community experience and aesthetic experience at the same time because nobody look that isn’t beautiful right so.

00:55:04.350 –> 00:55:10.500 Joseph McElroy: I agree with that 100% So how do people find out more about your historical efforts.

00:55:11.550 –> 00:55:18.870 Patrick Womack: Well, you know posting some videos on Facebook, which are very amateur it pretty much consistently having an iPhone and drop on.

00:55:20.520 –> 00:55:33.210 Patrick Womack: You know I like to tell stories I’m trying to preserve stories and since I haven’t been disciplined enough to write them down I’ve been doing these videos so you know if you look up Patrick J Womack on Facebook, he probably will find some little something there that.

00:55:34.410 –> 00:55:38.580 Patrick Womack: will ever make its way beyond there but anyway, give them an idea of what I know.

00:55:39.090 –> 00:55:47.730 Joseph McElroy: Go and your church, I mean for people to go there for service I just for the beauty of it, where do they go find out more about your church.

00:55:48.150 –> 00:56:00.750 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, that’s a bait pres benita.com like, and you know to look that up online or you know to come to visit us down here on tammy me traveling but Ada sprains just off of it.

00:56:01.920 –> 00:56:02.970 Patrick Womack: On Bay drive.

00:56:03.330 –> 00:56:04.890 Joseph McElroy: And what’s your church and hazel.

00:56:06.060 –> 00:56:19.380 Patrick Womack: hazel and Presbyterian church the pastor there Steve Museo and I actually graduated seminary together he’s a good friend and a wonderful preacher and that’s a good congregation so I certainly encourage people to check it out cool.

00:56:19.560 –> 00:56:29.910 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you for being on this show sharing your insights into Haywood county and Cataloochee Valley, and I want to thank you very much for being here.

00:56:30.270 –> 00:56:31.830 Patrick Womack: Well, I appreciate it, thank you.

00:56:32.730 –> 00:56:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so we are part of the talkradio.NYC network, which is a network of live podcasts all week long we are always on Tuesdays from.

00:56:46.740 –> 00:57:00.420 Joseph McElroy: Six to 7 pm were followed by a good show about New York so stick around listen to that show talks about visiting New York, so you go from rural North Carolina to much Paul to New York and complete.

00:57:01.500 –> 00:57:10.980 Joseph McElroy: Experience of the world, so to speak, I recommend that you find out the other podcasts on this network here some of the commercials we have a wide diversity.

00:57:11.910 –> 00:57:20.400 Joseph McElroy: Of shows on this and I think it creates a great experience so listen to you can find out more about this show it.

00:57:21.300 –> 00:57:31.650 Joseph McElroy: At the gateway to the smokies that fun where there’s an email subscription you can sign up to get more information about the show but also previous podcasts are.

00:57:32.520 –> 00:57:44.790 Joseph McElroy: The videos are streamed as well as audio and various articles that you can read and sometimes we also have some of the books and things of our guests up there, that you can find out more information about.

00:57:46.470 –> 00:57:47.970 Joseph McElroy: I have.

00:57:50.190 –> 00:57:59.400 Joseph McElroy: Hubspot is the picture that smokiesadventure.com, which is a leading portal for information about visiting the smoky mountains.

00:57:59.790 –> 00:58:04.620 Joseph McElroy: It presents information about outdoor adventures indoor adventures family entertainment.

00:58:05.430 –> 00:58:20.790 Joseph McElroy: You know, from a TV the waterfall doing the hiking the anything that you might want to do in the mountains and it has a lot of roadmaps and travel guides and books that you can buy to help make your experience in the smokies much more fulfilling.

00:58:21.600 –> 00:58:24.930 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank you for being on the show and I’ll see you next Tuesday.

00:58:24.960 –> 00:58:31.980 from six to 7pm.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/363691818800871/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/241538171_363691922134194_4976837674387713073_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=F0BzkUZ_SW4AX9nWDVQ&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63020353&oh=00_AT_xOEb_gmqQmHbXdEYAFTFEbuxlZW4PX9RaHrgqzpa2lA&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p><strong>Our special guest is Patrick Womack</strong>, a Presbyterian Minister and Native of Haywood County, now serving as Teaching Pastor of Bay Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, Florida.</p><p>He is a graduate of Western Carolina University and the Reformed Theological Seminary and has been a full-time Pastor since 1992. Patrick is also a renowned local historian and a superb storyteller who has produced many historical works for his family and friends.</p><p>He enjoys writing, hiking, hunting, and fishing in his spare time. Joseph McElroy and Patrick will talk about Cataloochee Valley in the Smokies.</p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>---------------------------------------------------</strong></p><p><strong>SHOW NOTES: </strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>Joseph McElroy starts off the show by introducing himself, his relationship with the Smokies, and his drink of choice for the hour. After talking about an upcoming apple festival, McElroy introduces Patrick Womack and asks him a few questions about his upbringing and how he ended up in the Church he works in today. They then go into greater detail about the mentors Womack had throughout his life and how they affected him. Womack recounts his experiences with his grandparents and a terminally ill man and the wisdom they imparted onto him. They finish off the segment with depictions of a few funny stories from their times and sharing a few laughs</p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>They return in segment 2 to talk about Womack’s vintage jeep and how he came to own it. They discuss why Womack feels a connection with history and how it came to be. Afterward, Womack describes a few stories that happened in the valley of Cataloochee, such as how they could dip a tray into the river and pick up a trout for dinner and the reaction of the people when they learned that they had to move due to the government.</p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>They return to talk about the most beautiful spots in the Smokies and the Cataloochee valley that Womack hiked through. The conversation shifts from that to how Womack got into ministry. Originally, he didn’t think he was the type to be a preacher, but he first thought about it after running for school president and realizing he could do public speaking well (or as his grandma called it, making a talk). Next, Womack summarizes the history of tiny Indian towns in Haywood County after their territory was pushed West.</p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>When they come back, McElroy starts off asking why Womack doesn’t drink and a few recommendations for barbeque, including in New York. Finally, McElroy asks what a day in Womack’s life looks like, discussing the best places for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and things to do between them according to Womack.</p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:02:52.590 –&gt; 00:02:53.490 Joseph McElroy: howdy.</p><p>00:02:53.580 –&gt; 00:03:08.400 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns these areas filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history, and rich mountain culture that we explore with the weekly episode.</p><p>00:03:12.690 –&gt; 00:03:21.210 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains</p><p>00:03:21.480 –&gt; 00:03:26.820 Joseph McElroy: My family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:03:27.360 –&gt; 00:03:44.700 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re gonna talk about a little history of Cataloochee Valley and other things about life in the smokies but first will talk about our sponsors now imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past at modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian.</p><p>00:03:45.870 –&gt; 00:03:59.130 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill then catch on fire eat accompanied by fine wine craft beer.</p><p>00:03:59.910 –&gt; 00:04:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time music and world cultural sale, there is no other place like Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina.</p><p>00:04:13.320 –&gt; 00:04:15.600 Joseph McElroy: Your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay.</p><p>00:04:16.980 –&gt; 00:04:27.330 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that today I’m having a nice beer called soul nation from innovation brewery in Silver North Carolina they say that this particular.</p><p>00:04:27.930 –&gt; 00:04:37.290 Joseph McElroy: brand this particular vintage is a unique IP a result of service collaborative community and it’s brought together by lovable beer and tea.</p><p>00:04:38.940 –&gt; 00:04:49.440 Joseph McElroy: The beverage is a beverage like no other that exemplifies the manifestation of people working together so food or you can practically taste the Rainbow.</p><p>00:04:50.280 –&gt; 00:04:58.560 Joseph McElroy: it’s actually quite good I don’t I find it to be very IPA not too fruity, but I think that there’s a nice flavor to it so.</p><p>00:04:58.830 –&gt; 00:05:09.150 Joseph McElroy: This is what I’m drinking today, you know that the mountains have lots of breweries, I think that Asheville alone has like 38 breweries so it’s a great place to come and sample the fruits.</p><p>00:05:13.860 –&gt; 00:05:17.850 Joseph McElroy: All the things that are going to make you a hoppy beer.</p><p>00:05:19.410 –&gt; 00:05:29.790 Joseph McElroy: Coming up in Waynesville in October is a festival that I recommend you all go to it’s on October 16 is the annual apple harvest festival.</p><p>00:05:30.330 –&gt; 00:05:40.110 Joseph McElroy: And it’s in its 34th year of operation it’s a fun family-friendly festival and it’s owned and operated by the Haywood county chamber of commerce.</p><p>00:05:40.410 –&gt; 00:05:50.070 Joseph McElroy: And they take over the streets of downtown way enjoy fill it with almost 200 arts and crafts booth food concessions music partners and more.</p><p>00:05:50.490 –&gt; 00:05:58.980 Joseph McElroy: We have a lot of street dances in Waynesville and that’s been going on since I was a kid and they do more street dances with this festival.</p><p>00:05:59.580 –&gt; 00:06:09.990 Joseph McElroy: There be local apple grows and set up on the street to sell delicious mountain-grown apples that have a vast variety and there’ll be many vendors are selling apple cider.</p><p>00:06:16.650 –&gt; 00:06:26.400 Joseph McElroy: That is October 16 in Waynesville North Carolina and it’s not too far from Maggie Valley, where you can state the Meadowlark motel and come visit Waynesville for that event.</p><p>00:06:26.820 –&gt; 00:06:33.330 Joseph McElroy: So today’s episode I mentioned is back Cataloochee Valley and I had somebody here that’s been quite a bit in the history of that.</p><p>00:06:34.260 –&gt; 00:06:45.810 Joseph McElroy: His name is Patrick Womack, he is a Presbyterian minister and a native of Haywood County who’s now serving as a teaching pastor of Bay Presbyterian church and Bonita Springs Florida.</p><p>00:06:46.380 –&gt; 00:06:54.780 Joseph McElroy: He’s a graduate of Western Carolina for University and the reformed theological seminary and has been a full-time pastor since 1992.</p><p>00:06:55.380 –&gt; 00:07:10.590 Joseph McElroy: he’s also a renowned local historian and superb storyteller imagine as a ministry probably is who’s produced many historical works for his family and friends and enjoys writing, I think.</p><p>00:07:14.670 –&gt; 00:07:15.090 Joseph McElroy: Doing.</p><p>00:07:16.830 –&gt; 00:07:18.180 Patrick Womack: doing well, thank you, Joseph.</p><p>00:07:18.600 –&gt; 00:07:19.410 Joseph McElroy: Patrick you doing good.</p><p>00:07:20.040 –&gt; 00:07:21.630 Patrick Womack: Everyone joining the show.</p><p>00:07:22.200 –&gt; 00:07:24.510 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve only been in Florida for about a year right.</p><p>00:07:25.170 –&gt; 00:07:26.370 Patrick Womack: that’s right just over a year.</p><p>00:07:26.820 –&gt; 00:07:31.980 Joseph McElroy: So how are you serving mostly time in Waynesville how’d you end up in Florida lately.</p><p>00:07:33.120 –&gt; 00:07:40.140 Patrick Womack: Well that’s a that’s an interesting story course born and raised in Haywood county and stay there until graduating from Western.</p><p>00:07:40.770 –&gt; 00:07:49.380 Patrick Womack: With the Mississippi to seminary and then I was in the Charlotte area for about 18 years before coming back to Wayne’s world a pastor my home church for about 10 years and then.</p><p>00:07:49.770 –&gt; 00:07:58.620 Patrick Womack: This church contacted me out of the blue, and that began a conversation, and after a lot of prayer and consideration we with the load up and moving to Florida.</p><p>00:07:59.040 –&gt; 00:08:00.750 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s been a blessing.</p><p>00:08:01.020 –&gt; 00:08:02.010 Joseph McElroy: With the warm weather.</p><p>00:08:04.320 –&gt; 00:08:14.310 Patrick Womack: Well I’ll tell you what it was nice back in January in February, seeing all those snow pictures when I was sitting out on the back porch sipping on the Fruit Punch and just watching world.</p><p>00:08:16.500 –&gt; 00:08:19.710 Joseph McElroy: This is sort of you know you’re working retirement right.</p><p>00:08:21.540 –&gt; 00:08:21.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:08:22.230 –&gt; 00:08:24.810 Patrick Womack: Well, in my line of work, I don’t know about retirement.</p><p>00:08:25.020 –&gt; 00:08:32.100 Joseph McElroy: I know that’s what I’m saying you’re not going to quit, so this is your people retire in Florida, so I thought it might be your work and retire.</p><p>00:08:35.700 –&gt; 00:08:36.990 Patrick Womack: here to teach them how to drive.</p><p>00:08:37.290 –&gt; 00:08:37.650 yeah.</p><p>00:08:39.450 –&gt; 00:08:46.620 Joseph McElroy: so well, this is a first for our show where you’re the first ordained Minister that we’ve had as a guest.</p><p>00:08:47.550 –&gt; 00:08:51.510 Joseph McElroy: So I’ll try to be a good behavior but I don’t think I’ve started off really very well.</p><p>00:08:53.550 –&gt; 00:08:56.460 Joseph McElroy: So so we’re in Haywood county where you raised.</p><p>00:08:57.360 –&gt; 00:08:59.940 Patrick Womack: raised on the high creek, my mom and dad.</p><p>00:09:01.170 –&gt; 00:09:14.520 Patrick Womack: will normally team Jean and Charlie Wyoming settle upon the head of high creek built House there and what’s known as Ochsner cove so I grew up there and then between it and my grandparents place on plot creek That was my tramping around.</p><p>00:09:19.470 –&gt; 00:09:27.150 Joseph McElroy: Is it say yeah those are nice areas to grow up and I remember growing up as well, what are your fondest memories of growing up here in a boot camp.</p><p>00:09:28.050 –&gt; 00:09:40.410 Patrick Womack: Oh, I don’t know just blessed to have a wonderful family mom and dad really loved us and took care of us, and so I had free range of our property up there on the high creek and I love being in the woods and then.</p><p>00:09:41.010 –&gt; 00:09:45.120 Patrick Womack: We were within a couple of miles and my mom’s parents bill and Natalie Winchester.</p><p>00:09:46.080 –&gt; 00:10:01.290 Patrick Womack: And so I had a lot of good have a lot of good memories of doing farm work and just tramping around there, I really it’s just being with family growing up my dad’s mother live close by, and we were just really blessed to be around a lot of really good people.</p><p>00:10:02.130 –&gt; 00:10:05.970 Joseph McElroy: I thought you were gonna say coming up to just go and see me and your brother wrestling.</p><p>00:10:07.410 –&gt; 00:10:10.530 Patrick Womack: that’s on the list, but you know you tell me, we only have so much time.</p><p>00:10:16.830 –&gt; 00:10:26.550 Joseph McElroy: So you know I am I understand you know the plot, I see to be on the show, and he told me a little bit about you and I knew that I knew of us, I remember sort of remember you coming up watching us.</p><p>00:10:26.580 –&gt; 00:10:35.700 Joseph McElroy: uracil so, but he said he mentioned that you were fortunate you felt that you were fortunate to have some great older mentors when you were a boy, can you tell us a little bit about them.</p><p>00:10:36.360 –&gt; 00:10:49.650 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah, of course, in addition to my parents who obviously were key in my life grandparents and our grandfather, especially or she graduated high school and my brother Dan and he can tell you as much as I can but.</p><p>00:10:51.060 –&gt; 00:10:59.430 Patrick Womack: Paul was just a tremendous influence and all of our lives, we spent a lot of time in the garden tobacco patch hayfield and.</p><p>00:10:59.940 –&gt; 00:11:10.020 Patrick Womack: Just was a kind compassionate gracious person to be around and I just loved hearing him talk about growing up and I don’t know why that we’re just interested in that, from an early age.</p><p>00:11:10.350 –&gt; 00:11:10.830 huh.</p><p>00:11:11.880 –&gt; 00:11:12.360 Joseph McElroy: What kind of.</p><p>00:11:16.440 –&gt; 00:11:28.140 Joseph McElroy: Food here my grandfather find scrape you know, and you go out the FAR and you get to pick blackberries or wild strawberries, and you get to see the cows, you can maybe get lucky enough to cut back a.</p><p>00:11:30.000 –&gt; 00:11:30.690 Patrick Womack: lot of that.</p><p>00:11:30.960 –&gt; 00:11:44.310 Joseph McElroy: Right and be part of that whole you know, a real rural amount of experience, so I think there is a great deal of mentorship and just that sort of wisdom of the land right.</p><p>00:11:45.120 –&gt; 00:11:55.890 Patrick Womack: Absolutely, and you know what not only him, but it was a lot of neighbors around us now that I look back, people who came in my grandmother’s stores he ran high creek grocery their own high creek and.</p><p>00:11:56.430 –&gt; 00:12:05.640 Patrick Womack: A lot of older folks came there and then a distant cousin Alan hi who was he had a terminal cancer non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.</p><p>00:12:06.240 –&gt; 00:12:14.490 Patrick Womack: And he spent a lot of time with me, we would sit out on his front porch and he just told me all kinds of stories, and so there was just a lot of people who fed into my</p><p>00:12:14.700 –&gt; 00:12:15.360 interest.</p><p>00:12:18.630 –&gt; 00:12:19.260 Joseph McElroy: That.</p><p>00:12:20.520 –&gt; 00:12:25.950 Joseph McElroy: How do you, what do you think how would What would you say is that was the biggest impact in later life.</p><p>00:12:27.180 –&gt; 00:12:36.420 Joseph McElroy: yeah what how did they teach you away living that they give you some wisdom that you just take us through your whole life that you remember as being like really impactful.</p><p>00:12:37.350 –&gt; 00:12:43.260 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah definitely um you know, and my grandfather, especially, along with my parents, of course.</p><p>00:12:44.430 –&gt; 00:12:51.900 Patrick Womack: was just a good example it wasn’t always things that were said it was just noting the way that he and they were respected.</p><p>00:12:52.710 –&gt; 00:13:03.960 Patrick Womack: Among the people in the Community, and you know that guess that sort of put a desire in me to kind of thing I’d like to be like that when I grow up now still think that when I grow up, I would still like to be like them.</p><p>00:13:05.400 –&gt; 00:13:20.130 Patrick Womack: And so, watching them and just seeing that that kind of sound solid integrity and standing in the Community was was meaningful for me, for some reason it just made an impression on me but otherwise just all kinds of wisdom.</p><p>00:13:21.150 –&gt; 00:13:28.200 Patrick Womack: That they used to dispense you know along the way, best we could talk about that all evening I suppose.</p><p>00:13:28.410 –&gt; 00:13:37.680 Joseph McElroy: I suppose yeah we know when I would go visit my grandfather my dad would open up talk about stories from the beginning, the funny stories I don’t remember.</p><p>00:13:38.010 –&gt; 00:13:42.750 Joseph McElroy: If you had some of them it’d be one about my grandfather going out trying to shoot a musket and end up.</p><p>00:13:43.200 –&gt; 00:14:02.880 Joseph McElroy: Forgetting to take out the stick and you know and then shoot the stick out in the sheet stick get the squirrel and then another one about you know my dad I think it was a tall tale fallen into the river and getting up with the 12 fishing this past.</p><p>00:14:05.640 –&gt; 00:14:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Do you have Do you remember the funny stories from.</p><p>00:14:08.220 –&gt; 00:14:18.390 Patrick Womack: That time that you grow it kind of hit me on the spot, but yeah I can think about some have Paul said he his father he’s talked about a fellow who was building a wagon and they came along and.</p><p>00:14:18.960 –&gt; 00:14:31.080 Patrick Womack: And they were watching him and he was working on the wagon they had he taken a piece of charcoal and mark to be the letter b on both ends of the wagon man and they asked him said what in the world that for and he said.</p><p>00:14:31.560 –&gt; 00:14:37.770 Patrick Womack: let’s so I can tell one from the other he said it’s me from before and before behind so I’ll know how to put it on the chassis.</p><p>00:14:44.130 –&gt; 00:14:52.560 Patrick Womack: Also may recap are talking about a fellow who was coming through frog Level one time and they had that old bridge there across ritual and create near were the how a meal was.</p><p>00:14:53.520 –&gt; 00:14:56.520 Patrick Womack: And the boy hit the side of the bridge and it.</p><p>00:14:57.180 –&gt; 00:15:09.270 Patrick Womack: hurling through the windshield of the whole model T and E skidded on the pavement or the gravel out there and just nearly took all of his clothes off and they said what in the world happened, he said he admitted to it, he said, well, I got into some dandelion one.</p><p>00:15:09.990 –&gt; 00:15:15.780 Patrick Womack: He said that was coming up the street there, and he said look like they were three bridges, so he said I just took the one in the middle.</p><p>00:15:23.160 –&gt; 00:15:29.730 Joseph McElroy: Well, now that’s just the that’s the stories of our youth I really appreciate growing up with them.</p><p>00:15:30.240 –&gt; 00:15:39.570 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break, right now, when we come back we’re going to talk a little bit more about you got a vintage jeep and other couple interesting things I think we will talk about.</p><p>00:15:40.050 –&gt; 00:15:40.470 Okay.</p><p>00:18:01.290 –&gt; 00:18:14.310 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy turned to learn how to use the tools of my tray here, but this is the gateway to the smokies podcast and I have my guests here, Patrick Womack. So Patrick.</p><p>00:18:15.990 –&gt; 00:18:16.470 Joseph McElroy: In.</p><p>00:18:19.740 –&gt; 00:18:24.960 Joseph McElroy: History a little you know spirituality a little any number of things, but I think.</p><p>00:18:26.100 –&gt; 00:18:31.890 Joseph McElroy: You have something that represents both in a way, you have your own a www.twovintagejeep right.</p><p>00:18:33.900 –&gt; 00:18:44.730 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s a 1946 CJ to a so technically it’s a civilian G that the previous owner painted to look like an army G but it’s made all out of surplus parts.</p><p>00:18:45.390 –&gt; 00:18:48.120 Joseph McElroy: And why did you how did you end up with that, why did you part.</p><p>00:18:49.590 –&gt; 00:18:51.660 Patrick Womack: I just always wanted an old jeep and so.</p><p>00:18:51.660 –&gt; 00:18:58.740 Patrick Womack: yeah just started looking for one and a guy had it in a garage down in Fort mill with that I looked at it anyway ended up buying it.</p><p>00:18:59.310 –&gt; 00:19:00.750 Joseph McElroy: Did you restore yourself.</p><p>00:19:01.380 –&gt; 00:19:05.070 Patrick Womack: No, it was good to go I’ve done very little to it.</p><p>00:19:05.700 –&gt; 00:19:07.410 Joseph McElroy: And you have any other vintage vehicles.</p><p>00:19:08.340 –&gt; 00:19:12.570 Patrick Womack: No that’s pretty much it lets you kind of 2012 Honda accord.</p><p>00:19:13.980 –&gt; 00:19:15.270 Joseph McElroy: call that I call it vintage.</p><p>00:19:20.880 –&gt; 00:19:22.140 Joseph McElroy: Sport vehicle right.</p><p>00:19:23.880 –&gt; 00:19:24.840 Joseph McElroy: i’m sorry what was then.</p><p>00:19:25.110 –&gt; 00:19:30.540 Joseph McElroy: So I said I said, there must be some historic, there must be some pleasure and having a historic vehicle.</p><p>00:19:31.050 –&gt; 00:19:39.660 Patrick Womack: Oh, I love drama yeah yeah it’s just you know it’s simple and reminds me of a simpler time and it’s just a fun number.</p><p>00:19:40.920 –&gt; 00:19:43.050 Joseph McElroy: So we have Alex McKay.</p><p>00:19:44.250 –&gt; 00:19:56.370 Joseph McElroy: Okay, I was a previous guest the local historian here, so you to have a lot of now, I think, similar interest what did you become interested in local history.</p><p>00:19:56.820 –&gt; 00:20:03.540 Patrick Womack: Well, first of all, let me say Alex is bonafide so it makes me feel better to know you’ve had some legitimate knowledgeable guests on here.</p><p>00:20:05.370 –&gt; 00:20:18.720 Patrick Womack: I don’t know I just kind of was born with this crazy idea and I want to know old things I really cannot explain it can think back in my earliest childhood just liked hearing about old stuff and.</p><p>00:20:19.320 –&gt; 00:20:20.850 Patrick Womack: have just carried it through life with me.</p><p>00:20:24.420 –&gt; 00:20:37.650 Joseph McElroy: mm hmm and you haven’t you come up you know deep roots connections in this in this in this county and the families here like the plot family who the plot brought you on here, you know Hello Hello has your family been around here.</p><p>00:20:38.340 –&gt; 00:20:39.840 Patrick Womack: So, on my mother’s side.</p><p>00:20:40.860 –&gt; 00:20:49.050 Patrick Womack: About eight generations her grandmother was cooler before she married a Winchester and the McClure’s moved into Haywood county.</p><p>00:20:49.950 –&gt; 00:21:03.900 Patrick Womack: sometime in the last decade of the 1700s and then the wind Chester’s have been in a wood county since 1829 1830 and then a number of other family names Hawkins Ochsner.</p><p>00:21:04.920 –&gt; 00:21:06.120 Patrick Womack: Just several.</p><p>00:21:07.320 –&gt; 00:21:16.740 Joseph McElroy: that’s nice to have those deep connections with, especially when you talk about history, so you know how you sell yourself short but I call you an expert His story it’s about.</p><p>00:21:21.000 –&gt; 00:21:22.200 Joseph McElroy: valley of Cataloochee</p><p>00:21:23.670 –&gt; 00:21:29.730 Joseph McElroy: it’s stored and beautiful it’s National Park, can you talk about your connection with that.</p><p>00:21:30.510 –&gt; 00:21:44.760 Patrick Womack: Yes, I can initially my connection came through my aunt who married Harley Caldwell, who was the last person born up there among those old families, maybe not 1938 he was born 1937.</p><p>00:21:45.240 –&gt; 00:21:56.220 Patrick Womack: So his parents were still living in my childhood and even though, what I wouldn’t directly relate to them about marriage called the memo and that ball Caldwell Jarvis and bonnie Caldwell.</p><p>00:21:56.820 –&gt; 00:22:09.900 Patrick Womack: And that was my initial connection, but then I also do have a family connection, my great grandmother whitener was a hall in she was born there in Cataloochee</p><p>00:22:10.980 –&gt; 00:22:29.070 Patrick Womack: And the whole family which it’s settled in just after the civil war, my great great great grandfather John Wesley hall moved in after in some form or fashion, fighting with the Union, he moved out of East Tennessee into the valley in the 1860s so that’s my direct to.</p><p>00:22:30.150 –&gt; 00:22:34.290 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then you got asked to be.</p><p>00:22:36.300 –&gt; 00:22:42.840 Joseph McElroy: The interviewer for a local project that interview, a lot of the descendants right.</p><p>00:22:43.200 –&gt; 00:22:49.860 Patrick Womack: Yes, so I moved back to Waynesville in 2010 when my own church called me to be the pastor.</p><p>00:22:50.490 –&gt; 00:22:58.380 Patrick Womack: And immediately well pretty soon after moving back became involved in Haywood county’s historical and genealogical society.</p><p>00:22:58.920 –&gt; 00:23:08.880 Patrick Womack: And they had the idea of trying to do these interviews of the last generation of Cataloochee because we only have a handful of people, they have to were actually born in the valley.</p><p>00:23:10.020 –&gt; 00:23:20.580 Patrick Womack: So I became involved in that project to doing those interviews and then that developed into a documentary that was sponsored jointly by that organization and Western Carolina University.</p><p>00:23:26.820 –&gt; 00:23:30.210 Joseph McElroy: And you really interesting people that you interviewed on that documentary.</p><p>00:23:30.810 –&gt; 00:23:42.810 Patrick Womack: Oh wonderful people you know I think Mr. Paul woody, for example, who born, I guess 1920 or thereabouts on a little Cataloochee</p><p>00:23:43.320 –&gt; 00:23:58.050 Patrick Womack: just listening to him tell stories about being born their own woody creek and how his mother on evenings when she had not had a chance to prepare supper could just go out with a dishpan and dip a massive trout out of the creek with a dish fan.</p><p>00:23:58.680 –&gt; 00:23:59.880 Patrick Womack: and have enough for supper.</p><p>00:24:01.020 –&gt; 00:24:02.910 Patrick Womack: And just a whole host of other.</p><p>00:24:02.910 –&gt; 00:24:05.400 Joseph McElroy: folks that had to be a little bit tall too</p><p>00:24:07.020 –&gt; 00:24:12.810 Patrick Womack: know you know if you read how abundant the trout used to be in those streams.</p><p>00:24:13.860 –&gt; 00:24:22.380 Patrick Womack: yeah Turkey George Palmer going to last bottom creek and catching 200 trout course Turkey George did tend to you know.</p><p>00:24:23.070 –&gt; 00:24:33.840 Patrick Womack: inflated numbers, a little bit, but they are others who testified of the amount of trout that run those streams I really don’t bout that story at all I think it’s entirely credible that she did that.</p><p>00:24:34.620 –&gt; 00:24:42.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I mean that would be a wonderful existence just go out and dip it in and pull out your trout having for dinner because they’re good to eat.</p><p>00:24:43.560 –&gt; 00:24:44.970 Joseph McElroy: I’ve always had to work to catch.</p><p>00:24:45.660 –&gt; 00:24:47.430 Patrick Womack: yeah they’re not like that now.</p><p>00:24:47.520 –&gt; 00:24:52.590 Joseph McElroy: No they’re not like that out anybody else that told you to story that you remember that’s really good.</p><p>00:24:53.310 –&gt; 00:24:54.750 Patrick Womack: Oh, there is a host of them.</p><p>00:24:55.920 –&gt; 00:24:56.580 Patrick Womack: I can.</p><p>00:24:58.200 –&gt; 00:25:06.810 Patrick Womack: You know, think about Raymond called will, who was born and raised there and what’s now Palmer Cree back in the older generation, it was known as Indian Creek and.</p><p>00:25:07.380 –&gt; 00:25:15.690 Patrick Womack: You know, he talked about the old grist mill and his father operated there and how somebody in the Community gotten the idea that.</p><p>00:25:16.200 –&gt; 00:25:22.650 Patrick Womack: He had told on them because they would come in there, and you know the millstones were close together to make cornmeal.</p><p>00:25:23.130 –&gt; 00:25:33.000 Patrick Womack: And sometimes people would slip in there at night and spread those stones out a little bit to crack corn so that they could use it to this still liquor and they had done that, and.</p><p>00:25:34.080 –&gt; 00:25:40.380 Patrick Womack: Raymond said somebody got the idea that his father Jarvis and informed on them, because the revenue or showed up so.</p><p>00:25:40.740 –&gt; 00:25:48.720 Patrick Womack: They were in there one-day Millen and somebody slipped up behind his dad and knocked him in the head knocked him out, but he said his dad just laughed about anyone any big deal.</p><p>00:25:50.790 –&gt; 00:25:57.570 Patrick Womack: And, and then he had a cousin who took an electricians correspondence course through a school in Chicago.</p><p>00:25:58.110 –&gt; 00:26:03.300 Patrick Womack: Who figured out how to rig up a little mag neato and he put it on that grist mill.</p><p>00:26:03.780 –&gt; 00:26:14.880 Patrick Womack: And it produced enough electricity They ran a power cord down to their house just about a quarter of a mile away and they were able to run a couple of lights and radio off of that little generator on their wrist meal so.</p><p>00:26:15.240 –&gt; 00:26:17.070 Joseph McElroy: It must have starred with Community man.</p><p>00:26:20.520 –&gt; 00:26:21.480 Patrick Womack: That was a cool story.</p><p>00:26:25.980 –&gt; 00:26:31.020 Joseph McElroy: an interview that there were they a little wistful about not being about that hope that that that Valley.</p><p>00:26:31.770 –&gt; 00:26:38.490 Patrick Womack: You know, it was a mixture, they were folks who remembered very well being angry and bitter about having to move off that.</p><p>00:26:39.030 –&gt; 00:26:48.150 Patrick Womack: Most of them, you know so on as a mixed blessing, they said, you know, we had to give up our land, but you know the lands been preserved at least we can go back to it now and it hasn’t been developed.</p><p>00:26:50.490 –&gt; 00:26:59.850 Patrick Womack: Remember it’s funny this just jumped in my head, there was one fellow who had negotiated pretty hard with his property and he finally got a check.</p><p>00:27:00.510 –&gt; 00:27:10.440 Patrick Womack: From the government for his land and they were making plans to move out and he got angry, his wife, because she was supposed to take the check to Waynesville and deposit in the bank.</p><p>00:27:11.010 –&gt; 00:27:17.670 Patrick Womack: And that was going to be what they used to bother next farm to live on well she’d gotten busy and didn’t take it.</p><p>00:27:18.330 –&gt; 00:27:31.290 Patrick Womack: And he was all upset about that, but then he found out later had she taken that check the Waynesville the bank had gone out of business, it went broke and had she did it, they would have lost everything.</p><p>00:27:31.560 –&gt; 00:27:32.550 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness.</p><p>00:27:33.570 –&gt; 00:27:36.390 Patrick Womack: Joseph that story that came out after the depression, you know the great.</p><p>00:27:38.070 –&gt; 00:27:48.630 Joseph McElroy: wow yeah no, it was an interesting time they’re moving out things are happening pretty bad at that time and you know made room for the great smoky mountain National Park right.</p><p>00:27:49.020 –&gt; 00:27:52.560 Joseph McElroy: I mean I don’t know how many people, I guess, we started talking about explaining it, but the.</p><p>00:27:52.560 –&gt; 00:28:07.620 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee, one of the most beautiful places to visit and the great smoky mountains National Park, and it was inhabited up until the well probably a long time ago by the territory and then more recently by old.</p><p>00:28:08.490 –&gt; 00:28:20.820 Joseph McElroy: Old mostly Scotch Irish settlers up until the 30s when they were paid to leave after some negotiations to help create.</p><p>00:28:24.090 –&gt; 00:28:27.360 Joseph McElroy: So there were a lot of decisions around leaders any left.</p><p>00:28:28.680 –&gt; 00:28:30.450 Joseph McElroy: You know if there’s a descendant left.</p><p>00:28:32.820 –&gt; 00:28:33.510 Patrick Womack: Of.</p><p>00:28:34.830 –&gt; 00:28:38.700 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee Valley, are those people you interviewed, are there any I’m still living.</p><p>00:28:39.030 –&gt; 00:28:48.450 Patrick Womack: there’s just a handful left and the only ones who are left now there are very few that actually have a living memory of being there.</p><p>00:28:49.230 –&gt; 00:28:52.080 Patrick Womack: our so-called will would be one who remembers it from childhood.</p><p>00:28:52.860 –&gt; 00:29:05.220 Patrick Womack: But when Raymond call will pass away a couple of years ago, I think he was probably the last one you actually remembered farming and doing actual work and taking capital up on those Ridge tops that generation is pretty well going.</p><p>00:29:05.790 –&gt; 00:29:11.970 Joseph McElroy: But, did you go up and visit quite a bit when you were doing this, you know some of the hiking trails or anything up in the couch about.</p><p>00:29:12.330 –&gt; 00:29:30.480 Patrick Womack: Oh I’ve hiked every trail I have gone off-trail I’ve found because the trails under their name aren’t necessarily the ones that the people used and so I’m trying to locate all of those old trails and home places that I possibly could have to scour that valley from one end to the other.</p><p>00:29:31.680 –&gt; 00:29:39.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, it was a great place to go up back in the day didn’t church group fill their camp up there, and have revivals and things like that they still do today.</p><p>00:29:40.590 –&gt; 00:29:44.280 Patrick Womack: I’m not sure I do know that they were selling to the Greek campground and do that.</p><p>00:29:44.640 –&gt; 00:29:47.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah I remember that back in the day yeah.</p><p>00:29:48.720 –&gt; 00:29:54.810 Joseph McElroy: But it was you know it’s a lovely place around here so what’s your favorite hiking trail up there.</p><p>00:29:56.220 –&gt; 00:30:02.490 Patrick Womack: Oh, it depends on what day you asked me, probably, all in all, I enjoy most going up Palmer creek.</p><p>00:30:04.050 –&gt; 00:30:17.220 Patrick Womack: Pretty hollow trail, and then on up you know toward last bottom creek the tops of those ranges those are probably the go-to places I like to get up high as fast as I can, so you know elation.</p><p>00:30:17.880 –&gt; 00:30:21.360 Joseph McElroy: There you go well, we come back we’ll talk a little bit more about.</p><p>00:30:24.780 –&gt; 00:30:29.700 Joseph McElroy: Some other things that you might have done of interest to our audience okay.</p><p>00:33:13.140 –&gt; 00:33:21.750 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Patrick Womack so Patrick.</p><p>00:33:24.810 –&gt; 00:33:35.910 Joseph McElroy: I really want to paint a picture for our audience about how beautiful Cataloochee Valley is such a great place to visit is there any other special places in your heart up there.</p><p>00:33:36.780 –&gt; 00:33:38.580 Patrick Womack: Oh yeah I mean the whole area.</p><p>00:33:39.660 –&gt; 00:33:56.040 Patrick Womack: I love to go up to the end of the valley and go up by the old woody house and you know the rough creek trail and then everything on Caldwell Fork is great and wonderful hiking to go to, what they call the booger man trail named after a man named Robert Palmer who.</p><p>00:33:57.090 –&gt; 00:34:04.620 Patrick Womack: Who was called booger man and his childhood that he’ll most of the property that that trail encompasses that’s a great wall, you can go through there and see some large timber.</p><p>00:34:05.130 –&gt; 00:34:12.960 Patrick Womack: And some good views and some old stone fences that are still in place and yeah that’s a great place to go.</p><p>00:34:13.560 –&gt; 00:34:17.820 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the there are some old buildings up there to what’s your which ones are your favorite old buildings.</p><p>00:34:18.540 –&gt; 00:34:21.480 Patrick Womack: There are in a course being pastor unnaturally.</p><p>00:34:22.350 –&gt; 00:34:28.380 Patrick Womack: Churches, you know Palmer Chapel united Methodist, not just because it’s a charity I’ve got some good memories.</p><p>00:34:28.680 –&gt; 00:34:35.220 Patrick Womack: sitting in there during the homecoming services that are held each year and in childhood sitting up there with Jarvis Caldwell.</p><p>00:34:35.700 –&gt; 00:34:41.790 Patrick Womack: Who back in the day led the singing and the worship services, I will remember sitting next to him, and even though he was.</p><p>00:34:42.210 –&gt; 00:34:48.180 Patrick Womack: The grandfather my first cousin he would introduce me as his youngest grandson that always made me feel good, even though, what.</p><p>00:34:48.930 –&gt; 00:35:01.710 Patrick Womack: And then, of course, over and little catalog it got a hike to get in there, but the Baptist church that that Community is known as Ola back in the day, but little Cataloochee church that’s a great place to go to and I love to do that.</p><p>00:35:02.520 –&gt; 00:35:05.520 Joseph McElroy: I’m a great picnic around those places are yeah.</p><p>00:35:05.610 –&gt; 00:35:09.300 Patrick Womack: yeah anyway there’s a great place yeah.</p><p>00:35:09.780 –&gt; 00:35:21.930 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s time for viewing season and for the alpha and Cataloochee about now September, you know, so we actually had to outcome down Soco road.</p><p>00:35:26.250 –&gt; 00:35:29.580 Joseph McElroy: This Sutton’s antique store recently so.</p><p>00:35:30.930 –&gt; 00:35:37.290 Joseph McElroy: I started out to do Cataloochee valley where’s the best place to go view Elk in Cataloochee Valley</p><p>00:35:37.980 –&gt; 00:35:52.050 Patrick Womack: Oh, those upper fields undoubtedly go up by the old ranger station sometimes you’ll find some there, but most of them are up in those fields either below Palmer Chapel or just above as you, you know get all of the gravel parts of the road.</p><p>00:35:52.530 –&gt; 00:35:56.580 Joseph McElroy: um any advice on how to view them anything that you shouldn’t do.</p><p>00:35:56.940 –&gt; 00:35:58.380 Patrick Womack: yeah keep your distance.</p><p>00:35:59.970 –&gt; 00:36:11.220 Patrick Womack: You know those elk seem pretty tame you know, and you get pretty close to them, but you know those are big powerful animals, you know what a tangle it’s one of those things you got one on one with an lt we’re not going to come out well so.</p><p>00:36:11.280 –&gt; 00:36:14.130 Joseph McElroy: No, no, I don’t think those are some of that.</p><p>00:36:14.670 –&gt; 00:36:14.880 yeah.</p><p>00:36:16.530 –&gt; 00:36:23.610 Joseph McElroy: So uh you know you read this DVD right about the great yeah we’re people get caught.</p><p>00:36:25.890 –&gt; 00:36:28.170 Patrick Womack: You know, having been away for over a year now.</p><p>00:36:29.220 –&gt; 00:36:44.040 Patrick Womack: not exactly sure I know that Teague super at going into Maggie valley used to keep them on and blue rage books generally had some otherwise you know contact somebody with a would historical genealogical society.</p><p>00:36:44.460 –&gt; 00:36:48.630 Joseph McElroy: All right, um have you written any books about this area.</p><p>00:36:48.840 –&gt; 00:37:00.120 Patrick Womack: No, no, people tell me, I need to write books I just don’t have time I’ve got all kinds of notes and stuff that I referred to you, but maybe one of these days I’ll get organized enough.</p><p>00:37:00.180 –&gt; 00:37:13.320 Joseph McElroy: I kept thinking that you had the same thought I kept saying he must have written the book and I was looking for and I couldn’t find one so yeah I think that’s a destiny right there I think that’s something that’s telling me, you need to write a book right okay.</p><p>00:37:14.700 –&gt; 00:37:16.680 Joseph McElroy: you’re now retired in Florida so.</p><p>00:37:19.860 –&gt; 00:37:22.800 Joseph McElroy: Take your time and write that book, we want to hear about right.</p><p>00:37:24.300 –&gt; 00:37:26.520 Patrick Womack: like an ascended what I posted this thing I can.</p><p>00:37:26.580 –&gt; 00:37:32.910 Patrick Womack: I can see several former teachers and professors reaching for lay locks with that thought coming up so we’ll see.</p><p>00:37:35.430 –&gt; 00:37:40.680 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah speaking of Florida ministry, I mean what what what led you to the ministry, I mean.</p><p>00:37:42.330 –&gt; 00:37:42.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:37:43.470 –&gt; 00:37:47.190 Patrick Womack: Good question well you know, I was raised in the church by our parents.</p><p>00:37:47.820 –&gt; 00:37:54.660 Patrick Womack: brought us up in a wonderful way, and so I was in worship in Sunday school growing up at he’s an only Presbyterian church, but I never gave any thought to being a preacher.</p><p>00:37:55.170 –&gt; 00:38:03.480 Patrick Womack: People would say something to me was a kid you know mama dress this up, but a little time on me or something somebody would say you look like a preacher I didn’t like that very well.</p><p>00:38:04.290 –&gt; 00:38:10.920 Patrick Womack: But it was actually my junior year in high school and 11th grade, I decided to run for student body President.</p><p>00:38:11.580 –&gt; 00:38:24.630 Patrick Womack: And for the first time I got up in front of a big group of people and it’s my grandmother used to say, made a talk I got up and made a campaign speech and I said something like you know ask not what your school can do for you, but you know and.</p><p>00:38:25.980 –&gt; 00:38:27.120 Patrick Womack: Anyway, I won I won.</p><p>00:38:27.120 –&gt; 00:38:27.900 Patrick Womack: Pretty easily.</p><p>00:38:27.960 –&gt; 00:38:37.020 Patrick Womack: And I remember walking out of the auditorium that day and I didn’t hear an audible voice, but I had this inner conviction that was like what are you going to do with it.</p><p>00:38:37.890 –&gt; 00:38:46.980 Patrick Womack: And it scared me but that began a process in which I realized if I could get in front of people and talk, I had to ask myself what was I going to do with it and so.</p><p>00:38:48.030 –&gt; 00:38:55.590 Patrick Womack: yeah just through a process of prayer and talking to people that I had a lot of competency in eventually narrowed down to Gospel Ministry.</p><p>00:38:56.610 –&gt; 00:38:59.850 Joseph McElroy: that’s great and you’ve been doing it since 1992 right.</p><p>00:39:00.570 –&gt; 00:39:08.310 Patrick Womack: Yes, full time I preach my first sermon in June of 1986 I was only 19 years old and I told him more than I need but.</p><p>00:39:09.360 –&gt; 00:39:12.810 Patrick Womack: I’ve been trying to do it, since then, I tell people when I grow up, I want to be a preacher.</p><p>00:39:14.040 –&gt; 00:39:14.460 Joseph McElroy: I knew.</p><p>00:39:16.860 –&gt; 00:39:17.490 Joseph McElroy: me to.</p><p>00:39:18.540 –&gt; 00:39:19.950 Joseph McElroy: I’ll preach about beer, though.</p><p>00:39:29.160 –&gt; 00:39:44.160 Joseph McElroy: I mean you guys actually will not put your sermons and you really good at it, so I was pretty impressed I love your church down to Florida you got that backdrop of the water and everything it’s really nice and it’s a beautiful beautiful scene yeah.</p><p>00:39:44.760 –&gt; 00:39:49.980 Patrick Womack: So somebody asked me if we baptize people back there I tell no that’s a gator pit for people.</p><p>00:39:52.260 –&gt; 00:39:53.400 Joseph McElroy: Is that the burden late.</p><p>00:39:55.980 –&gt; 00:39:57.840 Joseph McElroy: I wonder, I wonder where that was.</p><p>00:40:01.440 –&gt; 00:40:03.450 Patrick Womack: No it’s a pretty setting it really.</p><p>00:40:03.510 –&gt; 00:40:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so So do you also do some talks on the history of the Cataloochee valley right.</p><p>00:40:12.390 –&gt; 00:40:13.440 Patrick Womack: yeah here in their.</p><p>00:40:14.910 –&gt; 00:40:21.210 Patrick Womack: Education Alex McKay course a good friend of mine who’s done so much research I’m so grateful for that guy.</p><p>00:40:21.840 –&gt; 00:40:30.510 Patrick Womack: He has been instrumental in me speaking and a couple of occasions, and then you know just to hear, and they are when I get a chance it’s one of my favorite things to talk about so I love to do it.</p><p>00:40:33.810 –&gt; 00:40:38.490 Joseph McElroy: Go any place you got it is there any plans on it in the future, or just, just as it comes up.</p><p>00:40:38.820 –&gt; 00:40:41.040 Patrick Womack: Just as it comes up I don’t really have anything specific.</p><p>00:40:41.190 –&gt; 00:40:51.600 Joseph McElroy: In the future, you have you I know you said you had written the books, but what books would you recommend to people to read about Cataloochee valley and the history of.</p><p>00:40:52.680 –&gt; 00:40:52.890 Joseph McElroy: The.</p><p>00:40:54.360 –&gt; 00:40:57.690 Joseph McElroy: spray smokies or other things related to visiting here.</p><p>00:40:58.350 –&gt; 00:40:59.280 Patrick Womack: Oh wow.</p><p>00:41:00.780 –&gt; 00:41:11.460 Patrick Womack: You know the book on Cataloochee that’s been my go-to is as long out of print it Cataloochee last settlement of the smokies by Elizabeth powers in mark Hannah.</p><p>00:41:12.780 –&gt; 00:41:23.460 Patrick Womack: that’s just some good narrative history there and, of course, had a call Well Davis was a good friend of mine has appreciated, you know much of what she said.</p><p>00:41:24.660 –&gt; 00:41:32.640 Patrick Womack: Actually, I think the book on Cataloochee has yet to be written and I frankly honestly don’t think I’m the person to do it, I.</p><p>00:41:32.640 –&gt; 00:41:33.390 Patrick Womack: Think there’s.</p><p>00:41:33.870 –&gt; 00:41:40.410 Patrick Womack: Some people out there, I hate to drop names, but there’s a guy named Linda Noland who could do this.</p><p>00:41:40.980 –&gt; 00:41:42.450 Patrick Womack: sounding job with.</p><p>00:41:50.340 –&gt; 00:41:51.270 Patrick Womack: Otherwise.</p><p>00:41:52.410 –&gt; 00:41:54.150 Patrick Womack: You know, books on Haywood county.</p><p>00:41:55.260 –&gt; 00:42:01.170 Patrick Womack: written by William Clark Medford WCAllen they are just some really good go-to works.</p><p>00:42:24.060 –&gt; 00:42:25.770 Patrick Womack: And then thinking about others that.</p><p>00:42:27.480 –&gt; 00:42:32.160 Patrick Womack: You know others that are written on oh Michael from his has written you know a good one.</p><p>00:42:39.270 –&gt; 00:42:41.250 Patrick Womack: Are we back Thank you muted.</p><p>00:42:41.400 –&gt; 00:42:41.910 Joseph McElroy: hey I.</p><p>00:42:45.780 –&gt; 00:42:49.740 Joseph McElroy: think it was me got kicked off, I think that you are you’re still alive I hope so.</p><p>00:42:51.330 –&gt; 00:42:52.470 Joseph McElroy: that’s the first me.</p><p>00:42:53.370 –&gt; 00:42:53.670 Oh.</p><p>00:42:54.720 –&gt; 00:43:01.860 Joseph McElroy: Well I’m glad you kept explaining the books and stuff I’ll have to listen to the recording to find out what she said.</p><p>00:43:03.330 –&gt; 00:43:07.530 Patrick Womack: it’s okay I didn’t I didn’t name any of this kind of going over things I wish were written.</p><p>00:43:08.940 –&gt; 00:43:15.030 Joseph McElroy: Are there any other historical projects you’ve done in Haywood county or that that might be of interest.</p><p>00:43:16.110 –&gt; 00:43:24.960 Patrick Womack: Well, not really I mean one of the talks that I got to make was that the old Haywood county courtroom where I talked about high creek and plot creek and.</p><p>00:43:25.980 –&gt; 00:43:28.200 Patrick Womack: i’ve also i’ve also done.</p><p>00:43:29.220 –&gt; 00:43:37.260 Patrick Womack: an interview on the history of son Luke which is you know bullet balsam gap along the old highway there’s just a lot.</p><p>00:43:37.290 –&gt; 00:43:42.420 Joseph McElroy: of rich history summarize the history is there a way to summarize that for people with some new.</p><p>00:43:43.410 –&gt; 00:43:44.280 Patrick Womack: Well son Luke.</p><p>00:43:45.420 –&gt; 00:43:52.680 Patrick Womack: You know, was one of the earliest areas settling Haywood county wants the Indian boundary was pushed further West and.</p><p>00:43:53.820 –&gt; 00:44:03.240 Patrick Womack: You know just a lot of formative family settled in there farmed it, of course, when the highway came through in the 1960s that changed the whole nature of the place but.</p><p>00:44:04.710 –&gt; 00:44:11.430 Patrick Womack: You know they had a school and church and it was a thriving Community there just like Cataloochee</p><p>00:44:11.550 –&gt; 00:44:17.970 Joseph McElroy: Cataloochee was it one time yeah that’s what sort of surprising, you know you see the mountains today, and you know you go through the.</p><p>00:44:18.420 –&gt; 00:44:26.100 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains and you see Maggie Valley see you see some townships like ironed up and cattle crabtree and things like that.</p><p>00:44:26.460 –&gt; 00:44:35.160 Joseph McElroy: Do you don’t realize there were actually a lot more of these little townships in the mountains and what would come of them be totally gone and some are semi preserved.</p><p>00:44:36.630 –&gt; 00:44:45.660 Joseph McElroy: You know, there was history now recently my dad was telling me about the others just flooding, he said Maggie Valley, to have a lot more flooding because there used to be.</p><p>00:44:46.170 –&gt; 00:44:58.080 Joseph McElroy: farmland at all, now that you know that one of the reasons they created the great smoky mountains is because the mountains are going bald and they wanted to you know, keep that natural beauty and tack.</p><p>00:44:59.400 –&gt; 00:45:13.620 Patrick Womack: yeah my grandfather remembered when much of plot creek was underwater after pretty severe flooding was probably 1916 one, but I think that was a direct result of the heavy logging in the upper end of that creek or just didn’t have anywhere to go.</p><p>00:45:14.250 –&gt; 00:45:21.810 Joseph McElroy: yeah all right well we’re gonna take a break now, and when we come back let’s talk about a few of your favorite places in Hayward camp.</p><p>00:45:22.230 –&gt; 00:45:22.590 Okay.</p><p>00:45:54.090 –&gt; 00:45:56.160 pools, and how it impacts on your life.</p><p>00:47:26.250 –&gt; 00:47:34.830 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Patrick Womack so Patrick.</p><p>00:47:35.160 –&gt; 00:47:44.280 Joseph McElroy: And I’ve been sitting here drinking and savoring this beer is called soul vision, which I did not pick because you save souls, but it’s kind of ironic that’s the name of it.</p><p>00:47:50.550 –&gt; 00:48:00.900 Joseph McElroy: I wonder if it’s okay to ask a Presbyterian Minister he has a favorite place to have a cold beer, and I know you don’t drink, you told me that earlier, but this is the only place it’s your parishioners like to go to.</p><p>00:48:02.430 –&gt; 00:48:04.740 Patrick Womack: You know I honestly don’t know.</p><p>00:48:07.530 –&gt; 00:48:11.520 Patrick Womack: it’s just not anything I’ve done, I mean promise years ago that I wouldn’t drink enough.</p><p>00:48:13.440 –&gt; 00:48:16.170 Patrick Womack: You know I know there are a number of places around the people enjoy going to.</p><p>00:48:16.680 –&gt; 00:48:19.620 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know the hazelwood smokehouse right.</p><p>00:48:20.490 –&gt; 00:48:24.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s been called, one of the top 20 Barbecue places in the nation.</p><p>00:48:25.410 –&gt; 00:48:26.190 Joseph McElroy: And he’s got a.</p><p>00:48:26.460 –&gt; 00:48:36.870 Joseph McElroy: beard he’s got a wonderful sauce and I really love that place and they have the best craft brew so now, you know the answer to say there were to go with hazel yeah.</p><p>00:48:36.960 –&gt; 00:48:46.770 Patrick Womack: Well hey and need a plugin bbq we had two couples from our church here Medina springs that wound up in western North Carolina both of them went to he went smokehouse and thoroughly enjoyed it.</p><p>00:48:47.190 –&gt; 00:48:57.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s I had some friends from New York City that had that sort of low yes to this thing going on, but I love it too, you know I love, all I love down-home and I love to do.</p><p>00:48:59.220 –&gt; 00:49:09.390 Joseph McElroy: But they thought it was the best thing they’ve ever had to and they actually ordered and keep ordering the Barbecue sauce yeah, so it is definitely.</p><p>00:49:10.860 –&gt; 00:49:19.890 Joseph McElroy: a fabulous place so you know I like to ask my guests about the itinerary so you lived in the hazelwood Waynesville area for a.</p><p>00:49:20.400 –&gt; 00:49:37.800 Joseph McElroy: Good while so you know we’re trying to entice visitors to come out and experience, our culture here so I’d like to ask about a day itinerary that you might go and do in that area, so if somebody is a wake-up and more than one a good place to go to breakfast Bourbon they go.</p><p>00:49:38.490 –&gt; 00:49:46.410 Patrick Womack: Well, I like beach mountain hazelwood Community it is located, where the old hazelwood drugstore used to be and I grew up going in there, eating.</p><p>00:49:46.890 –&gt; 00:49:55.530 Patrick Womack: lunch in the afternoon is getting a cheeseburger and so just out of sentimental reasons I like to go there, but the food is really good I’ve been there twice it’s it open it’s.</p><p>00:49:55.620 –&gt; 00:49:57.900 Joseph McElroy: it’s good so what’s their signature dessert.</p><p>00:49:58.950 –&gt; 00:50:09.240 Patrick Womack: Oh I’m not sure what that would be they are eggs bacon grits pancakes everything seems to be good, they have a brunch menu so.</p><p>00:50:09.630 –&gt; 00:50:10.080 Joseph McElroy: cool.</p><p>00:50:10.470 –&gt; 00:50:13.530 Joseph McElroy: And then, what after breakfast where would somebody go to have a little bit of.</p><p>00:50:13.530 –&gt; 00:50:13.890 fun.</p><p>00:50:15.450 –&gt; 00:50:26.220 Patrick Womack: Well, I mean I just enjoy going uptown looking for something to do you know for sentimental reasons as much as anything I just loved it, you know Mainstreet love to go to the mass general store and take out things they are just.</p><p>00:50:26.280 –&gt; 00:50:31.590 Joseph McElroy: enjoy walking around that’s wonderful Main Street so hazel’s now part of Waynesville which.</p><p>00:50:31.770 –&gt; 00:50:33.270 Joseph McElroy: we’ve grown up, they were too little.</p><p>00:50:33.270 –&gt; 00:50:36.660 Joseph McElroy: different cities, but now hazelwood is just as it is now I.</p><p>00:50:37.830 –&gt; 00:50:41.040 Joseph McElroy: guess a township or something inside of Waynesville.</p><p>00:50:41.250 –&gt; 00:50:50.340 Patrick Womack: yeah it’s just yeah It is simply a part of Waynesville so you know right across from each mountain you’ve got you got smoky mountain roasters you’ve got.</p><p>00:50:51.360 –&gt; 00:50:52.470 Patrick Womack: Blue Ridge books.</p><p>00:50:53.940 –&gt; 00:50:54.210 Joseph McElroy: Not.</p><p>00:50:54.240 –&gt; 00:50:57.630 Patrick Womack: You got a soap company right there, I mean there’s a lot right there and then.</p><p>00:50:58.200 –&gt; 00:51:03.570 Joseph McElroy: Then you have to mainstream the waves on there’s that’s just that’s a whole day of entertainment right there.</p><p>00:51:05.400 –&gt; 00:51:06.900 Joseph McElroy: Where would you start to have lunch.</p><p>00:51:07.980 –&gt; 00:51:14.520 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, he does I’m a hometown boy so most at home and a little bit of time I’ve got my goatee blaze Ammons drive yeah.</p><p>00:51:15.090 –&gt; 00:51:18.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I remember that my dad you know built that place.</p><p>00:51:18.600 –&gt; 00:51:28.290 Patrick Womack: Oh OK OK Okay, you know go in there, getting a hot dog and chuckwagon I mean I meet my lenten buddy Carolyn Greg that’s just aren’t go to meeting place so.</p><p>00:51:28.290 –&gt; 00:51:30.120 Joseph McElroy: I still do dry, you know you can.</p><p>00:51:30.390 –&gt; 00:51:33.690 Joseph McElroy: drive without him up to your window it’s like an old-fashioned drive it.</p><p>00:51:34.170 –&gt; 00:51:35.610 Joseph McElroy: come right up to when you take.</p><p>00:51:35.610 –&gt; 00:51:37.020 Joseph McElroy: Your order it’s really cool.</p><p>00:51:37.320 –&gt; 00:51:41.370 Joseph McElroy: And it’s country food, but it’s like country food done really well it’s.</p><p>00:51:41.370 –&gt; 00:51:59.130 Joseph McElroy: Country fast food did really well there’s not a thing there that you can’t buy, that is not good all right, and while you know I’m trying to eat healthily and you know and everything else and it’s not exactly the most healthy food it’s the best-tasting food you’re going to have.</p><p>00:51:59.430 –&gt; 00:52:01.590 Patrick Womack: not exactly healthy, but it is good.</p><p>00:52:01.920 –&gt; 00:52:05.610 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then what would you do in the afternoon to have a little fun.</p><p>00:52:06.990 –&gt; 00:52:10.350 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, you know I’m happy to go hiking somewhere, but.</p><p>00:52:10.980 –&gt; 00:52:20.340 Patrick Womack: You know I love to get up on the parkway my wife and I were able to do that our last trip up, and you know just they are in Waynesville you can be at the highest point on the Blue Ridge parkway.</p><p>00:52:20.970 –&gt; 00:52:33.360 Patrick Womack: Within 30 minutes and or we have it water on so you know those are I’m more inclined to find something to do outside than I am, you know shopping or looking at something around town.</p><p>00:52:33.660 –&gt; 00:52:47.400 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s sort of the purpose of this podcast is talk about the outside experience to hear the adventures, you have I mean you can have wonderful Colin air experiences, and you know, entertainment and everything else, but at the end of the day, you know it’s.</p><p>00:52:52.950 –&gt; 00:52:55.710 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah I’m still there.</p><p>00:52:56.010 –&gt; 00:53:00.000 Joseph McElroy: yeah So what about dinner, where is it Where would you.</p><p>00:53:00.000 –&gt; 00:53:02.430 Joseph McElroy: recommend somebody go to have a nice dinner here around here.</p><p>00:53:03.660 –&gt; 00:53:16.200 Patrick Womack: You know, of course, we love burgers church street depot is a good go-to place for us, we do enjoy going there or ordering out from there, wait there recently, and you know sweet onions, a good place to go to.</p><p>00:53:17.610 –&gt; 00:53:22.680 Patrick Womack: You know, not of course again being hometown boy I’m just as apt to wind up the clouds is anywhere so.</p><p>00:53:24.300 –&gt; 00:53:35.250 Joseph McElroy: requires is the plastic old guider I mean it’s been around for 100 years but what sweet, I mean I think is a is a great recommendation I mean that’s got some real chefs involved with it.</p><p>00:53:35.730 –&gt; 00:53:48.720 Joseph McElroy: And it does some really different takes on classic country foods, but with some modern twist to it, I just, but it still serves the big portions man.</p><p>00:53:50.970 –&gt; 00:53:59.010 Joseph McElroy: that’s emblematic of Haywood county food you get a big plate of food, but it’s really good it’s got some twists that I think are fantastic.</p><p>00:54:00.390 –&gt; 00:54:05.550 Joseph McElroy: So after you finish this wonderful meal Where would you settle down a little entertained.</p><p>00:54:08.070 –&gt; 00:54:12.750 Patrick Womack: While you’re talking to one of the biggest homeboys you’re gonna have.</p><p>00:54:14.100 –&gt; 00:54:16.440 Joseph McElroy: Oh we’re not talking TV or, and I mean there’s got it.</p><p>00:54:16.440 –&gt; 00:54:28.080 Patrick Womack: So no I mean I enjoy sitting out on the porch hard our daughter, who still lives there in town, she has a wonderful porch to sit on upon high creek so you know separate properties.</p><p>00:54:28.290 –&gt; 00:54:29.130 Joseph McElroy: And I think that’s.</p><p>00:54:29.430 –&gt; 00:54:35.250 Joseph McElroy: Actually, a good point because you know I stood out in front of the motel here when I’m here and just look at about.</p><p>00:54:35.610 –&gt; 00:54:36.240 Joseph McElroy: You know.</p><p>00:54:36.480 –&gt; 00:54:48.150 Joseph McElroy: If there’s a certain peace and serenity just looking out, you know saying hi to friends or walking by you know or people even people that you don’t know the way back to you.</p><p>00:54:48.600 –&gt; 00:55:03.060 Joseph McElroy: yeah right and it’s a sort of essence of like a Community experience and aesthetic experience at the same time because nobody look that isn’t beautiful right so.</p><p>00:55:04.350 –&gt; 00:55:10.500 Joseph McElroy: I agree with that 100% So how do people find out more about your historical efforts.</p><p>00:55:11.550 –&gt; 00:55:18.870 Patrick Womack: Well, you know posting some videos on Facebook, which are very amateur it pretty much consistently having an iPhone and drop on.</p><p>00:55:20.520 –&gt; 00:55:33.210 Patrick Womack: You know I like to tell stories I’m trying to preserve stories and since I haven’t been disciplined enough to write them down I’ve been doing these videos so you know if you look up Patrick J Womack on Facebook, he probably will find some little something there that.</p><p>00:55:34.410 –&gt; 00:55:38.580 Patrick Womack: will ever make its way beyond there but anyway, give them an idea of what I know.</p><p>00:55:39.090 –&gt; 00:55:47.730 Joseph McElroy: Go and your church, I mean for people to go there for service I just for the beauty of it, where do they go find out more about your church.</p><p>00:55:48.150 –&gt; 00:56:00.750 Patrick Womack: Well, of course, that’s a bait pres benita.com like, and you know to look that up online or you know to come to visit us down here on tammy me traveling but Ada sprains just off of it.</p><p>00:56:01.920 –&gt; 00:56:02.970 Patrick Womack: On Bay drive.</p><p>00:56:03.330 –&gt; 00:56:04.890 Joseph McElroy: And what’s your church and hazel.</p><p>00:56:06.060 –&gt; 00:56:19.380 Patrick Womack: hazel and Presbyterian church the pastor there Steve Museo and I actually graduated seminary together he’s a good friend and a wonderful preacher and that’s a good congregation so I certainly encourage people to check it out cool.</p><p>00:56:19.560 –&gt; 00:56:29.910 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you for being on this show sharing your insights into Haywood county and Cataloochee Valley, and I want to thank you very much for being here.</p><p>00:56:30.270 –&gt; 00:56:31.830 Patrick Womack: Well, I appreciate it, thank you.</p><p>00:56:32.730 –&gt; 00:56:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so we are part of the talkradio.NYC network, which is a network of live podcasts all week long we are always on Tuesdays from.</p><p>00:56:46.740 –&gt; 00:57:00.420 Joseph McElroy: Six to 7 pm were followed by a good show about New York so stick around listen to that show talks about visiting New York, so you go from rural North Carolina to much Paul to New York and complete.</p><p>00:57:01.500 –&gt; 00:57:10.980 Joseph McElroy: Experience of the world, so to speak, I recommend that you find out the other podcasts on this network here some of the commercials we have a wide diversity.</p><p>00:57:11.910 –&gt; 00:57:20.400 Joseph McElroy: Of shows on this and I think it creates a great experience so listen to you can find out more about this show it.</p><p>00:57:21.300 –&gt; 00:57:31.650 Joseph McElroy: At the gateway to the smokies that fun where there’s an email subscription you can sign up to get more information about the show but also previous podcasts are.</p><p>00:57:32.520 –&gt; 00:57:44.790 Joseph McElroy: The videos are streamed as well as audio and various articles that you can read and sometimes we also have some of the books and things of our guests up there, that you can find out more information about.</p><p>00:57:46.470 –&gt; 00:57:47.970 Joseph McElroy: I have.</p><p>00:57:50.190 –&gt; 00:57:59.400 Joseph McElroy: Hubspot is the picture that smokiesadventure.com, which is a leading portal for information about visiting the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:57:59.790 –&gt; 00:58:04.620 Joseph McElroy: It presents information about outdoor adventures indoor adventures family entertainment.</p><p>00:58:05.430 –&gt; 00:58:20.790 Joseph McElroy: You know, from a TV the waterfall doing the hiking the anything that you might want to do in the mountains and it has a lot of roadmaps and travel guides and books that you can buy to help make your experience in the smokies much more fulfilling.</p><p>00:58:21.600 –&gt; 00:58:24.930 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank you for being on the show and I’ll see you next Tuesday.</p><p>00:58:24.960 –&gt; 00:58:31.980 from six to 7pm.</p> ee4fb575-7253-4249-8f63-851350898bb7 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/97c84c85-5790-4565-8bd1-b6af372f6274 Wed, 08 Sep 2021 05:34:30 +0000 2993 no full Episode 32: Creating a New Life and Food Adventures in the Smokies Episode 32: Creating a New Life and Food Adventures in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><span>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is </span><strong>Erin Mahoney</strong><span>, she is the fourth generation of the Mahoney Clan to own and operate one of the family restaurants. She descends from a long line of Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurs and currently Owns and Manages </span><strong><em>J Arthurs Steakhouse</em></strong><span> – a Maggie Valley landmark for more than 32 years. In addition to running a successful business, Erin is a longtime advocate for positive growth in Maggie Valley.</span></p><p> </p><p><span>Joseph and Erin will talk about Food adventures in the Smokies.  Don&#39;t miss this great Episode!</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Joseph starts off by thanking the sponsors and giving a message from the sponsors. He discusses an apple festival that&#39;s coming up in the Smokies in Renville, and reads a poem by Mary Oliver that encapsulates this feeling of the festival and Maggie Valley itself. Joseph introduces his guest for today&#39;s episode Erin Mahoney, she owns and operates J Arthurs Steakhouse, and comes from a family of Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurs. Joseph and Erin discuss their past, and how Joseph was close to Erin’s grandfather as well. Erin discusses her journey across the country, as well as her journey through the hospitality industry. Joseph and Erin discuss how long Erin has been in Maggie Valley and what brought her there from Florida. Erin discusses her first job in the family business, and how she would wash dishes in the restaurant. She continues to discuss her father’s time in the restaurant industry and how he was a natural at it.</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>The two discuss how Erin’s mother stepped up in the restaurant after her father passed away young. Her mother took the helm of the restaurant and was able to keep it running even in her grief. Erin explains how her parents didn’t want her to follow the family and go into the hospitality industry, as it is not the best industry and it&#39;s a path that is difficult, but Erin was always drawn to it. Erin explains why she was drawn to the hospitality industry and why she enjoys it, even though it was not the path her parents wanted her and her siblings to take. Erin explains that her secondary education was in psychology and social work, and even though hospitality was originally out of her wheelhouse, she is incredibly grateful to be in this industry. Erin explains her ideology in hospitality and how she tries to follow her father’s way of running a business. Erin continues by explaining how her restaurant has evolved over the years, and that for her business to continue to be successful she needs to change with the world around her. Her example being how the original draw to the restaurant was the steak, but now it is more of a family restaurant.  </span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>The two talk about the actual physical building of Erin’s restaurant, which was built by Joseph’s father. Joseph discusses the high ceilings in the restaurant, as well as the model train that runs throughout the entirety of the restaurant. Erin says how whenever the train isn’t running in the restaurant the customers notice immediately even though it is just a small detail of the restaurant. The two discuss the small details within the restaurant and how they’re important, and how Erin appreciates that they are important to the customers and staff alike. Joseph discusses how the masonry within Erin’s restaurant was done by Cherokee people, who were hired to do the work by Joseph’s father because of their extreme mastery in stone work, that he was unable to find in any other masons. Joseph continues by saying how each of the men who were hired to do the masonry in the restaurant signed their work with their personal signature. Erin continues off this point saying how she loves finding the signatures all over the restaurant. The two discuss events held in the restaurant and how Erin operates these events. </span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>Joseph and Erin discuss how Erin’s restaurant appeared in the film </span><em>Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri</em><span>, and how this appearance came to be. Erin discusses how she was not aware of what she signed up for as it was very long hours, but she found it very rewarding and enjoyed it immensely. Erin also brings up how several customers she’s had since the movie premiered wanted to sit at certain tables just like in the movie. Joseph brings up how he wants to create a tour of Maggie Valley of all of the film locations, as many films had been filmed within the area. The two discuss the future of Maggie Valley, and what Erin expects for the town’s future. The two also discuss breakfast and lunch spots in Maggie Valley.</span></p> Facebook Live Video from 2021/08/31 - Creating a New Life and Food Adventures in the Smokies

Our special guest in this episode is Erin Mahoney, she is the fourth generation of the Mahoney Clan to own and operate one of the family restaurants. She descends from a long line of Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurs and currently Owns and Manages J Arthurs Steakhouse – a Maggie Valley landmark for more than 32 years. In addition to running a successful business, Erin is a longtime advocate for positive growth in Maggie Valley.

Joseph and Erin will talk about Food adventures in the Smokies. Don't miss this great Episode! 

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

SHOW NOTES: 

Segment 1

Joseph starts off by thanking the sponsors and giving a message from the sponsors. He discusses an apple festival that's coming up in the Smokies in Renville and reads a poem by Mary Oliver that encapsulates this feeling of the festival and Maggie Valley itself. Joseph introduces his guest for today's episode, Erin Mahoney, she owns and operates J Arthurs Steakhouse, and comes from a family of Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurs. Joseph and Erin discuss their past, and how Joseph was close to Erin’s grandfather as well. Erin discusses her journey across the country, as well as her journey through the hospitality industry. Joseph and Erin discuss how long Erin has been in Maggie Valley and what brought her there from Florida. Erin discusses her first job in the family business, and how she would wash dishes in the restaurant. She continues to discuss her father’s time in the restaurant industry and how he was a natural at it.

Segment 2

The two discuss how Erin’s mother stepped up in the restaurant after her father passed away young. Her mother took the helm of the restaurant and was able to keep it running even in her grief. Erin explains how her parents didn’t want her to follow the family and go into the hospitality industry, as it is not the best industry and it's a path that is difficult, but Erin was always drawn to it. Erin explains why she was drawn to the hospitality industry and why she enjoys it, even though it was not the path her parents wanted her and her siblings to take. Erin explains that her secondary education was in psychology and social work, and even though hospitality was originally out of her wheelhouse, she is incredibly grateful to be in this industry. Erin explains her ideology in hospitality and how she tries to follow her father’s way of running a business. Erin continues by explaining how her restaurant has evolved over the years, and that for her business to continue to be successful she needs to change with the world around her. Her example is how the original draw to the restaurant was the steak, but now it is more of a family restaurant.  

Segment 3

The two talk about the actual physical building of Erin’s restaurant, which was built by Joseph’s father. Joseph discusses the high ceilings in the restaurant, as well as the model train that runs throughout the entirety of the restaurant. Erin says how whenever the train isn’t running in the restaurant the customers notice immediately even though it is just a small detail of the restaurant. The two discuss the small details within the restaurant and how they’re important, and how Erin appreciates that they are important to the customers and staff alike. Joseph discusses how the masonry within Erin’s restaurant was done by Cherokee people, who were hired to do the work by Joseph’s father because of their extreme mastery in stonework, which he was unable to find in any other masons. Joseph continues by saying how each of the men who were hired to do the masonry in the restaurant signed their work with their personal signature. Erin continues off this point saying how she loves finding the signatures all over the restaurant. The two discuss events held in the restaurant and how Erin operates these events. 

Segment 4

Joseph and Erin discuss how Erin’s restaurant appeared in the film Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri, and how this appearance came to be. Erin discusses how she was not aware of what she signed up for as it was very long hours, but she found it very rewarding and enjoyed it immensely. Erin also brings up how several customers she’s had since the movie premiered wanted to sit at certain tables just like in the movie. Joseph brings up how he wants to create a tour of Maggie Valley of all of the film locations, as many films had been filmed within the area. The two discuss the future of Maggie Valley, and what Erin expects for the town’s future. The two also discuss breakfast and lunch spots in Maggie Valley.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:03:05.520 –> 00:03:08.010 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the Smokies

00:03:08.070 –> 00:03:13.710 Joseph McElroy: podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.

00:03:14.130 –> 00:03:28.140 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain culture that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:03:28.560 –> 00:03:39.360 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in this mountain, My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years.

00:03:41.310 –> 00:03:50.730 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture and today we’re going to talk about Creating new life and food in the smokies but first let’s hear from our sponsors.

00:03:52.290 –> 00:04:01.410 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts in the past, yet moderate and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.

00:04:01.830 –> 00:04:18.180 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain here and its trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place that old-time music and world cultural sell.

00:04:19.290 –> 00:04:33.690 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place across from the world-famous family restaurants, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay.

00:04:35.460 –> 00:04:39.330 Joseph McElroy: So hi everybody we’re going to talk about a little bit of food in.

00:04:40.650 –> 00:04:44.250 Joseph McElroy: The mountains, I was gonna mention that we have.

00:04:46.050 –> 00:04:54.930 Joseph McElroy: In Haywood county and apple harvest festival coming up and it’s really sort of a big thing it’s in downtown Waynesville on October 16.

00:04:55.380 –> 00:05:01.470 Joseph McElroy: And it’s an annual event and then this year is it’s the 34th year it’s been an operation.

00:05:01.980 –> 00:05:08.580 Joseph McElroy: it’s a very fun family-friendly festival and it’s it is presented by the Haywood County chamber of commerce.

00:05:09.030 –> 00:05:22.950 Joseph McElroy: And what they do is they take the streets of downtown Waynesville and fill it with 200 vendors of arts and crafts and food concessions and then they have music and cloggers and more and.

00:05:24.030 –> 00:05:26.460 Joseph McElroy: I got my motel phone sitting right here.

00:05:27.720 –> 00:05:35.220 Joseph McElroy: And and local apple growers set up on the street to sell delicious mountain-grown apples have a vast variety.

00:05:36.240 –> 00:05:40.110 Joseph McElroy: In addition, many vendors will make apple cider.

00:05:41.760 –> 00:05:53.340 Joseph McElroy: cake pies and other really great, so I think your head-on, down to Waynesville area come stay at the middle or motel and Maggie valleys and go to the festival on October 16.

00:05:54.750 –> 00:06:12.330 Joseph McElroy: So when I was prepping for this show you know I had to go back to my past little bit think about things, and you know, recently, of course, you know my mother died and yeah I got the thing about her, and you know this right now is it is Blackberry time in.

00:06:13.530 –> 00:06:22.140 Joseph McElroy: In Maggie and Haywood County and the gentleman that smoky mountains in general, so I was looking for a poem that.

00:06:22.680 –> 00:06:40.530 Joseph McElroy: That was, you know reminiscence of all that, and I am I just found one online by a woman named Mary Oliver and you know I’d like to read this poem somewhere so it’s about blackberries because you know blackberries or something my mom made this wonderful.

00:06:42.270 –> 00:06:53.100 Joseph McElroy: cobbler and never if anybody’s ever asked me what is my favorite dessert it’s always been my mom’s Blackberry cobbler followed by my grandmother’s a lemon meringue pie or a.

00:06:54.420 –> 00:07:01.110 Joseph McElroy: Banana pudding or coconut pie, to the way August is the title of the phone.

00:07:02.010 –> 00:07:18.930 Joseph McElroy: When the blackberries hang rolling in the woods and the brambles nobody owns I spent all day among the high branches reaching my rip arms thinking of nothing cramming the black honey of summer into my math.

00:07:19.710 –> 00:07:34.920 Joseph McElroy: All day my body accepts what it is in the dark creek that runs by there is this thick part of my life darting amongst the black belts, the leaves there is this happy tongue.

00:07:37.590 –> 00:07:41.460 Joseph McElroy: So my guests today

00:07:42.510 –> 00:07:51.780 Joseph McElroy: it’s Erin Mahoney, who is the fourth generation of the Mahoney clans to own and operate, one of the family restaurants.

00:07:52.170 –> 00:08:00.750 Joseph McElroy: she descends from a long line and hospitality industry, entrepreneurs and currently owns and manages J Arthur steakhouse.

00:08:01.080 –> 00:08:11.820 Joseph McElroy: Maggie valley landmark for more than 32 years, in addition to running a successful business and as a devoted mother and longtime advocate for positive growth and Maggie Valley Hello Erin.

00:08:12.270 –> 00:08:13.080 Mike Ogletree: Hi how are you Joseph.

00:08:13.950 –> 00:08:19.650 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing all right, so how long have we known each other, we were trying to figure that outright.

00:08:20.700 –> 00:08:21.300 Mike Ogletree: earlier.

00:08:21.780 –> 00:08:25.080 Joseph McElroy: yeah, it has to be over 40 years.

00:08:25.920 –> 00:08:36.420 Joseph McElroy: 40 almost 40 years alright, so I met Erin and she was, I think three years old, four years old, about that about the age my daughter now.

00:08:37.650 –> 00:08:38.070 Joseph McElroy: and

00:08:38.490 –> 00:08:40.500 Joseph McElroy: I would pick you up with your show.

00:08:46.050 –> 00:08:46.470 Joseph McElroy: I was.

00:08:47.940 –> 00:08:52.020 Joseph McElroy: Great friends with your grandfather are tearing it right, he was a he was the.

00:08:53.520 –> 00:08:54.990 Mike Ogletree: world of your family.

00:08:55.140 –> 00:08:57.180 Mike Ogletree: And yes, absolutely.

00:08:57.780 –> 00:09:01.680 Joseph McElroy: yeah I remember he took me and her by brother down to.

00:09:03.420 –> 00:09:18.030 Joseph McElroy: Miami or la fort Lauderdale or wherever yeah and we got to go fishing on a boat in the sea, for the first time and I caught a big giant fish and it turns out, it was like it just to like a car.

00:09:24.720 –> 00:09:25.050 Mike Ogletree: Okay.

00:09:25.440 –> 00:09:31.890 Joseph McElroy: So so so where did that, where did your family’s history of restaurant start.

00:09:32.790 –> 00:09:37.800 Mike Ogletree: Well, my grandfather started in Helen deal in Florida and.

00:09:38.820 –> 00:09:42.240 Mike Ogletree: You know, then my dad kind of came into the picture and.

00:09:44.010 –> 00:09:50.730 Mike Ogletree: They opened up the restaurant in West palm beach in 1970 which is you know, still have it sooner than my time, but.

00:09:53.610 –> 00:10:02.580 Mike Ogletree: After that, it kind of things just spent about we open that restaurant 1970 and then we came up here and met your family my grandparents used to vacation up here.

00:10:03.060 –> 00:10:20.970 Mike Ogletree: and fortunately your parents were the first people that they’ve met I came into contact with and really connected with them, and you know I don’t need to tell you the story like we ended up your dad built our health and your dad built our business and.

00:10:22.320 –> 00:10:35.430 Mike Ogletree: The rest is kind of history that was 1986 we moved from West palm beach in 1996 to pump city Florida, which is where we are now, and you know, and here we are.

00:10:36.030 –> 00:10:40.260 Joseph McElroy: Now, was it was the name of the restaurants that info Marino’s was that right.

00:10:40.500 –> 00:10:42.570 Mike Ogletree: It was Maniros but now the original.

00:10:42.750 –> 00:10:44.580 Mike Ogletree: My grandma.

00:10:44.790 –> 00:10:49.680 Mike Ogletree: mother’s name was felt a little bit differently spelled Manireo

00:10:51.090 –> 00:11:08.010 Mike Ogletree: And they dropped the I so it’s Manero ma n er os, which is what you know, which is what the restaurant was named in Fort Lauderdale and Allendale beach and the restaurant in West palm beach and now currently and Stewart and just west of Stewart and Palm city.

00:11:09.360 –> 00:11:15.150 Mike Ogletree: And then, of course, jr there’s kind of a tribute to my grandfather James Arthur and started kind of the whole Program.

00:11:16.230 –> 00:11:16.590 Mike Ogletree: cool.

00:11:16.950 –> 00:11:19.680 Joseph McElroy: So you went out and.

00:11:21.060 –> 00:11:24.180 Joseph McElroy: You want the world, but now you’re Maggie Valley, how long you been.

00:11:25.440 –> 00:11:28.350 Mike Ogletree: I’ve been here for about 25 years.

00:11:29.790 –> 00:11:34.080 Mike Ogletree: And I didn’t think I hadn’t planned on being here that long but it just kind of.

00:11:34.920 –> 00:11:48.960 Mike Ogletree: Maggie valley kind of stole my heart, years ago, after the culture shock of coming from South Florida to Maggie Valley North Carolina and I kind of adjusted and you know this is where I’ve made my home and my family and.

00:11:50.010 –> 00:11:53.520 Mike Ogletree: I don’t know that I would be live anywhere else by the choice to be honest, again.

00:11:54.330 –> 00:12:05.100 Joseph McElroy: We know my mom came from Fort Lauderdale my dad told the story for writing over the mountain the to see him, while he was sick and then they have on a farm and.

00:12:05.700 –> 00:12:21.240 Joseph McElroy: And I end up area, and you know, and she never thought she’d live in the Maggie Valley, but she ended up loving Maggie Valley, been a fixture Maggie valley now and then the rest of her life here, so you know never want to do anywhere else.

00:12:22.860 –> 00:12:30.120 Mike Ogletree: understand this is something that you know first like I said it was just it was very it was just very different lifestyle.

00:12:30.180 –> 00:12:37.380 Mike Ogletree: But I mean it’s just it’s a wonderful lifestyle and that the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives here.

00:12:38.430 –> 00:12:40.950 Joseph McElroy: So what was your first job in the family.

00:12:42.180 –> 00:12:53.520 Mike Ogletree: So my first job was washing dishes at Maneros in South Florida, and it was funny because I used to you know invite friends over on the weekends for sport and my dad would.

00:12:54.150 –> 00:12:58.320 Mike Ogletree: Have us be good to the restaurant and wash we’d all work in the dishwasher in the dish pit.

00:12:59.040 –> 00:13:09.030 Mike Ogletree: And you know, he would pay us a little bit of money here and there, but you know, eventually, I thought well I’m not gonna have any friends left because they come over here I’m gonna go and wash dishes at the restaurant.

00:13:10.320 –> 00:13:11.880 Mike Ogletree: But you know they just kept coming back.

00:13:12.120 –> 00:13:21.300 Mike Ogletree: They kept coming back and and and you know funny like a lot of those a lot of my friends ended up at an older age, of course, it was more.

00:13:21.690 –> 00:13:34.950 Mike Ogletree: of just something to keep us busy on of trouble at that time, but oddly enough, like a lot of those people that my friends ended up working you know when they were 15 16 17 18 that kind of thing at the restaurant.

00:13:36.540 –> 00:13:40.860 Mike Ogletree: So it was um it was different definitely different but.

00:13:42.390 –> 00:13:45.540 Mike Ogletree: You know now looking back on it now, I greatly appreciate it.

00:13:52.620 –> 00:13:53.220 Mike Ogletree: I would say.

00:13:56.160 –> 00:14:01.950 Mike Ogletree: is definitely you know, like Okay, you can only stay at this part of the dishwasher and you can’t touch X y&z.

00:14:02.250 –> 00:14:04.920 Mike Ogletree: However, it was still you know you were still working and you’re.

00:14:04.920 –> 00:14:09.360 Mike Ogletree: Still sweating your tail off and just kind of yeah I mean.

00:14:09.780 –> 00:14:15.030 Joseph McElroy: I think I think my dad started having a sweep it is construction sites, around nine years old do.

00:14:16.110 –> 00:14:23.550 Mike Ogletree: Sure, I remember your dad used to take my brother at an early age heavy equipment.

00:14:25.980 –> 00:14:28.290 Mike Ogletree: You know that’s where they started to you know.

00:14:29.550 –> 00:14:31.020 Mike Ogletree: yeah yes.

00:14:31.890 –> 00:14:40.080 Joseph McElroy: You know he’s what is he at three years old, and he already was showing on in Henry the backhoe he has his back yes.

00:14:41.610 –> 00:14:42.150 Mike Ogletree: Yes.

00:14:42.360 –> 00:14:45.030 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely absolutely that’s where.

00:14:45.390 –> 00:14:45.960 Mike Ogletree: that’s where.

00:14:46.230 –> 00:14:46.590 Mike Ogletree: I draw.

00:14:49.020 –> 00:14:51.270 Joseph McElroy: The three years old he’s 83 years Sheldon.

00:14:56.700 –> 00:15:00.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah you don’t remember your dad John Mahoney died too young.

00:15:01.920 –> 00:15:08.340 Joseph McElroy: I remember him being bigger than the restaurant here in Maggie Valley was.

00:15:09.660 –> 00:15:13.350 Joseph McElroy: Originally working industry or both of them working industry.

00:15:13.770 –> 00:15:20.850 Mike Ogletree: know they both did my dad started working for my mother’s father, so my grandfather.

00:15:22.410 –> 00:15:28.440 Mike Ogletree: The you know when they were in Allendale and he was just kind of a natural at it and.

00:15:29.760 –> 00:15:39.000 Mike Ogletree: You know, it just developed and it grew into where he kind of I don’t want to say you took over because he definitely takes over my grandfather had a huge you know.

00:15:39.690 –> 00:15:45.960 Mike Ogletree: Just a huge presence in the restaurant in our restaurant anyway, but it was just it was a really.

00:15:46.920 –> 00:15:53.910 Mike Ogletree: Dynamic combination with the two of them and yeah they ended up opening the restaurant and in West palm beach in 1970 and.

00:15:54.750 –> 00:16:06.960 Mike Ogletree: They had a great working relationship, which was really kind of you know that I don’t really know how to explain it but they worked well together and my dad was a natural and my grandfather just loved it and.

00:16:07.980 –> 00:16:09.750 Joseph McElroy: I remember that dynamic.

00:16:10.200 –> 00:16:17.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah take a little bit, we have to take a break and then we’ll come back we’ll talk a little bit more about your family history and then we’ll get into the current day of.

00:16:18.930 –> 00:16:20.610 Joseph McElroy: Maggie valley and restaurant is.

00:16:21.510 –> 00:16:22.230 Mike Ogletree: It sounds great.

00:18:37.980 –> 00:18:44.550 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Erin Mahoney

00:18:50.010 –> 00:19:02.760 Joseph McElroy: I’m drinking promote a local museum, you know Boucher right it’s in it’s going to be a great place in Waynesville and I’m drinking balsam brown ALE, so I just thought I’d give a shout out it turns out it’s really good.

00:19:03.990 –> 00:19:12.300 Joseph McElroy: So um your father, unfortunately, died young and your mom sort of step into this place and she.

00:19:12.840 –> 00:19:25.350 Mike Ogletree: Yes, she did he died at 55 and my mom and I was you know his head always supported my father and her dad in this industry and.

00:19:26.430 –> 00:19:39.630 Mike Ogletree: She really just kind of you know she had she did most of the bookwork and most of the office staff while he was alive and when he passed she really just kind of took the helm and.

00:19:41.340 –> 00:19:45.600 Mike Ogletree: You know, it was you don’t know the strength that people have.

00:19:45.600 –> 00:19:54.720 Mike Ogletree: until something some sort of tragedy I think occurs, and she really, really has led us in the right direction for the past 25 plus years.

00:19:55.620 –> 00:20:03.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah I mean, I would say that you know you know my grandmother used to tell the story that when she first came to Haywood County she had to get her husband.

00:20:04.140 –> 00:20:10.860 Joseph McElroy: to actually get opened the baby characters a bike wouldn’t give her as a business owner and woman business owner, the Bank but.

00:20:11.190 –> 00:20:26.040 Joseph McElroy: You know, and it may be improved since that but, even when your mom took over, it must have been a challenge, being a woman business over owner in Maggie valley Haywood county I mean to this day it’s probably much better, but it was probably a challenge.

00:20:26.250 –> 00:20:36.330 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely, I think that um, yes, but you know, fortunately, you know she had always been very she was she’s always been a very strong force.

00:20:36.870 –> 00:20:48.390 Mike Ogletree: In our business and our family life and with her children, I think she’s always been a very strong person and just a driving force behind this I mean, I think that it was kind of a natural flow.

00:20:50.310 –> 00:20:50.760 Mike Ogletree: You know.

00:20:50.850 –> 00:20:52.680 Joseph McElroy: We didn’t have a choice, his brothers were strict.

00:20:53.070 –> 00:20:53.640 Mike Ogletree: Yes.

00:20:53.850 –> 00:20:54.690 yeah absolutely.

00:20:56.010 –> 00:20:58.650 Joseph McElroy: If she is your father wants you to follow the family tradition to

00:21:00.960 –> 00:21:01.380 Mike Ogletree: No

00:21:02.430 –> 00:21:21.360 Mike Ogletree: My both my brothers were just kinds of naturals and they still are, but you know my dad always said, you know just get out, this is not, you know, this is not a great industry it’s it’s tough and like I think it’s time for today than it was back then, you know.

00:21:22.440 –> 00:21:30.960 Mike Ogletree: However, I’m grateful for it and I’m grateful for the lessons the LIFE lessons I’ve learned, and then you know the people I’ve met, I think that.

00:21:32.130 –> 00:21:40.980 Mike Ogletree: I’m very, very grateful, however, it was definitely not the path that either one of them like for me or any of my siblings, to be honest with you.

00:21:41.820 –> 00:21:45.540 Mike Ogletree: But you know I mean, I think that you’re just kind of drawn to it when it’s something you grow up in.

00:21:46.740 –> 00:21:48.030 Mike Ogletree: I don’t know how you can avoid it.

00:21:48.300 –> 00:21:50.400 Mike Ogletree: Really, you know it’s your life.

00:21:51.030 –> 00:22:03.060 Joseph McElroy: Well, I took over the motel because I had a sense of you know, having a desire to be in the hospitality business, I mean I’m a computer guy right, and then a marketing guy and.

00:22:03.750 –> 00:22:13.290 Joseph McElroy: I ended up marketing for travel, so there was a little bit of relationship there, but you know when it became obvious that it was time for the motel to transition.

00:22:13.740 –> 00:22:29.100 Joseph McElroy: You know I sort of had to step upright, and you know, and I almost felt an obligation to it, I mean I I saw it as an opportunity, but I was also like this is my family legacy and it needs to continue, did you feel any of that sort of thing.

00:22:29.340 –> 00:22:34.560 Mike Ogletree: Well, absolutely I mean especially my father passed to it’s like you know you think.

00:22:35.640 –> 00:22:47.130 Mike Ogletree: At some point, you have to come to terms with you know, this is what I have this is what has supported me my entire life, this is what has put me, you know through school or whatever it has been whatever it was the challenges and.

00:22:48.000 –> 00:23:02.010 Mike Ogletree: The strides whatever it has been at some point, you have to say, well, I can’t just turn around and turn my back on this planet, I mean, like you, you know it, you breathe it and you live it it’s just it’s kind of the natural flow of

00:23:03.810 –> 00:23:18.630 Mike Ogletree: I think I think there was no other option for any of us really my sister is the only one who’s not in the restaurant business she’s an attorney but um you know, I think that I don’t have an obligation but it’s like a commitment.

00:23:19.020 –> 00:23:21.330 Mike Ogletree: You know this is like this is what has brought us here.

00:23:21.780 –> 00:23:34.140 Mike Ogletree: And it’s been fairly good to us, you know, up till now it’s like, how can you turn your back on something like that, whether you whether it’s what you truly you’re passionate about.

00:23:36.150 –> 00:23:41.070 Mike Ogletree: or not, I think it was just I don’t want to say obligation, but it was just the drive there.

00:23:42.060 –> 00:23:46.320 Joseph McElroy: Well, what I mean you know it’s a, but I think I also said that you had.

00:23:49.800 –> 00:23:56.130 Joseph McElroy: For you got back into the restaurant and what we’re doing where we were where did you go before you came back to.

00:23:57.240 –> 00:23:57.780 Mike Ogletree: study.

00:23:59.700 –> 00:24:06.210 Mike Ogletree: psychology social work in Spanish so was completely not it was out of the realm of.

00:24:09.960 –> 00:24:12.750 Mike Ogletree: What I want to do with my expertise my passion, but.

00:24:13.950 –> 00:24:17.460 Mike Ogletree: I am very grateful, is been very, very.

00:24:20.580 –> 00:24:29.970 Mike Ogletree: forgiving to me, this has been you know I mean, I think that, like this industry you just you learn so many life skills that you would never expect to learn.

00:24:31.830 –> 00:24:49.110 Mike Ogletree: You know, and you come in you, you cross paths with walks of life that you never thought that she would ever so I think that, for that reason, I’m grateful for it and I don’t know that I would have chosen a better path, to be honest with you at this point.

00:24:52.860 –> 00:25:10.650 Joseph McElroy: So I’m sure you know, the what was the how much is the business model, what was the original purpose of the millionaire oh restaurants that then became the j arthurs where they’re similar to the different what I’ve learned and what does it evolve to today.

00:25:14.940 –> 00:25:16.800 Mike Ogletree: I think that there’s a lot of history.

00:25:18.060 –> 00:25:24.900 Mike Ogletree: You know, especially going back to Arizona and Arizona Allendale even in West palm beach there’s a lot of just.

00:25:25.860 –> 00:25:38.730 Mike Ogletree: You know I mean just the people that will pass through our doors and the kind of connection that we that especially my father would make with people you know for years.

00:25:39.390 –> 00:25:50.190 Mike Ogletree: he had a connection with the Atlanta Braves and we serve them lunch and dinner and catered all their food for at the in West palm beach.

00:25:52.080 –> 00:25:53.550 Mike Ogletree: And you know, like I just.

00:25:54.930 –> 00:26:03.060 Mike Ogletree: I think that it’s he was a unique person, and I think that he really paved the path pave the path for us, for his children.

00:26:04.770 –> 00:26:21.090 Mike Ogletree: In that way, and you know, he said, an example and I think that for the most part, we try to follow that model or that example of just you know you know excellent hospitality and just you know good food consistent food and good service like I just think you know.

00:26:22.350 –> 00:26:31.050 Joseph McElroy: What are you famous for being more of a stake in the primary place and then I think you’ve evolved into being a real family place right.

00:26:31.470 –> 00:26:44.460 Mike Ogletree: Yes, yeah yeah originally like I think that primary was probably the draw However, it is, it has changed a little bit um, you know as good as the primary job is, I think that.

00:26:45.090 –> 00:26:56.160 Mike Ogletree: You know you have to evolve or change, you have to grow with with with how the world changes, and now you know the economy changes around you, you have to just kind of everything is very fluid in this market and.

00:26:57.690 –> 00:27:12.270 Mike Ogletree: I think we’re just trying to keep the best of our history and what is it what we had what did we hung our hat on in the past and try to move forward into you know, in the next several years I think it’s just it’s a very fine line.

00:27:13.650 –> 00:27:24.150 Mike Ogletree: But you know you get I get people that you know they’ll come in and they’ll say oh, this is, you know, this is the gorgonzola salad is the same as it was 25 years ago, except the wooden bowl.

00:27:24.210 –> 00:27:35.130 Mike Ogletree: You know, and of course, you can’t serve in one bowl anymore, but you know just things like that, and like that, is the kind of motivation that that just keeps us going I think every day and.

00:27:37.200 –> 00:27:48.060 Joseph McElroy: We don’t go there, I go there, quite a bit now and I love that you know, of course, the framework, the stakes are great, but you also introduced you know, local things like a rainbow.

00:27:51.360 –> 00:27:53.940 Joseph McElroy: And and barbecued ribs.

00:27:55.650 –> 00:27:56.130 Joseph McElroy: Right.

00:27:56.970 –> 00:28:13.110 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve incorporated a lot of local culture into your family-oriented food and it’s much more than it’s not it’s, not even a steakhouse anymore, I mean yeah I think the original the original.

00:28:14.220 –> 00:28:24.720 Joseph McElroy: The original design was sort of like a would have a family-friendly steakhouse and now it’s you know it’s it’s even it’s an even broader array right it’s like.

00:28:24.990 –> 00:28:30.870 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely absolutely well, I think that you know I mean the only reason that the biggest.

00:28:32.040 –> 00:28:40.290 Mike Ogletree: You know our biggest push is our community in the surrounding area and the people who support you, you know I mean, I think that you.

00:28:41.370 –> 00:28:45.840 Mike Ogletree: You have to do what people want I mean you have to you know and.

00:28:46.950 –> 00:28:53.100 Mike Ogletree: You have to evolve, or you have to change, I mean you have to move with times, or else you know you’re I think you’re going to get left behind.

00:28:53.760 –> 00:29:09.630 Mike Ogletree: So I mean and, like our biggest support is our local community in the surrounding area and any you know anything that we can do to help our Community can do to help us, I think, is absolutely a necessity, especially in this day and age, you know I mean.

00:29:12.870 –> 00:29:15.030 Joseph McElroy: So you produce a sports bar.

00:29:16.320 –> 00:29:19.410 Mike Ogletree: We have somewhat of a sports bar.

00:29:20.730 –> 00:29:23.760 Mike Ogletree: You know I mean we have we try to promote.

00:29:25.440 –> 00:29:37.320 Mike Ogletree: Local events we try to promote regional events that kind of thing, but you know which we try to have just a casual area in one side of the restaurant just for people who like that type of thing you know I mean.

00:29:38.850 –> 00:29:40.650 Joseph McElroy: Are you usually hear some noise that’s really.

00:29:40.980 –> 00:29:49.530 Mike Ogletree: We do have music, we do have we have we’ve had we have usually we have only had lb and then we have a band.

00:29:49.620 –> 00:29:50.790 That includes ld.

00:29:51.810 –> 00:30:02.790 Mike Ogletree: Which is just unbelievable they’re both unbelievable but we’ve had him for about four or five years that’s something my mother brought in about I guess now yeah I guess about five or six years ago and it’s just.

00:30:03.540 –> 00:30:12.840 Mike Ogletree: it’s been great you know I mean it draws a little bit more than people who might not necessarily want to eat dinner but might like to listen to music and have a drink so.

00:30:14.490 –> 00:30:15.360 Joseph McElroy: Let me just say.

00:30:15.540 –> 00:30:20.370 Joseph McElroy: The drinks are lonely I was there two nights ago and I had a really great old fashion.

00:30:22.080 –> 00:30:27.120 Joseph McElroy: No yeah I could I could it says J Arthur has an excellent bar.

00:30:28.680 –> 00:30:39.420 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back we’ll take a break and we talk a little bit about you know J Arthur’s in the Community and in the industry and Maggie Valley.

00:30:39.720 –> 00:30:40.350 Mike Ogletree: that sound good, sounds great.

00:33:19.140 –> 00:33:26.100 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Erin

00:33:27.270 –> 00:33:27.960 Joseph McElroy:Erin

00:33:28.320 –> 00:33:29.490 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:33:29.700 –> 00:33:37.290 Joseph McElroy: You know I think one of the best things about your restaurant and I’m totally biased, because my boss, the father built this the physical.

00:33:39.930 –> 00:33:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Building can you describe it for the people that are listening.

00:33:44.340 –> 00:33:52.440 Mike Ogletree: Well most people say in and if it’s theater this is gonna sound really ignorant, but unless you will say it’s a large Cedar, Kevin.

00:33:54.630 –> 00:33:55.140 Mike Ogletree: But it.

00:33:56.310 –> 00:34:03.600 Mike Ogletree: it’s just a beautiful building, I mean it’s just like that you know your dad built our House too, and this is everything about it is just perfect and.

00:34:05.010 –> 00:34:17.580 Mike Ogletree: I know that it is, it was made in its time, it was built in, as time and but I mean like there’s nothing I would change about it, I don’t think.

00:34:18.000 –> 00:34:20.430 Mike Ogletree: That you know, obviously the inside decor needs to be a.

00:34:20.610 –> 00:34:23.790 Mike Ogletree: Little updated as we need to change with times, but like.

00:34:25.260 –> 00:34:29.820 Mike Ogletree: Yes, I mean there’s there I don’t think there was anyone else that that could have done anything better with.

00:34:30.150 –> 00:34:31.080 With our House you don’t.

00:34:32.220 –> 00:34:51.510 Joseph McElroy: To tell a couple of stories about it, one is is those you know it’s got these huge you know it’s like huge giant ceilings right here, but these are scale that is rare to do right so it’s like it’s so area it’s all would but it’s so area it’s not like you’re.

00:34:54.660 –> 00:34:59.880 Joseph McElroy: Doing like this it wouldn’t Wonderland right you got a little train that goes around that.

00:34:59.940 –> 00:35:15.540 Mike Ogletree: Well, yes, yes, and I can tell you anytime in the if the train is not running over you know the training is under construction or whatever might need to be done as people notice it, I mean those are details that I think that people come there for.

00:35:17.010 –> 00:35:18.420 Mike Ogletree: You know and.

00:35:20.520 –> 00:35:24.180 Mike Ogletree: That has been it’s been that way for years, like since since since we’ve started.

00:35:25.470 –> 00:35:29.310 Mike Ogletree: there are just certain things that like I think you expect to see it places it’s like.

00:35:29.760 –> 00:35:35.340 Mike Ogletree: And when you don’t see them you’re kind of miffed I mean people, especially people who have been coming here for years and years.

00:35:35.730 –> 00:35:49.050 Mike Ogletree: And people who came in here as children, and then they the next generation comes along they want to bring their children and something’s not right it’s like we’re the trains, why are they not working, you know I mean and like that’s a big deal.

00:35:49.500 –> 00:35:50.160 Mike Ogletree: Oh no.

00:35:51.390 –> 00:35:54.000 Mike Ogletree: You know there’s definitely an A.

00:35:54.060 –> 00:35:55.080 lot of nostalgic.

00:35:56.580 –> 00:35:57.120 Joseph McElroy: Wonderful.

00:35:58.830 –> 00:36:08.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah wonderful for Christmas and don’t you get me having a largest indoor Christmas tree and least Haywood county but maybe.

00:36:08.670 –> 00:36:09.150 Joseph McElroy: Also North Carolina

00:36:09.420 –> 00:36:14.730 Mike Ogletree: yes, yes, I feel like Of course, I think I’m going to say that we have the biggest Christmas tree.

00:36:15.120 –> 00:36:27.720 Mike Ogletree: But you know I feel like it rivals sometimes a rival it definitely rivals the Biltmore House you know, last year we had the first tree we had, and we had to change it out after about 10 days.

00:36:28.860 –> 00:36:37.710 Mike Ogletree: ago we changed it out and it was just outstanding it was even better than I imagined the first time and it’s just one of those things that people you know I mean like.

00:36:38.220 –> 00:36:49.740 Mike Ogletree: People come to the restaurant, a lot of times, not only for the food and for the hospitality, but for just for that nostalgia for that this is how good it feels you know this is how I felt.

00:36:50.130 –> 00:36:56.580 Mike Ogletree: When I was you know 10 or 15 years ago, how I felt, and so I want my kids to feel you know, so I think that.

00:36:57.600 –> 00:37:03.180 Mike Ogletree: there’s a lot to be said for that and we take a lot of pride in that you know I mean I even though it’s a few times a year.

00:37:03.780 –> 00:37:16.080 Mike Ogletree: um I think that people remember that and I can’t tell you how many people come in, they say oh, you know this is either bigger or smaller you know, whatever it might be but um it just.

00:37:16.830 –> 00:37:26.670 Mike Ogletree: It makes a mark on my soul and makes you know that, like those are the things that that are important, you know and then there are the things that we need to keep up with.

00:37:27.480 –> 00:37:30.330 Joseph McElroy: And you have these two giant fireplaces in there right.

00:37:30.810 –> 00:37:37.470 Joseph McElroy: Yeah and you know I don’t know if that told you, the story, but you know at the time he employed.

00:37:38.760 –> 00:37:52.290 Joseph McElroy: rock mason’s that were Cherokee Indian right and people don’t know that a lot of Cherokee Indian when they were building the one of the parkway was building the blue Ridge Parkway was being built, they actually brought it.

00:37:55.170 –> 00:38:01.710 Joseph McElroy: To missions to build the rock the rock works for bridges and things like that, but.

00:38:02.760 –> 00:38:07.920 Joseph McElroy: But they have assistance and they used because there’s a lot of things in Cherokee they use Cherokee assistance.

00:38:08.220 –> 00:38:18.390 Joseph McElroy: For the all, a lot of the Cherokee learn how to do really great art-rock rock work like Italian medicines, so that employ those for you know the high end stuff that he.

00:38:18.990 –> 00:38:34.530 Joseph McElroy: Employed them for high-end stuff that he did, and so he employed them for the record in your restaurant, but you know, one of the things that was a sort of a semi-secret is that every chair every rock bass and had their own signature.

00:38:34.680 –> 00:38:35.100 yeah.

00:38:36.750 –> 00:38:45.150 Joseph McElroy: Maybe an animal they put into design or the rockwork or maybe they balanced giant triangle different once you remember, which one that they.

00:38:45.750 –> 00:38:47.220 Mike Ogletree: Had on we had.

00:38:47.460 –> 00:38:53.850 Mike Ogletree: We have to arrowheads actually like the two arrowheads one of each fireplace and.

00:38:54.090 –> 00:38:54.600 Mike Ogletree: That.

00:38:54.750 –> 00:39:01.830 Mike Ogletree: Was I can’t remember the gentleman’s name, but my gosh she’s so talented but it’s at the very top of both of

00:39:02.580 –> 00:39:19.920 Mike Ogletree: The tune of the inside of the chimneys would you know the rock work and then there’s I find the one arrowhead very easily in the lounge and the dining room it’s a little more difficult, but I mean the work is so intricate it’s just amazing It really is amazingly cool.

00:39:20.550 –> 00:39:26.100 Joseph McElroy: um how was your reception into Maggie Valley, with the restaurant first opens.

00:39:28.020 –> 00:39:37.860 Mike Ogletree: um I think you know, I was, I was much, much younger that time, so I think a lot of that I probably didn’t pick up on but um I know that.

00:39:40.020 –> 00:39:44.910 Mike Ogletree: You know, to make your mark anywhere, you have to really do your time, and you have to.

00:39:45.330 –> 00:40:00.720 Mike Ogletree: You have to do your own work and make your mark and just be as good as you can be and support your community, and I think that it was probably I would say it was probably tough back then, but I mean I like I said, I think that.

00:40:03.090 –> 00:40:03.420 Mike Ogletree: Might.

00:40:03.720 –> 00:40:05.190 Joseph McElroy: be the kid what everybody over.

00:40:05.940 –> 00:40:14.400 Mike Ogletree: This do is whenever you ever but you know, it was a bit of a higher-end type thing I would say, at first, even then, and.

00:40:15.090 –> 00:40:27.210 Mike Ogletree: I just think maybe there was some resistance, but I mean, I think that you know hard work and persistence and like you know consistency, I think, pays off a lot and in, even so, you know you’re.

00:40:28.380 –> 00:40:30.630 Mike Ogletree: you’re going to make mistakes, but I think that like.

00:40:31.950 –> 00:40:35.850 Mike Ogletree: there’s a lot to be said for longevity and.

00:40:37.350 –> 00:40:42.420 Mike Ogletree: You know, consistency and just commitment to our Community, and I think that that’s.

00:40:43.230 –> 00:40:55.500 Mike Ogletree: Where we are at this point, I think that you know we have to stick together, we have to, we have to do our own work in our Community and just continue to better ourselves every day and people around us as well yeah.

00:40:55.800 –> 00:41:10.350 Joseph McElroy: I know that you have another beautiful balcony area where you get private dining and then you have yeah both of the dining room and the sports club area, you get a lot of events that come there that the red.

00:41:11.910 –> 00:41:12.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:41:12.480 –> 00:41:28.230 Mike Ogletree: yeah we got a lot of we get a lot of why we get several you know wedding receptions or rehearsals dinners and then we also do in a car tour groups there’s recent there have been more tour groups this area.

00:41:29.580 –> 00:41:37.470 Mike Ogletree: We had a, for example, this past weekend, we had a corvette tour group coming through, but you know it’s all walks of life it’s just.

00:41:39.330 –> 00:41:44.370 Mike Ogletree: We do we were very blessed in that area because we have the space to do it and.

00:41:44.970 –> 00:41:50.070 Mike Ogletree: And for sure we have the staff at this point to do it to you know I mean it’s just um.

00:41:50.460 –> 00:41:56.790 Mike Ogletree: Any of these groups like they like the one that was here and, to be honest with you, other than outside of last year and the year before.

00:41:57.240 –> 00:42:03.480 Mike Ogletree: I’m not necessarily I don’t can’t say that I specifically remember, other than going back and looking at it, but.

00:42:04.230 –> 00:42:19.110 Mike Ogletree: They said, you know we’ve been coming here for 1618 years which you know that that is a huge deal to me it means very much to me that someone that a group of 40 50 60 70 people comes back, year after year after year and.

00:42:19.680 –> 00:42:20.310 Joseph McElroy: That kind of.

00:42:20.460 –> 00:42:22.680 Joseph McElroy: You know I had somebody posts on Facebook.

00:42:24.180 –> 00:42:26.550 Joseph McElroy: Pictures of their honeymoon in the 60s at the.

00:42:26.550 –> 00:42:27.660 Mike Ogletree: dealer yes.

00:42:28.110 –> 00:42:28.530 Right.

00:42:30.120 –> 00:42:30.720 Mike Ogletree: Wonderful.

00:42:31.080 –> 00:42:38.160 Joseph McElroy: And I have people come by and say we’ve been coming every year for 14 years right yeah, so it is it’s like.

00:42:38.910 –> 00:42:39.900 Mike Ogletree: Every time.

00:42:40.260 –> 00:42:54.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you a lot of businesses and Maggie valley and even the surrounding areas and haven county did not do, particularly well after 2012 and ghost town sort of clothes for good, how did you do.

00:42:57.750 –> 00:42:58.440 Mike Ogletree: Well, I mean.

00:43:00.060 –> 00:43:15.600 Mike Ogletree: It was very difficult it was a huge shift, you know I mean you had to wear you know, in the past, not you couldn’t necessarily hang your hat on that, but you know you had people here because of that town and they were kind of.

00:43:17.490 –> 00:43:26.040 Mike Ogletree: They were here and they would say, and they will eat I mean it was a huge challenge I shouldn’t sugarcoat it, it was a huge challenge.

00:43:26.520 –> 00:43:30.300 Mike Ogletree: And it’s still has been you know it’s like, how can we.

00:43:30.990 –> 00:43:38.520 Mike Ogletree: bring people to our area we need to draw them because you know like used to we didn’t have to draw the families and because we had you know.

00:43:38.880 –> 00:43:47.460 Mike Ogletree: We had hot wheels and water bugs we had ghost town, we had the magic waters ever in Cherokee we had you know I mean there’s a lot of like historic things that went on here.

00:43:48.540 –> 00:43:59.400 Mike Ogletree: That we just didn’t really have to make too much of emotion, to get them to come here, you know, we had trout ponds, we had water slides we have like a lot of stuff for families and this is fabulous what I mean.

00:43:59.670 –> 00:44:09.030 Mike Ogletree: I feel like this is an area where families come because they feel like it’s safe and it’s fun and it’s a good vacation for their you know for everyone and.

00:44:09.900 –> 00:44:19.980 Mike Ogletree: So you know I think we had to be a little more strategic and it was tough for several years and it still is tough every day is tough but, like, I think that the more that we can just.

00:44:21.450 –> 00:44:35.010 Mike Ogletree: promote our you know the people that we work with and we work among you know and the natural beauty of our area, I think that um I mean we can’t hang your hat on someone else’s business forever you really can’t.

00:44:35.280 –> 00:44:40.470 Joseph McElroy: and listen we weren’t just ghost hunters also mountain culture mountain heritage.

00:44:40.560 –> 00:44:40.950 Mike Ogletree: you’re right.

00:44:41.250 –> 00:44:53.190 Joseph McElroy: A lot of giving and that’s what we’re promoting yeah mountain cultural heritage and having music and food and different things, and you know we saw a lot of families this year I don’t know if you saw but the swimming pool.

00:44:53.190 –> 00:44:54.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah the US.

00:44:59.340 –> 00:45:07.110 Joseph McElroy: More these handsome young people were using it, so it was a sea change this year in terms of you know.

00:45:08.790 –> 00:45:19.140 Joseph McElroy: We still have the nostalgic crowd, but we also started getting people that just want to experience the now and enjoy culture authentic right.

00:45:19.530 –> 00:45:20.730 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely, yes.

00:45:20.820 –> 00:45:26.730 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool and I love being able to say somebody says, where do you go to go get some neat so I’ll look across the street.

00:45:28.470 –> 00:45:29.850 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s pretty cool.

00:45:31.140 –> 00:45:37.020 Joseph McElroy: So, to come back with our final segment, I want to talk about how you guys got to be in a famous movie.

00:45:37.860 –> 00:45:39.000 Mike Ogletree: Okay, that sounds great.

00:47:42.960 –> 00:47:51.750 Joseph McElroy: hey this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Erin Mahoney so Aaron.

00:47:53.250 –> 00:47:56.400 Joseph McElroy: So you know watching a movie one day.

00:47:58.800 –> 00:48:08.430 Joseph McElroy: And all of a sudden, I see frogs and I go oh my God it’s J Arthur’s restaurant I recognize it like it was my backyard, my home I.

00:48:09.660 –> 00:48:13.950 Joseph McElroy: was three what three billboards out of what was the name million.

00:48:14.610 –> 00:48:15.690 Mike Ogletree: Evans Missouri.

00:48:15.840 –> 00:48:18.300 Joseph McElroy: Evans Missouri to how did that come about.

00:48:19.380 –> 00:48:24.570 Mike Ogletree: Well um they kind of just solicited us and asked.

00:48:26.520 –> 00:48:31.710 Mike Ogletree: asked if they could use our building it was you know, of course, it was in season, it was like in June.

00:48:33.960 –> 00:48:38.040 Mike Ogletree: And we kind of went back and forth, and you know they did some filming over in Silva.

00:48:39.660 –> 00:48:49.290 Mike Ogletree: And they were kind of on the fence, whether they were going to use us or not, and it was very quick, it was about 10 days before they said Okay, we need to this day and.

00:48:50.280 –> 00:48:56.640 Mike Ogletree: You know, all of a sudden, there were a bunch of trailers and everything’s set up in the parking lot the restaurant and.

00:48:57.870 –> 00:48:58.920 Mike Ogletree: It was.

00:48:59.040 –> 00:49:16.260 Mike Ogletree: It was a little tough because it was an all-day thing, and you know they use the fire department as kind of a staging area and they asked if we had any people that would like to be walk-ons are staying whatever they call them standards that kind of thing.

00:49:18.480 –> 00:49:26.220 Mike Ogletree: However, we don’t know that we knew were signing up for because it was you know, it was very, very long hours, of course.

00:49:27.930 –> 00:49:44.130 Mike Ogletree: No air conditioning and it was multiple you know multiple scenes with a lot of different food men prepared and that kind of thing it was so rewarding it was just it was just amazing like Of course I don’t know that anyone thought it would be as huge as it was.

00:49:45.900 –> 00:49:46.650 Mike Ogletree: But it was great and.

00:49:47.760 –> 00:49:50.010 Joseph McElroy: Independent movie that was gonna be yes.

00:49:50.670 –> 00:50:04.380 Mike Ogletree: Right exactly right and, to this day, I have people that will that you know I have customers that will come in and they’ll say, well, we want to sit in this table we’re going to see exactly where they said, like Where do they say and what did they do, and who did you know and.

00:50:05.640 –> 00:50:06.720 Mike Ogletree: I just remember.

00:50:08.280 –> 00:50:10.650 Mike Ogletree: It was just very, very.

00:50:13.080 –> 00:50:26.610 Mike Ogletree: mean just the local people that came out to support the movie and the filming of the movie and who you know who want to just be involved, whether they were on screen or not it was just incredible like the support, I guess, I should say.

00:50:26.820 –> 00:50:27.150 well.

00:50:28.350 –> 00:50:37.440 Mike Ogletree: It was just it was wonderful and even to this day, you know we have a couple of posters inside the building let’s say either people will be like Oh well, this is where they sat or you know.

00:50:37.950 –> 00:50:45.150 Mike Ogletree: Oh, my gosh I didn’t know this was filmed here, you know, and then you kind of set the scene, and people can kind of see it and it just brings them back a little bit, which is nice.

00:50:46.830 –> 00:50:47.070 Joseph McElroy: I mean.

00:50:47.460 –> 00:50:49.530 Joseph McElroy: People over here that was filmed over there and it’s.

00:50:50.250 –> 00:50:50.610 Mike Ogletree: I mean.

00:50:51.270 –> 00:50:57.390 Joseph McElroy: It helps you know it’s like everything little story X built in the story of their experience I call it.

00:50:59.580 –> 00:51:00.450 Mike Ogletree: What do you call it.

00:51:01.980 –> 00:51:10.830 Joseph McElroy: study but normal tourism experiences so does it make the memories flashbulb memories, so all little things add to that’s another one.

00:51:11.220 –> 00:51:22.860 Joseph McElroy: In fact, we’re probably we’re starting some tours for that’ll originate from the metal art and one of them will be like the movies, you know we’re movies, are shot, yes, you get a lot of movies shot in this area.

00:51:24.000 –> 00:51:25.740 Joseph McElroy: So that would be kind of cool.

00:51:25.950 –> 00:51:27.690 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah.

00:51:28.170 –> 00:51:30.180 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah.

00:51:30.390 –> 00:51:31.140 Mike Ogletree: yeah it was a great.

00:51:31.170 –> 00:51:46.920 Mike Ogletree: It was a great experience and so thrilled that you know that was that we were able to do that and just you know before that like years ago we had, I mean I guess the most before that, prior to that the only thing we had uncle ben’s at one point shot a commercial.

00:51:46.950 –> 00:51:49.290 Mike Ogletree: did a commercial at the restaurant you, these are kitchen.

00:51:51.240 –> 00:51:52.170 Mike Ogletree: But that you know.

00:51:52.440 –> 00:51:53.070 Mike Ogletree: The outside of.

00:51:53.730 –> 00:51:58.020 Joseph McElroy: Food that you know Maggie Maggie valley and Haywood County so.

00:52:00.780 –> 00:52:05.460 Joseph McElroy: Out of wide-open spaces, that people can do big things here right.

00:52:05.700 –> 00:52:06.090 Like well.

00:52:07.530 –> 00:52:07.920 Mike Ogletree: As a

00:52:07.980 –> 00:52:08.550 Mike Ogletree: plan ahead and.

00:52:09.390 –> 00:52:10.860 Mike Ogletree: You know I mean.

00:52:11.910 –> 00:52:12.510 Mike Ogletree: Yes.

00:52:12.960 –> 00:52:13.740 Joseph McElroy: No, I.

00:52:14.880 –> 00:52:22.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah there’s like you know you come around here you don’t know that there’s like a way up in the mountains or there’s a five-star place called the swag.

00:52:23.550 –> 00:52:34.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah or you have a great you have an idea, you can get it a world-class prime rib you know a place in the valley, or even stay and experience Grammy award-winning musicians.

00:52:36.720 –> 00:52:37.050 Mike Ogletree: yeah.

00:52:37.680 –> 00:52:38.910 Joseph McElroy: roadside motel.

00:52:38.940 –> 00:52:39.960 Mike Ogletree: Right yes right.

00:52:41.250 –> 00:52:48.120 Joseph McElroy: So you know it’s a wonderful place to visit So where do you think Maggie valleys heading now.

00:52:49.470 –> 00:52:51.780 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t think what is it what is it becoming.

00:52:54.720 –> 00:53:04.080 Mike Ogletree: I think that we are, we are just growing up, I think that you know um I think are unique this kind of defines us like I think that.

00:53:05.100 –> 00:53:19.080 Mike Ogletree: There are so many different intricate places around this area that like that you wouldn’t expect around the corner and you know what I think the more unique, we are, the more we put ourselves on the map and.

00:53:20.850 –> 00:53:27.630 Mike Ogletree: We just you know, I think that we just need to continue to evolve and we need to continue to.

00:53:28.920 –> 00:53:36.060 Mike Ogletree: I don’t want to say go with the flow that sounds so routine, but I think that, like we, we need to be able to be fluid because.

00:53:38.070 –> 00:53:48.930 Mike Ogletree: We need to survive and we’ve survived with, I think that we have survived some pretty crappy times I hate to say you know, I think that we’ve had some really low times in this area, and I think that.

00:53:49.140 –> 00:53:50.610 Mike Ogletree: You know, we bounce back.

00:53:51.270 –> 00:53:52.350 Joseph McElroy: from somebody the ghost.

00:53:53.490 –> 00:53:55.890 Joseph McElroy: ghost town might be coming back what do you think about that.

00:53:56.190 –> 00:54:02.790 Mike Ogletree: Well, I mean I have high hopes for this and I’ve always had high hopes for that like I have so many fond memories there it goes down.

00:54:03.270 –> 00:54:08.040 Mike Ogletree: But at the same time, I think that you know we all need to do our own work, and we need to like.

00:54:08.760 –> 00:54:22.680 Mike Ogletree: grow together as a community and just move forward like God, I hope that they hope that that would be the best thing for this area, but you know I don’t think that we should stay awake at night and and and think that we’re gonna.

00:54:24.600 –> 00:54:26.310 Mike Ogletree: know we have so many good things around.

00:54:27.180 –> 00:54:28.890 Joseph McElroy: motorcycle Museum in the world.

00:54:31.620 –> 00:54:32.010 Joseph McElroy: music.

00:54:32.040 –> 00:54:35.820 Mike Ogletree: And we have a stellar puzzle room, we have.

00:54:36.180 –> 00:54:41.790 Joseph McElroy: yeah we are we have southernmost ski resort and in the United States.

00:54:42.810 –> 00:54:45.720 Mike Ogletree: You know within like we have a lot of natural beauty to

00:54:45.810 –> 00:54:46.290 Mike Ogletree: me like.

00:54:47.070 –> 00:54:55.680 Mike Ogletree: there are just so many things that like draw people in this area like I don’t think that we should just expand our horizons all of it and just keep on.

00:54:56.190 –> 00:54:59.910 Joseph McElroy: So I didn’t have time to go through full of its itineraries.

00:55:03.000 –> 00:55:05.220 Joseph McElroy: At least you know, the food industry.

00:55:06.240 –> 00:55:10.230 Joseph McElroy: Where would somebody go for breakfast and where would somebody go for lunch in this area.

00:55:10.680 –> 00:55:19.890 Mike Ogletree: Well, I would definitely go if I were going to get a breakfast I’m good either POPs like outstanding or in for breakfast.

00:55:21.030 –> 00:55:32.880 Mike Ogletree: I would go to my favorite like my favorite view in this area is a mountain air in my gosh is outstanding like you know I mean you have to have some time but I mean it is well worth it.

00:55:33.330 –> 00:55:41.250 Mike Ogletree: And then, like the sandwich shop next door to your business is like the best sandwich you can get in this area like.

00:55:42.210 –> 00:55:48.660 Joseph McElroy: A sandwich shop, is it got unbelievable I mean the other day, I said that sandwich shop I would eat out in New York City.

00:55:49.140 –> 00:55:50.550 Mike Ogletree: Yes, yeah.

00:55:52.290 –> 00:55:53.190 Joseph McElroy: Even better than that.

00:55:53.580 –> 00:55:54.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah no.

00:55:54.360 –> 00:55:55.740 Mike Ogletree: You wouldn’t you absolutely.

00:55:56.220 –> 00:55:56.820 I mean like.

00:55:58.050 –> 00:56:00.300 Joseph McElroy: So we’re running out of time, so what.

00:56:03.960 –> 00:56:04.590 Joseph McElroy: about you.

00:56:07.020 –> 00:56:08.070 Mike Ogletree: i’m saying if you’re.

00:56:08.490 –> 00:56:12.330 Joseph McElroy: With people finding out more about you were really out of time, so I just want to.

00:56:12.570 –> 00:56:19.530 Mike Ogletree: do absolutely like it, you can contact me at the restaurant and JArthursrest@ gmail.com

00:56:20.970 –> 00:56:21.870 Mike Ogletree: or our website.

00:56:23.460 –> 00:56:26.670 Mike Ogletree: jarthurrestaurant and yeah.

00:56:27.390 –> 00:56:30.450 Joseph McElroy: Why you have social media that you follow the people should follow.

00:56:31.830 –> 00:56:36.360 Mike Ogletree: I just adjust the restaurant but of course Facebook is just the restaurant.

00:56:37.350 –> 00:56:42.510 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well, thank you very much for being on the show all right.

00:56:42.780 –> 00:56:47.100 Mike Ogletree: Thank you I’m honored yeah happy to do it again, we can talk about something else just.

00:56:47.280 –> 00:56:51.990 Joseph McElroy: All right, yes we’ll talk about talking about feels fishing or quilting or something.

00:56:53.640 –> 00:56:57.420 Joseph McElroy: I just saw your children are very involved in the art side like to find out more.

00:56:57.870 –> 00:56:58.890 Mike Ogletree: Very artistic.

00:56:59.100 –> 00:57:01.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah there’s you know things that.

00:57:01.530 –> 00:57:02.580 Maybe for next time.

00:57:05.850 –> 00:57:25.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool um this has been a wonderful show and we’re going to have another show next week, as we do every week Tuesdays from six to seven you find out more about us at the gateway to the smokies.fun or even Facebook, a gatewaytothesmokiespodcast.

00:57:26.730 –> 00:57:33.720 Joseph McElroy: We are on the talkradio.NYC network, which has a lot of live podcasts.

00:57:34.740 –> 00:57:46.050 Joseph McElroy: And one of which is a New York podcast that follows after this it talks about you know, tourism and things to do in New York, so I think you should watch that but it’s got a wonderful network with the live podcast.

00:57:47.760 –> 00:57:49.170 Joseph McElroy: I am

00:57:50.760 –> 00:58:01.200 Joseph McElroy: you know the I have a site called smokiesaadventure.com if you.

00:58:04.830 –> 00:58:12.240 Joseph McElroy: have information about traveling the smokies places to do and there’s a whole area from Tennessee to North Carolina to all the way up to

00:58:12.840 –> 00:58:30.120 Joseph McElroy: Virginia down to Georgia, and you know it’s got roadmaps it’s got books it’s got itineraries and I love you visit there so I’ll see you next week, thank you very much, as the gateway to the smokies podcast with Erin Mahoney and your host Joseph Franklyn McElroy.

00:58:30.390 –> 00:58:31.140 Mike Ogletree: Thanks Joseph.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1224781318034325" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5e6917867441de7935c33a14/612eed49b4b66340606556f8_20210831-GTTS.JPG" alt="Facebook Live Video from 2021/08/31 - Creating a New Life and Food Adventures in the Smokies"></a></p><p>Our special guest in this episode is <strong>Erin Mahoney</strong>, she is the fourth generation of the Mahoney Clan to own and operate one of the family restaurants. She descends from a long line of Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurs and currently Owns and Manages <strong><em>J Arthurs Steakhouse</em></strong> – a Maggie Valley landmark for more than 32 years. In addition to running a successful business, Erin is a longtime advocate for positive growth in Maggie Valley.</p><p>Joseph and Erin will talk about Food adventures in the Smokies. Don&#39;t miss this great Episode! </p><p><strong>Tune in for this fun conversation at </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><strong> or watch the </strong><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>SHOW NOTES: </strong></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>Joseph starts off by thanking the sponsors and giving a message from the sponsors. He discusses an apple festival that&#39;s coming up in the Smokies in Renville and reads a poem by Mary Oliver that encapsulates this feeling of the festival and Maggie Valley itself. Joseph introduces his guest for today&#39;s episode, Erin Mahoney, she owns and operates J Arthurs Steakhouse, and comes from a family of Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurs. Joseph and Erin discuss their past, and how Joseph was close to Erin’s grandfather as well. Erin discusses her journey across the country, as well as her journey through the hospitality industry. Joseph and Erin discuss how long Erin has been in Maggie Valley and what brought her there from Florida. Erin discusses her first job in the family business, and how she would wash dishes in the restaurant. She continues to discuss her father’s time in the restaurant industry and how he was a natural at it.</p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>The two discuss how Erin’s mother stepped up in the restaurant after her father passed away young. Her mother took the helm of the restaurant and was able to keep it running even in her grief. Erin explains how her parents didn’t want her to follow the family and go into the hospitality industry, as it is not the best industry and it&#39;s a path that is difficult, but Erin was always drawn to it. Erin explains why she was drawn to the hospitality industry and why she enjoys it, even though it was not the path her parents wanted her and her siblings to take. Erin explains that her secondary education was in psychology and social work, and even though hospitality was originally out of her wheelhouse, she is incredibly grateful to be in this industry. Erin explains her ideology in hospitality and how she tries to follow her father’s way of running a business. Erin continues by explaining how her restaurant has evolved over the years, and that for her business to continue to be successful she needs to change with the world around her. Her example is how the original draw to the restaurant was the steak, but now it is more of a family restaurant.  </p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>The two talk about the actual physical building of Erin’s restaurant, which was built by Joseph’s father. Joseph discusses the high ceilings in the restaurant, as well as the model train that runs throughout the entirety of the restaurant. Erin says how whenever the train isn’t running in the restaurant the customers notice immediately even though it is just a small detail of the restaurant. The two discuss the small details within the restaurant and how they’re important, and how Erin appreciates that they are important to the customers and staff alike. Joseph discusses how the masonry within Erin’s restaurant was done by Cherokee people, who were hired to do the work by Joseph’s father because of their extreme mastery in stonework, which he was unable to find in any other masons. Joseph continues by saying how each of the men who were hired to do the masonry in the restaurant signed their work with their personal signature. Erin continues off this point saying how she loves finding the signatures all over the restaurant. The two discuss events held in the restaurant and how Erin operates these events. </p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>Joseph and Erin discuss how Erin’s restaurant appeared in the film <em>Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri</em>, and how this appearance came to be. Erin discusses how she was not aware of what she signed up for as it was very long hours, but she found it very rewarding and enjoyed it immensely. Erin also brings up how several customers she’s had since the movie premiered wanted to sit at certain tables just like in the movie. Joseph brings up how he wants to create a tour of Maggie Valley of all of the film locations, as many films had been filmed within the area. The two discuss the future of Maggie Valley, and what Erin expects for the town’s future. The two also discuss breakfast and lunch spots in Maggie Valley.</p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h3><p>00:03:05.520 –&gt; 00:03:08.010 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the Smokies</p><p>00:03:08.070 –&gt; 00:03:13.710 Joseph McElroy: podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park.</p><p>00:03:14.130 –&gt; 00:03:28.140 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain culture that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:03:28.560 –&gt; 00:03:39.360 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in this mountain, My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years.</p><p>00:03:41.310 –&gt; 00:03:50.730 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture and today we’re going to talk about Creating new life and food in the smokies but first let’s hear from our sponsors.</p><p>00:03:52.290 –&gt; 00:04:01.410 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts in the past, yet moderate and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel.</p><p>00:04:01.830 –&gt; 00:04:18.180 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain here and its trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place that old-time music and world cultural sell.</p><p>00:04:19.290 –&gt; 00:04:33.690 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place across from the world-famous family restaurants, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay.</p><p>00:04:35.460 –&gt; 00:04:39.330 Joseph McElroy: So hi everybody we’re going to talk about a little bit of food in.</p><p>00:04:40.650 –&gt; 00:04:44.250 Joseph McElroy: The mountains, I was gonna mention that we have.</p><p>00:04:46.050 –&gt; 00:04:54.930 Joseph McElroy: In Haywood county and apple harvest festival coming up and it’s really sort of a big thing it’s in downtown Waynesville on October 16.</p><p>00:04:55.380 –&gt; 00:05:01.470 Joseph McElroy: And it’s an annual event and then this year is it’s the 34th year it’s been an operation.</p><p>00:05:01.980 –&gt; 00:05:08.580 Joseph McElroy: it’s a very fun family-friendly festival and it’s it is presented by the Haywood County chamber of commerce.</p><p>00:05:09.030 –&gt; 00:05:22.950 Joseph McElroy: And what they do is they take the streets of downtown Waynesville and fill it with 200 vendors of arts and crafts and food concessions and then they have music and cloggers and more and.</p><p>00:05:24.030 –&gt; 00:05:26.460 Joseph McElroy: I got my motel phone sitting right here.</p><p>00:05:27.720 –&gt; 00:05:35.220 Joseph McElroy: And and local apple growers set up on the street to sell delicious mountain-grown apples have a vast variety.</p><p>00:05:36.240 –&gt; 00:05:40.110 Joseph McElroy: In addition, many vendors will make apple cider.</p><p>00:05:41.760 –&gt; 00:05:53.340 Joseph McElroy: cake pies and other really great, so I think your head-on, down to Waynesville area come stay at the middle or motel and Maggie valleys and go to the festival on October 16.</p><p>00:05:54.750 –&gt; 00:06:12.330 Joseph McElroy: So when I was prepping for this show you know I had to go back to my past little bit think about things, and you know, recently, of course, you know my mother died and yeah I got the thing about her, and you know this right now is it is Blackberry time in.</p><p>00:06:13.530 –&gt; 00:06:22.140 Joseph McElroy: In Maggie and Haywood County and the gentleman that smoky mountains in general, so I was looking for a poem that.</p><p>00:06:22.680 –&gt; 00:06:40.530 Joseph McElroy: That was, you know reminiscence of all that, and I am I just found one online by a woman named Mary Oliver and you know I’d like to read this poem somewhere so it’s about blackberries because you know blackberries or something my mom made this wonderful.</p><p>00:06:42.270 –&gt; 00:06:53.100 Joseph McElroy: cobbler and never if anybody’s ever asked me what is my favorite dessert it’s always been my mom’s Blackberry cobbler followed by my grandmother’s a lemon meringue pie or a.</p><p>00:06:54.420 –&gt; 00:07:01.110 Joseph McElroy: Banana pudding or coconut pie, to the way August is the title of the phone.</p><p>00:07:02.010 –&gt; 00:07:18.930 Joseph McElroy: When the blackberries hang rolling in the woods and the brambles nobody owns I spent all day among the high branches reaching my rip arms thinking of nothing cramming the black honey of summer into my math.</p><p>00:07:19.710 –&gt; 00:07:34.920 Joseph McElroy: All day my body accepts what it is in the dark creek that runs by there is this thick part of my life darting amongst the black belts, the leaves there is this happy tongue.</p><p>00:07:37.590 –&gt; 00:07:41.460 Joseph McElroy: So my guests today</p><p>00:07:42.510 –&gt; 00:07:51.780 Joseph McElroy: it’s Erin Mahoney, who is the fourth generation of the Mahoney clans to own and operate, one of the family restaurants.</p><p>00:07:52.170 –&gt; 00:08:00.750 Joseph McElroy: she descends from a long line and hospitality industry, entrepreneurs and currently owns and manages J Arthur steakhouse.</p><p>00:08:01.080 –&gt; 00:08:11.820 Joseph McElroy: Maggie valley landmark for more than 32 years, in addition to running a successful business and as a devoted mother and longtime advocate for positive growth and Maggie Valley Hello Erin.</p><p>00:08:12.270 –&gt; 00:08:13.080 Mike Ogletree: Hi how are you Joseph.</p><p>00:08:13.950 –&gt; 00:08:19.650 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing all right, so how long have we known each other, we were trying to figure that outright.</p><p>00:08:20.700 –&gt; 00:08:21.300 Mike Ogletree: earlier.</p><p>00:08:21.780 –&gt; 00:08:25.080 Joseph McElroy: yeah, it has to be over 40 years.</p><p>00:08:25.920 –&gt; 00:08:36.420 Joseph McElroy: 40 almost 40 years alright, so I met Erin and she was, I think three years old, four years old, about that about the age my daughter now.</p><p>00:08:37.650 –&gt; 00:08:38.070 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:08:38.490 –&gt; 00:08:40.500 Joseph McElroy: I would pick you up with your show.</p><p>00:08:46.050 –&gt; 00:08:46.470 Joseph McElroy: I was.</p><p>00:08:47.940 –&gt; 00:08:52.020 Joseph McElroy: Great friends with your grandfather are tearing it right, he was a he was the.</p><p>00:08:53.520 –&gt; 00:08:54.990 Mike Ogletree: world of your family.</p><p>00:08:55.140 –&gt; 00:08:57.180 Mike Ogletree: And yes, absolutely.</p><p>00:08:57.780 –&gt; 00:09:01.680 Joseph McElroy: yeah I remember he took me and her by brother down to.</p><p>00:09:03.420 –&gt; 00:09:18.030 Joseph McElroy: Miami or la fort Lauderdale or wherever yeah and we got to go fishing on a boat in the sea, for the first time and I caught a big giant fish and it turns out, it was like it just to like a car.</p><p>00:09:24.720 –&gt; 00:09:25.050 Mike Ogletree: Okay.</p><p>00:09:25.440 –&gt; 00:09:31.890 Joseph McElroy: So so so where did that, where did your family’s history of restaurant start.</p><p>00:09:32.790 –&gt; 00:09:37.800 Mike Ogletree: Well, my grandfather started in Helen deal in Florida and.</p><p>00:09:38.820 –&gt; 00:09:42.240 Mike Ogletree: You know, then my dad kind of came into the picture and.</p><p>00:09:44.010 –&gt; 00:09:50.730 Mike Ogletree: They opened up the restaurant in West palm beach in 1970 which is you know, still have it sooner than my time, but.</p><p>00:09:53.610 –&gt; 00:10:02.580 Mike Ogletree: After that, it kind of things just spent about we open that restaurant 1970 and then we came up here and met your family my grandparents used to vacation up here.</p><p>00:10:03.060 –&gt; 00:10:20.970 Mike Ogletree: and fortunately your parents were the first people that they’ve met I came into contact with and really connected with them, and you know I don’t need to tell you the story like we ended up your dad built our health and your dad built our business and.</p><p>00:10:22.320 –&gt; 00:10:35.430 Mike Ogletree: The rest is kind of history that was 1986 we moved from West palm beach in 1996 to pump city Florida, which is where we are now, and you know, and here we are.</p><p>00:10:36.030 –&gt; 00:10:40.260 Joseph McElroy: Now, was it was the name of the restaurants that info Marino’s was that right.</p><p>00:10:40.500 –&gt; 00:10:42.570 Mike Ogletree: It was Maniros but now the original.</p><p>00:10:42.750 –&gt; 00:10:44.580 Mike Ogletree: My grandma.</p><p>00:10:44.790 –&gt; 00:10:49.680 Mike Ogletree: mother’s name was felt a little bit differently spelled Manireo</p><p>00:10:51.090 –&gt; 00:11:08.010 Mike Ogletree: And they dropped the I so it’s Manero ma n er os, which is what you know, which is what the restaurant was named in Fort Lauderdale and Allendale beach and the restaurant in West palm beach and now currently and Stewart and just west of Stewart and Palm city.</p><p>00:11:09.360 –&gt; 00:11:15.150 Mike Ogletree: And then, of course, jr there’s kind of a tribute to my grandfather James Arthur and started kind of the whole Program.</p><p>00:11:16.230 –&gt; 00:11:16.590 Mike Ogletree: cool.</p><p>00:11:16.950 –&gt; 00:11:19.680 Joseph McElroy: So you went out and.</p><p>00:11:21.060 –&gt; 00:11:24.180 Joseph McElroy: You want the world, but now you’re Maggie Valley, how long you been.</p><p>00:11:25.440 –&gt; 00:11:28.350 Mike Ogletree: I’ve been here for about 25 years.</p><p>00:11:29.790 –&gt; 00:11:34.080 Mike Ogletree: And I didn’t think I hadn’t planned on being here that long but it just kind of.</p><p>00:11:34.920 –&gt; 00:11:48.960 Mike Ogletree: Maggie valley kind of stole my heart, years ago, after the culture shock of coming from South Florida to Maggie Valley North Carolina and I kind of adjusted and you know this is where I’ve made my home and my family and.</p><p>00:11:50.010 –&gt; 00:11:53.520 Mike Ogletree: I don’t know that I would be live anywhere else by the choice to be honest, again.</p><p>00:11:54.330 –&gt; 00:12:05.100 Joseph McElroy: We know my mom came from Fort Lauderdale my dad told the story for writing over the mountain the to see him, while he was sick and then they have on a farm and.</p><p>00:12:05.700 –&gt; 00:12:21.240 Joseph McElroy: And I end up area, and you know, and she never thought she’d live in the Maggie Valley, but she ended up loving Maggie Valley, been a fixture Maggie valley now and then the rest of her life here, so you know never want to do anywhere else.</p><p>00:12:22.860 –&gt; 00:12:30.120 Mike Ogletree: understand this is something that you know first like I said it was just it was very it was just very different lifestyle.</p><p>00:12:30.180 –&gt; 00:12:37.380 Mike Ogletree: But I mean it’s just it’s a wonderful lifestyle and that the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives here.</p><p>00:12:38.430 –&gt; 00:12:40.950 Joseph McElroy: So what was your first job in the family.</p><p>00:12:42.180 –&gt; 00:12:53.520 Mike Ogletree: So my first job was washing dishes at Maneros in South Florida, and it was funny because I used to you know invite friends over on the weekends for sport and my dad would.</p><p>00:12:54.150 –&gt; 00:12:58.320 Mike Ogletree: Have us be good to the restaurant and wash we’d all work in the dishwasher in the dish pit.</p><p>00:12:59.040 –&gt; 00:13:09.030 Mike Ogletree: And you know, he would pay us a little bit of money here and there, but you know, eventually, I thought well I’m not gonna have any friends left because they come over here I’m gonna go and wash dishes at the restaurant.</p><p>00:13:10.320 –&gt; 00:13:11.880 Mike Ogletree: But you know they just kept coming back.</p><p>00:13:12.120 –&gt; 00:13:21.300 Mike Ogletree: They kept coming back and and and you know funny like a lot of those a lot of my friends ended up at an older age, of course, it was more.</p><p>00:13:21.690 –&gt; 00:13:34.950 Mike Ogletree: of just something to keep us busy on of trouble at that time, but oddly enough, like a lot of those people that my friends ended up working you know when they were 15 16 17 18 that kind of thing at the restaurant.</p><p>00:13:36.540 –&gt; 00:13:40.860 Mike Ogletree: So it was um it was different definitely different but.</p><p>00:13:42.390 –&gt; 00:13:45.540 Mike Ogletree: You know now looking back on it now, I greatly appreciate it.</p><p>00:13:52.620 –&gt; 00:13:53.220 Mike Ogletree: I would say.</p><p>00:13:56.160 –&gt; 00:14:01.950 Mike Ogletree: is definitely you know, like Okay, you can only stay at this part of the dishwasher and you can’t touch X y&amp;z.</p><p>00:14:02.250 –&gt; 00:14:04.920 Mike Ogletree: However, it was still you know you were still working and you’re.</p><p>00:14:04.920 –&gt; 00:14:09.360 Mike Ogletree: Still sweating your tail off and just kind of yeah I mean.</p><p>00:14:09.780 –&gt; 00:14:15.030 Joseph McElroy: I think I think my dad started having a sweep it is construction sites, around nine years old do.</p><p>00:14:16.110 –&gt; 00:14:23.550 Mike Ogletree: Sure, I remember your dad used to take my brother at an early age heavy equipment.</p><p>00:14:25.980 –&gt; 00:14:28.290 Mike Ogletree: You know that’s where they started to you know.</p><p>00:14:29.550 –&gt; 00:14:31.020 Mike Ogletree: yeah yes.</p><p>00:14:31.890 –&gt; 00:14:40.080 Joseph McElroy: You know he’s what is he at three years old, and he already was showing on in Henry the backhoe he has his back yes.</p><p>00:14:41.610 –&gt; 00:14:42.150 Mike Ogletree: Yes.</p><p>00:14:42.360 –&gt; 00:14:45.030 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely absolutely that’s where.</p><p>00:14:45.390 –&gt; 00:14:45.960 Mike Ogletree: that’s where.</p><p>00:14:46.230 –&gt; 00:14:46.590 Mike Ogletree: I draw.</p><p>00:14:49.020 –&gt; 00:14:51.270 Joseph McElroy: The three years old he’s 83 years Sheldon.</p><p>00:14:56.700 –&gt; 00:15:00.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah you don’t remember your dad John Mahoney died too young.</p><p>00:15:01.920 –&gt; 00:15:08.340 Joseph McElroy: I remember him being bigger than the restaurant here in Maggie Valley was.</p><p>00:15:09.660 –&gt; 00:15:13.350 Joseph McElroy: Originally working industry or both of them working industry.</p><p>00:15:13.770 –&gt; 00:15:20.850 Mike Ogletree: know they both did my dad started working for my mother’s father, so my grandfather.</p><p>00:15:22.410 –&gt; 00:15:28.440 Mike Ogletree: The you know when they were in Allendale and he was just kind of a natural at it and.</p><p>00:15:29.760 –&gt; 00:15:39.000 Mike Ogletree: You know, it just developed and it grew into where he kind of I don’t want to say you took over because he definitely takes over my grandfather had a huge you know.</p><p>00:15:39.690 –&gt; 00:15:45.960 Mike Ogletree: Just a huge presence in the restaurant in our restaurant anyway, but it was just it was a really.</p><p>00:15:46.920 –&gt; 00:15:53.910 Mike Ogletree: Dynamic combination with the two of them and yeah they ended up opening the restaurant and in West palm beach in 1970 and.</p><p>00:15:54.750 –&gt; 00:16:06.960 Mike Ogletree: They had a great working relationship, which was really kind of you know that I don’t really know how to explain it but they worked well together and my dad was a natural and my grandfather just loved it and.</p><p>00:16:07.980 –&gt; 00:16:09.750 Joseph McElroy: I remember that dynamic.</p><p>00:16:10.200 –&gt; 00:16:17.640 Joseph McElroy: yeah take a little bit, we have to take a break and then we’ll come back we’ll talk a little bit more about your family history and then we’ll get into the current day of.</p><p>00:16:18.930 –&gt; 00:16:20.610 Joseph McElroy: Maggie valley and restaurant is.</p><p>00:16:21.510 –&gt; 00:16:22.230 Mike Ogletree: It sounds great.</p><p>00:18:37.980 –&gt; 00:18:44.550 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Erin Mahoney</p><p>00:18:50.010 –&gt; 00:19:02.760 Joseph McElroy: I’m drinking promote a local museum, you know Boucher right it’s in it’s going to be a great place in Waynesville and I’m drinking balsam brown ALE, so I just thought I’d give a shout out it turns out it’s really good.</p><p>00:19:03.990 –&gt; 00:19:12.300 Joseph McElroy: So um your father, unfortunately, died young and your mom sort of step into this place and she.</p><p>00:19:12.840 –&gt; 00:19:25.350 Mike Ogletree: Yes, she did he died at 55 and my mom and I was you know his head always supported my father and her dad in this industry and.</p><p>00:19:26.430 –&gt; 00:19:39.630 Mike Ogletree: She really just kind of you know she had she did most of the bookwork and most of the office staff while he was alive and when he passed she really just kind of took the helm and.</p><p>00:19:41.340 –&gt; 00:19:45.600 Mike Ogletree: You know, it was you don’t know the strength that people have.</p><p>00:19:45.600 –&gt; 00:19:54.720 Mike Ogletree: until something some sort of tragedy I think occurs, and she really, really has led us in the right direction for the past 25 plus years.</p><p>00:19:55.620 –&gt; 00:20:03.780 Joseph McElroy: yeah I mean, I would say that you know you know my grandmother used to tell the story that when she first came to Haywood County she had to get her husband.</p><p>00:20:04.140 –&gt; 00:20:10.860 Joseph McElroy: to actually get opened the baby characters a bike wouldn’t give her as a business owner and woman business owner, the Bank but.</p><p>00:20:11.190 –&gt; 00:20:26.040 Joseph McElroy: You know, and it may be improved since that but, even when your mom took over, it must have been a challenge, being a woman business over owner in Maggie valley Haywood county I mean to this day it’s probably much better, but it was probably a challenge.</p><p>00:20:26.250 –&gt; 00:20:36.330 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely, I think that um, yes, but you know, fortunately, you know she had always been very she was she’s always been a very strong force.</p><p>00:20:36.870 –&gt; 00:20:48.390 Mike Ogletree: In our business and our family life and with her children, I think she’s always been a very strong person and just a driving force behind this I mean, I think that it was kind of a natural flow.</p><p>00:20:50.310 –&gt; 00:20:50.760 Mike Ogletree: You know.</p><p>00:20:50.850 –&gt; 00:20:52.680 Joseph McElroy: We didn’t have a choice, his brothers were strict.</p><p>00:20:53.070 –&gt; 00:20:53.640 Mike Ogletree: Yes.</p><p>00:20:53.850 –&gt; 00:20:54.690 yeah absolutely.</p><p>00:20:56.010 –&gt; 00:20:58.650 Joseph McElroy: If she is your father wants you to follow the family tradition to</p><p>00:21:00.960 –&gt; 00:21:01.380 Mike Ogletree: No</p><p>00:21:02.430 –&gt; 00:21:21.360 Mike Ogletree: My both my brothers were just kinds of naturals and they still are, but you know my dad always said, you know just get out, this is not, you know, this is not a great industry it’s it’s tough and like I think it’s time for today than it was back then, you know.</p><p>00:21:22.440 –&gt; 00:21:30.960 Mike Ogletree: However, I’m grateful for it and I’m grateful for the lessons the LIFE lessons I’ve learned, and then you know the people I’ve met, I think that.</p><p>00:21:32.130 –&gt; 00:21:40.980 Mike Ogletree: I’m very, very grateful, however, it was definitely not the path that either one of them like for me or any of my siblings, to be honest with you.</p><p>00:21:41.820 –&gt; 00:21:45.540 Mike Ogletree: But you know I mean, I think that you’re just kind of drawn to it when it’s something you grow up in.</p><p>00:21:46.740 –&gt; 00:21:48.030 Mike Ogletree: I don’t know how you can avoid it.</p><p>00:21:48.300 –&gt; 00:21:50.400 Mike Ogletree: Really, you know it’s your life.</p><p>00:21:51.030 –&gt; 00:22:03.060 Joseph McElroy: Well, I took over the motel because I had a sense of you know, having a desire to be in the hospitality business, I mean I’m a computer guy right, and then a marketing guy and.</p><p>00:22:03.750 –&gt; 00:22:13.290 Joseph McElroy: I ended up marketing for travel, so there was a little bit of relationship there, but you know when it became obvious that it was time for the motel to transition.</p><p>00:22:13.740 –&gt; 00:22:29.100 Joseph McElroy: You know I sort of had to step upright, and you know, and I almost felt an obligation to it, I mean I I saw it as an opportunity, but I was also like this is my family legacy and it needs to continue, did you feel any of that sort of thing.</p><p>00:22:29.340 –&gt; 00:22:34.560 Mike Ogletree: Well, absolutely I mean especially my father passed to it’s like you know you think.</p><p>00:22:35.640 –&gt; 00:22:47.130 Mike Ogletree: At some point, you have to come to terms with you know, this is what I have this is what has supported me my entire life, this is what has put me, you know through school or whatever it has been whatever it was the challenges and.</p><p>00:22:48.000 –&gt; 00:23:02.010 Mike Ogletree: The strides whatever it has been at some point, you have to say, well, I can’t just turn around and turn my back on this planet, I mean, like you, you know it, you breathe it and you live it it’s just it’s kind of the natural flow of</p><p>00:23:03.810 –&gt; 00:23:18.630 Mike Ogletree: I think I think there was no other option for any of us really my sister is the only one who’s not in the restaurant business she’s an attorney but um you know, I think that I don’t have an obligation but it’s like a commitment.</p><p>00:23:19.020 –&gt; 00:23:21.330 Mike Ogletree: You know this is like this is what has brought us here.</p><p>00:23:21.780 –&gt; 00:23:34.140 Mike Ogletree: And it’s been fairly good to us, you know, up till now it’s like, how can you turn your back on something like that, whether you whether it’s what you truly you’re passionate about.</p><p>00:23:36.150 –&gt; 00:23:41.070 Mike Ogletree: or not, I think it was just I don’t want to say obligation, but it was just the drive there.</p><p>00:23:42.060 –&gt; 00:23:46.320 Joseph McElroy: Well, what I mean you know it’s a, but I think I also said that you had.</p><p>00:23:49.800 –&gt; 00:23:56.130 Joseph McElroy: For you got back into the restaurant and what we’re doing where we were where did you go before you came back to.</p><p>00:23:57.240 –&gt; 00:23:57.780 Mike Ogletree: study.</p><p>00:23:59.700 –&gt; 00:24:06.210 Mike Ogletree: psychology social work in Spanish so was completely not it was out of the realm of.</p><p>00:24:09.960 –&gt; 00:24:12.750 Mike Ogletree: What I want to do with my expertise my passion, but.</p><p>00:24:13.950 –&gt; 00:24:17.460 Mike Ogletree: I am very grateful, is been very, very.</p><p>00:24:20.580 –&gt; 00:24:29.970 Mike Ogletree: forgiving to me, this has been you know I mean, I think that, like this industry you just you learn so many life skills that you would never expect to learn.</p><p>00:24:31.830 –&gt; 00:24:49.110 Mike Ogletree: You know, and you come in you, you cross paths with walks of life that you never thought that she would ever so I think that, for that reason, I’m grateful for it and I don’t know that I would have chosen a better path, to be honest with you at this point.</p><p>00:24:52.860 –&gt; 00:25:10.650 Joseph McElroy: So I’m sure you know, the what was the how much is the business model, what was the original purpose of the millionaire oh restaurants that then became the j arthurs where they’re similar to the different what I’ve learned and what does it evolve to today.</p><p>00:25:14.940 –&gt; 00:25:16.800 Mike Ogletree: I think that there’s a lot of history.</p><p>00:25:18.060 –&gt; 00:25:24.900 Mike Ogletree: You know, especially going back to Arizona and Arizona Allendale even in West palm beach there’s a lot of just.</p><p>00:25:25.860 –&gt; 00:25:38.730 Mike Ogletree: You know I mean just the people that will pass through our doors and the kind of connection that we that especially my father would make with people you know for years.</p><p>00:25:39.390 –&gt; 00:25:50.190 Mike Ogletree: he had a connection with the Atlanta Braves and we serve them lunch and dinner and catered all their food for at the in West palm beach.</p><p>00:25:52.080 –&gt; 00:25:53.550 Mike Ogletree: And you know, like I just.</p><p>00:25:54.930 –&gt; 00:26:03.060 Mike Ogletree: I think that it’s he was a unique person, and I think that he really paved the path pave the path for us, for his children.</p><p>00:26:04.770 –&gt; 00:26:21.090 Mike Ogletree: In that way, and you know, he said, an example and I think that for the most part, we try to follow that model or that example of just you know you know excellent hospitality and just you know good food consistent food and good service like I just think you know.</p><p>00:26:22.350 –&gt; 00:26:31.050 Joseph McElroy: What are you famous for being more of a stake in the primary place and then I think you’ve evolved into being a real family place right.</p><p>00:26:31.470 –&gt; 00:26:44.460 Mike Ogletree: Yes, yeah yeah originally like I think that primary was probably the draw However, it is, it has changed a little bit um, you know as good as the primary job is, I think that.</p><p>00:26:45.090 –&gt; 00:26:56.160 Mike Ogletree: You know you have to evolve or change, you have to grow with with with how the world changes, and now you know the economy changes around you, you have to just kind of everything is very fluid in this market and.</p><p>00:26:57.690 –&gt; 00:27:12.270 Mike Ogletree: I think we’re just trying to keep the best of our history and what is it what we had what did we hung our hat on in the past and try to move forward into you know, in the next several years I think it’s just it’s a very fine line.</p><p>00:27:13.650 –&gt; 00:27:24.150 Mike Ogletree: But you know you get I get people that you know they’ll come in and they’ll say oh, this is, you know, this is the gorgonzola salad is the same as it was 25 years ago, except the wooden bowl.</p><p>00:27:24.210 –&gt; 00:27:35.130 Mike Ogletree: You know, and of course, you can’t serve in one bowl anymore, but you know just things like that, and like that, is the kind of motivation that that just keeps us going I think every day and.</p><p>00:27:37.200 –&gt; 00:27:48.060 Joseph McElroy: We don’t go there, I go there, quite a bit now and I love that you know, of course, the framework, the stakes are great, but you also introduced you know, local things like a rainbow.</p><p>00:27:51.360 –&gt; 00:27:53.940 Joseph McElroy: And and barbecued ribs.</p><p>00:27:55.650 –&gt; 00:27:56.130 Joseph McElroy: Right.</p><p>00:27:56.970 –&gt; 00:28:13.110 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve incorporated a lot of local culture into your family-oriented food and it’s much more than it’s not it’s, not even a steakhouse anymore, I mean yeah I think the original the original.</p><p>00:28:14.220 –&gt; 00:28:24.720 Joseph McElroy: The original design was sort of like a would have a family-friendly steakhouse and now it’s you know it’s it’s even it’s an even broader array right it’s like.</p><p>00:28:24.990 –&gt; 00:28:30.870 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely absolutely well, I think that you know I mean the only reason that the biggest.</p><p>00:28:32.040 –&gt; 00:28:40.290 Mike Ogletree: You know our biggest push is our community in the surrounding area and the people who support you, you know I mean, I think that you.</p><p>00:28:41.370 –&gt; 00:28:45.840 Mike Ogletree: You have to do what people want I mean you have to you know and.</p><p>00:28:46.950 –&gt; 00:28:53.100 Mike Ogletree: You have to evolve, or you have to change, I mean you have to move with times, or else you know you’re I think you’re going to get left behind.</p><p>00:28:53.760 –&gt; 00:29:09.630 Mike Ogletree: So I mean and, like our biggest support is our local community in the surrounding area and any you know anything that we can do to help our Community can do to help us, I think, is absolutely a necessity, especially in this day and age, you know I mean.</p><p>00:29:12.870 –&gt; 00:29:15.030 Joseph McElroy: So you produce a sports bar.</p><p>00:29:16.320 –&gt; 00:29:19.410 Mike Ogletree: We have somewhat of a sports bar.</p><p>00:29:20.730 –&gt; 00:29:23.760 Mike Ogletree: You know I mean we have we try to promote.</p><p>00:29:25.440 –&gt; 00:29:37.320 Mike Ogletree: Local events we try to promote regional events that kind of thing, but you know which we try to have just a casual area in one side of the restaurant just for people who like that type of thing you know I mean.</p><p>00:29:38.850 –&gt; 00:29:40.650 Joseph McElroy: Are you usually hear some noise that’s really.</p><p>00:29:40.980 –&gt; 00:29:49.530 Mike Ogletree: We do have music, we do have we have we’ve had we have usually we have only had lb and then we have a band.</p><p>00:29:49.620 –&gt; 00:29:50.790 That includes ld.</p><p>00:29:51.810 –&gt; 00:30:02.790 Mike Ogletree: Which is just unbelievable they’re both unbelievable but we’ve had him for about four or five years that’s something my mother brought in about I guess now yeah I guess about five or six years ago and it’s just.</p><p>00:30:03.540 –&gt; 00:30:12.840 Mike Ogletree: it’s been great you know I mean it draws a little bit more than people who might not necessarily want to eat dinner but might like to listen to music and have a drink so.</p><p>00:30:14.490 –&gt; 00:30:15.360 Joseph McElroy: Let me just say.</p><p>00:30:15.540 –&gt; 00:30:20.370 Joseph McElroy: The drinks are lonely I was there two nights ago and I had a really great old fashion.</p><p>00:30:22.080 –&gt; 00:30:27.120 Joseph McElroy: No yeah I could I could it says J Arthur has an excellent bar.</p><p>00:30:28.680 –&gt; 00:30:39.420 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back we’ll take a break and we talk a little bit about you know J Arthur’s in the Community and in the industry and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:30:39.720 –&gt; 00:30:40.350 Mike Ogletree: that sound good, sounds great.</p><p>00:33:19.140 –&gt; 00:33:26.100 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Erin</p><p>00:33:27.270 –&gt; 00:33:27.960 Joseph McElroy:Erin</p><p>00:33:28.320 –&gt; 00:33:29.490 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:33:29.700 –&gt; 00:33:37.290 Joseph McElroy: You know I think one of the best things about your restaurant and I’m totally biased, because my boss, the father built this the physical.</p><p>00:33:39.930 –&gt; 00:33:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Building can you describe it for the people that are listening.</p><p>00:33:44.340 –&gt; 00:33:52.440 Mike Ogletree: Well most people say in and if it’s theater this is gonna sound really ignorant, but unless you will say it’s a large Cedar, Kevin.</p><p>00:33:54.630 –&gt; 00:33:55.140 Mike Ogletree: But it.</p><p>00:33:56.310 –&gt; 00:34:03.600 Mike Ogletree: it’s just a beautiful building, I mean it’s just like that you know your dad built our House too, and this is everything about it is just perfect and.</p><p>00:34:05.010 –&gt; 00:34:17.580 Mike Ogletree: I know that it is, it was made in its time, it was built in, as time and but I mean like there’s nothing I would change about it, I don’t think.</p><p>00:34:18.000 –&gt; 00:34:20.430 Mike Ogletree: That you know, obviously the inside decor needs to be a.</p><p>00:34:20.610 –&gt; 00:34:23.790 Mike Ogletree: Little updated as we need to change with times, but like.</p><p>00:34:25.260 –&gt; 00:34:29.820 Mike Ogletree: Yes, I mean there’s there I don’t think there was anyone else that that could have done anything better with.</p><p>00:34:30.150 –&gt; 00:34:31.080 With our House you don’t.</p><p>00:34:32.220 –&gt; 00:34:51.510 Joseph McElroy: To tell a couple of stories about it, one is is those you know it’s got these huge you know it’s like huge giant ceilings right here, but these are scale that is rare to do right so it’s like it’s so area it’s all would but it’s so area it’s not like you’re.</p><p>00:34:54.660 –&gt; 00:34:59.880 Joseph McElroy: Doing like this it wouldn’t Wonderland right you got a little train that goes around that.</p><p>00:34:59.940 –&gt; 00:35:15.540 Mike Ogletree: Well, yes, yes, and I can tell you anytime in the if the train is not running over you know the training is under construction or whatever might need to be done as people notice it, I mean those are details that I think that people come there for.</p><p>00:35:17.010 –&gt; 00:35:18.420 Mike Ogletree: You know and.</p><p>00:35:20.520 –&gt; 00:35:24.180 Mike Ogletree: That has been it’s been that way for years, like since since since we’ve started.</p><p>00:35:25.470 –&gt; 00:35:29.310 Mike Ogletree: there are just certain things that like I think you expect to see it places it’s like.</p><p>00:35:29.760 –&gt; 00:35:35.340 Mike Ogletree: And when you don’t see them you’re kind of miffed I mean people, especially people who have been coming here for years and years.</p><p>00:35:35.730 –&gt; 00:35:49.050 Mike Ogletree: And people who came in here as children, and then they the next generation comes along they want to bring their children and something’s not right it’s like we’re the trains, why are they not working, you know I mean and like that’s a big deal.</p><p>00:35:49.500 –&gt; 00:35:50.160 Mike Ogletree: Oh no.</p><p>00:35:51.390 –&gt; 00:35:54.000 Mike Ogletree: You know there’s definitely an A.</p><p>00:35:54.060 –&gt; 00:35:55.080 lot of nostalgic.</p><p>00:35:56.580 –&gt; 00:35:57.120 Joseph McElroy: Wonderful.</p><p>00:35:58.830 –&gt; 00:36:08.670 Joseph McElroy: yeah wonderful for Christmas and don’t you get me having a largest indoor Christmas tree and least Haywood county but maybe.</p><p>00:36:08.670 –&gt; 00:36:09.150 Joseph McElroy: Also North Carolina</p><p>00:36:09.420 –&gt; 00:36:14.730 Mike Ogletree: yes, yes, I feel like Of course, I think I’m going to say that we have the biggest Christmas tree.</p><p>00:36:15.120 –&gt; 00:36:27.720 Mike Ogletree: But you know I feel like it rivals sometimes a rival it definitely rivals the Biltmore House you know, last year we had the first tree we had, and we had to change it out after about 10 days.</p><p>00:36:28.860 –&gt; 00:36:37.710 Mike Ogletree: ago we changed it out and it was just outstanding it was even better than I imagined the first time and it’s just one of those things that people you know I mean like.</p><p>00:36:38.220 –&gt; 00:36:49.740 Mike Ogletree: People come to the restaurant, a lot of times, not only for the food and for the hospitality, but for just for that nostalgia for that this is how good it feels you know this is how I felt.</p><p>00:36:50.130 –&gt; 00:36:56.580 Mike Ogletree: When I was you know 10 or 15 years ago, how I felt, and so I want my kids to feel you know, so I think that.</p><p>00:36:57.600 –&gt; 00:37:03.180 Mike Ogletree: there’s a lot to be said for that and we take a lot of pride in that you know I mean I even though it’s a few times a year.</p><p>00:37:03.780 –&gt; 00:37:16.080 Mike Ogletree: um I think that people remember that and I can’t tell you how many people come in, they say oh, you know this is either bigger or smaller you know, whatever it might be but um it just.</p><p>00:37:16.830 –&gt; 00:37:26.670 Mike Ogletree: It makes a mark on my soul and makes you know that, like those are the things that that are important, you know and then there are the things that we need to keep up with.</p><p>00:37:27.480 –&gt; 00:37:30.330 Joseph McElroy: And you have these two giant fireplaces in there right.</p><p>00:37:30.810 –&gt; 00:37:37.470 Joseph McElroy: Yeah and you know I don’t know if that told you, the story, but you know at the time he employed.</p><p>00:37:38.760 –&gt; 00:37:52.290 Joseph McElroy: rock mason’s that were Cherokee Indian right and people don’t know that a lot of Cherokee Indian when they were building the one of the parkway was building the blue Ridge Parkway was being built, they actually brought it.</p><p>00:37:55.170 –&gt; 00:38:01.710 Joseph McElroy: To missions to build the rock the rock works for bridges and things like that, but.</p><p>00:38:02.760 –&gt; 00:38:07.920 Joseph McElroy: But they have assistance and they used because there’s a lot of things in Cherokee they use Cherokee assistance.</p><p>00:38:08.220 –&gt; 00:38:18.390 Joseph McElroy: For the all, a lot of the Cherokee learn how to do really great art-rock rock work like Italian medicines, so that employ those for you know the high end stuff that he.</p><p>00:38:18.990 –&gt; 00:38:34.530 Joseph McElroy: Employed them for high-end stuff that he did, and so he employed them for the record in your restaurant, but you know, one of the things that was a sort of a semi-secret is that every chair every rock bass and had their own signature.</p><p>00:38:34.680 –&gt; 00:38:35.100 yeah.</p><p>00:38:36.750 –&gt; 00:38:45.150 Joseph McElroy: Maybe an animal they put into design or the rockwork or maybe they balanced giant triangle different once you remember, which one that they.</p><p>00:38:45.750 –&gt; 00:38:47.220 Mike Ogletree: Had on we had.</p><p>00:38:47.460 –&gt; 00:38:53.850 Mike Ogletree: We have to arrowheads actually like the two arrowheads one of each fireplace and.</p><p>00:38:54.090 –&gt; 00:38:54.600 Mike Ogletree: That.</p><p>00:38:54.750 –&gt; 00:39:01.830 Mike Ogletree: Was I can’t remember the gentleman’s name, but my gosh she’s so talented but it’s at the very top of both of</p><p>00:39:02.580 –&gt; 00:39:19.920 Mike Ogletree: The tune of the inside of the chimneys would you know the rock work and then there’s I find the one arrowhead very easily in the lounge and the dining room it’s a little more difficult, but I mean the work is so intricate it’s just amazing It really is amazingly cool.</p><p>00:39:20.550 –&gt; 00:39:26.100 Joseph McElroy: um how was your reception into Maggie Valley, with the restaurant first opens.</p><p>00:39:28.020 –&gt; 00:39:37.860 Mike Ogletree: um I think you know, I was, I was much, much younger that time, so I think a lot of that I probably didn’t pick up on but um I know that.</p><p>00:39:40.020 –&gt; 00:39:44.910 Mike Ogletree: You know, to make your mark anywhere, you have to really do your time, and you have to.</p><p>00:39:45.330 –&gt; 00:40:00.720 Mike Ogletree: You have to do your own work and make your mark and just be as good as you can be and support your community, and I think that it was probably I would say it was probably tough back then, but I mean I like I said, I think that.</p><p>00:40:03.090 –&gt; 00:40:03.420 Mike Ogletree: Might.</p><p>00:40:03.720 –&gt; 00:40:05.190 Joseph McElroy: be the kid what everybody over.</p><p>00:40:05.940 –&gt; 00:40:14.400 Mike Ogletree: This do is whenever you ever but you know, it was a bit of a higher-end type thing I would say, at first, even then, and.</p><p>00:40:15.090 –&gt; 00:40:27.210 Mike Ogletree: I just think maybe there was some resistance, but I mean, I think that you know hard work and persistence and like you know consistency, I think, pays off a lot and in, even so, you know you’re.</p><p>00:40:28.380 –&gt; 00:40:30.630 Mike Ogletree: you’re going to make mistakes, but I think that like.</p><p>00:40:31.950 –&gt; 00:40:35.850 Mike Ogletree: there’s a lot to be said for longevity and.</p><p>00:40:37.350 –&gt; 00:40:42.420 Mike Ogletree: You know, consistency and just commitment to our Community, and I think that that’s.</p><p>00:40:43.230 –&gt; 00:40:55.500 Mike Ogletree: Where we are at this point, I think that you know we have to stick together, we have to, we have to do our own work in our Community and just continue to better ourselves every day and people around us as well yeah.</p><p>00:40:55.800 –&gt; 00:41:10.350 Joseph McElroy: I know that you have another beautiful balcony area where you get private dining and then you have yeah both of the dining room and the sports club area, you get a lot of events that come there that the red.</p><p>00:41:11.910 –&gt; 00:41:12.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:41:12.480 –&gt; 00:41:28.230 Mike Ogletree: yeah we got a lot of we get a lot of why we get several you know wedding receptions or rehearsals dinners and then we also do in a car tour groups there’s recent there have been more tour groups this area.</p><p>00:41:29.580 –&gt; 00:41:37.470 Mike Ogletree: We had a, for example, this past weekend, we had a corvette tour group coming through, but you know it’s all walks of life it’s just.</p><p>00:41:39.330 –&gt; 00:41:44.370 Mike Ogletree: We do we were very blessed in that area because we have the space to do it and.</p><p>00:41:44.970 –&gt; 00:41:50.070 Mike Ogletree: And for sure we have the staff at this point to do it to you know I mean it’s just um.</p><p>00:41:50.460 –&gt; 00:41:56.790 Mike Ogletree: Any of these groups like they like the one that was here and, to be honest with you, other than outside of last year and the year before.</p><p>00:41:57.240 –&gt; 00:42:03.480 Mike Ogletree: I’m not necessarily I don’t can’t say that I specifically remember, other than going back and looking at it, but.</p><p>00:42:04.230 –&gt; 00:42:19.110 Mike Ogletree: They said, you know we’ve been coming here for 1618 years which you know that that is a huge deal to me it means very much to me that someone that a group of 40 50 60 70 people comes back, year after year after year and.</p><p>00:42:19.680 –&gt; 00:42:20.310 Joseph McElroy: That kind of.</p><p>00:42:20.460 –&gt; 00:42:22.680 Joseph McElroy: You know I had somebody posts on Facebook.</p><p>00:42:24.180 –&gt; 00:42:26.550 Joseph McElroy: Pictures of their honeymoon in the 60s at the.</p><p>00:42:26.550 –&gt; 00:42:27.660 Mike Ogletree: dealer yes.</p><p>00:42:28.110 –&gt; 00:42:28.530 Right.</p><p>00:42:30.120 –&gt; 00:42:30.720 Mike Ogletree: Wonderful.</p><p>00:42:31.080 –&gt; 00:42:38.160 Joseph McElroy: And I have people come by and say we’ve been coming every year for 14 years right yeah, so it is it’s like.</p><p>00:42:38.910 –&gt; 00:42:39.900 Mike Ogletree: Every time.</p><p>00:42:40.260 –&gt; 00:42:54.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you a lot of businesses and Maggie valley and even the surrounding areas and haven county did not do, particularly well after 2012 and ghost town sort of clothes for good, how did you do.</p><p>00:42:57.750 –&gt; 00:42:58.440 Mike Ogletree: Well, I mean.</p><p>00:43:00.060 –&gt; 00:43:15.600 Mike Ogletree: It was very difficult it was a huge shift, you know I mean you had to wear you know, in the past, not you couldn’t necessarily hang your hat on that, but you know you had people here because of that town and they were kind of.</p><p>00:43:17.490 –&gt; 00:43:26.040 Mike Ogletree: They were here and they would say, and they will eat I mean it was a huge challenge I shouldn’t sugarcoat it, it was a huge challenge.</p><p>00:43:26.520 –&gt; 00:43:30.300 Mike Ogletree: And it’s still has been you know it’s like, how can we.</p><p>00:43:30.990 –&gt; 00:43:38.520 Mike Ogletree: bring people to our area we need to draw them because you know like used to we didn’t have to draw the families and because we had you know.</p><p>00:43:38.880 –&gt; 00:43:47.460 Mike Ogletree: We had hot wheels and water bugs we had ghost town, we had the magic waters ever in Cherokee we had you know I mean there’s a lot of like historic things that went on here.</p><p>00:43:48.540 –&gt; 00:43:59.400 Mike Ogletree: That we just didn’t really have to make too much of emotion, to get them to come here, you know, we had trout ponds, we had water slides we have like a lot of stuff for families and this is fabulous what I mean.</p><p>00:43:59.670 –&gt; 00:44:09.030 Mike Ogletree: I feel like this is an area where families come because they feel like it’s safe and it’s fun and it’s a good vacation for their you know for everyone and.</p><p>00:44:09.900 –&gt; 00:44:19.980 Mike Ogletree: So you know I think we had to be a little more strategic and it was tough for several years and it still is tough every day is tough but, like, I think that the more that we can just.</p><p>00:44:21.450 –&gt; 00:44:35.010 Mike Ogletree: promote our you know the people that we work with and we work among you know and the natural beauty of our area, I think that um I mean we can’t hang your hat on someone else’s business forever you really can’t.</p><p>00:44:35.280 –&gt; 00:44:40.470 Joseph McElroy: and listen we weren’t just ghost hunters also mountain culture mountain heritage.</p><p>00:44:40.560 –&gt; 00:44:40.950 Mike Ogletree: you’re right.</p><p>00:44:41.250 –&gt; 00:44:53.190 Joseph McElroy: A lot of giving and that’s what we’re promoting yeah mountain cultural heritage and having music and food and different things, and you know we saw a lot of families this year I don’t know if you saw but the swimming pool.</p><p>00:44:53.190 –&gt; 00:44:54.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah the US.</p><p>00:44:59.340 –&gt; 00:45:07.110 Joseph McElroy: More these handsome young people were using it, so it was a sea change this year in terms of you know.</p><p>00:45:08.790 –&gt; 00:45:19.140 Joseph McElroy: We still have the nostalgic crowd, but we also started getting people that just want to experience the now and enjoy culture authentic right.</p><p>00:45:19.530 –&gt; 00:45:20.730 Mike Ogletree: Absolutely, yes.</p><p>00:45:20.820 –&gt; 00:45:26.730 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool and I love being able to say somebody says, where do you go to go get some neat so I’ll look across the street.</p><p>00:45:28.470 –&gt; 00:45:29.850 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s pretty cool.</p><p>00:45:31.140 –&gt; 00:45:37.020 Joseph McElroy: So, to come back with our final segment, I want to talk about how you guys got to be in a famous movie.</p><p>00:45:37.860 –&gt; 00:45:39.000 Mike Ogletree: Okay, that sounds great.</p><p>00:47:42.960 –&gt; 00:47:51.750 Joseph McElroy: hey this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Erin Mahoney so Aaron.</p><p>00:47:53.250 –&gt; 00:47:56.400 Joseph McElroy: So you know watching a movie one day.</p><p>00:47:58.800 –&gt; 00:48:08.430 Joseph McElroy: And all of a sudden, I see frogs and I go oh my God it’s J Arthur’s restaurant I recognize it like it was my backyard, my home I.</p><p>00:48:09.660 –&gt; 00:48:13.950 Joseph McElroy: was three what three billboards out of what was the name million.</p><p>00:48:14.610 –&gt; 00:48:15.690 Mike Ogletree: Evans Missouri.</p><p>00:48:15.840 –&gt; 00:48:18.300 Joseph McElroy: Evans Missouri to how did that come about.</p><p>00:48:19.380 –&gt; 00:48:24.570 Mike Ogletree: Well um they kind of just solicited us and asked.</p><p>00:48:26.520 –&gt; 00:48:31.710 Mike Ogletree: asked if they could use our building it was you know, of course, it was in season, it was like in June.</p><p>00:48:33.960 –&gt; 00:48:38.040 Mike Ogletree: And we kind of went back and forth, and you know they did some filming over in Silva.</p><p>00:48:39.660 –&gt; 00:48:49.290 Mike Ogletree: And they were kind of on the fence, whether they were going to use us or not, and it was very quick, it was about 10 days before they said Okay, we need to this day and.</p><p>00:48:50.280 –&gt; 00:48:56.640 Mike Ogletree: You know, all of a sudden, there were a bunch of trailers and everything’s set up in the parking lot the restaurant and.</p><p>00:48:57.870 –&gt; 00:48:58.920 Mike Ogletree: It was.</p><p>00:48:59.040 –&gt; 00:49:16.260 Mike Ogletree: It was a little tough because it was an all-day thing, and you know they use the fire department as kind of a staging area and they asked if we had any people that would like to be walk-ons are staying whatever they call them standards that kind of thing.</p><p>00:49:18.480 –&gt; 00:49:26.220 Mike Ogletree: However, we don’t know that we knew were signing up for because it was you know, it was very, very long hours, of course.</p><p>00:49:27.930 –&gt; 00:49:44.130 Mike Ogletree: No air conditioning and it was multiple you know multiple scenes with a lot of different food men prepared and that kind of thing it was so rewarding it was just it was just amazing like Of course I don’t know that anyone thought it would be as huge as it was.</p><p>00:49:45.900 –&gt; 00:49:46.650 Mike Ogletree: But it was great and.</p><p>00:49:47.760 –&gt; 00:49:50.010 Joseph McElroy: Independent movie that was gonna be yes.</p><p>00:49:50.670 –&gt; 00:50:04.380 Mike Ogletree: Right exactly right and, to this day, I have people that will that you know I have customers that will come in and they’ll say, well, we want to sit in this table we’re going to see exactly where they said, like Where do they say and what did they do, and who did you know and.</p><p>00:50:05.640 –&gt; 00:50:06.720 Mike Ogletree: I just remember.</p><p>00:50:08.280 –&gt; 00:50:10.650 Mike Ogletree: It was just very, very.</p><p>00:50:13.080 –&gt; 00:50:26.610 Mike Ogletree: mean just the local people that came out to support the movie and the filming of the movie and who you know who want to just be involved, whether they were on screen or not it was just incredible like the support, I guess, I should say.</p><p>00:50:26.820 –&gt; 00:50:27.150 well.</p><p>00:50:28.350 –&gt; 00:50:37.440 Mike Ogletree: It was just it was wonderful and even to this day, you know we have a couple of posters inside the building let’s say either people will be like Oh well, this is where they sat or you know.</p><p>00:50:37.950 –&gt; 00:50:45.150 Mike Ogletree: Oh, my gosh I didn’t know this was filmed here, you know, and then you kind of set the scene, and people can kind of see it and it just brings them back a little bit, which is nice.</p><p>00:50:46.830 –&gt; 00:50:47.070 Joseph McElroy: I mean.</p><p>00:50:47.460 –&gt; 00:50:49.530 Joseph McElroy: People over here that was filmed over there and it’s.</p><p>00:50:50.250 –&gt; 00:50:50.610 Mike Ogletree: I mean.</p><p>00:50:51.270 –&gt; 00:50:57.390 Joseph McElroy: It helps you know it’s like everything little story X built in the story of their experience I call it.</p><p>00:50:59.580 –&gt; 00:51:00.450 Mike Ogletree: What do you call it.</p><p>00:51:01.980 –&gt; 00:51:10.830 Joseph McElroy: study but normal tourism experiences so does it make the memories flashbulb memories, so all little things add to that’s another one.</p><p>00:51:11.220 –&gt; 00:51:22.860 Joseph McElroy: In fact, we’re probably we’re starting some tours for that’ll originate from the metal art and one of them will be like the movies, you know we’re movies, are shot, yes, you get a lot of movies shot in this area.</p><p>00:51:24.000 –&gt; 00:51:25.740 Joseph McElroy: So that would be kind of cool.</p><p>00:51:25.950 –&gt; 00:51:27.690 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah.</p><p>00:51:28.170 –&gt; 00:51:30.180 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely yeah.</p><p>00:51:30.390 –&gt; 00:51:31.140 Mike Ogletree: yeah it was a great.</p><p>00:51:31.170 –&gt; 00:51:46.920 Mike Ogletree: It was a great experience and so thrilled that you know that was that we were able to do that and just you know before that like years ago we had, I mean I guess the most before that, prior to that the only thing we had uncle ben’s at one point shot a commercial.</p><p>00:51:46.950 –&gt; 00:51:49.290 Mike Ogletree: did a commercial at the restaurant you, these are kitchen.</p><p>00:51:51.240 –&gt; 00:51:52.170 Mike Ogletree: But that you know.</p><p>00:51:52.440 –&gt; 00:51:53.070 Mike Ogletree: The outside of.</p><p>00:51:53.730 –&gt; 00:51:58.020 Joseph McElroy: Food that you know Maggie Maggie valley and Haywood County so.</p><p>00:52:00.780 –&gt; 00:52:05.460 Joseph McElroy: Out of wide-open spaces, that people can do big things here right.</p><p>00:52:05.700 –&gt; 00:52:06.090 Like well.</p><p>00:52:07.530 –&gt; 00:52:07.920 Mike Ogletree: As a</p><p>00:52:07.980 –&gt; 00:52:08.550 Mike Ogletree: plan ahead and.</p><p>00:52:09.390 –&gt; 00:52:10.860 Mike Ogletree: You know I mean.</p><p>00:52:11.910 –&gt; 00:52:12.510 Mike Ogletree: Yes.</p><p>00:52:12.960 –&gt; 00:52:13.740 Joseph McElroy: No, I.</p><p>00:52:14.880 –&gt; 00:52:22.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah there’s like you know you come around here you don’t know that there’s like a way up in the mountains or there’s a five-star place called the swag.</p><p>00:52:23.550 –&gt; 00:52:34.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah or you have a great you have an idea, you can get it a world-class prime rib you know a place in the valley, or even stay and experience Grammy award-winning musicians.</p><p>00:52:36.720 –&gt; 00:52:37.050 Mike Ogletree: yeah.</p><p>00:52:37.680 –&gt; 00:52:38.910 Joseph McElroy: roadside motel.</p><p>00:52:38.940 –&gt; 00:52:39.960 Mike Ogletree: Right yes right.</p><p>00:52:41.250 –&gt; 00:52:48.120 Joseph McElroy: So you know it’s a wonderful place to visit So where do you think Maggie valleys heading now.</p><p>00:52:49.470 –&gt; 00:52:51.780 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t think what is it what is it becoming.</p><p>00:52:54.720 –&gt; 00:53:04.080 Mike Ogletree: I think that we are, we are just growing up, I think that you know um I think are unique this kind of defines us like I think that.</p><p>00:53:05.100 –&gt; 00:53:19.080 Mike Ogletree: There are so many different intricate places around this area that like that you wouldn’t expect around the corner and you know what I think the more unique, we are, the more we put ourselves on the map and.</p><p>00:53:20.850 –&gt; 00:53:27.630 Mike Ogletree: We just you know, I think that we just need to continue to evolve and we need to continue to.</p><p>00:53:28.920 –&gt; 00:53:36.060 Mike Ogletree: I don’t want to say go with the flow that sounds so routine, but I think that, like we, we need to be able to be fluid because.</p><p>00:53:38.070 –&gt; 00:53:48.930 Mike Ogletree: We need to survive and we’ve survived with, I think that we have survived some pretty crappy times I hate to say you know, I think that we’ve had some really low times in this area, and I think that.</p><p>00:53:49.140 –&gt; 00:53:50.610 Mike Ogletree: You know, we bounce back.</p><p>00:53:51.270 –&gt; 00:53:52.350 Joseph McElroy: from somebody the ghost.</p><p>00:53:53.490 –&gt; 00:53:55.890 Joseph McElroy: ghost town might be coming back what do you think about that.</p><p>00:53:56.190 –&gt; 00:54:02.790 Mike Ogletree: Well, I mean I have high hopes for this and I’ve always had high hopes for that like I have so many fond memories there it goes down.</p><p>00:54:03.270 –&gt; 00:54:08.040 Mike Ogletree: But at the same time, I think that you know we all need to do our own work, and we need to like.</p><p>00:54:08.760 –&gt; 00:54:22.680 Mike Ogletree: grow together as a community and just move forward like God, I hope that they hope that that would be the best thing for this area, but you know I don’t think that we should stay awake at night and and and think that we’re gonna.</p><p>00:54:24.600 –&gt; 00:54:26.310 Mike Ogletree: know we have so many good things around.</p><p>00:54:27.180 –&gt; 00:54:28.890 Joseph McElroy: motorcycle Museum in the world.</p><p>00:54:31.620 –&gt; 00:54:32.010 Joseph McElroy: music.</p><p>00:54:32.040 –&gt; 00:54:35.820 Mike Ogletree: And we have a stellar puzzle room, we have.</p><p>00:54:36.180 –&gt; 00:54:41.790 Joseph McElroy: yeah we are we have southernmost ski resort and in the United States.</p><p>00:54:42.810 –&gt; 00:54:45.720 Mike Ogletree: You know within like we have a lot of natural beauty to</p><p>00:54:45.810 –&gt; 00:54:46.290 Mike Ogletree: me like.</p><p>00:54:47.070 –&gt; 00:54:55.680 Mike Ogletree: there are just so many things that like draw people in this area like I don’t think that we should just expand our horizons all of it and just keep on.</p><p>00:54:56.190 –&gt; 00:54:59.910 Joseph McElroy: So I didn’t have time to go through full of its itineraries.</p><p>00:55:03.000 –&gt; 00:55:05.220 Joseph McElroy: At least you know, the food industry.</p><p>00:55:06.240 –&gt; 00:55:10.230 Joseph McElroy: Where would somebody go for breakfast and where would somebody go for lunch in this area.</p><p>00:55:10.680 –&gt; 00:55:19.890 Mike Ogletree: Well, I would definitely go if I were going to get a breakfast I’m good either POPs like outstanding or in for breakfast.</p><p>00:55:21.030 –&gt; 00:55:32.880 Mike Ogletree: I would go to my favorite like my favorite view in this area is a mountain air in my gosh is outstanding like you know I mean you have to have some time but I mean it is well worth it.</p><p>00:55:33.330 –&gt; 00:55:41.250 Mike Ogletree: And then, like the sandwich shop next door to your business is like the best sandwich you can get in this area like.</p><p>00:55:42.210 –&gt; 00:55:48.660 Joseph McElroy: A sandwich shop, is it got unbelievable I mean the other day, I said that sandwich shop I would eat out in New York City.</p><p>00:55:49.140 –&gt; 00:55:50.550 Mike Ogletree: Yes, yeah.</p><p>00:55:52.290 –&gt; 00:55:53.190 Joseph McElroy: Even better than that.</p><p>00:55:53.580 –&gt; 00:55:54.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah no.</p><p>00:55:54.360 –&gt; 00:55:55.740 Mike Ogletree: You wouldn’t you absolutely.</p><p>00:55:56.220 –&gt; 00:55:56.820 I mean like.</p><p>00:55:58.050 –&gt; 00:56:00.300 Joseph McElroy: So we’re running out of time, so what.</p><p>00:56:03.960 –&gt; 00:56:04.590 Joseph McElroy: about you.</p><p>00:56:07.020 –&gt; 00:56:08.070 Mike Ogletree: i’m saying if you’re.</p><p>00:56:08.490 –&gt; 00:56:12.330 Joseph McElroy: With people finding out more about you were really out of time, so I just want to.</p><p>00:56:12.570 –&gt; 00:56:19.530 Mike Ogletree: do absolutely like it, you can contact me at the restaurant and JArthursrest@ gmail.com</p><p>00:56:20.970 –&gt; 00:56:21.870 Mike Ogletree: or our website.</p><p>00:56:23.460 –&gt; 00:56:26.670 Mike Ogletree: jarthurrestaurant and yeah.</p><p>00:56:27.390 –&gt; 00:56:30.450 Joseph McElroy: Why you have social media that you follow the people should follow.</p><p>00:56:31.830 –&gt; 00:56:36.360 Mike Ogletree: I just adjust the restaurant but of course Facebook is just the restaurant.</p><p>00:56:37.350 –&gt; 00:56:42.510 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well, thank you very much for being on the show all right.</p><p>00:56:42.780 –&gt; 00:56:47.100 Mike Ogletree: Thank you I’m honored yeah happy to do it again, we can talk about something else just.</p><p>00:56:47.280 –&gt; 00:56:51.990 Joseph McElroy: All right, yes we’ll talk about talking about feels fishing or quilting or something.</p><p>00:56:53.640 –&gt; 00:56:57.420 Joseph McElroy: I just saw your children are very involved in the art side like to find out more.</p><p>00:56:57.870 –&gt; 00:56:58.890 Mike Ogletree: Very artistic.</p><p>00:56:59.100 –&gt; 00:57:01.020 Joseph McElroy: yeah there’s you know things that.</p><p>00:57:01.530 –&gt; 00:57:02.580 Maybe for next time.</p><p>00:57:05.850 –&gt; 00:57:25.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool um this has been a wonderful show and we’re going to have another show next week, as we do every week Tuesdays from six to seven you find out more about us at the gateway to the smokies.fun or even Facebook, a gatewaytothesmokiespodcast.</p><p>00:57:26.730 –&gt; 00:57:33.720 Joseph McElroy: We are on the talkradio.NYC network, which has a lot of live podcasts.</p><p>00:57:34.740 –&gt; 00:57:46.050 Joseph McElroy: And one of which is a New York podcast that follows after this it talks about you know, tourism and things to do in New York, so I think you should watch that but it’s got a wonderful network with the live podcast.</p><p>00:57:47.760 –&gt; 00:57:49.170 Joseph McElroy: I am</p><p>00:57:50.760 –&gt; 00:58:01.200 Joseph McElroy: you know the I have a site called smokiesaadventure.com if you.</p><p>00:58:04.830 –&gt; 00:58:12.240 Joseph McElroy: have information about traveling the smokies places to do and there’s a whole area from Tennessee to North Carolina to all the way up to</p><p>00:58:12.840 –&gt; 00:58:30.120 Joseph McElroy: Virginia down to Georgia, and you know it’s got roadmaps it’s got books it’s got itineraries and I love you visit there so I’ll see you next week, thank you very much, as the gateway to the smokies podcast with Erin Mahoney and your host Joseph Franklyn McElroy.</p><p>00:58:30.390 –&gt; 00:58:31.140 Mike Ogletree: Thanks Joseph.</p> 47c96b54-9582-4d26-b385-bc785c83d951 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/5336d99c-6661-4457-be0d-4ed27c36d63e Wed, 01 Sep 2021 03:32:04 +0000 3009 no full Episode 31: Music on the Fly (fishing) in the Smokies with Charles Humphrey III Episode 31: Music on the Fly (fishing) in the Smokies with Charles Humphrey III Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><span>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Charles Humphrey III, a Grammy Award-winning Songwriter, Producer and Musician. Currently leading his own group – the Songs from the Road Band – Humphrey was a charter member of the acclaimed Steep Canyon Rangers for 15 years and performed around the world.</span></p><p><span>Aside from being a musician, he is also an expert fly-fishing guide and endurance runner. Joseph and Charles will talk about Music on the Fly (fishing) in the Smokies.</span></p><p><span>Tune in for this fun conversation at </span><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><span> or watch the </span><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><span>.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Tonight’s show starts off with special announcements from tonight’s sponsors. Then host Joseph, introduces special guest Charles Humphrey III. Charles introduces himself and how he got into to begin with back in middle school and how it followed him through college and after. He explained how music helped him through a transitional time in his life and how blessed he felt because of it. </span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>Coming back from the break, Joseph brings out a quote from a magazine coverage from Charles and his bluegrass band. Charles explains bluegrass and the significance of this quote. With his band, Charles wants to spread joy with his audience through his music. He talks about the record label that he founded and shares the story of how it was named. Before the break, Charles talks about fly fishing and how he finds it very meditating. He loves doing it with others and connects it to his songwriting, in that he loves collaborating with others as well. He talks about some of his favorite song writing collaborations. </span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>This segment of tonight’s episode talks about a songwriting bootcamp that Charles is partnering up with in order to create a community of new and old songwriters to get together and create music. A great opportunity for new writers to meet and learn from more experienced writers and for older writers to collaborate with each other and get fresh new ideas. The conversation goes back to fly fishing, where Charles talks more about his favorite locations to fish. He drops ways to contact Charles and his company in order to find out more about trout ventures and other fly fishing related questions. </span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>Charles starts the last segment with a small story. He then goes through his go to places to visit that he recommends to visitors. He gives great taco place recommendations and parks to visit. The podcast ends with Host Joseph announcing more special events and announcements from sponsors.</span></p> Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Charles Humphrey III, a Grammy Award-winning Songwriter, Producer, and Musician. Currently leading his own group – the Songs from the Road Band – Humphrey was a charter member of the acclaimed Steep Canyon Rangers for 15 years and performed around the world.

Aside from being a musician, he is also an expert fly-fishing guide and endurance runner. Joseph and Charles will talk about Music on the Fly (fishing) in the Smokies.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.

Segment 1

Tonight’s show starts off with special announcements from tonight’s sponsors. Then host Joseph introduces a special guest Charles Humphrey III. Charles introduces himself and how he got into, to begin with back in middle school and how it followed him through college and after. He explained how music helped him through a transitional time in his life and how blessed he felt because of it. 

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Joseph brings out a quote from a magazine coverage from Charles and his bluegrass band. Charles explains bluegrass and the significance of this quote. With his band, Charles wants to spread joy to his audience through his music. He talks about the record label that he founded and shares the story of how it was named. Before the break, Charles talks about fly fishing and how he finds it very meditating. He loves doing it with others and connects it to his songwriting, in that he loves collaborating with others as well. He talks about some of his favorite songwriting collaborations. 

Segment 3

This segment of tonight’s episode talks about a songwriting Bootcamp that Charles is partnering up with in order to create a community of new and old songwriters to get together and create music. A great opportunity for new writers to meet and learn from more experienced writers and for older writers to collaborate with each other and get fresh new ideas. The conversation goes back to fly fishing, where Charles talks more about his favorite locations to fish. He drops ways to contact Charles and his company in order to find out more about trout ventures and other fly fishing-related questions. 

Segment 4

Charles starts the last segment with a small story. He then goes through his go-to places to visit that he recommends to visitors. He gives great taco place recommendations and parks to visit. The podcast ends with Host Joseph announcing more special events and announcements from sponsors.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIPT

00:03:18.480 –> 00:03:30.480 Joseph McElroy: hey welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited national parks great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.

00:03:30.960 –> 00:03:39.810 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty and deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:03:40.320 –> 00:03:52.440 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:03:53.340 –> 00:04:00.510 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking about music and fly fishing and the mountain of the smokies but first will tell you about our sponsors.

00:04:01.710 –> 00:04:05.460 Joseph McElroy: So I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts

00:04:08.310 –> 00:04:14.880 Joseph McElroy: of the past modern and vibrant with the Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:04:15.300 –> 00:04:24.330 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on the fire, eat accompanied by the fine wine or craft beers of this area.

00:04:24.690 –> 00:04:39.450 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds there is no, there is no other place like Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:04:40.560 –> 00:04:42.930 Joseph McElroy: we’re at the Meadowlark Motels actually having a.

00:04:44.580 –> 00:04:53.490 Joseph McElroy: Traditional mountain heritage event, this weekend called traditional skills and naturalist weekend it’s going from Friday to Sunday.

00:04:53.910 –> 00:05:04.800 Joseph McElroy: And they’re going to talk about ginseng in the mountain and granny medicine herbs and explore the law of the mountains and we know lectures and wanderings entertaining.

00:05:09.900 –> 00:05:12.060 Joseph McElroy: Music seven o’clock on.

00:05:13.530 –> 00:05:25.650 Joseph McElroy: William Ritters some Scottish Highland heritage music for Mike Ogletree and Saturday there’ll be wildflowers and native plants of Appalachian with the tour guide them naturalist Adam Bigelow who’s on this show.

00:05:26.190 –> 00:05:32.850 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to have the healing powers in the history of ginseng with novelists and naturals Jim Hamilton.

00:05:33.930 –> 00:05:37.290 Joseph McElroy: there’s going to be medicinal herbs and granny medicine with.

00:05:38.910 –> 00:05:48.690 Joseph McElroy: Herbal naturalists and there’s gonna be a program by Tyson Sampson the claim charity naturalist and historian and lecture.

00:05:49.620 –> 00:05:58.260 Joseph McElroy: there’s gonna be an afternoon of woods wandering and discussions, we met with them now naturalist tour guide lecturer and author Abby Artemisia

00:05:59.190 –> 00:06:06.480 Joseph McElroy: there’s gonna be an heirloom seed discussion with acclaimed naturalist historian farmer and musician William Ritters who was on this show.

00:06:10.080 –> 00:06:16.680 Joseph McElroy: me needing more like on Sunday morning as you’re leaving their mission Gospel music and bluegrass.

00:06:17.280 –> 00:06:29.880 Joseph McElroy: You know inspired music and so it’s gonna be a great weekend go to Meadowlarkmotel.com look at the smoky mountain heritage Center to find out information about getting tickets are just coming stay at the hotel all the guests go free.

00:06:31.560 –> 00:06:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking like I said we’re talking about music and fly fishing and we have a great guest Charles Humphrey III is a grammy award-winning songwriter-producer and musician and owner of Lucks Dumpy Toad records.

00:06:47.220 –> 00:06:59.940 Joseph McElroy: And aside from his talents as a musician Charles is also an expert fly fishing guide and an endurance runner and resides with this family in Asheville North Carolina Hello, Charles.

00:07:00.270 –> 00:07:01.590 Charles Humphrey: hey Joseph how you doing buddy?

00:07:01.950 –> 00:07:03.270 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing pretty good.

00:07:03.840 –> 00:07:06.480 Charles Humphrey: Some on the show it’s an honor to be here.

00:07:09.360 –> 00:07:28.380 Joseph McElroy: happy to be honoring me actually I appreciate, you know the I’ve looked at your work and you really are tremendous you know you have a tremendous resume frankly, but you grew up in Greenville North Carolina which is out East I think that’s where ECU is right, yes.

00:07:29.430 –> 00:07:32.100 Joseph McElroy: And, and you love ball sports and.

00:07:32.100 –> 00:07:37.290 Joseph McElroy: What surfing, and you attended and UNC-Chapel hill I put on my do cat now.

00:07:38.040 –> 00:07:38.880 Charles humphrey: Oh, please.

00:07:43.860 –> 00:07:44.670 Charles humphrey: nobody’s perfect.

00:07:44.940 –> 00:07:47.880 Joseph McElroy: nobody’s perfect I got the same thing to say about you, but.

00:07:49.980 –> 00:07:58.440 Joseph McElroy: But you did study classical bass there so I’ll give you a pass you put on the sophisticated like a little bit.

00:08:00.780 –> 00:08:07.410 Joseph McElroy: and international studies and you focus on economics and Latin America, and your plan was certain.

00:08:09.660 –> 00:08:19.080 Joseph McElroy: Costa Rica, so he wrote Grammy award-winning musician living in Asheville North Carolina so my big question is, why did you pick the smoky mountains living.

00:08:20.250 –> 00:08:22.830 Charles Humphrey: Well, the music brought me here for sure.

00:08:23.520 –> 00:08:26.700 Charles Humphrey: it’s a rich cultural area and.

00:08:26.790 –> 00:08:34.710 Charles Humphrey: I’ve been playing music full time since college and it brought me to Asheville there’s a lot to learn there’s a lot of shares a lot of places to perform.

00:08:35.040 –> 00:08:42.600 Charles Humphrey: A lot of inspiration and these mountains and it’s also easy to get in other markets, you know, six, eight hours in any direction you can be in a.

00:08:43.080 –> 00:08:48.570 Charles Humphrey: New musical market so it’s a good place to base if you’re traveling musician as well, but.

00:08:48.990 –> 00:09:00.540 Charles Humphrey: Always love the beach I always grew up like say fishing and surfing there, but I absolutely fell in love with the mountains made in my home, you know get to running and fishing and music and I can’t imagine living anywhere else now.

00:09:01.500 –> 00:09:07.800 Joseph McElroy: And for those of you listening, whether you going to visit here, it just made a major a major point you’re probably with it.

00:09:10.050 –> 00:09:22.290 Joseph McElroy: it’s easily of getting to know right it’s one of the natural wonders of the planet, but you can get here within a few hours, a lot of cases so Charles you know you mentioned, you had a.

00:09:23.610 –> 00:09:32.130 Joseph McElroy: You have a really great resume and we’ll talk a little bit more about it, but when you were a kid were you into music, did you have your own band growing up or something like that.

00:09:33.090 –> 00:09:39.720 Charles Humphrey: I started music in middle school in the orchestra, mainly as a way to get out of class.

00:09:40.680 –> 00:09:49.830 Charles Humphrey: And started on violin and transition to the upright bass didn’t play in high school, I was more into sports and then my freshman year college.

00:09:50.370 –> 00:09:54.630 Charles Humphrey: First week, I was there I had this dream that I was in Carnegie Hall and my buddy Pearl.

00:09:55.140 –> 00:10:05.430 Charles Humphrey: Who we used to cut up with on the upright bass section and middle school showed me how to play the upright bass I started to remember and all these things I’d learned years ago it was like a life-changing dream.

00:10:05.790 –> 00:10:18.540 Charles Humphrey: The very next day, I went out and signed up for classical bass lessons just on my own at the university, and then it turns out, you know, several years later, one of my first gigs touring around.

00:10:19.740 –> 00:10:24.270 Charles Humphrey: With Steve Martin, we actually got to play Carnegie Hall, so it was a dream come true, I thought that was kind of cool.

00:10:26.640 –> 00:10:29.220 Joseph McElroy: It is nice when your childhood dreams come true.

00:10:30.420 –> 00:10:32.040 Joseph McElroy: What was that was as.

00:10:32.040 –> 00:10:32.460 Charles Humphrey: far as.

00:10:32.850 –> 00:10:36.690 Charles Humphrey: As far as growing up with music, though, you know, I was around a lot of country music.

00:10:37.230 –> 00:10:48.960 Charles Humphrey: From my grandfather and that extensive music collection and then, in my dad and I have a younger sister, and if we were misbehaving in the car the punishment was he’d put on our stuff wants across Texas because we hated it.

00:10:49.650 –> 00:10:53.700 Charles Humphrey: And that was our punishment, but I kind of learned to love that awesome.

00:10:56.340 –> 00:11:09.030 Joseph McElroy: So you in college, you did form some friends and relationships with friends you end up creating you know your claim band is the steep Canyon Rangers and you’re with a few.

00:11:10.950 –> 00:11:11.730 Joseph McElroy: years.

00:11:12.750 –> 00:11:20.160 Joseph McElroy: And you but you all started that in college, I mean that’s sort of interesting for you to be cut, did you feel like you are a professional musician in college?

00:11:20.880 –> 00:11:32.460 Charles Humphrey: I think a lot of bands that start out in college start out as friends and have a good launchpad because people come from different backgrounds and people are looking for things to do you know I think that’s a classic story.

00:11:33.540 –> 00:11:38.520 Charles Humphrey: But I’ve really had to work at my craft of music and songwriting especially to hone it.

00:11:38.910 –> 00:11:52.200 Charles Humphrey: To a place and put in your time and travel and learn the business side of things, as well as the performance to truly become professional but it’s always been fun and you know if you’re doing something you love, they say you never work a day in your life.

00:11:52.680 –> 00:12:00.870 Joseph McElroy: Where you know, then you decided to go out and explore your own creativity and different venues.

00:12:02.160 –> 00:12:08.850 Joseph McElroy: And that must have been a difficult decision to do that’s like a life transition right, so you went.

00:12:10.920 –> 00:12:19.860 Joseph McElroy: out and bought thing that was in your youth and then you started approaching middle age let’s say you were in middle age approaching it and you.

00:12:20.640 –> 00:12:29.160 Joseph McElroy: And you really you know went out developed other creative venues other things that you’re doing was it difficult to make that transition for you?

00:12:30.420 –> 00:12:40.770 Charles Humphrey: Well songs from the road band started in 2004 as a recording project based around me Mark Schema can say important who are still in the band kind of been the core.

00:12:41.220 –> 00:12:49.230 Charles Humphrey: And we’ve always supplemented it with friends and other local all-stars to put out it started as a recording band, where we would just.

00:12:49.470 –> 00:12:57.270Charles Humphrey: record songs and share them with the world and then about five or six years ago, we had the opportunity to put the band on the road full time, so we did that.

00:12:57.780 –> 00:13:09.360 Charles Humphrey: And it’s been very rewarding in 2019 we played over 200 shows in one year we’re really beating down the road and then, as everyone knows, covert hit not put the brakes on everything.

00:13:09.870 –> 00:13:20.940 Charles Humphrey: And that was a time of transition for me I’d always a song or it and a lot of it was virtual that during that time, I think I wrote like 140 songs all co-written with other people.

00:13:21.300 –> 00:13:31.410 Charles Humphrey: From right here, where I’m sitting now just like this on a zoom meeting and also opened up the opportunity to become a professional fishing guide, which is something that has always been pursued as a hobby before.

00:13:31.980 –> 00:13:38.070 Charles Humphrey: So there were some Those are some of the blessings of the strange times we’ve been coming through recently.

00:13:39.030 –> 00:13:51.060 Joseph McElroy: So you know I wanted to ask you a question about the name of the band I’m always fascinated by names, a new called it, you guys call it songs from the road, a road band.

00:13:51.570 –> 00:13:52.530 Charles Humphrey: Is there you know.

00:13:52.590 –> 00:13:59.160 Charles Humphrey: it’s an interesting story, the first record was just called songs from the road, because they were songs that I’ve written by traveling the road.

00:13:59.610 –> 00:14:06.120 Charles Humphrey: And then we kept making records, so it kind of became songs on the road band, by default, and then we would title the different records.

00:14:06.510 –> 00:14:17.580Charles Humphrey: So I don’t think I ever truly got a chance to just sit down and think of, hey what really cool band name would be make this band extremely popular nobody’s ever heard of it so.

00:14:17.940 –> 00:14:21.540 Charles Humphrey: We might have missed the button identity but that’s where the name came from.

00:14:22.410 –> 00:14:35.760 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s interesting because you just mentioned, you went on the road 200 times right, so you sort of name your band the brand that you are living it’s all kind of authentic you’re like an authentic brand.

00:14:36.210 –> 00:14:36.900 Charles Humphrey: Right yes.

00:14:36.960 –> 00:14:40.890 Charles Humphrey: We are the troubadours we have probably slept on your couch or.

00:14:42.270 –> 00:14:53.520 Charles Humphrey: Your van or bus or train or plane and inspire it’s an inspiring way of life it’s a hard way of life, I don’t think I ever want to go back to doing that many shows a year.

00:14:53.790 –> 00:15:03.120Charles Humphrey: yeah we’re kind of stepping back and trying to you know to stay relevant in certain markets work on the records and play the festivals and in bigger venues.

00:15:04.050 –> 00:15:10.800 Joseph McElroy: Well cool so um we’re going to take a break, right now, when we come back we’ll talk more about your music and then we’ll get into that fly fishing.

00:15:12.090 –> 00:15:14.220 Charles Humphrey: yeah man let’s do it sounds good to talk about.

00:17:33.060 –> 00:17:43.050 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Charles Humphrey III so Charles.

00:17:44.280 –> 00:17:55.860 Joseph McElroy: I was reading on your website and there was a quote, that said that your band songs from the road band are considered the epitome of a new grass band so tell me what is new grass.

00:17:56.970 –> 00:18:04.500 Charles Humphrey: Man, you know that’s an interesting question I guess well bluegrass is a relatively new form of music started in 1946 with

00:18:05.100 –> 00:18:14.610 Charles Humphrey: Bill Monroe and the other first-generation pioneers like the Stanley brothers and Earl Scruggs and there was a band that came along, new grass revival and they seemed a little.

00:18:15.570 –> 00:18:16.320 Joseph McElroy: little different.

00:18:16.350 –> 00:18:26.340Charles Humphrey: Little more aggressive style play covers, and you know they were considered just you know, for the time just groundbreaking and I’ve always been one of my favorite bands still are.

00:18:27.180 –> 00:18:35.010 Charles Humphrey: And you go back and listen to that stuff now and it’s almost like it sounds traditional compared to some of the new stuff that’s coming out, I mean you’ve got pioneers like.

00:18:36.630 –> 00:18:42.870 Charles Humphrey: Green sky bluegrass and billy strings that are using acoustic instruments, but basically playing rock and roll and.

00:18:43.260 –> 00:18:49.110 Charles Humphrey: Turning people on to bluegrass I’ve never even heard of the genre which is good for everyone, you know the.

00:18:49.590 –> 00:18:59.310 Charles Humphrey: a rising tide raises all the boats and we kind of fall somewhere in between there we’ve got a deep respect for traditional music and incorporated it into our sound.

00:18:59.760 –> 00:19:14.610 Charles Humphrey: As well as bringing in outside of music and doing it in a style and our records have typically been more traditional than the live show, sometimes in the live show we will incorporate or big lights and.

00:19:14.970 –> 00:19:26.670 Charles Humphrey: Our favorite crowd to play for are just people that love music not people that are there to see 30 bands that are all considered the same random music, which is fine, too, so.

00:19:27.960 –> 00:19:37.050 Charles Humphrey: I guess it’s based around the songwriting and the harmony singing and the improvement in providing solos within the format of the song.

00:19:37.890 –> 00:19:42.840 Charles Humphrey: So I don’t know what’s new grass what’s old grass, but.

00:19:43.320 –> 00:19:54.300 Charles Humphrey: You know we’re trying to bring something new to it and keep the music alive basically spread joy through music make people happy, let them forget about their everyday worries and when they’re spending their hard-earned money to see some loud music.

00:19:55.140 –> 00:20:11.580 Joseph McElroy: I love that I mean you know, I think that the essences you know are there’s joy bluegrass that this catching I motel we play when people come in there’s bluegrass play, and you know you see people just light up with it.

00:20:12.060 –> 00:20:12.480 Charles Humphrey: That is a.

00:20:13.440 –> 00:20:14.460 That is a great spot.

00:20:16.320 –> 00:20:20.520 Charles Humphrey: Is it right there on the river and Maggie valley it’s really nice but.

00:20:20.970 –> 00:20:25.080 Joseph McElroy: cool so you know I’ve had a number of bluegrass musicians come through here.

00:20:26.160 –> 00:20:35.430 Joseph McElroy: You know, one or two of them, I mentioned that you know the that there’s real deep respect for tradition, but sometimes it becomes also.

00:20:36.240 –> 00:20:48.810 Joseph McElroy: a hard and fast rule that somebody actually uses the phrase there’s a bluegrass mafia out there that won’t you won’t let you introduce new things do you find that sometimes sort of the stuff that you guys want to do to do it’s hard to introduce.

00:20:49.380 –> 00:20:54.360 Charles Humphrey: Well, not anymore, I mean I’ve been doing this for 25 years, and you know played.

00:20:54.810 –> 00:21:07.830 CharlesHumphrey: upright bass for 20 of that now I’m playing electric bass and I don’t feel like I have to prove anything anybody, but I will tell you this, when I was young man fought like hell, to get into that traditional scene and once I got there, I felt like hell, to get out of it.

00:21:12.390 –> 00:21:13.260 Joseph McElroy: To get to do.

00:21:14.880 –> 00:21:15.270 Charles Humphrey: I was.

00:21:15.390 –> 00:21:16.470 Joseph McElroy: I was just fishing with.

00:21:16.500 –> 00:21:17.250 Charles Humphrey: My good buddy.

00:21:18.660 –> 00:21:22.320 CharlesHumphrey: David Long yesterday, and he was like Charles you remember the first time we met.

00:21:23.100 –> 00:21:39.300 Charles Humphrey: I was like not really tell me to remind me and he said, we were at this festival, I was playing with the wildwood valley boys and the Stanley brothers were there, Jim and Jesse were there Ralph Stanley was there I was like the man it’s awesome I forgot to know about that.

00:21:40.320 –> 00:21:43.590 Charles Humphrey: We told him that line he had about the same reaction as you.

00:21:45.750 –> 00:21:53.700 Joseph McElroy: well know it’s true, I think that a lot of times you know when you’re young you really work to get into acceptance in a certain area and then all of a sudden, you realize.

00:21:54.090 –> 00:22:03.690 Joseph McElroy: boy it’s constraining me from what I really want to do well, so I’m glad you mentioned it to make your way out there because you’re doing some great work now.

00:22:03.720 –> 00:22:06.690 Charles Humphrey: Well, you know we like to have a foot in all places.

00:22:07.650 –> 00:22:13.080 Joseph McElroy: So you, yeah I mean you doing all this stuff touring writing setting out went out, you know all that.

00:22:17.460 –> 00:22:23.310 Joseph McElroy: You wrongs right, I know you did a lot of the important songs in the past that you’ve been done for.

00:22:24.750 –> 00:22:32.310 Joseph McElroy: You also started a record label what it looks Luckscdumpy toad records represent and what’s the name stands for.

00:22:32.670 –> 00:22:33.930 Charles Humphrey: yeah that’s a good question.

00:22:35.190 –> 00:22:40.050 Charles Humphrey: Another one of those situations where maybe not enough time was put into selecting the name.

00:22:41.790 –> 00:22:49.800Charles Humphrey: Well, I had that first song from the road band record coming out and it was about to be released and I was having to register all the songs I didn’t have time.

00:22:50.430 –> 00:23:02.370 Charles Humphrey: to vet the names there’s a kind of a timeline with when you’re choosing your publishing company names, where you turn in what your top choices are, and if it’s already taken you didn’t get it.

00:23:03.810 –> 00:23:06.750 Charles Humphrey: And I was pretty sure that name hadn’t been taken.

00:23:09.570 –> 00:23:10.500 Charles Humphrey: It was just someone.

00:23:11.760 –> 00:23:14.880 Charles Humphrey: Saying my best friend from childhood had.

00:23:16.380 –> 00:23:18.420 Charles Humphrey: made up when night when I was visiting him in.

00:23:18.420 –> 00:23:26.520 Charles Humphrey: Wilmington North Carolina and I was like I have no idea what that means, but it’s kind of fun to say I was like nobody else has ever thought of this I’m going to put this out.

00:23:27.060 –> 00:23:33.750 Charles Humphrey: As the publishing company which became the record label for a lot of independent releases and that’s the story behind the name.

00:23:33.990 –> 00:23:40.770 Joseph McElroy: All right, well it’s as good as any right yeah sometimes it over-intellectualizing names make them on fox.

00:23:42.570 –> 00:23:44.820 Joseph McElroy: So we’re located national.

00:23:45.360 –> 00:23:51.690 Charles Humphrey: Live right here in West Asheville North Carolina to two children spends a lot of time in North Carolina.

00:23:52.350 –> 00:24:02.910 Charles Humphrey: And then, with the fishing, I’m traveling a whole lot with high trout is the name of the company I’ll work with and we got in North Georgia Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.

00:24:03.390 –> 00:24:11.700 Charles Humphrey: So there’s a lot of getting up at 5 am and driving two or three hours to be on the River by sunrise and fishing all day and drive them back, but boy do I love it.

00:24:12.150 –> 00:24:14.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah Well, no, I mean.

00:24:18.180 –> 00:24:22.320 Joseph McElroy: With diverse passions is, I think.

00:24:23.460 –> 00:24:34.650 Joseph McElroy: it really you know, makes the life that you want to leave because you know, you can have some access discussing notable endeavors and some of them are big successes, but some are successes for yourself.

00:24:35.040 –> 00:24:47.130 Joseph McElroy: And those are purchases important absolutely is there any success that you’ve had just for yourself, you know related to say fishing with your you know it’s you know talk about a lot that you really feel proud of.

00:24:49.680 –> 00:24:51.690 Charles Humphrey: Well I’ve taken a lot of leaps of faith.

00:24:53.310 –> 00:25:05.130 Charles Humphrey: a few years ago I bought a saltwater boat and pitched a lot in oriental North Carolina and enjoy doing stuff like that for the old drum and black drum and speckled trout and.

00:25:06.720 –> 00:25:14.640 Charles Humphrey: flounder and all kinds of stuff and really made some good friends over at endurance seafood that Bruno family their commercial fisherman and area and he.

00:25:15.210 –> 00:25:30.600 Charles Humphrey: kind of showed me how to Tom on hanging on the net and do some net fishing and a record with a recreational license just trying to it came from a love of the area and wanting to learn about the fishing industry there and then you know, going from.

00:25:31.650 –> 00:25:41.160 Charles Humphrey: Primarily 99% euro nipping fly fishing style to undertaking the drift boat and guiding from the boat and have people float.

00:25:42.000 –> 00:25:44.880 Charles Humphrey: You know that was a leap of faith to and really enjoyed that so.

00:25:45.360 –> 00:25:58.770 Charles Humphrey: I think, whenever I try something new that I don’t know about I kind of go all-in on it and just try to learn as much as I can spend as much time about it, and then, when you when it comes kind of second nature, you start to feel comfortable with it, I think that’s a personal success.

00:26:00.330 –> 00:26:15.540 Joseph McElroy: Is there um do you find you know fly fishing in a way, is almost meditative and you’re on the River by yourself and then I imagine that songwriting most of the time to sort of a meditative by yourself, is there a relationship, but you find his way thing.

00:26:17.760 –> 00:26:30.030Charles Humphrey: was just by yourself, but I actually prefer to do both with other people, I mean I love fishing with other people have as much fun as watching somebody who’s just learning or someone catches it personal best fish.

00:26:30.780 –> 00:26:39.420 Charles Humphrey: just watching them meet one of their goals is doing it myself because I kind of gets the fish all the time, so I love seeing other people do it, and when it comes to songwriting I really like to co-write.

00:26:39.900 –> 00:26:50.580 Charles Humphrey: Because you get this camaraderie kind of like you and I are doing here we’re doing this show we’re working off each other we’re going off our first impressions and so you’re creating something out of nothing and you’ve got.

00:26:51.360 –> 00:26:57.000 Charles Humphrey: More first impressions to filter and shape into a song that you both can be proud of, so.

00:26:57.690 –> 00:27:08.280Charles Humphrey: You know there’s maybe the guy out there who only fishes by himself and only uses one dry fly and only matches the hatch and you know, whatever but there’s also people that like to fish together so.

00:27:08.550 –> 00:27:12.480 Charles Humphrey: I think you can get out of it, what you put into it or shape it to what you want it to be.

00:27:13.170 –> 00:27:15.840 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah that reminds me there was a big.

00:27:19.230 –> 00:27:25.290 Joseph McElroy: thing where there’s a guy that was and somewhere in the South who asked that he couldn’t find.

00:27:26.700 –> 00:27:33.960 Joseph McElroy: Somebody to go fishing with him and he got an overwhelming response from guys all over the South to be his fishing buddy.

00:27:34.260 –> 00:27:43.230 Joseph McElroy: And they didn’t care that he was gay, so it was a really heartwarming thing to see you know and counter to what you know, sometimes the southern stereotype is.

00:27:44.310 –> 00:27:50.310 Joseph McElroy: You know because it seems that you know fishing crosses all boundaries and all yeah I think.

00:27:50.310 –> 00:28:01.830 Charles Humphrey: Fishing and music bring people together in general, just like you say crossing boundaries or however you want to look at it different lifestyles kind of the same thing that experience I’ve had with the ultra running to.

00:28:02.370 –> 00:28:02.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:28:03.060 –> 00:28:13.380 Charles Humphrey: You have people going out there running these you know marathons 50 K 50 miler event 200 miler events and they come from all walks of life, you know all.

00:28:14.040 –> 00:28:18.300 Charles Humphrey: Just nobody’s alike, but they had this one thing in common, which is ultra running.

00:28:18.960 –> 00:28:24.810 Charles Humphrey: And they’re usually pretty decent people because they have at least enough discipline to train their body to build accomplish a goal like that.

00:28:25.140 –> 00:28:33.840 Charles Humphrey: And once you get out there and meet him for the first time and you’re suffering together, you have this like instant bond, and you just make all these great friends from different walks of life.

00:28:34.410 –> 00:28:49.290 Charles Humphrey: And that’s another great thing about the smoky mountains in this area is that just like there are thousands of miles of great trout streams of all varieties of fishing and styles of trout they’re equally as many mountains trails and places to run an explorer.

00:28:50.580 –> 00:29:01.380 Joseph McElroy: So I’m sensing the common theme you love co-creation right and now so cool who is who’s your favorite co-writers.

00:29:02.250 –> 00:29:08.280Charles Humphrey: And Jim Lauderdale sure people have heard of him the King of broken hearts and.

00:29:09.420 –> 00:29:13.620 Charles Humphrey: Right, a lot of a guy in Nashville Marty Datsun we’ve had some success we’ve got to.

00:29:14.100 –> 00:29:26.550 CharlesHumphrey: be a Nick dolphin a road and I wrote a song it’s been that number one for five weeks in a row now and the bluegrass today grass account a chart it’s a single that’ll be our upcoming record from songs to the roadman titled Amarillo blue.

00:29:27.690 –> 00:29:31.590 Charles Humphrey: Sean camp Charlie Chamberlain feel Barker.

00:29:33.480 –> 00:29:34.650 Tom use.

00:29:36.390 –> 00:29:39.540 Charles Humphrey: there are so many people who are right with me I’m sure I’m leaving some names out but.

00:29:39.930 –> 00:29:42.720 Joseph McElroy: who happen to read with it, wrote, with it’s you want to write with.

00:29:43.800 –> 00:29:48.930 Charles Humphrey: Oh man that’s a good question you know I kind of want to write with whoever sells a lot of records.

00:29:53.880 –> 00:29:56.160 Joseph McElroy: Right I’ll let them do all the writing and I’ll take credit.

00:29:58.170 –> 00:30:02.670 Charles Humphrey: that’s the ticket man I’ll tell you, listeners, right now if you want to get cuts right with the artist.

00:30:03.750 –> 00:30:04.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:30:05.430 –> 00:30:13.200 Joseph McElroy: that’s the secret all right when we come back let’s explore more about your efficiency in your long-distance endurance stuff, which are all both incredible.

00:30:13.560 –> 00:30:14.760 Charles Humphrey: sounds good let’s do.

00:30:18.780 –> 00:30:21.060 Joseph McElroy: manacles and how it impacts your life.

00:32:47.670 –> 00:32:59.730 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Charles Humphrey the third so Charles I would be remiss, not to mention that.

00:33:00.420 –> 00:33:11.100 Joseph McElroy: you’re planning, along with Bob plot, who is the general manager of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center an exciting new songwriter camp.

00:33:12.180 –> 00:33:12.900 Charles Humphrey: We are.

00:33:12.960 –> 00:33:20.880 Charles Humphrey: Bob Bob and I’ve been talking a lot about that and we’re very excited about it, he had he shares and enthusiasm for all things.

00:33:21.810 –> 00:33:25.050 Charles Humphrey: Relating to the culture of Western North Carolina and love songwriting.

00:33:25.530 –> 00:33:32.550 Charles Humphrey: And so I jumped at the opportunity to host an event such a beautiful place where you’ve got the built-in lodging and venue and everything.

00:33:32.910 –> 00:33:40.950 Charles Humphrey: And we think that’s going to happen in the spring, potentially April and there’s a good chance that you’ll see me and some other people like.

00:33:41.610 –> 00:33:48.300 Charles Humphrey: Potentially Jim Lauderdale Sean Camp and we’ll bring in a handful of writers and lodge them and feed them and.

00:33:48.630 –> 00:34:03.660 Charles Humphrey: and work with them and share stories and show them how the recording process works talk about song pitching jam together, do you know guitar swaps and it’s going to be a really neat opportunity for people that love the craft of songwriting.

00:34:04.410 –> 00:34:09.750 Joseph McElroy: cool and I think you’re, you said you might be setting up a little studio to do some put together something rather there.

00:34:10.080 –> 00:34:16.230 Charles Humphrey: yeah you know I think it’s important for these people to see the process of our work tape or a DEMO tape might be made.

00:34:16.680 –> 00:34:26.550 Charles Humphrey: So we’ll definitely let everybody get a taste of that as well, and you know I’m sure there’ll be some songs born out of being at the camp and the writers out of there, which is always exciting.

00:34:27.330 –> 00:34:29.940 Joseph McElroy: Now, everything is mostly just for real aspiring.

00:34:31.080 –> 00:34:34.860 Joseph McElroy: songwriters are serious fans of aficionados be.

00:34:34.980 –> 00:34:36.360 Joseph McElroy: Man, well, I think.

00:34:36.420 –> 00:34:45.420 Charles Humphrey: Any level would be welcome, you know just with a range of talent, we have there obviously everyone could get something out of it, but you know it could just be like.

00:34:47.130 –> 00:34:50.970 Charles Humphrey: I don’t know, to me it would be like going to Disney world as a songwriter you know.

00:34:51.900 –> 00:35:04.590 Charles Humphrey: Work with people that caliber and such a neat location, I mean it could be a total beginner or could be an accomplished songwriter that you know, I was looking for a getaway and wants to be around some great people and create some music.

00:35:05.400 –> 00:35:14.610 Joseph McElroy: I think that being involved in the creative process, and even if you don’t actually have professional ambitions, is one of the most beautiful experiences, you can have.

00:35:15.630 –> 00:35:19.560 Joseph McElroy: In terms of you know, finding some life experiences.

00:35:21.450 –> 00:35:23.010 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely, well, I know.

00:35:24.660 –> 00:35:29.880 Charles Humphrey: People that love music or one to one to learn how to write or are just curious about it.

00:35:30.180 –> 00:35:39.660 Charles Humphrey: I mean everybody’s got a story everybody’s got inspiration everybody could have input and when you’re co-writing you know you draw on the strength of your other writers and it may be somebody that

00:35:40.230 –> 00:35:48.300 Charles Humphrey: Are you know got 50 number one hits or maybe somebody is their first time but they’ve got a great story about their grandma grandpa and it could turn into a great song.

00:35:49.020 –> 00:35:54.630 Joseph McElroy: cool and you know we have a nice little trust string right there on the property called the.

00:35:54.630 –> 00:35:58.440 Charles Humphrey: Job man, I saw that I saw that is a nice little trout stream.

00:35:58.470 –> 00:36:04.290 Joseph McElroy: it’s about inherently strong so maybe you can one of the brakes could be taking people out there, doing some fly fishing right.

00:36:05.160 –> 00:36:07.890 Charles Humphrey: Absolutely, that is a wonderful area, the country to find.

00:36:08.280 –> 00:36:20.310 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so you have actually been you’ve mentioned it before, but you become quite an expert, I mean people talk about it you’re an expert in fly fishing and actually in guided tours around the North care.

00:36:24.060 –> 00:36:27.000 Joseph McElroy: How did you what spurred that decision.

00:36:27.540 –> 00:36:31.230 Charles Humphrey: Well, Dan Sasser who started high trout gods.

00:36:32.550 –> 00:36:40.470 Charles Humphrey: contacted me on the recommendation of a mutual friend, that is a guide and fly shop owner in western North Carolina.

00:36:41.010 –> 00:36:48.240 CharlesHumphrey: And we hit it off right off the BAT you know we really got along really shared a passion and a common vision of not just.

00:36:48.660 –> 00:37:00.720 Charles Humphrey: You know run an efficient business, but making it an experience and focusing on education and really you know, making it something special for the people that come out there, you know and.

00:37:01.650 –> 00:37:19.350 Charles Humphrey: it’s just been a blessing to work with him and work with somebody that that is so enthusiastic about fishing and so knowledgeable and they want to teach the euro style of fishing, which some people call it tight line nymph thing or contact name thing and basically.

00:37:20.550 –> 00:37:26.520 Charles Humphrey: you’re not making big cast like brad Pitt and the river runs through it you’ve got a long lightweight rod.

00:37:27.180 –> 00:37:33.630 Charles Humphrey: With thin line hardly indicator and small bugs and you’re working on getting a perfect dead drift the full these fish.

00:37:33.960 –> 00:37:39.390 Charles Humphrey: These huge fish, you know they probably two or 300 of these tiny, tiny bugs all year round.

00:37:39.720 –> 00:37:46.290 Charles Humphrey: And by not using corks and bombers and all this other stuff you’re not scaring them and you’re kind of dissection the river and then you look into these.

00:37:46.590 –> 00:37:57.600 Charles Humphrey: Beautiful fish and have a chance to land them properly, we teach people how to do that and then how to handle them and hopefully release them to be called another day and it’s.

00:37:58.470 –> 00:38:04.800 Joseph McElroy: what’s big for trout at the spot these trout streams in the mountains.

00:38:04.980 –> 00:38:09.960 Charles Humphrey: Well it’s interesting and we do everything you know, some people want to go up into the mountains and catch.

00:38:12.420 –> 00:38:19.080 Charles Humphrey: wild fish or you know fish that have been born in the river and they love these colors of the beautiful.

00:38:19.560 –> 00:38:27.420 Charles Humphrey: rainbows and rookies and rounds, which can be smaller fish but just as rewarding because you know they were born in the wild know beautiful colors and.

00:38:28.380 –> 00:38:42.150Charles Humphrey: Then there are areas of the rivers that are stocked with massive fish and there are some areas that are wild fisheries and then there are some areas that are privately managed waters and so we’ll do whatever the client wants to do and I love it all.

00:38:42.180 –> 00:38:44.850 Joseph McElroy: So I don’t want to offend any group of fishermen by.

00:38:44.850 –> 00:38:52.560Charles Humphrey: Saying one size fish one style of the fishing one you know this or that it’s better than the other, we love it all will do whatever they want to do.

00:38:52.920 –> 00:38:56.040 Charles Humphrey: But I do have an affinity for fishing in North Georgia.

00:38:56.520 –> 00:39:12.870 Charles Humphrey: Which is some of the private managed waters and the fish are very large they’re huge and it’s an opportunity for someone who’s never caught a large trout to go out there and learn how to properly land efficiently a lifetime on lightweight tackle.

00:39:13.560 –> 00:39:13.980 Joseph McElroy: and

00:39:14.190 –> 00:39:21.720 Charles Humphrey: And you’ll get to do it a lot, the whole day long so that way you know if you’re back in your wild stream and you took the biggest fish you ever call you’ll know how to land them and not just.

00:39:21.720 –> 00:39:23.640 break them off and it’s.

00:39:25.140 –> 00:39:30.450 Joseph McElroy: At the Jonathan creek park I caught a 2222 inch fish rainbow once.

00:39:30.750 –> 00:39:31.200 So.

00:39:32.310 –> 00:39:33.240 Charles Humphrey: That little creek.

00:39:33.330 –> 00:39:41.670 Joseph McElroy: That was big I was yeah was it, you know it’s an interesting creek get stock but also has great little brown trout in there, but an ass right.

00:39:41.940 –> 00:39:42.450 Joseph McElroy: that’s.

00:39:42.780 –> 00:39:55.290 Charles Humphrey: What I’ve been fishing a lot over and Eastern Tennessee and because it’s so hot now in western North Carolina you don’t want to fish in temperatures are areas where the fish are going to get stressed out from catching them.

00:39:55.710 –> 00:40:04.020 Charles Humphrey: In the water being too low temperature is too high, so we’ve been fishing a lot and damn released waters over in Tennessee where the water stays cold year-round.

00:40:04.920 –> 00:40:14.820 Charles Humphrey: And that’s Another advantage of being able to get people on the boat too is you can fish in the middle of the summer, where the waters are still fishing well and they’re healthy you’re not going to hurt the fish.

00:40:15.270 –> 00:40:20.640 Joseph McElroy: Now you’re planning on know, maybe doing a fly fishing camp over the middle there.

00:40:20.970 –> 00:40:22.170Charles Humphrey: we’re going to do that we’re going to work.

00:40:22.170 –> 00:40:30.120 Charles Humphrey: With Bob plot and have high trout involved and we’re going to do some areas of education, where we.

00:40:30.810 –> 00:40:35.790 Charles Humphrey: Teach all things to fly fishing and then we’re going to take the people and go out and put them on the water and just have a.

00:40:36.360 –> 00:40:50.160 Charles Humphrey: Big old time catching fish and telling lies and maybe have some music and videos or something wind up the night campfire, maybe it’s that’s going to be another great event for the community for people that are interesting and fly fishing.

00:40:50.850 –> 00:40:55.920 Joseph McElroy: So how can people find more about this trout these trout ventures that you take people on.

00:40:56.520 –> 00:41:05.850 Charles Humphrey: High trout.com where you can contact the company through the website through Instagram through Facebook, you can also contact me.

00:41:06.210 –> 00:41:21.750 Charles Humphrey: Directly all the information and rates, with the exception of private or fees are on the website, and we would love to entertain you like we have guaranteed adventure guaranteed education and I like to say a high chance of catching quality fish.

00:41:23.040 –> 00:41:24.600 Charles Humphrey: But you know you can’t control the weather and you.

00:41:24.600 –> 00:41:25.530 Joseph McElroy: can’t control the bike.

00:41:25.710 –> 00:41:27.390 But I want to talk about this done.

00:41:29.070 –> 00:41:43.260 Joseph McElroy: So I want to talk about this, I read, I want, I want to talk about this, I read that you were inspired by Christopher McDougall’s bestseller born to run and then you’ve now become active directory or What was it about that book, then what and what do you do.

00:41:45.000 –> 00:41:51.060 Charles Humphrey: I mean I got into it totally by mistake I picked that book up into the in the airport and changed my life.

00:41:52.140 –> 00:42:00.450 Charles Humphrey: You know it’s about his experience running with this tribe of natural born runners down in Mexico and they were on barefoot it’s about these toe shoes and.

00:42:00.810 –> 00:42:12.780 Charles Humphrey: went out and ran like seven or nine miles, I was like oh wow this is amazing and sells like oh i’m going to do a marathon I could never do that well, eventually, I found out that if you’re running around here toe shoes aren’t going to cut it because there’s a lot of rocks.

00:42:12.810 –> 00:42:13.440 Joseph McElroy: So I got it.

00:42:15.090 –> 00:42:21.930 Charles Humphrey: I did a marathon and I thought I was going to finish in like five hours or something I ended up doing it, and like three and a half, I had no idea.

00:42:22.590 –> 00:42:38.490 CharlesHumphrey: And so I did another one and I had to go faster than the first one, and after the second one, I was like hold on a second this running fast stuff is for the birds i’m never doing this, I want to see how far I can go not how fast, I can go, so I went from marathon to.

00:42:39.840 –> 00:42:51.030 Charles Humphrey: mile or 224-hour race 200 miler eventually got into the lottery of the Western states endurance run, which is kind of like the super bowl of ultra running they have.

00:42:51.780 –> 00:42:57.150 Charles Humphrey: A certain number of pro spots and then a small number of people are getting buy raffle and you run.

00:42:57.540 –> 00:43:08.670 Charles Humphrey: From squaw valley to auburn California, to the Sierra Nevada mountains and it’s 100 miles a year I did it the first it was over 100 degrees, the whole way in this first 16 miles of it was snow.

00:43:09.060 –> 00:43:18.270 Charles Humphrey: It was a very good challenge, to say the least we’re going along and jumping in these rivers, just to keep our body temperature down which, of course, leads that.

00:43:18.660 –> 00:43:28.590 Charles Humphrey: Your shorts rubbing on your legs and all kinds of chafing and crazy stuff but I managed to make it through and that was one of the highlights of my running career.

00:43:29.550 –> 00:43:39.090 Charles Humphrey: The other thing I like about the running as we mentioned touched on it before was the Community but we’ve been able to give back to the Community, a little bit like I’m the race director for.

00:43:39.870 –> 00:43:51.180 Charles Humphrey: A 50 K ultramarathon that happens in North Carolina and benefits the candidate Foundation, which is the nonprofit of Oskar blues and they do a lot of things like.

00:43:51.750 –> 00:44:01.140 Charles Humphrey: trail maintenance flood relief tunes ambassadors, the band, and I get help them get instruments to kids in schools that need them and.

00:44:01.770 –> 00:44:13.800 Charles Humphrey: We have not done the hullabaloo 50 K, the past two years, because the forest service has not been doing permits out of safety concerns, but we hope that it will be back in November of 2022.

00:44:14.310 –> 00:44:20.940 Joseph McElroy: wow well how do you find that internal what is the training like, how do you manage to do that.

00:44:23.820 –> 00:44:24.960 Charles Humphrey: You run a lot.

00:44:25.410 –> 00:44:29.340 Charles Humphrey: The biggest thing without you know just talking too much is.

00:44:29.700 –> 00:44:36.330 Charles Humphrey: you’re going to train for long-distance you don’t have to go out and run that distance before you just have to simulate what it feels like to run.

00:44:36.990 –> 00:44:47.400 Charles Humphrey: That deep in the race, so if I was going to train for something crazy like that 100 mile or even more a lot of the stuff I’ve done what wasn’t even advanced so just kind of local routes that local runners like to do.

00:44:48.060 –> 00:44:59.850 Charles Humphrey: The key is to do a back to back run we say you’ll go out and run 20 miles and then the next day go out and do the second the same amount and that second day you’re running on very tired legs and that simulates what it’s.

00:44:59.880 –> 00:45:00.660 Joseph McElroy: Like to run.

00:45:00.810 –> 00:45:15.750 arlo humphrey: You run 60 7080 or 90 miles and once you can train your body to operate in those conditions, then it’s just a matter of staying hydrated and fueled and you just if you can you know not to get sick, you can just keep going it’s not like you get exponentially more tired.

00:45:16.140 –> 00:45:21.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah what what what’s the best trail in the smoky mountains for somebody wanted to be a long run.

00:45:24.000 –> 00:45:33.240 arlo humphrey: My favorite Western North Carolina running adventure, is something that was started by Adam hill.

00:45:33.870 –> 00:45:43.530 arlo humphrey: And he calls it, the pixel this run is when you run from mount pigs good amount Mitchell and you just take the mountains to see the trail the whole way 68 miles.

00:45:44.040 –> 00:45:49.740 arlo humphrey: And it is a beast of a run I mean it really is a challenge, and you know it’s kind of an accomplishment.

00:45:50.520 –> 00:46:02.520 arlo humphrey: If you live in this area as a runner say that you’ve completed that route and one effort and that’s my favorite probably one of my favorite ones around here, but there are thousands or livery are so many great places to run.

00:46:03.090 –> 00:46:09.450 Joseph McElroy: cool well we come back, I want to finish up a little bit about you and then and the things you’re doing in the future, thanks, Joseph.

00:47:13.890 –> 00:47:14.400 Most of the.

00:48:43.500 –> 00:49:01.200 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my esteemed guests Charles Humphrey the third so Charles before I go too much further right this one, I saw this little you know almost like an aside, on your resume.

00:49:01.590 –> 00:49:02.010 Joseph McElroy: That says.

00:49:02.520 –> 00:49:08.910 Joseph McElroy: you’re in an honorary Kentucky colonel, how did that happen that’s like a really great thing.

00:49:09.510 –> 00:49:28.380 arlo humphrey: yeah man, that was a nice little feathered having the hat, I was traveling with a group of musicians down on the delta queen riverboat and I met a horse guy he gives her talks about horse racing he bets on horses I’ve been to the Kentucky Derby with him.

00:49:28.380 –> 00:49:39.150 arlo humphrey: His name was Jim playful and we Evidently, we made a great impression on him that week, and he told the governor that these guys had to be Kentucky kernels.

00:49:39.510 –> 00:49:55.770 arlo humphrey: So we all got asked to be Kentucky kernels based on our time on the delta queen riverboat we spent with him, and it has been a lifelong friendship and you know going to the Kentucky Derby and being a part of that was a great experience as well, so.

00:49:57.060 –> 00:50:03.150 arlo humphrey: It just happened out of chance and out of luck just making friends, you know a lot of things.

00:50:03.210 –> 00:50:05.040 Joseph McElroy: A lot of time in life is just it’s just.

00:50:05.760 –> 00:50:07.440 arlo humphrey: I mean, it really is it’s kind of like.

00:50:07.800 –> 00:50:08.790 arlo humphrey: Who, you know.

00:50:12.210 –> 00:50:17.970 arlo humphrey: talk to people, be a good person be a nice person get back to the Community and work hard good things will happen.

00:50:18.840 –> 00:50:26.490 Joseph McElroy: So you know there’s shows a little bit of a travelogue so I mentioned this earlier and you live in West asheville which I think is an interesting play.

00:50:28.530 –> 00:50:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Yes, it’s changed ask you has become very it’s very it’s got its got a restaurant there low I love called jog on which you know as yes excellent food it’s got.

00:50:41.100 –> 00:50:51.480 Joseph McElroy: Good yeah So if I like to ask what is a day diet day I itinerary and we don’t have a lot of time, but you know what Where would you send somebody to breakfast and West Asheville.

00:50:53.550 –> 00:50:56.910 arlo humphrey: Oh, you either have to go to sunny point CAFE or biscuit head.

00:50:57.180 –> 00:50:59.460 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you got a boat I love those places.

00:50:59.790 –> 00:51:12.330 arlo humphrey: toss up yeah but you know it really the lines going to probably be too long at both yeah and so you’d have to go somewhere else which.

00:51:12.780 –> 00:51:19.200 Joseph McElroy: where’s now in West Asheville an early girl, which has got a pretty good and they don’t have a big line and.

00:51:21.240 –> 00:51:24.840 arlo humphrey: it’s hard to go wrong Those are the two most popular ones, though yeah.

00:51:26.520 –> 00:51:26.850 Joseph McElroy: And then.

00:51:29.190 –> 00:51:31.980 Joseph McElroy: To do unless actually bring the morning.

00:51:33.270 –> 00:51:37.980 arlo humphrey: Well, most of my mornings are wake up before the sun comes up and leaving West asheville.

00:51:39.420 –> 00:51:41.100 Joseph McElroy: go up go out somewhere right yeah.

00:51:41.190 –> 00:51:48.810 arlo humphrey: i’ve been to Tennessee drive into Maggie valley driving tuck a CG driving to prove are driving to.

00:51:49.410 –> 00:51:51.570 Joseph McElroy: A place to get to a lot of things yeah.

00:51:51.870 –> 00:51:52.740 arlo humphrey: But I.

00:51:52.830 –> 00:52:03.930 arlo humphrey: I do live here, I do have children, my son, and I really like to go to the retro arcade, which is a pinball arcade and video games he really enjoys that which is kind of a neat thing to have in the neighborhood.

00:52:05.040 –> 00:52:06.360 Joseph McElroy: And where would you take him Luxton.

00:52:08.160 –> 00:52:11.790 arlo humphrey: Where would he go to lunch, well, I like.

00:52:13.320 –> 00:52:29.130 arlo humphrey: I like the wings at Westfield pub pretty good pizza mines got a good salad I like the whale is a nice bottle shop friend of mine owns that place it’s right next door to Zia Taqueria, which is a nice Mexican.

00:52:29.130 –> 00:52:29.820 place.

00:52:32.580 –> 00:52:38.040 Joseph McElroy: It so that’s good you give me some good options about the afternoon, what would you spend the afternoon with your son.

00:52:39.390 –> 00:52:46.560 arlo humphrey: um you might go tubing down the French broad river or go over to carrier park and.

00:52:47.910 –> 00:52:49.290 arlo humphrey: play on the playground.

00:52:50.490 –> 00:52:53.640 arlo humphrey: Where I’m like that maybe he’s really into the video games.

00:52:54.840 –> 00:52:58.110 Joseph McElroy: And then you drop your son off to your grandma or whatever.

00:52:58.980 –> 00:53:01.800 arlo humphrey: He was he’ll want to go to orbits DVD.

00:53:02.940 –> 00:53:03.810 Joseph McElroy: comic book.

00:53:04.140 –> 00:53:05.340 arlo humphrey: Video rental shop.

00:53:05.880 –> 00:53:13.740 Joseph McElroy: loves that place it’s a really cool store and now you drop the sun off with the grandma or babysitter whatever you and your wife go to out for dinner, where do you take her.

00:53:14.970 –> 00:53:18.330 arlo humphrey: Well, my girlfriend it also is kind of jargon.

00:53:18.990 –> 00:53:19.530 Joseph McElroy: Sorry yeah.

00:53:19.830 –> 00:53:21.810 arlo humphrey: he likes to start triggering plate there.

00:53:22.320 –> 00:53:22.950 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:53:23.970 –> 00:53:24.480 Joseph McElroy: Where else.

00:53:24.570 –> 00:53:29.160 arlo humphrey: We go Bullen beggars Nice, I think we just got a gift certificate.

00:53:29.220 –> 00:53:30.390 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah we’re.

00:53:30.540 –> 00:53:33.240 arlo humphrey: Currently a in asheville.

00:53:35.160 –> 00:53:37.230 arlo humphrey: But we cook a lot of the House, too.

00:53:38.490 –> 00:53:41.940 arlo humphrey: yeah Asheville is amazing, the culinary experiences here really great.

00:53:42.810 –> 00:53:49.050 Joseph McElroy: And then the evening places or there’s too many to mention right in terms of where to go with the evening.

00:53:49.440 –> 00:53:52.050 arlo humphrey: Oh yeah like loud music and stuff like that we’ve.

00:53:52.050 –> 00:53:52.260 Joseph McElroy: got.

00:53:52.980 –> 00:53:57.420 arlo humphrey: That always going to hear, like the Gray eagle and Asheville music call and.

00:53:59.130 –> 00:54:05.070 arlo humphrey: there’s just Egypt, the best thing to do is get the local paper and see if there’s something going on, you you’re interested in and give it a shot.

00:54:05.910 –> 00:54:12.120 Joseph McElroy: So so what’s in your future I mean what plans do you have I guess you got a new album may be coming out.

00:54:12.150 –> 00:54:20.070 arlo humphrey: What else you yeah we’ve released three singles off of it so far hope to have the record finished by the first quarter of next year.

00:54:20.610 –> 00:54:32.250 arlo humphrey: The fall efficiencies in is about to fire back up, which is October and November so we’re taking a lot of reservations, for the private water and then all the other days will be filled up with public water.

00:54:33.840 –> 00:54:36.390 arlo humphrey: Wade and float trips.

00:54:37.980 –> 00:54:44.790 arlo humphrey: I’m going to go do some fishing for old drum and September going to go to the beach for a week and thanksgiving and fish.

00:54:45.210 –> 00:54:56.490 arlo humphrey: On the coast, with some family and then you know we kind of get into the holidays, but I’m so ready for the fall the leaves are starting to change it’s just a little bit warm and safe just hanging out a little.

00:54:56.580 –> 00:54:57.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:54:57.270 –> 00:55:01.380 arlo humphrey: I still getting 8590 where I’m ready for you know 7580.

00:55:03.270 –> 00:55:08.490 arlo humphrey: very excited about the fall she’s going to be great fishing the band’s got some neat.

00:55:09.090 –> 00:55:17.100 arlo humphrey: Things coming up, we host a festival in Johnson city called stone fluff so that’s October 8 and ninth and just today, we announced Asheville winter grass.

00:55:17.340 –> 00:55:30.900 arlo humphrey: which we host it’s at one World War brewing West and that’s the first weekend in December, the fourth and fifth I believe it’s a Saturday Sunday will be us performing with special guests Jim Lauderdale and Andy Buckner, but if you visit songs to the road band.

00:55:30.930 –> 00:55:32.850 Joseph McElroy: calm to see all the musical.

00:55:32.850 –> 00:55:41.340 arlo humphrey: events, but there are some things we’re very excited about we’re going to kind of close the year out, strong and look forward to the releasing the new record next year cool.

00:55:41.580 –> 00:55:45.930 Joseph McElroy: I have a follow How do people follow you what did they get where’s the best way.

00:55:46.050 –> 00:55:59.760 arlo humphrey: Well, if you can find my name Charles Humphrey the third you can find me on Facebook or Instagram you can find the band songs from the road band calm, you find the fishing company at high trout calm.

00:56:00.660 –> 00:56:11.700 arlo humphrey: I’m pretty easy to find honest people can kind of figure out where I’m going to be throughout the band schedule and the fishing so it’s no secret I’m not hiding out for anybody.

00:56:11.940 –> 00:56:16.380 Joseph McElroy: All right, well you know, Charles this has been one of the most fun interviews i’ve had I’ve enjoyed.

00:56:16.470 –> 00:56:18.300 arlo humphrey: traveling on Joseph I really appreciate it’s.

00:56:18.300 –> 00:56:19.410 Joseph McElroy: been a pleasure talking to you.

00:56:19.650 –> 00:56:20.100 arlo humphrey: I can’t we.

00:56:20.490 –> 00:56:24.840 arlo humphrey: can’t believe we’ve been on here for an hour, it seems like we just been talking for about five or 10.

00:56:24.840 –> 00:56:28.080 Joseph McElroy: minutes good it’s been a very good conversation, so thank you.

00:56:31.740 –> 00:56:39.930 Joseph McElroy: check out this cup there’s a podcast that is also sponsored by smokies adventure smokies plural adventure singular dot com.

00:56:40.320 –> 00:56:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And it’s an outdoor focused on outdoor recreation, along with music and entertainment and it provides information on logic family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more.

00:56:49.740 –> 00:56:59.610 Joseph McElroy: The goal of that site is to become the only information portal on the smoky mountains, if you need mounts maps, you need guides if you need information I’m exploring a smoky mountain area that’s the place to go.

00:57:00.660 –> 00:57:15.780 Joseph McElroy: We are part of the talk radio dot NYC network, which is a network that provides a lot of live podcasts about various subjects, one after this explores the city of New York, where I.

00:57:16.290 –> 00:57:29.940 Joseph McElroy: split time between North Carolina and New York is it you know so it’s a great podcast a balance here your urban with your rural areas and gets a full picture of life in these united.

00:57:31.980 –> 00:57:33.630 Joseph McElroy: States, which is the one place to live.

00:57:34.980 –> 00:57:46.710 Joseph McElroy: Thank you all for being here next week we’ll have Erin Mahoney on the gateway to the smokies podcast who is part of fourth-generation restaurant tours in North Carolina.

00:57:47.640 –> 00:57:55.770 Joseph McElroy: With the fabulous family restaurant that’s pretty famous in the area and she’ll talk about the restaurant business and food business in North Carolina.

00:57:56.610 –> 00:58:07.140 Joseph McElroy: You can find more about this podcast at the gateway to the smokies dot fun or facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast and I look forward to seeing you next week.

00:58:08.610 –> 00:58:15.000 Joseph McElroy: from six to seven on talk radio dot nyc on Tuesday night Thank you and thank you Charles.

00:58:15.480 –> 00:58:16.620 arlo humphrey: Thanks Joseph.

]]> <p>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Charles Humphrey III, a Grammy Award-winning Songwriter, Producer, and Musician. Currently leading his own group – the Songs from the Road Band – Humphrey was a charter member of the acclaimed Steep Canyon Rangers for 15 years and performed around the world.</p><p>Aside from being a musician, he is also an expert fly-fishing guide and endurance runner. Joseph and Charles will talk about Music on the Fly (fishing) in the Smokies.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a>.</p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>Tonight’s show starts off with special announcements from tonight’s sponsors. Then host Joseph introduces a special guest Charles Humphrey III. Charles introduces himself and how he got into, to begin with back in middle school and how it followed him through college and after. He explained how music helped him through a transitional time in his life and how blessed he felt because of it. </p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph brings out a quote from a magazine coverage from Charles and his bluegrass band. Charles explains bluegrass and the significance of this quote. With his band, Charles wants to spread joy to his audience through his music. He talks about the record label that he founded and shares the story of how it was named. Before the break, Charles talks about fly fishing and how he finds it very meditating. He loves doing it with others and connects it to his songwriting, in that he loves collaborating with others as well. He talks about some of his favorite songwriting collaborations. </p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>This segment of tonight’s episode talks about a songwriting Bootcamp that Charles is partnering up with in order to create a community of new and old songwriters to get together and create music. A great opportunity for new writers to meet and learn from more experienced writers and for older writers to collaborate with each other and get fresh new ideas. The conversation goes back to fly fishing, where Charles talks more about his favorite locations to fish. He drops ways to contact Charles and his company in order to find out more about trout ventures and other fly fishing-related questions. </p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>Charles starts the last segment with a small story. He then goes through his go-to places to visit that he recommends to visitors. He gives great taco place recommendations and parks to visit. The podcast ends with Host Joseph announcing more special events and announcements from sponsors.</p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:03:18.480 –&gt; 00:03:30.480 Joseph McElroy: hey welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited national parks great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:03:30.960 –&gt; 00:03:39.810 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty and deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:03:40.320 –&gt; 00:03:52.440 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:03:53.340 –&gt; 00:04:00.510 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking about music and fly fishing and the mountain of the smokies but first will tell you about our sponsors.</p><p>00:04:01.710 –&gt; 00:04:05.460 Joseph McElroy: So I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts</p><p>00:04:08.310 –&gt; 00:04:14.880 Joseph McElroy: of the past modern and vibrant with the Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:04:15.300 –&gt; 00:04:24.330 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on the fire, eat accompanied by the fine wine or craft beers of this area.</p><p>00:04:24.690 –&gt; 00:04:39.450 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music and world cultural sounds there is no, there is no other place like Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:04:40.560 –&gt; 00:04:42.930 Joseph McElroy: we’re at the Meadowlark Motels actually having a.</p><p>00:04:44.580 –&gt; 00:04:53.490 Joseph McElroy: Traditional mountain heritage event, this weekend called traditional skills and naturalist weekend it’s going from Friday to Sunday.</p><p>00:04:53.910 –&gt; 00:05:04.800 Joseph McElroy: And they’re going to talk about ginseng in the mountain and granny medicine herbs and explore the law of the mountains and we know lectures and wanderings entertaining.</p><p>00:05:09.900 –&gt; 00:05:12.060 Joseph McElroy: Music seven o’clock on.</p><p>00:05:13.530 –&gt; 00:05:25.650 Joseph McElroy: William Ritters some Scottish Highland heritage music for Mike Ogletree and Saturday there’ll be wildflowers and native plants of Appalachian with the tour guide them naturalist Adam Bigelow who’s on this show.</p><p>00:05:26.190 –&gt; 00:05:32.850 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to have the healing powers in the history of ginseng with novelists and naturals Jim Hamilton.</p><p>00:05:33.930 –&gt; 00:05:37.290 Joseph McElroy: there’s going to be medicinal herbs and granny medicine with.</p><p>00:05:38.910 –&gt; 00:05:48.690 Joseph McElroy: Herbal naturalists and there’s gonna be a program by Tyson Sampson the claim charity naturalist and historian and lecture.</p><p>00:05:49.620 –&gt; 00:05:58.260 Joseph McElroy: there’s gonna be an afternoon of woods wandering and discussions, we met with them now naturalist tour guide lecturer and author Abby Artemisia</p><p>00:05:59.190 –&gt; 00:06:06.480 Joseph McElroy: there’s gonna be an heirloom seed discussion with acclaimed naturalist historian farmer and musician William Ritters who was on this show.</p><p>00:06:10.080 –&gt; 00:06:16.680 Joseph McElroy: me needing more like on Sunday morning as you’re leaving their mission Gospel music and bluegrass.</p><p>00:06:17.280 –&gt; 00:06:29.880 Joseph McElroy: You know inspired music and so it’s gonna be a great weekend go to Meadowlarkmotel.com look at the smoky mountain heritage Center to find out information about getting tickets are just coming stay at the hotel all the guests go free.</p><p>00:06:31.560 –&gt; 00:06:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking like I said we’re talking about music and fly fishing and we have a great guest Charles Humphrey III is a grammy award-winning songwriter-producer and musician and owner of Lucks Dumpy Toad records.</p><p>00:06:47.220 –&gt; 00:06:59.940 Joseph McElroy: And aside from his talents as a musician Charles is also an expert fly fishing guide and an endurance runner and resides with this family in Asheville North Carolina Hello, Charles.</p><p>00:07:00.270 –&gt; 00:07:01.590 Charles Humphrey: hey Joseph how you doing buddy?</p><p>00:07:01.950 –&gt; 00:07:03.270 Joseph McElroy: I’m doing pretty good.</p><p>00:07:03.840 –&gt; 00:07:06.480 Charles Humphrey: Some on the show it’s an honor to be here.</p><p>00:07:09.360 –&gt; 00:07:28.380 Joseph McElroy: happy to be honoring me actually I appreciate, you know the I’ve looked at your work and you really are tremendous you know you have a tremendous resume frankly, but you grew up in Greenville North Carolina which is out East I think that’s where ECU is right, yes.</p><p>00:07:29.430 –&gt; 00:07:32.100 Joseph McElroy: And, and you love ball sports and.</p><p>00:07:32.100 –&gt; 00:07:37.290 Joseph McElroy: What surfing, and you attended and UNC-Chapel hill I put on my do cat now.</p><p>00:07:38.040 –&gt; 00:07:38.880 Charles humphrey: Oh, please.</p><p>00:07:43.860 –&gt; 00:07:44.670 Charles humphrey: nobody’s perfect.</p><p>00:07:44.940 –&gt; 00:07:47.880 Joseph McElroy: nobody’s perfect I got the same thing to say about you, but.</p><p>00:07:49.980 –&gt; 00:07:58.440 Joseph McElroy: But you did study classical bass there so I’ll give you a pass you put on the sophisticated like a little bit.</p><p>00:08:00.780 –&gt; 00:08:07.410 Joseph McElroy: and international studies and you focus on economics and Latin America, and your plan was certain.</p><p>00:08:09.660 –&gt; 00:08:19.080 Joseph McElroy: Costa Rica, so he wrote Grammy award-winning musician living in Asheville North Carolina so my big question is, why did you pick the smoky mountains living.</p><p>00:08:20.250 –&gt; 00:08:22.830 Charles Humphrey: Well, the music brought me here for sure.</p><p>00:08:23.520 –&gt; 00:08:26.700 Charles Humphrey: it’s a rich cultural area and.</p><p>00:08:26.790 –&gt; 00:08:34.710 Charles Humphrey: I’ve been playing music full time since college and it brought me to Asheville there’s a lot to learn there’s a lot of shares a lot of places to perform.</p><p>00:08:35.040 –&gt; 00:08:42.600 Charles Humphrey: A lot of inspiration and these mountains and it’s also easy to get in other markets, you know, six, eight hours in any direction you can be in a.</p><p>00:08:43.080 –&gt; 00:08:48.570 Charles Humphrey: New musical market so it’s a good place to base if you’re traveling musician as well, but.</p><p>00:08:48.990 –&gt; 00:09:00.540 Charles Humphrey: Always love the beach I always grew up like say fishing and surfing there, but I absolutely fell in love with the mountains made in my home, you know get to running and fishing and music and I can’t imagine living anywhere else now.</p><p>00:09:01.500 –&gt; 00:09:07.800 Joseph McElroy: And for those of you listening, whether you going to visit here, it just made a major a major point you’re probably with it.</p><p>00:09:10.050 –&gt; 00:09:22.290 Joseph McElroy: it’s easily of getting to know right it’s one of the natural wonders of the planet, but you can get here within a few hours, a lot of cases so Charles you know you mentioned, you had a.</p><p>00:09:23.610 –&gt; 00:09:32.130 Joseph McElroy: You have a really great resume and we’ll talk a little bit more about it, but when you were a kid were you into music, did you have your own band growing up or something like that.</p><p>00:09:33.090 –&gt; 00:09:39.720 Charles Humphrey: I started music in middle school in the orchestra, mainly as a way to get out of class.</p><p>00:09:40.680 –&gt; 00:09:49.830 Charles Humphrey: And started on violin and transition to the upright bass didn’t play in high school, I was more into sports and then my freshman year college.</p><p>00:09:50.370 –&gt; 00:09:54.630 Charles Humphrey: First week, I was there I had this dream that I was in Carnegie Hall and my buddy Pearl.</p><p>00:09:55.140 –&gt; 00:10:05.430 Charles Humphrey: Who we used to cut up with on the upright bass section and middle school showed me how to play the upright bass I started to remember and all these things I’d learned years ago it was like a life-changing dream.</p><p>00:10:05.790 –&gt; 00:10:18.540 Charles Humphrey: The very next day, I went out and signed up for classical bass lessons just on my own at the university, and then it turns out, you know, several years later, one of my first gigs touring around.</p><p>00:10:19.740 –&gt; 00:10:24.270 Charles Humphrey: With Steve Martin, we actually got to play Carnegie Hall, so it was a dream come true, I thought that was kind of cool.</p><p>00:10:26.640 –&gt; 00:10:29.220 Joseph McElroy: It is nice when your childhood dreams come true.</p><p>00:10:30.420 –&gt; 00:10:32.040 Joseph McElroy: What was that was as.</p><p>00:10:32.040 –&gt; 00:10:32.460 Charles Humphrey: far as.</p><p>00:10:32.850 –&gt; 00:10:36.690 Charles Humphrey: As far as growing up with music, though, you know, I was around a lot of country music.</p><p>00:10:37.230 –&gt; 00:10:48.960 Charles Humphrey: From my grandfather and that extensive music collection and then, in my dad and I have a younger sister, and if we were misbehaving in the car the punishment was he’d put on our stuff wants across Texas because we hated it.</p><p>00:10:49.650 –&gt; 00:10:53.700 Charles Humphrey: And that was our punishment, but I kind of learned to love that awesome.</p><p>00:10:56.340 –&gt; 00:11:09.030 Joseph McElroy: So you in college, you did form some friends and relationships with friends you end up creating you know your claim band is the steep Canyon Rangers and you’re with a few.</p><p>00:11:10.950 –&gt; 00:11:11.730 Joseph McElroy: years.</p><p>00:11:12.750 –&gt; 00:11:20.160 Joseph McElroy: And you but you all started that in college, I mean that’s sort of interesting for you to be cut, did you feel like you are a professional musician in college?</p><p>00:11:20.880 –&gt; 00:11:32.460 Charles Humphrey: I think a lot of bands that start out in college start out as friends and have a good launchpad because people come from different backgrounds and people are looking for things to do you know I think that’s a classic story.</p><p>00:11:33.540 –&gt; 00:11:38.520 Charles Humphrey: But I’ve really had to work at my craft of music and songwriting especially to hone it.</p><p>00:11:38.910 –&gt; 00:11:52.200 Charles Humphrey: To a place and put in your time and travel and learn the business side of things, as well as the performance to truly become professional but it’s always been fun and you know if you’re doing something you love, they say you never work a day in your life.</p><p>00:11:52.680 –&gt; 00:12:00.870 Joseph McElroy: Where you know, then you decided to go out and explore your own creativity and different venues.</p><p>00:12:02.160 –&gt; 00:12:08.850 Joseph McElroy: And that must have been a difficult decision to do that’s like a life transition right, so you went.</p><p>00:12:10.920 –&gt; 00:12:19.860 Joseph McElroy: out and bought thing that was in your youth and then you started approaching middle age let’s say you were in middle age approaching it and you.</p><p>00:12:20.640 –&gt; 00:12:29.160 Joseph McElroy: And you really you know went out developed other creative venues other things that you’re doing was it difficult to make that transition for you?</p><p>00:12:30.420 –&gt; 00:12:40.770 Charles Humphrey: Well songs from the road band started in 2004 as a recording project based around me Mark Schema can say important who are still in the band kind of been the core.</p><p>00:12:41.220 –&gt; 00:12:49.230 Charles Humphrey: And we’ve always supplemented it with friends and other local all-stars to put out it started as a recording band, where we would just.</p><p>00:12:49.470 –&gt; 00:12:57.270Charles Humphrey: record songs and share them with the world and then about five or six years ago, we had the opportunity to put the band on the road full time, so we did that.</p><p>00:12:57.780 –&gt; 00:13:09.360 Charles Humphrey: And it’s been very rewarding in 2019 we played over 200 shows in one year we’re really beating down the road and then, as everyone knows, covert hit not put the brakes on everything.</p><p>00:13:09.870 –&gt; 00:13:20.940 Charles Humphrey: And that was a time of transition for me I’d always a song or it and a lot of it was virtual that during that time, I think I wrote like 140 songs all co-written with other people.</p><p>00:13:21.300 –&gt; 00:13:31.410 Charles Humphrey: From right here, where I’m sitting now just like this on a zoom meeting and also opened up the opportunity to become a professional fishing guide, which is something that has always been pursued as a hobby before.</p><p>00:13:31.980 –&gt; 00:13:38.070 Charles Humphrey: So there were some Those are some of the blessings of the strange times we’ve been coming through recently.</p><p>00:13:39.030 –&gt; 00:13:51.060 Joseph McElroy: So you know I wanted to ask you a question about the name of the band I’m always fascinated by names, a new called it, you guys call it songs from the road, a road band.</p><p>00:13:51.570 –&gt; 00:13:52.530 Charles Humphrey: Is there you know.</p><p>00:13:52.590 –&gt; 00:13:59.160 Charles Humphrey: it’s an interesting story, the first record was just called songs from the road, because they were songs that I’ve written by traveling the road.</p><p>00:13:59.610 –&gt; 00:14:06.120 Charles Humphrey: And then we kept making records, so it kind of became songs on the road band, by default, and then we would title the different records.</p><p>00:14:06.510 –&gt; 00:14:17.580Charles Humphrey: So I don’t think I ever truly got a chance to just sit down and think of, hey what really cool band name would be make this band extremely popular nobody’s ever heard of it so.</p><p>00:14:17.940 –&gt; 00:14:21.540 Charles Humphrey: We might have missed the button identity but that’s where the name came from.</p><p>00:14:22.410 –&gt; 00:14:35.760 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s interesting because you just mentioned, you went on the road 200 times right, so you sort of name your band the brand that you are living it’s all kind of authentic you’re like an authentic brand.</p><p>00:14:36.210 –&gt; 00:14:36.900 Charles Humphrey: Right yes.</p><p>00:14:36.960 –&gt; 00:14:40.890 Charles Humphrey: We are the troubadours we have probably slept on your couch or.</p><p>00:14:42.270 –&gt; 00:14:53.520 Charles Humphrey: Your van or bus or train or plane and inspire it’s an inspiring way of life it’s a hard way of life, I don’t think I ever want to go back to doing that many shows a year.</p><p>00:14:53.790 –&gt; 00:15:03.120Charles Humphrey: yeah we’re kind of stepping back and trying to you know to stay relevant in certain markets work on the records and play the festivals and in bigger venues.</p><p>00:15:04.050 –&gt; 00:15:10.800 Joseph McElroy: Well cool so um we’re going to take a break, right now, when we come back we’ll talk more about your music and then we’ll get into that fly fishing.</p><p>00:15:12.090 –&gt; 00:15:14.220 Charles Humphrey: yeah man let’s do it sounds good to talk about.</p><p>00:17:33.060 –&gt; 00:17:43.050 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Charles Humphrey III so Charles.</p><p>00:17:44.280 –&gt; 00:17:55.860 Joseph McElroy: I was reading on your website and there was a quote, that said that your band songs from the road band are considered the epitome of a new grass band so tell me what is new grass.</p><p>00:17:56.970 –&gt; 00:18:04.500 Charles Humphrey: Man, you know that’s an interesting question I guess well bluegrass is a relatively new form of music started in 1946 with</p><p>00:18:05.100 –&gt; 00:18:14.610 Charles Humphrey: Bill Monroe and the other first-generation pioneers like the Stanley brothers and Earl Scruggs and there was a band that came along, new grass revival and they seemed a little.</p><p>00:18:15.570 –&gt; 00:18:16.320 Joseph McElroy: little different.</p><p>00:18:16.350 –&gt; 00:18:26.340Charles Humphrey: Little more aggressive style play covers, and you know they were considered just you know, for the time just groundbreaking and I’ve always been one of my favorite bands still are.</p><p>00:18:27.180 –&gt; 00:18:35.010 Charles Humphrey: And you go back and listen to that stuff now and it’s almost like it sounds traditional compared to some of the new stuff that’s coming out, I mean you’ve got pioneers like.</p><p>00:18:36.630 –&gt; 00:18:42.870 Charles Humphrey: Green sky bluegrass and billy strings that are using acoustic instruments, but basically playing rock and roll and.</p><p>00:18:43.260 –&gt; 00:18:49.110 Charles Humphrey: Turning people on to bluegrass I’ve never even heard of the genre which is good for everyone, you know the.</p><p>00:18:49.590 –&gt; 00:18:59.310 Charles Humphrey: a rising tide raises all the boats and we kind of fall somewhere in between there we’ve got a deep respect for traditional music and incorporated it into our sound.</p><p>00:18:59.760 –&gt; 00:19:14.610 Charles Humphrey: As well as bringing in outside of music and doing it in a style and our records have typically been more traditional than the live show, sometimes in the live show we will incorporate or big lights and.</p><p>00:19:14.970 –&gt; 00:19:26.670 Charles Humphrey: Our favorite crowd to play for are just people that love music not people that are there to see 30 bands that are all considered the same random music, which is fine, too, so.</p><p>00:19:27.960 –&gt; 00:19:37.050 Charles Humphrey: I guess it’s based around the songwriting and the harmony singing and the improvement in providing solos within the format of the song.</p><p>00:19:37.890 –&gt; 00:19:42.840 Charles Humphrey: So I don’t know what’s new grass what’s old grass, but.</p><p>00:19:43.320 –&gt; 00:19:54.300 Charles Humphrey: You know we’re trying to bring something new to it and keep the music alive basically spread joy through music make people happy, let them forget about their everyday worries and when they’re spending their hard-earned money to see some loud music.</p><p>00:19:55.140 –&gt; 00:20:11.580 Joseph McElroy: I love that I mean you know, I think that the essences you know are there’s joy bluegrass that this catching I motel we play when people come in there’s bluegrass play, and you know you see people just light up with it.</p><p>00:20:12.060 –&gt; 00:20:12.480 Charles Humphrey: That is a.</p><p>00:20:13.440 –&gt; 00:20:14.460 That is a great spot.</p><p>00:20:16.320 –&gt; 00:20:20.520 Charles Humphrey: Is it right there on the river and Maggie valley it’s really nice but.</p><p>00:20:20.970 –&gt; 00:20:25.080 Joseph McElroy: cool so you know I’ve had a number of bluegrass musicians come through here.</p><p>00:20:26.160 –&gt; 00:20:35.430 Joseph McElroy: You know, one or two of them, I mentioned that you know the that there’s real deep respect for tradition, but sometimes it becomes also.</p><p>00:20:36.240 –&gt; 00:20:48.810 Joseph McElroy: a hard and fast rule that somebody actually uses the phrase there’s a bluegrass mafia out there that won’t you won’t let you introduce new things do you find that sometimes sort of the stuff that you guys want to do to do it’s hard to introduce.</p><p>00:20:49.380 –&gt; 00:20:54.360 Charles Humphrey: Well, not anymore, I mean I’ve been doing this for 25 years, and you know played.</p><p>00:20:54.810 –&gt; 00:21:07.830 CharlesHumphrey: upright bass for 20 of that now I’m playing electric bass and I don’t feel like I have to prove anything anybody, but I will tell you this, when I was young man fought like hell, to get into that traditional scene and once I got there, I felt like hell, to get out of it.</p><p>00:21:12.390 –&gt; 00:21:13.260 Joseph McElroy: To get to do.</p><p>00:21:14.880 –&gt; 00:21:15.270 Charles Humphrey: I was.</p><p>00:21:15.390 –&gt; 00:21:16.470 Joseph McElroy: I was just fishing with.</p><p>00:21:16.500 –&gt; 00:21:17.250 Charles Humphrey: My good buddy.</p><p>00:21:18.660 –&gt; 00:21:22.320 CharlesHumphrey: David Long yesterday, and he was like Charles you remember the first time we met.</p><p>00:21:23.100 –&gt; 00:21:39.300 Charles Humphrey: I was like not really tell me to remind me and he said, we were at this festival, I was playing with the wildwood valley boys and the Stanley brothers were there, Jim and Jesse were there Ralph Stanley was there I was like the man it’s awesome I forgot to know about that.</p><p>00:21:40.320 –&gt; 00:21:43.590 Charles Humphrey: We told him that line he had about the same reaction as you.</p><p>00:21:45.750 –&gt; 00:21:53.700 Joseph McElroy: well know it’s true, I think that a lot of times you know when you’re young you really work to get into acceptance in a certain area and then all of a sudden, you realize.</p><p>00:21:54.090 –&gt; 00:22:03.690 Joseph McElroy: boy it’s constraining me from what I really want to do well, so I’m glad you mentioned it to make your way out there because you’re doing some great work now.</p><p>00:22:03.720 –&gt; 00:22:06.690 Charles Humphrey: Well, you know we like to have a foot in all places.</p><p>00:22:07.650 –&gt; 00:22:13.080 Joseph McElroy: So you, yeah I mean you doing all this stuff touring writing setting out went out, you know all that.</p><p>00:22:17.460 –&gt; 00:22:23.310 Joseph McElroy: You wrongs right, I know you did a lot of the important songs in the past that you’ve been done for.</p><p>00:22:24.750 –&gt; 00:22:32.310 Joseph McElroy: You also started a record label what it looks Luckscdumpy toad records represent and what’s the name stands for.</p><p>00:22:32.670 –&gt; 00:22:33.930 Charles Humphrey: yeah that’s a good question.</p><p>00:22:35.190 –&gt; 00:22:40.050 Charles Humphrey: Another one of those situations where maybe not enough time was put into selecting the name.</p><p>00:22:41.790 –&gt; 00:22:49.800Charles Humphrey: Well, I had that first song from the road band record coming out and it was about to be released and I was having to register all the songs I didn’t have time.</p><p>00:22:50.430 –&gt; 00:23:02.370 Charles Humphrey: to vet the names there’s a kind of a timeline with when you’re choosing your publishing company names, where you turn in what your top choices are, and if it’s already taken you didn’t get it.</p><p>00:23:03.810 –&gt; 00:23:06.750 Charles Humphrey: And I was pretty sure that name hadn’t been taken.</p><p>00:23:09.570 –&gt; 00:23:10.500 Charles Humphrey: It was just someone.</p><p>00:23:11.760 –&gt; 00:23:14.880 Charles Humphrey: Saying my best friend from childhood had.</p><p>00:23:16.380 –&gt; 00:23:18.420 Charles Humphrey: made up when night when I was visiting him in.</p><p>00:23:18.420 –&gt; 00:23:26.520 Charles Humphrey: Wilmington North Carolina and I was like I have no idea what that means, but it’s kind of fun to say I was like nobody else has ever thought of this I’m going to put this out.</p><p>00:23:27.060 –&gt; 00:23:33.750 Charles Humphrey: As the publishing company which became the record label for a lot of independent releases and that’s the story behind the name.</p><p>00:23:33.990 –&gt; 00:23:40.770 Joseph McElroy: All right, well it’s as good as any right yeah sometimes it over-intellectualizing names make them on fox.</p><p>00:23:42.570 –&gt; 00:23:44.820 Joseph McElroy: So we’re located national.</p><p>00:23:45.360 –&gt; 00:23:51.690 Charles Humphrey: Live right here in West Asheville North Carolina to two children spends a lot of time in North Carolina.</p><p>00:23:52.350 –&gt; 00:24:02.910 Charles Humphrey: And then, with the fishing, I’m traveling a whole lot with high trout is the name of the company I’ll work with and we got in North Georgia Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.</p><p>00:24:03.390 –&gt; 00:24:11.700 Charles Humphrey: So there’s a lot of getting up at 5 am and driving two or three hours to be on the River by sunrise and fishing all day and drive them back, but boy do I love it.</p><p>00:24:12.150 –&gt; 00:24:14.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah Well, no, I mean.</p><p>00:24:18.180 –&gt; 00:24:22.320 Joseph McElroy: With diverse passions is, I think.</p><p>00:24:23.460 –&gt; 00:24:34.650 Joseph McElroy: it really you know, makes the life that you want to leave because you know, you can have some access discussing notable endeavors and some of them are big successes, but some are successes for yourself.</p><p>00:24:35.040 –&gt; 00:24:47.130 Joseph McElroy: And those are purchases important absolutely is there any success that you’ve had just for yourself, you know related to say fishing with your you know it’s you know talk about a lot that you really feel proud of.</p><p>00:24:49.680 –&gt; 00:24:51.690 Charles Humphrey: Well I’ve taken a lot of leaps of faith.</p><p>00:24:53.310 –&gt; 00:25:05.130 Charles Humphrey: a few years ago I bought a saltwater boat and pitched a lot in oriental North Carolina and enjoy doing stuff like that for the old drum and black drum and speckled trout and.</p><p>00:25:06.720 –&gt; 00:25:14.640 Charles Humphrey: flounder and all kinds of stuff and really made some good friends over at endurance seafood that Bruno family their commercial fisherman and area and he.</p><p>00:25:15.210 –&gt; 00:25:30.600 Charles Humphrey: kind of showed me how to Tom on hanging on the net and do some net fishing and a record with a recreational license just trying to it came from a love of the area and wanting to learn about the fishing industry there and then you know, going from.</p><p>00:25:31.650 –&gt; 00:25:41.160 Charles Humphrey: Primarily 99% euro nipping fly fishing style to undertaking the drift boat and guiding from the boat and have people float.</p><p>00:25:42.000 –&gt; 00:25:44.880 Charles Humphrey: You know that was a leap of faith to and really enjoyed that so.</p><p>00:25:45.360 –&gt; 00:25:58.770 Charles Humphrey: I think, whenever I try something new that I don’t know about I kind of go all-in on it and just try to learn as much as I can spend as much time about it, and then, when you when it comes kind of second nature, you start to feel comfortable with it, I think that’s a personal success.</p><p>00:26:00.330 –&gt; 00:26:15.540 Joseph McElroy: Is there um do you find you know fly fishing in a way, is almost meditative and you’re on the River by yourself and then I imagine that songwriting most of the time to sort of a meditative by yourself, is there a relationship, but you find his way thing.</p><p>00:26:17.760 –&gt; 00:26:30.030Charles Humphrey: was just by yourself, but I actually prefer to do both with other people, I mean I love fishing with other people have as much fun as watching somebody who’s just learning or someone catches it personal best fish.</p><p>00:26:30.780 –&gt; 00:26:39.420 Charles Humphrey: just watching them meet one of their goals is doing it myself because I kind of gets the fish all the time, so I love seeing other people do it, and when it comes to songwriting I really like to co-write.</p><p>00:26:39.900 –&gt; 00:26:50.580 Charles Humphrey: Because you get this camaraderie kind of like you and I are doing here we’re doing this show we’re working off each other we’re going off our first impressions and so you’re creating something out of nothing and you’ve got.</p><p>00:26:51.360 –&gt; 00:26:57.000 Charles Humphrey: More first impressions to filter and shape into a song that you both can be proud of, so.</p><p>00:26:57.690 –&gt; 00:27:08.280Charles Humphrey: You know there’s maybe the guy out there who only fishes by himself and only uses one dry fly and only matches the hatch and you know, whatever but there’s also people that like to fish together so.</p><p>00:27:08.550 –&gt; 00:27:12.480 Charles Humphrey: I think you can get out of it, what you put into it or shape it to what you want it to be.</p><p>00:27:13.170 –&gt; 00:27:15.840 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah that reminds me there was a big.</p><p>00:27:19.230 –&gt; 00:27:25.290 Joseph McElroy: thing where there’s a guy that was and somewhere in the South who asked that he couldn’t find.</p><p>00:27:26.700 –&gt; 00:27:33.960 Joseph McElroy: Somebody to go fishing with him and he got an overwhelming response from guys all over the South to be his fishing buddy.</p><p>00:27:34.260 –&gt; 00:27:43.230 Joseph McElroy: And they didn’t care that he was gay, so it was a really heartwarming thing to see you know and counter to what you know, sometimes the southern stereotype is.</p><p>00:27:44.310 –&gt; 00:27:50.310 Joseph McElroy: You know because it seems that you know fishing crosses all boundaries and all yeah I think.</p><p>00:27:50.310 –&gt; 00:28:01.830 Charles Humphrey: Fishing and music bring people together in general, just like you say crossing boundaries or however you want to look at it different lifestyles kind of the same thing that experience I’ve had with the ultra running to.</p><p>00:28:02.370 –&gt; 00:28:02.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:28:03.060 –&gt; 00:28:13.380 Charles Humphrey: You have people going out there running these you know marathons 50 K 50 miler event 200 miler events and they come from all walks of life, you know all.</p><p>00:28:14.040 –&gt; 00:28:18.300 Charles Humphrey: Just nobody’s alike, but they had this one thing in common, which is ultra running.</p><p>00:28:18.960 –&gt; 00:28:24.810 Charles Humphrey: And they’re usually pretty decent people because they have at least enough discipline to train their body to build accomplish a goal like that.</p><p>00:28:25.140 –&gt; 00:28:33.840 Charles Humphrey: And once you get out there and meet him for the first time and you’re suffering together, you have this like instant bond, and you just make all these great friends from different walks of life.</p><p>00:28:34.410 –&gt; 00:28:49.290 Charles Humphrey: And that’s another great thing about the smoky mountains in this area is that just like there are thousands of miles of great trout streams of all varieties of fishing and styles of trout they’re equally as many mountains trails and places to run an explorer.</p><p>00:28:50.580 –&gt; 00:29:01.380 Joseph McElroy: So I’m sensing the common theme you love co-creation right and now so cool who is who’s your favorite co-writers.</p><p>00:29:02.250 –&gt; 00:29:08.280Charles Humphrey: And Jim Lauderdale sure people have heard of him the King of broken hearts and.</p><p>00:29:09.420 –&gt; 00:29:13.620 Charles Humphrey: Right, a lot of a guy in Nashville Marty Datsun we’ve had some success we’ve got to.</p><p>00:29:14.100 –&gt; 00:29:26.550 CharlesHumphrey: be a Nick dolphin a road and I wrote a song it’s been that number one for five weeks in a row now and the bluegrass today grass account a chart it’s a single that’ll be our upcoming record from songs to the roadman titled Amarillo blue.</p><p>00:29:27.690 –&gt; 00:29:31.590 Charles Humphrey: Sean camp Charlie Chamberlain feel Barker.</p><p>00:29:33.480 –&gt; 00:29:34.650 Tom use.</p><p>00:29:36.390 –&gt; 00:29:39.540 Charles Humphrey: there are so many people who are right with me I’m sure I’m leaving some names out but.</p><p>00:29:39.930 –&gt; 00:29:42.720 Joseph McElroy: who happen to read with it, wrote, with it’s you want to write with.</p><p>00:29:43.800 –&gt; 00:29:48.930 Charles Humphrey: Oh man that’s a good question you know I kind of want to write with whoever sells a lot of records.</p><p>00:29:53.880 –&gt; 00:29:56.160 Joseph McElroy: Right I’ll let them do all the writing and I’ll take credit.</p><p>00:29:58.170 –&gt; 00:30:02.670 Charles Humphrey: that’s the ticket man I’ll tell you, listeners, right now if you want to get cuts right with the artist.</p><p>00:30:03.750 –&gt; 00:30:04.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:30:05.430 –&gt; 00:30:13.200 Joseph McElroy: that’s the secret all right when we come back let’s explore more about your efficiency in your long-distance endurance stuff, which are all both incredible.</p><p>00:30:13.560 –&gt; 00:30:14.760 Charles Humphrey: sounds good let’s do.</p><p>00:30:18.780 –&gt; 00:30:21.060 Joseph McElroy: manacles and how it impacts your life.</p><p>00:32:47.670 –&gt; 00:32:59.730 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Charles Humphrey the third so Charles I would be remiss, not to mention that.</p><p>00:33:00.420 –&gt; 00:33:11.100 Joseph McElroy: you’re planning, along with Bob plot, who is the general manager of the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center an exciting new songwriter camp.</p><p>00:33:12.180 –&gt; 00:33:12.900 Charles Humphrey: We are.</p><p>00:33:12.960 –&gt; 00:33:20.880 Charles Humphrey: Bob Bob and I’ve been talking a lot about that and we’re very excited about it, he had he shares and enthusiasm for all things.</p><p>00:33:21.810 –&gt; 00:33:25.050 Charles Humphrey: Relating to the culture of Western North Carolina and love songwriting.</p><p>00:33:25.530 –&gt; 00:33:32.550 Charles Humphrey: And so I jumped at the opportunity to host an event such a beautiful place where you’ve got the built-in lodging and venue and everything.</p><p>00:33:32.910 –&gt; 00:33:40.950 Charles Humphrey: And we think that’s going to happen in the spring, potentially April and there’s a good chance that you’ll see me and some other people like.</p><p>00:33:41.610 –&gt; 00:33:48.300 Charles Humphrey: Potentially Jim Lauderdale Sean Camp and we’ll bring in a handful of writers and lodge them and feed them and.</p><p>00:33:48.630 –&gt; 00:34:03.660 Charles Humphrey: and work with them and share stories and show them how the recording process works talk about song pitching jam together, do you know guitar swaps and it’s going to be a really neat opportunity for people that love the craft of songwriting.</p><p>00:34:04.410 –&gt; 00:34:09.750 Joseph McElroy: cool and I think you’re, you said you might be setting up a little studio to do some put together something rather there.</p><p>00:34:10.080 –&gt; 00:34:16.230 Charles Humphrey: yeah you know I think it’s important for these people to see the process of our work tape or a DEMO tape might be made.</p><p>00:34:16.680 –&gt; 00:34:26.550 Charles Humphrey: So we’ll definitely let everybody get a taste of that as well, and you know I’m sure there’ll be some songs born out of being at the camp and the writers out of there, which is always exciting.</p><p>00:34:27.330 –&gt; 00:34:29.940 Joseph McElroy: Now, everything is mostly just for real aspiring.</p><p>00:34:31.080 –&gt; 00:34:34.860 Joseph McElroy: songwriters are serious fans of aficionados be.</p><p>00:34:34.980 –&gt; 00:34:36.360 Joseph McElroy: Man, well, I think.</p><p>00:34:36.420 –&gt; 00:34:45.420 Charles Humphrey: Any level would be welcome, you know just with a range of talent, we have there obviously everyone could get something out of it, but you know it could just be like.</p><p>00:34:47.130 –&gt; 00:34:50.970 Charles Humphrey: I don’t know, to me it would be like going to Disney world as a songwriter you know.</p><p>00:34:51.900 –&gt; 00:35:04.590 Charles Humphrey: Work with people that caliber and such a neat location, I mean it could be a total beginner or could be an accomplished songwriter that you know, I was looking for a getaway and wants to be around some great people and create some music.</p><p>00:35:05.400 –&gt; 00:35:14.610 Joseph McElroy: I think that being involved in the creative process, and even if you don’t actually have professional ambitions, is one of the most beautiful experiences, you can have.</p><p>00:35:15.630 –&gt; 00:35:19.560 Joseph McElroy: In terms of you know, finding some life experiences.</p><p>00:35:21.450 –&gt; 00:35:23.010 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely, well, I know.</p><p>00:35:24.660 –&gt; 00:35:29.880 Charles Humphrey: People that love music or one to one to learn how to write or are just curious about it.</p><p>00:35:30.180 –&gt; 00:35:39.660 Charles Humphrey: I mean everybody’s got a story everybody’s got inspiration everybody could have input and when you’re co-writing you know you draw on the strength of your other writers and it may be somebody that</p><p>00:35:40.230 –&gt; 00:35:48.300 Charles Humphrey: Are you know got 50 number one hits or maybe somebody is their first time but they’ve got a great story about their grandma grandpa and it could turn into a great song.</p><p>00:35:49.020 –&gt; 00:35:54.630 Joseph McElroy: cool and you know we have a nice little trust string right there on the property called the.</p><p>00:35:54.630 –&gt; 00:35:58.440 Charles Humphrey: Job man, I saw that I saw that is a nice little trout stream.</p><p>00:35:58.470 –&gt; 00:36:04.290 Joseph McElroy: it’s about inherently strong so maybe you can one of the brakes could be taking people out there, doing some fly fishing right.</p><p>00:36:05.160 –&gt; 00:36:07.890 Charles Humphrey: Absolutely, that is a wonderful area, the country to find.</p><p>00:36:08.280 –&gt; 00:36:20.310 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah so you have actually been you’ve mentioned it before, but you become quite an expert, I mean people talk about it you’re an expert in fly fishing and actually in guided tours around the North care.</p><p>00:36:24.060 –&gt; 00:36:27.000 Joseph McElroy: How did you what spurred that decision.</p><p>00:36:27.540 –&gt; 00:36:31.230 Charles Humphrey: Well, Dan Sasser who started high trout gods.</p><p>00:36:32.550 –&gt; 00:36:40.470 Charles Humphrey: contacted me on the recommendation of a mutual friend, that is a guide and fly shop owner in western North Carolina.</p><p>00:36:41.010 –&gt; 00:36:48.240 CharlesHumphrey: And we hit it off right off the BAT you know we really got along really shared a passion and a common vision of not just.</p><p>00:36:48.660 –&gt; 00:37:00.720 Charles Humphrey: You know run an efficient business, but making it an experience and focusing on education and really you know, making it something special for the people that come out there, you know and.</p><p>00:37:01.650 –&gt; 00:37:19.350 Charles Humphrey: it’s just been a blessing to work with him and work with somebody that that is so enthusiastic about fishing and so knowledgeable and they want to teach the euro style of fishing, which some people call it tight line nymph thing or contact name thing and basically.</p><p>00:37:20.550 –&gt; 00:37:26.520 Charles Humphrey: you’re not making big cast like brad Pitt and the river runs through it you’ve got a long lightweight rod.</p><p>00:37:27.180 –&gt; 00:37:33.630 Charles Humphrey: With thin line hardly indicator and small bugs and you’re working on getting a perfect dead drift the full these fish.</p><p>00:37:33.960 –&gt; 00:37:39.390 Charles Humphrey: These huge fish, you know they probably two or 300 of these tiny, tiny bugs all year round.</p><p>00:37:39.720 –&gt; 00:37:46.290 Charles Humphrey: And by not using corks and bombers and all this other stuff you’re not scaring them and you’re kind of dissection the river and then you look into these.</p><p>00:37:46.590 –&gt; 00:37:57.600 Charles Humphrey: Beautiful fish and have a chance to land them properly, we teach people how to do that and then how to handle them and hopefully release them to be called another day and it’s.</p><p>00:37:58.470 –&gt; 00:38:04.800 Joseph McElroy: what’s big for trout at the spot these trout streams in the mountains.</p><p>00:38:04.980 –&gt; 00:38:09.960 Charles Humphrey: Well it’s interesting and we do everything you know, some people want to go up into the mountains and catch.</p><p>00:38:12.420 –&gt; 00:38:19.080 Charles Humphrey: wild fish or you know fish that have been born in the river and they love these colors of the beautiful.</p><p>00:38:19.560 –&gt; 00:38:27.420 Charles Humphrey: rainbows and rookies and rounds, which can be smaller fish but just as rewarding because you know they were born in the wild know beautiful colors and.</p><p>00:38:28.380 –&gt; 00:38:42.150Charles Humphrey: Then there are areas of the rivers that are stocked with massive fish and there are some areas that are wild fisheries and then there are some areas that are privately managed waters and so we’ll do whatever the client wants to do and I love it all.</p><p>00:38:42.180 –&gt; 00:38:44.850 Joseph McElroy: So I don’t want to offend any group of fishermen by.</p><p>00:38:44.850 –&gt; 00:38:52.560Charles Humphrey: Saying one size fish one style of the fishing one you know this or that it’s better than the other, we love it all will do whatever they want to do.</p><p>00:38:52.920 –&gt; 00:38:56.040 Charles Humphrey: But I do have an affinity for fishing in North Georgia.</p><p>00:38:56.520 –&gt; 00:39:12.870 Charles Humphrey: Which is some of the private managed waters and the fish are very large they’re huge and it’s an opportunity for someone who’s never caught a large trout to go out there and learn how to properly land efficiently a lifetime on lightweight tackle.</p><p>00:39:13.560 –&gt; 00:39:13.980 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:39:14.190 –&gt; 00:39:21.720 Charles Humphrey: And you’ll get to do it a lot, the whole day long so that way you know if you’re back in your wild stream and you took the biggest fish you ever call you’ll know how to land them and not just.</p><p>00:39:21.720 –&gt; 00:39:23.640 break them off and it’s.</p><p>00:39:25.140 –&gt; 00:39:30.450 Joseph McElroy: At the Jonathan creek park I caught a 2222 inch fish rainbow once.</p><p>00:39:30.750 –&gt; 00:39:31.200 So.</p><p>00:39:32.310 –&gt; 00:39:33.240 Charles Humphrey: That little creek.</p><p>00:39:33.330 –&gt; 00:39:41.670 Joseph McElroy: That was big I was yeah was it, you know it’s an interesting creek get stock but also has great little brown trout in there, but an ass right.</p><p>00:39:41.940 –&gt; 00:39:42.450 Joseph McElroy: that’s.</p><p>00:39:42.780 –&gt; 00:39:55.290 Charles Humphrey: What I’ve been fishing a lot over and Eastern Tennessee and because it’s so hot now in western North Carolina you don’t want to fish in temperatures are areas where the fish are going to get stressed out from catching them.</p><p>00:39:55.710 –&gt; 00:40:04.020 Charles Humphrey: In the water being too low temperature is too high, so we’ve been fishing a lot and damn released waters over in Tennessee where the water stays cold year-round.</p><p>00:40:04.920 –&gt; 00:40:14.820 Charles Humphrey: And that’s Another advantage of being able to get people on the boat too is you can fish in the middle of the summer, where the waters are still fishing well and they’re healthy you’re not going to hurt the fish.</p><p>00:40:15.270 –&gt; 00:40:20.640 Joseph McElroy: Now you’re planning on know, maybe doing a fly fishing camp over the middle there.</p><p>00:40:20.970 –&gt; 00:40:22.170Charles Humphrey: we’re going to do that we’re going to work.</p><p>00:40:22.170 –&gt; 00:40:30.120 Charles Humphrey: With Bob plot and have high trout involved and we’re going to do some areas of education, where we.</p><p>00:40:30.810 –&gt; 00:40:35.790 Charles Humphrey: Teach all things to fly fishing and then we’re going to take the people and go out and put them on the water and just have a.</p><p>00:40:36.360 –&gt; 00:40:50.160 Charles Humphrey: Big old time catching fish and telling lies and maybe have some music and videos or something wind up the night campfire, maybe it’s that’s going to be another great event for the community for people that are interesting and fly fishing.</p><p>00:40:50.850 –&gt; 00:40:55.920 Joseph McElroy: So how can people find more about this trout these trout ventures that you take people on.</p><p>00:40:56.520 –&gt; 00:41:05.850 Charles Humphrey: High trout.com where you can contact the company through the website through Instagram through Facebook, you can also contact me.</p><p>00:41:06.210 –&gt; 00:41:21.750 Charles Humphrey: Directly all the information and rates, with the exception of private or fees are on the website, and we would love to entertain you like we have guaranteed adventure guaranteed education and I like to say a high chance of catching quality fish.</p><p>00:41:23.040 –&gt; 00:41:24.600 Charles Humphrey: But you know you can’t control the weather and you.</p><p>00:41:24.600 –&gt; 00:41:25.530 Joseph McElroy: can’t control the bike.</p><p>00:41:25.710 –&gt; 00:41:27.390 But I want to talk about this done.</p><p>00:41:29.070 –&gt; 00:41:43.260 Joseph McElroy: So I want to talk about this, I read, I want, I want to talk about this, I read that you were inspired by Christopher McDougall’s bestseller born to run and then you’ve now become active directory or What was it about that book, then what and what do you do.</p><p>00:41:45.000 –&gt; 00:41:51.060 Charles Humphrey: I mean I got into it totally by mistake I picked that book up into the in the airport and changed my life.</p><p>00:41:52.140 –&gt; 00:42:00.450 Charles Humphrey: You know it’s about his experience running with this tribe of natural born runners down in Mexico and they were on barefoot it’s about these toe shoes and.</p><p>00:42:00.810 –&gt; 00:42:12.780 Charles Humphrey: went out and ran like seven or nine miles, I was like oh wow this is amazing and sells like oh i’m going to do a marathon I could never do that well, eventually, I found out that if you’re running around here toe shoes aren’t going to cut it because there’s a lot of rocks.</p><p>00:42:12.810 –&gt; 00:42:13.440 Joseph McElroy: So I got it.</p><p>00:42:15.090 –&gt; 00:42:21.930 Charles Humphrey: I did a marathon and I thought I was going to finish in like five hours or something I ended up doing it, and like three and a half, I had no idea.</p><p>00:42:22.590 –&gt; 00:42:38.490 CharlesHumphrey: And so I did another one and I had to go faster than the first one, and after the second one, I was like hold on a second this running fast stuff is for the birds i’m never doing this, I want to see how far I can go not how fast, I can go, so I went from marathon to.</p><p>00:42:39.840 –&gt; 00:42:51.030 Charles Humphrey: mile or 224-hour race 200 miler eventually got into the lottery of the Western states endurance run, which is kind of like the super bowl of ultra running they have.</p><p>00:42:51.780 –&gt; 00:42:57.150 Charles Humphrey: A certain number of pro spots and then a small number of people are getting buy raffle and you run.</p><p>00:42:57.540 –&gt; 00:43:08.670 Charles Humphrey: From squaw valley to auburn California, to the Sierra Nevada mountains and it’s 100 miles a year I did it the first it was over 100 degrees, the whole way in this first 16 miles of it was snow.</p><p>00:43:09.060 –&gt; 00:43:18.270 Charles Humphrey: It was a very good challenge, to say the least we’re going along and jumping in these rivers, just to keep our body temperature down which, of course, leads that.</p><p>00:43:18.660 –&gt; 00:43:28.590 Charles Humphrey: Your shorts rubbing on your legs and all kinds of chafing and crazy stuff but I managed to make it through and that was one of the highlights of my running career.</p><p>00:43:29.550 –&gt; 00:43:39.090 Charles Humphrey: The other thing I like about the running as we mentioned touched on it before was the Community but we’ve been able to give back to the Community, a little bit like I’m the race director for.</p><p>00:43:39.870 –&gt; 00:43:51.180 Charles Humphrey: A 50 K ultramarathon that happens in North Carolina and benefits the candidate Foundation, which is the nonprofit of Oskar blues and they do a lot of things like.</p><p>00:43:51.750 –&gt; 00:44:01.140 Charles Humphrey: trail maintenance flood relief tunes ambassadors, the band, and I get help them get instruments to kids in schools that need them and.</p><p>00:44:01.770 –&gt; 00:44:13.800 Charles Humphrey: We have not done the hullabaloo 50 K, the past two years, because the forest service has not been doing permits out of safety concerns, but we hope that it will be back in November of 2022.</p><p>00:44:14.310 –&gt; 00:44:20.940 Joseph McElroy: wow well how do you find that internal what is the training like, how do you manage to do that.</p><p>00:44:23.820 –&gt; 00:44:24.960 Charles Humphrey: You run a lot.</p><p>00:44:25.410 –&gt; 00:44:29.340 Charles Humphrey: The biggest thing without you know just talking too much is.</p><p>00:44:29.700 –&gt; 00:44:36.330 Charles Humphrey: you’re going to train for long-distance you don’t have to go out and run that distance before you just have to simulate what it feels like to run.</p><p>00:44:36.990 –&gt; 00:44:47.400 Charles Humphrey: That deep in the race, so if I was going to train for something crazy like that 100 mile or even more a lot of the stuff I’ve done what wasn’t even advanced so just kind of local routes that local runners like to do.</p><p>00:44:48.060 –&gt; 00:44:59.850 Charles Humphrey: The key is to do a back to back run we say you’ll go out and run 20 miles and then the next day go out and do the second the same amount and that second day you’re running on very tired legs and that simulates what it’s.</p><p>00:44:59.880 –&gt; 00:45:00.660 Joseph McElroy: Like to run.</p><p>00:45:00.810 –&gt; 00:45:15.750 arlo humphrey: You run 60 7080 or 90 miles and once you can train your body to operate in those conditions, then it’s just a matter of staying hydrated and fueled and you just if you can you know not to get sick, you can just keep going it’s not like you get exponentially more tired.</p><p>00:45:16.140 –&gt; 00:45:21.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah what what what’s the best trail in the smoky mountains for somebody wanted to be a long run.</p><p>00:45:24.000 –&gt; 00:45:33.240 arlo humphrey: My favorite Western North Carolina running adventure, is something that was started by Adam hill.</p><p>00:45:33.870 –&gt; 00:45:43.530 arlo humphrey: And he calls it, the pixel this run is when you run from mount pigs good amount Mitchell and you just take the mountains to see the trail the whole way 68 miles.</p><p>00:45:44.040 –&gt; 00:45:49.740 arlo humphrey: And it is a beast of a run I mean it really is a challenge, and you know it’s kind of an accomplishment.</p><p>00:45:50.520 –&gt; 00:46:02.520 arlo humphrey: If you live in this area as a runner say that you’ve completed that route and one effort and that’s my favorite probably one of my favorite ones around here, but there are thousands or livery are so many great places to run.</p><p>00:46:03.090 –&gt; 00:46:09.450 Joseph McElroy: cool well we come back, I want to finish up a little bit about you and then and the things you’re doing in the future, thanks, Joseph.</p><p>00:47:13.890 –&gt; 00:47:14.400 Most of the.</p><p>00:48:43.500 –&gt; 00:49:01.200 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my esteemed guests Charles Humphrey the third so Charles before I go too much further right this one, I saw this little you know almost like an aside, on your resume.</p><p>00:49:01.590 –&gt; 00:49:02.010 Joseph McElroy: That says.</p><p>00:49:02.520 –&gt; 00:49:08.910 Joseph McElroy: you’re in an honorary Kentucky colonel, how did that happen that’s like a really great thing.</p><p>00:49:09.510 –&gt; 00:49:28.380 arlo humphrey: yeah man, that was a nice little feathered having the hat, I was traveling with a group of musicians down on the delta queen riverboat and I met a horse guy he gives her talks about horse racing he bets on horses I’ve been to the Kentucky Derby with him.</p><p>00:49:28.380 –&gt; 00:49:39.150 arlo humphrey: His name was Jim playful and we Evidently, we made a great impression on him that week, and he told the governor that these guys had to be Kentucky kernels.</p><p>00:49:39.510 –&gt; 00:49:55.770 arlo humphrey: So we all got asked to be Kentucky kernels based on our time on the delta queen riverboat we spent with him, and it has been a lifelong friendship and you know going to the Kentucky Derby and being a part of that was a great experience as well, so.</p><p>00:49:57.060 –&gt; 00:50:03.150 arlo humphrey: It just happened out of chance and out of luck just making friends, you know a lot of things.</p><p>00:50:03.210 –&gt; 00:50:05.040 Joseph McElroy: A lot of time in life is just it’s just.</p><p>00:50:05.760 –&gt; 00:50:07.440 arlo humphrey: I mean, it really is it’s kind of like.</p><p>00:50:07.800 –&gt; 00:50:08.790 arlo humphrey: Who, you know.</p><p>00:50:12.210 –&gt; 00:50:17.970 arlo humphrey: talk to people, be a good person be a nice person get back to the Community and work hard good things will happen.</p><p>00:50:18.840 –&gt; 00:50:26.490 Joseph McElroy: So you know there’s shows a little bit of a travelogue so I mentioned this earlier and you live in West asheville which I think is an interesting play.</p><p>00:50:28.530 –&gt; 00:50:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Yes, it’s changed ask you has become very it’s very it’s got its got a restaurant there low I love called jog on which you know as yes excellent food it’s got.</p><p>00:50:41.100 –&gt; 00:50:51.480 Joseph McElroy: Good yeah So if I like to ask what is a day diet day I itinerary and we don’t have a lot of time, but you know what Where would you send somebody to breakfast and West Asheville.</p><p>00:50:53.550 –&gt; 00:50:56.910 arlo humphrey: Oh, you either have to go to sunny point CAFE or biscuit head.</p><p>00:50:57.180 –&gt; 00:50:59.460 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you got a boat I love those places.</p><p>00:50:59.790 –&gt; 00:51:12.330 arlo humphrey: toss up yeah but you know it really the lines going to probably be too long at both yeah and so you’d have to go somewhere else which.</p><p>00:51:12.780 –&gt; 00:51:19.200 Joseph McElroy: where’s now in West Asheville an early girl, which has got a pretty good and they don’t have a big line and.</p><p>00:51:21.240 –&gt; 00:51:24.840 arlo humphrey: it’s hard to go wrong Those are the two most popular ones, though yeah.</p><p>00:51:26.520 –&gt; 00:51:26.850 Joseph McElroy: And then.</p><p>00:51:29.190 –&gt; 00:51:31.980 Joseph McElroy: To do unless actually bring the morning.</p><p>00:51:33.270 –&gt; 00:51:37.980 arlo humphrey: Well, most of my mornings are wake up before the sun comes up and leaving West asheville.</p><p>00:51:39.420 –&gt; 00:51:41.100 Joseph McElroy: go up go out somewhere right yeah.</p><p>00:51:41.190 –&gt; 00:51:48.810 arlo humphrey: i’ve been to Tennessee drive into Maggie valley driving tuck a CG driving to prove are driving to.</p><p>00:51:49.410 –&gt; 00:51:51.570 Joseph McElroy: A place to get to a lot of things yeah.</p><p>00:51:51.870 –&gt; 00:51:52.740 arlo humphrey: But I.</p><p>00:51:52.830 –&gt; 00:52:03.930 arlo humphrey: I do live here, I do have children, my son, and I really like to go to the retro arcade, which is a pinball arcade and video games he really enjoys that which is kind of a neat thing to have in the neighborhood.</p><p>00:52:05.040 –&gt; 00:52:06.360 Joseph McElroy: And where would you take him Luxton.</p><p>00:52:08.160 –&gt; 00:52:11.790 arlo humphrey: Where would he go to lunch, well, I like.</p><p>00:52:13.320 –&gt; 00:52:29.130 arlo humphrey: I like the wings at Westfield pub pretty good pizza mines got a good salad I like the whale is a nice bottle shop friend of mine owns that place it’s right next door to Zia Taqueria, which is a nice Mexican.</p><p>00:52:29.130 –&gt; 00:52:29.820 place.</p><p>00:52:32.580 –&gt; 00:52:38.040 Joseph McElroy: It so that’s good you give me some good options about the afternoon, what would you spend the afternoon with your son.</p><p>00:52:39.390 –&gt; 00:52:46.560 arlo humphrey: um you might go tubing down the French broad river or go over to carrier park and.</p><p>00:52:47.910 –&gt; 00:52:49.290 arlo humphrey: play on the playground.</p><p>00:52:50.490 –&gt; 00:52:53.640 arlo humphrey: Where I’m like that maybe he’s really into the video games.</p><p>00:52:54.840 –&gt; 00:52:58.110 Joseph McElroy: And then you drop your son off to your grandma or whatever.</p><p>00:52:58.980 –&gt; 00:53:01.800 arlo humphrey: He was he’ll want to go to orbits DVD.</p><p>00:53:02.940 –&gt; 00:53:03.810 Joseph McElroy: comic book.</p><p>00:53:04.140 –&gt; 00:53:05.340 arlo humphrey: Video rental shop.</p><p>00:53:05.880 –&gt; 00:53:13.740 Joseph McElroy: loves that place it’s a really cool store and now you drop the sun off with the grandma or babysitter whatever you and your wife go to out for dinner, where do you take her.</p><p>00:53:14.970 –&gt; 00:53:18.330 arlo humphrey: Well, my girlfriend it also is kind of jargon.</p><p>00:53:18.990 –&gt; 00:53:19.530 Joseph McElroy: Sorry yeah.</p><p>00:53:19.830 –&gt; 00:53:21.810 arlo humphrey: he likes to start triggering plate there.</p><p>00:53:22.320 –&gt; 00:53:22.950 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:53:23.970 –&gt; 00:53:24.480 Joseph McElroy: Where else.</p><p>00:53:24.570 –&gt; 00:53:29.160 arlo humphrey: We go Bullen beggars Nice, I think we just got a gift certificate.</p><p>00:53:29.220 –&gt; 00:53:30.390 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah we’re.</p><p>00:53:30.540 –&gt; 00:53:33.240 arlo humphrey: Currently a in asheville.</p><p>00:53:35.160 –&gt; 00:53:37.230 arlo humphrey: But we cook a lot of the House, too.</p><p>00:53:38.490 –&gt; 00:53:41.940 arlo humphrey: yeah Asheville is amazing, the culinary experiences here really great.</p><p>00:53:42.810 –&gt; 00:53:49.050 Joseph McElroy: And then the evening places or there’s too many to mention right in terms of where to go with the evening.</p><p>00:53:49.440 –&gt; 00:53:52.050 arlo humphrey: Oh yeah like loud music and stuff like that we’ve.</p><p>00:53:52.050 –&gt; 00:53:52.260 Joseph McElroy: got.</p><p>00:53:52.980 –&gt; 00:53:57.420 arlo humphrey: That always going to hear, like the Gray eagle and Asheville music call and.</p><p>00:53:59.130 –&gt; 00:54:05.070 arlo humphrey: there’s just Egypt, the best thing to do is get the local paper and see if there’s something going on, you you’re interested in and give it a shot.</p><p>00:54:05.910 –&gt; 00:54:12.120 Joseph McElroy: So so what’s in your future I mean what plans do you have I guess you got a new album may be coming out.</p><p>00:54:12.150 –&gt; 00:54:20.070 arlo humphrey: What else you yeah we’ve released three singles off of it so far hope to have the record finished by the first quarter of next year.</p><p>00:54:20.610 –&gt; 00:54:32.250 arlo humphrey: The fall efficiencies in is about to fire back up, which is October and November so we’re taking a lot of reservations, for the private water and then all the other days will be filled up with public water.</p><p>00:54:33.840 –&gt; 00:54:36.390 arlo humphrey: Wade and float trips.</p><p>00:54:37.980 –&gt; 00:54:44.790 arlo humphrey: I’m going to go do some fishing for old drum and September going to go to the beach for a week and thanksgiving and fish.</p><p>00:54:45.210 –&gt; 00:54:56.490 arlo humphrey: On the coast, with some family and then you know we kind of get into the holidays, but I’m so ready for the fall the leaves are starting to change it’s just a little bit warm and safe just hanging out a little.</p><p>00:54:56.580 –&gt; 00:54:57.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:54:57.270 –&gt; 00:55:01.380 arlo humphrey: I still getting 8590 where I’m ready for you know 7580.</p><p>00:55:03.270 –&gt; 00:55:08.490 arlo humphrey: very excited about the fall she’s going to be great fishing the band’s got some neat.</p><p>00:55:09.090 –&gt; 00:55:17.100 arlo humphrey: Things coming up, we host a festival in Johnson city called stone fluff so that’s October 8 and ninth and just today, we announced Asheville winter grass.</p><p>00:55:17.340 –&gt; 00:55:30.900 arlo humphrey: which we host it’s at one World War brewing West and that’s the first weekend in December, the fourth and fifth I believe it’s a Saturday Sunday will be us performing with special guests Jim Lauderdale and Andy Buckner, but if you visit songs to the road band.</p><p>00:55:30.930 –&gt; 00:55:32.850 Joseph McElroy: calm to see all the musical.</p><p>00:55:32.850 –&gt; 00:55:41.340 arlo humphrey: events, but there are some things we’re very excited about we’re going to kind of close the year out, strong and look forward to the releasing the new record next year cool.</p><p>00:55:41.580 –&gt; 00:55:45.930 Joseph McElroy: I have a follow How do people follow you what did they get where’s the best way.</p><p>00:55:46.050 –&gt; 00:55:59.760 arlo humphrey: Well, if you can find my name Charles Humphrey the third you can find me on Facebook or Instagram you can find the band songs from the road band calm, you find the fishing company at high trout calm.</p><p>00:56:00.660 –&gt; 00:56:11.700 arlo humphrey: I’m pretty easy to find honest people can kind of figure out where I’m going to be throughout the band schedule and the fishing so it’s no secret I’m not hiding out for anybody.</p><p>00:56:11.940 –&gt; 00:56:16.380 Joseph McElroy: All right, well you know, Charles this has been one of the most fun interviews i’ve had I’ve enjoyed.</p><p>00:56:16.470 –&gt; 00:56:18.300 arlo humphrey: traveling on Joseph I really appreciate it’s.</p><p>00:56:18.300 –&gt; 00:56:19.410 Joseph McElroy: been a pleasure talking to you.</p><p>00:56:19.650 –&gt; 00:56:20.100 arlo humphrey: I can’t we.</p><p>00:56:20.490 –&gt; 00:56:24.840 arlo humphrey: can’t believe we’ve been on here for an hour, it seems like we just been talking for about five or 10.</p><p>00:56:24.840 –&gt; 00:56:28.080 Joseph McElroy: minutes good it’s been a very good conversation, so thank you.</p><p>00:56:31.740 –&gt; 00:56:39.930 Joseph McElroy: check out this cup there’s a podcast that is also sponsored by smokies adventure smokies plural adventure singular dot com.</p><p>00:56:40.320 –&gt; 00:56:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And it’s an outdoor focused on outdoor recreation, along with music and entertainment and it provides information on logic family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more.</p><p>00:56:49.740 –&gt; 00:56:59.610 Joseph McElroy: The goal of that site is to become the only information portal on the smoky mountains, if you need mounts maps, you need guides if you need information I’m exploring a smoky mountain area that’s the place to go.</p><p>00:57:00.660 –&gt; 00:57:15.780 Joseph McElroy: We are part of the talk radio dot NYC network, which is a network that provides a lot of live podcasts about various subjects, one after this explores the city of New York, where I.</p><p>00:57:16.290 –&gt; 00:57:29.940 Joseph McElroy: split time between North Carolina and New York is it you know so it’s a great podcast a balance here your urban with your rural areas and gets a full picture of life in these united.</p><p>00:57:31.980 –&gt; 00:57:33.630 Joseph McElroy: States, which is the one place to live.</p><p>00:57:34.980 –&gt; 00:57:46.710 Joseph McElroy: Thank you all for being here next week we’ll have Erin Mahoney on the gateway to the smokies podcast who is part of fourth-generation restaurant tours in North Carolina.</p><p>00:57:47.640 –&gt; 00:57:55.770 Joseph McElroy: With the fabulous family restaurant that’s pretty famous in the area and she’ll talk about the restaurant business and food business in North Carolina.</p><p>00:57:56.610 –&gt; 00:58:07.140 Joseph McElroy: You can find more about this podcast at the gateway to the smokies dot fun or facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast and I look forward to seeing you next week.</p><p>00:58:08.610 –&gt; 00:58:15.000 Joseph McElroy: from six to seven on talk radio dot nyc on Tuesday night Thank you and thank you Charles.</p><p>00:58:15.480 –&gt; 00:58:16.620 arlo humphrey: Thanks Joseph.</p> 973aa1bd-1301-4e88-881c-cdf3346b6227 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/21e3adef-123e-4d88-9302-c7cfefd45e09 Wed, 25 Aug 2021 04:40:33 +0000 2952 no full Episode 30: Wildcrafting in the Smokies Episode 30: Wildcrafting in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><span>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is </span><strong>Ila Hatter</strong><span>, a Renowned Naturalist, Storyteller, and Wild Crafter.</span></p><p><span>She has been featured on N.C. Public TV as well as in multiple magazines, books, newspaper and DVD projects and works regularly conducting programs and seminars for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</span></p><p><span>Joseph and Ila will talk about wildcrafting in the Smokies.</span></p><p><span>Tune in for this fun conversation at </span><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><span> or watch the </span><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><span>.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Starting off today’s show, Host </span><a href="mailto:joseph@galileotechmedia.com" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a><span>, introduces special guest Ila Hatter. She explains her initial connection with the Smokies Mountain area and the outdoors from her childhood and family. Ila tells us about all the different places she lived in from Florida to Texas to even Madrid, Spain. She talks about the different cultures that she had experienced and what she learned from them over the years, particularly with foods and plants. </span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span>This segment starts off with Ila explaining her ancestry and connection with Pocahontas. She considers her home to be in the Appalachians despite growing up with the Smokies and moving around so much. And this influenced the area she chose to study and focus on the most. Ila moves on to explain what wild crafting is. It originates from England and essentially is using forest  resources for other uses, such as medicinal or crafts. </span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>Coming back from the break, Ila talks about the history of wild crafting. Hundreds of years ago, she believes that the different groups of natives shared information about the wild with each other and when the settlers came, she explains how it was a sharing between cultures. She explains how wild crafting evolved over time and in her career. Ila talks about how her career had led her to many opportunities and shares stories from them.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>The last segment of this podcast starts with </span><a href="mailto:joseph@galileotechmedia.com" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a><span>giving special shoutouts to Ila’s educational programs in the Smokies area that educates people about nature and surroundings. IIa tells the audience of upcoming events that are happening where people can get educated about environmental issues while enjoying themselves. Ila gives her personal favorite vegetables and plants from the Smoky Mountains area and tips on how to cook with them.</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p> Video thumbnail

Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Ila Hatter, a Renowned Naturalist, Storyteller, and Wild Crafter.

She has been featured on N.C. Public TV as well as in multiple magazines, books, newspapers, and DVD projects and works regularly conducting programs and seminars for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Joseph and Ila will talk about wildcrafting in the Smokies.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

Starting off today’s show, Host Joseph Franklyn McElroy, introduces a special guest Ila Hatter. She explains her initial connection with the Smokies Mountain area and the outdoors from her childhood and family. Ila tells us about all the different places she lived in from Florida to Texas to even Madrid, Spain. She talks about the different cultures that she had experienced and what she learned from them over the years, particularly about foods and plants. 


Segment 2

This segment starts off with Ila explaining her ancestry and connection with Pocahontas. She considers her home to be in the Appalachians despite growing up with the Smokies and moving around so much. And this influenced the area she chose to study and focus on the most. Ila moves on to explain what wildcrafting is. It originates from England and essentially is using forest resources for other uses, such as medicinal or crafts. 


Segment 3

Coming back from the break, Ila talks about the history of wildcrafting. Hundreds of years ago, she believes that the different groups of natives shared information about the wild with each other, and when the settlers came, she explains how it was a sharing between cultures. She explains how wild crafting evolved over time and in her career. Ila talks about how her career had led her to many opportunities and shares stories from them.


Segment 4

The last segment of this podcast starts with Joseph Franklyn McElroygiving special shoutouts to Ila’s educational programs in the Smokies area that educates people about nature and surroundings. IIa tells the audience of upcoming events that are happening where people can get educated about environmental issues while enjoying themselves. Ila gives her personal favorite vegetables and plants from the Smoky Mountains area and tips on how to cook with them.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:30.600 –> 00:00:42.150 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.

00:00:42.540 –> 00:00:50.400 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain culture that we explore weekly episodes.

00:00:50.730 –> 00:01:09.420 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy, a man of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is travel, but my heart is in culture. today’s topic is wild affecting the smokies so we’re having major weather of it right now.

00:01:11.010 –> 00:01:19.590 Joseph McElroy: flash floods, a creek out back at the Meadowlark Motel, I am right now he’s up to the very tip of the top.

00:01:21.210 –> 00:01:21.840 Joseph McElroy: there’s.

00:01:24.150 –> 00:01:28.320 Joseph McElroy: outages all over the area from Whittier where our guest is to here.

00:01:29.340 –> 00:01:32.730 Joseph McElroy: So we might end up doing this in the dark with water around our feet so.

00:01:33.780 –> 00:01:37.440 Joseph McElroy: We hope to get through this and we have a few technical difficulties.

00:01:38.430 –> 00:01:46.740 Joseph McElroy: With phones and whatnot so, but this could be an exciting episode because this is our guest is a renowned

00:01:47.100 –> 00:02:01.980 Joseph McElroy: and who’s a naturalist who’s lived all over the world from Texas to Spain to the Caribbean, to the smokies to the southern Appalachian but currently lives in Whittier North Carolina where she leads hikes seminars and talks on a while.

00:02:03.030 –> 00:02:16.020 Joseph McElroy: she’s been featured on New York public television, as well as multiple magazines books, newspapers, and DVD projects and works regularly conducting programs and seminars, so the great smoky mountain National Park.

00:02:17.520 –> 00:02:18.570 Joseph McElroy: hello, how you doing.

00:02:19.740 –> 00:02:21.750 18284210743: hi Am I unmuted I hope.

00:02:22.980 –> 00:02:24.180 18284210743: Can you hear me oh you.

00:02:26.790 –> 00:02:27.030 Joseph McElroy: I.

00:02:27.090 –> 00:02:28.290 Can you’re doing well.

00:02:29.310 –> 00:02:30.870 Joseph McElroy: As all right well either you.

00:02:30.870 –> 00:02:31.830 18284210743: grew up in Texas.

00:02:32.190 –> 00:02:33.480 Joseph McElroy: yeah you’re doing good can you hear me.

00:02:34.830 –> 00:02:36.300 18284210743: Yes, okay.

00:02:36.720 –> 00:02:51.480 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in Texas, I live in my childhood, I actually lived a couple of years in Texas my dad went to you know got out of the mountains for about three years lived in Dallas with his family.

00:02:52.890 –> 00:02:56.070 Joseph McElroy: But that’s a big city now you were part of Texas, where you from.

00:02:57.720 –> 00:03:11.940 18284210743: I was born in Houston but grew up in Austin I mean they when I was about five months old when was always I’m always glad that they moved to Austin because I never really liked Houston, although I did live there for a while, later on, yeah.

00:03:12.480 –> 00:03:12.840 18284210743: and

00:03:12.900 –> 00:03:15.210 Joseph McElroy: But you lived in an area where you can learn to go hunt and.

00:03:15.210 –> 00:03:16.740 Joseph McElroy: Fish and stuff like that right.

00:03:17.850 –> 00:03:26.910 18284210743: Oh yeah I handed my parents were in hunting and fishing a lot and so and I never had a babysitter so I went with them.

00:03:28.170 –> 00:03:30.240 18284210743: satin many a deer blind and.

00:03:31.320 –> 00:03:45.150 18284210743: shot a 22 when I was five for the first time and oh yeah I was a lot of experiences being outdoors and my father was a developer out light travels so I had a dual.

00:03:46.260 –> 00:04:03.600 18284210743: Childhood where it was you know half been out at the lake, and in half in town, you know with piano lessons and that kind of thing, so it was a great way to grow up, they have you know both of those experiences are part of my growing that was wonderful.

00:04:04.410 –> 00:04:06.840 Joseph McElroy: You know I it’s not dissimilar from what I got to.

00:04:06.840 –> 00:04:20.730 Joseph McElroy: Experience a little bit, though, when we ended up back in Haywood county that after that time we were more you know rural, but then it can then we got into Maggie valley and now the whole tour so you know a little bit different experience.

00:04:21.930 –> 00:04:22.710 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:04:26.850 –> 00:04:27.840 Joseph McElroy: Thanks very a bit.

00:04:30.690 –> 00:04:34.440 Joseph McElroy: More than understand native plants make food from native plants when you’re in Texas.

00:04:36.270 –> 00:04:51.090 18284210743: My my parents had gone through two world wars and the depression, when people ask me well how did you happen to get into this and well and my parents were so much older when I was more and they were 17 years married before they had just met.

00:04:51.750 –> 00:05:01.410 18284210743: As the only child, so they didn’t know if they’d be around the same me grown so like taught me everything they knew about you know hunting and fishing and wild foods and things that.

00:05:01.890 –> 00:05:13.980 18284210743: You know the site had to subsist on during those hard times so that’s one of the reasons that I learned so much from my mother, you know taught me a lot about.

00:05:14.790 –> 00:05:24.120 18284210743: Wild things one of my early memories, I was about five or six I guess standing on the foot of the station wagon reaching up in to get the wild grapes.

00:05:24.720 –> 00:05:43.080 18284210743: And then taking those home and standing on a chair, with my mother’s day for in China around my neck, and after making jelly out of them so yeah we were while things were just part of my you know growing up, it was just part of life, it wasn’t anything unusual to me at the time.

00:05:43.860 –> 00:05:44.430 Joseph McElroy: No, I.

00:05:44.820 –> 00:05:50.760 Joseph McElroy: I remember, making Blackberry gravy with my grandmother nobody really knows about that much anymore, but it was.

00:05:50.760 –> 00:05:51.420 Basically.

00:05:54.000 –> 00:05:56.460 Joseph McElroy: You know, was regular gravy but she ended up putting.

00:05:56.460 –> 00:05:58.980 Joseph McElroy: blackberries and it was really good Blackberry.

00:06:00.510 –> 00:06:15.450 18284210743: that’s a new word for me, I am my ancestors were out of Tennessee and the things that I found that were you know familiar to them in East and Central Texas were things that you know got passed down the family and.

00:06:16.830 –> 00:06:22.560 18284210743: Because I want to have been moved to Tennessee then, of course, I found so many things that I was already familiar with, because.

00:06:23.100 –> 00:06:37.920 18284210743: Either the same plants or you know something in the same family was there in Texas so yeah there was a great connection with that, so it did come down from you know grandmother to my mother and then on down to me oh.

00:06:38.100 –> 00:06:38.760 18284210743: I go.

00:06:39.060 –> 00:06:40.920 Joseph McElroy: hey you know your bio says you lived in the.

00:06:40.920 –> 00:06:42.390 Joseph McElroy: the Caribbean where’d you too.

00:06:44.160 –> 00:06:50.220 18284210743: Well, I was actually, I stayed there some was a stewardess with Pan Am.

00:06:51.690 –> 00:07:01.080 18284210743: After well I went to the University of Texas obviously like 1000 women and awesome and then art school in Houston and didn’t want to get married, although there was.

00:07:01.800 –> 00:07:14.820 18284210743: Great distinct possibility that I would do that, but I wanted to travel first, so I went with Pan Am and spend a weekend in Puerto Rico where we traveled from there to the.

00:07:15.960 –> 00:07:30.060 18284210743: To the islands, so I did a lot of islands hopping and then, when I had overnights and several I guess about five countries saw 19 but I actually got to visit five I did.

00:07:31.380 –> 00:07:33.390 18284210743: We stayed in Mexico City.

00:07:35.070 –> 00:07:38.010 18284210743: Nicaragua, Costa Rica.

00:07:39.720 –> 00:07:45.330 18284210743: that we can all I did go to Panama city got see the Panama Canal and we stayed overnight there.

00:07:46.350 –> 00:08:03.240 18284210743: Spent that week in Puerto Rico and San Juan and did go to Rio into when to Buenos Aires, Argentina and so so at least I got to visit a few countries but I didn’t really get to.

00:08:04.380 –> 00:08:06.360 18284210743: to live there, but I lived all over the.

00:08:07.440 –> 00:08:08.820 18284210743: South I did live in.

00:08:10.050 –> 00:08:17.460 18284210743: Oh well outside of taxes and I was in Florida based out of Miami for the airline and then.

00:08:18.480 –> 00:08:27.810 18284210743: lived in three different places, all the way up to Tallahassee and in between that went to waller and Louisiana baton rouge and New Orleans.

00:08:29.730 –> 00:08:39.540 18284210743: Atlanta Georgia and then, of course, tend to say, but in between one of those times, I was in we did live a year from in Madrid, Spain.

00:08:40.590 –> 00:08:43.410 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great yeah that’s beautiful.

00:08:45.150 –> 00:08:53.850 18284210743: It was an incredible experience it really was it was a I didn’t realize how far north, I was, I was kind of.

00:08:54.660 –> 00:09:05.460 18284210743: kind of strange that I really didn’t look at a globe or a map before I moved over there, I didn’t realize how far north that we were until I was visiting a.

00:09:06.390 –> 00:09:18.930 18284210743: Parents have a friend of mine daughters that had lived in Germany and we talked about the cold winters, and so I was she said well you’re in the same latitude as New York City and I went oh I didn’t realize that.

00:09:19.590 –> 00:09:33.120 18284210743: And that’s why it was so cold for so long, I remember it came Easter and they had a two-week vacation from school and jobs and everybody took off and did you know special things and Easter so.

00:09:34.230 –> 00:09:40.200 18284210743: My husband said, where do you want to go, and I said far no South I can take off my coat.

00:09:42.510 –> 00:09:50.160 18284210743: that’s exactly what we did is we were so tired of winter clothes, we weren’t used to that being raised in the south.

00:09:50.910 –> 00:09:53.580 Joseph McElroy: I know the winters could get a little long I have experienced.

00:09:53.580 –> 00:09:55.230 Joseph McElroy: That so.

00:09:55.770 –> 00:09:57.420 Joseph McElroy: So when we went to all these places.

00:09:57.570 –> 00:10:02.520 Joseph McElroy: Did you continue the foraging tradition that you learned about native plants and making food.

00:10:03.120 –> 00:10:09.030 18284210743: I did yeah I was kind of a strange stewardess I will have a party and kind I was always asked and people.

00:10:10.200 –> 00:10:17.160 18284210743: You know about the names of plants and trees, and I would ask them what did you have for breakfast you know and have the ring me, whatever their.

00:10:17.550 –> 00:10:24.960 18284210743: local food was and learned a lot about you know the seasonings and plants and things that were you know right around there and.

00:10:25.350 –> 00:10:39.420 18284210743: Visiting markets, I would you know to find the herb shops and things and ask questions, and you know I had enough Spanish that I can you know I can do that, and then in Madrid, it was interesting that they had a.

00:10:41.580 –> 00:10:49.470 18284210743: They had apothecaries and the head pharmacy so the mafia was very white were sterile and people in white coats you know, and he had prescriptions filled.

00:10:49.980 –> 00:10:55.080 18284210743: And then down the street, would be a place that just smelled wonderfully earthy.

00:10:55.590 –> 00:11:05.040 18284210743: And it was an apothecary and that’s where you went and you had herbal things that were made up for you know, for the same kind of illness and they would be a list of.

00:11:05.520 –> 00:11:14.070 18284210743: illnesses on the window and you would check and say what it was she thought she had you go in and ask for whatever was appropriate for that.

00:11:15.240 –> 00:11:20.310 18284210743: You know, for that illness and that was pretty neat that that was something that was side by side and part of their culture.

00:11:22.110 –> 00:11:23.130 18284210743: They also had.

00:11:25.590 –> 00:11:41.610 18284210743: An issue, as I thought it was queened Anne’s lace, but it was anna’s and Anna says one of their major exports as they need, and he said and even any set was used for stomach ailment so and there was Rosemary there was the only thing that I would.

00:11:42.660 –> 00:11:56.760 18284210743: say is in the pork with was Rosemary and that was Rosemary and grows wild over there and that’s one of their major seasonings so that’s you know, one of the ways that I’ve picked up some of the things from other cultures is by being aware and asking questions.

00:11:57.870 –> 00:11:58.800 Joseph McElroy: wow that’s uh.

00:11:59.190 –> 00:12:09.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah that makes you know, one of the things they say about travel, this is, people are looking for memorable experiences and one of them is to experience the local you know, to really experience.

00:12:10.320 –> 00:12:12.450 Joseph McElroy: It creates great memories and I think that.

00:12:12.450 –> 00:12:23.820 Joseph McElroy: sounds like that’s the colon Mary experience in the memories generated by local cuisine was one of your anticipated experiences to make travel local memorable.

00:12:25.350 –> 00:12:35.100 18284210743: And I remember sending Salvador is the girl to bring me what you had for breakfast I didn’t want to regular American breakfast and she brought me cold.

00:12:36.390 –> 00:12:41.250 18284210743: fry mashed black beans covered with cream and I wasn’t.

00:12:42.360 –> 00:12:58.020 18284210743: I wasn’t sure if she was kind of you know, pulling a trick on this white lady or if it’s really what you had for breakfast and I went ahead and tried a little of it, so not to embarrass her and, finally, I said, I think, I would like scrambled eggs and.

00:13:01.080 –> 00:13:09.210 18284210743: and, later on, I found out from somebody who was from Central America, oh yes that’s you know they would have leftovers for breakfast and you know the.

00:13:09.600 –> 00:13:18.720 18284210743: Black veins and cream is you know it’s cold is not uncommon that was you know very likely exactly what she did ever breakfast did get what she was.

00:13:19.860 –> 00:13:20.070 Joseph McElroy: A.

00:13:21.240 –> 00:13:23.670 Joseph McElroy: memorable experience alright, well, we gotta.

00:13:24.780 –> 00:13:25.830 Joseph McElroy: We gotta take a break.

00:13:26.340 –> 00:13:26.460 and

00:13:27.990 –> 00:13:29.730 18284210743: Come back on a.

00:13:30.180 –> 00:13:31.800 Joseph McElroy: a little bit more about your heritage.

00:13:32.910 –> 00:13:34.620 Joseph McElroy: person your background that you.

00:13:34.860 –> 00:13:37.680 18284210743: i’d like to ask about right here.

00:15:55.980 –> 00:16:04.800 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guess Illa Hatter.

00:16:08.790 –> 00:16:11.430 Joseph McElroy: There you are, you have to star six.

00:16:13.290 –> 00:16:15.720 Joseph McElroy: To unmute to do have to hit star six to get unmuted.

00:16:18.480 –> 00:16:21.240 Joseph McElroy: So uh so take a second but.

00:16:23.040 –> 00:16:28.140 Joseph McElroy: I understand that she is a descendant of a legendary.

00:16:30.450 –> 00:16:41.670 Joseph McElroy: Princess called Pocahontas I was gonna ask about that I like so you descended from Pocahontas oh you’re still gonna hit it you gotta hit the star six-try to hit the star six again.

00:16:48.630 –> 00:16:48.990 Joseph McElroy: and

00:16:50.820 –> 00:17:04.050 Joseph McElroy: You know there’s a lot of people down south or sending from various you know various famous individuals, you know if you do your genealogy search and you’d be surprised, what you find out.

00:17:04.800 –> 00:17:13.920 Joseph McElroy: That I was just recently doing it and found out the man named he Rogers moved into the haven county.

00:17:14.400 –> 00:17:19.650 Joseph McElroy: In the early 1800s and he married a woman and Jane Washington.

00:17:19.680 –> 00:17:20.430 Joseph McElroy: there either.

00:17:21.480 –> 00:17:22.080 18284210743:I’m here.

00:17:22.200 –> 00:17:23.100 18284210743: Oh, there you are.

00:17:25.020 –> 00:17:28.080 Joseph McElroy: I was huge he Rogers and Jane washing got married.

00:17:34.200 –> 00:17:42.480 Joseph McElroy: He was a brother George Washington so than the surprise you know we might pass so you’re you hear the direct descendant of a Pocahontas Is that correct.

00:17:43.740 –> 00:17:57.270 18284210743: Yes, I am I kept asking if there wasn’t an Indian that was any closer to a friend the day and my mother said well at least it’s an engine everybody knows to be satisfied with that.

00:17:58.380 –> 00:17:59.460 18284210743: You learned about it when you were.

00:17:59.460 –> 00:18:00.180 18284210743: fairly young.

00:18:01.260 –> 00:18:04.110 18284210743: Oh yes, my family was into genealogy.

00:18:05.430 –> 00:18:07.410 18284210743: mother and her sister both were.

00:18:08.520 –> 00:18:24.120 18284210743: Doing that for most of their lives, they were members of the doors republican Texas, and the Dir as well, and so they knew that they knew the history and I knew it from the time I was very small that we were descendants uh-huh.

00:18:24.540 –> 00:18:24.810 that’s.

00:18:26.370 –> 00:18:26.850 18284210743: Out there.

00:18:30.540 –> 00:18:30.720 18284210743: yeah.

00:18:32.190 –> 00:18:51.060 Joseph McElroy: There was a lot of starts going out a lot, and you, and so you know you’ve moved around a lot right and sometimes I noticed you say you’re in the smokies and other times you say southern Appalachian what are you, what do you consider now as a native of the smokies or Southern Appalachian.

00:18:53.670 –> 00:18:55.650 18284210743: I don’t know how you separate them really.

00:18:55.980 –> 00:18:57.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.

00:18:57.540 –> 00:18:57.900 I mean.

00:18:59.100 –> 00:19:14.490 18284210743: I’m brand Blanche, and now I think I’ve been here more years I used to say I’ve been in Appalachia more years than I was all when I got here if that makes sense, of course, you know I’m still climbing Texas, but.

00:19:15.720 –> 00:19:23.670 18284210743: I’m so much more familiar now with Appalachian culture and heritage and teach it and classes at.

00:19:24.450 –> 00:19:40.350 18284210743: The Johnson Campbell folks school as well, and also about the Cherokee so that’s been I guess the last half of my life has been focused on you know the heritage of the region that I have adopted or has adopted me if you want to put it that way.

00:19:41.010 –> 00:19:42.540 Joseph McElroy: Is that how you got here, as you came to.

00:19:42.540 –> 00:19:43.050 Teach.

00:19:44.760 –> 00:19:58.380 18284210743: No I’m kind of around about the way I was back in Texas, I was in Tallahassee my mother was killed in an accident, and being an only child and I ended up in Austin moved back there.

00:19:58.920 –> 00:20:07.290 18284210743: But my daughter was getting married in Atlanta, and my mother was renting a room to a lady who was moving back to Texas from.

00:20:07.740 –> 00:20:20.580 18284210743: Gatlinburg and she was there, you know temporary while they were buying a house and she said that if I were to come by way of Gatlinburg to Atlanta for the wedding.

00:20:21.270 –> 00:20:30.420 18284210743: That I could pick up the punch bowl and silverware and all you know find things for a first-class wedding.

00:20:31.050 –> 00:20:38.760 18284210743: and take it for the wedding for my daughter, and then back to Texas, and she wouldn’t have to pack all those things, and I can take it, you know back.

00:20:39.510 –> 00:20:51.930 18284210743: home for her so that’s How come we ended up in Gatlinburg and thought about it and realized was a lot closer to Atlanta and to be near my daughter, and you know future grandchildren.

00:20:52.440 –> 00:21:01.260 18284210743: Then, to be 1000 miles away in Texas, so we backed out of some property, we were going to buy and build a house on and Austin.

00:21:01.890 –> 00:21:12.720 18284210743: And decided that weekend that we were in Gatlinburg and we found out that mother’s house it’s So while we were there so that weekend and we bought a rental chalet for.

00:21:13.980 –> 00:21:25.410 18284210743: income and our log cabin and went to the wedding in Atlanta and said no we’re not going to be taxes ranchers we’re going to be Tennessee mountaineer has.

00:21:27.330 –> 00:21:38.970 18284210743: It all changed in the space of just so you know that weekend really and I can try to come be part of the same here she’s got up next.

00:21:41.220 –> 00:21:53.310 18284210743: But that’s how I ended up here, so I was 12 years in Gatlinburg and then 94 moved over to with my second husband moved over here to North Carolina.

00:21:55.290 –> 00:21:56.790 Joseph McElroy: Finally, go on the right side as soon.

00:22:00.240 –> 00:22:05.640 18284210743: As I got it got too crazy and busy on that side, this is quiet, so I didn’t.

00:22:06.990 –> 00:22:19.110 18284210743: read it, even though my ancestors were Tennessee and you know and I’m happy to move there, the year of homecoming and I tell folks all it took five generations, but one of us finally got back home, and then the log cabin well.

00:22:20.400 –> 00:22:33.390 18284210743: But now it was worth it delighted to be on this site and we actually came over this side because of my adopted Cherokee grandmother she adopted me wasn’t the other way around.

00:22:34.830 –> 00:22:36.390 18284210743: amanda sequoia swimmer.

00:22:37.980 –> 00:22:48.420 18284210743: We had been coming over Gary had been visiting with her for several years before I came along in his life and that’s how I got to meet her and then she.

00:22:49.590 –> 00:22:58.140 18284210743: In and she and I then got to talking about you know how she had things that she had done, you know foodstuffs and these things and wild things you know for.

00:22:58.680 –> 00:23:12.660 18284210743: Raising her family and so that’s why we felt like coming over the mountains and kind of you know, be near her and take care of things for her and that’s, how can we browse the North Carolina well, you are you’re.

00:23:12.690 –> 00:23:27.780 Joseph McElroy: You’re actually a well-known world-renowned naturalist and I know that’s for a fact because we were having an event here talking about to come in here and people like oh wow I really like to impress.

00:23:28.080 –> 00:23:29.940 18284210743: yeah yeah.

00:23:34.140 –> 00:23:34.440 Joseph McElroy: well.

00:23:36.180 –> 00:23:42.540 Joseph McElroy: You refer to as wildcraft like raw wildcrafting what exactly does that mean what does its tales?

00:23:43.650 –> 00:23:57.780 18284210743: means farming the woods, the word originated in England is wildcrafting which, which again means farming, the woods, using the forest resources, and, in some cases actually.

00:23:59.070 –> 00:24:02.040 18284210743: Like over there for crafting, they would actually cut.

00:24:03.240 –> 00:24:09.990 18284210743: trees in order to have firewood they would take trees cut back, and then they come back up you know with multiple sprouts.

00:24:10.440 –> 00:24:17.700 18284210743: And as those then got hard, then they would come back and they would you know the name, have a bundle of sticks, or you know for cooking fires that kind of thing.

00:24:18.090 –> 00:24:34.680 18284210743: So that was one of the forest resources and the word gets changed into wildcrafting so it’s not making crafts, out of things out of the woods, but it’s how people you know would use the forest resources for food, medicine, you know rope.

00:24:35.760 –> 00:24:41.340 18284210743: All kinds of you know, ways that you know the thing we shingle you know, for instance, all kinds of things that will come.

00:24:42.390 –> 00:24:43.170 18284210743: out of the woods.

00:24:45.030 –> 00:24:55.320 Joseph McElroy: cool and did you become an expert in this field through a study or experience or you know or did you go to any school for bought me or anything.

00:24:56.610 –> 00:24:59.220 18284210743: I was a week away from.

00:25:00.240 –> 00:25:03.330 18284210743: signing up for a course in Escrow botany at.

00:25:04.470 –> 00:25:11.520 18284210743: The University of Florida so Sam was in Tallahassee so that would have been if you.

00:25:12.540 –> 00:25:14.700 18284210743: know if I am fish you.

00:25:16.530 –> 00:25:29.280 18284210743: And I was just I was close to getting a course, and that was when I got word that my mother killed and I had to move to Texas, so I didn’t get and that has caused by regard so an actual botany course, but I have.

00:25:30.330 –> 00:25:37.020 18284210743: You know, young people who’ve actually experienced that I have had very good friends who were botanists.

00:25:38.040 –> 00:25:51.060 18284210743: One of my main teachers for some 30 years was Murray’s manager, he was one of the first riders and foxfire for Elliot Wigginton and she and her husband had been.

00:25:52.080 –> 00:25:53.040 18284210743: botanist for.

00:25:54.240 –> 00:26:00.810 18284210743: Most of their lives, and she had started a group called the incredible edibles club there in North Georgia and acquaintance where she lived.

00:26:01.470 –> 00:26:11.250 18284210743: And I studied with her went to that group meetings we met from April to October one weekend a month and everything we ate for the weekend.

00:26:11.730 –> 00:26:20.730 18284210743: had to have a wild edible in it, and of course, you can talk about you know food without you know any plant without talking about its medicinal properties.

00:26:21.300 –> 00:26:30.690 18284210743: Food is medicine and medicine is food, so we learned both of those you know, while we were out with her so she was my, I guess, my main mentor.

00:26:31.320 –> 00:26:40.920 18284210743: And then coming up here, then I learned a lot of you know, the Cherokee things and how they used different things from you know from grandma mandy but yeah that was.

00:26:42.360 –> 00:26:59.070 18284210743: I wish I could have had a button in class and one of my good friend’s son was taking button a ut and I was telling him I said, you know I wish I had had some classes, he said, I always said, but you know the fun stuff he said.

00:27:01.230 –> 00:27:11.190 18284210743: He said that’s what people want to know you know they want the stories about it and how people use it and so that’s the fun part of, and he said you get the botanical names out of a book that’s no problem.

00:27:11.880 –> 00:27:23.340 18284210743: And so I kind of said oh okay all right, I guess that’s okay, then, so I stopped being concerned about it yeah well, you can answer you can, if you can answer a question.

00:27:23.340 –> 00:27:27.570 Joseph McElroy: For me, I had a mood shiner I think somebody in the.

00:27:27.630 –> 00:27:32.130 Joseph McElroy: liquor space and it was talking about, you know moonshine It was mentioned that.

00:27:35.190 –> 00:27:48.900 Joseph McElroy: But really simple recipes you know medicinal you know recipes in the mountains for curing all sorts of hills, but they said it wasn’t activated lets you put a little bit of moonshine and it has moonshine necessary to make mount remedies work.

00:27:51.180 –> 00:27:55.830 18284210743: Well, actually for some things, yes, because some of those plants.

00:27:58.110 –> 00:28:17.790 18284210743: chemicals that you, you want, that is the medicinal part, some of them are only soluble in alcohol and you know, some are fine and water and you make tea out of it, but others you wouldn’t get the benefit of it unless you actually did so good, you know for hall So yes.

00:28:18.840 –> 00:28:20.160 18284210743: Congress stuff was true.

00:28:20.160 –> 00:28:21.180 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic.

00:28:24.150 –> 00:28:33.870 18284210743: You did after you didn’t have to have it, and some of the moonshiners in knowing how to do things I could also once the season was passed for.

00:28:34.380 –> 00:28:48.030 18284210743: Making shine then like it just still herbal you know the extracts and things you know because I knew how to make the distillation process, so they were you know they were good you know, make herbal remedies as well.

00:28:48.690 –> 00:28:49.800 Joseph McElroy: So we’re going to take another.

00:28:49.800 –> 00:28:51.810 Joseph McElroy: break when we come back.

00:28:52.320 –> 00:28:57.180 Joseph McElroy: love to talk about some in Devon business beliefs and learning in your work.

00:28:59.040 –> 00:29:00.480 Okay guys.

00:29:02.670 –> 00:29:04.350 18284210743: informed about manacles and.

00:31:32.430 –> 00:31:33.930 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph.

00:31:36.960 –> 00:31:50.970 Joseph McElroy: Well back with the gateway to the smokies and my guest Ila Hatter, who is a renowned naturalist specializing and wildcrafting to explain to us earlier I’ll show you there.

00:31:53.940 –> 00:31:54.450 Joseph McElroy: To.

00:31:55.500 –> 00:31:59.220 Joseph McElroy: Their hope you’re still you’re going to hit the star six again.

00:32:01.380 –> 00:32:17.130 Joseph McElroy: You have to start 16 we are we’re having technical difficulties we’re in the mountains here and we’re having a huge storm with flash flood warnings so we’ve had to work out how to get here, and I still not still trying to get another star six yeah.

00:32:19.140 –> 00:32:31.200 Joseph McElroy: And so we put together a way to do this, but it does have a little bit of a hiccup in terms of how we get the mute unmute color coming back.

00:32:31.380 –> 00:32:32.850 18284210743: Coming back on me.

00:32:32.970 –> 00:32:34.560 Joseph McElroy: There we go hey.

00:32:36.480 –> 00:32:38.760 Joseph McElroy: There you go there, we go.

00:32:39.180 –> 00:32:39.870 So.

00:32:41.070 –> 00:32:44.100 Joseph McElroy: You have some deep native American you have any yeah.

00:32:44.580 –> 00:32:54.630 Joseph McElroy: So you have deep native American roots right, and you, you actually told me told it told us, you know, a big part of the reason you ended up in North Carolina decided, so, please.

00:32:54.990 –> 00:33:02.220 Joseph McElroy: Is your mentor Cherokee mentor so would you think that do you find that indigenous beliefs and learning are deep in your work.

00:33:05.490 –> 00:33:08.880 18284210743: Very much so now, especially you know here living in.

00:33:10.200 –> 00:33:12.210 18284210743: In the smokies and appalachia edge.

00:33:13.320 –> 00:33:16.650 18284210743: I think in the beginning, that as they.

00:33:17.880 –> 00:33:24.690 18284210743: White settlers moved in, and you know many times were saved by what the.

00:33:25.770 –> 00:33:35.460 18284210743: Indian neighbors knew, you know to heal them and then, of course, you know picked up the information from them, and I think there was a lot of sharing originally.

00:33:36.660 –> 00:33:38.730 18284210743: Between mountain people and.

00:33:39.990 –> 00:33:52.620 18284210743: In Cherokee and even in you know some of the other cultures that were you know Shawnee and Qatada and you know different states that were you know in southern Appalachian I think they learned from each other.

00:33:54.120 –> 00:33:57.870 18284210743: They when the settlers came here they had the.

00:33:58.950 –> 00:34:05.310 18284210743: They did have herbal knowledge from Europe and they added they knew about it.

00:34:08.340 –> 00:34:09.840 18284210743: Like they knew quite a few.

00:34:11.460 –> 00:34:27.510 18284210743: You know, herbal remedies, but they added about 252 the pharmacopeia from the Indian neighbors that we still use some of those today I’m sure they’re part of the pharmacopeia so it was a good sharing, I think, between the cultures.

00:34:29.340 –> 00:34:33.000 Joseph McElroy: fabulous um you know you know the.

00:34:34.170 –> 00:34:35.610 Joseph McElroy: I want to sort of dig deep.

00:34:36.690 –> 00:34:43.890 Joseph McElroy: A little bit here after you calling it wildcrafting right, what was the name, what was the.

00:34:44.400 –> 00:34:57.930 Joseph McElroy: What was the nature of your work at the beginning, and then, how did it evolve over time, what I know you do a lot of learning and a lot of experimenting but how does it manifest itself in the things that people enjoy or people learn from.

00:35:00.150 –> 00:35:01.470 18284210743: started with the food.

00:35:02.880 –> 00:35:15.570 18284210743: And I started teaching in Tallahassee and I got involved in the Florida native plant society and they didn’t have anybody that knew that much about the wild foods.

00:35:16.590 –> 00:35:30.930 18284210743: They were you know botanist and they were a lot of aquatic botanists and I went in and tell them what I did, and I said, do you have anybody that’s you know teaching that here and they looked at me and they said, we do now, so I started, then.

00:35:32.250 –> 00:35:36.870 18284210743: The same when I came up here to the to Gatlinburg and I started going to the.

00:35:38.340 –> 00:35:44.520 18284210743: The smoky mountain sales school and the wildflower pilgrimage and Dr. ED collab.

00:35:46.110 –> 00:35:55.530 18284210743: Who was Professor emeritus of botany for ut there in Knoxville and he was one of the main leaders.

00:35:56.130 –> 00:36:06.570 18284210743: And he would they talking about you know the different plants and identifying and you know and so I’m a lot of hair and tail people would eat this and they would cook I’m not sure how they would cook and how they prepare it and.

00:36:07.050 –> 00:36:18.930 18284210743: I would be raising my hand and groups and well I know and eventually after a couple of years when he left to on a sabbatical to start is 90 plant.

00:36:19.620 –> 00:36:28.920 18284210743: nursery the university said well your classes are so popular who do you know, would you suggest could take them over and he suggested me.

00:36:29.790 –> 00:36:44.460 18284210743: Like surprise me because I didn’t have a botany degree and they told me they said that’s not important you just have to know the subject, and he feels like you know the subject so at that point, then, because it was including so much in the medicinal that’s when I began actually studying.

00:36:45.780 –> 00:36:53.430 18284210743: To you know, be sure that I can add enough of that you know into it and so that that’s how that started, and I really you know.

00:36:53.850 –> 00:37:03.660 18284210743: thanked him so many times for getting me started on what became a career because of my background actually for 27 years before I moved here was in graphic arts.

00:37:04.440 –> 00:37:14.820 18284210743: But I decided that, since I was going to have to you know learn how to do all that on computers I didn’t want to be in front of a computer for eight hours a day, I wanted to be with people and, as my

00:37:15.870 –> 00:37:24.150 18284210743: husband Jerry had said well as for something you want to do to Michael lemon, what do you like to do the most and I said talk.

00:37:26.640 –> 00:37:42.150 18284210743: This is it got it well, as it turns out I’ve got I was joking about this when I do my, my charity classes, you don’t necessarily want to ask for an Indian name I didn’t ask for one, but I got one anyway.

00:37:43.260 –> 00:37:51.000 18284210743: We were with grandma mandy one time, and she was talking about her grandchildren and the names that she’d given them she always gives them an Indian name at birth.

00:37:51.780 –> 00:37:58.020 18284210743: And he said well Rambo you keep saying that I would you know, is one of your daughters well if she’d actually been born in your family.

00:37:58.800 –> 00:38:07.200 18284210743: What name, would you give her without matt and, as she said Uli that you Li and I said oh grandma what’s that mean, she said.

00:38:07.740 –> 00:38:18.570 18284210743: locust and I thought well I’m a naturalist you know the name for locust tree that’s pretty neat she said no, not that trees that little bug that comes out every seven years and won’t shut up.

00:38:24.840 –> 00:38:25.950 18284210743: talker was.

00:38:32.670 –> 00:38:36.420 18284210743: talking to Michael Evans for the last 30 years or more.

00:38:39.240 –> 00:38:41.550 18284210743: toward that, he’s also written a book did.

00:38:43.980 –> 00:38:55.770 18284210743: The incredible animal’s group put together and part of its mine and Barbie illustrations are mine and Marie gave me the rights to it roadside rambles is a cookbook.

00:38:56.820 –> 00:39:04.050 18284210743: With 390 wild food recipes in it and then I did DVDs we have.

00:39:06.660 –> 00:39:12.510 18284210743: Wild edibles and decimals of Appalachia and then I did three.

00:39:13.530 –> 00:39:27.330 18284210743: folkways programs with you and say TV, which is our in a local PBS with that with David whoa and I did three programs for our state as well, so yeah so.

00:39:28.710 –> 00:39:34.590 18284210743: I’ve been in a lot of magazines blue Ridge country, and recently garden and guns and.

00:39:35.970 –> 00:39:38.310 18284210743: any number of publications and things and.

00:39:39.510 –> 00:39:42.030 18284210743: was actually on CNN one time that was.

00:39:45.750 –> 00:39:46.950 18284210743: Was that a good experience.

00:39:48.360 –> 00:39:49.530 18284210743: That was fine.

00:39:50.730 –> 00:39:58.470 18284210743: Going into a billion homes worldwide is a big sign as you walk in and she looked at me and said anything, well, I went oh my.

00:40:03.570 –> 00:40:04.710 18284210743: I had a I had a.

00:40:04.740 –> 00:40:06.960 Joseph McElroy: brief sees and experiences it wasn’t anything major.

00:40:06.960 –> 00:40:13.320 Joseph McElroy: But I got interviewed on the street New York City about some sort of thing and I got excited I know.

00:40:13.350 –> 00:40:16.440 Joseph McElroy: My mom told her, I was going to be on the show, and this on the.

00:40:16.620 –> 00:40:24.210 Joseph McElroy: On the news show, and she watched and then she called me screaming and switches fever and she said, your boss your board I shaved my head that.

00:40:29.040 –> 00:40:30.090 18284210743: impressed you the most.

00:40:30.150 –> 00:40:32.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah was it a shot shop.

00:40:32.370 –> 00:40:34.890 Joseph McElroy: So she did you know I did that, so it was like.

00:40:40.830 –> 00:40:41.730 18284210743: Oh, my.

00:40:42.750 –> 00:40:42.930 Joseph McElroy: God.

00:40:45.450 –> 00:40:50.100 Joseph McElroy: So another fine natural on the show Adam Bigelow and.

00:40:50.730 –> 00:40:52.380 Joseph McElroy: I know I know you’re familiar with others.

00:40:52.380 –> 00:40:52.560 Joseph McElroy: Like.

00:40:52.620 –> 00:40:55.560 Joseph McElroy: hotels and Dan Dan.

00:40:56.280 –> 00:40:56.520 18284210743: Dan.

00:40:56.550 –> 00:40:58.980 Joseph McElroy: pitch low, but how’s it how’s yours.

00:40:59.820 –> 00:41:00.930 18284210743: how’s your wild crafted.

00:41:00.930 –> 00:41:01.890 18284210743: different from what they do.

00:41:03.780 –> 00:41:11.460 18284210743: I’m probably most similar to annum since he does you know the walks and talks about you know and I’ve given him some.

00:41:11.970 –> 00:41:24.870 18284210743: While he tells stories about plants, you know and things that he’s experienced with them, then I’ve occasionally when we’ve crossed paths I’ve given me some stories and said you’re welcome you know, to the stories, because you know we see each other as a.

00:41:26.280 –> 00:41:47.040 18284210743: couple we 90 plan conference over at Western Carolina, and so we were pretty similar Dan and I are good friends to and Dan is just an incredible botanist and we’ve done walks with oh and Joyce Kilmer and you know the various thing we see each other every year it’s a wildflower pilgrimage.

00:41:48.510 –> 00:41:59.250 18284210743: And I guess mine is different because I actually serve food to people I gave everybody a taste of the while so that they have some idea of how they can incorporate some of the.

00:41:59.730 –> 00:42:08.910 18284210743: Things that are growing outside in their yard, or something that they that’s come up in their garden that they might want to actually include is you know part of theirs.

00:42:09.660 –> 00:42:17.610 18284210743: harvest before they’ve even planted anything so I want them to kind of know you know how good these things are and so every class I always.

00:42:18.240 –> 00:42:27.180 18284210743: Prepare something that’s appropriate to the season back when I lived in Gatlinburg and have the log cabin I was close enough to the park that.

00:42:27.540 –> 00:42:46.740 18284210743: I would bring them home and we had a full course meal, it was from appetizer to you know to dessert the whole meal was while but I haven’t done those in a number of years I just do a taste of the while now, I think that’s how I differ, is that I actually prepare food for folks.

00:42:47.460 –> 00:42:49.080 Joseph McElroy: Well, it seems to be the.

00:42:49.140 –> 00:42:50.610 Joseph McElroy: The your homework from the.

00:42:50.610 –> 00:42:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Beginning right from this class as you were doing that Professor raising your hand to say I know how to make.

00:42:56.250 –> 00:42:57.300 Joseph McElroy: It today.

00:42:57.600 –> 00:42:58.710 Joseph McElroy: So there’s a.

00:42:58.740 –> 00:42:59.970 Joseph McElroy: there’s a tactical.

00:43:00.000 –> 00:43:05.970 Joseph McElroy: there’s tactical expertise that you have you got to get your hands and actually produce right it’s that’s the art.

00:43:06.900 –> 00:43:07.410 18284210743: The art.

00:43:07.920 –> 00:43:08.760 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah.

00:43:10.530 –> 00:43:18.240 18284210743: Like what we were out but I’m charging around my cabin and somebody said, so why don’t we think and for the salad I said you’re standing in it.

00:43:23.040 –> 00:43:25.020 18284210743: All right, we’re gonna take our final break down.

00:43:25.020 –> 00:43:30.390 Joseph McElroy: Come back and finish up with little some of the programs that people can experience with you right now.

00:44:36.030 –> 00:44:36.570 Most of the.

00:46:04.770 –> 00:46:14.610 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my game, yes, I had her, I know, are you there yet.

00:46:16.170 –> 00:46:24.540 Joseph McElroy: he’s we begin as saying we’re in a big storm and sometimes that happens in the smoky mountains and flash flood work possibility and things like that.

00:46:27.420 –> 00:46:29.940 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think you have to hit star six again.

00:46:34.980 –> 00:46:39.150 Joseph McElroy: we’re dealing with multiple technologies here at the same time you know.

00:46:43.740 –> 00:46:54.090 Joseph McElroy: Sometimes the mountains, I was having a hard time a little bit of wireless going around trying to get a cell phone you got to find the right spot to stand in.

00:46:55.110 –> 00:47:05.220 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you don’t get in the don’t get any service at all, but then other places, you get beautiful clear service so it’s like claiming your spot here and understanding what you got to do we’ve been talking about.

00:47:06.090 –> 00:47:20.460 Joseph McElroy: Wildcrafting which is you know exploring the natural wonders of food in the mountains and you know recipes and medicinal plants and natural as a naturalist is big.

00:47:21.240 –> 00:47:32.880 Joseph McElroy: is a big industry here in the mountains, I don’t know if you’ve been seeing our previous programs but it’s been dancing you there ALA ALA know you still got to travel more time star six.

00:47:35.190 –> 00:47:39.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah so she had to call in or phone so she’s got to do this.

00:47:44.490 –> 00:47:49.110 Joseph McElroy: zoom needs to do something about it so in turn, people are back on there yet.

00:47:50.820 –> 00:47:51.510 Joseph McElroy: not yet.

00:47:52.740 –> 00:47:59.130 Joseph McElroy: Well, I love does a lot of programs with the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:48:00.660 –> 00:48:04.320 Joseph McElroy: You know, various variations of the major.

00:48:06.360 –> 00:48:06.990 Joseph McElroy: Major.

00:48:09.090 –> 00:48:14.280 Joseph McElroy: Schools and systems, schools and whatnot here in the mountains.

00:48:15.600 –> 00:48:21.780 Joseph McElroy: To the guest’s instructor for the great smoky mountains to treatment, the judge john C to Campbell folks school.

00:48:22.260 –> 00:48:41.010 Joseph McElroy: The mountain retreat Center snowbird mountain launch or she’s a member of the yellow attire member of the yellow creek botanical Institute and a storyteller for elder hospital hospitals in three states in three states so there’s a lot of education, often opportunity.

00:48:42.810 –> 00:48:43.500 Joseph McElroy: had about.

00:48:46.530 –> 00:48:52.560 Joseph McElroy: botanicals hey I’ll you back there some reason the star six is not working quite as well.

00:48:54.420 –> 00:48:57.600 Joseph McElroy: So, as he still does a lot of programs evolve.

00:48:59.550 –> 00:49:02.190 Joseph McElroy: And they’re very worthwhile programs to go to.

00:49:03.570 –> 00:49:09.630 Joseph McElroy: She was going to do one here at the Meadowlark motel we just had a naturalist weekend.

00:49:11.010 –> 00:49:16.020 Joseph McElroy: and personal circumstances dictate that she couldn’t make it but everybody was there.

00:49:16.380 –> 00:49:19.050 Joseph McElroy: wow really hopefully anticipating.

00:49:19.440 –> 00:49:20.310 Joseph McElroy: Either didn’t work.

00:49:21.150 –> 00:49:22.590 18284210743: I think your work, this time.

00:49:22.710 –> 00:49:25.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah there you go so.

00:49:26.820 –> 00:49:28.200 18284210743: I was just bragging about you.

00:49:32.730 –> 00:49:33.870 18284210743: programs that you’re involved.

00:49:33.870 –> 00:49:40.860 Joseph McElroy: With the and you’ve done some students have programs with the great smoky mountain national park for years, what kind of.

00:49:43.260 –> 00:49:46.770 18284210743: match with you to the smoky mountain field school.

00:49:47.220 –> 00:50:05.490 18284210743: And it’s a new TV program and the links are on my website, which is wildcrafting.com and there are links there to the classes and there’s a myriad of programs and things that people can you know be part of mine are foraging and folklore.

00:50:05.970 –> 00:50:12.900 18284210743: And I’ve got one coming up October 9 which is on Cherokee foods and folklore.

00:50:14.250 –> 00:50:18.120 18284210743: that’s going to be on this side of the park and Cherokee and then.

00:50:19.110 –> 00:50:28.260 18284210743: I have the Genesee Campbell folks school coming up on May 1 of next year, which is.

00:50:29.550 –> 00:50:32.130 18284210743: A title after my favorite quote from.

00:50:34.410 –> 00:50:47.130 18284210743: From there, which is the woods and sales are a table always spread is the title of the program to those are the next two coming up of the vehicle that.

00:50:49.380 –> 00:50:49.980 Joseph McElroy: Which one of the.

00:50:50.280 –> 00:50:51.690 rooms would people get to taste.

00:50:54.390 –> 00:51:04.860 18284210743: Oh, and anything that I do any of the programs that I do, I always bring a taste of the while so you’ll get some Cherokee foods.

00:51:05.460 –> 00:51:17.550 18284210743: On October night will actually probably make some Cherokee chestnut brand probably and have seen matt lemonade T most people don’t realize that the.

00:51:18.390 –> 00:51:29.970 18284210743: Quality reservation quality is actually the word for saying bad quality and quality or the words for saying back then they’ll tell you were poly because.

00:51:30.390 –> 00:51:42.660 18284210743: Polly’s farm is where they started the survey from but there’s no P, and the Cherokee language so they call her quality and so it’s actually the same back reservation if you really want a.

00:51:43.890 –> 00:51:47.880 18284210743: Specific translation anyway that’s that’s what they’ll have for.

00:51:48.180 –> 00:51:54.150 18284210743: October and then we’ll actually have origin cook things that the Campbell folks go because it’s a week-long class.

00:51:55.560 –> 00:52:01.320 Joseph McElroy: cool what’s your, what do you think are the tastiest wild plants in the mountains.

00:52:03.570 –> 00:52:10.710 18284210743: who have got several um one of my favorites as far as vegetable guys are lambs quarters.

00:52:12.030 –> 00:52:16.890 18284210743: Because you can use that any way that you use Spanish any Spanish recipe that’s one of my favorites.

00:52:18.210 –> 00:52:27.570 18284210743: As for and then ramps, of course, if anybody is you know from Appalachia there you know they know about ramps which are industrial strength onions.

00:52:28.320 –> 00:52:41.040 18284210743: I call a lot of ways to use those that not many things that you would you know, raw elderberry, of course, that they have to be cooked but elderberries are you know I made.

00:52:41.640 –> 00:52:49.440 18284210743: I’d one-third prize in Florida state prayer for elderberry wine, so that tells you how good it is and then.

00:52:50.220 –> 00:53:03.030 18284210743: We have what I call mountain wasabi do for which has horseradish flavor and I’ve been able to take a roast beef sandwich and put the two for it leaves in it for the condiments and.

00:53:03.690 –> 00:53:15.570 18284210743: And for the little Elvis quote unquote for the sandwich So those are you know and then there’s five Bush I use that a lot of spice Bush is using the limbs.

00:53:16.410 –> 00:53:34.140 18284210743: For tea learned that from the Cherokee and then the berries are dried and use like 90 volts five and I keep those grind them up use them in all kinds of pastries and cookies and things well, thank you for joining our show.

00:53:34.920 –> 00:53:38.460 Joseph McElroy: And people can find out more about your wildcrafted COM correct.

00:53:39.210 –> 00:53:46.140 18284210743: Right, yes, and right well fancy.com, or they can email me at Iowa at wild crafting.com yes.

00:53:47.250 –> 00:53:47.550 18284210743: hmm.

00:53:48.690 –> 00:53:50.040 Joseph McElroy: So thank you for being a show it’s.

00:53:50.040 –> 00:53:54.390 Joseph McElroy: been a wonderful show, and I look forward to tasting some of your stuff in the new near future.

00:53:55.620 –> 00:53:57.900 18284210743: Oh really that okay.

00:53:57.930 –> 00:54:00.450 Joseph McElroy: cool I know a message from our sponsors.

00:54:00.840 –> 00:54:09.690 Joseph McElroy: imaginative place evocative of the motor courts of the past at modern and vibrant with a chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:54:10.140 –> 00:54:18.420 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat that company by fine wine or craft beers.

00:54:18.750 –> 00:54:30.540 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel and Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:54:32.070 –> 00:54:44.040 Joseph McElroy: we’re also sponsored by smokies adventure.com smokies plural adventure singular.com where you can find event listings places to go things to do.

00:54:46.260 –> 00:54:57.270 Joseph McElroy: All sorts of taking information camping sources to enjoy your time in the mountains I’m part of the talk radio dot NYC network, we have here every Tuesday, six to seven on this.

00:54:58.290 –> 00:55:13.860 Joseph McElroy: It’s a live podcast but there are many other great live podcasts on this network, I encourage you to go and find go to and talkradio.NYC find that ones that we relevant to you, and especially for the one that follows this book about New York.

00:55:14.970 –> 00:55:33.030 Joseph McElroy: You can find more about this podcast and gatewaytothesmokies/fun or our Facebook page facebook.com/gatewaytothe smokiespodcasts I look forward to seeing you next week at six 6 pm on Tuesday for another great episode of gateway to the smokies.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/576456633489619/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/238191842_576456733489609_8529095215083568251_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=nIvv4C6CrhEAX9cH2Ca&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301194E&oh=00_AT9Jn7wE_0d8sCywJ8d98Y4JJPYWaQ-eEDtewsp4LXsJ7g&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is <strong>Ila Hatter</strong>, a Renowned Naturalist, Storyteller, and Wild Crafter.</p><p>She has been featured on N.C. Public TV as well as in multiple magazines, books, newspapers, and DVD projects and works regularly conducting programs and seminars for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</p><p>Joseph and Ila will talk about wildcrafting in the Smokies.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a>.</p><p><br></p><p>SHOW NOTES:</p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>Starting off today’s show, Host <a href="mailto:joseph@galileotechmedia.com" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a>, introduces a special guest Ila Hatter. She explains her initial connection with the Smokies Mountain area and the outdoors from her childhood and family. Ila tells us about all the different places she lived in from Florida to Texas to even Madrid, Spain. She talks about the different cultures that she had experienced and what she learned from them over the years, particularly about foods and plants. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p>This segment starts off with Ila explaining her ancestry and connection with Pocahontas. She considers her home to be in the Appalachians despite growing up with the Smokies and moving around so much. And this influenced the area she chose to study and focus on the most. Ila moves on to explain what wildcrafting is. It originates from England and essentially is using forest resources for other uses, such as medicinal or crafts. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>Coming back from the break, Ila talks about the history of wildcrafting. Hundreds of years ago, she believes that the different groups of natives shared information about the wild with each other, and when the settlers came, she explains how it was a sharing between cultures. She explains how wild crafting evolved over time and in her career. Ila talks about how her career had led her to many opportunities and shares stories from them.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>The last segment of this podcast starts with <a href="mailto:joseph@galileotechmedia.com" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a>giving special shoutouts to Ila’s educational programs in the Smokies area that educates people about nature and surroundings. IIa tells the audience of upcoming events that are happening where people can get educated about environmental issues while enjoying themselves. Ila gives her personal favorite vegetables and plants from the Smoky Mountains area and tips on how to cook with them.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:30.600 –&gt; 00:00:42.150 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:42.540 –&gt; 00:00:50.400 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain culture that we explore weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:50.730 –&gt; 00:01:09.420 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy, a man of the world, but also deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is travel, but my heart is in culture. today’s topic is wild affecting the smokies so we’re having major weather of it right now.</p><p>00:01:11.010 –&gt; 00:01:19.590 Joseph McElroy: flash floods, a creek out back at the Meadowlark Motel, I am right now he’s up to the very tip of the top.</p><p>00:01:21.210 –&gt; 00:01:21.840 Joseph McElroy: there’s.</p><p>00:01:24.150 –&gt; 00:01:28.320 Joseph McElroy: outages all over the area from Whittier where our guest is to here.</p><p>00:01:29.340 –&gt; 00:01:32.730 Joseph McElroy: So we might end up doing this in the dark with water around our feet so.</p><p>00:01:33.780 –&gt; 00:01:37.440 Joseph McElroy: We hope to get through this and we have a few technical difficulties.</p><p>00:01:38.430 –&gt; 00:01:46.740 Joseph McElroy: With phones and whatnot so, but this could be an exciting episode because this is our guest is a renowned</p><p>00:01:47.100 –&gt; 00:02:01.980 Joseph McElroy: and who’s a naturalist who’s lived all over the world from Texas to Spain to the Caribbean, to the smokies to the southern Appalachian but currently lives in Whittier North Carolina where she leads hikes seminars and talks on a while.</p><p>00:02:03.030 –&gt; 00:02:16.020 Joseph McElroy: she’s been featured on New York public television, as well as multiple magazines books, newspapers, and DVD projects and works regularly conducting programs and seminars, so the great smoky mountain National Park.</p><p>00:02:17.520 –&gt; 00:02:18.570 Joseph McElroy: hello, how you doing.</p><p>00:02:19.740 –&gt; 00:02:21.750 18284210743: hi Am I unmuted I hope.</p><p>00:02:22.980 –&gt; 00:02:24.180 18284210743: Can you hear me oh you.</p><p>00:02:26.790 –&gt; 00:02:27.030 Joseph McElroy: I.</p><p>00:02:27.090 –&gt; 00:02:28.290 Can you’re doing well.</p><p>00:02:29.310 –&gt; 00:02:30.870 Joseph McElroy: As all right well either you.</p><p>00:02:30.870 –&gt; 00:02:31.830 18284210743: grew up in Texas.</p><p>00:02:32.190 –&gt; 00:02:33.480 Joseph McElroy: yeah you’re doing good can you hear me.</p><p>00:02:34.830 –&gt; 00:02:36.300 18284210743: Yes, okay.</p><p>00:02:36.720 –&gt; 00:02:51.480 Joseph McElroy: So you grew up in Texas, I live in my childhood, I actually lived a couple of years in Texas my dad went to you know got out of the mountains for about three years lived in Dallas with his family.</p><p>00:02:52.890 –&gt; 00:02:56.070 Joseph McElroy: But that’s a big city now you were part of Texas, where you from.</p><p>00:02:57.720 –&gt; 00:03:11.940 18284210743: I was born in Houston but grew up in Austin I mean they when I was about five months old when was always I’m always glad that they moved to Austin because I never really liked Houston, although I did live there for a while, later on, yeah.</p><p>00:03:12.480 –&gt; 00:03:12.840 18284210743: and</p><p>00:03:12.900 –&gt; 00:03:15.210 Joseph McElroy: But you lived in an area where you can learn to go hunt and.</p><p>00:03:15.210 –&gt; 00:03:16.740 Joseph McElroy: Fish and stuff like that right.</p><p>00:03:17.850 –&gt; 00:03:26.910 18284210743: Oh yeah I handed my parents were in hunting and fishing a lot and so and I never had a babysitter so I went with them.</p><p>00:03:28.170 –&gt; 00:03:30.240 18284210743: satin many a deer blind and.</p><p>00:03:31.320 –&gt; 00:03:45.150 18284210743: shot a 22 when I was five for the first time and oh yeah I was a lot of experiences being outdoors and my father was a developer out light travels so I had a dual.</p><p>00:03:46.260 –&gt; 00:04:03.600 18284210743: Childhood where it was you know half been out at the lake, and in half in town, you know with piano lessons and that kind of thing, so it was a great way to grow up, they have you know both of those experiences are part of my growing that was wonderful.</p><p>00:04:04.410 –&gt; 00:04:06.840 Joseph McElroy: You know I it’s not dissimilar from what I got to.</p><p>00:04:06.840 –&gt; 00:04:20.730 Joseph McElroy: Experience a little bit, though, when we ended up back in Haywood county that after that time we were more you know rural, but then it can then we got into Maggie valley and now the whole tour so you know a little bit different experience.</p><p>00:04:21.930 –&gt; 00:04:22.710 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:04:26.850 –&gt; 00:04:27.840 Joseph McElroy: Thanks very a bit.</p><p>00:04:30.690 –&gt; 00:04:34.440 Joseph McElroy: More than understand native plants make food from native plants when you’re in Texas.</p><p>00:04:36.270 –&gt; 00:04:51.090 18284210743: My my parents had gone through two world wars and the depression, when people ask me well how did you happen to get into this and well and my parents were so much older when I was more and they were 17 years married before they had just met.</p><p>00:04:51.750 –&gt; 00:05:01.410 18284210743: As the only child, so they didn’t know if they’d be around the same me grown so like taught me everything they knew about you know hunting and fishing and wild foods and things that.</p><p>00:05:01.890 –&gt; 00:05:13.980 18284210743: You know the site had to subsist on during those hard times so that’s one of the reasons that I learned so much from my mother, you know taught me a lot about.</p><p>00:05:14.790 –&gt; 00:05:24.120 18284210743: Wild things one of my early memories, I was about five or six I guess standing on the foot of the station wagon reaching up in to get the wild grapes.</p><p>00:05:24.720 –&gt; 00:05:43.080 18284210743: And then taking those home and standing on a chair, with my mother’s day for in China around my neck, and after making jelly out of them so yeah we were while things were just part of my you know growing up, it was just part of life, it wasn’t anything unusual to me at the time.</p><p>00:05:43.860 –&gt; 00:05:44.430 Joseph McElroy: No, I.</p><p>00:05:44.820 –&gt; 00:05:50.760 Joseph McElroy: I remember, making Blackberry gravy with my grandmother nobody really knows about that much anymore, but it was.</p><p>00:05:50.760 –&gt; 00:05:51.420 Basically.</p><p>00:05:54.000 –&gt; 00:05:56.460 Joseph McElroy: You know, was regular gravy but she ended up putting.</p><p>00:05:56.460 –&gt; 00:05:58.980 Joseph McElroy: blackberries and it was really good Blackberry.</p><p>00:06:00.510 –&gt; 00:06:15.450 18284210743: that’s a new word for me, I am my ancestors were out of Tennessee and the things that I found that were you know familiar to them in East and Central Texas were things that you know got passed down the family and.</p><p>00:06:16.830 –&gt; 00:06:22.560 18284210743: Because I want to have been moved to Tennessee then, of course, I found so many things that I was already familiar with, because.</p><p>00:06:23.100 –&gt; 00:06:37.920 18284210743: Either the same plants or you know something in the same family was there in Texas so yeah there was a great connection with that, so it did come down from you know grandmother to my mother and then on down to me oh.</p><p>00:06:38.100 –&gt; 00:06:38.760 18284210743: I go.</p><p>00:06:39.060 –&gt; 00:06:40.920 Joseph McElroy: hey you know your bio says you lived in the.</p><p>00:06:40.920 –&gt; 00:06:42.390 Joseph McElroy: the Caribbean where’d you too.</p><p>00:06:44.160 –&gt; 00:06:50.220 18284210743: Well, I was actually, I stayed there some was a stewardess with Pan Am.</p><p>00:06:51.690 –&gt; 00:07:01.080 18284210743: After well I went to the University of Texas obviously like 1000 women and awesome and then art school in Houston and didn’t want to get married, although there was.</p><p>00:07:01.800 –&gt; 00:07:14.820 18284210743: Great distinct possibility that I would do that, but I wanted to travel first, so I went with Pan Am and spend a weekend in Puerto Rico where we traveled from there to the.</p><p>00:07:15.960 –&gt; 00:07:30.060 18284210743: To the islands, so I did a lot of islands hopping and then, when I had overnights and several I guess about five countries saw 19 but I actually got to visit five I did.</p><p>00:07:31.380 –&gt; 00:07:33.390 18284210743: We stayed in Mexico City.</p><p>00:07:35.070 –&gt; 00:07:38.010 18284210743: Nicaragua, Costa Rica.</p><p>00:07:39.720 –&gt; 00:07:45.330 18284210743: that we can all I did go to Panama city got see the Panama Canal and we stayed overnight there.</p><p>00:07:46.350 –&gt; 00:08:03.240 18284210743: Spent that week in Puerto Rico and San Juan and did go to Rio into when to Buenos Aires, Argentina and so so at least I got to visit a few countries but I didn’t really get to.</p><p>00:08:04.380 –&gt; 00:08:06.360 18284210743: to live there, but I lived all over the.</p><p>00:08:07.440 –&gt; 00:08:08.820 18284210743: South I did live in.</p><p>00:08:10.050 –&gt; 00:08:17.460 18284210743: Oh well outside of taxes and I was in Florida based out of Miami for the airline and then.</p><p>00:08:18.480 –&gt; 00:08:27.810 18284210743: lived in three different places, all the way up to Tallahassee and in between that went to waller and Louisiana baton rouge and New Orleans.</p><p>00:08:29.730 –&gt; 00:08:39.540 18284210743: Atlanta Georgia and then, of course, tend to say, but in between one of those times, I was in we did live a year from in Madrid, Spain.</p><p>00:08:40.590 –&gt; 00:08:43.410 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great yeah that’s beautiful.</p><p>00:08:45.150 –&gt; 00:08:53.850 18284210743: It was an incredible experience it really was it was a I didn’t realize how far north, I was, I was kind of.</p><p>00:08:54.660 –&gt; 00:09:05.460 18284210743: kind of strange that I really didn’t look at a globe or a map before I moved over there, I didn’t realize how far north that we were until I was visiting a.</p><p>00:09:06.390 –&gt; 00:09:18.930 18284210743: Parents have a friend of mine daughters that had lived in Germany and we talked about the cold winters, and so I was she said well you’re in the same latitude as New York City and I went oh I didn’t realize that.</p><p>00:09:19.590 –&gt; 00:09:33.120 18284210743: And that’s why it was so cold for so long, I remember it came Easter and they had a two-week vacation from school and jobs and everybody took off and did you know special things and Easter so.</p><p>00:09:34.230 –&gt; 00:09:40.200 18284210743: My husband said, where do you want to go, and I said far no South I can take off my coat.</p><p>00:09:42.510 –&gt; 00:09:50.160 18284210743: that’s exactly what we did is we were so tired of winter clothes, we weren’t used to that being raised in the south.</p><p>00:09:50.910 –&gt; 00:09:53.580 Joseph McElroy: I know the winters could get a little long I have experienced.</p><p>00:09:53.580 –&gt; 00:09:55.230 Joseph McElroy: That so.</p><p>00:09:55.770 –&gt; 00:09:57.420 Joseph McElroy: So when we went to all these places.</p><p>00:09:57.570 –&gt; 00:10:02.520 Joseph McElroy: Did you continue the foraging tradition that you learned about native plants and making food.</p><p>00:10:03.120 –&gt; 00:10:09.030 18284210743: I did yeah I was kind of a strange stewardess I will have a party and kind I was always asked and people.</p><p>00:10:10.200 –&gt; 00:10:17.160 18284210743: You know about the names of plants and trees, and I would ask them what did you have for breakfast you know and have the ring me, whatever their.</p><p>00:10:17.550 –&gt; 00:10:24.960 18284210743: local food was and learned a lot about you know the seasonings and plants and things that were you know right around there and.</p><p>00:10:25.350 –&gt; 00:10:39.420 18284210743: Visiting markets, I would you know to find the herb shops and things and ask questions, and you know I had enough Spanish that I can you know I can do that, and then in Madrid, it was interesting that they had a.</p><p>00:10:41.580 –&gt; 00:10:49.470 18284210743: They had apothecaries and the head pharmacy so the mafia was very white were sterile and people in white coats you know, and he had prescriptions filled.</p><p>00:10:49.980 –&gt; 00:10:55.080 18284210743: And then down the street, would be a place that just smelled wonderfully earthy.</p><p>00:10:55.590 –&gt; 00:11:05.040 18284210743: And it was an apothecary and that’s where you went and you had herbal things that were made up for you know, for the same kind of illness and they would be a list of.</p><p>00:11:05.520 –&gt; 00:11:14.070 18284210743: illnesses on the window and you would check and say what it was she thought she had you go in and ask for whatever was appropriate for that.</p><p>00:11:15.240 –&gt; 00:11:20.310 18284210743: You know, for that illness and that was pretty neat that that was something that was side by side and part of their culture.</p><p>00:11:22.110 –&gt; 00:11:23.130 18284210743: They also had.</p><p>00:11:25.590 –&gt; 00:11:41.610 18284210743: An issue, as I thought it was queened Anne’s lace, but it was anna’s and Anna says one of their major exports as they need, and he said and even any set was used for stomach ailment so and there was Rosemary there was the only thing that I would.</p><p>00:11:42.660 –&gt; 00:11:56.760 18284210743: say is in the pork with was Rosemary and that was Rosemary and grows wild over there and that’s one of their major seasonings so that’s you know, one of the ways that I’ve picked up some of the things from other cultures is by being aware and asking questions.</p><p>00:11:57.870 –&gt; 00:11:58.800 Joseph McElroy: wow that’s uh.</p><p>00:11:59.190 –&gt; 00:12:09.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah that makes you know, one of the things they say about travel, this is, people are looking for memorable experiences and one of them is to experience the local you know, to really experience.</p><p>00:12:10.320 –&gt; 00:12:12.450 Joseph McElroy: It creates great memories and I think that.</p><p>00:12:12.450 –&gt; 00:12:23.820 Joseph McElroy: sounds like that’s the colon Mary experience in the memories generated by local cuisine was one of your anticipated experiences to make travel local memorable.</p><p>00:12:25.350 –&gt; 00:12:35.100 18284210743: And I remember sending Salvador is the girl to bring me what you had for breakfast I didn’t want to regular American breakfast and she brought me cold.</p><p>00:12:36.390 –&gt; 00:12:41.250 18284210743: fry mashed black beans covered with cream and I wasn’t.</p><p>00:12:42.360 –&gt; 00:12:58.020 18284210743: I wasn’t sure if she was kind of you know, pulling a trick on this white lady or if it’s really what you had for breakfast and I went ahead and tried a little of it, so not to embarrass her and, finally, I said, I think, I would like scrambled eggs and.</p><p>00:13:01.080 –&gt; 00:13:09.210 18284210743: and, later on, I found out from somebody who was from Central America, oh yes that’s you know they would have leftovers for breakfast and you know the.</p><p>00:13:09.600 –&gt; 00:13:18.720 18284210743: Black veins and cream is you know it’s cold is not uncommon that was you know very likely exactly what she did ever breakfast did get what she was.</p><p>00:13:19.860 –&gt; 00:13:20.070 Joseph McElroy: A.</p><p>00:13:21.240 –&gt; 00:13:23.670 Joseph McElroy: memorable experience alright, well, we gotta.</p><p>00:13:24.780 –&gt; 00:13:25.830 Joseph McElroy: We gotta take a break.</p><p>00:13:26.340 –&gt; 00:13:26.460 and</p><p>00:13:27.990 –&gt; 00:13:29.730 18284210743: Come back on a.</p><p>00:13:30.180 –&gt; 00:13:31.800 Joseph McElroy: a little bit more about your heritage.</p><p>00:13:32.910 –&gt; 00:13:34.620 Joseph McElroy: person your background that you.</p><p>00:13:34.860 –&gt; 00:13:37.680 18284210743: i’d like to ask about right here.</p><p>00:15:55.980 –&gt; 00:16:04.800 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guess Illa Hatter.</p><p>00:16:08.790 –&gt; 00:16:11.430 Joseph McElroy: There you are, you have to star six.</p><p>00:16:13.290 –&gt; 00:16:15.720 Joseph McElroy: To unmute to do have to hit star six to get unmuted.</p><p>00:16:18.480 –&gt; 00:16:21.240 Joseph McElroy: So uh so take a second but.</p><p>00:16:23.040 –&gt; 00:16:28.140 Joseph McElroy: I understand that she is a descendant of a legendary.</p><p>00:16:30.450 –&gt; 00:16:41.670 Joseph McElroy: Princess called Pocahontas I was gonna ask about that I like so you descended from Pocahontas oh you’re still gonna hit it you gotta hit the star six-try to hit the star six again.</p><p>00:16:48.630 –&gt; 00:16:48.990 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:16:50.820 –&gt; 00:17:04.050 Joseph McElroy: You know there’s a lot of people down south or sending from various you know various famous individuals, you know if you do your genealogy search and you’d be surprised, what you find out.</p><p>00:17:04.800 –&gt; 00:17:13.920 Joseph McElroy: That I was just recently doing it and found out the man named he Rogers moved into the haven county.</p><p>00:17:14.400 –&gt; 00:17:19.650 Joseph McElroy: In the early 1800s and he married a woman and Jane Washington.</p><p>00:17:19.680 –&gt; 00:17:20.430 Joseph McElroy: there either.</p><p>00:17:21.480 –&gt; 00:17:22.080 18284210743:I’m here.</p><p>00:17:22.200 –&gt; 00:17:23.100 18284210743: Oh, there you are.</p><p>00:17:25.020 –&gt; 00:17:28.080 Joseph McElroy: I was huge he Rogers and Jane washing got married.</p><p>00:17:34.200 –&gt; 00:17:42.480 Joseph McElroy: He was a brother George Washington so than the surprise you know we might pass so you’re you hear the direct descendant of a Pocahontas Is that correct.</p><p>00:17:43.740 –&gt; 00:17:57.270 18284210743: Yes, I am I kept asking if there wasn’t an Indian that was any closer to a friend the day and my mother said well at least it’s an engine everybody knows to be satisfied with that.</p><p>00:17:58.380 –&gt; 00:17:59.460 18284210743: You learned about it when you were.</p><p>00:17:59.460 –&gt; 00:18:00.180 18284210743: fairly young.</p><p>00:18:01.260 –&gt; 00:18:04.110 18284210743: Oh yes, my family was into genealogy.</p><p>00:18:05.430 –&gt; 00:18:07.410 18284210743: mother and her sister both were.</p><p>00:18:08.520 –&gt; 00:18:24.120 18284210743: Doing that for most of their lives, they were members of the doors republican Texas, and the Dir as well, and so they knew that they knew the history and I knew it from the time I was very small that we were descendants uh-huh.</p><p>00:18:24.540 –&gt; 00:18:24.810 that’s.</p><p>00:18:26.370 –&gt; 00:18:26.850 18284210743: Out there.</p><p>00:18:30.540 –&gt; 00:18:30.720 18284210743: yeah.</p><p>00:18:32.190 –&gt; 00:18:51.060 Joseph McElroy: There was a lot of starts going out a lot, and you, and so you know you’ve moved around a lot right and sometimes I noticed you say you’re in the smokies and other times you say southern Appalachian what are you, what do you consider now as a native of the smokies or Southern Appalachian.</p><p>00:18:53.670 –&gt; 00:18:55.650 18284210743: I don’t know how you separate them really.</p><p>00:18:55.980 –&gt; 00:18:57.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:18:57.540 –&gt; 00:18:57.900 I mean.</p><p>00:18:59.100 –&gt; 00:19:14.490 18284210743: I’m brand Blanche, and now I think I’ve been here more years I used to say I’ve been in Appalachia more years than I was all when I got here if that makes sense, of course, you know I’m still climbing Texas, but.</p><p>00:19:15.720 –&gt; 00:19:23.670 18284210743: I’m so much more familiar now with Appalachian culture and heritage and teach it and classes at.</p><p>00:19:24.450 –&gt; 00:19:40.350 18284210743: The Johnson Campbell folks school as well, and also about the Cherokee so that’s been I guess the last half of my life has been focused on you know the heritage of the region that I have adopted or has adopted me if you want to put it that way.</p><p>00:19:41.010 –&gt; 00:19:42.540 Joseph McElroy: Is that how you got here, as you came to.</p><p>00:19:42.540 –&gt; 00:19:43.050 Teach.</p><p>00:19:44.760 –&gt; 00:19:58.380 18284210743: No I’m kind of around about the way I was back in Texas, I was in Tallahassee my mother was killed in an accident, and being an only child and I ended up in Austin moved back there.</p><p>00:19:58.920 –&gt; 00:20:07.290 18284210743: But my daughter was getting married in Atlanta, and my mother was renting a room to a lady who was moving back to Texas from.</p><p>00:20:07.740 –&gt; 00:20:20.580 18284210743: Gatlinburg and she was there, you know temporary while they were buying a house and she said that if I were to come by way of Gatlinburg to Atlanta for the wedding.</p><p>00:20:21.270 –&gt; 00:20:30.420 18284210743: That I could pick up the punch bowl and silverware and all you know find things for a first-class wedding.</p><p>00:20:31.050 –&gt; 00:20:38.760 18284210743: and take it for the wedding for my daughter, and then back to Texas, and she wouldn’t have to pack all those things, and I can take it, you know back.</p><p>00:20:39.510 –&gt; 00:20:51.930 18284210743: home for her so that’s How come we ended up in Gatlinburg and thought about it and realized was a lot closer to Atlanta and to be near my daughter, and you know future grandchildren.</p><p>00:20:52.440 –&gt; 00:21:01.260 18284210743: Then, to be 1000 miles away in Texas, so we backed out of some property, we were going to buy and build a house on and Austin.</p><p>00:21:01.890 –&gt; 00:21:12.720 18284210743: And decided that weekend that we were in Gatlinburg and we found out that mother’s house it’s So while we were there so that weekend and we bought a rental chalet for.</p><p>00:21:13.980 –&gt; 00:21:25.410 18284210743: income and our log cabin and went to the wedding in Atlanta and said no we’re not going to be taxes ranchers we’re going to be Tennessee mountaineer has.</p><p>00:21:27.330 –&gt; 00:21:38.970 18284210743: It all changed in the space of just so you know that weekend really and I can try to come be part of the same here she’s got up next.</p><p>00:21:41.220 –&gt; 00:21:53.310 18284210743: But that’s how I ended up here, so I was 12 years in Gatlinburg and then 94 moved over to with my second husband moved over here to North Carolina.</p><p>00:21:55.290 –&gt; 00:21:56.790 Joseph McElroy: Finally, go on the right side as soon.</p><p>00:22:00.240 –&gt; 00:22:05.640 18284210743: As I got it got too crazy and busy on that side, this is quiet, so I didn’t.</p><p>00:22:06.990 –&gt; 00:22:19.110 18284210743: read it, even though my ancestors were Tennessee and you know and I’m happy to move there, the year of homecoming and I tell folks all it took five generations, but one of us finally got back home, and then the log cabin well.</p><p>00:22:20.400 –&gt; 00:22:33.390 18284210743: But now it was worth it delighted to be on this site and we actually came over this side because of my adopted Cherokee grandmother she adopted me wasn’t the other way around.</p><p>00:22:34.830 –&gt; 00:22:36.390 18284210743: amanda sequoia swimmer.</p><p>00:22:37.980 –&gt; 00:22:48.420 18284210743: We had been coming over Gary had been visiting with her for several years before I came along in his life and that’s how I got to meet her and then she.</p><p>00:22:49.590 –&gt; 00:22:58.140 18284210743: In and she and I then got to talking about you know how she had things that she had done, you know foodstuffs and these things and wild things you know for.</p><p>00:22:58.680 –&gt; 00:23:12.660 18284210743: Raising her family and so that’s why we felt like coming over the mountains and kind of you know, be near her and take care of things for her and that’s, how can we browse the North Carolina well, you are you’re.</p><p>00:23:12.690 –&gt; 00:23:27.780 Joseph McElroy: You’re actually a well-known world-renowned naturalist and I know that’s for a fact because we were having an event here talking about to come in here and people like oh wow I really like to impress.</p><p>00:23:28.080 –&gt; 00:23:29.940 18284210743: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:23:34.140 –&gt; 00:23:34.440 Joseph McElroy: well.</p><p>00:23:36.180 –&gt; 00:23:42.540 Joseph McElroy: You refer to as wildcraft like raw wildcrafting what exactly does that mean what does its tales?</p><p>00:23:43.650 –&gt; 00:23:57.780 18284210743: means farming the woods, the word originated in England is wildcrafting which, which again means farming, the woods, using the forest resources, and, in some cases actually.</p><p>00:23:59.070 –&gt; 00:24:02.040 18284210743: Like over there for crafting, they would actually cut.</p><p>00:24:03.240 –&gt; 00:24:09.990 18284210743: trees in order to have firewood they would take trees cut back, and then they come back up you know with multiple sprouts.</p><p>00:24:10.440 –&gt; 00:24:17.700 18284210743: And as those then got hard, then they would come back and they would you know the name, have a bundle of sticks, or you know for cooking fires that kind of thing.</p><p>00:24:18.090 –&gt; 00:24:34.680 18284210743: So that was one of the forest resources and the word gets changed into wildcrafting so it’s not making crafts, out of things out of the woods, but it’s how people you know would use the forest resources for food, medicine, you know rope.</p><p>00:24:35.760 –&gt; 00:24:41.340 18284210743: All kinds of you know, ways that you know the thing we shingle you know, for instance, all kinds of things that will come.</p><p>00:24:42.390 –&gt; 00:24:43.170 18284210743: out of the woods.</p><p>00:24:45.030 –&gt; 00:24:55.320 Joseph McElroy: cool and did you become an expert in this field through a study or experience or you know or did you go to any school for bought me or anything.</p><p>00:24:56.610 –&gt; 00:24:59.220 18284210743: I was a week away from.</p><p>00:25:00.240 –&gt; 00:25:03.330 18284210743: signing up for a course in Escrow botany at.</p><p>00:25:04.470 –&gt; 00:25:11.520 18284210743: The University of Florida so Sam was in Tallahassee so that would have been if you.</p><p>00:25:12.540 –&gt; 00:25:14.700 18284210743: know if I am fish you.</p><p>00:25:16.530 –&gt; 00:25:29.280 18284210743: And I was just I was close to getting a course, and that was when I got word that my mother killed and I had to move to Texas, so I didn’t get and that has caused by regard so an actual botany course, but I have.</p><p>00:25:30.330 –&gt; 00:25:37.020 18284210743: You know, young people who’ve actually experienced that I have had very good friends who were botanists.</p><p>00:25:38.040 –&gt; 00:25:51.060 18284210743: One of my main teachers for some 30 years was Murray’s manager, he was one of the first riders and foxfire for Elliot Wigginton and she and her husband had been.</p><p>00:25:52.080 –&gt; 00:25:53.040 18284210743: botanist for.</p><p>00:25:54.240 –&gt; 00:26:00.810 18284210743: Most of their lives, and she had started a group called the incredible edibles club there in North Georgia and acquaintance where she lived.</p><p>00:26:01.470 –&gt; 00:26:11.250 18284210743: And I studied with her went to that group meetings we met from April to October one weekend a month and everything we ate for the weekend.</p><p>00:26:11.730 –&gt; 00:26:20.730 18284210743: had to have a wild edible in it, and of course, you can talk about you know food without you know any plant without talking about its medicinal properties.</p><p>00:26:21.300 –&gt; 00:26:30.690 18284210743: Food is medicine and medicine is food, so we learned both of those you know, while we were out with her so she was my, I guess, my main mentor.</p><p>00:26:31.320 –&gt; 00:26:40.920 18284210743: And then coming up here, then I learned a lot of you know, the Cherokee things and how they used different things from you know from grandma mandy but yeah that was.</p><p>00:26:42.360 –&gt; 00:26:59.070 18284210743: I wish I could have had a button in class and one of my good friend’s son was taking button a ut and I was telling him I said, you know I wish I had had some classes, he said, I always said, but you know the fun stuff he said.</p><p>00:27:01.230 –&gt; 00:27:11.190 18284210743: He said that’s what people want to know you know they want the stories about it and how people use it and so that’s the fun part of, and he said you get the botanical names out of a book that’s no problem.</p><p>00:27:11.880 –&gt; 00:27:23.340 18284210743: And so I kind of said oh okay all right, I guess that’s okay, then, so I stopped being concerned about it yeah well, you can answer you can, if you can answer a question.</p><p>00:27:23.340 –&gt; 00:27:27.570 Joseph McElroy: For me, I had a mood shiner I think somebody in the.</p><p>00:27:27.630 –&gt; 00:27:32.130 Joseph McElroy: liquor space and it was talking about, you know moonshine It was mentioned that.</p><p>00:27:35.190 –&gt; 00:27:48.900 Joseph McElroy: But really simple recipes you know medicinal you know recipes in the mountains for curing all sorts of hills, but they said it wasn’t activated lets you put a little bit of moonshine and it has moonshine necessary to make mount remedies work.</p><p>00:27:51.180 –&gt; 00:27:55.830 18284210743: Well, actually for some things, yes, because some of those plants.</p><p>00:27:58.110 –&gt; 00:28:17.790 18284210743: chemicals that you, you want, that is the medicinal part, some of them are only soluble in alcohol and you know, some are fine and water and you make tea out of it, but others you wouldn’t get the benefit of it unless you actually did so good, you know for hall So yes.</p><p>00:28:18.840 –&gt; 00:28:20.160 18284210743: Congress stuff was true.</p><p>00:28:20.160 –&gt; 00:28:21.180 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic.</p><p>00:28:24.150 –&gt; 00:28:33.870 18284210743: You did after you didn’t have to have it, and some of the moonshiners in knowing how to do things I could also once the season was passed for.</p><p>00:28:34.380 –&gt; 00:28:48.030 18284210743: Making shine then like it just still herbal you know the extracts and things you know because I knew how to make the distillation process, so they were you know they were good you know, make herbal remedies as well.</p><p>00:28:48.690 –&gt; 00:28:49.800 Joseph McElroy: So we’re going to take another.</p><p>00:28:49.800 –&gt; 00:28:51.810 Joseph McElroy: break when we come back.</p><p>00:28:52.320 –&gt; 00:28:57.180 Joseph McElroy: love to talk about some in Devon business beliefs and learning in your work.</p><p>00:28:59.040 –&gt; 00:29:00.480 Okay guys.</p><p>00:29:02.670 –&gt; 00:29:04.350 18284210743: informed about manacles and.</p><p>00:31:32.430 –&gt; 00:31:33.930 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph.</p><p>00:31:36.960 –&gt; 00:31:50.970 Joseph McElroy: Well back with the gateway to the smokies and my guest Ila Hatter, who is a renowned naturalist specializing and wildcrafting to explain to us earlier I’ll show you there.</p><p>00:31:53.940 –&gt; 00:31:54.450 Joseph McElroy: To.</p><p>00:31:55.500 –&gt; 00:31:59.220 Joseph McElroy: Their hope you’re still you’re going to hit the star six again.</p><p>00:32:01.380 –&gt; 00:32:17.130 Joseph McElroy: You have to start 16 we are we’re having technical difficulties we’re in the mountains here and we’re having a huge storm with flash flood warnings so we’ve had to work out how to get here, and I still not still trying to get another star six yeah.</p><p>00:32:19.140 –&gt; 00:32:31.200 Joseph McElroy: And so we put together a way to do this, but it does have a little bit of a hiccup in terms of how we get the mute unmute color coming back.</p><p>00:32:31.380 –&gt; 00:32:32.850 18284210743: Coming back on me.</p><p>00:32:32.970 –&gt; 00:32:34.560 Joseph McElroy: There we go hey.</p><p>00:32:36.480 –&gt; 00:32:38.760 Joseph McElroy: There you go there, we go.</p><p>00:32:39.180 –&gt; 00:32:39.870 So.</p><p>00:32:41.070 –&gt; 00:32:44.100 Joseph McElroy: You have some deep native American you have any yeah.</p><p>00:32:44.580 –&gt; 00:32:54.630 Joseph McElroy: So you have deep native American roots right, and you, you actually told me told it told us, you know, a big part of the reason you ended up in North Carolina decided, so, please.</p><p>00:32:54.990 –&gt; 00:33:02.220 Joseph McElroy: Is your mentor Cherokee mentor so would you think that do you find that indigenous beliefs and learning are deep in your work.</p><p>00:33:05.490 –&gt; 00:33:08.880 18284210743: Very much so now, especially you know here living in.</p><p>00:33:10.200 –&gt; 00:33:12.210 18284210743: In the smokies and appalachia edge.</p><p>00:33:13.320 –&gt; 00:33:16.650 18284210743: I think in the beginning, that as they.</p><p>00:33:17.880 –&gt; 00:33:24.690 18284210743: White settlers moved in, and you know many times were saved by what the.</p><p>00:33:25.770 –&gt; 00:33:35.460 18284210743: Indian neighbors knew, you know to heal them and then, of course, you know picked up the information from them, and I think there was a lot of sharing originally.</p><p>00:33:36.660 –&gt; 00:33:38.730 18284210743: Between mountain people and.</p><p>00:33:39.990 –&gt; 00:33:52.620 18284210743: In Cherokee and even in you know some of the other cultures that were you know Shawnee and Qatada and you know different states that were you know in southern Appalachian I think they learned from each other.</p><p>00:33:54.120 –&gt; 00:33:57.870 18284210743: They when the settlers came here they had the.</p><p>00:33:58.950 –&gt; 00:34:05.310 18284210743: They did have herbal knowledge from Europe and they added they knew about it.</p><p>00:34:08.340 –&gt; 00:34:09.840 18284210743: Like they knew quite a few.</p><p>00:34:11.460 –&gt; 00:34:27.510 18284210743: You know, herbal remedies, but they added about 252 the pharmacopeia from the Indian neighbors that we still use some of those today I’m sure they’re part of the pharmacopeia so it was a good sharing, I think, between the cultures.</p><p>00:34:29.340 –&gt; 00:34:33.000 Joseph McElroy: fabulous um you know you know the.</p><p>00:34:34.170 –&gt; 00:34:35.610 Joseph McElroy: I want to sort of dig deep.</p><p>00:34:36.690 –&gt; 00:34:43.890 Joseph McElroy: A little bit here after you calling it wildcrafting right, what was the name, what was the.</p><p>00:34:44.400 –&gt; 00:34:57.930 Joseph McElroy: What was the nature of your work at the beginning, and then, how did it evolve over time, what I know you do a lot of learning and a lot of experimenting but how does it manifest itself in the things that people enjoy or people learn from.</p><p>00:35:00.150 –&gt; 00:35:01.470 18284210743: started with the food.</p><p>00:35:02.880 –&gt; 00:35:15.570 18284210743: And I started teaching in Tallahassee and I got involved in the Florida native plant society and they didn’t have anybody that knew that much about the wild foods.</p><p>00:35:16.590 –&gt; 00:35:30.930 18284210743: They were you know botanist and they were a lot of aquatic botanists and I went in and tell them what I did, and I said, do you have anybody that’s you know teaching that here and they looked at me and they said, we do now, so I started, then.</p><p>00:35:32.250 –&gt; 00:35:36.870 18284210743: The same when I came up here to the to Gatlinburg and I started going to the.</p><p>00:35:38.340 –&gt; 00:35:44.520 18284210743: The smoky mountain sales school and the wildflower pilgrimage and Dr. ED collab.</p><p>00:35:46.110 –&gt; 00:35:55.530 18284210743: Who was Professor emeritus of botany for ut there in Knoxville and he was one of the main leaders.</p><p>00:35:56.130 –&gt; 00:36:06.570 18284210743: And he would they talking about you know the different plants and identifying and you know and so I’m a lot of hair and tail people would eat this and they would cook I’m not sure how they would cook and how they prepare it and.</p><p>00:36:07.050 –&gt; 00:36:18.930 18284210743: I would be raising my hand and groups and well I know and eventually after a couple of years when he left to on a sabbatical to start is 90 plant.</p><p>00:36:19.620 –&gt; 00:36:28.920 18284210743: nursery the university said well your classes are so popular who do you know, would you suggest could take them over and he suggested me.</p><p>00:36:29.790 –&gt; 00:36:44.460 18284210743: Like surprise me because I didn’t have a botany degree and they told me they said that’s not important you just have to know the subject, and he feels like you know the subject so at that point, then, because it was including so much in the medicinal that’s when I began actually studying.</p><p>00:36:45.780 –&gt; 00:36:53.430 18284210743: To you know, be sure that I can add enough of that you know into it and so that that’s how that started, and I really you know.</p><p>00:36:53.850 –&gt; 00:37:03.660 18284210743: thanked him so many times for getting me started on what became a career because of my background actually for 27 years before I moved here was in graphic arts.</p><p>00:37:04.440 –&gt; 00:37:14.820 18284210743: But I decided that, since I was going to have to you know learn how to do all that on computers I didn’t want to be in front of a computer for eight hours a day, I wanted to be with people and, as my</p><p>00:37:15.870 –&gt; 00:37:24.150 18284210743: husband Jerry had said well as for something you want to do to Michael lemon, what do you like to do the most and I said talk.</p><p>00:37:26.640 –&gt; 00:37:42.150 18284210743: This is it got it well, as it turns out I’ve got I was joking about this when I do my, my charity classes, you don’t necessarily want to ask for an Indian name I didn’t ask for one, but I got one anyway.</p><p>00:37:43.260 –&gt; 00:37:51.000 18284210743: We were with grandma mandy one time, and she was talking about her grandchildren and the names that she’d given them she always gives them an Indian name at birth.</p><p>00:37:51.780 –&gt; 00:37:58.020 18284210743: And he said well Rambo you keep saying that I would you know, is one of your daughters well if she’d actually been born in your family.</p><p>00:37:58.800 –&gt; 00:38:07.200 18284210743: What name, would you give her without matt and, as she said Uli that you Li and I said oh grandma what’s that mean, she said.</p><p>00:38:07.740 –&gt; 00:38:18.570 18284210743: locust and I thought well I’m a naturalist you know the name for locust tree that’s pretty neat she said no, not that trees that little bug that comes out every seven years and won’t shut up.</p><p>00:38:24.840 –&gt; 00:38:25.950 18284210743: talker was.</p><p>00:38:32.670 –&gt; 00:38:36.420 18284210743: talking to Michael Evans for the last 30 years or more.</p><p>00:38:39.240 –&gt; 00:38:41.550 18284210743: toward that, he’s also written a book did.</p><p>00:38:43.980 –&gt; 00:38:55.770 18284210743: The incredible animal’s group put together and part of its mine and Barbie illustrations are mine and Marie gave me the rights to it roadside rambles is a cookbook.</p><p>00:38:56.820 –&gt; 00:39:04.050 18284210743: With 390 wild food recipes in it and then I did DVDs we have.</p><p>00:39:06.660 –&gt; 00:39:12.510 18284210743: Wild edibles and decimals of Appalachia and then I did three.</p><p>00:39:13.530 –&gt; 00:39:27.330 18284210743: folkways programs with you and say TV, which is our in a local PBS with that with David whoa and I did three programs for our state as well, so yeah so.</p><p>00:39:28.710 –&gt; 00:39:34.590 18284210743: I’ve been in a lot of magazines blue Ridge country, and recently garden and guns and.</p><p>00:39:35.970 –&gt; 00:39:38.310 18284210743: any number of publications and things and.</p><p>00:39:39.510 –&gt; 00:39:42.030 18284210743: was actually on CNN one time that was.</p><p>00:39:45.750 –&gt; 00:39:46.950 18284210743: Was that a good experience.</p><p>00:39:48.360 –&gt; 00:39:49.530 18284210743: That was fine.</p><p>00:39:50.730 –&gt; 00:39:58.470 18284210743: Going into a billion homes worldwide is a big sign as you walk in and she looked at me and said anything, well, I went oh my.</p><p>00:40:03.570 –&gt; 00:40:04.710 18284210743: I had a I had a.</p><p>00:40:04.740 –&gt; 00:40:06.960 Joseph McElroy: brief sees and experiences it wasn’t anything major.</p><p>00:40:06.960 –&gt; 00:40:13.320 Joseph McElroy: But I got interviewed on the street New York City about some sort of thing and I got excited I know.</p><p>00:40:13.350 –&gt; 00:40:16.440 Joseph McElroy: My mom told her, I was going to be on the show, and this on the.</p><p>00:40:16.620 –&gt; 00:40:24.210 Joseph McElroy: On the news show, and she watched and then she called me screaming and switches fever and she said, your boss your board I shaved my head that.</p><p>00:40:29.040 –&gt; 00:40:30.090 18284210743: impressed you the most.</p><p>00:40:30.150 –&gt; 00:40:32.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah was it a shot shop.</p><p>00:40:32.370 –&gt; 00:40:34.890 Joseph McElroy: So she did you know I did that, so it was like.</p><p>00:40:40.830 –&gt; 00:40:41.730 18284210743: Oh, my.</p><p>00:40:42.750 –&gt; 00:40:42.930 Joseph McElroy: God.</p><p>00:40:45.450 –&gt; 00:40:50.100 Joseph McElroy: So another fine natural on the show Adam Bigelow and.</p><p>00:40:50.730 –&gt; 00:40:52.380 Joseph McElroy: I know I know you’re familiar with others.</p><p>00:40:52.380 –&gt; 00:40:52.560 Joseph McElroy: Like.</p><p>00:40:52.620 –&gt; 00:40:55.560 Joseph McElroy: hotels and Dan Dan.</p><p>00:40:56.280 –&gt; 00:40:56.520 18284210743: Dan.</p><p>00:40:56.550 –&gt; 00:40:58.980 Joseph McElroy: pitch low, but how’s it how’s yours.</p><p>00:40:59.820 –&gt; 00:41:00.930 18284210743: how’s your wild crafted.</p><p>00:41:00.930 –&gt; 00:41:01.890 18284210743: different from what they do.</p><p>00:41:03.780 –&gt; 00:41:11.460 18284210743: I’m probably most similar to annum since he does you know the walks and talks about you know and I’ve given him some.</p><p>00:41:11.970 –&gt; 00:41:24.870 18284210743: While he tells stories about plants, you know and things that he’s experienced with them, then I’ve occasionally when we’ve crossed paths I’ve given me some stories and said you’re welcome you know, to the stories, because you know we see each other as a.</p><p>00:41:26.280 –&gt; 00:41:47.040 18284210743: couple we 90 plan conference over at Western Carolina, and so we were pretty similar Dan and I are good friends to and Dan is just an incredible botanist and we’ve done walks with oh and Joyce Kilmer and you know the various thing we see each other every year it’s a wildflower pilgrimage.</p><p>00:41:48.510 –&gt; 00:41:59.250 18284210743: And I guess mine is different because I actually serve food to people I gave everybody a taste of the while so that they have some idea of how they can incorporate some of the.</p><p>00:41:59.730 –&gt; 00:42:08.910 18284210743: Things that are growing outside in their yard, or something that they that’s come up in their garden that they might want to actually include is you know part of theirs.</p><p>00:42:09.660 –&gt; 00:42:17.610 18284210743: harvest before they’ve even planted anything so I want them to kind of know you know how good these things are and so every class I always.</p><p>00:42:18.240 –&gt; 00:42:27.180 18284210743: Prepare something that’s appropriate to the season back when I lived in Gatlinburg and have the log cabin I was close enough to the park that.</p><p>00:42:27.540 –&gt; 00:42:46.740 18284210743: I would bring them home and we had a full course meal, it was from appetizer to you know to dessert the whole meal was while but I haven’t done those in a number of years I just do a taste of the while now, I think that’s how I differ, is that I actually prepare food for folks.</p><p>00:42:47.460 –&gt; 00:42:49.080 Joseph McElroy: Well, it seems to be the.</p><p>00:42:49.140 –&gt; 00:42:50.610 Joseph McElroy: The your homework from the.</p><p>00:42:50.610 –&gt; 00:42:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Beginning right from this class as you were doing that Professor raising your hand to say I know how to make.</p><p>00:42:56.250 –&gt; 00:42:57.300 Joseph McElroy: It today.</p><p>00:42:57.600 –&gt; 00:42:58.710 Joseph McElroy: So there’s a.</p><p>00:42:58.740 –&gt; 00:42:59.970 Joseph McElroy: there’s a tactical.</p><p>00:43:00.000 –&gt; 00:43:05.970 Joseph McElroy: there’s tactical expertise that you have you got to get your hands and actually produce right it’s that’s the art.</p><p>00:43:06.900 –&gt; 00:43:07.410 18284210743: The art.</p><p>00:43:07.920 –&gt; 00:43:08.760 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah.</p><p>00:43:10.530 –&gt; 00:43:18.240 18284210743: Like what we were out but I’m charging around my cabin and somebody said, so why don’t we think and for the salad I said you’re standing in it.</p><p>00:43:23.040 –&gt; 00:43:25.020 18284210743: All right, we’re gonna take our final break down.</p><p>00:43:25.020 –&gt; 00:43:30.390 Joseph McElroy: Come back and finish up with little some of the programs that people can experience with you right now.</p><p>00:44:36.030 –&gt; 00:44:36.570 Most of the.</p><p>00:46:04.770 –&gt; 00:46:14.610 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my game, yes, I had her, I know, are you there yet.</p><p>00:46:16.170 –&gt; 00:46:24.540 Joseph McElroy: he’s we begin as saying we’re in a big storm and sometimes that happens in the smoky mountains and flash flood work possibility and things like that.</p><p>00:46:27.420 –&gt; 00:46:29.940 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think you have to hit star six again.</p><p>00:46:34.980 –&gt; 00:46:39.150 Joseph McElroy: we’re dealing with multiple technologies here at the same time you know.</p><p>00:46:43.740 –&gt; 00:46:54.090 Joseph McElroy: Sometimes the mountains, I was having a hard time a little bit of wireless going around trying to get a cell phone you got to find the right spot to stand in.</p><p>00:46:55.110 –&gt; 00:47:05.220 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you don’t get in the don’t get any service at all, but then other places, you get beautiful clear service so it’s like claiming your spot here and understanding what you got to do we’ve been talking about.</p><p>00:47:06.090 –&gt; 00:47:20.460 Joseph McElroy: Wildcrafting which is you know exploring the natural wonders of food in the mountains and you know recipes and medicinal plants and natural as a naturalist is big.</p><p>00:47:21.240 –&gt; 00:47:32.880 Joseph McElroy: is a big industry here in the mountains, I don’t know if you’ve been seeing our previous programs but it’s been dancing you there ALA ALA know you still got to travel more time star six.</p><p>00:47:35.190 –&gt; 00:47:39.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah so she had to call in or phone so she’s got to do this.</p><p>00:47:44.490 –&gt; 00:47:49.110 Joseph McElroy: zoom needs to do something about it so in turn, people are back on there yet.</p><p>00:47:50.820 –&gt; 00:47:51.510 Joseph McElroy: not yet.</p><p>00:47:52.740 –&gt; 00:47:59.130 Joseph McElroy: Well, I love does a lot of programs with the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:48:00.660 –&gt; 00:48:04.320 Joseph McElroy: You know, various variations of the major.</p><p>00:48:06.360 –&gt; 00:48:06.990 Joseph McElroy: Major.</p><p>00:48:09.090 –&gt; 00:48:14.280 Joseph McElroy: Schools and systems, schools and whatnot here in the mountains.</p><p>00:48:15.600 –&gt; 00:48:21.780 Joseph McElroy: To the guest’s instructor for the great smoky mountains to treatment, the judge john C to Campbell folks school.</p><p>00:48:22.260 –&gt; 00:48:41.010 Joseph McElroy: The mountain retreat Center snowbird mountain launch or she’s a member of the yellow attire member of the yellow creek botanical Institute and a storyteller for elder hospital hospitals in three states in three states so there’s a lot of education, often opportunity.</p><p>00:48:42.810 –&gt; 00:48:43.500 Joseph McElroy: had about.</p><p>00:48:46.530 –&gt; 00:48:52.560 Joseph McElroy: botanicals hey I’ll you back there some reason the star six is not working quite as well.</p><p>00:48:54.420 –&gt; 00:48:57.600 Joseph McElroy: So, as he still does a lot of programs evolve.</p><p>00:48:59.550 –&gt; 00:49:02.190 Joseph McElroy: And they’re very worthwhile programs to go to.</p><p>00:49:03.570 –&gt; 00:49:09.630 Joseph McElroy: She was going to do one here at the Meadowlark motel we just had a naturalist weekend.</p><p>00:49:11.010 –&gt; 00:49:16.020 Joseph McElroy: and personal circumstances dictate that she couldn’t make it but everybody was there.</p><p>00:49:16.380 –&gt; 00:49:19.050 Joseph McElroy: wow really hopefully anticipating.</p><p>00:49:19.440 –&gt; 00:49:20.310 Joseph McElroy: Either didn’t work.</p><p>00:49:21.150 –&gt; 00:49:22.590 18284210743: I think your work, this time.</p><p>00:49:22.710 –&gt; 00:49:25.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah there you go so.</p><p>00:49:26.820 –&gt; 00:49:28.200 18284210743: I was just bragging about you.</p><p>00:49:32.730 –&gt; 00:49:33.870 18284210743: programs that you’re involved.</p><p>00:49:33.870 –&gt; 00:49:40.860 Joseph McElroy: With the and you’ve done some students have programs with the great smoky mountain national park for years, what kind of.</p><p>00:49:43.260 –&gt; 00:49:46.770 18284210743: match with you to the smoky mountain field school.</p><p>00:49:47.220 –&gt; 00:50:05.490 18284210743: And it’s a new TV program and the links are on my website, which is wildcrafting.com and there are links there to the classes and there’s a myriad of programs and things that people can you know be part of mine are foraging and folklore.</p><p>00:50:05.970 –&gt; 00:50:12.900 18284210743: And I’ve got one coming up October 9 which is on Cherokee foods and folklore.</p><p>00:50:14.250 –&gt; 00:50:18.120 18284210743: that’s going to be on this side of the park and Cherokee and then.</p><p>00:50:19.110 –&gt; 00:50:28.260 18284210743: I have the Genesee Campbell folks school coming up on May 1 of next year, which is.</p><p>00:50:29.550 –&gt; 00:50:32.130 18284210743: A title after my favorite quote from.</p><p>00:50:34.410 –&gt; 00:50:47.130 18284210743: From there, which is the woods and sales are a table always spread is the title of the program to those are the next two coming up of the vehicle that.</p><p>00:50:49.380 –&gt; 00:50:49.980 Joseph McElroy: Which one of the.</p><p>00:50:50.280 –&gt; 00:50:51.690 rooms would people get to taste.</p><p>00:50:54.390 –&gt; 00:51:04.860 18284210743: Oh, and anything that I do any of the programs that I do, I always bring a taste of the while so you’ll get some Cherokee foods.</p><p>00:51:05.460 –&gt; 00:51:17.550 18284210743: On October night will actually probably make some Cherokee chestnut brand probably and have seen matt lemonade T most people don’t realize that the.</p><p>00:51:18.390 –&gt; 00:51:29.970 18284210743: Quality reservation quality is actually the word for saying bad quality and quality or the words for saying back then they’ll tell you were poly because.</p><p>00:51:30.390 –&gt; 00:51:42.660 18284210743: Polly’s farm is where they started the survey from but there’s no P, and the Cherokee language so they call her quality and so it’s actually the same back reservation if you really want a.</p><p>00:51:43.890 –&gt; 00:51:47.880 18284210743: Specific translation anyway that’s that’s what they’ll have for.</p><p>00:51:48.180 –&gt; 00:51:54.150 18284210743: October and then we’ll actually have origin cook things that the Campbell folks go because it’s a week-long class.</p><p>00:51:55.560 –&gt; 00:52:01.320 Joseph McElroy: cool what’s your, what do you think are the tastiest wild plants in the mountains.</p><p>00:52:03.570 –&gt; 00:52:10.710 18284210743: who have got several um one of my favorites as far as vegetable guys are lambs quarters.</p><p>00:52:12.030 –&gt; 00:52:16.890 18284210743: Because you can use that any way that you use Spanish any Spanish recipe that’s one of my favorites.</p><p>00:52:18.210 –&gt; 00:52:27.570 18284210743: As for and then ramps, of course, if anybody is you know from Appalachia there you know they know about ramps which are industrial strength onions.</p><p>00:52:28.320 –&gt; 00:52:41.040 18284210743: I call a lot of ways to use those that not many things that you would you know, raw elderberry, of course, that they have to be cooked but elderberries are you know I made.</p><p>00:52:41.640 –&gt; 00:52:49.440 18284210743: I’d one-third prize in Florida state prayer for elderberry wine, so that tells you how good it is and then.</p><p>00:52:50.220 –&gt; 00:53:03.030 18284210743: We have what I call mountain wasabi do for which has horseradish flavor and I’ve been able to take a roast beef sandwich and put the two for it leaves in it for the condiments and.</p><p>00:53:03.690 –&gt; 00:53:15.570 18284210743: And for the little Elvis quote unquote for the sandwich So those are you know and then there’s five Bush I use that a lot of spice Bush is using the limbs.</p><p>00:53:16.410 –&gt; 00:53:34.140 18284210743: For tea learned that from the Cherokee and then the berries are dried and use like 90 volts five and I keep those grind them up use them in all kinds of pastries and cookies and things well, thank you for joining our show.</p><p>00:53:34.920 –&gt; 00:53:38.460 Joseph McElroy: And people can find out more about your wildcrafted COM correct.</p><p>00:53:39.210 –&gt; 00:53:46.140 18284210743: Right, yes, and right well fancy.com, or they can email me at Iowa at wild crafting.com yes.</p><p>00:53:47.250 –&gt; 00:53:47.550 18284210743: hmm.</p><p>00:53:48.690 –&gt; 00:53:50.040 Joseph McElroy: So thank you for being a show it’s.</p><p>00:53:50.040 –&gt; 00:53:54.390 Joseph McElroy: been a wonderful show, and I look forward to tasting some of your stuff in the new near future.</p><p>00:53:55.620 –&gt; 00:53:57.900 18284210743: Oh really that okay.</p><p>00:53:57.930 –&gt; 00:54:00.450 Joseph McElroy: cool I know a message from our sponsors.</p><p>00:54:00.840 –&gt; 00:54:09.690 Joseph McElroy: imaginative place evocative of the motor courts of the past at modern and vibrant with a chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:54:10.140 –&gt; 00:54:18.420 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat that company by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:54:18.750 –&gt; 00:54:30.540 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of old-time music world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel and Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:54:32.070 –&gt; 00:54:44.040 Joseph McElroy: we’re also sponsored by smokies adventure.com smokies plural adventure singular.com where you can find event listings places to go things to do.</p><p>00:54:46.260 –&gt; 00:54:57.270 Joseph McElroy: All sorts of taking information camping sources to enjoy your time in the mountains I’m part of the talk radio dot NYC network, we have here every Tuesday, six to seven on this.</p><p>00:54:58.290 –&gt; 00:55:13.860 Joseph McElroy: It’s a live podcast but there are many other great live podcasts on this network, I encourage you to go and find go to and talkradio.NYC find that ones that we relevant to you, and especially for the one that follows this book about New York.</p><p>00:55:14.970 –&gt; 00:55:33.030 Joseph McElroy: You can find more about this podcast and gatewaytothesmokies/fun or our Facebook page facebook.com/gatewaytothe smokiespodcasts I look forward to seeing you next week at six 6 pm on Tuesday for another great episode of gateway to the smokies.</p> 5abcaefa-9f54-4bb5-9a3f-40c0635a52b9 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/c1e35130-e81d-424c-88de-1e44d4c7daa8 Tue, 17 Aug 2021 04:10:18 +0000 2953 no full Episode 29: Botanical Excursions in the Smokies Episode 29: Botanical Excursions in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is <strong>Adam Bigelow</strong>, a well-known environmental and community activist as well as an outstanding musician.</p><p>Adam runs his own business – Bigelow Botanical Excursions – where he teaches folks about the wonders of the natural world in Appalachia. They will talk about Botanical Excursions in the Smokies</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/7jIR58nVgm/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s episode starts off with host <a href="mailto:joseph@galileotechmedia.com" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a> introducing today’s podcast topic: the botanical excursions in the Smokies. Before continuing further, Joseph gives his shout outs to sponsors and gives special announcements. Tonight’s guest, Adam Bigelow, is introduced. He explains how even though he was not originally from the area, he chose to live near the Smokies because he fell in love with it. Adam’s passion for botany came accidentally nearly 20 years ago and he found a community that came with this passion.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Adam talks a little more about his passion for botany and how the Smokies is a great place to go further into that passion. He talks about the physical surroundings of the mountains and the role it plays in economy and society. Joseph asks Adam about his past achievements and experience. Adam talks about his time working with Cherokee land and talks about an old botanical garden nearby where he attempted to revitalize the garden, while documenting special plants.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Adam talks about his hiking tours in the mountains. He talks about the wildlife people often run into on the hike, including beautiful and rare plants. He describes his hike tours as going back in time as you can see wildlife that have been there for hundreds of years. The conversation takes a turn for Adam’s other hobbies and activities. He talks about his acoustic bluegrass rock and roll jam band.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>For the last segment of this episode, Adam explains the name of his band. Then he gives what his day to day itinerary would look like at the Smoky Mountains. He recommends cafes for people to visit, as well as, beautiful sightseeing places, and great dinner choices.</p> Video thumbnail

Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Adam Bigelow, a well-known environmental and community activist as well as an outstanding musician.

Adam runs his own business – Bigelow Botanical Excursions – where he teaches folks about the wonders of the natural world in Appalachia. They will talk about Botanical Excursions in the Smokies‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Today’s episode starts off with host Joseph Franklyn McElroy introducing today’s podcast topic: the botanical excursions in the Smokies. Before continuing further, Joseph gives his shout-outs to sponsors and gives special announcements. Tonight’s guest, Adam Bigelow, is introduced. He explains how even though he was not originally from the area, he chose to live near the Smokies because he fell in love with it. Adam’s passion for botany came accidentally nearly 20 years ago and he found a community that came with this passion.

Segment 2

Adam talks a little more about his passion for botany and how the Smokies is a great place to go further into that passion. He talks about the physical surroundings of the mountains and the role it plays in the economy and society. Joseph asks Adam about his past achievements and experience. Adam talks about his time working with Cherokee land and talks about an old botanical garden nearby where he attempted to revitalize the garden while documenting special plants.

Segment 3

Coming back from the break, Adam talks about his hiking tours in the mountains. He talks about the wildlife people often run into on the hike, including beautiful and rare plants. He describes his hike tours as going back in time as you can see wildlife that has been there for hundreds of years. The conversation takes a turn to Adam’s other hobbies and activities. He talks about his acoustic bluegrass rock and roll jam band.

Segment 4

For the last segment of this episode, Adam explains the name of his band. Then he gives what his day-to-day itinerary would look like at the Smoky Mountains. He recommends cafes for people to visit, as well as, beautiful sightseeing places, and great dining choices.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:26.820 –> 00:00:32.850 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies

00:00:33.810 –> 00:00:41.850 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:42.150 –> 00:00:50.850 Joseph McElroy: These areas are filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:51.330 –> 00:01:00.990 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smokies for over 200 years.

00:01:01.440 –> 00:01:11.880 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today’s podcast is about botanical excursions in the smokies but first a little bit of.

00:01:12.990 –> 00:01:20.670 Joseph McElroy: housekeeping and then a little introduction of my life, that is, I think, applicable here.

00:01:21.150 –> 00:01:31.530 Joseph McElroy: So anyway, imagine a place evocative of motor courts and the past yet modern and vibrant with the Chic Appalachian field, a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:01:32.190 –> 00:01:42.300 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill to catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine line or craft beers.

00:01:42.660 –> 00:01:52.500 Joseph McElroy: Imagine in place with old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina.

00:01:52.980 –> 00:02:02.160 Joseph McElroy: Your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay another sponsor’s smokies adventure at smokies plural adventure.

00:02:02.940 –> 00:02:14.040 Joseph McElroy: singular it’s smokies adventure.com and it’s a place where you find information listings about the smokies hiking wedding venues books trail maps resources.

00:02:14.460 –> 00:02:31.260 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smokies adventures outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on logic family entertainment events conventions honeymoons anymore, it is, it is becoming the leading information portal for the smoky mountains.

00:02:32.880 –> 00:02:47.820 Joseph McElroy: An upcoming event I’d like to mention is traditional skills and naturalist weekend August 27 and 29th at the Meadowlark mountain smoky mountain Heritage Center which is at the Meadowlark motel.

00:02:49.050 –> 00:03:01.020 Joseph McElroy: it’s Ginseng granny medicine herbs it’s the botanic the exploration of the botanical Lord lord of the mountains, and it was a weekend of lectures wanderings, and entertainment.

00:03:01.470 –> 00:03:10.110 Joseph McElroy: Friday, there will be some traditional music in the evening with will return and Mike Ogletree Saturday the 28th there’ll be wildflower and native.

00:03:10.410 –> 00:03:23.310 Joseph McElroy: Plants of southern Appalachian with a tour and guide tour guide and naturalist Adam Bigelow who’s our guest today the healing powers of history of Jim single be explored with novelists and natural Jim Allen Hamilton.

00:03:24.060 –> 00:03:32.970 Joseph McElroy: medicinal herbs and granny my medicine will be explored with Renee Winchester who’s a naturalist herbalist and award-winning author.

00:03:33.450 –> 00:03:51.690 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a program by Tyson Samson and then an acclaimed Cherokee naturalist historical lecture there’ll be an afternoon of would want woods wandering and discussion with a renowned naturalist tour guide lecturer and author Abby Artemisia.

00:03:52.950 –> 00:04:02.850 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be an heirloom seed discussion with Will Ritter there’ll be some entertainment traditional Scottish music of the Highlands with Mike Ogletree and.

00:04:03.420 –> 00:04:16.350 Joseph McElroy: who’s the former drummer or simple minds and there’ll be a song-to-seat concert with William Ritter, exploring the bluegrass and folk music of the mountains, as long as a little bit of storytelling.

00:04:16.860 –> 00:04:29.790 Joseph McElroy: And then, on Sunday morning will be sent off with a traditional mountain Gospel music service, you know when we put this book this show you know talking about botanical and.

00:04:30.780 –> 00:04:43.260 Joseph McElroy: And and herbs and met plants in the mountains, I saw that the guests were involved with Community gardens I took me back to my childhood and the memories of.

00:04:43.590 –> 00:04:55.050 Joseph McElroy: My grandmother’s both grandmother’s gardens and I got to work in both my grandmother’s garden so on an island up and running and fox run and both in Haywood County and them really.

00:04:55.860 –> 00:05:06.000 Joseph McElroy: taught me a lot about gardening my grant and the one in fox from there’s more about the real bill, vegetables and flowers by the one in Ireland was corn and.

00:05:06.510 –> 00:05:22.410 Joseph McElroy: And beans and squash the church or the traditional three sisters, along with lots of berries and and and things like that, and so there was this poem I sometimes like reemployment here, I went out and found a source, so you know spoke to me about.

00:05:23.520 –> 00:05:24.060 Joseph McElroy: That.

00:05:25.080 –> 00:05:27.570 Joseph McElroy: And it’s called string beans by Wendy Hammond.

00:05:29.070 –> 00:05:34.500 Joseph McElroy: Perhaps grandma taught me to snap the string beans for anxiety relief.

00:05:35.610 –> 00:05:49.140 Joseph McElroy: Maybe she knew more than I gave her credit for, because here I sit 40 years later, in the middle of it with a bowl of tense green beans and a pile of little endings I need to throw away.

00:05:49.950 –> 00:06:06.000 Joseph McElroy: On a hot summer day in the middle of July I split my fears and eat my tension every seven times and I see grandma’s hands showing my breaking off the split ends of life, one being at a time.

00:06:08.490 –> 00:06:10.020 Joseph McElroy: It was really nice so.

00:06:11.130 –> 00:06:27.360 Joseph McElroy: You know, and I think life is the life, in the end, growing up in the mountains is about that you know grandmothers and mothers teaching children about you know the pulse of life and the nature’s bounty and how it can you know it’d be an important part of living.

00:06:28.560 –> 00:06:40.230 Joseph McElroy: My guest today Adam Bigelow I think there’s a lot about that he lives in rural Jackson County North Carolina and is a well known, environmental and community activist, as well as an outstanding musician.

00:06:40.860 –> 00:06:52.920 Joseph McElroy: In addition to his work as an activist and artists Adam runs his own business Bigelow botanical excursions where he teaches folks about the wonders of the natural world and Appalachian how you doing Adam.

00:06:53.070 –> 00:06:55.980 Adam Bigelow: I’m doing great today Joseph, thank you for having me out here.

00:06:56.340 –> 00:06:59.100 Joseph McElroy: cool and you’re in are you in silver right now.

00:06:59.550 –> 00:07:01.410 Adam Bigelow: I’m actually in cali.

00:07:02.490 –> 00:07:10.830 Adam Bigelow: Mountain top at around 3600 feet on top of tilly creek road right at the headwaters of tilly creek.

00:07:11.850 –> 00:07:15.570 Joseph McElroy: So, are you originally from that area.

00:07:16.110 –> 00:07:16.920 Adam Bigelow: Oh no.

00:07:18.030 –> 00:07:26.130 Adam Bigelow: As they like to say here in southern Appalachia I from around here and Bigelow is certainly not a.

00:07:27.270 –> 00:07:35.610 Adam Bigelow: Traditional Appalachian settler name I grew up on the coast of Virginia and Hampton Virginia and I grew up.

00:07:36.660 –> 00:07:47.670 Adam Bigelow: disconnected from nature, not any way connected to gardening surrounded by streetlights and sidewalks and writing skateboard so I’ve come a long way from there.

00:07:48.180 –> 00:07:55.260 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah it is so uh yeah I mean your talents would have allowed you to live anywhere you want it to, but why did you end up in the Smokies?

00:07:55.770 –> 00:08:00.390 Adam Bigelow: You know how I ended up here is kind of an accidental thing like a lot of.

00:08:02.040 –> 00:08:21.030 Adam Bigelow: Things when we look back on a life that kind of random but they may eventually make sense and I’ve lived here and just mostly in Jackson county a little bit in macon county since 1993 and I moved up here to go to college at the local community college to study radio and TV production.

00:08:21.450 –> 00:08:21.810 No.

00:08:23.040 –> 00:08:31.890 Adam Bigelow: yeah I didn’t really finish that out, but I fell in love with these mountains and I’ve lived here, ever since, and I hope to live in southern Appalachian for the rest of my life.

00:08:32.370 –> 00:08:34.560 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool was that hey what Community college.

00:08:34.830 –> 00:08:37.050 Adam Bigelow: was actually Southwestern Community college.

00:08:37.140 –> 00:08:39.510 Joseph McElroy: I say, and then you go to hey what Community colleges.

00:08:39.660 –> 00:08:49.470 Adam Bigelow: I eventually did get a hey what Community college, after a long Sir code is the road that led me to find a love of plants and.

00:08:50.490 –> 00:08:57.300 Adam Bigelow: and flowers, and so I went as an adult and studied horticulture at hey what Community college.

00:08:57.870 –> 00:09:03.210 Joseph McElroy: And I know that horticulture and farming are actually big and successful program is there.

00:09:03.690 –> 00:09:18.930 Adam Bigelow: They have been in the past yeah the horticulture program has a lot of a long history of really influential graduates in the region by for the horticulture and for the forestry and natural resources department.

00:09:19.620 –> 00:09:22.620 Joseph McElroy: And then you went to Western Carolina University right.

00:09:22.980 –> 00:09:24.150 Adam Bigelow: yeah I did I studied.

00:09:25.200 –> 00:09:31.620 Adam Bigelow: Environmental science at WCU and colorway here after getting my degree in horticulture.

00:09:32.250 –> 00:09:36.060 Joseph McElroy: All right, so you get educated.

00:09:36.780 –> 00:09:40.020 Adam Bigelow: I did, and I went back to College as an adult I.

00:09:41.910 –> 00:09:48.300 Adam Bigelow: I got my bachelor’s degree from Western six days before my 40th birthday.

00:09:48.930 –> 00:09:52.290 Joseph McElroy: Well, congratulations all right well that was just like that was a few weeks ago.

00:09:54.030 –> 00:09:54.900 Adam Bigelow: or 10 years.

00:09:57.810 –> 00:10:02.940 Joseph McElroy: So now you’re a notable environmentalist and you’re passionate about botany.

00:10:03.360 –> 00:10:14.910 Joseph McElroy: And the natural world and you mentioned you got interested in plus how did that passionate of all you know, during that time between you know Southwestern and then Haywood Community college what led to that passion.

00:10:15.720 –> 00:10:25.470 Adam Bigelow: it’s all again by accident, and I am definitely a plant nerd and somewhere around 20 years ago I fell in love with wildflowers.

00:10:27.210 –> 00:10:35.190 Adam Bigelow: accidentally I had been you know living here for a while and working mostly in restaurant jobs but I enjoyed going hiking.

00:10:35.940 –> 00:10:54.720 Adam Bigelow: At the time, it was mostly about a destination what waterfall are we going to see what big view what Big Mountain, are we going to climb up and the traveled in between was just drudgery and trying to get there as soon as I can walking very fast, but I had a friend that took a.

00:10:56.460 –> 00:11:15.420 Adam Bigelow: botany course at WCU way before I ever went there and got was lucky to take classes with Dr. Dan Portillo retired botanist from the university and so as we are hiking they started talking about and pointing out some of the flowers, but I didn’t really still have an interest there.

00:11:18.300 –> 00:11:22.740 Adam Bigelow: What actually led me to get into plants was.

00:11:24.000 –> 00:11:37.110 Adam Bigelow: A bit of an accident, I went and got a job at a big box store in Franklin and they randomly put me out into the Garden Center and the rest is history, now I love plant.

00:11:38.700 –> 00:11:41.580 Joseph McElroy: ooh and did you find some mentors along the way.

00:11:42.810 –> 00:11:50.520 Adam Bigelow: Oh, very much you know everything from miss Betty who worked at the outdoor garden Center and knew all the plants at the time.

00:11:52.170 –> 00:11:52.590 Adam Bigelow: To.

00:11:54.210 –> 00:12:00.840 Adam Bigelow: One of my main friends and mentors in this work is a retired ethnobotanist.

00:12:02.310 –> 00:12:13.560 Adam Bigelow: Dr. David Koso who, up until recently was working out on the call of boundary in Cherokee and is a medical as no botanist and studied on.

00:12:14.760 –> 00:12:22.710 Adam Bigelow: The relationship of humans and plants from a Cherokee and indigenous people at the southeastern tribes perspective.

00:12:24.420 –> 00:12:29.160 Adam Bigelow: And one of the most influential things in my education in life.

00:12:30.330 –> 00:12:30.930 Adam Bigelow: Was.

00:12:32.070 –> 00:12:42.270 Adam Bigelow: right before starting horticulture school, I read a little blurb in the local paper about what I thought was a small no big deal thing called the color we native plant conference.

00:12:42.780 –> 00:12:50.880 Adam Bigelow: And so I signed up I said I’m going to go study plan, so let me go to this local Conference, and what I walked into was the largest and oldest.

00:12:51.210 –> 00:12:58.980 Adam Bigelow: native planet conference, at least on these guys then possibly in the country, and these are the folks that have had the biggest influence on me.

00:12:59.340 –> 00:13:00.870 Joseph McElroy: So you found your community.

00:13:01.320 –> 00:13:02.520 Adam Bigelow: I certainly did.

00:13:02.550 –> 00:13:03.510 Adam Bigelow: When i’m playing.

00:13:04.080 –> 00:13:12.060 Adam Bigelow: Open include me in with fellow planners, and one of the amazing things about the colorway native plant conferences it’s not.

00:13:12.420 –> 00:13:22.020 Adam Bigelow: Specific to one field of study or one trade there’s botanist there are horticulturalists there are nursery workers landscape designers home gardeners.

00:13:22.350 –> 00:13:37.410 Adam Bigelow: Everyone comes together from all over the southeastern US to Cali third week of July to share out their love and joy of seeing native plants used in the landscape cool.

00:13:37.890 –> 00:13:46.590 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, when we come back, I want to explore more about your influences and what you’ve done with those mentoring and education that you’ve got.

00:13:48.090 –> 00:13:48.360 Great.

00:16:06.780 –> 00:16:19.470 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Adam Bigelow so Adam there’s been there’s a lot of great naturalist in this area like.

00:16:20.160 –> 00:16:29.940 Joseph McElroy: I think I had her and George Ellis and then for Tello like Those are just a few that come to mind they’ve been influences on what you do.

00:16:30.600 –> 00:16:36.570 Adam Bigelow: All three of them are big players and educators and leaders and in.

00:16:38.130 –> 00:16:44.160 Adam Bigelow: The botanical and naturalist world that I live in here in Jackson County and Southern Appalachian.

00:16:45.570 –> 00:16:52.230 Adam Bigelow: Especially is very similar I have been Ms. Ila Hatter she’s such a wonderful treasure for these.

00:16:52.740 –> 00:17:01.290 Adam Bigelow: Great smoky mountains and an educator and keeping alive the traditions that she was raised with, as well as.

00:17:02.010 –> 00:17:15.030 Adam Bigelow: she’s been very encouraging to me in my work as I set out there, trying to teach people about plants and flowers and it feels really great to have her friendship, as well as encouragement yeah.

00:17:15.600 –> 00:17:23.040 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool I mean it’s always nice to have those relationships that helped blossom what you’re doing.

00:17:24.060 –> 00:17:27.990 Joseph McElroy: And speaking about what you’re doing you you started out doing some interesting.

00:17:27.990 –> 00:17:36.660 Joseph McElroy: Things right out of HCC you did you started building your own biodiesel equipment what was that project about.

00:17:36.990 –> 00:17:52.320 Adam Bigelow: yeah so um I had been looking into you know I’ve been definitely interested in environmentalism since I was in high school, which was a long time ago and, while I was studying horticulture, I was looking at.

00:17:53.640 –> 00:18:01.800 Adam Bigelow: Potential growing different feedstocks for making biofuel and by a diesel became an interest in so.

00:18:03.060 –> 00:18:05.490 Adam Bigelow: I guess I had talked about it enough that when.

00:18:06.810 –> 00:18:19.980 Adam Bigelow: The Haywood County College automotive department and a couple of local environmental organizations won a grant to start to build a biodiesel reactor, I was hired in.

00:18:21.000 –> 00:18:33.780 Adam Bigelow: to manage that project, and so I got a first-hand experience and both collecting waste fryer grease from the local school system.

00:18:34.320 –> 00:18:48.210 Adam Bigelow: And also learning quickly the science and application of the process of turning vegetable oil into diesel fuel and over the course of the grant-funded project.

00:18:48.600 –> 00:19:04.230 Adam Bigelow: We built a small-scale bio-diesel reactor at the College and made about 500 gallons of fuel taught one continuing education class and recorded a nice little video about how to do it, it was really interesting.

00:19:04.590 –> 00:19:11.790 Joseph McElroy: That did was, I mean what was the intent was to try to get the sort of industry happening or get farmers to do it or.

00:19:12.060 –> 00:19:23.040 Adam Bigelow: What was a little bit of both it’s um there is still one of the remaining biodiesel manufacturers in North Carolina is based, out of Nashville with blue Ridge biofuels.

00:19:23.460 –> 00:19:30.510 Adam Bigelow: And so, one of the things that Community college is always trying to do is workforce development and train people to work in the industry.

00:19:31.080 –> 00:19:32.730 Adam Bigelow: At the time there was a lot more.

00:19:34.170 –> 00:19:55.140 Adam Bigelow: Support politically and economically, for biodiesel manufacturing and that that support in many ways, had been taken away over the years and suing but Blue Ridge biofuels is still able to withstand that and are thriving as a business, I hope, because I buy my fuel from them these days.

00:19:55.530 –> 00:19:57.120 Joseph McElroy: You have a bio is a car right.

00:19:57.210 –> 00:20:00.540 Adam Bigelow: I do, I drive an old Volkswagen Jetta.

00:20:01.740 –> 00:20:02.670 Adam Bigelow: TDI.

00:20:04.050 –> 00:20:13.650 Adam Bigelow: From 2005 and I buy my biodiesel in bulk from blue Ridge biofuels now, and so I have a little.

00:20:15.330 –> 00:20:29.250 Adam Bigelow: fueling station up at my house where I fill up my car it’s a really interesting thing when I fire up my car and or anybodys or run vehicle it smells like French Fries.

00:20:31.470 –> 00:20:35.370 Joseph McElroy: So you have trouble can tell you, controlling your weight.

00:20:36.390 –> 00:20:37.680 Adam Bigelow: Right, it makes me hungry I.

00:20:37.680 –> 00:20:40.440 Adam Bigelow: Get I get snack urges all the time, driving down the road.

00:20:41.070 –> 00:20:42.180 Adam Bigelow: Is a one thing that.

00:20:42.840 –> 00:20:43.950 Adam Bigelow: One thing that people don’t.

00:20:45.000 –> 00:20:55.260 Adam Bigelow: Understand or often know about biodiesel, is that it is diesel fuel, just like any other diesel fuel, except for instead of being.

00:20:56.250 –> 00:21:13.890 Adam Bigelow: made from petroleum it’s made from vegetable oil and so for my car, there was no conversion needed there was nothing that I needed to do outside of change my fuel filter after two tanks of.

00:21:14.940 –> 00:21:27.300 Adam Bigelow: Biodiesel gas running through it because diesel has a high solvency product for these that cleans out some of the builds up from petroleum so I’m able to switch back and forth.

00:21:28.320 –> 00:21:33.300 Adam Bigelow: When needed from petroleum diesel to biodiesel or do different blends.

00:21:34.620 –> 00:21:38.460 Joseph McElroy: what’s the what’s better for the environment biodiesel or hybrid cars are.

00:21:38.880 –> 00:21:42.900 Adam Bigelow: You know that’s a really deep question and.

00:21:44.190 –> 00:21:50.910 Adam Bigelow: Biodiesel is not a solution for our environmental issues, based around transportation.

00:21:52.740 –> 00:22:04.350 Adam Bigelow: hybrids run a combination of electric and gasoline so they still have emissions, the hybrid technology allows the fuel mileage to be increased.

00:22:05.370 –> 00:22:08.100 Adam Bigelow: Usually into the 40 or 50 miles per gallon.

00:22:09.270 –> 00:22:31.950 Adam Bigelow: run, but my biodiesel vehicle also is in that same mile per gallon with the Volkswagen Jetta TDI the old ones, the game-changer though in our modern world is electric vehicles, especially if you can be charging them off of electric energy that you’re producing on site.

00:22:33.750 –> 00:22:45.210 Adam Bigelow: You know if it’s running on typical coal-fired power plant electricity that comes from central Appalachia coalfields where it’s primarily.

00:22:45.840 –> 00:22:57.810 Adam Bigelow: A mountaintop removal coal mining, which has a method of blowing the tops of mountains off and filling in the valleys between to extract us 18-inch seam of call the.

00:22:58.710 –> 00:23:12.690 Adam Bigelow: Environmental impact of electricity generation has to be factored into electric vehicles, one thing I learned in studying environmental science, though, is there are no easy answers and none of it is clean.

00:23:14.220 –> 00:23:25.650 Adam Bigelow: Even are you know the lithium for lithium-Ion batteries are more modern and more efficient battery systems is still a mind product that has a lot of issues around that.

00:23:26.220 –> 00:23:30.540 Joseph McElroy: Well biking bicycle my bicycle a lot so that’s the solution right.

00:23:30.750 –> 00:23:47.460 Adam Bigelow: yeah bicycling is a really great way, especially if you live in for transportation of individuals and commuting, especially if you live in a flat land they are yeah it’s a little more challenging up here and the sales of Appalachian.

00:23:47.520 –> 00:23:51.240 Joseph McElroy: I this build up your muscles come off.

00:23:53.160 –> 00:23:53.580 Adam Bigelow: that’s right.

00:23:54.150 –> 00:24:01.500 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve had you’ve done you know you’ve done some interesting things he worked with the eastern band of the Chair he’s enterprising.

00:24:02.640 –> 00:24:03.930 Adam Bigelow: Well, I did when I was.

00:24:04.560 –> 00:24:05.850 Adam Bigelow: Still in school.

00:24:06.900 –> 00:24:13.800 Adam Bigelow: I was brought in by my friend’s day David khoya the ethnobotanist to work out in the.

00:24:14.970 –> 00:24:32.850 Adam Bigelow: For the eastern band of the Cherokee Indian on the call a reservation call a boundary right near the smoky mountains and there is they have a few places around there’s one, there is a demonstration village on the Cherokee.

00:24:34.260 –> 00:24:56.460 Adam Bigelow: reservation the color boundary and next to it is actually a very old botanical garden that was built and has kind of fallen into a little bit of disrepair and inattentiveness, and so I have hired into the walk the property over a series of a few months and document the.

00:24:57.510 –> 00:25:11.490 Adam Bigelow: native and exotic and invasive plants that are there as a precursor to what we at the time were hoping would be a revitalization of that botanical garden, so I got to go visit and.

00:25:12.300 –> 00:25:24.930 Adam Bigelow: Take notes and look up the plants and key them out and documented and also was given some of the historical documents that at the time was just a.

00:25:25.680 –> 00:25:43.320 Adam Bigelow: fated photocopied blueprint of the original planting plan and I had some friends who worked in photo restoration and we’re able to take that and digitize it and make it a little bit more readable and stronger, so the Cherokee.

00:25:44.580 –> 00:25:55.770 Adam Bigelow: Historical Association and the Cherokee preservation foundation which funded that project have those digital and physical documents now to add to their history.

00:25:55.860 –> 00:25:59.610 Joseph McElroy: historical event should get the botanical gardens rehabilitated.

00:25:59.940 –> 00:26:07.590 Adam Bigelow: Unfortunately not, but I still have hopes that it can be brought it up and I’d love to collaborate with them, I have a lot of friends.

00:26:08.910 –> 00:26:22.800 Adam Bigelow: Over in Cherokee and both cooperative extension, as well as in the Cherokee tribal government and so every once a while we have conversations about potentially seeking funding to try to bring it up, it still is.

00:26:23.610 –> 00:26:33.840 Adam Bigelow: operational and you can go tour it’s free to walk around, and it has some really neat things, including an old cabin and some traditional farming examples going on.

00:26:34.260 –> 00:26:39.600 Joseph McElroy: Does that would be a nice out-of-the-way thing for somebody visiting the area to go find right.

00:26:40.140 –> 00:26:40.650 Adam Bigelow: Oh yeah.

00:26:41.520 –> 00:26:41.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:26:42.030 –> 00:26:49.770 Adam Bigelow: Oh yeah driving and when you drive to the great smoky mountain National Park, for the most part, you drive through Cherokee.

00:26:50.940 –> 00:26:57.840 Adam Bigelow: The downtown area, the touristy areas, and then some of the really neat things that they’re doing to revitalize that area.

00:27:00.060 –> 00:27:00.840 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so.

00:27:01.980 –> 00:27:09.810 Joseph McElroy: I see that you’re a director of the color we Community garden, you know I’ve been involved with Community gardens up here in New York, I was in the south Bronx.

00:27:10.290 –> 00:27:18.540 Joseph McElroy: Work to communicate in terms of beekeeper so on is, I have a fondness for Community gardens to tell me what you do with the Callaway Community garden.

00:27:19.020 –> 00:27:21.810 Adam Bigelow: Community gardens are amazing and I’ve been a.

00:27:22.950 –> 00:27:37.290 Adam Bigelow: Member of the silver Community garden and downtown Silva for 16 years and about nine or so years ago we had the idea to build a brand new Garden on.

00:27:38.820 –> 00:27:48.960 Adam Bigelow: publicly owned land that’s owned by Jackson County in the colorway, and so I developed a project idea, it was basically.

00:27:50.520 –> 00:28:00.810 Adam Bigelow: It was a hot summer day and The SOFA Community garden and I had a bit of a vision to create a garden-based environmental education project.

00:28:01.200 –> 00:28:12.720 Adam Bigelow: And so I dreamed it up, I wrote it up, I did a bunch of research, and then I started talking to people about my ideas, which is something that I do frequently.

00:28:13.500 –> 00:28:28.050 Adam Bigelow: Whether my friends want me to or not, and this uh This project was actually picked up and supported for the Jackson county department of public health, and I really love that relationship and it’s still run through the health department.

00:28:29.400 –> 00:28:34.560 Adam Bigelow: And I’m a year-round part-time employee of the health department running the garden as a health educator.

00:28:35.040 –> 00:28:49.890 Adam Bigelow: And through that relationship, I get to use the phrase a garden for the public health and it’s a really powerful thing public health gardening access to fresh produce physical activity it’s a really great combination cool.

00:28:50.220 –> 00:29:00.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, when we come back, I want to explore more of what you’re doing and and and talk about some aspects of what people might come to visit in the mountains about the botanicals.

00:29:01.350 –> 00:29:02.010 Adam Bigelow: sounds great.

00:31:35.190 –> 00:31:50.430 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Adam Bigelow so Adam we were talking about community gardens is that something that people can visit in color is it you might find interesting.

00:31:51.240 –> 00:31:57.600 Adam Bigelow: yeah I think so it’s really beautiful and it’s close to that campus of Western Carolina University.

00:31:57.990 –> 00:31:59.640 Adam Bigelow: Oh it’s really easy to find.

00:32:00.930 –> 00:32:11.370 Adam Bigelow: it’s a beautiful garden, and the way our garden works really quickly is it’s actually one big garden area that we’ve broken up, with no bunch of small individual plots that people from the Community adopt.

00:32:11.850 –> 00:32:19.230 Adam Bigelow: We provide tools equipment materials everything Someone needs to grow a garden organically, except for seeds and plants and.

00:32:19.980 –> 00:32:25.470 Adam Bigelow: So people are afraid to grow whatever flowers herbs vegetables, they want for themselves and friends and family.

00:32:25.860 –> 00:32:38.700 Adam Bigelow: And my favorite part about how the garden works is we don’t charge any money to adopt the plot instead were able to charge everybody half of their products and collect that food and donated in the local food really to help out our neighbors.

00:32:39.210 –> 00:32:39.750 cool.

00:32:41.370 –> 00:32:48.720 Joseph McElroy: that’s I mean that’s a good model I think yeah yeah so so I know also that you.

00:32:50.220 –> 00:32:54.540 Joseph McElroy: You have your own business Bigelow botanical excursions.

00:32:54.720 –> 00:32:56.730 Joseph McElroy: That come about wasn’t do.

00:32:57.360 –> 00:32:59.850 Adam Bigelow: bigelow’s botanical excursions is.

00:33:01.260 –> 00:33:12.750 Adam Bigelow: Where I take people for walks in the woods and I take people on a slow and gentle walk in the woods it’s very accepted accessible to many people.

00:33:13.140 –> 00:33:23.070 Adam Bigelow: And I teach them about the flowers and the plants that we see along the way I teach how to identify the plant some of their characteristics, I also.

00:33:24.060 –> 00:33:37.740 Adam Bigelow: share the stories of the plants, which is what really draw drew me in early on, and what continues to really excite me is the stories and the stories can be about humans used in connection whether that’s.

00:33:38.940 –> 00:34:02.070 Adam Bigelow: For edible wild foods or medicinal uses also uses for fiber fuel or different things, but they can also have stories connected with American history indigenous people in North America and their use of the plants and understanding and connection, it can be about the history of.

00:34:03.450 –> 00:34:12.810 Adam Bigelow: botany throughout the southeastern us and my I’m really something that uh that I keep diving deeper and deeper into.

00:34:13.350 –> 00:34:35.400 Adam Bigelow: Is the ecological connection between plants, each other plants, and the insects and wildlife that depend on them, including us depending on them for life on this earth so it’s um it’s a lot of fun it’s a slow walk usually after maybe two and a half hours of walking in the woods.

00:34:36.810 –> 00:34:47.370 Adam Bigelow: When it’s time to turn around and go back to our cars it usually doesn’t take us more than 20 or 25 minutes to walk back to the car, so it is definitely not hiking.

00:34:47.820 –> 00:34:49.620 Joseph McElroy: I have to ask you is a slow walk.

00:34:50.910 –> 00:34:51.750 Adam Bigelow: slow.

00:34:52.380 –> 00:35:05.490 Adam Bigelow: thing to look it’s a lesson in mindfulness is what it is it’s mindfulness practice it’s seeing every plant and talking about every flower that we notice and really just one of mine.

00:35:06.780 –> 00:35:18.810 Adam Bigelow: Big big goals and the work that I do all the work that I do is to try to help connect people with nature connect people with plants and wildflower so that they’ll fall in love with it as I did.

00:35:19.350 –> 00:35:28.920 Adam Bigelow: And so that they’ll have a bigger understanding of why we want to protect them and save these special areas that have these really rare and special wildfires in plants.

00:35:29.430 –> 00:35:30.960 Joseph McElroy: And how long you been doing this business.

00:35:31.320 –> 00:35:36.690 Adam Bigelow: I’ve been doing this for about five years and the way it came about.

00:35:37.890 –> 00:35:44.280 Adam Bigelow: Was I was approached by Southwest and Community college our local community college to teach an organic gardening class.

00:35:44.730 –> 00:35:57.990 Adam Bigelow: And I had a flash thought to pitch them a wildflower class and they said yes, and so the very first year I did a continuing ED spring wildfire class, and it was a lot of fun and.

00:35:58.650 –> 00:36:06.270 Adam Bigelow: I got paid a little bit of money to go walk into the woods and I thought that was great the very next year, I tried to pitch it again and they told me, I was late.

00:36:07.200 –> 00:36:28.230 Adam Bigelow: To suggested and wouldn’t make the catalog so I had the idea to hold the class on my own, and I made a little bit more money than I did through the Community college and I like that better so I’ve been doing it every year since and after that first year of hosting it on my own I.

00:36:30.030 –> 00:36:34.440 Adam Bigelow: I started offering I’m, not just in the springtime but throughout the year.

00:36:35.760 –> 00:36:47.580 Joseph McElroy: And the side, I mean there’s obviously the walk but what kind of services, you offer to people that come to do the tour at picking love you or they have to meet you somewhere to provide lunch or anything.

00:36:48.210 –> 00:37:09.000 Adam Bigelow: uh no not yet, but I’m working up to some of those ideas, the way it works right now is we meet every week, and right now my walks are on Fridays, and so the weekly public walks are every Friday and we meet at a different trailhead or location and go for that short slow walk.

00:37:10.710 –> 00:37:29.850 Adam Bigelow: this coming Friday we’re actually going to the Highlands botanical garden at the Highlands biological station in Highlands North Carolina but we meet at different places and my tagline for the businesses where the wildflowers are the destination, so we go to where things are blooming.

00:37:31.530 –> 00:37:42.720 Adam Bigelow: I have people meet us out at the site, and I do a morning session from 9 am to 12 and then I get an hour break to eat a peanut butter sandwich and then I do the.

00:37:43.770 –> 00:37:48.180 Adam Bigelow: Second walk at the same location every Friday from one o’clock to four.

00:37:48.570 –> 00:37:52.590 Joseph McElroy: Who I am and what are some of the other locations, besides the Highland Center.

00:37:53.160 –> 00:37:58.650 Adam Bigelow: Oh, at this time of year, especially it’s hard to stay off the blue Ridge parkway there’s so many different.

00:37:59.460 –> 00:38:15.150 Adam Bigelow: channel heads and overlooks that are special along the parkway we go to blackball some area off of the Blue Ridge parkway I love walking in panther town Valley, which is one of the most special places in all of Western North Carolina.

00:38:16.650 –> 00:38:22.470 Adam Bigelow: And so really it throughout the year, my locations bounce around a little bit.

00:38:23.580 –> 00:38:32.310 Adam Bigelow: But really it’s all focused on what’s blooming where so I have a hard time giving a long-term schedule to people.

00:38:33.330 –> 00:38:41.970 Adam Bigelow: Because every year and nature is different and the bloom times can be slower or later, and so I want to offer value to the experience.

00:38:42.480 –> 00:38:52.440 Joseph McElroy: I know that even the same trail can have dramatically different people talking about spring, white flowers in the mountain the smokies right.

00:38:52.920 –> 00:39:10.050 Joseph McElroy: But it changes, based upon how cold, it is because you know early you know the early the wildfires are down low, but then as it gets warmer up and up the mountain the wildfire is blue higher higher higher so you have a long wildfire season right.

00:39:10.050 –> 00:39:21.630 Adam Bigelow: it’s true and it’s so magical I actually talked about that and call it a reference to it as botanical time travel so as early as early February.

00:39:22.140 –> 00:39:35.310 Adam Bigelow: I can go off the mountain into upper Piedmont and see, for instance, a wildflower called the trout lily era, friendly and Virginia Virginia Anna and.

00:39:35.850 –> 00:39:46.800 Adam Bigelow: So I can see that blooming in the first weeks of February and then that’s down low may be lower than 1000 feet in elevation and I can watch that same flower bloom.

00:39:47.190 –> 00:40:01.410 Adam Bigelow: each individual plant, maybe only has a two-week bloom time but I can see the remnants of that plant up in the high smokies and 5000 6000 feet elevation at the first week of June.

00:40:02.490 –> 00:40:05.700 Joseph McElroy: fabulous So how do people find out about your tours.

00:40:06.990 –> 00:40:21.750 Adam Bigelow: The best way is to send an email to me at Bigelownc that’s BIGELOW NC like North carolina@gmail.com and then I can add you to my own.

00:40:22.500 –> 00:40:33.300 Adam Bigelow: To my email list, where I now see two weeks location I’m also available to find on Facebook at Bigelow botanical excursions.

00:40:33.870 –> 00:40:51.330 Adam Bigelow: and also on Instagram under that same thing, and you can look me up personally on Facebook, but just be aware of my tagline on my personal Facebook pages come for the pretty wildflowers stay for the environmental, social and racial justice.

00:40:53.520 –> 00:40:55.410 Joseph McElroy: yeah you put it out there that’s good.

00:40:56.910 –> 00:41:03.300 Joseph McElroy: So you know I want to also explore some other things about you it’s interesting you are also a musician.

00:41:03.870 –> 00:41:08.760 Joseph McElroy: it’s true right what kind of meat, what kind of music, do you play?

00:41:09.420 –> 00:41:27.990 Adam Bigelow: I am an I play that stand-up bass and a non-traditional string band here around Western North Carolina and we’re called old dirty bathtub and we are Western North Carolina’s premier acoustic party band.

00:41:29.040 –> 00:41:34.050 Joseph McElroy: right and what is it bluegrass or is it folk or is its a mix of all sorts of that sort of stuff?

00:41:34.140 –> 00:41:42.180 Adam Bigelow: it’s a mix, you know, if anywhere else, they would call us bluegrass but in Appalachia, people know better.

00:41:43.980 –> 00:41:47.100 Adam Bigelow: We do a lot of original songs it’s bluegrass.

00:41:48.270 –> 00:41:50.130 Adam Bigelow: As a foundation, but also.

00:41:51.690 –> 00:42:13.200 Adam Bigelow: rock and roll influence hip hop influence jam band type things, and so we have a wide-ranging influence on our music and but are my favorite stuff that we do are our original songs and we have a new album that’s available on streaming services like Spotify.

00:42:14.670 –> 00:42:18.390 Adam Bigelow: that’s called Pat, you know that your listeners can look up and find.

00:42:19.410 –> 00:42:19.980 Adam Bigelow: cool.

00:42:20.370 –> 00:42:24.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah oh and you’re a vocalist with that’s pretty cool right, you can sing.

00:42:25.140 –> 00:42:34.560 Adam Bigelow: I sing a little bashing the base backups I think sometimes, but my bandmates usually just try to turn my microphone off.

00:42:35.820 –> 00:42:38.250 Joseph McElroy: and whoever you want to give a shout out to the other band members.

00:42:38.580 –> 00:42:54.630 Adam Bigelow: Oh yeah they’re great guys all and we’re really good friends too and have a lot of fun hanging out as well as making music and I think that makes the music better so I’m all dirty bathtub is made up of brad Boulay who is ours.

00:42:55.860 –> 00:43:00.900 Adam Bigelow: vein harmony vocalist and plays a rhythm mandolin we have.

00:43:02.130 –> 00:43:09.570 Adam Bigelow: Two really incredible flat-taking lead guitar players Jared Davis and Neil leopard.

00:43:10.650 –> 00:43:11.550 Adam Bigelow: And then, our.

00:43:12.630 –> 00:43:16.500 Adam Bigelow: dough bro player our slides resonating guitar player.

00:43:17.550 –> 00:43:25.380 Adam Bigelow: Carter Gingrich is just an amazing player and they all are just really good at what they do and we have a lot of fun on stage.

00:43:26.280 –> 00:43:26.880 cool.

00:43:28.170 –> 00:43:28.710 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:43:29.910 –> 00:43:39.960 Joseph McElroy: So when we get back, I want to, I want to explore a little bit about the music and places to go for that you, you know about music and then your ideal itinerary and where you live.

00:43:40.320 –> 00:43:40.860 sure.

00:46:14.490 –> 00:46:28.290 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guest Adam Bigelow so Adam I forgot to ask them to interest me why did you call it the old dirty bathtub.

00:46:29.370 –> 00:46:31.830 Adam Bigelow: Well, so Joseph.

00:46:33.600 –> 00:46:46.500 Adam Bigelow: That band name has some different layers of meaning like a lot of things on its surface level old dirty bathtub and there’s no D and all its just Oh well, with an apostrophe.

00:46:47.130 –> 00:46:56.790 Adam Bigelow: On the surface, it’s just a kitschy little country name, you know you could probably picture a cloth foot porcelain talk about in a field rusting away but.

00:46:57.900 –> 00:47:14.520 Adam Bigelow: If you are a fan of or know anything about 19 1990s hip hop music, you might be a fan of the Wu-Tang clan Wu-Tang for life, and one of their members was an old dirty bastard so it’s actually a play on the old dirty bastard name.

00:47:14.850 –> 00:47:19.980 Joseph McElroy: There you supercop combining old country to new hip hop that’s kind of cool.

00:47:20.400 –> 00:47:33.480 Adam Bigelow: It is and it’s and it’s really interesting we’ve had lots of conversations about untag going cultural appropriation and to look at the history of music in the United States of America is a look at.

00:47:34.920 –> 00:47:56.400 Adam Bigelow: African culture and black culture of being expanded on or even stolen or taken even bluegrass music from bill Monroe and Kentucky is a combination of traditional folk music from England and the British Isles and African blues and roots music that way so.

00:47:56.730 –> 00:48:10.200 Joseph McElroy: Well, but you know bluegrass itself as you know and a lot of ways evolved from you know older Scotch Irish ballads but then you introduce the banjo, which was a West African that’s right that brought a percussion Ella some element to it so.

00:48:10.440 –> 00:48:11.460 Adam Bigelow: that’s I am the.

00:48:12.660 –> 00:48:18.660 Adam Bigelow: musical patterns are based on blues which are also based on African rhythmic patterns for sure.

00:48:19.170 –> 00:48:24.690 Joseph McElroy: So, what is your something for something visiting the area to see some great music Where would you recommend them?

00:48:25.260 –> 00:48:40.020 Adam Bigelow: You know, in the general area, of course, you can’t talk about music in western North Carolina which, without talking about the incredible music scene based around Asheville North Carolina there’s so many.

00:48:40.890 –> 00:48:53.880 Adam Bigelow: Wonderful bands of all styles of music there are different venues and clubs and bars and folk music out the parks pre covid and hopefully post covid if we can make it to that.

00:48:55.380 –> 00:48:58.140 Adam Bigelow: There are all kinds of great music.

00:48:59.400 –> 00:49:19.770 Adam Bigelow: But keeping it local like I like to do SOFA The SOFA area has a real and for the whole time I’ve lived up here has had very interesting art and music scene with lots of bands lots of creativity and so on, any given night, you can go into downtown silver.

00:49:21.390 –> 00:49:44.370 Adam Bigelow: In here in Jackson County North Carolina and see live music at one of the many breweries, including innovation brewing the lazy hiker has music there are old-time circles and jams that happen in the past, at city lights CAFE and also other places there’s weekly.

00:49:45.390 –> 00:49:56.910 Adam Bigelow: produced music events at the Bridge Park, which is an outdoor pavilion and park and downtown and there’s just always has been a large number of bands and different styles of music.

00:49:57.600 –> 00:50:13.440 Adam Bigelow: rock and roll reggae bluegrass jam band and everything in between the university really brings in a lot of cultural and a little bit ethnic diversity that lends itself to the artistic nature of our Community.

00:50:14.100 –> 00:50:16.680 Joseph McElroy: So I asked you to think about the itinerary.

00:50:17.760 –> 00:50:18.150 Adam Bigelow: But.

00:50:18.420 –> 00:50:19.710 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know you live in so.

00:50:21.180 –> 00:50:27.060 Joseph McElroy: What would be a great itinerary for somebody coming to discover some things there, what would you do for breakfast?

00:50:28.260 –> 00:50:42.510 Adam Bigelow: lunch and dinner that evening sure yeah I do recommend people come to visit here and really just embrace the wonderful different offerings that we have.

00:50:43.680 –> 00:51:02.100 Adam Bigelow: I would start with a visit for coffee and breakfast at that white moon CAFE which is on what we refer to as backstreet, but if you type backstreet into your Google maps that’s not going to take you there it’s on mill street they’re really great.

00:51:04.110 –> 00:51:06.510 Adam Bigelow: Small CAFE with a really.

00:51:07.530 –> 00:51:25.590 Adam Bigelow: Very hip vibe they do really good coffee drinks, they are very focused on local sourcing of their food, and so they make great bagels they buy bagels from one of the local bakery places they just do a really good job real friendly people in that place.

00:51:25.710 –> 00:51:27.600 Joseph McElroy: And then, what you do after that, where would you go.

00:51:28.080 –> 00:51:40.410 Adam Bigelow: I would if it was Saturday I would walk from there to the glorious Jackson county farmers market and go visit our very thriving farmers market and downtown silver every Saturday morning.

00:51:40.920 –> 00:51:51.780 Adam Bigelow: and buy some wonderful produce and bread and also a limited amount of crafts, but it is truly a farmers market I would look at.

00:51:54.360 –> 00:51:59.730 Adam Bigelow: Taking a trip down to Hillsborough for lunch and visiting.

00:52:00.960 –> 00:52:09.570 Adam Bigelow: The innovation station, or what my favorite brewery and all of Western North Carolina and that’s saying a lot because we have a lot of great breweries and was.

00:52:10.470 –> 00:52:12.060 Joseph McElroy: Great food I’m telling you.

00:52:12.420 –> 00:52:26.790 Adam Bigelow: yeah it’s great food and there are food trucks and Hillsborough is a very cute and touristy town with lots of shops, the great smoky mountain railroad comes through there, you can see the train, but you can also go and.

00:52:27.900 –> 00:52:33.180 Adam Bigelow: Take an afternoon float on the River with the Hillsborough wrapping company or one of the others.

00:52:33.510 –> 00:52:34.890 Adam Bigelow: Small wrapping companies.

00:52:35.160 –> 00:52:49.560 Adam Bigelow: And the Texas ag river, which is the main river that flows through our Community is very gentle it’s not a major excuse for me it’s not major class rapids it’s very gentle very family-friendly.

00:52:50.010 –> 00:52:50.280 And then.

00:52:51.690 –> 00:53:06.090 Adam Bigelow: yeah after that you’re going to want to relax and there are a lot of great offerings in downtown silver for food, but there is none better, in my opinion than the Guadalupe CAFE.

00:53:06.180 –> 00:53:07.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah I love.

00:53:08.190 –> 00:53:22.050 Adam Bigelow: Love Guadalupe CAFE owner Jen Pearson has been really pushing the envelope on what I believe she calls Appalachian and Caribbean and South American fusion it’s like a hippie talk area.

00:53:23.010 –> 00:53:31.740 Adam Bigelow: It is locally sourcing and environmental sustainability or a factor in every single decision they make at that place.

00:53:32.070 –> 00:53:35.610 Joseph McElroy: it’s really amazing and the salsa platters to die for.

00:53:35.610 –> 00:53:36.240 So.

00:53:37.260 –> 00:53:38.400 Adam Bigelow: This is also platter.

00:53:38.670 –> 00:53:41.850 Adam Bigelow: fried plantains and the best okra you could ever eat.

00:53:43.980 –> 00:53:46.440 Joseph McElroy: We didn’t really have time to finish at the end with.

00:53:46.830 –> 00:53:58.950 Adam Bigelow: An evening I would walk around downtown Silva and take the character of the town I would pop into the lazy hiker innovation in Silva, to see if there’s live music and I will.

00:54:00.000 –> 00:54:11.580 Adam Bigelow: finish off the evening sitting on the porch of your Airbnb or whatever rental you’re sitting on in a rocking chair, with the cool mountain air and just really soak up.

00:54:11.790 –> 00:54:13.620 Adam Bigelow: The atmosphere of southern Appalachian.

00:54:14.160 –> 00:54:25.890 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you, I look forward to seeing you at the Meadowlark at Meadowlark smoky mountain the traditionalist weekend and August 27 and you’re going to be talking about what.

00:54:26.370 –> 00:54:29.820 Adam Bigelow: I’m going to be talking about wildflowers of southern Appalachian.

00:54:30.270 –> 00:54:32.640 Adam Bigelow: And I want to do a presentation, with some.

00:54:32.640 –> 00:54:35.040 Adam Bigelow: Really pretty pictures good I can’t wait.

00:54:35.250 –> 00:54:37.470 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to seeing you there I’ll be there.

00:54:38.760 –> 00:54:42.330 Joseph McElroy: Any other ways that you want people to contact you or look you up?

00:54:43.020 –> 00:55:00.000 Adam Bigelow: I really primarily right now I’m working on a website and working on some of those more social promotions, but I invite people to connect with me through Facebook oh My big was botanical excursions page or to send me an email at bigelownc@gmail.com

00:55:00.450 –> 00:55:02.280 Adam Bigelow: to inquire about.

00:55:02.490 –> 00:55:03.420 Adam Bigelow: wildfire walks.

00:55:03.510 –> 00:55:06.720 Joseph McElroy: And is your brand have a Facebook page?

00:55:07.080 –> 00:55:13.350 Adam Bigelow: yeah we’re on Facebook and Instagram and also you can find us on your streaming music services.

00:55:13.350 –> 00:55:14.760 Joseph McElroy: Well dirty bathtub.

00:55:14.760 –> 00:55:16.230 Adam Bigelow: So dirty bathtub.

00:55:16.530 –> 00:55:17.130 Joseph McElroy: I look at you.

00:55:18.180 –> 00:55:20.100 Joseph McElroy: See you on the 27th year.

00:55:21.510 –> 00:55:28.020 Joseph McElroy: You can find out more about this podcast and gateway to the smokies fun and we’re also on Facebook.

00:55:28.920 –> 00:55:40.590 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies podcast I am part of the talk radio. NYC network, which is a great live podcast network with lots of great shows this is the one about New York that I advise you to.

00:55:40.890 –> 00:55:51.330 Joseph McElroy: Take a look and don’t forget next week next we have another show from six to seven on Tuesday night and then I promise you, it will be very interesting until then I’ll.

00:55:52.530 –> 00:55:54.060 Joseph McElroy: Until then, I look forward to seeing you.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/992893598221826/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/223778609_993465628164623_2618139370034954086_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=cnb6hJ783H8AX-RKwrS&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63014AE5&oh=00_AT-y6J_ATlL2HhDCWAT5CkQHz-Nz47oVx52oSCM7XZSHFg&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is <strong>Adam Bigelow</strong>, a well-known environmental and community activist as well as an outstanding musician.</p><p>Adam runs his own business – Bigelow Botanical Excursions – where he teaches folks about the wonders of the natural world in Appalachia. They will talk about Botanical Excursions in the Smokies‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/7jIR58nVgm/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s episode starts off with host <a href="mailto:joseph@galileotechmedia.com" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a> introducing today’s podcast topic: the botanical excursions in the Smokies. Before continuing further, Joseph gives his shout-outs to sponsors and gives special announcements. Tonight’s guest, Adam Bigelow, is introduced. He explains how even though he was not originally from the area, he chose to live near the Smokies because he fell in love with it. Adam’s passion for botany came accidentally nearly 20 years ago and he found a community that came with this passion.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Adam talks a little more about his passion for botany and how the Smokies is a great place to go further into that passion. He talks about the physical surroundings of the mountains and the role it plays in the economy and society. Joseph asks Adam about his past achievements and experience. Adam talks about his time working with Cherokee land and talks about an old botanical garden nearby where he attempted to revitalize the garden while documenting special plants.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Adam talks about his hiking tours in the mountains. He talks about the wildlife people often run into on the hike, including beautiful and rare plants. He describes his hike tours as going back in time as you can see wildlife that has been there for hundreds of years. The conversation takes a turn to Adam’s other hobbies and activities. He talks about his acoustic bluegrass rock and roll jam band.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>For the last segment of this episode, Adam explains the name of his band. Then he gives what his day-to-day itinerary would look like at the Smoky Mountains. He recommends cafes for people to visit, as well as, beautiful sightseeing places, and great dining choices.</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:26.820 –&gt; 00:00:32.850 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies</p><p>00:00:33.810 –&gt; 00:00:41.850 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:42.150 –&gt; 00:00:50.850 Joseph McElroy: These areas are filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:51.330 –&gt; 00:01:00.990 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smokies for over 200 years.</p><p>00:01:01.440 –&gt; 00:01:11.880 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today’s podcast is about botanical excursions in the smokies but first a little bit of.</p><p>00:01:12.990 –&gt; 00:01:20.670 Joseph McElroy: housekeeping and then a little introduction of my life, that is, I think, applicable here.</p><p>00:01:21.150 –&gt; 00:01:31.530 Joseph McElroy: So anyway, imagine a place evocative of motor courts and the past yet modern and vibrant with the Chic Appalachian field, a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:01:32.190 –&gt; 00:01:42.300 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill to catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine line or craft beers.</p><p>00:01:42.660 –&gt; 00:01:52.500 Joseph McElroy: Imagine in place with old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina.</p><p>00:01:52.980 –&gt; 00:02:02.160 Joseph McElroy: Your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay another sponsor’s smokies adventure at smokies plural adventure.</p><p>00:02:02.940 –&gt; 00:02:14.040 Joseph McElroy: singular it’s smokies adventure.com and it’s a place where you find information listings about the smokies hiking wedding venues books trail maps resources.</p><p>00:02:14.460 –&gt; 00:02:31.260 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis of smokies adventures outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on logic family entertainment events conventions honeymoons anymore, it is, it is becoming the leading information portal for the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:32.880 –&gt; 00:02:47.820 Joseph McElroy: An upcoming event I’d like to mention is traditional skills and naturalist weekend August 27 and 29th at the Meadowlark mountain smoky mountain Heritage Center which is at the Meadowlark motel.</p><p>00:02:49.050 –&gt; 00:03:01.020 Joseph McElroy: it’s Ginseng granny medicine herbs it’s the botanic the exploration of the botanical Lord lord of the mountains, and it was a weekend of lectures wanderings, and entertainment.</p><p>00:03:01.470 –&gt; 00:03:10.110 Joseph McElroy: Friday, there will be some traditional music in the evening with will return and Mike Ogletree Saturday the 28th there’ll be wildflower and native.</p><p>00:03:10.410 –&gt; 00:03:23.310 Joseph McElroy: Plants of southern Appalachian with a tour and guide tour guide and naturalist Adam Bigelow who’s our guest today the healing powers of history of Jim single be explored with novelists and natural Jim Allen Hamilton.</p><p>00:03:24.060 –&gt; 00:03:32.970 Joseph McElroy: medicinal herbs and granny my medicine will be explored with Renee Winchester who’s a naturalist herbalist and award-winning author.</p><p>00:03:33.450 –&gt; 00:03:51.690 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a program by Tyson Samson and then an acclaimed Cherokee naturalist historical lecture there’ll be an afternoon of would want woods wandering and discussion with a renowned naturalist tour guide lecturer and author Abby Artemisia.</p><p>00:03:52.950 –&gt; 00:04:02.850 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be an heirloom seed discussion with Will Ritter there’ll be some entertainment traditional Scottish music of the Highlands with Mike Ogletree and.</p><p>00:04:03.420 –&gt; 00:04:16.350 Joseph McElroy: who’s the former drummer or simple minds and there’ll be a song-to-seat concert with William Ritter, exploring the bluegrass and folk music of the mountains, as long as a little bit of storytelling.</p><p>00:04:16.860 –&gt; 00:04:29.790 Joseph McElroy: And then, on Sunday morning will be sent off with a traditional mountain Gospel music service, you know when we put this book this show you know talking about botanical and.</p><p>00:04:30.780 –&gt; 00:04:43.260 Joseph McElroy: And and herbs and met plants in the mountains, I saw that the guests were involved with Community gardens I took me back to my childhood and the memories of.</p><p>00:04:43.590 –&gt; 00:04:55.050 Joseph McElroy: My grandmother’s both grandmother’s gardens and I got to work in both my grandmother’s garden so on an island up and running and fox run and both in Haywood County and them really.</p><p>00:04:55.860 –&gt; 00:05:06.000 Joseph McElroy: taught me a lot about gardening my grant and the one in fox from there’s more about the real bill, vegetables and flowers by the one in Ireland was corn and.</p><p>00:05:06.510 –&gt; 00:05:22.410 Joseph McElroy: And beans and squash the church or the traditional three sisters, along with lots of berries and and and things like that, and so there was this poem I sometimes like reemployment here, I went out and found a source, so you know spoke to me about.</p><p>00:05:23.520 –&gt; 00:05:24.060 Joseph McElroy: That.</p><p>00:05:25.080 –&gt; 00:05:27.570 Joseph McElroy: And it’s called string beans by Wendy Hammond.</p><p>00:05:29.070 –&gt; 00:05:34.500 Joseph McElroy: Perhaps grandma taught me to snap the string beans for anxiety relief.</p><p>00:05:35.610 –&gt; 00:05:49.140 Joseph McElroy: Maybe she knew more than I gave her credit for, because here I sit 40 years later, in the middle of it with a bowl of tense green beans and a pile of little endings I need to throw away.</p><p>00:05:49.950 –&gt; 00:06:06.000 Joseph McElroy: On a hot summer day in the middle of July I split my fears and eat my tension every seven times and I see grandma’s hands showing my breaking off the split ends of life, one being at a time.</p><p>00:06:08.490 –&gt; 00:06:10.020 Joseph McElroy: It was really nice so.</p><p>00:06:11.130 –&gt; 00:06:27.360 Joseph McElroy: You know, and I think life is the life, in the end, growing up in the mountains is about that you know grandmothers and mothers teaching children about you know the pulse of life and the nature’s bounty and how it can you know it’d be an important part of living.</p><p>00:06:28.560 –&gt; 00:06:40.230 Joseph McElroy: My guest today Adam Bigelow I think there’s a lot about that he lives in rural Jackson County North Carolina and is a well known, environmental and community activist, as well as an outstanding musician.</p><p>00:06:40.860 –&gt; 00:06:52.920 Joseph McElroy: In addition to his work as an activist and artists Adam runs his own business Bigelow botanical excursions where he teaches folks about the wonders of the natural world and Appalachian how you doing Adam.</p><p>00:06:53.070 –&gt; 00:06:55.980 Adam Bigelow: I’m doing great today Joseph, thank you for having me out here.</p><p>00:06:56.340 –&gt; 00:06:59.100 Joseph McElroy: cool and you’re in are you in silver right now.</p><p>00:06:59.550 –&gt; 00:07:01.410 Adam Bigelow: I’m actually in cali.</p><p>00:07:02.490 –&gt; 00:07:10.830 Adam Bigelow: Mountain top at around 3600 feet on top of tilly creek road right at the headwaters of tilly creek.</p><p>00:07:11.850 –&gt; 00:07:15.570 Joseph McElroy: So, are you originally from that area.</p><p>00:07:16.110 –&gt; 00:07:16.920 Adam Bigelow: Oh no.</p><p>00:07:18.030 –&gt; 00:07:26.130 Adam Bigelow: As they like to say here in southern Appalachia I from around here and Bigelow is certainly not a.</p><p>00:07:27.270 –&gt; 00:07:35.610 Adam Bigelow: Traditional Appalachian settler name I grew up on the coast of Virginia and Hampton Virginia and I grew up.</p><p>00:07:36.660 –&gt; 00:07:47.670 Adam Bigelow: disconnected from nature, not any way connected to gardening surrounded by streetlights and sidewalks and writing skateboard so I’ve come a long way from there.</p><p>00:07:48.180 –&gt; 00:07:55.260 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah it is so uh yeah I mean your talents would have allowed you to live anywhere you want it to, but why did you end up in the Smokies?</p><p>00:07:55.770 –&gt; 00:08:00.390 Adam Bigelow: You know how I ended up here is kind of an accidental thing like a lot of.</p><p>00:08:02.040 –&gt; 00:08:21.030 Adam Bigelow: Things when we look back on a life that kind of random but they may eventually make sense and I’ve lived here and just mostly in Jackson county a little bit in macon county since 1993 and I moved up here to go to college at the local community college to study radio and TV production.</p><p>00:08:21.450 –&gt; 00:08:21.810 No.</p><p>00:08:23.040 –&gt; 00:08:31.890 Adam Bigelow: yeah I didn’t really finish that out, but I fell in love with these mountains and I’ve lived here, ever since, and I hope to live in southern Appalachian for the rest of my life.</p><p>00:08:32.370 –&gt; 00:08:34.560 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool was that hey what Community college.</p><p>00:08:34.830 –&gt; 00:08:37.050 Adam Bigelow: was actually Southwestern Community college.</p><p>00:08:37.140 –&gt; 00:08:39.510 Joseph McElroy: I say, and then you go to hey what Community colleges.</p><p>00:08:39.660 –&gt; 00:08:49.470 Adam Bigelow: I eventually did get a hey what Community college, after a long Sir code is the road that led me to find a love of plants and.</p><p>00:08:50.490 –&gt; 00:08:57.300 Adam Bigelow: and flowers, and so I went as an adult and studied horticulture at hey what Community college.</p><p>00:08:57.870 –&gt; 00:09:03.210 Joseph McElroy: And I know that horticulture and farming are actually big and successful program is there.</p><p>00:09:03.690 –&gt; 00:09:18.930 Adam Bigelow: They have been in the past yeah the horticulture program has a lot of a long history of really influential graduates in the region by for the horticulture and for the forestry and natural resources department.</p><p>00:09:19.620 –&gt; 00:09:22.620 Joseph McElroy: And then you went to Western Carolina University right.</p><p>00:09:22.980 –&gt; 00:09:24.150 Adam Bigelow: yeah I did I studied.</p><p>00:09:25.200 –&gt; 00:09:31.620 Adam Bigelow: Environmental science at WCU and colorway here after getting my degree in horticulture.</p><p>00:09:32.250 –&gt; 00:09:36.060 Joseph McElroy: All right, so you get educated.</p><p>00:09:36.780 –&gt; 00:09:40.020 Adam Bigelow: I did, and I went back to College as an adult I.</p><p>00:09:41.910 –&gt; 00:09:48.300 Adam Bigelow: I got my bachelor’s degree from Western six days before my 40th birthday.</p><p>00:09:48.930 –&gt; 00:09:52.290 Joseph McElroy: Well, congratulations all right well that was just like that was a few weeks ago.</p><p>00:09:54.030 –&gt; 00:09:54.900 Adam Bigelow: or 10 years.</p><p>00:09:57.810 –&gt; 00:10:02.940 Joseph McElroy: So now you’re a notable environmentalist and you’re passionate about botany.</p><p>00:10:03.360 –&gt; 00:10:14.910 Joseph McElroy: And the natural world and you mentioned you got interested in plus how did that passionate of all you know, during that time between you know Southwestern and then Haywood Community college what led to that passion.</p><p>00:10:15.720 –&gt; 00:10:25.470 Adam Bigelow: it’s all again by accident, and I am definitely a plant nerd and somewhere around 20 years ago I fell in love with wildflowers.</p><p>00:10:27.210 –&gt; 00:10:35.190 Adam Bigelow: accidentally I had been you know living here for a while and working mostly in restaurant jobs but I enjoyed going hiking.</p><p>00:10:35.940 –&gt; 00:10:54.720 Adam Bigelow: At the time, it was mostly about a destination what waterfall are we going to see what big view what Big Mountain, are we going to climb up and the traveled in between was just drudgery and trying to get there as soon as I can walking very fast, but I had a friend that took a.</p><p>00:10:56.460 –&gt; 00:11:15.420 Adam Bigelow: botany course at WCU way before I ever went there and got was lucky to take classes with Dr. Dan Portillo retired botanist from the university and so as we are hiking they started talking about and pointing out some of the flowers, but I didn’t really still have an interest there.</p><p>00:11:18.300 –&gt; 00:11:22.740 Adam Bigelow: What actually led me to get into plants was.</p><p>00:11:24.000 –&gt; 00:11:37.110 Adam Bigelow: A bit of an accident, I went and got a job at a big box store in Franklin and they randomly put me out into the Garden Center and the rest is history, now I love plant.</p><p>00:11:38.700 –&gt; 00:11:41.580 Joseph McElroy: ooh and did you find some mentors along the way.</p><p>00:11:42.810 –&gt; 00:11:50.520 Adam Bigelow: Oh, very much you know everything from miss Betty who worked at the outdoor garden Center and knew all the plants at the time.</p><p>00:11:52.170 –&gt; 00:11:52.590 Adam Bigelow: To.</p><p>00:11:54.210 –&gt; 00:12:00.840 Adam Bigelow: One of my main friends and mentors in this work is a retired ethnobotanist.</p><p>00:12:02.310 –&gt; 00:12:13.560 Adam Bigelow: Dr. David Koso who, up until recently was working out on the call of boundary in Cherokee and is a medical as no botanist and studied on.</p><p>00:12:14.760 –&gt; 00:12:22.710 Adam Bigelow: The relationship of humans and plants from a Cherokee and indigenous people at the southeastern tribes perspective.</p><p>00:12:24.420 –&gt; 00:12:29.160 Adam Bigelow: And one of the most influential things in my education in life.</p><p>00:12:30.330 –&gt; 00:12:30.930 Adam Bigelow: Was.</p><p>00:12:32.070 –&gt; 00:12:42.270 Adam Bigelow: right before starting horticulture school, I read a little blurb in the local paper about what I thought was a small no big deal thing called the color we native plant conference.</p><p>00:12:42.780 –&gt; 00:12:50.880 Adam Bigelow: And so I signed up I said I’m going to go study plan, so let me go to this local Conference, and what I walked into was the largest and oldest.</p><p>00:12:51.210 –&gt; 00:12:58.980 Adam Bigelow: native planet conference, at least on these guys then possibly in the country, and these are the folks that have had the biggest influence on me.</p><p>00:12:59.340 –&gt; 00:13:00.870 Joseph McElroy: So you found your community.</p><p>00:13:01.320 –&gt; 00:13:02.520 Adam Bigelow: I certainly did.</p><p>00:13:02.550 –&gt; 00:13:03.510 Adam Bigelow: When i’m playing.</p><p>00:13:04.080 –&gt; 00:13:12.060 Adam Bigelow: Open include me in with fellow planners, and one of the amazing things about the colorway native plant conferences it’s not.</p><p>00:13:12.420 –&gt; 00:13:22.020 Adam Bigelow: Specific to one field of study or one trade there’s botanist there are horticulturalists there are nursery workers landscape designers home gardeners.</p><p>00:13:22.350 –&gt; 00:13:37.410 Adam Bigelow: Everyone comes together from all over the southeastern US to Cali third week of July to share out their love and joy of seeing native plants used in the landscape cool.</p><p>00:13:37.890 –&gt; 00:13:46.590 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, when we come back, I want to explore more about your influences and what you’ve done with those mentoring and education that you’ve got.</p><p>00:13:48.090 –&gt; 00:13:48.360 Great.</p><p>00:16:06.780 –&gt; 00:16:19.470 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Adam Bigelow so Adam there’s been there’s a lot of great naturalist in this area like.</p><p>00:16:20.160 –&gt; 00:16:29.940 Joseph McElroy: I think I had her and George Ellis and then for Tello like Those are just a few that come to mind they’ve been influences on what you do.</p><p>00:16:30.600 –&gt; 00:16:36.570 Adam Bigelow: All three of them are big players and educators and leaders and in.</p><p>00:16:38.130 –&gt; 00:16:44.160 Adam Bigelow: The botanical and naturalist world that I live in here in Jackson County and Southern Appalachian.</p><p>00:16:45.570 –&gt; 00:16:52.230 Adam Bigelow: Especially is very similar I have been Ms. Ila Hatter she’s such a wonderful treasure for these.</p><p>00:16:52.740 –&gt; 00:17:01.290 Adam Bigelow: Great smoky mountains and an educator and keeping alive the traditions that she was raised with, as well as.</p><p>00:17:02.010 –&gt; 00:17:15.030 Adam Bigelow: she’s been very encouraging to me in my work as I set out there, trying to teach people about plants and flowers and it feels really great to have her friendship, as well as encouragement yeah.</p><p>00:17:15.600 –&gt; 00:17:23.040 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool I mean it’s always nice to have those relationships that helped blossom what you’re doing.</p><p>00:17:24.060 –&gt; 00:17:27.990 Joseph McElroy: And speaking about what you’re doing you you started out doing some interesting.</p><p>00:17:27.990 –&gt; 00:17:36.660 Joseph McElroy: Things right out of HCC you did you started building your own biodiesel equipment what was that project about.</p><p>00:17:36.990 –&gt; 00:17:52.320 Adam Bigelow: yeah so um I had been looking into you know I’ve been definitely interested in environmentalism since I was in high school, which was a long time ago and, while I was studying horticulture, I was looking at.</p><p>00:17:53.640 –&gt; 00:18:01.800 Adam Bigelow: Potential growing different feedstocks for making biofuel and by a diesel became an interest in so.</p><p>00:18:03.060 –&gt; 00:18:05.490 Adam Bigelow: I guess I had talked about it enough that when.</p><p>00:18:06.810 –&gt; 00:18:19.980 Adam Bigelow: The Haywood County College automotive department and a couple of local environmental organizations won a grant to start to build a biodiesel reactor, I was hired in.</p><p>00:18:21.000 –&gt; 00:18:33.780 Adam Bigelow: to manage that project, and so I got a first-hand experience and both collecting waste fryer grease from the local school system.</p><p>00:18:34.320 –&gt; 00:18:48.210 Adam Bigelow: And also learning quickly the science and application of the process of turning vegetable oil into diesel fuel and over the course of the grant-funded project.</p><p>00:18:48.600 –&gt; 00:19:04.230 Adam Bigelow: We built a small-scale bio-diesel reactor at the College and made about 500 gallons of fuel taught one continuing education class and recorded a nice little video about how to do it, it was really interesting.</p><p>00:19:04.590 –&gt; 00:19:11.790 Joseph McElroy: That did was, I mean what was the intent was to try to get the sort of industry happening or get farmers to do it or.</p><p>00:19:12.060 –&gt; 00:19:23.040 Adam Bigelow: What was a little bit of both it’s um there is still one of the remaining biodiesel manufacturers in North Carolina is based, out of Nashville with blue Ridge biofuels.</p><p>00:19:23.460 –&gt; 00:19:30.510 Adam Bigelow: And so, one of the things that Community college is always trying to do is workforce development and train people to work in the industry.</p><p>00:19:31.080 –&gt; 00:19:32.730 Adam Bigelow: At the time there was a lot more.</p><p>00:19:34.170 –&gt; 00:19:55.140 Adam Bigelow: Support politically and economically, for biodiesel manufacturing and that that support in many ways, had been taken away over the years and suing but Blue Ridge biofuels is still able to withstand that and are thriving as a business, I hope, because I buy my fuel from them these days.</p><p>00:19:55.530 –&gt; 00:19:57.120 Joseph McElroy: You have a bio is a car right.</p><p>00:19:57.210 –&gt; 00:20:00.540 Adam Bigelow: I do, I drive an old Volkswagen Jetta.</p><p>00:20:01.740 –&gt; 00:20:02.670 Adam Bigelow: TDI.</p><p>00:20:04.050 –&gt; 00:20:13.650 Adam Bigelow: From 2005 and I buy my biodiesel in bulk from blue Ridge biofuels now, and so I have a little.</p><p>00:20:15.330 –&gt; 00:20:29.250 Adam Bigelow: fueling station up at my house where I fill up my car it’s a really interesting thing when I fire up my car and or anybodys or run vehicle it smells like French Fries.</p><p>00:20:31.470 –&gt; 00:20:35.370 Joseph McElroy: So you have trouble can tell you, controlling your weight.</p><p>00:20:36.390 –&gt; 00:20:37.680 Adam Bigelow: Right, it makes me hungry I.</p><p>00:20:37.680 –&gt; 00:20:40.440 Adam Bigelow: Get I get snack urges all the time, driving down the road.</p><p>00:20:41.070 –&gt; 00:20:42.180 Adam Bigelow: Is a one thing that.</p><p>00:20:42.840 –&gt; 00:20:43.950 Adam Bigelow: One thing that people don’t.</p><p>00:20:45.000 –&gt; 00:20:55.260 Adam Bigelow: Understand or often know about biodiesel, is that it is diesel fuel, just like any other diesel fuel, except for instead of being.</p><p>00:20:56.250 –&gt; 00:21:13.890 Adam Bigelow: made from petroleum it’s made from vegetable oil and so for my car, there was no conversion needed there was nothing that I needed to do outside of change my fuel filter after two tanks of.</p><p>00:21:14.940 –&gt; 00:21:27.300 Adam Bigelow: Biodiesel gas running through it because diesel has a high solvency product for these that cleans out some of the builds up from petroleum so I’m able to switch back and forth.</p><p>00:21:28.320 –&gt; 00:21:33.300 Adam Bigelow: When needed from petroleum diesel to biodiesel or do different blends.</p><p>00:21:34.620 –&gt; 00:21:38.460 Joseph McElroy: what’s the what’s better for the environment biodiesel or hybrid cars are.</p><p>00:21:38.880 –&gt; 00:21:42.900 Adam Bigelow: You know that’s a really deep question and.</p><p>00:21:44.190 –&gt; 00:21:50.910 Adam Bigelow: Biodiesel is not a solution for our environmental issues, based around transportation.</p><p>00:21:52.740 –&gt; 00:22:04.350 Adam Bigelow: hybrids run a combination of electric and gasoline so they still have emissions, the hybrid technology allows the fuel mileage to be increased.</p><p>00:22:05.370 –&gt; 00:22:08.100 Adam Bigelow: Usually into the 40 or 50 miles per gallon.</p><p>00:22:09.270 –&gt; 00:22:31.950 Adam Bigelow: run, but my biodiesel vehicle also is in that same mile per gallon with the Volkswagen Jetta TDI the old ones, the game-changer though in our modern world is electric vehicles, especially if you can be charging them off of electric energy that you’re producing on site.</p><p>00:22:33.750 –&gt; 00:22:45.210 Adam Bigelow: You know if it’s running on typical coal-fired power plant electricity that comes from central Appalachia coalfields where it’s primarily.</p><p>00:22:45.840 –&gt; 00:22:57.810 Adam Bigelow: A mountaintop removal coal mining, which has a method of blowing the tops of mountains off and filling in the valleys between to extract us 18-inch seam of call the.</p><p>00:22:58.710 –&gt; 00:23:12.690 Adam Bigelow: Environmental impact of electricity generation has to be factored into electric vehicles, one thing I learned in studying environmental science, though, is there are no easy answers and none of it is clean.</p><p>00:23:14.220 –&gt; 00:23:25.650 Adam Bigelow: Even are you know the lithium for lithium-Ion batteries are more modern and more efficient battery systems is still a mind product that has a lot of issues around that.</p><p>00:23:26.220 –&gt; 00:23:30.540 Joseph McElroy: Well biking bicycle my bicycle a lot so that’s the solution right.</p><p>00:23:30.750 –&gt; 00:23:47.460 Adam Bigelow: yeah bicycling is a really great way, especially if you live in for transportation of individuals and commuting, especially if you live in a flat land they are yeah it’s a little more challenging up here and the sales of Appalachian.</p><p>00:23:47.520 –&gt; 00:23:51.240 Joseph McElroy: I this build up your muscles come off.</p><p>00:23:53.160 –&gt; 00:23:53.580 Adam Bigelow: that’s right.</p><p>00:23:54.150 –&gt; 00:24:01.500 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve had you’ve done you know you’ve done some interesting things he worked with the eastern band of the Chair he’s enterprising.</p><p>00:24:02.640 –&gt; 00:24:03.930 Adam Bigelow: Well, I did when I was.</p><p>00:24:04.560 –&gt; 00:24:05.850 Adam Bigelow: Still in school.</p><p>00:24:06.900 –&gt; 00:24:13.800 Adam Bigelow: I was brought in by my friend’s day David khoya the ethnobotanist to work out in the.</p><p>00:24:14.970 –&gt; 00:24:32.850 Adam Bigelow: For the eastern band of the Cherokee Indian on the call a reservation call a boundary right near the smoky mountains and there is they have a few places around there’s one, there is a demonstration village on the Cherokee.</p><p>00:24:34.260 –&gt; 00:24:56.460 Adam Bigelow: reservation the color boundary and next to it is actually a very old botanical garden that was built and has kind of fallen into a little bit of disrepair and inattentiveness, and so I have hired into the walk the property over a series of a few months and document the.</p><p>00:24:57.510 –&gt; 00:25:11.490 Adam Bigelow: native and exotic and invasive plants that are there as a precursor to what we at the time were hoping would be a revitalization of that botanical garden, so I got to go visit and.</p><p>00:25:12.300 –&gt; 00:25:24.930 Adam Bigelow: Take notes and look up the plants and key them out and documented and also was given some of the historical documents that at the time was just a.</p><p>00:25:25.680 –&gt; 00:25:43.320 Adam Bigelow: fated photocopied blueprint of the original planting plan and I had some friends who worked in photo restoration and we’re able to take that and digitize it and make it a little bit more readable and stronger, so the Cherokee.</p><p>00:25:44.580 –&gt; 00:25:55.770 Adam Bigelow: Historical Association and the Cherokee preservation foundation which funded that project have those digital and physical documents now to add to their history.</p><p>00:25:55.860 –&gt; 00:25:59.610 Joseph McElroy: historical event should get the botanical gardens rehabilitated.</p><p>00:25:59.940 –&gt; 00:26:07.590 Adam Bigelow: Unfortunately not, but I still have hopes that it can be brought it up and I’d love to collaborate with them, I have a lot of friends.</p><p>00:26:08.910 –&gt; 00:26:22.800 Adam Bigelow: Over in Cherokee and both cooperative extension, as well as in the Cherokee tribal government and so every once a while we have conversations about potentially seeking funding to try to bring it up, it still is.</p><p>00:26:23.610 –&gt; 00:26:33.840 Adam Bigelow: operational and you can go tour it’s free to walk around, and it has some really neat things, including an old cabin and some traditional farming examples going on.</p><p>00:26:34.260 –&gt; 00:26:39.600 Joseph McElroy: Does that would be a nice out-of-the-way thing for somebody visiting the area to go find right.</p><p>00:26:40.140 –&gt; 00:26:40.650 Adam Bigelow: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:26:41.520 –&gt; 00:26:41.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:26:42.030 –&gt; 00:26:49.770 Adam Bigelow: Oh yeah driving and when you drive to the great smoky mountain National Park, for the most part, you drive through Cherokee.</p><p>00:26:50.940 –&gt; 00:26:57.840 Adam Bigelow: The downtown area, the touristy areas, and then some of the really neat things that they’re doing to revitalize that area.</p><p>00:27:00.060 –&gt; 00:27:00.840 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so.</p><p>00:27:01.980 –&gt; 00:27:09.810 Joseph McElroy: I see that you’re a director of the color we Community garden, you know I’ve been involved with Community gardens up here in New York, I was in the south Bronx.</p><p>00:27:10.290 –&gt; 00:27:18.540 Joseph McElroy: Work to communicate in terms of beekeeper so on is, I have a fondness for Community gardens to tell me what you do with the Callaway Community garden.</p><p>00:27:19.020 –&gt; 00:27:21.810 Adam Bigelow: Community gardens are amazing and I’ve been a.</p><p>00:27:22.950 –&gt; 00:27:37.290 Adam Bigelow: Member of the silver Community garden and downtown Silva for 16 years and about nine or so years ago we had the idea to build a brand new Garden on.</p><p>00:27:38.820 –&gt; 00:27:48.960 Adam Bigelow: publicly owned land that’s owned by Jackson County in the colorway, and so I developed a project idea, it was basically.</p><p>00:27:50.520 –&gt; 00:28:00.810 Adam Bigelow: It was a hot summer day and The SOFA Community garden and I had a bit of a vision to create a garden-based environmental education project.</p><p>00:28:01.200 –&gt; 00:28:12.720 Adam Bigelow: And so I dreamed it up, I wrote it up, I did a bunch of research, and then I started talking to people about my ideas, which is something that I do frequently.</p><p>00:28:13.500 –&gt; 00:28:28.050 Adam Bigelow: Whether my friends want me to or not, and this uh This project was actually picked up and supported for the Jackson county department of public health, and I really love that relationship and it’s still run through the health department.</p><p>00:28:29.400 –&gt; 00:28:34.560 Adam Bigelow: And I’m a year-round part-time employee of the health department running the garden as a health educator.</p><p>00:28:35.040 –&gt; 00:28:49.890 Adam Bigelow: And through that relationship, I get to use the phrase a garden for the public health and it’s a really powerful thing public health gardening access to fresh produce physical activity it’s a really great combination cool.</p><p>00:28:50.220 –&gt; 00:29:00.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, when we come back, I want to explore more of what you’re doing and and and talk about some aspects of what people might come to visit in the mountains about the botanicals.</p><p>00:29:01.350 –&gt; 00:29:02.010 Adam Bigelow: sounds great.</p><p>00:31:35.190 –&gt; 00:31:50.430 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Adam Bigelow so Adam we were talking about community gardens is that something that people can visit in color is it you might find interesting.</p><p>00:31:51.240 –&gt; 00:31:57.600 Adam Bigelow: yeah I think so it’s really beautiful and it’s close to that campus of Western Carolina University.</p><p>00:31:57.990 –&gt; 00:31:59.640 Adam Bigelow: Oh it’s really easy to find.</p><p>00:32:00.930 –&gt; 00:32:11.370 Adam Bigelow: it’s a beautiful garden, and the way our garden works really quickly is it’s actually one big garden area that we’ve broken up, with no bunch of small individual plots that people from the Community adopt.</p><p>00:32:11.850 –&gt; 00:32:19.230 Adam Bigelow: We provide tools equipment materials everything Someone needs to grow a garden organically, except for seeds and plants and.</p><p>00:32:19.980 –&gt; 00:32:25.470 Adam Bigelow: So people are afraid to grow whatever flowers herbs vegetables, they want for themselves and friends and family.</p><p>00:32:25.860 –&gt; 00:32:38.700 Adam Bigelow: And my favorite part about how the garden works is we don’t charge any money to adopt the plot instead were able to charge everybody half of their products and collect that food and donated in the local food really to help out our neighbors.</p><p>00:32:39.210 –&gt; 00:32:39.750 cool.</p><p>00:32:41.370 –&gt; 00:32:48.720 Joseph McElroy: that’s I mean that’s a good model I think yeah yeah so so I know also that you.</p><p>00:32:50.220 –&gt; 00:32:54.540 Joseph McElroy: You have your own business Bigelow botanical excursions.</p><p>00:32:54.720 –&gt; 00:32:56.730 Joseph McElroy: That come about wasn’t do.</p><p>00:32:57.360 –&gt; 00:32:59.850 Adam Bigelow: bigelow’s botanical excursions is.</p><p>00:33:01.260 –&gt; 00:33:12.750 Adam Bigelow: Where I take people for walks in the woods and I take people on a slow and gentle walk in the woods it’s very accepted accessible to many people.</p><p>00:33:13.140 –&gt; 00:33:23.070 Adam Bigelow: And I teach them about the flowers and the plants that we see along the way I teach how to identify the plant some of their characteristics, I also.</p><p>00:33:24.060 –&gt; 00:33:37.740 Adam Bigelow: share the stories of the plants, which is what really draw drew me in early on, and what continues to really excite me is the stories and the stories can be about humans used in connection whether that’s.</p><p>00:33:38.940 –&gt; 00:34:02.070 Adam Bigelow: For edible wild foods or medicinal uses also uses for fiber fuel or different things, but they can also have stories connected with American history indigenous people in North America and their use of the plants and understanding and connection, it can be about the history of.</p><p>00:34:03.450 –&gt; 00:34:12.810 Adam Bigelow: botany throughout the southeastern us and my I’m really something that uh that I keep diving deeper and deeper into.</p><p>00:34:13.350 –&gt; 00:34:35.400 Adam Bigelow: Is the ecological connection between plants, each other plants, and the insects and wildlife that depend on them, including us depending on them for life on this earth so it’s um it’s a lot of fun it’s a slow walk usually after maybe two and a half hours of walking in the woods.</p><p>00:34:36.810 –&gt; 00:34:47.370 Adam Bigelow: When it’s time to turn around and go back to our cars it usually doesn’t take us more than 20 or 25 minutes to walk back to the car, so it is definitely not hiking.</p><p>00:34:47.820 –&gt; 00:34:49.620 Joseph McElroy: I have to ask you is a slow walk.</p><p>00:34:50.910 –&gt; 00:34:51.750 Adam Bigelow: slow.</p><p>00:34:52.380 –&gt; 00:35:05.490 Adam Bigelow: thing to look it’s a lesson in mindfulness is what it is it’s mindfulness practice it’s seeing every plant and talking about every flower that we notice and really just one of mine.</p><p>00:35:06.780 –&gt; 00:35:18.810 Adam Bigelow: Big big goals and the work that I do all the work that I do is to try to help connect people with nature connect people with plants and wildflower so that they’ll fall in love with it as I did.</p><p>00:35:19.350 –&gt; 00:35:28.920 Adam Bigelow: And so that they’ll have a bigger understanding of why we want to protect them and save these special areas that have these really rare and special wildfires in plants.</p><p>00:35:29.430 –&gt; 00:35:30.960 Joseph McElroy: And how long you been doing this business.</p><p>00:35:31.320 –&gt; 00:35:36.690 Adam Bigelow: I’ve been doing this for about five years and the way it came about.</p><p>00:35:37.890 –&gt; 00:35:44.280 Adam Bigelow: Was I was approached by Southwest and Community college our local community college to teach an organic gardening class.</p><p>00:35:44.730 –&gt; 00:35:57.990 Adam Bigelow: And I had a flash thought to pitch them a wildflower class and they said yes, and so the very first year I did a continuing ED spring wildfire class, and it was a lot of fun and.</p><p>00:35:58.650 –&gt; 00:36:06.270 Adam Bigelow: I got paid a little bit of money to go walk into the woods and I thought that was great the very next year, I tried to pitch it again and they told me, I was late.</p><p>00:36:07.200 –&gt; 00:36:28.230 Adam Bigelow: To suggested and wouldn’t make the catalog so I had the idea to hold the class on my own, and I made a little bit more money than I did through the Community college and I like that better so I’ve been doing it every year since and after that first year of hosting it on my own I.</p><p>00:36:30.030 –&gt; 00:36:34.440 Adam Bigelow: I started offering I’m, not just in the springtime but throughout the year.</p><p>00:36:35.760 –&gt; 00:36:47.580 Joseph McElroy: And the side, I mean there’s obviously the walk but what kind of services, you offer to people that come to do the tour at picking love you or they have to meet you somewhere to provide lunch or anything.</p><p>00:36:48.210 –&gt; 00:37:09.000 Adam Bigelow: uh no not yet, but I’m working up to some of those ideas, the way it works right now is we meet every week, and right now my walks are on Fridays, and so the weekly public walks are every Friday and we meet at a different trailhead or location and go for that short slow walk.</p><p>00:37:10.710 –&gt; 00:37:29.850 Adam Bigelow: this coming Friday we’re actually going to the Highlands botanical garden at the Highlands biological station in Highlands North Carolina but we meet at different places and my tagline for the businesses where the wildflowers are the destination, so we go to where things are blooming.</p><p>00:37:31.530 –&gt; 00:37:42.720 Adam Bigelow: I have people meet us out at the site, and I do a morning session from 9 am to 12 and then I get an hour break to eat a peanut butter sandwich and then I do the.</p><p>00:37:43.770 –&gt; 00:37:48.180 Adam Bigelow: Second walk at the same location every Friday from one o’clock to four.</p><p>00:37:48.570 –&gt; 00:37:52.590 Joseph McElroy: Who I am and what are some of the other locations, besides the Highland Center.</p><p>00:37:53.160 –&gt; 00:37:58.650 Adam Bigelow: Oh, at this time of year, especially it’s hard to stay off the blue Ridge parkway there’s so many different.</p><p>00:37:59.460 –&gt; 00:38:15.150 Adam Bigelow: channel heads and overlooks that are special along the parkway we go to blackball some area off of the Blue Ridge parkway I love walking in panther town Valley, which is one of the most special places in all of Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:38:16.650 –&gt; 00:38:22.470 Adam Bigelow: And so really it throughout the year, my locations bounce around a little bit.</p><p>00:38:23.580 –&gt; 00:38:32.310 Adam Bigelow: But really it’s all focused on what’s blooming where so I have a hard time giving a long-term schedule to people.</p><p>00:38:33.330 –&gt; 00:38:41.970 Adam Bigelow: Because every year and nature is different and the bloom times can be slower or later, and so I want to offer value to the experience.</p><p>00:38:42.480 –&gt; 00:38:52.440 Joseph McElroy: I know that even the same trail can have dramatically different people talking about spring, white flowers in the mountain the smokies right.</p><p>00:38:52.920 –&gt; 00:39:10.050 Joseph McElroy: But it changes, based upon how cold, it is because you know early you know the early the wildfires are down low, but then as it gets warmer up and up the mountain the wildfire is blue higher higher higher so you have a long wildfire season right.</p><p>00:39:10.050 –&gt; 00:39:21.630 Adam Bigelow: it’s true and it’s so magical I actually talked about that and call it a reference to it as botanical time travel so as early as early February.</p><p>00:39:22.140 –&gt; 00:39:35.310 Adam Bigelow: I can go off the mountain into upper Piedmont and see, for instance, a wildflower called the trout lily era, friendly and Virginia Virginia Anna and.</p><p>00:39:35.850 –&gt; 00:39:46.800 Adam Bigelow: So I can see that blooming in the first weeks of February and then that’s down low may be lower than 1000 feet in elevation and I can watch that same flower bloom.</p><p>00:39:47.190 –&gt; 00:40:01.410 Adam Bigelow: each individual plant, maybe only has a two-week bloom time but I can see the remnants of that plant up in the high smokies and 5000 6000 feet elevation at the first week of June.</p><p>00:40:02.490 –&gt; 00:40:05.700 Joseph McElroy: fabulous So how do people find out about your tours.</p><p>00:40:06.990 –&gt; 00:40:21.750 Adam Bigelow: The best way is to send an email to me at Bigelownc that’s BIGELOW NC like North carolina@gmail.com and then I can add you to my own.</p><p>00:40:22.500 –&gt; 00:40:33.300 Adam Bigelow: To my email list, where I now see two weeks location I’m also available to find on Facebook at Bigelow botanical excursions.</p><p>00:40:33.870 –&gt; 00:40:51.330 Adam Bigelow: and also on Instagram under that same thing, and you can look me up personally on Facebook, but just be aware of my tagline on my personal Facebook pages come for the pretty wildflowers stay for the environmental, social and racial justice.</p><p>00:40:53.520 –&gt; 00:40:55.410 Joseph McElroy: yeah you put it out there that’s good.</p><p>00:40:56.910 –&gt; 00:41:03.300 Joseph McElroy: So you know I want to also explore some other things about you it’s interesting you are also a musician.</p><p>00:41:03.870 –&gt; 00:41:08.760 Joseph McElroy: it’s true right what kind of meat, what kind of music, do you play?</p><p>00:41:09.420 –&gt; 00:41:27.990 Adam Bigelow: I am an I play that stand-up bass and a non-traditional string band here around Western North Carolina and we’re called old dirty bathtub and we are Western North Carolina’s premier acoustic party band.</p><p>00:41:29.040 –&gt; 00:41:34.050 Joseph McElroy: right and what is it bluegrass or is it folk or is its a mix of all sorts of that sort of stuff?</p><p>00:41:34.140 –&gt; 00:41:42.180 Adam Bigelow: it’s a mix, you know, if anywhere else, they would call us bluegrass but in Appalachia, people know better.</p><p>00:41:43.980 –&gt; 00:41:47.100 Adam Bigelow: We do a lot of original songs it’s bluegrass.</p><p>00:41:48.270 –&gt; 00:41:50.130 Adam Bigelow: As a foundation, but also.</p><p>00:41:51.690 –&gt; 00:42:13.200 Adam Bigelow: rock and roll influence hip hop influence jam band type things, and so we have a wide-ranging influence on our music and but are my favorite stuff that we do are our original songs and we have a new album that’s available on streaming services like Spotify.</p><p>00:42:14.670 –&gt; 00:42:18.390 Adam Bigelow: that’s called Pat, you know that your listeners can look up and find.</p><p>00:42:19.410 –&gt; 00:42:19.980 Adam Bigelow: cool.</p><p>00:42:20.370 –&gt; 00:42:24.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah oh and you’re a vocalist with that’s pretty cool right, you can sing.</p><p>00:42:25.140 –&gt; 00:42:34.560 Adam Bigelow: I sing a little bashing the base backups I think sometimes, but my bandmates usually just try to turn my microphone off.</p><p>00:42:35.820 –&gt; 00:42:38.250 Joseph McElroy: and whoever you want to give a shout out to the other band members.</p><p>00:42:38.580 –&gt; 00:42:54.630 Adam Bigelow: Oh yeah they’re great guys all and we’re really good friends too and have a lot of fun hanging out as well as making music and I think that makes the music better so I’m all dirty bathtub is made up of brad Boulay who is ours.</p><p>00:42:55.860 –&gt; 00:43:00.900 Adam Bigelow: vein harmony vocalist and plays a rhythm mandolin we have.</p><p>00:43:02.130 –&gt; 00:43:09.570 Adam Bigelow: Two really incredible flat-taking lead guitar players Jared Davis and Neil leopard.</p><p>00:43:10.650 –&gt; 00:43:11.550 Adam Bigelow: And then, our.</p><p>00:43:12.630 –&gt; 00:43:16.500 Adam Bigelow: dough bro player our slides resonating guitar player.</p><p>00:43:17.550 –&gt; 00:43:25.380 Adam Bigelow: Carter Gingrich is just an amazing player and they all are just really good at what they do and we have a lot of fun on stage.</p><p>00:43:26.280 –&gt; 00:43:26.880 cool.</p><p>00:43:28.170 –&gt; 00:43:28.710 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:43:29.910 –&gt; 00:43:39.960 Joseph McElroy: So when we get back, I want to, I want to explore a little bit about the music and places to go for that you, you know about music and then your ideal itinerary and where you live.</p><p>00:43:40.320 –&gt; 00:43:40.860 sure.</p><p>00:46:14.490 –&gt; 00:46:28.290 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guest Adam Bigelow so Adam I forgot to ask them to interest me why did you call it the old dirty bathtub.</p><p>00:46:29.370 –&gt; 00:46:31.830 Adam Bigelow: Well, so Joseph.</p><p>00:46:33.600 –&gt; 00:46:46.500 Adam Bigelow: That band name has some different layers of meaning like a lot of things on its surface level old dirty bathtub and there’s no D and all its just Oh well, with an apostrophe.</p><p>00:46:47.130 –&gt; 00:46:56.790 Adam Bigelow: On the surface, it’s just a kitschy little country name, you know you could probably picture a cloth foot porcelain talk about in a field rusting away but.</p><p>00:46:57.900 –&gt; 00:47:14.520 Adam Bigelow: If you are a fan of or know anything about 19 1990s hip hop music, you might be a fan of the Wu-Tang clan Wu-Tang for life, and one of their members was an old dirty bastard so it’s actually a play on the old dirty bastard name.</p><p>00:47:14.850 –&gt; 00:47:19.980 Joseph McElroy: There you supercop combining old country to new hip hop that’s kind of cool.</p><p>00:47:20.400 –&gt; 00:47:33.480 Adam Bigelow: It is and it’s and it’s really interesting we’ve had lots of conversations about untag going cultural appropriation and to look at the history of music in the United States of America is a look at.</p><p>00:47:34.920 –&gt; 00:47:56.400 Adam Bigelow: African culture and black culture of being expanded on or even stolen or taken even bluegrass music from bill Monroe and Kentucky is a combination of traditional folk music from England and the British Isles and African blues and roots music that way so.</p><p>00:47:56.730 –&gt; 00:48:10.200 Joseph McElroy: Well, but you know bluegrass itself as you know and a lot of ways evolved from you know older Scotch Irish ballads but then you introduce the banjo, which was a West African that’s right that brought a percussion Ella some element to it so.</p><p>00:48:10.440 –&gt; 00:48:11.460 Adam Bigelow: that’s I am the.</p><p>00:48:12.660 –&gt; 00:48:18.660 Adam Bigelow: musical patterns are based on blues which are also based on African rhythmic patterns for sure.</p><p>00:48:19.170 –&gt; 00:48:24.690 Joseph McElroy: So, what is your something for something visiting the area to see some great music Where would you recommend them?</p><p>00:48:25.260 –&gt; 00:48:40.020 Adam Bigelow: You know, in the general area, of course, you can’t talk about music in western North Carolina which, without talking about the incredible music scene based around Asheville North Carolina there’s so many.</p><p>00:48:40.890 –&gt; 00:48:53.880 Adam Bigelow: Wonderful bands of all styles of music there are different venues and clubs and bars and folk music out the parks pre covid and hopefully post covid if we can make it to that.</p><p>00:48:55.380 –&gt; 00:48:58.140 Adam Bigelow: There are all kinds of great music.</p><p>00:48:59.400 –&gt; 00:49:19.770 Adam Bigelow: But keeping it local like I like to do SOFA The SOFA area has a real and for the whole time I’ve lived up here has had very interesting art and music scene with lots of bands lots of creativity and so on, any given night, you can go into downtown silver.</p><p>00:49:21.390 –&gt; 00:49:44.370 Adam Bigelow: In here in Jackson County North Carolina and see live music at one of the many breweries, including innovation brewing the lazy hiker has music there are old-time circles and jams that happen in the past, at city lights CAFE and also other places there’s weekly.</p><p>00:49:45.390 –&gt; 00:49:56.910 Adam Bigelow: produced music events at the Bridge Park, which is an outdoor pavilion and park and downtown and there’s just always has been a large number of bands and different styles of music.</p><p>00:49:57.600 –&gt; 00:50:13.440 Adam Bigelow: rock and roll reggae bluegrass jam band and everything in between the university really brings in a lot of cultural and a little bit ethnic diversity that lends itself to the artistic nature of our Community.</p><p>00:50:14.100 –&gt; 00:50:16.680 Joseph McElroy: So I asked you to think about the itinerary.</p><p>00:50:17.760 –&gt; 00:50:18.150 Adam Bigelow: But.</p><p>00:50:18.420 –&gt; 00:50:19.710 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know you live in so.</p><p>00:50:21.180 –&gt; 00:50:27.060 Joseph McElroy: What would be a great itinerary for somebody coming to discover some things there, what would you do for breakfast?</p><p>00:50:28.260 –&gt; 00:50:42.510 Adam Bigelow: lunch and dinner that evening sure yeah I do recommend people come to visit here and really just embrace the wonderful different offerings that we have.</p><p>00:50:43.680 –&gt; 00:51:02.100 Adam Bigelow: I would start with a visit for coffee and breakfast at that white moon CAFE which is on what we refer to as backstreet, but if you type backstreet into your Google maps that’s not going to take you there it’s on mill street they’re really great.</p><p>00:51:04.110 –&gt; 00:51:06.510 Adam Bigelow: Small CAFE with a really.</p><p>00:51:07.530 –&gt; 00:51:25.590 Adam Bigelow: Very hip vibe they do really good coffee drinks, they are very focused on local sourcing of their food, and so they make great bagels they buy bagels from one of the local bakery places they just do a really good job real friendly people in that place.</p><p>00:51:25.710 –&gt; 00:51:27.600 Joseph McElroy: And then, what you do after that, where would you go.</p><p>00:51:28.080 –&gt; 00:51:40.410 Adam Bigelow: I would if it was Saturday I would walk from there to the glorious Jackson county farmers market and go visit our very thriving farmers market and downtown silver every Saturday morning.</p><p>00:51:40.920 –&gt; 00:51:51.780 Adam Bigelow: and buy some wonderful produce and bread and also a limited amount of crafts, but it is truly a farmers market I would look at.</p><p>00:51:54.360 –&gt; 00:51:59.730 Adam Bigelow: Taking a trip down to Hillsborough for lunch and visiting.</p><p>00:52:00.960 –&gt; 00:52:09.570 Adam Bigelow: The innovation station, or what my favorite brewery and all of Western North Carolina and that’s saying a lot because we have a lot of great breweries and was.</p><p>00:52:10.470 –&gt; 00:52:12.060 Joseph McElroy: Great food I’m telling you.</p><p>00:52:12.420 –&gt; 00:52:26.790 Adam Bigelow: yeah it’s great food and there are food trucks and Hillsborough is a very cute and touristy town with lots of shops, the great smoky mountain railroad comes through there, you can see the train, but you can also go and.</p><p>00:52:27.900 –&gt; 00:52:33.180 Adam Bigelow: Take an afternoon float on the River with the Hillsborough wrapping company or one of the others.</p><p>00:52:33.510 –&gt; 00:52:34.890 Adam Bigelow: Small wrapping companies.</p><p>00:52:35.160 –&gt; 00:52:49.560 Adam Bigelow: And the Texas ag river, which is the main river that flows through our Community is very gentle it’s not a major excuse for me it’s not major class rapids it’s very gentle very family-friendly.</p><p>00:52:50.010 –&gt; 00:52:50.280 And then.</p><p>00:52:51.690 –&gt; 00:53:06.090 Adam Bigelow: yeah after that you’re going to want to relax and there are a lot of great offerings in downtown silver for food, but there is none better, in my opinion than the Guadalupe CAFE.</p><p>00:53:06.180 –&gt; 00:53:07.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah I love.</p><p>00:53:08.190 –&gt; 00:53:22.050 Adam Bigelow: Love Guadalupe CAFE owner Jen Pearson has been really pushing the envelope on what I believe she calls Appalachian and Caribbean and South American fusion it’s like a hippie talk area.</p><p>00:53:23.010 –&gt; 00:53:31.740 Adam Bigelow: It is locally sourcing and environmental sustainability or a factor in every single decision they make at that place.</p><p>00:53:32.070 –&gt; 00:53:35.610 Joseph McElroy: it’s really amazing and the salsa platters to die for.</p><p>00:53:35.610 –&gt; 00:53:36.240 So.</p><p>00:53:37.260 –&gt; 00:53:38.400 Adam Bigelow: This is also platter.</p><p>00:53:38.670 –&gt; 00:53:41.850 Adam Bigelow: fried plantains and the best okra you could ever eat.</p><p>00:53:43.980 –&gt; 00:53:46.440 Joseph McElroy: We didn’t really have time to finish at the end with.</p><p>00:53:46.830 –&gt; 00:53:58.950 Adam Bigelow: An evening I would walk around downtown Silva and take the character of the town I would pop into the lazy hiker innovation in Silva, to see if there’s live music and I will.</p><p>00:54:00.000 –&gt; 00:54:11.580 Adam Bigelow: finish off the evening sitting on the porch of your Airbnb or whatever rental you’re sitting on in a rocking chair, with the cool mountain air and just really soak up.</p><p>00:54:11.790 –&gt; 00:54:13.620 Adam Bigelow: The atmosphere of southern Appalachian.</p><p>00:54:14.160 –&gt; 00:54:25.890 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you, I look forward to seeing you at the Meadowlark at Meadowlark smoky mountain the traditionalist weekend and August 27 and you’re going to be talking about what.</p><p>00:54:26.370 –&gt; 00:54:29.820 Adam Bigelow: I’m going to be talking about wildflowers of southern Appalachian.</p><p>00:54:30.270 –&gt; 00:54:32.640 Adam Bigelow: And I want to do a presentation, with some.</p><p>00:54:32.640 –&gt; 00:54:35.040 Adam Bigelow: Really pretty pictures good I can’t wait.</p><p>00:54:35.250 –&gt; 00:54:37.470 Joseph McElroy: I look forward to seeing you there I’ll be there.</p><p>00:54:38.760 –&gt; 00:54:42.330 Joseph McElroy: Any other ways that you want people to contact you or look you up?</p><p>00:54:43.020 –&gt; 00:55:00.000 Adam Bigelow: I really primarily right now I’m working on a website and working on some of those more social promotions, but I invite people to connect with me through Facebook oh My big was botanical excursions page or to send me an email at bigelownc@gmail.com</p><p>00:55:00.450 –&gt; 00:55:02.280 Adam Bigelow: to inquire about.</p><p>00:55:02.490 –&gt; 00:55:03.420 Adam Bigelow: wildfire walks.</p><p>00:55:03.510 –&gt; 00:55:06.720 Joseph McElroy: And is your brand have a Facebook page?</p><p>00:55:07.080 –&gt; 00:55:13.350 Adam Bigelow: yeah we’re on Facebook and Instagram and also you can find us on your streaming music services.</p><p>00:55:13.350 –&gt; 00:55:14.760 Joseph McElroy: Well dirty bathtub.</p><p>00:55:14.760 –&gt; 00:55:16.230 Adam Bigelow: So dirty bathtub.</p><p>00:55:16.530 –&gt; 00:55:17.130 Joseph McElroy: I look at you.</p><p>00:55:18.180 –&gt; 00:55:20.100 Joseph McElroy: See you on the 27th year.</p><p>00:55:21.510 –&gt; 00:55:28.020 Joseph McElroy: You can find out more about this podcast and gateway to the smokies fun and we’re also on Facebook.</p><p>00:55:28.920 –&gt; 00:55:40.590 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies podcast I am part of the talk radio. NYC network, which is a great live podcast network with lots of great shows this is the one about New York that I advise you to.</p><p>00:55:40.890 –&gt; 00:55:51.330 Joseph McElroy: Take a look and don’t forget next week next we have another show from six to seven on Tuesday night and then I promise you, it will be very interesting until then I’ll.</p><p>00:55:52.530 –&gt; 00:55:54.060 Joseph McElroy: Until then, I look forward to seeing you.</p> d2903ce2-6b3d-4650-a6de-64ba0e8e42d6 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/41df9e19-f60d-483c-a51f-cf8a5b27430b Tue, 10 Aug 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2975 no full Episode 28: Historic Tales of Western North Carolina Episode 28: Historic Tales of Western North Carolina Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><span>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is </span><strong>Jim Buchanan, </strong><span>Award-winning Journalist and Author, now living in Clyde, North Carolina. He has worked for the Asheville Citizen-Times and currently is a journalist for the Sylva Herald in Sylva, N.C. Jim also had a wonderful book published by the History Press earlier this year. We will talk about his book.</span></p><p><span>Tune in for this fun conversation at </span><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a><span> or watch the </span><a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a><span>.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p><span>Today’s show starts off with a great introduction of tonight’s special guest: Jim Buchanan. Jim introduces himself, explaining his family roots in the Carolinas and the Great Smoky Mountains. Jim and host </span><a href="mailto:joseph@galileotechmedia.com" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a><span>, share fun facts and tidbits about history relating to their families and their shared commonalities. We get to learn more about Jim when he was young in college and what he was involved in that got him to where he is now, including when he worked for an afternoon newspaper that worked hard to expose the truth and tell people&#39;s stories.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p><span> Coming back from the break, Jim shares how he transitioned from a corporate industry to a smaller more local newspaper. The conversation turns to journalism as a whole. Although journalism is a diminishing industry, Jim believes that newspapers and journalism is an important part of keeping citizens informed and therefore, keeping the government running and the nation together. The two then start talking about Jim’s book. They discuss the reaction that came from Jim’s book from close friends and a wider audience. Jim then explains his origins and inspiration for his book.</span></p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p><span>Jim tells stories that he drew inspiration from for his book. He was once lost with someone while going bear hunting years ago and this story ended up having a funny ending. The story gave insight on what the hunting culture was like back in the day and how Jim would often get lost. Joseph asked Jim about any future plans for a sequel of the book and what people can expect. Jim leaves an ambiguous answer that leaves the audience wondering if he will continue to tell all the stories that are left to tell. The two share their opinions on Silver City and how it is a growing city now that people are starting to move there. They share what they found is changing for the better and how it is a spiritual place to be. </span></p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p><span>For the last segment of tonight’s show, Joseph asks Jim how he ended up in Clyde, North Carolina. They trade local seafood hotspots and other great places to check out there. Jim shares his recommendations in and near his hometown, including places to eat, entertainment, and other sights to see.</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p> Video thumbnail

Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Jim Buchanan, Award-winning Journalist, and Author, now living in Clyde, North Carolina. He has worked for the Asheville Citizen-Times and currently is a journalist for the Sylva Herald in Sylva, N.C. Jim also had a wonderful book published by the History Press earlier this year. We will talk about his book.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES:

Segment 1

Today’s show starts off with a great introduction to tonight’s special guest: Jim Buchanan. Jim introduces himself, explaining his family roots in the Carolinas and the Great Smoky Mountains. Jim and host Joseph Franklyn McElroy, share fun facts and tidbits about history relating to their families and their shared commonalities. We get to learn more about Jim when he was young in college and what he was involved in that got him to where he is now, including when he worked for an afternoon newspaper that worked hard to expose the truth and tell people's stories.

Segment 2

 Coming back from the break, Jim shares how he transitioned from a corporate industry to a smaller more local newspaper. The conversation turns to journalism as a whole. Although journalism is a diminishing industry, Jim believes that newspapers and journalism is an important part of keeping citizens informed and therefore, keeping the government running and the nation together. The two then start talking about Jim’s book. They discuss the reaction that came from Jim’s book from close friends and a wider audience. Jim then explains his origins and inspiration for his book.

Segment 3

Jim tells stories that he drew inspiration from for his book. He was once lost with someone while going bear hunting years ago and this story ended up having a funny ending. The story gave insight on what the hunting culture was like back in the day and how Jim would often get lost. Joseph asked Jim about any future plans for a sequel of the book and what people can expect. Jim leaves an ambiguous answer that leaves the audience wondering if he will continue to tell all the stories that are left to tell. The two share their opinions on Silver City and how it is a growing city now that people are starting to move there. They share what they found is changing for the better and how it is a spiritual place to be. 

Segment 4

For the last segment of tonight’s show, Joseph asks Jim how he ended up in Clyde, North Carolina. They trade local seafood hotspots and other great places to check out there. Jim shares his recommendations in and near his hometown, including places to eat, entertainment, and other sights to see.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:32.940 –> 00:00:44.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns.

00:00:44.490 –> 00:00:57.240 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains

00:01:00.960 –> 00:01:12.300 Joseph McElroy: my family’s lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today’s topic is historic tales of the Western North Carolina area.

00:01:13.020 –> 00:01:24.000 Joseph McElroy: But first sponsor message imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern environments, with a Chic Appalachian, feel.

00:01:24.480 –> 00:01:32.070 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout stream.

00:01:32.580 –> 00:01:51.960 Joseph McElroy: grill to catch on fire eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place that old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay.

00:01:53.310 –> 00:01:57.240 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor smokiesadventure.com

00:02:01.860 –> 00:02:18.030 Joseph McElroy: the surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor ventures and ventures, and family entertainment can be found, right here in the smokies it’s also a great place for rustic weddings.

00:02:19.830 –> 00:02:31.680 Joseph McElroy: And honeymoons and cabins in the mountains, you should start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:02:32.100 –> 00:02:50.130 Joseph McElroy: trails waterfalls cades cove and more the check out the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy the goal are smokies adventure.com is to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.

00:02:51.270 –> 00:02:54.030 Joseph McElroy: I have a few events to tell you about and then we’ll get to our guests.

00:02:55.200 –> 00:02:58.380 Joseph McElroy: Coming this weekend you got the Meadowlark

00:03:02.820 –> 00:03:07.830 Joseph McElroy: Deep in the band was in practice, many survival skills to create a life in the smoky mountains.

00:03:08.340 –> 00:03:21.660 Joseph McElroy: This festival will celebrate an educator moose skills with live demonstrations and historic presentations learn how animal hides are tagged with actual demonstrations see a frontier CAP.

00:03:22.170 –> 00:03:29.190 Joseph McElroy: learn about handicrafts like pottery and quilting experience Cherokee mastercraftsman and storytelling.

00:03:29.610 –> 00:03:40.920 Joseph McElroy: blacksmith the old-time firearms and 4G are all on the agenda, there will be entertainment as well with traditional music and even exploration of Scott Scott is Irish heritage music.

00:03:41.220 –> 00:03:48.120 Joseph McElroy: Of the mountain southern settlers don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience local mountain culture is most original.

00:03:49.500 –> 00:03:57.960 Joseph McElroy: You can go to the Meadowlarkmotel.com and look under smokey hair smoky mountain heritage events to find out more.

00:04:02.460 –> 00:04:12.900 Joseph McElroy: Campfire Kephart celebration weekend Horrace Kephart has been dead for 88 years but his name His story pulled under court undercurrent the Western North Carolina.

00:04:14.010 –> 00:04:19.320 Joseph McElroy:Kephart is aclaim as the father of the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:04:19.800 –> 00:04:30.690 Joseph McElroy: And outdoors means gifted with an adventurous so and the author of substate such staples a regional of literature as our southern highlanders and camping and look off.

00:04:31.620 –> 00:04:41.790 Joseph McElroy: woodcraft joins us at the Meadowlark Smoky mountain Heritage Center to celebrate his life and work with ceremonies pikes stories music and historical place displays.

00:04:43.110 –> 00:04:58.290 Joseph McElroy: And then, in three weeks traditional skills and naturalist weekend where you can explore ginseng granny medicine and herbs, the lower the mountain is explored and this weekend of lectures wanderings and entertainment.

00:05:02.790 –> 00:05:19.020 Joseph McElroy: COM, the smoky or events listings our guest today is Jim Buchanan ,Jim is a native of Jackson county and an award-winning journalist and author now living in Clyde North Carolina.

00:05:19.620 –> 00:05:33.420 Joseph McElroy: he’s worked for the Asheville citizen times and currently as a journalist for the silver Harrell and so in North Carolina, Jim’s most recent book was a nominee for the 2020 Thomas Wolfe memorial literary award hello, Jim.

00:05:33.720 –> 00:05:35.250 Jim Buchanan: hey Joseph Thank you so much.

00:05:35.730 –> 00:05:44.580 Joseph McElroy: Sure, thank you for coming on it’s an honor so like me your family has been having a long history in Western North Carolina how did your family end up here.

00:05:46.410 –> 00:05:49.320 Jim Buchanan: Well, as here I’m sure well aware.

00:05:51.060 –> 00:06:05.460 Jim Buchanan: The history becomes more afraid the further back you go, yes, I can say mom side they came from Germany in the 1833 brothers bad side, he was across the.

00:06:07.770 –> 00:06:25.110 Jim Buchanan: Well, there was no state of North Carolina because there was no United States, and he was cross the border in Jackson county which was Cherokee country, and these as far back as we can price here and beyond that, we can try spot to your command one.

00:06:26.130 –> 00:06:40.230 Joseph McElroy: I have, I have various answer tell me like oh we’re related to William the conqueror are related to the bonnie Prince Charles are related to any number of people you start going back to tie with it becomes everybody becomes Royal.

00:06:40.410 –> 00:06:40.770 Right.

00:06:42.270 –> 00:06:43.980 Jim Buchanan: And everyone has a Cherokee grandmother.

00:06:44.220 –> 00:06:55.890 Joseph McElroy: And everyone has a Cherokee grandmother exactly so so how did you get started as a journalist, did you write for the school newspaper, or I feel or did it come later.

00:06:56.100 –> 00:07:01.590 Jim Buchanan: I went a little bit for the school newspaper, to be honest, I think how I fell into journalism.

00:07:03.840 –> 00:07:13.890 Jim Buchanan: I lived about nine miles from the high school, but it was an hour bus ride, so I started doing my homework on the bus going to school deadlines do not frighten me.

00:07:17.880 –> 00:07:20.700 Jim Buchanan: A little bit of history, do you know where the word deadline comes from.

00:07:23.430 –> 00:07:27.810 Jim Buchanan: From the Andersonville prison camp and the civil war in Georgia.

00:07:29.610 –> 00:07:37.470 Jim Buchanan: The federal troops, they didn’t have a stockade they will go out and drop a stake in the ground and all that that was the deadline.

00:07:39.420 –> 00:07:41.640 Joseph McElroy: And then, how did that become part of journalism.

00:07:46.170 –> 00:07:47.430 Jim Buchanan: Managing editor have you.

00:07:50.790 –> 00:07:56.040 Joseph McElroy: Who was in that picture the Community soldier or the guy phases, the deadline.

00:07:58.020 –> 00:07:59.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah so.

00:08:03.540 –> 00:08:07.350 Joseph McElroy: On university and then went in did you major in journalism there.

00:08:08.250 –> 00:08:13.320 Jim Buchanan: They didn’t have a major I majored in communications modern journalism and I was editor of the school paper.

00:08:13.920 –> 00:08:20.580 Joseph McElroy: hmm cool when did that, not to to settle your age, but when did together.

00:08:22.200 –> 00:08:27.510 Jim Buchanan: I was there 78 to 83 so October one my junior year Western was the best three years of my life.

00:08:30.030 –> 00:08:35.010 Joseph McElroy: That was alone right yeah I mean you were contemporaries I was in Haywood county you know.

00:08:36.480 –> 00:08:40.890 Joseph McElroy: And then went off to College and the same time, you were in college so yeah We probably have.

00:08:42.030 –> 00:08:46.500 Joseph McElroy: Similar recollections of what growing up in the Western North Carolina bed.

00:08:48.720 –> 00:08:56.730 Joseph McElroy: So you know people mentioned that Western North Carolina has changed, but I don’t see that much how, what do you think, do you think it’s changed since then.

00:08:57.240 –> 00:09:00.960 Jim Buchanan: I think it’s changed a lot, you can probably remember when.

00:09:03.390 –> 00:09:06.540 Jim Buchanan: Okay, I can remember when there were no four-lane highways in Jackson county.

00:09:07.230 –> 00:09:08.100 Joseph McElroy: You know, and it was.

00:09:08.790 –> 00:09:11.940 Jim Buchanan: It was a two-hour trip from silver to Asheville.

00:09:13.200 –> 00:09:21.390 Jim Buchanan: or science or construction it’s still a two-hour trip, but you know you’re not stuck behind a logging drug going up and down balsam both ways and.

00:09:23.430 –> 00:09:25.770 Jim Buchanan: saying of course obviously there are a lot more people.

00:09:27.450 –> 00:09:37.800 Jim Buchanan: And the environment has changed over the years, honestly, I remember cutting Christmas trees down during the moment of snow every year, being able to do that for 10 years or so.

00:09:39.810 –> 00:09:51.510 Joseph McElroy: now I remember yeah I remember you know you’re going up in the mountains and getting those Christmas trees, but yeah we always meant to plant that we never did.

00:09:53.490 –> 00:09:58.950 Joseph McElroy: The you know I know that I saw the other day, you know I’m interested in.

00:10:00.330 –> 00:10:00.930 Joseph McElroy: You know.

00:10:03.300 –> 00:10:03.420 Joseph McElroy: What.

00:10:04.590 –> 00:10:17.460 Joseph McElroy: To do with this gateway is to go around the country, not only in the beauty in anesthetics, and the opportunities for fun in the mountains, but also the rich cultural history and and and the real and.

00:10:17.940 –> 00:10:32.220 Joseph McElroy: Real intelligence here, you know and sophistication of thought you know, and I just saw recently is a representative that the Southwestern Community college I think that’s in Jackson county was rated the number one Community colleges in the country that’s right.

00:10:34.590 –> 00:10:41.340 Jim Buchanan: I know a few years ago they were ready number four and it’s just a very good college it’s growing a lot of great programs.

00:10:41.760 –> 00:10:53.850 Joseph McElroy: yeah well Western being such a great university now and Southwestern I think we can say that a little bit of stereotype in the mountains is is not as on its way out, I think right.

00:10:53.910 –> 00:10:55.020 Jim Buchanan: I would, I would say so.

00:10:57.840 –> 00:11:01.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah so after Western Carolina he went on to the work.

00:11:04.680 –> 00:11:06.420 Jim Buchanan: Well, my first job was advertising.

00:11:07.830 –> 00:11:10.230 Jim Buchanan: For oh I’m sorry you broke up a little bit then a medical child.

00:11:12.510 –> 00:11:13.320 that’s going.

00:11:14.490 –> 00:11:32.010 Jim Buchanan: Okay, an advertising salesman for 60 bucks a week and cashers then it became sports editor managing editor and went from there to the asheville times the afternoon newspaper and actually there were such things as papers that came out in the afternoon.

00:11:34.530 –> 00:11:35.940 Jim Buchanan: It was a great job and I.

00:11:37.050 –> 00:11:53.850 Jim Buchanan: went from there, the times merge with the citizen, the morning paper and I worked there for 29 years I was a copy editor columnist in a pro football column for a while, was on the editorial board for 20 years and I was editorial page editor for eight.

00:11:55.620 –> 00:11:59.340 Joseph McElroy: What was your proudest moment at the paper.

00:12:03.000 –> 00:12:04.080 Jim Buchanan: You know, we.

00:12:05.430 –> 00:12:07.290 Jim Buchanan: We were involved with some.

00:12:09.450 –> 00:12:13.110 Jim Buchanan: Law enforcement authorities who were doing the right thing, one of the.

00:12:14.520 –> 00:12:23.070 Jim Buchanan: was running a gaming operation and running the other gaming operators out of business and he wound up in federal prison.

00:12:27.540 –> 00:12:30.870 Jim Buchanan: And, being an advocate for the area.

00:12:32.070 –> 00:12:39.690 Jim Buchanan: There was a time the local National Guard unit, they were going to take away their humvees and we raised hell about that.

00:12:42.480 –> 00:12:42.840 Jim Buchanan: got.

00:12:44.580 –> 00:12:49.020 Jim Buchanan: Governor Mark Easley real mad at me the cold a special session to bring a.

00:12:50.280 –> 00:13:06.600 Jim Buchanan: business to North Carolina I think it was like 2.5 billion and incentives and we’ve just been hit with two hurricanes in 2004 up here in the mountains and we’re just devastated and they didn’t call a special session for that and we took the mark off of him.

00:13:09.120 –> 00:13:09.570 Jim Buchanan: Some good.

00:13:10.320 –> 00:13:15.360 Joseph McElroy: That sounds like it was good, a good thing to do, yeah it was tough.

00:13:15.630 –> 00:13:19.050 Jim Buchanan: You know people tell their own stories and we just report on.

00:13:19.590 –> 00:13:22.290 Joseph McElroy: And there’s strong journalism in the smoky mountains and.

00:13:22.290 –> 00:13:23.010 Jim Buchanan: I really.

00:13:23.310 –> 00:13:24.660 Joseph McElroy: I really appreciate that.

00:13:26.850 –> 00:13:35.430 Joseph McElroy: Well, we will take a break down when we come back we’ll talk about some other things, and in your career and then we’ll get into your book all right.

00:13:35.730 –> 00:13:36.270 Jim Buchanan: Very good.

00:15:54.150 –> 00:16:02.820 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Jim Buchanan.

00:16:06.810 –> 00:16:07.140 Joseph McElroy: four.

00:16:08.400 –> 00:16:16.890 Joseph McElroy: Times, and then you decided to move off into small-town world what makes what caused that to happen, you end up with it Silva, the newspaper.

00:16:19.080 –> 00:16:19.980 Joseph McElroy: Hope so you’re muted.

00:16:23.100 –> 00:16:23.730 Joseph McElroy: you’re muted.

00:16:25.050 –> 00:16:25.440 Joseph McElroy: unmute.

00:16:27.840 –> 00:16:29.190 Jim Buchanan: Okay i’m now unmuted

00:16:32.160 –> 00:16:35.490 Jim Buchanan: I was, I was downsized RON says and surprised.

00:16:37.290 –> 00:16:45.540 Jim Buchanan: The corporate parents of the citizen times lesson were eliminated so wound up over and Silva I’ll do the editorial page.

00:16:46.650 –> 00:17:05.340 Jim Buchanan: I do the history page, you know just whatever needs to be done it’s a family own newspaper been there 94 years I believe and we’ve been through Coleman we’re still going strong and Tom I’m a very rapidly there they let me play and I love it.

00:17:06.240 –> 00:17:06.630 So.

00:17:08.730 –> 00:17:12.270 Joseph McElroy: And you also have the history-themed article lets you do is that right.

00:17:12.780 –> 00:17:13.260 Jim Buchanan: yep yep.

00:17:13.890 –> 00:17:14.700 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.

00:17:15.810 –> 00:17:16.920 Joseph McElroy: How did you get into history.

00:17:18.600 –> 00:17:22.980 Jim Buchanan: Here, honestly, probably by growing up and sitting on Porches and listening to the old-timers.

00:17:24.570 –> 00:17:30.300 Jim Buchanan: Just just got fascinated in it and I took every history class I could in college.

00:17:31.320 –> 00:17:36.000 Jim Buchanan: I’ve read every book I could read about a variety of topics and.

00:17:37.050 –> 00:17:42.720 Jim Buchanan: it’s like so many other things, the more you learn the more you realize you don’t know.

00:17:43.260 –> 00:17:51.960 Joseph McElroy: yeah I love those old-timers telling those history and a lot of times it’s a tall tale they do a little bit of exaggeration here the mountains right.

00:17:53.430 –> 00:17:53.940 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:17:54.090 –> 00:17:55.230 Jim Buchanan: Sometimes they don’t have to.

00:17:56.310 –> 00:18:03.870 Joseph McElroy: No, sometimes they don’t but you know when they talk about falling into the water and not like the pants because it came up.

00:18:07.020 –> 00:18:07.740 Joseph McElroy: In the Cup.

00:18:08.820 –> 00:18:11.910 Joseph McElroy: Is you sort of figure out maybe that’s a little bit of exaggeration.

00:18:15.000 –> 00:18:17.280 Joseph McElroy: A little bit so so.

00:18:18.330 –> 00:18:22.290 Joseph McElroy: You know the final question I just think this is sort of a.

00:18:23.820 –> 00:18:33.090 Joseph McElroy: You know the question about just the United States in general and I don’t know how far you want to go into it, but us we’ve all seen you’ve seen especially massive changes in journalism.

00:18:33.570 –> 00:18:49.860 Joseph McElroy: World during the course of your career and with the advent of online news and the demise the yeah the I don’t know if its demise the right word, but the diminishment of the hardcopy industry, what do you think is the future.

00:18:52.110 –> 00:18:56.820 Jim Buchanan: No, I do know that a democracy depends upon an informed citizenry.

00:18:57.930 –> 00:18:59.640 Jim Buchanan: does not work without it and.

00:19:01.710 –> 00:19:07.350 Jim Buchanan: I think the past year or so has been pretty good evidence that we are not all reading from the same playbook.

00:19:08.730 –> 00:19:16.050 Jim Buchanan: there’s not an agreed-on a base set of facts that everyone can work from you got problems.

00:19:16.800 –> 00:19:29.190 Joseph McElroy: yeah I mean, I think the challenge of our times as to how do we control and channel misinformation without becoming.

00:19:29.700 –> 00:19:44.850 Joseph McElroy: You know, a suppression of free speech that’s a really difficult puzzle to solve right yeah alright, so we loved your book historic tales of Silva and Jackson county I got the peek at a little bit I’m going to read the whole thing.

00:19:46.230 –> 00:19:49.440 Joseph McElroy: So, how did you decide to write that book and get it published.

00:19:51.810 –> 00:19:53.010 Jim Buchanan: Okay i’ll tell you a story.

00:19:53.430 –> 00:19:54.030 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:19:55.200 –> 00:20:05.760 Jim Buchanan: gentlemen who grew up above me was named Early Deeds Early at about a half an acre garden down by the creek and plot it with a meal every year till he was 92 years old.

00:20:07.710 –> 00:20:14.580 Jim Buchanan: growing up and hey we’re county I’m sure you’re aware of the connection mountain folks have other boards, he was down every day.

00:20:15.720 –> 00:20:18.060 Jim Buchanan: As corn was starting to hit crows came in.

00:20:19.410 –> 00:20:29.730 Jim Buchanan: So he started a scarecrow and he goes down everyday mess with that stuff the body put bands on it, but I had on it send it in a lawn chair.

00:20:31.020 –> 00:20:33.930 Jim Buchanan: This other old fellow lived up the road.

00:20:35.370 –> 00:20:39.060 Jim Buchanan: He stood out with him and dad when I was young, I thought he’s the sweetest guy in the world.

00:20:40.140 –> 00:20:44.280 Jim Buchanan: turns out he had a temper and he was going around saying he’s gonna whip early.

00:20:45.540 –> 00:20:46.230 Jim Buchanan: Because but.

00:20:47.310 –> 00:20:52.590 Jim Buchanan: And somebody said well why does every time I go by the garden or throw my hand up some best number waves.

00:20:56.190 –> 00:20:56.610 Jim Buchanan: and

00:20:58.110 –> 00:21:03.150 Jim Buchanan: I kept hearing these stories in places like hospice and nursing homes.

00:21:04.470 –> 00:21:09.030 Jim Buchanan: And people die that mortality rate is pegged at 100%.

00:21:10.200 –> 00:21:12.840 Jim Buchanan: That stories don’t have to and stories can tell us a lot.

00:21:13.440 –> 00:21:26.700 Jim Buchanan: Right yeah it’s this isn’t a straight-up history book The history kind of rubs off on me of that you know tells her that you know the importance of the connection to the land, you know the importance of manners.

00:21:28.080 –> 00:21:28.620 So.

00:21:30.870 –> 00:21:31.920 Jim Buchanan: I felt the duty.

00:21:32.610 –> 00:21:33.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:21:33.540 –> 00:21:36.540 Jim Buchanan: I had enough talent, but the stories down and.

00:21:37.710 –> 00:21:44.400 Jim Buchanan: So it became sort of a bucket list thing I did I was fortunate enough to get folks from are history press said yeah we’ll publish it.

00:21:45.450 –> 00:21:48.570 Jim Buchanan: started as a series of columns and the soul, Harold.

00:21:49.590 –> 00:21:53.820 Jim Buchanan: And wrap those together into the book and they helped me and.

00:21:54.900 –> 00:22:06.420 Jim Buchanan: folks at Western Carolina university library digital collections they helped me, along with finding some artwork to go with it and son of a gun they published it, what do you know.

00:22:08.130 –> 00:22:09.540 Jim Buchanan: And so the stories are saying.

00:22:10.020 –> 00:22:11.610 Joseph McElroy: If I see, I saw them.

00:22:12.630 –> 00:22:14.970 Joseph McElroy: But that’s that means it’s gonna be around forever now.

00:22:16.440 –> 00:22:25.320 Joseph McElroy: So we’re good so um you know it’s on Amazon now right and I was looking at it and you know being it being I might my.

00:22:26.010 –> 00:22:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Businesses Internet I saw you there one of the featured snippets was is that you know the stories about the coral and about the Internet is not much different than the coral and they had about electric lines you have a story about that was their story in a book about that.

00:22:43.260 –> 00:22:54.120 Jim Buchanan: yeah when I was very young, there was a gentleman up at the end of the creek who didn’t have electricity and my father stopped by with me until one day.

00:22:55.440 –> 00:23:04.380 Jim Buchanan: He decided to try to talk them into it and you could tell he was not going to win the argument, the guy had never had it, therefore, felt he did not need it to him.

00:23:05.850 –> 00:23:18.690 Jim Buchanan: Why would you want it to be live at 85 years I would say, by that time without it, and so it was just an encumbrance to him don’t have a modern miracle I like it, I don’t understand it.

00:23:19.680 –> 00:23:20.070 Joseph McElroy: But I.

00:23:20.490 –> 00:23:23.190 Jim Buchanan: I favor electricity I’m pro electricity.

00:23:25.980 –> 00:23:37.440 Joseph McElroy: I’m sort of pro electricity there, but I, you know I guess the back, then the slight differences is that he didn’t make up a conspiracy or believe in a conspiracy was just based upon he was honest about his personal preferences right.

00:23:37.530 –> 00:23:38.190 Jim Buchanan: No, no.

00:23:38.670 –> 00:23:40.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah, whereas the Internet now.

00:23:42.090 –> 00:23:48.450 Joseph McElroy: It might be well and that’s going to bring in you know dangerous things into this area we don’t want it yeah.

00:23:49.680 –> 00:23:52.980 Joseph McElroy: or go radio waves, the radio waves will cause cancer.

00:23:53.550 –> 00:23:56.520 Jim Buchanan: Well, again you’re familiar with this area, we would love international.

00:23:59.580 –> 00:24:00.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I.

00:24:02.400 –> 00:24:06.630 Joseph McElroy: You know I, I get the motel and I try to you know.

00:24:09.300 –> 00:24:16.470 Joseph McElroy: In both the place does, but you know still you know there’s got to know that I have to that is just dead right.

00:24:16.560 –> 00:24:21.990 Joseph McElroy: And now it’s like in the search have great Internet in the mountains, is a little bit of a challenge.

00:24:23.040 –> 00:24:26.490 Joseph McElroy: that’s why you know just spend so much to try and get it.

00:24:27.630 –> 00:24:27.930 Joseph McElroy: But.

00:24:29.190 –> 00:24:36.480 Joseph McElroy: They still haven’t arguments about it little local companies against the government everything else so it’s a story that resonates well.

00:24:37.980 –> 00:24:39.090 Joseph McElroy: Was this your first book.

00:24:39.870 –> 00:24:40.770 Jim Buchanan: Good was.

00:24:41.160 –> 00:24:57.690 Jim Buchanan: yeah now I was a little surprised at the reaction that Oh, he wrote a book because you know I’ve been a column us in a router for 40 years so I’ve seen my name in print and the thrill is gone the new has worn off, but.

00:24:58.920 –> 00:25:05.190 Jim Buchanan: I didn’t think there was that much of a difference in the format of a newspaper and a book, but you have to leave the rest.

00:25:07.710 –> 00:25:09.270 Jim Buchanan: So yeah that’s my first.

00:25:09.270 –> 00:25:09.630 and

00:25:10.860 –> 00:25:11.340 Joseph McElroy: He.

00:25:13.980 –> 00:25:18.780 Joseph McElroy: Did you have never had the urge to write a book before or the idea is that everything your head and.

00:25:19.770 –> 00:25:20.940 Jim Buchanan: I toyed with it, but.

00:25:20.970 –> 00:25:22.950 Jim Buchanan: You know I’m I’m a short form guy.

00:25:23.310 –> 00:25:24.690 Jim Buchanan: yeah and.

00:25:26.580 –> 00:25:31.800 Jim Buchanan: yeah I don’t think I could write a novel you know that this is sort of a bathroom, but the real short stories.

00:25:32.130 –> 00:25:33.180 Jim Buchanan: So, again.

00:25:34.470 –> 00:25:37.380 Jim Buchanan: Not not in serial whether kind of its original format.

00:25:39.030 –> 00:25:43.350 Joseph McElroy: That means it’s perfect for the Internet age, you know, and do a kindle read.

00:25:43.920 –> 00:25:45.510 Jim Buchanan: A short attention span theater.

00:25:45.510 –> 00:25:49.530 Joseph McElroy: brother yeah yeah the micro chunk method of reading books.

00:25:52.410 –> 00:25:56.880 Joseph McElroy: So that’s cool so you wrote, I understand you wrote.

00:25:57.900 –> 00:26:00.690 Joseph McElroy: A lot of stories about your dad his friends.

00:26:01.710 –> 00:26:04.470 Joseph McElroy: And things like do you have a favorite story about your dad in the book.

00:26:05.670 –> 00:26:21.570 Jim Buchanan: Well, the one that was told us his funeral I had never heard until he was in hospice at the VA in Asheville and friend, has been over there for treatment and I happened to go see him on the frame was visiting and it was the tale of the $20 bill.

00:26:22.710 –> 00:26:27.360 Jim Buchanan: So these guys are over near the Tennessee border bear hunting.

00:26:28.710 –> 00:26:32.700 Jim Buchanan: And back now, these days, if you want to see a bear but, at the bird feeder.

00:26:34.830 –> 00:26:37.980 Jim Buchanan: You will have one of those days they were pretty rare.

00:26:39.360 –> 00:26:46.920 Jim Buchanan: And tended to hang in very remote areas I’m talking normal Berra would be a couple of hours.

00:26:48.360 –> 00:27:03.150 Jim Buchanan: let’s say an hour driving hard surface rooms and hour and a half home logging roads and then walking for hours and hours and hours trying to track, so they had done this and they found tracks in terms of dollars list dogs and after it.

00:27:05.760 –> 00:27:12.000 Jim Buchanan: didn’t catch it and so it’s getting dark and they were supposed to rendezvous with some people to pick them up.

00:27:12.720 –> 00:27:26.370 Jim Buchanan: They have shown up later, these guys didn’t get the message right a lot of assumptions of the barony that somebody would find you that didn’t know what happened so it’s dark their miles from nowhere.

00:27:27.510 –> 00:27:30.510 Jim Buchanan: And they take off up this gravel road.

00:27:31.620 –> 00:27:34.200 Jim Buchanan: And late late late they pass a house.

00:27:35.340 –> 00:27:40.350 Jim Buchanan: A house with people and a porch light on and so.

00:27:42.210 –> 00:27:52.980 Jim Buchanan: Then he tells us gentlemen offer delegate says nine that they give him 20 bucks to knock on the door see they get around out there and then you know that was probably the equivalent of 100 $200 in those days.

00:27:56.370 –> 00:28:01.380 Jim Buchanan: In between, you and I and II probably would just as soon as the author get shot themselves.

00:28:02.610 –> 00:28:04.860 Jim Buchanan: play board, so the guy goes up knocks on the door.

00:28:05.970 –> 00:28:14.220 Jim Buchanan: Woman comes to the door and author says, I just said, the first thing that came out of my mouth have one thing that all is it, ma’am, how do you like, to make $20.

00:28:18.570 –> 00:28:20.160 Jim Buchanan: They did not get a ride.

00:28:24.240 –> 00:28:29.790 Jim Buchanan: Here I think I think that was the story that really pushed me over the edge and I’ve got to do this, I gotta write these down.

00:28:30.120 –> 00:28:39.540 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah it goes great story so when we come back, I want you to tell me a few more give me a few more you have created the demand for the book.

00:28:40.860 –> 00:28:41.610 Jim Buchanan: Very good talking.

00:31:16.950 –> 00:31:29.520 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Jimmy Buchanan who’s written award-nominated book called historic tales of silver in Jackson county.

00:31:30.270 –> 00:31:38.400 Joseph McElroy: Now this book is the entire book is superb and he’s a great storyteller with a wonderfully dry a conversational style.

00:31:39.780 –> 00:31:44.130 Joseph McElroy: But we’re talking about, I think that some of the best stories are about your dad what was his name, Jim.

00:31:44.880 –> 00:31:46.590 Jim Buchanan: Howard Tatum Buchanan.

00:31:47.070 –> 00:31:50.100 Joseph McElroy: Our take the new kid and that sounds like a real name.

00:31:53.700 –> 00:31:55.320 Jim Buchanan: He grew up on tatum’s creek.

00:31:55.560 –> 00:31:56.340 Video.

00:31:57.960 –> 00:32:06.930 Joseph McElroy: So there was a story about him and you’re in history and honey and try it, oh no we just read we just did that one I was that was my notes, but we just did that one.

00:32:07.980 –> 00:32:09.900 Joseph McElroy: But you, you have a story about him.

00:32:13.890 –> 00:32:19.470 Joseph McElroy: position interesting Bob Honey oh that was pretty funny, but do you remember that one.

00:32:21.900 –> 00:32:27.390 Jim Buchanan: dad was a very energetic man and when he was after a bear he would not he wouldn’t stop.

00:32:31.170 –> 00:32:31.770 Jim Buchanan: and

00:32:33.390 –> 00:32:43.950 Jim Buchanan: I think the phrase, for it was doing a breaking is wearing somebody out and proven, you can outwork them outshoot and whatever and he did that, to a lot of people.

00:32:45.300 –> 00:32:52.350 Jim Buchanan: And I came to the conclusion that, in the long run, you know there’s the immovable force.

00:32:54.390 –> 00:32:58.260 Jim Buchanan: And the immovable object to the unstoppable force.

00:33:01.110 –> 00:33:12.150 Jim Buchanan: I just lay down because I knew it was not a patient man, I mean back in the day, we would go on trips to visit somebody that will take three hours and.

00:33:12.810 –> 00:33:25.860 Jim Buchanan: he’d be there 10 minutes, and you can tell, he starts to fidget and I’m the same way, so I figured in the long run, that slackness beats stubbornness and Sure enough, he gave up and he went on to get a better just.

00:33:27.000 –> 00:33:27.570 Jim Buchanan: me alone.

00:33:29.070 –> 00:33:31.740 Jim Buchanan: But you know he wouldn’t leave me he would always come back.

00:33:33.060 –> 00:33:33.780 Joseph McElroy: That.

00:33:34.140 –> 00:33:40.140 Joseph McElroy: leader to the these are these old hunters always had their idiosyncrasies right.

00:33:40.410 –> 00:33:42.690 Joseph McElroy: yeah my my.

00:33:43.980 –> 00:33:50.550 Joseph McElroy: My father tells me to tell about my grandfather he had this old model T and he would show dogs right.

00:33:51.270 –> 00:34:04.320 Joseph McElroy: And so, he put the dogs in the model to say you go to show in Florida right, but he always insistent upon saving gas, so he would use the gas to get up the top of the Hill, but then he returned a car off.

00:34:08.040 –> 00:34:11.220 Joseph McElroy: And then you do the same thing it all the way to flow.

00:34:17.160 –> 00:34:24.390 Joseph McElroy: So that the other ladies secrecy So is there is, can you tell us about some of your dance technical friends.

00:34:25.860 –> 00:34:30.930 Jim Buchanan: Other there was 100 and he’s still around, so I won’t name them, but we were.

00:34:32.460 –> 00:34:33.150 Jim Buchanan: way anyway.

00:34:34.920 –> 00:34:37.260 Jim Buchanan: You have to understand, I was perpetually lost.

00:34:38.340 –> 00:34:40.770 Jim Buchanan: And a lot of the places we were at.

00:34:42.720 –> 00:34:50.280 Jim Buchanan: People had not been too much, it was the phrase Horrace Kephart back and beyond.

00:34:50.820 –> 00:34:54.240 Jim Buchanan: A lot of these places, and we were crossing a little branch.

00:34:55.410 –> 00:35:01.920 Jim Buchanan: And he was trying to catch air and listen to, or the dogs were which way they were going.

00:35:03.120 –> 00:35:15.360 Jim Buchanan: And he went into this kind of dream state and he put his hand down they started making impressions in the mud around the branch, and I could tell that he was trying to imitate a bear track.

00:35:16.890 –> 00:35:19.200 Jim Buchanan: And I thought he was doing that.

00:35:20.280 –> 00:35:21.660 Jim Buchanan: Just so he could show.

00:35:22.920 –> 00:35:33.060 Jim Buchanan: You know, young ones like me what a bear trap looks like it hit me years later, he was going out and putting fake bear tracks to throw other hunters all.

00:35:35.370 –> 00:35:35.820 Jim Buchanan: there.

00:35:38.370 –> 00:35:42.360 Jim Buchanan: And you know they’re there were all types are there was a lot of big talkers.

00:35:45.360 –> 00:35:50.160 Jim Buchanan: But all of the magnitude tales, but they there was good bounce they were not.

00:35:51.690 –> 00:35:56.340 Jim Buchanan: There what you would call a violent man or anything and that was just the culture of the day.

00:35:57.000 –> 00:36:11.070 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah yeah that played out yet that I like that doing a fake it out the other hunters, so you had a best friend growing up, I understand and his father was a game board right.

00:36:11.700 –> 00:36:17.490 Jim Buchanan: yeah he was Jeff’s control and control the game warden and but, but so around living on balsam.

00:36:19.500 –> 00:36:26.010 Joseph McElroy: And you mentioned that his Defense father was likely to rest your that the time.

00:36:26.040 –> 00:36:29.550 Jim Buchanan: Was that that was our running joke is dead right arrest my dad.

00:36:30.570 –> 00:36:32.040 Jim Buchanan: Go bare bears are smart.

00:36:33.210 –> 00:36:40.590 Jim Buchanan: And you know you get over down Circo and Hornbuckle That was a legal area bear.

00:36:41.610 –> 00:36:58.590 Jim Buchanan: This out of the range, that was a legal area to have bears in between was the blue Ridge parkway where it was not a legal bear so bears habitually across that area and dogs have no sense of boundaries or anything so they would chase them and.

00:37:00.120 –> 00:37:07.560 Jim Buchanan: A bear honey was much more dog honey, you can the end I’m trying to find the dollars and again wall so.

00:37:09.300 –> 00:37:14.640 Jim Buchanan: damn would not have good respect for boundaries either once those dogs costume and he goes.

00:37:14.880 –> 00:37:16.680 Jim Buchanan: Around his dogs up until that.

00:37:17.130 –> 00:37:18.810 Jim Buchanan: That was are running gag the thief.

00:37:19.980 –> 00:37:22.560 Jim Buchanan: I don’t think that ever arrested Howard.

00:37:24.750 –> 00:37:28.680 Joseph McElroy: Did you ever go on that you mentioned, you, you did go a.

00:37:29.820 –> 00:37:30.240 Joseph McElroy: little bit.

00:37:30.690 –> 00:37:31.230 Jim Buchanan: yeah yeah.

00:37:33.960 –> 00:37:34.410 Jim Buchanan: i’m sorry.

00:37:34.770 –> 00:37:35.880 Joseph McElroy: Did you have anything else.

00:37:37.110 –> 00:37:47.670 Jim Buchanan: Well, you know what deer hunting two times and he didn’t move, and it was cold and there was the chance of getting a shot lot more deer hunters in the woods and bears.

00:37:50.250 –> 00:37:57.090 Jim Buchanan: The yeah I never considered myself a skilled bear hunter he was yes, I was a journalist for me on.

00:37:58.200 –> 00:38:05.160 Jim Buchanan: A lot to observe and watching to soak it all in and I got to go into a lot of places that do a lot of people will never say.

00:38:06.150 –> 00:38:13.050 Joseph McElroy: yeah and a lifestyle frankly that knows that yeah maybe he’s changed.

00:38:16.800 –> 00:38:18.810 Joseph McElroy: And more, but you hear the stories about.

00:38:19.980 –> 00:38:20.490 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:38:21.990 –> 00:38:22.590 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:38:23.940 –> 00:38:25.320 Joseph McElroy: Do you have plans for a sequel.

00:38:26.880 –> 00:38:28.620 Jim Buchanan: A lot of people have asked me to.

00:38:30.030 –> 00:38:32.730 Jim Buchanan: Do one and I’m toying with the idea.

00:38:35.070 –> 00:38:43.920 Jim Buchanan: of covid put a real cramp and face to face conversations, which is where are you oh God I got all those stories.

00:38:45.660 –> 00:38:50.370 Jim Buchanan: But I might there’s a lot of good stories out there.

00:38:51.390 –> 00:38:54.390 Jim Buchanan: And I’m sure you’re well aware, there are a lot of stories out there that.

00:38:55.830 –> 00:38:57.690 Jim Buchanan: can only be published, posthumously.

00:38:59.970 –> 00:39:13.500 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah some of the stories only work really well and by the person that’s telling them for who experienced them, you know it’s like I try to tell them something my dad story, so the time and I just can’t get the young.

00:39:16.980 –> 00:39:23.490 Joseph McElroy: the boy he remembers this girl here risk early right so it’s like the story right and.

00:39:24.510 –> 00:39:29.190 Joseph McElroy: It makes it much more rockets and interesting yes yeah.

00:39:32.730 –> 00:39:33.240 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:39:36.210 –> 00:39:36.570 Joseph McElroy: Do.

00:39:38.610 –> 00:39:48.120 Joseph McElroy: That was good to see you know I want to talk about some of the things that you might know you live in you’ve lived in several parts of the area right.

00:39:49.470 –> 00:39:50.910 Joseph McElroy: Around Silva around.

00:39:52.710 –> 00:40:08.970 Joseph McElroy: Asheville from you know from what do you think are some of the growing areas in the area where a lot of people going, and I know Asheville one of them, but you must have seen the Silva growing town is it becoming active.

00:40:09.270 –> 00:40:11.220 Jim Buchanan: I think solar has been discovered.

00:40:11.610 –> 00:40:14.370 Jim Buchanan: yeah combination of Covid and.

00:40:14.670 –> 00:40:16.530 Jim Buchanan: Frankly, people living in use and who are.

00:40:16.530 –> 00:40:18.960 Jim Buchanan: tired of hurricanes and.

00:40:19.140 –> 00:40:21.390 Jim Buchanan: are nearly tired of not an hour in the winter.

00:40:22.680 –> 00:40:24.360 Jim Buchanan: Texans are coming this way.

00:40:25.620 –> 00:40:26.880 Jim Buchanan: And Ashville

00:40:28.200 –> 00:40:31.230 Jim Buchanan: As explosion it’s reaching its carrion point I do.

00:40:31.230 –> 00:40:31.800 Believe.

00:40:32.880 –> 00:40:33.330 Joseph McElroy: I mean.

00:40:35.220 –> 00:40:37.860 Joseph McElroy: growing up, I don’t remember traffic jams, do you.

00:40:40.020 –> 00:40:42.270 Jim Buchanan: know that didn’t involve logging drugs.

00:40:42.300 –> 00:40:45.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah or boulders falling off the side of the.

00:40:45.360 –> 00:40:46.050 Jim Buchanan: ball yeah.

00:40:49.320 –> 00:40:54.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah I know I enjoy you know the silvers that got that nice little.

00:40:55.860 –> 00:41:03.660 Joseph McElroy: Now they would impress me about films you on Main Street you got three bookstores and it’s a small town right.

00:41:03.900 –> 00:41:09.000 Joseph McElroy: yeah I’ve got plenty of bookstores and great little restaurants they’re.

00:41:09.000 –> 00:41:11.820 Jim Buchanan: Doing the most gorgeous library in the country.

00:41:11.940 –> 00:41:14.880 Jim Buchanan: yeah Oh, have you been in there and they’ll courthouse.

00:41:14.910 –> 00:41:16.500 Jim Buchanan: They did such a wonderful job.

00:41:16.500 –> 00:41:16.860 there.

00:41:19.200 –> 00:41:28.050 Joseph McElroy: The architecture, there really is it’s picturesque so you know I went there I brought a whole bunch of people down from New York.

00:41:29.460 –> 00:41:32.970 Joseph McElroy: And then you know they had that the clips right.

00:41:33.330 –> 00:41:34.110 Jim Buchanan: And they yeah.

00:41:34.380 –> 00:41:36.060 Joseph McElroy: they.

00:41:36.660 –> 00:41:43.710 Joseph McElroy: They shut down, you know, the main street and some of the side streets and you could come there, and you could lay down the streets.

00:41:43.980 –> 00:41:57.750 Joseph McElroy: And you can you know they made a big deal of you sit back and watch the eclipse and then they had a university professor doing you know doing talking about it until loudspeakers along with entertainment stuff they really did it right.

00:41:57.840 –> 00:41:58.500 Jim Buchanan: Right and.

00:41:58.590 –> 00:41:59.220 Joseph McElroy: It was like.

00:41:59.310 –> 00:42:15.090 Joseph McElroy: A most combination of you know, this girl I’m saying this girl too much experience in life, you know, at the same time, you get really well educated, the same time, so I’m highly impressed still it so.

00:42:16.170 –> 00:42:17.490 Jim Buchanan: Well, and I don’t know about you know.

00:42:17.760 –> 00:42:18.840 Joseph McElroy: The various.

00:42:19.200 –> 00:42:22.830 Jim Buchanan: Honeywell about the eclipse, but that was such an experience.

00:42:24.150 –> 00:42:25.680 Jim Buchanan: I mean that was spiritual.

00:42:26.160 –> 00:42:35.490 Joseph McElroy: And was you know everything going dark you know you don’t believe it but boom there where it did it now, is it was totally

00:42:36.150 –> 00:42:44.370 Joseph McElroy: And then being in the mountains, there you know the bird started going to sleep or whatever it was everybody was confused, but it was good.

00:42:46.680 –> 00:42:48.300 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna come back.

00:42:49.740 –> 00:43:01.110 Joseph McElroy: you’re going to tell you to have to tell me some of your favorite things to do where you’ve been now in the area where you live now and yeah what visitors might enjoy in Western North Carolina they would.

00:43:01.770 –> 00:43:02.310 Jim Buchanan: You got it.

00:45:35.490 –> 00:45:45.090 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back for the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Jim Buchanan so Jim you know.

00:45:45.780 –> 00:45:53.910 Joseph McElroy: you’ve had you’ve lived in Ashville and working Silva and you’ve been or you grew up in Jackson County and you’ve been a lot of different places.

00:45:54.870 –> 00:46:07.050 Joseph McElroy: How are you are now live in a small little town called Clyde and Haywood County, which is about a hop skip and a jump to where I’m sitting right now and Maggie Valley, how did you end up moving there.

00:46:08.250 –> 00:46:13.350 Jim Buchanan: I was working in Ashville and my wife was teaching in Jackson county so we split the difference.

00:46:13.650 –> 00:46:15.600 Joseph McElroy: haha, what do you like about it

00:46:16.800 –> 00:46:20.220 Jim Buchanan: a good family Community quiet.

00:46:21.660 –> 00:46:22.830 Jim Buchanan: But it’s close to everything.

00:46:26.280 –> 00:46:37.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s got a nice little squirt very little Pinterest that tiny little downtown yeah yeah you know I don’t know if you know is famous for a back like 40 years ago.

00:46:38.460 –> 00:46:45.000 Joseph McElroy: wow This is a long time if ever used to be the only seafood restaurant, on top of the hill right before you go onto the highway.

00:46:45.060 –> 00:46:46.650 Jim Buchanan: Going I remember that it burned down.

00:46:46.830 –> 00:46:54.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah everybody went there to get seafood it was really good I can remember that I don’t know what happened that, but that was I love going to that.

00:46:54.900 –> 00:46:56.400 Jim Buchanan: It was also in a fire but.

00:46:56.430 –> 00:47:02.220 Jim Buchanan: You know, for a small town that say, we have a great seafood assignment and tells.

00:47:02.550 –> 00:47:05.040 Joseph McElroy: You do you have like you have an old.

00:47:06.120 –> 00:47:08.310 Joseph McElroy: seafood we go by seafood right.

00:47:08.340 –> 00:47:10.920 Jim Buchanan: Now they’ve been there 51 years, I think.

00:47:11.670 –> 00:47:14.340 Joseph McElroy: They probably had something to do with that seafood restaurant probably.

00:47:14.460 –> 00:47:18.330 Jim Buchanan: yeah did the guy who founded it he would go down and shrimp on the goal.

00:47:18.420 –> 00:47:19.080 And whatnot.

00:47:20.250 –> 00:47:23.190 Jim Buchanan: So they still get all the connections, you know they don’t have it then good.

00:47:24.270 –> 00:47:26.400 Joseph McElroy: yeah they got good stuff I remember that.

00:47:27.660 –> 00:47:28.350 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:47:29.460 –> 00:47:36.270 Joseph McElroy: If somebody wanted to you know I like to get people to talk about an itinerary so you know.

00:47:37.260 –> 00:47:46.500 Joseph McElroy: For the gateway smokies we’re talking to a large audience, I want to give them some things to do that they might not just find from a traditional travelogue I like talking to.

00:47:46.860 –> 00:47:52.110 Joseph McElroy: You know people from the area and get a nice idea itinerary that they would do.

00:47:52.740 –> 00:48:04.950 Joseph McElroy: In or near their hometown so if, and that would be like what to do, have for breakfast What do you do in the morning, what do you have for lunch, what do you do in the afternoon, what do you do for dinner what you do for interest payment in the evening so.

00:48:06.000 –> 00:48:14.280 Joseph McElroy: So I’ll walk you through this day in the Clyde Haywood county or surrounding areas, so what would you do for breakfast waking up and Clyde.

00:48:16.560 –> 00:48:19.020 Jim Buchanan: Bull okay I’ll give me a couple of different itineraries.

00:48:20.130 –> 00:48:21.570 Jim Buchanan: That I’ve done with people who.

00:48:21.900 –> 00:48:22.980 Jim Buchanan: are new to that all.

00:48:22.980 –> 00:48:23.370 Right.

00:48:25.140 –> 00:48:36.240 Jim Buchanan: yeah just grab some fast food head out we’ll start at the West shareholder skyway gorgeous Dr. Lewis Kilmer national forest.

00:48:37.320 –> 00:48:42.870 Jim Buchanan: Some of the biggest trees you’ll ever see and that was that was very common back in the day, but.

00:48:44.340 –> 00:48:47.430 Jim Buchanan: They were cutting the chest up like taking care of the other ones.

00:48:48.870 –> 00:48:56.100 Jim Buchanan: Fontana damn largest damn and the East very imposing structure that way coming back this way.

00:48:57.540 –> 00:48:59.610 Jim Buchanan: Nana HALO is gorgeous.

00:49:01.950 –> 00:49:13.020 Jim Buchanan: there’s a little road I won’t I won’t name the name of because I would like, for it to be kind of hidden sell at 14 miles a mostly paved logging road that goes my

00:49:16.020 –> 00:49:24.780 Jim Buchanan: Oh shoot, who was at the bar trick trail goes by the bar control which comes out in their Nana hey will leg and then come about this way further.

00:49:25.500 –> 00:49:43.080 Jim Buchanan: Nebraska City and go to deep creek go to urban there are the waters, of course, it’s kind of pack for lunch I would enter neighbors drive-in a B E RS Ross and city it’s an old fashioned diamond you pull up you hit the button the order, and so my brings food out to you.

00:49:45.030 –> 00:49:51.390 Jim Buchanan: And coming back this way of course Cataloochee you remember when Cataloochee was you can almost have it to yourself.

00:49:51.870 –> 00:49:57.000 Jim Buchanan: Right and the elk a man and it’s kind of like Disney world but it’s still a cool place to get into.

00:49:58.080 –> 00:50:03.930 Jim Buchanan: You know I used to recommend Max patch my experience has been loved to death right now.

00:50:04.770 –> 00:50:06.360 Joseph McElroy: it’s temporary close right.

00:50:06.480 –> 00:50:07.290 Jim Buchanan: Yes, it is.

00:50:09.270 –> 00:50:09.630 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:50:09.750 –> 00:50:16.200 Jim Buchanan: Not longer than five years ago, you can go up there, and almost be by yourself, but it was discovered rapidly.

00:50:17.640 –> 00:50:22.050 Jim Buchanan: I know sounds trite but if you’ve never been to the Biltmore house go to the Biltmore house.

00:50:23.250 –> 00:50:24.120 Jim Buchanan: History their.

00:50:24.540 –> 00:50:25.740 Jim Buchanan: a brand with a one-time.

00:50:27.450 –> 00:50:33.630 Jim Buchanan: Ground the rounds are beautiful I got some good restaurants there Hello 12 bones restaurant.

00:50:34.680 –> 00:50:36.360 Jim Buchanan: In the Asheville, that’s where I.

00:50:37.920 –> 00:50:41.940 Jim Buchanan: Think Obama made two trips actual That was the first place, he went both times.

00:50:42.150 –> 00:50:43.710 Joseph McElroy: Great Barbecue great barbeque

00:50:43.980 –> 00:50:46.080 Jim Buchanan: Wonderful world with you and that.

00:50:47.430 –> 00:50:51.120 Jim Buchanan: Neither nor I would come back going to watermark knob watch the sunset.

00:50:51.720 –> 00:50:52.500 Joseph McElroy: There yo.

00:50:52.650 –> 00:50:55.230 Jim Buchanan: get up the next day walk around late June Alaska.

00:50:57.090 –> 00:50:58.980 Jim Buchanan: And just enjoy the little things.

00:50:59.790 –> 00:51:02.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah I sound like.

00:51:03.390 –> 00:51:04.380 Joseph McElroy: ideal.

00:51:05.490 –> 00:51:08.400 Joseph McElroy: adventure now, what do you think is the.

00:51:09.930 –> 00:51:18.600 Joseph McElroy: I mean there’s a number of amusements that run in the area I’m sure you’ve seen him over the years from the Asheville area and.

00:51:22.440 –> 00:51:32.910 Joseph McElroy: What do you think is the best one or the one that’s yeah that maybe kids would like the most and it’s most well taken care of and it’s really worthwhile experience.

00:51:33.630 –> 00:51:36.720 Jim Buchanan: Okay, you broke up a little bit, could you quickly rephrase the question.

00:51:36.750 –> 00:51:39.300 Joseph McElroy: What would you think is the best amusement park in the area.

00:51:41.010 –> 00:51:43.110 Jim Buchanan: Well, you go Sam was open again in it.

00:51:43.680 –> 00:51:45.570 Joseph McElroy: No, not yet nope okay.

00:51:46.920 –> 00:51:48.330 Jim Buchanan: Oh boy amusement park.

00:51:49.380 –> 00:52:00.540 Joseph McElroy: Oh there’s the railroads there’s you know you got away the Dollywood I mean those are big commercial ones, are you go to I think they’re saying island still out Cherokee there’s.

00:52:00.960 –> 00:52:02.460 Jim Buchanan: I think I think that’s still open.

00:52:04.470 –> 00:52:07.320 Jim Buchanan: For Mrs so cozy that was wrong.

00:52:08.580 –> 00:52:11.910 Joseph McElroy: And Maggie Valley to soak I know there’s no zoom down, it was.

00:52:12.150 –> 00:52:12.450 Jim Buchanan: It was.

00:52:13.260 –> 00:52:15.420 Jim Buchanan: US care found a good rattlesnake that.

00:52:17.760 –> 00:52:19.350 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know charity they.

00:52:21.000 –> 00:52:22.170 Joseph McElroy: Bear wrestling.

00:52:23.220 –> 00:52:25.140 Joseph McElroy: I don’t think they even allow that kind of stuff.

00:52:26.520 –> 00:52:33.990 Jim Buchanan: But it was like a theme park, I will do some rafting I know that’s not a theme park per se.

00:52:35.040 –> 00:52:48.090 Joseph McElroy: Now banana halos got some great rafting places to you know, like centers to go rafting and sodas a pitch river in Gatlinburg area right, I think.

00:52:48.450 –> 00:52:51.000 Jim Buchanan: I mean I love, I would take the kids and the arboretum.

00:52:51.600 –> 00:52:52.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:52:52.380 –> 00:52:56.460 Jim Buchanan: an actual you know you can read to segue around there, but then creek and.

00:52:57.690 –> 00:52:59.340 Jim Buchanan: We will see some wildlife.

00:52:59.910 –> 00:53:00.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:53:00.690 –> 00:53:03.630 Jim Buchanan: You might be a copperhead, but you will see some model, I felt that way.

00:53:05.100 –> 00:53:07.860 Jim Buchanan: The arboretum itself is a good facility.

00:53:09.150 –> 00:53:10.740 Jim Buchanan: wow that’s great guns.

00:53:12.720 –> 00:53:14.400 Jim Buchanan: And boy was to take a kid.

00:53:14.550 –> 00:53:16.680 Jim Buchanan: yeah just take him to the smokies repeat.

00:53:16.680 –> 00:53:18.270 Joseph McElroy: A managed by.

00:53:19.080 –> 00:53:19.530 So.

00:53:22.710 –> 00:53:25.620 Joseph McElroy: quick question best fly fishing spot.

00:53:27.540 –> 00:53:30.120 Jim Buchanan: You know I wasn’t always a warm fisherman.

00:53:30.330 –> 00:53:30.930 Okay.

00:53:32.550 –> 00:53:33.630 Joseph McElroy: One fishing spot.

00:53:35.760 –> 00:53:37.470 Jim Buchanan: But I have observed a fly fisherman.

00:53:38.370 –> 00:53:39.630 Jim Buchanan: The talk of CG.

00:53:40.770 –> 00:53:44.580 Jim Buchanan: Between Callaway and bills bro you just can’t be that.

00:53:45.180 –> 00:53:57.240 Joseph McElroy: Good all right So how do people follow you read more about you that sort of thing gets your book any shout outs, you want to give to where people connect with you.

00:53:58.320 –> 00:54:00.600 Jim Buchanan: First of all, the city lights the bookstore and so.

00:54:01.890 –> 00:54:06.630 Jim Buchanan: how’s the book to connect to this in the summer websites, I mean email.

00:54:08.130 –> 00:54:10.800 Jim Buchanan: I am on Facebook, and I rarely post.

00:54:12.840 –> 00:54:13.740 Joseph McElroy: what’s your website.

00:54:14.370 –> 00:54:17.220 Jim Buchanan: Oh, I don’t have a website, I am on Facebook, but.

00:54:17.310 –> 00:54:21.630 Jim Buchanan: Okay, I almost never actually made my first post in about three years.

00:54:22.920 –> 00:54:23.610 Jim Buchanan: Sunday.

00:54:24.660 –> 00:54:27.030 Jim Buchanan: Somebody put up a map of the national parks.

00:54:28.080 –> 00:54:30.060 Jim Buchanan: and which ones, have you visited and what state.

00:54:31.830 –> 00:54:34.650 Jim Buchanan: They located the smokies entirely in Tennessee.

00:54:35.820 –> 00:54:37.410 Joseph McElroy: So that’s not right, yes.

00:54:37.410 –> 00:54:41.220 Jim Buchanan: I’m a little touchy about our half in North Carolina you’re.

00:54:41.220 –> 00:54:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Over 51% so we were the original gateway to the smokies.

00:54:46.290 –> 00:54:48.030 Jim Buchanan: And we got out market and buy.

00:54:49.350 –> 00:54:50.490 Jim Buchanan: all there is to it.

00:54:50.760 –> 00:54:54.210 Joseph McElroy: Exactly, so I want to thank you very much.

00:54:55.770 –> 00:54:58.020 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank you very much for being on the show.

00:54:59.760 –> 00:55:10.050 Joseph McElroy: I’m a read more of your book and I highly recommend what I, from what I read I highly recommended, and you know Bob Plot asked you to be on the show because he was really impressed with you, but you had written so.

00:55:11.250 –> 00:55:12.480 Jim Buchanan: Tom price yeah.

00:55:12.540 –> 00:55:13.050 cool.

00:55:14.070 –> 00:55:20.220 Joseph McElroy: This is the gateway to smoke these podcasts you can find out more about us at the gatewaytothesmokies.fun

00:55:23.880 –> 00:55:30.180 Joseph McElroy: facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast.

00:55:31.230 –> 00:55:45.360 Joseph McElroy: This is part of the talkradio.NYC network, where you will see a lot of shows live podcast about multiple subjects, right after this shows one about exploring New York, so you can go right from.

00:55:45.990 –> 00:55:51.600 Joseph McElroy: You know, Rural North Carolina to the most urban city on the planet and I have lived in both places.

00:55:53.040 –> 00:56:03.180 Joseph McElroy: And I can recommend highly both of these I’m always here every week from six to seven on Tuesdays to talk about the smokies.

00:56:04.200 –> 00:56:19.170 Joseph McElroy: To promote you know the culture of the area and opportunities for visiting in a meaningful and in-depth manner to create memorable experiences and I thank you for listening and I’ll see you next week.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/233659908637698/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/225129539_233660005304355_9128098352093208788_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=L0Syuy2QjxwAX-8E2gq&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63024402&oh=00_AT8s4IArII0hMQ6ptbczkewjuANn3TdEiKDKpF-t7S4QLw&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is <strong>Jim Buchanan, </strong>Award-winning Journalist, and Author, now living in Clyde, North Carolina. He has worked for the Asheville Citizen-Times and currently is a journalist for the Sylva Herald in Sylva, N.C. Jim also had a wonderful book published by the History Press earlier this year. We will talk about his book.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/e39b8abf-4cb7-426c-827f-565623b8b2bd/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="http://talkradionyc.msnd26.com/tracking/lc/55a823b6-3838-404f-b133-bd448f75a057/f11cbce9-fc3b-4426-81b4-cdefcddbb9df/f25fc686-2a52-46eb-9d50-40591187f976/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here</strong></a>.</p><p><br></p><p>SHOW NOTES:</p><p><strong>Segment 1</strong></p><p>Today’s show starts off with a great introduction to tonight’s special guest: Jim Buchanan. Jim introduces himself, explaining his family roots in the Carolinas and the Great Smoky Mountains. Jim and host <a href="mailto:joseph@galileotechmedia.com" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a>, share fun facts and tidbits about history relating to their families and their shared commonalities. We get to learn more about Jim when he was young in college and what he was involved in that got him to where he is now, including when he worked for an afternoon newspaper that worked hard to expose the truth and tell people&#39;s stories.</p><p><strong>Segment 2</strong></p><p> Coming back from the break, Jim shares how he transitioned from a corporate industry to a smaller more local newspaper. The conversation turns to journalism as a whole. Although journalism is a diminishing industry, Jim believes that newspapers and journalism is an important part of keeping citizens informed and therefore, keeping the government running and the nation together. The two then start talking about Jim’s book. They discuss the reaction that came from Jim’s book from close friends and a wider audience. Jim then explains his origins and inspiration for his book.</p><p><strong>Segment 3</strong></p><p>Jim tells stories that he drew inspiration from for his book. He was once lost with someone while going bear hunting years ago and this story ended up having a funny ending. The story gave insight on what the hunting culture was like back in the day and how Jim would often get lost. Joseph asked Jim about any future plans for a sequel of the book and what people can expect. Jim leaves an ambiguous answer that leaves the audience wondering if he will continue to tell all the stories that are left to tell. The two share their opinions on Silver City and how it is a growing city now that people are starting to move there. They share what they found is changing for the better and how it is a spiritual place to be. </p><p><strong>Segment 4</strong></p><p>For the last segment of tonight’s show, Joseph asks Jim how he ended up in Clyde, North Carolina. They trade local seafood hotspots and other great places to check out there. Jim shares his recommendations in and near his hometown, including places to eat, entertainment, and other sights to see.</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><span>TRANSCRIPT</span></h2><p>00:00:32.940 –&gt; 00:00:44.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:44.490 –&gt; 00:00:57.240 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains</p><p>00:01:00.960 –&gt; 00:01:12.300 Joseph McElroy: my family’s lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today’s topic is historic tales of the Western North Carolina area.</p><p>00:01:13.020 –&gt; 00:01:24.000 Joseph McElroy: But first sponsor message imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, yet modern environments, with a Chic Appalachian, feel.</p><p>00:01:24.480 –&gt; 00:01:32.070 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout stream.</p><p>00:01:32.580 –&gt; 00:01:51.960 Joseph McElroy: grill to catch on fire eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place that old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:53.310 –&gt; 00:01:57.240 Joseph McElroy: Another sponsor smokiesadventure.com</p><p>00:02:01.860 –&gt; 00:02:18.030 Joseph McElroy: the surrounding area is a vacation destination for all seasons, some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor ventures and ventures, and family entertainment can be found, right here in the smokies it’s also a great place for rustic weddings.</p><p>00:02:19.830 –&gt; 00:02:31.680 Joseph McElroy: And honeymoons and cabins in the mountains, you should start your adventure by using smokiesadventure.com explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:02:32.100 –&gt; 00:02:50.130 Joseph McElroy: trails waterfalls cades cove and more the check out the awesome family attractions and entertainment, you and your entire family can enjoy the goal are smokies adventure.com is to become the leading information portal for adventures and experiences in the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:51.270 –&gt; 00:02:54.030 Joseph McElroy: I have a few events to tell you about and then we’ll get to our guests.</p><p>00:02:55.200 –&gt; 00:02:58.380 Joseph McElroy: Coming this weekend you got the Meadowlark</p><p>00:03:02.820 –&gt; 00:03:07.830 Joseph McElroy: Deep in the band was in practice, many survival skills to create a life in the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:03:08.340 –&gt; 00:03:21.660 Joseph McElroy: This festival will celebrate an educator moose skills with live demonstrations and historic presentations learn how animal hides are tagged with actual demonstrations see a frontier CAP.</p><p>00:03:22.170 –&gt; 00:03:29.190 Joseph McElroy: learn about handicrafts like pottery and quilting experience Cherokee mastercraftsman and storytelling.</p><p>00:03:29.610 –&gt; 00:03:40.920 Joseph McElroy: blacksmith the old-time firearms and 4G are all on the agenda, there will be entertainment as well with traditional music and even exploration of Scott Scott is Irish heritage music.</p><p>00:03:41.220 –&gt; 00:03:48.120 Joseph McElroy: Of the mountain southern settlers don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience local mountain culture is most original.</p><p>00:03:49.500 –&gt; 00:03:57.960 Joseph McElroy: You can go to the Meadowlarkmotel.com and look under smokey hair smoky mountain heritage events to find out more.</p><p>00:04:02.460 –&gt; 00:04:12.900 Joseph McElroy: Campfire Kephart celebration weekend Horrace Kephart has been dead for 88 years but his name His story pulled under court undercurrent the Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:04:14.010 –&gt; 00:04:19.320 Joseph McElroy:Kephart is aclaim as the father of the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:04:19.800 –&gt; 00:04:30.690 Joseph McElroy: And outdoors means gifted with an adventurous so and the author of substate such staples a regional of literature as our southern highlanders and camping and look off.</p><p>00:04:31.620 –&gt; 00:04:41.790 Joseph McElroy: woodcraft joins us at the Meadowlark Smoky mountain Heritage Center to celebrate his life and work with ceremonies pikes stories music and historical place displays.</p><p>00:04:43.110 –&gt; 00:04:58.290 Joseph McElroy: And then, in three weeks traditional skills and naturalist weekend where you can explore ginseng granny medicine and herbs, the lower the mountain is explored and this weekend of lectures wanderings and entertainment.</p><p>00:05:02.790 –&gt; 00:05:19.020 Joseph McElroy: COM, the smoky or events listings our guest today is Jim Buchanan ,Jim is a native of Jackson county and an award-winning journalist and author now living in Clyde North Carolina.</p><p>00:05:19.620 –&gt; 00:05:33.420 Joseph McElroy: he’s worked for the Asheville citizen times and currently as a journalist for the silver Harrell and so in North Carolina, Jim’s most recent book was a nominee for the 2020 Thomas Wolfe memorial literary award hello, Jim.</p><p>00:05:33.720 –&gt; 00:05:35.250 Jim Buchanan: hey Joseph Thank you so much.</p><p>00:05:35.730 –&gt; 00:05:44.580 Joseph McElroy: Sure, thank you for coming on it’s an honor so like me your family has been having a long history in Western North Carolina how did your family end up here.</p><p>00:05:46.410 –&gt; 00:05:49.320 Jim Buchanan: Well, as here I’m sure well aware.</p><p>00:05:51.060 –&gt; 00:06:05.460 Jim Buchanan: The history becomes more afraid the further back you go, yes, I can say mom side they came from Germany in the 1833 brothers bad side, he was across the.</p><p>00:06:07.770 –&gt; 00:06:25.110 Jim Buchanan: Well, there was no state of North Carolina because there was no United States, and he was cross the border in Jackson county which was Cherokee country, and these as far back as we can price here and beyond that, we can try spot to your command one.</p><p>00:06:26.130 –&gt; 00:06:40.230 Joseph McElroy: I have, I have various answer tell me like oh we’re related to William the conqueror are related to the bonnie Prince Charles are related to any number of people you start going back to tie with it becomes everybody becomes Royal.</p><p>00:06:40.410 –&gt; 00:06:40.770 Right.</p><p>00:06:42.270 –&gt; 00:06:43.980 Jim Buchanan: And everyone has a Cherokee grandmother.</p><p>00:06:44.220 –&gt; 00:06:55.890 Joseph McElroy: And everyone has a Cherokee grandmother exactly so so how did you get started as a journalist, did you write for the school newspaper, or I feel or did it come later.</p><p>00:06:56.100 –&gt; 00:07:01.590 Jim Buchanan: I went a little bit for the school newspaper, to be honest, I think how I fell into journalism.</p><p>00:07:03.840 –&gt; 00:07:13.890 Jim Buchanan: I lived about nine miles from the high school, but it was an hour bus ride, so I started doing my homework on the bus going to school deadlines do not frighten me.</p><p>00:07:17.880 –&gt; 00:07:20.700 Jim Buchanan: A little bit of history, do you know where the word deadline comes from.</p><p>00:07:23.430 –&gt; 00:07:27.810 Jim Buchanan: From the Andersonville prison camp and the civil war in Georgia.</p><p>00:07:29.610 –&gt; 00:07:37.470 Jim Buchanan: The federal troops, they didn’t have a stockade they will go out and drop a stake in the ground and all that that was the deadline.</p><p>00:07:39.420 –&gt; 00:07:41.640 Joseph McElroy: And then, how did that become part of journalism.</p><p>00:07:46.170 –&gt; 00:07:47.430 Jim Buchanan: Managing editor have you.</p><p>00:07:50.790 –&gt; 00:07:56.040 Joseph McElroy: Who was in that picture the Community soldier or the guy phases, the deadline.</p><p>00:07:58.020 –&gt; 00:07:59.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah so.</p><p>00:08:03.540 –&gt; 00:08:07.350 Joseph McElroy: On university and then went in did you major in journalism there.</p><p>00:08:08.250 –&gt; 00:08:13.320 Jim Buchanan: They didn’t have a major I majored in communications modern journalism and I was editor of the school paper.</p><p>00:08:13.920 –&gt; 00:08:20.580 Joseph McElroy: hmm cool when did that, not to to settle your age, but when did together.</p><p>00:08:22.200 –&gt; 00:08:27.510 Jim Buchanan: I was there 78 to 83 so October one my junior year Western was the best three years of my life.</p><p>00:08:30.030 –&gt; 00:08:35.010 Joseph McElroy: That was alone right yeah I mean you were contemporaries I was in Haywood county you know.</p><p>00:08:36.480 –&gt; 00:08:40.890 Joseph McElroy: And then went off to College and the same time, you were in college so yeah We probably have.</p><p>00:08:42.030 –&gt; 00:08:46.500 Joseph McElroy: Similar recollections of what growing up in the Western North Carolina bed.</p><p>00:08:48.720 –&gt; 00:08:56.730 Joseph McElroy: So you know people mentioned that Western North Carolina has changed, but I don’t see that much how, what do you think, do you think it’s changed since then.</p><p>00:08:57.240 –&gt; 00:09:00.960 Jim Buchanan: I think it’s changed a lot, you can probably remember when.</p><p>00:09:03.390 –&gt; 00:09:06.540 Jim Buchanan: Okay, I can remember when there were no four-lane highways in Jackson county.</p><p>00:09:07.230 –&gt; 00:09:08.100 Joseph McElroy: You know, and it was.</p><p>00:09:08.790 –&gt; 00:09:11.940 Jim Buchanan: It was a two-hour trip from silver to Asheville.</p><p>00:09:13.200 –&gt; 00:09:21.390 Jim Buchanan: or science or construction it’s still a two-hour trip, but you know you’re not stuck behind a logging drug going up and down balsam both ways and.</p><p>00:09:23.430 –&gt; 00:09:25.770 Jim Buchanan: saying of course obviously there are a lot more people.</p><p>00:09:27.450 –&gt; 00:09:37.800 Jim Buchanan: And the environment has changed over the years, honestly, I remember cutting Christmas trees down during the moment of snow every year, being able to do that for 10 years or so.</p><p>00:09:39.810 –&gt; 00:09:51.510 Joseph McElroy: now I remember yeah I remember you know you’re going up in the mountains and getting those Christmas trees, but yeah we always meant to plant that we never did.</p><p>00:09:53.490 –&gt; 00:09:58.950 Joseph McElroy: The you know I know that I saw the other day, you know I’m interested in.</p><p>00:10:00.330 –&gt; 00:10:00.930 Joseph McElroy: You know.</p><p>00:10:03.300 –&gt; 00:10:03.420 Joseph McElroy: What.</p><p>00:10:04.590 –&gt; 00:10:17.460 Joseph McElroy: To do with this gateway is to go around the country, not only in the beauty in anesthetics, and the opportunities for fun in the mountains, but also the rich cultural history and and and the real and.</p><p>00:10:17.940 –&gt; 00:10:32.220 Joseph McElroy: Real intelligence here, you know and sophistication of thought you know, and I just saw recently is a representative that the Southwestern Community college I think that’s in Jackson county was rated the number one Community colleges in the country that’s right.</p><p>00:10:34.590 –&gt; 00:10:41.340 Jim Buchanan: I know a few years ago they were ready number four and it’s just a very good college it’s growing a lot of great programs.</p><p>00:10:41.760 –&gt; 00:10:53.850 Joseph McElroy: yeah well Western being such a great university now and Southwestern I think we can say that a little bit of stereotype in the mountains is is not as on its way out, I think right.</p><p>00:10:53.910 –&gt; 00:10:55.020 Jim Buchanan: I would, I would say so.</p><p>00:10:57.840 –&gt; 00:11:01.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah so after Western Carolina he went on to the work.</p><p>00:11:04.680 –&gt; 00:11:06.420 Jim Buchanan: Well, my first job was advertising.</p><p>00:11:07.830 –&gt; 00:11:10.230 Jim Buchanan: For oh I’m sorry you broke up a little bit then a medical child.</p><p>00:11:12.510 –&gt; 00:11:13.320 that’s going.</p><p>00:11:14.490 –&gt; 00:11:32.010 Jim Buchanan: Okay, an advertising salesman for 60 bucks a week and cashers then it became sports editor managing editor and went from there to the asheville times the afternoon newspaper and actually there were such things as papers that came out in the afternoon.</p><p>00:11:34.530 –&gt; 00:11:35.940 Jim Buchanan: It was a great job and I.</p><p>00:11:37.050 –&gt; 00:11:53.850 Jim Buchanan: went from there, the times merge with the citizen, the morning paper and I worked there for 29 years I was a copy editor columnist in a pro football column for a while, was on the editorial board for 20 years and I was editorial page editor for eight.</p><p>00:11:55.620 –&gt; 00:11:59.340 Joseph McElroy: What was your proudest moment at the paper.</p><p>00:12:03.000 –&gt; 00:12:04.080 Jim Buchanan: You know, we.</p><p>00:12:05.430 –&gt; 00:12:07.290 Jim Buchanan: We were involved with some.</p><p>00:12:09.450 –&gt; 00:12:13.110 Jim Buchanan: Law enforcement authorities who were doing the right thing, one of the.</p><p>00:12:14.520 –&gt; 00:12:23.070 Jim Buchanan: was running a gaming operation and running the other gaming operators out of business and he wound up in federal prison.</p><p>00:12:27.540 –&gt; 00:12:30.870 Jim Buchanan: And, being an advocate for the area.</p><p>00:12:32.070 –&gt; 00:12:39.690 Jim Buchanan: There was a time the local National Guard unit, they were going to take away their humvees and we raised hell about that.</p><p>00:12:42.480 –&gt; 00:12:42.840 Jim Buchanan: got.</p><p>00:12:44.580 –&gt; 00:12:49.020 Jim Buchanan: Governor Mark Easley real mad at me the cold a special session to bring a.</p><p>00:12:50.280 –&gt; 00:13:06.600 Jim Buchanan: business to North Carolina I think it was like 2.5 billion and incentives and we’ve just been hit with two hurricanes in 2004 up here in the mountains and we’re just devastated and they didn’t call a special session for that and we took the mark off of him.</p><p>00:13:09.120 –&gt; 00:13:09.570 Jim Buchanan: Some good.</p><p>00:13:10.320 –&gt; 00:13:15.360 Joseph McElroy: That sounds like it was good, a good thing to do, yeah it was tough.</p><p>00:13:15.630 –&gt; 00:13:19.050 Jim Buchanan: You know people tell their own stories and we just report on.</p><p>00:13:19.590 –&gt; 00:13:22.290 Joseph McElroy: And there’s strong journalism in the smoky mountains and.</p><p>00:13:22.290 –&gt; 00:13:23.010 Jim Buchanan: I really.</p><p>00:13:23.310 –&gt; 00:13:24.660 Joseph McElroy: I really appreciate that.</p><p>00:13:26.850 –&gt; 00:13:35.430 Joseph McElroy: Well, we will take a break down when we come back we’ll talk about some other things, and in your career and then we’ll get into your book all right.</p><p>00:13:35.730 –&gt; 00:13:36.270 Jim Buchanan: Very good.</p><p>00:15:54.150 –&gt; 00:16:02.820 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Jim Buchanan.</p><p>00:16:06.810 –&gt; 00:16:07.140 Joseph McElroy: four.</p><p>00:16:08.400 –&gt; 00:16:16.890 Joseph McElroy: Times, and then you decided to move off into small-town world what makes what caused that to happen, you end up with it Silva, the newspaper.</p><p>00:16:19.080 –&gt; 00:16:19.980 Joseph McElroy: Hope so you’re muted.</p><p>00:16:23.100 –&gt; 00:16:23.730 Joseph McElroy: you’re muted.</p><p>00:16:25.050 –&gt; 00:16:25.440 Joseph McElroy: unmute.</p><p>00:16:27.840 –&gt; 00:16:29.190 Jim Buchanan: Okay i’m now unmuted</p><p>00:16:32.160 –&gt; 00:16:35.490 Jim Buchanan: I was, I was downsized RON says and surprised.</p><p>00:16:37.290 –&gt; 00:16:45.540 Jim Buchanan: The corporate parents of the citizen times lesson were eliminated so wound up over and Silva I’ll do the editorial page.</p><p>00:16:46.650 –&gt; 00:17:05.340 Jim Buchanan: I do the history page, you know just whatever needs to be done it’s a family own newspaper been there 94 years I believe and we’ve been through Coleman we’re still going strong and Tom I’m a very rapidly there they let me play and I love it.</p><p>00:17:06.240 –&gt; 00:17:06.630 So.</p><p>00:17:08.730 –&gt; 00:17:12.270 Joseph McElroy: And you also have the history-themed article lets you do is that right.</p><p>00:17:12.780 –&gt; 00:17:13.260 Jim Buchanan: yep yep.</p><p>00:17:13.890 –&gt; 00:17:14.700 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.</p><p>00:17:15.810 –&gt; 00:17:16.920 Joseph McElroy: How did you get into history.</p><p>00:17:18.600 –&gt; 00:17:22.980 Jim Buchanan: Here, honestly, probably by growing up and sitting on Porches and listening to the old-timers.</p><p>00:17:24.570 –&gt; 00:17:30.300 Jim Buchanan: Just just got fascinated in it and I took every history class I could in college.</p><p>00:17:31.320 –&gt; 00:17:36.000 Jim Buchanan: I’ve read every book I could read about a variety of topics and.</p><p>00:17:37.050 –&gt; 00:17:42.720 Jim Buchanan: it’s like so many other things, the more you learn the more you realize you don’t know.</p><p>00:17:43.260 –&gt; 00:17:51.960 Joseph McElroy: yeah I love those old-timers telling those history and a lot of times it’s a tall tale they do a little bit of exaggeration here the mountains right.</p><p>00:17:53.430 –&gt; 00:17:53.940 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:17:54.090 –&gt; 00:17:55.230 Jim Buchanan: Sometimes they don’t have to.</p><p>00:17:56.310 –&gt; 00:18:03.870 Joseph McElroy: No, sometimes they don’t but you know when they talk about falling into the water and not like the pants because it came up.</p><p>00:18:07.020 –&gt; 00:18:07.740 Joseph McElroy: In the Cup.</p><p>00:18:08.820 –&gt; 00:18:11.910 Joseph McElroy: Is you sort of figure out maybe that’s a little bit of exaggeration.</p><p>00:18:15.000 –&gt; 00:18:17.280 Joseph McElroy: A little bit so so.</p><p>00:18:18.330 –&gt; 00:18:22.290 Joseph McElroy: You know the final question I just think this is sort of a.</p><p>00:18:23.820 –&gt; 00:18:33.090 Joseph McElroy: You know the question about just the United States in general and I don’t know how far you want to go into it, but us we’ve all seen you’ve seen especially massive changes in journalism.</p><p>00:18:33.570 –&gt; 00:18:49.860 Joseph McElroy: World during the course of your career and with the advent of online news and the demise the yeah the I don’t know if its demise the right word, but the diminishment of the hardcopy industry, what do you think is the future.</p><p>00:18:52.110 –&gt; 00:18:56.820 Jim Buchanan: No, I do know that a democracy depends upon an informed citizenry.</p><p>00:18:57.930 –&gt; 00:18:59.640 Jim Buchanan: does not work without it and.</p><p>00:19:01.710 –&gt; 00:19:07.350 Jim Buchanan: I think the past year or so has been pretty good evidence that we are not all reading from the same playbook.</p><p>00:19:08.730 –&gt; 00:19:16.050 Jim Buchanan: there’s not an agreed-on a base set of facts that everyone can work from you got problems.</p><p>00:19:16.800 –&gt; 00:19:29.190 Joseph McElroy: yeah I mean, I think the challenge of our times as to how do we control and channel misinformation without becoming.</p><p>00:19:29.700 –&gt; 00:19:44.850 Joseph McElroy: You know, a suppression of free speech that’s a really difficult puzzle to solve right yeah alright, so we loved your book historic tales of Silva and Jackson county I got the peek at a little bit I’m going to read the whole thing.</p><p>00:19:46.230 –&gt; 00:19:49.440 Joseph McElroy: So, how did you decide to write that book and get it published.</p><p>00:19:51.810 –&gt; 00:19:53.010 Jim Buchanan: Okay i’ll tell you a story.</p><p>00:19:53.430 –&gt; 00:19:54.030 Joseph McElroy: All right.</p><p>00:19:55.200 –&gt; 00:20:05.760 Jim Buchanan: gentlemen who grew up above me was named Early Deeds Early at about a half an acre garden down by the creek and plot it with a meal every year till he was 92 years old.</p><p>00:20:07.710 –&gt; 00:20:14.580 Jim Buchanan: growing up and hey we’re county I’m sure you’re aware of the connection mountain folks have other boards, he was down every day.</p><p>00:20:15.720 –&gt; 00:20:18.060 Jim Buchanan: As corn was starting to hit crows came in.</p><p>00:20:19.410 –&gt; 00:20:29.730 Jim Buchanan: So he started a scarecrow and he goes down everyday mess with that stuff the body put bands on it, but I had on it send it in a lawn chair.</p><p>00:20:31.020 –&gt; 00:20:33.930 Jim Buchanan: This other old fellow lived up the road.</p><p>00:20:35.370 –&gt; 00:20:39.060 Jim Buchanan: He stood out with him and dad when I was young, I thought he’s the sweetest guy in the world.</p><p>00:20:40.140 –&gt; 00:20:44.280 Jim Buchanan: turns out he had a temper and he was going around saying he’s gonna whip early.</p><p>00:20:45.540 –&gt; 00:20:46.230 Jim Buchanan: Because but.</p><p>00:20:47.310 –&gt; 00:20:52.590 Jim Buchanan: And somebody said well why does every time I go by the garden or throw my hand up some best number waves.</p><p>00:20:56.190 –&gt; 00:20:56.610 Jim Buchanan: and</p><p>00:20:58.110 –&gt; 00:21:03.150 Jim Buchanan: I kept hearing these stories in places like hospice and nursing homes.</p><p>00:21:04.470 –&gt; 00:21:09.030 Jim Buchanan: And people die that mortality rate is pegged at 100%.</p><p>00:21:10.200 –&gt; 00:21:12.840 Jim Buchanan: That stories don’t have to and stories can tell us a lot.</p><p>00:21:13.440 –&gt; 00:21:26.700 Jim Buchanan: Right yeah it’s this isn’t a straight-up history book The history kind of rubs off on me of that you know tells her that you know the importance of the connection to the land, you know the importance of manners.</p><p>00:21:28.080 –&gt; 00:21:28.620 So.</p><p>00:21:30.870 –&gt; 00:21:31.920 Jim Buchanan: I felt the duty.</p><p>00:21:32.610 –&gt; 00:21:33.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:21:33.540 –&gt; 00:21:36.540 Jim Buchanan: I had enough talent, but the stories down and.</p><p>00:21:37.710 –&gt; 00:21:44.400 Jim Buchanan: So it became sort of a bucket list thing I did I was fortunate enough to get folks from are history press said yeah we’ll publish it.</p><p>00:21:45.450 –&gt; 00:21:48.570 Jim Buchanan: started as a series of columns and the soul, Harold.</p><p>00:21:49.590 –&gt; 00:21:53.820 Jim Buchanan: And wrap those together into the book and they helped me and.</p><p>00:21:54.900 –&gt; 00:22:06.420 Jim Buchanan: folks at Western Carolina university library digital collections they helped me, along with finding some artwork to go with it and son of a gun they published it, what do you know.</p><p>00:22:08.130 –&gt; 00:22:09.540 Jim Buchanan: And so the stories are saying.</p><p>00:22:10.020 –&gt; 00:22:11.610 Joseph McElroy: If I see, I saw them.</p><p>00:22:12.630 –&gt; 00:22:14.970 Joseph McElroy: But that’s that means it’s gonna be around forever now.</p><p>00:22:16.440 –&gt; 00:22:25.320 Joseph McElroy: So we’re good so um you know it’s on Amazon now right and I was looking at it and you know being it being I might my.</p><p>00:22:26.010 –&gt; 00:22:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Businesses Internet I saw you there one of the featured snippets was is that you know the stories about the coral and about the Internet is not much different than the coral and they had about electric lines you have a story about that was their story in a book about that.</p><p>00:22:43.260 –&gt; 00:22:54.120 Jim Buchanan: yeah when I was very young, there was a gentleman up at the end of the creek who didn’t have electricity and my father stopped by with me until one day.</p><p>00:22:55.440 –&gt; 00:23:04.380 Jim Buchanan: He decided to try to talk them into it and you could tell he was not going to win the argument, the guy had never had it, therefore, felt he did not need it to him.</p><p>00:23:05.850 –&gt; 00:23:18.690 Jim Buchanan: Why would you want it to be live at 85 years I would say, by that time without it, and so it was just an encumbrance to him don’t have a modern miracle I like it, I don’t understand it.</p><p>00:23:19.680 –&gt; 00:23:20.070 Joseph McElroy: But I.</p><p>00:23:20.490 –&gt; 00:23:23.190 Jim Buchanan: I favor electricity I’m pro electricity.</p><p>00:23:25.980 –&gt; 00:23:37.440 Joseph McElroy: I’m sort of pro electricity there, but I, you know I guess the back, then the slight differences is that he didn’t make up a conspiracy or believe in a conspiracy was just based upon he was honest about his personal preferences right.</p><p>00:23:37.530 –&gt; 00:23:38.190 Jim Buchanan: No, no.</p><p>00:23:38.670 –&gt; 00:23:40.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah, whereas the Internet now.</p><p>00:23:42.090 –&gt; 00:23:48.450 Joseph McElroy: It might be well and that’s going to bring in you know dangerous things into this area we don’t want it yeah.</p><p>00:23:49.680 –&gt; 00:23:52.980 Joseph McElroy: or go radio waves, the radio waves will cause cancer.</p><p>00:23:53.550 –&gt; 00:23:56.520 Jim Buchanan: Well, again you’re familiar with this area, we would love international.</p><p>00:23:59.580 –&gt; 00:24:00.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I.</p><p>00:24:02.400 –&gt; 00:24:06.630 Joseph McElroy: You know I, I get the motel and I try to you know.</p><p>00:24:09.300 –&gt; 00:24:16.470 Joseph McElroy: In both the place does, but you know still you know there’s got to know that I have to that is just dead right.</p><p>00:24:16.560 –&gt; 00:24:21.990 Joseph McElroy: And now it’s like in the search have great Internet in the mountains, is a little bit of a challenge.</p><p>00:24:23.040 –&gt; 00:24:26.490 Joseph McElroy: that’s why you know just spend so much to try and get it.</p><p>00:24:27.630 –&gt; 00:24:27.930 Joseph McElroy: But.</p><p>00:24:29.190 –&gt; 00:24:36.480 Joseph McElroy: They still haven’t arguments about it little local companies against the government everything else so it’s a story that resonates well.</p><p>00:24:37.980 –&gt; 00:24:39.090 Joseph McElroy: Was this your first book.</p><p>00:24:39.870 –&gt; 00:24:40.770 Jim Buchanan: Good was.</p><p>00:24:41.160 –&gt; 00:24:57.690 Jim Buchanan: yeah now I was a little surprised at the reaction that Oh, he wrote a book because you know I’ve been a column us in a router for 40 years so I’ve seen my name in print and the thrill is gone the new has worn off, but.</p><p>00:24:58.920 –&gt; 00:25:05.190 Jim Buchanan: I didn’t think there was that much of a difference in the format of a newspaper and a book, but you have to leave the rest.</p><p>00:25:07.710 –&gt; 00:25:09.270 Jim Buchanan: So yeah that’s my first.</p><p>00:25:09.270 –&gt; 00:25:09.630 and</p><p>00:25:10.860 –&gt; 00:25:11.340 Joseph McElroy: He.</p><p>00:25:13.980 –&gt; 00:25:18.780 Joseph McElroy: Did you have never had the urge to write a book before or the idea is that everything your head and.</p><p>00:25:19.770 –&gt; 00:25:20.940 Jim Buchanan: I toyed with it, but.</p><p>00:25:20.970 –&gt; 00:25:22.950 Jim Buchanan: You know I’m I’m a short form guy.</p><p>00:25:23.310 –&gt; 00:25:24.690 Jim Buchanan: yeah and.</p><p>00:25:26.580 –&gt; 00:25:31.800 Jim Buchanan: yeah I don’t think I could write a novel you know that this is sort of a bathroom, but the real short stories.</p><p>00:25:32.130 –&gt; 00:25:33.180 Jim Buchanan: So, again.</p><p>00:25:34.470 –&gt; 00:25:37.380 Jim Buchanan: Not not in serial whether kind of its original format.</p><p>00:25:39.030 –&gt; 00:25:43.350 Joseph McElroy: That means it’s perfect for the Internet age, you know, and do a kindle read.</p><p>00:25:43.920 –&gt; 00:25:45.510 Jim Buchanan: A short attention span theater.</p><p>00:25:45.510 –&gt; 00:25:49.530 Joseph McElroy: brother yeah yeah the micro chunk method of reading books.</p><p>00:25:52.410 –&gt; 00:25:56.880 Joseph McElroy: So that’s cool so you wrote, I understand you wrote.</p><p>00:25:57.900 –&gt; 00:26:00.690 Joseph McElroy: A lot of stories about your dad his friends.</p><p>00:26:01.710 –&gt; 00:26:04.470 Joseph McElroy: And things like do you have a favorite story about your dad in the book.</p><p>00:26:05.670 –&gt; 00:26:21.570 Jim Buchanan: Well, the one that was told us his funeral I had never heard until he was in hospice at the VA in Asheville and friend, has been over there for treatment and I happened to go see him on the frame was visiting and it was the tale of the $20 bill.</p><p>00:26:22.710 –&gt; 00:26:27.360 Jim Buchanan: So these guys are over near the Tennessee border bear hunting.</p><p>00:26:28.710 –&gt; 00:26:32.700 Jim Buchanan: And back now, these days, if you want to see a bear but, at the bird feeder.</p><p>00:26:34.830 –&gt; 00:26:37.980 Jim Buchanan: You will have one of those days they were pretty rare.</p><p>00:26:39.360 –&gt; 00:26:46.920 Jim Buchanan: And tended to hang in very remote areas I’m talking normal Berra would be a couple of hours.</p><p>00:26:48.360 –&gt; 00:27:03.150 Jim Buchanan: let’s say an hour driving hard surface rooms and hour and a half home logging roads and then walking for hours and hours and hours trying to track, so they had done this and they found tracks in terms of dollars list dogs and after it.</p><p>00:27:05.760 –&gt; 00:27:12.000 Jim Buchanan: didn’t catch it and so it’s getting dark and they were supposed to rendezvous with some people to pick them up.</p><p>00:27:12.720 –&gt; 00:27:26.370 Jim Buchanan: They have shown up later, these guys didn’t get the message right a lot of assumptions of the barony that somebody would find you that didn’t know what happened so it’s dark their miles from nowhere.</p><p>00:27:27.510 –&gt; 00:27:30.510 Jim Buchanan: And they take off up this gravel road.</p><p>00:27:31.620 –&gt; 00:27:34.200 Jim Buchanan: And late late late they pass a house.</p><p>00:27:35.340 –&gt; 00:27:40.350 Jim Buchanan: A house with people and a porch light on and so.</p><p>00:27:42.210 –&gt; 00:27:52.980 Jim Buchanan: Then he tells us gentlemen offer delegate says nine that they give him 20 bucks to knock on the door see they get around out there and then you know that was probably the equivalent of 100 $200 in those days.</p><p>00:27:56.370 –&gt; 00:28:01.380 Jim Buchanan: In between, you and I and II probably would just as soon as the author get shot themselves.</p><p>00:28:02.610 –&gt; 00:28:04.860 Jim Buchanan: play board, so the guy goes up knocks on the door.</p><p>00:28:05.970 –&gt; 00:28:14.220 Jim Buchanan: Woman comes to the door and author says, I just said, the first thing that came out of my mouth have one thing that all is it, ma’am, how do you like, to make $20.</p><p>00:28:18.570 –&gt; 00:28:20.160 Jim Buchanan: They did not get a ride.</p><p>00:28:24.240 –&gt; 00:28:29.790 Jim Buchanan: Here I think I think that was the story that really pushed me over the edge and I’ve got to do this, I gotta write these down.</p><p>00:28:30.120 –&gt; 00:28:39.540 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah it goes great story so when we come back, I want you to tell me a few more give me a few more you have created the demand for the book.</p><p>00:28:40.860 –&gt; 00:28:41.610 Jim Buchanan: Very good talking.</p><p>00:31:16.950 –&gt; 00:31:29.520 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Jimmy Buchanan who’s written award-nominated book called historic tales of silver in Jackson county.</p><p>00:31:30.270 –&gt; 00:31:38.400 Joseph McElroy: Now this book is the entire book is superb and he’s a great storyteller with a wonderfully dry a conversational style.</p><p>00:31:39.780 –&gt; 00:31:44.130 Joseph McElroy: But we’re talking about, I think that some of the best stories are about your dad what was his name, Jim.</p><p>00:31:44.880 –&gt; 00:31:46.590 Jim Buchanan: Howard Tatum Buchanan.</p><p>00:31:47.070 –&gt; 00:31:50.100 Joseph McElroy: Our take the new kid and that sounds like a real name.</p><p>00:31:53.700 –&gt; 00:31:55.320 Jim Buchanan: He grew up on tatum’s creek.</p><p>00:31:55.560 –&gt; 00:31:56.340 Video.</p><p>00:31:57.960 –&gt; 00:32:06.930 Joseph McElroy: So there was a story about him and you’re in history and honey and try it, oh no we just read we just did that one I was that was my notes, but we just did that one.</p><p>00:32:07.980 –&gt; 00:32:09.900 Joseph McElroy: But you, you have a story about him.</p><p>00:32:13.890 –&gt; 00:32:19.470 Joseph McElroy: position interesting Bob Honey oh that was pretty funny, but do you remember that one.</p><p>00:32:21.900 –&gt; 00:32:27.390 Jim Buchanan: dad was a very energetic man and when he was after a bear he would not he wouldn’t stop.</p><p>00:32:31.170 –&gt; 00:32:31.770 Jim Buchanan: and</p><p>00:32:33.390 –&gt; 00:32:43.950 Jim Buchanan: I think the phrase, for it was doing a breaking is wearing somebody out and proven, you can outwork them outshoot and whatever and he did that, to a lot of people.</p><p>00:32:45.300 –&gt; 00:32:52.350 Jim Buchanan: And I came to the conclusion that, in the long run, you know there’s the immovable force.</p><p>00:32:54.390 –&gt; 00:32:58.260 Jim Buchanan: And the immovable object to the unstoppable force.</p><p>00:33:01.110 –&gt; 00:33:12.150 Jim Buchanan: I just lay down because I knew it was not a patient man, I mean back in the day, we would go on trips to visit somebody that will take three hours and.</p><p>00:33:12.810 –&gt; 00:33:25.860 Jim Buchanan: he’d be there 10 minutes, and you can tell, he starts to fidget and I’m the same way, so I figured in the long run, that slackness beats stubbornness and Sure enough, he gave up and he went on to get a better just.</p><p>00:33:27.000 –&gt; 00:33:27.570 Jim Buchanan: me alone.</p><p>00:33:29.070 –&gt; 00:33:31.740 Jim Buchanan: But you know he wouldn’t leave me he would always come back.</p><p>00:33:33.060 –&gt; 00:33:33.780 Joseph McElroy: That.</p><p>00:33:34.140 –&gt; 00:33:40.140 Joseph McElroy: leader to the these are these old hunters always had their idiosyncrasies right.</p><p>00:33:40.410 –&gt; 00:33:42.690 Joseph McElroy: yeah my my.</p><p>00:33:43.980 –&gt; 00:33:50.550 Joseph McElroy: My father tells me to tell about my grandfather he had this old model T and he would show dogs right.</p><p>00:33:51.270 –&gt; 00:34:04.320 Joseph McElroy: And so, he put the dogs in the model to say you go to show in Florida right, but he always insistent upon saving gas, so he would use the gas to get up the top of the Hill, but then he returned a car off.</p><p>00:34:08.040 –&gt; 00:34:11.220 Joseph McElroy: And then you do the same thing it all the way to flow.</p><p>00:34:17.160 –&gt; 00:34:24.390 Joseph McElroy: So that the other ladies secrecy So is there is, can you tell us about some of your dance technical friends.</p><p>00:34:25.860 –&gt; 00:34:30.930 Jim Buchanan: Other there was 100 and he’s still around, so I won’t name them, but we were.</p><p>00:34:32.460 –&gt; 00:34:33.150 Jim Buchanan: way anyway.</p><p>00:34:34.920 –&gt; 00:34:37.260 Jim Buchanan: You have to understand, I was perpetually lost.</p><p>00:34:38.340 –&gt; 00:34:40.770 Jim Buchanan: And a lot of the places we were at.</p><p>00:34:42.720 –&gt; 00:34:50.280 Jim Buchanan: People had not been too much, it was the phrase Horrace Kephart back and beyond.</p><p>00:34:50.820 –&gt; 00:34:54.240 Jim Buchanan: A lot of these places, and we were crossing a little branch.</p><p>00:34:55.410 –&gt; 00:35:01.920 Jim Buchanan: And he was trying to catch air and listen to, or the dogs were which way they were going.</p><p>00:35:03.120 –&gt; 00:35:15.360 Jim Buchanan: And he went into this kind of dream state and he put his hand down they started making impressions in the mud around the branch, and I could tell that he was trying to imitate a bear track.</p><p>00:35:16.890 –&gt; 00:35:19.200 Jim Buchanan: And I thought he was doing that.</p><p>00:35:20.280 –&gt; 00:35:21.660 Jim Buchanan: Just so he could show.</p><p>00:35:22.920 –&gt; 00:35:33.060 Jim Buchanan: You know, young ones like me what a bear trap looks like it hit me years later, he was going out and putting fake bear tracks to throw other hunters all.</p><p>00:35:35.370 –&gt; 00:35:35.820 Jim Buchanan: there.</p><p>00:35:38.370 –&gt; 00:35:42.360 Jim Buchanan: And you know they’re there were all types are there was a lot of big talkers.</p><p>00:35:45.360 –&gt; 00:35:50.160 Jim Buchanan: But all of the magnitude tales, but they there was good bounce they were not.</p><p>00:35:51.690 –&gt; 00:35:56.340 Jim Buchanan: There what you would call a violent man or anything and that was just the culture of the day.</p><p>00:35:57.000 –&gt; 00:36:11.070 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah yeah that played out yet that I like that doing a fake it out the other hunters, so you had a best friend growing up, I understand and his father was a game board right.</p><p>00:36:11.700 –&gt; 00:36:17.490 Jim Buchanan: yeah he was Jeff’s control and control the game warden and but, but so around living on balsam.</p><p>00:36:19.500 –&gt; 00:36:26.010 Joseph McElroy: And you mentioned that his Defense father was likely to rest your that the time.</p><p>00:36:26.040 –&gt; 00:36:29.550 Jim Buchanan: Was that that was our running joke is dead right arrest my dad.</p><p>00:36:30.570 –&gt; 00:36:32.040 Jim Buchanan: Go bare bears are smart.</p><p>00:36:33.210 –&gt; 00:36:40.590 Jim Buchanan: And you know you get over down Circo and Hornbuckle That was a legal area bear.</p><p>00:36:41.610 –&gt; 00:36:58.590 Jim Buchanan: This out of the range, that was a legal area to have bears in between was the blue Ridge parkway where it was not a legal bear so bears habitually across that area and dogs have no sense of boundaries or anything so they would chase them and.</p><p>00:37:00.120 –&gt; 00:37:07.560 Jim Buchanan: A bear honey was much more dog honey, you can the end I’m trying to find the dollars and again wall so.</p><p>00:37:09.300 –&gt; 00:37:14.640 Jim Buchanan: damn would not have good respect for boundaries either once those dogs costume and he goes.</p><p>00:37:14.880 –&gt; 00:37:16.680 Jim Buchanan: Around his dogs up until that.</p><p>00:37:17.130 –&gt; 00:37:18.810 Jim Buchanan: That was are running gag the thief.</p><p>00:37:19.980 –&gt; 00:37:22.560 Jim Buchanan: I don’t think that ever arrested Howard.</p><p>00:37:24.750 –&gt; 00:37:28.680 Joseph McElroy: Did you ever go on that you mentioned, you, you did go a.</p><p>00:37:29.820 –&gt; 00:37:30.240 Joseph McElroy: little bit.</p><p>00:37:30.690 –&gt; 00:37:31.230 Jim Buchanan: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:37:33.960 –&gt; 00:37:34.410 Jim Buchanan: i’m sorry.</p><p>00:37:34.770 –&gt; 00:37:35.880 Joseph McElroy: Did you have anything else.</p><p>00:37:37.110 –&gt; 00:37:47.670 Jim Buchanan: Well, you know what deer hunting two times and he didn’t move, and it was cold and there was the chance of getting a shot lot more deer hunters in the woods and bears.</p><p>00:37:50.250 –&gt; 00:37:57.090 Jim Buchanan: The yeah I never considered myself a skilled bear hunter he was yes, I was a journalist for me on.</p><p>00:37:58.200 –&gt; 00:38:05.160 Jim Buchanan: A lot to observe and watching to soak it all in and I got to go into a lot of places that do a lot of people will never say.</p><p>00:38:06.150 –&gt; 00:38:13.050 Joseph McElroy: yeah and a lifestyle frankly that knows that yeah maybe he’s changed.</p><p>00:38:16.800 –&gt; 00:38:18.810 Joseph McElroy: And more, but you hear the stories about.</p><p>00:38:19.980 –&gt; 00:38:20.490 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:38:21.990 –&gt; 00:38:22.590 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:38:23.940 –&gt; 00:38:25.320 Joseph McElroy: Do you have plans for a sequel.</p><p>00:38:26.880 –&gt; 00:38:28.620 Jim Buchanan: A lot of people have asked me to.</p><p>00:38:30.030 –&gt; 00:38:32.730 Jim Buchanan: Do one and I’m toying with the idea.</p><p>00:38:35.070 –&gt; 00:38:43.920 Jim Buchanan: of covid put a real cramp and face to face conversations, which is where are you oh God I got all those stories.</p><p>00:38:45.660 –&gt; 00:38:50.370 Jim Buchanan: But I might there’s a lot of good stories out there.</p><p>00:38:51.390 –&gt; 00:38:54.390 Jim Buchanan: And I’m sure you’re well aware, there are a lot of stories out there that.</p><p>00:38:55.830 –&gt; 00:38:57.690 Jim Buchanan: can only be published, posthumously.</p><p>00:38:59.970 –&gt; 00:39:13.500 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah some of the stories only work really well and by the person that’s telling them for who experienced them, you know it’s like I try to tell them something my dad story, so the time and I just can’t get the young.</p><p>00:39:16.980 –&gt; 00:39:23.490 Joseph McElroy: the boy he remembers this girl here risk early right so it’s like the story right and.</p><p>00:39:24.510 –&gt; 00:39:29.190 Joseph McElroy: It makes it much more rockets and interesting yes yeah.</p><p>00:39:32.730 –&gt; 00:39:33.240 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:39:36.210 –&gt; 00:39:36.570 Joseph McElroy: Do.</p><p>00:39:38.610 –&gt; 00:39:48.120 Joseph McElroy: That was good to see you know I want to talk about some of the things that you might know you live in you’ve lived in several parts of the area right.</p><p>00:39:49.470 –&gt; 00:39:50.910 Joseph McElroy: Around Silva around.</p><p>00:39:52.710 –&gt; 00:40:08.970 Joseph McElroy: Asheville from you know from what do you think are some of the growing areas in the area where a lot of people going, and I know Asheville one of them, but you must have seen the Silva growing town is it becoming active.</p><p>00:40:09.270 –&gt; 00:40:11.220 Jim Buchanan: I think solar has been discovered.</p><p>00:40:11.610 –&gt; 00:40:14.370 Jim Buchanan: yeah combination of Covid and.</p><p>00:40:14.670 –&gt; 00:40:16.530 Jim Buchanan: Frankly, people living in use and who are.</p><p>00:40:16.530 –&gt; 00:40:18.960 Jim Buchanan: tired of hurricanes and.</p><p>00:40:19.140 –&gt; 00:40:21.390 Jim Buchanan: are nearly tired of not an hour in the winter.</p><p>00:40:22.680 –&gt; 00:40:24.360 Jim Buchanan: Texans are coming this way.</p><p>00:40:25.620 –&gt; 00:40:26.880 Jim Buchanan: And Ashville</p><p>00:40:28.200 –&gt; 00:40:31.230 Jim Buchanan: As explosion it’s reaching its carrion point I do.</p><p>00:40:31.230 –&gt; 00:40:31.800 Believe.</p><p>00:40:32.880 –&gt; 00:40:33.330 Joseph McElroy: I mean.</p><p>00:40:35.220 –&gt; 00:40:37.860 Joseph McElroy: growing up, I don’t remember traffic jams, do you.</p><p>00:40:40.020 –&gt; 00:40:42.270 Jim Buchanan: know that didn’t involve logging drugs.</p><p>00:40:42.300 –&gt; 00:40:45.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah or boulders falling off the side of the.</p><p>00:40:45.360 –&gt; 00:40:46.050 Jim Buchanan: ball yeah.</p><p>00:40:49.320 –&gt; 00:40:54.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah I know I enjoy you know the silvers that got that nice little.</p><p>00:40:55.860 –&gt; 00:41:03.660 Joseph McElroy: Now they would impress me about films you on Main Street you got three bookstores and it’s a small town right.</p><p>00:41:03.900 –&gt; 00:41:09.000 Joseph McElroy: yeah I’ve got plenty of bookstores and great little restaurants they’re.</p><p>00:41:09.000 –&gt; 00:41:11.820 Jim Buchanan: Doing the most gorgeous library in the country.</p><p>00:41:11.940 –&gt; 00:41:14.880 Jim Buchanan: yeah Oh, have you been in there and they’ll courthouse.</p><p>00:41:14.910 –&gt; 00:41:16.500 Jim Buchanan: They did such a wonderful job.</p><p>00:41:16.500 –&gt; 00:41:16.860 there.</p><p>00:41:19.200 –&gt; 00:41:28.050 Joseph McElroy: The architecture, there really is it’s picturesque so you know I went there I brought a whole bunch of people down from New York.</p><p>00:41:29.460 –&gt; 00:41:32.970 Joseph McElroy: And then you know they had that the clips right.</p><p>00:41:33.330 –&gt; 00:41:34.110 Jim Buchanan: And they yeah.</p><p>00:41:34.380 –&gt; 00:41:36.060 Joseph McElroy: they.</p><p>00:41:36.660 –&gt; 00:41:43.710 Joseph McElroy: They shut down, you know, the main street and some of the side streets and you could come there, and you could lay down the streets.</p><p>00:41:43.980 –&gt; 00:41:57.750 Joseph McElroy: And you can you know they made a big deal of you sit back and watch the eclipse and then they had a university professor doing you know doing talking about it until loudspeakers along with entertainment stuff they really did it right.</p><p>00:41:57.840 –&gt; 00:41:58.500 Jim Buchanan: Right and.</p><p>00:41:58.590 –&gt; 00:41:59.220 Joseph McElroy: It was like.</p><p>00:41:59.310 –&gt; 00:42:15.090 Joseph McElroy: A most combination of you know, this girl I’m saying this girl too much experience in life, you know, at the same time, you get really well educated, the same time, so I’m highly impressed still it so.</p><p>00:42:16.170 –&gt; 00:42:17.490 Jim Buchanan: Well, and I don’t know about you know.</p><p>00:42:17.760 –&gt; 00:42:18.840 Joseph McElroy: The various.</p><p>00:42:19.200 –&gt; 00:42:22.830 Jim Buchanan: Honeywell about the eclipse, but that was such an experience.</p><p>00:42:24.150 –&gt; 00:42:25.680 Jim Buchanan: I mean that was spiritual.</p><p>00:42:26.160 –&gt; 00:42:35.490 Joseph McElroy: And was you know everything going dark you know you don’t believe it but boom there where it did it now, is it was totally</p><p>00:42:36.150 –&gt; 00:42:44.370 Joseph McElroy: And then being in the mountains, there you know the bird started going to sleep or whatever it was everybody was confused, but it was good.</p><p>00:42:46.680 –&gt; 00:42:48.300 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna come back.</p><p>00:42:49.740 –&gt; 00:43:01.110 Joseph McElroy: you’re going to tell you to have to tell me some of your favorite things to do where you’ve been now in the area where you live now and yeah what visitors might enjoy in Western North Carolina they would.</p><p>00:43:01.770 –&gt; 00:43:02.310 Jim Buchanan: You got it.</p><p>00:45:35.490 –&gt; 00:45:45.090 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back for the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Jim Buchanan so Jim you know.</p><p>00:45:45.780 –&gt; 00:45:53.910 Joseph McElroy: you’ve had you’ve lived in Ashville and working Silva and you’ve been or you grew up in Jackson County and you’ve been a lot of different places.</p><p>00:45:54.870 –&gt; 00:46:07.050 Joseph McElroy: How are you are now live in a small little town called Clyde and Haywood County, which is about a hop skip and a jump to where I’m sitting right now and Maggie Valley, how did you end up moving there.</p><p>00:46:08.250 –&gt; 00:46:13.350 Jim Buchanan: I was working in Ashville and my wife was teaching in Jackson county so we split the difference.</p><p>00:46:13.650 –&gt; 00:46:15.600 Joseph McElroy: haha, what do you like about it</p><p>00:46:16.800 –&gt; 00:46:20.220 Jim Buchanan: a good family Community quiet.</p><p>00:46:21.660 –&gt; 00:46:22.830 Jim Buchanan: But it’s close to everything.</p><p>00:46:26.280 –&gt; 00:46:37.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s got a nice little squirt very little Pinterest that tiny little downtown yeah yeah you know I don’t know if you know is famous for a back like 40 years ago.</p><p>00:46:38.460 –&gt; 00:46:45.000 Joseph McElroy: wow This is a long time if ever used to be the only seafood restaurant, on top of the hill right before you go onto the highway.</p><p>00:46:45.060 –&gt; 00:46:46.650 Jim Buchanan: Going I remember that it burned down.</p><p>00:46:46.830 –&gt; 00:46:54.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah everybody went there to get seafood it was really good I can remember that I don’t know what happened that, but that was I love going to that.</p><p>00:46:54.900 –&gt; 00:46:56.400 Jim Buchanan: It was also in a fire but.</p><p>00:46:56.430 –&gt; 00:47:02.220 Jim Buchanan: You know, for a small town that say, we have a great seafood assignment and tells.</p><p>00:47:02.550 –&gt; 00:47:05.040 Joseph McElroy: You do you have like you have an old.</p><p>00:47:06.120 –&gt; 00:47:08.310 Joseph McElroy: seafood we go by seafood right.</p><p>00:47:08.340 –&gt; 00:47:10.920 Jim Buchanan: Now they’ve been there 51 years, I think.</p><p>00:47:11.670 –&gt; 00:47:14.340 Joseph McElroy: They probably had something to do with that seafood restaurant probably.</p><p>00:47:14.460 –&gt; 00:47:18.330 Jim Buchanan: yeah did the guy who founded it he would go down and shrimp on the goal.</p><p>00:47:18.420 –&gt; 00:47:19.080 And whatnot.</p><p>00:47:20.250 –&gt; 00:47:23.190 Jim Buchanan: So they still get all the connections, you know they don’t have it then good.</p><p>00:47:24.270 –&gt; 00:47:26.400 Joseph McElroy: yeah they got good stuff I remember that.</p><p>00:47:27.660 –&gt; 00:47:28.350 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:47:29.460 –&gt; 00:47:36.270 Joseph McElroy: If somebody wanted to you know I like to get people to talk about an itinerary so you know.</p><p>00:47:37.260 –&gt; 00:47:46.500 Joseph McElroy: For the gateway smokies we’re talking to a large audience, I want to give them some things to do that they might not just find from a traditional travelogue I like talking to.</p><p>00:47:46.860 –&gt; 00:47:52.110 Joseph McElroy: You know people from the area and get a nice idea itinerary that they would do.</p><p>00:47:52.740 –&gt; 00:48:04.950 Joseph McElroy: In or near their hometown so if, and that would be like what to do, have for breakfast What do you do in the morning, what do you have for lunch, what do you do in the afternoon, what do you do for dinner what you do for interest payment in the evening so.</p><p>00:48:06.000 –&gt; 00:48:14.280 Joseph McElroy: So I’ll walk you through this day in the Clyde Haywood county or surrounding areas, so what would you do for breakfast waking up and Clyde.</p><p>00:48:16.560 –&gt; 00:48:19.020 Jim Buchanan: Bull okay I’ll give me a couple of different itineraries.</p><p>00:48:20.130 –&gt; 00:48:21.570 Jim Buchanan: That I’ve done with people who.</p><p>00:48:21.900 –&gt; 00:48:22.980 Jim Buchanan: are new to that all.</p><p>00:48:22.980 –&gt; 00:48:23.370 Right.</p><p>00:48:25.140 –&gt; 00:48:36.240 Jim Buchanan: yeah just grab some fast food head out we’ll start at the West shareholder skyway gorgeous Dr. Lewis Kilmer national forest.</p><p>00:48:37.320 –&gt; 00:48:42.870 Jim Buchanan: Some of the biggest trees you’ll ever see and that was that was very common back in the day, but.</p><p>00:48:44.340 –&gt; 00:48:47.430 Jim Buchanan: They were cutting the chest up like taking care of the other ones.</p><p>00:48:48.870 –&gt; 00:48:56.100 Jim Buchanan: Fontana damn largest damn and the East very imposing structure that way coming back this way.</p><p>00:48:57.540 –&gt; 00:48:59.610 Jim Buchanan: Nana HALO is gorgeous.</p><p>00:49:01.950 –&gt; 00:49:13.020 Jim Buchanan: there’s a little road I won’t I won’t name the name of because I would like, for it to be kind of hidden sell at 14 miles a mostly paved logging road that goes my</p><p>00:49:16.020 –&gt; 00:49:24.780 Jim Buchanan: Oh shoot, who was at the bar trick trail goes by the bar control which comes out in their Nana hey will leg and then come about this way further.</p><p>00:49:25.500 –&gt; 00:49:43.080 Jim Buchanan: Nebraska City and go to deep creek go to urban there are the waters, of course, it’s kind of pack for lunch I would enter neighbors drive-in a B E RS Ross and city it’s an old fashioned diamond you pull up you hit the button the order, and so my brings food out to you.</p><p>00:49:45.030 –&gt; 00:49:51.390 Jim Buchanan: And coming back this way of course Cataloochee you remember when Cataloochee was you can almost have it to yourself.</p><p>00:49:51.870 –&gt; 00:49:57.000 Jim Buchanan: Right and the elk a man and it’s kind of like Disney world but it’s still a cool place to get into.</p><p>00:49:58.080 –&gt; 00:50:03.930 Jim Buchanan: You know I used to recommend Max patch my experience has been loved to death right now.</p><p>00:50:04.770 –&gt; 00:50:06.360 Joseph McElroy: it’s temporary close right.</p><p>00:50:06.480 –&gt; 00:50:07.290 Jim Buchanan: Yes, it is.</p><p>00:50:09.270 –&gt; 00:50:09.630 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:50:09.750 –&gt; 00:50:16.200 Jim Buchanan: Not longer than five years ago, you can go up there, and almost be by yourself, but it was discovered rapidly.</p><p>00:50:17.640 –&gt; 00:50:22.050 Jim Buchanan: I know sounds trite but if you’ve never been to the Biltmore house go to the Biltmore house.</p><p>00:50:23.250 –&gt; 00:50:24.120 Jim Buchanan: History their.</p><p>00:50:24.540 –&gt; 00:50:25.740 Jim Buchanan: a brand with a one-time.</p><p>00:50:27.450 –&gt; 00:50:33.630 Jim Buchanan: Ground the rounds are beautiful I got some good restaurants there Hello 12 bones restaurant.</p><p>00:50:34.680 –&gt; 00:50:36.360 Jim Buchanan: In the Asheville, that’s where I.</p><p>00:50:37.920 –&gt; 00:50:41.940 Jim Buchanan: Think Obama made two trips actual That was the first place, he went both times.</p><p>00:50:42.150 –&gt; 00:50:43.710 Joseph McElroy: Great Barbecue great barbeque</p><p>00:50:43.980 –&gt; 00:50:46.080 Jim Buchanan: Wonderful world with you and that.</p><p>00:50:47.430 –&gt; 00:50:51.120 Jim Buchanan: Neither nor I would come back going to watermark knob watch the sunset.</p><p>00:50:51.720 –&gt; 00:50:52.500 Joseph McElroy: There yo.</p><p>00:50:52.650 –&gt; 00:50:55.230 Jim Buchanan: get up the next day walk around late June Alaska.</p><p>00:50:57.090 –&gt; 00:50:58.980 Jim Buchanan: And just enjoy the little things.</p><p>00:50:59.790 –&gt; 00:51:02.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah I sound like.</p><p>00:51:03.390 –&gt; 00:51:04.380 Joseph McElroy: ideal.</p><p>00:51:05.490 –&gt; 00:51:08.400 Joseph McElroy: adventure now, what do you think is the.</p><p>00:51:09.930 –&gt; 00:51:18.600 Joseph McElroy: I mean there’s a number of amusements that run in the area I’m sure you’ve seen him over the years from the Asheville area and.</p><p>00:51:22.440 –&gt; 00:51:32.910 Joseph McElroy: What do you think is the best one or the one that’s yeah that maybe kids would like the most and it’s most well taken care of and it’s really worthwhile experience.</p><p>00:51:33.630 –&gt; 00:51:36.720 Jim Buchanan: Okay, you broke up a little bit, could you quickly rephrase the question.</p><p>00:51:36.750 –&gt; 00:51:39.300 Joseph McElroy: What would you think is the best amusement park in the area.</p><p>00:51:41.010 –&gt; 00:51:43.110 Jim Buchanan: Well, you go Sam was open again in it.</p><p>00:51:43.680 –&gt; 00:51:45.570 Joseph McElroy: No, not yet nope okay.</p><p>00:51:46.920 –&gt; 00:51:48.330 Jim Buchanan: Oh boy amusement park.</p><p>00:51:49.380 –&gt; 00:52:00.540 Joseph McElroy: Oh there’s the railroads there’s you know you got away the Dollywood I mean those are big commercial ones, are you go to I think they’re saying island still out Cherokee there’s.</p><p>00:52:00.960 –&gt; 00:52:02.460 Jim Buchanan: I think I think that’s still open.</p><p>00:52:04.470 –&gt; 00:52:07.320 Jim Buchanan: For Mrs so cozy that was wrong.</p><p>00:52:08.580 –&gt; 00:52:11.910 Joseph McElroy: And Maggie Valley to soak I know there’s no zoom down, it was.</p><p>00:52:12.150 –&gt; 00:52:12.450 Jim Buchanan: It was.</p><p>00:52:13.260 –&gt; 00:52:15.420 Jim Buchanan: US care found a good rattlesnake that.</p><p>00:52:17.760 –&gt; 00:52:19.350 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know charity they.</p><p>00:52:21.000 –&gt; 00:52:22.170 Joseph McElroy: Bear wrestling.</p><p>00:52:23.220 –&gt; 00:52:25.140 Joseph McElroy: I don’t think they even allow that kind of stuff.</p><p>00:52:26.520 –&gt; 00:52:33.990 Jim Buchanan: But it was like a theme park, I will do some rafting I know that’s not a theme park per se.</p><p>00:52:35.040 –&gt; 00:52:48.090 Joseph McElroy: Now banana halos got some great rafting places to you know, like centers to go rafting and sodas a pitch river in Gatlinburg area right, I think.</p><p>00:52:48.450 –&gt; 00:52:51.000 Jim Buchanan: I mean I love, I would take the kids and the arboretum.</p><p>00:52:51.600 –&gt; 00:52:52.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:52:52.380 –&gt; 00:52:56.460 Jim Buchanan: an actual you know you can read to segue around there, but then creek and.</p><p>00:52:57.690 –&gt; 00:52:59.340 Jim Buchanan: We will see some wildlife.</p><p>00:52:59.910 –&gt; 00:53:00.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:53:00.690 –&gt; 00:53:03.630 Jim Buchanan: You might be a copperhead, but you will see some model, I felt that way.</p><p>00:53:05.100 –&gt; 00:53:07.860 Jim Buchanan: The arboretum itself is a good facility.</p><p>00:53:09.150 –&gt; 00:53:10.740 Jim Buchanan: wow that’s great guns.</p><p>00:53:12.720 –&gt; 00:53:14.400 Jim Buchanan: And boy was to take a kid.</p><p>00:53:14.550 –&gt; 00:53:16.680 Jim Buchanan: yeah just take him to the smokies repeat.</p><p>00:53:16.680 –&gt; 00:53:18.270 Joseph McElroy: A managed by.</p><p>00:53:19.080 –&gt; 00:53:19.530 So.</p><p>00:53:22.710 –&gt; 00:53:25.620 Joseph McElroy: quick question best fly fishing spot.</p><p>00:53:27.540 –&gt; 00:53:30.120 Jim Buchanan: You know I wasn’t always a warm fisherman.</p><p>00:53:30.330 –&gt; 00:53:30.930 Okay.</p><p>00:53:32.550 –&gt; 00:53:33.630 Joseph McElroy: One fishing spot.</p><p>00:53:35.760 –&gt; 00:53:37.470 Jim Buchanan: But I have observed a fly fisherman.</p><p>00:53:38.370 –&gt; 00:53:39.630 Jim Buchanan: The talk of CG.</p><p>00:53:40.770 –&gt; 00:53:44.580 Jim Buchanan: Between Callaway and bills bro you just can’t be that.</p><p>00:53:45.180 –&gt; 00:53:57.240 Joseph McElroy: Good all right So how do people follow you read more about you that sort of thing gets your book any shout outs, you want to give to where people connect with you.</p><p>00:53:58.320 –&gt; 00:54:00.600 Jim Buchanan: First of all, the city lights the bookstore and so.</p><p>00:54:01.890 –&gt; 00:54:06.630 Jim Buchanan: how’s the book to connect to this in the summer websites, I mean email.</p><p>00:54:08.130 –&gt; 00:54:10.800 Jim Buchanan: I am on Facebook, and I rarely post.</p><p>00:54:12.840 –&gt; 00:54:13.740 Joseph McElroy: what’s your website.</p><p>00:54:14.370 –&gt; 00:54:17.220 Jim Buchanan: Oh, I don’t have a website, I am on Facebook, but.</p><p>00:54:17.310 –&gt; 00:54:21.630 Jim Buchanan: Okay, I almost never actually made my first post in about three years.</p><p>00:54:22.920 –&gt; 00:54:23.610 Jim Buchanan: Sunday.</p><p>00:54:24.660 –&gt; 00:54:27.030 Jim Buchanan: Somebody put up a map of the national parks.</p><p>00:54:28.080 –&gt; 00:54:30.060 Jim Buchanan: and which ones, have you visited and what state.</p><p>00:54:31.830 –&gt; 00:54:34.650 Jim Buchanan: They located the smokies entirely in Tennessee.</p><p>00:54:35.820 –&gt; 00:54:37.410 Joseph McElroy: So that’s not right, yes.</p><p>00:54:37.410 –&gt; 00:54:41.220 Jim Buchanan: I’m a little touchy about our half in North Carolina you’re.</p><p>00:54:41.220 –&gt; 00:54:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Over 51% so we were the original gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:54:46.290 –&gt; 00:54:48.030 Jim Buchanan: And we got out market and buy.</p><p>00:54:49.350 –&gt; 00:54:50.490 Jim Buchanan: all there is to it.</p><p>00:54:50.760 –&gt; 00:54:54.210 Joseph McElroy: Exactly, so I want to thank you very much.</p><p>00:54:55.770 –&gt; 00:54:58.020 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank you very much for being on the show.</p><p>00:54:59.760 –&gt; 00:55:10.050 Joseph McElroy: I’m a read more of your book and I highly recommend what I, from what I read I highly recommended, and you know Bob Plot asked you to be on the show because he was really impressed with you, but you had written so.</p><p>00:55:11.250 –&gt; 00:55:12.480 Jim Buchanan: Tom price yeah.</p><p>00:55:12.540 –&gt; 00:55:13.050 cool.</p><p>00:55:14.070 –&gt; 00:55:20.220 Joseph McElroy: This is the gateway to smoke these podcasts you can find out more about us at the gatewaytothesmokies.fun</p><p>00:55:23.880 –&gt; 00:55:30.180 Joseph McElroy: facebook.com/gatewaytothesmokiespodcast.</p><p>00:55:31.230 –&gt; 00:55:45.360 Joseph McElroy: This is part of the talkradio.NYC network, where you will see a lot of shows live podcast about multiple subjects, right after this shows one about exploring New York, so you can go right from.</p><p>00:55:45.990 –&gt; 00:55:51.600 Joseph McElroy: You know, Rural North Carolina to the most urban city on the planet and I have lived in both places.</p><p>00:55:53.040 –&gt; 00:56:03.180 Joseph McElroy: And I can recommend highly both of these I’m always here every week from six to seven on Tuesdays to talk about the smokies.</p><p>00:56:04.200 –&gt; 00:56:19.170 Joseph McElroy: To promote you know the culture of the area and opportunities for visiting in a meaningful and in-depth manner to create memorable experiences and I thank you for listening and I’ll see you next week.</p> 202da033-e08b-4fda-bc5b-1292053d5636 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/48534460-3d07-4d46-8ecd-e58ddef99060 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 22:00:00 +0000 3004 no full Episode 27: Photographing the Smokies Episode 27: Photographing the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is <strong>Wayne Ebinger</strong>, an Award-Winning Photographer well known for his photos of local musicians, concerts, artists and festivals, as well the natural beauty of the Great Smokies.</p><p>He was a former professional musician and a veterinarian tech. Currently, he owns and operates a successful photography business in Maggie Valley, N.C.</p><p>Our host Joseph McElroy wand Wayne and will talk about career, passion and photographing the Smokies.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/v/5NLPv7AbK/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s episode starts off with host <a href="mailto:joseph@galileotechmedia.com" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a> announcing special events and announcements in the Maggie Valley area, including wonderful festivals, eateries, and great gatherings for people to go to. Then special guest, photographer and former musician Wayne Ebinger gets introduced. Right away, he gives a short explanation of how he came to the career path he is in today, from high school back in the 1960s to now, he talks about how he engulfed himself into the love he had for the veterinarian career to his career as a professional rock drummer.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Wayne talks about how he transitioned into his photography career. He started off with a cheaper kodak camera and started taking photos wherever he could. He first was asked to be a photographer at a wedding, and eventually was asked to photograph weddings, musicals, music festivals and concerts. He continued his photography business for nearly thirty years before moving to the Smoky Mountains and shifting his business into more intimate and local weddings and events. Wayne explains a personal rule he has when he’s taking photographs, which is to be stealthy. Whether he is at a wedding or out in the wild, he tries to stay as stealthy as possible to avoid disturbing the photograph subjects. He also adds that it’s pretty important to dress accordingly, for him that means a black tshirt. He talks about the cameras he has used throughout the years, especially during the shift to digital photography and which lenses he prefers to use for certain situations. He also says that he tries not to edit the photos too much. Wayne talks about his favorite band to photograph and other memorable photographs that he has taken.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>This segment starts off with the story of how Wayne ended up at Maggie Valley and why he chose to do so. Joseph asks Wayne for photography location recommendations. Immediately Wayne mentions a field where you can see a beautiful landscape and sunset. He also mentioned Waterrock Knob for wonderful evening photos where you can photograph the stars and see beautiful scenery. He talks about how in the winter time, the snow is so beautiful that it will always make great photos. He explains how because of the snow, it can be difficult to travel around so often he looks around where he is and finds a quiet place in nature to photograph. He gives tips for how to photograph elks. The biggest one being, to respect them.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>For the last segment of this episode, Joseph starts off by asking Wayne for some of his favorite local spots in Maggie Valley. He gives a huge variety of places to go for nightlife, eating out, or just hanging out and dancing. They share stories about their experience at these different hotspots in Maggie Valley till the end of the show.</p> Video thumbnail

Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Wayne Ebinger, an Award-Winning Photographer well known for his photos of local musicians, concerts, artists, and festivals, as well as the natural beauty of the Great Smokies.

He was a former professional musician and a veterinarian tech. Currently, he owns and operates a successful photography business in Maggie Valley, N.C.

Our host Joseph McElroy wand Wayne and will talk about his career, passion, and photographing the Smokies.

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Today’s episode starts off with host Joseph Franklyn McElroy announcing special events and announcements in the Maggie Valley area, including wonderful festivals, eateries, and great gatherings for people to go to. Then the special guest, photographer, and former musician Wayne Ebinger gets introduced. Right away, he gives a short explanation of how he came to the career path he is in today, from high school back in the 1960s to now, he talks about how he engulfed himself into the love he had for the veterinarian career to his career as a professional rock drummer.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Wayne talks about how he transitioned into his photography career. He started off with a cheaper kodak camera and started taking photos wherever he could. He first was asked to be a photographer at a wedding, and eventually was asked to photograph weddings, musicals, music festivals, and concerts. He continued his photography business for nearly thirty years before moving to the Smoky Mountains and shifting his business into more intimate and local weddings and events. Wayne explains a personal rule he has when he’s taking photographs, which is to be stealthy. Whether he is at a wedding or out in the wild, he tries to stay as stealthy as possible to avoid disturbing the photo subjects. He also adds that it’s pretty important to dress accordingly, for him that means a black T-shirt. He talks about the cameras he has used throughout the years, especially during the shift to digital photography, and which lenses he prefers to use for certain situations. He also says that he tries not to edit the photos too much. Wayne talks about his favorite band to photograph and other memorable photographs that he has taken.

Segment 3

This segment starts off with the story of how Wayne ended up at Maggie Valley and why he chose to do so. Joseph asks Wayne for photography location recommendations. Immediately Wayne mentions a field where you can see a beautiful landscape and sunset. He also mentioned Waterrock Knob for wonderful evening photos where you can photograph the stars and see beautiful scenery. He talks about how in the wintertime, the snow is so beautiful that it will always make great photos. He explains how because of the snow, it can be difficult to travel around so often he looks around where he is and finds a quiet place in nature to photograph. He gives tips on how to photograph elks. The biggest one is, to respect them.

Segment 4

For the last segment of this episode, Joseph starts off by asking Wayne for some of his favorite local spots in Maggie Valley. He gives a huge variety of places to go for nightlife, eating out, or just hanging out and dancing. They share stories about their experience at these different hotspots in Maggie Valley till the end of the show.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:32.460 –> 00:00:35.640 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of

00:00:35.910 –> 00:00:48.270 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park great smoky mountains national park and surrounding towns.

00:00:48.750 –> 00:00:59.790 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world.

00:01:00.330 –> 00:01:09.780 Joseph McElroy: with deep roots in these mountains, my families live in the great smoky mountain over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.

00:01:10.590 –> 00:01:16.290 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we will talk about photography in the smokies, but first, i’ll give you a little bit of

00:01:16.830 –> 00:01:26.820 Joseph McElroy: opportunities to experience mountain heritage, so, as you know, when we started this smoky mountain the Meadowlark mountain heritage Center Maggie Valley.

00:01:27.420 –> 00:01:38.400 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark motels and on July 31st we have a great example of a mountain heritage of this that we’re having over the next few years.

00:01:39.810 –> 00:01:47.070 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to introduce people who have done is they’ve been around for a long time, or where did you sing to you our podcast audience.

00:01:47.580 –> 00:01:55.290 Joseph McElroy: And would count as Charles Miller and are landing, who have roots firmly believe in them and I’m soaking the soil.

00:01:55.890 –> 00:02:08.550 Joseph McElroy: But women can trace their family tree and Western North Carolina back to the revolutionary war error and both of the ancestors who fought in 1776 rutherford campaign a battle of cliff king’s men.

00:02:09.570 –> 00:02:20.130 Joseph McElroy: Mostly these 21st century Renaissance men are passionate about story and art and have led extremely interested in colorful lives.

00:02:20.730 –> 00:02:39.150 Joseph McElroy: They there were why liberty recognized for their expertise and 18th-century history firearms at a cuckoo as well as low genealogy middle work and wouldn’t and brawn sculptures and creating a life cycle of a mountain man to man, created by landing at the Haywood county courthouse.

00:02:40.200 –> 00:02:55.170 Joseph McElroy: Both artists are renowned storytellers, which is a tradition in the mountains and have been featured to turn it into a magazine newspapers verse and the book colorful colorful characters of the growth, the mountains, I bought.

00:02:56.250 –> 00:03:06.300 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center in the Meadowlark motel or on this two grid Haywood county Artist historians, with an entire day on July 31.

00:03:07.650 –> 00:03:19.800 Joseph McElroy: Sub celebrating life by featuring traditional ballad singing and hundreds by Will Ritter and I saw I saw him a few weeks ago, and he is fantastic and then he’s playing one of those.

00:03:20.850 –> 00:03:34.890 Joseph McElroy: are made by Orlando, there will be hand handcrafted moonshine still by Charles Miller another word, he is done and there’ll be a display of frontier dress and accouterment join with a talk by the hank.

00:03:35.610 –> 00:03:47.010 Joseph McElroy: They will display classic guns and sculptures created by URL and it will come in with an award presentation for lifetime achievement by the mountain meadowlark smoky mountain heritage here.

00:03:47.700 –> 00:04:03.330 Joseph McElroy: Afterwards, there will be a dinner and world-famous Dr steakhouses spaces, with women to go to the Meadowlark motel.COM. and for reservations and then the rsvp for the dinner, which is two different things you gotta you gotta make it to the event at a fee for the year.

00:04:04.770 –> 00:04:09.870 Joseph McElroy: So it’ll be fun there’ll be seminars to say store storytelling books available.

00:04:10.920 –> 00:04:16.470 Joseph McElroy: fun things to do, guarantee it’s a great major event that I’m.

00:04:17.490 –> 00:04:29.010 Joseph McElroy: I want to tell you that you can find more about this podcast and get a game of smokies fun, most importantly, you can sign up for a newsletter there are we letting know about these kinds of events and so on an ongoing basis.

00:04:30.150 –> 00:04:37.530 Joseph McElroy: I’m going to totally it’s about our sponsors, I want you to imagine a place evocative motor court sorts of the past year, modern environment.

00:04:37.860 –> 00:04:46.890 Joseph McElroy: With a Chic Appalachian feel a place for relaxation imagine a place where you can catch fish and a mountain heritage trash out.

00:04:47.220 –> 00:05:00.060 Joseph McElroy: grill catch a fire and unique company fine wine or craft beers imagine ups with old-time music and old work with cultural sounds, there is no other place like the.

00:05:00.510 –> 00:05:08.370 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:05:08.850 –> 00:05:26.730 Joseph McElroy: we’re also sponsored smokies adventure that smokies plural adventure singular COM information and listing about the smokies it features hiking wedding and been venues books and crumb trail Max and resources for experiencing the smoke outcomes.

00:05:28.830 –> 00:05:40.440 Joseph McElroy: And the emphasis of smokies adventurous outdoor recreation life events like wedding adventures last long provide information on the lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoon we’re.

00:05:40.860 –> 00:05:54.000 Joseph McElroy: going to go is has been to be the meeting information portal on the smoky mountains, I remind my nice weekend and I give hillbilly jam right my cousin and Betsy Randy and it’s a beautiful to day to day it.

00:05:55.170 –> 00:06:05.040 Joseph McElroy: Is features glorious music crafts food vendors that have moved moved from the Disney channel discovery channel card bike show and more.

00:06:05.460 –> 00:06:14.730 Joseph McElroy: And you go to the hillbilly billy jack.com to find out more now my guest today is Wayne Ebinger, who is a photographer

00:06:15.180 –> 00:06:22.800 Joseph McElroy: And here’s a Florida native hours, writing and Maggie Valley North Carolina where he owns and operates as a successful but photography does.

00:06:23.250 –> 00:06:28.110 Joseph McElroy: Wayne is that very diverse and interesting career as a former veterinarian and then.

00:06:28.860 –> 00:06:43.470 Joseph McElroy: technician a professional musician and currently an award winning photographer well and for his photo local musicians concerts artists and festivals, as well as those the true beauty beauty of the great smoky mountain

00:06:44.490 –> 00:06:45.840 Wayne Ebinger: Hello there, glad to be here.

00:06:47.010 –> 00:06:48.690 Joseph McElroy: i’m so i’m.

00:06:49.920 –> 00:06:58.410 Joseph McElroy: Orlando Florida and we’re educated, the University of Florida original to be written to veterinarian Is this something you got into.

00:06:59.250 –> 00:07:09.600 Wayne Ebinger: Well that’s yes, I noticed from a young age, that I was kind of always leading I didn’t notice it at that time, but i’ve always kind of gravitated to analyze any kind.

00:07:10.140 –> 00:07:16.890 Wayne Ebinger: But after I got into my more of a teens and adult thing I kind of said, this might be something to look into so I.

00:07:17.460 –> 00:07:25.410 Wayne Ebinger: I wanted to do that after high school and started working with a local veterinarian in Orlando and that’s where I started back in.

00:07:26.280 –> 00:07:39.780 Wayne Ebinger: 68 I guess it was right after I graduated from high school stayed with that program and stayed with him and you kind of mentored me, I appreciate it everything he did for me on those and then things just kind of evolved I’ve been very blessed for.

00:07:41.250 –> 00:07:43.320 Wayne Ebinger: Multiple things that I’ve been involved with.

00:07:44.700 –> 00:07:49.500 Joseph McElroy: Well, that kind of career obviously takes a lot, a lot of a sudden, so when did it out of that field.

00:07:50.730 –> 00:07:51.510 Wayne Ebinger: i’m sorry what was that.

00:07:52.200 –> 00:07:52.380 well.

00:07:53.580 –> 00:07:58.740 Joseph McElroy: You obviously had to be very, very committed be you know in any kind of dealing with medicine, whether it’s personal.

00:07:58.830 –> 00:07:59.100 Oh.

00:08:00.120 –> 00:08:00.630 Wayne Ebinger: Absolutely.

00:08:00.780 –> 00:08:03.060 Joseph McElroy: You do have you ever I missed that.

00:08:03.840 –> 00:08:20.910 Wayne Ebinger: The absolutely the one when your your your hearts into what you want to do and you’re in one of your dreams I just kind of engulfed in it was I was working something like anywhere from 50 to 70 hours a week at this clinic with this this this veterinarian.

00:08:21.330 –> 00:08:22.020 Joseph McElroy: And just do.

00:08:22.470 –> 00:08:31.530 Wayne Ebinger: lab stuff and doing helping the surgeries and all that and I just loved every minute of it, so I just engulf myself and saturated with my life with that.

00:08:32.850 –> 00:08:33.030 Wayne Ebinger: and

00:08:34.530 –> 00:08:34.830 Go ahead.

00:08:35.910 –> 00:08:37.560 Joseph McElroy: and choose a different career path.

00:08:40.320 –> 00:09:00.300 Wayne Ebinger: Because I started actually playing in drums when I was in 1963 and so that was going backward retro from that so I was 13 years old and actually I was playing in bands and through the younger days and, of course, back in the 60s, you were you know, I was actually.

00:09:02.130 –> 00:09:11.340 Wayne Ebinger: playing in local lounges and log in and plus you centers and things like that, but I mean I was under the cloak of darkness, I guess when I was doing that, underage.

00:09:11.820 –> 00:09:27.810 Wayne Ebinger: But I just music was another thing that just I just love doing it and so that’s part of what I tried to do for the what all my life and that’s what I’ve been able to do for the last 40 or 50 years all three of them that photography the music and the veterinary field.

00:09:27.900 –> 00:09:32.460 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you, you are you, you are drummer, right yeah.

00:09:37.740 –> 00:09:38.340 Wayne Ebinger: I do.

00:09:39.420 –> 00:09:54.750 Wayne Ebinger: I’ve changed a little bit over the years, with I switched from a drum set about nine years ago when I came up here to permanently leave at our place and I’ve been doing the homes and the percussion stuff for about six years and.

00:09:54.780 –> 00:10:08.190 Wayne Ebinger: So I couldn’t get out of it, but now I’m back at some some some issues that I couldn’t use my hands and things so they’re coming back so now I’m going back and do a drum set so I’m going to do that and play guitar and piano whenever I can get Ahold of.

00:10:10.980 –> 00:10:12.300 Joseph McElroy: musicians or band

00:10:14.190 –> 00:10:22.770 Wayne Ebinger: What we’re doing currently with one of our businesses here in town just down the road the elevated mountain distillery has we created a.

00:10:23.220 –> 00:10:33.330 Wayne Ebinger: Open jam night on Wednesdays, and we have brought in it’s been going for almost three months now, and every week, we have different people coming in with their instruments to come in and plugin there’s no.

00:10:34.770 –> 00:10:36.060 Wayne Ebinger: fee or anything like that just.

00:10:36.180 –> 00:10:38.370 Wayne Ebinger: The camaraderie of the Community.

00:10:39.720 –> 00:10:40.170 Wayne Ebinger: And it said.

00:10:40.290 –> 00:10:44.730 Wayne Ebinger: Good results and it’s good for the distillery to for Dave Angel owns it.

00:10:47.460 –> 00:10:53.490 Joseph McElroy: we’re gonna take a break right and when we come back I get into your photography career find out more about photographing.

00:10:55.230 –> 00:10:55.500 Okay.

00:11:33.930 –> 00:11:35.550 Joseph McElroy: in having a better relationship.

00:13:14.280 –> 00:13:23.280 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast with my guest Wayne Ebinger, so Wayne,

00:13:24.330 –> 00:13:27.450 Joseph McElroy: Today, you were then for your food photography.

00:13:28.650 –> 00:13:37.050 Joseph McElroy: And then that particular your shots of artists in concerts and festivals, so the smokies itself, how did you get started with here

00:13:38.190 –> 00:13:39.990 Wayne Ebinger: There again, I kind of stumbled into.

00:13:40.110 –> 00:13:41.460 Wayne Ebinger: It back in the 60s, with the.

00:13:41.490 –> 00:13:50.100 Wayne Ebinger: codec Instamatic 110 camera because that’s all I could afford back then, in my early teens and there was back in the day.

00:13:50.790 –> 00:13:57.930 Wayne Ebinger: Dick Clark used to have a traveling show called the Dick Clark Caravan of stars and

00:13:58.410 –> 00:14:07.440 Wayne Ebinger: He would bring them into Orlando and it’d be outdoor concerts and things like that, and I would just take photos with that and plus the music was a big interest at the same time with me.

00:14:08.070 –> 00:14:15.450 Wayne Ebinger: And so it kind of tied in together, and so I was taking photos of like Paul Revere and the raiders and you know Debbie billing.

00:14:17.280 –> 00:14:18.390 Wayne Ebinger: Finally, evolved into like.

00:14:20.520 –> 00:14:26.460 Wayne Ebinger: Alice Cooper and things like that, but that kind of grew into that and then, when I went to college I.

00:14:26.940 –> 00:14:31.140 Wayne Ebinger: was doing landscapes up in the University of Florida area.

00:14:32.370 –> 00:14:43.590 Wayne Ebinger: And up there, they had in Florida, have a lot of sinkholes and there’s one called the mill hub, which is right outside of the university, and so I would go there with my camera shooting like black and white, back then, and on film.

00:14:44.760 –> 00:14:47.040 Wayne Ebinger: Film days and so that’s.

00:14:47.070 –> 00:14:47.970 Wayne Ebinger: kind of got me going.

00:14:48.720 –> 00:14:51.270 Wayne Ebinger: I had someone ask about what do I do.

00:14:51.300 –> 00:14:56.850 Wayne Ebinger: weddings or something like that, and I said no, but I do the camera so I did my actually my first wedding.

00:14:58.680 –> 00:15:00.570 Wayne Ebinger: From a request from college.

00:15:01.320 –> 00:15:01.920 Wayne Ebinger: But then.

00:15:03.840 –> 00:15:07.680 Wayne Ebinger: That worked into it that’s another part of the photographer is I’ll talk about too.

00:15:08.820 –> 00:15:09.120 Wayne Ebinger: But.

00:15:09.570 –> 00:15:11.010 Wayne Ebinger: The music in the.

00:15:11.040 –> 00:15:12.600 Wayne Ebinger: entertainers that I watched the.

00:15:12.930 –> 00:15:25.350 Wayne Ebinger: the photograph was really planted in my mind that something that I wanted to do and I wanted to pursue that so that and I’ll fast forward a little bit on some of the music and the photography thing.

00:15:26.820 –> 00:15:29.160 Wayne Ebinger: Back in the late 90s.

00:15:30.180 –> 00:15:31.230Wayne Ebinger: middle 90s and late night.

00:15:31.530 –> 00:15:41.640 Wayne Ebinger: There was a place in Orlando called the Plaza live Orlando, it was a movie theater a huge to theater store movie theater but they close it down and they opened it up.

00:15:42.210 –> 00:15:59.220 Wayne Ebinger: To stages and large stage it can hold about 1500 people in one would hold 400 people next door, and so I was a house, for they got this photographer, and I know we’re about four or five years, I did almost 400.

00:16:00.360 –> 00:16:02.580 Wayne Ebinger: shows concerts There we have people like.

00:16:03.720 –> 00:16:07.950 Wayne Ebinger: Our bands like Kev mo we had Asia Kansas.

00:16:09.420 –> 00:16:10.710 Wayne Ebinger: Some some of the world, some.

00:16:13.980 –> 00:16:20.610 Wayne Ebinger: musicals get came in narrow do-through but mostly it was all music John Oates was there with Paul notes and.

00:16:21.000 –> 00:16:23.370 Wayne Ebinger: It was a blast doing that and being there for those.

00:16:23.400 –> 00:16:28.140 Wayne Ebinger: That many years and meeting these people they’re so generous music and having that connection with music and my background.

00:16:28.740 –> 00:16:39.120 Wayne Ebinger: Open Doors for me to get into with the players that are there and just like Tommy Emmanuel those are several times and as more current people if I mentioned the other ones.

00:16:39.180 –> 00:16:42.480 Wayne Ebinger: Most people will know who they are, but that was a.

00:16:44.550 –> 00:16:45.900 Wayne Ebinger: solidify that part of it.

00:16:47.070 –> 00:16:47.340 Wayne Ebinger: and

00:16:49.470 –> 00:16:50.040 Joseph McElroy: So so.

00:16:51.180 –> 00:16:51.660 Joseph McElroy: Essentially.

00:16:56.040 –> 00:17:00.300 Wayne Ebinger: Well, actually well yeah initially I think probably most people are.

00:17:00.900 –> 00:17:03.450 Wayne Ebinger: Especially ah like the guy was, but I did.

00:17:03.810 –> 00:17:04.980 Wayne Ebinger: When I went to the.

00:17:05.040 –> 00:17:13.800 Wayne Ebinger: photography wouldn’t let into the wedding’s kinda I like doing that because it was an I had fun doing it the most people most.

00:17:14.100 –> 00:17:15.930 Wayne Ebinger: People say are your garden do weddings you.

00:17:15.990 –> 00:17:21.150 Wayne Ebinger: Most Darren’s I know get near that and I said well my wife and I.

00:17:22.650 –> 00:17:27.570 Wayne Ebinger: Say let’s try this so we did, but I went to conferences and I was going to.

00:17:29.190 –> 00:17:37.680 Wayne Ebinger: and listen to the main wedding photographers back then, when I was Dennis Reggie who did John Junior Kennedy Kennedy Juniors wedding.

00:17:38.730 –> 00:17:54.870 Wayne Ebinger: Another fella named David sizer and also earn as well the, who was a Hasselblad Hasselblad book and I was shooting Hasselblad wives doing weddings, and so we just had a great time that in that business, we had for like 30 years we had a studio as well, but.

00:17:56.010 –> 00:17:59.340 Wayne Ebinger: The weddings were a lot of fun we just made it fun made it.

00:18:00.900 –> 00:18:06.120 Wayne Ebinger: enjoyable news that we did that, which helped me to when we moved permanently up here in the mountains.

00:18:07.380 –> 00:18:19.620 Wayne Ebinger: We did the small weddings that are located here with the Appalachian farm weddings and some other country clubs around here and in that kind of venues were fun too because they were small quaint and intimate if you will.

00:18:23.670 –> 00:18:23.970 Joseph McElroy: i’ve seen.

00:18:25.380 –> 00:18:25.890 Joseph McElroy: recently.

00:18:29.610 –> 00:18:31.530 Joseph McElroy: I just saw the photos.

00:18:42.600 –> 00:18:42.840 Joseph McElroy: say.

00:18:46.170 –> 00:18:47.880 Joseph McElroy: things about your.

00:18:51.240 –> 00:18:51.930 Joseph McElroy: best.

00:18:55.980 –> 00:18:56.730 Joseph McElroy: You already.

00:18:58.380 –> 00:18:58.800 Joseph McElroy: there.

00:18:59.910 –> 00:19:07.320 Joseph McElroy: So very intimate invisible how people are two things either approve your car promised.

00:19:08.520 –> 00:19:12.090 Joseph McElroy: To be, how do you get to them to be in a life like that.

00:19:15.990 –> 00:19:16.620 Wayne Ebinger: From what I can.

00:19:16.740 –> 00:19:21.660 Wayne Ebinger: hear from you about being in the background that we’re saying is with photography.

00:19:39.960 –> 00:19:41.820 Wayne Ebinger: that’s a little bit better right there.

00:19:43.830 –> 00:19:45.810 Wayne Ebinger: let’s go with that, I think.

00:19:47.940 –> 00:19:48.240 Joseph McElroy: Okay.

00:19:48.930 –> 00:20:01.620 Wayne Ebinger: Well, what am I rules in my personal roses, to be like all being very stealthy I’m going to be on notice at any function, whether it’s a concert or or or a wedding or whatever or.

00:20:02.760 –> 00:20:07.560 Wayne Ebinger: Especially if I’m doing landscapes and tracking the elk down a Cataloochee or something you gotta be quiet.

00:20:07.560 –> 00:20:13.710 Wayne Ebinger: Not healthy there, but because we have all that which reminds me a little bit of side the Cataloochee here.

00:20:14.730 –> 00:20:26.280 Wayne Ebinger: Valley, where the elk live comes right over into Maggie valley very regular basis, and they come up into our yards they hang out, you know and they’re just they’re part of the.

00:20:26.940 –> 00:20:38.670 Wayne Ebinger: Maggie Valley family, which is a great draw for people to come here and for things to do here and Maggie valley so plus with Maggie Valley, just an awesome little place because the.

00:20:40.260 –> 00:20:53.610 Wayne Ebinger: distillery with moonshine like a good mentioned earlier, with the moonshiners coming in from TV shows I do a lot of work with them when they’re in town, the hillbilly JAM is this weekend up the festival lobby they’re both things photographing that festival.

00:20:55.050 –> 00:20:55.740 Wayne Ebinger: it’s a.

00:20:56.970 –> 00:20:58.590 Wayne Ebinger: The just being.

00:21:00.150 –> 00:21:09.030 Wayne Ebinger: Quiet and not in not dress accordingly to that’s one of my bugaboos about what I’ve seen photographers in this shorts on and white church or T-shirts.

00:21:09.780 –> 00:21:10.140 Wayne Ebinger: I like.

00:21:10.440 –> 00:21:16.020 Wayne Ebinger: black, you know that helps you but that’s an interesting thing for me.

00:21:16.800 –> 00:21:17.370 cool.

00:21:21.540 –> 00:21:26.250 Joseph McElroy: Technology and software for stuff he has to do photography.

00:21:27.420 –> 00:21:28.020 Wayne Ebinger: I use.

00:21:29.550 –> 00:21:35.970 Wayne Ebinger: On the cameras will cover that for a little bit now get into the computers and what I’m doing with that, of course.

00:21:37.080 –> 00:21:51.870 Wayne Ebinger: What are you talking about I was doing Hasselblad but it’s once the digital age came in and when I switched into Nikon 35 millimeter or the digital 35 would call it digital modes and I’m shooting that.

00:21:53.550 –> 00:21:55.380 Wayne Ebinger: that’s me go to set up with a.

00:21:57.090 –> 00:22:05.550 Wayne Ebinger: Like normal lenses a 2.8 lens, which is a 17 to 55 millimeter which is for like or I could do close-ups and group photos and my other one is.

00:22:05.880 –> 00:22:08.130 Wayne Ebinger: 70 to 282.8 lens.

00:22:08.550 –> 00:22:13.440 Wayne Ebinger: Which is great for low light both lenses are good for low light for concerts and what I do.

00:22:13.980 –> 00:22:21.030 Wayne Ebinger: And you can, if I’m doing landscapes and wildlife in the long lens of 80 to 200 gets you closer and then.

00:22:21.720 –> 00:22:27.180 Wayne Ebinger: So you get some nice shots of the elk and wildlife for the eagles that we haven’t like Juneau Alaska nearby.

00:22:27.870 –> 00:22:49.320 Wayne Ebinger: And as for post-production what I like to use is, of course, computer by using photoshop and lightroom and I have my system of upgrading uploading those and I’m fortunate I don’t have to do much manipulation in the what I call the darkroom on the computers like.

00:22:50.670 –> 00:22:54.990 Wayne Ebinger: What what I shoot I tried to make it as best as possible, so I don’t have to go in and spend a lot of time on that.

00:22:56.220 –> 00:22:56.640 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:22:57.870 –> 00:23:00.900 Joseph McElroy: Every photographer, know and.

00:23:02.040 –> 00:23:06.210 Joseph McElroy: I see that in years is it will say something with their photos.

00:23:07.500 –> 00:23:10.050 Joseph McElroy: So Hello hit that into your photographs.

00:23:17.430 –> 00:23:20.910 Wayne Ebinger: Oh, the men wouldn’t be where I think the photograph.

00:23:21.780 –> 00:23:29.910 Wayne Ebinger: there’s no my I what I see he’s trying to say you’re saying yeah a lot of it’s there and I have a.

00:23:31.290 –> 00:23:40.650 Wayne Ebinger: Second sense I guess you will when I’m doing a concert, like the one we just did here with Darren Nicholson and his group for the smoky mountain heritage.

00:23:42.720 –> 00:23:43.050 Wayne Ebinger: Group.

00:23:44.670 –> 00:23:57.720 Wayne Ebinger: there are just certain angles, and you have to see what the lighting is and where the people are and other said so, all that is going on in my under they were stopped and thought about it, but these things are all going on simultaneously.

00:23:58.620 –> 00:24:04.620 Wayne Ebinger: And I pick an angle, or the MID upper left or right and zoom in or out it just those days.

00:24:05.190 –> 00:24:09.030 Wayne Ebinger: I can see that, and then when I see that capture that moment.

00:24:10.440 –> 00:24:13.950 Joseph McElroy: cool so some of your subjects.

00:24:17.130 –> 00:24:18.420 Joseph McElroy: That you’ve uploaded.

00:24:20.370 –> 00:24:22.530 Wayne Ebinger: Oh, the favorite oh gosh um.

00:24:23.700 –> 00:24:32.700 Wayne Ebinger: Well, I’ll do this first there’s actually my favorite group is because they’re the ones that when I moved up here they actually started me into the.

00:24:33.240 –> 00:24:39.150 Wayne Ebinger: Music and photography area with local musicians in Western North Carolina here.

00:24:39.840 –> 00:24:53.220 Wayne Ebinger: And that would be the balsam range, which is a some of the Members are Darren Nicholson and Mark pro tips or Hailed Smith and buddy melton and they kind of took me under their wing and brought me into their recording studio and I got to meet.

00:24:54.480 –> 00:24:55.560 Wayne Ebinger: musicians there.

00:24:56.790 –> 00:25:01.080 Wayne Ebinger: And it might list of people just grew exponentially just because.

00:25:02.610 –> 00:25:09.060 Wayne Ebinger: One group of people will see my work and then it would refer to other band members of other groups and so.

00:25:10.260 –> 00:25:13.980 Wayne Ebinger: I owe a lot to them and they’re always fun too.

00:25:14.430 –> 00:25:16.320 Wayne Ebinger: photographs I’ve been with it was nine years.

00:25:16.920 –> 00:25:20.580 Wayne Ebinger: After that, and then some other well as an individual.

00:25:21.750 –> 00:25:32.700 Wayne Ebinger: I know Tommy Emmanuel is very electric on stage with his guitar playing and but there’s there are so many and it’s hard to pinpoint on that, but.

00:25:34.830 –> 00:25:36.330 Wayne Ebinger: Any any musician is fun.

00:25:37.230 –> 00:25:37.860 Joseph McElroy: Never shot a.

00:25:39.600 –> 00:25:40.200 Joseph McElroy: musical.

00:25:42.000 –> 00:25:44.790 Joseph McElroy: tastes, have you got the time to take a few of them.

00:25:53.790 –> 00:25:55.230 Wayne Ebinger: I could I couldn’t hear.

00:25:56.220 –> 00:25:56.520 Joseph McElroy: Can you.

00:25:56.910 –> 00:25:57.840 Wayne Ebinger: hear me now.

00:25:58.170 –> 00:26:08.640 Wayne Ebinger: Okay yeah the musical heroes, yes, actually, when I was at the Plaza live in Orlando theater Steve Gadd now Dr. Steve Gadd the drummer.

00:26:09.780 –> 00:26:10.410 Wayne Ebinger: He was playing.

00:26:10.590 –> 00:26:11.760 Joseph McElroy: In there twice, he was with.

00:26:13.830 –> 00:26:20.430 Wayne Ebinger: Bob James and his group of the jazz things and so he was there that one night and I got him to be signed a.

00:26:21.270 –> 00:26:31.800 Wayne Ebinger: drum head for me again and he put it on there and I’ve got that on my wall but Steve Gadd is as far as a musician it’s just because it doesn’t mean being the drummer and kind of thing is just amazing.

00:26:32.580 –> 00:26:42.090 Wayne Ebinger: To have met him and he played there three or four times and every time was great to walk in and they know you when you walk in it’s very comfortable it’s like walking into a friend’s house yeah.

00:26:42.510 –> 00:26:43.500 Wayne Ebinger: Rosie Steve gadd.

00:26:44.580 –> 00:26:46.200 Joseph McElroy: All right, it’s good.

00:26:47.520 –> 00:26:55.320 Joseph McElroy: To find out more about what you do what you know what you’re sharing your experience in the smokies and the Maggie Valley and things like that.

00:26:56.370 –> 00:26:58.320 Joseph McElroy: Somebody relocations for photography.

00:26:59.790 –> 00:27:00.780 Wayne Ebinger: Similar locations.

00:27:06.810 –> 00:27:06.960 i’m.

00:29:32.520 –> 00:29:47.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast so my guest is Wayne Ebinger, so Wayne what caused us to relocate to Maggie Valley and better business here.

00:29:48.300 –> 00:29:59.310 Wayne Ebinger: And I’ll try to make it as short as possible, but when we were when I was doing the things back in Orlando, I was working two to three jobs, one of them was the veteran anything four days a week, and weekends were open.

00:29:59.880 –> 00:30:10.830 Wayne Ebinger: Because of starting way back because I was on the road, being a musician on weekends and so after I got off the road touring and stuff.

00:30:11.400 –> 00:30:20.190 Wayne Ebinger: I kind of had some with the photography and developed into the what is the weddings so we did that on the weekends and still do the veterinarian a week.

00:30:20.760 –> 00:30:30.510 Wayne Ebinger: But during that time we were coming up to Maggie Valley in the mid-80s, to my wife and I before we had our children and would stay up here and just.

00:30:31.140 –> 00:30:39.480 Wayne Ebinger: rent different places that lake Juneau Alaska, which is a Methodist headquarters at the time and which would come up twice a year just for that.

00:30:40.800 –> 00:30:50.220 Wayne Ebinger: And I just from there with the scenery the mountains, is it just fell in love with it because the in Florida you get nothing but flat land and.

00:30:50.790 –> 00:31:02.070 Wayne Ebinger: Hot and humid and things like that, but after why we decided to we bought some property and Maggie Valley then we paid that off, and then we build a house and then use it as a.

00:31:02.970 –> 00:31:12.540 Wayne Ebinger: short term rental here in just for the summer and it turned out to be a blessing, as far as having a rented and taking care of itself.

00:31:13.140 –> 00:31:21.840 Wayne Ebinger: So after about 15 years we had the crunch and all that and 80 and 80 90 was in 2008 so anyway, we figured well.

00:31:22.380 –> 00:31:32.190 Wayne Ebinger: Though we’re going to do so, I got the time where I could retire from the veterinary thing, so I said let’s my wife and I said, well, maybe we should go up to the House or something, but our kids said.

00:31:32.970 –> 00:31:35.940 Wayne Ebinger: Once you go up to the mountain house and live, so we do that full time now.

00:31:36.750 –> 00:31:45.900 Wayne Ebinger: 2013 but being here, in the meantime we come up to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway is just around the corner from us it’s like from Maggie Valley to five miles.

00:31:46.860 –> 00:32:00.960 Wayne Ebinger: West on Soco is so good roading they make a left in your another five minutes you’re up on top of the water-rock now and then you can take that take blue Ridge, all the way to Asheville and beyond, or he made a right-hand turn you end up in Tennessee.

00:32:01.350 –> 00:32:05.940 Wayne Ebinger: So there’s a lot of seeing so many CDs in the graveyard.

00:32:07.380 –> 00:32:14.940 Wayne Ebinger: area there are waterfalls through there and it’s just and it’s a great day to hike they’ve hiked up their bike riding.

00:32:16.380 –> 00:32:21.930 Wayne Ebinger: So the things to do up here are just unlimited, especially if you outdoors type.

00:32:23.670 –> 00:32:34.260 Wayne Ebinger: Of course, like, I mentioned in the Cataloochee Valley is always great to do with the history that’s there and the old churches Baptist churches that are up there from the 1800s and lot of.

00:32:35.940 –> 00:32:41.100 Wayne Ebinger: Beautiful mountain views from here to sunsets or just killer.

00:32:42.090 –> 00:32:52.770 Joseph McElroy: If somebody was coming through the mountains grabs Where would you recommend the best photographs to be.

00:32:53.910 –> 00:33:00.360 Wayne Ebinger: I prefer it because our House actually looks from the West, although we’re a North facing towards the Cataloochee mountain.

00:33:01.890 –> 00:33:07.320 Wayne Ebinger: The sunsets are just amazing kind of I’m looking at your background, right now, this is.

00:33:07.320 –> 00:33:08.070 Wayne Ebinger: What it looks like.

00:33:08.220 –> 00:33:18.060 Wayne Ebinger: Almost every night, especially in the fall when the cooler temperatures are in the clouds and I’ll come in, but that is just that’s my go-to place it then takes much time to get there.

00:33:18.660 –> 00:33:23.730 Wayne Ebinger: And you get great results, and also a friend of mine was into Nashville photography.

00:33:24.270 –> 00:33:37.770 Wayne Ebinger: And so I was going with him and I learned a lot with him with telescopes and just amazing stuff way beyond my capabilities of photography but up there, you get the stars and he would we would actually find the planets and photograph them but.

00:33:38.790 –> 00:33:47.040 Wayne Ebinger: it’s great for evening photography is a what a rock knob is great because you have the option of shooting towards can’t count Cherokee.

00:33:47.910 –> 00:34:00.870 Wayne Ebinger: which you can actually see from what a rotten where the Indian reservation is and Paris hotel and all that and gambling, but that’s a really nice place what recognize my favorite is nearby and a lot of things to do they’re.

00:34:01.920 –> 00:34:03.810 Wayne Ebinger: hiking biking and geography.

00:34:05.040 –> 00:34:07.110 Joseph McElroy: And what are the best winter what’s.

00:34:08.400 –> 00:34:09.390 Wayne Ebinger: The best winter months.

00:34:10.500 –> 00:34:12.240 Joseph McElroy: Winter spots, the best winter.

00:34:12.480 –> 00:34:13.560 Wayne Ebinger: spots well.

00:34:14.910 –> 00:34:22.320 Wayne Ebinger: The whole place changes because you don’t see leaves anymore it’s all empty branches and will every year we’ll look over the mountain and say.

00:34:22.950 –> 00:34:28.740 Wayne Ebinger: wow look at how many houses are there, we didn’t know where they’re you know we started up here 20 something years ago, you can.

00:34:29.310 –> 00:34:38.550 Wayne Ebinger: count on your hand kinda like, how many were across from the from you, but now it’s like and you can tell by the lights and Center on it, but it’s the people have come in here and there.

00:34:39.630 –> 00:34:41.130 Wayne Ebinger: But I would say that.

00:34:42.450 –> 00:34:44.640 Wayne Ebinger: In the wintertime that the snows are.

00:34:46.350 –> 00:34:46.590 Wayne Ebinger: aren’t.

00:34:46.650 –> 00:34:51.750 Wayne Ebinger: Really too bad we have maybe two or three weeks out of the whole season, that you have to, we have to walk down and.

00:34:52.320 –> 00:35:01.890 Wayne Ebinger: They get the car at the farmer, the Lewis farm to get our car, but we have to walk about three-quarters of a mile to get down to it, and go up to our place to get back, but.

00:35:03.540 –> 00:35:16.020 Wayne Ebinger: But the scenes, for that, get like you to Las Vegas is nice to go through when it’s in the winter in the snow because they have the Cross that’s there on the lake and as it’s lit up and with snow, it just makes a beautiful scene there.

00:35:18.210 –> 00:35:25.740 Wayne Ebinger: And even the places that well you can’t go on the parkway we when it’s snowing and I, so you can’t really say go to in parkway in the wintertime because you’re not.

00:35:26.160 –> 00:35:37.950 Wayne Ebinger: it’s not safe and they close it down so you’re limited there, so you just have to kind of look around and some of the streams are nice when he had the snow on the side on the Moss and the trees and you’ve got those running.

00:35:40.410 –> 00:35:51.510 Wayne Ebinger: waters in the streams of the rivers there Jonathan creek which is just grabbed behind the Meadowlark motel here is always moving here that water in the stream it’s just like put you in another.

00:35:54.360 –> 00:36:11.730 Wayne Ebinger: Quiet solid solitude place and it’s just it’s nice to do, but these streams are fun to do and experiment with you see photographs with the waterfalls or streams and it looks like they look like milk looking look to with all the water is kind of whiten and soft.

00:36:12.510 –> 00:36:29.610 Wayne Ebinger: Learning that technique is simple to do but doing that once you accomplish that it’s like look what I can do kind of thing is show people to be but it mixed up the photo look so much nicer simple technique, but it’s I don’t know how to do that just yet, maybe next time.

00:36:30.540 –> 00:36:38.820 Joseph McElroy: So I know you mentioned elk fest and so you voted for that, and it is for tips for elk?

00:36:40.170 –> 00:36:52.860 Wayne Ebinger: um well, the main thing is to respect them, you know they are they’re wild that although they come up here and they’ll like they’ll come right up you know within 10 feet of you if you just.

00:36:54.120 –> 00:36:59.370 Wayne Ebinger: Keep your distance willingness to be saved use your common sense don’t feed them don’t do anything like in which people do and then.

00:37:00.000 –> 00:37:06.570 Wayne Ebinger: You know that they’re huge animals, I mean they’re not they’re bigger than horses and they that you never know what they’re going to do we.

00:37:07.050 –> 00:37:15.360 Wayne Ebinger: And there’s usually a male one male about and he’s we have one quick story about it coming up our driveway actually cut a little video of it.

00:37:15.840 –> 00:37:26.790 Wayne Ebinger: He was coming up the driveway and he has beautiful antlers which they lose every year but they’re very lightweight because they’re just hollow basically but he was coming up drawn up in.

00:37:27.990 –> 00:37:33.780 Wayne Ebinger: Our driveway, which is about a 33-degree mountain thing is I’m watching their photograph.

00:37:34.290 –> 00:37:42.090 Wayne Ebinger: doing a video, and I say my wife when I saw her coming around the corner get ready to come up the MIC a little turn to go up the driveway and she sees your stop because.

00:37:42.570 –> 00:37:51.960 Wayne Ebinger: it’s not you know we see them all the time, so he came on up it walked on up through me after the driveway and walked around I named Elvis the elk.

00:37:52.020 –> 00:37:52.290 Joseph McElroy: Which is.

00:37:53.910 –> 00:38:00.180 Wayne Ebinger: Not original, but it was nice it’s a great video to view that and we’ve had some of the males come up.

00:38:00.960 –> 00:38:14.460 Wayne Ebinger: One day we were looking over our porch just say you’re on your porch and there are 15 feet down you look over the porch and there, it goes for females is walking right in front of us going around the back of the House and about three minutes later.

00:38:15.540 –> 00:38:26.400 Wayne Ebinger: Here comes the boy, you know it is a male the because they’re kind of like in the rut season stuff as it comes right by right in front of us and walks up there and they look at you, and they just keep walking through.

00:38:26.910 –> 00:38:36.150 Wayne Ebinger: But you know you get photos like that, but the best place is in the fall when they get into the right season, they start viewing.

00:38:37.200 –> 00:38:45.960 Wayne Ebinger: Which is a beautiful sound that they make the calling the near the females, and with a long telephoto lens you can go to the Cataloochee Valley that’s where they.

00:38:46.560 –> 00:39:03.150 Wayne Ebinger: hang out in the end for food and where they like to live and there that’s where you get your best photographs and in that area, because it’s good to a point, now that we’ve maxed out they’ve been here 27 years now 22 years.

00:39:04.710 –> 00:39:05.220 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:39:05.640 –> 00:39:12.990 Wayne Ebinger: When they move they used to be here, and then they brought him in from that MIT from out West, and this is the group and then keep going.

00:39:15.030 –> 00:39:15.270 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:39:15.990 –> 00:39:23.580 Wayne Ebinger: You can be driving I’m driving home here right on so go road here in front of the Meadowlark motel and here comes.

00:39:24.180 –> 00:39:32.400 Wayne Ebinger: You know anywhere from six to I’ve kind of 18 at one time the elk walking on the sidewalk coming up, they were crossing through the course.

00:39:32.850 –> 00:39:43.620 Wayne Ebinger: Where people stop you know they watch and look at it and just let them go let them, baby, so a lot of English, we have cell phones not unleashing the pictures on cell phones I drive a camera you can do that.

00:39:44.160 –> 00:39:44.910 Right.

00:39:46.230 –> 00:39:47.970 Wayne Ebinger: stealth, and just don’t get too close.

00:39:50.190 –> 00:39:51.870 Joseph McElroy: lets I mean I think it’s the society.

00:39:52.980 –> 00:40:05.280 Joseph McElroy: is coming back here but we’ll be back next year yeah yeah that’s I think that’s a great festival celebrating the meal and all the culture and all the things that you can do around here to grey sale.

00:40:05.760 –> 00:40:08.700 Wayne Ebinger: yeah That was a great festival they had there unfortunately because of.

00:40:09.180 –> 00:40:12.480 Wayne Ebinger: The Cobra Tang yellow couldn’t do that this year.

00:40:13.440 –> 00:40:18.540 Joseph McElroy: They couldn’t get it, but they couldn’t get skin scheduled for this year so we’ll be there next year.

00:40:19.890 –> 00:40:26.220 Joseph McElroy: They do I was wondering, do you have permits or fees and do photography and the snatch national.

00:40:27.720 –> 00:40:27.960 Joseph McElroy: Like.

00:40:28.170 –> 00:40:28.890 Wayne Ebinger: we’d be getting it.

00:40:29.790 –> 00:40:38.220 Joseph McElroy: You have to have to any permits or fee required to do say commercial photography in the mountains smoky mountain Park, the national park

00:40:39.090 –> 00:40:39.930 i’m.

00:40:40.950 –> 00:40:42.270 Wayne Ebinger: Not that i’m aware of.

00:40:43.770 –> 00:40:51.750 Wayne Ebinger: All, although I found out because I am in the senior group I was able to get a lifetime membership for national parks.

00:40:51.930 –> 00:40:57.210 Wayne Ebinger: For $10 okay that’s good, so my wife and I did that and fishing, too, but uh.

00:40:57.810 –> 00:40:58.170 Wayne Ebinger: Not.

00:40:58.770 –> 00:41:01.470 Wayne Ebinger: The photograph I don’t believe you need to have anything like.

00:41:02.460 –> 00:41:05.910 Wayne Ebinger: That I do real estate photography to when I’m asked to do that, but.

00:41:07.050 –> 00:41:07.470 Wayne Ebinger: Now.

00:41:08.490 –> 00:41:21.750 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool all right, when we come back, but yeah you’re well known for knowing about the venues and events and things like that some of your favorite places in different kinds.

00:41:22.890 –> 00:41:23.250 Joseph McElroy: I will be.

00:41:24.480 –> 00:41:25.890 Wayne Ebinger: Looking forward to it okay let’s do that.

00:44:00.210 –> 00:44:10.500 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Wayne Ebinger and Wayne you’ve done so much.

00:44:11.370 –> 00:44:21.570 Joseph McElroy: photography of musicians and artists this in this era, been to a lot of places so imagine we got a tourist that’s coming here and we’re going to talk, talk to them and we’re going to.

00:44:22.440 –> 00:44:39.270 Joseph McElroy: pick some places that you have types and you can tell us which might be the best variety, for example, if somebody is looking for a regional music venue where you can like my acoustic music or an artist performing where we go.

00:44:40.770 –> 00:44:41.730 Wayne Ebinger: To Actually, I would say.

00:44:42.750 –> 00:44:49.380 Wayne Ebinger: Especially if there were coming into this area of the Maggie Valley area if I had mentioned the elevated mountain distillery which is just.

00:44:50.520 –> 00:44:53.040 Wayne Ebinger: down the road from Meadowlark motel.

00:44:54.180 –> 00:44:58.740 Wayne Ebinger: With Dave angel, he has entertainment, there are five nights a week now.

00:44:59.760 –> 00:45:03.420 Wayne Ebinger: different things Wednesday night we opened up the.

00:45:04.710 –> 00:45:14.490 Wayne Ebinger: We started an open jam for musicians on Wednesday nights Thursday night, they have karaoke and there’s some great local talent and people coming in here with karaoke I was.

00:45:14.970 –> 00:45:25.260 Wayne Ebinger: Always worried about what karaoke but there are some great voices out there, that are not in groups days, then Friday or Saturday, they have bands and it could be anywhere from.

00:45:27.180 –> 00:45:29.070 Wayne Ebinger: bluegrass to jazz to.

00:45:31.980 –> 00:45:40.950 Wayne Ebinger: Just rock band to there’s a lot of that going on, too, but that’s on Friday Saturday, and sometimes on Sundays you’ll have other events too with music-related there that’s right here in the Valley.

00:45:42.000 –> 00:45:54.510 Wayne Ebinger: The other place was placed would be closest would be in Asheville I do a lot of photography at a place called ISIS musical, which is on the West side of Asheville and they have.

00:45:55.560 –> 00:46:03.570 Wayne Ebinger: A stage area where I had we can have dining the great food there and then they also have a lounge upstairs and they can have.

00:46:04.680 –> 00:46:15.450 Wayne Ebinger: lounge shows first like from six to eight and downstairs that with the dinners eight to 11 or so so two things can be going on there, and they have big band stuff they have.

00:46:16.770 –> 00:46:17.910 Wayne Ebinger: bluegrass they’ve had.

00:46:18.960 –> 00:46:19.380 Wayne Ebinger: Any.

00:46:21.150 –> 00:46:31.290 Wayne Ebinger: Any of the events and what I like about ISIS because he does a great genre of different types of music there the other ones that are around.

00:46:33.120 –> 00:46:38.670 Wayne Ebinger: would be they trying to get the name they just changed the name of it least open one up it’s called the.

00:46:41.040 –> 00:46:45.780 Wayne Ebinger: Hazel Robinson amphitheater what you said Ashville, which is an open theater which is normally.

00:46:46.080 –> 00:46:47.430 Joseph McElroy: was for Stage productions like.

00:46:47.430 –> 00:47:00.840 Wayne Ebinger: Shakespeare and they have anally bed balsam range opened up this year in April, when when the first thing that the coven opened up, so we did the first concert down there out there and outside perfect stadium seating the outside.

00:47:01.740 –> 00:47:05.370 Joseph McElroy: they’re doing outside of there so I’ve been concert now are.

00:47:06.450 –> 00:47:10.290 Joseph McElroy: The pandemic this concert t right.

00:47:10.350 –> 00:47:13.230 Wayne Ebinger: Yes, right right here at the festival ground where they have.

00:47:14.460 –> 00:47:14.760 Wayne Ebinger: Where the.

00:47:16.200 –> 00:47:23.550 Wayne Ebinger: Hillbilly jams, going to be this weekend in the winter clothes, like in the 20s and 30s but they have they invented the thing where they had the.

00:47:23.940 –> 00:47:31.800 Wayne Ebinger: drive in concerts when you come into your car you stay in your car you don’t get out in the bands, playing on stage, and you can.

00:47:32.400 –> 00:47:40.560 Wayne Ebinger: You know X amount of dollars to get in with a carload of people and you bring your own food, but it was our House sets right above.

00:47:41.040 –> 00:47:46.680 Wayne Ebinger: The festival grounds and I can see the stage from my house were 3500 feet up and we can hear it was.

00:47:47.610 –> 00:47:54.900 Wayne Ebinger: It was too cold to go there do one of the shows guys I’m not going down there, but we sat out on our port on our own thing with the.

00:47:55.350 –> 00:48:03.450 Wayne Ebinger: Fire pit and that and just listen to the music, it was grace potter was the plan and they’ve had Sam Bush there this year grace potter and.

00:48:04.440 –> 00:48:20.880 Wayne Ebinger: Young career has been there and Keller Williams and just like five of those concert servants, but the concert thing was a great invention I don’t know if it’s going to work when we get back to normal, things are not because people want to get out and.

00:48:21.510 –> 00:48:21.840 That.

00:48:24.270 –> 00:48:28.560 Joseph McElroy: sounds like it might have a remote chance to live to see that’s kind of quick coffee.

00:48:29.760 –> 00:48:38.160 Joseph McElroy: hey What about the truck traditional thing I know that there’s something ground has been a long, long time but yes, yes Saturday satellites.

00:48:39.330 –> 00:48:41.670 Joseph McElroy: places that are good around the area.

00:48:44.070 –> 00:48:51.990 Wayne Ebinger: yeah the stomping grounds, been a mainstay here for you, for clogging that’s what it’s all about there and they’re yeah they’re open just in the fall.

00:48:52.590 –> 00:49:09.510 Wayne Ebinger: The summer and fall and it’s a Saturday night at eight o’clock and the great a lot of room for parking and clogging if you’ve not seen it or into it it’s a wonderful place there’s a huge like an antique-looking barn but huge huge place.

00:49:10.740 –> 00:49:18.390 Wayne Ebinger: For entertainment but stomping grounds Greg until, of course, one of the legends was here is hometown was.

00:49:19.260 –> 00:49:25.680 Wayne Ebinger: Raymond Fairchild and he had a place right across from the distillery and called the Maggie Valley Opry.

00:49:26.190 –> 00:49:38.400 Wayne Ebinger: And he would play every Friday and Saturday night and I’ll go down there and photograph them and sit with him and be talking but unfortunately lost him two years ago coming up this year, and what a character, David.

00:49:39.480 –> 00:49:48.750 Wayne Ebinger: David Fairchild was um but so you get you to know that kind of desert there’s I think they’re starting now to have dance clubs or something like that.

00:49:49.290 –> 00:50:01.620 Wayne Ebinger: In Waynesville which is just around the corner from Maggie Valley and but I haven’t looked I just heard about that, so I think that’s a place where people get out which, I might have ballroom dancing I think we’re going to do that waltz.

00:50:02.790 –> 00:50:03.180 Wayne Ebinger: Whatever.

00:50:03.570 –> 00:50:08.610 Joseph McElroy: method, they have the streets as a part of the nights do angel.

00:50:09.030 –> 00:50:16.860 Wayne Ebinger: They do yep that the Chatelet Wayne’s will kind of shuts down after five o’clock that’s one of the reasons we like to move up here but.

00:50:17.580 –> 00:50:23.400 Wayne Ebinger: They have one coming out, I think I think Darren Nicholson and his band are going to be there in about a week or two with the Friday night.

00:50:23.970 –> 00:50:29.070 Wayne Ebinger: street dance and they’ve really incorporated this year with the focal mood coming to town.

00:50:29.910 –> 00:50:44.430 Wayne Ebinger: that’s been on hiatus too, and that, but they close the street down, and you have live bands and entertainment vendors and local entertainment local music and it’s a great thing it’s free you know people who go down there and just have fun with that.

00:50:45.000 –> 00:50:50.340 Joseph McElroy: So, so you know I bet you never thought about tools which, which are the best from the area for suffering some become.

00:50:51.510 –> 00:50:52.290 Wayne Ebinger: The festivals.

00:50:53.190 –> 00:50:58.440 Joseph McElroy: festivals Western North Carolina that are at our annual the best ones to come down.

00:50:59.220 –> 00:51:05.790 Wayne Ebinger: Of course, well, the hillbilly jams, have been a mainstay this is the 10th year I’ve been involved with them for nine.

00:51:07.590 –> 00:51:19.110 Wayne Ebinger: The lake Logan, which is an Episcopal church owns that which is a beautiful place there for recreation, a big for boating and camp camp camp I’m not sure what.

00:51:20.970 –> 00:51:26.850 Wayne Ebinger: That is, they have the outside concerts as well in the summer, usually around July.

00:51:29.340 –> 00:51:40.080 Wayne Ebinger: The festivals there’s the in Hendersonville or down South in regard they have the white squirrel festival and there are all kinds of festivals just.

00:51:41.160 –> 00:51:45.300 Wayne Ebinger: You know there if you have an idea, it could be an acorn festival if you have a.

00:51:46.830 –> 00:52:00.540 Wayne Ebinger: doesn’t matter people going to go because it’s fun and music but there’s around the Asheville area oh there’s another place a new venue that’s been out it’s called the Barnett paint fork which is nearby here up above Weaver bill and they’re.

00:52:02.220 –> 00:52:05.100 Wayne Ebinger: they’re having the group called the Outlaw, which is a.

00:52:06.210 –> 00:52:11.220 Wayne Ebinger: well-known rock group, if you will, and balsam range and they bring people in there, but there.

00:52:11.970 –> 00:52:25.980 Wayne Ebinger: it’s a beautiful place and venue for live entertainment and that’s about a 45-minute drive from Orlando from Maggie valley and but that’s a that’s one of the newer venues but music, you can find it up here and that’s.

00:52:28.140 –> 00:52:30.330 Wayne Ebinger: When I got here, it was like oh, my goodness.

00:52:30.720 –> 00:52:32.640 Wayne Ebinger: All these young kids and their.

00:52:32.790 –> 00:52:36.510 Wayne Ebinger: They learn to play musical instruments wonder five years old.

00:52:38.190 –> 00:52:40.590 Joseph McElroy: Oh, we got to come to in here so so.

00:52:41.610 –> 00:52:46.170 Joseph McElroy: I want you to tell people how they get Ahold of you and how they see your work.

00:52:46.560 –> 00:52:52.230 Wayne Ebinger: Okay, what right now I don’t have the web page, excuse me anymore.

00:52:53.370 –> 00:53:03.060 Wayne Ebinger: When I moved up here, I just want Facebook to be doing well, so I just kept you can catch me on Facebook Wayne Ebinger that’s the name and then you’ll see what my recent.

00:53:03.810 –> 00:53:12.930 Wayne Ebinger: photographs are and the people I’ve been photographing and actually the what the concert I did here just last this past weekend will be on there starting tomorrow.

00:53:14.130 –> 00:53:17.340 Joseph McElroy: They want to do work with you know to hire you for some work, what would they do.

00:53:17.700 –> 00:53:20.100 Wayne Ebinger: They can contact me through the messenger on there it’d be fine.

00:53:20.760 –> 00:53:22.380 Joseph McElroy: Okay, you have messenger.

00:53:24.870 –> 00:53:36.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you for being on the show, at the end of it, I want to talk, talk radio.NYC network it’s a fabulous network for all sorts of blog cast we’re here every Tuesday night from six to seven pm.

00:53:37.860 –> 00:53:51.900 Joseph McElroy: records as one about it and exploring the city so I’d love for you the variants all that a New York and the Smoky Mountain and then the next week same time.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/1626164260913902/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/220209212_1626865354177126_4520658882529312211_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=4yrvz65JL6oAX-PmNw_&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6300DB60&oh=00_AT_y-sW-EJ12eFOdkXXj6UaHfasi1-Dh0hubk2NZBhvCUQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Today&#39;s guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is <strong>Wayne Ebinger</strong>, an Award-Winning Photographer well known for his photos of local musicians, concerts, artists, and festivals, as well as the natural beauty of the Great Smokies.</p><p>He was a former professional musician and a veterinarian tech. Currently, he owns and operates a successful photography business in Maggie Valley, N.C.</p><p>Our host Joseph McElroy wand Wayne and will talk about his career, passion, and photographing the Smokies.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/v/5NLPv7AbK/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s episode starts off with host <a href="mailto:joseph@galileotechmedia.com" rel="nofollow">Joseph Franklyn McElroy</a> announcing special events and announcements in the Maggie Valley area, including wonderful festivals, eateries, and great gatherings for people to go to. Then the special guest, photographer, and former musician Wayne Ebinger gets introduced. Right away, he gives a short explanation of how he came to the career path he is in today, from high school back in the 1960s to now, he talks about how he engulfed himself into the love he had for the veterinarian career to his career as a professional rock drummer.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Wayne talks about how he transitioned into his photography career. He started off with a cheaper kodak camera and started taking photos wherever he could. He first was asked to be a photographer at a wedding, and eventually was asked to photograph weddings, musicals, music festivals, and concerts. He continued his photography business for nearly thirty years before moving to the Smoky Mountains and shifting his business into more intimate and local weddings and events. Wayne explains a personal rule he has when he’s taking photographs, which is to be stealthy. Whether he is at a wedding or out in the wild, he tries to stay as stealthy as possible to avoid disturbing the photo subjects. He also adds that it’s pretty important to dress accordingly, for him that means a black T-shirt. He talks about the cameras he has used throughout the years, especially during the shift to digital photography, and which lenses he prefers to use for certain situations. He also says that he tries not to edit the photos too much. Wayne talks about his favorite band to photograph and other memorable photographs that he has taken.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>This segment starts off with the story of how Wayne ended up at Maggie Valley and why he chose to do so. Joseph asks Wayne for photography location recommendations. Immediately Wayne mentions a field where you can see a beautiful landscape and sunset. He also mentioned Waterrock Knob for wonderful evening photos where you can photograph the stars and see beautiful scenery. He talks about how in the wintertime, the snow is so beautiful that it will always make great photos. He explains how because of the snow, it can be difficult to travel around so often he looks around where he is and finds a quiet place in nature to photograph. He gives tips on how to photograph elks. The biggest one is, to respect them.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>For the last segment of this episode, Joseph starts off by asking Wayne for some of his favorite local spots in Maggie Valley. He gives a huge variety of places to go for nightlife, eating out, or just hanging out and dancing. They share stories about their experience at these different hotspots in Maggie Valley till the end of the show.</p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h2><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h2><p>00:00:32.460 –&gt; 00:00:35.640 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of</p><p>00:00:35.910 –&gt; 00:00:48.270 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park great smoky mountains national park and surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:48.750 –&gt; 00:00:59.790 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world.</p><p>00:01:00.330 –&gt; 00:01:09.780 Joseph McElroy: with deep roots in these mountains, my families live in the great smoky mountain over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:10.590 –&gt; 00:01:16.290 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast we will talk about photography in the smokies, but first, i’ll give you a little bit of</p><p>00:01:16.830 –&gt; 00:01:26.820 Joseph McElroy: opportunities to experience mountain heritage, so, as you know, when we started this smoky mountain the Meadowlark mountain heritage Center Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:01:27.420 –&gt; 00:01:38.400 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark motels and on July 31st we have a great example of a mountain heritage of this that we’re having over the next few years.</p><p>00:01:39.810 –&gt; 00:01:47.070 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to introduce people who have done is they’ve been around for a long time, or where did you sing to you our podcast audience.</p><p>00:01:47.580 –&gt; 00:01:55.290 Joseph McElroy: And would count as Charles Miller and are landing, who have roots firmly believe in them and I’m soaking the soil.</p><p>00:01:55.890 –&gt; 00:02:08.550 Joseph McElroy: But women can trace their family tree and Western North Carolina back to the revolutionary war error and both of the ancestors who fought in 1776 rutherford campaign a battle of cliff king’s men.</p><p>00:02:09.570 –&gt; 00:02:20.130 Joseph McElroy: Mostly these 21st century Renaissance men are passionate about story and art and have led extremely interested in colorful lives.</p><p>00:02:20.730 –&gt; 00:02:39.150 Joseph McElroy: They there were why liberty recognized for their expertise and 18th-century history firearms at a cuckoo as well as low genealogy middle work and wouldn’t and brawn sculptures and creating a life cycle of a mountain man to man, created by landing at the Haywood county courthouse.</p><p>00:02:40.200 –&gt; 00:02:55.170 Joseph McElroy: Both artists are renowned storytellers, which is a tradition in the mountains and have been featured to turn it into a magazine newspapers verse and the book colorful colorful characters of the growth, the mountains, I bought.</p><p>00:02:56.250 –&gt; 00:03:06.300 Joseph McElroy: The Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center in the Meadowlark motel or on this two grid Haywood county Artist historians, with an entire day on July 31.</p><p>00:03:07.650 –&gt; 00:03:19.800 Joseph McElroy: Sub celebrating life by featuring traditional ballad singing and hundreds by Will Ritter and I saw I saw him a few weeks ago, and he is fantastic and then he’s playing one of those.</p><p>00:03:20.850 –&gt; 00:03:34.890 Joseph McElroy: are made by Orlando, there will be hand handcrafted moonshine still by Charles Miller another word, he is done and there’ll be a display of frontier dress and accouterment join with a talk by the hank.</p><p>00:03:35.610 –&gt; 00:03:47.010 Joseph McElroy: They will display classic guns and sculptures created by URL and it will come in with an award presentation for lifetime achievement by the mountain meadowlark smoky mountain heritage here.</p><p>00:03:47.700 –&gt; 00:04:03.330 Joseph McElroy: Afterwards, there will be a dinner and world-famous Dr steakhouses spaces, with women to go to the Meadowlark motel.COM. and for reservations and then the rsvp for the dinner, which is two different things you gotta you gotta make it to the event at a fee for the year.</p><p>00:04:04.770 –&gt; 00:04:09.870 Joseph McElroy: So it’ll be fun there’ll be seminars to say store storytelling books available.</p><p>00:04:10.920 –&gt; 00:04:16.470 Joseph McElroy: fun things to do, guarantee it’s a great major event that I’m.</p><p>00:04:17.490 –&gt; 00:04:29.010 Joseph McElroy: I want to tell you that you can find more about this podcast and get a game of smokies fun, most importantly, you can sign up for a newsletter there are we letting know about these kinds of events and so on an ongoing basis.</p><p>00:04:30.150 –&gt; 00:04:37.530 Joseph McElroy: I’m going to totally it’s about our sponsors, I want you to imagine a place evocative motor court sorts of the past year, modern environment.</p><p>00:04:37.860 –&gt; 00:04:46.890 Joseph McElroy: With a Chic Appalachian feel a place for relaxation imagine a place where you can catch fish and a mountain heritage trash out.</p><p>00:04:47.220 –&gt; 00:05:00.060 Joseph McElroy: grill catch a fire and unique company fine wine or craft beers imagine ups with old-time music and old work with cultural sounds, there is no other place like the.</p><p>00:05:00.510 –&gt; 00:05:08.370 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:05:08.850 –&gt; 00:05:26.730 Joseph McElroy: we’re also sponsored smokies adventure that smokies plural adventure singular COM information and listing about the smokies it features hiking wedding and been venues books and crumb trail Max and resources for experiencing the smoke outcomes.</p><p>00:05:28.830 –&gt; 00:05:40.440 Joseph McElroy: And the emphasis of smokies adventurous outdoor recreation life events like wedding adventures last long provide information on the lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoon we’re.</p><p>00:05:40.860 –&gt; 00:05:54.000 Joseph McElroy: going to go is has been to be the meeting information portal on the smoky mountains, I remind my nice weekend and I give hillbilly jam right my cousin and Betsy Randy and it’s a beautiful to day to day it.</p><p>00:05:55.170 –&gt; 00:06:05.040 Joseph McElroy: Is features glorious music crafts food vendors that have moved moved from the Disney channel discovery channel card bike show and more.</p><p>00:06:05.460 –&gt; 00:06:14.730 Joseph McElroy: And you go to the hillbilly billy jack.com to find out more now my guest today is Wayne Ebinger, who is a photographer</p><p>00:06:15.180 –&gt; 00:06:22.800 Joseph McElroy: And here’s a Florida native hours, writing and Maggie Valley North Carolina where he owns and operates as a successful but photography does.</p><p>00:06:23.250 –&gt; 00:06:28.110 Joseph McElroy: Wayne is that very diverse and interesting career as a former veterinarian and then.</p><p>00:06:28.860 –&gt; 00:06:43.470 Joseph McElroy: technician a professional musician and currently an award winning photographer well and for his photo local musicians concerts artists and festivals, as well as those the true beauty beauty of the great smoky mountain</p><p>00:06:44.490 –&gt; 00:06:45.840 Wayne Ebinger: Hello there, glad to be here.</p><p>00:06:47.010 –&gt; 00:06:48.690 Joseph McElroy: i’m so i’m.</p><p>00:06:49.920 –&gt; 00:06:58.410 Joseph McElroy: Orlando Florida and we’re educated, the University of Florida original to be written to veterinarian Is this something you got into.</p><p>00:06:59.250 –&gt; 00:07:09.600 Wayne Ebinger: Well that’s yes, I noticed from a young age, that I was kind of always leading I didn’t notice it at that time, but i’ve always kind of gravitated to analyze any kind.</p><p>00:07:10.140 –&gt; 00:07:16.890 Wayne Ebinger: But after I got into my more of a teens and adult thing I kind of said, this might be something to look into so I.</p><p>00:07:17.460 –&gt; 00:07:25.410 Wayne Ebinger: I wanted to do that after high school and started working with a local veterinarian in Orlando and that’s where I started back in.</p><p>00:07:26.280 –&gt; 00:07:39.780 Wayne Ebinger: 68 I guess it was right after I graduated from high school stayed with that program and stayed with him and you kind of mentored me, I appreciate it everything he did for me on those and then things just kind of evolved I’ve been very blessed for.</p><p>00:07:41.250 –&gt; 00:07:43.320 Wayne Ebinger: Multiple things that I’ve been involved with.</p><p>00:07:44.700 –&gt; 00:07:49.500 Joseph McElroy: Well, that kind of career obviously takes a lot, a lot of a sudden, so when did it out of that field.</p><p>00:07:50.730 –&gt; 00:07:51.510 Wayne Ebinger: i’m sorry what was that.</p><p>00:07:52.200 –&gt; 00:07:52.380 well.</p><p>00:07:53.580 –&gt; 00:07:58.740 Joseph McElroy: You obviously had to be very, very committed be you know in any kind of dealing with medicine, whether it’s personal.</p><p>00:07:58.830 –&gt; 00:07:59.100 Oh.</p><p>00:08:00.120 –&gt; 00:08:00.630 Wayne Ebinger: Absolutely.</p><p>00:08:00.780 –&gt; 00:08:03.060 Joseph McElroy: You do have you ever I missed that.</p><p>00:08:03.840 –&gt; 00:08:20.910 Wayne Ebinger: The absolutely the one when your your your hearts into what you want to do and you’re in one of your dreams I just kind of engulfed in it was I was working something like anywhere from 50 to 70 hours a week at this clinic with this this this veterinarian.</p><p>00:08:21.330 –&gt; 00:08:22.020 Joseph McElroy: And just do.</p><p>00:08:22.470 –&gt; 00:08:31.530 Wayne Ebinger: lab stuff and doing helping the surgeries and all that and I just loved every minute of it, so I just engulf myself and saturated with my life with that.</p><p>00:08:32.850 –&gt; 00:08:33.030 Wayne Ebinger: and</p><p>00:08:34.530 –&gt; 00:08:34.830 Go ahead.</p><p>00:08:35.910 –&gt; 00:08:37.560 Joseph McElroy: and choose a different career path.</p><p>00:08:40.320 –&gt; 00:09:00.300 Wayne Ebinger: Because I started actually playing in drums when I was in 1963 and so that was going backward retro from that so I was 13 years old and actually I was playing in bands and through the younger days and, of course, back in the 60s, you were you know, I was actually.</p><p>00:09:02.130 –&gt; 00:09:11.340 Wayne Ebinger: playing in local lounges and log in and plus you centers and things like that, but I mean I was under the cloak of darkness, I guess when I was doing that, underage.</p><p>00:09:11.820 –&gt; 00:09:27.810 Wayne Ebinger: But I just music was another thing that just I just love doing it and so that’s part of what I tried to do for the what all my life and that’s what I’ve been able to do for the last 40 or 50 years all three of them that photography the music and the veterinary field.</p><p>00:09:27.900 –&gt; 00:09:32.460 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you, you are you, you are drummer, right yeah.</p><p>00:09:37.740 –&gt; 00:09:38.340 Wayne Ebinger: I do.</p><p>00:09:39.420 –&gt; 00:09:54.750 Wayne Ebinger: I’ve changed a little bit over the years, with I switched from a drum set about nine years ago when I came up here to permanently leave at our place and I’ve been doing the homes and the percussion stuff for about six years and.</p><p>00:09:54.780 –&gt; 00:10:08.190 Wayne Ebinger: So I couldn’t get out of it, but now I’m back at some some some issues that I couldn’t use my hands and things so they’re coming back so now I’m going back and do a drum set so I’m going to do that and play guitar and piano whenever I can get Ahold of.</p><p>00:10:10.980 –&gt; 00:10:12.300 Joseph McElroy: musicians or band</p><p>00:10:14.190 –&gt; 00:10:22.770 Wayne Ebinger: What we’re doing currently with one of our businesses here in town just down the road the elevated mountain distillery has we created a.</p><p>00:10:23.220 –&gt; 00:10:33.330 Wayne Ebinger: Open jam night on Wednesdays, and we have brought in it’s been going for almost three months now, and every week, we have different people coming in with their instruments to come in and plugin there’s no.</p><p>00:10:34.770 –&gt; 00:10:36.060 Wayne Ebinger: fee or anything like that just.</p><p>00:10:36.180 –&gt; 00:10:38.370 Wayne Ebinger: The camaraderie of the Community.</p><p>00:10:39.720 –&gt; 00:10:40.170 Wayne Ebinger: And it said.</p><p>00:10:40.290 –&gt; 00:10:44.730 Wayne Ebinger: Good results and it’s good for the distillery to for Dave Angel owns it.</p><p>00:10:47.460 –&gt; 00:10:53.490 Joseph McElroy: we’re gonna take a break right and when we come back I get into your photography career find out more about photographing.</p><p>00:10:55.230 –&gt; 00:10:55.500 Okay.</p><p>00:11:33.930 –&gt; 00:11:35.550 Joseph McElroy: in having a better relationship.</p><p>00:13:14.280 –&gt; 00:13:23.280 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast with my guest Wayne Ebinger, so Wayne,</p><p>00:13:24.330 –&gt; 00:13:27.450 Joseph McElroy: Today, you were then for your food photography.</p><p>00:13:28.650 –&gt; 00:13:37.050 Joseph McElroy: And then that particular your shots of artists in concerts and festivals, so the smokies itself, how did you get started with here</p><p>00:13:38.190 –&gt; 00:13:39.990 Wayne Ebinger: There again, I kind of stumbled into.</p><p>00:13:40.110 –&gt; 00:13:41.460 Wayne Ebinger: It back in the 60s, with the.</p><p>00:13:41.490 –&gt; 00:13:50.100 Wayne Ebinger: codec Instamatic 110 camera because that’s all I could afford back then, in my early teens and there was back in the day.</p><p>00:13:50.790 –&gt; 00:13:57.930 Wayne Ebinger: Dick Clark used to have a traveling show called the Dick Clark Caravan of stars and</p><p>00:13:58.410 –&gt; 00:14:07.440 Wayne Ebinger: He would bring them into Orlando and it’d be outdoor concerts and things like that, and I would just take photos with that and plus the music was a big interest at the same time with me.</p><p>00:14:08.070 –&gt; 00:14:15.450 Wayne Ebinger: And so it kind of tied in together, and so I was taking photos of like Paul Revere and the raiders and you know Debbie billing.</p><p>00:14:17.280 –&gt; 00:14:18.390 Wayne Ebinger: Finally, evolved into like.</p><p>00:14:20.520 –&gt; 00:14:26.460 Wayne Ebinger: Alice Cooper and things like that, but that kind of grew into that and then, when I went to college I.</p><p>00:14:26.940 –&gt; 00:14:31.140 Wayne Ebinger: was doing landscapes up in the University of Florida area.</p><p>00:14:32.370 –&gt; 00:14:43.590 Wayne Ebinger: And up there, they had in Florida, have a lot of sinkholes and there’s one called the mill hub, which is right outside of the university, and so I would go there with my camera shooting like black and white, back then, and on film.</p><p>00:14:44.760 –&gt; 00:14:47.040 Wayne Ebinger: Film days and so that’s.</p><p>00:14:47.070 –&gt; 00:14:47.970 Wayne Ebinger: kind of got me going.</p><p>00:14:48.720 –&gt; 00:14:51.270 Wayne Ebinger: I had someone ask about what do I do.</p><p>00:14:51.300 –&gt; 00:14:56.850 Wayne Ebinger: weddings or something like that, and I said no, but I do the camera so I did my actually my first wedding.</p><p>00:14:58.680 –&gt; 00:15:00.570 Wayne Ebinger: From a request from college.</p><p>00:15:01.320 –&gt; 00:15:01.920 Wayne Ebinger: But then.</p><p>00:15:03.840 –&gt; 00:15:07.680 Wayne Ebinger: That worked into it that’s another part of the photographer is I’ll talk about too.</p><p>00:15:08.820 –&gt; 00:15:09.120 Wayne Ebinger: But.</p><p>00:15:09.570 –&gt; 00:15:11.010 Wayne Ebinger: The music in the.</p><p>00:15:11.040 –&gt; 00:15:12.600 Wayne Ebinger: entertainers that I watched the.</p><p>00:15:12.930 –&gt; 00:15:25.350 Wayne Ebinger: the photograph was really planted in my mind that something that I wanted to do and I wanted to pursue that so that and I’ll fast forward a little bit on some of the music and the photography thing.</p><p>00:15:26.820 –&gt; 00:15:29.160 Wayne Ebinger: Back in the late 90s.</p><p>00:15:30.180 –&gt; 00:15:31.230Wayne Ebinger: middle 90s and late night.</p><p>00:15:31.530 –&gt; 00:15:41.640 Wayne Ebinger: There was a place in Orlando called the Plaza live Orlando, it was a movie theater a huge to theater store movie theater but they close it down and they opened it up.</p><p>00:15:42.210 –&gt; 00:15:59.220 Wayne Ebinger: To stages and large stage it can hold about 1500 people in one would hold 400 people next door, and so I was a house, for they got this photographer, and I know we’re about four or five years, I did almost 400.</p><p>00:16:00.360 –&gt; 00:16:02.580 Wayne Ebinger: shows concerts There we have people like.</p><p>00:16:03.720 –&gt; 00:16:07.950 Wayne Ebinger: Our bands like Kev mo we had Asia Kansas.</p><p>00:16:09.420 –&gt; 00:16:10.710 Wayne Ebinger: Some some of the world, some.</p><p>00:16:13.980 –&gt; 00:16:20.610 Wayne Ebinger: musicals get came in narrow do-through but mostly it was all music John Oates was there with Paul notes and.</p><p>00:16:21.000 –&gt; 00:16:23.370 Wayne Ebinger: It was a blast doing that and being there for those.</p><p>00:16:23.400 –&gt; 00:16:28.140 Wayne Ebinger: That many years and meeting these people they’re so generous music and having that connection with music and my background.</p><p>00:16:28.740 –&gt; 00:16:39.120 Wayne Ebinger: Open Doors for me to get into with the players that are there and just like Tommy Emmanuel those are several times and as more current people if I mentioned the other ones.</p><p>00:16:39.180 –&gt; 00:16:42.480 Wayne Ebinger: Most people will know who they are, but that was a.</p><p>00:16:44.550 –&gt; 00:16:45.900 Wayne Ebinger: solidify that part of it.</p><p>00:16:47.070 –&gt; 00:16:47.340 Wayne Ebinger: and</p><p>00:16:49.470 –&gt; 00:16:50.040 Joseph McElroy: So so.</p><p>00:16:51.180 –&gt; 00:16:51.660 Joseph McElroy: Essentially.</p><p>00:16:56.040 –&gt; 00:17:00.300 Wayne Ebinger: Well, actually well yeah initially I think probably most people are.</p><p>00:17:00.900 –&gt; 00:17:03.450 Wayne Ebinger: Especially ah like the guy was, but I did.</p><p>00:17:03.810 –&gt; 00:17:04.980 Wayne Ebinger: When I went to the.</p><p>00:17:05.040 –&gt; 00:17:13.800 Wayne Ebinger: photography wouldn’t let into the wedding’s kinda I like doing that because it was an I had fun doing it the most people most.</p><p>00:17:14.100 –&gt; 00:17:15.930 Wayne Ebinger: People say are your garden do weddings you.</p><p>00:17:15.990 –&gt; 00:17:21.150 Wayne Ebinger: Most Darren’s I know get near that and I said well my wife and I.</p><p>00:17:22.650 –&gt; 00:17:27.570 Wayne Ebinger: Say let’s try this so we did, but I went to conferences and I was going to.</p><p>00:17:29.190 –&gt; 00:17:37.680 Wayne Ebinger: and listen to the main wedding photographers back then, when I was Dennis Reggie who did John Junior Kennedy Kennedy Juniors wedding.</p><p>00:17:38.730 –&gt; 00:17:54.870 Wayne Ebinger: Another fella named David sizer and also earn as well the, who was a Hasselblad Hasselblad book and I was shooting Hasselblad wives doing weddings, and so we just had a great time that in that business, we had for like 30 years we had a studio as well, but.</p><p>00:17:56.010 –&gt; 00:17:59.340 Wayne Ebinger: The weddings were a lot of fun we just made it fun made it.</p><p>00:18:00.900 –&gt; 00:18:06.120 Wayne Ebinger: enjoyable news that we did that, which helped me to when we moved permanently up here in the mountains.</p><p>00:18:07.380 –&gt; 00:18:19.620 Wayne Ebinger: We did the small weddings that are located here with the Appalachian farm weddings and some other country clubs around here and in that kind of venues were fun too because they were small quaint and intimate if you will.</p><p>00:18:23.670 –&gt; 00:18:23.970 Joseph McElroy: i’ve seen.</p><p>00:18:25.380 –&gt; 00:18:25.890 Joseph McElroy: recently.</p><p>00:18:29.610 –&gt; 00:18:31.530 Joseph McElroy: I just saw the photos.</p><p>00:18:42.600 –&gt; 00:18:42.840 Joseph McElroy: say.</p><p>00:18:46.170 –&gt; 00:18:47.880 Joseph McElroy: things about your.</p><p>00:18:51.240 –&gt; 00:18:51.930 Joseph McElroy: best.</p><p>00:18:55.980 –&gt; 00:18:56.730 Joseph McElroy: You already.</p><p>00:18:58.380 –&gt; 00:18:58.800 Joseph McElroy: there.</p><p>00:18:59.910 –&gt; 00:19:07.320 Joseph McElroy: So very intimate invisible how people are two things either approve your car promised.</p><p>00:19:08.520 –&gt; 00:19:12.090 Joseph McElroy: To be, how do you get to them to be in a life like that.</p><p>00:19:15.990 –&gt; 00:19:16.620 Wayne Ebinger: From what I can.</p><p>00:19:16.740 –&gt; 00:19:21.660 Wayne Ebinger: hear from you about being in the background that we’re saying is with photography.</p><p>00:19:39.960 –&gt; 00:19:41.820 Wayne Ebinger: that’s a little bit better right there.</p><p>00:19:43.830 –&gt; 00:19:45.810 Wayne Ebinger: let’s go with that, I think.</p><p>00:19:47.940 –&gt; 00:19:48.240 Joseph McElroy: Okay.</p><p>00:19:48.930 –&gt; 00:20:01.620 Wayne Ebinger: Well, what am I rules in my personal roses, to be like all being very stealthy I’m going to be on notice at any function, whether it’s a concert or or or a wedding or whatever or.</p><p>00:20:02.760 –&gt; 00:20:07.560 Wayne Ebinger: Especially if I’m doing landscapes and tracking the elk down a Cataloochee or something you gotta be quiet.</p><p>00:20:07.560 –&gt; 00:20:13.710 Wayne Ebinger: Not healthy there, but because we have all that which reminds me a little bit of side the Cataloochee here.</p><p>00:20:14.730 –&gt; 00:20:26.280 Wayne Ebinger: Valley, where the elk live comes right over into Maggie valley very regular basis, and they come up into our yards they hang out, you know and they’re just they’re part of the.</p><p>00:20:26.940 –&gt; 00:20:38.670 Wayne Ebinger: Maggie Valley family, which is a great draw for people to come here and for things to do here and Maggie valley so plus with Maggie Valley, just an awesome little place because the.</p><p>00:20:40.260 –&gt; 00:20:53.610 Wayne Ebinger: distillery with moonshine like a good mentioned earlier, with the moonshiners coming in from TV shows I do a lot of work with them when they’re in town, the hillbilly JAM is this weekend up the festival lobby they’re both things photographing that festival.</p><p>00:20:55.050 –&gt; 00:20:55.740 Wayne Ebinger: it’s a.</p><p>00:20:56.970 –&gt; 00:20:58.590 Wayne Ebinger: The just being.</p><p>00:21:00.150 –&gt; 00:21:09.030 Wayne Ebinger: Quiet and not in not dress accordingly to that’s one of my bugaboos about what I’ve seen photographers in this shorts on and white church or T-shirts.</p><p>00:21:09.780 –&gt; 00:21:10.140 Wayne Ebinger: I like.</p><p>00:21:10.440 –&gt; 00:21:16.020 Wayne Ebinger: black, you know that helps you but that’s an interesting thing for me.</p><p>00:21:16.800 –&gt; 00:21:17.370 cool.</p><p>00:21:21.540 –&gt; 00:21:26.250 Joseph McElroy: Technology and software for stuff he has to do photography.</p><p>00:21:27.420 –&gt; 00:21:28.020 Wayne Ebinger: I use.</p><p>00:21:29.550 –&gt; 00:21:35.970 Wayne Ebinger: On the cameras will cover that for a little bit now get into the computers and what I’m doing with that, of course.</p><p>00:21:37.080 –&gt; 00:21:51.870 Wayne Ebinger: What are you talking about I was doing Hasselblad but it’s once the digital age came in and when I switched into Nikon 35 millimeter or the digital 35 would call it digital modes and I’m shooting that.</p><p>00:21:53.550 –&gt; 00:21:55.380 Wayne Ebinger: that’s me go to set up with a.</p><p>00:21:57.090 –&gt; 00:22:05.550 Wayne Ebinger: Like normal lenses a 2.8 lens, which is a 17 to 55 millimeter which is for like or I could do close-ups and group photos and my other one is.</p><p>00:22:05.880 –&gt; 00:22:08.130 Wayne Ebinger: 70 to 282.8 lens.</p><p>00:22:08.550 –&gt; 00:22:13.440 Wayne Ebinger: Which is great for low light both lenses are good for low light for concerts and what I do.</p><p>00:22:13.980 –&gt; 00:22:21.030 Wayne Ebinger: And you can, if I’m doing landscapes and wildlife in the long lens of 80 to 200 gets you closer and then.</p><p>00:22:21.720 –&gt; 00:22:27.180 Wayne Ebinger: So you get some nice shots of the elk and wildlife for the eagles that we haven’t like Juneau Alaska nearby.</p><p>00:22:27.870 –&gt; 00:22:49.320 Wayne Ebinger: And as for post-production what I like to use is, of course, computer by using photoshop and lightroom and I have my system of upgrading uploading those and I’m fortunate I don’t have to do much manipulation in the what I call the darkroom on the computers like.</p><p>00:22:50.670 –&gt; 00:22:54.990 Wayne Ebinger: What what I shoot I tried to make it as best as possible, so I don’t have to go in and spend a lot of time on that.</p><p>00:22:56.220 –&gt; 00:22:56.640 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:22:57.870 –&gt; 00:23:00.900 Joseph McElroy: Every photographer, know and.</p><p>00:23:02.040 –&gt; 00:23:06.210 Joseph McElroy: I see that in years is it will say something with their photos.</p><p>00:23:07.500 –&gt; 00:23:10.050 Joseph McElroy: So Hello hit that into your photographs.</p><p>00:23:17.430 –&gt; 00:23:20.910 Wayne Ebinger: Oh, the men wouldn’t be where I think the photograph.</p><p>00:23:21.780 –&gt; 00:23:29.910 Wayne Ebinger: there’s no my I what I see he’s trying to say you’re saying yeah a lot of it’s there and I have a.</p><p>00:23:31.290 –&gt; 00:23:40.650 Wayne Ebinger: Second sense I guess you will when I’m doing a concert, like the one we just did here with Darren Nicholson and his group for the smoky mountain heritage.</p><p>00:23:42.720 –&gt; 00:23:43.050 Wayne Ebinger: Group.</p><p>00:23:44.670 –&gt; 00:23:57.720 Wayne Ebinger: there are just certain angles, and you have to see what the lighting is and where the people are and other said so, all that is going on in my under they were stopped and thought about it, but these things are all going on simultaneously.</p><p>00:23:58.620 –&gt; 00:24:04.620 Wayne Ebinger: And I pick an angle, or the MID upper left or right and zoom in or out it just those days.</p><p>00:24:05.190 –&gt; 00:24:09.030 Wayne Ebinger: I can see that, and then when I see that capture that moment.</p><p>00:24:10.440 –&gt; 00:24:13.950 Joseph McElroy: cool so some of your subjects.</p><p>00:24:17.130 –&gt; 00:24:18.420 Joseph McElroy: That you’ve uploaded.</p><p>00:24:20.370 –&gt; 00:24:22.530 Wayne Ebinger: Oh, the favorite oh gosh um.</p><p>00:24:23.700 –&gt; 00:24:32.700 Wayne Ebinger: Well, I’ll do this first there’s actually my favorite group is because they’re the ones that when I moved up here they actually started me into the.</p><p>00:24:33.240 –&gt; 00:24:39.150 Wayne Ebinger: Music and photography area with local musicians in Western North Carolina here.</p><p>00:24:39.840 –&gt; 00:24:53.220 Wayne Ebinger: And that would be the balsam range, which is a some of the Members are Darren Nicholson and Mark pro tips or Hailed Smith and buddy melton and they kind of took me under their wing and brought me into their recording studio and I got to meet.</p><p>00:24:54.480 –&gt; 00:24:55.560 Wayne Ebinger: musicians there.</p><p>00:24:56.790 –&gt; 00:25:01.080 Wayne Ebinger: And it might list of people just grew exponentially just because.</p><p>00:25:02.610 –&gt; 00:25:09.060 Wayne Ebinger: One group of people will see my work and then it would refer to other band members of other groups and so.</p><p>00:25:10.260 –&gt; 00:25:13.980 Wayne Ebinger: I owe a lot to them and they’re always fun too.</p><p>00:25:14.430 –&gt; 00:25:16.320 Wayne Ebinger: photographs I’ve been with it was nine years.</p><p>00:25:16.920 –&gt; 00:25:20.580 Wayne Ebinger: After that, and then some other well as an individual.</p><p>00:25:21.750 –&gt; 00:25:32.700 Wayne Ebinger: I know Tommy Emmanuel is very electric on stage with his guitar playing and but there’s there are so many and it’s hard to pinpoint on that, but.</p><p>00:25:34.830 –&gt; 00:25:36.330 Wayne Ebinger: Any any musician is fun.</p><p>00:25:37.230 –&gt; 00:25:37.860 Joseph McElroy: Never shot a.</p><p>00:25:39.600 –&gt; 00:25:40.200 Joseph McElroy: musical.</p><p>00:25:42.000 –&gt; 00:25:44.790 Joseph McElroy: tastes, have you got the time to take a few of them.</p><p>00:25:53.790 –&gt; 00:25:55.230 Wayne Ebinger: I could I couldn’t hear.</p><p>00:25:56.220 –&gt; 00:25:56.520 Joseph McElroy: Can you.</p><p>00:25:56.910 –&gt; 00:25:57.840 Wayne Ebinger: hear me now.</p><p>00:25:58.170 –&gt; 00:26:08.640 Wayne Ebinger: Okay yeah the musical heroes, yes, actually, when I was at the Plaza live in Orlando theater Steve Gadd now Dr. Steve Gadd the drummer.</p><p>00:26:09.780 –&gt; 00:26:10.410 Wayne Ebinger: He was playing.</p><p>00:26:10.590 –&gt; 00:26:11.760 Joseph McElroy: In there twice, he was with.</p><p>00:26:13.830 –&gt; 00:26:20.430 Wayne Ebinger: Bob James and his group of the jazz things and so he was there that one night and I got him to be signed a.</p><p>00:26:21.270 –&gt; 00:26:31.800 Wayne Ebinger: drum head for me again and he put it on there and I’ve got that on my wall but Steve Gadd is as far as a musician it’s just because it doesn’t mean being the drummer and kind of thing is just amazing.</p><p>00:26:32.580 –&gt; 00:26:42.090 Wayne Ebinger: To have met him and he played there three or four times and every time was great to walk in and they know you when you walk in it’s very comfortable it’s like walking into a friend’s house yeah.</p><p>00:26:42.510 –&gt; 00:26:43.500 Wayne Ebinger: Rosie Steve gadd.</p><p>00:26:44.580 –&gt; 00:26:46.200 Joseph McElroy: All right, it’s good.</p><p>00:26:47.520 –&gt; 00:26:55.320 Joseph McElroy: To find out more about what you do what you know what you’re sharing your experience in the smokies and the Maggie Valley and things like that.</p><p>00:26:56.370 –&gt; 00:26:58.320 Joseph McElroy: Somebody relocations for photography.</p><p>00:26:59.790 –&gt; 00:27:00.780 Wayne Ebinger: Similar locations.</p><p>00:27:06.810 –&gt; 00:27:06.960 i’m.</p><p>00:29:32.520 –&gt; 00:29:47.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast so my guest is Wayne Ebinger, so Wayne what caused us to relocate to Maggie Valley and better business here.</p><p>00:29:48.300 –&gt; 00:29:59.310 Wayne Ebinger: And I’ll try to make it as short as possible, but when we were when I was doing the things back in Orlando, I was working two to three jobs, one of them was the veteran anything four days a week, and weekends were open.</p><p>00:29:59.880 –&gt; 00:30:10.830 Wayne Ebinger: Because of starting way back because I was on the road, being a musician on weekends and so after I got off the road touring and stuff.</p><p>00:30:11.400 –&gt; 00:30:20.190 Wayne Ebinger: I kind of had some with the photography and developed into the what is the weddings so we did that on the weekends and still do the veterinarian a week.</p><p>00:30:20.760 –&gt; 00:30:30.510 Wayne Ebinger: But during that time we were coming up to Maggie Valley in the mid-80s, to my wife and I before we had our children and would stay up here and just.</p><p>00:30:31.140 –&gt; 00:30:39.480 Wayne Ebinger: rent different places that lake Juneau Alaska, which is a Methodist headquarters at the time and which would come up twice a year just for that.</p><p>00:30:40.800 –&gt; 00:30:50.220 Wayne Ebinger: And I just from there with the scenery the mountains, is it just fell in love with it because the in Florida you get nothing but flat land and.</p><p>00:30:50.790 –&gt; 00:31:02.070 Wayne Ebinger: Hot and humid and things like that, but after why we decided to we bought some property and Maggie Valley then we paid that off, and then we build a house and then use it as a.</p><p>00:31:02.970 –&gt; 00:31:12.540 Wayne Ebinger: short term rental here in just for the summer and it turned out to be a blessing, as far as having a rented and taking care of itself.</p><p>00:31:13.140 –&gt; 00:31:21.840 Wayne Ebinger: So after about 15 years we had the crunch and all that and 80 and 80 90 was in 2008 so anyway, we figured well.</p><p>00:31:22.380 –&gt; 00:31:32.190 Wayne Ebinger: Though we’re going to do so, I got the time where I could retire from the veterinary thing, so I said let’s my wife and I said, well, maybe we should go up to the House or something, but our kids said.</p><p>00:31:32.970 –&gt; 00:31:35.940 Wayne Ebinger: Once you go up to the mountain house and live, so we do that full time now.</p><p>00:31:36.750 –&gt; 00:31:45.900 Wayne Ebinger: 2013 but being here, in the meantime we come up to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway is just around the corner from us it’s like from Maggie Valley to five miles.</p><p>00:31:46.860 –&gt; 00:32:00.960 Wayne Ebinger: West on Soco is so good roading they make a left in your another five minutes you’re up on top of the water-rock now and then you can take that take blue Ridge, all the way to Asheville and beyond, or he made a right-hand turn you end up in Tennessee.</p><p>00:32:01.350 –&gt; 00:32:05.940 Wayne Ebinger: So there’s a lot of seeing so many CDs in the graveyard.</p><p>00:32:07.380 –&gt; 00:32:14.940 Wayne Ebinger: area there are waterfalls through there and it’s just and it’s a great day to hike they’ve hiked up their bike riding.</p><p>00:32:16.380 –&gt; 00:32:21.930 Wayne Ebinger: So the things to do up here are just unlimited, especially if you outdoors type.</p><p>00:32:23.670 –&gt; 00:32:34.260 Wayne Ebinger: Of course, like, I mentioned in the Cataloochee Valley is always great to do with the history that’s there and the old churches Baptist churches that are up there from the 1800s and lot of.</p><p>00:32:35.940 –&gt; 00:32:41.100 Wayne Ebinger: Beautiful mountain views from here to sunsets or just killer.</p><p>00:32:42.090 –&gt; 00:32:52.770 Joseph McElroy: If somebody was coming through the mountains grabs Where would you recommend the best photographs to be.</p><p>00:32:53.910 –&gt; 00:33:00.360 Wayne Ebinger: I prefer it because our House actually looks from the West, although we’re a North facing towards the Cataloochee mountain.</p><p>00:33:01.890 –&gt; 00:33:07.320 Wayne Ebinger: The sunsets are just amazing kind of I’m looking at your background, right now, this is.</p><p>00:33:07.320 –&gt; 00:33:08.070 Wayne Ebinger: What it looks like.</p><p>00:33:08.220 –&gt; 00:33:18.060 Wayne Ebinger: Almost every night, especially in the fall when the cooler temperatures are in the clouds and I’ll come in, but that is just that’s my go-to place it then takes much time to get there.</p><p>00:33:18.660 –&gt; 00:33:23.730 Wayne Ebinger: And you get great results, and also a friend of mine was into Nashville photography.</p><p>00:33:24.270 –&gt; 00:33:37.770 Wayne Ebinger: And so I was going with him and I learned a lot with him with telescopes and just amazing stuff way beyond my capabilities of photography but up there, you get the stars and he would we would actually find the planets and photograph them but.</p><p>00:33:38.790 –&gt; 00:33:47.040 Wayne Ebinger: it’s great for evening photography is a what a rock knob is great because you have the option of shooting towards can’t count Cherokee.</p><p>00:33:47.910 –&gt; 00:34:00.870 Wayne Ebinger: which you can actually see from what a rotten where the Indian reservation is and Paris hotel and all that and gambling, but that’s a really nice place what recognize my favorite is nearby and a lot of things to do they’re.</p><p>00:34:01.920 –&gt; 00:34:03.810 Wayne Ebinger: hiking biking and geography.</p><p>00:34:05.040 –&gt; 00:34:07.110 Joseph McElroy: And what are the best winter what’s.</p><p>00:34:08.400 –&gt; 00:34:09.390 Wayne Ebinger: The best winter months.</p><p>00:34:10.500 –&gt; 00:34:12.240 Joseph McElroy: Winter spots, the best winter.</p><p>00:34:12.480 –&gt; 00:34:13.560 Wayne Ebinger: spots well.</p><p>00:34:14.910 –&gt; 00:34:22.320 Wayne Ebinger: The whole place changes because you don’t see leaves anymore it’s all empty branches and will every year we’ll look over the mountain and say.</p><p>00:34:22.950 –&gt; 00:34:28.740 Wayne Ebinger: wow look at how many houses are there, we didn’t know where they’re you know we started up here 20 something years ago, you can.</p><p>00:34:29.310 –&gt; 00:34:38.550 Wayne Ebinger: count on your hand kinda like, how many were across from the from you, but now it’s like and you can tell by the lights and Center on it, but it’s the people have come in here and there.</p><p>00:34:39.630 –&gt; 00:34:41.130 Wayne Ebinger: But I would say that.</p><p>00:34:42.450 –&gt; 00:34:44.640 Wayne Ebinger: In the wintertime that the snows are.</p><p>00:34:46.350 –&gt; 00:34:46.590 Wayne Ebinger: aren’t.</p><p>00:34:46.650 –&gt; 00:34:51.750 Wayne Ebinger: Really too bad we have maybe two or three weeks out of the whole season, that you have to, we have to walk down and.</p><p>00:34:52.320 –&gt; 00:35:01.890 Wayne Ebinger: They get the car at the farmer, the Lewis farm to get our car, but we have to walk about three-quarters of a mile to get down to it, and go up to our place to get back, but.</p><p>00:35:03.540 –&gt; 00:35:16.020 Wayne Ebinger: But the scenes, for that, get like you to Las Vegas is nice to go through when it’s in the winter in the snow because they have the Cross that’s there on the lake and as it’s lit up and with snow, it just makes a beautiful scene there.</p><p>00:35:18.210 –&gt; 00:35:25.740 Wayne Ebinger: And even the places that well you can’t go on the parkway we when it’s snowing and I, so you can’t really say go to in parkway in the wintertime because you’re not.</p><p>00:35:26.160 –&gt; 00:35:37.950 Wayne Ebinger: it’s not safe and they close it down so you’re limited there, so you just have to kind of look around and some of the streams are nice when he had the snow on the side on the Moss and the trees and you’ve got those running.</p><p>00:35:40.410 –&gt; 00:35:51.510 Wayne Ebinger: waters in the streams of the rivers there Jonathan creek which is just grabbed behind the Meadowlark motel here is always moving here that water in the stream it’s just like put you in another.</p><p>00:35:54.360 –&gt; 00:36:11.730 Wayne Ebinger: Quiet solid solitude place and it’s just it’s nice to do, but these streams are fun to do and experiment with you see photographs with the waterfalls or streams and it looks like they look like milk looking look to with all the water is kind of whiten and soft.</p><p>00:36:12.510 –&gt; 00:36:29.610 Wayne Ebinger: Learning that technique is simple to do but doing that once you accomplish that it’s like look what I can do kind of thing is show people to be but it mixed up the photo look so much nicer simple technique, but it’s I don’t know how to do that just yet, maybe next time.</p><p>00:36:30.540 –&gt; 00:36:38.820 Joseph McElroy: So I know you mentioned elk fest and so you voted for that, and it is for tips for elk?</p><p>00:36:40.170 –&gt; 00:36:52.860 Wayne Ebinger: um well, the main thing is to respect them, you know they are they’re wild that although they come up here and they’ll like they’ll come right up you know within 10 feet of you if you just.</p><p>00:36:54.120 –&gt; 00:36:59.370 Wayne Ebinger: Keep your distance willingness to be saved use your common sense don’t feed them don’t do anything like in which people do and then.</p><p>00:37:00.000 –&gt; 00:37:06.570 Wayne Ebinger: You know that they’re huge animals, I mean they’re not they’re bigger than horses and they that you never know what they’re going to do we.</p><p>00:37:07.050 –&gt; 00:37:15.360 Wayne Ebinger: And there’s usually a male one male about and he’s we have one quick story about it coming up our driveway actually cut a little video of it.</p><p>00:37:15.840 –&gt; 00:37:26.790 Wayne Ebinger: He was coming up the driveway and he has beautiful antlers which they lose every year but they’re very lightweight because they’re just hollow basically but he was coming up drawn up in.</p><p>00:37:27.990 –&gt; 00:37:33.780 Wayne Ebinger: Our driveway, which is about a 33-degree mountain thing is I’m watching their photograph.</p><p>00:37:34.290 –&gt; 00:37:42.090 Wayne Ebinger: doing a video, and I say my wife when I saw her coming around the corner get ready to come up the MIC a little turn to go up the driveway and she sees your stop because.</p><p>00:37:42.570 –&gt; 00:37:51.960 Wayne Ebinger: it’s not you know we see them all the time, so he came on up it walked on up through me after the driveway and walked around I named Elvis the elk.</p><p>00:37:52.020 –&gt; 00:37:52.290 Joseph McElroy: Which is.</p><p>00:37:53.910 –&gt; 00:38:00.180 Wayne Ebinger: Not original, but it was nice it’s a great video to view that and we’ve had some of the males come up.</p><p>00:38:00.960 –&gt; 00:38:14.460 Wayne Ebinger: One day we were looking over our porch just say you’re on your porch and there are 15 feet down you look over the porch and there, it goes for females is walking right in front of us going around the back of the House and about three minutes later.</p><p>00:38:15.540 –&gt; 00:38:26.400 Wayne Ebinger: Here comes the boy, you know it is a male the because they’re kind of like in the rut season stuff as it comes right by right in front of us and walks up there and they look at you, and they just keep walking through.</p><p>00:38:26.910 –&gt; 00:38:36.150 Wayne Ebinger: But you know you get photos like that, but the best place is in the fall when they get into the right season, they start viewing.</p><p>00:38:37.200 –&gt; 00:38:45.960 Wayne Ebinger: Which is a beautiful sound that they make the calling the near the females, and with a long telephoto lens you can go to the Cataloochee Valley that’s where they.</p><p>00:38:46.560 –&gt; 00:39:03.150 Wayne Ebinger: hang out in the end for food and where they like to live and there that’s where you get your best photographs and in that area, because it’s good to a point, now that we’ve maxed out they’ve been here 27 years now 22 years.</p><p>00:39:04.710 –&gt; 00:39:05.220 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:39:05.640 –&gt; 00:39:12.990 Wayne Ebinger: When they move they used to be here, and then they brought him in from that MIT from out West, and this is the group and then keep going.</p><p>00:39:15.030 –&gt; 00:39:15.270 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:39:15.990 –&gt; 00:39:23.580 Wayne Ebinger: You can be driving I’m driving home here right on so go road here in front of the Meadowlark motel and here comes.</p><p>00:39:24.180 –&gt; 00:39:32.400 Wayne Ebinger: You know anywhere from six to I’ve kind of 18 at one time the elk walking on the sidewalk coming up, they were crossing through the course.</p><p>00:39:32.850 –&gt; 00:39:43.620 Wayne Ebinger: Where people stop you know they watch and look at it and just let them go let them, baby, so a lot of English, we have cell phones not unleashing the pictures on cell phones I drive a camera you can do that.</p><p>00:39:44.160 –&gt; 00:39:44.910 Right.</p><p>00:39:46.230 –&gt; 00:39:47.970 Wayne Ebinger: stealth, and just don’t get too close.</p><p>00:39:50.190 –&gt; 00:39:51.870 Joseph McElroy: lets I mean I think it’s the society.</p><p>00:39:52.980 –&gt; 00:40:05.280 Joseph McElroy: is coming back here but we’ll be back next year yeah yeah that’s I think that’s a great festival celebrating the meal and all the culture and all the things that you can do around here to grey sale.</p><p>00:40:05.760 –&gt; 00:40:08.700 Wayne Ebinger: yeah That was a great festival they had there unfortunately because of.</p><p>00:40:09.180 –&gt; 00:40:12.480 Wayne Ebinger: The Cobra Tang yellow couldn’t do that this year.</p><p>00:40:13.440 –&gt; 00:40:18.540 Joseph McElroy: They couldn’t get it, but they couldn’t get skin scheduled for this year so we’ll be there next year.</p><p>00:40:19.890 –&gt; 00:40:26.220 Joseph McElroy: They do I was wondering, do you have permits or fees and do photography and the snatch national.</p><p>00:40:27.720 –&gt; 00:40:27.960 Joseph McElroy: Like.</p><p>00:40:28.170 –&gt; 00:40:28.890 Wayne Ebinger: we’d be getting it.</p><p>00:40:29.790 –&gt; 00:40:38.220 Joseph McElroy: You have to have to any permits or fee required to do say commercial photography in the mountains smoky mountain Park, the national park</p><p>00:40:39.090 –&gt; 00:40:39.930 i’m.</p><p>00:40:40.950 –&gt; 00:40:42.270 Wayne Ebinger: Not that i’m aware of.</p><p>00:40:43.770 –&gt; 00:40:51.750 Wayne Ebinger: All, although I found out because I am in the senior group I was able to get a lifetime membership for national parks.</p><p>00:40:51.930 –&gt; 00:40:57.210 Wayne Ebinger: For $10 okay that’s good, so my wife and I did that and fishing, too, but uh.</p><p>00:40:57.810 –&gt; 00:40:58.170 Wayne Ebinger: Not.</p><p>00:40:58.770 –&gt; 00:41:01.470 Wayne Ebinger: The photograph I don’t believe you need to have anything like.</p><p>00:41:02.460 –&gt; 00:41:05.910 Wayne Ebinger: That I do real estate photography to when I’m asked to do that, but.</p><p>00:41:07.050 –&gt; 00:41:07.470 Wayne Ebinger: Now.</p><p>00:41:08.490 –&gt; 00:41:21.750 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool all right, when we come back, but yeah you’re well known for knowing about the venues and events and things like that some of your favorite places in different kinds.</p><p>00:41:22.890 –&gt; 00:41:23.250 Joseph McElroy: I will be.</p><p>00:41:24.480 –&gt; 00:41:25.890 Wayne Ebinger: Looking forward to it okay let’s do that.</p><p>00:44:00.210 –&gt; 00:44:10.500 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Wayne Ebinger and Wayne you’ve done so much.</p><p>00:44:11.370 –&gt; 00:44:21.570 Joseph McElroy: photography of musicians and artists this in this era, been to a lot of places so imagine we got a tourist that’s coming here and we’re going to talk, talk to them and we’re going to.</p><p>00:44:22.440 –&gt; 00:44:39.270 Joseph McElroy: pick some places that you have types and you can tell us which might be the best variety, for example, if somebody is looking for a regional music venue where you can like my acoustic music or an artist performing where we go.</p><p>00:44:40.770 –&gt; 00:44:41.730 Wayne Ebinger: To Actually, I would say.</p><p>00:44:42.750 –&gt; 00:44:49.380 Wayne Ebinger: Especially if there were coming into this area of the Maggie Valley area if I had mentioned the elevated mountain distillery which is just.</p><p>00:44:50.520 –&gt; 00:44:53.040 Wayne Ebinger: down the road from Meadowlark motel.</p><p>00:44:54.180 –&gt; 00:44:58.740 Wayne Ebinger: With Dave angel, he has entertainment, there are five nights a week now.</p><p>00:44:59.760 –&gt; 00:45:03.420 Wayne Ebinger: different things Wednesday night we opened up the.</p><p>00:45:04.710 –&gt; 00:45:14.490 Wayne Ebinger: We started an open jam for musicians on Wednesday nights Thursday night, they have karaoke and there’s some great local talent and people coming in here with karaoke I was.</p><p>00:45:14.970 –&gt; 00:45:25.260 Wayne Ebinger: Always worried about what karaoke but there are some great voices out there, that are not in groups days, then Friday or Saturday, they have bands and it could be anywhere from.</p><p>00:45:27.180 –&gt; 00:45:29.070 Wayne Ebinger: bluegrass to jazz to.</p><p>00:45:31.980 –&gt; 00:45:40.950 Wayne Ebinger: Just rock band to there’s a lot of that going on, too, but that’s on Friday Saturday, and sometimes on Sundays you’ll have other events too with music-related there that’s right here in the Valley.</p><p>00:45:42.000 –&gt; 00:45:54.510 Wayne Ebinger: The other place was placed would be closest would be in Asheville I do a lot of photography at a place called ISIS musical, which is on the West side of Asheville and they have.</p><p>00:45:55.560 –&gt; 00:46:03.570 Wayne Ebinger: A stage area where I had we can have dining the great food there and then they also have a lounge upstairs and they can have.</p><p>00:46:04.680 –&gt; 00:46:15.450 Wayne Ebinger: lounge shows first like from six to eight and downstairs that with the dinners eight to 11 or so so two things can be going on there, and they have big band stuff they have.</p><p>00:46:16.770 –&gt; 00:46:17.910 Wayne Ebinger: bluegrass they’ve had.</p><p>00:46:18.960 –&gt; 00:46:19.380 Wayne Ebinger: Any.</p><p>00:46:21.150 –&gt; 00:46:31.290 Wayne Ebinger: Any of the events and what I like about ISIS because he does a great genre of different types of music there the other ones that are around.</p><p>00:46:33.120 –&gt; 00:46:38.670 Wayne Ebinger: would be they trying to get the name they just changed the name of it least open one up it’s called the.</p><p>00:46:41.040 –&gt; 00:46:45.780 Wayne Ebinger: Hazel Robinson amphitheater what you said Ashville, which is an open theater which is normally.</p><p>00:46:46.080 –&gt; 00:46:47.430 Joseph McElroy: was for Stage productions like.</p><p>00:46:47.430 –&gt; 00:47:00.840 Wayne Ebinger: Shakespeare and they have anally bed balsam range opened up this year in April, when when the first thing that the coven opened up, so we did the first concert down there out there and outside perfect stadium seating the outside.</p><p>00:47:01.740 –&gt; 00:47:05.370 Joseph McElroy: they’re doing outside of there so I’ve been concert now are.</p><p>00:47:06.450 –&gt; 00:47:10.290 Joseph McElroy: The pandemic this concert t right.</p><p>00:47:10.350 –&gt; 00:47:13.230 Wayne Ebinger: Yes, right right here at the festival ground where they have.</p><p>00:47:14.460 –&gt; 00:47:14.760 Wayne Ebinger: Where the.</p><p>00:47:16.200 –&gt; 00:47:23.550 Wayne Ebinger: Hillbilly jams, going to be this weekend in the winter clothes, like in the 20s and 30s but they have they invented the thing where they had the.</p><p>00:47:23.940 –&gt; 00:47:31.800 Wayne Ebinger: drive in concerts when you come into your car you stay in your car you don’t get out in the bands, playing on stage, and you can.</p><p>00:47:32.400 –&gt; 00:47:40.560 Wayne Ebinger: You know X amount of dollars to get in with a carload of people and you bring your own food, but it was our House sets right above.</p><p>00:47:41.040 –&gt; 00:47:46.680 Wayne Ebinger: The festival grounds and I can see the stage from my house were 3500 feet up and we can hear it was.</p><p>00:47:47.610 –&gt; 00:47:54.900 Wayne Ebinger: It was too cold to go there do one of the shows guys I’m not going down there, but we sat out on our port on our own thing with the.</p><p>00:47:55.350 –&gt; 00:48:03.450 Wayne Ebinger: Fire pit and that and just listen to the music, it was grace potter was the plan and they’ve had Sam Bush there this year grace potter and.</p><p>00:48:04.440 –&gt; 00:48:20.880 Wayne Ebinger: Young career has been there and Keller Williams and just like five of those concert servants, but the concert thing was a great invention I don’t know if it’s going to work when we get back to normal, things are not because people want to get out and.</p><p>00:48:21.510 –&gt; 00:48:21.840 That.</p><p>00:48:24.270 –&gt; 00:48:28.560 Joseph McElroy: sounds like it might have a remote chance to live to see that’s kind of quick coffee.</p><p>00:48:29.760 –&gt; 00:48:38.160 Joseph McElroy: hey What about the truck traditional thing I know that there’s something ground has been a long, long time but yes, yes Saturday satellites.</p><p>00:48:39.330 –&gt; 00:48:41.670 Joseph McElroy: places that are good around the area.</p><p>00:48:44.070 –&gt; 00:48:51.990 Wayne Ebinger: yeah the stomping grounds, been a mainstay here for you, for clogging that’s what it’s all about there and they’re yeah they’re open just in the fall.</p><p>00:48:52.590 –&gt; 00:49:09.510 Wayne Ebinger: The summer and fall and it’s a Saturday night at eight o’clock and the great a lot of room for parking and clogging if you’ve not seen it or into it it’s a wonderful place there’s a huge like an antique-looking barn but huge huge place.</p><p>00:49:10.740 –&gt; 00:49:18.390 Wayne Ebinger: For entertainment but stomping grounds Greg until, of course, one of the legends was here is hometown was.</p><p>00:49:19.260 –&gt; 00:49:25.680 Wayne Ebinger: Raymond Fairchild and he had a place right across from the distillery and called the Maggie Valley Opry.</p><p>00:49:26.190 –&gt; 00:49:38.400 Wayne Ebinger: And he would play every Friday and Saturday night and I’ll go down there and photograph them and sit with him and be talking but unfortunately lost him two years ago coming up this year, and what a character, David.</p><p>00:49:39.480 –&gt; 00:49:48.750 Wayne Ebinger: David Fairchild was um but so you get you to know that kind of desert there’s I think they’re starting now to have dance clubs or something like that.</p><p>00:49:49.290 –&gt; 00:50:01.620 Wayne Ebinger: In Waynesville which is just around the corner from Maggie Valley and but I haven’t looked I just heard about that, so I think that’s a place where people get out which, I might have ballroom dancing I think we’re going to do that waltz.</p><p>00:50:02.790 –&gt; 00:50:03.180 Wayne Ebinger: Whatever.</p><p>00:50:03.570 –&gt; 00:50:08.610 Joseph McElroy: method, they have the streets as a part of the nights do angel.</p><p>00:50:09.030 –&gt; 00:50:16.860 Wayne Ebinger: They do yep that the Chatelet Wayne’s will kind of shuts down after five o’clock that’s one of the reasons we like to move up here but.</p><p>00:50:17.580 –&gt; 00:50:23.400 Wayne Ebinger: They have one coming out, I think I think Darren Nicholson and his band are going to be there in about a week or two with the Friday night.</p><p>00:50:23.970 –&gt; 00:50:29.070 Wayne Ebinger: street dance and they’ve really incorporated this year with the focal mood coming to town.</p><p>00:50:29.910 –&gt; 00:50:44.430 Wayne Ebinger: that’s been on hiatus too, and that, but they close the street down, and you have live bands and entertainment vendors and local entertainment local music and it’s a great thing it’s free you know people who go down there and just have fun with that.</p><p>00:50:45.000 –&gt; 00:50:50.340 Joseph McElroy: So, so you know I bet you never thought about tools which, which are the best from the area for suffering some become.</p><p>00:50:51.510 –&gt; 00:50:52.290 Wayne Ebinger: The festivals.</p><p>00:50:53.190 –&gt; 00:50:58.440 Joseph McElroy: festivals Western North Carolina that are at our annual the best ones to come down.</p><p>00:50:59.220 –&gt; 00:51:05.790 Wayne Ebinger: Of course, well, the hillbilly jams, have been a mainstay this is the 10th year I’ve been involved with them for nine.</p><p>00:51:07.590 –&gt; 00:51:19.110 Wayne Ebinger: The lake Logan, which is an Episcopal church owns that which is a beautiful place there for recreation, a big for boating and camp camp camp I’m not sure what.</p><p>00:51:20.970 –&gt; 00:51:26.850 Wayne Ebinger: That is, they have the outside concerts as well in the summer, usually around July.</p><p>00:51:29.340 –&gt; 00:51:40.080 Wayne Ebinger: The festivals there’s the in Hendersonville or down South in regard they have the white squirrel festival and there are all kinds of festivals just.</p><p>00:51:41.160 –&gt; 00:51:45.300 Wayne Ebinger: You know there if you have an idea, it could be an acorn festival if you have a.</p><p>00:51:46.830 –&gt; 00:52:00.540 Wayne Ebinger: doesn’t matter people going to go because it’s fun and music but there’s around the Asheville area oh there’s another place a new venue that’s been out it’s called the Barnett paint fork which is nearby here up above Weaver bill and they’re.</p><p>00:52:02.220 –&gt; 00:52:05.100 Wayne Ebinger: they’re having the group called the Outlaw, which is a.</p><p>00:52:06.210 –&gt; 00:52:11.220 Wayne Ebinger: well-known rock group, if you will, and balsam range and they bring people in there, but there.</p><p>00:52:11.970 –&gt; 00:52:25.980 Wayne Ebinger: it’s a beautiful place and venue for live entertainment and that’s about a 45-minute drive from Orlando from Maggie valley and but that’s a that’s one of the newer venues but music, you can find it up here and that’s.</p><p>00:52:28.140 –&gt; 00:52:30.330 Wayne Ebinger: When I got here, it was like oh, my goodness.</p><p>00:52:30.720 –&gt; 00:52:32.640 Wayne Ebinger: All these young kids and their.</p><p>00:52:32.790 –&gt; 00:52:36.510 Wayne Ebinger: They learn to play musical instruments wonder five years old.</p><p>00:52:38.190 –&gt; 00:52:40.590 Joseph McElroy: Oh, we got to come to in here so so.</p><p>00:52:41.610 –&gt; 00:52:46.170 Joseph McElroy: I want you to tell people how they get Ahold of you and how they see your work.</p><p>00:52:46.560 –&gt; 00:52:52.230 Wayne Ebinger: Okay, what right now I don’t have the web page, excuse me anymore.</p><p>00:52:53.370 –&gt; 00:53:03.060 Wayne Ebinger: When I moved up here, I just want Facebook to be doing well, so I just kept you can catch me on Facebook Wayne Ebinger that’s the name and then you’ll see what my recent.</p><p>00:53:03.810 –&gt; 00:53:12.930 Wayne Ebinger: photographs are and the people I’ve been photographing and actually the what the concert I did here just last this past weekend will be on there starting tomorrow.</p><p>00:53:14.130 –&gt; 00:53:17.340 Joseph McElroy: They want to do work with you know to hire you for some work, what would they do.</p><p>00:53:17.700 –&gt; 00:53:20.100 Wayne Ebinger: They can contact me through the messenger on there it’d be fine.</p><p>00:53:20.760 –&gt; 00:53:22.380 Joseph McElroy: Okay, you have messenger.</p><p>00:53:24.870 –&gt; 00:53:36.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you for being on the show, at the end of it, I want to talk, talk radio.NYC network it’s a fabulous network for all sorts of blog cast we’re here every Tuesday night from six to seven pm.</p><p>00:53:37.860 –&gt; 00:53:51.900 Joseph McElroy: records as one about it and exploring the city so I’d love for you the variants all that a New York and the Smoky Mountain and then the next week same time.</p> 25ce8476-03c5-41a2-8812-8640007245ae https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/c3dd70f1-a571-4717-9504-37fe4fd813f9 Tue, 20 Jul 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2854 no full Episode 26: Outlaws and Outliers in the Smokies Episode 26: Outlaws and Outliers in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is Neil Hutcheson, an Award-winning Filmmaker, Photographer, and Author.

He resides in Raleigh, N.C. where he works as a producer and director of the Language and Life Project for N.C. State University, but spends a great deal of time in the Great Smokies, the location of several of his most popular projects.

His most well-known works include books and films about Maggie Valley moonshine legend Popcorn Sutton, as well as books and videos on Cherokee culture and language, along with documentaries and books pertaining to Appalachian and African American vernacular, climate change, and heritage fisheries of the Outer Banks on the N.C. coast.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.NYC or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.


SHOW NOTES:

SEGMENT 1

Tonight’s show starts off with an introduction of what to expect from this episode. After announcements from the show’s sponsors, our host Joseph McElroy introduces tonight’s special guest: Neil Hutcheson. The two go through and lightly discuss Neil’s well-known projects, his background, and Neil explains how he unexpectedly came to be in this industry and where his interest in language and filmmaking came from. The two swap origin stories shortly before the break.

SEGMENT 2

Coming back from the break, the discussion shifts into more of Neil’s works, such as his documentaries. One project that they go more into depth about was a play about Louis Redman. Neil explains who Louis Redman was and what he did and how his case and the history surrounding it reflected the media at the time. He emphasizes that the media can get distorted and how no one really knows the true Louis Redman. The conversation moves on to the topic of “mountain culture.” Neil wrote about this culture in his book and explains how it has changed in recent years since he last wrote about it in the early 2000s. The two discuss what mountain culture is and dismantle the negative stereotypes and perspectives that surround it.

SEGMENT 3

Coming back from the break, Neil discusses how he got the local community to trust and accept him into their community. Additionally, Neil talks about how he got to get on a deeper level with Popcorn Sutton, especially since he often gave off the impression of always putting on a show. Neil explained how Popcorn Sutton could give off that impression, but he was a genuine performer and to an extent, was being himself. This leads to the conversation about how Neil was able to successfully capture who Popcorn Sutton is as a person in his movies and especially in his book. He goes on to talk about his more recent projects, many of which come from his own companies.

SEGMENT 4

The final segment starts off with an introduction of one of Neil’s latest works, involving documenting another aspect of mountain culture: mountain music. The documentary can be found on YouTube and is called the Queen Family. Joseph and Neil talk about their favorite parts of the mountains and mountain culture in general. Neil explains why he loves nature in the mountains so much. They go further into their discussion by talking about more specific local spots at Maggie Valley and Neil tells what his itinerary would be like when visiting. The episode closes with special shoutouts where the audience can find more about Neil and his upcoming works.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:27.840 –> 00:00:32.310 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:33.270 –> 00:00:41.970 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:42.330 –> 00:00:51.390 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:51.840 –> 00:01:04.770 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:05.340 –> 00:01:12.900 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about outlaws and outliers in the smokies, but first a little sponsorship information.

00:01:13.530 –> 00:01:21.240 Joseph McElroy: I want you to imagine a place evocative motor courts of the past a modern and vibrant environment with a Chic Appalachian field.

00:01:21.810 –> 00:01:28.740 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain here and it’s a trout stream.

00:01:29.010 –> 00:01:47.820 Joseph McElroy: grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine lines or craft beers imagine it plays with old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:01:48.840 –> 00:02:02.700 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com that smokies plural adventure singular. COM has a site that features listings and information about the smoking’s hiking wedding venues books trail Max resources.

00:02:03.210 –> 00:02:21.150 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis on smoky adventures is outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information and lodging family and family entertainment events conventions and honeymoons and more it’s the leading information portal of the smoky mountain.

00:02:23.310 –> 00:02:28.740 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention some events coming up this is summertime in the smokies there are lots of events.

00:02:29.790 –> 00:02:40.650 Joseph McElroy: So you can sort of search for them and find them just about anywhere I pick some that I think are great and also you know, relative to the businesses, the business I run in the mountains.

00:02:42.360 –> 00:02:57.480 Joseph McElroy: And the first one is the Darren Nicholson bluegrass band camp and concert somebody that know anything about bluegrass know Darren Nicholson and he’s a member of balsam range he has his own band he’s a grammy award-nominated artists and.

00:02:58.710 –> 00:03:08.310 Joseph McElroy: It has won many of the bluegrass towards this event is for aspiring musicians to learn and interact with some of the best artists in the business.

00:03:08.700 –> 00:03:27.090 Joseph McElroy: And the venue culminate in an open to the public, all Stuart star concert on July 17 that’s this Saturday this this this band camp will be repeated in future years so look forward if you’re listening in the future to this podcast but for now July 17, 201

00:03:29.130 –> 00:03:44.880 Joseph McElroy: Go to Meadwolarkmotel.com look under the mountain heritage smoky mountain heritage events and you’ll find this event, and you can purchase tickets to come to it, you can also with lodging you get a free concert and you get half price on the band camp.

00:03:45.990 –> 00:03:53.850 Joseph McElroy: They have him coming July 23 and 24th is hillbilly jam, the famous hillbilly Jam in Maggie Valley in North Carolina open the public.

00:03:54.120 –> 00:04:09.270 Joseph McElroy: Both days music festival with crafts and food, food vendors moonshiners of the discovery channel car and bike show, and more so, go to the hillbilly jam.com or 82845-079795.

00:04:10.560 –> 00:04:16.890 Joseph McElroy: This year is the 55th season of the shindig on the green presented by the folk heritage committee.

00:04:18.090 –> 00:04:18.750 Joseph McElroy: Along with.

00:04:19.800 –> 00:04:28.980 Joseph McElroy: headlining sponsor Allen’s jewelry and pawn Finkelstein’s loan office but it’s a free event in the heart of downtown Ashville it goes over several days during the summer.

00:04:30.090 –> 00:04:41.820 Joseph McElroy: And then the left to the left the days left in July or the 17th of 24th of the 31st as well as the August 14 and 20 21st and the heart.

00:04:42.090 –> 00:04:57.420 Joseph McElroy: Of downtown Asheville parks what pack squares park Roger part pack square park called Roger McGuire Green that’s pack square park Roger McQueen’s that Roger McGuire Green I gotta learn to say that.

00:04:59.400 –> 00:05:16.410 Joseph McElroy: it’s got lots of music lots of vendors it’s a great thing to go to has been going for 55 years I’m sure you’ll find it, this is also the of the 94th annual mountain dance and folk festival as a ticketed event at the Pinsky hall auditorium at unc Asheville which is.

00:05:18.450 –> 00:05:28.380 Joseph McElroy: 300 liberty lane Ashville it takes place every each of the nights Thursday through Saturday 6:30pm nightly.

00:05:29.730 –> 00:05:30.150 Joseph McElroy: and

00:05:31.170 –> 00:05:43.080 Joseph McElroy: I think the upcoming dates are August 5 Sixth and Seventh, so I advise you to go, that was a 94-year event, it has to be doing something else, and it showcases music dancers, and storytellers.

00:05:43.650 –> 00:05:55.110 Joseph McElroy: And today, I have great and fabulous guests he is Neil Hutcheson is an award-winning filmmaker photographer, and author, who has one, among other things, three.

00:05:55.770 –> 00:06:00.630 Joseph McElroy: One, among other things, three Emmy awards his work has been featured on.

00:06:01.410 –> 00:06:12.180 Joseph McElroy: PBS the history channel discovery others he resides in Raleigh North Carolina where he works as a producer and director of the language and LIFE project for nc State University.

00:06:12.540 –> 00:06:25.740 Joseph McElroy: But he also spent a great deal of time and the great smokies which have been the location of several of his most popular projects and famous subjects like popcorn suck Hello Neal,

00:06:26.190 –> 00:06:27.840 Neal Hutcheson: hi thanks for having me.

00:06:28.290 –> 00:06:32.520 Joseph McElroy: Oh I’m so glad, so you grew up in Chapel Hill right.

00:06:32.910 –> 00:06:34.170 Neal Hutcheson: I did that’s right yep.

00:06:34.620 –> 00:06:42.360 Joseph McElroy: cool and then you went to Boone translate in Spain, and then the Raleigh where you studied at NC state is that all correct.

00:06:42.510 –> 00:06:43.980 Neal Hutcheson: yeah you’ve got my whole rap sheet.

00:06:45.450 –> 00:06:46.230 Joseph McElroy: sheet right.

00:06:46.440 –> 00:06:48.480 Joseph McElroy: Well, I want to do so, I had to notice it.

00:06:49.230 –> 00:06:50.520 Neal Hutcheson: Okay okay all right.

00:06:51.360 –> 00:06:59.370 Joseph McElroy: So imagine you could have a pretty good conversation about basketball right yeah are you a fan of North Carolina sports.

00:06:59.700 –> 00:07:06.960 Neal Hutcheson: Well, you know you can’t really ignore them and growing up in Chapel hill like it was like you know it.

00:07:07.590 –> 00:07:08.610 Neal Hutcheson: was like you know you.

00:07:08.700 –> 00:07:13.920 Neal Hutcheson: got you your Carolina blue it’s you know you don’t even have a choice.

00:07:14.670 –> 00:07:17.700 Joseph McElroy: You don’t I mean and you would probably run a town if you didn’t.

00:07:19.680 –> 00:07:27.990 Joseph McElroy: It was a college town so but it’s a great college and I went there a few times you know to see Duke Carolina but.

00:07:29.460 –> 00:07:31.110 Joseph McElroy: I enjoyed it so.

00:07:31.350 –> 00:07:34.380 Joseph McElroy: I grew up in a very strong culture part of the state of North.

00:07:34.380 –> 00:07:35.010 Carolina.

00:07:36.090 –> 00:07:53.220 Joseph McElroy: But you obviously you’re a gifted art artist, with a passion for history and music and culture and colorful characters I understand to cut your teeth professionally by working with the NC State University linguist wall from and some other social scientist.

00:07:54.420 –> 00:07:55.230 Neal Hutcheson: yeah that’s it.

00:07:57.960 –> 00:08:05.520 Neal Hutcheson: I’m hit the ground with working with Walt and doing language programs, I mean that’s kind of what brought me to the mountains in the first place.

00:08:05.850 –> 00:08:13.560 Joseph McElroy: yeah it was that is that when you did your for your sort of first real big step for a career when you did a film called mountain talk.

00:08:14.190 –> 00:08:16.590 Neal Hutcheson: yeah that film was pivotal.

00:08:17.640 –> 00:08:32.250 Neal Hutcheson: For sure um and I’d say you know that was the first full-length documentary that I had done and, and it really allowed me to spend a lot of time up there, where you are right now man and to meet people and just to kind of.

00:08:33.420 –> 00:08:36.330 Neal Hutcheson: absorb the culture, the local culture.

00:08:36.630 –> 00:08:41.580 Joseph McElroy: Is do you feel I mean, since you came through linguist do you think the sound of language is a.

00:08:42.720 –> 00:08:43.890 Joseph McElroy: entree into your art.

00:08:45.660 –> 00:08:54.960 Neal Hutcheson: I think um I always looked at language as an entree into the culture, you know so it’s a different direction into looking at culture in it and it and it uh.

00:08:55.560 –> 00:09:10.200 Neal Hutcheson: it’s incredibly illuminating to look at the culture that way, instead of kind of you know, as opposed to whatever head-on, you know it’s kind of a backdoor to looking at culture and the more you look at it it’s incredibly fascinating.

00:09:11.100 –> 00:09:15.780 Joseph McElroy: When you were young are you interested in language, are you addressing.

00:09:16.020 –> 00:09:16.500 No.

00:09:18.090 –> 00:09:19.440 Neal Hutcheson: totally unexpected yeah.

00:09:20.880 –> 00:09:25.950 Neal Hutcheson: yeah I know, I find it interesting, but you know anything that you study becomes interesting.

00:09:27.150 –> 00:09:30.030 Neal Hutcheson: The more you know about it um but.

00:09:31.140 –> 00:09:39.720 Neal Hutcheson: No it’s just that I happened to be at nc state, I was doing educational programs people said that what will for me to a video dude this was in the 90s.

00:09:40.170 –> 00:09:50.520 Neal Hutcheson: And I stepped in his office and I said I you know if you have work, you know I can help you I’m freelancing and he said, are you any good, and I said, you know I think so so.

00:09:51.300 –> 00:09:57.480 Neal Hutcheson: And so we started working and then that that has turned out to be a very fruitful collaboration and I’m still working with them.

00:09:58.110 –> 00:09:59.190 Joseph McElroy: Is that how you been.

00:10:00.750 –> 00:10:03.300 Joseph McElroy: With the job is a third of that relationship.

00:10:03.480 –> 00:10:16.410 Neal Hutcheson: Yeah it wasn’t a full-time gig you know, I was reluctant to let go of free time to do my own projects, so it wasn’t a full-time gig for many years, but um I’ve still found time to do my own work as well on the side.

00:10:17.160 –> 00:10:18.930 Joseph McElroy: What do you do at the language of my project.

00:10:19.920 –> 00:10:21.300 Neal Hutcheson: Well, I produced documentaries.

00:10:21.540 –> 00:10:24.270 Neal Hutcheson: but it’s you know it’s I’m.

00:10:25.950 –> 00:10:31.980 Neal Hutcheson: Producing a documentary is do is wearing many, many hats, so I do a lot of things.

00:10:32.790 –> 00:10:42.600 Neal Hutcheson: Right now, and preparing for a trip to Ghana, in August production trip and so very little of what I do is would be what people think of as production right now it’s I’m not doing any editing or shooting.

00:10:43.290 –> 00:10:49.140 Neal Hutcheson: Which is what I prefer to be doing, but you also have to do a lot of planning prep from you know logistical.

00:10:51.330 –> 00:10:53.790 Neal Hutcheson: preparations and things like that too it’s part of the job.

00:10:55.530 –> 00:11:03.600 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I’m interested I always like to know the origins of people’s craft and you know I’m also an artist and it always.

00:11:04.050 –> 00:11:08.460 Joseph McElroy: Had but I came at it, I had no clue I was going to be an artist, and so the.

00:11:08.910 –> 00:11:15.780 Joseph McElroy: Even analyzing myself trying to figure out where where where the where is the evolution and all of a sudden, you become an artist, yeah a lot of people grow up.

00:11:16.080 –> 00:11:23.400 Joseph McElroy: and consider themselves artists from the womb and other people just discovered along the way, where are you from the womb, or it is covered along the way.

00:11:23.820 –> 00:11:28.650 Neal Hutcheson: Definitely along the way, and you know it’d be interesting, I don’t know if you want to talk more about that, in particular, right now.

00:11:29.070 –> 00:11:37.770 Neal Hutcheson: With limited time but you know to be interesting to know how you got started because for me it was kind of a lifeline that came to me unexpectedly in my college years.

00:11:39.000 –> 00:11:49.800 Neal Hutcheson: I was kind of an intense young person with a lot going on, but I didn’t have any means of self-expression, you know, and one way or another it’s got to come out.

00:11:50.400 –> 00:12:02.730 Neal Hutcheson: And I didn’t have the discipline to develop skills that at writing at that time or at painting or some other craft to kind of get it out so I’m filmmaking kind of landed in my lap.

00:12:04.410 –> 00:12:22.380 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know my story is actually fairly quick yeah I was arrogant a technology guy and somebody showed me some art and I looked at it and I didn’t understand it, and I said, well, I can do that, and they said, well then do it and that started me on a journey of.

00:12:22.740 –> 00:12:24.180 Joseph McElroy: Personal that I couldn’t do it.

00:12:26.070 –> 00:12:37.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah and a lot more depth and meaning and that journey led me along the way, but it was me being an arrogant ignorant cus that started my journey.

00:12:39.090 –> 00:12:39.780 Neal Hutcheson: I love to hear.

00:12:40.410 –> 00:12:40.830 yeah.

00:12:41.910 –> 00:12:49.530 Joseph McElroy: Well we’ll come back we’ll jump into some of the stuff that you’ve done and dig deeper into your art and this way rooms.

00:12:49.740 –> 00:12:50.100 Neal Hutcheson: Thank you.

00:15:15.270 –> 00:15:26.340 Joseph McElroy: Oh sorry I was muted, so this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Neal Hutcheson, Neal has an idea how you doing.

00:15:26.970 –> 00:15:30.150 Joseph McElroy: Great Yes, that was my awkward entry.

00:15:31.320 –> 00:15:33.180 Joseph McElroy: So I do that occasionally.

00:15:34.980 –> 00:15:40.860 Joseph McElroy: So you know I mentioned mountain talk, but that wasn’t your first documentary right.

00:15:42.960 –> 00:15:46.410 Neal Hutcheson: It was probably the first one that I recognize is actually being a documentary.

00:15:46.440 –> 00:15:49.920 Joseph McElroy: That was your first one that’s your art okay cool.

00:15:51.090 –> 00:15:51.750 Joseph McElroy: You know the.

00:15:52.860 –> 00:16:01.260 Joseph McElroy: I yeah I entitled this episode outlaws and outliers because you’ve done some outliers and the most famous being popcorn sudden.

00:16:01.680 –> 00:16:14.280 Joseph McElroy: But you’ve got some other you’ve done some documentaries and work about another you understand you had you have collaborated with a gifted writer and storyteller and play right there named Gary Carden of Cillo.

00:16:15.780 –> 00:16:19.260 Joseph McElroy: And he’s a colorful talented person, how did you two meet.

00:16:20.430 –> 00:16:24.750 Neal Hutcheson: Well, I met him like I met so many other people when I came up here working on mountain talk.

00:16:25.200 –> 00:16:34.860 Neal Hutcheson: um I spent about two years you know back and forth from Raleigh working on that particular film but I’m Gary was one of the people that I really connected with.

00:16:35.340 –> 00:16:53.430 Neal Hutcheson: And of course, we’ve been working together, ever since um but somebody pointed him putting me in his direction, basically, they said they said he’s you should talk to him, he talks about language, a little bit so that’s how it started, I went and found him and I interviewed him and.

00:16:55.140 –> 00:17:01.140 Neal Hutcheson: I just kept visiting him and in fact, I started working on a documentary about him in

00:17:01.140 –> 00:17:03.930 Neal Hutcheson: Particular, and this is in maybe.

00:17:05.460 –> 00:17:08.220 Neal Hutcheson: Alright, so I’m still hoping I’m hoping to finish it this year.

00:17:09.840 –> 00:17:13.470 Joseph McElroy: Do you tell you to take your time with your subjects right.

00:17:13.860 –> 00:17:17.040 Neal Hutcheson: I don’t like I have any control over it sometimes they kind of work out.

00:17:18.660 –> 00:17:22.530 Neal Hutcheson: process that uses me and I just think they’re done when they’re done, you know.

00:17:23.070 –> 00:17:38.520 Joseph McElroy: So you’d Have you had him collaborate, and this is what was interesting to me the outlaw Lewis Redmond who was I guess the first king of the moonshiners, can you tell us a little bit about that project and him and it didn’t he kill a man and get away with it.

00:17:39.540 –> 00:17:58.800 Neal Hutcheson: yeah well, in the end, he didn’t get away with that, but um yeah that’s right it’s a great story Lewis Redmond was, first of all, let me mention about Gary cartons also play right and the way I got onto this particular topic was Gary pardons play called the Prince of dark corners and.

00:18:00.660 –> 00:18:08.970 Neal Hutcheson: And so I produced with Gary and with an actor named Milton Higgins, a really brilliant guy who, sadly, died last month, but.

00:18:09.600 –> 00:18:12.510 Neal Hutcheson: So the three of us put you know did a production of that play.

00:18:13.380 –> 00:18:18.810 Neal Hutcheson: that’s how I got to know the story of Lewis Redmond because that’s what the play was about, and then I did a follow-up documentary.

00:18:19.230 –> 00:18:40.710 Neal Hutcheson: But Lewis Redmond was an outlaw active in were up where you are in southern Appalachian at the end of the 19th century, and he was active at the same time is billy the kid and Jesse James names that everybody knows, and he was actually more famous than either one of them.

00:18:41.790 –> 00:18:43.740 Neal Hutcheson: Is paper articles about Lewis Redmond.

00:18:44.250 –> 00:18:45.180 Neal Hutcheson: And even one of those.

00:18:45.240 –> 00:18:51.180 Neal Hutcheson: Does too so that’s amazing when you think about the fact that, obviously, most of your listeners have probably never heard of him.

00:18:51.570 –> 00:18:55.440 Joseph McElroy: No, I didn’t know until I started researching you I had never heard of them.

00:18:56.460 –> 00:19:03.750 Joseph McElroy: So it’s interesting, but he was quite a character, he killed the what was the Sheriff or something like that was trying to rescue.

00:19:04.410 –> 00:19:06.030 Neal Hutcheson: yeah that’s right.

00:19:06.300 –> 00:19:07.890 Neal Hutcheson: He may have killed another man there’s.

00:19:08.040 –> 00:19:13.170 Neal Hutcheson: You know that that’s one thing that’s interesting about his story is that the historical record is very muddied.

00:19:13.830 –> 00:19:15.930 Neal Hutcheson: kind of his money in a way that it’s.

00:19:16.110 –> 00:19:35.040 Neal Hutcheson: Interesting really reflects the kind of public media about Appalachia through a lot of America’s history, which is, which is to say that in southern in mountain papers and regional papers, he was regarded as he was talked about in these very noble terms.

00:19:35.430 –> 00:19:36.840 Neal Hutcheson: And in the northern papers.

00:19:37.050 –> 00:19:38.550 Neal Hutcheson: He was.

00:19:39.570 –> 00:19:49.110 Neal Hutcheson: talked about as a degenerate and it’s outlawed and stuff like that you know and there was this very exaggerated kind of depictions of him so it’s a really interesting subject.

00:19:49.440 –> 00:19:54.120 Neal Hutcheson: And the truth is somewhere in the middle and nobody you know, has really sorted it all out but.

00:19:54.390 –> 00:20:06.990 Joseph McElroy: Well, I mean yeah I mean you know you understand it because the moonshine was an important source of income for a lot of people, it helps save a lot of people’s families at the same time, have destroyed a lot of people’s families right so.

00:20:07.500 –> 00:20:11.220 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely it’s people used to worship the ones that could make a go of it.

00:20:12.810 –> 00:20:33.390 Joseph McElroy: You know I remember growing up, you know and that which would have been the 60s, there was an early 70s, the that what people would say with it with a sort of a tongue in cheek but they would say you were more likely to get arrested for drunk driving, then you were for killing somebody.

00:20:34.620 –> 00:20:36.480 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah so.

00:20:38.250 –> 00:20:48.630 Joseph McElroy: It was, it was a little bit rough and sort of some ways, but you know I read this quote from you right, I thought it was really insightful, you said you wrote you.

00:20:49.260 –> 00:21:02.280 Joseph McElroy: told somebody if I forget who it was but mountain culture is surprisingly vigorous and surprisingly alive and will be until the current generation of 50 somethings dies out and it is dying out.

00:21:02.760 –> 00:21:07.800 Joseph McElroy: psychologically there’s a fundamental difference in the way they look at the world and treat each other.

00:21:08.400 –> 00:21:19.560 Joseph McElroy: They wear masks and assume roles which is not necessarily a bad thing, but mountain people are not capable of that, I think that was like 2003 years, do you think that’s still true what did you mean.

00:21:20.820 –> 00:21:32.760 Neal Hutcheson: yeah I think a lot has changed since I said that, and I think what I was witnessing and what other people witnessing is the real-time change has taken place and.

00:21:33.180 –> 00:21:46.110 Neal Hutcheson: um but no there’s still this pockets of real mountain culture and people who come into the area can still experience that and meet people and get any you know and get to experience a little bit of that.

00:21:46.650 –> 00:21:48.540 Joseph McElroy: um you know.

00:21:49.380 –> 00:21:56.460 Neal Hutcheson: There is a there’s a book that tends to be castigated called our southern highlanders by.

00:21:56.730 –> 00:22:07.050 Neal Hutcheson: A very famous right yeah and he was right in the area like he was probably you’re in Maggie Valley, right now, so he was camping you know, a couple of miles from where you’re talking right now.

00:22:07.410 –> 00:22:20.310 Neal Hutcheson: And when he was writing this book, so you know the people that he was writing about work if you’re talking about the long term residents that are still there, they were the very people that are still there, their grandparents.

00:22:20.550 –> 00:22:33.720 Neal Hutcheson: Right and um The funny thing is I got to because of my friendship with Popcorn Sutton and a few other people like I really got to see the inside of mountain culture and I’m.

00:22:34.350 –> 00:22:52.260 Neal Hutcheson: Even though that book our southern Highlands is problematic and people have attacked it for good reasons, I got to see that they were very real characteristics in as people that are described perfectly in that book that was written almost 100 years ago.

00:22:52.590 –> 00:22:54.930 Neal Hutcheson: mm hmm right so that shows you the strength of.

00:22:55.980 –> 00:23:06.210 Neal Hutcheson: Culture and the character of the culture that, with all the changes in the last hundred years you, you still can see that same the same tendencies they’re baked in.

00:23:07.410 –> 00:23:07.860 Neal Hutcheson: Now.

00:23:08.910 –> 00:23:14.070 Neal Hutcheson: I don’t know you know what I said the quote, that you gave you know I don’t know is the next generation inheriting those.

00:23:15.300 –> 00:23:31.050 Joseph McElroy: University, you know this this this weekend, we had storytellers and singers over at the Meadowlark Heritage Center right and we had a 70-year-old storyteller tell a story, but he was brought there by a 20 something-year-old.

00:23:32.040 –> 00:23:36.840 Joseph McElroy: Guy there who’s a previous person in this podcast, Will Ritter.

00:23:37.830 –> 00:23:38.580 Joseph McElroy: Yes, okay.

00:23:38.910 –> 00:23:51.240 Joseph McElroy: yeah and he learned from all these old-timers you know the culture and heritage, and it was really fabulous, so there are young people out there, learning it and you know my.

00:23:51.600 –> 00:24:04.020 Joseph McElroy: My family right there still people that live up in the hills and you know, are still very, very much in mountain culture, and you know it’s a there’s a beauty to it, I mean once you.

00:24:04.530 –> 00:24:15.270 Joseph McElroy: pick you to know get through the what some people perceive is sort of the hard exterior it’s a very loving culture and very funny yes yeah.

00:24:16.050 –> 00:24:29.520 Neal Hutcheson: Right, you know when I was working in Cherokee which is not far from where you are a there, there was a story in there that we interviewed who suggested that I’m.

00:24:30.390 –> 00:24:34.650 Neal Hutcheson: Mountain culture not only influences Cherokee culture but Cherokee called culture influence.

00:24:35.190 –> 00:24:40.770 Neal Hutcheson: Mountain culture, and so what you’re talking about this part of the exterior that you don’t quite know.

00:24:41.130 –> 00:24:49.350 Neal Hutcheson: What people are thinking you’re not seeing their emotions and stuff like that, and what you get behind it it’s very loving and very, very funny a lot of like.

00:24:49.680 –> 00:25:01.200 Neal Hutcheson: poking fun at each other in a very smart and say like don’t be fooled if you have not been to the mountains and you have the perception that you’re going to be dealing with some simple yokels because they haven’t necessarily been.

00:25:01.710 –> 00:25:13.050 Neal Hutcheson: Like that they’re going to be one step ahead of you, the whole time so like they may be making fun of you, and you never even catch it so now drop your attitude at the door, I say.

00:25:15.300 –> 00:25:21.270 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah there seems to be a common thread in your work, I looked at it and you know and it’s the, it is the.

00:25:21.660 –> 00:25:39.570 Joseph McElroy: Preservation of various kinds of nature, culture native cultures, like the Cherokee Indian language Appalachian culture, you know African American dialects as well, as you know, mount musing moon shining so and even heritage fisheries out in the east coast so.

00:25:39.840 –> 00:25:40.590 Joseph McElroy: Is that.

00:25:40.650 –> 00:25:46.980 Joseph McElroy: Where your passion lies in a sort of like understanding these cultures and maybe giving a little to help preserve them.

00:25:47.580 –> 00:25:59.760 Neal Hutcheson: Well, you know I would back up from preservation and say my passion really is in when I get on the scene and I find something that I’m really interested in, and I see how quickly it’s changing I feel like.

00:26:00.240 –> 00:26:10.770 Neal Hutcheson: You know, sometimes I feel like I am on the spot, with my experience and uh you know recording devices and I feel a duty to document things as they change.

00:26:11.070 –> 00:26:11.580 Joseph McElroy: mom.

00:26:12.030 –> 00:26:23.520 Neal Hutcheson: Can that lead to like preservation and specific instances, I think, so you know if people understand like fishermen like if you know.

00:26:24.240 –> 00:26:29.760 Neal Hutcheson: People who are not from the community, may come down there and find them to be a very rough bunch of people they may.

00:26:30.210 –> 00:26:38.220 Neal Hutcheson: have negative stereotypes about the way that they treat the resource and things like that, but then, as they get to know them that you know if they can understand their experiences a little more.

00:26:38.550 –> 00:26:43.950 Neal Hutcheson: They kind of understand that it’s much more nuanced than what they’ve been given to understand.

00:26:44.370 –> 00:26:47.730 Neal Hutcheson: And though they actually will wind up being in sympathy with.

00:26:47.820 –> 00:26:48.210 With.

00:26:49.380 –> 00:27:06.780 Neal Hutcheson: Certain people that they might not have expected to previously because they had misconceptions about them and so can understanding people lead to I’m not doing the things that change their culture as much I, I hope, so I think so.

00:27:08.160 –> 00:27:15.330 Joseph McElroy: I think, also, I think you know, yes, the world can be overwhelming at times and it can come in and try to force you to.

00:27:15.690 –> 00:27:25.320 Joseph McElroy: You know, think that your culture is not important or stupid or silly and it can cause, especially younger people to say abandon it right.

00:27:25.740 –> 00:27:35.250 Joseph McElroy: And I think that a lot of people can come to understand hey the culture, they grew up in was really important to who they are, and it was really beautiful and a lot of ways.

00:27:35.820 –> 00:27:43.680 Joseph McElroy: Right and I, you know I started this podcast you know sort of the business intent, but you know I’ve also discovered that I love.

00:27:44.520 –> 00:27:58.950 Joseph McElroy: You know, bringing this culture and the beauty of this culture to light, so you know I think what you’re doing is fabulous in that regard so we’re going to take a break and I guess we’ll talk about a little bit about your famous subject.

00:28:00.210 –> 00:28:00.540 Neal Hutcheson: Okay.

00:28:02.880 –> 00:28:03.150 Neal Hutcheson: Good.

00:30:33.480 –> 00:30:47.610 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Neal Hutcheson so know you mentioned him and Maggie valid, but I’m actually sitting in New York City I split my time between Maggie Valley.

00:30:47.640 –> 00:30:58.200 Joseph McElroy: North cal okay so, but you know I when I left the mountains, you know I had to do sort of the reverse of you, I had to go outside the world and had to get people to.

00:30:58.950 –> 00:31:14.700 Joseph McElroy: You know, open up to me and accept me, you know, and you know penetrate yeah whatever cultural norms that that existed in a place like new york’s always sort of slightly testing you and you have to always you know to prove that you can handle it but.

00:31:15.240 –> 00:31:17.070 Joseph McElroy: You know, when you came to.

00:31:18.090 –> 00:31:20.130 Joseph McElroy: The mountains there’s obviously.

00:31:21.480 –> 00:31:30.660 Joseph McElroy: A big testing a barrier, you know dependent trading that you know, and so, how did you get your subjects to accept you and to warm up to you.

00:31:31.770 –> 00:31:42.870 Neal Hutcheson: A bit well I just spent time there and I gave them um you know I always kind of knew intuitively not to.

00:31:43.950 –> 00:32:02.910 Neal Hutcheson: Try to ingratiate myself or try as if, as if they wouldn’t like to see through my efforts to kind of win their trust or what you know, so I just was always mindful of just being myself and just spending enough time that I had they had a chance to assess me and.

00:32:04.350 –> 00:32:08.580 Neal Hutcheson: Consider, whatever it is, you know that I was after so that was basically it.

00:32:09.330 –> 00:32:17.370 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I I knew popcorn Sutton not particularly well, but I knew I knew him and he knows, he was a real kg guy.

00:32:18.300 –> 00:32:21.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah he was he yeah he was smart and he’s always sort of.

00:32:21.960 –> 00:32:31.200 Joseph McElroy: I always felt he was putting on a little bit of her performance because it was you know I made his money, so how did, how did you break through and get to some real honest stuff from him.

00:32:32.730 –> 00:32:40.500 Neal Hutcheson: Well, it did you know it took a long time in a way to get like you know, beyond the performance but I’m.

00:32:42.330 –> 00:32:52.620 Neal Hutcheson: In a way, you know not that long because I would say, you may not agree with this, I don’t know, but I would say like there was always a performance in the play.

00:32:53.130 –> 00:33:06.630 Neal Hutcheson: When he was dealing with the public um, but it was kind of based on who he really was, and so is interestingly, it was like the performance was kind of close to who he actually was he was just giving.

00:33:07.980 –> 00:33:17.310 Neal Hutcheson: You know, certain portions of the public, maybe more more more the tourist a version of a moonshiner that they would that was what they expected.

00:33:17.520 –> 00:33:20.850 Neal Hutcheson: You know and but behind the scenes, he actually was that.

00:33:21.270 –> 00:33:21.750 Neal Hutcheson: So.

00:33:22.110 –> 00:33:30.000 Neal Hutcheson: You know, so I think he just kind of knew where to lean in and exaggerate and things like that sometimes he could lay it on a little thick.

00:33:31.740 –> 00:33:37.500 Joseph McElroy: though he was better in the mountains, we have somebody that can make a deal really well we call them a horse trader.

00:33:37.980 –> 00:33:45.120 Joseph McElroy: My dad’s a hell of a horse trader he’s from way back in the mountains finds creek and he input popcorn Sutton get along.

00:33:45.570 –> 00:34:01.740 Joseph McElroy: Along really well because my dad was a contractor and you know popcorn would need some things every once in Australia with him to get some construction done an exchange for some variables of moonshine so I ended up getting a drink some popcorn moonshine over the years.

00:34:03.150 –> 00:34:12.300 Joseph McElroy: So yeah so you would say, though, that he was a master promoting themselves right and making deals to get himself known against products out there.

00:34:13.710 –> 00:34:24.540 Neal Hutcheson: yeah I think he was but I, you know I just I didn’t want it it’s true but and but you know along the way, some people have written them off and said he wasn’t a real thing he was just playing a character.

00:34:25.140 –> 00:34:26.250 Joseph McElroy: It was the real thing.

00:34:27.390 –> 00:34:27.930 Neal Hutcheson: Right.

00:34:28.140 –> 00:34:31.650 Neal Hutcheson: Jackie I just want to emphasize that yeah there’s a performance all right, but.

00:34:32.010 –> 00:34:32.370 Joseph McElroy: It was.

00:34:33.240 –> 00:34:39.810 Joseph McElroy: To make moonshine you have to know it’s almost instinctual when the turn to when.

00:34:40.680 –> 00:34:47.550 Joseph McElroy: To cut it and when to stop you know when the what point in the distilling process to pull the liquor out and that’s what you’re going to drink.

00:34:47.940 –> 00:34:59.640 Joseph McElroy: Right and the right water and things like that, if you don’t do it exactly right and have so almost instinctual thing about it it’ll just taste horrible but he’s always tasted really good he had an art to it.

00:34:59.970 –> 00:35:06.810 Neal Hutcheson: yeah that’s true that’s right there’s the one aspect of it, which is the craftsman and that was all true, and that was there.

00:35:07.290 –> 00:35:16.470 Neal Hutcheson: And, but then you know the art of performance is something I talked about a little bit in the book that I did on popcorn and I speculate that.

00:35:17.190 –> 00:35:21.720 Neal Hutcheson: I don’t have any you know other sources for this, but I speculate that what you were talking about.

00:35:22.110 –> 00:35:31.140 Neal Hutcheson: About horse-trading and the talent for barter in the mountains, is that the talent for performance in the mountains, which is well known and incredible.

00:35:31.590 –> 00:35:40.860 Neal Hutcheson: That that developed out of the little bits that you do around trading things and the and the kind of like well you know devaluing things and just that you know.

00:35:41.190 –> 00:35:57.990 Neal Hutcheson: That skill that was honed over so much time and I think that when the park was founded and outsiders came in and stuff like that that I think that that led them naturally to some of them to find inner talent for performance.

00:35:58.620 –> 00:36:00.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I think if you look at.

00:36:00.690 –> 00:36:13.590 Joseph McElroy: The traditional storytelling amount of storytelling is often an exaggeration right I caught 50 fish in the pant leg when I fell in the water or.

00:36:14.400 –> 00:36:21.120 Joseph McElroy: That sort of thing is sort of the reverse of the horse-trading, which says well these trousers are no good I couldn’t catch any fish.

00:36:23.160 –> 00:36:27.000 Joseph McElroy: right there like obviously opposite of the same coin.

00:36:28.050 –> 00:36:28.530 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:36:28.830 –> 00:36:35.790 Joseph McElroy: yeah so um so you’ve done three movies on popcorn right documentaries.

00:36:36.030 –> 00:36:42.270 Neal Hutcheson: yeah it’s a little bit of a complicated history but yeah technically three movies, we did a cult classic.

00:36:43.020 –> 00:36:51.210 Neal Hutcheson: Well, it would become a cult classic, the first thing that I made was really for the popcorn to sell out of his junk shop and something he wanted to do.

00:36:51.480 –> 00:36:59.760 Neal Hutcheson: And that one’s called that one’s always that one’s the most popular now 20 years later um it’s called this is the last time round of liquor I’ll ever make.

00:37:00.600 –> 00:37:02.340 Neal Hutcheson: sense yeah.

00:37:02.400 –> 00:37:11.850 Neal Hutcheson: we’re still it’s the whole thing on YouTube if anybody wants to check it out, but people are still discovering it and it’s lasted longer than anything else I’ve done but um.

00:37:12.540 –> 00:37:26.130 Neal Hutcheson: Then I did a TV version which came out at the tail end of 2008 called the last one, and that was a PBS family-friendly kind of version of that with cutaways for context and interviews and things like that it’s a.

00:37:26.430 –> 00:37:26.940 Neal Hutcheson: little different.

00:37:27.660 –> 00:37:31.200 Neal Hutcheson: And then I did a more biographical piece called a hell of a life.

00:37:32.430 –> 00:37:38.370 Neal Hutcheson: And that came out after he died in 2009 that came out in oh I forget, but maybe 2012.

00:37:39.240 –> 00:37:53.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool well and you’ve also I saw you recently you’ve done a book recently like it’s almost like a table talk book, but so more meaningful, I mean what was how did you come about doing that.

00:37:53.370 –> 00:38:01.890 Neal Hutcheson: yeah well thanks for describing it that way it’s it’s deliberately designed to be enjoyable if you want to flip through idly or if you want to dig in so.

00:38:03.150 –> 00:38:03.870 Neal Hutcheson: I.

00:38:05.580 –> 00:38:14.970 Neal Hutcheson: knew that people would want to have copies because popcorn is is well known and intriguing and so I felt a duty to make it as good as I possibly could um.

00:38:15.480 –> 00:38:18.600 Neal Hutcheson: You know, in a way, I feel like I was always working on that book and I just didn’t know it.

00:38:19.470 –> 00:38:35.910 Neal Hutcheson: While I was doing the documentaries, the real motivation was that you know nowadays popcorn is remembered as in some quarters as something akin to a folk hero and it’s a very simplified version and a very kind of.

00:38:37.230 –> 00:38:41.970 Neal Hutcheson: Noble you know version of who he was is a friend of mine, okay I’m not dragging down.

00:38:42.450 –> 00:38:50.160 Neal Hutcheson: And I think that folk hero is interesting, and I think that that phenomenon with him turning into a folk hero is fascinating and I talked about that in the book.

00:38:50.430 –> 00:38:54.840 Neal Hutcheson: But you know, the main purpose at the start of working on the book was to.

00:38:55.500 –> 00:39:06.810 Neal Hutcheson: Make sure that he’s remembered as I knew him as a person I knew he would want that that he did he really didn’t want to be the hero he wanted to be that law and he wanted to be who he was.

00:39:07.740 –> 00:39:19.590 Neal Hutcheson: And so I think that and so the book tries, and I think, to some extent, I would say if it’s okay for me to say about my own book like succeeds in capturing him, you know fairly.

00:39:20.700 –> 00:39:24.060 Joseph McElroy: cool what was the name of the book again what was the full title of it.

00:39:24.390 –> 00:39:26.220 Neal Hutcheson: it’s called the moonshiner popcorn sun.

00:39:26.460 –> 00:39:30.450 Joseph McElroy: The moon cheddar popcorn Sutton and it’s available on a lot of places you go to the.

00:39:31.530 –> 00:39:39.570 Joseph McElroy: I think we have it up on smokies adventure.com and the Meadowlark motel and you can probably get it on Amazon right it’s a great book and there’s a DVD with it right.

00:39:40.140 –> 00:39:56.610 Neal Hutcheson: If you get it on Amazon you’re going to pay him because I held back because I want people to buy it from local places like the meadowlark and the other places that are supporting the book and that support community and culture, so I hope people will buy local first.

00:39:57.690 –> 00:40:17.310 Joseph McElroy: Nice good local living economies it’s we can promote that that’s important you know that’s why I keep the small business I have in the mountains going is to support local economies, I think it’s important yeah so and you have a publishing company and a production company.

00:40:17.760 –> 00:40:20.430 Neal Hutcheson: Well I’ve got a publishing company, now that I’ve published a book.

00:40:22.260 –> 00:40:36.690 Neal Hutcheson: How many more books will publish we’ll see it’s a lot of work turns out um but yeah I’ve got a production company that’s basically has facilitated my own projects it’s more or fewer one-man-bands of still.

00:40:38.340 –> 00:40:43.500 Neal Hutcheson: In recent years, I’ve been collaborating with other people I’m an independent project but.

00:40:45.900 –> 00:40:46.140 Neal Hutcheson: yeah.

00:40:46.170 –> 00:40:52.980 Neal Hutcheson: Just I just kind of invented and improvised all along the way to make whatever it was I was doing next Hampton.

00:40:53.550 –> 00:40:56.340 Joseph McElroy: Why did you call it sucker punch productions.

00:40:58.110 –> 00:41:01.680 Neal Hutcheson: Well there’s triple entendre in that it’s.

00:41:03.090 –> 00:41:07.830 Neal Hutcheson: Nothing to be worried about, but mainly you know um.

00:41:09.270 –> 00:41:17.820 Neal Hutcheson: I was thinking about it sounds kind of punky and brash and I was kind of I felt as the upstart like who what right do I have to just make.

00:41:18.330 –> 00:41:34.380 Neal Hutcheson: Films without anybody’s permission and be the kind of like octopus character, you know supine on sucker Punch and just and you know all the different jobs that I have to have in order to make a film, you know it’s not just filming and editing.

00:41:35.880 –> 00:41:38.400 Neal Hutcheson: It was funny to me the different arms alright.

00:41:38.820 –> 00:41:39.300 city.

00:41:40.500 –> 00:41:48.720 Joseph McElroy: No, I mean it’s important to have something meaningful for your company, especially if you have an inside joke, I had a company called corporate performance artists.

00:41:49.080 –> 00:42:00.750 Joseph McElroy: One time because somebody asked me while I was doing art and others do raising I raised some money for a startup in the.com era and they said what the hell, are you and I said I guess I’m a corporate performance artist.

00:42:03.720 –> 00:42:08.040 Joseph McElroy: I named my company that I would tell people I’m performing my company.

00:42:08.220 –> 00:42:18.510 Joseph McElroy: And it was an engine, it was an inside joke, but yeah it makes it, it makes it fun, it makes it something that’s personal and the little secret that you can have.

00:42:19.050 –> 00:42:25.050 Neal Hutcheson: Exactly what you know if you’re going to do something for yourself, you should have fun and you know indulge a little bit and make it the way you want to.

00:42:25.950 –> 00:42:26.640 cool.

00:42:27.810 –> 00:42:35.040 Joseph McElroy: So I think you Bob are some you working on Bob Plott do introduce us right so yeah.

00:42:35.970 –> 00:42:48.600 Joseph McElroy: So you see we’re gonna need to take a break now, so I want to talk about a queen family that you’re working on and then we’re getting sent you know so much about the mountains now when I get your favorite things to go for people to go see.

00:42:49.110 –> 00:42:49.620 Neal Hutcheson: sounds good.

00:42:50.040 –> 00:42:50.550 All right.

00:45:23.730 –> 00:45:33.000 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Neal Hutcheson so Neil, you are working on.

00:45:33.960 –> 00:45:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Something that’s interesting to me, you know Maggie Valley calls itself the calling capital of the world right so we’re always proud of dancing in the mountains, especially you know.

00:45:44.070 –> 00:45:52.860 Joseph McElroy: square dancing and plugin so you’re working on a project on the iconic queen family, one of the foremost musical advancing clans and the great smokies what you doing.

00:45:54.150 –> 00:45:58.020 Neal Hutcheson: Oh well, you know that was actually a project that I did some years ago.

00:45:58.380 –> 00:45:58.890 Joseph McElroy: Oh, really.

00:45:59.070 –> 00:46:05.280 Neal Hutcheson: yeah it’s already done and it was about music and the group that queen it, as you know, for us, you know.

00:46:05.760 –> 00:46:15.690 Neal Hutcheson: yeah it’s a huge huge name up there, and so there, there are great dancers, but the ones that are working with weren’t really into dancing they were just in the music.

00:46:15.960 –> 00:46:22.590 Neal Hutcheson: Okay, so they were in Jackson County off of Johns creek Canny fork.

00:46:24.180 –> 00:46:24.960 Neal Hutcheson: You know that area.

00:46:25.320 –> 00:46:27.330 Neal Hutcheson: yeah okay so.

00:46:28.590 –> 00:46:37.020 Neal Hutcheson: And it was I started with Mary Jane Queen, who was the matriarch of the family and she knew balance that was hundreds of years old and so.

00:46:38.430 –> 00:46:49.020 Neal Hutcheson: But I gradually got to know more of her family and they’re all musical and when they get together, they would all play they’re literally on the back porch and make incredible mountain music and it wasn’t like it wasn’t.

00:46:50.160 –> 00:47:03.810 Neal Hutcheson: It was like the real thing you know it was like you just felt them expressing their love for each other by sharing that music with each other and so that’s basically what I was documenting is looking at mountain culture through another window, which was, which was music.

00:47:04.440 –> 00:47:08.730 Joseph McElroy: Well I’m very interested in seeing that what where do you have that documentary.

00:47:09.570 –> 00:47:11.430 Neal Hutcheson: I think the whole thing is on YouTube right now.

00:47:11.700 –> 00:47:12.600 Joseph McElroy: And what’s it called.

00:47:12.930 –> 00:47:14.070 Neal Hutcheson: it’s called the Queen family.

00:47:14.910 –> 00:47:15.510 Joseph McElroy: The Queen.

00:47:20.040 –> 00:47:26.940 Joseph McElroy: So you bet a lot of visiting the mountains Okay, so what is your, what is your favorite natural.

00:47:28.020 –> 00:47:29.340 Joseph McElroy: wonder in the mountains.

00:47:30.270 –> 00:47:38.190 Neal Hutcheson: Oh that’s a good question um you know I used to come up there backpacking a lot when I was a kid and I didn’t know anything about the culture, but I really enjoyed the.

00:47:38.790 –> 00:47:50.130 Neal Hutcheson: landscape and just interacting with the wild spaces and my favorite place was always Joyce Kilmer slick rock area, which is adjacent to Graham county.

00:47:50.640 –> 00:47:53.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah what was that, what do you find special about that.

00:47:54.540 –> 00:48:04.440 Neal Hutcheson: Well, I like to the trails you know for backpacking but then you know, one of the really special things about that spot is that they preserved, a small.

00:48:05.310 –> 00:48:20.940 Neal Hutcheson: selection and that that was never logged right, so all the mountains most a lot of people don’t even know this, that the great Appalachian wilderness was was absolutely incredible with these huge trees, there were 12 feet in diameter and those are all gone, they were all logged.

00:48:21.360 –> 00:48:32.640 Neal Hutcheson: And um what we see now is what runs back right and it’s beautiful but it’s not the wild place that was there before and so Joyce Kilmer you could see that and.

00:48:33.360 –> 00:48:39.300 Neal Hutcheson: You know the last time I went as the storm and taken out a lot of the big trees, unfortunately, it was kind of sad but it’s still there.

00:48:39.510 –> 00:48:46.050 Neal Hutcheson: And you can go there and park and there are short trails you can walk you don’t have to go backpacking anything like that you can walk half a mile or a mile.

00:48:46.320 –> 00:48:49.350 Neal Hutcheson: and get back in there cool and they create is just gorgeous.

00:48:49.950 –> 00:48:54.300 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I haven’t actually visited there, so I need to do that, that sounds really like a wonderful time.

00:48:55.560 –> 00:49:05.070 Joseph McElroy: Now, your new popcorn sudden so you know a little bit about the distilleries I think you were involved with the moonshine or should they still have it right, it was inspired by your movie anyway.

00:49:05.850 –> 00:49:07.050 Neal Hutcheson: I believe that it was.

00:49:07.140 –> 00:49:20.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so you know local distillery So is there any of them doing anything any a quote-unquote moonshine it’s not real moonshine if it’s legal but moonshine that’s pretty good compared to popcorn to brew.

00:49:20.700 –> 00:49:23.340 Neal Hutcheson: Well, you know a lot of these things have sprung up fairly recently.

00:49:23.670 –> 00:49:30.420 Neal Hutcheson: yeah and there’s you know there’s a lot of good beer, you can get in the mountains Now I will not turn down a good hipster IPA.

00:49:32.430 –> 00:49:40.500 Neal Hutcheson: And you can find them whether you’re in silver or there’s a great place and Bryson city, but anyway and an inhaler brewing company I think they’re called.

00:49:40.800 –> 00:49:42.930 Joseph McElroy: I go to the gym in Waynesville yeah.

00:49:43.200 –> 00:49:46.530 Neal Hutcheson: there’s good beer around but it’s not you know that’s nothing traditional.

00:49:46.740 –> 00:49:47.250 Neal Hutcheson: yeah i’m.

00:49:47.730 –> 00:49:51.930 Neal Hutcheson: The only distillery that I know anything about is elevated mountain in.

00:49:52.650 –> 00:50:02.400 Neal Hutcheson: In Maggie valley and I think people should go check it out, and they should see that because I’m the proprietor Dave Angel he puts on a great tour, and you get to sample the stuff.

00:50:02.820 –> 00:50:12.150 Neal Hutcheson: And it’s good quality and he’s from there, and I think I’m not quite sure about his whole story, but I think he’s he’s like you in that he’s been elsewhere and comes back.

00:50:12.720 –> 00:50:15.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah he was actually in New York for a little while but he’s a cousin he’s my cousin.

00:50:18.630 –> 00:50:19.110 Joseph McElroy: Down there.

00:50:21.480 –> 00:50:36.450 Joseph McElroy: Let me do you go to sell a lot and that’s a wonderful town, what would you say is a great itinerary one to build visit silver, starting with breakfast you know and then where you might go in the morning, then lunch in the afternoon and dinner in the evening for entertainment.

00:50:37.110 –> 00:50:47.820 Neal Hutcheson: Well, silver has changed a lot, too, is it’s developed but um it always had a little bit of stuff going on because it’s its proximity to Western Carolina university um but.

00:50:48.930 –> 00:50:53.610 Neal Hutcheson: You know, and you can spend a day in Silva and you can find good food morning.

00:50:54.990 –> 00:51:05.760 Neal Hutcheson: morning, day and night but um if I was going up there and somebody was going up to explore the area, I would say, getting your current in or in motorcycle whatever drive a little bit and get around.

00:51:06.240 –> 00:51:06.570 Joseph McElroy: and

00:51:07.380 –> 00:51:14.280 Neal Hutcheson: I always like to in fact I just mentioned Joyce Kilmer well that’s close to robin’s bill and Robin so.

00:51:15.030 –> 00:51:28.590 Neal Hutcheson: The last time I was there doesn’t have a lot going on, but I always love going to Robin so you really feel like you’re getting back into a mountain Community um and there’s a place there, I think it’s called lose know it’s called.

00:51:30.090 –> 00:51:42.540 Neal Hutcheson: Lucy lens something like lens place it’s had different names of the rooms, but it’s top of the hill one and robin’s bill, and you won’t miss it because there’s not much else around and it’s just a diner you’re going to get breakfast there you’re going to get regular.

00:51:43.650 –> 00:51:48.270 Neal Hutcheson: You know diner kind of breakfast food, but what you’re also going to get is you’re going to be around local people.

00:51:48.720 –> 00:51:59.070 Neal Hutcheson: In there and they’re going to be friendly they’re probably curious about what you’re doing and it won’t be hard to strike up a conversation, which I highly recommend and start your morning out that way.

00:51:59.400 –> 00:52:07.350 Neal Hutcheson: that’s fabulous right Okay, and then you can take a nice drive, if you want to go by Joyce Kilmer you take the roadster curvy and beautiful motorcyclists love them.

00:52:07.650 –> 00:52:15.420 Neal Hutcheson: And you can take you can go I’ve never spent much time at Fontana village, but if you like, that kind of thing there’s a lot of stuff out there.

00:52:15.660 –> 00:52:17.070 Joseph McElroy: Historical stuff yeah.

00:52:17.460 –> 00:52:26.850 Neal Hutcheson: And, and then you can see Fontana damn which is impressive a piece of work, and circle back around and come back to silver for lunch.

00:52:27.330 –> 00:52:40.170 Neal Hutcheson: And you don’t want to miss the coffee shop because it’s just another place where real people gather it’s been there forever, my friend Gary Carden who’s now at six I think IQ as a kid he.

00:52:40.890 –> 00:52:43.830 Neal Hutcheson: What do you call it car hopped or whatever he brought the burgers out to people in the car.

00:52:44.880 –> 00:52:45.660 Joseph McElroy: coffee shop.

00:52:46.380 –> 00:52:49.110 Neal Hutcheson: coffee shop, the signing, and so on, the main road gold and silver.

00:52:51.030 –> 00:53:00.570 Neal Hutcheson: And they’re going to have country food it’s going to be hardy fair they’re gonna have a special of the day they’re going to cook a good meal, you probably need to take a walk afterward if you’re planning to have dinner because you’d be full.

00:53:00.960 –> 00:53:01.320 But.

00:53:02.370 –> 00:53:09.000 Neal Hutcheson: But again it’s also we’re working people look people are going to go to so that’s why I would give those answers.

00:53:10.590 –> 00:53:19.530 Neal Hutcheson: And then, because you had me thinking about this before, so I was there was a place this place in Bryson City, so if you want to go for a really fine meal after.

00:53:20.220 –> 00:53:31.710 Neal Hutcheson: All that um there’s a place called the pork and bean in Bryson city and they cook they’ve got a great Jeff there and they and they cook a lot of like fresh healthy.

00:53:34.020 –> 00:53:36.810 Neal Hutcheson: freshly sourced fair original.

00:53:38.130 –> 00:53:43.410 Neal Hutcheson: an original menu oftentimes you can get mountain trout which is my favorite So if you can.

00:53:43.440 –> 00:53:46.560 Joseph McElroy: Get that I would recommend getting it done well it’s, the best thing to get.

00:53:46.590 –> 00:53:55.230 Joseph McElroy: In the mountains yeah cool well, we have a few minutes left How do people get in touch with you or follow you and keep track of what you’re doing?

00:53:56.790 –> 00:54:00.750 Neal Hutcheson: Well um I’d say you know if you want to check out the work.

00:54:01.050 –> 00:54:13.860 Neal Hutcheson: there’s a lot of like extra clips and especially a lot with Popcorn Sutton on my YouTube channel and it’s sucker punch pictures just look up that on YouTube you’ll find a lot of clips and stuff like that and see what that’s about um and.

00:54:15.300 –> 00:54:32.700 Neal Hutcheson: If you let’s see I don’t know I’ve got a personal website Neil Hutchison.com, so you can see past projects and links to other things Oh, and also the language and languageinlife.org which is my work at nc state, which is a large part of what I’ve done over the last 30 years.

00:54:33.420 –> 00:54:48.840 Joseph McElroy: cool well, thank you very much for being on my podcast has been very enjoyable having a conversation with you and very illuminating I really appreciate the work that you do, and you know documenting the culture of the mountains.

00:54:50.010 –> 00:55:02.010 Joseph McElroy: You know I think there was a period of time that there was a unique culture is still there, but it is, it is disappearing somewhat so understanding and preserving and I think is great.

00:55:03.330 –> 00:55:15.360 Joseph McElroy: I want to remind everybody this podcast is on the talkradio.NYC network with there are lots of fabulous podcasts for you to listen to me for a few commercials if you’ve listened to it, live.

00:55:16.080 –> 00:55:25.710 Joseph McElroy: After this show is rediscovering New York on Tuesday nights from seven to eight or seven to eight.

00:55:26.280 –> 00:55:35.760 Joseph McElroy: it’s about visiting New York and there’s a lot of inside stuff and unique culture of New York to explore as part of why I love being here when I when I’m not in the mountains.

00:55:36.480 –> 00:55:43.800 Joseph McElroy: Is the uniqueness of culture in New York City and the multiple cultures that you can experience here, so this show is great to go visit you can.

00:55:44.550 –> 00:55:51.510 Joseph McElroy: You can also watch this podcast on Facebook.com/gateway to the smokies podcast where.

00:55:51.870 –> 00:55:57.720 Joseph McElroy: The live stream comes out with the zoom So you can see our faces, or you can go to the gatewaytothesmokies.fun.

00:55:58.050 –> 00:56:09.630 Joseph McElroy: To see this podcast and other previous podcasts as well as the signing up for the newsletter be informed about events and future episodes and other things that we will do to

00:56:10.050 –> 00:56:19.500 Joseph McElroy: illustrate and celebrate the culture of the smoky mountains and for things to do there and enjoy yourself that he much I’ll see you next week when we have.

00:56:20.430 –> 00:56:34.650 Joseph McElroy: For our show will be Wayne Ebinger, who is a well-known photographer in the smoky mountains and it has experienced a lot and we’ll talk about the beauty of the smoky mountains talk to you soon.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/359602482251352/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/200144102_360133558864911_6393464370847379925_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=8vZ4sywO-HgAX_G-MHV&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63015F33&oh=00_AT8A2qYp2t1vDoETa6HC0M7ggby8aLr5cnAR_O4kWZPEhg&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is Neil Hutcheson, an Award-winning Filmmaker, Photographer, and Author.</p><p>He resides in Raleigh, N.C. where he works as a producer and director of the Language and Life Project for N.C. State University, but spends a great deal of time in the Great Smokies, the location of several of his most popular projects.</p><p>His most well-known works include books and films about Maggie Valley moonshine legend Popcorn Sutton, as well as books and videos on Cherokee culture and language, along with documentaries and books pertaining to Appalachian and African American vernacular, climate change, and heritage fisheries of the Outer Banks on the N.C. coast.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.NYC or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>SHOW NOTES:</strong></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Tonight’s show starts off with an introduction of what to expect from this episode. After announcements from the show’s sponsors, our host Joseph McElroy introduces tonight’s special guest: Neil Hutcheson. The two go through and lightly discuss Neil’s well-known projects, his background, and Neil explains how he unexpectedly came to be in this industry and where his interest in language and filmmaking came from. The two swap origin stories shortly before the break.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, the discussion shifts into more of Neil’s works, such as his documentaries. One project that they go more into depth about was a play about Louis Redman. Neil explains who Louis Redman was and what he did and how his case and the history surrounding it reflected the media at the time. He emphasizes that the media can get distorted and how no one really knows the true Louis Redman. The conversation moves on to the topic of “mountain culture.” Neil wrote about this culture in his book and explains how it has changed in recent years since he last wrote about it in the early 2000s. The two discuss what mountain culture is and dismantle the negative stereotypes and perspectives that surround it.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Neil discusses how he got the local community to trust and accept him into their community. Additionally, Neil talks about how he got to get on a deeper level with Popcorn Sutton, especially since he often gave off the impression of always putting on a show. Neil explained how Popcorn Sutton could give off that impression, but he was a genuine performer and to an extent, was being himself. This leads to the conversation about how Neil was able to successfully capture who Popcorn Sutton is as a person in his movies and especially in his book. He goes on to talk about his more recent projects, many of which come from his own companies.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>The final segment starts off with an introduction of one of Neil’s latest works, involving documenting another aspect of mountain culture: mountain music. The documentary can be found on YouTube and is called the Queen Family. Joseph and Neil talk about their favorite parts of the mountains and mountain culture in general. Neil explains why he loves nature in the mountains so much. They go further into their discussion by talking about more specific local spots at Maggie Valley and Neil tells what his itinerary would be like when visiting. The episode closes with special shoutouts where the audience can find more about Neil and his upcoming works.</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:27.840 –&gt; 00:00:32.310 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:33.270 –&gt; 00:00:41.970 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:42.330 –&gt; 00:00:51.390 Joseph McElroy: these areas are filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:51.840 –&gt; 00:01:04.770 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:05.340 –&gt; 00:01:12.900 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about outlaws and outliers in the smokies, but first a little sponsorship information.</p><p>00:01:13.530 –&gt; 00:01:21.240 Joseph McElroy: I want you to imagine a place evocative motor courts of the past a modern and vibrant environment with a Chic Appalachian field.</p><p>00:01:21.810 –&gt; 00:01:28.740 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain here and it’s a trout stream.</p><p>00:01:29.010 –&gt; 00:01:47.820 Joseph McElroy: grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine lines or craft beers imagine it plays with old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:01:48.840 –&gt; 00:02:02.700 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure.com that smokies plural adventure singular. COM has a site that features listings and information about the smoking’s hiking wedding venues books trail Max resources.</p><p>00:02:03.210 –&gt; 00:02:21.150 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis on smoky adventures is outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information and lodging family and family entertainment events conventions and honeymoons and more it’s the leading information portal of the smoky mountain.</p><p>00:02:23.310 –&gt; 00:02:28.740 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention some events coming up this is summertime in the smokies there are lots of events.</p><p>00:02:29.790 –&gt; 00:02:40.650 Joseph McElroy: So you can sort of search for them and find them just about anywhere I pick some that I think are great and also you know, relative to the businesses, the business I run in the mountains.</p><p>00:02:42.360 –&gt; 00:02:57.480 Joseph McElroy: And the first one is the Darren Nicholson bluegrass band camp and concert somebody that know anything about bluegrass know Darren Nicholson and he’s a member of balsam range he has his own band he’s a grammy award-nominated artists and.</p><p>00:02:58.710 –&gt; 00:03:08.310 Joseph McElroy: It has won many of the bluegrass towards this event is for aspiring musicians to learn and interact with some of the best artists in the business.</p><p>00:03:08.700 –&gt; 00:03:27.090 Joseph McElroy: And the venue culminate in an open to the public, all Stuart star concert on July 17 that’s this Saturday this this this band camp will be repeated in future years so look forward if you’re listening in the future to this podcast but for now July 17, 201</p><p>00:03:29.130 –&gt; 00:03:44.880 Joseph McElroy: Go to Meadwolarkmotel.com look under the mountain heritage smoky mountain heritage events and you’ll find this event, and you can purchase tickets to come to it, you can also with lodging you get a free concert and you get half price on the band camp.</p><p>00:03:45.990 –&gt; 00:03:53.850 Joseph McElroy: They have him coming July 23 and 24th is hillbilly jam, the famous hillbilly Jam in Maggie Valley in North Carolina open the public.</p><p>00:03:54.120 –&gt; 00:04:09.270 Joseph McElroy: Both days music festival with crafts and food, food vendors moonshiners of the discovery channel car and bike show, and more so, go to the hillbilly jam.com or 82845-079795.</p><p>00:04:10.560 –&gt; 00:04:16.890 Joseph McElroy: This year is the 55th season of the shindig on the green presented by the folk heritage committee.</p><p>00:04:18.090 –&gt; 00:04:18.750 Joseph McElroy: Along with.</p><p>00:04:19.800 –&gt; 00:04:28.980 Joseph McElroy: headlining sponsor Allen’s jewelry and pawn Finkelstein’s loan office but it’s a free event in the heart of downtown Ashville it goes over several days during the summer.</p><p>00:04:30.090 –&gt; 00:04:41.820 Joseph McElroy: And then the left to the left the days left in July or the 17th of 24th of the 31st as well as the August 14 and 20 21st and the heart.</p><p>00:04:42.090 –&gt; 00:04:57.420 Joseph McElroy: Of downtown Asheville parks what pack squares park Roger part pack square park called Roger McGuire Green that’s pack square park Roger McQueen’s that Roger McGuire Green I gotta learn to say that.</p><p>00:04:59.400 –&gt; 00:05:16.410 Joseph McElroy: it’s got lots of music lots of vendors it’s a great thing to go to has been going for 55 years I’m sure you’ll find it, this is also the of the 94th annual mountain dance and folk festival as a ticketed event at the Pinsky hall auditorium at unc Asheville which is.</p><p>00:05:18.450 –&gt; 00:05:28.380 Joseph McElroy: 300 liberty lane Ashville it takes place every each of the nights Thursday through Saturday 6:30pm nightly.</p><p>00:05:29.730 –&gt; 00:05:30.150 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:05:31.170 –&gt; 00:05:43.080 Joseph McElroy: I think the upcoming dates are August 5 Sixth and Seventh, so I advise you to go, that was a 94-year event, it has to be doing something else, and it showcases music dancers, and storytellers.</p><p>00:05:43.650 –&gt; 00:05:55.110 Joseph McElroy: And today, I have great and fabulous guests he is Neil Hutcheson is an award-winning filmmaker photographer, and author, who has one, among other things, three.</p><p>00:05:55.770 –&gt; 00:06:00.630 Joseph McElroy: One, among other things, three Emmy awards his work has been featured on.</p><p>00:06:01.410 –&gt; 00:06:12.180 Joseph McElroy: PBS the history channel discovery others he resides in Raleigh North Carolina where he works as a producer and director of the language and LIFE project for nc State University.</p><p>00:06:12.540 –&gt; 00:06:25.740 Joseph McElroy: But he also spent a great deal of time and the great smokies which have been the location of several of his most popular projects and famous subjects like popcorn suck Hello Neal,</p><p>00:06:26.190 –&gt; 00:06:27.840 Neal Hutcheson: hi thanks for having me.</p><p>00:06:28.290 –&gt; 00:06:32.520 Joseph McElroy: Oh I’m so glad, so you grew up in Chapel Hill right.</p><p>00:06:32.910 –&gt; 00:06:34.170 Neal Hutcheson: I did that’s right yep.</p><p>00:06:34.620 –&gt; 00:06:42.360 Joseph McElroy: cool and then you went to Boone translate in Spain, and then the Raleigh where you studied at NC state is that all correct.</p><p>00:06:42.510 –&gt; 00:06:43.980 Neal Hutcheson: yeah you’ve got my whole rap sheet.</p><p>00:06:45.450 –&gt; 00:06:46.230 Joseph McElroy: sheet right.</p><p>00:06:46.440 –&gt; 00:06:48.480 Joseph McElroy: Well, I want to do so, I had to notice it.</p><p>00:06:49.230 –&gt; 00:06:50.520 Neal Hutcheson: Okay okay all right.</p><p>00:06:51.360 –&gt; 00:06:59.370 Joseph McElroy: So imagine you could have a pretty good conversation about basketball right yeah are you a fan of North Carolina sports.</p><p>00:06:59.700 –&gt; 00:07:06.960 Neal Hutcheson: Well, you know you can’t really ignore them and growing up in Chapel hill like it was like you know it.</p><p>00:07:07.590 –&gt; 00:07:08.610 Neal Hutcheson: was like you know you.</p><p>00:07:08.700 –&gt; 00:07:13.920 Neal Hutcheson: got you your Carolina blue it’s you know you don’t even have a choice.</p><p>00:07:14.670 –&gt; 00:07:17.700 Joseph McElroy: You don’t I mean and you would probably run a town if you didn’t.</p><p>00:07:19.680 –&gt; 00:07:27.990 Joseph McElroy: It was a college town so but it’s a great college and I went there a few times you know to see Duke Carolina but.</p><p>00:07:29.460 –&gt; 00:07:31.110 Joseph McElroy: I enjoyed it so.</p><p>00:07:31.350 –&gt; 00:07:34.380 Joseph McElroy: I grew up in a very strong culture part of the state of North.</p><p>00:07:34.380 –&gt; 00:07:35.010 Carolina.</p><p>00:07:36.090 –&gt; 00:07:53.220 Joseph McElroy: But you obviously you’re a gifted art artist, with a passion for history and music and culture and colorful characters I understand to cut your teeth professionally by working with the NC State University linguist wall from and some other social scientist.</p><p>00:07:54.420 –&gt; 00:07:55.230 Neal Hutcheson: yeah that’s it.</p><p>00:07:57.960 –&gt; 00:08:05.520 Neal Hutcheson: I’m hit the ground with working with Walt and doing language programs, I mean that’s kind of what brought me to the mountains in the first place.</p><p>00:08:05.850 –&gt; 00:08:13.560 Joseph McElroy: yeah it was that is that when you did your for your sort of first real big step for a career when you did a film called mountain talk.</p><p>00:08:14.190 –&gt; 00:08:16.590 Neal Hutcheson: yeah that film was pivotal.</p><p>00:08:17.640 –&gt; 00:08:32.250 Neal Hutcheson: For sure um and I’d say you know that was the first full-length documentary that I had done and, and it really allowed me to spend a lot of time up there, where you are right now man and to meet people and just to kind of.</p><p>00:08:33.420 –&gt; 00:08:36.330 Neal Hutcheson: absorb the culture, the local culture.</p><p>00:08:36.630 –&gt; 00:08:41.580 Joseph McElroy: Is do you feel I mean, since you came through linguist do you think the sound of language is a.</p><p>00:08:42.720 –&gt; 00:08:43.890 Joseph McElroy: entree into your art.</p><p>00:08:45.660 –&gt; 00:08:54.960 Neal Hutcheson: I think um I always looked at language as an entree into the culture, you know so it’s a different direction into looking at culture in it and it and it uh.</p><p>00:08:55.560 –&gt; 00:09:10.200 Neal Hutcheson: it’s incredibly illuminating to look at the culture that way, instead of kind of you know, as opposed to whatever head-on, you know it’s kind of a backdoor to looking at culture and the more you look at it it’s incredibly fascinating.</p><p>00:09:11.100 –&gt; 00:09:15.780 Joseph McElroy: When you were young are you interested in language, are you addressing.</p><p>00:09:16.020 –&gt; 00:09:16.500 No.</p><p>00:09:18.090 –&gt; 00:09:19.440 Neal Hutcheson: totally unexpected yeah.</p><p>00:09:20.880 –&gt; 00:09:25.950 Neal Hutcheson: yeah I know, I find it interesting, but you know anything that you study becomes interesting.</p><p>00:09:27.150 –&gt; 00:09:30.030 Neal Hutcheson: The more you know about it um but.</p><p>00:09:31.140 –&gt; 00:09:39.720 Neal Hutcheson: No it’s just that I happened to be at nc state, I was doing educational programs people said that what will for me to a video dude this was in the 90s.</p><p>00:09:40.170 –&gt; 00:09:50.520 Neal Hutcheson: And I stepped in his office and I said I you know if you have work, you know I can help you I’m freelancing and he said, are you any good, and I said, you know I think so so.</p><p>00:09:51.300 –&gt; 00:09:57.480 Neal Hutcheson: And so we started working and then that that has turned out to be a very fruitful collaboration and I’m still working with them.</p><p>00:09:58.110 –&gt; 00:09:59.190 Joseph McElroy: Is that how you been.</p><p>00:10:00.750 –&gt; 00:10:03.300 Joseph McElroy: With the job is a third of that relationship.</p><p>00:10:03.480 –&gt; 00:10:16.410 Neal Hutcheson: Yeah it wasn’t a full-time gig you know, I was reluctant to let go of free time to do my own projects, so it wasn’t a full-time gig for many years, but um I’ve still found time to do my own work as well on the side.</p><p>00:10:17.160 –&gt; 00:10:18.930 Joseph McElroy: What do you do at the language of my project.</p><p>00:10:19.920 –&gt; 00:10:21.300 Neal Hutcheson: Well, I produced documentaries.</p><p>00:10:21.540 –&gt; 00:10:24.270 Neal Hutcheson: but it’s you know it’s I’m.</p><p>00:10:25.950 –&gt; 00:10:31.980 Neal Hutcheson: Producing a documentary is do is wearing many, many hats, so I do a lot of things.</p><p>00:10:32.790 –&gt; 00:10:42.600 Neal Hutcheson: Right now, and preparing for a trip to Ghana, in August production trip and so very little of what I do is would be what people think of as production right now it’s I’m not doing any editing or shooting.</p><p>00:10:43.290 –&gt; 00:10:49.140 Neal Hutcheson: Which is what I prefer to be doing, but you also have to do a lot of planning prep from you know logistical.</p><p>00:10:51.330 –&gt; 00:10:53.790 Neal Hutcheson: preparations and things like that too it’s part of the job.</p><p>00:10:55.530 –&gt; 00:11:03.600 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I’m interested I always like to know the origins of people’s craft and you know I’m also an artist and it always.</p><p>00:11:04.050 –&gt; 00:11:08.460 Joseph McElroy: Had but I came at it, I had no clue I was going to be an artist, and so the.</p><p>00:11:08.910 –&gt; 00:11:15.780 Joseph McElroy: Even analyzing myself trying to figure out where where where the where is the evolution and all of a sudden, you become an artist, yeah a lot of people grow up.</p><p>00:11:16.080 –&gt; 00:11:23.400 Joseph McElroy: and consider themselves artists from the womb and other people just discovered along the way, where are you from the womb, or it is covered along the way.</p><p>00:11:23.820 –&gt; 00:11:28.650 Neal Hutcheson: Definitely along the way, and you know it’d be interesting, I don’t know if you want to talk more about that, in particular, right now.</p><p>00:11:29.070 –&gt; 00:11:37.770 Neal Hutcheson: With limited time but you know to be interesting to know how you got started because for me it was kind of a lifeline that came to me unexpectedly in my college years.</p><p>00:11:39.000 –&gt; 00:11:49.800 Neal Hutcheson: I was kind of an intense young person with a lot going on, but I didn’t have any means of self-expression, you know, and one way or another it’s got to come out.</p><p>00:11:50.400 –&gt; 00:12:02.730 Neal Hutcheson: And I didn’t have the discipline to develop skills that at writing at that time or at painting or some other craft to kind of get it out so I’m filmmaking kind of landed in my lap.</p><p>00:12:04.410 –&gt; 00:12:22.380 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know my story is actually fairly quick yeah I was arrogant a technology guy and somebody showed me some art and I looked at it and I didn’t understand it, and I said, well, I can do that, and they said, well then do it and that started me on a journey of.</p><p>00:12:22.740 –&gt; 00:12:24.180 Joseph McElroy: Personal that I couldn’t do it.</p><p>00:12:26.070 –&gt; 00:12:37.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah and a lot more depth and meaning and that journey led me along the way, but it was me being an arrogant ignorant cus that started my journey.</p><p>00:12:39.090 –&gt; 00:12:39.780 Neal Hutcheson: I love to hear.</p><p>00:12:40.410 –&gt; 00:12:40.830 yeah.</p><p>00:12:41.910 –&gt; 00:12:49.530 Joseph McElroy: Well we’ll come back we’ll jump into some of the stuff that you’ve done and dig deeper into your art and this way rooms.</p><p>00:12:49.740 –&gt; 00:12:50.100 Neal Hutcheson: Thank you.</p><p>00:15:15.270 –&gt; 00:15:26.340 Joseph McElroy: Oh sorry I was muted, so this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Neal Hutcheson, Neal has an idea how you doing.</p><p>00:15:26.970 –&gt; 00:15:30.150 Joseph McElroy: Great Yes, that was my awkward entry.</p><p>00:15:31.320 –&gt; 00:15:33.180 Joseph McElroy: So I do that occasionally.</p><p>00:15:34.980 –&gt; 00:15:40.860 Joseph McElroy: So you know I mentioned mountain talk, but that wasn’t your first documentary right.</p><p>00:15:42.960 –&gt; 00:15:46.410 Neal Hutcheson: It was probably the first one that I recognize is actually being a documentary.</p><p>00:15:46.440 –&gt; 00:15:49.920 Joseph McElroy: That was your first one that’s your art okay cool.</p><p>00:15:51.090 –&gt; 00:15:51.750 Joseph McElroy: You know the.</p><p>00:15:52.860 –&gt; 00:16:01.260 Joseph McElroy: I yeah I entitled this episode outlaws and outliers because you’ve done some outliers and the most famous being popcorn sudden.</p><p>00:16:01.680 –&gt; 00:16:14.280 Joseph McElroy: But you’ve got some other you’ve done some documentaries and work about another you understand you had you have collaborated with a gifted writer and storyteller and play right there named Gary Carden of Cillo.</p><p>00:16:15.780 –&gt; 00:16:19.260 Joseph McElroy: And he’s a colorful talented person, how did you two meet.</p><p>00:16:20.430 –&gt; 00:16:24.750 Neal Hutcheson: Well, I met him like I met so many other people when I came up here working on mountain talk.</p><p>00:16:25.200 –&gt; 00:16:34.860 Neal Hutcheson: um I spent about two years you know back and forth from Raleigh working on that particular film but I’m Gary was one of the people that I really connected with.</p><p>00:16:35.340 –&gt; 00:16:53.430 Neal Hutcheson: And of course, we’ve been working together, ever since um but somebody pointed him putting me in his direction, basically, they said they said he’s you should talk to him, he talks about language, a little bit so that’s how it started, I went and found him and I interviewed him and.</p><p>00:16:55.140 –&gt; 00:17:01.140 Neal Hutcheson: I just kept visiting him and in fact, I started working on a documentary about him in</p><p>00:17:01.140 –&gt; 00:17:03.930 Neal Hutcheson: Particular, and this is in maybe.</p><p>00:17:05.460 –&gt; 00:17:08.220 Neal Hutcheson: Alright, so I’m still hoping I’m hoping to finish it this year.</p><p>00:17:09.840 –&gt; 00:17:13.470 Joseph McElroy: Do you tell you to take your time with your subjects right.</p><p>00:17:13.860 –&gt; 00:17:17.040 Neal Hutcheson: I don’t like I have any control over it sometimes they kind of work out.</p><p>00:17:18.660 –&gt; 00:17:22.530 Neal Hutcheson: process that uses me and I just think they’re done when they’re done, you know.</p><p>00:17:23.070 –&gt; 00:17:38.520 Joseph McElroy: So you’d Have you had him collaborate, and this is what was interesting to me the outlaw Lewis Redmond who was I guess the first king of the moonshiners, can you tell us a little bit about that project and him and it didn’t he kill a man and get away with it.</p><p>00:17:39.540 –&gt; 00:17:58.800 Neal Hutcheson: yeah well, in the end, he didn’t get away with that, but um yeah that’s right it’s a great story Lewis Redmond was, first of all, let me mention about Gary cartons also play right and the way I got onto this particular topic was Gary pardons play called the Prince of dark corners and.</p><p>00:18:00.660 –&gt; 00:18:08.970 Neal Hutcheson: And so I produced with Gary and with an actor named Milton Higgins, a really brilliant guy who, sadly, died last month, but.</p><p>00:18:09.600 –&gt; 00:18:12.510 Neal Hutcheson: So the three of us put you know did a production of that play.</p><p>00:18:13.380 –&gt; 00:18:18.810 Neal Hutcheson: that’s how I got to know the story of Lewis Redmond because that’s what the play was about, and then I did a follow-up documentary.</p><p>00:18:19.230 –&gt; 00:18:40.710 Neal Hutcheson: But Lewis Redmond was an outlaw active in were up where you are in southern Appalachian at the end of the 19th century, and he was active at the same time is billy the kid and Jesse James names that everybody knows, and he was actually more famous than either one of them.</p><p>00:18:41.790 –&gt; 00:18:43.740 Neal Hutcheson: Is paper articles about Lewis Redmond.</p><p>00:18:44.250 –&gt; 00:18:45.180 Neal Hutcheson: And even one of those.</p><p>00:18:45.240 –&gt; 00:18:51.180 Neal Hutcheson: Does too so that’s amazing when you think about the fact that, obviously, most of your listeners have probably never heard of him.</p><p>00:18:51.570 –&gt; 00:18:55.440 Joseph McElroy: No, I didn’t know until I started researching you I had never heard of them.</p><p>00:18:56.460 –&gt; 00:19:03.750 Joseph McElroy: So it’s interesting, but he was quite a character, he killed the what was the Sheriff or something like that was trying to rescue.</p><p>00:19:04.410 –&gt; 00:19:06.030 Neal Hutcheson: yeah that’s right.</p><p>00:19:06.300 –&gt; 00:19:07.890 Neal Hutcheson: He may have killed another man there’s.</p><p>00:19:08.040 –&gt; 00:19:13.170 Neal Hutcheson: You know that that’s one thing that’s interesting about his story is that the historical record is very muddied.</p><p>00:19:13.830 –&gt; 00:19:15.930 Neal Hutcheson: kind of his money in a way that it’s.</p><p>00:19:16.110 –&gt; 00:19:35.040 Neal Hutcheson: Interesting really reflects the kind of public media about Appalachia through a lot of America’s history, which is, which is to say that in southern in mountain papers and regional papers, he was regarded as he was talked about in these very noble terms.</p><p>00:19:35.430 –&gt; 00:19:36.840 Neal Hutcheson: And in the northern papers.</p><p>00:19:37.050 –&gt; 00:19:38.550 Neal Hutcheson: He was.</p><p>00:19:39.570 –&gt; 00:19:49.110 Neal Hutcheson: talked about as a degenerate and it’s outlawed and stuff like that you know and there was this very exaggerated kind of depictions of him so it’s a really interesting subject.</p><p>00:19:49.440 –&gt; 00:19:54.120 Neal Hutcheson: And the truth is somewhere in the middle and nobody you know, has really sorted it all out but.</p><p>00:19:54.390 –&gt; 00:20:06.990 Joseph McElroy: Well, I mean yeah I mean you know you understand it because the moonshine was an important source of income for a lot of people, it helps save a lot of people’s families at the same time, have destroyed a lot of people’s families right so.</p><p>00:20:07.500 –&gt; 00:20:11.220 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely it’s people used to worship the ones that could make a go of it.</p><p>00:20:12.810 –&gt; 00:20:33.390 Joseph McElroy: You know I remember growing up, you know and that which would have been the 60s, there was an early 70s, the that what people would say with it with a sort of a tongue in cheek but they would say you were more likely to get arrested for drunk driving, then you were for killing somebody.</p><p>00:20:34.620 –&gt; 00:20:36.480 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah so.</p><p>00:20:38.250 –&gt; 00:20:48.630 Joseph McElroy: It was, it was a little bit rough and sort of some ways, but you know I read this quote from you right, I thought it was really insightful, you said you wrote you.</p><p>00:20:49.260 –&gt; 00:21:02.280 Joseph McElroy: told somebody if I forget who it was but mountain culture is surprisingly vigorous and surprisingly alive and will be until the current generation of 50 somethings dies out and it is dying out.</p><p>00:21:02.760 –&gt; 00:21:07.800 Joseph McElroy: psychologically there’s a fundamental difference in the way they look at the world and treat each other.</p><p>00:21:08.400 –&gt; 00:21:19.560 Joseph McElroy: They wear masks and assume roles which is not necessarily a bad thing, but mountain people are not capable of that, I think that was like 2003 years, do you think that’s still true what did you mean.</p><p>00:21:20.820 –&gt; 00:21:32.760 Neal Hutcheson: yeah I think a lot has changed since I said that, and I think what I was witnessing and what other people witnessing is the real-time change has taken place and.</p><p>00:21:33.180 –&gt; 00:21:46.110 Neal Hutcheson: um but no there’s still this pockets of real mountain culture and people who come into the area can still experience that and meet people and get any you know and get to experience a little bit of that.</p><p>00:21:46.650 –&gt; 00:21:48.540 Joseph McElroy: um you know.</p><p>00:21:49.380 –&gt; 00:21:56.460 Neal Hutcheson: There is a there’s a book that tends to be castigated called our southern highlanders by.</p><p>00:21:56.730 –&gt; 00:22:07.050 Neal Hutcheson: A very famous right yeah and he was right in the area like he was probably you’re in Maggie Valley, right now, so he was camping you know, a couple of miles from where you’re talking right now.</p><p>00:22:07.410 –&gt; 00:22:20.310 Neal Hutcheson: And when he was writing this book, so you know the people that he was writing about work if you’re talking about the long term residents that are still there, they were the very people that are still there, their grandparents.</p><p>00:22:20.550 –&gt; 00:22:33.720 Neal Hutcheson: Right and um The funny thing is I got to because of my friendship with Popcorn Sutton and a few other people like I really got to see the inside of mountain culture and I’m.</p><p>00:22:34.350 –&gt; 00:22:52.260 Neal Hutcheson: Even though that book our southern Highlands is problematic and people have attacked it for good reasons, I got to see that they were very real characteristics in as people that are described perfectly in that book that was written almost 100 years ago.</p><p>00:22:52.590 –&gt; 00:22:54.930 Neal Hutcheson: mm hmm right so that shows you the strength of.</p><p>00:22:55.980 –&gt; 00:23:06.210 Neal Hutcheson: Culture and the character of the culture that, with all the changes in the last hundred years you, you still can see that same the same tendencies they’re baked in.</p><p>00:23:07.410 –&gt; 00:23:07.860 Neal Hutcheson: Now.</p><p>00:23:08.910 –&gt; 00:23:14.070 Neal Hutcheson: I don’t know you know what I said the quote, that you gave you know I don’t know is the next generation inheriting those.</p><p>00:23:15.300 –&gt; 00:23:31.050 Joseph McElroy: University, you know this this this weekend, we had storytellers and singers over at the Meadowlark Heritage Center right and we had a 70-year-old storyteller tell a story, but he was brought there by a 20 something-year-old.</p><p>00:23:32.040 –&gt; 00:23:36.840 Joseph McElroy: Guy there who’s a previous person in this podcast, Will Ritter.</p><p>00:23:37.830 –&gt; 00:23:38.580 Joseph McElroy: Yes, okay.</p><p>00:23:38.910 –&gt; 00:23:51.240 Joseph McElroy: yeah and he learned from all these old-timers you know the culture and heritage, and it was really fabulous, so there are young people out there, learning it and you know my.</p><p>00:23:51.600 –&gt; 00:24:04.020 Joseph McElroy: My family right there still people that live up in the hills and you know, are still very, very much in mountain culture, and you know it’s a there’s a beauty to it, I mean once you.</p><p>00:24:04.530 –&gt; 00:24:15.270 Joseph McElroy: pick you to know get through the what some people perceive is sort of the hard exterior it’s a very loving culture and very funny yes yeah.</p><p>00:24:16.050 –&gt; 00:24:29.520 Neal Hutcheson: Right, you know when I was working in Cherokee which is not far from where you are a there, there was a story in there that we interviewed who suggested that I’m.</p><p>00:24:30.390 –&gt; 00:24:34.650 Neal Hutcheson: Mountain culture not only influences Cherokee culture but Cherokee called culture influence.</p><p>00:24:35.190 –&gt; 00:24:40.770 Neal Hutcheson: Mountain culture, and so what you’re talking about this part of the exterior that you don’t quite know.</p><p>00:24:41.130 –&gt; 00:24:49.350 Neal Hutcheson: What people are thinking you’re not seeing their emotions and stuff like that, and what you get behind it it’s very loving and very, very funny a lot of like.</p><p>00:24:49.680 –&gt; 00:25:01.200 Neal Hutcheson: poking fun at each other in a very smart and say like don’t be fooled if you have not been to the mountains and you have the perception that you’re going to be dealing with some simple yokels because they haven’t necessarily been.</p><p>00:25:01.710 –&gt; 00:25:13.050 Neal Hutcheson: Like that they’re going to be one step ahead of you, the whole time so like they may be making fun of you, and you never even catch it so now drop your attitude at the door, I say.</p><p>00:25:15.300 –&gt; 00:25:21.270 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah there seems to be a common thread in your work, I looked at it and you know and it’s the, it is the.</p><p>00:25:21.660 –&gt; 00:25:39.570 Joseph McElroy: Preservation of various kinds of nature, culture native cultures, like the Cherokee Indian language Appalachian culture, you know African American dialects as well, as you know, mount musing moon shining so and even heritage fisheries out in the east coast so.</p><p>00:25:39.840 –&gt; 00:25:40.590 Joseph McElroy: Is that.</p><p>00:25:40.650 –&gt; 00:25:46.980 Joseph McElroy: Where your passion lies in a sort of like understanding these cultures and maybe giving a little to help preserve them.</p><p>00:25:47.580 –&gt; 00:25:59.760 Neal Hutcheson: Well, you know I would back up from preservation and say my passion really is in when I get on the scene and I find something that I’m really interested in, and I see how quickly it’s changing I feel like.</p><p>00:26:00.240 –&gt; 00:26:10.770 Neal Hutcheson: You know, sometimes I feel like I am on the spot, with my experience and uh you know recording devices and I feel a duty to document things as they change.</p><p>00:26:11.070 –&gt; 00:26:11.580 Joseph McElroy: mom.</p><p>00:26:12.030 –&gt; 00:26:23.520 Neal Hutcheson: Can that lead to like preservation and specific instances, I think, so you know if people understand like fishermen like if you know.</p><p>00:26:24.240 –&gt; 00:26:29.760 Neal Hutcheson: People who are not from the community, may come down there and find them to be a very rough bunch of people they may.</p><p>00:26:30.210 –&gt; 00:26:38.220 Neal Hutcheson: have negative stereotypes about the way that they treat the resource and things like that, but then, as they get to know them that you know if they can understand their experiences a little more.</p><p>00:26:38.550 –&gt; 00:26:43.950 Neal Hutcheson: They kind of understand that it’s much more nuanced than what they’ve been given to understand.</p><p>00:26:44.370 –&gt; 00:26:47.730 Neal Hutcheson: And though they actually will wind up being in sympathy with.</p><p>00:26:47.820 –&gt; 00:26:48.210 With.</p><p>00:26:49.380 –&gt; 00:27:06.780 Neal Hutcheson: Certain people that they might not have expected to previously because they had misconceptions about them and so can understanding people lead to I’m not doing the things that change their culture as much I, I hope, so I think so.</p><p>00:27:08.160 –&gt; 00:27:15.330 Joseph McElroy: I think, also, I think you know, yes, the world can be overwhelming at times and it can come in and try to force you to.</p><p>00:27:15.690 –&gt; 00:27:25.320 Joseph McElroy: You know, think that your culture is not important or stupid or silly and it can cause, especially younger people to say abandon it right.</p><p>00:27:25.740 –&gt; 00:27:35.250 Joseph McElroy: And I think that a lot of people can come to understand hey the culture, they grew up in was really important to who they are, and it was really beautiful and a lot of ways.</p><p>00:27:35.820 –&gt; 00:27:43.680 Joseph McElroy: Right and I, you know I started this podcast you know sort of the business intent, but you know I’ve also discovered that I love.</p><p>00:27:44.520 –&gt; 00:27:58.950 Joseph McElroy: You know, bringing this culture and the beauty of this culture to light, so you know I think what you’re doing is fabulous in that regard so we’re going to take a break and I guess we’ll talk about a little bit about your famous subject.</p><p>00:28:00.210 –&gt; 00:28:00.540 Neal Hutcheson: Okay.</p><p>00:28:02.880 –&gt; 00:28:03.150 Neal Hutcheson: Good.</p><p>00:30:33.480 –&gt; 00:30:47.610 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Neal Hutcheson so know you mentioned him and Maggie valid, but I’m actually sitting in New York City I split my time between Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:30:47.640 –&gt; 00:30:58.200 Joseph McElroy: North cal okay so, but you know I when I left the mountains, you know I had to do sort of the reverse of you, I had to go outside the world and had to get people to.</p><p>00:30:58.950 –&gt; 00:31:14.700 Joseph McElroy: You know, open up to me and accept me, you know, and you know penetrate yeah whatever cultural norms that that existed in a place like new york’s always sort of slightly testing you and you have to always you know to prove that you can handle it but.</p><p>00:31:15.240 –&gt; 00:31:17.070 Joseph McElroy: You know, when you came to.</p><p>00:31:18.090 –&gt; 00:31:20.130 Joseph McElroy: The mountains there’s obviously.</p><p>00:31:21.480 –&gt; 00:31:30.660 Joseph McElroy: A big testing a barrier, you know dependent trading that you know, and so, how did you get your subjects to accept you and to warm up to you.</p><p>00:31:31.770 –&gt; 00:31:42.870 Neal Hutcheson: A bit well I just spent time there and I gave them um you know I always kind of knew intuitively not to.</p><p>00:31:43.950 –&gt; 00:32:02.910 Neal Hutcheson: Try to ingratiate myself or try as if, as if they wouldn’t like to see through my efforts to kind of win their trust or what you know, so I just was always mindful of just being myself and just spending enough time that I had they had a chance to assess me and.</p><p>00:32:04.350 –&gt; 00:32:08.580 Neal Hutcheson: Consider, whatever it is, you know that I was after so that was basically it.</p><p>00:32:09.330 –&gt; 00:32:17.370 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I I knew popcorn Sutton not particularly well, but I knew I knew him and he knows, he was a real kg guy.</p><p>00:32:18.300 –&gt; 00:32:21.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah he was he yeah he was smart and he’s always sort of.</p><p>00:32:21.960 –&gt; 00:32:31.200 Joseph McElroy: I always felt he was putting on a little bit of her performance because it was you know I made his money, so how did, how did you break through and get to some real honest stuff from him.</p><p>00:32:32.730 –&gt; 00:32:40.500 Neal Hutcheson: Well, it did you know it took a long time in a way to get like you know, beyond the performance but I’m.</p><p>00:32:42.330 –&gt; 00:32:52.620 Neal Hutcheson: In a way, you know not that long because I would say, you may not agree with this, I don’t know, but I would say like there was always a performance in the play.</p><p>00:32:53.130 –&gt; 00:33:06.630 Neal Hutcheson: When he was dealing with the public um, but it was kind of based on who he really was, and so is interestingly, it was like the performance was kind of close to who he actually was he was just giving.</p><p>00:33:07.980 –&gt; 00:33:17.310 Neal Hutcheson: You know, certain portions of the public, maybe more more more the tourist a version of a moonshiner that they would that was what they expected.</p><p>00:33:17.520 –&gt; 00:33:20.850 Neal Hutcheson: You know and but behind the scenes, he actually was that.</p><p>00:33:21.270 –&gt; 00:33:21.750 Neal Hutcheson: So.</p><p>00:33:22.110 –&gt; 00:33:30.000 Neal Hutcheson: You know, so I think he just kind of knew where to lean in and exaggerate and things like that sometimes he could lay it on a little thick.</p><p>00:33:31.740 –&gt; 00:33:37.500 Joseph McElroy: though he was better in the mountains, we have somebody that can make a deal really well we call them a horse trader.</p><p>00:33:37.980 –&gt; 00:33:45.120 Joseph McElroy: My dad’s a hell of a horse trader he’s from way back in the mountains finds creek and he input popcorn Sutton get along.</p><p>00:33:45.570 –&gt; 00:34:01.740 Joseph McElroy: Along really well because my dad was a contractor and you know popcorn would need some things every once in Australia with him to get some construction done an exchange for some variables of moonshine so I ended up getting a drink some popcorn moonshine over the years.</p><p>00:34:03.150 –&gt; 00:34:12.300 Joseph McElroy: So yeah so you would say, though, that he was a master promoting themselves right and making deals to get himself known against products out there.</p><p>00:34:13.710 –&gt; 00:34:24.540 Neal Hutcheson: yeah I think he was but I, you know I just I didn’t want it it’s true but and but you know along the way, some people have written them off and said he wasn’t a real thing he was just playing a character.</p><p>00:34:25.140 –&gt; 00:34:26.250 Joseph McElroy: It was the real thing.</p><p>00:34:27.390 –&gt; 00:34:27.930 Neal Hutcheson: Right.</p><p>00:34:28.140 –&gt; 00:34:31.650 Neal Hutcheson: Jackie I just want to emphasize that yeah there’s a performance all right, but.</p><p>00:34:32.010 –&gt; 00:34:32.370 Joseph McElroy: It was.</p><p>00:34:33.240 –&gt; 00:34:39.810 Joseph McElroy: To make moonshine you have to know it’s almost instinctual when the turn to when.</p><p>00:34:40.680 –&gt; 00:34:47.550 Joseph McElroy: To cut it and when to stop you know when the what point in the distilling process to pull the liquor out and that’s what you’re going to drink.</p><p>00:34:47.940 –&gt; 00:34:59.640 Joseph McElroy: Right and the right water and things like that, if you don’t do it exactly right and have so almost instinctual thing about it it’ll just taste horrible but he’s always tasted really good he had an art to it.</p><p>00:34:59.970 –&gt; 00:35:06.810 Neal Hutcheson: yeah that’s true that’s right there’s the one aspect of it, which is the craftsman and that was all true, and that was there.</p><p>00:35:07.290 –&gt; 00:35:16.470 Neal Hutcheson: And, but then you know the art of performance is something I talked about a little bit in the book that I did on popcorn and I speculate that.</p><p>00:35:17.190 –&gt; 00:35:21.720 Neal Hutcheson: I don’t have any you know other sources for this, but I speculate that what you were talking about.</p><p>00:35:22.110 –&gt; 00:35:31.140 Neal Hutcheson: About horse-trading and the talent for barter in the mountains, is that the talent for performance in the mountains, which is well known and incredible.</p><p>00:35:31.590 –&gt; 00:35:40.860 Neal Hutcheson: That that developed out of the little bits that you do around trading things and the and the kind of like well you know devaluing things and just that you know.</p><p>00:35:41.190 –&gt; 00:35:57.990 Neal Hutcheson: That skill that was honed over so much time and I think that when the park was founded and outsiders came in and stuff like that that I think that that led them naturally to some of them to find inner talent for performance.</p><p>00:35:58.620 –&gt; 00:36:00.630 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I think if you look at.</p><p>00:36:00.690 –&gt; 00:36:13.590 Joseph McElroy: The traditional storytelling amount of storytelling is often an exaggeration right I caught 50 fish in the pant leg when I fell in the water or.</p><p>00:36:14.400 –&gt; 00:36:21.120 Joseph McElroy: That sort of thing is sort of the reverse of the horse-trading, which says well these trousers are no good I couldn’t catch any fish.</p><p>00:36:23.160 –&gt; 00:36:27.000 Joseph McElroy: right there like obviously opposite of the same coin.</p><p>00:36:28.050 –&gt; 00:36:28.530 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:36:28.830 –&gt; 00:36:35.790 Joseph McElroy: yeah so um so you’ve done three movies on popcorn right documentaries.</p><p>00:36:36.030 –&gt; 00:36:42.270 Neal Hutcheson: yeah it’s a little bit of a complicated history but yeah technically three movies, we did a cult classic.</p><p>00:36:43.020 –&gt; 00:36:51.210 Neal Hutcheson: Well, it would become a cult classic, the first thing that I made was really for the popcorn to sell out of his junk shop and something he wanted to do.</p><p>00:36:51.480 –&gt; 00:36:59.760 Neal Hutcheson: And that one’s called that one’s always that one’s the most popular now 20 years later um it’s called this is the last time round of liquor I’ll ever make.</p><p>00:37:00.600 –&gt; 00:37:02.340 Neal Hutcheson: sense yeah.</p><p>00:37:02.400 –&gt; 00:37:11.850 Neal Hutcheson: we’re still it’s the whole thing on YouTube if anybody wants to check it out, but people are still discovering it and it’s lasted longer than anything else I’ve done but um.</p><p>00:37:12.540 –&gt; 00:37:26.130 Neal Hutcheson: Then I did a TV version which came out at the tail end of 2008 called the last one, and that was a PBS family-friendly kind of version of that with cutaways for context and interviews and things like that it’s a.</p><p>00:37:26.430 –&gt; 00:37:26.940 Neal Hutcheson: little different.</p><p>00:37:27.660 –&gt; 00:37:31.200 Neal Hutcheson: And then I did a more biographical piece called a hell of a life.</p><p>00:37:32.430 –&gt; 00:37:38.370 Neal Hutcheson: And that came out after he died in 2009 that came out in oh I forget, but maybe 2012.</p><p>00:37:39.240 –&gt; 00:37:53.010 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool well and you’ve also I saw you recently you’ve done a book recently like it’s almost like a table talk book, but so more meaningful, I mean what was how did you come about doing that.</p><p>00:37:53.370 –&gt; 00:38:01.890 Neal Hutcheson: yeah well thanks for describing it that way it’s it’s deliberately designed to be enjoyable if you want to flip through idly or if you want to dig in so.</p><p>00:38:03.150 –&gt; 00:38:03.870 Neal Hutcheson: I.</p><p>00:38:05.580 –&gt; 00:38:14.970 Neal Hutcheson: knew that people would want to have copies because popcorn is is well known and intriguing and so I felt a duty to make it as good as I possibly could um.</p><p>00:38:15.480 –&gt; 00:38:18.600 Neal Hutcheson: You know, in a way, I feel like I was always working on that book and I just didn’t know it.</p><p>00:38:19.470 –&gt; 00:38:35.910 Neal Hutcheson: While I was doing the documentaries, the real motivation was that you know nowadays popcorn is remembered as in some quarters as something akin to a folk hero and it’s a very simplified version and a very kind of.</p><p>00:38:37.230 –&gt; 00:38:41.970 Neal Hutcheson: Noble you know version of who he was is a friend of mine, okay I’m not dragging down.</p><p>00:38:42.450 –&gt; 00:38:50.160 Neal Hutcheson: And I think that folk hero is interesting, and I think that that phenomenon with him turning into a folk hero is fascinating and I talked about that in the book.</p><p>00:38:50.430 –&gt; 00:38:54.840 Neal Hutcheson: But you know, the main purpose at the start of working on the book was to.</p><p>00:38:55.500 –&gt; 00:39:06.810 Neal Hutcheson: Make sure that he’s remembered as I knew him as a person I knew he would want that that he did he really didn’t want to be the hero he wanted to be that law and he wanted to be who he was.</p><p>00:39:07.740 –&gt; 00:39:19.590 Neal Hutcheson: And so I think that and so the book tries, and I think, to some extent, I would say if it’s okay for me to say about my own book like succeeds in capturing him, you know fairly.</p><p>00:39:20.700 –&gt; 00:39:24.060 Joseph McElroy: cool what was the name of the book again what was the full title of it.</p><p>00:39:24.390 –&gt; 00:39:26.220 Neal Hutcheson: it’s called the moonshiner popcorn sun.</p><p>00:39:26.460 –&gt; 00:39:30.450 Joseph McElroy: The moon cheddar popcorn Sutton and it’s available on a lot of places you go to the.</p><p>00:39:31.530 –&gt; 00:39:39.570 Joseph McElroy: I think we have it up on smokies adventure.com and the Meadowlark motel and you can probably get it on Amazon right it’s a great book and there’s a DVD with it right.</p><p>00:39:40.140 –&gt; 00:39:56.610 Neal Hutcheson: If you get it on Amazon you’re going to pay him because I held back because I want people to buy it from local places like the meadowlark and the other places that are supporting the book and that support community and culture, so I hope people will buy local first.</p><p>00:39:57.690 –&gt; 00:40:17.310 Joseph McElroy: Nice good local living economies it’s we can promote that that’s important you know that’s why I keep the small business I have in the mountains going is to support local economies, I think it’s important yeah so and you have a publishing company and a production company.</p><p>00:40:17.760 –&gt; 00:40:20.430 Neal Hutcheson: Well I’ve got a publishing company, now that I’ve published a book.</p><p>00:40:22.260 –&gt; 00:40:36.690 Neal Hutcheson: How many more books will publish we’ll see it’s a lot of work turns out um but yeah I’ve got a production company that’s basically has facilitated my own projects it’s more or fewer one-man-bands of still.</p><p>00:40:38.340 –&gt; 00:40:43.500 Neal Hutcheson: In recent years, I’ve been collaborating with other people I’m an independent project but.</p><p>00:40:45.900 –&gt; 00:40:46.140 Neal Hutcheson: yeah.</p><p>00:40:46.170 –&gt; 00:40:52.980 Neal Hutcheson: Just I just kind of invented and improvised all along the way to make whatever it was I was doing next Hampton.</p><p>00:40:53.550 –&gt; 00:40:56.340 Joseph McElroy: Why did you call it sucker punch productions.</p><p>00:40:58.110 –&gt; 00:41:01.680 Neal Hutcheson: Well there’s triple entendre in that it’s.</p><p>00:41:03.090 –&gt; 00:41:07.830 Neal Hutcheson: Nothing to be worried about, but mainly you know um.</p><p>00:41:09.270 –&gt; 00:41:17.820 Neal Hutcheson: I was thinking about it sounds kind of punky and brash and I was kind of I felt as the upstart like who what right do I have to just make.</p><p>00:41:18.330 –&gt; 00:41:34.380 Neal Hutcheson: Films without anybody’s permission and be the kind of like octopus character, you know supine on sucker Punch and just and you know all the different jobs that I have to have in order to make a film, you know it’s not just filming and editing.</p><p>00:41:35.880 –&gt; 00:41:38.400 Neal Hutcheson: It was funny to me the different arms alright.</p><p>00:41:38.820 –&gt; 00:41:39.300 city.</p><p>00:41:40.500 –&gt; 00:41:48.720 Joseph McElroy: No, I mean it’s important to have something meaningful for your company, especially if you have an inside joke, I had a company called corporate performance artists.</p><p>00:41:49.080 –&gt; 00:42:00.750 Joseph McElroy: One time because somebody asked me while I was doing art and others do raising I raised some money for a startup in the.com era and they said what the hell, are you and I said I guess I’m a corporate performance artist.</p><p>00:42:03.720 –&gt; 00:42:08.040 Joseph McElroy: I named my company that I would tell people I’m performing my company.</p><p>00:42:08.220 –&gt; 00:42:18.510 Joseph McElroy: And it was an engine, it was an inside joke, but yeah it makes it, it makes it fun, it makes it something that’s personal and the little secret that you can have.</p><p>00:42:19.050 –&gt; 00:42:25.050 Neal Hutcheson: Exactly what you know if you’re going to do something for yourself, you should have fun and you know indulge a little bit and make it the way you want to.</p><p>00:42:25.950 –&gt; 00:42:26.640 cool.</p><p>00:42:27.810 –&gt; 00:42:35.040 Joseph McElroy: So I think you Bob are some you working on Bob Plott do introduce us right so yeah.</p><p>00:42:35.970 –&gt; 00:42:48.600 Joseph McElroy: So you see we’re gonna need to take a break now, so I want to talk about a queen family that you’re working on and then we’re getting sent you know so much about the mountains now when I get your favorite things to go for people to go see.</p><p>00:42:49.110 –&gt; 00:42:49.620 Neal Hutcheson: sounds good.</p><p>00:42:50.040 –&gt; 00:42:50.550 All right.</p><p>00:45:23.730 –&gt; 00:45:33.000 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Neal Hutcheson so Neil, you are working on.</p><p>00:45:33.960 –&gt; 00:45:43.200 Joseph McElroy: Something that’s interesting to me, you know Maggie Valley calls itself the calling capital of the world right so we’re always proud of dancing in the mountains, especially you know.</p><p>00:45:44.070 –&gt; 00:45:52.860 Joseph McElroy: square dancing and plugin so you’re working on a project on the iconic queen family, one of the foremost musical advancing clans and the great smokies what you doing.</p><p>00:45:54.150 –&gt; 00:45:58.020 Neal Hutcheson: Oh well, you know that was actually a project that I did some years ago.</p><p>00:45:58.380 –&gt; 00:45:58.890 Joseph McElroy: Oh, really.</p><p>00:45:59.070 –&gt; 00:46:05.280 Neal Hutcheson: yeah it’s already done and it was about music and the group that queen it, as you know, for us, you know.</p><p>00:46:05.760 –&gt; 00:46:15.690 Neal Hutcheson: yeah it’s a huge huge name up there, and so there, there are great dancers, but the ones that are working with weren’t really into dancing they were just in the music.</p><p>00:46:15.960 –&gt; 00:46:22.590 Neal Hutcheson: Okay, so they were in Jackson County off of Johns creek Canny fork.</p><p>00:46:24.180 –&gt; 00:46:24.960 Neal Hutcheson: You know that area.</p><p>00:46:25.320 –&gt; 00:46:27.330 Neal Hutcheson: yeah okay so.</p><p>00:46:28.590 –&gt; 00:46:37.020 Neal Hutcheson: And it was I started with Mary Jane Queen, who was the matriarch of the family and she knew balance that was hundreds of years old and so.</p><p>00:46:38.430 –&gt; 00:46:49.020 Neal Hutcheson: But I gradually got to know more of her family and they’re all musical and when they get together, they would all play they’re literally on the back porch and make incredible mountain music and it wasn’t like it wasn’t.</p><p>00:46:50.160 –&gt; 00:47:03.810 Neal Hutcheson: It was like the real thing you know it was like you just felt them expressing their love for each other by sharing that music with each other and so that’s basically what I was documenting is looking at mountain culture through another window, which was, which was music.</p><p>00:47:04.440 –&gt; 00:47:08.730 Joseph McElroy: Well I’m very interested in seeing that what where do you have that documentary.</p><p>00:47:09.570 –&gt; 00:47:11.430 Neal Hutcheson: I think the whole thing is on YouTube right now.</p><p>00:47:11.700 –&gt; 00:47:12.600 Joseph McElroy: And what’s it called.</p><p>00:47:12.930 –&gt; 00:47:14.070 Neal Hutcheson: it’s called the Queen family.</p><p>00:47:14.910 –&gt; 00:47:15.510 Joseph McElroy: The Queen.</p><p>00:47:20.040 –&gt; 00:47:26.940 Joseph McElroy: So you bet a lot of visiting the mountains Okay, so what is your, what is your favorite natural.</p><p>00:47:28.020 –&gt; 00:47:29.340 Joseph McElroy: wonder in the mountains.</p><p>00:47:30.270 –&gt; 00:47:38.190 Neal Hutcheson: Oh that’s a good question um you know I used to come up there backpacking a lot when I was a kid and I didn’t know anything about the culture, but I really enjoyed the.</p><p>00:47:38.790 –&gt; 00:47:50.130 Neal Hutcheson: landscape and just interacting with the wild spaces and my favorite place was always Joyce Kilmer slick rock area, which is adjacent to Graham county.</p><p>00:47:50.640 –&gt; 00:47:53.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah what was that, what do you find special about that.</p><p>00:47:54.540 –&gt; 00:48:04.440 Neal Hutcheson: Well, I like to the trails you know for backpacking but then you know, one of the really special things about that spot is that they preserved, a small.</p><p>00:48:05.310 –&gt; 00:48:20.940 Neal Hutcheson: selection and that that was never logged right, so all the mountains most a lot of people don’t even know this, that the great Appalachian wilderness was was absolutely incredible with these huge trees, there were 12 feet in diameter and those are all gone, they were all logged.</p><p>00:48:21.360 –&gt; 00:48:32.640 Neal Hutcheson: And um what we see now is what runs back right and it’s beautiful but it’s not the wild place that was there before and so Joyce Kilmer you could see that and.</p><p>00:48:33.360 –&gt; 00:48:39.300 Neal Hutcheson: You know the last time I went as the storm and taken out a lot of the big trees, unfortunately, it was kind of sad but it’s still there.</p><p>00:48:39.510 –&gt; 00:48:46.050 Neal Hutcheson: And you can go there and park and there are short trails you can walk you don’t have to go backpacking anything like that you can walk half a mile or a mile.</p><p>00:48:46.320 –&gt; 00:48:49.350 Neal Hutcheson: and get back in there cool and they create is just gorgeous.</p><p>00:48:49.950 –&gt; 00:48:54.300 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I haven’t actually visited there, so I need to do that, that sounds really like a wonderful time.</p><p>00:48:55.560 –&gt; 00:49:05.070 Joseph McElroy: Now, your new popcorn sudden so you know a little bit about the distilleries I think you were involved with the moonshine or should they still have it right, it was inspired by your movie anyway.</p><p>00:49:05.850 –&gt; 00:49:07.050 Neal Hutcheson: I believe that it was.</p><p>00:49:07.140 –&gt; 00:49:20.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah so so you know local distillery So is there any of them doing anything any a quote-unquote moonshine it’s not real moonshine if it’s legal but moonshine that’s pretty good compared to popcorn to brew.</p><p>00:49:20.700 –&gt; 00:49:23.340 Neal Hutcheson: Well, you know a lot of these things have sprung up fairly recently.</p><p>00:49:23.670 –&gt; 00:49:30.420 Neal Hutcheson: yeah and there’s you know there’s a lot of good beer, you can get in the mountains Now I will not turn down a good hipster IPA.</p><p>00:49:32.430 –&gt; 00:49:40.500 Neal Hutcheson: And you can find them whether you’re in silver or there’s a great place and Bryson city, but anyway and an inhaler brewing company I think they’re called.</p><p>00:49:40.800 –&gt; 00:49:42.930 Joseph McElroy: I go to the gym in Waynesville yeah.</p><p>00:49:43.200 –&gt; 00:49:46.530 Neal Hutcheson: there’s good beer around but it’s not you know that’s nothing traditional.</p><p>00:49:46.740 –&gt; 00:49:47.250 Neal Hutcheson: yeah i’m.</p><p>00:49:47.730 –&gt; 00:49:51.930 Neal Hutcheson: The only distillery that I know anything about is elevated mountain in.</p><p>00:49:52.650 –&gt; 00:50:02.400 Neal Hutcheson: In Maggie valley and I think people should go check it out, and they should see that because I’m the proprietor Dave Angel he puts on a great tour, and you get to sample the stuff.</p><p>00:50:02.820 –&gt; 00:50:12.150 Neal Hutcheson: And it’s good quality and he’s from there, and I think I’m not quite sure about his whole story, but I think he’s he’s like you in that he’s been elsewhere and comes back.</p><p>00:50:12.720 –&gt; 00:50:15.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah he was actually in New York for a little while but he’s a cousin he’s my cousin.</p><p>00:50:18.630 –&gt; 00:50:19.110 Joseph McElroy: Down there.</p><p>00:50:21.480 –&gt; 00:50:36.450 Joseph McElroy: Let me do you go to sell a lot and that’s a wonderful town, what would you say is a great itinerary one to build visit silver, starting with breakfast you know and then where you might go in the morning, then lunch in the afternoon and dinner in the evening for entertainment.</p><p>00:50:37.110 –&gt; 00:50:47.820 Neal Hutcheson: Well, silver has changed a lot, too, is it’s developed but um it always had a little bit of stuff going on because it’s its proximity to Western Carolina university um but.</p><p>00:50:48.930 –&gt; 00:50:53.610 Neal Hutcheson: You know, and you can spend a day in Silva and you can find good food morning.</p><p>00:50:54.990 –&gt; 00:51:05.760 Neal Hutcheson: morning, day and night but um if I was going up there and somebody was going up to explore the area, I would say, getting your current in or in motorcycle whatever drive a little bit and get around.</p><p>00:51:06.240 –&gt; 00:51:06.570 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:51:07.380 –&gt; 00:51:14.280 Neal Hutcheson: I always like to in fact I just mentioned Joyce Kilmer well that’s close to robin’s bill and Robin so.</p><p>00:51:15.030 –&gt; 00:51:28.590 Neal Hutcheson: The last time I was there doesn’t have a lot going on, but I always love going to Robin so you really feel like you’re getting back into a mountain Community um and there’s a place there, I think it’s called lose know it’s called.</p><p>00:51:30.090 –&gt; 00:51:42.540 Neal Hutcheson: Lucy lens something like lens place it’s had different names of the rooms, but it’s top of the hill one and robin’s bill, and you won’t miss it because there’s not much else around and it’s just a diner you’re going to get breakfast there you’re going to get regular.</p><p>00:51:43.650 –&gt; 00:51:48.270 Neal Hutcheson: You know diner kind of breakfast food, but what you’re also going to get is you’re going to be around local people.</p><p>00:51:48.720 –&gt; 00:51:59.070 Neal Hutcheson: In there and they’re going to be friendly they’re probably curious about what you’re doing and it won’t be hard to strike up a conversation, which I highly recommend and start your morning out that way.</p><p>00:51:59.400 –&gt; 00:52:07.350 Neal Hutcheson: that’s fabulous right Okay, and then you can take a nice drive, if you want to go by Joyce Kilmer you take the roadster curvy and beautiful motorcyclists love them.</p><p>00:52:07.650 –&gt; 00:52:15.420 Neal Hutcheson: And you can take you can go I’ve never spent much time at Fontana village, but if you like, that kind of thing there’s a lot of stuff out there.</p><p>00:52:15.660 –&gt; 00:52:17.070 Joseph McElroy: Historical stuff yeah.</p><p>00:52:17.460 –&gt; 00:52:26.850 Neal Hutcheson: And, and then you can see Fontana damn which is impressive a piece of work, and circle back around and come back to silver for lunch.</p><p>00:52:27.330 –&gt; 00:52:40.170 Neal Hutcheson: And you don’t want to miss the coffee shop because it’s just another place where real people gather it’s been there forever, my friend Gary Carden who’s now at six I think IQ as a kid he.</p><p>00:52:40.890 –&gt; 00:52:43.830 Neal Hutcheson: What do you call it car hopped or whatever he brought the burgers out to people in the car.</p><p>00:52:44.880 –&gt; 00:52:45.660 Joseph McElroy: coffee shop.</p><p>00:52:46.380 –&gt; 00:52:49.110 Neal Hutcheson: coffee shop, the signing, and so on, the main road gold and silver.</p><p>00:52:51.030 –&gt; 00:53:00.570 Neal Hutcheson: And they’re going to have country food it’s going to be hardy fair they’re gonna have a special of the day they’re going to cook a good meal, you probably need to take a walk afterward if you’re planning to have dinner because you’d be full.</p><p>00:53:00.960 –&gt; 00:53:01.320 But.</p><p>00:53:02.370 –&gt; 00:53:09.000 Neal Hutcheson: But again it’s also we’re working people look people are going to go to so that’s why I would give those answers.</p><p>00:53:10.590 –&gt; 00:53:19.530 Neal Hutcheson: And then, because you had me thinking about this before, so I was there was a place this place in Bryson City, so if you want to go for a really fine meal after.</p><p>00:53:20.220 –&gt; 00:53:31.710 Neal Hutcheson: All that um there’s a place called the pork and bean in Bryson city and they cook they’ve got a great Jeff there and they and they cook a lot of like fresh healthy.</p><p>00:53:34.020 –&gt; 00:53:36.810 Neal Hutcheson: freshly sourced fair original.</p><p>00:53:38.130 –&gt; 00:53:43.410 Neal Hutcheson: an original menu oftentimes you can get mountain trout which is my favorite So if you can.</p><p>00:53:43.440 –&gt; 00:53:46.560 Joseph McElroy: Get that I would recommend getting it done well it’s, the best thing to get.</p><p>00:53:46.590 –&gt; 00:53:55.230 Joseph McElroy: In the mountains yeah cool well, we have a few minutes left How do people get in touch with you or follow you and keep track of what you’re doing?</p><p>00:53:56.790 –&gt; 00:54:00.750 Neal Hutcheson: Well um I’d say you know if you want to check out the work.</p><p>00:54:01.050 –&gt; 00:54:13.860 Neal Hutcheson: there’s a lot of like extra clips and especially a lot with Popcorn Sutton on my YouTube channel and it’s sucker punch pictures just look up that on YouTube you’ll find a lot of clips and stuff like that and see what that’s about um and.</p><p>00:54:15.300 –&gt; 00:54:32.700 Neal Hutcheson: If you let’s see I don’t know I’ve got a personal website Neil Hutchison.com, so you can see past projects and links to other things Oh, and also the language and languageinlife.org which is my work at nc state, which is a large part of what I’ve done over the last 30 years.</p><p>00:54:33.420 –&gt; 00:54:48.840 Joseph McElroy: cool well, thank you very much for being on my podcast has been very enjoyable having a conversation with you and very illuminating I really appreciate the work that you do, and you know documenting the culture of the mountains.</p><p>00:54:50.010 –&gt; 00:55:02.010 Joseph McElroy: You know I think there was a period of time that there was a unique culture is still there, but it is, it is disappearing somewhat so understanding and preserving and I think is great.</p><p>00:55:03.330 –&gt; 00:55:15.360 Joseph McElroy: I want to remind everybody this podcast is on the talkradio.NYC network with there are lots of fabulous podcasts for you to listen to me for a few commercials if you’ve listened to it, live.</p><p>00:55:16.080 –&gt; 00:55:25.710 Joseph McElroy: After this show is rediscovering New York on Tuesday nights from seven to eight or seven to eight.</p><p>00:55:26.280 –&gt; 00:55:35.760 Joseph McElroy: it’s about visiting New York and there’s a lot of inside stuff and unique culture of New York to explore as part of why I love being here when I when I’m not in the mountains.</p><p>00:55:36.480 –&gt; 00:55:43.800 Joseph McElroy: Is the uniqueness of culture in New York City and the multiple cultures that you can experience here, so this show is great to go visit you can.</p><p>00:55:44.550 –&gt; 00:55:51.510 Joseph McElroy: You can also watch this podcast on Facebook.com/gateway to the smokies podcast where.</p><p>00:55:51.870 –&gt; 00:55:57.720 Joseph McElroy: The live stream comes out with the zoom So you can see our faces, or you can go to the gatewaytothesmokies.fun.</p><p>00:55:58.050 –&gt; 00:56:09.630 Joseph McElroy: To see this podcast and other previous podcasts as well as the signing up for the newsletter be informed about events and future episodes and other things that we will do to</p><p>00:56:10.050 –&gt; 00:56:19.500 Joseph McElroy: illustrate and celebrate the culture of the smoky mountains and for things to do there and enjoy yourself that he much I’ll see you next week when we have.</p><p>00:56:20.430 –&gt; 00:56:34.650 Joseph McElroy: For our show will be Wayne Ebinger, who is a well-known photographer in the smoky mountains and it has experienced a lot and we’ll talk about the beauty of the smoky mountains talk to you soon.</p> bb86d091-bfdb-4bbc-ac36-bbfd6b43c7b6 https://redcircle.com/shows/f8f128b3-ec63-40f0-9467-111790ac4f55/episodes/e314f933-7a88-4a9b-8b2b-106e93142df0 Tue, 13 Jul 2021 19:57:05 +0000 3414 no full Episode 25: From Caney Fork to the Ryman — A Visit with Darren Nicholson Episode 25: From Caney Fork to the Ryman — A Visit with Darren Nicholson Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Gateway to the Smokies Podcast hosted by our very own Joseph McElroy, Owner of the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, NC with our special guest <strong>Darren Nicholson,</strong> a gifted singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.</p><p>He is an Award-winning Charter Member of the legendary Bluegrass and Americana group, <strong><em>Balsam Range</em></strong>, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and duo concerts with his wife Jennifer.</p><p><br></p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/v/GeZd3T4Q/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3><strong>Show Notes</strong></h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Tonight’s episode of Gateway to the Smokies starts off with host Joseph McElroy listing off a few notable upcoming events for the audience and for the local area to keep an eye out for. Next, comes the introduction of today’s guest, Darren Nicholson. Darren talks about who he is, what he has accomplished as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, and the journey to become who he is today.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Darren talks more about his music career. He tells the story of how his friends and bandmates formed into the band he has now. They started jamming out in his kitchen and how it felt meant to be. They’re releasing music now and a new album is coming out. They’re looking forward to playing more live performances with their passion for music.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Darren keeps the conversation going by talking about what he did in his spare time as a child. His Friday and Saturdays nights were often occupied with music and jamming out. Darren also begins to talk about bluegrass music. He mentions how it has a large population of fans in unexpected places, such as Japan. Darren explains how his own performing group had begun to push to grow for a larger audience, playing for festivals and bigger venues.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>The final segment starts off with the introduction of Darren Nicholson All Star Band Camp, an event at a music festival. Darren explains how a lot of people, fans, and local musicians gather out of fascination and curiosity. They want to know more about the music and the artists, regardless of their musical background. Darren gives hints about who to expect to play at the event, including some big bluegrass stars. The episode finishes off with how to follow up with Darren Nicholson on social media, website, and other upcoming events.</p> Video thumbnail

Special Guest: Darren Nicholson, a gifted singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.

He is an Award-winning Charter Member of the legendary Bluegrass and Americana group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and duo concerts with his wife Jennifer.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Tonight’s episode of Gateway to the Smokies starts off with host Joseph McElroy listing off a few notable upcoming events for the audience and for the local area to keep an eye out for. Next, comes the introduction of today’s guest, Darren Nicholson. Darren talks about who he is, what he has accomplished as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, and the journey to becoming who he is today.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Darren talks more about his music career. He tells the story of how his friends and bandmates formed the band he has now. They started jamming out in his kitchen and how it felt meant to be. They’re releasing music now and a new album is coming out. They’re looking forward to playing more live performances with their passion for music.

Segment 3

Coming back from the break, Darren keeps the conversation going by talking about what he did in his spare time as a child. His Friday and Saturday nights were often occupied with music and jamming out. Darren also begins to talk about bluegrass music. He mentions how it has a large population of fans in unexpected places, such as Japan. Darren explains how his own performing group had begun to push to grow for a larger audience, playing for festivals and bigger venues.

Segment 4

The final segment starts off with the introduction of Darren Nicholson All-Star Band Camp, an event at a music festival. Darren explains how a lot of people, fans, and local musicians gather out of fascination and curiosity. They want to know more about the music and the artists, regardless of their musical background. Darren gives hints about who to expect to play at the event, including some big bluegrass stars. The episode finishes off with how to follow up with Darren Nicholson on social media, website, and other upcoming events.

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TRANSCRIPT

0:00:37.980 –> 00:00:50.490 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.

00:00:50.970 –> 00:01:00.030 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with great natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:00.480 –> 00:01:12.120 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:12.720 –> 00:01:22.620 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about bluegrass band camps in the smoky mountains first time or give me a got a few upcoming events, the deal with bluegrass.

00:01:23.580 –> 00:01:32.040 Joseph McElroy: Coming up in two weeks on July 17 is Darren Nicholson, our guests today as bluegrass band camp and concert.

00:01:32.430 –> 00:01:40.980 Joseph McElroy: it’s an exclusive event for aspiring musicians to learn to interact with some of the best artists in the business, culminating in all-star content.

00:01:41.490 –> 00:01:55.950 Joseph McElroy: People who stay at the venue, which is the Meadowlark motel Maggie valley can attend the concert for free in the camp for half price but anybody can attend and you go to Meadowlarkmotel.com to buy tickets.

00:01:57.270 –> 00:02:07.500 Joseph McElroy: A big event Maggie valley also July 23 and 20 23rd and 24th and it’s the famous hillbilly jam over the public it’s 10 am to 10 pm both days.

00:02:07.860 –> 00:02:20.460 Joseph McElroy: it’s a music festival with crafts and food vendors moonshiners of the discovery channel card bike show and more it’s only $10 per day you’re going to visit www.Ihaveajam.com.

00:02:21.180 –> 00:02:32.940 Joseph McElroy: And then we have an October the smoky mountain bluegrass festival October 23 from 1130 to 7 pm it’s for all the bluegrass lovers out there.

00:02:33.180 –> 00:02:51.000 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains bluegrass festival is a one-day outdoor festival, where you can enjoy live entertainment unique food, and juried arts and crafts boots award-winning bluegrass man balsam range crew your brother’s an unspoken tradition are all part of the talented and popular line.

00:02:52.110 –> 00:02:59.460 Joseph McElroy: go join that outdoor may go to many value festival grounds.com to find out more about this event.

00:03:00.840 –> 00:03:10.800 Joseph McElroy: Our sponsors as meadowlarkmotel.com imagine a place evocative of motorsports of the past, it modern and vibrant with a chic Appalachian field.

00:03:11.280 –> 00:03:22.890 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill or catch on fire and eat the company by a fine line or craft beer.

00:03:23.430 –> 00:03:31.410 Joseph McElroy: Imagine in place with old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no place like the Meadowlark motel mag in Maggie Valley.

00:03:32.070 –> 00:03:46.860 Joseph McElroy: it’s your smoky mountain adventure that starts with where you stay also a sponsor smokies adventure.com information and listings about the smokies hiking wedding venues books trail maps or resources.

00:03:47.880 –> 00:03:56.280 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis is on smokies adventure is outdoor recreation outdoor life away events like rustic weddings and adventures, along with.

00:03:56.580 –> 00:04:07.080 Joseph McElroy: providing information lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more it is going to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.

00:04:08.280 –> 00:04:15.570 Joseph McElroy: So our guest today is Darren Nicholson, an award-winning charter member of the legendary bluegrass band America group.

00:04:15.870 –> 00:04:28.860 Joseph McElroy: balsam range and he also front his own Darren Nicholson band and had was also on side projects were also doing solo good and do a concert with his wife Jennifer. Hello Darren!

00:04:29.430 –> 00:04:31.890 Darren Nicholson: hey Joseph thanks for having me glad to be on today.

00:04:32.340 –> 00:04:42.240 Joseph McElroy: I’m really glad to have you it’s nice that we had to insert on this podcast a few a couple of months ago, so it’s good to have a member of the world-famous balsam range on here.

00:04:42.570 –> 00:04:45.720 Darren Nicholson: Great, I’m surprised, you have another one on if you had to.

00:04:47.580 –> 00:04:48.480 Darren Nicholson: record for you.

00:04:56.130 –> 00:05:01.470 Joseph McElroy: So I want to find out a little bit more about your native Jackson county right.

00:05:02.370 –> 00:05:12.300 Darren Nicholson: From Jackson county, I was raised in a little Community called tech a CG North Carolina tells people to take a CG as a chair keyword that means no cell service.

00:05:14.400 –> 00:05:14.670 Joseph McElroy: But.

00:05:15.660 –> 00:05:23.130 Darren Nicholson: My mother was from deals brother my dad was from a little Community called Kenny fork so it’s about rural as it gets.

00:05:23.550 –> 00:05:27.600 Joseph McElroy: cool What did you, what do you remember about Jackson county growing up.

00:05:28.230 –> 00:05:29.940 Darren Nicholson: i’m just.

00:05:31.200 –> 00:05:37.140 Darren Nicholson: The landscape over there, I live in Haywood county and, of course, all of Western North Carolina is beautiful but there’s.

00:05:38.310 –> 00:05:42.690 Darren Nicholson: Something magical about the mountain streams and.

00:05:43.710 –> 00:05:50.250 Darren Nicholson: there’s a lot of forest service land there’s a lot of lands that haven’t been developed in Jackson county which I really love.

00:05:50.730 –> 00:06:01.680 Darren Nicholson: And because of those you know Western North Carolina people as the great smoky mountain National Park is obviously we get a lot of visitors things like that, and people are moving here.

00:06:02.160 –> 00:06:22.500 Darren Nicholson: But there’s still a lot of places in Jackson County that are kind of you know, off the beaten path and I grew up hunting and fishing and hiking over there, my dad was an outdoorsman and so a lot of camping things like that and also remember my whole family played music and a lot of.

00:06:23.580 –> 00:06:32.790 Darren Nicholson: Our Saturday nights Fridays and Saturdays were spent on either the porch making music or inside the house with a big group of people.

00:06:33.210 –> 00:06:39.450 Darren Nicholson: or doing benefits cakewalks and dances and Friday and Saturday not dances and

00:06:40.320 –> 00:06:54.090 Darren Nicholson: you know people didn’t get out and travel and go to theaters and go out of town to see music, you know you basically in those rural areas growing up, you made your own entertainment and that’s kind of been the lifeblood of this culture, you know.

00:06:54.270 –> 00:07:05.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah I grew up in a word, count in you know, that was a way of life, you know every event somebody showed up with music yeah.

00:07:06.090 –> 00:07:16.380 Joseph McElroy: You know, we had, and we also had a Maggie valley play out that we’d all go through every Saturday night and do a little plugin and drink a little moonshine back when we got a little older.

00:07:17.910 –> 00:07:20.190 Darren Nicholson: out to the car and have a drink and then come back in.

00:07:21.510 –> 00:07:29.520 Joseph McElroy: exactly right, so you said you were from a musical family, I heard the rumors that you were on stage on here when you’re only 18 months old yeah.

00:07:30.240 –> 00:07:33.750 Darren Nicholson: yeah that’s right my mom has a bunch of pictures and everything have.

00:07:35.430 –> 00:07:41.370 Darren Nicholson: You know, but all just about everybody my family played music, and so my parents were both in the band and.

00:07:41.820 –> 00:07:57.270 Darren Nicholson: Instead of having a babysitter they just put me up there, you know I’d be on stage and I had a little plastic guitar obviously at 18 months old I wasn’t playing but I had a little cowboy hat and a cowboy shirt and I’d sit there and a little plastic guitar and make tip money.

00:07:58.800 –> 00:08:05.850 Joseph McElroy: Well, you don’t really like my two-and-a-half-year-old son and daughter got twins you thought you were making music.

00:08:08.340 –> 00:08:11.400 Darren Nicholson: People love me you can’t follow a kid or a dog act.

00:08:11.700 –> 00:08:11.910 Joseph McElroy: They.

00:08:12.630 –> 00:08:14.820 Darren Nicholson: don’t care how terrible they are people living.

00:08:15.870 –> 00:08:26.100 Joseph McElroy: They just think that the cutest thing that ever happened, they have babies little plastic guitars and drums and everything else, and we tell them oh you’re great.

00:08:28.050 –> 00:08:29.640 Joseph McElroy: So cool so.

00:08:30.780 –> 00:08:40.500 Joseph McElroy: When you started actually first paying attention to music, you know as more than just plastic guitar type thing, who were you some who your first musical influences beside fair.

00:08:41.250 –> 00:08:46.290 Darren Nicholson: Well, besides family I’m the ones I really started getting into early on.

00:08:48.060 –> 00:09:05.310 Darren Nicholson: They capture me there I like I really got into the old stuff that really old music Flatt and Scruggs the Leuven brothers I love that harmony of the Leuven brothers the Osborne brothers were a huge influence on me and that’s actually what brought me back to bluegrass but.

00:09:07.140 –> 00:09:10.800 Darren Nicholson: I loved Merle Haggard and George Jones even as a kid.

00:09:11.700 –> 00:09:12.600 Darren Nicholson: Even as an

00:09:12.690 –> 00:09:24.540 Darren Nicholson: eight/ nine-year-old kid I love that really sad country music and they were singing about very adult things and that I had no clue about.

00:09:24.930 –> 00:09:35.520 Darren Nicholson: But just the sound of the steel guitars and the fiddles and I knew I didn’t really understand the words and what you know the context.

00:09:36.000 –> 00:09:46.800 Darren Nicholson: of everything, but I knew it was emotional and I knew that it was powerful and I knew it was sad the sad or the better and I don’t know why I was drawn to that.

00:09:48.180 –> 00:09:55.950 Darren Nicholson: But a lot of people that I’ve talked to who really got into country and bluegrass music had that same experience and they like sad songs and.

00:09:57.390 –> 00:09:59.550 Joseph McElroy: What they call that high lonesome sound.

00:10:00.180 –> 00:10:01.410 Darren Nicholson: songs make me happy.

00:10:01.590 –> 00:10:02.640 yeah.

00:10:03.660 –> 00:10:21.240 Darren Nicholson: And there’s just something about this, you know songs about life and songs about hardship, even just songs about joy songs of hope and inspiration that’s The great thing about country music is, and when I say country music to me that encompasses bluegrass.

00:10:21.570 –> 00:10:37.080 Darren Nicholson: yeah call it Americana now when they can’t figure out which genre, to put it in the kind of call it Americana but really it’s country music and that’s basically you know talking about life songs about living in

00:10:39.450 –> 00:10:40.290 Joseph McElroy: Music yeah.

00:10:40.350 –> 00:10:54.960 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah I mean that was country music yeah we had a show on the Scottish Irish to influence song yeah well the immigrants coming in here yeah they’re a fun song,

00:10:55.470 –> 00:11:06.540 Joseph McElroy: Music and it was that highlands of sound and it was the balance and which are really exemplified by dulcimers what you play right?

00:11:06.870 –> 00:11:09.750 Darren Nicholson: I don’t play the dulcimer but I play mandolin and.

00:11:09.750 –> 00:11:11.100 Joseph McElroy: guitar yeah.

00:11:11.340 –> 00:11:12.270 Joseph McElroy: Similar yeah.

00:11:12.480 –> 00:11:12.660 Very.

00:11:13.950 –> 00:11:24.240 Joseph McElroy: Similar so, I can see that now the US there’s a musician named Steve Sutton that was a huge influence on you right.

00:11:25.860 –> 00:11:26.160 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:11:26.190 –> 00:11:35.190 Darren Nicholson: yeah Steve was from Haywood county here, he was another guy who had that same musical upbringing, he started to Maggie valley playhouse what you’re talking about.

00:11:36.480 –> 00:11:43.050 Darren Nicholson: And he’s another young man that started in his teens on the grand Ole opry and basically took this mountain style.

00:11:43.680 –> 00:11:55.950 Darren Nicholson: Music that we did it dances and barn raisings and every time there was an event cakewalk or church or whatever he took that music and travel the world with it and.

00:11:56.940 –> 00:12:10.140 Darren Nicholson: And that’s something a lot of these Western North Carolina musicians have done, and he got me my first job on the Grand Ole Opry when I was 18 my first real professional job I mean I made money playing music and local bands.

00:12:10.290 –> 00:12:23.070 Darren Nicholson: don’t get me wrong, but as far as having a professional gig in a national touring band he got me hired with a young lady named Alicia Nugent in 2004 and I was 18 maybe not teen just turned 19 and.

00:12:24.000 –> 00:12:32.430 Darren Nicholson: And we started playing the grand Ole opry and I was doing at least a couple of times a month, and we did the grand Ole opry we toured with merle haggard and went all over the.

00:12:33.090 –> 00:12:42.030 Darren Nicholson: the United States and we played in that band for the next three years, but until his death in 2017 we never stopped playing music together and he was kind of like my mentor.

00:12:43.230 –> 00:12:54.210 Darren Nicholson: Not only in the music, as far as learning to play music, but in the music business my mentors well and in life, he’s just a great friend.

00:12:54.900 –> 00:12:58.650 Joseph McElroy: we’ll see was it was he the reason you came to Erie county or is he.

00:12:59.790 –> 00:13:02.040 Joseph McElroy: Did you find him because of coming to Haywood county for

00:13:02.520 –> 00:13:11.100 Darren Nicholson: him because of coming to Haywood county yeah we moved to debunk them county my parents divorced when I was probably I was probably in fifth grade.

00:13:11.580 –> 00:13:21.120 Darren Nicholson: And we move my mom and I made the bunkum county which was big in my musical story because that’s where I got in the strings program I’ve played classical music.

00:13:22.770 –> 00:13:27.690 Darren Nicholson: And and went for people who I say bucks county that’s Asheville a lot of people know the Biltmore estate.

00:13:28.710 –> 00:13:37.290 Darren Nicholson: And Asheville has a huge music scene shindig on the green mountain dance and folk festival, which is the oldest running folk festival in the nation.

00:13:37.620 –> 00:13:55.020 Darren Nicholson: So, all of a sudden, I started playing with all these amazing musicians and that was just that opened a lot of doors for me and then, once I graduated high school I moved to Hayward county which is between where I was born and then were you know basically finishing school.

00:13:56.250 –> 00:14:05.010 Joseph McElroy: So did you move your favorite character reason, or is it just that was just what was their destination or just happenstance in life.

00:14:05.070 –> 00:14:22.110 Darren Nicholson: I think it was just happenstance it was just kind of in between the two places that I’m that I knew and it just kind of made sense I could be in Asheville in 20 minutes or I could be in Jackson county and 20 minutes so and I was close to my son, I had a son and.

00:14:23.310 –> 00:14:31.440 Darren Nicholson: I fell in love with Haywood county and, more importantly, the people I love the people of Haywood county there’s just a different spirit here.

00:14:31.770 –> 00:14:32.280 yeah.

00:14:33.780 –> 00:14:37.530 Joseph McElroy: So you’re welcome you started the stream programs that were using the mandolin.

00:14:38.850 –> 00:14:56.340 Darren Nicholson: That came later I was playing violin filled and classical music I dabbled in electric music rock and roll all that stuff and I still love that music I’m working on an electric record right now that’ll be out this fall but.

00:14:57.660 –> 00:14:58.920 Darren Nicholson: In that journey.

00:15:01.260 –> 00:15:15.900 Darren Nicholson: Insurance I’ve got back to my blue grassroots there’s something about you can go around all way around the world, but it’s hard to get away from the roots and ended up back in bluegrass and I got rid of the violin and got a mandolin.

00:15:18.270 –> 00:15:23.880 Joseph McElroy: Come back we’ll talk about your journey into balsam range.

00:15:24.450 –> 00:15:25.710 Darren Nicholson: awesome thanks for having me.

00:15:25.950 –> 00:15:26.550 hey.

00:17:44.610 –> 00:17:52.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I guess there and Nicholson.

00:17:53.400 –> 00:18:04.110 Joseph McElroy: balsam range, so there, and you are a charter member and one of the most iconic bluegrass America and country man’s in the world today.

00:18:04.830 –> 00:18:16.230 Joseph McElroy: The grammy-nominated balsam range, so I want to stir up a little controversy because I have it on tape of what TIM said so, how did the band come about and how did you come up with your day.

00:18:18.540 –> 00:18:28.560 Darren Nicholson: The band started in 2007 and buddy Melton and Mark Pruitt had been playing some shows in a local band.

00:18:29.220 –> 00:18:43.800 Darren Nicholson: A hot water bluegrass company some really good friends of ours I’ve been playing shows around here for years the band is still going you’re still doing a lot of great shows mark and buddy had been playing a lot of these local events around here and.

00:18:45.420 –> 00:19:02.250 Darren Nicholson: TIM and mark had both played in 2006 played on a solo record that buddy melton did, and that, and then I did want about the same time and mark and TIM both played on those records and.

00:19:03.690 –> 00:19:10.500 Darren Nicholson: So there was that kind of connection we’d had this we were kind of all in the circles we’re starting to cross.

00:19:10.950 –> 00:19:22.530 Darren Nicholson: I’ve been traveling on the road for three years, with Alicia Nugent and I hadn’t really played a lot around Haywood county or home, I did this record, but he did one and in early 2007.

00:19:23.580 –> 00:19:26.250 Darren Nicholson: buddy and mark kind of got the idea

00:19:27.390 –> 00:19:28.230 Darren Nicholson: to maybe.

00:19:29.370 –> 00:19:42.270 Darren Nicholson: put me in TIM, and in all of us in the same room to jam a little bit and I don’t know how I’m not sure how Caleb was called into it, I guess buddy had known him from doing some.

00:19:43.830 –> 00:20:02.700 Darren Nicholson: Some work with a Gospel band that Caleb had for a while and we ended up picking in my kitchen and we did two or three just kinds of jam sessions and a buddy came over one day and said, you know mark and I’ve been playing with water for a while, but.

00:20:04.080 –> 00:20:18.030 Darren Nicholson: Mark said that you know he’s getting in probably the last, this is probably the last stage of his career because marks getting older and he would like to have one more really good shot at playing bluegrass at.

00:20:19.200 –> 00:20:23.160 Darren Nicholson: Not just a regional level, but you know, a professional level.

00:20:23.700 –> 00:20:24.150 and

00:20:25.590 –> 00:20:39.120 Darren Nicholson: Without I be interested in doing some shows with them, and I said I don’t know I just came off the road you know I don’t and I didn’t want to travel and when the band started the idea was to do a lot of these things around home.

00:20:40.860 –> 00:20:50.790 Darren Nicholson: But just do it, you know with the band that that caliber band, you know and just kind of play shows around here and next thing you know.

00:20:51.510 –> 00:21:01.050 Darren Nicholson: We, we had a record deal before we had a name for the band, and we had all these shows on the books and then people were wanting us to come.

00:21:01.650 –> 00:21:15.300 Darren Nicholson: play in California and play in Seattle play in New York play in Florida, and with the goal was to kind of just keep it around here and play in western North Carolina but he got out of the bank’s pretty quick on us.

00:21:16.410 –> 00:21:18.600 Darren Nicholson: And that’s a good thing you.

00:21:18.600 –> 00:21:19.920 Joseph McElroy: know, a good problem to have.

00:21:20.100 –> 00:21:24.780 Darren Nicholson: We weren’t it’s was nothing that we designed it wasn’t my plan.

00:21:26.010 –> 00:21:36.780 Darren Nicholson: It was just meant to be and we didn’t really have a name for a band we kicked out around for a while and we’ve all finally decided we were going to give this a shot and.

00:21:38.130 –> 00:21:42.150 Darren Nicholson: And balsam range is that the range of mountains between.

00:21:42.660 –> 00:21:54.780 Darren Nicholson: Jackson county but he’s got roots in Jackson County and I’m from there and then all the rest of guys are Haywood county and so that ranger mountain is called the great balsam range and without that would be a little pretentious so we dropped the great.

00:21:56.010 –> 00:21:57.990 Darren Nicholson: And just went with mediocre balsam range.

00:22:00.180 –> 00:22:02.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh let’s go well, you gave great.

00:22:02.700 –> 00:22:07.020 Joseph McElroy: Fantastic so you’ve you know you’ve had some wonderful albums.

00:22:08.160 –> 00:22:12.720 Joseph McElroy: I think, though, that your latest one is rivers rains and runaway train all right.

00:22:12.930 –> 00:22:19.620 Darren Nicholson: Ladies single let’s go to be on an album which we’re trying to tablet right now we during the pandemic.

00:22:20.460 –> 00:22:25.380 Darren Nicholson: We couldn’t really play live shows, but, we did go in the studio and start working on a record.

00:22:25.830 –> 00:22:40.170 Darren Nicholson: And it’ll be out in the next month or two you know it’ll be out by early fall and late summer early fall and but that’s the second to the latest release that the newest release is called Santa Barbara and.

00:22:40.770 –> 00:22:43.170 Darren Nicholson: Number one it was number one for the month of June.

00:22:43.410 –> 00:22:48.870 Joseph McElroy: And I saw that on Facebook I forgot to put I forgot to mention I just saw that on Facebook I love this.

00:22:50.700 –> 00:22:53.130 Joseph McElroy: nice little video with it a sort of a cartoon video.

00:22:54.780 –> 00:22:55.890 Joseph McElroy: Yet it’s kind of cool.

00:22:57.570 –> 00:22:59.970 Joseph McElroy: I like that that was really good so.

00:23:00.810 –> 00:23:02.970 Darren Nicholson: For singles but the rest of the album’s coming out.

00:23:03.390 –> 00:23:14.670 Joseph McElroy: cool well, I think, in January, Tim predicted that there would be live performances and be like 2020 you know, we had three, then, are you looking better now you have a lot more performances.

00:23:15.030 –> 00:23:26.670 Darren Nicholson: Playing really, six, seven days a week, you know cuz I’m balsam range those guys want to do between 40 and 50 rope dates like really big the bigger dates.

00:23:27.060 –> 00:23:37.110 Darren Nicholson: And that’s about all they’re interested in doing and that’s fine you know that’s what they want to do, but I’m the youngest guy in the band I’m 37.

00:23:37.530 –> 00:23:41.880 Darren Nicholson: And so you know mark is 70 and I’m 37 and.

00:23:42.720 –> 00:23:48.420 Darren Nicholson: You know I still have this fire in my belly and I still have this interest to play music and play a lot.

00:23:48.840 –> 00:23:52.350 Darren Nicholson: yeah I love performing and when I’m not performing.

00:23:54.090 –> 00:23:57.390 Darren Nicholson: Oh no I just there’s it’s just Denton I.

00:23:57.840 –> 00:24:03.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh, this is the time for you to really get that whole musician experience, I mean that.

00:24:05.010 –> 00:24:08.160 Joseph McElroy: You chose, and I could understand that you got it.

00:24:08.250 –> 00:24:09.240 Darren Nicholson: This is my colleague.

00:24:09.480 –> 00:24:11.880 Joseph McElroy: You want it, you want to have that moment of.

00:24:11.970 –> 00:24:14.190 Joseph McElroy: Being this semester I get it.

00:24:14.670 –> 00:24:15.150 Darren Nicholson: I love it.

00:24:15.240 –> 00:24:16.470 Joseph McElroy: You know and I’ve missed it in.

00:24:16.470 –> 00:24:22.830 Darren Nicholson: The last year, of course, I’ve enjoyed being off Cup, because I have traveled since I was 1819 years old, there were some.

00:24:23.340 –> 00:24:36.360 Darren Nicholson: Some positives you know to you know being offered last year, we got to record more and do things that we wouldn’t normally take the time to do we were forced you know to do things differently, but.

00:24:37.560 –> 00:24:47.190 Darren Nicholson: that’s okay, sometimes that’s a good thing um you know I wish you know the other people hadn’t have struggled like they had you know, for us to do that, but.

00:24:47.670 –> 00:25:01.560 Darren Nicholson: This is the this the last year has been one of those situations where look this or there’s a lot of stuff that’s out of our hands, I can either focus on all the negative or I can look at the positives of this and make the best of this yeah and.

00:25:02.160 –> 00:25:02.910 Joseph McElroy: I guess.

00:25:04.020 –> 00:25:12.330 Joseph McElroy: I always wanted to do podcasts and I would have never done it without last year, I mean all I regret what the circumstances were I’m doing it and I’m loving it especially this one.

00:25:13.920 –> 00:25:25.140 Joseph McElroy: So you know we hear about the band, but you know I know I understand that you’re gifted songwriter what somewhat has you what have you written songs for balsam range and what are some of the favorite songs you’ve written.

00:25:27.030 –> 00:25:29.010 Darren Nicholson: Some of the favorite teams I’ve written.

00:25:30.660 –> 00:25:39.600 Darren Nicholson: Charles Humphrey and I write more songs with him than anybody else I’ve written with several other people, but Charles and I recently had one.

00:25:40.530 –> 00:25:51.450 Darren Nicholson: called lonesome is the price, I pay that went number one on an all-star bluegrass section that came out of the record label over there it’s called bluegrass at the crossroads lonesome is the price, I pay.

00:25:52.320 –> 00:26:00.600 Darren Nicholson: Number one in bluegrass is the first number one I had as a writer I think the balsam range has had about 43 or 44 number one songs.

00:26:01.500 –> 00:26:10.170 Darren Nicholson: 2007 and but I didn’t write any of them I recently I really haven’t got into songwriting until the last year.

00:26:10.770 –> 00:26:17.040 Darren Nicholson: I started about three years ago dabbling and last year really started pumping them out and.

00:26:17.910 –> 00:26:31.920 Darren Nicholson: there’s a song called all night long that’s on the new electric record that I’m really proud of I’m in the process of recording a Gospel song that Eric Gibson and I wrote together call them alive, when I die and.

00:26:32.910 –> 00:26:37.230 Darren Nicholson: there’s just depends on what mood I’m in there kind of like your children, you know.

00:26:39.510 –> 00:26:53.040 Joseph McElroy: Somebody asked me once I actually I do little art and somebody asked me what is my favorite painting and I’ll say the last one, and then they’ll say and once you look at you think you need to work on the most again I said, the last one.

00:26:55.680 –> 00:26:58.020 Darren Nicholson: Taking your kids had somebody asked me like

00:26:59.430 –> 00:27:17.640 Darren Nicholson: If you had a favorite child, would you let them know, would you tell them and I was like no I was like first of all, you know you if you have you you can’t have a favorite child but me because me I treat my main son and my other kids exactly the same.

00:27:20.640 –> 00:27:30.150 Joseph McElroy: So the balsam range has not been you’re only history right so you’ve done what with stuff a bunker turnpike and hazel creek and.

00:27:30.420 –> 00:27:31.260 Darren Nicholson: Local bands.

00:27:31.320 –> 00:27:32.400 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then.

00:27:32.910 –> 00:27:33.600 Darren Nicholson: All those guys.

00:27:34.110 –> 00:27:39.540 Joseph McElroy: And then you toured with Elysia Nugent and you played the grand Ole opry and the iconic right.

00:27:40.830 –> 00:27:42.900 Joseph McElroy: auditorium how was all bad for you.

00:27:43.770 –> 00:27:48.390 Darren Nicholson: That was great Alicia’s from Louisiana she’s from the great state of Louisiana and.

00:27:51.060 –> 00:27:52.110 Darren Nicholson: She was.

00:27:53.160 –> 00:27:58.920 Darren Nicholson: She was produced I learned a lot during that stretch because her record producer was a guy named Carl Jackson.

00:27:59.880 –> 00:28:11.550 Darren Nicholson: And Carl Jackson was the bandleader in Glen Campbell’s band for years he started with Jim and Jesse when he was 14 but he also produced and recorded Dolly Parton Emmylou Harris Linda Ronstadt.

00:28:13.410 –> 00:28:20.700 Darren Nicholson: a lot of heavy hitters Alison Krauss James Taylor he’s recorded and produced everybody in the business and so when.

00:28:22.170 –> 00:28:32.910 Darren Nicholson: I found out that he was producing delicious records I knew this was an opportunity for a young 19-year-old kid to learn a lot about music-making records singing.

00:28:33.480 –> 00:28:44.550 Darren Nicholson: And so I was just kind of like a sponge I was just kind of soaked it all up and so those three years are super important to me, you know playing around and altering the first time I did it.

00:28:44.970 –> 00:28:54.510 Darren Nicholson: Not 10 years old, we opened for Sam Bush the Ryman auditorium with Alicia new Japan went to Europe with that band toured with merle haggard with that band um.

00:28:55.650 –> 00:29:02.370 Darren Nicholson: gosh the crazy all the crazy things I’m one of those guys who peaked early in their career.

00:29:04.950 –> 00:29:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think, when we come back, I want to talk, I want to find out what you think is your proudest accomplishment so far alright.

00:29:12.210 –> 00:29:12.840 Darren Nicholson: sounds good.

00:31:46.050 –> 00:31:56.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my gear my guests there Nicholson of balsam range so.

00:31:56.610 –> 00:32:05.520 Joseph McElroy: There you have toured with merle haggard zac brown George Jones and another holiday in calories musicians to build balsam range and been nominated.

00:32:05.820 –> 00:32:19.710 Joseph McElroy: For Grammys with them you’ve won some international bluegrass association award yourself and you’ve also done things like getting the order of the long lead pine award, which is the highest North Carolina civilian award and you were in a prestigious.

00:32:20.910 –> 00:32:37.650 Joseph McElroy: Traditional artist director of the Blue Ridge our heritage scandal and you been inducted in North Carolina folklife Institute in 2008 what is that’s a pretty big resume was already nearly 37, what do you, what is the hardest one so far.

00:32:39.840 –> 00:32:42.300 Darren Nicholson: Oh gosh um.

00:32:44.100 –> 00:32:49.680 Darren Nicholson: Man it’d be hard, I mean I guess the grand Ole opry is really all those things are very important to me.

00:32:50.700 –> 00:32:56.550 Darren Nicholson: The grand Ole opry kind of sticks out it’s probably not as important to people now as it used to be.

00:32:58.950 –> 00:33:10.020 Darren Nicholson: But you know I just grew up listening, the Grand Ole Opry as a kid you know that was we didn’t the area that we were in you know my parents.

00:33:11.370 –> 00:33:16.740 Darren Nicholson: They weren’t wealthy we didn’t have a lot, and so we didn’t have cable TV we didn’t have.

00:33:18.330 –> 00:33:32.880 Darren Nicholson: I didn’t have video games, you know, I was, I was born in 83 this the technology started coming out a lot of the kids I went to school with had video games they’re watching cable and my family didn’t have that but, but we had.

00:33:34.050 –> 00:33:35.550 Darren Nicholson: Experiences like.

00:33:36.660 –> 00:33:48.840 Darren Nicholson: You know, we camped the law we went we were out in nature, a lot, but we played music a lot, but the radio was Cadillac TV and theater of the mind.

00:33:49.470 –> 00:34:01.230 Darren Nicholson: And so you know when late on Friday and Saturday nights after we’d have a jam session at our house, you know I would sit up with my parents and they tune in the Grand Ole opry.

00:34:03.210 –> 00:34:12.900 Darren Nicholson: And took a CG North Carolina it would come in clear as a bell and I would hear all the great artists George Jones the Osborne brothers Jim and Jesse.

00:34:14.460 –> 00:34:21.210 Darren Nicholson: You know Tammy Wynette Dolly Parton merle haggard all those you know the greats and.

00:34:22.260 –> 00:34:33.780 Darren Nicholson: That impacted my life, probably as much and kind of shaped you know who, I am as much as anything but I’ll be honest with you the last year and a half being shut down.

00:34:34.530 –> 00:34:52.080 Darren Nicholson: um it’s changed my perspective on all those things and kinda getting older and kind of learning like who and what you really are every show is that important to me, every show is as important as the grand Ole opry to me because.

00:34:53.730 –> 00:35:01.350 Darren Nicholson: Even shows that for years I took for granted, and if you do enough performances, whether you’re in theater or music or whatever.

00:35:01.710 –> 00:35:08.940 Darren Nicholson: You know if you just do it for a hobby it’s always fun when you start doing something for living it can take the fun out of.

00:35:09.420 –> 00:35:14.400 Darren Nicholson: It can be like clocking in at the meal and you start playing five or six nights a week and all of a sudden.

00:35:14.970 –> 00:35:24.120 Darren Nicholson: Sometimes you dread going to play music, the thing that you love, more than anything, you’re like man I gotta I’m we’re out and I’ve got to pour all my energy into this again.

00:35:24.630 –> 00:35:33.300 Darren Nicholson: You know it’s not like being a clerk at a store where you can just kind of shut it off, or whatever you got to give all of yourself all your energy and so.

00:35:34.500 –> 00:35:43.590 Darren Nicholson: I would get burnout at times, and you know, then those things go away and you realize, you know I will I’m here to play music.

00:35:44.190 –> 00:35:56.280 Darren Nicholson: And I don’t care if it’s for five people in a bar in backstreet Haywood county if it’s for 100 people in Maggie Valley for a ticketed event or if it’s for 2000.

00:35:56.700 –> 00:36:18.570 Darren Nicholson: or 5000 on the grand Ole opry or if it’s an in an auditorium they’re all important to me, and there are stages that are nice and that make you feel good but I’ll just be honest with you the older I get every single performance is the performance of my life, you know.

00:36:18.630 –> 00:36:25.260 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic you know you’ve done you mentioned Europe but you’ve also taken bluegrass music to places.

00:36:25.710 –> 00:36:37.290 Joseph McElroy: That people wouldn’t normally think of it right you’ve got in the Bahamas in Jamaica and Haiti and Australia with Mexico, what, how is it how’s the reception for bluegrass Sarah yeah what, what do you feel about that.

00:36:37.920 –> 00:36:48.360 Darren Nicholson: it’s crazy and in 2006 I went to Australia, with the great already by lock who’s coming to the meadowlark lodge and July 17.

00:36:49.230 –> 00:36:59.850 Darren Nicholson: Already as a professional national touring bluegrass musician I got to do some shows, with him, and one of them was a trip to Australia.

00:37:00.270 –> 00:37:16.170 Darren Nicholson: And we went to Harriet Ville Australia, we flew into Sydney and then went to Harry Ville so I had a basically a six-hour flight to get to La a 16-hour flight to get to Sydney then a five-hour car ride to get to the festival.

00:37:18.420 –> 00:37:20.790 Darren Nicholson: that’s what you call passionate for bluegrass.

00:37:20.850 –> 00:37:21.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah I.

00:37:21.930 –> 00:37:27.630 Darren Nicholson: got there and man, they were hardcore traditional bluegrass.

00:37:27.810 –> 00:37:41.880 Darren Nicholson: Well, they weren’t into Alison Krauss in the new bluegrass bands they liked everything from the 1930s and 40s and 50s when you got into the 1960s, it was almost too progressive for them.

00:37:43.350 –> 00:37:46.380 Darren Nicholson: They love the older mute the older, the better.

00:37:46.770 –> 00:37:48.780 Darren Nicholson: And it just goes to show you.

00:37:49.080 –> 00:37:56.670 Darren Nicholson: How deep these roots the roots of this music run and they are just fanatical about it over there, the.

00:37:56.760 –> 00:38:00.180 Darren Nicholson: the moment I consider I consider bluegrass world music.

00:38:00.630 –> 00:38:01.590 Darren Nicholson: Right yeah.

00:38:02.400 –> 00:38:11.910 Joseph McElroy: Like you know you got things coming folk music coming from overseas and they talk about world music, but I think bluegrass fits well into that tradition of what is World music.

00:38:12.450 –> 00:38:17.400 Darren Nicholson: yeah for sure, a lot of the great a lot of the bluegrass.

00:38:18.930 –> 00:38:27.510 Darren Nicholson: Historical pieces, like the instruments, the big money instruments and the historical pieces that belonged to the stars of bluegrass are the.

00:38:27.930 –> 00:38:40.830 Darren Nicholson: founding fathers of bluegrass are in Japan there’s this huge Japanese bluegrass interest in it and they come here when we have the international bluegrass music association in Raleigh there’s the great.

00:38:42.270 –> 00:38:51.750 Darren Nicholson: bluegrass band from Italy called find one when we say it’s international bluegrass music association that’s it’s, not just for Kentucky and North Carolina.

00:38:53.040 –> 00:39:03.360 Darren Nicholson: And they’re so New York has all these crazy bluegrass festivals, the Gibson brothers who want entertainer of the year they’re from upstate New York, you know and.

00:39:04.890 –> 00:39:07.230 Joseph McElroy: More New York, and I have in North Carolina.

00:39:10.950 –> 00:39:22.020 Darren Nicholson: People all over the country love it, you know my dad and my mom met and got married out in Seattle and there’s a huge Western North Carolina.

00:39:24.180 –> 00:39:28.800 Darren Nicholson: population and around Seattle see Willie Denton.

00:39:30.000 –> 00:39:37.680 Darren Nicholson: Lyman concrete and there are so many tar heels that went out there in the 50s and 60s too long, they were part of the login.

00:39:38.370 –> 00:39:48.060 Darren Nicholson: Say Okay, then so when they went out there to work they took the music in the same way that’s how I got into Detroit and that’s how I got into Michigan when they went to work in the auto.

00:39:48.330 –> 00:39:49.140 Darren Nicholson: factories of.

00:39:49.470 –> 00:39:53.010 Darren Nicholson: Ford and General Motors took bluegrass with them.

00:39:53.280 –> 00:39:53.700 You know.

00:39:54.960 –> 00:40:00.360 Joseph McElroy: That was the manufacturing time of the United States and all these people from the Appalachian when all over the place yeah.

00:40:02.130 –> 00:40:14.910 Joseph McElroy: hillbilly Elegy they told you all about that that was cool so let’s bring it back to closer to home, so you guys have participated in our traditional religion or less how did that come about.

00:40:15.960 –> 00:40:28.710 Darren Nicholson: Well we’ve been doing a concert series at home for years, a winner concert series and we started, because we want to do something for a charity local charity and we play a lot of charitable events throughout the year.

00:40:30.000 –> 00:40:38.130 Darren Nicholson: We just wanted to do something to give back to the community it’s been so good, to us, we want to provide music in the winter that was during a slow time but also creates

00:40:39.720 –> 00:40:50.010 Darren Nicholson: to stimulate the economy, bring people into you know buy meals hotel rooms in the wintertime when it’s generally slow and we did that for years and years.

00:40:50.520 –> 00:41:07.380 Darren Nicholson: And it just got to a point where those shows were selling out in the same 300 people where they would buy tickets in advance, and we were just playing to the same 300 people every time you know and that’s fine, but you know if something’s not growing then it’s dying.

00:41:07.800 –> 00:41:14.430 Darren Nicholson: And so let’s grow this thing let’s do it in a bigger venue like Juneau Alaska was the perfect place for it.

00:41:14.850 –> 00:41:23.370 Darren Nicholson: Like for people who don’t know like journalists, because the world Methodist headquarters, but they’ve got this amazing venue that sits right on the lake in the heart of Western North Carolina.

00:41:24.990 –> 00:41:45.210 Darren Nicholson: And they have lodged there they do you know they’ve got all kinds of meals shuttles they’ve got it’s the perfect setup for a festival and it’s indoors so the weather can’t wreck it, you know festivals in the summer any other time yeah it could be rain, it could be.

00:41:45.600 –> 00:41:59.280 Darren Nicholson: yeah angry, you know, unless it just comes a major blizzard the weather can’t record and I’d like to Alaska and it stimulates the economy and it does something good for Western North Carolina and.

00:41:59.280 –> 00:42:01.890 Joseph McElroy: What was that, like what is it in December every year.

00:42:02.100 –> 00:42:03.690 Darren Nicholson: The first weekend of December we.

00:42:04.200 –> 00:42:12.480 Darren Nicholson: yeah we got with the tourism Board and the slowest economic weekend for tourism every year was the weekend after thanksgiving.

00:42:12.540 –> 00:42:13.080 Yes.

00:42:14.910 –> 00:42:22.500 Darren Nicholson: After thanksgiving before Christmas, and so we’re like hey let’s do it then and now it’s one of the biggest ones for the whole year for the hey we can.

00:42:22.860 –> 00:42:39.060 Joseph McElroy: cool so you do a lot of things like you said, besides balsam range you got your own band there and nickel so band, do you do solo shows, but you also perform with your wife janitor, who is a super talented musician, can you tell us what to do with her.

00:42:39.510 –> 00:42:44.460 Darren Nicholson: The audio blocks first cousin I can’t tell you everything I do with her.

00:42:47.790 –> 00:42:48.240 Joseph McElroy: for that.

00:42:49.590 –> 00:42:51.270 Darren Nicholson: hey you put it on a TEE I’m swinging.

00:42:53.430 –> 00:43:03.300 Darren Nicholson: yeah she’s an incredible musician she’s the vocal music director and director of choirs at Asheville high school and so she’s actually an educated musician

00:43:04.260 –> 00:43:15.060 Darren Nicholson: She teaches music theory piano incredible singer, and so we do shows like that something fun, for us, we don’t know why we haven’t done it in years past but.

00:43:15.660 –> 00:43:21.360 Darren Nicholson: We just kind of start doing it for fun and it’s taken off and people are wanting to see that do it, we do.

00:43:22.110 –> 00:43:36.840 Darren Nicholson: it’s totally different will do sitting on the dock of the bay, will do a wreath of Franklin tunes and so for someone who’s known for playing bluegrass and mostly original music people can come see me in a whole different you know, so I get to let my hair down.

00:43:37.170 –> 00:43:39.060 Joseph McElroy: And where’s the next picture good play with her.

00:43:39.990 –> 00:43:40.710 Darren Nicholson: Oh gosh.

00:43:42.150 –> 00:43:46.680 Darren Nicholson: I’d have to look on the calendar five or six nights a week go to dare nicholson.net.

00:43:47.910 –> 00:43:56.280 Joseph McElroy: Go to the website very good, so we come back let’s talk about the band camp, but who’s gonna be involved in that and that’s worth a.

00:43:57.000 –> 00:43:57.390 awesome.

00:46:31.980 –> 00:46:38.730 Joseph McElroy: Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Darren Nicholson, so there.

00:46:39.690 –> 00:46:55.260 Joseph McElroy: You are I guess you and I got together with Bob plot we cooked up and really fantastic event that there where there is sort of almost the inaugural event of the new metal or smoky mountain hairdo Center makers commit the middle or motel.

00:46:56.580 –> 00:47:05.340 Joseph McElroy: And it’s called the dare Nicholson all-star bluegrass can’t band camp is kind of an all-star concert, can you tell us how you came up with that event, I think that was you to come up with it right.

00:47:06.000 –> 00:47:19.980 Darren Nicholson: Well, you know Bob is another guy who supports a lot of great events in western North Carolina and knows the culture here and the people and I play a lot of shows around here play with a damn Nicholson band play with balsam range people can see me.

00:47:21.690 –> 00:47:30.060 Darren Nicholson: Whenever about whenever they want to you know, so the idea for going to do something at this new place is to.

00:47:30.570 –> 00:47:39.480 Darren Nicholson: How can we do something that’s completely different and one of the things that we’ve done at the balsam range art of music festival that’s been wildly popular.

00:47:39.960 –> 00:47:53.880 Darren Nicholson: Are these workshops and even for people who don’t play they like to come to them, just to watch just to find out, I think more about the artist and be with the artist and an intimate setting so they can ask questions.

00:47:54.420 –> 00:48:10.440 Darren Nicholson: I think a lot of people as fans are just curious about the music sometimes or the musicians and whether they’re actually in there, wanting to study and learn an instrument, I think they’re just fascinated and curious you know.

00:48:11.640 –> 00:48:17.430 Darren Nicholson: Because when you buy a concert ticket, you know there’s kind of a wall there that’s it that’s as far as you’re going to get.

00:48:17.460 –> 00:48:22.680 Darren Nicholson: you’re going to enjoy the show, but you don’t really get to know the artist.

00:48:23.700 –> 00:48:29.280 Darren Nicholson: Personally, or ask questions or this and that even about the music or how it got started or.

00:48:29.880 –> 00:48:43.860 Darren Nicholson: Like you know what your influences are this or that or why do you play this certain style or why do you choose this answer homeowner you know or this PIC or whatever, and so it’s just this is a way to get behind the curtain a little bit you know.

00:48:44.400 –> 00:48:48.780 Joseph McElroy: and tell me about the all-star people that you’ve got involved with here.

00:48:48.900 –> 00:48:57.960 Darren Nicholson: Well we’ve got the great audible a lot who’s coming to a lot of people know his bluegrass history from playing with Jimmy Martin and Rhonda Vincent but he’s and Michael Cleveland he.

00:48:58.740 –> 00:49:12.720 Darren Nicholson: he’s just been a part of some of the most legendary bluegrass lineups of the last 40 years and incredible singer and guitar player and he doesn’t play in this area very much which is.

00:49:13.290 –> 00:49:23.250 Darren Nicholson: Really cool trick, for if you’re going to get a ticket or see an event, this is going to be a chance to see a rare bird right here in Western North Carolina.

00:49:24.210 –> 00:49:31.530 Darren Nicholson: Eric Ellis is going to be playing the five-string banjo and Eric is one of the greatest traditional bluegrass banjo players.

00:49:32.190 –> 00:49:43.470 Darren Nicholson: Ever he’s like a mark Pruitt or Steve Sutton at that level, you know and he’s a guy who he’s another one of these Western North Carolina he’s from around the Wilkes Barre area.

00:49:44.070 –> 00:50:00.210 Darren Nicholson: And he’s gonna be traveling down I don’t get to pick with him very much just because of our schedules, but what an honor to get to play with that man and then read Jones is gonna be playing bass great singer-songwriter he plays an oldies band.

00:50:01.620 –> 00:50:05.910 Darren Nicholson: If you like serious no.

00:50:07.050 –> 00:50:14.940 Darren Nicholson: No frills like take the gloves off serious bluegrass music, this will be the show to come to.

00:50:15.870 –> 00:50:17.550 Joseph McElroy: I mean chuck you haven’t.

00:50:18.480 –> 00:50:24.030 Darren Nicholson: yeah they’re doing the workshops if you want to do a base workshop banjo or band workshop.

00:50:25.740 –> 00:50:41.490 Darren Nicholson: I like the band workshops, you know how the all the parts work together, you know it’s just like if you go see a rock and roll band, why do the bass and the drums, why did they do this together, why did that you know how does this work like a machine, you know.

00:50:41.820 –> 00:50:47.700 Joseph McElroy: How to how to put a take the raw song and putting together as a band song is that.

00:50:48.060 –> 00:51:02.970 Darren Nicholson: Like a baseball team, you can take nine amazing talented players and they’re not a very good team, because they don’t know how to play together and you could take nine mediocre guys who know how to play together and they’ll be the best.

00:51:04.170 –> 00:51:07.710 Darren Nicholson: You can that they know how to make a band, you know.

00:51:09.360 –> 00:51:10.920 Darren Nicholson: totally different mindset yeah.

00:51:11.370 –> 00:51:18.720 Joseph McElroy: And there and the concert you guys are sort of going to be ad-libbing as you go right or do you ever did you put together some ideas.

00:51:18.780 –> 00:51:19.500 Darren Nicholson: gosh no.

00:51:21.300 –> 00:51:30.870 Darren Nicholson: I want you to know people who buy a ticket when you buy a ticket, this is your experience, if you want a song, if you want to hear if we know it we’re gonna do it.

00:51:31.020 –> 00:51:32.550 Joseph McElroy: You know, take requests.

00:51:33.510 –> 00:51:36.720 Darren Nicholson: I mean if we know them we do better on the ones we know, obviously we.

00:51:37.770 –> 00:51:40.380 Darren Nicholson: Probably won’t do heaven my baby by Paul Anka.

00:51:43.560 –> 00:51:44.220 Darren Nicholson: rocky top.

00:51:44.520 –> 00:51:48.330 Joseph McElroy: You can’t do that as a blue dress.

00:51:50.070 –> 00:51:51.270 Darren Nicholson: I wouldn’t do that period.

00:51:54.150 –> 00:51:58.800 Joseph McElroy: covers you know they got snoop dogg’s gin and juice as a.

00:52:02.280 –> 00:52:05.250 Darren Nicholson: a lot of crazy bluegrass lacking Egyptians were.

00:52:07.770 –> 00:52:11.490 Joseph McElroy: So, so how do people find out more about you and how they follow you.

00:52:12.900 –> 00:52:25.620 Darren Nicholson: I’ve got a Facebook page then Nicholson, music and Darren Nicholson band, of course, balsam range has a Twitter Instagram if you look up Darren Nicholson or balsam range.

00:52:26.070 –> 00:52:36.240 Darren Nicholson: And same way balsamrange.com is the band website there nicholson.net and .com was already taken I’m not a Nascar driver.

00:52:41.100 –> 00:52:42.630 Darren Nicholson: a hell of a lot of speeding tickets.

00:52:43.710 –> 00:52:44.910 Darren Nicholson: i’m almost qualified.

00:52:45.210 –> 00:52:48.270 Joseph McElroy: NASCAR came out of bounds in North Carolina did.

00:52:48.600 –> 00:52:50.970 Darren Nicholson: john in baby yeah running.

00:52:53.760 –> 00:52:54.690 Joseph McElroy: A couple paths.

00:52:55.020 –> 00:52:56.970 Darren Nicholson: Exactly illegal.

00:52:57.420 –> 00:52:58.410 Joseph McElroy: There so.

00:52:59.820 –> 00:53:03.630 Joseph McElroy: I know you’re good to fly fishermen where’s the best place to go fly fishing.

00:53:05.850 –> 00:53:10.560 Darren Nicholson: In Haywood county, I grew up in Jackson that’s where I grew up fishing I go over there.

00:53:10.710 –> 00:53:12.720 Joseph McElroy: Okay where’s the best place there that.

00:53:12.840 –> 00:53:27.090 Darren Nicholson: I love candy for can I love tech a CG tech-savvy river and I gotta brag on Jackson county I’m playing there this Friday for my buddy Kelly, who does the concert on the creek, but they also in their big tourism thing Jackson county is now the

00:53:29.160 –> 00:53:38.130 Darren Nicholson: trap capital of North Carolina so when you come to Haywood county and staff to meadowlark you’re only about 20 minutes away from the trout capital if you choose not to fish.

00:53:38.130 –> 00:53:38.760 Joseph McElroy: I actually.

00:53:40.050 –> 00:53:46.290 Joseph McElroy: mentioned that Jackson hey we’ve got to get together and I believe that they’ve made themselves together with the trout capital.

00:53:48.660 –> 00:53:49.560 Darren Nicholson: Joint custody.

00:53:49.770 –> 00:53:51.210 Joseph McElroy: is doing custody yeah I.

00:53:51.210 –> 00:53:52.320 Darren Nicholson: got joint custody.

00:53:53.610 –> 00:54:02.010 Joseph McElroy: ELISE I’ll say so, because we have a travel blog we’re going to the back of in the middle, like when you there we got to travel far we have I’m out here just traps true.

00:54:03.390 –> 00:54:03.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:54:04.440 –> 00:54:08.640 Darren Nicholson: Everywhere in western North Carolina but I mean come on this is this is.

00:54:08.670 –> 00:54:12.480 Joseph McElroy: it’s trapped country this chapter well, thank you for being on our show.

00:54:13.500 –> 00:54:14.430 Joseph McElroy: I love your shirt.

00:54:14.970 –> 00:54:16.140 Darren Nicholson: Oh, let me share it, dude.

00:54:16.140 –> 00:54:20.520 Joseph McElroy: live it up is technically called planets it’s camouflage plan.

00:54:21.240 –> 00:54:24.300 Darren Nicholson: You look like you’re about to invade Sherwin Williams.

00:54:26.580 –> 00:54:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Where can I be camouflage.

00:54:29.670 –> 00:54:31.380 Darren Nicholson: I really do like the shirt man, I like.

00:54:31.680 –> 00:54:33.000 Joseph McElroy: Maybe i’ll send you a.

00:54:34.860 –> 00:54:50.400 Joseph McElroy: So I got I want to mention that we’re on the top radio dot NYC network where there’s a lot of interesting shows, and I recommend you listen to a lot of podcasts every day and ranging in content from you know.

00:54:51.150 –> 00:54:59.160 Joseph McElroy: The self-help to travel shows so it’s got a lot of dynamic content everybody here is very serious about what they’re doing after.

00:54:59.700 –> 00:55:12.630 Joseph McElroy: After this shows is one on New York, so you can go from the mountains of North Carolina to New York City and find out places to go, maybe in that, but a skyscraper or the top of the mountain just by listening one evening.

00:55:14.430 –> 00:55:30.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah you can find out more about this podcast at the gateway to the smokies dot fun all right, or you can go to facebook.com slash faith a gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:55:31.980 –> 00:55:40.620 Joseph McElroy: and find out more about what’s happening next week we’re going to have Neil Hutchinson here, which should be very interesting.

00:55:42.000 –> 00:55:42.870 Joseph McElroy: podcast.

00:55:43.920 –> 00:55:59.130 Joseph McElroy: And I look forward to seeing you it’s every the same week every day, every time from one I mean from six until seven on Tuesdays and thank you for listening to the gateway to the smokies by there’s.

00:55:59.190 –> 00:56:00.990 Darren Nicholson: so much for having me really appreciate it.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/185745743507764/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/207167040_186222540126751_4541035575322208389_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=GzE8lhKVcSoAX8Bmyb3&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63021751&oh=00_AT--iOZ6Urpk4s8YgLvc7504d9OPFLQhFnJnIRmMscA1Ng&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Special Guest: <strong>Darren Nicholson, a </strong>gifted singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.</p><p>He is an Award-winning Charter Member of the legendary Bluegrass and Americana group, <strong><em>Balsam Range</em></strong>, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and duo concerts with his wife Jennifer.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/v/GeZd3T4Q/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3><strong>Show Notes</strong></h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Tonight’s episode of Gateway to the Smokies starts off with host Joseph McElroy listing off a few notable upcoming events for the audience and for the local area to keep an eye out for. Next, comes the introduction of today’s guest, Darren Nicholson. Darren talks about who he is, what he has accomplished as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, and the journey to becoming who he is today.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Darren talks more about his music career. He tells the story of how his friends and bandmates formed the band he has now. They started jamming out in his kitchen and how it felt meant to be. They’re releasing music now and a new album is coming out. They’re looking forward to playing more live performances with their passion for music.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Darren keeps the conversation going by talking about what he did in his spare time as a child. His Friday and Saturday nights were often occupied with music and jamming out. Darren also begins to talk about bluegrass music. He mentions how it has a large population of fans in unexpected places, such as Japan. Darren explains how his own performing group had begun to push to grow for a larger audience, playing for festivals and bigger venues.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>The final segment starts off with the introduction of Darren Nicholson All-Star Band Camp, an event at a music festival. Darren explains how a lot of people, fans, and local musicians gather out of fascination and curiosity. They want to know more about the music and the artists, regardless of their musical background. Darren gives hints about who to expect to play at the event, including some big bluegrass stars. The episode finishes off with how to follow up with Darren Nicholson on social media, website, and other upcoming events.</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>0:00:37.980 –&gt; 00:00:50.490 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:50.970 –&gt; 00:01:00.030 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with great natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:00.480 –&gt; 00:01:12.120 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:12.720 –&gt; 00:01:22.620 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about bluegrass band camps in the smoky mountains first time or give me a got a few upcoming events, the deal with bluegrass.</p><p>00:01:23.580 –&gt; 00:01:32.040 Joseph McElroy: Coming up in two weeks on July 17 is Darren Nicholson, our guests today as bluegrass band camp and concert.</p><p>00:01:32.430 –&gt; 00:01:40.980 Joseph McElroy: it’s an exclusive event for aspiring musicians to learn to interact with some of the best artists in the business, culminating in all-star content.</p><p>00:01:41.490 –&gt; 00:01:55.950 Joseph McElroy: People who stay at the venue, which is the Meadowlark motel Maggie valley can attend the concert for free in the camp for half price but anybody can attend and you go to Meadowlarkmotel.com to buy tickets.</p><p>00:01:57.270 –&gt; 00:02:07.500 Joseph McElroy: A big event Maggie valley also July 23 and 20 23rd and 24th and it’s the famous hillbilly jam over the public it’s 10 am to 10 pm both days.</p><p>00:02:07.860 –&gt; 00:02:20.460 Joseph McElroy: it’s a music festival with crafts and food vendors moonshiners of the discovery channel card bike show and more it’s only $10 per day you’re going to visit www.Ihaveajam.com.</p><p>00:02:21.180 –&gt; 00:02:32.940 Joseph McElroy: And then we have an October the smoky mountain bluegrass festival October 23 from 1130 to 7 pm it’s for all the bluegrass lovers out there.</p><p>00:02:33.180 –&gt; 00:02:51.000 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains bluegrass festival is a one-day outdoor festival, where you can enjoy live entertainment unique food, and juried arts and crafts boots award-winning bluegrass man balsam range crew your brother’s an unspoken tradition are all part of the talented and popular line.</p><p>00:02:52.110 –&gt; 00:02:59.460 Joseph McElroy: go join that outdoor may go to many value festival grounds.com to find out more about this event.</p><p>00:03:00.840 –&gt; 00:03:10.800 Joseph McElroy: Our sponsors as meadowlarkmotel.com imagine a place evocative of motorsports of the past, it modern and vibrant with a chic Appalachian field.</p><p>00:03:11.280 –&gt; 00:03:22.890 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill or catch on fire and eat the company by a fine line or craft beer.</p><p>00:03:23.430 –&gt; 00:03:31.410 Joseph McElroy: Imagine in place with old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no place like the Meadowlark motel mag in Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:03:32.070 –&gt; 00:03:46.860 Joseph McElroy: it’s your smoky mountain adventure that starts with where you stay also a sponsor smokies adventure.com information and listings about the smokies hiking wedding venues books trail maps or resources.</p><p>00:03:47.880 –&gt; 00:03:56.280 Joseph McElroy: The emphasis is on smokies adventure is outdoor recreation outdoor life away events like rustic weddings and adventures, along with.</p><p>00:03:56.580 –&gt; 00:04:07.080 Joseph McElroy: providing information lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more it is going to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:04:08.280 –&gt; 00:04:15.570 Joseph McElroy: So our guest today is Darren Nicholson, an award-winning charter member of the legendary bluegrass band America group.</p><p>00:04:15.870 –&gt; 00:04:28.860 Joseph McElroy: balsam range and he also front his own Darren Nicholson band and had was also on side projects were also doing solo good and do a concert with his wife Jennifer. Hello Darren!</p><p>00:04:29.430 –&gt; 00:04:31.890 Darren Nicholson: hey Joseph thanks for having me glad to be on today.</p><p>00:04:32.340 –&gt; 00:04:42.240 Joseph McElroy: I’m really glad to have you it’s nice that we had to insert on this podcast a few a couple of months ago, so it’s good to have a member of the world-famous balsam range on here.</p><p>00:04:42.570 –&gt; 00:04:45.720 Darren Nicholson: Great, I’m surprised, you have another one on if you had to.</p><p>00:04:47.580 –&gt; 00:04:48.480 Darren Nicholson: record for you.</p><p>00:04:56.130 –&gt; 00:05:01.470 Joseph McElroy: So I want to find out a little bit more about your native Jackson county right.</p><p>00:05:02.370 –&gt; 00:05:12.300 Darren Nicholson: From Jackson county, I was raised in a little Community called tech a CG North Carolina tells people to take a CG as a chair keyword that means no cell service.</p><p>00:05:14.400 –&gt; 00:05:14.670 Joseph McElroy: But.</p><p>00:05:15.660 –&gt; 00:05:23.130 Darren Nicholson: My mother was from deals brother my dad was from a little Community called Kenny fork so it’s about rural as it gets.</p><p>00:05:23.550 –&gt; 00:05:27.600 Joseph McElroy: cool What did you, what do you remember about Jackson county growing up.</p><p>00:05:28.230 –&gt; 00:05:29.940 Darren Nicholson: i’m just.</p><p>00:05:31.200 –&gt; 00:05:37.140 Darren Nicholson: The landscape over there, I live in Haywood county and, of course, all of Western North Carolina is beautiful but there’s.</p><p>00:05:38.310 –&gt; 00:05:42.690 Darren Nicholson: Something magical about the mountain streams and.</p><p>00:05:43.710 –&gt; 00:05:50.250 Darren Nicholson: there’s a lot of forest service land there’s a lot of lands that haven’t been developed in Jackson county which I really love.</p><p>00:05:50.730 –&gt; 00:06:01.680 Darren Nicholson: And because of those you know Western North Carolina people as the great smoky mountain National Park is obviously we get a lot of visitors things like that, and people are moving here.</p><p>00:06:02.160 –&gt; 00:06:22.500 Darren Nicholson: But there’s still a lot of places in Jackson County that are kind of you know, off the beaten path and I grew up hunting and fishing and hiking over there, my dad was an outdoorsman and so a lot of camping things like that and also remember my whole family played music and a lot of.</p><p>00:06:23.580 –&gt; 00:06:32.790 Darren Nicholson: Our Saturday nights Fridays and Saturdays were spent on either the porch making music or inside the house with a big group of people.</p><p>00:06:33.210 –&gt; 00:06:39.450 Darren Nicholson: or doing benefits cakewalks and dances and Friday and Saturday not dances and</p><p>00:06:40.320 –&gt; 00:06:54.090 Darren Nicholson: you know people didn’t get out and travel and go to theaters and go out of town to see music, you know you basically in those rural areas growing up, you made your own entertainment and that’s kind of been the lifeblood of this culture, you know.</p><p>00:06:54.270 –&gt; 00:07:05.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah I grew up in a word, count in you know, that was a way of life, you know every event somebody showed up with music yeah.</p><p>00:07:06.090 –&gt; 00:07:16.380 Joseph McElroy: You know, we had, and we also had a Maggie valley play out that we’d all go through every Saturday night and do a little plugin and drink a little moonshine back when we got a little older.</p><p>00:07:17.910 –&gt; 00:07:20.190 Darren Nicholson: out to the car and have a drink and then come back in.</p><p>00:07:21.510 –&gt; 00:07:29.520 Joseph McElroy: exactly right, so you said you were from a musical family, I heard the rumors that you were on stage on here when you’re only 18 months old yeah.</p><p>00:07:30.240 –&gt; 00:07:33.750 Darren Nicholson: yeah that’s right my mom has a bunch of pictures and everything have.</p><p>00:07:35.430 –&gt; 00:07:41.370 Darren Nicholson: You know, but all just about everybody my family played music, and so my parents were both in the band and.</p><p>00:07:41.820 –&gt; 00:07:57.270 Darren Nicholson: Instead of having a babysitter they just put me up there, you know I’d be on stage and I had a little plastic guitar obviously at 18 months old I wasn’t playing but I had a little cowboy hat and a cowboy shirt and I’d sit there and a little plastic guitar and make tip money.</p><p>00:07:58.800 –&gt; 00:08:05.850 Joseph McElroy: Well, you don’t really like my two-and-a-half-year-old son and daughter got twins you thought you were making music.</p><p>00:08:08.340 –&gt; 00:08:11.400 Darren Nicholson: People love me you can’t follow a kid or a dog act.</p><p>00:08:11.700 –&gt; 00:08:11.910 Joseph McElroy: They.</p><p>00:08:12.630 –&gt; 00:08:14.820 Darren Nicholson: don’t care how terrible they are people living.</p><p>00:08:15.870 –&gt; 00:08:26.100 Joseph McElroy: They just think that the cutest thing that ever happened, they have babies little plastic guitars and drums and everything else, and we tell them oh you’re great.</p><p>00:08:28.050 –&gt; 00:08:29.640 Joseph McElroy: So cool so.</p><p>00:08:30.780 –&gt; 00:08:40.500 Joseph McElroy: When you started actually first paying attention to music, you know as more than just plastic guitar type thing, who were you some who your first musical influences beside fair.</p><p>00:08:41.250 –&gt; 00:08:46.290 Darren Nicholson: Well, besides family I’m the ones I really started getting into early on.</p><p>00:08:48.060 –&gt; 00:09:05.310 Darren Nicholson: They capture me there I like I really got into the old stuff that really old music Flatt and Scruggs the Leuven brothers I love that harmony of the Leuven brothers the Osborne brothers were a huge influence on me and that’s actually what brought me back to bluegrass but.</p><p>00:09:07.140 –&gt; 00:09:10.800 Darren Nicholson: I loved Merle Haggard and George Jones even as a kid.</p><p>00:09:11.700 –&gt; 00:09:12.600 Darren Nicholson: Even as an</p><p>00:09:12.690 –&gt; 00:09:24.540 Darren Nicholson: eight/ nine-year-old kid I love that really sad country music and they were singing about very adult things and that I had no clue about.</p><p>00:09:24.930 –&gt; 00:09:35.520 Darren Nicholson: But just the sound of the steel guitars and the fiddles and I knew I didn’t really understand the words and what you know the context.</p><p>00:09:36.000 –&gt; 00:09:46.800 Darren Nicholson: of everything, but I knew it was emotional and I knew that it was powerful and I knew it was sad the sad or the better and I don’t know why I was drawn to that.</p><p>00:09:48.180 –&gt; 00:09:55.950 Darren Nicholson: But a lot of people that I’ve talked to who really got into country and bluegrass music had that same experience and they like sad songs and.</p><p>00:09:57.390 –&gt; 00:09:59.550 Joseph McElroy: What they call that high lonesome sound.</p><p>00:10:00.180 –&gt; 00:10:01.410 Darren Nicholson: songs make me happy.</p><p>00:10:01.590 –&gt; 00:10:02.640 yeah.</p><p>00:10:03.660 –&gt; 00:10:21.240 Darren Nicholson: And there’s just something about this, you know songs about life and songs about hardship, even just songs about joy songs of hope and inspiration that’s The great thing about country music is, and when I say country music to me that encompasses bluegrass.</p><p>00:10:21.570 –&gt; 00:10:37.080 Darren Nicholson: yeah call it Americana now when they can’t figure out which genre, to put it in the kind of call it Americana but really it’s country music and that’s basically you know talking about life songs about living in</p><p>00:10:39.450 –&gt; 00:10:40.290 Joseph McElroy: Music yeah.</p><p>00:10:40.350 –&gt; 00:10:54.960 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah I mean that was country music yeah we had a show on the Scottish Irish to influence song yeah well the immigrants coming in here yeah they’re a fun song,</p><p>00:10:55.470 –&gt; 00:11:06.540 Joseph McElroy: Music and it was that highlands of sound and it was the balance and which are really exemplified by dulcimers what you play right?</p><p>00:11:06.870 –&gt; 00:11:09.750 Darren Nicholson: I don’t play the dulcimer but I play mandolin and.</p><p>00:11:09.750 –&gt; 00:11:11.100 Joseph McElroy: guitar yeah.</p><p>00:11:11.340 –&gt; 00:11:12.270 Joseph McElroy: Similar yeah.</p><p>00:11:12.480 –&gt; 00:11:12.660 Very.</p><p>00:11:13.950 –&gt; 00:11:24.240 Joseph McElroy: Similar so, I can see that now the US there’s a musician named Steve Sutton that was a huge influence on you right.</p><p>00:11:25.860 –&gt; 00:11:26.160 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:11:26.190 –&gt; 00:11:35.190 Darren Nicholson: yeah Steve was from Haywood county here, he was another guy who had that same musical upbringing, he started to Maggie valley playhouse what you’re talking about.</p><p>00:11:36.480 –&gt; 00:11:43.050 Darren Nicholson: And he’s another young man that started in his teens on the grand Ole opry and basically took this mountain style.</p><p>00:11:43.680 –&gt; 00:11:55.950 Darren Nicholson: Music that we did it dances and barn raisings and every time there was an event cakewalk or church or whatever he took that music and travel the world with it and.</p><p>00:11:56.940 –&gt; 00:12:10.140 Darren Nicholson: And that’s something a lot of these Western North Carolina musicians have done, and he got me my first job on the Grand Ole Opry when I was 18 my first real professional job I mean I made money playing music and local bands.</p><p>00:12:10.290 –&gt; 00:12:23.070 Darren Nicholson: don’t get me wrong, but as far as having a professional gig in a national touring band he got me hired with a young lady named Alicia Nugent in 2004 and I was 18 maybe not teen just turned 19 and.</p><p>00:12:24.000 –&gt; 00:12:32.430 Darren Nicholson: And we started playing the grand Ole opry and I was doing at least a couple of times a month, and we did the grand Ole opry we toured with merle haggard and went all over the.</p><p>00:12:33.090 –&gt; 00:12:42.030 Darren Nicholson: the United States and we played in that band for the next three years, but until his death in 2017 we never stopped playing music together and he was kind of like my mentor.</p><p>00:12:43.230 –&gt; 00:12:54.210 Darren Nicholson: Not only in the music, as far as learning to play music, but in the music business my mentors well and in life, he’s just a great friend.</p><p>00:12:54.900 –&gt; 00:12:58.650 Joseph McElroy: we’ll see was it was he the reason you came to Erie county or is he.</p><p>00:12:59.790 –&gt; 00:13:02.040 Joseph McElroy: Did you find him because of coming to Haywood county for</p><p>00:13:02.520 –&gt; 00:13:11.100 Darren Nicholson: him because of coming to Haywood county yeah we moved to debunk them county my parents divorced when I was probably I was probably in fifth grade.</p><p>00:13:11.580 –&gt; 00:13:21.120 Darren Nicholson: And we move my mom and I made the bunkum county which was big in my musical story because that’s where I got in the strings program I’ve played classical music.</p><p>00:13:22.770 –&gt; 00:13:27.690 Darren Nicholson: And and went for people who I say bucks county that’s Asheville a lot of people know the Biltmore estate.</p><p>00:13:28.710 –&gt; 00:13:37.290 Darren Nicholson: And Asheville has a huge music scene shindig on the green mountain dance and folk festival, which is the oldest running folk festival in the nation.</p><p>00:13:37.620 –&gt; 00:13:55.020 Darren Nicholson: So, all of a sudden, I started playing with all these amazing musicians and that was just that opened a lot of doors for me and then, once I graduated high school I moved to Hayward county which is between where I was born and then were you know basically finishing school.</p><p>00:13:56.250 –&gt; 00:14:05.010 Joseph McElroy: So did you move your favorite character reason, or is it just that was just what was their destination or just happenstance in life.</p><p>00:14:05.070 –&gt; 00:14:22.110 Darren Nicholson: I think it was just happenstance it was just kind of in between the two places that I’m that I knew and it just kind of made sense I could be in Asheville in 20 minutes or I could be in Jackson county and 20 minutes so and I was close to my son, I had a son and.</p><p>00:14:23.310 –&gt; 00:14:31.440 Darren Nicholson: I fell in love with Haywood county and, more importantly, the people I love the people of Haywood county there’s just a different spirit here.</p><p>00:14:31.770 –&gt; 00:14:32.280 yeah.</p><p>00:14:33.780 –&gt; 00:14:37.530 Joseph McElroy: So you’re welcome you started the stream programs that were using the mandolin.</p><p>00:14:38.850 –&gt; 00:14:56.340 Darren Nicholson: That came later I was playing violin filled and classical music I dabbled in electric music rock and roll all that stuff and I still love that music I’m working on an electric record right now that’ll be out this fall but.</p><p>00:14:57.660 –&gt; 00:14:58.920 Darren Nicholson: In that journey.</p><p>00:15:01.260 –&gt; 00:15:15.900 Darren Nicholson: Insurance I’ve got back to my blue grassroots there’s something about you can go around all way around the world, but it’s hard to get away from the roots and ended up back in bluegrass and I got rid of the violin and got a mandolin.</p><p>00:15:18.270 –&gt; 00:15:23.880 Joseph McElroy: Come back we’ll talk about your journey into balsam range.</p><p>00:15:24.450 –&gt; 00:15:25.710 Darren Nicholson: awesome thanks for having me.</p><p>00:15:25.950 –&gt; 00:15:26.550 hey.</p><p>00:17:44.610 –&gt; 00:17:52.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I guess there and Nicholson.</p><p>00:17:53.400 –&gt; 00:18:04.110 Joseph McElroy: balsam range, so there, and you are a charter member and one of the most iconic bluegrass America and country man’s in the world today.</p><p>00:18:04.830 –&gt; 00:18:16.230 Joseph McElroy: The grammy-nominated balsam range, so I want to stir up a little controversy because I have it on tape of what TIM said so, how did the band come about and how did you come up with your day.</p><p>00:18:18.540 –&gt; 00:18:28.560 Darren Nicholson: The band started in 2007 and buddy Melton and Mark Pruitt had been playing some shows in a local band.</p><p>00:18:29.220 –&gt; 00:18:43.800 Darren Nicholson: A hot water bluegrass company some really good friends of ours I’ve been playing shows around here for years the band is still going you’re still doing a lot of great shows mark and buddy had been playing a lot of these local events around here and.</p><p>00:18:45.420 –&gt; 00:19:02.250 Darren Nicholson: TIM and mark had both played in 2006 played on a solo record that buddy melton did, and that, and then I did want about the same time and mark and TIM both played on those records and.</p><p>00:19:03.690 –&gt; 00:19:10.500 Darren Nicholson: So there was that kind of connection we’d had this we were kind of all in the circles we’re starting to cross.</p><p>00:19:10.950 –&gt; 00:19:22.530 Darren Nicholson: I’ve been traveling on the road for three years, with Alicia Nugent and I hadn’t really played a lot around Haywood county or home, I did this record, but he did one and in early 2007.</p><p>00:19:23.580 –&gt; 00:19:26.250 Darren Nicholson: buddy and mark kind of got the idea</p><p>00:19:27.390 –&gt; 00:19:28.230 Darren Nicholson: to maybe.</p><p>00:19:29.370 –&gt; 00:19:42.270 Darren Nicholson: put me in TIM, and in all of us in the same room to jam a little bit and I don’t know how I’m not sure how Caleb was called into it, I guess buddy had known him from doing some.</p><p>00:19:43.830 –&gt; 00:20:02.700 Darren Nicholson: Some work with a Gospel band that Caleb had for a while and we ended up picking in my kitchen and we did two or three just kinds of jam sessions and a buddy came over one day and said, you know mark and I’ve been playing with water for a while, but.</p><p>00:20:04.080 –&gt; 00:20:18.030 Darren Nicholson: Mark said that you know he’s getting in probably the last, this is probably the last stage of his career because marks getting older and he would like to have one more really good shot at playing bluegrass at.</p><p>00:20:19.200 –&gt; 00:20:23.160 Darren Nicholson: Not just a regional level, but you know, a professional level.</p><p>00:20:23.700 –&gt; 00:20:24.150 and</p><p>00:20:25.590 –&gt; 00:20:39.120 Darren Nicholson: Without I be interested in doing some shows with them, and I said I don’t know I just came off the road you know I don’t and I didn’t want to travel and when the band started the idea was to do a lot of these things around home.</p><p>00:20:40.860 –&gt; 00:20:50.790 Darren Nicholson: But just do it, you know with the band that that caliber band, you know and just kind of play shows around here and next thing you know.</p><p>00:20:51.510 –&gt; 00:21:01.050 Darren Nicholson: We, we had a record deal before we had a name for the band, and we had all these shows on the books and then people were wanting us to come.</p><p>00:21:01.650 –&gt; 00:21:15.300 Darren Nicholson: play in California and play in Seattle play in New York play in Florida, and with the goal was to kind of just keep it around here and play in western North Carolina but he got out of the bank’s pretty quick on us.</p><p>00:21:16.410 –&gt; 00:21:18.600 Darren Nicholson: And that’s a good thing you.</p><p>00:21:18.600 –&gt; 00:21:19.920 Joseph McElroy: know, a good problem to have.</p><p>00:21:20.100 –&gt; 00:21:24.780 Darren Nicholson: We weren’t it’s was nothing that we designed it wasn’t my plan.</p><p>00:21:26.010 –&gt; 00:21:36.780 Darren Nicholson: It was just meant to be and we didn’t really have a name for a band we kicked out around for a while and we’ve all finally decided we were going to give this a shot and.</p><p>00:21:38.130 –&gt; 00:21:42.150 Darren Nicholson: And balsam range is that the range of mountains between.</p><p>00:21:42.660 –&gt; 00:21:54.780 Darren Nicholson: Jackson county but he’s got roots in Jackson County and I’m from there and then all the rest of guys are Haywood county and so that ranger mountain is called the great balsam range and without that would be a little pretentious so we dropped the great.</p><p>00:21:56.010 –&gt; 00:21:57.990 Darren Nicholson: And just went with mediocre balsam range.</p><p>00:22:00.180 –&gt; 00:22:02.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh let’s go well, you gave great.</p><p>00:22:02.700 –&gt; 00:22:07.020 Joseph McElroy: Fantastic so you’ve you know you’ve had some wonderful albums.</p><p>00:22:08.160 –&gt; 00:22:12.720 Joseph McElroy: I think, though, that your latest one is rivers rains and runaway train all right.</p><p>00:22:12.930 –&gt; 00:22:19.620 Darren Nicholson: Ladies single let’s go to be on an album which we’re trying to tablet right now we during the pandemic.</p><p>00:22:20.460 –&gt; 00:22:25.380 Darren Nicholson: We couldn’t really play live shows, but, we did go in the studio and start working on a record.</p><p>00:22:25.830 –&gt; 00:22:40.170 Darren Nicholson: And it’ll be out in the next month or two you know it’ll be out by early fall and late summer early fall and but that’s the second to the latest release that the newest release is called Santa Barbara and.</p><p>00:22:40.770 –&gt; 00:22:43.170 Darren Nicholson: Number one it was number one for the month of June.</p><p>00:22:43.410 –&gt; 00:22:48.870 Joseph McElroy: And I saw that on Facebook I forgot to put I forgot to mention I just saw that on Facebook I love this.</p><p>00:22:50.700 –&gt; 00:22:53.130 Joseph McElroy: nice little video with it a sort of a cartoon video.</p><p>00:22:54.780 –&gt; 00:22:55.890 Joseph McElroy: Yet it’s kind of cool.</p><p>00:22:57.570 –&gt; 00:22:59.970 Joseph McElroy: I like that that was really good so.</p><p>00:23:00.810 –&gt; 00:23:02.970 Darren Nicholson: For singles but the rest of the album’s coming out.</p><p>00:23:03.390 –&gt; 00:23:14.670 Joseph McElroy: cool well, I think, in January, Tim predicted that there would be live performances and be like 2020 you know, we had three, then, are you looking better now you have a lot more performances.</p><p>00:23:15.030 –&gt; 00:23:26.670 Darren Nicholson: Playing really, six, seven days a week, you know cuz I’m balsam range those guys want to do between 40 and 50 rope dates like really big the bigger dates.</p><p>00:23:27.060 –&gt; 00:23:37.110 Darren Nicholson: And that’s about all they’re interested in doing and that’s fine you know that’s what they want to do, but I’m the youngest guy in the band I’m 37.</p><p>00:23:37.530 –&gt; 00:23:41.880 Darren Nicholson: And so you know mark is 70 and I’m 37 and.</p><p>00:23:42.720 –&gt; 00:23:48.420 Darren Nicholson: You know I still have this fire in my belly and I still have this interest to play music and play a lot.</p><p>00:23:48.840 –&gt; 00:23:52.350 Darren Nicholson: yeah I love performing and when I’m not performing.</p><p>00:23:54.090 –&gt; 00:23:57.390 Darren Nicholson: Oh no I just there’s it’s just Denton I.</p><p>00:23:57.840 –&gt; 00:24:03.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh, this is the time for you to really get that whole musician experience, I mean that.</p><p>00:24:05.010 –&gt; 00:24:08.160 Joseph McElroy: You chose, and I could understand that you got it.</p><p>00:24:08.250 –&gt; 00:24:09.240 Darren Nicholson: This is my colleague.</p><p>00:24:09.480 –&gt; 00:24:11.880 Joseph McElroy: You want it, you want to have that moment of.</p><p>00:24:11.970 –&gt; 00:24:14.190 Joseph McElroy: Being this semester I get it.</p><p>00:24:14.670 –&gt; 00:24:15.150 Darren Nicholson: I love it.</p><p>00:24:15.240 –&gt; 00:24:16.470 Joseph McElroy: You know and I’ve missed it in.</p><p>00:24:16.470 –&gt; 00:24:22.830 Darren Nicholson: The last year, of course, I’ve enjoyed being off Cup, because I have traveled since I was 1819 years old, there were some.</p><p>00:24:23.340 –&gt; 00:24:36.360 Darren Nicholson: Some positives you know to you know being offered last year, we got to record more and do things that we wouldn’t normally take the time to do we were forced you know to do things differently, but.</p><p>00:24:37.560 –&gt; 00:24:47.190 Darren Nicholson: that’s okay, sometimes that’s a good thing um you know I wish you know the other people hadn’t have struggled like they had you know, for us to do that, but.</p><p>00:24:47.670 –&gt; 00:25:01.560 Darren Nicholson: This is the this the last year has been one of those situations where look this or there’s a lot of stuff that’s out of our hands, I can either focus on all the negative or I can look at the positives of this and make the best of this yeah and.</p><p>00:25:02.160 –&gt; 00:25:02.910 Joseph McElroy: I guess.</p><p>00:25:04.020 –&gt; 00:25:12.330 Joseph McElroy: I always wanted to do podcasts and I would have never done it without last year, I mean all I regret what the circumstances were I’m doing it and I’m loving it especially this one.</p><p>00:25:13.920 –&gt; 00:25:25.140 Joseph McElroy: So you know we hear about the band, but you know I know I understand that you’re gifted songwriter what somewhat has you what have you written songs for balsam range and what are some of the favorite songs you’ve written.</p><p>00:25:27.030 –&gt; 00:25:29.010 Darren Nicholson: Some of the favorite teams I’ve written.</p><p>00:25:30.660 –&gt; 00:25:39.600 Darren Nicholson: Charles Humphrey and I write more songs with him than anybody else I’ve written with several other people, but Charles and I recently had one.</p><p>00:25:40.530 –&gt; 00:25:51.450 Darren Nicholson: called lonesome is the price, I pay that went number one on an all-star bluegrass section that came out of the record label over there it’s called bluegrass at the crossroads lonesome is the price, I pay.</p><p>00:25:52.320 –&gt; 00:26:00.600 Darren Nicholson: Number one in bluegrass is the first number one I had as a writer I think the balsam range has had about 43 or 44 number one songs.</p><p>00:26:01.500 –&gt; 00:26:10.170 Darren Nicholson: 2007 and but I didn’t write any of them I recently I really haven’t got into songwriting until the last year.</p><p>00:26:10.770 –&gt; 00:26:17.040 Darren Nicholson: I started about three years ago dabbling and last year really started pumping them out and.</p><p>00:26:17.910 –&gt; 00:26:31.920 Darren Nicholson: there’s a song called all night long that’s on the new electric record that I’m really proud of I’m in the process of recording a Gospel song that Eric Gibson and I wrote together call them alive, when I die and.</p><p>00:26:32.910 –&gt; 00:26:37.230 Darren Nicholson: there’s just depends on what mood I’m in there kind of like your children, you know.</p><p>00:26:39.510 –&gt; 00:26:53.040 Joseph McElroy: Somebody asked me once I actually I do little art and somebody asked me what is my favorite painting and I’ll say the last one, and then they’ll say and once you look at you think you need to work on the most again I said, the last one.</p><p>00:26:55.680 –&gt; 00:26:58.020 Darren Nicholson: Taking your kids had somebody asked me like</p><p>00:26:59.430 –&gt; 00:27:17.640 Darren Nicholson: If you had a favorite child, would you let them know, would you tell them and I was like no I was like first of all, you know you if you have you you can’t have a favorite child but me because me I treat my main son and my other kids exactly the same.</p><p>00:27:20.640 –&gt; 00:27:30.150 Joseph McElroy: So the balsam range has not been you’re only history right so you’ve done what with stuff a bunker turnpike and hazel creek and.</p><p>00:27:30.420 –&gt; 00:27:31.260 Darren Nicholson: Local bands.</p><p>00:27:31.320 –&gt; 00:27:32.400 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then.</p><p>00:27:32.910 –&gt; 00:27:33.600 Darren Nicholson: All those guys.</p><p>00:27:34.110 –&gt; 00:27:39.540 Joseph McElroy: And then you toured with Elysia Nugent and you played the grand Ole opry and the iconic right.</p><p>00:27:40.830 –&gt; 00:27:42.900 Joseph McElroy: auditorium how was all bad for you.</p><p>00:27:43.770 –&gt; 00:27:48.390 Darren Nicholson: That was great Alicia’s from Louisiana she’s from the great state of Louisiana and.</p><p>00:27:51.060 –&gt; 00:27:52.110 Darren Nicholson: She was.</p><p>00:27:53.160 –&gt; 00:27:58.920 Darren Nicholson: She was produced I learned a lot during that stretch because her record producer was a guy named Carl Jackson.</p><p>00:27:59.880 –&gt; 00:28:11.550 Darren Nicholson: And Carl Jackson was the bandleader in Glen Campbell’s band for years he started with Jim and Jesse when he was 14 but he also produced and recorded Dolly Parton Emmylou Harris Linda Ronstadt.</p><p>00:28:13.410 –&gt; 00:28:20.700 Darren Nicholson: a lot of heavy hitters Alison Krauss James Taylor he’s recorded and produced everybody in the business and so when.</p><p>00:28:22.170 –&gt; 00:28:32.910 Darren Nicholson: I found out that he was producing delicious records I knew this was an opportunity for a young 19-year-old kid to learn a lot about music-making records singing.</p><p>00:28:33.480 –&gt; 00:28:44.550 Darren Nicholson: And so I was just kind of like a sponge I was just kind of soaked it all up and so those three years are super important to me, you know playing around and altering the first time I did it.</p><p>00:28:44.970 –&gt; 00:28:54.510 Darren Nicholson: Not 10 years old, we opened for Sam Bush the Ryman auditorium with Alicia new Japan went to Europe with that band toured with merle haggard with that band um.</p><p>00:28:55.650 –&gt; 00:29:02.370 Darren Nicholson: gosh the crazy all the crazy things I’m one of those guys who peaked early in their career.</p><p>00:29:04.950 –&gt; 00:29:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Well, I think, when we come back, I want to talk, I want to find out what you think is your proudest accomplishment so far alright.</p><p>00:29:12.210 –&gt; 00:29:12.840 Darren Nicholson: sounds good.</p><p>00:31:46.050 –&gt; 00:31:56.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my gear my guests there Nicholson of balsam range so.</p><p>00:31:56.610 –&gt; 00:32:05.520 Joseph McElroy: There you have toured with merle haggard zac brown George Jones and another holiday in calories musicians to build balsam range and been nominated.</p><p>00:32:05.820 –&gt; 00:32:19.710 Joseph McElroy: For Grammys with them you’ve won some international bluegrass association award yourself and you’ve also done things like getting the order of the long lead pine award, which is the highest North Carolina civilian award and you were in a prestigious.</p><p>00:32:20.910 –&gt; 00:32:37.650 Joseph McElroy: Traditional artist director of the Blue Ridge our heritage scandal and you been inducted in North Carolina folklife Institute in 2008 what is that’s a pretty big resume was already nearly 37, what do you, what is the hardest one so far.</p><p>00:32:39.840 –&gt; 00:32:42.300 Darren Nicholson: Oh gosh um.</p><p>00:32:44.100 –&gt; 00:32:49.680 Darren Nicholson: Man it’d be hard, I mean I guess the grand Ole opry is really all those things are very important to me.</p><p>00:32:50.700 –&gt; 00:32:56.550 Darren Nicholson: The grand Ole opry kind of sticks out it’s probably not as important to people now as it used to be.</p><p>00:32:58.950 –&gt; 00:33:10.020 Darren Nicholson: But you know I just grew up listening, the Grand Ole Opry as a kid you know that was we didn’t the area that we were in you know my parents.</p><p>00:33:11.370 –&gt; 00:33:16.740 Darren Nicholson: They weren’t wealthy we didn’t have a lot, and so we didn’t have cable TV we didn’t have.</p><p>00:33:18.330 –&gt; 00:33:32.880 Darren Nicholson: I didn’t have video games, you know, I was, I was born in 83 this the technology started coming out a lot of the kids I went to school with had video games they’re watching cable and my family didn’t have that but, but we had.</p><p>00:33:34.050 –&gt; 00:33:35.550 Darren Nicholson: Experiences like.</p><p>00:33:36.660 –&gt; 00:33:48.840 Darren Nicholson: You know, we camped the law we went we were out in nature, a lot, but we played music a lot, but the radio was Cadillac TV and theater of the mind.</p><p>00:33:49.470 –&gt; 00:34:01.230 Darren Nicholson: And so you know when late on Friday and Saturday nights after we’d have a jam session at our house, you know I would sit up with my parents and they tune in the Grand Ole opry.</p><p>00:34:03.210 –&gt; 00:34:12.900 Darren Nicholson: And took a CG North Carolina it would come in clear as a bell and I would hear all the great artists George Jones the Osborne brothers Jim and Jesse.</p><p>00:34:14.460 –&gt; 00:34:21.210 Darren Nicholson: You know Tammy Wynette Dolly Parton merle haggard all those you know the greats and.</p><p>00:34:22.260 –&gt; 00:34:33.780 Darren Nicholson: That impacted my life, probably as much and kind of shaped you know who, I am as much as anything but I’ll be honest with you the last year and a half being shut down.</p><p>00:34:34.530 –&gt; 00:34:52.080 Darren Nicholson: um it’s changed my perspective on all those things and kinda getting older and kind of learning like who and what you really are every show is that important to me, every show is as important as the grand Ole opry to me because.</p><p>00:34:53.730 –&gt; 00:35:01.350 Darren Nicholson: Even shows that for years I took for granted, and if you do enough performances, whether you’re in theater or music or whatever.</p><p>00:35:01.710 –&gt; 00:35:08.940 Darren Nicholson: You know if you just do it for a hobby it’s always fun when you start doing something for living it can take the fun out of.</p><p>00:35:09.420 –&gt; 00:35:14.400 Darren Nicholson: It can be like clocking in at the meal and you start playing five or six nights a week and all of a sudden.</p><p>00:35:14.970 –&gt; 00:35:24.120 Darren Nicholson: Sometimes you dread going to play music, the thing that you love, more than anything, you’re like man I gotta I’m we’re out and I’ve got to pour all my energy into this again.</p><p>00:35:24.630 –&gt; 00:35:33.300 Darren Nicholson: You know it’s not like being a clerk at a store where you can just kind of shut it off, or whatever you got to give all of yourself all your energy and so.</p><p>00:35:34.500 –&gt; 00:35:43.590 Darren Nicholson: I would get burnout at times, and you know, then those things go away and you realize, you know I will I’m here to play music.</p><p>00:35:44.190 –&gt; 00:35:56.280 Darren Nicholson: And I don’t care if it’s for five people in a bar in backstreet Haywood county if it’s for 100 people in Maggie Valley for a ticketed event or if it’s for 2000.</p><p>00:35:56.700 –&gt; 00:36:18.570 Darren Nicholson: or 5000 on the grand Ole opry or if it’s an in an auditorium they’re all important to me, and there are stages that are nice and that make you feel good but I’ll just be honest with you the older I get every single performance is the performance of my life, you know.</p><p>00:36:18.630 –&gt; 00:36:25.260 Joseph McElroy: that’s fantastic you know you’ve done you mentioned Europe but you’ve also taken bluegrass music to places.</p><p>00:36:25.710 –&gt; 00:36:37.290 Joseph McElroy: That people wouldn’t normally think of it right you’ve got in the Bahamas in Jamaica and Haiti and Australia with Mexico, what, how is it how’s the reception for bluegrass Sarah yeah what, what do you feel about that.</p><p>00:36:37.920 –&gt; 00:36:48.360 Darren Nicholson: it’s crazy and in 2006 I went to Australia, with the great already by lock who’s coming to the meadowlark lodge and July 17.</p><p>00:36:49.230 –&gt; 00:36:59.850 Darren Nicholson: Already as a professional national touring bluegrass musician I got to do some shows, with him, and one of them was a trip to Australia.</p><p>00:37:00.270 –&gt; 00:37:16.170 Darren Nicholson: And we went to Harriet Ville Australia, we flew into Sydney and then went to Harry Ville so I had a basically a six-hour flight to get to La a 16-hour flight to get to Sydney then a five-hour car ride to get to the festival.</p><p>00:37:18.420 –&gt; 00:37:20.790 Darren Nicholson: that’s what you call passionate for bluegrass.</p><p>00:37:20.850 –&gt; 00:37:21.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah I.</p><p>00:37:21.930 –&gt; 00:37:27.630 Darren Nicholson: got there and man, they were hardcore traditional bluegrass.</p><p>00:37:27.810 –&gt; 00:37:41.880 Darren Nicholson: Well, they weren’t into Alison Krauss in the new bluegrass bands they liked everything from the 1930s and 40s and 50s when you got into the 1960s, it was almost too progressive for them.</p><p>00:37:43.350 –&gt; 00:37:46.380 Darren Nicholson: They love the older mute the older, the better.</p><p>00:37:46.770 –&gt; 00:37:48.780 Darren Nicholson: And it just goes to show you.</p><p>00:37:49.080 –&gt; 00:37:56.670 Darren Nicholson: How deep these roots the roots of this music run and they are just fanatical about it over there, the.</p><p>00:37:56.760 –&gt; 00:38:00.180 Darren Nicholson: the moment I consider I consider bluegrass world music.</p><p>00:38:00.630 –&gt; 00:38:01.590 Darren Nicholson: Right yeah.</p><p>00:38:02.400 –&gt; 00:38:11.910 Joseph McElroy: Like you know you got things coming folk music coming from overseas and they talk about world music, but I think bluegrass fits well into that tradition of what is World music.</p><p>00:38:12.450 –&gt; 00:38:17.400 Darren Nicholson: yeah for sure, a lot of the great a lot of the bluegrass.</p><p>00:38:18.930 –&gt; 00:38:27.510 Darren Nicholson: Historical pieces, like the instruments, the big money instruments and the historical pieces that belonged to the stars of bluegrass are the.</p><p>00:38:27.930 –&gt; 00:38:40.830 Darren Nicholson: founding fathers of bluegrass are in Japan there’s this huge Japanese bluegrass interest in it and they come here when we have the international bluegrass music association in Raleigh there’s the great.</p><p>00:38:42.270 –&gt; 00:38:51.750 Darren Nicholson: bluegrass band from Italy called find one when we say it’s international bluegrass music association that’s it’s, not just for Kentucky and North Carolina.</p><p>00:38:53.040 –&gt; 00:39:03.360 Darren Nicholson: And they’re so New York has all these crazy bluegrass festivals, the Gibson brothers who want entertainer of the year they’re from upstate New York, you know and.</p><p>00:39:04.890 –&gt; 00:39:07.230 Joseph McElroy: More New York, and I have in North Carolina.</p><p>00:39:10.950 –&gt; 00:39:22.020 Darren Nicholson: People all over the country love it, you know my dad and my mom met and got married out in Seattle and there’s a huge Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:39:24.180 –&gt; 00:39:28.800 Darren Nicholson: population and around Seattle see Willie Denton.</p><p>00:39:30.000 –&gt; 00:39:37.680 Darren Nicholson: Lyman concrete and there are so many tar heels that went out there in the 50s and 60s too long, they were part of the login.</p><p>00:39:38.370 –&gt; 00:39:48.060 Darren Nicholson: Say Okay, then so when they went out there to work they took the music in the same way that’s how I got into Detroit and that’s how I got into Michigan when they went to work in the auto.</p><p>00:39:48.330 –&gt; 00:39:49.140 Darren Nicholson: factories of.</p><p>00:39:49.470 –&gt; 00:39:53.010 Darren Nicholson: Ford and General Motors took bluegrass with them.</p><p>00:39:53.280 –&gt; 00:39:53.700 You know.</p><p>00:39:54.960 –&gt; 00:40:00.360 Joseph McElroy: That was the manufacturing time of the United States and all these people from the Appalachian when all over the place yeah.</p><p>00:40:02.130 –&gt; 00:40:14.910 Joseph McElroy: hillbilly Elegy they told you all about that that was cool so let’s bring it back to closer to home, so you guys have participated in our traditional religion or less how did that come about.</p><p>00:40:15.960 –&gt; 00:40:28.710 Darren Nicholson: Well we’ve been doing a concert series at home for years, a winner concert series and we started, because we want to do something for a charity local charity and we play a lot of charitable events throughout the year.</p><p>00:40:30.000 –&gt; 00:40:38.130 Darren Nicholson: We just wanted to do something to give back to the community it’s been so good, to us, we want to provide music in the winter that was during a slow time but also creates</p><p>00:40:39.720 –&gt; 00:40:50.010 Darren Nicholson: to stimulate the economy, bring people into you know buy meals hotel rooms in the wintertime when it’s generally slow and we did that for years and years.</p><p>00:40:50.520 –&gt; 00:41:07.380 Darren Nicholson: And it just got to a point where those shows were selling out in the same 300 people where they would buy tickets in advance, and we were just playing to the same 300 people every time you know and that’s fine, but you know if something’s not growing then it’s dying.</p><p>00:41:07.800 –&gt; 00:41:14.430 Darren Nicholson: And so let’s grow this thing let’s do it in a bigger venue like Juneau Alaska was the perfect place for it.</p><p>00:41:14.850 –&gt; 00:41:23.370 Darren Nicholson: Like for people who don’t know like journalists, because the world Methodist headquarters, but they’ve got this amazing venue that sits right on the lake in the heart of Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:41:24.990 –&gt; 00:41:45.210 Darren Nicholson: And they have lodged there they do you know they’ve got all kinds of meals shuttles they’ve got it’s the perfect setup for a festival and it’s indoors so the weather can’t wreck it, you know festivals in the summer any other time yeah it could be rain, it could be.</p><p>00:41:45.600 –&gt; 00:41:59.280 Darren Nicholson: yeah angry, you know, unless it just comes a major blizzard the weather can’t record and I’d like to Alaska and it stimulates the economy and it does something good for Western North Carolina and.</p><p>00:41:59.280 –&gt; 00:42:01.890 Joseph McElroy: What was that, like what is it in December every year.</p><p>00:42:02.100 –&gt; 00:42:03.690 Darren Nicholson: The first weekend of December we.</p><p>00:42:04.200 –&gt; 00:42:12.480 Darren Nicholson: yeah we got with the tourism Board and the slowest economic weekend for tourism every year was the weekend after thanksgiving.</p><p>00:42:12.540 –&gt; 00:42:13.080 Yes.</p><p>00:42:14.910 –&gt; 00:42:22.500 Darren Nicholson: After thanksgiving before Christmas, and so we’re like hey let’s do it then and now it’s one of the biggest ones for the whole year for the hey we can.</p><p>00:42:22.860 –&gt; 00:42:39.060 Joseph McElroy: cool so you do a lot of things like you said, besides balsam range you got your own band there and nickel so band, do you do solo shows, but you also perform with your wife janitor, who is a super talented musician, can you tell us what to do with her.</p><p>00:42:39.510 –&gt; 00:42:44.460 Darren Nicholson: The audio blocks first cousin I can’t tell you everything I do with her.</p><p>00:42:47.790 –&gt; 00:42:48.240 Joseph McElroy: for that.</p><p>00:42:49.590 –&gt; 00:42:51.270 Darren Nicholson: hey you put it on a TEE I’m swinging.</p><p>00:42:53.430 –&gt; 00:43:03.300 Darren Nicholson: yeah she’s an incredible musician she’s the vocal music director and director of choirs at Asheville high school and so she’s actually an educated musician</p><p>00:43:04.260 –&gt; 00:43:15.060 Darren Nicholson: She teaches music theory piano incredible singer, and so we do shows like that something fun, for us, we don’t know why we haven’t done it in years past but.</p><p>00:43:15.660 –&gt; 00:43:21.360 Darren Nicholson: We just kind of start doing it for fun and it’s taken off and people are wanting to see that do it, we do.</p><p>00:43:22.110 –&gt; 00:43:36.840 Darren Nicholson: it’s totally different will do sitting on the dock of the bay, will do a wreath of Franklin tunes and so for someone who’s known for playing bluegrass and mostly original music people can come see me in a whole different you know, so I get to let my hair down.</p><p>00:43:37.170 –&gt; 00:43:39.060 Joseph McElroy: And where’s the next picture good play with her.</p><p>00:43:39.990 –&gt; 00:43:40.710 Darren Nicholson: Oh gosh.</p><p>00:43:42.150 –&gt; 00:43:46.680 Darren Nicholson: I’d have to look on the calendar five or six nights a week go to dare nicholson.net.</p><p>00:43:47.910 –&gt; 00:43:56.280 Joseph McElroy: Go to the website very good, so we come back let’s talk about the band camp, but who’s gonna be involved in that and that’s worth a.</p><p>00:43:57.000 –&gt; 00:43:57.390 awesome.</p><p>00:46:31.980 –&gt; 00:46:38.730 Joseph McElroy: Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Darren Nicholson, so there.</p><p>00:46:39.690 –&gt; 00:46:55.260 Joseph McElroy: You are I guess you and I got together with Bob plot we cooked up and really fantastic event that there where there is sort of almost the inaugural event of the new metal or smoky mountain hairdo Center makers commit the middle or motel.</p><p>00:46:56.580 –&gt; 00:47:05.340 Joseph McElroy: And it’s called the dare Nicholson all-star bluegrass can’t band camp is kind of an all-star concert, can you tell us how you came up with that event, I think that was you to come up with it right.</p><p>00:47:06.000 –&gt; 00:47:19.980 Darren Nicholson: Well, you know Bob is another guy who supports a lot of great events in western North Carolina and knows the culture here and the people and I play a lot of shows around here play with a damn Nicholson band play with balsam range people can see me.</p><p>00:47:21.690 –&gt; 00:47:30.060 Darren Nicholson: Whenever about whenever they want to you know, so the idea for going to do something at this new place is to.</p><p>00:47:30.570 –&gt; 00:47:39.480 Darren Nicholson: How can we do something that’s completely different and one of the things that we’ve done at the balsam range art of music festival that’s been wildly popular.</p><p>00:47:39.960 –&gt; 00:47:53.880 Darren Nicholson: Are these workshops and even for people who don’t play they like to come to them, just to watch just to find out, I think more about the artist and be with the artist and an intimate setting so they can ask questions.</p><p>00:47:54.420 –&gt; 00:48:10.440 Darren Nicholson: I think a lot of people as fans are just curious about the music sometimes or the musicians and whether they’re actually in there, wanting to study and learn an instrument, I think they’re just fascinated and curious you know.</p><p>00:48:11.640 –&gt; 00:48:17.430 Darren Nicholson: Because when you buy a concert ticket, you know there’s kind of a wall there that’s it that’s as far as you’re going to get.</p><p>00:48:17.460 –&gt; 00:48:22.680 Darren Nicholson: you’re going to enjoy the show, but you don’t really get to know the artist.</p><p>00:48:23.700 –&gt; 00:48:29.280 Darren Nicholson: Personally, or ask questions or this and that even about the music or how it got started or.</p><p>00:48:29.880 –&gt; 00:48:43.860 Darren Nicholson: Like you know what your influences are this or that or why do you play this certain style or why do you choose this answer homeowner you know or this PIC or whatever, and so it’s just this is a way to get behind the curtain a little bit you know.</p><p>00:48:44.400 –&gt; 00:48:48.780 Joseph McElroy: and tell me about the all-star people that you’ve got involved with here.</p><p>00:48:48.900 –&gt; 00:48:57.960 Darren Nicholson: Well we’ve got the great audible a lot who’s coming to a lot of people know his bluegrass history from playing with Jimmy Martin and Rhonda Vincent but he’s and Michael Cleveland he.</p><p>00:48:58.740 –&gt; 00:49:12.720 Darren Nicholson: he’s just been a part of some of the most legendary bluegrass lineups of the last 40 years and incredible singer and guitar player and he doesn’t play in this area very much which is.</p><p>00:49:13.290 –&gt; 00:49:23.250 Darren Nicholson: Really cool trick, for if you’re going to get a ticket or see an event, this is going to be a chance to see a rare bird right here in Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:49:24.210 –&gt; 00:49:31.530 Darren Nicholson: Eric Ellis is going to be playing the five-string banjo and Eric is one of the greatest traditional bluegrass banjo players.</p><p>00:49:32.190 –&gt; 00:49:43.470 Darren Nicholson: Ever he’s like a mark Pruitt or Steve Sutton at that level, you know and he’s a guy who he’s another one of these Western North Carolina he’s from around the Wilkes Barre area.</p><p>00:49:44.070 –&gt; 00:50:00.210 Darren Nicholson: And he’s gonna be traveling down I don’t get to pick with him very much just because of our schedules, but what an honor to get to play with that man and then read Jones is gonna be playing bass great singer-songwriter he plays an oldies band.</p><p>00:50:01.620 –&gt; 00:50:05.910 Darren Nicholson: If you like serious no.</p><p>00:50:07.050 –&gt; 00:50:14.940 Darren Nicholson: No frills like take the gloves off serious bluegrass music, this will be the show to come to.</p><p>00:50:15.870 –&gt; 00:50:17.550 Joseph McElroy: I mean chuck you haven’t.</p><p>00:50:18.480 –&gt; 00:50:24.030 Darren Nicholson: yeah they’re doing the workshops if you want to do a base workshop banjo or band workshop.</p><p>00:50:25.740 –&gt; 00:50:41.490 Darren Nicholson: I like the band workshops, you know how the all the parts work together, you know it’s just like if you go see a rock and roll band, why do the bass and the drums, why did they do this together, why did that you know how does this work like a machine, you know.</p><p>00:50:41.820 –&gt; 00:50:47.700 Joseph McElroy: How to how to put a take the raw song and putting together as a band song is that.</p><p>00:50:48.060 –&gt; 00:51:02.970 Darren Nicholson: Like a baseball team, you can take nine amazing talented players and they’re not a very good team, because they don’t know how to play together and you could take nine mediocre guys who know how to play together and they’ll be the best.</p><p>00:51:04.170 –&gt; 00:51:07.710 Darren Nicholson: You can that they know how to make a band, you know.</p><p>00:51:09.360 –&gt; 00:51:10.920 Darren Nicholson: totally different mindset yeah.</p><p>00:51:11.370 –&gt; 00:51:18.720 Joseph McElroy: And there and the concert you guys are sort of going to be ad-libbing as you go right or do you ever did you put together some ideas.</p><p>00:51:18.780 –&gt; 00:51:19.500 Darren Nicholson: gosh no.</p><p>00:51:21.300 –&gt; 00:51:30.870 Darren Nicholson: I want you to know people who buy a ticket when you buy a ticket, this is your experience, if you want a song, if you want to hear if we know it we’re gonna do it.</p><p>00:51:31.020 –&gt; 00:51:32.550 Joseph McElroy: You know, take requests.</p><p>00:51:33.510 –&gt; 00:51:36.720 Darren Nicholson: I mean if we know them we do better on the ones we know, obviously we.</p><p>00:51:37.770 –&gt; 00:51:40.380 Darren Nicholson: Probably won’t do heaven my baby by Paul Anka.</p><p>00:51:43.560 –&gt; 00:51:44.220 Darren Nicholson: rocky top.</p><p>00:51:44.520 –&gt; 00:51:48.330 Joseph McElroy: You can’t do that as a blue dress.</p><p>00:51:50.070 –&gt; 00:51:51.270 Darren Nicholson: I wouldn’t do that period.</p><p>00:51:54.150 –&gt; 00:51:58.800 Joseph McElroy: covers you know they got snoop dogg’s gin and juice as a.</p><p>00:52:02.280 –&gt; 00:52:05.250 Darren Nicholson: a lot of crazy bluegrass lacking Egyptians were.</p><p>00:52:07.770 –&gt; 00:52:11.490 Joseph McElroy: So, so how do people find out more about you and how they follow you.</p><p>00:52:12.900 –&gt; 00:52:25.620 Darren Nicholson: I’ve got a Facebook page then Nicholson, music and Darren Nicholson band, of course, balsam range has a Twitter Instagram if you look up Darren Nicholson or balsam range.</p><p>00:52:26.070 –&gt; 00:52:36.240 Darren Nicholson: And same way balsamrange.com is the band website there nicholson.net and .com was already taken I’m not a Nascar driver.</p><p>00:52:41.100 –&gt; 00:52:42.630 Darren Nicholson: a hell of a lot of speeding tickets.</p><p>00:52:43.710 –&gt; 00:52:44.910 Darren Nicholson: i’m almost qualified.</p><p>00:52:45.210 –&gt; 00:52:48.270 Joseph McElroy: NASCAR came out of bounds in North Carolina did.</p><p>00:52:48.600 –&gt; 00:52:50.970 Darren Nicholson: john in baby yeah running.</p><p>00:52:53.760 –&gt; 00:52:54.690 Joseph McElroy: A couple paths.</p><p>00:52:55.020 –&gt; 00:52:56.970 Darren Nicholson: Exactly illegal.</p><p>00:52:57.420 –&gt; 00:52:58.410 Joseph McElroy: There so.</p><p>00:52:59.820 –&gt; 00:53:03.630 Joseph McElroy: I know you’re good to fly fishermen where’s the best place to go fly fishing.</p><p>00:53:05.850 –&gt; 00:53:10.560 Darren Nicholson: In Haywood county, I grew up in Jackson that’s where I grew up fishing I go over there.</p><p>00:53:10.710 –&gt; 00:53:12.720 Joseph McElroy: Okay where’s the best place there that.</p><p>00:53:12.840 –&gt; 00:53:27.090 Darren Nicholson: I love candy for can I love tech a CG tech-savvy river and I gotta brag on Jackson county I’m playing there this Friday for my buddy Kelly, who does the concert on the creek, but they also in their big tourism thing Jackson county is now the</p><p>00:53:29.160 –&gt; 00:53:38.130 Darren Nicholson: trap capital of North Carolina so when you come to Haywood county and staff to meadowlark you’re only about 20 minutes away from the trout capital if you choose not to fish.</p><p>00:53:38.130 –&gt; 00:53:38.760 Joseph McElroy: I actually.</p><p>00:53:40.050 –&gt; 00:53:46.290 Joseph McElroy: mentioned that Jackson hey we’ve got to get together and I believe that they’ve made themselves together with the trout capital.</p><p>00:53:48.660 –&gt; 00:53:49.560 Darren Nicholson: Joint custody.</p><p>00:53:49.770 –&gt; 00:53:51.210 Joseph McElroy: is doing custody yeah I.</p><p>00:53:51.210 –&gt; 00:53:52.320 Darren Nicholson: got joint custody.</p><p>00:53:53.610 –&gt; 00:54:02.010 Joseph McElroy: ELISE I’ll say so, because we have a travel blog we’re going to the back of in the middle, like when you there we got to travel far we have I’m out here just traps true.</p><p>00:54:03.390 –&gt; 00:54:03.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:54:04.440 –&gt; 00:54:08.640 Darren Nicholson: Everywhere in western North Carolina but I mean come on this is this is.</p><p>00:54:08.670 –&gt; 00:54:12.480 Joseph McElroy: it’s trapped country this chapter well, thank you for being on our show.</p><p>00:54:13.500 –&gt; 00:54:14.430 Joseph McElroy: I love your shirt.</p><p>00:54:14.970 –&gt; 00:54:16.140 Darren Nicholson: Oh, let me share it, dude.</p><p>00:54:16.140 –&gt; 00:54:20.520 Joseph McElroy: live it up is technically called planets it’s camouflage plan.</p><p>00:54:21.240 –&gt; 00:54:24.300 Darren Nicholson: You look like you’re about to invade Sherwin Williams.</p><p>00:54:26.580 –&gt; 00:54:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Where can I be camouflage.</p><p>00:54:29.670 –&gt; 00:54:31.380 Darren Nicholson: I really do like the shirt man, I like.</p><p>00:54:31.680 –&gt; 00:54:33.000 Joseph McElroy: Maybe i’ll send you a.</p><p>00:54:34.860 –&gt; 00:54:50.400 Joseph McElroy: So I got I want to mention that we’re on the top radio dot NYC network where there’s a lot of interesting shows, and I recommend you listen to a lot of podcasts every day and ranging in content from you know.</p><p>00:54:51.150 –&gt; 00:54:59.160 Joseph McElroy: The self-help to travel shows so it’s got a lot of dynamic content everybody here is very serious about what they’re doing after.</p><p>00:54:59.700 –&gt; 00:55:12.630 Joseph McElroy: After this shows is one on New York, so you can go from the mountains of North Carolina to New York City and find out places to go, maybe in that, but a skyscraper or the top of the mountain just by listening one evening.</p><p>00:55:14.430 –&gt; 00:55:30.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah you can find out more about this podcast at the gateway to the smokies dot fun all right, or you can go to facebook.com slash faith a gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:55:31.980 –&gt; 00:55:40.620 Joseph McElroy: and find out more about what’s happening next week we’re going to have Neil Hutchinson here, which should be very interesting.</p><p>00:55:42.000 –&gt; 00:55:42.870 Joseph McElroy: podcast.</p><p>00:55:43.920 –&gt; 00:55:59.130 Joseph McElroy: And I look forward to seeing you it’s every the same week every day, every time from one I mean from six until seven on Tuesdays and thank you for listening to the gateway to the smokies by there’s.</p><p>00:55:59.190 –&gt; 00:56:00.990 Darren Nicholson: so much for having me really appreciate it.</p> c973fb3a-ba78-438d-ad47-814656094935 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/9940542b-29fa-4328-b7f6-6e4472f45e82 Tue, 06 Jul 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2978 no full Episode 24: Generations of Ginseng in the Smoky Mountains Episode 24: Generations of Ginseng in the Smoky Mountains Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Gateway to the Smokies Podcast hosted by our very own Joseph McElroy, Owner of the <em>Meadowlark Motel</em> in Maggie Valley, NC with our special guest <strong>Jim Hamilton, </strong>an extension agent and county director at <em>NC State Cooperative Extension</em> and an adjunct professor at ASU, as well as a former instructor at Haywood Community College.</p><p>Jim has a PhD in forestry and teaches workshops across the region including an upcoming date at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center on August 28th. They will be discussing the generations of ginseng in the Smoky Mountains.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/6snWe4oP1z/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3><strong>Show Notes</strong></h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s episode starts off with our host Joseph McElroy announcing tons of exciting upcoming events that our audience can look forward to. From concerts, to award programs, talk shows, and campfires, there are a plethora of events that people can enjoy in the Smoky Mountain and North Carolina region. After announcements, Joseph introduces the special guest of the day, Jim Hamilton. Jim talks about his journey to how he became a professor, county director, and so interested in ginseng in the local community.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, the two talk more about turtles being the state reptile of North Carolina and bring up Jim’s nickname, Jimseng. Jim then talks about where that name came from and all the benefits and other facts about ginseng. He explains how he became interested in the local ginseng and where his passion originates from. They discuss how important ginseng is essential to the economy and go further into the different types of ginseng, their history, and their benefits. Jim tells stories of famous pioneers and explorers who came across ginseng, such as Daniel Boone, and how it served as a food source and for health purposes.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>The next segment starts off with a discussion on stereotypes regarding ginseng hunting on television shows. Jim clarifies the negative stereotypes and misunderstandings of people illegally harvesting ginseng and that he works with people to specifically protect the ginseng in the local Smoky Mountains area. Next, Jim talks about where to buy ginseng and what he does with them. He explains how different countries, for example Korea, China, buys ginseng differently than how one might in North Carolina. Joseph then asks Jim about his book, The Last Entry, which is a fictional book that follows a young man in the mountain area.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>For the last segment, Jim Hamilton and Joseph talk more about planting and growing ginseng in your own backyard. Jim talks about what he recommends people to do in the Smoky Mountain areas. He recommends taking a morning hike to watch the sunrise and local restaurants with great food for lunch and other fun activities that visitors can do throughout the day.</p> Video thumbnail

Special Guest: Jim Hamilton, is an extension agent and county director at NC State Cooperative Extension and an adjunct professor at ASU, as well as a former instructor at Haywood Community College.

Jim has a Ph.D. in forestry and teaches workshops across the region including an upcoming date at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center on August 28th. They will be discussing the generations of ginseng in the Smoky Mountains.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Today’s episode starts off with our host Joseph McElroy announcing tons of exciting upcoming events that our audience can look forward to. From concerts to award programs, talk shows, and campfires, there are a plethora of events that people can enjoy in the Smoky Mountain and North Carolina region. After announcements, Joseph introduces the special guest of the day, Jim Hamilton. Jim talks about his journey to how he became a professor, county director, and so interested in ginseng in the local community.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, the two talks more about turtles being the state reptile of North Carolina and bring up Jim’s nickname, Jimseng. Jim then talks about where that name came from and all the benefits and other facts about ginseng. He explains how he became interested in the local ginseng and where his passion originates from. They discuss how important ginseng is essential to the economy and go further into the different types of ginseng, their history, and their benefits. Jim tells stories of famous pioneers and explorers who came across ginseng, such as Daniel Boone, and how it served as a food source and for health purposes.

Segment 3

The next segment starts off with a discussion on stereotypes regarding ginseng hunting on television shows. Jim clarifies the negative stereotypes and misunderstandings of people illegally harvesting ginseng and that he works with people to specifically protect the ginseng in the local Smoky Mountains area. Next, Jim talks about where to buy ginseng and what he does with them. He explains how different countries, for example, Korea, and China, buy ginseng differently than how one might in North Carolina. Joseph then asks Jim about his book, The Last Entry, which is a fictional book that follows a young man in the mountain area.

Segment 4

For the last segment, Jim Hamilton and Joseph talk more about planting and growing ginseng in your own backyard. Jim talks about what he recommends people to do in the Smoky Mountain areas. He recommends taking a morning hike to watch the sunrise and local restaurants with great food for lunch and other fun activities that visitors can do throughout the day.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:34.710 –> 00:00:39.840 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:40.350 –> 00:00:47.940 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:48.330 –> 00:00:56.940 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:57.510 –> 00:01:06.480 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smokies for over 200 years.

00:01:06.930 –> 00:01:15.450 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today’s podcast is about generations of ginseng in the smoky mountains.

00:01:16.140 –> 00:01:27.690 Joseph McElroy: But first let me tell you about a little bit coming up, upcoming event smokies adventures sponsoring events at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center this summer at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley.

00:01:28.140 –> 00:01:35.640 Joseph McElroy: There are four heritage-themed events already booked for July and August, including the plot this reunion weekend on July 9 or 10th.

00:01:36.030 –> 00:01:48.780 Joseph McElroy: With mechanical bear bait demos programs and music, then we have the dare Nicholson all-star band camp or concert with seminars, presented by iconic musicians on Saturday of.

00:01:50.160 –> 00:01:54.120 Joseph McElroy: July 17 along with a concert on Saturday night.

00:01:54.900 –> 00:02:03.480 Joseph McElroy: There are landing and Charles Miller lifetime achievement award program will be with the seminars, music, and talks will be on July 31.

00:02:03.750 –> 00:02:16.380 Joseph McElroy: And the Horrace Kephart festival weekend on August 13 and 14th two days, full of heights music programs with nationally known our author’s artists and filmmakers musicians and explorers will be.

00:02:17.010 –> 00:02:27.930 Joseph McElroy: There we’re also pleased to announce it, in addition to new big events in August, the mountain the Meadowlark mountain heritage festival on August 7 through he has to be.

00:02:28.230 –> 00:02:37.620 Joseph McElroy: This will be a fun-filled week weekend featuring Cherokee storytelling and mass carving from the incomparable David are Davey arch.

00:02:38.040 –> 00:02:49.800 Joseph McElroy: Traditional music with Tandon Silver and the meadowlark ramblers or frontier camp with period-correct demos pertaining to a variety of topics, including high tanning blacksmiths.

00:02:50.280 –> 00:03:06.360 Joseph McElroy: flintlock firearms Pottering wildcrafted hosted by renowned experts in their respective CEOs fields such as I a hatter Randall peers kin partner, Brian Nolan Charlie brown corey plot David Brown and much more.

00:03:06.810 –> 00:03:14.220 Joseph McElroy: And then the weekend of August 27 through 29th there’s a natural since traditional skills, we can.

00:03:14.700 –> 00:03:26.310 Joseph McElroy: for reaching a big featuring a variety of experts in their field, including ginseng expert Jim Hamilton is our guest today Abby Martin artemisia known owner and.

00:03:26.700 –> 00:03:36.450 Joseph McElroy: walk founder of the wonderful school award-winning Cherokee naturalist Tyson Samson Adam Bigelow of big a little bit technical excursions.

00:03:36.840 –> 00:03:48.630 Joseph McElroy: acclaimed author and naturalist Renae Winchester Harold health and hair loom seed expert author musician William Ritter was a previous guest on the show.

00:03:49.050 –> 00:03:58.830 Joseph McElroy: Plott hound program and book signing with Bob Plott and other guests and Jacob Morgan Plott Sunday morning traditional music and service with William Ritter.

00:03:59.130 –> 00:04:08.250 Joseph McElroy: And Sarah Ogletree along with additional music throughout the weekend, with Camden silver and the Meadowlark ramblers Michael Ogletree and William Ritter.

00:04:10.050 –> 00:04:16.590 Joseph McElroy: I also announced, we have the initiative may Maggie rainwater to the Meadowlark

00:04:17.700 –> 00:04:29.490 Joseph McElroy: Mountain heritage team who’s going to do PR and advertising for all events and podcasts and represent some of the top names in America and bluegrass music fields welcome Maggie.

00:04:29.910 –> 00:04:42.120 Joseph McElroy: Most events at the Meadowlark Smoky Heritage Centers smoking out here just centers is free from hotel guests and then there’s a mission fee for Non-guest call to 89261717.

00:04:42.540 –> 00:04:59.130 Joseph McElroy: To put book your rooms, or for further information, there’s any stuff going on, so do you listen to this podcast after the fact, and after the summer of 2021 reach out because there’s going to be stuff going on all year round and they’re all going to be quality events like this, so.

00:05:00.240 –> 00:05:15.270 Joseph McElroy: Our podcast today is about ginseng and culture ginseng in the smoky mountains and I wasn’t you know I look around for poetry sometimes and things related to what the guest is going to be talking about that’s meaningful to me.

00:05:16.620 –> 00:05:26.790 Joseph McElroy: And you know I didn’t find a poem at work, but I found a bluegrass song the original author was Norman Blake and I think he performed it as well, what I found one that was.

00:05:28.920 –> 00:05:36.690 Joseph McElroy: Something that involves the popular bluegrass legend Tim Rice, who has been mentioned several times on this show by

00:05:36.960 –> 00:05:51.300 Joseph McElroy: My Tim Cert and balsam range a couple of others and Darren Nicholson and also arrange will be here next week’s to talk about the bluegrass band camp and he’ll probably mention that maybe mentioned Tim Rice raw I will I prod them to anyway.

00:05:52.410 –> 00:06:02.100 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, the lyrics of this song are relevant, I think, to today’s show and so I’m going to read this army as I’m not a singer and I don’t want to violate copyright law so.

00:06:03.600 –> 00:06:14.130 Joseph McElroy: So about three miles from the bed to a yard from the reverse curve on down not far south of the town depot Sullivan Shack was found.

00:06:14.880 –> 00:06:27.360 Joseph McElroy: Back on the higher ground, you can see him every day walking down the line, with an old brown sack or crosses back and as long hair down behind speaking is worried mine.

00:06:28.590 –> 00:06:36.720 Joseph McElroy: it’s a long way to the delta from the north Georgia hills a tote sack full of urgency will pay no traveling bill.

00:06:37.860 –> 00:06:44.640 Joseph McElroy: Now I’m too old to ride the rails or thumb the road alone, so I guess I’ll never make it back home.

00:06:45.660 –> 00:06:48.420 Joseph McElroy: My muddy waters Mississippi delta on.

00:06:49.890 –> 00:07:01.050 Joseph McElroy: What is here the winters here they get too cold the damp and makes me ill can dig their roots in the mountainside of the frozen ground froze hard and still.

00:07:01.770 –> 00:07:13.350 Joseph McElroy: gotta stay on the foot of the Hill, but I make summer when things turn right the companies will pay high I’ll make enough money to pay my bills and bid these mountains goodbye.

00:07:14.280 –> 00:07:24.390 Joseph McElroy: Then he said, where the side it’s a long way to the delta from the north Georgia hills attempts at full of June saying will pay no traveling bills.

00:07:24.720 –> 00:07:35.190 Joseph McElroy: No I’m too old to ride the rails or thumb the road alone so I’ll guess I’ll never make it back to home, my muddy water Mississippi delta home.

00:07:36.210 –> 00:07:52.170 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so my guest today is Jim Hamilton who’s an acclaimed novelist who has a Ph.D. in forestry is a country as a county director for the nc state cooperative extension and as an adjunct professor at Appalachian State University, how are you doing Jim.

00:07:52.890 –> 00:07:56.940 Jim Hamilton: Great Joseph thanks for having me on your show on your podcasts great.

00:07:57.540 –> 00:08:02.730 Joseph McElroy: I’m so glad you’re here, so are you originally in North Carolina right.

00:08:03.030 –> 00:08:04.290 Jim Hamilton: I am not.

00:08:05.430 –> 00:08:22.830 Jim Hamilton: Originally yeah I hail from a little small town in Alabama southeast to Birmingham, where you can see, the last hanging toenail of the Appalachians from the highest point you know, on on the home property but I’ve lived in North Carolina now for about 20 years and.

00:08:23.580 –> 00:08:24.330 Jim Hamilton: You know it’s a.

00:08:24.570 –> 00:08:29.910 Jim Hamilton: Even though my kids were born here they’ll never be local you know takes like eight generations in a good killing.

00:08:31.410 –> 00:08:33.690 Jim Hamilton: The data to really qualify but uh.

00:08:33.780 –> 00:08:39.150 Joseph McElroy: yeah about 20 years ago people start accepting the Community, it might not call you can call your friend.

00:08:39.450 –> 00:08:39.750 Right.

00:08:42.780 –> 00:08:45.720 Joseph McElroy: So I was brought to your school or was that when.

00:08:46.230 –> 00:08:48.780 Jim Hamilton: I came to North came to nc state for.

00:08:49.020 –> 00:08:58.680 Jim Hamilton: For Grad school in forestry and wound up in in the mountains of looking at working with the Christmas tree industry, so I started.

00:08:59.790 –> 00:09:09.300 Jim Hamilton: started with cooperative extension and drifted back to hey over to Haywood county where I was and I taught a hey what Community college and then.

00:09:10.020 –> 00:09:19.020 Jim Hamilton: Then back up to Boone to sort of lead the shop here at the county extension office, so you know by I’m a couple of hours from the Meadowlark down there.

00:09:19.980 –> 00:09:21.720 Joseph McElroy: nc state, you know I went to do.

00:09:22.980 –> 00:09:23.520 Joseph McElroy: The.

00:09:25.320 –> 00:09:26.640 Joseph McElroy: nice little rivalry, I remember.

00:09:27.300 –> 00:09:28.620 Jim Hamilton: I took a class at Duke.

00:09:30.060 –> 00:09:30.810 Jim Hamilton: nc state.

00:09:32.010 –> 00:09:37.650 Jim Hamilton: The folks studying forestry at Duke would come over to nc state to take real for St.

00:09:39.270 –> 00:09:43.620 Jim Hamilton: Jude is the forestry student from the state we go to do to take the policy classes.

00:09:44.940 –> 00:09:54.870 Joseph McElroy: Well, I remember once going over to nc state or some fraternity brothers and we took cool so we covered a bunch of statues, is that something that they do now or did I don’t remember what it was.

00:09:56.100 –> 00:09:56.640 Jim Hamilton: Oh man.

00:09:57.000 –> 00:10:02.520 Joseph McElroy: All right, so you’re naturally to say that we just say, what do you do up there now.

00:10:02.550 –> 00:10:06.360 Jim Hamilton: What do you do, I just teach one class a year at

00:10:06.420 –> 00:10:20.760 Jim Hamilton: Appalachian state I’m an adjunct instructor but my day job is is with the cooperative extension and we’re the outreach arm for the university so we’re we provide you know research reach research-based and technical information.

00:10:21.210 –> 00:10:30.330 Jim Hamilton: To farmers, landowners master gardeners cattle producers Christmas tree growers, you name it we’re sort of the one-stop-shop for.

00:10:31.080 –> 00:10:43.170 Jim Hamilton: Agricultural information and property information in each of the counties every county in North Carolina has an extension office and I wound up here in Boone.

00:10:43.710 –> 00:10:52.050 Joseph McElroy: wow So if I wanted to start a BlackBerry farm and an iron Haywood county I’d be dealing with somebody like you.

00:10:52.110 –> 00:10:56.700 Jim Hamilton: Right that’s right you, you would call a bill Skelton is yours is the.

00:10:58.080 –> 00:10:58.980 Jim Hamilton: director yep.

00:10:59.070 –> 00:10:59.520 Joseph McElroy: I was.

00:11:00.540 –> 00:11:12.180 Joseph McElroy: I was sitting around at a party in New York City and some guy from St Louis said, you know we would buy you know talking about farm to table, he said we buy so many blackberries and we get hold of.

00:11:12.480 –> 00:11:18.300 Joseph McElroy: The we said, well, we got plays Landon and Haywood county that grows by a various real well so yeah.

00:11:18.330 –> 00:11:18.900 Jim Hamilton: Plenty of them.

00:11:19.980 –> 00:11:22.620 Joseph McElroy: Is it made me will ever come to fruition.

00:11:23.280 –> 00:11:23.850 Joseph McElroy: And certainly.

00:11:24.210 –> 00:11:26.100 Joseph McElroy: A party talk, but you know.

00:11:27.000 –> 00:11:28.230 Jim Hamilton: that’s right that’s right.

00:11:28.620 –> 00:11:30.960 Joseph McElroy: So every county Community college.

00:11:31.590 –> 00:11:42.780 Jim Hamilton: So I taught forestry for four years and Haywood Community college I taught soils introduction to forestry I taught dendrology, which is the.

00:11:43.260 –> 00:11:54.210 Jim Hamilton: Which is the identification of trees, and you know the most enjoyable thing, while I did there, I was the over the forestry club and I don’t know if you’ve seen the lumberjack competitions or.

00:11:54.660 –> 00:12:02.520 Jim Hamilton: You know I guess the ESPNC or D or one of the lower-level ESPN channels will show the steel still timber sports.

00:12:02.970 –> 00:12:15.870 Jim Hamilton: team so and Haywood still has a very active and very super competitive timber sports team, and you know learn how to how to throw an ax and run a run across cat saw and.

00:12:16.980 –> 00:12:23.010 Jim Hamilton: do a little single book chopping but that’s um it’s a true sport and it’s competitive.

00:12:23.370 –> 00:12:38.070 Jim Hamilton: it’s a competitive collegiate sport, with the schools that have to foresee programs, and it was always great to take you to know the two year Community college kids to a state, competition and have a whip up on the four-year colleges, you know timber sports team.

00:12:39.330 –> 00:12:45.210 Joseph McElroy: we’re glad to see that competitive North Carolina spirit exists still even at the College of Community college level.

00:12:45.300 –> 00:12:47.190 Jim Hamilton: Oh yeah yeah it was a lot of fun.

00:12:47.220 –> 00:12:56.130 Joseph McElroy: A lot of fun well we’re gonna take a break now, and when we come back a couple of questions I want us to lessen venture past, but then we’ll get into June say alright.

00:12:56.460 –> 00:12:57.060 Jim Hamilton: sounds great.

00:15:27.570 –> 00:15:33.840 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Jim Hamilton.

00:15:34.350 –> 00:15:47.010 Joseph McElroy: So, Jim I know we want to give the ginseng but I noticed a couple of things I was reading your profile and you speak fluent Spanish and I didn’t see anything other than you went to Paraguay, with the peace corps is that we learn Spanish.

00:15:47.820 –> 00:15:56.520 Jim Hamilton: I did I learned, Spanish and Guarani which is which I spoke more guarani when I was was when I was in rural Paraguay, but.

00:15:56.940 –> 00:16:02.430 Jim Hamilton: My wife is from Argentina so with a lot of help from from from her and.

00:16:03.000 –> 00:16:17.910 Jim Hamilton: And and regular visits with the family, my my my Spanish drastically improved because Spanish and Paraguay’s is sort of the second language so so yeah we speak a good deal Spanish at home, especially when I’m being chastised for something.

00:16:19.710 –> 00:16:26.610 Joseph McElroy: But it’s good, though I just thought that was an interesting thing I didn’t see where I learned, other than that what two years you’re very right yes.

00:16:26.610 –> 00:16:28.530 Jim Hamilton: yeah I’m a renaissance redneck.

00:16:30.030 –> 00:16:31.320 Joseph McElroy: that’s exactly what I am.

00:16:33.120 –> 00:16:41.850 Joseph McElroy: So, before we begin in the ginseng I had to say, I saw this you wrote you wrote an article called the turtles of the high country right.

00:16:43.080 –> 00:16:57.720 Joseph McElroy: And you’re already there the eastern box turtles, the only terrorist terrestrial turtle founder of the state in 1979 it was chosen to be the North Carolina state reptile I have to know why do we have a state reptile.

00:16:59.490 –> 00:17:09.630 Jim Hamilton: You know I I thought the same thing I know we you know, we have the state, the state flower in this in the state tree, the state reptile that’s a new one, to me, but.

00:17:10.050 –> 00:17:23.640 Jim Hamilton: Here here at the extension office out, you know, during the summer, we have people bring in turtles for identification we bring it to get snakes sometimes they’re in jars sometimes there with a head sometimes without ahead.

00:17:24.030 –> 00:17:31.590 Jim Hamilton: folks want to know you know what the animals are they find they find on their property so that’s another service that we provide.

00:17:32.220 –> 00:17:37.350 Joseph McElroy: The mountain North Carolina, especially with regards to turtle so I don’t want to get into it too much, but yeah.

00:17:38.520 –> 00:17:48.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah it is okay good all right so so I heard that around the office, your coworkers call you Jimseng

00:17:51.240 –> 00:18:04.920 Joseph McElroy: And then you say you teach workshops and workshops on how to plan it you drink daily smoothies sprinkled with it, so I guess your expert on the subject, so why this intense interest.

00:18:05.250 –> 00:18:18.450 Jim Hamilton: And what the ginseng is such a unique plant with such a historical and cultural significance, especially here in in the western North Carolina mountains.

00:18:19.260 –> 00:18:35.130 Jim Hamilton: I had I known what it was, you know as a student of forestry natural resources, and you know when I started working in western North Carolina I would hear about it more and more and.

00:18:37.140 –> 00:18:44.550 Jim Hamilton: I’ve had friends with access to property actually take me, you know ginseng hunting, it is still.

00:18:44.940 –> 00:19:00.690 Jim Hamilton: juicing hunting is still a very integral part of Appalachian mountains and for a lot of folks it’s a supplemental form of income there’s a legal harvest season for it and there’s a there’s an international market for it.

00:19:00.720 –> 00:19:01.470 Jim Hamilton: But it’s a.

00:19:01.770 –> 00:19:05.220 Jim Hamilton: You know, in the fall during the legal season.

00:19:06.660 –> 00:19:17.430 Jim Hamilton: You have folks that hit the woods either you know they’re scouting out there, the place to put their deer stand, you know for deer season and while they’re out there they’re looking for ginseng, and if they find.

00:19:18.030 –> 00:19:22.830 Jim Hamilton: or come across a patch you know they’ll dig ginseng and there’s there are registered dealers who.

00:19:23.250 –> 00:19:32.190 Jim Hamilton: who purchased the root and the more I learned about it, the more curious I was about it, and you know to live here and working with a wide number of.

00:19:32.820 –> 00:19:38.010 Jim Hamilton: Property property owners and locals I just came to learn more about it and really.

00:19:38.460 –> 00:19:51.060 Jim Hamilton: You know that’s where my I guess passion for the plant comes from because it is becoming more and more scarce due to overharvesting and you, there are a few TV shows a while back that that that led to that.

00:19:51.390 –> 00:19:53.040 Joseph McElroy: Right well you know.

00:19:54.180 –> 00:20:14.520 Joseph McElroy: You know I picked that song ginseng to sell them for a couple of reasons, one that spoke to you know didn’t sing as a financial force of income and solving Scotch Irish right so it’s been a part of the Scotch Irish settlers economics for several hundred years right.

00:20:15.150 –> 00:20:24.540 Jim Hamilton: Right yeah it was so you know there are several species of ginseng as far as the plants concerned and the Asian ginseng

00:20:25.080 –> 00:20:34.140 Jim Hamilton: A pan so to get not to get too scientific, but the scientific name for Asian ginseng his pen X ginseng in the pen, X is the Latin for.

00:20:34.440 –> 00:20:44.730 Jim Hamilton: panacea for everything, because it was considered a plant that was good for everything was good for your heart, good for blood pressure regulation, good for.

00:20:45.330 –> 00:20:56.430 Jim Hamilton: Maintaining your blood sugar as a state as a stimulant and the in traditional Chinese medicine and in Asia ginseng has been harvested for

00:20:56.880 –> 00:21:07.650 Jim Hamilton: Five millennia, apparently, so you know over 5000 years apparently what you know wars and dynasties rose and fell related to the ginseng trade in China.

00:21:08.130 –> 00:21:19.230 Jim Hamilton: But then, in the early 1700s and 1716 there was a French jazz missionary Joseph fluffy toe who was stationed kind of outside of Toronto.

00:21:19.650 –> 00:21:30.690 Jim Hamilton: Many worked with a mohawk the mohawk and the Iroquois in that area, and one of his Jesuit Redland brethren in China had sent a little monograph over have a picture of.

00:21:31.230 –> 00:21:40.500 Jim Hamilton: Chinese Jen saying and describing the benefits of it and how it was used in Asia, and he had either seen it or spoke to some of the natives.

00:21:40.950 –> 00:21:47.520 Jim Hamilton: In that area and figured out that there was an American species of it, so he described it wrote it up drew it out.

00:21:48.210 –> 00:21:53.820 Jim Hamilton: described how it was used and submitted to some big consortium and in Europe.

00:21:54.330 –> 00:22:09.450 Jim Hamilton: And it was officially recognized and so by once it was sort of recognized it, you know it sort of formed an additional backbone of the American trade economy with China so that’s some of the kind of really deep historical roots that this this This plan has.

00:22:10.470 –> 00:22:23.070 Jim Hamilton: In 1784 it was Jim thing was was was in barrels shipped on the very first flagship of the United States to China to Canton on you know, a trade junket.

00:22:23.700 –> 00:22:34.740 Jim Hamilton: And, and even Daniel Boone you know who to reverse all over you know the smokies and here in the high country Western North Carolina there’s a reference to him and in 1787.

00:22:35.550 –> 00:22:44.490 Jim Hamilton: carrying a barge load of ginseng up the Ohio River and the barge actually sank had a capsized and he lost the barrels of ginseng

00:22:45.090 –> 00:22:53.760 Jim Hamilton: But you know ginseng used to be so plentiful in the mountains, that you know the story goes, as he said, well boys I guess we’ll just you know hit the woods and dig some.

00:22:55.110 –> 00:23:09.150 Jim Hamilton: He would hire and Daniel Boone would conscript or higher either Native Americans are locals to help them dig ginseng because it was part of the export trade to China, you know as early as the late 1800s or 1700s.

00:23:09.870 –> 00:23:17.040 Joseph McElroy: Now, did you know didn’t the Cherokee and other indigenous cultures use the route and sold it long before.

00:23:18.330 –> 00:23:18.960 Joseph McElroy: The.

00:23:21.510 –> 00:23:22.350 Joseph McElroy: settlers use it.

00:23:22.620 –> 00:23:33.690 Jim Hamilton: Oh absolutely you know it was used as a tonic I know that the Cherokee have specific words for it, the mohawk and the Iroquois would use it, I think they would.

00:23:34.590 –> 00:23:42.390 Jim Hamilton: I read somewhere that they would binge on it before going to war before serious negotiations.

00:23:43.110 –> 00:23:46.350 Jim Hamilton: Because of the energy aspect of it and.

00:23:46.890 –> 00:23:56.310 Jim Hamilton: And I, and again I read somewhere else, that you know the Cherokee said that you know ginseng was sort of like you know much like in Chinese culture ginseng a sort of like a person.

00:23:56.610 –> 00:24:01.830 Jim Hamilton: If it doesn’t work if you don’t honor the forests or if you don’t respect.

00:24:02.730 –> 00:24:08.010 Jim Hamilton: Respect ginseng in the woods around it, then, then it won’t let you find it, it will actually hide from you.

00:24:08.460 –> 00:24:23.490 Jim Hamilton: And as and as someone who’s hundred ginseng and it looked for ginseng in areas where I knew it was it can it’s it can be very tricky and difficult to find because it’s a very small, you know, a small cryptic little plant, you know, really.

00:24:25.200 –> 00:24:31.020 Jim Hamilton: Probably you know 300 years ago when it was more prolific and grew to the size that.

00:24:31.740 –> 00:24:42.750 Jim Hamilton: That it grew to before we started harvesting it, you know, a big plant might hit you in the hip you know, these days, if you find a plant that’s high enough to hit you in the knees that’s a decent sized.

00:24:43.620 –> 00:24:45.180 Joseph McElroy: And what color are the flowers.

00:24:46.020 –> 00:24:51.840 Jim Hamilton: So it’s got really tiny white flowers, it is flowering right now in in the smokies.

00:24:53.280 –> 00:25:02.580 Jim Hamilton: In here in the high country to so if you’re there it’s a small head of flowers that’ll turn into these really blood-red berries.

00:25:03.240 –> 00:25:15.150 Jim Hamilton: Later in the summer and a lot of folks who dig ginseng and hunting ginseng well start hunting it when the berries turn but you know number one, it makes them easy to find and number two.

00:25:15.900 –> 00:25:32.040 Jim Hamilton: You know it’s required that you replant those berries before you dig up the root because it’s a perennial plant, it can live for over 100 years it’s like I said it’s a really unique plant.

00:25:34.080 –> 00:25:39.060 Joseph McElroy: What would you say, are the most popular medicinal uses and.

00:25:40.110 –> 00:25:42.060 Joseph McElroy: You know how does it use.

00:25:42.990 –> 00:25:57.660 Jim Hamilton: So if you dig into the literature on ginseng there hasn’t been a ton of truly medicinal research on it in the United States now there’s a journal of ginseng research out of Korea.

00:25:58.050 –> 00:26:09.330 Jim Hamilton: Where they’re really delving into the medicinal qualities but energy has been the is the number one use and they’ve done a study, I believe it was a University of Michigan or Michigan state study.

00:26:10.560 –> 00:26:25.770 Jim Hamilton: Giving ginseng to cancer patients increased their energy levels in traditional Chinese medicine, so you know how I’m going to mispronounce this because that’s how my son the roots told me to say you know you have ya yin and Yang.

00:26:25.980 –> 00:26:33.990 Jim Hamilton: Right, I was corrected by Chinese you know a medicinal expert who corrected me said it’s yang Jim it’s not Yeng

00:26:35.430 –> 00:26:48.750 Jim Hamilton: So in Chinese medicine Asian ginseng, which is pan X gen saying is young ginseng it’s hot energy its heat the heat hottest.

00:26:49.530 –> 00:27:01.260 Jim Hamilton: So you take Chinese dancing in the wintertime if you’re cold or have chills you drink it in tea, or you, you know consume it and powdered form in a meal or as a supplement.

00:27:01.770 –> 00:27:10.920 Jim Hamilton: Well, American ginseng Pan X Holiness is yen energy so it’s cool energy it’s what you take.

00:27:11.550 –> 00:27:22.710 Jim Hamilton: What you take in the summertime when you’re really hot and you need that that that that boost of a boost of energy so it’d be like a really nice frosty cold CAP frappuccino.

00:27:23.370 –> 00:27:30.900 Jim Hamilton: You know in here in the US, we consume coffee, the way folks in China, probably consumed Ginseng

00:27:31.890 –> 00:27:37.530 Joseph McElroy: I’m trying to figure out things to take caffeine all the time, we will investigate.

00:27:38.280 –> 00:27:43.950 Jim Hamilton: Give ginseng a try, you know, during the summer, when I can find fresh ginseng oh.

00:27:44.610 –> 00:27:54.510 Jim Hamilton: I’ll pop a root into a smoothie it’s very bitter the route itself is very bitter so it takes the edge off the sweetness of a smoothie.

00:27:55.380 –> 00:28:05.820 Jim Hamilton: My wife, really, really, really likes ginseng in the smoothies, and yeah it gives you that you know it gives you the coffee, you know the coffee buzz without the jitters.

00:28:05.970 –> 00:28:14.700 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well when we come back I’ll talk a little bit more we’ll talk a little bit more about economics don’t get into it it your book sounds great listening to.

00:31:00.840 –> 00:31:12.660 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Jim Hamilton you were talking ginseng so Jim you know that song.

00:31:13.860 –> 00:31:26.220 Joseph McElroy: didn’t single cell but also brought up another thing and negative stereotyping of people hunting ginseng and southern Appalachian, what do you think about that is Is that true why, why do you think it happened.

00:31:27.030 –> 00:31:41.280 Jim Hamilton: Well, they were so they were a series of reality shows it came out right around 2013 that sort of corresponded with the highest ginseng price, you know to date ginseng hit.

00:31:41.820 –> 00:31:53.010 Jim Hamilton: Around 1300 dollars a pound in 2013 and about that time he had shown a couple of on the history channel there were Appalachian outlaws and you had smoky mountain money.

00:31:53.400 –> 00:31:54.990 Jim Hamilton: And hillbilly good.

00:31:55.500 –> 00:32:05.670 Jim Hamilton: And filthy riches and you know those shows just portrayed your you know what I think a lot of people perceive the Appalachians as.

00:32:06.120 –> 00:32:12.780 Jim Hamilton: A you know running around the woods of grabbing as much ginseng as they could to make a fortune.

00:32:13.260 –> 00:32:27.810 Jim Hamilton: And that you know the downside of that is that it drew a lot of and needed attention to the plant itself, which is already stressed as far as its population, and you know for Kennedy go so.

00:32:28.830 –> 00:32:37.410 Jim Hamilton: You know that the only bright side of those shows, and the stereotypes, is that the more people became interested in it, and I think.

00:32:38.070 –> 00:32:44.730 Jim Hamilton: A vast majority of them became more interested in it as something that they could plant.

00:32:45.630 –> 00:32:50.280 Jim Hamilton: In their own on their own properties here in the mountains or in their own woods and it.

00:32:50.790 –> 00:33:00.060 Jim Hamilton: You know it sort of is caused a really you know sort of reconnection for some folks who remember their parents or their grandparents taking them out as kids too.

00:33:00.510 –> 00:33:09.720 Jim Hamilton: You know, to hunt ginseng back in the day, so I mean that’s the only silver lining out of those shows because you know everyone thinks, you know moonshine bluegrass.

00:33:10.170 –> 00:33:24.660 Jim Hamilton: ginseng and it in it, you know those negative stereotypes are are are are just you know don’t represent you know the true art and science behind.

00:33:25.560 –> 00:33:34.440 Jim Hamilton: The wild harvesters who really are their true stewards of the land, and you know, there are poachers and you, you know if you Google ginseng poaching or.

00:33:34.860 –> 00:33:42.420 Jim Hamilton: ginseng and the smoky mountains you’ll see these articles and newspaper stories about you know people.

00:33:43.170 –> 00:33:56.970 Jim Hamilton: Illegally harvesting ginseng on in the great smokies, but you know I work with a lot of property owners who are interested in, you know, preserving the integrity of the plant and that you know those kinds of.

00:33:57.870 –> 00:34:03.060 Jim Hamilton: The preserving a part of their heritage in their childhood too.

00:34:05.070 –> 00:34:12.720 Joseph McElroy: So it’s fairly regular now right, and there can you say people have farms so there’s both the wild and there’s also the.

00:34:14.400 –> 00:34:15.900 Joseph McElroy: Culture cultivated.

00:34:16.080 –> 00:34:16.350 Young.

00:34:18.990 –> 00:34:31.170 Jim Hamilton: yeah they said that most of them, the majority of the cultivated ginseng, so the cultivated ginseng is grown on large commercialized farms, mainly in Wisconsin and then Ontario Canada.

00:34:31.620 –> 00:34:45.600 Jim Hamilton: you’re under it’s produced under shade cloth it’s heavily fertilized it’s till this heavily managed they harvested in about four years that’s the stuff that brings about 50 bucks a pound that’s the stuff that’s in your so be energy drinks your monster energy drinks.

00:34:45.960 –> 00:34:47.490 Joseph McElroy: as good as the wild stuff right.

00:34:47.850 –> 00:34:51.300 Jim Hamilton: Now that’s the stuff that cheap stuff goes into this little yellow jacket.

00:34:51.300 –> 00:34:53.850 Jim Hamilton: truck they might find that you know at the.

00:34:54.360 –> 00:34:56.250 Jim Hamilton: At the Kangaroo or.

00:34:56.820 –> 00:34:59.910 Joseph McElroy: You want to come to the mountains and get some of the real-life stuff right.

00:34:59.940 –> 00:35:13.890 Jim Hamilton: yeah the real now is the real wild stuff and ginseng is sold on how it looks and the older in larger the ginseng the better so most dealers who buy ginseng from local diggers.

00:35:14.280 –> 00:35:25.080 Jim Hamilton: are looking for plants that are a minimum of about 10 years old, and you can gauge the age and the quality of a ginseng root, by the way, it looks now.

00:35:26.010 –> 00:35:37.080 Joseph McElroy: Is there have been shops and places to buy and consumer-oriented ability to participate in ginseng in culture in the mountains that have popped up.

00:35:37.500 –> 00:35:49.350 Jim Hamilton: You know not not not really that you know, probably 99% of all the ginseng that gets harvested from the mountains in ends up in China or Hong Kong in some way or Korea in some shape or form.

00:35:50.550 –> 00:35:55.620 Jim Hamilton: yeah we have had a lot of you know that with more and more Korean.

00:35:57.510 –> 00:36:10.620 Jim Hamilton: Korean residents in our larger cities ginseng is also a major part of Korean culture in in in food there I just I saw a podcast from the Smithsonian folklife museum on.

00:36:11.730 –> 00:36:21.960 Jim Hamilton: On on ginseng chicken soup that’s a Korean dish now the Koreans will buy they’ll actually come up and and and contact the dealers directly.

00:36:22.230 –> 00:36:31.890 Jim Hamilton: And purchase fresh ginseng to consume, you know in in the US, but as far as retail outlets for ginseng products I’ve seen some ginseng teas.

00:36:33.210 –> 00:36:34.500 Jim Hamilton: I don’t have a box of tea here.

00:36:34.800 –> 00:36:38.070 Joseph McElroy: Where do you get the ginseng thing that you put in your smoothies.

00:36:39.510 –> 00:36:41.040 Jim Hamilton: that’s found in the woods and I’m not.

00:36:42.600 –> 00:36:46.350 Joseph McElroy: Sure, oh so, how do you know it’s a good area to look for ginseng.

00:36:46.380 –> 00:36:49.200 Jim Hamilton: Well, I know, Joseph the first rule ginseng clothes you.

00:36:49.200 –> 00:36:49.380 don’t.

00:36:53.700 –> 00:37:03.390 Jim Hamilton: Know there’s, you know as rare as it is in the wild you can still find patches of it and I have some that I started from seed.

00:37:03.780 –> 00:37:14.130 Jim Hamilton: You can find there are some ginseng Facebook groups that are really popular and if you say you’re looking for seed, you can get some plant, so my mind comes out of the woods, but.

00:37:14.580 –> 00:37:22.830 Jim Hamilton: You know they’re the agent marketing you there in New York City, where you are I’m sure if you walk down to one of the Asian markets in China town you.

00:37:24.000 –> 00:37:36.900 Joseph McElroy: live in North Carolina didn’t say, but I mean I’m done smoky mountains, all the time, so I want to look, I want to look at things I never did grow up, as we didn’t go after ginseng so you know I should experience that yeah.

00:37:37.050 –> 00:37:38.700 Jim Hamilton: Well there’s a right before.

00:37:40.290 –> 00:37:47.940 Jim Hamilton: On your way to the paper mill down there there’s it’s called Carolina bait and they are adjusting their ginseng dealer.

00:37:48.960 –> 00:38:06.840 Jim Hamilton: Just in there in Clyde just down the road from you and and and and you can find ginseng there during the season, you know season opens up September 1 and you know most of what they’re buying ginseng to then sell to the roaming bands of buyers that come through.

00:38:07.230 –> 00:38:08.640 Jim Hamilton: Around

00:38:08.670 –> 00:38:18.660 Jim Hamilton: You know, between Thanksgiving and Christmas is when the Asian buyers come to export it back over to China for the Chinese New Year cool oh.

00:38:20.760 –> 00:38:21.150 Joseph McElroy: I want to.

00:38:22.200 –> 00:38:37.140 Joseph McElroy: Make sure we have some time to talk about your book, so you have a book called the last entry and it’s paying the woodland tones of Western North Carolina’s rural mountains and you weave a natural history of the story.

00:38:39.300 –> 00:38:48.480 Joseph McElroy: The story of characters that reflect our diversity here and the black market economy for June six tell us about this book and it was, I think it once an award right.

00:38:49.140 –> 00:38:52.170 Jim Hamilton: yeah it was so this was about a five-year project, you know I’ve.

00:38:52.560 –> 00:39:00.600 Jim Hamilton: Written a lot over my career more technical stuff and in you know, there was all there’s already a couple of great books there’s a nonfiction book explaining.

00:39:00.870 –> 00:39:05.820 Jim Hamilton: kind of the culture and history of dancing and then there’s a couple of technical guides out there, but nobody had written.

00:39:06.480 –> 00:39:17.640 Jim Hamilton: A book of fiction, you know that never seen you know, a book that really you know told the story of ginseng as it applies here in the mountains so so yeah it’s a coming of age.

00:39:18.330 –> 00:39:32.010 Jim Hamilton: a novel set in Appalachia but it’s set under the background of the ginseng trade and it got an I was, I was shocked it got nominated for the Thomas Wolfe memorial.

00:39:32.640 –> 00:39:39.900 Jim Hamilton: literary award which was, which was a which was on you know, on a humbling honor to just being nominated for that.

00:39:40.410 –> 00:39:54.450 Jim Hamilton: And it was a quarter-finalist in for the book life prize, which is it’s an award for the independent or small run book so I’ve been pleased with with the response.

00:39:55.260 –> 00:39:58.560 Joseph McElroy: As I said in the current time is set in current times are.

00:39:58.590 –> 00:40:10.500 Jim Hamilton: Pretty pretty pretty current I would, I would say, you know I really don’t know either I guess there’s a couple of mentions it’s probably from that from the 80s, the 80s, through the early 2000s is when a bit.

00:40:11.130 –> 00:40:11.700 Jim Hamilton: But uh.

00:40:11.880 –> 00:40:15.240 Joseph McElroy: yeah lots of a thriller is it a romance what is it.

00:40:15.900 –> 00:40:19.320 Jim Hamilton: I would say it’s sort of his.

00:40:21.420 –> 00:40:25.230 Jim Hamilton: I would just call it you know, a coming-of-age drama I guess.

00:40:25.950 –> 00:40:34.560 Jim Hamilton: An act, you know more of an action commercial fiction, I think, is what it would qualify as but there’s some.

00:40:36.900 –> 00:40:45.780 Jim Hamilton: You know the editor who helped me with the book kept telling me, you know because I’m in education, he kept saying quit teaching quitting.

00:40:46.410 –> 00:40:58.770 Jim Hamilton: tell the story quit teaching about the plan, but um there’s it has all of the all the conflict and drama, you know that you that you’d find in an in a contemporary novel so.

00:40:58.920 –> 00:41:00.810 Joseph McElroy: that’s great can I get a copy.

00:41:01.140 –> 00:41:03.810 Jim Hamilton: Oh yeah yes me address I’ll send you a copy for sure.

00:41:04.080 –> 00:41:14.250 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool alright yeah we’re actually geared up we’re starting to sell books too so maybe we can look at yours as a possible entry in our mountain heritage Center.

00:41:16.320 –> 00:41:29.310 Jim Hamilton: Oh yeah the amount that would be perfect, you know a lot of most of the best ginseng actually comes from that that Haywood County you know Haywood in Jackson county area in the smokies the soil.

00:41:30.450 –> 00:41:39.810 Jim Hamilton: The soil is really black in the roots that come out of there are really valued by the buyers, probably the only other place.

00:41:40.260 –> 00:41:55.140 Jim Hamilton: Where ginseng is more valuable would be the Catskills in New York, a very narrow band of hollers in the Catskills but other than that smoky mountain ginseng is the highest next highest quality ginseng in the US.

00:41:55.440 –> 00:42:01.950 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I mean the mountains, I mean there’s got amazing soil for a lot of these sort of heirloom type.

00:42:03.450 –> 00:42:10.020 Joseph McElroy: Growth, you know you people used to be ramps for a sort of a rarity that you got now you get ramps at whole foods.

00:42:12.510 –> 00:42:12.780 Jim Hamilton: yeah.

00:42:13.110 –> 00:42:17.880 Joseph McElroy: But yeah there are other things yeah so.

00:42:18.450 –> 00:42:21.000 Jim Hamilton: Well, and that’s what you know ginseng came from those.

00:42:21.540 –> 00:42:35.670 Jim Hamilton: You know, back in the back in the day you didn’t have a CVs or Walgreens on the corner, you know if you had a case of hemorrhoids you headed up to witch hazel holler and grabbed a handful of leaves made you a cultist and put it where it needed to go.

00:42:35.970 –> 00:42:36.570 So.

00:42:37.650 –> 00:42:49.980 Jim Hamilton: ginseng was one of those you know medicinal plants that were that was used alongside many of the other forest medicinal herbs that are you know really native to native to our mountains.

00:42:51.390 –> 00:42:53.220 Joseph McElroy: All right, well you know we’re gonna take.

00:42:54.270 –> 00:43:02.700 Joseph McElroy: A final break here and then we’ll come back and we’ll talk a little bit about your life in that in the smokies and yeah things that you think people should understand.

00:43:03.180 –> 00:43:03.900 Jim Hamilton: sounds great.

00:45:22.200 –> 00:45:28.380 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guests and Jim Hamilton.

00:45:29.550 –> 00:45:40.380 Joseph McElroy: Jim you do a lot of seminars around the state and yeah and you’re going to be doing one at the Meadowlark Smoky mountain Heritage Center on August 28 what’s the kind of content that you do.

00:45:41.310 –> 00:45:52.230 Jim Hamilton: As well I’ll probably get into a lot more deep detail and depth into the history and culture of gensing in the area and also do.

00:45:52.680 –> 00:46:03.270 Jim Hamilton: Planting and sort of an educational lecture on you know the best site companion plants, how to how to plant ginseng how to establish.

00:46:03.750 –> 00:46:13.050 Jim Hamilton: You know your own patch of ginseng and other you know medicinal plants on your own property so that’s The goal of the talk, they are the Meadowlark.

00:46:13.410 –> 00:46:16.560 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous can you do it on flatland does it have to be in the mountains.

00:46:17.490 –> 00:46:29.010 Jim Hamilton: You know ginseng has a wide range, but it just works so well in the mountains I’ve told people before that you know you can plant some seed and try it at home if you’re outside of the Appalachians but the plant.

00:46:29.430 –> 00:46:37.200 Jim Hamilton: really needs those uh you know, several days of below-freezing cold for the plant to.

00:46:37.710 –> 00:46:54.000 Jim Hamilton: germinate and following year and come up right so but, but any anywhere around the smoky if you’ve got you got a house or property in the smokies or really anywhere in the Appalachian mountains if you have a nice shady hardwoods spot it should grow cool.

00:46:54.330 –> 00:46:55.260 Joseph McElroy: So you live in.

00:46:56.970 –> 00:47:01.950 Joseph McElroy: You live near Boone North Carolina which is sort of north of the smokies.

00:47:02.220 –> 00:47:05.880 Joseph McElroy: And we haven’t talked a lot about that area, what do you, what do you love about that area.

00:47:06.840 –> 00:47:21.210 Jim Hamilton: So Boone other, otherwise known as is the high country is home to Appalachian State University, and you know I settled here to work in the Christmas tree industry that with my forestry background.

00:47:22.620 –> 00:47:28.560 Jim Hamilton: I came here at you know I’ve been originally from Alabama it’s the mountains are a little higher, although.

00:47:28.950 –> 00:47:37.080 Jim Hamilton: Although I know they’re in Haywood county is the most mountainous county East of the Mississippi, I would say that you know some of the peaks here.

00:47:38.220 –> 00:47:47.760 Jim Hamilton: In the Boone area, you know get that higher topic, you know grandfather mountain is a pretty popular destination for a lot of folks coming up.

00:47:48.690 –> 00:48:05.100 Jim Hamilton: into the high country and you know I like it’s a small town very the town itself is very similar to Waynesville with you know, surrounded by mountains and being someone who likes to spend more time in the woods than in the office.

00:48:06.060 –> 00:48:13.650 Jim Hamilton: yeah it’s just a great fit and we have real winners and real snow and that’s why I’ve come to come to love it here.

00:48:14.220 –> 00:48:23.610 Joseph McElroy: Well, if you had if something was to come to visit and wanted a good itinerary to experience Boone what would they do, starting with Where would you go for breakfast.

00:48:24.240 –> 00:48:33.390 Jim Hamilton: overbred see I wouldn’t waste too much time with breakfast I would get so I would bring breakfast to go okay now I’ve got some other restaurant choices for light lunch and dinner.

00:48:33.390 –> 00:48:42.990 Jim Hamilton: But I would hit a trail early off of the Blue Ridge Parkway I’d bring a pack your own, uh you know trail mix or breakfast on the road.

00:48:43.530 –> 00:48:53.580 Jim Hamilton: And I would if it’s me I’m going to go to one of the more scenic overlook trails that we have up here called rough Ridge, which is kind of between Boone and blowing rock.

00:48:54.060 –> 00:49:01.410 Jim Hamilton: And you just can’t be you know the sunrise in the morning hike there if you got back early enough.

00:49:02.250 –> 00:49:12.540 Jim Hamilton: In the morning you could hit sunny Rock in Bowling rock for breakfast there that’s probably one of the better breakfast places, but personally I probably pack my own breakfast.

00:49:12.630 –> 00:49:13.500 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool.

00:49:15.060 –> 00:49:18.090 Joseph McElroy: After that Nice adventure Where would you go for lunch.

00:49:18.870 –> 00:49:24.120 Jim Hamilton: Oh well, if I’m in the blue and rock area I would probably go to the speckled trout.

00:49:24.720 –> 00:49:33.360 Jim Hamilton: they’ve got just at you have some great American affair that’s all sourced low from the farms around here we’ve got a lot of farms to table opportunities.

00:49:33.780 –> 00:49:45.450 Jim Hamilton: In the area, if I managed to make it into Boone I would probably get a pizza and and and in a cold cold beer at last province.

00:49:46.170 –> 00:49:51.480 Jim Hamilton: You know Boone this area, the high country used to be called the last province North Carolina because it was so hard to get to.

00:49:51.990 –> 00:50:03.390 Jim Hamilton: And they’ve opened up they’ve got wood-fired pizzas and they brew a number of their own beers and that’s a great lunch spot and then just around the corner you’ve got the mass general store.

00:50:04.230 –> 00:50:10.320 Jim Hamilton: You know if you wanted to get your shopping in and they gotta give them a plug they’re actually carrying my

00:50:12.780 –> 00:50:15.270 Jim Hamilton: God that would you spend your afternoon.

00:50:15.960 –> 00:50:21.000 Jim Hamilton: Oh, you know if the weather’s right, I would take a canoe trip to the new river here.

00:50:21.960 –> 00:50:36.510 Jim Hamilton: is great for either inner tubing or canoeing or kayaking that the river is not that deep, you can pull off at various different points, and you know, like I said I’m all about the outdoors so I’m going to spend it, you know.

00:50:37.260 –> 00:50:41.490 Joseph McElroy: Maybe Spencer, I was wondering when you come back from that you’d go to dinner where.

00:50:42.240 –> 00:50:59.130 Jim Hamilton: yeah so If so, if I’m in so so you know if it’s me I’m going to either maybe be Stroh Rocha in blowing rock it’s just off of Main Street and bone rock and when I get done there’s a kill one’s ice cream place and that’s my son’s actually work in there.

00:50:59.400 –> 00:51:00.510 Joseph McElroy: All right, there you go.

00:51:00.900 –> 00:51:18.180 Jim Hamilton: that’s his summer job as a teenager and then, if I’m in Boone I’d be at one of the many, many restaurants on King Street, but one of my favorites is is is Vidalia they’ve just you know great American affair locally sourced their specials are incredible.

00:51:19.500 –> 00:51:25.020 Jim Hamilton: And you know, and then you know I’d take a stroll down King street to you know to kind of.

00:51:25.710 –> 00:51:27.720 Jim Hamilton: To work off the dinner.

00:51:27.960 –> 00:51:31.110 Joseph McElroy: And then maybe entertainment places finish up with.

00:51:31.860 –> 00:51:46.020 Jim Hamilton: You know there’s a few there’s always some there’s live music on the weekends at several of the breweries have in town in the I know in late July there’s the symphony on the lake, which is a show tola in blowing rock.

00:51:46.830 –> 00:51:50.550 Jim Hamilton: that’s a big event but there’s a whole lineup of.

00:51:52.170 –> 00:52:01.320 Jim Hamilton: You know of music at ED either at the last province or Appalachian mountain brewery or moonshine I mean not to get into the beer theme, but you can see.

00:52:01.320 –> 00:52:07.140 Jim Hamilton: Where my life has become known for breweries yep so good good good.

00:52:10.230 –> 00:52:13.320 Joseph McElroy: So how do people get your book and how do they follow you.

00:52:14.100 –> 00:52:31.950 Jim Hamilton: So I’m on Facebook Jim V Hamilton is where you can you find me on Facebook, but uh you know the book is in some independent southern independent bookstores one here in downtown Boone you know foggy pine down your way, I believe, Chris Wilcox at.

00:52:33.030 –> 00:52:50.250 Jim Hamilton: At the bookstore there and silver city lights, he should have some copies, I sent him a cinnamon box of books, I guess, about a year ago, and then you know, then everyone sort of has to go to the grand demon Amazon.COM if you’re not.

00:52:50.250 –> 00:52:50.550 Joseph McElroy: From the.

00:52:51.690 –> 00:52:59.250 Jim Hamilton: You can find it under the last entry on Amazon it’s in its an e-book paperback and I think there are some hard hardcovers floating around.

00:52:59.250 –> 00:52:59.430 there.

00:53:00.480 –> 00:53:05.070 Joseph McElroy: cool will be carrying suited up I’m smokies adventure and meadowlark background.

00:53:05.130 –> 00:53:08.640 Jim Hamilton: Great I’ll bring some books down to Bob there in August.

00:53:08.940 –> 00:53:19.170 Joseph McElroy: Alright sounds good, so I want to thank you for being on the show I got it so my own shout outs Now you can go to gatewaystothesmokies.fun and find out more about this podcast.

00:53:20.010 –> 00:53:27.990 Joseph McElroy: there’s also a link to a contest right now for the bluegrass band camp thumbs July 17th to win a two nights day and free.

00:53:28.650 –> 00:53:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Free admission to both the seminars and to the concert on July 17 Saturday so go there, you can find an entrance to the concert.

00:53:40.350 –> 00:53:50.010 Joseph McElroy: Now, once you imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past and modern environment with Chic Appalachian and feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:53:50.370 –> 00:53:59.430 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in the mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire, and he accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:53:59.790 –> 00:54:13.830 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place in the old-time using world cultural sound there’s no place like the Meadowlark motel in Maggie valley your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay we’re sponsored by smokies adventures smokies Plural adventure.

00:54:15.030 –> 00:54:34.140 Joseph McElroy: singular smokiesadventure.com, where you can find information listings about the smokes hiking, wedding venues books trail maps resources, the emphasis is on smokies outdoor recreation and outdoor life events like weddings at adventures go to smokiesadventure.com

00:54:36.210 –> 00:54:55.080 Joseph McElroy: The the face we’ve been this live on audio and talkradio.NYC, which is a great network to listen to for lots of different podcasts the one after this podcast is all about New York, so you go from rural North Carolina to urban New York City.

00:54:56.850 –> 00:55:06.390 Joseph McElroy: On this podcast and it was a lot of great shows, so I recommend you go there, we also stream live the zoom podcast to Facebook and facebook.com/slash.gatewaytothesmokiespodcast and

00:55:06.810 –> 00:55:17.280 Joseph McElroy: there you can find all sorts of information and information about this podcast’s guests and upcoming events.

00:55:17.670 –> 00:55:31.230 Joseph McElroy: Next week we’re going to have Darren Nicholson talking about from also arranged talking about the bluegrass band camp and his career in the bluegrass legend grammy award-nominated and a world-class.

00:55:32.400 –> 00:55:48.330 Joseph McElroy: player for a lot of different bands now even bought a pound help band balsam range and we’re pretty proud to be having a long, so this is next Tuesday from six to seven, I look forward to seeing you then Thank you Jim and we’re now signing off.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/3061203977432524/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/205359794_3061852560700999_1327096868157148288_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=IU0bMo3IM2IAX_FHaHe&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301007C&oh=00_AT-vQDYaR91nIh0YE88SF5UD0qRUflOu0E6eP09HalfDOA&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Special Guest: <strong>Jim Hamilton,</strong> is<strong> </strong>an extension agent and county director at <em>NC State Cooperative Extension</em> and an adjunct professor at ASU, as well as a former instructor at Haywood Community College.</p><p>Jim has a Ph.D. in forestry and teaches workshops across the region including an upcoming date at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center on August 28th. They will be discussing the generations of ginseng in the Smoky Mountains.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/6snWe4oP1z/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3><strong>Show Notes</strong></h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s episode starts off with our host Joseph McElroy announcing tons of exciting upcoming events that our audience can look forward to. From concerts to award programs, talk shows, and campfires, there are a plethora of events that people can enjoy in the Smoky Mountain and North Carolina region. After announcements, Joseph introduces the special guest of the day, Jim Hamilton. Jim talks about his journey to how he became a professor, county director, and so interested in ginseng in the local community.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, the two talks more about turtles being the state reptile of North Carolina and bring up Jim’s nickname, Jimseng. Jim then talks about where that name came from and all the benefits and other facts about ginseng. He explains how he became interested in the local ginseng and where his passion originates from. They discuss how important ginseng is essential to the economy and go further into the different types of ginseng, their history, and their benefits. Jim tells stories of famous pioneers and explorers who came across ginseng, such as Daniel Boone, and how it served as a food source and for health purposes.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>The next segment starts off with a discussion on stereotypes regarding ginseng hunting on television shows. Jim clarifies the negative stereotypes and misunderstandings of people illegally harvesting ginseng and that he works with people to specifically protect the ginseng in the local Smoky Mountains area. Next, Jim talks about where to buy ginseng and what he does with them. He explains how different countries, for example, Korea, and China, buy ginseng differently than how one might in North Carolina. Joseph then asks Jim about his book, The Last Entry, which is a fictional book that follows a young man in the mountain area.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>For the last segment, Jim Hamilton and Joseph talk more about planting and growing ginseng in your own backyard. Jim talks about what he recommends people to do in the Smoky Mountain areas. He recommends taking a morning hike to watch the sunrise and local restaurants with great food for lunch and other fun activities that visitors can do throughout the day.</p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:34.710 –&gt; 00:00:39.840 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:40.350 –&gt; 00:00:47.940 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:48.330 –&gt; 00:00:56.940 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty and deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:57.510 –&gt; 00:01:06.480 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smokies for over 200 years.</p><p>00:01:06.930 –&gt; 00:01:15.450 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture today’s podcast is about generations of ginseng in the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:01:16.140 –&gt; 00:01:27.690 Joseph McElroy: But first let me tell you about a little bit coming up, upcoming event smokies adventures sponsoring events at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center this summer at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:01:28.140 –&gt; 00:01:35.640 Joseph McElroy: There are four heritage-themed events already booked for July and August, including the plot this reunion weekend on July 9 or 10th.</p><p>00:01:36.030 –&gt; 00:01:48.780 Joseph McElroy: With mechanical bear bait demos programs and music, then we have the dare Nicholson all-star band camp or concert with seminars, presented by iconic musicians on Saturday of.</p><p>00:01:50.160 –&gt; 00:01:54.120 Joseph McElroy: July 17 along with a concert on Saturday night.</p><p>00:01:54.900 –&gt; 00:02:03.480 Joseph McElroy: There are landing and Charles Miller lifetime achievement award program will be with the seminars, music, and talks will be on July 31.</p><p>00:02:03.750 –&gt; 00:02:16.380 Joseph McElroy: And the Horrace Kephart festival weekend on August 13 and 14th two days, full of heights music programs with nationally known our author’s artists and filmmakers musicians and explorers will be.</p><p>00:02:17.010 –&gt; 00:02:27.930 Joseph McElroy: There we’re also pleased to announce it, in addition to new big events in August, the mountain the Meadowlark mountain heritage festival on August 7 through he has to be.</p><p>00:02:28.230 –&gt; 00:02:37.620 Joseph McElroy: This will be a fun-filled week weekend featuring Cherokee storytelling and mass carving from the incomparable David are Davey arch.</p><p>00:02:38.040 –&gt; 00:02:49.800 Joseph McElroy: Traditional music with Tandon Silver and the meadowlark ramblers or frontier camp with period-correct demos pertaining to a variety of topics, including high tanning blacksmiths.</p><p>00:02:50.280 –&gt; 00:03:06.360 Joseph McElroy: flintlock firearms Pottering wildcrafted hosted by renowned experts in their respective CEOs fields such as I a hatter Randall peers kin partner, Brian Nolan Charlie brown corey plot David Brown and much more.</p><p>00:03:06.810 –&gt; 00:03:14.220 Joseph McElroy: And then the weekend of August 27 through 29th there’s a natural since traditional skills, we can.</p><p>00:03:14.700 –&gt; 00:03:26.310 Joseph McElroy: for reaching a big featuring a variety of experts in their field, including ginseng expert Jim Hamilton is our guest today Abby Martin artemisia known owner and.</p><p>00:03:26.700 –&gt; 00:03:36.450 Joseph McElroy: walk founder of the wonderful school award-winning Cherokee naturalist Tyson Samson Adam Bigelow of big a little bit technical excursions.</p><p>00:03:36.840 –&gt; 00:03:48.630 Joseph McElroy: acclaimed author and naturalist Renae Winchester Harold health and hair loom seed expert author musician William Ritter was a previous guest on the show.</p><p>00:03:49.050 –&gt; 00:03:58.830 Joseph McElroy: Plott hound program and book signing with Bob Plott and other guests and Jacob Morgan Plott Sunday morning traditional music and service with William Ritter.</p><p>00:03:59.130 –&gt; 00:04:08.250 Joseph McElroy: And Sarah Ogletree along with additional music throughout the weekend, with Camden silver and the Meadowlark ramblers Michael Ogletree and William Ritter.</p><p>00:04:10.050 –&gt; 00:04:16.590 Joseph McElroy: I also announced, we have the initiative may Maggie rainwater to the Meadowlark</p><p>00:04:17.700 –&gt; 00:04:29.490 Joseph McElroy: Mountain heritage team who’s going to do PR and advertising for all events and podcasts and represent some of the top names in America and bluegrass music fields welcome Maggie.</p><p>00:04:29.910 –&gt; 00:04:42.120 Joseph McElroy: Most events at the Meadowlark Smoky Heritage Centers smoking out here just centers is free from hotel guests and then there’s a mission fee for Non-guest call to 89261717.</p><p>00:04:42.540 –&gt; 00:04:59.130 Joseph McElroy: To put book your rooms, or for further information, there’s any stuff going on, so do you listen to this podcast after the fact, and after the summer of 2021 reach out because there’s going to be stuff going on all year round and they’re all going to be quality events like this, so.</p><p>00:05:00.240 –&gt; 00:05:15.270 Joseph McElroy: Our podcast today is about ginseng and culture ginseng in the smoky mountains and I wasn’t you know I look around for poetry sometimes and things related to what the guest is going to be talking about that’s meaningful to me.</p><p>00:05:16.620 –&gt; 00:05:26.790 Joseph McElroy: And you know I didn’t find a poem at work, but I found a bluegrass song the original author was Norman Blake and I think he performed it as well, what I found one that was.</p><p>00:05:28.920 –&gt; 00:05:36.690 Joseph McElroy: Something that involves the popular bluegrass legend Tim Rice, who has been mentioned several times on this show by</p><p>00:05:36.960 –&gt; 00:05:51.300 Joseph McElroy: My Tim Cert and balsam range a couple of others and Darren Nicholson and also arrange will be here next week’s to talk about the bluegrass band camp and he’ll probably mention that maybe mentioned Tim Rice raw I will I prod them to anyway.</p><p>00:05:52.410 –&gt; 00:06:02.100 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, the lyrics of this song are relevant, I think, to today’s show and so I’m going to read this army as I’m not a singer and I don’t want to violate copyright law so.</p><p>00:06:03.600 –&gt; 00:06:14.130 Joseph McElroy: So about three miles from the bed to a yard from the reverse curve on down not far south of the town depot Sullivan Shack was found.</p><p>00:06:14.880 –&gt; 00:06:27.360 Joseph McElroy: Back on the higher ground, you can see him every day walking down the line, with an old brown sack or crosses back and as long hair down behind speaking is worried mine.</p><p>00:06:28.590 –&gt; 00:06:36.720 Joseph McElroy: it’s a long way to the delta from the north Georgia hills a tote sack full of urgency will pay no traveling bill.</p><p>00:06:37.860 –&gt; 00:06:44.640 Joseph McElroy: Now I’m too old to ride the rails or thumb the road alone, so I guess I’ll never make it back home.</p><p>00:06:45.660 –&gt; 00:06:48.420 Joseph McElroy: My muddy waters Mississippi delta on.</p><p>00:06:49.890 –&gt; 00:07:01.050 Joseph McElroy: What is here the winters here they get too cold the damp and makes me ill can dig their roots in the mountainside of the frozen ground froze hard and still.</p><p>00:07:01.770 –&gt; 00:07:13.350 Joseph McElroy: gotta stay on the foot of the Hill, but I make summer when things turn right the companies will pay high I’ll make enough money to pay my bills and bid these mountains goodbye.</p><p>00:07:14.280 –&gt; 00:07:24.390 Joseph McElroy: Then he said, where the side it’s a long way to the delta from the north Georgia hills attempts at full of June saying will pay no traveling bills.</p><p>00:07:24.720 –&gt; 00:07:35.190 Joseph McElroy: No I’m too old to ride the rails or thumb the road alone so I’ll guess I’ll never make it back to home, my muddy water Mississippi delta home.</p><p>00:07:36.210 –&gt; 00:07:52.170 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so my guest today is Jim Hamilton who’s an acclaimed novelist who has a Ph.D. in forestry is a country as a county director for the nc state cooperative extension and as an adjunct professor at Appalachian State University, how are you doing Jim.</p><p>00:07:52.890 –&gt; 00:07:56.940 Jim Hamilton: Great Joseph thanks for having me on your show on your podcasts great.</p><p>00:07:57.540 –&gt; 00:08:02.730 Joseph McElroy: I’m so glad you’re here, so are you originally in North Carolina right.</p><p>00:08:03.030 –&gt; 00:08:04.290 Jim Hamilton: I am not.</p><p>00:08:05.430 –&gt; 00:08:22.830 Jim Hamilton: Originally yeah I hail from a little small town in Alabama southeast to Birmingham, where you can see, the last hanging toenail of the Appalachians from the highest point you know, on on the home property but I’ve lived in North Carolina now for about 20 years and.</p><p>00:08:23.580 –&gt; 00:08:24.330 Jim Hamilton: You know it’s a.</p><p>00:08:24.570 –&gt; 00:08:29.910 Jim Hamilton: Even though my kids were born here they’ll never be local you know takes like eight generations in a good killing.</p><p>00:08:31.410 –&gt; 00:08:33.690 Jim Hamilton: The data to really qualify but uh.</p><p>00:08:33.780 –&gt; 00:08:39.150 Joseph McElroy: yeah about 20 years ago people start accepting the Community, it might not call you can call your friend.</p><p>00:08:39.450 –&gt; 00:08:39.750 Right.</p><p>00:08:42.780 –&gt; 00:08:45.720 Joseph McElroy: So I was brought to your school or was that when.</p><p>00:08:46.230 –&gt; 00:08:48.780 Jim Hamilton: I came to North came to nc state for.</p><p>00:08:49.020 –&gt; 00:08:58.680 Jim Hamilton: For Grad school in forestry and wound up in in the mountains of looking at working with the Christmas tree industry, so I started.</p><p>00:08:59.790 –&gt; 00:09:09.300 Jim Hamilton: started with cooperative extension and drifted back to hey over to Haywood county where I was and I taught a hey what Community college and then.</p><p>00:09:10.020 –&gt; 00:09:19.020 Jim Hamilton: Then back up to Boone to sort of lead the shop here at the county extension office, so you know by I’m a couple of hours from the Meadowlark down there.</p><p>00:09:19.980 –&gt; 00:09:21.720 Joseph McElroy: nc state, you know I went to do.</p><p>00:09:22.980 –&gt; 00:09:23.520 Joseph McElroy: The.</p><p>00:09:25.320 –&gt; 00:09:26.640 Joseph McElroy: nice little rivalry, I remember.</p><p>00:09:27.300 –&gt; 00:09:28.620 Jim Hamilton: I took a class at Duke.</p><p>00:09:30.060 –&gt; 00:09:30.810 Jim Hamilton: nc state.</p><p>00:09:32.010 –&gt; 00:09:37.650 Jim Hamilton: The folks studying forestry at Duke would come over to nc state to take real for St.</p><p>00:09:39.270 –&gt; 00:09:43.620 Jim Hamilton: Jude is the forestry student from the state we go to do to take the policy classes.</p><p>00:09:44.940 –&gt; 00:09:54.870 Joseph McElroy: Well, I remember once going over to nc state or some fraternity brothers and we took cool so we covered a bunch of statues, is that something that they do now or did I don’t remember what it was.</p><p>00:09:56.100 –&gt; 00:09:56.640 Jim Hamilton: Oh man.</p><p>00:09:57.000 –&gt; 00:10:02.520 Joseph McElroy: All right, so you’re naturally to say that we just say, what do you do up there now.</p><p>00:10:02.550 –&gt; 00:10:06.360 Jim Hamilton: What do you do, I just teach one class a year at</p><p>00:10:06.420 –&gt; 00:10:20.760 Jim Hamilton: Appalachian state I’m an adjunct instructor but my day job is is with the cooperative extension and we’re the outreach arm for the university so we’re we provide you know research reach research-based and technical information.</p><p>00:10:21.210 –&gt; 00:10:30.330 Jim Hamilton: To farmers, landowners master gardeners cattle producers Christmas tree growers, you name it we’re sort of the one-stop-shop for.</p><p>00:10:31.080 –&gt; 00:10:43.170 Jim Hamilton: Agricultural information and property information in each of the counties every county in North Carolina has an extension office and I wound up here in Boone.</p><p>00:10:43.710 –&gt; 00:10:52.050 Joseph McElroy: wow So if I wanted to start a BlackBerry farm and an iron Haywood county I’d be dealing with somebody like you.</p><p>00:10:52.110 –&gt; 00:10:56.700 Jim Hamilton: Right that’s right you, you would call a bill Skelton is yours is the.</p><p>00:10:58.080 –&gt; 00:10:58.980 Jim Hamilton: director yep.</p><p>00:10:59.070 –&gt; 00:10:59.520 Joseph McElroy: I was.</p><p>00:11:00.540 –&gt; 00:11:12.180 Joseph McElroy: I was sitting around at a party in New York City and some guy from St Louis said, you know we would buy you know talking about farm to table, he said we buy so many blackberries and we get hold of.</p><p>00:11:12.480 –&gt; 00:11:18.300 Joseph McElroy: The we said, well, we got plays Landon and Haywood county that grows by a various real well so yeah.</p><p>00:11:18.330 –&gt; 00:11:18.900 Jim Hamilton: Plenty of them.</p><p>00:11:19.980 –&gt; 00:11:22.620 Joseph McElroy: Is it made me will ever come to fruition.</p><p>00:11:23.280 –&gt; 00:11:23.850 Joseph McElroy: And certainly.</p><p>00:11:24.210 –&gt; 00:11:26.100 Joseph McElroy: A party talk, but you know.</p><p>00:11:27.000 –&gt; 00:11:28.230 Jim Hamilton: that’s right that’s right.</p><p>00:11:28.620 –&gt; 00:11:30.960 Joseph McElroy: So every county Community college.</p><p>00:11:31.590 –&gt; 00:11:42.780 Jim Hamilton: So I taught forestry for four years and Haywood Community college I taught soils introduction to forestry I taught dendrology, which is the.</p><p>00:11:43.260 –&gt; 00:11:54.210 Jim Hamilton: Which is the identification of trees, and you know the most enjoyable thing, while I did there, I was the over the forestry club and I don’t know if you’ve seen the lumberjack competitions or.</p><p>00:11:54.660 –&gt; 00:12:02.520 Jim Hamilton: You know I guess the ESPNC or D or one of the lower-level ESPN channels will show the steel still timber sports.</p><p>00:12:02.970 –&gt; 00:12:15.870 Jim Hamilton: team so and Haywood still has a very active and very super competitive timber sports team, and you know learn how to how to throw an ax and run a run across cat saw and.</p><p>00:12:16.980 –&gt; 00:12:23.010 Jim Hamilton: do a little single book chopping but that’s um it’s a true sport and it’s competitive.</p><p>00:12:23.370 –&gt; 00:12:38.070 Jim Hamilton: it’s a competitive collegiate sport, with the schools that have to foresee programs, and it was always great to take you to know the two year Community college kids to a state, competition and have a whip up on the four-year colleges, you know timber sports team.</p><p>00:12:39.330 –&gt; 00:12:45.210 Joseph McElroy: we’re glad to see that competitive North Carolina spirit exists still even at the College of Community college level.</p><p>00:12:45.300 –&gt; 00:12:47.190 Jim Hamilton: Oh yeah yeah it was a lot of fun.</p><p>00:12:47.220 –&gt; 00:12:56.130 Joseph McElroy: A lot of fun well we’re gonna take a break now, and when we come back a couple of questions I want us to lessen venture past, but then we’ll get into June say alright.</p><p>00:12:56.460 –&gt; 00:12:57.060 Jim Hamilton: sounds great.</p><p>00:15:27.570 –&gt; 00:15:33.840 Joseph McElroy: Howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Jim Hamilton.</p><p>00:15:34.350 –&gt; 00:15:47.010 Joseph McElroy: So, Jim I know we want to give the ginseng but I noticed a couple of things I was reading your profile and you speak fluent Spanish and I didn’t see anything other than you went to Paraguay, with the peace corps is that we learn Spanish.</p><p>00:15:47.820 –&gt; 00:15:56.520 Jim Hamilton: I did I learned, Spanish and Guarani which is which I spoke more guarani when I was was when I was in rural Paraguay, but.</p><p>00:15:56.940 –&gt; 00:16:02.430 Jim Hamilton: My wife is from Argentina so with a lot of help from from from her and.</p><p>00:16:03.000 –&gt; 00:16:17.910 Jim Hamilton: And and regular visits with the family, my my my Spanish drastically improved because Spanish and Paraguay’s is sort of the second language so so yeah we speak a good deal Spanish at home, especially when I’m being chastised for something.</p><p>00:16:19.710 –&gt; 00:16:26.610 Joseph McElroy: But it’s good, though I just thought that was an interesting thing I didn’t see where I learned, other than that what two years you’re very right yes.</p><p>00:16:26.610 –&gt; 00:16:28.530 Jim Hamilton: yeah I’m a renaissance redneck.</p><p>00:16:30.030 –&gt; 00:16:31.320 Joseph McElroy: that’s exactly what I am.</p><p>00:16:33.120 –&gt; 00:16:41.850 Joseph McElroy: So, before we begin in the ginseng I had to say, I saw this you wrote you wrote an article called the turtles of the high country right.</p><p>00:16:43.080 –&gt; 00:16:57.720 Joseph McElroy: And you’re already there the eastern box turtles, the only terrorist terrestrial turtle founder of the state in 1979 it was chosen to be the North Carolina state reptile I have to know why do we have a state reptile.</p><p>00:16:59.490 –&gt; 00:17:09.630 Jim Hamilton: You know I I thought the same thing I know we you know, we have the state, the state flower in this in the state tree, the state reptile that’s a new one, to me, but.</p><p>00:17:10.050 –&gt; 00:17:23.640 Jim Hamilton: Here here at the extension office out, you know, during the summer, we have people bring in turtles for identification we bring it to get snakes sometimes they’re in jars sometimes there with a head sometimes without ahead.</p><p>00:17:24.030 –&gt; 00:17:31.590 Jim Hamilton: folks want to know you know what the animals are they find they find on their property so that’s another service that we provide.</p><p>00:17:32.220 –&gt; 00:17:37.350 Joseph McElroy: The mountain North Carolina, especially with regards to turtle so I don’t want to get into it too much, but yeah.</p><p>00:17:38.520 –&gt; 00:17:48.750 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah it is okay good all right so so I heard that around the office, your coworkers call you Jimseng</p><p>00:17:51.240 –&gt; 00:18:04.920 Joseph McElroy: And then you say you teach workshops and workshops on how to plan it you drink daily smoothies sprinkled with it, so I guess your expert on the subject, so why this intense interest.</p><p>00:18:05.250 –&gt; 00:18:18.450 Jim Hamilton: And what the ginseng is such a unique plant with such a historical and cultural significance, especially here in in the western North Carolina mountains.</p><p>00:18:19.260 –&gt; 00:18:35.130 Jim Hamilton: I had I known what it was, you know as a student of forestry natural resources, and you know when I started working in western North Carolina I would hear about it more and more and.</p><p>00:18:37.140 –&gt; 00:18:44.550 Jim Hamilton: I’ve had friends with access to property actually take me, you know ginseng hunting, it is still.</p><p>00:18:44.940 –&gt; 00:19:00.690 Jim Hamilton: juicing hunting is still a very integral part of Appalachian mountains and for a lot of folks it’s a supplemental form of income there’s a legal harvest season for it and there’s a there’s an international market for it.</p><p>00:19:00.720 –&gt; 00:19:01.470 Jim Hamilton: But it’s a.</p><p>00:19:01.770 –&gt; 00:19:05.220 Jim Hamilton: You know, in the fall during the legal season.</p><p>00:19:06.660 –&gt; 00:19:17.430 Jim Hamilton: You have folks that hit the woods either you know they’re scouting out there, the place to put their deer stand, you know for deer season and while they’re out there they’re looking for ginseng, and if they find.</p><p>00:19:18.030 –&gt; 00:19:22.830 Jim Hamilton: or come across a patch you know they’ll dig ginseng and there’s there are registered dealers who.</p><p>00:19:23.250 –&gt; 00:19:32.190 Jim Hamilton: who purchased the root and the more I learned about it, the more curious I was about it, and you know to live here and working with a wide number of.</p><p>00:19:32.820 –&gt; 00:19:38.010 Jim Hamilton: Property property owners and locals I just came to learn more about it and really.</p><p>00:19:38.460 –&gt; 00:19:51.060 Jim Hamilton: You know that’s where my I guess passion for the plant comes from because it is becoming more and more scarce due to overharvesting and you, there are a few TV shows a while back that that that led to that.</p><p>00:19:51.390 –&gt; 00:19:53.040 Joseph McElroy: Right well you know.</p><p>00:19:54.180 –&gt; 00:20:14.520 Joseph McElroy: You know I picked that song ginseng to sell them for a couple of reasons, one that spoke to you know didn’t sing as a financial force of income and solving Scotch Irish right so it’s been a part of the Scotch Irish settlers economics for several hundred years right.</p><p>00:20:15.150 –&gt; 00:20:24.540 Jim Hamilton: Right yeah it was so you know there are several species of ginseng as far as the plants concerned and the Asian ginseng</p><p>00:20:25.080 –&gt; 00:20:34.140 Jim Hamilton: A pan so to get not to get too scientific, but the scientific name for Asian ginseng his pen X ginseng in the pen, X is the Latin for.</p><p>00:20:34.440 –&gt; 00:20:44.730 Jim Hamilton: panacea for everything, because it was considered a plant that was good for everything was good for your heart, good for blood pressure regulation, good for.</p><p>00:20:45.330 –&gt; 00:20:56.430 Jim Hamilton: Maintaining your blood sugar as a state as a stimulant and the in traditional Chinese medicine and in Asia ginseng has been harvested for</p><p>00:20:56.880 –&gt; 00:21:07.650 Jim Hamilton: Five millennia, apparently, so you know over 5000 years apparently what you know wars and dynasties rose and fell related to the ginseng trade in China.</p><p>00:21:08.130 –&gt; 00:21:19.230 Jim Hamilton: But then, in the early 1700s and 1716 there was a French jazz missionary Joseph fluffy toe who was stationed kind of outside of Toronto.</p><p>00:21:19.650 –&gt; 00:21:30.690 Jim Hamilton: Many worked with a mohawk the mohawk and the Iroquois in that area, and one of his Jesuit Redland brethren in China had sent a little monograph over have a picture of.</p><p>00:21:31.230 –&gt; 00:21:40.500 Jim Hamilton: Chinese Jen saying and describing the benefits of it and how it was used in Asia, and he had either seen it or spoke to some of the natives.</p><p>00:21:40.950 –&gt; 00:21:47.520 Jim Hamilton: In that area and figured out that there was an American species of it, so he described it wrote it up drew it out.</p><p>00:21:48.210 –&gt; 00:21:53.820 Jim Hamilton: described how it was used and submitted to some big consortium and in Europe.</p><p>00:21:54.330 –&gt; 00:22:09.450 Jim Hamilton: And it was officially recognized and so by once it was sort of recognized it, you know it sort of formed an additional backbone of the American trade economy with China so that’s some of the kind of really deep historical roots that this this This plan has.</p><p>00:22:10.470 –&gt; 00:22:23.070 Jim Hamilton: In 1784 it was Jim thing was was was in barrels shipped on the very first flagship of the United States to China to Canton on you know, a trade junket.</p><p>00:22:23.700 –&gt; 00:22:34.740 Jim Hamilton: And, and even Daniel Boone you know who to reverse all over you know the smokies and here in the high country Western North Carolina there’s a reference to him and in 1787.</p><p>00:22:35.550 –&gt; 00:22:44.490 Jim Hamilton: carrying a barge load of ginseng up the Ohio River and the barge actually sank had a capsized and he lost the barrels of ginseng</p><p>00:22:45.090 –&gt; 00:22:53.760 Jim Hamilton: But you know ginseng used to be so plentiful in the mountains, that you know the story goes, as he said, well boys I guess we’ll just you know hit the woods and dig some.</p><p>00:22:55.110 –&gt; 00:23:09.150 Jim Hamilton: He would hire and Daniel Boone would conscript or higher either Native Americans are locals to help them dig ginseng because it was part of the export trade to China, you know as early as the late 1800s or 1700s.</p><p>00:23:09.870 –&gt; 00:23:17.040 Joseph McElroy: Now, did you know didn’t the Cherokee and other indigenous cultures use the route and sold it long before.</p><p>00:23:18.330 –&gt; 00:23:18.960 Joseph McElroy: The.</p><p>00:23:21.510 –&gt; 00:23:22.350 Joseph McElroy: settlers use it.</p><p>00:23:22.620 –&gt; 00:23:33.690 Jim Hamilton: Oh absolutely you know it was used as a tonic I know that the Cherokee have specific words for it, the mohawk and the Iroquois would use it, I think they would.</p><p>00:23:34.590 –&gt; 00:23:42.390 Jim Hamilton: I read somewhere that they would binge on it before going to war before serious negotiations.</p><p>00:23:43.110 –&gt; 00:23:46.350 Jim Hamilton: Because of the energy aspect of it and.</p><p>00:23:46.890 –&gt; 00:23:56.310 Jim Hamilton: And I, and again I read somewhere else, that you know the Cherokee said that you know ginseng was sort of like you know much like in Chinese culture ginseng a sort of like a person.</p><p>00:23:56.610 –&gt; 00:24:01.830 Jim Hamilton: If it doesn’t work if you don’t honor the forests or if you don’t respect.</p><p>00:24:02.730 –&gt; 00:24:08.010 Jim Hamilton: Respect ginseng in the woods around it, then, then it won’t let you find it, it will actually hide from you.</p><p>00:24:08.460 –&gt; 00:24:23.490 Jim Hamilton: And as and as someone who’s hundred ginseng and it looked for ginseng in areas where I knew it was it can it’s it can be very tricky and difficult to find because it’s a very small, you know, a small cryptic little plant, you know, really.</p><p>00:24:25.200 –&gt; 00:24:31.020 Jim Hamilton: Probably you know 300 years ago when it was more prolific and grew to the size that.</p><p>00:24:31.740 –&gt; 00:24:42.750 Jim Hamilton: That it grew to before we started harvesting it, you know, a big plant might hit you in the hip you know, these days, if you find a plant that’s high enough to hit you in the knees that’s a decent sized.</p><p>00:24:43.620 –&gt; 00:24:45.180 Joseph McElroy: And what color are the flowers.</p><p>00:24:46.020 –&gt; 00:24:51.840 Jim Hamilton: So it’s got really tiny white flowers, it is flowering right now in in the smokies.</p><p>00:24:53.280 –&gt; 00:25:02.580 Jim Hamilton: In here in the high country to so if you’re there it’s a small head of flowers that’ll turn into these really blood-red berries.</p><p>00:25:03.240 –&gt; 00:25:15.150 Jim Hamilton: Later in the summer and a lot of folks who dig ginseng and hunting ginseng well start hunting it when the berries turn but you know number one, it makes them easy to find and number two.</p><p>00:25:15.900 –&gt; 00:25:32.040 Jim Hamilton: You know it’s required that you replant those berries before you dig up the root because it’s a perennial plant, it can live for over 100 years it’s like I said it’s a really unique plant.</p><p>00:25:34.080 –&gt; 00:25:39.060 Joseph McElroy: What would you say, are the most popular medicinal uses and.</p><p>00:25:40.110 –&gt; 00:25:42.060 Joseph McElroy: You know how does it use.</p><p>00:25:42.990 –&gt; 00:25:57.660 Jim Hamilton: So if you dig into the literature on ginseng there hasn’t been a ton of truly medicinal research on it in the United States now there’s a journal of ginseng research out of Korea.</p><p>00:25:58.050 –&gt; 00:26:09.330 Jim Hamilton: Where they’re really delving into the medicinal qualities but energy has been the is the number one use and they’ve done a study, I believe it was a University of Michigan or Michigan state study.</p><p>00:26:10.560 –&gt; 00:26:25.770 Jim Hamilton: Giving ginseng to cancer patients increased their energy levels in traditional Chinese medicine, so you know how I’m going to mispronounce this because that’s how my son the roots told me to say you know you have ya yin and Yang.</p><p>00:26:25.980 –&gt; 00:26:33.990 Jim Hamilton: Right, I was corrected by Chinese you know a medicinal expert who corrected me said it’s yang Jim it’s not Yeng</p><p>00:26:35.430 –&gt; 00:26:48.750 Jim Hamilton: So in Chinese medicine Asian ginseng, which is pan X gen saying is young ginseng it’s hot energy its heat the heat hottest.</p><p>00:26:49.530 –&gt; 00:27:01.260 Jim Hamilton: So you take Chinese dancing in the wintertime if you’re cold or have chills you drink it in tea, or you, you know consume it and powdered form in a meal or as a supplement.</p><p>00:27:01.770 –&gt; 00:27:10.920 Jim Hamilton: Well, American ginseng Pan X Holiness is yen energy so it’s cool energy it’s what you take.</p><p>00:27:11.550 –&gt; 00:27:22.710 Jim Hamilton: What you take in the summertime when you’re really hot and you need that that that that boost of a boost of energy so it’d be like a really nice frosty cold CAP frappuccino.</p><p>00:27:23.370 –&gt; 00:27:30.900 Jim Hamilton: You know in here in the US, we consume coffee, the way folks in China, probably consumed Ginseng</p><p>00:27:31.890 –&gt; 00:27:37.530 Joseph McElroy: I’m trying to figure out things to take caffeine all the time, we will investigate.</p><p>00:27:38.280 –&gt; 00:27:43.950 Jim Hamilton: Give ginseng a try, you know, during the summer, when I can find fresh ginseng oh.</p><p>00:27:44.610 –&gt; 00:27:54.510 Jim Hamilton: I’ll pop a root into a smoothie it’s very bitter the route itself is very bitter so it takes the edge off the sweetness of a smoothie.</p><p>00:27:55.380 –&gt; 00:28:05.820 Jim Hamilton: My wife, really, really, really likes ginseng in the smoothies, and yeah it gives you that you know it gives you the coffee, you know the coffee buzz without the jitters.</p><p>00:28:05.970 –&gt; 00:28:14.700 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well when we come back I’ll talk a little bit more we’ll talk a little bit more about economics don’t get into it it your book sounds great listening to.</p><p>00:31:00.840 –&gt; 00:31:12.660 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Jim Hamilton you were talking ginseng so Jim you know that song.</p><p>00:31:13.860 –&gt; 00:31:26.220 Joseph McElroy: didn’t single cell but also brought up another thing and negative stereotyping of people hunting ginseng and southern Appalachian, what do you think about that is Is that true why, why do you think it happened.</p><p>00:31:27.030 –&gt; 00:31:41.280 Jim Hamilton: Well, they were so they were a series of reality shows it came out right around 2013 that sort of corresponded with the highest ginseng price, you know to date ginseng hit.</p><p>00:31:41.820 –&gt; 00:31:53.010 Jim Hamilton: Around 1300 dollars a pound in 2013 and about that time he had shown a couple of on the history channel there were Appalachian outlaws and you had smoky mountain money.</p><p>00:31:53.400 –&gt; 00:31:54.990 Jim Hamilton: And hillbilly good.</p><p>00:31:55.500 –&gt; 00:32:05.670 Jim Hamilton: And filthy riches and you know those shows just portrayed your you know what I think a lot of people perceive the Appalachians as.</p><p>00:32:06.120 –&gt; 00:32:12.780 Jim Hamilton: A you know running around the woods of grabbing as much ginseng as they could to make a fortune.</p><p>00:32:13.260 –&gt; 00:32:27.810 Jim Hamilton: And that you know the downside of that is that it drew a lot of and needed attention to the plant itself, which is already stressed as far as its population, and you know for Kennedy go so.</p><p>00:32:28.830 –&gt; 00:32:37.410 Jim Hamilton: You know that the only bright side of those shows, and the stereotypes, is that the more people became interested in it, and I think.</p><p>00:32:38.070 –&gt; 00:32:44.730 Jim Hamilton: A vast majority of them became more interested in it as something that they could plant.</p><p>00:32:45.630 –&gt; 00:32:50.280 Jim Hamilton: In their own on their own properties here in the mountains or in their own woods and it.</p><p>00:32:50.790 –&gt; 00:33:00.060 Jim Hamilton: You know it sort of is caused a really you know sort of reconnection for some folks who remember their parents or their grandparents taking them out as kids too.</p><p>00:33:00.510 –&gt; 00:33:09.720 Jim Hamilton: You know, to hunt ginseng back in the day, so I mean that’s the only silver lining out of those shows because you know everyone thinks, you know moonshine bluegrass.</p><p>00:33:10.170 –&gt; 00:33:24.660 Jim Hamilton: ginseng and it in it, you know those negative stereotypes are are are are just you know don’t represent you know the true art and science behind.</p><p>00:33:25.560 –&gt; 00:33:34.440 Jim Hamilton: The wild harvesters who really are their true stewards of the land, and you know, there are poachers and you, you know if you Google ginseng poaching or.</p><p>00:33:34.860 –&gt; 00:33:42.420 Jim Hamilton: ginseng and the smoky mountains you’ll see these articles and newspaper stories about you know people.</p><p>00:33:43.170 –&gt; 00:33:56.970 Jim Hamilton: Illegally harvesting ginseng on in the great smokies, but you know I work with a lot of property owners who are interested in, you know, preserving the integrity of the plant and that you know those kinds of.</p><p>00:33:57.870 –&gt; 00:34:03.060 Jim Hamilton: The preserving a part of their heritage in their childhood too.</p><p>00:34:05.070 –&gt; 00:34:12.720 Joseph McElroy: So it’s fairly regular now right, and there can you say people have farms so there’s both the wild and there’s also the.</p><p>00:34:14.400 –&gt; 00:34:15.900 Joseph McElroy: Culture cultivated.</p><p>00:34:16.080 –&gt; 00:34:16.350 Young.</p><p>00:34:18.990 –&gt; 00:34:31.170 Jim Hamilton: yeah they said that most of them, the majority of the cultivated ginseng, so the cultivated ginseng is grown on large commercialized farms, mainly in Wisconsin and then Ontario Canada.</p><p>00:34:31.620 –&gt; 00:34:45.600 Jim Hamilton: you’re under it’s produced under shade cloth it’s heavily fertilized it’s till this heavily managed they harvested in about four years that’s the stuff that brings about 50 bucks a pound that’s the stuff that’s in your so be energy drinks your monster energy drinks.</p><p>00:34:45.960 –&gt; 00:34:47.490 Joseph McElroy: as good as the wild stuff right.</p><p>00:34:47.850 –&gt; 00:34:51.300 Jim Hamilton: Now that’s the stuff that cheap stuff goes into this little yellow jacket.</p><p>00:34:51.300 –&gt; 00:34:53.850 Jim Hamilton: truck they might find that you know at the.</p><p>00:34:54.360 –&gt; 00:34:56.250 Jim Hamilton: At the Kangaroo or.</p><p>00:34:56.820 –&gt; 00:34:59.910 Joseph McElroy: You want to come to the mountains and get some of the real-life stuff right.</p><p>00:34:59.940 –&gt; 00:35:13.890 Jim Hamilton: yeah the real now is the real wild stuff and ginseng is sold on how it looks and the older in larger the ginseng the better so most dealers who buy ginseng from local diggers.</p><p>00:35:14.280 –&gt; 00:35:25.080 Jim Hamilton: are looking for plants that are a minimum of about 10 years old, and you can gauge the age and the quality of a ginseng root, by the way, it looks now.</p><p>00:35:26.010 –&gt; 00:35:37.080 Joseph McElroy: Is there have been shops and places to buy and consumer-oriented ability to participate in ginseng in culture in the mountains that have popped up.</p><p>00:35:37.500 –&gt; 00:35:49.350 Jim Hamilton: You know not not not really that you know, probably 99% of all the ginseng that gets harvested from the mountains in ends up in China or Hong Kong in some way or Korea in some shape or form.</p><p>00:35:50.550 –&gt; 00:35:55.620 Jim Hamilton: yeah we have had a lot of you know that with more and more Korean.</p><p>00:35:57.510 –&gt; 00:36:10.620 Jim Hamilton: Korean residents in our larger cities ginseng is also a major part of Korean culture in in in food there I just I saw a podcast from the Smithsonian folklife museum on.</p><p>00:36:11.730 –&gt; 00:36:21.960 Jim Hamilton: On on ginseng chicken soup that’s a Korean dish now the Koreans will buy they’ll actually come up and and and contact the dealers directly.</p><p>00:36:22.230 –&gt; 00:36:31.890 Jim Hamilton: And purchase fresh ginseng to consume, you know in in the US, but as far as retail outlets for ginseng products I’ve seen some ginseng teas.</p><p>00:36:33.210 –&gt; 00:36:34.500 Jim Hamilton: I don’t have a box of tea here.</p><p>00:36:34.800 –&gt; 00:36:38.070 Joseph McElroy: Where do you get the ginseng thing that you put in your smoothies.</p><p>00:36:39.510 –&gt; 00:36:41.040 Jim Hamilton: that’s found in the woods and I’m not.</p><p>00:36:42.600 –&gt; 00:36:46.350 Joseph McElroy: Sure, oh so, how do you know it’s a good area to look for ginseng.</p><p>00:36:46.380 –&gt; 00:36:49.200 Jim Hamilton: Well, I know, Joseph the first rule ginseng clothes you.</p><p>00:36:49.200 –&gt; 00:36:49.380 don’t.</p><p>00:36:53.700 –&gt; 00:37:03.390 Jim Hamilton: Know there’s, you know as rare as it is in the wild you can still find patches of it and I have some that I started from seed.</p><p>00:37:03.780 –&gt; 00:37:14.130 Jim Hamilton: You can find there are some ginseng Facebook groups that are really popular and if you say you’re looking for seed, you can get some plant, so my mind comes out of the woods, but.</p><p>00:37:14.580 –&gt; 00:37:22.830 Jim Hamilton: You know they’re the agent marketing you there in New York City, where you are I’m sure if you walk down to one of the Asian markets in China town you.</p><p>00:37:24.000 –&gt; 00:37:36.900 Joseph McElroy: live in North Carolina didn’t say, but I mean I’m done smoky mountains, all the time, so I want to look, I want to look at things I never did grow up, as we didn’t go after ginseng so you know I should experience that yeah.</p><p>00:37:37.050 –&gt; 00:37:38.700 Jim Hamilton: Well there’s a right before.</p><p>00:37:40.290 –&gt; 00:37:47.940 Jim Hamilton: On your way to the paper mill down there there’s it’s called Carolina bait and they are adjusting their ginseng dealer.</p><p>00:37:48.960 –&gt; 00:38:06.840 Jim Hamilton: Just in there in Clyde just down the road from you and and and and you can find ginseng there during the season, you know season opens up September 1 and you know most of what they’re buying ginseng to then sell to the roaming bands of buyers that come through.</p><p>00:38:07.230 –&gt; 00:38:08.640 Jim Hamilton: Around</p><p>00:38:08.670 –&gt; 00:38:18.660 Jim Hamilton: You know, between Thanksgiving and Christmas is when the Asian buyers come to export it back over to China for the Chinese New Year cool oh.</p><p>00:38:20.760 –&gt; 00:38:21.150 Joseph McElroy: I want to.</p><p>00:38:22.200 –&gt; 00:38:37.140 Joseph McElroy: Make sure we have some time to talk about your book, so you have a book called the last entry and it’s paying the woodland tones of Western North Carolina’s rural mountains and you weave a natural history of the story.</p><p>00:38:39.300 –&gt; 00:38:48.480 Joseph McElroy: The story of characters that reflect our diversity here and the black market economy for June six tell us about this book and it was, I think it once an award right.</p><p>00:38:49.140 –&gt; 00:38:52.170 Jim Hamilton: yeah it was so this was about a five-year project, you know I’ve.</p><p>00:38:52.560 –&gt; 00:39:00.600 Jim Hamilton: Written a lot over my career more technical stuff and in you know, there was all there’s already a couple of great books there’s a nonfiction book explaining.</p><p>00:39:00.870 –&gt; 00:39:05.820 Jim Hamilton: kind of the culture and history of dancing and then there’s a couple of technical guides out there, but nobody had written.</p><p>00:39:06.480 –&gt; 00:39:17.640 Jim Hamilton: A book of fiction, you know that never seen you know, a book that really you know told the story of ginseng as it applies here in the mountains so so yeah it’s a coming of age.</p><p>00:39:18.330 –&gt; 00:39:32.010 Jim Hamilton: a novel set in Appalachia but it’s set under the background of the ginseng trade and it got an I was, I was shocked it got nominated for the Thomas Wolfe memorial.</p><p>00:39:32.640 –&gt; 00:39:39.900 Jim Hamilton: literary award which was, which was a which was on you know, on a humbling honor to just being nominated for that.</p><p>00:39:40.410 –&gt; 00:39:54.450 Jim Hamilton: And it was a quarter-finalist in for the book life prize, which is it’s an award for the independent or small run book so I’ve been pleased with with the response.</p><p>00:39:55.260 –&gt; 00:39:58.560 Joseph McElroy: As I said in the current time is set in current times are.</p><p>00:39:58.590 –&gt; 00:40:10.500 Jim Hamilton: Pretty pretty pretty current I would, I would say, you know I really don’t know either I guess there’s a couple of mentions it’s probably from that from the 80s, the 80s, through the early 2000s is when a bit.</p><p>00:40:11.130 –&gt; 00:40:11.700 Jim Hamilton: But uh.</p><p>00:40:11.880 –&gt; 00:40:15.240 Joseph McElroy: yeah lots of a thriller is it a romance what is it.</p><p>00:40:15.900 –&gt; 00:40:19.320 Jim Hamilton: I would say it’s sort of his.</p><p>00:40:21.420 –&gt; 00:40:25.230 Jim Hamilton: I would just call it you know, a coming-of-age drama I guess.</p><p>00:40:25.950 –&gt; 00:40:34.560 Jim Hamilton: An act, you know more of an action commercial fiction, I think, is what it would qualify as but there’s some.</p><p>00:40:36.900 –&gt; 00:40:45.780 Jim Hamilton: You know the editor who helped me with the book kept telling me, you know because I’m in education, he kept saying quit teaching quitting.</p><p>00:40:46.410 –&gt; 00:40:58.770 Jim Hamilton: tell the story quit teaching about the plan, but um there’s it has all of the all the conflict and drama, you know that you that you’d find in an in a contemporary novel so.</p><p>00:40:58.920 –&gt; 00:41:00.810 Joseph McElroy: that’s great can I get a copy.</p><p>00:41:01.140 –&gt; 00:41:03.810 Jim Hamilton: Oh yeah yes me address I’ll send you a copy for sure.</p><p>00:41:04.080 –&gt; 00:41:14.250 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool alright yeah we’re actually geared up we’re starting to sell books too so maybe we can look at yours as a possible entry in our mountain heritage Center.</p><p>00:41:16.320 –&gt; 00:41:29.310 Jim Hamilton: Oh yeah the amount that would be perfect, you know a lot of most of the best ginseng actually comes from that that Haywood County you know Haywood in Jackson county area in the smokies the soil.</p><p>00:41:30.450 –&gt; 00:41:39.810 Jim Hamilton: The soil is really black in the roots that come out of there are really valued by the buyers, probably the only other place.</p><p>00:41:40.260 –&gt; 00:41:55.140 Jim Hamilton: Where ginseng is more valuable would be the Catskills in New York, a very narrow band of hollers in the Catskills but other than that smoky mountain ginseng is the highest next highest quality ginseng in the US.</p><p>00:41:55.440 –&gt; 00:42:01.950 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah I mean the mountains, I mean there’s got amazing soil for a lot of these sort of heirloom type.</p><p>00:42:03.450 –&gt; 00:42:10.020 Joseph McElroy: Growth, you know you people used to be ramps for a sort of a rarity that you got now you get ramps at whole foods.</p><p>00:42:12.510 –&gt; 00:42:12.780 Jim Hamilton: yeah.</p><p>00:42:13.110 –&gt; 00:42:17.880 Joseph McElroy: But yeah there are other things yeah so.</p><p>00:42:18.450 –&gt; 00:42:21.000 Jim Hamilton: Well, and that’s what you know ginseng came from those.</p><p>00:42:21.540 –&gt; 00:42:35.670 Jim Hamilton: You know, back in the back in the day you didn’t have a CVs or Walgreens on the corner, you know if you had a case of hemorrhoids you headed up to witch hazel holler and grabbed a handful of leaves made you a cultist and put it where it needed to go.</p><p>00:42:35.970 –&gt; 00:42:36.570 So.</p><p>00:42:37.650 –&gt; 00:42:49.980 Jim Hamilton: ginseng was one of those you know medicinal plants that were that was used alongside many of the other forest medicinal herbs that are you know really native to native to our mountains.</p><p>00:42:51.390 –&gt; 00:42:53.220 Joseph McElroy: All right, well you know we’re gonna take.</p><p>00:42:54.270 –&gt; 00:43:02.700 Joseph McElroy: A final break here and then we’ll come back and we’ll talk a little bit about your life in that in the smokies and yeah things that you think people should understand.</p><p>00:43:03.180 –&gt; 00:43:03.900 Jim Hamilton: sounds great.</p><p>00:45:22.200 –&gt; 00:45:28.380 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guests and Jim Hamilton.</p><p>00:45:29.550 –&gt; 00:45:40.380 Joseph McElroy: Jim you do a lot of seminars around the state and yeah and you’re going to be doing one at the Meadowlark Smoky mountain Heritage Center on August 28 what’s the kind of content that you do.</p><p>00:45:41.310 –&gt; 00:45:52.230 Jim Hamilton: As well I’ll probably get into a lot more deep detail and depth into the history and culture of gensing in the area and also do.</p><p>00:45:52.680 –&gt; 00:46:03.270 Jim Hamilton: Planting and sort of an educational lecture on you know the best site companion plants, how to how to plant ginseng how to establish.</p><p>00:46:03.750 –&gt; 00:46:13.050 Jim Hamilton: You know your own patch of ginseng and other you know medicinal plants on your own property so that’s The goal of the talk, they are the Meadowlark.</p><p>00:46:13.410 –&gt; 00:46:16.560 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous can you do it on flatland does it have to be in the mountains.</p><p>00:46:17.490 –&gt; 00:46:29.010 Jim Hamilton: You know ginseng has a wide range, but it just works so well in the mountains I’ve told people before that you know you can plant some seed and try it at home if you’re outside of the Appalachians but the plant.</p><p>00:46:29.430 –&gt; 00:46:37.200 Jim Hamilton: really needs those uh you know, several days of below-freezing cold for the plant to.</p><p>00:46:37.710 –&gt; 00:46:54.000 Jim Hamilton: germinate and following year and come up right so but, but any anywhere around the smoky if you’ve got you got a house or property in the smokies or really anywhere in the Appalachian mountains if you have a nice shady hardwoods spot it should grow cool.</p><p>00:46:54.330 –&gt; 00:46:55.260 Joseph McElroy: So you live in.</p><p>00:46:56.970 –&gt; 00:47:01.950 Joseph McElroy: You live near Boone North Carolina which is sort of north of the smokies.</p><p>00:47:02.220 –&gt; 00:47:05.880 Joseph McElroy: And we haven’t talked a lot about that area, what do you, what do you love about that area.</p><p>00:47:06.840 –&gt; 00:47:21.210 Jim Hamilton: So Boone other, otherwise known as is the high country is home to Appalachian State University, and you know I settled here to work in the Christmas tree industry that with my forestry background.</p><p>00:47:22.620 –&gt; 00:47:28.560 Jim Hamilton: I came here at you know I’ve been originally from Alabama it’s the mountains are a little higher, although.</p><p>00:47:28.950 –&gt; 00:47:37.080 Jim Hamilton: Although I know they’re in Haywood county is the most mountainous county East of the Mississippi, I would say that you know some of the peaks here.</p><p>00:47:38.220 –&gt; 00:47:47.760 Jim Hamilton: In the Boone area, you know get that higher topic, you know grandfather mountain is a pretty popular destination for a lot of folks coming up.</p><p>00:47:48.690 –&gt; 00:48:05.100 Jim Hamilton: into the high country and you know I like it’s a small town very the town itself is very similar to Waynesville with you know, surrounded by mountains and being someone who likes to spend more time in the woods than in the office.</p><p>00:48:06.060 –&gt; 00:48:13.650 Jim Hamilton: yeah it’s just a great fit and we have real winners and real snow and that’s why I’ve come to come to love it here.</p><p>00:48:14.220 –&gt; 00:48:23.610 Joseph McElroy: Well, if you had if something was to come to visit and wanted a good itinerary to experience Boone what would they do, starting with Where would you go for breakfast.</p><p>00:48:24.240 –&gt; 00:48:33.390 Jim Hamilton: overbred see I wouldn’t waste too much time with breakfast I would get so I would bring breakfast to go okay now I’ve got some other restaurant choices for light lunch and dinner.</p><p>00:48:33.390 –&gt; 00:48:42.990 Jim Hamilton: But I would hit a trail early off of the Blue Ridge Parkway I’d bring a pack your own, uh you know trail mix or breakfast on the road.</p><p>00:48:43.530 –&gt; 00:48:53.580 Jim Hamilton: And I would if it’s me I’m going to go to one of the more scenic overlook trails that we have up here called rough Ridge, which is kind of between Boone and blowing rock.</p><p>00:48:54.060 –&gt; 00:49:01.410 Jim Hamilton: And you just can’t be you know the sunrise in the morning hike there if you got back early enough.</p><p>00:49:02.250 –&gt; 00:49:12.540 Jim Hamilton: In the morning you could hit sunny Rock in Bowling rock for breakfast there that’s probably one of the better breakfast places, but personally I probably pack my own breakfast.</p><p>00:49:12.630 –&gt; 00:49:13.500 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool.</p><p>00:49:15.060 –&gt; 00:49:18.090 Joseph McElroy: After that Nice adventure Where would you go for lunch.</p><p>00:49:18.870 –&gt; 00:49:24.120 Jim Hamilton: Oh well, if I’m in the blue and rock area I would probably go to the speckled trout.</p><p>00:49:24.720 –&gt; 00:49:33.360 Jim Hamilton: they’ve got just at you have some great American affair that’s all sourced low from the farms around here we’ve got a lot of farms to table opportunities.</p><p>00:49:33.780 –&gt; 00:49:45.450 Jim Hamilton: In the area, if I managed to make it into Boone I would probably get a pizza and and and in a cold cold beer at last province.</p><p>00:49:46.170 –&gt; 00:49:51.480 Jim Hamilton: You know Boone this area, the high country used to be called the last province North Carolina because it was so hard to get to.</p><p>00:49:51.990 –&gt; 00:50:03.390 Jim Hamilton: And they’ve opened up they’ve got wood-fired pizzas and they brew a number of their own beers and that’s a great lunch spot and then just around the corner you’ve got the mass general store.</p><p>00:50:04.230 –&gt; 00:50:10.320 Jim Hamilton: You know if you wanted to get your shopping in and they gotta give them a plug they’re actually carrying my</p><p>00:50:12.780 –&gt; 00:50:15.270 Jim Hamilton: God that would you spend your afternoon.</p><p>00:50:15.960 –&gt; 00:50:21.000 Jim Hamilton: Oh, you know if the weather’s right, I would take a canoe trip to the new river here.</p><p>00:50:21.960 –&gt; 00:50:36.510 Jim Hamilton: is great for either inner tubing or canoeing or kayaking that the river is not that deep, you can pull off at various different points, and you know, like I said I’m all about the outdoors so I’m going to spend it, you know.</p><p>00:50:37.260 –&gt; 00:50:41.490 Joseph McElroy: Maybe Spencer, I was wondering when you come back from that you’d go to dinner where.</p><p>00:50:42.240 –&gt; 00:50:59.130 Jim Hamilton: yeah so If so, if I’m in so so you know if it’s me I’m going to either maybe be Stroh Rocha in blowing rock it’s just off of Main Street and bone rock and when I get done there’s a kill one’s ice cream place and that’s my son’s actually work in there.</p><p>00:50:59.400 –&gt; 00:51:00.510 Joseph McElroy: All right, there you go.</p><p>00:51:00.900 –&gt; 00:51:18.180 Jim Hamilton: that’s his summer job as a teenager and then, if I’m in Boone I’d be at one of the many, many restaurants on King Street, but one of my favorites is is is Vidalia they’ve just you know great American affair locally sourced their specials are incredible.</p><p>00:51:19.500 –&gt; 00:51:25.020 Jim Hamilton: And you know, and then you know I’d take a stroll down King street to you know to kind of.</p><p>00:51:25.710 –&gt; 00:51:27.720 Jim Hamilton: To work off the dinner.</p><p>00:51:27.960 –&gt; 00:51:31.110 Joseph McElroy: And then maybe entertainment places finish up with.</p><p>00:51:31.860 –&gt; 00:51:46.020 Jim Hamilton: You know there’s a few there’s always some there’s live music on the weekends at several of the breweries have in town in the I know in late July there’s the symphony on the lake, which is a show tola in blowing rock.</p><p>00:51:46.830 –&gt; 00:51:50.550 Jim Hamilton: that’s a big event but there’s a whole lineup of.</p><p>00:51:52.170 –&gt; 00:52:01.320 Jim Hamilton: You know of music at ED either at the last province or Appalachian mountain brewery or moonshine I mean not to get into the beer theme, but you can see.</p><p>00:52:01.320 –&gt; 00:52:07.140 Jim Hamilton: Where my life has become known for breweries yep so good good good.</p><p>00:52:10.230 –&gt; 00:52:13.320 Joseph McElroy: So how do people get your book and how do they follow you.</p><p>00:52:14.100 –&gt; 00:52:31.950 Jim Hamilton: So I’m on Facebook Jim V Hamilton is where you can you find me on Facebook, but uh you know the book is in some independent southern independent bookstores one here in downtown Boone you know foggy pine down your way, I believe, Chris Wilcox at.</p><p>00:52:33.030 –&gt; 00:52:50.250 Jim Hamilton: At the bookstore there and silver city lights, he should have some copies, I sent him a cinnamon box of books, I guess, about a year ago, and then you know, then everyone sort of has to go to the grand demon Amazon.COM if you’re not.</p><p>00:52:50.250 –&gt; 00:52:50.550 Joseph McElroy: From the.</p><p>00:52:51.690 –&gt; 00:52:59.250 Jim Hamilton: You can find it under the last entry on Amazon it’s in its an e-book paperback and I think there are some hard hardcovers floating around.</p><p>00:52:59.250 –&gt; 00:52:59.430 there.</p><p>00:53:00.480 –&gt; 00:53:05.070 Joseph McElroy: cool will be carrying suited up I’m smokies adventure and meadowlark background.</p><p>00:53:05.130 –&gt; 00:53:08.640 Jim Hamilton: Great I’ll bring some books down to Bob there in August.</p><p>00:53:08.940 –&gt; 00:53:19.170 Joseph McElroy: Alright sounds good, so I want to thank you for being on the show I got it so my own shout outs Now you can go to gatewaystothesmokies.fun and find out more about this podcast.</p><p>00:53:20.010 –&gt; 00:53:27.990 Joseph McElroy: there’s also a link to a contest right now for the bluegrass band camp thumbs July 17th to win a two nights day and free.</p><p>00:53:28.650 –&gt; 00:53:39.990 Joseph McElroy: Free admission to both the seminars and to the concert on July 17 Saturday so go there, you can find an entrance to the concert.</p><p>00:53:40.350 –&gt; 00:53:50.010 Joseph McElroy: Now, once you imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past and modern environment with Chic Appalachian and feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:53:50.370 –&gt; 00:53:59.430 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in the mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire, and he accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:53:59.790 –&gt; 00:54:13.830 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place in the old-time using world cultural sound there’s no place like the Meadowlark motel in Maggie valley your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay we’re sponsored by smokies adventures smokies Plural adventure.</p><p>00:54:15.030 –&gt; 00:54:34.140 Joseph McElroy: singular smokiesadventure.com, where you can find information listings about the smokes hiking, wedding venues books trail maps resources, the emphasis is on smokies outdoor recreation and outdoor life events like weddings at adventures go to smokiesadventure.com</p><p>00:54:36.210 –&gt; 00:54:55.080 Joseph McElroy: The the face we’ve been this live on audio and talkradio.NYC, which is a great network to listen to for lots of different podcasts the one after this podcast is all about New York, so you go from rural North Carolina to urban New York City.</p><p>00:54:56.850 –&gt; 00:55:06.390 Joseph McElroy: On this podcast and it was a lot of great shows, so I recommend you go there, we also stream live the zoom podcast to Facebook and facebook.com/slash.gatewaytothesmokiespodcast and</p><p>00:55:06.810 –&gt; 00:55:17.280 Joseph McElroy: there you can find all sorts of information and information about this podcast’s guests and upcoming events.</p><p>00:55:17.670 –&gt; 00:55:31.230 Joseph McElroy: Next week we’re going to have Darren Nicholson talking about from also arranged talking about the bluegrass band camp and his career in the bluegrass legend grammy award-nominated and a world-class.</p><p>00:55:32.400 –&gt; 00:55:48.330 Joseph McElroy: player for a lot of different bands now even bought a pound help band balsam range and we’re pretty proud to be having a long, so this is next Tuesday from six to seven, I look forward to seeing you then Thank you Jim and we’re now signing off.</p> 0a43bac6-e576-445e-8e9d-7a93552b62ab https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/39d01736-ec6a-471e-a912-7ac468cd7cc0 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2955 no full Episode 23: History Museums and Historic Houses in Haywood County NC Episode 23: History Museums and Historic Houses in Haywood County NC Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Gateway to the Smokies Podcast guest is <strong>Alex McKay</strong>, a successful Haywood County businessman who owns and manages rental property throughout the county.</p><p>However, Alex is better known for his work as a <strong><em>Haywood County historian</em></strong>. He has been active in working with the historical Shelton House in Waynesville on various projects and is well known for his efforts in helping record the history of the town of Hazelwood, as well as for renovating a historical house in Hazelwood where he now resides.</p><p>Alex was also instrumental in the development of a museum in the Haywood County Courthouse. Joseph McElroy and Alex Mckay will be discussing all about the historic houses in Haywood County, NC and museums history.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/6izz1YIzNH/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h4>SHOW NOTES</h4><h4><em>SEGMENT 1</em></h4><p>Starting off today’s episode is announcements for special upcoming events announced by Bob. There are all sorts of music events, gatherings, workshops and seminars coming up. In addition to that, there are a ton of mid eighteenth century events coming up for people to enjoy. The episode continues with the introduction of today’s guest: Alex McKay. Joseph and Alex talk about his accomplishments and how he came to be. Alex explained how greatly he was influenced by his family and how because of that, he joined the family business and grew to what he is today.</p><h4><em>SEGMENT 2</em></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Alex talks more about his connection to what he does and how he came to love it. He speaks about his father and grandfather and how they had held on to documents and collections from decades ago and how they sparked his interest even more. The two talk about stories about Alex that came from his time with historic museums and projects to preserve history. Alex talks about his favorite photos and things to find at museums.</p><h4><em>SEGMENT 3</em></h4><p>Alex explains what it is like working at Shook Smathers House and what it is. He talks about his favorite parts and gives a little history about the house itself. There are many upcoming events in the Heywood County area that Alex recommends people to come to, where they can eat good food and listen to nice music and enjoy each other’s presence. Alex discusses with Joseph future projects that he thought about doing with the museums, especially after Covid-19 and restrictions being lifted.</p><h4><em>SEGMENT 4</em></h4><p>For the last segment, Joseph and Alex discuss their favorite foods and restaurants in the Heywood and Smoky Mountains area. They both enjoy a wide variety of foods, from barbeque to Chinese to home food. They continue their discussion by talking about where they go for entertainment. They talk about their experiences with these places and the episode ends with Joseph asking Alex for museum spots that the audience could and should visit.</p> Video thumbnail

Gateway to the Smokies Podcast guest is Alex McKay, a successful Haywood County businessman who owns and manages rental property throughout the county.

However, Alex is better known for his work as a Haywood County historian. He has been active in working with the historical Shelton House in Waynesville on various projects and is well known for his efforts in helping record the history of the town of Hazelwood, as well as for renovating a historical house in Hazelwood where he now resides.

Alex was also instrumental in the development of a museum in the Haywood County Courthouse. Joseph McElroy and Alex Mckay will be discussing all the historic houses in Haywood County, NC, and museums' history.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHOW NOTES


SEGMENT 1

Starting off today’s episode is announcements for special upcoming events announced by Bob. There are all sorts of music events, gatherings, workshops and seminars coming up. In addition to that, there are a ton of mid-eighteenth-century events coming up for people to enjoy. The episode continues with the introduction of today’s guest: Alex McKay. Joseph and Alex talk about his accomplishments and how he came to be. Alex explained how greatly he was influenced by his family and how because of that, he joined the family business and grew into what he is today.

SEGMENT 2

Coming back from the break, Alex talks more about his connection to what he does and how he came to love it. He speaks about his father and grandfather and how they had held on to documents and collections from decades ago and how they sparked his interest even more. The two talk about stories about Alex that came from his time with historic museums and projects to preserve history. Alex talks about his favorite photos and things to find at museums.

SEGMENT 3

Alex explains what it is like working at Shook Smathers House and what it is. He talks about his favorite parts and gives a little history about the house itself. There are many upcoming events in the Heywood County area that Alex recommends people to come to, where they can eat good food and listen to nice music and enjoy each other’s presence. Alex discusses with Joseph future projects that he thought about doing with the museums, especially after Covid-19 and restrictions being lifted.

SEGMENT 4

For the last segment, Joseph and Alex discuss their favorite foods and restaurants in the Heywood and Smoky Mountains area. They both enjoy a wide variety of foods, from barbeque to Chinese to home food. They continue their discussion by talking about where they go for entertainment. They talk about their experiences with these places and the episode ends with Joseph asking Alex for museum spots that the audience could and should visit.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:28.320 –> 00:00:33.750 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:34.410 –> 00:00:42.840 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:43.260 –> 00:00:52.440 Joseph McElroy: there are areas filled with ancient natural beauty a deep-storied history in a rich mountain culture that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:52.980 –> 00:01:05.490 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy, a man of the world but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:06.300 –> 00:01:12.330 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about history museums and historic buildings in Haywood County, North Carolina.

00:01:13.440 –> 00:01:29.370 Joseph McElroy: Look, first I want to give you a rundown of some events that are coming up very rich in history and I’ve invited Bob Plott here to give us a little bit of an overview of what’s going on, be sure to unmute yourself, Bob.

00:01:34.620 –> 00:01:35.490 Alex McKay: Thank you, Joseph.

00:01:35.700 –> 00:01:36.360 appreciate that.

00:01:39.630 –> 00:01:45.330 Alex McKay: I’m just thrilled to be a part of what you’re doing here is as the new haircut Center director and.

00:01:46.020 –> 00:01:55.770 Alex McKay: it’s just a lot of foam and work with the theme and we’ve got six events by in July and August, our first event is a lot faster Union weekend and.

00:01:56.400 –> 00:02:03.360 Alex McKay: Real excited about that kind of on the heels of what we did earlier in the original plot fast years ago.

00:02:03.870 –> 00:02:13.650 Alex McKay: But it’s gonna be a little smaller, more intimate event, but a lot of fun would be two days got just a few rooms left for that So hopefully people can call in and get those reserved.

00:02:14.190 –> 00:02:23.580 Alex McKay: For the music, everything we do is about music culture, education, but having funny mercy of experiential learning, while we’re doing it.

00:02:24.360 –> 00:02:32.220 Alex McKay: In the following weekend on July 17 we’re doing something that I don’t think anybody’s really done around here that we’re really excited about which is.

00:02:32.760 –> 00:02:50.970 Alex McKay: Darren Nicholson, the great mandolin player and vocalist with balsam range he’s going to do a bluegrass band camp for us here in Meadowlark and he’s going to have three other equally talented musicians include naughty boy lock and Eric Ellis among others to

00:02:51.990 –> 00:03:02.910 Alex McKay: Teach you one-on-one their skill sets and really intimate setting on Saturday afternoon and then culminate that with a big concert on Saturday night.

00:03:03.420 –> 00:03:11.670 Alex McKay: So we’re very, very excited about that, so what better opportunity to learn from grammy-nominated blue Ridge hall of fame artists.

00:03:12.150 –> 00:03:21.210 Alex McKay: And it’s just going to be a great time me by the nose there and knows what of interest and fail, he is the right to sense of humor so that’s going to be a great great time.

00:03:21.570 –> 00:03:26.730 Joseph McElroy: As Marina just it’s more than just playing it’s also learning how to write the music and things like that too right and.

00:03:26.730 –> 00:03:27.510 Joseph McElroy: Making that.

00:03:28.020 –> 00:03:37.620 Alex McKay: yeah yeah will be seminars and afternoon for songwriting perspective instruments guitar mandolin that sort of thing a group Skype session.

00:03:38.010 –> 00:03:47.370 Alex McKay: So yeah it’s there yeah I mean where else can you get that type of opportunity to learn from artists of that magnitude and that sort of intimate setting it’s really unique.

00:03:47.700 –> 00:03:49.350 Joseph McElroy: And then there’ll be a concert in the evening.

00:03:50.010 –> 00:03:56.670 Alex McKay: Yes, constantly meeting with that all-star lineup, and I mean those guys are just hall of fame copper musicians.

00:03:56.850 –> 00:04:00.630 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool and then you mentioned some other events.

00:04:01.110 –> 00:04:13.260 Alex McKay: yeah the next weekend discuss the most stuff going on here in the valley we didn’t want to compete with, but the fall of last weekend last day in July we’ve got a tree be playing for landing and Charles Miller to

00:04:14.340 –> 00:04:20.400 Alex McKay: Haywood County icons historians and artists and just interesting colorful characters and.

00:04:20.880 –> 00:04:27.060 Alex McKay: a lot of their friends are coming together to honor them are going to have a primitive 18th-century camp set it up to showcase some of their

00:04:27.570 –> 00:04:37.890 Alex McKay: Skills and we’re going to give the first annual Meadowlark lifetime achievement award to both those individuals we hope that’s going to be something that’s going to be ongoing for years to come.

00:04:38.250 –> 00:04:45.300 Alex McKay: And then we’re going to have music there’s a way Earl made his own falling or fiddle as we like to call it around here and.

00:04:47.010 –> 00:05:02.760 Alex McKay: We have readers to come and play that fiddle and do some old 18th-century songs for so we’re excited about that and then we’re going to have dinner at J Arthurs at night that reservations for a room for about 50 people for that for kind of being that evening for them for that.

00:05:04.290 –> 00:05:07.320 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool and then in August, you got some things going on right.

00:05:07.350 –> 00:05:13.800 Alex McKay: yeah yeah August 7 the following weekend we’ve got the Meadowlark Mountain heritage festival where we’re going to have.

00:05:14.790 –> 00:05:22.980 Alex McKay: Really excited to have Davey arch renowned Cherokee storyteller mass Carver he’s been on.

00:05:23.880 –> 00:05:30.270 Alex McKay: Every TV show has been a Smithsonian he’s worked with the museum on the quality boundary just a great great guy.

00:05:30.810 –> 00:05:41.400 Alex McKay: who has the 18th-century camp set up again, this time with the blacksmith with bark and brain tanning we’re going to have all I had been doing medicinal herbs and how do they.

00:05:41.790 –> 00:05:51.180 Alex McKay: Find wild edible plants in the wilderness and we’re going to have more music where your readers going to be doing some 18th-century ballads.

00:05:51.690 –> 00:05:57.780 Alex McKay: David ruins going to be doing a blacksmithing seminar that was actually he put together for the Smithsonian.

00:05:58.230 –> 00:06:05.910 Alex McKay: And we’re going to be doing that day as well, so there’s going to be all sorts of things going on that day, and then the following day.

00:06:06.510 –> 00:06:21.930 Alex McKay: Randall Pierce who’s a professor at the University of Tennessee is going to be given a seminar to and then on Sunday morning we’re going to have a bluegrass Gospel concert and then we’ll go to wrap things up at the plot ham program in a book signing there on Sunday.

00:06:22.950 –> 00:06:31.500 Alex McKay: And so that’d be on the seventh and eighth of August in the 14th of August 13 and 14th of August we had the Horrace Kephart festival.

00:06:32.100 –> 00:06:40.260 Alex McKay: And we’re really excited about that as well kind of commemorates Kephart’s and Obama with helping get the great smoky mountain National Park started.

00:06:40.620 –> 00:06:45.150 Alex McKay: As well as he is field manuals we’ve got some of his direct to standards here.

00:06:45.570 –> 00:06:56.940 Alex McKay: we’ve got people who have brought books about him Raymond been who’s a really great firearms expert is going to talk about some kid air firearms next or thing.

00:06:57.570 –> 00:07:12.300 Alex McKay: Just up and then we’re going to have music again with that as well, and then leave he’s going to lead some hikes on Friday, along with which data retired park ranger into some of the same areas that Kephart’s lived in Camp before it was apart.

00:07:13.260 –> 00:07:23.370 Joseph McElroy: So it’s all fabulous so everybody, you can find out about these events at Meadowlakrmotel.COM go to events and look for the smoky mountain heritage Center.

00:07:24.780 –> 00:07:29.520 Joseph McElroy: Always you know we have a public component.

00:07:31.290 –> 00:07:44.280 Joseph McElroy: But guess we’ll get priority and be able to stay and Bob appreciates you coming on board now our guest today is Alex McKay so, can you ask him to come on come on down Alex McKay.

00:07:47.940 –> 00:07:48.930 Alex McKay: All right, hey Joseph

00:07:49.170 –> 00:07:56.850 Joseph McElroy: Very good, how you doing so Alex is a successful Haywood county businessman who is known for his work as a Haywood county historian.

00:07:57.450 –> 00:08:02.820 Joseph McElroy: He works with the historic shook house and records the history of the town of hazel which, which is now part of Waynesville.

00:08:03.330 –> 00:08:19.590 Joseph McElroy: Alex was also instrumental in the development of a museum in Haywood county courthouse Alex is in the North Carolina Department of converse Main Street champion for his revitalization efforts in Waynesville North Carolina oh good little resume there Alex.

00:08:20.940 –> 00:08:21.510 Alex McKay: Thank you.

00:08:21.780 –> 00:08:25.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah you did a lot of stuff so you were born and raised in Haywood County, right?

00:08:27.090 –> 00:08:42.270 Alex McKay: Right, generation on one side on my father’s side and seventh-generation on my mother’s side so I’m born and raised in Haywood county and it was never an option for me to leave I’m I meant to be here.

00:08:43.140 –> 00:08:55.950 Joseph McElroy: that’s right, you know a lot of people here generation hey my generation I left, I had to pursue things because I was in the tech I was into computers and yeah back then, you had to go somewhere else to be into computers, but.

00:08:57.240 –> 00:08:57.540 Joseph McElroy: But.

00:08:58.650 –> 00:09:05.490 Joseph McElroy: So, how did, how did what made you What was it, what did you do decide to stay and why do you think he decided to.

00:09:06.270 –> 00:09:08.070 Alex McKay: Well, I guess the family business.

00:09:09.210 –> 00:09:24.480 Alex McKay: My father was in the grading and construction business back he started in the 50s and he was doing construction when a lot of these older families, like the loves of Thomas, ‘s the Songs.

00:09:26.340 –> 00:09:28.860 Alex McKay: Where they had a lot of lands, not a lot of money.

00:09:30.870 –> 00:09:43.470 Alex McKay: And so, he would go in and develop their property bill roads section it off and lots and if some of these families didn’t pay them money they were payment laws so we ended up in the real estate business.

00:09:44.580 –> 00:09:51.750 Alex McKay: and property management Rentals all types of rental so we ended up in that just.

00:09:54.180 –> 00:09:55.590 Joseph McElroy: Did you vacation Rentals.

00:09:56.970 –> 00:09:59.460 Alex McKay: Not so much most of our yearly Rentals.

00:09:59.640 –> 00:10:07.290 Alex McKay: Right yeah not so much we’ve got some into we’re getting into some vacation Rentals but not, not so much right.

00:10:08.580 –> 00:10:11.430 Joseph McElroy: Well, in the end, we should let people know how to get the Rentals.

00:10:11.430 –> 00:10:21.630 Joseph McElroy: Because a lot of people here might listening might want to come down and live for a little while or have you do meditation I will be important to let him know, say, have you ever lived anywhere else.

00:10:22.620 –> 00:10:27.660 Alex McKay: I went to college and garden with them Shelby you’re boiling springs.

00:10:29.400 –> 00:10:30.210 Alex McKay: But but.

00:10:31.470 –> 00:10:32.460 Alex McKay: i’m still lacking strike.

00:10:33.300 –> 00:10:35.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah sea level, the reason right.

00:10:35.490 –> 00:10:36.660 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.

00:10:38.250 –> 00:10:47.910 Joseph McElroy: So, but you have a passion and you seem to be one of those unique individuals who have managed to get a good balance between your business and your passion which is history.

00:10:48.300 –> 00:10:49.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.

00:10:50.280 –> 00:11:07.200 Alex McKay: And I guess growing up, and I, looking back on it now, you know I don’t know what really spurred it other than I had older parents and I was around my grandparents kind of held that that old generation of.

00:11:09.060 –> 00:11:22.260 Alex McKay: A mountain people like to tell you every everything about everybody, you know and they generate what generations and how there can’t my grandmother knew everything about more of the mountain community.

00:11:23.850 –> 00:11:35.670 Alex McKay: In Haywood county and then my father’s side I had more of the town history, so I got it from both ends and dad doing going back to that the dad doing construction.

00:11:36.690 –> 00:11:38.520 Alex McKay: Back in the 60s and 70s.

00:11:40.200 –> 00:11:50.670 Alex McKay: A lot was starting to change in Haywood county and Rosa wide and wrote new Rosenfield a lot of our old structures got torn down so throwing up driving around.

00:11:51.510 –> 00:12:04.260 Alex McKay: you know agile for the old-time hotel down here before rest avenue went this way, the road with this way, so I just kind of grew up knowing how things were before me.

00:12:07.140 –> 00:12:10.770 Alex McKay: And that sparked my interest in history, and when I was around.

00:12:11.910 –> 00:12:20.970 Alex McKay: I was around that older generation more than the younger generation, so my parents would have known my friends his grandparents.

00:12:22.410 –> 00:12:25.410 Alex McKay: So I knew I knew all about that generation and the energy.

00:12:26.460 –> 00:12:42.540 Joseph McElroy: that’s you know I have, I have a 28-year-old son, but I have now, I have two and a half-year-old twins right now, they are growing up with an older dad so they’ll have a different perspective on existence, I think right.

00:12:43.380 –> 00:12:44.370 Alex McKay: yeah definitely.

00:12:44.820 –> 00:12:47.220 Joseph McElroy: yeah so yeah it’s.

00:12:48.360 –> 00:12:50.880 Joseph McElroy: An interesting history and what’s going on before.

00:12:51.900 –> 00:12:52.380 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:12:53.070 –> 00:12:59.190 Joseph McElroy: What so you got started a business that asked you to be in the business or did you decide you wanted to be it.

00:12:59.340 –> 00:13:01.320 Alex McKay: Now I don’t think I ever had a choice and.

00:13:03.780 –> 00:13:19.440 Alex McKay: yeah it was just there was set to get done and I was expected to be there to do it so so, and you know, and once you’ve got so many different houses or pieces of property there’s always somebody done and.

00:13:20.760 –> 00:13:28.530 Alex McKay: And, and I enjoyed it growing up, I enjoyed you know, a one on one with him and the mother to collect rent and.

00:13:29.610 –> 00:13:32.760 Alex McKay: And rehab houses, so I.

00:13:33.840 –> 00:13:34.620 Alex McKay: enjoyed work.

00:13:36.030 –> 00:13:43.710 Alex McKay: It gives you some freedom since you’re not working, a nine to five it gives you the freedom to pursue your passions.

00:13:45.840 –> 00:13:53.310 Joseph McElroy: Similar raising my father didn’t let me do the business part of it, he made me go to the mountains and clean up the construction second step.

00:13:53.640 –> 00:14:01.650 Alex McKay: Back exactly yeah there were yeah yeah I learned how to I mean you know, but I was probably collecting rent at the time I was 12.

00:14:02.820 –> 00:14:04.110 Alex McKay: And then.

00:14:05.190 –> 00:14:14.610 Alex McKay: You know not to sin after that I could like carpet or paint or change door knocks or do anything that goes on, with the property manager.

00:14:14.940 –> 00:14:23.550 Joseph McElroy: There, when I first got my first business up here in New York City and I got an office I just did I renovated advice.

00:14:24.960 –> 00:14:28.530 Joseph McElroy: Your technology guy What do you do it renovated your offices, I.

00:14:29.010 –> 00:14:29.550 Joseph McElroy: After.

00:14:29.730 –> 00:14:34.020 Joseph McElroy: I installed the electricity I did the whole thing they’re like What do you do.

00:14:37.980 –> 00:14:43.140 Joseph McElroy: When we go to take a break here when we get back we’ll talk about your passion which is preserving history.

00:14:43.680 –> 00:14:44.640 Alex McKay: All right, alright sounds good.

00:17:14.190 –> 00:17:23.070 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Alex McKay, so Alex.

00:17:23.610 –> 00:17:34.590 Joseph McElroy: You know your passion is history and I, you know we’ve talked to some you know some of the elders in the Community, and they really appreciate your passion for local history.

00:17:35.100 –> 00:17:47.880 Joseph McElroy: And now, and your efforts and presenting, but I think also just I think you’ve had a lot of conversations with people, how do you find connecting with the old-timers and what is that the hearing Their stories like for you.

00:17:49.200 –> 00:17:49.560 Alex McKay: well.

00:17:50.850 –> 00:18:03.420 Alex McKay: You know, being from Haywood County or a lot of these you know we kind of we know each other, you know and we’ve gotten, even though we might not be direct can we’re kind of family.

00:18:04.650 –> 00:18:05.640 Alex McKay: anywhere so.

00:18:06.720 –> 00:18:20.520 Alex McKay: there’s it’s easy to connect to these old-timers and I guess it’s easier for me because I can speak their language and I know you know about what’s happened during their lifetime and the county.

00:18:22.650 –> 00:18:31.320 Alex McKay: I know people were you know with a large you can just say a couple of names and get them laughing because you know they’ll have members of the people and.

00:18:31.920 –> 00:18:41.220 Alex McKay: It would people you know today people wouldn’t think about or we wouldn’t be brought into the conversation so it’s just in the in local has a lot.

00:18:43.620 –> 00:18:44.040 Alex McKay: As it.

00:18:44.760 –> 00:18:45.810 Alex McKay: makes it a lot easier.

00:18:47.370 –> 00:18:54.540 Joseph McElroy: yeah I find there’s I find there’s a lot of the stories are sort of subtle and dry humor that.

00:18:58.110 –> 00:19:00.930 Joseph McElroy: That you’re supposed to get the NGO yeah.

00:19:01.110 –> 00:19:03.300 Alex McKay: yeah exactly exactly.

00:19:03.630 –> 00:19:04.080 Alex McKay: yeah I.

00:19:04.710 –> 00:19:11.970 Alex McKay: know my family and my friends my grandfather has a slaughterhouse of nice wood and so a lot of these old families.

00:19:13.260 –> 00:19:16.530 Alex McKay: are a lot of the old-timers now visited there they were children.

00:19:18.420 –> 00:19:27.990 Alex McKay: And you know it and they’ve been instrumental in helping me raise to do the research that I needed and there isn’t a continued me to do.

00:19:29.970 –> 00:19:32.700 Alex McKay: People like Charles Mailer and Nora hamming and.

00:19:34.020 –> 00:19:49.650 Alex McKay: Think swift and Bruce Bruce Briggs, who is a store in for years and years he’s 9495 now and he’s been a mentor me and talking a lot that you know if these people have been gone that information would have been gone with them.

00:19:50.040 –> 00:19:50.610 Their.

00:19:51.960 –> 00:19:52.800 Alex McKay: story.

00:19:53.820 –> 00:19:57.600 Alex McKay: You know a lot of my best friends are probably in their age 18.

00:20:00.420 –> 00:20:02.460 Joseph McElroy: So I know you’ve.

00:20:03.630 –> 00:20:16.170 Joseph McElroy: talked to these people and all your research you’ve attained hundreds, I guess, not if not thousands of important historical artifacts and documents over the years, can you give us some highlights which ones are once one until the proudest of.

00:20:17.160 –> 00:20:17.640 well.

00:20:19.050 –> 00:20:19.620 Alex McKay: You know.

00:20:21.750 –> 00:20:22.650 Alex McKay: I guess.

00:20:25.290 –> 00:20:25.770 Alex McKay: You know.

00:20:27.840 –> 00:20:40.560 Alex McKay: What points of what stands out to me as an executive isn’t exactly items, but it’s different collections so like this week I’ve been going through, let me see alan’s collection.

00:20:41.670 –> 00:20:45.720 Alex McKay: His house it’s been empty for years for the most part.

00:20:47.040 –> 00:20:53.490 Alex McKay: And when you go in it’s just like he walked out in 1940 and he wrote he did a lot of early history books.

00:20:56.520 –> 00:20:56.910 Alex McKay: and

00:20:59.550 –> 00:21:06.240 Alex McKay: So you go in now, and all his research is there there are hundreds of photos documents.

00:21:09.000 –> 00:21:11.580 Alex McKay: And then another one was that scraper.

00:21:13.050 –> 00:21:19.830 Alex McKay: The collection of her grandfather stuff he was a lawyer and a judge MAC turn of the century.

00:21:20.610 –> 00:21:34.140 Alex McKay: So it’s going through his file cabinets and I found all the original and deeds are leading brands and beloved thing and from David Allison land grant john Struthers grant so all these original documents, going back to the late 1700s.

00:21:35.190 –> 00:21:42.690 Alex McKay: Where they are in that that filing cabinet and in you know, had been there for probably 40 or 50 years and nobody looked at.

00:21:43.290 –> 00:21:45.660 Joseph McElroy: wow that’s pretty impressive.

00:21:46.290 –> 00:21:58.410 Alex McKay: It not one not really one item stands out, but just different collections of the stem that people have held on to win it been, for the most part, and search for so many years.

00:21:59.730 –> 00:22:08.490 Joseph McElroy: I read, I read about a little story about you, you went and helped acquire the portrait of James Robert love.

00:22:08.790 –> 00:22:17.430 Alex McKay: Yes, yeah yeah that somebody had called the talent-wise well and said, there was a portrait of Robert’s love in Florida that was going at that.

00:22:18.930 –> 00:22:24.810 Alex McKay: One of these fine art options and, of course, there was beating online that I.

00:22:25.860 –> 00:22:37.740 Alex McKay: I didn’t trust getting it back and possibly losing the bid to you know computer malfunction or Internet connection, so I just broke up with me, my father drove to Florida and.

00:22:39.060 –> 00:22:47.070 Alex McKay: And both the both blaming from this auction and to get to God that that option, they were baseball cards going to $35,000 and.

00:22:48.930 –> 00:22:56.430 Alex McKay: Other patients are bringing 10s of my so I didn’t know I you know I didn’t know what to expect Luckily, we didn’t have to get too often.

00:22:57.570 –> 00:23:05.610 Alex McKay: But I was able to bring it back to wines were working alone and it ended up being James Robert Robert but they just ahead miss smart.

00:23:07.410 –> 00:23:10.230 Joseph McElroy: Ministers who rubber lovers who James Robert level.

00:23:10.680 –> 00:23:15.750 Alex McKay: So, Robert Love was was what’s considered the founder of wines well.

00:23:17.070 –> 00:23:26.340 Alex McKay: He ended up being a surveyor and ended up being the executor of the James bountiful land grant and so he ended up him and his son ended up.

00:23:27.480 –> 00:23:34.560 Alex McKay: with most of what is tiger county Benton county Simon making and Nancy county.

00:23:35.670 –> 00:23:49.350 Alex McKay: So they ended up with hundreds of thousands of acres in the early 1800s and then James his father’s the one that’s kind of considered valuable, but he played just as much role as as as his father did.

00:23:51.390 –> 00:23:53.100 Alex McKay: And so, a lot of families.

00:23:54.540 –> 00:24:01.680 Alex McKay: You know they had all this land so James Robert a lot of these over families, like the like the box has K in the browns.

00:24:02.850 –> 00:24:05.370 Alex McKay: They can live off the land from the.

00:24:06.960 –> 00:24:07.530 Alex McKay: From James.

00:24:10.050 –> 00:24:15.690 Alex McKay: his hands a lot more than Roberts doesn’t know in the old days.

00:24:16.200 –> 00:24:19.350 Joseph McElroy: He sort of had foresight about the railroads coming into.

00:24:19.380 –> 00:24:20.910 Alex McKay: yeah yeah he.

00:24:22.350 –> 00:24:29.940 Alex McKay: He died in 1844- 1845 and.

00:24:32.880 –> 00:24:45.060 Alex McKay: he’d already kind of laid out where the railroad would go in Waynesboro now he didn’t come until 1883 and so you know almost 40 years before after he died.

00:24:46.650 –> 00:24:47.280 Alex McKay: He.

00:24:48.660 –> 00:24:55.200 Alex McKay: He knew the importance of him, he gave all of his children lots along the railroad because he knew it would be, it would be important.

00:24:56.550 –> 00:24:57.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great.

00:24:58.410 –> 00:25:04.140 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s a pretty good story yeah it’s it’s always finding a nice to find little gems like that.

00:25:05.370 –> 00:25:13.200 Joseph McElroy: So um so you were instrumental in creating a museum and Haywood County courthouse I know I didn’t even know about this tell me about that museum.

00:25:13.620 –> 00:25:19.500 Alex McKay: I was kind of the second wave of it so before I got on it, the historical society.

00:25:21.090 –> 00:25:24.480 Alex McKay: Bruce Briggs and Bets Frank, are there was.

00:25:25.650 –> 00:25:38.640 Alex McKay: The the county was going to remodel the historic courthouse in so they went for the Commissioners, and this is probably early to that maybe in the 90s early 2000s.

00:25:40.770 –> 00:25:51.390 Alex McKay: And acquired that room from the Commissioners, and so, then they had in the paperwork that it that that room always belongs to the historical society so, then I come along.

00:25:52.560 –> 00:26:07.620 Alex McKay: Maybe 10 years ago, and by that time they weren’t using the room anymore, and the course of the county was wanting to back to us for other things and, and so I kind of took it over and.

00:26:08.670 –> 00:26:13.830 Alex McKay: Business that back in there and I’ve had to the museum and there were some been closed down for repetitive.

00:26:16.110 –> 00:26:27.360 Alex McKay: But it’s been good and people that have moved out of the county will come back in, and so I get to hear a lot of more local stories from people that have been having been gone for a while, but I’ve heard about community.

00:26:28.050 –> 00:26:30.810 Joseph McElroy: Because that is a good place or two people like to visit it.

00:26:31.650 –> 00:26:43.800 Alex McKay: yeah yeah yeah and I’ve got a lot of interesting articles in it from slave deeds to original maps of the county from the early 1800s.

00:26:45.060 –> 00:26:54.480 Alex McKay: That the portrait that we went to Florida good and then some lighter stuff like all the milk bottles the liquor bottles, we had wines with a dispensary and.

00:26:55.500 –> 00:26:58.650 Alex McKay: Through 1909 that.

00:26:59.760 –> 00:27:08.940 Alex McKay: When you couldn’t go when you couldn’t buy liquor store you go to a place kind of like the pharmacy and by your like if you did not have you know from moonshine.

00:27:10.980 –> 00:27:13.950 Alex McKay: So other just mindful collectible signs.

00:27:14.910 –> 00:27:16.830 Joseph McElroy: of pictures original pictures things without.

00:27:16.830 –> 00:27:25.110 Alex McKay: Yet yeah sounds good, yeah and that’s my favorite thing fine but that’s what’s been so special about the sounds for our collection there are pictures from the 1900s.

00:27:26.040 –> 00:27:33.810 Alex McKay: You know that they’ve never been published, that you know that that’s always my favorite ledger’s and pictures are probably my favorite things to find.

00:27:35.490 –> 00:27:36.060 Joseph McElroy: cool.

00:27:36.330 –> 00:27:37.980 Alex McKay: yeah a bunch of those in the courthouse.

00:27:38.220 –> 00:27:41.040 Joseph McElroy: Did you get the where’d you get the funding.

00:27:42.060 –> 00:27:42.840 Alex McKay: Where to get the wall.

00:27:43.200 –> 00:27:44.790 Joseph McElroy: Where do you have the funding for the museum.

00:27:45.360 –> 00:27:47.910 Alex McKay: Oh just myself there’s just myself

00:27:49.110 –> 00:27:52.470 Alex McKay: yeah yeah I found I found all of that museum and then now get.

00:27:53.520 –> 00:28:03.090 Alex McKay: We get some donations, but a lot of stuff I’m able to to to acquire from collections, or you know, sometimes stuff ends up and with antique dealers or antique stores.

00:28:04.230 –> 00:28:09.060 Alex McKay: Most of them in my immediate area know you know if they get something local they give me a call.

00:28:09.570 –> 00:28:11.220 Joseph McElroy: It was the name of the museum, what do you call.

00:28:11.610 –> 00:28:12.780 Alex McKay: The Waynesville archive.

00:28:13.800 –> 00:28:17.970 Joseph McElroy: archive cools any other individuals or groups that are working with him.

00:28:18.210 –> 00:28:29.310 Alex McKay: yeah yeah I’m kind of I’m under the umbrella of the wood county historical society so it’s Mike Maclean’s President of it and then that’s the shook house.

00:28:30.720 –> 00:28:34.470 Alex McKay: And I think we’re getting ready to open it a month or so.

00:28:35.220 –> 00:28:35.610 alright.

00:28:36.960 –> 00:28:41.250 Joseph McElroy: cool so so you got some really good support there that’s good so when we talk.

00:28:42.270 –> 00:28:44.820 Joseph McElroy: When we come back let’s talk about the Shrek House a little bit all right.

00:28:45.270 –> 00:28:46.920 Alex McKay: Okay sounds good.

00:31:35.880 –> 00:31:49.170 Joseph McElroy: howdy it’s Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Alex Mckay’s, Alex you work with it’s actually the historic ships Matters house right and.

00:31:49.170 –> 00:31:50.730 Alex McKay: Class yeah.

00:31:51.060 –> 00:31:54.930 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool how long you been doing that what you do with him.

00:31:56.010 –> 00:32:09.630 Alex McKay: probably say the last seven or eight years at right now on the history I’ve been Vice President, maybe a couple of other positions on the board but I’m the store in the storage side right now and.

00:32:10.500 –> 00:32:15.600 Alex McKay: The ship’s matters have is run by the Haywood county historical and genealogical society.

00:32:17.010 –> 00:32:22.200 Alex McKay: And so we’re right now we’re in the middle of reorganizing the show cows and the.

00:32:23.340 –> 00:32:28.560 Alex McKay: winds will archive to reopen added to the public, after Africa.

00:32:30.030 –> 00:32:32.670 Joseph McElroy: And what is the history of the Shook House.

00:32:33.570 –> 00:32:37.470 Alex McKay: So this shook house was built around the turn of.

00:32:39.270 –> 00:32:41.970 Alex McKay: The early 1800s right around the turn of the century there.

00:32:42.990 –> 00:33:02.700 Alex McKay: And Jacob Shook came here with sandals and the biggest thing about the shook house is the oldest frame house west of actually so you know most cabins at that time would have been house would have been cabins that time.

00:33:04.170 –> 00:33:13.920 Alex McKay: jake chuck came and built it, you know he made by us to very he was a blacksmith or I’m sure you’ve had a blacksmith is an end.

00:33:15.810 –> 00:33:20.490 Alex McKay: But he made the nails faculty Member and built that first time house it.

00:33:21.780 –> 00:33:26.190 Joseph McElroy: Is it’s a beautiful looking place, I saw pictures of it I’ve never actually been there.

00:33:26.640 –> 00:33:28.950 Joseph McElroy: Do you have a museum in there.

00:33:29.460 –> 00:33:47.670 Alex McKay: yeah yeah the whole House, music and some of it to the ship family ships matters family and others, just to the other parts of it are going to be we’ve got a military room that’s kind of the heavy-handed military history, an industry part.

00:33:50.220 –> 00:33:53.490 Alex McKay: Then kind of a sewing quilting.

00:33:55.080 –> 00:34:05.580 Alex McKay: You know more of a lady’s handiwork type of the type of room in there, so we’ve got a lot of new things that that we’ve never had it the ship’s matter music.

00:34:06.600 –> 00:34:08.880 Joseph McElroy: What do you think is the most popular thing there.

00:34:10.860 –> 00:34:20.760 Alex McKay: My favorite thing in the House, probably the most important artifact that I what I think semester artifact, there is the first piano that came to Western North Korea.

00:34:21.420 –> 00:34:30.750 Alex McKay: Oh, really, we talked about James Robert Love with this was his piano and they brought it into somewhere on the coast on a wagon.

00:34:32.760 –> 00:34:36.270 Alex McKay: So I think that’s probably my favorite thing.

00:34:36.660 –> 00:34:37.620 Joseph McElroy: This is good her.

00:34:39.480 –> 00:34:51.540 Alex McKay: I think some keys work, it needs to be restored, but I think some keys did work on it, but you know sometime in the future I’d like to to do a fundraiser or something to get that cannot restore.

00:34:52.590 –> 00:34:56.640 Joseph McElroy: Now I know you did tours the tours resumed yet.

00:34:57.120 –> 00:34:58.350 Alex McKay: No, not yet, I think that.

00:34:59.370 –> 00:35:03.000 Alex McKay: I don’t remember the exact date they’re probably the website it’s.

00:35:04.200 –> 00:35:08.850 Alex McKay: Probably within a month in a month or so within two months are.

00:35:11.010 –> 00:35:17.490 Joseph McElroy: There any other events or festivals, that you would like to tell people about related that are history is in the mountains.

00:35:17.940 –> 00:35:36.480 Alex McKay: Well I’m also on the Haywood county or the wind for preservation Commission and we got a great got to are coming at green hill cemetery be the evening of October nine it’s the same day, is the church street fair on mainstream.

00:35:37.680 –> 00:35:38.430 Alex McKay: On on.

00:35:39.480 –> 00:35:44.880 Alex McKay: On October 9 day of clothes off mainstream it’s a full day best tool with vendors and food music.

00:35:45.900 –> 00:35:51.240 Alex McKay: And then raw think rather than that so maybe five 530 is when we do that cemetery.

00:35:52.650 –> 00:35:53.760 Joseph McElroy: A cemetery tour.

00:35:53.850 –> 00:35:57.090 Alex McKay: yeah cemetery towards just right up the street from downtown.

00:35:59.340 –> 00:36:01.680 Alex McKay: Right of both of ours restaurants.

00:36:02.190 –> 00:36:04.440 Joseph McElroy: All right, that’s that big cemetery on the hill right.

00:36:04.530 –> 00:36:05.280 Alex McKay: yeah yeah.

00:36:05.550 –> 00:36:06.900 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool looking.

00:36:07.200 –> 00:36:10.020 Joseph McElroy: At there, I’ve never actually been in there yeah.

00:36:10.110 –> 00:36:14.400 Alex McKay: yeah yeah a lot of my family’s there and then a lot of the founding fathers are there.

00:36:15.690 –> 00:36:19.740 Alex McKay: A lot of old old mines for families that’s where they ended up.

00:36:20.670 –> 00:36:27.420 Joseph McElroy: Oh, a lot of my family’s out on America football behind Antioch Baptist church.

00:36:28.200 –> 00:36:29.430 Alex McKay: yeah yeah yeah.

00:36:29.580 –> 00:36:39.000 Joseph McElroy: But you know it’s gotten so it’s gotten said interesting has gotten so full of them, and now having to dig graves and the Granite areas.

00:36:40.440 –> 00:36:56.490 Alex McKay: I think I you know I think that’s one problem I’ve had a great deal is that cemetery we started so early the records haven’t been lost or haven’t been kept that well in early period at the cemetery so they’ve actually hit the other grades, they can new grades are.

00:36:57.540 –> 00:36:59.160 Alex McKay: digging digging new grapes.

00:37:00.420 –> 00:37:03.960 Alex McKay: Oh yeah they’re their heart may add there’s not much room left metal.

00:37:04.860 –> 00:37:09.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah so, are there any other in the whole of Western North Carolina that.

00:37:10.920 –> 00:37:19.230 Joseph McElroy: I’m no expert on all Western North Carolina but are there any historical events or festivals that people should be aware of that may be fun to visit.

00:37:20.280 –> 00:37:32.940 Alex McKay: You know I’m not sure we everything’s just kind of getting back started after covid did you know now that people are really starting to move around so so I’m not sure I’m not the best person for that.

00:37:34.500 –> 00:37:34.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:37:36.690 –> 00:37:38.940 Alex McKay: I’m amazed at everything good job going on down you.

00:37:39.630 –> 00:37:52.380 Joseph McElroy: know or you know we’re having the one I thought you might know a little bit about where I think you know a little bit about all of them, but we’re doing one on July 31 honoring the early morning and Charles Miller for the lifetime achievement.

00:37:53.640 –> 00:37:55.380 Joseph McElroy: And I’m sure you know, those are those look like.

00:37:55.410 –> 00:37:56.250 Alex McKay: Oh yeah yeah.

00:37:56.310 –> 00:37:59.220 Joseph McElroy: What do you think about them any stories about them.

00:38:00.090 –> 00:38:00.630 well.

00:38:02.430 –> 00:38:04.980 Alex McKay: yeah well Charles.

00:38:06.030 –> 00:38:08.760 Alex McKay: Both of them are interesting characters and.

00:38:09.840 –> 00:38:21.630 Alex McKay: You know, Charles can take you, you know I wish I had known Charles when he was you know younger and his as I sound a lot better because he’s really good metalwork and.

00:38:22.800 –> 00:38:33.300 Alex McKay: You know, and I know he’s made some steals in his day and I think he’s bringing one to show you he you know, Charles has some good stories and I, you know.

00:38:33.990 –> 00:38:39.330 Alex McKay: I probably am not going to start Charles’s stories out I know some of my detail or not so.

00:38:40.260 –> 00:38:47.220 Alex McKay: And the Earl’s character just need each other at the past, the other day, to tell me about what y’all like going on here.

00:38:48.030 –> 00:38:59.220 Alex McKay: And that was really good guys and I’ve been a good helped me a favor if I ever need to know anything about the relative trace I mean those two guys they know like factor, and that was when.

00:39:00.840 –> 00:39:08.250 Alex McKay: When the first platinum can come in on dating wrestlers expedition to have this back the charities so.

00:39:09.540 –> 00:39:11.250 Alex McKay: You know they know it well.

00:39:13.050 –> 00:39:13.680 Joseph McElroy: cool.

00:39:15.090 –> 00:39:16.680 Joseph McElroy: I know you present seminars.

00:39:17.760 –> 00:39:23.880 Joseph McElroy: about local history and Chris including what last structures in Waynesville history three ways will tell me about this.

00:39:24.420 –> 00:39:25.650 Alex McKay: yeah I did.

00:39:27.300 –> 00:39:34.440 Alex McKay: Last structures are probably my favorite wants to do and then unpublished photos of wine in school.

00:39:35.220 –> 00:39:48.120 Alex McKay: And that the Allen collection that the probably the next seminar I’ll do probably be on that Alan collection because it’s just so expensive and the items that are found in it so far are ours.

00:39:49.530 –> 00:39:57.270 Alex McKay: Culture and I really culture in portland to the town and just amazing photos and so that’s probably the next night do.

00:39:59.790 –> 00:40:07.920 Alex McKay: You know, and like I said we’re just trying to get out and back up and figure out what all we can do, what all we can do, and if we’re going to have people show up and.

00:40:10.350 –> 00:40:11.670 Alex McKay: But yeah and then.

00:40:13.620 –> 00:40:15.420 Alex McKay: yeah photos you know my.

00:40:16.440 –> 00:40:17.130 Alex McKay: My.

00:40:18.600 –> 00:40:33.630 Alex McKay: My seminars attract local people, so I can I playoff people in the audience, you know there’s people an audience that will know stuff that I don’t know about certain places in the photos so it’s always good to have those people in my audience that you can.

00:40:36.720 –> 00:40:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Show you so you have hope you’ll have some of those going on soon, so we can send people to the right yeah.

00:40:43.290 –> 00:40:55.140 Alex McKay: yeah yeah yeah maybe in the next couple months, hopefully, we can get those notes that I’ve got a Facebook page and I’ll post those on one layer, and then they’ll be in our local newspaper.

00:40:55.770 –> 00:41:04.230 Joseph McElroy: cool um so I’ve been told that you have a beautiful home and hazelwood you’ve completely renovated, it was a historic structure.

00:41:04.620 –> 00:41:15.780 Alex McKay: yeah yeah it’s 1912 hours, so when I was in middle school we live, we live, we live that towards the lines for a country club, and I would walk.

00:41:16.740 –> 00:41:31.320 Alex McKay: Down Main Street hazelwood nowadays would avenue to the middle school and there was a house on the phone or they had no for big colonial-style columns to it just always stood out to me when I was young.

00:41:32.490 –> 00:41:47.940 Alex McKay: And then maybe a year or so years ago now, I met, one of the daughters of the woman who lives there and I said I love your mother’s house and she had been there since the 40s.

00:41:49.950 –> 00:42:03.180 Alex McKay: And I said, well, if you please, let me know if you ever just tried to sell it and luckily that I was you know when when when her mother died, she was 101 flip back said, since the 40s.

00:42:04.920 –> 00:42:17.730 Alex McKay: I was able to buy the house and it needed to be completely renovated the plaster walls were cracked the lot of the woodwork has broadened on that side of course plumbing and electrical.

00:42:20.160 –> 00:42:30.180 Alex McKay: So I’ve taken it back to just keeping the same floor plan pretty much except for the kitchen I had 10 more things on to the kitchen.

00:42:33.120 –> 00:42:35.940 Joseph McElroy: Did you get some historical furnishings in there.

00:42:36.270 –> 00:42:46.260 Alex McKay: Oh yeah yeah yeah a lot of my first you know my the pedestal in the for your came from the store or the old brick courthouse from the 1800s.

00:42:47.580 –> 00:42:56.640 Alex McKay: My light fixtures in the hall in the bathroom came from the President’s old courthouse from the hallways in the jail.

00:42:59.520 –> 00:43:04.530 Alex McKay: The same time from a race forest on Main Street my bathroom sink.

00:43:06.180 –> 00:43:12.750 Alex McKay: stuff just you know, are trying to use that’s another one of my favorite things to find is just local salvage.

00:43:15.630 –> 00:43:20.820 Alex McKay: And so, when I was planning on how did the restoration incorporated those things into it.

00:43:21.270 –> 00:43:24.750 Joseph McElroy: You ever have you ever going to do an open house or anything let people see it.

00:43:24.840 –> 00:43:25.290 Alex McKay: And you know.

00:43:27.810 –> 00:43:42.930 Alex McKay: we’re kind of in the plan early planning stages, the bad at you know what I That was the whole plan because I worked on mass for two and a half years, and you know, then right when I get done it when when I would have had a party we’re right in the middle of it so.

00:43:44.160 –> 00:43:56.670 Alex McKay: So so yeah I hope to hope to do have a big house warming party here before too long, I think we’re having a big fourth of July already and we’re gonna shoot fireworks until somebody tells.

00:44:00.870 –> 00:44:01.800 Joseph McElroy: You just announced it.

00:44:04.650 –> 00:44:16.320 Joseph McElroy: When we come back we’ll get you to give us and we’ll talk about things to do and the Waynesville area that you like that you recommend let some of our people wanted to travel there no I know some insider views on what to do.

00:44:16.830 –> 00:44:17.820 Alex McKay: Okay sounds good.

00:46:35.700 –> 00:46:52.860 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Alex McKay hey Alex so I imagine you have, like most people live in Haywood county have some outdoor hobbies or hiking or fishing, what do you do.

00:46:53.880 –> 00:47:06.000 Alex McKay: At five-ish so matt my grandfather was a farmer and that’s what he did in his spirit and when he got some time off from the farm that’s what he did he buy fish.

00:47:06.540 –> 00:47:15.720 Alex McKay: And when I went with him, I mean he you know I’d want to use wax worms or weren’t with corn or read when I was little and he wouldn’t let me use anything but a fireman.

00:47:16.410 –> 00:47:22.380 Alex McKay: And so, but I’m thankful for that and I didn’t like that time but, but now I’m thankful that he did so because of that.

00:47:23.130 –> 00:47:25.680 Joseph McElroy: is a nice meditative hobby right.

00:47:26.100 –> 00:47:26.760 Alex McKay: yeah yeah.

00:47:27.120 –> 00:47:31.110 Joseph McElroy: What are some good Ruby rivers in Haywood county to go fishing fly fishing.

00:47:31.350 –> 00:47:40.530 Alex McKay: Well I’m just going to do, like a quick, you know, sometimes I can get away for an hour to and I’ll just come down to Maggie here and go there’s a little park behind the.

00:47:41.760 –> 00:47:42.180 angels.

00:47:44.040 –> 00:47:45.960 Alex McKay: elevated to sell right yeah.

00:47:46.020 –> 00:47:55.140 Alex McKay: yeah elevated ruin there’s a good little spot there behind the post office or there are good little spots like that that you can go real quick and then.

00:47:55.860 –> 00:47:59.550 Joseph McElroy: If you know there’s one behind the Meadowlark that bridge is pretty good.

00:47:59.790 –> 00:48:09.390 Alex McKay: yeah yeah yeah and then down at the bottom, it goes down there are a couple of good holes down layer but i’m going to go for a day.

00:48:10.590 –> 00:48:23.430 Alex McKay: I probably go to big creek or sterling pretty calm the over on the Tennessee line they go down the board and right on the water go on hartford exits there’s some good fishing down in that area.

00:48:24.270 –> 00:48:34.800 Joseph McElroy: cool alright that sounds good, and I guess as a local resident you become where we’ve got it we actually got a burgeoning social scene, especially in waynesville.

00:48:35.220 –> 00:48:41.730 Joseph McElroy: Right and silver and Maggie is actually starting to do some of its own, what are you some of your favorite local restaurants.

00:48:42.870 –> 00:48:52.980 Alex McKay: restaurants, what see I like well being on Main Street, and he would I go, we go meet us probably once a week or at least get something going.

00:48:54.330 –> 00:49:05.790 Alex McKay: And it’s not tagging restaurant rotten rotten downtown hazleton and then we add new restaurants just opened up just right up the street mobile pace with pharmacy build on the beach mountain diner and it’s great for.

00:49:07.260 –> 00:49:08.580 Alex McKay: lunch or breakfast.

00:49:10.650 –> 00:49:12.450 Joseph McElroy: You would smoke out.

00:49:13.020 –> 00:49:18.300 Alex McKay: yeah oh yeah I would smoke cast grey market risk, the risk that I would smoke has wonderful.

00:49:19.470 –> 00:49:26.880 Alex McKay: Sometimes we’ll we’ll make our sides of the House and an order or you know Pam brisket you don’t that for a couple months but.

00:49:27.210 –> 00:49:34.500 Joseph McElroy: But you know, there was a national magazine listed that doesn’t smoke House as well the top 20 Barbecue joints in the nation.

00:49:35.010 –> 00:49:36.300 Alex McKay: Real What about.

00:49:36.570 –> 00:49:40.920 Alex McKay: yeah about and it’s me it’s good Barbecue maybe probably the best brisket man.

00:49:41.190 –> 00:49:45.000 Alex McKay: yeah and then of course maggie’s galley will go there, so often.

00:49:48.600 –> 00:50:01.740 Alex McKay: I like I like Japanese and Chinese food, so we go to Kobe Kobe is down and winter visor and then we’re Tommy on Main Street next to the to the town hall.

00:50:03.570 –> 00:50:12.990 Alex McKay: Then firefly on Main Street we’ve got some some good restaurants, but you know, we want to eat them one treat them all the time you kind of cycle through them all.

00:50:13.950 –> 00:50:14.190 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:50:14.580 –> 00:50:15.480 Alex McKay: After after you.

00:50:15.570 –> 00:50:18.510 Joseph McElroy: eat after you Where would you go for some entertainment?

00:50:22.710 –> 00:50:30.090 Alex McKay: entertainment I don’t know, maybe seems like they’re doing something on the creek now and silver seems like there’s music on the creek and silver.

00:50:30.330 –> 00:50:30.810 hmm.

00:50:32.430 –> 00:50:42.000 Alex McKay: You know, every so often on Main Street, they’ll have art after dark or since the street dances and those are good to go to events.

00:50:42.360 –> 00:50:45.510 Joseph McElroy: Here, those are like the first Friday right as the first Friday of the month.

00:50:46.230 –> 00:50:47.130 Alex McKay: I believe so.

00:50:47.640 –> 00:50:55.860 Alex McKay: yeah and yeah a lot of people been going to like drop level brewing sometimes they’ll have music.

00:50:58.650 –> 00:51:03.360 Alex McKay: I think, Belgium has live music, a lot of people go down and go there in the months.

00:51:05.580 –> 00:51:06.750 Alex McKay: yeah I.

00:51:08.940 –> 00:51:10.140 Joseph McElroy: recently had the best.

00:51:10.920 –> 00:51:23.160 Joseph McElroy: They had seafood not sure I don’t remember exactly what it was right now, but no that was some of the best nachos I ever had I’m cauliflower or something Chris or something it was odd, but it was really great.

00:51:23.220 –> 00:51:23.490 Joseph McElroy: It was.

00:51:24.120 –> 00:51:25.170 Joseph McElroy: Really fantastic.

00:51:26.550 –> 00:51:37.500 Joseph McElroy: So uh so I gotta ask you, what are the museums that people shouldn’t miss and the Western North Carolina historical museums or places I shouldn’t miss?

00:51:37.710 –> 00:51:38.640 Alex McKay: Well, the.

00:51:39.960 –> 00:51:54.870 Alex McKay: archives over Western they’ve always got some interests and displays at Western Carolina university they’ve got some really neat artifacts and they kind of cycle through their artifacts that the what’s at the mountain heritage.

00:51:57.270 –> 00:51:59.130 Alex McKay: let’s say the Shelton house and wines rule.

00:52:00.330 –> 00:52:18.810 Alex McKay: they’ve done a really good job on handicrafts that they’re they’re not as towards local kind of local history but more mountain handy graphs and we’ll share it and they don’t that house, he was agent to the Navajo Indian so they’ve got a lot of Navajo effects.

00:52:20.220 –> 00:52:21.060 Alex McKay: Shell mouse.

00:52:26.670 –> 00:52:29.040 Alex McKay: pad library sometimes has some.

00:52:30.090 –> 00:52:31.380 Alex McKay: Some displays out.

00:52:32.910 –> 00:52:35.100 Alex McKay: they’ve had some interesting things ever pack library.

00:52:35.400 –> 00:52:39.840 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s good I’m sure I’m sure some of the bigger towns got some good stuff too so.

00:52:41.280 –> 00:52:43.320 Joseph McElroy: really appreciate you being on the Program.

00:52:43.530 –> 00:52:53.310 Joseph McElroy: Yes, we will keep track of you how did you find out about the show cows, how did they find out about your museum, and how do they keep in touch with you, or if you follow a new.

00:52:54.210 –> 00:53:02.070 Alex McKay: Well I’m mostly active on my Facebook page is Alex Mckay MC K A Y and.

00:53:03.090 –> 00:53:07.800 Alex McKay: For the the show counts, we got a website.

00:53:09.060 –> 00:53:12.930 Alex McKay: And people can just Google the shirts neighbor’s house and time beer.

00:53:15.060 –> 00:53:17.400 Alex McKay: But yeah those are probably the best the two best.

00:53:18.420 –> 00:53:20.520 Joseph McElroy: a way to archive is, it is a website.

00:53:20.760 –> 00:53:24.240 Alex McKay: No, no, I just do I just do all of it through my Facebook page.

00:53:24.330 –> 00:53:24.900 Joseph McElroy: Okay.

00:53:24.960 –> 00:53:25.860 Alex McKay: Great yeah cool.

00:53:26.430 –> 00:53:33.960 Joseph McElroy: Well, I appreciate it it’s been good talking to you and I’ll keep following your historical events I’m a come see your museums that’s for sure.

00:53:34.080 –> 00:53:36.420 Alex McKay: yeah yeah.

00:53:37.590 –> 00:53:39.630 Joseph McElroy: Now, give out some shoutouts myself.

00:53:41.340 –> 00:53:53.820 Joseph McElroy: So this this this podcast is called gateway the smokies podcast it’s you can find out more about it gatewaytothesmokies.fun you go there and subscribe to a newsletter allows you to know what’s coming up.

00:53:54.840 –> 00:54:02.070 Joseph McElroy: And we usually have a lot of things better guests, we have all the previous episodes and this podcast is also available on iTunes and.

00:54:02.670 –> 00:54:10.230 Joseph McElroy: And all those sort of things and broadcast live on talkradio.nyc into the New York area.

00:54:10.920 –> 00:54:21.810 Joseph McElroy: Where there’s some great live podcast if you’re listening, listen to the one that follows us to tell them that New York, so you can go from you know rural North Carolina to the most urban place we have in the United States.

00:54:22.980 –> 00:54:32.340 Joseph McElroy: Now a lot to them, you know, imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian field.

00:54:32.790 –> 00:54:44.550 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire, and be accompanied by all fine wines and craft beers.

00:54:45.270 –> 00:54:59.370 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time with music and world cultural sounds there’s no other place like this Meadowlark Motel in Maggie valley, your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay. find out more about meadowlarkmotel.com.

00:55:00.570 –> 00:55:05.940 Joseph McElroy: we’re sponsored by smokies adventure that smokies plural adventure singular.com.

00:55:06.600 –> 00:55:16.260 Joseph McElroy: Information and listings about the smokies hiking wedding venues books trail Max resources for experiencing the smokies, the emphasis is on.

00:55:16.830 –> 00:55:29.970 Joseph McElroy: Smoke smokies adventure is outdoors outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information and lodging fam family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more.

00:55:30.360 –> 00:55:35.280 Joseph McElroy: You go to the site is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.

00:55:37.500 –> 00:55:40.170 Joseph McElroy: And and surrounding towns.

00:55:41.670 –> 00:55:42.690 Joseph McElroy: remind you that.

00:55:43.800 –> 00:55:50.340 Joseph McElroy: July 7 or eighth we’re having the plot fest reunion at the weekend at the Meadowlark Motel and the following weekend.

00:55:51.060 –> 00:55:57.690 Joseph McElroy: we’re having the Bluegrass band camp, but I recommend you go to the meadowlarkmotel.com and look at events in the smoky mountain events.

00:55:58.050 –> 00:56:14.760 Joseph McElroy: And sign up to become and come in and either to the concert or just come for the whole weekend and the whole weekend will be a wonderful experience for everybody I’ll see you next time, at the same BAT time same BAT channel and it’s

00:56:15.930 –> 00:56:29.700 Joseph McElroy: Every week from six to seven on Tuesday night on talk nyc, talkradio.nyc next week we’re gonna have a great gentleman named Jim Hamilton it should be a great talk I’ll talk to you later.




]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/491508608626793/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/187894582_491546438623010_4243365227226691510_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=w4w_eQ8GojYAX9sQpFK&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301BDFE&oh=00_AT8lRdz4DfEKrpJONjZOwMWu3dm265T-NBR91LQWEsXHiQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350&tn=ssl5RjlRCRqdhHNg" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Gateway to the Smokies Podcast guest is <strong>Alex McKay</strong>, a successful Haywood County businessman who owns and manages rental property throughout the county.</p><p>However, Alex is better known for his work as a <strong><em>Haywood County historian</em></strong>. He has been active in working with the historical Shelton House in Waynesville on various projects and is well known for his efforts in helping record the history of the town of Hazelwood, as well as for renovating a historical house in Hazelwood where he now resides.</p><p>Alex was also instrumental in the development of a museum in the Haywood County Courthouse. Joseph McElroy and Alex Mckay will be discussing all the historic houses in Haywood County, NC, and museums&#39; history.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/6izz1YIzNH/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h4><strong>SHOW NOTES</strong></h4><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 1</em></strong></h4><p>Starting off today’s episode is announcements for special upcoming events announced by Bob. There are all sorts of music events, gatherings, workshops and seminars coming up. In addition to that, there are a ton of mid-eighteenth-century events coming up for people to enjoy. The episode continues with the introduction of today’s guest: Alex McKay. Joseph and Alex talk about his accomplishments and how he came to be. Alex explained how greatly he was influenced by his family and how because of that, he joined the family business and grew into what he is today.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Alex talks more about his connection to what he does and how he came to love it. He speaks about his father and grandfather and how they had held on to documents and collections from decades ago and how they sparked his interest even more. The two talk about stories about Alex that came from his time with historic museums and projects to preserve history. Alex talks about his favorite photos and things to find at museums.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 3</em></strong></h4><p>Alex explains what it is like working at Shook Smathers House and what it is. He talks about his favorite parts and gives a little history about the house itself. There are many upcoming events in the Heywood County area that Alex recommends people to come to, where they can eat good food and listen to nice music and enjoy each other’s presence. Alex discusses with Joseph future projects that he thought about doing with the museums, especially after Covid-19 and restrictions being lifted.</p><h4><strong><em>SEGMENT 4</em></strong></h4><p>For the last segment, Joseph and Alex discuss their favorite foods and restaurants in the Heywood and Smoky Mountains area. They both enjoy a wide variety of foods, from barbeque to Chinese to home food. They continue their discussion by talking about where they go for entertainment. They talk about their experiences with these places and the episode ends with Joseph asking Alex for museum spots that the audience could and should visit.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:28.320 –&gt; 00:00:33.750 Joseph McElroy: hey thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:34.410 –&gt; 00:00:42.840 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:43.260 –&gt; 00:00:52.440 Joseph McElroy: there are areas filled with ancient natural beauty a deep-storied history in a rich mountain culture that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:52.980 –&gt; 00:01:05.490 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy, a man of the world but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:06.300 –&gt; 00:01:12.330 Joseph McElroy: today’s podcast is about history museums and historic buildings in Haywood County, North Carolina.</p><p>00:01:13.440 –&gt; 00:01:29.370 Joseph McElroy: Look, first I want to give you a rundown of some events that are coming up very rich in history and I’ve invited Bob Plott here to give us a little bit of an overview of what’s going on, be sure to unmute yourself, Bob.</p><p>00:01:34.620 –&gt; 00:01:35.490 Alex McKay: Thank you, Joseph.</p><p>00:01:35.700 –&gt; 00:01:36.360 appreciate that.</p><p>00:01:39.630 –&gt; 00:01:45.330 Alex McKay: I’m just thrilled to be a part of what you’re doing here is as the new haircut Center director and.</p><p>00:01:46.020 –&gt; 00:01:55.770 Alex McKay: it’s just a lot of foam and work with the theme and we’ve got six events by in July and August, our first event is a lot faster Union weekend and.</p><p>00:01:56.400 –&gt; 00:02:03.360 Alex McKay: Real excited about that kind of on the heels of what we did earlier in the original plot fast years ago.</p><p>00:02:03.870 –&gt; 00:02:13.650 Alex McKay: But it’s gonna be a little smaller, more intimate event, but a lot of fun would be two days got just a few rooms left for that So hopefully people can call in and get those reserved.</p><p>00:02:14.190 –&gt; 00:02:23.580 Alex McKay: For the music, everything we do is about music culture, education, but having funny mercy of experiential learning, while we’re doing it.</p><p>00:02:24.360 –&gt; 00:02:32.220 Alex McKay: In the following weekend on July 17 we’re doing something that I don’t think anybody’s really done around here that we’re really excited about which is.</p><p>00:02:32.760 –&gt; 00:02:50.970 Alex McKay: Darren Nicholson, the great mandolin player and vocalist with balsam range he’s going to do a bluegrass band camp for us here in Meadowlark and he’s going to have three other equally talented musicians include naughty boy lock and Eric Ellis among others to</p><p>00:02:51.990 –&gt; 00:03:02.910 Alex McKay: Teach you one-on-one their skill sets and really intimate setting on Saturday afternoon and then culminate that with a big concert on Saturday night.</p><p>00:03:03.420 –&gt; 00:03:11.670 Alex McKay: So we’re very, very excited about that, so what better opportunity to learn from grammy-nominated blue Ridge hall of fame artists.</p><p>00:03:12.150 –&gt; 00:03:21.210 Alex McKay: And it’s just going to be a great time me by the nose there and knows what of interest and fail, he is the right to sense of humor so that’s going to be a great great time.</p><p>00:03:21.570 –&gt; 00:03:26.730 Joseph McElroy: As Marina just it’s more than just playing it’s also learning how to write the music and things like that too right and.</p><p>00:03:26.730 –&gt; 00:03:27.510 Joseph McElroy: Making that.</p><p>00:03:28.020 –&gt; 00:03:37.620 Alex McKay: yeah yeah will be seminars and afternoon for songwriting perspective instruments guitar mandolin that sort of thing a group Skype session.</p><p>00:03:38.010 –&gt; 00:03:47.370 Alex McKay: So yeah it’s there yeah I mean where else can you get that type of opportunity to learn from artists of that magnitude and that sort of intimate setting it’s really unique.</p><p>00:03:47.700 –&gt; 00:03:49.350 Joseph McElroy: And then there’ll be a concert in the evening.</p><p>00:03:50.010 –&gt; 00:03:56.670 Alex McKay: Yes, constantly meeting with that all-star lineup, and I mean those guys are just hall of fame copper musicians.</p><p>00:03:56.850 –&gt; 00:04:00.630 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool and then you mentioned some other events.</p><p>00:04:01.110 –&gt; 00:04:13.260 Alex McKay: yeah the next weekend discuss the most stuff going on here in the valley we didn’t want to compete with, but the fall of last weekend last day in July we’ve got a tree be playing for landing and Charles Miller to</p><p>00:04:14.340 –&gt; 00:04:20.400 Alex McKay: Haywood County icons historians and artists and just interesting colorful characters and.</p><p>00:04:20.880 –&gt; 00:04:27.060 Alex McKay: a lot of their friends are coming together to honor them are going to have a primitive 18th-century camp set it up to showcase some of their</p><p>00:04:27.570 –&gt; 00:04:37.890 Alex McKay: Skills and we’re going to give the first annual Meadowlark lifetime achievement award to both those individuals we hope that’s going to be something that’s going to be ongoing for years to come.</p><p>00:04:38.250 –&gt; 00:04:45.300 Alex McKay: And then we’re going to have music there’s a way Earl made his own falling or fiddle as we like to call it around here and.</p><p>00:04:47.010 –&gt; 00:05:02.760 Alex McKay: We have readers to come and play that fiddle and do some old 18th-century songs for so we’re excited about that and then we’re going to have dinner at J Arthurs at night that reservations for a room for about 50 people for that for kind of being that evening for them for that.</p><p>00:05:04.290 –&gt; 00:05:07.320 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool and then in August, you got some things going on right.</p><p>00:05:07.350 –&gt; 00:05:13.800 Alex McKay: yeah yeah August 7 the following weekend we’ve got the Meadowlark Mountain heritage festival where we’re going to have.</p><p>00:05:14.790 –&gt; 00:05:22.980 Alex McKay: Really excited to have Davey arch renowned Cherokee storyteller mass Carver he’s been on.</p><p>00:05:23.880 –&gt; 00:05:30.270 Alex McKay: Every TV show has been a Smithsonian he’s worked with the museum on the quality boundary just a great great guy.</p><p>00:05:30.810 –&gt; 00:05:41.400 Alex McKay: who has the 18th-century camp set up again, this time with the blacksmith with bark and brain tanning we’re going to have all I had been doing medicinal herbs and how do they.</p><p>00:05:41.790 –&gt; 00:05:51.180 Alex McKay: Find wild edible plants in the wilderness and we’re going to have more music where your readers going to be doing some 18th-century ballads.</p><p>00:05:51.690 –&gt; 00:05:57.780 Alex McKay: David ruins going to be doing a blacksmithing seminar that was actually he put together for the Smithsonian.</p><p>00:05:58.230 –&gt; 00:06:05.910 Alex McKay: And we’re going to be doing that day as well, so there’s going to be all sorts of things going on that day, and then the following day.</p><p>00:06:06.510 –&gt; 00:06:21.930 Alex McKay: Randall Pierce who’s a professor at the University of Tennessee is going to be given a seminar to and then on Sunday morning we’re going to have a bluegrass Gospel concert and then we’ll go to wrap things up at the plot ham program in a book signing there on Sunday.</p><p>00:06:22.950 –&gt; 00:06:31.500 Alex McKay: And so that’d be on the seventh and eighth of August in the 14th of August 13 and 14th of August we had the Horrace Kephart festival.</p><p>00:06:32.100 –&gt; 00:06:40.260 Alex McKay: And we’re really excited about that as well kind of commemorates Kephart’s and Obama with helping get the great smoky mountain National Park started.</p><p>00:06:40.620 –&gt; 00:06:45.150 Alex McKay: As well as he is field manuals we’ve got some of his direct to standards here.</p><p>00:06:45.570 –&gt; 00:06:56.940 Alex McKay: we’ve got people who have brought books about him Raymond been who’s a really great firearms expert is going to talk about some kid air firearms next or thing.</p><p>00:06:57.570 –&gt; 00:07:12.300 Alex McKay: Just up and then we’re going to have music again with that as well, and then leave he’s going to lead some hikes on Friday, along with which data retired park ranger into some of the same areas that Kephart’s lived in Camp before it was apart.</p><p>00:07:13.260 –&gt; 00:07:23.370 Joseph McElroy: So it’s all fabulous so everybody, you can find out about these events at Meadowlakrmotel.COM go to events and look for the smoky mountain heritage Center.</p><p>00:07:24.780 –&gt; 00:07:29.520 Joseph McElroy: Always you know we have a public component.</p><p>00:07:31.290 –&gt; 00:07:44.280 Joseph McElroy: But guess we’ll get priority and be able to stay and Bob appreciates you coming on board now our guest today is Alex McKay so, can you ask him to come on come on down Alex McKay.</p><p>00:07:47.940 –&gt; 00:07:48.930 Alex McKay: All right, hey Joseph</p><p>00:07:49.170 –&gt; 00:07:56.850 Joseph McElroy: Very good, how you doing so Alex is a successful Haywood county businessman who is known for his work as a Haywood county historian.</p><p>00:07:57.450 –&gt; 00:08:02.820 Joseph McElroy: He works with the historic shook house and records the history of the town of hazel which, which is now part of Waynesville.</p><p>00:08:03.330 –&gt; 00:08:19.590 Joseph McElroy: Alex was also instrumental in the development of a museum in Haywood county courthouse Alex is in the North Carolina Department of converse Main Street champion for his revitalization efforts in Waynesville North Carolina oh good little resume there Alex.</p><p>00:08:20.940 –&gt; 00:08:21.510 Alex McKay: Thank you.</p><p>00:08:21.780 –&gt; 00:08:25.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah you did a lot of stuff so you were born and raised in Haywood County, right?</p><p>00:08:27.090 –&gt; 00:08:42.270 Alex McKay: Right, generation on one side on my father’s side and seventh-generation on my mother’s side so I’m born and raised in Haywood county and it was never an option for me to leave I’m I meant to be here.</p><p>00:08:43.140 –&gt; 00:08:55.950 Joseph McElroy: that’s right, you know a lot of people here generation hey my generation I left, I had to pursue things because I was in the tech I was into computers and yeah back then, you had to go somewhere else to be into computers, but.</p><p>00:08:57.240 –&gt; 00:08:57.540 Joseph McElroy: But.</p><p>00:08:58.650 –&gt; 00:09:05.490 Joseph McElroy: So, how did, how did what made you What was it, what did you do decide to stay and why do you think he decided to.</p><p>00:09:06.270 –&gt; 00:09:08.070 Alex McKay: Well, I guess the family business.</p><p>00:09:09.210 –&gt; 00:09:24.480 Alex McKay: My father was in the grading and construction business back he started in the 50s and he was doing construction when a lot of these older families, like the loves of Thomas, ‘s the Songs.</p><p>00:09:26.340 –&gt; 00:09:28.860 Alex McKay: Where they had a lot of lands, not a lot of money.</p><p>00:09:30.870 –&gt; 00:09:43.470 Alex McKay: And so, he would go in and develop their property bill roads section it off and lots and if some of these families didn’t pay them money they were payment laws so we ended up in the real estate business.</p><p>00:09:44.580 –&gt; 00:09:51.750 Alex McKay: and property management Rentals all types of rental so we ended up in that just.</p><p>00:09:54.180 –&gt; 00:09:55.590 Joseph McElroy: Did you vacation Rentals.</p><p>00:09:56.970 –&gt; 00:09:59.460 Alex McKay: Not so much most of our yearly Rentals.</p><p>00:09:59.640 –&gt; 00:10:07.290 Alex McKay: Right yeah not so much we’ve got some into we’re getting into some vacation Rentals but not, not so much right.</p><p>00:10:08.580 –&gt; 00:10:11.430 Joseph McElroy: Well, in the end, we should let people know how to get the Rentals.</p><p>00:10:11.430 –&gt; 00:10:21.630 Joseph McElroy: Because a lot of people here might listening might want to come down and live for a little while or have you do meditation I will be important to let him know, say, have you ever lived anywhere else.</p><p>00:10:22.620 –&gt; 00:10:27.660 Alex McKay: I went to college and garden with them Shelby you’re boiling springs.</p><p>00:10:29.400 –&gt; 00:10:30.210 Alex McKay: But but.</p><p>00:10:31.470 –&gt; 00:10:32.460 Alex McKay: i’m still lacking strike.</p><p>00:10:33.300 –&gt; 00:10:35.310 Joseph McElroy: yeah sea level, the reason right.</p><p>00:10:35.490 –&gt; 00:10:36.660 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:10:38.250 –&gt; 00:10:47.910 Joseph McElroy: So, but you have a passion and you seem to be one of those unique individuals who have managed to get a good balance between your business and your passion which is history.</p><p>00:10:48.300 –&gt; 00:10:49.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:10:50.280 –&gt; 00:11:07.200 Alex McKay: And I guess growing up, and I, looking back on it now, you know I don’t know what really spurred it other than I had older parents and I was around my grandparents kind of held that that old generation of.</p><p>00:11:09.060 –&gt; 00:11:22.260 Alex McKay: A mountain people like to tell you every everything about everybody, you know and they generate what generations and how there can’t my grandmother knew everything about more of the mountain community.</p><p>00:11:23.850 –&gt; 00:11:35.670 Alex McKay: In Haywood county and then my father’s side I had more of the town history, so I got it from both ends and dad doing going back to that the dad doing construction.</p><p>00:11:36.690 –&gt; 00:11:38.520 Alex McKay: Back in the 60s and 70s.</p><p>00:11:40.200 –&gt; 00:11:50.670 Alex McKay: A lot was starting to change in Haywood county and Rosa wide and wrote new Rosenfield a lot of our old structures got torn down so throwing up driving around.</p><p>00:11:51.510 –&gt; 00:12:04.260 Alex McKay: you know agile for the old-time hotel down here before rest avenue went this way, the road with this way, so I just kind of grew up knowing how things were before me.</p><p>00:12:07.140 –&gt; 00:12:10.770 Alex McKay: And that sparked my interest in history, and when I was around.</p><p>00:12:11.910 –&gt; 00:12:20.970 Alex McKay: I was around that older generation more than the younger generation, so my parents would have known my friends his grandparents.</p><p>00:12:22.410 –&gt; 00:12:25.410 Alex McKay: So I knew I knew all about that generation and the energy.</p><p>00:12:26.460 –&gt; 00:12:42.540 Joseph McElroy: that’s you know I have, I have a 28-year-old son, but I have now, I have two and a half-year-old twins right now, they are growing up with an older dad so they’ll have a different perspective on existence, I think right.</p><p>00:12:43.380 –&gt; 00:12:44.370 Alex McKay: yeah definitely.</p><p>00:12:44.820 –&gt; 00:12:47.220 Joseph McElroy: yeah so yeah it’s.</p><p>00:12:48.360 –&gt; 00:12:50.880 Joseph McElroy: An interesting history and what’s going on before.</p><p>00:12:51.900 –&gt; 00:12:52.380 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:12:53.070 –&gt; 00:12:59.190 Joseph McElroy: What so you got started a business that asked you to be in the business or did you decide you wanted to be it.</p><p>00:12:59.340 –&gt; 00:13:01.320 Alex McKay: Now I don’t think I ever had a choice and.</p><p>00:13:03.780 –&gt; 00:13:19.440 Alex McKay: yeah it was just there was set to get done and I was expected to be there to do it so so, and you know, and once you’ve got so many different houses or pieces of property there’s always somebody done and.</p><p>00:13:20.760 –&gt; 00:13:28.530 Alex McKay: And, and I enjoyed it growing up, I enjoyed you know, a one on one with him and the mother to collect rent and.</p><p>00:13:29.610 –&gt; 00:13:32.760 Alex McKay: And rehab houses, so I.</p><p>00:13:33.840 –&gt; 00:13:34.620 Alex McKay: enjoyed work.</p><p>00:13:36.030 –&gt; 00:13:43.710 Alex McKay: It gives you some freedom since you’re not working, a nine to five it gives you the freedom to pursue your passions.</p><p>00:13:45.840 –&gt; 00:13:53.310 Joseph McElroy: Similar raising my father didn’t let me do the business part of it, he made me go to the mountains and clean up the construction second step.</p><p>00:13:53.640 –&gt; 00:14:01.650 Alex McKay: Back exactly yeah there were yeah yeah I learned how to I mean you know, but I was probably collecting rent at the time I was 12.</p><p>00:14:02.820 –&gt; 00:14:04.110 Alex McKay: And then.</p><p>00:14:05.190 –&gt; 00:14:14.610 Alex McKay: You know not to sin after that I could like carpet or paint or change door knocks or do anything that goes on, with the property manager.</p><p>00:14:14.940 –&gt; 00:14:23.550 Joseph McElroy: There, when I first got my first business up here in New York City and I got an office I just did I renovated advice.</p><p>00:14:24.960 –&gt; 00:14:28.530 Joseph McElroy: Your technology guy What do you do it renovated your offices, I.</p><p>00:14:29.010 –&gt; 00:14:29.550 Joseph McElroy: After.</p><p>00:14:29.730 –&gt; 00:14:34.020 Joseph McElroy: I installed the electricity I did the whole thing they’re like What do you do.</p><p>00:14:37.980 –&gt; 00:14:43.140 Joseph McElroy: When we go to take a break here when we get back we’ll talk about your passion which is preserving history.</p><p>00:14:43.680 –&gt; 00:14:44.640 Alex McKay: All right, alright sounds good.</p><p>00:17:14.190 –&gt; 00:17:23.070 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Alex McKay, so Alex.</p><p>00:17:23.610 –&gt; 00:17:34.590 Joseph McElroy: You know your passion is history and I, you know we’ve talked to some you know some of the elders in the Community, and they really appreciate your passion for local history.</p><p>00:17:35.100 –&gt; 00:17:47.880 Joseph McElroy: And now, and your efforts and presenting, but I think also just I think you’ve had a lot of conversations with people, how do you find connecting with the old-timers and what is that the hearing Their stories like for you.</p><p>00:17:49.200 –&gt; 00:17:49.560 Alex McKay: well.</p><p>00:17:50.850 –&gt; 00:18:03.420 Alex McKay: You know, being from Haywood County or a lot of these you know we kind of we know each other, you know and we’ve gotten, even though we might not be direct can we’re kind of family.</p><p>00:18:04.650 –&gt; 00:18:05.640 Alex McKay: anywhere so.</p><p>00:18:06.720 –&gt; 00:18:20.520 Alex McKay: there’s it’s easy to connect to these old-timers and I guess it’s easier for me because I can speak their language and I know you know about what’s happened during their lifetime and the county.</p><p>00:18:22.650 –&gt; 00:18:31.320 Alex McKay: I know people were you know with a large you can just say a couple of names and get them laughing because you know they’ll have members of the people and.</p><p>00:18:31.920 –&gt; 00:18:41.220 Alex McKay: It would people you know today people wouldn’t think about or we wouldn’t be brought into the conversation so it’s just in the in local has a lot.</p><p>00:18:43.620 –&gt; 00:18:44.040 Alex McKay: As it.</p><p>00:18:44.760 –&gt; 00:18:45.810 Alex McKay: makes it a lot easier.</p><p>00:18:47.370 –&gt; 00:18:54.540 Joseph McElroy: yeah I find there’s I find there’s a lot of the stories are sort of subtle and dry humor that.</p><p>00:18:58.110 –&gt; 00:19:00.930 Joseph McElroy: That you’re supposed to get the NGO yeah.</p><p>00:19:01.110 –&gt; 00:19:03.300 Alex McKay: yeah exactly exactly.</p><p>00:19:03.630 –&gt; 00:19:04.080 Alex McKay: yeah I.</p><p>00:19:04.710 –&gt; 00:19:11.970 Alex McKay: know my family and my friends my grandfather has a slaughterhouse of nice wood and so a lot of these old families.</p><p>00:19:13.260 –&gt; 00:19:16.530 Alex McKay: are a lot of the old-timers now visited there they were children.</p><p>00:19:18.420 –&gt; 00:19:27.990 Alex McKay: And you know it and they’ve been instrumental in helping me raise to do the research that I needed and there isn’t a continued me to do.</p><p>00:19:29.970 –&gt; 00:19:32.700 Alex McKay: People like Charles Mailer and Nora hamming and.</p><p>00:19:34.020 –&gt; 00:19:49.650 Alex McKay: Think swift and Bruce Bruce Briggs, who is a store in for years and years he’s 9495 now and he’s been a mentor me and talking a lot that you know if these people have been gone that information would have been gone with them.</p><p>00:19:50.040 –&gt; 00:19:50.610 Their.</p><p>00:19:51.960 –&gt; 00:19:52.800 Alex McKay: story.</p><p>00:19:53.820 –&gt; 00:19:57.600 Alex McKay: You know a lot of my best friends are probably in their age 18.</p><p>00:20:00.420 –&gt; 00:20:02.460 Joseph McElroy: So I know you’ve.</p><p>00:20:03.630 –&gt; 00:20:16.170 Joseph McElroy: talked to these people and all your research you’ve attained hundreds, I guess, not if not thousands of important historical artifacts and documents over the years, can you give us some highlights which ones are once one until the proudest of.</p><p>00:20:17.160 –&gt; 00:20:17.640 well.</p><p>00:20:19.050 –&gt; 00:20:19.620 Alex McKay: You know.</p><p>00:20:21.750 –&gt; 00:20:22.650 Alex McKay: I guess.</p><p>00:20:25.290 –&gt; 00:20:25.770 Alex McKay: You know.</p><p>00:20:27.840 –&gt; 00:20:40.560 Alex McKay: What points of what stands out to me as an executive isn’t exactly items, but it’s different collections so like this week I’ve been going through, let me see alan’s collection.</p><p>00:20:41.670 –&gt; 00:20:45.720 Alex McKay: His house it’s been empty for years for the most part.</p><p>00:20:47.040 –&gt; 00:20:53.490 Alex McKay: And when you go in it’s just like he walked out in 1940 and he wrote he did a lot of early history books.</p><p>00:20:56.520 –&gt; 00:20:56.910 Alex McKay: and</p><p>00:20:59.550 –&gt; 00:21:06.240 Alex McKay: So you go in now, and all his research is there there are hundreds of photos documents.</p><p>00:21:09.000 –&gt; 00:21:11.580 Alex McKay: And then another one was that scraper.</p><p>00:21:13.050 –&gt; 00:21:19.830 Alex McKay: The collection of her grandfather stuff he was a lawyer and a judge MAC turn of the century.</p><p>00:21:20.610 –&gt; 00:21:34.140 Alex McKay: So it’s going through his file cabinets and I found all the original and deeds are leading brands and beloved thing and from David Allison land grant john Struthers grant so all these original documents, going back to the late 1700s.</p><p>00:21:35.190 –&gt; 00:21:42.690 Alex McKay: Where they are in that that filing cabinet and in you know, had been there for probably 40 or 50 years and nobody looked at.</p><p>00:21:43.290 –&gt; 00:21:45.660 Joseph McElroy: wow that’s pretty impressive.</p><p>00:21:46.290 –&gt; 00:21:58.410 Alex McKay: It not one not really one item stands out, but just different collections of the stem that people have held on to win it been, for the most part, and search for so many years.</p><p>00:21:59.730 –&gt; 00:22:08.490 Joseph McElroy: I read, I read about a little story about you, you went and helped acquire the portrait of James Robert love.</p><p>00:22:08.790 –&gt; 00:22:17.430 Alex McKay: Yes, yeah yeah that somebody had called the talent-wise well and said, there was a portrait of Robert’s love in Florida that was going at that.</p><p>00:22:18.930 –&gt; 00:22:24.810 Alex McKay: One of these fine art options and, of course, there was beating online that I.</p><p>00:22:25.860 –&gt; 00:22:37.740 Alex McKay: I didn’t trust getting it back and possibly losing the bid to you know computer malfunction or Internet connection, so I just broke up with me, my father drove to Florida and.</p><p>00:22:39.060 –&gt; 00:22:47.070 Alex McKay: And both the both blaming from this auction and to get to God that that option, they were baseball cards going to $35,000 and.</p><p>00:22:48.930 –&gt; 00:22:56.430 Alex McKay: Other patients are bringing 10s of my so I didn’t know I you know I didn’t know what to expect Luckily, we didn’t have to get too often.</p><p>00:22:57.570 –&gt; 00:23:05.610 Alex McKay: But I was able to bring it back to wines were working alone and it ended up being James Robert Robert but they just ahead miss smart.</p><p>00:23:07.410 –&gt; 00:23:10.230 Joseph McElroy: Ministers who rubber lovers who James Robert level.</p><p>00:23:10.680 –&gt; 00:23:15.750 Alex McKay: So, Robert Love was was what’s considered the founder of wines well.</p><p>00:23:17.070 –&gt; 00:23:26.340 Alex McKay: He ended up being a surveyor and ended up being the executor of the James bountiful land grant and so he ended up him and his son ended up.</p><p>00:23:27.480 –&gt; 00:23:34.560 Alex McKay: with most of what is tiger county Benton county Simon making and Nancy county.</p><p>00:23:35.670 –&gt; 00:23:49.350 Alex McKay: So they ended up with hundreds of thousands of acres in the early 1800s and then James his father’s the one that’s kind of considered valuable, but he played just as much role as as as his father did.</p><p>00:23:51.390 –&gt; 00:23:53.100 Alex McKay: And so, a lot of families.</p><p>00:23:54.540 –&gt; 00:24:01.680 Alex McKay: You know they had all this land so James Robert a lot of these over families, like the like the box has K in the browns.</p><p>00:24:02.850 –&gt; 00:24:05.370 Alex McKay: They can live off the land from the.</p><p>00:24:06.960 –&gt; 00:24:07.530 Alex McKay: From James.</p><p>00:24:10.050 –&gt; 00:24:15.690 Alex McKay: his hands a lot more than Roberts doesn’t know in the old days.</p><p>00:24:16.200 –&gt; 00:24:19.350 Joseph McElroy: He sort of had foresight about the railroads coming into.</p><p>00:24:19.380 –&gt; 00:24:20.910 Alex McKay: yeah yeah he.</p><p>00:24:22.350 –&gt; 00:24:29.940 Alex McKay: He died in 1844- 1845 and.</p><p>00:24:32.880 –&gt; 00:24:45.060 Alex McKay: he’d already kind of laid out where the railroad would go in Waynesboro now he didn’t come until 1883 and so you know almost 40 years before after he died.</p><p>00:24:46.650 –&gt; 00:24:47.280 Alex McKay: He.</p><p>00:24:48.660 –&gt; 00:24:55.200 Alex McKay: He knew the importance of him, he gave all of his children lots along the railroad because he knew it would be, it would be important.</p><p>00:24:56.550 –&gt; 00:24:57.330 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great.</p><p>00:24:58.410 –&gt; 00:25:04.140 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s a pretty good story yeah it’s it’s always finding a nice to find little gems like that.</p><p>00:25:05.370 –&gt; 00:25:13.200 Joseph McElroy: So um so you were instrumental in creating a museum and Haywood County courthouse I know I didn’t even know about this tell me about that museum.</p><p>00:25:13.620 –&gt; 00:25:19.500 Alex McKay: I was kind of the second wave of it so before I got on it, the historical society.</p><p>00:25:21.090 –&gt; 00:25:24.480 Alex McKay: Bruce Briggs and Bets Frank, are there was.</p><p>00:25:25.650 –&gt; 00:25:38.640 Alex McKay: The the county was going to remodel the historic courthouse in so they went for the Commissioners, and this is probably early to that maybe in the 90s early 2000s.</p><p>00:25:40.770 –&gt; 00:25:51.390 Alex McKay: And acquired that room from the Commissioners, and so, then they had in the paperwork that it that that room always belongs to the historical society so, then I come along.</p><p>00:25:52.560 –&gt; 00:26:07.620 Alex McKay: Maybe 10 years ago, and by that time they weren’t using the room anymore, and the course of the county was wanting to back to us for other things and, and so I kind of took it over and.</p><p>00:26:08.670 –&gt; 00:26:13.830 Alex McKay: Business that back in there and I’ve had to the museum and there were some been closed down for repetitive.</p><p>00:26:16.110 –&gt; 00:26:27.360 Alex McKay: But it’s been good and people that have moved out of the county will come back in, and so I get to hear a lot of more local stories from people that have been having been gone for a while, but I’ve heard about community.</p><p>00:26:28.050 –&gt; 00:26:30.810 Joseph McElroy: Because that is a good place or two people like to visit it.</p><p>00:26:31.650 –&gt; 00:26:43.800 Alex McKay: yeah yeah yeah and I’ve got a lot of interesting articles in it from slave deeds to original maps of the county from the early 1800s.</p><p>00:26:45.060 –&gt; 00:26:54.480 Alex McKay: That the portrait that we went to Florida good and then some lighter stuff like all the milk bottles the liquor bottles, we had wines with a dispensary and.</p><p>00:26:55.500 –&gt; 00:26:58.650 Alex McKay: Through 1909 that.</p><p>00:26:59.760 –&gt; 00:27:08.940 Alex McKay: When you couldn’t go when you couldn’t buy liquor store you go to a place kind of like the pharmacy and by your like if you did not have you know from moonshine.</p><p>00:27:10.980 –&gt; 00:27:13.950 Alex McKay: So other just mindful collectible signs.</p><p>00:27:14.910 –&gt; 00:27:16.830 Joseph McElroy: of pictures original pictures things without.</p><p>00:27:16.830 –&gt; 00:27:25.110 Alex McKay: Yet yeah sounds good, yeah and that’s my favorite thing fine but that’s what’s been so special about the sounds for our collection there are pictures from the 1900s.</p><p>00:27:26.040 –&gt; 00:27:33.810 Alex McKay: You know that they’ve never been published, that you know that that’s always my favorite ledger’s and pictures are probably my favorite things to find.</p><p>00:27:35.490 –&gt; 00:27:36.060 Joseph McElroy: cool.</p><p>00:27:36.330 –&gt; 00:27:37.980 Alex McKay: yeah a bunch of those in the courthouse.</p><p>00:27:38.220 –&gt; 00:27:41.040 Joseph McElroy: Did you get the where’d you get the funding.</p><p>00:27:42.060 –&gt; 00:27:42.840 Alex McKay: Where to get the wall.</p><p>00:27:43.200 –&gt; 00:27:44.790 Joseph McElroy: Where do you have the funding for the museum.</p><p>00:27:45.360 –&gt; 00:27:47.910 Alex McKay: Oh just myself there’s just myself</p><p>00:27:49.110 –&gt; 00:27:52.470 Alex McKay: yeah yeah I found I found all of that museum and then now get.</p><p>00:27:53.520 –&gt; 00:28:03.090 Alex McKay: We get some donations, but a lot of stuff I’m able to to to acquire from collections, or you know, sometimes stuff ends up and with antique dealers or antique stores.</p><p>00:28:04.230 –&gt; 00:28:09.060 Alex McKay: Most of them in my immediate area know you know if they get something local they give me a call.</p><p>00:28:09.570 –&gt; 00:28:11.220 Joseph McElroy: It was the name of the museum, what do you call.</p><p>00:28:11.610 –&gt; 00:28:12.780 Alex McKay: The Waynesville archive.</p><p>00:28:13.800 –&gt; 00:28:17.970 Joseph McElroy: archive cools any other individuals or groups that are working with him.</p><p>00:28:18.210 –&gt; 00:28:29.310 Alex McKay: yeah yeah I’m kind of I’m under the umbrella of the wood county historical society so it’s Mike Maclean’s President of it and then that’s the shook house.</p><p>00:28:30.720 –&gt; 00:28:34.470 Alex McKay: And I think we’re getting ready to open it a month or so.</p><p>00:28:35.220 –&gt; 00:28:35.610 alright.</p><p>00:28:36.960 –&gt; 00:28:41.250 Joseph McElroy: cool so so you got some really good support there that’s good so when we talk.</p><p>00:28:42.270 –&gt; 00:28:44.820 Joseph McElroy: When we come back let’s talk about the Shrek House a little bit all right.</p><p>00:28:45.270 –&gt; 00:28:46.920 Alex McKay: Okay sounds good.</p><p>00:31:35.880 –&gt; 00:31:49.170 Joseph McElroy: howdy it’s Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Alex Mckay’s, Alex you work with it’s actually the historic ships Matters house right and.</p><p>00:31:49.170 –&gt; 00:31:50.730 Alex McKay: Class yeah.</p><p>00:31:51.060 –&gt; 00:31:54.930 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool how long you been doing that what you do with him.</p><p>00:31:56.010 –&gt; 00:32:09.630 Alex McKay: probably say the last seven or eight years at right now on the history I’ve been Vice President, maybe a couple of other positions on the board but I’m the store in the storage side right now and.</p><p>00:32:10.500 –&gt; 00:32:15.600 Alex McKay: The ship’s matters have is run by the Haywood county historical and genealogical society.</p><p>00:32:17.010 –&gt; 00:32:22.200 Alex McKay: And so we’re right now we’re in the middle of reorganizing the show cows and the.</p><p>00:32:23.340 –&gt; 00:32:28.560 Alex McKay: winds will archive to reopen added to the public, after Africa.</p><p>00:32:30.030 –&gt; 00:32:32.670 Joseph McElroy: And what is the history of the Shook House.</p><p>00:32:33.570 –&gt; 00:32:37.470 Alex McKay: So this shook house was built around the turn of.</p><p>00:32:39.270 –&gt; 00:32:41.970 Alex McKay: The early 1800s right around the turn of the century there.</p><p>00:32:42.990 –&gt; 00:33:02.700 Alex McKay: And Jacob Shook came here with sandals and the biggest thing about the shook house is the oldest frame house west of actually so you know most cabins at that time would have been house would have been cabins that time.</p><p>00:33:04.170 –&gt; 00:33:13.920 Alex McKay: jake chuck came and built it, you know he made by us to very he was a blacksmith or I’m sure you’ve had a blacksmith is an end.</p><p>00:33:15.810 –&gt; 00:33:20.490 Alex McKay: But he made the nails faculty Member and built that first time house it.</p><p>00:33:21.780 –&gt; 00:33:26.190 Joseph McElroy: Is it’s a beautiful looking place, I saw pictures of it I’ve never actually been there.</p><p>00:33:26.640 –&gt; 00:33:28.950 Joseph McElroy: Do you have a museum in there.</p><p>00:33:29.460 –&gt; 00:33:47.670 Alex McKay: yeah yeah the whole House, music and some of it to the ship family ships matters family and others, just to the other parts of it are going to be we’ve got a military room that’s kind of the heavy-handed military history, an industry part.</p><p>00:33:50.220 –&gt; 00:33:53.490 Alex McKay: Then kind of a sewing quilting.</p><p>00:33:55.080 –&gt; 00:34:05.580 Alex McKay: You know more of a lady’s handiwork type of the type of room in there, so we’ve got a lot of new things that that we’ve never had it the ship’s matter music.</p><p>00:34:06.600 –&gt; 00:34:08.880 Joseph McElroy: What do you think is the most popular thing there.</p><p>00:34:10.860 –&gt; 00:34:20.760 Alex McKay: My favorite thing in the House, probably the most important artifact that I what I think semester artifact, there is the first piano that came to Western North Korea.</p><p>00:34:21.420 –&gt; 00:34:30.750 Alex McKay: Oh, really, we talked about James Robert Love with this was his piano and they brought it into somewhere on the coast on a wagon.</p><p>00:34:32.760 –&gt; 00:34:36.270 Alex McKay: So I think that’s probably my favorite thing.</p><p>00:34:36.660 –&gt; 00:34:37.620 Joseph McElroy: This is good her.</p><p>00:34:39.480 –&gt; 00:34:51.540 Alex McKay: I think some keys work, it needs to be restored, but I think some keys did work on it, but you know sometime in the future I’d like to to do a fundraiser or something to get that cannot restore.</p><p>00:34:52.590 –&gt; 00:34:56.640 Joseph McElroy: Now I know you did tours the tours resumed yet.</p><p>00:34:57.120 –&gt; 00:34:58.350 Alex McKay: No, not yet, I think that.</p><p>00:34:59.370 –&gt; 00:35:03.000 Alex McKay: I don’t remember the exact date they’re probably the website it’s.</p><p>00:35:04.200 –&gt; 00:35:08.850 Alex McKay: Probably within a month in a month or so within two months are.</p><p>00:35:11.010 –&gt; 00:35:17.490 Joseph McElroy: There any other events or festivals, that you would like to tell people about related that are history is in the mountains.</p><p>00:35:17.940 –&gt; 00:35:36.480 Alex McKay: Well I’m also on the Haywood county or the wind for preservation Commission and we got a great got to are coming at green hill cemetery be the evening of October nine it’s the same day, is the church street fair on mainstream.</p><p>00:35:37.680 –&gt; 00:35:38.430 Alex McKay: On on.</p><p>00:35:39.480 –&gt; 00:35:44.880 Alex McKay: On October 9 day of clothes off mainstream it’s a full day best tool with vendors and food music.</p><p>00:35:45.900 –&gt; 00:35:51.240 Alex McKay: And then raw think rather than that so maybe five 530 is when we do that cemetery.</p><p>00:35:52.650 –&gt; 00:35:53.760 Joseph McElroy: A cemetery tour.</p><p>00:35:53.850 –&gt; 00:35:57.090 Alex McKay: yeah cemetery towards just right up the street from downtown.</p><p>00:35:59.340 –&gt; 00:36:01.680 Alex McKay: Right of both of ours restaurants.</p><p>00:36:02.190 –&gt; 00:36:04.440 Joseph McElroy: All right, that’s that big cemetery on the hill right.</p><p>00:36:04.530 –&gt; 00:36:05.280 Alex McKay: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:36:05.550 –&gt; 00:36:06.900 Joseph McElroy: that’s cool looking.</p><p>00:36:07.200 –&gt; 00:36:10.020 Joseph McElroy: At there, I’ve never actually been in there yeah.</p><p>00:36:10.110 –&gt; 00:36:14.400 Alex McKay: yeah yeah a lot of my family’s there and then a lot of the founding fathers are there.</p><p>00:36:15.690 –&gt; 00:36:19.740 Alex McKay: A lot of old old mines for families that’s where they ended up.</p><p>00:36:20.670 –&gt; 00:36:27.420 Joseph McElroy: Oh, a lot of my family’s out on America football behind Antioch Baptist church.</p><p>00:36:28.200 –&gt; 00:36:29.430 Alex McKay: yeah yeah yeah.</p><p>00:36:29.580 –&gt; 00:36:39.000 Joseph McElroy: But you know it’s gotten so it’s gotten said interesting has gotten so full of them, and now having to dig graves and the Granite areas.</p><p>00:36:40.440 –&gt; 00:36:56.490 Alex McKay: I think I you know I think that’s one problem I’ve had a great deal is that cemetery we started so early the records haven’t been lost or haven’t been kept that well in early period at the cemetery so they’ve actually hit the other grades, they can new grades are.</p><p>00:36:57.540 –&gt; 00:36:59.160 Alex McKay: digging digging new grapes.</p><p>00:37:00.420 –&gt; 00:37:03.960 Alex McKay: Oh yeah they’re their heart may add there’s not much room left metal.</p><p>00:37:04.860 –&gt; 00:37:09.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah so, are there any other in the whole of Western North Carolina that.</p><p>00:37:10.920 –&gt; 00:37:19.230 Joseph McElroy: I’m no expert on all Western North Carolina but are there any historical events or festivals that people should be aware of that may be fun to visit.</p><p>00:37:20.280 –&gt; 00:37:32.940 Alex McKay: You know I’m not sure we everything’s just kind of getting back started after covid did you know now that people are really starting to move around so so I’m not sure I’m not the best person for that.</p><p>00:37:34.500 –&gt; 00:37:34.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:37:36.690 –&gt; 00:37:38.940 Alex McKay: I’m amazed at everything good job going on down you.</p><p>00:37:39.630 –&gt; 00:37:52.380 Joseph McElroy: know or you know we’re having the one I thought you might know a little bit about where I think you know a little bit about all of them, but we’re doing one on July 31 honoring the early morning and Charles Miller for the lifetime achievement.</p><p>00:37:53.640 –&gt; 00:37:55.380 Joseph McElroy: And I’m sure you know, those are those look like.</p><p>00:37:55.410 –&gt; 00:37:56.250 Alex McKay: Oh yeah yeah.</p><p>00:37:56.310 –&gt; 00:37:59.220 Joseph McElroy: What do you think about them any stories about them.</p><p>00:38:00.090 –&gt; 00:38:00.630 well.</p><p>00:38:02.430 –&gt; 00:38:04.980 Alex McKay: yeah well Charles.</p><p>00:38:06.030 –&gt; 00:38:08.760 Alex McKay: Both of them are interesting characters and.</p><p>00:38:09.840 –&gt; 00:38:21.630 Alex McKay: You know, Charles can take you, you know I wish I had known Charles when he was you know younger and his as I sound a lot better because he’s really good metalwork and.</p><p>00:38:22.800 –&gt; 00:38:33.300 Alex McKay: You know, and I know he’s made some steals in his day and I think he’s bringing one to show you he you know, Charles has some good stories and I, you know.</p><p>00:38:33.990 –&gt; 00:38:39.330 Alex McKay: I probably am not going to start Charles’s stories out I know some of my detail or not so.</p><p>00:38:40.260 –&gt; 00:38:47.220 Alex McKay: And the Earl’s character just need each other at the past, the other day, to tell me about what y’all like going on here.</p><p>00:38:48.030 –&gt; 00:38:59.220 Alex McKay: And that was really good guys and I’ve been a good helped me a favor if I ever need to know anything about the relative trace I mean those two guys they know like factor, and that was when.</p><p>00:39:00.840 –&gt; 00:39:08.250 Alex McKay: When the first platinum can come in on dating wrestlers expedition to have this back the charities so.</p><p>00:39:09.540 –&gt; 00:39:11.250 Alex McKay: You know they know it well.</p><p>00:39:13.050 –&gt; 00:39:13.680 Joseph McElroy: cool.</p><p>00:39:15.090 –&gt; 00:39:16.680 Joseph McElroy: I know you present seminars.</p><p>00:39:17.760 –&gt; 00:39:23.880 Joseph McElroy: about local history and Chris including what last structures in Waynesville history three ways will tell me about this.</p><p>00:39:24.420 –&gt; 00:39:25.650 Alex McKay: yeah I did.</p><p>00:39:27.300 –&gt; 00:39:34.440 Alex McKay: Last structures are probably my favorite wants to do and then unpublished photos of wine in school.</p><p>00:39:35.220 –&gt; 00:39:48.120 Alex McKay: And that the Allen collection that the probably the next seminar I’ll do probably be on that Alan collection because it’s just so expensive and the items that are found in it so far are ours.</p><p>00:39:49.530 –&gt; 00:39:57.270 Alex McKay: Culture and I really culture in portland to the town and just amazing photos and so that’s probably the next night do.</p><p>00:39:59.790 –&gt; 00:40:07.920 Alex McKay: You know, and like I said we’re just trying to get out and back up and figure out what all we can do, what all we can do, and if we’re going to have people show up and.</p><p>00:40:10.350 –&gt; 00:40:11.670 Alex McKay: But yeah and then.</p><p>00:40:13.620 –&gt; 00:40:15.420 Alex McKay: yeah photos you know my.</p><p>00:40:16.440 –&gt; 00:40:17.130 Alex McKay: My.</p><p>00:40:18.600 –&gt; 00:40:33.630 Alex McKay: My seminars attract local people, so I can I playoff people in the audience, you know there’s people an audience that will know stuff that I don’t know about certain places in the photos so it’s always good to have those people in my audience that you can.</p><p>00:40:36.720 –&gt; 00:40:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Show you so you have hope you’ll have some of those going on soon, so we can send people to the right yeah.</p><p>00:40:43.290 –&gt; 00:40:55.140 Alex McKay: yeah yeah yeah maybe in the next couple months, hopefully, we can get those notes that I’ve got a Facebook page and I’ll post those on one layer, and then they’ll be in our local newspaper.</p><p>00:40:55.770 –&gt; 00:41:04.230 Joseph McElroy: cool um so I’ve been told that you have a beautiful home and hazelwood you’ve completely renovated, it was a historic structure.</p><p>00:41:04.620 –&gt; 00:41:15.780 Alex McKay: yeah yeah it’s 1912 hours, so when I was in middle school we live, we live, we live that towards the lines for a country club, and I would walk.</p><p>00:41:16.740 –&gt; 00:41:31.320 Alex McKay: Down Main Street hazelwood nowadays would avenue to the middle school and there was a house on the phone or they had no for big colonial-style columns to it just always stood out to me when I was young.</p><p>00:41:32.490 –&gt; 00:41:47.940 Alex McKay: And then maybe a year or so years ago now, I met, one of the daughters of the woman who lives there and I said I love your mother’s house and she had been there since the 40s.</p><p>00:41:49.950 –&gt; 00:42:03.180 Alex McKay: And I said, well, if you please, let me know if you ever just tried to sell it and luckily that I was you know when when when her mother died, she was 101 flip back said, since the 40s.</p><p>00:42:04.920 –&gt; 00:42:17.730 Alex McKay: I was able to buy the house and it needed to be completely renovated the plaster walls were cracked the lot of the woodwork has broadened on that side of course plumbing and electrical.</p><p>00:42:20.160 –&gt; 00:42:30.180 Alex McKay: So I’ve taken it back to just keeping the same floor plan pretty much except for the kitchen I had 10 more things on to the kitchen.</p><p>00:42:33.120 –&gt; 00:42:35.940 Joseph McElroy: Did you get some historical furnishings in there.</p><p>00:42:36.270 –&gt; 00:42:46.260 Alex McKay: Oh yeah yeah yeah a lot of my first you know my the pedestal in the for your came from the store or the old brick courthouse from the 1800s.</p><p>00:42:47.580 –&gt; 00:42:56.640 Alex McKay: My light fixtures in the hall in the bathroom came from the President’s old courthouse from the hallways in the jail.</p><p>00:42:59.520 –&gt; 00:43:04.530 Alex McKay: The same time from a race forest on Main Street my bathroom sink.</p><p>00:43:06.180 –&gt; 00:43:12.750 Alex McKay: stuff just you know, are trying to use that’s another one of my favorite things to find is just local salvage.</p><p>00:43:15.630 –&gt; 00:43:20.820 Alex McKay: And so, when I was planning on how did the restoration incorporated those things into it.</p><p>00:43:21.270 –&gt; 00:43:24.750 Joseph McElroy: You ever have you ever going to do an open house or anything let people see it.</p><p>00:43:24.840 –&gt; 00:43:25.290 Alex McKay: And you know.</p><p>00:43:27.810 –&gt; 00:43:42.930 Alex McKay: we’re kind of in the plan early planning stages, the bad at you know what I That was the whole plan because I worked on mass for two and a half years, and you know, then right when I get done it when when I would have had a party we’re right in the middle of it so.</p><p>00:43:44.160 –&gt; 00:43:56.670 Alex McKay: So so yeah I hope to hope to do have a big house warming party here before too long, I think we’re having a big fourth of July already and we’re gonna shoot fireworks until somebody tells.</p><p>00:44:00.870 –&gt; 00:44:01.800 Joseph McElroy: You just announced it.</p><p>00:44:04.650 –&gt; 00:44:16.320 Joseph McElroy: When we come back we’ll get you to give us and we’ll talk about things to do and the Waynesville area that you like that you recommend let some of our people wanted to travel there no I know some insider views on what to do.</p><p>00:44:16.830 –&gt; 00:44:17.820 Alex McKay: Okay sounds good.</p><p>00:46:35.700 –&gt; 00:46:52.860 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Alex McKay hey Alex so I imagine you have, like most people live in Haywood county have some outdoor hobbies or hiking or fishing, what do you do.</p><p>00:46:53.880 –&gt; 00:47:06.000 Alex McKay: At five-ish so matt my grandfather was a farmer and that’s what he did in his spirit and when he got some time off from the farm that’s what he did he buy fish.</p><p>00:47:06.540 –&gt; 00:47:15.720 Alex McKay: And when I went with him, I mean he you know I’d want to use wax worms or weren’t with corn or read when I was little and he wouldn’t let me use anything but a fireman.</p><p>00:47:16.410 –&gt; 00:47:22.380 Alex McKay: And so, but I’m thankful for that and I didn’t like that time but, but now I’m thankful that he did so because of that.</p><p>00:47:23.130 –&gt; 00:47:25.680 Joseph McElroy: is a nice meditative hobby right.</p><p>00:47:26.100 –&gt; 00:47:26.760 Alex McKay: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:47:27.120 –&gt; 00:47:31.110 Joseph McElroy: What are some good Ruby rivers in Haywood county to go fishing fly fishing.</p><p>00:47:31.350 –&gt; 00:47:40.530 Alex McKay: Well I’m just going to do, like a quick, you know, sometimes I can get away for an hour to and I’ll just come down to Maggie here and go there’s a little park behind the.</p><p>00:47:41.760 –&gt; 00:47:42.180 angels.</p><p>00:47:44.040 –&gt; 00:47:45.960 Alex McKay: elevated to sell right yeah.</p><p>00:47:46.020 –&gt; 00:47:55.140 Alex McKay: yeah elevated ruin there’s a good little spot there behind the post office or there are good little spots like that that you can go real quick and then.</p><p>00:47:55.860 –&gt; 00:47:59.550 Joseph McElroy: If you know there’s one behind the Meadowlark that bridge is pretty good.</p><p>00:47:59.790 –&gt; 00:48:09.390 Alex McKay: yeah yeah yeah and then down at the bottom, it goes down there are a couple of good holes down layer but i’m going to go for a day.</p><p>00:48:10.590 –&gt; 00:48:23.430 Alex McKay: I probably go to big creek or sterling pretty calm the over on the Tennessee line they go down the board and right on the water go on hartford exits there’s some good fishing down in that area.</p><p>00:48:24.270 –&gt; 00:48:34.800 Joseph McElroy: cool alright that sounds good, and I guess as a local resident you become where we’ve got it we actually got a burgeoning social scene, especially in waynesville.</p><p>00:48:35.220 –&gt; 00:48:41.730 Joseph McElroy: Right and silver and Maggie is actually starting to do some of its own, what are you some of your favorite local restaurants.</p><p>00:48:42.870 –&gt; 00:48:52.980 Alex McKay: restaurants, what see I like well being on Main Street, and he would I go, we go meet us probably once a week or at least get something going.</p><p>00:48:54.330 –&gt; 00:49:05.790 Alex McKay: And it’s not tagging restaurant rotten rotten downtown hazleton and then we add new restaurants just opened up just right up the street mobile pace with pharmacy build on the beach mountain diner and it’s great for.</p><p>00:49:07.260 –&gt; 00:49:08.580 Alex McKay: lunch or breakfast.</p><p>00:49:10.650 –&gt; 00:49:12.450 Joseph McElroy: You would smoke out.</p><p>00:49:13.020 –&gt; 00:49:18.300 Alex McKay: yeah oh yeah I would smoke cast grey market risk, the risk that I would smoke has wonderful.</p><p>00:49:19.470 –&gt; 00:49:26.880 Alex McKay: Sometimes we’ll we’ll make our sides of the House and an order or you know Pam brisket you don’t that for a couple months but.</p><p>00:49:27.210 –&gt; 00:49:34.500 Joseph McElroy: But you know, there was a national magazine listed that doesn’t smoke House as well the top 20 Barbecue joints in the nation.</p><p>00:49:35.010 –&gt; 00:49:36.300 Alex McKay: Real What about.</p><p>00:49:36.570 –&gt; 00:49:40.920 Alex McKay: yeah about and it’s me it’s good Barbecue maybe probably the best brisket man.</p><p>00:49:41.190 –&gt; 00:49:45.000 Alex McKay: yeah and then of course maggie’s galley will go there, so often.</p><p>00:49:48.600 –&gt; 00:50:01.740 Alex McKay: I like I like Japanese and Chinese food, so we go to Kobe Kobe is down and winter visor and then we’re Tommy on Main Street next to the to the town hall.</p><p>00:50:03.570 –&gt; 00:50:12.990 Alex McKay: Then firefly on Main Street we’ve got some some good restaurants, but you know, we want to eat them one treat them all the time you kind of cycle through them all.</p><p>00:50:13.950 –&gt; 00:50:14.190 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:50:14.580 –&gt; 00:50:15.480 Alex McKay: After after you.</p><p>00:50:15.570 –&gt; 00:50:18.510 Joseph McElroy: eat after you Where would you go for some entertainment?</p><p>00:50:22.710 –&gt; 00:50:30.090 Alex McKay: entertainment I don’t know, maybe seems like they’re doing something on the creek now and silver seems like there’s music on the creek and silver.</p><p>00:50:30.330 –&gt; 00:50:30.810 hmm.</p><p>00:50:32.430 –&gt; 00:50:42.000 Alex McKay: You know, every so often on Main Street, they’ll have art after dark or since the street dances and those are good to go to events.</p><p>00:50:42.360 –&gt; 00:50:45.510 Joseph McElroy: Here, those are like the first Friday right as the first Friday of the month.</p><p>00:50:46.230 –&gt; 00:50:47.130 Alex McKay: I believe so.</p><p>00:50:47.640 –&gt; 00:50:55.860 Alex McKay: yeah and yeah a lot of people been going to like drop level brewing sometimes they’ll have music.</p><p>00:50:58.650 –&gt; 00:51:03.360 Alex McKay: I think, Belgium has live music, a lot of people go down and go there in the months.</p><p>00:51:05.580 –&gt; 00:51:06.750 Alex McKay: yeah I.</p><p>00:51:08.940 –&gt; 00:51:10.140 Joseph McElroy: recently had the best.</p><p>00:51:10.920 –&gt; 00:51:23.160 Joseph McElroy: They had seafood not sure I don’t remember exactly what it was right now, but no that was some of the best nachos I ever had I’m cauliflower or something Chris or something it was odd, but it was really great.</p><p>00:51:23.220 –&gt; 00:51:23.490 Joseph McElroy: It was.</p><p>00:51:24.120 –&gt; 00:51:25.170 Joseph McElroy: Really fantastic.</p><p>00:51:26.550 –&gt; 00:51:37.500 Joseph McElroy: So uh so I gotta ask you, what are the museums that people shouldn’t miss and the Western North Carolina historical museums or places I shouldn’t miss?</p><p>00:51:37.710 –&gt; 00:51:38.640 Alex McKay: Well, the.</p><p>00:51:39.960 –&gt; 00:51:54.870 Alex McKay: archives over Western they’ve always got some interests and displays at Western Carolina university they’ve got some really neat artifacts and they kind of cycle through their artifacts that the what’s at the mountain heritage.</p><p>00:51:57.270 –&gt; 00:51:59.130 Alex McKay: let’s say the Shelton house and wines rule.</p><p>00:52:00.330 –&gt; 00:52:18.810 Alex McKay: they’ve done a really good job on handicrafts that they’re they’re not as towards local kind of local history but more mountain handy graphs and we’ll share it and they don’t that house, he was agent to the Navajo Indian so they’ve got a lot of Navajo effects.</p><p>00:52:20.220 –&gt; 00:52:21.060 Alex McKay: Shell mouse.</p><p>00:52:26.670 –&gt; 00:52:29.040 Alex McKay: pad library sometimes has some.</p><p>00:52:30.090 –&gt; 00:52:31.380 Alex McKay: Some displays out.</p><p>00:52:32.910 –&gt; 00:52:35.100 Alex McKay: they’ve had some interesting things ever pack library.</p><p>00:52:35.400 –&gt; 00:52:39.840 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s good I’m sure I’m sure some of the bigger towns got some good stuff too so.</p><p>00:52:41.280 –&gt; 00:52:43.320 Joseph McElroy: really appreciate you being on the Program.</p><p>00:52:43.530 –&gt; 00:52:53.310 Joseph McElroy: Yes, we will keep track of you how did you find out about the show cows, how did they find out about your museum, and how do they keep in touch with you, or if you follow a new.</p><p>00:52:54.210 –&gt; 00:53:02.070 Alex McKay: Well I’m mostly active on my Facebook page is Alex Mckay MC K A Y and.</p><p>00:53:03.090 –&gt; 00:53:07.800 Alex McKay: For the the show counts, we got a website.</p><p>00:53:09.060 –&gt; 00:53:12.930 Alex McKay: And people can just Google the shirts neighbor’s house and time beer.</p><p>00:53:15.060 –&gt; 00:53:17.400 Alex McKay: But yeah those are probably the best the two best.</p><p>00:53:18.420 –&gt; 00:53:20.520 Joseph McElroy: a way to archive is, it is a website.</p><p>00:53:20.760 –&gt; 00:53:24.240 Alex McKay: No, no, I just do I just do all of it through my Facebook page.</p><p>00:53:24.330 –&gt; 00:53:24.900 Joseph McElroy: Okay.</p><p>00:53:24.960 –&gt; 00:53:25.860 Alex McKay: Great yeah cool.</p><p>00:53:26.430 –&gt; 00:53:33.960 Joseph McElroy: Well, I appreciate it it’s been good talking to you and I’ll keep following your historical events I’m a come see your museums that’s for sure.</p><p>00:53:34.080 –&gt; 00:53:36.420 Alex McKay: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:53:37.590 –&gt; 00:53:39.630 Joseph McElroy: Now, give out some shoutouts myself.</p><p>00:53:41.340 –&gt; 00:53:53.820 Joseph McElroy: So this this this podcast is called gateway the smokies podcast it’s you can find out more about it gatewaytothesmokies.fun you go there and subscribe to a newsletter allows you to know what’s coming up.</p><p>00:53:54.840 –&gt; 00:54:02.070 Joseph McElroy: And we usually have a lot of things better guests, we have all the previous episodes and this podcast is also available on iTunes and.</p><p>00:54:02.670 –&gt; 00:54:10.230 Joseph McElroy: And all those sort of things and broadcast live on talkradio.nyc into the New York area.</p><p>00:54:10.920 –&gt; 00:54:21.810 Joseph McElroy: Where there’s some great live podcast if you’re listening, listen to the one that follows us to tell them that New York, so you can go from you know rural North Carolina to the most urban place we have in the United States.</p><p>00:54:22.980 –&gt; 00:54:32.340 Joseph McElroy: Now a lot to them, you know, imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian field.</p><p>00:54:32.790 –&gt; 00:54:44.550 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire, and be accompanied by all fine wines and craft beers.</p><p>00:54:45.270 –&gt; 00:54:59.370 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old-time with music and world cultural sounds there’s no other place like this Meadowlark Motel in Maggie valley, your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay. find out more about meadowlarkmotel.com.</p><p>00:55:00.570 –&gt; 00:55:05.940 Joseph McElroy: we’re sponsored by smokies adventure that smokies plural adventure singular.com.</p><p>00:55:06.600 –&gt; 00:55:16.260 Joseph McElroy: Information and listings about the smokies hiking wedding venues books trail Max resources for experiencing the smokies, the emphasis is on.</p><p>00:55:16.830 –&gt; 00:55:29.970 Joseph McElroy: Smoke smokies adventure is outdoors outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information and lodging fam family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more.</p><p>00:55:30.360 –&gt; 00:55:35.280 Joseph McElroy: You go to the site is to become the leading information portal of the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:55:37.500 –&gt; 00:55:40.170 Joseph McElroy: And and surrounding towns.</p><p>00:55:41.670 –&gt; 00:55:42.690 Joseph McElroy: remind you that.</p><p>00:55:43.800 –&gt; 00:55:50.340 Joseph McElroy: July 7 or eighth we’re having the plot fest reunion at the weekend at the Meadowlark Motel and the following weekend.</p><p>00:55:51.060 –&gt; 00:55:57.690 Joseph McElroy: we’re having the Bluegrass band camp, but I recommend you go to the meadowlarkmotel.com and look at events in the smoky mountain events.</p><p>00:55:58.050 –&gt; 00:56:14.760 Joseph McElroy: And sign up to become and come in and either to the concert or just come for the whole weekend and the whole weekend will be a wonderful experience for everybody I’ll see you next time, at the same BAT time same BAT channel and it’s</p><p>00:56:15.930 –&gt; 00:56:29.700 Joseph McElroy: Every week from six to seven on Tuesday night on talk nyc, talkradio.nyc next week we’re gonna have a great gentleman named Jim Hamilton it should be a great talk I’ll talk to you later.</p><h4><br></h4><p><br></p><p><br></p> 6c211d5a-b69a-4b0d-a1c2-ad8ec06af2d0 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/cf5cd01e-89ff-4db7-9500-d7e0272b5d34 Tue, 22 Jun 2021 22:00:00 +0000 3002 no full Episode 22: Cycling through the Great Smokies Past, and actually Cycling in the Great Smokies. Episode 22: Cycling through the Great Smokies Past, and actually Cycling in the Great Smokies. Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest is <strong>Wendy Meyers</strong>, a renowned historian, and researcher, described as &#34;the best of the Smoky Mountain history detectives --bar none&#34; by historian and author, Bob Plott. Wendy has worked for over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, where she works as a regulatory writer in drug development. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cycling, and historical research. Since 2013, she has maintained a blog, “Reflections of Olde Swain”, that seeks to preserve the history of Swain County.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/69ZaOBKeqt/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts off today’s episode by letting us know that we will be cycling through the Smoky Mountains’ past as well as literally talking about cycling through the Smoky Mountains. He then introduces guest and renowned historian Wendy Meyers. Wendy talks about her journey to becoming both a historian and regulatory writer in drug development.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph asks Wendy what her favorite stories or work she is proudest of that is on her blog. She dives into some of her favorite work she has gotten the chance to do, including research on victims of murders and discovering the history of specific graves. She then goes into talking about her favorite places to hike in the Smoky Mountains area and gives examples of how they hold historical significance. Wendy also talks about the type of wildlife she generally sees while hiking in this area.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Wendy talks about what makes her favorite hiking spots special to her. Joseph then asks Wendy for recommendations for people who want to visit the area. As far as hikes, she recommends trails where one can see waterfalls, beautiful views, and even some wildlife. She recommends hikes that are short, hikes that are more challenging, and some overnight hikes. Wendy then goes on to talk about what trails she recommends for cycling through the Smoky Mountain area.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph asks Wendy to give some advice to someone if they were to hypothetically only have one day in Bryson City. She recommends a breakfast place, a hike, a lunch place, a mountain farm, dinner, and even a historical place to sleep. Wendy then ends the podcast by giving out some ways to follow her work.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is Wendy Meyers, a renowned historian, and researcher described as "the best of the Smoky Mountain history detectives --bar none" by historian and author, Bob Plott. Wendy has worked for over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, where she works as a regulatory writer in drug development. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cycling, and historical research. Since 2013, she has maintained a blog, “Reflections of Olde Swain”, that seeks to preserve the history of Swain County.


Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph starts off today’s episode by letting us know that we will be cycling through the Smoky Mountains’ past as well as literally talking about cycling through the Smoky Mountains. He then introduces guest and renowned historian Wendy Meyers. Wendy talks about her journey to becoming both a historian and regulatory writer in drug development.

Segment 2

Joseph asks Wendy what her favorite stories or work she is proudest of that is on her blog. She dives into some of her favorite work she has gotten the chance to do, including research on victims of murders and discovering the history of specific graves. She then goes into talking about her favorite places to hike in the Smoky Mountains area and gives examples of how they hold historical significance. Wendy also talks about the type of wildlife she generally sees while hiking in this area.

Segment 3

Wendy talks about what makes her favorite hiking spots special to her. Joseph then asks Wendy for recommendations for people who want to visit the area. As far as hikes, she recommends trails where one can see waterfalls, beautiful views, and even some wildlife. She recommends hikes that are short, hikes that are more challenging, and some overnight hikes. Wendy then goes on to talk about what trails she recommends for cycling through the Smoky Mountain area.

Segment 4

Joseph asks Wendy to give some advice to someone if they were to hypothetically only have one day in Bryson City. She recommends a breakfast place, a hike, a lunch place, a mountain farm, dinner, and even a historical place to sleep. Wendy then ends the podcast by giving out some ways to follow her work.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/2953110935016582/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/190453897_2953146945012981_5585341183507971888_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_oc=AQln4tmBqGB0Go5wG3zfSD12FwhLFFRIWYoB5PvU0esUAylbpJ5akNhJ8YJJKWuOY_s&_nc_ohc=Q8MI0wytI-UAX-3qyQF&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6302259C&oh=00_AT8PIgLPJJQTIvCurIBP6N4Zu7uOnROkYKSMER6qYMN06A&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is <strong>Wendy Meyers</strong>, a renowned historian, and researcher described as &#34;the best of the Smoky Mountain history detectives --bar none&#34; by historian and author, Bob Plott. Wendy has worked for over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, where she works as a regulatory writer in drug development. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cycling, and historical research. Since 2013, she has maintained a blog, “Reflections of Olde Swain”, that seeks to preserve the history of Swain County.</p><p><br></p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/69ZaOBKeqt/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts off today’s episode by letting us know that we will be cycling through the Smoky Mountains’ past as well as literally talking about cycling through the Smoky Mountains. He then introduces guest and renowned historian Wendy Meyers. Wendy talks about her journey to becoming both a historian and regulatory writer in drug development.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph asks Wendy what her favorite stories or work she is proudest of that is on her blog. She dives into some of her favorite work she has gotten the chance to do, including research on victims of murders and discovering the history of specific graves. She then goes into talking about her favorite places to hike in the Smoky Mountains area and gives examples of how they hold historical significance. Wendy also talks about the type of wildlife she generally sees while hiking in this area.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Wendy talks about what makes her favorite hiking spots special to her. Joseph then asks Wendy for recommendations for people who want to visit the area. As far as hikes, she recommends trails where one can see waterfalls, beautiful views, and even some wildlife. She recommends hikes that are short, hikes that are more challenging, and some overnight hikes. Wendy then goes on to talk about what trails she recommends for cycling through the Smoky Mountain area.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph asks Wendy to give some advice to someone if they were to hypothetically only have one day in Bryson City. She recommends a breakfast place, a hike, a lunch place, a mountain farm, dinner, and even a historical place to sleep. Wendy then ends the podcast by giving out some ways to follow her work.</p> 01560a0b-e6c8-48df-a463-9a94cf395fcf https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/2b821efe-561c-441e-9a27-8dba0e2eeab0 Tue, 15 Jun 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2932 no full Episode 21: Food in the Smokies Episode 21: Food in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>This week, Joseph talks about food traditions and modern day options for food in the Smokies.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/60F-ynhINS/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Starting off this episode, host Joseph McElroy talks about some of his favorite memories in the mountains and shares a poem. He talks about food traditions in the mountains and iconic foods in regions. Some examples include locations to find barbecue, buttermilk pancakes, and corn chowder.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph continues his conversation on iconic and staple foods in the Smoky Mountains. He gives tips and reads out unexpected food combinations that people should try out.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph looks up more highly recommended restaurants around the Smoky Mountains. Some are steakhouses and one is a blackberry farm called The Barn. He explains how each place is unique and why it is rated so highly. He continues by talking about fishes, specifically rainbow trout, that you can get fresh at Smoky Mountains. He talks about how there’s a lot of new fusion of cultures and foods that are introducing people to new culture and flavors.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>For the final segment of the episode, Joseph talks about upcoming events for the next few weeks and gives shoutouts to many shops and restaurants.</p> Video thumbnail

In this episode, Joseph talks about food traditions and modern-day options for food in the Smokies.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Starting off this episode, host Joseph McElroy talks about some of his favorite memories in the mountains and shares a poem. He talks about food traditions in the mountains and iconic foods in regions. Some examples include locations to find barbecue, buttermilk pancakes, and corn chowder.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Joseph continues his conversation on iconic and staple foods in the Smoky Mountains. He gives tips and reads out unexpected food combinations that people should try out.

Segment 3

Coming back from the break, Joseph looks up more highly recommended restaurants around the Smoky Mountains. Some are steakhouses and one is a blackberry farm called The Barn. He explains how each place is unique and why it is rated so highly. He continues by talking about fishes, specifically rainbow trout, that you can get fresh in the Smoky Mountains. He talks about how there’s a lot of new fusion of cultures and foods that are introducing people to new cultures and flavors.

Segment 4

For the final segment of the episode, Joseph talks about upcoming events for the next few weeks and gives shoutouts to many shops and restaurants.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIPT

00:00:38.160 –> 00:00:38.820 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:00:39.210 –> 00:00:43.350 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies

00:00:44.370 –> 00:00:54.300 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky national park, and the surrounding towns, this area is rich.

00:00:54.840 –> 00:01:07.650 Joseph McElroy: With that ancient natural beauty deep storied history and deep mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy

00:01:08.010 –> 00:01:19.140 Joseph McElroy: A man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in mountain culture.

00:01:20.250 –> 00:01:32.130 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to learn more about food and farm-to-table food in the smokies, which is a long tradition I’m gonna be the first time I do a little poetry, and then maybe some recipe so.

00:01:33.390 –> 00:01:40.710 Joseph McElroy: I was looking around looking for something that talked about Community because the community is a big important part of.

00:01:41.910 –> 00:01:45.540 Joseph McElroy: of you know, farm to table culture.

00:01:46.680 –> 00:01:57.090 Joseph McElroy: And in the growing up in the smokies you know, having a Community meals from food that you’d pick their yourself was incredibly important, I can remember.

00:01:57.510 –> 00:02:10.260 Joseph McElroy: The whole family going out and picking corn and picking beans coming back and check in the corn and cutting the beans and then can in the beans and you know cream in the corn, and then everybody sits around and has a meal eat.

00:02:11.430 –> 00:02:16.380 Joseph McElroy: and saving the rest of the year, so, for me, I.

00:02:17.430 –> 00:02:23.040 Joseph McElroy: I get an intense feeling of home from the concept of farm food.

00:02:24.360 –> 00:02:30.660 Joseph McElroy: So I found this poem it touches on it a little bit it’s called from blossoms by Leon lead.

00:02:32.130 –> 00:02:43.560 Joseph McElroy: From blossoms comes this paper brown paper bag of peaches, we bought from the boy a bend in the road were returned out toward signs painted Peaches.

00:02:44.820 –> 00:02:58.740 Joseph McElroy: From laden bows from hands from sweeps fellowship in the bins comes nectar at the roadside succulent peaches will devour dusty skin and all and comes with a familiar dusty summer.

00:03:04.440 –> 00:03:17.730 Joseph McElroy: Take what we love inside to carry within us an orchard to eat, not only the skin, but the shape, not only the sugar but the days to hold the food in our hands adore it and then bite into the round jubilance of peach.

00:03:18.600 –> 00:03:33.570 Joseph McElroy: There are days we live as if death were nowhere in the background, from joy to joy to joy from wing to wing from blossom to blossom to impossible blossom to sweet impossible blossom.

00:03:34.650 –> 00:03:50.820 Joseph McElroy: No concept of taking the orchard inside of you, and just feeling it, I think, really, you know when you’ve been in the mountains long enough and experience, you know getting food from the farm and as part of your culture, you have that sense of unfortunately and inside of you.

00:03:52.020 –> 00:04:01.410 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s a memory of picking strawberries and off the side of the road wild strawberries, you know, being in the back of a night.

00:04:01.950 –> 00:04:09.510 Joseph McElroy: I was leaving four or five or six years old, my grandfather would put us kids in the back of a little trailer in this.

00:04:09.870 –> 00:04:19.260 Joseph McElroy: Take us along an old gravel road through the mountains along the side of the road, all the way around wild strawberries and so he stopped every.

00:04:19.530 –> 00:04:29.580 Joseph McElroy: You know 10 1520 feet we’d all jump off and scrambled pick whatever strawberries are and then put them in our little buckets and then jump back on the on the.

00:04:30.900 –> 00:04:41.520 Joseph McElroy: The trailer and go a few more feet, of course, the dust would be shifted up and it gives a little dusting the than that what you pick but you still ate it.

00:04:41.880 –> 00:04:49.050 Joseph McElroy: still eats it, it was sweet, and it was just tasted great, even though there was a little dust and maybe even a little dirt and sometimes there was even a little.

00:04:49.710 –> 00:05:03.660 Joseph McElroy: a little bit of bugs in there, but we were six years old, five years old, with a chair, we just love that taste, so you know it’s a wonderful experience has been to tell you about some of the favorites.

00:05:05.130 –> 00:05:08.310 Joseph McElroy: favorite traditions of food in the mountains.

00:05:09.540 –> 00:05:21.330 Joseph McElroy: That I remember and some that I didn’t even know about right there’s a there is a tradition of lettuce and onion salads.

00:05:21.900 –> 00:05:33.990 Joseph McElroy: And it in here, you might think that that is sort of a scary name alright, so you let us and onions right but it’s a delicious dish.

00:05:34.650 –> 00:05:49.380 Joseph McElroy: it’s a really refreshing starter, and something light for a one day, but you also add in some dry salt pork and there’s some give me some a meeting flavor and then you have cornbread crew talks which you just you know really wonderful.

00:05:50.760 –> 00:05:56.130 Joseph McElroy: And so it’s smoky mountain tradition and you don’t want to miss that.

00:05:57.600 –> 00:06:00.360 Joseph McElroy: I think that you know there’s a.

00:06:01.740 –> 00:06:14.160 Joseph McElroy: You can decide, you can search lettuce and onions and find a salad and find a good recipe online pretty good another iconic vegetable this it’s all over the South.

00:06:15.180 –> 00:06:18.360 Joseph McElroy: But is really important, in the mountains is collard Greens.

00:06:19.980 –> 00:06:21.810 Joseph McElroy: a lot of people in the mountain swear by doing.

00:06:21.810 –> 00:06:31.890 Joseph McElroy: collard greens and black-eyed peas and new years but it’s also just a big staple of you know, every family unit and every

00:06:33.420 –> 00:06:49.830 Joseph McElroy: You know holiday gift to go that we’d have we’d want to eat these dishes so collard Greens you don’t want to overcook but it’s there, it was very important to have as part of the culture of being in the mountains.

00:06:51.180 –> 00:06:56.400 Joseph McElroy: Another is beef stew, and I have a little bit of a conflict would be stupid, then there was also a.

00:06:57.510 –> 00:07:07.980 Joseph McElroy: Yankee tradition which my grandmother on my mother’s side was a Yankee, for she was also a big and the beach too, but it’s hardy comfort food that’s important.

00:07:08.520 –> 00:07:22.620 Joseph McElroy: In the mountains and it’s you know it’s about cooking beef with canned tomatoes and stops and then you take your spare vegetables that maybe you didn’t use at other times.

00:07:23.520 –> 00:07:29.970 Joseph McElroy: Or you know what didn’t get canned or didn’t get us to whatever or just the end of the season, vegetables and you throw them in that.

00:07:29.970 –> 00:07:40.680 Joseph McElroy: stew and it’s and you cook it for a while it’s really part of a lot of smoking out meals there’s a version of it there’s not beef stew and.

00:07:41.880 –> 00:07:47.760 Joseph McElroy: I think people call Brunswick stew it’s a game to where you know it’s a similar recipe you go and.

00:07:48.420 –> 00:08:01.770 Joseph McElroy: You at the end of the at the game season people bring a lot of their game needs to go in the freezer point I think they did eat you know, maybe it’s a new season coming up and you’ll throw in rabbit venison and all sorts of stuff.

00:08:03.840 –> 00:08:12.960 Joseph McElroy: For a while and you through vegetables and that you know this kind of long-simmering stews are a real part of a smoky mountain cultural tradition and.

00:08:13.650 –> 00:08:20.430 Joseph McElroy: Another thing is beans and cornbread you know every day that I went to rock hill elementary school.

00:08:20.910 –> 00:08:27.900 Joseph McElroy: I would go in and have beans and cornbread for breakfast or sometimes I’d have cornbread and milk I love.

00:08:28.620 –> 00:08:40.020 Joseph McElroy: beans and cornbread and cornbread and milk and those are sorts of staples of breakfast and then you know, to make it lunch it had its own get some green onions, sometimes just sweet onions and.

00:08:40.740 –> 00:08:46.500 Joseph McElroy: It just I don’t know it just feels it feels a real spot like a hearty it’s a hearty meal.

00:08:47.280 –> 00:08:57.060 Joseph McElroy: It was for generations that’s what people eat now I don’t see it as much around here, but I do notice some of the old cafes you can go and some of the places like there’s.

00:08:57.630 –> 00:09:13.080 Joseph McElroy: One right if I 40 Maggie validates if there’s a CAFE in it in a and a gas station that’s been around for 100 years, nobody really stops accept the local farmers, but if you go in there, you can get the best bowl of.

00:09:14.280 –> 00:09:17.310 Joseph McElroy: beans and cornbread with onions, that you ever had.

00:09:19.740 –> 00:09:22.620 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s something called a dried apple stack cake.

00:09:23.760 –> 00:09:35.520 Joseph McElroy: Which is it’s a desert it’s creative dried apples and flat take this and you got it you got to take some patience you stack it we put a lot of spices in it and.

00:09:36.360 –> 00:09:48.000 Joseph McElroy: And and sorghum and buttermilk you know and the stack cakes and it’s it’s really good mountain delicacy, in a sense.

00:09:53.670 –> 00:09:56.100 Joseph McElroy: I was expecting a guest to show on today.

00:09:57.240 –> 00:10:01.830 Joseph McElroy: And I think they’re running late, we were talking about farm-to-table food.

00:10:03.360 –> 00:10:07.920 Joseph McElroy: Which is is an important part of ours.

00:10:09.450 –> 00:10:10.560 Joseph McElroy: of our culture.

00:10:12.150 –> 00:10:21.810 Joseph McElroy: But I can mention some things that are you know some good places to go to get other kinds of food all around the smoky mountains and.

00:10:22.560 –> 00:10:34.230 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the favorites in the mountains is old-fashioned buttermilk pancakes and you can get that at a place for the pantry really great version of that pancake pantry.

00:10:35.490 –> 00:10:46.170 Joseph McElroy: it’s been serving up since the 1960s and it’s in the Gatlinburg area, all these I’m only trying to Gatlinburg area.

00:10:47.340 –> 00:10:57.540 Joseph McElroy: You can get now do you get some good stuff to it, what you might consider are not the best places to go get through, but you get some great kettle corn

00:10:58.290 –> 00:11:04.020 Joseph McElroy: And Dollywood has some really great entertainment, but it also has some of the best kettle corn, you might get.

00:11:04.380 –> 00:11:14.370 Joseph McElroy: it’s fresh-made there, and I know it’s got that sort of slight sweetness and Kettle corn is a staple around here and I just recommend it highly and, of course, you get to go to see a wonderful.

00:11:15.630 –> 00:11:17.400 Joseph McElroy: amusement Park, while you’re doing it.

00:11:18.930 –> 00:11:29.940 Joseph McElroy: Another other place is to get pit-smoked Barbecue and there are several places I do that one is a hungry bear, which is a Gatlinburg, which is pretty.

00:11:30.780 –> 00:11:47.280 Joseph McElroy: Famous joy is near to Gatlinburg and it’s really great bar now really great places that new Hazelwood North Carolina is part of Waynesville North Carolina and it’s called the Hazelwood smokehouse news actually listed as one of the top 20.

00:11:50.310 –> 00:11:55.170 Joseph McElroy: Barbecue place in the nation, and it has eight different kinds of Barbecue sauce.

00:11:55.800 –> 00:12:06.120 Joseph McElroy: ranging from very spice it’s a very sweet and all the others in between, and they have different kinds of Barbecue they have pulled pork, which is a North Carolina staple and then they have.

00:12:06.480 –> 00:12:23.850 Joseph McElroy: brisket they have rooms that are just unbelievable Barbecue is just you know stapled smoky mountain tradition and there’s a lot of we’ll go around a lot of places you’ll see the screen off courses, where they have the smoking, you know grills and things like that just part of.

00:12:25.170 –> 00:12:26.310 Joseph McElroy: corn chowder.

00:12:27.480 –> 00:12:36.030 Joseph McElroy: Is a great staple to get in the mountains of North Carolina and you get one in the smoky mountains and you can get it in.

00:12:38.190 –> 00:12:42.480 Joseph McElroy: You might get it at a place called the old mill restaurant and that’s in pigeon forge.

00:12:43.860 –> 00:12:48.660 Joseph McElroy: And it’s and it’s a very rich home style.

00:12:50.670 –> 00:12:53.580 Joseph McElroy: porridge sort of thing it’s really full.

00:12:55.500 –> 00:13:02.010 Joseph McElroy: And you know it’s good to company things like.

00:13:04.350 –> 00:13:12.090 Joseph McElroy: touchy fried steak and sugar-cured ham and those other things, so when we come back I’ll talk to you more about the food in the smoky mountains.

00:15:42.660 –> 00:15:58.830 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I did have a guest, but they have they’re having technical difficulties so we’re going to try and we threw some interesting things I’m fine I could talk about food in the mountains.

00:16:00.270 –> 00:16:01.380 Joseph McElroy: You know I went to.

00:16:03.000 –> 00:16:07.110 Joseph McElroy: there’s a great smoky mountains institute that tree mom, which is really great.

00:16:09.420 –> 00:16:13.740 Joseph McElroy: About resource for venturing in the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:16:15.270 –> 00:16:21.750 Joseph McElroy: And you know, one of the things that they emphasize is that you know you’re going to have successful ventures in the mountains.

00:16:22.080 –> 00:16:29.220 Joseph McElroy: And you’re hiking things you want to make sure that you have really good food when you go with you need to keep your energy.

00:16:29.970 –> 00:16:38.400 Joseph McElroy: And so, a lot of their staff and people that are associated with have shared their secrets and.

00:16:39.060 –> 00:16:50.670 Joseph McElroy: And and suggestions for favorite foods and snacks when you’re doing anything from hiking the background free to do just doing a family pick so imma mentioned some of these because some of these are pretty good.

00:16:51.960 –> 00:16:57.030 Joseph McElroy: Emily Stein who’s a youth program coordinator record it recommends that.

00:16:58.200 –> 00:17:02.190 Joseph McElroy: she loves the food that trail food that.

00:17:04.560 –> 00:17:15.990 Joseph McElroy: You know that is fun to create right and that’s new and tasty so she’s got it she’s recommending fried farmers you grip takes.

00:17:16.680 –> 00:17:30.180 Joseph McElroy: A grip cakes or you know and cheese grit cakes are always a good standard the mountains and so you know you can basically write up some grip and put some cheese on some dried tomatoes, then you carrying cook it.

00:17:31.890 –> 00:17:36.660 Joseph McElroy: And there’s a and then another one is you know you know the good old.

00:17:37.980 –> 00:17:49.170 Joseph McElroy: Raising the good old raisins and peanuts is always good at throwing some chocolate chips, so you can eat that breakfast lunch, and dinner so that’s you know that that’s some secrets to take you.

00:17:51.840 –> 00:18:00.720 Joseph McElroy: Sometimes people actually better on the trail, and when they when they’re eating at home, and so you know you actually you can when you’re planning ahead.

00:18:04.020 –> 00:18:09.810 Joseph McElroy: I’m going to do something you got to take food with you can plan ahead, you can make a much better meal in terms of.

00:18:11.010 –> 00:18:23.220 Joseph McElroy: You know what you’re going to take, and so Eric Cantor the manager of the science military research recommends making marinated template sandwiches with saute kale and cashew cheese.

00:18:23.670 –> 00:18:33.300 Joseph McElroy: And then you know takes a Tupperware was kennel ships and throw in some Mandarin oranges and or an apple and, of course, always bringing lots of water.

00:18:35.130 –> 00:18:44.550 Joseph McElroy: You know that’s a different one that probably wasn’t a traditional mountain the recipe, but it’s probably a current one for people adventuring and living here now.

00:18:46.620 –> 00:18:50.040 Joseph McElroy: No, you know there’s when you’re hiking you can.

00:18:52.230 –> 00:18:54.030 Joseph McElroy: You can get.

00:18:55.110 –> 00:19:00.000 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can get a sweet tooth you can also because your exercise, you can take advantage of.

00:19:01.020 –> 00:19:16.470 Joseph McElroy: Things you wouldn’t normally like I don’t eat candy bar so one of the things I would always take is I would think about taking as a snicker bar because it’s you know it’s got peanuts it’s got carnivals got the protein it.

00:19:17.790 –> 00:19:23.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s, it is a good thing when you’re like the culminating moment when you reach that peak you know, having something that.

00:19:25.620 –> 00:19:35.670 Joseph McElroy: rewards you. it’s a little bit off your normal path, but it’s like you haven’t had a long time can be pretty pretty pretty enjoyable.

00:19:38.640 –> 00:19:48.630 Joseph McElroy: there’s a sugary snack that luke’s shucksmith who’s the teacher naturalist recommends is called to chewy sprees I have.

00:19:49.350 –> 00:19:58.950 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know what is it two weeks, chewy spree, so you guys will have to go figure that one out but I’m assuming it’s some sort of commercial product that you can buy it it’s a very sugary snack.

00:20:00.540 –> 00:20:12.570 Joseph McElroy: And, and of course you know, a different kind of trail mix that I like and he recommends, as well as walnuts almonds, dried cranberries along with dark chocolate you get those.

00:20:13.140 –> 00:20:22.710 Joseph McElroy: Special health benefits from dark chocolates, but yeah you have to like dark chocolate milk chocolate little bits a little bit more sweet.

00:20:26.760 –> 00:20:44.130 Joseph McElroy: And then there is a meal, that you can make this is interesting there are cutlets he calls it, the backpacker rammen alright, so you mixed together with a pack of spicy ramen our the pouch of today, and you, and then you have a and then you can have that.

00:20:46.650 –> 00:21:01.800 Joseph McElroy: was one bowl of super easy and then you can include bell peppers onions Saracen scallions broccoli chicken even a fried egg you can fry an egg on the trails very possible and carrots and cheese and.

00:21:02.340 –> 00:21:16.320 Joseph McElroy: crackers and that makes that sounds like to be a sort of a decent meal, you know, being able to make a quick soup is and those ramen noodles are really good to be able to carry and stay in a very light in a pack.

00:21:17.490 –> 00:21:18.600 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:21:19.980 –> 00:21:27.390 Joseph McElroy: And you know and makes for a great experience now you could also to get adventurous and have a little time, you can take some potatoes with you.

00:21:27.930 –> 00:21:36.840 Joseph McElroy: And then you could cook boil them and mash them up and put that in the soup instead of ramen noodles and that sort of a backcountry shepherds shepherd’s pie.

00:21:40.260 –> 00:21:43.620 Joseph McElroy: Of course it’s a little odd with tuna, but you know what the heck.

00:21:45.210 –> 00:21:45.750 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:21:48.600 –> 00:21:56.610 Joseph McElroy: JEREMY Lloyd manager a few programs a collegiate study recommends Earl grey tea and wells kicks.

00:21:57.690 –> 00:22:01.320 Joseph McElroy: that’s an interesting combination right, but you know what.

00:22:02.010 –> 00:22:14.340 Joseph McElroy: tea would be a great thing you know I liked you know it’s got that calming effect that you know it can help release you know all wet adrenaline that you’ve built up in the evening when you got to go to sleep with you know you.

00:22:14.880 –> 00:22:20.400 Joseph McElroy: Probably don’t get any hot drinks during the day, so you take the time to make one coffee would not be the right thing.

00:22:22.260 –> 00:22:22.710 Joseph McElroy: and

00:22:24.000 –> 00:22:24.360 Joseph McElroy: and

00:22:26.040 –> 00:22:26.550 Joseph McElroy: And then.

00:22:28.260 –> 00:22:41.550 Joseph McElroy: That I think is and then if you’re boiling water is always probably a good idea, except in the mountains here, you can drink the water out of the spring so yeah you don’t really have to worry about that.

00:22:44.160 –> 00:22:44.820 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:22:45.840 –> 00:23:02.010 Joseph McElroy: If you’re going on a picnic the tradition here is always taken country fried chicken and corn on the cob so if you’re taking the family, out of the day, then you know that’s what you gotta do you gotta do that.

00:23:04.680 –> 00:23:14.250 Joseph McElroy: makes it a little you know a little this gets back to you know so fried chicken point on top of a biscuit sounds like I just went to KFC.

00:23:15.660 –> 00:23:26.880 Joseph McElroy: But it’s a, it is a traditional picnicking thing here in the mountains now if you were taking going to a family reunion in the mountains, it was sort of picnic you’d also bring something like.

00:23:28.020 –> 00:23:30.870 Joseph McElroy: A sweet potato pie, you might bring some.

00:23:33.030 –> 00:23:53.520 Joseph McElroy: Some red velvet cake, you might bring some you know some they beans course you bring that collard Greens, you know, so it depends upon the extent of your picnic but the fried chicken is a staple of all those kind of events.

00:23:56.100 –> 00:23:57.240 Joseph McElroy: Now Joey.

00:23:58.290 –> 00:24:06.240 Joseph McElroy: tr Lizzie a teacher naturalist recommends bringing a block of cheese you don’t even need a knife anything you just eat it right off the box.

00:24:08.370 –> 00:24:18.360 Joseph McElroy: I imagine, some people look at you weird as you’re walking a big block of cheese down the wall, if you meet some other papers, but you know what sometimes when I go home and I.

00:24:18.720 –> 00:24:30.270 Joseph McElroy: I see that block of cheese and even when I’m up in New York City I’ll grab it just take a big bite out of it because I’m hungry and I’ll slice it off put it back in the refrigerator or my wife won’t see it.

00:24:31.590 –> 00:24:34.980 Joseph McElroy: If you’re listening don’t worry about it I’m not doing it anymore.

00:24:40.830 –> 00:24:50.970 Joseph McElroy: So Elizabeth Davis the field program specialist recommends bread cheese apples and chocolate I sort of like.

00:24:52.410 –> 00:25:03.840 Joseph McElroy: Four food groups of backpacking we just say more, I don’t know it’s a starts there’s a protein there’s fruit there’s a sweet I guess it’s all we need right and I guess the chocolate as a little fat is.

00:25:07.710 –> 00:25:24.780 Joseph McElroy: also recommended by Scott Moss is a black teacher nationalist as a block of cheese he picks Wisconsin Chandler he also recommends cheez it’s and Snickers so he’s on board with the Snickers thing for when you make it to the destination so that’s a that seems like a good tradition.

00:25:26.400 –> 00:25:30.480 Joseph McElroy: And finally, Mary Kate brown teacher naturalist recommends.

00:25:32.730 –> 00:25:33.960 Joseph McElroy: block of cheese.

00:25:37.170 –> 00:25:48.030 Joseph McElroy: I would you know I would love to be able to take on it type is ice cream, but I haven’t figured out how to do without it getting totally melted.

00:25:50.220 –> 00:26:05.700 Joseph McElroy: And you know you know another thing I like is this leftover Barbecue right you could do after you’ve cooked up the bbq gets leftover Barbecue wrap it up to the grill take it out that’s kind of nice to.

00:26:07.530 –> 00:26:18.600 Joseph McElroy: And this, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention you know you want to bring plenty of water floating water, but when you reach the enemy this nation, you might want a Snickers bar but I’d also want a bottle of wine.

00:26:19.800 –> 00:26:29.520 Joseph McElroy: And there’s some good wine now in the mountains there’s a there’s a couple of wineries you know the Biltmore the biggest is the biggest visited winery in the world.

00:26:30.270 –> 00:26:44.220 Joseph McElroy: So you go out to the Biltmore Estate get yourself some bottles of wine and then head out to go to some of the hiking trails around there, along with your cheese block and you’re a snicker bar and you’re going to have a hell of a night.

00:26:48.210 –> 00:26:48.780 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:26:49.860 –> 00:26:59.910 Joseph McElroy: One of the things you do want to remember is if you’re doing anything and you stop anywhere, you want to make sure you bare foot good food that means hang it up, so they can get to it all right.

00:27:01.140 –> 00:27:10.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s it can be don’t have the food in your tent if you’re sleeping in a tent because they’ll come in there, so it’s better to.

00:27:11.070 –> 00:27:26.280 Joseph McElroy: put it in a way, so they can’t get to it, it also doesn’t put them in your vicinity so it’s always important to remember that when you’re here in this part, so when we come back we’ll see if we got a guest back here, or if we talk about other things happening about.

00:30:16.950 –> 00:30:31.170 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I’ve been talking about the various foods and things that you can do in the mountains.

00:30:31.950 –> 00:30:41.970 Joseph McElroy: And it’s been fairly Nice we were going to have a discussion about the farm-to-table experience in the mountains, but.

00:30:42.720 –> 00:30:57.330 Joseph McElroy: our guests are having technical difficulties, so I am talking about various you know various aspects of food in the mountains, I can do I’m not an expert but I’ll do my best.

00:30:58.590 –> 00:31:03.300 Joseph McElroy: But I’m a look, for now, is you know some great.

00:31:05.220 –> 00:31:09.090 Joseph McElroy: You know, farm-to-table restaurant, you can go visit.

00:31:10.770 –> 00:31:13.410 Joseph McElroy: And you know there’s a number of them.

00:31:14.460 –> 00:31:16.440 Joseph McElroy: In in the mountains here.

00:31:19.050 –> 00:31:21.930 Joseph McElroy: Asheville has Gatlinburg saver builds.

00:31:23.550 –> 00:31:37.470 Joseph McElroy: there’s I’ll mention some that I’ve I’m finding online and if I recommended me I’ll recognize them there’s one leader near these are near Gatlinburg, Tennessee and it’s called the local goat.

00:31:38.730 –> 00:31:52.290 Joseph McElroy: And it looks like it’s a burger American type food, but it has a high rating and it looks pretty good after would farmhouse rest but I’m I’ve heard of that.

00:31:53.460 –> 00:31:56.970 Joseph McElroy: And you have to-it’s a great place for breakfast.

00:31:58.260 –> 00:32:01.260 Joseph McElroy: And it’s the does Southern Appalachian comfort.

00:32:03.360 –> 00:32:06.150 Joseph McElroy: there’s the greenbrier restaurant.

00:32:07.680 –> 00:32:17.820 Joseph McElroy: you’re getting near Gatlinburg and it’s called and it’s a steakhouse and it also has top status and small place now there’s the five oaks farm kitchen.

00:32:18.840 –> 00:32:24.540 Joseph McElroy: Which is going to America traditional and so it’s really featured for breakfast and brunch.

00:32:25.980 –> 00:32:27.120 Joseph McElroy: it’s very farm table.

00:32:28.560 –> 00:32:39.360 Joseph McElroy: there’s a restaurant called the Appalachian and it’s a steakhouse southern steakhouse and it’s in the middle of the smoky mountains it’s in the Gatlinburg area.

00:32:41.130 –> 00:32:44.700 Joseph McElroy: there’s the old mill pottery house CAFE and grill.

00:32:46.080 –> 00:32:56.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s I’ve got bakeries chocolatiers got shops it’s got all sorts of places to go visit and it’s a grill.

00:32:58.650 –> 00:33:02.310 Joseph McElroy: there’s the host and kitchen, which is another day.

00:33:06.240 –> 00:33:12.780 Joseph McElroy: seems pretty good look some near to the Somerville Tennessee, which is another gateway to the smoking stout.

00:33:14.910 –> 00:33:15.300 Joseph McElroy: and

00:33:16.500 –> 00:33:18.390 Joseph McElroy: there’s a place called the barn.

00:33:19.980 –> 00:33:26.370 Joseph McElroy: it’s actually the Blackberry farm and if you guys haven’t heard the Blackberry farmers this huge resort.

00:33:27.630 –> 00:33:39.750 Joseph McElroy: That is farmers or and there they do have a lot of farm-to-table food they also you know yeah I think the Blackberry cobbler is highly recommended there.

00:33:40.620 –> 00:33:50.340 Joseph McElroy: So I that was something worth looking up because it’s a real five-star resort it’s a huge place and it’s definitely.

00:33:51.540 –> 00:34:07.050 Joseph McElroy: You know, some somewhere not coming now, you know that, in the mountains, the smoky mountains were famous for the rainbow trap, and so you can get rainbow trout right off the grill that’s basically when caught that day

00:34:08.190 –> 00:34:14.610 Joseph McElroy: fact my place which I have is the Meadowlark motel Maggie Valley, we have a place called.

00:34:15.840 –> 00:34:16.530 Joseph McElroy: The Maggie.

00:34:17.910 –> 00:34:26.730 Joseph McElroy: Maggie valley restaurant right next to us and that restaurant has been around since the early 50s and one of the first restaurants herein.

00:34:27.090 –> 00:34:38.640 Joseph McElroy: In Maggie valley and what they’ve been famous for this whole town town town distress trap that gave a big sign on there’s a rainbow trout and you go there and they grew that perfection.

00:34:39.600 –> 00:34:51.060 Joseph McElroy: But some others there’s one in the same area, called the English mountain trout farm grill and that one’s supposed to be a really good great place to travel, you know, and I like it.

00:34:52.170 –> 00:35:00.990 Joseph McElroy: You know grilled I like personally to put it, you know I like to put it in a bake with a little lemon in between it.

00:35:02.340 –> 00:35:14.220 Joseph McElroy: Like the season, because it’s a very I find it very delicate fish other people like to fry it up with a little bit of the light reading and they’re both with a really, really good now in Asheville.

00:35:14.940 –> 00:35:27.300 Joseph McElroy: There is a place called jargon and I went to last time I was there, which is a really nice restaurant it’s a small intimate place and there I had smoked trout.

00:35:30.480 –> 00:35:39.360 Joseph McElroy: Like a pat tag that was served on some crackers and it was really incredibly delicious and smoked trout here in the mountains it’s like.

00:35:40.020 –> 00:35:47.220 Joseph McElroy: A real delicacy and you don’t want to leave the smoking balance without getting smoked trout you can also get trout row which is like a.

00:35:47.790 –> 00:35:54.240 Joseph McElroy: sort of Sam I mean it’s sort of like caviar that’s really great on the test.

00:35:54.990 –> 00:36:01.770 Joseph McElroy: So if you want to be looking for that kind of things when you come up here, because you can get all that really fresh you know we.

00:36:02.190 –> 00:36:07.470 Joseph McElroy: With the men like we’re on a mountain heritage trout farm a trout stream belt with Jonathan creek.

00:36:07.950 –> 00:36:16.200 Joseph McElroy: And it’s during the winter during the summer protections stop and so it’s easy to come here and catch yourself some rainbow trout.

00:36:16.530 –> 00:36:28.680 Joseph McElroy: And then cook it up on a grill and we have this if you want to try it yourself and feel welcome you can do that in several places in the mountains, a lot of places that fireplace and not right on right on a trout spring a trap spring.

00:36:29.910 –> 00:36:33.960 Joseph McElroy: creek and you can catch it and cook it and really have a nice evening.

00:36:35.910 –> 00:36:42.810 Joseph McElroy: Also, near see reveals a place called the dancing bear Appalachian beast true and it’s a new American outdoor dining place.

00:36:43.950 –> 00:36:47.040 Joseph McElroy: And it’s got a lot of great recommendations.

00:36:48.990 –> 00:36:57.210 Joseph McElroy: I enjoy the food that we get in in all these places, you know in this actual area has become a real food in town.

00:36:57.990 –> 00:37:11.250 Joseph McElroy: So you get your getting a lot of MCS well you know, like that jargon place well they’re good they’re really developing a cuisine that’s a mix of all sorts of world cultures, but with an Appalachian.

00:37:11.910 –> 00:37:19.620 Joseph McElroy: twist to it now with the Appalachian based to accept takes Appalachian traditional dishes and you know adds in.

00:37:20.700 –> 00:37:23.310 Joseph McElroy: A lot of different kinds of.

00:37:25.080 –> 00:37:38.130 Joseph McElroy: World touches to it and it, you know those kind of collaboration and fusions are tremendous in my book, but you know that’s not when I travel around the world, I look for fusion.

00:37:38.520 –> 00:37:54.120 Joseph McElroy: And when I remember when I was in Japan, I went to a Japanese restaurant that fused Japanese traditional sushi pipe cooking with the French cooking and I can’t describe it, but it was incredibly creamy and incredibly fishy and it was really good.

00:37:56.640 –> 00:38:02.910 Joseph McElroy: So, so those are some recommended.

00:38:06.480 –> 00:38:10.410 Joseph McElroy: In terms of the fever bill area.

00:38:12.390 –> 00:38:17.430 Joseph McElroy: I was going to look and see if I can tell you some farm-to-table restaurants.

00:38:18.660 –> 00:38:25.200 Joseph McElroy: restaurants international because I think that is where it’s going really.

00:38:27.900 –> 00:38:35.580 Joseph McElroy: to another level and Asheville now has like 38 breweries and distilleries wineries.

00:38:36.930 –> 00:38:37.830 Joseph McElroy: And you know.

00:38:40.230 –> 00:38:49.950 Joseph McElroy: And it’s become you just it’s probably as is as good as you can get anywhere on the east coast, a lot of ways anywhere you go.

00:38:51.390 –> 00:38:53.670 Joseph McElroy: there’s a great place called the sauna.

00:38:55.110 –> 00:39:06.810 Joseph McElroy: Which is a contemporary fiber table in the heart of downtown’s actual historic park squares and it serves local seasonal sustainable cuisine it’s also 100% gluten-free.

00:39:07.290 –> 00:39:19.200 Joseph McElroy: And they have some great cocktails, by the way, that place jargon, they have to tell you about this cocktail they made it something that was similar to an old fashioned I don’t remember the Dave up but.

00:39:20.010 –> 00:39:28.410 Joseph McElroy: That was what was cool is they actually made the ice was around the giant round ball that was hard that was hollow.

00:39:28.830 –> 00:39:38.010 Joseph McElroy: With a hole and they put the ice in the glass and they for all the mix into that hollow ice ball right.

00:39:38.460 –> 00:39:48.630 Joseph McElroy: And then they brought it up to you put it on their thing and then they took out a spoon and they cracked it boom and the ice ball shattered and then you’ve got the drink, so it was very dramatic.

00:39:49.170 –> 00:39:57.630 Joseph McElroy: presentation to have a drink and I could tell you it was really a fabulous drink I guess I’m really selling this jargon place but you really got to go to.

00:39:59.190 –> 00:40:01.890 Joseph McElroy: Another great restaurant is called the.

00:40:03.060 –> 00:40:18.150 Joseph McElroy: The blackbird in Ashville and it is its cooking ground and the traditions and ingredients of the Carolinas with a modern southern seasonal farm to table menus and it has fresh cut catches so it’s got a lot of.

00:40:19.440 –> 00:40:27.450 Joseph McElroy: seafood from all over the Carolinas and it’s got microbrews and Nice wines and very inventive cocktails.

00:40:29.010 –> 00:40:37.800 Joseph McElroy: One that claims to be the original farm-to-table restaurant in the marketplace and it’s a downtown fixture since the 70s.

00:40:38.280 –> 00:40:48.900 Joseph McElroy: And it offers a seasonally driven menu featuring organic ingredients from area farms and artists and producers and has extensive wine that craft beer and cocktails.

00:40:49.980 –> 00:41:07.680 Joseph McElroy: there’s a fence grease Joe called thesis French bistro and instead of executive chef Peter croc Crockett and he brings a real coronary finesse to the table and it’s seasonally inspired French cuisine with the link-local twists like I said a fusion.

00:41:08.700 –> 00:41:14.340 Joseph McElroy: Which is you know I think really great and it’s what’s happening a lot around the smoky mountains now is that.

00:41:14.760 –> 00:41:24.090 Joseph McElroy: People are you know we’re mixing a little bit of world cultures into the traditional and so we’re not losing our traditional culture it’s just getting new different.

00:41:24.600 –> 00:41:33.360 Joseph McElroy: flavors in fact I’m thinking about bringing fried shrimp to the Meadowlark motel but it’s going to have a Trinidadian twist to it.

00:41:34.830 –> 00:41:38.040 Joseph McElroy: And and multiple sources that are that.

00:41:39.240 –> 00:41:42.480 Joseph McElroy: come from different mountain cultures of the world.

00:41:44.220 –> 00:41:44.760 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:41:46.050 –> 00:41:54.750 Joseph McElroy: it’s a you know it’s fun to experiment with your culture and mixing with other cultures, without getting the appropriation and things like that.

00:41:56.160 –> 00:41:59.760 Joseph McElroy: They have this eases French pre-show has great.

00:42:01.050 –> 00:42:07.890 Joseph McElroy: dishes like as cargo and bone marrow yeah oh it’s got steak tartare scallops Oh well.

00:42:08.970 –> 00:42:18.510 Joseph McElroy: I can’t say it I’m sorry about that steak treats lamb chops salad salmon this new swan adapt to their own.

00:42:20.160 –> 00:42:24.510 Joseph McElroy: So I’d go there there’s another restaurant called homegrown.

00:42:26.280 –> 00:42:41.280 Joseph McElroy: it’s got locally sourced ingredients, it has got chicken biscuits and cheesy Chris catfish PO boys yeah PO boys around here really good I mean I know Louisiana has no form but people down here really know they’re come through and they’ve made him pretty good too.

00:42:42.780 –> 00:42:53.580 Joseph McElroy: there’s the corner kitchen, which is a Victorian house, which is very charming historic built more and it’s a breakfast lunch dinner weekend brunch is cool and comfortable.

00:42:54.810 –> 00:43:04.110 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s Rhubarb, which is an award-winning James beard chef and it’s a service farm to table American.

00:43:05.820 –> 00:43:20.400 Joseph McElroy: There, and it pays out how much homage to the bounty of regional and American cookie it has a wood-fired oven, and it kind of grill to complicate the complement the rustic creations so we’ll come back I’ll finish up with some.

00:43:21.060 –> 00:43:35.490 Joseph McElroy: Some shoutouts and things coming up and hopefully you’ve learned a little bit about food and we’ll talk more with another guest in some future thing about the real farm to table we have that culture that’s going off period amounts.

00:43:42.300 –> 00:43:43.050 Education.

00:45:54.630 –> 00:46:07.860 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklin McElroy host of the gateway to the smokies podcast and been talking about food and we had a nice discussion that what I could

00:46:08.550 –> 00:46:19.770 Joseph McElroy: remember from my past and current existence I’m going to tell you a little bit about what’s coming up in the area in terms of festivals, I am a focus.

00:46:20.400 –> 00:46:36.150 Joseph McElroy: On you know Maggie Valley Waynesville very particularly familiar, but there you know the mountains, the smoky mountains and all the towns all around the scope mounts and all of Western North Carolina basically yes Eastern Tennessee celebrate their culture.

00:46:38.070 –> 00:46:57.720 Joseph McElroy: Their culture Cherokee culture know indigenous cultures African culture Scottish culture German culture so many cultures that mingled together here in the bounce to create all sorts of festivals there’s the Highland games out in the

00:46:59.460 –> 00:47:03.390 Joseph McElroy: out in the grant I think grandfather mountain area.

00:47:04.590 –> 00:47:16.410 Joseph McElroy: or Scottish games and you know charity has lots of different cultural celebrations and festivals now they’re like fishing festivals, so you know going when you come here, you should look to see.

00:47:16.800 –> 00:47:31.800 Joseph McElroy: What kind of festivals are going on there’s a lot of resources just searching, you know festivals in North Carolina or festivals and Tennessee festival smoky mountains and you come up with a lot of festivals and for the.

00:47:32.910 –> 00:47:33.510 Joseph McElroy: For the.

00:47:34.620 –> 00:47:48.600 Joseph McElroy: For you know, for I consider it almost a prerequisite of your come here to get at least one festival and there’s all sorts of music festivals and arts festivals and you know and then there’s you know.

00:47:49.080 –> 00:48:04.110 Joseph McElroy: there’s a road culture is it’s been an important part of the smoky mountains since its beginnings really it’s one of the largest parks it’s the most visited that are

00:48:05.910 –> 00:48:21.210 Joseph McElroy: In you know the range of a large amount of population was like eight to 12 million people, you can see we’ve got national, international Atlanta it’s a Western eastern part of North Carolina you got Alabama Georgia.

00:48:22.770 –> 00:48:36.780 Joseph McElroy: South Carolina all within a half day’s driving distance the smoky mountains, it makes you a highly visible place ironically, though it maintains a lot of wilderness so it’s got both the.

00:48:37.950 –> 00:48:48.750 Joseph McElroy: You know the excitement of tourism very but then you can lose yourself in in in you know into the wilderness, and you know and peacefulness.

00:48:49.440 –> 00:48:57.900 Joseph McElroy: So I mentioned so road culture people coming and going from the mountains and then utilizing their vehicles to explore, it is.

00:48:58.410 –> 00:49:12.150 Joseph McElroy: A very important part, because we have a lot of wonderful winding roads and back roads and gravel roads and some of you don’t even know about I just discovered, one that to tell me about I don’t remember the name of it right now.

00:49:12.390 –> 00:49:19.080 Joseph McElroy: But it starts near Maggie valley and the boss of the road it’s roading it’s like a 20-mile road but.

00:49:20.130 –> 00:49:33.390 Joseph McElroy: It takes like two hours to go to the end up in Cherokee and it’s a winding road that shows me pictures and it’s beautiful and it’s essentially one way out of gravel road but to driving people to take.

00:49:34.500 –> 00:49:37.890 Joseph McElroy: Their cars and things on this, and this happens, a lot of places.

00:49:38.880 –> 00:49:52.440 Joseph McElroy: And so you know road cultures important that’s why there are so many you know vintage and chic motels in the mountains, but tell resorts which the Meadowlark motel room to work because people yeah we’re driving one stop.

00:49:53.400 –> 00:50:04.710 Joseph McElroy: yeah stay the night and then move on to explore spirit something else you know and that’s still part of it so I’m going to mention some of the road events coming up.

00:50:05.970 –> 00:50:19.320 Joseph McElroy: We have on June 11 and 12th at the Maggie Valley festival grounds, you go to Maggie valley festival grounds calm to find out about this, and most of these events happen every year, so if you’re listening to this in some future time.

00:50:19.650 –> 00:50:31.110 Joseph McElroy: it’s probably happening again, we have the Western North Carolina jeep fest jeeps groups of jeeps traveling around have become very popular and they have a whole culture of jeeps and.

00:50:31.650 –> 00:50:47.310 Joseph McElroy: I saw some of the stories, so they got jeep little sections where people can buy jeans T-shirts, and G pads and it’s a real sort of solid community and so they’re going to have a festival benefiting as possible.

00:50:48.780 –> 00:51:05.850 Joseph McElroy: An animal rescue foundation and there’s going to be vendors and lots of music great food they have a show and shine competition, they also going to you know, have you know some some some entertainment I have.

00:51:07.080 –> 00:51:10.230 Joseph McElroy: yeah you’re also welcome to bring your pet pets things like that.

00:51:11.580 –> 00:51:21.210 Joseph McElroy: Now the next week from June 17 to 19th they’re going to have the Maggie valley swap meet Camaro and fire show now swap meet is where people come.

00:51:21.510 –> 00:51:34.050 Joseph McElroy: And they swap parks, sometimes swap cars, they come, you know to do some old-fashioned horse trade so it’s got that sort of old you know meeting them at the crossroads.

00:51:34.650 –> 00:51:43.800 Joseph McElroy: flavor to people come to you know do a little horse trade exchange anything but again they’ll have things set up to make it enjoyable for the whole family yeah.

00:51:44.610 –> 00:51:52.560 Joseph McElroy: They usually do things like celebrating veterans have some music that has some yes about you know places to go.

00:51:53.010 –> 00:52:04.140 Joseph McElroy: You know, go do you see arts and crafts or shops, or you know or any number of things and then you’re right in the middle of Maggie Valley, so you know to walk around these wonderful gift shops and.

00:52:04.530 –> 00:52:16.470 Joseph McElroy: And souvenir shops and restaurants and things to go experience it’s easy to walk up and down Maggie valley, it’s like a two-mile flat sidewalk you can visit all sorts of things.

00:52:16.860 –> 00:52:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Now that we can, after that is June 25 and 27th and we have thunder in the smokies motorcycle rally it’s the oldest and largest motorcycle rally and Maggie Valley.

00:52:28.740 –> 00:52:38.820 Joseph McElroy: And it’s like a three-day event, and they have tour rides and vendors and bike shows and games and prizes concerts and.

00:52:39.090 –> 00:52:49.290 Joseph McElroy: Fire dances and you know, the latest bikes and products and stuff and you know it’s an elaborate event is worthwhile to come into and.

00:52:49.860 –> 00:53:04.080 Joseph McElroy: that’s a big one hey now July 4 we’re having our fireworks celebration will actually be on July 4 on Sunday, July 4 so come for the weekend and then culminates your weekend with a big fireworks display.

00:53:05.460 –> 00:53:14.820 Joseph McElroy: And you know this town he actually has like four or five different fireworks displays Waynesville will have a big event the night before so it’s a great place to come and celebrate.

00:53:15.240 –> 00:53:24.360 Joseph McElroy: The holidays, and of course they’re going to have you know, have you know all sorts of things balls and hula hoops and games and you know and.

00:53:25.170 –> 00:53:42.090 Joseph McElroy: Other things like that there, we do have an arts and arts and crafts festival on July 10 11th year and Maggie Valley so artists from all over Southeast come to sell handmade arts and crafts items I recommend highly that we can we’re also everything here.

00:53:43.260 –> 00:53:59.220 Joseph McElroy: You know the, on the other, Ninth and 10th it’s the plot best we can, and plot test is you know is celebrating the state dog of North Carolina, which is a, which is one of the first hunting dogs brought to America.

00:54:00.630 –> 00:54:03.840 Joseph McElroy: And it was a bear dog so and then.

00:54:06.000 –> 00:54:19.590 Joseph McElroy: And then to natural that we’re going to have a wonderful concept everything else, so you know to Maggie about a festival grounds.COM, to see that or you go to the MeadowlarkMotel.com see all sorts of great events that are coming up now, I want to mention.

00:54:21.300 –> 00:54:25.860 Joseph McElroy: The shoutouts now, so you know when you.

00:54:26.910 –> 00:54:29.970 Joseph McElroy: want you to imagine.

00:54:31.320 –> 00:54:42.840 Joseph McElroy: A place evocative of motor courts of the past yeah modern environment with the Chic Appalachian field, a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:54:43.620 –> 00:54:53.100 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill and catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine to craft beers.

00:54:53.640 –> 00:55:06.480 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world profile sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel back about your smoky mountain adventures starts with where you stay.

00:55:08.160 –> 00:55:20.490 Joseph McElroy: sponsor is smokies adventure that’s plural smokies singular venture smokies adventure com the emphasis of smokies adventure is outdoor recreation.

00:55:20.940 –> 00:55:30.960 Joseph McElroy: Along with providing information on logic family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more The goal is to become the leading information portal, the Smoky Mountain

00:55:31.650 –> 00:55:45.030 Joseph McElroy: You can find more about this podcast at gateways to the smoke gateway to the smokies.fun or facebook.com/acebookgateway to the smokiness podcast we’re on the talkradio.NYC network.

00:55:45.600 –> 00:55:52.500 Joseph McElroy: Which is alive podcasts and stations, whose mission is to empower inspire up an educated worldwide audience.

00:55:52.830 –> 00:56:04.800 Joseph McElroy: After this show is one about New York and exploring New York, I recommend you listen to it and it’s a worthwhile to show I’ll see you next week with another great guest gateway to the smokies podcast.


]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/330434102121310/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/188663097_330472265450827_4681418206057022388_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=SZLZbExIgAEAX8LAon8&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301CC86&oh=00_AT-_Mfve2VGN3OphCR2xHigrE6IrMrh1WU9q7Onmh30QCg&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>In this episode, Joseph talks about food traditions and modern-day options for food in the Smokies.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/60F-ynhINS/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Starting off this episode, host Joseph McElroy talks about some of his favorite memories in the mountains and shares a poem. He talks about food traditions in the mountains and iconic foods in regions. Some examples include locations to find barbecue, buttermilk pancakes, and corn chowder.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph continues his conversation on iconic and staple foods in the Smoky Mountains. He gives tips and reads out unexpected food combinations that people should try out.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph looks up more highly recommended restaurants around the Smoky Mountains. Some are steakhouses and one is a blackberry farm called The Barn. He explains how each place is unique and why it is rated so highly. He continues by talking about fishes, specifically rainbow trout, that you can get fresh in the Smoky Mountains. He talks about how there’s a lot of new fusion of cultures and foods that are introducing people to new cultures and flavors.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>For the final segment of the episode, Joseph talks about upcoming events for the next few weeks and gives shoutouts to many shops and restaurants.</p><p><br></p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:38.160 –&gt; 00:00:38.820 Joseph McElroy: howdy.</p><p>00:00:39.210 –&gt; 00:00:43.350 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies</p><p>00:00:44.370 –&gt; 00:00:54.300 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky national park, and the surrounding towns, this area is rich.</p><p>00:00:54.840 –&gt; 00:01:07.650 Joseph McElroy: With that ancient natural beauty deep storied history and deep mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy</p><p>00:01:08.010 –&gt; 00:01:19.140 Joseph McElroy: A man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in mountain culture.</p><p>00:01:20.250 –&gt; 00:01:32.130 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to learn more about food and farm-to-table food in the smokies, which is a long tradition I’m gonna be the first time I do a little poetry, and then maybe some recipe so.</p><p>00:01:33.390 –&gt; 00:01:40.710 Joseph McElroy: I was looking around looking for something that talked about Community because the community is a big important part of.</p><p>00:01:41.910 –&gt; 00:01:45.540 Joseph McElroy: of you know, farm to table culture.</p><p>00:01:46.680 –&gt; 00:01:57.090 Joseph McElroy: And in the growing up in the smokies you know, having a Community meals from food that you’d pick their yourself was incredibly important, I can remember.</p><p>00:01:57.510 –&gt; 00:02:10.260 Joseph McElroy: The whole family going out and picking corn and picking beans coming back and check in the corn and cutting the beans and then can in the beans and you know cream in the corn, and then everybody sits around and has a meal eat.</p><p>00:02:11.430 –&gt; 00:02:16.380 Joseph McElroy: and saving the rest of the year, so, for me, I.</p><p>00:02:17.430 –&gt; 00:02:23.040 Joseph McElroy: I get an intense feeling of home from the concept of farm food.</p><p>00:02:24.360 –&gt; 00:02:30.660 Joseph McElroy: So I found this poem it touches on it a little bit it’s called from blossoms by Leon lead.</p><p>00:02:32.130 –&gt; 00:02:43.560 Joseph McElroy: From blossoms comes this paper brown paper bag of peaches, we bought from the boy a bend in the road were returned out toward signs painted Peaches.</p><p>00:02:44.820 –&gt; 00:02:58.740 Joseph McElroy: From laden bows from hands from sweeps fellowship in the bins comes nectar at the roadside succulent peaches will devour dusty skin and all and comes with a familiar dusty summer.</p><p>00:03:04.440 –&gt; 00:03:17.730 Joseph McElroy: Take what we love inside to carry within us an orchard to eat, not only the skin, but the shape, not only the sugar but the days to hold the food in our hands adore it and then bite into the round jubilance of peach.</p><p>00:03:18.600 –&gt; 00:03:33.570 Joseph McElroy: There are days we live as if death were nowhere in the background, from joy to joy to joy from wing to wing from blossom to blossom to impossible blossom to sweet impossible blossom.</p><p>00:03:34.650 –&gt; 00:03:50.820 Joseph McElroy: No concept of taking the orchard inside of you, and just feeling it, I think, really, you know when you’ve been in the mountains long enough and experience, you know getting food from the farm and as part of your culture, you have that sense of unfortunately and inside of you.</p><p>00:03:52.020 –&gt; 00:04:01.410 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s a memory of picking strawberries and off the side of the road wild strawberries, you know, being in the back of a night.</p><p>00:04:01.950 –&gt; 00:04:09.510 Joseph McElroy: I was leaving four or five or six years old, my grandfather would put us kids in the back of a little trailer in this.</p><p>00:04:09.870 –&gt; 00:04:19.260 Joseph McElroy: Take us along an old gravel road through the mountains along the side of the road, all the way around wild strawberries and so he stopped every.</p><p>00:04:19.530 –&gt; 00:04:29.580 Joseph McElroy: You know 10 1520 feet we’d all jump off and scrambled pick whatever strawberries are and then put them in our little buckets and then jump back on the on the.</p><p>00:04:30.900 –&gt; 00:04:41.520 Joseph McElroy: The trailer and go a few more feet, of course, the dust would be shifted up and it gives a little dusting the than that what you pick but you still ate it.</p><p>00:04:41.880 –&gt; 00:04:49.050 Joseph McElroy: still eats it, it was sweet, and it was just tasted great, even though there was a little dust and maybe even a little dirt and sometimes there was even a little.</p><p>00:04:49.710 –&gt; 00:05:03.660 Joseph McElroy: a little bit of bugs in there, but we were six years old, five years old, with a chair, we just love that taste, so you know it’s a wonderful experience has been to tell you about some of the favorites.</p><p>00:05:05.130 –&gt; 00:05:08.310 Joseph McElroy: favorite traditions of food in the mountains.</p><p>00:05:09.540 –&gt; 00:05:21.330 Joseph McElroy: That I remember and some that I didn’t even know about right there’s a there is a tradition of lettuce and onion salads.</p><p>00:05:21.900 –&gt; 00:05:33.990 Joseph McElroy: And it in here, you might think that that is sort of a scary name alright, so you let us and onions right but it’s a delicious dish.</p><p>00:05:34.650 –&gt; 00:05:49.380 Joseph McElroy: it’s a really refreshing starter, and something light for a one day, but you also add in some dry salt pork and there’s some give me some a meeting flavor and then you have cornbread crew talks which you just you know really wonderful.</p><p>00:05:50.760 –&gt; 00:05:56.130 Joseph McElroy: And so it’s smoky mountain tradition and you don’t want to miss that.</p><p>00:05:57.600 –&gt; 00:06:00.360 Joseph McElroy: I think that you know there’s a.</p><p>00:06:01.740 –&gt; 00:06:14.160 Joseph McElroy: You can decide, you can search lettuce and onions and find a salad and find a good recipe online pretty good another iconic vegetable this it’s all over the South.</p><p>00:06:15.180 –&gt; 00:06:18.360 Joseph McElroy: But is really important, in the mountains is collard Greens.</p><p>00:06:19.980 –&gt; 00:06:21.810 Joseph McElroy: a lot of people in the mountain swear by doing.</p><p>00:06:21.810 –&gt; 00:06:31.890 Joseph McElroy: collard greens and black-eyed peas and new years but it’s also just a big staple of you know, every family unit and every</p><p>00:06:33.420 –&gt; 00:06:49.830 Joseph McElroy: You know holiday gift to go that we’d have we’d want to eat these dishes so collard Greens you don’t want to overcook but it’s there, it was very important to have as part of the culture of being in the mountains.</p><p>00:06:51.180 –&gt; 00:06:56.400 Joseph McElroy: Another is beef stew, and I have a little bit of a conflict would be stupid, then there was also a.</p><p>00:06:57.510 –&gt; 00:07:07.980 Joseph McElroy: Yankee tradition which my grandmother on my mother’s side was a Yankee, for she was also a big and the beach too, but it’s hardy comfort food that’s important.</p><p>00:07:08.520 –&gt; 00:07:22.620 Joseph McElroy: In the mountains and it’s you know it’s about cooking beef with canned tomatoes and stops and then you take your spare vegetables that maybe you didn’t use at other times.</p><p>00:07:23.520 –&gt; 00:07:29.970 Joseph McElroy: Or you know what didn’t get canned or didn’t get us to whatever or just the end of the season, vegetables and you throw them in that.</p><p>00:07:29.970 –&gt; 00:07:40.680 Joseph McElroy: stew and it’s and you cook it for a while it’s really part of a lot of smoking out meals there’s a version of it there’s not beef stew and.</p><p>00:07:41.880 –&gt; 00:07:47.760 Joseph McElroy: I think people call Brunswick stew it’s a game to where you know it’s a similar recipe you go and.</p><p>00:07:48.420 –&gt; 00:08:01.770 Joseph McElroy: You at the end of the at the game season people bring a lot of their game needs to go in the freezer point I think they did eat you know, maybe it’s a new season coming up and you’ll throw in rabbit venison and all sorts of stuff.</p><p>00:08:03.840 –&gt; 00:08:12.960 Joseph McElroy: For a while and you through vegetables and that you know this kind of long-simmering stews are a real part of a smoky mountain cultural tradition and.</p><p>00:08:13.650 –&gt; 00:08:20.430 Joseph McElroy: Another thing is beans and cornbread you know every day that I went to rock hill elementary school.</p><p>00:08:20.910 –&gt; 00:08:27.900 Joseph McElroy: I would go in and have beans and cornbread for breakfast or sometimes I’d have cornbread and milk I love.</p><p>00:08:28.620 –&gt; 00:08:40.020 Joseph McElroy: beans and cornbread and cornbread and milk and those are sorts of staples of breakfast and then you know, to make it lunch it had its own get some green onions, sometimes just sweet onions and.</p><p>00:08:40.740 –&gt; 00:08:46.500 Joseph McElroy: It just I don’t know it just feels it feels a real spot like a hearty it’s a hearty meal.</p><p>00:08:47.280 –&gt; 00:08:57.060 Joseph McElroy: It was for generations that’s what people eat now I don’t see it as much around here, but I do notice some of the old cafes you can go and some of the places like there’s.</p><p>00:08:57.630 –&gt; 00:09:13.080 Joseph McElroy: One right if I 40 Maggie validates if there’s a CAFE in it in a and a gas station that’s been around for 100 years, nobody really stops accept the local farmers, but if you go in there, you can get the best bowl of.</p><p>00:09:14.280 –&gt; 00:09:17.310 Joseph McElroy: beans and cornbread with onions, that you ever had.</p><p>00:09:19.740 –&gt; 00:09:22.620 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s something called a dried apple stack cake.</p><p>00:09:23.760 –&gt; 00:09:35.520 Joseph McElroy: Which is it’s a desert it’s creative dried apples and flat take this and you got it you got to take some patience you stack it we put a lot of spices in it and.</p><p>00:09:36.360 –&gt; 00:09:48.000 Joseph McElroy: And and sorghum and buttermilk you know and the stack cakes and it’s it’s really good mountain delicacy, in a sense.</p><p>00:09:53.670 –&gt; 00:09:56.100 Joseph McElroy: I was expecting a guest to show on today.</p><p>00:09:57.240 –&gt; 00:10:01.830 Joseph McElroy: And I think they’re running late, we were talking about farm-to-table food.</p><p>00:10:03.360 –&gt; 00:10:07.920 Joseph McElroy: Which is is an important part of ours.</p><p>00:10:09.450 –&gt; 00:10:10.560 Joseph McElroy: of our culture.</p><p>00:10:12.150 –&gt; 00:10:21.810 Joseph McElroy: But I can mention some things that are you know some good places to go to get other kinds of food all around the smoky mountains and.</p><p>00:10:22.560 –&gt; 00:10:34.230 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the favorites in the mountains is old-fashioned buttermilk pancakes and you can get that at a place for the pantry really great version of that pancake pantry.</p><p>00:10:35.490 –&gt; 00:10:46.170 Joseph McElroy: it’s been serving up since the 1960s and it’s in the Gatlinburg area, all these I’m only trying to Gatlinburg area.</p><p>00:10:47.340 –&gt; 00:10:57.540 Joseph McElroy: You can get now do you get some good stuff to it, what you might consider are not the best places to go get through, but you get some great kettle corn</p><p>00:10:58.290 –&gt; 00:11:04.020 Joseph McElroy: And Dollywood has some really great entertainment, but it also has some of the best kettle corn, you might get.</p><p>00:11:04.380 –&gt; 00:11:14.370 Joseph McElroy: it’s fresh-made there, and I know it’s got that sort of slight sweetness and Kettle corn is a staple around here and I just recommend it highly and, of course, you get to go to see a wonderful.</p><p>00:11:15.630 –&gt; 00:11:17.400 Joseph McElroy: amusement Park, while you’re doing it.</p><p>00:11:18.930 –&gt; 00:11:29.940 Joseph McElroy: Another other place is to get pit-smoked Barbecue and there are several places I do that one is a hungry bear, which is a Gatlinburg, which is pretty.</p><p>00:11:30.780 –&gt; 00:11:47.280 Joseph McElroy: Famous joy is near to Gatlinburg and it’s really great bar now really great places that new Hazelwood North Carolina is part of Waynesville North Carolina and it’s called the Hazelwood smokehouse news actually listed as one of the top 20.</p><p>00:11:50.310 –&gt; 00:11:55.170 Joseph McElroy: Barbecue place in the nation, and it has eight different kinds of Barbecue sauce.</p><p>00:11:55.800 –&gt; 00:12:06.120 Joseph McElroy: ranging from very spice it’s a very sweet and all the others in between, and they have different kinds of Barbecue they have pulled pork, which is a North Carolina staple and then they have.</p><p>00:12:06.480 –&gt; 00:12:23.850 Joseph McElroy: brisket they have rooms that are just unbelievable Barbecue is just you know stapled smoky mountain tradition and there’s a lot of we’ll go around a lot of places you’ll see the screen off courses, where they have the smoking, you know grills and things like that just part of.</p><p>00:12:25.170 –&gt; 00:12:26.310 Joseph McElroy: corn chowder.</p><p>00:12:27.480 –&gt; 00:12:36.030 Joseph McElroy: Is a great staple to get in the mountains of North Carolina and you get one in the smoky mountains and you can get it in.</p><p>00:12:38.190 –&gt; 00:12:42.480 Joseph McElroy: You might get it at a place called the old mill restaurant and that’s in pigeon forge.</p><p>00:12:43.860 –&gt; 00:12:48.660 Joseph McElroy: And it’s and it’s a very rich home style.</p><p>00:12:50.670 –&gt; 00:12:53.580 Joseph McElroy: porridge sort of thing it’s really full.</p><p>00:12:55.500 –&gt; 00:13:02.010 Joseph McElroy: And you know it’s good to company things like.</p><p>00:13:04.350 –&gt; 00:13:12.090 Joseph McElroy: touchy fried steak and sugar-cured ham and those other things, so when we come back I’ll talk to you more about the food in the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:15:42.660 –&gt; 00:15:58.830 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I did have a guest, but they have they’re having technical difficulties so we’re going to try and we threw some interesting things I’m fine I could talk about food in the mountains.</p><p>00:16:00.270 –&gt; 00:16:01.380 Joseph McElroy: You know I went to.</p><p>00:16:03.000 –&gt; 00:16:07.110 Joseph McElroy: there’s a great smoky mountains institute that tree mom, which is really great.</p><p>00:16:09.420 –&gt; 00:16:13.740 Joseph McElroy: About resource for venturing in the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:16:15.270 –&gt; 00:16:21.750 Joseph McElroy: And you know, one of the things that they emphasize is that you know you’re going to have successful ventures in the mountains.</p><p>00:16:22.080 –&gt; 00:16:29.220 Joseph McElroy: And you’re hiking things you want to make sure that you have really good food when you go with you need to keep your energy.</p><p>00:16:29.970 –&gt; 00:16:38.400 Joseph McElroy: And so, a lot of their staff and people that are associated with have shared their secrets and.</p><p>00:16:39.060 –&gt; 00:16:50.670 Joseph McElroy: And and suggestions for favorite foods and snacks when you’re doing anything from hiking the background free to do just doing a family pick so imma mentioned some of these because some of these are pretty good.</p><p>00:16:51.960 –&gt; 00:16:57.030 Joseph McElroy: Emily Stein who’s a youth program coordinator record it recommends that.</p><p>00:16:58.200 –&gt; 00:17:02.190 Joseph McElroy: she loves the food that trail food that.</p><p>00:17:04.560 –&gt; 00:17:15.990 Joseph McElroy: You know that is fun to create right and that’s new and tasty so she’s got it she’s recommending fried farmers you grip takes.</p><p>00:17:16.680 –&gt; 00:17:30.180 Joseph McElroy: A grip cakes or you know and cheese grit cakes are always a good standard the mountains and so you know you can basically write up some grip and put some cheese on some dried tomatoes, then you carrying cook it.</p><p>00:17:31.890 –&gt; 00:17:36.660 Joseph McElroy: And there’s a and then another one is you know you know the good old.</p><p>00:17:37.980 –&gt; 00:17:49.170 Joseph McElroy: Raising the good old raisins and peanuts is always good at throwing some chocolate chips, so you can eat that breakfast lunch, and dinner so that’s you know that that’s some secrets to take you.</p><p>00:17:51.840 –&gt; 00:18:00.720 Joseph McElroy: Sometimes people actually better on the trail, and when they when they’re eating at home, and so you know you actually you can when you’re planning ahead.</p><p>00:18:04.020 –&gt; 00:18:09.810 Joseph McElroy: I’m going to do something you got to take food with you can plan ahead, you can make a much better meal in terms of.</p><p>00:18:11.010 –&gt; 00:18:23.220 Joseph McElroy: You know what you’re going to take, and so Eric Cantor the manager of the science military research recommends making marinated template sandwiches with saute kale and cashew cheese.</p><p>00:18:23.670 –&gt; 00:18:33.300 Joseph McElroy: And then you know takes a Tupperware was kennel ships and throw in some Mandarin oranges and or an apple and, of course, always bringing lots of water.</p><p>00:18:35.130 –&gt; 00:18:44.550 Joseph McElroy: You know that’s a different one that probably wasn’t a traditional mountain the recipe, but it’s probably a current one for people adventuring and living here now.</p><p>00:18:46.620 –&gt; 00:18:50.040 Joseph McElroy: No, you know there’s when you’re hiking you can.</p><p>00:18:52.230 –&gt; 00:18:54.030 Joseph McElroy: You can get.</p><p>00:18:55.110 –&gt; 00:19:00.000 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can get a sweet tooth you can also because your exercise, you can take advantage of.</p><p>00:19:01.020 –&gt; 00:19:16.470 Joseph McElroy: Things you wouldn’t normally like I don’t eat candy bar so one of the things I would always take is I would think about taking as a snicker bar because it’s you know it’s got peanuts it’s got carnivals got the protein it.</p><p>00:19:17.790 –&gt; 00:19:23.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s, it is a good thing when you’re like the culminating moment when you reach that peak you know, having something that.</p><p>00:19:25.620 –&gt; 00:19:35.670 Joseph McElroy: rewards you. it’s a little bit off your normal path, but it’s like you haven’t had a long time can be pretty pretty pretty enjoyable.</p><p>00:19:38.640 –&gt; 00:19:48.630 Joseph McElroy: there’s a sugary snack that luke’s shucksmith who’s the teacher naturalist recommends is called to chewy sprees I have.</p><p>00:19:49.350 –&gt; 00:19:58.950 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know what is it two weeks, chewy spree, so you guys will have to go figure that one out but I’m assuming it’s some sort of commercial product that you can buy it it’s a very sugary snack.</p><p>00:20:00.540 –&gt; 00:20:12.570 Joseph McElroy: And, and of course you know, a different kind of trail mix that I like and he recommends, as well as walnuts almonds, dried cranberries along with dark chocolate you get those.</p><p>00:20:13.140 –&gt; 00:20:22.710 Joseph McElroy: Special health benefits from dark chocolates, but yeah you have to like dark chocolate milk chocolate little bits a little bit more sweet.</p><p>00:20:26.760 –&gt; 00:20:44.130 Joseph McElroy: And then there is a meal, that you can make this is interesting there are cutlets he calls it, the backpacker rammen alright, so you mixed together with a pack of spicy ramen our the pouch of today, and you, and then you have a and then you can have that.</p><p>00:20:46.650 –&gt; 00:21:01.800 Joseph McElroy: was one bowl of super easy and then you can include bell peppers onions Saracen scallions broccoli chicken even a fried egg you can fry an egg on the trails very possible and carrots and cheese and.</p><p>00:21:02.340 –&gt; 00:21:16.320 Joseph McElroy: crackers and that makes that sounds like to be a sort of a decent meal, you know, being able to make a quick soup is and those ramen noodles are really good to be able to carry and stay in a very light in a pack.</p><p>00:21:17.490 –&gt; 00:21:18.600 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:21:19.980 –&gt; 00:21:27.390 Joseph McElroy: And you know and makes for a great experience now you could also to get adventurous and have a little time, you can take some potatoes with you.</p><p>00:21:27.930 –&gt; 00:21:36.840 Joseph McElroy: And then you could cook boil them and mash them up and put that in the soup instead of ramen noodles and that sort of a backcountry shepherds shepherd’s pie.</p><p>00:21:40.260 –&gt; 00:21:43.620 Joseph McElroy: Of course it’s a little odd with tuna, but you know what the heck.</p><p>00:21:45.210 –&gt; 00:21:45.750 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:21:48.600 –&gt; 00:21:56.610 Joseph McElroy: JEREMY Lloyd manager a few programs a collegiate study recommends Earl grey tea and wells kicks.</p><p>00:21:57.690 –&gt; 00:22:01.320 Joseph McElroy: that’s an interesting combination right, but you know what.</p><p>00:22:02.010 –&gt; 00:22:14.340 Joseph McElroy: tea would be a great thing you know I liked you know it’s got that calming effect that you know it can help release you know all wet adrenaline that you’ve built up in the evening when you got to go to sleep with you know you.</p><p>00:22:14.880 –&gt; 00:22:20.400 Joseph McElroy: Probably don’t get any hot drinks during the day, so you take the time to make one coffee would not be the right thing.</p><p>00:22:22.260 –&gt; 00:22:22.710 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:22:24.000 –&gt; 00:22:24.360 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:22:26.040 –&gt; 00:22:26.550 Joseph McElroy: And then.</p><p>00:22:28.260 –&gt; 00:22:41.550 Joseph McElroy: That I think is and then if you’re boiling water is always probably a good idea, except in the mountains here, you can drink the water out of the spring so yeah you don’t really have to worry about that.</p><p>00:22:44.160 –&gt; 00:22:44.820 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:22:45.840 –&gt; 00:23:02.010 Joseph McElroy: If you’re going on a picnic the tradition here is always taken country fried chicken and corn on the cob so if you’re taking the family, out of the day, then you know that’s what you gotta do you gotta do that.</p><p>00:23:04.680 –&gt; 00:23:14.250 Joseph McElroy: makes it a little you know a little this gets back to you know so fried chicken point on top of a biscuit sounds like I just went to KFC.</p><p>00:23:15.660 –&gt; 00:23:26.880 Joseph McElroy: But it’s a, it is a traditional picnicking thing here in the mountains now if you were taking going to a family reunion in the mountains, it was sort of picnic you’d also bring something like.</p><p>00:23:28.020 –&gt; 00:23:30.870 Joseph McElroy: A sweet potato pie, you might bring some.</p><p>00:23:33.030 –&gt; 00:23:53.520 Joseph McElroy: Some red velvet cake, you might bring some you know some they beans course you bring that collard Greens, you know, so it depends upon the extent of your picnic but the fried chicken is a staple of all those kind of events.</p><p>00:23:56.100 –&gt; 00:23:57.240 Joseph McElroy: Now Joey.</p><p>00:23:58.290 –&gt; 00:24:06.240 Joseph McElroy: tr Lizzie a teacher naturalist recommends bringing a block of cheese you don’t even need a knife anything you just eat it right off the box.</p><p>00:24:08.370 –&gt; 00:24:18.360 Joseph McElroy: I imagine, some people look at you weird as you’re walking a big block of cheese down the wall, if you meet some other papers, but you know what sometimes when I go home and I.</p><p>00:24:18.720 –&gt; 00:24:30.270 Joseph McElroy: I see that block of cheese and even when I’m up in New York City I’ll grab it just take a big bite out of it because I’m hungry and I’ll slice it off put it back in the refrigerator or my wife won’t see it.</p><p>00:24:31.590 –&gt; 00:24:34.980 Joseph McElroy: If you’re listening don’t worry about it I’m not doing it anymore.</p><p>00:24:40.830 –&gt; 00:24:50.970 Joseph McElroy: So Elizabeth Davis the field program specialist recommends bread cheese apples and chocolate I sort of like.</p><p>00:24:52.410 –&gt; 00:25:03.840 Joseph McElroy: Four food groups of backpacking we just say more, I don’t know it’s a starts there’s a protein there’s fruit there’s a sweet I guess it’s all we need right and I guess the chocolate as a little fat is.</p><p>00:25:07.710 –&gt; 00:25:24.780 Joseph McElroy: also recommended by Scott Moss is a black teacher nationalist as a block of cheese he picks Wisconsin Chandler he also recommends cheez it’s and Snickers so he’s on board with the Snickers thing for when you make it to the destination so that’s a that seems like a good tradition.</p><p>00:25:26.400 –&gt; 00:25:30.480 Joseph McElroy: And finally, Mary Kate brown teacher naturalist recommends.</p><p>00:25:32.730 –&gt; 00:25:33.960 Joseph McElroy: block of cheese.</p><p>00:25:37.170 –&gt; 00:25:48.030 Joseph McElroy: I would you know I would love to be able to take on it type is ice cream, but I haven’t figured out how to do without it getting totally melted.</p><p>00:25:50.220 –&gt; 00:26:05.700 Joseph McElroy: And you know you know another thing I like is this leftover Barbecue right you could do after you’ve cooked up the bbq gets leftover Barbecue wrap it up to the grill take it out that’s kind of nice to.</p><p>00:26:07.530 –&gt; 00:26:18.600 Joseph McElroy: And this, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention you know you want to bring plenty of water floating water, but when you reach the enemy this nation, you might want a Snickers bar but I’d also want a bottle of wine.</p><p>00:26:19.800 –&gt; 00:26:29.520 Joseph McElroy: And there’s some good wine now in the mountains there’s a there’s a couple of wineries you know the Biltmore the biggest is the biggest visited winery in the world.</p><p>00:26:30.270 –&gt; 00:26:44.220 Joseph McElroy: So you go out to the Biltmore Estate get yourself some bottles of wine and then head out to go to some of the hiking trails around there, along with your cheese block and you’re a snicker bar and you’re going to have a hell of a night.</p><p>00:26:48.210 –&gt; 00:26:48.780 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:26:49.860 –&gt; 00:26:59.910 Joseph McElroy: One of the things you do want to remember is if you’re doing anything and you stop anywhere, you want to make sure you bare foot good food that means hang it up, so they can get to it all right.</p><p>00:27:01.140 –&gt; 00:27:10.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s it can be don’t have the food in your tent if you’re sleeping in a tent because they’ll come in there, so it’s better to.</p><p>00:27:11.070 –&gt; 00:27:26.280 Joseph McElroy: put it in a way, so they can’t get to it, it also doesn’t put them in your vicinity so it’s always important to remember that when you’re here in this part, so when we come back we’ll see if we got a guest back here, or if we talk about other things happening about.</p><p>00:30:16.950 –&gt; 00:30:31.170 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I’ve been talking about the various foods and things that you can do in the mountains.</p><p>00:30:31.950 –&gt; 00:30:41.970 Joseph McElroy: And it’s been fairly Nice we were going to have a discussion about the farm-to-table experience in the mountains, but.</p><p>00:30:42.720 –&gt; 00:30:57.330 Joseph McElroy: our guests are having technical difficulties, so I am talking about various you know various aspects of food in the mountains, I can do I’m not an expert but I’ll do my best.</p><p>00:30:58.590 –&gt; 00:31:03.300 Joseph McElroy: But I’m a look, for now, is you know some great.</p><p>00:31:05.220 –&gt; 00:31:09.090 Joseph McElroy: You know, farm-to-table restaurant, you can go visit.</p><p>00:31:10.770 –&gt; 00:31:13.410 Joseph McElroy: And you know there’s a number of them.</p><p>00:31:14.460 –&gt; 00:31:16.440 Joseph McElroy: In in the mountains here.</p><p>00:31:19.050 –&gt; 00:31:21.930 Joseph McElroy: Asheville has Gatlinburg saver builds.</p><p>00:31:23.550 –&gt; 00:31:37.470 Joseph McElroy: there’s I’ll mention some that I’ve I’m finding online and if I recommended me I’ll recognize them there’s one leader near these are near Gatlinburg, Tennessee and it’s called the local goat.</p><p>00:31:38.730 –&gt; 00:31:52.290 Joseph McElroy: And it looks like it’s a burger American type food, but it has a high rating and it looks pretty good after would farmhouse rest but I’m I’ve heard of that.</p><p>00:31:53.460 –&gt; 00:31:56.970 Joseph McElroy: And you have to-it’s a great place for breakfast.</p><p>00:31:58.260 –&gt; 00:32:01.260 Joseph McElroy: And it’s the does Southern Appalachian comfort.</p><p>00:32:03.360 –&gt; 00:32:06.150 Joseph McElroy: there’s the greenbrier restaurant.</p><p>00:32:07.680 –&gt; 00:32:17.820 Joseph McElroy: you’re getting near Gatlinburg and it’s called and it’s a steakhouse and it also has top status and small place now there’s the five oaks farm kitchen.</p><p>00:32:18.840 –&gt; 00:32:24.540 Joseph McElroy: Which is going to America traditional and so it’s really featured for breakfast and brunch.</p><p>00:32:25.980 –&gt; 00:32:27.120 Joseph McElroy: it’s very farm table.</p><p>00:32:28.560 –&gt; 00:32:39.360 Joseph McElroy: there’s a restaurant called the Appalachian and it’s a steakhouse southern steakhouse and it’s in the middle of the smoky mountains it’s in the Gatlinburg area.</p><p>00:32:41.130 –&gt; 00:32:44.700 Joseph McElroy: there’s the old mill pottery house CAFE and grill.</p><p>00:32:46.080 –&gt; 00:32:56.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s I’ve got bakeries chocolatiers got shops it’s got all sorts of places to go visit and it’s a grill.</p><p>00:32:58.650 –&gt; 00:33:02.310 Joseph McElroy: there’s the host and kitchen, which is another day.</p><p>00:33:06.240 –&gt; 00:33:12.780 Joseph McElroy: seems pretty good look some near to the Somerville Tennessee, which is another gateway to the smoking stout.</p><p>00:33:14.910 –&gt; 00:33:15.300 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:33:16.500 –&gt; 00:33:18.390 Joseph McElroy: there’s a place called the barn.</p><p>00:33:19.980 –&gt; 00:33:26.370 Joseph McElroy: it’s actually the Blackberry farm and if you guys haven’t heard the Blackberry farmers this huge resort.</p><p>00:33:27.630 –&gt; 00:33:39.750 Joseph McElroy: That is farmers or and there they do have a lot of farm-to-table food they also you know yeah I think the Blackberry cobbler is highly recommended there.</p><p>00:33:40.620 –&gt; 00:33:50.340 Joseph McElroy: So I that was something worth looking up because it’s a real five-star resort it’s a huge place and it’s definitely.</p><p>00:33:51.540 –&gt; 00:34:07.050 Joseph McElroy: You know, some somewhere not coming now, you know that, in the mountains, the smoky mountains were famous for the rainbow trap, and so you can get rainbow trout right off the grill that’s basically when caught that day</p><p>00:34:08.190 –&gt; 00:34:14.610 Joseph McElroy: fact my place which I have is the Meadowlark motel Maggie Valley, we have a place called.</p><p>00:34:15.840 –&gt; 00:34:16.530 Joseph McElroy: The Maggie.</p><p>00:34:17.910 –&gt; 00:34:26.730 Joseph McElroy: Maggie valley restaurant right next to us and that restaurant has been around since the early 50s and one of the first restaurants herein.</p><p>00:34:27.090 –&gt; 00:34:38.640 Joseph McElroy: In Maggie valley and what they’ve been famous for this whole town town town distress trap that gave a big sign on there’s a rainbow trout and you go there and they grew that perfection.</p><p>00:34:39.600 –&gt; 00:34:51.060 Joseph McElroy: But some others there’s one in the same area, called the English mountain trout farm grill and that one’s supposed to be a really good great place to travel, you know, and I like it.</p><p>00:34:52.170 –&gt; 00:35:00.990 Joseph McElroy: You know grilled I like personally to put it, you know I like to put it in a bake with a little lemon in between it.</p><p>00:35:02.340 –&gt; 00:35:14.220 Joseph McElroy: Like the season, because it’s a very I find it very delicate fish other people like to fry it up with a little bit of the light reading and they’re both with a really, really good now in Asheville.</p><p>00:35:14.940 –&gt; 00:35:27.300 Joseph McElroy: There is a place called jargon and I went to last time I was there, which is a really nice restaurant it’s a small intimate place and there I had smoked trout.</p><p>00:35:30.480 –&gt; 00:35:39.360 Joseph McElroy: Like a pat tag that was served on some crackers and it was really incredibly delicious and smoked trout here in the mountains it’s like.</p><p>00:35:40.020 –&gt; 00:35:47.220 Joseph McElroy: A real delicacy and you don’t want to leave the smoking balance without getting smoked trout you can also get trout row which is like a.</p><p>00:35:47.790 –&gt; 00:35:54.240 Joseph McElroy: sort of Sam I mean it’s sort of like caviar that’s really great on the test.</p><p>00:35:54.990 –&gt; 00:36:01.770 Joseph McElroy: So if you want to be looking for that kind of things when you come up here, because you can get all that really fresh you know we.</p><p>00:36:02.190 –&gt; 00:36:07.470 Joseph McElroy: With the men like we’re on a mountain heritage trout farm a trout stream belt with Jonathan creek.</p><p>00:36:07.950 –&gt; 00:36:16.200 Joseph McElroy: And it’s during the winter during the summer protections stop and so it’s easy to come here and catch yourself some rainbow trout.</p><p>00:36:16.530 –&gt; 00:36:28.680 Joseph McElroy: And then cook it up on a grill and we have this if you want to try it yourself and feel welcome you can do that in several places in the mountains, a lot of places that fireplace and not right on right on a trout spring a trap spring.</p><p>00:36:29.910 –&gt; 00:36:33.960 Joseph McElroy: creek and you can catch it and cook it and really have a nice evening.</p><p>00:36:35.910 –&gt; 00:36:42.810 Joseph McElroy: Also, near see reveals a place called the dancing bear Appalachian beast true and it’s a new American outdoor dining place.</p><p>00:36:43.950 –&gt; 00:36:47.040 Joseph McElroy: And it’s got a lot of great recommendations.</p><p>00:36:48.990 –&gt; 00:36:57.210 Joseph McElroy: I enjoy the food that we get in in all these places, you know in this actual area has become a real food in town.</p><p>00:36:57.990 –&gt; 00:37:11.250 Joseph McElroy: So you get your getting a lot of MCS well you know, like that jargon place well they’re good they’re really developing a cuisine that’s a mix of all sorts of world cultures, but with an Appalachian.</p><p>00:37:11.910 –&gt; 00:37:19.620 Joseph McElroy: twist to it now with the Appalachian based to accept takes Appalachian traditional dishes and you know adds in.</p><p>00:37:20.700 –&gt; 00:37:23.310 Joseph McElroy: A lot of different kinds of.</p><p>00:37:25.080 –&gt; 00:37:38.130 Joseph McElroy: World touches to it and it, you know those kind of collaboration and fusions are tremendous in my book, but you know that’s not when I travel around the world, I look for fusion.</p><p>00:37:38.520 –&gt; 00:37:54.120 Joseph McElroy: And when I remember when I was in Japan, I went to a Japanese restaurant that fused Japanese traditional sushi pipe cooking with the French cooking and I can’t describe it, but it was incredibly creamy and incredibly fishy and it was really good.</p><p>00:37:56.640 –&gt; 00:38:02.910 Joseph McElroy: So, so those are some recommended.</p><p>00:38:06.480 –&gt; 00:38:10.410 Joseph McElroy: In terms of the fever bill area.</p><p>00:38:12.390 –&gt; 00:38:17.430 Joseph McElroy: I was going to look and see if I can tell you some farm-to-table restaurants.</p><p>00:38:18.660 –&gt; 00:38:25.200 Joseph McElroy: restaurants international because I think that is where it’s going really.</p><p>00:38:27.900 –&gt; 00:38:35.580 Joseph McElroy: to another level and Asheville now has like 38 breweries and distilleries wineries.</p><p>00:38:36.930 –&gt; 00:38:37.830 Joseph McElroy: And you know.</p><p>00:38:40.230 –&gt; 00:38:49.950 Joseph McElroy: And it’s become you just it’s probably as is as good as you can get anywhere on the east coast, a lot of ways anywhere you go.</p><p>00:38:51.390 –&gt; 00:38:53.670 Joseph McElroy: there’s a great place called the sauna.</p><p>00:38:55.110 –&gt; 00:39:06.810 Joseph McElroy: Which is a contemporary fiber table in the heart of downtown’s actual historic park squares and it serves local seasonal sustainable cuisine it’s also 100% gluten-free.</p><p>00:39:07.290 –&gt; 00:39:19.200 Joseph McElroy: And they have some great cocktails, by the way, that place jargon, they have to tell you about this cocktail they made it something that was similar to an old fashioned I don’t remember the Dave up but.</p><p>00:39:20.010 –&gt; 00:39:28.410 Joseph McElroy: That was what was cool is they actually made the ice was around the giant round ball that was hard that was hollow.</p><p>00:39:28.830 –&gt; 00:39:38.010 Joseph McElroy: With a hole and they put the ice in the glass and they for all the mix into that hollow ice ball right.</p><p>00:39:38.460 –&gt; 00:39:48.630 Joseph McElroy: And then they brought it up to you put it on their thing and then they took out a spoon and they cracked it boom and the ice ball shattered and then you’ve got the drink, so it was very dramatic.</p><p>00:39:49.170 –&gt; 00:39:57.630 Joseph McElroy: presentation to have a drink and I could tell you it was really a fabulous drink I guess I’m really selling this jargon place but you really got to go to.</p><p>00:39:59.190 –&gt; 00:40:01.890 Joseph McElroy: Another great restaurant is called the.</p><p>00:40:03.060 –&gt; 00:40:18.150 Joseph McElroy: The blackbird in Ashville and it is its cooking ground and the traditions and ingredients of the Carolinas with a modern southern seasonal farm to table menus and it has fresh cut catches so it’s got a lot of.</p><p>00:40:19.440 –&gt; 00:40:27.450 Joseph McElroy: seafood from all over the Carolinas and it’s got microbrews and Nice wines and very inventive cocktails.</p><p>00:40:29.010 –&gt; 00:40:37.800 Joseph McElroy: One that claims to be the original farm-to-table restaurant in the marketplace and it’s a downtown fixture since the 70s.</p><p>00:40:38.280 –&gt; 00:40:48.900 Joseph McElroy: And it offers a seasonally driven menu featuring organic ingredients from area farms and artists and producers and has extensive wine that craft beer and cocktails.</p><p>00:40:49.980 –&gt; 00:41:07.680 Joseph McElroy: there’s a fence grease Joe called thesis French bistro and instead of executive chef Peter croc Crockett and he brings a real coronary finesse to the table and it’s seasonally inspired French cuisine with the link-local twists like I said a fusion.</p><p>00:41:08.700 –&gt; 00:41:14.340 Joseph McElroy: Which is you know I think really great and it’s what’s happening a lot around the smoky mountains now is that.</p><p>00:41:14.760 –&gt; 00:41:24.090 Joseph McElroy: People are you know we’re mixing a little bit of world cultures into the traditional and so we’re not losing our traditional culture it’s just getting new different.</p><p>00:41:24.600 –&gt; 00:41:33.360 Joseph McElroy: flavors in fact I’m thinking about bringing fried shrimp to the Meadowlark motel but it’s going to have a Trinidadian twist to it.</p><p>00:41:34.830 –&gt; 00:41:38.040 Joseph McElroy: And and multiple sources that are that.</p><p>00:41:39.240 –&gt; 00:41:42.480 Joseph McElroy: come from different mountain cultures of the world.</p><p>00:41:44.220 –&gt; 00:41:44.760 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:41:46.050 –&gt; 00:41:54.750 Joseph McElroy: it’s a you know it’s fun to experiment with your culture and mixing with other cultures, without getting the appropriation and things like that.</p><p>00:41:56.160 –&gt; 00:41:59.760 Joseph McElroy: They have this eases French pre-show has great.</p><p>00:42:01.050 –&gt; 00:42:07.890 Joseph McElroy: dishes like as cargo and bone marrow yeah oh it’s got steak tartare scallops Oh well.</p><p>00:42:08.970 –&gt; 00:42:18.510 Joseph McElroy: I can’t say it I’m sorry about that steak treats lamb chops salad salmon this new swan adapt to their own.</p><p>00:42:20.160 –&gt; 00:42:24.510 Joseph McElroy: So I’d go there there’s another restaurant called homegrown.</p><p>00:42:26.280 –&gt; 00:42:41.280 Joseph McElroy: it’s got locally sourced ingredients, it has got chicken biscuits and cheesy Chris catfish PO boys yeah PO boys around here really good I mean I know Louisiana has no form but people down here really know they’re come through and they’ve made him pretty good too.</p><p>00:42:42.780 –&gt; 00:42:53.580 Joseph McElroy: there’s the corner kitchen, which is a Victorian house, which is very charming historic built more and it’s a breakfast lunch dinner weekend brunch is cool and comfortable.</p><p>00:42:54.810 –&gt; 00:43:04.110 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s Rhubarb, which is an award-winning James beard chef and it’s a service farm to table American.</p><p>00:43:05.820 –&gt; 00:43:20.400 Joseph McElroy: There, and it pays out how much homage to the bounty of regional and American cookie it has a wood-fired oven, and it kind of grill to complicate the complement the rustic creations so we’ll come back I’ll finish up with some.</p><p>00:43:21.060 –&gt; 00:43:35.490 Joseph McElroy: Some shoutouts and things coming up and hopefully you’ve learned a little bit about food and we’ll talk more with another guest in some future thing about the real farm to table we have that culture that’s going off period amounts.</p><p>00:43:42.300 –&gt; 00:43:43.050 Education.</p><p>00:45:54.630 –&gt; 00:46:07.860 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklin McElroy host of the gateway to the smokies podcast and been talking about food and we had a nice discussion that what I could</p><p>00:46:08.550 –&gt; 00:46:19.770 Joseph McElroy: remember from my past and current existence I’m going to tell you a little bit about what’s coming up in the area in terms of festivals, I am a focus.</p><p>00:46:20.400 –&gt; 00:46:36.150 Joseph McElroy: On you know Maggie Valley Waynesville very particularly familiar, but there you know the mountains, the smoky mountains and all the towns all around the scope mounts and all of Western North Carolina basically yes Eastern Tennessee celebrate their culture.</p><p>00:46:38.070 –&gt; 00:46:57.720 Joseph McElroy: Their culture Cherokee culture know indigenous cultures African culture Scottish culture German culture so many cultures that mingled together here in the bounce to create all sorts of festivals there’s the Highland games out in the</p><p>00:46:59.460 –&gt; 00:47:03.390 Joseph McElroy: out in the grant I think grandfather mountain area.</p><p>00:47:04.590 –&gt; 00:47:16.410 Joseph McElroy: or Scottish games and you know charity has lots of different cultural celebrations and festivals now they’re like fishing festivals, so you know going when you come here, you should look to see.</p><p>00:47:16.800 –&gt; 00:47:31.800 Joseph McElroy: What kind of festivals are going on there’s a lot of resources just searching, you know festivals in North Carolina or festivals and Tennessee festival smoky mountains and you come up with a lot of festivals and for the.</p><p>00:47:32.910 –&gt; 00:47:33.510 Joseph McElroy: For the.</p><p>00:47:34.620 –&gt; 00:47:48.600 Joseph McElroy: For you know, for I consider it almost a prerequisite of your come here to get at least one festival and there’s all sorts of music festivals and arts festivals and you know and then there’s you know.</p><p>00:47:49.080 –&gt; 00:48:04.110 Joseph McElroy: there’s a road culture is it’s been an important part of the smoky mountains since its beginnings really it’s one of the largest parks it’s the most visited that are</p><p>00:48:05.910 –&gt; 00:48:21.210 Joseph McElroy: In you know the range of a large amount of population was like eight to 12 million people, you can see we’ve got national, international Atlanta it’s a Western eastern part of North Carolina you got Alabama Georgia.</p><p>00:48:22.770 –&gt; 00:48:36.780 Joseph McElroy: South Carolina all within a half day’s driving distance the smoky mountains, it makes you a highly visible place ironically, though it maintains a lot of wilderness so it’s got both the.</p><p>00:48:37.950 –&gt; 00:48:48.750 Joseph McElroy: You know the excitement of tourism very but then you can lose yourself in in in you know into the wilderness, and you know and peacefulness.</p><p>00:48:49.440 –&gt; 00:48:57.900 Joseph McElroy: So I mentioned so road culture people coming and going from the mountains and then utilizing their vehicles to explore, it is.</p><p>00:48:58.410 –&gt; 00:49:12.150 Joseph McElroy: A very important part, because we have a lot of wonderful winding roads and back roads and gravel roads and some of you don’t even know about I just discovered, one that to tell me about I don’t remember the name of it right now.</p><p>00:49:12.390 –&gt; 00:49:19.080 Joseph McElroy: But it starts near Maggie valley and the boss of the road it’s roading it’s like a 20-mile road but.</p><p>00:49:20.130 –&gt; 00:49:33.390 Joseph McElroy: It takes like two hours to go to the end up in Cherokee and it’s a winding road that shows me pictures and it’s beautiful and it’s essentially one way out of gravel road but to driving people to take.</p><p>00:49:34.500 –&gt; 00:49:37.890 Joseph McElroy: Their cars and things on this, and this happens, a lot of places.</p><p>00:49:38.880 –&gt; 00:49:52.440 Joseph McElroy: And so you know road cultures important that’s why there are so many you know vintage and chic motels in the mountains, but tell resorts which the Meadowlark motel room to work because people yeah we’re driving one stop.</p><p>00:49:53.400 –&gt; 00:50:04.710 Joseph McElroy: yeah stay the night and then move on to explore spirit something else you know and that’s still part of it so I’m going to mention some of the road events coming up.</p><p>00:50:05.970 –&gt; 00:50:19.320 Joseph McElroy: We have on June 11 and 12th at the Maggie Valley festival grounds, you go to Maggie valley festival grounds calm to find out about this, and most of these events happen every year, so if you’re listening to this in some future time.</p><p>00:50:19.650 –&gt; 00:50:31.110 Joseph McElroy: it’s probably happening again, we have the Western North Carolina jeep fest jeeps groups of jeeps traveling around have become very popular and they have a whole culture of jeeps and.</p><p>00:50:31.650 –&gt; 00:50:47.310 Joseph McElroy: I saw some of the stories, so they got jeep little sections where people can buy jeans T-shirts, and G pads and it’s a real sort of solid community and so they’re going to have a festival benefiting as possible.</p><p>00:50:48.780 –&gt; 00:51:05.850 Joseph McElroy: An animal rescue foundation and there’s going to be vendors and lots of music great food they have a show and shine competition, they also going to you know, have you know some some some entertainment I have.</p><p>00:51:07.080 –&gt; 00:51:10.230 Joseph McElroy: yeah you’re also welcome to bring your pet pets things like that.</p><p>00:51:11.580 –&gt; 00:51:21.210 Joseph McElroy: Now the next week from June 17 to 19th they’re going to have the Maggie valley swap meet Camaro and fire show now swap meet is where people come.</p><p>00:51:21.510 –&gt; 00:51:34.050 Joseph McElroy: And they swap parks, sometimes swap cars, they come, you know to do some old-fashioned horse trade so it’s got that sort of old you know meeting them at the crossroads.</p><p>00:51:34.650 –&gt; 00:51:43.800 Joseph McElroy: flavor to people come to you know do a little horse trade exchange anything but again they’ll have things set up to make it enjoyable for the whole family yeah.</p><p>00:51:44.610 –&gt; 00:51:52.560 Joseph McElroy: They usually do things like celebrating veterans have some music that has some yes about you know places to go.</p><p>00:51:53.010 –&gt; 00:52:04.140 Joseph McElroy: You know, go do you see arts and crafts or shops, or you know or any number of things and then you’re right in the middle of Maggie Valley, so you know to walk around these wonderful gift shops and.</p><p>00:52:04.530 –&gt; 00:52:16.470 Joseph McElroy: And souvenir shops and restaurants and things to go experience it’s easy to walk up and down Maggie valley, it’s like a two-mile flat sidewalk you can visit all sorts of things.</p><p>00:52:16.860 –&gt; 00:52:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Now that we can, after that is June 25 and 27th and we have thunder in the smokies motorcycle rally it’s the oldest and largest motorcycle rally and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:52:28.740 –&gt; 00:52:38.820 Joseph McElroy: And it’s like a three-day event, and they have tour rides and vendors and bike shows and games and prizes concerts and.</p><p>00:52:39.090 –&gt; 00:52:49.290 Joseph McElroy: Fire dances and you know, the latest bikes and products and stuff and you know it’s an elaborate event is worthwhile to come into and.</p><p>00:52:49.860 –&gt; 00:53:04.080 Joseph McElroy: that’s a big one hey now July 4 we’re having our fireworks celebration will actually be on July 4 on Sunday, July 4 so come for the weekend and then culminates your weekend with a big fireworks display.</p><p>00:53:05.460 –&gt; 00:53:14.820 Joseph McElroy: And you know this town he actually has like four or five different fireworks displays Waynesville will have a big event the night before so it’s a great place to come and celebrate.</p><p>00:53:15.240 –&gt; 00:53:24.360 Joseph McElroy: The holidays, and of course they’re going to have you know, have you know all sorts of things balls and hula hoops and games and you know and.</p><p>00:53:25.170 –&gt; 00:53:42.090 Joseph McElroy: Other things like that there, we do have an arts and arts and crafts festival on July 10 11th year and Maggie Valley so artists from all over Southeast come to sell handmade arts and crafts items I recommend highly that we can we’re also everything here.</p><p>00:53:43.260 –&gt; 00:53:59.220 Joseph McElroy: You know the, on the other, Ninth and 10th it’s the plot best we can, and plot test is you know is celebrating the state dog of North Carolina, which is a, which is one of the first hunting dogs brought to America.</p><p>00:54:00.630 –&gt; 00:54:03.840 Joseph McElroy: And it was a bear dog so and then.</p><p>00:54:06.000 –&gt; 00:54:19.590 Joseph McElroy: And then to natural that we’re going to have a wonderful concept everything else, so you know to Maggie about a festival grounds.COM, to see that or you go to the MeadowlarkMotel.com see all sorts of great events that are coming up now, I want to mention.</p><p>00:54:21.300 –&gt; 00:54:25.860 Joseph McElroy: The shoutouts now, so you know when you.</p><p>00:54:26.910 –&gt; 00:54:29.970 Joseph McElroy: want you to imagine.</p><p>00:54:31.320 –&gt; 00:54:42.840 Joseph McElroy: A place evocative of motor courts of the past yeah modern environment with the Chic Appalachian field, a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:54:43.620 –&gt; 00:54:53.100 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill and catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine to craft beers.</p><p>00:54:53.640 –&gt; 00:55:06.480 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place with old-time music and world profile sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel back about your smoky mountain adventures starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:55:08.160 –&gt; 00:55:20.490 Joseph McElroy: sponsor is smokies adventure that’s plural smokies singular venture smokies adventure com the emphasis of smokies adventure is outdoor recreation.</p><p>00:55:20.940 –&gt; 00:55:30.960 Joseph McElroy: Along with providing information on logic family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more The goal is to become the leading information portal, the Smoky Mountain</p><p>00:55:31.650 –&gt; 00:55:45.030 Joseph McElroy: You can find more about this podcast at gateways to the smoke gateway to the smokies.fun or facebook.com/acebookgateway to the smokiness podcast we’re on the talkradio.NYC network.</p><p>00:55:45.600 –&gt; 00:55:52.500 Joseph McElroy: Which is alive podcasts and stations, whose mission is to empower inspire up an educated worldwide audience.</p><p>00:55:52.830 –&gt; 00:56:04.800 Joseph McElroy: After this show is one about New York and exploring New York, I recommend you listen to it and it’s a worthwhile to show I’ll see you next week with another great guest gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p><br></p> 698cca64-ff83-4770-a6cb-744f933c6ab6 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/b106f89e-168f-4f8e-ba63-0ce7ac5570f3 Tue, 08 Jun 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2968 no full Episode 20: The Sounds of Nature’s Edge Episode 20: The Sounds of Nature’s Edge Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest is <strong>Dale Stewart</strong>, Award winning media host, solo explorer, naturalist, ethnologist, author and natural sound recorder, he has lived and learned from indigenous tribes on six continents while establishing his stellar reputation as one of the foremost solo explorers in the world today. Stewart is the host of a radio show – <strong><em>Nature’s Edge</em></strong> – and has been featured on numerous national television shows on the History Channel, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.</p><p>Stewart has crossed the Bering Strait in a kayak, traversed the Amazon River in a canoe, and retraced the infamous Cherokee Trail of Tears by kayak—a 60-day, 1,300-mile trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Fort Gibson Oklahoma.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/5TmA0uL-4h/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Introduces today’s topic: the sights &amp; sounds of the wilderness and today’s special guest: Dale Stewart. Stewart explains how he came to learn to love and embrace new cultures and people on his trips across the world and how amazing and unique each location he has visited is. Each place has become a memorable trip and the reason why is more often than not, the hospitality of the people. This conversation leads to Stewart’s Cherokee Trail of Tears trip by kayak, which had sparked a lot of interest from the public.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, the conversation about the Cherokee and the Trail of Tears continues. There is a story that is different from what is taught in schools during the removal of many native tribes. Cherokees had a bit of a unique experience with their removal and the Trail of Tears that Stewart goes into during this conversation. The conversation shifts to Stewart’s favorite Smoky Mountains trips, where he plans to travel next, and his recommendations for great hiking trails.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Introduces the topic of sounds of the wilderness. Stewart talks about how sound can be used to see in the wild and talks more about soundscaping. With his audio documentaries, he found himself to be able to immerse others into these stories with his audio recordings of where he’s been, as he does with his works with channels, such as the Discovery Channel.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Stewart talks about what he looks for when recording audio in the wilderness. Stewart talks about where to find more information on his current and future projects that people can look forward to.</p> Video thumbnail

In this episode, our special guest is Dale Stewart, Award-winning media host, solo explorer, naturalist, ethnologist, author, and natural sound recorder, he has lived and learned from indigenous tribes on six continents while establishing his stellar reputation as one of the foremost solo explorers in the world today. Stewart is the host of a radio show – Nature’s Edge – and has been featured on numerous national television shows on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet.

Stewart has crossed the Bering Strait in a kayak, traversed the Amazon River in a canoe, and retraced the infamous Cherokee Trail of Tears by kayak—a 60-day, 1,300-mile trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Fort Gibson Oklahoma.


Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes

Segment 1

Introduces today’s topic: the sights & sounds of the wilderness and today’s special guest: Dale Stewart. Stewart explains how he came to learn to love and embrace new cultures and people on his trips across the world and how amazing and unique each location he has visited is. Each place has become a memorable trip and the reason why is more often than not, the hospitality of the people. This conversation leads to Stewart’s Cherokee Trail of Tears trip by kayak, which sparked a lot of interest from the public.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, the conversation about the Cherokee and the Trail of Tears continues. There is a story that is different from what is taught in schools during the removal of many native tribes. Cherokees had a bit of a unique experience with their removal and the Trail of Tears that Stewart goes into during this conversation. The conversation shifts to Stewart’s favorite Smoky Mountains trips, where he plans to travel next, and his recommendations for great hiking trails.

Segment 3

Introduces the topic of sounds of the wilderness. Stewart talks about how sound can be used to see in the wild and talks more about soundscaping. With his audio documentaries, he found himself to be able to immerse others into these stories with his audio recordings of where he’s been, as he does with his works with channels, such as the Discovery Channel.

Segment 4

Coming back from the break, Stewart talks about what he looks for when recording audio in the wilderness. Stewart talks about where to find more information on his current and future projects that people can look forward to.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:32.730 –> 00:00:33.330 Joseph McElroy: hey.

00:00:33.540 –> 00:00:36.330 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of

00:00:36.360 –> 00:00:45.660 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park, and the surrounding area.

00:00:46.290 –> 00:00:54.780 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore weekly episodes.

00:00:55.140 –> 00:01:06.930 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains and my family’s lived in great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:07.740 –> 00:01:13.380 Joseph McElroy: And today’s episode we’re going to learn about the sites and, more importantly, about the sounds of the wilderness.

00:01:14.280 –> 00:01:23.640 Joseph McElroy: But first we’ll give you a little bit of news, more than 6 million people have witnessed the heart-wrenching action soaring triumph of unto these hills.

00:01:23.940 –> 00:01:30.450 Joseph McElroy: For over 70 years and, after being canceled in 2020 the legacy lives on in 2021.

00:01:30.960 –> 00:01:41.550 Joseph McElroy: The iconic dread drama stage in a large outdoor amphitheater debuted for the season over memorable Memorial Day weekend and we’ll run through August 14.

00:01:42.120 –> 00:01:48.960 Joseph McElroy: This show in Cherokee chronicles the tales of Cherokee from 1782 to the 21st century.

00:01:49.350 –> 00:02:00.270 Joseph McElroy: The show includes action film fight scenes reenactments of cultural events historical events grief of Cherokee removal and resilience of the Cherokee people and culture.

00:02:00.780 –> 00:02:07.500 Joseph McElroy: shows run every night except Sundays and Mondays on Saturdays you can find out more visit CherokeeNC.com.

00:02:08.250 –> 00:02:21.570 Joseph McElroy: Also, promoting a couple of events at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley there’s going to be on July 7 or eighth there’s gonna be a PlottFest reunion weekend where they’re going to talk about the Plott how which is the same dog of North Carolina.

00:02:22.200 –> 00:02:30.390 Joseph McElroy: And plans to get a festival started and it’s going to include all sorts of celebrities and historians like Bob Plott who’s.

00:02:30.870 –> 00:02:39.360 Joseph McElroy: You know acclaimed historian of the Plott hound and you’re gonna see family guns and accouterments and hunting displays and pedigree displays.

00:02:39.960 –> 00:02:44.940 Joseph McElroy: mechanical bear baby bear bait DEMO you have a meet and greet you have food.

00:02:45.240 –> 00:02:54.750 Joseph McElroy: is going to be a wonderful time so come and see the show come to experience the event, there can be raffle items donated by Gary Bady have GT hunting supplies.

00:02:55.020 –> 00:03:01.980 Joseph McElroy: A book signing with Bob Plott and Jacob Block and there are old-time haunting tunes and balance with William Ritter.

00:03:02.430 –> 00:03:07.800 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s a fire and a pavilion and bonfires and all sorts of fun things to do.

00:03:08.250 –> 00:03:15.480 Joseph McElroy: That, on July 17 Darren Nicholson of Balsam range fame is going to have a bluegrass band camp and concert.

00:03:15.960 –> 00:03:26.010 Joseph McElroy: On Saturday, July 17 and it’s going to be a band workshop with the dead air and Nicholson ADI play lock Eric Ellis and Read Jones there’ll be songwriting.

00:03:26.520 –> 00:03:43.980 Joseph McElroy: workshop with Darren and his friends there’s going to be instrumental workshops, with the Read and mainland base with reading mandolin with their and banjo with Eric and guitar dog maybe an all-star content concert that night, so what you can get separate tickets to.

00:03:45.870 –> 00:03:56.430 Joseph McElroy: So, today I have an award-winning media host, solo explorer, naturalist, Ethnologist, Author, and Natural Sound Recorder Dale Stewart.

00:03:56.790 –> 00:04:08.070 Joseph McElroy: Who has lived and learned from indigenous tribes on six continents, while establishing his stellar reputation as one of the top solo explorers in the world today how you doing Dale.

00:04:08.520 –> 00:04:10.170 Dale Stewart: I’m great Joseph how are you, my friend.

00:04:10.470 –> 00:04:15.270 Joseph McElroy: Fine, fine the weather cleared up down to Maggie I mean down in the Asheville area.

00:04:15.660 –> 00:04:16.170 Dale Stewart: It has.

00:04:16.470 –> 00:04:27.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah good, so I understand and I did a little research you started your career as a firefighter and commercial diver but now you’re an accomplished scientist and media personality, with a.

00:04:27.600 –> 00:04:40.980 Joseph McElroy: Radio show called nature’s edge and a host of features on national TV like the animal planet and history channel discovery channel so tell me how did that amazing journey happen well.

00:04:41.010 –> 00:04:50.280 Dale Stewart: You know I grew up in Louisiana South Louisiana and Central Louisiana and kind of grew up as an outdoors person I mean my whole family.

00:04:51.090 –> 00:05:00.630 Dale Stewart: love the outdoors and we spent a great deal of time there, and so we just sort of an evolution, I was one of those guys that never really wanted to.

00:05:01.410 –> 00:05:19.620 Dale Stewart: To have a real job I guess that you know sitting behind a desk I could never visualize myself for when that eight to five rolled so it did you sort of morphed into me seeking to go other places and learn how other people lived and about their culture.

00:05:20.610 –> 00:05:26.880 Joseph McElroy: I find an inquisitive mind seems to be a necessary part of what you do so.

00:05:28.500 –> 00:05:41.520 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve led this incredible life and they’re still going strong and you always seem to be looking for new challenges and you’ve crossed the Bering strait and I think kayak and you traverse the Amazon river that canoe.

00:05:41.790 –> 00:05:45.450 Joseph McElroy: So are those your favorite solo trips are there, others.

00:05:46.110 –> 00:05:59.520 Dale Stewart: You know I really and I get asked this question a lot, you know about picking a favorite and I, you know I really don’t have a favorite you know I’ve been to some amazing places and every place that I’ve gone to.

00:06:00.240 –> 00:06:10.230 Dale Stewart: I selected for a specific reason, whether it was you know the environment, whether it was the culture of the people that were there, whether it was the wildlife that was there, so.

00:06:10.590 –> 00:06:22.020 Dale Stewart: Every place I’ve gone has had a uniqueness to it that I find exhilarating and as a solo explore, I mean one of the reasons I think anyone gets into exploration is.

00:06:22.470 –> 00:06:36.210 Dale Stewart: is to gain knowledge and to learn, and then the two I think it’s also important to come back and share that knowledge so picking one spot would be extremely difficult because they all have their uniqueness about them.

00:06:36.930 –> 00:06:37.740 Joseph McElroy: Well, is.

00:06:38.820 –> 00:06:42.000 Joseph McElroy: You know I am a travel marketer right.

00:06:42.180 –> 00:06:47.160 Joseph McElroy: And yeah and I did research into what people you know what makes travel.

00:06:47.730 –> 00:06:53.850 Joseph McElroy: You know what will get people to do to revisit things like that and go back to something else and it’s.

00:06:54.180 –> 00:07:12.540 Joseph McElroy: And it’s there’s a concept called memorable travel and tourism experiences that in academia they’ve invented but I’ve sort of taken it and made it into the practical approach and but basically there’s that there’s you have experiences that become flashbulb memories in your head right.

00:07:12.930 –> 00:07:22.110 Joseph McElroy: yeah that you just remember vividly and it’s really if you experience some several one at one or two or three of several emotions like.

00:07:22.410 –> 00:07:34.770 Joseph McElroy: You know you got to have the immersion into a local culture yeah and that that sort of feeling of belonging or new knowledge that you got her hedonism you know, food and drink or.

00:07:35.100 –> 00:07:47.070 Joseph McElroy: or refreshment like a feeling of so what would make what makes him a solo exploring trip very memorable that you have these flashbulb memories and do you have any that you can mention.

00:07:48.270 –> 00:07:51.030 Dale Stewart: Well sure I mean, I have a lot of them and.

00:07:52.830 –> 00:08:00.120 Dale Stewart: because every time I do an expedition whether it’s solo or whether I’m just traveling.

00:08:00.930 –> 00:08:12.420 Dale Stewart: You know there, there are always things that I’m looking forward to trying together, I think you know, one of the things about traveling around the world that I’ve been fortunate to do that, that probably made the largest impression on me.

00:08:13.620 –> 00:08:15.150 Dale Stewart: Was the hospitality of the people.

00:08:16.800 –> 00:08:18.870 Dale Stewart: Whether it was a hospitality of the people.

00:08:20.250 –> 00:08:30.960 Dale Stewart: In a remote tribal village in the Amazon, or whether it was the hospitality of other people in a larger city that the way people treat one another.

00:08:32.910 –> 00:08:50.820 Dale Stewart: One on one to me has always been one of the things that sort of stood out for me and then, of course, you know the, you have the scenery and and and the sounds and learning to use your other senses and everything else that makes each individual place unique with Anton right.

00:08:51.720 –> 00:08:56.850 Joseph McElroy: You know is that it, you know isn’t that interesting it’s like you go to these faraway places.

00:08:57.450 –> 00:09:07.980 Joseph McElroy: And you know, to see a giant mountain or long river or some animal or something like that you know, but then you come away with a deep memory of the people.

00:09:08.430 –> 00:09:18.060 Joseph McElroy: Right and the interactions with the local culture and that really is what sets these trips apart yeah and a lot of ways, you know, in that, in that, like.

00:09:18.960 –> 00:09:32.010 Joseph McElroy: Traditionally, what do you live in the by you, but we’re talking about the smoky mountains you’re living in really strong cultural traditions in that white people come back and a lot of ways to those cultures to go visit.

00:09:32.910 –> 00:09:43.440 Dale Stewart: Well, I think, so you know growing up in Louisiana certainly I was surrounded by a lot of different various cultures, you know from the Korean culture to the cajun call her the home, I Indian culture.

00:09:44.850 –> 00:10:00.150 Dale Stewart: And, and the various unique cultures, and I think that was really one of the things that made me want to get out there and see what the rest of the world was like and look and really study these other cultures and and and try to learn as much as I could about them.

00:10:00.750 –> 00:10:08.730 Joseph McElroy: You know I am I’m married my wife, you know and in 2017 I met her in 2014 and.

00:10:09.120 –> 00:10:21.870 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the things that sealed the deal with me is she actually took me to Trinidad’s earlier relationship and I got to experience actually doing their version of mardi gras was called playing master you know.

00:10:23.130 –> 00:10:34.770 Joseph McElroy: carnival and it was just such a deep enriching experience I just love being part of that family experience, I think that she sent me up the way.

00:10:36.720 –> 00:10:48.900 Dale Stewart: You know it’s like a drink like and you mentioned this and travel, I mean every time I speak to someone that that’s been to a location, particularly out of the United States, they always say Max I can’t wait to go back there.

00:10:49.860 –> 00:11:06.570 Dale Stewart: So it does you know, and I think at heart we’re all explorers and we all like to do that, you know when I leave a place I’m looking for that next adventure that next location, but I find that most people want to go back to where they just returned from for one reason or not.

00:11:07.140 –> 00:11:13.590 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah yeah the marketing industry in the hospitality industry to talents on that, frankly.

00:11:13.950 –> 00:11:25.260 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s called revisit intention and brand loyalty and all that sort of stuff and we essentially business couldn’t really survive if you didn’t have that so you know, the vast majority of people.

00:11:25.620 –> 00:11:41.070 Joseph McElroy: You know our love to go back to the comfort of what they know because they have that that warm memory, but there are others yeah I’m a big you know I love to go exploring as well, I do it in different ways, you know I’m not the adventure that you are.

00:11:42.540 –> 00:11:51.930 Joseph McElroy: But I understand the drive of it, you know I come up more of an outdoorsman I probably wouldn’t be the following a path similar to yours.

00:11:52.920 –> 00:11:59.790 Dale Stewart: You know, you can explore anywhere, you can explore your own backyard or in your own community you live in.

00:11:59.820 –> 00:12:01.710 Dale Stewart: So there’s always a villain.

00:12:02.100 –> 00:12:04.560 Joseph McElroy: I like to explore the big cities, I.

00:12:04.560 –> 00:12:12.060 Joseph McElroy: Like or other culture and the depths of it and that sort of stuff but I love I also love to go to a small town too I love.

00:12:12.510 –> 00:12:19.290 Joseph McElroy: Where people congregate and commerce and living and understand the pathways that are happening there.

00:12:19.920 –> 00:12:29.490 Joseph McElroy: But anyway, let’s back to the smokies because I do that’s where my heritage and what I grew up with, and you know, being a self-centered guy that it is I got to celebrate the culture that produces me.

00:12:33.180 –> 00:12:37.470 Joseph McElroy: So let me hear they’re the smokies you know people are very.

00:12:38.520 –> 00:12:43.590 Joseph McElroy: I mean I’ve seen some articles that people are very intrigued by your chair key trail of tears trip.

00:12:44.280 –> 00:12:56.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah you retrace the infamous tale of two years by kayak a 60 day 1300 mile trip from Chattanooga to Fort gifts in Oklahoma, can you tell us a little bit about how it came about.

00:12:57.390 –> 00:13:06.870 Dale Stewart: Well, absolutely you know, I was looking for something to do here in the United States, most of my explanations had been overseas, or in other locales.

00:13:08.220 –> 00:13:13.530 Dale Stewart: Although I had paddled some of the major rivers here in the United States, like the Mississippi in Missouri and then oh wow.

00:13:14.040 –> 00:13:27.840 Dale Stewart: And so I was looking around and I had a lot of good friends over in Cherokee with each and bear the Cherokee Indian and also because I’m somewhat of a historian was aware that 170 fifth anniversary of the trail of tears was coming up.

00:13:28.950 –> 00:13:39.600 Dale Stewart: Back in 2012 and when I did this, and so I began to look around and decided was over talking to some of the elders in Cherokee.

00:13:40.050 –> 00:13:45.900 Dale Stewart: And they asked me about the water route they knew I paddled and they said, what do you know about the water route and I said nothing.

00:13:46.500 –> 00:13:51.510 Dale Stewart: I didn’t even know, there was a water route at that time and I found that most people did not know that.

00:13:51.840 –> 00:13:57.720 Dale Stewart: So I started looking around and decided hey you know, this is something that I need to do both to bring attention.

00:13:58.110 –> 00:14:04.980 Dale Stewart: To the trail of tears and something and to bring attention to the fact that there was a water route and.

00:14:05.520 –> 00:14:16.740 Dale Stewart: What many people don’t know the trail of tears also as you’re probably aware of not only include the Cherokee but also the Chickasaw the chalk call the creek and the Seminole the FAB.

00:14:17.070 –> 00:14:18.570 Joseph McElroy: Five civilized tribes.

00:14:19.320 –> 00:14:22.140 Dale Stewart: All of them were removed by water at some point.

00:14:22.200 –> 00:14:32.190 Dale Stewart: Some portion of them a seminar will remove one simple water, so I decided to retrace the water route and started in Chattanooga on the Tennessee River.

00:14:32.580 –> 00:14:41.700 Dale Stewart: paddled it up to Ohio and then turn left on the Ohio river to the Mississippian turn South on Mississippi to the Arkansas Reverend and paddle the Arkansas river Oklahoma.

00:14:42.150 –> 00:14:47.850 Joseph McElroy: wow well when we come back, I want to talk a little bit more about that and then find out some of the other ventures that you’ve had.

00:14:48.270 –> 00:14:48.990 Absolutely.

00:16:48.390 –> 00:16:49.710 educating our.

00:17:21.750 –> 00:17:29.160 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Dale Stewart.

00:17:29.490 –> 00:17:39.390 Joseph McElroy: So Dale I was researching around reading a little bit about you and so on interviewing you did in the sylvan have a newspaper about the about your chair key trip.

00:17:39.900 –> 00:17:48.480 Joseph McElroy: And you said, one can say the Cherokee nation is one of the most successful nations or tracks or tribes around and I don’t mean in the casino business, what did you mean.

00:17:49.530 –> 00:17:51.060 Dale Stewart: Well, they have a.

00:17:52.080 –> 00:17:53.670 Dale Stewart: Not only a great culture.

00:17:54.960 –> 00:17:59.670 Dale Stewart: But they’re survivors, I mean you know a lot of most of the.

00:18:00.720 –> 00:18:09.120 Dale Stewart: Indian nation chip van their growth drivers, I mean if you look at what they went through with the what’s around a product of the trail of tears.

00:18:09.600 –> 00:18:17.670 Dale Stewart: And you look at the division, if you will, of the Cherokee, of course, you have the Cherokee Eastern bound the Cherokee.

00:18:17.970 –> 00:18:28.230 Dale Stewart: located in western North Carolina on the quad boundary he has a Cherokee nation now, which is in Tahlequah Oklahoma and then you have the Dubai on a tear key, which is also headquartered toe.

00:18:28.590 –> 00:18:38.460 Dale Stewart: And so, even though they’ve had a separation of in many ways they’re still very successful as a tribe in.

00:18:39.060 –> 00:18:53.820 Dale Stewart: In everything they do yeah not just a casino but in other endeavors that they have done and keeping their language alive and continuing to keep their culture and just the way they celebrate their lifestyle.

00:18:54.540 –> 00:19:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Well, I read and I read it, you were talking about how this water voyage was the when they did it, they were surprising organized about it right or unexpected not from maybe at the time, but from our perception of what the trail of tears is.

00:19:12.630 –> 00:19:22.350 Dale Stewart: yeah you know, one of the things that the Cherokee were actually one of the last tribes removed if not the Left rob removed a lot of that had to do with their they had good.

00:19:23.850 –> 00:19:36.990 Dale Stewart: Political insight and Washington DC and were able to through a number of legal maneuvers and other things we’re able to kind of delay the inevitable which, which was the removal.

00:19:38.250 –> 00:19:46.620 Dale Stewart: But one of the things I negotiated where they actually were able to organize and do a lot of the removal themselves.

00:19:47.790 –> 00:20:00.060 Dale Stewart: Were yes, I had they still had military escorts and such but, for the most part, they were able to to do it themselves, and even the even on the water route.

00:20:00.780 –> 00:20:09.540 Dale Stewart: You have to understand that early on all of the tribes, the Federal Government really wanted to remove all the crowd by water they thought it would be faster quicker and easier.

00:20:10.470 –> 00:20:21.600 Dale Stewart: found out that it was not the case, it might have been quicker, but it was certainly the rivers were certainly not what they are today and they pretty much just packed them on barges.

00:20:23.070 –> 00:20:41.400 Dale Stewart: shoulder to shoulder, and in the heat and you know dysentery and other diseases became very commonplace on that and I know when I paddle in the water route, the summer that I found it in 2012 I paddled, for I think it was 20 something days with a temperature in excess of 100 degrees.

00:20:41.490 –> 00:20:42.090 Joseph McElroy: or your.

00:20:43.530 –> 00:20:51.450 Dale Stewart: manager imagine what you know, and I had pretty sophisticated gear with me, so I could just imagine what.

00:20:52.650 –> 00:20:57.450 Dale Stewart: The these the removal Indians had to suffer just being packed.

00:20:58.470 –> 00:21:02.910 Dale Stewart: like sardines on a barge of some kind.

00:21:03.570 –> 00:21:08.400 Joseph McElroy: You know I complain about having to walk to the coffee shop on a 100-degree day in New York City.

00:21:11.370 –> 00:21:17.430 Joseph McElroy: So I heard, there was a documentary and a book about that trip that you were working on is that we have become available.

00:21:17.940 –> 00:21:21.780 Dale Stewart: Well, not yeah and you know, and I get asked that question a lot.

00:21:22.830 –> 00:21:25.500 Dale Stewart: The book is probably 98% finished.

00:21:26.940 –> 00:21:29.280 Dale Stewart: What happens is life gets in the way.

00:21:29.430 –> 00:21:31.230 Joseph McElroy: Oh, always always always.

00:21:31.740 –> 00:21:41.610 Dale Stewart: Things and so it’s just a matter of me finding a little opportunity to finish the book up and get it out there which I want to do, I mean.

00:21:42.810 –> 00:21:52.950 Dale Stewart: As I said, I’m a big believer in sharing knowledge and what we found out and I’ve been very lucky, I still to this day, get asked to speak, a lot about the trail of tears and.

00:21:53.550 –> 00:22:01.080 Dale Stewart: about other things and people always asked me the other question are you Cherokee or do you have it, no I’m Scottish I’m pretty much.

00:22:02.340 –> 00:22:03.810 Dale Stewart: As far as I know, have had.

00:22:05.010 –> 00:22:07.860 Dale Stewart: No Indian heritage in my background.

00:22:09.150 –> 00:22:19.080 Dale Stewart: But having said that, I always think it’s important to share this kind of historical event so that we don’t repeat them, and so that we don’t forget about them.

00:22:19.170 –> 00:22:22.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah are these as well, I really admired you for doing that.

00:22:24.390 –> 00:22:30.720 Joseph McElroy: So you have literally explored and live for weeks and months, at a time on six continents.

00:22:31.140 –> 00:22:37.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah very interesting days at a time and 100-degree temperature and swapping waters let’s not mention that.

00:22:39.180 –> 00:22:53.430 Joseph McElroy: So you have experienced some of the most amazing places in the world, it could live anywhere, you wish that you chose the national and made it your own for years, what makes Asheville the surrounding region so special, why did you choose to make your hope there.

00:22:55.110 –> 00:23:00.060 Dale Stewart: The smoky mountains, the miles, and miles of hiking trails the

00:23:01.170 –> 00:23:04.560 Dale Stewart: placid lakes, the streams of water, the whitewater.

00:23:06.060 –> 00:23:22.740 Dale Stewart: pretty much anything that I want to do I’ve got and we have available to us here in Western North Carolina as well as a lot of people may not know or forgot the highest mountains on the eastern coast of the United States are located in western North Carolina.

00:23:24.240 –> 00:23:25.740 Joseph McElroy: mount Mitchell right now.

00:23:26.640 –> 00:23:28.830 Dale Stewart: I’m Michel is the tallest we have other mountains.

00:23:29.130 –> 00:23:29.640 Dale Stewart: You know there.

00:23:29.970 –> 00:23:31.500 Dale Stewart: Are thousand feet and so.

00:23:33.090 –> 00:23:35.190 Dale Stewart: You know I I love those mountains.

00:23:35.850 –> 00:23:40.230 Joseph McElroy: I do, too, I like skyscrapers on the top of mountains and.

00:23:41.880 –> 00:23:42.270 Dale Stewart: I like.

00:23:42.420 –> 00:23:44.070 Joseph McElroy: To view yeah.

00:23:45.120 –> 00:23:50.160 Dale Stewart: Like climbing up on the top of a mountain tonight and being up there when the sun comes up.

00:23:50.550 –> 00:24:01.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah I was a kid my brother and I used to go to the top of the property where we lived and had a great view to build ourselves for it up there, we go sleep but there’s just the way go.

00:24:02.640 –> 00:24:02.880 yeah.

00:24:04.110 –> 00:24:11.130 Dale Stewart: Haywood county has some of the best hiking trails and Western North Carolina around the valley and areas that you’re very familiar with.

00:24:11.310 –> 00:24:14.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah they’re great they’re all there are dependence trails.

00:24:14.520 –> 00:24:18.810 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely know what are your favorites, what is your favorite smoky mountain adventure.

00:24:19.980 –> 00:24:20.790 Dale Stewart: Oh, goodness.

00:24:22.680 –> 00:24:26.070 Dale Stewart: You know, again it’s kind of like asking me worth my favorite place.

00:24:27.300 –> 00:24:41.640 Dale Stewart: name and I, you know I wake up on any given morning and I kind of decide if, when I want to get outside where I want to go hiking or what I want to grab one of my books and go paddle or are do I want to combine the two which I, which I often do.

00:24:42.270 –> 00:24:42.870 Dale Stewart: But I.

00:24:43.290 –> 00:24:54.180 Dale Stewart: You know, again I’m still exploring these mountains I’ve lived here now for nearly 20 years and they are still many places that I have yet to try and.

00:24:54.840 –> 00:25:07.380 Dale Stewart: And until I don’t really I’m not one to sort of following the trails that are already that people know out there, I tend to go make my own path, mainly because when I’m out there, I don’t want to see other people.

00:25:08.760 –> 00:25:15.810 Joseph McElroy: We know the in the art world, they want to ask him if he was because of the teeth what his favorite painting, he was.

00:25:16.020 –> 00:25:19.320 Joseph McElroy: yeah he said, the next one, so what’s your next adventure.

00:25:20.910 –> 00:25:22.230 Dale Stewart: You know that’s

00:25:24.090 –> 00:25:29.070 Dale Stewart: And we can talk about this a little later, but you know I’ve really got into recording nature sounds.

00:25:30.870 –> 00:25:35.250 Dale Stewart: And so pretty much what I’m doing now, or a year around that.

00:25:36.330 –> 00:25:46.140 Dale Stewart: And the probably been my next out-of-country trip will be back to back to East Africa Kilimanjaro cool.

00:25:46.830 –> 00:25:58.440 Joseph McElroy: Well, is there any favorite hiking or canoeing or you don’t say my favorite what immediately comes to mind of a good hiking spot and canoeing sparked you to recommend some people go visit when they come there.

00:25:59.220 –> 00:26:07.290 Dale Stewart: Well, of course, the Appalachian trail comes through here and people can take different walks on it.

00:26:08.580 –> 00:26:13.680 Dale Stewart: let’s see the black balsam trail is a good trail.

00:26:14.940 –> 00:26:32.550 Dale Stewart: Deep creek trail is another trail that I like a cold mountain has some great trails that you can walk and then, of course, I really like I’m a big fan of Horrace Kephart and I really like to get park prom trail over in the smoky mountain National Park.

00:26:33.030 –> 00:26:39.300 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool Those are all really great ones and the stream it’s great for canoeing.

00:26:40.440 –> 00:26:46.920 Dale Stewart: Oh, am if there’s enough water for me to get get my boat in I’m all for it because I don’t live very.

00:26:47.490 –> 00:26:56.670 Dale Stewart: Lacking I’m almost to rock because the french broad river, from where I live, so I spent a lot of time on the French broad and it’s just kind of it can be a nice easy.

00:26:57.660 –> 00:27:07.170 Dale Stewart: river to be on or if it’s heavy rain, it can be something else if I want a little more excitement I can head over to the Navajo young and getting a little white water and.

00:27:08.400 –> 00:27:19.710 Dale Stewart: get up there, but in the summertime, these rivers, like the trails can get awfully busy so I’m looking for that that next little creek drag gets on it doesn’t have a lot of people on.

00:27:21.480 –> 00:27:25.890 Joseph McElroy: So so let’s talk food you’re a Louisiana native and we know that.

00:27:25.950 –> 00:27:39.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah you know that there’s some great food in Louisiana so I’m sure you have a good appreciation of various cuisine especially southern cuisines tell me about your favorite place in the smokies around national that we want.

00:27:40.050 –> 00:27:40.590 Dale Stewart: Oh man.

00:27:42.180 –> 00:27:48.480 Dale Stewart: Again, there are a lot of great little small restaurants in the Asheville area in Western North Carolina.

00:27:49.230 –> 00:28:01.350 Dale Stewart: one place, that I find going to quite a bit just because I like sitting outside is the Hemingway CAFE and downtown nicely like got a great rooftop area place to sit.

00:28:01.920 –> 00:28:13.920 Dale Stewart: And you were mentioned, I was from Louisiana when I get a hankering for benny’s there’s a great little New Orleans CAFE and the growth park in those sales beanies and that great Louisiana coffee Community coffee.

00:28:14.250 –> 00:28:14.970 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.

00:28:15.570 –> 00:28:29.580 Dale Stewart: So it’s there, so you know but, just like exploring I my wife and I like to seek out little sort of out of the way restaurants, that that have great food and they’re sort of scattered around everywhere.

00:28:30.060 –> 00:28:38.520 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s really surprising how you can just you know stop and look for a hole in the wall and go in there and just really have a great meal yeah.

00:28:39.660 –> 00:28:40.020 Dale Stewart: Totally.

00:28:40.260 –> 00:28:45.630 Joseph McElroy: yeah so people get very clear to the actual areas become a foodie haven.

00:28:46.920 –> 00:28:47.190 Dale Stewart: yeah.

00:28:47.340 –> 00:28:49.530 Dale Stewart: All right, and that in and beer.

00:28:49.920 –> 00:28:57.060 Joseph McElroy: That in beer you definitely get a good gain your the weights, you need to stock up for your adventures.

00:28:57.660 –> 00:28:58.050 yeah.

00:28:59.550 –> 00:29:07.380 Dale Stewart: Well, you know craft beer I’m begging Western North Carolina, and I just actually but it almost any of the old times you go into he’s got a craft beer placement.

00:29:08.010 –> 00:29:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Now you also know a little bit about Highlands ever cabin out there right.

00:29:11.640 –> 00:29:12.300 Dale Stewart: What do you like yeah.

00:29:14.730 –> 00:29:22.260 Dale Stewart: yeah well, of course, in a Holland catchers area is just another one of those great little places that.

00:29:22.830 –> 00:29:30.630 Dale Stewart: You started gotta be wanting to go there to get there, but you know how long’s North Carolina it’s just an amazing little town.

00:29:31.020 –> 00:29:34.890 Dale Stewart: You know, in the wintertime I think there are less than 900 people there and then it.

00:29:35.370 –> 00:29:44.010 Dale Stewart: sort of exploded in the summer, because a lot of people have second homes they’re particularly Atlanta corralled tends to come up there, but again, this great.

00:29:44.460 –> 00:29:58.530 Dale Stewart: outdoor areas great hiking areas great restaurants in that in that area and great people, one of the things that I find surprising is I’m always excited when I find somebody that’s an ad from look there.

00:30:00.690 –> 00:30:02.070 Dale Stewart: there’s not many of them it’s saying.

00:30:02.730 –> 00:30:07.830 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah there was never a big it was like when I was going to Maggie Valley hundred people now.

00:30:08.010 –> 00:30:10.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah claim to him yeah lots more.

00:30:13.260 –> 00:30:18.330 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back we’re talking about your sounds of the wilderness sounds very interesting.

00:30:18.930 –> 00:30:19.680 Absolutely.

00:33:08.760 –> 00:33:21.060 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts in my guest Dale Stewart’s and Dale you know I’m also an artist.

00:33:21.480 –> 00:33:26.070 Joseph McElroy: And some of my actually some of the most profound artistic experiences I’ve had.

00:33:26.430 –> 00:33:32.130 Joseph McElroy: going to show their museums, have been sound installations, where people will do slices of life or.

00:33:32.400 –> 00:33:46.170 Joseph McElroy: You know, or the nature or whatever I remember also as a kid here hearing for the first time this sounds of a way along recording it just blew me away because I didn’t know they could do that sort of thing, so you have.

00:33:46.860 –> 00:33:53.820 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know you’ve been doing this thing of you know, the sounds of the wilderness, and you have this recording career and you’ve been.

00:33:54.810 –> 00:34:04.680 Joseph McElroy: you’ve done some incorporating natural sounds and some records by country artists correct right so, can you count to get some of that and what you’ve done and who you’ve worked with.

00:34:05.670 –> 00:34:17.550 Dale Stewart: Well yeah I mean sound is is something that I really developed as a solo explore, I mean one of them as humans sound is one of those things that keeps us safe.

00:34:18.780 –> 00:34:30.930 Dale Stewart: And so, when I was out there in the middle of nowhere by myself, not only was I using my vision to see what was going on, I was using my ears and Emma other senses, you know the smell and.

00:34:31.650 –> 00:34:38.160 Dale Stewart: All of those things that go into analyzing what’s going on in an environment.

00:34:38.610 –> 00:34:51.300 Dale Stewart: And certainly if you’re in if you’re deep in the jungle and you’re you hear a lot of animals and you hear a lot of things going on and then all of a sudden everything just shuts down that’s that’s can be a warning sign that.

00:34:52.080 –> 00:34:52.440 Dale Stewart: might be.

00:34:52.740 –> 00:34:59.550 Dale Stewart: Something else out there, that you need to be aware of, but one of the great regrets I have is that early on.

00:35:01.470 –> 00:35:10.770 Dale Stewart: Going back gosh nearly 40 years now that I didn’t have my recorder with me on many of the TRIPS and many of the places I’ve gone it.

00:35:11.400 –> 00:35:17.550 Dale Stewart: it’s one of the things that makes me want to go back and record those sounds again, but I guess.

00:35:18.330 –> 00:35:35.430 Dale Stewart: You know, probably the last 10 or 12 years I’ve gotten very involved with recording what we call soundscapes and soundscape is sort of the sounds of a given environment, so I could have my equipment and record a sound in downtown New York City or downtown Asheville.

00:35:36.510 –> 00:35:45.180 Dale Stewart: And also take those recordings and go high into the mountains of Western North Carolina and record the sounds that.

00:35:45.750 –> 00:35:53.100 Dale Stewart: Have a brook of a waterfall of birds, is it landed trees and also learned that.

00:35:53.730 –> 00:36:03.180 Dale Stewart: The sounds change to write it right at dusk and write it daylight you go from sort of the daytime sounds to the nighttime sounds and that was that’s become.

00:36:03.630 –> 00:36:16.200 Dale Stewart: Pretty pretty interesting to me and I built a pretty large library, if you will, of these sounds one of the things that I’ve been doing for a number of years now, is doing by narrow or immersive sounds and.

00:36:17.430 –> 00:36:23.070 Dale Stewart: venereal sound recording is the way we here as humans, we have two ears that we herein.

00:36:24.630 –> 00:36:34.920 Dale Stewart: When I’m looking ahead on to you and I’m talking you’re hearing me in both of your ears, but if you turn one way or the other you’re going to pick up the sound and that here first is going to travel through.

00:36:35.340 –> 00:36:45.930 Dale Stewart: To the other year and so bonnier recording really record sounds the way the human actually hears them so I’ve gotten to do that and, as I developed.

00:36:45.960 –> 00:36:49.110 Joseph McElroy: a documentary that doesn’t require special equipment or.

00:36:49.350 –> 00:36:59.910 Dale Stewart: It does require special microphones and and and and a little knowledge is a little more to it than just sticking a microphone out there and recording something.

00:37:01.230 –> 00:37:14.730 Dale Stewart: But yeah so I kind of got known for doing that and emerging and also consider myself a storyteller so in doing documentaries or auto documentaries, I was looking for some way to integrate this sound.

00:37:15.270 –> 00:37:25.740 Dale Stewart: That could actually pull you into the to what I was doing or into the environment that the story was taking place and a found immersive sound or 3D sound or by an aerial sound.

00:37:26.400 –> 00:37:39.360 Dale Stewart: actually did that, because now, the sound is coming from you in all directions and not just in a mono or stereotype thing you were talking about the music industry and some things.

00:37:40.170 –> 00:37:48.000 Dale Stewart: A number of years ago, and most of this has been with producers buying the sounds more so than working specifically with given artists so.

00:37:48.870 –> 00:37:57.930 Dale Stewart: A producer, excuse me make purchase a sound of have running water or birds, or something else, and they may use it that sound in.

00:37:58.710 –> 00:38:05.850 Dale Stewart: Two or three different recordings with two or three different artists so it’s kind of all over the place, and then, of course, I work a lot with.

00:38:06.480 –> 00:38:14.430 Dale Stewart: With nature documentary people that are doing things for National Geographic discovery channel history channel travel channel.

00:38:15.150 –> 00:38:25.170 Dale Stewart: Where again we’re starting to use more and more immersive sound in those documentaries, to help pull the people and not just visually but with Sound

00:38:25.710 –> 00:38:41.010 Dale Stewart: You were talking about artists, I have, I have worked with a couple now, while I photographers who have had had shows of their work and they asked me to attach a sound card to their picture.

00:38:42.120 –> 00:38:45.420 Dale Stewart: And that’s been interesting and I’ve really enjoyed doing that.

00:38:46.200 –> 00:38:58.530 Joseph McElroy: That is cool I mean you know all of a sudden my mind is going a lot of different ways, and this is what triggers me this kind of things you know content is king I got another podcast called wise content yeah.

00:38:58.560 –> 00:39:05.910 Joseph McElroy: Creative writing content is king, but wise content rules, the world, and you know it’s about having more than just.

00:39:06.240 –> 00:39:24.480 Joseph McElroy: written word it’s yeah it’s all sorts of stuff It strikes me is especially in a travel destination, especially something like the smokies it’d be interesting to have certain articles that also have a sound right of the areas that would be sort of cool right you.

00:39:24.480 –> 00:39:39.780 Joseph McElroy: can actually you can hear the sound of the waterfall or you could hear the sound of the night when the fireflies are out and that sort of thing that that’s actually artistic romantic and interesting all it’s the same time.

00:39:40.890 –> 00:39:48.960 Dale Stewart: Yeah and you know it’s funny you mentioned fireflies I mean one of the other things that great in which you know about I’m sure, but you know we have a.

00:39:49.890 –> 00:40:01.260 Dale Stewart: synchronous firefly exhibit in the smoky mountains, this time of year, you know first of my first again over in the smoky mountain national park and.

00:40:02.340 –> 00:40:10.170 Dale Stewart: I mean it’s just worth millions and millions of these firefighters come together during a mating season and it’s truly a psycho.

00:40:10.920 –> 00:40:12.780 Joseph McElroy: I do they have a sound too.

00:40:13.710 –> 00:40:23.040 Dale Stewart: They do somewhat yeah I’ve ordered it’s not it’s almost like recording a bunch of mosquitoes but not quite this.

00:40:24.930 –> 00:40:25.560 Joseph McElroy: buzz.

00:40:26.010 –> 00:40:26.490 Dale Stewart: yeah but.

00:40:26.910 –> 00:40:39.390 Dale Stewart: yeah but I, you know I’m always looking at ways to record things I mean I’ve taken a little lapel microphone, if you will, and stuck them up and rotting logs and trees, just to record the insects that are in there.

00:40:40.620 –> 00:40:41.820 Dale Stewart: it’s it’s quite unusual.

00:40:42.480 –> 00:40:49.500 Joseph McElroy: Do you find it do you mean I’m assuming that there’s some importance there, but do you find it.

00:40:50.520 –> 00:40:59.490 Joseph McElroy: You know that it’s important for us to totally immerse ourselves in true wilderness experiences on that you know and through media.

00:41:00.510 –> 00:41:02.700 Dale Stewart: Well, absolutely I, you know that that’s.

00:41:03.900 –> 00:41:20.640 Dale Stewart: I think it’s not only healthy for us, but I think it’s necessary to get out there to really just sit and listen, one of the things that I often do when I’m hiking if I do come across people always ask you, what do you see, I always ask them what they heard and that.

00:41:22.560 –> 00:41:37.290 Dale Stewart: kind of throws them off, but you know if you go into any environment and just sit down and close your eyes and listen, you will come away from that environment with a different appreciation, then you have just if you look at it visually.

00:41:38.160 –> 00:41:47.490 Joseph McElroy: wow no, I see that again you stimulated the whole you know that creative.

00:41:48.510 –> 00:41:53.100 Joseph McElroy: the context in my mind is I can’t imagine having a.

00:41:55.080 –> 00:41:56.460 Joseph McElroy: Whatever you call them.

00:41:58.290 –> 00:42:01.980 Joseph McElroy: say a Pole, with the South headphones on it in the middle of the New York City street.

00:42:02.370 –> 00:42:13.410 Joseph McElroy: Where you put it on in to hear the sounds in their mountains, but then you can also have a poll on a hiking trail in the mountains, where that sound comes from and then he listened and put it on and you here in New York city streets.

00:42:15.810 –> 00:42:16.410 Dale Stewart: All the F.

00:42:17.700 –> 00:42:19.740 Dale Stewart: word in downtown New York City so.

00:42:21.120 –> 00:42:23.730 Joseph McElroy: that’s another kind of wilderness there.

00:42:23.730 –> 00:42:33.270 Dale Stewart: Right it is absolutely and takes a different mindset to survive there, but I did want to say, I mean I love using the sound of the soundscape.

00:42:33.690 –> 00:42:43.770 Dale Stewart: Not only in my radio show and podcast but, because it draws people in you know, for a long time, we would pull out ambient sounds and we didn’t want to hear them.

00:42:44.370 –> 00:42:52.020 Dale Stewart: You know if I’m interviewing someone on the street in downtown Asheville I want them, I want the people to hear the cars going by I want them.

00:42:52.380 –> 00:43:00.420 Dale Stewart: To hear the the the the different sounds to the city, because that helps place the listener in the location that you’re actually recording in.

00:43:01.020 –> 00:43:16.710 Joseph McElroy: Why would you come over to the Villa because, let me do a little bit recording there because people talk about how the confluence of recruits there plus there’s a little bit of traffic but it’s muffled by the buildings, this really sensor you know.

00:43:18.030 –> 00:43:27.960 Joseph McElroy: nostalgia, but without being nonmodern and it’s really relaxing but you’re still I’d love to see what that sounds like in a recording so that’s kind of.

00:43:29.070 –> 00:43:35.580 Dale Stewart: this day and age, if, when I show up somewhere mostly leather camera bag, I have my recording bag so.

00:43:36.150 –> 00:43:37.320 Dale Stewart: We can show you that.

00:43:37.620 –> 00:43:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Right alright, so we come back we’ll finish up talking about some of your favorite places that are unique in the mountains, to go do some sound recordings.

00:43:46.620 –> 00:43:47.040 Dale Stewart: All right.

00:46:05.340 –> 00:46:12.900 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and I guess Dale Stewart and Dale.

00:46:14.310 –> 00:46:23.820 Joseph McElroy: You were talking about sounds were beside the fireflies where there are some unique sounds in the smokies wilderness to have adventures.

00:46:24.720 –> 00:46:28.620 Dale Stewart: Well, you know kind of bend a while I’m looking to record, or what I’m looking for.

00:46:30.360 –> 00:46:50.280 Dale Stewart: For us, this is gators cicada bugs are out now and are coming out after 17 years and that’s something that I absolutely want to on a record, so I seek out locations that might have a specific sound that I’m I’m wanting to to to go after the record.

00:46:51.300 –> 00:46:55.050 Dale Stewart: Of course, I have hours and hours of waterfalls and water sounds and.

00:46:55.110 –> 00:47:06.870 Dale Stewart: and different things, but I’m going over it, and the color boundary and Cherokee and recording the elk sounds you know the bugle of the elk a lot of people don’t realize it doesn’t live here, but we have a.

00:47:07.260 –> 00:47:14.430 Dale Stewart: fairly large jail Kurt now establish in particularly around Cherokee and then and Maggie valley there’s some of the.

00:47:15.000 –> 00:47:26.040 Dale Stewart: TIM to move into that area but they’re out of there, so I love to go there and record them I enjoy going on top of mountains, as we said, you talked about mount nature on some of the others because you get a.

00:47:26.550 –> 00:47:34.500 Dale Stewart: Not only a different environment but a different sound up there it’s a great place to go record, we also love to go in caves.

00:47:35.130 –> 00:47:43.230 Dale Stewart: And there are a number of caves scattered around Western North Carolina that I can go in and record everything from BAP sounds to

00:47:43.740 –> 00:47:53.760 Dale Stewart: The other critters that I might locate in there, so it really almost any place you go, including your backyard, you can get some great sounds.

00:47:54.480 –> 00:48:01.590 Dale Stewart: often have people ask me about gosh I wish I had all that fancy equipment, you have but look if you got if you’ve got a smartphone.

00:48:02.100 –> 00:48:09.810 Dale Stewart: you’ve got a pretty good tool to record with and it’s a great way just to start and it’s a great way I tell hikers.

00:48:10.500 –> 00:48:16.680 Dale Stewart: You know when you’re out there, taking pictures turn on a smartphone and record the same environment that you took the picture in.

00:48:16.950 –> 00:48:24.480 Dale Stewart: And when you get back not only look at the photograph but listen to the sounds that were going on around you at that time so it’s.

00:48:25.110 –> 00:48:38.700 Dale Stewart: something that did you can do almost anywhere to do that, I will say, one of the things that also got me into the sound recording I’ve been called an ethnologist just quite a bit and it’s a title that I.

00:48:39.750 –> 00:48:49.230 Dale Stewart: Take take on and ethnologist studies, different cultures, and societies, and I was mentioning other when I’m recording.

00:48:50.160 –> 00:48:57.480 Dale Stewart: an interview with someone from a specific culture, I also want to get the sounds of that culture if I’m recording in.

00:48:57.780 –> 00:49:06.120 Dale Stewart: South Louisiana shrimp boat I’ve got microphone set up so I can hear the sound of the boat, I want to hear the sound of that clicking sound at the front make.

00:49:06.450 –> 00:49:20.760 Dale Stewart: I want to hear the people on the boat is a is they do their thing at the same time I’m talking to a cajun shrimper about his life and about his culture so the sound is an important thing.

00:49:21.420 –> 00:49:31.020 Joseph McElroy: Where do you do, you have do you have any places that people can hear your sounds is there any is there anything online or their album or something like that.

00:49:31.650 –> 00:49:40.560 Dale Stewart: Well, not too much, I mean I do post sounds from time to time on my social media pages and I’m all you know the facebook’s the Twitter the.

00:49:40.890 –> 00:49:59.280 Dale Stewart: Instagram the Linkedin all that so from time to time I post things on there, I will say this because I get asked more and more and more about them, we are developing a new website, which hopefully will be up in the next 30 days and people will be able to go there and actually download.

00:50:00.540 –> 00:50:08.760 Dale Stewart: Some of the sounds that I have out there, and also, if they want to purchase them they’ll be able to purchase from the library there as well.

00:50:09.180 –> 00:50:19.860 Joseph McElroy: wow why invite you to have we can have an exhibitor a Smoky mountain Heritage Center where we can have some earphones and people can put it on here some of those sounds a.

00:50:20.850 –> 00:50:24.810 Dale Stewart: Little yeah you need to hit you really need headphones to listen to the immersive stuff.

00:50:24.900 –> 00:50:39.420 Dale Stewart: yeah and but otherwise you really don’t and I, you know I invite people to go out there and you know listen I think people forget to listen unless they’re listening to somebody talk on their iPad or their iPhone or something.

00:50:40.890 –> 00:50:52.380 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve worked on a lot of stuff all right you’ve got an A to z podcast you got a radio you’ve been working you’ve worked on documentary films, who works with country artists on their songs or whatever the sounds on their songs and.

00:50:52.380 –> 00:50:57.060 Joseph McElroy: Recording, can you tell us what’s going on, currently, and what you have planned for the future.

00:50:57.630 –> 00:51:05.910 Dale Stewart: Absolutely, one of the exciting things that I’m working on right now I mentioned earlier Horrace Kephart who a lot of people in Western North Carolina certainly know.

00:51:06.420 –> 00:51:18.600 Dale Stewart: One of the fathers of the great smoky mountains and an author, who has written many books, but he has his children were also quite remarkable and one of them Leonard Kephart

00:51:19.620 –> 00:51:34.230 Dale Stewart: was the first American to climb Kilimanjaro in East Africa and Leonard was sent over there actually by the Department US Department of Agriculture to look for seeds and grasses that could be used in the United States and.

00:51:35.610 –> 00:51:40.530 Dale Stewart: I felt that this was a story that needed to be told and I’m friends with Libby get part who.

00:51:41.610 –> 00:51:46.590 Dale Stewart: Leonard is are on call and Horrace’s great grandfather and being able to.

00:51:48.150 –> 00:51:55.080 Dale Stewart: Libby I started talking and I found out he found the journals of Leonard.

00:51:56.190 –> 00:52:04.770 Dale Stewart: And was kind enough to share those with man, I said, this is a story that needs to be tail cold and I love telling stories about people who.

00:52:05.610 –> 00:52:14.460 Dale Stewart: really have kind of been lost to history and let it get part is one of those people if you ask most people who were the first American to climb Kilimanjaro they wouldn’t have a clue.

00:52:14.820 –> 00:52:15.000 What.

00:52:17.220 –> 00:52:25.260 Dale Stewart: we’re working on that and that will be that should be finished by late summer early fall and I’m looking forward to getting it out there and.

00:52:25.590 –> 00:52:35.730 Dale Stewart: you’re it’s a different kind of documentary because it’s purely an auto documentary but we’re life we’re utilizing immersive sounds of East Africa.

00:52:35.760 –> 00:52:36.750 In that documentary.

00:52:38.340 –> 00:52:39.570 Dale Stewart: has ever been done before.

00:52:40.290 –> 00:52:46.680 Joseph McElroy: Well, that sounds fantastic I mean I’ve gotten big into audible lately so I’m looking forward to

00:52:47.880 –> 00:52:53.430 Joseph McElroy: hear that that’s great so and you’re going to finish that Cherokee trails book right.

00:52:54.720 –> 00:52:59.610 Dale Stewart: yeah that’s one of the things that you know what I’m doing here I’m also involved with doing some.

00:52:59.610 –> 00:53:15.480 Dale Stewart: things for the Smithsonian folkways with recording different cultures and different things and right behind finished novel Leonard I’ve already got two or three other projects that I’ve been asked to do and I’m also doing sound on a new.

00:53:17.070 –> 00:53:22.590 Dale Stewart: Teddy Roosevelt documentary that that’ll be coming out probably late next year.

00:53:23.610 –> 00:53:34.260 Dale Stewart: And a lot of the sounds of his expeditions at Africa and South America they’re using me to put those together for them.

00:53:35.130 –> 00:53:38.460 Joseph McElroy: So how do people reach out to follow you.

00:53:39.600 –> 00:53:42.360 Dale Stewart: Well, again, the Facebook.

00:53:43.590 –> 00:54:01.050 Dale Stewart: Page you know if you go to Dale Stewart also you can go in and type in nature’s edge, you can also go to if you really want to know a lot about me go to Google and type in my name Dale Stewart and put explore afterward and you’ll probably learn more about me than you ever wonder, no.

00:54:01.440 –> 00:54:08.700 Joseph McElroy: fabulous well Thank you so much, I understand you might be speaking at the Meadowlark Smoky Heritage Center later this year so.

00:54:08.790 –> 00:54:10.380 Joseph McElroy: A couple of you hear that that sounds.

00:54:10.590 –> 00:54:20.880 Joseph McElroy: Great and I appreciate you for being on the show now, I have to do my get night my shout-outs now, this is the awkward moment where I have to talk about things.

00:54:22.110 –> 00:54:31.590 Joseph McElroy: But you can get to find out more about this podcast at the gatewaytothesmokies. fun and you can subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on upcoming episodes.

00:54:32.910 –> 00:54:43.050 Joseph McElroy: I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, it modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:54:43.500 –> 00:54:51.840 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire at neat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:54:52.200 –> 00:55:05.730 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place for the old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:55:07.050 –> 00:55:13.140 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventure.com and smokies plural adventure singular.com.

00:55:13.620 –> 00:55:26.130 Joseph McElroy: infinite information and listings about the smokies it’s got hiking wedding venues books trail maps resources to experience the smokies, the emphasis is on outdoor recreation.

00:55:26.520 –> 00:55:41.910 Joseph McElroy: outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more is the goal of this site is to become the leading information on a portal on the smoky mountains.

00:55:43.980 –> 00:55:57.090 Joseph McElroy: I remind you that next week, we are going to have Lisa McBride owner of NYC farm to table and online local mark food market manager Jackson.

00:55:57.360 –> 00:56:11.040 Joseph McElroy: county farmers market and founder of from the ground up a local food collaborative and Silva calorie that should be a very interesting discussion on the farm to table food in the mountains of North Carolina smoky mountains area.

00:56:12.990 –> 00:56:20.160 Joseph McElroy: You could catch this podcast always I forgot to mention on Facebook.coms/ gatewaytothesmokiespodcast where you can see the zoom feed live.

00:56:20.430 –> 00:56:31.230 Joseph McElroy: Every week on Tuesdays from six to seven and I remind you that we’re on the talkradio.NYC network, where you can see lots of great podcasts.

00:56:31.860 –> 00:56:48.930 Joseph McElroy: Every day, live the one after this is about New York, so you can go from the mountains of North Carolina to the urban landscapes of New York City and find out about the history and culture here, so thank you for joining me see you next week on the gateway to the smokies podcast.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/388683609083908/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/189637452_388716262413976_1752742526165089922_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=1jZpPUg06rUAX8KbZRu&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63014EDA&oh=00_AT8czE7hQFq6qT1ieqgszo5uCVbsAJZ0Jvm6peW5-Jgk9w&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>In this episode, our special guest is<strong> Dale Stewart</strong>, Award-winning media host, solo explorer, naturalist, ethnologist, author, and natural sound recorder, he has lived and learned from indigenous tribes on six continents while establishing his stellar reputation as one of the foremost solo explorers in the world today. Stewart is the host of a radio show – <strong><em>Nature’s Edge</em></strong> – and has been featured on numerous national television shows on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet.</p><p>Stewart has crossed the Bering Strait in a kayak, traversed the Amazon River in a canoe, and retraced the infamous Cherokee Trail of Tears by kayak—a 60-day, 1,300-mile trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Fort Gibson Oklahoma.</p><p><br></p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/5TmA0uL-4h/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Introduces today’s topic: the sights &amp; sounds of the wilderness and today’s special guest: Dale Stewart. Stewart explains how he came to learn to love and embrace new cultures and people on his trips across the world and how amazing and unique each location he has visited is. Each place has become a memorable trip and the reason why is more often than not, the hospitality of the people. This conversation leads to Stewart’s Cherokee Trail of Tears trip by kayak, which sparked a lot of interest from the public.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, the conversation about the Cherokee and the Trail of Tears continues. There is a story that is different from what is taught in schools during the removal of many native tribes. Cherokees had a bit of a unique experience with their removal and the Trail of Tears that Stewart goes into during this conversation. The conversation shifts to Stewart’s favorite Smoky Mountains trips, where he plans to travel next, and his recommendations for great hiking trails.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Introduces the topic of sounds of the wilderness. Stewart talks about how sound can be used to see in the wild and talks more about soundscaping. With his audio documentaries, he found himself to be able to immerse others into these stories with his audio recordings of where he’s been, as he does with his works with channels, such as the Discovery Channel.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Stewart talks about what he looks for when recording audio in the wilderness. Stewart talks about where to find more information on his current and future projects that people can look forward to.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>TRANSCRIPT</h3><p>00:00:32.730 –&gt; 00:00:33.330 Joseph McElroy: hey.</p><p>00:00:33.540 –&gt; 00:00:36.330 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of</p><p>00:00:36.360 –&gt; 00:00:45.660 Joseph McElroy: gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park, and the surrounding area.</p><p>00:00:46.290 –&gt; 00:00:54.780 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:55.140 –&gt; 00:01:06.930 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains and my family’s lived in great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:07.740 –&gt; 00:01:13.380 Joseph McElroy: And today’s episode we’re going to learn about the sites and, more importantly, about the sounds of the wilderness.</p><p>00:01:14.280 –&gt; 00:01:23.640 Joseph McElroy: But first we’ll give you a little bit of news, more than 6 million people have witnessed the heart-wrenching action soaring triumph of unto these hills.</p><p>00:01:23.940 –&gt; 00:01:30.450 Joseph McElroy: For over 70 years and, after being canceled in 2020 the legacy lives on in 2021.</p><p>00:01:30.960 –&gt; 00:01:41.550 Joseph McElroy: The iconic dread drama stage in a large outdoor amphitheater debuted for the season over memorable Memorial Day weekend and we’ll run through August 14.</p><p>00:01:42.120 –&gt; 00:01:48.960 Joseph McElroy: This show in Cherokee chronicles the tales of Cherokee from 1782 to the 21st century.</p><p>00:01:49.350 –&gt; 00:02:00.270 Joseph McElroy: The show includes action film fight scenes reenactments of cultural events historical events grief of Cherokee removal and resilience of the Cherokee people and culture.</p><p>00:02:00.780 –&gt; 00:02:07.500 Joseph McElroy: shows run every night except Sundays and Mondays on Saturdays you can find out more visit CherokeeNC.com.</p><p>00:02:08.250 –&gt; 00:02:21.570 Joseph McElroy: Also, promoting a couple of events at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley there’s going to be on July 7 or eighth there’s gonna be a PlottFest reunion weekend where they’re going to talk about the Plott how which is the same dog of North Carolina.</p><p>00:02:22.200 –&gt; 00:02:30.390 Joseph McElroy: And plans to get a festival started and it’s going to include all sorts of celebrities and historians like Bob Plott who’s.</p><p>00:02:30.870 –&gt; 00:02:39.360 Joseph McElroy: You know acclaimed historian of the Plott hound and you’re gonna see family guns and accouterments and hunting displays and pedigree displays.</p><p>00:02:39.960 –&gt; 00:02:44.940 Joseph McElroy: mechanical bear baby bear bait DEMO you have a meet and greet you have food.</p><p>00:02:45.240 –&gt; 00:02:54.750 Joseph McElroy: is going to be a wonderful time so come and see the show come to experience the event, there can be raffle items donated by Gary Bady have GT hunting supplies.</p><p>00:02:55.020 –&gt; 00:03:01.980 Joseph McElroy: A book signing with Bob Plott and Jacob Block and there are old-time haunting tunes and balance with William Ritter.</p><p>00:03:02.430 –&gt; 00:03:07.800 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s a fire and a pavilion and bonfires and all sorts of fun things to do.</p><p>00:03:08.250 –&gt; 00:03:15.480 Joseph McElroy: That, on July 17 Darren Nicholson of Balsam range fame is going to have a bluegrass band camp and concert.</p><p>00:03:15.960 –&gt; 00:03:26.010 Joseph McElroy: On Saturday, July 17 and it’s going to be a band workshop with the dead air and Nicholson ADI play lock Eric Ellis and Read Jones there’ll be songwriting.</p><p>00:03:26.520 –&gt; 00:03:43.980 Joseph McElroy: workshop with Darren and his friends there’s going to be instrumental workshops, with the Read and mainland base with reading mandolin with their and banjo with Eric and guitar dog maybe an all-star content concert that night, so what you can get separate tickets to.</p><p>00:03:45.870 –&gt; 00:03:56.430 Joseph McElroy: So, today I have an award-winning media host, solo explorer, naturalist, Ethnologist, Author, and Natural Sound Recorder Dale Stewart.</p><p>00:03:56.790 –&gt; 00:04:08.070 Joseph McElroy: Who has lived and learned from indigenous tribes on six continents, while establishing his stellar reputation as one of the top solo explorers in the world today how you doing Dale.</p><p>00:04:08.520 –&gt; 00:04:10.170 Dale Stewart: I’m great Joseph how are you, my friend.</p><p>00:04:10.470 –&gt; 00:04:15.270 Joseph McElroy: Fine, fine the weather cleared up down to Maggie I mean down in the Asheville area.</p><p>00:04:15.660 –&gt; 00:04:16.170 Dale Stewart: It has.</p><p>00:04:16.470 –&gt; 00:04:27.330 Joseph McElroy: yeah good, so I understand and I did a little research you started your career as a firefighter and commercial diver but now you’re an accomplished scientist and media personality, with a.</p><p>00:04:27.600 –&gt; 00:04:40.980 Joseph McElroy: Radio show called nature’s edge and a host of features on national TV like the animal planet and history channel discovery channel so tell me how did that amazing journey happen well.</p><p>00:04:41.010 –&gt; 00:04:50.280 Dale Stewart: You know I grew up in Louisiana South Louisiana and Central Louisiana and kind of grew up as an outdoors person I mean my whole family.</p><p>00:04:51.090 –&gt; 00:05:00.630 Dale Stewart: love the outdoors and we spent a great deal of time there, and so we just sort of an evolution, I was one of those guys that never really wanted to.</p><p>00:05:01.410 –&gt; 00:05:19.620 Dale Stewart: To have a real job I guess that you know sitting behind a desk I could never visualize myself for when that eight to five rolled so it did you sort of morphed into me seeking to go other places and learn how other people lived and about their culture.</p><p>00:05:20.610 –&gt; 00:05:26.880 Joseph McElroy: I find an inquisitive mind seems to be a necessary part of what you do so.</p><p>00:05:28.500 –&gt; 00:05:41.520 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve led this incredible life and they’re still going strong and you always seem to be looking for new challenges and you’ve crossed the Bering strait and I think kayak and you traverse the Amazon river that canoe.</p><p>00:05:41.790 –&gt; 00:05:45.450 Joseph McElroy: So are those your favorite solo trips are there, others.</p><p>00:05:46.110 –&gt; 00:05:59.520 Dale Stewart: You know I really and I get asked this question a lot, you know about picking a favorite and I, you know I really don’t have a favorite you know I’ve been to some amazing places and every place that I’ve gone to.</p><p>00:06:00.240 –&gt; 00:06:10.230 Dale Stewart: I selected for a specific reason, whether it was you know the environment, whether it was the culture of the people that were there, whether it was the wildlife that was there, so.</p><p>00:06:10.590 –&gt; 00:06:22.020 Dale Stewart: Every place I’ve gone has had a uniqueness to it that I find exhilarating and as a solo explore, I mean one of the reasons I think anyone gets into exploration is.</p><p>00:06:22.470 –&gt; 00:06:36.210 Dale Stewart: is to gain knowledge and to learn, and then the two I think it’s also important to come back and share that knowledge so picking one spot would be extremely difficult because they all have their uniqueness about them.</p><p>00:06:36.930 –&gt; 00:06:37.740 Joseph McElroy: Well, is.</p><p>00:06:38.820 –&gt; 00:06:42.000 Joseph McElroy: You know I am a travel marketer right.</p><p>00:06:42.180 –&gt; 00:06:47.160 Joseph McElroy: And yeah and I did research into what people you know what makes travel.</p><p>00:06:47.730 –&gt; 00:06:53.850 Joseph McElroy: You know what will get people to do to revisit things like that and go back to something else and it’s.</p><p>00:06:54.180 –&gt; 00:07:12.540 Joseph McElroy: And it’s there’s a concept called memorable travel and tourism experiences that in academia they’ve invented but I’ve sort of taken it and made it into the practical approach and but basically there’s that there’s you have experiences that become flashbulb memories in your head right.</p><p>00:07:12.930 –&gt; 00:07:22.110 Joseph McElroy: yeah that you just remember vividly and it’s really if you experience some several one at one or two or three of several emotions like.</p><p>00:07:22.410 –&gt; 00:07:34.770 Joseph McElroy: You know you got to have the immersion into a local culture yeah and that that sort of feeling of belonging or new knowledge that you got her hedonism you know, food and drink or.</p><p>00:07:35.100 –&gt; 00:07:47.070 Joseph McElroy: or refreshment like a feeling of so what would make what makes him a solo exploring trip very memorable that you have these flashbulb memories and do you have any that you can mention.</p><p>00:07:48.270 –&gt; 00:07:51.030 Dale Stewart: Well sure I mean, I have a lot of them and.</p><p>00:07:52.830 –&gt; 00:08:00.120 Dale Stewart: because every time I do an expedition whether it’s solo or whether I’m just traveling.</p><p>00:08:00.930 –&gt; 00:08:12.420 Dale Stewart: You know there, there are always things that I’m looking forward to trying together, I think you know, one of the things about traveling around the world that I’ve been fortunate to do that, that probably made the largest impression on me.</p><p>00:08:13.620 –&gt; 00:08:15.150 Dale Stewart: Was the hospitality of the people.</p><p>00:08:16.800 –&gt; 00:08:18.870 Dale Stewart: Whether it was a hospitality of the people.</p><p>00:08:20.250 –&gt; 00:08:30.960 Dale Stewart: In a remote tribal village in the Amazon, or whether it was the hospitality of other people in a larger city that the way people treat one another.</p><p>00:08:32.910 –&gt; 00:08:50.820 Dale Stewart: One on one to me has always been one of the things that sort of stood out for me and then, of course, you know the, you have the scenery and and and the sounds and learning to use your other senses and everything else that makes each individual place unique with Anton right.</p><p>00:08:51.720 –&gt; 00:08:56.850 Joseph McElroy: You know is that it, you know isn’t that interesting it’s like you go to these faraway places.</p><p>00:08:57.450 –&gt; 00:09:07.980 Joseph McElroy: And you know, to see a giant mountain or long river or some animal or something like that you know, but then you come away with a deep memory of the people.</p><p>00:09:08.430 –&gt; 00:09:18.060 Joseph McElroy: Right and the interactions with the local culture and that really is what sets these trips apart yeah and a lot of ways, you know, in that, in that, like.</p><p>00:09:18.960 –&gt; 00:09:32.010 Joseph McElroy: Traditionally, what do you live in the by you, but we’re talking about the smoky mountains you’re living in really strong cultural traditions in that white people come back and a lot of ways to those cultures to go visit.</p><p>00:09:32.910 –&gt; 00:09:43.440 Dale Stewart: Well, I think, so you know growing up in Louisiana certainly I was surrounded by a lot of different various cultures, you know from the Korean culture to the cajun call her the home, I Indian culture.</p><p>00:09:44.850 –&gt; 00:10:00.150 Dale Stewart: And, and the various unique cultures, and I think that was really one of the things that made me want to get out there and see what the rest of the world was like and look and really study these other cultures and and and try to learn as much as I could about them.</p><p>00:10:00.750 –&gt; 00:10:08.730 Joseph McElroy: You know I am I’m married my wife, you know and in 2017 I met her in 2014 and.</p><p>00:10:09.120 –&gt; 00:10:21.870 Joseph McElroy: You know, one of the things that sealed the deal with me is she actually took me to Trinidad’s earlier relationship and I got to experience actually doing their version of mardi gras was called playing master you know.</p><p>00:10:23.130 –&gt; 00:10:34.770 Joseph McElroy: carnival and it was just such a deep enriching experience I just love being part of that family experience, I think that she sent me up the way.</p><p>00:10:36.720 –&gt; 00:10:48.900 Dale Stewart: You know it’s like a drink like and you mentioned this and travel, I mean every time I speak to someone that that’s been to a location, particularly out of the United States, they always say Max I can’t wait to go back there.</p><p>00:10:49.860 –&gt; 00:11:06.570 Dale Stewart: So it does you know, and I think at heart we’re all explorers and we all like to do that, you know when I leave a place I’m looking for that next adventure that next location, but I find that most people want to go back to where they just returned from for one reason or not.</p><p>00:11:07.140 –&gt; 00:11:13.590 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah yeah the marketing industry in the hospitality industry to talents on that, frankly.</p><p>00:11:13.950 –&gt; 00:11:25.260 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s called revisit intention and brand loyalty and all that sort of stuff and we essentially business couldn’t really survive if you didn’t have that so you know, the vast majority of people.</p><p>00:11:25.620 –&gt; 00:11:41.070 Joseph McElroy: You know our love to go back to the comfort of what they know because they have that that warm memory, but there are others yeah I’m a big you know I love to go exploring as well, I do it in different ways, you know I’m not the adventure that you are.</p><p>00:11:42.540 –&gt; 00:11:51.930 Joseph McElroy: But I understand the drive of it, you know I come up more of an outdoorsman I probably wouldn’t be the following a path similar to yours.</p><p>00:11:52.920 –&gt; 00:11:59.790 Dale Stewart: You know, you can explore anywhere, you can explore your own backyard or in your own community you live in.</p><p>00:11:59.820 –&gt; 00:12:01.710 Dale Stewart: So there’s always a villain.</p><p>00:12:02.100 –&gt; 00:12:04.560 Joseph McElroy: I like to explore the big cities, I.</p><p>00:12:04.560 –&gt; 00:12:12.060 Joseph McElroy: Like or other culture and the depths of it and that sort of stuff but I love I also love to go to a small town too I love.</p><p>00:12:12.510 –&gt; 00:12:19.290 Joseph McElroy: Where people congregate and commerce and living and understand the pathways that are happening there.</p><p>00:12:19.920 –&gt; 00:12:29.490 Joseph McElroy: But anyway, let’s back to the smokies because I do that’s where my heritage and what I grew up with, and you know, being a self-centered guy that it is I got to celebrate the culture that produces me.</p><p>00:12:33.180 –&gt; 00:12:37.470 Joseph McElroy: So let me hear they’re the smokies you know people are very.</p><p>00:12:38.520 –&gt; 00:12:43.590 Joseph McElroy: I mean I’ve seen some articles that people are very intrigued by your chair key trail of tears trip.</p><p>00:12:44.280 –&gt; 00:12:56.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah you retrace the infamous tale of two years by kayak a 60 day 1300 mile trip from Chattanooga to Fort gifts in Oklahoma, can you tell us a little bit about how it came about.</p><p>00:12:57.390 –&gt; 00:13:06.870 Dale Stewart: Well, absolutely you know, I was looking for something to do here in the United States, most of my explanations had been overseas, or in other locales.</p><p>00:13:08.220 –&gt; 00:13:13.530 Dale Stewart: Although I had paddled some of the major rivers here in the United States, like the Mississippi in Missouri and then oh wow.</p><p>00:13:14.040 –&gt; 00:13:27.840 Dale Stewart: And so I was looking around and I had a lot of good friends over in Cherokee with each and bear the Cherokee Indian and also because I’m somewhat of a historian was aware that 170 fifth anniversary of the trail of tears was coming up.</p><p>00:13:28.950 –&gt; 00:13:39.600 Dale Stewart: Back in 2012 and when I did this, and so I began to look around and decided was over talking to some of the elders in Cherokee.</p><p>00:13:40.050 –&gt; 00:13:45.900 Dale Stewart: And they asked me about the water route they knew I paddled and they said, what do you know about the water route and I said nothing.</p><p>00:13:46.500 –&gt; 00:13:51.510 Dale Stewart: I didn’t even know, there was a water route at that time and I found that most people did not know that.</p><p>00:13:51.840 –&gt; 00:13:57.720 Dale Stewart: So I started looking around and decided hey you know, this is something that I need to do both to bring attention.</p><p>00:13:58.110 –&gt; 00:14:04.980 Dale Stewart: To the trail of tears and something and to bring attention to the fact that there was a water route and.</p><p>00:14:05.520 –&gt; 00:14:16.740 Dale Stewart: What many people don’t know the trail of tears also as you’re probably aware of not only include the Cherokee but also the Chickasaw the chalk call the creek and the Seminole the FAB.</p><p>00:14:17.070 –&gt; 00:14:18.570 Joseph McElroy: Five civilized tribes.</p><p>00:14:19.320 –&gt; 00:14:22.140 Dale Stewart: All of them were removed by water at some point.</p><p>00:14:22.200 –&gt; 00:14:32.190 Dale Stewart: Some portion of them a seminar will remove one simple water, so I decided to retrace the water route and started in Chattanooga on the Tennessee River.</p><p>00:14:32.580 –&gt; 00:14:41.700 Dale Stewart: paddled it up to Ohio and then turn left on the Ohio river to the Mississippian turn South on Mississippi to the Arkansas Reverend and paddle the Arkansas river Oklahoma.</p><p>00:14:42.150 –&gt; 00:14:47.850 Joseph McElroy: wow well when we come back, I want to talk a little bit more about that and then find out some of the other ventures that you’ve had.</p><p>00:14:48.270 –&gt; 00:14:48.990 Absolutely.</p><p>00:16:48.390 –&gt; 00:16:49.710 educating our.</p><p>00:17:21.750 –&gt; 00:17:29.160 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Dale Stewart.</p><p>00:17:29.490 –&gt; 00:17:39.390 Joseph McElroy: So Dale I was researching around reading a little bit about you and so on interviewing you did in the sylvan have a newspaper about the about your chair key trip.</p><p>00:17:39.900 –&gt; 00:17:48.480 Joseph McElroy: And you said, one can say the Cherokee nation is one of the most successful nations or tracks or tribes around and I don’t mean in the casino business, what did you mean.</p><p>00:17:49.530 –&gt; 00:17:51.060 Dale Stewart: Well, they have a.</p><p>00:17:52.080 –&gt; 00:17:53.670 Dale Stewart: Not only a great culture.</p><p>00:17:54.960 –&gt; 00:17:59.670 Dale Stewart: But they’re survivors, I mean you know a lot of most of the.</p><p>00:18:00.720 –&gt; 00:18:09.120 Dale Stewart: Indian nation chip van their growth drivers, I mean if you look at what they went through with the what’s around a product of the trail of tears.</p><p>00:18:09.600 –&gt; 00:18:17.670 Dale Stewart: And you look at the division, if you will, of the Cherokee, of course, you have the Cherokee Eastern bound the Cherokee.</p><p>00:18:17.970 –&gt; 00:18:28.230 Dale Stewart: located in western North Carolina on the quad boundary he has a Cherokee nation now, which is in Tahlequah Oklahoma and then you have the Dubai on a tear key, which is also headquartered toe.</p><p>00:18:28.590 –&gt; 00:18:38.460 Dale Stewart: And so, even though they’ve had a separation of in many ways they’re still very successful as a tribe in.</p><p>00:18:39.060 –&gt; 00:18:53.820 Dale Stewart: In everything they do yeah not just a casino but in other endeavors that they have done and keeping their language alive and continuing to keep their culture and just the way they celebrate their lifestyle.</p><p>00:18:54.540 –&gt; 00:19:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Well, I read and I read it, you were talking about how this water voyage was the when they did it, they were surprising organized about it right or unexpected not from maybe at the time, but from our perception of what the trail of tears is.</p><p>00:19:12.630 –&gt; 00:19:22.350 Dale Stewart: yeah you know, one of the things that the Cherokee were actually one of the last tribes removed if not the Left rob removed a lot of that had to do with their they had good.</p><p>00:19:23.850 –&gt; 00:19:36.990 Dale Stewart: Political insight and Washington DC and were able to through a number of legal maneuvers and other things we’re able to kind of delay the inevitable which, which was the removal.</p><p>00:19:38.250 –&gt; 00:19:46.620 Dale Stewart: But one of the things I negotiated where they actually were able to organize and do a lot of the removal themselves.</p><p>00:19:47.790 –&gt; 00:20:00.060 Dale Stewart: Were yes, I had they still had military escorts and such but, for the most part, they were able to to do it themselves, and even the even on the water route.</p><p>00:20:00.780 –&gt; 00:20:09.540 Dale Stewart: You have to understand that early on all of the tribes, the Federal Government really wanted to remove all the crowd by water they thought it would be faster quicker and easier.</p><p>00:20:10.470 –&gt; 00:20:21.600 Dale Stewart: found out that it was not the case, it might have been quicker, but it was certainly the rivers were certainly not what they are today and they pretty much just packed them on barges.</p><p>00:20:23.070 –&gt; 00:20:41.400 Dale Stewart: shoulder to shoulder, and in the heat and you know dysentery and other diseases became very commonplace on that and I know when I paddle in the water route, the summer that I found it in 2012 I paddled, for I think it was 20 something days with a temperature in excess of 100 degrees.</p><p>00:20:41.490 –&gt; 00:20:42.090 Joseph McElroy: or your.</p><p>00:20:43.530 –&gt; 00:20:51.450 Dale Stewart: manager imagine what you know, and I had pretty sophisticated gear with me, so I could just imagine what.</p><p>00:20:52.650 –&gt; 00:20:57.450 Dale Stewart: The these the removal Indians had to suffer just being packed.</p><p>00:20:58.470 –&gt; 00:21:02.910 Dale Stewart: like sardines on a barge of some kind.</p><p>00:21:03.570 –&gt; 00:21:08.400 Joseph McElroy: You know I complain about having to walk to the coffee shop on a 100-degree day in New York City.</p><p>00:21:11.370 –&gt; 00:21:17.430 Joseph McElroy: So I heard, there was a documentary and a book about that trip that you were working on is that we have become available.</p><p>00:21:17.940 –&gt; 00:21:21.780 Dale Stewart: Well, not yeah and you know, and I get asked that question a lot.</p><p>00:21:22.830 –&gt; 00:21:25.500 Dale Stewart: The book is probably 98% finished.</p><p>00:21:26.940 –&gt; 00:21:29.280 Dale Stewart: What happens is life gets in the way.</p><p>00:21:29.430 –&gt; 00:21:31.230 Joseph McElroy: Oh, always always always.</p><p>00:21:31.740 –&gt; 00:21:41.610 Dale Stewart: Things and so it’s just a matter of me finding a little opportunity to finish the book up and get it out there which I want to do, I mean.</p><p>00:21:42.810 –&gt; 00:21:52.950 Dale Stewart: As I said, I’m a big believer in sharing knowledge and what we found out and I’ve been very lucky, I still to this day, get asked to speak, a lot about the trail of tears and.</p><p>00:21:53.550 –&gt; 00:22:01.080 Dale Stewart: about other things and people always asked me the other question are you Cherokee or do you have it, no I’m Scottish I’m pretty much.</p><p>00:22:02.340 –&gt; 00:22:03.810 Dale Stewart: As far as I know, have had.</p><p>00:22:05.010 –&gt; 00:22:07.860 Dale Stewart: No Indian heritage in my background.</p><p>00:22:09.150 –&gt; 00:22:19.080 Dale Stewart: But having said that, I always think it’s important to share this kind of historical event so that we don’t repeat them, and so that we don’t forget about them.</p><p>00:22:19.170 –&gt; 00:22:22.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah are these as well, I really admired you for doing that.</p><p>00:22:24.390 –&gt; 00:22:30.720 Joseph McElroy: So you have literally explored and live for weeks and months, at a time on six continents.</p><p>00:22:31.140 –&gt; 00:22:37.860 Joseph McElroy: yeah very interesting days at a time and 100-degree temperature and swapping waters let’s not mention that.</p><p>00:22:39.180 –&gt; 00:22:53.430 Joseph McElroy: So you have experienced some of the most amazing places in the world, it could live anywhere, you wish that you chose the national and made it your own for years, what makes Asheville the surrounding region so special, why did you choose to make your hope there.</p><p>00:22:55.110 –&gt; 00:23:00.060 Dale Stewart: The smoky mountains, the miles, and miles of hiking trails the</p><p>00:23:01.170 –&gt; 00:23:04.560 Dale Stewart: placid lakes, the streams of water, the whitewater.</p><p>00:23:06.060 –&gt; 00:23:22.740 Dale Stewart: pretty much anything that I want to do I’ve got and we have available to us here in Western North Carolina as well as a lot of people may not know or forgot the highest mountains on the eastern coast of the United States are located in western North Carolina.</p><p>00:23:24.240 –&gt; 00:23:25.740 Joseph McElroy: mount Mitchell right now.</p><p>00:23:26.640 –&gt; 00:23:28.830 Dale Stewart: I’m Michel is the tallest we have other mountains.</p><p>00:23:29.130 –&gt; 00:23:29.640 Dale Stewart: You know there.</p><p>00:23:29.970 –&gt; 00:23:31.500 Dale Stewart: Are thousand feet and so.</p><p>00:23:33.090 –&gt; 00:23:35.190 Dale Stewart: You know I I love those mountains.</p><p>00:23:35.850 –&gt; 00:23:40.230 Joseph McElroy: I do, too, I like skyscrapers on the top of mountains and.</p><p>00:23:41.880 –&gt; 00:23:42.270 Dale Stewart: I like.</p><p>00:23:42.420 –&gt; 00:23:44.070 Joseph McElroy: To view yeah.</p><p>00:23:45.120 –&gt; 00:23:50.160 Dale Stewart: Like climbing up on the top of a mountain tonight and being up there when the sun comes up.</p><p>00:23:50.550 –&gt; 00:24:01.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah I was a kid my brother and I used to go to the top of the property where we lived and had a great view to build ourselves for it up there, we go sleep but there’s just the way go.</p><p>00:24:02.640 –&gt; 00:24:02.880 yeah.</p><p>00:24:04.110 –&gt; 00:24:11.130 Dale Stewart: Haywood county has some of the best hiking trails and Western North Carolina around the valley and areas that you’re very familiar with.</p><p>00:24:11.310 –&gt; 00:24:14.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah they’re great they’re all there are dependence trails.</p><p>00:24:14.520 –&gt; 00:24:18.810 Joseph McElroy: Absolutely know what are your favorites, what is your favorite smoky mountain adventure.</p><p>00:24:19.980 –&gt; 00:24:20.790 Dale Stewart: Oh, goodness.</p><p>00:24:22.680 –&gt; 00:24:26.070 Dale Stewart: You know, again it’s kind of like asking me worth my favorite place.</p><p>00:24:27.300 –&gt; 00:24:41.640 Dale Stewart: name and I, you know I wake up on any given morning and I kind of decide if, when I want to get outside where I want to go hiking or what I want to grab one of my books and go paddle or are do I want to combine the two which I, which I often do.</p><p>00:24:42.270 –&gt; 00:24:42.870 Dale Stewart: But I.</p><p>00:24:43.290 –&gt; 00:24:54.180 Dale Stewart: You know, again I’m still exploring these mountains I’ve lived here now for nearly 20 years and they are still many places that I have yet to try and.</p><p>00:24:54.840 –&gt; 00:25:07.380 Dale Stewart: And until I don’t really I’m not one to sort of following the trails that are already that people know out there, I tend to go make my own path, mainly because when I’m out there, I don’t want to see other people.</p><p>00:25:08.760 –&gt; 00:25:15.810 Joseph McElroy: We know the in the art world, they want to ask him if he was because of the teeth what his favorite painting, he was.</p><p>00:25:16.020 –&gt; 00:25:19.320 Joseph McElroy: yeah he said, the next one, so what’s your next adventure.</p><p>00:25:20.910 –&gt; 00:25:22.230 Dale Stewart: You know that’s</p><p>00:25:24.090 –&gt; 00:25:29.070 Dale Stewart: And we can talk about this a little later, but you know I’ve really got into recording nature sounds.</p><p>00:25:30.870 –&gt; 00:25:35.250 Dale Stewart: And so pretty much what I’m doing now, or a year around that.</p><p>00:25:36.330 –&gt; 00:25:46.140 Dale Stewart: And the probably been my next out-of-country trip will be back to back to East Africa Kilimanjaro cool.</p><p>00:25:46.830 –&gt; 00:25:58.440 Joseph McElroy: Well, is there any favorite hiking or canoeing or you don’t say my favorite what immediately comes to mind of a good hiking spot and canoeing sparked you to recommend some people go visit when they come there.</p><p>00:25:59.220 –&gt; 00:26:07.290 Dale Stewart: Well, of course, the Appalachian trail comes through here and people can take different walks on it.</p><p>00:26:08.580 –&gt; 00:26:13.680 Dale Stewart: let’s see the black balsam trail is a good trail.</p><p>00:26:14.940 –&gt; 00:26:32.550 Dale Stewart: Deep creek trail is another trail that I like a cold mountain has some great trails that you can walk and then, of course, I really like I’m a big fan of Horrace Kephart and I really like to get park prom trail over in the smoky mountain National Park.</p><p>00:26:33.030 –&gt; 00:26:39.300 Joseph McElroy: Oh cool Those are all really great ones and the stream it’s great for canoeing.</p><p>00:26:40.440 –&gt; 00:26:46.920 Dale Stewart: Oh, am if there’s enough water for me to get get my boat in I’m all for it because I don’t live very.</p><p>00:26:47.490 –&gt; 00:26:56.670 Dale Stewart: Lacking I’m almost to rock because the french broad river, from where I live, so I spent a lot of time on the French broad and it’s just kind of it can be a nice easy.</p><p>00:26:57.660 –&gt; 00:27:07.170 Dale Stewart: river to be on or if it’s heavy rain, it can be something else if I want a little more excitement I can head over to the Navajo young and getting a little white water and.</p><p>00:27:08.400 –&gt; 00:27:19.710 Dale Stewart: get up there, but in the summertime, these rivers, like the trails can get awfully busy so I’m looking for that that next little creek drag gets on it doesn’t have a lot of people on.</p><p>00:27:21.480 –&gt; 00:27:25.890 Joseph McElroy: So so let’s talk food you’re a Louisiana native and we know that.</p><p>00:27:25.950 –&gt; 00:27:39.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah you know that there’s some great food in Louisiana so I’m sure you have a good appreciation of various cuisine especially southern cuisines tell me about your favorite place in the smokies around national that we want.</p><p>00:27:40.050 –&gt; 00:27:40.590 Dale Stewart: Oh man.</p><p>00:27:42.180 –&gt; 00:27:48.480 Dale Stewart: Again, there are a lot of great little small restaurants in the Asheville area in Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:27:49.230 –&gt; 00:28:01.350 Dale Stewart: one place, that I find going to quite a bit just because I like sitting outside is the Hemingway CAFE and downtown nicely like got a great rooftop area place to sit.</p><p>00:28:01.920 –&gt; 00:28:13.920 Dale Stewart: And you were mentioned, I was from Louisiana when I get a hankering for benny’s there’s a great little New Orleans CAFE and the growth park in those sales beanies and that great Louisiana coffee Community coffee.</p><p>00:28:14.250 –&gt; 00:28:14.970 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow.</p><p>00:28:15.570 –&gt; 00:28:29.580 Dale Stewart: So it’s there, so you know but, just like exploring I my wife and I like to seek out little sort of out of the way restaurants, that that have great food and they’re sort of scattered around everywhere.</p><p>00:28:30.060 –&gt; 00:28:38.520 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s really surprising how you can just you know stop and look for a hole in the wall and go in there and just really have a great meal yeah.</p><p>00:28:39.660 –&gt; 00:28:40.020 Dale Stewart: Totally.</p><p>00:28:40.260 –&gt; 00:28:45.630 Joseph McElroy: yeah so people get very clear to the actual areas become a foodie haven.</p><p>00:28:46.920 –&gt; 00:28:47.190 Dale Stewart: yeah.</p><p>00:28:47.340 –&gt; 00:28:49.530 Dale Stewart: All right, and that in and beer.</p><p>00:28:49.920 –&gt; 00:28:57.060 Joseph McElroy: That in beer you definitely get a good gain your the weights, you need to stock up for your adventures.</p><p>00:28:57.660 –&gt; 00:28:58.050 yeah.</p><p>00:28:59.550 –&gt; 00:29:07.380 Dale Stewart: Well, you know craft beer I’m begging Western North Carolina, and I just actually but it almost any of the old times you go into he’s got a craft beer placement.</p><p>00:29:08.010 –&gt; 00:29:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Now you also know a little bit about Highlands ever cabin out there right.</p><p>00:29:11.640 –&gt; 00:29:12.300 Dale Stewart: What do you like yeah.</p><p>00:29:14.730 –&gt; 00:29:22.260 Dale Stewart: yeah well, of course, in a Holland catchers area is just another one of those great little places that.</p><p>00:29:22.830 –&gt; 00:29:30.630 Dale Stewart: You started gotta be wanting to go there to get there, but you know how long’s North Carolina it’s just an amazing little town.</p><p>00:29:31.020 –&gt; 00:29:34.890 Dale Stewart: You know, in the wintertime I think there are less than 900 people there and then it.</p><p>00:29:35.370 –&gt; 00:29:44.010 Dale Stewart: sort of exploded in the summer, because a lot of people have second homes they’re particularly Atlanta corralled tends to come up there, but again, this great.</p><p>00:29:44.460 –&gt; 00:29:58.530 Dale Stewart: outdoor areas great hiking areas great restaurants in that in that area and great people, one of the things that I find surprising is I’m always excited when I find somebody that’s an ad from look there.</p><p>00:30:00.690 –&gt; 00:30:02.070 Dale Stewart: there’s not many of them it’s saying.</p><p>00:30:02.730 –&gt; 00:30:07.830 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah there was never a big it was like when I was going to Maggie Valley hundred people now.</p><p>00:30:08.010 –&gt; 00:30:10.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah claim to him yeah lots more.</p><p>00:30:13.260 –&gt; 00:30:18.330 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back we’re talking about your sounds of the wilderness sounds very interesting.</p><p>00:30:18.930 –&gt; 00:30:19.680 Absolutely.</p><p>00:33:08.760 –&gt; 00:33:21.060 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts in my guest Dale Stewart’s and Dale you know I’m also an artist.</p><p>00:33:21.480 –&gt; 00:33:26.070 Joseph McElroy: And some of my actually some of the most profound artistic experiences I’ve had.</p><p>00:33:26.430 –&gt; 00:33:32.130 Joseph McElroy: going to show their museums, have been sound installations, where people will do slices of life or.</p><p>00:33:32.400 –&gt; 00:33:46.170 Joseph McElroy: You know, or the nature or whatever I remember also as a kid here hearing for the first time this sounds of a way along recording it just blew me away because I didn’t know they could do that sort of thing, so you have.</p><p>00:33:46.860 –&gt; 00:33:53.820 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know you’ve been doing this thing of you know, the sounds of the wilderness, and you have this recording career and you’ve been.</p><p>00:33:54.810 –&gt; 00:34:04.680 Joseph McElroy: you’ve done some incorporating natural sounds and some records by country artists correct right so, can you count to get some of that and what you’ve done and who you’ve worked with.</p><p>00:34:05.670 –&gt; 00:34:17.550 Dale Stewart: Well yeah I mean sound is is something that I really developed as a solo explore, I mean one of them as humans sound is one of those things that keeps us safe.</p><p>00:34:18.780 –&gt; 00:34:30.930 Dale Stewart: And so, when I was out there in the middle of nowhere by myself, not only was I using my vision to see what was going on, I was using my ears and Emma other senses, you know the smell and.</p><p>00:34:31.650 –&gt; 00:34:38.160 Dale Stewart: All of those things that go into analyzing what’s going on in an environment.</p><p>00:34:38.610 –&gt; 00:34:51.300 Dale Stewart: And certainly if you’re in if you’re deep in the jungle and you’re you hear a lot of animals and you hear a lot of things going on and then all of a sudden everything just shuts down that’s that’s can be a warning sign that.</p><p>00:34:52.080 –&gt; 00:34:52.440 Dale Stewart: might be.</p><p>00:34:52.740 –&gt; 00:34:59.550 Dale Stewart: Something else out there, that you need to be aware of, but one of the great regrets I have is that early on.</p><p>00:35:01.470 –&gt; 00:35:10.770 Dale Stewart: Going back gosh nearly 40 years now that I didn’t have my recorder with me on many of the TRIPS and many of the places I’ve gone it.</p><p>00:35:11.400 –&gt; 00:35:17.550 Dale Stewart: it’s one of the things that makes me want to go back and record those sounds again, but I guess.</p><p>00:35:18.330 –&gt; 00:35:35.430 Dale Stewart: You know, probably the last 10 or 12 years I’ve gotten very involved with recording what we call soundscapes and soundscape is sort of the sounds of a given environment, so I could have my equipment and record a sound in downtown New York City or downtown Asheville.</p><p>00:35:36.510 –&gt; 00:35:45.180 Dale Stewart: And also take those recordings and go high into the mountains of Western North Carolina and record the sounds that.</p><p>00:35:45.750 –&gt; 00:35:53.100 Dale Stewart: Have a brook of a waterfall of birds, is it landed trees and also learned that.</p><p>00:35:53.730 –&gt; 00:36:03.180 Dale Stewart: The sounds change to write it right at dusk and write it daylight you go from sort of the daytime sounds to the nighttime sounds and that was that’s become.</p><p>00:36:03.630 –&gt; 00:36:16.200 Dale Stewart: Pretty pretty interesting to me and I built a pretty large library, if you will, of these sounds one of the things that I’ve been doing for a number of years now, is doing by narrow or immersive sounds and.</p><p>00:36:17.430 –&gt; 00:36:23.070 Dale Stewart: venereal sound recording is the way we here as humans, we have two ears that we herein.</p><p>00:36:24.630 –&gt; 00:36:34.920 Dale Stewart: When I’m looking ahead on to you and I’m talking you’re hearing me in both of your ears, but if you turn one way or the other you’re going to pick up the sound and that here first is going to travel through.</p><p>00:36:35.340 –&gt; 00:36:45.930 Dale Stewart: To the other year and so bonnier recording really record sounds the way the human actually hears them so I’ve gotten to do that and, as I developed.</p><p>00:36:45.960 –&gt; 00:36:49.110 Joseph McElroy: a documentary that doesn’t require special equipment or.</p><p>00:36:49.350 –&gt; 00:36:59.910 Dale Stewart: It does require special microphones and and and and a little knowledge is a little more to it than just sticking a microphone out there and recording something.</p><p>00:37:01.230 –&gt; 00:37:14.730 Dale Stewart: But yeah so I kind of got known for doing that and emerging and also consider myself a storyteller so in doing documentaries or auto documentaries, I was looking for some way to integrate this sound.</p><p>00:37:15.270 –&gt; 00:37:25.740 Dale Stewart: That could actually pull you into the to what I was doing or into the environment that the story was taking place and a found immersive sound or 3D sound or by an aerial sound.</p><p>00:37:26.400 –&gt; 00:37:39.360 Dale Stewart: actually did that, because now, the sound is coming from you in all directions and not just in a mono or stereotype thing you were talking about the music industry and some things.</p><p>00:37:40.170 –&gt; 00:37:48.000 Dale Stewart: A number of years ago, and most of this has been with producers buying the sounds more so than working specifically with given artists so.</p><p>00:37:48.870 –&gt; 00:37:57.930 Dale Stewart: A producer, excuse me make purchase a sound of have running water or birds, or something else, and they may use it that sound in.</p><p>00:37:58.710 –&gt; 00:38:05.850 Dale Stewart: Two or three different recordings with two or three different artists so it’s kind of all over the place, and then, of course, I work a lot with.</p><p>00:38:06.480 –&gt; 00:38:14.430 Dale Stewart: With nature documentary people that are doing things for National Geographic discovery channel history channel travel channel.</p><p>00:38:15.150 –&gt; 00:38:25.170 Dale Stewart: Where again we’re starting to use more and more immersive sound in those documentaries, to help pull the people and not just visually but with Sound</p><p>00:38:25.710 –&gt; 00:38:41.010 Dale Stewart: You were talking about artists, I have, I have worked with a couple now, while I photographers who have had had shows of their work and they asked me to attach a sound card to their picture.</p><p>00:38:42.120 –&gt; 00:38:45.420 Dale Stewart: And that’s been interesting and I’ve really enjoyed doing that.</p><p>00:38:46.200 –&gt; 00:38:58.530 Joseph McElroy: That is cool I mean you know all of a sudden my mind is going a lot of different ways, and this is what triggers me this kind of things you know content is king I got another podcast called wise content yeah.</p><p>00:38:58.560 –&gt; 00:39:05.910 Joseph McElroy: Creative writing content is king, but wise content rules, the world, and you know it’s about having more than just.</p><p>00:39:06.240 –&gt; 00:39:24.480 Joseph McElroy: written word it’s yeah it’s all sorts of stuff It strikes me is especially in a travel destination, especially something like the smokies it’d be interesting to have certain articles that also have a sound right of the areas that would be sort of cool right you.</p><p>00:39:24.480 –&gt; 00:39:39.780 Joseph McElroy: can actually you can hear the sound of the waterfall or you could hear the sound of the night when the fireflies are out and that sort of thing that that’s actually artistic romantic and interesting all it’s the same time.</p><p>00:39:40.890 –&gt; 00:39:48.960 Dale Stewart: Yeah and you know it’s funny you mentioned fireflies I mean one of the other things that great in which you know about I’m sure, but you know we have a.</p><p>00:39:49.890 –&gt; 00:40:01.260 Dale Stewart: synchronous firefly exhibit in the smoky mountains, this time of year, you know first of my first again over in the smoky mountain national park and.</p><p>00:40:02.340 –&gt; 00:40:10.170 Dale Stewart: I mean it’s just worth millions and millions of these firefighters come together during a mating season and it’s truly a psycho.</p><p>00:40:10.920 –&gt; 00:40:12.780 Joseph McElroy: I do they have a sound too.</p><p>00:40:13.710 –&gt; 00:40:23.040 Dale Stewart: They do somewhat yeah I’ve ordered it’s not it’s almost like recording a bunch of mosquitoes but not quite this.</p><p>00:40:24.930 –&gt; 00:40:25.560 Joseph McElroy: buzz.</p><p>00:40:26.010 –&gt; 00:40:26.490 Dale Stewart: yeah but.</p><p>00:40:26.910 –&gt; 00:40:39.390 Dale Stewart: yeah but I, you know I’m always looking at ways to record things I mean I’ve taken a little lapel microphone, if you will, and stuck them up and rotting logs and trees, just to record the insects that are in there.</p><p>00:40:40.620 –&gt; 00:40:41.820 Dale Stewart: it’s it’s quite unusual.</p><p>00:40:42.480 –&gt; 00:40:49.500 Joseph McElroy: Do you find it do you mean I’m assuming that there’s some importance there, but do you find it.</p><p>00:40:50.520 –&gt; 00:40:59.490 Joseph McElroy: You know that it’s important for us to totally immerse ourselves in true wilderness experiences on that you know and through media.</p><p>00:41:00.510 –&gt; 00:41:02.700 Dale Stewart: Well, absolutely I, you know that that’s.</p><p>00:41:03.900 –&gt; 00:41:20.640 Dale Stewart: I think it’s not only healthy for us, but I think it’s necessary to get out there to really just sit and listen, one of the things that I often do when I’m hiking if I do come across people always ask you, what do you see, I always ask them what they heard and that.</p><p>00:41:22.560 –&gt; 00:41:37.290 Dale Stewart: kind of throws them off, but you know if you go into any environment and just sit down and close your eyes and listen, you will come away from that environment with a different appreciation, then you have just if you look at it visually.</p><p>00:41:38.160 –&gt; 00:41:47.490 Joseph McElroy: wow no, I see that again you stimulated the whole you know that creative.</p><p>00:41:48.510 –&gt; 00:41:53.100 Joseph McElroy: the context in my mind is I can’t imagine having a.</p><p>00:41:55.080 –&gt; 00:41:56.460 Joseph McElroy: Whatever you call them.</p><p>00:41:58.290 –&gt; 00:42:01.980 Joseph McElroy: say a Pole, with the South headphones on it in the middle of the New York City street.</p><p>00:42:02.370 –&gt; 00:42:13.410 Joseph McElroy: Where you put it on in to hear the sounds in their mountains, but then you can also have a poll on a hiking trail in the mountains, where that sound comes from and then he listened and put it on and you here in New York city streets.</p><p>00:42:15.810 –&gt; 00:42:16.410 Dale Stewart: All the F.</p><p>00:42:17.700 –&gt; 00:42:19.740 Dale Stewart: word in downtown New York City so.</p><p>00:42:21.120 –&gt; 00:42:23.730 Joseph McElroy: that’s another kind of wilderness there.</p><p>00:42:23.730 –&gt; 00:42:33.270 Dale Stewart: Right it is absolutely and takes a different mindset to survive there, but I did want to say, I mean I love using the sound of the soundscape.</p><p>00:42:33.690 –&gt; 00:42:43.770 Dale Stewart: Not only in my radio show and podcast but, because it draws people in you know, for a long time, we would pull out ambient sounds and we didn’t want to hear them.</p><p>00:42:44.370 –&gt; 00:42:52.020 Dale Stewart: You know if I’m interviewing someone on the street in downtown Asheville I want them, I want the people to hear the cars going by I want them.</p><p>00:42:52.380 –&gt; 00:43:00.420 Dale Stewart: To hear the the the the different sounds to the city, because that helps place the listener in the location that you’re actually recording in.</p><p>00:43:01.020 –&gt; 00:43:16.710 Joseph McElroy: Why would you come over to the Villa because, let me do a little bit recording there because people talk about how the confluence of recruits there plus there’s a little bit of traffic but it’s muffled by the buildings, this really sensor you know.</p><p>00:43:18.030 –&gt; 00:43:27.960 Joseph McElroy: nostalgia, but without being nonmodern and it’s really relaxing but you’re still I’d love to see what that sounds like in a recording so that’s kind of.</p><p>00:43:29.070 –&gt; 00:43:35.580 Dale Stewart: this day and age, if, when I show up somewhere mostly leather camera bag, I have my recording bag so.</p><p>00:43:36.150 –&gt; 00:43:37.320 Dale Stewart: We can show you that.</p><p>00:43:37.620 –&gt; 00:43:46.260 Joseph McElroy: Right alright, so we come back we’ll finish up talking about some of your favorite places that are unique in the mountains, to go do some sound recordings.</p><p>00:43:46.620 –&gt; 00:43:47.040 Dale Stewart: All right.</p><p>00:46:05.340 –&gt; 00:46:12.900 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and I guess Dale Stewart and Dale.</p><p>00:46:14.310 –&gt; 00:46:23.820 Joseph McElroy: You were talking about sounds were beside the fireflies where there are some unique sounds in the smokies wilderness to have adventures.</p><p>00:46:24.720 –&gt; 00:46:28.620 Dale Stewart: Well, you know kind of bend a while I’m looking to record, or what I’m looking for.</p><p>00:46:30.360 –&gt; 00:46:50.280 Dale Stewart: For us, this is gators cicada bugs are out now and are coming out after 17 years and that’s something that I absolutely want to on a record, so I seek out locations that might have a specific sound that I’m I’m wanting to to to go after the record.</p><p>00:46:51.300 –&gt; 00:46:55.050 Dale Stewart: Of course, I have hours and hours of waterfalls and water sounds and.</p><p>00:46:55.110 –&gt; 00:47:06.870 Dale Stewart: and different things, but I’m going over it, and the color boundary and Cherokee and recording the elk sounds you know the bugle of the elk a lot of people don’t realize it doesn’t live here, but we have a.</p><p>00:47:07.260 –&gt; 00:47:14.430 Dale Stewart: fairly large jail Kurt now establish in particularly around Cherokee and then and Maggie valley there’s some of the.</p><p>00:47:15.000 –&gt; 00:47:26.040 Dale Stewart: TIM to move into that area but they’re out of there, so I love to go there and record them I enjoy going on top of mountains, as we said, you talked about mount nature on some of the others because you get a.</p><p>00:47:26.550 –&gt; 00:47:34.500 Dale Stewart: Not only a different environment but a different sound up there it’s a great place to go record, we also love to go in caves.</p><p>00:47:35.130 –&gt; 00:47:43.230 Dale Stewart: And there are a number of caves scattered around Western North Carolina that I can go in and record everything from BAP sounds to</p><p>00:47:43.740 –&gt; 00:47:53.760 Dale Stewart: The other critters that I might locate in there, so it really almost any place you go, including your backyard, you can get some great sounds.</p><p>00:47:54.480 –&gt; 00:48:01.590 Dale Stewart: often have people ask me about gosh I wish I had all that fancy equipment, you have but look if you got if you’ve got a smartphone.</p><p>00:48:02.100 –&gt; 00:48:09.810 Dale Stewart: you’ve got a pretty good tool to record with and it’s a great way just to start and it’s a great way I tell hikers.</p><p>00:48:10.500 –&gt; 00:48:16.680 Dale Stewart: You know when you’re out there, taking pictures turn on a smartphone and record the same environment that you took the picture in.</p><p>00:48:16.950 –&gt; 00:48:24.480 Dale Stewart: And when you get back not only look at the photograph but listen to the sounds that were going on around you at that time so it’s.</p><p>00:48:25.110 –&gt; 00:48:38.700 Dale Stewart: something that did you can do almost anywhere to do that, I will say, one of the things that also got me into the sound recording I’ve been called an ethnologist just quite a bit and it’s a title that I.</p><p>00:48:39.750 –&gt; 00:48:49.230 Dale Stewart: Take take on and ethnologist studies, different cultures, and societies, and I was mentioning other when I’m recording.</p><p>00:48:50.160 –&gt; 00:48:57.480 Dale Stewart: an interview with someone from a specific culture, I also want to get the sounds of that culture if I’m recording in.</p><p>00:48:57.780 –&gt; 00:49:06.120 Dale Stewart: South Louisiana shrimp boat I’ve got microphone set up so I can hear the sound of the boat, I want to hear the sound of that clicking sound at the front make.</p><p>00:49:06.450 –&gt; 00:49:20.760 Dale Stewart: I want to hear the people on the boat is a is they do their thing at the same time I’m talking to a cajun shrimper about his life and about his culture so the sound is an important thing.</p><p>00:49:21.420 –&gt; 00:49:31.020 Joseph McElroy: Where do you do, you have do you have any places that people can hear your sounds is there any is there anything online or their album or something like that.</p><p>00:49:31.650 –&gt; 00:49:40.560 Dale Stewart: Well, not too much, I mean I do post sounds from time to time on my social media pages and I’m all you know the facebook’s the Twitter the.</p><p>00:49:40.890 –&gt; 00:49:59.280 Dale Stewart: Instagram the Linkedin all that so from time to time I post things on there, I will say this because I get asked more and more and more about them, we are developing a new website, which hopefully will be up in the next 30 days and people will be able to go there and actually download.</p><p>00:50:00.540 –&gt; 00:50:08.760 Dale Stewart: Some of the sounds that I have out there, and also, if they want to purchase them they’ll be able to purchase from the library there as well.</p><p>00:50:09.180 –&gt; 00:50:19.860 Joseph McElroy: wow why invite you to have we can have an exhibitor a Smoky mountain Heritage Center where we can have some earphones and people can put it on here some of those sounds a.</p><p>00:50:20.850 –&gt; 00:50:24.810 Dale Stewart: Little yeah you need to hit you really need headphones to listen to the immersive stuff.</p><p>00:50:24.900 –&gt; 00:50:39.420 Dale Stewart: yeah and but otherwise you really don’t and I, you know I invite people to go out there and you know listen I think people forget to listen unless they’re listening to somebody talk on their iPad or their iPhone or something.</p><p>00:50:40.890 –&gt; 00:50:52.380 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve worked on a lot of stuff all right you’ve got an A to z podcast you got a radio you’ve been working you’ve worked on documentary films, who works with country artists on their songs or whatever the sounds on their songs and.</p><p>00:50:52.380 –&gt; 00:50:57.060 Joseph McElroy: Recording, can you tell us what’s going on, currently, and what you have planned for the future.</p><p>00:50:57.630 –&gt; 00:51:05.910 Dale Stewart: Absolutely, one of the exciting things that I’m working on right now I mentioned earlier Horrace Kephart who a lot of people in Western North Carolina certainly know.</p><p>00:51:06.420 –&gt; 00:51:18.600 Dale Stewart: One of the fathers of the great smoky mountains and an author, who has written many books, but he has his children were also quite remarkable and one of them Leonard Kephart</p><p>00:51:19.620 –&gt; 00:51:34.230 Dale Stewart: was the first American to climb Kilimanjaro in East Africa and Leonard was sent over there actually by the Department US Department of Agriculture to look for seeds and grasses that could be used in the United States and.</p><p>00:51:35.610 –&gt; 00:51:40.530 Dale Stewart: I felt that this was a story that needed to be told and I’m friends with Libby get part who.</p><p>00:51:41.610 –&gt; 00:51:46.590 Dale Stewart: Leonard is are on call and Horrace’s great grandfather and being able to.</p><p>00:51:48.150 –&gt; 00:51:55.080 Dale Stewart: Libby I started talking and I found out he found the journals of Leonard.</p><p>00:51:56.190 –&gt; 00:52:04.770 Dale Stewart: And was kind enough to share those with man, I said, this is a story that needs to be tail cold and I love telling stories about people who.</p><p>00:52:05.610 –&gt; 00:52:14.460 Dale Stewart: really have kind of been lost to history and let it get part is one of those people if you ask most people who were the first American to climb Kilimanjaro they wouldn’t have a clue.</p><p>00:52:14.820 –&gt; 00:52:15.000 What.</p><p>00:52:17.220 –&gt; 00:52:25.260 Dale Stewart: we’re working on that and that will be that should be finished by late summer early fall and I’m looking forward to getting it out there and.</p><p>00:52:25.590 –&gt; 00:52:35.730 Dale Stewart: you’re it’s a different kind of documentary because it’s purely an auto documentary but we’re life we’re utilizing immersive sounds of East Africa.</p><p>00:52:35.760 –&gt; 00:52:36.750 In that documentary.</p><p>00:52:38.340 –&gt; 00:52:39.570 Dale Stewart: has ever been done before.</p><p>00:52:40.290 –&gt; 00:52:46.680 Joseph McElroy: Well, that sounds fantastic I mean I’ve gotten big into audible lately so I’m looking forward to</p><p>00:52:47.880 –&gt; 00:52:53.430 Joseph McElroy: hear that that’s great so and you’re going to finish that Cherokee trails book right.</p><p>00:52:54.720 –&gt; 00:52:59.610 Dale Stewart: yeah that’s one of the things that you know what I’m doing here I’m also involved with doing some.</p><p>00:52:59.610 –&gt; 00:53:15.480 Dale Stewart: things for the Smithsonian folkways with recording different cultures and different things and right behind finished novel Leonard I’ve already got two or three other projects that I’ve been asked to do and I’m also doing sound on a new.</p><p>00:53:17.070 –&gt; 00:53:22.590 Dale Stewart: Teddy Roosevelt documentary that that’ll be coming out probably late next year.</p><p>00:53:23.610 –&gt; 00:53:34.260 Dale Stewart: And a lot of the sounds of his expeditions at Africa and South America they’re using me to put those together for them.</p><p>00:53:35.130 –&gt; 00:53:38.460 Joseph McElroy: So how do people reach out to follow you.</p><p>00:53:39.600 –&gt; 00:53:42.360 Dale Stewart: Well, again, the Facebook.</p><p>00:53:43.590 –&gt; 00:54:01.050 Dale Stewart: Page you know if you go to Dale Stewart also you can go in and type in nature’s edge, you can also go to if you really want to know a lot about me go to Google and type in my name Dale Stewart and put explore afterward and you’ll probably learn more about me than you ever wonder, no.</p><p>00:54:01.440 –&gt; 00:54:08.700 Joseph McElroy: fabulous well Thank you so much, I understand you might be speaking at the Meadowlark Smoky Heritage Center later this year so.</p><p>00:54:08.790 –&gt; 00:54:10.380 Joseph McElroy: A couple of you hear that that sounds.</p><p>00:54:10.590 –&gt; 00:54:20.880 Joseph McElroy: Great and I appreciate you for being on the show now, I have to do my get night my shout-outs now, this is the awkward moment where I have to talk about things.</p><p>00:54:22.110 –&gt; 00:54:31.590 Joseph McElroy: But you can get to find out more about this podcast at the gatewaytothesmokies. fun and you can subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on upcoming episodes.</p><p>00:54:32.910 –&gt; 00:54:43.050 Joseph McElroy: I want you to imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, it modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:54:43.500 –&gt; 00:54:51.840 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire at neat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:54:52.200 –&gt; 00:55:05.730 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place for the old-time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie valley North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:55:07.050 –&gt; 00:55:13.140 Joseph McElroy: smokiesadventure.com and smokies plural adventure singular.com.</p><p>00:55:13.620 –&gt; 00:55:26.130 Joseph McElroy: infinite information and listings about the smokies it’s got hiking wedding venues books trail maps resources to experience the smokies, the emphasis is on outdoor recreation.</p><p>00:55:26.520 –&gt; 00:55:41.910 Joseph McElroy: outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing information on lodging family entertainment events conventions honeymoons and more is the goal of this site is to become the leading information on a portal on the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:55:43.980 –&gt; 00:55:57.090 Joseph McElroy: I remind you that next week, we are going to have Lisa McBride owner of NYC farm to table and online local mark food market manager Jackson.</p><p>00:55:57.360 –&gt; 00:56:11.040 Joseph McElroy: county farmers market and founder of from the ground up a local food collaborative and Silva calorie that should be a very interesting discussion on the farm to table food in the mountains of North Carolina smoky mountains area.</p><p>00:56:12.990 –&gt; 00:56:20.160 Joseph McElroy: You could catch this podcast always I forgot to mention on Facebook.coms/ gatewaytothesmokiespodcast where you can see the zoom feed live.</p><p>00:56:20.430 –&gt; 00:56:31.230 Joseph McElroy: Every week on Tuesdays from six to seven and I remind you that we’re on the talkradio.NYC network, where you can see lots of great podcasts.</p><p>00:56:31.860 –&gt; 00:56:48.930 Joseph McElroy: Every day, live the one after this is about New York, so you can go from the mountains of North Carolina to the urban landscapes of New York City and find out about the history and culture here, so thank you for joining me see you next week on the gateway to the smokies podcast.</p> d787fdb4-c546-44fd-892d-47010447dbd1 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/c7006e2b-5a42-4f48-9934-3bbdf2e53138 Tue, 01 Jun 2021 22:00:00 +0000 3012 no full Episode 19: Blue Ridge Craft Trails with Leslie Hartley Episode 19: Blue Ridge Craft Trails with Leslie Hartley Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest is <strong>Leslie Hartley</strong>, she enjoyed more than 10 years in professional marketing and communications leadership roles, including six years serving as the online content manager/editor at Biltmore. Leslie has spent most of her career in the tourism and non-profit fields in Western North Carolina.</p><p>Today, she is the communications manager at <strong><em>Blue Ridge National Heritage Area</em></strong>, an Asheville-based non-profit that serves as a steward of Western North Carolina’s natural and cultural treasures.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/5KjIvqvh7A/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>To start today’s episode off, Joseph introduces the topic of the episode, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. He shares some exciting news, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was once again the most visited national park in 2020. The Great Smoky Mountains Association is creating a podcast discussing the intersection between black history and Appalachian music. Joseph goes on to discuss more of the contents of this upcoming podcast such as guests and topics. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Leslie Hart, the communications manager at the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Leslie grew up in North Carolina, moving around during and post college, but making her way back home afterwards. She started her career in radio, getting her first job in radio during college. At one point she even worked at a radio station back in Asheville. Leslie talks a little about her time working at Biltmore. She talks about working in Kanuga when the remake of dirty dancing was shooting there. Leslie discusses how she came to work for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, citing her love of their mission, preserving the area. Their non-profit helps to take care of the Western North Carolina region. The foundation is partially funded by the federal government, but they also match every dollar donated through grants and partnerships.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break Joseph asks the question of why the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area exists. On top of its national beauty, this area has its own cultures which are preserved by the foundation Leslie works with. Much of this distinction comes from the fact that this area is the ancestral home of the Cherokee. Through their grants program, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area helps fund projects in the area. Leslie provides examples of some of these projects. In addition to funding local projects, they host cultural programs. Joseph talks about a project the GSMA is working on and asks if it&#39;s the kind of thing Leslie’s organization would take on. The two discuss some of the cultural programs the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area puts on. There are also lots of farmers markets all throughout the area. The two talk a little about a shared love of theirs, beekeeping. Leslie talks about some of the itineraries they make, such as the blue ridge craft trails, that leads visitors to artists in the region. Other itineraries include experiences leading to things such as wineries and craft beers. In addition to having pre-made itineraries, their website has an itinerary builder. The pre-made itineraries start with conversations with the community, helping to find artists to be included. After doing research, site visits are done.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Next, the two move on to music trails. These trails lead visitors to live music in the mountains. Leslie talks about foundations that have supported the craft trails. Leslie talks more about the mission of these trails, helping to connect with these artists and helping the communities connect with the artists. She moves on to discuss the challenges they faced in working on this project during the pandemic, but making it by on zoom. She talks about meeting the artists, on their website it gives details on the artists, noting details such as whether their hours are open or if you need an appointment to visit. She talks a little more in depth about the variety of art that can be found on these trails. Not only are the trails in the bigger towns such as Asheville, but they are in smaller towns too. She talks about business getting involved in these trails, reaching out to her specifically. Joseph discusses the art at the Meadowlark Motel.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Coming into the last segment, Joseph asks how the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area promotes the Smokies. On their website, they promote the park, with some of the itineraries leading visitors through the park. Moving on, she discusses the future of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Much of the near future pertains to finishing the craft trails project. Leslie shouts out supporters of the foundation. To end the episode, Joseph talks about some of the projects he is working on.</p> Video thumbnail

In this episode, our special guest is Leslie Hartley, she enjoyed more than 10 years in professional marketing and communications leadership roles, including six years serving as the online content manager/editor at Biltmore. Leslie has spent most of her career in the tourism and non-profit fields in Western North Carolina.

She is the communications manager at Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, an Asheville-based non-profit that serves as a steward of Western North Carolina’s natural and cultural treasures.

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes

Segment 1

To start today’s episode off, Joseph introduces the topic of the episode, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. He shares some exciting news, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was once again the most visited national park in 2020. The Great Smoky Mountains Association is creating a podcast discussing the intersection between black history and Appalachian music. Joseph goes on to discuss more of the contents of this upcoming podcast such as guests and topics. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Leslie Hart, the communications manager at the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Leslie grew up in North Carolina, moving around during and post-college, but making her way back home afterward. She started her career in radio, getting her first job in radio during college. At one point she even worked at a radio station back in Asheville. Leslie talks a little about her time working at Biltmore. She talks about working in Kanuga when the remake of dirty dancing was shot there. Leslie discusses how she came to work for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, citing her love of their mission, preserving the area. Their non-profit helps to take care of the Western North Carolina region. The foundation is partially funded by the federal government, but they also match every dollar donated through grants and partnerships.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break Joseph asks the question of why the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area exists. On top of its national beauty, this area has its own cultures which are preserved by the foundation Leslie works with. Much of this distinction comes from the fact that this area is the ancestral home of the Cherokee. Through its grants program, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area helps fund projects in the area. Leslie provides examples of some of these projects. In addition to funding local projects, they host cultural programs. Joseph talks about a project the GSMA is working on and asks if it's the kind of thing Leslie’s organization would take on. The two discuss some of the cultural programs the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area puts on. There are also lots of farmers' markets all throughout the area. The two talk a little about a shared love of theirs, beekeeping. Leslie talks about some of the itineraries they make, such as the blue ridge craft trails, that lead visitors to artists in the region. Other itineraries include experiences leading to things such as wineries and craft beers. In addition to having pre-made itineraries, their website has an itinerary builder. The pre-made itineraries start with conversations with the community, helping to find artists to be included. After doing research, site visits are done.

Segment 3

Next, the two move on to music trails. These trails lead visitors to live music in the mountains. Leslie talks about foundations that have supported the craft trails. Leslie talks more about the mission of these trails, helping to connect with these artists and helping the communities connect with the artists. She moves on to discuss the challenges they faced in working on this project during the pandemic but making it on zoom. She talks about meeting the artists, on their website and gives details on the artists, noting details such as whether their hours are open or if you need an appointment to visit. She talks a little more in-depth about the variety of art that can be found on these trails. Not only are the trails in the bigger towns such as Asheville, but they are in smaller towns too. She talks about business getting involved in these trails, reaching out to her specifically. Joseph discusses the art at the Meadowlark Motel.

Segment 4

Coming into the last segment, Joseph asks how the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area promotes the Smokies. On their website, they promote the park, with some of the itineraries leading visitors through the park. Moving on, she discusses the future of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Much of the near future pertains to finishing the craft trails project. Leslie shouts out supporters of the foundation. To end the episode, Joseph talks about some of the projects he is working on.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:27.120 –> 00:00:32.160 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:33.210 –> 00:00:41.010 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.

00:00:41.490 –> 00:00:50.430 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied in history and rich mountain culture that we explore weekly episodes.

00:00:50.940 –> 00:01:03.990 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:04.800 –> 00:01:11.730 Joseph McElroy: today’s episode we’re going to learn about the blue Ridge national heritage area and the blue Ridge craft trails.

00:01:12.360 –> 00:01:35.760 Joseph McElroy: But first little news and in my intro I’m always mentioning that it’s the most visited National Park well in 2020 it is again the great smoky mountain National Park, is the most visited National Park in the nation with over 12.1 million visits and that’s quadruple.

00:01:37.110 –> 00:01:43.080 Joseph McElroy: The number of visits in the second place Yellowstone National Park that had 3.8 million visitors.

00:01:43.620 –> 00:01:59.250 Joseph McElroy: however there’s another National Park park service unit in the smoky mountain area that is the number one of all the national park service units it’s not a national park, but is part of the national park service.

00:02:00.630 –> 00:02:01.350 Joseph McElroy: Operating.

00:02:02.490 –> 00:02:15.390 Joseph McElroy: domain and that is the Blue Ridge Parkway and it’s number one it recorded 14.1 million visits, making it the most popular National Park service unit.

00:02:17.250 –> 00:02:25.530 Joseph McElroy: You know the smokies superintendent is very proud of these accomplishments and we had a couple of bad months there, but that it boom it really exploded.

00:02:26.460 –> 00:02:43.110 Joseph McElroy: big concerns we got to work at worry about is that people you know, are not necessarily taking care when their parking and things like that it’s been a little bit more full of litter and damage roadside so people out there yeah pay attention to parking and do it in a responsible manner.

00:02:45.300 –> 00:02:58.080 Joseph McElroy: So pretty proud of that also I want to talk about but there’s a great smoky mountains association has a new podcast exclusive series which I think is pretty society.

00:02:58.500 –> 00:03:10.680 Joseph McElroy: they’re going to explore black Appalachian music it’s a six-part podcast miniseries exploring the intersection of black history and Southern Appalachian music.

00:03:12.000 –> 00:03:20.670 Joseph McElroy: The first one is going to be called CPA cons I think it’s already launched exploring black Appalachian music is hosted by Dr. William Turner.

00:03:20.970 –> 00:03:33.750 Joseph McElroy: and told Ted Olson surveying the many black roots and branches of southern Appalachian music by sharing research listening to recordings of interviewing contemporary black musicians and experts in music history.

00:03:34.890 –> 00:03:35.190 Joseph McElroy:

00:03:36.330 –> 00:03:44.160 Joseph McElroy: It is available it’s now it’s called smoky mountain air and it’s on GSMA’s existing podcast.

00:03:45.330 –> 00:03:56.550 Joseph McElroy: And it’s actually premiered just about the beginning of April, and it will it’ll be focused on the neglected emphasis contributions to their country and blues.

00:03:56.910 –> 00:04:05.070 Joseph McElroy: And I’ll have some featured guests include loyal Jones Jane Liga and sparky record and then the remaining five episodes are released through.

00:04:06.990 –> 00:04:19.110 Joseph McElroy: And will cover topics such as the complex history of black music in East Tennessee black sacred music black women musician and the diverse landscape of music communities in southern Appalachian.

00:04:19.740 –> 00:04:26.550 Joseph McElroy: And one of our early podcasts on the gateway to the smokies podcasts we talked about various contributions to.

00:04:27.780 –> 00:04:45.720 Joseph McElroy: Music in the smokies and we talked about West African contribution, especially with the banjo which came from West Africa and how that introduced a sort of a rhythm to the music that you know, made it, you know much more popular.

00:04:47.490 –> 00:04:55.020 Joseph McElroy: So anyway I’m pretty happy about that and be sure to listen to it like a great podcast premiering in the area.

00:04:56.160 –> 00:05:05.130 Joseph McElroy: So our guest today is Leslie Hartly she is the Communications Manager of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area based in Ashville.

00:05:05.820 –> 00:05:11.460 Joseph McElroy: She has spent most of her career in tourism and nonprofit fields in Western North Carolina.

00:05:11.880 –> 00:05:20.760 Joseph McElroy: She is enjoying more than 10 years and professional marketing and communications leadership roles, she is the Communications Manager at the Blue Ridge National.

00:05:21.300 –> 00:05:33.450 Joseph McElroy: Heritage area, which is an actual-based nonprofit that serves as a steward of Western North Carolina’s natural and cultural treasures so hi Leslie so how are you doing.

00:05:35.010 –> 00:05:36.990 Leslie Hartley: How are you doing good to see you.

00:05:37.140 –> 00:05:41.580 Joseph McElroy: it’s good to see you too, so did you grow up in Western North Carolina.

00:05:42.180 –> 00:05:52.530 Leslie Hartley: You know, actually, I was born in western North Carolina in Hickory which is at least used to be known as the furniture capital of the world and.

00:05:53.640 –> 00:05:59.280 Leslie Hartley: I did grow up in Western North Carolina and a black town right outside of Asheville.

00:05:59.700 –> 00:06:02.880 Joseph McElroy: So then, you went all the way to Minnesota three masters.

00:06:03.810 –> 00:06:08.100 Leslie Hartley: that’s true scholarships can be a strong pole.

00:06:08.310 –> 00:06:10.860 Leslie Hartley: And also wanted to experience a completely different.

00:06:11.640 –> 00:06:23.550 Leslie Hartley: Environment and I sure did so I got to travel around some and then I was ready to call North Carolina home again I missed the green trees and.

00:06:25.380 –> 00:06:29.880 Leslie Hartley: just the beauty of Western North Carolina called me home.

00:06:30.420 –> 00:06:34.620 Joseph McElroy: So you ended up working in radio for a little while when you came back right.

00:06:35.100 –> 00:06:46.740 Leslie Hartley: I did actually I started in radio public radio in College as an internship and then moved on to have a job in that and was fortunate enough to work at.

00:06:48.210 –> 00:06:54.900 Leslie Hartley: A WCUS which now is blue Ridge public radio in Asheville for a few years, as their morning edition host.

00:06:55.620 –> 00:06:59.460 Joseph McElroy: Was that a news sort of a program or was it.

00:07:00.090 –> 00:07:12.150 Leslie Hartley: that’s their morning edition is the national news for public radio and I handled the local hosting of that yeah that’s great.

00:07:12.360 –> 00:07:16.320 Joseph McElroy: cool I think I listened to that station that they have some music programs on there right also.

00:07:16.710 –> 00:07:17.340 Leslie Hartley: They do.

00:07:17.610 –> 00:07:19.350 Joseph McElroy: I think I think there’s an article.

00:07:19.350 –> 00:07:19.680 Leslie Hartley: That.

00:07:19.980 –> 00:07:29.430 Joseph McElroy: They had some cool music there, I think I liked the music that in western North Carolina public station there are a couple of different ones, and now they are really.

00:07:30.510 –> 00:07:32.100 Joseph McElroy: eclectic I thought yeah.

00:07:32.430 –> 00:07:38.430 Joseph McElroy: Yes, so, then you were built more states that must be a challenging job you were there, six years?

00:07:39.300 –> 00:07:50.040 Leslie Hartley: um I love that job was it was a really good experience um yeah I was there for six years, I felt I felt really fortunate to be a part of the marketing team there and.

00:07:51.360 –> 00:08:00.510 Leslie Hartley: I focused on online content, which was a new term back then now everyone, everyone is wanting content.

00:08:00.900 –> 00:08:01.230 Because.

00:08:02.790 –> 00:08:04.800 Leslie Hartley: content is king that’s right.

00:08:04.980 –> 00:08:12.180 Joseph McElroy: I wrote, I wrote another podcast called wise content in my line is content is king, but why is content rules, the world.

00:08:15.510 –> 00:08:27.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah well Bill Moore does a pretty good job I guess you would help set all that up and they really you know saturate the Internet with good content about what they do my thing.

00:08:27.810 –> 00:08:35.190 Leslie Hartley: Right yeah they’re a top-notch group there’s no doubt about it, and they have an excellent mission to really.

00:08:36.450 –> 00:08:43.560 Leslie Hartley: protect that place of it’s still the largest America’s largest home.

00:08:44.760 –> 00:08:47.070 Leslie Hartley: So it’s a beautiful place if you haven’t been there.

00:08:47.400 –> 00:08:53.670 Joseph McElroy: Oh I’ve been there, love the place, and then yeah they have all those gardens and have noticed the most visited winery in the world.

00:08:53.970 –> 00:08:54.660 Yes.

00:08:55.860 –> 00:08:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Right.

00:08:58.350 –> 00:09:04.830 Joseph McElroy: So, then, I saw this is an interesting thing you are working, I think, for connoting Cayuga conferences.

00:09:06.600 –> 00:09:11.160 Joseph McElroy: And when they came and rebuild dirty dancing there was that fun.

00:09:12.360 –> 00:09:28.920 Leslie Hartley: that’s true I’m Jennifer Lopez, and others were in the remake of dirty dancing and iconic film and canoe that has these wonderful little cottages that were.

00:09:29.700 –> 00:09:45.870 Leslie Hartley: designed and built in the early 1900s and has a lake it was just the perfect setting to recreate the movie if you’re familiar with the movie it’s set in a New York, I want to say the Catskills maybe.

00:09:47.550 –> 00:09:48.930 Leslie Hartley: yeah and.

00:09:49.470 –> 00:09:57.210 Leslie Hartley: Anyway, it was interesting to have the full crew, the whole place was basically taken.

00:09:57.540 –> 00:10:03.240 Leslie Hartley: For by the film crew and everyone was very gracious it was a good experience.

00:10:03.600 –> 00:10:16.500 Joseph McElroy: Well, Western North Carolina is a great as a great place for doing a lot of films, they do a lot of fields out there, so that’s not surprised I think they actually did the original film at like lower area.

00:10:16.890 –> 00:10:32.730 Leslie Hartley: Some parts of it were def yeah that’s right you’re exactly right the thing that the very well known and often imitated lift seen in the lake I believe was filmed in.

00:10:34.020 –> 00:10:34.890 Leslie Hartley: In lake lower.

00:10:35.220 –> 00:10:40.380 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool so how did you end up at the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area?

00:10:41.130 –> 00:10:49.500 Leslie Hartley: Well um I really love their mission of wanting to protect and preserve this region that I love.

00:10:50.580 –> 00:11:03.780 Leslie Hartley: And the natural resources, the cultural treasures are important to them, and I really loved the idea of being a part of a nonprofit that had a passionate mission and something that I believed in.

00:11:04.800 –> 00:11:13.740 Leslie Hartley: So I joined them on a contract basis, a few years ago and I’ve been in this role for about two years and.

00:11:13.770 –> 00:11:18.210 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us tell the listeners, what is the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

00:11:18.720 –> 00:11:28.890 Leslie Hartley: yeah that’s a great question um about 17 years ago the Western North Carolina region was designated a place of.

00:11:29.880 –> 00:11:44.850 Leslie Hartley: National significance or region of national significance because of the distinct character, culture, and the natural beauty, that you can only find the mountains and foothills of North Carolina and so that’s.

00:11:46.410 –> 00:11:57.480 Leslie Hartley: Our nonprofit organization, the Blue Ridge national heritage area partnership we take help take care of Western North Carolina this region.

00:11:57.690 –> 00:11:59.520 Joseph McElroy: hmm and that was.

00:12:00.540 –> 00:12:03.960 Joseph McElroy: That was by the Congress yeah that was at the national level right.

00:12:04.440 –> 00:12:07.800 Leslie Hartley: that’s correct yeah at the federal level.

00:12:08.640 –> 00:12:13.440 Joseph McElroy: And that is, it is significant funding that you get every year from the United government.

00:12:14.880 –> 00:12:18.570 Leslie Hartley: We are very grateful to receive

00:12:20.190 –> 00:12:24.000 Leslie Hartley: the foundation of funds from the Federal Government and

00:12:25.200 –> 00:12:33.630 Leslie Hartley: it is how we are funded partially we but I’ll tell you that every dollar we receive we

00:12:36.300 –> 00:12:47.250 Leslie Hartley: have to match one to one but we often go to the one at the very least in our matching and we do that through grants and partnerships.

00:12:48.090 –> 00:12:56.520 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well when we come back, I want to talk more about why it exists and what makes it the state all right.

00:12:56.850 –> 00:12:58.410 Leslie Hartley: Okay sounds good, thank you.

00:15:58.290 –> 00:16:12.450 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guest Leslie Hartly so Leslie so we’re talking about the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and it’s 25.

00:16:13.050 –> 00:16:22.140 Joseph McElroy: counties in Western North Carolina, why does it exist in that form, why those 25 characters counties, why was it created.

00:16:23.940 –> 00:16:26.640 Leslie Hartley: yeah that’s a great question um.

00:16:27.960 –> 00:16:35.910 Leslie Hartley: we’re talking about the mountains in the foothills that you find in the western part of North Carolina and it was deemed.

00:16:36.240 –> 00:16:48.600 Leslie Hartley: As it is an area that’s distinct with natural beauty cultural traditions that you only find in this area, and those are living traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation.

00:16:49.050 –> 00:17:00.450 Leslie Hartley: And our nonprofit the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area partnership serves as the steward of that footprint, we have the mission of.

00:17:02.820 –> 00:17:10.470 Leslie Hartley: protecting, preserving, and thoughtfully promoting the natural and cultural resources here in our region.

00:17:11.070 –> 00:17:21.240 Leslie Hartley: um you know, and you can ask you know why is it distinct and when you think about it, Joseph it’s we’ve got the highest mountain East of the Mississippi with Mount Mitchell.

00:17:21.810 –> 00:17:34.020 Leslie Hartley: The oldest river in North America, with the new river, you had mentioned at the top of your show the most visited national parklands in the country with the great smokies and now the Blue Ridge parkway.

00:17:36.390 –> 00:17:47.850 Leslie Hartley: itself getting over 14 million visitors last year, and also importantly, where the ancestral home of the Cherokee and Western North Carolina.

00:17:48.540 –> 00:17:52.290 Joseph McElroy: So that’s what I guess that might make the difference, I was trying to figure out why.

00:17:52.770 –> 00:18:06.210 Joseph McElroy: it’s not also cleaning say East Tennessee some counties there as well as some counties in Virginia, but I guess the Cherokee cultural tradition is also and critically important to make a distinct right.

00:18:07.860 –> 00:18:08.370 Leslie Hartley: True.

00:18:08.760 –> 00:18:10.230 Leslie Hartley: yeah yeah.

00:18:10.590 –> 00:18:15.360 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool um So what do you do to serve the Western North Carolina.

00:18:16.440 –> 00:18:18.000 Leslie Hartley: Well, we um.

00:18:19.830 –> 00:18:25.770 Leslie Hartley: We do this, we serve as a steward through, we have a grants program where we support.

00:18:26.820 –> 00:18:34.200 Leslie Hartley: organizations in our region with projects that will help further the traditions or.

00:18:36.510 –> 00:18:40.110 Leslie Hartley: Not just the traditions but also may enhance.

00:18:41.520 –> 00:18:52.890 Leslie Hartley: The cultural assets as well, I mean, excuse me, the Ashville natural assets as well say for exists example we just provided a grant to help.

00:18:54.480 –> 00:19:08.850 Leslie Hartley: The Cherokee in the quality boundary create an aviary for eagles for injured eagles and we have provided that grant for them to do the research to make that happen.

00:19:10.050 –> 00:19:25.680 Leslie Hartley: Of course, the eagle feathers would be used ceremonially and the eagles will be taken care of now it’ll be the first one, on the whole, east coast that exists that kind of gives you an idea of one of the things we’ve done, we also.

00:19:26.730 –> 00:19:31.350 Leslie Hartley: Recently, helped fund the Nina Simone.

00:19:34.530 –> 00:19:50.790 Leslie Hartley: park in Tryon North Carolina, which is the side of where she grew up a good part of her where she grew up was right here in Western North Carolina and Nina Simone, of course, being the iconic jazz singer jazz and blues singer.

00:19:52.470 –> 00:19:55.890 Leslie Hartley: And um anyway sorry.

00:19:57.330 –> 00:19:57.630 Leslie Hartley: yeah.

00:19:57.660 –> 00:19:58.410 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.

00:19:58.770 –> 00:20:02.730 Leslie Hartley: samples that are trying to give you a sense of the flavor where we’re coming from.

00:20:03.690 –> 00:20:09.240 Leslie Hartley: We do this grants program we also have the training and we have cultural programming as well.

00:20:10.320 –> 00:20:17.940 Joseph McElroy: of us, you know you said, we often think is I didn’t even discover that you know, I was in one of.

00:20:19.200 –> 00:20:25.470 Joseph McElroy: One of my early projects was I worked with Nina Simone, young daughter, to create.

00:20:26.070 –> 00:20:27.450 Joseph McElroy: Their website.

00:20:27.450 –> 00:20:29.850 Joseph McElroy: For the Nina Simone foundation, the first website.

00:20:31.110 –> 00:20:31.530 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:20:32.910 –> 00:20:39.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you caught me off guard because I missed that little tidbit of trivia that been great to know.

00:20:40.560 –> 00:20:47.880 Joseph McElroy: So, but I knew that there was some relevance to this area for Nina Simone I love Nina Simone that’s fantastic.

00:20:49.740 –> 00:21:00.570 Joseph McElroy: And the eagle you know the thing is pretty good, you know that I just had Frances Figart here on from the great smoky mountains, associations and they’re trying to get.

00:21:01.590 –> 00:21:14.310 Joseph McElroy: Yes, you know the talking about the issues here talking about books, but the big ones are about you know the problem with the interstates and not having put bridges for animals to go across.

00:21:14.790 –> 00:21:21.390 Joseph McElroy: Right is that something that you guys might also get involved with I mean I’m not asking for promise anything

00:21:21.390 –> 00:21:39.120 Leslie Hartley: Because you do not know yeah I can’t promise that um you know that sounds like a Department of Transportation potential project but I’m not sure we just haven’t been I’m familiar with what you’re talking about and to me personally, they sound like a great idea.

00:21:39.690 –> 00:21:42.720 Leslie Hartley: And I think they’re doing that in California now right.

00:21:43.470 –> 00:21:45.570 Joseph McElroy: I that I don’t know.

00:21:45.870 –> 00:21:46.350 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:21:47.190 –> 00:22:00.900 Leslie Hartley: There is one, at least in California, that I saw the other day on the news but I’m sorry sounds like a great idea might be something that we would be interested in learning more about.

00:22:02.340 –> 00:22:19.830 Joseph McElroy: It so he said he said I just looking at the cultural programs you offer and they look pretty extensive the Cherokee history and heritage Appalachian craft heritage traditional music heritage historic North Carolina agricultural here’s, what do you guys do with that?

00:22:21.030 –> 00:22:30.030 Leslie Hartley: Well, we really help spread the word about the agricultural traditions, through our website at blueridgeheritage.com

00:22:31.020 –> 00:22:43.230 Leslie Hartley: you know we have a rich obviously a rich agricultural heritage here and that continues today not only with what you would think of as traditional farming, but we have.

00:22:44.880 –> 00:22:49.170 Leslie Hartley: An ever-growing amount of farmer’s markets in the local towns.

00:22:51.720 –> 00:22:51.930 Joseph McElroy: fee.

00:22:52.080 –> 00:22:55.050 Leslie Hartley: waivers wineries now it’s expanded.

00:22:55.080 –> 00:22:55.560 Leslie Hartley: Even.

00:22:55.620 –> 00:23:06.120 Leslie Hartley: We have a vehicle, we have two viticulture areas in western North Carolina in the Henderson County area and then up in the Yakima Valley area as well wow.

00:23:06.330 –> 00:23:14.970 Joseph McElroy: You know, ways well, what has the Waynesville in the county that I have my business in his garden what the one that historic farmers markets.

00:23:15.480 –> 00:23:22.080 Joseph McElroy: And yes, it’s kind of cute and you know, I was a beekeeper back and they said when seeing your Beekeeper

00:23:22.740 –> 00:23:26.100 Leslie Hartley: Oh Okay, yes that’s great yeah this.

00:23:27.660 –> 00:23:44.040 Leslie Hartley: I think it’s very much alive and well, and you see younger people taking that on and finding new ways to connect with the potential market or potential customers through the farmer’s markets and through the offering.

00:23:45.720 –> 00:23:50.940 Leslie Hartley: CSA is or where you can purchase your vegetables.

00:23:51.870 –> 00:23:53.340 Leslie Hartley: So yeah.

00:23:53.700 –> 00:23:55.860 Joseph McElroy: So I had some questions about.

00:23:57.000 –> 00:24:00.870 Joseph McElroy: You know, really interesting you offer extensive services online.

00:24:01.350 –> 00:24:15.660 Joseph McElroy: And it seems really ambitious and I just wanted to you know little bit more about that so, for example, you guys have these wonderful itineraries, how do you get those built and you accept them from partners and what what What do you know.

00:24:16.140 –> 00:24:26.040 Leslie Hartley: Well, for example, we have the Blue Ridge craft trails that we’re developing and I’d love to talk about that and talk about those itineraries and how we create them.

00:24:27.000 –> 00:24:27.330 Joseph McElroy: First.

00:24:27.510 –> 00:24:40.770 Leslie Hartley: The blue Ridge craft trails is a new initiative of ours, where we’re going through the North Carolina mountains and foothills and curating kind of a drivable trail that you can follow.

00:24:41.850 –> 00:24:56.490 Leslie Hartley: to discover these artists and studios artists galleries and studios and those 25 counties and we are creating itineraries we have a team that literally goes out visits.

00:24:57.150 –> 00:25:14.910 Leslie Hartley: these sites take in what’s going on in that region or what’s going on in that county and put together a suggested itinerary to not only visit with the artists but also what’s going on with the outdoor recreation.

00:25:16.140 –> 00:25:26.430 Leslie Hartley: What kind of small-town experience can you have to connect with the community whether that’s the craft beer, as I mentioned the wineries and distilleries that we have.

00:25:27.570 –> 00:25:32.280 Leslie Hartley: So we try and give you a 360 experience at least an option

00:25:33.780 –> 00:25:43.920 Leslie Hartley: to have a wonderful time it’s a great idea to a great time to get outside and kind of explore and have one on one experiences with artists.

00:25:44.010 –> 00:25:50.340 Joseph McElroy: So is that those itinerary is going to be available separately or they part of the itinerary isn’t already offered.

00:25:51.660 –> 00:25:52.320 Leslie Hartley: They are.

00:25:53.370 –> 00:26:03.270 Leslie Hartley: You can find those blue Ridge craft trails itineraries at blueridgecrafttrails.com, as well as maps and artists profiles.

00:26:04.740 –> 00:26:12.660 Leslie Hartley: But we have that’s a really good question if you go to the website you’ll see that we have suggested itineraries.

00:26:13.380 –> 00:26:29.250 Leslie Hartley: But then, Joseph we also have this itinerary builder where you can actually choose the different towns, the different types of artists, you want to visit and put it all together, we have a tool that helps put together your own customized itinerary.

00:26:29.640 –> 00:26:30.750 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s kind of cool.

00:26:30.870 –> 00:26:31.560 Leslie Hartley: It is.

00:26:32.310 –> 00:26:45.420 Joseph McElroy: yeah but again that’s you know that’s ambitious, so I mean you do, you get do you get partners and all the areas to help you or do you go out and do that you get all those little information yourself how do you find the artists.

00:26:46.470 –> 00:26:57.870 Leslie Hartley: Oh OK that’s a great question um we start with having Community input sessions and we go to the community leaders, the artist’s arts council’s of that area.

00:26:58.770 –> 00:27:13.290 Leslie Hartley: and ask for recommendations and then we have a team that’s focused right now on pulling together the blue Ridge craft drills itineraries and profiles, but and also curating that.

00:27:15.300 –> 00:27:17.250 Leslie Hartley: That trail down to.

00:27:19.260 –> 00:27:27.570 Leslie Hartley: We did that, through our own research we do research and then we do site visits and those who.

00:27:28.140 –> 00:27:45.510 Leslie Hartley: bubble up to to the top through that process or then selected to be on the trails so we, that is, we do that through partnerships in the communities as well as, then the boots on the ground is our own team.

00:27:45.780 –> 00:27:57.840 Joseph McElroy: All right, well cool, and then we come back we’ll talk more about this craft trails and I’m also hit a little bit on some music trails and some other cool stuff so we’ll talk about that later come back.

00:27:58.650 –> 00:27:59.430 Leslie Hartley: sounds good.

00:30:49.110 –> 00:30:59.760 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts with my guest Leslie Hartley hey Leslie so

00:31:00.420 –> 00:31:14.400 Joseph McElroy: we’re talking about Mountain Blue Ridge trails and we were specifically talking about the craft trail, but you had a heritage partnership had a music trail before that right.

00:31:15.090 –> 00:31:23.550 Leslie Hartley: yeah we still have a very lively music trail at Blueridgemusicnc.com and really that’s a.

00:31:25.680 –> 00:31:40.620 Leslie Hartley: it’s still very much alive at celebrating so traditional music bluegrass blues and Gospel you can find in North Carolina has mountains and foothills and I tell you, Joseph music is back live music is back our.

00:31:41.070 –> 00:31:42.270 Leslie Hartley: Yes, yeah.

00:31:43.380 –> 00:32:04.440 Leslie Hartley: Our website, we really try our best to keep up with all the live music offerings in Western North Carolina and keep that up and updated so you can find from the bluff mountain festival that’s coming up to the Earl Scruggs Center picking on the square and of course merle fest.

00:32:05.580 –> 00:32:09.330 Leslie Hartley: Looking forward to that coming back in September.

00:32:09.630 –> 00:32:20.760 Joseph McElroy: I saw that I just saw online balsam range, which had one I had TIM CERT here on the show I just announced they’re gonna be part of that, so it looks pretty exciting.

00:32:20.820 –> 00:32:22.620 Leslie Hartley: yeah saw that today too.

00:32:22.710 –> 00:32:25.860 Leslie Hartley: yeah yeah it should be really good hoping to get tickets.

00:32:26.280 –> 00:32:37.050 Joseph McElroy: Oh, I hope so too, so people can go to that site you mentioned to actually find music events and festivals, and individual artists that you visit as well right.

00:32:37.290 –> 00:32:41.760 Leslie Hartley: that’s right blueridgemusicnc.com.

00:32:41.910 –> 00:32:46.950 Joseph McElroy: cool So what are the blue Ridge craft trails mirrored after that.

00:32:47.730 –> 00:32:49.620 Leslie Hartley: Well, I think i’m.

00:32:51.330 –> 00:33:01.980 Leslie Hartley: In a way, in that we’ve had the experience of putting together a trail that focuses on the cultural heritage of our region.

00:33:02.850 –> 00:33:13.140 Leslie Hartley: Otherwise it’s been a new experience we actually had we’ve been fortunate to have the Appalachian regional commission.

00:33:13.590 –> 00:33:23.520 Leslie Hartley: And the Cherokee preservation foundation, just to mention a few come on board and support this effort we’re very appreciative to that and.

00:33:24.270 –> 00:33:29.430 Leslie Hartley: The blue Ridge craft trails is it’s a new initiative and we.

00:33:30.390 –> 00:33:48.210 Leslie Hartley: were getting close to completing the development of the project, you can certainly find over 150 artists right now on the website, as well as suggested itineraries of blueridgecrafttrails.com but we know just that’s a lot of ground to cover 25 counties.

00:33:48.750 –> 00:33:50.040 Leslie Hartley: Mountains you’ve got.

00:33:50.340 –> 00:33:58.740 Leslie Hartley: you’ve got mountains and valleys and rivers and it’s a lot of trails to cover but it’s a wonderful job to have.

00:33:58.950 –> 00:34:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Well there’s a lot of crafts that have been going on in the Blue Ridge area for ya for centuries now and so there’s a lot of history there to cover I.

00:34:09.090 –> 00:34:16.620 Joseph McElroy: mean I read a quote by Angie Chandler I think the Executive Director of the Blue Ridge.

00:34:17.550 –> 00:34:19.560 Joseph McElroy: National Heritage and she said, our goal is to.

00:34:19.560 –> 00:34:27.690 Joseph McElroy: increase income for traditional and contemporary artisans enhance culture tourism and improve local economies.

00:34:27.990 –> 00:34:40.260 Joseph McElroy: We are building on Western North Carolina’s history is a leading Center for craft production and education, the United States, I think this was early in your announcement is that still generally the purpose on the intent.

00:34:40.890 –> 00:34:41.880 Absolutely.

00:34:43.110 –> 00:34:46.020 Leslie Hartley: That is definitely it, we are looking to bring.

00:34:47.610 –> 00:34:58.980 Leslie Hartley: folks who are interested in craft to the actual makers and spend time with them and learn what inspires them what’s the history of what they’re doing and.

00:35:00.150 –> 00:35:10.080 Leslie Hartley: Just connect with these artists connect with the community that they’re in and have a one on one with them and really a one of a kind.

00:35:10.530 –> 00:35:18.300 Leslie Hartley: Experience where you can bring home a piece that’s been it’s one of a kind to say again, the piece of art that.

00:35:18.720 –> 00:35:36.390 Leslie Hartley: You can get directly from the maker and we’re seeing this have to make a difference, already one of the first two counties to the first two counties that we completed this project in was clay in Cherokee counties out in the Far West region.

00:35:37.560 –> 00:35:45.540 Leslie Hartley: And we have gotten positive feedback we had an exhibit and one of the visits to North Carolina.

00:35:46.200 –> 00:36:00.660 Leslie Hartley: Excuse me, one of the North Carolina visit visitor centers and an exhibit on the Blue Ridge craft trails and people actually sought out some of the artists who were exhibited from seeing it in the Visitor Center and told them so when they went out there.

00:36:01.020 –> 00:36:07.080 Joseph McElroy: Oh really that’s fabulous to have some success stories, people are getting great reviews back.

00:36:07.470 –> 00:36:31.320 Leslie Hartley: yeah exactly, even with the challenge of the past year with the covered precautions um we’re still seeing we’ve still gone out there very safely and through zoom often continue to develop this trail, but we didn’t give up, and we are persevering and making.

00:36:32.820 –> 00:36:38.550 Leslie Hartley: Making quite a dent in the project like I said we already have about 150 artists on the trail.

00:36:39.270 –> 00:36:39.780 wow.

00:36:42.840 –> 00:36:55.110 Joseph McElroy: Do you how somebody can go to the website and get an itinerary travel then go travel to like craftsmen, is that they can actually have visited him to call ahead or what are they, what are the what do they do.

00:36:55.590 –> 00:37:05.670 Leslie Hartley: yeah I’m going to blueridgecrafttrails.com, we have some suggested itineraries or you can build your own itinerary with the itinerary tool that we have.

00:37:06.210 –> 00:37:23.520 Leslie Hartley: And you can find Google maps on our website, we have a Google map for each one of the artists, if you want to go visit them as far as you know, some of the artists who are in their own home studio they do like folks to come by appointment.

00:37:24.390 –> 00:37:26.220 Joseph McElroy: And then some you have held.

00:37:26.220 –> 00:37:36.420 Leslie Hartley: Regular hours, but we note that on each one of the profiles that we have on the website so you won’t be caught surprised you’ll be able to plan your trip.

00:37:37.140 –> 00:37:44.610 Joseph McElroy: And can people find the do you also make suggestions on like places to eat places to stay things to do.

00:37:45.330 –> 00:37:51.510 Leslie Hartley: Yes, yeah we do our research and have.

00:37:52.920 –> 00:38:08.040 Leslie Hartley: places you don’t want to miss whether it’s rafting in that area that’s really good rafting or Great little hikes to go on mountain biking craft brewery or wineries we also have distilleries.

00:38:09.330 –> 00:38:10.110 Leslie Hartley: Carolina.

00:38:11.160 –> 00:38:13.860 Joseph McElroy: distillery shouts out yeah that’s right.

00:38:14.100 –> 00:38:22.170 Leslie Hartley: So it’s we do have recommendations, not only on the artists visiting them but kind of.

00:38:23.250 –> 00:38:33.990 Leslie Hartley: A full experience what would you like to do, in addition to visiting with craft artists, so you get some really good information from those itineraries on our website.

00:38:34.320 –> 00:38:39.720 Joseph McElroy: You get to see do you have pictures of the craft so that people can get an idea of what they’re going to see.

00:38:40.260 –> 00:38:58.170 Leslie Hartley: yeah we do that’s a great question, we do have images of usually of the artist, or at least of the artists, most importantly, not, most importantly, but importantly, of the artist’s works, you get an idea, and you know we’re talking about jewelers Woodworkers weaver’s potters.

00:39:00.450 –> 00:39:03.420 Leslie Hartley: I just visited, with someone last Friday.

00:39:05.730 –> 00:39:14.370 Leslie Hartley: has created I don’t know if your listeners will know this, the barn quilt squares that go on horns.

00:39:14.730 –> 00:39:18.840 Leslie Hartley: On frequently in western North Carolina and I think it started in.

00:39:19.080 –> 00:39:34.650 Leslie Hartley: want to say it started in Ohio but it’s really been adopted adopt adopted here in Western North Carolina and she had created over 3000 of these in the past few years and that kind of blew my mind, because she does it by hand.

00:39:35.580 –> 00:39:50.940 Leslie Hartley: wow yeah and she was inspired by the quilts that she grew up with she said when she grew up she didn’t know about blankets, going to the store and buy blankets, you slept on to your grandmother’s quilts and.

00:39:54.450 –> 00:39:58.560 Joseph McElroy: My mother is still a quilt her she’s going to be at this year so.

00:39:58.560 –> 00:40:02.130 Joseph McElroy: he’s still a quilt yeah it’s serious.

00:40:03.630 –> 00:40:04.290 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:40:05.400 –> 00:40:06.540 Joseph McElroy: together so.

00:40:07.980 –> 00:40:16.050 Joseph McElroy: So do I guess it’s not just the bigger towns you taking them into the really small towns too right.

00:40:16.650 –> 00:40:32.310 Leslie Hartley: yeah definitely we want folks to get out into the small towns and find those hidden gems that are you know in these picturesque truly scenically beautiful towns and what beautiful drives to get there.

00:40:33.330 –> 00:40:42.600 Leslie Hartley: really nice road trip to take in western North Carolina whether you’re going along the ribbon of road that runs through it, which is the blue Ridge parkway.

00:40:43.020 –> 00:40:45.120 Leslie Hartley: or on some of the other.

00:40:45.180 –> 00:40:45.960 roads.

00:40:47.490 –> 00:40:50.130 Leslie Hartley: yeah it’s not just the large towns like Asheville.

00:40:51.660 –> 00:41:10.860 Leslie Hartley: it’s smaller little towns like a brass town in Far West, North Carolina that has the John C Campbell folks school that’s well known for a place to you can take workshops there on everything from blacksmithing to basket tree.

00:41:12.630 –> 00:41:12.870 Joseph McElroy: that’s.

00:41:13.500 –> 00:41:14.250 Leslie Hartley: An idea.

00:41:14.700 –> 00:41:18.480 Joseph McElroy: and places like you include also things like the folk art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

00:41:19.410 –> 00:41:22.170 Leslie Hartley: Yes, they’re one of our anchor sites actually.

00:41:22.710 –> 00:41:24.090 Leslie Hartley: cool yeah.

00:41:24.870 –> 00:41:30.630 Joseph McElroy: So it sounds like this is a great resource for visitors coming to North Carolina.

00:41:32.220 –> 00:41:37.350 Joseph McElroy: I look forward I’m gonna look forward to it, how does how to businesses.

00:41:38.580 –> 00:41:55.080 Joseph McElroy: That, for example, I own a lodging facility and we’re going to have some music we’re doing a smoky mountain heritage Center and we’re also going to feature crafts and things, how would a business get the application to be part of your ear trails.

00:41:55.800 –> 00:42:05.280 Leslie Hartley: yeah it’s good to be aware if you wanted to get in touch with me at Leslie@blueridgeheritage.com.

00:42:06.900 –> 00:42:10.770 Leslie Hartley: I could, I could pass it along definitely I am.

00:42:13.050 –> 00:42:17.580 Leslie Hartley: I can see your place definitely being on the Blue Ridge music trails as a venue.

00:42:18.120 –> 00:42:18.630 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:42:18.690 –> 00:42:28.020 Leslie Hartley: For the music and we would also want to talk with you about the craft trails and how that could work out um tell me about your craft.

00:42:29.580 –> 00:42:32.520 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I have an artistic background.

00:42:33.540 –> 00:42:42.180 Joseph McElroy: So I have actually so personally I’ve been putting some of my own craft art into some of the rooms, but we’ve also been putting handmade quilts.

00:42:42.570 –> 00:42:54.240 Joseph McElroy: And now we’re starting to do things like sculptures that we find and have craft people so throughout the area we’re starting to put them into the rooms.

00:42:55.410 –> 00:42:56.460 Joseph McElroy: And plans to.

00:42:56.490 –> 00:43:04.920 Joseph McElroy: You know, to you know to develop in the smoky mountain heritage Center whole area for crafts and things like that so.

00:43:04.950 –> 00:43:08.460 Leslie Hartley: yeah it’s a good partnership that could really come around.

00:43:08.490 –> 00:43:08.670 that’s.

00:43:09.720 –> 00:43:10.140 Joseph McElroy: cool.

00:43:10.800 –> 00:43:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Already so.

00:43:12.420 –> 00:43:19.620 Joseph McElroy: we’re gonna take a break, right now, we come back you’ll give some any shout out you want to it to people who helped you along the way here and.

00:43:20.670 –> 00:43:22.290 Joseph McElroy: Then what the future holds.

00:45:41.460 –> 00:45:57.930 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy and back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Leslie Hartley so we’ve been talking about the Blue Ridge, and the craft trails and music trails the heritage area.

00:45:59.040 –> 00:46:01.590 Joseph McElroy: And all that and it’s all really wonderful.

00:46:02.760 –> 00:46:12.060 Joseph McElroy: You know the title of this podcast is the gateway to the smoky so I was just wondering, you know, do you guys, promote the smokies as part of what you do.

00:46:13.110 –> 00:46:14.400 Leslie Hartley: yeah absolutely.

00:46:15.480 –> 00:46:16.350 Leslie Hartley: You know it’s.

00:46:18.390 –> 00:46:27.030 Leslie Hartley: it’s this remarkable is fear in the mountains and part of it is here in North Carolina.

00:46:28.290 –> 00:46:35.580 Leslie Hartley: wouldn’t be right if we didn’t mention that on our website yeah and whenever we can.

00:46:37.650 –> 00:46:52.050 Leslie Hartley: it’s amazing if someone hasn’t visited yet I think it’s definitely worth make putting that on your bucket list because it’s amazing I mean from whether you’re into birding or.

00:46:54.180 –> 00:46:56.490 Leslie Hartley: leaf-peeping in the fall.

00:46:57.510 –> 00:47:04.230 Leslie Hartley: Seen wildlife and just gorgeous beauty I don’t have to tell you that Joseph how beautiful, it is.

00:47:04.560 –> 00:47:08.580 Joseph McElroy: I imagine, some of your itineraries take you through that great smoky mountain

00:47:08.700 –> 00:47:24.120 Leslie Hartley: Right yeah we actually have the main part of the website BlueRidgeheritage.com on that website you’ll find an itinerary that suggests that cherry for driving through the great smoky mountains National Park so.

00:47:25.470 –> 00:47:27.690 Joseph McElroy: there’s a couple of great drive through there right.

00:47:27.720 –> 00:47:30.990 Joseph McElroy: For 41 you also got the Blue Ridge parkway.

00:47:32.100 –> 00:47:35.970 Joseph McElroy: And maybe people can even go hiking on the Appalachian trail is something that.

00:47:36.990 –> 00:47:40.440 Leslie Hartley: yeah yeah you don’t have to do the whole thing just get.

00:47:43.050 –> 00:47:48.900 Joseph McElroy: Part of it yeah but our you go through this go through the smokies on the Blue Ridge.

00:47:48.930 –> 00:47:57.660 Joseph McElroy: Go then go from Cherokee to balsam which is near Wayne’s old silver just some great chance of lots of arch Maggie Valley.

00:47:58.020 –> 00:47:59.700 Joseph McElroy: And all asheville right.

00:47:59.970 –> 00:48:01.440 Leslie Hartley: Right exactly.

00:48:01.530 –> 00:48:03.570 Joseph McElroy: Okay, great itinerary right there.

00:48:03.870 –> 00:48:14.970 Joseph McElroy: yeah so what’s the future for the Blue Ridge heritage area, the craft trails and music trails me this stuff, what do you guys got planned coming down the pipe.

00:48:15.630 –> 00:48:31.740 Leslie Hartley: yeah well, a lot of our energy is focused on the blue Ridge craft girls right now, and getting that completed it’s always going to be a work in progress, because it’s digital lives on blueridgecrafts.com and, as you can imagine.

00:48:32.880 –> 00:48:40.470 Leslie Hartley: We will always be looking for artists who want to be a part of it and who fit the criteria.

00:48:40.890 –> 00:48:58.770 Leslie Hartley: But anyway, so, but right now we’re working on developing it as fully as we can and we’re having each one of the counties of the 25 counties represented on the website with profiles of those artists and galleries and suggested itineraries.

00:48:59.790 –> 00:49:09.360 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous yeah well besides so let’s give let’s you have any anybody want to thank for helping do this along the way, and he.

00:49:09.360 –> 00:49:10.050 Leslie Hartley: Oh wow.

00:49:10.290 –> 00:49:10.920 Joseph McElroy: You did mention.

00:49:12.330 –> 00:49:12.810 Leslie Hartley: So many.

00:49:14.040 –> 00:49:15.990 Leslie Hartley: Yes, so many good partners.

00:49:17.070 –> 00:49:35.220 Leslie Hartley: First, starting with the Appalachian Regional Commission, which has been a major funder of this program and the Cherokee preservation foundation Community foundation Western North Carolina and I probably can’t list think of everyone, thank all of them.

00:49:36.450 –> 00:49:39.750 Leslie Hartley: Two, to all of the arts council’s you know.

00:49:40.770 –> 00:49:52.080 Leslie Hartley: In the tourism development authorities and the chamber of commerce that has really helped us find these wonderful hidden gems in the small towns of Western North Carolina.

00:49:52.530 –> 00:49:59.100 Joseph McElroy: cool I know you mentioned some websites, but you also have Facebook and Instagram account right.

00:49:59.280 –> 00:50:00.180 Joseph McElroy: that’s true.

00:50:00.570 –> 00:50:12.300 Leslie Hartley: yeah yeah that’s true you can find us on Facebook under the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, as well as on Instagram Blue Ridge National heritage area if you search for that.

00:50:12.960 –> 00:50:23.760 Leslie Hartley: you’ll find us we keep we have some beautiful images, as you can imagine that we get to share on our Instagram account it’s worth following definitely.

00:50:24.000 –> 00:50:33.210 Joseph McElroy: looks fabulous well, I thank you very much for being on this show it’s been wonderful find out about this it’s a great resource, I look forward to seeing it.

00:50:33.900 –> 00:50:45.480 Joseph McElroy: continue to develop I think it’d be great for people wanting to visit the area, to use your websites and accounts and itineraries to make things a wonderful experience for them.

00:50:46.410 –> 00:50:55.710 Leslie Hartley: Thank you, Joseph, and thanks for all you do and helping get the word out about our area and the valuable work that you do get to come to visit your placing.

00:50:55.980 –> 00:51:03.570 Joseph McElroy: You do I’ve got an I got a couple to shout out to my own do.

00:51:04.440 –> 00:51:14.070 Joseph McElroy: So, and then I’m going to talk about a couple of things to come to see so I want you to imagine a place that’s evocative motor courts in the past and modern environment.

00:51:14.490 –> 00:51:22.320 Joseph McElroy: The Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream.

00:51:22.770 –> 00:51:38.640 Joseph McElroy: grill the catch on fire and need a company by fine wine or craft beers imagine in place with old-time music world cultural sounds imagine a place with smoky mountain heritage events there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley

00:51:40.950 –> 00:51:43.830 Joseph McElroy: Your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay

00:51:45.150 –> 00:51:47.760 Joseph McElroy: that’s my place the Meadowlarkmotel.com.

00:51:48.810 –> 00:51:53.010 Joseph McElroy: We announced that we have the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center.

00:51:53.610 –> 00:52:03.480 Joseph McElroy: we’re building out with Bob Plott, you know historian, and you know a family who brought the Plott hound American roots in the state of dog of North Carolina.

00:52:03.990 –> 00:52:19.050 Joseph McElroy: And so, our first event is going to be a Plottfest reunion weekend July 7 or the eighth and it’s the weekend the heritage steam activities pertaining to the Plott Pal the state of North Carolina and the plans to get the plot hound festival started again.

00:52:20.280 –> 00:52:30.810 Joseph McElroy: It will be there’ll be a Friday night meet and greet with you know, music and bonfire and hosted by Bob Plott who regale you with lots of stories than the Saturday.

00:52:31.170 –> 00:52:44.070 Joseph McElroy: And you’ll see things like the original pot family gun and accouterments and headed doing spoken display there’ll be a plot dog program that will be a mechanical pair bear bait DEMO with Gary Bowen.

00:52:44.460 –> 00:52:53.610 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a bench show DEMO with Eugene Walker Gary baby and Gary Bowen there’ll be a present presentation awards and.

00:52:54.270 –> 00:53:05.610 Joseph McElroy: And, with a special more than one by winners designed by Cory Plott and Shane Plott and there’ll be conversations with legends and then there’ll be raffle items.

00:53:06.360 –> 00:53:12.330 Joseph McElroy: donated by Gary baby in GTA hunting supplies and a book signing the bar plot and Jacob about and.

00:53:12.900 –> 00:53:25.560 Joseph McElroy: Then a whole time planning tunes in balance with William runner and there’ll be a separate break and then there’ll be fellowship and brainstorm as well into the evening, and then you might do some karaoke if somebody wants to.

00:53:26.550 –> 00:53:31.290 Joseph McElroy: So should be a nice event, if you stay at the Motel you get in for free.

00:53:32.610 –> 00:53:43.170 Joseph McElroy: Then there’s going to be on the 17th this is exciting talking about balsam range there and Nicholson of balsam range will be having a bluegrass band camp and concert.

00:53:44.700 –> 00:53:50.310 Joseph McElroy: So it’s an exclusive event for aspiring musicians to learn and interact with some of the best artists in the business.

00:53:50.790 –> 00:53:57.690 Joseph McElroy: culminating in an all-star concert so it’d be banned workshops with their Nicholson ADI but boy a lot.

00:53:58.020 –> 00:54:10.680 Joseph McElroy: Eric Ellison read Jones assigning songwriting workshop with their Nicholson and friends and then they’ll be an instrumental workshop with me the mandolin with the dare advantage over their guitar with.

00:54:11.550 –> 00:54:16.320 Joseph McElroy: dinner break and then there’ll be an all-star concert that sounds fantastic no too late.

00:54:18.150 –> 00:54:32.910 Joseph McElroy: So please reach up Meadowlarkmoted.com to experience those things, I also have another sponsor smokiesadventure.com smokies is plural and it’s information and listings about the smokies focused on outdoor recreation.

00:54:33.960 –> 00:54:46.050 Joseph McElroy: With and outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing similar information about lodging and entertainment and events and conventions and how he moves and stuff like that.

00:54:46.830 –> 00:54:55.560 Joseph McElroy: It has a lot of books and maps available for purchase or download to help you experience your smoky mountain adventure.

00:54:56.580 –> 00:55:00.930 Joseph McElroy: This podcast you can find out more information on.

00:55:02.190 –> 00:55:05.190 Joseph McElroy: On the gatewaytothesmokies.fun.

00:55:06.600 –> 00:55:15.810 Joseph McElroy: And it’s parked in the podcast can be seen the line on WWW.Facebook/gateway tothesmokiespodcasts.

00:55:19.530 –> 00:55:41.220 Joseph McElroy: See it’s also available on talkradio.NYC and the podcast you hear live on talk radio.nyc and they also have a Facebook page where they’re streaming live so look for talkradio on Facebook talkradio.NYC on Facebook and you’ll be able to see it live there.

00:55:43.230 –> 00:55:53.850 Joseph McElroy: And next week we’re going to have a guest named Dale Stewart is a known nationally, known as a naturalist and solo explorer ethnologist just a natural sounding board.

00:55:54.240 –> 00:56:02.280 Joseph McElroy: And syndicated radio program nature beds aims to immerse the listener in the wonderful surprise and importance that is nature.

00:56:04.020 –> 00:56:14.880 Joseph McElroy: So, and again I want to mention talk radio.NYC and network we air on live and as a lot of wonderful shows try listening to the one after this about New York City the.

00:56:17.160 –> 00:56:21.150 Joseph McElroy: And I look forward to seeing you next week same time same that channel.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/392976091881041/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/175963949_393011391877511_5316728255369593687_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=4bCFzNQ92bkAX__0vwu&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63016D2F&oh=00_AT-0Y3UwRBJ2Mt7BTpl-CmbCQYrfEOKRhLGoVEudfJqhpw&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350&tn=ssl5RjlRCRqdhHNg" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>In this episode, our special guest is <strong>Leslie Hartley</strong>, she enjoyed more than 10 years in professional marketing and communications leadership roles, including six years serving as the online content manager/editor at Biltmore. Leslie has spent most of her career in the tourism and non-profit fields in Western North Carolina.</p><p>She is the communications manager at <strong><em>Blue Ridge National Heritage Area</em></strong>, an Asheville-based non-profit that serves as a steward of Western North Carolina’s natural and cultural treasures.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/5KjIvqvh7A/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>To start today’s episode off, Joseph introduces the topic of the episode, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. He shares some exciting news, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was once again the most visited national park in 2020. The Great Smoky Mountains Association is creating a podcast discussing the intersection between black history and Appalachian music. Joseph goes on to discuss more of the contents of this upcoming podcast such as guests and topics. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Leslie Hart, the communications manager at the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Leslie grew up in North Carolina, moving around during and post-college, but making her way back home afterward. She started her career in radio, getting her first job in radio during college. At one point she even worked at a radio station back in Asheville. Leslie talks a little about her time working at Biltmore. She talks about working in Kanuga when the remake of dirty dancing was shot there. Leslie discusses how she came to work for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, citing her love of their mission, preserving the area. Their non-profit helps to take care of the Western North Carolina region. The foundation is partially funded by the federal government, but they also match every dollar donated through grants and partnerships.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break Joseph asks the question of why the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area exists. On top of its national beauty, this area has its own cultures which are preserved by the foundation Leslie works with. Much of this distinction comes from the fact that this area is the ancestral home of the Cherokee. Through its grants program, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area helps fund projects in the area. Leslie provides examples of some of these projects. In addition to funding local projects, they host cultural programs. Joseph talks about a project the GSMA is working on and asks if it&#39;s the kind of thing Leslie’s organization would take on. The two discuss some of the cultural programs the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area puts on. There are also lots of farmers&#39; markets all throughout the area. The two talk a little about a shared love of theirs, beekeeping. Leslie talks about some of the itineraries they make, such as the blue ridge craft trails, that lead visitors to artists in the region. Other itineraries include experiences leading to things such as wineries and craft beers. In addition to having pre-made itineraries, their website has an itinerary builder. The pre-made itineraries start with conversations with the community, helping to find artists to be included. After doing research, site visits are done.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Next, the two move on to music trails. These trails lead visitors to live music in the mountains. Leslie talks about foundations that have supported the craft trails. Leslie talks more about the mission of these trails, helping to connect with these artists and helping the communities connect with the artists. She moves on to discuss the challenges they faced in working on this project during the pandemic but making it on zoom. She talks about meeting the artists, on their website and gives details on the artists, noting details such as whether their hours are open or if you need an appointment to visit. She talks a little more in-depth about the variety of art that can be found on these trails. Not only are the trails in the bigger towns such as Asheville, but they are in smaller towns too. She talks about business getting involved in these trails, reaching out to her specifically. Joseph discusses the art at the Meadowlark Motel.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Coming into the last segment, Joseph asks how the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area promotes the Smokies. On their website, they promote the park, with some of the itineraries leading visitors through the park. Moving on, she discusses the future of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Much of the near future pertains to finishing the craft trails project. Leslie shouts out supporters of the foundation. To end the episode, Joseph talks about some of the projects he is working on.</p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>TRANSCRIPT</h3><p>00:00:27.120 –&gt; 00:00:32.160 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:33.210 –&gt; 00:00:41.010 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:41.490 –&gt; 00:00:50.430 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied in history and rich mountain culture that we explore weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:50.940 –&gt; 00:01:03.990 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:04.800 –&gt; 00:01:11.730 Joseph McElroy: today’s episode we’re going to learn about the blue Ridge national heritage area and the blue Ridge craft trails.</p><p>00:01:12.360 –&gt; 00:01:35.760 Joseph McElroy: But first little news and in my intro I’m always mentioning that it’s the most visited National Park well in 2020 it is again the great smoky mountain National Park, is the most visited National Park in the nation with over 12.1 million visits and that’s quadruple.</p><p>00:01:37.110 –&gt; 00:01:43.080 Joseph McElroy: The number of visits in the second place Yellowstone National Park that had 3.8 million visitors.</p><p>00:01:43.620 –&gt; 00:01:59.250 Joseph McElroy: however there’s another National Park park service unit in the smoky mountain area that is the number one of all the national park service units it’s not a national park, but is part of the national park service.</p><p>00:02:00.630 –&gt; 00:02:01.350 Joseph McElroy: Operating.</p><p>00:02:02.490 –&gt; 00:02:15.390 Joseph McElroy: domain and that is the Blue Ridge Parkway and it’s number one it recorded 14.1 million visits, making it the most popular National Park service unit.</p><p>00:02:17.250 –&gt; 00:02:25.530 Joseph McElroy: You know the smokies superintendent is very proud of these accomplishments and we had a couple of bad months there, but that it boom it really exploded.</p><p>00:02:26.460 –&gt; 00:02:43.110 Joseph McElroy: big concerns we got to work at worry about is that people you know, are not necessarily taking care when their parking and things like that it’s been a little bit more full of litter and damage roadside so people out there yeah pay attention to parking and do it in a responsible manner.</p><p>00:02:45.300 –&gt; 00:02:58.080 Joseph McElroy: So pretty proud of that also I want to talk about but there’s a great smoky mountains association has a new podcast exclusive series which I think is pretty society.</p><p>00:02:58.500 –&gt; 00:03:10.680 Joseph McElroy: they’re going to explore black Appalachian music it’s a six-part podcast miniseries exploring the intersection of black history and Southern Appalachian music.</p><p>00:03:12.000 –&gt; 00:03:20.670 Joseph McElroy: The first one is going to be called CPA cons I think it’s already launched exploring black Appalachian music is hosted by Dr. William Turner.</p><p>00:03:20.970 –&gt; 00:03:33.750 Joseph McElroy: and told Ted Olson surveying the many black roots and branches of southern Appalachian music by sharing research listening to recordings of interviewing contemporary black musicians and experts in music history.</p><p>00:03:34.890 –&gt; 00:03:35.190 Joseph McElroy:</p><p>00:03:36.330 –&gt; 00:03:44.160 Joseph McElroy: It is available it’s now it’s called smoky mountain air and it’s on GSMA’s existing podcast.</p><p>00:03:45.330 –&gt; 00:03:56.550 Joseph McElroy: And it’s actually premiered just about the beginning of April, and it will it’ll be focused on the neglected emphasis contributions to their country and blues.</p><p>00:03:56.910 –&gt; 00:04:05.070 Joseph McElroy: And I’ll have some featured guests include loyal Jones Jane Liga and sparky record and then the remaining five episodes are released through.</p><p>00:04:06.990 –&gt; 00:04:19.110 Joseph McElroy: And will cover topics such as the complex history of black music in East Tennessee black sacred music black women musician and the diverse landscape of music communities in southern Appalachian.</p><p>00:04:19.740 –&gt; 00:04:26.550 Joseph McElroy: And one of our early podcasts on the gateway to the smokies podcasts we talked about various contributions to.</p><p>00:04:27.780 –&gt; 00:04:45.720 Joseph McElroy: Music in the smokies and we talked about West African contribution, especially with the banjo which came from West Africa and how that introduced a sort of a rhythm to the music that you know, made it, you know much more popular.</p><p>00:04:47.490 –&gt; 00:04:55.020 Joseph McElroy: So anyway I’m pretty happy about that and be sure to listen to it like a great podcast premiering in the area.</p><p>00:04:56.160 –&gt; 00:05:05.130 Joseph McElroy: So our guest today is Leslie Hartly she is the Communications Manager of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area based in Ashville.</p><p>00:05:05.820 –&gt; 00:05:11.460 Joseph McElroy: She has spent most of her career in tourism and nonprofit fields in Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:05:11.880 –&gt; 00:05:20.760 Joseph McElroy: She is enjoying more than 10 years and professional marketing and communications leadership roles, she is the Communications Manager at the Blue Ridge National.</p><p>00:05:21.300 –&gt; 00:05:33.450 Joseph McElroy: Heritage area, which is an actual-based nonprofit that serves as a steward of Western North Carolina’s natural and cultural treasures so hi Leslie so how are you doing.</p><p>00:05:35.010 –&gt; 00:05:36.990 Leslie Hartley: How are you doing good to see you.</p><p>00:05:37.140 –&gt; 00:05:41.580 Joseph McElroy: it’s good to see you too, so did you grow up in Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:05:42.180 –&gt; 00:05:52.530 Leslie Hartley: You know, actually, I was born in western North Carolina in Hickory which is at least used to be known as the furniture capital of the world and.</p><p>00:05:53.640 –&gt; 00:05:59.280 Leslie Hartley: I did grow up in Western North Carolina and a black town right outside of Asheville.</p><p>00:05:59.700 –&gt; 00:06:02.880 Joseph McElroy: So then, you went all the way to Minnesota three masters.</p><p>00:06:03.810 –&gt; 00:06:08.100 Leslie Hartley: that’s true scholarships can be a strong pole.</p><p>00:06:08.310 –&gt; 00:06:10.860 Leslie Hartley: And also wanted to experience a completely different.</p><p>00:06:11.640 –&gt; 00:06:23.550 Leslie Hartley: Environment and I sure did so I got to travel around some and then I was ready to call North Carolina home again I missed the green trees and.</p><p>00:06:25.380 –&gt; 00:06:29.880 Leslie Hartley: just the beauty of Western North Carolina called me home.</p><p>00:06:30.420 –&gt; 00:06:34.620 Joseph McElroy: So you ended up working in radio for a little while when you came back right.</p><p>00:06:35.100 –&gt; 00:06:46.740 Leslie Hartley: I did actually I started in radio public radio in College as an internship and then moved on to have a job in that and was fortunate enough to work at.</p><p>00:06:48.210 –&gt; 00:06:54.900 Leslie Hartley: A WCUS which now is blue Ridge public radio in Asheville for a few years, as their morning edition host.</p><p>00:06:55.620 –&gt; 00:06:59.460 Joseph McElroy: Was that a news sort of a program or was it.</p><p>00:07:00.090 –&gt; 00:07:12.150 Leslie Hartley: that’s their morning edition is the national news for public radio and I handled the local hosting of that yeah that’s great.</p><p>00:07:12.360 –&gt; 00:07:16.320 Joseph McElroy: cool I think I listened to that station that they have some music programs on there right also.</p><p>00:07:16.710 –&gt; 00:07:17.340 Leslie Hartley: They do.</p><p>00:07:17.610 –&gt; 00:07:19.350 Joseph McElroy: I think I think there’s an article.</p><p>00:07:19.350 –&gt; 00:07:19.680 Leslie Hartley: That.</p><p>00:07:19.980 –&gt; 00:07:29.430 Joseph McElroy: They had some cool music there, I think I liked the music that in western North Carolina public station there are a couple of different ones, and now they are really.</p><p>00:07:30.510 –&gt; 00:07:32.100 Joseph McElroy: eclectic I thought yeah.</p><p>00:07:32.430 –&gt; 00:07:38.430 Joseph McElroy: Yes, so, then you were built more states that must be a challenging job you were there, six years?</p><p>00:07:39.300 –&gt; 00:07:50.040 Leslie Hartley: um I love that job was it was a really good experience um yeah I was there for six years, I felt I felt really fortunate to be a part of the marketing team there and.</p><p>00:07:51.360 –&gt; 00:08:00.510 Leslie Hartley: I focused on online content, which was a new term back then now everyone, everyone is wanting content.</p><p>00:08:00.900 –&gt; 00:08:01.230 Because.</p><p>00:08:02.790 –&gt; 00:08:04.800 Leslie Hartley: content is king that’s right.</p><p>00:08:04.980 –&gt; 00:08:12.180 Joseph McElroy: I wrote, I wrote another podcast called wise content in my line is content is king, but why is content rules, the world.</p><p>00:08:15.510 –&gt; 00:08:27.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah well Bill Moore does a pretty good job I guess you would help set all that up and they really you know saturate the Internet with good content about what they do my thing.</p><p>00:08:27.810 –&gt; 00:08:35.190 Leslie Hartley: Right yeah they’re a top-notch group there’s no doubt about it, and they have an excellent mission to really.</p><p>00:08:36.450 –&gt; 00:08:43.560 Leslie Hartley: protect that place of it’s still the largest America’s largest home.</p><p>00:08:44.760 –&gt; 00:08:47.070 Leslie Hartley: So it’s a beautiful place if you haven’t been there.</p><p>00:08:47.400 –&gt; 00:08:53.670 Joseph McElroy: Oh I’ve been there, love the place, and then yeah they have all those gardens and have noticed the most visited winery in the world.</p><p>00:08:53.970 –&gt; 00:08:54.660 Yes.</p><p>00:08:55.860 –&gt; 00:08:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Right.</p><p>00:08:58.350 –&gt; 00:09:04.830 Joseph McElroy: So, then, I saw this is an interesting thing you are working, I think, for connoting Cayuga conferences.</p><p>00:09:06.600 –&gt; 00:09:11.160 Joseph McElroy: And when they came and rebuild dirty dancing there was that fun.</p><p>00:09:12.360 –&gt; 00:09:28.920 Leslie Hartley: that’s true I’m Jennifer Lopez, and others were in the remake of dirty dancing and iconic film and canoe that has these wonderful little cottages that were.</p><p>00:09:29.700 –&gt; 00:09:45.870 Leslie Hartley: designed and built in the early 1900s and has a lake it was just the perfect setting to recreate the movie if you’re familiar with the movie it’s set in a New York, I want to say the Catskills maybe.</p><p>00:09:47.550 –&gt; 00:09:48.930 Leslie Hartley: yeah and.</p><p>00:09:49.470 –&gt; 00:09:57.210 Leslie Hartley: Anyway, it was interesting to have the full crew, the whole place was basically taken.</p><p>00:09:57.540 –&gt; 00:10:03.240 Leslie Hartley: For by the film crew and everyone was very gracious it was a good experience.</p><p>00:10:03.600 –&gt; 00:10:16.500 Joseph McElroy: Well, Western North Carolina is a great as a great place for doing a lot of films, they do a lot of fields out there, so that’s not surprised I think they actually did the original film at like lower area.</p><p>00:10:16.890 –&gt; 00:10:32.730 Leslie Hartley: Some parts of it were def yeah that’s right you’re exactly right the thing that the very well known and often imitated lift seen in the lake I believe was filmed in.</p><p>00:10:34.020 –&gt; 00:10:34.890 Leslie Hartley: In lake lower.</p><p>00:10:35.220 –&gt; 00:10:40.380 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool so how did you end up at the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area?</p><p>00:10:41.130 –&gt; 00:10:49.500 Leslie Hartley: Well um I really love their mission of wanting to protect and preserve this region that I love.</p><p>00:10:50.580 –&gt; 00:11:03.780 Leslie Hartley: And the natural resources, the cultural treasures are important to them, and I really loved the idea of being a part of a nonprofit that had a passionate mission and something that I believed in.</p><p>00:11:04.800 –&gt; 00:11:13.740 Leslie Hartley: So I joined them on a contract basis, a few years ago and I’ve been in this role for about two years and.</p><p>00:11:13.770 –&gt; 00:11:18.210 Joseph McElroy: Can you tell us tell the listeners, what is the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.</p><p>00:11:18.720 –&gt; 00:11:28.890 Leslie Hartley: yeah that’s a great question um about 17 years ago the Western North Carolina region was designated a place of.</p><p>00:11:29.880 –&gt; 00:11:44.850 Leslie Hartley: National significance or region of national significance because of the distinct character, culture, and the natural beauty, that you can only find the mountains and foothills of North Carolina and so that’s.</p><p>00:11:46.410 –&gt; 00:11:57.480 Leslie Hartley: Our nonprofit organization, the Blue Ridge national heritage area partnership we take help take care of Western North Carolina this region.</p><p>00:11:57.690 –&gt; 00:11:59.520 Joseph McElroy: hmm and that was.</p><p>00:12:00.540 –&gt; 00:12:03.960 Joseph McElroy: That was by the Congress yeah that was at the national level right.</p><p>00:12:04.440 –&gt; 00:12:07.800 Leslie Hartley: that’s correct yeah at the federal level.</p><p>00:12:08.640 –&gt; 00:12:13.440 Joseph McElroy: And that is, it is significant funding that you get every year from the United government.</p><p>00:12:14.880 –&gt; 00:12:18.570 Leslie Hartley: We are very grateful to receive</p><p>00:12:20.190 –&gt; 00:12:24.000 Leslie Hartley: the foundation of funds from the Federal Government and</p><p>00:12:25.200 –&gt; 00:12:33.630 Leslie Hartley: it is how we are funded partially we but I’ll tell you that every dollar we receive we</p><p>00:12:36.300 –&gt; 00:12:47.250 Leslie Hartley: have to match one to one but we often go to the one at the very least in our matching and we do that through grants and partnerships.</p><p>00:12:48.090 –&gt; 00:12:56.520 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well when we come back, I want to talk more about why it exists and what makes it the state all right.</p><p>00:12:56.850 –&gt; 00:12:58.410 Leslie Hartley: Okay sounds good, thank you.</p><p>00:15:58.290 –&gt; 00:16:12.450 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guest Leslie Hartly so Leslie so we’re talking about the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and it’s 25.</p><p>00:16:13.050 –&gt; 00:16:22.140 Joseph McElroy: counties in Western North Carolina, why does it exist in that form, why those 25 characters counties, why was it created.</p><p>00:16:23.940 –&gt; 00:16:26.640 Leslie Hartley: yeah that’s a great question um.</p><p>00:16:27.960 –&gt; 00:16:35.910 Leslie Hartley: we’re talking about the mountains in the foothills that you find in the western part of North Carolina and it was deemed.</p><p>00:16:36.240 –&gt; 00:16:48.600 Leslie Hartley: As it is an area that’s distinct with natural beauty cultural traditions that you only find in this area, and those are living traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation.</p><p>00:16:49.050 –&gt; 00:17:00.450 Leslie Hartley: And our nonprofit the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area partnership serves as the steward of that footprint, we have the mission of.</p><p>00:17:02.820 –&gt; 00:17:10.470 Leslie Hartley: protecting, preserving, and thoughtfully promoting the natural and cultural resources here in our region.</p><p>00:17:11.070 –&gt; 00:17:21.240 Leslie Hartley: um you know, and you can ask you know why is it distinct and when you think about it, Joseph it’s we’ve got the highest mountain East of the Mississippi with Mount Mitchell.</p><p>00:17:21.810 –&gt; 00:17:34.020 Leslie Hartley: The oldest river in North America, with the new river, you had mentioned at the top of your show the most visited national parklands in the country with the great smokies and now the Blue Ridge parkway.</p><p>00:17:36.390 –&gt; 00:17:47.850 Leslie Hartley: itself getting over 14 million visitors last year, and also importantly, where the ancestral home of the Cherokee and Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:17:48.540 –&gt; 00:17:52.290 Joseph McElroy: So that’s what I guess that might make the difference, I was trying to figure out why.</p><p>00:17:52.770 –&gt; 00:18:06.210 Joseph McElroy: it’s not also cleaning say East Tennessee some counties there as well as some counties in Virginia, but I guess the Cherokee cultural tradition is also and critically important to make a distinct right.</p><p>00:18:07.860 –&gt; 00:18:08.370 Leslie Hartley: True.</p><p>00:18:08.760 –&gt; 00:18:10.230 Leslie Hartley: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:18:10.590 –&gt; 00:18:15.360 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool um So what do you do to serve the Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:18:16.440 –&gt; 00:18:18.000 Leslie Hartley: Well, we um.</p><p>00:18:19.830 –&gt; 00:18:25.770 Leslie Hartley: We do this, we serve as a steward through, we have a grants program where we support.</p><p>00:18:26.820 –&gt; 00:18:34.200 Leslie Hartley: organizations in our region with projects that will help further the traditions or.</p><p>00:18:36.510 –&gt; 00:18:40.110 Leslie Hartley: Not just the traditions but also may enhance.</p><p>00:18:41.520 –&gt; 00:18:52.890 Leslie Hartley: The cultural assets as well, I mean, excuse me, the Ashville natural assets as well say for exists example we just provided a grant to help.</p><p>00:18:54.480 –&gt; 00:19:08.850 Leslie Hartley: The Cherokee in the quality boundary create an aviary for eagles for injured eagles and we have provided that grant for them to do the research to make that happen.</p><p>00:19:10.050 –&gt; 00:19:25.680 Leslie Hartley: Of course, the eagle feathers would be used ceremonially and the eagles will be taken care of now it’ll be the first one, on the whole, east coast that exists that kind of gives you an idea of one of the things we’ve done, we also.</p><p>00:19:26.730 –&gt; 00:19:31.350 Leslie Hartley: Recently, helped fund the Nina Simone.</p><p>00:19:34.530 –&gt; 00:19:50.790 Leslie Hartley: park in Tryon North Carolina, which is the side of where she grew up a good part of her where she grew up was right here in Western North Carolina and Nina Simone, of course, being the iconic jazz singer jazz and blues singer.</p><p>00:19:52.470 –&gt; 00:19:55.890 Leslie Hartley: And um anyway sorry.</p><p>00:19:57.330 –&gt; 00:19:57.630 Leslie Hartley: yeah.</p><p>00:19:57.660 –&gt; 00:19:58.410 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:19:58.770 –&gt; 00:20:02.730 Leslie Hartley: samples that are trying to give you a sense of the flavor where we’re coming from.</p><p>00:20:03.690 –&gt; 00:20:09.240 Leslie Hartley: We do this grants program we also have the training and we have cultural programming as well.</p><p>00:20:10.320 –&gt; 00:20:17.940 Joseph McElroy: of us, you know you said, we often think is I didn’t even discover that you know, I was in one of.</p><p>00:20:19.200 –&gt; 00:20:25.470 Joseph McElroy: One of my early projects was I worked with Nina Simone, young daughter, to create.</p><p>00:20:26.070 –&gt; 00:20:27.450 Joseph McElroy: Their website.</p><p>00:20:27.450 –&gt; 00:20:29.850 Joseph McElroy: For the Nina Simone foundation, the first website.</p><p>00:20:31.110 –&gt; 00:20:31.530 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:20:32.910 –&gt; 00:20:39.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah so you caught me off guard because I missed that little tidbit of trivia that been great to know.</p><p>00:20:40.560 –&gt; 00:20:47.880 Joseph McElroy: So, but I knew that there was some relevance to this area for Nina Simone I love Nina Simone that’s fantastic.</p><p>00:20:49.740 –&gt; 00:21:00.570 Joseph McElroy: And the eagle you know the thing is pretty good, you know that I just had Frances Figart here on from the great smoky mountains, associations and they’re trying to get.</p><p>00:21:01.590 –&gt; 00:21:14.310 Joseph McElroy: Yes, you know the talking about the issues here talking about books, but the big ones are about you know the problem with the interstates and not having put bridges for animals to go across.</p><p>00:21:14.790 –&gt; 00:21:21.390 Joseph McElroy: Right is that something that you guys might also get involved with I mean I’m not asking for promise anything</p><p>00:21:21.390 –&gt; 00:21:39.120 Leslie Hartley: Because you do not know yeah I can’t promise that um you know that sounds like a Department of Transportation potential project but I’m not sure we just haven’t been I’m familiar with what you’re talking about and to me personally, they sound like a great idea.</p><p>00:21:39.690 –&gt; 00:21:42.720 Leslie Hartley: And I think they’re doing that in California now right.</p><p>00:21:43.470 –&gt; 00:21:45.570 Joseph McElroy: I that I don’t know.</p><p>00:21:45.870 –&gt; 00:21:46.350 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:21:47.190 –&gt; 00:22:00.900 Leslie Hartley: There is one, at least in California, that I saw the other day on the news but I’m sorry sounds like a great idea might be something that we would be interested in learning more about.</p><p>00:22:02.340 –&gt; 00:22:19.830 Joseph McElroy: It so he said he said I just looking at the cultural programs you offer and they look pretty extensive the Cherokee history and heritage Appalachian craft heritage traditional music heritage historic North Carolina agricultural here’s, what do you guys do with that?</p><p>00:22:21.030 –&gt; 00:22:30.030 Leslie Hartley: Well, we really help spread the word about the agricultural traditions, through our website at blueridgeheritage.com</p><p>00:22:31.020 –&gt; 00:22:43.230 Leslie Hartley: you know we have a rich obviously a rich agricultural heritage here and that continues today not only with what you would think of as traditional farming, but we have.</p><p>00:22:44.880 –&gt; 00:22:49.170 Leslie Hartley: An ever-growing amount of farmer’s markets in the local towns.</p><p>00:22:51.720 –&gt; 00:22:51.930 Joseph McElroy: fee.</p><p>00:22:52.080 –&gt; 00:22:55.050 Leslie Hartley: waivers wineries now it’s expanded.</p><p>00:22:55.080 –&gt; 00:22:55.560 Leslie Hartley: Even.</p><p>00:22:55.620 –&gt; 00:23:06.120 Leslie Hartley: We have a vehicle, we have two viticulture areas in western North Carolina in the Henderson County area and then up in the Yakima Valley area as well wow.</p><p>00:23:06.330 –&gt; 00:23:14.970 Joseph McElroy: You know, ways well, what has the Waynesville in the county that I have my business in his garden what the one that historic farmers markets.</p><p>00:23:15.480 –&gt; 00:23:22.080 Joseph McElroy: And yes, it’s kind of cute and you know, I was a beekeeper back and they said when seeing your Beekeeper</p><p>00:23:22.740 –&gt; 00:23:26.100 Leslie Hartley: Oh Okay, yes that’s great yeah this.</p><p>00:23:27.660 –&gt; 00:23:44.040 Leslie Hartley: I think it’s very much alive and well, and you see younger people taking that on and finding new ways to connect with the potential market or potential customers through the farmer’s markets and through the offering.</p><p>00:23:45.720 –&gt; 00:23:50.940 Leslie Hartley: CSA is or where you can purchase your vegetables.</p><p>00:23:51.870 –&gt; 00:23:53.340 Leslie Hartley: So yeah.</p><p>00:23:53.700 –&gt; 00:23:55.860 Joseph McElroy: So I had some questions about.</p><p>00:23:57.000 –&gt; 00:24:00.870 Joseph McElroy: You know, really interesting you offer extensive services online.</p><p>00:24:01.350 –&gt; 00:24:15.660 Joseph McElroy: And it seems really ambitious and I just wanted to you know little bit more about that so, for example, you guys have these wonderful itineraries, how do you get those built and you accept them from partners and what what What do you know.</p><p>00:24:16.140 –&gt; 00:24:26.040 Leslie Hartley: Well, for example, we have the Blue Ridge craft trails that we’re developing and I’d love to talk about that and talk about those itineraries and how we create them.</p><p>00:24:27.000 –&gt; 00:24:27.330 Joseph McElroy: First.</p><p>00:24:27.510 –&gt; 00:24:40.770 Leslie Hartley: The blue Ridge craft trails is a new initiative of ours, where we’re going through the North Carolina mountains and foothills and curating kind of a drivable trail that you can follow.</p><p>00:24:41.850 –&gt; 00:24:56.490 Leslie Hartley: to discover these artists and studios artists galleries and studios and those 25 counties and we are creating itineraries we have a team that literally goes out visits.</p><p>00:24:57.150 –&gt; 00:25:14.910 Leslie Hartley: these sites take in what’s going on in that region or what’s going on in that county and put together a suggested itinerary to not only visit with the artists but also what’s going on with the outdoor recreation.</p><p>00:25:16.140 –&gt; 00:25:26.430 Leslie Hartley: What kind of small-town experience can you have to connect with the community whether that’s the craft beer, as I mentioned the wineries and distilleries that we have.</p><p>00:25:27.570 –&gt; 00:25:32.280 Leslie Hartley: So we try and give you a 360 experience at least an option</p><p>00:25:33.780 –&gt; 00:25:43.920 Leslie Hartley: to have a wonderful time it’s a great idea to a great time to get outside and kind of explore and have one on one experiences with artists.</p><p>00:25:44.010 –&gt; 00:25:50.340 Joseph McElroy: So is that those itinerary is going to be available separately or they part of the itinerary isn’t already offered.</p><p>00:25:51.660 –&gt; 00:25:52.320 Leslie Hartley: They are.</p><p>00:25:53.370 –&gt; 00:26:03.270 Leslie Hartley: You can find those blue Ridge craft trails itineraries at blueridgecrafttrails.com, as well as maps and artists profiles.</p><p>00:26:04.740 –&gt; 00:26:12.660 Leslie Hartley: But we have that’s a really good question if you go to the website you’ll see that we have suggested itineraries.</p><p>00:26:13.380 –&gt; 00:26:29.250 Leslie Hartley: But then, Joseph we also have this itinerary builder where you can actually choose the different towns, the different types of artists, you want to visit and put it all together, we have a tool that helps put together your own customized itinerary.</p><p>00:26:29.640 –&gt; 00:26:30.750 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s kind of cool.</p><p>00:26:30.870 –&gt; 00:26:31.560 Leslie Hartley: It is.</p><p>00:26:32.310 –&gt; 00:26:45.420 Joseph McElroy: yeah but again that’s you know that’s ambitious, so I mean you do, you get do you get partners and all the areas to help you or do you go out and do that you get all those little information yourself how do you find the artists.</p><p>00:26:46.470 –&gt; 00:26:57.870 Leslie Hartley: Oh OK that’s a great question um we start with having Community input sessions and we go to the community leaders, the artist’s arts council’s of that area.</p><p>00:26:58.770 –&gt; 00:27:13.290 Leslie Hartley: and ask for recommendations and then we have a team that’s focused right now on pulling together the blue Ridge craft drills itineraries and profiles, but and also curating that.</p><p>00:27:15.300 –&gt; 00:27:17.250 Leslie Hartley: That trail down to.</p><p>00:27:19.260 –&gt; 00:27:27.570 Leslie Hartley: We did that, through our own research we do research and then we do site visits and those who.</p><p>00:27:28.140 –&gt; 00:27:45.510 Leslie Hartley: bubble up to to the top through that process or then selected to be on the trails so we, that is, we do that through partnerships in the communities as well as, then the boots on the ground is our own team.</p><p>00:27:45.780 –&gt; 00:27:57.840 Joseph McElroy: All right, well cool, and then we come back we’ll talk more about this craft trails and I’m also hit a little bit on some music trails and some other cool stuff so we’ll talk about that later come back.</p><p>00:27:58.650 –&gt; 00:27:59.430 Leslie Hartley: sounds good.</p><p>00:30:49.110 –&gt; 00:30:59.760 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts with my guest Leslie Hartley hey Leslie so</p><p>00:31:00.420 –&gt; 00:31:14.400 Joseph McElroy: we’re talking about Mountain Blue Ridge trails and we were specifically talking about the craft trail, but you had a heritage partnership had a music trail before that right.</p><p>00:31:15.090 –&gt; 00:31:23.550 Leslie Hartley: yeah we still have a very lively music trail at Blueridgemusicnc.com and really that’s a.</p><p>00:31:25.680 –&gt; 00:31:40.620 Leslie Hartley: it’s still very much alive at celebrating so traditional music bluegrass blues and Gospel you can find in North Carolina has mountains and foothills and I tell you, Joseph music is back live music is back our.</p><p>00:31:41.070 –&gt; 00:31:42.270 Leslie Hartley: Yes, yeah.</p><p>00:31:43.380 –&gt; 00:32:04.440 Leslie Hartley: Our website, we really try our best to keep up with all the live music offerings in Western North Carolina and keep that up and updated so you can find from the bluff mountain festival that’s coming up to the Earl Scruggs Center picking on the square and of course merle fest.</p><p>00:32:05.580 –&gt; 00:32:09.330 Leslie Hartley: Looking forward to that coming back in September.</p><p>00:32:09.630 –&gt; 00:32:20.760 Joseph McElroy: I saw that I just saw online balsam range, which had one I had TIM CERT here on the show I just announced they’re gonna be part of that, so it looks pretty exciting.</p><p>00:32:20.820 –&gt; 00:32:22.620 Leslie Hartley: yeah saw that today too.</p><p>00:32:22.710 –&gt; 00:32:25.860 Leslie Hartley: yeah yeah it should be really good hoping to get tickets.</p><p>00:32:26.280 –&gt; 00:32:37.050 Joseph McElroy: Oh, I hope so too, so people can go to that site you mentioned to actually find music events and festivals, and individual artists that you visit as well right.</p><p>00:32:37.290 –&gt; 00:32:41.760 Leslie Hartley: that’s right blueridgemusicnc.com.</p><p>00:32:41.910 –&gt; 00:32:46.950 Joseph McElroy: cool So what are the blue Ridge craft trails mirrored after that.</p><p>00:32:47.730 –&gt; 00:32:49.620 Leslie Hartley: Well, I think i’m.</p><p>00:32:51.330 –&gt; 00:33:01.980 Leslie Hartley: In a way, in that we’ve had the experience of putting together a trail that focuses on the cultural heritage of our region.</p><p>00:33:02.850 –&gt; 00:33:13.140 Leslie Hartley: Otherwise it’s been a new experience we actually had we’ve been fortunate to have the Appalachian regional commission.</p><p>00:33:13.590 –&gt; 00:33:23.520 Leslie Hartley: And the Cherokee preservation foundation, just to mention a few come on board and support this effort we’re very appreciative to that and.</p><p>00:33:24.270 –&gt; 00:33:29.430 Leslie Hartley: The blue Ridge craft trails is it’s a new initiative and we.</p><p>00:33:30.390 –&gt; 00:33:48.210 Leslie Hartley: were getting close to completing the development of the project, you can certainly find over 150 artists right now on the website, as well as suggested itineraries of blueridgecrafttrails.com but we know just that’s a lot of ground to cover 25 counties.</p><p>00:33:48.750 –&gt; 00:33:50.040 Leslie Hartley: Mountains you’ve got.</p><p>00:33:50.340 –&gt; 00:33:58.740 Leslie Hartley: you’ve got mountains and valleys and rivers and it’s a lot of trails to cover but it’s a wonderful job to have.</p><p>00:33:58.950 –&gt; 00:34:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Well there’s a lot of crafts that have been going on in the Blue Ridge area for ya for centuries now and so there’s a lot of history there to cover I.</p><p>00:34:09.090 –&gt; 00:34:16.620 Joseph McElroy: mean I read a quote by Angie Chandler I think the Executive Director of the Blue Ridge.</p><p>00:34:17.550 –&gt; 00:34:19.560 Joseph McElroy: National Heritage and she said, our goal is to.</p><p>00:34:19.560 –&gt; 00:34:27.690 Joseph McElroy: increase income for traditional and contemporary artisans enhance culture tourism and improve local economies.</p><p>00:34:27.990 –&gt; 00:34:40.260 Joseph McElroy: We are building on Western North Carolina’s history is a leading Center for craft production and education, the United States, I think this was early in your announcement is that still generally the purpose on the intent.</p><p>00:34:40.890 –&gt; 00:34:41.880 Absolutely.</p><p>00:34:43.110 –&gt; 00:34:46.020 Leslie Hartley: That is definitely it, we are looking to bring.</p><p>00:34:47.610 –&gt; 00:34:58.980 Leslie Hartley: folks who are interested in craft to the actual makers and spend time with them and learn what inspires them what’s the history of what they’re doing and.</p><p>00:35:00.150 –&gt; 00:35:10.080 Leslie Hartley: Just connect with these artists connect with the community that they’re in and have a one on one with them and really a one of a kind.</p><p>00:35:10.530 –&gt; 00:35:18.300 Leslie Hartley: Experience where you can bring home a piece that’s been it’s one of a kind to say again, the piece of art that.</p><p>00:35:18.720 –&gt; 00:35:36.390 Leslie Hartley: You can get directly from the maker and we’re seeing this have to make a difference, already one of the first two counties to the first two counties that we completed this project in was clay in Cherokee counties out in the Far West region.</p><p>00:35:37.560 –&gt; 00:35:45.540 Leslie Hartley: And we have gotten positive feedback we had an exhibit and one of the visits to North Carolina.</p><p>00:35:46.200 –&gt; 00:36:00.660 Leslie Hartley: Excuse me, one of the North Carolina visit visitor centers and an exhibit on the Blue Ridge craft trails and people actually sought out some of the artists who were exhibited from seeing it in the Visitor Center and told them so when they went out there.</p><p>00:36:01.020 –&gt; 00:36:07.080 Joseph McElroy: Oh really that’s fabulous to have some success stories, people are getting great reviews back.</p><p>00:36:07.470 –&gt; 00:36:31.320 Leslie Hartley: yeah exactly, even with the challenge of the past year with the covered precautions um we’re still seeing we’ve still gone out there very safely and through zoom often continue to develop this trail, but we didn’t give up, and we are persevering and making.</p><p>00:36:32.820 –&gt; 00:36:38.550 Leslie Hartley: Making quite a dent in the project like I said we already have about 150 artists on the trail.</p><p>00:36:39.270 –&gt; 00:36:39.780 wow.</p><p>00:36:42.840 –&gt; 00:36:55.110 Joseph McElroy: Do you how somebody can go to the website and get an itinerary travel then go travel to like craftsmen, is that they can actually have visited him to call ahead or what are they, what are the what do they do.</p><p>00:36:55.590 –&gt; 00:37:05.670 Leslie Hartley: yeah I’m going to blueridgecrafttrails.com, we have some suggested itineraries or you can build your own itinerary with the itinerary tool that we have.</p><p>00:37:06.210 –&gt; 00:37:23.520 Leslie Hartley: And you can find Google maps on our website, we have a Google map for each one of the artists, if you want to go visit them as far as you know, some of the artists who are in their own home studio they do like folks to come by appointment.</p><p>00:37:24.390 –&gt; 00:37:26.220 Joseph McElroy: And then some you have held.</p><p>00:37:26.220 –&gt; 00:37:36.420 Leslie Hartley: Regular hours, but we note that on each one of the profiles that we have on the website so you won’t be caught surprised you’ll be able to plan your trip.</p><p>00:37:37.140 –&gt; 00:37:44.610 Joseph McElroy: And can people find the do you also make suggestions on like places to eat places to stay things to do.</p><p>00:37:45.330 –&gt; 00:37:51.510 Leslie Hartley: Yes, yeah we do our research and have.</p><p>00:37:52.920 –&gt; 00:38:08.040 Leslie Hartley: places you don’t want to miss whether it’s rafting in that area that’s really good rafting or Great little hikes to go on mountain biking craft brewery or wineries we also have distilleries.</p><p>00:38:09.330 –&gt; 00:38:10.110 Leslie Hartley: Carolina.</p><p>00:38:11.160 –&gt; 00:38:13.860 Joseph McElroy: distillery shouts out yeah that’s right.</p><p>00:38:14.100 –&gt; 00:38:22.170 Leslie Hartley: So it’s we do have recommendations, not only on the artists visiting them but kind of.</p><p>00:38:23.250 –&gt; 00:38:33.990 Leslie Hartley: A full experience what would you like to do, in addition to visiting with craft artists, so you get some really good information from those itineraries on our website.</p><p>00:38:34.320 –&gt; 00:38:39.720 Joseph McElroy: You get to see do you have pictures of the craft so that people can get an idea of what they’re going to see.</p><p>00:38:40.260 –&gt; 00:38:58.170 Leslie Hartley: yeah we do that’s a great question, we do have images of usually of the artist, or at least of the artists, most importantly, not, most importantly, but importantly, of the artist’s works, you get an idea, and you know we’re talking about jewelers Woodworkers weaver’s potters.</p><p>00:39:00.450 –&gt; 00:39:03.420 Leslie Hartley: I just visited, with someone last Friday.</p><p>00:39:05.730 –&gt; 00:39:14.370 Leslie Hartley: has created I don’t know if your listeners will know this, the barn quilt squares that go on horns.</p><p>00:39:14.730 –&gt; 00:39:18.840 Leslie Hartley: On frequently in western North Carolina and I think it started in.</p><p>00:39:19.080 –&gt; 00:39:34.650 Leslie Hartley: want to say it started in Ohio but it’s really been adopted adopt adopted here in Western North Carolina and she had created over 3000 of these in the past few years and that kind of blew my mind, because she does it by hand.</p><p>00:39:35.580 –&gt; 00:39:50.940 Leslie Hartley: wow yeah and she was inspired by the quilts that she grew up with she said when she grew up she didn’t know about blankets, going to the store and buy blankets, you slept on to your grandmother’s quilts and.</p><p>00:39:54.450 –&gt; 00:39:58.560 Joseph McElroy: My mother is still a quilt her she’s going to be at this year so.</p><p>00:39:58.560 –&gt; 00:40:02.130 Joseph McElroy: he’s still a quilt yeah it’s serious.</p><p>00:40:03.630 –&gt; 00:40:04.290 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:40:05.400 –&gt; 00:40:06.540 Joseph McElroy: together so.</p><p>00:40:07.980 –&gt; 00:40:16.050 Joseph McElroy: So do I guess it’s not just the bigger towns you taking them into the really small towns too right.</p><p>00:40:16.650 –&gt; 00:40:32.310 Leslie Hartley: yeah definitely we want folks to get out into the small towns and find those hidden gems that are you know in these picturesque truly scenically beautiful towns and what beautiful drives to get there.</p><p>00:40:33.330 –&gt; 00:40:42.600 Leslie Hartley: really nice road trip to take in western North Carolina whether you’re going along the ribbon of road that runs through it, which is the blue Ridge parkway.</p><p>00:40:43.020 –&gt; 00:40:45.120 Leslie Hartley: or on some of the other.</p><p>00:40:45.180 –&gt; 00:40:45.960 roads.</p><p>00:40:47.490 –&gt; 00:40:50.130 Leslie Hartley: yeah it’s not just the large towns like Asheville.</p><p>00:40:51.660 –&gt; 00:41:10.860 Leslie Hartley: it’s smaller little towns like a brass town in Far West, North Carolina that has the John C Campbell folks school that’s well known for a place to you can take workshops there on everything from blacksmithing to basket tree.</p><p>00:41:12.630 –&gt; 00:41:12.870 Joseph McElroy: that’s.</p><p>00:41:13.500 –&gt; 00:41:14.250 Leslie Hartley: An idea.</p><p>00:41:14.700 –&gt; 00:41:18.480 Joseph McElroy: and places like you include also things like the folk art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.</p><p>00:41:19.410 –&gt; 00:41:22.170 Leslie Hartley: Yes, they’re one of our anchor sites actually.</p><p>00:41:22.710 –&gt; 00:41:24.090 Leslie Hartley: cool yeah.</p><p>00:41:24.870 –&gt; 00:41:30.630 Joseph McElroy: So it sounds like this is a great resource for visitors coming to North Carolina.</p><p>00:41:32.220 –&gt; 00:41:37.350 Joseph McElroy: I look forward I’m gonna look forward to it, how does how to businesses.</p><p>00:41:38.580 –&gt; 00:41:55.080 Joseph McElroy: That, for example, I own a lodging facility and we’re going to have some music we’re doing a smoky mountain heritage Center and we’re also going to feature crafts and things, how would a business get the application to be part of your ear trails.</p><p>00:41:55.800 –&gt; 00:42:05.280 Leslie Hartley: yeah it’s good to be aware if you wanted to get in touch with me at Leslie@blueridgeheritage.com.</p><p>00:42:06.900 –&gt; 00:42:10.770 Leslie Hartley: I could, I could pass it along definitely I am.</p><p>00:42:13.050 –&gt; 00:42:17.580 Leslie Hartley: I can see your place definitely being on the Blue Ridge music trails as a venue.</p><p>00:42:18.120 –&gt; 00:42:18.630 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:42:18.690 –&gt; 00:42:28.020 Leslie Hartley: For the music and we would also want to talk with you about the craft trails and how that could work out um tell me about your craft.</p><p>00:42:29.580 –&gt; 00:42:32.520 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I have an artistic background.</p><p>00:42:33.540 –&gt; 00:42:42.180 Joseph McElroy: So I have actually so personally I’ve been putting some of my own craft art into some of the rooms, but we’ve also been putting handmade quilts.</p><p>00:42:42.570 –&gt; 00:42:54.240 Joseph McElroy: And now we’re starting to do things like sculptures that we find and have craft people so throughout the area we’re starting to put them into the rooms.</p><p>00:42:55.410 –&gt; 00:42:56.460 Joseph McElroy: And plans to.</p><p>00:42:56.490 –&gt; 00:43:04.920 Joseph McElroy: You know, to you know to develop in the smoky mountain heritage Center whole area for crafts and things like that so.</p><p>00:43:04.950 –&gt; 00:43:08.460 Leslie Hartley: yeah it’s a good partnership that could really come around.</p><p>00:43:08.490 –&gt; 00:43:08.670 that’s.</p><p>00:43:09.720 –&gt; 00:43:10.140 Joseph McElroy: cool.</p><p>00:43:10.800 –&gt; 00:43:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Already so.</p><p>00:43:12.420 –&gt; 00:43:19.620 Joseph McElroy: we’re gonna take a break, right now, we come back you’ll give some any shout out you want to it to people who helped you along the way here and.</p><p>00:43:20.670 –&gt; 00:43:22.290 Joseph McElroy: Then what the future holds.</p><p>00:45:41.460 –&gt; 00:45:57.930 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy and back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Leslie Hartley so we’ve been talking about the Blue Ridge, and the craft trails and music trails the heritage area.</p><p>00:45:59.040 –&gt; 00:46:01.590 Joseph McElroy: And all that and it’s all really wonderful.</p><p>00:46:02.760 –&gt; 00:46:12.060 Joseph McElroy: You know the title of this podcast is the gateway to the smoky so I was just wondering, you know, do you guys, promote the smokies as part of what you do.</p><p>00:46:13.110 –&gt; 00:46:14.400 Leslie Hartley: yeah absolutely.</p><p>00:46:15.480 –&gt; 00:46:16.350 Leslie Hartley: You know it’s.</p><p>00:46:18.390 –&gt; 00:46:27.030 Leslie Hartley: it’s this remarkable is fear in the mountains and part of it is here in North Carolina.</p><p>00:46:28.290 –&gt; 00:46:35.580 Leslie Hartley: wouldn’t be right if we didn’t mention that on our website yeah and whenever we can.</p><p>00:46:37.650 –&gt; 00:46:52.050 Leslie Hartley: it’s amazing if someone hasn’t visited yet I think it’s definitely worth make putting that on your bucket list because it’s amazing I mean from whether you’re into birding or.</p><p>00:46:54.180 –&gt; 00:46:56.490 Leslie Hartley: leaf-peeping in the fall.</p><p>00:46:57.510 –&gt; 00:47:04.230 Leslie Hartley: Seen wildlife and just gorgeous beauty I don’t have to tell you that Joseph how beautiful, it is.</p><p>00:47:04.560 –&gt; 00:47:08.580 Joseph McElroy: I imagine, some of your itineraries take you through that great smoky mountain</p><p>00:47:08.700 –&gt; 00:47:24.120 Leslie Hartley: Right yeah we actually have the main part of the website BlueRidgeheritage.com on that website you’ll find an itinerary that suggests that cherry for driving through the great smoky mountains National Park so.</p><p>00:47:25.470 –&gt; 00:47:27.690 Joseph McElroy: there’s a couple of great drive through there right.</p><p>00:47:27.720 –&gt; 00:47:30.990 Joseph McElroy: For 41 you also got the Blue Ridge parkway.</p><p>00:47:32.100 –&gt; 00:47:35.970 Joseph McElroy: And maybe people can even go hiking on the Appalachian trail is something that.</p><p>00:47:36.990 –&gt; 00:47:40.440 Leslie Hartley: yeah yeah you don’t have to do the whole thing just get.</p><p>00:47:43.050 –&gt; 00:47:48.900 Joseph McElroy: Part of it yeah but our you go through this go through the smokies on the Blue Ridge.</p><p>00:47:48.930 –&gt; 00:47:57.660 Joseph McElroy: Go then go from Cherokee to balsam which is near Wayne’s old silver just some great chance of lots of arch Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:47:58.020 –&gt; 00:47:59.700 Joseph McElroy: And all asheville right.</p><p>00:47:59.970 –&gt; 00:48:01.440 Leslie Hartley: Right exactly.</p><p>00:48:01.530 –&gt; 00:48:03.570 Joseph McElroy: Okay, great itinerary right there.</p><p>00:48:03.870 –&gt; 00:48:14.970 Joseph McElroy: yeah so what’s the future for the Blue Ridge heritage area, the craft trails and music trails me this stuff, what do you guys got planned coming down the pipe.</p><p>00:48:15.630 –&gt; 00:48:31.740 Leslie Hartley: yeah well, a lot of our energy is focused on the blue Ridge craft girls right now, and getting that completed it’s always going to be a work in progress, because it’s digital lives on blueridgecrafts.com and, as you can imagine.</p><p>00:48:32.880 –&gt; 00:48:40.470 Leslie Hartley: We will always be looking for artists who want to be a part of it and who fit the criteria.</p><p>00:48:40.890 –&gt; 00:48:58.770 Leslie Hartley: But anyway, so, but right now we’re working on developing it as fully as we can and we’re having each one of the counties of the 25 counties represented on the website with profiles of those artists and galleries and suggested itineraries.</p><p>00:48:59.790 –&gt; 00:49:09.360 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous yeah well besides so let’s give let’s you have any anybody want to thank for helping do this along the way, and he.</p><p>00:49:09.360 –&gt; 00:49:10.050 Leslie Hartley: Oh wow.</p><p>00:49:10.290 –&gt; 00:49:10.920 Joseph McElroy: You did mention.</p><p>00:49:12.330 –&gt; 00:49:12.810 Leslie Hartley: So many.</p><p>00:49:14.040 –&gt; 00:49:15.990 Leslie Hartley: Yes, so many good partners.</p><p>00:49:17.070 –&gt; 00:49:35.220 Leslie Hartley: First, starting with the Appalachian Regional Commission, which has been a major funder of this program and the Cherokee preservation foundation Community foundation Western North Carolina and I probably can’t list think of everyone, thank all of them.</p><p>00:49:36.450 –&gt; 00:49:39.750 Leslie Hartley: Two, to all of the arts council’s you know.</p><p>00:49:40.770 –&gt; 00:49:52.080 Leslie Hartley: In the tourism development authorities and the chamber of commerce that has really helped us find these wonderful hidden gems in the small towns of Western North Carolina.</p><p>00:49:52.530 –&gt; 00:49:59.100 Joseph McElroy: cool I know you mentioned some websites, but you also have Facebook and Instagram account right.</p><p>00:49:59.280 –&gt; 00:50:00.180 Joseph McElroy: that’s true.</p><p>00:50:00.570 –&gt; 00:50:12.300 Leslie Hartley: yeah yeah that’s true you can find us on Facebook under the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, as well as on Instagram Blue Ridge National heritage area if you search for that.</p><p>00:50:12.960 –&gt; 00:50:23.760 Leslie Hartley: you’ll find us we keep we have some beautiful images, as you can imagine that we get to share on our Instagram account it’s worth following definitely.</p><p>00:50:24.000 –&gt; 00:50:33.210 Joseph McElroy: looks fabulous well, I thank you very much for being on this show it’s been wonderful find out about this it’s a great resource, I look forward to seeing it.</p><p>00:50:33.900 –&gt; 00:50:45.480 Joseph McElroy: continue to develop I think it’d be great for people wanting to visit the area, to use your websites and accounts and itineraries to make things a wonderful experience for them.</p><p>00:50:46.410 –&gt; 00:50:55.710 Leslie Hartley: Thank you, Joseph, and thanks for all you do and helping get the word out about our area and the valuable work that you do get to come to visit your placing.</p><p>00:50:55.980 –&gt; 00:51:03.570 Joseph McElroy: You do I’ve got an I got a couple to shout out to my own do.</p><p>00:51:04.440 –&gt; 00:51:14.070 Joseph McElroy: So, and then I’m going to talk about a couple of things to come to see so I want you to imagine a place that’s evocative motor courts in the past and modern environment.</p><p>00:51:14.490 –&gt; 00:51:22.320 Joseph McElroy: The Chic Appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream.</p><p>00:51:22.770 –&gt; 00:51:38.640 Joseph McElroy: grill the catch on fire and need a company by fine wine or craft beers imagine in place with old-time music world cultural sounds imagine a place with smoky mountain heritage events there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley</p><p>00:51:40.950 –&gt; 00:51:43.830 Joseph McElroy: Your smoky mountain adventure starts, with where you stay</p><p>00:51:45.150 –&gt; 00:51:47.760 Joseph McElroy: that’s my place the Meadowlarkmotel.com.</p><p>00:51:48.810 –&gt; 00:51:53.010 Joseph McElroy: We announced that we have the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center.</p><p>00:51:53.610 –&gt; 00:52:03.480 Joseph McElroy: we’re building out with Bob Plott, you know historian, and you know a family who brought the Plott hound American roots in the state of dog of North Carolina.</p><p>00:52:03.990 –&gt; 00:52:19.050 Joseph McElroy: And so, our first event is going to be a Plottfest reunion weekend July 7 or the eighth and it’s the weekend the heritage steam activities pertaining to the Plott Pal the state of North Carolina and the plans to get the plot hound festival started again.</p><p>00:52:20.280 –&gt; 00:52:30.810 Joseph McElroy: It will be there’ll be a Friday night meet and greet with you know, music and bonfire and hosted by Bob Plott who regale you with lots of stories than the Saturday.</p><p>00:52:31.170 –&gt; 00:52:44.070 Joseph McElroy: And you’ll see things like the original pot family gun and accouterments and headed doing spoken display there’ll be a plot dog program that will be a mechanical pair bear bait DEMO with Gary Bowen.</p><p>00:52:44.460 –&gt; 00:52:53.610 Joseph McElroy: there’ll be a bench show DEMO with Eugene Walker Gary baby and Gary Bowen there’ll be a present presentation awards and.</p><p>00:52:54.270 –&gt; 00:53:05.610 Joseph McElroy: And, with a special more than one by winners designed by Cory Plott and Shane Plott and there’ll be conversations with legends and then there’ll be raffle items.</p><p>00:53:06.360 –&gt; 00:53:12.330 Joseph McElroy: donated by Gary baby in GTA hunting supplies and a book signing the bar plot and Jacob about and.</p><p>00:53:12.900 –&gt; 00:53:25.560 Joseph McElroy: Then a whole time planning tunes in balance with William runner and there’ll be a separate break and then there’ll be fellowship and brainstorm as well into the evening, and then you might do some karaoke if somebody wants to.</p><p>00:53:26.550 –&gt; 00:53:31.290 Joseph McElroy: So should be a nice event, if you stay at the Motel you get in for free.</p><p>00:53:32.610 –&gt; 00:53:43.170 Joseph McElroy: Then there’s going to be on the 17th this is exciting talking about balsam range there and Nicholson of balsam range will be having a bluegrass band camp and concert.</p><p>00:53:44.700 –&gt; 00:53:50.310 Joseph McElroy: So it’s an exclusive event for aspiring musicians to learn and interact with some of the best artists in the business.</p><p>00:53:50.790 –&gt; 00:53:57.690 Joseph McElroy: culminating in an all-star concert so it’d be banned workshops with their Nicholson ADI but boy a lot.</p><p>00:53:58.020 –&gt; 00:54:10.680 Joseph McElroy: Eric Ellison read Jones assigning songwriting workshop with their Nicholson and friends and then they’ll be an instrumental workshop with me the mandolin with the dare advantage over their guitar with.</p><p>00:54:11.550 –&gt; 00:54:16.320 Joseph McElroy: dinner break and then there’ll be an all-star concert that sounds fantastic no too late.</p><p>00:54:18.150 –&gt; 00:54:32.910 Joseph McElroy: So please reach up Meadowlarkmoted.com to experience those things, I also have another sponsor smokiesadventure.com smokies is plural and it’s information and listings about the smokies focused on outdoor recreation.</p><p>00:54:33.960 –&gt; 00:54:46.050 Joseph McElroy: With and outdoor life events like weddings and adventures, along with providing similar information about lodging and entertainment and events and conventions and how he moves and stuff like that.</p><p>00:54:46.830 –&gt; 00:54:55.560 Joseph McElroy: It has a lot of books and maps available for purchase or download to help you experience your smoky mountain adventure.</p><p>00:54:56.580 –&gt; 00:55:00.930 Joseph McElroy: This podcast you can find out more information on.</p><p>00:55:02.190 –&gt; 00:55:05.190 Joseph McElroy: On the gatewaytothesmokies.fun.</p><p>00:55:06.600 –&gt; 00:55:15.810 Joseph McElroy: And it’s parked in the podcast can be seen the line on WWW.Facebook/gateway tothesmokiespodcasts.</p><p>00:55:19.530 –&gt; 00:55:41.220 Joseph McElroy: See it’s also available on talkradio.NYC and the podcast you hear live on talk radio.nyc and they also have a Facebook page where they’re streaming live so look for talkradio on Facebook talkradio.NYC on Facebook and you’ll be able to see it live there.</p><p>00:55:43.230 –&gt; 00:55:53.850 Joseph McElroy: And next week we’re going to have a guest named Dale Stewart is a known nationally, known as a naturalist and solo explorer ethnologist just a natural sounding board.</p><p>00:55:54.240 –&gt; 00:56:02.280 Joseph McElroy: And syndicated radio program nature beds aims to immerse the listener in the wonderful surprise and importance that is nature.</p><p>00:56:04.020 –&gt; 00:56:14.880 Joseph McElroy: So, and again I want to mention talk radio.NYC and network we air on live and as a lot of wonderful shows try listening to the one after this about New York City the.</p><p>00:56:17.160 –&gt; 00:56:21.150 Joseph McElroy: And I look forward to seeing you next week same time same that channel.</p> ae123cfa-001a-4a2c-a941-7a10761f518b https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/74d96a7e-2eb2-4cdd-818d-7f6daf082f88 Tue, 25 May 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2964 no full Episode 18: Bringing Smoky Mountain History to Life in Books and Film Episode 18: Bringing Smoky Mountain History to Life in Books and Film Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest is <strong>Janet McCue,</strong> she enjoyed a great career as former Director of the Mann Library at Cornell University while earning a stellar reputation as an award-winning independent writer and researcher. She is an avid hiker and naturalist who often visits and writes about the Great Smokies.</p><p>She has collaborated with renowned local naturalist, George Ellison on several literary projects -most notably, “<a href="https://amzn.to/2Rvt2fK" rel="nofollow"><strong><em>Back Of Beyond --A Horace Kephart Biography</em></strong></a>,” a winner of the prestigious Thomas Wolfe Literary Award. The book has received rave reviews across the United States. She is currently working on a documentary film on another interesting artist of the Smokies, George Masa.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/5B5B0NePiB/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts today’s episode by introducing today’s topic, the role of photography in the creation of the national park. He just got back from the Smokies and was excited by the bewilderment his family found in the mountains. He discusses the coming group of cicadas that only come out every 13-17 years, and are present in huge numbers. He discusses a man helping to discover butterflies in the mountains, and a funny quote from him. On Friday, May 21, he is speaking to educate the public on butterflies. He introduces the annual speaker series coming up and talks about the wildflower season in the mountains. He talks about a website that does daily haiku’s, which had a very fitting one for this conversation as it related to wildflowers. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Janet McCue, and her expansive career. Even though she lives in New York, Janet has contributed much to the mountains, working on projects relating to some of its founders, Horace Kephart and George Masa. Janet discusses some of her accomplishments working at Cornell University as a librarian, comparing her job to that of Horace Kephart’s. She talks about creating a flexible library that blended digital and print in a space made in the 1930’s. Joseph actually has works in the library Janet worked in and the two share a laugh about this. Joseph highlights two of Janet’s big accomplishments from her time at the library.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Janet and Joseph joke about sharing a drink at the Cornell club, and Joseph akss how Janet got into writing her book about Horace Kephart. While she may not have had many connections to Horace or his life, Janet’s husband owned a book by him, and the bigger draw to his stories for Janet was the affinity she found for the mountains after backpacking in the Smokies. After learning that Horace had been a librarian, she wrote a paper about him, doing a lot of research about him and becoming even more interested in his life. Both Janet and Horace’s careers actually began at Cornell. After having kids and a busy career in which she put Horace on the backburner, Janet realized that doing something with her Kephart research was on her bucket list. She applied for a research leave, travelling collections in different libraries and meeting people with ties to his life. This led to a collaboration with another writer in which she helped to write an introduction which ended up turning into her biography of Horace. She discusses memories she has of falling in love with the Smokies when she was young. The two share stories of food and hiking spots in the mountains.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Next Janet discusses the motivation for publishing the book with the Great Smoky Mountains Associations, wanting to make sure that the profits from the book were given back to the park, something that reflected Kephart’s own life as he gave a lot to the park. Joseph talks about his own experience with the GSMA, also wanting to support the park. The two move on to George Masa, another interesting artist of the Smokies. Janet looks at the photos of Masa and the words of Kephart together as good partners in helping the nation get to know the Smokies. Their art helped to reach the nation and inform it of why the park needed protection. She reads a quote from Kephart detailing the uniqueness and exceptionality of Masa’s photography. Joseph discusses Rockefeller contributing to the park as a result of Masa’s photos and Janet talks about this as well as his Masa’s photos being sent to other important figures of that time. Masa came to the US from Japan, never becoming a citizen, and even though there is much documentation of his life in the US, there is little known of his early life. Janet discusses documentaries on Masa as well as some of his work in the early development of Asheville.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Moving into the last segment of the day, Joseph introduces an anecdote about Masa’s burial. He died during the depression and was unable to afford to be buried next to Kephart, which was his wish. Neither were buried in the Smokies though. Horace was buried in Bryson City, but has a tombstone in Ithaca as his wife was buried there. Although he may have died poor, many cared for Masa, getting money together to erect a tombstone in his honor. Janet talks about her upcoming book, and the difficulty she has found doing research on his early life as Japan is having a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Janet talks about other things going on in her life, such as being a grandparent with another grandchild on the way. She moves on to talk about dedications for her book on Kephart and people who helped her with different parts of the book. On top of having many people who helped her with her book on Kephart, she has similar stories for her upcoming book on Masa. Joseph ends tonight’s episode by sharing resources of his where he can be reached and where he has materials related to the podcast as well as a preview of next week’s episode’s guest.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is Janet McCue, she enjoyed a great career as former Director of the Mann Library at Cornell University while earning a stellar reputation as an award-winning independent writer and researcher. She is an avid hiker and naturalist who often visits and writes about the Great Smokies.

She has collaborated with renowned local naturalist, George Ellison on several literary projects -most notably, “Back Of Beyond --A Horace Kephart Biography,” a winner of the prestigious Thomas Wolfe Literary Award. The book has received rave reviews across the United States. She is currently working on a documentary film on another interesting artist of the Smokies, George Masa.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph starts today’s episode by introducing today’s topic, the role of photography in the creation of the national park. He just got back from the Smokies and was excited by the bewilderment his family found in the mountains. He discusses the coming group of cicadas that only come out every 13-17 years, and are present in huge numbers. He discusses a man helping to discover butterflies in the mountains, and a funny quote from him. On Friday, May 21, he is speaking to educate the public on butterflies. He introduces the annual speaker series coming up and talks about the wildflower season in the mountains. He talks about a website that does daily haiku, which had a very fitting one for this conversation as it related to wildflowers. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Janet McCue, and her expansive career. Even though she lives in New York, Janet has contributed much to the mountains, working on projects relating to some of its founders, Horace Kephart and George Masa. Janet discusses some of her accomplishments working at Cornell University as a librarian, comparing her job to that of Horace Kephart. She talks about creating a flexible library that blended digital and print in a space made in the 1930s. Joseph actually works in the library Janet worked in and the two share a laugh about this. Joseph highlights two of Janet’s big accomplishments from her time at the library.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Janet and Joseph joke about sharing a drink at the Cornell Club, and Joseph asks how Janet got into writing her book about Horace Kephart. While she may not have had many connections to Horace or his life, Janet’s husband owned a book by him, and the bigger draw to his stories for Janet was the affinity she found for the mountains after backpacking in the Smokies. After learning that Horace had been a librarian, she wrote a paper about him, doing a lot of research about him and becoming even more interested in his life. Both Janet and Horace’s careers actually began at Cornell. After having kids and a busy career in which she put Horace on the back burner, Janet realized that doing something with her Kephart research was on her bucket list. She applied for research leave, traveled to collections in different libraries, and meeting people with ties to his life. This led to a collaboration with another writer in which she helped to write an introduction which ended up turning into her biography of Horace. She discusses memories she has of falling in love with the Smokies when she was young. The two share stories of food and hiking spots in the mountains.

Segment 3

Next Janet discusses the motivation for publishing the book with the Great Smoky Mountains Associations, wanting to make sure that the profits from the book were given back to the park, something that reflected Kephart’s own life as he gave a lot to the park. Joseph talks about his own experience with the GSMA, also wanting to support the park. The two move on to George Masa, another interesting artist of the Smokies. Janet looks at the photos of Masa and the words of Kephart together as good partners in helping the nation get to know the Smokies. Their art helped to reach the nation and inform it of why the park needed protection. She reads a quote from Kephart detailing the uniqueness and exceptionality of Masa’s photography. Joseph discusses Rockefeller contributing to the park as a result of Masa’s photos and Janet talks about this as well as Masa’s photos being sent to other important figures of that time. Masa came to the US from Japan, never becoming a citizen, and even though there is much documentation of his life in the US, there is little known of his early life. Janet discusses documentaries on Masa as well as some of his work in the early development of Asheville.

Segment 4

Moving into the last segment of the day, Joseph introduces an anecdote about Masa’s burial. He died during the depression and was unable to afford to be buried next to Kephart, which was his wish. Neither were buried in the Smokies though. Horace was buried in Bryson City but has a tombstone in Ithaca as his wife was buried there. Although he may have died poor, many cared for Masa, getting money together to erect a tombstone in his honor. Janet talks about her upcoming book, and the difficulty she has found doing research on his early life as Japan is having a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Janet talks about other things going on in her life, such as being a grandparent with another grandchild on the way. She moves on to talk about dedications for her book on Kephart and people who helped her with different parts of the book. On top of having many people who helped her with her book on Kephart, she has similar stories for her upcoming book on Masa. Joseph ends tonight’s episode by sharing resources of his where he can be reached and where he has materials related to the podcast as well as a preview of next week’s episode’s guest.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:37.980 –> 00:00:38.520 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:00:38.670 –> 00:00:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:44.070 –> 00:00:52.500 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:52.950 –> 00:01:05.580 Joseph McElroy: This area’s filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes I am Joseph Franklin McElroy.

00:01:05.910 –> 00:01:17.280 Joseph McElroy: A man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in smoky mountain culture.

00:01:18.240 –> 00:01:28.500 Joseph McElroy: today’s episode we’ll continue our understanding of the founding of the great smoky mountains national park and how photography was instrumental in its creation.

00:01:29.310 –> 00:01:38.490 Joseph McElroy: But first I’m going to tell you that I just got back from the smokies and there are beautiful and the new york’s like a fake background if you’re watching on zoom but.

00:01:38.820 –> 00:01:43.320 Joseph McElroy: I’m down there all the time we were just down there for two weeks, me and my family.

00:01:43.680 –> 00:01:57.780 Joseph McElroy: And there were wonderful and all our families were there, the grandmothers on both sides aunts and uncles my grown son Ethan and my grandma and grandpa McElroy boy my toddler twins just love him.

00:01:59.010 –> 00:02:05.250 Joseph McElroy: And they were also overwhelmed just by the experience they haven’t been there in a year because we’ve been stuck in New York because of a quarantine.

00:02:05.670 –> 00:02:13.110 Joseph McElroy: And they got to see groundhogs and rabbits and squirrels and trout and all sorts of birds,

00:02:13.380 –> 00:02:23.400 Joseph McElroy: I mean we missed the scene red birds and yellow blurred the birds and bluebirds and robbins and they wanted to know all about every one of them, and it was just fantastic giving that spirit that experience.

00:02:23.730 –> 00:02:29.730 Joseph McElroy: And this was all just in the backyard the back, recreation area of the Meadowlark motel, which is our mountain resort.

00:02:30.930 –> 00:02:39.480 Joseph McElroy: And they have just tickled my wife, she got the plant a lot of flowers, including a new wildflower bed at the motel.

00:02:40.230 –> 00:02:42.180 Joseph McElroy: It was absolutely refreshing I’m telling you.

00:02:42.660 –> 00:02:52.680 Joseph McElroy: And we got to go to one of the top barbecue joints in America, the hazelwood smokehouse I recommend it highly they have eight different sauces and everyone is better than the previous one.

00:02:53.040 –> 00:03:03.870 Joseph McElroy: And an actual I took my wife on a birthday dinner outing to a great foodie joint called jargon, it had great food, I had a smoked trout dip.

00:03:04.230 –> 00:03:09.960 Joseph McElroy: And then I had this trout dish I went all trout that night, and it was just unbelievably good.

00:03:10.830 –> 00:03:22.950 Joseph McElroy: But they have these incredible cocktails made one out of a ball of ice that was hollow and they actually poured the mixed mixture into the hollow ice that has a sort of a mix between old fashioned a Manhattan.

00:03:23.460 –> 00:03:27.390 Joseph McElroy: And then, when they served it to you, they took out a little hammer and busted the ball.

00:03:28.920 –> 00:03:35.610 Joseph McElroy: It was a dramatic presentation, so I tell you the smoky mountain is a great place to go.

00:03:36.810 –> 00:03:40.170 Joseph McElroy: it’s also about to have a lot of.

00:03:43.650 –> 00:03:51.150 Joseph McElroy: kickoff I just lost the name I just lost them the name it’s the SCOTUS it’s a staccato apocalypse about is about to happen.

00:03:51.900 –> 00:04:01.950 Joseph McElroy: it’d be on the lookout it’s a rare natural phenomenon historical event that’s unfolding right now and you’ll go through mid-July that’s getting billions of.

00:04:03.150 –> 00:04:13.410 Joseph McElroy: these the 17-year periodical staccato is and they’re going to emerge across a wide swath of these United States, including the great smoky mountains.

00:04:13.890 –> 00:04:22.260 Joseph McElroy: And it’s going to be loud they’re very loud and this periodical SCOTUS comprise a group of species that don’t emerge yearly but.

00:04:22.890 –> 00:04:32.250 Joseph McElroy: Like every 13 or 17 years cycles, and this is the 17-year cycles and they’re already getting reports of them emerging near Knoxville.

00:04:32.670 –> 00:04:45.510 Joseph McElroy: And we expect them to be all across the bit basically the western part of the mountains, the smokies so from looking rock decades cove area so it’s a historical event, you should go see it.

00:04:46.710 –> 00:04:58.140 Joseph McElroy: I also wanted to mention that there’s a there’s smoky science series that’s returning to do with and it’s gonna start with a spotlight on butterflies.

00:04:59.610 –> 00:05:10.050 Joseph McElroy: So the first one is with Warren Bilderberg he spends a lot of time photographing southern Appalachian butterflies in the great smoky mountains, National Park.

00:05:11.250 –> 00:05:21.240 Joseph McElroy: And they might it might you’ll find out why we talked about for emphasizing photography but he willingly admits that he is.

00:05:22.020 –> 00:05:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Did he didn’t really start this journey of butterfly discovery in earnest until retired, but now he’s doing it wholeheartedly and he’s been volunteering caves code.

00:05:32.940 –> 00:05:41.940 Joseph McElroy: I read a quote for him, one day, there was a family of three, with a little girl, maybe 11 or 12 years old, near a group of the blue like butterflies along the road.

00:05:42.240 –> 00:05:53.250 Joseph McElroy: He said I went over and said they look like pipeline swallowtails but then the little girl immediately corrected me and said no, those are spice Bush swallowtails.

00:05:55.140 –> 00:06:00.420 Joseph McElroy: I never heard of them, but she pointed out a very subtle difference between the two, so he had to learn.

00:06:02.640 –> 00:06:11.460 Joseph McElroy: So he’s gonna help other you guys up everybody dive into the world of these southern Appalachian butterflies on Friday may 21 let’s coming up.

00:06:11.850 –> 00:06:25.080 Joseph McElroy: And it’s being organized by discovering life in America and it’s got a free science it’s Sugarland speaker series and sugar land is the gateway to the Smokies in Gatlinburg.

00:06:25.470 –> 00:06:31.380 Joseph McElroy: And they have a whole science Center and things like that and there’s going to be a six-part education series.

00:06:32.610 –> 00:06:34.650 Joseph McElroy: And it should be, it should be very nice.

00:06:35.580 –> 00:06:43.740 Joseph McElroy: It was, it was the series is created in 2017 I think it took a break last year, but it gives regional sciences scientists a chance.

00:06:43.920 –> 00:06:54.780 Joseph McElroy: to share their research with a general audience and answer questions and discuss the latest issues affecting regional biodiversity and concern for conservation and.

00:06:55.290 –> 00:07:00.600 Joseph McElroy: This year will be there will be an annual the annual speaker series start goes from.

00:07:01.200 –> 00:07:09.270 Joseph McElroy: will also be online from one to three on the third Friday of every month and it’s read it is free registration at D Li a.org.

00:07:09.960 –> 00:07:17.460 Joseph McElroy: I want to remind you that wildflowers are always a big thing in the spring and it’s still happening, it goes through June.

00:07:18.150 –> 00:07:24.480 Joseph McElroy: The great year because you know you think there’s a small short season for wildflowers, but in the mountains, what happens is.

00:07:24.900 –> 00:07:28.170 Joseph McElroy: The wildfire start in the lower elevation and then, as the.

00:07:28.650 –> 00:07:39.540 Joseph McElroy: As the season gets warmer it’s warmer and warmer up the mountain so different parts of the mountain start having wildfires later in the season, so we haven’t actually along wild.

00:07:40.320 –> 00:07:47.070 Joseph McElroy: flower season in the smoky mountains and it makes for great hiking and different hiking experience every time you go.

00:07:47.430 –> 00:07:53.430 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s blackberries are blooming now and I love blue blackberries and they’ll bloom through June.

00:07:53.790 –> 00:08:07.200 Joseph McElroy: And then they’ll start having blackberries in July and making the bears happy and making me happy because I love Blackberry cobbler I grew up eating Blackberry color I remember going to pick them that and I’ll probably have all podcasts just about blackberries and August.

00:08:10.470 –> 00:08:20.760 Joseph McElroy: Now, speaking of wildflowers my guest is has a connection to the canal library, so I was pursuing the Cornell library website.

00:08:21.300 –> 00:08:33.000 Joseph McElroy: And, and I found that they do a daily haiku and the days were about wow flower, so I had just done this, you know thinking about what the podcast was I said Well, this is really.

00:08:34.260 –> 00:08:58.230 Joseph McElroy: You know opportunistic for me to take them and talk about this, but you can find it at haiku.manlive.cornell.edu and this one is by an author named cat Lehman and it’s all these haikus are simple but beautiful just another anonymous kindness wildflowers.

00:08:59.340 –> 00:09:01.800 Joseph McElroy: And then another by Carol Pickerington.

00:09:02.880 –> 00:09:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Wildflower field, the colors that don’t get go together do.

00:09:10.860 –> 00:09:12.870 Joseph McElroy: And then Tom painting wrote.

00:09:13.980 –> 00:09:18.450 Joseph McElroy: ending in wildflowers the logging road.

00:09:19.620 –> 00:09:28.470 Joseph McElroy: And for those of you not into hiking you can also ride around in the mountains so don’t forget that especially a motorcycle so I found this haiku as well.

00:09:30.120 –> 00:09:36.030 Joseph McElroy: bikers headlights threading down the mountains moonless night.

00:09:37.470 –> 00:09:47.790 Joseph McElroy: So my guest today is Janet McCue who enjoyed a great career as the former Director of the Mann Library at Cornell University.

00:09:48.180 –> 00:09:58.950 Joseph McElroy: While earning a Stellar reputation as an award-winning Independent Writer and research, she is an avid hiker and naturalist who often visits and writes about the great smokies.

00:09:59.700 –> 00:10:10.230 Joseph McElroy: She has collaborated with a renowned local naturalist George Ellison on several literary projects, most notably backup beyond a horoscope heart biography.

00:10:11.040 –> 00:10:24.510 Joseph McElroy: And it was the winner of the prestigious Thomas Wolfe literary award is received rave reviews and now she’s also currently working I think on a book and a documentary film on another important founder of the smokies George masa.

00:10:25.320 –> 00:10:34.320 Joseph McElroy: She and her husband actually live in the up in New York area, and I think near new Rochelle we were just talking about that so welcome Janet.

00:10:34.740 –> 00:10:43.980 Janet McCue: Well, thank you for that Nice introduction and you started with some poetry, because I hear you two are a poet, so what.

00:10:44.340 –> 00:10:47.910 Joseph McElroy: Was devil the been my biggest claim to.

00:10:47.910 –> 00:10:56.640 Joseph McElroy: fame in terms of poetry, is, I had a poem published on the Jumbotron and Times Square on valentine’s day yeah.

00:10:57.540 –> 00:10:59.850 Janet McCue: that’s almost as good as man library’s website.

00:11:02.160 –> 00:11:15.990 Joseph McElroy: So, so you had a great career at Cornell and you have this stellar reputation can tell you, can you tell some about your proudest accomplishment prior to this new journey of historic mountain lore.

00:11:17.160 –> 00:11:27.390 Janet McCue: Well, I did have a wonderful career Mann library when I think about how that career changed, and when I started as a librarian in 1979.

00:11:28.590 –> 00:11:38.460 Janet McCue: My career looked a lot like what course kept parts career did and 1890 he wrote an article on being a librarian and it starts with.

00:11:38.970 –> 00:11:47.640 Janet McCue: You know he’s trying to do some work and a bevy of sophomores come at the desk a flurry of different kinds of questions.

00:11:47.940 –> 00:11:56.550 Janet McCue: And that’s exactly what the reference desk was like when I started my career when I ended my career, though it was very much a digital world and.

00:11:57.120 –> 00:12:15.810 Janet McCue: I loved being able to grow up as a librarian within that very dynamic world, but you know, a couple of things that I’m really proud of in terms of my career one we built and we took a building that was designed in the 1930s.

00:12:16.980 –> 00:12:29.640 Janet McCue: But not built until the 1950s and created a library that was so flexible that you could move through different periods of digital and print information.

00:12:30.120 –> 00:12:40.920 Janet McCue: Ahead of a very collaborative style to it so students, could you know work in groups of two working groups of five it was no longer than the hushing kind of library.

00:12:41.640 –> 00:13:01.980 Janet McCue: But it was very much a vibrant place The other thing I loved and I alluded to this in your own poetry we tried to blend science and art, we had a gallery in our library, we have haiku that was presented every morning and subscribers from all over the world.

00:13:02.250 –> 00:13:04.560 Joseph McElroy: You know I’m in your library, by the way, you.

00:13:05.550 –> 00:13:08.700 Joseph McElroy: know that I actually have work in your library.

00:13:09.030 –> 00:13:09.900 Janet McCue: Oh come on JESSICA.

00:13:10.740 –> 00:13:15.510 Joseph McElroy: Do you have the Rose gold and archive of new media art.

00:13:16.350 –> 00:13:21.510 Joseph McElroy: In, there is the computer Fine Arts COM and I have two pieces in that collection.

00:13:21.930 –> 00:13:29.190 Janet McCue: Oh, my gosh that’s amazing I mean that we do I mean rose gold sweets collection is extraordinary.

00:13:29.400 –> 00:13:43.530 Janet McCue: yeah that is in the special collections and I was in more the science and for now, but, at the last five years of my career, I was in the same library that held the Rose gold, so we did we were in the same library.

00:13:44.160 –> 00:13:45.960 Joseph McElroy: Well, I have to go look in the cabinet.

00:13:46.710 –> 00:13:47.190 Janet McCue: In there.

00:13:47.550 –> 00:13:52.980 Joseph McElroy: I imagine it’s probably not working right now, you have to go back to the library because flashes are no longer working

00:13:53.640 –> 00:14:02.430 Joseph McElroy: On most people’s computers, these days, I have to figure out how to that’s something that Librarians need to figure out how to do is what are you gonna do about technologies that ages out.

00:14:02.640 –> 00:14:02.970 that’s.

00:14:04.110 –> 00:14:10.350 Janet McCue: What one of the major I mean you, I mean I retired seven years ago, and that was still one of the things that.

00:14:10.440 –> 00:14:11.280 Janet McCue: You know that.

00:14:11.490 –> 00:14:13.590 Janet McCue: puzzling us and it’s still puzzling us so.

00:14:14.040 –> 00:14:22.500 Joseph McElroy: you’re right well I’m about to go to break, but I don’t want to, I want to mention two things I really was impressed by you hired the first Metadata library.

00:14:23.880 –> 00:14:34.560 Joseph McElroy: And I’m big on Metadata has become part of the underlying infrastructure of the Internet and you also led the renovation of the modern library, to make it happen to create a sustainable CAFE.

00:14:34.980 –> 00:14:40.380 Joseph McElroy: which you know I’m big into state sustainability and Meadowlark is three pints sustainable designated.

00:14:41.400 –> 00:14:49.800 Joseph McElroy: lodging and only one west of Asheville so anyway, when we come back we’re gonna talk more about your research into Horace and George.

00:14:50.400 –> 00:14:53.010 Janet McCue: Okay we’ll look forward to it, thank you, Joseph.

00:17:50.610 –> 00:18:04.500 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Janet McCue so Janet you know I forgot to mention you come to the Cornell Club in New York City.

00:18:05.460 –> 00:18:16.200 Janet McCue: Occasionally, when I take the bus from campus to campus to campus bus is a godsend for linking upstate New York Ithaca

00:18:17.550 –> 00:18:23.280 Janet McCue: to Manhattan yes, when the Cornell club is our destination.

00:18:23.580 –> 00:18:31.410 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I ask is because we actually Duke does not have a club, but the Duke made a deal with Cornell and I’m able to go that Club too.

00:18:37.980 –> 00:18:39.000 Joseph McElroy: all over the place here.

00:18:39.780 –> 00:18:42.810 Janet McCue: Well, we can we’ll have to have a drink sometime at one of the.

00:18:44.700 –> 00:18:45.270 Janet McCue: spots that.

00:18:45.300 –> 00:18:49.830 Joseph McElroy: Maybe they’ll have one of those ice balls and they’ll crack it in front of me that’d be great.

00:18:51.600 –> 00:19:01.740 Joseph McElroy: So you had a great career at Cornell so how did you get into writing a book about Horrace Kephart the founder of the great smoky mountains co-founder.

00:19:02.490 –> 00:19:06.120 Janet McCue: yeah, it is a bit, it is a bit odd that a woman who I’m

00:19:07.260 –> 00:19:08.010 Janet McCue: a

00:19:09.690 –> 00:19:23.970 Janet McCue: Movement of work sick right now lives in upstate New York would delve into for the last 40 years about a man who, who was born in Iowa and spent the last you know 30 years of his life in.

00:19:24.930 –> 00:19:41.100 Janet McCue: In the smokies but you know there were lots of intersections which I, you know people are often surprised at the intersections I mean my first one was my husband had a copy of Khepart camping and woodcraft a copy of his book on his bookshelf and.

00:19:42.150 –> 00:19:49.920 Janet McCue: He in many respects, taught us how to build a campfire I mean we were both city kids I grew up in Pittsburgh he grew up in cities, all over the world.

00:19:51.270 –> 00:19:58.380 Janet McCue: Neither of our parents taught us how to build a campfire so we learned a lot from Horrace Kephart’s book.

00:19:59.280 –> 00:20:13.590 Janet McCue: We also were avid backpack backpackers and one of our first trips was into the smokies and we had several subsequent trips to the smokies, including one when we went to brace in place which was Cornell’s which was counterparts.

00:20:16.590 –> 00:20:21.810 Janet McCue: A favorite spot that he had spent a great deal of time in, particularly in the summers.

00:20:22.860 –> 00:20:42.750 Janet McCue: So the smokies and the beauty of the smokies were really what drew me to Kephart’s story, because as far as I knew, you know Kephart played an instrumental role in the establishment Smokies I would learn that you know little tidbits of the story, as on these backpacking trips.

00:20:43.980 –> 00:20:45.360 Janet McCue: And when I came to.

00:20:46.380 –> 00:20:49.590 Janet McCue: I came to Grad school at the University of Michigan.

00:20:50.580 –> 00:21:10.020 Janet McCue: I had learned from my husband Kephart had been a librarian and I decided to do a research paper at some point for our research methods class on Kephart and discovered his career as a librarian discovered George Ellison’s introduction to our Southern highlanders read Kephart’s books.

00:21:11.310 –> 00:21:22.110 Janet McCue: And you know became even more interested in the man and as luck would have it, my first job was at Cornell and Cornell’s career as a librarian started.

00:21:23.370 –> 00:21:24.750 Janet McCue: At Cornell.

00:21:25.080 –> 00:21:27.060 Janet McCue: marks efforts career started.

00:21:27.450 –> 00:21:28.980 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t know that wow.

00:21:29.670 –> 00:21:34.380 Janet McCue: So he came to Cornell as a Grad student and history and in.

00:21:36.090 –> 00:21:39.120 Janet McCue: Political science and he.

00:21:41.370 –> 00:21:54.120 Janet McCue: began working in the libraries and was hired by the first by Cornell’s first library and will learn Fisk and, in fact, went to Italy with Fisk and.

00:21:55.110 –> 00:22:06.600 Janet McCue: and help collect and help catalog the Petrarch and Dante collection which Cornell has so you had lots of connections into Cornell and I was at Cornell.

00:22:07.380 –> 00:22:20.100 Janet McCue: I used to do research on Saturday mornings in the archives and you know learn again learn more about kept part but then you know I had kids I had a busy career and I put them on the back burner for many years.

00:22:21.210 –> 00:22:30.210 Janet McCue: And then I was doing a cross country ski trip with a group of friends and one of my friends asked me what I wanted to do before I died and.

00:22:31.170 –> 00:22:40.590 Janet McCue: I listed a couple of things one was taking dance lessons with my husband, which I think because it was on that death list he actually did it with making.

00:22:42.900 –> 00:22:51.150 Janet McCue: but also on that list was do something with my Kephart research and she asked me a very important question she said what’s stopping you and.

00:22:51.810 –> 00:23:00.690 Janet McCue: So I had to answer that question that nothing is stopping me, so I am I applied for research leave and went to St Louis went to.

00:23:01.200 –> 00:23:15.480 Janet McCue: Western North Carolina archives went to brown university and various archival collections that filled in more gaps on you know, on Kephart story, and then in 2009 I met George Ellison.

00:23:16.800 –> 00:23:21.450 Janet McCue: Libby Kephart Hargrave is the great-granddaughter of Horrace

00:23:21.930 –> 00:23:24.720 Joseph McElroy: Kephart in his famous he was just on our show.

00:23:24.930 –> 00:23:34.950 Janet McCue: Right right, so you know all your listeners know all of us apart, but Libby established something called Kephart days and a librarian from.

00:23:36.720 –> 00:23:47.430 Janet McCue: Alaska, believe it or not, told me about Kephart’s days and because he knew of my interest in Kephart and so I decided to go down and that’s where I met George that’s where I met Libby.

00:23:48.420 –> 00:24:02.310 Janet McCue: I had you know, a group of friends and colleagues that I am honored to have in my life today who have helped me tremendously so at that point, George was writing an introduction to.

00:24:02.940 –> 00:24:09.090 Janet McCue: A new edition of camping and woodcraft and he asked me to collaborate with him because he knew that I had done.

00:24:10.320 –> 00:24:16.290 Janet McCue: Research on care products early career on his break down the whole.

00:24:18.930 –> 00:24:26.100 Janet McCue: trauma that actually led Kephart to the smokies, and so we had a great collaboration and.

00:24:27.540 –> 00:24:30.720 Joseph McElroy: that’s the one that ended up being like an 80-page introduction right.

00:24:30.750 –> 00:24:31.470 Janet McCue: Yes, it was.

00:24:33.300 –> 00:24:44.040 Joseph McElroy: I just do my research, I saw it, and I didn’t get a chance to read it, because it wasn’t a bit usually I tried to find everything online, but this isn’t available online so.

00:24:45.120 –> 00:24:46.380 Joseph McElroy: What was the.

00:24:46.680 –> 00:24:48.300 Joseph McElroy: What was the gist of your introduction.

00:24:49.020 –> 00:24:51.210 Janet McCue: Well, you know we have is pretty much a biography.

00:24:51.240 –> 00:24:55.530 Janet McCue: In the making right in fact after we read that introduction.

00:24:56.970 –> 00:25:10.170 Janet McCue: The great smoky mountains association Steve camp was the publication’s director at the time, he asked us if we can expand it into a full-length biography, and so it was really.

00:25:11.160 –> 00:25:18.060 Janet McCue: From my perspective is the start of my collaboration with George which was you know just pure pleasure.

00:25:18.810 –> 00:25:35.880 Janet McCue: he’s a wonderful writer, and you know his knowledge of the lived in the smokies I didn’t live in the smokies and you know we could blend our both our voices, as well as our knowledge base and be able to you know to write a full-length biography.

00:25:36.720 –> 00:25:45.780 Joseph McElroy: So you so do you in your do you do, you get to come down, did you get to come down quite a bit for the smoke in the smokies when you were doing that book.

00:25:46.770 –> 00:25:50.040 Janet McCue: I did, yes, I spent a good portion of.

00:25:51.210 –> 00:25:54.780 Janet McCue: I would try and come down, just like you say come down in the spring and we’re just.

00:25:56.160 –> 00:26:12.180 Janet McCue: You know I fell in love with the smokies as a young person, and you know so coming back to see yellow trillium are painted trillium or you know mine has a vivid memory of of of a hike when we were at the top of.

00:26:13.350 –> 00:26:23.100 Janet McCue: The top of the trail and we read treetop level and tool of popularly tool popular land and just being able to smell, a tool of popular blossom.

00:26:24.570 –> 00:26:37.230 Janet McCue: In on a trail and a hiking trail is this just an incredible yeah I had my first taste of ramps in the smokies you know I I became aware of the beauties of nature.

00:26:38.670 –> 00:26:41.790 Joseph McElroy: So weird to me that ramps have become so popular I.

00:26:41.790 –> 00:26:43.170 Joseph McElroy: Know whole foods.

00:26:43.440 –> 00:26:56.190 Joseph McElroy: Yes, like I grew up and I, you know I used to distinguish myself by telling people yeah yeah why ramps whenever you’re what’s ramps and get to tell them all about it now it’s like they already know it’s took it away, one of my standards.

00:26:59.910 –> 00:27:01.350 Janet McCue: Were you know some fisherman.

00:27:02.430 –> 00:27:11.280 Janet McCue: You know, we thought we were in the middle of a wilderness because we had been hiking for in our hiking trips for like a week to 10 days we hadn’t seen anybody.

00:27:11.640 –> 00:27:20.250 Janet McCue: And then we ran across these fishermen, one day, who offered us bacon and ramps and something else I can’t remember, but you.

00:27:20.250 –> 00:27:20.370 know.

00:27:21.810 –> 00:27:23.280 Janet McCue: In the middle of a hiking trip was.

00:27:23.400 –> 00:27:36.120 Joseph McElroy: scrambled eggs, what do you know, one of the great dishes for the ramps is to do scrambled eggs and bacon grease with a side of given ramps and scrambled eggs it’s just unbelievably good.

00:27:36.390 –> 00:27:37.680 Joseph McElroy: You know Waynesville.

00:27:37.860 –> 00:27:56.190 Joseph McElroy: In Haywood county near Maggie Valley, where I have my motel has the long I think it’s one of the longest-running natural foods festivals in the nation is called the ways will ramp this every August, I think that even a resume that this year that’s a worthwhile coronary.

00:27:56.190 –> 00:27:57.390 Janet McCue: expand that good.

00:27:57.510 –> 00:27:57.870 Janet McCue: yeah.

00:27:57.960 –> 00:28:06.090 Joseph McElroy: We all the different kinds of food, you can get from this mountain delicacy that’s now become somewhat in thing and.

00:28:07.710 –> 00:28:10.440 Joseph McElroy: restaurant menus I see it, all over the place.

00:28:11.400 –> 00:28:14.490 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any other favorite hiking spots before we go to the break.

00:28:14.910 –> 00:28:24.480 Janet McCue: Well I’m gonna mention one because I got an email message from a colleague of mine called Ken wise and I actually lost my wedding ring and the smokies we had.

00:28:24.720 –> 00:28:25.860 Joseph McElroy: married he was smoking they’re.

00:28:27.960 –> 00:28:38.070 Janet McCue: looking for a fisherman find my wedding ring on it was a day, where it, you know torrential rain, we had maybe 15 stream crossings.

00:28:38.610 –> 00:28:51.990 Janet McCue: And at some point, I slipped on a rock I was like a turtle in the water, with my backpack pulling me down and before my brain could tell my finger to curl the current just pulled the.

00:28:52.020 –> 00:28:54.510 Janet McCue: wedding ring off of my fingers, so it was.

00:28:55.770 –> 00:29:09.000 Janet McCue: I think of the lowland creek area as being you know both a dramatic spot, but certainly a memorable spot in my friend, Ken said that he says.

00:29:10.560 –> 00:29:17.850 Janet McCue: He was recently backpacking there, and he scanned the creek a bit to see if I can find your missing ring your ring is somewhere in the creek.

00:29:18.690 –> 00:29:28.860 Janet McCue: But then he couldn’t help but look up and down any of the creeks to see if they could find it and he said, of course, when the water flows over a rock the water sparkles just like a diamond.

00:29:30.720 –> 00:29:34.380 Joseph McElroy: So now we’re going to crowdsource everybody’s crowdsources finding her.

00:29:34.560 –> 00:29:34.740 way.

00:29:36.360 –> 00:29:37.500 Joseph McElroy: So you come back to.

00:29:38.460 –> 00:29:44.520 Joseph McElroy: The from the break we’ll talk more about the books and your new books coming out okay.

00:29:44.670 –> 00:29:45.120 Janet McCue: Thank you.

00:32:34.170 –> 00:32:42.960 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Janet McCue.

00:32:43.500 –> 00:32:55.380 Joseph McElroy: So Janet you, you have it, you have a collaboration out already a nice book that is actually considered one of the most definitive works or bios on Kephart ever written is called back and beyond.

00:32:56.160 –> 00:33:03.300 Joseph McElroy: it’s received rave reviews so So this was published by the great smoky mountains associations right.

00:33:04.290 –> 00:33:11.070 Joseph McElroy: Yes, the other Francis figure and Libby Kephart Hargrave have both been guests there.

00:33:12.930 –> 00:33:14.250 Janet McCue: Bombing good company, then.

00:33:14.280 –> 00:33:19.260 Joseph McElroy: During good What was it like to work with the great smoky mountain association or good company right.

00:33:19.620 –> 00:33:34.290 Janet McCue: Oh, it was wonderful I mean you know I think both George and I felt it was important to publish through the smokies because we wanted profits from the book to to to go to support this monkeys programs and display the smokies park.

00:33:35.460 –> 00:33:43.470 Janet McCue: kept parts story is so much about the protection of the great smoky mountain National Park.

00:33:45.030 –> 00:33:57.120 Janet McCue: He said that you know he felt that the mountains and saved his life, and that was you know the last 10 years of his life we’re very focused on making sure that the park was established.

00:33:57.810 –> 00:34:12.150 Janet McCue: So George and I felt that same commitment but you know, Francis was my editor we’ve worked with Steve kemp core camping and woodcraft introduction, but Steve retired and Francis was hired and she was absolute.

00:34:12.720 –> 00:34:13.350 Joseph McElroy: pleasure to.

00:34:14.400 –> 00:34:22.980 Janet McCue: she’s a wonderful editor and incredible storyteller and she never lost her temper at me and my use of commerce, you know

00:34:24.420 –> 00:34:29.520 Janet McCue: I know she kept trying to teach me but I didn’t have time to learn all the rules of commas, and she knew them all.

00:34:30.780 –> 00:34:38.730 Janet McCue: No truly I was reading a book, the other night, and I finished it, I said to my husband this person needed Francis.

00:34:38.820 –> 00:34:39.450 This person.

00:34:42.120 –> 00:34:43.800 Joseph McElroy: is very, very, very confident.

00:34:44.040 –> 00:34:50.760 Joseph McElroy: You know I I really liked the great smoky mountain sessions, because, again, all the proceeds go to help.

00:34:51.120 –> 00:34:58.800 Joseph McElroy: The support that the great smoky mountain Park, because you know, there is no entrance fee to the park, so it has the way I the way support you know, and I.

00:34:59.490 –> 00:35:07.620 Joseph McElroy: I created my storefronts and everything for this, I made the decision to go for the most part, instead of through Amazon to go through the group.

00:35:07.620 –> 00:35:13.620 Joseph McElroy: GSA and that means I have to do, shipping, but you know we are books are also GS ma what we sell.

00:35:14.700 –> 00:35:18.780 Joseph McElroy: And it goes directly to support the great smoky mountains and national and you know.

00:35:19.380 –> 00:35:33.240 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to be doing a lot of stuff about CAP hard at the metal Arc we launched the middle like smoky mountain heritage Center hope you can that we’re gonna be doing a number of programs on care part over the next year I joined us.

00:35:35.790 –> 00:35:47.280 Janet McCue: archives have been closed for such a long time, so you know, in the past year I haven’t been able to do any research in you know, in a remote location, other than my own personal library, or what I can find.

00:35:47.670 –> 00:35:58.800 Janet McCue: in a digital world but I’m looking forward to being done both that in western North Carolina and Tennessee because of their radar couch and blitz places.

00:35:59.730 –> 00:36:09.240 Joseph McElroy: So, in the meantime, this is what I want to, I want to learn more about I don’t know a lot about George masa and you will you bought the book and a documentary film about him.

00:36:09.360 –> 00:36:27.930 Janet McCue: Not not a documentary film I’m not a filmmaker but I’m collaborating with steel and Paul did an absolutely wonderful film on George masa in which you can find online through then mo so um I definitely recommend.

00:36:30.300 –> 00:36:34.680 Janet McCue: Watch his film if you’re at all interested in George masa.

00:36:35.970 –> 00:36:47.250 Janet McCue: Georgian and kept part I like to think of kept our words and and and mosses photos being you know just this dynamic collaboration.

00:36:48.270 –> 00:37:10.950 Janet McCue: For inviting people to get to know these monkeys to appreciate the beauty that was there, I mean that there weren’t you know the nation didn’t really know the smokies and in 1920 1930 they were a terra incognita and I think it was through carrots words and George mosses.

00:37:13.110 –> 00:37:20.160 Janet McCue: photos that people got to know, an area that you know became so beloved we, I mean.

00:37:20.190 –> 00:37:20.730 Joseph McElroy: This book.

00:37:20.850 –> 00:37:29.220 Janet McCue: As you mentioned it doesn’t have an entrance fee, but it has it’s the most heavily used National Park in the National Park system so.

00:37:29.910 –> 00:37:40.290 Janet McCue: People did discover it, but those early years people needed to know why it was worth being you know it, why it was worth protecting and that’s what I think both.

00:37:41.310 –> 00:37:43.560 Janet McCue: kept part and masa did.

00:37:43.800 –> 00:37:46.800 Joseph McElroy: Well wasn’t masa considered Angela Adam of the.

00:37:46.800 –> 00:37:47.490 Janet McCue: East yes.

00:37:47.850 –> 00:37:50.580 Janet McCue: Yes, he was, I mean he’s you know that.

00:37:50.880 –> 00:37:55.080 Janet McCue: and his photography is exquisite I mean he.

00:37:56.160 –> 00:38:01.890 Janet McCue: You know I actually pulled out a couple of quotes that I thought I might I might read.

00:38:04.080 –> 00:38:05.490 Janet McCue: Kephart himself said.

00:38:06.690 –> 00:38:07.110 That.

00:38:09.030 –> 00:38:16.110 Janet McCue: By judicious use of various Ray filters and an uncanny skill and time exposures he must.

00:38:16.380 –> 00:38:22.620 Janet McCue: has overcome the difficulties of haze and cloudy weather, which often Bach an amateur photographer and the smokies.

00:38:22.890 –> 00:38:35.370 Janet McCue: The result is a series of about 50 views of wild mountains and gorgeous deep forest naked crags trout streams and waterfalls camp scenes close-ups and blooming shrubs and wilderness wildflowers.

00:38:35.850 –> 00:38:44.940 Janet McCue: The like of which is not to be fun elsewhere in masses collection, you know I mean he is photography the so far above you know, a.

00:38:45.990 –> 00:38:47.850 Janet McCue: North Bay in our regular.

00:38:49.050 –> 00:38:50.460 Janet McCue: photographer that.

00:38:52.170 –> 00:39:05.640 Janet McCue: The head of the National Park association all kinds of people who had seen many, many photos of the smokies praised losses as being far and above any of those other.

00:39:06.270 –> 00:39:13.140 Joseph McElroy: didn’t hit what didn’t gem Carnegie see his photos and decided to give $5 million to the effort to create that.

00:39:13.200 –> 00:39:13.530 well.

00:39:15.300 –> 00:39:27.840 Janet McCue: You know I went to the Rockefeller aka archives and sleepy hollow and we couldn’t locate any of masses photos there, so he also had photos from Jim Thompson who was in Knoxville.

00:39:28.440 –> 00:39:35.970 Janet McCue: That um and you know Steve Camp is actually working on a book on Rockefeller now and maybe he’ll be able to.

00:39:36.210 –> 00:39:36.630 Take.

00:39:37.980 –> 00:39:38.850 Janet McCue: awesome photos but.

00:39:40.230 –> 00:39:54.450 Janet McCue: You know the camera, who was the associate director of the National Park Service at the time gathered all the photos that he could and took them to Rockefeller but we don’t know exactly which photos he took to John D Rockefeller jr.

00:39:54.720 –> 00:39:54.990 Janet McCue: But.

00:39:55.440 –> 00:39:58.950 Janet McCue: I think that was certainly an important element.

00:39:59.160 –> 00:40:01.200 Joseph McElroy: motors, or there.

00:40:01.560 –> 00:40:01.830 Janet McCue: yeah.

00:40:01.860 –> 00:40:13.170 Janet McCue: Masa did send a photo album to Coolidge he sent one to each of them to the Governor of North Carolina and the Governor of Tennessee so he can he did send Rockefellers photo we do have.

00:40:13.530 –> 00:40:27.570 Janet McCue: evidence that he sent a picture of Rockefeller to Rockefeller and we have Rockefellers’ response to him, so he was not shy about sharing the beauty of his photography so.

00:40:28.590 –> 00:40:39.300 Joseph McElroy: This is so interesting he was coming from Japan, and he never became an American citizen, but I guess, just as love this this this wilderness drove him to become such a.

00:40:39.660 –> 00:40:43.080 Janet McCue: Well, he wouldn’t have been allowed to be a citizen.

00:40:43.470 –> 00:40:44.010 Joseph McElroy: Right.

00:40:44.160 –> 00:40:46.020 Janet McCue: You know, and that time.

00:40:47.280 –> 00:41:00.210 Janet McCue: So he was an extraordinary amount of discrimination that and legislation that you know limited the number of people coming from Asian countries at that time.

00:41:00.930 –> 00:41:13.650 Janet McCue: So we don’t we know there’s a lot we don’t know about mouse’s early life we have pretty good documentation from 1915 to 1933 when he died.

00:41:14.970 –> 00:41:16.740 Janet McCue: But we know very little.

00:41:18.060 –> 00:41:19.320 Janet McCue: Yet about.

00:41:20.370 –> 00:41:34.950 Janet McCue: His early life, I mean we know he came to this country, you know, maybe and the 1910s maybe earlier, I mean we have some different information and different documents, where he lived where his family lived.

00:41:36.090 –> 00:41:42.210 Janet McCue: You know we’re still researching that area, Paul Paul bones still is, who.

00:41:43.980 –> 00:41:56.400 Janet McCue: I’m working with and in his film that his film which he did you know more than 15 years ago was on was called the mystery of George masa and.

00:41:56.910 –> 00:42:08.730 Janet McCue: The mysteries surrounding his his his early life, but he was remarkable to me, he was hired to work in the laundry room at the grove park in.

00:42:09.540 –> 00:42:29.370 Janet McCue: In 1915 five years later he established his own photography studio in Nashville and you know, he was photographing the Biltmore estates, he was all you know the Asheville City Hall high school, I mean all the important buildings.

00:42:30.840 –> 00:42:44.640 Janet McCue: That and all the important infrastructure that was being you know created and those boom years of Asheville some history, you know masa was the man on the spot, I actually watched a.

00:42:46.350 –> 00:42:56.370 Janet McCue: A Ripley’s, believe it or not, that that masa had done the I was you know was fun to see that I think was Warren or.

00:42:57.870 –> 00:42:58.710 Janet McCue: brothers that.

00:42:59.970 –> 00:43:00.630 Janet McCue: That had.

00:43:02.010 –> 00:43:08.310 Janet McCue: reissued the these these these old Ripley’s, believe it or not, one of them was.

00:43:08.490 –> 00:43:09.120 Joseph McElroy: The best your.

00:43:09.540 –> 00:43:10.080 Janet McCue: yeah yeah.

00:43:10.260 –> 00:43:17.940 Joseph McElroy: I love that they started in the hospitality industry in the mountains yeah yeah yeah the growth market is I mean that’s the.

00:43:18.240 –> 00:43:24.210 Joseph McElroy: that’s the premiere That was the premier place for presidents and a beautiful place.

00:43:25.050 –> 00:43:26.730 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’s absolutely gorgeous I.

00:43:27.210 –> 00:43:32.040 Janet McCue: know that my husband and I when we publish the book that was the first place, we went for dinner.

00:43:33.600 –> 00:43:43.440 Janet McCue: party and we did a tour of the girl parking and had dinner out in you know out on the patio was just absolutely beautiful.

00:43:43.710 –> 00:43:48.480 Joseph McElroy: Well, I look forward to taking the kids to see the gingerbread houses and Christmas.

00:43:50.280 –> 00:43:50.790 Beautiful.

00:43:54.270 –> 00:44:06.030 Janet McCue: On the third, I think it’s on the third floor they have a TV set up around you know digital box set up and they run continuously paul’s documentary so you can watch it up there.

00:44:06.060 –> 00:44:07.680 Janet McCue: Okay, take the girls.

00:44:08.640 –> 00:44:17.520 Joseph McElroy: There we go, so I when we come back you’ll tell us about a little bit more about your book and yeah what’s your future plans are okay.

00:44:17.730 –> 00:44:18.150 Janet McCue: Thank you.

00:44:25.980 –> 00:44:26.130 In.

00:46:02.370 –> 00:46:02.790 Unless.

00:46:36.630 –> 00:46:47.310 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Janet McCue and we’ve been talking about George masa you know.

00:46:47.910 –> 00:46:59.130 Joseph McElroy: When I was reading about George one of the stories of me tearing up was he you know he died at 45 and he could basically catch the flu right and.

00:46:59.850 –> 00:47:13.590 Joseph McElroy: And he couldn’t afford anything and they really get treated in the sanitarium where he died and in the great tragedies he really wanted to be buried next to kept part and he couldn’t afford it that’s sort of like sort of say.

00:47:14.880 –> 00:47:18.360 Janet McCue: yeah well you know, it was the middle of the depression, I mean.

00:47:18.990 –> 00:47:26.760 Janet McCue: You know photographer I’m trying to eke out a living in the middle of oppression can’t have been easy and.

00:47:28.290 –> 00:47:41.040 Janet McCue: You know, as it, as it turned out, I mean Kephart himself wasn’t buried in the smokies Kephart’s tombstone is embracing the city and he was also in a borrowed

00:47:41.790 –> 00:47:52.560 Janet McCue: lot I mean no one expected that he would die a car accident and also he was not a wealthy man and certainly neither was George Masa.

00:47:53.610 –> 00:48:10.920 Janet McCue: So it’s neither of them were actually buried in the smokies and in fact, the smokies policy was to you know, rightly so, was not to have only if you were a family member of an original family who lived in the smokies

00:48:11.280 –> 00:48:12.480 Janet McCue: Could you read their

00:48:14.400 –> 00:48:16.380 Joseph McElroy: Cities is a gateway to the smoky so.

00:48:17.130 –> 00:48:17.640 Janet McCue: that’s true.

00:48:18.060 –> 00:48:19.170 Joseph McElroy: That whole area is actually.

00:48:19.170 –> 00:48:22.680 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountains, I consider Haywood county smokey.

00:48:23.940 –> 00:48:25.230 Joseph McElroy: got the park me love it.

00:48:25.230 –> 00:48:38.790 Janet McCue: yeah well, while we’re talking about tombstones people were surprised to hear that in Ithaca and the ethic of city cemetery there’s a tombstone for Horace Kephart and for Laura his wife.

00:48:39.270 –> 00:48:44.310 Janet McCue: And there you know George is Kephart is buried embracing city, but.

00:48:45.390 –> 00:48:50.160 Janet McCue: Laura and in Horace, although they never lived together after 1908.

00:48:51.270 –> 00:49:02.580 Janet McCue: They remained married and Laura always said she wanted to be buried by Kephart two, so, in addition to George masa wanting to be buried by her.

00:49:04.050 –> 00:49:19.020 Janet McCue: LIFE to do so, it turns out, you know George George masa is part of the riverside’s cemetery has a walking tour and oh Henry is there, Thomas Wolfe is there on this walking tour, but so is George masa.

00:49:19.290 –> 00:49:19.860 Joseph McElroy: And you know.

00:49:21.480 –> 00:49:44.430 Janet McCue: Even, even though you know his the hiking club actually raised money to bury him and the hiking club raised money to erect a stone, this is the Carolina mountain club they raised the money to erect a stone in his honor and 20 years later, the petition, the government to name.

00:49:45.480 –> 00:49:54.750 Janet McCue: A peak after George masa you know so he like to think that, although he may have died penniless who did not die friendless he had.

00:49:55.260 –> 00:49:55.710 Joseph McElroy: And he didn’t.

00:49:56.430 –> 00:50:03.870 Joseph McElroy: He didn’t die for this guy anybody yeah that’s that sounds like you lived incredible wife, so what is your book about him coming out.

00:50:04.770 –> 00:50:20.340 Janet McCue: Well, we think 2023 we’ve had a big delay this past year because of our inability to do research but we’ve been working hard on all the parts that we could do research on Japan right now is having a bit of a.

00:50:21.840 –> 00:50:24.150 Janet McCue: the resurgence of code and you.

00:50:24.930 –> 00:50:34.320 Janet McCue: Know it’s difficult to do research in Japan as well, and the end that both Paul and I are committed to you know uncovering anything we can about his early life.

00:50:34.890 –> 00:50:35.790 Joseph McElroy: that’s a great thing.

00:50:37.590 –> 00:50:41.760 Janet McCue: So, but we’re hoping 2023 or the smokies thanks, for them.

00:50:42.330 –> 00:50:44.190 Joseph McElroy: Can I get a copy when it comes out.

00:50:44.250 –> 00:50:47.400 Joseph McElroy: Maybe maybe a debuted on my podcast.

00:50:52.140 –> 00:50:56.010 Joseph McElroy: cool and then I guess it could be sold through the great smoky mountains association.

00:50:57.810 –> 00:51:04.200 Joseph McElroy: Eventually Amazon so we’ll look for it I’ll be sure to mention it when it comes out and hopefully you’ll actually come on tell me about it.

00:51:05.070 –> 00:51:08.820 Joseph McElroy: So any other projects you’re working on that you’d like to share with us.

00:51:09.570 –> 00:51:14.340 Janet McCue: Well, the only project right now I’m working on is being a grandparent and waiting.

00:51:15.540 –> 00:51:26.130 Janet McCue: My son and daughter in law expecting a new child and the next week so I’m actually not in the finger Lakes area I’m in new Rochelle right now.

00:51:26.580 –> 00:51:38.160 Janet McCue: And I’m enjoying getting to know my 20-month-old grandson whom we haven’t seen for a long time so we’re trying to read learn our skills for babysitting so.

00:51:39.720 –> 00:51:40.680 Janet McCue: A real pleasure.

00:51:40.950 –> 00:51:44.820 Joseph McElroy: that’s good yeah I know I’m over the age of maybe.

00:51:45.900 –> 00:51:48.720 Joseph McElroy: I have almost three-year-old twins so.

00:51:49.890 –> 00:51:53.580 Joseph McElroy: I can give you some insights from daily interaction.

00:51:55.590 –> 00:51:58.080 Janet McCue: Well, even getting up at six o’clock is a challenge for me.

00:51:58.830 –> 00:52:02.850 Joseph McElroy: So, are there any people you want to mention to help you along the way, and your research or anything like that.

00:52:02.910 –> 00:52:19.260 Janet McCue: yeah that’s it that’s a really good start that’s a really good question Joseph because it’s you know we dedicated I dedicated this book to all the Librarians and archivists who have helped me along the way with my research, but then there is a countless number of people who.

00:52:21.000 –> 00:52:26.460 Janet McCue: You know who read the manuscript can wise and George Brazil.

00:52:27.180 –> 00:52:50.100 Janet McCue: John White who’s a filmmaker you know when you do a book, you know you know X, Y, and Z you don’t know a B and C very well so Raymond been I’m not a gun Smith I’m not I know very little about guns, but Raymond been helped us with that chapter, he was terrific john white who’s a.

00:52:51.330 –> 00:52:56.970 Janet McCue: filmmaker and has studied them stark love which cares part was a.

00:52:58.230 –> 00:53:00.900 Janet McCue: consultant on you know he read the chapter on.

00:53:02.040 –> 00:53:02.370 Janet McCue: On.

00:53:03.930 –> 00:53:15.840 Janet McCue: You know, on-camera work and start gloves so there were numerous people put me up for me, people who I didn’t even know, would you know, let me live with them for a month Chester and and and.

00:53:16.860 –> 00:53:35.010 Janet McCue: In his wife just you know to open their house to me, and it was you know extraordinary Bill Hart and Alice Heart, though one my heart because Bill has written the first article on George masa and he.

00:53:36.480 –> 00:53:51.300 Janet McCue: opened up his you know his collection of material to allow me to use it and they opened up a bedroom Alice you know, has a room that she’s designated Janet’s bedroom and you know, so there are.

00:53:52.620 –> 00:53:55.800 Joseph McElroy: A lot of people, so I want to thank you for being on my show.

00:53:56.580 –> 00:53:58.470 Joseph McElroy: You a real pleasure and.

00:53:58.770 –> 00:54:00.000 Having a conversation.

00:54:01.380 –> 00:54:06.330 Joseph McElroy: and we look forward to promoting your books and.

00:54:07.380 –> 00:54:10.230 Joseph McElroy: Things that you’re doing the future that I have to do my shoutouts.

00:54:12.720 –> 00:54:13.290 Janet McCue: To being here.

00:54:14.130 –> 00:54:17.070 Janet McCue: pleasure to talk with you and I’m gonna have to go look in the Rose gold some.

00:54:17.400 –> 00:54:19.020 Joseph McElroy: archive and find go.

00:54:20.700 –> 00:54:21.750 Janet McCue: For now, libraries.

00:54:23.100 –> 00:54:30.300 Joseph McElroy: So this podcast you can find gateways to the smokies dot five where you can find a newsletter you can subscribe to, to find out.

00:54:31.020 –> 00:54:43.950 Joseph McElroy: What upcoming events and podcasts are coming down the Pike and we will also feature their various books and things like that relevant to our guests.

00:54:44.400 –> 00:54:53.280 Joseph McElroy: Now I want you to imagine a place evocative of moodle course of the past, the modern environment, but the sheep Appalachian people place.

00:54:54.150 –> 00:55:05.700 Joseph McElroy: For adventure and for relaxation imagine a place, we can fish in the mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire, accompanied by fine wine and craft beers.

00:55:06.090 –> 00:55:19.590 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where the old-time music and world cultures, so there is no other place like the Meadowlark motel in Maggie North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts, where you stay.

00:55:20.760 –> 00:55:30.540 Joseph McElroy: To find out about the smokies go to smokiesadventure.com which is an information resource

00:55:31.230 –> 00:55:46.110 Joseph McElroy: listing adventure outdoor activities that you can experience them our next week on this podcast we have been Leslie Hartley communications director, the Blue Ridge heritage area who talk about Blue Ridge culture which the smoky mountains, as part of.

00:55:47.130 –> 00:55:52.110 Joseph McElroy: I want to give a shout-out to this network that we are part of talkradio. nyc

00:55:53.130 –> 00:56:07.590 Joseph McElroy: It is a podcast network with lots of shows live shows the one after this is about New York, so you can go from the mountains to most urban areas in the country and get really wonderful.

00:56:08.070 –> 00:56:26.520 Joseph McElroy: Broad experience of life in the United States as talk-radio. nyc and I look forward to talking to you next week on it’s always on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 pm and I want to thank my guests again with you and we’ll see you next time.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/317147233327454/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/184802919_317184823323695_5786945252416583855_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=GKT2t18qqeEAX9PG_31&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301628F&oh=00_AT_de74PnY2lRr1cG-XE-TK9cahF-L3tZaUdYnvA4_r7lg&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is <strong>Janet McCue,</strong> she enjoyed a great career as former Director of the Mann Library at Cornell University while earning a stellar reputation as an award-winning independent writer and researcher. She is an avid hiker and naturalist who often visits and writes about the Great Smokies.</p><p>She has collaborated with renowned local naturalist, George Ellison on several literary projects -most notably, “<a href="https://amzn.to/2Rvt2fK" rel="nofollow"><strong><em>Back Of Beyond --A Horace Kephart Biography</em></strong></a>,” a winner of the prestigious Thomas Wolfe Literary Award. The book has received rave reviews across the United States. She is currently working on a documentary film on another interesting artist of the Smokies, George Masa.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/5B5B0NePiB/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts today’s episode by introducing today’s topic, the role of photography in the creation of the national park. He just got back from the Smokies and was excited by the bewilderment his family found in the mountains. He discusses the coming group of cicadas that only come out every 13-17 years, and are present in huge numbers. He discusses a man helping to discover butterflies in the mountains, and a funny quote from him. On Friday, May 21, he is speaking to educate the public on butterflies. He introduces the annual speaker series coming up and talks about the wildflower season in the mountains. He talks about a website that does daily haiku, which had a very fitting one for this conversation as it related to wildflowers. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Janet McCue, and her expansive career. Even though she lives in New York, Janet has contributed much to the mountains, working on projects relating to some of its founders, Horace Kephart and George Masa. Janet discusses some of her accomplishments working at Cornell University as a librarian, comparing her job to that of Horace Kephart. She talks about creating a flexible library that blended digital and print in a space made in the 1930s. Joseph actually works in the library Janet worked in and the two share a laugh about this. Joseph highlights two of Janet’s big accomplishments from her time at the library.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Janet and Joseph joke about sharing a drink at the Cornell Club, and Joseph asks how Janet got into writing her book about Horace Kephart. While she may not have had many connections to Horace or his life, Janet’s husband owned a book by him, and the bigger draw to his stories for Janet was the affinity she found for the mountains after backpacking in the Smokies. After learning that Horace had been a librarian, she wrote a paper about him, doing a lot of research about him and becoming even more interested in his life. Both Janet and Horace’s careers actually began at Cornell. After having kids and a busy career in which she put Horace on the back burner, Janet realized that doing something with her Kephart research was on her bucket list. She applied for research leave, traveled to collections in different libraries, and meeting people with ties to his life. This led to a collaboration with another writer in which she helped to write an introduction which ended up turning into her biography of Horace. She discusses memories she has of falling in love with the Smokies when she was young. The two share stories of food and hiking spots in the mountains.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Next Janet discusses the motivation for publishing the book with the Great Smoky Mountains Associations, wanting to make sure that the profits from the book were given back to the park, something that reflected Kephart’s own life as he gave a lot to the park. Joseph talks about his own experience with the GSMA, also wanting to support the park. The two move on to George Masa, another interesting artist of the Smokies. Janet looks at the photos of Masa and the words of Kephart together as good partners in helping the nation get to know the Smokies. Their art helped to reach the nation and inform it of why the park needed protection. She reads a quote from Kephart detailing the uniqueness and exceptionality of Masa’s photography. Joseph discusses Rockefeller contributing to the park as a result of Masa’s photos and Janet talks about this as well as Masa’s photos being sent to other important figures of that time. Masa came to the US from Japan, never becoming a citizen, and even though there is much documentation of his life in the US, there is little known of his early life. Janet discusses documentaries on Masa as well as some of his work in the early development of Asheville.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Moving into the last segment of the day, Joseph introduces an anecdote about Masa’s burial. He died during the depression and was unable to afford to be buried next to Kephart, which was his wish. Neither were buried in the Smokies though. Horace was buried in Bryson City but has a tombstone in Ithaca as his wife was buried there. Although he may have died poor, many cared for Masa, getting money together to erect a tombstone in his honor. Janet talks about her upcoming book, and the difficulty she has found doing research on his early life as Japan is having a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Janet talks about other things going on in her life, such as being a grandparent with another grandchild on the way. She moves on to talk about dedications for her book on Kephart and people who helped her with different parts of the book. On top of having many people who helped her with her book on Kephart, she has similar stories for her upcoming book on Masa. Joseph ends tonight’s episode by sharing resources of his where he can be reached and where he has materials related to the podcast as well as a preview of next week’s episode’s guest.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3>TRANSCRIPT</h3><p>00:00:37.980 –&gt; 00:00:38.520 Joseph McElroy: howdy.</p><p>00:00:38.670 –&gt; 00:00:43.260 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:44.070 –&gt; 00:00:52.500 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:52.950 –&gt; 00:01:05.580 Joseph McElroy: This area’s filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes I am Joseph Franklin McElroy.</p><p>00:01:05.910 –&gt; 00:01:17.280 Joseph McElroy: A man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in smoky mountain culture.</p><p>00:01:18.240 –&gt; 00:01:28.500 Joseph McElroy: today’s episode we’ll continue our understanding of the founding of the great smoky mountains national park and how photography was instrumental in its creation.</p><p>00:01:29.310 –&gt; 00:01:38.490 Joseph McElroy: But first I’m going to tell you that I just got back from the smokies and there are beautiful and the new york’s like a fake background if you’re watching on zoom but.</p><p>00:01:38.820 –&gt; 00:01:43.320 Joseph McElroy: I’m down there all the time we were just down there for two weeks, me and my family.</p><p>00:01:43.680 –&gt; 00:01:57.780 Joseph McElroy: And there were wonderful and all our families were there, the grandmothers on both sides aunts and uncles my grown son Ethan and my grandma and grandpa McElroy boy my toddler twins just love him.</p><p>00:01:59.010 –&gt; 00:02:05.250 Joseph McElroy: And they were also overwhelmed just by the experience they haven’t been there in a year because we’ve been stuck in New York because of a quarantine.</p><p>00:02:05.670 –&gt; 00:02:13.110 Joseph McElroy: And they got to see groundhogs and rabbits and squirrels and trout and all sorts of birds,</p><p>00:02:13.380 –&gt; 00:02:23.400 Joseph McElroy: I mean we missed the scene red birds and yellow blurred the birds and bluebirds and robbins and they wanted to know all about every one of them, and it was just fantastic giving that spirit that experience.</p><p>00:02:23.730 –&gt; 00:02:29.730 Joseph McElroy: And this was all just in the backyard the back, recreation area of the Meadowlark motel, which is our mountain resort.</p><p>00:02:30.930 –&gt; 00:02:39.480 Joseph McElroy: And they have just tickled my wife, she got the plant a lot of flowers, including a new wildflower bed at the motel.</p><p>00:02:40.230 –&gt; 00:02:42.180 Joseph McElroy: It was absolutely refreshing I’m telling you.</p><p>00:02:42.660 –&gt; 00:02:52.680 Joseph McElroy: And we got to go to one of the top barbecue joints in America, the hazelwood smokehouse I recommend it highly they have eight different sauces and everyone is better than the previous one.</p><p>00:02:53.040 –&gt; 00:03:03.870 Joseph McElroy: And an actual I took my wife on a birthday dinner outing to a great foodie joint called jargon, it had great food, I had a smoked trout dip.</p><p>00:03:04.230 –&gt; 00:03:09.960 Joseph McElroy: And then I had this trout dish I went all trout that night, and it was just unbelievably good.</p><p>00:03:10.830 –&gt; 00:03:22.950 Joseph McElroy: But they have these incredible cocktails made one out of a ball of ice that was hollow and they actually poured the mixed mixture into the hollow ice that has a sort of a mix between old fashioned a Manhattan.</p><p>00:03:23.460 –&gt; 00:03:27.390 Joseph McElroy: And then, when they served it to you, they took out a little hammer and busted the ball.</p><p>00:03:28.920 –&gt; 00:03:35.610 Joseph McElroy: It was a dramatic presentation, so I tell you the smoky mountain is a great place to go.</p><p>00:03:36.810 –&gt; 00:03:40.170 Joseph McElroy: it’s also about to have a lot of.</p><p>00:03:43.650 –&gt; 00:03:51.150 Joseph McElroy: kickoff I just lost the name I just lost them the name it’s the SCOTUS it’s a staccato apocalypse about is about to happen.</p><p>00:03:51.900 –&gt; 00:04:01.950 Joseph McElroy: it’d be on the lookout it’s a rare natural phenomenon historical event that’s unfolding right now and you’ll go through mid-July that’s getting billions of.</p><p>00:04:03.150 –&gt; 00:04:13.410 Joseph McElroy: these the 17-year periodical staccato is and they’re going to emerge across a wide swath of these United States, including the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:04:13.890 –&gt; 00:04:22.260 Joseph McElroy: And it’s going to be loud they’re very loud and this periodical SCOTUS comprise a group of species that don’t emerge yearly but.</p><p>00:04:22.890 –&gt; 00:04:32.250 Joseph McElroy: Like every 13 or 17 years cycles, and this is the 17-year cycles and they’re already getting reports of them emerging near Knoxville.</p><p>00:04:32.670 –&gt; 00:04:45.510 Joseph McElroy: And we expect them to be all across the bit basically the western part of the mountains, the smokies so from looking rock decades cove area so it’s a historical event, you should go see it.</p><p>00:04:46.710 –&gt; 00:04:58.140 Joseph McElroy: I also wanted to mention that there’s a there’s smoky science series that’s returning to do with and it’s gonna start with a spotlight on butterflies.</p><p>00:04:59.610 –&gt; 00:05:10.050 Joseph McElroy: So the first one is with Warren Bilderberg he spends a lot of time photographing southern Appalachian butterflies in the great smoky mountains, National Park.</p><p>00:05:11.250 –&gt; 00:05:21.240 Joseph McElroy: And they might it might you’ll find out why we talked about for emphasizing photography but he willingly admits that he is.</p><p>00:05:22.020 –&gt; 00:05:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Did he didn’t really start this journey of butterfly discovery in earnest until retired, but now he’s doing it wholeheartedly and he’s been volunteering caves code.</p><p>00:05:32.940 –&gt; 00:05:41.940 Joseph McElroy: I read a quote for him, one day, there was a family of three, with a little girl, maybe 11 or 12 years old, near a group of the blue like butterflies along the road.</p><p>00:05:42.240 –&gt; 00:05:53.250 Joseph McElroy: He said I went over and said they look like pipeline swallowtails but then the little girl immediately corrected me and said no, those are spice Bush swallowtails.</p><p>00:05:55.140 –&gt; 00:06:00.420 Joseph McElroy: I never heard of them, but she pointed out a very subtle difference between the two, so he had to learn.</p><p>00:06:02.640 –&gt; 00:06:11.460 Joseph McElroy: So he’s gonna help other you guys up everybody dive into the world of these southern Appalachian butterflies on Friday may 21 let’s coming up.</p><p>00:06:11.850 –&gt; 00:06:25.080 Joseph McElroy: And it’s being organized by discovering life in America and it’s got a free science it’s Sugarland speaker series and sugar land is the gateway to the Smokies in Gatlinburg.</p><p>00:06:25.470 –&gt; 00:06:31.380 Joseph McElroy: And they have a whole science Center and things like that and there’s going to be a six-part education series.</p><p>00:06:32.610 –&gt; 00:06:34.650 Joseph McElroy: And it should be, it should be very nice.</p><p>00:06:35.580 –&gt; 00:06:43.740 Joseph McElroy: It was, it was the series is created in 2017 I think it took a break last year, but it gives regional sciences scientists a chance.</p><p>00:06:43.920 –&gt; 00:06:54.780 Joseph McElroy: to share their research with a general audience and answer questions and discuss the latest issues affecting regional biodiversity and concern for conservation and.</p><p>00:06:55.290 –&gt; 00:07:00.600 Joseph McElroy: This year will be there will be an annual the annual speaker series start goes from.</p><p>00:07:01.200 –&gt; 00:07:09.270 Joseph McElroy: will also be online from one to three on the third Friday of every month and it’s read it is free registration at D Li a.org.</p><p>00:07:09.960 –&gt; 00:07:17.460 Joseph McElroy: I want to remind you that wildflowers are always a big thing in the spring and it’s still happening, it goes through June.</p><p>00:07:18.150 –&gt; 00:07:24.480 Joseph McElroy: The great year because you know you think there’s a small short season for wildflowers, but in the mountains, what happens is.</p><p>00:07:24.900 –&gt; 00:07:28.170 Joseph McElroy: The wildfire start in the lower elevation and then, as the.</p><p>00:07:28.650 –&gt; 00:07:39.540 Joseph McElroy: As the season gets warmer it’s warmer and warmer up the mountain so different parts of the mountain start having wildfires later in the season, so we haven’t actually along wild.</p><p>00:07:40.320 –&gt; 00:07:47.070 Joseph McElroy: flower season in the smoky mountains and it makes for great hiking and different hiking experience every time you go.</p><p>00:07:47.430 –&gt; 00:07:53.430 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s blackberries are blooming now and I love blue blackberries and they’ll bloom through June.</p><p>00:07:53.790 –&gt; 00:08:07.200 Joseph McElroy: And then they’ll start having blackberries in July and making the bears happy and making me happy because I love Blackberry cobbler I grew up eating Blackberry color I remember going to pick them that and I’ll probably have all podcasts just about blackberries and August.</p><p>00:08:10.470 –&gt; 00:08:20.760 Joseph McElroy: Now, speaking of wildflowers my guest is has a connection to the canal library, so I was pursuing the Cornell library website.</p><p>00:08:21.300 –&gt; 00:08:33.000 Joseph McElroy: And, and I found that they do a daily haiku and the days were about wow flower, so I had just done this, you know thinking about what the podcast was I said Well, this is really.</p><p>00:08:34.260 –&gt; 00:08:58.230 Joseph McElroy: You know opportunistic for me to take them and talk about this, but you can find it at haiku.manlive.cornell.edu and this one is by an author named cat Lehman and it’s all these haikus are simple but beautiful just another anonymous kindness wildflowers.</p><p>00:08:59.340 –&gt; 00:09:01.800 Joseph McElroy: And then another by Carol Pickerington.</p><p>00:09:02.880 –&gt; 00:09:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Wildflower field, the colors that don’t get go together do.</p><p>00:09:10.860 –&gt; 00:09:12.870 Joseph McElroy: And then Tom painting wrote.</p><p>00:09:13.980 –&gt; 00:09:18.450 Joseph McElroy: ending in wildflowers the logging road.</p><p>00:09:19.620 –&gt; 00:09:28.470 Joseph McElroy: And for those of you not into hiking you can also ride around in the mountains so don’t forget that especially a motorcycle so I found this haiku as well.</p><p>00:09:30.120 –&gt; 00:09:36.030 Joseph McElroy: bikers headlights threading down the mountains moonless night.</p><p>00:09:37.470 –&gt; 00:09:47.790 Joseph McElroy: So my guest today is Janet McCue who enjoyed a great career as the former Director of the Mann Library at Cornell University.</p><p>00:09:48.180 –&gt; 00:09:58.950 Joseph McElroy: While earning a Stellar reputation as an award-winning Independent Writer and research, she is an avid hiker and naturalist who often visits and writes about the great smokies.</p><p>00:09:59.700 –&gt; 00:10:10.230 Joseph McElroy: She has collaborated with a renowned local naturalist George Ellison on several literary projects, most notably backup beyond a horoscope heart biography.</p><p>00:10:11.040 –&gt; 00:10:24.510 Joseph McElroy: And it was the winner of the prestigious Thomas Wolfe literary award is received rave reviews and now she’s also currently working I think on a book and a documentary film on another important founder of the smokies George masa.</p><p>00:10:25.320 –&gt; 00:10:34.320 Joseph McElroy: She and her husband actually live in the up in New York area, and I think near new Rochelle we were just talking about that so welcome Janet.</p><p>00:10:34.740 –&gt; 00:10:43.980 Janet McCue: Well, thank you for that Nice introduction and you started with some poetry, because I hear you two are a poet, so what.</p><p>00:10:44.340 –&gt; 00:10:47.910 Joseph McElroy: Was devil the been my biggest claim to.</p><p>00:10:47.910 –&gt; 00:10:56.640 Joseph McElroy: fame in terms of poetry, is, I had a poem published on the Jumbotron and Times Square on valentine’s day yeah.</p><p>00:10:57.540 –&gt; 00:10:59.850 Janet McCue: that’s almost as good as man library’s website.</p><p>00:11:02.160 –&gt; 00:11:15.990 Joseph McElroy: So, so you had a great career at Cornell and you have this stellar reputation can tell you, can you tell some about your proudest accomplishment prior to this new journey of historic mountain lore.</p><p>00:11:17.160 –&gt; 00:11:27.390 Janet McCue: Well, I did have a wonderful career Mann library when I think about how that career changed, and when I started as a librarian in 1979.</p><p>00:11:28.590 –&gt; 00:11:38.460 Janet McCue: My career looked a lot like what course kept parts career did and 1890 he wrote an article on being a librarian and it starts with.</p><p>00:11:38.970 –&gt; 00:11:47.640 Janet McCue: You know he’s trying to do some work and a bevy of sophomores come at the desk a flurry of different kinds of questions.</p><p>00:11:47.940 –&gt; 00:11:56.550 Janet McCue: And that’s exactly what the reference desk was like when I started my career when I ended my career, though it was very much a digital world and.</p><p>00:11:57.120 –&gt; 00:12:15.810 Janet McCue: I loved being able to grow up as a librarian within that very dynamic world, but you know, a couple of things that I’m really proud of in terms of my career one we built and we took a building that was designed in the 1930s.</p><p>00:12:16.980 –&gt; 00:12:29.640 Janet McCue: But not built until the 1950s and created a library that was so flexible that you could move through different periods of digital and print information.</p><p>00:12:30.120 –&gt; 00:12:40.920 Janet McCue: Ahead of a very collaborative style to it so students, could you know work in groups of two working groups of five it was no longer than the hushing kind of library.</p><p>00:12:41.640 –&gt; 00:13:01.980 Janet McCue: But it was very much a vibrant place The other thing I loved and I alluded to this in your own poetry we tried to blend science and art, we had a gallery in our library, we have haiku that was presented every morning and subscribers from all over the world.</p><p>00:13:02.250 –&gt; 00:13:04.560 Joseph McElroy: You know I’m in your library, by the way, you.</p><p>00:13:05.550 –&gt; 00:13:08.700 Joseph McElroy: know that I actually have work in your library.</p><p>00:13:09.030 –&gt; 00:13:09.900 Janet McCue: Oh come on JESSICA.</p><p>00:13:10.740 –&gt; 00:13:15.510 Joseph McElroy: Do you have the Rose gold and archive of new media art.</p><p>00:13:16.350 –&gt; 00:13:21.510 Joseph McElroy: In, there is the computer Fine Arts COM and I have two pieces in that collection.</p><p>00:13:21.930 –&gt; 00:13:29.190 Janet McCue: Oh, my gosh that’s amazing I mean that we do I mean rose gold sweets collection is extraordinary.</p><p>00:13:29.400 –&gt; 00:13:43.530 Janet McCue: yeah that is in the special collections and I was in more the science and for now, but, at the last five years of my career, I was in the same library that held the Rose gold, so we did we were in the same library.</p><p>00:13:44.160 –&gt; 00:13:45.960 Joseph McElroy: Well, I have to go look in the cabinet.</p><p>00:13:46.710 –&gt; 00:13:47.190 Janet McCue: In there.</p><p>00:13:47.550 –&gt; 00:13:52.980 Joseph McElroy: I imagine it’s probably not working right now, you have to go back to the library because flashes are no longer working</p><p>00:13:53.640 –&gt; 00:14:02.430 Joseph McElroy: On most people’s computers, these days, I have to figure out how to that’s something that Librarians need to figure out how to do is what are you gonna do about technologies that ages out.</p><p>00:14:02.640 –&gt; 00:14:02.970 that’s.</p><p>00:14:04.110 –&gt; 00:14:10.350 Janet McCue: What one of the major I mean you, I mean I retired seven years ago, and that was still one of the things that.</p><p>00:14:10.440 –&gt; 00:14:11.280 Janet McCue: You know that.</p><p>00:14:11.490 –&gt; 00:14:13.590 Janet McCue: puzzling us and it’s still puzzling us so.</p><p>00:14:14.040 –&gt; 00:14:22.500 Joseph McElroy: you’re right well I’m about to go to break, but I don’t want to, I want to mention two things I really was impressed by you hired the first Metadata library.</p><p>00:14:23.880 –&gt; 00:14:34.560 Joseph McElroy: And I’m big on Metadata has become part of the underlying infrastructure of the Internet and you also led the renovation of the modern library, to make it happen to create a sustainable CAFE.</p><p>00:14:34.980 –&gt; 00:14:40.380 Joseph McElroy: which you know I’m big into state sustainability and Meadowlark is three pints sustainable designated.</p><p>00:14:41.400 –&gt; 00:14:49.800 Joseph McElroy: lodging and only one west of Asheville so anyway, when we come back we’re gonna talk more about your research into Horace and George.</p><p>00:14:50.400 –&gt; 00:14:53.010 Janet McCue: Okay we’ll look forward to it, thank you, Joseph.</p><p>00:17:50.610 –&gt; 00:18:04.500 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Janet McCue so Janet you know I forgot to mention you come to the Cornell Club in New York City.</p><p>00:18:05.460 –&gt; 00:18:16.200 Janet McCue: Occasionally, when I take the bus from campus to campus to campus bus is a godsend for linking upstate New York Ithaca</p><p>00:18:17.550 –&gt; 00:18:23.280 Janet McCue: to Manhattan yes, when the Cornell club is our destination.</p><p>00:18:23.580 –&gt; 00:18:31.410 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know I ask is because we actually Duke does not have a club, but the Duke made a deal with Cornell and I’m able to go that Club too.</p><p>00:18:37.980 –&gt; 00:18:39.000 Joseph McElroy: all over the place here.</p><p>00:18:39.780 –&gt; 00:18:42.810 Janet McCue: Well, we can we’ll have to have a drink sometime at one of the.</p><p>00:18:44.700 –&gt; 00:18:45.270 Janet McCue: spots that.</p><p>00:18:45.300 –&gt; 00:18:49.830 Joseph McElroy: Maybe they’ll have one of those ice balls and they’ll crack it in front of me that’d be great.</p><p>00:18:51.600 –&gt; 00:19:01.740 Joseph McElroy: So you had a great career at Cornell so how did you get into writing a book about Horrace Kephart the founder of the great smoky mountains co-founder.</p><p>00:19:02.490 –&gt; 00:19:06.120 Janet McCue: yeah, it is a bit, it is a bit odd that a woman who I’m</p><p>00:19:07.260 –&gt; 00:19:08.010 Janet McCue: a</p><p>00:19:09.690 –&gt; 00:19:23.970 Janet McCue: Movement of work sick right now lives in upstate New York would delve into for the last 40 years about a man who, who was born in Iowa and spent the last you know 30 years of his life in.</p><p>00:19:24.930 –&gt; 00:19:41.100 Janet McCue: In the smokies but you know there were lots of intersections which I, you know people are often surprised at the intersections I mean my first one was my husband had a copy of Khepart camping and woodcraft a copy of his book on his bookshelf and.</p><p>00:19:42.150 –&gt; 00:19:49.920 Janet McCue: He in many respects, taught us how to build a campfire I mean we were both city kids I grew up in Pittsburgh he grew up in cities, all over the world.</p><p>00:19:51.270 –&gt; 00:19:58.380 Janet McCue: Neither of our parents taught us how to build a campfire so we learned a lot from Horrace Kephart’s book.</p><p>00:19:59.280 –&gt; 00:20:13.590 Janet McCue: We also were avid backpack backpackers and one of our first trips was into the smokies and we had several subsequent trips to the smokies, including one when we went to brace in place which was Cornell’s which was counterparts.</p><p>00:20:16.590 –&gt; 00:20:21.810 Janet McCue: A favorite spot that he had spent a great deal of time in, particularly in the summers.</p><p>00:20:22.860 –&gt; 00:20:42.750 Janet McCue: So the smokies and the beauty of the smokies were really what drew me to Kephart’s story, because as far as I knew, you know Kephart played an instrumental role in the establishment Smokies I would learn that you know little tidbits of the story, as on these backpacking trips.</p><p>00:20:43.980 –&gt; 00:20:45.360 Janet McCue: And when I came to.</p><p>00:20:46.380 –&gt; 00:20:49.590 Janet McCue: I came to Grad school at the University of Michigan.</p><p>00:20:50.580 –&gt; 00:21:10.020 Janet McCue: I had learned from my husband Kephart had been a librarian and I decided to do a research paper at some point for our research methods class on Kephart and discovered his career as a librarian discovered George Ellison’s introduction to our Southern highlanders read Kephart’s books.</p><p>00:21:11.310 –&gt; 00:21:22.110 Janet McCue: And you know became even more interested in the man and as luck would have it, my first job was at Cornell and Cornell’s career as a librarian started.</p><p>00:21:23.370 –&gt; 00:21:24.750 Janet McCue: At Cornell.</p><p>00:21:25.080 –&gt; 00:21:27.060 Janet McCue: marks efforts career started.</p><p>00:21:27.450 –&gt; 00:21:28.980 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t know that wow.</p><p>00:21:29.670 –&gt; 00:21:34.380 Janet McCue: So he came to Cornell as a Grad student and history and in.</p><p>00:21:36.090 –&gt; 00:21:39.120 Janet McCue: Political science and he.</p><p>00:21:41.370 –&gt; 00:21:54.120 Janet McCue: began working in the libraries and was hired by the first by Cornell’s first library and will learn Fisk and, in fact, went to Italy with Fisk and.</p><p>00:21:55.110 –&gt; 00:22:06.600 Janet McCue: and help collect and help catalog the Petrarch and Dante collection which Cornell has so you had lots of connections into Cornell and I was at Cornell.</p><p>00:22:07.380 –&gt; 00:22:20.100 Janet McCue: I used to do research on Saturday mornings in the archives and you know learn again learn more about kept part but then you know I had kids I had a busy career and I put them on the back burner for many years.</p><p>00:22:21.210 –&gt; 00:22:30.210 Janet McCue: And then I was doing a cross country ski trip with a group of friends and one of my friends asked me what I wanted to do before I died and.</p><p>00:22:31.170 –&gt; 00:22:40.590 Janet McCue: I listed a couple of things one was taking dance lessons with my husband, which I think because it was on that death list he actually did it with making.</p><p>00:22:42.900 –&gt; 00:22:51.150 Janet McCue: but also on that list was do something with my Kephart research and she asked me a very important question she said what’s stopping you and.</p><p>00:22:51.810 –&gt; 00:23:00.690 Janet McCue: So I had to answer that question that nothing is stopping me, so I am I applied for research leave and went to St Louis went to.</p><p>00:23:01.200 –&gt; 00:23:15.480 Janet McCue: Western North Carolina archives went to brown university and various archival collections that filled in more gaps on you know, on Kephart story, and then in 2009 I met George Ellison.</p><p>00:23:16.800 –&gt; 00:23:21.450 Janet McCue: Libby Kephart Hargrave is the great-granddaughter of Horrace</p><p>00:23:21.930 –&gt; 00:23:24.720 Joseph McElroy: Kephart in his famous he was just on our show.</p><p>00:23:24.930 –&gt; 00:23:34.950 Janet McCue: Right right, so you know all your listeners know all of us apart, but Libby established something called Kephart days and a librarian from.</p><p>00:23:36.720 –&gt; 00:23:47.430 Janet McCue: Alaska, believe it or not, told me about Kephart’s days and because he knew of my interest in Kephart and so I decided to go down and that’s where I met George that’s where I met Libby.</p><p>00:23:48.420 –&gt; 00:24:02.310 Janet McCue: I had you know, a group of friends and colleagues that I am honored to have in my life today who have helped me tremendously so at that point, George was writing an introduction to.</p><p>00:24:02.940 –&gt; 00:24:09.090 Janet McCue: A new edition of camping and woodcraft and he asked me to collaborate with him because he knew that I had done.</p><p>00:24:10.320 –&gt; 00:24:16.290 Janet McCue: Research on care products early career on his break down the whole.</p><p>00:24:18.930 –&gt; 00:24:26.100 Janet McCue: trauma that actually led Kephart to the smokies, and so we had a great collaboration and.</p><p>00:24:27.540 –&gt; 00:24:30.720 Joseph McElroy: that’s the one that ended up being like an 80-page introduction right.</p><p>00:24:30.750 –&gt; 00:24:31.470 Janet McCue: Yes, it was.</p><p>00:24:33.300 –&gt; 00:24:44.040 Joseph McElroy: I just do my research, I saw it, and I didn’t get a chance to read it, because it wasn’t a bit usually I tried to find everything online, but this isn’t available online so.</p><p>00:24:45.120 –&gt; 00:24:46.380 Joseph McElroy: What was the.</p><p>00:24:46.680 –&gt; 00:24:48.300 Joseph McElroy: What was the gist of your introduction.</p><p>00:24:49.020 –&gt; 00:24:51.210 Janet McCue: Well, you know we have is pretty much a biography.</p><p>00:24:51.240 –&gt; 00:24:55.530 Janet McCue: In the making right in fact after we read that introduction.</p><p>00:24:56.970 –&gt; 00:25:10.170 Janet McCue: The great smoky mountains association Steve camp was the publication’s director at the time, he asked us if we can expand it into a full-length biography, and so it was really.</p><p>00:25:11.160 –&gt; 00:25:18.060 Janet McCue: From my perspective is the start of my collaboration with George which was you know just pure pleasure.</p><p>00:25:18.810 –&gt; 00:25:35.880 Janet McCue: he’s a wonderful writer, and you know his knowledge of the lived in the smokies I didn’t live in the smokies and you know we could blend our both our voices, as well as our knowledge base and be able to you know to write a full-length biography.</p><p>00:25:36.720 –&gt; 00:25:45.780 Joseph McElroy: So you so do you in your do you do, you get to come down, did you get to come down quite a bit for the smoke in the smokies when you were doing that book.</p><p>00:25:46.770 –&gt; 00:25:50.040 Janet McCue: I did, yes, I spent a good portion of.</p><p>00:25:51.210 –&gt; 00:25:54.780 Janet McCue: I would try and come down, just like you say come down in the spring and we’re just.</p><p>00:25:56.160 –&gt; 00:26:12.180 Janet McCue: You know I fell in love with the smokies as a young person, and you know so coming back to see yellow trillium are painted trillium or you know mine has a vivid memory of of of a hike when we were at the top of.</p><p>00:26:13.350 –&gt; 00:26:23.100 Janet McCue: The top of the trail and we read treetop level and tool of popularly tool popular land and just being able to smell, a tool of popular blossom.</p><p>00:26:24.570 –&gt; 00:26:37.230 Janet McCue: In on a trail and a hiking trail is this just an incredible yeah I had my first taste of ramps in the smokies you know I I became aware of the beauties of nature.</p><p>00:26:38.670 –&gt; 00:26:41.790 Joseph McElroy: So weird to me that ramps have become so popular I.</p><p>00:26:41.790 –&gt; 00:26:43.170 Joseph McElroy: Know whole foods.</p><p>00:26:43.440 –&gt; 00:26:56.190 Joseph McElroy: Yes, like I grew up and I, you know I used to distinguish myself by telling people yeah yeah why ramps whenever you’re what’s ramps and get to tell them all about it now it’s like they already know it’s took it away, one of my standards.</p><p>00:26:59.910 –&gt; 00:27:01.350 Janet McCue: Were you know some fisherman.</p><p>00:27:02.430 –&gt; 00:27:11.280 Janet McCue: You know, we thought we were in the middle of a wilderness because we had been hiking for in our hiking trips for like a week to 10 days we hadn’t seen anybody.</p><p>00:27:11.640 –&gt; 00:27:20.250 Janet McCue: And then we ran across these fishermen, one day, who offered us bacon and ramps and something else I can’t remember, but you.</p><p>00:27:20.250 –&gt; 00:27:20.370 know.</p><p>00:27:21.810 –&gt; 00:27:23.280 Janet McCue: In the middle of a hiking trip was.</p><p>00:27:23.400 –&gt; 00:27:36.120 Joseph McElroy: scrambled eggs, what do you know, one of the great dishes for the ramps is to do scrambled eggs and bacon grease with a side of given ramps and scrambled eggs it’s just unbelievably good.</p><p>00:27:36.390 –&gt; 00:27:37.680 Joseph McElroy: You know Waynesville.</p><p>00:27:37.860 –&gt; 00:27:56.190 Joseph McElroy: In Haywood county near Maggie Valley, where I have my motel has the long I think it’s one of the longest-running natural foods festivals in the nation is called the ways will ramp this every August, I think that even a resume that this year that’s a worthwhile coronary.</p><p>00:27:56.190 –&gt; 00:27:57.390 Janet McCue: expand that good.</p><p>00:27:57.510 –&gt; 00:27:57.870 Janet McCue: yeah.</p><p>00:27:57.960 –&gt; 00:28:06.090 Joseph McElroy: We all the different kinds of food, you can get from this mountain delicacy that’s now become somewhat in thing and.</p><p>00:28:07.710 –&gt; 00:28:10.440 Joseph McElroy: restaurant menus I see it, all over the place.</p><p>00:28:11.400 –&gt; 00:28:14.490 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any other favorite hiking spots before we go to the break.</p><p>00:28:14.910 –&gt; 00:28:24.480 Janet McCue: Well I’m gonna mention one because I got an email message from a colleague of mine called Ken wise and I actually lost my wedding ring and the smokies we had.</p><p>00:28:24.720 –&gt; 00:28:25.860 Joseph McElroy: married he was smoking they’re.</p><p>00:28:27.960 –&gt; 00:28:38.070 Janet McCue: looking for a fisherman find my wedding ring on it was a day, where it, you know torrential rain, we had maybe 15 stream crossings.</p><p>00:28:38.610 –&gt; 00:28:51.990 Janet McCue: And at some point, I slipped on a rock I was like a turtle in the water, with my backpack pulling me down and before my brain could tell my finger to curl the current just pulled the.</p><p>00:28:52.020 –&gt; 00:28:54.510 Janet McCue: wedding ring off of my fingers, so it was.</p><p>00:28:55.770 –&gt; 00:29:09.000 Janet McCue: I think of the lowland creek area as being you know both a dramatic spot, but certainly a memorable spot in my friend, Ken said that he says.</p><p>00:29:10.560 –&gt; 00:29:17.850 Janet McCue: He was recently backpacking there, and he scanned the creek a bit to see if I can find your missing ring your ring is somewhere in the creek.</p><p>00:29:18.690 –&gt; 00:29:28.860 Janet McCue: But then he couldn’t help but look up and down any of the creeks to see if they could find it and he said, of course, when the water flows over a rock the water sparkles just like a diamond.</p><p>00:29:30.720 –&gt; 00:29:34.380 Joseph McElroy: So now we’re going to crowdsource everybody’s crowdsources finding her.</p><p>00:29:34.560 –&gt; 00:29:34.740 way.</p><p>00:29:36.360 –&gt; 00:29:37.500 Joseph McElroy: So you come back to.</p><p>00:29:38.460 –&gt; 00:29:44.520 Joseph McElroy: The from the break we’ll talk more about the books and your new books coming out okay.</p><p>00:29:44.670 –&gt; 00:29:45.120 Janet McCue: Thank you.</p><p>00:32:34.170 –&gt; 00:32:42.960 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Janet McCue.</p><p>00:32:43.500 –&gt; 00:32:55.380 Joseph McElroy: So Janet you, you have it, you have a collaboration out already a nice book that is actually considered one of the most definitive works or bios on Kephart ever written is called back and beyond.</p><p>00:32:56.160 –&gt; 00:33:03.300 Joseph McElroy: it’s received rave reviews so So this was published by the great smoky mountains associations right.</p><p>00:33:04.290 –&gt; 00:33:11.070 Joseph McElroy: Yes, the other Francis figure and Libby Kephart Hargrave have both been guests there.</p><p>00:33:12.930 –&gt; 00:33:14.250 Janet McCue: Bombing good company, then.</p><p>00:33:14.280 –&gt; 00:33:19.260 Joseph McElroy: During good What was it like to work with the great smoky mountain association or good company right.</p><p>00:33:19.620 –&gt; 00:33:34.290 Janet McCue: Oh, it was wonderful I mean you know I think both George and I felt it was important to publish through the smokies because we wanted profits from the book to to to go to support this monkeys programs and display the smokies park.</p><p>00:33:35.460 –&gt; 00:33:43.470 Janet McCue: kept parts story is so much about the protection of the great smoky mountain National Park.</p><p>00:33:45.030 –&gt; 00:33:57.120 Janet McCue: He said that you know he felt that the mountains and saved his life, and that was you know the last 10 years of his life we’re very focused on making sure that the park was established.</p><p>00:33:57.810 –&gt; 00:34:12.150 Janet McCue: So George and I felt that same commitment but you know, Francis was my editor we’ve worked with Steve kemp core camping and woodcraft introduction, but Steve retired and Francis was hired and she was absolute.</p><p>00:34:12.720 –&gt; 00:34:13.350 Joseph McElroy: pleasure to.</p><p>00:34:14.400 –&gt; 00:34:22.980 Janet McCue: she’s a wonderful editor and incredible storyteller and she never lost her temper at me and my use of commerce, you know</p><p>00:34:24.420 –&gt; 00:34:29.520 Janet McCue: I know she kept trying to teach me but I didn’t have time to learn all the rules of commas, and she knew them all.</p><p>00:34:30.780 –&gt; 00:34:38.730 Janet McCue: No truly I was reading a book, the other night, and I finished it, I said to my husband this person needed Francis.</p><p>00:34:38.820 –&gt; 00:34:39.450 This person.</p><p>00:34:42.120 –&gt; 00:34:43.800 Joseph McElroy: is very, very, very confident.</p><p>00:34:44.040 –&gt; 00:34:50.760 Joseph McElroy: You know I I really liked the great smoky mountain sessions, because, again, all the proceeds go to help.</p><p>00:34:51.120 –&gt; 00:34:58.800 Joseph McElroy: The support that the great smoky mountain Park, because you know, there is no entrance fee to the park, so it has the way I the way support you know, and I.</p><p>00:34:59.490 –&gt; 00:35:07.620 Joseph McElroy: I created my storefronts and everything for this, I made the decision to go for the most part, instead of through Amazon to go through the group.</p><p>00:35:07.620 –&gt; 00:35:13.620 Joseph McElroy: GSA and that means I have to do, shipping, but you know we are books are also GS ma what we sell.</p><p>00:35:14.700 –&gt; 00:35:18.780 Joseph McElroy: And it goes directly to support the great smoky mountains and national and you know.</p><p>00:35:19.380 –&gt; 00:35:33.240 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to be doing a lot of stuff about CAP hard at the metal Arc we launched the middle like smoky mountain heritage Center hope you can that we’re gonna be doing a number of programs on care part over the next year I joined us.</p><p>00:35:35.790 –&gt; 00:35:47.280 Janet McCue: archives have been closed for such a long time, so you know, in the past year I haven’t been able to do any research in you know, in a remote location, other than my own personal library, or what I can find.</p><p>00:35:47.670 –&gt; 00:35:58.800 Janet McCue: in a digital world but I’m looking forward to being done both that in western North Carolina and Tennessee because of their radar couch and blitz places.</p><p>00:35:59.730 –&gt; 00:36:09.240 Joseph McElroy: So, in the meantime, this is what I want to, I want to learn more about I don’t know a lot about George masa and you will you bought the book and a documentary film about him.</p><p>00:36:09.360 –&gt; 00:36:27.930 Janet McCue: Not not a documentary film I’m not a filmmaker but I’m collaborating with steel and Paul did an absolutely wonderful film on George masa in which you can find online through then mo so um I definitely recommend.</p><p>00:36:30.300 –&gt; 00:36:34.680 Janet McCue: Watch his film if you’re at all interested in George masa.</p><p>00:36:35.970 –&gt; 00:36:47.250 Janet McCue: Georgian and kept part I like to think of kept our words and and and mosses photos being you know just this dynamic collaboration.</p><p>00:36:48.270 –&gt; 00:37:10.950 Janet McCue: For inviting people to get to know these monkeys to appreciate the beauty that was there, I mean that there weren’t you know the nation didn’t really know the smokies and in 1920 1930 they were a terra incognita and I think it was through carrots words and George mosses.</p><p>00:37:13.110 –&gt; 00:37:20.160 Janet McCue: photos that people got to know, an area that you know became so beloved we, I mean.</p><p>00:37:20.190 –&gt; 00:37:20.730 Joseph McElroy: This book.</p><p>00:37:20.850 –&gt; 00:37:29.220 Janet McCue: As you mentioned it doesn’t have an entrance fee, but it has it’s the most heavily used National Park in the National Park system so.</p><p>00:37:29.910 –&gt; 00:37:40.290 Janet McCue: People did discover it, but those early years people needed to know why it was worth being you know it, why it was worth protecting and that’s what I think both.</p><p>00:37:41.310 –&gt; 00:37:43.560 Janet McCue: kept part and masa did.</p><p>00:37:43.800 –&gt; 00:37:46.800 Joseph McElroy: Well wasn’t masa considered Angela Adam of the.</p><p>00:37:46.800 –&gt; 00:37:47.490 Janet McCue: East yes.</p><p>00:37:47.850 –&gt; 00:37:50.580 Janet McCue: Yes, he was, I mean he’s you know that.</p><p>00:37:50.880 –&gt; 00:37:55.080 Janet McCue: and his photography is exquisite I mean he.</p><p>00:37:56.160 –&gt; 00:38:01.890 Janet McCue: You know I actually pulled out a couple of quotes that I thought I might I might read.</p><p>00:38:04.080 –&gt; 00:38:05.490 Janet McCue: Kephart himself said.</p><p>00:38:06.690 –&gt; 00:38:07.110 That.</p><p>00:38:09.030 –&gt; 00:38:16.110 Janet McCue: By judicious use of various Ray filters and an uncanny skill and time exposures he must.</p><p>00:38:16.380 –&gt; 00:38:22.620 Janet McCue: has overcome the difficulties of haze and cloudy weather, which often Bach an amateur photographer and the smokies.</p><p>00:38:22.890 –&gt; 00:38:35.370 Janet McCue: The result is a series of about 50 views of wild mountains and gorgeous deep forest naked crags trout streams and waterfalls camp scenes close-ups and blooming shrubs and wilderness wildflowers.</p><p>00:38:35.850 –&gt; 00:38:44.940 Janet McCue: The like of which is not to be fun elsewhere in masses collection, you know I mean he is photography the so far above you know, a.</p><p>00:38:45.990 –&gt; 00:38:47.850 Janet McCue: North Bay in our regular.</p><p>00:38:49.050 –&gt; 00:38:50.460 Janet McCue: photographer that.</p><p>00:38:52.170 –&gt; 00:39:05.640 Janet McCue: The head of the National Park association all kinds of people who had seen many, many photos of the smokies praised losses as being far and above any of those other.</p><p>00:39:06.270 –&gt; 00:39:13.140 Joseph McElroy: didn’t hit what didn’t gem Carnegie see his photos and decided to give $5 million to the effort to create that.</p><p>00:39:13.200 –&gt; 00:39:13.530 well.</p><p>00:39:15.300 –&gt; 00:39:27.840 Janet McCue: You know I went to the Rockefeller aka archives and sleepy hollow and we couldn’t locate any of masses photos there, so he also had photos from Jim Thompson who was in Knoxville.</p><p>00:39:28.440 –&gt; 00:39:35.970 Janet McCue: That um and you know Steve Camp is actually working on a book on Rockefeller now and maybe he’ll be able to.</p><p>00:39:36.210 –&gt; 00:39:36.630 Take.</p><p>00:39:37.980 –&gt; 00:39:38.850 Janet McCue: awesome photos but.</p><p>00:39:40.230 –&gt; 00:39:54.450 Janet McCue: You know the camera, who was the associate director of the National Park Service at the time gathered all the photos that he could and took them to Rockefeller but we don’t know exactly which photos he took to John D Rockefeller jr.</p><p>00:39:54.720 –&gt; 00:39:54.990 Janet McCue: But.</p><p>00:39:55.440 –&gt; 00:39:58.950 Janet McCue: I think that was certainly an important element.</p><p>00:39:59.160 –&gt; 00:40:01.200 Joseph McElroy: motors, or there.</p><p>00:40:01.560 –&gt; 00:40:01.830 Janet McCue: yeah.</p><p>00:40:01.860 –&gt; 00:40:13.170 Janet McCue: Masa did send a photo album to Coolidge he sent one to each of them to the Governor of North Carolina and the Governor of Tennessee so he can he did send Rockefellers photo we do have.</p><p>00:40:13.530 –&gt; 00:40:27.570 Janet McCue: evidence that he sent a picture of Rockefeller to Rockefeller and we have Rockefellers’ response to him, so he was not shy about sharing the beauty of his photography so.</p><p>00:40:28.590 –&gt; 00:40:39.300 Joseph McElroy: This is so interesting he was coming from Japan, and he never became an American citizen, but I guess, just as love this this this wilderness drove him to become such a.</p><p>00:40:39.660 –&gt; 00:40:43.080 Janet McCue: Well, he wouldn’t have been allowed to be a citizen.</p><p>00:40:43.470 –&gt; 00:40:44.010 Joseph McElroy: Right.</p><p>00:40:44.160 –&gt; 00:40:46.020 Janet McCue: You know, and that time.</p><p>00:40:47.280 –&gt; 00:41:00.210 Janet McCue: So he was an extraordinary amount of discrimination that and legislation that you know limited the number of people coming from Asian countries at that time.</p><p>00:41:00.930 –&gt; 00:41:13.650 Janet McCue: So we don’t we know there’s a lot we don’t know about mouse’s early life we have pretty good documentation from 1915 to 1933 when he died.</p><p>00:41:14.970 –&gt; 00:41:16.740 Janet McCue: But we know very little.</p><p>00:41:18.060 –&gt; 00:41:19.320 Janet McCue: Yet about.</p><p>00:41:20.370 –&gt; 00:41:34.950 Janet McCue: His early life, I mean we know he came to this country, you know, maybe and the 1910s maybe earlier, I mean we have some different information and different documents, where he lived where his family lived.</p><p>00:41:36.090 –&gt; 00:41:42.210 Janet McCue: You know we’re still researching that area, Paul Paul bones still is, who.</p><p>00:41:43.980 –&gt; 00:41:56.400 Janet McCue: I’m working with and in his film that his film which he did you know more than 15 years ago was on was called the mystery of George masa and.</p><p>00:41:56.910 –&gt; 00:42:08.730 Janet McCue: The mysteries surrounding his his his early life, but he was remarkable to me, he was hired to work in the laundry room at the grove park in.</p><p>00:42:09.540 –&gt; 00:42:29.370 Janet McCue: In 1915 five years later he established his own photography studio in Nashville and you know, he was photographing the Biltmore estates, he was all you know the Asheville City Hall high school, I mean all the important buildings.</p><p>00:42:30.840 –&gt; 00:42:44.640 Janet McCue: That and all the important infrastructure that was being you know created and those boom years of Asheville some history, you know masa was the man on the spot, I actually watched a.</p><p>00:42:46.350 –&gt; 00:42:56.370 Janet McCue: A Ripley’s, believe it or not, that that masa had done the I was you know was fun to see that I think was Warren or.</p><p>00:42:57.870 –&gt; 00:42:58.710 Janet McCue: brothers that.</p><p>00:42:59.970 –&gt; 00:43:00.630 Janet McCue: That had.</p><p>00:43:02.010 –&gt; 00:43:08.310 Janet McCue: reissued the these these these old Ripley’s, believe it or not, one of them was.</p><p>00:43:08.490 –&gt; 00:43:09.120 Joseph McElroy: The best your.</p><p>00:43:09.540 –&gt; 00:43:10.080 Janet McCue: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:43:10.260 –&gt; 00:43:17.940 Joseph McElroy: I love that they started in the hospitality industry in the mountains yeah yeah yeah the growth market is I mean that’s the.</p><p>00:43:18.240 –&gt; 00:43:24.210 Joseph McElroy: that’s the premiere That was the premier place for presidents and a beautiful place.</p><p>00:43:25.050 –&gt; 00:43:26.730 Joseph McElroy: Oh it’s absolutely gorgeous I.</p><p>00:43:27.210 –&gt; 00:43:32.040 Janet McCue: know that my husband and I when we publish the book that was the first place, we went for dinner.</p><p>00:43:33.600 –&gt; 00:43:43.440 Janet McCue: party and we did a tour of the girl parking and had dinner out in you know out on the patio was just absolutely beautiful.</p><p>00:43:43.710 –&gt; 00:43:48.480 Joseph McElroy: Well, I look forward to taking the kids to see the gingerbread houses and Christmas.</p><p>00:43:50.280 –&gt; 00:43:50.790 Beautiful.</p><p>00:43:54.270 –&gt; 00:44:06.030 Janet McCue: On the third, I think it’s on the third floor they have a TV set up around you know digital box set up and they run continuously paul’s documentary so you can watch it up there.</p><p>00:44:06.060 –&gt; 00:44:07.680 Janet McCue: Okay, take the girls.</p><p>00:44:08.640 –&gt; 00:44:17.520 Joseph McElroy: There we go, so I when we come back you’ll tell us about a little bit more about your book and yeah what’s your future plans are okay.</p><p>00:44:17.730 –&gt; 00:44:18.150 Janet McCue: Thank you.</p><p>00:44:25.980 –&gt; 00:44:26.130 In.</p><p>00:46:02.370 –&gt; 00:46:02.790 Unless.</p><p>00:46:36.630 –&gt; 00:46:47.310 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest Janet McCue and we’ve been talking about George masa you know.</p><p>00:46:47.910 –&gt; 00:46:59.130 Joseph McElroy: When I was reading about George one of the stories of me tearing up was he you know he died at 45 and he could basically catch the flu right and.</p><p>00:46:59.850 –&gt; 00:47:13.590 Joseph McElroy: And he couldn’t afford anything and they really get treated in the sanitarium where he died and in the great tragedies he really wanted to be buried next to kept part and he couldn’t afford it that’s sort of like sort of say.</p><p>00:47:14.880 –&gt; 00:47:18.360 Janet McCue: yeah well you know, it was the middle of the depression, I mean.</p><p>00:47:18.990 –&gt; 00:47:26.760 Janet McCue: You know photographer I’m trying to eke out a living in the middle of oppression can’t have been easy and.</p><p>00:47:28.290 –&gt; 00:47:41.040 Janet McCue: You know, as it, as it turned out, I mean Kephart himself wasn’t buried in the smokies Kephart’s tombstone is embracing the city and he was also in a borrowed</p><p>00:47:41.790 –&gt; 00:47:52.560 Janet McCue: lot I mean no one expected that he would die a car accident and also he was not a wealthy man and certainly neither was George Masa.</p><p>00:47:53.610 –&gt; 00:48:10.920 Janet McCue: So it’s neither of them were actually buried in the smokies and in fact, the smokies policy was to you know, rightly so, was not to have only if you were a family member of an original family who lived in the smokies</p><p>00:48:11.280 –&gt; 00:48:12.480 Janet McCue: Could you read their</p><p>00:48:14.400 –&gt; 00:48:16.380 Joseph McElroy: Cities is a gateway to the smoky so.</p><p>00:48:17.130 –&gt; 00:48:17.640 Janet McCue: that’s true.</p><p>00:48:18.060 –&gt; 00:48:19.170 Joseph McElroy: That whole area is actually.</p><p>00:48:19.170 –&gt; 00:48:22.680 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountains, I consider Haywood county smokey.</p><p>00:48:23.940 –&gt; 00:48:25.230 Joseph McElroy: got the park me love it.</p><p>00:48:25.230 –&gt; 00:48:38.790 Janet McCue: yeah well, while we’re talking about tombstones people were surprised to hear that in Ithaca and the ethic of city cemetery there’s a tombstone for Horace Kephart and for Laura his wife.</p><p>00:48:39.270 –&gt; 00:48:44.310 Janet McCue: And there you know George is Kephart is buried embracing city, but.</p><p>00:48:45.390 –&gt; 00:48:50.160 Janet McCue: Laura and in Horace, although they never lived together after 1908.</p><p>00:48:51.270 –&gt; 00:49:02.580 Janet McCue: They remained married and Laura always said she wanted to be buried by Kephart two, so, in addition to George masa wanting to be buried by her.</p><p>00:49:04.050 –&gt; 00:49:19.020 Janet McCue: LIFE to do so, it turns out, you know George George masa is part of the riverside’s cemetery has a walking tour and oh Henry is there, Thomas Wolfe is there on this walking tour, but so is George masa.</p><p>00:49:19.290 –&gt; 00:49:19.860 Joseph McElroy: And you know.</p><p>00:49:21.480 –&gt; 00:49:44.430 Janet McCue: Even, even though you know his the hiking club actually raised money to bury him and the hiking club raised money to erect a stone, this is the Carolina mountain club they raised the money to erect a stone in his honor and 20 years later, the petition, the government to name.</p><p>00:49:45.480 –&gt; 00:49:54.750 Janet McCue: A peak after George masa you know so he like to think that, although he may have died penniless who did not die friendless he had.</p><p>00:49:55.260 –&gt; 00:49:55.710 Joseph McElroy: And he didn’t.</p><p>00:49:56.430 –&gt; 00:50:03.870 Joseph McElroy: He didn’t die for this guy anybody yeah that’s that sounds like you lived incredible wife, so what is your book about him coming out.</p><p>00:50:04.770 –&gt; 00:50:20.340 Janet McCue: Well, we think 2023 we’ve had a big delay this past year because of our inability to do research but we’ve been working hard on all the parts that we could do research on Japan right now is having a bit of a.</p><p>00:50:21.840 –&gt; 00:50:24.150 Janet McCue: the resurgence of code and you.</p><p>00:50:24.930 –&gt; 00:50:34.320 Janet McCue: Know it’s difficult to do research in Japan as well, and the end that both Paul and I are committed to you know uncovering anything we can about his early life.</p><p>00:50:34.890 –&gt; 00:50:35.790 Joseph McElroy: that’s a great thing.</p><p>00:50:37.590 –&gt; 00:50:41.760 Janet McCue: So, but we’re hoping 2023 or the smokies thanks, for them.</p><p>00:50:42.330 –&gt; 00:50:44.190 Joseph McElroy: Can I get a copy when it comes out.</p><p>00:50:44.250 –&gt; 00:50:47.400 Joseph McElroy: Maybe maybe a debuted on my podcast.</p><p>00:50:52.140 –&gt; 00:50:56.010 Joseph McElroy: cool and then I guess it could be sold through the great smoky mountains association.</p><p>00:50:57.810 –&gt; 00:51:04.200 Joseph McElroy: Eventually Amazon so we’ll look for it I’ll be sure to mention it when it comes out and hopefully you’ll actually come on tell me about it.</p><p>00:51:05.070 –&gt; 00:51:08.820 Joseph McElroy: So any other projects you’re working on that you’d like to share with us.</p><p>00:51:09.570 –&gt; 00:51:14.340 Janet McCue: Well, the only project right now I’m working on is being a grandparent and waiting.</p><p>00:51:15.540 –&gt; 00:51:26.130 Janet McCue: My son and daughter in law expecting a new child and the next week so I’m actually not in the finger Lakes area I’m in new Rochelle right now.</p><p>00:51:26.580 –&gt; 00:51:38.160 Janet McCue: And I’m enjoying getting to know my 20-month-old grandson whom we haven’t seen for a long time so we’re trying to read learn our skills for babysitting so.</p><p>00:51:39.720 –&gt; 00:51:40.680 Janet McCue: A real pleasure.</p><p>00:51:40.950 –&gt; 00:51:44.820 Joseph McElroy: that’s good yeah I know I’m over the age of maybe.</p><p>00:51:45.900 –&gt; 00:51:48.720 Joseph McElroy: I have almost three-year-old twins so.</p><p>00:51:49.890 –&gt; 00:51:53.580 Joseph McElroy: I can give you some insights from daily interaction.</p><p>00:51:55.590 –&gt; 00:51:58.080 Janet McCue: Well, even getting up at six o’clock is a challenge for me.</p><p>00:51:58.830 –&gt; 00:52:02.850 Joseph McElroy: So, are there any people you want to mention to help you along the way, and your research or anything like that.</p><p>00:52:02.910 –&gt; 00:52:19.260 Janet McCue: yeah that’s it that’s a really good start that’s a really good question Joseph because it’s you know we dedicated I dedicated this book to all the Librarians and archivists who have helped me along the way with my research, but then there is a countless number of people who.</p><p>00:52:21.000 –&gt; 00:52:26.460 Janet McCue: You know who read the manuscript can wise and George Brazil.</p><p>00:52:27.180 –&gt; 00:52:50.100 Janet McCue: John White who’s a filmmaker you know when you do a book, you know you know X, Y, and Z you don’t know a B and C very well so Raymond been I’m not a gun Smith I’m not I know very little about guns, but Raymond been helped us with that chapter, he was terrific john white who’s a.</p><p>00:52:51.330 –&gt; 00:52:56.970 Janet McCue: filmmaker and has studied them stark love which cares part was a.</p><p>00:52:58.230 –&gt; 00:53:00.900 Janet McCue: consultant on you know he read the chapter on.</p><p>00:53:02.040 –&gt; 00:53:02.370 Janet McCue: On.</p><p>00:53:03.930 –&gt; 00:53:15.840 Janet McCue: You know, on-camera work and start gloves so there were numerous people put me up for me, people who I didn’t even know, would you know, let me live with them for a month Chester and and and.</p><p>00:53:16.860 –&gt; 00:53:35.010 Janet McCue: In his wife just you know to open their house to me, and it was you know extraordinary Bill Hart and Alice Heart, though one my heart because Bill has written the first article on George masa and he.</p><p>00:53:36.480 –&gt; 00:53:51.300 Janet McCue: opened up his you know his collection of material to allow me to use it and they opened up a bedroom Alice you know, has a room that she’s designated Janet’s bedroom and you know, so there are.</p><p>00:53:52.620 –&gt; 00:53:55.800 Joseph McElroy: A lot of people, so I want to thank you for being on my show.</p><p>00:53:56.580 –&gt; 00:53:58.470 Joseph McElroy: You a real pleasure and.</p><p>00:53:58.770 –&gt; 00:54:00.000 Having a conversation.</p><p>00:54:01.380 –&gt; 00:54:06.330 Joseph McElroy: and we look forward to promoting your books and.</p><p>00:54:07.380 –&gt; 00:54:10.230 Joseph McElroy: Things that you’re doing the future that I have to do my shoutouts.</p><p>00:54:12.720 –&gt; 00:54:13.290 Janet McCue: To being here.</p><p>00:54:14.130 –&gt; 00:54:17.070 Janet McCue: pleasure to talk with you and I’m gonna have to go look in the Rose gold some.</p><p>00:54:17.400 –&gt; 00:54:19.020 Joseph McElroy: archive and find go.</p><p>00:54:20.700 –&gt; 00:54:21.750 Janet McCue: For now, libraries.</p><p>00:54:23.100 –&gt; 00:54:30.300 Joseph McElroy: So this podcast you can find gateways to the smokies dot five where you can find a newsletter you can subscribe to, to find out.</p><p>00:54:31.020 –&gt; 00:54:43.950 Joseph McElroy: What upcoming events and podcasts are coming down the Pike and we will also feature their various books and things like that relevant to our guests.</p><p>00:54:44.400 –&gt; 00:54:53.280 Joseph McElroy: Now I want you to imagine a place evocative of moodle course of the past, the modern environment, but the sheep Appalachian people place.</p><p>00:54:54.150 –&gt; 00:55:05.700 Joseph McElroy: For adventure and for relaxation imagine a place, we can fish in the mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire, accompanied by fine wine and craft beers.</p><p>00:55:06.090 –&gt; 00:55:19.590 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where the old-time music and world cultures, so there is no other place like the Meadowlark motel in Maggie North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts, where you stay.</p><p>00:55:20.760 –&gt; 00:55:30.540 Joseph McElroy: To find out about the smokies go to smokiesadventure.com which is an information resource</p><p>00:55:31.230 –&gt; 00:55:46.110 Joseph McElroy: listing adventure outdoor activities that you can experience them our next week on this podcast we have been Leslie Hartley communications director, the Blue Ridge heritage area who talk about Blue Ridge culture which the smoky mountains, as part of.</p><p>00:55:47.130 –&gt; 00:55:52.110 Joseph McElroy: I want to give a shout-out to this network that we are part of talkradio. nyc</p><p>00:55:53.130 –&gt; 00:56:07.590 Joseph McElroy: It is a podcast network with lots of shows live shows the one after this is about New York, so you can go from the mountains to most urban areas in the country and get really wonderful.</p><p>00:56:08.070 –&gt; 00:56:26.520 Joseph McElroy: Broad experience of life in the United States as talk-radio. nyc and I look forward to talking to you next week on it’s always on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 pm and I want to thank my guests again with you and we’ll see you next time.</p> 518a0efc-df89-4c26-8092-747a1a3d1101 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/3e7ca2e7-1d25-49a9-bff9-bf55b1eb04ff Tue, 18 May 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2960 no full Episode 17: Forging A Future While Honoring The Past In The Smoky Mountains Episode 17: Forging A Future While Honoring The Past In The Smoky Mountains Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest is <strong>David Brewin,</strong> his career path took towards the academic world where he worked for several years as a teacher and counselor while learning metalwork and playing music in his spare time. </p><p>Brewin lived in challenging conditions while further honing his skills apprenticing under some of the most iconic metal works in the southern Appalachians. But his hard work paid off and resulted in a successful career of more than four decades that continues still today. He found immediate success and further enhanced his career creating functional custom metal artwork for scores of wealthy clients throughout WNC. </p><p>His client list includes a former member of the legendary rock band AC/DC. Today Brewin continues his award-winning work with a younger business partner whose skills complement each other perfectly.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/5rH8NIQhdL/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph begins today’s episode by talking to Mike Ogletree about all their new work at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center. Bob talks about events coming up that will display and celebrate the different cultures in the mountains. Such as the upcoming one where a musician will be coming in for the day, seminars will be given throughout the day, and there will be a concert at night. Joseph introduces today’s guest, David Brewin, and David discusses his upbringing. The two discuss David’s experience going to college with a baseball hall of famer. The two continue sharing anecdotes about their college experiences and connections to baseball players. David talks about how he started his career in counseling and his journey into blacksmithing and metalwork. Not only is David an accomplished blacksmith, but he also plays guitar. He discusses the initiative he took in learning classical guitar, seeking out an instructor. He eventually dropped the classical genre though, realizing it was not for him, but he continues to play jazz guitar.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph shares his experience of transitioning from his successful career to something he enjoyed more, relating it to David’s experience. David discusses the inspiration behind leaving a successful job to pursue metalwork, citing experiences he had talking to residents throughout the mountains. Unhappy with the direction of education at the time, David decided to educate himself more and request a position as the blacksmith teacher at a school in the mountains. He shares a funny anecdote in which he was in a gallery talking about blacksmithing and was asked if he knew who David Brewin was. The man who asked had not met him directly, but this man, Earl, eventually helped him in his career. He took a workshop with Frances Whitaker, an accomplished blacksmith. After this first workshop, he went to another, eventually befriending Frances and apprenticing for him. He leveraged this opportunity and experience he gained by bringing top blacksmiths into his class to give lectures. These guest lecturers were big influences over David and helped him get better at his craft. He continues on to discuss experiences he’s had jamming with mountain musicians. While the two may seem unrelated, he brings them together through the lens of the influence they’ve had on his life and the view of the mountains he has. Joseph brings all of this together, asking what is the best advice David feels he has taken from these mentors. In discussing advice he’s been given, David relates it to his career and talks about learning from those around him regardless of age. More specifically, an apprentice he has taken recently. He sees passing his knowledge on as his duty as he gained all of it from those before him who were kind enough to impart their wisdom on him.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph asks David to talk about some of the famous schools he has worked at. David starts off by talking about a folk school in the mountains that used a Danish model of teaching. He talks more about these schools, discussing a blacksmith who moved down from New York to teach at the folk school and how eventually David taught blacksmithing there. After the folk school, David moved on to the Foxfire school, starting their blacksmithing program. The two discuss Brasstown and a story of how it almost flooded. Joseph talks about the local feelings in towns like this, sharing a story where he heard live music at a flea market. David credits much of his skill and his craft to the people he met throughout his life and educational journey. He discusses his experience working at the Western North Carolina University, taking on many roles in their museum. He worked there for many years until during the 90’s he returned to blacksmithing. He talks about coordinating part of the mountain heritage festival, sharing stories about some of the people he had come to the festival.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Moving into the final segment, Joseph directs the conversation towards David’s metalwork. David talks about some of the more famous clients he has had and the work he has done for them. After discussing these clients, David talks about ideas he has for his future work, seeking to continue his metalwork and working with his apprentice. Joseph ends the episode by sharing resources and thanking David for joining him on today’s episode.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is David Brewin, his career path took him towards the academic world where he worked for several years as a teacher and counselor while learning metalwork and playing music in his spare time. 

Brewin lived in challenging conditions while further honing his skills apprenticing under some of the most iconic metal works in the southern Appalachians. But his hard work paid off and resulted in a successful career of more than four decades that continues still today. He found immediate success and further enhanced his career by creating functional custom metal artwork for scores of wealthy clients throughout WNC. 

His client list includes a former member of the legendary rock band AC/DC. Today Brewin continues his award-winning work with a younger business partner whose skills complement each other perfectly.

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph begins today’s episode by talking to Mike Ogletree about all their new work at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center. Bob talks about events coming up that will display and celebrate the different cultures in the mountains. Such as the upcoming one where a musician will be coming in for the day, seminars will be given throughout the day, and there will be a concert at night. Joseph introduces today’s guest, David Brewin, and David discusses his upbringing. The two discuss David’s experience going to college with a baseball hall of Famer. The two continue sharing anecdotes about their college experiences and connections to baseball players. David talks about how he started his career in counseling and his journey into blacksmithing and metalwork. Not only is David an accomplished blacksmith, but he also plays guitar. He discusses the initiative he took in learning classical guitar, seeking out an instructor. He eventually dropped the classical genre though, realizing it was not for him, but he continues to play jazz guitar.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Joseph shares his experience of transitioning from his successful career to something he enjoyed more, relating it to David’s experience. David discusses the inspiration behind leaving a successful job to pursue metalwork, citing experiences he had talking to residents throughout the mountains. Unhappy with the direction of education at the time, David decided to educate himself more and request a position as a blacksmith teacher at a school in the mountains. He shares a funny anecdote in which he was in a gallery talking about blacksmithing and was asked if he knew who David Brewin was. The man who asked had not met him directly, but this man, Earl, eventually helped him in his career. He took a workshop with Frances Whitaker, an accomplished blacksmith. After this first workshop, he went to another, eventually befriending Frances and apprenticing for him. He leveraged this opportunity and experience he gained by bringing top blacksmiths into his class to give lectures. These guest lecturers were big influences on David and helped him get better at his craft. He continues on to discuss experiences he’s had jamming with mountain musicians. While the two may seem unrelated, he brings them together through the lens of the influence they’ve had on his life and the view of the mountains he has. Joseph brings all of this together, asking what is the best advice David feels he has taken from these mentors. In discussing advice he’s been given, David relates it to his career and talks about learning from those around him regardless of age. More specifically, an apprentice he has taken recently. He sees passing his knowledge on as his duty as he gained all of it from those before him who were kind enough to impart their wisdom to him.

Segment 3

Joseph asks David to talk about some of the famous schools he has worked at. David starts off by talking about a folk school in the mountains that used a Danish model of teaching. He talks more about these schools, discussing a blacksmith who moved down from New York to teach at the folk school and how eventually David taught blacksmithing there. After the folk school, David moved on to the Foxfire school, starting their blacksmithing program. The two discuss Brasstown and a story of how it almost flooded. Joseph talks about the local feelings in towns like this, sharing a story where he heard live music at a flea market. David credits much of his skill and his craft to the people he met throughout his life and educational journey. He discusses his experience working at the Western North Carolina University, taking on many roles in their museum. He worked there for many years until during the 90s he returned to blacksmithing. He talks about coordinating part of the mountain heritage festival, sharing stories about some of the people he had come to the festival.

Segment 4

Moving into the final segment, Joseph directs the conversation toward David’s metalwork. David talks about some of the more famous clients he has had and the work he has done for them. After discussing these clients, David talks about ideas he has for his future work, seeking to continue his metalwork and working with his apprentice. Joseph ends the episode by sharing resources and thanking David for joining him on today’s episode.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/273201377833878/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/174410107_273215077832508_2268805878252021734_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=CQJYQwO8IkoAX-lwHJJ&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6302F29D&oh=00_AT_dv1bjj8t-Wedmw9_68zORnIAjJ1J59ayqL9hjZzfNFA&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is <strong>David Brewin,</strong> his career path took him towards the academic world where he worked for several years as a teacher and counselor while learning metalwork and playing music in his spare time. </p><p>Brewin lived in challenging conditions while further honing his skills apprenticing under some of the most iconic metal works in the southern Appalachians. But his hard work paid off and resulted in a successful career of more than four decades that continues still today. He found immediate success and further enhanced his career by creating functional custom metal artwork for scores of wealthy clients throughout WNC. </p><p>His client list includes a former member of the legendary rock band AC/DC. Today Brewin continues his award-winning work with a younger business partner whose skills complement each other perfectly.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/5rH8NIQhdL/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph begins today’s episode by talking to Mike Ogletree about all their new work at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center. Bob talks about events coming up that will display and celebrate the different cultures in the mountains. Such as the upcoming one where a musician will be coming in for the day, seminars will be given throughout the day, and there will be a concert at night. Joseph introduces today’s guest, David Brewin, and David discusses his upbringing. The two discuss David’s experience going to college with a baseball hall of Famer. The two continue sharing anecdotes about their college experiences and connections to baseball players. David talks about how he started his career in counseling and his journey into blacksmithing and metalwork. Not only is David an accomplished blacksmith, but he also plays guitar. He discusses the initiative he took in learning classical guitar, seeking out an instructor. He eventually dropped the classical genre though, realizing it was not for him, but he continues to play jazz guitar.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph shares his experience of transitioning from his successful career to something he enjoyed more, relating it to David’s experience. David discusses the inspiration behind leaving a successful job to pursue metalwork, citing experiences he had talking to residents throughout the mountains. Unhappy with the direction of education at the time, David decided to educate himself more and request a position as a blacksmith teacher at a school in the mountains. He shares a funny anecdote in which he was in a gallery talking about blacksmithing and was asked if he knew who David Brewin was. The man who asked had not met him directly, but this man, Earl, eventually helped him in his career. He took a workshop with Frances Whitaker, an accomplished blacksmith. After this first workshop, he went to another, eventually befriending Frances and apprenticing for him. He leveraged this opportunity and experience he gained by bringing top blacksmiths into his class to give lectures. These guest lecturers were big influences on David and helped him get better at his craft. He continues on to discuss experiences he’s had jamming with mountain musicians. While the two may seem unrelated, he brings them together through the lens of the influence they’ve had on his life and the view of the mountains he has. Joseph brings all of this together, asking what is the best advice David feels he has taken from these mentors. In discussing advice he’s been given, David relates it to his career and talks about learning from those around him regardless of age. More specifically, an apprentice he has taken recently. He sees passing his knowledge on as his duty as he gained all of it from those before him who were kind enough to impart their wisdom to him.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph asks David to talk about some of the famous schools he has worked at. David starts off by talking about a folk school in the mountains that used a Danish model of teaching. He talks more about these schools, discussing a blacksmith who moved down from New York to teach at the folk school and how eventually David taught blacksmithing there. After the folk school, David moved on to the Foxfire school, starting their blacksmithing program. The two discuss Brasstown and a story of how it almost flooded. Joseph talks about the local feelings in towns like this, sharing a story where he heard live music at a flea market. David credits much of his skill and his craft to the people he met throughout his life and educational journey. He discusses his experience working at the Western North Carolina University, taking on many roles in their museum. He worked there for many years until during the 90s he returned to blacksmithing. He talks about coordinating part of the mountain heritage festival, sharing stories about some of the people he had come to the festival.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Moving into the final segment, Joseph directs the conversation toward David’s metalwork. David talks about some of the more famous clients he has had and the work he has done for them. After discussing these clients, David talks about ideas he has for his future work, seeking to continue his metalwork and working with his apprentice. Joseph ends the episode by sharing resources and thanking David for joining him on today’s episode.</p> 757d80c4-9692-4efc-bf48-b7558b6d613a https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/92d3a615-63ae-426d-9719-6a252827921e Tue, 11 May 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2946 no full Episode 16: Perpetuating the Legacy of Horace Kephart Episode 16: Perpetuating the Legacy of Horace Kephart Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest is <strong>Libby Kephart Hargrave</strong>, she is an accomplished musician as well as a film documentarian. Her primary focus in recent years has been perpetuating the legacy of her great-grandfather Horace Kephart who’s story still pulls an undercurrent through the Smoky Mountains. Kephart is acclaimed as the father of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an outdoorsman gifted with an adventurous soul, and the author of such staples of regional literature as Our Southern Highlanders and Camping and Woodcraft.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/5itL2xnLGw/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts tonight’s episode by introducing today&#39;s topic, the legacy of Horace Kephart. Joseph shares some exciting news, the park is working to reopen much of its operations in the near future. He introduces today’s guest, Libby Kephart Hargrave, great-granddaughter of Horace Kephart. Libby talks about her experience in music and theater. She sings a song she wrote about Horace for a documentary she did. Horace worked tirelessly to keep a library in shape while also maintaining his family life. Libby shares an anecdote about an experience Horace had in a cyclone. This led him to write a suicide note, but he was saved by a police man. This led to him going to the Smokies to heal. He separated from his wife, but never legally divorced. Libby talks about the importance Horace has to her. Joseph and Libby move on to discussing the freshness they feel in the mountains.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Libby to talk about an unlikely friendship Horace had. Libby talks about the lasting impact his writing has had and the lessons she has taken from him. These lessons are international, with much of her website&#39;s audience coming from Japan. His influence in helping to create the national park lies mainly in his passion, his desire to save the land came through in his writing and he visited Washington to advocate for it. Libby made a book from manuscripts passed down in the family and published it with the Great Smoky Mountains Association. To celebrate her great-grandfather, Libby started Horace Kephart Day which is an annual event she holds. She discusses speakers she has had come to the event throughout the year. Moving on she talks about experiences hiking and camping with her family in sites with Kephart history. She talks about the healing powers of the mountains and the idea that the element that heals can be different for everyone. Joseph recounts an experience where he felt healed and happy because of the mountains.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph talks about the donations the Kephart family has made. Libby discusses letters Horace wrote that are displayed at Western Carolina University. On top of letters, things such as Horace’s wife’s wedding ensemble were donated. Libby talks about a knife she received as a gift. She discusses the documentary she made with Ken Burns about Horace’s life and story. Celebrating his 150th birthday Libby made a play about Horace’s story, and got in touch with Ken to help with that before reaching out to get him involved in the documentary. The documentary discusses him from both a family and historic point of view. The two discuss more the reasons why his writing is still prevalent today. A lot of this is due to his humor he incorporated. Libby talks about other books written by and about Horace.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Horace wasn’t the only explorer in the family though. Libby’s uncle Leonard was also a great explorer, he was in fact the first American to hike Mount Kilimanjaro. Libby talks about the people she surrounds herself with in preserving her family’s legacy. Looking through Leonard’s stuff that her aunt gave her, Libby found some journals of his. She talks about going through these journals in order to help with an upcoming documentary about Leonard. She moves on to share resources where the audience can reach her as well as upcoming projects she has, such as her return to singing.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is Libby Kephart Hargrave, she is an accomplished musician as well as a film documentarian. Her primary focus in recent years has been perpetuating the legacy of her great-grandfather Horace Kephart whose story still pulls an undercurrent through the Smoky Mountains. Kephart is acclaimed as the father of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an outdoorsman gifted with an adventurous soul, and the author of such staples of regional literature as Our Southern Highlanders and Camping and Woodcraft.

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph starts tonight’s episode by introducing today's topic, the legacy of Horace Kephart. Joseph shares some exciting news, the park is working to reopen much of its operations in the near future. He introduces today’s guest, Libby Kephart Hargrave, great-granddaughter of Horace Kephart. Libby talks about her experience in music and theater. She sings a song she wrote about Horace for a documentary she did. Horace worked tirelessly to keep the library in shape while also maintaining his family life. Libby shares an anecdote about an experience Horace had in a cyclone. This led him to write a suicide note, but he was saved by a policeman. This led to him going to the Smokies to heal. He separated from his wife, but never legally divorced. Libby talks about the importance Horace has to her. Joseph and Libby move on to discussing the freshness they feel in the mountains.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Libby to talk about an unlikely friendship Horace had. Libby talks about the lasting impact his writing has had and the lessons she has taken from him. These lessons are international, with much of her website's audience coming from Japan. His influence in helping to create the national park lies mainly in his passion, his desire to save the land came through in his writing and he visited Washington to advocate for it. Libby made a book from manuscripts passed down in the family and published it with the Great Smoky Mountains Association. To celebrate her great-grandfather, Libby started Horace Kephart Day which is an annual event she holds. She discusses speakers she has had come to the event throughout the year. Moving on she talks about experiences hiking and camping with her family in sites with Kephart history. She talks about the healing powers of the mountains and the idea that the element that heals can be different for everyone. Joseph recounts an experience where he felt healed and happy because of the mountains.

Segment 3

Joseph talks about the donations the Kephart family has made. Libby discusses letters Horace wrote that are displayed at Western Carolina University. On top of letters, things such as Horace’s wife’s wedding ensemble were donated. Libby talks about a knife she received as a gift. She discusses the documentary she made with Ken Burns about Horace’s life and story. Celebrating his 150th birthday Libby made a play about Horace’s story and got in touch with Ken to help with that before reaching out to get him involved in the documentary. The documentary discusses him from both a family and a historic point of view. The two discuss more the reasons why his writing is still prevalent today. A lot of this is due to the humor he incorporated. Libby talks about other books written by and about Horace.

Segment 4

Horace wasn’t the only explorer in the family though. Libby’s uncle Leonard was also a great explorer, he was in fact the first American to hike Mount Kilimanjaro. Libby talks about the people she surrounds herself with in preserving her family’s legacy. Looking through Leonard’s stuff that her aunt gave her, Libby found some journals of his. She talks about going through these journals in order to help with an upcoming documentary about Leonard. She moves on to share resources where the audience can reach her as well as upcoming projects she has, such as her return to singing.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/131212165697088/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/174403911_131248562360115_430522723783802186_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=bLreW9Kx-BAAX_z4DOa&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=630305B6&oh=00_AT8EOcTFw9EpG2Prsd3BDIyA3Yz54GLy6kGd4g4_1rC2kA&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is<strong> Libby Kephart Hargrave</strong>, she is an accomplished musician as well as a film documentarian. Her primary focus in recent years has been perpetuating the legacy of her great-grandfather Horace Kephart whose story still pulls an undercurrent through the Smoky Mountains. Kephart is acclaimed as the father of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an outdoorsman gifted with an adventurous soul, and the author of such staples of regional literature as Our Southern Highlanders and Camping and Woodcraft.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/5itL2xnLGw/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts tonight’s episode by introducing today&#39;s topic, the legacy of Horace Kephart. Joseph shares some exciting news, the park is working to reopen much of its operations in the near future. He introduces today’s guest, Libby Kephart Hargrave, great-granddaughter of Horace Kephart. Libby talks about her experience in music and theater. She sings a song she wrote about Horace for a documentary she did. Horace worked tirelessly to keep the library in shape while also maintaining his family life. Libby shares an anecdote about an experience Horace had in a cyclone. This led him to write a suicide note, but he was saved by a policeman. This led to him going to the Smokies to heal. He separated from his wife, but never legally divorced. Libby talks about the importance Horace has to her. Joseph and Libby move on to discussing the freshness they feel in the mountains.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Libby to talk about an unlikely friendship Horace had. Libby talks about the lasting impact his writing has had and the lessons she has taken from him. These lessons are international, with much of her website&#39;s audience coming from Japan. His influence in helping to create the national park lies mainly in his passion, his desire to save the land came through in his writing and he visited Washington to advocate for it. Libby made a book from manuscripts passed down in the family and published it with the Great Smoky Mountains Association. To celebrate her great-grandfather, Libby started Horace Kephart Day which is an annual event she holds. She discusses speakers she has had come to the event throughout the year. Moving on she talks about experiences hiking and camping with her family in sites with Kephart history. She talks about the healing powers of the mountains and the idea that the element that heals can be different for everyone. Joseph recounts an experience where he felt healed and happy because of the mountains.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph talks about the donations the Kephart family has made. Libby discusses letters Horace wrote that are displayed at Western Carolina University. On top of letters, things such as Horace’s wife’s wedding ensemble were donated. Libby talks about a knife she received as a gift. She discusses the documentary she made with Ken Burns about Horace’s life and story. Celebrating his 150th birthday Libby made a play about Horace’s story and got in touch with Ken to help with that before reaching out to get him involved in the documentary. The documentary discusses him from both a family and a historic point of view. The two discuss more the reasons why his writing is still prevalent today. A lot of this is due to the humor he incorporated. Libby talks about other books written by and about Horace.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Horace wasn’t the only explorer in the family though. Libby’s uncle Leonard was also a great explorer, he was in fact the first American to hike Mount Kilimanjaro. Libby talks about the people she surrounds herself with in preserving her family’s legacy. Looking through Leonard’s stuff that her aunt gave her, Libby found some journals of his. She talks about going through these journals in order to help with an upcoming documentary about Leonard. She moves on to share resources where the audience can reach her as well as upcoming projects she has, such as her return to singing.</p> e938dc53-6e18-4d4d-92f8-0623b480e1b2 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/b78bed77-4411-49c3-8e78-0a3bad4f8761 Tue, 04 May 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2946 no full Episode 15: Butch McDade & the Smoky Mountain Field School Episode 15: Butch McDade & the Smoky Mountain Field School Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>This week, our guest is <strong>Butch Mcdade</strong>, he is a retired Ranger with the National Park Service who now lives in East Tennessee. He has worked all over the nation at some of the most beautiful National Parks in America but finished up his career working in the GSMNP where his Field School Programs have been extremely popular. He still conducts them as a part-time employee in retirement. He is an avid hiker and knows the park like the back of his hand and is an accomplished guide. Butch is also a fine writer, having written multiple feature articles for well-known magazines.</p><p>The Smoky Mountain Field School enhances appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the natural world while promoting the idea of learning as a joyful and enriching part of life. From indoor workshops to outdoor field adventures, there are over 80 workshops and programs covering topics such as wildlife, wildflowers, forests, history, and hiking to name just a few!</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/59iKhiWdnZ/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts the episode off by discussing children’s literacy. He discusses two programs, one of which is the storybook trail of the Smokies, which allows visitors to experience a Smokies themed book while on trails. It allows young readers to bring the book to life by experiencing the book in the mountains. The other program is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She started the program after being inspired by her childhood. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Butch Mcdade, a retired park ranger. Butch talks about the parks in which he worked throughout his over 30 year long career. Living in Chattanooga Butch applied for his first full time job in a park at the Chattanooga Military Park. Butch continues on, walking the audience through more opf his career and more parks he has worked in both in and outside the Smokies. He always saw the Smokies as his mountains though, so they were where he ended up. The two discuss the trails in the Smokies, expounding on the wide varieties of trails in the park, with something for everyone. Butch worked in a visitor center just outside of Gatlinburg for his whole time working in the Smokies.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Butch talks about the reason why he ended up back in the Smokies. Besides having been where he grew up, he likes that there is always something new to learn and see in the Smokies. Joseph asks Butch to discuss some of his favorite trails and hikes in the mountains. After discussing his favorite trails, Butch gives his best recommendations for tourists for if they only have one day in the park. The two dive further into these locations, discussing the differences between some of the spots on weekdays versus weekends. Butch discusses his involvement with the Smoky Mountains Field School. The goal of the school is to bring people into the park and teach them the history of the park, science, and more. Butch discusses hikes he has and will lead with the school.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Butch discusses some of the areas and mountains surrounding the Smokies. The pair move on to discuss preparation for the park. Joseph talks about one of his favorite places in the park, slide rock. Joseph asks Butch to talk about some of his favorite things to do in the park outside of hiking as well as some of his favorite towns. Butch enjoys biking but warns to stay off main roads as this can be dangerous. Butch has written many books and articles, many of which are about the Smokies. He discusses the content of these books, one of which is about artists in the mountains. He dives deeper into these artists and recommends some of their work. Not only are his books about the Smokies, but he contributed to one about the Appalachians.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Moving into the last section of today’s episode, Joseph asks Butch about an article he was a part of. Butch describes this artcile which discusses a missing child and the rangers who helped her sister find his grave. Butch discusses some of his other experiences, both hikes and other articles he has written. He is a contributing writer to many different magazines and publishers. Butch shares resources he has and places where people can find his books. Joseph ends the episode by thanking Butch for coming on today and sharing his own resources and sponsors.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest is Butch Mcdade, he is a retired Ranger with the National Park Service who now lives in East Tennessee. He has worked all over the nation at some of the most beautiful National Parks in America but finished up his career working in the GSMNP where his Field School Programs have been extremely popular. He still conducts them as a part-time employee in retirement. He is an avid hiker and knows the park like the back of his hand and is an accomplished guide. Butch is also a fine writer, having written multiple feature articles for well-known magazines.

The Smoky Mountain Field School enhances appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the natural world while promoting the idea of learning as a joyful and enriching part of life. From indoor workshops to outdoor field adventures, there are over 80 workshops and programs covering topics such as wildlife, wildflowers, forests, history, and hiking to name just a few!

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph starts the episode off by discussing children’s literacy. He discusses two programs, one of which is the storybook trail of the Smokies, which allows visitors to experience a Smokies-themed book while on trails. It allows young readers to bring the book to life by experiencing the book in the mountains. The other program is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She started the program after being inspired by her childhood. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Butch Mcdade, a retired park ranger. Butch talks about the parks in which he worked throughout his over 30-year-long career. Living in Chattanooga Butch applied for his first full-time job in a park at the Chattanooga Military Park. Butch continues on, walking the audience through more of his career and more parks he has worked in both in and outside the Smokies. He always saw the Smokies as his mountains though, so they were where he ended up. The two discuss the trails in the Smokies, expounding on the wide varieties of trails in the park, with something for everyone. Butch worked in a visitor center just outside of Gatlinburg for his whole time working in the Smokies.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Butch talks about the reason why he ended up back in the Smokies. Besides having been where he grew up, he likes that there is always something new to learn and see in the Smokies. Joseph asks Butch to discuss some of his favorite trails and hikes in the mountains. After discussing his favorite trails, Butch gives his best recommendations for tourists if they only have one day in the park. The two dive further into these locations, discussing the differences between some of the spots on weekdays versus weekends. Butch discusses his involvement with the Smoky Mountains Field School. The goal of the school is to bring people into the park and teach them the history of the park, science, and more. Butch discusses hikes he has and will lead with the school.

Segment 3

Butch discusses some of the areas and mountains surrounding the Smokies. The pair move on to discuss preparation for the park. Joseph talks about one of his favorite places in the park, slide rock. Joseph asks Butch to talk about some of his favorite things to do in the park outside of hiking as well as some of his favorite towns. Butch enjoys biking but warns to stay off main roads as this can be dangerous. Butch has written many books and articles, many of which are about the Smokies. He discusses the content of these books, one of which is about artists in the mountains. He dives deeper into these artists and recommends some of their work. Not only are his books about the Smokies, but he contributed to one about the Appalachians.

Segment 4

Moving into the last section of today’s episode, Joseph asks Butch about an article he was a part of. Butch describes this article which discusses a missing child and the rangers who helped her sister find his grave. Butch discusses some of his other experiences, both hikes and other articles he has written. He is a contributing writer to many different magazines and publishers. Butch shares resources he has and places where people can find his books. Joseph ends the episode by thanking Butch for coming on today and sharing his own resources and sponsors.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIPT

00:00:32.760 –> 00:00:38.100 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:38.580 –> 00:00:46.560 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.

00:00:46.890 –> 00:00:57.000 Joseph McElroy: This area’s filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:57.390 –> 00:01:07.830 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also the deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years.

00:01:08.220 –> 00:01:14.460 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in the mountains of smoky mountains of North Carolina.

00:01:15.180 –> 00:01:24.060 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to learn about the National Park from an actual park ranger but first I will give you a little insight and some children that you see here in the mountains.

00:01:24.900 –> 00:01:29.100 Joseph McElroy: So some of you might know that I have two-year-old twins I think I mentioned that last week.

00:01:29.490 –> 00:01:37.770 Joseph McElroy: And, but this is my second rodeo so I also have a 28-year-old son so I’ve you know, had a little bit of experience of bringing kids in the smoky mountains.

00:01:38.550 –> 00:01:48.960 Joseph McElroy: But that’s another story right now for my twins I’m looking for interesting programs to have fun and educate them as well you know a lot of things were closed last year, but things are starting to.

00:01:49.950 –> 00:01:57.540 Joseph McElroy: Open up and that spirit, I have two programs to tell you about and one of them was already experienced and what I’m anticipating the experience.

00:01:58.620 –> 00:02:05.760 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains National Park in partnership with the University of Tennessee extension Institute of agriculture.

00:02:06.120 –> 00:02:14.310 Joseph McElroy: And, as well as the great smoky mountains association is pleased to invite visitors to experience this story book trail of the smokies.

00:02:15.150 –> 00:02:25.560 Joseph McElroy: it’s an addition of an initiative dedicated to promoting literacy in nature, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the smokies theme book.

00:02:26.100 –> 00:02:35.250 Joseph McElroy: To trail size activities and on the trail story pages to read along the one mile cosby nature trail near the cosmic CAFE.

00:02:36.090 –> 00:02:41.880 Joseph McElroy: It began April 3 but it goes through may 30 and it also comes back in the fall.

00:02:42.870 –> 00:02:58.710 Joseph McElroy: or attended caches cast as an it’s an immersive pro approach for young readers to experience the stories of the smokies in a way that brings them to life on the trail over the this eight week period for different books will be highlighted, for two weeks two week periods.

00:02:59.070 –> 00:03:00.300 Joseph McElroy: Long the nature trail.

00:03:00.540 –> 00:03:07.680 Joseph McElroy: Each of the books aimed at various reading levels will be accompanied by educational prompts to encourage interaction with the trail.

00:03:08.370 –> 00:03:12.510 Joseph McElroy: The storybook trails free to the public and accessible, seven days a week.

00:03:13.230 –> 00:03:25.470 Joseph McElroy: The Spring books lineups include seeing creek by Morgan simmons which is may 1 the 14th and the troublesome cub by Lisa Lisa horseman which is forced to man, which is may 15 through 30th.

00:03:25.860 –> 00:03:32.520 Joseph McElroy: On the first Saturday of each books rotation, the author will be President at the trailhead interact with the participants.

00:03:32.940 –> 00:03:47.940 Joseph McElroy: We are going to be here in North Carolina at that time and i’m going to take my kids to one of those I think, as long as my wife agrees, I think she will another great program we participate in for a couple years is Dolly parton’s imagination library.

00:03:49.230 –> 00:03:57.570 Joseph McElroy: And it’s dedicated to inspire love of reading by gifting books, free of charge the children’s from bit birthday from birth to age five.

00:03:58.590 –> 00:04:07.290 Joseph McElroy: Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write Donna started her imagination library in 1995 for the children within the smoky mountain region.

00:04:07.890 –> 00:04:15.780 Joseph McElroy: To pay her program spans five country and gifts over 1 million free books each month of children around the world.

00:04:16.350 –> 00:04:24.720 Joseph McElroy: Dolly said she was inspired by our childhood, she said when I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee I knew my dreams my dreams have come true.

00:04:25.230 –> 00:04:36.300 Joseph McElroy: I know there are children in their community with their own dreams, they dream of becoming a doctor or adventure or minister who knows, maybe there’s a little girl, whose dream is to be a writer and singer.

00:04:36.960 –> 00:04:45.870 Joseph McElroy: The seeds of these dreams are often thousand books and those seeds can help you plant in your community that you helped plant in your community can grow across the world.

00:04:46.320 –> 00:04:50.430 Joseph McElroy: They are fine books they’re beautiful we get them and then we give them to.

00:04:50.850 –> 00:05:01.260 Joseph McElroy: After our kids are looked at in and we’ve made sure, make sure they keep them in pristine shape we give them to other children who pass them around it’s a wonderful Program.

00:05:02.220 –> 00:05:09.300 Joseph McElroy: So somebody knows about wonderful programs is my guest today author Arthur books mcdaid.

00:05:09.930 –> 00:05:21.720 Joseph McElroy: The day he’s known as books, I think, and he’s a retired park a park ranger with the national park service is worked at many of our national parks and finished up his career working at the.

00:05:22.350 –> 00:05:30.930 Joseph McElroy: Great smoky National Park where’s field school programs have been extremely popular he still connects them as a part time employee employee in retirement.

00:05:31.380 –> 00:05:39.810 Joseph McElroy: He is an author and he’s an avid hiker who knows the heart and Park, like the back of his hand and he is an accomplished guy Hello butch.

00:05:40.500 –> 00:05:42.180 Butch Mcdade: hello, Joseph are you doing today.

00:05:42.780 –> 00:05:43.830 Joseph McElroy: i’m doing pretty good.

00:05:44.850 –> 00:05:52.590 Joseph McElroy: it’s a beautiful day out there, that I have, I have a beautiful backdrop of mine is as a as an image yours is live.

00:05:54.240 –> 00:05:55.290 Joseph McElroy: that’s pretty Nice.

00:05:55.740 –> 00:05:58.530 Butch Mcdade: yeah the smokies way out there, the foothills I guess you’d say.

00:06:00.060 –> 00:06:09.750 Joseph McElroy: To me this book is it’s a beautiful view, though, so you’re retired ranger the park service, can you tell us what’s park for you work where you work for how long.

00:06:10.350 –> 00:06:18.180 Butch Mcdade: yeah yeah I started I got 30 years and they’re used to not have this Gray beard but after 30 years I got a great beer.

00:06:18.180 –> 00:06:18.780 Butch Mcdade: So I guess there.

00:06:19.140 –> 00:06:28.290 Butch Mcdade: are no ranger but I started Joseph down around chattanooga Tennessee have a permanent job i’m a native of nashville Tennessee over there and middle Tennessee.

00:06:29.250 –> 00:06:35.340 Butch Mcdade: And my parents had taken me to the smokies a number of times and we’d also gone to mammoth cave I think Kentucky.

00:06:35.820 –> 00:06:47.250 Butch Mcdade: And there was a civil war battlefields around nashville so I kind of grew up with go into these places, often with my parents on special occasions, so I got a chance, when I was living in chattanooga.

00:06:48.450 –> 00:06:58.260 Butch Mcdade: To apply for a job down at a battlefield called chicken maga and chattanooga national military park it’s a civil war battlefield big place.

00:06:58.860 –> 00:07:04.440 Butch Mcdade: And I spent five years there another five years up on lookout mountain, which is a part of that battlefield.

00:07:04.740 –> 00:07:13.770 Butch Mcdade: and actually before that, before I got that permanent job I worked one summer out in glacier National Park in Montana, which was incredible.

00:07:14.340 –> 00:07:25.140 Butch Mcdade: Here I am a Tennessee boy i’ve only seen the smoky which are great i’ve only seen black bears which are great, but you ought to Montana, you got the by God rocky mountains and you have grizzly bears.

00:07:27.000 –> 00:07:37.950 Butch Mcdade: I mean certainly different and, of course, when you get out there, they look nice Rangers you know give you some safety information and they stress on now, this is grizzly country you know you gotta be careful and i’m a solo hiker.

00:07:39.090 –> 00:07:50.280 Butch Mcdade: hike most of the time alone, probably shouldn’t, but I do, and so I was alone, a glacier for much of the time and but never had a problem be honest with you, and so I kind of dispel that image that.

00:07:50.760 –> 00:07:59.760 Butch Mcdade: there’s a big bad grizzly bear waiting to kill every every tourist it comes to glacier yellowstone doesn’t happen very, very rarely.

00:08:02.370 –> 00:08:03.270 Joseph McElroy: Very rarely.

00:08:03.570 –> 00:08:03.990 Rarely.

00:08:05.010 –> 00:08:16.680 Butch Mcdade: But anyway, I did started chicken maga down in chattanooga area North Georgia and chattanooga and enjoy talking about history, I think, history will be here in college so.

00:08:17.370 –> 00:08:29.340 Butch Mcdade: I enjoy that but my heart was really in some of the green areas I did spend another couple of years over at shiloh battlefield, which is in West of nashville and from there.

00:08:29.940 –> 00:08:46.560 Butch Mcdade: I went up to a place Joseph on the Cumberland plateau of Tennessee and Kentucky a place called the big South fork national river and recreation area, it is a national park service side, but it was a recreation area and rick.

00:08:53.370 –> 00:08:54.480 Joseph McElroy: you’re coming through.

00:08:58.680 –> 00:09:10.350 Butch Mcdade: yeah so this place was is part of the national park service and Rangers and other people staff it just like to do in the smokies, but it is a recreation area, which means they allow hunting and fishing.

00:09:10.590 –> 00:09:15.390 Butch Mcdade: And off road vehicles which aren’t allowed in the smokies but other than that it was a lovely area undeveloped.

00:09:16.800 –> 00:09:31.860 Butch Mcdade: got about 900,000 visitors a year versus not 12 million to come to the smoky so there was a lot of solitude up there, and while there, I wrote a book about that area for the University of Tennessee press if you don’t mind me showing it.

00:09:31.920 –> 00:09:32.820 Joseph McElroy: Though before.

00:09:33.210 –> 00:09:45.960 Butch Mcdade: The national natural arches of the big South fourth they mounted about 20 years ago on the natural features, the sandstone Archer that was fun to do on my own time and.

00:09:46.740 –> 00:09:54.570 Butch Mcdade: I got University of Tennessee press to publish that and so that was that’s an area that’s dear to my heart that area up on the cover photo it’s so different than the.

00:09:55.230 –> 00:10:07.710 Butch Mcdade: appalachian mountains coming plateau is a land of plateaus and and gorgeous or the smokies you have a land of valleys and mountains so they’re.

00:10:08.160 –> 00:10:18.690 Butch Mcdade: Saying and then from there from the big South fork I went down to a place still in Tennessee called the old bed wild and scenic river, which is north of knoxville I don’t know.

00:10:19.800 –> 00:10:31.680 Butch Mcdade: Again, near the Kentucky border generally and from there after about five or six years, I have to go to the smokies which one it was my destination park being a Tennessee and i’ve always thought the smokies where my mountains.

00:10:32.010 –> 00:10:32.490 Butch Mcdade: I spent.

00:10:32.820 –> 00:10:44.100 Butch Mcdade: My near my parents brought me here and I live here now, I am a Tennessee, and so this is my these are my home mountains and i’m married to a girl for lady from knoxville, and so we love it here.

00:10:44.670 –> 00:10:49.140 Joseph McElroy: And that was the smokies your favorite place to work, why do you why is it decide to be in your hometown.

00:10:49.680 –> 00:10:57.930 Butch Mcdade: yeah yeah so it was a great place, I always wanted it because you can get everything you got the different country attractions, you know, if you like, to the.

00:10:58.260 –> 00:11:06.900 Butch Mcdade: places to go to to eat and have residences and lodging, but you can find wilderness to other people say oh you can’t find wilderness in the smoky So yes, you can.

00:11:07.110 –> 00:11:14.430 Butch Mcdade: Just don’t go right to the Center of it go the edges go to the periphery lot of back country there and I like that back conquer and even if you’re not a.

00:11:15.030 –> 00:11:24.480 Butch Mcdade: aggressive hiker there are a lot of little small heights you can take any hike you can only you can make it as hard as you want, you can go in and a hard hike for amount turn back, are you going on a hard.

00:11:25.080 –> 00:11:38.340 Butch Mcdade: trail for 10 miles people can find their own niche in our national parks in the smokies even with all the people still has a lot of solitude in addition to all the other elements that we want in life or need in life.

00:11:38.850 –> 00:11:45.000 Joseph McElroy: Right, there is a lot of back countries still in the back country capital campaign and things like that right, the smokies.

00:11:45.240 –> 00:11:56.310 Butch Mcdade: Oh yeah yeah yeah that about 150 trails 900 miles you count everything, including and maintain trails lots of stuff some some of the trails are flat.

00:11:56.820 –> 00:12:02.820 Butch Mcdade: Like the little river trail for a while, you can go in, as far as you want to when he starts going up he’ll turn back on your own niche.

00:12:03.240 –> 00:12:09.330 Butch Mcdade: will be in shape I always tell people to be in shape hike with other people don’t go alone or let somebody know where you’re going.

00:12:09.780 –> 00:12:19.530 Butch Mcdade: But if you if you follow those few safety rules which are common sense, let somebody know where you’re going to be in shape, have the right equipment you’ll love it and that’s why.

00:12:20.550 –> 00:12:21.240 Butch Mcdade: it’s free.

00:12:21.480 –> 00:12:21.810 Butch Mcdade: there’s no.

00:12:22.860 –> 00:12:26.070 Joseph McElroy: I feel like the only national park that doesn’t charge admission right.

00:12:26.430 –> 00:12:39.360 Butch Mcdade: Right yeah it’s a full scale National Park very rare no admission fee and that that’s been that’s been with the smokies ever since its inception in 1934.

00:12:39.870 –> 00:12:41.940 Joseph McElroy: And how long did you work for the great smoky.

00:12:43.530 –> 00:12:44.760 Butch Mcdade: Five years of my career.

00:12:45.240 –> 00:12:58.080 Butch Mcdade: yeah five years yeah yeah i’m 2005 up to 2010 but I hadn’t visited here, of course, since the 1950s my parents, I have pictures of us being.

00:12:58.560 –> 00:13:10.530 Butch Mcdade: up with a picture of the chimney tops behind us in about 1955 or six somebody coming up here for decades, but made it unfortunately to my last stop on a 30 year career.

00:13:11.190 –> 00:13:18.810 Joseph McElroy: Now there’s multiple you know facilities in the park right did you work at all of them or did you have one that you were associated with.

00:13:19.410 –> 00:13:24.570 Butch Mcdade: Now I say you pretty much at the sugar land visitor Center which is right there outside of not gatlinburg.

00:13:25.740 –> 00:13:30.240 Butch Mcdade: south of gatlinburg to me we call it, you know there’s no one main visitor Center, but it certainly was.

00:13:31.170 –> 00:13:45.960 Butch Mcdade: Had the biggest visitation there’s another one over it, oh con lefty and a smaller one out in kate’s co but I was at your sugars visitor Center my whole time which gets a lot of us, you know it gets a lot of us me and your gatlinburg.

00:13:46.380 –> 00:13:51.750 Joseph McElroy: So we will be a great smokies National Park, made the mistake of making gatlinburg the main entrance.

00:13:51.750 –> 00:13:54.270 Joseph McElroy: Right, it should have been in near Maggie Valley, I think, but.

00:13:57.180 –> 00:13:59.610 Butch Mcdade: i’ll let you i’ll let you have that comment.

00:14:00.600 –> 00:14:02.520 Joseph McElroy: That would be my argument to win right.

00:14:05.610 –> 00:14:12.450 Joseph McElroy: Well, we come back we’ll talk about more about the national parks and what you’ve done there what you know all right.

00:14:12.780 –> 00:14:14.730 Butch Mcdade: every section of the park is fabulous.

00:17:13.920 –> 00:17:25.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest butch mcdade Hello books so.

00:17:26.820 –> 00:17:36.180 Joseph McElroy: I wanted to ask you, after you spent 30 years in the park service last five of this was with the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:17:36.630 –> 00:17:46.440 Joseph McElroy: So you decided to retire, and you decided to live in East Tennessee but you could have been anywhere because he’d been traveling around a lot, why did you decide to stay in East Tennessee near the smoke you.

00:17:47.610 –> 00:17:55.620 Butch Mcdade: Know it’s so great it’s someplace I want to write about what I still you know I always tell people, you can learn something about the smokies.

00:17:56.070 –> 00:18:01.620 Butch Mcdade: All the time you never find out everything so having an interest in the smokies way back.

00:18:02.220 –> 00:18:08.670 Butch Mcdade: You think, by now, you know it all are kind of have a grasp, but every time you find something to like they find new species.

00:18:09.510 –> 00:18:18.840 Butch Mcdade: You find new historical facts but it’s home, I have a tendency and by birth, then, as I said earlier, i’ve always thought the smoky mountains.

00:18:19.410 –> 00:18:33.210 Butch Mcdade: or my balance my mountains, I love the Rockies gotcha nothing more spectacular than the Rockies or the Sierra Nevada it’s out West but these are home mounts I think everybody has to have a home range, and this is my home range.

00:18:33.810 –> 00:18:36.930 Joseph McElroy: There you go that’s my home range too, so we got something in common.

00:18:39.270 –> 00:18:50.580 Joseph McElroy: So um you know we I had a section on hiking, but I want to know from manage lived there, what are some of your favorite trails and places in the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:18:51.420 –> 00:19:02.430 Butch Mcdade: Now hello, the appalachian trail I, like any of the high country mount look on chimneys clemens Dome anything along the high country I love.

00:19:02.820 –> 00:19:11.220 Butch Mcdade: I love all the park, so you have to start out sometimes the low country to get up there, but boy once you get to 5000 foot level and above.

00:19:11.790 –> 00:19:31.200 Butch Mcdade: Joe says it’s so different person record a lot cooler up there’s hardly gets over about 8 million in December, when was 95 down here and edge of the smokers, you might be, you know upper 70s, or low 80s, I was in high cost of smoking so i’m really prone to love the high country.

00:19:32.220 –> 00:19:42.420 Butch Mcdade: Fortunately, the smokies you know there’s a couple sheet routes or you can grow right up the newfound gap and be at 5000 feet you don’t have to slug up at a valley and you can grab up to clean was.

00:19:43.440 –> 00:19:44.700 Butch Mcdade: She kind of parsing start on.

00:19:45.720 –> 00:19:48.660 Butch Mcdade: A weekend and you’re already hi there still.

00:19:50.070 –> 00:19:52.110 Butch Mcdade: People I say once you get up there is a flat.

00:19:55.350 –> 00:20:04.920 Butch Mcdade: top of the mountain there’s undulations nothing yeah nothing there’s no real plants that stretch to go run very far in the smokies unless its way down and then.

00:20:05.280 –> 00:20:14.820 Butch Mcdade: The lower elevations so i’m prone to the appalachian trail with trail up, to say the chimney the trailer all the five trails up the mountain because.

00:20:15.870 –> 00:20:21.000 Butch Mcdade: growing up to cleveland’s going out on the appalachian trail either West or.

00:20:22.320 –> 00:20:34.170 Butch Mcdade: East you just can’t beat the high country plus I love kate’s go the beauty of that valley What a beautiful place and cat lucci on your side of the mountain to that beautiful Valley.

00:20:35.280 –> 00:20:35.700 Butch Mcdade: catalog.

00:20:36.780 –> 00:20:42.660 Joseph McElroy: If you had if you had advice for a tourist This shows you know also trying to attract tourists.

00:20:43.980 –> 00:20:50.220 Joseph McElroy: And they were wanting to have, and they were in for a weekend and they had one day what would you recommend they do.

00:20:51.660 –> 00:20:57.300 Butch Mcdade: Well, in the old days arrangers where I sell people you got to see a claim as Dome you gotta see canes Co.

00:20:57.840 –> 00:21:08.940 Butch Mcdade: And in the old days I need y’all to go over to the cherokee Indian reservation all those are great ideas and great destinations I would tell people, those are great destinations don’t go on a weekend.

00:21:09.390 –> 00:21:14.520 Butch Mcdade: don’t go on Saturday and Sunday, to be a lot of people there, try to get a Tuesday trip into.

00:21:15.000 –> 00:21:26.820 Butch Mcdade: Kato try to get a Tuesday drive up to cleveland’s Dome and get early to and you’ll enjoy it, so I still like those big destination places, even though they every lots of people go there.

00:21:27.240 –> 00:21:32.820 Butch Mcdade: Why not why wouldn’t we why why wouldn’t we tell a visitor go to the to get the great view at the top of.

00:21:33.930 –> 00:21:39.540 Butch Mcdade: A milestone, why not tell us in on the case co you just have to plan that some days are going to be busy.

00:21:40.020 –> 00:21:48.360 Butch Mcdade: The way to talk like noon is always going to be busy you get out there right when you know daybreak when they open up kate’s glow cold, except on the days when they close it for bikes.

00:21:49.980 –> 00:21:59.430 Butch Mcdade: And do a week day trip you’ll find that, with a little patience and that’s one thing about all of our national parks i’ve been to the grand tetons i’ve been to yellowstone and they were.

00:22:00.690 –> 00:22:02.220 Butch Mcdade: backed up cars.

00:22:02.460 –> 00:22:02.880 Butch Mcdade: it’s not.

00:22:03.240 –> 00:22:13.770 Butch Mcdade: too big to the smokies these basically places are our national traders sure people are going to come there just try to play in it on a day when they be less people and get an early start.

00:22:14.250 –> 00:22:18.210 Joseph McElroy: Is there any is there anything on a Saturday that you think would be.

00:22:20.220 –> 00:22:23.700 Joseph McElroy: Less traveled it’d be worthwhile with you and say go see this.

00:22:24.300 –> 00:22:34.200 Butch Mcdade: yeah there’s still some place i’d go to cause beyond the Tennessee side cosby facility or cosby there’s some trails are like the hidden waterfalls and and other trails.

00:22:34.740 –> 00:22:46.560 Butch Mcdade: And i’d go over to big creek on your side, I take a trip into cattle Luciano on maybe on a Saturday that road that grandma rogen there doesn’t get as crowded, but even then get an early start.

00:22:47.730 –> 00:22:55.020 Butch Mcdade: i’d go into places like if you make it go all the way over to 20 mile My point is go to the periphery of the park.

00:22:55.440 –> 00:23:05.400 Butch Mcdade: Right ages and do a little map study it’s your facts, you know learn your routes and go with a group of people, but i’d never shy away from saying don’t come there on a Saturday.

00:23:05.880 –> 00:23:14.760 Butch Mcdade: I wouldn’t do to some of the more popular spots on a Saturday, because there’d be lots more people and the quality of visit might suffer.

00:23:15.420 –> 00:23:29.490 Butch Mcdade: But, are you can do if that’s all you can do a Saturday to go to where you want to go just be patient always come to the smokies and all our national parks with patients on your side and you’ll enjoy it so.

00:23:29.550 –> 00:23:30.060 You.

00:23:31.110 –> 00:23:37.080 Joseph McElroy: You have been involved with a smoky mountain field school field, sport, so you can you tell us about that.

00:23:37.680 –> 00:23:50.310 Butch Mcdade: yeah yeah sure yeah probably had about a 12 year relationship with the University of tennessee’s smoky mountain fields go they started that school back in 1975 so that’s been around a while.

00:23:51.030 –> 00:24:00.270 Butch Mcdade: and its goal is to bring people into the smokies with knowledgeable guides who would discuss the history of the of the smokies and the southern appalachian.

00:24:01.620 –> 00:24:13.950 Butch Mcdade: They will discuss the natural history in the human history they’ll discover some places of historic value and scenic views talk about science in the park, it is very.

00:24:14.850 –> 00:24:25.950 Butch Mcdade: It is a classroom and assets, a field school and they’ve been true to that ever since they started I got involved by be invited my wife and I, like the Wilson, we were invited.

00:24:26.460 –> 00:24:41.670 Butch Mcdade: Oh, eight years ago 10 almost to read for five years we led a smoky mountain field school October hike up to the lodge a top look mount like on the can’t live.

00:24:42.270 –> 00:24:52.830 Butch Mcdade: And it was great we usually had about 20 people who had signed up through the smoky mountain field schools web page, which is again, you can Google it by just doing.

00:24:53.580 –> 00:25:10.620 Butch Mcdade: smoky mountain field school and they do have a agenda that we’re classes that are available, and you can online register, so I was doing one with my wife for five years or so, going up to malecon in October, which is fantastic we’ve got snowed snowed in a couple times.

00:25:12.390 –> 00:25:15.930 Butch Mcdade: October, and then I also do a an annual.

00:25:17.010 –> 00:25:23.520 Butch Mcdade: Alkmaar tour the historic elk my district for the smoking minefield school i’ve been doing that for over a decade.

00:25:24.180 –> 00:25:28.230 Butch Mcdade: Now, which is always exciting because I love that history i’m a historian history.

00:25:29.220 –> 00:25:35.790 Butch Mcdade: Major and a historian, is my ilk and also, I do i’m going to have another one coming up this year in September.

00:25:36.450 –> 00:25:55.200 Butch Mcdade: For the smoky mountain field school, which is a hike out to the Walker sisters home site in little greenbrier section of the park and that’s all i’ve been doing that for about a decade also so basically out my hike every every year, five years leading the overnight hike up to.

00:25:56.220 –> 00:25:59.580 Butch Mcdade: mount work on to the account lodge with my wife and then doing.

00:26:00.660 –> 00:26:07.620 Butch Mcdade: The Walker sister several times, including this coming Sep tember and everybody can join in, by going to.

00:26:08.760 –> 00:26:18.870 Butch Mcdade: I think it’s like www smoke SF s.org just do a search and you can register online and see the schedule see what’s coming up.

00:26:19.290 –> 00:26:21.420 Joseph McElroy: What are the kinds of topics, what kind of topics.

00:26:21.900 –> 00:26:26.850 Butch Mcdade: which I have things on bear bear management bears deer management.

00:26:28.350 –> 00:26:33.870 Butch Mcdade: The geography, the geology of the part of the biodiversity.

00:26:34.950 –> 00:26:51.900 Butch Mcdade: There must be probably Joseph in there before coven last year we really the smoking map fields go ahead and stop most of their outings until I think probably the latter part of the year, but there’s probably i’m going to guess 60 different topics, ranging from salamanders to.

00:26:53.670 –> 00:27:11.550 Butch Mcdade: Biology botany cultural history architectural history and even hiking this recreational opportunities, how to hike safely, the whole range of activities in the smokies a whole range of topics are covered by that Program.

00:27:11.850 –> 00:27:13.080 Joseph McElroy: what’s your favorite topic.

00:27:13.950 –> 00:27:22.170 Butch Mcdade: Well imma imma imma i’m i’m pretty much a mountain icon guys I said earlier, I gave up that high to a younger person my buddy of mine.

00:27:22.680 –> 00:27:28.200 Butch Mcdade: But if I could do it over again if I was younger I would continue to do that math work on overnight here, which I think they.

00:27:28.530 –> 00:27:35.610 Butch Mcdade: During Kobe they may have canceled that temporarily so again, I would caution people to check with their website, but also like elfman.

00:27:36.240 –> 00:27:46.080 Butch Mcdade: And i’ve also done one other favorite topic of mine, Joseph he is a hike in a talk about homeless kept part.

00:27:47.040 –> 00:27:53.070 Butch Mcdade: One of the great writers, of the smokies who wrote a number of good books and I might just show one I have it here how.

00:27:53.490 –> 00:28:00.060 Butch Mcdade: Our southern Highlands if anybody wants to read a great book on the smokies written in 1913 and still in print the day.

00:28:00.360 –> 00:28:14.070 Butch Mcdade: Read hordes kept ours, our southern highlanders read his camping and woodcraft which came out in 1906 and still in print i’ve had the occasion of taking numbers of people in on hikes in deep creek and other places where kephart had.

00:28:15.390 –> 00:28:20.070 Butch Mcdade: Somebody who’s activities as he lived in and around this area proud of the National Park i’ve even had the.

00:28:20.310 –> 00:28:35.850 Butch Mcdade: Great honor of going into some of those places which are today inside the park with his great grand daughter named libby kephart hargrave got to explore, a number of places with her and she is one of the great biographers and documentarians of her.

00:28:36.660 –> 00:28:45.420 Butch Mcdade: ancestor and it’s kept that horse kept our tradition alive and there are quite a few people out there who really admire Horace kept.

00:28:45.930 –> 00:28:55.260 Butch Mcdade: In his life and his work for the smoky so he did a lot to help protect this part, even though he was an outsider he was not from here so it’s a fascinating topic that’s one of my favorites too.

00:28:55.350 –> 00:28:57.060 Joseph McElroy: he’s he’s like considered like the.

00:28:57.090 –> 00:29:01.590 Joseph McElroy: grandfather or something of the smoky mountain Parker is some sort of thing like that he’s like the.

00:29:02.220 –> 00:29:02.640 Joseph McElroy: Is one.

00:29:03.000 –> 00:29:08.820 Butch Mcdade: yeah i’d say he’s one of the beacons one of those grand figures in the early days prior to the park actually he died in 1931.

00:29:09.060 –> 00:29:14.580 Butch Mcdade: So he the park was established in 34 but he knew that was kind of my day was authorized he saw it was coming.

00:29:14.970 –> 00:29:26.700 Butch Mcdade: And he spent his whole life here, he he lived in the smokies in places like hazel Cree in bryce and city and in the deep creek area, the north Carolina side, particularly was he has a the week.

00:29:27.210 –> 00:29:35.790 Butch Mcdade: And he gave us these early books that talked about the pre National Park people that’s the value and addition to that he was a fascinating outdoorsman.

00:29:36.120 –> 00:29:45.480 Butch Mcdade: He was a master of equipment and how to handle it and how to use it that’s his book here can’t begin with craft which, even though it’s printed in 1906.

00:29:46.110 –> 00:29:54.750 Butch Mcdade: And some of it is outdated as far as the modernity, of the new equipment, this is a Bible for the outdoors people ought to read it, they sell these books.

00:29:55.530 –> 00:30:03.960 Butch Mcdade: caving in woodcraft our southern highlanders and even a new biography on Horace kat bar and even libby kept arts documentary on.

00:30:04.530 –> 00:30:07.650 Butch Mcdade: Our ancestor they sell those items in our visitor centers.

00:30:08.040 –> 00:30:21.720 Butch Mcdade: In the park so go by the visitor Center so people, what do you have on horse gephardt you’ll find there’s some great stuff and it’s well worth reading and watching in any purchases you make help the national park, to the great smoky mountains association like you had.

00:30:22.650 –> 00:30:26.700 Butch Mcdade: Francis fighter on last week, you did a great job of explaining fine agency.

00:30:27.270 –> 00:30:34.860 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back i’m going to talk we’re going to talk more about your literary literary ventures, as well as your knowledge of just the area in general.

00:33:25.410 –> 00:33:32.640 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest.

00:33:33.300 –> 00:33:38.310 Joseph McElroy: which make baby, who is a retired park ranger and expert on the smoking out narrative.

00:33:38.820 –> 00:33:51.660 Joseph McElroy: So butch you know we’ve talked that we talked about the great smoky mountains, but you know I like a lot of other places, you know, in the mountains like I like the pisco national forest and I like to go over the nano hail and do some wrapped and.

00:33:52.050 –> 00:33:53.910 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the other places, do you like in the.

00:33:53.910 –> 00:33:56.820 Joseph McElroy: Smoke here in terms of natural wonders.

00:33:57.420 –> 00:34:00.600 Butch Mcdade: Well, you just hit upon to there are some great places, you know the smokies has.

00:34:01.590 –> 00:34:05.940 Butch Mcdade: 500,000 acres over that and then we’ve got the pisco national forest nearby.

00:34:06.360 –> 00:34:14.190 Butch Mcdade: we’ve got the NASA HALO national forest nearby and we got the cherokee nation, of course, all adjacent to the smoky so like you’re just alluding to.

00:34:14.490 –> 00:34:21.300 Butch Mcdade: My goodness that’s that’s a couple of million acres of public land, so, in addition to the smoky.

00:34:21.570 –> 00:34:30.720 Butch Mcdade: You can go to places like your own mountain up here in East Tennessee above Johnson city to these to Johnson city and you’re on the west of boone and fabulous area.

00:34:31.080 –> 00:34:40.020 Butch Mcdade: You can go paddling in different places like South of US there’s the old Cooley river down and polk county Tennessee I was just a couple of seasons as a guy they’re.

00:34:40.290 –> 00:34:46.290 Butch Mcdade: lovely stuff you got the digital river here got the ninja HALO river, we got the how Rossi river down below we got.

00:34:46.650 –> 00:34:54.000 Butch Mcdade: The various other refunds north of us like a not like chucky in the old bed wild and scenic rivers, a big South horse with this is.

00:34:54.540 –> 00:35:05.610 Butch Mcdade: Like you’re alluding to Joseph we’re in a Mecca of outdoor activities here with several million acres, and I mean million acres of public lands available to the public.

00:35:06.360 –> 00:35:14.760 Butch Mcdade: For mountain biking for fishing for hunting for hiking so my favorites again, as you just said, are some of the high country like it over there round grandfather mountain.

00:35:15.420 –> 00:35:22.890 Butch Mcdade: Like it over there by mount Mitchell state parks, well, I get off the blue Ridge parkway in places like shining rocks wilderness.

00:35:23.280 –> 00:35:38.550 Butch Mcdade: Like it down south of us at a place called the big fall big frog name wilderness area city code wilderness area south of the smokies it’s it’s it’s a lifetime of activity, I mean if you want to get into the outdoors.

00:35:40.650 –> 00:35:48.690 Butch Mcdade: You can find it here your guide books read those books go with getting get in touch with people in hiking club, they can get you started.

00:35:50.190 –> 00:35:54.630 Butch Mcdade: He might hiking club out in knoxville the asheville hiking club.

00:35:56.130 –> 00:35:57.720 Butch Mcdade: The high country around here lovely.

00:35:58.260 –> 00:36:02.820 Butch Mcdade: yeah so much of it is free the national forest lands usually are free.

00:36:03.840 –> 00:36:09.750 Butch Mcdade: In a park in the smokies is free, except for overnight backpack and all you have news and invest in some good equipment.

00:36:11.880 –> 00:36:15.810 Butch Mcdade: or it’s kept would tell us go to the mountains, but also have some good equipment.

00:36:15.960 –> 00:36:17.970 Joseph McElroy: And know has a good a good shoes.

00:36:20.040 –> 00:36:21.330 Joseph McElroy: Plenty of water yeah.

00:36:22.140 –> 00:36:26.280 Butch Mcdade: Actual waters extra food and some rain here.

00:36:26.790 –> 00:36:31.530 Joseph McElroy: yeah oh yeah that’s a that’s a that’s a feat, you know why it’s called the smokies because.

00:36:31.650 –> 00:36:33.600 Joseph McElroy: ability and why we don’t.

00:36:33.630 –> 00:36:44.490 Joseph McElroy: Rain all day, every day, many days I mean it’s very seldom that we get a day, where you run rain all day long but to us, it will get during the summer special you usually get an hour break.

00:36:46.050 –> 00:36:55.950 Butch Mcdade: 8580 inches of rain up on the high country like a clean mother don’t know the valley and I get cherokee you might get 45 inches so it does get more.

00:36:56.490 –> 00:37:04.650 Butch Mcdade: snow in precipitation and rain up there, but just be prepared for my little boy scout girl scout slogan be prepared that’s that’s good stuff.

00:37:05.160 –> 00:37:12.960 Joseph McElroy: And I know one of my favorite places to take kids to speaking of scouts I remember this is is to go up to slide rock right.

00:37:14.070 –> 00:37:18.060 Joseph McElroy: It is like what is it like 100 feet of a waterfall it’s not like a.

00:37:18.120 –> 00:37:31.110 Joseph McElroy: Direct drop it’s like 100 feet slanted drop and it’s been worn so slits so smooth, as you can just get on it in the water i’ll just take you on a slide into a deep pool and the kids just love it.

00:37:31.530 –> 00:37:38.280 Butch Mcdade: I think we have not gone over there, but I understand it’s very crowded on weekends, but it looks like a heck of a lot.

00:37:39.030 –> 00:37:44.070 Joseph McElroy: Well, you go up that I think it’s 276 from waynesville all the way to hendersonville.

00:37:44.310 –> 00:37:58.800 Joseph McElroy: And it goes up this little winding road through for us it’s very backwoods and then you go I think there’s a couple places along the way, but slide rock is one so there’s like all these hidden gems little waterfalls things like that, but to.

00:38:00.180 –> 00:38:15.840 Butch Mcdade: be safe around those places, you know you can get hurt sliding off rocks and stuff and most waterfall areas are pretty prone to getting hurt, but I know I know the forest service, I think, allows that that use there so as long as you’re in harmony with all the the land agency management.

00:38:16.710 –> 00:38:18.030 Butch Mcdade: and be careful enjoy.

00:38:18.450 –> 00:38:22.290 Joseph McElroy: I think slide rock is designated as being something that people can do, and they.

00:38:22.740 –> 00:38:23.790 Joseph McElroy: made it pretty safe.

00:38:24.060 –> 00:38:24.270 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:38:24.750 –> 00:38:32.370 Joseph McElroy: Well, besides that the wilderness word of your fleet, what are your favorite towns to go visit, what are your favorite things not in the wilderness to go doing the smoke here.

00:38:33.000 –> 00:38:38.700 Butch Mcdade: So we like Townsend over here my wife and I we go over there, like a bicycle ride on that about 11 mile.

00:38:39.210 –> 00:38:47.880 Butch Mcdade: Road I should say pay path I don’t get much on the main road leads with like such a dangerous, but it is lovely over towns in area.

00:38:48.390 –> 00:38:56.610 Butch Mcdade: I like the area around a real you guys are in a show having a great town, we like boone North Carolina.

00:38:57.000 –> 00:39:04.080 Butch Mcdade: I like up there at hot springs North Carolina off the appalachian trail that’s a nice little town we’re like the Nana hey la area.

00:39:04.380 –> 00:39:22.860 Butch Mcdade: I do a lot of used to do a heck of a lot of bodie she’ll do some canoe trips and do some rafi creates a beat the Nana HALO in the net then he’ll national course a bunch of outfitters there you can get a trip on so anywhere that’s not too crowded but scenic and that you can come on.

00:39:24.540 –> 00:39:31.980 Butch Mcdade: Every day of the week, not just on weekends, again I try to stay away from weekends for much of a our destination, because of the crowd.

00:39:32.430 –> 00:39:41.430 Butch Mcdade: But boy Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday where everybody arrived, so we can you can have in you can enjoy the heck out of these guys just be safe in anything in the background.

00:39:42.000 –> 00:39:56.400 Butch Mcdade: Let people know where you are you careful watch her dangers and take that extra food an extra clothing, if you go into the wilderness and just be safe area or say get learn how to use it and be prudent.

00:39:58.830 –> 00:40:08.460 Joseph McElroy: So you are a good writer you’ve already mentioned the book right you mentioned one book but you’ve written quite a number of books and articles what God.

00:40:08.550 –> 00:40:09.930 Joseph McElroy: tell us a little bit about those.

00:40:10.770 –> 00:40:17.490 Butch Mcdade: yeah Thank you Joe I did this first book oh way back in the 90s it’s called old smokey mountain days.

00:40:18.150 –> 00:40:27.090 Butch Mcdade: And it’s an anthology little survey varieties of a guy just mentioned a moment ago, or skatepark who wrote those find early books about outdoor life and the smokies.

00:40:27.810 –> 00:40:36.810 Butch Mcdade: profile him and his fascinating not only the smokies but in the wilderness of other places, and also profile in this little book.

00:40:37.320 –> 00:40:54.030 Butch Mcdade: The great work of a man named Joseph sergeant all i’ve read some articles about him here’s an article over the picture of go heart, he was he came here in the 1930s and a temporary employee during the Great Depression and he started to.

00:40:55.470 –> 00:41:03.060 Butch Mcdade: interview the mountain people, some of the people that were still in this in the smokies before they were moved out and some that had just been moved out.

00:41:03.570 –> 00:41:11.250 Butch Mcdade: and his goal was to interview these mountains smoky mountain peak on both the north Carolina and the north and the tenancy side.

00:41:12.090 –> 00:41:17.280 Butch Mcdade: and get their stories and let them talk and hear their voices he actually recorded these people.

00:41:17.730 –> 00:41:22.950 Butch Mcdade: On portable tape recorders that he took into the back into the into the back roads of the smokies.

00:41:23.370 –> 00:41:30.390 Butch Mcdade: And we have those recordings still today here in the park in the archives and the REP at the smithsonian institution and in the library Congress.

00:41:30.780 –> 00:41:40.620 Butch Mcdade: So we have real smoking amount people on tape from the 1940s, particularly done by this man named Joseph saw your House I profiled him because he is really.

00:41:40.980 –> 00:41:48.870 Butch Mcdade: A pioneer linguist and folklorist of the smokies and he was doing this work way back in the 30s and he kept coming back here, even though he lived.

00:41:49.320 –> 00:41:56.100 Butch Mcdade: Much of his life in California as a college Professor who kept coming back you’re fascinated by the mountain people in their language.

00:41:56.670 –> 00:42:02.880 Butch Mcdade: And then I profound and, lastly, but not least in this book a man from knoxville Tennessee I lawyer.

00:42:03.750 –> 00:42:10.920 Butch Mcdade: University of Tennessee graduate became a lawyer, but who became a great leader in wilderness conservation I got him Harvey burnham.

00:42:11.370 –> 00:42:18.840 Butch Mcdade: Our brains, not that well known, sadly, I think he merits more consideration from our our readership and our readership.

00:42:19.230 –> 00:42:28.320 Butch Mcdade: But he was a fascinating fellow who helped found the wilderness society, which is a major national conservation outfit he helped found the.

00:42:29.010 –> 00:42:38.760 Butch Mcdade: smoky mountain hiking club, he was an inveterate hiker along with his wife and and they love the smokies and he wrote some fabulous books that were published after his his dad.

00:42:39.090 –> 00:42:49.590 Butch Mcdade: mainly from his notes and from his journal, which I recommend to everybody, in addition to reading the books of course gephardt I recommend a book called out under the sky of the great smokies.

00:42:50.070 –> 00:43:00.330 Butch Mcdade: Which is a mountain journal published after the authors death and the author was none other than Harvey brew be our own.

00:43:00.840 –> 00:43:09.660 Butch Mcdade: Oh me and it’s a fascinating personal perspective on the smoky so check yeah people should check the literature, the smokies out there’s a lot of books out there.

00:43:10.410 –> 00:43:23.130 Butch Mcdade: plethora of them, but you can’t go wrong by reading horoscope arts works Harvey brooms works and Laura thornburg and many others, though 30 books, give us a flavor for what smokies were like.

00:43:24.810 –> 00:43:29.730 Butch Mcdade: say in the 40s and 50s and how we interpreted them at that time.

00:43:30.360 –> 00:43:33.900 Joseph McElroy: Now, you also have contributed to a book about the appalachians right.

00:43:34.860 –> 00:43:37.470 Butch Mcdade: Yes, Sir, I did I I hadn’t have it right here.

00:43:37.770 –> 00:43:38.340 Joseph McElroy: alright.

00:43:38.730 –> 00:43:46.560 Butch Mcdade: The encyclopedia of appalachia big thick tone put out by the University of Tennessee so I didn’t write all of this, Joe I just run the part of it.

00:43:48.540 –> 00:43:57.870 Butch Mcdade: But there were a number of collaborators or contributing writers, I was invited to participate, that on this APP in the early 2000s and I wrote several.

00:43:58.290 –> 00:44:07.170 Butch Mcdade: A handful of entries on this tome and it is a tone which is a real comprehensive guide to the history of the southern appalachian.

00:44:07.620 –> 00:44:20.790 Butch Mcdade: And the literature, the smell of the southern appalachian region and the recreational activities my contributions were mainly on the recreational themes of mountain biking hunting and fishing and whitewater so.

00:44:21.240 –> 00:44:26.070 Butch Mcdade: that’s Those are my interest I, my main interest is conservation history i’m fascinated by what.

00:44:26.550 –> 00:44:37.320 Butch Mcdade: happened here in the smokies how we got a National Park, mainly because North Carolina people and mainly because Tennessee people wanted apart, not some federal bureaucrats.

00:44:37.650 –> 00:44:43.350 Butch Mcdade: In Washington local people wanted this part local people put up much of the money.

00:44:44.070 –> 00:44:48.510 Butch Mcdade: Local people states bought the land North Carolina Tennessee bought a lot of the land.

00:44:48.810 –> 00:44:57.480 Butch Mcdade: And the feds came in and managed it so it’s a great conservation victory, I also always say to this, even though we got a National Park, which is the most visit in the nation Joseph.

00:44:58.140 –> 00:45:05.490 Butch Mcdade: We all, also have to always take our head off and i’m doing it right now to the mountaineers of North Carolina and Tennessee you had to leave.

00:45:06.120 –> 00:45:17.610 Butch Mcdade: When the park was established, we owe those people a lot they had to give up their phone, I think you would agree as a local person North carolinians gave up a lot kind of seems gave up a lot to move up.

00:45:18.240 –> 00:45:20.700 Joseph McElroy: And don’t forget the cherokee had to give up as well.

00:45:20.760 –> 00:45:27.810 Joseph McElroy: You know they and then they had to they had to lead lands and things like that, and they also had to contribute to it as well.

00:45:28.290 –> 00:45:29.670 Butch Mcdade: In my head.

00:45:30.600 –> 00:45:33.930 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back we’ll talk about the future.

00:45:34.170 –> 00:45:36.300 Joseph McElroy: And what’s coming up for you in the park.

00:47:54.960 –> 00:48:02.580 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest glitch mcdaid of.

00:48:03.180 –> 00:48:12.540 Joseph McElroy: Part of the entire park ranger with the great smoky mountains national park and also author of many great books and articles so.

00:48:13.020 –> 00:48:19.350 Joseph McElroy: Books before we get into the future, I was quickly that was doing some research on you and came across an article that couldn’t read it really.

00:48:19.920 –> 00:48:29.610 Joseph McElroy: It was interesting to me it looked like you were done something cleaning the marker marker of the wandering boy, and I was wondering what that was.

00:48:30.570 –> 00:48:43.800 Butch Mcdade: yeah yeah that was an interesting i’ve been fascinated by that young man named ED mckinley it’s one of those sad stories of the smokies of a young boy band is basically died trying to go over the mountains.

00:48:44.910 –> 00:48:52.830 Butch Mcdade: And in the early 1900s and he got caught in a snowstorm and died and nobody could identify this kid.

00:48:53.640 –> 00:49:02.040 Butch Mcdade: Until about 1975 when his sister younger sister made an inquiry to the park ranger buddy of mine and mine I knew for a guy.

00:49:02.550 –> 00:49:14.460 Butch Mcdade: named Glenn cardwell at trivalent visitor Center 1975 this young lady comes in, or this one young man she’s middle 80s and she asked the Rangers there did they have any records of her or other.

00:49:15.180 –> 00:49:22.740 Butch Mcdade: And the Rangers at that time said well when did it occur, and I said what’s in the early 90s about 1912 to 15 that’s what you told them.

00:49:23.310 –> 00:49:36.000 Butch Mcdade: And they said, well, we don’t have those records here, because the park and come into being, until 1934 so that young lady was about ready to leave or that lady, but one of the Rangers said hold on a minute, let me check her one of the long.

00:49:37.440 –> 00:49:49.830 Butch Mcdade: Standing Rangers here, who was a man a gland cardwell and Glenn was from this year Glenn has worked his whole career 34 years in the trigger and visitor Center and make a long story short.

00:49:50.910 –> 00:49:51.330 Butch Mcdade: This woman.

00:49:52.530 –> 00:50:02.640 Butch Mcdade: articulate what happened to her brother, for what she knew and that led Lynn cardwell this ranger to call around some of the people, he knew.

00:50:03.300 –> 00:50:08.160 Butch Mcdade: Particularly a lady named Lou Center oval and Gavin and you make a long story short.

00:50:08.610 –> 00:50:28.290 Butch Mcdade: by getting together with her sisters and getting together with these people in gatlinburg who were from that Community of the sugar land they finally resolved that this young man who had been buried in unmarked grave for 660 years was indeed the brother, the one that came in.

00:50:29.100 –> 00:50:42.000 Joseph McElroy: was a great coach that’s a great story i’d also I I think you I don’t want it, we can’t get into we don’t have time, but I think that ranger you actually wrote about and he’s the man that never got mad right, I thought that was a beautiful Testaments.

00:50:42.690 –> 00:50:47.340 Joseph McElroy: Fine, so people can look online to find out more about that yeah.

00:50:48.690 –> 00:50:52.140 Joseph McElroy: So do you have any upcoming literary projects you’d like to tell us about.

00:50:52.980 –> 00:50:59.970 Butch Mcdade: Well yeah Thank you, I do have a great a help contribute to a great smoky mountain association.

00:51:00.930 –> 00:51:13.920 Butch Mcdade: blog that Francis fired puts out called smokies live like I got one that she had are good people put out today article short article I wrote about john viewer and his conservation legacy people can find that.

00:51:14.340 –> 00:51:20.790 Butch Mcdade: On the great smoky mountains association web page under the heading of smokies live, which is a online.

00:51:21.390 –> 00:51:28.050 Butch Mcdade: magazine for articles, so I work with Francis on on a monthly blog a monthly posts.

00:51:28.380 –> 00:51:33.030 Butch Mcdade: Also, by the way, if I mention one other thing about the great smoky mountain association, in addition to working with.

00:51:33.330 –> 00:51:41.100 Butch Mcdade: The smoky mountain field school i’ve done a number of hikes over the years, with great smoky mountain association taking their members in two.

00:51:41.370 –> 00:51:51.690 Butch Mcdade: backs and precise and on historical to her, so I want to mention that about having worked with a number of people in great smoky mountain association on getting their members out then always those alignment fun to.

00:51:51.750 –> 00:52:01.050 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s one of the benefits of membership, I don’t think we even talked about that so, but the benefit of membership is to get those tours and high so it’s a very experienced guys like yourself so.

00:52:01.050 –> 00:52:02.160 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s fabulous.

00:52:02.730 –> 00:52:04.230 Butch Mcdade: Now, also I also work.

00:52:04.470 –> 00:52:12.270 Butch Mcdade: do a number of articles for my i’m a contributing writer to a magazine in your backyard over there and wayne’s nail called smoky mountain liddy.

00:52:13.680 –> 00:52:23.010 Butch Mcdade: yeah Jonathan Austin and his good folks they put out a great magazine every every two months, and it is time it’s got features on the cultural heritage.

00:52:23.820 –> 00:52:32.130 Butch Mcdade: shopping places to go to my my contributions have been mostly in the historical Ram on the history of this area i’m going to be doing one.

00:52:32.550 –> 00:52:37.950 Butch Mcdade: just got a project from them about the Frederick law olmsted in his work on the biltmore.

00:52:38.520 –> 00:52:52.530 Butch Mcdade: estate in asheville that’s going to be a fine project so i’ll work with that magazine quite a bit and also a contributing writer pretty regularly to a magazine called the tenancy concert vacation is out of nashville so I stayed relatively busy so i’m working.

00:52:52.530 –> 00:52:53.730 Joseph McElroy: On yeah.

00:52:54.120 –> 00:52:58.050 Joseph McElroy: yeah if people want to get Ahold of your books, they go to Amazon right.

00:52:58.410 –> 00:53:04.710 Butch Mcdade: yeah most of my Amazon that’s the best way you can go to university of Tennessee CREST or Amazon or eight books and get that.

00:53:05.400 –> 00:53:08.190 Joseph McElroy: National and then they’re under your formal name, which is.

00:53:08.400 –> 00:53:12.000 Joseph McElroy: which took me a second figure out it’s not much mcdade it’s off the author.

00:53:12.030 –> 00:53:12.960 Joseph McElroy: Arthur mcdade.

00:53:14.160 –> 00:53:14.700 Butch Mcdade: i’m an artist.

00:53:17.430 –> 00:53:19.890 Butch Mcdade: But it is Arthur mcdade ar Th you are.

00:53:20.400 –> 00:53:24.090 Joseph McElroy: Now, do you have a website or a white people can reach out and say hey.

00:53:24.750 –> 00:53:43.770 Butch Mcdade: I do not have a website per se, I do a post a or I have a page called smokies guide smokies guide, which people can comment on, I even posted this podcast today, so if anybody has any concerns or questions, please post on a comment and and i’ll be glad to get up with them.

00:53:44.040 –> 00:53:46.680 Joseph McElroy: that’s hokies guide COM or is that Facebook page.

00:53:46.890 –> 00:53:48.840 Butch Mcdade: The Facebook yeah it’s a Facebook page.

00:53:48.930 –> 00:54:01.710 Joseph McElroy: Right great well we brought in time I mentioned a few other sponsors that I really appreciated you coming on today it’s been wonderful your books will be up also with Amazon links on our website.

00:54:02.130 –> 00:54:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Which i’ll mention just a second and and I hope to meet you and maybe meet you when I come down there all right.

00:54:08.250 –> 00:54:10.020 Butch Mcdade: let’s do that another good Irishman.

00:54:10.140 –> 00:54:11.070 Joseph McElroy: mcilroy yo.

00:54:14.400 –> 00:54:21.900 Joseph McElroy: So this this podcast is on the talk radio dot nyc network there’s a lot of great.

00:54:23.430 –> 00:54:24.330 Joseph McElroy: A lot of great.

00:54:26.010 –> 00:54:27.780 Joseph McElroy: podcasts on this network I would.

00:54:28.980 –> 00:54:38.910 Joseph McElroy: I would appreciate, if you go and listen to one there’s one after this program that explores New York City, so you can go from the urban from the rural to the URBAN.

00:54:39.660 –> 00:54:47.880 Joseph McElroy: To find out wonderful things to do this podcast you can find out more information about this podcast by going gateway to the to the smokies Doc fun.

00:54:48.630 –> 00:54:59.730 Joseph McElroy: which has a subscription to our newsletter will allow you know when new things are coming up, and when new episodes are coming up and where we also have links to various books of our guests and things like that.

00:55:01.320 –> 00:55:11.790 Joseph McElroy: I want you to imagine a place evocative of the motor courts in the past, yet modern and vibrant with the chic appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:55:12.300 –> 00:55:21.660 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout streams grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine.

00:55:22.170 –> 00:55:29.550 Joseph McElroy: place of the old time music and world cultural sounds there’s no other place like the metal lark motel in Maggie valley North Carolina.

00:55:30.030 –> 00:55:39.570 Joseph McElroy: And it’s in the gateway to the smokies we are the spark that we are the starting point for all your smoky mountain adventures, and your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:55:40.980 –> 00:55:53.940 Joseph McElroy: And then another sponsor is smokies adventure calm, which is a vent information listing site for the smokies where you can find information about hiking and weddings venues and other great things to do.

00:55:55.170 –> 00:56:06.090 Joseph McElroy: And it’s smokies plural adventure calm and you can go there and also sign up for a newsletter and find places to stay and places and things to do.

00:56:06.570 –> 00:56:20.310 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank you, we haven’t we’re having a great guest next week on this podcast it’s the same time Tuesdays from six to seven and we’ll be exploring other aspects of the great smoky mountains and it’s been good talking to you today.


]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/378412056742404/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/126005063_378444690072474_601240882919724200_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=V0zDaALA8KIAX89LUZm&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=630240DD&oh=00_AT8An4W8RTDl9TczL7i1I6gSnzdhMgDT1YIl1EGAO6zMKw&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest is <strong>Butch Mcdade</strong>, he is a retired Ranger with the National Park Service who now lives in East Tennessee. He has worked all over the nation at some of the most beautiful National Parks in America but finished up his career working in the GSMNP where his Field School Programs have been extremely popular. He still conducts them as a part-time employee in retirement. He is an avid hiker and knows the park like the back of his hand and is an accomplished guide. Butch is also a fine writer, having written multiple feature articles for well-known magazines.</p><p>The Smoky Mountain Field School enhances appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the natural world while promoting the idea of learning as a joyful and enriching part of life. From indoor workshops to outdoor field adventures, there are over 80 workshops and programs covering topics such as wildlife, wildflowers, forests, history, and hiking to name just a few!</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/59iKhiWdnZ/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts the episode off by discussing children’s literacy. He discusses two programs, one of which is the storybook trail of the Smokies, which allows visitors to experience a Smokies-themed book while on trails. It allows young readers to bring the book to life by experiencing the book in the mountains. The other program is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She started the program after being inspired by her childhood. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Butch Mcdade, a retired park ranger. Butch talks about the parks in which he worked throughout his over 30-year-long career. Living in Chattanooga Butch applied for his first full-time job in a park at the Chattanooga Military Park. Butch continues on, walking the audience through more of his career and more parks he has worked in both in and outside the Smokies. He always saw the Smokies as his mountains though, so they were where he ended up. The two discuss the trails in the Smokies, expounding on the wide varieties of trails in the park, with something for everyone. Butch worked in a visitor center just outside of Gatlinburg for his whole time working in the Smokies.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Butch talks about the reason why he ended up back in the Smokies. Besides having been where he grew up, he likes that there is always something new to learn and see in the Smokies. Joseph asks Butch to discuss some of his favorite trails and hikes in the mountains. After discussing his favorite trails, Butch gives his best recommendations for tourists if they only have one day in the park. The two dive further into these locations, discussing the differences between some of the spots on weekdays versus weekends. Butch discusses his involvement with the Smoky Mountains Field School. The goal of the school is to bring people into the park and teach them the history of the park, science, and more. Butch discusses hikes he has and will lead with the school.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Butch discusses some of the areas and mountains surrounding the Smokies. The pair move on to discuss preparation for the park. Joseph talks about one of his favorite places in the park, slide rock. Joseph asks Butch to talk about some of his favorite things to do in the park outside of hiking as well as some of his favorite towns. Butch enjoys biking but warns to stay off main roads as this can be dangerous. Butch has written many books and articles, many of which are about the Smokies. He discusses the content of these books, one of which is about artists in the mountains. He dives deeper into these artists and recommends some of their work. Not only are his books about the Smokies, but he contributed to one about the Appalachians.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Moving into the last section of today’s episode, Joseph asks Butch about an article he was a part of. Butch describes this article which discusses a missing child and the rangers who helped her sister find his grave. Butch discusses some of his other experiences, both hikes and other articles he has written. He is a contributing writer to many different magazines and publishers. Butch shares resources he has and places where people can find his books. Joseph ends the episode by thanking Butch for coming on today and sharing his own resources and sponsors.</p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:32.760 –&gt; 00:00:38.100 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:38.580 –&gt; 00:00:46.560 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:46.890 –&gt; 00:00:57.000 Joseph McElroy: This area’s filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:57.390 –&gt; 00:01:07.830 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also the deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years.</p><p>00:01:08.220 –&gt; 00:01:14.460 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in the mountains of smoky mountains of North Carolina.</p><p>00:01:15.180 –&gt; 00:01:24.060 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to learn about the National Park from an actual park ranger but first I will give you a little insight and some children that you see here in the mountains.</p><p>00:01:24.900 –&gt; 00:01:29.100 Joseph McElroy: So some of you might know that I have two-year-old twins I think I mentioned that last week.</p><p>00:01:29.490 –&gt; 00:01:37.770 Joseph McElroy: And, but this is my second rodeo so I also have a 28-year-old son so I’ve you know, had a little bit of experience of bringing kids in the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:01:38.550 –&gt; 00:01:48.960 Joseph McElroy: But that’s another story right now for my twins I’m looking for interesting programs to have fun and educate them as well you know a lot of things were closed last year, but things are starting to.</p><p>00:01:49.950 –&gt; 00:01:57.540 Joseph McElroy: Open up and that spirit, I have two programs to tell you about and one of them was already experienced and what I’m anticipating the experience.</p><p>00:01:58.620 –&gt; 00:02:05.760 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains National Park in partnership with the University of Tennessee extension Institute of agriculture.</p><p>00:02:06.120 –&gt; 00:02:14.310 Joseph McElroy: And, as well as the great smoky mountains association is pleased to invite visitors to experience this story book trail of the smokies.</p><p>00:02:15.150 –&gt; 00:02:25.560 Joseph McElroy: it’s an addition of an initiative dedicated to promoting literacy in nature, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the smokies theme book.</p><p>00:02:26.100 –&gt; 00:02:35.250 Joseph McElroy: To trail size activities and on the trail story pages to read along the one mile cosby nature trail near the cosmic CAFE.</p><p>00:02:36.090 –&gt; 00:02:41.880 Joseph McElroy: It began April 3 but it goes through may 30 and it also comes back in the fall.</p><p>00:02:42.870 –&gt; 00:02:58.710 Joseph McElroy: or attended caches cast as an it’s an immersive pro approach for young readers to experience the stories of the smokies in a way that brings them to life on the trail over the this eight week period for different books will be highlighted, for two weeks two week periods.</p><p>00:02:59.070 –&gt; 00:03:00.300 Joseph McElroy: Long the nature trail.</p><p>00:03:00.540 –&gt; 00:03:07.680 Joseph McElroy: Each of the books aimed at various reading levels will be accompanied by educational prompts to encourage interaction with the trail.</p><p>00:03:08.370 –&gt; 00:03:12.510 Joseph McElroy: The storybook trails free to the public and accessible, seven days a week.</p><p>00:03:13.230 –&gt; 00:03:25.470 Joseph McElroy: The Spring books lineups include seeing creek by Morgan simmons which is may 1 the 14th and the troublesome cub by Lisa Lisa horseman which is forced to man, which is may 15 through 30th.</p><p>00:03:25.860 –&gt; 00:03:32.520 Joseph McElroy: On the first Saturday of each books rotation, the author will be President at the trailhead interact with the participants.</p><p>00:03:32.940 –&gt; 00:03:47.940 Joseph McElroy: We are going to be here in North Carolina at that time and i’m going to take my kids to one of those I think, as long as my wife agrees, I think she will another great program we participate in for a couple years is Dolly parton’s imagination library.</p><p>00:03:49.230 –&gt; 00:03:57.570 Joseph McElroy: And it’s dedicated to inspire love of reading by gifting books, free of charge the children’s from bit birthday from birth to age five.</p><p>00:03:58.590 –&gt; 00:04:07.290 Joseph McElroy: Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write Donna started her imagination library in 1995 for the children within the smoky mountain region.</p><p>00:04:07.890 –&gt; 00:04:15.780 Joseph McElroy: To pay her program spans five country and gifts over 1 million free books each month of children around the world.</p><p>00:04:16.350 –&gt; 00:04:24.720 Joseph McElroy: Dolly said she was inspired by our childhood, she said when I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee I knew my dreams my dreams have come true.</p><p>00:04:25.230 –&gt; 00:04:36.300 Joseph McElroy: I know there are children in their community with their own dreams, they dream of becoming a doctor or adventure or minister who knows, maybe there’s a little girl, whose dream is to be a writer and singer.</p><p>00:04:36.960 –&gt; 00:04:45.870 Joseph McElroy: The seeds of these dreams are often thousand books and those seeds can help you plant in your community that you helped plant in your community can grow across the world.</p><p>00:04:46.320 –&gt; 00:04:50.430 Joseph McElroy: They are fine books they’re beautiful we get them and then we give them to.</p><p>00:04:50.850 –&gt; 00:05:01.260 Joseph McElroy: After our kids are looked at in and we’ve made sure, make sure they keep them in pristine shape we give them to other children who pass them around it’s a wonderful Program.</p><p>00:05:02.220 –&gt; 00:05:09.300 Joseph McElroy: So somebody knows about wonderful programs is my guest today author Arthur books mcdaid.</p><p>00:05:09.930 –&gt; 00:05:21.720 Joseph McElroy: The day he’s known as books, I think, and he’s a retired park a park ranger with the national park service is worked at many of our national parks and finished up his career working at the.</p><p>00:05:22.350 –&gt; 00:05:30.930 Joseph McElroy: Great smoky National Park where’s field school programs have been extremely popular he still connects them as a part time employee employee in retirement.</p><p>00:05:31.380 –&gt; 00:05:39.810 Joseph McElroy: He is an author and he’s an avid hiker who knows the heart and Park, like the back of his hand and he is an accomplished guy Hello butch.</p><p>00:05:40.500 –&gt; 00:05:42.180 Butch Mcdade: hello, Joseph are you doing today.</p><p>00:05:42.780 –&gt; 00:05:43.830 Joseph McElroy: i’m doing pretty good.</p><p>00:05:44.850 –&gt; 00:05:52.590 Joseph McElroy: it’s a beautiful day out there, that I have, I have a beautiful backdrop of mine is as a as an image yours is live.</p><p>00:05:54.240 –&gt; 00:05:55.290 Joseph McElroy: that’s pretty Nice.</p><p>00:05:55.740 –&gt; 00:05:58.530 Butch Mcdade: yeah the smokies way out there, the foothills I guess you’d say.</p><p>00:06:00.060 –&gt; 00:06:09.750 Joseph McElroy: To me this book is it’s a beautiful view, though, so you’re retired ranger the park service, can you tell us what’s park for you work where you work for how long.</p><p>00:06:10.350 –&gt; 00:06:18.180 Butch Mcdade: yeah yeah I started I got 30 years and they’re used to not have this Gray beard but after 30 years I got a great beer.</p><p>00:06:18.180 –&gt; 00:06:18.780 Butch Mcdade: So I guess there.</p><p>00:06:19.140 –&gt; 00:06:28.290 Butch Mcdade: are no ranger but I started Joseph down around chattanooga Tennessee have a permanent job i’m a native of nashville Tennessee over there and middle Tennessee.</p><p>00:06:29.250 –&gt; 00:06:35.340 Butch Mcdade: And my parents had taken me to the smokies a number of times and we’d also gone to mammoth cave I think Kentucky.</p><p>00:06:35.820 –&gt; 00:06:47.250 Butch Mcdade: And there was a civil war battlefields around nashville so I kind of grew up with go into these places, often with my parents on special occasions, so I got a chance, when I was living in chattanooga.</p><p>00:06:48.450 –&gt; 00:06:58.260 Butch Mcdade: To apply for a job down at a battlefield called chicken maga and chattanooga national military park it’s a civil war battlefield big place.</p><p>00:06:58.860 –&gt; 00:07:04.440 Butch Mcdade: And I spent five years there another five years up on lookout mountain, which is a part of that battlefield.</p><p>00:07:04.740 –&gt; 00:07:13.770 Butch Mcdade: and actually before that, before I got that permanent job I worked one summer out in glacier National Park in Montana, which was incredible.</p><p>00:07:14.340 –&gt; 00:07:25.140 Butch Mcdade: Here I am a Tennessee boy i’ve only seen the smoky which are great i’ve only seen black bears which are great, but you ought to Montana, you got the by God rocky mountains and you have grizzly bears.</p><p>00:07:27.000 –&gt; 00:07:37.950 Butch Mcdade: I mean certainly different and, of course, when you get out there, they look nice Rangers you know give you some safety information and they stress on now, this is grizzly country you know you gotta be careful and i’m a solo hiker.</p><p>00:07:39.090 –&gt; 00:07:50.280 Butch Mcdade: hike most of the time alone, probably shouldn’t, but I do, and so I was alone, a glacier for much of the time and but never had a problem be honest with you, and so I kind of dispel that image that.</p><p>00:07:50.760 –&gt; 00:07:59.760 Butch Mcdade: there’s a big bad grizzly bear waiting to kill every every tourist it comes to glacier yellowstone doesn’t happen very, very rarely.</p><p>00:08:02.370 –&gt; 00:08:03.270 Joseph McElroy: Very rarely.</p><p>00:08:03.570 –&gt; 00:08:03.990 Rarely.</p><p>00:08:05.010 –&gt; 00:08:16.680 Butch Mcdade: But anyway, I did started chicken maga down in chattanooga area North Georgia and chattanooga and enjoy talking about history, I think, history will be here in college so.</p><p>00:08:17.370 –&gt; 00:08:29.340 Butch Mcdade: I enjoy that but my heart was really in some of the green areas I did spend another couple of years over at shiloh battlefield, which is in West of nashville and from there.</p><p>00:08:29.940 –&gt; 00:08:46.560 Butch Mcdade: I went up to a place Joseph on the Cumberland plateau of Tennessee and Kentucky a place called the big South fork national river and recreation area, it is a national park service side, but it was a recreation area and rick.</p><p>00:08:53.370 –&gt; 00:08:54.480 Joseph McElroy: you’re coming through.</p><p>00:08:58.680 –&gt; 00:09:10.350 Butch Mcdade: yeah so this place was is part of the national park service and Rangers and other people staff it just like to do in the smokies, but it is a recreation area, which means they allow hunting and fishing.</p><p>00:09:10.590 –&gt; 00:09:15.390 Butch Mcdade: And off road vehicles which aren’t allowed in the smokies but other than that it was a lovely area undeveloped.</p><p>00:09:16.800 –&gt; 00:09:31.860 Butch Mcdade: got about 900,000 visitors a year versus not 12 million to come to the smoky so there was a lot of solitude up there, and while there, I wrote a book about that area for the University of Tennessee press if you don’t mind me showing it.</p><p>00:09:31.920 –&gt; 00:09:32.820 Joseph McElroy: Though before.</p><p>00:09:33.210 –&gt; 00:09:45.960 Butch Mcdade: The national natural arches of the big South fourth they mounted about 20 years ago on the natural features, the sandstone Archer that was fun to do on my own time and.</p><p>00:09:46.740 –&gt; 00:09:54.570 Butch Mcdade: I got University of Tennessee press to publish that and so that was that’s an area that’s dear to my heart that area up on the cover photo it’s so different than the.</p><p>00:09:55.230 –&gt; 00:10:07.710 Butch Mcdade: appalachian mountains coming plateau is a land of plateaus and and gorgeous or the smokies you have a land of valleys and mountains so they’re.</p><p>00:10:08.160 –&gt; 00:10:18.690 Butch Mcdade: Saying and then from there from the big South fork I went down to a place still in Tennessee called the old bed wild and scenic river, which is north of knoxville I don’t know.</p><p>00:10:19.800 –&gt; 00:10:31.680 Butch Mcdade: Again, near the Kentucky border generally and from there after about five or six years, I have to go to the smokies which one it was my destination park being a Tennessee and i’ve always thought the smokies where my mountains.</p><p>00:10:32.010 –&gt; 00:10:32.490 Butch Mcdade: I spent.</p><p>00:10:32.820 –&gt; 00:10:44.100 Butch Mcdade: My near my parents brought me here and I live here now, I am a Tennessee, and so this is my these are my home mountains and i’m married to a girl for lady from knoxville, and so we love it here.</p><p>00:10:44.670 –&gt; 00:10:49.140 Joseph McElroy: And that was the smokies your favorite place to work, why do you why is it decide to be in your hometown.</p><p>00:10:49.680 –&gt; 00:10:57.930 Butch Mcdade: yeah yeah so it was a great place, I always wanted it because you can get everything you got the different country attractions, you know, if you like, to the.</p><p>00:10:58.260 –&gt; 00:11:06.900 Butch Mcdade: places to go to to eat and have residences and lodging, but you can find wilderness to other people say oh you can’t find wilderness in the smoky So yes, you can.</p><p>00:11:07.110 –&gt; 00:11:14.430 Butch Mcdade: Just don’t go right to the Center of it go the edges go to the periphery lot of back country there and I like that back conquer and even if you’re not a.</p><p>00:11:15.030 –&gt; 00:11:24.480 Butch Mcdade: aggressive hiker there are a lot of little small heights you can take any hike you can only you can make it as hard as you want, you can go in and a hard hike for amount turn back, are you going on a hard.</p><p>00:11:25.080 –&gt; 00:11:38.340 Butch Mcdade: trail for 10 miles people can find their own niche in our national parks in the smokies even with all the people still has a lot of solitude in addition to all the other elements that we want in life or need in life.</p><p>00:11:38.850 –&gt; 00:11:45.000 Joseph McElroy: Right, there is a lot of back countries still in the back country capital campaign and things like that right, the smokies.</p><p>00:11:45.240 –&gt; 00:11:56.310 Butch Mcdade: Oh yeah yeah yeah that about 150 trails 900 miles you count everything, including and maintain trails lots of stuff some some of the trails are flat.</p><p>00:11:56.820 –&gt; 00:12:02.820 Butch Mcdade: Like the little river trail for a while, you can go in, as far as you want to when he starts going up he’ll turn back on your own niche.</p><p>00:12:03.240 –&gt; 00:12:09.330 Butch Mcdade: will be in shape I always tell people to be in shape hike with other people don’t go alone or let somebody know where you’re going.</p><p>00:12:09.780 –&gt; 00:12:19.530 Butch Mcdade: But if you if you follow those few safety rules which are common sense, let somebody know where you’re going to be in shape, have the right equipment you’ll love it and that’s why.</p><p>00:12:20.550 –&gt; 00:12:21.240 Butch Mcdade: it’s free.</p><p>00:12:21.480 –&gt; 00:12:21.810 Butch Mcdade: there’s no.</p><p>00:12:22.860 –&gt; 00:12:26.070 Joseph McElroy: I feel like the only national park that doesn’t charge admission right.</p><p>00:12:26.430 –&gt; 00:12:39.360 Butch Mcdade: Right yeah it’s a full scale National Park very rare no admission fee and that that’s been that’s been with the smokies ever since its inception in 1934.</p><p>00:12:39.870 –&gt; 00:12:41.940 Joseph McElroy: And how long did you work for the great smoky.</p><p>00:12:43.530 –&gt; 00:12:44.760 Butch Mcdade: Five years of my career.</p><p>00:12:45.240 –&gt; 00:12:58.080 Butch Mcdade: yeah five years yeah yeah i’m 2005 up to 2010 but I hadn’t visited here, of course, since the 1950s my parents, I have pictures of us being.</p><p>00:12:58.560 –&gt; 00:13:10.530 Butch Mcdade: up with a picture of the chimney tops behind us in about 1955 or six somebody coming up here for decades, but made it unfortunately to my last stop on a 30 year career.</p><p>00:13:11.190 –&gt; 00:13:18.810 Joseph McElroy: Now there’s multiple you know facilities in the park right did you work at all of them or did you have one that you were associated with.</p><p>00:13:19.410 –&gt; 00:13:24.570 Butch Mcdade: Now I say you pretty much at the sugar land visitor Center which is right there outside of not gatlinburg.</p><p>00:13:25.740 –&gt; 00:13:30.240 Butch Mcdade: south of gatlinburg to me we call it, you know there’s no one main visitor Center, but it certainly was.</p><p>00:13:31.170 –&gt; 00:13:45.960 Butch Mcdade: Had the biggest visitation there’s another one over it, oh con lefty and a smaller one out in kate’s co but I was at your sugars visitor Center my whole time which gets a lot of us, you know it gets a lot of us me and your gatlinburg.</p><p>00:13:46.380 –&gt; 00:13:51.750 Joseph McElroy: So we will be a great smokies National Park, made the mistake of making gatlinburg the main entrance.</p><p>00:13:51.750 –&gt; 00:13:54.270 Joseph McElroy: Right, it should have been in near Maggie Valley, I think, but.</p><p>00:13:57.180 –&gt; 00:13:59.610 Butch Mcdade: i’ll let you i’ll let you have that comment.</p><p>00:14:00.600 –&gt; 00:14:02.520 Joseph McElroy: That would be my argument to win right.</p><p>00:14:05.610 –&gt; 00:14:12.450 Joseph McElroy: Well, we come back we’ll talk about more about the national parks and what you’ve done there what you know all right.</p><p>00:14:12.780 –&gt; 00:14:14.730 Butch Mcdade: every section of the park is fabulous.</p><p>00:17:13.920 –&gt; 00:17:25.650 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest butch mcdade Hello books so.</p><p>00:17:26.820 –&gt; 00:17:36.180 Joseph McElroy: I wanted to ask you, after you spent 30 years in the park service last five of this was with the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:17:36.630 –&gt; 00:17:46.440 Joseph McElroy: So you decided to retire, and you decided to live in East Tennessee but you could have been anywhere because he’d been traveling around a lot, why did you decide to stay in East Tennessee near the smoke you.</p><p>00:17:47.610 –&gt; 00:17:55.620 Butch Mcdade: Know it’s so great it’s someplace I want to write about what I still you know I always tell people, you can learn something about the smokies.</p><p>00:17:56.070 –&gt; 00:18:01.620 Butch Mcdade: All the time you never find out everything so having an interest in the smokies way back.</p><p>00:18:02.220 –&gt; 00:18:08.670 Butch Mcdade: You think, by now, you know it all are kind of have a grasp, but every time you find something to like they find new species.</p><p>00:18:09.510 –&gt; 00:18:18.840 Butch Mcdade: You find new historical facts but it’s home, I have a tendency and by birth, then, as I said earlier, i’ve always thought the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:18:19.410 –&gt; 00:18:33.210 Butch Mcdade: or my balance my mountains, I love the Rockies gotcha nothing more spectacular than the Rockies or the Sierra Nevada it’s out West but these are home mounts I think everybody has to have a home range, and this is my home range.</p><p>00:18:33.810 –&gt; 00:18:36.930 Joseph McElroy: There you go that’s my home range too, so we got something in common.</p><p>00:18:39.270 –&gt; 00:18:50.580 Joseph McElroy: So um you know we I had a section on hiking, but I want to know from manage lived there, what are some of your favorite trails and places in the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:18:51.420 –&gt; 00:19:02.430 Butch Mcdade: Now hello, the appalachian trail I, like any of the high country mount look on chimneys clemens Dome anything along the high country I love.</p><p>00:19:02.820 –&gt; 00:19:11.220 Butch Mcdade: I love all the park, so you have to start out sometimes the low country to get up there, but boy once you get to 5000 foot level and above.</p><p>00:19:11.790 –&gt; 00:19:31.200 Butch Mcdade: Joe says it’s so different person record a lot cooler up there’s hardly gets over about 8 million in December, when was 95 down here and edge of the smokers, you might be, you know upper 70s, or low 80s, I was in high cost of smoking so i’m really prone to love the high country.</p><p>00:19:32.220 –&gt; 00:19:42.420 Butch Mcdade: Fortunately, the smokies you know there’s a couple sheet routes or you can grow right up the newfound gap and be at 5000 feet you don’t have to slug up at a valley and you can grab up to clean was.</p><p>00:19:43.440 –&gt; 00:19:44.700 Butch Mcdade: She kind of parsing start on.</p><p>00:19:45.720 –&gt; 00:19:48.660 Butch Mcdade: A weekend and you’re already hi there still.</p><p>00:19:50.070 –&gt; 00:19:52.110 Butch Mcdade: People I say once you get up there is a flat.</p><p>00:19:55.350 –&gt; 00:20:04.920 Butch Mcdade: top of the mountain there’s undulations nothing yeah nothing there’s no real plants that stretch to go run very far in the smokies unless its way down and then.</p><p>00:20:05.280 –&gt; 00:20:14.820 Butch Mcdade: The lower elevations so i’m prone to the appalachian trail with trail up, to say the chimney the trailer all the five trails up the mountain because.</p><p>00:20:15.870 –&gt; 00:20:21.000 Butch Mcdade: growing up to cleveland’s going out on the appalachian trail either West or.</p><p>00:20:22.320 –&gt; 00:20:34.170 Butch Mcdade: East you just can’t beat the high country plus I love kate’s go the beauty of that valley What a beautiful place and cat lucci on your side of the mountain to that beautiful Valley.</p><p>00:20:35.280 –&gt; 00:20:35.700 Butch Mcdade: catalog.</p><p>00:20:36.780 –&gt; 00:20:42.660 Joseph McElroy: If you had if you had advice for a tourist This shows you know also trying to attract tourists.</p><p>00:20:43.980 –&gt; 00:20:50.220 Joseph McElroy: And they were wanting to have, and they were in for a weekend and they had one day what would you recommend they do.</p><p>00:20:51.660 –&gt; 00:20:57.300 Butch Mcdade: Well, in the old days arrangers where I sell people you got to see a claim as Dome you gotta see canes Co.</p><p>00:20:57.840 –&gt; 00:21:08.940 Butch Mcdade: And in the old days I need y’all to go over to the cherokee Indian reservation all those are great ideas and great destinations I would tell people, those are great destinations don’t go on a weekend.</p><p>00:21:09.390 –&gt; 00:21:14.520 Butch Mcdade: don’t go on Saturday and Sunday, to be a lot of people there, try to get a Tuesday trip into.</p><p>00:21:15.000 –&gt; 00:21:26.820 Butch Mcdade: Kato try to get a Tuesday drive up to cleveland’s Dome and get early to and you’ll enjoy it, so I still like those big destination places, even though they every lots of people go there.</p><p>00:21:27.240 –&gt; 00:21:32.820 Butch Mcdade: Why not why wouldn’t we why why wouldn’t we tell a visitor go to the to get the great view at the top of.</p><p>00:21:33.930 –&gt; 00:21:39.540 Butch Mcdade: A milestone, why not tell us in on the case co you just have to plan that some days are going to be busy.</p><p>00:21:40.020 –&gt; 00:21:48.360 Butch Mcdade: The way to talk like noon is always going to be busy you get out there right when you know daybreak when they open up kate’s glow cold, except on the days when they close it for bikes.</p><p>00:21:49.980 –&gt; 00:21:59.430 Butch Mcdade: And do a week day trip you’ll find that, with a little patience and that’s one thing about all of our national parks i’ve been to the grand tetons i’ve been to yellowstone and they were.</p><p>00:22:00.690 –&gt; 00:22:02.220 Butch Mcdade: backed up cars.</p><p>00:22:02.460 –&gt; 00:22:02.880 Butch Mcdade: it’s not.</p><p>00:22:03.240 –&gt; 00:22:13.770 Butch Mcdade: too big to the smokies these basically places are our national traders sure people are going to come there just try to play in it on a day when they be less people and get an early start.</p><p>00:22:14.250 –&gt; 00:22:18.210 Joseph McElroy: Is there any is there anything on a Saturday that you think would be.</p><p>00:22:20.220 –&gt; 00:22:23.700 Joseph McElroy: Less traveled it’d be worthwhile with you and say go see this.</p><p>00:22:24.300 –&gt; 00:22:34.200 Butch Mcdade: yeah there’s still some place i’d go to cause beyond the Tennessee side cosby facility or cosby there’s some trails are like the hidden waterfalls and and other trails.</p><p>00:22:34.740 –&gt; 00:22:46.560 Butch Mcdade: And i’d go over to big creek on your side, I take a trip into cattle Luciano on maybe on a Saturday that road that grandma rogen there doesn’t get as crowded, but even then get an early start.</p><p>00:22:47.730 –&gt; 00:22:55.020 Butch Mcdade: i’d go into places like if you make it go all the way over to 20 mile My point is go to the periphery of the park.</p><p>00:22:55.440 –&gt; 00:23:05.400 Butch Mcdade: Right ages and do a little map study it’s your facts, you know learn your routes and go with a group of people, but i’d never shy away from saying don’t come there on a Saturday.</p><p>00:23:05.880 –&gt; 00:23:14.760 Butch Mcdade: I wouldn’t do to some of the more popular spots on a Saturday, because there’d be lots more people and the quality of visit might suffer.</p><p>00:23:15.420 –&gt; 00:23:29.490 Butch Mcdade: But, are you can do if that’s all you can do a Saturday to go to where you want to go just be patient always come to the smokies and all our national parks with patients on your side and you’ll enjoy it so.</p><p>00:23:29.550 –&gt; 00:23:30.060 You.</p><p>00:23:31.110 –&gt; 00:23:37.080 Joseph McElroy: You have been involved with a smoky mountain field school field, sport, so you can you tell us about that.</p><p>00:23:37.680 –&gt; 00:23:50.310 Butch Mcdade: yeah yeah sure yeah probably had about a 12 year relationship with the University of tennessee’s smoky mountain fields go they started that school back in 1975 so that’s been around a while.</p><p>00:23:51.030 –&gt; 00:24:00.270 Butch Mcdade: and its goal is to bring people into the smokies with knowledgeable guides who would discuss the history of the of the smokies and the southern appalachian.</p><p>00:24:01.620 –&gt; 00:24:13.950 Butch Mcdade: They will discuss the natural history in the human history they’ll discover some places of historic value and scenic views talk about science in the park, it is very.</p><p>00:24:14.850 –&gt; 00:24:25.950 Butch Mcdade: It is a classroom and assets, a field school and they’ve been true to that ever since they started I got involved by be invited my wife and I, like the Wilson, we were invited.</p><p>00:24:26.460 –&gt; 00:24:41.670 Butch Mcdade: Oh, eight years ago 10 almost to read for five years we led a smoky mountain field school October hike up to the lodge a top look mount like on the can’t live.</p><p>00:24:42.270 –&gt; 00:24:52.830 Butch Mcdade: And it was great we usually had about 20 people who had signed up through the smoky mountain field schools web page, which is again, you can Google it by just doing.</p><p>00:24:53.580 –&gt; 00:25:10.620 Butch Mcdade: smoky mountain field school and they do have a agenda that we’re classes that are available, and you can online register, so I was doing one with my wife for five years or so, going up to malecon in October, which is fantastic we’ve got snowed snowed in a couple times.</p><p>00:25:12.390 –&gt; 00:25:15.930 Butch Mcdade: October, and then I also do a an annual.</p><p>00:25:17.010 –&gt; 00:25:23.520 Butch Mcdade: Alkmaar tour the historic elk my district for the smoking minefield school i’ve been doing that for over a decade.</p><p>00:25:24.180 –&gt; 00:25:28.230 Butch Mcdade: Now, which is always exciting because I love that history i’m a historian history.</p><p>00:25:29.220 –&gt; 00:25:35.790 Butch Mcdade: Major and a historian, is my ilk and also, I do i’m going to have another one coming up this year in September.</p><p>00:25:36.450 –&gt; 00:25:55.200 Butch Mcdade: For the smoky mountain field school, which is a hike out to the Walker sisters home site in little greenbrier section of the park and that’s all i’ve been doing that for about a decade also so basically out my hike every every year, five years leading the overnight hike up to.</p><p>00:25:56.220 –&gt; 00:25:59.580 Butch Mcdade: mount work on to the account lodge with my wife and then doing.</p><p>00:26:00.660 –&gt; 00:26:07.620 Butch Mcdade: The Walker sister several times, including this coming Sep tember and everybody can join in, by going to.</p><p>00:26:08.760 –&gt; 00:26:18.870 Butch Mcdade: I think it’s like www smoke SF s.org just do a search and you can register online and see the schedule see what’s coming up.</p><p>00:26:19.290 –&gt; 00:26:21.420 Joseph McElroy: What are the kinds of topics, what kind of topics.</p><p>00:26:21.900 –&gt; 00:26:26.850 Butch Mcdade: which I have things on bear bear management bears deer management.</p><p>00:26:28.350 –&gt; 00:26:33.870 Butch Mcdade: The geography, the geology of the part of the biodiversity.</p><p>00:26:34.950 –&gt; 00:26:51.900 Butch Mcdade: There must be probably Joseph in there before coven last year we really the smoking map fields go ahead and stop most of their outings until I think probably the latter part of the year, but there’s probably i’m going to guess 60 different topics, ranging from salamanders to.</p><p>00:26:53.670 –&gt; 00:27:11.550 Butch Mcdade: Biology botany cultural history architectural history and even hiking this recreational opportunities, how to hike safely, the whole range of activities in the smokies a whole range of topics are covered by that Program.</p><p>00:27:11.850 –&gt; 00:27:13.080 Joseph McElroy: what’s your favorite topic.</p><p>00:27:13.950 –&gt; 00:27:22.170 Butch Mcdade: Well imma imma imma i’m i’m pretty much a mountain icon guys I said earlier, I gave up that high to a younger person my buddy of mine.</p><p>00:27:22.680 –&gt; 00:27:28.200 Butch Mcdade: But if I could do it over again if I was younger I would continue to do that math work on overnight here, which I think they.</p><p>00:27:28.530 –&gt; 00:27:35.610 Butch Mcdade: During Kobe they may have canceled that temporarily so again, I would caution people to check with their website, but also like elfman.</p><p>00:27:36.240 –&gt; 00:27:46.080 Butch Mcdade: And i’ve also done one other favorite topic of mine, Joseph he is a hike in a talk about homeless kept part.</p><p>00:27:47.040 –&gt; 00:27:53.070 Butch Mcdade: One of the great writers, of the smokies who wrote a number of good books and I might just show one I have it here how.</p><p>00:27:53.490 –&gt; 00:28:00.060 Butch Mcdade: Our southern Highlands if anybody wants to read a great book on the smokies written in 1913 and still in print the day.</p><p>00:28:00.360 –&gt; 00:28:14.070 Butch Mcdade: Read hordes kept ours, our southern highlanders read his camping and woodcraft which came out in 1906 and still in print i’ve had the occasion of taking numbers of people in on hikes in deep creek and other places where kephart had.</p><p>00:28:15.390 –&gt; 00:28:20.070 Butch Mcdade: Somebody who’s activities as he lived in and around this area proud of the National Park i’ve even had the.</p><p>00:28:20.310 –&gt; 00:28:35.850 Butch Mcdade: Great honor of going into some of those places which are today inside the park with his great grand daughter named libby kephart hargrave got to explore, a number of places with her and she is one of the great biographers and documentarians of her.</p><p>00:28:36.660 –&gt; 00:28:45.420 Butch Mcdade: ancestor and it’s kept that horse kept our tradition alive and there are quite a few people out there who really admire Horace kept.</p><p>00:28:45.930 –&gt; 00:28:55.260 Butch Mcdade: In his life and his work for the smoky so he did a lot to help protect this part, even though he was an outsider he was not from here so it’s a fascinating topic that’s one of my favorites too.</p><p>00:28:55.350 –&gt; 00:28:57.060 Joseph McElroy: he’s he’s like considered like the.</p><p>00:28:57.090 –&gt; 00:29:01.590 Joseph McElroy: grandfather or something of the smoky mountain Parker is some sort of thing like that he’s like the.</p><p>00:29:02.220 –&gt; 00:29:02.640 Joseph McElroy: Is one.</p><p>00:29:03.000 –&gt; 00:29:08.820 Butch Mcdade: yeah i’d say he’s one of the beacons one of those grand figures in the early days prior to the park actually he died in 1931.</p><p>00:29:09.060 –&gt; 00:29:14.580 Butch Mcdade: So he the park was established in 34 but he knew that was kind of my day was authorized he saw it was coming.</p><p>00:29:14.970 –&gt; 00:29:26.700 Butch Mcdade: And he spent his whole life here, he he lived in the smokies in places like hazel Cree in bryce and city and in the deep creek area, the north Carolina side, particularly was he has a the week.</p><p>00:29:27.210 –&gt; 00:29:35.790 Butch Mcdade: And he gave us these early books that talked about the pre National Park people that’s the value and addition to that he was a fascinating outdoorsman.</p><p>00:29:36.120 –&gt; 00:29:45.480 Butch Mcdade: He was a master of equipment and how to handle it and how to use it that’s his book here can’t begin with craft which, even though it’s printed in 1906.</p><p>00:29:46.110 –&gt; 00:29:54.750 Butch Mcdade: And some of it is outdated as far as the modernity, of the new equipment, this is a Bible for the outdoors people ought to read it, they sell these books.</p><p>00:29:55.530 –&gt; 00:30:03.960 Butch Mcdade: caving in woodcraft our southern highlanders and even a new biography on Horace kat bar and even libby kept arts documentary on.</p><p>00:30:04.530 –&gt; 00:30:07.650 Butch Mcdade: Our ancestor they sell those items in our visitor centers.</p><p>00:30:08.040 –&gt; 00:30:21.720 Butch Mcdade: In the park so go by the visitor Center so people, what do you have on horse gephardt you’ll find there’s some great stuff and it’s well worth reading and watching in any purchases you make help the national park, to the great smoky mountains association like you had.</p><p>00:30:22.650 –&gt; 00:30:26.700 Butch Mcdade: Francis fighter on last week, you did a great job of explaining fine agency.</p><p>00:30:27.270 –&gt; 00:30:34.860 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back i’m going to talk we’re going to talk more about your literary literary ventures, as well as your knowledge of just the area in general.</p><p>00:33:25.410 –&gt; 00:33:32.640 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest.</p><p>00:33:33.300 –&gt; 00:33:38.310 Joseph McElroy: which make baby, who is a retired park ranger and expert on the smoking out narrative.</p><p>00:33:38.820 –&gt; 00:33:51.660 Joseph McElroy: So butch you know we’ve talked that we talked about the great smoky mountains, but you know I like a lot of other places, you know, in the mountains like I like the pisco national forest and I like to go over the nano hail and do some wrapped and.</p><p>00:33:52.050 –&gt; 00:33:53.910 Joseph McElroy: What are some of the other places, do you like in the.</p><p>00:33:53.910 –&gt; 00:33:56.820 Joseph McElroy: Smoke here in terms of natural wonders.</p><p>00:33:57.420 –&gt; 00:34:00.600 Butch Mcdade: Well, you just hit upon to there are some great places, you know the smokies has.</p><p>00:34:01.590 –&gt; 00:34:05.940 Butch Mcdade: 500,000 acres over that and then we’ve got the pisco national forest nearby.</p><p>00:34:06.360 –&gt; 00:34:14.190 Butch Mcdade: we’ve got the NASA HALO national forest nearby and we got the cherokee nation, of course, all adjacent to the smoky so like you’re just alluding to.</p><p>00:34:14.490 –&gt; 00:34:21.300 Butch Mcdade: My goodness that’s that’s a couple of million acres of public land, so, in addition to the smoky.</p><p>00:34:21.570 –&gt; 00:34:30.720 Butch Mcdade: You can go to places like your own mountain up here in East Tennessee above Johnson city to these to Johnson city and you’re on the west of boone and fabulous area.</p><p>00:34:31.080 –&gt; 00:34:40.020 Butch Mcdade: You can go paddling in different places like South of US there’s the old Cooley river down and polk county Tennessee I was just a couple of seasons as a guy they’re.</p><p>00:34:40.290 –&gt; 00:34:46.290 Butch Mcdade: lovely stuff you got the digital river here got the ninja HALO river, we got the how Rossi river down below we got.</p><p>00:34:46.650 –&gt; 00:34:54.000 Butch Mcdade: The various other refunds north of us like a not like chucky in the old bed wild and scenic rivers, a big South horse with this is.</p><p>00:34:54.540 –&gt; 00:35:05.610 Butch Mcdade: Like you’re alluding to Joseph we’re in a Mecca of outdoor activities here with several million acres, and I mean million acres of public lands available to the public.</p><p>00:35:06.360 –&gt; 00:35:14.760 Butch Mcdade: For mountain biking for fishing for hunting for hiking so my favorites again, as you just said, are some of the high country like it over there round grandfather mountain.</p><p>00:35:15.420 –&gt; 00:35:22.890 Butch Mcdade: Like it over there by mount Mitchell state parks, well, I get off the blue Ridge parkway in places like shining rocks wilderness.</p><p>00:35:23.280 –&gt; 00:35:38.550 Butch Mcdade: Like it down south of us at a place called the big fall big frog name wilderness area city code wilderness area south of the smokies it’s it’s it’s a lifetime of activity, I mean if you want to get into the outdoors.</p><p>00:35:40.650 –&gt; 00:35:48.690 Butch Mcdade: You can find it here your guide books read those books go with getting get in touch with people in hiking club, they can get you started.</p><p>00:35:50.190 –&gt; 00:35:54.630 Butch Mcdade: He might hiking club out in knoxville the asheville hiking club.</p><p>00:35:56.130 –&gt; 00:35:57.720 Butch Mcdade: The high country around here lovely.</p><p>00:35:58.260 –&gt; 00:36:02.820 Butch Mcdade: yeah so much of it is free the national forest lands usually are free.</p><p>00:36:03.840 –&gt; 00:36:09.750 Butch Mcdade: In a park in the smokies is free, except for overnight backpack and all you have news and invest in some good equipment.</p><p>00:36:11.880 –&gt; 00:36:15.810 Butch Mcdade: or it’s kept would tell us go to the mountains, but also have some good equipment.</p><p>00:36:15.960 –&gt; 00:36:17.970 Joseph McElroy: And know has a good a good shoes.</p><p>00:36:20.040 –&gt; 00:36:21.330 Joseph McElroy: Plenty of water yeah.</p><p>00:36:22.140 –&gt; 00:36:26.280 Butch Mcdade: Actual waters extra food and some rain here.</p><p>00:36:26.790 –&gt; 00:36:31.530 Joseph McElroy: yeah oh yeah that’s a that’s a that’s a feat, you know why it’s called the smokies because.</p><p>00:36:31.650 –&gt; 00:36:33.600 Joseph McElroy: ability and why we don’t.</p><p>00:36:33.630 –&gt; 00:36:44.490 Joseph McElroy: Rain all day, every day, many days I mean it’s very seldom that we get a day, where you run rain all day long but to us, it will get during the summer special you usually get an hour break.</p><p>00:36:46.050 –&gt; 00:36:55.950 Butch Mcdade: 8580 inches of rain up on the high country like a clean mother don’t know the valley and I get cherokee you might get 45 inches so it does get more.</p><p>00:36:56.490 –&gt; 00:37:04.650 Butch Mcdade: snow in precipitation and rain up there, but just be prepared for my little boy scout girl scout slogan be prepared that’s that’s good stuff.</p><p>00:37:05.160 –&gt; 00:37:12.960 Joseph McElroy: And I know one of my favorite places to take kids to speaking of scouts I remember this is is to go up to slide rock right.</p><p>00:37:14.070 –&gt; 00:37:18.060 Joseph McElroy: It is like what is it like 100 feet of a waterfall it’s not like a.</p><p>00:37:18.120 –&gt; 00:37:31.110 Joseph McElroy: Direct drop it’s like 100 feet slanted drop and it’s been worn so slits so smooth, as you can just get on it in the water i’ll just take you on a slide into a deep pool and the kids just love it.</p><p>00:37:31.530 –&gt; 00:37:38.280 Butch Mcdade: I think we have not gone over there, but I understand it’s very crowded on weekends, but it looks like a heck of a lot.</p><p>00:37:39.030 –&gt; 00:37:44.070 Joseph McElroy: Well, you go up that I think it’s 276 from waynesville all the way to hendersonville.</p><p>00:37:44.310 –&gt; 00:37:58.800 Joseph McElroy: And it goes up this little winding road through for us it’s very backwoods and then you go I think there’s a couple places along the way, but slide rock is one so there’s like all these hidden gems little waterfalls things like that, but to.</p><p>00:38:00.180 –&gt; 00:38:15.840 Butch Mcdade: be safe around those places, you know you can get hurt sliding off rocks and stuff and most waterfall areas are pretty prone to getting hurt, but I know I know the forest service, I think, allows that that use there so as long as you’re in harmony with all the the land agency management.</p><p>00:38:16.710 –&gt; 00:38:18.030 Butch Mcdade: and be careful enjoy.</p><p>00:38:18.450 –&gt; 00:38:22.290 Joseph McElroy: I think slide rock is designated as being something that people can do, and they.</p><p>00:38:22.740 –&gt; 00:38:23.790 Joseph McElroy: made it pretty safe.</p><p>00:38:24.060 –&gt; 00:38:24.270 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:38:24.750 –&gt; 00:38:32.370 Joseph McElroy: Well, besides that the wilderness word of your fleet, what are your favorite towns to go visit, what are your favorite things not in the wilderness to go doing the smoke here.</p><p>00:38:33.000 –&gt; 00:38:38.700 Butch Mcdade: So we like Townsend over here my wife and I we go over there, like a bicycle ride on that about 11 mile.</p><p>00:38:39.210 –&gt; 00:38:47.880 Butch Mcdade: Road I should say pay path I don’t get much on the main road leads with like such a dangerous, but it is lovely over towns in area.</p><p>00:38:48.390 –&gt; 00:38:56.610 Butch Mcdade: I like the area around a real you guys are in a show having a great town, we like boone North Carolina.</p><p>00:38:57.000 –&gt; 00:39:04.080 Butch Mcdade: I like up there at hot springs North Carolina off the appalachian trail that’s a nice little town we’re like the Nana hey la area.</p><p>00:39:04.380 –&gt; 00:39:22.860 Butch Mcdade: I do a lot of used to do a heck of a lot of bodie she’ll do some canoe trips and do some rafi creates a beat the Nana HALO in the net then he’ll national course a bunch of outfitters there you can get a trip on so anywhere that’s not too crowded but scenic and that you can come on.</p><p>00:39:24.540 –&gt; 00:39:31.980 Butch Mcdade: Every day of the week, not just on weekends, again I try to stay away from weekends for much of a our destination, because of the crowd.</p><p>00:39:32.430 –&gt; 00:39:41.430 Butch Mcdade: But boy Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday where everybody arrived, so we can you can have in you can enjoy the heck out of these guys just be safe in anything in the background.</p><p>00:39:42.000 –&gt; 00:39:56.400 Butch Mcdade: Let people know where you are you careful watch her dangers and take that extra food an extra clothing, if you go into the wilderness and just be safe area or say get learn how to use it and be prudent.</p><p>00:39:58.830 –&gt; 00:40:08.460 Joseph McElroy: So you are a good writer you’ve already mentioned the book right you mentioned one book but you’ve written quite a number of books and articles what God.</p><p>00:40:08.550 –&gt; 00:40:09.930 Joseph McElroy: tell us a little bit about those.</p><p>00:40:10.770 –&gt; 00:40:17.490 Butch Mcdade: yeah Thank you Joe I did this first book oh way back in the 90s it’s called old smokey mountain days.</p><p>00:40:18.150 –&gt; 00:40:27.090 Butch Mcdade: And it’s an anthology little survey varieties of a guy just mentioned a moment ago, or skatepark who wrote those find early books about outdoor life and the smokies.</p><p>00:40:27.810 –&gt; 00:40:36.810 Butch Mcdade: profile him and his fascinating not only the smokies but in the wilderness of other places, and also profile in this little book.</p><p>00:40:37.320 –&gt; 00:40:54.030 Butch Mcdade: The great work of a man named Joseph sergeant all i’ve read some articles about him here’s an article over the picture of go heart, he was he came here in the 1930s and a temporary employee during the Great Depression and he started to.</p><p>00:40:55.470 –&gt; 00:41:03.060 Butch Mcdade: interview the mountain people, some of the people that were still in this in the smokies before they were moved out and some that had just been moved out.</p><p>00:41:03.570 –&gt; 00:41:11.250 Butch Mcdade: and his goal was to interview these mountains smoky mountain peak on both the north Carolina and the north and the tenancy side.</p><p>00:41:12.090 –&gt; 00:41:17.280 Butch Mcdade: and get their stories and let them talk and hear their voices he actually recorded these people.</p><p>00:41:17.730 –&gt; 00:41:22.950 Butch Mcdade: On portable tape recorders that he took into the back into the into the back roads of the smokies.</p><p>00:41:23.370 –&gt; 00:41:30.390 Butch Mcdade: And we have those recordings still today here in the park in the archives and the REP at the smithsonian institution and in the library Congress.</p><p>00:41:30.780 –&gt; 00:41:40.620 Butch Mcdade: So we have real smoking amount people on tape from the 1940s, particularly done by this man named Joseph saw your House I profiled him because he is really.</p><p>00:41:40.980 –&gt; 00:41:48.870 Butch Mcdade: A pioneer linguist and folklorist of the smokies and he was doing this work way back in the 30s and he kept coming back here, even though he lived.</p><p>00:41:49.320 –&gt; 00:41:56.100 Butch Mcdade: Much of his life in California as a college Professor who kept coming back you’re fascinated by the mountain people in their language.</p><p>00:41:56.670 –&gt; 00:42:02.880 Butch Mcdade: And then I profound and, lastly, but not least in this book a man from knoxville Tennessee I lawyer.</p><p>00:42:03.750 –&gt; 00:42:10.920 Butch Mcdade: University of Tennessee graduate became a lawyer, but who became a great leader in wilderness conservation I got him Harvey burnham.</p><p>00:42:11.370 –&gt; 00:42:18.840 Butch Mcdade: Our brains, not that well known, sadly, I think he merits more consideration from our our readership and our readership.</p><p>00:42:19.230 –&gt; 00:42:28.320 Butch Mcdade: But he was a fascinating fellow who helped found the wilderness society, which is a major national conservation outfit he helped found the.</p><p>00:42:29.010 –&gt; 00:42:38.760 Butch Mcdade: smoky mountain hiking club, he was an inveterate hiker along with his wife and and they love the smokies and he wrote some fabulous books that were published after his his dad.</p><p>00:42:39.090 –&gt; 00:42:49.590 Butch Mcdade: mainly from his notes and from his journal, which I recommend to everybody, in addition to reading the books of course gephardt I recommend a book called out under the sky of the great smokies.</p><p>00:42:50.070 –&gt; 00:43:00.330 Butch Mcdade: Which is a mountain journal published after the authors death and the author was none other than Harvey brew be our own.</p><p>00:43:00.840 –&gt; 00:43:09.660 Butch Mcdade: Oh me and it’s a fascinating personal perspective on the smoky so check yeah people should check the literature, the smokies out there’s a lot of books out there.</p><p>00:43:10.410 –&gt; 00:43:23.130 Butch Mcdade: plethora of them, but you can’t go wrong by reading horoscope arts works Harvey brooms works and Laura thornburg and many others, though 30 books, give us a flavor for what smokies were like.</p><p>00:43:24.810 –&gt; 00:43:29.730 Butch Mcdade: say in the 40s and 50s and how we interpreted them at that time.</p><p>00:43:30.360 –&gt; 00:43:33.900 Joseph McElroy: Now, you also have contributed to a book about the appalachians right.</p><p>00:43:34.860 –&gt; 00:43:37.470 Butch Mcdade: Yes, Sir, I did I I hadn’t have it right here.</p><p>00:43:37.770 –&gt; 00:43:38.340 Joseph McElroy: alright.</p><p>00:43:38.730 –&gt; 00:43:46.560 Butch Mcdade: The encyclopedia of appalachia big thick tone put out by the University of Tennessee so I didn’t write all of this, Joe I just run the part of it.</p><p>00:43:48.540 –&gt; 00:43:57.870 Butch Mcdade: But there were a number of collaborators or contributing writers, I was invited to participate, that on this APP in the early 2000s and I wrote several.</p><p>00:43:58.290 –&gt; 00:44:07.170 Butch Mcdade: A handful of entries on this tome and it is a tone which is a real comprehensive guide to the history of the southern appalachian.</p><p>00:44:07.620 –&gt; 00:44:20.790 Butch Mcdade: And the literature, the smell of the southern appalachian region and the recreational activities my contributions were mainly on the recreational themes of mountain biking hunting and fishing and whitewater so.</p><p>00:44:21.240 –&gt; 00:44:26.070 Butch Mcdade: that’s Those are my interest I, my main interest is conservation history i’m fascinated by what.</p><p>00:44:26.550 –&gt; 00:44:37.320 Butch Mcdade: happened here in the smokies how we got a National Park, mainly because North Carolina people and mainly because Tennessee people wanted apart, not some federal bureaucrats.</p><p>00:44:37.650 –&gt; 00:44:43.350 Butch Mcdade: In Washington local people wanted this part local people put up much of the money.</p><p>00:44:44.070 –&gt; 00:44:48.510 Butch Mcdade: Local people states bought the land North Carolina Tennessee bought a lot of the land.</p><p>00:44:48.810 –&gt; 00:44:57.480 Butch Mcdade: And the feds came in and managed it so it’s a great conservation victory, I also always say to this, even though we got a National Park, which is the most visit in the nation Joseph.</p><p>00:44:58.140 –&gt; 00:45:05.490 Butch Mcdade: We all, also have to always take our head off and i’m doing it right now to the mountaineers of North Carolina and Tennessee you had to leave.</p><p>00:45:06.120 –&gt; 00:45:17.610 Butch Mcdade: When the park was established, we owe those people a lot they had to give up their phone, I think you would agree as a local person North carolinians gave up a lot kind of seems gave up a lot to move up.</p><p>00:45:18.240 –&gt; 00:45:20.700 Joseph McElroy: And don’t forget the cherokee had to give up as well.</p><p>00:45:20.760 –&gt; 00:45:27.810 Joseph McElroy: You know they and then they had to they had to lead lands and things like that, and they also had to contribute to it as well.</p><p>00:45:28.290 –&gt; 00:45:29.670 Butch Mcdade: In my head.</p><p>00:45:30.600 –&gt; 00:45:33.930 Joseph McElroy: So when we come back we’ll talk about the future.</p><p>00:45:34.170 –&gt; 00:45:36.300 Joseph McElroy: And what’s coming up for you in the park.</p><p>00:47:54.960 –&gt; 00:48:02.580 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest glitch mcdaid of.</p><p>00:48:03.180 –&gt; 00:48:12.540 Joseph McElroy: Part of the entire park ranger with the great smoky mountains national park and also author of many great books and articles so.</p><p>00:48:13.020 –&gt; 00:48:19.350 Joseph McElroy: Books before we get into the future, I was quickly that was doing some research on you and came across an article that couldn’t read it really.</p><p>00:48:19.920 –&gt; 00:48:29.610 Joseph McElroy: It was interesting to me it looked like you were done something cleaning the marker marker of the wandering boy, and I was wondering what that was.</p><p>00:48:30.570 –&gt; 00:48:43.800 Butch Mcdade: yeah yeah that was an interesting i’ve been fascinated by that young man named ED mckinley it’s one of those sad stories of the smokies of a young boy band is basically died trying to go over the mountains.</p><p>00:48:44.910 –&gt; 00:48:52.830 Butch Mcdade: And in the early 1900s and he got caught in a snowstorm and died and nobody could identify this kid.</p><p>00:48:53.640 –&gt; 00:49:02.040 Butch Mcdade: Until about 1975 when his sister younger sister made an inquiry to the park ranger buddy of mine and mine I knew for a guy.</p><p>00:49:02.550 –&gt; 00:49:14.460 Butch Mcdade: named Glenn cardwell at trivalent visitor Center 1975 this young lady comes in, or this one young man she’s middle 80s and she asked the Rangers there did they have any records of her or other.</p><p>00:49:15.180 –&gt; 00:49:22.740 Butch Mcdade: And the Rangers at that time said well when did it occur, and I said what’s in the early 90s about 1912 to 15 that’s what you told them.</p><p>00:49:23.310 –&gt; 00:49:36.000 Butch Mcdade: And they said, well, we don’t have those records here, because the park and come into being, until 1934 so that young lady was about ready to leave or that lady, but one of the Rangers said hold on a minute, let me check her one of the long.</p><p>00:49:37.440 –&gt; 00:49:49.830 Butch Mcdade: Standing Rangers here, who was a man a gland cardwell and Glenn was from this year Glenn has worked his whole career 34 years in the trigger and visitor Center and make a long story short.</p><p>00:49:50.910 –&gt; 00:49:51.330 Butch Mcdade: This woman.</p><p>00:49:52.530 –&gt; 00:50:02.640 Butch Mcdade: articulate what happened to her brother, for what she knew and that led Lynn cardwell this ranger to call around some of the people, he knew.</p><p>00:50:03.300 –&gt; 00:50:08.160 Butch Mcdade: Particularly a lady named Lou Center oval and Gavin and you make a long story short.</p><p>00:50:08.610 –&gt; 00:50:28.290 Butch Mcdade: by getting together with her sisters and getting together with these people in gatlinburg who were from that Community of the sugar land they finally resolved that this young man who had been buried in unmarked grave for 660 years was indeed the brother, the one that came in.</p><p>00:50:29.100 –&gt; 00:50:42.000 Joseph McElroy: was a great coach that’s a great story i’d also I I think you I don’t want it, we can’t get into we don’t have time, but I think that ranger you actually wrote about and he’s the man that never got mad right, I thought that was a beautiful Testaments.</p><p>00:50:42.690 –&gt; 00:50:47.340 Joseph McElroy: Fine, so people can look online to find out more about that yeah.</p><p>00:50:48.690 –&gt; 00:50:52.140 Joseph McElroy: So do you have any upcoming literary projects you’d like to tell us about.</p><p>00:50:52.980 –&gt; 00:50:59.970 Butch Mcdade: Well yeah Thank you, I do have a great a help contribute to a great smoky mountain association.</p><p>00:51:00.930 –&gt; 00:51:13.920 Butch Mcdade: blog that Francis fired puts out called smokies live like I got one that she had are good people put out today article short article I wrote about john viewer and his conservation legacy people can find that.</p><p>00:51:14.340 –&gt; 00:51:20.790 Butch Mcdade: On the great smoky mountains association web page under the heading of smokies live, which is a online.</p><p>00:51:21.390 –&gt; 00:51:28.050 Butch Mcdade: magazine for articles, so I work with Francis on on a monthly blog a monthly posts.</p><p>00:51:28.380 –&gt; 00:51:33.030 Butch Mcdade: Also, by the way, if I mention one other thing about the great smoky mountain association, in addition to working with.</p><p>00:51:33.330 –&gt; 00:51:41.100 Butch Mcdade: The smoky mountain field school i’ve done a number of hikes over the years, with great smoky mountain association taking their members in two.</p><p>00:51:41.370 –&gt; 00:51:51.690 Butch Mcdade: backs and precise and on historical to her, so I want to mention that about having worked with a number of people in great smoky mountain association on getting their members out then always those alignment fun to.</p><p>00:51:51.750 –&gt; 00:52:01.050 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s one of the benefits of membership, I don’t think we even talked about that so, but the benefit of membership is to get those tours and high so it’s a very experienced guys like yourself so.</p><p>00:52:01.050 –&gt; 00:52:02.160 Joseph McElroy: I think that’s fabulous.</p><p>00:52:02.730 –&gt; 00:52:04.230 Butch Mcdade: Now, also I also work.</p><p>00:52:04.470 –&gt; 00:52:12.270 Butch Mcdade: do a number of articles for my i’m a contributing writer to a magazine in your backyard over there and wayne’s nail called smoky mountain liddy.</p><p>00:52:13.680 –&gt; 00:52:23.010 Butch Mcdade: yeah Jonathan Austin and his good folks they put out a great magazine every every two months, and it is time it’s got features on the cultural heritage.</p><p>00:52:23.820 –&gt; 00:52:32.130 Butch Mcdade: shopping places to go to my my contributions have been mostly in the historical Ram on the history of this area i’m going to be doing one.</p><p>00:52:32.550 –&gt; 00:52:37.950 Butch Mcdade: just got a project from them about the Frederick law olmsted in his work on the biltmore.</p><p>00:52:38.520 –&gt; 00:52:52.530 Butch Mcdade: estate in asheville that’s going to be a fine project so i’ll work with that magazine quite a bit and also a contributing writer pretty regularly to a magazine called the tenancy concert vacation is out of nashville so I stayed relatively busy so i’m working.</p><p>00:52:52.530 –&gt; 00:52:53.730 Joseph McElroy: On yeah.</p><p>00:52:54.120 –&gt; 00:52:58.050 Joseph McElroy: yeah if people want to get Ahold of your books, they go to Amazon right.</p><p>00:52:58.410 –&gt; 00:53:04.710 Butch Mcdade: yeah most of my Amazon that’s the best way you can go to university of Tennessee CREST or Amazon or eight books and get that.</p><p>00:53:05.400 –&gt; 00:53:08.190 Joseph McElroy: National and then they’re under your formal name, which is.</p><p>00:53:08.400 –&gt; 00:53:12.000 Joseph McElroy: which took me a second figure out it’s not much mcdade it’s off the author.</p><p>00:53:12.030 –&gt; 00:53:12.960 Joseph McElroy: Arthur mcdade.</p><p>00:53:14.160 –&gt; 00:53:14.700 Butch Mcdade: i’m an artist.</p><p>00:53:17.430 –&gt; 00:53:19.890 Butch Mcdade: But it is Arthur mcdade ar Th you are.</p><p>00:53:20.400 –&gt; 00:53:24.090 Joseph McElroy: Now, do you have a website or a white people can reach out and say hey.</p><p>00:53:24.750 –&gt; 00:53:43.770 Butch Mcdade: I do not have a website per se, I do a post a or I have a page called smokies guide smokies guide, which people can comment on, I even posted this podcast today, so if anybody has any concerns or questions, please post on a comment and and i’ll be glad to get up with them.</p><p>00:53:44.040 –&gt; 00:53:46.680 Joseph McElroy: that’s hokies guide COM or is that Facebook page.</p><p>00:53:46.890 –&gt; 00:53:48.840 Butch Mcdade: The Facebook yeah it’s a Facebook page.</p><p>00:53:48.930 –&gt; 00:54:01.710 Joseph McElroy: Right great well we brought in time I mentioned a few other sponsors that I really appreciated you coming on today it’s been wonderful your books will be up also with Amazon links on our website.</p><p>00:54:02.130 –&gt; 00:54:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Which i’ll mention just a second and and I hope to meet you and maybe meet you when I come down there all right.</p><p>00:54:08.250 –&gt; 00:54:10.020 Butch Mcdade: let’s do that another good Irishman.</p><p>00:54:10.140 –&gt; 00:54:11.070 Joseph McElroy: mcilroy yo.</p><p>00:54:14.400 –&gt; 00:54:21.900 Joseph McElroy: So this this podcast is on the talk radio dot nyc network there’s a lot of great.</p><p>00:54:23.430 –&gt; 00:54:24.330 Joseph McElroy: A lot of great.</p><p>00:54:26.010 –&gt; 00:54:27.780 Joseph McElroy: podcasts on this network I would.</p><p>00:54:28.980 –&gt; 00:54:38.910 Joseph McElroy: I would appreciate, if you go and listen to one there’s one after this program that explores New York City, so you can go from the urban from the rural to the URBAN.</p><p>00:54:39.660 –&gt; 00:54:47.880 Joseph McElroy: To find out wonderful things to do this podcast you can find out more information about this podcast by going gateway to the to the smokies Doc fun.</p><p>00:54:48.630 –&gt; 00:54:59.730 Joseph McElroy: which has a subscription to our newsletter will allow you know when new things are coming up, and when new episodes are coming up and where we also have links to various books of our guests and things like that.</p><p>00:55:01.320 –&gt; 00:55:11.790 Joseph McElroy: I want you to imagine a place evocative of the motor courts in the past, yet modern and vibrant with the chic appalachian feel a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:55:12.300 –&gt; 00:55:21.660 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout streams grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine.</p><p>00:55:22.170 –&gt; 00:55:29.550 Joseph McElroy: place of the old time music and world cultural sounds there’s no other place like the metal lark motel in Maggie valley North Carolina.</p><p>00:55:30.030 –&gt; 00:55:39.570 Joseph McElroy: And it’s in the gateway to the smokies we are the spark that we are the starting point for all your smoky mountain adventures, and your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:55:40.980 –&gt; 00:55:53.940 Joseph McElroy: And then another sponsor is smokies adventure calm, which is a vent information listing site for the smokies where you can find information about hiking and weddings venues and other great things to do.</p><p>00:55:55.170 –&gt; 00:56:06.090 Joseph McElroy: And it’s smokies plural adventure calm and you can go there and also sign up for a newsletter and find places to stay and places and things to do.</p><p>00:56:06.570 –&gt; 00:56:20.310 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank you, we haven’t we’re having a great guest next week on this podcast it’s the same time Tuesdays from six to seven and we’ll be exploring other aspects of the great smoky mountains and it’s been good talking to you today.</p><p><br></p> 3e430759-d6a8-4e90-85a8-0179a10a10b5 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/675bd0ae-502f-4be8-9596-6663a679b467 Tue, 27 Apr 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2917 no full Episode 14: Ecotourism & Safe Passage for Large Wildlife in the Smokies Episode 14: Ecotourism & Safe Passage for Large Wildlife in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>This week, our special guest is <strong>Frances Figart</strong>. She directs the Creative Services department at Great Smoky Mountains Association and edits Smokies Life magazine, the premier benefit for GSMA members. She is the editor of the 2019 GSMA title, Back of Beyond: A Horace Kephart Biography, which won the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award that same year. </p><p>Her background includes editing the monthly magazine for the National Tour Association, editing popular arts and culture monthly The Laurel of Asheville, and providing marketing and communications for a kayak ecotour operator in Canada and Costa Rica.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/506ZQJ1fRl/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph discusses a personal anecdote about the experience he went through after the passing of his wife. He transitions into the topic of today’s episode, journeys in life. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Frances Figart, and discusses some of her career. Frances discusses her experiences that led her to Asheville and her journey into the ecotourism industry. Moving to Asheville, Frances knew almost no one, but quickly found her way in the mountains. Frances discusses getting involved with journalism in the Smokies, and how she became interested in the park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Frances describes what ecotourism actually is and how she got involved with it. Frances talks about the GSMA and what her position in it is. The GSMA is an educational park partner, with the revenue from their books, magazines, and other products helping to support the park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Frances has written two books, one called Seasons of Letting go, which encapsulates the experience of her mother’s passing. Frances discusses how this book came about when she was home taking care of her mother. She hadn’t planned to write a book, but she wrote a blog during and in the year after her mother’s passing, which eventually was put together to become the book. She discusses what the book means to her, how it helped her reinvent herself yet still honor and remember her mother. Joseph shares the similarities he has found in his experiences to what Frances has talked about. Frances found that in letting go of her mother, she found herself and aligned with her destiny. Her second book, which was recently released, is very difficult from her first, being a children’s book about the Smokies. Frances talks about a project she has been working on helping to bring down the animal deaths in crossing roads in the mountains. This inspired the children’s book as they will soon be inheriting the park and will be the ones taking care of it. Not only is the book fun for children, but it is educating, helping to make complex topics about these animals simple for children.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Frances about the impact Covid has had on the park. Early on in the pandemic, the park, visitor centers, and warehouses for online orders all needed to close. A challenge the GSMA faced was keeping park goers involved virtually. Frances combatted this issue by starting a blog called Smokies Live, sharing stories that acts almost as a more up to date version of the magazine. In addition to the blog, the GSMA hosts zoom meetings and uses slack in order to keep connected. As much as she loves her job, Frances says that she would be doing many of the obligations of her job in her daily life regardless, making it even more enjoyable for her. She discusses future plans for the sequel to her children’s book.</p> Video thumbnail

Our special guest in this episode is Frances Figart. She directs the Creative Services department at the Great Smoky Mountains Association and edits Smokies Life magazine, the premier benefit for GSMA members. She is the editor of the 2019 GSMA title, Back of Beyond: A Horace Kephart Biography, which won the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award that same year. 

Her background includes editing the monthly magazine for the National Tour Association, editing popular arts and culture monthly The Laurel of Asheville, and providing marketing and communications for a kayak ecotour operator in Canada and Costa Rica.

‍Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph discusses a personal anecdote about the experience he went through after the passing of his wife. He transitions into the topic of today’s episode, journeys in life. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Frances Figart, and discusses some of her careers. Frances discusses the experiences that led her to Asheville and her journey into the ecotourism industry. Moving to Asheville, Frances knew almost no one, but quickly found her way in the mountains. Frances discusses getting involved with journalism in the Smokies, and how she became interested in the park.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Frances describes what ecotourism actually is and how she got involved with it. Frances talks about the GSMA and what her position in it is. The GSMA is an educational park partner, with the revenue from their books, magazines, and other products helping to support the park.

Segment 3

Frances has written two books, one called Seasons of Letting go, which encapsulates the experience of her mother’s passing. Frances discusses how this book came about when she was home taking care of her mother. She hadn’t planned to write a book, but she wrote a blog during and in the year after her mother’s passing, which eventually was put together to become the book. She discusses what the book means to her, and how it helped her reinvent herself yet still honor and remember her mother. Joseph shares the similarities he has found in his experiences with what Frances has talked about. Frances found that in letting go of her mother, she found herself and aligned with her destiny. Her second book, which was recently released, is very difficult to her first, being a children’s book about the Smokies. Frances talks about a project she has been working on helping to bring down the animal deaths in crossing roads in the mountains. This inspired the children’s book as they will soon be inheriting the park and will be the ones taking care of it. Not only is the book fun for children, but it is educating, helping to make complex topics about these animals simple for children.

Segment 4

Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Frances about the impact Covid has had on the park. Early on in the pandemic, the park, visitor centers, and warehouses for online orders all needed to close. A challenge the GSMA faced was keeping parkgoers involved virtually. Frances combatted this issue by starting a blog called Smokies Live, sharing stories that act almost as a more up-to-date version of the magazine. In addition to the blog, the GSMA hosts zoom meetings and use slack in order to keep connected. As much as she loves her job, Frances says that she would be doing many of the obligations of her job in her daily life regardless, making it even more enjoyable for her. She discusses future plans for the sequel to her children’s book.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:36.150 –> 00:00:42.000 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:42.510 –> 00:00:50.670 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.

00:00:51.090 –> 00:01:01.170 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep story history and a rich mountain culture that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:01.770 –> 00:01:16.170 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses in travel, but my heart is in mountain culture.

00:01:17.310 –> 00:01:36.810 Joseph McElroy: Now this episode is entitled ecotourism and safe passage is for wildlife in the smokies but it’s really about journeys to help conservation efforts, the journeys to life that lead to transitions and journeys that wildlife has to make to ensure their species survival.

00:01:38.280 –> 00:01:47.610 Joseph McElroy: You know that journeys are something that I talked about every day my profession has been marketing and, in that we always talk about the customer journey.

00:01:48.060 –> 00:02:08.190 Joseph McElroy: The path they follow and the transitions they make to become paying customers now, this is not a profound journey but it illustrates that even the smallest parts of our lives, we are on journeys the profound journeys create transitions that can be life-changing and even world-changing.

00:02:09.600 –> 00:02:20.610 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to talk some about death, I know this is not expected, but when you travel and celebrate life you’re also preparing for a good death without regrets.

00:02:22.620 –> 00:02:28.830 Joseph McElroy: And my family place that I now own the middle or motel there was an old couple who’d been coming there for years.

00:02:29.760 –> 00:02:37.800 Joseph McElroy: And they called one day and talk to my parents and honestly told them that the woman was dying and wanted to come to stay in the Cabinet and die by the river.

00:02:38.520 –> 00:02:51.900 Joseph McElroy: And the sides of the mountains that had brought such joy her whole life and she did they let her come and she eventually died in peace in the cabin and it was as much as as a celebration, as it was an occasion for SAR.

00:02:53.430 –> 00:03:10.920 Joseph McElroy: And this is one of the reasons I bought the motel from my parents, three years ago, because the profound meeting I found in hospitality that creates memorable moments in people’s lives and their journeys and that make those journeys more beautiful and hopefully without regrets.

00:03:12.090 –> 00:03:19.530 Joseph McElroy: Some of you know, the in 2014 my wife of 20 years died of rare cancer, and I was her caregiver for two years.

00:03:20.280 –> 00:03:29.460 Joseph McElroy: My guest today has a book on life’s lessons learned from helping her mother die, and then it she writes about the hero’s journey by Joseph Campbell.

00:03:30.120 –> 00:03:45.000 Joseph McElroy: How facing obstacles and fighting dragons leads to transformation at first her mother’s death seemed to her to be the end of the journey until she went through her grief and realized her mother was still on a journey for me.

00:03:46.260 –> 00:03:55.800 Joseph McElroy: This brought back memories, because I attended a workshop after my wife’s death in the mountains, called the hero’s journey by just the Joseph Campbell foundation.

00:03:56.610 –> 00:04:11.250 Joseph McElroy: There they led me through an exercise, where I had to write on a gravestone something that I needed to see buried now having just buried my wife, this was something of a challenge for me.

00:04:12.180 –> 00:04:23.940 Joseph McElroy: But through some deep reflection, I wrote on the gravestone Mr and Mrs Joseph mcilroy and laid it down in the ceremony on the mountain side and had my transformational moment.

00:04:24.600 –> 00:04:37.320 Joseph McElroy: Because I realized that I was still thinking of myself, as Mr Mrs Joseph mcilroy and I realized that identity, no longer existed, I was grieving as much.

00:04:38.040 –> 00:04:58.410 Joseph McElroy: For her as for my my identity as as I was, for my late wife and I didn’t need to grieve for that identity, I needed to process the grief for my late wife and then I was no longer Mr Mrs Joseph McElroy I had to proceed as Joseph I had to reinvent a new life.

00:04:59.580 –> 00:05:09.990 Joseph McElroy: Now I still remember today that life and wife, but I am married again I have given life to twins who are two years old and i’ve recovered and refurbish my family’s homestead.

00:05:10.950 –> 00:05:20.940 Joseph McElroy: So I started a brand new journey through that transition, so this so this episode is not about me it’s about journeys.

00:05:21.570 –> 00:05:28.050 Joseph McElroy: And we’re also going to be considering the life and journeys that wildlife has to make because of human civilization.

00:05:28.800 –> 00:05:38.160 Joseph McElroy: And how we can make those journeys safer and life more fulfilling and how we can do conservation efforts and with ecotourism and things like that.

00:05:38.910 –> 00:05:42.750 Joseph McElroy: So, to help us explore this I invited My guess Francis fiber.

00:05:43.410 –> 00:05:53.940 Joseph McElroy: Who directs the creative service department at the great smoky mountains, associations and edits the fabulous smokies life magazine is one of the most beautiful magazines i’ve ever seen.

00:05:54.690 –> 00:06:04.980 Joseph McElroy: She is a Thomas Wolfe memorial literary award winner she has edited edited several magazines, she has led marketing for eco tour operators in Canada and Costa Rica.

00:06:05.520 –> 00:06:15.000 Joseph McElroy: she’s the author of several books, including the seasons of letting go, which is the book I just referenced and has a new children’s book a search for safe passage.

00:06:15.450 –> 00:06:29.520 Joseph McElroy: which was just published by the great smoky mountains, associations and it follows a group of animal friends friends in a smoky mountains board brant banding together to find a safe way across the major highway hello, Francis.

00:06:30.150 –> 00:06:32.160 Frances Figart: haters of thanks for having me.

00:06:32.430 –> 00:06:34.470 Joseph McElroy: Oh sure how are you doing today.

00:06:35.190 –> 00:06:41.550 Frances Figart: Doing really well it’s wonderful to be here and i’d like to thank our mutual friend Bob plot for introducing us.

00:06:42.000 –> 00:06:50.910 Joseph McElroy: he’s is, do you know I danced last week we’re actually creating the smoky mountain meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center and we’re doing.

00:06:51.390 –> 00:06:57.570 Joseph McElroy: Working together to create lots of heritage events and bring lots of awareness of what’s happening in these mountains.

00:06:58.020 –> 00:07:11.490 Joseph McElroy: So you have had a remarkably diverse career and live everywhere from Costa Rica and Canada, yet now live north of actual right and with your life has been on a six acre property near the appalachian trail.

00:07:11.850 –> 00:07:14.100 Joseph McElroy: Yes, how did you end up working in the great smoky.

00:07:14.820 –> 00:07:31.860 Frances Figart: So very interesting, so I as you were talking about went through an experience, where I helped my mother passed away in 2012 she died and that next year, I moved to the asheville area and I met my husband and I.

00:07:32.940 –> 00:07:44.430 Frances Figart: moved to a place that’s just about 40 minutes north of asheville called flag pond Tennessee which there’s not very much here and that’s why we’re here, there are a lot of cool animals and not very many people.

00:07:45.270 –> 00:07:52.920 Frances Figart: But when I first moved to asheville I had put my career in ecotourism on hold to help my mother passed away.

00:07:53.370 –> 00:07:58.890 Frances Figart: And so I really was starting over you know it’s very much like you were talking about you kind of reinvented your life.

00:07:59.400 –> 00:08:04.140 Frances Figart: And I went to asheville I didn’t know anyone I knew to people.

00:08:04.590 –> 00:08:12.540 Frances Figart: And, but i’m a great networker so I stormed into town and said i’m going to become a magazine editor i’m going to be the editor of the Laurel of asheville which I did that.

00:08:13.020 –> 00:08:27.120 Frances Figart: And I also did some pro bono work for another part partner in the smokies called discover life in America, and they do the all tax of biodiversity inventory, which is a Count of all the species in the park.

00:08:27.720 –> 00:08:39.510 Frances Figart: And so I did some pro bono editing and writing for them and years later, in 2017 the executive director Todd witcher of discover life in America called me one day and said.

00:08:39.990 –> 00:08:43.890 Frances Figart: there’s a job, opening up in the smokies that has your name written all over it.

00:08:44.310 –> 00:08:53.430 Frances Figart: And I said well that’s wonderful, but my husband built our cabin and there’s no way that i’m going to be able to move to the smokies I couldn’t move to gatlinburg.

00:08:53.790 –> 00:08:58.710 Frances Figart: And he said, well, I think you need to have a talk with the executive director I don’t think he would have to move there.

00:08:59.490 –> 00:09:06.930 Frances Figart: Because you know when you work in publishing it can be pretty remote, these days, and so I did have that conversation with.

00:09:07.530 –> 00:09:16.800 Frances Figart: them the executive director and now the CEO Laurel repertory who is my boss, and we decided that if I were the right person for the job that I wouldn’t have to move away so I.

00:09:17.370 –> 00:09:30.720 Frances Figart: I went through all the processes I didn’t expect to get the job, and yet here I am and so all day long I work from home in flight on Tennessee but my mind is two hours away in great smoky mountain National Park.

00:09:31.470 –> 00:09:38.130 Joseph McElroy: cool I knew, you had plenty of experience in the area yeah like me i’m doing this podcast from New York City.

00:09:38.880 –> 00:09:46.920 Joseph McElroy: But you know I grew up there, and you know and i’ve always been there and I have my business interests there, and you know so.

00:09:47.520 –> 00:10:03.540 Joseph McElroy: You know well, of course I business interest in New York, so, but you can you can you can love multiple places in your life, and I think actually having the experience of loving two places really prepares you to talk about it in the travel sets right yeah.

00:10:03.690 –> 00:10:17.100 Frances Figart: yeah like I love I love, where I live, so much, and I have trail cams around my property and at night, especially at night there are bobcats that come through that’s my spirit animal and I love them, but we have bear and deer and Turkey and.

00:10:18.180 –> 00:10:24.210 Frances Figart: opossum and skunk and would check and all these wonderful animals that are on this property, so I love it here.

00:10:24.600 –> 00:10:35.460 Frances Figart: But I also love, Costa Rica and that would be a place that we’re I to have an opportunity to can to live there, I might do so, but I don’t think I can pull my husband away.

00:10:35.760 –> 00:10:46.380 Frances Figart: From the appalachian trail region he’s hiked it four times, he was here and and I love it here as well, so yeah but I know what you mean you can love to places that’s for sure.

00:10:46.560 –> 00:10:56.550 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I mean you can you can love several places my wife loves New York City and she’s learning to love the the smoky mountains and she she loves a.

00:10:58.950 –> 00:11:00.360 Joseph McElroy: place in Mexico.

00:11:01.680 –> 00:11:04.650 Joseph McElroy: i’m drawing a blank on and she’s gonna get mad at me she’s probably listening.

00:11:05.730 –> 00:11:14.010 Joseph McElroy: San Miguel San Miguel and the mountains in which is sort of a mountainous region in the in the in the.

00:11:14.370 –> 00:11:30.060 Joseph McElroy: Mexico and she’s originally from Trinidad and grew up on a mountain in Trinidad you know everything so true that’d be in this Caribbean island but it’s actually a mountainous Caribbean island and so she’s she’s I tell her we’re just we’re just mountain people.

00:11:32.490 –> 00:11:37.170 Joseph McElroy: So, and so, what do you, what do you love most about the smoky mountains region.

00:11:38.250 –> 00:11:47.250 Frances Figart: Well, I tell you it’s um it’s a very diverse place and that’s part of the reason why I love, Costa Rica, was the diversity and you know the smokies has been studied.

00:11:47.580 –> 00:11:59.820 Frances Figart: by scientists all over the world as a biodiversity hotspot and so that’s why I really got interested in the job because it was a place that I could put my ecotourism background to work if you will.

00:12:00.210 –> 00:12:13.800 Frances Figart: And I manage the creative team they’re a great smoky mountains, association and we create all kinds of books and magazines and projects like we did we actually do a podcast to that’s called smoky mountain air.

00:12:14.820 –> 00:12:28.980 Frances Figart: So there are so many ways to lend you know the creative forces to the smokies because they’re just so many stories to be told we’re helping to tell ancient stories of the peoples who were here before it was even a park.

00:12:29.010 –> 00:12:29.700 Joseph McElroy: You know the Chair.

00:12:29.880 –> 00:12:36.660 Frances Figart: In the African American people that were here before, so we help the park in so many different ways to do that interpretive work.

00:12:37.470 –> 00:12:49.350 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s Nice, you know I I was reading about that you know the cherokee you know claim anywhere from 3000 to 15,000 years ago of culture in this area yeah and so.

00:12:50.040 –> 00:13:01.290 Joseph McElroy: I find that very interesting and, of course, the West African influence on music here is tremendous, especially the banjo I mean our first episode, we talked a lot about that.

00:13:01.890 –> 00:13:18.420 Joseph McElroy: I have a friend of mine who is both Scotch Irish and West African descent all right, and he was the drummer for simple minds at one point he’s artists in residence at the middle Arc motel and he’s exploring all those sorts of aspects of the Culture here.

00:13:18.900 –> 00:13:30.390 Frances Figart: Well, you mentioned that because we just created a new podcast series that’s called sepia tones and it’s about African American music in appalachia.

00:13:30.960 –> 00:13:47.070 Frances Figart: And the influence that that’s had on the smokies region, in particular, and the co host of that Ted olson and bill Turner are just amazing so it’s under the smoky mountain air podcast series and really worth listening to i’m very excited that we’re.

00:13:47.070 –> 00:13:49.080 Frances Figart: Creating we’re creating that right now.

00:13:49.320 –> 00:13:54.720 Joseph McElroy: Well, I should talk to Mike and see if there’s any synergies and what he’s doing yeah so cool.

00:13:56.040 –> 00:14:02.610 Joseph McElroy: So we’re back, we have taken a break now we’ll talk more about articles and publications and books.

00:17:01.980 –> 00:17:09.990 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Francis fiber.

00:17:12.060 –> 00:17:25.500 Joseph McElroy: So, before I get into you know more about the the great smoky areas specifically you know we talked about ECO tourism, you talked about it briefly, can you just tell us what that means you really.

00:17:26.670 –> 00:17:42.150 Frances Figart: yeah a lot of times people describe it as sustainable tourism and really if you think about it, those two things are a bit of a misnomer right because it’s hard to travel sustainably when you’re traveling you’re you’re using fuel and.

00:17:43.380 –> 00:17:51.360 Frances Figart: Lots of our resources but there’s a movement in the travel industry to try to do it that in such a way that it’s light on the land.

00:17:51.810 –> 00:18:03.630 Frances Figart: And a lot of times ECO tourism is focused around very small group travel so, for instance, I worked with a kayak ECO tour operator in both Canada and Costa Rica, we would go back and forth.

00:18:03.930 –> 00:18:11.700 Frances Figart: Depending on the season, because you don’t want to be paddling in Canada when it’s October so that’s when you’d get a Costa Rica and.

00:18:12.690 –> 00:18:20.040 Frances Figart: You know the focus was on small groups that would not make a big impact in the areas that we were paddling.

00:18:20.430 –> 00:18:30.030 Frances Figart: So that’s that’s kind of how I got involved before that I was a magazine editor for the national tour Association, which was more of a motor coach across the US.

00:18:30.540 –> 00:18:44.670 Frances Figart: and Canada type of organization for tour operators and I learned about ECO tourism and natural tourism through that experience and so that is kind of what I gravitated to because I liked the conservation aspect of that work.

00:18:45.270 –> 00:18:47.910 Joseph McElroy: So, and then your podcast you mentioned, with the.

00:18:49.170 –> 00:18:50.130 Joseph McElroy: GS ma.

00:18:51.450 –> 00:18:55.080 Joseph McElroy: talks about ECO ECO tourism experiences of people could have.

00:18:56.070 –> 00:19:07.380 Frances Figart: We haven’t gotten into that topic yet, but that’s a really good idea and I think we should have been focusing recently on, as I mentioned the sepia tones the black appalachian music.

00:19:08.400 –> 00:19:19.320 Frances Figart: Focus but we’ve also had podcasts that have been readings by some of our smokies life magazine authors and you know we’ve explored other programs in the park but.

00:19:19.770 –> 00:19:30.840 Frances Figart: You know, eco tourism has not been mentioned a lot in my job, yet, but it’s something that’s always in the back of my mind, because we do have a lot of congestion and a lot of visitors in the park, you know, we had.

00:19:31.230 –> 00:19:40.920 Frances Figart: 12.5 million visitors in 2019 and then of course last year it fell a little bit because of coven and we were closed part of the year.

00:19:42.120 –> 00:19:55.710 Frances Figart: But this year people feel like parks are the place to be and so each month this year we’ve had some numbers already and we expect to probably tip over that 12.5 million mark during 21.

00:19:56.250 –> 00:19:58.560 Joseph McElroy: Do you if you if somebody wanted to.

00:19:59.790 –> 00:20:00.390 Joseph McElroy: You know.

00:20:01.440 –> 00:20:12.330 Joseph McElroy: engage in ecotourism experience and then the smoky mountains, do you know of any providers or resources or even you know publications that might give them information.

00:20:13.800 –> 00:20:23.250 Frances Figart: Absolutely, there are a lot of great ecotourism operators out there, and one in particular that I think of right off the BAT is Tara in Terra.

00:20:23.790 –> 00:20:36.720 Frances Figart: incognita ECO tours and that’s run by Judd katich and he’s a friend longtime friend and he does skirt trips to all kinds of wonderful places where ECO tourism, tourism has done.

00:20:37.470 –> 00:20:38.400 Joseph McElroy: fabulous i’m.

00:20:40.080 –> 00:20:45.750 Joseph McElroy: glad about that i’m wanting you know where we are at the motel where the only we’re actually the only.

00:20:46.350 –> 00:21:05.550 Joseph McElroy: Three pine lodging facility west of asheville and three partners graded by the Sydney according to you know North Carolina sustainable ECO ECO friendly and so we’ve taken a lot of effort to be and so we’re looking at how to develop more eco tour, so I guess.

00:21:06.240 –> 00:21:07.230 Joseph McElroy: So anyway right I.

00:21:07.830 –> 00:21:09.390 Frances Figart: connect you with some people.

00:21:09.480 –> 00:21:23.550 Joseph McElroy: cool that’d be fabulous so you’ve written scores of articles for well known publications around the region and now you’re the creative service director, the GA s ma so tell us a little bit about this organization and what what that job means.

00:21:24.810 –> 00:21:31.860 Frances Figart: Right well so great smoky mountains association is one of several part partners and we’re an educational park partner.

00:21:32.220 –> 00:21:47.040 Frances Figart: So we support the park through creating products and selling them and Joseph you probably know that you know the park in the smokies doesn’t charge an entrance fee like some parks and so there’s always that challenge of how do they.

00:21:48.090 –> 00:21:54.240 Frances Figart: generate the income to take care of the backlog of maintenance and all the different things that need to be done for the park.

00:21:54.660 –> 00:22:03.870 Frances Figart: So we create books and magazines and other products, and we also sell other books in our bookstores that are run by great smoky mountains association.

00:22:04.320 –> 00:22:12.840 Frances Figart: And those funds come together to help support the park to do many different things like we talked about earlier telling the stories.

00:22:13.260 –> 00:22:18.390 Frances Figart: Of the peoples who were here before or preserving the historic buildings in the park.

00:22:19.080 –> 00:22:28.950 Frances Figart: Just things like utilities for visitors we help to provide that, so there are so many things that go into how we support our our park and as a partner.

00:22:29.520 –> 00:22:37.200 Frances Figart: And we, you know, there are other partners like discover life in America that I mentioned, and they have other projects that they work on but we’re.

00:22:38.070 –> 00:22:47.610 Frances Figart: serving in a way that that we sell our products in the bookstore so anytime you visit the park and you go into one of the bookstores that’s great smoky mountains association.

00:22:48.030 –> 00:22:55.560 Joseph McElroy: You also I know this for a fact, because I am one you’ve developed a pretty large network of resellers right that actually.

00:22:55.860 –> 00:22:57.930 Joseph McElroy: support you and selling those.

00:22:58.590 –> 00:23:08.100 Joseph McElroy: Are smokies adventure COM site actually sells the DSM a products and we you know we try to package, a little different and things like that, but.

00:23:09.210 –> 00:23:11.730 Joseph McElroy: we’re we’re an avid supporter of that.

00:23:12.090 –> 00:23:18.450 Frances Figart: Well that’s great and we welcome you and you know it’s interesting because we are basically a very boutique publisher.

00:23:19.380 –> 00:23:29.100 Frances Figart: of books, you know it’s something that we we don’t do that publishing exclusively we do so many other things in running our bookstores and our retail is really our bread and butter.

00:23:29.910 –> 00:23:37.860 Frances Figart: But we create a couple of books every year and this year, the new book from gma is the one that I wrote called a search for safe passage.

00:23:38.250 –> 00:23:44.670 Joseph McElroy: cool well, I know I will talk about that in just a second I think it’s a great book, but I think another big thing that you guys do.

00:23:45.090 –> 00:23:54.540 Joseph McElroy: Is that you create maps and guides right, not just the books, I mean the books are great I mean you talk about like moonshine you talking about women in the appalachian you talk about.

00:23:54.870 –> 00:24:01.380 Joseph McElroy: You know all sorts of different cultural aspects that people don’t necessarily think of, and then you get into herbal medicine and.

00:24:01.920 –> 00:24:16.530 Joseph McElroy: You know and wildlife and many things you just the selection is is great, but you do wonderful guides and great maps and hiking hiking trail maps and things like that you just released the hundred trails that is a.

00:24:16.680 –> 00:24:17.280 classic.

00:24:18.450 –> 00:24:23.790 Joseph McElroy: classic classic and an updated and everything and that’s that’s a good seller.

00:24:25.500 –> 00:24:34.200 Frances Figart: Sales map which was originally a partnership between gma and the Carolina mountain club and we’ve just revitalized it and brought it up to date.

00:24:34.590 –> 00:24:43.140 Frances Figart: Which is very exciting and there’s a new challenge from cmc Carolina mountain club for people to hike all of those 100 favorite trails so that’s pretty neat.

00:24:43.500 –> 00:24:50.220 Frances Figart: And we do have a lot of guidebooks and you know people who are not watching this can’t see it but behind me there’s a poster.

00:24:50.520 –> 00:24:55.920 Frances Figart: That shows 100 different butterflies and Moss and they’re all in our butterflies and months field guide.

00:24:56.340 –> 00:25:08.820 Frances Figart: Which is just one of many field guides right now we’re creating a new one that’s all about just insects and that’s being written by James Costa of the Highlands biological station which is in color we.

00:25:09.540 –> 00:25:18.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah well that’s great I mean I think these are wonderful assets and you also the editor of smokies life magazine what is that what is the purpose of that magazine.

00:25:18.990 –> 00:25:31.710 Frances Figart: That magazine is the main benefit that are members of gma get in the mail twice a year, and thank goodness it’s twice a year because i’ve worked on a lot of monthly magazines and you really can’t do anything else.

00:25:32.460 –> 00:25:42.660 Frances Figart: One time I was like Conference, and when I was with the national tour association, so people came up to my booth at a conference and they said we’re just curious What do you do in between issues.

00:25:45.090 –> 00:25:49.380 Joseph McElroy: But now you look at it it’s so beautiful right it’s such a beautiful magazine.

00:25:49.860 –> 00:25:52.920 Frances Figart: It really is and that’s thanks to my staff, I have an.

00:25:52.920 –> 00:26:03.090 Frances Figart: amazing on staff that Lisa horseman is the lead designer on that magazine she’s also a famous children’s author and we sell her books, you might have some of her books.

00:26:03.720 –> 00:26:16.290 Frances Figart: The great smoky mountain salamander ball is one that you probably have, and you know that that magazine is just a lot of fun, but yeah it takes the full six months because you are doing a lot of things to make it happen.

00:26:18.300 –> 00:26:32.520 Joseph McElroy: So, and you know the you know the the things that are the contents are like bike days in caves cove park faces up faces up to over tourism twin creek science, education, a lot of wonderful stuff there.

00:26:34.020 –> 00:26:49.080 Frances Figart: Paul has an article in this one I don’t know if you notice that, but he wrote a story about two of the heroes of the smokies Georgian Elizabeth ellison and so Bob and Janet mckee read that together, and it was a great story.

00:26:49.380 –> 00:26:56.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great oh yeah Well, no, I think it’s and it’s and it’s so that’s mostly I said you don’t distribute it anywhere else right.

00:26:57.540 –> 00:27:09.060 Frances Figart: it’s in our book stores, and you can buy it at smokies information.org so if you’re not a Member, you can go online it’s smokies information to Oregon by it, but we encourage you to be a Member for just 30 bucks a year.

00:27:10.170 –> 00:27:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.

00:27:12.420 –> 00:27:12.870 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:27:13.950 –> 00:27:21.480 Joseph McElroy: You when you talk about the DSM maybe an educational park partner Besides supporting it with money, what does that mean.

00:27:22.620 –> 00:27:31.830 Frances Figart: um so you know, like, I mentioned the proceeds from our books and products provide services for visitors and we fund resource management of the park.

00:27:32.700 –> 00:27:42.030 Frances Figart: We make it possible for the park to preserve his historic structures and tell those older stories of the cherokee and the African Americans who were here before.

00:27:42.510 –> 00:27:51.030 Frances Figart: We help educate our members and part visitors about natural and cultural heritage of the smokies through those projects okay.

00:27:51.810 –> 00:27:52.170 well.

00:27:53.610 –> 00:28:04.200 Joseph McElroy: When we get back you have you have a new book called this, you will be have two books that we wanted to talk about briefly seasons of letting go, which I mentioned, and then I think, a very important one now.

00:28:04.800 –> 00:28:10.170 Joseph McElroy: search for safe passage which was a children’s book has got a pretty important message to talk about.

00:28:11.220 –> 00:28:14.820 Joseph McElroy: And so let’s dig into the meat of that when we get back.

00:28:15.540 –> 00:28:16.200 Frances Figart: sounds good.

00:28:24.420 –> 00:28:24.630 and

00:31:05.970 –> 00:31:14.640 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy and i’m back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guess Francis.

00:31:16.320 –> 00:31:17.550 Joseph McElroy: Francis you know we.

00:31:18.720 –> 00:31:29.730 Joseph McElroy: been talking about you know your job and let’s talk about your creativity all right, which is even your job demonstrates your creativity you’re the author of two books.

00:31:30.240 –> 00:31:39.510 Joseph McElroy: And the first one, I got to read a little bit of and because it was formatted as a series of poignant collection of essays.

00:31:40.380 –> 00:31:48.120 Joseph McElroy: I was able to actually get her, I think a little bit of an understanding and it’s called seasons of letting go, which was about helping your mother die.

00:31:48.600 –> 00:32:03.300 Joseph McElroy: A dignified death and how you learn from that your mother was a ruthie, I think, and she was a baseball fan, and she sounds like a tremendous woman, and so, can you tell us a little bit of that book came about.

00:32:03.720 –> 00:32:07.830 Frances Figart: Sure thing so her name is Ruth and that he is silent.

00:32:08.160 –> 00:32:08.760 Okay.

00:32:09.900 –> 00:32:16.740 Frances Figart: When she was born, she was named just the normal, are you Th but she’d like to be different so she wanted to put a silent E on it.

00:32:17.700 –> 00:32:18.660 Joseph McElroy: Okay, great.

00:32:18.900 –> 00:32:22.680 Frances Figart: My middle name is free to so I have the silent E as well.

00:32:22.920 –> 00:32:23.940 Joseph McElroy: Can I call you ruthie.

00:32:27.960 –> 00:32:28.290 Frances Figart: But.

00:32:28.590 –> 00:32:35.910 Frances Figart: The book, you know I I tell people I kind of tricked myself into writing a book, because what happened was in 2010.

00:32:36.390 –> 00:32:45.690 Frances Figart: I put my career on hold and I went home and I realized, I was going to need to be with my mom for as long as it was going to take, and it was about two years, just like your experience.

00:32:46.380 –> 00:32:55.740 Frances Figart: And so I didn’t know really how to cope with you know how this is your your loving this person, but you also have this big job.

00:32:56.640 –> 00:33:04.410 Frances Figart: You know it’s like you’re you’re doing the caregiving thing and so it’s 24 seven you don’t get a break there’s really no escape from the stress of it.

00:33:04.740 –> 00:33:15.510 Frances Figart: So I think to process that stress I started a blog and I started writing essays just about coping with the fact that i’m going to lose my mother and i’m the sole caregiver, and this was really hard.

00:33:16.890 –> 00:33:29.040 Frances Figart: And it wasn’t until several years after she was gone that I realized that some of my best writing had been done, both during the time she was dying and also my processing the first year of grief.

00:33:29.790 –> 00:33:38.850 Frances Figart: Especially that first year, and so in 2015 I realized that I had a group of essays that I really just wanted to put together as a book.

00:33:39.240 –> 00:33:43.380 Frances Figart: And in really for me my audience was the people who knew my mother.

00:33:43.680 –> 00:33:53.310 Frances Figart: That probably would not go look at my blog site and look up all these essays on there, because they were older people, they were in her age group, so I wanted to present them with something.

00:33:53.610 –> 00:34:00.780 Frances Figart: And i’m holding the book up right now it’s got a scene that’s much like your background Joseph and you know I.

00:34:02.430 –> 00:34:12.960 Frances Figart: yeah I wanted it to be something that people could hold in their hand and have a good feeling about her life so it’s a tribute to her, but it’s also a tribute to what you were talking about earlier, which is that we.

00:34:13.230 –> 00:34:25.530 Frances Figart: have to reinvent ourselves, and we have to disassociate our identity as being with that person it, you know, even though I really felt strongly that my end identity was wrapped up with being Ruth fibroids daughter.

00:34:26.070 –> 00:34:31.140 Frances Figart: I had to go on and say I can be more than that, I can be different from that and still honor her.

00:34:32.160 –> 00:34:36.720 Joseph McElroy: That is a that is a, that is, I think that’s important for a lot of people to.

00:34:37.410 –> 00:34:47.580 Joseph McElroy: To to understand that you know, I think that I, you know I had some friends that actually it was kind of odd, but at the same time they’d lost their lives, maybe one of the year before.

00:34:47.970 –> 00:35:05.970 Joseph McElroy: And then never you know when I saw them they had they hadn’t progressed in their lives, and some of them still haven’t and they haven’t lost that and that they haven’t realized that they got to bury their identity, their grieving their identity as much as they’re grieving the person.

00:35:06.330 –> 00:35:13.890 Frances Figart: yeah and I think, as you continue to read that book you’re going to see that there’s a place where I went through that that same thing, where you know you just.

00:35:14.220 –> 00:35:21.900 Frances Figart: You finally let go and the experience of caregiving, I think, is one that you that’s where I really learned that I wasn’t in control.

00:35:22.500 –> 00:35:31.620 Frances Figart: Because you know I am kind of a control freak and that helps me to be successful and things like building production schedules for magazines or setting a time limit, you know to do a book.

00:35:31.950 –> 00:35:39.390 Frances Figart: And that type of thing, but ultimately we have no control and when you’re a caregiver and someone’s dying that’s when you really learn that lesson.

00:35:39.780 –> 00:35:41.880 Frances Figart: And then, when you start to let go.

00:35:42.060 –> 00:35:48.690 Frances Figart: For me it is if you’re really able to realize your destiny, because you don’t push so hard for what you want.

00:35:49.110 –> 00:35:58.080 Frances Figart: You don’t get that friction anymore you just align with destiny and then the two of you can just sore out into space and that’s really what’s happened for me since I lost my mom.

00:35:58.500 –> 00:35:58.770 Frances Figart: And I.

00:35:58.920 –> 00:36:04.470 Frances Figart: said I could show her that I finally got it but it’s Okay, I think she knows.

00:36:05.250 –> 00:36:14.640 Joseph McElroy: I you know the same way, I feel like I have guardian angels that I didn’t have before things have gone in surprising ways for me in my life, since then, so.

00:36:15.840 –> 00:36:18.780 Joseph McElroy: it’s, it is a carpet experience right.

00:36:19.590 –> 00:36:23.670 Frances Figart: yeah it’s cathartic and you know you probably have had the same feeling too, but.

00:36:24.090 –> 00:36:37.440 Frances Figart: i’ve been a little sad that my husband didn’t get to meet my parents, but then, in some ways it’s almost as if his energy continues their own and it’s almost like it doesn’t matter because it feels like he was a part of them, and they were part of him.

00:36:37.800 –> 00:36:55.500 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I have, I have a wife and two the two twin children now yeah I have an older son, but but it definitely feels like this, this long journey that just changed, but you know there’s a similar similar there’s a sort of energy that goes through.

00:36:57.120 –> 00:37:01.500 Joseph McElroy: So now you got a second book come it’s got a completely different direction.

00:37:01.950 –> 00:37:03.900 Joseph McElroy: That just came out last month.

00:37:04.950 –> 00:37:16.200 Joseph McElroy: it’s a children’s book and with a special cause pertaining to the smokies is search for say passions and can you tell me two things, what is it about why came about and why did you make it a children’s.

00:37:16.920 –> 00:37:19.530 Frances Figart: Okay that’s you know it’s going to take me a second so.

00:37:21.120 –> 00:37:28.020 Frances Figart: When I first moved from asheville up to the area where I live in now the closest highway here is I 26.

00:37:28.590 –> 00:37:34.890 Frances Figart: And I was disturbed to see a lot of our iconic black bears getting killed on this highway.

00:37:35.580 –> 00:37:44.850 Frances Figart: And so, when I got my job in the smokies I was able to connect with some people who were having a discussion about a similar problem just outside the park boundary.

00:37:45.570 –> 00:37:54.120 Frances Figart: And it’s an area, called the pigeon river gorge it’s a 28 mile stretch of road that’s really twisty if you’ve ever driven between asheville and knoxville.

00:37:54.900 –> 00:38:02.430 Frances Figart: been on this really curvy section of road and eight miles is in Tennessee and 20 miles is in western North Carolina.

00:38:02.820 –> 00:38:09.180 Frances Figart: And way too many bear and deer and elk and other smaller animals are killed there every year.

00:38:09.420 –> 00:38:17.280 Frances Figart: Now there’s a lot of statistics rolling around, but the data hasn’t all been crunched yet some people say as many as 70 bears have been killed there in one year.

00:38:17.580 –> 00:38:24.390 Frances Figart: We don’t really know those things, yet the research is still being completed, but what we know is that there are way too many.

00:38:24.750 –> 00:38:32.880 Frances Figart: And so I became a part of this group, and at that time it wasn’t called anything, it was just several organizations working together.

00:38:33.510 –> 00:38:42.600 Frances Figart: To try to find a solution, and now there are as many as 20 organizations, some of them governmental some of them non governmental some of them tribal.

00:38:43.020 –> 00:38:51.540 Frances Figart: All kinds of agencies working together to try to solve the problem and six of those have created a safe passage fund coalition.

00:38:51.810 –> 00:39:02.700 Frances Figart: And we’ve branded the project as the safe passage I 40 pigeon river gorge wildlife crossing project now we’re working towards getting some wildlife crossings to.

00:39:03.090 –> 00:39:07.890 Frances Figart: Be in that region but that’s something that takes years sometimes to accomplish.

00:39:08.400 –> 00:39:16.050 Frances Figart: And so, why a children’s book to me i’m thinking of 11 and 12 year olds who are reading this book now.

00:39:16.470 –> 00:39:22.770 Frances Figart: are going to inherit the problems that we have with our roads needing to consider wildlife and how they need to cross.

00:39:23.190 –> 00:39:33.060 Frances Figart: And so, in 12 more years those kids reading it will be the new road ecologist they will be the highway engineers that will help to solve these problems.

00:39:33.750 –> 00:39:47.070 Frances Figart: Because we’re networking with people who have been working on these problems for a decade and they still have a broken ground because it takes that long to get it all together so that’s why the kids book concept really works.

00:39:48.330 –> 00:39:56.490 Joseph McElroy: I read it a little bit of it, I love the way you’ve sort of made it into an adventure story for the kids right.

00:39:57.540 –> 00:40:11.880 Joseph McElroy: it’s sort of an adventure the animals are you know they they they they all have their own personalities and they meet together, you know they have you have different groups that come together and have to know who they are, and there’s also a sort of a almost.

00:40:13.020 –> 00:40:17.370 Joseph McElroy: A mythological element to it yeah it’s got a little bit of magic in it.

00:40:17.850 –> 00:40:29.310 Frances Figart: yeah I am I was really inspired by the cherokee writings of the myths where they would talk about animals as just bear or deer or firefly.

00:40:30.060 –> 00:40:36.660 Frances Figart: They would just have the animals name, and so the animals in this book just have that that very simple mythological name.

00:40:37.500 –> 00:40:47.160 Frances Figart: But there’s a band of animals that join together in this cause to try to find safe passage and they meet some new friends, and they have some adventures, and some of its kind of scary.

00:40:48.030 –> 00:40:56.730 Frances Figart: But it’s not in your face graphic you know, there are some animals in it that have been killed on the human highway but we don’t see that happen it’s more of a memory.

00:40:56.970 –> 00:41:03.270 Frances Figart: That an animal has of their parent who has been killed, their or their brother or sister or friend who’s been killed on the human highway.

00:41:03.750 –> 00:41:13.950 Frances Figart: And they have a law called turtles law that prevents them from crossing anymore, and that illustrates a concept and wrote ecology that’s called the barrier effect.

00:41:14.340 –> 00:41:21.510 Frances Figart: And so, when animals decide not to try to cross anymore that’s actually even worse than when you’re seeing individual animals get hit.

00:41:21.840 –> 00:41:36.600 Frances Figart: Because the species is then in under threat and it’s not getting what it needs to thrive and species, you know diversity can’t happen animals interbreed and, eventually, they could be come extinct or be extirpated.

00:41:37.200 –> 00:41:45.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I also think that about half the book is about the story, but then I think the other half is you have.

00:41:46.080 –> 00:41:53.250 Joseph McElroy: yeah a lot of information, like almost like a little bit like encyclopedia but you know approachable encyclopedia information about the types of.

00:41:53.550 –> 00:41:56.940 Joseph McElroy: crossings, I mean there’s incredible amount there’s there’s culverts there’s.

00:41:57.270 –> 00:42:09.030 Joseph McElroy: You know the square openings there’s bridges there’s you know there’s grass things over the top, I thought that was really sort of you know, actually fascinating that you put all that additional information in there.

00:42:09.510 –> 00:42:16.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s a thorough education and fun book for children so i’m gonna get it for my children at the appropriate age.

00:42:16.740 –> 00:42:20.970 Frances Figart: I appreciate that, and you know I worked with a lot of scientists who know.

00:42:21.450 –> 00:42:33.720 Frances Figart: How to build these structures and and it’s just kind of distilling the information that they have down to the most basic level so that someone like a fifth grader can understand it, but that’s also the level that a lot of us need we don’t.

00:42:33.960 –> 00:42:44.100 Frances Figart: We don’t know how to build these box culverts and bridge extensions and things either, so I think it’s very accessible for adults that are just becoming acquainted with the road ecology concepts to.

00:42:44.400 –> 00:42:54.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think it’s an easy read for an adult to just sort of get the story, but then there’s the information that actually makes it yeah you get adult information in a in a digestible form.

00:42:55.530 –> 00:43:03.390 Joseph McElroy: For the second half of that book, I was, I was pleasantly you know excited so it’s very beautifully illustrated, who did your illustrations.

00:43:03.780 –> 00:43:17.040 Frances Figart: So the illustrator is named Emma do for and she’s on my staff at great smoky mountains association she’s a publication specialist who came to the smokies a lot as a child and then was determined to move to the smokies and work there.

00:43:17.790 –> 00:43:29.400 Frances Figart: her story is a brilliant one, but this was her first book to design and illustrate and she’s done a remarkable job and Did it really rapidly, we did all of this during coven you know the book.

00:43:30.030 –> 00:43:38.070 Frances Figart: I wrote the book from March to May last year and then mo worked on the illustration, and we basically got it published within about a nine month window.

00:43:38.700 –> 00:43:49.020 Joseph McElroy: Okay fabulous well when we come back we’ll talk a little bit more about you know aspects of your job, and you know, and then you know other things that people can find out about you.

00:43:50.880 –> 00:43:52.650 Frances Figart: Okay, thank you know.

00:46:08.430 –> 00:46:29.190 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Francis fight guy so Francis you mentioned coven giving you the time to actually write this new book, but how is coven impact your world and the park itself.

00:46:30.390 –> 00:46:43.350 Frances Figart: very good question you know the park went through some really scary times when coven first started and we found that not only did the park need to close, but we gma needed to close our visitor centers.

00:46:43.770 –> 00:46:54.120 Frances Figart: To be able to keep our staff, safe and then we actually even had to close our warehouse where the online orders are filled and we do large online business.

00:46:54.690 –> 00:46:58.770 Frances Figart: But it wasn’t safe, and so we we lost some ground, it was a little scary.

00:46:59.430 –> 00:47:08.940 Frances Figart: But we went into the year in a really good place financially, and so one of the things that happened that was very interesting was we had this challenge and figuring out How can people.

00:47:09.420 –> 00:47:18.900 Frances Figart: Stay connected to the park virtually since they can’t come there that’s really what our members and the people that follow Jesus, and they wanted was to be able to feel connected.

00:47:19.320 –> 00:47:25.050 Frances Figart: And so my staff had all these wonderful creative ideas, because they’re such innovators, you know they’re like we can do.

00:47:25.380 –> 00:47:32.130 Frances Figart: All these different things, and so I decided to channel all of their ideas through a blog called smokies live.

00:47:32.520 –> 00:47:43.110 Frances Figart: And smokies live can be found at smokies information.org as soon as you go to our website at pops up and it’s basically a blog that we started during coven.

00:47:43.590 –> 00:47:55.860 Frances Figart: And we’ve been able to maintain it and we post almost daily, if not four or five times a week we have stories coming up on smokies live that make it like a sister publication, to the magazine smokies life.

00:47:56.400 –> 00:48:00.600 Frances Figart: And we have many people that write for it, much of it is contributed.

00:48:01.200 –> 00:48:08.670 Frances Figart: If there are people out there listening he loved to write about the smokies they could even contact me and write for smokies live and it’s a communal effort.

00:48:08.910 –> 00:48:20.130 Frances Figart: So that’s been a really great way that we’ve survived the pandemic, because we really help people to connect with the park seeing videos and learning about the natural, cultural history through smokies live.

00:48:20.790 –> 00:48:35.310 Frances Figart: has really been an amazing part of it, and then also we’ve developed a lot of tools that have helped us with staying in close touch, as you have to do remotely so zoom meetings are one tool we use a program called slack that is.

00:48:35.730 –> 00:48:48.450 Frances Figart: A way to have conversations about all the different projects and in a very much real time, so my team of six we’ve really stayed very, very close and even become more efficient and effective during the pandemic.

00:48:49.080 –> 00:48:51.420 Joseph McElroy: You mentioned the tools of mine in life right now.

00:48:54.210 –> 00:49:02.520 Joseph McElroy: So, you know as an aside, I have you know, I have a bunch of travel writers, because of my business, so I will get some of them to send you some stuff.

00:49:03.000 –> 00:49:11.610 Joseph McElroy: And if you need the promotion of your blog we can I have some pretty good blogs and good good you know you probably know, this word by now seo position.

00:49:12.630 –> 00:49:18.600 Joseph McElroy: And we could give you a little authority to some of the articles, if you want to reach out and particularly promote one or two of them.

00:49:19.050 –> 00:49:21.570 Frances Figart: So this is a fortuitous partnership.

00:49:21.570 –> 00:49:23.220 Joseph McElroy: yeah definitely.

00:49:25.590 –> 00:49:33.600 Joseph McElroy: So, other than the writing part which i’m assuming you love, what are the other favorite aspects of the job helping preserve and protect the smoke.

00:49:34.440 –> 00:49:46.200 Frances Figart: Well, you know I just think about the things I get to do every day are things that I would do whether I had this job or not like I spent today listening to the audio version of a search for safe passage.

00:49:46.500 –> 00:49:59.580 Frances Figart: Which is being read by a wonderful author and audio expert named rose help and she’s out in scottsdale and she recorded my book, and so my job today was really largely.

00:50:00.060 –> 00:50:16.260 Frances Figart: surrounding listening to my book read by her and just making a few little tweaks of where I wanted her to read like the firefly voice a little differently or you know, whatever was you know I wanted elke says, I am L and I wanted that to be really low, and you know.

00:50:17.070 –> 00:50:18.360 Frances Figart: Things like that, where I would like.

00:50:18.450 –> 00:50:27.090 Frances Figart: adjust the way she said something and but it’s a beautiful reading of my book, she is not native American but her voice sounds native.

00:50:27.540 –> 00:50:36.480 Frances Figart: And I love that aspect of it so i’m so excited so I get to do things in my job that just feel like creative projects, they don’t feel like work to me.

00:50:36.930 –> 00:50:47.520 Frances Figart: And I love writing and editing and i’ve often felt like I would, if I if someone said, you could only write or you could only edit I would pick editing because i’m love it and i’m really good at it.

00:50:47.970 –> 00:50:59.070 Frances Figart: But i’ve become more of a writer throughout the last few years and I don’t think I could stand to have that go away, so I think I have to keep both writing and editing as part of what I do.

00:50:59.400 –> 00:51:10.620 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous you know they I was persuaded to get into podcasting my some of my marketing people said I had the perfect voice for day with the smokies now i’ve got another podcast and I love the creative aspect.

00:51:11.280 –> 00:51:11.520 Frances Figart: Well, I.

00:51:11.820 –> 00:51:14.820 Frances Figart: wish everyone could see your shirt because it’s so bright.

00:51:14.820 –> 00:51:19.020 Frances Figart: And cool, so this is great that you have some people that are able to view this.

00:51:19.650 –> 00:51:21.330 Joseph McElroy: So you got any books in the plans.

00:51:22.170 –> 00:51:27.900 Frances Figart: Well, actually it’s funny that you should ask that, because one of the things I really want to get working on here soon.

00:51:28.230 –> 00:51:41.040 Frances Figart: After I added about seven more smokies life stories for fall, is that I have a sequel plan to a search for safe passage and the working title is zoe’s gift to the gorge.

00:51:41.610 –> 00:51:53.100 Frances Figart: And it’s going to be in the end of a search for safe passage the elk tells the animals, what we have to do now is communicate to the humans what it is that we need in terms of wildlife crossings.

00:51:53.460 –> 00:52:00.270 Frances Figart: And so the next book is going to have the central figure Zoe, who is a girl that has some very special gifts.

00:52:00.600 –> 00:52:10.650 Frances Figart: And she’s going to get to spend some time up in the gorge with the animals on her own and learn from them what they need, and then she’ll be able to communicate that out to the others.

00:52:10.950 –> 00:52:22.710 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous so you can find your new book safe search for safe passage of smokies information.org I, we will probably also soon have it on smokies adventure COM.

00:52:24.570 –> 00:52:38.550 Joseph McElroy: You can also become a member of the great smoky mountains association at smokies information.org and it’s a great way to support and protect the park park her first book Francis first book is seasons of letting goes available on Amazon.

00:52:40.110 –> 00:52:50.850 Joseph McElroy: And spunky safe passions.org is where you can go to learn all about safe passage the I 40 pigeon river gorge wildlife crossing project.

00:52:51.480 –> 00:52:59.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then you can go to Francis fig art.com to find out more about Francis and you have some social media to write.

00:52:59.910 –> 00:53:06.120 Frances Figart: i’m on Facebook, mostly i’m on linkedin a little bit, but find me on Facebook i’d love to have some new friends.

00:53:06.630 –> 00:53:14.250 Joseph McElroy: And we’ll put all this information up on the gateway to the smoky so fun so you’ll be able to find it there.

00:53:15.510 –> 00:53:25.440 Joseph McElroy: And that is the gateway to swell and Francis I want to thank you for being a part of the show i’m gonna do a little close out now my stuff but I appreciate very much talking to you.

00:53:27.210 –> 00:53:40.290 Joseph McElroy: Thank you, so you can you can go to gateways to the smokies fun to find all sorts of information about this podcast when we post things that our guests, have mentioned and and want to promote.

00:53:41.520 –> 00:53:48.420 Joseph McElroy: And, and you can also subscribe to a newsletter that will let you know about upcoming events and podcasts.

00:53:48.900 –> 00:53:56.610 Joseph McElroy: Now I want you to imagine a place evocative motor cortex of the past yeah modern and vibrant with a chic appalachian field.

00:53:57.090 –> 00:54:06.810 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and full relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout scream grill the catch on fire.

00:54:07.230 –> 00:54:20.580 Joseph McElroy: and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place of the old time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the middle Arc motel and Maggie valley North Carolina.

00:54:21.600 –> 00:54:28.170 Joseph McElroy: and part of the great smoky mountains National Park your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:54:29.610 –> 00:54:47.610 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention, we are part of the talk radio nyc network, it is a great network of podcasts focused on the New York area, but it also syndicated out to a lot of other places around.

00:54:48.870 –> 00:54:55.620 Joseph McElroy: I think, right after this podcast live on Tuesday nights is a podcast exploring New York.

00:54:56.760 –> 00:55:03.330 Joseph McElroy: And I think it’s a really nice episode, so you go from a rural environment to urban environment.

00:55:04.470 –> 00:55:09.360 Joseph McElroy: So please stick around listen to everything on this network.

00:55:10.770 –> 00:55:26.250 Joseph McElroy: Next week we’re going to have MC butch McCain, who is a retired ranger from the park service, and he has a lot of experience in the smoky mountains, I think it’ll be a great show, and you can come by and visit same time from.

00:55:26.910 –> 00:55:32.970 Joseph McElroy: from six to seven on Tuesday night next week and we also have a Facebook page.

00:55:33.480 –> 00:55:50.340 Joseph McElroy: Also facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast where we stream the video live, so you can see the video live on Tuesdays as well, so you’ll see my shirt and my background and my beautiful guests, so thank you again and i’ll see you next time.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/491385238700370/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/160460038_491421505363410_4241410971354577877_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=_tsS8ZxHD4cAX93_8uQ&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301AED5&oh=00_AT9XEUiDk1sh_X4NnoOol5b2h09UwJDydIg4OvHwhIkX2g&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our special guest in this episode is <strong>Frances Figart</strong>. She directs the Creative Services department at the Great Smoky Mountains Association and edits Smokies Life magazine, the premier benefit for GSMA members. She is the editor of the 2019 GSMA title, Back of Beyond: A Horace Kephart Biography, which won the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award that same year. </p><p>Her background includes editing the monthly magazine for the National Tour Association, editing popular arts and culture monthly The Laurel of Asheville, and providing marketing and communications for a kayak ecotour operator in Canada and Costa Rica.</p><p>‍Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/506ZQJ1fRl/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph discusses a personal anecdote about the experience he went through after the passing of his wife. He transitions into the topic of today’s episode, journeys in life. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Frances Figart, and discusses some of her careers. Frances discusses the experiences that led her to Asheville and her journey into the ecotourism industry. Moving to Asheville, Frances knew almost no one, but quickly found her way in the mountains. Frances discusses getting involved with journalism in the Smokies, and how she became interested in the park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Frances describes what ecotourism actually is and how she got involved with it. Frances talks about the GSMA and what her position in it is. The GSMA is an educational park partner, with the revenue from their books, magazines, and other products helping to support the park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Frances has written two books, one called Seasons of Letting go, which encapsulates the experience of her mother’s passing. Frances discusses how this book came about when she was home taking care of her mother. She hadn’t planned to write a book, but she wrote a blog during and in the year after her mother’s passing, which eventually was put together to become the book. She discusses what the book means to her, and how it helped her reinvent herself yet still honor and remember her mother. Joseph shares the similarities he has found in his experiences with what Frances has talked about. Frances found that in letting go of her mother, she found herself and aligned with her destiny. Her second book, which was recently released, is very difficult to her first, being a children’s book about the Smokies. Frances talks about a project she has been working on helping to bring down the animal deaths in crossing roads in the mountains. This inspired the children’s book as they will soon be inheriting the park and will be the ones taking care of it. Not only is the book fun for children, but it is educating, helping to make complex topics about these animals simple for children.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Frances about the impact Covid has had on the park. Early on in the pandemic, the park, visitor centers, and warehouses for online orders all needed to close. A challenge the GSMA faced was keeping parkgoers involved virtually. Frances combatted this issue by starting a blog called Smokies Live, sharing stories that act almost as a more up-to-date version of the magazine. In addition to the blog, the GSMA hosts zoom meetings and use slack in order to keep connected. As much as she loves her job, Frances says that she would be doing many of the obligations of her job in her daily life regardless, making it even more enjoyable for her. She discusses future plans for the sequel to her children’s book.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:36.150 –&gt; 00:00:42.000 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:42.510 –&gt; 00:00:50.670 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:51.090 –&gt; 00:01:01.170 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep story history and a rich mountain culture that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:01.770 –&gt; 00:01:16.170 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses in travel, but my heart is in mountain culture.</p><p>00:01:17.310 –&gt; 00:01:36.810 Joseph McElroy: Now this episode is entitled ecotourism and safe passage is for wildlife in the smokies but it’s really about journeys to help conservation efforts, the journeys to life that lead to transitions and journeys that wildlife has to make to ensure their species survival.</p><p>00:01:38.280 –&gt; 00:01:47.610 Joseph McElroy: You know that journeys are something that I talked about every day my profession has been marketing and, in that we always talk about the customer journey.</p><p>00:01:48.060 –&gt; 00:02:08.190 Joseph McElroy: The path they follow and the transitions they make to become paying customers now, this is not a profound journey but it illustrates that even the smallest parts of our lives, we are on journeys the profound journeys create transitions that can be life-changing and even world-changing.</p><p>00:02:09.600 –&gt; 00:02:20.610 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to talk some about death, I know this is not expected, but when you travel and celebrate life you’re also preparing for a good death without regrets.</p><p>00:02:22.620 –&gt; 00:02:28.830 Joseph McElroy: And my family place that I now own the middle or motel there was an old couple who’d been coming there for years.</p><p>00:02:29.760 –&gt; 00:02:37.800 Joseph McElroy: And they called one day and talk to my parents and honestly told them that the woman was dying and wanted to come to stay in the Cabinet and die by the river.</p><p>00:02:38.520 –&gt; 00:02:51.900 Joseph McElroy: And the sides of the mountains that had brought such joy her whole life and she did they let her come and she eventually died in peace in the cabin and it was as much as as a celebration, as it was an occasion for SAR.</p><p>00:02:53.430 –&gt; 00:03:10.920 Joseph McElroy: And this is one of the reasons I bought the motel from my parents, three years ago, because the profound meeting I found in hospitality that creates memorable moments in people’s lives and their journeys and that make those journeys more beautiful and hopefully without regrets.</p><p>00:03:12.090 –&gt; 00:03:19.530 Joseph McElroy: Some of you know, the in 2014 my wife of 20 years died of rare cancer, and I was her caregiver for two years.</p><p>00:03:20.280 –&gt; 00:03:29.460 Joseph McElroy: My guest today has a book on life’s lessons learned from helping her mother die, and then it she writes about the hero’s journey by Joseph Campbell.</p><p>00:03:30.120 –&gt; 00:03:45.000 Joseph McElroy: How facing obstacles and fighting dragons leads to transformation at first her mother’s death seemed to her to be the end of the journey until she went through her grief and realized her mother was still on a journey for me.</p><p>00:03:46.260 –&gt; 00:03:55.800 Joseph McElroy: This brought back memories, because I attended a workshop after my wife’s death in the mountains, called the hero’s journey by just the Joseph Campbell foundation.</p><p>00:03:56.610 –&gt; 00:04:11.250 Joseph McElroy: There they led me through an exercise, where I had to write on a gravestone something that I needed to see buried now having just buried my wife, this was something of a challenge for me.</p><p>00:04:12.180 –&gt; 00:04:23.940 Joseph McElroy: But through some deep reflection, I wrote on the gravestone Mr and Mrs Joseph mcilroy and laid it down in the ceremony on the mountain side and had my transformational moment.</p><p>00:04:24.600 –&gt; 00:04:37.320 Joseph McElroy: Because I realized that I was still thinking of myself, as Mr Mrs Joseph mcilroy and I realized that identity, no longer existed, I was grieving as much.</p><p>00:04:38.040 –&gt; 00:04:58.410 Joseph McElroy: For her as for my my identity as as I was, for my late wife and I didn’t need to grieve for that identity, I needed to process the grief for my late wife and then I was no longer Mr Mrs Joseph McElroy I had to proceed as Joseph I had to reinvent a new life.</p><p>00:04:59.580 –&gt; 00:05:09.990 Joseph McElroy: Now I still remember today that life and wife, but I am married again I have given life to twins who are two years old and i’ve recovered and refurbish my family’s homestead.</p><p>00:05:10.950 –&gt; 00:05:20.940 Joseph McElroy: So I started a brand new journey through that transition, so this so this episode is not about me it’s about journeys.</p><p>00:05:21.570 –&gt; 00:05:28.050 Joseph McElroy: And we’re also going to be considering the life and journeys that wildlife has to make because of human civilization.</p><p>00:05:28.800 –&gt; 00:05:38.160 Joseph McElroy: And how we can make those journeys safer and life more fulfilling and how we can do conservation efforts and with ecotourism and things like that.</p><p>00:05:38.910 –&gt; 00:05:42.750 Joseph McElroy: So, to help us explore this I invited My guess Francis fiber.</p><p>00:05:43.410 –&gt; 00:05:53.940 Joseph McElroy: Who directs the creative service department at the great smoky mountains, associations and edits the fabulous smokies life magazine is one of the most beautiful magazines i’ve ever seen.</p><p>00:05:54.690 –&gt; 00:06:04.980 Joseph McElroy: She is a Thomas Wolfe memorial literary award winner she has edited edited several magazines, she has led marketing for eco tour operators in Canada and Costa Rica.</p><p>00:06:05.520 –&gt; 00:06:15.000 Joseph McElroy: she’s the author of several books, including the seasons of letting go, which is the book I just referenced and has a new children’s book a search for safe passage.</p><p>00:06:15.450 –&gt; 00:06:29.520 Joseph McElroy: which was just published by the great smoky mountains, associations and it follows a group of animal friends friends in a smoky mountains board brant banding together to find a safe way across the major highway hello, Francis.</p><p>00:06:30.150 –&gt; 00:06:32.160 Frances Figart: haters of thanks for having me.</p><p>00:06:32.430 –&gt; 00:06:34.470 Joseph McElroy: Oh sure how are you doing today.</p><p>00:06:35.190 –&gt; 00:06:41.550 Frances Figart: Doing really well it’s wonderful to be here and i’d like to thank our mutual friend Bob plot for introducing us.</p><p>00:06:42.000 –&gt; 00:06:50.910 Joseph McElroy: he’s is, do you know I danced last week we’re actually creating the smoky mountain meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center and we’re doing.</p><p>00:06:51.390 –&gt; 00:06:57.570 Joseph McElroy: Working together to create lots of heritage events and bring lots of awareness of what’s happening in these mountains.</p><p>00:06:58.020 –&gt; 00:07:11.490 Joseph McElroy: So you have had a remarkably diverse career and live everywhere from Costa Rica and Canada, yet now live north of actual right and with your life has been on a six acre property near the appalachian trail.</p><p>00:07:11.850 –&gt; 00:07:14.100 Joseph McElroy: Yes, how did you end up working in the great smoky.</p><p>00:07:14.820 –&gt; 00:07:31.860 Frances Figart: So very interesting, so I as you were talking about went through an experience, where I helped my mother passed away in 2012 she died and that next year, I moved to the asheville area and I met my husband and I.</p><p>00:07:32.940 –&gt; 00:07:44.430 Frances Figart: moved to a place that’s just about 40 minutes north of asheville called flag pond Tennessee which there’s not very much here and that’s why we’re here, there are a lot of cool animals and not very many people.</p><p>00:07:45.270 –&gt; 00:07:52.920 Frances Figart: But when I first moved to asheville I had put my career in ecotourism on hold to help my mother passed away.</p><p>00:07:53.370 –&gt; 00:07:58.890 Frances Figart: And so I really was starting over you know it’s very much like you were talking about you kind of reinvented your life.</p><p>00:07:59.400 –&gt; 00:08:04.140 Frances Figart: And I went to asheville I didn’t know anyone I knew to people.</p><p>00:08:04.590 –&gt; 00:08:12.540 Frances Figart: And, but i’m a great networker so I stormed into town and said i’m going to become a magazine editor i’m going to be the editor of the Laurel of asheville which I did that.</p><p>00:08:13.020 –&gt; 00:08:27.120 Frances Figart: And I also did some pro bono work for another part partner in the smokies called discover life in America, and they do the all tax of biodiversity inventory, which is a Count of all the species in the park.</p><p>00:08:27.720 –&gt; 00:08:39.510 Frances Figart: And so I did some pro bono editing and writing for them and years later, in 2017 the executive director Todd witcher of discover life in America called me one day and said.</p><p>00:08:39.990 –&gt; 00:08:43.890 Frances Figart: there’s a job, opening up in the smokies that has your name written all over it.</p><p>00:08:44.310 –&gt; 00:08:53.430 Frances Figart: And I said well that’s wonderful, but my husband built our cabin and there’s no way that i’m going to be able to move to the smokies I couldn’t move to gatlinburg.</p><p>00:08:53.790 –&gt; 00:08:58.710 Frances Figart: And he said, well, I think you need to have a talk with the executive director I don’t think he would have to move there.</p><p>00:08:59.490 –&gt; 00:09:06.930 Frances Figart: Because you know when you work in publishing it can be pretty remote, these days, and so I did have that conversation with.</p><p>00:09:07.530 –&gt; 00:09:16.800 Frances Figart: them the executive director and now the CEO Laurel repertory who is my boss, and we decided that if I were the right person for the job that I wouldn’t have to move away so I.</p><p>00:09:17.370 –&gt; 00:09:30.720 Frances Figart: I went through all the processes I didn’t expect to get the job, and yet here I am and so all day long I work from home in flight on Tennessee but my mind is two hours away in great smoky mountain National Park.</p><p>00:09:31.470 –&gt; 00:09:38.130 Joseph McElroy: cool I knew, you had plenty of experience in the area yeah like me i’m doing this podcast from New York City.</p><p>00:09:38.880 –&gt; 00:09:46.920 Joseph McElroy: But you know I grew up there, and you know and i’ve always been there and I have my business interests there, and you know so.</p><p>00:09:47.520 –&gt; 00:10:03.540 Joseph McElroy: You know well, of course I business interest in New York, so, but you can you can you can love multiple places in your life, and I think actually having the experience of loving two places really prepares you to talk about it in the travel sets right yeah.</p><p>00:10:03.690 –&gt; 00:10:17.100 Frances Figart: yeah like I love I love, where I live, so much, and I have trail cams around my property and at night, especially at night there are bobcats that come through that’s my spirit animal and I love them, but we have bear and deer and Turkey and.</p><p>00:10:18.180 –&gt; 00:10:24.210 Frances Figart: opossum and skunk and would check and all these wonderful animals that are on this property, so I love it here.</p><p>00:10:24.600 –&gt; 00:10:35.460 Frances Figart: But I also love, Costa Rica and that would be a place that we’re I to have an opportunity to can to live there, I might do so, but I don’t think I can pull my husband away.</p><p>00:10:35.760 –&gt; 00:10:46.380 Frances Figart: From the appalachian trail region he’s hiked it four times, he was here and and I love it here as well, so yeah but I know what you mean you can love to places that’s for sure.</p><p>00:10:46.560 –&gt; 00:10:56.550 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I mean you can you can love several places my wife loves New York City and she’s learning to love the the smoky mountains and she she loves a.</p><p>00:10:58.950 –&gt; 00:11:00.360 Joseph McElroy: place in Mexico.</p><p>00:11:01.680 –&gt; 00:11:04.650 Joseph McElroy: i’m drawing a blank on and she’s gonna get mad at me she’s probably listening.</p><p>00:11:05.730 –&gt; 00:11:14.010 Joseph McElroy: San Miguel San Miguel and the mountains in which is sort of a mountainous region in the in the in the.</p><p>00:11:14.370 –&gt; 00:11:30.060 Joseph McElroy: Mexico and she’s originally from Trinidad and grew up on a mountain in Trinidad you know everything so true that’d be in this Caribbean island but it’s actually a mountainous Caribbean island and so she’s she’s I tell her we’re just we’re just mountain people.</p><p>00:11:32.490 –&gt; 00:11:37.170 Joseph McElroy: So, and so, what do you, what do you love most about the smoky mountains region.</p><p>00:11:38.250 –&gt; 00:11:47.250 Frances Figart: Well, I tell you it’s um it’s a very diverse place and that’s part of the reason why I love, Costa Rica, was the diversity and you know the smokies has been studied.</p><p>00:11:47.580 –&gt; 00:11:59.820 Frances Figart: by scientists all over the world as a biodiversity hotspot and so that’s why I really got interested in the job because it was a place that I could put my ecotourism background to work if you will.</p><p>00:12:00.210 –&gt; 00:12:13.800 Frances Figart: And I manage the creative team they’re a great smoky mountains, association and we create all kinds of books and magazines and projects like we did we actually do a podcast to that’s called smoky mountain air.</p><p>00:12:14.820 –&gt; 00:12:28.980 Frances Figart: So there are so many ways to lend you know the creative forces to the smokies because they’re just so many stories to be told we’re helping to tell ancient stories of the peoples who were here before it was even a park.</p><p>00:12:29.010 –&gt; 00:12:29.700 Joseph McElroy: You know the Chair.</p><p>00:12:29.880 –&gt; 00:12:36.660 Frances Figart: In the African American people that were here before, so we help the park in so many different ways to do that interpretive work.</p><p>00:12:37.470 –&gt; 00:12:49.350 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s Nice, you know I I was reading about that you know the cherokee you know claim anywhere from 3000 to 15,000 years ago of culture in this area yeah and so.</p><p>00:12:50.040 –&gt; 00:13:01.290 Joseph McElroy: I find that very interesting and, of course, the West African influence on music here is tremendous, especially the banjo I mean our first episode, we talked a lot about that.</p><p>00:13:01.890 –&gt; 00:13:18.420 Joseph McElroy: I have a friend of mine who is both Scotch Irish and West African descent all right, and he was the drummer for simple minds at one point he’s artists in residence at the middle Arc motel and he’s exploring all those sorts of aspects of the Culture here.</p><p>00:13:18.900 –&gt; 00:13:30.390 Frances Figart: Well, you mentioned that because we just created a new podcast series that’s called sepia tones and it’s about African American music in appalachia.</p><p>00:13:30.960 –&gt; 00:13:47.070 Frances Figart: And the influence that that’s had on the smokies region, in particular, and the co host of that Ted olson and bill Turner are just amazing so it’s under the smoky mountain air podcast series and really worth listening to i’m very excited that we’re.</p><p>00:13:47.070 –&gt; 00:13:49.080 Frances Figart: Creating we’re creating that right now.</p><p>00:13:49.320 –&gt; 00:13:54.720 Joseph McElroy: Well, I should talk to Mike and see if there’s any synergies and what he’s doing yeah so cool.</p><p>00:13:56.040 –&gt; 00:14:02.610 Joseph McElroy: So we’re back, we have taken a break now we’ll talk more about articles and publications and books.</p><p>00:17:01.980 –&gt; 00:17:09.990 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Francis fiber.</p><p>00:17:12.060 –&gt; 00:17:25.500 Joseph McElroy: So, before I get into you know more about the the great smoky areas specifically you know we talked about ECO tourism, you talked about it briefly, can you just tell us what that means you really.</p><p>00:17:26.670 –&gt; 00:17:42.150 Frances Figart: yeah a lot of times people describe it as sustainable tourism and really if you think about it, those two things are a bit of a misnomer right because it’s hard to travel sustainably when you’re traveling you’re you’re using fuel and.</p><p>00:17:43.380 –&gt; 00:17:51.360 Frances Figart: Lots of our resources but there’s a movement in the travel industry to try to do it that in such a way that it’s light on the land.</p><p>00:17:51.810 –&gt; 00:18:03.630 Frances Figart: And a lot of times ECO tourism is focused around very small group travel so, for instance, I worked with a kayak ECO tour operator in both Canada and Costa Rica, we would go back and forth.</p><p>00:18:03.930 –&gt; 00:18:11.700 Frances Figart: Depending on the season, because you don’t want to be paddling in Canada when it’s October so that’s when you’d get a Costa Rica and.</p><p>00:18:12.690 –&gt; 00:18:20.040 Frances Figart: You know the focus was on small groups that would not make a big impact in the areas that we were paddling.</p><p>00:18:20.430 –&gt; 00:18:30.030 Frances Figart: So that’s that’s kind of how I got involved before that I was a magazine editor for the national tour Association, which was more of a motor coach across the US.</p><p>00:18:30.540 –&gt; 00:18:44.670 Frances Figart: and Canada type of organization for tour operators and I learned about ECO tourism and natural tourism through that experience and so that is kind of what I gravitated to because I liked the conservation aspect of that work.</p><p>00:18:45.270 –&gt; 00:18:47.910 Joseph McElroy: So, and then your podcast you mentioned, with the.</p><p>00:18:49.170 –&gt; 00:18:50.130 Joseph McElroy: GS ma.</p><p>00:18:51.450 –&gt; 00:18:55.080 Joseph McElroy: talks about ECO ECO tourism experiences of people could have.</p><p>00:18:56.070 –&gt; 00:19:07.380 Frances Figart: We haven’t gotten into that topic yet, but that’s a really good idea and I think we should have been focusing recently on, as I mentioned the sepia tones the black appalachian music.</p><p>00:19:08.400 –&gt; 00:19:19.320 Frances Figart: Focus but we’ve also had podcasts that have been readings by some of our smokies life magazine authors and you know we’ve explored other programs in the park but.</p><p>00:19:19.770 –&gt; 00:19:30.840 Frances Figart: You know, eco tourism has not been mentioned a lot in my job, yet, but it’s something that’s always in the back of my mind, because we do have a lot of congestion and a lot of visitors in the park, you know, we had.</p><p>00:19:31.230 –&gt; 00:19:40.920 Frances Figart: 12.5 million visitors in 2019 and then of course last year it fell a little bit because of coven and we were closed part of the year.</p><p>00:19:42.120 –&gt; 00:19:55.710 Frances Figart: But this year people feel like parks are the place to be and so each month this year we’ve had some numbers already and we expect to probably tip over that 12.5 million mark during 21.</p><p>00:19:56.250 –&gt; 00:19:58.560 Joseph McElroy: Do you if you if somebody wanted to.</p><p>00:19:59.790 –&gt; 00:20:00.390 Joseph McElroy: You know.</p><p>00:20:01.440 –&gt; 00:20:12.330 Joseph McElroy: engage in ecotourism experience and then the smoky mountains, do you know of any providers or resources or even you know publications that might give them information.</p><p>00:20:13.800 –&gt; 00:20:23.250 Frances Figart: Absolutely, there are a lot of great ecotourism operators out there, and one in particular that I think of right off the BAT is Tara in Terra.</p><p>00:20:23.790 –&gt; 00:20:36.720 Frances Figart: incognita ECO tours and that’s run by Judd katich and he’s a friend longtime friend and he does skirt trips to all kinds of wonderful places where ECO tourism, tourism has done.</p><p>00:20:37.470 –&gt; 00:20:38.400 Joseph McElroy: fabulous i’m.</p><p>00:20:40.080 –&gt; 00:20:45.750 Joseph McElroy: glad about that i’m wanting you know where we are at the motel where the only we’re actually the only.</p><p>00:20:46.350 –&gt; 00:21:05.550 Joseph McElroy: Three pine lodging facility west of asheville and three partners graded by the Sydney according to you know North Carolina sustainable ECO ECO friendly and so we’ve taken a lot of effort to be and so we’re looking at how to develop more eco tour, so I guess.</p><p>00:21:06.240 –&gt; 00:21:07.230 Joseph McElroy: So anyway right I.</p><p>00:21:07.830 –&gt; 00:21:09.390 Frances Figart: connect you with some people.</p><p>00:21:09.480 –&gt; 00:21:23.550 Joseph McElroy: cool that’d be fabulous so you’ve written scores of articles for well known publications around the region and now you’re the creative service director, the GA s ma so tell us a little bit about this organization and what what that job means.</p><p>00:21:24.810 –&gt; 00:21:31.860 Frances Figart: Right well so great smoky mountains association is one of several part partners and we’re an educational park partner.</p><p>00:21:32.220 –&gt; 00:21:47.040 Frances Figart: So we support the park through creating products and selling them and Joseph you probably know that you know the park in the smokies doesn’t charge an entrance fee like some parks and so there’s always that challenge of how do they.</p><p>00:21:48.090 –&gt; 00:21:54.240 Frances Figart: generate the income to take care of the backlog of maintenance and all the different things that need to be done for the park.</p><p>00:21:54.660 –&gt; 00:22:03.870 Frances Figart: So we create books and magazines and other products, and we also sell other books in our bookstores that are run by great smoky mountains association.</p><p>00:22:04.320 –&gt; 00:22:12.840 Frances Figart: And those funds come together to help support the park to do many different things like we talked about earlier telling the stories.</p><p>00:22:13.260 –&gt; 00:22:18.390 Frances Figart: Of the peoples who were here before or preserving the historic buildings in the park.</p><p>00:22:19.080 –&gt; 00:22:28.950 Frances Figart: Just things like utilities for visitors we help to provide that, so there are so many things that go into how we support our our park and as a partner.</p><p>00:22:29.520 –&gt; 00:22:37.200 Frances Figart: And we, you know, there are other partners like discover life in America that I mentioned, and they have other projects that they work on but we’re.</p><p>00:22:38.070 –&gt; 00:22:47.610 Frances Figart: serving in a way that that we sell our products in the bookstore so anytime you visit the park and you go into one of the bookstores that’s great smoky mountains association.</p><p>00:22:48.030 –&gt; 00:22:55.560 Joseph McElroy: You also I know this for a fact, because I am one you’ve developed a pretty large network of resellers right that actually.</p><p>00:22:55.860 –&gt; 00:22:57.930 Joseph McElroy: support you and selling those.</p><p>00:22:58.590 –&gt; 00:23:08.100 Joseph McElroy: Are smokies adventure COM site actually sells the DSM a products and we you know we try to package, a little different and things like that, but.</p><p>00:23:09.210 –&gt; 00:23:11.730 Joseph McElroy: we’re we’re an avid supporter of that.</p><p>00:23:12.090 –&gt; 00:23:18.450 Frances Figart: Well that’s great and we welcome you and you know it’s interesting because we are basically a very boutique publisher.</p><p>00:23:19.380 –&gt; 00:23:29.100 Frances Figart: of books, you know it’s something that we we don’t do that publishing exclusively we do so many other things in running our bookstores and our retail is really our bread and butter.</p><p>00:23:29.910 –&gt; 00:23:37.860 Frances Figart: But we create a couple of books every year and this year, the new book from gma is the one that I wrote called a search for safe passage.</p><p>00:23:38.250 –&gt; 00:23:44.670 Joseph McElroy: cool well, I know I will talk about that in just a second I think it’s a great book, but I think another big thing that you guys do.</p><p>00:23:45.090 –&gt; 00:23:54.540 Joseph McElroy: Is that you create maps and guides right, not just the books, I mean the books are great I mean you talk about like moonshine you talking about women in the appalachian you talk about.</p><p>00:23:54.870 –&gt; 00:24:01.380 Joseph McElroy: You know all sorts of different cultural aspects that people don’t necessarily think of, and then you get into herbal medicine and.</p><p>00:24:01.920 –&gt; 00:24:16.530 Joseph McElroy: You know and wildlife and many things you just the selection is is great, but you do wonderful guides and great maps and hiking hiking trail maps and things like that you just released the hundred trails that is a.</p><p>00:24:16.680 –&gt; 00:24:17.280 classic.</p><p>00:24:18.450 –&gt; 00:24:23.790 Joseph McElroy: classic classic and an updated and everything and that’s that’s a good seller.</p><p>00:24:25.500 –&gt; 00:24:34.200 Frances Figart: Sales map which was originally a partnership between gma and the Carolina mountain club and we’ve just revitalized it and brought it up to date.</p><p>00:24:34.590 –&gt; 00:24:43.140 Frances Figart: Which is very exciting and there’s a new challenge from cmc Carolina mountain club for people to hike all of those 100 favorite trails so that’s pretty neat.</p><p>00:24:43.500 –&gt; 00:24:50.220 Frances Figart: And we do have a lot of guidebooks and you know people who are not watching this can’t see it but behind me there’s a poster.</p><p>00:24:50.520 –&gt; 00:24:55.920 Frances Figart: That shows 100 different butterflies and Moss and they’re all in our butterflies and months field guide.</p><p>00:24:56.340 –&gt; 00:25:08.820 Frances Figart: Which is just one of many field guides right now we’re creating a new one that’s all about just insects and that’s being written by James Costa of the Highlands biological station which is in color we.</p><p>00:25:09.540 –&gt; 00:25:18.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah well that’s great I mean I think these are wonderful assets and you also the editor of smokies life magazine what is that what is the purpose of that magazine.</p><p>00:25:18.990 –&gt; 00:25:31.710 Frances Figart: That magazine is the main benefit that are members of gma get in the mail twice a year, and thank goodness it’s twice a year because i’ve worked on a lot of monthly magazines and you really can’t do anything else.</p><p>00:25:32.460 –&gt; 00:25:42.660 Frances Figart: One time I was like Conference, and when I was with the national tour association, so people came up to my booth at a conference and they said we’re just curious What do you do in between issues.</p><p>00:25:45.090 –&gt; 00:25:49.380 Joseph McElroy: But now you look at it it’s so beautiful right it’s such a beautiful magazine.</p><p>00:25:49.860 –&gt; 00:25:52.920 Frances Figart: It really is and that’s thanks to my staff, I have an.</p><p>00:25:52.920 –&gt; 00:26:03.090 Frances Figart: amazing on staff that Lisa horseman is the lead designer on that magazine she’s also a famous children’s author and we sell her books, you might have some of her books.</p><p>00:26:03.720 –&gt; 00:26:16.290 Frances Figart: The great smoky mountain salamander ball is one that you probably have, and you know that that magazine is just a lot of fun, but yeah it takes the full six months because you are doing a lot of things to make it happen.</p><p>00:26:18.300 –&gt; 00:26:32.520 Joseph McElroy: So, and you know the you know the the things that are the contents are like bike days in caves cove park faces up faces up to over tourism twin creek science, education, a lot of wonderful stuff there.</p><p>00:26:34.020 –&gt; 00:26:49.080 Frances Figart: Paul has an article in this one I don’t know if you notice that, but he wrote a story about two of the heroes of the smokies Georgian Elizabeth ellison and so Bob and Janet mckee read that together, and it was a great story.</p><p>00:26:49.380 –&gt; 00:26:56.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great oh yeah Well, no, I think it’s and it’s and it’s so that’s mostly I said you don’t distribute it anywhere else right.</p><p>00:26:57.540 –&gt; 00:27:09.060 Frances Figart: it’s in our book stores, and you can buy it at smokies information.org so if you’re not a Member, you can go online it’s smokies information to Oregon by it, but we encourage you to be a Member for just 30 bucks a year.</p><p>00:27:10.170 –&gt; 00:27:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.</p><p>00:27:12.420 –&gt; 00:27:12.870 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:27:13.950 –&gt; 00:27:21.480 Joseph McElroy: You when you talk about the DSM maybe an educational park partner Besides supporting it with money, what does that mean.</p><p>00:27:22.620 –&gt; 00:27:31.830 Frances Figart: um so you know, like, I mentioned the proceeds from our books and products provide services for visitors and we fund resource management of the park.</p><p>00:27:32.700 –&gt; 00:27:42.030 Frances Figart: We make it possible for the park to preserve his historic structures and tell those older stories of the cherokee and the African Americans who were here before.</p><p>00:27:42.510 –&gt; 00:27:51.030 Frances Figart: We help educate our members and part visitors about natural and cultural heritage of the smokies through those projects okay.</p><p>00:27:51.810 –&gt; 00:27:52.170 well.</p><p>00:27:53.610 –&gt; 00:28:04.200 Joseph McElroy: When we get back you have you have a new book called this, you will be have two books that we wanted to talk about briefly seasons of letting go, which I mentioned, and then I think, a very important one now.</p><p>00:28:04.800 –&gt; 00:28:10.170 Joseph McElroy: search for safe passage which was a children’s book has got a pretty important message to talk about.</p><p>00:28:11.220 –&gt; 00:28:14.820 Joseph McElroy: And so let’s dig into the meat of that when we get back.</p><p>00:28:15.540 –&gt; 00:28:16.200 Frances Figart: sounds good.</p><p>00:28:24.420 –&gt; 00:28:24.630 and</p><p>00:31:05.970 –&gt; 00:31:14.640 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy and i’m back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guess Francis.</p><p>00:31:16.320 –&gt; 00:31:17.550 Joseph McElroy: Francis you know we.</p><p>00:31:18.720 –&gt; 00:31:29.730 Joseph McElroy: been talking about you know your job and let’s talk about your creativity all right, which is even your job demonstrates your creativity you’re the author of two books.</p><p>00:31:30.240 –&gt; 00:31:39.510 Joseph McElroy: And the first one, I got to read a little bit of and because it was formatted as a series of poignant collection of essays.</p><p>00:31:40.380 –&gt; 00:31:48.120 Joseph McElroy: I was able to actually get her, I think a little bit of an understanding and it’s called seasons of letting go, which was about helping your mother die.</p><p>00:31:48.600 –&gt; 00:32:03.300 Joseph McElroy: A dignified death and how you learn from that your mother was a ruthie, I think, and she was a baseball fan, and she sounds like a tremendous woman, and so, can you tell us a little bit of that book came about.</p><p>00:32:03.720 –&gt; 00:32:07.830 Frances Figart: Sure thing so her name is Ruth and that he is silent.</p><p>00:32:08.160 –&gt; 00:32:08.760 Okay.</p><p>00:32:09.900 –&gt; 00:32:16.740 Frances Figart: When she was born, she was named just the normal, are you Th but she’d like to be different so she wanted to put a silent E on it.</p><p>00:32:17.700 –&gt; 00:32:18.660 Joseph McElroy: Okay, great.</p><p>00:32:18.900 –&gt; 00:32:22.680 Frances Figart: My middle name is free to so I have the silent E as well.</p><p>00:32:22.920 –&gt; 00:32:23.940 Joseph McElroy: Can I call you ruthie.</p><p>00:32:27.960 –&gt; 00:32:28.290 Frances Figart: But.</p><p>00:32:28.590 –&gt; 00:32:35.910 Frances Figart: The book, you know I I tell people I kind of tricked myself into writing a book, because what happened was in 2010.</p><p>00:32:36.390 –&gt; 00:32:45.690 Frances Figart: I put my career on hold and I went home and I realized, I was going to need to be with my mom for as long as it was going to take, and it was about two years, just like your experience.</p><p>00:32:46.380 –&gt; 00:32:55.740 Frances Figart: And so I didn’t know really how to cope with you know how this is your your loving this person, but you also have this big job.</p><p>00:32:56.640 –&gt; 00:33:04.410 Frances Figart: You know it’s like you’re you’re doing the caregiving thing and so it’s 24 seven you don’t get a break there’s really no escape from the stress of it.</p><p>00:33:04.740 –&gt; 00:33:15.510 Frances Figart: So I think to process that stress I started a blog and I started writing essays just about coping with the fact that i’m going to lose my mother and i’m the sole caregiver, and this was really hard.</p><p>00:33:16.890 –&gt; 00:33:29.040 Frances Figart: And it wasn’t until several years after she was gone that I realized that some of my best writing had been done, both during the time she was dying and also my processing the first year of grief.</p><p>00:33:29.790 –&gt; 00:33:38.850 Frances Figart: Especially that first year, and so in 2015 I realized that I had a group of essays that I really just wanted to put together as a book.</p><p>00:33:39.240 –&gt; 00:33:43.380 Frances Figart: And in really for me my audience was the people who knew my mother.</p><p>00:33:43.680 –&gt; 00:33:53.310 Frances Figart: That probably would not go look at my blog site and look up all these essays on there, because they were older people, they were in her age group, so I wanted to present them with something.</p><p>00:33:53.610 –&gt; 00:34:00.780 Frances Figart: And i’m holding the book up right now it’s got a scene that’s much like your background Joseph and you know I.</p><p>00:34:02.430 –&gt; 00:34:12.960 Frances Figart: yeah I wanted it to be something that people could hold in their hand and have a good feeling about her life so it’s a tribute to her, but it’s also a tribute to what you were talking about earlier, which is that we.</p><p>00:34:13.230 –&gt; 00:34:25.530 Frances Figart: have to reinvent ourselves, and we have to disassociate our identity as being with that person it, you know, even though I really felt strongly that my end identity was wrapped up with being Ruth fibroids daughter.</p><p>00:34:26.070 –&gt; 00:34:31.140 Frances Figart: I had to go on and say I can be more than that, I can be different from that and still honor her.</p><p>00:34:32.160 –&gt; 00:34:36.720 Joseph McElroy: That is a that is a, that is, I think that’s important for a lot of people to.</p><p>00:34:37.410 –&gt; 00:34:47.580 Joseph McElroy: To to understand that you know, I think that I, you know I had some friends that actually it was kind of odd, but at the same time they’d lost their lives, maybe one of the year before.</p><p>00:34:47.970 –&gt; 00:35:05.970 Joseph McElroy: And then never you know when I saw them they had they hadn’t progressed in their lives, and some of them still haven’t and they haven’t lost that and that they haven’t realized that they got to bury their identity, their grieving their identity as much as they’re grieving the person.</p><p>00:35:06.330 –&gt; 00:35:13.890 Frances Figart: yeah and I think, as you continue to read that book you’re going to see that there’s a place where I went through that that same thing, where you know you just.</p><p>00:35:14.220 –&gt; 00:35:21.900 Frances Figart: You finally let go and the experience of caregiving, I think, is one that you that’s where I really learned that I wasn’t in control.</p><p>00:35:22.500 –&gt; 00:35:31.620 Frances Figart: Because you know I am kind of a control freak and that helps me to be successful and things like building production schedules for magazines or setting a time limit, you know to do a book.</p><p>00:35:31.950 –&gt; 00:35:39.390 Frances Figart: And that type of thing, but ultimately we have no control and when you’re a caregiver and someone’s dying that’s when you really learn that lesson.</p><p>00:35:39.780 –&gt; 00:35:41.880 Frances Figart: And then, when you start to let go.</p><p>00:35:42.060 –&gt; 00:35:48.690 Frances Figart: For me it is if you’re really able to realize your destiny, because you don’t push so hard for what you want.</p><p>00:35:49.110 –&gt; 00:35:58.080 Frances Figart: You don’t get that friction anymore you just align with destiny and then the two of you can just sore out into space and that’s really what’s happened for me since I lost my mom.</p><p>00:35:58.500 –&gt; 00:35:58.770 Frances Figart: And I.</p><p>00:35:58.920 –&gt; 00:36:04.470 Frances Figart: said I could show her that I finally got it but it’s Okay, I think she knows.</p><p>00:36:05.250 –&gt; 00:36:14.640 Joseph McElroy: I you know the same way, I feel like I have guardian angels that I didn’t have before things have gone in surprising ways for me in my life, since then, so.</p><p>00:36:15.840 –&gt; 00:36:18.780 Joseph McElroy: it’s, it is a carpet experience right.</p><p>00:36:19.590 –&gt; 00:36:23.670 Frances Figart: yeah it’s cathartic and you know you probably have had the same feeling too, but.</p><p>00:36:24.090 –&gt; 00:36:37.440 Frances Figart: i’ve been a little sad that my husband didn’t get to meet my parents, but then, in some ways it’s almost as if his energy continues their own and it’s almost like it doesn’t matter because it feels like he was a part of them, and they were part of him.</p><p>00:36:37.800 –&gt; 00:36:55.500 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I have, I have a wife and two the two twin children now yeah I have an older son, but but it definitely feels like this, this long journey that just changed, but you know there’s a similar similar there’s a sort of energy that goes through.</p><p>00:36:57.120 –&gt; 00:37:01.500 Joseph McElroy: So now you got a second book come it’s got a completely different direction.</p><p>00:37:01.950 –&gt; 00:37:03.900 Joseph McElroy: That just came out last month.</p><p>00:37:04.950 –&gt; 00:37:16.200 Joseph McElroy: it’s a children’s book and with a special cause pertaining to the smokies is search for say passions and can you tell me two things, what is it about why came about and why did you make it a children’s.</p><p>00:37:16.920 –&gt; 00:37:19.530 Frances Figart: Okay that’s you know it’s going to take me a second so.</p><p>00:37:21.120 –&gt; 00:37:28.020 Frances Figart: When I first moved from asheville up to the area where I live in now the closest highway here is I 26.</p><p>00:37:28.590 –&gt; 00:37:34.890 Frances Figart: And I was disturbed to see a lot of our iconic black bears getting killed on this highway.</p><p>00:37:35.580 –&gt; 00:37:44.850 Frances Figart: And so, when I got my job in the smokies I was able to connect with some people who were having a discussion about a similar problem just outside the park boundary.</p><p>00:37:45.570 –&gt; 00:37:54.120 Frances Figart: And it’s an area, called the pigeon river gorge it’s a 28 mile stretch of road that’s really twisty if you’ve ever driven between asheville and knoxville.</p><p>00:37:54.900 –&gt; 00:38:02.430 Frances Figart: been on this really curvy section of road and eight miles is in Tennessee and 20 miles is in western North Carolina.</p><p>00:38:02.820 –&gt; 00:38:09.180 Frances Figart: And way too many bear and deer and elk and other smaller animals are killed there every year.</p><p>00:38:09.420 –&gt; 00:38:17.280 Frances Figart: Now there’s a lot of statistics rolling around, but the data hasn’t all been crunched yet some people say as many as 70 bears have been killed there in one year.</p><p>00:38:17.580 –&gt; 00:38:24.390 Frances Figart: We don’t really know those things, yet the research is still being completed, but what we know is that there are way too many.</p><p>00:38:24.750 –&gt; 00:38:32.880 Frances Figart: And so I became a part of this group, and at that time it wasn’t called anything, it was just several organizations working together.</p><p>00:38:33.510 –&gt; 00:38:42.600 Frances Figart: To try to find a solution, and now there are as many as 20 organizations, some of them governmental some of them non governmental some of them tribal.</p><p>00:38:43.020 –&gt; 00:38:51.540 Frances Figart: All kinds of agencies working together to try to solve the problem and six of those have created a safe passage fund coalition.</p><p>00:38:51.810 –&gt; 00:39:02.700 Frances Figart: And we’ve branded the project as the safe passage I 40 pigeon river gorge wildlife crossing project now we’re working towards getting some wildlife crossings to.</p><p>00:39:03.090 –&gt; 00:39:07.890 Frances Figart: Be in that region but that’s something that takes years sometimes to accomplish.</p><p>00:39:08.400 –&gt; 00:39:16.050 Frances Figart: And so, why a children’s book to me i’m thinking of 11 and 12 year olds who are reading this book now.</p><p>00:39:16.470 –&gt; 00:39:22.770 Frances Figart: are going to inherit the problems that we have with our roads needing to consider wildlife and how they need to cross.</p><p>00:39:23.190 –&gt; 00:39:33.060 Frances Figart: And so, in 12 more years those kids reading it will be the new road ecologist they will be the highway engineers that will help to solve these problems.</p><p>00:39:33.750 –&gt; 00:39:47.070 Frances Figart: Because we’re networking with people who have been working on these problems for a decade and they still have a broken ground because it takes that long to get it all together so that’s why the kids book concept really works.</p><p>00:39:48.330 –&gt; 00:39:56.490 Joseph McElroy: I read it a little bit of it, I love the way you’ve sort of made it into an adventure story for the kids right.</p><p>00:39:57.540 –&gt; 00:40:11.880 Joseph McElroy: it’s sort of an adventure the animals are you know they they they they all have their own personalities and they meet together, you know they have you have different groups that come together and have to know who they are, and there’s also a sort of a almost.</p><p>00:40:13.020 –&gt; 00:40:17.370 Joseph McElroy: A mythological element to it yeah it’s got a little bit of magic in it.</p><p>00:40:17.850 –&gt; 00:40:29.310 Frances Figart: yeah I am I was really inspired by the cherokee writings of the myths where they would talk about animals as just bear or deer or firefly.</p><p>00:40:30.060 –&gt; 00:40:36.660 Frances Figart: They would just have the animals name, and so the animals in this book just have that that very simple mythological name.</p><p>00:40:37.500 –&gt; 00:40:47.160 Frances Figart: But there’s a band of animals that join together in this cause to try to find safe passage and they meet some new friends, and they have some adventures, and some of its kind of scary.</p><p>00:40:48.030 –&gt; 00:40:56.730 Frances Figart: But it’s not in your face graphic you know, there are some animals in it that have been killed on the human highway but we don’t see that happen it’s more of a memory.</p><p>00:40:56.970 –&gt; 00:41:03.270 Frances Figart: That an animal has of their parent who has been killed, their or their brother or sister or friend who’s been killed on the human highway.</p><p>00:41:03.750 –&gt; 00:41:13.950 Frances Figart: And they have a law called turtles law that prevents them from crossing anymore, and that illustrates a concept and wrote ecology that’s called the barrier effect.</p><p>00:41:14.340 –&gt; 00:41:21.510 Frances Figart: And so, when animals decide not to try to cross anymore that’s actually even worse than when you’re seeing individual animals get hit.</p><p>00:41:21.840 –&gt; 00:41:36.600 Frances Figart: Because the species is then in under threat and it’s not getting what it needs to thrive and species, you know diversity can’t happen animals interbreed and, eventually, they could be come extinct or be extirpated.</p><p>00:41:37.200 –&gt; 00:41:45.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I also think that about half the book is about the story, but then I think the other half is you have.</p><p>00:41:46.080 –&gt; 00:41:53.250 Joseph McElroy: yeah a lot of information, like almost like a little bit like encyclopedia but you know approachable encyclopedia information about the types of.</p><p>00:41:53.550 –&gt; 00:41:56.940 Joseph McElroy: crossings, I mean there’s incredible amount there’s there’s culverts there’s.</p><p>00:41:57.270 –&gt; 00:42:09.030 Joseph McElroy: You know the square openings there’s bridges there’s you know there’s grass things over the top, I thought that was really sort of you know, actually fascinating that you put all that additional information in there.</p><p>00:42:09.510 –&gt; 00:42:16.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s a thorough education and fun book for children so i’m gonna get it for my children at the appropriate age.</p><p>00:42:16.740 –&gt; 00:42:20.970 Frances Figart: I appreciate that, and you know I worked with a lot of scientists who know.</p><p>00:42:21.450 –&gt; 00:42:33.720 Frances Figart: How to build these structures and and it’s just kind of distilling the information that they have down to the most basic level so that someone like a fifth grader can understand it, but that’s also the level that a lot of us need we don’t.</p><p>00:42:33.960 –&gt; 00:42:44.100 Frances Figart: We don’t know how to build these box culverts and bridge extensions and things either, so I think it’s very accessible for adults that are just becoming acquainted with the road ecology concepts to.</p><p>00:42:44.400 –&gt; 00:42:54.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think it’s an easy read for an adult to just sort of get the story, but then there’s the information that actually makes it yeah you get adult information in a in a digestible form.</p><p>00:42:55.530 –&gt; 00:43:03.390 Joseph McElroy: For the second half of that book, I was, I was pleasantly you know excited so it’s very beautifully illustrated, who did your illustrations.</p><p>00:43:03.780 –&gt; 00:43:17.040 Frances Figart: So the illustrator is named Emma do for and she’s on my staff at great smoky mountains association she’s a publication specialist who came to the smokies a lot as a child and then was determined to move to the smokies and work there.</p><p>00:43:17.790 –&gt; 00:43:29.400 Frances Figart: her story is a brilliant one, but this was her first book to design and illustrate and she’s done a remarkable job and Did it really rapidly, we did all of this during coven you know the book.</p><p>00:43:30.030 –&gt; 00:43:38.070 Frances Figart: I wrote the book from March to May last year and then mo worked on the illustration, and we basically got it published within about a nine month window.</p><p>00:43:38.700 –&gt; 00:43:49.020 Joseph McElroy: Okay fabulous well when we come back we’ll talk a little bit more about you know aspects of your job, and you know, and then you know other things that people can find out about you.</p><p>00:43:50.880 –&gt; 00:43:52.650 Frances Figart: Okay, thank you know.</p><p>00:46:08.430 –&gt; 00:46:29.190 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Francis fight guy so Francis you mentioned coven giving you the time to actually write this new book, but how is coven impact your world and the park itself.</p><p>00:46:30.390 –&gt; 00:46:43.350 Frances Figart: very good question you know the park went through some really scary times when coven first started and we found that not only did the park need to close, but we gma needed to close our visitor centers.</p><p>00:46:43.770 –&gt; 00:46:54.120 Frances Figart: To be able to keep our staff, safe and then we actually even had to close our warehouse where the online orders are filled and we do large online business.</p><p>00:46:54.690 –&gt; 00:46:58.770 Frances Figart: But it wasn’t safe, and so we we lost some ground, it was a little scary.</p><p>00:46:59.430 –&gt; 00:47:08.940 Frances Figart: But we went into the year in a really good place financially, and so one of the things that happened that was very interesting was we had this challenge and figuring out How can people.</p><p>00:47:09.420 –&gt; 00:47:18.900 Frances Figart: Stay connected to the park virtually since they can’t come there that’s really what our members and the people that follow Jesus, and they wanted was to be able to feel connected.</p><p>00:47:19.320 –&gt; 00:47:25.050 Frances Figart: And so my staff had all these wonderful creative ideas, because they’re such innovators, you know they’re like we can do.</p><p>00:47:25.380 –&gt; 00:47:32.130 Frances Figart: All these different things, and so I decided to channel all of their ideas through a blog called smokies live.</p><p>00:47:32.520 –&gt; 00:47:43.110 Frances Figart: And smokies live can be found at smokies information.org as soon as you go to our website at pops up and it’s basically a blog that we started during coven.</p><p>00:47:43.590 –&gt; 00:47:55.860 Frances Figart: And we’ve been able to maintain it and we post almost daily, if not four or five times a week we have stories coming up on smokies live that make it like a sister publication, to the magazine smokies life.</p><p>00:47:56.400 –&gt; 00:48:00.600 Frances Figart: And we have many people that write for it, much of it is contributed.</p><p>00:48:01.200 –&gt; 00:48:08.670 Frances Figart: If there are people out there listening he loved to write about the smokies they could even contact me and write for smokies live and it’s a communal effort.</p><p>00:48:08.910 –&gt; 00:48:20.130 Frances Figart: So that’s been a really great way that we’ve survived the pandemic, because we really help people to connect with the park seeing videos and learning about the natural, cultural history through smokies live.</p><p>00:48:20.790 –&gt; 00:48:35.310 Frances Figart: has really been an amazing part of it, and then also we’ve developed a lot of tools that have helped us with staying in close touch, as you have to do remotely so zoom meetings are one tool we use a program called slack that is.</p><p>00:48:35.730 –&gt; 00:48:48.450 Frances Figart: A way to have conversations about all the different projects and in a very much real time, so my team of six we’ve really stayed very, very close and even become more efficient and effective during the pandemic.</p><p>00:48:49.080 –&gt; 00:48:51.420 Joseph McElroy: You mentioned the tools of mine in life right now.</p><p>00:48:54.210 –&gt; 00:49:02.520 Joseph McElroy: So, you know as an aside, I have you know, I have a bunch of travel writers, because of my business, so I will get some of them to send you some stuff.</p><p>00:49:03.000 –&gt; 00:49:11.610 Joseph McElroy: And if you need the promotion of your blog we can I have some pretty good blogs and good good you know you probably know, this word by now seo position.</p><p>00:49:12.630 –&gt; 00:49:18.600 Joseph McElroy: And we could give you a little authority to some of the articles, if you want to reach out and particularly promote one or two of them.</p><p>00:49:19.050 –&gt; 00:49:21.570 Frances Figart: So this is a fortuitous partnership.</p><p>00:49:21.570 –&gt; 00:49:23.220 Joseph McElroy: yeah definitely.</p><p>00:49:25.590 –&gt; 00:49:33.600 Joseph McElroy: So, other than the writing part which i’m assuming you love, what are the other favorite aspects of the job helping preserve and protect the smoke.</p><p>00:49:34.440 –&gt; 00:49:46.200 Frances Figart: Well, you know I just think about the things I get to do every day are things that I would do whether I had this job or not like I spent today listening to the audio version of a search for safe passage.</p><p>00:49:46.500 –&gt; 00:49:59.580 Frances Figart: Which is being read by a wonderful author and audio expert named rose help and she’s out in scottsdale and she recorded my book, and so my job today was really largely.</p><p>00:50:00.060 –&gt; 00:50:16.260 Frances Figart: surrounding listening to my book read by her and just making a few little tweaks of where I wanted her to read like the firefly voice a little differently or you know, whatever was you know I wanted elke says, I am L and I wanted that to be really low, and you know.</p><p>00:50:17.070 –&gt; 00:50:18.360 Frances Figart: Things like that, where I would like.</p><p>00:50:18.450 –&gt; 00:50:27.090 Frances Figart: adjust the way she said something and but it’s a beautiful reading of my book, she is not native American but her voice sounds native.</p><p>00:50:27.540 –&gt; 00:50:36.480 Frances Figart: And I love that aspect of it so i’m so excited so I get to do things in my job that just feel like creative projects, they don’t feel like work to me.</p><p>00:50:36.930 –&gt; 00:50:47.520 Frances Figart: And I love writing and editing and i’ve often felt like I would, if I if someone said, you could only write or you could only edit I would pick editing because i’m love it and i’m really good at it.</p><p>00:50:47.970 –&gt; 00:50:59.070 Frances Figart: But i’ve become more of a writer throughout the last few years and I don’t think I could stand to have that go away, so I think I have to keep both writing and editing as part of what I do.</p><p>00:50:59.400 –&gt; 00:51:10.620 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous you know they I was persuaded to get into podcasting my some of my marketing people said I had the perfect voice for day with the smokies now i’ve got another podcast and I love the creative aspect.</p><p>00:51:11.280 –&gt; 00:51:11.520 Frances Figart: Well, I.</p><p>00:51:11.820 –&gt; 00:51:14.820 Frances Figart: wish everyone could see your shirt because it’s so bright.</p><p>00:51:14.820 –&gt; 00:51:19.020 Frances Figart: And cool, so this is great that you have some people that are able to view this.</p><p>00:51:19.650 –&gt; 00:51:21.330 Joseph McElroy: So you got any books in the plans.</p><p>00:51:22.170 –&gt; 00:51:27.900 Frances Figart: Well, actually it’s funny that you should ask that, because one of the things I really want to get working on here soon.</p><p>00:51:28.230 –&gt; 00:51:41.040 Frances Figart: After I added about seven more smokies life stories for fall, is that I have a sequel plan to a search for safe passage and the working title is zoe’s gift to the gorge.</p><p>00:51:41.610 –&gt; 00:51:53.100 Frances Figart: And it’s going to be in the end of a search for safe passage the elk tells the animals, what we have to do now is communicate to the humans what it is that we need in terms of wildlife crossings.</p><p>00:51:53.460 –&gt; 00:52:00.270 Frances Figart: And so the next book is going to have the central figure Zoe, who is a girl that has some very special gifts.</p><p>00:52:00.600 –&gt; 00:52:10.650 Frances Figart: And she’s going to get to spend some time up in the gorge with the animals on her own and learn from them what they need, and then she’ll be able to communicate that out to the others.</p><p>00:52:10.950 –&gt; 00:52:22.710 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous so you can find your new book safe search for safe passage of smokies information.org I, we will probably also soon have it on smokies adventure COM.</p><p>00:52:24.570 –&gt; 00:52:38.550 Joseph McElroy: You can also become a member of the great smoky mountains association at smokies information.org and it’s a great way to support and protect the park park her first book Francis first book is seasons of letting goes available on Amazon.</p><p>00:52:40.110 –&gt; 00:52:50.850 Joseph McElroy: And spunky safe passions.org is where you can go to learn all about safe passage the I 40 pigeon river gorge wildlife crossing project.</p><p>00:52:51.480 –&gt; 00:52:59.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then you can go to Francis fig art.com to find out more about Francis and you have some social media to write.</p><p>00:52:59.910 –&gt; 00:53:06.120 Frances Figart: i’m on Facebook, mostly i’m on linkedin a little bit, but find me on Facebook i’d love to have some new friends.</p><p>00:53:06.630 –&gt; 00:53:14.250 Joseph McElroy: And we’ll put all this information up on the gateway to the smoky so fun so you’ll be able to find it there.</p><p>00:53:15.510 –&gt; 00:53:25.440 Joseph McElroy: And that is the gateway to swell and Francis I want to thank you for being a part of the show i’m gonna do a little close out now my stuff but I appreciate very much talking to you.</p><p>00:53:27.210 –&gt; 00:53:40.290 Joseph McElroy: Thank you, so you can you can go to gateways to the smokies fun to find all sorts of information about this podcast when we post things that our guests, have mentioned and and want to promote.</p><p>00:53:41.520 –&gt; 00:53:48.420 Joseph McElroy: And, and you can also subscribe to a newsletter that will let you know about upcoming events and podcasts.</p><p>00:53:48.900 –&gt; 00:53:56.610 Joseph McElroy: Now I want you to imagine a place evocative motor cortex of the past yeah modern and vibrant with a chic appalachian field.</p><p>00:53:57.090 –&gt; 00:54:06.810 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and full relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout scream grill the catch on fire.</p><p>00:54:07.230 –&gt; 00:54:20.580 Joseph McElroy: and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place of the old time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the middle Arc motel and Maggie valley North Carolina.</p><p>00:54:21.600 –&gt; 00:54:28.170 Joseph McElroy: and part of the great smoky mountains National Park your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:54:29.610 –&gt; 00:54:47.610 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention, we are part of the talk radio nyc network, it is a great network of podcasts focused on the New York area, but it also syndicated out to a lot of other places around.</p><p>00:54:48.870 –&gt; 00:54:55.620 Joseph McElroy: I think, right after this podcast live on Tuesday nights is a podcast exploring New York.</p><p>00:54:56.760 –&gt; 00:55:03.330 Joseph McElroy: And I think it’s a really nice episode, so you go from a rural environment to urban environment.</p><p>00:55:04.470 –&gt; 00:55:09.360 Joseph McElroy: So please stick around listen to everything on this network.</p><p>00:55:10.770 –&gt; 00:55:26.250 Joseph McElroy: Next week we’re going to have MC butch McCain, who is a retired ranger from the park service, and he has a lot of experience in the smoky mountains, I think it’ll be a great show, and you can come by and visit same time from.</p><p>00:55:26.910 –&gt; 00:55:32.970 Joseph McElroy: from six to seven on Tuesday night next week and we also have a Facebook page.</p><p>00:55:33.480 –&gt; 00:55:50.340 Joseph McElroy: Also facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast where we stream the video live, so you can see the video live on Tuesdays as well, so you’ll see my shirt and my background and my beautiful guests, so thank you again and i’ll see you next time.</p> cf1ed8b9-2bb5-418e-8354-9cd71506a2d6 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/74aae956-b5b7-4cc9-a4fb-47903dcd22d6 Tue, 20 Apr 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2879 no full Episode 13: Maggie Valley in the Smokies Episode 13: Maggie Valley in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest is <strong>Teresa Smith,</strong> Executive Director at Maggie Valley Chamber &amp; Area Visitors Bureau. They will be discussing Maggie Valley in the Smokies.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/4SSL31HZGn/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts today’s episode off by introducing the topic of the episode, Maggie Valley. Joseph makes a big announcement about the future of the Meadowlark Motel, they will be opening a heritage center! Previous guest Bob Plott will be running this project with Joseph. Moving on from the project, Joseph introduces the guest for today’s episode, Teresa Smith. Teresa discusses how she began her involvement with the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce &amp; Area Visitors Bureau. Teresa continues by talking about her love for Maggie Valley. Joseph shares this love of Maggie Valley and gives an anecdote explaining the feeling of the area. Along with the business side of her job, Teresa loves interacting with the people. Joseph shares a story showing Teresa’s love for the people and the mountain charm of the people in the area. Teresa discusses some of the services and programs the chamber offers guests of the park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Teresa to talk about the origin of the name Maggie Valley. Teresa tells the story of a man who opened a post office and when asked for a name of the town, gave his daughter’s name. There is a Miss Maggie, who previously has walked around town picking up trash, but now, May through October, walks around waving to guests and residents alike. The mascot of Miss Maggie sets Maggie Valley apart from other towns as their mascots are often animals. Teresa describes the growth of the town, which coincided with the opening of Ghost Town. Ghost Town is a theme park on top of a mountain, which brought tourists and residents to the area. In the 90’s though, Ghost Town started fading out of the mainstream. Teresa often receives calls asking about ghost town, reminiscing fond memories of it before its closing in 2012. There are plans for Ghost Town though as it recently transferred owners.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph discusses the revival of the town of Maggie Valley beyond Ghost Town and asks Teresa why she thinks this is going on. Teresa sees the boom going on in the town as a result of the calming feel of the town as opposed to some other parts of the park. The two discuss activities to do within the town. Moving on, the two discuss motorcycles in the town. The traffic they have brought with festivals and museums has helped the town. Moving on from motorcycles, Teresa and Joseph discuss the presence of breweries in the town. Teresa goes on to share info about upcoming events at the festival grounds such as drive in movies and car shows. There have also been drive in concerts at the festival grounds, which have been very popular. The people of Maggie Valley love their biking, taking advantage of the bike trails in the park. Joseph makes a note of the interesting fact that “ATV” is the most searched term on his website with resources about the park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph introduces the last segment of the episode by introducing the topic of safety in the town. Teresa continues on the topic by sharing how safe she feels in the town, with Joseph joking that he would feel ok leaving his car unlocked with the keys in it. Teresa has been very impressed with the businesses in the town’s reaction to the COVID pandemic, staying very safe and following guidelines. Tourism in Maggie Valley has increased since the town has opened back up, likely as a result of the town being so remote. The two discuss the locations most tourists come from, citing New York and Florida as big contributors. Moving on, Teresa talks about the future for Maggie Valley, noting that tourism will likely remain busy, with hotels preparing for a busy summer. Teresa shares resources for listeners to find upcoming events in the Valley and details about them. Joseph ends the episode by sharing his own resources.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest is Teresa Smith, Executive Director at Maggie Valley Chamber & Area Visitors Bureau. They will be discussing Maggie Valley in the Smokies.

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph starts today’s episode off by introducing the topic of the episode, Maggie Valley. Joseph makes a big announcement about the future of the Meadowlark Motel, they will be opening a heritage center! The previous guest Bob Plott will be running this project with Joseph. Moving on from the project, Joseph introduces the guest for today’s episode, Teresa Smith. Teresa discusses how she began her involvement with the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce & Area Visitors Bureau. Teresa continues by talking about her love for Maggie Valley. Joseph shares this love of Maggie Valley and gives an anecdote explaining the feeling of the area. Along with the business side of her job, Teresa loves interacting with people. Joseph shares a story showing Teresa’s love for the people and the mountain charm of the people in the area. Teresa discusses some of the services and programs the chamber offers guests of the park.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Teresa to talk about the origin of the name Maggie Valley. Teresa tells the story of a man who opened a post office and when asked for the name of the town, gave his daughter’s name. There is a Miss Maggie, who previously has walked around town picking up trash, but now, May through October walks around waving to guests and residents alike. The mascot of Miss Maggie sets Maggie Valley apart from other towns as their mascots are often animals. Teresa describes the growth of the town, which coincided with the opening of Ghost Town. Ghost Town is a theme park on top of a mountain, which brought tourists and residents to the area. In the ’90s though, Ghost Town started fading out of the mainstream. Teresa often receives calls asking about a ghost town, reminiscing fond memories of it before its closing in 2012. There are plans for Ghost Town though as it recently transferred owners.

Segment 3

Joseph discusses the revival of the town of Maggie Valley beyond Ghost Town and asks Teresa why she thinks this is going on. Teresa sees the boom going on in the town as a result of the calming feel of the town as opposed to some other parts of the park. The two discuss activities to do within the town. Moving on, the two discuss motorcycles in the town. The traffic they have brought with festivals and museums has helped the town. Moving on from motorcycles, Teresa and Joseph discuss the presence of breweries in the town. Teresa goes on to share info about upcoming events at the festival grounds such as drive-in movies and car shows. There have also been drive-in concerts at the festival grounds, which have been very popular. The people of Maggie Valley love their biking, taking advantage of the bike trails in the park. Joseph makes a note of the interesting fact that “ATV” is the most searched term on his website with resources about the park.

Segment 4

Joseph introduces the last segment of the episode by introducing the topic of safety in the town. Teresa continues on the topic by sharing how safe she feels in the town, with Joseph joking that he would feel ok leaving his car unlocked with the keys in it. Teresa has been very impressed with the businesses in the town’s reaction to the COVID pandemic, staying very safe and following guidelines. Tourism in Maggie Valley has increased since the town opened back up, likely as a result of the town being so remote. The two discuss the locations most tourists come from, citing New York and Florida as big contributors. Moving on, Teresa talks about the future for Maggie Valley, noting that tourism will likely remain busy, with hotels preparing for a busy summer. Teresa shares resources for listeners to find upcoming events in the Valley and details about them. Joseph ends the episode by sharing his own resources.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:36.150 –> 00:00:42.000 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:42.510 –> 00:00:50.670 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.

00:00:51.090 –> 00:01:01.170 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep story history and a rich mountain culture that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:01.770 –> 00:01:16.170 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses in travel, but my heart is in mountain culture.

00:01:17.310 –> 00:01:36.810 Joseph McElroy: Now this episode is entitled ecotourism and safe passage is for wildlife in the smokies but it’s really about journeys to help conservation efforts, the journeys to life that lead to transitions and journeys that wildlife has to make to ensure their species survival.

00:01:38.280 –> 00:01:47.610 Joseph McElroy: You know that journeys are something that I talked about every day my profession has been marketing and, in that we always talk about the customer journey.

00:01:48.060 –> 00:02:08.190 Joseph McElroy: The path they follow and the transitions they make to become paying customers now, this is not a profound journey but it illustrates that even the smallest parts of our lives, we are on journeys the profound journeys create transitions that can be life-changing and even world-changing.

00:02:09.600 –> 00:02:20.610 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to talk some about death, I know this is not expected, but when you travel and celebrate life you’re also preparing for a good death without regrets.

00:02:22.620 –> 00:02:28.830 Joseph McElroy: And my family place that I now own the middle or motel there was an old couple who’d been coming there for years.

00:02:29.760 –> 00:02:37.800 Joseph McElroy: And they called one day and talk to my parents and honestly told them that the woman was dying and wanted to come to stay in the Cabinet and die by the river.

00:02:38.520 –> 00:02:51.900 Joseph McElroy: And the sides of the mountains that had brought such joy her whole life and she did they let her come and she eventually died in peace in the cabin and it was as much as as a celebration, as it was an occasion for SAR.

00:02:53.430 –> 00:03:10.920 Joseph McElroy: And this is one of the reasons I bought the motel from my parents, three years ago, because the profound meeting I found in hospitality that creates memorable moments in people’s lives and their journeys and that make those journeys more beautiful and hopefully without regrets.

00:03:12.090 –> 00:03:19.530 Joseph McElroy: Some of you know, the in 2014 my wife of 20 years died of rare cancer, and I was her caregiver for two years.

00:03:20.280 –> 00:03:29.460 Joseph McElroy: My guest today has a book on life’s lessons learned from helping her mother die, and then it she writes about the hero’s journey by Joseph Campbell.

00:03:30.120 –> 00:03:45.000 Joseph McElroy: How facing obstacles and fighting dragons leads to transformation at first her mother’s death seemed to her to be the end of the journey until she went through her grief and realized her mother was still on a journey for me.

00:03:46.260 –> 00:03:55.800 Joseph McElroy: This brought back memories, because I attended a workshop after my wife’s death in the mountains, called the hero’s journey by just the Joseph Campbell foundation.

00:03:56.610 –> 00:04:11.250 Joseph McElroy: There they led me through an exercise, where I had to write on a gravestone something that I needed to see buried now having just buried my wife, this was something of a challenge for me.

00:04:12.180 –> 00:04:23.940 Joseph McElroy: But through some deep reflection, I wrote on the gravestone Mr and Mrs Joseph mcilroy and laid it down in the ceremony on the mountain side and had my transformational moment.

00:04:24.600 –> 00:04:37.320 Joseph McElroy: Because I realized that I was still thinking of myself, as Mr Mrs Joseph mcilroy and I realized that identity, no longer existed, I was grieving as much.

00:04:38.040 –> 00:04:58.410 Joseph McElroy: For her as for my my identity as as I was, for my late wife and I didn’t need to grieve for that identity, I needed to process the grief for my late wife and then I was no longer Mr Mrs Joseph McElroy I had to proceed as Joseph I had to reinvent a new life.

00:04:59.580 –> 00:05:09.990 Joseph McElroy: Now I still remember today that life and wife, but I am married again I have given life to twins who are two years old and i’ve recovered and refurbish my family’s homestead.

00:05:10.950 –> 00:05:20.940 Joseph McElroy: So I started a brand new journey through that transition, so this so this episode is not about me it’s about journeys.

00:05:21.570 –> 00:05:28.050 Joseph McElroy: And we’re also going to be considering the life and journeys that wildlife has to make because of human civilization.

00:05:28.800 –> 00:05:38.160 Joseph McElroy: And how we can make those journeys safer and life more fulfilling and how we can do conservation efforts and with ecotourism and things like that.

00:05:38.910 –> 00:05:42.750 Joseph McElroy: So, to help us explore this I invited My guess Francis fiber.

00:05:43.410 –> 00:05:53.940 Joseph McElroy: Who directs the creative service department at the great smoky mountains, associations and edits the fabulous smokies life magazine is one of the most beautiful magazines i’ve ever seen.

00:05:54.690 –> 00:06:04.980 Joseph McElroy: She is a Thomas Wolfe memorial literary award winner she has edited edited several magazines, she has led marketing for eco tour operators in Canada and Costa Rica.

00:06:05.520 –> 00:06:15.000 Joseph McElroy: she’s the author of several books, including the seasons of letting go, which is the book I just referenced, and has a new children’s book a search for safe passage.

00:06:15.450 –> 00:06:29.520 Joseph McElroy: which was just published by the great smoky mountains, associations and it follows a group of animal friends in a smoky mountains board brant banding together to find a safe way across the major highway hello, Francis.

00:06:30.150 –> 00:06:32.160 Frances Figart: haters of thanks for having me.

00:06:32.430 –> 00:06:34.470 Joseph McElroy: Oh sure how are you doing today?

00:06:35.190 –> 00:06:41.550 Frances Figart: Doing really well it’s wonderful to be here and I’d like to thank our mutual friend Bob plot for introducing us.

00:06:42.000 –> 00:06:50.910 Joseph McElroy: he’s is, do you know I danced last week we’re actually creating the smoky mountain meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center and we’re doing.

00:06:51.390 –> 00:06:57.570 Joseph McElroy: Working together to create lots of heritage events and bring lots of awareness of what’s happening in these mountains.

00:06:58.020 –> 00:07:11.490 Joseph McElroy: So you have had a remarkably diverse career and live everywhere from Costa Rica and Canada, yet now live north of actual right and with your life has been on a six-acre property near the Appalachian trail.

00:07:11.850 –> 00:07:14.100 Joseph McElroy: Yes, how did you end up working in the great smoky?

00:07:14.820 –> 00:07:31.860 Frances Figart: So very interesting, so I as you were talking about went through an experience, where I helped my mother passed away in 2012 she died and that next year, I moved to the Asheville area and I met my husband and I.

00:07:32.940 –> 00:07:44.430 Frances Figart: moved to a place that’s just about 40 minutes north of Asheville called flag pond Tennessee which there’s not very much here and that’s why we’re here, there are a lot of cool animals and not very many people.

00:07:45.270 –> 00:07:52.920 Frances Figart: But when I first moved to Asheville I had put my career in ecotourism on hold to help my mother passed away.

00:07:53.370 –> 00:07:58.890 Frances Figart: And so I really was starting over you know it’s very much like you were talking about you kind of reinvented your life.

00:07:59.400 –> 00:08:04.140 Frances Figart: And I went to Asheville I didn’t know anyone I knew to people.

00:08:04.590 –> 00:08:12.540 Frances Figart: And, but i’m a great networker so I stormed into town and said I’m going to become a magazine editor i’m going to be the editor of the Laurel of Asheville which I did that.

00:08:13.020 –> 00:08:27.120 Frances Figart: And I also did some pro bono work for another part partner in the smokies called discover life in America, and they do the all tax of biodiversity inventory, which is a Count of all the species in the park.

00:08:27.720 –> 00:08:39.510 Frances Figart: And so I did some pro bono editing and writing for them and years later, in 2017 the executive director Todd witcher of discover life in America called me one day and said.

00:08:39.990 –> 00:08:43.890 Frances Figart: there’s a job, opening up in the smokies that has your name written all over it.

00:08:44.310 –> 00:08:53.430 Frances Figart: And I said well that’s wonderful, but my husband built our cabin and there’s no way that i’m going to be able to move to the smokies I couldn’t move to gatlinburg.

00:08:53.790 –> 00:08:58.710 Frances Figart: And he said, well, I think you need to have a talk with the executive director I don’t think he would have to move there.

00:08:59.490 –> 00:09:06.930 Frances Figart: Because you know when you work in publishing it can be pretty remote, these days, and so I did have that conversation with.

00:09:07.530 –> 00:09:16.800 Frances Figart: them the executive director and now the CEO Laurel repertory who is my boss, and we decided that if I were the right person for the job that I wouldn’t have to move away so I.

00:09:17.370 –> 00:09:30.720 Frances Figart: I went through all the processes I didn’t expect to get the job, and yet here I am and so all day long I work from home in flight on Tennessee but my mind is two hours away in great smoky mountain National Park.

00:09:31.470 –> 00:09:38.130 Joseph McElroy: cool I knew, you had plenty of experience in the area yeah like me i’m doing this podcast from New York City.

00:09:38.880 –> 00:09:46.920 Joseph McElroy: But you know I grew up there, and you know and i’ve always been there and I have my business interests there, and you know so.

00:09:47.520 –> 00:10:03.540 Joseph McElroy: You know well, of course I business interest in New York, so, but you can you can you can love multiple places in your life, and I think actually having the experience of loving two places really prepares you to talk about it in the travel sets right yeah.

00:10:03.690 –> 00:10:17.100 Frances Figart: yeah like I love I love, where I live, so much, and I have trail cams around my property and at night, especially at night there are bobcats that come through that’s my spirit animal and I love them, but we have bear and deer and Turkey and.

00:10:18.180 –> 00:10:24.210 Frances Figart: opossum and skunk and would check and all these wonderful animals that are on this property, so I love it here.

00:10:24.600 –> 00:10:35.460 Frances Figart: But I also love, Costa Rica and that would be a place that we’re I to have an opportunity to can to live there, I might do so, but I don’t think I can pull my husband away.

00:10:35.760 –> 00:10:46.380 Frances Figart: From the appalachian trail region he’s hiked it four times, he was here and and I love it here as well, so yeah but I know what you mean you can love to places that’s for sure.

00:10:46.560 –> 00:10:56.550 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I mean you can you can love several places my wife loves New York City and she’s learning to love the the smoky mountains and she she loves a.

00:10:58.950 –> 00:11:00.360 Joseph McElroy: place in Mexico.

00:11:01.680 –> 00:11:04.650 Joseph McElroy: i’m drawing a blank on and she’s gonna get mad at me she’s probably listening.

00:11:05.730 –> 00:11:14.010 Joseph McElroy: San Miguel San Miguel and the mountains in which is sort of a mountainous region in the in the in the.

00:11:14.370 –> 00:11:30.060 Joseph McElroy: Mexico and she’s originally from Trinidad and grew up on a mountain in Trinidad you know everything so true that’d be in this Caribbean island but it’s actually a mountainous Caribbean island and so she’s she’s I tell her we’re just we’re just mountain people.

00:11:32.490 –> 00:11:37.170 Joseph McElroy: So, and so, what do you, what do you love most about the smoky mountains region.

00:11:38.250 –> 00:11:47.250 Frances Figart: Well, I tell you it’s um it’s a very diverse place and that’s part of the reason why I love, Costa Rica, was the diversity and you know the smokies has been studied.

00:11:47.580 –> 00:11:59.820 Frances Figart: by scientists all over the world as a biodiversity hotspot and so that’s why I really got interested in the job because it was a place that I could put my ecotourism background to work if you will.

00:12:00.210 –> 00:12:13.800 Frances Figart: And I manage the creative team they’re a great smoky mountains, association and we create all kinds of books and magazines and projects like we did we actually do a podcast to that’s called smoky mountain air.

00:12:14.820 –> 00:12:28.980 Frances Figart: So there are so many ways to lend you know the creative forces to the smokies because they’re just so many stories to be told we’re helping to tell ancient stories of the peoples who were here before it was even a park.

00:12:29.010 –> 00:12:29.700 Joseph McElroy: You know the Chair.

00:12:29.880 –> 00:12:36.660 Frances Figart: In the African American people that were here before, so we help the park in so many different ways to do that interpretive work.

00:12:37.470 –> 00:12:49.350 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s Nice, you know I I was reading about that you know the cherokee you know claim anywhere from 3000 to 15,000 years ago of culture in this area yeah and so.

00:12:50.040 –> 00:13:01.290 Joseph McElroy: I find that very interesting and, of course, the West African influence on music here is tremendous, especially the banjo I mean our first episode, we talked a lot about that.

00:13:01.890 –> 00:13:18.420 Joseph McElroy: I have a friend of mine who is both Scotch Irish and West African descent all right, and he was the drummer for simple minds at one point he’s artists in residence at the middle Arc motel and he’s exploring all those sorts of aspects of the Culture here.

00:13:18.900 –> 00:13:30.390 Frances Figart: Well, you mentioned that because we just created a new podcast series that’s called sepia tones and it’s about African American music in appalachia.

00:13:30.960 –> 00:13:47.070 Frances Figart: And the influence that that’s had on the smokies region, in particular, and the co host of that Ted olson and bill Turner are just amazing so it’s under the smoky mountain air podcast series and really worth listening to i’m very excited that we’re.

00:13:47.070 –> 00:13:49.080 Frances Figart: Creating we’re creating that right now.

00:13:49.320 –> 00:13:54.720 Joseph McElroy: Well, I should talk to Mike and see if there’s any synergies and what he’s doing yeah so cool.

00:13:56.040 –> 00:14:02.610 Joseph McElroy: So we’re back, we have taken a break now we’ll talk more about articles and publications and books.

00:17:01.980 –> 00:17:09.990 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Francis fiber.

00:17:12.060 –> 00:17:25.500 Joseph McElroy: So, before I get into you know more about the the great smoky areas specifically you know we talked about ECO tourism, you talked about it briefly, can you just tell us what that means you really.

00:17:26.670 –> 00:17:42.150 Frances Figart: yeah a lot of times people describe it as sustainable tourism and really if you think about it, those two things are a bit of a misnomer right because it’s hard to travel sustainably when you’re traveling you’re you’re using fuel and.

00:17:43.380 –> 00:17:51.360 Frances Figart: Lots of our resources but there’s a movement in the travel industry to try to do it that in such a way that it’s light on the land.

00:17:51.810 –> 00:18:03.630 Frances Figart: And a lot of times ECO tourism is focused around very small group travel so, for instance, I worked with a kayak ECO tour operator in both Canada and Costa Rica, we would go back and forth.

00:18:03.930 –> 00:18:11.700 Frances Figart: Depending on the season, because you don’t want to be paddling in Canada when it’s October so that’s when you’d get a Costa Rica and.

00:18:12.690 –> 00:18:20.040 Frances Figart: You know the focus was on small groups that would not make a big impact in the areas that we were paddling.

00:18:20.430 –> 00:18:30.030 Frances Figart: So that’s that’s kind of how I got involved before that I was a magazine editor for the national tour Association, which was more of a motor coach across the US.

00:18:30.540 –> 00:18:44.670 Frances Figart: and Canada type of organization for tour operators and I learned about ECO tourism and natural tourism through that experience and so that is kind of what I gravitated to because I liked the conservation aspect of that work.

00:18:45.270 –> 00:18:47.910 Joseph McElroy: So, and then your podcast you mentioned, with the.

00:18:49.170 –> 00:18:50.130 Joseph McElroy: GS ma.

00:18:51.450 –> 00:18:55.080 Joseph McElroy: talks about ECO ECO tourism experiences of people could have.

00:18:56.070 –> 00:19:07.380 Frances Figart: We haven’t gotten into that topic yet, but that’s a really good idea and I think we should have been focusing recently on, as I mentioned the sepia tones the black appalachian music.

00:19:08.400 –> 00:19:19.320 Frances Figart: Focus but we’ve also had podcasts that have been readings by some of our smokies life magazine authors and you know we’ve explored other programs in the park but.

00:19:19.770 –> 00:19:30.840 Frances Figart: You know, eco tourism has not been mentioned a lot in my job, yet, but it’s something that’s always in the back of my mind, because we do have a lot of congestion and a lot of visitors in the park, you know, we had.

00:19:31.230 –> 00:19:40.920 Frances Figart: 12.5 million visitors in 2019 and then of course last year it fell a little bit because of coven and we were closed part of the year.

00:19:42.120 –> 00:19:55.710 Frances Figart: But this year people feel like parks are the place to be and so each month this year we’ve had some numbers already and we expect to probably tip over that 12.5 million mark during 21.

00:19:56.250 –> 00:19:58.560 Joseph McElroy: Do you if you if somebody wanted to.

00:19:59.790 –> 00:20:00.390 Joseph McElroy: You know.

00:20:01.440 –> 00:20:12.330 Joseph McElroy: engage in ecotourism experience and then the smoky mountains, do you know of any providers or resources or even you know publications that might give them information.

00:20:13.800 –> 00:20:23.250 Frances Figart: Absolutely, there are a lot of great ecotourism operators out there, and one in particular that I think of right off the BAT is Tara in Terra.

00:20:23.790 –> 00:20:36.720 Frances Figart: incognita ECO tours and that’s run by Judd katich and he’s a friend longtime friend and he does skirt trips to all kinds of wonderful places where ECO tourism, tourism has done.

00:20:37.470 –> 00:20:38.400 Joseph McElroy: fabulous i’m.

00:20:40.080 –> 00:20:45.750 Joseph McElroy: glad about that i’m wanting you know where we are at the motel where the only we’re actually the only.

00:20:46.350 –> 00:21:05.550 Joseph McElroy: Three pine lodging facility west of asheville and three partners graded by the Sydney according to you know North Carolina sustainable ECO ECO friendly and so we’ve taken a lot of effort to be and so we’re looking at how to develop more eco tour, so I guess.

00:21:06.240 –> 00:21:07.230 Joseph McElroy: So anyway right I.

00:21:07.830 –> 00:21:09.390 Frances Figart: connect you with some people.

00:21:09.480 –> 00:21:23.550 Joseph McElroy: cool that’d be fabulous so you’ve written scores of articles for well known publications around the region and now you’re the creative service director, the GA s ma so tell us a little bit about this organization and what what that job means.

00:21:24.810 –> 00:21:31.860 Frances Figart: Right well so great smoky mountains association is one of several part partners and we’re an educational park partner.

00:21:32.220 –> 00:21:47.040 Frances Figart: So we support the park through creating products and selling them and Joseph you probably know that you know the park in the smokies doesn’t charge an entrance fee like some parks and so there’s always that challenge of how do they.

00:21:48.090 –> 00:21:54.240 Frances Figart: generate the income to take care of the backlog of maintenance and all the different things that need to be done for the park.

00:21:54.660 –> 00:22:03.870 Frances Figart: So we create books and magazines and other products, and we also sell other books in our bookstores that are run by great smoky mountains association.

00:22:04.320 –> 00:22:12.840 Frances Figart: And those funds come together to help support the park to do many different things like we talked about earlier telling the stories.

00:22:13.260 –> 00:22:18.390 Frances Figart: Of the peoples who were here before or preserving the historic buildings in the park.

00:22:19.080 –> 00:22:28.950 Frances Figart: Just things like utilities for visitors we help to provide that, so there are so many things that go into how we support our our park and as a partner.

00:22:29.520 –> 00:22:37.200 Frances Figart: And we, you know, there are other partners like discover life in America that I mentioned, and they have other projects that they work on but we’re.

00:22:38.070 –> 00:22:47.610 Frances Figart: serving in a way that that we sell our products in the bookstore so anytime you visit the park and you go into one of the bookstores that’s great smoky mountains association.

00:22:48.030 –> 00:22:55.560 Joseph McElroy: You also I know this for a fact, because I am one you’ve developed a pretty large network of resellers right that actually.

00:22:55.860 –> 00:22:57.930 Joseph McElroy: support you and selling those.

00:22:58.590 –> 00:23:08.100 Joseph McElroy: Are smokies adventure COM site actually sells the DSM a products and we you know we try to package, a little different and things like that, but.

00:23:09.210 –> 00:23:11.730 Joseph McElroy: we’re we’re an avid supporter of that.

00:23:12.090 –> 00:23:18.450 Frances Figart: Well that’s great and we welcome you and you know it’s interesting because we are basically a very boutique publisher.

00:23:19.380 –> 00:23:29.100 Frances Figart: of books, you know it’s something that we we don’t do that publishing exclusively we do so many other things in running our bookstores and our retail is really our bread and butter.

00:23:29.910 –> 00:23:37.860 Frances Figart: But we create a couple of books every year and this year, the new book from gma is the one that I wrote called a search for safe passage.

00:23:38.250 –> 00:23:44.670 Joseph McElroy: cool well, I know I will talk about that in just a second I think it’s a great book, but I think another big thing that you guys do.

00:23:45.090 –> 00:23:54.540 Joseph McElroy: Is that you create maps and guides right, not just the books, I mean the books are great I mean you talk about like moonshine you talking about women in the appalachian you talk about.

00:23:54.870 –> 00:24:01.380 Joseph McElroy: You know all sorts of different cultural aspects that people don’t necessarily think of, and then you get into herbal medicine and.

00:24:01.920 –> 00:24:16.530 Joseph McElroy: You know and wildlife and many things you just the selection is is great, but you do wonderful guides and great maps and hiking hiking trail maps and things like that you just released the hundred trails that is a.

00:24:16.680 –> 00:24:17.280 classic.

00:24:18.450 –> 00:24:23.790 Joseph McElroy: classic classic and an updated and everything and that’s that’s a good seller.

00:24:25.500 –> 00:24:34.200 Frances Figart: Sales map which was originally a partnership between gma and the Carolina mountain club and we’ve just revitalized it and brought it up to date.

00:24:34.590 –> 00:24:43.140 Frances Figart: Which is very exciting and there’s a new challenge from cmc Carolina mountain club for people to hike all of those 100 favorite trails so that’s pretty neat.

00:24:43.500 –> 00:24:50.220 Frances Figart: And we do have a lot of guidebooks and you know people who are not watching this can’t see it but behind me there’s a poster.

00:24:50.520 –> 00:24:55.920 Frances Figart: That shows 100 different butterflies and Moss and they’re all in our butterflies and months field guide.

00:24:56.340 –> 00:25:08.820 Frances Figart: Which is just one of many field guides right now we’re creating a new one that’s all about just insects and that’s being written by James Costa of the Highlands biological station which is in color we.

00:25:09.540 –> 00:25:18.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah well that’s great I mean I think these are wonderful assets and you also the editor of smokies life magazine what is that what is the purpose of that magazine.

00:25:18.990 –> 00:25:31.710 Frances Figart: That magazine is the main benefit that are members of gma get in the mail twice a year, and thank goodness it’s twice a year because i’ve worked on a lot of monthly magazines and you really can’t do anything else.

00:25:32.460 –> 00:25:42.660 Frances Figart: One time I was like Conference, and when I was with the national tour association, so people came up to my booth at a conference and they said we’re just curious What do you do in between issues.

00:25:45.090 –> 00:25:49.380 Joseph McElroy: But now you look at it it’s so beautiful right it’s such a beautiful magazine.

00:25:49.860 –> 00:25:52.920 Frances Figart: It really is and that’s thanks to my staff, I have an.

00:25:52.920 –> 00:26:03.090 Frances Figart: amazing on staff that Lisa horseman is the lead designer on that magazine she’s also a famous children’s author and we sell her books, you might have some of her books.

00:26:03.720 –> 00:26:16.290 Frances Figart: The great smoky mountain salamander ball is one that you probably have, and you know that that magazine is just a lot of fun, but yeah it takes the full six months because you are doing a lot of things to make it happen.

00:26:18.300 –> 00:26:32.520 Joseph McElroy: So, and you know the you know the the things that are the contents are like bike days in caves cove park faces up faces up to over tourism twin creek science, education, a lot of wonderful stuff there.

00:26:34.020 –> 00:26:49.080 Frances Figart: Paul has an article in this one I don’t know if you notice that, but he wrote a story about two of the heroes of the smokies Georgian Elizabeth ellison and so Bob and Janet mckee read that together, and it was a great story.

00:26:49.380 –> 00:26:56.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great oh yeah Well, no, I think it’s and it’s and it’s so that’s mostly I said you don’t distribute it anywhere else right.

00:26:57.540 –> 00:27:09.060 Frances Figart: it’s in our book stores, and you can buy it at smokies information.org so if you’re not a Member, you can go online it’s smokies information to Oregon by it, but we encourage you to be a Member for just 30 bucks a year.

00:27:10.170 –> 00:27:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.

00:27:12.420 –> 00:27:12.870 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:27:13.950 –> 00:27:21.480 Joseph McElroy: You when you talk about the DSM maybe an educational park partner Besides supporting it with money, what does that mean.

00:27:22.620 –> 00:27:31.830 Frances Figart: um so you know, like, I mentioned the proceeds from our books and products provide services for visitors and we fund resource management of the park.

00:27:32.700 –> 00:27:42.030 Frances Figart: We make it possible for the park to preserve his historic structures and tell those older stories of the cherokee and the African Americans who were here before.

00:27:42.510 –> 00:27:51.030 Frances Figart: We help educate our members and part visitors about natural and cultural heritage of the smokies through those projects okay.

00:27:51.810 –> 00:27:52.170 well.

00:27:53.610 –> 00:28:04.200 Joseph McElroy: When we get back you have you have a new book called this, you will be have two books that we wanted to talk about briefly seasons of letting go, which I mentioned, and then I think, a very important one now.

00:28:04.800 –> 00:28:10.170 Joseph McElroy: search for safe passage which was a children’s book has got a pretty important message to talk about.

00:28:11.220 –> 00:28:14.820 Joseph McElroy: And so let’s dig into the meat of that when we get back.

00:28:15.540 –> 00:28:16.200 Frances Figart: sounds good.

00:28:24.420 –> 00:28:24.630 and

00:31:05.970 –> 00:31:14.640 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy and i’m back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guess Francis.

00:31:16.320 –> 00:31:17.550 Joseph McElroy: Francis you know we.

00:31:18.720 –> 00:31:29.730 Joseph McElroy: been talking about you know your job and let’s talk about your creativity all right, which is even your job demonstrates your creativity you’re the author of two books.

00:31:30.240 –> 00:31:39.510 Joseph McElroy: And the first one, I got to read a little bit of and because it was formatted as a series of poignant collection of essays.

00:31:40.380 –> 00:31:48.120 Joseph McElroy: I was able to actually get her, I think a little bit of an understanding and it’s called seasons of letting go, which was about helping your mother die.

00:31:48.600 –> 00:32:03.300 Joseph McElroy: A dignified death and how you learn from that your mother was a ruthie, I think, and she was a baseball fan, and she sounds like a tremendous woman, and so, can you tell us a little bit of that book came about.

00:32:03.720 –> 00:32:07.830 Frances Figart: Sure thing so her name is Ruth and that he is silent.

00:32:08.160 –> 00:32:08.760 Okay.

00:32:09.900 –> 00:32:16.740 Frances Figart: When she was born, she was named just the normal, are you Th but she’d like to be different so she wanted to put a silent E on it.

00:32:17.700 –> 00:32:18.660 Joseph McElroy: Okay, great.

00:32:18.900 –> 00:32:22.680 Frances Figart: My middle name is free to so I have the silent E as well.

00:32:22.920 –> 00:32:23.940 Joseph McElroy: Can I call you ruthie.

00:32:27.960 –> 00:32:28.290 Frances Figart: But.

00:32:28.590 –> 00:32:35.910 Frances Figart: The book, you know I I tell people I kind of tricked myself into writing a book, because what happened was in 2010.

00:32:36.390 –> 00:32:45.690 Frances Figart: I put my career on hold and I went home and I realized, I was going to need to be with my mom for as long as it was going to take, and it was about two years, just like your experience.

00:32:46.380 –> 00:32:55.740 Frances Figart: And so I didn’t know really how to cope with you know how this is your your loving this person, but you also have this big job.

00:32:56.640 –> 00:33:04.410 Frances Figart: You know it’s like you’re you’re doing the caregiving thing and so it’s 24 seven you don’t get a break there’s really no escape from the stress of it.

00:33:04.740 –> 00:33:15.510 Frances Figart: So I think to process that stress I started a blog and I started writing essays just about coping with the fact that i’m going to lose my mother and i’m the sole caregiver, and this was really hard.

00:33:16.890 –> 00:33:29.040 Frances Figart: And it wasn’t until several years after she was gone that I realized that some of my best writing had been done, both during the time she was dying and also my processing the first year of grief.

00:33:29.790 –> 00:33:38.850 Frances Figart: Especially that first year, and so in 2015 I realized that I had a group of essays that I really just wanted to put together as a book.

00:33:39.240 –> 00:33:43.380 Frances Figart: And in really for me my audience was the people who knew my mother.

00:33:43.680 –> 00:33:53.310 Frances Figart: That probably would not go look at my blog site and look up all these essays on there, because they were older people, they were in her age group, so I wanted to present them with something.

00:33:53.610 –> 00:34:00.780 Frances Figart: And i’m holding the book up right now it’s got a scene that’s much like your background Joseph and you know I.

00:34:02.430 –> 00:34:12.960 Frances Figart: yeah I wanted it to be something that people could hold in their hand and have a good feeling about her life so it’s a tribute to her, but it’s also a tribute to what you were talking about earlier, which is that we.

00:34:13.230 –> 00:34:25.530 Frances Figart: have to reinvent ourselves, and we have to disassociate our identity as being with that person it, you know, even though I really felt strongly that my end identity was wrapped up with being Ruth fibroids daughter.

00:34:26.070 –> 00:34:31.140 Frances Figart: I had to go on and say I can be more than that, I can be different from that and still honor her.

00:34:32.160 –> 00:34:36.720 Joseph McElroy: That is a that is a, that is, I think that’s important for a lot of people to.

00:34:37.410 –> 00:34:47.580 Joseph McElroy: To to understand that you know, I think that I, you know I had some friends that actually it was kind of odd, but at the same time they’d lost their lives, maybe one of the year before.

00:34:47.970 –> 00:35:05.970 Joseph McElroy: And then never you know when I saw them they had they hadn’t progressed in their lives, and some of them still haven’t and they haven’t lost that and that they haven’t realized that they got to bury their identity, their grieving their identity as much as they’re grieving the person.

00:35:06.330 –> 00:35:13.890 Frances Figart: yeah and I think, as you continue to read that book you’re going to see that there’s a place where I went through that that same thing, where you know you just.

00:35:14.220 –> 00:35:21.900 Frances Figart: You finally let go and the experience of caregiving, I think, is one that you that’s where I really learned that I wasn’t in control.

00:35:22.500 –> 00:35:31.620 Frances Figart: Because you know I am kind of a control freak and that helps me to be successful and things like building production schedules for magazines or setting a time limit, you know to do a book.

00:35:31.950 –> 00:35:39.390 Frances Figart: And that type of thing, but ultimately we have no control and when you’re a caregiver and someone’s dying that’s when you really learn that lesson.

00:35:39.780 –> 00:35:41.880 Frances Figart: And then, when you start to let go.

00:35:42.060 –> 00:35:48.690 Frances Figart: For me it is if you’re really able to realize your destiny, because you don’t push so hard for what you want.

00:35:49.110 –> 00:35:58.080 Frances Figart: You don’t get that friction anymore you just align with destiny and then the two of you can just sore out into space and that’s really what’s happened for me since I lost my mom.

00:35:58.500 –> 00:35:58.770 Frances Figart: And I.

00:35:58.920 –> 00:36:04.470 Frances Figart: said I could show her that I finally got it but it’s Okay, I think she knows.

00:36:05.250 –> 00:36:14.640 Joseph McElroy: I you know the same way, I feel like I have guardian angels that I didn’t have before things have gone in surprising ways for me in my life, since then, so.

00:36:15.840 –> 00:36:18.780 Joseph McElroy: it’s, it is a carpet experience right.

00:36:19.590 –> 00:36:23.670 Frances Figart: yeah it’s cathartic and you know you probably have had the same feeling too, but.

00:36:24.090 –> 00:36:37.440 Frances Figart: i’ve been a little sad that my husband didn’t get to meet my parents, but then, in some ways it’s almost as if his energy continues their own and it’s almost like it doesn’t matter because it feels like he was a part of them, and they were part of him.

00:36:37.800 –> 00:36:55.500 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I have, I have a wife and two the two twin children now yeah I have an older son, but but it definitely feels like this, this long journey that just changed, but you know there’s a similar similar there’s a sort of energy that goes through.

00:36:57.120 –> 00:37:01.500 Joseph McElroy: So now you got a second book come it’s got a completely different direction.

00:37:01.950 –> 00:37:03.900 Joseph McElroy: That just came out last month.

00:37:04.950 –> 00:37:16.200 Joseph McElroy: it’s a children’s book and with a special cause pertaining to the smokies is search for say passions and can you tell me two things, what is it about why came about and why did you make it a children’s.

00:37:16.920 –> 00:37:19.530 Frances Figart: Okay that’s you know it’s going to take me a second so.

00:37:21.120 –> 00:37:28.020 Frances Figart: When I first moved from asheville up to the area where I live in now the closest highway here is I 26.

00:37:28.590 –> 00:37:34.890 Frances Figart: And I was disturbed to see a lot of our iconic black bears getting killed on this highway.

00:37:35.580 –> 00:37:44.850 Frances Figart: And so, when I got my job in the smokies I was able to connect with some people who were having a discussion about a similar problem just outside the park boundary.

00:37:45.570 –> 00:37:54.120 Frances Figart: And it’s an area, called the pigeon river gorge it’s a 28 mile stretch of road that’s really twisty if you’ve ever driven between asheville and knoxville.

00:37:54.900 –> 00:38:02.430 Frances Figart: been on this really curvy section of road and eight miles is in Tennessee and 20 miles is in western North Carolina.

00:38:02.820 –> 00:38:09.180 Frances Figart: And way too many bear and deer and elk and other smaller animals are killed there every year.

00:38:09.420 –> 00:38:17.280 Frances Figart: Now there’s a lot of statistics rolling around, but the data hasn’t all been crunched yet some people say as many as 70 bears have been killed there in one year.

00:38:17.580 –> 00:38:24.390 Frances Figart: We don’t really know those things, yet the research is still being completed, but what we know is that there are way too many.

00:38:24.750 –> 00:38:32.880 Frances Figart: And so I became a part of this group, and at that time it wasn’t called anything, it was just several organizations working together.

00:38:33.510 –> 00:38:42.600 Frances Figart: To try to find a solution, and now there are as many as 20 organizations, some of them governmental some of them non governmental some of them tribal.

00:38:43.020 –> 00:38:51.540 Frances Figart: All kinds of agencies working together to try to solve the problem and six of those have created a safe passage fund coalition.

00:38:51.810 –> 00:39:02.700 Frances Figart: And we’ve branded the project as the safe passage I 40 pigeon river gorge wildlife crossing project now we’re working towards getting some wildlife crossings to.

00:39:03.090 –> 00:39:07.890 Frances Figart: Be in that region but that’s something that takes years sometimes to accomplish.

00:39:08.400 –> 00:39:16.050 Frances Figart: And so, why a children’s book to me i’m thinking of 11 and 12 year olds who are reading this book now.

00:39:16.470 –> 00:39:22.770 Frances Figart: are going to inherit the problems that we have with our roads needing to consider wildlife and how they need to cross.

00:39:23.190 –> 00:39:33.060 Frances Figart: And so, in 12 more years those kids reading it will be the new road ecologist they will be the highway engineers that will help to solve these problems.

00:39:33.750 –> 00:39:47.070 Frances Figart: Because we’re networking with people who have been working on these problems for a decade and they still have a broken ground because it takes that long to get it all together so that’s why the kids book concept really works.

00:39:48.330 –> 00:39:56.490 Joseph McElroy: I read it a little bit of it, I love the way you’ve sort of made it into an adventure story for the kids right.

00:39:57.540 –> 00:40:11.880 Joseph McElroy: it’s sort of an adventure the animals are you know they they they they all have their own personalities and they meet together, you know they have you have different groups that come together and have to know who they are, and there’s also a sort of a almost.

00:40:13.020 –> 00:40:17.370 Joseph McElroy: A mythological element to it yeah it’s got a little bit of magic in it.

00:40:17.850 –> 00:40:29.310 Frances Figart: yeah I am I was really inspired by the cherokee writings of the myths where they would talk about animals as just bear or deer or firefly.

00:40:30.060 –> 00:40:36.660 Frances Figart: They would just have the animals name, and so the animals in this book just have that that very simple mythological name.

00:40:37.500 –> 00:40:47.160 Frances Figart: But there’s a band of animals that join together in this cause to try to find safe passage and they meet some new friends, and they have some adventures, and some of its kind of scary.

00:40:48.030 –> 00:40:56.730 Frances Figart: But it’s not in your face graphic you know, there are some animals in it that have been killed on the human highway but we don’t see that happen it’s more of a memory.

00:40:56.970 –> 00:41:03.270 Frances Figart: That an animal has of their parent who has been killed, their or their brother or sister or friend who’s been killed on the human highway.

00:41:03.750 –> 00:41:13.950 Frances Figart: And they have a law called turtles law that prevents them from crossing anymore, and that illustrates a concept and wrote ecology that’s called the barrier effect.

00:41:14.340 –> 00:41:21.510 Frances Figart: And so, when animals decide not to try to cross anymore that’s actually even worse than when you’re seeing individual animals get hit.

00:41:21.840 –> 00:41:36.600 Frances Figart: Because the species is then in under threat and it’s not getting what it needs to thrive and species, you know diversity can’t happen animals interbreed and, eventually, they could be come extinct or be extirpated.

00:41:37.200 –> 00:41:45.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I also think that about half the book is about the story, but then I think the other half is you have.

00:41:46.080 –> 00:41:53.250 Joseph McElroy: yeah a lot of information, like almost like a little bit like encyclopedia but you know approachable encyclopedia information about the types of.

00:41:53.550 –> 00:41:56.940 Joseph McElroy: crossings, I mean there’s incredible amount there’s there’s culverts there’s.

00:41:57.270 –> 00:42:09.030 Joseph McElroy: You know the square openings there’s bridges there’s you know there’s grass things over the top, I thought that was really sort of you know, actually fascinating that you put all that additional information in there.

00:42:09.510 –> 00:42:16.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s a thorough education and fun book for children so i’m gonna get it for my children at the appropriate age.

00:42:16.740 –> 00:42:20.970 Frances Figart: I appreciate that, and you know I worked with a lot of scientists who know.

00:42:21.450 –> 00:42:33.720 Frances Figart: How to build these structures and and it’s just kind of distilling the information that they have down to the most basic level so that someone like a fifth grader can understand it, but that’s also the level that a lot of us need we don’t.

00:42:33.960 –> 00:42:44.100 Frances Figart: We don’t know how to build these box culverts and bridge extensions and things either, so I think it’s very accessible for adults that are just becoming acquainted with the road ecology concepts to.

00:42:44.400 –> 00:42:54.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think it’s an easy read for an adult to just sort of get the story, but then there’s the information that actually makes it yeah you get adult information in a in a digestible form.

00:42:55.530 –> 00:43:03.390 Joseph McElroy: For the second half of that book, I was, I was pleasantly you know excited so it’s very beautifully illustrated, who did your illustrations.

00:43:03.780 –> 00:43:17.040 Frances Figart: So the illustrator is named Emma do for and she’s on my staff at great smoky mountains association she’s a publication specialist who came to the smokies a lot as a child and then was determined to move to the smokies and work there.

00:43:17.790 –> 00:43:29.400 Frances Figart: her story is a brilliant one, but this was her first book to design and illustrate and she’s done a remarkable job and Did it really rapidly, we did all of this during coven you know the book.

00:43:30.030 –> 00:43:38.070 Frances Figart: I wrote the book from March to May last year and then mo worked on the illustration, and we basically got it published within about a nine month window.

00:43:38.700 –> 00:43:49.020 Joseph McElroy: Okay fabulous well when we come back we’ll talk a little bit more about you know aspects of your job, and you know, and then you know other things that people can find out about you.

00:43:50.880 –> 00:43:52.650 Frances Figart: Okay, thank you know.

00:46:08.430 –> 00:46:29.190 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Francis fight guy so Francis you mentioned coven giving you the time to actually write this new book, but how is coven impact your world and the park itself.

00:46:30.390 –> 00:46:43.350 Frances Figart: very good question you know the park went through some really scary times when coven first started and we found that not only did the park need to close, but we gma needed to close our visitor centers.

00:46:43.770 –> 00:46:54.120 Frances Figart: To be able to keep our staff, safe and then we actually even had to close our warehouse where the online orders are filled and we do large online business.

00:46:54.690 –> 00:46:58.770 Frances Figart: But it wasn’t safe, and so we we lost some ground, it was a little scary.

00:46:59.430 –> 00:47:08.940 Frances Figart: But we went into the year in a really good place financially, and so one of the things that happened that was very interesting was we had this challenge and figuring out How can people.

00:47:09.420 –> 00:47:18.900 Frances Figart: Stay connected to the park virtually since they can’t come there that’s really what our members and the people that follow Jesus, and they wanted was to be able to feel connected.

00:47:19.320 –> 00:47:25.050 Frances Figart: And so my staff had all these wonderful creative ideas, because they’re such innovators, you know they’re like we can do.

00:47:25.380 –> 00:47:32.130 Frances Figart: All these different things, and so I decided to channel all of their ideas through a blog called smokies live.

00:47:32.520 –> 00:47:43.110 Frances Figart: And smokies live can be found at smokies information.org as soon as you go to our website at pops up and it’s basically a blog that we started during coven.

00:47:43.590 –> 00:47:55.860 Frances Figart: And we’ve been able to maintain it and we post almost daily, if not four or five times a week we have stories coming up on smokies live that make it like a sister publication, to the magazine smokies life.

00:47:56.400 –> 00:48:00.600 Frances Figart: And we have many people that write for it, much of it is contributed.

00:48:01.200 –> 00:48:08.670 Frances Figart: If there are people out there listening he loved to write about the smokies they could even contact me and write for smokies live and it’s a communal effort.

00:48:08.910 –> 00:48:20.130 Frances Figart: So that’s been a really great way that we’ve survived the pandemic, because we really help people to connect with the park seeing videos and learning about the natural, cultural history through smokies live.

00:48:20.790 –> 00:48:35.310 Frances Figart: has really been an amazing part of it, and then also we’ve developed a lot of tools that have helped us with staying in close touch, as you have to do remotely so zoom meetings are one tool we use a program called slack that is.

00:48:35.730 –> 00:48:48.450 Frances Figart: A way to have conversations about all the different projects and in a very much real time, so my team of six we’ve really stayed very, very close and even become more efficient and effective during the pandemic.

00:48:49.080 –> 00:48:51.420 Joseph McElroy: You mentioned the tools of mine in life right now.

00:48:54.210 –> 00:49:02.520 Joseph McElroy: So, you know as an aside, I have you know, I have a bunch of travel writers, because of my business, so I will get some of them to send you some stuff.

00:49:03.000 –> 00:49:11.610 Joseph McElroy: And if you need the promotion of your blog we can I have some pretty good blogs and good good you know you probably know, this word by now seo position.

00:49:12.630 –> 00:49:18.600 Joseph McElroy: And we could give you a little authority to some of the articles, if you want to reach out and particularly promote one or two of them.

00:49:19.050 –> 00:49:21.570 Frances Figart: So this is a fortuitous partnership.

00:49:21.570 –> 00:49:23.220 Joseph McElroy: yeah definitely.

00:49:25.590 –> 00:49:33.600 Joseph McElroy: So, other than the writing part which i’m assuming you love, what are the other favorite aspects of the job helping preserve and protect the smoke.

00:49:34.440 –> 00:49:46.200 Frances Figart: Well, you know I just think about the things I get to do every day are things that I would do whether I had this job or not like I spent today listening to the audio version of a search for safe passage.

00:49:46.500 –> 00:49:59.580 Frances Figart: Which is being read by a wonderful author and audio expert named rose help and she’s out in scottsdale and she recorded my book, and so my job today was really largely.

00:50:00.060 –> 00:50:16.260 Frances Figart: surrounding listening to my book read by her and just making a few little tweaks of where I wanted her to read like the firefly voice a little differently or you know, whatever was you know I wanted elke says, I am L and I wanted that to be really low, and you know.

00:50:17.070 –> 00:50:18.360 Frances Figart: Things like that, where I would like.

00:50:18.450 –> 00:50:27.090 Frances Figart: adjust the way she said something and but it’s a beautiful reading of my book, she is not native American but her voice sounds native.

00:50:27.540 –> 00:50:36.480 Frances Figart: And I love that aspect of it so i’m so excited so I get to do things in my job that just feel like creative projects, they don’t feel like work to me.

00:50:36.930 –> 00:50:47.520 Frances Figart: And I love writing and editing and i’ve often felt like I would, if I if someone said, you could only write or you could only edit I would pick editing because i’m love it and i’m really good at it.

00:50:47.970 –> 00:50:59.070 Frances Figart: But i’ve become more of a writer throughout the last few years and I don’t think I could stand to have that go away, so I think I have to keep both writing and editing as part of what I do.

00:50:59.400 –> 00:51:10.620 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous you know they I was persuaded to get into podcasting my some of my marketing people said I had the perfect voice for day with the smokies now i’ve got another podcast and I love the creative aspect.

00:51:11.280 –> 00:51:11.520 Frances Figart: Well, I.

00:51:11.820 –> 00:51:14.820 Frances Figart: wish everyone could see your shirt because it’s so bright.

00:51:14.820 –> 00:51:19.020 Frances Figart: And cool, so this is great that you have some people that are able to view this.

00:51:19.650 –> 00:51:21.330 Joseph McElroy: So you got any books in the plans.

00:51:22.170 –> 00:51:27.900 Frances Figart: Well, actually it’s funny that you should ask that, because one of the things I really want to get working on here soon.

00:51:28.230 –> 00:51:41.040 Frances Figart: After I added about seven more smokies life stories for fall, is that I have a sequel plan to a search for safe passage and the working title is zoe’s gift to the gorge.

00:51:41.610 –> 00:51:53.100 Frances Figart: And it’s going to be in the end of a search for safe passage the elk tells the animals, what we have to do now is communicate to the humans what it is that we need in terms of wildlife crossings.

00:51:53.460 –> 00:52:00.270 Frances Figart: And so the next book is going to have the central figure Zoe, who is a girl that has some very special gifts.

00:52:00.600 –> 00:52:10.650 Frances Figart: And she’s going to get to spend some time up in the gorge with the animals on her own and learn from them what they need, and then she’ll be able to communicate that out to the others.

00:52:10.950 –> 00:52:22.710 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous so you can find your new book safe search for safe passage of smokies information.org I, we will probably also soon have it on smokies adventure COM.

00:52:24.570 –> 00:52:38.550 Joseph McElroy: You can also become a member of the great smoky mountains association at smokies information.org and it’s a great way to support and protect the park park her first book Francis first book is seasons of letting goes available on Amazon.

00:52:40.110 –> 00:52:50.850 Joseph McElroy: And spunky safe passions.org is where you can go to learn all about safe passage the I 40 pigeon river gorge wildlife crossing project.

00:52:51.480 –> 00:52:59.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then you can go to Francis fig art.com to find out more about Francis and you have some social media to write.

00:52:59.910 –> 00:53:06.120 Frances Figart: i’m on Facebook, mostly i’m on linkedin a little bit, but find me on Facebook i’d love to have some new friends.

00:53:06.630 –> 00:53:14.250 Joseph McElroy: And we’ll put all this information up on the gateway to the smoky so fun so you’ll be able to find it there.

00:53:15.510 –> 00:53:25.440 Joseph McElroy: And that is the gateway to swell and Francis I want to thank you for being a part of the show i’m gonna do a little close out now my stuff but I appreciate very much talking to you.

00:53:27.210 –> 00:53:40.290 Joseph McElroy: Thank you, so you can you can go to gateways to the smokies fun to find all sorts of information about this podcast when we post things that our guests, have mentioned and and want to promote.

00:53:41.520 –> 00:53:48.420 Joseph McElroy: And, and you can also subscribe to a newsletter that will let you know about upcoming events and podcasts.

00:53:48.900 –> 00:53:56.610 Joseph McElroy: Now I want you to imagine a place evocative motor cortex of the past yeah modern and vibrant with a chic appalachian field.

00:53:57.090 –> 00:54:06.810 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and full relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout scream grill the catch on fire.

00:54:07.230 –> 00:54:20.580 Joseph McElroy: and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place of the old time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the middle Arc motel and Maggie valley North Carolina.

00:54:21.600 –> 00:54:28.170 Joseph McElroy: and part of the great smoky mountains National Park your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:54:29.610 –> 00:54:47.610 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention, we are part of the talk radio nyc network, it is a great network of podcasts focused on the New York area, but it also syndicated out to a lot of other places around.

00:54:48.870 –> 00:54:55.620 Joseph McElroy: I think, right after this podcast live on Tuesday nights is a podcast exploring New York.

00:54:56.760 –> 00:55:03.330 Joseph McElroy: And I think it’s a really nice episode, so you go from a rural environment to urban environment.

00:55:04.470 –> 00:55:09.360 Joseph McElroy: So please stick around listen to everything on this network.

00:55:10.770 –> 00:55:26.250 Joseph McElroy: Next week we’re going to have MC butch McCain, who is a retired ranger from the park service, and he has a lot of experience in the smoky mountains, I think it’ll be a great show, and you can come by and visit same time from.

00:55:26.910 –> 00:55:32.970 Joseph McElroy: from six to seven on Tuesday night next week and we also have a Facebook page.

00:55:33.480 –> 00:55:50.340 Joseph McElroy: Also facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast where we stream the video live, so you can see the video live on Tuesdays as well, so you’ll see my shirt and my background and my beautiful guests, so thank you again and i’ll see you next time.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/197853718577927/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/165903936_197888541907778_1751532789824154356_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=IN9koHIBMd8AX-wA6QB&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6302C8B7&oh=00_AT8ePgI84hc6wtSjISFaWJb2D6tK6hgcm_L2cuNL338U5g&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest is <strong>Teresa Smith,</strong> Executive Director at Maggie Valley Chamber &amp; Area Visitors Bureau. They will be discussing Maggie Valley in the Smokies.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/4SSL31HZGn/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts today’s episode off by introducing the topic of the episode, Maggie Valley. Joseph makes a big announcement about the future of the Meadowlark Motel, they will be opening a heritage center! The previous guest Bob Plott will be running this project with Joseph. Moving on from the project, Joseph introduces the guest for today’s episode, Teresa Smith. Teresa discusses how she began her involvement with the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce &amp; Area Visitors Bureau. Teresa continues by talking about her love for Maggie Valley. Joseph shares this love of Maggie Valley and gives an anecdote explaining the feeling of the area. Along with the business side of her job, Teresa loves interacting with people. Joseph shares a story showing Teresa’s love for the people and the mountain charm of the people in the area. Teresa discusses some of the services and programs the chamber offers guests of the park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph asks Teresa to talk about the origin of the name Maggie Valley. Teresa tells the story of a man who opened a post office and when asked for the name of the town, gave his daughter’s name. There is a Miss Maggie, who previously has walked around town picking up trash, but now, May through October walks around waving to guests and residents alike. The mascot of Miss Maggie sets Maggie Valley apart from other towns as their mascots are often animals. Teresa describes the growth of the town, which coincided with the opening of Ghost Town. Ghost Town is a theme park on top of a mountain, which brought tourists and residents to the area. In the ’90s though, Ghost Town started fading out of the mainstream. Teresa often receives calls asking about a ghost town, reminiscing fond memories of it before its closing in 2012. There are plans for Ghost Town though as it recently transferred owners.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph discusses the revival of the town of Maggie Valley beyond Ghost Town and asks Teresa why she thinks this is going on. Teresa sees the boom going on in the town as a result of the calming feel of the town as opposed to some other parts of the park. The two discuss activities to do within the town. Moving on, the two discuss motorcycles in the town. The traffic they have brought with festivals and museums has helped the town. Moving on from motorcycles, Teresa and Joseph discuss the presence of breweries in the town. Teresa goes on to share info about upcoming events at the festival grounds such as drive-in movies and car shows. There have also been drive-in concerts at the festival grounds, which have been very popular. The people of Maggie Valley love their biking, taking advantage of the bike trails in the park. Joseph makes a note of the interesting fact that “ATV” is the most searched term on his website with resources about the park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph introduces the last segment of the episode by introducing the topic of safety in the town. Teresa continues on the topic by sharing how safe she feels in the town, with Joseph joking that he would feel ok leaving his car unlocked with the keys in it. Teresa has been very impressed with the businesses in the town’s reaction to the COVID pandemic, staying very safe and following guidelines. Tourism in Maggie Valley has increased since the town opened back up, likely as a result of the town being so remote. The two discuss the locations most tourists come from, citing New York and Florida as big contributors. Moving on, Teresa talks about the future for Maggie Valley, noting that tourism will likely remain busy, with hotels preparing for a busy summer. Teresa shares resources for listeners to find upcoming events in the Valley and details about them. Joseph ends the episode by sharing his own resources.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:36.150 –&gt; 00:00:42.000 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:42.510 –&gt; 00:00:50.670 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:51.090 –&gt; 00:01:01.170 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep story history and a rich mountain culture that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:01.770 –&gt; 00:01:16.170 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses in travel, but my heart is in mountain culture.</p><p>00:01:17.310 –&gt; 00:01:36.810 Joseph McElroy: Now this episode is entitled ecotourism and safe passage is for wildlife in the smokies but it’s really about journeys to help conservation efforts, the journeys to life that lead to transitions and journeys that wildlife has to make to ensure their species survival.</p><p>00:01:38.280 –&gt; 00:01:47.610 Joseph McElroy: You know that journeys are something that I talked about every day my profession has been marketing and, in that we always talk about the customer journey.</p><p>00:01:48.060 –&gt; 00:02:08.190 Joseph McElroy: The path they follow and the transitions they make to become paying customers now, this is not a profound journey but it illustrates that even the smallest parts of our lives, we are on journeys the profound journeys create transitions that can be life-changing and even world-changing.</p><p>00:02:09.600 –&gt; 00:02:20.610 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to talk some about death, I know this is not expected, but when you travel and celebrate life you’re also preparing for a good death without regrets.</p><p>00:02:22.620 –&gt; 00:02:28.830 Joseph McElroy: And my family place that I now own the middle or motel there was an old couple who’d been coming there for years.</p><p>00:02:29.760 –&gt; 00:02:37.800 Joseph McElroy: And they called one day and talk to my parents and honestly told them that the woman was dying and wanted to come to stay in the Cabinet and die by the river.</p><p>00:02:38.520 –&gt; 00:02:51.900 Joseph McElroy: And the sides of the mountains that had brought such joy her whole life and she did they let her come and she eventually died in peace in the cabin and it was as much as as a celebration, as it was an occasion for SAR.</p><p>00:02:53.430 –&gt; 00:03:10.920 Joseph McElroy: And this is one of the reasons I bought the motel from my parents, three years ago, because the profound meeting I found in hospitality that creates memorable moments in people’s lives and their journeys and that make those journeys more beautiful and hopefully without regrets.</p><p>00:03:12.090 –&gt; 00:03:19.530 Joseph McElroy: Some of you know, the in 2014 my wife of 20 years died of rare cancer, and I was her caregiver for two years.</p><p>00:03:20.280 –&gt; 00:03:29.460 Joseph McElroy: My guest today has a book on life’s lessons learned from helping her mother die, and then it she writes about the hero’s journey by Joseph Campbell.</p><p>00:03:30.120 –&gt; 00:03:45.000 Joseph McElroy: How facing obstacles and fighting dragons leads to transformation at first her mother’s death seemed to her to be the end of the journey until she went through her grief and realized her mother was still on a journey for me.</p><p>00:03:46.260 –&gt; 00:03:55.800 Joseph McElroy: This brought back memories, because I attended a workshop after my wife’s death in the mountains, called the hero’s journey by just the Joseph Campbell foundation.</p><p>00:03:56.610 –&gt; 00:04:11.250 Joseph McElroy: There they led me through an exercise, where I had to write on a gravestone something that I needed to see buried now having just buried my wife, this was something of a challenge for me.</p><p>00:04:12.180 –&gt; 00:04:23.940 Joseph McElroy: But through some deep reflection, I wrote on the gravestone Mr and Mrs Joseph mcilroy and laid it down in the ceremony on the mountain side and had my transformational moment.</p><p>00:04:24.600 –&gt; 00:04:37.320 Joseph McElroy: Because I realized that I was still thinking of myself, as Mr Mrs Joseph mcilroy and I realized that identity, no longer existed, I was grieving as much.</p><p>00:04:38.040 –&gt; 00:04:58.410 Joseph McElroy: For her as for my my identity as as I was, for my late wife and I didn’t need to grieve for that identity, I needed to process the grief for my late wife and then I was no longer Mr Mrs Joseph McElroy I had to proceed as Joseph I had to reinvent a new life.</p><p>00:04:59.580 –&gt; 00:05:09.990 Joseph McElroy: Now I still remember today that life and wife, but I am married again I have given life to twins who are two years old and i’ve recovered and refurbish my family’s homestead.</p><p>00:05:10.950 –&gt; 00:05:20.940 Joseph McElroy: So I started a brand new journey through that transition, so this so this episode is not about me it’s about journeys.</p><p>00:05:21.570 –&gt; 00:05:28.050 Joseph McElroy: And we’re also going to be considering the life and journeys that wildlife has to make because of human civilization.</p><p>00:05:28.800 –&gt; 00:05:38.160 Joseph McElroy: And how we can make those journeys safer and life more fulfilling and how we can do conservation efforts and with ecotourism and things like that.</p><p>00:05:38.910 –&gt; 00:05:42.750 Joseph McElroy: So, to help us explore this I invited My guess Francis fiber.</p><p>00:05:43.410 –&gt; 00:05:53.940 Joseph McElroy: Who directs the creative service department at the great smoky mountains, associations and edits the fabulous smokies life magazine is one of the most beautiful magazines i’ve ever seen.</p><p>00:05:54.690 –&gt; 00:06:04.980 Joseph McElroy: She is a Thomas Wolfe memorial literary award winner she has edited edited several magazines, she has led marketing for eco tour operators in Canada and Costa Rica.</p><p>00:06:05.520 –&gt; 00:06:15.000 Joseph McElroy: she’s the author of several books, including the seasons of letting go, which is the book I just referenced, and has a new children’s book a search for safe passage.</p><p>00:06:15.450 –&gt; 00:06:29.520 Joseph McElroy: which was just published by the great smoky mountains, associations and it follows a group of animal friends in a smoky mountains board brant banding together to find a safe way across the major highway hello, Francis.</p><p>00:06:30.150 –&gt; 00:06:32.160 Frances Figart: haters of thanks for having me.</p><p>00:06:32.430 –&gt; 00:06:34.470 Joseph McElroy: Oh sure how are you doing today?</p><p>00:06:35.190 –&gt; 00:06:41.550 Frances Figart: Doing really well it’s wonderful to be here and I’d like to thank our mutual friend Bob plot for introducing us.</p><p>00:06:42.000 –&gt; 00:06:50.910 Joseph McElroy: he’s is, do you know I danced last week we’re actually creating the smoky mountain meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center and we’re doing.</p><p>00:06:51.390 –&gt; 00:06:57.570 Joseph McElroy: Working together to create lots of heritage events and bring lots of awareness of what’s happening in these mountains.</p><p>00:06:58.020 –&gt; 00:07:11.490 Joseph McElroy: So you have had a remarkably diverse career and live everywhere from Costa Rica and Canada, yet now live north of actual right and with your life has been on a six-acre property near the Appalachian trail.</p><p>00:07:11.850 –&gt; 00:07:14.100 Joseph McElroy: Yes, how did you end up working in the great smoky?</p><p>00:07:14.820 –&gt; 00:07:31.860 Frances Figart: So very interesting, so I as you were talking about went through an experience, where I helped my mother passed away in 2012 she died and that next year, I moved to the Asheville area and I met my husband and I.</p><p>00:07:32.940 –&gt; 00:07:44.430 Frances Figart: moved to a place that’s just about 40 minutes north of Asheville called flag pond Tennessee which there’s not very much here and that’s why we’re here, there are a lot of cool animals and not very many people.</p><p>00:07:45.270 –&gt; 00:07:52.920 Frances Figart: But when I first moved to Asheville I had put my career in ecotourism on hold to help my mother passed away.</p><p>00:07:53.370 –&gt; 00:07:58.890 Frances Figart: And so I really was starting over you know it’s very much like you were talking about you kind of reinvented your life.</p><p>00:07:59.400 –&gt; 00:08:04.140 Frances Figart: And I went to Asheville I didn’t know anyone I knew to people.</p><p>00:08:04.590 –&gt; 00:08:12.540 Frances Figart: And, but i’m a great networker so I stormed into town and said I’m going to become a magazine editor i’m going to be the editor of the Laurel of Asheville which I did that.</p><p>00:08:13.020 –&gt; 00:08:27.120 Frances Figart: And I also did some pro bono work for another part partner in the smokies called discover life in America, and they do the all tax of biodiversity inventory, which is a Count of all the species in the park.</p><p>00:08:27.720 –&gt; 00:08:39.510 Frances Figart: And so I did some pro bono editing and writing for them and years later, in 2017 the executive director Todd witcher of discover life in America called me one day and said.</p><p>00:08:39.990 –&gt; 00:08:43.890 Frances Figart: there’s a job, opening up in the smokies that has your name written all over it.</p><p>00:08:44.310 –&gt; 00:08:53.430 Frances Figart: And I said well that’s wonderful, but my husband built our cabin and there’s no way that i’m going to be able to move to the smokies I couldn’t move to gatlinburg.</p><p>00:08:53.790 –&gt; 00:08:58.710 Frances Figart: And he said, well, I think you need to have a talk with the executive director I don’t think he would have to move there.</p><p>00:08:59.490 –&gt; 00:09:06.930 Frances Figart: Because you know when you work in publishing it can be pretty remote, these days, and so I did have that conversation with.</p><p>00:09:07.530 –&gt; 00:09:16.800 Frances Figart: them the executive director and now the CEO Laurel repertory who is my boss, and we decided that if I were the right person for the job that I wouldn’t have to move away so I.</p><p>00:09:17.370 –&gt; 00:09:30.720 Frances Figart: I went through all the processes I didn’t expect to get the job, and yet here I am and so all day long I work from home in flight on Tennessee but my mind is two hours away in great smoky mountain National Park.</p><p>00:09:31.470 –&gt; 00:09:38.130 Joseph McElroy: cool I knew, you had plenty of experience in the area yeah like me i’m doing this podcast from New York City.</p><p>00:09:38.880 –&gt; 00:09:46.920 Joseph McElroy: But you know I grew up there, and you know and i’ve always been there and I have my business interests there, and you know so.</p><p>00:09:47.520 –&gt; 00:10:03.540 Joseph McElroy: You know well, of course I business interest in New York, so, but you can you can you can love multiple places in your life, and I think actually having the experience of loving two places really prepares you to talk about it in the travel sets right yeah.</p><p>00:10:03.690 –&gt; 00:10:17.100 Frances Figart: yeah like I love I love, where I live, so much, and I have trail cams around my property and at night, especially at night there are bobcats that come through that’s my spirit animal and I love them, but we have bear and deer and Turkey and.</p><p>00:10:18.180 –&gt; 00:10:24.210 Frances Figart: opossum and skunk and would check and all these wonderful animals that are on this property, so I love it here.</p><p>00:10:24.600 –&gt; 00:10:35.460 Frances Figart: But I also love, Costa Rica and that would be a place that we’re I to have an opportunity to can to live there, I might do so, but I don’t think I can pull my husband away.</p><p>00:10:35.760 –&gt; 00:10:46.380 Frances Figart: From the appalachian trail region he’s hiked it four times, he was here and and I love it here as well, so yeah but I know what you mean you can love to places that’s for sure.</p><p>00:10:46.560 –&gt; 00:10:56.550 Joseph McElroy: yeah well, I mean you can you can love several places my wife loves New York City and she’s learning to love the the smoky mountains and she she loves a.</p><p>00:10:58.950 –&gt; 00:11:00.360 Joseph McElroy: place in Mexico.</p><p>00:11:01.680 –&gt; 00:11:04.650 Joseph McElroy: i’m drawing a blank on and she’s gonna get mad at me she’s probably listening.</p><p>00:11:05.730 –&gt; 00:11:14.010 Joseph McElroy: San Miguel San Miguel and the mountains in which is sort of a mountainous region in the in the in the.</p><p>00:11:14.370 –&gt; 00:11:30.060 Joseph McElroy: Mexico and she’s originally from Trinidad and grew up on a mountain in Trinidad you know everything so true that’d be in this Caribbean island but it’s actually a mountainous Caribbean island and so she’s she’s I tell her we’re just we’re just mountain people.</p><p>00:11:32.490 –&gt; 00:11:37.170 Joseph McElroy: So, and so, what do you, what do you love most about the smoky mountains region.</p><p>00:11:38.250 –&gt; 00:11:47.250 Frances Figart: Well, I tell you it’s um it’s a very diverse place and that’s part of the reason why I love, Costa Rica, was the diversity and you know the smokies has been studied.</p><p>00:11:47.580 –&gt; 00:11:59.820 Frances Figart: by scientists all over the world as a biodiversity hotspot and so that’s why I really got interested in the job because it was a place that I could put my ecotourism background to work if you will.</p><p>00:12:00.210 –&gt; 00:12:13.800 Frances Figart: And I manage the creative team they’re a great smoky mountains, association and we create all kinds of books and magazines and projects like we did we actually do a podcast to that’s called smoky mountain air.</p><p>00:12:14.820 –&gt; 00:12:28.980 Frances Figart: So there are so many ways to lend you know the creative forces to the smokies because they’re just so many stories to be told we’re helping to tell ancient stories of the peoples who were here before it was even a park.</p><p>00:12:29.010 –&gt; 00:12:29.700 Joseph McElroy: You know the Chair.</p><p>00:12:29.880 –&gt; 00:12:36.660 Frances Figart: In the African American people that were here before, so we help the park in so many different ways to do that interpretive work.</p><p>00:12:37.470 –&gt; 00:12:49.350 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s Nice, you know I I was reading about that you know the cherokee you know claim anywhere from 3000 to 15,000 years ago of culture in this area yeah and so.</p><p>00:12:50.040 –&gt; 00:13:01.290 Joseph McElroy: I find that very interesting and, of course, the West African influence on music here is tremendous, especially the banjo I mean our first episode, we talked a lot about that.</p><p>00:13:01.890 –&gt; 00:13:18.420 Joseph McElroy: I have a friend of mine who is both Scotch Irish and West African descent all right, and he was the drummer for simple minds at one point he’s artists in residence at the middle Arc motel and he’s exploring all those sorts of aspects of the Culture here.</p><p>00:13:18.900 –&gt; 00:13:30.390 Frances Figart: Well, you mentioned that because we just created a new podcast series that’s called sepia tones and it’s about African American music in appalachia.</p><p>00:13:30.960 –&gt; 00:13:47.070 Frances Figart: And the influence that that’s had on the smokies region, in particular, and the co host of that Ted olson and bill Turner are just amazing so it’s under the smoky mountain air podcast series and really worth listening to i’m very excited that we’re.</p><p>00:13:47.070 –&gt; 00:13:49.080 Frances Figart: Creating we’re creating that right now.</p><p>00:13:49.320 –&gt; 00:13:54.720 Joseph McElroy: Well, I should talk to Mike and see if there’s any synergies and what he’s doing yeah so cool.</p><p>00:13:56.040 –&gt; 00:14:02.610 Joseph McElroy: So we’re back, we have taken a break now we’ll talk more about articles and publications and books.</p><p>00:17:01.980 –&gt; 00:17:09.990 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Francis fiber.</p><p>00:17:12.060 –&gt; 00:17:25.500 Joseph McElroy: So, before I get into you know more about the the great smoky areas specifically you know we talked about ECO tourism, you talked about it briefly, can you just tell us what that means you really.</p><p>00:17:26.670 –&gt; 00:17:42.150 Frances Figart: yeah a lot of times people describe it as sustainable tourism and really if you think about it, those two things are a bit of a misnomer right because it’s hard to travel sustainably when you’re traveling you’re you’re using fuel and.</p><p>00:17:43.380 –&gt; 00:17:51.360 Frances Figart: Lots of our resources but there’s a movement in the travel industry to try to do it that in such a way that it’s light on the land.</p><p>00:17:51.810 –&gt; 00:18:03.630 Frances Figart: And a lot of times ECO tourism is focused around very small group travel so, for instance, I worked with a kayak ECO tour operator in both Canada and Costa Rica, we would go back and forth.</p><p>00:18:03.930 –&gt; 00:18:11.700 Frances Figart: Depending on the season, because you don’t want to be paddling in Canada when it’s October so that’s when you’d get a Costa Rica and.</p><p>00:18:12.690 –&gt; 00:18:20.040 Frances Figart: You know the focus was on small groups that would not make a big impact in the areas that we were paddling.</p><p>00:18:20.430 –&gt; 00:18:30.030 Frances Figart: So that’s that’s kind of how I got involved before that I was a magazine editor for the national tour Association, which was more of a motor coach across the US.</p><p>00:18:30.540 –&gt; 00:18:44.670 Frances Figart: and Canada type of organization for tour operators and I learned about ECO tourism and natural tourism through that experience and so that is kind of what I gravitated to because I liked the conservation aspect of that work.</p><p>00:18:45.270 –&gt; 00:18:47.910 Joseph McElroy: So, and then your podcast you mentioned, with the.</p><p>00:18:49.170 –&gt; 00:18:50.130 Joseph McElroy: GS ma.</p><p>00:18:51.450 –&gt; 00:18:55.080 Joseph McElroy: talks about ECO ECO tourism experiences of people could have.</p><p>00:18:56.070 –&gt; 00:19:07.380 Frances Figart: We haven’t gotten into that topic yet, but that’s a really good idea and I think we should have been focusing recently on, as I mentioned the sepia tones the black appalachian music.</p><p>00:19:08.400 –&gt; 00:19:19.320 Frances Figart: Focus but we’ve also had podcasts that have been readings by some of our smokies life magazine authors and you know we’ve explored other programs in the park but.</p><p>00:19:19.770 –&gt; 00:19:30.840 Frances Figart: You know, eco tourism has not been mentioned a lot in my job, yet, but it’s something that’s always in the back of my mind, because we do have a lot of congestion and a lot of visitors in the park, you know, we had.</p><p>00:19:31.230 –&gt; 00:19:40.920 Frances Figart: 12.5 million visitors in 2019 and then of course last year it fell a little bit because of coven and we were closed part of the year.</p><p>00:19:42.120 –&gt; 00:19:55.710 Frances Figart: But this year people feel like parks are the place to be and so each month this year we’ve had some numbers already and we expect to probably tip over that 12.5 million mark during 21.</p><p>00:19:56.250 –&gt; 00:19:58.560 Joseph McElroy: Do you if you if somebody wanted to.</p><p>00:19:59.790 –&gt; 00:20:00.390 Joseph McElroy: You know.</p><p>00:20:01.440 –&gt; 00:20:12.330 Joseph McElroy: engage in ecotourism experience and then the smoky mountains, do you know of any providers or resources or even you know publications that might give them information.</p><p>00:20:13.800 –&gt; 00:20:23.250 Frances Figart: Absolutely, there are a lot of great ecotourism operators out there, and one in particular that I think of right off the BAT is Tara in Terra.</p><p>00:20:23.790 –&gt; 00:20:36.720 Frances Figart: incognita ECO tours and that’s run by Judd katich and he’s a friend longtime friend and he does skirt trips to all kinds of wonderful places where ECO tourism, tourism has done.</p><p>00:20:37.470 –&gt; 00:20:38.400 Joseph McElroy: fabulous i’m.</p><p>00:20:40.080 –&gt; 00:20:45.750 Joseph McElroy: glad about that i’m wanting you know where we are at the motel where the only we’re actually the only.</p><p>00:20:46.350 –&gt; 00:21:05.550 Joseph McElroy: Three pine lodging facility west of asheville and three partners graded by the Sydney according to you know North Carolina sustainable ECO ECO friendly and so we’ve taken a lot of effort to be and so we’re looking at how to develop more eco tour, so I guess.</p><p>00:21:06.240 –&gt; 00:21:07.230 Joseph McElroy: So anyway right I.</p><p>00:21:07.830 –&gt; 00:21:09.390 Frances Figart: connect you with some people.</p><p>00:21:09.480 –&gt; 00:21:23.550 Joseph McElroy: cool that’d be fabulous so you’ve written scores of articles for well known publications around the region and now you’re the creative service director, the GA s ma so tell us a little bit about this organization and what what that job means.</p><p>00:21:24.810 –&gt; 00:21:31.860 Frances Figart: Right well so great smoky mountains association is one of several part partners and we’re an educational park partner.</p><p>00:21:32.220 –&gt; 00:21:47.040 Frances Figart: So we support the park through creating products and selling them and Joseph you probably know that you know the park in the smokies doesn’t charge an entrance fee like some parks and so there’s always that challenge of how do they.</p><p>00:21:48.090 –&gt; 00:21:54.240 Frances Figart: generate the income to take care of the backlog of maintenance and all the different things that need to be done for the park.</p><p>00:21:54.660 –&gt; 00:22:03.870 Frances Figart: So we create books and magazines and other products, and we also sell other books in our bookstores that are run by great smoky mountains association.</p><p>00:22:04.320 –&gt; 00:22:12.840 Frances Figart: And those funds come together to help support the park to do many different things like we talked about earlier telling the stories.</p><p>00:22:13.260 –&gt; 00:22:18.390 Frances Figart: Of the peoples who were here before or preserving the historic buildings in the park.</p><p>00:22:19.080 –&gt; 00:22:28.950 Frances Figart: Just things like utilities for visitors we help to provide that, so there are so many things that go into how we support our our park and as a partner.</p><p>00:22:29.520 –&gt; 00:22:37.200 Frances Figart: And we, you know, there are other partners like discover life in America that I mentioned, and they have other projects that they work on but we’re.</p><p>00:22:38.070 –&gt; 00:22:47.610 Frances Figart: serving in a way that that we sell our products in the bookstore so anytime you visit the park and you go into one of the bookstores that’s great smoky mountains association.</p><p>00:22:48.030 –&gt; 00:22:55.560 Joseph McElroy: You also I know this for a fact, because I am one you’ve developed a pretty large network of resellers right that actually.</p><p>00:22:55.860 –&gt; 00:22:57.930 Joseph McElroy: support you and selling those.</p><p>00:22:58.590 –&gt; 00:23:08.100 Joseph McElroy: Are smokies adventure COM site actually sells the DSM a products and we you know we try to package, a little different and things like that, but.</p><p>00:23:09.210 –&gt; 00:23:11.730 Joseph McElroy: we’re we’re an avid supporter of that.</p><p>00:23:12.090 –&gt; 00:23:18.450 Frances Figart: Well that’s great and we welcome you and you know it’s interesting because we are basically a very boutique publisher.</p><p>00:23:19.380 –&gt; 00:23:29.100 Frances Figart: of books, you know it’s something that we we don’t do that publishing exclusively we do so many other things in running our bookstores and our retail is really our bread and butter.</p><p>00:23:29.910 –&gt; 00:23:37.860 Frances Figart: But we create a couple of books every year and this year, the new book from gma is the one that I wrote called a search for safe passage.</p><p>00:23:38.250 –&gt; 00:23:44.670 Joseph McElroy: cool well, I know I will talk about that in just a second I think it’s a great book, but I think another big thing that you guys do.</p><p>00:23:45.090 –&gt; 00:23:54.540 Joseph McElroy: Is that you create maps and guides right, not just the books, I mean the books are great I mean you talk about like moonshine you talking about women in the appalachian you talk about.</p><p>00:23:54.870 –&gt; 00:24:01.380 Joseph McElroy: You know all sorts of different cultural aspects that people don’t necessarily think of, and then you get into herbal medicine and.</p><p>00:24:01.920 –&gt; 00:24:16.530 Joseph McElroy: You know and wildlife and many things you just the selection is is great, but you do wonderful guides and great maps and hiking hiking trail maps and things like that you just released the hundred trails that is a.</p><p>00:24:16.680 –&gt; 00:24:17.280 classic.</p><p>00:24:18.450 –&gt; 00:24:23.790 Joseph McElroy: classic classic and an updated and everything and that’s that’s a good seller.</p><p>00:24:25.500 –&gt; 00:24:34.200 Frances Figart: Sales map which was originally a partnership between gma and the Carolina mountain club and we’ve just revitalized it and brought it up to date.</p><p>00:24:34.590 –&gt; 00:24:43.140 Frances Figart: Which is very exciting and there’s a new challenge from cmc Carolina mountain club for people to hike all of those 100 favorite trails so that’s pretty neat.</p><p>00:24:43.500 –&gt; 00:24:50.220 Frances Figart: And we do have a lot of guidebooks and you know people who are not watching this can’t see it but behind me there’s a poster.</p><p>00:24:50.520 –&gt; 00:24:55.920 Frances Figart: That shows 100 different butterflies and Moss and they’re all in our butterflies and months field guide.</p><p>00:24:56.340 –&gt; 00:25:08.820 Frances Figart: Which is just one of many field guides right now we’re creating a new one that’s all about just insects and that’s being written by James Costa of the Highlands biological station which is in color we.</p><p>00:25:09.540 –&gt; 00:25:18.360 Joseph McElroy: yeah well that’s great I mean I think these are wonderful assets and you also the editor of smokies life magazine what is that what is the purpose of that magazine.</p><p>00:25:18.990 –&gt; 00:25:31.710 Frances Figart: That magazine is the main benefit that are members of gma get in the mail twice a year, and thank goodness it’s twice a year because i’ve worked on a lot of monthly magazines and you really can’t do anything else.</p><p>00:25:32.460 –&gt; 00:25:42.660 Frances Figart: One time I was like Conference, and when I was with the national tour association, so people came up to my booth at a conference and they said we’re just curious What do you do in between issues.</p><p>00:25:45.090 –&gt; 00:25:49.380 Joseph McElroy: But now you look at it it’s so beautiful right it’s such a beautiful magazine.</p><p>00:25:49.860 –&gt; 00:25:52.920 Frances Figart: It really is and that’s thanks to my staff, I have an.</p><p>00:25:52.920 –&gt; 00:26:03.090 Frances Figart: amazing on staff that Lisa horseman is the lead designer on that magazine she’s also a famous children’s author and we sell her books, you might have some of her books.</p><p>00:26:03.720 –&gt; 00:26:16.290 Frances Figart: The great smoky mountain salamander ball is one that you probably have, and you know that that magazine is just a lot of fun, but yeah it takes the full six months because you are doing a lot of things to make it happen.</p><p>00:26:18.300 –&gt; 00:26:32.520 Joseph McElroy: So, and you know the you know the the things that are the contents are like bike days in caves cove park faces up faces up to over tourism twin creek science, education, a lot of wonderful stuff there.</p><p>00:26:34.020 –&gt; 00:26:49.080 Frances Figart: Paul has an article in this one I don’t know if you notice that, but he wrote a story about two of the heroes of the smokies Georgian Elizabeth ellison and so Bob and Janet mckee read that together, and it was a great story.</p><p>00:26:49.380 –&gt; 00:26:56.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s great oh yeah Well, no, I think it’s and it’s and it’s so that’s mostly I said you don’t distribute it anywhere else right.</p><p>00:26:57.540 –&gt; 00:27:09.060 Frances Figart: it’s in our book stores, and you can buy it at smokies information.org so if you’re not a Member, you can go online it’s smokies information to Oregon by it, but we encourage you to be a Member for just 30 bucks a year.</p><p>00:27:10.170 –&gt; 00:27:11.160 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool.</p><p>00:27:12.420 –&gt; 00:27:12.870 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:27:13.950 –&gt; 00:27:21.480 Joseph McElroy: You when you talk about the DSM maybe an educational park partner Besides supporting it with money, what does that mean.</p><p>00:27:22.620 –&gt; 00:27:31.830 Frances Figart: um so you know, like, I mentioned the proceeds from our books and products provide services for visitors and we fund resource management of the park.</p><p>00:27:32.700 –&gt; 00:27:42.030 Frances Figart: We make it possible for the park to preserve his historic structures and tell those older stories of the cherokee and the African Americans who were here before.</p><p>00:27:42.510 –&gt; 00:27:51.030 Frances Figart: We help educate our members and part visitors about natural and cultural heritage of the smokies through those projects okay.</p><p>00:27:51.810 –&gt; 00:27:52.170 well.</p><p>00:27:53.610 –&gt; 00:28:04.200 Joseph McElroy: When we get back you have you have a new book called this, you will be have two books that we wanted to talk about briefly seasons of letting go, which I mentioned, and then I think, a very important one now.</p><p>00:28:04.800 –&gt; 00:28:10.170 Joseph McElroy: search for safe passage which was a children’s book has got a pretty important message to talk about.</p><p>00:28:11.220 –&gt; 00:28:14.820 Joseph McElroy: And so let’s dig into the meat of that when we get back.</p><p>00:28:15.540 –&gt; 00:28:16.200 Frances Figart: sounds good.</p><p>00:28:24.420 –&gt; 00:28:24.630 and</p><p>00:31:05.970 –&gt; 00:31:14.640 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy and i’m back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and My guess Francis.</p><p>00:31:16.320 –&gt; 00:31:17.550 Joseph McElroy: Francis you know we.</p><p>00:31:18.720 –&gt; 00:31:29.730 Joseph McElroy: been talking about you know your job and let’s talk about your creativity all right, which is even your job demonstrates your creativity you’re the author of two books.</p><p>00:31:30.240 –&gt; 00:31:39.510 Joseph McElroy: And the first one, I got to read a little bit of and because it was formatted as a series of poignant collection of essays.</p><p>00:31:40.380 –&gt; 00:31:48.120 Joseph McElroy: I was able to actually get her, I think a little bit of an understanding and it’s called seasons of letting go, which was about helping your mother die.</p><p>00:31:48.600 –&gt; 00:32:03.300 Joseph McElroy: A dignified death and how you learn from that your mother was a ruthie, I think, and she was a baseball fan, and she sounds like a tremendous woman, and so, can you tell us a little bit of that book came about.</p><p>00:32:03.720 –&gt; 00:32:07.830 Frances Figart: Sure thing so her name is Ruth and that he is silent.</p><p>00:32:08.160 –&gt; 00:32:08.760 Okay.</p><p>00:32:09.900 –&gt; 00:32:16.740 Frances Figart: When she was born, she was named just the normal, are you Th but she’d like to be different so she wanted to put a silent E on it.</p><p>00:32:17.700 –&gt; 00:32:18.660 Joseph McElroy: Okay, great.</p><p>00:32:18.900 –&gt; 00:32:22.680 Frances Figart: My middle name is free to so I have the silent E as well.</p><p>00:32:22.920 –&gt; 00:32:23.940 Joseph McElroy: Can I call you ruthie.</p><p>00:32:27.960 –&gt; 00:32:28.290 Frances Figart: But.</p><p>00:32:28.590 –&gt; 00:32:35.910 Frances Figart: The book, you know I I tell people I kind of tricked myself into writing a book, because what happened was in 2010.</p><p>00:32:36.390 –&gt; 00:32:45.690 Frances Figart: I put my career on hold and I went home and I realized, I was going to need to be with my mom for as long as it was going to take, and it was about two years, just like your experience.</p><p>00:32:46.380 –&gt; 00:32:55.740 Frances Figart: And so I didn’t know really how to cope with you know how this is your your loving this person, but you also have this big job.</p><p>00:32:56.640 –&gt; 00:33:04.410 Frances Figart: You know it’s like you’re you’re doing the caregiving thing and so it’s 24 seven you don’t get a break there’s really no escape from the stress of it.</p><p>00:33:04.740 –&gt; 00:33:15.510 Frances Figart: So I think to process that stress I started a blog and I started writing essays just about coping with the fact that i’m going to lose my mother and i’m the sole caregiver, and this was really hard.</p><p>00:33:16.890 –&gt; 00:33:29.040 Frances Figart: And it wasn’t until several years after she was gone that I realized that some of my best writing had been done, both during the time she was dying and also my processing the first year of grief.</p><p>00:33:29.790 –&gt; 00:33:38.850 Frances Figart: Especially that first year, and so in 2015 I realized that I had a group of essays that I really just wanted to put together as a book.</p><p>00:33:39.240 –&gt; 00:33:43.380 Frances Figart: And in really for me my audience was the people who knew my mother.</p><p>00:33:43.680 –&gt; 00:33:53.310 Frances Figart: That probably would not go look at my blog site and look up all these essays on there, because they were older people, they were in her age group, so I wanted to present them with something.</p><p>00:33:53.610 –&gt; 00:34:00.780 Frances Figart: And i’m holding the book up right now it’s got a scene that’s much like your background Joseph and you know I.</p><p>00:34:02.430 –&gt; 00:34:12.960 Frances Figart: yeah I wanted it to be something that people could hold in their hand and have a good feeling about her life so it’s a tribute to her, but it’s also a tribute to what you were talking about earlier, which is that we.</p><p>00:34:13.230 –&gt; 00:34:25.530 Frances Figart: have to reinvent ourselves, and we have to disassociate our identity as being with that person it, you know, even though I really felt strongly that my end identity was wrapped up with being Ruth fibroids daughter.</p><p>00:34:26.070 –&gt; 00:34:31.140 Frances Figart: I had to go on and say I can be more than that, I can be different from that and still honor her.</p><p>00:34:32.160 –&gt; 00:34:36.720 Joseph McElroy: That is a that is a, that is, I think that’s important for a lot of people to.</p><p>00:34:37.410 –&gt; 00:34:47.580 Joseph McElroy: To to understand that you know, I think that I, you know I had some friends that actually it was kind of odd, but at the same time they’d lost their lives, maybe one of the year before.</p><p>00:34:47.970 –&gt; 00:35:05.970 Joseph McElroy: And then never you know when I saw them they had they hadn’t progressed in their lives, and some of them still haven’t and they haven’t lost that and that they haven’t realized that they got to bury their identity, their grieving their identity as much as they’re grieving the person.</p><p>00:35:06.330 –&gt; 00:35:13.890 Frances Figart: yeah and I think, as you continue to read that book you’re going to see that there’s a place where I went through that that same thing, where you know you just.</p><p>00:35:14.220 –&gt; 00:35:21.900 Frances Figart: You finally let go and the experience of caregiving, I think, is one that you that’s where I really learned that I wasn’t in control.</p><p>00:35:22.500 –&gt; 00:35:31.620 Frances Figart: Because you know I am kind of a control freak and that helps me to be successful and things like building production schedules for magazines or setting a time limit, you know to do a book.</p><p>00:35:31.950 –&gt; 00:35:39.390 Frances Figart: And that type of thing, but ultimately we have no control and when you’re a caregiver and someone’s dying that’s when you really learn that lesson.</p><p>00:35:39.780 –&gt; 00:35:41.880 Frances Figart: And then, when you start to let go.</p><p>00:35:42.060 –&gt; 00:35:48.690 Frances Figart: For me it is if you’re really able to realize your destiny, because you don’t push so hard for what you want.</p><p>00:35:49.110 –&gt; 00:35:58.080 Frances Figart: You don’t get that friction anymore you just align with destiny and then the two of you can just sore out into space and that’s really what’s happened for me since I lost my mom.</p><p>00:35:58.500 –&gt; 00:35:58.770 Frances Figart: And I.</p><p>00:35:58.920 –&gt; 00:36:04.470 Frances Figart: said I could show her that I finally got it but it’s Okay, I think she knows.</p><p>00:36:05.250 –&gt; 00:36:14.640 Joseph McElroy: I you know the same way, I feel like I have guardian angels that I didn’t have before things have gone in surprising ways for me in my life, since then, so.</p><p>00:36:15.840 –&gt; 00:36:18.780 Joseph McElroy: it’s, it is a carpet experience right.</p><p>00:36:19.590 –&gt; 00:36:23.670 Frances Figart: yeah it’s cathartic and you know you probably have had the same feeling too, but.</p><p>00:36:24.090 –&gt; 00:36:37.440 Frances Figart: i’ve been a little sad that my husband didn’t get to meet my parents, but then, in some ways it’s almost as if his energy continues their own and it’s almost like it doesn’t matter because it feels like he was a part of them, and they were part of him.</p><p>00:36:37.800 –&gt; 00:36:55.500 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I have, I have a wife and two the two twin children now yeah I have an older son, but but it definitely feels like this, this long journey that just changed, but you know there’s a similar similar there’s a sort of energy that goes through.</p><p>00:36:57.120 –&gt; 00:37:01.500 Joseph McElroy: So now you got a second book come it’s got a completely different direction.</p><p>00:37:01.950 –&gt; 00:37:03.900 Joseph McElroy: That just came out last month.</p><p>00:37:04.950 –&gt; 00:37:16.200 Joseph McElroy: it’s a children’s book and with a special cause pertaining to the smokies is search for say passions and can you tell me two things, what is it about why came about and why did you make it a children’s.</p><p>00:37:16.920 –&gt; 00:37:19.530 Frances Figart: Okay that’s you know it’s going to take me a second so.</p><p>00:37:21.120 –&gt; 00:37:28.020 Frances Figart: When I first moved from asheville up to the area where I live in now the closest highway here is I 26.</p><p>00:37:28.590 –&gt; 00:37:34.890 Frances Figart: And I was disturbed to see a lot of our iconic black bears getting killed on this highway.</p><p>00:37:35.580 –&gt; 00:37:44.850 Frances Figart: And so, when I got my job in the smokies I was able to connect with some people who were having a discussion about a similar problem just outside the park boundary.</p><p>00:37:45.570 –&gt; 00:37:54.120 Frances Figart: And it’s an area, called the pigeon river gorge it’s a 28 mile stretch of road that’s really twisty if you’ve ever driven between asheville and knoxville.</p><p>00:37:54.900 –&gt; 00:38:02.430 Frances Figart: been on this really curvy section of road and eight miles is in Tennessee and 20 miles is in western North Carolina.</p><p>00:38:02.820 –&gt; 00:38:09.180 Frances Figart: And way too many bear and deer and elk and other smaller animals are killed there every year.</p><p>00:38:09.420 –&gt; 00:38:17.280 Frances Figart: Now there’s a lot of statistics rolling around, but the data hasn’t all been crunched yet some people say as many as 70 bears have been killed there in one year.</p><p>00:38:17.580 –&gt; 00:38:24.390 Frances Figart: We don’t really know those things, yet the research is still being completed, but what we know is that there are way too many.</p><p>00:38:24.750 –&gt; 00:38:32.880 Frances Figart: And so I became a part of this group, and at that time it wasn’t called anything, it was just several organizations working together.</p><p>00:38:33.510 –&gt; 00:38:42.600 Frances Figart: To try to find a solution, and now there are as many as 20 organizations, some of them governmental some of them non governmental some of them tribal.</p><p>00:38:43.020 –&gt; 00:38:51.540 Frances Figart: All kinds of agencies working together to try to solve the problem and six of those have created a safe passage fund coalition.</p><p>00:38:51.810 –&gt; 00:39:02.700 Frances Figart: And we’ve branded the project as the safe passage I 40 pigeon river gorge wildlife crossing project now we’re working towards getting some wildlife crossings to.</p><p>00:39:03.090 –&gt; 00:39:07.890 Frances Figart: Be in that region but that’s something that takes years sometimes to accomplish.</p><p>00:39:08.400 –&gt; 00:39:16.050 Frances Figart: And so, why a children’s book to me i’m thinking of 11 and 12 year olds who are reading this book now.</p><p>00:39:16.470 –&gt; 00:39:22.770 Frances Figart: are going to inherit the problems that we have with our roads needing to consider wildlife and how they need to cross.</p><p>00:39:23.190 –&gt; 00:39:33.060 Frances Figart: And so, in 12 more years those kids reading it will be the new road ecologist they will be the highway engineers that will help to solve these problems.</p><p>00:39:33.750 –&gt; 00:39:47.070 Frances Figart: Because we’re networking with people who have been working on these problems for a decade and they still have a broken ground because it takes that long to get it all together so that’s why the kids book concept really works.</p><p>00:39:48.330 –&gt; 00:39:56.490 Joseph McElroy: I read it a little bit of it, I love the way you’ve sort of made it into an adventure story for the kids right.</p><p>00:39:57.540 –&gt; 00:40:11.880 Joseph McElroy: it’s sort of an adventure the animals are you know they they they they all have their own personalities and they meet together, you know they have you have different groups that come together and have to know who they are, and there’s also a sort of a almost.</p><p>00:40:13.020 –&gt; 00:40:17.370 Joseph McElroy: A mythological element to it yeah it’s got a little bit of magic in it.</p><p>00:40:17.850 –&gt; 00:40:29.310 Frances Figart: yeah I am I was really inspired by the cherokee writings of the myths where they would talk about animals as just bear or deer or firefly.</p><p>00:40:30.060 –&gt; 00:40:36.660 Frances Figart: They would just have the animals name, and so the animals in this book just have that that very simple mythological name.</p><p>00:40:37.500 –&gt; 00:40:47.160 Frances Figart: But there’s a band of animals that join together in this cause to try to find safe passage and they meet some new friends, and they have some adventures, and some of its kind of scary.</p><p>00:40:48.030 –&gt; 00:40:56.730 Frances Figart: But it’s not in your face graphic you know, there are some animals in it that have been killed on the human highway but we don’t see that happen it’s more of a memory.</p><p>00:40:56.970 –&gt; 00:41:03.270 Frances Figart: That an animal has of their parent who has been killed, their or their brother or sister or friend who’s been killed on the human highway.</p><p>00:41:03.750 –&gt; 00:41:13.950 Frances Figart: And they have a law called turtles law that prevents them from crossing anymore, and that illustrates a concept and wrote ecology that’s called the barrier effect.</p><p>00:41:14.340 –&gt; 00:41:21.510 Frances Figart: And so, when animals decide not to try to cross anymore that’s actually even worse than when you’re seeing individual animals get hit.</p><p>00:41:21.840 –&gt; 00:41:36.600 Frances Figart: Because the species is then in under threat and it’s not getting what it needs to thrive and species, you know diversity can’t happen animals interbreed and, eventually, they could be come extinct or be extirpated.</p><p>00:41:37.200 –&gt; 00:41:45.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know I also think that about half the book is about the story, but then I think the other half is you have.</p><p>00:41:46.080 –&gt; 00:41:53.250 Joseph McElroy: yeah a lot of information, like almost like a little bit like encyclopedia but you know approachable encyclopedia information about the types of.</p><p>00:41:53.550 –&gt; 00:41:56.940 Joseph McElroy: crossings, I mean there’s incredible amount there’s there’s culverts there’s.</p><p>00:41:57.270 –&gt; 00:42:09.030 Joseph McElroy: You know the square openings there’s bridges there’s you know there’s grass things over the top, I thought that was really sort of you know, actually fascinating that you put all that additional information in there.</p><p>00:42:09.510 –&gt; 00:42:16.140 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s a thorough education and fun book for children so i’m gonna get it for my children at the appropriate age.</p><p>00:42:16.740 –&gt; 00:42:20.970 Frances Figart: I appreciate that, and you know I worked with a lot of scientists who know.</p><p>00:42:21.450 –&gt; 00:42:33.720 Frances Figart: How to build these structures and and it’s just kind of distilling the information that they have down to the most basic level so that someone like a fifth grader can understand it, but that’s also the level that a lot of us need we don’t.</p><p>00:42:33.960 –&gt; 00:42:44.100 Frances Figart: We don’t know how to build these box culverts and bridge extensions and things either, so I think it’s very accessible for adults that are just becoming acquainted with the road ecology concepts to.</p><p>00:42:44.400 –&gt; 00:42:54.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think it’s an easy read for an adult to just sort of get the story, but then there’s the information that actually makes it yeah you get adult information in a in a digestible form.</p><p>00:42:55.530 –&gt; 00:43:03.390 Joseph McElroy: For the second half of that book, I was, I was pleasantly you know excited so it’s very beautifully illustrated, who did your illustrations.</p><p>00:43:03.780 –&gt; 00:43:17.040 Frances Figart: So the illustrator is named Emma do for and she’s on my staff at great smoky mountains association she’s a publication specialist who came to the smokies a lot as a child and then was determined to move to the smokies and work there.</p><p>00:43:17.790 –&gt; 00:43:29.400 Frances Figart: her story is a brilliant one, but this was her first book to design and illustrate and she’s done a remarkable job and Did it really rapidly, we did all of this during coven you know the book.</p><p>00:43:30.030 –&gt; 00:43:38.070 Frances Figart: I wrote the book from March to May last year and then mo worked on the illustration, and we basically got it published within about a nine month window.</p><p>00:43:38.700 –&gt; 00:43:49.020 Joseph McElroy: Okay fabulous well when we come back we’ll talk a little bit more about you know aspects of your job, and you know, and then you know other things that people can find out about you.</p><p>00:43:50.880 –&gt; 00:43:52.650 Frances Figart: Okay, thank you know.</p><p>00:46:08.430 –&gt; 00:46:29.190 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Francis fight guy so Francis you mentioned coven giving you the time to actually write this new book, but how is coven impact your world and the park itself.</p><p>00:46:30.390 –&gt; 00:46:43.350 Frances Figart: very good question you know the park went through some really scary times when coven first started and we found that not only did the park need to close, but we gma needed to close our visitor centers.</p><p>00:46:43.770 –&gt; 00:46:54.120 Frances Figart: To be able to keep our staff, safe and then we actually even had to close our warehouse where the online orders are filled and we do large online business.</p><p>00:46:54.690 –&gt; 00:46:58.770 Frances Figart: But it wasn’t safe, and so we we lost some ground, it was a little scary.</p><p>00:46:59.430 –&gt; 00:47:08.940 Frances Figart: But we went into the year in a really good place financially, and so one of the things that happened that was very interesting was we had this challenge and figuring out How can people.</p><p>00:47:09.420 –&gt; 00:47:18.900 Frances Figart: Stay connected to the park virtually since they can’t come there that’s really what our members and the people that follow Jesus, and they wanted was to be able to feel connected.</p><p>00:47:19.320 –&gt; 00:47:25.050 Frances Figart: And so my staff had all these wonderful creative ideas, because they’re such innovators, you know they’re like we can do.</p><p>00:47:25.380 –&gt; 00:47:32.130 Frances Figart: All these different things, and so I decided to channel all of their ideas through a blog called smokies live.</p><p>00:47:32.520 –&gt; 00:47:43.110 Frances Figart: And smokies live can be found at smokies information.org as soon as you go to our website at pops up and it’s basically a blog that we started during coven.</p><p>00:47:43.590 –&gt; 00:47:55.860 Frances Figart: And we’ve been able to maintain it and we post almost daily, if not four or five times a week we have stories coming up on smokies live that make it like a sister publication, to the magazine smokies life.</p><p>00:47:56.400 –&gt; 00:48:00.600 Frances Figart: And we have many people that write for it, much of it is contributed.</p><p>00:48:01.200 –&gt; 00:48:08.670 Frances Figart: If there are people out there listening he loved to write about the smokies they could even contact me and write for smokies live and it’s a communal effort.</p><p>00:48:08.910 –&gt; 00:48:20.130 Frances Figart: So that’s been a really great way that we’ve survived the pandemic, because we really help people to connect with the park seeing videos and learning about the natural, cultural history through smokies live.</p><p>00:48:20.790 –&gt; 00:48:35.310 Frances Figart: has really been an amazing part of it, and then also we’ve developed a lot of tools that have helped us with staying in close touch, as you have to do remotely so zoom meetings are one tool we use a program called slack that is.</p><p>00:48:35.730 –&gt; 00:48:48.450 Frances Figart: A way to have conversations about all the different projects and in a very much real time, so my team of six we’ve really stayed very, very close and even become more efficient and effective during the pandemic.</p><p>00:48:49.080 –&gt; 00:48:51.420 Joseph McElroy: You mentioned the tools of mine in life right now.</p><p>00:48:54.210 –&gt; 00:49:02.520 Joseph McElroy: So, you know as an aside, I have you know, I have a bunch of travel writers, because of my business, so I will get some of them to send you some stuff.</p><p>00:49:03.000 –&gt; 00:49:11.610 Joseph McElroy: And if you need the promotion of your blog we can I have some pretty good blogs and good good you know you probably know, this word by now seo position.</p><p>00:49:12.630 –&gt; 00:49:18.600 Joseph McElroy: And we could give you a little authority to some of the articles, if you want to reach out and particularly promote one or two of them.</p><p>00:49:19.050 –&gt; 00:49:21.570 Frances Figart: So this is a fortuitous partnership.</p><p>00:49:21.570 –&gt; 00:49:23.220 Joseph McElroy: yeah definitely.</p><p>00:49:25.590 –&gt; 00:49:33.600 Joseph McElroy: So, other than the writing part which i’m assuming you love, what are the other favorite aspects of the job helping preserve and protect the smoke.</p><p>00:49:34.440 –&gt; 00:49:46.200 Frances Figart: Well, you know I just think about the things I get to do every day are things that I would do whether I had this job or not like I spent today listening to the audio version of a search for safe passage.</p><p>00:49:46.500 –&gt; 00:49:59.580 Frances Figart: Which is being read by a wonderful author and audio expert named rose help and she’s out in scottsdale and she recorded my book, and so my job today was really largely.</p><p>00:50:00.060 –&gt; 00:50:16.260 Frances Figart: surrounding listening to my book read by her and just making a few little tweaks of where I wanted her to read like the firefly voice a little differently or you know, whatever was you know I wanted elke says, I am L and I wanted that to be really low, and you know.</p><p>00:50:17.070 –&gt; 00:50:18.360 Frances Figart: Things like that, where I would like.</p><p>00:50:18.450 –&gt; 00:50:27.090 Frances Figart: adjust the way she said something and but it’s a beautiful reading of my book, she is not native American but her voice sounds native.</p><p>00:50:27.540 –&gt; 00:50:36.480 Frances Figart: And I love that aspect of it so i’m so excited so I get to do things in my job that just feel like creative projects, they don’t feel like work to me.</p><p>00:50:36.930 –&gt; 00:50:47.520 Frances Figart: And I love writing and editing and i’ve often felt like I would, if I if someone said, you could only write or you could only edit I would pick editing because i’m love it and i’m really good at it.</p><p>00:50:47.970 –&gt; 00:50:59.070 Frances Figart: But i’ve become more of a writer throughout the last few years and I don’t think I could stand to have that go away, so I think I have to keep both writing and editing as part of what I do.</p><p>00:50:59.400 –&gt; 00:51:10.620 Joseph McElroy: that’s fabulous you know they I was persuaded to get into podcasting my some of my marketing people said I had the perfect voice for day with the smokies now i’ve got another podcast and I love the creative aspect.</p><p>00:51:11.280 –&gt; 00:51:11.520 Frances Figart: Well, I.</p><p>00:51:11.820 –&gt; 00:51:14.820 Frances Figart: wish everyone could see your shirt because it’s so bright.</p><p>00:51:14.820 –&gt; 00:51:19.020 Frances Figart: And cool, so this is great that you have some people that are able to view this.</p><p>00:51:19.650 –&gt; 00:51:21.330 Joseph McElroy: So you got any books in the plans.</p><p>00:51:22.170 –&gt; 00:51:27.900 Frances Figart: Well, actually it’s funny that you should ask that, because one of the things I really want to get working on here soon.</p><p>00:51:28.230 –&gt; 00:51:41.040 Frances Figart: After I added about seven more smokies life stories for fall, is that I have a sequel plan to a search for safe passage and the working title is zoe’s gift to the gorge.</p><p>00:51:41.610 –&gt; 00:51:53.100 Frances Figart: And it’s going to be in the end of a search for safe passage the elk tells the animals, what we have to do now is communicate to the humans what it is that we need in terms of wildlife crossings.</p><p>00:51:53.460 –&gt; 00:52:00.270 Frances Figart: And so the next book is going to have the central figure Zoe, who is a girl that has some very special gifts.</p><p>00:52:00.600 –&gt; 00:52:10.650 Frances Figart: And she’s going to get to spend some time up in the gorge with the animals on her own and learn from them what they need, and then she’ll be able to communicate that out to the others.</p><p>00:52:10.950 –&gt; 00:52:22.710 Joseph McElroy: Oh fabulous so you can find your new book safe search for safe passage of smokies information.org I, we will probably also soon have it on smokies adventure COM.</p><p>00:52:24.570 –&gt; 00:52:38.550 Joseph McElroy: You can also become a member of the great smoky mountains association at smokies information.org and it’s a great way to support and protect the park park her first book Francis first book is seasons of letting goes available on Amazon.</p><p>00:52:40.110 –&gt; 00:52:50.850 Joseph McElroy: And spunky safe passions.org is where you can go to learn all about safe passage the I 40 pigeon river gorge wildlife crossing project.</p><p>00:52:51.480 –&gt; 00:52:59.370 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then you can go to Francis fig art.com to find out more about Francis and you have some social media to write.</p><p>00:52:59.910 –&gt; 00:53:06.120 Frances Figart: i’m on Facebook, mostly i’m on linkedin a little bit, but find me on Facebook i’d love to have some new friends.</p><p>00:53:06.630 –&gt; 00:53:14.250 Joseph McElroy: And we’ll put all this information up on the gateway to the smoky so fun so you’ll be able to find it there.</p><p>00:53:15.510 –&gt; 00:53:25.440 Joseph McElroy: And that is the gateway to swell and Francis I want to thank you for being a part of the show i’m gonna do a little close out now my stuff but I appreciate very much talking to you.</p><p>00:53:27.210 –&gt; 00:53:40.290 Joseph McElroy: Thank you, so you can you can go to gateways to the smokies fun to find all sorts of information about this podcast when we post things that our guests, have mentioned and and want to promote.</p><p>00:53:41.520 –&gt; 00:53:48.420 Joseph McElroy: And, and you can also subscribe to a newsletter that will let you know about upcoming events and podcasts.</p><p>00:53:48.900 –&gt; 00:53:56.610 Joseph McElroy: Now I want you to imagine a place evocative motor cortex of the past yeah modern and vibrant with a chic appalachian field.</p><p>00:53:57.090 –&gt; 00:54:06.810 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and full relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout scream grill the catch on fire.</p><p>00:54:07.230 –&gt; 00:54:20.580 Joseph McElroy: and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place of the old time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the middle Arc motel and Maggie valley North Carolina.</p><p>00:54:21.600 –&gt; 00:54:28.170 Joseph McElroy: and part of the great smoky mountains National Park your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:54:29.610 –&gt; 00:54:47.610 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention, we are part of the talk radio nyc network, it is a great network of podcasts focused on the New York area, but it also syndicated out to a lot of other places around.</p><p>00:54:48.870 –&gt; 00:54:55.620 Joseph McElroy: I think, right after this podcast live on Tuesday nights is a podcast exploring New York.</p><p>00:54:56.760 –&gt; 00:55:03.330 Joseph McElroy: And I think it’s a really nice episode, so you go from a rural environment to urban environment.</p><p>00:55:04.470 –&gt; 00:55:09.360 Joseph McElroy: So please stick around listen to everything on this network.</p><p>00:55:10.770 –&gt; 00:55:26.250 Joseph McElroy: Next week we’re going to have MC butch McCain, who is a retired ranger from the park service, and he has a lot of experience in the smoky mountains, I think it’ll be a great show, and you can come by and visit same time from.</p><p>00:55:26.910 –&gt; 00:55:32.970 Joseph McElroy: from six to seven on Tuesday night next week and we also have a Facebook page.</p><p>00:55:33.480 –&gt; 00:55:50.340 Joseph McElroy: Also facebook.com slash gateway to the smokies podcast where we stream the video live, so you can see the video live on Tuesdays as well, so you’ll see my shirt and my background and my beautiful guests, so thank you again and i’ll see you next time.</p> f3200113-61df-4769-826d-3d9a3b406d43 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/3f6ea35f-b86b-42a1-b153-31d9f69101ba Tue, 13 Apr 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2927 no full Episode 12: Food, Fireflies, and Flowers in the Smoky Mountains Episode 12: Food, Fireflies, and Flowers in the Smoky Mountains Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Tonight we talk about events and festivals that celebrate the food that can be foraged, the wildflowers that bloom, and fireflies that light the night as well as other natural wonders of the Smoky Mountains.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/4JORTsrpre/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts off today’s episode by introducing today’s topic, and starting to dive further into the Smokies’ biodiversity. Over 19,000 individual species have been found in the park, with scientists estimating that there may be thousands, potentially even hundreds of thousands more. The large biodiversity in the park is largely due to the huge range of elevation in the park, with climates similar to that of both the North and South of the east coast of the United States. This diversity is not unique to animals, there are also a wide variety of plants. The high rainfall in the park provides excellent growing conditions for the plants in the mountains. Joseph goes on to discuss the weather in the mountains and how quickly it can change. Research is being done on how the biodiversity in the mountains can be maintained. Joseph discusses the Spring Festival, which celebrates Spring in the mountains and the greening of the environment. The festival takes place in Silva. Joseph shares some of his favorite places and things to do in SIlva. Another town Joseph enjoys and expounds upon is Andrews, NC.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph moves on to wildflowers. There are over 16,000 species of wildflowers in the park, and between March and May, they start to bloom. Joseph dives deeper into the specific varieties of flowers seen in the mountains. Joseph recommends bringing a wildflower field guide when walking in the mountains. He then suggests wildflower walks for listeners to check out. A premier wildflower event is the spring wildflower pilgrimage, which aims to bring people together through the appreciation of nature. The annual event provides attendees programs educating them on all types of animals, plants, park history, and much more.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>With Spring in the mountains comes fireflies, more specifically, synchronous fireflies. Thousands of fireflies gather in swarms and light up in harmony. The Smokies house the largest population of synchronous fireflies in the western hemisphere. Joseph describes the process of capturing fireflies he used as a child. As he often enjoys doing on the podcast, Joseph shares a poem about fireflies. He then shares ways for tourists to see the fireflies. Moving on, Joseph begins to discuss the topic of foraging. He shares a variety of plants one can forage for, and warns listeners to be careful of what they find.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph continues to dive into foraging, discussing a wild onion that grows in the mountains. Another festival in the mountains Joseph enjoys is the herb festival in Asheville. As with the other festivals, the herb festival has many opportunities for education. Joseph also enjoys the Montford Garden Tour, which is running this year for the first time in 17 years. He goes on to discuss motorcycle rallies and car festivals in the mountains. There is also a drive-in concert upcoming. Finishing up the show, Joseph discusses the meadowlark motel and his website.</p> Video thumbnail

Joseph Franklyn McElroy talks about events and festivals that celebrate the food that can be foraged, the wildflowers that bloom, and fireflies that light the night as well as other natural wonders of the Smoky Mountains.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph starts off today’s episode by introducing today’s topic, and starting to dive further into the Smokies’ biodiversity. Over 19,000 individual species have been found in the park, with scientists estimating that there may be thousands, potentially even hundreds of thousands more. The large biodiversity in the park is largely due to the huge range of elevation in the park, with climates similar to that of both the North and South of the east coast of the United States. This diversity is not unique to animals, there are also a wide variety of plants. The high rainfall in the park provides excellent growing conditions for the plants in the mountains. Joseph goes on to discuss the weather in the mountains and how quickly it can change. Research is being done on how the biodiversity in the mountains can be maintained. Joseph discusses the Spring Festival, which celebrates Spring in the mountains and the greening of the environment. The festival takes place in Silva. Joseph shares some of his favorite places and things to do in SIlva. Another town Joseph enjoys and expounds upon is Andrews, NC.

Segment 2

Coming back from the break, Joseph moves on to wildflowers. There are over 16,000 species of wildflowers in the park, and between March and May, they start to bloom. Joseph dives deeper into the specific varieties of flowers seen in the mountains. Joseph recommends bringing a wildflower field guide when walking in the mountains. He then suggests wildflower walks for listeners to check out. A premier wildflower event is the spring wildflower pilgrimage, which aims to bring people together through the appreciation of nature. The annual event provides attendees with programs educating them on all types of animals, plants, park history, and much more.

Segment 3

With Spring in the mountains comes fireflies, more specifically, synchronous fireflies. Thousands of fireflies gather in swarms and light up in harmony. The Smokies house the largest population of synchronous fireflies in the western hemisphere. Joseph describes the process of capturing fireflies he used as a child. As he often enjoys doing on the podcast, Joseph shares a poem about fireflies. He then shares ways for tourists to see the fireflies. Moving on, Joseph begins to discuss the topic of foraging. He shares a variety of plants one can forage for, and warns listeners to be careful of what they find.

Segment 4

Joseph continues to dive into foraging, discussing a wild onion that grows in the mountains. Another festival in the mountains Joseph enjoys is the herb festival in Asheville. As with the other festivals, the herb festival has many opportunities for education. Joseph also enjoys the Montford Garden Tour, which is running this year for the first time in 17 years. He goes on to discuss motorcycle rallies and car festivals in the mountains. There is also a drive-in concert upcoming. Finishing up the show, Joseph discusses the meadowlark motel and his website.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:26.670 –> 00:00:27.450 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:00:28.050 –> 00:00:32.670 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateways to the smoke.

00:00:33.930 –> 00:00:42.000 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about america’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns.

00:00:42.330 –> 00:00:52.290 Joseph McElroy: there’s areas filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:53.160 –> 00:01:06.480 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin mcilroy amanda the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:07.830 –> 00:01:23.310 Joseph McElroy: Now this episode is a dedicated little bit to environmental tourism that you can experience in the most smoky mountains so we’ll explore some festivals foraging for food wildflowers and and fireflies there’s a lot going on.

00:01:24.330 –> 00:01:30.330 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains, is the most biodiverse park in the National Park system.

00:01:31.290 –> 00:01:44.250 Joseph McElroy: Biological diversity or biodiversity means the number and variety of different types of animals, plants fungi and other organs organisms organisms and location or habitat.

00:01:44.730 –> 00:01:58.320 Joseph McElroy: And with the smoke the with the southern appalachian mountains and comes in over 100 square miles, no other area of equal size and temporary client that can match the parks amazing diversity.

00:01:59.700 –> 00:02:18.960 Joseph McElroy: Over 19,000 species have been documented in the park and scientists believe there’s an additional 80,000 100,000 species that may live here, this means that there is an incredible diversity, food and medicinal herbs that can be forged from this smoky mountain area.

00:02:20.670 –> 00:02:24.000 Joseph McElroy: The reason is that mountain mountains climates and whether.

00:02:25.560 –> 00:02:33.750 Joseph McElroy: That park is dominated by plant covered gently contoured mountains that are formed that were performed perhaps 300 million years ago.

00:02:34.230 –> 00:02:45.150 Joseph McElroy: In fact, they might the smokies are among the oldest mountain ranges in the world and the elevations in the park range from 850 feet to 6643 feet.

00:02:45.960 –> 00:02:55.770 Joseph McElroy: This rage at altitude mimics the client habitat changes, you would experience driving north or south across the eastern United States say from Georgia to maine.

00:02:56.580 –> 00:03:08.700 Joseph McElroy: So plants and animals common in the southern United States thrive in the low end of the smokies while species common in the northern States find suitable habitat in the higher elevations.

00:03:09.390 –> 00:03:22.050 Joseph McElroy: Some hundred species of native trees find homes in the smokies more than any other net North American National Park, I think there’s more species of trees in this park than there is in all of your.

00:03:23.580 –> 00:03:33.030 Joseph McElroy: Almost 95% of the park park is forward and supported in about 25% of that areas old growth forest there’s over 1500.

00:03:33.870 –> 00:03:44.460 Joseph McElroy: flat flowering plant species that have been identified in the park and and in terms of animals, the park is also as a Center of diversity for salamanders.

00:03:44.790 –> 00:04:02.550 Joseph McElroy: is home to more than 200 species of birds 68 species of mammals 67 native fish species 39 species of reptiles and 43 species of amphibians mahler’s millipedes and mushrooms each record diversity here.

00:04:03.720 –> 00:04:19.380 Joseph McElroy: The north, south or South orientation of the appalachian chain allows the smokies to become a refuge for many species and plant plants and animals that were displaced from the northern homes by glaciers, and the last eight Ice Age around 10,000 years ago.

00:04:20.820 –> 00:04:28.740 Joseph McElroy: In terms of whether the parks abundant rainfall and high summertime humidity provides excellent growing conditions.

00:04:30.300 –> 00:04:38.430 Joseph McElroy: And the smokies the average annual rainfall varies from approximately 55 inches in the valley to over 85 inches on some of the peaks.

00:04:38.880 –> 00:04:51.360 Joseph McElroy: And the relative humidity in the peak during the gross seasons about the twice that of the rocky mountain region that’s why it’s called the smokies we get a fairly human environment and a lot of that turns into fog and mist.

00:04:52.860 –> 00:05:04.470 Joseph McElroy: it’s not unusual for us to get rainfall about every day but it’s not one of those long term drizzling every day all day long time rainfall we get.

00:05:04.890 –> 00:05:16.530 Joseph McElroy: These sort of clouds come over the mountain jump a bunch of water, and then it clears right back up so you know you’ll have a day sunshine, then you have an hour to have a rain and then boy sunshine all over again.

00:05:17.820 –> 00:05:33.960 Joseph McElroy: Extensive work and research has been done to preserve the bio diversity of the smokies and there’s environmental factors such as air quality water quality and non native species that are being monitored and fires are being used as tools to maintain a healthy healthy ecosystem.

00:05:36.990 –> 00:05:52.170 Joseph McElroy: The they used to have a real problem with air quality and the fall mixing the mist actually you know start creating some small like conditions but it’s actually been dramatically improved I was reading that the world.

00:05:53.100 –> 00:06:09.660 Joseph McElroy: The world organization, for you know the the the environmental work being done around the world has given the what’s the what’s been done in the smoky mountains great great marks and and thinks that the things are being done really properly.

00:06:11.250 –> 00:06:17.940 Joseph McElroy: So how do we celebrate this sort of thing and and you know and develop upon that, and you know and we talked about ECO tourism.

00:06:18.840 –> 00:06:26.970 Joseph McElroy: One of the things that’s a pretty pretty special I think is every year there’s a spring festival called the greening up the mountains and Silva North Carolina.

00:06:27.720 –> 00:06:33.840 Joseph McElroy: it’s a free festival that celebrates spring in the mountains, where there’s the greening of the liens that.

00:06:34.320 –> 00:06:50.250 Joseph McElroy: The greening of the leaves that work their way up the great smokies but it’s also celebrates the greening of the environment, with him, and it has lots of info about sustainable living and presentations by environmental growth, growth groups silver is just a beautiful destination.

00:06:51.690 –> 00:07:01.710 Joseph McElroy: downtown is just your really quaint lovely downtown and has lots of I think we counted, there was three bookstores on Main Street in a town that’s.

00:07:02.220 –> 00:07:18.930 Joseph McElroy: Maybe not for two people and so it’s a good place for getaway that it was incorporated in 1889 and it’s begun to attract many new residents, because of there’s a lot of rich local soil, which is perfect for farming agriculture so there’s a lot of local farming there.

00:07:20.670 –> 00:07:22.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a it’s a.

00:07:25.260 –> 00:07:33.450 Joseph McElroy: Beginning it started growing fairly rapidly rapidly and it had quickly got a post office, the school or train depot and a town Center.

00:07:33.810 –> 00:07:45.990 Joseph McElroy: And it became the county seat of Jackson county into 1913 and it’s got this most beautiful courthouse that was constructed around that time upon a time, upon a hill and it became a Center of commerce.

00:07:46.680 –> 00:07:54.810 Joseph McElroy: Now it’s just over 2000 residents and there’s became a haven for tourists because it’s got a lot of southern charm it’s got a lot of great activities.

00:07:55.260 –> 00:08:05.640 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a stunning natural surroundings when they had the eclipse that you can see in the southern parts of the of the United States and in the mountains, we were able to get a.

00:08:06.060 –> 00:08:14.970 Joseph McElroy: silver was right in the epicenter you get 100% view of the eclipse and they did this wonderful program we went there you were able to set out arm chairs on the streets.

00:08:15.300 –> 00:08:30.660 Joseph McElroy: They had a presentation by local professors at Western Carolina that actually knew about this stuff about what it meant, then they had music it’s just they do things right so and it has a lot of natural course natural outdoor things to do there lots of water sports.

00:08:32.160 –> 00:08:47.520 Joseph McElroy: And there’s a lot of guys in town natalie hail natural forces, full of things to do there it’s right near there and has a lot of unique shops and there’s a lot of bargain shops, as well as the the the bookstores and touristy sort of shops.

00:08:48.930 –> 00:08:58.500 Joseph McElroy: it’s got lots of music and entertainment it’s got several I think I consider them world class little restaurants there I do farm to table food.

00:08:59.280 –> 00:09:10.680 Joseph McElroy: is really delicious when we’re down in that area was silva’s always stopped my wife just goes goes crazy about a place called it’s called Guadalupe which does really interesting Mexican.

00:09:11.700 –> 00:09:18.210 Joseph McElroy: Inspired food, it also has some local wineries and breweries, and it has lots of tasting detours.

00:09:18.660 –> 00:09:24.600 Joseph McElroy: And it has a lot of local events and festivals, and that, like the highly anticipated greening up in the mountains.

00:09:24.960 –> 00:09:35.640 Joseph McElroy: Which is usually held at the end of April, but this year is going to be in August, so, while I was trying to focus on the Spring things I just found out the coven has made it being August event.

00:09:37.500 –> 00:09:46.320 Joseph McElroy: it’s been throwing thousands of people to the to silver for over 20 years it’s free and it’s ideal for families and groups of fan and it’s a.

00:09:46.590 –> 00:09:55.140 Joseph McElroy: it’s really a celebration, the right revitalization growth of spring and of the smoky mountains in general, the environmental ISM that’s been going on for a long time.

00:09:55.680 –> 00:10:00.900 Joseph McElroy: And you’ll meet new people there’s lots of people that you can become friends with and there’s all sorts of games and.

00:10:01.230 –> 00:10:09.210 Joseph McElroy: vendors and artists and live entertainment’s and there’s plenty of food, you can definitely get some great competent conversations local they’re very friendly.

00:10:09.990 –> 00:10:19.770 Joseph McElroy: there’s an opportunity to learn about the region’s about what’s being done about outdoor activities it’s it’s a really it’s I would say it’s a great place to start learning about the mountains.

00:10:20.490 –> 00:10:29.040 Joseph McElroy: From you know from my mental perspective, so you can go to greening up the mountains calm to find more information about that event.

00:10:31.140 –> 00:10:36.240 Joseph McElroy: Also in another little town in the mountains, is a little town called Andrews North Carolina.

00:10:36.900 –> 00:10:45.540 Joseph McElroy: And it has a wealth of his history, along with the interesting turn of the century architecture for such a little out of the way town it’s a little out of the way mountain town.

00:10:46.320 –> 00:10:54.420 Joseph McElroy: It wasn’t a corporate till 1905 and it didn’t get it start it didn’t really get to start until 1891 railroad was completed.

00:10:57.780 –> 00:11:17.610 Joseph McElroy: It it’s it’s a has a nice laid backfield now right it’s got a real small town, a good smoky mountain town atmosphere and, but it has an outstanding backdrop there’s a valley river that borders on the North side of town and beyond that valley flows flows.

00:11:19.170 –> 00:11:37.260 Joseph McElroy: flows towards the slopes of this snowbird mountains it’s Andrews, like in this valley that’s really vastly flat surrounded by all the smoky mountains and has a rolling hills and spacious hideaways and things like that it has a store downtown.

00:11:38.550 –> 00:11:50.970 Joseph McElroy: With brick buildings and store bronk front that during the turnaround to the early 20th century it’s got a lot of historic homes in the downtown district and minus two times you know when it was a.

00:11:51.720 –> 00:12:02.790 Joseph McElroy: Really, prosperous and that sort of early American way of being prosperous, so it on April 24 has a street fair and nature Expo and it celebrates.

00:12:04.020 –> 00:12:12.030 Joseph McElroy: Earth Day and it sweeps out the winter cobwebs and it opens up the downtown to vendors and nature lovers.

00:12:12.450 –> 00:12:18.720 Joseph McElroy: And you learn about gardening and the butterflies and water conservation local history, much more.

00:12:18.990 –> 00:12:30.570 Joseph McElroy: And while you shop there’s a lot of great stuff at the numerous local vendors, so you can go to visit Andrews North Carolina nc visit Andrews nc COM slash spring dash fling.

00:12:30.960 –> 00:12:42.210 Joseph McElroy: To find out more about that, and they have that every year and they’ve been having it for a while and it’s a worthwhile to get sort of that a real in the middle of the smoky mountain areas it’s it’s I think it’s in between Murphy and.

00:12:43.140 –> 00:12:51.990 Joseph McElroy: And I mean in between bryson city and cherokee around that area and it’s it gives you a real taste of old time.

00:12:53.640 –> 00:13:00.390 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountain America so when we come back we’ll be talking about wild flowers.

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00:15:59.400 –> 00:16:13.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back, but the gateway to the smokies podcast and i’m now talking about wild flowers so every spring, there is an explosion of these.

00:16:13.860 –> 00:16:17.610 Joseph McElroy: I mean they’re just spectacular wild flowers in the great smoky mountains.

00:16:18.480 –> 00:16:33.090 Joseph McElroy: With over 1600 species of flowering plants, there are certainly no shortage of opportunity to discover why the great smoky mountains National Park is called the wildflower national park and there’s I like to say wildflower.

00:16:34.620 –> 00:16:39.540 Joseph McElroy: it’s wild thing and a wildflower I want to sing that song right.

00:16:40.890 –> 00:16:48.600 Joseph McElroy: But from late March until early May there’s just a flush of the spring wallflowers that live in the ground cover and.

00:16:49.380 –> 00:17:04.350 Joseph McElroy: Because the hardwood you know trees are still without leaves they’re taking advantage of all that sunlight, so you know you have sort of a bloodied trees, but not particularly dense and all these wildflowers just everywhere blooming.

00:17:05.850 –> 00:17:16.200 Joseph McElroy: And they basically track upslope upslope as the season proceeds because it gets warmer so you get there’s a lot you get a lot of window.

00:17:17.070 –> 00:17:25.740 Joseph McElroy: The sea wildfires it just goes higher up the mountain as it gets warmer up the mountain, so it goes march through may, and then they basically ended June.

00:17:26.580 –> 00:17:39.420 Joseph McElroy: A little bit and these flowers include like little white or pink blossoms of spring beauties the the you know the bigger and show your blooms and things like bear if trilliums.

00:17:40.440 –> 00:17:52.200 Joseph McElroy: there’s level white pedals and golden stamens of blubbery there’s there feathery white plains dripping tipping the drooping frons or false Solomon CEO.

00:17:52.650 –> 00:18:01.050 Joseph McElroy: And there’s the dainty or white flour Spikes have a phone flower and the little white bells hugging the stems of Bishops caps and there’s just a lot of different things.

00:18:03.120 –> 00:18:13.500 Joseph McElroy: I striking early wildfire they can clone cluster in great numbers is the trial lily which brand is is an ornate yellow flower and multiple green leaves suggestive a trout pattern.

00:18:14.370 –> 00:18:26.850 Joseph McElroy: Which is another you know signature of the mountains is trial and then another show is spring wildfire common in the lower middle elevations is the Columbine which is hanging red and yellow blooms.

00:18:28.320 –> 00:18:47.250 Joseph McElroy: To similar looking and colorful name flowers that are overlapping their spring emergence are Dutchman breaches and squirrel cones which both have white logo blooms and intricate foliage and another eyecatching snow you’d flowers the fringe felicia felicia felicia.

00:18:48.360 –> 00:18:56.970 Joseph McElroy: And sort of look that up how to pronounce I just now realized that but it’s called is pha le CIA which tends to grow up higher in the mountain forest.

00:18:58.860 –> 00:19:04.440 Joseph McElroy: And then, why there’s a lot there’s a really widespread and very arresting flowers is the jack in the.

00:19:04.980 –> 00:19:12.060 Joseph McElroy: pulpit which has you know those large striped phone over sheath and it’s called the space that forms the pulpit.

00:19:12.600 –> 00:19:21.570 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s lots of violence and wild strawberries and bleeding hearts there’s a there’s a lot of spring blooms interrupt or up from the dust in the.

00:19:21.960 –> 00:19:32.340 Joseph McElroy: Great smokies and it’s it’s almost mind boggling the variety and profusion and it definitely pays to bring a wildfire field guide along to on your moseys.

00:19:33.480 –> 00:19:40.560 Joseph McElroy: And I think we will have on our website link to some books that you can go and find out.

00:19:42.180 –> 00:19:49.290 Joseph McElroy: And then you can also check out the National Park service site for specifics on looming patterns for different flowers species.

00:19:51.510 –> 00:19:59.400 Joseph McElroy: And so many of these lower and middle vision trails on the smoky mountains will have these great outstanding wildflower show so.

00:19:59.700 –> 00:20:03.060 Joseph McElroy: there’s a lot of great walks you can take in the spring to see these.

00:20:03.420 –> 00:20:16.710 Joseph McElroy: And then later in the spring and early in the summer, you can get on the higher outs and see it, yet again, but it, you know was slightly different so that it can go for a long time so i’ve got some suggested wildflower walks for you.

00:20:18.090 –> 00:20:27.180 Joseph McElroy: there’s the kind of luckily river trail that which is an easy Three Mile round trip riverside rock that begins at the article oh kind of lefty.

00:20:27.570 –> 00:20:34.830 Joseph McElroy: visitor Center which is located two miles north of cherokee North Carolina and us for for one another great.

00:20:35.550 –> 00:20:43.500 Joseph McElroy: trail is the deep creek trail and that’s an easy walk that begins at the end of deep creek road, which is about a half mile beyond the deep cream.

00:20:44.100 –> 00:20:52.350 Joseph McElroy: Deep creek campground turn off and it’s this deep creek area is located in north of bryson city, so you go through the town of bryson.

00:20:52.800 –> 00:21:01.170 Joseph McElroy: You can see to waterfalls Indian creek town branch and by walking on this two mile round trip I think i’ve mentioned that that.

00:21:01.620 –> 00:21:09.840 Joseph McElroy: That trail before but it’s worth it for the for the wild flowers the Gregory rich trail is is the first the first two miles of this.

00:21:10.320 –> 00:21:21.360 Joseph McElroy: trail offer some really great wildfire viewing you take the caves cade’s cove loop road just past the cable mill area, and then you turn on to forge creek road and follow it to the end.

00:21:22.800 –> 00:21:39.120 Joseph McElroy: There is the canal it for trail and it’s the climbs free it climbs for three miles to intersect with the Thomas divide trail on Thomas rich you don’t need to go the whole way to see some really great wildfires the first mile or two of the best display, especially in the spring.

00:21:40.380 –> 00:21:41.490 Joseph McElroy: And then you have the.

00:21:43.080 –> 00:21:56.250 Joseph McElroy: It begins about an eighth of a mile north of the kept part from prong footbridge on the new foundling gap row which is known as us for for one and it’s eight miles north to kind of lift the visitor Center.

00:21:57.150 –> 00:22:07.410 Joseph McElroy: there’s the school has schoolhouse gap trail it’s an easy trail that climbs about 2.2 miles from Laurel creek road to schoolhouse gas gap this.

00:22:07.740 –> 00:22:20.430 Joseph McElroy: route includes a wide array of spring and summer flowers, including some very unusual species it’s about the trail is about 3.99 miles west of the Townsend why on the road to get caves code.

00:22:21.480 –> 00:22:30.600 Joseph McElroy: there’s little river trail it’s a relatively wide and level footprint put path which follows the scenic little river towards headwaters.

00:22:31.170 –> 00:22:47.820 Joseph McElroy: it’s located on the side road which begins, just before you enter elk mock camp road and then there’s the first two miles of the bad trail, is it is, it provides a good wildfire good wildflower viewing and from mid March, April.

00:22:49.380 –> 00:23:07.470 Joseph McElroy: If you add in the camera camera gap and Jay tree trails jake creek trails you can make a pleasant five mile loop hike then there’s the middle prom trail and so Walker all rodeo you’re the writer hiker with flowers, as well as waterfalls.

00:23:09.090 –> 00:23:15.420 Joseph McElroy: And again it’s it’s not it starts at the end of treatment row row which begins just west of the towns and wide.

00:23:18.060 –> 00:23:35.970 Joseph McElroy: There is a few other trails i’ll put i’ll be putting this information up on our website, but I wanted to mention some of the events and festivals to celebrate the wildflowers that smokies you know the premier event is the spring wild flower flower pilgrimage.

00:23:37.710 –> 00:23:38.460 Joseph McElroy: That is.

00:23:39.630 –> 00:23:46.440 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s it’s been around for quite a long time and has, I think it started in 1950.

00:23:48.000 –> 00:24:05.610 Joseph McElroy: and its underlying mission and philosophy is simply to bring people together to fellowship form connections bonds and friendships their common interests on focus on spreading curiosity knowledge appreciation education of natural history biology ecology conservation land management.

00:24:07.110 –> 00:24:15.660 Joseph McElroy: And they’ve always you know, been very open and educational for anybody that wants to come and to learn from experts in the field.

00:24:16.320 –> 00:24:27.240 Joseph McElroy: it’s an annual event and then features professionally guided walks exhibits and many other learning opportunity to explore the regions rich natural and cultural research resources.

00:24:28.680 –> 00:24:37.170 Joseph McElroy: it’s had an I think in the Latin and very recently over the last few years has had over 900 pilgrims from 32 streets 32 states.

00:24:37.470 –> 00:24:50.010 Joseph McElroy: And several countries that join them and includes programs on Sunday ferns wild flowers trees and shrubs shrubs medicinal plants insects salamanders and snakes birds mammals mammals.

00:24:50.340 –> 00:24:58.440 Joseph McElroy: and generally are in photography and park history, I think that is going to be virtual this year, but there are some associated programs that you could take.

00:24:59.100 –> 00:25:12.090 Joseph McElroy: But it’s it’s going to be I don’t I anticipated going every year from now until i’m no longer here, because it’s going on for a long time, and you can go to wildflower pilgrimage.org to find out more.

00:25:14.700 –> 00:25:29.550 Joseph McElroy: Another big place to go see flowers in the mountains, is the biltmore state and national North Carolina it has more than 110,000 flowers blooming the gardens fit for vanderbilt.

00:25:31.170 –> 00:25:38.910 Joseph McElroy: it’s an annual festival flowers with and the color and fragrance and orchids and thousands of spring bulbs steal the show.

00:25:39.900 –> 00:25:45.810 Joseph McElroy: You know the biltmore estate was built by George vanderbilt when he decided he needed a 250 room house.

00:25:46.170 –> 00:25:57.180 Joseph McElroy: In the mountains of Western North Carolina and he hired a renowned landscape architect or Frederick law olmsted who designed central park in New York City to help the state, make a statement.

00:25:57.510 –> 00:26:09.480 Joseph McElroy: So bill more bloom celebrates this natural progression of balloons balloons dictated by Mother Nature and arranged by olmsted in the States current team of expert gardeners.

00:26:11.010 –> 00:26:23.370 Joseph McElroy: So right now that says is getting spring is underway there’s a bright see of yellow daffodils that brighten a walled garden and then there’s pansies of every color you can imagine, it creates a.

00:26:23.790 –> 00:26:33.000 Joseph McElroy: gorgeous feast for the eyes and then you can experience nearly 1000 orchids in full bloom showing off their tropical colors and exotic looks.

00:26:33.360 –> 00:26:45.570 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s a conservatory with lots of lots of different varieties of species, and then you can also view visit the biltmore house, which is a spectacular mansion I think it’s the largest private residence in the United States.

00:26:46.920 –> 00:26:55.620 Joseph McElroy: As the season goes along there’s going to be 80,000 to lips, and then it it’ll transform that wall garden into a floral paradise.

00:26:56.760 –> 00:27:04.830 Joseph McElroy: And they bloom and purple and pink and white and last three to four weeks before making way for later season looms in the shrub and is alien gardens.

00:27:06.000 –> 00:27:15.900 Joseph McElroy: So it’s running right now from the April to the end of May, you can go more to find more about it at built more calm things to do events.

00:27:16.890 –> 00:27:30.270 Joseph McElroy: bill more comm slash things to do things dash to dash do slash events slash spring, though, I suppose, if you just going a bit longer commune just look up events and figure out.

00:27:31.320 –> 00:27:33.030 Joseph McElroy: what’s going on.

00:27:34.200 –> 00:27:51.330 Joseph McElroy: And you know the biltmore house is just a spectacular event, a place to go all around and and they have a winery there it’s I think it’s one of the most I think it’s actually the most visited winery in the world if i’m correct and some of the wines are actually pretty decent.

00:27:52.920 –> 00:28:00.750 Joseph McElroy: And it has you know yeah there’s shops that are associated with it it’s really a one or two day have.

00:28:01.620 –> 00:28:13.260 Joseph McElroy: Experienced to explore and your stuff lots of arts and beautiful artwork some sculptures so I recommend visiting that it’s only about a half away half hour away from Maggie Valley, so if you want to.

00:28:14.160 –> 00:28:30.270 Joseph McElroy: Have a Center place to stay go to the middle or motel calm there and then you can go quickly to things like that the the spring fling then go to the flower, and then you can go to the smokies and see the wild flowers, so when we come back i’m gonna talk about fireflies.

00:28:31.980 –> 00:28:34.950 Joseph McElroy: Listening to talk radio nyc.

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00:31:19.020 –> 00:31:27.780 Joseph McElroy: Oh God, this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies pox cash so we’re talking firefly flies.

00:31:29.130 –> 00:31:36.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah so spring also brings that an incredible an incredible natural phenomenon, known as synchronous fireflies.

00:31:37.200 –> 00:31:47.070 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a breathtaking show put on by the nature that resembles the psychedelic combination of stars falling and fireworks works exploding.

00:31:47.520 –> 00:31:59.160 Joseph McElroy: It is an immersive experience you will never forget 10s of thousands of lightning lightning bugs gather and swarms and flash in harmony in harmony they’re synchronized.

00:31:59.490 –> 00:32:13.230 Joseph McElroy: As the entire for for us alternates between light and darkness and it’s right here in the smoky mountains, is the largest population of synchronous fireplace fireflies in the western hemisphere.

00:32:13.800 –> 00:32:22.560 Joseph McElroy: Now growing up in the mountains, I didn’t know all this to me it was fireflies lightning bugs and we all knew how to hunt for them.

00:32:23.190 –> 00:32:40.050 Joseph McElroy: The chase the capture the release of the lightning bugs it was all very exciting, I remember spending hours in my grandma’s backyard chasing flower flower fireflies and later in the backyard area of the Middle Arc motel which is got a lot of these beautiful fireflies it come there.

00:32:41.430 –> 00:32:52.530 Joseph McElroy: and which be you know the metal art became our family home as well as our business our booth a mason jar with a live carefully poked with ice pick holes it’s important let them breathe.

00:32:53.730 –> 00:33:09.330 Joseph McElroy: Which my dad would put in my sister and brother, and I would chase lightning bugs from dusk until bedtime which can be three or four hours, and I was going up, thank you, my bed I get my babies now to bed at eight to nine o’clock I remember raises to have 11 so different world now.

00:33:11.310 –> 00:33:20.370 Joseph McElroy: But we competed for most of the most the most competed for the most fireflies the brightest jar and the biggest of all the bugs and then and.

00:33:21.180 –> 00:33:37.620 Joseph McElroy: I know this is not what you should do now, but then, when we were you know early teens we also used to smear the poor souls on our arms and our White T shirt so that we could live sort of glow in the dark don’t let your kids know about that now.

00:33:38.880 –> 00:33:46.740 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s probably not the right thing to do, but it was something in my childhood, which was a good, you know for 50 years ago.

00:33:48.240 –> 00:33:58.200 Joseph McElroy: I doubt we ever considered that we were probably interfering with their meetings, either because all this is part of that meeting type hopefully we haven’t diminished that diminish the population too much because of that.

00:34:00.720 –> 00:34:12.180 Joseph McElroy: So you know, and if you’re gonna if you come if you come to the middle market, you want to do it in ecologically you know benign faster bring yourself a mason jar.

00:34:13.560 –> 00:34:22.650 Joseph McElroy: dampened it a paper down places inside the JAR and then place a piece of burlap over the Ram or use an ice ice ice pick to poke holes in the middle.

00:34:23.280 –> 00:34:34.950 Joseph McElroy: disk and then lock into the place and catch the fellas gently, the fire the fargo should actually last the evening, but then release them after they’ve done.

00:34:35.820 –> 00:34:50.490 Joseph McElroy: Now for the adults real which, at this point we most of us listening probably are I would recommend you serve some firefly sweet tea vodka over ice or the lemon wedge in this sprint of sprig of mint.

00:34:51.630 –> 00:34:53.250 Joseph McElroy: We have we have our own.

00:34:54.540 –> 00:35:01.050 Joseph McElroy: recipe at the at the middle Arc that includes berries and things like that in the sweet tea it’s really great so.

00:35:02.280 –> 00:35:14.940 Joseph McElroy: it’s what you can see i’m sort of waxing poetic on this memories, because that was that was one of the one of the things we did all summer long I remember very fondly it’s it’s a mountain.

00:35:15.300 –> 00:35:24.360 Joseph McElroy: Tradition I think it’s a southern tradition in general, so I found you know i’d like to bring poet poetry into some of the things I do in these podcasts and I found this.

00:35:24.750 –> 00:35:32.400 Joseph McElroy: poem to commemorate commemorate my firefighter memories, it has a sort of implemented it, which I think is not as applicable anymore.

00:35:33.270 –> 00:35:50.970 Joseph McElroy: But it’s still very nice it’s by Cynthia blue HALO it’s called firefly mystified by a tiny firefly I gazed and childlike trance the magical flickering lights, to the carry it in its hands.

00:35:52.560 –> 00:36:03.480 Joseph McElroy: And then came some more like earthly stars they twinkle around the tree trunks core fairies dancing in a circle.

00:36:05.220 –> 00:36:14.040 Joseph McElroy: fireflies are slowly fading and I rarely see them now our air suffocating.

00:36:15.210 –> 00:36:21.090 Joseph McElroy: That is killing them somehow will future children, see the magic of their beauty.

00:36:22.110 –> 00:36:26.340 Joseph McElroy: or see them in the pictures and no lights that flicker brightly.

00:36:27.900 –> 00:36:40.110 Joseph McElroy: I think that you know we have to be careful, the environmental factors in the where we live in our parks and just everywhere in the world attack and so that these childhood memories don’t disappear.

00:36:41.520 –> 00:36:55.020 Joseph McElroy: And that our children, our future children can experience them so anyway significant synchronous fireflies are one of the least 19 species, a fireplace that live in the great smoky mountain National Park.

00:36:55.740 –> 00:37:06.240 Joseph McElroy: And they’re the only species in America whoo hoo can can as individuals synchronize their flashing light patterns, with the rest of their tribe.

00:37:08.160 –> 00:37:15.360 Joseph McElroy: So the there there we won’t know that there’s there is a national park has a.

00:37:16.500 –> 00:37:17.100 Joseph McElroy: Viewing.

00:37:18.210 –> 00:37:20.520 Joseph McElroy: schedule that’s usually a couple weeks.

00:37:21.690 –> 00:37:33.210 Joseph McElroy: in late April and May through early June, and they will announce that scheduled towards the late part latter part of April now we’re not sure if code is going to affect that or not.

00:37:33.870 –> 00:37:45.750 Joseph McElroy: But I think there’s some rumors that there will be maybe not as dense not as many people loud, but there will be a lottery all right to be able to.

00:37:46.320 –> 00:37:56.820 Joseph McElroy: Get tickets, and you can get that you can enter the lottery on the because you have to basically it’s a lot harder to be in the show is a shuttle takes you around the view this.

00:37:58.080 –> 00:38:08.490 Joseph McElroy: Is near mount count it’s near elmont campground in smoky mountains National Park, and so you can go in late April looking@recreation.gov.

00:38:08.910 –> 00:38:16.530 Joseph McElroy: and get yourself some tickets that includes parking at the sugarland visitor Center, which is in gatlinburg and then see to board the shuttle.

00:38:17.010 –> 00:38:22.410 Joseph McElroy: And their outbound therapy Rangers to answer questions and number of paved areas and trails you can.

00:38:23.010 –> 00:38:29.550 Joseph McElroy: You can take the watch the fire alarm slide up at night it’s spectacular I would definitely recommend it, you know.

00:38:30.120 –> 00:38:41.610 Joseph McElroy: there’s there’s a lot of miniature shows all over the smoky mountains and do firefighters, you know fireflies or feature the middle or motel all summer long and and Maggie Valley, we have a lot of fireflies.

00:38:42.210 –> 00:38:52.440 Joseph McElroy: We we have some we have some of the synchronized fireplaces we get some pretty decent show sometimes ourselves so you can come and chance it to see it there as well.

00:38:54.030 –> 00:39:00.780 Joseph McElroy: So i’m going to talk about foraging for food now in the mountains, because there’s a lot of festivals, and things going on around that.

00:39:01.680 –> 00:39:18.270 Joseph McElroy: we’re in when the smoky mountains we’re we’re blessed with an abundance of natural products products forged from our own backyards including ramps and morals and chanterelle mushrooms calif are mushrooms and wild berries.

00:39:19.800 –> 00:39:26.430 Joseph McElroy: yeah know deep in our woods in for the grass begins to green our our colors adventures can begin.

00:39:28.080 –> 00:39:47.340 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can collect Morel mushrooms from understands of conifers and in the hollows and even in the first first spring rains ramp so one of the first patches agreed on the mountain side it’s an animal Member member of the onion family it’s been alternatively called a wild leak.

00:39:48.780 –> 00:39:52.320 Joseph McElroy: and takes its name from a similar plant, the ramping.

00:39:54.330 –> 00:40:05.280 Joseph McElroy: it’s actually sort of believed to have the spring tonic you know sort of a magical potion so mountain fox us to look forward to the return of the.

00:40:06.270 –> 00:40:12.810 Joseph McElroy: Of the ramp after winter of eating mostly dried foods, I remember it was a big thing growing up in the mountains.

00:40:13.200 –> 00:40:28.440 Joseph McElroy: You have to have the spring ramps The thing is, you have to be careful mean in school because of you ate too many of them, the day before, when you came in the smell would come through your pores and instincts are bad, they actually send you home from school.

00:40:29.700 –> 00:40:41.190 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a delicacy, but it has a older and so you have to balance, how much you eat or just not care about it, it has a hint of garlic but it’s sweet.

00:40:42.780 –> 00:40:58.080 Joseph McElroy: And it works it’s really nice with home cured bake and in the morning, eggs and you know i’m lately, in the last couple years i’ve actually seen some ramps and whole foods and now had it with morning eggs and man made omelets and stuff with them surprise people with a really nice flavor.

00:40:59.730 –> 00:41:09.930 Joseph McElroy: You know that later in the summary or things come out like the chanterelles the blank trumpets and make lots of crap varieties and bullet abilities and.

00:41:11.190 –> 00:41:12.150 Joseph McElroy: And you can.

00:41:13.200 –> 00:41:24.420 Joseph McElroy: You can find hedgehog mushrooms and watering pause pause and persimmons and wild crab crab apples and Alaska dimes and Huckleberry is and on and on.

00:41:26.010 –> 00:41:36.750 Joseph McElroy: But remember that you have to be careful picking plants in the smoky mountains, because it’s prohibited, but there are some rules allow you to pick fruits and berries and nuts and mushrooms.

00:41:37.440 –> 00:41:47.490 Joseph McElroy: You shouldn’t eat the mushrooms, and things and you don’t know what they are, because they can be deadly, but there are plenty of tours and festivals and events to scratch it forging itch.

00:41:49.470 –> 00:41:50.340 Joseph McElroy: There is.

00:41:52.050 –> 00:41:54.150 Joseph McElroy: You can there’s some tours you can take.

00:41:55.350 –> 00:42:03.810 Joseph McElroy: In asheville North Carolina you can take forage tours and right now there’s some bunch of tours going on until June 13.

00:42:05.190 –> 00:42:11.280 Joseph McElroy: And you can pick foods and herbs and it’s usually like a three hour off the beaten path.

00:42:13.110 –> 00:42:23.670 Joseph McElroy: tour and where you can discover animal Greens berries, mushrooms flowers and that’s the rooms you never know what you might not know monitored with the group and the force and then you will.

00:42:25.020 –> 00:42:39.810 Joseph McElroy: You will find 10 to 20 wild foods, focusing on ones that you could possibly find it or woods in the background, if you the mountains and you make them in the meal, you have a chef show you how to do it you’ll get a book on you know, on on.

00:42:40.830 –> 00:42:43.710 Joseph McElroy: How you how you cook it and then.

00:42:44.850 –> 00:42:57.150 Joseph McElroy: Then you can you know have wine and great food and experience it’s a really sort of a great experience of being a modern hundred gather so you can go to no taste like home.org.

00:42:57.510 –> 00:43:12.450 Joseph McElroy: To find out more about that sort of experience to figure to experience foraging and I think that you will enjoy it when we come back i’m going to talk about a little bit of things local to the haywood county things that you can do, including the winds will ramp festival.

00:43:14.100 –> 00:43:15.000 you’re listening to.

00:43:30.420 –> 00:43:41.190 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Small Business trying to navigate the coven 19 related employment laws Hello i’m Eric savoured climate log business law attorney and host of the new radio show employment law today.

00:43:41.880 –> 00:43:54.540 www.TalkRadio.NYC: On my show who have guests, to discuss the common employment law challenges business owners are facing during these trying times tune in on to the things from 5pm to 6pm Eastern time on talk radio dot nyc.

00:44:01.890 –> 00:44:09.090 www.TalkRadio.NYC: host of the new podcast gateway to the smokies it airs on talk radio dot nyc every Tuesday night from 6pm.

00:44:10.050 –> 00:44:16.350 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Every episode is dedicated to memorable experiences in the great smoky mountain national park and surrounding areas.

00:44:16.710 –> 00:44:27.660 www.TalkRadio.NYC: This shadow features experts and locals will expound upon the richness of culture, history and and adventure that a way to in the smoking tune in every Tuesday from 6pm to seven on talk radio dot nyc.

00:44:32.580 –> 00:44:43.560 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Do you love, or are you intrigued about New York City and its neighborhoods i’m Jeff Goodman host of rediscovering New York weekly show that showcases New York sister and it’s extraordinary neighborhoods.

00:44:44.340 –> 00:44:57.030 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Every Tuesday live at 7pm we focus on a particular neighborhood and explore its history, its vibe its field and its energy tune in live every Tuesday at 7pm on talk radio dot nyc.

00:44:59.040 –> 00:45:05.520 www.TalkRadio.NYC: To talk radio nyc at www talk radio dot nyc now broadcasting.

00:45:30.840 –> 00:45:36.750 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:45:38.130 –> 00:45:45.330 Joseph McElroy: So I was talking about foraging for food and one of the most well known locally anyway.

00:45:47.280 –> 00:45:57.330 Joseph McElroy: natural food that we have in the mountains, is the ramps and I mentioned that before their natural their native wild again and their harvest in the spring, for the mountain sides.

00:45:57.870 –> 00:46:12.360 Joseph McElroy: Every year for 80 plus years wayne’s little North Carolina has had the waynesville North Carolina ramp buzz and it’s a pretty spectacular event for the mountains it’s it has.

00:46:14.160 –> 00:46:29.010 Joseph McElroy: It highlights the ramps it’s a native wild and and they basically make all sorts of coronary delicious delicacy dishes to celebrate the ramps.

00:46:30.210 –> 00:46:37.950 Joseph McElroy: And off ramps are so chairs, they were actually finished featured in garden and guns celebrate the south Oracle magazine.

00:46:38.880 –> 00:47:00.630 Joseph McElroy: So you want you, they also have music and vendors and all sorts of stuff it’s just a large tradition that is it’s worth the temps spending time to go to it on this year I think it’s gonna be it’s gonna be held on may 1 and second you’ll be able to get more information that visit.

00:47:02.100 –> 00:47:06.000 Joseph McElroy: nyc visit nc smokies COM.

00:47:08.070 –> 00:47:16.920 Joseph McElroy: And and winslow’s near Maggie balance so be sure to stay at the metal Arc and will help you get to wherever you’re going another.

00:47:18.450 –> 00:47:28.710 Joseph McElroy: vessel celebrating the foil forging and things that you can found them mountains, is the national spring festival it’s in his fourth decade.

00:47:29.340 –> 00:47:35.940 Joseph McElroy: And it’s from April 30 to may 2 is the largest herb festival in the United States.

00:47:36.510 –> 00:47:51.840 Joseph McElroy: And this event showcases over 60 vendors with products like herbal medicines holistic treatments herbal soaps and shampoos gourmet cooking herbs cookbooks etc and usually have lots of educational opportunities, you know.

00:47:53.460 –> 00:47:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Various kinds of courses going on.

00:47:57.360 –> 00:48:04.200 Joseph McElroy: it’s a very popular event, and you can find more about that at the asheville herb festival.org.

00:48:07.500 –> 00:48:08.250 Joseph McElroy: Another.

00:48:09.420 –> 00:48:16.680 Joseph McElroy: event celebrating you know the the the the.

00:48:18.270 –> 00:48:27.210 Joseph McElroy: The foil edge of the the bounds, and this is what I could have mentioned earlier, is the Montfort montford garden tour.

00:48:27.780 –> 00:48:37.620 Joseph McElroy: And it is a historic tour, but it hasn’t been held in 17 years and this year they’re having it on June 5 from 10am to 5pm.

00:48:38.250 –> 00:48:47.340 Joseph McElroy: And it is featuring 12 distinct distinctive montford gardens, and it really is raising funds for Community initiatives.

00:48:47.700 –> 00:49:01.500 Joseph McElroy: And there’s there’s this their gardens are pretty spectacular have a variety of landscapes and they and several the gardens are in homes that are over 120 years old and, while others are some that are recently bit built.

00:49:02.520 –> 00:49:13.560 Joseph McElroy: There will also be live there will also be some some new greetings mixer be live musicians will be performing at many of the gardens and coding boot bluegrass jazz.

00:49:14.190 –> 00:49:24.240 Joseph McElroy: folk and classical styles and there’ll be a commemorative oil painting that will be available through silent auctions the artists own garden.

00:49:25.800 –> 00:49:31.770 Joseph McElroy: And you can find out more about this@montfort.org slash garden tour.

00:49:33.630 –> 00:49:39.450 Joseph McElroy: So I just wanted to highlight a few things going on Maggie valley next week we’ll be talking about Maggie Valley.

00:49:40.530 –> 00:49:53.550 Joseph McElroy: But on April April 23 to the 25th we’re going to be doing the annual southeastern mini trucking national it’s an open car and truck show and actually have.

00:49:54.030 –> 00:50:07.410 Joseph McElroy: Food vendors and music and part vendors these, we have a lot of car and motorcycle shows in Maggie now because we have a nice festival grounds, but these are all these all these.

00:50:08.340 –> 00:50:15.450 Joseph McElroy: shows are actually family friendly they usually have all sorts of vendor setup with different kinds of mountain foods.

00:50:16.500 –> 00:50:29.250 Joseph McElroy: and other kinds of culinary delights and vendor selling crafts and and other unique items some of the more unique and others there’s always something new to discover so they’re all fun.

00:50:29.970 –> 00:50:42.060 Joseph McElroy: The big one is April 30 through may 2 that’s thunder in the smoky spring motorcycle rally it’s the largest and oldest rally in Maggie Valley, and it goes like three days.

00:50:42.690 –> 00:50:53.100 Joseph McElroy: And it has has to arises got lots of vendors as a bike shows got games prizes concerts fire dancers, the latest pilots and products on the.

00:50:53.790 –> 00:51:09.900 Joseph McElroy: display it’s got he has his church service does, I think it does something where celebrates the veterans it has upgraded, you know a lot of the motels that’s included your own little you know best in show type thing so it’s pretty fun it’s.

00:51:11.040 –> 00:51:19.680 Joseph McElroy: worthwhile to go to the Cape may 14 and 15th is the kk O a I kite icons of hot rodding festival.

00:51:20.220 –> 00:51:32.040 Joseph McElroy: And these are 1950s and 1960s hot Rod and custom car truck truck advancements for 1969 older models and it will feature 50s and 60s music.

00:51:32.370 –> 00:51:44.910 Joseph McElroy: vintage vendors of all sorts of stuff from that era, including automotive and things like that pinstripe or food vendors are judging awards and trophy and it’s a family affair, you bet.

00:51:46.500 –> 00:51:54.900 Joseph McElroy: What i’m excited about is a may 28 we’re going to have a drive in concert started last year yeah when people come in, like a drive in theater.

00:51:55.560 –> 00:52:02.760 Joseph McElroy: With the things that you can put on their on their window to have the music and there’s a live stage but they’re in their cars.

00:52:03.420 –> 00:52:20.190 Joseph McElroy: And so it was code friendly and then they they have a able to set up a picnic chairs in your own little space have an event and have their own picnic tailgating and it’s going to be on may 28 the band or too many zoos and big something.

00:52:21.630 –> 00:52:37.230 Joseph McElroy: randomly generally run it’s on a Friday may 28 opens at six shows a 730 tickets very you can contact the Gray eagle at a two a three to 5800 or the Gray eagle calm to get ticket information.

00:52:38.970 –> 00:52:58.200 Joseph McElroy: So you can find out more about this podcast and gateways to the smokies fun and be sure to go there and subscribe to our newsletter so you can be aware of upcoming events and and information about this podcast or the coming upcoming episodes.

00:52:59.730 –> 00:53:10.410 Joseph McElroy: Now I want you to imagine a place evocative emotive courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a cheek appalachian feel.

00:53:11.010 –> 00:53:18.060 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can finish it a mountain heritage trout stream.

00:53:18.420 –> 00:53:27.750 Joseph McElroy: grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place with old time music and world cultural sounds.

00:53:28.110 –> 00:53:42.450 Joseph McElroy: There is no other place like the middle earth motel motel and Maggie valley North Carolina we are the starting point for all the adventures and studies, the mountain mountains have to offer your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:53:43.980 –> 00:54:02.190 Joseph McElroy: I own another site, called the smoky adventure smokies adventure calm smokies is plural adventure calm sm Okay, ie s adventure calm and we have they’re all sorts of information and lists listings about the smokies and books and guides and maps that you can buy or download.

00:54:03.570 –> 00:54:18.210 Joseph McElroy: We also feature venues and resources it’s an APP it focuses on outdoor recreation outdoor life and also things like weddings and adventures, and also highlights of the places to stay where to eat all that sort of stuff.

00:54:18.660 –> 00:54:36.600 Joseph McElroy: it’s going to be deleting information portal for those smoky mountains next week we’re going to have Theresa Smith director of the Maggie valley Chamber commerce on the gateway to the smokies podcast we will be talking about the history of Maggie valley and and how it.

00:54:37.650 –> 00:54:47.040 Joseph McElroy: How it is origin and the period of when ghost town was the main thing in the whole area and then how things are going now and there’s a rumor.

00:54:47.430 –> 00:55:05.250 Joseph McElroy: That ghost town might be opening again so maybe we’ll get some insight into that I look forward to talking to her, we are part of the talk radio dot nyc network on this network or many podcasts live podcast every day.

00:55:06.270 –> 00:55:12.030 Joseph McElroy: there’s a good one, I believe, after this about New York, you should stick around and listen to if you’re listening live.

00:55:12.630 –> 00:55:25.170 Joseph McElroy: I have enjoyed it so if you’ve had the mountains now, you can have the ultimate urban experience listening to about New York, where I where I live, though i’m down in North Carolina all the time.

00:55:26.700 –> 00:55:37.230 Joseph McElroy: I appreciate everybody for being here tune in next week same time you know it’s every to every Tuesday from six to 7pm on talk radio dot nyc.

00:55:37.500 –> 00:55:56.370 Joseph McElroy: You can also catch us on Facebook COM slash gateway to the smoke is podcast where you will see the streaming zoom live and you’ll see my our faces, my face or and my guest faces when I have guests and enjoy the experience, so thank you for listening and we’ll see you next week.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/730278117642240/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/161348853_730315724305146_4112320356802764049_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_oc=AQnlKCMDMPbO-h-szrii1_ylGqxNOFgqScCoi_uUD4wWfxQZ7_AuXSK51nkJ6afKK6k&_nc_ohc=3mVNSM4rFjkAX8wgdBl&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6303076A&oh=00_AT9axy3gyz7WSuMUHgfhhOG8KYYL0i3Tj8sVkX_nS0qAYQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Joseph Franklyn McElroy talks about events and festivals that celebrate the food that can be foraged, the wildflowers that bloom, and fireflies that light the night as well as other natural wonders of the Smoky Mountains.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/4JORTsrpre/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts off today’s episode by introducing today’s topic, and starting to dive further into the Smokies’ biodiversity. Over 19,000 individual species have been found in the park, with scientists estimating that there may be thousands, potentially even hundreds of thousands more. The large biodiversity in the park is largely due to the huge range of elevation in the park, with climates similar to that of both the North and South of the east coast of the United States. This diversity is not unique to animals, there are also a wide variety of plants. The high rainfall in the park provides excellent growing conditions for the plants in the mountains. Joseph goes on to discuss the weather in the mountains and how quickly it can change. Research is being done on how the biodiversity in the mountains can be maintained. Joseph discusses the Spring Festival, which celebrates Spring in the mountains and the greening of the environment. The festival takes place in Silva. Joseph shares some of his favorite places and things to do in SIlva. Another town Joseph enjoys and expounds upon is Andrews, NC.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Coming back from the break, Joseph moves on to wildflowers. There are over 16,000 species of wildflowers in the park, and between March and May, they start to bloom. Joseph dives deeper into the specific varieties of flowers seen in the mountains. Joseph recommends bringing a wildflower field guide when walking in the mountains. He then suggests wildflower walks for listeners to check out. A premier wildflower event is the spring wildflower pilgrimage, which aims to bring people together through the appreciation of nature. The annual event provides attendees with programs educating them on all types of animals, plants, park history, and much more.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>With Spring in the mountains comes fireflies, more specifically, synchronous fireflies. Thousands of fireflies gather in swarms and light up in harmony. The Smokies house the largest population of synchronous fireflies in the western hemisphere. Joseph describes the process of capturing fireflies he used as a child. As he often enjoys doing on the podcast, Joseph shares a poem about fireflies. He then shares ways for tourists to see the fireflies. Moving on, Joseph begins to discuss the topic of foraging. He shares a variety of plants one can forage for, and warns listeners to be careful of what they find.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph continues to dive into foraging, discussing a wild onion that grows in the mountains. Another festival in the mountains Joseph enjoys is the herb festival in Asheville. As with the other festivals, the herb festival has many opportunities for education. Joseph also enjoys the Montford Garden Tour, which is running this year for the first time in 17 years. He goes on to discuss motorcycle rallies and car festivals in the mountains. There is also a drive-in concert upcoming. Finishing up the show, Joseph discusses the meadowlark motel and his website.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:26.670 –&gt; 00:00:27.450 Joseph McElroy: howdy.</p><p>00:00:28.050 –&gt; 00:00:32.670 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateways to the smoke.</p><p>00:00:33.930 –&gt; 00:00:42.000 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about america’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:42.330 –&gt; 00:00:52.290 Joseph McElroy: there’s areas filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:53.160 –&gt; 00:01:06.480 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin mcilroy amanda the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:07.830 –&gt; 00:01:23.310 Joseph McElroy: Now this episode is a dedicated little bit to environmental tourism that you can experience in the most smoky mountains so we’ll explore some festivals foraging for food wildflowers and and fireflies there’s a lot going on.</p><p>00:01:24.330 –&gt; 00:01:30.330 Joseph McElroy: The great smoky mountains, is the most biodiverse park in the National Park system.</p><p>00:01:31.290 –&gt; 00:01:44.250 Joseph McElroy: Biological diversity or biodiversity means the number and variety of different types of animals, plants fungi and other organs organisms organisms and location or habitat.</p><p>00:01:44.730 –&gt; 00:01:58.320 Joseph McElroy: And with the smoke the with the southern appalachian mountains and comes in over 100 square miles, no other area of equal size and temporary client that can match the parks amazing diversity.</p><p>00:01:59.700 –&gt; 00:02:18.960 Joseph McElroy: Over 19,000 species have been documented in the park and scientists believe there’s an additional 80,000 100,000 species that may live here, this means that there is an incredible diversity, food and medicinal herbs that can be forged from this smoky mountain area.</p><p>00:02:20.670 –&gt; 00:02:24.000 Joseph McElroy: The reason is that mountain mountains climates and whether.</p><p>00:02:25.560 –&gt; 00:02:33.750 Joseph McElroy: That park is dominated by plant covered gently contoured mountains that are formed that were performed perhaps 300 million years ago.</p><p>00:02:34.230 –&gt; 00:02:45.150 Joseph McElroy: In fact, they might the smokies are among the oldest mountain ranges in the world and the elevations in the park range from 850 feet to 6643 feet.</p><p>00:02:45.960 –&gt; 00:02:55.770 Joseph McElroy: This rage at altitude mimics the client habitat changes, you would experience driving north or south across the eastern United States say from Georgia to maine.</p><p>00:02:56.580 –&gt; 00:03:08.700 Joseph McElroy: So plants and animals common in the southern United States thrive in the low end of the smokies while species common in the northern States find suitable habitat in the higher elevations.</p><p>00:03:09.390 –&gt; 00:03:22.050 Joseph McElroy: Some hundred species of native trees find homes in the smokies more than any other net North American National Park, I think there’s more species of trees in this park than there is in all of your.</p><p>00:03:23.580 –&gt; 00:03:33.030 Joseph McElroy: Almost 95% of the park park is forward and supported in about 25% of that areas old growth forest there’s over 1500.</p><p>00:03:33.870 –&gt; 00:03:44.460 Joseph McElroy: flat flowering plant species that have been identified in the park and and in terms of animals, the park is also as a Center of diversity for salamanders.</p><p>00:03:44.790 –&gt; 00:04:02.550 Joseph McElroy: is home to more than 200 species of birds 68 species of mammals 67 native fish species 39 species of reptiles and 43 species of amphibians mahler’s millipedes and mushrooms each record diversity here.</p><p>00:04:03.720 –&gt; 00:04:19.380 Joseph McElroy: The north, south or South orientation of the appalachian chain allows the smokies to become a refuge for many species and plant plants and animals that were displaced from the northern homes by glaciers, and the last eight Ice Age around 10,000 years ago.</p><p>00:04:20.820 –&gt; 00:04:28.740 Joseph McElroy: In terms of whether the parks abundant rainfall and high summertime humidity provides excellent growing conditions.</p><p>00:04:30.300 –&gt; 00:04:38.430 Joseph McElroy: And the smokies the average annual rainfall varies from approximately 55 inches in the valley to over 85 inches on some of the peaks.</p><p>00:04:38.880 –&gt; 00:04:51.360 Joseph McElroy: And the relative humidity in the peak during the gross seasons about the twice that of the rocky mountain region that’s why it’s called the smokies we get a fairly human environment and a lot of that turns into fog and mist.</p><p>00:04:52.860 –&gt; 00:05:04.470 Joseph McElroy: it’s not unusual for us to get rainfall about every day but it’s not one of those long term drizzling every day all day long time rainfall we get.</p><p>00:05:04.890 –&gt; 00:05:16.530 Joseph McElroy: These sort of clouds come over the mountain jump a bunch of water, and then it clears right back up so you know you’ll have a day sunshine, then you have an hour to have a rain and then boy sunshine all over again.</p><p>00:05:17.820 –&gt; 00:05:33.960 Joseph McElroy: Extensive work and research has been done to preserve the bio diversity of the smokies and there’s environmental factors such as air quality water quality and non native species that are being monitored and fires are being used as tools to maintain a healthy healthy ecosystem.</p><p>00:05:36.990 –&gt; 00:05:52.170 Joseph McElroy: The they used to have a real problem with air quality and the fall mixing the mist actually you know start creating some small like conditions but it’s actually been dramatically improved I was reading that the world.</p><p>00:05:53.100 –&gt; 00:06:09.660 Joseph McElroy: The world organization, for you know the the the environmental work being done around the world has given the what’s the what’s been done in the smoky mountains great great marks and and thinks that the things are being done really properly.</p><p>00:06:11.250 –&gt; 00:06:17.940 Joseph McElroy: So how do we celebrate this sort of thing and and you know and develop upon that, and you know and we talked about ECO tourism.</p><p>00:06:18.840 –&gt; 00:06:26.970 Joseph McElroy: One of the things that’s a pretty pretty special I think is every year there’s a spring festival called the greening up the mountains and Silva North Carolina.</p><p>00:06:27.720 –&gt; 00:06:33.840 Joseph McElroy: it’s a free festival that celebrates spring in the mountains, where there’s the greening of the liens that.</p><p>00:06:34.320 –&gt; 00:06:50.250 Joseph McElroy: The greening of the leaves that work their way up the great smokies but it’s also celebrates the greening of the environment, with him, and it has lots of info about sustainable living and presentations by environmental growth, growth groups silver is just a beautiful destination.</p><p>00:06:51.690 –&gt; 00:07:01.710 Joseph McElroy: downtown is just your really quaint lovely downtown and has lots of I think we counted, there was three bookstores on Main Street in a town that’s.</p><p>00:07:02.220 –&gt; 00:07:18.930 Joseph McElroy: Maybe not for two people and so it’s a good place for getaway that it was incorporated in 1889 and it’s begun to attract many new residents, because of there’s a lot of rich local soil, which is perfect for farming agriculture so there’s a lot of local farming there.</p><p>00:07:20.670 –&gt; 00:07:22.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a it’s a.</p><p>00:07:25.260 –&gt; 00:07:33.450 Joseph McElroy: Beginning it started growing fairly rapidly rapidly and it had quickly got a post office, the school or train depot and a town Center.</p><p>00:07:33.810 –&gt; 00:07:45.990 Joseph McElroy: And it became the county seat of Jackson county into 1913 and it’s got this most beautiful courthouse that was constructed around that time upon a time, upon a hill and it became a Center of commerce.</p><p>00:07:46.680 –&gt; 00:07:54.810 Joseph McElroy: Now it’s just over 2000 residents and there’s became a haven for tourists because it’s got a lot of southern charm it’s got a lot of great activities.</p><p>00:07:55.260 –&gt; 00:08:05.640 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a stunning natural surroundings when they had the eclipse that you can see in the southern parts of the of the United States and in the mountains, we were able to get a.</p><p>00:08:06.060 –&gt; 00:08:14.970 Joseph McElroy: silver was right in the epicenter you get 100% view of the eclipse and they did this wonderful program we went there you were able to set out arm chairs on the streets.</p><p>00:08:15.300 –&gt; 00:08:30.660 Joseph McElroy: They had a presentation by local professors at Western Carolina that actually knew about this stuff about what it meant, then they had music it’s just they do things right so and it has a lot of natural course natural outdoor things to do there lots of water sports.</p><p>00:08:32.160 –&gt; 00:08:47.520 Joseph McElroy: And there’s a lot of guys in town natalie hail natural forces, full of things to do there it’s right near there and has a lot of unique shops and there’s a lot of bargain shops, as well as the the the bookstores and touristy sort of shops.</p><p>00:08:48.930 –&gt; 00:08:58.500 Joseph McElroy: it’s got lots of music and entertainment it’s got several I think I consider them world class little restaurants there I do farm to table food.</p><p>00:08:59.280 –&gt; 00:09:10.680 Joseph McElroy: is really delicious when we’re down in that area was silva’s always stopped my wife just goes goes crazy about a place called it’s called Guadalupe which does really interesting Mexican.</p><p>00:09:11.700 –&gt; 00:09:18.210 Joseph McElroy: Inspired food, it also has some local wineries and breweries, and it has lots of tasting detours.</p><p>00:09:18.660 –&gt; 00:09:24.600 Joseph McElroy: And it has a lot of local events and festivals, and that, like the highly anticipated greening up in the mountains.</p><p>00:09:24.960 –&gt; 00:09:35.640 Joseph McElroy: Which is usually held at the end of April, but this year is going to be in August, so, while I was trying to focus on the Spring things I just found out the coven has made it being August event.</p><p>00:09:37.500 –&gt; 00:09:46.320 Joseph McElroy: it’s been throwing thousands of people to the to silver for over 20 years it’s free and it’s ideal for families and groups of fan and it’s a.</p><p>00:09:46.590 –&gt; 00:09:55.140 Joseph McElroy: it’s really a celebration, the right revitalization growth of spring and of the smoky mountains in general, the environmental ISM that’s been going on for a long time.</p><p>00:09:55.680 –&gt; 00:10:00.900 Joseph McElroy: And you’ll meet new people there’s lots of people that you can become friends with and there’s all sorts of games and.</p><p>00:10:01.230 –&gt; 00:10:09.210 Joseph McElroy: vendors and artists and live entertainment’s and there’s plenty of food, you can definitely get some great competent conversations local they’re very friendly.</p><p>00:10:09.990 –&gt; 00:10:19.770 Joseph McElroy: there’s an opportunity to learn about the region’s about what’s being done about outdoor activities it’s it’s a really it’s I would say it’s a great place to start learning about the mountains.</p><p>00:10:20.490 –&gt; 00:10:29.040 Joseph McElroy: From you know from my mental perspective, so you can go to greening up the mountains calm to find more information about that event.</p><p>00:10:31.140 –&gt; 00:10:36.240 Joseph McElroy: Also in another little town in the mountains, is a little town called Andrews North Carolina.</p><p>00:10:36.900 –&gt; 00:10:45.540 Joseph McElroy: And it has a wealth of his history, along with the interesting turn of the century architecture for such a little out of the way town it’s a little out of the way mountain town.</p><p>00:10:46.320 –&gt; 00:10:54.420 Joseph McElroy: It wasn’t a corporate till 1905 and it didn’t get it start it didn’t really get to start until 1891 railroad was completed.</p><p>00:10:57.780 –&gt; 00:11:17.610 Joseph McElroy: It it’s it’s a has a nice laid backfield now right it’s got a real small town, a good smoky mountain town atmosphere and, but it has an outstanding backdrop there’s a valley river that borders on the North side of town and beyond that valley flows flows.</p><p>00:11:19.170 –&gt; 00:11:37.260 Joseph McElroy: flows towards the slopes of this snowbird mountains it’s Andrews, like in this valley that’s really vastly flat surrounded by all the smoky mountains and has a rolling hills and spacious hideaways and things like that it has a store downtown.</p><p>00:11:38.550 –&gt; 00:11:50.970 Joseph McElroy: With brick buildings and store bronk front that during the turnaround to the early 20th century it’s got a lot of historic homes in the downtown district and minus two times you know when it was a.</p><p>00:11:51.720 –&gt; 00:12:02.790 Joseph McElroy: Really, prosperous and that sort of early American way of being prosperous, so it on April 24 has a street fair and nature Expo and it celebrates.</p><p>00:12:04.020 –&gt; 00:12:12.030 Joseph McElroy: Earth Day and it sweeps out the winter cobwebs and it opens up the downtown to vendors and nature lovers.</p><p>00:12:12.450 –&gt; 00:12:18.720 Joseph McElroy: And you learn about gardening and the butterflies and water conservation local history, much more.</p><p>00:12:18.990 –&gt; 00:12:30.570 Joseph McElroy: And while you shop there’s a lot of great stuff at the numerous local vendors, so you can go to visit Andrews North Carolina nc visit Andrews nc COM slash spring dash fling.</p><p>00:12:30.960 –&gt; 00:12:42.210 Joseph McElroy: To find out more about that, and they have that every year and they’ve been having it for a while and it’s a worthwhile to get sort of that a real in the middle of the smoky mountain areas it’s it’s I think it’s in between Murphy and.</p><p>00:12:43.140 –&gt; 00:12:51.990 Joseph McElroy: And I mean in between bryson city and cherokee around that area and it’s it gives you a real taste of old time.</p><p>00:12:53.640 –&gt; 00:13:00.390 Joseph McElroy: smoky mountain America so when we come back we’ll be talking about wild flowers.</p><p>00:13:02.250 –&gt; 00:13:04.290 www.TalkRadio.NYC: are listening to talk radio nyc.</p><p>00:13:04.620 –&gt; 00:13:05.850 www.TalkRadio.NYC: At www.</p><p>00:13:06.000 –&gt; 00:13:10.860 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Talk radio dot nyc now broadcasting 20 hours a day.</p><p>00:13:18.330 –&gt; 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00:14:30.870 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Did you know that nearly one in five adults in the US battles mental illness i’m my name is Albert dabba i’m the host of the show extra.</p><p>00:14:32.130 –&gt; 00:14:42.180 www.TalkRadio.NYC: innings I discuss the topics of wellness mental health and the experience of having multiple supersize with my family listen live every Monday at 6pm Eastern.</p><p>00:14:42.720 –&gt; 00:14:52.200 www.TalkRadio.NYC: To extra innings for discussions with sports figures artists mental health professionals, many others as Monday at 6pm Eastern on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:14:55.230 –&gt; 00:15:06.990 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Open join me every Thursday evening for the mind boggling leadership here on talk radio dot nyc we speak to people from business sport military politics all around what makes it great.</p><p>00:15:07.800 –&gt; 00:15:19.920 www.TalkRadio.NYC: The personal experiences, of course, what can we be more importantly, what kinds of more so that’s separate call every 30 minute talk radio dot nyc listening to real stories of real.</p><p>00:15:22.710 –&gt; 00:15:27.330 www.TalkRadio.NYC: you’re listening to talk radio nyc uplift educate and empower.</p><p>00:15:59.400 –&gt; 00:16:13.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back, but the gateway to the smokies podcast and i’m now talking about wild flowers so every spring, there is an explosion of these.</p><p>00:16:13.860 –&gt; 00:16:17.610 Joseph McElroy: I mean they’re just spectacular wild flowers in the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:16:18.480 –&gt; 00:16:33.090 Joseph McElroy: With over 1600 species of flowering plants, there are certainly no shortage of opportunity to discover why the great smoky mountains National Park is called the wildflower national park and there’s I like to say wildflower.</p><p>00:16:34.620 –&gt; 00:16:39.540 Joseph McElroy: it’s wild thing and a wildflower I want to sing that song right.</p><p>00:16:40.890 –&gt; 00:16:48.600 Joseph McElroy: But from late March until early May there’s just a flush of the spring wallflowers that live in the ground cover and.</p><p>00:16:49.380 –&gt; 00:17:04.350 Joseph McElroy: Because the hardwood you know trees are still without leaves they’re taking advantage of all that sunlight, so you know you have sort of a bloodied trees, but not particularly dense and all these wildflowers just everywhere blooming.</p><p>00:17:05.850 –&gt; 00:17:16.200 Joseph McElroy: And they basically track upslope upslope as the season proceeds because it gets warmer so you get there’s a lot you get a lot of window.</p><p>00:17:17.070 –&gt; 00:17:25.740 Joseph McElroy: The sea wildfires it just goes higher up the mountain as it gets warmer up the mountain, so it goes march through may, and then they basically ended June.</p><p>00:17:26.580 –&gt; 00:17:39.420 Joseph McElroy: A little bit and these flowers include like little white or pink blossoms of spring beauties the the you know the bigger and show your blooms and things like bear if trilliums.</p><p>00:17:40.440 –&gt; 00:17:52.200 Joseph McElroy: there’s level white pedals and golden stamens of blubbery there’s there feathery white plains dripping tipping the drooping frons or false Solomon CEO.</p><p>00:17:52.650 –&gt; 00:18:01.050 Joseph McElroy: And there’s the dainty or white flour Spikes have a phone flower and the little white bells hugging the stems of Bishops caps and there’s just a lot of different things.</p><p>00:18:03.120 –&gt; 00:18:13.500 Joseph McElroy: I striking early wildfire they can clone cluster in great numbers is the trial lily which brand is is an ornate yellow flower and multiple green leaves suggestive a trout pattern.</p><p>00:18:14.370 –&gt; 00:18:26.850 Joseph McElroy: Which is another you know signature of the mountains is trial and then another show is spring wildfire common in the lower middle elevations is the Columbine which is hanging red and yellow blooms.</p><p>00:18:28.320 –&gt; 00:18:47.250 Joseph McElroy: To similar looking and colorful name flowers that are overlapping their spring emergence are Dutchman breaches and squirrel cones which both have white logo blooms and intricate foliage and another eyecatching snow you’d flowers the fringe felicia felicia felicia.</p><p>00:18:48.360 –&gt; 00:18:56.970 Joseph McElroy: And sort of look that up how to pronounce I just now realized that but it’s called is pha le CIA which tends to grow up higher in the mountain forest.</p><p>00:18:58.860 –&gt; 00:19:04.440 Joseph McElroy: And then, why there’s a lot there’s a really widespread and very arresting flowers is the jack in the.</p><p>00:19:04.980 –&gt; 00:19:12.060 Joseph McElroy: pulpit which has you know those large striped phone over sheath and it’s called the space that forms the pulpit.</p><p>00:19:12.600 –&gt; 00:19:21.570 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s lots of violence and wild strawberries and bleeding hearts there’s a there’s a lot of spring blooms interrupt or up from the dust in the.</p><p>00:19:21.960 –&gt; 00:19:32.340 Joseph McElroy: Great smokies and it’s it’s almost mind boggling the variety and profusion and it definitely pays to bring a wildfire field guide along to on your moseys.</p><p>00:19:33.480 –&gt; 00:19:40.560 Joseph McElroy: And I think we will have on our website link to some books that you can go and find out.</p><p>00:19:42.180 –&gt; 00:19:49.290 Joseph McElroy: And then you can also check out the National Park service site for specifics on looming patterns for different flowers species.</p><p>00:19:51.510 –&gt; 00:19:59.400 Joseph McElroy: And so many of these lower and middle vision trails on the smoky mountains will have these great outstanding wildflower show so.</p><p>00:19:59.700 –&gt; 00:20:03.060 Joseph McElroy: there’s a lot of great walks you can take in the spring to see these.</p><p>00:20:03.420 –&gt; 00:20:16.710 Joseph McElroy: And then later in the spring and early in the summer, you can get on the higher outs and see it, yet again, but it, you know was slightly different so that it can go for a long time so i’ve got some suggested wildflower walks for you.</p><p>00:20:18.090 –&gt; 00:20:27.180 Joseph McElroy: there’s the kind of luckily river trail that which is an easy Three Mile round trip riverside rock that begins at the article oh kind of lefty.</p><p>00:20:27.570 –&gt; 00:20:34.830 Joseph McElroy: visitor Center which is located two miles north of cherokee North Carolina and us for for one another great.</p><p>00:20:35.550 –&gt; 00:20:43.500 Joseph McElroy: trail is the deep creek trail and that’s an easy walk that begins at the end of deep creek road, which is about a half mile beyond the deep cream.</p><p>00:20:44.100 –&gt; 00:20:52.350 Joseph McElroy: Deep creek campground turn off and it’s this deep creek area is located in north of bryson city, so you go through the town of bryson.</p><p>00:20:52.800 –&gt; 00:21:01.170 Joseph McElroy: You can see to waterfalls Indian creek town branch and by walking on this two mile round trip I think i’ve mentioned that that.</p><p>00:21:01.620 –&gt; 00:21:09.840 Joseph McElroy: That trail before but it’s worth it for the for the wild flowers the Gregory rich trail is is the first the first two miles of this.</p><p>00:21:10.320 –&gt; 00:21:21.360 Joseph McElroy: trail offer some really great wildfire viewing you take the caves cade’s cove loop road just past the cable mill area, and then you turn on to forge creek road and follow it to the end.</p><p>00:21:22.800 –&gt; 00:21:39.120 Joseph McElroy: There is the canal it for trail and it’s the climbs free it climbs for three miles to intersect with the Thomas divide trail on Thomas rich you don’t need to go the whole way to see some really great wildfires the first mile or two of the best display, especially in the spring.</p><p>00:21:40.380 –&gt; 00:21:41.490 Joseph McElroy: And then you have the.</p><p>00:21:43.080 –&gt; 00:21:56.250 Joseph McElroy: It begins about an eighth of a mile north of the kept part from prong footbridge on the new foundling gap row which is known as us for for one and it’s eight miles north to kind of lift the visitor Center.</p><p>00:21:57.150 –&gt; 00:22:07.410 Joseph McElroy: there’s the school has schoolhouse gap trail it’s an easy trail that climbs about 2.2 miles from Laurel creek road to schoolhouse gas gap this.</p><p>00:22:07.740 –&gt; 00:22:20.430 Joseph McElroy: route includes a wide array of spring and summer flowers, including some very unusual species it’s about the trail is about 3.99 miles west of the Townsend why on the road to get caves code.</p><p>00:22:21.480 –&gt; 00:22:30.600 Joseph McElroy: there’s little river trail it’s a relatively wide and level footprint put path which follows the scenic little river towards headwaters.</p><p>00:22:31.170 –&gt; 00:22:47.820 Joseph McElroy: it’s located on the side road which begins, just before you enter elk mock camp road and then there’s the first two miles of the bad trail, is it is, it provides a good wildfire good wildflower viewing and from mid March, April.</p><p>00:22:49.380 –&gt; 00:23:07.470 Joseph McElroy: If you add in the camera camera gap and Jay tree trails jake creek trails you can make a pleasant five mile loop hike then there’s the middle prom trail and so Walker all rodeo you’re the writer hiker with flowers, as well as waterfalls.</p><p>00:23:09.090 –&gt; 00:23:15.420 Joseph McElroy: And again it’s it’s not it starts at the end of treatment row row which begins just west of the towns and wide.</p><p>00:23:18.060 –&gt; 00:23:35.970 Joseph McElroy: There is a few other trails i’ll put i’ll be putting this information up on our website, but I wanted to mention some of the events and festivals to celebrate the wildflowers that smokies you know the premier event is the spring wild flower flower pilgrimage.</p><p>00:23:37.710 –&gt; 00:23:38.460 Joseph McElroy: That is.</p><p>00:23:39.630 –&gt; 00:23:46.440 Joseph McElroy: yeah it’s it’s been around for quite a long time and has, I think it started in 1950.</p><p>00:23:48.000 –&gt; 00:24:05.610 Joseph McElroy: and its underlying mission and philosophy is simply to bring people together to fellowship form connections bonds and friendships their common interests on focus on spreading curiosity knowledge appreciation education of natural history biology ecology conservation land management.</p><p>00:24:07.110 –&gt; 00:24:15.660 Joseph McElroy: And they’ve always you know, been very open and educational for anybody that wants to come and to learn from experts in the field.</p><p>00:24:16.320 –&gt; 00:24:27.240 Joseph McElroy: it’s an annual event and then features professionally guided walks exhibits and many other learning opportunity to explore the regions rich natural and cultural research resources.</p><p>00:24:28.680 –&gt; 00:24:37.170 Joseph McElroy: it’s had an I think in the Latin and very recently over the last few years has had over 900 pilgrims from 32 streets 32 states.</p><p>00:24:37.470 –&gt; 00:24:50.010 Joseph McElroy: And several countries that join them and includes programs on Sunday ferns wild flowers trees and shrubs shrubs medicinal plants insects salamanders and snakes birds mammals mammals.</p><p>00:24:50.340 –&gt; 00:24:58.440 Joseph McElroy: and generally are in photography and park history, I think that is going to be virtual this year, but there are some associated programs that you could take.</p><p>00:24:59.100 –&gt; 00:25:12.090 Joseph McElroy: But it’s it’s going to be I don’t I anticipated going every year from now until i’m no longer here, because it’s going on for a long time, and you can go to wildflower pilgrimage.org to find out more.</p><p>00:25:14.700 –&gt; 00:25:29.550 Joseph McElroy: Another big place to go see flowers in the mountains, is the biltmore state and national North Carolina it has more than 110,000 flowers blooming the gardens fit for vanderbilt.</p><p>00:25:31.170 –&gt; 00:25:38.910 Joseph McElroy: it’s an annual festival flowers with and the color and fragrance and orchids and thousands of spring bulbs steal the show.</p><p>00:25:39.900 –&gt; 00:25:45.810 Joseph McElroy: You know the biltmore estate was built by George vanderbilt when he decided he needed a 250 room house.</p><p>00:25:46.170 –&gt; 00:25:57.180 Joseph McElroy: In the mountains of Western North Carolina and he hired a renowned landscape architect or Frederick law olmsted who designed central park in New York City to help the state, make a statement.</p><p>00:25:57.510 –&gt; 00:26:09.480 Joseph McElroy: So bill more bloom celebrates this natural progression of balloons balloons dictated by Mother Nature and arranged by olmsted in the States current team of expert gardeners.</p><p>00:26:11.010 –&gt; 00:26:23.370 Joseph McElroy: So right now that says is getting spring is underway there’s a bright see of yellow daffodils that brighten a walled garden and then there’s pansies of every color you can imagine, it creates a.</p><p>00:26:23.790 –&gt; 00:26:33.000 Joseph McElroy: gorgeous feast for the eyes and then you can experience nearly 1000 orchids in full bloom showing off their tropical colors and exotic looks.</p><p>00:26:33.360 –&gt; 00:26:45.570 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s a conservatory with lots of lots of different varieties of species, and then you can also view visit the biltmore house, which is a spectacular mansion I think it’s the largest private residence in the United States.</p><p>00:26:46.920 –&gt; 00:26:55.620 Joseph McElroy: As the season goes along there’s going to be 80,000 to lips, and then it it’ll transform that wall garden into a floral paradise.</p><p>00:26:56.760 –&gt; 00:27:04.830 Joseph McElroy: And they bloom and purple and pink and white and last three to four weeks before making way for later season looms in the shrub and is alien gardens.</p><p>00:27:06.000 –&gt; 00:27:15.900 Joseph McElroy: So it’s running right now from the April to the end of May, you can go more to find more about it at built more calm things to do events.</p><p>00:27:16.890 –&gt; 00:27:30.270 Joseph McElroy: bill more comm slash things to do things dash to dash do slash events slash spring, though, I suppose, if you just going a bit longer commune just look up events and figure out.</p><p>00:27:31.320 –&gt; 00:27:33.030 Joseph McElroy: what’s going on.</p><p>00:27:34.200 –&gt; 00:27:51.330 Joseph McElroy: And you know the biltmore house is just a spectacular event, a place to go all around and and they have a winery there it’s I think it’s one of the most I think it’s actually the most visited winery in the world if i’m correct and some of the wines are actually pretty decent.</p><p>00:27:52.920 –&gt; 00:28:00.750 Joseph McElroy: And it has you know yeah there’s shops that are associated with it it’s really a one or two day have.</p><p>00:28:01.620 –&gt; 00:28:13.260 Joseph McElroy: Experienced to explore and your stuff lots of arts and beautiful artwork some sculptures so I recommend visiting that it’s only about a half away half hour away from Maggie Valley, so if you want to.</p><p>00:28:14.160 –&gt; 00:28:30.270 Joseph McElroy: Have a Center place to stay go to the middle or motel calm there and then you can go quickly to things like that the the spring fling then go to the flower, and then you can go to the smokies and see the wild flowers, so when we come back i’m gonna talk about fireflies.</p><p>00:28:31.980 –&gt; 00:28:34.950 Joseph McElroy: Listening to talk radio nyc.</p><p>00:28:49.980 –&gt; 00:28:57.900 www.TalkRadio.NYC: gate and nonprofit sector connected coming at you for my attic each week here on talk radio dot nyc I host the program will advocate for.</p><p>00:28:58.500 –&gt; 00:29:12.060 www.TalkRadio.NYC: nonprofits in cognos each and every day and it’s my focus that helps amplify their message tell their story listen each week at 10am Eastern standard time until 11am Eastern standard time right here on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:29:15.960 –&gt; 00:29:24.150 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Are you a business owner, do you want to be a business owner, do you work with business owners hi i’m Stephen fry your small and medium sized business or SMB guy.</p><p>00:29:24.570 –&gt; 00:29:41.190 www.TalkRadio.NYC: And i’m the host of the new show always Friday, while I love to have fun on my show we take those Friday feelings of freedom inspired to discuss popular topics in the minds of SMEs, today, please join me and my very special guests on Friday at 11am on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:29:47.400 –&gt; 00:29:59.010 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Do you run or are ready to open your own business hi i’m Jeremiah fox i’ve been operating and opening small business for the last 25 years and i’m the host of the new show the entrepreneurial Web.</p><p>00:29:59.280 –&gt; 00:30:09.450 www.TalkRadio.NYC: tune in every Friday at noon Eastern time for insights and stories on the nuances of running small business right here on Fridays at noon talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:30:15.570 –&gt; 00:30:24.900 www.TalkRadio.NYC: i’m Joseph Franklin mcilroy host of the podcast wise content mix it airs on talk radio dot nyc every Friday afternoon at 1pm.</p><p>00:30:25.710 –&gt; 00:30:36.480 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Beijing content is king well wives contract rules, the world every episode features tools and tips for content, marketing and business people tell you the wise stewards of that.</p><p>00:30:37.980 –&gt; 00:30:40.920 www.TalkRadio.NYC: every Friday for one or two on talk radio.</p><p>00:30:45.300 –&gt; 00:30:54.090 www.TalkRadio.NYC: you’re listening to talk radio nyc at www talk radio dot nyc broadcasting 24 hours a day.</p><p>00:31:19.020 –&gt; 00:31:27.780 Joseph McElroy: Oh God, this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies pox cash so we’re talking firefly flies.</p><p>00:31:29.130 –&gt; 00:31:36.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah so spring also brings that an incredible an incredible natural phenomenon, known as synchronous fireflies.</p><p>00:31:37.200 –&gt; 00:31:47.070 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a breathtaking show put on by the nature that resembles the psychedelic combination of stars falling and fireworks works exploding.</p><p>00:31:47.520 –&gt; 00:31:59.160 Joseph McElroy: It is an immersive experience you will never forget 10s of thousands of lightning lightning bugs gather and swarms and flash in harmony in harmony they’re synchronized.</p><p>00:31:59.490 –&gt; 00:32:13.230 Joseph McElroy: As the entire for for us alternates between light and darkness and it’s right here in the smoky mountains, is the largest population of synchronous fireplace fireflies in the western hemisphere.</p><p>00:32:13.800 –&gt; 00:32:22.560 Joseph McElroy: Now growing up in the mountains, I didn’t know all this to me it was fireflies lightning bugs and we all knew how to hunt for them.</p><p>00:32:23.190 –&gt; 00:32:40.050 Joseph McElroy: The chase the capture the release of the lightning bugs it was all very exciting, I remember spending hours in my grandma’s backyard chasing flower flower fireflies and later in the backyard area of the Middle Arc motel which is got a lot of these beautiful fireflies it come there.</p><p>00:32:41.430 –&gt; 00:32:52.530 Joseph McElroy: and which be you know the metal art became our family home as well as our business our booth a mason jar with a live carefully poked with ice pick holes it’s important let them breathe.</p><p>00:32:53.730 –&gt; 00:33:09.330 Joseph McElroy: Which my dad would put in my sister and brother, and I would chase lightning bugs from dusk until bedtime which can be three or four hours, and I was going up, thank you, my bed I get my babies now to bed at eight to nine o’clock I remember raises to have 11 so different world now.</p><p>00:33:11.310 –&gt; 00:33:20.370 Joseph McElroy: But we competed for most of the most the most competed for the most fireflies the brightest jar and the biggest of all the bugs and then and.</p><p>00:33:21.180 –&gt; 00:33:37.620 Joseph McElroy: I know this is not what you should do now, but then, when we were you know early teens we also used to smear the poor souls on our arms and our White T shirt so that we could live sort of glow in the dark don’t let your kids know about that now.</p><p>00:33:38.880 –&gt; 00:33:46.740 Joseph McElroy: You know it’s probably not the right thing to do, but it was something in my childhood, which was a good, you know for 50 years ago.</p><p>00:33:48.240 –&gt; 00:33:58.200 Joseph McElroy: I doubt we ever considered that we were probably interfering with their meetings, either because all this is part of that meeting type hopefully we haven’t diminished that diminish the population too much because of that.</p><p>00:34:00.720 –&gt; 00:34:12.180 Joseph McElroy: So you know, and if you’re gonna if you come if you come to the middle market, you want to do it in ecologically you know benign faster bring yourself a mason jar.</p><p>00:34:13.560 –&gt; 00:34:22.650 Joseph McElroy: dampened it a paper down places inside the JAR and then place a piece of burlap over the Ram or use an ice ice ice pick to poke holes in the middle.</p><p>00:34:23.280 –&gt; 00:34:34.950 Joseph McElroy: disk and then lock into the place and catch the fellas gently, the fire the fargo should actually last the evening, but then release them after they’ve done.</p><p>00:34:35.820 –&gt; 00:34:50.490 Joseph McElroy: Now for the adults real which, at this point we most of us listening probably are I would recommend you serve some firefly sweet tea vodka over ice or the lemon wedge in this sprint of sprig of mint.</p><p>00:34:51.630 –&gt; 00:34:53.250 Joseph McElroy: We have we have our own.</p><p>00:34:54.540 –&gt; 00:35:01.050 Joseph McElroy: recipe at the at the middle Arc that includes berries and things like that in the sweet tea it’s really great so.</p><p>00:35:02.280 –&gt; 00:35:14.940 Joseph McElroy: it’s what you can see i’m sort of waxing poetic on this memories, because that was that was one of the one of the things we did all summer long I remember very fondly it’s it’s a mountain.</p><p>00:35:15.300 –&gt; 00:35:24.360 Joseph McElroy: Tradition I think it’s a southern tradition in general, so I found you know i’d like to bring poet poetry into some of the things I do in these podcasts and I found this.</p><p>00:35:24.750 –&gt; 00:35:32.400 Joseph McElroy: poem to commemorate commemorate my firefighter memories, it has a sort of implemented it, which I think is not as applicable anymore.</p><p>00:35:33.270 –&gt; 00:35:50.970 Joseph McElroy: But it’s still very nice it’s by Cynthia blue HALO it’s called firefly mystified by a tiny firefly I gazed and childlike trance the magical flickering lights, to the carry it in its hands.</p><p>00:35:52.560 –&gt; 00:36:03.480 Joseph McElroy: And then came some more like earthly stars they twinkle around the tree trunks core fairies dancing in a circle.</p><p>00:36:05.220 –&gt; 00:36:14.040 Joseph McElroy: fireflies are slowly fading and I rarely see them now our air suffocating.</p><p>00:36:15.210 –&gt; 00:36:21.090 Joseph McElroy: That is killing them somehow will future children, see the magic of their beauty.</p><p>00:36:22.110 –&gt; 00:36:26.340 Joseph McElroy: or see them in the pictures and no lights that flicker brightly.</p><p>00:36:27.900 –&gt; 00:36:40.110 Joseph McElroy: I think that you know we have to be careful, the environmental factors in the where we live in our parks and just everywhere in the world attack and so that these childhood memories don’t disappear.</p><p>00:36:41.520 –&gt; 00:36:55.020 Joseph McElroy: And that our children, our future children can experience them so anyway significant synchronous fireflies are one of the least 19 species, a fireplace that live in the great smoky mountain National Park.</p><p>00:36:55.740 –&gt; 00:37:06.240 Joseph McElroy: And they’re the only species in America whoo hoo can can as individuals synchronize their flashing light patterns, with the rest of their tribe.</p><p>00:37:08.160 –&gt; 00:37:15.360 Joseph McElroy: So the there there we won’t know that there’s there is a national park has a.</p><p>00:37:16.500 –&gt; 00:37:17.100 Joseph McElroy: Viewing.</p><p>00:37:18.210 –&gt; 00:37:20.520 Joseph McElroy: schedule that’s usually a couple weeks.</p><p>00:37:21.690 –&gt; 00:37:33.210 Joseph McElroy: in late April and May through early June, and they will announce that scheduled towards the late part latter part of April now we’re not sure if code is going to affect that or not.</p><p>00:37:33.870 –&gt; 00:37:45.750 Joseph McElroy: But I think there’s some rumors that there will be maybe not as dense not as many people loud, but there will be a lottery all right to be able to.</p><p>00:37:46.320 –&gt; 00:37:56.820 Joseph McElroy: Get tickets, and you can get that you can enter the lottery on the because you have to basically it’s a lot harder to be in the show is a shuttle takes you around the view this.</p><p>00:37:58.080 –&gt; 00:38:08.490 Joseph McElroy: Is near mount count it’s near elmont campground in smoky mountains National Park, and so you can go in late April looking@recreation.gov.</p><p>00:38:08.910 –&gt; 00:38:16.530 Joseph McElroy: and get yourself some tickets that includes parking at the sugarland visitor Center, which is in gatlinburg and then see to board the shuttle.</p><p>00:38:17.010 –&gt; 00:38:22.410 Joseph McElroy: And their outbound therapy Rangers to answer questions and number of paved areas and trails you can.</p><p>00:38:23.010 –&gt; 00:38:29.550 Joseph McElroy: You can take the watch the fire alarm slide up at night it’s spectacular I would definitely recommend it, you know.</p><p>00:38:30.120 –&gt; 00:38:41.610 Joseph McElroy: there’s there’s a lot of miniature shows all over the smoky mountains and do firefighters, you know fireflies or feature the middle or motel all summer long and and Maggie Valley, we have a lot of fireflies.</p><p>00:38:42.210 –&gt; 00:38:52.440 Joseph McElroy: We we have some we have some of the synchronized fireplaces we get some pretty decent show sometimes ourselves so you can come and chance it to see it there as well.</p><p>00:38:54.030 –&gt; 00:39:00.780 Joseph McElroy: So i’m going to talk about foraging for food now in the mountains, because there’s a lot of festivals, and things going on around that.</p><p>00:39:01.680 –&gt; 00:39:18.270 Joseph McElroy: we’re in when the smoky mountains we’re we’re blessed with an abundance of natural products products forged from our own backyards including ramps and morals and chanterelle mushrooms calif are mushrooms and wild berries.</p><p>00:39:19.800 –&gt; 00:39:26.430 Joseph McElroy: yeah know deep in our woods in for the grass begins to green our our colors adventures can begin.</p><p>00:39:28.080 –&gt; 00:39:47.340 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can collect Morel mushrooms from understands of conifers and in the hollows and even in the first first spring rains ramp so one of the first patches agreed on the mountain side it’s an animal Member member of the onion family it’s been alternatively called a wild leak.</p><p>00:39:48.780 –&gt; 00:39:52.320 Joseph McElroy: and takes its name from a similar plant, the ramping.</p><p>00:39:54.330 –&gt; 00:40:05.280 Joseph McElroy: it’s actually sort of believed to have the spring tonic you know sort of a magical potion so mountain fox us to look forward to the return of the.</p><p>00:40:06.270 –&gt; 00:40:12.810 Joseph McElroy: Of the ramp after winter of eating mostly dried foods, I remember it was a big thing growing up in the mountains.</p><p>00:40:13.200 –&gt; 00:40:28.440 Joseph McElroy: You have to have the spring ramps The thing is, you have to be careful mean in school because of you ate too many of them, the day before, when you came in the smell would come through your pores and instincts are bad, they actually send you home from school.</p><p>00:40:29.700 –&gt; 00:40:41.190 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a delicacy, but it has a older and so you have to balance, how much you eat or just not care about it, it has a hint of garlic but it’s sweet.</p><p>00:40:42.780 –&gt; 00:40:58.080 Joseph McElroy: And it works it’s really nice with home cured bake and in the morning, eggs and you know i’m lately, in the last couple years i’ve actually seen some ramps and whole foods and now had it with morning eggs and man made omelets and stuff with them surprise people with a really nice flavor.</p><p>00:40:59.730 –&gt; 00:41:09.930 Joseph McElroy: You know that later in the summary or things come out like the chanterelles the blank trumpets and make lots of crap varieties and bullet abilities and.</p><p>00:41:11.190 –&gt; 00:41:12.150 Joseph McElroy: And you can.</p><p>00:41:13.200 –&gt; 00:41:24.420 Joseph McElroy: You can find hedgehog mushrooms and watering pause pause and persimmons and wild crab crab apples and Alaska dimes and Huckleberry is and on and on.</p><p>00:41:26.010 –&gt; 00:41:36.750 Joseph McElroy: But remember that you have to be careful picking plants in the smoky mountains, because it’s prohibited, but there are some rules allow you to pick fruits and berries and nuts and mushrooms.</p><p>00:41:37.440 –&gt; 00:41:47.490 Joseph McElroy: You shouldn’t eat the mushrooms, and things and you don’t know what they are, because they can be deadly, but there are plenty of tours and festivals and events to scratch it forging itch.</p><p>00:41:49.470 –&gt; 00:41:50.340 Joseph McElroy: There is.</p><p>00:41:52.050 –&gt; 00:41:54.150 Joseph McElroy: You can there’s some tours you can take.</p><p>00:41:55.350 –&gt; 00:42:03.810 Joseph McElroy: In asheville North Carolina you can take forage tours and right now there’s some bunch of tours going on until June 13.</p><p>00:42:05.190 –&gt; 00:42:11.280 Joseph McElroy: And you can pick foods and herbs and it’s usually like a three hour off the beaten path.</p><p>00:42:13.110 –&gt; 00:42:23.670 Joseph McElroy: tour and where you can discover animal Greens berries, mushrooms flowers and that’s the rooms you never know what you might not know monitored with the group and the force and then you will.</p><p>00:42:25.020 –&gt; 00:42:39.810 Joseph McElroy: You will find 10 to 20 wild foods, focusing on ones that you could possibly find it or woods in the background, if you the mountains and you make them in the meal, you have a chef show you how to do it you’ll get a book on you know, on on.</p><p>00:42:40.830 –&gt; 00:42:43.710 Joseph McElroy: How you how you cook it and then.</p><p>00:42:44.850 –&gt; 00:42:57.150 Joseph McElroy: Then you can you know have wine and great food and experience it’s a really sort of a great experience of being a modern hundred gather so you can go to no taste like home.org.</p><p>00:42:57.510 –&gt; 00:43:12.450 Joseph McElroy: To find out more about that sort of experience to figure to experience foraging and I think that you will enjoy it when we come back i’m going to talk about a little bit of things local to the haywood county things that you can do, including the winds will ramp festival.</p><p>00:43:14.100 –&gt; 00:43:15.000 you’re listening to.</p><p>00:43:30.420 –&gt; 00:43:41.190 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Small Business trying to navigate the coven 19 related employment laws Hello i’m Eric savoured climate log business law attorney and host of the new radio show employment law today.</p><p>00:43:41.880 –&gt; 00:43:54.540 www.TalkRadio.NYC: On my show who have guests, to discuss the common employment law challenges business owners are facing during these trying times tune in on to the things from 5pm to 6pm Eastern time on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:44:01.890 –&gt; 00:44:09.090 www.TalkRadio.NYC: host of the new podcast gateway to the smokies it airs on talk radio dot nyc every Tuesday night from 6pm.</p><p>00:44:10.050 –&gt; 00:44:16.350 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Every episode is dedicated to memorable experiences in the great smoky mountain national park and surrounding areas.</p><p>00:44:16.710 –&gt; 00:44:27.660 www.TalkRadio.NYC: This shadow features experts and locals will expound upon the richness of culture, history and and adventure that a way to in the smoking tune in every Tuesday from 6pm to seven on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:44:32.580 –&gt; 00:44:43.560 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Do you love, or are you intrigued about New York City and its neighborhoods i’m Jeff Goodman host of rediscovering New York weekly show that showcases New York sister and it’s extraordinary neighborhoods.</p><p>00:44:44.340 –&gt; 00:44:57.030 www.TalkRadio.NYC: Every Tuesday live at 7pm we focus on a particular neighborhood and explore its history, its vibe its field and its energy tune in live every Tuesday at 7pm on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:44:59.040 –&gt; 00:45:05.520 www.TalkRadio.NYC: To talk radio nyc at www talk radio dot nyc now broadcasting.</p><p>00:45:30.840 –&gt; 00:45:36.750 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:45:38.130 –&gt; 00:45:45.330 Joseph McElroy: So I was talking about foraging for food and one of the most well known locally anyway.</p><p>00:45:47.280 –&gt; 00:45:57.330 Joseph McElroy: natural food that we have in the mountains, is the ramps and I mentioned that before their natural their native wild again and their harvest in the spring, for the mountain sides.</p><p>00:45:57.870 –&gt; 00:46:12.360 Joseph McElroy: Every year for 80 plus years wayne’s little North Carolina has had the waynesville North Carolina ramp buzz and it’s a pretty spectacular event for the mountains it’s it has.</p><p>00:46:14.160 –&gt; 00:46:29.010 Joseph McElroy: It highlights the ramps it’s a native wild and and they basically make all sorts of coronary delicious delicacy dishes to celebrate the ramps.</p><p>00:46:30.210 –&gt; 00:46:37.950 Joseph McElroy: And off ramps are so chairs, they were actually finished featured in garden and guns celebrate the south Oracle magazine.</p><p>00:46:38.880 –&gt; 00:47:00.630 Joseph McElroy: So you want you, they also have music and vendors and all sorts of stuff it’s just a large tradition that is it’s worth the temps spending time to go to it on this year I think it’s gonna be it’s gonna be held on may 1 and second you’ll be able to get more information that visit.</p><p>00:47:02.100 –&gt; 00:47:06.000 Joseph McElroy: nyc visit nc smokies COM.</p><p>00:47:08.070 –&gt; 00:47:16.920 Joseph McElroy: And and winslow’s near Maggie balance so be sure to stay at the metal Arc and will help you get to wherever you’re going another.</p><p>00:47:18.450 –&gt; 00:47:28.710 Joseph McElroy: vessel celebrating the foil forging and things that you can found them mountains, is the national spring festival it’s in his fourth decade.</p><p>00:47:29.340 –&gt; 00:47:35.940 Joseph McElroy: And it’s from April 30 to may 2 is the largest herb festival in the United States.</p><p>00:47:36.510 –&gt; 00:47:51.840 Joseph McElroy: And this event showcases over 60 vendors with products like herbal medicines holistic treatments herbal soaps and shampoos gourmet cooking herbs cookbooks etc and usually have lots of educational opportunities, you know.</p><p>00:47:53.460 –&gt; 00:47:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Various kinds of courses going on.</p><p>00:47:57.360 –&gt; 00:48:04.200 Joseph McElroy: it’s a very popular event, and you can find more about that at the asheville herb festival.org.</p><p>00:48:07.500 –&gt; 00:48:08.250 Joseph McElroy: Another.</p><p>00:48:09.420 –&gt; 00:48:16.680 Joseph McElroy: event celebrating you know the the the the.</p><p>00:48:18.270 –&gt; 00:48:27.210 Joseph McElroy: The foil edge of the the bounds, and this is what I could have mentioned earlier, is the Montfort montford garden tour.</p><p>00:48:27.780 –&gt; 00:48:37.620 Joseph McElroy: And it is a historic tour, but it hasn’t been held in 17 years and this year they’re having it on June 5 from 10am to 5pm.</p><p>00:48:38.250 –&gt; 00:48:47.340 Joseph McElroy: And it is featuring 12 distinct distinctive montford gardens, and it really is raising funds for Community initiatives.</p><p>00:48:47.700 –&gt; 00:49:01.500 Joseph McElroy: And there’s there’s this their gardens are pretty spectacular have a variety of landscapes and they and several the gardens are in homes that are over 120 years old and, while others are some that are recently bit built.</p><p>00:49:02.520 –&gt; 00:49:13.560 Joseph McElroy: There will also be live there will also be some some new greetings mixer be live musicians will be performing at many of the gardens and coding boot bluegrass jazz.</p><p>00:49:14.190 –&gt; 00:49:24.240 Joseph McElroy: folk and classical styles and there’ll be a commemorative oil painting that will be available through silent auctions the artists own garden.</p><p>00:49:25.800 –&gt; 00:49:31.770 Joseph McElroy: And you can find out more about this@montfort.org slash garden tour.</p><p>00:49:33.630 –&gt; 00:49:39.450 Joseph McElroy: So I just wanted to highlight a few things going on Maggie valley next week we’ll be talking about Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:49:40.530 –&gt; 00:49:53.550 Joseph McElroy: But on April April 23 to the 25th we’re going to be doing the annual southeastern mini trucking national it’s an open car and truck show and actually have.</p><p>00:49:54.030 –&gt; 00:50:07.410 Joseph McElroy: Food vendors and music and part vendors these, we have a lot of car and motorcycle shows in Maggie now because we have a nice festival grounds, but these are all these all these.</p><p>00:50:08.340 –&gt; 00:50:15.450 Joseph McElroy: shows are actually family friendly they usually have all sorts of vendor setup with different kinds of mountain foods.</p><p>00:50:16.500 –&gt; 00:50:29.250 Joseph McElroy: and other kinds of culinary delights and vendor selling crafts and and other unique items some of the more unique and others there’s always something new to discover so they’re all fun.</p><p>00:50:29.970 –&gt; 00:50:42.060 Joseph McElroy: The big one is April 30 through may 2 that’s thunder in the smoky spring motorcycle rally it’s the largest and oldest rally in Maggie Valley, and it goes like three days.</p><p>00:50:42.690 –&gt; 00:50:53.100 Joseph McElroy: And it has has to arises got lots of vendors as a bike shows got games prizes concerts fire dancers, the latest pilots and products on the.</p><p>00:50:53.790 –&gt; 00:51:09.900 Joseph McElroy: display it’s got he has his church service does, I think it does something where celebrates the veterans it has upgraded, you know a lot of the motels that’s included your own little you know best in show type thing so it’s pretty fun it’s.</p><p>00:51:11.040 –&gt; 00:51:19.680 Joseph McElroy: worthwhile to go to the Cape may 14 and 15th is the kk O a I kite icons of hot rodding festival.</p><p>00:51:20.220 –&gt; 00:51:32.040 Joseph McElroy: And these are 1950s and 1960s hot Rod and custom car truck truck advancements for 1969 older models and it will feature 50s and 60s music.</p><p>00:51:32.370 –&gt; 00:51:44.910 Joseph McElroy: vintage vendors of all sorts of stuff from that era, including automotive and things like that pinstripe or food vendors are judging awards and trophy and it’s a family affair, you bet.</p><p>00:51:46.500 –&gt; 00:51:54.900 Joseph McElroy: What i’m excited about is a may 28 we’re going to have a drive in concert started last year yeah when people come in, like a drive in theater.</p><p>00:51:55.560 –&gt; 00:52:02.760 Joseph McElroy: With the things that you can put on their on their window to have the music and there’s a live stage but they’re in their cars.</p><p>00:52:03.420 –&gt; 00:52:20.190 Joseph McElroy: And so it was code friendly and then they they have a able to set up a picnic chairs in your own little space have an event and have their own picnic tailgating and it’s going to be on may 28 the band or too many zoos and big something.</p><p>00:52:21.630 –&gt; 00:52:37.230 Joseph McElroy: randomly generally run it’s on a Friday may 28 opens at six shows a 730 tickets very you can contact the Gray eagle at a two a three to 5800 or the Gray eagle calm to get ticket information.</p><p>00:52:38.970 –&gt; 00:52:58.200 Joseph McElroy: So you can find out more about this podcast and gateways to the smokies fun and be sure to go there and subscribe to our newsletter so you can be aware of upcoming events and and information about this podcast or the coming upcoming episodes.</p><p>00:52:59.730 –&gt; 00:53:10.410 Joseph McElroy: Now I want you to imagine a place evocative emotive courts of the past, yet modern and vibrant with a cheek appalachian feel.</p><p>00:53:11.010 –&gt; 00:53:18.060 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can finish it a mountain heritage trout stream.</p><p>00:53:18.420 –&gt; 00:53:27.750 Joseph McElroy: grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place with old time music and world cultural sounds.</p><p>00:53:28.110 –&gt; 00:53:42.450 Joseph McElroy: There is no other place like the middle earth motel motel and Maggie valley North Carolina we are the starting point for all the adventures and studies, the mountain mountains have to offer your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:53:43.980 –&gt; 00:54:02.190 Joseph McElroy: I own another site, called the smoky adventure smokies adventure calm smokies is plural adventure calm sm Okay, ie s adventure calm and we have they’re all sorts of information and lists listings about the smokies and books and guides and maps that you can buy or download.</p><p>00:54:03.570 –&gt; 00:54:18.210 Joseph McElroy: We also feature venues and resources it’s an APP it focuses on outdoor recreation outdoor life and also things like weddings and adventures, and also highlights of the places to stay where to eat all that sort of stuff.</p><p>00:54:18.660 –&gt; 00:54:36.600 Joseph McElroy: it’s going to be deleting information portal for those smoky mountains next week we’re going to have Theresa Smith director of the Maggie valley Chamber commerce on the gateway to the smokies podcast we will be talking about the history of Maggie valley and and how it.</p><p>00:54:37.650 –&gt; 00:54:47.040 Joseph McElroy: How it is origin and the period of when ghost town was the main thing in the whole area and then how things are going now and there’s a rumor.</p><p>00:54:47.430 –&gt; 00:55:05.250 Joseph McElroy: That ghost town might be opening again so maybe we’ll get some insight into that I look forward to talking to her, we are part of the talk radio dot nyc network on this network or many podcasts live podcast every day.</p><p>00:55:06.270 –&gt; 00:55:12.030 Joseph McElroy: there’s a good one, I believe, after this about New York, you should stick around and listen to if you’re listening live.</p><p>00:55:12.630 –&gt; 00:55:25.170 Joseph McElroy: I have enjoyed it so if you’ve had the mountains now, you can have the ultimate urban experience listening to about New York, where I where I live, though i’m down in North Carolina all the time.</p><p>00:55:26.700 –&gt; 00:55:37.230 Joseph McElroy: I appreciate everybody for being here tune in next week same time you know it’s every to every Tuesday from six to 7pm on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:55:37.500 –&gt; 00:55:56.370 Joseph McElroy: You can also catch us on Facebook COM slash gateway to the smoke is podcast where you will see the streaming zoom live and you’ll see my our faces, my face or and my guest faces when I have guests and enjoy the experience, so thank you for listening and we’ll see you next week.</p> 63e48445-afff-4b97-beab-55c79f7ae1c2 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/f3306cda-0d8d-4515-b7d5-9bc1cfd8a151 Tue, 06 Apr 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2846 no full Episode 11: Pottery in the Smokies Episode 11: Pottery in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guests are <strong>Terrance and Caden Painter </strong>- Terrance is a member of the Piedmont Craftsmen, has won many awards, and has worked in collections all over the world. He has been a full-time potter for more than 38 years. He combines his first love of drawing and painting to execute detailed landscape scenes on clay forms.<strong> </strong></p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/4r6QfPRgUA/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s topic will be pottery in the mountains, but first Joseph talks about crafts. Joseph reminisces creating pottery in grade school. He dives further into the history of crafts in the mountains, starting with weaving and moving into more recent developments such as craft competitions. Eventually, craft guilds developed, turning into craft shops which became tourist attractions. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Terrance Painter, who is also joined by his son Caden. Terrance and Joseph talk about their experiences growing up by the Meadowlark Motel. Terance goes on to talk about how he went from being an engineering major to an artist. Next Kaiden discusses his journey from a successful IT career into art.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Terance talks more about how he made his decision to become a full time artist and the struggles he faced along the way. For a long time, Terrance was one of the few artists in the area, but the culture has really developed, with art, pottery specifically becoming more popular. Terrance talks a little about the clays used and the characteristics of the pottery in the mountains. He discusses the variety of potteries from around the world from which he has taken inspiration.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Terance talks about the variety of pottery he makes, from plates to tile wall hangings, to jars, etc. For the landscape drawings on some of his works, Terrance often takes inspiration from the trees in the mountains. He goes on to discuss the changes he’s seen in his art since his son joined him, focusing on drums they are making. Kaiden and Terrance are interrupted by their dog and talk a little about how well having a dog around pottery works. Caden discusses their process in creating a drum, from sound to look. Terrance discusses the origin of his shop’s name. Joseph asks him to talk a little about potters who influenced him.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Terance talks about the inspiration for the book he wrote with his wife. Caden and Terrance joke about how guests in the shop often assume that a career in pottery is relaxing, but it really is a job for them. They enjoy being able to make a variety of pottery, creating work that speaks to them.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is Terrance and Caden Painter - Terrance is a member of the Piedmont Craftsmen, has won many awards, and has worked in collections all over the world. He has been a full-time potter for more than 38 years. He combines his first love of drawing and painting to execute detailed landscape scenes on clay forms. 

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes

Segment 1

Today’s topic will be pottery in the mountains, but first Joseph talks about crafts. Joseph reminisces about creating pottery in grade school. He dives further into the history of crafts in the mountains, starting with weaving and moving into more recent developments such as craft competitions. Eventually, craft guilds developed, turning into craft shops that became tourist attractions. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Terrance Painter, who is also joined by his son Caden. Terrance and Joseph talk about their experiences growing up by the Meadowlark Motel. Terance goes on to talk about how he went from being an engineering major to an artist. Next Kaiden discusses his journey from a successful IT career into art.

Segment 2

Terance talks more about how he made his decision to become a full-time artist and the struggles he faced along the way. For a long time, Terrance was one of the few artists in the area, but the culture has really developed, with art, and pottery specifically becoming more popular. Terrance talks a little about the clays used and the characteristics of the pottery in the mountains. He discusses the variety of potteries from around the world from which he has taken inspiration.

Segment 3

Terance talks about the variety of pottery he makes, from plates to tile wall hangings, to jars, etc. For the landscape drawings in some of his works, Terrance often takes inspiration from the trees in the mountains. He goes on to discuss the changes he’s seen in his art since his son joined him, focusing on the drums they are making. Kaiden and Terrance are interrupted by their dog and talk a little about how well having a dog around pottery works. Caden discusses their process of creating a drum, from sound to look. Terrance discusses the origin of his shop’s name. Joseph asks him to talk a little about potters who influenced him.

Segment 4

Terance talks about the inspiration for the book he wrote with his wife. Caden and Terrance joke about how guests in the shop often assume that a career in pottery is relaxing, but it really is a job for them. They enjoy being able to make a variety of pottery, creating work that speaks to them.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:34.620 –> 00:00:40.470 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:40.950 –> 00:00:47.520 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:00:47.850 –> 00:00:57.480 Joseph McElroy: and the surrounding towns. this area’s filled with ancient natural beauty a deep story history and rich mountain culture that we explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:57.960 –> 00:01:09.360 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also a deep root in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses and travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:10.080 –> 00:01:28.380 Joseph McElroy: Now today we’re talking about pottery in the smoky mountains, with a very well known pottery otters artists, but I’m a first let’s talk a little bit about crafts in the mountains, I was a grown-up craft art were an important part of smoky mountain living now I remember.

00:01:29.460 –> 00:01:37.380 Joseph McElroy: I will, one of the things that everybody, I think, did I don’t know if this happened over the States, but it happened, the mountains, we all had to learn how to make pottery and in grade school.

00:01:38.880 –> 00:01:52.410 Joseph McElroy: And I came home with these wild interpretations of candle holders and ashtray as and sort of reinvented the definition of what they were my brothers and sisters would be more.

00:01:53.430 –> 00:02:03.360 Joseph McElroy: You know originalist in their intent and came back with stuff that functional mind wasn’t done, but I am the one that still has some of my original artwork in the potteries phase.

00:02:04.530 –> 00:02:11.910 Joseph McElroy: I think there’s all disappeared, over time, I also remember, making the dolls how to record shucks that’s pretty big.

00:02:12.360 –> 00:02:21.480 Joseph McElroy: that’s a pretty big craft in the mountains, as well as I also made a little mice people out of marbles with glue them together and make a little felt clothing and.

00:02:21.870 –> 00:02:39.390 Joseph McElroy: And I remember painting on saw blades so there’s a whole lot of tradition of craft-type activities in the mountains and as a part of the fabric of life from quilt making the chainsaw sculptures you can’t drive a mile without seeing some crass.

00:02:40.800 –> 00:02:46.710 Joseph McElroy: But, and there is this long history, but you know, there was a time when the crafts are dying out because of poverty.

00:02:48.390 –> 00:02:56.640 Joseph McElroy: And then in 1890 a Presbyterian missionary named Francis l Goodrich arrived in western North Carolina near Asheville and she

00:02:57.720 –> 00:03:05.760 Joseph McElroy: And a lot of the traditional crafts, like weaving and spinning and blacksmith thing we’re not doing too well, because it was an impoverished area.

00:03:06.360 –> 00:03:19.560 Joseph McElroy: But she got this cover lit that was woven in what was called a double bock bow not pattern, where the golden brown on a cream-colored background and it had been dyed with chestnut okay and.

00:03:20.130 –> 00:03:25.200 Joseph McElroy: it was a revelation to her, she never really seen anything you know coming, for I think.

00:03:25.770 –> 00:03:33.030 Joseph McElroy: You know Baltimore or somewhere like that, and it really opened our eyes to the craft movement crafts, to you know the craft.

00:03:33.450 –> 00:03:42.840 Joseph McElroy: available in the mountains and she’s there she found that these mountain neighbor women, many of them still had the skills of hand skills of doing this, so she would their encouragement.

00:03:43.890 –> 00:03:51.000 Joseph McElroy: would encourage them to start weaving colorless and then she did made a northern market for those crafts, she ended up creating.

00:03:52.200 –> 00:04:04.260 Joseph McElroy: A craft business that was eventually rolled into the southern Highland craft Guild in night when she retired in 1930 she was very much the succession she retired asheville.

00:04:06.030 –> 00:04:14.280 Joseph McElroy: And she was a lot of several other mountain crafts leading crafts people organize the southern highlands.

00:04:14.850 –> 00:04:22.620 Joseph McElroy: Any graphic it was still exists, to this day, and it was it was instrumental in launching the southern appalachian handy gaffer handicraft revival.

00:04:23.100 –> 00:04:29.940 Joseph McElroy: And is considered one of the oldest craft gills in the country, second only to the Boston society of arts and culture.

00:04:30.390 –> 00:04:39.900 Joseph McElroy: And participants today are active active and educator she mission of the Gill, taking parts and crafts and demonstrations fairs and special events and things like that.

00:04:40.350 –> 00:04:46.530 Joseph McElroy: Now for the tourists they hold a I have a couple of big events, each year, they have a heritage weekend in.

00:04:47.460 –> 00:05:06.870 Joseph McElroy: In in September around the second or third week weekend in September and its traditional music dancing stairs storytelling and lots of heritage craft demonstration and they have a 30th and they have this year I think i’m the 30th annual we jaw how women digital competition.

00:05:08.370 –> 00:05:13.410 Joseph McElroy: that’s a mouthful a women did is an appalachian mountain toy made from two sticks of wood.

00:05:13.770 –> 00:05:24.060 Joseph McElroy: knocks as a carbon one piece and a propellers attached to the other and rubbing the stick with the propeller against the not the not stick makes it G spin to the right or hot turned to the left.

00:05:24.510 –> 00:05:34.260 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a it’s a it’s a fun it’s a fun event to go to and you see a lot of traditional arts and crafts and it’s a national North Carolina the folk art Center, then the.

00:05:35.400 –> 00:05:43.680 Joseph McElroy: The southern graph can also holds one of the oldest since 1948 laws and largest juried craft fairs and it’s a major.

00:05:44.640 –> 00:05:52.170 Joseph McElroy: exposition Peter featuring the latest work of crafts, crafts people all around the area and it’s at the actual civic Center in October.

00:05:53.070 –> 00:06:05.130 Joseph McElroy: So please go to craft guild.org to find out more about that now I don’t want to only talk about smokies also includes Tennessee and gatlinburg is also a big area for crafts.

00:06:06.120 –> 00:06:17.790 Joseph McElroy: And it’s and it actually has one of the largest organizations have independent artisans in North America and it’s in gatlinburg is called the smoky mountains arts and crafts community and they.

00:06:18.600 –> 00:06:23.370 Joseph McElroy: They they make lots of beautiful and wonderful crafts, as well known, and it was.

00:06:24.210 –> 00:06:30.870 Joseph McElroy: It was created in 1937 seem the 30s was a big time for creating all these craft gills and colleges and things.

00:06:31.170 –> 00:06:39.210 Joseph McElroy: So it was there was a word Karma named john Calvin who decided that they didn’t just want to sell the stores in gatlinburg.

00:06:39.480 –> 00:06:49.800 Joseph McElroy: They wanted to sell directly to the client so he organized the community of classroom so people can build visit their studios and things like that, and so it became this thing this Community.

00:06:50.340 –> 00:06:55.050 Joseph McElroy: crafts going let’s now a big tourist attraction and go there, look around.

00:06:55.800 –> 00:07:11.430 Joseph McElroy: there’s just three miles out of gatlinburg and it’s an eight mile loop on route 321 bucks Warren glades road and there’s over 100 shops featuring craft, ranging from elaborate crypt crips to brooms to handles pottery and all sorts of stuff.

00:07:12.780 –> 00:07:20.790 Joseph McElroy: And it’s got and you can actually see people working on their craft while it’s going out there’s also they also have.

00:07:21.480 –> 00:07:32.220 Joseph McElroy: A gatlinburg art tour and a trolley going through gatlinburg that will reach a lot of the arts and crafts so it’s the whole area of the whole smoky mountains area has a lot of.

00:07:32.910 –> 00:07:44.760 Joseph McElroy: Wonderful crafts and a lot of features pottery and that’s what we’re going to be talking about for the rest of the show my guest today is Terrence painter he’s here with his son kayden painter.

00:07:45.090 –> 00:07:52.020 Joseph McElroy: And he is a member and Terrence is a member of the Piedmont craftsman craftsman another organization formed in the 30s.

00:07:53.670 –> 00:07:58.230 Joseph McElroy: And he was won many awards and has and has worked in collections all the War world he has been a.

00:07:58.440 –> 00:08:05.040 Joseph McElroy: full time part of potter for more than 38 years he combines his first love of drawing and painting texts to detail landscape scenes.

00:08:05.310 –> 00:08:16.830 Joseph McElroy: On clay forms kayden left is successful, it career in 2018 to apprentice with his father and now has become a successful potter himself Hello Terry and caden.

00:08:18.930 –> 00:08:21.450 Caden Painter: hey Joe how are you good to see you.

00:08:21.630 –> 00:08:27.600 Joseph McElroy: good to see you so so one of the one of those little things that that’s that’s a.

00:08:28.920 –> 00:08:44.010 Joseph McElroy: real joy for me is that that your studio is located, very close to my motel and Maggie value the metal or motel and what what little piece of trivia here is that your dad actually built the metal Arc motel and you, like me, spent our.

00:08:44.730 –> 00:08:50.700 Joseph McElroy: Our part and part or all of our childhood growing up at the middle or motel how you like those days.

00:08:51.450 –> 00:09:03.960 Caden Painter: yeah it was a great place to grow up it really was you know I met people from from all over the country, and it was a fabulous place to be a kid really was.

00:09:04.170 –> 00:09:09.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah right do you, what do you remember your favorite thing to do and Maggie valley those days was.

00:09:10.170 –> 00:09:13.020 Caden Painter: I couldn’t keep my feet out of Johnson creek.

00:09:14.370 –> 00:09:23.910 Caden Painter: Johnson creek large large stream runs right to the backyard of the metal art and gee whiz I spent.

00:09:25.170 –> 00:09:28.410 Caden Painter: hours and days and weeks in Johnson creek.

00:09:29.250 –> 00:09:29.940 Joseph McElroy: Listen, I use.

00:09:30.510 –> 00:09:33.210 Caden Painter: it’s part of the State trout waters so.

00:09:33.270 –> 00:09:34.320 Joseph McElroy: yeah there’s a lot.

00:09:34.320 –> 00:09:40.170 Joseph McElroy: of very active about fishing now Jonathan green yeah I used to tubing that quite a bit yeah when.

00:09:40.200 –> 00:09:42.120 Joseph McElroy: Especially when you had a little bit of Ram.

00:09:42.180 –> 00:09:52.440 Joseph McElroy: You in there to go tubing and everything else now, it was a it was it has this huge recreation area, so it was really a really great place so.

00:09:54.030 –> 00:09:56.940 Joseph McElroy: When did you get interested arts and pottery.

00:09:59.070 –> 00:10:01.890 Caden Painter: Well, when I was a kid.

00:10:03.300 –> 00:10:18.900 Caden Painter: I was about 12 years old, and there was a lady Helen Sylvia that had a painting studio just diagonally across the street here and started painting with her and I had some success added a soul painting at the middle Arc.

00:10:19.260 –> 00:10:19.740 yeah.

00:10:21.060 –> 00:10:22.590 motel and.

00:10:24.450 –> 00:10:26.610 Caden Painter: Are we still come in through the frozen up.

00:10:26.670 –> 00:10:30.630 Joseph McElroy: We can we can see you freeze up, but your voice is coming through five yeah.

00:10:31.980 –> 00:10:34.020 Caden Painter: Okay, go all right and.

00:10:35.100 –> 00:10:38.790 Caden Painter: My parents both school teachers, as well as motel operators.

00:10:39.900 –> 00:10:45.150 Caden Painter: made it clear career and art was not going to be a possibility for me and.

00:10:46.440 –> 00:10:56.610 Caden Painter: They they sent me off to a well known school of engineering, to try to become an engineer, I was very, very unhappy in that pursuit.

00:10:57.270 –> 00:11:06.780 Caden Painter: dropped out of college for a semester, and they decided at the end of that that may be coming in art major wouldn’t be the worst thing.

00:11:07.500 –> 00:11:15.360 Caden Painter: That happened to their son so went to Western Carolina university as a painting and making major.

00:11:16.050 –> 00:11:31.890 Caden Painter: And pottery looked very unappealing to me, I put it off put it off, I had to take one required course in pottery finally caved in took that course and within two weeks felt like this is why i’m here.

00:11:32.910 –> 00:11:40.710 Caden Painter: Well, ironically, my great great granddad Joseph painter i’m episodes of pilling i’m sorry.

00:11:43.020 –> 00:11:51.000 Caden Painter: was a potter in candler that’s about halfway between here in asheville he was a potter there in the late 1800s.

00:11:52.290 –> 00:11:56.730 Caden Painter: You son carried on the pottery up into the 1920s.

00:11:57.750 –> 00:12:02.940 Caden Painter: They were not artists, they were craftsman potter’s making strictly functional where.

00:12:04.080 –> 00:12:20.190 Caden Painter: my grandmother who had worked in the pottery as a child always felt like it was genetic it was it was in my blood just resurfaced after a couple of generations dormant for a while, but, but the love of pottery came back in me so maybe she was driving I don’t know.

00:12:21.270 –> 00:12:28.770 Joseph McElroy: Well, I guess that runs into blood kayden have come you decide to come, become the potter after having a successful I seeker well.

00:12:28.800 –> 00:12:35.880 Caden Painter: I I grew up here in the pottery studio with my dad and every summer.

00:12:37.650 –> 00:12:50.400 during school we you know when school’s out the summer I would come and work here with him in the studio and and make things with them and I just I had that memory and I.

00:12:52.350 –> 00:12:54.780 I went off to study.

00:12:55.860 –> 00:13:08.010 It and got a master’s from an engineering school and project management and thought that that was really going to be my my pursuit.

00:13:09.510 –> 00:13:19.650 But I just always had this kind of nagging feeling like I missed making things I had this drive to to make things and.

00:13:21.060 –> 00:13:29.640 I was, I was not getting that that need met and what I was doing and so yeah and.

00:13:31.020 –> 00:13:37.260 took my dad and my mom out to dinner and made this proposition.

00:13:39.000 –> 00:13:44.790 Caden Painter: I become his apprentice, and they all thought I was crazy.

00:13:46.770 –> 00:13:51.990 Joseph McElroy: Really crazy right it’s a it’s a mountain tradition for a person’s default.

00:13:53.190 –> 00:13:55.590 Caden Painter: We are having the time of our life.

00:13:56.700 –> 00:14:00.210 Caden Painter: we’re having having the best time working together yeah yeah.

00:14:00.330 –> 00:14:08.400 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, when we come back from the break we’ll find out a little bit more about your history as a potter and then we’ll get into the art of okay.

00:17:07.980 –> 00:17:16.860 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest parents whiteness white like.

00:17:17.610 –> 00:17:37.560 Joseph McElroy: The tears painter with his son kayden painter and so Terrence you know jumping into the arts was one thing, but inside they make a full time career of a potter is another and how did you decide to do that, well, I was young and naive and.

00:17:39.300 –> 00:17:39.960 and

00:17:42.360 –> 00:17:51.570 Caden Painter: owned nothing and had no other responsibilities and was able to really dive into it and just devote myself heart and soul.

00:17:52.260 –> 00:18:04.560 Caden Painter: To it I think that’s that the real hard part of becoming a successful artists or craftsman is to get past those first three to five years.

00:18:05.310 –> 00:18:19.470 Caden Painter: In there and it’s really, really a huge huge challenge and those things just kind of happened at a time in my life when when I could accommodate those challenges and survive the first three.

00:18:19.620 –> 00:18:25.410 Joseph McElroy: First, until the business kind of began to take hold and yeah.

00:18:26.550 –> 00:18:37.320 Joseph McElroy: So you you studied in school, and then you came he did you study anywhere else or did you come back to the area yeah came back to Western Western Carolina universities right.

00:18:38.490 –> 00:18:44.340 And, and we searched for a good while for a studio space.

00:18:46.560 –> 00:18:57.630 That we could move into, and this place just kind of fell in our in our lap when I was growing up normal rodgers he was the principal of Maggie valley school.

00:18:58.020 –> 00:19:07.410 This was his home this all log cabin he built his cat and with his bare hands, you know back in the 1930s and it’s just been a great studio.

00:19:08.010 –> 00:19:19.620 For us, I was in graduate school because still no one in the family, thought that I could make a living doing this and this building came available to us.

00:19:20.700 –> 00:19:24.810 Joseph McElroy: And I left graduate school, I saw temporarily.

00:19:25.980 –> 00:19:36.150 Joseph McElroy: To get the business off the ground, well, that was 1980 and i’ve been making pots full time ever since I never went back yeah finished the masters, I remember, I remember, I remember.

00:19:36.780 –> 00:19:50.850 Joseph McElroy: I remember the opening of you, opening up and that was like a potter it was like the different the different drummer now it’s like you know Maggie valley at the time was still a very much.

00:19:52.200 –> 00:20:05.250 Joseph McElroy: You know ghost town town right, it was a it was a ghost towns amusement Park, and it was you know families coming in, on mass to go to ghost town and that’s what it was for so opening up an art studio.

00:20:07.470 –> 00:20:15.810 Joseph McElroy: i’m sorry go ahead yeah yeah here here’s here’s the thing, though, that we that we have discovered about Maggie valley in this area.

00:20:17.220 –> 00:20:18.210 We have.

00:20:19.530 –> 00:20:30.870 Joseph McElroy: So many beautiful inspiring natural resources, right here in our backyard of course smoky mountains National Park there’s the blue Ridge parkway is only five miles away.

00:20:31.890 –> 00:20:33.480 we’re surrounded by.

00:20:34.500 –> 00:20:44.820 Caden Painter: The pisco national forest, we have the shining rock wilderness area just right here in our back door, and we literally see people from all over the world.

00:20:45.750 –> 00:20:57.510 Caden Painter: On highway 19 passing by in front of our shop here so, even though it seems like it would be just a ghost town town a ghost town, being a theme park.

00:20:57.690 –> 00:20:59.940 Joseph McElroy: yeah that was here in Maggie.

00:21:01.140 –> 00:21:06.630 Joseph McElroy: It really is a lot more than that because of, I think, because of the geographic location.

00:21:07.500 –> 00:21:19.950 Joseph McElroy: No, I you know I you know I think he proved it right yeah but you know superficially if you’d looked at it, you know it was you know it was there wasn’t a lot of art compared to say waynesville or silver.

00:21:20.370 –> 00:21:26.730 Joseph McElroy: You know, or even national there you know there wasn’t a lot of art and going on going on, you know one point my dad.

00:21:27.330 –> 00:21:41.790 Joseph McElroy: My dad was mayor, you know and one point he tried to you know that little motel beside the festival grounds right that that’s been empty for years he tried to hit the town to buy that and make it into an artist Community right, but that was like a no go.

00:21:43.470 –> 00:21:47.790 Joseph McElroy: Right so but I see, I think, several attempts at.

00:21:48.810 –> 00:22:06.930 Joseph McElroy: trying to get an artist Community going here, you know we were we were all alone, for a long, long time any other craftsman to speak up in a wood county but that’s really changed always change this change, a lot of people have grown into in the in the in the area, so.

00:22:08.160 –> 00:22:14.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah North I think North Carolina has a reputation of being a pottery state, probably the best pottery state why do you think that is.

00:22:18.270 –> 00:22:21.210 Some of it, I guess is just happenstance.

00:22:22.980 –> 00:22:33.450 There are three major pottery areas in North Carolina there’s of course seagrove down in the eastern part of the state of widely widely recognized unknown pottery Center.

00:22:34.890 –> 00:22:52.770 And then there’s the top of valley pottery tradition down around hickory and then of course there’s this asheville kind of kind of within the orbit of asheville and I really mean the whole appalachian range from from boon to Murphy.

00:22:53.940 –> 00:22:56.340 Joseph McElroy: has drawn has drawn artists.

00:22:57.750 –> 00:23:12.720 from all over the country they’ve moved here kayden tell them some why you think they’ve come to us here yeah I mean I think a lot of it, and I have no data necessarily to back this up, but it seems to me that we see a lot of artists here.

00:23:14.250 –> 00:23:16.440 Because of the the aesthetics.

00:23:17.940 –> 00:23:21.450 Of the region that there’s a lot of.

00:23:24.330 –> 00:23:40.380 there’s there’s a lot of inspirational resource here and all year long you know whether it’s you know that that neon green fresh spring the lush summer, of course, the colors of fall and.

00:23:40.800 –> 00:23:56.340 And then kind of the starkness of winter, even when you know all the underbrush dies back, and you can really see deep into the forest there’s just a lot there’s a lot there, and of course there’s you know the grand scale of you know, the long views.

00:23:57.420 –> 00:24:00.690 You know the high mountain views, but also on kind of a macro level.

00:24:02.460 –> 00:24:06.180 there’s just a lot there’s a lot of inspiration to pull from.

00:24:07.290 –> 00:24:20.070 Joseph McElroy: Would you also say that now it’s it’s it’s enhanced because you can sell your pottery online you don’t have to go to go to places is that is that a benefit is that something that’s helpful.

00:24:23.430 –> 00:24:30.390 Joseph McElroy: Yes, I would say, I would say that, certainly, you know that that’s certainly an extra tool that, yes, but.

00:24:32.850 –> 00:24:33.720 You know I.

00:24:34.860 –> 00:24:43.380 Joseph McElroy: We sell most everything we can make right out the front door here yeah so cool well you’re you’re you’re on a highway that gets a million people and you’re coming.

00:24:46.170 –> 00:24:48.180 Joseph McElroy: Not everybody has that sort of day.

00:24:50.760 –> 00:25:12.570 Joseph McElroy: Something that Internet exposure has really done for us the it draws even more people to us right, no, we find that when people are visiting the southern appalachian region, whether they’re in nashville or over in Tennessee for boom blowing rock.

00:25:13.740 –> 00:25:25.830 Joseph McElroy: They they find us online and they might not have driven by the front door of the shop in the past, now they can they can locate is really, really easily with a couple of clicks.

00:25:26.430 –> 00:25:36.330 Joseph McElroy: Their cell phone give them directions about how to drive straight to our shop so yeah we’re seeing a big impact on that and other you know some other mediums might certainly.

00:25:36.870 –> 00:25:50.460 Joseph McElroy: They may see a lot more, you know business through in a website and, of course, you know, like I said, our websites a great tool for us but there’s something about pottery that oh you gotta touch it yeah especially good stuff i’ve seen it it’s.

00:25:52.710 –> 00:26:03.930 Joseph McElroy: Now you is there, do you get materials from the mountains, you get materials to make any of your work or is that too specialized yeah there really aren’t.

00:26:06.210 –> 00:26:21.180 Many at all of commercially mind materials in the mountains now you know there’s certainly play deposits and the old timers dug their clay locally, obviously we did not.

00:26:23.190 –> 00:26:25.770 Like in our stone where it plays.

00:26:26.910 –> 00:26:35.100 Caden Painter: The fire clay comes from Missouri the ballclub comes from Kentucky we use a kale and from a North Florida so.

00:26:35.610 –> 00:26:53.340 Caden Painter: It it tends to be regional in in that sense there’s kind of a just kind of an East West divide Potters who tend to be on the west coast, they have their own sources out there potter’s who are on the east coast these plays that are their mind out this direction.

00:26:54.120 –> 00:27:06.000 Joseph McElroy: Well, if you if you had to give you one statement about what would be characteristic of the pottery and the smoky mountains, what would be that characteristic well that’s.

00:27:06.780 –> 00:27:17.100 Joseph McElroy: that’s a tough question because we, we are not traditional Potters, even though I have traditional pottery in my family heritage.

00:27:19.200 –> 00:27:34.080 Our influences are much, much broader than that you know i’ve i’ve studied everything from and I draw a lot of inspiration, not just from pottery but i’ve looked at everything from.

00:27:35.910 –> 00:27:39.600 song dynasty Chinese pottery porcelain.

00:27:41.010 –> 00:27:59.130 He dynasty Korean bronze castings i’ve studied the architectural border patterns in Angkor Wat in Cambodia, you know I haven’t been there, personally, but I, but I have collected many, many books and resources on these things.

00:28:00.360 –> 00:28:15.300 But even looked at pre Columbian South American very interested in in architectural motifs and I look at a lot of my pot architecturally I feel like I feel like it’s it’s almost like a.

00:28:16.530 –> 00:28:18.390 Like a dwelling like a structure.

00:28:19.530 –> 00:28:38.160 Caden Painter: When I make it i’m thinking in those terms of a foundation of walls of a crown or or eve of the piece yeah that’s just kind of the way I look at it, so my personal inspirations come literally from from all over the world, now I will tell you.

00:28:39.570 –> 00:28:56.280 Joseph McElroy: The reason that I think pottery is so resonant with people is because it is a piece of personal functional art most crafts gills craft show organizers even gallery owners will tell you.

00:28:56.670 –> 00:29:15.450 Joseph McElroy: The two things that make the craft world go around pottery in jewelry hmm those are always the two biggest sellers the items that are your typical craft fair both of those are personal art.

00:29:16.860 –> 00:29:32.880 it’s not it’s not our that’s on a law somewhere for public viewing it’s art that you use personally you wear that piece of jewelry you you hold that mug you cradle that mug in your hand and I think that speaks to people on a level.

00:29:34.350 –> 00:29:36.000 That that.

00:29:37.080 –> 00:29:49.500 Joseph McElroy: that’s hard to achieve in other art forms cool well when we come back we’ll talk more about your specific the details of your work and some of the kinds of things that you may.

00:29:51.810 –> 00:29:52.350 Okay, great.

00:29:53.610 –> 00:29:55.410 Caden Painter: Talk radio nyc.

00:32:39.480 –> 00:32:57.780 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts, then I guess Terry painter and the sun kayden painter both master craftsman and Potters and Maggie valley North Carolina and they have a they have a wonderful shop called the different drummer.

00:32:59.460 –> 00:33:02.340 Joseph McElroy: Not right near my place and then Lord motel and Maggie Valley.

00:33:03.540 –> 00:33:18.810 Joseph McElroy: So Terry and why don’t you talk about some of the things you make you got a lot of beautiful things in the background, there, what kind of a what kind of things do you make yeah we’re we’re set up in one of our showrooms here to studio.

00:33:20.040 –> 00:33:34.500 And we we cover a pretty wide gamut of the things that we make, I do have a love for functional pottery, and so we we make a lot of straight ahead functional work.

00:33:35.850 –> 00:33:44.160 We we do a lot of dinner where there’s a whole wall over here covered with dinner plates and bowls and salad plates and.

00:33:44.910 –> 00:33:51.210 So that’s an important part of what we do, but you know I backed into this from a fine art background.

00:33:51.690 –> 00:34:03.600 So I couldn’t leave my landscapes behind when I left painting behind I had to find a way to keep expressing the landscapes, and so we have a series of.

00:34:04.500 –> 00:34:17.820 tile wall hangings and covered jars that that have Bob relief landscapes on them, the landscape of course i’m taking inspiration from the surrounding area, the smokies where we are.

00:34:18.240 –> 00:34:27.330 Almost all of them are tree oriented love trees of all kinds, and you know we have many, many, many kinds of trees here in the smokies to draw.

00:34:29.970 –> 00:34:50.970 Joseph McElroy: Do you draw those the do draw those designs yourself before you put on them, are you taking traditional emblems or anything like that, no, no it’s all 100% original, I will start with a pencil drawing very frequently converted into a pen and a drawing to flesh out the design and then.

00:34:53.580 –> 00:35:01.170 Joseph McElroy: We will convert it into a Barber leaf sculpture yeah i’m looking here in the steps.

00:35:02.460 –> 00:35:20.550 Joseph McElroy: what’s that many steps yeah everything yeah I don’t know I like process, you know I like I like a lot of steps to things and this really this really satisfies that because there’s there’s many, many steps you have to go through to bring one of these pieces off very involved.

00:35:21.780 –> 00:35:35.160 Joseph McElroy: So I see on your side that you know I saw I saw things like a cutout tree GEO landscape and hardwood tree inlay landscape so you’re you’re you are extending their skills into other areas besides just pottery.

00:35:37.350 –> 00:35:38.220 yeah we are.

00:35:39.630 –> 00:35:45.960 Joseph McElroy: One of the things i’ve discovered, you know I spent most of my career working in solitude here at the shop.

00:35:46.500 –> 00:35:57.660 Joseph McElroy: And there are advantages to that there are disadvantages to it, since cade came on board the collaboration between the two of us has created some new.

00:35:58.470 –> 00:36:09.630 Joseph McElroy: directions for us it’s really, really nice to have another creative person typically someone you’re on the same wavelength with yeah here in the studio to make and bounce ideas off of each other and.

00:36:10.320 –> 00:36:21.690 Joseph McElroy: We have a line, in particular, a lot of drums that we’re producing hand drums it’s a stoneware base but we’re doing a laminated wood.

00:36:22.290 –> 00:36:41.640 Joseph McElroy: mahogany or birch top to the drums and then we’re taking our pin and eat drawings and using a laser to burn so so we’re real 21st century there were using a cnc laser to burn our drawings into the top, this is one right over my shoulder.

00:36:42.750 –> 00:36:43.230 So this.

00:36:44.250 –> 00:36:52.230 Joseph McElroy: idea of one of the cotton drones were there, and you say you were inspired by some Brazilian drums you but you made some right.

00:36:53.580 –> 00:36:55.710 yeah yeah tell me about yeah we.

00:36:57.090 –> 00:36:57.810 got a visitor.

00:36:59.010 –> 00:36:59.790 From our dog.

00:37:04.620 –> 00:37:07.980 had to come check out what was going on here, let me go put her back, but.

00:37:10.470 –> 00:37:10.710 Caden Painter: yeah.

00:37:11.760 –> 00:37:12.210 Joseph McElroy: there.

00:37:13.320 –> 00:37:17.280 Caden Painter: Were yeah we always have to have a pottery shop dog, you know.

00:37:18.450 –> 00:37:25.080 Joseph McElroy: Not the same without a without a dog oh that’s kind of interesting they’re sort of bounding around right.

00:37:26.700 –> 00:37:34.950 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know say we’ve we’ve had a series of dogs here in the shop over the years, and you know they.

00:37:35.400 –> 00:37:44.430 Joseph McElroy: don’t know they understand they work really well around around the pottery so we don’t have any trouble Oh, I thought that might be a test if it can withstand a dog can withstand the thirst.

00:37:47.280 –> 00:37:57.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah you’re going to tell about the home oh yeah yeah yeah so we’re both musicians and we play a variety of instruments would, of course.

00:37:58.170 –> 00:38:10.080 Joseph McElroy: What we’ve always enjoyed is to come home and so Brazilian box drawing the wouldn’t face on it is just it’s a really great tactile experience.

00:38:10.560 –> 00:38:21.060 Joseph McElroy: And, and so that was definitely something that was important to us, we when we were thinking and planning, you know how’s this going to look how’s it going to feel what’s it going to look like.

00:38:22.500 –> 00:38:22.980 We.

00:38:24.540 –> 00:38:32.160 Of course, the sound is very important to us, but also the tactile experience was very important as well we wanted something that that felt good to play and so.

00:38:33.300 –> 00:38:34.680 The kahan was was.

00:38:35.850 –> 00:38:46.200 Right up front for foremost in our our mind when we were thinking going on man, you know doing a wooden head like that would be would be really, really nice on.

00:38:48.990 –> 00:38:53.610 Joseph McElroy: But it’s fabulous you know my I was telling you that my wife is a Brazilian percussionist.

00:38:55.440 –> 00:38:59.760 Joseph McElroy: she’s she’s actually a member of a 70 or 70 women band.

00:39:00.780 –> 00:39:03.360 Joseph McElroy: that’s actually a worldwide band called box.

00:39:05.940 –> 00:39:07.380 Joseph McElroy: One to call back to La.

00:39:08.760 –> 00:39:25.470 Joseph McElroy: And she is she’s the one of the elite members and so there’s a 10 Member group and she’s gotten to do things like you know play Brazilian drums on Saturday night live open for the Rolling Stones that so we’re gonna come by check out your drums they look fabulous they look like collectors.

00:39:26.580 –> 00:39:34.740 Joseph McElroy: We also we’re also hosting at the middle Arc a monthly drum circle when it’s when it’s more right a lot of people coming from asheville you might.

00:39:35.430 –> 00:39:51.510 Joseph McElroy: You might stop over there it’d be great I love these these look that they play they said they play well right yeah yeah yeah yeah it’s kind of cool you know you never you don’t think of drums have been part of pottery, but these are these are.

00:39:52.740 –> 00:39:53.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:39:53.190 –> 00:39:57.570 Caden Painter: Let me throw one thing out there, of course, the shop is called the different drummer.

00:39:57.810 –> 00:40:10.110 Joseph McElroy: yeah I know that yeah for the last few years we’ve had a lot of people come in the door and see the drums and say okay now I see where the name comes from, no, no, no, that the main came like.

00:40:10.740 –> 00:40:21.960 Caden Painter: 38 years before the drums the name is philosophical and in Ted it comes from the passage by Henry David thoreau and Walden.

00:40:22.410 –> 00:40:31.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah beat of a different drummer and so back when I was leaving engineering behind and all my high school friends were becoming doctors, lawyers, engineers.

00:40:32.190 –> 00:40:46.800 Joseph McElroy: And I was becoming a potter well Henry David thoreau and helped me feel a little bit better about the path, I was on so that’s why the shop is you know, I was, I was working a full time job was on the fast track that IBM and I had that experience to.

00:40:47.880 –> 00:41:05.970 Joseph McElroy: So I get it, I just walked out yeah so I started a different path so what you know what Terrence What would you say, are the major you know you’ve mentioned a bunch of worldwide influence and things are there, specific people specific specific styles that have influenced your pottery.

00:41:07.980 –> 00:41:16.230 um yeah there was a there was a connection made again I guess it was back in the.

00:41:17.340 –> 00:41:22.680 1950s and 60s a potter in England called Bernard leach.

00:41:24.000 –> 00:41:46.200 made a connection with a Japanese potter and I really don’t know the correct pronunciation of his name Sochi hamada or hamada i’m not sure how his name is pronounced, but they together kind of revived the crafts or studio pottery movement in England.

00:41:47.340 –> 00:42:06.330 Joseph McElroy: hmm and in Japan as well posting those rules yeah rah rah right post war yeah Japan they helped to revive that tradition there as well, and a lot of people, a lot of Americans apprentice with Bernard leach and.

00:42:08.010 –> 00:42:17.490 A professor of one of my professors actually studied in England was leech and I became very, very influenced by.

00:42:19.320 –> 00:42:24.870 Caden Painter: The Asian techniques of making pottery so so that the techniques that we employ here.

00:42:26.430 –> 00:42:38.610 are not even really mainstream European they are Asian pottery forming techniques and it’s a little different it’s a little looser little more relaxed.

00:42:39.630 –> 00:42:48.510 Joseph McElroy: than than like the northern European style of, and this is i’m talking about working on a potter’s wheel style of throwing.

00:42:49.320 –> 00:43:09.510 Joseph McElroy: So that lends itself very well to the other organic designs and features that the trees and things that we take inspiration from from our surrounding and you know apply and incorporating into the pot that I think those those two approaches go really well together, plus.

00:43:10.740 –> 00:43:29.460 Joseph McElroy: they’re the Asian approach to the potter’s wheel I find to be very musical and it’s very much like playing a musical instrument, I find it to be internally kind of the same thing.

00:43:30.360 –> 00:43:39.780 Joseph McElroy: At least a very similar now my hands are doing different things when i’m throwing a pot versus playing a guitar or a drum but.

00:43:40.260 –> 00:43:46.350 Joseph McElroy: The the gears that are turning inside your head, I think, are about the same cool.

00:43:47.100 –> 00:43:59.220 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, we would we gotta go to break when we come back we’ll finish up with a little bit more about what inspires you and then how people find more information and find things to look at it Pottering the carolinas.

00:44:00.270 –> 00:44:00.600 Great.

00:44:02.490 –> 00:44:04.020 Talk radio and my.

00:44:06.210 –> 00:44:07.110 Key in.

00:46:17.490 –> 00:46:24.630 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Terry.

00:46:25.290 –> 00:46:42.600 Joseph McElroy: Terry painter and the sun kayden painter of the different drummer pottery and Maggie valley North Carolina so Tara you and your wife wife wrote a book called centered inspiration from the hands of a potter what was the inspiration for that and what’s it about well.

00:46:43.020 –> 00:46:43.560 yeah.

00:46:45.150 –> 00:46:46.290 I have a.

00:46:47.370 –> 00:47:04.710 Talk that idea of a a spiritual inspirational talk that I gave with my potter’s wheel began as many, many years ago and that just kind of grew organically I don’t know, I was invited.

00:47:06.000 –> 00:47:08.790 Actually, to illustrate a.

00:47:10.500 –> 00:47:18.810 Our pastors message at our church with the potter’s wheel, and one thing led to another, and before long, I was, I was illustrating my own.

00:47:19.500 –> 00:47:37.380 talk with the potter’s wheel and people wanted something tangible that they could take away from that so at that time my wife had been a professional photographer for many years and we thought this was something that we could do completely in house and she did all the photography.

00:47:39.180 –> 00:47:52.770 For this thing and we basically what’s funny is when I sat down and tried to ride out what what I said i’d completely what I said, and one of the.

00:47:54.090 –> 00:47:59.190 Joseph McElroy: Blank so we had to contact some places where I had spoken before.

00:47:59.190 –> 00:48:01.470 Caden Painter: and get tapes from.

00:48:03.000 –> 00:48:22.560 So different you know, being in from an audience having that feedback the the atmosphere and everything it was all different, and I found out that I did it different every time it was just very off the cuff and spontaneous so we kind of tried to take the best of.

00:48:23.850 –> 00:48:41.220 Joseph McElroy: Several talks that I had given and condense it down into a book and I need to photographed it and yeah it’s something that we self published, we have copies available here in the shop, so I found that I believe I found I found a link an Amazon link for it on on Amazon.

00:48:41.610 –> 00:48:42.960 Joseph McElroy: So I.

00:48:43.890 –> 00:48:53.520 Joseph McElroy: was good, so I put the link up on our website so if people want to find the get that book, I recommend going to the website and getting that link and go buy that book.

00:48:55.140 –> 00:49:00.150 Joseph McElroy: So, so do you find there’s something spiritual about making pottery.

00:49:01.260 –> 00:49:03.600 Joseph McElroy: and your approach well you do yeah.

00:49:04.710 –> 00:49:12.240 yeah certainly meditative if, if nothing else, we laugh about it a lot because.

00:49:13.980 –> 00:49:27.330 Often, often I will have people come in the shop and they say oh you’re so you’re so lucky, you know I just love to bake pottery and you get to make pottery every day and relax, it must be so relaxing.

00:49:28.380 –> 00:49:29.520 Joseph McElroy: I always tell them.

00:49:30.390 –> 00:49:33.750 Joseph McElroy: Try paying your mortgage little balls play.

00:49:34.620 –> 00:49:37.710 Caden Painter: making things out of it see how relaxing that is so.

00:49:37.800 –> 00:49:58.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah I will say i’ve been doing this soon will be 41 years full time and I still look forward to coming to work every single day it’s the kind of proceed that I would never stop it was something I would never retire from so long as i’m able.

00:49:59.700 –> 00:50:05.040 Joseph McElroy: To keep looks good I mean you know I I was you know it’s interesting to me about how much.

00:50:05.460 –> 00:50:15.540 Joseph McElroy: You know practicality and spirituality go into making art it’s always a question I you know i’ve done a little heart in my in my time and i’m actually in a museum for some some some work.

00:50:15.990 –> 00:50:24.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah so in my studies of it, you know it was funny I saw a quote, I think it was Henry Mathias his son and so who’s been to a lot of events with his father.

00:50:24.390 –> 00:50:34.800 Joseph McElroy: You know, and things like that and people mash them once or you know what’s it like when all those poets and artists to get together, he said, we know the funny thing is when artists and poets get together at all, they talk about is money.

00:50:40.470 –> 00:50:41.280 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:50:42.390 –> 00:50:57.840 Joseph McElroy: A lot though yeah yeah we we also we’ve talked a lot about how so much of what we make, is what we think it’s important for and, and this is one of the reasons why we make so many different things is.

00:50:58.920 –> 00:51:13.290 Joseph McElroy: We want to make things that are interesting to us yeah and and and pursue those ideas and passions and when when when something comes along that you lose sleep over.

00:51:15.630 –> 00:51:16.830 you chase that.

00:51:18.240 –> 00:51:20.880 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s uh yeah we we really have a.

00:51:22.860 –> 00:51:37.650 Joseph McElroy: Sorry, we really have a theory about about making things to sell to other people, that if we satisfy ourselves first if we make work that we genuinely like.

00:51:38.280 –> 00:51:42.780 Joseph McElroy: That there’s a percentage of the population out there that’s going to be on the same wavelength.

00:51:43.590 –> 00:51:59.190 Joseph McElroy: That we’re on and that work will speak to them as it speaks to us so so we don’t go off trying to chase other other paths we we make work that we like and just speaks.

00:52:00.030 –> 00:52:13.530 Joseph McElroy: It speaks to us, we have well it’s a it’s a gift it’s a gift in life to have that happen so is there a besides your place which is Maggie Valley, and I think you can find out about a different drummer pottery calm right.

00:52:15.000 –> 00:52:24.360 Joseph McElroy: Is there other pottery places you recommend people to visit in the mountains, a couple you know, two or three we only have a couple minutes but yeah ah yeah my devers.

00:52:25.410 –> 00:52:26.100 Over.

00:52:27.720 –> 00:52:34.050 Caden Painter: balsam gap there on the other side of the balsam range from my shop.

00:52:34.620 –> 00:52:36.930 Joseph McElroy: My dad was definitely worth checking out.

00:52:37.980 –> 00:52:38.850 And then.

00:52:40.620 –> 00:52:43.950 The River would shops over in hillsboro.

00:52:47.010 –> 00:52:52.410 A couple of long time good potter’s there in hillsborough and then, of course.

00:52:53.520 –> 00:52:57.510 A lot potter’s that I know are now in the River arts district.

00:52:58.800 –> 00:53:00.120 Over in asheville.

00:53:01.980 –> 00:53:07.710 Joseph McElroy: A lot of people, a lot of people who used to be kind of out in the country, somewhere, have now.

00:53:08.820 –> 00:53:17.610 Joseph McElroy: moved their studios to the River arts district for for that exposure, so any other shout out you want to make a name for social media, you want to mention anything.

00:53:18.630 –> 00:53:29.130 yeah so you mentioned the different drummer pottery.com also crop drum.com that will take you it’s a sub page of different term pottery.

00:53:29.400 –> 00:53:39.060 But it’s specific to the drums and we have DEMO videos and some tutorials for our personal playing style that we that we’ve come up with.

00:53:39.990 –> 00:53:57.240 As well as follow us on Facebook and instagram the different underscore drummer underscore pottery and we often make updates there anything we’re working on anything new we’re going to talk about it there first and.

00:53:58.770 –> 00:54:13.590 And if a new firing is out, what will we always announce whenever a new work is out there yeah we fired the kill about every three to four weeks so we want to get the message out when there’s a new batch of pots.

00:54:15.300 –> 00:54:25.500 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you very much for being on my show and be sure to let us know we’ll we’ll put you out there every time we get a chance, and I will promote it as if even out there.

00:54:25.890 –> 00:54:32.250 Joseph McElroy: You know, everybody that’s listening, you can go to gateway to the smokies dot fun to find out more about this podcast.

00:54:32.610 –> 00:54:45.480 Joseph McElroy: I have some links up there, I got the like I said I have terry’s book up, there are a couple other books related to the show about the original a woman that founded the southern appalachian Guild.

00:54:46.920 –> 00:54:59.580 Joseph McElroy: And now I you know, we want to I want you to imagine something imagine a place evocative evocative of motor cortex of the past, the modern and vibrant within seek appalachian feel.

00:55:00.000 –> 00:55:06.360 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream.

00:55:06.720 –> 00:55:15.960 Joseph McElroy: grill the catch on the fire and need accompanied by fine wind or craft beers imagine a place of the old time music and world cultural sounds.

00:55:16.260 –> 00:55:25.380 Joseph McElroy: There is no other place like the metal art motel in Maggie valley North Carolina nestled in the great smoky mountains National Park Area.

00:55:25.920 –> 00:55:40.140 Joseph McElroy: We are the starting point for all your adventures, in fact, your smoky adventure mountain adventure starts with where you stay the middle earth motel so I want you to remember that take away, if nothing else, no i’m kidding.

00:55:42.570 –> 00:55:53.040 Joseph McElroy: i’m really promoting the gate with the smokies is a place to come and I actually have a site called smokies adventure that’s plural smokies is adventure calm.

00:55:53.430 –> 00:56:01.950 Joseph McElroy: which is dedicated to publishing all sorts of information and listings about the smokies and that’s both Western North Carolina East Tennessee.

00:56:02.280 –> 00:56:08.730 Joseph McElroy: We have an emphasis on outdoor recreation outdoor life cultural events you know, crafts arts.

00:56:09.510 –> 00:56:21.990 Joseph McElroy: weddings adventures, and then we provide information about lodging and entertainment and events and conventions and honeymoons and things like that, and the goal is to become the leading information portal for the smoky mountains.

00:56:23.280 –> 00:56:30.570 Joseph McElroy: We also have a Facebook page, you can get to a Facebook COM slash gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:56:31.680 –> 00:56:41.640 Joseph McElroy: i’m also a part of the where traveler network, we have a we have a hub they’re called great smoky mountains, where travelers and a two year old magazine here.

00:56:42.090 –> 00:56:48.480 Joseph McElroy: And we’re very proud to be on there, and I want to mention that we’re on talk radio dot nyc.

00:56:49.260 –> 00:57:00.660 Joseph McElroy: pod podcasts live podcast station, with many programs on here, I recommend you sticking around and listening to them they’re great shows there’s one after this about New York.

00:57:01.230 –> 00:57:11.790 Joseph McElroy: Visiting New York so stick around and listen to that one I appreciate it’s been a great guy a great podcast Thank you guys and see it and see you next time can listen to us next week.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/769414730665872/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/151777108_769454983995180_2572525621838555138_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=x38sUY7B03YAX9SQh00&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301BD0A&oh=00_AT9xCsn1EwDfC6JjKQ14nMngCo1P7_9-c4saqXrOUaYO2A&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350&tn=ssl5RjlRCRqdhHNg" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is <strong>Terrance and Caden Painter </strong>- Terrance is a member of the Piedmont Craftsmen, has won many awards, and has worked in collections all over the world. He has been a full-time potter for more than 38 years. He combines his first love of drawing and painting to execute detailed landscape scenes on clay forms.<strong> </strong></p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/4r6QfPRgUA/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s topic will be pottery in the mountains, but first Joseph talks about crafts. Joseph reminisces about creating pottery in grade school. He dives further into the history of crafts in the mountains, starting with weaving and moving into more recent developments such as craft competitions. Eventually, craft guilds developed, turning into craft shops that became tourist attractions. Joseph introduces today’s guest, Terrance Painter, who is also joined by his son Caden. Terrance and Joseph talk about their experiences growing up by the Meadowlark Motel. Terance goes on to talk about how he went from being an engineering major to an artist. Next Kaiden discusses his journey from a successful IT career into art.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Terance talks more about how he made his decision to become a full-time artist and the struggles he faced along the way. For a long time, Terrance was one of the few artists in the area, but the culture has really developed, with art, and pottery specifically becoming more popular. Terrance talks a little about the clays used and the characteristics of the pottery in the mountains. He discusses the variety of potteries from around the world from which he has taken inspiration.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Terance talks about the variety of pottery he makes, from plates to tile wall hangings, to jars, etc. For the landscape drawings in some of his works, Terrance often takes inspiration from the trees in the mountains. He goes on to discuss the changes he’s seen in his art since his son joined him, focusing on the drums they are making. Kaiden and Terrance are interrupted by their dog and talk a little about how well having a dog around pottery works. Caden discusses their process of creating a drum, from sound to look. Terrance discusses the origin of his shop’s name. Joseph asks him to talk a little about potters who influenced him.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Terance talks about the inspiration for the book he wrote with his wife. Caden and Terrance joke about how guests in the shop often assume that a career in pottery is relaxing, but it really is a job for them. They enjoy being able to make a variety of pottery, creating work that speaks to them.</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:34.620 –&gt; 00:00:40.470 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:40.950 –&gt; 00:00:47.520 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:00:47.850 –&gt; 00:00:57.480 Joseph McElroy: and the surrounding towns. this area’s filled with ancient natural beauty a deep story history and rich mountain culture that we explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:57.960 –&gt; 00:01:09.360 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also a deep root in these mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses and travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:10.080 –&gt; 00:01:28.380 Joseph McElroy: Now today we’re talking about pottery in the smoky mountains, with a very well known pottery otters artists, but I’m a first let’s talk a little bit about crafts in the mountains, I was a grown-up craft art were an important part of smoky mountain living now I remember.</p><p>00:01:29.460 –&gt; 00:01:37.380 Joseph McElroy: I will, one of the things that everybody, I think, did I don’t know if this happened over the States, but it happened, the mountains, we all had to learn how to make pottery and in grade school.</p><p>00:01:38.880 –&gt; 00:01:52.410 Joseph McElroy: And I came home with these wild interpretations of candle holders and ashtray as and sort of reinvented the definition of what they were my brothers and sisters would be more.</p><p>00:01:53.430 –&gt; 00:02:03.360 Joseph McElroy: You know originalist in their intent and came back with stuff that functional mind wasn’t done, but I am the one that still has some of my original artwork in the potteries phase.</p><p>00:02:04.530 –&gt; 00:02:11.910 Joseph McElroy: I think there’s all disappeared, over time, I also remember, making the dolls how to record shucks that’s pretty big.</p><p>00:02:12.360 –&gt; 00:02:21.480 Joseph McElroy: that’s a pretty big craft in the mountains, as well as I also made a little mice people out of marbles with glue them together and make a little felt clothing and.</p><p>00:02:21.870 –&gt; 00:02:39.390 Joseph McElroy: And I remember painting on saw blades so there’s a whole lot of tradition of craft-type activities in the mountains and as a part of the fabric of life from quilt making the chainsaw sculptures you can’t drive a mile without seeing some crass.</p><p>00:02:40.800 –&gt; 00:02:46.710 Joseph McElroy: But, and there is this long history, but you know, there was a time when the crafts are dying out because of poverty.</p><p>00:02:48.390 –&gt; 00:02:56.640 Joseph McElroy: And then in 1890 a Presbyterian missionary named Francis l Goodrich arrived in western North Carolina near Asheville and she</p><p>00:02:57.720 –&gt; 00:03:05.760 Joseph McElroy: And a lot of the traditional crafts, like weaving and spinning and blacksmith thing we’re not doing too well, because it was an impoverished area.</p><p>00:03:06.360 –&gt; 00:03:19.560 Joseph McElroy: But she got this cover lit that was woven in what was called a double bock bow not pattern, where the golden brown on a cream-colored background and it had been dyed with chestnut okay and.</p><p>00:03:20.130 –&gt; 00:03:25.200 Joseph McElroy: it was a revelation to her, she never really seen anything you know coming, for I think.</p><p>00:03:25.770 –&gt; 00:03:33.030 Joseph McElroy: You know Baltimore or somewhere like that, and it really opened our eyes to the craft movement crafts, to you know the craft.</p><p>00:03:33.450 –&gt; 00:03:42.840 Joseph McElroy: available in the mountains and she’s there she found that these mountain neighbor women, many of them still had the skills of hand skills of doing this, so she would their encouragement.</p><p>00:03:43.890 –&gt; 00:03:51.000 Joseph McElroy: would encourage them to start weaving colorless and then she did made a northern market for those crafts, she ended up creating.</p><p>00:03:52.200 –&gt; 00:04:04.260 Joseph McElroy: A craft business that was eventually rolled into the southern Highland craft Guild in night when she retired in 1930 she was very much the succession she retired asheville.</p><p>00:04:06.030 –&gt; 00:04:14.280 Joseph McElroy: And she was a lot of several other mountain crafts leading crafts people organize the southern highlands.</p><p>00:04:14.850 –&gt; 00:04:22.620 Joseph McElroy: Any graphic it was still exists, to this day, and it was it was instrumental in launching the southern appalachian handy gaffer handicraft revival.</p><p>00:04:23.100 –&gt; 00:04:29.940 Joseph McElroy: And is considered one of the oldest craft gills in the country, second only to the Boston society of arts and culture.</p><p>00:04:30.390 –&gt; 00:04:39.900 Joseph McElroy: And participants today are active active and educator she mission of the Gill, taking parts and crafts and demonstrations fairs and special events and things like that.</p><p>00:04:40.350 –&gt; 00:04:46.530 Joseph McElroy: Now for the tourists they hold a I have a couple of big events, each year, they have a heritage weekend in.</p><p>00:04:47.460 –&gt; 00:05:06.870 Joseph McElroy: In in September around the second or third week weekend in September and its traditional music dancing stairs storytelling and lots of heritage craft demonstration and they have a 30th and they have this year I think i’m the 30th annual we jaw how women digital competition.</p><p>00:05:08.370 –&gt; 00:05:13.410 Joseph McElroy: that’s a mouthful a women did is an appalachian mountain toy made from two sticks of wood.</p><p>00:05:13.770 –&gt; 00:05:24.060 Joseph McElroy: knocks as a carbon one piece and a propellers attached to the other and rubbing the stick with the propeller against the not the not stick makes it G spin to the right or hot turned to the left.</p><p>00:05:24.510 –&gt; 00:05:34.260 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a it’s a it’s a fun it’s a fun event to go to and you see a lot of traditional arts and crafts and it’s a national North Carolina the folk art Center, then the.</p><p>00:05:35.400 –&gt; 00:05:43.680 Joseph McElroy: The southern graph can also holds one of the oldest since 1948 laws and largest juried craft fairs and it’s a major.</p><p>00:05:44.640 –&gt; 00:05:52.170 Joseph McElroy: exposition Peter featuring the latest work of crafts, crafts people all around the area and it’s at the actual civic Center in October.</p><p>00:05:53.070 –&gt; 00:06:05.130 Joseph McElroy: So please go to craft guild.org to find out more about that now I don’t want to only talk about smokies also includes Tennessee and gatlinburg is also a big area for crafts.</p><p>00:06:06.120 –&gt; 00:06:17.790 Joseph McElroy: And it’s and it actually has one of the largest organizations have independent artisans in North America and it’s in gatlinburg is called the smoky mountains arts and crafts community and they.</p><p>00:06:18.600 –&gt; 00:06:23.370 Joseph McElroy: They they make lots of beautiful and wonderful crafts, as well known, and it was.</p><p>00:06:24.210 –&gt; 00:06:30.870 Joseph McElroy: It was created in 1937 seem the 30s was a big time for creating all these craft gills and colleges and things.</p><p>00:06:31.170 –&gt; 00:06:39.210 Joseph McElroy: So it was there was a word Karma named john Calvin who decided that they didn’t just want to sell the stores in gatlinburg.</p><p>00:06:39.480 –&gt; 00:06:49.800 Joseph McElroy: They wanted to sell directly to the client so he organized the community of classroom so people can build visit their studios and things like that, and so it became this thing this Community.</p><p>00:06:50.340 –&gt; 00:06:55.050 Joseph McElroy: crafts going let’s now a big tourist attraction and go there, look around.</p><p>00:06:55.800 –&gt; 00:07:11.430 Joseph McElroy: there’s just three miles out of gatlinburg and it’s an eight mile loop on route 321 bucks Warren glades road and there’s over 100 shops featuring craft, ranging from elaborate crypt crips to brooms to handles pottery and all sorts of stuff.</p><p>00:07:12.780 –&gt; 00:07:20.790 Joseph McElroy: And it’s got and you can actually see people working on their craft while it’s going out there’s also they also have.</p><p>00:07:21.480 –&gt; 00:07:32.220 Joseph McElroy: A gatlinburg art tour and a trolley going through gatlinburg that will reach a lot of the arts and crafts so it’s the whole area of the whole smoky mountains area has a lot of.</p><p>00:07:32.910 –&gt; 00:07:44.760 Joseph McElroy: Wonderful crafts and a lot of features pottery and that’s what we’re going to be talking about for the rest of the show my guest today is Terrence painter he’s here with his son kayden painter.</p><p>00:07:45.090 –&gt; 00:07:52.020 Joseph McElroy: And he is a member and Terrence is a member of the Piedmont craftsman craftsman another organization formed in the 30s.</p><p>00:07:53.670 –&gt; 00:07:58.230 Joseph McElroy: And he was won many awards and has and has worked in collections all the War world he has been a.</p><p>00:07:58.440 –&gt; 00:08:05.040 Joseph McElroy: full time part of potter for more than 38 years he combines his first love of drawing and painting texts to detail landscape scenes.</p><p>00:08:05.310 –&gt; 00:08:16.830 Joseph McElroy: On clay forms kayden left is successful, it career in 2018 to apprentice with his father and now has become a successful potter himself Hello Terry and caden.</p><p>00:08:18.930 –&gt; 00:08:21.450 Caden Painter: hey Joe how are you good to see you.</p><p>00:08:21.630 –&gt; 00:08:27.600 Joseph McElroy: good to see you so so one of the one of those little things that that’s that’s a.</p><p>00:08:28.920 –&gt; 00:08:44.010 Joseph McElroy: real joy for me is that that your studio is located, very close to my motel and Maggie value the metal or motel and what what little piece of trivia here is that your dad actually built the metal Arc motel and you, like me, spent our.</p><p>00:08:44.730 –&gt; 00:08:50.700 Joseph McElroy: Our part and part or all of our childhood growing up at the middle or motel how you like those days.</p><p>00:08:51.450 –&gt; 00:09:03.960 Caden Painter: yeah it was a great place to grow up it really was you know I met people from from all over the country, and it was a fabulous place to be a kid really was.</p><p>00:09:04.170 –&gt; 00:09:09.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah right do you, what do you remember your favorite thing to do and Maggie valley those days was.</p><p>00:09:10.170 –&gt; 00:09:13.020 Caden Painter: I couldn’t keep my feet out of Johnson creek.</p><p>00:09:14.370 –&gt; 00:09:23.910 Caden Painter: Johnson creek large large stream runs right to the backyard of the metal art and gee whiz I spent.</p><p>00:09:25.170 –&gt; 00:09:28.410 Caden Painter: hours and days and weeks in Johnson creek.</p><p>00:09:29.250 –&gt; 00:09:29.940 Joseph McElroy: Listen, I use.</p><p>00:09:30.510 –&gt; 00:09:33.210 Caden Painter: it’s part of the State trout waters so.</p><p>00:09:33.270 –&gt; 00:09:34.320 Joseph McElroy: yeah there’s a lot.</p><p>00:09:34.320 –&gt; 00:09:40.170 Joseph McElroy: of very active about fishing now Jonathan green yeah I used to tubing that quite a bit yeah when.</p><p>00:09:40.200 –&gt; 00:09:42.120 Joseph McElroy: Especially when you had a little bit of Ram.</p><p>00:09:42.180 –&gt; 00:09:52.440 Joseph McElroy: You in there to go tubing and everything else now, it was a it was it has this huge recreation area, so it was really a really great place so.</p><p>00:09:54.030 –&gt; 00:09:56.940 Joseph McElroy: When did you get interested arts and pottery.</p><p>00:09:59.070 –&gt; 00:10:01.890 Caden Painter: Well, when I was a kid.</p><p>00:10:03.300 –&gt; 00:10:18.900 Caden Painter: I was about 12 years old, and there was a lady Helen Sylvia that had a painting studio just diagonally across the street here and started painting with her and I had some success added a soul painting at the middle Arc.</p><p>00:10:19.260 –&gt; 00:10:19.740 yeah.</p><p>00:10:21.060 –&gt; 00:10:22.590 motel and.</p><p>00:10:24.450 –&gt; 00:10:26.610 Caden Painter: Are we still come in through the frozen up.</p><p>00:10:26.670 –&gt; 00:10:30.630 Joseph McElroy: We can we can see you freeze up, but your voice is coming through five yeah.</p><p>00:10:31.980 –&gt; 00:10:34.020 Caden Painter: Okay, go all right and.</p><p>00:10:35.100 –&gt; 00:10:38.790 Caden Painter: My parents both school teachers, as well as motel operators.</p><p>00:10:39.900 –&gt; 00:10:45.150 Caden Painter: made it clear career and art was not going to be a possibility for me and.</p><p>00:10:46.440 –&gt; 00:10:56.610 Caden Painter: They they sent me off to a well known school of engineering, to try to become an engineer, I was very, very unhappy in that pursuit.</p><p>00:10:57.270 –&gt; 00:11:06.780 Caden Painter: dropped out of college for a semester, and they decided at the end of that that may be coming in art major wouldn’t be the worst thing.</p><p>00:11:07.500 –&gt; 00:11:15.360 Caden Painter: That happened to their son so went to Western Carolina university as a painting and making major.</p><p>00:11:16.050 –&gt; 00:11:31.890 Caden Painter: And pottery looked very unappealing to me, I put it off put it off, I had to take one required course in pottery finally caved in took that course and within two weeks felt like this is why i’m here.</p><p>00:11:32.910 –&gt; 00:11:40.710 Caden Painter: Well, ironically, my great great granddad Joseph painter i’m episodes of pilling i’m sorry.</p><p>00:11:43.020 –&gt; 00:11:51.000 Caden Painter: was a potter in candler that’s about halfway between here in asheville he was a potter there in the late 1800s.</p><p>00:11:52.290 –&gt; 00:11:56.730 Caden Painter: You son carried on the pottery up into the 1920s.</p><p>00:11:57.750 –&gt; 00:12:02.940 Caden Painter: They were not artists, they were craftsman potter’s making strictly functional where.</p><p>00:12:04.080 –&gt; 00:12:20.190 Caden Painter: my grandmother who had worked in the pottery as a child always felt like it was genetic it was it was in my blood just resurfaced after a couple of generations dormant for a while, but, but the love of pottery came back in me so maybe she was driving I don’t know.</p><p>00:12:21.270 –&gt; 00:12:28.770 Joseph McElroy: Well, I guess that runs into blood kayden have come you decide to come, become the potter after having a successful I seeker well.</p><p>00:12:28.800 –&gt; 00:12:35.880 Caden Painter: I I grew up here in the pottery studio with my dad and every summer.</p><p>00:12:37.650 –&gt; 00:12:50.400 during school we you know when school’s out the summer I would come and work here with him in the studio and and make things with them and I just I had that memory and I.</p><p>00:12:52.350 –&gt; 00:12:54.780 I went off to study.</p><p>00:12:55.860 –&gt; 00:13:08.010 It and got a master’s from an engineering school and project management and thought that that was really going to be my my pursuit.</p><p>00:13:09.510 –&gt; 00:13:19.650 But I just always had this kind of nagging feeling like I missed making things I had this drive to to make things and.</p><p>00:13:21.060 –&gt; 00:13:29.640 I was, I was not getting that that need met and what I was doing and so yeah and.</p><p>00:13:31.020 –&gt; 00:13:37.260 took my dad and my mom out to dinner and made this proposition.</p><p>00:13:39.000 –&gt; 00:13:44.790 Caden Painter: I become his apprentice, and they all thought I was crazy.</p><p>00:13:46.770 –&gt; 00:13:51.990 Joseph McElroy: Really crazy right it’s a it’s a mountain tradition for a person’s default.</p><p>00:13:53.190 –&gt; 00:13:55.590 Caden Painter: We are having the time of our life.</p><p>00:13:56.700 –&gt; 00:14:00.210 Caden Painter: we’re having having the best time working together yeah yeah.</p><p>00:14:00.330 –&gt; 00:14:08.400 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, when we come back from the break we’ll find out a little bit more about your history as a potter and then we’ll get into the art of okay.</p><p>00:17:07.980 –&gt; 00:17:16.860 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest parents whiteness white like.</p><p>00:17:17.610 –&gt; 00:17:37.560 Joseph McElroy: The tears painter with his son kayden painter and so Terrence you know jumping into the arts was one thing, but inside they make a full time career of a potter is another and how did you decide to do that, well, I was young and naive and.</p><p>00:17:39.300 –&gt; 00:17:39.960 and</p><p>00:17:42.360 –&gt; 00:17:51.570 Caden Painter: owned nothing and had no other responsibilities and was able to really dive into it and just devote myself heart and soul.</p><p>00:17:52.260 –&gt; 00:18:04.560 Caden Painter: To it I think that’s that the real hard part of becoming a successful artists or craftsman is to get past those first three to five years.</p><p>00:18:05.310 –&gt; 00:18:19.470 Caden Painter: In there and it’s really, really a huge huge challenge and those things just kind of happened at a time in my life when when I could accommodate those challenges and survive the first three.</p><p>00:18:19.620 –&gt; 00:18:25.410 Joseph McElroy: First, until the business kind of began to take hold and yeah.</p><p>00:18:26.550 –&gt; 00:18:37.320 Joseph McElroy: So you you studied in school, and then you came he did you study anywhere else or did you come back to the area yeah came back to Western Western Carolina universities right.</p><p>00:18:38.490 –&gt; 00:18:44.340 And, and we searched for a good while for a studio space.</p><p>00:18:46.560 –&gt; 00:18:57.630 That we could move into, and this place just kind of fell in our in our lap when I was growing up normal rodgers he was the principal of Maggie valley school.</p><p>00:18:58.020 –&gt; 00:19:07.410 This was his home this all log cabin he built his cat and with his bare hands, you know back in the 1930s and it’s just been a great studio.</p><p>00:19:08.010 –&gt; 00:19:19.620 For us, I was in graduate school because still no one in the family, thought that I could make a living doing this and this building came available to us.</p><p>00:19:20.700 –&gt; 00:19:24.810 Joseph McElroy: And I left graduate school, I saw temporarily.</p><p>00:19:25.980 –&gt; 00:19:36.150 Joseph McElroy: To get the business off the ground, well, that was 1980 and i’ve been making pots full time ever since I never went back yeah finished the masters, I remember, I remember, I remember.</p><p>00:19:36.780 –&gt; 00:19:50.850 Joseph McElroy: I remember the opening of you, opening up and that was like a potter it was like the different the different drummer now it’s like you know Maggie valley at the time was still a very much.</p><p>00:19:52.200 –&gt; 00:20:05.250 Joseph McElroy: You know ghost town town right, it was a it was a ghost towns amusement Park, and it was you know families coming in, on mass to go to ghost town and that’s what it was for so opening up an art studio.</p><p>00:20:07.470 –&gt; 00:20:15.810 Joseph McElroy: i’m sorry go ahead yeah yeah here here’s here’s the thing, though, that we that we have discovered about Maggie valley in this area.</p><p>00:20:17.220 –&gt; 00:20:18.210 We have.</p><p>00:20:19.530 –&gt; 00:20:30.870 Joseph McElroy: So many beautiful inspiring natural resources, right here in our backyard of course smoky mountains National Park there’s the blue Ridge parkway is only five miles away.</p><p>00:20:31.890 –&gt; 00:20:33.480 we’re surrounded by.</p><p>00:20:34.500 –&gt; 00:20:44.820 Caden Painter: The pisco national forest, we have the shining rock wilderness area just right here in our back door, and we literally see people from all over the world.</p><p>00:20:45.750 –&gt; 00:20:57.510 Caden Painter: On highway 19 passing by in front of our shop here so, even though it seems like it would be just a ghost town town a ghost town, being a theme park.</p><p>00:20:57.690 –&gt; 00:20:59.940 Joseph McElroy: yeah that was here in Maggie.</p><p>00:21:01.140 –&gt; 00:21:06.630 Joseph McElroy: It really is a lot more than that because of, I think, because of the geographic location.</p><p>00:21:07.500 –&gt; 00:21:19.950 Joseph McElroy: No, I you know I you know I think he proved it right yeah but you know superficially if you’d looked at it, you know it was you know it was there wasn’t a lot of art compared to say waynesville or silver.</p><p>00:21:20.370 –&gt; 00:21:26.730 Joseph McElroy: You know, or even national there you know there wasn’t a lot of art and going on going on, you know one point my dad.</p><p>00:21:27.330 –&gt; 00:21:41.790 Joseph McElroy: My dad was mayor, you know and one point he tried to you know that little motel beside the festival grounds right that that’s been empty for years he tried to hit the town to buy that and make it into an artist Community right, but that was like a no go.</p><p>00:21:43.470 –&gt; 00:21:47.790 Joseph McElroy: Right so but I see, I think, several attempts at.</p><p>00:21:48.810 –&gt; 00:22:06.930 Joseph McElroy: trying to get an artist Community going here, you know we were we were all alone, for a long, long time any other craftsman to speak up in a wood county but that’s really changed always change this change, a lot of people have grown into in the in the in the area, so.</p><p>00:22:08.160 –&gt; 00:22:14.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah North I think North Carolina has a reputation of being a pottery state, probably the best pottery state why do you think that is.</p><p>00:22:18.270 –&gt; 00:22:21.210 Some of it, I guess is just happenstance.</p><p>00:22:22.980 –&gt; 00:22:33.450 There are three major pottery areas in North Carolina there’s of course seagrove down in the eastern part of the state of widely widely recognized unknown pottery Center.</p><p>00:22:34.890 –&gt; 00:22:52.770 And then there’s the top of valley pottery tradition down around hickory and then of course there’s this asheville kind of kind of within the orbit of asheville and I really mean the whole appalachian range from from boon to Murphy.</p><p>00:22:53.940 –&gt; 00:22:56.340 Joseph McElroy: has drawn has drawn artists.</p><p>00:22:57.750 –&gt; 00:23:12.720 from all over the country they’ve moved here kayden tell them some why you think they’ve come to us here yeah I mean I think a lot of it, and I have no data necessarily to back this up, but it seems to me that we see a lot of artists here.</p><p>00:23:14.250 –&gt; 00:23:16.440 Because of the the aesthetics.</p><p>00:23:17.940 –&gt; 00:23:21.450 Of the region that there’s a lot of.</p><p>00:23:24.330 –&gt; 00:23:40.380 there’s there’s a lot of inspirational resource here and all year long you know whether it’s you know that that neon green fresh spring the lush summer, of course, the colors of fall and.</p><p>00:23:40.800 –&gt; 00:23:56.340 And then kind of the starkness of winter, even when you know all the underbrush dies back, and you can really see deep into the forest there’s just a lot there’s a lot there, and of course there’s you know the grand scale of you know, the long views.</p><p>00:23:57.420 –&gt; 00:24:00.690 You know the high mountain views, but also on kind of a macro level.</p><p>00:24:02.460 –&gt; 00:24:06.180 there’s just a lot there’s a lot of inspiration to pull from.</p><p>00:24:07.290 –&gt; 00:24:20.070 Joseph McElroy: Would you also say that now it’s it’s it’s enhanced because you can sell your pottery online you don’t have to go to go to places is that is that a benefit is that something that’s helpful.</p><p>00:24:23.430 –&gt; 00:24:30.390 Joseph McElroy: Yes, I would say, I would say that, certainly, you know that that’s certainly an extra tool that, yes, but.</p><p>00:24:32.850 –&gt; 00:24:33.720 You know I.</p><p>00:24:34.860 –&gt; 00:24:43.380 Joseph McElroy: We sell most everything we can make right out the front door here yeah so cool well you’re you’re you’re on a highway that gets a million people and you’re coming.</p><p>00:24:46.170 –&gt; 00:24:48.180 Joseph McElroy: Not everybody has that sort of day.</p><p>00:24:50.760 –&gt; 00:25:12.570 Joseph McElroy: Something that Internet exposure has really done for us the it draws even more people to us right, no, we find that when people are visiting the southern appalachian region, whether they’re in nashville or over in Tennessee for boom blowing rock.</p><p>00:25:13.740 –&gt; 00:25:25.830 Joseph McElroy: They they find us online and they might not have driven by the front door of the shop in the past, now they can they can locate is really, really easily with a couple of clicks.</p><p>00:25:26.430 –&gt; 00:25:36.330 Joseph McElroy: Their cell phone give them directions about how to drive straight to our shop so yeah we’re seeing a big impact on that and other you know some other mediums might certainly.</p><p>00:25:36.870 –&gt; 00:25:50.460 Joseph McElroy: They may see a lot more, you know business through in a website and, of course, you know, like I said, our websites a great tool for us but there’s something about pottery that oh you gotta touch it yeah especially good stuff i’ve seen it it’s.</p><p>00:25:52.710 –&gt; 00:26:03.930 Joseph McElroy: Now you is there, do you get materials from the mountains, you get materials to make any of your work or is that too specialized yeah there really aren’t.</p><p>00:26:06.210 –&gt; 00:26:21.180 Many at all of commercially mind materials in the mountains now you know there’s certainly play deposits and the old timers dug their clay locally, obviously we did not.</p><p>00:26:23.190 –&gt; 00:26:25.770 Like in our stone where it plays.</p><p>00:26:26.910 –&gt; 00:26:35.100 Caden Painter: The fire clay comes from Missouri the ballclub comes from Kentucky we use a kale and from a North Florida so.</p><p>00:26:35.610 –&gt; 00:26:53.340 Caden Painter: It it tends to be regional in in that sense there’s kind of a just kind of an East West divide Potters who tend to be on the west coast, they have their own sources out there potter’s who are on the east coast these plays that are their mind out this direction.</p><p>00:26:54.120 –&gt; 00:27:06.000 Joseph McElroy: Well, if you if you had to give you one statement about what would be characteristic of the pottery and the smoky mountains, what would be that characteristic well that’s.</p><p>00:27:06.780 –&gt; 00:27:17.100 Joseph McElroy: that’s a tough question because we, we are not traditional Potters, even though I have traditional pottery in my family heritage.</p><p>00:27:19.200 –&gt; 00:27:34.080 Our influences are much, much broader than that you know i’ve i’ve studied everything from and I draw a lot of inspiration, not just from pottery but i’ve looked at everything from.</p><p>00:27:35.910 –&gt; 00:27:39.600 song dynasty Chinese pottery porcelain.</p><p>00:27:41.010 –&gt; 00:27:59.130 He dynasty Korean bronze castings i’ve studied the architectural border patterns in Angkor Wat in Cambodia, you know I haven’t been there, personally, but I, but I have collected many, many books and resources on these things.</p><p>00:28:00.360 –&gt; 00:28:15.300 But even looked at pre Columbian South American very interested in in architectural motifs and I look at a lot of my pot architecturally I feel like I feel like it’s it’s almost like a.</p><p>00:28:16.530 –&gt; 00:28:18.390 Like a dwelling like a structure.</p><p>00:28:19.530 –&gt; 00:28:38.160 Caden Painter: When I make it i’m thinking in those terms of a foundation of walls of a crown or or eve of the piece yeah that’s just kind of the way I look at it, so my personal inspirations come literally from from all over the world, now I will tell you.</p><p>00:28:39.570 –&gt; 00:28:56.280 Joseph McElroy: The reason that I think pottery is so resonant with people is because it is a piece of personal functional art most crafts gills craft show organizers even gallery owners will tell you.</p><p>00:28:56.670 –&gt; 00:29:15.450 Joseph McElroy: The two things that make the craft world go around pottery in jewelry hmm those are always the two biggest sellers the items that are your typical craft fair both of those are personal art.</p><p>00:29:16.860 –&gt; 00:29:32.880 it’s not it’s not our that’s on a law somewhere for public viewing it’s art that you use personally you wear that piece of jewelry you you hold that mug you cradle that mug in your hand and I think that speaks to people on a level.</p><p>00:29:34.350 –&gt; 00:29:36.000 That that.</p><p>00:29:37.080 –&gt; 00:29:49.500 Joseph McElroy: that’s hard to achieve in other art forms cool well when we come back we’ll talk more about your specific the details of your work and some of the kinds of things that you may.</p><p>00:29:51.810 –&gt; 00:29:52.350 Okay, great.</p><p>00:29:53.610 –&gt; 00:29:55.410 Caden Painter: Talk radio nyc.</p><p>00:32:39.480 –&gt; 00:32:57.780 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcasts, then I guess Terry painter and the sun kayden painter both master craftsman and Potters and Maggie valley North Carolina and they have a they have a wonderful shop called the different drummer.</p><p>00:32:59.460 –&gt; 00:33:02.340 Joseph McElroy: Not right near my place and then Lord motel and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:33:03.540 –&gt; 00:33:18.810 Joseph McElroy: So Terry and why don’t you talk about some of the things you make you got a lot of beautiful things in the background, there, what kind of a what kind of things do you make yeah we’re we’re set up in one of our showrooms here to studio.</p><p>00:33:20.040 –&gt; 00:33:34.500 And we we cover a pretty wide gamut of the things that we make, I do have a love for functional pottery, and so we we make a lot of straight ahead functional work.</p><p>00:33:35.850 –&gt; 00:33:44.160 We we do a lot of dinner where there’s a whole wall over here covered with dinner plates and bowls and salad plates and.</p><p>00:33:44.910 –&gt; 00:33:51.210 So that’s an important part of what we do, but you know I backed into this from a fine art background.</p><p>00:33:51.690 –&gt; 00:34:03.600 So I couldn’t leave my landscapes behind when I left painting behind I had to find a way to keep expressing the landscapes, and so we have a series of.</p><p>00:34:04.500 –&gt; 00:34:17.820 tile wall hangings and covered jars that that have Bob relief landscapes on them, the landscape of course i’m taking inspiration from the surrounding area, the smokies where we are.</p><p>00:34:18.240 –&gt; 00:34:27.330 Almost all of them are tree oriented love trees of all kinds, and you know we have many, many, many kinds of trees here in the smokies to draw.</p><p>00:34:29.970 –&gt; 00:34:50.970 Joseph McElroy: Do you draw those the do draw those designs yourself before you put on them, are you taking traditional emblems or anything like that, no, no it’s all 100% original, I will start with a pencil drawing very frequently converted into a pen and a drawing to flesh out the design and then.</p><p>00:34:53.580 –&gt; 00:35:01.170 Joseph McElroy: We will convert it into a Barber leaf sculpture yeah i’m looking here in the steps.</p><p>00:35:02.460 –&gt; 00:35:20.550 Joseph McElroy: what’s that many steps yeah everything yeah I don’t know I like process, you know I like I like a lot of steps to things and this really this really satisfies that because there’s there’s many, many steps you have to go through to bring one of these pieces off very involved.</p><p>00:35:21.780 –&gt; 00:35:35.160 Joseph McElroy: So I see on your side that you know I saw I saw things like a cutout tree GEO landscape and hardwood tree inlay landscape so you’re you’re you are extending their skills into other areas besides just pottery.</p><p>00:35:37.350 –&gt; 00:35:38.220 yeah we are.</p><p>00:35:39.630 –&gt; 00:35:45.960 Joseph McElroy: One of the things i’ve discovered, you know I spent most of my career working in solitude here at the shop.</p><p>00:35:46.500 –&gt; 00:35:57.660 Joseph McElroy: And there are advantages to that there are disadvantages to it, since cade came on board the collaboration between the two of us has created some new.</p><p>00:35:58.470 –&gt; 00:36:09.630 Joseph McElroy: directions for us it’s really, really nice to have another creative person typically someone you’re on the same wavelength with yeah here in the studio to make and bounce ideas off of each other and.</p><p>00:36:10.320 –&gt; 00:36:21.690 Joseph McElroy: We have a line, in particular, a lot of drums that we’re producing hand drums it’s a stoneware base but we’re doing a laminated wood.</p><p>00:36:22.290 –&gt; 00:36:41.640 Joseph McElroy: mahogany or birch top to the drums and then we’re taking our pin and eat drawings and using a laser to burn so so we’re real 21st century there were using a cnc laser to burn our drawings into the top, this is one right over my shoulder.</p><p>00:36:42.750 –&gt; 00:36:43.230 So this.</p><p>00:36:44.250 –&gt; 00:36:52.230 Joseph McElroy: idea of one of the cotton drones were there, and you say you were inspired by some Brazilian drums you but you made some right.</p><p>00:36:53.580 –&gt; 00:36:55.710 yeah yeah tell me about yeah we.</p><p>00:36:57.090 –&gt; 00:36:57.810 got a visitor.</p><p>00:36:59.010 –&gt; 00:36:59.790 From our dog.</p><p>00:37:04.620 –&gt; 00:37:07.980 had to come check out what was going on here, let me go put her back, but.</p><p>00:37:10.470 –&gt; 00:37:10.710 Caden Painter: yeah.</p><p>00:37:11.760 –&gt; 00:37:12.210 Joseph McElroy: there.</p><p>00:37:13.320 –&gt; 00:37:17.280 Caden Painter: Were yeah we always have to have a pottery shop dog, you know.</p><p>00:37:18.450 –&gt; 00:37:25.080 Joseph McElroy: Not the same without a without a dog oh that’s kind of interesting they’re sort of bounding around right.</p><p>00:37:26.700 –&gt; 00:37:34.950 Joseph McElroy: yeah you know say we’ve we’ve had a series of dogs here in the shop over the years, and you know they.</p><p>00:37:35.400 –&gt; 00:37:44.430 Joseph McElroy: don’t know they understand they work really well around around the pottery so we don’t have any trouble Oh, I thought that might be a test if it can withstand a dog can withstand the thirst.</p><p>00:37:47.280 –&gt; 00:37:57.600 Joseph McElroy: yeah you’re going to tell about the home oh yeah yeah yeah so we’re both musicians and we play a variety of instruments would, of course.</p><p>00:37:58.170 –&gt; 00:38:10.080 Joseph McElroy: What we’ve always enjoyed is to come home and so Brazilian box drawing the wouldn’t face on it is just it’s a really great tactile experience.</p><p>00:38:10.560 –&gt; 00:38:21.060 Joseph McElroy: And, and so that was definitely something that was important to us, we when we were thinking and planning, you know how’s this going to look how’s it going to feel what’s it going to look like.</p><p>00:38:22.500 –&gt; 00:38:22.980 We.</p><p>00:38:24.540 –&gt; 00:38:32.160 Of course, the sound is very important to us, but also the tactile experience was very important as well we wanted something that that felt good to play and so.</p><p>00:38:33.300 –&gt; 00:38:34.680 The kahan was was.</p><p>00:38:35.850 –&gt; 00:38:46.200 Right up front for foremost in our our mind when we were thinking going on man, you know doing a wooden head like that would be would be really, really nice on.</p><p>00:38:48.990 –&gt; 00:38:53.610 Joseph McElroy: But it’s fabulous you know my I was telling you that my wife is a Brazilian percussionist.</p><p>00:38:55.440 –&gt; 00:38:59.760 Joseph McElroy: she’s she’s actually a member of a 70 or 70 women band.</p><p>00:39:00.780 –&gt; 00:39:03.360 Joseph McElroy: that’s actually a worldwide band called box.</p><p>00:39:05.940 –&gt; 00:39:07.380 Joseph McElroy: One to call back to La.</p><p>00:39:08.760 –&gt; 00:39:25.470 Joseph McElroy: And she is she’s the one of the elite members and so there’s a 10 Member group and she’s gotten to do things like you know play Brazilian drums on Saturday night live open for the Rolling Stones that so we’re gonna come by check out your drums they look fabulous they look like collectors.</p><p>00:39:26.580 –&gt; 00:39:34.740 Joseph McElroy: We also we’re also hosting at the middle Arc a monthly drum circle when it’s when it’s more right a lot of people coming from asheville you might.</p><p>00:39:35.430 –&gt; 00:39:51.510 Joseph McElroy: You might stop over there it’d be great I love these these look that they play they said they play well right yeah yeah yeah yeah it’s kind of cool you know you never you don’t think of drums have been part of pottery, but these are these are.</p><p>00:39:52.740 –&gt; 00:39:53.130 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:39:53.190 –&gt; 00:39:57.570 Caden Painter: Let me throw one thing out there, of course, the shop is called the different drummer.</p><p>00:39:57.810 –&gt; 00:40:10.110 Joseph McElroy: yeah I know that yeah for the last few years we’ve had a lot of people come in the door and see the drums and say okay now I see where the name comes from, no, no, no, that the main came like.</p><p>00:40:10.740 –&gt; 00:40:21.960 Caden Painter: 38 years before the drums the name is philosophical and in Ted it comes from the passage by Henry David thoreau and Walden.</p><p>00:40:22.410 –&gt; 00:40:31.770 Joseph McElroy: yeah beat of a different drummer and so back when I was leaving engineering behind and all my high school friends were becoming doctors, lawyers, engineers.</p><p>00:40:32.190 –&gt; 00:40:46.800 Joseph McElroy: And I was becoming a potter well Henry David thoreau and helped me feel a little bit better about the path, I was on so that’s why the shop is you know, I was, I was working a full time job was on the fast track that IBM and I had that experience to.</p><p>00:40:47.880 –&gt; 00:41:05.970 Joseph McElroy: So I get it, I just walked out yeah so I started a different path so what you know what Terrence What would you say, are the major you know you’ve mentioned a bunch of worldwide influence and things are there, specific people specific specific styles that have influenced your pottery.</p><p>00:41:07.980 –&gt; 00:41:16.230 um yeah there was a there was a connection made again I guess it was back in the.</p><p>00:41:17.340 –&gt; 00:41:22.680 1950s and 60s a potter in England called Bernard leach.</p><p>00:41:24.000 –&gt; 00:41:46.200 made a connection with a Japanese potter and I really don’t know the correct pronunciation of his name Sochi hamada or hamada i’m not sure how his name is pronounced, but they together kind of revived the crafts or studio pottery movement in England.</p><p>00:41:47.340 –&gt; 00:42:06.330 Joseph McElroy: hmm and in Japan as well posting those rules yeah rah rah right post war yeah Japan they helped to revive that tradition there as well, and a lot of people, a lot of Americans apprentice with Bernard leach and.</p><p>00:42:08.010 –&gt; 00:42:17.490 A professor of one of my professors actually studied in England was leech and I became very, very influenced by.</p><p>00:42:19.320 –&gt; 00:42:24.870 Caden Painter: The Asian techniques of making pottery so so that the techniques that we employ here.</p><p>00:42:26.430 –&gt; 00:42:38.610 are not even really mainstream European they are Asian pottery forming techniques and it’s a little different it’s a little looser little more relaxed.</p><p>00:42:39.630 –&gt; 00:42:48.510 Joseph McElroy: than than like the northern European style of, and this is i’m talking about working on a potter’s wheel style of throwing.</p><p>00:42:49.320 –&gt; 00:43:09.510 Joseph McElroy: So that lends itself very well to the other organic designs and features that the trees and things that we take inspiration from from our surrounding and you know apply and incorporating into the pot that I think those those two approaches go really well together, plus.</p><p>00:43:10.740 –&gt; 00:43:29.460 Joseph McElroy: they’re the Asian approach to the potter’s wheel I find to be very musical and it’s very much like playing a musical instrument, I find it to be internally kind of the same thing.</p><p>00:43:30.360 –&gt; 00:43:39.780 Joseph McElroy: At least a very similar now my hands are doing different things when i’m throwing a pot versus playing a guitar or a drum but.</p><p>00:43:40.260 –&gt; 00:43:46.350 Joseph McElroy: The the gears that are turning inside your head, I think, are about the same cool.</p><p>00:43:47.100 –&gt; 00:43:59.220 Joseph McElroy: All right, well, we would we gotta go to break when we come back we’ll finish up with a little bit more about what inspires you and then how people find more information and find things to look at it Pottering the carolinas.</p><p>00:44:00.270 –&gt; 00:44:00.600 Great.</p><p>00:44:02.490 –&gt; 00:44:04.020 Talk radio and my.</p><p>00:44:06.210 –&gt; 00:44:07.110 Key in.</p><p>00:46:17.490 –&gt; 00:46:24.630 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast my guest Terry.</p><p>00:46:25.290 –&gt; 00:46:42.600 Joseph McElroy: Terry painter and the sun kayden painter of the different drummer pottery and Maggie valley North Carolina so Tara you and your wife wife wrote a book called centered inspiration from the hands of a potter what was the inspiration for that and what’s it about well.</p><p>00:46:43.020 –&gt; 00:46:43.560 yeah.</p><p>00:46:45.150 –&gt; 00:46:46.290 I have a.</p><p>00:46:47.370 –&gt; 00:47:04.710 Talk that idea of a a spiritual inspirational talk that I gave with my potter’s wheel began as many, many years ago and that just kind of grew organically I don’t know, I was invited.</p><p>00:47:06.000 –&gt; 00:47:08.790 Actually, to illustrate a.</p><p>00:47:10.500 –&gt; 00:47:18.810 Our pastors message at our church with the potter’s wheel, and one thing led to another, and before long, I was, I was illustrating my own.</p><p>00:47:19.500 –&gt; 00:47:37.380 talk with the potter’s wheel and people wanted something tangible that they could take away from that so at that time my wife had been a professional photographer for many years and we thought this was something that we could do completely in house and she did all the photography.</p><p>00:47:39.180 –&gt; 00:47:52.770 For this thing and we basically what’s funny is when I sat down and tried to ride out what what I said i’d completely what I said, and one of the.</p><p>00:47:54.090 –&gt; 00:47:59.190 Joseph McElroy: Blank so we had to contact some places where I had spoken before.</p><p>00:47:59.190 –&gt; 00:48:01.470 Caden Painter: and get tapes from.</p><p>00:48:03.000 –&gt; 00:48:22.560 So different you know, being in from an audience having that feedback the the atmosphere and everything it was all different, and I found out that I did it different every time it was just very off the cuff and spontaneous so we kind of tried to take the best of.</p><p>00:48:23.850 –&gt; 00:48:41.220 Joseph McElroy: Several talks that I had given and condense it down into a book and I need to photographed it and yeah it’s something that we self published, we have copies available here in the shop, so I found that I believe I found I found a link an Amazon link for it on on Amazon.</p><p>00:48:41.610 –&gt; 00:48:42.960 Joseph McElroy: So I.</p><p>00:48:43.890 –&gt; 00:48:53.520 Joseph McElroy: was good, so I put the link up on our website so if people want to find the get that book, I recommend going to the website and getting that link and go buy that book.</p><p>00:48:55.140 –&gt; 00:49:00.150 Joseph McElroy: So, so do you find there’s something spiritual about making pottery.</p><p>00:49:01.260 –&gt; 00:49:03.600 Joseph McElroy: and your approach well you do yeah.</p><p>00:49:04.710 –&gt; 00:49:12.240 yeah certainly meditative if, if nothing else, we laugh about it a lot because.</p><p>00:49:13.980 –&gt; 00:49:27.330 Often, often I will have people come in the shop and they say oh you’re so you’re so lucky, you know I just love to bake pottery and you get to make pottery every day and relax, it must be so relaxing.</p><p>00:49:28.380 –&gt; 00:49:29.520 Joseph McElroy: I always tell them.</p><p>00:49:30.390 –&gt; 00:49:33.750 Joseph McElroy: Try paying your mortgage little balls play.</p><p>00:49:34.620 –&gt; 00:49:37.710 Caden Painter: making things out of it see how relaxing that is so.</p><p>00:49:37.800 –&gt; 00:49:58.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah I will say i’ve been doing this soon will be 41 years full time and I still look forward to coming to work every single day it’s the kind of proceed that I would never stop it was something I would never retire from so long as i’m able.</p><p>00:49:59.700 –&gt; 00:50:05.040 Joseph McElroy: To keep looks good I mean you know I I was you know it’s interesting to me about how much.</p><p>00:50:05.460 –&gt; 00:50:15.540 Joseph McElroy: You know practicality and spirituality go into making art it’s always a question I you know i’ve done a little heart in my in my time and i’m actually in a museum for some some some work.</p><p>00:50:15.990 –&gt; 00:50:24.180 Joseph McElroy: yeah so in my studies of it, you know it was funny I saw a quote, I think it was Henry Mathias his son and so who’s been to a lot of events with his father.</p><p>00:50:24.390 –&gt; 00:50:34.800 Joseph McElroy: You know, and things like that and people mash them once or you know what’s it like when all those poets and artists to get together, he said, we know the funny thing is when artists and poets get together at all, they talk about is money.</p><p>00:50:40.470 –&gt; 00:50:41.280 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:50:42.390 –&gt; 00:50:57.840 Joseph McElroy: A lot though yeah yeah we we also we’ve talked a lot about how so much of what we make, is what we think it’s important for and, and this is one of the reasons why we make so many different things is.</p><p>00:50:58.920 –&gt; 00:51:13.290 Joseph McElroy: We want to make things that are interesting to us yeah and and and pursue those ideas and passions and when when when something comes along that you lose sleep over.</p><p>00:51:15.630 –&gt; 00:51:16.830 you chase that.</p><p>00:51:18.240 –&gt; 00:51:20.880 Joseph McElroy: Well it’s uh yeah we we really have a.</p><p>00:51:22.860 –&gt; 00:51:37.650 Joseph McElroy: Sorry, we really have a theory about about making things to sell to other people, that if we satisfy ourselves first if we make work that we genuinely like.</p><p>00:51:38.280 –&gt; 00:51:42.780 Joseph McElroy: That there’s a percentage of the population out there that’s going to be on the same wavelength.</p><p>00:51:43.590 –&gt; 00:51:59.190 Joseph McElroy: That we’re on and that work will speak to them as it speaks to us so so we don’t go off trying to chase other other paths we we make work that we like and just speaks.</p><p>00:52:00.030 –&gt; 00:52:13.530 Joseph McElroy: It speaks to us, we have well it’s a it’s a gift it’s a gift in life to have that happen so is there a besides your place which is Maggie Valley, and I think you can find out about a different drummer pottery calm right.</p><p>00:52:15.000 –&gt; 00:52:24.360 Joseph McElroy: Is there other pottery places you recommend people to visit in the mountains, a couple you know, two or three we only have a couple minutes but yeah ah yeah my devers.</p><p>00:52:25.410 –&gt; 00:52:26.100 Over.</p><p>00:52:27.720 –&gt; 00:52:34.050 Caden Painter: balsam gap there on the other side of the balsam range from my shop.</p><p>00:52:34.620 –&gt; 00:52:36.930 Joseph McElroy: My dad was definitely worth checking out.</p><p>00:52:37.980 –&gt; 00:52:38.850 And then.</p><p>00:52:40.620 –&gt; 00:52:43.950 The River would shops over in hillsboro.</p><p>00:52:47.010 –&gt; 00:52:52.410 A couple of long time good potter’s there in hillsborough and then, of course.</p><p>00:52:53.520 –&gt; 00:52:57.510 A lot potter’s that I know are now in the River arts district.</p><p>00:52:58.800 –&gt; 00:53:00.120 Over in asheville.</p><p>00:53:01.980 –&gt; 00:53:07.710 Joseph McElroy: A lot of people, a lot of people who used to be kind of out in the country, somewhere, have now.</p><p>00:53:08.820 –&gt; 00:53:17.610 Joseph McElroy: moved their studios to the River arts district for for that exposure, so any other shout out you want to make a name for social media, you want to mention anything.</p><p>00:53:18.630 –&gt; 00:53:29.130 yeah so you mentioned the different drummer pottery.com also crop drum.com that will take you it’s a sub page of different term pottery.</p><p>00:53:29.400 –&gt; 00:53:39.060 But it’s specific to the drums and we have DEMO videos and some tutorials for our personal playing style that we that we’ve come up with.</p><p>00:53:39.990 –&gt; 00:53:57.240 As well as follow us on Facebook and instagram the different underscore drummer underscore pottery and we often make updates there anything we’re working on anything new we’re going to talk about it there first and.</p><p>00:53:58.770 –&gt; 00:54:13.590 And if a new firing is out, what will we always announce whenever a new work is out there yeah we fired the kill about every three to four weeks so we want to get the message out when there’s a new batch of pots.</p><p>00:54:15.300 –&gt; 00:54:25.500 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you very much for being on my show and be sure to let us know we’ll we’ll put you out there every time we get a chance, and I will promote it as if even out there.</p><p>00:54:25.890 –&gt; 00:54:32.250 Joseph McElroy: You know, everybody that’s listening, you can go to gateway to the smokies dot fun to find out more about this podcast.</p><p>00:54:32.610 –&gt; 00:54:45.480 Joseph McElroy: I have some links up there, I got the like I said I have terry’s book up, there are a couple other books related to the show about the original a woman that founded the southern appalachian Guild.</p><p>00:54:46.920 –&gt; 00:54:59.580 Joseph McElroy: And now I you know, we want to I want you to imagine something imagine a place evocative evocative of motor cortex of the past, the modern and vibrant within seek appalachian feel.</p><p>00:55:00.000 –&gt; 00:55:06.360 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream.</p><p>00:55:06.720 –&gt; 00:55:15.960 Joseph McElroy: grill the catch on the fire and need accompanied by fine wind or craft beers imagine a place of the old time music and world cultural sounds.</p><p>00:55:16.260 –&gt; 00:55:25.380 Joseph McElroy: There is no other place like the metal art motel in Maggie valley North Carolina nestled in the great smoky mountains National Park Area.</p><p>00:55:25.920 –&gt; 00:55:40.140 Joseph McElroy: We are the starting point for all your adventures, in fact, your smoky adventure mountain adventure starts with where you stay the middle earth motel so I want you to remember that take away, if nothing else, no i’m kidding.</p><p>00:55:42.570 –&gt; 00:55:53.040 Joseph McElroy: i’m really promoting the gate with the smokies is a place to come and I actually have a site called smokies adventure that’s plural smokies is adventure calm.</p><p>00:55:53.430 –&gt; 00:56:01.950 Joseph McElroy: which is dedicated to publishing all sorts of information and listings about the smokies and that’s both Western North Carolina East Tennessee.</p><p>00:56:02.280 –&gt; 00:56:08.730 Joseph McElroy: We have an emphasis on outdoor recreation outdoor life cultural events you know, crafts arts.</p><p>00:56:09.510 –&gt; 00:56:21.990 Joseph McElroy: weddings adventures, and then we provide information about lodging and entertainment and events and conventions and honeymoons and things like that, and the goal is to become the leading information portal for the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:56:23.280 –&gt; 00:56:30.570 Joseph McElroy: We also have a Facebook page, you can get to a Facebook COM slash gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:56:31.680 –&gt; 00:56:41.640 Joseph McElroy: i’m also a part of the where traveler network, we have a we have a hub they’re called great smoky mountains, where travelers and a two year old magazine here.</p><p>00:56:42.090 –&gt; 00:56:48.480 Joseph McElroy: And we’re very proud to be on there, and I want to mention that we’re on talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:56:49.260 –&gt; 00:57:00.660 Joseph McElroy: pod podcasts live podcast station, with many programs on here, I recommend you sticking around and listening to them they’re great shows there’s one after this about New York.</p><p>00:57:01.230 –&gt; 00:57:11.790 Joseph McElroy: Visiting New York so stick around and listen to that one I appreciate it’s been a great guy a great podcast Thank you guys and see it and see you next time can listen to us next week.</p> 1dd2c8e8-dc33-4ec9-8809-7c2e87be118f https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/987872e8-fa2d-4258-8e3d-7f5933c5fc13 Tue, 23 Mar 2021 22:00:00 +0000 3008 no full Episode 10: Seeds and Song Episode 10: Seeds and Song Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest on Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is <strong>William Ritter</strong>- he is a musician, farmer, western North Carolina native, and lover of southern Appalachia. He holds an MA in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University, and he’s been saving seeds for a long time. They will be talking about heirloom seeds and growing traditional foods and agriculture relationship to traditional music.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/4hVcn60_CG/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Before introducing today’s guest, Joseph discusses heirloom seeds and plants in his family. Joseph reads a poem about memories tied to seeds. Joseph introduces William Ritter, today’s guest, and William talks a little about his background. William discusses how the mountains feel like home to him. William describes seed saving and how it started.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph talks about his interest in music and asks William about where his interest stemmed from. William discusses how he built and learned to play the fiddle, comparing the traditions of old time music to seed saving. Joseph and William talk about farmers markets in the Smokies where heirloom vegetables can be found.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>William discusses types and properties of heirloom vegetables, from candy roasters to beans to tomatoes, etc. As someone who doesn&#39;t cook much, William knows many restaurants that serve dishes with heirloom vegetables. William goes on to describe how to make leather britches out of beans. Joseph and William discuss the wide variety of places where one can find heirloom seeds.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>William describes a project he is working on, Song to Seeds. The project is about more than songs and seeds though, working to bring communities together and share traditions.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is William Ritter he is a musician, farmer, western North Carolina native, and lover of southern Appalachia. He holds an MA in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University, and he’s been saving seeds for a long time. They will be talking about heirloom seeds and growing traditional foods and agriculture's relationship to traditional music.‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

Show Notes


Segment 1

Before introducing today’s guest, Joseph discusses heirloom seeds and plants in his family. Joseph reads a poem about memories tied to seeds. Joseph introduces William Ritter, today’s guest, and William talks a little about his background. William discusses how the mountains feel like home to him. William describes seed saving and how it started.

Segment 2

Joseph talks about his interest in music and asks William where his interest stemmed from. William discusses how he built and learned to play the fiddle, comparing the traditions of old-time music to seed saving. Joseph and William talk about farmers' markets in the Smokies where heirloom vegetables can be found.

Segment 3

William discusses the types and properties of heirloom vegetables, from candy roasters to beans to tomatoes, etc. As someone who doesn't cook much, William knows many restaurants that serve dishes with heirloom vegetables. William goes on to describe how to make leather britches out of beans. Joseph and William discuss the wide variety of places where one can find heirloom seeds.

Segment 4

William describes a project he is working on, Song to Seeds. The project is about more than songs and seeds though, working to bring communities together and share traditions.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIPT

00:00:37.980 –> 00:00:38.520 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:00:38.970 –> 00:00:43.170 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:43.770 –> 00:00:50.070 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:00:50.430 –> 00:01:02.160 Joseph McElroy: and the surrounding town. this area’s filled with ancient natural beauty a deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:03.150 –> 00:01:17.610 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also deep roots and these mountains My family has lived in the great smoky mountains, for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:18.390 –> 00:01:24.570 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking about seeds and sounds and heirloom agritourism in the smoky mountains.

00:01:24.960 –> 00:01:37.920 Joseph McElroy: With a dash of old-time music, I will introduce you to my guest’s scholar and farmer William Ritter, very soon, but first, I’m going to tell you a little bit of a story about my experience with seeds and heirloom.

00:01:38.310 –> 00:01:43.770 Joseph McElroy: Agriculture in the mountains and then maybe a little poetry So when I was growing up.

00:01:45.240 –> 00:01:56.910 Joseph McElroy: my grandparents had a farm in Ireland, which is a part of Haywood county it’s very rural, and then, and then it might end up is McElroy co which is my family’s lived in for a little while.

00:01:58.470 –> 00:02:05.370 Joseph McElroy: And then, and then they lived in a farmhouse it was just a plain old farmhouse nothing particularly fancy but it raised a bunch of kids.

00:02:07.020 –> 00:02:15.960 Joseph McElroy: But they, but they did have a nice running creek in the front yard and then and then around that creek and the front of your old place where these beautiful orange irises.

00:02:16.800 –> 00:02:24.720 Joseph McElroy: Now I remember seeing those irises in the spring and they were just glorious and come to find out that my grandmother.

00:02:25.620 –> 00:02:37.110 Joseph McElroy: told me once that she’d got those bulbs from her from her family, where they’ve been around for a while my event and eventually told me in several years later, that those items have been growing our family land for over 100 years.

00:02:37.860 –> 00:02:48.360 Joseph McElroy: And, and then people you know different family members will just get a bunch of the bulbs, you know from wherever the original place was and then eventually in some of those new places.

00:02:48.720 –> 00:02:56.040 Joseph McElroy: And they would transfer those bulbs to their new land or their new house whatever and then let them grow there so.

00:02:57.090 –> 00:03:09.630 Joseph McElroy: These bulbs turn out to have been around, probably for over 100 years and at this point as well over 100 years because I’m talking about four years ago I don’t wanna I don’t want to mention my age, but it’s definitely been a while.

00:03:10.860 –> 00:03:18.570 Joseph McElroy: And so, when I got the family farm about 10 years ago were part of it, my my my brothers and sisters got the other part, and.

00:03:19.050 –> 00:03:36.480 Joseph McElroy: And, and I got this House on the land that I made into a into a vacation cabin because I go down a lot, and then I like to have I like to have my own place with me my wife at the time and I made sure to get some of those irises and put them on my yard there.

00:03:37.620 –> 00:03:44.670 Joseph McElroy: And so it was in the farm, it was in my own place on the farm and it was the iris is, I felt like a family tradition had been completed.

00:03:45.120 –> 00:03:57.870 Joseph McElroy: You know, it made me feel part of a long running community on a long tradition, you know I i’m living this life around the world, but you know I can’t I can’t leave behind.

00:03:58.230 –> 00:04:07.230 Joseph McElroy: That it’s it’s important right I think it’s important to have that sense of community, you know not only locally, but I think that we need to think about it on a.

00:04:07.860 –> 00:04:23.190 Joseph McElroy: National and global scale these these traditions in this these communities, we can’t always just be inventing the new we also got to be involved in the old, and I think that’s especially one of the beauties of rural life and the amount of life that sharing and communal living.

00:04:24.420 –> 00:04:35.160 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to get into talking into seeds and my guests are going to tell us a lot about it, but I remember set of seeds to from my growing up for that were called their candy roasters seeds.

00:04:35.880 –> 00:04:43.920 Joseph McElroy: Right now candy roasters are these great big squash now, some of them are really long and orange and some of them are like more round and.

00:04:44.280 –> 00:04:56.910 Joseph McElroy: And and green but I mean, some of them are the size of you know, a pig I mean they get big and they grow very they’re very sweet and they grow mostly I think in the mountains.

00:04:57.300 –> 00:05:04.590 Joseph McElroy: And oftentimes we will use them instead of pumpkins and pies and breads and such.

00:05:04.950 –> 00:05:19.410 Joseph McElroy: And there’s a lot of varieties I think there’s like over 40 varieties and people pass down the seeds of their favorite variety, like their family heirlooms and I also got some of those and planted them on my farm and I, for a number of years I grew grew.

00:05:20.580 –> 00:05:22.050 Joseph McElroy: Those Kenny Rogers now.

00:05:23.250 –> 00:05:35.970 Joseph McElroy: One of the tragedies in my life is my my wife died, my second wife died and I sort of lost interest in things for a little bit and I lost those seeds all right and that’s one of the you know, one of the sorrows of my.

00:05:36.720 –> 00:05:48.630 Joseph McElroy: You know communal living is I ended a tradition so i’m gonna be talking to William here soon and see if I can get me some new of candy roaster seeds, so I can reinvent the tradition, because now i’ve got two year old kids.

00:05:49.140 –> 00:06:00.600 Joseph McElroy: And I am really looking forward to teaching them about these traditions, and I think they loved or the prance around in a candy roaster from patch and find pumpkins and you know find squash bigger than they are.

00:06:02.640 –> 00:06:09.270 Joseph McElroy: Right and and you know and i’ve done poetry a few times on this on this this.

00:06:09.810 –> 00:06:28.080 Joseph McElroy: This show, and you know telling the stories makes me a little bit wispy and I like to you know deal with emotions and poetry, so I found this this this poem called the stack behind the barn by Sir Charles George Douglas Roberts I would love to have for first names is my name.

00:06:30.510 –> 00:06:40.200 Joseph McElroy: But he is a Canadian potent died in 43 and he did I don’t think he was ever in the smokies but it speaks to.

00:06:41.550 –> 00:06:55.470 Joseph McElroy: September, is here with the ripen the seeds and homely smell of the autumn weeds my heart goes back to the finished day and i’m again a boy at play in the stack behind the barn.

00:06:56.700 –> 00:07:11.130 Joseph McElroy: Dear memory of the old home farm the hedge rows fencing the crops from harm the cows too heavy with milk for haste, the yard barnyard yellow with the harvest waste and the stack behind the barn.

00:07:12.240 –> 00:07:28.200 Joseph McElroy: dear dear dear the old garden smell sweet million flocks that I love so well and the seating mint and the sage turn Gray, the deer the smell of the tumbled hey in the stack behind the barn.

00:07:29.610 –> 00:07:43.620 Joseph McElroy: In the side of the stack we made our nest and there was the playhouse we love the best a thicket of golden rod bending and bright fill this with glory and hid for us from site in the set stack behind the barn.

00:07:44.640 –> 00:07:58.860 Joseph McElroy: Then, when the stack with a year ran low and our frosty morning cheeks were a glow when time and forgotten the dropping leaves what joy to drop from the barns wide eve’s to the stack behind the barn.

00:08:00.000 –> 00:08:19.230 Joseph McElroy: Oh childhood years your heedless feet have slipped away with how much that sweet dreams and memory master you to the make believe lot make believe of life is through I still may play as the children do in the stack behind the barn.

00:08:22.830 –> 00:08:27.300 Joseph McElroy: So, especially my position in life that’s really you know.

00:08:28.200 –> 00:08:39.450 Joseph McElroy: Great i’m you know it’s a it spoke to me so William is a i’m here is an old time fiddler and a seed saver from baker Seville North Carolina.

00:08:39.870 –> 00:08:47.850 Joseph McElroy: is spent most of his adult life studying and sharing appalachian culture last year he loves the song the seed project which curates.

00:08:48.210 –> 00:08:58.830 Joseph McElroy: Educational programs that combined old time music stories without telling seed saving another sample of southern appalachian traditions now i’ve had conversations with William.

00:08:59.190 –> 00:09:12.030 Joseph McElroy: And you know, I was expecting this older guy and he’s a young guy but he’s got an old soul and lots of information, and I really wanted to have him on the show so William first thing you have a master’s degree.

00:09:12.390 –> 00:09:14.640 Joseph McElroy: and probably got a few places.

00:09:15.030 –> 00:09:20.910 Joseph McElroy: So tell me why is the mountain so attractive for you build your career there and your life.

00:09:21.360 –> 00:09:25.980 William Ritter: Well, first of all i’m still gathering myself, because that poem really hit me hard.

00:09:30.270 –> 00:09:30.780 Joseph McElroy: To make it.

00:09:32.310 –> 00:09:32.880 Joseph McElroy: As well as.

00:09:32.940 –> 00:09:36.240 William Ritter: Intellectual yeah so I wasn’t prepared I wasn’t prepared.

00:09:36.270 –> 00:09:44.670 William Ritter: For that that was beautiful um yeah so I I grew up in Mitchell county bakers hill North Carolina and.

00:09:45.810 –> 00:09:52.380 William Ritter: I was born and raised in Mitchell county and I did Finally, you know go off for college at Western.

00:09:53.550 –> 00:10:06.000 William Ritter: I got a theater degree there and and then I went to upstate and that’s where I got my degree in appalachian studies, with a an emphasis on roots music.

00:10:07.650 –> 00:10:16.350 William Ritter: I i’ve never been able to go very far from the mountains honestly it’s very, very hard for me, even as a kid we would go to the beach.

00:10:17.220 –> 00:10:30.300 William Ritter: or or go on a mean really want family vacation so much, but my my parents are glass artists and so they would have shows that they had that when they go to and sometimes it takes us along and that kind of counted as the family, they.

00:10:31.710 –> 00:10:42.150 William Ritter: But I never you know anyone, I think this really either lived in the mountains long time or is from the mountains can relate to that feeling of like when you’re in a very flat.

00:10:42.810 –> 00:10:52.440 William Ritter: plane and you’re going along and all sudden in the distance she says blue mountains and you’re like Ah yes, yes i’m home oh i’m back, I feel like we’re a.

00:10:53.010 –> 00:11:04.650 William Ritter: Or, I need to be at least that’s how I would feel for me and sometimes it wasn’t even close we were like hours and hours and hours away from Mitchell county but you know we were in the mountain it really it really felt like home.

00:11:05.610 –> 00:11:22.110 Joseph McElroy: Or, or you know I get it, I I know my business with technology which is big when I was coming out of college and then and then marketing and all those you know, nowadays, you can be anywhere but then you have to be in the city is really to make a big living out of it right so.

00:11:22.170 –> 00:11:22.620 William Ritter: Right.

00:11:22.680 –> 00:11:23.280 William Ritter: And I did.

00:11:23.400 –> 00:11:40.710 William Ritter: live in Winston Salem for a few years, which I met some wonderful folks there and I could see I could see a mountain from my part, which was like a godsend for me, but, but that was that was a little even the foothills were a little little far out of the mountains for me.

00:11:41.490 –> 00:11:54.600 Joseph McElroy: So you know we’re going to talk about seed saving and I think i’m some fundamental level, we all know what seed saving is but can you give us a bigger picture of what’s seed saving isn’t isn’t it sort of a big cultural part of a cultural mix now and.

00:11:54.600 –> 00:12:13.680 William Ritter: Say yeah, so there is like this, a modern kind of phenomena of people really getting into seed saving which a lot of that really developed came into I think everyone’s kind of the popular conscience with the use of GMOs and that you know kind of scared a lot of people.

00:12:14.910 –> 00:12:25.650 William Ritter: To the point that that they decided they want in control of their own seed supply, which I totally totally get that’s not really how I got into it, but that’s the big part I think of what.

00:12:25.980 –> 00:12:33.810 William Ritter: created that but then there also was the DIY movement, I think the do it yourself movement that really combined with with that.

00:12:34.230 –> 00:12:42.060 William Ritter: Those and and that a lot of people wanted to have their own little garden there, so you start to see more urban gardening more rooftop gardening and that all kind of came together.

00:12:43.710 –> 00:12:45.330 William Ritter: I think, to really encourage people to.

00:12:46.350 –> 00:12:50.220 William Ritter: be in control of their own own seed sources is.

00:12:52.620 –> 00:13:00.540 William Ritter: You know, really there’s a very few companies in the world that own a lot of the seeds so that’s certainly a concern, and if you were paying you know if you.

00:13:01.530 –> 00:13:08.700 William Ritter: Think about that every family had maybe their own heirloom and most communities had certain heirlooms that were in other places.

00:13:09.360 –> 00:13:20.250 William Ritter: If you think about how maybe we had 95% of people were farmers 100 years ago fast forward to today 5% of people are so our farmers, so you can just see how naturally.

00:13:21.030 –> 00:13:29.310 William Ritter: Those all those different airlines and just drop off the mass so he’s precipitously lost all the so many airlines, I mean just they’ve.

00:13:30.210 –> 00:13:38.220 William Ritter: gone by the wayside, honestly, for me, though I think of seed saving as as a Community act.

00:13:38.820 –> 00:13:51.480 William Ritter: So it’s not just something where you’re taking the seeds you grow your tomato plant from a seed and then you got your tomato and you cut it open and you keep the season you dry them out in the plan for next year, that is, seed saving but.

00:13:52.200 –> 00:14:02.700 William Ritter: The way that i’m looking at it it’s kind of like the older older kind of seed saving the real heirlooms in capital H kind of a way you know know seed catalog or anything, not that i’m against those but.

00:14:03.150 –> 00:14:06.630 William Ritter: that a person would go to their neighbor or.

00:14:07.080 –> 00:14:18.930 William Ritter: Something the Community, and they would exchange them with warm hands, as we say so that was like person to person and that’s a real Community act, I mean you can tell, and you can see that still a lot of appalachian heirlooms they’ll it’ll be like.

00:14:20.310 –> 00:14:26.340 William Ritter: they’ll have a person’s name in them of the variety don’t just call it candy roast your seeds.

00:14:26.490 –> 00:14:29.040 William Ritter: They might call that like uncle jimmy’s candy roaster.

00:14:29.400 –> 00:14:31.710 William Ritter: And so it really underscores.

00:14:32.010 –> 00:14:40.710 Joseph McElroy: That okay cool well when we come back we’re gonna talk more about what sparked your interest in old time music and seed saving.

00:17:41.220 –> 00:17:51.360 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest William richer, so I.

00:17:52.560 –> 00:18:00.030 Joseph McElroy: I grew up you know, in a strong musical tradition around me in the haywood county and.

00:18:01.260 –> 00:18:03.840 Joseph McElroy: At the time we lived in Jonathan creek.

00:18:05.190 –> 00:18:14.040 Joseph McElroy: And you know I got interested in one brief period and learning banjo and other things, and like to start me out.

00:18:14.730 –> 00:18:23.160 Joseph McElroy: I wanted to Dan banjo but my dad got started wanting to start me simpler, I think, of whatever he got me a guitar right and instead of lessons.

00:18:23.790 –> 00:18:34.530 Joseph McElroy: To go with some local well known teacher, I can’t remember the name, right now, but loser, you know played all sorts of instruments and focus in traditional mountain music.

00:18:35.010 –> 00:18:44.670 Joseph McElroy: And, and I had to go to school in the morning, carrying that guitar because I don’t know, right after school to the to the to the teacher who live near.

00:18:45.240 –> 00:18:49.500 Joseph McElroy: And, as I got to the car and was walking walking up the.

00:18:50.190 –> 00:19:06.360 Joseph McElroy: Steps there was a high steps for the school because it was rock hill school, which is a one world schoolhouse essentially it was like an old rock building these high steps like sort of bounded up them because it did it I fell I fell right on top of the guitar and crush the thing.

00:19:07.590 –> 00:19:13.770 Joseph McElroy: Right and all the kids around I was a sort of a chevy though kid had a real self conscious problem anyway.

00:19:14.220 –> 00:19:30.900 Joseph McElroy: I felt they all started, how would laughter and I turned red I started crying I you know I I just threw it away and I wouldn’t touch an instrument again for years, I really affect me that badly, so I missed my chance to get to to to.

00:19:31.470 –> 00:19:40.740 Joseph McElroy: to explore my interest in mountain music, so what sparked your interest in appalachian traditions, like old time music and seed saving.

00:19:41.580 –> 00:19:44.790 William Ritter: Well, well, I mean I gotta say first it’s never too.

00:19:44.850 –> 00:19:45.120 late.

00:19:47.790 –> 00:19:51.270 William Ritter: it’s never too late um but for me.

00:19:53.070 –> 00:20:00.570 William Ritter: I don’t know I think I was kind of surprised that I ended up picking up the fiddle and and other string instruments.

00:20:01.710 –> 00:20:11.040 William Ritter: You know i’d always been told that you pretty much needed to be born like with a fiddle in your hands like you’d never really amounted to anything if you didn’t start very young and that’s really not.

00:20:11.640 –> 00:20:19.800 William Ritter: Not necessarily true um so I didn’t really in earnest start playing the fiddle until I was in.

00:20:21.930 –> 00:20:23.820 William Ritter: High School kind of going on college.

00:20:25.980 –> 00:20:37.170 William Ritter: And I got this precocious idea that I would make my own fiddle because I was a handy type of person I grew up in a family of artists and we just made stuff when we needed it.

00:20:37.560 –> 00:20:56.460 William Ritter: So I didn’t think anything of it, I I, so I am I ordered some bits and parts and I kind of borrowed some tools, and so I started working on this, putting the spittle together in my in my dad who’s an artist, he said, you know you really need to talk to someone who knows what 30 who.

00:20:57.690 –> 00:21:03.690 William Ritter: can really show you there’s actually there’s this old man that you should go to meetings really interesting guy.

00:21:04.110 –> 00:21:15.450 William Ritter: And so I said all right all right, so I went up there and I met that’s where i’m at right del injure and rate past earlier this year, but he really just.

00:21:15.960 –> 00:21:24.660 William Ritter: He really guarded I mean in the beginning it was just me going, and he showed me how to make a little tool, or he showed me how to do a certain thing or he.

00:21:26.280 –> 00:21:40.080 William Ritter: He basically would just help me and all these different ways, and I remember when I brought my fiddle after i’d put it together there’s this particular part called a sound post that’s loose really in the fiddle it just held in by by tension barely and.

00:21:41.160 –> 00:21:51.960 William Ritter: That I was having a really hard time getting in there, because you put the film together and then you prop it up it’s it’s best thing best left to experts, but anyway, so I took it to him and he said it up and.

00:21:52.710 –> 00:22:03.300 William Ritter: He said he’ll never he never forget the the look in my face when he bowed across the strings and it it made us, you know it sounded like a fiddle maybe not a violin playing the fiddle.

00:22:04.500 –> 00:22:17.520 William Ritter: And so you know I just kept visiting Ray and I would help them a little something instruments, sometimes, and as I went to visit him more it was less about making fiddles or guitars and more about playing music, I mean he basically be like.

00:22:18.180 –> 00:22:28.080 William Ritter: To get the fiddle out and start playing, and you know I couldn’t play to save my life, but he would encourage me just non stop, and let me just make mistakes and I worked my way along and.

00:22:28.530 –> 00:22:40.200 William Ritter: he’d say, do you know how to play, you know certain tune, and I said never heard it before and helmet for me I go home and learn it, so I had this really I mean I didn’t even know but a really traditional way to learn to play.

00:22:41.820 –> 00:22:42.450 William Ritter: And I.

00:22:43.560 –> 00:22:53.670 William Ritter: You know kind of went out to the broader world and I started to meet other people that were like really interested in an old time music, but they didn’t really know any old timers.

00:22:53.970 –> 00:23:00.210 William Ritter: So that was kind of bizarre to me that they were like into the music, but they were listening to like recordings and I was.

00:23:01.530 –> 00:23:06.240 William Ritter: I was doing that, too, but I also felt like there was a big disconnect when they weren’t.

00:23:06.360 –> 00:23:08.940 Joseph McElroy: kind of there’s still a lot of old timers and.

00:23:09.330 –> 00:23:13.020 William Ritter: Learning and there were more than that was about 15 years ago.

00:23:14.070 –> 00:23:19.140 William Ritter: And, and so I was, and in fact someone did come up to me and it changed my life.

00:23:19.530 –> 00:23:27.150 William Ritter: She said, you know I think it’s a shame that you’re learning from recordings when there’s so many musicians around here, I was like oh my gosh you know my my head like I.

00:23:28.110 –> 00:23:41.220 William Ritter: know in and I realized when she said that that yeah I mean that’s what I had been doing with Ray but I needed to think about them seriously and then over time I realized, you know, there are songs I learned from Ray that I didn’t even like.

00:23:42.630 –> 00:23:51.270 William Ritter: But now they’re like they’re precious to me and I wouldn’t give them up for anything and I love them but it’s like a different relationship than just something you look like what’s cool.

00:23:51.510 –> 00:23:54.420 William Ritter: is like something you like, because of that human connection and.

00:23:55.050 –> 00:24:01.320 William Ritter: And I really just basically found the same thing with seeds, you know, like I didn’t even really like tomatoes that much when I started.

00:24:03.150 –> 00:24:03.630 William Ritter: Saving.

00:24:03.930 –> 00:24:10.590 William Ritter: that’s changed but also they’re just sweater tomatoes, then like what you get at a store like a hybrid tomato it’s just it’s just better I mean.

00:24:10.650 –> 00:24:16.020 Joseph McElroy: So you find you find the traditions of old time music and seed saving or are similar.

00:24:16.380 –> 00:24:20.700 William Ritter: Oh they’re incredibly similar I mean you know they’re handed down like.

00:24:21.240 –> 00:24:30.120 William Ritter: The hand first you know, usually with family members and a Community go to different communities, and they have different songs different seeds than other communities.

00:24:30.720 –> 00:24:45.360 William Ritter: And sometimes you’ll have all these songs that have the same name but in different communities different tune so it’s like you’d be like hey you know, a kitty push and then the other person yeah I know katie person you start to play and they’re not the same.

00:24:46.650 –> 00:24:54.060 William Ritter: But that happens with with seeds to you’ll you’ll you know you see a lot of seeds have the same name and they aren’t that’s not the same seed.

00:24:55.290 –> 00:25:00.150 William Ritter: So there’s really just there’s a lot in common, they go really, really well well together.

00:25:00.690 –> 00:25:04.440 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow well that’s cool do you um you know I had.

00:25:06.660 –> 00:25:11.280 Joseph McElroy: I was thinking, do you have a farm right, I have a farmer says like yeah.

00:25:11.460 –> 00:25:12.210 William Ritter: We farm.

00:25:12.870 –> 00:25:17.130 Joseph McElroy: Farm so you you do produce some heirloom crops right.

00:25:17.550 –> 00:25:25.110 William Ritter: i’m a little bit not so I mean mostly what I do is earned over into seeds and I eat it.

00:25:25.680 –> 00:25:34.980 William Ritter: The the plant itself, but some i’m and i’m also trying to transition out of what’s very natural for me is, if I have access, that I grew.

00:25:35.430 –> 00:25:45.690 William Ritter: To like give it to other people is like is ingrained in me in a way, I didn’t even realize until I started trying to sell you know some of the produce and and I really just wanted to give it to.

00:25:46.590 –> 00:25:48.480 William Ritter: me, I mean that’s what we always did we had a.

00:25:48.540 –> 00:25:57.450 William Ritter: Huge garden growing up, if you had more than you need it, you took it to neighbors and friends and arrows are likely to have it unless they had a garden too and they’re like Oh well, we’ll we’ll get this to.

00:25:58.170 –> 00:25:58.500 Oh.

00:25:59.670 –> 00:26:04.080 Joseph McElroy: So you’re trying to start selling a little bit though you’ve got a little bit.

00:26:04.110 –> 00:26:04.410 Joseph McElroy: I mean.

00:26:04.680 –> 00:26:08.400 William Ritter: A little bit still a big part of what i’m trying to do is is create.

00:26:09.420 –> 00:26:13.140 William Ritter: create these public events and.

00:26:13.410 –> 00:26:14.730 William Ritter: Educational events.

00:26:16.170 –> 00:26:18.690 William Ritter: That all got shot to you know to heck.

00:26:20.160 –> 00:26:23.970 Joseph McElroy: we’ll be bringing that back you can you can do those at the battle Arc motel, by the way.

00:26:24.330 –> 00:26:25.260 William Ritter: Oh yeah I.

00:26:25.290 –> 00:26:26.970 William Ritter: would love to yeah.

00:26:28.740 –> 00:26:39.150 Joseph McElroy: What so you know let’s let’s say for people out there, listening to this to find out where that what they how they can participate in this other than growing their own produce.

00:26:39.780 –> 00:26:53.160 Joseph McElroy: You know in in the mountains, you can go to farm stands and things like that to find heirloom prudent produce you know it’s a big thing I think mountains to you know, to go to that sort of thing what are some of the good places, you know.

00:26:53.700 –> 00:27:04.650 William Ritter: Well, well real quick um there are some great farmers markets in western North Carolina East Tennessee to, though not as familiar there but i’m Silva has a great farmers market.

00:27:05.430 –> 00:27:16.500 William Ritter: waynesville has a great farmers market at both of those just to say real quick i’ve seen beautiful heirlooms particularly candy roasters just some to die for candy roasters but all up and down North Carolina.

00:27:17.310 –> 00:27:24.480 William Ritter: Western Carolina towns of any size i’m have farmers markets and you’ll really find traditional heirloom vegetables there.

00:27:26.100 –> 00:27:30.300 William Ritter: So that’s that’s a great place to go almost every time every town has one or two.

00:27:30.960 –> 00:27:37.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think the you know the one in haywood county that’s one angel is a historic farmers markets been going on for a long time.

00:27:38.460 –> 00:27:38.880 William Ritter: Yes.

00:27:38.910 –> 00:27:57.090 Joseph McElroy: it’s a pretty classic one you know something else I mentioned, you know, since i’m yeah i’m talking about you know places I like I like barbers orchard orchard in their ways and they have a fruit stand them is just to die for, and they have heirloom apples right.

00:27:57.240 –> 00:28:10.830 Joseph McElroy: So yes, people definitely should look that up so when we come back we’ll talk about more more about the you know heirloom seeds and and all sorts of things to do in the mountains.

00:31:00.060 –> 00:31:09.090 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest William Richard so William.

00:31:09.630 –> 00:31:18.300 Joseph McElroy: you’ve already named a few varieties of heirlooms but you know if someone goes to a protest and are farmers farmers market in the smokies what are they looking for.

00:31:19.290 –> 00:31:28.050 William Ritter: Okay, so we talked a little bit about candy register so that’s a big one, and like he’s mentioned, they can come and all different sorts of shapes and sizes.

00:31:29.460 –> 00:31:38.490 William Ritter: Often they’re pretty big it could be intimidatingly large like if you’re on vacation and you’re like i’m gonna make some pies you probably don’t need one the size of a coffee table.

00:31:38.880 –> 00:31:42.420 Joseph McElroy: If you look if you see something looks like a pod from those bodysnatchers.

00:31:42.420 –> 00:31:43.620 Joseph McElroy: you’re probably getting close.

00:31:44.820 –> 00:31:45.360 William Ritter: yeah.

00:31:46.800 –> 00:31:51.090 William Ritter: Oh, but, but essentially it’s a winter squash sometimes it look kind of like what’s called a banana squash.

00:31:51.690 –> 00:31:55.440 William Ritter: And, just to be clear, a winter squash is not grown in the winter unless you’re like in Florida.

00:31:56.160 –> 00:32:08.160 William Ritter: It just keeps really well it’ll it’ll hold over the winter, I actually had a candy roaster last like a year and a half once for went bad it was it started it wasn’t an experiment at first, but then it really turned into an experiment.

00:32:09.660 –> 00:32:21.060 William Ritter: But so so that’s one thing is the candy roasters that’s a big you know squash to be around in the fall, just like when people are put pumpkins out and there are some candy roasters that are shaped like a pumpkin.

00:32:21.810 –> 00:32:27.150 William Ritter: too, and so that’d be a just a thing, where you know me is that when you have any candy roasters or.

00:32:28.800 –> 00:32:36.780 William Ritter: And that So hopefully you find some there, but then in terms, beans one real good indicator of an heirloom being.

00:32:37.830 –> 00:32:47.760 William Ritter: Is that they’re really full So if you were to go get like a beans at the grocery store they’re like round, all the way around and thin mom and kind of look like.

00:32:48.090 –> 00:33:02.640 William Ritter: A stick or a cylinder well old timey beans were like big fat things i’m you you’d know Joseph but but they they have what what a big seed and then in there when they’re in the in the been we call them a bullet.

00:33:03.690 –> 00:33:11.280 William Ritter: Point of trivia but those beans, a real fat they look like they’re about to pop they’ve almost got such a big seed in it and.

00:33:12.150 –> 00:33:19.770 William Ritter: At that stage there’s a lot of flavor there’s a lot of nutrition, particularly so if you’re thinking about in the old days you’re trying to you know not.

00:33:20.490 –> 00:33:32.490 William Ritter: Your subsisting on cornbread and and grits and and make some kind of animal you know what kind of meat, you can come by that’s probably really heavily salted and smoked.

00:33:33.450 –> 00:33:37.650 William Ritter: And then their genes, but they’d have all this nutrition that’s not in.

00:33:38.400 –> 00:33:42.750 William Ritter: A modern grocery store of being it’s real thin that the seeds, not even developed it’s.

00:33:43.050 –> 00:33:53.610 William Ritter: Like a green thing and we should eat green things but it’s not as healthy for us, the big beans, but those my attorneys they get tough, so they can’t grow that big because he wouldn’t be able to eat them.

00:33:53.760 –> 00:34:01.590 William Ritter: Right so that’s that’s one thing to look for us as bigger beans and so there’s a lot of different kinds and there’s October beans and there’s also.

00:34:02.160 –> 00:34:13.380 William Ritter: Which are kind of in a late summer early fall they start coming on and they’re usually kind of speckled and then sometimes there’s so it’s called shelly beans and shelley’s are just.

00:34:14.070 –> 00:34:29.190 William Ritter: it’s like a bean seed that’s almost like so right, this is going to start drying to become dormant and it’s right before that’s like as big as the seeds going to get any they take that out of the pod and then you cook that and, like in a soup soup beams or whatever.

00:34:30.630 –> 00:34:42.090 William Ritter: You know it’s nothing like a any you’ve been you’ve ever had if you’ve not had shall always be cook those down there they’re so good, I think, someone like call them like mountain into mommy or something.

00:34:44.310 –> 00:34:50.040 William Ritter: But so that’s one thing to keep an eye out for and when it comes to tomatoes you’re looking for.

00:34:51.000 –> 00:35:01.680 William Ritter: an ugly duckling you know you’re looking for like a something that’s kind of got cracks all over it, and it’s got green on the top but it’s but it’s like it’s not all the way right, so it looks like.

00:35:01.800 –> 00:35:02.670 William Ritter: And that’s true.

00:35:02.970 –> 00:35:13.230 Joseph McElroy: And it’s not like we get grocery stores here and whole foods up here if they got tomatoes and they look they look like they’re both hair color and everything but he’s not talking about those and even.

00:35:13.230 –> 00:35:14.520 Joseph McElroy: Though even uglier.

00:35:14.640 –> 00:35:18.570 William Ritter: And yes, yes yeah and probably not grown in a greenhouse in Canada.

00:35:19.920 –> 00:35:28.680 William Ritter: And so yeah they’re they’re really they they’re sometimes you’ll get one that’s like pristine but that’s not average and also not important.

00:35:29.520 –> 00:35:36.600 William Ritter: But they’re they’re thin is Skinner their their thing is scanner to scan is thinner, that is why they they split you kind of like that.

00:35:37.590 –> 00:35:51.630 William Ritter: And there’ll be usually kind of soft and they can come in different colors so you know yellows you’ll see a lot you’ll see like a pinkish red color and a lot of them are big so they’re like big enough you’d slice them and put them on a sandwich or.

00:35:52.440 –> 00:36:01.500 William Ritter: A tomato biscuit which is never had a tomato biscuit it’s just manet’s and a biscuit and tomato and if that doesn’t sound good you haven’t tried it.

00:36:02.880 –> 00:36:04.230 Joseph McElroy: I wouldn’t have thought that was good.

00:36:04.260 –> 00:36:07.140 William Ritter: Until I had it to made a biscuit in my young life.

00:36:07.170 –> 00:36:11.760 Joseph McElroy: I grew up eating tomato tomato sandwich is that was just saying oh my God.

00:36:11.850 –> 00:36:13.470 William Ritter: Man is right, and so in.

00:36:13.980 –> 00:36:16.200 Joseph McElroy: Real Daddy hellman’s man is.

00:36:17.580 –> 00:36:19.770 William Ritter: Well, you know down here a lot, a lot of dukes.

00:36:20.280 –> 00:36:21.090 Joseph McElroy: Do Sir yeah.

00:36:21.150 –> 00:36:30.720 William Ritter: yeah we’ve got a lot a lot like a Duke Duke fans sometimes basketball and manet’s and sometimes just the manet’s.

00:36:31.800 –> 00:36:32.250 William Ritter: But.

00:36:33.780 –> 00:36:45.480 William Ritter: So so there’s that there’s also what’s called a Mr stripy and I have to mention that that is like a it’s like read on the bottom and yellow on the top and if you cut it open it looks like a sunrise.

00:36:45.930 –> 00:36:51.990 William Ritter: And that’s like one of the quintessential mountain heirlooms and it’s killing me to even think about eating one right now.

00:36:52.140 –> 00:36:52.830 Joseph McElroy: they’re really good.

00:36:53.100 –> 00:36:56.550 William Ritter: they’re really good and then there’s Tommy toes which are like a cherry tomato.

00:36:57.900 –> 00:36:58.920 William Ritter: is another one.

00:37:00.840 –> 00:37:01.950 Joseph McElroy: Where there’s heirloom.

00:37:02.310 –> 00:37:07.200 Joseph McElroy: Fruit right we talked about heirloom apples all these things are a little bit ugly but they’re.

00:37:07.650 –> 00:37:11.640 William Ritter: Often yeah yeah heritage tomatoes, I mean our.

00:37:12.180 –> 00:37:15.450 William Ritter: heritage apples, we could talk all day about.

00:37:16.080 –> 00:37:22.020 William Ritter: But yeah but again I mean again you’re hearing that like a russet sometimes they’re all kind of scarred looking on top those.

00:37:24.990 –> 00:37:36.330 William Ritter: Are the apples, but yeah they’re about a lot of it’s just asking to at the farmers market, I mean but there’s heirlooms and then there’s like other heirlooms but ugly is is the tape.

00:37:38.790 –> 00:37:51.150 Joseph McElroy: So if cooking isn’t your thing right, so you never go to farmer thing then let’s just go eat it why you get it, but we’re What would you say where you can work in the spirit some traditional appalachian foodways.

00:37:51.570 –> 00:38:01.740 William Ritter: Well um I off the top of my head, I mean i’d love to have a real complete list of there should be a good listing for that i’m honestly.

00:38:02.010 –> 00:38:03.240 Joseph McElroy: To tell people about a listing.

00:38:03.750 –> 00:38:15.270 William Ritter: yeah right um well, but I do know in asheville there’s that benny on eagle I don’t know if i’m saying that right, but they have a lot of appalachian and Afro Latin.

00:38:16.410 –> 00:38:29.820 William Ritter: Foods there so that’s that places is really, really good there’s books and hall Barbecue sometimes they have leather riches I don’t know if they might get the health inspector told them they couldn’t do letter bridges anymore, which is a crying shame.

00:38:29.850 –> 00:38:30.870 Joseph McElroy: What is leather britches.

00:38:30.990 –> 00:38:35.970 William Ritter: So a leather britches well i’ll talk about other races in a second.

00:38:36.000 –> 00:38:52.170 William Ritter: But before that there’s the the blind blind pig supper club that’s a charity kind of pop up restaurant farm to table thing really need to go to cherokee there’s paul’s restaurant, which is very famous for really traditional fair.

00:38:53.910 –> 00:39:03.810 William Ritter: You can eat like rabbit and things like that there and then grand kitchen is over in cherokee, and that is a lot of traditional stuff they might not have like green beans and stuff like that, but it’s it’s pretty traditional appalachian food.

00:39:03.870 –> 00:39:08.520 Joseph McElroy: Well there’s I think I heard that bear water grill some good traditional food and.

00:39:08.970 –> 00:39:10.830 Joseph McElroy: They might be doing that and Maggie Valley.

00:39:11.250 –> 00:39:16.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah sweet onion in waynesville those will do some farm to table heirloom stuff as well.

00:39:16.890 –> 00:39:18.930 William Ritter: Oh sure sure yeah well yeah.

00:39:20.340 –> 00:39:25.620 William Ritter: I don’t know frog sleeps still there in waynesville but they have some wonderful farm to.

00:39:25.710 –> 00:39:31.200 Joseph McElroy: table so there’s lots of there’s you know there’s there i’ll be giving a resource at the end on how to find some of this stuff.

00:39:32.430 –> 00:39:34.920 Joseph McElroy: But there is quite a bit of places to visit.

00:39:35.910 –> 00:39:37.890 Joseph McElroy: You mentioned Linda britches i’m dying to know what the heck.

00:39:38.580 –> 00:39:38.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:39:39.360 –> 00:39:41.940 William Ritter: I know I didn’t know that this was going to be like.

00:39:42.660 –> 00:39:52.770 William Ritter: On zoom video or I would have I would have held up some leather wretches but um maybe you might have heard them called chef beans or szaky beans, possibly.

00:39:53.820 –> 00:40:03.360 William Ritter: But all that is is that back before or new fangled canning technology, where you could preserve your your stuff by canning it.

00:40:04.530 –> 00:40:06.780 William Ritter: And even before you know pickling it.

00:40:08.250 –> 00:40:20.550 William Ritter: People would take their beans still in the hall in in the in the green bean hole, and they would either put it on a piece of twine I use a guitar string.

00:40:21.210 –> 00:40:32.190 William Ritter: But on a or a real waxy strong thread, or sometimes they just put it out over a screen or on a tin roof or in an old car that drives them out real good.

00:40:33.300 –> 00:40:38.790 William Ritter: And then, what happens is they dry up and they turn time it kind of brownish sometimes it look a little green still.

00:40:40.200 –> 00:40:50.730 William Ritter: And, and they look a lot like leather and you can only use certain types of beans for this, by the way, because they have to be like a tender hold to being and you couldn’t use you couldn’t go to the grocery store again.

00:40:51.090 –> 00:40:57.240 William Ritter: and get some of those modern beans and put a string through, it would be like leather because they get tough.

00:40:57.600 –> 00:40:59.220 William Ritter: But, but what you do is.

00:40:59.670 –> 00:41:12.330 William Ritter: Sad those and you they dry and then you can eat them later in the year when you no longer have beans, you know, so you can keep you all through the winter, but what you do is you just cook them you basically not been cooked but you just you know you take that string off that’s important.

00:41:13.650 –> 00:41:21.060 William Ritter: And you put them down in water, and you know big piece of fat pack or something in there, and you just cook it for a good while.

00:41:21.330 –> 00:41:32.760 William Ritter: And it turns into this like completely different thing it’s not like green beans, but it is, and anyone that really grew up on leather britches usually it mentioned it, they just like salivate and they’re.

00:41:32.760 –> 00:41:35.820 William Ritter: Like also frustrated because they’re like I can’t have that.

00:41:37.200 –> 00:41:38.700 William Ritter: Where do you go for leather riches.

00:41:38.790 –> 00:41:41.670 Joseph McElroy: wow I didn’t have that part of my tradition.

00:41:41.670 –> 00:41:43.500 Joseph McElroy: So interesting there’s lots of there’s.

00:41:43.530 –> 00:41:50.340 Joseph McElroy: lots of things in the mountains that are very specific to a particular communities and don’t necessarily translate the other ones right.

00:41:50.370 –> 00:41:55.470 William Ritter: Sure well any you never know when Maybe someone in your family might have had a bad experience so that.

00:41:57.210 –> 00:42:00.060 William Ritter: i’m not doing that anymore canning is much easier.

00:42:00.540 –> 00:42:03.030 William Ritter: I don’t want ugly things all over my torch.

00:42:03.870 –> 00:42:10.470 Joseph McElroy: So if somebody wanted to grow some of this stuff and get some seeds are heirloom seeds to grow in their gardens were being a good place.

00:42:11.280 –> 00:42:34.410 William Ritter: uh well, one that I talked about a lot, because I think they do a really big job is and it’s I think it’s heirlooms.org but that’s the sustainable mountain agriculture farm, it was in berea Kentucky but, but now it’s moved to somewhere in Tennessee to to near another university there.

00:42:35.880 –> 00:42:42.360 William Ritter: And you can go on their website and they have a great selection of just I mean honest to goodness heirloom seeds, I mean they’re the stuff that were.

00:42:42.540 –> 00:42:55.290 William Ritter: passed down and people’s families and and all the different kinds, you can be so educated by going there and look up pink tips and October beans and Greens, the beans and cut shorts, and I mean it just there’s all these kinds of beans it’s incredible.

00:42:56.430 –> 00:43:07.920 William Ritter: Southern appalachian the richest seed shed most most different kinds of seeds in North America right in central Mexico which, to be second to central Mexico and seeds is is incredible.

00:43:09.120 –> 00:43:12.570 William Ritter: So that that’s an important.

00:43:15.360 –> 00:43:17.130 William Ritter: that’s an important place to go.

00:43:18.390 –> 00:43:23.460 William Ritter: there’s also so true seeds just talking about regionally in asheville.

00:43:24.450 –> 00:43:32.070 William Ritter: There you can they have a catalog you can also go to the actual store that’s really nice and they have their seeds, you know a little little farmers.

00:43:32.610 –> 00:43:44.220 William Ritter: markets and and places there’s also also going to feed and seeds, those are huge bryson city farm supply has great seeds, but you know that for me is like tourism, like, I want to go to the feed and see.

00:43:45.120 –> 00:43:56.040 William Ritter: If I see an old hardware store my Ah yes i’m there that’s that wasn’t for me, but also very brief self promotion, I do have some seeds for adoption on my website.

00:43:56.430 –> 00:44:06.660 Joseph McElroy: cool so when we come back we’ll finish up with you tell us a little bit about what you’re doing and resources and I will also tell you some resources to do some agricultural tourism in about.

00:46:25.290 –> 00:46:39.780 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin back holroyd back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest William Ritter, so William you have a you have a organization called song to see, can you tell us about that.

00:46:41.340 –> 00:46:43.890 William Ritter: Well organization makes it sound bigger than it is.

00:46:45.270 –> 00:46:47.310 Joseph McElroy: Always always dressed for what you want to be.

00:46:48.630 –> 00:46:49.230 William Ritter: i’m wearing.

00:46:49.440 –> 00:46:51.810 William Ritter: wearing a flannel Plaid so I guess.

00:46:56.010 –> 00:46:58.110 William Ritter: um yeah so some good seed.

00:46:59.310 –> 00:47:07.740 William Ritter: is something it’s been a little hard for me to actually have a elevator speech for for a while, because it’s not just an organization or a project to.

00:47:09.060 –> 00:47:15.690 William Ritter: kind of share and spread seeds, which is part of it, but really kind of zooming out from that to think about.

00:47:17.610 –> 00:47:27.690 William Ritter: Really, how this can be like a metaphorical seed for all kinds of different appalachian folkways what I am trying to do with my work is to.

00:47:28.530 –> 00:47:44.820 William Ritter: is to a highlight people that I don’t think maybe as our that I want to give credit to people who I don’t think get credit, whether they’re older story to tell us, or just people that are like really you know living there appalachian life but but.

00:47:45.960 –> 00:47:48.030 William Ritter: You know, maybe they’re not getting half credit for that.

00:47:49.080 –> 00:47:57.000 William Ritter: But also, you know i’m really thinking about these folk ways, whether it’s it’s dance Community dances all playing for dances and organizing them.

00:47:57.780 –> 00:48:10.350 William Ritter: Whether it’s a you know getting together these old tile old style working bees, which is like a been stringing or corn shucking where people get together and all you get big crowd to get a big job done quickly it’s like a barn raising that’s.

00:48:10.560 –> 00:48:11.910 William Ritter: thankful working be.

00:48:12.120 –> 00:48:23.400 William Ritter: i’d like to see that kind of stuff come back and within those reconnect all these different folkways together, where they used to be and where I think they held each other up better.

00:48:24.420 –> 00:48:36.270 William Ritter: Rather than kind of separating them into their their little idols I don’t think they’re they stand as well without the context, like the context is is key, I mean like the joke for old time music is it’s better than it sounds.

00:48:38.340 –> 00:48:47.070 William Ritter: So I mean there’s there’s that but that’s really what what i’m aiming to do is is is yes to share seeds, but also to really encourage.

00:48:47.580 –> 00:48:56.400 William Ritter: You know people to pick up music and and end it and to really get their name or their neighbor like I talked about seed saving as a Community act old time music is a Community at dancing is.

00:48:56.880 –> 00:49:05.850 William Ritter: The Act, these are all Community building things that these rural communities used to really rely on me if you think that couldn’t figure that like you know you worked on your.

00:49:06.780 –> 00:49:21.450 William Ritter: Pretty large family farm let’s say and you had like nine brothers and sisters and your parents and your grandma but you didn’t really see anybody else but them from us to the day, the place you’d go, you know it was like a dance to meet other people.

00:49:21.990 –> 00:49:22.890 William Ritter: In the Community to.

00:49:22.950 –> 00:49:38.760 William Ritter: Get that that kind of fellowship if it wasn’t a church, which you know, there was that, too, but that that those are really important when people were disconnected and I think we’re disconnected again we’re really disconnected now i’m with everything that’s going on, as they say.

00:49:38.820 –> 00:49:39.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah right now.

00:49:39.930 –> 00:49:47.700 William Ritter: yeah we are really disconnected I mean, even before the Panda and I was thinking like you know, politically, there is this golf and I, my hope and.

00:49:48.540 –> 00:50:00.750 William Ritter: and ambition is really to try to you know make better neighbors and try to get people to see and hear each other and and maybe see their fun the mental humanity other you know dancing together.

00:50:02.070 –> 00:50:11.520 William Ritter: So i’m so sorry to see it as is kind of vague in some ways it’s an official name for kind of the the entirety of all this stuff that I do, which is a lot.

00:50:11.730 –> 00:50:13.590 William Ritter: Whether it’s teaching fiddle lesson.

00:50:14.730 –> 00:50:31.680 William Ritter: Or what I do a lot of different things, but it’s all around the same kind of idea of you know enriching communities, hopefully revitalizing rural communities and you know getting people, especially young people like to buy in and again and live here so.

00:50:32.370 –> 00:50:35.760 Joseph McElroy: there’s a lot to it, so how do How do people get Ahold of you.

00:50:36.570 –> 00:50:51.030 William Ritter: Well, I do have song to see calm and so you know you can contact me there, we also have a Facebook um and we also have an instagram but that’s that’s pretty much the gist of it.

00:50:51.930 –> 00:50:53.820 Joseph McElroy: You about your your YouTube channel, I saw.

00:50:53.850 –> 00:50:56.280 William Ritter: Oh, I do yeah that’s very fresh that’s very.

00:50:56.430 –> 00:50:58.860 William Ritter: Well it’s not fresh and like a cool way it’s just very new.

00:51:00.090 –> 00:51:12.420 William Ritter: I did, I do have my own YouTube channel, but I say I need to kind of split off that because there’s a whole gaggle of things on on my regular YouTube but, but the song the seeds, where I have.

00:51:14.100 –> 00:51:25.470 William Ritter: Some of the original songs that i’ve written about heirlooms kind of my educational songs that’s also where I will be putting some more kind of like how to kind of stuff with with traditional gardening.

00:51:25.830 –> 00:51:35.700 William Ritter: And also, I have a storyteller on there so that’s another part of work, working with Bobby McMillan is one storyteller and ballad singer particularly that i’ve.

00:51:36.810 –> 00:51:42.450 William Ritter: been working with a lot as a good friend of mine, and so I have him telling an old old folk tale.

00:51:42.720 –> 00:51:43.770 Joseph McElroy: Yes, yeah.

00:51:43.830 –> 00:51:49.830 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you for coming and being on the show we have some we had a lot of questions we didn’t get to show.

00:51:50.010 –> 00:51:50.430 William Ritter: All right.

00:51:50.910 –> 00:51:52.170 Joseph McElroy: And I think that’ll be great.

00:51:52.170 –> 00:51:52.740 So.

00:51:53.880 –> 00:52:02.850 Joseph McElroy: I want everybody to if you want to find out more about haywood county or agritourism, which is big as actually a big thing in the mountains.

00:52:03.540 –> 00:52:10.860 Joseph McElroy: You can go to gateways to the smokies dot fun, which is the site for this podcast where there’s a lot there’s a previous podcast there’s.

00:52:11.430 –> 00:52:18.600 Joseph McElroy: Articles posted different resources and right at the top on the on the on the far right is a there’s a haywood county.

00:52:19.080 –> 00:52:34.200 Joseph McElroy: agritourism map and PDF information week you can go to that and it’s got its got maps is got listings of all sorts of agritourism related businesses farms restaurants yeah you know.

00:52:35.190 –> 00:52:47.850 Joseph McElroy: You know the tree farms all sorts of wonderful experiences to have in the Near and around the smoky mountains to do outdoor experience, so please go to that site.

00:52:48.840 –> 00:53:00.600 Joseph McElroy: I got a couple other self promotion items now imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with a chic appalachian fee.

00:53:01.170 –> 00:53:16.560 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout farm grill the catch on the fire and he accompanied by fine wine and craft beer and get it heirloom tomato made into a sandwich.

00:53:18.720 –> 00:53:27.450 Joseph McElroy: method, a place with old time music and world cultural sounds there’s no other place like the metal art motel and Maggie valley North Carolina.

00:53:27.930 –> 00:53:32.610 Joseph McElroy: We are the starting point for all the ventures and the surrounding the mountains have to offer.

00:53:33.030 –> 00:53:44.640 Joseph McElroy: Your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay stay at the middle or motel you know the middle of motel calm to find out, we have all sorts of events, ranging from music to.

00:53:45.270 –> 00:53:57.840 Joseph McElroy: Two tours to storytelling and and it’s only we’re developing into a mountain heritage Center over time so keep keep in the loop on that I want to mention.

00:53:58.410 –> 00:54:03.330 Joseph McElroy: This to sponsors i’m involved with both of them smokies adventure.com.

00:54:03.900 –> 00:54:12.810 Joseph McElroy: And it’s an information listings about the smokies his emphasis is on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures.

00:54:13.110 –> 00:54:31.290 Joseph McElroy: Along with pride in providing information on lodging family entertainment waterfalls events conventions honeymoons and more this site is becoming the leading information for wired where to go what to do in the mountains of the smoky mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.

00:54:33.000 –> 00:54:42.660 Joseph McElroy: i’m also part of where traveler where traveler is 80 year old magazine that you’ve probably seen in motels or hotels around the world.

00:54:43.050 –> 00:54:50.400 Joseph McElroy: has been focused on cities for this entire existence and about where to do what to do in the cities.

00:54:50.760 –> 00:54:57.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, I have convinced them to focus also on regions and one of them is the first one is the great smoky mountains region.

00:54:58.020 –> 00:55:20.910 Joseph McElroy: which encompasses Eastern Tennessee and and Western North Carolina as well as the great smoky mountains National Park, is actually the size of Massachusetts in terms of scope, scope and there’s many towns, cities and and and other and other tourist attractions, to visit in these mountains.

00:55:21.930 –> 00:55:38.130 Joseph McElroy: And we are creating a destination area where there’s going to be in depth stories about the people and events and and culture that exists in these mountains and they’re also be a listings there for the major.

00:55:39.360 –> 00:55:52.920 Joseph McElroy: Major things to be doing for waiting from the biltmore states to dollywood so please visit where traveler.com slash great smoky mountains this this this podcast is on the talk.

00:55:54.000 –> 00:56:07.920 Joseph McElroy: Talk radio dot nyc network there’s lots of great podcasts on the show, in fact, I have another one that’s business related called wise content creates wealth on Fridays from one to two after this.

00:56:08.610 –> 00:56:16.980 Joseph McElroy: This podcast today there’s one on New York City, so you could stay around your been in the small town rural area now go visit the big towns.

00:56:17.370 –> 00:56:27.000 Joseph McElroy: And so stick around and listen to that podcast it’s very great, I appreciate it next week with another great gateway the smokies podcast Thank you William and we’ll see you that.

00:56:27.210 –> 00:56:27.630 You.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/767171274225488/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/145636457_767203960888886_1931712913290072000_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=qmkIBRjI2a0AX9v5iYg&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301D927&oh=00_AT_mWmIB9Ek1ithIpPHbip_qJ_qjMzrXBZ7QaO-AUyoZiw&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is <strong>William Ritter</strong> he is a musician, farmer, western North Carolina native, and lover of southern Appalachia. He holds an MA in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University, and he’s been saving seeds for a long time. They will be talking about heirloom seeds and growing traditional foods and agriculture&#39;s relationship to traditional music.‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/4hVcn60_CG/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Before introducing today’s guest, Joseph discusses heirloom seeds and plants in his family. Joseph reads a poem about memories tied to seeds. Joseph introduces William Ritter, today’s guest, and William talks a little about his background. William discusses how the mountains feel like home to him. William describes seed saving and how it started.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph talks about his interest in music and asks William where his interest stemmed from. William discusses how he built and learned to play the fiddle, comparing the traditions of old-time music to seed saving. Joseph and William talk about farmers&#39; markets in the Smokies where heirloom vegetables can be found.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>William discusses the types and properties of heirloom vegetables, from candy roasters to beans to tomatoes, etc. As someone who doesn&#39;t cook much, William knows many restaurants that serve dishes with heirloom vegetables. William goes on to describe how to make leather britches out of beans. Joseph and William discuss the wide variety of places where one can find heirloom seeds.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>William describes a project he is working on, Song to Seeds. The project is about more than songs and seeds though, working to bring communities together and share traditions.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:37.980 –&gt; 00:00:38.520 Joseph McElroy: howdy.</p><p>00:00:38.970 –&gt; 00:00:43.170 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:43.770 –&gt; 00:00:50.070 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:00:50.430 –&gt; 00:01:02.160 Joseph McElroy: and the surrounding town. this area’s filled with ancient natural beauty a deep-storied history and rich mountain cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:03.150 –&gt; 00:01:17.610 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also deep roots and these mountains My family has lived in the great smoky mountains, for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:18.390 –&gt; 00:01:24.570 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking about seeds and sounds and heirloom agritourism in the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:01:24.960 –&gt; 00:01:37.920 Joseph McElroy: With a dash of old-time music, I will introduce you to my guest’s scholar and farmer William Ritter, very soon, but first, I’m going to tell you a little bit of a story about my experience with seeds and heirloom.</p><p>00:01:38.310 –&gt; 00:01:43.770 Joseph McElroy: Agriculture in the mountains and then maybe a little poetry So when I was growing up.</p><p>00:01:45.240 –&gt; 00:01:56.910 Joseph McElroy: my grandparents had a farm in Ireland, which is a part of Haywood county it’s very rural, and then, and then it might end up is McElroy co which is my family’s lived in for a little while.</p><p>00:01:58.470 –&gt; 00:02:05.370 Joseph McElroy: And then, and then they lived in a farmhouse it was just a plain old farmhouse nothing particularly fancy but it raised a bunch of kids.</p><p>00:02:07.020 –&gt; 00:02:15.960 Joseph McElroy: But they, but they did have a nice running creek in the front yard and then and then around that creek and the front of your old place where these beautiful orange irises.</p><p>00:02:16.800 –&gt; 00:02:24.720 Joseph McElroy: Now I remember seeing those irises in the spring and they were just glorious and come to find out that my grandmother.</p><p>00:02:25.620 –&gt; 00:02:37.110 Joseph McElroy: told me once that she’d got those bulbs from her from her family, where they’ve been around for a while my event and eventually told me in several years later, that those items have been growing our family land for over 100 years.</p><p>00:02:37.860 –&gt; 00:02:48.360 Joseph McElroy: And, and then people you know different family members will just get a bunch of the bulbs, you know from wherever the original place was and then eventually in some of those new places.</p><p>00:02:48.720 –&gt; 00:02:56.040 Joseph McElroy: And they would transfer those bulbs to their new land or their new house whatever and then let them grow there so.</p><p>00:02:57.090 –&gt; 00:03:09.630 Joseph McElroy: These bulbs turn out to have been around, probably for over 100 years and at this point as well over 100 years because I’m talking about four years ago I don’t wanna I don’t want to mention my age, but it’s definitely been a while.</p><p>00:03:10.860 –&gt; 00:03:18.570 Joseph McElroy: And so, when I got the family farm about 10 years ago were part of it, my my my brothers and sisters got the other part, and.</p><p>00:03:19.050 –&gt; 00:03:36.480 Joseph McElroy: And, and I got this House on the land that I made into a into a vacation cabin because I go down a lot, and then I like to have I like to have my own place with me my wife at the time and I made sure to get some of those irises and put them on my yard there.</p><p>00:03:37.620 –&gt; 00:03:44.670 Joseph McElroy: And so it was in the farm, it was in my own place on the farm and it was the iris is, I felt like a family tradition had been completed.</p><p>00:03:45.120 –&gt; 00:03:57.870 Joseph McElroy: You know, it made me feel part of a long running community on a long tradition, you know I i’m living this life around the world, but you know I can’t I can’t leave behind.</p><p>00:03:58.230 –&gt; 00:04:07.230 Joseph McElroy: That it’s it’s important right I think it’s important to have that sense of community, you know not only locally, but I think that we need to think about it on a.</p><p>00:04:07.860 –&gt; 00:04:23.190 Joseph McElroy: National and global scale these these traditions in this these communities, we can’t always just be inventing the new we also got to be involved in the old, and I think that’s especially one of the beauties of rural life and the amount of life that sharing and communal living.</p><p>00:04:24.420 –&gt; 00:04:35.160 Joseph McElroy: we’re going to get into talking into seeds and my guests are going to tell us a lot about it, but I remember set of seeds to from my growing up for that were called their candy roasters seeds.</p><p>00:04:35.880 –&gt; 00:04:43.920 Joseph McElroy: Right now candy roasters are these great big squash now, some of them are really long and orange and some of them are like more round and.</p><p>00:04:44.280 –&gt; 00:04:56.910 Joseph McElroy: And and green but I mean, some of them are the size of you know, a pig I mean they get big and they grow very they’re very sweet and they grow mostly I think in the mountains.</p><p>00:04:57.300 –&gt; 00:05:04.590 Joseph McElroy: And oftentimes we will use them instead of pumpkins and pies and breads and such.</p><p>00:05:04.950 –&gt; 00:05:19.410 Joseph McElroy: And there’s a lot of varieties I think there’s like over 40 varieties and people pass down the seeds of their favorite variety, like their family heirlooms and I also got some of those and planted them on my farm and I, for a number of years I grew grew.</p><p>00:05:20.580 –&gt; 00:05:22.050 Joseph McElroy: Those Kenny Rogers now.</p><p>00:05:23.250 –&gt; 00:05:35.970 Joseph McElroy: One of the tragedies in my life is my my wife died, my second wife died and I sort of lost interest in things for a little bit and I lost those seeds all right and that’s one of the you know, one of the sorrows of my.</p><p>00:05:36.720 –&gt; 00:05:48.630 Joseph McElroy: You know communal living is I ended a tradition so i’m gonna be talking to William here soon and see if I can get me some new of candy roaster seeds, so I can reinvent the tradition, because now i’ve got two year old kids.</p><p>00:05:49.140 –&gt; 00:06:00.600 Joseph McElroy: And I am really looking forward to teaching them about these traditions, and I think they loved or the prance around in a candy roaster from patch and find pumpkins and you know find squash bigger than they are.</p><p>00:06:02.640 –&gt; 00:06:09.270 Joseph McElroy: Right and and you know and i’ve done poetry a few times on this on this this.</p><p>00:06:09.810 –&gt; 00:06:28.080 Joseph McElroy: This show, and you know telling the stories makes me a little bit wispy and I like to you know deal with emotions and poetry, so I found this this this poem called the stack behind the barn by Sir Charles George Douglas Roberts I would love to have for first names is my name.</p><p>00:06:30.510 –&gt; 00:06:40.200 Joseph McElroy: But he is a Canadian potent died in 43 and he did I don’t think he was ever in the smokies but it speaks to.</p><p>00:06:41.550 –&gt; 00:06:55.470 Joseph McElroy: September, is here with the ripen the seeds and homely smell of the autumn weeds my heart goes back to the finished day and i’m again a boy at play in the stack behind the barn.</p><p>00:06:56.700 –&gt; 00:07:11.130 Joseph McElroy: Dear memory of the old home farm the hedge rows fencing the crops from harm the cows too heavy with milk for haste, the yard barnyard yellow with the harvest waste and the stack behind the barn.</p><p>00:07:12.240 –&gt; 00:07:28.200 Joseph McElroy: dear dear dear the old garden smell sweet million flocks that I love so well and the seating mint and the sage turn Gray, the deer the smell of the tumbled hey in the stack behind the barn.</p><p>00:07:29.610 –&gt; 00:07:43.620 Joseph McElroy: In the side of the stack we made our nest and there was the playhouse we love the best a thicket of golden rod bending and bright fill this with glory and hid for us from site in the set stack behind the barn.</p><p>00:07:44.640 –&gt; 00:07:58.860 Joseph McElroy: Then, when the stack with a year ran low and our frosty morning cheeks were a glow when time and forgotten the dropping leaves what joy to drop from the barns wide eve’s to the stack behind the barn.</p><p>00:08:00.000 –&gt; 00:08:19.230 Joseph McElroy: Oh childhood years your heedless feet have slipped away with how much that sweet dreams and memory master you to the make believe lot make believe of life is through I still may play as the children do in the stack behind the barn.</p><p>00:08:22.830 –&gt; 00:08:27.300 Joseph McElroy: So, especially my position in life that’s really you know.</p><p>00:08:28.200 –&gt; 00:08:39.450 Joseph McElroy: Great i’m you know it’s a it spoke to me so William is a i’m here is an old time fiddler and a seed saver from baker Seville North Carolina.</p><p>00:08:39.870 –&gt; 00:08:47.850 Joseph McElroy: is spent most of his adult life studying and sharing appalachian culture last year he loves the song the seed project which curates.</p><p>00:08:48.210 –&gt; 00:08:58.830 Joseph McElroy: Educational programs that combined old time music stories without telling seed saving another sample of southern appalachian traditions now i’ve had conversations with William.</p><p>00:08:59.190 –&gt; 00:09:12.030 Joseph McElroy: And you know, I was expecting this older guy and he’s a young guy but he’s got an old soul and lots of information, and I really wanted to have him on the show so William first thing you have a master’s degree.</p><p>00:09:12.390 –&gt; 00:09:14.640 Joseph McElroy: and probably got a few places.</p><p>00:09:15.030 –&gt; 00:09:20.910 Joseph McElroy: So tell me why is the mountain so attractive for you build your career there and your life.</p><p>00:09:21.360 –&gt; 00:09:25.980 William Ritter: Well, first of all i’m still gathering myself, because that poem really hit me hard.</p><p>00:09:30.270 –&gt; 00:09:30.780 Joseph McElroy: To make it.</p><p>00:09:32.310 –&gt; 00:09:32.880 Joseph McElroy: As well as.</p><p>00:09:32.940 –&gt; 00:09:36.240 William Ritter: Intellectual yeah so I wasn’t prepared I wasn’t prepared.</p><p>00:09:36.270 –&gt; 00:09:44.670 William Ritter: For that that was beautiful um yeah so I I grew up in Mitchell county bakers hill North Carolina and.</p><p>00:09:45.810 –&gt; 00:09:52.380 William Ritter: I was born and raised in Mitchell county and I did Finally, you know go off for college at Western.</p><p>00:09:53.550 –&gt; 00:10:06.000 William Ritter: I got a theater degree there and and then I went to upstate and that’s where I got my degree in appalachian studies, with a an emphasis on roots music.</p><p>00:10:07.650 –&gt; 00:10:16.350 William Ritter: I i’ve never been able to go very far from the mountains honestly it’s very, very hard for me, even as a kid we would go to the beach.</p><p>00:10:17.220 –&gt; 00:10:30.300 William Ritter: or or go on a mean really want family vacation so much, but my my parents are glass artists and so they would have shows that they had that when they go to and sometimes it takes us along and that kind of counted as the family, they.</p><p>00:10:31.710 –&gt; 00:10:42.150 William Ritter: But I never you know anyone, I think this really either lived in the mountains long time or is from the mountains can relate to that feeling of like when you’re in a very flat.</p><p>00:10:42.810 –&gt; 00:10:52.440 William Ritter: plane and you’re going along and all sudden in the distance she says blue mountains and you’re like Ah yes, yes i’m home oh i’m back, I feel like we’re a.</p><p>00:10:53.010 –&gt; 00:11:04.650 William Ritter: Or, I need to be at least that’s how I would feel for me and sometimes it wasn’t even close we were like hours and hours and hours away from Mitchell county but you know we were in the mountain it really it really felt like home.</p><p>00:11:05.610 –&gt; 00:11:22.110 Joseph McElroy: Or, or you know I get it, I I know my business with technology which is big when I was coming out of college and then and then marketing and all those you know, nowadays, you can be anywhere but then you have to be in the city is really to make a big living out of it right so.</p><p>00:11:22.170 –&gt; 00:11:22.620 William Ritter: Right.</p><p>00:11:22.680 –&gt; 00:11:23.280 William Ritter: And I did.</p><p>00:11:23.400 –&gt; 00:11:40.710 William Ritter: live in Winston Salem for a few years, which I met some wonderful folks there and I could see I could see a mountain from my part, which was like a godsend for me, but, but that was that was a little even the foothills were a little little far out of the mountains for me.</p><p>00:11:41.490 –&gt; 00:11:54.600 Joseph McElroy: So you know we’re going to talk about seed saving and I think i’m some fundamental level, we all know what seed saving is but can you give us a bigger picture of what’s seed saving isn’t isn’t it sort of a big cultural part of a cultural mix now and.</p><p>00:11:54.600 –&gt; 00:12:13.680 William Ritter: Say yeah, so there is like this, a modern kind of phenomena of people really getting into seed saving which a lot of that really developed came into I think everyone’s kind of the popular conscience with the use of GMOs and that you know kind of scared a lot of people.</p><p>00:12:14.910 –&gt; 00:12:25.650 William Ritter: To the point that that they decided they want in control of their own seed supply, which I totally totally get that’s not really how I got into it, but that’s the big part I think of what.</p><p>00:12:25.980 –&gt; 00:12:33.810 William Ritter: created that but then there also was the DIY movement, I think the do it yourself movement that really combined with with that.</p><p>00:12:34.230 –&gt; 00:12:42.060 William Ritter: Those and and that a lot of people wanted to have their own little garden there, so you start to see more urban gardening more rooftop gardening and that all kind of came together.</p><p>00:12:43.710 –&gt; 00:12:45.330 William Ritter: I think, to really encourage people to.</p><p>00:12:46.350 –&gt; 00:12:50.220 William Ritter: be in control of their own own seed sources is.</p><p>00:12:52.620 –&gt; 00:13:00.540 William Ritter: You know, really there’s a very few companies in the world that own a lot of the seeds so that’s certainly a concern, and if you were paying you know if you.</p><p>00:13:01.530 –&gt; 00:13:08.700 William Ritter: Think about that every family had maybe their own heirloom and most communities had certain heirlooms that were in other places.</p><p>00:13:09.360 –&gt; 00:13:20.250 William Ritter: If you think about how maybe we had 95% of people were farmers 100 years ago fast forward to today 5% of people are so our farmers, so you can just see how naturally.</p><p>00:13:21.030 –&gt; 00:13:29.310 William Ritter: Those all those different airlines and just drop off the mass so he’s precipitously lost all the so many airlines, I mean just they’ve.</p><p>00:13:30.210 –&gt; 00:13:38.220 William Ritter: gone by the wayside, honestly, for me, though I think of seed saving as as a Community act.</p><p>00:13:38.820 –&gt; 00:13:51.480 William Ritter: So it’s not just something where you’re taking the seeds you grow your tomato plant from a seed and then you got your tomato and you cut it open and you keep the season you dry them out in the plan for next year, that is, seed saving but.</p><p>00:13:52.200 –&gt; 00:14:02.700 William Ritter: The way that i’m looking at it it’s kind of like the older older kind of seed saving the real heirlooms in capital H kind of a way you know know seed catalog or anything, not that i’m against those but.</p><p>00:14:03.150 –&gt; 00:14:06.630 William Ritter: that a person would go to their neighbor or.</p><p>00:14:07.080 –&gt; 00:14:18.930 William Ritter: Something the Community, and they would exchange them with warm hands, as we say so that was like person to person and that’s a real Community act, I mean you can tell, and you can see that still a lot of appalachian heirlooms they’ll it’ll be like.</p><p>00:14:20.310 –&gt; 00:14:26.340 William Ritter: they’ll have a person’s name in them of the variety don’t just call it candy roast your seeds.</p><p>00:14:26.490 –&gt; 00:14:29.040 William Ritter: They might call that like uncle jimmy’s candy roaster.</p><p>00:14:29.400 –&gt; 00:14:31.710 William Ritter: And so it really underscores.</p><p>00:14:32.010 –&gt; 00:14:40.710 Joseph McElroy: That okay cool well when we come back we’re gonna talk more about what sparked your interest in old time music and seed saving.</p><p>00:17:41.220 –&gt; 00:17:51.360 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and my guest William richer, so I.</p><p>00:17:52.560 –&gt; 00:18:00.030 Joseph McElroy: I grew up you know, in a strong musical tradition around me in the haywood county and.</p><p>00:18:01.260 –&gt; 00:18:03.840 Joseph McElroy: At the time we lived in Jonathan creek.</p><p>00:18:05.190 –&gt; 00:18:14.040 Joseph McElroy: And you know I got interested in one brief period and learning banjo and other things, and like to start me out.</p><p>00:18:14.730 –&gt; 00:18:23.160 Joseph McElroy: I wanted to Dan banjo but my dad got started wanting to start me simpler, I think, of whatever he got me a guitar right and instead of lessons.</p><p>00:18:23.790 –&gt; 00:18:34.530 Joseph McElroy: To go with some local well known teacher, I can’t remember the name, right now, but loser, you know played all sorts of instruments and focus in traditional mountain music.</p><p>00:18:35.010 –&gt; 00:18:44.670 Joseph McElroy: And, and I had to go to school in the morning, carrying that guitar because I don’t know, right after school to the to the to the teacher who live near.</p><p>00:18:45.240 –&gt; 00:18:49.500 Joseph McElroy: And, as I got to the car and was walking walking up the.</p><p>00:18:50.190 –&gt; 00:19:06.360 Joseph McElroy: Steps there was a high steps for the school because it was rock hill school, which is a one world schoolhouse essentially it was like an old rock building these high steps like sort of bounded up them because it did it I fell I fell right on top of the guitar and crush the thing.</p><p>00:19:07.590 –&gt; 00:19:13.770 Joseph McElroy: Right and all the kids around I was a sort of a chevy though kid had a real self conscious problem anyway.</p><p>00:19:14.220 –&gt; 00:19:30.900 Joseph McElroy: I felt they all started, how would laughter and I turned red I started crying I you know I I just threw it away and I wouldn’t touch an instrument again for years, I really affect me that badly, so I missed my chance to get to to to.</p><p>00:19:31.470 –&gt; 00:19:40.740 Joseph McElroy: to explore my interest in mountain music, so what sparked your interest in appalachian traditions, like old time music and seed saving.</p><p>00:19:41.580 –&gt; 00:19:44.790 William Ritter: Well, well, I mean I gotta say first it’s never too.</p><p>00:19:44.850 –&gt; 00:19:45.120 late.</p><p>00:19:47.790 –&gt; 00:19:51.270 William Ritter: it’s never too late um but for me.</p><p>00:19:53.070 –&gt; 00:20:00.570 William Ritter: I don’t know I think I was kind of surprised that I ended up picking up the fiddle and and other string instruments.</p><p>00:20:01.710 –&gt; 00:20:11.040 William Ritter: You know i’d always been told that you pretty much needed to be born like with a fiddle in your hands like you’d never really amounted to anything if you didn’t start very young and that’s really not.</p><p>00:20:11.640 –&gt; 00:20:19.800 William Ritter: Not necessarily true um so I didn’t really in earnest start playing the fiddle until I was in.</p><p>00:20:21.930 –&gt; 00:20:23.820 William Ritter: High School kind of going on college.</p><p>00:20:25.980 –&gt; 00:20:37.170 William Ritter: And I got this precocious idea that I would make my own fiddle because I was a handy type of person I grew up in a family of artists and we just made stuff when we needed it.</p><p>00:20:37.560 –&gt; 00:20:56.460 William Ritter: So I didn’t think anything of it, I I, so I am I ordered some bits and parts and I kind of borrowed some tools, and so I started working on this, putting the spittle together in my in my dad who’s an artist, he said, you know you really need to talk to someone who knows what 30 who.</p><p>00:20:57.690 –&gt; 00:21:03.690 William Ritter: can really show you there’s actually there’s this old man that you should go to meetings really interesting guy.</p><p>00:21:04.110 –&gt; 00:21:15.450 William Ritter: And so I said all right all right, so I went up there and I met that’s where i’m at right del injure and rate past earlier this year, but he really just.</p><p>00:21:15.960 –&gt; 00:21:24.660 William Ritter: He really guarded I mean in the beginning it was just me going, and he showed me how to make a little tool, or he showed me how to do a certain thing or he.</p><p>00:21:26.280 –&gt; 00:21:40.080 William Ritter: He basically would just help me and all these different ways, and I remember when I brought my fiddle after i’d put it together there’s this particular part called a sound post that’s loose really in the fiddle it just held in by by tension barely and.</p><p>00:21:41.160 –&gt; 00:21:51.960 William Ritter: That I was having a really hard time getting in there, because you put the film together and then you prop it up it’s it’s best thing best left to experts, but anyway, so I took it to him and he said it up and.</p><p>00:21:52.710 –&gt; 00:22:03.300 William Ritter: He said he’ll never he never forget the the look in my face when he bowed across the strings and it it made us, you know it sounded like a fiddle maybe not a violin playing the fiddle.</p><p>00:22:04.500 –&gt; 00:22:17.520 William Ritter: And so you know I just kept visiting Ray and I would help them a little something instruments, sometimes, and as I went to visit him more it was less about making fiddles or guitars and more about playing music, I mean he basically be like.</p><p>00:22:18.180 –&gt; 00:22:28.080 William Ritter: To get the fiddle out and start playing, and you know I couldn’t play to save my life, but he would encourage me just non stop, and let me just make mistakes and I worked my way along and.</p><p>00:22:28.530 –&gt; 00:22:40.200 William Ritter: he’d say, do you know how to play, you know certain tune, and I said never heard it before and helmet for me I go home and learn it, so I had this really I mean I didn’t even know but a really traditional way to learn to play.</p><p>00:22:41.820 –&gt; 00:22:42.450 William Ritter: And I.</p><p>00:22:43.560 –&gt; 00:22:53.670 William Ritter: You know kind of went out to the broader world and I started to meet other people that were like really interested in an old time music, but they didn’t really know any old timers.</p><p>00:22:53.970 –&gt; 00:23:00.210 William Ritter: So that was kind of bizarre to me that they were like into the music, but they were listening to like recordings and I was.</p><p>00:23:01.530 –&gt; 00:23:06.240 William Ritter: I was doing that, too, but I also felt like there was a big disconnect when they weren’t.</p><p>00:23:06.360 –&gt; 00:23:08.940 Joseph McElroy: kind of there’s still a lot of old timers and.</p><p>00:23:09.330 –&gt; 00:23:13.020 William Ritter: Learning and there were more than that was about 15 years ago.</p><p>00:23:14.070 –&gt; 00:23:19.140 William Ritter: And, and so I was, and in fact someone did come up to me and it changed my life.</p><p>00:23:19.530 –&gt; 00:23:27.150 William Ritter: She said, you know I think it’s a shame that you’re learning from recordings when there’s so many musicians around here, I was like oh my gosh you know my my head like I.</p><p>00:23:28.110 –&gt; 00:23:41.220 William Ritter: know in and I realized when she said that that yeah I mean that’s what I had been doing with Ray but I needed to think about them seriously and then over time I realized, you know, there are songs I learned from Ray that I didn’t even like.</p><p>00:23:42.630 –&gt; 00:23:51.270 William Ritter: But now they’re like they’re precious to me and I wouldn’t give them up for anything and I love them but it’s like a different relationship than just something you look like what’s cool.</p><p>00:23:51.510 –&gt; 00:23:54.420 William Ritter: is like something you like, because of that human connection and.</p><p>00:23:55.050 –&gt; 00:24:01.320 William Ritter: And I really just basically found the same thing with seeds, you know, like I didn’t even really like tomatoes that much when I started.</p><p>00:24:03.150 –&gt; 00:24:03.630 William Ritter: Saving.</p><p>00:24:03.930 –&gt; 00:24:10.590 William Ritter: that’s changed but also they’re just sweater tomatoes, then like what you get at a store like a hybrid tomato it’s just it’s just better I mean.</p><p>00:24:10.650 –&gt; 00:24:16.020 Joseph McElroy: So you find you find the traditions of old time music and seed saving or are similar.</p><p>00:24:16.380 –&gt; 00:24:20.700 William Ritter: Oh they’re incredibly similar I mean you know they’re handed down like.</p><p>00:24:21.240 –&gt; 00:24:30.120 William Ritter: The hand first you know, usually with family members and a Community go to different communities, and they have different songs different seeds than other communities.</p><p>00:24:30.720 –&gt; 00:24:45.360 William Ritter: And sometimes you’ll have all these songs that have the same name but in different communities different tune so it’s like you’d be like hey you know, a kitty push and then the other person yeah I know katie person you start to play and they’re not the same.</p><p>00:24:46.650 –&gt; 00:24:54.060 William Ritter: But that happens with with seeds to you’ll you’ll you know you see a lot of seeds have the same name and they aren’t that’s not the same seed.</p><p>00:24:55.290 –&gt; 00:25:00.150 William Ritter: So there’s really just there’s a lot in common, they go really, really well well together.</p><p>00:25:00.690 –&gt; 00:25:04.440 Joseph McElroy: Oh wow well that’s cool do you um you know I had.</p><p>00:25:06.660 –&gt; 00:25:11.280 Joseph McElroy: I was thinking, do you have a farm right, I have a farmer says like yeah.</p><p>00:25:11.460 –&gt; 00:25:12.210 William Ritter: We farm.</p><p>00:25:12.870 –&gt; 00:25:17.130 Joseph McElroy: Farm so you you do produce some heirloom crops right.</p><p>00:25:17.550 –&gt; 00:25:25.110 William Ritter: i’m a little bit not so I mean mostly what I do is earned over into seeds and I eat it.</p><p>00:25:25.680 –&gt; 00:25:34.980 William Ritter: The the plant itself, but some i’m and i’m also trying to transition out of what’s very natural for me is, if I have access, that I grew.</p><p>00:25:35.430 –&gt; 00:25:45.690 William Ritter: To like give it to other people is like is ingrained in me in a way, I didn’t even realize until I started trying to sell you know some of the produce and and I really just wanted to give it to.</p><p>00:25:46.590 –&gt; 00:25:48.480 William Ritter: me, I mean that’s what we always did we had a.</p><p>00:25:48.540 –&gt; 00:25:57.450 William Ritter: Huge garden growing up, if you had more than you need it, you took it to neighbors and friends and arrows are likely to have it unless they had a garden too and they’re like Oh well, we’ll we’ll get this to.</p><p>00:25:58.170 –&gt; 00:25:58.500 Oh.</p><p>00:25:59.670 –&gt; 00:26:04.080 Joseph McElroy: So you’re trying to start selling a little bit though you’ve got a little bit.</p><p>00:26:04.110 –&gt; 00:26:04.410 Joseph McElroy: I mean.</p><p>00:26:04.680 –&gt; 00:26:08.400 William Ritter: A little bit still a big part of what i’m trying to do is is create.</p><p>00:26:09.420 –&gt; 00:26:13.140 William Ritter: create these public events and.</p><p>00:26:13.410 –&gt; 00:26:14.730 William Ritter: Educational events.</p><p>00:26:16.170 –&gt; 00:26:18.690 William Ritter: That all got shot to you know to heck.</p><p>00:26:20.160 –&gt; 00:26:23.970 Joseph McElroy: we’ll be bringing that back you can you can do those at the battle Arc motel, by the way.</p><p>00:26:24.330 –&gt; 00:26:25.260 William Ritter: Oh yeah I.</p><p>00:26:25.290 –&gt; 00:26:26.970 William Ritter: would love to yeah.</p><p>00:26:28.740 –&gt; 00:26:39.150 Joseph McElroy: What so you know let’s let’s say for people out there, listening to this to find out where that what they how they can participate in this other than growing their own produce.</p><p>00:26:39.780 –&gt; 00:26:53.160 Joseph McElroy: You know in in the mountains, you can go to farm stands and things like that to find heirloom prudent produce you know it’s a big thing I think mountains to you know, to go to that sort of thing what are some of the good places, you know.</p><p>00:26:53.700 –&gt; 00:27:04.650 William Ritter: Well, well real quick um there are some great farmers markets in western North Carolina East Tennessee to, though not as familiar there but i’m Silva has a great farmers market.</p><p>00:27:05.430 –&gt; 00:27:16.500 William Ritter: waynesville has a great farmers market at both of those just to say real quick i’ve seen beautiful heirlooms particularly candy roasters just some to die for candy roasters but all up and down North Carolina.</p><p>00:27:17.310 –&gt; 00:27:24.480 William Ritter: Western Carolina towns of any size i’m have farmers markets and you’ll really find traditional heirloom vegetables there.</p><p>00:27:26.100 –&gt; 00:27:30.300 William Ritter: So that’s that’s a great place to go almost every time every town has one or two.</p><p>00:27:30.960 –&gt; 00:27:37.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think the you know the one in haywood county that’s one angel is a historic farmers markets been going on for a long time.</p><p>00:27:38.460 –&gt; 00:27:38.880 William Ritter: Yes.</p><p>00:27:38.910 –&gt; 00:27:57.090 Joseph McElroy: it’s a pretty classic one you know something else I mentioned, you know, since i’m yeah i’m talking about you know places I like I like barbers orchard orchard in their ways and they have a fruit stand them is just to die for, and they have heirloom apples right.</p><p>00:27:57.240 –&gt; 00:28:10.830 Joseph McElroy: So yes, people definitely should look that up so when we come back we’ll talk about more more about the you know heirloom seeds and and all sorts of things to do in the mountains.</p><p>00:31:00.060 –&gt; 00:31:09.090 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest William Richard so William.</p><p>00:31:09.630 –&gt; 00:31:18.300 Joseph McElroy: you’ve already named a few varieties of heirlooms but you know if someone goes to a protest and are farmers farmers market in the smokies what are they looking for.</p><p>00:31:19.290 –&gt; 00:31:28.050 William Ritter: Okay, so we talked a little bit about candy register so that’s a big one, and like he’s mentioned, they can come and all different sorts of shapes and sizes.</p><p>00:31:29.460 –&gt; 00:31:38.490 William Ritter: Often they’re pretty big it could be intimidatingly large like if you’re on vacation and you’re like i’m gonna make some pies you probably don’t need one the size of a coffee table.</p><p>00:31:38.880 –&gt; 00:31:42.420 Joseph McElroy: If you look if you see something looks like a pod from those bodysnatchers.</p><p>00:31:42.420 –&gt; 00:31:43.620 Joseph McElroy: you’re probably getting close.</p><p>00:31:44.820 –&gt; 00:31:45.360 William Ritter: yeah.</p><p>00:31:46.800 –&gt; 00:31:51.090 William Ritter: Oh, but, but essentially it’s a winter squash sometimes it look kind of like what’s called a banana squash.</p><p>00:31:51.690 –&gt; 00:31:55.440 William Ritter: And, just to be clear, a winter squash is not grown in the winter unless you’re like in Florida.</p><p>00:31:56.160 –&gt; 00:32:08.160 William Ritter: It just keeps really well it’ll it’ll hold over the winter, I actually had a candy roaster last like a year and a half once for went bad it was it started it wasn’t an experiment at first, but then it really turned into an experiment.</p><p>00:32:09.660 –&gt; 00:32:21.060 William Ritter: But so so that’s one thing is the candy roasters that’s a big you know squash to be around in the fall, just like when people are put pumpkins out and there are some candy roasters that are shaped like a pumpkin.</p><p>00:32:21.810 –&gt; 00:32:27.150 William Ritter: too, and so that’d be a just a thing, where you know me is that when you have any candy roasters or.</p><p>00:32:28.800 –&gt; 00:32:36.780 William Ritter: And that So hopefully you find some there, but then in terms, beans one real good indicator of an heirloom being.</p><p>00:32:37.830 –&gt; 00:32:47.760 William Ritter: Is that they’re really full So if you were to go get like a beans at the grocery store they’re like round, all the way around and thin mom and kind of look like.</p><p>00:32:48.090 –&gt; 00:33:02.640 William Ritter: A stick or a cylinder well old timey beans were like big fat things i’m you you’d know Joseph but but they they have what what a big seed and then in there when they’re in the in the been we call them a bullet.</p><p>00:33:03.690 –&gt; 00:33:11.280 William Ritter: Point of trivia but those beans, a real fat they look like they’re about to pop they’ve almost got such a big seed in it and.</p><p>00:33:12.150 –&gt; 00:33:19.770 William Ritter: At that stage there’s a lot of flavor there’s a lot of nutrition, particularly so if you’re thinking about in the old days you’re trying to you know not.</p><p>00:33:20.490 –&gt; 00:33:32.490 William Ritter: Your subsisting on cornbread and and grits and and make some kind of animal you know what kind of meat, you can come by that’s probably really heavily salted and smoked.</p><p>00:33:33.450 –&gt; 00:33:37.650 William Ritter: And then their genes, but they’d have all this nutrition that’s not in.</p><p>00:33:38.400 –&gt; 00:33:42.750 William Ritter: A modern grocery store of being it’s real thin that the seeds, not even developed it’s.</p><p>00:33:43.050 –&gt; 00:33:53.610 William Ritter: Like a green thing and we should eat green things but it’s not as healthy for us, the big beans, but those my attorneys they get tough, so they can’t grow that big because he wouldn’t be able to eat them.</p><p>00:33:53.760 –&gt; 00:34:01.590 William Ritter: Right so that’s that’s one thing to look for us as bigger beans and so there’s a lot of different kinds and there’s October beans and there’s also.</p><p>00:34:02.160 –&gt; 00:34:13.380 William Ritter: Which are kind of in a late summer early fall they start coming on and they’re usually kind of speckled and then sometimes there’s so it’s called shelly beans and shelley’s are just.</p><p>00:34:14.070 –&gt; 00:34:29.190 William Ritter: it’s like a bean seed that’s almost like so right, this is going to start drying to become dormant and it’s right before that’s like as big as the seeds going to get any they take that out of the pod and then you cook that and, like in a soup soup beams or whatever.</p><p>00:34:30.630 –&gt; 00:34:42.090 William Ritter: You know it’s nothing like a any you’ve been you’ve ever had if you’ve not had shall always be cook those down there they’re so good, I think, someone like call them like mountain into mommy or something.</p><p>00:34:44.310 –&gt; 00:34:50.040 William Ritter: But so that’s one thing to keep an eye out for and when it comes to tomatoes you’re looking for.</p><p>00:34:51.000 –&gt; 00:35:01.680 William Ritter: an ugly duckling you know you’re looking for like a something that’s kind of got cracks all over it, and it’s got green on the top but it’s but it’s like it’s not all the way right, so it looks like.</p><p>00:35:01.800 –&gt; 00:35:02.670 William Ritter: And that’s true.</p><p>00:35:02.970 –&gt; 00:35:13.230 Joseph McElroy: And it’s not like we get grocery stores here and whole foods up here if they got tomatoes and they look they look like they’re both hair color and everything but he’s not talking about those and even.</p><p>00:35:13.230 –&gt; 00:35:14.520 Joseph McElroy: Though even uglier.</p><p>00:35:14.640 –&gt; 00:35:18.570 William Ritter: And yes, yes yeah and probably not grown in a greenhouse in Canada.</p><p>00:35:19.920 –&gt; 00:35:28.680 William Ritter: And so yeah they’re they’re really they they’re sometimes you’ll get one that’s like pristine but that’s not average and also not important.</p><p>00:35:29.520 –&gt; 00:35:36.600 William Ritter: But they’re they’re thin is Skinner their their thing is scanner to scan is thinner, that is why they they split you kind of like that.</p><p>00:35:37.590 –&gt; 00:35:51.630 William Ritter: And there’ll be usually kind of soft and they can come in different colors so you know yellows you’ll see a lot you’ll see like a pinkish red color and a lot of them are big so they’re like big enough you’d slice them and put them on a sandwich or.</p><p>00:35:52.440 –&gt; 00:36:01.500 William Ritter: A tomato biscuit which is never had a tomato biscuit it’s just manet’s and a biscuit and tomato and if that doesn’t sound good you haven’t tried it.</p><p>00:36:02.880 –&gt; 00:36:04.230 Joseph McElroy: I wouldn’t have thought that was good.</p><p>00:36:04.260 –&gt; 00:36:07.140 William Ritter: Until I had it to made a biscuit in my young life.</p><p>00:36:07.170 –&gt; 00:36:11.760 Joseph McElroy: I grew up eating tomato tomato sandwich is that was just saying oh my God.</p><p>00:36:11.850 –&gt; 00:36:13.470 William Ritter: Man is right, and so in.</p><p>00:36:13.980 –&gt; 00:36:16.200 Joseph McElroy: Real Daddy hellman’s man is.</p><p>00:36:17.580 –&gt; 00:36:19.770 William Ritter: Well, you know down here a lot, a lot of dukes.</p><p>00:36:20.280 –&gt; 00:36:21.090 Joseph McElroy: Do Sir yeah.</p><p>00:36:21.150 –&gt; 00:36:30.720 William Ritter: yeah we’ve got a lot a lot like a Duke Duke fans sometimes basketball and manet’s and sometimes just the manet’s.</p><p>00:36:31.800 –&gt; 00:36:32.250 William Ritter: But.</p><p>00:36:33.780 –&gt; 00:36:45.480 William Ritter: So so there’s that there’s also what’s called a Mr stripy and I have to mention that that is like a it’s like read on the bottom and yellow on the top and if you cut it open it looks like a sunrise.</p><p>00:36:45.930 –&gt; 00:36:51.990 William Ritter: And that’s like one of the quintessential mountain heirlooms and it’s killing me to even think about eating one right now.</p><p>00:36:52.140 –&gt; 00:36:52.830 Joseph McElroy: they’re really good.</p><p>00:36:53.100 –&gt; 00:36:56.550 William Ritter: they’re really good and then there’s Tommy toes which are like a cherry tomato.</p><p>00:36:57.900 –&gt; 00:36:58.920 William Ritter: is another one.</p><p>00:37:00.840 –&gt; 00:37:01.950 Joseph McElroy: Where there’s heirloom.</p><p>00:37:02.310 –&gt; 00:37:07.200 Joseph McElroy: Fruit right we talked about heirloom apples all these things are a little bit ugly but they’re.</p><p>00:37:07.650 –&gt; 00:37:11.640 William Ritter: Often yeah yeah heritage tomatoes, I mean our.</p><p>00:37:12.180 –&gt; 00:37:15.450 William Ritter: heritage apples, we could talk all day about.</p><p>00:37:16.080 –&gt; 00:37:22.020 William Ritter: But yeah but again I mean again you’re hearing that like a russet sometimes they’re all kind of scarred looking on top those.</p><p>00:37:24.990 –&gt; 00:37:36.330 William Ritter: Are the apples, but yeah they’re about a lot of it’s just asking to at the farmers market, I mean but there’s heirlooms and then there’s like other heirlooms but ugly is is the tape.</p><p>00:37:38.790 –&gt; 00:37:51.150 Joseph McElroy: So if cooking isn’t your thing right, so you never go to farmer thing then let’s just go eat it why you get it, but we’re What would you say where you can work in the spirit some traditional appalachian foodways.</p><p>00:37:51.570 –&gt; 00:38:01.740 William Ritter: Well um I off the top of my head, I mean i’d love to have a real complete list of there should be a good listing for that i’m honestly.</p><p>00:38:02.010 –&gt; 00:38:03.240 Joseph McElroy: To tell people about a listing.</p><p>00:38:03.750 –&gt; 00:38:15.270 William Ritter: yeah right um well, but I do know in asheville there’s that benny on eagle I don’t know if i’m saying that right, but they have a lot of appalachian and Afro Latin.</p><p>00:38:16.410 –&gt; 00:38:29.820 William Ritter: Foods there so that’s that places is really, really good there’s books and hall Barbecue sometimes they have leather riches I don’t know if they might get the health inspector told them they couldn’t do letter bridges anymore, which is a crying shame.</p><p>00:38:29.850 –&gt; 00:38:30.870 Joseph McElroy: What is leather britches.</p><p>00:38:30.990 –&gt; 00:38:35.970 William Ritter: So a leather britches well i’ll talk about other races in a second.</p><p>00:38:36.000 –&gt; 00:38:52.170 William Ritter: But before that there’s the the blind blind pig supper club that’s a charity kind of pop up restaurant farm to table thing really need to go to cherokee there’s paul’s restaurant, which is very famous for really traditional fair.</p><p>00:38:53.910 –&gt; 00:39:03.810 William Ritter: You can eat like rabbit and things like that there and then grand kitchen is over in cherokee, and that is a lot of traditional stuff they might not have like green beans and stuff like that, but it’s it’s pretty traditional appalachian food.</p><p>00:39:03.870 –&gt; 00:39:08.520 Joseph McElroy: Well there’s I think I heard that bear water grill some good traditional food and.</p><p>00:39:08.970 –&gt; 00:39:10.830 Joseph McElroy: They might be doing that and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:39:11.250 –&gt; 00:39:16.830 Joseph McElroy: yeah sweet onion in waynesville those will do some farm to table heirloom stuff as well.</p><p>00:39:16.890 –&gt; 00:39:18.930 William Ritter: Oh sure sure yeah well yeah.</p><p>00:39:20.340 –&gt; 00:39:25.620 William Ritter: I don’t know frog sleeps still there in waynesville but they have some wonderful farm to.</p><p>00:39:25.710 –&gt; 00:39:31.200 Joseph McElroy: table so there’s lots of there’s you know there’s there i’ll be giving a resource at the end on how to find some of this stuff.</p><p>00:39:32.430 –&gt; 00:39:34.920 Joseph McElroy: But there is quite a bit of places to visit.</p><p>00:39:35.910 –&gt; 00:39:37.890 Joseph McElroy: You mentioned Linda britches i’m dying to know what the heck.</p><p>00:39:38.580 –&gt; 00:39:38.910 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:39:39.360 –&gt; 00:39:41.940 William Ritter: I know I didn’t know that this was going to be like.</p><p>00:39:42.660 –&gt; 00:39:52.770 William Ritter: On zoom video or I would have I would have held up some leather wretches but um maybe you might have heard them called chef beans or szaky beans, possibly.</p><p>00:39:53.820 –&gt; 00:40:03.360 William Ritter: But all that is is that back before or new fangled canning technology, where you could preserve your your stuff by canning it.</p><p>00:40:04.530 –&gt; 00:40:06.780 William Ritter: And even before you know pickling it.</p><p>00:40:08.250 –&gt; 00:40:20.550 William Ritter: People would take their beans still in the hall in in the in the green bean hole, and they would either put it on a piece of twine I use a guitar string.</p><p>00:40:21.210 –&gt; 00:40:32.190 William Ritter: But on a or a real waxy strong thread, or sometimes they just put it out over a screen or on a tin roof or in an old car that drives them out real good.</p><p>00:40:33.300 –&gt; 00:40:38.790 William Ritter: And then, what happens is they dry up and they turn time it kind of brownish sometimes it look a little green still.</p><p>00:40:40.200 –&gt; 00:40:50.730 William Ritter: And, and they look a lot like leather and you can only use certain types of beans for this, by the way, because they have to be like a tender hold to being and you couldn’t use you couldn’t go to the grocery store again.</p><p>00:40:51.090 –&gt; 00:40:57.240 William Ritter: and get some of those modern beans and put a string through, it would be like leather because they get tough.</p><p>00:40:57.600 –&gt; 00:40:59.220 William Ritter: But, but what you do is.</p><p>00:40:59.670 –&gt; 00:41:12.330 William Ritter: Sad those and you they dry and then you can eat them later in the year when you no longer have beans, you know, so you can keep you all through the winter, but what you do is you just cook them you basically not been cooked but you just you know you take that string off that’s important.</p><p>00:41:13.650 –&gt; 00:41:21.060 William Ritter: And you put them down in water, and you know big piece of fat pack or something in there, and you just cook it for a good while.</p><p>00:41:21.330 –&gt; 00:41:32.760 William Ritter: And it turns into this like completely different thing it’s not like green beans, but it is, and anyone that really grew up on leather britches usually it mentioned it, they just like salivate and they’re.</p><p>00:41:32.760 –&gt; 00:41:35.820 William Ritter: Like also frustrated because they’re like I can’t have that.</p><p>00:41:37.200 –&gt; 00:41:38.700 William Ritter: Where do you go for leather riches.</p><p>00:41:38.790 –&gt; 00:41:41.670 Joseph McElroy: wow I didn’t have that part of my tradition.</p><p>00:41:41.670 –&gt; 00:41:43.500 Joseph McElroy: So interesting there’s lots of there’s.</p><p>00:41:43.530 –&gt; 00:41:50.340 Joseph McElroy: lots of things in the mountains that are very specific to a particular communities and don’t necessarily translate the other ones right.</p><p>00:41:50.370 –&gt; 00:41:55.470 William Ritter: Sure well any you never know when Maybe someone in your family might have had a bad experience so that.</p><p>00:41:57.210 –&gt; 00:42:00.060 William Ritter: i’m not doing that anymore canning is much easier.</p><p>00:42:00.540 –&gt; 00:42:03.030 William Ritter: I don’t want ugly things all over my torch.</p><p>00:42:03.870 –&gt; 00:42:10.470 Joseph McElroy: So if somebody wanted to grow some of this stuff and get some seeds are heirloom seeds to grow in their gardens were being a good place.</p><p>00:42:11.280 –&gt; 00:42:34.410 William Ritter: uh well, one that I talked about a lot, because I think they do a really big job is and it’s I think it’s heirlooms.org but that’s the sustainable mountain agriculture farm, it was in berea Kentucky but, but now it’s moved to somewhere in Tennessee to to near another university there.</p><p>00:42:35.880 –&gt; 00:42:42.360 William Ritter: And you can go on their website and they have a great selection of just I mean honest to goodness heirloom seeds, I mean they’re the stuff that were.</p><p>00:42:42.540 –&gt; 00:42:55.290 William Ritter: passed down and people’s families and and all the different kinds, you can be so educated by going there and look up pink tips and October beans and Greens, the beans and cut shorts, and I mean it just there’s all these kinds of beans it’s incredible.</p><p>00:42:56.430 –&gt; 00:43:07.920 William Ritter: Southern appalachian the richest seed shed most most different kinds of seeds in North America right in central Mexico which, to be second to central Mexico and seeds is is incredible.</p><p>00:43:09.120 –&gt; 00:43:12.570 William Ritter: So that that’s an important.</p><p>00:43:15.360 –&gt; 00:43:17.130 William Ritter: that’s an important place to go.</p><p>00:43:18.390 –&gt; 00:43:23.460 William Ritter: there’s also so true seeds just talking about regionally in asheville.</p><p>00:43:24.450 –&gt; 00:43:32.070 William Ritter: There you can they have a catalog you can also go to the actual store that’s really nice and they have their seeds, you know a little little farmers.</p><p>00:43:32.610 –&gt; 00:43:44.220 William Ritter: markets and and places there’s also also going to feed and seeds, those are huge bryson city farm supply has great seeds, but you know that for me is like tourism, like, I want to go to the feed and see.</p><p>00:43:45.120 –&gt; 00:43:56.040 William Ritter: If I see an old hardware store my Ah yes i’m there that’s that wasn’t for me, but also very brief self promotion, I do have some seeds for adoption on my website.</p><p>00:43:56.430 –&gt; 00:44:06.660 Joseph McElroy: cool so when we come back we’ll finish up with you tell us a little bit about what you’re doing and resources and I will also tell you some resources to do some agricultural tourism in about.</p><p>00:46:25.290 –&gt; 00:46:39.780 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin back holroyd back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest William Ritter, so William you have a you have a organization called song to see, can you tell us about that.</p><p>00:46:41.340 –&gt; 00:46:43.890 William Ritter: Well organization makes it sound bigger than it is.</p><p>00:46:45.270 –&gt; 00:46:47.310 Joseph McElroy: Always always dressed for what you want to be.</p><p>00:46:48.630 –&gt; 00:46:49.230 William Ritter: i’m wearing.</p><p>00:46:49.440 –&gt; 00:46:51.810 William Ritter: wearing a flannel Plaid so I guess.</p><p>00:46:56.010 –&gt; 00:46:58.110 William Ritter: um yeah so some good seed.</p><p>00:46:59.310 –&gt; 00:47:07.740 William Ritter: is something it’s been a little hard for me to actually have a elevator speech for for a while, because it’s not just an organization or a project to.</p><p>00:47:09.060 –&gt; 00:47:15.690 William Ritter: kind of share and spread seeds, which is part of it, but really kind of zooming out from that to think about.</p><p>00:47:17.610 –&gt; 00:47:27.690 William Ritter: Really, how this can be like a metaphorical seed for all kinds of different appalachian folkways what I am trying to do with my work is to.</p><p>00:47:28.530 –&gt; 00:47:44.820 William Ritter: is to a highlight people that I don’t think maybe as our that I want to give credit to people who I don’t think get credit, whether they’re older story to tell us, or just people that are like really you know living there appalachian life but but.</p><p>00:47:45.960 –&gt; 00:47:48.030 William Ritter: You know, maybe they’re not getting half credit for that.</p><p>00:47:49.080 –&gt; 00:47:57.000 William Ritter: But also, you know i’m really thinking about these folk ways, whether it’s it’s dance Community dances all playing for dances and organizing them.</p><p>00:47:57.780 –&gt; 00:48:10.350 William Ritter: Whether it’s a you know getting together these old tile old style working bees, which is like a been stringing or corn shucking where people get together and all you get big crowd to get a big job done quickly it’s like a barn raising that’s.</p><p>00:48:10.560 –&gt; 00:48:11.910 William Ritter: thankful working be.</p><p>00:48:12.120 –&gt; 00:48:23.400 William Ritter: i’d like to see that kind of stuff come back and within those reconnect all these different folkways together, where they used to be and where I think they held each other up better.</p><p>00:48:24.420 –&gt; 00:48:36.270 William Ritter: Rather than kind of separating them into their their little idols I don’t think they’re they stand as well without the context, like the context is is key, I mean like the joke for old time music is it’s better than it sounds.</p><p>00:48:38.340 –&gt; 00:48:47.070 William Ritter: So I mean there’s there’s that but that’s really what what i’m aiming to do is is is yes to share seeds, but also to really encourage.</p><p>00:48:47.580 –&gt; 00:48:56.400 William Ritter: You know people to pick up music and and end it and to really get their name or their neighbor like I talked about seed saving as a Community act old time music is a Community at dancing is.</p><p>00:48:56.880 –&gt; 00:49:05.850 William Ritter: The Act, these are all Community building things that these rural communities used to really rely on me if you think that couldn’t figure that like you know you worked on your.</p><p>00:49:06.780 –&gt; 00:49:21.450 William Ritter: Pretty large family farm let’s say and you had like nine brothers and sisters and your parents and your grandma but you didn’t really see anybody else but them from us to the day, the place you’d go, you know it was like a dance to meet other people.</p><p>00:49:21.990 –&gt; 00:49:22.890 William Ritter: In the Community to.</p><p>00:49:22.950 –&gt; 00:49:38.760 William Ritter: Get that that kind of fellowship if it wasn’t a church, which you know, there was that, too, but that that those are really important when people were disconnected and I think we’re disconnected again we’re really disconnected now i’m with everything that’s going on, as they say.</p><p>00:49:38.820 –&gt; 00:49:39.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah right now.</p><p>00:49:39.930 –&gt; 00:49:47.700 William Ritter: yeah we are really disconnected I mean, even before the Panda and I was thinking like you know, politically, there is this golf and I, my hope and.</p><p>00:49:48.540 –&gt; 00:50:00.750 William Ritter: and ambition is really to try to you know make better neighbors and try to get people to see and hear each other and and maybe see their fun the mental humanity other you know dancing together.</p><p>00:50:02.070 –&gt; 00:50:11.520 William Ritter: So i’m so sorry to see it as is kind of vague in some ways it’s an official name for kind of the the entirety of all this stuff that I do, which is a lot.</p><p>00:50:11.730 –&gt; 00:50:13.590 William Ritter: Whether it’s teaching fiddle lesson.</p><p>00:50:14.730 –&gt; 00:50:31.680 William Ritter: Or what I do a lot of different things, but it’s all around the same kind of idea of you know enriching communities, hopefully revitalizing rural communities and you know getting people, especially young people like to buy in and again and live here so.</p><p>00:50:32.370 –&gt; 00:50:35.760 Joseph McElroy: there’s a lot to it, so how do How do people get Ahold of you.</p><p>00:50:36.570 –&gt; 00:50:51.030 William Ritter: Well, I do have song to see calm and so you know you can contact me there, we also have a Facebook um and we also have an instagram but that’s that’s pretty much the gist of it.</p><p>00:50:51.930 –&gt; 00:50:53.820 Joseph McElroy: You about your your YouTube channel, I saw.</p><p>00:50:53.850 –&gt; 00:50:56.280 William Ritter: Oh, I do yeah that’s very fresh that’s very.</p><p>00:50:56.430 –&gt; 00:50:58.860 William Ritter: Well it’s not fresh and like a cool way it’s just very new.</p><p>00:51:00.090 –&gt; 00:51:12.420 William Ritter: I did, I do have my own YouTube channel, but I say I need to kind of split off that because there’s a whole gaggle of things on on my regular YouTube but, but the song the seeds, where I have.</p><p>00:51:14.100 –&gt; 00:51:25.470 William Ritter: Some of the original songs that i’ve written about heirlooms kind of my educational songs that’s also where I will be putting some more kind of like how to kind of stuff with with traditional gardening.</p><p>00:51:25.830 –&gt; 00:51:35.700 William Ritter: And also, I have a storyteller on there so that’s another part of work, working with Bobby McMillan is one storyteller and ballad singer particularly that i’ve.</p><p>00:51:36.810 –&gt; 00:51:42.450 William Ritter: been working with a lot as a good friend of mine, and so I have him telling an old old folk tale.</p><p>00:51:42.720 –&gt; 00:51:43.770 Joseph McElroy: Yes, yeah.</p><p>00:51:43.830 –&gt; 00:51:49.830 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you for coming and being on the show we have some we had a lot of questions we didn’t get to show.</p><p>00:51:50.010 –&gt; 00:51:50.430 William Ritter: All right.</p><p>00:51:50.910 –&gt; 00:51:52.170 Joseph McElroy: And I think that’ll be great.</p><p>00:51:52.170 –&gt; 00:51:52.740 So.</p><p>00:51:53.880 –&gt; 00:52:02.850 Joseph McElroy: I want everybody to if you want to find out more about haywood county or agritourism, which is big as actually a big thing in the mountains.</p><p>00:52:03.540 –&gt; 00:52:10.860 Joseph McElroy: You can go to gateways to the smokies dot fun, which is the site for this podcast where there’s a lot there’s a previous podcast there’s.</p><p>00:52:11.430 –&gt; 00:52:18.600 Joseph McElroy: Articles posted different resources and right at the top on the on the on the far right is a there’s a haywood county.</p><p>00:52:19.080 –&gt; 00:52:34.200 Joseph McElroy: agritourism map and PDF information week you can go to that and it’s got its got maps is got listings of all sorts of agritourism related businesses farms restaurants yeah you know.</p><p>00:52:35.190 –&gt; 00:52:47.850 Joseph McElroy: You know the tree farms all sorts of wonderful experiences to have in the Near and around the smoky mountains to do outdoor experience, so please go to that site.</p><p>00:52:48.840 –&gt; 00:53:00.600 Joseph McElroy: I got a couple other self promotion items now imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past and modern and vibrant with a chic appalachian fee.</p><p>00:53:01.170 –&gt; 00:53:16.560 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish and a mountain heritage trout farm grill the catch on the fire and he accompanied by fine wine and craft beer and get it heirloom tomato made into a sandwich.</p><p>00:53:18.720 –&gt; 00:53:27.450 Joseph McElroy: method, a place with old time music and world cultural sounds there’s no other place like the metal art motel and Maggie valley North Carolina.</p><p>00:53:27.930 –&gt; 00:53:32.610 Joseph McElroy: We are the starting point for all the ventures and the surrounding the mountains have to offer.</p><p>00:53:33.030 –&gt; 00:53:44.640 Joseph McElroy: Your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay stay at the middle or motel you know the middle of motel calm to find out, we have all sorts of events, ranging from music to.</p><p>00:53:45.270 –&gt; 00:53:57.840 Joseph McElroy: Two tours to storytelling and and it’s only we’re developing into a mountain heritage Center over time so keep keep in the loop on that I want to mention.</p><p>00:53:58.410 –&gt; 00:54:03.330 Joseph McElroy: This to sponsors i’m involved with both of them smokies adventure.com.</p><p>00:54:03.900 –&gt; 00:54:12.810 Joseph McElroy: And it’s an information listings about the smokies his emphasis is on outdoor recreation outdoor life events like weddings and adventures.</p><p>00:54:13.110 –&gt; 00:54:31.290 Joseph McElroy: Along with pride in providing information on lodging family entertainment waterfalls events conventions honeymoons and more this site is becoming the leading information for wired where to go what to do in the mountains of the smoky mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.</p><p>00:54:33.000 –&gt; 00:54:42.660 Joseph McElroy: i’m also part of where traveler where traveler is 80 year old magazine that you’ve probably seen in motels or hotels around the world.</p><p>00:54:43.050 –&gt; 00:54:50.400 Joseph McElroy: has been focused on cities for this entire existence and about where to do what to do in the cities.</p><p>00:54:50.760 –&gt; 00:54:57.570 Joseph McElroy: Well, I have convinced them to focus also on regions and one of them is the first one is the great smoky mountains region.</p><p>00:54:58.020 –&gt; 00:55:20.910 Joseph McElroy: which encompasses Eastern Tennessee and and Western North Carolina as well as the great smoky mountains National Park, is actually the size of Massachusetts in terms of scope, scope and there’s many towns, cities and and and other and other tourist attractions, to visit in these mountains.</p><p>00:55:21.930 –&gt; 00:55:38.130 Joseph McElroy: And we are creating a destination area where there’s going to be in depth stories about the people and events and and culture that exists in these mountains and they’re also be a listings there for the major.</p><p>00:55:39.360 –&gt; 00:55:52.920 Joseph McElroy: Major things to be doing for waiting from the biltmore states to dollywood so please visit where traveler.com slash great smoky mountains this this this podcast is on the talk.</p><p>00:55:54.000 –&gt; 00:56:07.920 Joseph McElroy: Talk radio dot nyc network there’s lots of great podcasts on the show, in fact, I have another one that’s business related called wise content creates wealth on Fridays from one to two after this.</p><p>00:56:08.610 –&gt; 00:56:16.980 Joseph McElroy: This podcast today there’s one on New York City, so you could stay around your been in the small town rural area now go visit the big towns.</p><p>00:56:17.370 –&gt; 00:56:27.000 Joseph McElroy: And so stick around and listen to that podcast it’s very great, I appreciate it next week with another great gateway the smokies podcast Thank you William and we’ll see you that.</p><p>00:56:27.210 –&gt; 00:56:27.630 You.</p> 3365bfe7-9aaf-491d-9a2e-3630f4cf0c45 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/43d2c846-0193-4fc7-b3b4-f2792db94498 Tue, 16 Mar 2021 22:00:00 +0000 2855 no full Episode 9: Museums In The Smoky Mountain Area Episode 9: Museums In The Smoky Mountain Area Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Join Joseph and his guest <strong>Mike Ogletree</strong> tonight as they talk about some of the museums that can be found in the Smoky Mountains.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/48W79LdDiU/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts off by starting about the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley. Joseph and Mike share stories about attractions near where they live that funnily enough they haven’t visited. Joseph describes the museum and an upcoming event being held there. This is one of several museums displaying automobiles in the Smokies. Others have different focuses such as antique cars and trucks. In the Gatlinburg area, there are 3 big car museums. One such museum houses cars from movies such as the original Batman and Knight Rider. NASA has a research institute in the mountains that runs camps and programs for families. There are many science museums in the park though, such as the national museum of science.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Mike discusses Jack of the Wood, where he used to go to listen to live Celtic music. He goes on to talk about other live music venues in Asheville. Joseph shares more museums and music venues in and around Asheville. Just outside Asheville is the Black Mountain College Museum, which sits where the college once was before closing in 1957. The school focused heavily on the arts, part of the reason why music is such a large part of the culture of the area.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Mike discusses the history of the Cherokee people and his experience in their museum. Joseph goes on to share his experiences in the museum. There are hundreds, if not thousands of history museums in the Smokies, with many towns having their own. Joseph discusses other museums he thinks are worth seeing. Joseph and Mike talk about fly fishing in the mountains and the Cherokee fly fishing tournament. They dive into the Celtic culture in the mountains, with Mike diving further into the culture through his discussion of the Tartan Museum.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Mike discusses his current project, where he will be performing Irish songs for Saint Patrick&#39;s day. This show will tell stories of the Irish people through song.</p> Video thumbnail

Joseph and his guest Mike Ogletree talk about some of the museums that can be found in the Smoky Mountains.

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph starts off by starting about the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley. Joseph and Mike share stories about attractions near where they live that funnily enough, they haven’t visited. Joseph describes the museum and an upcoming event being held there. This is one of several museums displaying automobiles in the Smokies. Others have different focuses such as antique cars and trucks. In the Gatlinburg area, there are 3 big car museums. One such museum houses cars from movies such as the original Batman and Knight Rider. NASA has a research institute in the mountains that runs camps and programs for families. There are many science museums in the park though, such as the national museum of science.

Segment 2

Mike discusses Jack of the Wood, where he used to go to listen to live Celtic music. He goes on to talk about other live music venues in Asheville. Joseph shares more museums and music venues in and around Asheville. Just outside Asheville is the Black Mountain College Museum, which sits where the college once was before closing in 1957. The school focused heavily on the arts, part of the reason why music is such a large part of the culture of the area.

Segment 3

Mike discusses the history of the Cherokee people and his experience in their museum. Joseph goes on to share his experiences in the museum. There are hundreds, if not thousands of history museums in the Smokies, with many towns having their own. Joseph discusses other museums he thinks are worth seeing. Joseph and Mike talk about fly fishing in the mountains and the Cherokee fly fishing tournament. They dive into the Celtic culture in the mountains, with Mike diving further into the culture through his discussion of the Tartan Museum.

Segment 4

Mike discusses his current project, where he will be performing Irish songs for Saint Patrick's day. This show will tell stories of the Irish people through song.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:39.930 –> 00:00:40.560 Joseph McElroy: Howdy.

00:00:41.130 –> 00:00:46.200 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for setting this bell with us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:46.860 –> 00:00:54.720 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountain national park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:55.350 –> 00:01:04.950 Joseph McElroy: This area’s filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain culture that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:05.850 –> 00:01:20.340 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also a deep roots and these mountains my families did lived in the great smoky mountains, for over 200 years my business in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:21.570 –> 00:01:29.460 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about museums and other similar attractions in the smokies in the surrounding areas.

00:01:30.570 –> 00:01:39.090 Joseph McElroy: I’m going to talk about a bunch of my favorites and then my I have a friend here his name is Mike Ogletree he was on my first show.

00:01:39.540 –> 00:01:46.020 Joseph McElroy: And he’s the black Scotsman and he’s the resident artists at the middle Arc motel and he’s going to join me.

00:01:46.680 –> 00:01:55.110 Joseph McElroy: to comment as he will he’s been to a few of the places I mentioned, and then he’s going to tell us about a project he’s been working on at the end of this show around St Patrick’s day.

00:01:56.130 –> 00:02:13.500 Joseph McElroy: Now I had a guest that could also had a family emergency and couldn’t make it today, so this is a new podcast we put together so bear with us as we’re talking about stuff that I think you’ll still find interesting so start off, I have a little bit of a self interest.

00:02:14.760 –> 00:02:18.150 Joseph McElroy: admission to make here and we’ll talk about a museum that’s right in my backyard.

00:02:18.990 –> 00:02:31.020 Joseph McElroy: it’s the wheels through time matt matt museum and Maggie valley and it’s right behind my motel the middle art motel and Maggie bow, so I do have a little bit of knowledge about it but, and I imagine Mike Mike does to.

00:02:32.550 –> 00:02:34.260 Joseph McElroy: The are you doing Mike.

00:02:35.070 –> 00:02:37.740 Mike Ogletree: doing very well, thank you very much for having me on again.

00:02:38.070 –> 00:02:40.380 Joseph McElroy: Her how’s the how’s the weather down there.

00:02:41.670 –> 00:02:45.210 Mike Ogletree: Well it’s in the mountains so it’s.

00:02:46.290 –> 00:02:55.860 Mike Ogletree: Often oil it’s been mostly clear blue skies and crispy cool fresh here and to do just a little bit overcast.

00:02:56.310 –> 00:02:59.130 Mike Ogletree: yeah that’s what I see it in the mountains so dropping on.

00:03:00.360 –> 00:03:05.820 Mike Ogletree: That doesn’t really matter whether the weather’s offer on it’s always spectacular years but as i’m concerned.

00:03:06.510 –> 00:03:08.550 Joseph McElroy: Have you been over the wheel Sir time museum.

00:03:09.090 –> 00:03:11.640 Mike Ogletree: You know I haven’t done that one yet know.

00:03:12.720 –> 00:03:32.760 Mike Ogletree: Obviously i’ve seen know stuff that i’ve learned about it and been to the website, but haven’t haven’t done that, when I mean the thing is that you get all these bikes around here have been to the rallies and things like that, so I guess i’m just had my appetite has been created.

00:03:33.990 –> 00:03:40.890 Mike Ogletree: For vintage cars and motivates and all that because really living etc so much.

00:03:41.130 –> 00:03:43.830 Joseph McElroy: You take a lot of pictures of but you know that’s a little bit like me, I live.

00:03:45.000 –> 00:03:54.450 Joseph McElroy: Where I live in New York City I also live in full disclosure I also live in New York City, I have a marketing company here, but I spent a lot of time back in my hometown.

00:03:55.740 –> 00:04:05.550 Joseph McElroy: I live across from the empire state building, I mean i’m from the the freedom tower and I have never gone up there yet i’m sort of waiting Now for my babies to grow up and i’ll take them up there.

00:04:06.660 –> 00:04:22.110 Joseph McElroy: But you know the wheels through time museum is actually the world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles memorabilia and it’s got a sort of a bunch of one off unique American automobiles.

00:04:22.230 –> 00:04:30.420 Mike Ogletree: yeah it’s so popular that Jason memoria is friends with the owners and goes to try it.

00:04:30.660 –> 00:04:42.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool man yeah so he was just he was there in October, he he he was he made the news that time I saw that that was pretty actually slept in the museum molly was there.

00:04:43.320 –> 00:04:51.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah I had a cotton the museum, but you know there’s there’s about 300 rare machines in there, and you know it would be.

00:04:52.410 –> 00:05:01.230 Joseph McElroy: The interesting thing, and I think the reason you know people like him go there it’s not just you look at this stuff all those machines actually run.

00:05:01.680 –> 00:05:18.570 Joseph McElroy: And in our operating condition, so you know the owners and the staff have had a you know, a history of enabling have a TV show about motorcycle and they fix them up and every year they actually renovate a some classic motorcycle and do a.

00:05:19.740 –> 00:05:22.230 Joseph McElroy: contest to win it.

00:05:23.280 –> 00:05:30.510 Joseph McElroy: So they will actually start these machines on a regular basis, and let the visitors coming you know, listen to them, so you get to actually see.

00:05:31.650 –> 00:05:39.510 Joseph McElroy: The you know and hear the get a real sense of these really classical and prices machines now.

00:05:41.100 –> 00:05:51.900 Joseph McElroy: For those interested opening day is always a good day and that’s April 1 this year and they’ve got a bunch of new horsepower all right they’ve got.

00:05:52.650 –> 00:06:04.290 Joseph McElroy: they’ve been adding and improving the all the exhibits there and they’ve been rebuilding and restoring a bunch of motorcycles, so they have some new some great new rare bikes there and some new.

00:06:04.950 –> 00:06:17.940 Joseph McElroy: New memorabilia to go check out in the gift shop don’t remember you can come by the the middle our motown stay right across narrow be easy to go over there one or two days so combine help kick off the museum season.

00:06:18.480 –> 00:06:20.460 Mike Ogletree: don’t we have a deal with them as well, we have a.

00:06:20.460 –> 00:06:21.660 Mike Ogletree: deal with them.

00:06:21.720 –> 00:06:32.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think we have a discount if you stay with us so yeah it’s a you know, so you can and we’re a motorcycle friendly place so motorcyclists love to come there.

00:06:32.730 –> 00:06:47.280 Joseph McElroy: Because you know it’s plenty of parking we have you know we have a big recreation area that sort of like clubhouse promoter cyclists and you know we have we have motorcycle rags right ready for them to us, they have to grab the towels or anything like that.

00:06:48.480 –> 00:06:58.830 Joseph McElroy: Now some other motorcycle and car related museums in the smoky mountain there there’s there several I mentioned one or two is the there’s one called the antique automobile.

00:06:59.520 –> 00:07:08.940 Joseph McElroy: automobile museum at the grove would village all right Max in here that’s that’s near that’s an actual near the omni croke park in.

00:07:09.600 –> 00:07:22.230 Joseph McElroy: And it has a on display there 18 old cars, including a 1913 model T Ford 57 cadillac Eldorado program and 59 edsel.

00:07:22.680 –> 00:07:31.320 Joseph McElroy: along a real, along with a really old the miracle of France fire truck it’s a small low key museum but it’s kind of Nice and kind of Nice, and you know the old.

00:07:31.950 –> 00:07:43.980 Joseph McElroy: Growth proc in is a premier luxury place, you can go and have got several restaurants in there and it’s got it so it’s nice to go visit the there go to a restaurant then see some of the things in that area there’s several things.

00:07:44.670 –> 00:07:50.580 Joseph McElroy: Another place another museum is the Bennett classics the antique auto museum right.

00:07:51.960 –> 00:08:08.850 Joseph McElroy: And that has more than 50 antique trucks and trucks cars on displays and it’s an actually you can also buy things so it’s a working classics museum, so you can actually buy antique automobiles there so and it’s in forest city.

00:08:10.050 –> 00:08:16.110 Joseph McElroy: Which is a nice little town and then another place to go is the Granite falls history and transportation.

00:08:16.830 –> 00:08:26.310 Joseph McElroy: CME, which is also in Granite falls and it’s located in 1790s Andrew Blair House and it has a it has a lot of.

00:08:27.090 –> 00:08:34.920 Joseph McElroy: exhibitions on the history and on transportation in that town, now the bigger there’s a there’s three big car museums.

00:08:35.550 –> 00:08:46.860 Joseph McElroy: In in the gatlinburg pigeon forward area and there’s a Hollywood stars car museum star cars museum and it’s got some of the most famous vehicles from TV and music him in movie history.

00:08:48.360 –> 00:08:49.020 Joseph McElroy: it’s got.

00:08:50.490 –> 00:09:03.000 Joseph McElroy: batmobile from the original Batman series has got dragged you law from the munsters remember that show and it’s got the jalopy from the beverly hillbillies and it’s got kitt from knight rider.

00:09:03.570 –> 00:09:09.990 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a kind of thing so it’s a it’s a pretty the These are big touristy museums, but they’re fun.

00:09:11.280 –> 00:09:19.380 Joseph McElroy: there’s another really awesome car Museum in gatlinburg is called speed works and it specializes in exotic automobiles.

00:09:19.710 –> 00:09:29.670 Joseph McElroy: which are basically European sports cars that are worth over $250,000 and basically they’re they’re left there they’re left there for cake cake care.

00:09:29.880 –> 00:09:39.240 Joseph McElroy: By the owners who are not using them, so you get to see them, and you know there’s a different roster because it owners, a different time come back and want to drive their cars, but.

00:09:39.510 –> 00:09:52.140 Joseph McElroy: it’s kind of cool and then you have the floyd garrett’s muscle car museum, which has inventory of over $8 million nine $8 million and there’s about 90 muscle cars at the museum.

00:09:52.530 –> 00:10:01.380 Joseph McElroy: Which are you know American crassness ship the innovation from the 50s and 60s and 70s and they’re beautifully maintained and displayed so.

00:10:02.250 –> 00:10:09.390 Joseph McElroy: You know, we got you know there’s also I think there’s an aviation museum around a little bit later we’re talking about railroads we got a lot of good.

00:10:09.810 –> 00:10:17.760 Joseph McElroy: People for the looking into the you know that kind of car culture, you know Rome culture was a big thing in the mountains, and still is.

00:10:19.230 –> 00:10:24.630 Joseph McElroy: Now i’m going to talk about science, a little bit, we have some great science locations in the mountains.

00:10:25.860 –> 00:10:35.190 Joseph McElroy: That one I found that was pretty cool is the pisco astronomical research institute now i’ve never been in there, but i’ve been by it.

00:10:36.570 –> 00:10:38.040 Joseph McElroy: And it’s.

00:10:39.150 –> 00:10:58.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s it was built by NASA in 1962 is the East course coast facility to track satellites and monitor manned spaceflight now Mike you live in down here I you know if you noticed that we get a lot of strange flights and objects in the skies and the in those nights in the mountains.

00:10:58.770 –> 00:10:59.460 Mike Ogletree: Definitely.

00:10:59.700 –> 00:11:08.730 Joseph McElroy: Definitely so there’s there’s been a lot of NASA related things and air force related things in the mountains, we never for sure what it is, but you know this this.

00:11:09.030 –> 00:11:23.130 Joseph McElroy: pique my interest because you know, maybe there’s something coming from there, but it is a nonprofit educational world class research Center and has a massive radio telescopes all right and it’s located in braveheart and it has.

00:11:23.250 –> 00:11:25.020 Mike Ogletree: It has space camp as well.

00:11:25.500 –> 00:11:26.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah right.

00:11:28.380 –> 00:11:45.000 Joseph McElroy: And they have you know it has it allows visitors and they can get immersed in the science and technology and they and they have some programs there that you can go to they even have some camping and some camp, if you want to do some online onsite logic.

00:11:46.290 –> 00:11:47.550 Joseph McElroy: And it’s open right now.

00:11:48.660 –> 00:12:02.550 Joseph McElroy: So it’s worthwhile taking the kids there in fact it has a may six 2021 from nine to 11 it has an evening viewing of the have a meteor shower that’s going to happen.

00:12:03.930 –> 00:12:11.730 Joseph McElroy: Because it’s a great view because we’re one of the few dark sky parks in the nation where there’s there’s no light to disturb you.

00:12:12.840 –> 00:12:25.200 Joseph McElroy: Know city lights nothing so you know you can really see it so grab a picnic basket bring along chair, you know it’s close enough the motel you can come and go there come back you know and it’s a good experience.

00:12:26.490 –> 00:12:31.920 Joseph McElroy: Others I the other science related museums in the mountains i’d like to mention is you got the.

00:12:32.370 –> 00:12:41.430 Joseph McElroy: appalachian Highland science learning at the purchase and that’s not too far from the for where we are to it’s located at 4900 feet in.

00:12:42.210 –> 00:12:57.750 Joseph McElroy: elevation the great smoky mountain mountains National Park, is actually one of the few facilities in the park and it’s a part where as part of a network of 32 research learning centers and it’s supporting research and education about science and our national parks.

00:12:59.550 –> 00:13:05.190 Joseph McElroy: And so it’s it’s dedicated to really increasing the amount and effectiveness of research in the appalachians.

00:13:06.600 –> 00:13:14.190 Joseph McElroy: it’s it’s it’s a great place to go and visit and it’s also got great hockey hiking around there so it’s a good day trip.

00:13:15.630 –> 00:13:31.050 Joseph McElroy: Other science related you know attractions in the mountains, you have the actual museum of sight science and it has interactive science experiences dealing with ecology climate weather.

00:13:31.800 –> 00:13:35.850 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a good town downtown visit they go to asheville you got.

00:13:36.660 –> 00:13:45.210 Joseph McElroy: You got wonder works which is in pigeon forwards and it’s one of the most popular attractions and it’s it’s an A humongous upside down building.

00:13:45.690 –> 00:13:53.130 Joseph McElroy: And it combines a science fair with an amusement park at a children’s museum all rolled up into one huge experience.

00:13:53.460 –> 00:14:09.720 Joseph McElroy: And it has it gives you access to over 150 active activities ranging from roller coaster simulators to black ride core broke courses, so when we come back i’m going to start talking a little bit about the art galleries and museums in the mountains.

00:14:10.770 –> 00:14:12.120 Joseph McElroy: And we’ll see when we come back.

00:17:10.920 –> 00:17:20.730 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest and friend Mike ogletree hey make.

00:17:21.060 –> 00:17:24.450 Mike Ogletree: Hello there friends of gateway to the smoky.

00:17:24.990 –> 00:17:34.110 Joseph McElroy: hey Mike i’m going to talk about artists second video if you’ve been you’ve been the actual regular basis you’ve been into the art places that are good doing some good good music there.

00:17:34.950 –> 00:17:37.500 Mike Ogletree: My I used to go to the.

00:17:38.730 –> 00:17:47.970 Mike Ogletree: jack of the book, which is, I was talking to somebody about it just the other day, because I don’t think that doing any like music in nashville at the moment but.

00:17:48.480 –> 00:18:00.930 Mike Ogletree: When they did jack of the would wish, when I would go because he had something every night, they would have Monday night, they would have an open MIC Tuesday night, they would have.

00:18:02.490 –> 00:18:15.390 Mike Ogletree: An Irish jam session and then itself something in the afternoon something in the evening, and it was like that you know it’s like that seven days a week, do you really enjoy it was all Celtic or.

00:18:16.830 –> 00:18:27.600 Mike Ogletree: You know authentic American music, such as cajun used to go up kitchen band in there, then of course bluegrass music and Irish.

00:18:28.860 –> 00:18:38.160 Mike Ogletree: A ritual Irish music, then they do contemporary bluegrass as well, but it’s just unfortunate because with the virus.

00:18:39.630 –> 00:18:41.100 Mike Ogletree: I understand the asheville.

00:18:42.150 –> 00:18:54.600 Mike Ogletree: For for the good part of the year last year was closed down, and I see Unfortunately I also went to the call that the onion as a piece called the onion.

00:18:55.380 –> 00:19:07.020 Mike Ogletree: yeah I went to the great gigs here and reminds me of the 80s 70s, in the 80s in London and there are a lot of really good gigs.

00:19:07.410 –> 00:19:16.890 Mike Ogletree: That you could go to and they were all they were set up and dedicated to do in live bands, in other words data good PA system that a good lighting system.

00:19:17.460 –> 00:19:27.120 Mike Ogletree: In asheville is fortunate to to have that, as far as I, I saw has that in speech you know got a lot of good venues the onion which one.

00:19:28.020 –> 00:19:45.270 Mike Ogletree: Do you remember the other one I went to go again it was just a great venue I had a partner at a bar a good light and a good PA system and just just great great atmosphere for people wanting to go and see live music and then great opportunity for people wanting to clean like.

00:19:46.620 –> 00:19:54.090 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you know I got a couple of things for you to check out and natural wonders if you ever heard the moves it moves in.

00:19:54.840 –> 00:19:55.800 Mike Ogletree: The movie museum.

00:19:56.010 –> 00:19:56.940 Joseph McElroy: Moves in.

00:19:57.300 –> 00:20:01.980 Mike Ogletree: I mean i’ve been actually to move a factory that I didn’t know, there was a museum.

00:20:02.190 –> 00:20:12.480 Joseph McElroy: You know about movers he’d been in the moog synthesizer right now, they have they have a museum dedicated interactive music experiences.

00:20:12.750 –> 00:20:13.440 Mike Ogletree: In nashville.

00:20:13.740 –> 00:20:15.000 Joseph McElroy: And nashville yeah.

00:20:15.270 –> 00:20:25.650 Joseph McElroy: it’s more media interactive you definitely have to go see that it sounds like it’s a blast and he’s got he’s got over 700 archival bits and things like that.

00:20:27.030 –> 00:20:32.310 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a and you know and it’s also got stuff about the theremin right.

00:20:32.790 –> 00:20:33.150 Joseph McElroy: Right.

00:20:33.450 –> 00:20:34.440 precursor really.

00:20:37.080 –> 00:20:49.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah but the other thing you should know which I just found out, which is great news is the asheville museum art museum now has on second thursday’s live music.

00:20:50.130 –> 00:20:54.690 Joseph McElroy: Right, the actual art museum is open up and now in the second Thursday of the month, it has a.

00:20:55.410 –> 00:21:04.740 Joseph McElroy: Music to accomplish a couple of visits, so you can go they got limited, you know entry about the number of people, but you can go look at art and listen to tune, so I think that’s pretty good.

00:21:05.220 –> 00:21:19.350 Joseph McElroy: You know the the actual art museum just opened up after a $24 million renovation and expansion it’s now a 68,000 square foot museum featuring 20th and 21st century art American art.

00:21:19.950 –> 00:21:33.150 Joseph McElroy: Has over 5000 objects and art pieces there’s a rooftop sculpture terraces there’s a CAFE and then it’s got some real interesting lighted experiences after dark outside.

00:21:34.110 –> 00:21:36.090 Joseph McElroy: it’s got a glass interior that oh.

00:21:37.050 –> 00:21:43.440 Joseph McElroy: will eliminate it is in the Center of the town, so it illuminates the the big parks pack Square, where all the action is.

00:21:43.680 –> 00:21:57.270 Joseph McElroy: So it’s great so it’s you know it’s a great visit you go see art, you see, you know, music and then the right in the middle of all the downtown cafes and it’s a CAFE society, I would definitely not miss that.

00:21:58.800 –> 00:22:10.410 Joseph McElroy: Something that you know, for me, I remember growing up and go into the actual art museum and in my teens I saw work by Joseph l bears that impressed me.

00:22:12.390 –> 00:22:20.310 Joseph McElroy: And they have a lot of art, they have a collection of art from the what’s called the Black mountain school of modern art.

00:22:21.720 –> 00:22:34.920 Joseph McElroy: And that’s because only 20 minutes east of asheville is the black mountain college was the black mountain college, which actually closed and 57 but they now have what’s called the Black mountain college museum and art Center.

00:22:36.150 –> 00:22:43.500 Joseph McElroy: And it can it preserves and continues that legacy of educational in our artistic innovation that was at the black Martin school.

00:22:45.180 –> 00:22:50.220 Joseph McElroy: The black mountain called started actually 1933 right and it.

00:22:51.840 –> 00:22:59.790 Joseph McElroy: was born out of desire to create a new type of college based on john do is principal progressive education so.

00:23:00.060 –> 00:23:08.250 Joseph McElroy: The founders of college that believe that the study and practice of art are indispensable X for aspects of the students general liberal arts education.

00:23:08.700 –> 00:23:23.430 Joseph McElroy: And so they ended up hiring Joseph l bears and his and and and his wife Annie to be the to be the first our teachers, even though they spoke no English, they were from Germany and they were you know they were fleeing hitler’s Germany.

00:23:24.690 –> 00:23:40.770 Joseph McElroy: And then they went to this small mountain college rebellious college in the mountains of North Carolina and you know, of course, they come from the German school of art, which was really you know magnificent at the time, and it was so the blank mountain school is fundamentally different.

00:23:41.910 –> 00:23:53.520 Joseph McElroy: From the time it was owned and operated by the Faculty and was committed to democratic governance and and be the Archer central learning Center so it really attracted.

00:23:54.300 –> 00:24:03.420 Joseph McElroy: Some amazing people and who became legendary and it had it had a 20th century’s great, and this is just a partial list.

00:24:03.900 –> 00:24:07.590 Joseph McElroy: William and Alain de kooning Robert rauschenberg.

00:24:08.070 –> 00:24:21.600 Joseph McElroy: The album herbs Jacob Lawrence merce Cunningham john cage side trombley Kenneth nolan Susan well very be Williams Ben Shaw, you know and many others friends climb, you know it was just you know.

00:24:22.200 –> 00:24:40.500 Joseph McElroy: You know, for me, growing up and finding out this it existed in my little you know area of the world, you know that sort of open up my head that anything’s possible in terms of being able to leave there and do something in the world and it inspired me dramatically.

00:24:41.700 –> 00:24:53.070 Joseph McElroy: Right now, the school is open and you can actually go into her and see things, and they have lots of virtual friends, but you have to do an appointment, you can send an email to info at black mountain college or.

00:24:54.960 –> 00:24:55.860 Joseph McElroy: Another good.

00:24:57.630 –> 00:24:58.380 Joseph McElroy: school.

00:24:59.760 –> 00:25:07.200 Joseph McElroy: To mention is the arrow mount schools of arts and crafts and arts and crafts Center in the US and it’s in the city of gatlinburg Tennessee.

00:25:07.710 –> 00:25:12.270 Joseph McElroy: And it’s the oldest craft school in Tennessee and it offers a lot of workshops in arts and crafts.

00:25:12.720 –> 00:25:24.660 Joseph McElroy: And it covers the gamut of painting woodworking drawing class photography basket weaving ceramic fiber arts book arts and metal work is pretty stupendous and you’re able to go and view and see things in the galleries.

00:25:27.030 –> 00:25:27.750 Joseph McElroy: And then.

00:25:29.250 –> 00:25:37.650 Joseph McElroy: One of the we were talking about the omni grow park in earlier, where there was that car museum will adjacent to the omni growth park international.

00:25:38.040 –> 00:25:48.600 Joseph McElroy: is one of those hidden gems and it’s known as grove would village, and this is a historic site and it wants to hose the weaving and would Kirk woodworking operations have built more industries.

00:25:49.140 –> 00:26:03.060 Joseph McElroy: Now you’ll discover arts and crafts, a destination that offers a glimpse of all what arts and crafts was critical so that you know to actual story so it’s a nice place to visit and, like, I said that area is a great little.

00:26:03.690 –> 00:26:15.180 Joseph McElroy: Day trip for Maggie Valley, you know we we really say that many hours a day trip from asheville but, in this context, have been in the smoky mountains actual the day trip from the smokies.

00:26:16.710 –> 00:26:17.220 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:26:18.360 –> 00:26:24.420 Joseph McElroy: that’s I hope that’s a little bit of a story into the arts and it’s not exciting there’s a lot of great arts going on, when you say my.

00:26:25.290 –> 00:26:41.010 Mike Ogletree: Definitely, I mean that’s just I only spoke about the music but i’ve spent several times just walking down the arts I think it’s called art district returned by the River near.

00:26:41.370 –> 00:26:44.520 Joseph McElroy: The River arts district place to go.

00:26:44.610 –> 00:27:04.080 Mike Ogletree: yeah and you can you can do you can just go down there and look and be amazed, but you can also go down there and participate, because you do classes and they’ll let you blow glass and they’ll let you turn pottery and all that kind of stuff so it’s really great it’s great fun.

00:27:05.970 –> 00:27:06.810 Mike Ogletree: Paper i’m missing.

00:27:07.230 –> 00:27:17.880 Joseph McElroy: The pottery is is is a great tradition and the mountains of North Carolina and the smoky mountains, especially you know in every little town has their potter but you know that in fact right.

00:27:18.360 –> 00:27:25.140 Joseph McElroy: One point we’re gonna have a potter come in and talk have a show on the potter we have a potter that that is actually.

00:27:25.650 –> 00:27:39.840 Joseph McElroy: Has a studio a couple couple doors down from the middle Arc motel and he’s more than just to us he’s more than just a potter his dad actually built the first building of the middle Arc motel so there’s a deep connection there and they both.

00:27:40.950 –> 00:27:41.730 Joseph McElroy: In a sense.

00:27:42.150 –> 00:27:43.470 Joseph McElroy: Both of us grew up.

00:27:43.620 –> 00:27:47.040 Joseph McElroy: In the middle art motel he was just a little bit earlier generations.

00:27:47.280 –> 00:27:49.800 Mike Ogletree: By the way, is just a pity you can’t see.

00:27:50.160 –> 00:27:52.740 Mike Ogletree: His pottery because it is spectacular.

00:27:55.050 –> 00:28:05.550 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so when we come back we’re talking about some of the history museums, that we can go to in the smoky mountains and then we’ll get into talking about miscellaneous things and get into mike’s project.

00:30:55.710 –> 00:31:08.790 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and i’m talking with Mike ogletree we’re talking about the museums and similar attractions in the mountains now Mike.

00:31:10.020 –> 00:31:15.090 Joseph McElroy: you’ve been to cherokee you went to that cherokee Indian museum dinner.

00:31:15.810 –> 00:31:28.620 Mike Ogletree: Yes, I did be Nova and I think I spend the whole afternoon now you know it’s not very big but it’s big enough to and the things that they have India.

00:31:29.340 –> 00:31:49.500 Mike Ogletree: Definitely merit reading and studying and learning about because the history of the cherokee people is it particularly connected to like right now what’s happening in the country, you know so.

00:31:50.550 –> 00:32:01.050 Mike Ogletree: go in there and just going through the museum, as I call it have a look is kind of half of the half of the visit the other half is really studying up.

00:32:01.620 –> 00:32:14.400 Mike Ogletree: and learning about what happened to you not like, specifically the trail of tears this kind of thing but it we saw it, you saw much a part of the mountain culture at the time, you know.

00:32:15.690 –> 00:32:17.550 Mike Ogletree: The involved.

00:32:19.050 –> 00:32:27.840 Mike Ogletree: Like people of all races, as it were, as a very diverse time and in American history and.

00:32:29.280 –> 00:32:46.110 Mike Ogletree: If you don’t really know about unless you do something like go to the cherokee museum and find out about the people what they were doing hows about live in her they were interacting because they were kind of a little bit, apart from the rest of.

00:32:47.130 –> 00:32:56.400 Mike Ogletree: The rest of the country so it’s not something that you, you hear talked about, very often, you know so that that was that was my deep.

00:32:57.360 –> 00:33:13.440 Mike Ogletree: My deep experiencing going there with just you know superficially and then and the sense of the beauty that that you see in terms of the art and the craft and the people and everything it’s just it’s just a wonderful.

00:33:14.040 –> 00:33:27.360 Joseph McElroy: Wonderful, what do you think of I do the thing I am you know I saw my first whole graph at the at the that Turkey museum and you know, I was it was.

00:33:27.840 –> 00:33:38.430 Joseph McElroy: It was a it was a medicine man who sort of was a virtual guide throughout the whole experience of going through the the exhibit wasn’t that that pretty amazing.

00:33:39.090 –> 00:33:42.930 Mike Ogletree: You know I don’t think I could remember not working, when I was there.

00:33:43.590 –> 00:33:46.050 Joseph McElroy: Okay well if they have.

00:33:47.580 –> 00:33:59.550 Joseph McElroy: I mean they have different exhibits but there’s one exhibit that goes there that they will have a holographic medicine man, you know, in general, the you know they have.

00:34:00.810 –> 00:34:03.030 Joseph McElroy: They the cherokee museum.

00:34:04.560 –> 00:34:05.010 Joseph McElroy: Is.

00:34:06.090 –> 00:34:17.010 Joseph McElroy: tells the story of like Mike said a lot of the the the the successes and the tragedies of the cherokee people in the in the carolinas.

00:34:18.270 –> 00:34:30.240 Joseph McElroy: And it’s actually goes back they claim 13,000 years of culture and the that when they do historical tour, they will have holograms.

00:34:30.750 –> 00:34:45.570 Joseph McElroy: because their specialty is even though it’s a it’s not a giant museum is to do an immersive experience with the digital and displays and holograms and any kind of technology and give you a real full sensory experience.

00:34:46.620 –> 00:34:55.710 Joseph McElroy: So you get to experience the check he’s put people’s inventiveness and resilience and will to survive and sort of this girl way.

00:34:56.370 –> 00:35:11.010 Joseph McElroy: And it’s very moving, you should probably bring a handkerchief because there’s some points where you’re going to actually you know, maybe have a tear in your eye and I remember it being that moving all right, and really.

00:35:13.290 –> 00:35:15.720 Joseph McElroy: Somebody I will remember, for the rest of my life.

00:35:16.890 –> 00:35:23.280 Joseph McElroy: So I consider one of the best museums i’ve ever been to and worthwhile now.

00:35:24.900 –> 00:35:28.110 Joseph McElroy: there’s a lot of history, museums in the in the mountains.

00:35:29.340 –> 00:35:39.270 Joseph McElroy: I would say, you know, probably I would when I was starting to do a little research on it, I you know I saw list was hundreds of not.

00:35:39.630 –> 00:35:48.300 Joseph McElroy: You know, several hundred on there, and if you went through the whole area that we call the smoky mountains, which is an East Tennessee in the western North Carolina area.

00:35:48.750 –> 00:36:02.790 Joseph McElroy: there’s I mean there’s hundreds, maybe over 1000 history museums and because every town has a stork house that has a museum right every hour several so and they’re all worth while going to.

00:36:04.320 –> 00:36:05.490 Joseph McElroy: Now i’m.

00:36:06.540 –> 00:36:13.320 Joseph McElroy: and other history museums, I think that are worthwhile is you got the great smoky mountains heritage Center.

00:36:13.770 –> 00:36:26.550 Joseph McElroy: And it’s open now and it’s a it’s a museum dedicated to honoring the settlers and habits of the great smoky mountain region, including the earliest centers the settlers, the native American.

00:36:27.870 –> 00:36:37.230 Joseph McElroy: And so it’s it’s a it’s it’s one of the branded museums, to go to larger than in waynesville which is close to us is the Shelton house.

00:36:37.590 –> 00:36:42.300 Joseph McElroy: Which is built in 1875 and is listed on the national register of historic places.

00:36:42.720 –> 00:36:49.770 Joseph McElroy: And it’s and it’s it’s it it’s a it’s the it’s got the Museum of natural North Carolina handicrafts.

00:36:50.130 –> 00:37:04.620 Joseph McElroy: And it’s got a comprehensive exhibits of 19th century crafts and hooting hand woven cover let’s quilt sculptured post porcelain doll summers masterpieces of pottery work in furniture and native American artifice packed.

00:37:06.060 –> 00:37:16.950 Joseph McElroy: And it also keep it’ll also have artists that had been at the New York state fair curated collection of crafts, that will also be displayed there so it’s it’s an excellent.

00:37:19.620 –> 00:37:25.710 Joseph McElroy: place to get a nice historical overview of the crafts, but.

00:37:26.820 –> 00:37:38.820 Joseph McElroy: Before I leave cherokee all right, I know we’re getting in some some of the miscellaneous museums, there is actually a fly fishing museum of the southern appalachian.

00:37:39.420 –> 00:37:43.650 Joseph McElroy: And and it’s located actually close to cherokee and bryce’s city.

00:37:44.310 –> 00:37:59.580 Joseph McElroy: And and and I like to talk about fly fishing, because we have a great fly fishing stream that part of it flows behind the smoky mountain the middle or motel and I grew up fly fishing and it’s a great place the smoky mountains, a great place for fly fishing.

00:38:00.840 –> 00:38:05.580 Mike Ogletree: I just if you know that he do official off the cherokee that.

00:38:05.730 –> 00:38:06.270 Mike Ogletree: Graham.

00:38:06.450 –> 00:38:10.650 Joseph McElroy: I will talk to you about either they’re they’re actually going to do it this year now, we give you the thing so.

00:38:11.910 –> 00:38:22.800 Joseph McElroy: it’s a you know the fly fishing is is that they have this great museum and it’s built in a old barn a big barn so and so it’s kind of real rustic.

00:38:23.370 –> 00:38:41.700 Joseph McElroy: feel to it but it’s got many exhibits and education on on on fly fishing, and so what Mike was alluding to is cherokee which is right there near bryson city is famous for its fly fishing tournament and on and this year fly fishing is opening date is march 27.

00:38:43.410 –> 00:38:47.670 Joseph McElroy: And they’re going to be doing a tournament with a $20,000.

00:38:50.070 –> 00:39:04.740 Joseph McElroy: Price okay and it’s a $15 entry fee to dollar $17 for two days, and you can you’ll be you’ll be competing in the rivers of all the cherokee Indian reservation allison well as a call to Kuala boundary.

00:39:06.120 –> 00:39:14.340 Joseph McElroy: And there will be tagged fish and some other stocks with event and there will be, you can redeem them for cash prizes.

00:39:14.670 –> 00:39:22.830 Joseph McElroy: And it’s really it’s a really great fun event we have lots of fishing tournaments in the mountains, and this is sort of usually the first one of the season.

00:39:23.610 –> 00:39:37.170 Joseph McElroy: you’ll have to have a fishing license, but you can get that pretty quick so don’t miss that you know it’s spring is he going to be here, get out fishing get out hiking you know it’s a lot of fun.

00:39:38.400 –> 00:39:39.030 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:39:40.320 –> 00:39:50.430 Joseph McElroy: Other miscellaneous museums of the smoky mountain trains museum and it’s kind of collection of 7000 Lionel engines and cars and accessory Mike you went there you were telling me I haven’t been there.

00:39:50.520 –> 00:39:52.800 Mike Ogletree: yeah I went to the miniature one.

00:39:53.760 –> 00:39:54.960 Mike Ogletree: So the one you’re talking to.

00:39:56.670 –> 00:40:02.760 Mike Ogletree: yeah you know that’s I love that because you know that appeals to the child and me and that’s.

00:40:03.750 –> 00:40:11.400 Mike Ogletree: It does anybody like that who gets excited at model trains, then that’s the place to go because they’ve got.

00:40:12.270 –> 00:40:21.570 Mike Ogletree: Think i’ve got three different skills, you know they’ve got a really small and medium, then a big one, and it’s a big big warehouse.

00:40:22.050 –> 00:40:29.940 Mike Ogletree: And these change, they just one constantly and and you can again it’s one of those things that you could just spend the afternoon and they’re just.

00:40:30.420 –> 00:40:50.610 Mike Ogletree: watching all these trains go and what they do and what they look like and because they’re going fast and they’re covering some they’re covering a lot of ground in there, so it’s it’s definitely the best model train exhibit that i’ve ever seen, and i’ve seen the one in and.

00:40:51.120 –> 00:41:00.600 Joseph McElroy: And it’s and it’s you know it’s it’s home to it’s also part of the smoky mountain railroad the right there there’s also a smoky mountain, which is a tourist railroaded old authentic.

00:41:00.870 –> 00:41:07.830 Joseph McElroy: steam car things as first class engineering get dinners I get all sorts of great experiences, and I would recommend going there.

00:41:08.400 –> 00:41:09.030 Mike Ogletree: Oh yeah.

00:41:09.330 –> 00:41:13.770 Joseph McElroy: So I want to get a little bit into Celtic culture, because it ties into what mike’s doing.

00:41:14.310 –> 00:41:15.390 Mike Ogletree: guilty guilty.

00:41:15.750 –> 00:41:18.360 Joseph McElroy: guilty sorry Celtic culture.

00:41:19.560 –> 00:41:33.420 Joseph McElroy: And you know, and you know and and what my project is you know, there is a if you go to the mountains of North Carolina would you expect to come to a giant ship well.

00:41:34.260 –> 00:41:44.040 Joseph McElroy: We have a museum for the Titanic in pigeon forge yes, the Titanic, the one that sank and it’s a one of a kind passengers experience.

00:41:44.580 –> 00:41:57.240 Joseph McElroy: and actually what it feels to walk through the hallways and powers of the grand staircase and why is it related to the Celtic because 100 and.

00:41:57.810 –> 00:42:11.910 Joseph McElroy: celebrates the the world and remembers the hundred and 87 Irish passions or crew and we were bored the Titanic, and in fact March is is tribute to Irish and it’s.

00:42:12.720 –> 00:42:24.600 Joseph McElroy: And having all sorts of events going on there, and the other Celtic experience that Mike knows a lot about is that the Scottish tartans museum and heritage Center right.

00:42:24.780 –> 00:42:33.690 Joseph McElroy: Right offers a look into the origins history and developer tartans and specifically the devil development of killed, can you tell me a little bit about that Mike.

00:42:34.230 –> 00:42:50.310 Mike Ogletree: yeah yeah and it’s in Franklin North Carolina and it’s basically run by volunteers and there’s one guy there’s one main guy and his wife, who have been keeping it alive.

00:42:50.820 –> 00:43:01.890 Mike Ogletree: And this museum is quite unique because it’s the only museum is dedicated to the top 10 yeah I think in the world, but definitely.

00:43:02.490 –> 00:43:13.740 Mike Ogletree: Definitely in the US, you know it’s a it’s a natural museum very you can go in and they’ve got a little the main part of is like a store that you go through the store and the museum’s in the back.

00:43:14.220 –> 00:43:25.410 Mike Ogletree: And it goes through the whole history of Tartan and it tells you about the origins of the kilt, for instance, which was a lot of people.

00:43:27.000 –> 00:43:34.680 Mike Ogletree: Often, think of as being the thing that you see today when you see like the bagpipers dressed up and you think why that’s why kill.

00:43:35.280 –> 00:43:50.670 Mike Ogletree: it’s like, but if you go to the tattoo museum North Carolina you’ll find a completely different history of the killed, which they have documented and you’ve actually got all that the garments and.

00:43:51.240 –> 00:44:02.040 Mike Ogletree: In some cases they’ve got the equipment that was used to make these killed because they were an essential part of of nobleman and our warriors garb.

00:44:02.850 –> 00:44:03.420 Mike Ogletree: It was you.

00:44:03.510 –> 00:44:10.200 Mike Ogletree: could serve as a piece of clothing could serve as a as a bed is attained all kinds of things.

00:44:10.590 –> 00:44:32.130 Mike Ogletree: And depending on your rank you would have a different type of kilt and it wasn’t this dress that you would around yourself, it was this huge government, in some cases, you had to lie down and roll around in a specific pattern in order to get killed on so.

00:44:32.910 –> 00:44:33.510 Mike Ogletree: High ceiling.

00:44:33.930 –> 00:44:39.180 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break we’ll finish that after we come back and we’ll talk about your your Celtic project.

00:44:39.240 –> 00:44:41.160 For the Mr all right.

00:46:59.400 –> 00:47:13.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Mike ogletree Mike so we we’ve worked with that we worked with a Spartan Tartan museum to do the.

00:47:15.540 –> 00:47:23.760 Joseph McElroy: event last year right dinner for Robert Burns that was pretty guy great I saw that the presentation he came in, he brought in all those.

00:47:24.300 –> 00:47:36.000 Joseph McElroy: Pictures of different kinds of tartans and is extremely knowledgeable people to go out there, they find that that that speech on are the Miller motels gate Facebook page.

00:47:36.510 –> 00:47:41.130 Joseph McElroy: But it on a new project now right for St patrick’s day why don’t you tell us about that.

00:47:41.190 –> 00:47:47.040 Mike Ogletree: yeah it’s see patrick’s day I think it’s the 17th of the month, but.

00:47:48.330 –> 00:47:58.350 Mike Ogletree: You know I love Irish music and I lived in New York for a while and I was exposed to a lot of Irish music there because you can get but.

00:47:59.430 –> 00:48:08.610 Mike Ogletree: Here in in the mountains there’s a connection to Irish culture that goes back hundreds and hundreds of years and.

00:48:09.330 –> 00:48:23.640 Mike Ogletree: So I I managed to combine my love of Irish music and find a way to incorporate it into my Sunday afternoon fire safety conscious that we do here at the motel.

00:48:24.270 –> 00:48:33.300 Mike Ogletree: And because I always do something on St patrick’s day anyway to this year, what i’m what i’m doing, and then, of course, you know St Patrick.

00:48:33.720 –> 00:48:45.900 Mike Ogletree: I you you, you pointed me in a direction and I never knew but he’s Scottish he was born in a place called dumbarton which is just about maybe 30 miles north of where I come from the enemy so.

00:48:46.320 –> 00:48:55.740 Mike Ogletree: So see magic is the ultimate Scots Irish figure to talk about in the mountains, because so many of the people in the mountains and.

00:48:56.880 –> 00:49:11.340 Mike Ogletree: Scotch Irish descent, so I figured it would be a good opportunity to do a few Irish songs this Sunday because they’ll all be dedicated to St patrick’s day.

00:49:12.480 –> 00:49:15.840 Mike Ogletree: Irish music and all that and some of the songs that i’m doing.

00:49:17.250 –> 00:49:27.600 Mike Ogletree: it’s interesting when you do these traditional Irish songs how the message at it still resonates with the temperament of.

00:49:28.320 –> 00:49:47.190 Mike Ogletree: People that eat though they don’t live in Ireland or Scotland anymore, because they have some connection and says truly to somehow they’ve inherited that attitude that independent spirit that boisterousness that love of whiskey and, all things strong and.

00:49:49.170 –> 00:50:03.570 Mike Ogletree: But you know, and then in a smoky mountain it’s no different you know and because over here I don’t like to talk about politics but it’s that kind of independent spirit that.

00:50:04.530 –> 00:50:13.440 Mike Ogletree: brought a lot of the people into the mountains and that the pioneering spirit that made it possible for them to survive harsh and.

00:50:13.860 –> 00:50:25.080 Mike Ogletree: Terrible and horrific conditions that they had to endure in order to continue to live here in the mountains well that’s the same as as the spirit and the.

00:50:25.860 –> 00:50:37.290 Mike Ogletree: need is the Scotch in the Irish rebel against the English overlords, as it were, so the songs that I sing, for instance whiskey in the JAR it’s a song about.

00:50:37.650 –> 00:50:52.710 Mike Ogletree: rebellion against rich overlords who are mistreating their subjects was they were living high on the hog with lots of money, the tenant farmers and we’re eating dirt in portage and potatoes, you know, during a famine.

00:50:53.130 –> 00:50:53.490 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:50:53.730 –> 00:51:00.720 Mike Ogletree: And I mean that literally the eaten duck to keep their stomachs filled that’s why a lot of them emigrated but you know so.

00:51:01.830 –> 00:51:27.060 Mike Ogletree: that’s that’s really what my sure will try and bring bring out and and for me personally it’s who, that is a cult is as a newbie sublimated into a cultural expression there is music is you know art is portrayed as all this kind of stuff, in other words, we can leave all that.

00:51:28.290 –> 00:51:33.330 Mike Ogletree: rebellion and the violence and all that the actual fisticuffs.

00:51:33.750 –> 00:51:51.930 Mike Ogletree: It can easily be left behind, because the music, it still carries on the message I mean the songs i’m doing some of them are three or 400 years old, you know, so we don’t forget what we what we went through in order to get where we are, but we don’t have to keep fighting.

00:51:53.670 –> 00:51:57.600 Joseph McElroy: So we’re doing online too, so people can see it where they sit alone.

00:51:58.170 –> 00:52:08.400 Mike Ogletree: Well, you know the mega lot motel Facebook page and my own Facebook page, which is the black Scotsman.

00:52:08.940 –> 00:52:10.320 Mike Ogletree: And then, on my website.

00:52:10.950 –> 00:52:11.850 Joseph McElroy: With an ex yeah.

00:52:11.910 –> 00:52:18.780 Mike Ogletree: yeah the black Scotsman with an x and then the black scotsman.com which is my website and on YouTube do.

00:52:20.190 –> 00:52:24.780 Mike Ogletree: So you know it’s yeah it’s very available it’s just you know tune in and.

00:52:25.890 –> 00:52:29.850 Mike Ogletree: And let yourself be known because I get people from all over the world.

00:52:30.180 –> 00:52:39.870 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you Mike Thank you very much, I appreciate you coming in and being my companion along on this experiment with the designing a show on the fly.

00:52:42.690 –> 00:52:46.740 Joseph McElroy: And I enjoyed it very much and I want you know we’re going to have.

00:52:48.480 –> 00:52:54.930 Joseph McElroy: Will tomorrow we’ll put up or even today we’ll put it up on gateway to the smokies dot find a link to my.

00:52:56.190 –> 00:53:03.240 Joseph McElroy: Facebook, so that you can go and and watch the watch his show on Sunday what time Sunday.

00:53:03.510 –> 00:53:04.320 Mike Ogletree: See o’clock.

00:53:04.620 –> 00:53:06.600 Joseph McElroy: Three o’clock alright cool so.

00:53:06.660 –> 00:53:08.880 Mike Ogletree: See you have to learn, of course.

00:53:09.030 –> 00:53:13.890 Joseph McElroy: All right, yes, so now i’m going to do it my some of my promotion of course.

00:53:14.610 –> 00:53:23.760 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor cortex of the past year, modern and vibrant with a chic appalachian field, a place for adventure and for relaxation.

00:53:24.210 –> 00:53:32.850 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.

00:53:33.240 –> 00:53:44.370 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the middle or motel and Maggie valley North Carolina or the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:53:44.700 –> 00:53:54.810 Joseph McElroy: We are the starting point for all the adventures, and some of these the mountain have to offer your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay middle alert motel back calm.

00:53:56.790 –> 00:54:05.490 Joseph McElroy: I thank you all for being here, I want to mention that a lot of these listings that we talked about like museums and things are found on smokies adventure that’s.

00:54:06.060 –> 00:54:19.980 Joseph McElroy: sm okay I yes adventure calm, which is a site, we run with listings of all sorts of things to do in the mountain places to stay and pieces to eat places to go visit attractions outdoor adventures.

00:54:20.730 –> 00:54:28.290 Joseph McElroy: Extensive listings from the all of the smoky mountains, and you know, including the Tennessee and then North Carolina sides.

00:54:28.710 –> 00:54:40.890 Joseph McElroy: And we cover that great, and we would cover the town small towns in gatlinburg fishing for see reveal towns of cherokee whereas valley Maggie valley and bryson city, as well as even others in the surrounding area and there’s hiking trail maps.

00:54:41.940 –> 00:54:49.800 Joseph McElroy: waterfall maps interactive map so it’s a great place to go and we are part of where traveler.

00:54:50.400 –> 00:55:00.210 Joseph McElroy: We have a We run the great smoky mountain services section on where traveler calm where traveler is the world’s premier name and travel publishing.

00:55:00.510 –> 00:55:08.550 Joseph McElroy: From magazines and books to maps and comprehensive digital content, where traveler gives travelers everything they need for a local perspective.

00:55:08.880 –> 00:55:23.160 Joseph McElroy: Each year 246 million travelers chair chest where traveler for up to date, information and where to go and what to see and nearly 100 cities worldwide and now one big geographic area, called the great smoky mountains.

00:55:23.880 –> 00:55:29.730 Joseph McElroy: We have local content local guides local concierge and there’s over 50,000 things to do.

00:55:30.960 –> 00:55:38.430 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank talk nyc talk radio dot nyc network for hosting my show.

00:55:38.850 –> 00:55:51.330 Joseph McElroy: there’s a great show after this call rediscovering New York, I would advise you, if you’re listening live to stay on to hear that show, then you have the best of both worlds, the country and then the big city that follows enjoy.

00:55:52.170 –> 00:56:05.730 Joseph McElroy: Your show next week with another great show about the smokies, I think, where we delving into more interesting music from an expert in the area, so thank you very much and bye and bye for now.


]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/292735465529357/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/139962351_292771422192428_5490017784410745285_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=TiBkpUNRhX8AX9egifJ&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6302B09D&oh=00_AT9LFkF2fRnRvmgX_M6lMdbGvDnYcQeDza20hRNUHAKscQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Joseph and his guest <strong>Mike Ogletree </strong>talk about some of the museums that can be found in the Smoky Mountains.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/48W79LdDiU/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph starts off by starting about the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley. Joseph and Mike share stories about attractions near where they live that funnily enough, they haven’t visited. Joseph describes the museum and an upcoming event being held there. This is one of several museums displaying automobiles in the Smokies. Others have different focuses such as antique cars and trucks. In the Gatlinburg area, there are 3 big car museums. One such museum houses cars from movies such as the original Batman and Knight Rider. NASA has a research institute in the mountains that runs camps and programs for families. There are many science museums in the park though, such as the national museum of science.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Mike discusses Jack of the Wood, where he used to go to listen to live Celtic music. He goes on to talk about other live music venues in Asheville. Joseph shares more museums and music venues in and around Asheville. Just outside Asheville is the Black Mountain College Museum, which sits where the college once was before closing in 1957. The school focused heavily on the arts, part of the reason why music is such a large part of the culture of the area.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Mike discusses the history of the Cherokee people and his experience in their museum. Joseph goes on to share his experiences in the museum. There are hundreds, if not thousands of history museums in the Smokies, with many towns having their own. Joseph discusses other museums he thinks are worth seeing. Joseph and Mike talk about fly fishing in the mountains and the Cherokee fly fishing tournament. They dive into the Celtic culture in the mountains, with Mike diving further into the culture through his discussion of the Tartan Museum.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Mike discusses his current project, where he will be performing Irish songs for Saint Patrick&#39;s day. This show will tell stories of the Irish people through song.</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:39.930 –&gt; 00:00:40.560 Joseph McElroy: Howdy.</p><p>00:00:41.130 –&gt; 00:00:46.200 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for setting this bell with us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:46.860 –&gt; 00:00:54.720 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountain national park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:55.350 –&gt; 00:01:04.950 Joseph McElroy: This area’s filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain culture that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:05.850 –&gt; 00:01:20.340 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also a deep roots and these mountains my families did lived in the great smoky mountains, for over 200 years my business in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:21.570 –&gt; 00:01:29.460 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about museums and other similar attractions in the smokies in the surrounding areas.</p><p>00:01:30.570 –&gt; 00:01:39.090 Joseph McElroy: I’m going to talk about a bunch of my favorites and then my I have a friend here his name is Mike Ogletree he was on my first show.</p><p>00:01:39.540 –&gt; 00:01:46.020 Joseph McElroy: And he’s the black Scotsman and he’s the resident artists at the middle Arc motel and he’s going to join me.</p><p>00:01:46.680 –&gt; 00:01:55.110 Joseph McElroy: to comment as he will he’s been to a few of the places I mentioned, and then he’s going to tell us about a project he’s been working on at the end of this show around St Patrick’s day.</p><p>00:01:56.130 –&gt; 00:02:13.500 Joseph McElroy: Now I had a guest that could also had a family emergency and couldn’t make it today, so this is a new podcast we put together so bear with us as we’re talking about stuff that I think you’ll still find interesting so start off, I have a little bit of a self interest.</p><p>00:02:14.760 –&gt; 00:02:18.150 Joseph McElroy: admission to make here and we’ll talk about a museum that’s right in my backyard.</p><p>00:02:18.990 –&gt; 00:02:31.020 Joseph McElroy: it’s the wheels through time matt matt museum and Maggie valley and it’s right behind my motel the middle art motel and Maggie bow, so I do have a little bit of knowledge about it but, and I imagine Mike Mike does to.</p><p>00:02:32.550 –&gt; 00:02:34.260 Joseph McElroy: The are you doing Mike.</p><p>00:02:35.070 –&gt; 00:02:37.740 Mike Ogletree: doing very well, thank you very much for having me on again.</p><p>00:02:38.070 –&gt; 00:02:40.380 Joseph McElroy: Her how’s the how’s the weather down there.</p><p>00:02:41.670 –&gt; 00:02:45.210 Mike Ogletree: Well it’s in the mountains so it’s.</p><p>00:02:46.290 –&gt; 00:02:55.860 Mike Ogletree: Often oil it’s been mostly clear blue skies and crispy cool fresh here and to do just a little bit overcast.</p><p>00:02:56.310 –&gt; 00:02:59.130 Mike Ogletree: yeah that’s what I see it in the mountains so dropping on.</p><p>00:03:00.360 –&gt; 00:03:05.820 Mike Ogletree: That doesn’t really matter whether the weather’s offer on it’s always spectacular years but as i’m concerned.</p><p>00:03:06.510 –&gt; 00:03:08.550 Joseph McElroy: Have you been over the wheel Sir time museum.</p><p>00:03:09.090 –&gt; 00:03:11.640 Mike Ogletree: You know I haven’t done that one yet know.</p><p>00:03:12.720 –&gt; 00:03:32.760 Mike Ogletree: Obviously i’ve seen know stuff that i’ve learned about it and been to the website, but haven’t haven’t done that, when I mean the thing is that you get all these bikes around here have been to the rallies and things like that, so I guess i’m just had my appetite has been created.</p><p>00:03:33.990 –&gt; 00:03:40.890 Mike Ogletree: For vintage cars and motivates and all that because really living etc so much.</p><p>00:03:41.130 –&gt; 00:03:43.830 Joseph McElroy: You take a lot of pictures of but you know that’s a little bit like me, I live.</p><p>00:03:45.000 –&gt; 00:03:54.450 Joseph McElroy: Where I live in New York City I also live in full disclosure I also live in New York City, I have a marketing company here, but I spent a lot of time back in my hometown.</p><p>00:03:55.740 –&gt; 00:04:05.550 Joseph McElroy: I live across from the empire state building, I mean i’m from the the freedom tower and I have never gone up there yet i’m sort of waiting Now for my babies to grow up and i’ll take them up there.</p><p>00:04:06.660 –&gt; 00:04:22.110 Joseph McElroy: But you know the wheels through time museum is actually the world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles memorabilia and it’s got a sort of a bunch of one off unique American automobiles.</p><p>00:04:22.230 –&gt; 00:04:30.420 Mike Ogletree: yeah it’s so popular that Jason memoria is friends with the owners and goes to try it.</p><p>00:04:30.660 –&gt; 00:04:42.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool man yeah so he was just he was there in October, he he he was he made the news that time I saw that that was pretty actually slept in the museum molly was there.</p><p>00:04:43.320 –&gt; 00:04:51.840 Joseph McElroy: yeah I had a cotton the museum, but you know there’s there’s about 300 rare machines in there, and you know it would be.</p><p>00:04:52.410 –&gt; 00:05:01.230 Joseph McElroy: The interesting thing, and I think the reason you know people like him go there it’s not just you look at this stuff all those machines actually run.</p><p>00:05:01.680 –&gt; 00:05:18.570 Joseph McElroy: And in our operating condition, so you know the owners and the staff have had a you know, a history of enabling have a TV show about motorcycle and they fix them up and every year they actually renovate a some classic motorcycle and do a.</p><p>00:05:19.740 –&gt; 00:05:22.230 Joseph McElroy: contest to win it.</p><p>00:05:23.280 –&gt; 00:05:30.510 Joseph McElroy: So they will actually start these machines on a regular basis, and let the visitors coming you know, listen to them, so you get to actually see.</p><p>00:05:31.650 –&gt; 00:05:39.510 Joseph McElroy: The you know and hear the get a real sense of these really classical and prices machines now.</p><p>00:05:41.100 –&gt; 00:05:51.900 Joseph McElroy: For those interested opening day is always a good day and that’s April 1 this year and they’ve got a bunch of new horsepower all right they’ve got.</p><p>00:05:52.650 –&gt; 00:06:04.290 Joseph McElroy: they’ve been adding and improving the all the exhibits there and they’ve been rebuilding and restoring a bunch of motorcycles, so they have some new some great new rare bikes there and some new.</p><p>00:06:04.950 –&gt; 00:06:17.940 Joseph McElroy: New memorabilia to go check out in the gift shop don’t remember you can come by the the middle our motown stay right across narrow be easy to go over there one or two days so combine help kick off the museum season.</p><p>00:06:18.480 –&gt; 00:06:20.460 Mike Ogletree: don’t we have a deal with them as well, we have a.</p><p>00:06:20.460 –&gt; 00:06:21.660 Mike Ogletree: deal with them.</p><p>00:06:21.720 –&gt; 00:06:32.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah I think we have a discount if you stay with us so yeah it’s a you know, so you can and we’re a motorcycle friendly place so motorcyclists love to come there.</p><p>00:06:32.730 –&gt; 00:06:47.280 Joseph McElroy: Because you know it’s plenty of parking we have you know we have a big recreation area that sort of like clubhouse promoter cyclists and you know we have we have motorcycle rags right ready for them to us, they have to grab the towels or anything like that.</p><p>00:06:48.480 –&gt; 00:06:58.830 Joseph McElroy: Now some other motorcycle and car related museums in the smoky mountain there there’s there several I mentioned one or two is the there’s one called the antique automobile.</p><p>00:06:59.520 –&gt; 00:07:08.940 Joseph McElroy: automobile museum at the grove would village all right Max in here that’s that’s near that’s an actual near the omni croke park in.</p><p>00:07:09.600 –&gt; 00:07:22.230 Joseph McElroy: And it has a on display there 18 old cars, including a 1913 model T Ford 57 cadillac Eldorado program and 59 edsel.</p><p>00:07:22.680 –&gt; 00:07:31.320 Joseph McElroy: along a real, along with a really old the miracle of France fire truck it’s a small low key museum but it’s kind of Nice and kind of Nice, and you know the old.</p><p>00:07:31.950 –&gt; 00:07:43.980 Joseph McElroy: Growth proc in is a premier luxury place, you can go and have got several restaurants in there and it’s got it so it’s nice to go visit the there go to a restaurant then see some of the things in that area there’s several things.</p><p>00:07:44.670 –&gt; 00:07:50.580 Joseph McElroy: Another place another museum is the Bennett classics the antique auto museum right.</p><p>00:07:51.960 –&gt; 00:08:08.850 Joseph McElroy: And that has more than 50 antique trucks and trucks cars on displays and it’s an actually you can also buy things so it’s a working classics museum, so you can actually buy antique automobiles there so and it’s in forest city.</p><p>00:08:10.050 –&gt; 00:08:16.110 Joseph McElroy: Which is a nice little town and then another place to go is the Granite falls history and transportation.</p><p>00:08:16.830 –&gt; 00:08:26.310 Joseph McElroy: CME, which is also in Granite falls and it’s located in 1790s Andrew Blair House and it has a it has a lot of.</p><p>00:08:27.090 –&gt; 00:08:34.920 Joseph McElroy: exhibitions on the history and on transportation in that town, now the bigger there’s a there’s three big car museums.</p><p>00:08:35.550 –&gt; 00:08:46.860 Joseph McElroy: In in the gatlinburg pigeon forward area and there’s a Hollywood stars car museum star cars museum and it’s got some of the most famous vehicles from TV and music him in movie history.</p><p>00:08:48.360 –&gt; 00:08:49.020 Joseph McElroy: it’s got.</p><p>00:08:50.490 –&gt; 00:09:03.000 Joseph McElroy: batmobile from the original Batman series has got dragged you law from the munsters remember that show and it’s got the jalopy from the beverly hillbillies and it’s got kitt from knight rider.</p><p>00:09:03.570 –&gt; 00:09:09.990 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a kind of thing so it’s a it’s a pretty the These are big touristy museums, but they’re fun.</p><p>00:09:11.280 –&gt; 00:09:19.380 Joseph McElroy: there’s another really awesome car Museum in gatlinburg is called speed works and it specializes in exotic automobiles.</p><p>00:09:19.710 –&gt; 00:09:29.670 Joseph McElroy: which are basically European sports cars that are worth over $250,000 and basically they’re they’re left there they’re left there for cake cake care.</p><p>00:09:29.880 –&gt; 00:09:39.240 Joseph McElroy: By the owners who are not using them, so you get to see them, and you know there’s a different roster because it owners, a different time come back and want to drive their cars, but.</p><p>00:09:39.510 –&gt; 00:09:52.140 Joseph McElroy: it’s kind of cool and then you have the floyd garrett’s muscle car museum, which has inventory of over $8 million nine $8 million and there’s about 90 muscle cars at the museum.</p><p>00:09:52.530 –&gt; 00:10:01.380 Joseph McElroy: Which are you know American crassness ship the innovation from the 50s and 60s and 70s and they’re beautifully maintained and displayed so.</p><p>00:10:02.250 –&gt; 00:10:09.390 Joseph McElroy: You know, we got you know there’s also I think there’s an aviation museum around a little bit later we’re talking about railroads we got a lot of good.</p><p>00:10:09.810 –&gt; 00:10:17.760 Joseph McElroy: People for the looking into the you know that kind of car culture, you know Rome culture was a big thing in the mountains, and still is.</p><p>00:10:19.230 –&gt; 00:10:24.630 Joseph McElroy: Now i’m going to talk about science, a little bit, we have some great science locations in the mountains.</p><p>00:10:25.860 –&gt; 00:10:35.190 Joseph McElroy: That one I found that was pretty cool is the pisco astronomical research institute now i’ve never been in there, but i’ve been by it.</p><p>00:10:36.570 –&gt; 00:10:38.040 Joseph McElroy: And it’s.</p><p>00:10:39.150 –&gt; 00:10:58.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s it was built by NASA in 1962 is the East course coast facility to track satellites and monitor manned spaceflight now Mike you live in down here I you know if you noticed that we get a lot of strange flights and objects in the skies and the in those nights in the mountains.</p><p>00:10:58.770 –&gt; 00:10:59.460 Mike Ogletree: Definitely.</p><p>00:10:59.700 –&gt; 00:11:08.730 Joseph McElroy: Definitely so there’s there’s been a lot of NASA related things and air force related things in the mountains, we never for sure what it is, but you know this this.</p><p>00:11:09.030 –&gt; 00:11:23.130 Joseph McElroy: pique my interest because you know, maybe there’s something coming from there, but it is a nonprofit educational world class research Center and has a massive radio telescopes all right and it’s located in braveheart and it has.</p><p>00:11:23.250 –&gt; 00:11:25.020 Mike Ogletree: It has space camp as well.</p><p>00:11:25.500 –&gt; 00:11:26.760 Joseph McElroy: yeah right.</p><p>00:11:28.380 –&gt; 00:11:45.000 Joseph McElroy: And they have you know it has it allows visitors and they can get immersed in the science and technology and they and they have some programs there that you can go to they even have some camping and some camp, if you want to do some online onsite logic.</p><p>00:11:46.290 –&gt; 00:11:47.550 Joseph McElroy: And it’s open right now.</p><p>00:11:48.660 –&gt; 00:12:02.550 Joseph McElroy: So it’s worthwhile taking the kids there in fact it has a may six 2021 from nine to 11 it has an evening viewing of the have a meteor shower that’s going to happen.</p><p>00:12:03.930 –&gt; 00:12:11.730 Joseph McElroy: Because it’s a great view because we’re one of the few dark sky parks in the nation where there’s there’s no light to disturb you.</p><p>00:12:12.840 –&gt; 00:12:25.200 Joseph McElroy: Know city lights nothing so you know you can really see it so grab a picnic basket bring along chair, you know it’s close enough the motel you can come and go there come back you know and it’s a good experience.</p><p>00:12:26.490 –&gt; 00:12:31.920 Joseph McElroy: Others I the other science related museums in the mountains i’d like to mention is you got the.</p><p>00:12:32.370 –&gt; 00:12:41.430 Joseph McElroy: appalachian Highland science learning at the purchase and that’s not too far from the for where we are to it’s located at 4900 feet in.</p><p>00:12:42.210 –&gt; 00:12:57.750 Joseph McElroy: elevation the great smoky mountain mountains National Park, is actually one of the few facilities in the park and it’s a part where as part of a network of 32 research learning centers and it’s supporting research and education about science and our national parks.</p><p>00:12:59.550 –&gt; 00:13:05.190 Joseph McElroy: And so it’s it’s dedicated to really increasing the amount and effectiveness of research in the appalachians.</p><p>00:13:06.600 –&gt; 00:13:14.190 Joseph McElroy: it’s it’s it’s a great place to go and visit and it’s also got great hockey hiking around there so it’s a good day trip.</p><p>00:13:15.630 –&gt; 00:13:31.050 Joseph McElroy: Other science related you know attractions in the mountains, you have the actual museum of sight science and it has interactive science experiences dealing with ecology climate weather.</p><p>00:13:31.800 –&gt; 00:13:35.850 Joseph McElroy: So it’s a good town downtown visit they go to asheville you got.</p><p>00:13:36.660 –&gt; 00:13:45.210 Joseph McElroy: You got wonder works which is in pigeon forwards and it’s one of the most popular attractions and it’s it’s an A humongous upside down building.</p><p>00:13:45.690 –&gt; 00:13:53.130 Joseph McElroy: And it combines a science fair with an amusement park at a children’s museum all rolled up into one huge experience.</p><p>00:13:53.460 –&gt; 00:14:09.720 Joseph McElroy: And it has it gives you access to over 150 active activities ranging from roller coaster simulators to black ride core broke courses, so when we come back i’m going to start talking a little bit about the art galleries and museums in the mountains.</p><p>00:14:10.770 –&gt; 00:14:12.120 Joseph McElroy: And we’ll see when we come back.</p><p>00:17:10.920 –&gt; 00:17:20.730 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with a gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest and friend Mike ogletree hey make.</p><p>00:17:21.060 –&gt; 00:17:24.450 Mike Ogletree: Hello there friends of gateway to the smoky.</p><p>00:17:24.990 –&gt; 00:17:34.110 Joseph McElroy: hey Mike i’m going to talk about artists second video if you’ve been you’ve been the actual regular basis you’ve been into the art places that are good doing some good good music there.</p><p>00:17:34.950 –&gt; 00:17:37.500 Mike Ogletree: My I used to go to the.</p><p>00:17:38.730 –&gt; 00:17:47.970 Mike Ogletree: jack of the book, which is, I was talking to somebody about it just the other day, because I don’t think that doing any like music in nashville at the moment but.</p><p>00:17:48.480 –&gt; 00:18:00.930 Mike Ogletree: When they did jack of the would wish, when I would go because he had something every night, they would have Monday night, they would have an open MIC Tuesday night, they would have.</p><p>00:18:02.490 –&gt; 00:18:15.390 Mike Ogletree: An Irish jam session and then itself something in the afternoon something in the evening, and it was like that you know it’s like that seven days a week, do you really enjoy it was all Celtic or.</p><p>00:18:16.830 –&gt; 00:18:27.600 Mike Ogletree: You know authentic American music, such as cajun used to go up kitchen band in there, then of course bluegrass music and Irish.</p><p>00:18:28.860 –&gt; 00:18:38.160 Mike Ogletree: A ritual Irish music, then they do contemporary bluegrass as well, but it’s just unfortunate because with the virus.</p><p>00:18:39.630 –&gt; 00:18:41.100 Mike Ogletree: I understand the asheville.</p><p>00:18:42.150 –&gt; 00:18:54.600 Mike Ogletree: For for the good part of the year last year was closed down, and I see Unfortunately I also went to the call that the onion as a piece called the onion.</p><p>00:18:55.380 –&gt; 00:19:07.020 Mike Ogletree: yeah I went to the great gigs here and reminds me of the 80s 70s, in the 80s in London and there are a lot of really good gigs.</p><p>00:19:07.410 –&gt; 00:19:16.890 Mike Ogletree: That you could go to and they were all they were set up and dedicated to do in live bands, in other words data good PA system that a good lighting system.</p><p>00:19:17.460 –&gt; 00:19:27.120 Mike Ogletree: In asheville is fortunate to to have that, as far as I, I saw has that in speech you know got a lot of good venues the onion which one.</p><p>00:19:28.020 –&gt; 00:19:45.270 Mike Ogletree: Do you remember the other one I went to go again it was just a great venue I had a partner at a bar a good light and a good PA system and just just great great atmosphere for people wanting to go and see live music and then great opportunity for people wanting to clean like.</p><p>00:19:46.620 –&gt; 00:19:54.090 Joseph McElroy: Oh, you know I got a couple of things for you to check out and natural wonders if you ever heard the moves it moves in.</p><p>00:19:54.840 –&gt; 00:19:55.800 Mike Ogletree: The movie museum.</p><p>00:19:56.010 –&gt; 00:19:56.940 Joseph McElroy: Moves in.</p><p>00:19:57.300 –&gt; 00:20:01.980 Mike Ogletree: I mean i’ve been actually to move a factory that I didn’t know, there was a museum.</p><p>00:20:02.190 –&gt; 00:20:12.480 Joseph McElroy: You know about movers he’d been in the moog synthesizer right now, they have they have a museum dedicated interactive music experiences.</p><p>00:20:12.750 –&gt; 00:20:13.440 Mike Ogletree: In nashville.</p><p>00:20:13.740 –&gt; 00:20:15.000 Joseph McElroy: And nashville yeah.</p><p>00:20:15.270 –&gt; 00:20:25.650 Joseph McElroy: it’s more media interactive you definitely have to go see that it sounds like it’s a blast and he’s got he’s got over 700 archival bits and things like that.</p><p>00:20:27.030 –&gt; 00:20:32.310 Joseph McElroy: And it’s a and you know and it’s also got stuff about the theremin right.</p><p>00:20:32.790 –&gt; 00:20:33.150 Joseph McElroy: Right.</p><p>00:20:33.450 –&gt; 00:20:34.440 precursor really.</p><p>00:20:37.080 –&gt; 00:20:49.200 Joseph McElroy: yeah but the other thing you should know which I just found out, which is great news is the asheville museum art museum now has on second thursday’s live music.</p><p>00:20:50.130 –&gt; 00:20:54.690 Joseph McElroy: Right, the actual art museum is open up and now in the second Thursday of the month, it has a.</p><p>00:20:55.410 –&gt; 00:21:04.740 Joseph McElroy: Music to accomplish a couple of visits, so you can go they got limited, you know entry about the number of people, but you can go look at art and listen to tune, so I think that’s pretty good.</p><p>00:21:05.220 –&gt; 00:21:19.350 Joseph McElroy: You know the the actual art museum just opened up after a $24 million renovation and expansion it’s now a 68,000 square foot museum featuring 20th and 21st century art American art.</p><p>00:21:19.950 –&gt; 00:21:33.150 Joseph McElroy: Has over 5000 objects and art pieces there’s a rooftop sculpture terraces there’s a CAFE and then it’s got some real interesting lighted experiences after dark outside.</p><p>00:21:34.110 –&gt; 00:21:36.090 Joseph McElroy: it’s got a glass interior that oh.</p><p>00:21:37.050 –&gt; 00:21:43.440 Joseph McElroy: will eliminate it is in the Center of the town, so it illuminates the the big parks pack Square, where all the action is.</p><p>00:21:43.680 –&gt; 00:21:57.270 Joseph McElroy: So it’s great so it’s you know it’s a great visit you go see art, you see, you know, music and then the right in the middle of all the downtown cafes and it’s a CAFE society, I would definitely not miss that.</p><p>00:21:58.800 –&gt; 00:22:10.410 Joseph McElroy: Something that you know, for me, I remember growing up and go into the actual art museum and in my teens I saw work by Joseph l bears that impressed me.</p><p>00:22:12.390 –&gt; 00:22:20.310 Joseph McElroy: And they have a lot of art, they have a collection of art from the what’s called the Black mountain school of modern art.</p><p>00:22:21.720 –&gt; 00:22:34.920 Joseph McElroy: And that’s because only 20 minutes east of asheville is the black mountain college was the black mountain college, which actually closed and 57 but they now have what’s called the Black mountain college museum and art Center.</p><p>00:22:36.150 –&gt; 00:22:43.500 Joseph McElroy: And it can it preserves and continues that legacy of educational in our artistic innovation that was at the black Martin school.</p><p>00:22:45.180 –&gt; 00:22:50.220 Joseph McElroy: The black mountain called started actually 1933 right and it.</p><p>00:22:51.840 –&gt; 00:22:59.790 Joseph McElroy: was born out of desire to create a new type of college based on john do is principal progressive education so.</p><p>00:23:00.060 –&gt; 00:23:08.250 Joseph McElroy: The founders of college that believe that the study and practice of art are indispensable X for aspects of the students general liberal arts education.</p><p>00:23:08.700 –&gt; 00:23:23.430 Joseph McElroy: And so they ended up hiring Joseph l bears and his and and and his wife Annie to be the to be the first our teachers, even though they spoke no English, they were from Germany and they were you know they were fleeing hitler’s Germany.</p><p>00:23:24.690 –&gt; 00:23:40.770 Joseph McElroy: And then they went to this small mountain college rebellious college in the mountains of North Carolina and you know, of course, they come from the German school of art, which was really you know magnificent at the time, and it was so the blank mountain school is fundamentally different.</p><p>00:23:41.910 –&gt; 00:23:53.520 Joseph McElroy: From the time it was owned and operated by the Faculty and was committed to democratic governance and and be the Archer central learning Center so it really attracted.</p><p>00:23:54.300 –&gt; 00:24:03.420 Joseph McElroy: Some amazing people and who became legendary and it had it had a 20th century’s great, and this is just a partial list.</p><p>00:24:03.900 –&gt; 00:24:07.590 Joseph McElroy: William and Alain de kooning Robert rauschenberg.</p><p>00:24:08.070 –&gt; 00:24:21.600 Joseph McElroy: The album herbs Jacob Lawrence merce Cunningham john cage side trombley Kenneth nolan Susan well very be Williams Ben Shaw, you know and many others friends climb, you know it was just you know.</p><p>00:24:22.200 –&gt; 00:24:40.500 Joseph McElroy: You know, for me, growing up and finding out this it existed in my little you know area of the world, you know that sort of open up my head that anything’s possible in terms of being able to leave there and do something in the world and it inspired me dramatically.</p><p>00:24:41.700 –&gt; 00:24:53.070 Joseph McElroy: Right now, the school is open and you can actually go into her and see things, and they have lots of virtual friends, but you have to do an appointment, you can send an email to info at black mountain college or.</p><p>00:24:54.960 –&gt; 00:24:55.860 Joseph McElroy: Another good.</p><p>00:24:57.630 –&gt; 00:24:58.380 Joseph McElroy: school.</p><p>00:24:59.760 –&gt; 00:25:07.200 Joseph McElroy: To mention is the arrow mount schools of arts and crafts and arts and crafts Center in the US and it’s in the city of gatlinburg Tennessee.</p><p>00:25:07.710 –&gt; 00:25:12.270 Joseph McElroy: And it’s the oldest craft school in Tennessee and it offers a lot of workshops in arts and crafts.</p><p>00:25:12.720 –&gt; 00:25:24.660 Joseph McElroy: And it covers the gamut of painting woodworking drawing class photography basket weaving ceramic fiber arts book arts and metal work is pretty stupendous and you’re able to go and view and see things in the galleries.</p><p>00:25:27.030 –&gt; 00:25:27.750 Joseph McElroy: And then.</p><p>00:25:29.250 –&gt; 00:25:37.650 Joseph McElroy: One of the we were talking about the omni grow park in earlier, where there was that car museum will adjacent to the omni growth park international.</p><p>00:25:38.040 –&gt; 00:25:48.600 Joseph McElroy: is one of those hidden gems and it’s known as grove would village, and this is a historic site and it wants to hose the weaving and would Kirk woodworking operations have built more industries.</p><p>00:25:49.140 –&gt; 00:26:03.060 Joseph McElroy: Now you’ll discover arts and crafts, a destination that offers a glimpse of all what arts and crafts was critical so that you know to actual story so it’s a nice place to visit and, like, I said that area is a great little.</p><p>00:26:03.690 –&gt; 00:26:15.180 Joseph McElroy: Day trip for Maggie Valley, you know we we really say that many hours a day trip from asheville but, in this context, have been in the smoky mountains actual the day trip from the smokies.</p><p>00:26:16.710 –&gt; 00:26:17.220 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:26:18.360 –&gt; 00:26:24.420 Joseph McElroy: that’s I hope that’s a little bit of a story into the arts and it’s not exciting there’s a lot of great arts going on, when you say my.</p><p>00:26:25.290 –&gt; 00:26:41.010 Mike Ogletree: Definitely, I mean that’s just I only spoke about the music but i’ve spent several times just walking down the arts I think it’s called art district returned by the River near.</p><p>00:26:41.370 –&gt; 00:26:44.520 Joseph McElroy: The River arts district place to go.</p><p>00:26:44.610 –&gt; 00:27:04.080 Mike Ogletree: yeah and you can you can do you can just go down there and look and be amazed, but you can also go down there and participate, because you do classes and they’ll let you blow glass and they’ll let you turn pottery and all that kind of stuff so it’s really great it’s great fun.</p><p>00:27:05.970 –&gt; 00:27:06.810 Mike Ogletree: Paper i’m missing.</p><p>00:27:07.230 –&gt; 00:27:17.880 Joseph McElroy: The pottery is is is a great tradition and the mountains of North Carolina and the smoky mountains, especially you know in every little town has their potter but you know that in fact right.</p><p>00:27:18.360 –&gt; 00:27:25.140 Joseph McElroy: One point we’re gonna have a potter come in and talk have a show on the potter we have a potter that that is actually.</p><p>00:27:25.650 –&gt; 00:27:39.840 Joseph McElroy: Has a studio a couple couple doors down from the middle Arc motel and he’s more than just to us he’s more than just a potter his dad actually built the first building of the middle Arc motel so there’s a deep connection there and they both.</p><p>00:27:40.950 –&gt; 00:27:41.730 Joseph McElroy: In a sense.</p><p>00:27:42.150 –&gt; 00:27:43.470 Joseph McElroy: Both of us grew up.</p><p>00:27:43.620 –&gt; 00:27:47.040 Joseph McElroy: In the middle art motel he was just a little bit earlier generations.</p><p>00:27:47.280 –&gt; 00:27:49.800 Mike Ogletree: By the way, is just a pity you can’t see.</p><p>00:27:50.160 –&gt; 00:27:52.740 Mike Ogletree: His pottery because it is spectacular.</p><p>00:27:55.050 –&gt; 00:28:05.550 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so when we come back we’re talking about some of the history museums, that we can go to in the smoky mountains and then we’ll get into talking about miscellaneous things and get into mike’s project.</p><p>00:30:55.710 –&gt; 00:31:08.790 Joseph McElroy: This is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcasts and i’m talking with Mike ogletree we’re talking about the museums and similar attractions in the mountains now Mike.</p><p>00:31:10.020 –&gt; 00:31:15.090 Joseph McElroy: you’ve been to cherokee you went to that cherokee Indian museum dinner.</p><p>00:31:15.810 –&gt; 00:31:28.620 Mike Ogletree: Yes, I did be Nova and I think I spend the whole afternoon now you know it’s not very big but it’s big enough to and the things that they have India.</p><p>00:31:29.340 –&gt; 00:31:49.500 Mike Ogletree: Definitely merit reading and studying and learning about because the history of the cherokee people is it particularly connected to like right now what’s happening in the country, you know so.</p><p>00:31:50.550 –&gt; 00:32:01.050 Mike Ogletree: go in there and just going through the museum, as I call it have a look is kind of half of the half of the visit the other half is really studying up.</p><p>00:32:01.620 –&gt; 00:32:14.400 Mike Ogletree: and learning about what happened to you not like, specifically the trail of tears this kind of thing but it we saw it, you saw much a part of the mountain culture at the time, you know.</p><p>00:32:15.690 –&gt; 00:32:17.550 Mike Ogletree: The involved.</p><p>00:32:19.050 –&gt; 00:32:27.840 Mike Ogletree: Like people of all races, as it were, as a very diverse time and in American history and.</p><p>00:32:29.280 –&gt; 00:32:46.110 Mike Ogletree: If you don’t really know about unless you do something like go to the cherokee museum and find out about the people what they were doing hows about live in her they were interacting because they were kind of a little bit, apart from the rest of.</p><p>00:32:47.130 –&gt; 00:32:56.400 Mike Ogletree: The rest of the country so it’s not something that you, you hear talked about, very often, you know so that that was that was my deep.</p><p>00:32:57.360 –&gt; 00:33:13.440 Mike Ogletree: My deep experiencing going there with just you know superficially and then and the sense of the beauty that that you see in terms of the art and the craft and the people and everything it’s just it’s just a wonderful.</p><p>00:33:14.040 –&gt; 00:33:27.360 Joseph McElroy: Wonderful, what do you think of I do the thing I am you know I saw my first whole graph at the at the that Turkey museum and you know, I was it was.</p><p>00:33:27.840 –&gt; 00:33:38.430 Joseph McElroy: It was a it was a medicine man who sort of was a virtual guide throughout the whole experience of going through the the exhibit wasn’t that that pretty amazing.</p><p>00:33:39.090 –&gt; 00:33:42.930 Mike Ogletree: You know I don’t think I could remember not working, when I was there.</p><p>00:33:43.590 –&gt; 00:33:46.050 Joseph McElroy: Okay well if they have.</p><p>00:33:47.580 –&gt; 00:33:59.550 Joseph McElroy: I mean they have different exhibits but there’s one exhibit that goes there that they will have a holographic medicine man, you know, in general, the you know they have.</p><p>00:34:00.810 –&gt; 00:34:03.030 Joseph McElroy: They the cherokee museum.</p><p>00:34:04.560 –&gt; 00:34:05.010 Joseph McElroy: Is.</p><p>00:34:06.090 –&gt; 00:34:17.010 Joseph McElroy: tells the story of like Mike said a lot of the the the the successes and the tragedies of the cherokee people in the in the carolinas.</p><p>00:34:18.270 –&gt; 00:34:30.240 Joseph McElroy: And it’s actually goes back they claim 13,000 years of culture and the that when they do historical tour, they will have holograms.</p><p>00:34:30.750 –&gt; 00:34:45.570 Joseph McElroy: because their specialty is even though it’s a it’s not a giant museum is to do an immersive experience with the digital and displays and holograms and any kind of technology and give you a real full sensory experience.</p><p>00:34:46.620 –&gt; 00:34:55.710 Joseph McElroy: So you get to experience the check he’s put people’s inventiveness and resilience and will to survive and sort of this girl way.</p><p>00:34:56.370 –&gt; 00:35:11.010 Joseph McElroy: And it’s very moving, you should probably bring a handkerchief because there’s some points where you’re going to actually you know, maybe have a tear in your eye and I remember it being that moving all right, and really.</p><p>00:35:13.290 –&gt; 00:35:15.720 Joseph McElroy: Somebody I will remember, for the rest of my life.</p><p>00:35:16.890 –&gt; 00:35:23.280 Joseph McElroy: So I consider one of the best museums i’ve ever been to and worthwhile now.</p><p>00:35:24.900 –&gt; 00:35:28.110 Joseph McElroy: there’s a lot of history, museums in the in the mountains.</p><p>00:35:29.340 –&gt; 00:35:39.270 Joseph McElroy: I would say, you know, probably I would when I was starting to do a little research on it, I you know I saw list was hundreds of not.</p><p>00:35:39.630 –&gt; 00:35:48.300 Joseph McElroy: You know, several hundred on there, and if you went through the whole area that we call the smoky mountains, which is an East Tennessee in the western North Carolina area.</p><p>00:35:48.750 –&gt; 00:36:02.790 Joseph McElroy: there’s I mean there’s hundreds, maybe over 1000 history museums and because every town has a stork house that has a museum right every hour several so and they’re all worth while going to.</p><p>00:36:04.320 –&gt; 00:36:05.490 Joseph McElroy: Now i’m.</p><p>00:36:06.540 –&gt; 00:36:13.320 Joseph McElroy: and other history museums, I think that are worthwhile is you got the great smoky mountains heritage Center.</p><p>00:36:13.770 –&gt; 00:36:26.550 Joseph McElroy: And it’s open now and it’s a it’s a museum dedicated to honoring the settlers and habits of the great smoky mountain region, including the earliest centers the settlers, the native American.</p><p>00:36:27.870 –&gt; 00:36:37.230 Joseph McElroy: And so it’s it’s a it’s it’s one of the branded museums, to go to larger than in waynesville which is close to us is the Shelton house.</p><p>00:36:37.590 –&gt; 00:36:42.300 Joseph McElroy: Which is built in 1875 and is listed on the national register of historic places.</p><p>00:36:42.720 –&gt; 00:36:49.770 Joseph McElroy: And it’s and it’s it’s it it’s a it’s the it’s got the Museum of natural North Carolina handicrafts.</p><p>00:36:50.130 –&gt; 00:37:04.620 Joseph McElroy: And it’s got a comprehensive exhibits of 19th century crafts and hooting hand woven cover let’s quilt sculptured post porcelain doll summers masterpieces of pottery work in furniture and native American artifice packed.</p><p>00:37:06.060 –&gt; 00:37:16.950 Joseph McElroy: And it also keep it’ll also have artists that had been at the New York state fair curated collection of crafts, that will also be displayed there so it’s it’s an excellent.</p><p>00:37:19.620 –&gt; 00:37:25.710 Joseph McElroy: place to get a nice historical overview of the crafts, but.</p><p>00:37:26.820 –&gt; 00:37:38.820 Joseph McElroy: Before I leave cherokee all right, I know we’re getting in some some of the miscellaneous museums, there is actually a fly fishing museum of the southern appalachian.</p><p>00:37:39.420 –&gt; 00:37:43.650 Joseph McElroy: And and it’s located actually close to cherokee and bryce’s city.</p><p>00:37:44.310 –&gt; 00:37:59.580 Joseph McElroy: And and and I like to talk about fly fishing, because we have a great fly fishing stream that part of it flows behind the smoky mountain the middle or motel and I grew up fly fishing and it’s a great place the smoky mountains, a great place for fly fishing.</p><p>00:38:00.840 –&gt; 00:38:05.580 Mike Ogletree: I just if you know that he do official off the cherokee that.</p><p>00:38:05.730 –&gt; 00:38:06.270 Mike Ogletree: Graham.</p><p>00:38:06.450 –&gt; 00:38:10.650 Joseph McElroy: I will talk to you about either they’re they’re actually going to do it this year now, we give you the thing so.</p><p>00:38:11.910 –&gt; 00:38:22.800 Joseph McElroy: it’s a you know the fly fishing is is that they have this great museum and it’s built in a old barn a big barn so and so it’s kind of real rustic.</p><p>00:38:23.370 –&gt; 00:38:41.700 Joseph McElroy: feel to it but it’s got many exhibits and education on on on fly fishing, and so what Mike was alluding to is cherokee which is right there near bryson city is famous for its fly fishing tournament and on and this year fly fishing is opening date is march 27.</p><p>00:38:43.410 –&gt; 00:38:47.670 Joseph McElroy: And they’re going to be doing a tournament with a $20,000.</p><p>00:38:50.070 –&gt; 00:39:04.740 Joseph McElroy: Price okay and it’s a $15 entry fee to dollar $17 for two days, and you can you’ll be you’ll be competing in the rivers of all the cherokee Indian reservation allison well as a call to Kuala boundary.</p><p>00:39:06.120 –&gt; 00:39:14.340 Joseph McElroy: And there will be tagged fish and some other stocks with event and there will be, you can redeem them for cash prizes.</p><p>00:39:14.670 –&gt; 00:39:22.830 Joseph McElroy: And it’s really it’s a really great fun event we have lots of fishing tournaments in the mountains, and this is sort of usually the first one of the season.</p><p>00:39:23.610 –&gt; 00:39:37.170 Joseph McElroy: you’ll have to have a fishing license, but you can get that pretty quick so don’t miss that you know it’s spring is he going to be here, get out fishing get out hiking you know it’s a lot of fun.</p><p>00:39:38.400 –&gt; 00:39:39.030 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:39:40.320 –&gt; 00:39:50.430 Joseph McElroy: Other miscellaneous museums of the smoky mountain trains museum and it’s kind of collection of 7000 Lionel engines and cars and accessory Mike you went there you were telling me I haven’t been there.</p><p>00:39:50.520 –&gt; 00:39:52.800 Mike Ogletree: yeah I went to the miniature one.</p><p>00:39:53.760 –&gt; 00:39:54.960 Mike Ogletree: So the one you’re talking to.</p><p>00:39:56.670 –&gt; 00:40:02.760 Mike Ogletree: yeah you know that’s I love that because you know that appeals to the child and me and that’s.</p><p>00:40:03.750 –&gt; 00:40:11.400 Mike Ogletree: It does anybody like that who gets excited at model trains, then that’s the place to go because they’ve got.</p><p>00:40:12.270 –&gt; 00:40:21.570 Mike Ogletree: Think i’ve got three different skills, you know they’ve got a really small and medium, then a big one, and it’s a big big warehouse.</p><p>00:40:22.050 –&gt; 00:40:29.940 Mike Ogletree: And these change, they just one constantly and and you can again it’s one of those things that you could just spend the afternoon and they’re just.</p><p>00:40:30.420 –&gt; 00:40:50.610 Mike Ogletree: watching all these trains go and what they do and what they look like and because they’re going fast and they’re covering some they’re covering a lot of ground in there, so it’s it’s definitely the best model train exhibit that i’ve ever seen, and i’ve seen the one in and.</p><p>00:40:51.120 –&gt; 00:41:00.600 Joseph McElroy: And it’s and it’s you know it’s it’s home to it’s also part of the smoky mountain railroad the right there there’s also a smoky mountain, which is a tourist railroaded old authentic.</p><p>00:41:00.870 –&gt; 00:41:07.830 Joseph McElroy: steam car things as first class engineering get dinners I get all sorts of great experiences, and I would recommend going there.</p><p>00:41:08.400 –&gt; 00:41:09.030 Mike Ogletree: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:41:09.330 –&gt; 00:41:13.770 Joseph McElroy: So I want to get a little bit into Celtic culture, because it ties into what mike’s doing.</p><p>00:41:14.310 –&gt; 00:41:15.390 Mike Ogletree: guilty guilty.</p><p>00:41:15.750 –&gt; 00:41:18.360 Joseph McElroy: guilty sorry Celtic culture.</p><p>00:41:19.560 –&gt; 00:41:33.420 Joseph McElroy: And you know, and you know and and what my project is you know, there is a if you go to the mountains of North Carolina would you expect to come to a giant ship well.</p><p>00:41:34.260 –&gt; 00:41:44.040 Joseph McElroy: We have a museum for the Titanic in pigeon forge yes, the Titanic, the one that sank and it’s a one of a kind passengers experience.</p><p>00:41:44.580 –&gt; 00:41:57.240 Joseph McElroy: and actually what it feels to walk through the hallways and powers of the grand staircase and why is it related to the Celtic because 100 and.</p><p>00:41:57.810 –&gt; 00:42:11.910 Joseph McElroy: celebrates the the world and remembers the hundred and 87 Irish passions or crew and we were bored the Titanic, and in fact March is is tribute to Irish and it’s.</p><p>00:42:12.720 –&gt; 00:42:24.600 Joseph McElroy: And having all sorts of events going on there, and the other Celtic experience that Mike knows a lot about is that the Scottish tartans museum and heritage Center right.</p><p>00:42:24.780 –&gt; 00:42:33.690 Joseph McElroy: Right offers a look into the origins history and developer tartans and specifically the devil development of killed, can you tell me a little bit about that Mike.</p><p>00:42:34.230 –&gt; 00:42:50.310 Mike Ogletree: yeah yeah and it’s in Franklin North Carolina and it’s basically run by volunteers and there’s one guy there’s one main guy and his wife, who have been keeping it alive.</p><p>00:42:50.820 –&gt; 00:43:01.890 Mike Ogletree: And this museum is quite unique because it’s the only museum is dedicated to the top 10 yeah I think in the world, but definitely.</p><p>00:43:02.490 –&gt; 00:43:13.740 Mike Ogletree: Definitely in the US, you know it’s a it’s a natural museum very you can go in and they’ve got a little the main part of is like a store that you go through the store and the museum’s in the back.</p><p>00:43:14.220 –&gt; 00:43:25.410 Mike Ogletree: And it goes through the whole history of Tartan and it tells you about the origins of the kilt, for instance, which was a lot of people.</p><p>00:43:27.000 –&gt; 00:43:34.680 Mike Ogletree: Often, think of as being the thing that you see today when you see like the bagpipers dressed up and you think why that’s why kill.</p><p>00:43:35.280 –&gt; 00:43:50.670 Mike Ogletree: it’s like, but if you go to the tattoo museum North Carolina you’ll find a completely different history of the killed, which they have documented and you’ve actually got all that the garments and.</p><p>00:43:51.240 –&gt; 00:44:02.040 Mike Ogletree: In some cases they’ve got the equipment that was used to make these killed because they were an essential part of of nobleman and our warriors garb.</p><p>00:44:02.850 –&gt; 00:44:03.420 Mike Ogletree: It was you.</p><p>00:44:03.510 –&gt; 00:44:10.200 Mike Ogletree: could serve as a piece of clothing could serve as a as a bed is attained all kinds of things.</p><p>00:44:10.590 –&gt; 00:44:32.130 Mike Ogletree: And depending on your rank you would have a different type of kilt and it wasn’t this dress that you would around yourself, it was this huge government, in some cases, you had to lie down and roll around in a specific pattern in order to get killed on so.</p><p>00:44:32.910 –&gt; 00:44:33.510 Mike Ogletree: High ceiling.</p><p>00:44:33.930 –&gt; 00:44:39.180 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna take a break we’ll finish that after we come back and we’ll talk about your your Celtic project.</p><p>00:44:39.240 –&gt; 00:44:41.160 For the Mr all right.</p><p>00:46:59.400 –&gt; 00:47:13.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Mike ogletree Mike so we we’ve worked with that we worked with a Spartan Tartan museum to do the.</p><p>00:47:15.540 –&gt; 00:47:23.760 Joseph McElroy: event last year right dinner for Robert Burns that was pretty guy great I saw that the presentation he came in, he brought in all those.</p><p>00:47:24.300 –&gt; 00:47:36.000 Joseph McElroy: Pictures of different kinds of tartans and is extremely knowledgeable people to go out there, they find that that that speech on are the Miller motels gate Facebook page.</p><p>00:47:36.510 –&gt; 00:47:41.130 Joseph McElroy: But it on a new project now right for St patrick’s day why don’t you tell us about that.</p><p>00:47:41.190 –&gt; 00:47:47.040 Mike Ogletree: yeah it’s see patrick’s day I think it’s the 17th of the month, but.</p><p>00:47:48.330 –&gt; 00:47:58.350 Mike Ogletree: You know I love Irish music and I lived in New York for a while and I was exposed to a lot of Irish music there because you can get but.</p><p>00:47:59.430 –&gt; 00:48:08.610 Mike Ogletree: Here in in the mountains there’s a connection to Irish culture that goes back hundreds and hundreds of years and.</p><p>00:48:09.330 –&gt; 00:48:23.640 Mike Ogletree: So I I managed to combine my love of Irish music and find a way to incorporate it into my Sunday afternoon fire safety conscious that we do here at the motel.</p><p>00:48:24.270 –&gt; 00:48:33.300 Mike Ogletree: And because I always do something on St patrick’s day anyway to this year, what i’m what i’m doing, and then, of course, you know St Patrick.</p><p>00:48:33.720 –&gt; 00:48:45.900 Mike Ogletree: I you you, you pointed me in a direction and I never knew but he’s Scottish he was born in a place called dumbarton which is just about maybe 30 miles north of where I come from the enemy so.</p><p>00:48:46.320 –&gt; 00:48:55.740 Mike Ogletree: So see magic is the ultimate Scots Irish figure to talk about in the mountains, because so many of the people in the mountains and.</p><p>00:48:56.880 –&gt; 00:49:11.340 Mike Ogletree: Scotch Irish descent, so I figured it would be a good opportunity to do a few Irish songs this Sunday because they’ll all be dedicated to St patrick’s day.</p><p>00:49:12.480 –&gt; 00:49:15.840 Mike Ogletree: Irish music and all that and some of the songs that i’m doing.</p><p>00:49:17.250 –&gt; 00:49:27.600 Mike Ogletree: it’s interesting when you do these traditional Irish songs how the message at it still resonates with the temperament of.</p><p>00:49:28.320 –&gt; 00:49:47.190 Mike Ogletree: People that eat though they don’t live in Ireland or Scotland anymore, because they have some connection and says truly to somehow they’ve inherited that attitude that independent spirit that boisterousness that love of whiskey and, all things strong and.</p><p>00:49:49.170 –&gt; 00:50:03.570 Mike Ogletree: But you know, and then in a smoky mountain it’s no different you know and because over here I don’t like to talk about politics but it’s that kind of independent spirit that.</p><p>00:50:04.530 –&gt; 00:50:13.440 Mike Ogletree: brought a lot of the people into the mountains and that the pioneering spirit that made it possible for them to survive harsh and.</p><p>00:50:13.860 –&gt; 00:50:25.080 Mike Ogletree: Terrible and horrific conditions that they had to endure in order to continue to live here in the mountains well that’s the same as as the spirit and the.</p><p>00:50:25.860 –&gt; 00:50:37.290 Mike Ogletree: need is the Scotch in the Irish rebel against the English overlords, as it were, so the songs that I sing, for instance whiskey in the JAR it’s a song about.</p><p>00:50:37.650 –&gt; 00:50:52.710 Mike Ogletree: rebellion against rich overlords who are mistreating their subjects was they were living high on the hog with lots of money, the tenant farmers and we’re eating dirt in portage and potatoes, you know, during a famine.</p><p>00:50:53.130 –&gt; 00:50:53.490 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:50:53.730 –&gt; 00:51:00.720 Mike Ogletree: And I mean that literally the eaten duck to keep their stomachs filled that’s why a lot of them emigrated but you know so.</p><p>00:51:01.830 –&gt; 00:51:27.060 Mike Ogletree: that’s that’s really what my sure will try and bring bring out and and for me personally it’s who, that is a cult is as a newbie sublimated into a cultural expression there is music is you know art is portrayed as all this kind of stuff, in other words, we can leave all that.</p><p>00:51:28.290 –&gt; 00:51:33.330 Mike Ogletree: rebellion and the violence and all that the actual fisticuffs.</p><p>00:51:33.750 –&gt; 00:51:51.930 Mike Ogletree: It can easily be left behind, because the music, it still carries on the message I mean the songs i’m doing some of them are three or 400 years old, you know, so we don’t forget what we what we went through in order to get where we are, but we don’t have to keep fighting.</p><p>00:51:53.670 –&gt; 00:51:57.600 Joseph McElroy: So we’re doing online too, so people can see it where they sit alone.</p><p>00:51:58.170 –&gt; 00:52:08.400 Mike Ogletree: Well, you know the mega lot motel Facebook page and my own Facebook page, which is the black Scotsman.</p><p>00:52:08.940 –&gt; 00:52:10.320 Mike Ogletree: And then, on my website.</p><p>00:52:10.950 –&gt; 00:52:11.850 Joseph McElroy: With an ex yeah.</p><p>00:52:11.910 –&gt; 00:52:18.780 Mike Ogletree: yeah the black Scotsman with an x and then the black scotsman.com which is my website and on YouTube do.</p><p>00:52:20.190 –&gt; 00:52:24.780 Mike Ogletree: So you know it’s yeah it’s very available it’s just you know tune in and.</p><p>00:52:25.890 –&gt; 00:52:29.850 Mike Ogletree: And let yourself be known because I get people from all over the world.</p><p>00:52:30.180 –&gt; 00:52:39.870 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you Mike Thank you very much, I appreciate you coming in and being my companion along on this experiment with the designing a show on the fly.</p><p>00:52:42.690 –&gt; 00:52:46.740 Joseph McElroy: And I enjoyed it very much and I want you know we’re going to have.</p><p>00:52:48.480 –&gt; 00:52:54.930 Joseph McElroy: Will tomorrow we’ll put up or even today we’ll put it up on gateway to the smokies dot find a link to my.</p><p>00:52:56.190 –&gt; 00:53:03.240 Joseph McElroy: Facebook, so that you can go and and watch the watch his show on Sunday what time Sunday.</p><p>00:53:03.510 –&gt; 00:53:04.320 Mike Ogletree: See o’clock.</p><p>00:53:04.620 –&gt; 00:53:06.600 Joseph McElroy: Three o’clock alright cool so.</p><p>00:53:06.660 –&gt; 00:53:08.880 Mike Ogletree: See you have to learn, of course.</p><p>00:53:09.030 –&gt; 00:53:13.890 Joseph McElroy: All right, yes, so now i’m going to do it my some of my promotion of course.</p><p>00:53:14.610 –&gt; 00:53:23.760 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor cortex of the past year, modern and vibrant with a chic appalachian field, a place for adventure and for relaxation.</p><p>00:53:24.210 –&gt; 00:53:32.850 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers.</p><p>00:53:33.240 –&gt; 00:53:44.370 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place of the old time music and world cultural sounds, there is no other place like the middle or motel and Maggie valley North Carolina or the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:53:44.700 –&gt; 00:53:54.810 Joseph McElroy: We are the starting point for all the adventures, and some of these the mountain have to offer your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay middle alert motel back calm.</p><p>00:53:56.790 –&gt; 00:54:05.490 Joseph McElroy: I thank you all for being here, I want to mention that a lot of these listings that we talked about like museums and things are found on smokies adventure that’s.</p><p>00:54:06.060 –&gt; 00:54:19.980 Joseph McElroy: sm okay I yes adventure calm, which is a site, we run with listings of all sorts of things to do in the mountain places to stay and pieces to eat places to go visit attractions outdoor adventures.</p><p>00:54:20.730 –&gt; 00:54:28.290 Joseph McElroy: Extensive listings from the all of the smoky mountains, and you know, including the Tennessee and then North Carolina sides.</p><p>00:54:28.710 –&gt; 00:54:40.890 Joseph McElroy: And we cover that great, and we would cover the town small towns in gatlinburg fishing for see reveal towns of cherokee whereas valley Maggie valley and bryson city, as well as even others in the surrounding area and there’s hiking trail maps.</p><p>00:54:41.940 –&gt; 00:54:49.800 Joseph McElroy: waterfall maps interactive map so it’s a great place to go and we are part of where traveler.</p><p>00:54:50.400 –&gt; 00:55:00.210 Joseph McElroy: We have a We run the great smoky mountain services section on where traveler calm where traveler is the world’s premier name and travel publishing.</p><p>00:55:00.510 –&gt; 00:55:08.550 Joseph McElroy: From magazines and books to maps and comprehensive digital content, where traveler gives travelers everything they need for a local perspective.</p><p>00:55:08.880 –&gt; 00:55:23.160 Joseph McElroy: Each year 246 million travelers chair chest where traveler for up to date, information and where to go and what to see and nearly 100 cities worldwide and now one big geographic area, called the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:55:23.880 –&gt; 00:55:29.730 Joseph McElroy: We have local content local guides local concierge and there’s over 50,000 things to do.</p><p>00:55:30.960 –&gt; 00:55:38.430 Joseph McElroy: I want to thank talk nyc talk radio dot nyc network for hosting my show.</p><p>00:55:38.850 –&gt; 00:55:51.330 Joseph McElroy: there’s a great show after this call rediscovering New York, I would advise you, if you’re listening live to stay on to hear that show, then you have the best of both worlds, the country and then the big city that follows enjoy.</p><p>00:55:52.170 –&gt; 00:56:05.730 Joseph McElroy: Your show next week with another great show about the smokies, I think, where we delving into more interesting music from an expert in the area, so thank you very much and bye and bye for now.</p><h3><br></h3> fa3aab9a-9ba5-4663-9af2-eb6170f7fe62 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/e746de48-08b0-412f-b49a-368811297ca9 Tue, 09 Mar 2021 23:00:00 +0000 2940 no full Episode 8: Hiking in the Smokies Episode 8: Hiking in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest on Gateway to the Smokies is <strong>Keith Garnes</strong>- who leads hikes for Smoky Mountain Outdoors and is the hiking director for <strong><em>Friends of Pickett State Park</em></strong> in Middle Tennessee. He lives in Gatlinburg.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/3-IkMAVg85/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s focus will be hiking in the Smokies. Joseph discusses spring in the Smokies, which consists of great weather and fun activities. Wildflowers are the most iconic part of the Smokies in the spring, with the park containing a wider variety than any other national park. Surprisingly, car shows are a popular event in the park in the spring. Unsurprisingly though, fishing is a big source of entertainment, with fly fishing being a popular variant. Another activity is hiking, something today’s guest does for a living. Keith Garnes leads hikes for Smoky Mountains Outdoors. He used to come to the Smokies during the summers and fell in love. Joseph and Keith trade hiking stories, noting the memorable wildlife in the park. Keith discusses challenges he faces hiking in the Smokies. A recent problem is finding seclusion, as visitation has gone up recently. Next up is hike prep, on top of the essentials, prepping for rain is always necessary as a dry day in the Smokies can turn rainy out of nowhere.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Discussing the NC side of the Smokies, Keith talks about his favorite hike on this side, Andrews bald. Balds are mountain summits, a good place to go and have a picnic. On the Tennessee side, Mount Le Conte is the location of Keith’s favorite hike. On these trails, snakes and bears are common sights. The snakes are easily scared off though, nothing to be scared about. Birds are also a great sight in the Smokies. When seeking solitude in the park, Laurel falls is one to avoid, or to hike early in the morning as it is one of the more popular trails. Keith goes on to discuss more trails to avoid and also mentions how many don’t venture all the way down trails, so as you go further down you find more solitude. Keith and Joseph discuss their stealth hikes.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph and Keith discuss the Appalachian trails. For many of the campgrounds in the park, visitors need permits, but some tent sites are unpermitted as they are slightly less popular. As a designated wilderness area, you are not allowed to hike with dogs on all but two trails. In the park, crime is not a worry, especially along the more popular trails. Many trails lead to old settlements and cabins, Keith discusses some of these historic sites on the Tennessee side of the park. Moving on, Keith and Joseph talk about the road to nowhere and trails to see beautiful wildflowers and waterfalls.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Keith explains Pigeon Forge and its family oriented nature. Pigeon Forge hosts an award winning international festival. During Wilderness Wildlife week, seminars such as bear safety are put on.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is Keith Garnes he leads hikes for Smoky Mountain Outdoors and is the hiking director for Friends of Pickett State Park in Middle Tennessee. He lives in Gatlinburg.

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes

Segment 1

Today’s focus will be hiking in the Smokies. Joseph discusses spring in the Smokies, which consists of great weather and fun activities. Wildflowers are the most iconic part of the Smokies in the spring, with the park containing a wider variety than any other national park. Surprisingly, car shows are a popular event in the park in the spring. Unsurprisingly though, fishing is a big source of entertainment, with fly fishing being a popular variant. Another activity is hiking, something today’s guest does for a living. Keith Garnes leads hikes for the Smoky Mountains Outdoors. He used to come to the Smokies during the summers and fell in love. Joseph and Keith trade hiking stories, noting the memorable wildlife in the park. Keith discusses the challenges he faces hiking in the Smokies. A recent problem is finding seclusion, as visitation has gone up recently. Next up is hike prep, on top of the essentials, prepping for rain is always necessary as a dry day in the Smokies can turn rainy out of nowhere.

Segment 2

Discussing the NC side of the Smokies, Keith talks about his favorite hike on this side, Andrews bald. Balds are mountain summits, a good place to go and have a picnic. On the Tennessee side, Mount Le Conte is the location of Keith’s favorite hike. On these trails, snakes and bears are common sights. The snakes are easily scared off though, nothing to be scared about. Birds are also a great sight in the Smokies. When seeking solitude in the park, Laurel falls is one to avoid, or to hike early in the morning as it is one of the more popular trails. Keith goes on to discuss more trails to avoid and also mentions how many don’t venture all the way down trails, so as you go further down you find more solitude. Keith and Joseph discuss their stealth hikes.

Segment 3

Joseph and Keith discuss the Appalachian trails. For many of the campgrounds in the park, visitors need permits, but some tent sites are unpermitted as they are slightly less popular. As a designated wilderness area, you are not allowed to hike with dogs on all but two trails. In the park, crime is not a worry, especially along the more popular trails. Many trails lead to old settlements and cabins, Keith discusses some of these historic sites on the Tennessee side of the park. Moving on, Keith and Joseph talk about the road to nowhere and trails to see beautiful wildflowers and waterfalls.

Segment 4

Keith explains Pigeon Forge and its family-oriented nature. Pigeon Forge hosts an award-winning international festival. During Wilderness Wildlife week, seminars such as bear safety are put on.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:39.210 –> 00:00:39.960 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:00:40.470 –> 00:00:45.780 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:00:46.740 –> 00:00:54.420 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smokies national park and the surrounding towns.

00:00:54.750 –> 00:01:03.960 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:04.650 –> 00:01:11.580 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin mcilroy a man of the world, but also a deep roots and those mountains.

00:01:12.360 –> 00:01:19.920 Joseph McElroy: My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:20.790 –> 00:01:35.460 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking about hiking in the smokies My guess is Keith guards who leads hikes for the wilderness wildlife week and is the hiking director for friends of pickett state park and middle Tennessee and he lives in gatlinburg.

00:01:36.210 –> 00:01:57.330 Joseph McElroy: But let’s first talk about spring in the smokies spring is one of the most popular times to visit the smoky mountains, when the last traces of winter get a smelter way the smokies offer and an idyllic and beautiful weather and greenery and a variety of fun seasonal events and activities.

00:01:58.590 –> 00:02:09.150 Joseph McElroy: The start of spring means at dollywood is back for another year of family fun and when it opens doors in mid march it kicks off the seasons, with its festival of nations.

00:02:09.600 –> 00:02:16.080 Joseph McElroy: This popular celebration brings entertainers from all around the world to the park for a series of free shows.

00:02:16.440 –> 00:02:29.490 Joseph McElroy: You can expect to see dancers, in Africa acrobats from act Africa, a traditional Ecuadorian band from the Andes mountains, a steel pan orchestra from the Caribbean and many more performers.

00:02:30.780 –> 00:02:36.870 Joseph McElroy: And of course dollywood has other things going on, through the spring, including their beloved Barbecue and bluegrass festival.

00:02:38.040 –> 00:02:54.000 Joseph McElroy: Wild flowers, are the most iconic part of the smokies in the spray the great smoky mountains National Park is home to over 1500 types of flowering plants, more than any other national park in the country.

00:02:54.630 –> 00:03:01.080 Joseph McElroy: And they these beautiful blooms are dazzling from March until do so something not to miss.

00:03:02.040 –> 00:03:12.060 Joseph McElroy: Car shows, believe it or not, are a big spring perdition in the smokies hundreds of classic car owners come to places like pigeon forge and Maggie Valley.

00:03:12.330 –> 00:03:19.470 Joseph McElroy: To show off their beautiful hot rods motorcycles and other vehicles it’s a lot of fun and even if you don’t have a.

00:03:20.070 –> 00:03:30.030 Joseph McElroy: Car Vo and it’s great to go to one of these events, because they have lots of booze doing all sorts of cultural artifacts and food and entertainment for the kids.

00:03:31.020 –> 00:03:41.010 Joseph McElroy: it’s a it’s a grand old time mag go the Maggie value festival grounds calm to find out about all the all the festivals coming in the spring, because we have a bunch of them coming there.

00:03:41.850 –> 00:03:50.820 Joseph McElroy: That are dealing with a lot of car show some art shows, and then spring is also an awesome time to come, fly fishing in the smoky mountains.

00:03:51.630 –> 00:04:07.440 Joseph McElroy: Every fish that swims the smokies regions will be very active, and that includes brown trout native trout and rainbow trout and everything else and fly fishing the smokies is there is is where as the best way to catch them so.

00:04:08.520 –> 00:04:09.120 Joseph McElroy: You.

00:04:10.290 –> 00:04:18.810 Joseph McElroy: it’s great in both Tennessee and North Carolina did you see the end you see the highest number of crowds cut all year round in the stream in this in the spring.

00:04:19.650 –> 00:04:32.940 Joseph McElroy: And cherokee is especially interesting because they offer a trophy fly fishing only section, which is where the where the where the trout is measured in pounds not inches it’s a it’s a different kind of.

00:04:33.390 –> 00:04:40.110 Joseph McElroy: way to catch it and it stocks basically the cherokee stocks, the Raven forward and the old code look the River river with.

00:04:40.470 –> 00:04:53.940 Joseph McElroy: rainbow Brown and brook trout and also golden trout and Donaldson strain rainbow trout that’s the hardest fighting rainbow trout in the world, so it’s a special treat in the spring and spring.

00:04:55.530 –> 00:04:59.730 Joseph McElroy: And they it’s worthwhile going there and they have they have they have a lot of different.

00:05:00.480 –> 00:05:17.940 Joseph McElroy: tournaments going on in the cherokee and the surrounding areas for fly fishing the smoke smokies and of course hiking is a huge past time in the smoky mountains, which brings me to my guest Keith Barnes our expert on hiking in the smoking is hi Keith.

00:05:18.450 –> 00:05:19.830 Keith: hello, how are you today, Joseph.

00:05:20.370 –> 00:05:26.730 Joseph McElroy: i’m doing pretty good yeah so so how did you get into hiking in the smokies.

00:05:27.690 –> 00:05:38.550 Keith: Oh, my goodness that one right off the BAT well my dad was from Cleveland Ohio and my mom was from cosby Tennessee, so I would come down and spend summers in the smokies and.

00:05:39.600 –> 00:05:56.610 Keith: It was just so different than Cleveland Okay, it was really entertaining to see the trails and the different wildlife and obviously the plant life was prolific so i’m just being here during the summers back in the from the late 60s, so I fell in love with hiking in the slums.

00:05:57.270 –> 00:06:02.310 Joseph McElroy: What was your, what do you remember your first you know height that you never left her head.

00:06:03.090 –> 00:06:10.590 Keith: Yes, I do it was in the outline section and borders flat and just an easy trail along the river and where you can.

00:06:10.890 –> 00:06:24.240 Keith: kind of leave dad mom and go over and I never forget, we saw an indigo snake of blue indigo snake, which is very rare and that kind of like set in stone my love of the outdoors and hiking spots.

00:06:24.600 –> 00:06:26.400 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool well that’s good I mean you.

00:06:27.510 –> 00:06:28.530 Joseph McElroy: know I can remember.

00:06:29.550 –> 00:06:41.970 Joseph McElroy: You know my parents taking me yeah we had a lot of hiking trails in in the in the in haywood county but there was one that would go across the mountain tops.

00:06:42.900 –> 00:06:46.800 Joseph McElroy: nearest you know I can’t i’m a hard time drawn a name but.

00:06:47.730 –> 00:06:57.570 Joseph McElroy: We would we would hike or a lot of times we’d ride horses, you know, and that was, and I can I can remember vividly this first experiences those mountains.

00:06:57.840 –> 00:07:04.110 Joseph McElroy: You know the vistas are just incredible for children, it really you know sticks in your in your memory and when you see some.

00:07:04.440 –> 00:07:18.900 Joseph McElroy: wildlife and you know just all of a sudden surprise you don’t really forget it, you remember a deer coming out the first time when you have never seen a deer and elk for the first time, and you saw an elk it’s it’s worthwhile to create those memories for children.

00:07:20.520 –> 00:07:27.270 Joseph McElroy: So you also a motorcyclist right I forgot to mention motorcycle is a big spring time they right.

00:07:27.390 –> 00:07:43.050 Keith: right next to them a little bit with the cars, so I didn’t quite chime in right, then, but definitely motorcycle touring in the peripheral of the smoky mountains is outstanding and understand over and you’re part of the world, you have the wheel street time motorcycle museum.

00:07:43.350 –> 00:07:43.920 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:07:44.070 –> 00:07:45.450 Keith: Like the red glare and that.

00:07:45.630 –> 00:07:48.180 Keith: That should be on every motorcyclist bucket list.

00:07:48.330 –> 00:07:54.360 Joseph McElroy: I know I totally I totally dropped the ball and forgetting about motorcycling in the mountains in the spring it’s also another big thing.

00:07:54.360 –> 00:07:54.720 So.

00:07:57.060 –> 00:08:03.930 Joseph McElroy: yeah so let’s get back to hiking so tell me what do you find challenging about hiking this smokies.

00:08:06.690 –> 00:08:09.090 Keith: Well anymore it’s fine enough seclusion.

00:08:10.620 –> 00:08:11.670 Keith: rails wisely.

00:08:12.000 –> 00:08:18.000 Keith: They, for example, November the park visitation was up 14% and.

00:08:20.640 –> 00:08:30.360 Keith: So the numbers overall are our little skewed but recently finding a trail secluded trail is an art and I have some suggestions.

00:08:30.780 –> 00:08:32.190 Joseph McElroy: I was just reading.

00:08:33.270 –> 00:08:42.480 Joseph McElroy: That this year had the most visits ever like over 12 million people, visited the smoky mountains great smoky mountain National Park.

00:08:43.110 –> 00:08:54.900 Joseph McElroy: Right this year right, and you know I don’t want to scare people off because you know we’ve had that we’ve had huge amounts of visitors, for a long, long time that’s always been the most.

00:08:55.500 –> 00:09:10.680 Joseph McElroy: visited national park and you don’t understand the scale of this park it’s just it’s it’s it’s unbelievable and there’s areas are in the in the great smokies that probably have only maybe haven’t even had somebody step on the ground there.

00:09:11.850 –> 00:09:26.490 Joseph McElroy: So it is tremendously so discovering stuff if you’re of that mind is still very much possible, but there are there are the published and popular trails that are well documented things.

00:09:27.630 –> 00:09:33.960 Joseph McElroy: That during certain peak seasons, are a little bit crowded though never overwhelmingly crowded, would you say.

00:09:34.500 –> 00:09:43.830 Keith: Yes, like, for example, if you were to go to battle falls off the Roi Ford motor nature trail at the Roi for watershed few people go 100 yards passing.

00:09:44.160 –> 00:09:53.070 Keith: And same thing with Laurel falls a popular heights so popular they had to like blacktop it so you so there’s a red flag on stroke little lords right.

00:09:53.970 –> 00:10:08.040 Keith: To Laurel you go pass it and there’s a virgin for it’s just three eighths of a mile past it and total solid team so just go a little bit to the popular points and just a little bit beyond will give you give you an experience that so worthy.

00:10:08.490 –> 00:10:16.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah because most people most of the tourists are there because they don’t they don’t they don’t go off the trails they don’t go and do any kind of.

00:10:17.010 –> 00:10:29.790 Joseph McElroy: Things past the designated areas, but you know if you do a little bit of and have a little bit of adventure and your soul, you can discover wonderful new pristine areas and that’s what I really love.

00:10:31.350 –> 00:10:36.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah so what what what preparation wisdom, do you have for us.

00:10:37.260 –> 00:10:50.070 Keith: Oh there’s a lot of printed materials on how to prepare for a hike some of them go overboard like you know flashlights which i’m not against a flashlight don’t not take one, but you know if your cell phones charge you’ve got a flashlight you know but.

00:10:50.580 –> 00:10:59.130 Keith: And also another this one’s odd but spray and the smokies all the water runs downhill and there’s there’s knacks and fly in front of your face.

00:10:59.370 –> 00:11:09.240 Keith: That you can’t do anything about it, no amount of bug spray is going to keep those guys away, but the mosquitoes basically aren’t a big issue, so you don’t have to overdo the bug spray.

00:11:09.570 –> 00:11:17.730 Keith: What you do need to compensate for is that it could rain in any given moment, like if you’re looking at a knoxville forecasts are you going to nashville.

00:11:18.030 –> 00:11:29.730 Keith: You might mess lead into a dryer day, then you might find like cloud first and then sort of like Poncho or something to deal with rain and Ivan carry an umbrella.

00:11:29.850 –> 00:11:30.270 One that.

00:11:32.760 –> 00:11:35.970 Joseph McElroy: You just did, there was a conspiracy as a conspiratorial look.

00:11:39.270 –> 00:11:42.570 Keith: I had an umbrella in my pack, and then I looked pretty smart.

00:11:42.600 –> 00:11:43.020 Joseph McElroy: So that.

00:11:43.440 –> 00:11:55.800 Keith: that’s a tip there so and do carry a pack with items don’t think you can carry things in your hand extra water is also a big big item and snacks so common sense items go a long way and be ready for a clovers.

00:11:56.250 –> 00:11:58.920 Joseph McElroy: And what about fitness levels as their as.

00:12:00.300 –> 00:12:05.130 Joseph McElroy: Their different trails is there is there any recommendations like you know.

00:12:06.060 –> 00:12:14.250 Keith: i’ll tie that into the 12 and a half million people, you said, visited the part and that like 16% of them see it through the windshield of their car.

00:12:14.610 –> 00:12:30.990 Keith: that’s kind of a shame, so there are the one for 41 in little river road there are these quiet walkways which are little like third mile hikes several of them are Ada have a plan approved or what have you.

00:12:32.010 –> 00:12:43.470 Keith: And so you can do like a hike and various footwear, I mean i’m not trying to tell you to go hiking and flip flops, but they are level trails of my taking their mountain stream and they can match the whole family’s fitness level.

00:12:43.860 –> 00:12:50.730 Keith: And several have benches and chaos for information, so I would look for a quiet walkway while you’re driving through the park.

00:12:51.000 –> 00:13:01.440 Keith: And then people that want to find a challenging hike it’s no problem, a lot of times I look at a map and I always give myself two miles a two hours to do a mile in the park.

00:13:02.460 –> 00:13:02.580 Keith: or.

00:13:05.400 –> 00:13:09.660 Joseph McElroy: Is there is there measures of how challenging trails are.

00:13:09.930 –> 00:13:19.020 Keith: Yes, they do have they do have one perfect I was just looking at angie’s ball, one of my favorite hikes to recommend it was a 5.2 and rated moderate.

00:13:19.350 –> 00:13:36.060 Keith: So it must have they have a one to 10 scale and and to me that’s a difficult moderate trail so so whoever’s grading this is using a curve that’s pretty fixed, so I would always take what’s recommended and and maybe respected.

00:13:36.780 –> 00:13:43.560 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so when we come back we’ll talk more about hiking in the smokies and and what are your favorite trails.

00:13:46.530 –> 00:13:51.120 Keith: Radio nyc www talk radio dot nyc.

00:16:42.690 –> 00:17:02.940 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Keith guards so key you know I uh i’m on the North Carolina side of the smokies, and so I will start out asking you what is your favorite North Carolina hi.

00:17:03.810 –> 00:17:09.570 Keith: Oh good one good one, it would definitely be Andrews ball, which brings up balls in the smokies.

00:17:10.110 –> 00:17:27.690 Keith: lot of the balls have grown up since the 1930s, when the park was formed and there’s two balls that they maintain to the 1930 standards and one is Andrews ball, the highest ball in the park and the other is Gregory bald which is kind of a remote ball out of kate’s cove a very.

00:17:27.750 –> 00:17:31.890 Joseph McElroy: Similar to do, can I better have just asked me, can you explain what a ball is.

00:17:32.070 –> 00:17:45.240 Keith: Thank you there’s two types of balls in the market grassy ball which these Andrews and Gregory are grassy balls and then there’s like heath balls which are like low shrubbery where they.

00:17:45.840 –> 00:17:57.480 Keith: They kind of just have one type of plant that look like a model culture from a view or model type plant life, and so the grassy balls are the ones that are encroaching.

00:17:58.290 –> 00:18:06.120 Keith: They have to go up there and pull out about every five years and clear off the growth of the forest coming on them to keep them at their historical.

00:18:06.780 –> 00:18:15.720 Keith: levels and Andrews ball being the highest baldwin park has has the only carnivorous plant in the park it’s a sundin carnivorous plant.

00:18:16.020 –> 00:18:24.450 Keith: And years ago I found where they they protected it and i’ve gone back and can’t find the silly things but there’s carnivorous plants on anthony’s ball, I can.

00:18:25.050 –> 00:18:27.180 Joseph McElroy: wow how’d you get there.

00:18:27.630 –> 00:18:32.190 Keith: Well it’s up from cleveland’s Dome which takes everybody to the highest point in the park.

00:18:33.000 –> 00:18:43.650 Keith: Which payments Dome is the highest point in Tennessee and it’s on the border, which has a height deployments Dome which is famous but from from that parking lot you go down hill.

00:18:44.250 –> 00:19:02.970 Keith: towards it and it’s a battle it’s a battle 1.7 mile hike out to it and it’s it’s about 5800 foot and has a grassy view you’re totally in North Carolina at this point, and you can look into Fontana lake and off into the North Carolina that links from there.

00:19:03.690 –> 00:19:05.820 Joseph McElroy: cool and what was the other ball he mentioned he loved.

00:19:06.180 –> 00:19:08.490 Keith: A Gregory that’s famous for the zillions.

00:19:10.050 –> 00:19:12.120 Keith: yeah so uh later in the year hike.

00:19:13.320 –> 00:19:19.860 Keith: Long trails to that one that one’s more challenging Andrews is more accessible and gregory’s more remote and they’re both.

00:19:21.150 –> 00:19:31.530 Keith: Gregory being above kate’s co have had a lot of animals graze on it back in the years some other balls are spence field and silos bald in silos balls grown over for the most part, now.

00:19:32.130 –> 00:19:36.750 Joseph McElroy: So the bulls are good place to go hike to then have a picnic on the top of the mountains right.

00:19:37.110 –> 00:19:39.180 Keith: i’ll tell you what Andrews sure is.

00:19:39.210 –> 00:19:43.260 Joseph McElroy: For sure, and how do you get to the to the Gregory bold.

00:19:43.770 –> 00:19:48.180 Keith: you’ll brennan he’s advocates cove and I think it’s Hannah Ridge, a couple other.

00:19:48.480 –> 00:19:59.580 Keith: Regions to get out to it it’s I wouldn’t recommend that for a family hike that’s for your durable people it’s like a 10 mile round trip, whereas i’m going down the answers by will only be about three and a half, so.

00:19:59.640 –> 00:20:03.570 Joseph McElroy: So that’s when I take my my twins on i’m a two and a half year old.

00:20:03.570 –> 00:20:05.490 Keith: twins yeah yeah.

00:20:06.210 –> 00:20:06.960 Keith: picnic basket.

00:20:07.800 –> 00:20:09.510 Joseph McElroy: basket and gelei on a blanket a.

00:20:09.510 –> 00:20:10.470 Keith: backpack do you got.

00:20:11.460 –> 00:20:16.650 Joseph McElroy: I probably have to put one of those carry things on there and they’re not quite ready for a mile walk.

00:20:17.250 –> 00:20:24.180 Keith: yeah it’s it’s worth it, though in that out the altitude of that will get you going down to 5800 feet, so you know.

00:20:24.240 –> 00:20:36.210 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool so we talked about the north Carolina side, I give fer fer fer time to the tennessee’s i’d, what is your favorite types on the Tennessee side.

00:20:36.570 –> 00:20:39.420 Keith: Well, you know what mount look con is perhaps the most.

00:20:40.140 –> 00:20:48.330 Keith: Famous mountain in the East, I know that’s hard to say but statistically it’s the highest mountain above its base in the East because bow mitchell’s higher.

00:20:48.600 –> 00:20:58.110 Keith: But it’s not lower so so what kind of has a lot of accolades and to me the best all around trail in the state of Tennessee is alum Cape trail.

00:20:58.620 –> 00:21:08.970 Keith: which has several name features along it like it goes along the river styx, which is a great start goes to arch lock which the smokies for all its grander only has one.

00:21:09.420 –> 00:21:18.240 Keith: arch on a trail, and then the trail passes through it in fact the trails forever improve the steps through it it’s really we’re seeing if you haven’t seen a few years.

00:21:18.690 –> 00:21:27.390 Keith: And then it goes up to like inspiration point and then alum cave and then passers gracie pulpit and then you have the satellite mean has all this.

00:21:28.170 –> 00:21:35.940 Keith: history of hiking points along the double steps they took out the double steps of trails forever, but I still call it that you go.

00:21:36.300 –> 00:21:46.350 Keith: Cross a grassy slide and then below the cliff tops in the end up on because it’s the shortest child Telecom, which has a year lodge on top of it that’s a season, a lodge.

00:21:46.980 –> 00:21:57.090 Keith: And they have a winner caretaker that takes care of the lodge during the offseason which adds a glamour job now with the Internet and cell phone lots from on top of the time.

00:21:57.870 –> 00:22:09.660 Joseph McElroy: What you know you when you when you’re when you’re hiking these trails and I mentioned a little bit you see wildlife, what is the most besides, you know the standard rabbits and the Romans and things like that, what is the most common.

00:22:11.190 –> 00:22:14.880 Joseph McElroy: Bigger animals, you might see alone these trails.

00:22:15.000 –> 00:22:20.940 Keith: What from limited gatlinburg i’ve got a whole section on my phone called snakes and bears.

00:22:22.770 –> 00:22:39.180 Keith: bears can be living even up high because they’ll go up high perfect, sometimes even close close Gregory because there’s like cherry trees and things that are growing so much a blackberries along the side of the trail and they’re just just like going on in for dinner.

00:22:39.660 –> 00:22:46.110 Keith: Brain what so they’ll go up high during the summer and then come down low are there a problem with the little cabins.

00:22:46.740 –> 00:22:57.660 Keith: You know, during the the field shoulder seasons, I should say, but here’s a definitely it I you don’t see a lot of snakes eat scare them off pretty well, so I wouldn’t want to have anybody feared about a snake.

00:22:58.860 –> 00:23:00.030 Keith: birds are going to see.

00:23:00.480 –> 00:23:05.970 Keith: The Balkans, the locals call Cox and so good burning and the party with the.

00:23:06.660 –> 00:23:16.830 Joseph McElroy: Will burnings everything now in the mountains, I got I think they got more species in mountains and sort of a geographic area that anywhere in the world right close to it.

00:23:17.250 –> 00:23:22.740 Keith: Yes, it’s a smokies are a biosphere reserve it’s really a claim highly.

00:23:22.770 –> 00:23:26.130 Joseph McElroy: How do you see do you get to see the elk often on the trails.

00:23:26.280 –> 00:23:28.140 Keith: that’s a North Carolina site they.

00:23:29.820 –> 00:23:36.300 Keith: give you they haven’t we don’t quite have the cattle lucci type environment as much.

00:23:36.480 –> 00:23:39.000 Keith: yeah well so know that you got you.

00:23:39.570 –> 00:23:42.480 Joseph McElroy: Definitely on those one another time we’ll.

00:23:42.540 –> 00:23:52.380 Joseph McElroy: Get in depth into the some of the specific trail, so we have some really good wildlife, like the elk on the North Carolina so I imagine Tennessee has its own flavor that.

00:23:53.700 –> 00:24:04.710 Joseph McElroy: You know, when I was growing up, he you know you’d see Fox and you know and and mountain mountain lens, what are the bobcats you see.

00:24:04.770 –> 00:24:05.640 Keith: Oh yes, yes.

00:24:05.700 –> 00:24:06.870 Joseph McElroy: they’ll see those yeah.

00:24:08.250 –> 00:24:08.880 Keith: I love.

00:24:09.720 –> 00:24:15.690 Keith: watching my yeah i’ve got the fox stories, but no and look man this bobcats if they don’t want you to see him that.

00:24:17.100 –> 00:24:19.110 Keith: you’re lucky to see those I know.

00:24:20.130 –> 00:24:24.810 Joseph McElroy: Well, you do, you mentioned that the kids get a little bit crowded.

00:24:25.980 –> 00:24:37.440 Joseph McElroy: So you know, and while we want to emphasize it doesn’t get so crowded that you can’t go to any of these trails why don’t you just tell us which ones, to avoid if we’re wanting to just be like buyers, though.

00:24:38.430 –> 00:24:56.910 Keith: You know Laurel falls is a great destination, that has like I say that they paved it it’s you so much, so I would avoid that one or try it early in the morning, you know I mean people go to pancake pantry in the morning, and you can freeze on a trail if you’re at 7am or you know.

00:24:57.060 –> 00:24:58.440 Keith: So there are ways around it.

00:24:59.100 –> 00:25:15.210 Keith: And like I say there’s different types of trails where the trial ends at a destination or it goes beyond it in Laurel faults goes on up to code mountain and the trail leads a proud behind just past the waterfall so that’s another way bridal falls can be.

00:25:16.260 –> 00:25:22.380 Keith: busy, which is on the warrior forum know motor nature trail on another trial at The con brushing mountain.

00:25:22.830 –> 00:25:31.260 Keith: And, once again, if you go past rattle falls itself and try to get up to brush mountain or go beyond it at all you’ll find solid team.

00:25:31.560 –> 00:25:37.470 Keith: And that’s the trouble that they take the llamas up the mantle conference season, so it has its own little tourist.

00:25:38.130 –> 00:25:50.580 Keith: You know people like to take pictures of the llamas and they actually pass underneath bravo falls trail so they’re all those and proud for that they used to do every Monday Wednesday and Friday when the season is open on the pot.

00:25:51.180 –> 00:25:56.760 Joseph McElroy: My kids would love that work their current favorite is a llama llama red pajamas book.

00:26:01.710 –> 00:26:05.580 Joseph McElroy: I mean you mentioned briefly some about step spelled pipes, what does that mean.

00:26:06.030 –> 00:26:12.510 Keith: ooh Okay, the first off all the heights I recommend staying on trails i’m not trying to get anybody to go off trip.

00:26:13.200 –> 00:26:27.300 Keith: That said, that caveat there’s a trail very there’s three watersheds come off the more cycle of con and one is waiting for that I spoke with a lot about and the other one concrete but there’s the middle of called baskin pre.

00:26:27.750 –> 00:26:38.790 Keith: And, and if you go towards the Rainbow false trailhead just passed there before you get on the warning for motor nature trail there’s a way to go to baskin pre falls.

00:26:39.240 –> 00:26:55.320 Keith: And it is absolutely gorgeous it is no sun hits the bottom of it, it looks like your IRB has been Moss all around it’s been a 45 footer and is kind of in a box Canyon so it’s very photogenic in few people would be there and it’s actually a lovely height.

00:26:56.010 –> 00:26:59.400 Joseph McElroy: wow cool is there is there more of these sort of so so pikes.

00:26:59.790 –> 00:27:10.890 Keith: yeah i’m operates growth which is getting away from a waterfall but it’s man manager and ball trail, and it is a some of the largest virgin forest.

00:27:11.130 –> 00:27:17.460 Keith: area on the Tennessee side used to be an Indian PowerPoint where Indians would go and worship there because the trees were.

00:27:18.180 –> 00:27:34.710 Keith: So gigantic and is situated in like special like triangles and such so it’s a it’s a loop that’s off of an easy travel up to that point so all brights bro definitely Google that one and try to find it it’s it’s a worthy destination.

00:27:35.460 –> 00:27:43.290 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know any official North Carolina side still caught spell hikes but I know some private still hikes and you’re not.

00:27:43.290 –> 00:27:45.900 Joseph McElroy: supposed to go on that are really fantastic yeah.

00:27:46.170 –> 00:27:56.130 Joseph McElroy: Somebody can call me up and find out about it, but I promise i’ll get in North Carolina guy on here and talking about it or girl, for that matter, to talk about it, they will have you both on here to have a competition.

00:27:56.760 –> 00:28:02.010 Keith: Right okay well I can’t divulge our secret hikes like that, because I have to live with these people.

00:28:04.740 –> 00:28:06.810 Keith: These stealth about this stealth so.

00:28:06.840 –> 00:28:11.610 Joseph McElroy: Okay, so we come back we’ll talk about some of the more well known trails like the appalachian trail.

00:28:12.660 –> 00:28:13.560 Joseph McElroy: Talk to you soon.

00:31:04.380 –> 00:31:16.620 Joseph McElroy: hey it’s Joseph mcilroy from the gateway to the smokies podcast back with my guest keep bar or gardens talking about hiking in the smokies so key.

00:31:17.760 –> 00:31:31.350 Joseph McElroy: You know, you know there’s some long trails ago go through the smokies I think the Benton mackay trail the mountains, to the sea trail, but I guess the granddaddy is the appalachian trail, what do you know about these trails worth walk walking on.

00:31:32.070 –> 00:31:41.880 Keith: Oh yes, appalachian trail travels about 69 miles through the park from Fontana damn all the way to davenport gap with.

00:31:42.450 –> 00:31:51.660 Keith: Oh gosh newfound gap kind of the midpoint were for the hikers take breaks and then shuttle down to gatlinburg or cherokee you know for restock and.

00:31:52.230 –> 00:32:06.120 Keith: Definitely there’s a lot of accidents affect the cleamons Dome one of the most famous points observation points in the park is on the appalachian trail and there’s several shelters along it that that the appalachian thru hikers and call them.

00:32:07.350 –> 00:32:18.840 Keith: Now navigate to to journey through the park they’re usually about five miles apart, often hikers will skip one and do about 10 miles a day through the park and the.

00:32:19.590 –> 00:32:35.250 Keith: easiest one to actually look at is a month Collins shelter, which is on the cleamons don’t road it’s like only like three quarters of a mile off the roads in kind of like pop in there and check it out, you ever wanted to see a shelter, the rest of them are pretty remote, though.

00:32:36.150 –> 00:32:40.920 Joseph McElroy: So those are good for people that want to sort of have a camping experience and do some hiking right.

00:32:41.340 –> 00:32:49.560 Keith: They are permitted though you get a permit so so they’re kind of like spontaneous is a little difficult but definitely there.

00:32:50.610 –> 00:32:59.820 Keith: You know, like you could hit the boy scout camp or group that’s going through or you know you never know what you’re going to find a shelter and it’s always an adventure in itself.

00:32:59.940 –> 00:33:06.120 Joseph McElroy: There are other back woods camps good campgrounds right that people go through or all of them permitted.

00:33:06.600 –> 00:33:23.640 Keith: You don’t want a lot of you know, good good question on that some of the 10 sites are unpermitted because they’re just so so unpopular are not over overly us, but even the more popular 10 sites have a permit system just just because if they’re overcrowded they hurt the ecosystem.

00:33:24.210 –> 00:33:27.360 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well it’s you know.

00:33:29.670 –> 00:33:39.420 Joseph McElroy: it’s that’s for people that though i’m way past that time of doing that Heikki but I used to do it now your kids in the family and all that sort of stuff.

00:33:41.700 –> 00:33:46.170 Joseph McElroy: You know I would I do remember that you can’t take your dog on the trail, why is that.

00:33:47.460 –> 00:33:58.260 Keith: Well, the smokies are a designated wilderness area, and so, in fact, that’s a big deterrent on hiking the at there’s people making their livelihood by.

00:33:58.830 –> 00:34:06.540 Keith: Keeping people’s dogs and driving them to one in the park from the other, because the thru hikers often will hike with dogs and cannot take them through the park.

00:34:06.810 –> 00:34:16.920 Keith: A lot of tourists will bring their dog with them and not realize until they get to a trailhead there’s two trails that they do allow dogs on and they’re they’re kind of like.

00:34:18.000 –> 00:34:24.060 Keith: The gatlinburg trail, which is a great kids trail, and you can walk a dog and even take a bicycle on on that trail.

00:34:24.360 –> 00:34:31.200 Keith: And then the kind of left the trail over on the North Carolina side has a section out of cherokee that they allow dogs on.

00:34:31.500 –> 00:34:44.760 Keith: And what’s good about both those are long rivers to where the dog can get in the stream a bit and all that, so there is one area but it’s very minute in the Grand scheme of the back country adventures, you can do none with your dog.

00:34:45.870 –> 00:34:48.030 Joseph McElroy: Why would they not like dogs in the trophy yeah.

00:34:48.150 –> 00:34:52.170 Keith: it’s a it’s a wilderness designation and they would just like Brett.

00:34:53.220 –> 00:34:59.280 Keith: First off you wouldn’t want to be below cliff talks with a 500 foot drop off and a handrail.

00:35:00.300 –> 00:35:16.140 Keith: In me, you know someone who just on safe but that eat ecology, you know the the the scat let’s say would not be you know would mess, with the system in the park it’s a real this made for coyotes and foxes and bears and not dogs aren’t native.

00:35:17.730 –> 00:35:25.740 Joseph McElroy: So you know people come in there, do they have to be concerned about their safety every now the crime of the things are problem is that.

00:35:27.360 –> 00:35:38.130 Keith: Not not a problem with common sense, like they say that you know not leave the person the front of the car, you know I mean there might be some break ins and all that, and in fact that’s the.

00:35:38.910 –> 00:35:58.230 Keith: The park having to designate law enforcement does take away from the back country money to spend on trails and upkeep but but no, I would not worry about crime in the park, if you are have common sense, with it, especially the more popular trail ads have safety in numbers.

00:35:59.940 –> 00:36:15.030 Joseph McElroy: So let’s change the subject you know I don’t think a lot of people know the love these trails go to old settlements old cabins elk one I think is one right, what do you have on the Tennessee side and that regard.

00:36:15.420 –> 00:36:23.490 Keith: Well, definitely mentioned outman which you can almost dead again oh shouted at and then another big big cultural thing kind of.

00:36:23.880 –> 00:36:40.620 Keith: In the case, so to speak, is the the old CCC era where they had a civilian conservation corps set up and they built a lot of the roadways In fact the stonework you see along some of the bridges in the park are hard to replicate today in the.

00:36:42.090 –> 00:36:54.390 Keith: kitchen cabinets of that too, for the social benefit of the country back during the depression so there’s a lot of that history in can hike along old cemeteries, like the greenbrier section of park.

00:36:55.020 –> 00:37:08.610 Keith: The minibar preservation society will give you a map in the all the all the cemeteries are very, very fascinated some people are into that there’s books dedicated to it and but elements, the biggest one where it’s an old.

00:37:09.810 –> 00:37:10.890 Keith: Oh gosh hard to explain.

00:37:12.990 –> 00:37:20.640 Keith: But it’s gone now they’re restoring some buildings and they let me in the rest of the kind of move in the history.

00:37:21.000 –> 00:37:26.130 Joseph McElroy: of you know, North Carolina has some good good settlements and old buildings to that they have on the park right.

00:37:27.180 –> 00:37:28.230 Keith: Yes, yes.

00:37:28.380 –> 00:37:31.290 Joseph McElroy: yeah like go it kind of left he has a village right.

00:37:32.070 –> 00:37:43.860 Keith: Right right the Indian village, it covers that culture, in fact, the contrast of should was visitor Center where the kind of left, he is shibboleths does one of the plant life and the the biosphere.

00:37:44.370 –> 00:37:51.030 Keith: era of the park and then kind of lefty it carries the Indian cultural heritage in some of that type of history for the park.

00:37:52.020 –> 00:38:00.600 Joseph McElroy: cool and then it’s kind of Gucci valley that has that old that old settlement to there’s a good some good hikes up there right.

00:38:01.050 –> 00:38:03.330 Keith: Yes, yes, that that’s over in your one SEC.

00:38:03.330 –> 00:38:06.720 Joseph McElroy: Oh, I know a little bit about that it’s a purchase now.

00:38:06.810 –> 00:38:13.830 Keith: i’ve not done purchase knob yet, and I want to go stand the metal Arc and go hike up there i’m gonna i’m gonna do that this year.

00:38:14.310 –> 00:38:16.560 Joseph McElroy: Well, you should you know it’s a 500 acre.

00:38:17.790 –> 00:38:29.700 Joseph McElroy: handcrafted mountain retreat the smokies yeah I really it’s it’s not too far from Maggie Valley, we send people there over all the time it’s got it’s like 5000 feet, is a pretty tall place.

00:38:29.820 –> 00:38:36.930 Joseph McElroy: right and it was it’s it’s fairly recent to be part of the National Park, it was donated in 2000.

00:38:38.640 –> 00:38:50.970 Joseph McElroy: And you know what’s great I liked it, you know I like it, because it’s family friendly you know they got the appalachian Highlands science learning Center there and they have like I don’t know thousands of students come there for a year.

00:38:52.380 –> 00:39:04.170 Joseph McElroy: And, and you know when you’re talking about wild flowers it’s a great place to see all the wild flowers and stuff in the mountains and family family friendly environment so anyway.

00:39:06.600 –> 00:39:08.220 Keith: It has a good webcam.

00:39:08.490 –> 00:39:09.720 Joseph McElroy: And as a good webcam.

00:39:12.570 –> 00:39:21.120 Joseph McElroy: So do you know I bet you know about the road to nowhere i’ve talked about it a couple times here is a you know about, but it’s not a talking head saw.

00:39:23.190 –> 00:39:24.840 Keith: wanted to clarify that for everyone.

00:39:25.500 –> 00:39:42.450 Keith: Definitely, the road and nowhere is is kind of like I guess is the Federal Government promised the state of North Carolina a tourism road in somehow the plug got pulled on it so they’ve got a bridge and a road and it just takes you somewhere and then it that’s.

00:39:42.600 –> 00:39:45.510 Joseph McElroy: What it ends of the trail right it’s a great hiking trail right.

00:39:45.540 –> 00:39:49.710 Keith: Right right, and you can travel it out of the bryson city area, the park.

00:39:50.910 –> 00:39:59.190 Joseph McElroy: So so we’ve talked about wild flowers, so why don’t we tell everybody, what are the best wildfire hikes and when when when would they peek this year.

00:39:59.580 –> 00:40:07.200 Keith: Oh good one for one thing, one of my most recommended heights for wild flowers of borders flat and ramsey’s.

00:40:07.560 –> 00:40:15.180 Keith: prong and ramsey’s cascade it’s going to have some bridge work this year so check ahead on that you might not be able to hike the ramsey’s cascade.

00:40:15.510 –> 00:40:23.400 Keith: For during the peak wildflower season Okay, but some alternatives are the little river trail, and my.

00:40:23.790 –> 00:40:32.370 Keith: Beautiful it’s like an old road bed, where you can walk side by side with people along the mountain stream and there’s several really good trail for trump trillions on that one.

00:40:32.700 –> 00:40:41.580 Keith: And there’s also middle prong of the little river, not the little pigeon but the middle brung that little river other tree month section of the park has.

00:40:42.210 –> 00:40:58.380 Keith: Excellent destinations for like spruce flat falls is there that in that area and and then the porters like done going up to linville cascade and leadville falls is a betrayal for water waterfalls and wildflower.

00:40:59.520 –> 00:41:06.630 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah and I mentioned in the north Carolina side is the is the purchase knob is a great place for.

00:41:08.040 –> 00:41:11.790 Joseph McElroy: What are the best waterfall hikes or near the top three or something like that.

00:41:12.120 –> 00:41:14.640 Keith: Okay um you know what not rainbow.

00:41:15.840 –> 00:41:18.330 Keith: everybody gets their tail kicked going to rainbow so.

00:41:18.330 –> 00:41:21.450 Keith: Give that one up, I mean you know it’s it’s nice but.

00:41:22.890 –> 00:41:36.180 Keith: let’s see the aforementioned spruce flat falls out of treatment is is short hike in a very worthy falls trial ends there so it’s just an in and out or out and back type about trail.

00:41:37.050 –> 00:41:43.860 Keith: The another abrams abrams falls, which is an cates co aprons is the largest.

00:41:44.190 –> 00:41:54.210 Keith: watershed in in the smokies that is entirely protected and what I mean by that is when it flows out of the park he goes on to Tennessee valley authority land and then flows into.

00:41:54.810 –> 00:42:05.400 Keith: Like chill how he recalled and chill housing and so anyways that’s where they introduced the elk are not the all the orders orders are the ones that swim right so.

00:42:06.180 –> 00:42:07.830 Keith: They are so therefore they could.

00:42:07.890 –> 00:42:16.260 Keith: Like they ventured out of the park they wouldn’t hit the hunter hunting zone, so to speak, so abrams is is definitely recommend a waterfall and.

00:42:17.100 –> 00:42:34.260 Keith: Smaller one that needs good volume, as far as rain and such to support it is him wallow falls out of cosby in that’s a steel pipe to not many people hike that particularly trail it’s on games mountain trail out of the cosmic campground area.

00:42:35.340 –> 00:42:40.260 Joseph McElroy: cool and you know I we talked about spring but waterfalls is a great as great.

00:42:41.280 –> 00:42:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Those are some good winter hikes are.

00:42:44.430 –> 00:42:55.260 Keith: Very much so, in fact, the lower elevation one thing about the park is that a lot of times when it snows that newfound gap about 5000 foot you can’t drive to the higher elevation heights.

00:42:55.650 –> 00:43:05.250 Keith: In so you have to use the low country and a lot of the good falls are at a low level, you know elevation wise, I mean and so.

00:43:06.090 –> 00:43:16.380 Keith: let’s see what one would I recommend, on that there’s a men’s falls that actually leads out of the saints area that goes up from there and it’s.

00:43:16.740 –> 00:43:27.210 Keith: Once you leave the sinks parking area which is popular with swimmers and everything you find a destination waterfall with with it’s also a stealth falls but that’d be a good winter, when there.

00:43:27.900 –> 00:43:31.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah and I guess you’re supposed to wear Spikes when you’re watching those mountains right.

00:43:31.860 –> 00:43:34.260 Keith: crampons that you take portable crampons.

00:43:34.710 –> 00:43:38.910 Keith: If you get a pipe like there’ll be is just for sections of the trail.

00:43:39.060 –> 00:43:52.200 Keith: yeah you get the kind of like slip on your foot walk 30 foot with them take them off, and if you need more ice apparatuses and that it’s probably a really brutal day.

00:43:52.560 –> 00:43:55.980 Joseph McElroy: So obviously people with big Spikes and also with you know.

00:43:56.310 –> 00:44:01.980 Joseph McElroy: Basically ski Poles thinking that they’re going to have to go through the tunnel or something like that.

00:44:02.250 –> 00:44:06.540 Keith: But he’s in for that, but you know not see your average height of that’s yeah.

00:44:06.600 –> 00:44:11.250 Joseph McElroy: I used to I used to this hike in the winter would just good old boots and that was about it.

00:44:13.560 –> 00:44:21.480 Joseph McElroy: You can you can figure out how to get it’s not it’s not so bad, the mountain the smokies you can figure it out, except real high elevation, then you gotta do it so stuff.

00:44:21.930 –> 00:44:22.140 Keith: Like.

00:44:22.170 –> 00:44:28.080 Joseph McElroy: All right, when we come back i’m going to ask you, can you explain pigeon forge oh.

00:44:29.430 –> 00:44:31.320 Keith: Okay okay sounds good.

00:46:49.980 –> 00:47:04.890 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Keith guards hiking expert and smoking so before the break I said you’d come back and you tell me, can you explain pigeon forge.

00:47:06.270 –> 00:47:15.990 Keith: Oh yes, let me try that one i’m pigeon forge first off i’m coming to you from pigeon forge in the financial district, which means i’m in an.

00:47:17.340 –> 00:47:32.820 Keith: Insurance Office complex Okay, but anyways I got my pigeon forge blame here, and if you think about pigeon forge being on this planet, not to put Las Vegas out of business, you get the idea, and what I mean by that is.

00:47:33.540 –> 00:47:42.840 Keith: compare and contrast Las Vegas with pigeon forge pigeon forge is a family friendly area with all kinds of things, and what I like about it, for example, there’s.

00:47:43.230 –> 00:47:54.090 Keith: indoor so to be near here there’s gravity coasters there’s miniature golf all the car shows been talking about everything to bring the family close.

00:47:54.360 –> 00:48:11.430 Keith: To where they can venture into the smokies and kind of turn our next generation on to the preservation of a national park provides and so definitely, if you like, Las Vegas has the pillars and panic at the disco pigeon forge has Dolly parton.

00:48:11.700 –> 00:48:12.090 Joseph McElroy: So we’re.

00:48:12.390 –> 00:48:21.330 Keith: All we’re all on this planet for a reason and pigeon forge is definitely family oriented and i’m proud to be part of it, one thing also bought.

00:48:21.780 –> 00:48:38.340 Keith: pigeon forge they do a very worthy international destination of for a festival it’s called a wilderness wildlife week and every year it’s been on for since 1991 and it has its won the best.

00:48:40.440 –> 00:48:55.950 Keith: international event by the International festivals and events association in 2016 and 17 so people can travel from around the world, or even New York City flying and muggy Tyson shuttle over to pigeon forge and they have a.

00:48:56.370 –> 00:49:04.320 Keith: bunch of workshops, seminars and classes that are all for free and I lead a height doing it i’ve led hikes.

00:49:04.650 –> 00:49:12.870 Keith: To Andrews ball to baskin creek falls that we spoke up and then while falls and Albright sproxil all for trails we’ve talked about.

00:49:13.140 –> 00:49:29.610 Keith: i’ve led heights to for free and shuttle you haven’t lived until you get a get a pigeon forge trolley and ride with your backpack to trailhead it just get shuttled there they pick you up it’s really luxurious which want me to focus on a few of the seminars and classes, that they have.

00:49:30.180 –> 00:49:32.130 Joseph McElroy: A couple of give us a shout outs right now.

00:49:32.730 –> 00:49:35.220 Joseph McElroy: This is not a promoted bumblebees.

00:49:36.420 –> 00:49:37.260 Keith: This right here.

00:49:37.350 –> 00:49:45.180 Keith: Is I mean this is all covered within the the event of wilderness wildlife we like camera basics carving fly fishing.

00:49:46.020 –> 00:49:54.660 Keith: Bear safety, you know that out to be required before you rent a cabin so and then they’ve got the great smoky mountain heritage.

00:49:55.080 –> 00:50:10.110 Keith: wildflower of these are all people, giving seminars, or having boost to to sell you a guidebooks and such and and so and birds and butterflies okay now notice pigeon forge a they left the bees out of it.

00:50:12.810 –> 00:50:31.590 Keith: that’s all and they have it now in the ramsey hotel and Convention Center so you could actually stay there, and have all these free events in it’s an underrated mountain old time music event to they always have some old time mountain music plan during the festival or during the event.

00:50:32.310 –> 00:50:34.260 Joseph McElroy: cool and you said, the dates were again.

00:50:34.710 –> 00:50:39.540 Keith: On you know it for next year it’s going to be January 25 to the 29th and.

00:50:41.250 –> 00:50:57.120 Keith: cool they moved it to the winter again and the mind pigeon forge.com is the one stop shop to like look up for all these car events and to to look ahead at the wilderness wildlife week and consider attending.

00:50:57.840 –> 00:51:03.120 Joseph McElroy: And then, if people want to reach you what would you how would, how would they go about that.

00:51:07.260 –> 00:51:09.270 Joseph McElroy: Your faith, you have a Facebook page or linkedin.

00:51:09.570 –> 00:51:11.550 Keith: For I do instagram I do instagram.

00:51:13.080 –> 00:51:13.860 Keith: And I will it.

00:51:14.160 –> 00:51:28.620 Keith: Right off the BAT say that a lot of i’ve got a cabin up in the big South fork area of Tennessee and Kentucky and pickett state Park, so I lot of my pictures of arches and natural bridges that are in that area I think it’s on heralded.

00:51:29.400 –> 00:51:34.770 Keith: Are underrated I should say and courses out of the scope of the smokies so.

00:51:35.280 –> 00:51:42.360 Keith: Look, for that one much, but so anyways I my instagram account I guess K gardens.

00:51:42.870 –> 00:51:58.050 Keith: instagram but I really don’t monetize a hiking I think that, like all the flavor and last week gave several great recommendations on using guided heights in the area in whitewater rafting you know the peripheral things to do, outside of the park.

00:51:58.980 –> 00:52:06.060 Keith: and also the zip lining so there’s a lot of things to do and but i’m not the guy to monetize it.

00:52:06.510 –> 00:52:16.590 Joseph McElroy: By the authentic so I appreciate your time and i’m giving now do some sponsorship stuff and then talk about what’s happening next week, oh.

00:52:17.730 –> 00:52:23.730 Joseph McElroy: I want you to you know if you want to find out more What about what’s happened to our podcast go to gateway to the smokies Doc fun.

00:52:24.690 –> 00:52:35.100 Joseph McElroy: it’s a new site, so there might be some hiccups we have all the pot, we have all the podcasts on there other articles, you can subscribe to a newsletter which will be coming out to give you.

00:52:35.640 –> 00:52:43.530 Joseph McElroy: updates on the podcast and the upcoming guests and things of interest to the audience again is gateway to the smokies calm.

00:52:44.010 –> 00:52:53.910 Joseph McElroy: Now I want you to imagine a page a place evocative of motor cortex of the past, yet modern and vibrant within chic appalachian feel.

00:52:54.480 –> 00:53:00.690 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish them out inheritance trout stream.

00:53:01.170 –> 00:53:12.300 Joseph McElroy: grill it on the on the catch on the fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place of the old time music and world cultural sounds.

00:53:12.630 –> 00:53:19.560 Joseph McElroy: there’s no other place like the middle Arc motel and Maggie valley North Carolina on the edge of the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:53:20.130 –> 00:53:31.350 Joseph McElroy: We are the starting point for all of your adventures and serenity that these mountains have to venture your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay the middle Arc motel.com.

00:53:32.880 –> 00:53:42.480 Joseph McElroy: Also, I own I own a site called smoky adventures COM and its goal is to provide as much information pertaining to the smoky mountains as possible.

00:53:42.870 –> 00:53:54.120 Joseph McElroy: While presenting that information in the best possible way it strives to give users, a positive experience of finding outdoor adventures lodgings attractions and events in around the smoky mountains.

00:53:54.630 –> 00:54:08.670 Joseph McElroy: And not only covers the great smoky mountains National Park, but also communities like gatlinburg pigeon forward sybil towns in cherokee where’s valley Maggie valley and brightest and city, as well as the big towns like asheville and national.

00:54:09.360 –> 00:54:22.800 Joseph McElroy: We have my hiking trails lots of hiking trails maps information about the most popular trails and waterfalls interactive trailhead map detailed hiking trails sections information about multi day hikes.

00:54:23.370 –> 00:54:38.820 Joseph McElroy: And you can find all that it’s smokies adventure calm I this podcast is part of where traveler comms podcast series, and I have developed the SEC, the the the regional.

00:54:41.040 –> 00:54:47.040 Joseph McElroy: Publishing part of that call where travel COM slash great smoky mountains with dashes between the words.

00:54:48.060 –> 00:54:56.220 Joseph McElroy: It world traveler where travelers the world’s premier name and travel publishing for magazines and books to maps and comprehensive digital competent content.

00:54:56.520 –> 00:55:10.770 Joseph McElroy: Where travelers gives travelers everything they need from a local perspective each year 246 million travelers trust were trial or up to date information on where to go and what to see in nearly 100 location destinations worldwide.

00:55:12.930 –> 00:55:26.220 Joseph McElroy: And then, finally, I want you to know that we’re on the talk radio dot nyc network we it’s a network of a lot of great podcasts, I think, right after ours is rediscovering New York from.

00:55:27.060 –> 00:55:37.500 Joseph McElroy: Six seven to eight it’s live on Tuesdays from seven to eight like this one’s live on, and then you can also define it on iTunes and other networks.

00:55:39.540 –> 00:55:58.650 Joseph McElroy: So don’t forget and then come back next week where our podcasts will feature another cultural and adventure in the mountains of smoky mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, or rather the smoky mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee i’ll see you later bye.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/463198441758642/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/154864434_463232861755200_8190633963664215698_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=KlhFi5ImizYAX_HpgUD&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=63023CAB&oh=00_AT8-_7O1xPlpyAWQ6jWbSsh--dYrW-yRJhtESw7ocuaAlA&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350&tn=ssl5RjlRCRqdhHNg" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is <strong>Keith Garnes</strong> he leads hikes for Smoky Mountain Outdoors and is the hiking director for <strong><em>Friends of Pickett State Park</em></strong> in Middle Tennessee. He lives in Gatlinburg.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/3-IkMAVg85/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h3>Show Notes</h3><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s focus will be hiking in the Smokies. Joseph discusses spring in the Smokies, which consists of great weather and fun activities. Wildflowers are the most iconic part of the Smokies in the spring, with the park containing a wider variety than any other national park. Surprisingly, car shows are a popular event in the park in the spring. Unsurprisingly though, fishing is a big source of entertainment, with fly fishing being a popular variant. Another activity is hiking, something today’s guest does for a living. Keith Garnes leads hikes for the Smoky Mountains Outdoors. He used to come to the Smokies during the summers and fell in love. Joseph and Keith trade hiking stories, noting the memorable wildlife in the park. Keith discusses the challenges he faces hiking in the Smokies. A recent problem is finding seclusion, as visitation has gone up recently. Next up is hike prep, on top of the essentials, prepping for rain is always necessary as a dry day in the Smokies can turn rainy out of nowhere.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Discussing the NC side of the Smokies, Keith talks about his favorite hike on this side, Andrews bald. Balds are mountain summits, a good place to go and have a picnic. On the Tennessee side, Mount Le Conte is the location of Keith’s favorite hike. On these trails, snakes and bears are common sights. The snakes are easily scared off though, nothing to be scared about. Birds are also a great sight in the Smokies. When seeking solitude in the park, Laurel falls is one to avoid, or to hike early in the morning as it is one of the more popular trails. Keith goes on to discuss more trails to avoid and also mentions how many don’t venture all the way down trails, so as you go further down you find more solitude. Keith and Joseph discuss their stealth hikes.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph and Keith discuss the Appalachian trails. For many of the campgrounds in the park, visitors need permits, but some tent sites are unpermitted as they are slightly less popular. As a designated wilderness area, you are not allowed to hike with dogs on all but two trails. In the park, crime is not a worry, especially along the more popular trails. Many trails lead to old settlements and cabins, Keith discusses some of these historic sites on the Tennessee side of the park. Moving on, Keith and Joseph talk about the road to nowhere and trails to see beautiful wildflowers and waterfalls.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Keith explains Pigeon Forge and its family-oriented nature. Pigeon Forge hosts an award-winning international festival. During Wilderness Wildlife week, seminars such as bear safety are put on.</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h3><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h3><p>00:00:39.210 –&gt; 00:00:39.960 Joseph McElroy: howdy.</p><p>00:00:40.470 –&gt; 00:00:45.780 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:00:46.740 –&gt; 00:00:54.420 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smokies national park and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:54.750 –&gt; 00:01:03.960 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:04.650 –&gt; 00:01:11.580 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin mcilroy a man of the world, but also a deep roots and those mountains.</p><p>00:01:12.360 –&gt; 00:01:19.920 Joseph McElroy: My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:20.790 –&gt; 00:01:35.460 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re talking about hiking in the smokies My guess is Keith guards who leads hikes for the wilderness wildlife week and is the hiking director for friends of pickett state park and middle Tennessee and he lives in gatlinburg.</p><p>00:01:36.210 –&gt; 00:01:57.330 Joseph McElroy: But let’s first talk about spring in the smokies spring is one of the most popular times to visit the smoky mountains, when the last traces of winter get a smelter way the smokies offer and an idyllic and beautiful weather and greenery and a variety of fun seasonal events and activities.</p><p>00:01:58.590 –&gt; 00:02:09.150 Joseph McElroy: The start of spring means at dollywood is back for another year of family fun and when it opens doors in mid march it kicks off the seasons, with its festival of nations.</p><p>00:02:09.600 –&gt; 00:02:16.080 Joseph McElroy: This popular celebration brings entertainers from all around the world to the park for a series of free shows.</p><p>00:02:16.440 –&gt; 00:02:29.490 Joseph McElroy: You can expect to see dancers, in Africa acrobats from act Africa, a traditional Ecuadorian band from the Andes mountains, a steel pan orchestra from the Caribbean and many more performers.</p><p>00:02:30.780 –&gt; 00:02:36.870 Joseph McElroy: And of course dollywood has other things going on, through the spring, including their beloved Barbecue and bluegrass festival.</p><p>00:02:38.040 –&gt; 00:02:54.000 Joseph McElroy: Wild flowers, are the most iconic part of the smokies in the spray the great smoky mountains National Park is home to over 1500 types of flowering plants, more than any other national park in the country.</p><p>00:02:54.630 –&gt; 00:03:01.080 Joseph McElroy: And they these beautiful blooms are dazzling from March until do so something not to miss.</p><p>00:03:02.040 –&gt; 00:03:12.060 Joseph McElroy: Car shows, believe it or not, are a big spring perdition in the smokies hundreds of classic car owners come to places like pigeon forge and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:03:12.330 –&gt; 00:03:19.470 Joseph McElroy: To show off their beautiful hot rods motorcycles and other vehicles it’s a lot of fun and even if you don’t have a.</p><p>00:03:20.070 –&gt; 00:03:30.030 Joseph McElroy: Car Vo and it’s great to go to one of these events, because they have lots of booze doing all sorts of cultural artifacts and food and entertainment for the kids.</p><p>00:03:31.020 –&gt; 00:03:41.010 Joseph McElroy: it’s a it’s a grand old time mag go the Maggie value festival grounds calm to find out about all the all the festivals coming in the spring, because we have a bunch of them coming there.</p><p>00:03:41.850 –&gt; 00:03:50.820 Joseph McElroy: That are dealing with a lot of car show some art shows, and then spring is also an awesome time to come, fly fishing in the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:03:51.630 –&gt; 00:04:07.440 Joseph McElroy: Every fish that swims the smokies regions will be very active, and that includes brown trout native trout and rainbow trout and everything else and fly fishing the smokies is there is is where as the best way to catch them so.</p><p>00:04:08.520 –&gt; 00:04:09.120 Joseph McElroy: You.</p><p>00:04:10.290 –&gt; 00:04:18.810 Joseph McElroy: it’s great in both Tennessee and North Carolina did you see the end you see the highest number of crowds cut all year round in the stream in this in the spring.</p><p>00:04:19.650 –&gt; 00:04:32.940 Joseph McElroy: And cherokee is especially interesting because they offer a trophy fly fishing only section, which is where the where the where the trout is measured in pounds not inches it’s a it’s a different kind of.</p><p>00:04:33.390 –&gt; 00:04:40.110 Joseph McElroy: way to catch it and it stocks basically the cherokee stocks, the Raven forward and the old code look the River river with.</p><p>00:04:40.470 –&gt; 00:04:53.940 Joseph McElroy: rainbow Brown and brook trout and also golden trout and Donaldson strain rainbow trout that’s the hardest fighting rainbow trout in the world, so it’s a special treat in the spring and spring.</p><p>00:04:55.530 –&gt; 00:04:59.730 Joseph McElroy: And they it’s worthwhile going there and they have they have they have a lot of different.</p><p>00:05:00.480 –&gt; 00:05:17.940 Joseph McElroy: tournaments going on in the cherokee and the surrounding areas for fly fishing the smoke smokies and of course hiking is a huge past time in the smoky mountains, which brings me to my guest Keith Barnes our expert on hiking in the smoking is hi Keith.</p><p>00:05:18.450 –&gt; 00:05:19.830 Keith: hello, how are you today, Joseph.</p><p>00:05:20.370 –&gt; 00:05:26.730 Joseph McElroy: i’m doing pretty good yeah so so how did you get into hiking in the smokies.</p><p>00:05:27.690 –&gt; 00:05:38.550 Keith: Oh, my goodness that one right off the BAT well my dad was from Cleveland Ohio and my mom was from cosby Tennessee, so I would come down and spend summers in the smokies and.</p><p>00:05:39.600 –&gt; 00:05:56.610 Keith: It was just so different than Cleveland Okay, it was really entertaining to see the trails and the different wildlife and obviously the plant life was prolific so i’m just being here during the summers back in the from the late 60s, so I fell in love with hiking in the slums.</p><p>00:05:57.270 –&gt; 00:06:02.310 Joseph McElroy: What was your, what do you remember your first you know height that you never left her head.</p><p>00:06:03.090 –&gt; 00:06:10.590 Keith: Yes, I do it was in the outline section and borders flat and just an easy trail along the river and where you can.</p><p>00:06:10.890 –&gt; 00:06:24.240 Keith: kind of leave dad mom and go over and I never forget, we saw an indigo snake of blue indigo snake, which is very rare and that kind of like set in stone my love of the outdoors and hiking spots.</p><p>00:06:24.600 –&gt; 00:06:26.400 Joseph McElroy: Okay cool well that’s good I mean you.</p><p>00:06:27.510 –&gt; 00:06:28.530 Joseph McElroy: know I can remember.</p><p>00:06:29.550 –&gt; 00:06:41.970 Joseph McElroy: You know my parents taking me yeah we had a lot of hiking trails in in the in the in haywood county but there was one that would go across the mountain tops.</p><p>00:06:42.900 –&gt; 00:06:46.800 Joseph McElroy: nearest you know I can’t i’m a hard time drawn a name but.</p><p>00:06:47.730 –&gt; 00:06:57.570 Joseph McElroy: We would we would hike or a lot of times we’d ride horses, you know, and that was, and I can I can remember vividly this first experiences those mountains.</p><p>00:06:57.840 –&gt; 00:07:04.110 Joseph McElroy: You know the vistas are just incredible for children, it really you know sticks in your in your memory and when you see some.</p><p>00:07:04.440 –&gt; 00:07:18.900 Joseph McElroy: wildlife and you know just all of a sudden surprise you don’t really forget it, you remember a deer coming out the first time when you have never seen a deer and elk for the first time, and you saw an elk it’s it’s worthwhile to create those memories for children.</p><p>00:07:20.520 –&gt; 00:07:27.270 Joseph McElroy: So you also a motorcyclist right I forgot to mention motorcycle is a big spring time they right.</p><p>00:07:27.390 –&gt; 00:07:43.050 Keith: right next to them a little bit with the cars, so I didn’t quite chime in right, then, but definitely motorcycle touring in the peripheral of the smoky mountains is outstanding and understand over and you’re part of the world, you have the wheel street time motorcycle museum.</p><p>00:07:43.350 –&gt; 00:07:43.920 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:07:44.070 –&gt; 00:07:45.450 Keith: Like the red glare and that.</p><p>00:07:45.630 –&gt; 00:07:48.180 Keith: That should be on every motorcyclist bucket list.</p><p>00:07:48.330 –&gt; 00:07:54.360 Joseph McElroy: I know I totally I totally dropped the ball and forgetting about motorcycling in the mountains in the spring it’s also another big thing.</p><p>00:07:54.360 –&gt; 00:07:54.720 So.</p><p>00:07:57.060 –&gt; 00:08:03.930 Joseph McElroy: yeah so let’s get back to hiking so tell me what do you find challenging about hiking this smokies.</p><p>00:08:06.690 –&gt; 00:08:09.090 Keith: Well anymore it’s fine enough seclusion.</p><p>00:08:10.620 –&gt; 00:08:11.670 Keith: rails wisely.</p><p>00:08:12.000 –&gt; 00:08:18.000 Keith: They, for example, November the park visitation was up 14% and.</p><p>00:08:20.640 –&gt; 00:08:30.360 Keith: So the numbers overall are our little skewed but recently finding a trail secluded trail is an art and I have some suggestions.</p><p>00:08:30.780 –&gt; 00:08:32.190 Joseph McElroy: I was just reading.</p><p>00:08:33.270 –&gt; 00:08:42.480 Joseph McElroy: That this year had the most visits ever like over 12 million people, visited the smoky mountains great smoky mountain National Park.</p><p>00:08:43.110 –&gt; 00:08:54.900 Joseph McElroy: Right this year right, and you know I don’t want to scare people off because you know we’ve had that we’ve had huge amounts of visitors, for a long, long time that’s always been the most.</p><p>00:08:55.500 –&gt; 00:09:10.680 Joseph McElroy: visited national park and you don’t understand the scale of this park it’s just it’s it’s it’s unbelievable and there’s areas are in the in the great smokies that probably have only maybe haven’t even had somebody step on the ground there.</p><p>00:09:11.850 –&gt; 00:09:26.490 Joseph McElroy: So it is tremendously so discovering stuff if you’re of that mind is still very much possible, but there are there are the published and popular trails that are well documented things.</p><p>00:09:27.630 –&gt; 00:09:33.960 Joseph McElroy: That during certain peak seasons, are a little bit crowded though never overwhelmingly crowded, would you say.</p><p>00:09:34.500 –&gt; 00:09:43.830 Keith: Yes, like, for example, if you were to go to battle falls off the Roi Ford motor nature trail at the Roi for watershed few people go 100 yards passing.</p><p>00:09:44.160 –&gt; 00:09:53.070 Keith: And same thing with Laurel falls a popular heights so popular they had to like blacktop it so you so there’s a red flag on stroke little lords right.</p><p>00:09:53.970 –&gt; 00:10:08.040 Keith: To Laurel you go pass it and there’s a virgin for it’s just three eighths of a mile past it and total solid team so just go a little bit to the popular points and just a little bit beyond will give you give you an experience that so worthy.</p><p>00:10:08.490 –&gt; 00:10:16.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah because most people most of the tourists are there because they don’t they don’t they don’t go off the trails they don’t go and do any kind of.</p><p>00:10:17.010 –&gt; 00:10:29.790 Joseph McElroy: Things past the designated areas, but you know if you do a little bit of and have a little bit of adventure and your soul, you can discover wonderful new pristine areas and that’s what I really love.</p><p>00:10:31.350 –&gt; 00:10:36.570 Joseph McElroy: yeah so what what what preparation wisdom, do you have for us.</p><p>00:10:37.260 –&gt; 00:10:50.070 Keith: Oh there’s a lot of printed materials on how to prepare for a hike some of them go overboard like you know flashlights which i’m not against a flashlight don’t not take one, but you know if your cell phones charge you’ve got a flashlight you know but.</p><p>00:10:50.580 –&gt; 00:10:59.130 Keith: And also another this one’s odd but spray and the smokies all the water runs downhill and there’s there’s knacks and fly in front of your face.</p><p>00:10:59.370 –&gt; 00:11:09.240 Keith: That you can’t do anything about it, no amount of bug spray is going to keep those guys away, but the mosquitoes basically aren’t a big issue, so you don’t have to overdo the bug spray.</p><p>00:11:09.570 –&gt; 00:11:17.730 Keith: What you do need to compensate for is that it could rain in any given moment, like if you’re looking at a knoxville forecasts are you going to nashville.</p><p>00:11:18.030 –&gt; 00:11:29.730 Keith: You might mess lead into a dryer day, then you might find like cloud first and then sort of like Poncho or something to deal with rain and Ivan carry an umbrella.</p><p>00:11:29.850 –&gt; 00:11:30.270 One that.</p><p>00:11:32.760 –&gt; 00:11:35.970 Joseph McElroy: You just did, there was a conspiracy as a conspiratorial look.</p><p>00:11:39.270 –&gt; 00:11:42.570 Keith: I had an umbrella in my pack, and then I looked pretty smart.</p><p>00:11:42.600 –&gt; 00:11:43.020 Joseph McElroy: So that.</p><p>00:11:43.440 –&gt; 00:11:55.800 Keith: that’s a tip there so and do carry a pack with items don’t think you can carry things in your hand extra water is also a big big item and snacks so common sense items go a long way and be ready for a clovers.</p><p>00:11:56.250 –&gt; 00:11:58.920 Joseph McElroy: And what about fitness levels as their as.</p><p>00:12:00.300 –&gt; 00:12:05.130 Joseph McElroy: Their different trails is there is there any recommendations like you know.</p><p>00:12:06.060 –&gt; 00:12:14.250 Keith: i’ll tie that into the 12 and a half million people, you said, visited the part and that like 16% of them see it through the windshield of their car.</p><p>00:12:14.610 –&gt; 00:12:30.990 Keith: that’s kind of a shame, so there are the one for 41 in little river road there are these quiet walkways which are little like third mile hikes several of them are Ada have a plan approved or what have you.</p><p>00:12:32.010 –&gt; 00:12:43.470 Keith: And so you can do like a hike and various footwear, I mean i’m not trying to tell you to go hiking and flip flops, but they are level trails of my taking their mountain stream and they can match the whole family’s fitness level.</p><p>00:12:43.860 –&gt; 00:12:50.730 Keith: And several have benches and chaos for information, so I would look for a quiet walkway while you’re driving through the park.</p><p>00:12:51.000 –&gt; 00:13:01.440 Keith: And then people that want to find a challenging hike it’s no problem, a lot of times I look at a map and I always give myself two miles a two hours to do a mile in the park.</p><p>00:13:02.460 –&gt; 00:13:02.580 Keith: or.</p><p>00:13:05.400 –&gt; 00:13:09.660 Joseph McElroy: Is there is there measures of how challenging trails are.</p><p>00:13:09.930 –&gt; 00:13:19.020 Keith: Yes, they do have they do have one perfect I was just looking at angie’s ball, one of my favorite hikes to recommend it was a 5.2 and rated moderate.</p><p>00:13:19.350 –&gt; 00:13:36.060 Keith: So it must have they have a one to 10 scale and and to me that’s a difficult moderate trail so so whoever’s grading this is using a curve that’s pretty fixed, so I would always take what’s recommended and and maybe respected.</p><p>00:13:36.780 –&gt; 00:13:43.560 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so when we come back we’ll talk more about hiking in the smokies and and what are your favorite trails.</p><p>00:13:46.530 –&gt; 00:13:51.120 Keith: Radio nyc www talk radio dot nyc.</p><p>00:16:42.690 –&gt; 00:17:02.940 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Keith guards so key you know I uh i’m on the North Carolina side of the smokies, and so I will start out asking you what is your favorite North Carolina hi.</p><p>00:17:03.810 –&gt; 00:17:09.570 Keith: Oh good one good one, it would definitely be Andrews ball, which brings up balls in the smokies.</p><p>00:17:10.110 –&gt; 00:17:27.690 Keith: lot of the balls have grown up since the 1930s, when the park was formed and there’s two balls that they maintain to the 1930 standards and one is Andrews ball, the highest ball in the park and the other is Gregory bald which is kind of a remote ball out of kate’s cove a very.</p><p>00:17:27.750 –&gt; 00:17:31.890 Joseph McElroy: Similar to do, can I better have just asked me, can you explain what a ball is.</p><p>00:17:32.070 –&gt; 00:17:45.240 Keith: Thank you there’s two types of balls in the market grassy ball which these Andrews and Gregory are grassy balls and then there’s like heath balls which are like low shrubbery where they.</p><p>00:17:45.840 –&gt; 00:17:57.480 Keith: They kind of just have one type of plant that look like a model culture from a view or model type plant life, and so the grassy balls are the ones that are encroaching.</p><p>00:17:58.290 –&gt; 00:18:06.120 Keith: They have to go up there and pull out about every five years and clear off the growth of the forest coming on them to keep them at their historical.</p><p>00:18:06.780 –&gt; 00:18:15.720 Keith: levels and Andrews ball being the highest baldwin park has has the only carnivorous plant in the park it’s a sundin carnivorous plant.</p><p>00:18:16.020 –&gt; 00:18:24.450 Keith: And years ago I found where they they protected it and i’ve gone back and can’t find the silly things but there’s carnivorous plants on anthony’s ball, I can.</p><p>00:18:25.050 –&gt; 00:18:27.180 Joseph McElroy: wow how’d you get there.</p><p>00:18:27.630 –&gt; 00:18:32.190 Keith: Well it’s up from cleveland’s Dome which takes everybody to the highest point in the park.</p><p>00:18:33.000 –&gt; 00:18:43.650 Keith: Which payments Dome is the highest point in Tennessee and it’s on the border, which has a height deployments Dome which is famous but from from that parking lot you go down hill.</p><p>00:18:44.250 –&gt; 00:19:02.970 Keith: towards it and it’s a battle it’s a battle 1.7 mile hike out to it and it’s it’s about 5800 foot and has a grassy view you’re totally in North Carolina at this point, and you can look into Fontana lake and off into the North Carolina that links from there.</p><p>00:19:03.690 –&gt; 00:19:05.820 Joseph McElroy: cool and what was the other ball he mentioned he loved.</p><p>00:19:06.180 –&gt; 00:19:08.490 Keith: A Gregory that’s famous for the zillions.</p><p>00:19:10.050 –&gt; 00:19:12.120 Keith: yeah so uh later in the year hike.</p><p>00:19:13.320 –&gt; 00:19:19.860 Keith: Long trails to that one that one’s more challenging Andrews is more accessible and gregory’s more remote and they’re both.</p><p>00:19:21.150 –&gt; 00:19:31.530 Keith: Gregory being above kate’s co have had a lot of animals graze on it back in the years some other balls are spence field and silos bald in silos balls grown over for the most part, now.</p><p>00:19:32.130 –&gt; 00:19:36.750 Joseph McElroy: So the bulls are good place to go hike to then have a picnic on the top of the mountains right.</p><p>00:19:37.110 –&gt; 00:19:39.180 Keith: i’ll tell you what Andrews sure is.</p><p>00:19:39.210 –&gt; 00:19:43.260 Joseph McElroy: For sure, and how do you get to the to the Gregory bold.</p><p>00:19:43.770 –&gt; 00:19:48.180 Keith: you’ll brennan he’s advocates cove and I think it’s Hannah Ridge, a couple other.</p><p>00:19:48.480 –&gt; 00:19:59.580 Keith: Regions to get out to it it’s I wouldn’t recommend that for a family hike that’s for your durable people it’s like a 10 mile round trip, whereas i’m going down the answers by will only be about three and a half, so.</p><p>00:19:59.640 –&gt; 00:20:03.570 Joseph McElroy: So that’s when I take my my twins on i’m a two and a half year old.</p><p>00:20:03.570 –&gt; 00:20:05.490 Keith: twins yeah yeah.</p><p>00:20:06.210 –&gt; 00:20:06.960 Keith: picnic basket.</p><p>00:20:07.800 –&gt; 00:20:09.510 Joseph McElroy: basket and gelei on a blanket a.</p><p>00:20:09.510 –&gt; 00:20:10.470 Keith: backpack do you got.</p><p>00:20:11.460 –&gt; 00:20:16.650 Joseph McElroy: I probably have to put one of those carry things on there and they’re not quite ready for a mile walk.</p><p>00:20:17.250 –&gt; 00:20:24.180 Keith: yeah it’s it’s worth it, though in that out the altitude of that will get you going down to 5800 feet, so you know.</p><p>00:20:24.240 –&gt; 00:20:36.210 Joseph McElroy: yeah cool so we talked about the north Carolina side, I give fer fer fer time to the tennessee’s i’d, what is your favorite types on the Tennessee side.</p><p>00:20:36.570 –&gt; 00:20:39.420 Keith: Well, you know what mount look con is perhaps the most.</p><p>00:20:40.140 –&gt; 00:20:48.330 Keith: Famous mountain in the East, I know that’s hard to say but statistically it’s the highest mountain above its base in the East because bow mitchell’s higher.</p><p>00:20:48.600 –&gt; 00:20:58.110 Keith: But it’s not lower so so what kind of has a lot of accolades and to me the best all around trail in the state of Tennessee is alum Cape trail.</p><p>00:20:58.620 –&gt; 00:21:08.970 Keith: which has several name features along it like it goes along the river styx, which is a great start goes to arch lock which the smokies for all its grander only has one.</p><p>00:21:09.420 –&gt; 00:21:18.240 Keith: arch on a trail, and then the trail passes through it in fact the trails forever improve the steps through it it’s really we’re seeing if you haven’t seen a few years.</p><p>00:21:18.690 –&gt; 00:21:27.390 Keith: And then it goes up to like inspiration point and then alum cave and then passers gracie pulpit and then you have the satellite mean has all this.</p><p>00:21:28.170 –&gt; 00:21:35.940 Keith: history of hiking points along the double steps they took out the double steps of trails forever, but I still call it that you go.</p><p>00:21:36.300 –&gt; 00:21:46.350 Keith: Cross a grassy slide and then below the cliff tops in the end up on because it’s the shortest child Telecom, which has a year lodge on top of it that’s a season, a lodge.</p><p>00:21:46.980 –&gt; 00:21:57.090 Keith: And they have a winner caretaker that takes care of the lodge during the offseason which adds a glamour job now with the Internet and cell phone lots from on top of the time.</p><p>00:21:57.870 –&gt; 00:22:09.660 Joseph McElroy: What you know you when you when you’re when you’re hiking these trails and I mentioned a little bit you see wildlife, what is the most besides, you know the standard rabbits and the Romans and things like that, what is the most common.</p><p>00:22:11.190 –&gt; 00:22:14.880 Joseph McElroy: Bigger animals, you might see alone these trails.</p><p>00:22:15.000 –&gt; 00:22:20.940 Keith: What from limited gatlinburg i’ve got a whole section on my phone called snakes and bears.</p><p>00:22:22.770 –&gt; 00:22:39.180 Keith: bears can be living even up high because they’ll go up high perfect, sometimes even close close Gregory because there’s like cherry trees and things that are growing so much a blackberries along the side of the trail and they’re just just like going on in for dinner.</p><p>00:22:39.660 –&gt; 00:22:46.110 Keith: Brain what so they’ll go up high during the summer and then come down low are there a problem with the little cabins.</p><p>00:22:46.740 –&gt; 00:22:57.660 Keith: You know, during the the field shoulder seasons, I should say, but here’s a definitely it I you don’t see a lot of snakes eat scare them off pretty well, so I wouldn’t want to have anybody feared about a snake.</p><p>00:22:58.860 –&gt; 00:23:00.030 Keith: birds are going to see.</p><p>00:23:00.480 –&gt; 00:23:05.970 Keith: The Balkans, the locals call Cox and so good burning and the party with the.</p><p>00:23:06.660 –&gt; 00:23:16.830 Joseph McElroy: Will burnings everything now in the mountains, I got I think they got more species in mountains and sort of a geographic area that anywhere in the world right close to it.</p><p>00:23:17.250 –&gt; 00:23:22.740 Keith: Yes, it’s a smokies are a biosphere reserve it’s really a claim highly.</p><p>00:23:22.770 –&gt; 00:23:26.130 Joseph McElroy: How do you see do you get to see the elk often on the trails.</p><p>00:23:26.280 –&gt; 00:23:28.140 Keith: that’s a North Carolina site they.</p><p>00:23:29.820 –&gt; 00:23:36.300 Keith: give you they haven’t we don’t quite have the cattle lucci type environment as much.</p><p>00:23:36.480 –&gt; 00:23:39.000 Keith: yeah well so know that you got you.</p><p>00:23:39.570 –&gt; 00:23:42.480 Joseph McElroy: Definitely on those one another time we’ll.</p><p>00:23:42.540 –&gt; 00:23:52.380 Joseph McElroy: Get in depth into the some of the specific trail, so we have some really good wildlife, like the elk on the North Carolina so I imagine Tennessee has its own flavor that.</p><p>00:23:53.700 –&gt; 00:24:04.710 Joseph McElroy: You know, when I was growing up, he you know you’d see Fox and you know and and mountain mountain lens, what are the bobcats you see.</p><p>00:24:04.770 –&gt; 00:24:05.640 Keith: Oh yes, yes.</p><p>00:24:05.700 –&gt; 00:24:06.870 Joseph McElroy: they’ll see those yeah.</p><p>00:24:08.250 –&gt; 00:24:08.880 Keith: I love.</p><p>00:24:09.720 –&gt; 00:24:15.690 Keith: watching my yeah i’ve got the fox stories, but no and look man this bobcats if they don’t want you to see him that.</p><p>00:24:17.100 –&gt; 00:24:19.110 Keith: you’re lucky to see those I know.</p><p>00:24:20.130 –&gt; 00:24:24.810 Joseph McElroy: Well, you do, you mentioned that the kids get a little bit crowded.</p><p>00:24:25.980 –&gt; 00:24:37.440 Joseph McElroy: So you know, and while we want to emphasize it doesn’t get so crowded that you can’t go to any of these trails why don’t you just tell us which ones, to avoid if we’re wanting to just be like buyers, though.</p><p>00:24:38.430 –&gt; 00:24:56.910 Keith: You know Laurel falls is a great destination, that has like I say that they paved it it’s you so much, so I would avoid that one or try it early in the morning, you know I mean people go to pancake pantry in the morning, and you can freeze on a trail if you’re at 7am or you know.</p><p>00:24:57.060 –&gt; 00:24:58.440 Keith: So there are ways around it.</p><p>00:24:59.100 –&gt; 00:25:15.210 Keith: And like I say there’s different types of trails where the trial ends at a destination or it goes beyond it in Laurel faults goes on up to code mountain and the trail leads a proud behind just past the waterfall so that’s another way bridal falls can be.</p><p>00:25:16.260 –&gt; 00:25:22.380 Keith: busy, which is on the warrior forum know motor nature trail on another trial at The con brushing mountain.</p><p>00:25:22.830 –&gt; 00:25:31.260 Keith: And, once again, if you go past rattle falls itself and try to get up to brush mountain or go beyond it at all you’ll find solid team.</p><p>00:25:31.560 –&gt; 00:25:37.470 Keith: And that’s the trouble that they take the llamas up the mantle conference season, so it has its own little tourist.</p><p>00:25:38.130 –&gt; 00:25:50.580 Keith: You know people like to take pictures of the llamas and they actually pass underneath bravo falls trail so they’re all those and proud for that they used to do every Monday Wednesday and Friday when the season is open on the pot.</p><p>00:25:51.180 –&gt; 00:25:56.760 Joseph McElroy: My kids would love that work their current favorite is a llama llama red pajamas book.</p><p>00:26:01.710 –&gt; 00:26:05.580 Joseph McElroy: I mean you mentioned briefly some about step spelled pipes, what does that mean.</p><p>00:26:06.030 –&gt; 00:26:12.510 Keith: ooh Okay, the first off all the heights I recommend staying on trails i’m not trying to get anybody to go off trip.</p><p>00:26:13.200 –&gt; 00:26:27.300 Keith: That said, that caveat there’s a trail very there’s three watersheds come off the more cycle of con and one is waiting for that I spoke with a lot about and the other one concrete but there’s the middle of called baskin pre.</p><p>00:26:27.750 –&gt; 00:26:38.790 Keith: And, and if you go towards the Rainbow false trailhead just passed there before you get on the warning for motor nature trail there’s a way to go to baskin pre falls.</p><p>00:26:39.240 –&gt; 00:26:55.320 Keith: And it is absolutely gorgeous it is no sun hits the bottom of it, it looks like your IRB has been Moss all around it’s been a 45 footer and is kind of in a box Canyon so it’s very photogenic in few people would be there and it’s actually a lovely height.</p><p>00:26:56.010 –&gt; 00:26:59.400 Joseph McElroy: wow cool is there is there more of these sort of so so pikes.</p><p>00:26:59.790 –&gt; 00:27:10.890 Keith: yeah i’m operates growth which is getting away from a waterfall but it’s man manager and ball trail, and it is a some of the largest virgin forest.</p><p>00:27:11.130 –&gt; 00:27:17.460 Keith: area on the Tennessee side used to be an Indian PowerPoint where Indians would go and worship there because the trees were.</p><p>00:27:18.180 –&gt; 00:27:34.710 Keith: So gigantic and is situated in like special like triangles and such so it’s a it’s a loop that’s off of an easy travel up to that point so all brights bro definitely Google that one and try to find it it’s it’s a worthy destination.</p><p>00:27:35.460 –&gt; 00:27:43.290 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know any official North Carolina side still caught spell hikes but I know some private still hikes and you’re not.</p><p>00:27:43.290 –&gt; 00:27:45.900 Joseph McElroy: supposed to go on that are really fantastic yeah.</p><p>00:27:46.170 –&gt; 00:27:56.130 Joseph McElroy: Somebody can call me up and find out about it, but I promise i’ll get in North Carolina guy on here and talking about it or girl, for that matter, to talk about it, they will have you both on here to have a competition.</p><p>00:27:56.760 –&gt; 00:28:02.010 Keith: Right okay well I can’t divulge our secret hikes like that, because I have to live with these people.</p><p>00:28:04.740 –&gt; 00:28:06.810 Keith: These stealth about this stealth so.</p><p>00:28:06.840 –&gt; 00:28:11.610 Joseph McElroy: Okay, so we come back we’ll talk about some of the more well known trails like the appalachian trail.</p><p>00:28:12.660 –&gt; 00:28:13.560 Joseph McElroy: Talk to you soon.</p><p>00:31:04.380 –&gt; 00:31:16.620 Joseph McElroy: hey it’s Joseph mcilroy from the gateway to the smokies podcast back with my guest keep bar or gardens talking about hiking in the smokies so key.</p><p>00:31:17.760 –&gt; 00:31:31.350 Joseph McElroy: You know, you know there’s some long trails ago go through the smokies I think the Benton mackay trail the mountains, to the sea trail, but I guess the granddaddy is the appalachian trail, what do you know about these trails worth walk walking on.</p><p>00:31:32.070 –&gt; 00:31:41.880 Keith: Oh yes, appalachian trail travels about 69 miles through the park from Fontana damn all the way to davenport gap with.</p><p>00:31:42.450 –&gt; 00:31:51.660 Keith: Oh gosh newfound gap kind of the midpoint were for the hikers take breaks and then shuttle down to gatlinburg or cherokee you know for restock and.</p><p>00:31:52.230 –&gt; 00:32:06.120 Keith: Definitely there’s a lot of accidents affect the cleamons Dome one of the most famous points observation points in the park is on the appalachian trail and there’s several shelters along it that that the appalachian thru hikers and call them.</p><p>00:32:07.350 –&gt; 00:32:18.840 Keith: Now navigate to to journey through the park they’re usually about five miles apart, often hikers will skip one and do about 10 miles a day through the park and the.</p><p>00:32:19.590 –&gt; 00:32:35.250 Keith: easiest one to actually look at is a month Collins shelter, which is on the cleamons don’t road it’s like only like three quarters of a mile off the roads in kind of like pop in there and check it out, you ever wanted to see a shelter, the rest of them are pretty remote, though.</p><p>00:32:36.150 –&gt; 00:32:40.920 Joseph McElroy: So those are good for people that want to sort of have a camping experience and do some hiking right.</p><p>00:32:41.340 –&gt; 00:32:49.560 Keith: They are permitted though you get a permit so so they’re kind of like spontaneous is a little difficult but definitely there.</p><p>00:32:50.610 –&gt; 00:32:59.820 Keith: You know, like you could hit the boy scout camp or group that’s going through or you know you never know what you’re going to find a shelter and it’s always an adventure in itself.</p><p>00:32:59.940 –&gt; 00:33:06.120 Joseph McElroy: There are other back woods camps good campgrounds right that people go through or all of them permitted.</p><p>00:33:06.600 –&gt; 00:33:23.640 Keith: You don’t want a lot of you know, good good question on that some of the 10 sites are unpermitted because they’re just so so unpopular are not over overly us, but even the more popular 10 sites have a permit system just just because if they’re overcrowded they hurt the ecosystem.</p><p>00:33:24.210 –&gt; 00:33:27.360 Joseph McElroy: Alright cool well it’s you know.</p><p>00:33:29.670 –&gt; 00:33:39.420 Joseph McElroy: it’s that’s for people that though i’m way past that time of doing that Heikki but I used to do it now your kids in the family and all that sort of stuff.</p><p>00:33:41.700 –&gt; 00:33:46.170 Joseph McElroy: You know I would I do remember that you can’t take your dog on the trail, why is that.</p><p>00:33:47.460 –&gt; 00:33:58.260 Keith: Well, the smokies are a designated wilderness area, and so, in fact, that’s a big deterrent on hiking the at there’s people making their livelihood by.</p><p>00:33:58.830 –&gt; 00:34:06.540 Keith: Keeping people’s dogs and driving them to one in the park from the other, because the thru hikers often will hike with dogs and cannot take them through the park.</p><p>00:34:06.810 –&gt; 00:34:16.920 Keith: A lot of tourists will bring their dog with them and not realize until they get to a trailhead there’s two trails that they do allow dogs on and they’re they’re kind of like.</p><p>00:34:18.000 –&gt; 00:34:24.060 Keith: The gatlinburg trail, which is a great kids trail, and you can walk a dog and even take a bicycle on on that trail.</p><p>00:34:24.360 –&gt; 00:34:31.200 Keith: And then the kind of left the trail over on the North Carolina side has a section out of cherokee that they allow dogs on.</p><p>00:34:31.500 –&gt; 00:34:44.760 Keith: And what’s good about both those are long rivers to where the dog can get in the stream a bit and all that, so there is one area but it’s very minute in the Grand scheme of the back country adventures, you can do none with your dog.</p><p>00:34:45.870 –&gt; 00:34:48.030 Joseph McElroy: Why would they not like dogs in the trophy yeah.</p><p>00:34:48.150 –&gt; 00:34:52.170 Keith: it’s a it’s a wilderness designation and they would just like Brett.</p><p>00:34:53.220 –&gt; 00:34:59.280 Keith: First off you wouldn’t want to be below cliff talks with a 500 foot drop off and a handrail.</p><p>00:35:00.300 –&gt; 00:35:16.140 Keith: In me, you know someone who just on safe but that eat ecology, you know the the the scat let’s say would not be you know would mess, with the system in the park it’s a real this made for coyotes and foxes and bears and not dogs aren’t native.</p><p>00:35:17.730 –&gt; 00:35:25.740 Joseph McElroy: So you know people come in there, do they have to be concerned about their safety every now the crime of the things are problem is that.</p><p>00:35:27.360 –&gt; 00:35:38.130 Keith: Not not a problem with common sense, like they say that you know not leave the person the front of the car, you know I mean there might be some break ins and all that, and in fact that’s the.</p><p>00:35:38.910 –&gt; 00:35:58.230 Keith: The park having to designate law enforcement does take away from the back country money to spend on trails and upkeep but but no, I would not worry about crime in the park, if you are have common sense, with it, especially the more popular trail ads have safety in numbers.</p><p>00:35:59.940 –&gt; 00:36:15.030 Joseph McElroy: So let’s change the subject you know I don’t think a lot of people know the love these trails go to old settlements old cabins elk one I think is one right, what do you have on the Tennessee side and that regard.</p><p>00:36:15.420 –&gt; 00:36:23.490 Keith: Well, definitely mentioned outman which you can almost dead again oh shouted at and then another big big cultural thing kind of.</p><p>00:36:23.880 –&gt; 00:36:40.620 Keith: In the case, so to speak, is the the old CCC era where they had a civilian conservation corps set up and they built a lot of the roadways In fact the stonework you see along some of the bridges in the park are hard to replicate today in the.</p><p>00:36:42.090 –&gt; 00:36:54.390 Keith: kitchen cabinets of that too, for the social benefit of the country back during the depression so there’s a lot of that history in can hike along old cemeteries, like the greenbrier section of park.</p><p>00:36:55.020 –&gt; 00:37:08.610 Keith: The minibar preservation society will give you a map in the all the all the cemeteries are very, very fascinated some people are into that there’s books dedicated to it and but elements, the biggest one where it’s an old.</p><p>00:37:09.810 –&gt; 00:37:10.890 Keith: Oh gosh hard to explain.</p><p>00:37:12.990 –&gt; 00:37:20.640 Keith: But it’s gone now they’re restoring some buildings and they let me in the rest of the kind of move in the history.</p><p>00:37:21.000 –&gt; 00:37:26.130 Joseph McElroy: of you know, North Carolina has some good good settlements and old buildings to that they have on the park right.</p><p>00:37:27.180 –&gt; 00:37:28.230 Keith: Yes, yes.</p><p>00:37:28.380 –&gt; 00:37:31.290 Joseph McElroy: yeah like go it kind of left he has a village right.</p><p>00:37:32.070 –&gt; 00:37:43.860 Keith: Right right the Indian village, it covers that culture, in fact, the contrast of should was visitor Center where the kind of left, he is shibboleths does one of the plant life and the the biosphere.</p><p>00:37:44.370 –&gt; 00:37:51.030 Keith: era of the park and then kind of lefty it carries the Indian cultural heritage in some of that type of history for the park.</p><p>00:37:52.020 –&gt; 00:38:00.600 Joseph McElroy: cool and then it’s kind of Gucci valley that has that old that old settlement to there’s a good some good hikes up there right.</p><p>00:38:01.050 –&gt; 00:38:03.330 Keith: Yes, yes, that that’s over in your one SEC.</p><p>00:38:03.330 –&gt; 00:38:06.720 Joseph McElroy: Oh, I know a little bit about that it’s a purchase now.</p><p>00:38:06.810 –&gt; 00:38:13.830 Keith: i’ve not done purchase knob yet, and I want to go stand the metal Arc and go hike up there i’m gonna i’m gonna do that this year.</p><p>00:38:14.310 –&gt; 00:38:16.560 Joseph McElroy: Well, you should you know it’s a 500 acre.</p><p>00:38:17.790 –&gt; 00:38:29.700 Joseph McElroy: handcrafted mountain retreat the smokies yeah I really it’s it’s not too far from Maggie Valley, we send people there over all the time it’s got it’s like 5000 feet, is a pretty tall place.</p><p>00:38:29.820 –&gt; 00:38:36.930 Joseph McElroy: right and it was it’s it’s fairly recent to be part of the National Park, it was donated in 2000.</p><p>00:38:38.640 –&gt; 00:38:50.970 Joseph McElroy: And you know what’s great I liked it, you know I like it, because it’s family friendly you know they got the appalachian Highlands science learning Center there and they have like I don’t know thousands of students come there for a year.</p><p>00:38:52.380 –&gt; 00:39:04.170 Joseph McElroy: And, and you know when you’re talking about wild flowers it’s a great place to see all the wild flowers and stuff in the mountains and family family friendly environment so anyway.</p><p>00:39:06.600 –&gt; 00:39:08.220 Keith: It has a good webcam.</p><p>00:39:08.490 –&gt; 00:39:09.720 Joseph McElroy: And as a good webcam.</p><p>00:39:12.570 –&gt; 00:39:21.120 Joseph McElroy: So do you know I bet you know about the road to nowhere i’ve talked about it a couple times here is a you know about, but it’s not a talking head saw.</p><p>00:39:23.190 –&gt; 00:39:24.840 Keith: wanted to clarify that for everyone.</p><p>00:39:25.500 –&gt; 00:39:42.450 Keith: Definitely, the road and nowhere is is kind of like I guess is the Federal Government promised the state of North Carolina a tourism road in somehow the plug got pulled on it so they’ve got a bridge and a road and it just takes you somewhere and then it that’s.</p><p>00:39:42.600 –&gt; 00:39:45.510 Joseph McElroy: What it ends of the trail right it’s a great hiking trail right.</p><p>00:39:45.540 –&gt; 00:39:49.710 Keith: Right right, and you can travel it out of the bryson city area, the park.</p><p>00:39:50.910 –&gt; 00:39:59.190 Joseph McElroy: So so we’ve talked about wild flowers, so why don’t we tell everybody, what are the best wildfire hikes and when when when would they peek this year.</p><p>00:39:59.580 –&gt; 00:40:07.200 Keith: Oh good one for one thing, one of my most recommended heights for wild flowers of borders flat and ramsey’s.</p><p>00:40:07.560 –&gt; 00:40:15.180 Keith: prong and ramsey’s cascade it’s going to have some bridge work this year so check ahead on that you might not be able to hike the ramsey’s cascade.</p><p>00:40:15.510 –&gt; 00:40:23.400 Keith: For during the peak wildflower season Okay, but some alternatives are the little river trail, and my.</p><p>00:40:23.790 –&gt; 00:40:32.370 Keith: Beautiful it’s like an old road bed, where you can walk side by side with people along the mountain stream and there’s several really good trail for trump trillions on that one.</p><p>00:40:32.700 –&gt; 00:40:41.580 Keith: And there’s also middle prong of the little river, not the little pigeon but the middle brung that little river other tree month section of the park has.</p><p>00:40:42.210 –&gt; 00:40:58.380 Keith: Excellent destinations for like spruce flat falls is there that in that area and and then the porters like done going up to linville cascade and leadville falls is a betrayal for water waterfalls and wildflower.</p><p>00:40:59.520 –&gt; 00:41:06.630 Joseph McElroy: cool yeah and I mentioned in the north Carolina side is the is the purchase knob is a great place for.</p><p>00:41:08.040 –&gt; 00:41:11.790 Joseph McElroy: What are the best waterfall hikes or near the top three or something like that.</p><p>00:41:12.120 –&gt; 00:41:14.640 Keith: Okay um you know what not rainbow.</p><p>00:41:15.840 –&gt; 00:41:18.330 Keith: everybody gets their tail kicked going to rainbow so.</p><p>00:41:18.330 –&gt; 00:41:21.450 Keith: Give that one up, I mean you know it’s it’s nice but.</p><p>00:41:22.890 –&gt; 00:41:36.180 Keith: let’s see the aforementioned spruce flat falls out of treatment is is short hike in a very worthy falls trial ends there so it’s just an in and out or out and back type about trail.</p><p>00:41:37.050 –&gt; 00:41:43.860 Keith: The another abrams abrams falls, which is an cates co aprons is the largest.</p><p>00:41:44.190 –&gt; 00:41:54.210 Keith: watershed in in the smokies that is entirely protected and what I mean by that is when it flows out of the park he goes on to Tennessee valley authority land and then flows into.</p><p>00:41:54.810 –&gt; 00:42:05.400 Keith: Like chill how he recalled and chill housing and so anyways that’s where they introduced the elk are not the all the orders orders are the ones that swim right so.</p><p>00:42:06.180 –&gt; 00:42:07.830 Keith: They are so therefore they could.</p><p>00:42:07.890 –&gt; 00:42:16.260 Keith: Like they ventured out of the park they wouldn’t hit the hunter hunting zone, so to speak, so abrams is is definitely recommend a waterfall and.</p><p>00:42:17.100 –&gt; 00:42:34.260 Keith: Smaller one that needs good volume, as far as rain and such to support it is him wallow falls out of cosby in that’s a steel pipe to not many people hike that particularly trail it’s on games mountain trail out of the cosmic campground area.</p><p>00:42:35.340 –&gt; 00:42:40.260 Joseph McElroy: cool and you know I we talked about spring but waterfalls is a great as great.</p><p>00:42:41.280 –&gt; 00:42:43.140 Joseph McElroy: Those are some good winter hikes are.</p><p>00:42:44.430 –&gt; 00:42:55.260 Keith: Very much so, in fact, the lower elevation one thing about the park is that a lot of times when it snows that newfound gap about 5000 foot you can’t drive to the higher elevation heights.</p><p>00:42:55.650 –&gt; 00:43:05.250 Keith: In so you have to use the low country and a lot of the good falls are at a low level, you know elevation wise, I mean and so.</p><p>00:43:06.090 –&gt; 00:43:16.380 Keith: let’s see what one would I recommend, on that there’s a men’s falls that actually leads out of the saints area that goes up from there and it’s.</p><p>00:43:16.740 –&gt; 00:43:27.210 Keith: Once you leave the sinks parking area which is popular with swimmers and everything you find a destination waterfall with with it’s also a stealth falls but that’d be a good winter, when there.</p><p>00:43:27.900 –&gt; 00:43:31.650 Joseph McElroy: yeah and I guess you’re supposed to wear Spikes when you’re watching those mountains right.</p><p>00:43:31.860 –&gt; 00:43:34.260 Keith: crampons that you take portable crampons.</p><p>00:43:34.710 –&gt; 00:43:38.910 Keith: If you get a pipe like there’ll be is just for sections of the trail.</p><p>00:43:39.060 –&gt; 00:43:52.200 Keith: yeah you get the kind of like slip on your foot walk 30 foot with them take them off, and if you need more ice apparatuses and that it’s probably a really brutal day.</p><p>00:43:52.560 –&gt; 00:43:55.980 Joseph McElroy: So obviously people with big Spikes and also with you know.</p><p>00:43:56.310 –&gt; 00:44:01.980 Joseph McElroy: Basically ski Poles thinking that they’re going to have to go through the tunnel or something like that.</p><p>00:44:02.250 –&gt; 00:44:06.540 Keith: But he’s in for that, but you know not see your average height of that’s yeah.</p><p>00:44:06.600 –&gt; 00:44:11.250 Joseph McElroy: I used to I used to this hike in the winter would just good old boots and that was about it.</p><p>00:44:13.560 –&gt; 00:44:21.480 Joseph McElroy: You can you can figure out how to get it’s not it’s not so bad, the mountain the smokies you can figure it out, except real high elevation, then you gotta do it so stuff.</p><p>00:44:21.930 –&gt; 00:44:22.140 Keith: Like.</p><p>00:44:22.170 –&gt; 00:44:28.080 Joseph McElroy: All right, when we come back i’m going to ask you, can you explain pigeon forge oh.</p><p>00:44:29.430 –&gt; 00:44:31.320 Keith: Okay okay sounds good.</p><p>00:46:49.980 –&gt; 00:47:04.890 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Keith guards hiking expert and smoking so before the break I said you’d come back and you tell me, can you explain pigeon forge.</p><p>00:47:06.270 –&gt; 00:47:15.990 Keith: Oh yes, let me try that one i’m pigeon forge first off i’m coming to you from pigeon forge in the financial district, which means i’m in an.</p><p>00:47:17.340 –&gt; 00:47:32.820 Keith: Insurance Office complex Okay, but anyways I got my pigeon forge blame here, and if you think about pigeon forge being on this planet, not to put Las Vegas out of business, you get the idea, and what I mean by that is.</p><p>00:47:33.540 –&gt; 00:47:42.840 Keith: compare and contrast Las Vegas with pigeon forge pigeon forge is a family friendly area with all kinds of things, and what I like about it, for example, there’s.</p><p>00:47:43.230 –&gt; 00:47:54.090 Keith: indoor so to be near here there’s gravity coasters there’s miniature golf all the car shows been talking about everything to bring the family close.</p><p>00:47:54.360 –&gt; 00:48:11.430 Keith: To where they can venture into the smokies and kind of turn our next generation on to the preservation of a national park provides and so definitely, if you like, Las Vegas has the pillars and panic at the disco pigeon forge has Dolly parton.</p><p>00:48:11.700 –&gt; 00:48:12.090 Joseph McElroy: So we’re.</p><p>00:48:12.390 –&gt; 00:48:21.330 Keith: All we’re all on this planet for a reason and pigeon forge is definitely family oriented and i’m proud to be part of it, one thing also bought.</p><p>00:48:21.780 –&gt; 00:48:38.340 Keith: pigeon forge they do a very worthy international destination of for a festival it’s called a wilderness wildlife week and every year it’s been on for since 1991 and it has its won the best.</p><p>00:48:40.440 –&gt; 00:48:55.950 Keith: international event by the International festivals and events association in 2016 and 17 so people can travel from around the world, or even New York City flying and muggy Tyson shuttle over to pigeon forge and they have a.</p><p>00:48:56.370 –&gt; 00:49:04.320 Keith: bunch of workshops, seminars and classes that are all for free and I lead a height doing it i’ve led hikes.</p><p>00:49:04.650 –&gt; 00:49:12.870 Keith: To Andrews ball to baskin creek falls that we spoke up and then while falls and Albright sproxil all for trails we’ve talked about.</p><p>00:49:13.140 –&gt; 00:49:29.610 Keith: i’ve led heights to for free and shuttle you haven’t lived until you get a get a pigeon forge trolley and ride with your backpack to trailhead it just get shuttled there they pick you up it’s really luxurious which want me to focus on a few of the seminars and classes, that they have.</p><p>00:49:30.180 –&gt; 00:49:32.130 Joseph McElroy: A couple of give us a shout outs right now.</p><p>00:49:32.730 –&gt; 00:49:35.220 Joseph McElroy: This is not a promoted bumblebees.</p><p>00:49:36.420 –&gt; 00:49:37.260 Keith: This right here.</p><p>00:49:37.350 –&gt; 00:49:45.180 Keith: Is I mean this is all covered within the the event of wilderness wildlife we like camera basics carving fly fishing.</p><p>00:49:46.020 –&gt; 00:49:54.660 Keith: Bear safety, you know that out to be required before you rent a cabin so and then they’ve got the great smoky mountain heritage.</p><p>00:49:55.080 –&gt; 00:50:10.110 Keith: wildflower of these are all people, giving seminars, or having boost to to sell you a guidebooks and such and and so and birds and butterflies okay now notice pigeon forge a they left the bees out of it.</p><p>00:50:12.810 –&gt; 00:50:31.590 Keith: that’s all and they have it now in the ramsey hotel and Convention Center so you could actually stay there, and have all these free events in it’s an underrated mountain old time music event to they always have some old time mountain music plan during the festival or during the event.</p><p>00:50:32.310 –&gt; 00:50:34.260 Joseph McElroy: cool and you said, the dates were again.</p><p>00:50:34.710 –&gt; 00:50:39.540 Keith: On you know it for next year it’s going to be January 25 to the 29th and.</p><p>00:50:41.250 –&gt; 00:50:57.120 Keith: cool they moved it to the winter again and the mind pigeon forge.com is the one stop shop to like look up for all these car events and to to look ahead at the wilderness wildlife week and consider attending.</p><p>00:50:57.840 –&gt; 00:51:03.120 Joseph McElroy: And then, if people want to reach you what would you how would, how would they go about that.</p><p>00:51:07.260 –&gt; 00:51:09.270 Joseph McElroy: Your faith, you have a Facebook page or linkedin.</p><p>00:51:09.570 –&gt; 00:51:11.550 Keith: For I do instagram I do instagram.</p><p>00:51:13.080 –&gt; 00:51:13.860 Keith: And I will it.</p><p>00:51:14.160 –&gt; 00:51:28.620 Keith: Right off the BAT say that a lot of i’ve got a cabin up in the big South fork area of Tennessee and Kentucky and pickett state Park, so I lot of my pictures of arches and natural bridges that are in that area I think it’s on heralded.</p><p>00:51:29.400 –&gt; 00:51:34.770 Keith: Are underrated I should say and courses out of the scope of the smokies so.</p><p>00:51:35.280 –&gt; 00:51:42.360 Keith: Look, for that one much, but so anyways I my instagram account I guess K gardens.</p><p>00:51:42.870 –&gt; 00:51:58.050 Keith: instagram but I really don’t monetize a hiking I think that, like all the flavor and last week gave several great recommendations on using guided heights in the area in whitewater rafting you know the peripheral things to do, outside of the park.</p><p>00:51:58.980 –&gt; 00:52:06.060 Keith: and also the zip lining so there’s a lot of things to do and but i’m not the guy to monetize it.</p><p>00:52:06.510 –&gt; 00:52:16.590 Joseph McElroy: By the authentic so I appreciate your time and i’m giving now do some sponsorship stuff and then talk about what’s happening next week, oh.</p><p>00:52:17.730 –&gt; 00:52:23.730 Joseph McElroy: I want you to you know if you want to find out more What about what’s happened to our podcast go to gateway to the smokies Doc fun.</p><p>00:52:24.690 –&gt; 00:52:35.100 Joseph McElroy: it’s a new site, so there might be some hiccups we have all the pot, we have all the podcasts on there other articles, you can subscribe to a newsletter which will be coming out to give you.</p><p>00:52:35.640 –&gt; 00:52:43.530 Joseph McElroy: updates on the podcast and the upcoming guests and things of interest to the audience again is gateway to the smokies calm.</p><p>00:52:44.010 –&gt; 00:52:53.910 Joseph McElroy: Now I want you to imagine a page a place evocative of motor cortex of the past, yet modern and vibrant within chic appalachian feel.</p><p>00:52:54.480 –&gt; 00:53:00.690 Joseph McElroy: a place for adventure and for relaxation imagine a place where you can fish them out inheritance trout stream.</p><p>00:53:01.170 –&gt; 00:53:12.300 Joseph McElroy: grill it on the on the catch on the fire and eat accompanied by fine wine or craft beers imagine a place of the old time music and world cultural sounds.</p><p>00:53:12.630 –&gt; 00:53:19.560 Joseph McElroy: there’s no other place like the middle Arc motel and Maggie valley North Carolina on the edge of the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:53:20.130 –&gt; 00:53:31.350 Joseph McElroy: We are the starting point for all of your adventures and serenity that these mountains have to venture your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay the middle Arc motel.com.</p><p>00:53:32.880 –&gt; 00:53:42.480 Joseph McElroy: Also, I own I own a site called smoky adventures COM and its goal is to provide as much information pertaining to the smoky mountains as possible.</p><p>00:53:42.870 –&gt; 00:53:54.120 Joseph McElroy: While presenting that information in the best possible way it strives to give users, a positive experience of finding outdoor adventures lodgings attractions and events in around the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:53:54.630 –&gt; 00:54:08.670 Joseph McElroy: And not only covers the great smoky mountains National Park, but also communities like gatlinburg pigeon forward sybil towns in cherokee where’s valley Maggie valley and brightest and city, as well as the big towns like asheville and national.</p><p>00:54:09.360 –&gt; 00:54:22.800 Joseph McElroy: We have my hiking trails lots of hiking trails maps information about the most popular trails and waterfalls interactive trailhead map detailed hiking trails sections information about multi day hikes.</p><p>00:54:23.370 –&gt; 00:54:38.820 Joseph McElroy: And you can find all that it’s smokies adventure calm I this podcast is part of where traveler comms podcast series, and I have developed the SEC, the the the regional.</p><p>00:54:41.040 –&gt; 00:54:47.040 Joseph McElroy: Publishing part of that call where travel COM slash great smoky mountains with dashes between the words.</p><p>00:54:48.060 –&gt; 00:54:56.220 Joseph McElroy: It world traveler where travelers the world’s premier name and travel publishing for magazines and books to maps and comprehensive digital competent content.</p><p>00:54:56.520 –&gt; 00:55:10.770 Joseph McElroy: Where travelers gives travelers everything they need from a local perspective each year 246 million travelers trust were trial or up to date information on where to go and what to see in nearly 100 location destinations worldwide.</p><p>00:55:12.930 –&gt; 00:55:26.220 Joseph McElroy: And then, finally, I want you to know that we’re on the talk radio dot nyc network we it’s a network of a lot of great podcasts, I think, right after ours is rediscovering New York from.</p><p>00:55:27.060 –&gt; 00:55:37.500 Joseph McElroy: Six seven to eight it’s live on Tuesdays from seven to eight like this one’s live on, and then you can also define it on iTunes and other networks.</p><p>00:55:39.540 –&gt; 00:55:58.650 Joseph McElroy: So don’t forget and then come back next week where our podcasts will feature another cultural and adventure in the mountains of smoky mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, or rather the smoky mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee i’ll see you later bye.</p> 5793c722-e105-4887-a60d-1ced48bc7ce9 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/6871185c-9d6f-4dd0-b8b0-e0bbb128ccb5 Tue, 02 Mar 2021 23:00:00 +0000 2930 no full Episode 7: White Water Rafting in the Smokies Episode 7: White Water Rafting in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Today&#39;s guest is<strong> Olwen Claiborne -</strong> Marketing Director of <strong><em>Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting</em></strong>, With over 30 years in the tourism marketplace, Olwen is living her first passion and represents the leading river outfitter in the Smoky Mountains Region. She knows all about whitewater Rafting in the Smokies.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/3SeQ7hbub3/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h4>Show Notes</h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s episode will be all about water. Today’s guest Olwen Claiborne comes to us from Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting. Before discussing rafting, Joseph and Olwen discuss headwaters. The headwaters of the Smokies start in the mountains and Haywood County. In the past 20 years, Maggie Valley has started bottling the water that flows through it. Jonathan Creek flows through the back of the Meadowlark Motel property, which Joseph owns. There are many waterfalls and streams throughout the mountains, with great places to swim. Sliding Rock, about 20 miles south of Maggie Valley, is essentially a natural waterslide, with tons of water pushing you down a rock. Joseph goes on to discuss a variety of other places to swim in the Smokies. Olwen discusses her first experience with whitewater rafting. From her first experience rafting, Olwen fell in love with rivers, from tubing to rafting, becoming a river guide back in ‘92.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Smoky Mountains Outdoors Rafting rafts on the Big Pigeon River. Years ago, pollutants from a paper processing plant flowed downstream in the pigeon river. This went on into the 70’s, when a grassroots organization started a movement to lobby for cleaner water downstream. Around that time, there was a whitewater rafting team in the olympics and recreational rafting was getting started. As the clean water act was published, Tennessee sued North Carolina as the water from the paper plant was going downstream into Tennessee from North Carolina. The paper processing plant found another way to process their paper, and the water has improved greatly as a result. With the growth of commercial rafting came regulation. The pigeon river is primarily a class 3 to 4 rapid river. Smoky Mountain Outdoor Rafting is the largest rafting company on the Pigeon River.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Olwen discusses her time as a rafting guide, noting that the Pigeon River is warmer than a river she used to guide on. Rafting is truly authentic to the mountain experience, being one of the most up close and personal perspectives you can get. In the spring, you can see the wildflowers blooming in the mountains while rafting. The water is unpredictable in the spring, with some days not having whitewater. From memorial day to labor day, the water levels are regulated and the trips are scheduled as such. As with before memorial day, after labor day the water levels are unregulated, but the scenery is beautiful as the colors are changing. The upper pigeon river trip was named a top ten experience in the United States. The extreme version is a smaller boat, seating a maximum of 4 guests, compared to the usual 7. The smaller boats have larger impacts. On the lower pigeon river, trips are provided for families with younger children as the rapids are smaller, and might not be whitewater. Instead of rafting, groups can also rent kayaks. There is also a full river trip that stops for lunch in the middle.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Olwen discusses Smoky Mountain Outdoor Rafting’s partners, such as a company that offers ziplining. Olwen talks about other things to do in the park and her relationships with her guides. Surprisingly, during the days of COVID, outdoor adventures have been incredibly popular.</p> Video thumbnail

Our guest in this episode is Olwen Claiborne - Marketing Director of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting, With over 30 years in the tourism marketplace, Olwen is living her first passion and represents the leading river outfitter in the Smoky Mountains Region. She knows all about whitewater Rafting in the Smokies.

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes


Segment 1

Today’s episode will be all about water. Today’s guest Olwen Claiborne comes to us from Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting. Before discussing rafting, Joseph and Olwen discuss headwaters. The headwaters of the Smokies start in the mountains and Haywood County. In the past 20 years, Maggie Valley has started bottling the water that flows through it. Jonathan Creek flows through the back of the Meadowlark Motel property, which Joseph owns. There are many waterfalls and streams throughout the mountains, with great places to swim. Sliding Rock, about 20 miles south of Maggie Valley, is essentially a natural waterslide, with tons of water pushing you down a rock. Joseph goes on to discuss a variety of other places to swim in the Smokies. Olwen discusses her first experience with whitewater rafting. From her first experience rafting, Olwen fell in love with rivers, from tubing to rafting, becoming a river guide back in ‘92.

Segment 2

The Smoky Mountains Outdoors Rafting rafts on the Big Pigeon River. Years ago, pollutants from a paper processing plant flowed downstream in the pigeon river. This went on into the ’70s when a grassroots organization started a movement to lobby for cleaner water downstream. Around that time, there was a whitewater rafting team in the Olympics and recreational rafting was getting started. As the clean water act was published, Tennessee sued North Carolina as the water from the paper plant was going downstream into Tennessee from North Carolina. The paper processing plant found another way to process their paper, and the water has improved greatly as a result. With the growth of commercial rafting came regulation. The pigeon river is primarily a class 3 to 4 rapid river. Smoky Mountain Outdoor Rafting is the largest rafting company on the Pigeon River.

Segment 3

Olwen discusses her time as a rafting guide, noting that the Pigeon River is warmer than the river she used to guide on. Rafting is truly authentic to the mountain experience, being one of the most up close and personal perspectives you can get. In the spring, you can see the wildflowers blooming in the mountains while rafting. The water is unpredictable in the spring, with some days not having whitewater. From memorial day to labor day, the water levels are regulated and the trips are scheduled as such. As before memorial day, after labor day the water levels are unregulated, but the scenery is beautiful as the colors are changing. The upper pigeon river trip was named a top ten experience in the United States. The extreme version is a smaller boat, seating a maximum of 4 guests, compared to the usual 7. The smaller boats have larger impacts. On the lower pigeon river, trips are provided for families with younger children as the rapids are smaller, and might not be whitewater. Instead of rafting, groups can also rent kayaks. There is also a full river trip that stops for lunch in the middle.

Segment 4

Olwen discusses Smoky Mountain Outdoor Rafting’s partners, such as a company that offers ziplining. Olwen talks about other things to do in the park and her relationships with her guides. Surprisingly, during the days of COVID, outdoor adventures have been incredibly popular.


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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:28.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:40.530 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week's episode of gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America's most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.

00:00:41.190 --> 00:00:49.920 Joseph McElroy: These areas are filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we've explored with weekly episodes.

00:00:50.490 --> 00:01:02.790 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in those mountains my family is living in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:03.570 --> 00:01:09.480 Joseph McElroy: So today we're going to talk about water and I'm going to talk about headwaters and swimming holes.

00:01:09.870 --> 00:01:21.630 Joseph McElroy: And my guest Olwen Claiborne the marketing Director of smoky mountain outdoors rafting one of the premier rafting providers in the smoky mountains, is going to talk about whitewater rafting I own how you doing.

00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:23.670 Olwen Claiborne: hi Joseph,thanks for having me.

00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:30.300 Joseph McElroy: As a pleasure, so um before we get into whitewater rafting I'm gonna hit the smaller things.

00:01:31.980 --> 00:01:31.980 Joseph McElroy: I.

00:01:33.360 --> 00:01:39.540 Joseph McElroy: mentioned that we do have a lot of waterfall culture to talk about, but we don't do a whole show on waterfall through that sort of a special thing.

00:01:40.770 --> 00:01:44.040 Joseph McElroy: So I'm talking about headwaters I don't know.

00:01:45.330 --> 00:01:52.380 Joseph McElroy: it's a common saying that everyone lives downstream and Haywood county where I grew up.

00:01:53.730 --> 00:01:55.800 Joseph McElroy: But we also live upstream is.

00:01:56.880 --> 00:02:00.150 Joseph McElroy: Because the basically the headwaters.

00:02:02.880 --> 00:02:17.460 Joseph McElroy: Because we live amongst the headwaters of the lands meandering streams creeks and rivers headwaters is where the water starts it's where the River start stream starts when it comes out of the ground is not, if not from rainfall this comes right out of the mountain sides.

00:02:18.840 --> 00:02:27.810 Joseph McElroy: So, and what happens is the rainfall permeates down through the soil becomes naturally filtered and cleaned is gravity pushes it back in the cracks.

00:02:28.530 --> 00:02:45.000 Joseph McElroy: From the practice in the rock below and then it moves laterally and downhill to spouts out of the side of a mountain as headwaters and then where flows, down to the other waters to the ocean wherever its destination is.

00:02:46.320 --> 00:02:56.940 Joseph McElroy: And so every waterfall way in and Haywood county and also in much of the smoky mountains begins as headwaters originating right here, right in the mountains.

00:02:57.810 --> 00:03:09.750 Joseph McElroy: Haywood county has West and East for pigeon river the Richmond creek Johnson creek crabtree creek pines creek and then a lot of little strings and everything else so and.

00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:28.530 Joseph McElroy: So that means everything used to nurse crops brush teeth Bay the hydrate flows originally from Haywood counties headwaters from the mountains in the upside so we have incredibly clean water, when it comes out and it comes out clean it makes it a lot easier to keep it clean.

00:03:29.610 --> 00:03:32.670 Joseph McElroy: there's ways that it's got dirty and we're going to talk about that later.

00:03:34.110 --> 00:03:44.130 Joseph McElroy: haha most of the water goes to Tennessee through the pigeon river basin and then spit some of the flows over to to the Asheville area mumbling county.

00:03:45.990 --> 00:04:01.350 Joseph McElroy: And you know I when the last I don't know 20 years Maggie valley my little town and Haywood county and started bottling water believer and and you know that a bottle the from the headwaters and they've been selling it as both as a tourist thing and.

00:04:01.890 --> 00:04:06.330 Joseph McElroy: Various places that Carrie Carrie about really great.

00:04:08.670 --> 00:04:16.500 Joseph McElroy: waters and that's from the headquarters of Jonathan creek now we're talking about swimming holes and the first thing I'm talking about is Jonathan creek now.

00:04:17.640 --> 00:04:30.180 Joseph McElroy: I have somebody you know, I have a motel them and in Maggie bell called the middle art motel sort of a motel chic resort, and we have Jonathan creek, which is a mountain heritage.

00:04:30.990 --> 00:04:36.150 Joseph McElroy: trap stream going right through the back of that of that property.

00:04:36.750 --> 00:04:40.920 Joseph McElroy: Where our guests can fish can swim they can do all sorts of thing, and when I was growing up.

00:04:41.250 --> 00:04:50.160 Joseph McElroy: there's a little bridge at the end, where a bunch of water rushes into right into the bridge and right when it comes, on the other side of the bridge it's dug a hole about six eight feet.

00:04:50.430 --> 00:05:02.820 Joseph McElroy: And for me that it wasn't swimming hole, we have, we have a swimming pool at the motel but I love this secret little swimming hole at this in this clean fresh water during the summer, and I would just go jump into.

00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:13.740 Joseph McElroy: It was sort of mysterious you know it's it's outdoors it's wild and it's right there on the property and I really I really appreciate the experience of.

00:05:14.760 --> 00:05:20.400 Joseph McElroy: swimming in the mountain waters now because it was you know, in the town you couldn't do the skinny dipping part of it, but.

00:05:23.280 --> 00:05:24.990 Joseph McElroy: It was still a great fun for kids.

00:05:26.610 --> 00:05:34.200 Joseph McElroy: I will mention a few other places are great to go to doing some swimming holes and Mounds have lots of great waterfalls and streams and.

00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:42.720 Joseph McElroy: And things like that, and there are perfect places to go get your swim and experience in swimming hold on I mean there's just so many that.

00:05:43.350 --> 00:05:54.540 Joseph McElroy: You can go to that people really enjoy there's one called beneath the falls and it's a it's been it's there's a sparkling waterfall that.

00:05:55.350 --> 00:06:09.660 Joseph McElroy: goes along the graveyard fields trails about 25 miles southeast of Maggie valley and it's it's it's just about a third of a mile from the blue Ridge parkway at mile points for 118.

00:06:10.200 --> 00:06:21.750 Joseph McElroy: And you're going to go through a tunnel of rhododendrons and cross of wooden bridge and then you come to this word semi area that has an observation deck and large boulders for some something so.

00:06:22.170 --> 00:06:34.380 Joseph McElroy: there's also a lot of blackberries and grow there during the summer, so you can bring a bucket and pick blackberries and also blueberries in August and the National Park service allows you the monitors it and.

00:06:35.490 --> 00:06:48.450 Joseph McElroy: If it allows you to take a whole bucket out so it's a good way to go, have a full mountain experience you get this you get to go hiking you get to go swimming and you get to pick blackberries I can't think of anything more smoky mountain than that.

00:06:50.730 --> 00:06:58.500 Joseph McElroy: there's also some longer trails there also sliding rock that's about 30 miles miles south of Maggie valley and since long.

00:06:59.160 --> 00:07:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Smooth rock you can slide down to the slides so you go lay out sort of it's not a waterfall it's not a steep as a waterfall but it's not flat either and it's a long.

00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:12.960 Joseph McElroy: thing it's really fun in the water, just pushes you down it's like 11,000.

00:07:13.320 --> 00:07:19.080 Joseph McElroy: gallons of water wash addresses down that rock every minute so you're going into a pretty good pace pace.

00:07:19.320 --> 00:07:29.610 Joseph McElroy: And there but there's it's a it's a park there's bathrooms there and it's a great it's a great adventure for people to go go along and it's a long road that goes through the a lot of different.

00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:38.220 Joseph McElroy: it's a real nice one of those winding mountain roads, because over mountain goes on to the other side of the hendersonville area and things like that so it's a great.

00:07:38.730 --> 00:07:49.140 Joseph McElroy: drive, as well as a getting to a nice swimming goal there's the there's a in cherokee there's the acoma left the islands park all right, which is on the.

00:07:49.740 --> 00:08:07.050 Joseph McElroy: left the river and there's a couple small islands that are Jason to downtown cherokee and are accessible by footbridge and so you can spread of blank it out on the grass in Barbecue, then you can float on the top of the islands downstream with with a tuber just swing.

00:08:08.910 --> 00:08:16.740 Joseph McElroy: Other points is a bust your butt falls, it gives you that that has a really deep pool from the cliffs and there's a.

00:08:17.910 --> 00:08:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Right, there is a little more adventurous because there's a rope tied off on a on a on a tree that helps you climb up the rock face but it's got some ideal boulders for signing and you can fish above and below the halls.

00:08:32.820 --> 00:08:41.520 Joseph McElroy: and other one is the on the on the near gatlinburg a little rigid pigeon for there's something called the greenbrier swimming hole, so this is getting into Tennessee.

00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:58.290 Joseph McElroy: And it's sensible from route 322 it's in a deep part of the River so it's great for swimming is not widely known, while we've known widely known by terrorists so it's peaceful and quiet and it's great for sunbathing there's also Townsend why that's.

00:08:59.010 --> 00:09:14.610 Joseph McElroy: That it's got a lot it's good it's good it's a feud swimming pool a whole but it's also some small rapids for tubes as a jump off wrong rock it has several large pools with enough there's enough space to spread out in the water.

00:09:16.200 --> 00:09:27.390 Joseph McElroy: And it's near the near the National Park entrance and Townsend one that opened in wyoming dimension because it's become so popular is midnight hole all right and.

00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:44.220 Joseph McElroy: it's part of big creek and it's got large bottle boulders and it's got a small waterfall and it has some nearby other attractions to like the mouse friend follows and it's it's so deep that it has got a beautiful dark shimmering light into the water.

00:09:45.270 --> 00:10:00.420 Joseph McElroy: there's April and falls it's located in cage code, one of the most popular places to go visit in the smoky smoky mountain National Park, and it is it's about it takes about 2.5 mile hike to get there.

00:10:02.160 --> 00:10:13.950 Joseph McElroy: But it's got a very large swimming hole it's about 100 feet wide in all directions so, but there is a there is a pretty turbulent waterfall is you want to do don't don't assume that close to.

00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:20.670 Joseph McElroy: And then finally there's a metcalf bottom, so I mean there's a lot more I just picked out some of the highlights.

00:10:22.110 --> 00:10:33.060 Joseph McElroy: there in fact this is giving me a great idea we're going to do a blog post on one of our blogs, and really and directory listing of all these great swimming holes I think it's it's a great resource.

00:10:33.810 --> 00:10:41.910 Joseph McElroy: To have, I have a directory site for things like this called smokies adventure COM, where we have directories of all sorts of stuff.

00:10:43.110 --> 00:10:55.470 Joseph McElroy: And it's a, and so there is a picnic area located between counseling gatlinburg and offers access to the little girl little green by a river and there's there several more shallow swimming holes that are just scattered around.

00:10:55.800 --> 00:11:03.180 Joseph McElroy: And it's a place to really throw in a tube and just float and relax the sunshine So those are the swimming holes that.

00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:16.170 Joseph McElroy: And the headwaters and now we're going to talk a little bit of white white white water rafting so Oh, it has over 30 years in the tourism marketplace and she spent a little time in Mexico and New York.

00:11:16.830 --> 00:11:35.910 Joseph McElroy: She is living her first passion and represents the leading river outfitter and the smoky mountains region and that and she knows a lot about whitewater rafting in the smoky so Oh, and tell me about your passion for whitewater rafting I think you were talking about Mexico right.

00:11:37.380 --> 00:11:42.240 Olwen Claiborne: Well, first I'll tell you i'm going to query and that's the zodiac sign for water bear.

00:11:42.390 --> 00:11:47.700 Olwen Claiborne: There you go, so I think there's some h2o in my blood and you know.

00:11:48.150 --> 00:12:02.220 Olwen Claiborne: I grew up in the 70s and that's when deliverance came out and my parents loved deliverance So when I was a kid they used to talk about whitewater rafting a lot when I got to be about 14 or 15 years old.

00:12:02.670 --> 00:12:13.380 Olwen Claiborne: The family went on our first rafting trip on the man, a halo river and that black and white photo nobody's wearing helmets is still hanging on my mom's well today.

00:12:14.790 --> 00:12:20.940 Olwen Claiborne: We actually took a debt interest exchange kid on that river she freaked out because you know the Netherlands of flat.

00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:33.510 Olwen Claiborne: So that was that was quite an adventure, for her and every ever since every chance I get I go to the River there's one particular place you mentioned Mexico 19.

00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:44.310 Olwen Claiborne: Excuse me in 1991 my good friend Keith Barnes and I went to Mexico on extended road trip and one place that we went was a place, so I was.

00:12:44.970 --> 00:12:53.670 Olwen Claiborne: I was all is a very blue pristine beautiful river it's got a lot of mineral built up on it, which makes the water light blue.

00:12:54.000 --> 00:13:08.100 Olwen Claiborne: And we found our way to a place called a local area, which is the eye of the river and it was the most spectacular place I don't know if you can get there now it's kind of a treacherous trip very, very narrow path next to a massive.

00:13:08.490 --> 00:13:20.790 Olwen Claiborne: river and when you get to the mouth of the river, there is a huge cave very, very far up on the cliff side and watch the water gushing out, that is, the headwaters of all was.

00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:30.750 Olwen Claiborne: And that did it I already had gotten my toe and that just completely filled my soul, with the River ever since then.

00:13:31.410 --> 00:13:39.150 Olwen Claiborne: It was tubing as a teenager driving up from knoxville to go to the same sense of the y at several of those other places that you've mentioned.

00:13:39.690 --> 00:13:51.870 Olwen Claiborne: And then Lo and behold on that river trip I fell in love with commercial rafting and came back and checked out as a river guide on the Nana hey we're it was 92 years a long time ago.

00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:58.980 Joseph McElroy: I talked a little bit about that history when we come back there's some interesting history about these rivers and mountains, that we want to explore.

00:16:58.170 --> 00:17:09.000 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Olwen Clairborne.

00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:11.040 Olwen Claiborne: yeah nice break.

00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:18.540 Joseph McElroy: So I'm your company and smoky mountain outdoors is located in the pigeon Forge right?

00:17:18.600 --> 00:17:36.510 Joseph McElroy: that's right, so you did I read a little article you wrote about history raft and smokies and I thought was really interesting so at first and even you know how the pigeon river god's name they want to go into that.

00:17:37.470 --> 00:17:44.610 Olwen Claiborne: I think it's kind of ironic that there's a lot of places around the severe county did have the name pigeon in that.

00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:52.500 Olwen Claiborne: there's the middle on the West palm, and these are the little pigeon river there's pigeon forge and there is the big page and river, which is where we wrath.

00:17:53.070 --> 00:18:00.180 Olwen Claiborne: they're all named after the extinct passenger pigeon, which was a beautiful very large, and very colorful pigeon.

00:18:00.930 --> 00:18:16.140 Olwen Claiborne: That was so prolific then when flocks would fly over the sky would darken but people loved their feathers and feathers and fashion, where all the praise and the passenger pigeon was basically hunted into extinction.

00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:31.290 Olwen Claiborne: Well, once upon a time, as you know, being from Western North Carolina the pigeon river was also the recipient of discharge from a paper processing plant in came.

00:18:31.890 --> 00:18:48.990 Olwen Claiborne: And the discharge read downstream now when I did the research for this article, I learned that at the turn of the century when lumbering the mountain sides was the thing, this is why the park was establishes the Save the mountains, because they were being completely denuded.

00:18:50.100 --> 00:18:59.880 Olwen Claiborne: Western Carolina saw an opportunity to attract jobs and create some economic growth, the senators of North Carolina made it legal.

00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:07.290 Olwen Claiborne: For anyone who invested over $100,000 into a paper processing plant to waive.

00:19:08.010 --> 00:19:14.340 Olwen Claiborne: Environmental protection laws and discharge their bluetooth into the river, it was an incentive.

00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:28.140 Olwen Claiborne: And it did, create a tremendous amount of jobs can went from being basically a repressed area to a boom town, there was a lot of money and people were very happy, but, as you said earlier in the show.

00:19:29.190 --> 00:19:31.500 Olwen Claiborne: i'll water flows down hill.

00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:33.420 Joseph McElroy: yeah i'm here for.

00:19:33.840 --> 00:19:48.930 Olwen Claiborne: North Carolina pigeon section was beautiful water, but the first recipient of that water downstream was caught county, which is where we now raft and it was so heavily polluted that.

00:19:49.620 --> 00:20:00.600 Olwen Claiborne: The local school had to close, because the groundwater for the will was contaminated people lost jobs there was a very high incidence of cancer, the mountains.

00:20:01.050 --> 00:20:10.230 Olwen Claiborne: The River had really big waves really big waves and the early rafters on that side of the River will tell you the rapids were awesome.

00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:30.360 Olwen Claiborne: But they were also brown smelling and covered with this towering towering build up a phone, which was actually from the chemicals that were discharged from him now, this was all you know at the turn of the 20th century, so we're talking well over 100.

00:20:30.390 --> 00:20:41.370 Joseph McElroy: Years ago, but it was it was that way, I remember I grew up there, and I remember you know the I remember when I was growing up the smell was so bad, we were in the way as well.

00:20:42.450 --> 00:20:54.240 Joseph McElroy: We were downstream, there was a there was a part of haywood county is downstream, we were below can, and you know they we've complained about that smell and people can't just say well that's just the smell of money right and.

00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:56.100 Olwen Claiborne: He must have some people that.

00:20:56.730 --> 00:21:02.790 Joseph McElroy: know it was it was often I remember that phone and we have a farm right on that page and river below so.

00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:06.210 Joseph McElroy: I went on into the 70s didn't.

00:21:06.810 --> 00:21:11.520 Olwen Claiborne: It went well and once it once the 70s rolled around and.

00:21:12.870 --> 00:21:17.910 Olwen Claiborne: You know, it was it was kind of a granola movement, a lot of people were getting back to nature and what happy.

00:21:18.210 --> 00:21:34.950 Olwen Claiborne: There was a grassroots organization called friends the dead pigeon river society, a lot of knoxville elegance and some people from Newport and surrounding areas started, creating a grassroots movement to lobby for cleaner water downstream.

00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:44.100 Olwen Claiborne: There was a guy named Gary webb who was an environmentalist and he was sort of a spearhead of the dead pigeon river society.

00:21:44.550 --> 00:21:55.950 Olwen Claiborne: And I got to interview him for that article, and when he was trying to convince the EPA local governments, the Federal Government that something had to be done on the pitching river.

00:21:56.250 --> 00:22:10.650 Olwen Claiborne: He actually retake jars of water that was coffee colored to DC to testify and at one time once I started going okay we'll send somebody to take fish samples, or what have you they found the three is fish.

00:22:11.100 --> 00:22:12.270 Joseph McElroy: huh yeah well.

00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:21.570 Olwen Claiborne: The guy says he got a lot of a lot of mileage out of that got fish well about that time in 1982.

00:22:23.250 --> 00:22:45.150 Olwen Claiborne: In late 70s and early 80s, there was a whitewater rafting team in the Olympics and deliverance came out the stunt man from deliverance bought all the rafting equipment, all of the whitewater equipment and started the first commercial whitewater rafting outfit on the river and.

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:52.020 Olwen Claiborne: Okay i'm having a little brain wreck there so we'll just get the proper nouns.

00:22:53.100 --> 00:23:02.190 Olwen Claiborne: But that's when whitewater rafting started, but on the page in the water was still not commercially viable, there were several different things, it is a.

00:23:03.450 --> 00:23:09.180 Olwen Claiborne: The reservoir that feeds a pigeon river is the source of hydro electric power for a power plant.

00:23:09.510 --> 00:23:18.180 Olwen Claiborne: And there was no arrangement between the power plant and anybody to regulate their discharge of the River also the water stunk and it was really nasty.

00:23:18.510 --> 00:23:26.730 Olwen Claiborne: But there were a couple of interpreted adventures he saw opportunity there one of them's name was at McKinnon.

00:23:27.300 --> 00:23:36.030 Olwen Claiborne: And he came to Gatlinburg from his years of rafting on the Kelley and tried to run whitewater rafting trips through the Center Gatlinburg.

00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:41.820 Olwen Claiborne: Well, that didn't work the waters were not deep enough and it just didn't work so then he was like okay we're going to go to the pigeon river.

00:23:42.300 --> 00:23:56.010 Olwen Claiborne: But it was polluted at that time, he would have people meet him at the river and they would take a look at the river and see if conditions were favorable and if they weren't just give them their money back, and they go back home again well.

00:23:56.820 --> 00:24:06.450 Olwen Claiborne: All of these people were coming to the area because the rabbits were so big and made it and care river, people are freedom-loving people, and it was kind of the wild Wild West of whitewater rafting.

00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:18.180 Olwen Claiborne: And our area and, over time, the founding fathers of the area started to recognize that there was a potential for money to be had if they could develop the commercial aspects of this.

00:24:18.690 --> 00:24:36.540 Olwen Claiborne: At about the same time, the clean water Protection Act was legislated at the national level and enabled states to regulate their own pollutants in the waters and less there was a dispute between the States and then the EPA would step in and that's what happened.

00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.910 Olwen Claiborne: So so.

00:24:40.530 --> 00:24:40.950 Joseph McElroy: So the.

00:24:41.850 --> 00:24:42.780 Olwen Claiborne: North Carolina.

00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:50.250 Joseph McElroy: Well that's what I was wondering, I remember, I remember the little bit of this or Tennessee soon North Carolina that was right yeah.

00:24:50.610 --> 00:24:55.020 Joseph McElroy: And then North Carolina did not want to have to do anything.

00:24:55.320 --> 00:25:00.630 Olwen Claiborne: At the paper plant, because it was going to affect people's jobs, the EPA stepped in they had.

00:25:01.230 --> 00:25:11.130 Olwen Claiborne: hearings in both Asheville and in Knoxville and were the most attended hearings and passions were running high, mind you, they were death threats Molotov cocktails.

00:25:11.580 --> 00:25:24.690 Olwen Claiborne: You know, under the table buyouts there was a lot of pressure on both sides to keep things the same way, they always were except the River downstream was polluted and people's lives are being destroyed well.

00:25:26.310 --> 00:25:27.390 Olwen Claiborne: The EPA.

00:25:30.630 --> 00:25:47.910 Olwen Claiborne: After they started paying attention to all of this, it just turned out that the paper processing plant which I won't name, people can look it up, if they want to discover a less expensive way to process their paper, so they cleaned up they claim that themselves.

00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:51.510 Olwen Claiborne: The river is so much improved.

00:25:52.230 --> 00:26:01.440 Joseph McElroy: it really does not you know by my farm the farm that's yeah there's no it's it's it's clear yeah it's a really beautiful say.

00:26:02.010 --> 00:26:08.970 Olwen Claiborne: Clear there's a bald eagle missing on the River I've seen otters, of course, bald eagles feed on the fish.

00:26:09.060 --> 00:26:10.350 Olwen Claiborne: And you can eat on the.

00:26:10.410 --> 00:26:10.920 Joseph McElroy: issue.

00:26:11.250 --> 00:26:21.900 Olwen Claiborne: Now right, yes, blue herons every day the wildlife is abundant and, as you know, Those are some of the steepest slopes of the smoky mountains, that the River runs right through.

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:26.100 Olwen Claiborne: So now, the water is healthy to raft in.

00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:39.240 Olwen Claiborne: And about the same time, the founding fathers of water got cleaned up and the founding fathers started getting together and have made agreements to regulate the rafting companies and establish some safety standards because.

00:26:39.510 --> 00:26:43.710 Olwen Claiborne: They were inviting people to come to their county draft they're responsible for their safety.

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:55.260 Olwen Claiborne: So they tapped Daniel to matt, who is the owner of smoky mountain outdoors and you had been a guide for Andy McKinnon who we could arguably call the father rafting on the pigeon river.

00:26:55.740 --> 00:27:06.270 Olwen Claiborne: There are others who would also there were there at the same time, and I don't want to take away from their work on this behalf, but these are folks I know personally they tapped them to.

00:27:07.770 --> 00:27:28.080 Olwen Claiborne: lobby with their fellow river men to start complying with the regulations and, ultimately, those that didn't we're not allowed to have permits so that's the way that the the structure for the commercial rafting community in hartford began, and that was oh gosh late 80s.

00:27:29.370 --> 00:27:45.180 Olwen Claiborne: Since that day, because the pigeon river is located in such a beautiful area and so close to so much to do between gatlinburg at Maggie Valley, it has become one of the top three rafting most popular rafting rivers in the United States.

00:27:45.450 --> 00:27:45.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah.

00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:50.850 Olwen Claiborne: that's a man, I heard a rumor that it has been the most popular river in the United States.

00:27:50.880 --> 00:28:05.760 Olwen Claiborne: on multiple occasions I do know from the American outdoors association that the O co a river in the Chattanooga area and the pigeon river in the need port knoxville Maggie valley area are two of the top three at any given time.

00:28:06.270 --> 00:28:11.490 Joseph McElroy: And then you have the French broad to add another river that people also raft on.

00:28:12.120 --> 00:28:24.030 Olwen Claiborne: it's a very popular river direct on these these these designations are based on on commercial volume yeah so the French broad river is a fantastic river, I personally love it.

00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:31.710 Olwen Claiborne: it's not really in the same category in terms of the number of outfitters and the ease of access to the river.

00:28:32.280 --> 00:28:45.180 Olwen Claiborne: So the pigeon river is a very moderate lots of fun reverts on a scale of one to five, with one big flat water and five being expert only recommended, there are no fives on the page and that we run.

00:28:45.570 --> 00:28:53.610 Olwen Claiborne: It is primarily a Class three four remember smoky mountain outdoors is the largest rafting company on the pigeon river.

00:28:53.940 --> 00:29:02.400 Olwen Claiborne: And it is the only one that has been continuously owned and operated by the guy, who was a former river guide went on to start his own company and.

00:29:02.970 --> 00:29:11.400 Olwen Claiborne: This week is currently building picnic tables and hanging out at the outpost making sure, everything is ready for opening on march six.

00:29:11.610 --> 00:29:27.000 Olwen Claiborne: And there's some real be driving the bus is he has two children have grown up there, his daughter spends her summers away from Vanderbilt guiding for us and his son aiden is about to be the first 16 year old river guide on the page and remember so it's a real family.

00:29:27.780 --> 00:29:33.270 Joseph McElroy: Tradition a family-owned recreation lodging all that sort of thing, so we come back.

00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.530 Olwen Claiborne: To have a campground.

00:29:35.370 --> 00:29:42.240 Joseph McElroy: When we come back we'll talk more about tourism and opportunities for fun and great smokies and rafting.

00:29:44.970 --> 00:29:47.130 Listening to talk radio.

00:32:32.190 --> 00:32:44.640 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I guest Olwen Claiborne um so we're talking about whitewater rafting you know.

00:32:45.330 --> 00:32:52.140 Joseph McElroy: When I was growing up, you know, I was growing up on the North Carolina side, so the place, we often into isn't that a handler.

00:32:52.620 --> 00:33:03.540 Joseph McElroy: Right and the Navajo outdoor Center How does that, how do you guys that complement each other in terms of tourism or compete or you know, are those rivers compare yeah.

00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:15.930 Olwen Claiborne: You know rivers are all different and there's great respect among the outfitters on the on the page and for the outfitters on the name of ALA no see of course for a long time has been the mothership of.

00:33:16.350 --> 00:33:26.520 Olwen Claiborne: whitewater tourism in the area and they're very different rivers, though the nano Haleigh is so beautiful, it is cold that water comes from.

00:33:26.790 --> 00:33:37.860 Olwen Claiborne: Far far beneath it comes from its pipe down from the bottom of the lake So when I was a guide on the Mahela in the late afternoon on July, you could see like.

00:33:38.310 --> 00:33:49.320 Olwen Claiborne: condensation rising up from the River on a hot hot day as the River was so cold my patent my crew used to complain that their feet were dumb and I used to say so.

00:33:50.430 --> 00:33:52.590 Olwen Claiborne: they're not me can't feel them what's the problem?

00:33:53.010 --> 00:34:08.760 Olwen Claiborne: Right that's not true, the pigeon is much warmer and at the largest rapid on the Nana Haleigh is a Class three, which is lesser it's the last one it's kind of the big grand finale on the day look for the commercial rafting.

00:34:09.510 --> 00:34:22.200 Olwen Claiborne: On the page and river almost most of the rapids or class threes with a couple of class fours thrown in so it's warmer it's broader and it's got bigger rapids.

00:34:22.530 --> 00:34:28.770 Joseph McElroy: got bigger rapids is a section of the net of hail is not allowed to the public right really that's.

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:37.380 Olwen Claiborne: greater or lesser I you know the guys used to always talk about midnight runs on greater or lesser don't tell anybody don't try this at home.

00:34:37.830 --> 00:34:38.550 Olwen Claiborne: I don't want it.

00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:42.060 Olwen Claiborne: I don't see how they could have because they turn the water off at night.

00:34:43.410 --> 00:34:44.010 Olwen Claiborne: and cold.

00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:47.580 Olwen Claiborne: I challenged.

00:34:47.640 --> 00:34:54.210 Olwen Claiborne: The owner of my company Daniela say here's the way you did this midnight run say turn the water off and he said uh we did it.

00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:58.530 Joseph McElroy: I'll never know you know how to turn it off yeah.

00:34:59.250 --> 00:35:03.180 Olwen Claiborne: yeah the greater West or it's a spectacular rapid you can actually see it.

00:35:03.510 --> 00:35:16.650 Olwen Claiborne: When he walked across the foothill it in a seat belt footbridge it and i'll see to the farm to river left to walk downstream on the railroad tracks, you can see it, and if you just look at it marvel that anybody could ever run it that's classified.

00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.730 Joseph McElroy: I know I.

00:35:19.740 --> 00:35:22.950 Joseph McElroy: hear that the marines try to train on it yeah.

00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:23.820 Really.

00:35:25.080 --> 00:35:34.290 Joseph McElroy: yeah well when I was I don't know if they do now, but back then, I actually saw some guys looking like soldiers on it so yeah who knows yeah.

00:35:34.590 --> 00:35:37.800 Olwen Claiborne: it's a commercial takeout is upstream.

00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:52.230 Joseph McElroy: Now you know I wouldn't you know I I I almost I flipped off too many times i'm and that a hill class for but you know I knew that it wasn't I was a Class three I was not ready for Class by.

00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:55.260 Joseph McElroy: There was no way yeah so.

00:35:56.550 --> 00:36:03.240 Joseph McElroy: But you know, it was a good time, so how big is the tourism industry for whitewater rafting in the area?

00:36:04.890 --> 00:36:10.050 Olwen Claiborne: Well, as you know, the great smoky mountain National Park, is the most visited National Park in the country.

00:36:10.530 --> 00:36:28.320 Olwen Claiborne: So anything that has been offer something good to do when you're visiting the smoky mountains area is part of it, so we add to all the world-class activities there are to do in the mountainous region, and I feel really.

00:36:29.670 --> 00:36:35.370 Olwen Claiborne: proud about the fact that when people come to our area to vacation.

00:36:36.450 --> 00:36:45.030 Olwen Claiborne: Just like with how he just like with the sylvan hills, who were talking about earlier whitewater rafting is truly authentic to the mountains experience.

00:36:45.450 --> 00:36:50.310 Olwen Claiborne: You know, there are some fantastic wax museum, since a fantastic putt putt.

00:36:50.730 --> 00:36:57.180 Olwen Claiborne: places, and there are a lot of great brick and mortar attractions in our area for those who just want to go away and have some fun.

00:36:57.510 --> 00:37:04.380 Olwen Claiborne: But if you're like me and when you're traveling you want to get really up close and personal with the landscape that you're visiting.

00:37:04.770 --> 00:37:16.980 Olwen Claiborne: whitewater rafting is the perfect way to do it, you can't see the mountains from the kind of perspective that you can see from the surface of the rhythm I love spring rapid rafting because, in the spring.

00:37:17.370 --> 00:37:23.340 Olwen Claiborne: We recommend that you dress accordingly don't wear a Bikini lets you know 60 degrees out, but we do raft and spray.

00:37:23.790 --> 00:37:40.380 Olwen Claiborne: You can see all the wild flowers blooming at the slopes of the mountains and you can see the progression of green from the River surface to the high tops of the mountains and you can see, like the Princess trees, I believe it's a black locust we call of princess trees.

00:37:40.650 --> 00:37:41.880 Olwen Claiborne: They blue and purple.

00:37:42.060 --> 00:37:48.180 Olwen Claiborne: In the spring and you're floating along it's like we're no man, you know no car can go.

00:37:48.750 --> 00:37:53.880 Olwen Claiborne: They can see the mountains from places where only the boats can go as far as i'm concerned.

00:37:54.420 --> 00:38:02.820 Olwen Claiborne: Well, it is a very big aspect of the tourism business, and I believe the fact that the tourism business is so strong here in our mountains area.

00:38:03.450 --> 00:38:14.760 Olwen Claiborne: I believe that that contributes to the popularity of our river, it is one of those things you can do to get off the beaten path and have a truly authentic smoky mountains experience and i'm real proud of that.

00:38:15.210 --> 00:38:22.800 Joseph McElroy: So besides spring what are, what are the other seasons what's the value of the one of their uniqueness for wrath.

00:38:22.830 --> 00:38:34.680 Olwen Claiborne: Well i'll tell you just like that we actually offer two trips on the pigeon river which i'll tell you about later there's a whitewater trip and a scenic float trip there's three seasons to rafting on the pigeon river.

00:38:35.580 --> 00:38:41.730 Olwen Claiborne: there's the spring season and during the spring season, the hydro electric power plant that would work cooperatively with.

00:38:42.060 --> 00:38:54.960 Olwen Claiborne: Does not is not required to publish their water release schedule so we're operating on unpredictable water levels we don't promise whitewater in the spring, we do promise a river trip.

00:38:55.380 --> 00:39:06.780 Olwen Claiborne: That said, it is usually very rainy around here in the spring time, so I think it's safe to say that this spring water levels will be really higher than they are in the middle of the summer.

00:39:07.230 --> 00:39:16.680 Olwen Claiborne: Now for Memorial Day weekend to Labor day weekend the hydro electric power plant has a cooperative agreement with the rafting community to release water.

00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:26.100 Olwen Claiborne: on Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 o'clock to five o'clock we know it's going to happen, we can schedule trips accordingly and the water levels are regulated.

00:39:26.700 --> 00:39:37.560 Olwen Claiborne: So that isn't really good time, if you want to you want you want predictable resorts results when you're planning and nature outing that's the most predictable time.

00:39:37.920 --> 00:39:43.200 Olwen Claiborne: For rafting on the pigeon river and then we do continue to raft after Labor day that.

00:39:43.500 --> 00:39:59.580 Olwen Claiborne: Published water release schedule agreement is no longer so we are again on unpredictable water levels and, very often, as we know, living around here September can be somewhat dry, but the scenery is awesome it's a great way to see the colors change.

00:39:59.610 --> 00:40:09.450 Joseph McElroy: All the colors in the going through the forest and then was that all those colors in the mountains, is going to depend, as well as much as the spring, with a bit yeah.

00:40:10.050 --> 00:40:15.390 Olwen Claiborne: yeah and also, I will say that September and October around to your tend to be very warm yeah.

00:40:15.990 --> 00:40:21.990 Joseph McElroy: And if the doctor in October starts being wet again so you started getting seeing coming get some rain levels going yeah.

00:40:22.050 --> 00:40:28.410 Olwen Claiborne: yeah and master that most of the outfit outfitters ourselves also shut down about mid to end of October.

00:40:28.710 --> 00:40:38.100 Olwen Claiborne: yeah and that's true for a campground to so if anybody wants to just spend all of their state on the pigeon river, we do have a campground right next door.

00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:49.950 Olwen Claiborne: it's got rustic cabins tent sites are besides a swimming pool and some really pretty bathrooms and it's right on the bank of the pigeon it's right next door to our rafting company right.

00:40:50.310 --> 00:40:59.130 Joseph McElroy: So what you have you have different kinds of TRIPS, I was reading on your on your plate now once you go tell me about these different trips, if you guys provide.

00:40:59.670 --> 00:41:11.550 Olwen Claiborne: Okay, well, so our most popular upper pigeon river trip is the traditional three Fort ref and seat seven people we take ages eight and up.

00:41:12.030 --> 00:41:26.820 Olwen Claiborne: And that is what we call the upper pigeon river trip and i'm happy to tell you that Tripadvisor named the smoky mountain outdoors whitewater rafting upper river trip a top tier and experience in the United States.

00:41:26.880 --> 00:41:36.630 Olwen Claiborne: All right, this last year, I mean that ranks right up there with like a helicopter picnic on the grand Canyon rim, and was one of the other top 10 experiences so yes well.

00:41:37.290 --> 00:41:50.310 Olwen Claiborne: We call ourselves smoke it stands for smoky mountain outdoors we also offer the extreme wrap up or pigeon river rafting trip we call it smoke, for it, it is a much smaller boat.

00:41:50.820 --> 00:42:03.990 Olwen Claiborne: There are two ports in the boat minimum of three people maximum of four So the idea is that smaller boats make bigger hit so you're going through the same rapid at a smaller boat it looks bigger to you.

00:42:04.620 --> 00:42:11.970 Olwen Claiborne: And the requirements for that are aged 12 minimum minimum age of 12 and the ability to swell because you could swim.

00:42:13.410 --> 00:42:20.220 Olwen Claiborne: that's it for our upper pictured river trips is the smell for it and the traditional upper pigeon river trip.

00:42:20.670 --> 00:42:28.530 Olwen Claiborne: The lower pitching is an option for families and very young children or people who want to get on the River but they're not so sure about whitewater.

00:42:29.310 --> 00:42:38.580 Olwen Claiborne: It offers basically class one and two rapids class one is basically flat water with a current running through it to have some way of trains, there is one Class three get the end.

00:42:39.420 --> 00:42:53.370 Olwen Claiborne: would take ages three and up on that one, and it is beautiful relaxing it's a great way to see the scenery wildlife nature talk with your guides have splashed by the little kids love it.

00:42:53.910 --> 00:43:01.410 Olwen Claiborne: And for those who want to try hand it paddling their own boats, we do have some super stable inflatable kayaks we will.

00:43:03.000 --> 00:43:15.420 Olwen Claiborne: Let people take kayaks out instead of rafting they go in a group with a guide so they're not just let loose on the lower pigeon river and so that's another option so.

00:43:15.990 --> 00:43:29.340 Olwen Claiborne: Ever pigeon extreme lower pigeon kayaks and then, if you just want some more the full river, so you can wrap the upper river get out and have lunch and then raptor kayak the lower river.

00:43:29.760 --> 00:43:37.470 Joseph McElroy: That sounds fabulous okay so we're gonna take a break down we'll come back we'll finish up with some insights to help make experiences better.

00:43:38.010 --> 00:43:39.060 Olwen Claiborne: Okay fantastic.

00:43:40.980 --> 00:43:41.850 and listening to.

00:43:46.110 --> 00:43:46.590 ke.

00:45:57.390 --> 00:46:10.830 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and we're talking whitewater rafting with Olwen Clairborne of smoky mountain outdoors so Olwen, 

00:46:12.060 --> 00:46:20.280 Joseph McElroy: If people are coming to go rafting as part of their experience in the smoky mountains What else do you recommend they experience?

00:46:20.940 --> 00:46:34.050 Olwen Claiborne: Thank you for asking we actually work with partners our partners plying works smoky mountains climbing works is a leader in zip lining they are worldwide later they.

00:46:34.500 --> 00:46:37.770 Olwen Claiborne: Have a counterpart climb works in Hawaii.

00:46:38.310 --> 00:46:51.300 Olwen Claiborne: climb work smoky mountains is about a 20-minute drive from our riverside outpost and we do offer a package if anybody wants to book both a zip line trip and rafting trip, at the same time, they get a special price.

00:46:52.170 --> 00:46:57.990 Olwen Claiborne: I love climbing works zip lining your feet never touched the ground, you are up in the mountain tops.

00:46:58.740 --> 00:47:10.890 Olwen Claiborne: Their guides are fantastic and it's about a two and a half hour to hour, depending on the trip that you take so for what we recommend to people is, if you are saying in the smoky mountains region.

00:47:12.000 --> 00:47:18.960 Olwen Claiborne: You might go zip lining in the morning and go rafting in the afternoon or zip lining one day and rafting the next day, or vice versa.

00:47:19.350 --> 00:47:29.730 Olwen Claiborne: So that's a really good combination, we have a lot of friends that offer other adventure trips i'll put in a quick plug for my friend Bestival colonists and a walk in the woods if.

00:47:30.060 --> 00:47:42.660 Olwen Claiborne: People who are nature-minded want to come and spend all their time in the mountains, they can take a guided hike with a walk in the woods i'll be happy to provide you with business contact information if you'd like to speak with your for your podcast.

00:47:43.620 --> 00:47:45.210 Joseph McElroy: I would, I would definitely love that.

00:47:46.320 --> 00:47:51.330 Joseph McElroy: Town what what what would be a good thing for people to do in the town.

00:47:52.140 --> 00:47:58.650 Olwen Claiborne: Oh gosh Gatlinburg is so full of worldwide attractions, I would get in trouble if I started.

00:48:00.360 --> 00:48:18.750 Olwen Claiborne: I didn't mention them all yeah I will say, though, that the one of the to three newest premier destinations in Gatlinburg and you're not going to find this in the other municipalities in the smoky mountain region are an akita.

00:48:19.680 --> 00:48:29.610 Olwen Claiborne: So is the Gatlinburg sky park and over Gatlinburg, all three of those destinations provide mountain top views of the surrounding area.

00:48:31.410 --> 00:48:31.860 Joseph McElroy: ski.

00:48:32.400 --> 00:48:33.360 Joseph McElroy: ski slope right.

00:48:33.420 --> 00:48:34.260 Olwen Claiborne: Yes, the only.

00:48:35.610 --> 00:48:37.980 Olwen Claiborne: that's the only one in East Tennessee.

00:48:38.280 --> 00:48:40.740 Olwen Claiborne: So, have a good day I had a good year this.

00:48:41.310 --> 00:48:46.380 Joseph McElroy: Cat the cat lucci isn't one and Maggie valley and they're like yeah for this falco and I think.

00:48:47.610 --> 00:48:54.990 Joseph McElroy: In the nation right something like that there, they are the most southern ski resorts I think they're there.

00:48:55.050 --> 00:49:01.620 Olwen Claiborne: I believe Catalooche and over Gatlinburg have claims to fame I would be remiss if I tried to say what they weren't.

00:49:05.730 --> 00:49:13.740 Joseph McElroy: we'd have to make sure we do the research on that, but they give us some interesting things about it, and they have a pretty long season from November until March.

00:49:14.250 --> 00:49:27.990 Joseph McElroy: And when it's snowing like it's been now and it's not only the main snow they have they have this natural snow cover that goes for these mountains that are just glorious but anyway that so when you can't be wrapped it wrapped in the winter you come here you go ski it.

00:49:29.280 --> 00:49:30.420 Olwen Claiborne: had all year round.

00:49:30.660 --> 00:49:31.350 Exactly.

00:49:33.150 --> 00:49:35.760 Olwen Claiborne: And I will say to about the guided heights.

00:49:36.600 --> 00:49:42.300 Olwen Claiborne: I know quite a few people who are fantastic I can guides I believe you're going to be speaking with one maybe next week.

00:49:44.250 --> 00:49:52.080 Olwen Claiborne: There is more to the forest than what meets the eye so taking a guided hike does enhance your experience.

00:49:52.320 --> 00:50:03.390 Olwen Claiborne: I used to be like, why would anybody want to guide when they can just go walk the trail which you absolutely can, but when you go with a hiking guide you've got someone that can tell you about the history of what you're seeing.

00:50:03.630 --> 00:50:04.350 Olwen Claiborne: And all these.

00:50:04.440 --> 00:50:12.510 Olwen Claiborne: All these trails were originally trade routes so there's a lot of history there, and there are a lot of stone fences and things that there's great stories behind.

00:50:12.750 --> 00:50:24.930 Olwen Claiborne: They can also name a lot of them can name the birds and the plants tell you may maybe some of the medicinal or edible components of some of the plants, so it does really enhance the experience that have a guide.

00:50:25.200 --> 00:50:27.810 Joseph McElroy: and your guide on the water doesn't same sort of thing right.

00:50:28.110 --> 00:50:29.730 Olwen Claiborne: talks about a store do.

00:50:30.090 --> 00:50:41.850 Olwen Claiborne: And our guides are my favorite part of my job they are such fascinating people they're superheroes for one I was only a rough guide for a little while it is a very, very challenging job.

00:50:42.210 --> 00:50:52.290 Olwen Claiborne: Is physical, you have to be a great people person you deal with a lot of jittery families you deal with you know scared moms you deal with a lot of sort of emotional.

00:50:53.520 --> 00:51:00.540 Olwen Claiborne: input and you've got to keep everybody calm and help them have a great time sometimes you have to deal with with them.

00:51:01.350 --> 00:51:07.560 Olwen Claiborne: things that happen people fall in occasionally we do offer some pre rafting.

00:51:08.130 --> 00:51:23.910 Olwen Claiborne: instruction as to what to do and what to expect doesn't happen very often, but it does happen and they're the ones that are ultimately responsible for the safety of our guests, and they have the best stories, a lot of them are adventure travel professionals and they.

00:51:25.530 --> 00:51:29.100 Joseph McElroy: can't get much into that, but you are known as an incubator for adventure travel.

00:51:30.630 --> 00:51:32.310 Olwen Claiborne: Training is really, really good.

00:51:32.460 --> 00:51:48.270 Joseph McElroy: I really speaks speaks greatly to your your guys professionalism as an organization, so that impresses me so um what any future plans for smoky mountain or Doris what is our what is what's going to happen rapping in general and the smokies over the next few years.

00:51:49.080 --> 00:51:52.560 Olwen Claiborne: yeah that's a really good question I wish I could easily answer it.

00:51:53.640 --> 00:52:01.230 Olwen Claiborne: We don't have something that's broke that needs to be fixed you know the old saying if it ain't broke don't make to fix it.

00:52:02.130 --> 00:52:12.750 Olwen Claiborne: What we want to do is continue offering award-winning world-class rafting trips and continue to enhance the experience with the great stories and suggestions that our guides offer.

00:52:13.050 --> 00:52:25.080 Olwen Claiborne: We do have a campground right next door, we are expanding on the capacity of that game ramp you know, during the days of covered outdoor adventures have been incredibly popular so.

00:52:26.250 --> 00:52:31.980 Olwen Claiborne: What we wanted, what we want to do in the future is keep being as good as we are right now, and never let up.

00:52:32.610 --> 00:52:35.250 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you all for being on our podcast.

00:52:36.630 --> 00:52:40.920 Joseph McElroy: How if somebody wants to contact you to give me more information, how would they do that.

00:52:41.520 --> 00:52:46.590 Olwen Claiborne: Oh thanks for asking you can find our website is smoky mountain rafting calm.

00:52:47.520 --> 00:53:07.140 Olwen Claiborne: And through that website all kinds of contact information there's contact us there's a chat capability, you can book your trips directly through smoky mountain rafting COM, or you can call our reservations office at one 800 771 raft 107 717238.

00:53:08.280 --> 00:53:13.500 Olwen Claiborne: If you'd like to email us, you can email trips at smoky mountain rafting.com.

00:53:13.890 --> 00:53:15.570 Olwen Claiborne: There you go i'll say.

00:53:15.840 --> 00:53:25.950 Olwen Claiborne: I would be remiss if I didn't put in a plug for large groups rafting is a fantastic group activity family reunions wedding trips it's a fantastic group.

00:53:25.950 --> 00:53:27.840 Joseph McElroy: Actually training that we got.

00:53:27.870 --> 00:53:30.210 Joseph McElroy: To get more corporate training in the mountains and that's.

00:53:31.230 --> 00:53:44.490 Joseph McElroy: yeah so that's it's also a great adventure for people like that, so thank you i'm going to finish up with a little shout out, we are part of the gateway to smoke these podcasts originated where traveler magazine network.

00:53:45.870 --> 00:53:57.450 Joseph McElroy: We developed a destination, have called the great smoky mountains on where traveler America, where traveler is an 80 year old magazine that you find in many hotels around the world.

00:53:58.080 --> 00:54:08.100 Joseph McElroy: specializing things to do where to go and expert advice on what to do in town well now they're doing regions in the smoky mountain great smoky mountains National Park area is the first region.

00:54:08.640 --> 00:54:21.810 Joseph McElroy: And we will find lots of listings about things to do, as well as in depth articles from experts and locals about what to do in the mountains, and of course we will be putting these podcasts up there.

00:54:22.800 --> 00:54:31.680 Joseph McElroy: as well, I also own the middle art motel in Maggie valley North Carolina, which is a motel chic roadside.

00:54:32.190 --> 00:54:39.600 Joseph McElroy: Experience but with a large recreation area, a couple streams on the property debilitation it's close to all the things that we talked about.

00:54:39.870 --> 00:54:48.030 Joseph McElroy: it's very close to getting more probably about an hour an hour and a half drive you know you can go do everything and all the different places that we talked about.

00:54:48.930 --> 00:54:57.330 Joseph McElroy: So if you're not looking for a campground experience try a roadside motel it's also covered and friendly because you drive right up the door, we have contactless.

00:54:58.680 --> 00:54:59.250 Joseph McElroy: check in.

00:55:00.330 --> 00:55:06.930 Joseph McElroy: So we'd like to say the smoky mountains smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:55:08.460 --> 00:55:13.890 Joseph McElroy: And it gives you the base from which to go and we are a great base to travel everywhere.

00:55:14.400 --> 00:55:33.690 Joseph McElroy: um I also own a directory site that includes not only commercial but also natural wonders, and you know and places to go that have no commercial interests and it's called smokies adventure.com it also talks about the history, the smokies and you can also get trail maps and.

00:55:35.160 --> 00:55:45.660 Joseph McElroy: books and things that will help your adventures in the smokies there, we also feature things where you have really outdoor weddings and rustic adventures and stuff.

00:55:46.320 --> 00:56:00.360 Joseph McElroy: But not necessarily dramatically commercial for the large scale endeavors are not going to do it, but it's for those things that people would love to investigate and find to complement their experiences and smoking now.

00:56:02.490 --> 00:56:03.210 Joseph McElroy: and

00:56:06.210 --> 00:56:22.260 Joseph McElroy: let's see you can find more about this podcast at gateway to the smokies fun all right, where we will feature our guests, so we will feature podcast, we will also be publishing schedules of.

00:56:23.280 --> 00:56:30.870 Joseph McElroy: Water or upcoming guests and there's A newsletter that we've started that you can subscribe to, and know about upcoming.

00:56:32.700 --> 00:56:43.110 Joseph McElroy: Events as well as the upcoming podcasts and will also be providing links to resources to help you, with your smoky mountain adventure and then finally.

00:56:43.800 --> 00:56:50.940 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is originated on the talk and talk radio dot nyc network and it's.

00:56:51.600 --> 00:57:02.850 Joseph McElroy: it's a wonderful network of podcasts related to many different evers and you should stick around for the one after this, which is about exploring nyc, which is a really great podcast if you're.

00:57:03.360 --> 00:57:09.480 Joseph McElroy: If you're listening to this live okay again thank everybody for joining us thank my guests all and clay born.

00:57:09.750 --> 00:57:20.310 Joseph McElroy: And we will see you next week, but we're gonna be talking to keep gardens and his partner Craig and Keith name has come up a couple times a day about hiking in the smokies see you there.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/1375796529446580/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/140040940_1375833866109513_3841863274990004106_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=G-3dX0Ayl4gAX985dut&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301281F&oh=00_AT_zMZOOwsVZeR-NYXVwz-mLKDpW6XywqE7dwvha7GbQkg&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350&tn=ssl5RjlRCRqdhHNg" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our guest in this episode is <strong>Olwen Claiborne -</strong> Marketing Director of <strong><em>Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting</em></strong>, With over 30 years in the tourism marketplace, Olwen is living her first passion and represents the leading river outfitter in the Smoky Mountains Region. She knows all about whitewater Rafting in the Smokies.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/3SeQ7hbub3/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s episode will be all about water. Today’s guest Olwen Claiborne comes to us from Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting. Before discussing rafting, Joseph and Olwen discuss headwaters. The headwaters of the Smokies start in the mountains and Haywood County. In the past 20 years, Maggie Valley has started bottling the water that flows through it. Jonathan Creek flows through the back of the Meadowlark Motel property, which Joseph owns. There are many waterfalls and streams throughout the mountains, with great places to swim. Sliding Rock, about 20 miles south of Maggie Valley, is essentially a natural waterslide, with tons of water pushing you down a rock. Joseph goes on to discuss a variety of other places to swim in the Smokies. Olwen discusses her first experience with whitewater rafting. From her first experience rafting, Olwen fell in love with rivers, from tubing to rafting, becoming a river guide back in ‘92.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>The Smoky Mountains Outdoors Rafting rafts on the Big Pigeon River. Years ago, pollutants from a paper processing plant flowed downstream in the pigeon river. This went on into the ’70s when a grassroots organization started a movement to lobby for cleaner water downstream. Around that time, there was a whitewater rafting team in the Olympics and recreational rafting was getting started. As the clean water act was published, Tennessee sued North Carolina as the water from the paper plant was going downstream into Tennessee from North Carolina. The paper processing plant found another way to process their paper, and the water has improved greatly as a result. With the growth of commercial rafting came regulation. The pigeon river is primarily a class 3 to 4 rapid river. Smoky Mountain Outdoor Rafting is the largest rafting company on the Pigeon River.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Olwen discusses her time as a rafting guide, noting that the Pigeon River is warmer than the river she used to guide on. Rafting is truly authentic to the mountain experience, being one of the most up close and personal perspectives you can get. In the spring, you can see the wildflowers blooming in the mountains while rafting. The water is unpredictable in the spring, with some days not having whitewater. From memorial day to labor day, the water levels are regulated and the trips are scheduled as such. As before memorial day, after labor day the water levels are unregulated, but the scenery is beautiful as the colors are changing. The upper pigeon river trip was named a top ten experience in the United States. The extreme version is a smaller boat, seating a maximum of 4 guests, compared to the usual 7. The smaller boats have larger impacts. On the lower pigeon river, trips are provided for families with younger children as the rapids are smaller, and might not be whitewater. Instead of rafting, groups can also rent kayaks. There is also a full river trip that stops for lunch in the middle.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Olwen discusses Smoky Mountain Outdoor Rafting’s partners, such as a company that offers ziplining. Olwen talks about other things to do in the park and her relationships with her guides. Surprisingly, during the days of COVID, outdoor adventures have been incredibly popular.</p><p><br></p><h4>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------</h4><h4><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h4><p>00:00:27.480 --&gt; 00:00:28.140 Joseph McElroy: howdy.</p><p>00:00:28.440 --&gt; 00:00:40.530 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week&#39;s episode of gateway to the smokies this podcast is about America&#39;s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park, and surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:41.190 --&gt; 00:00:49.920 Joseph McElroy: These areas are filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we&#39;ve explored with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:50.490 --&gt; 00:01:02.790 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in those mountains my family is living in the great smokies for over 200 years my business is travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:03.570 --&gt; 00:01:09.480 Joseph McElroy: So today we&#39;re going to talk about water and I&#39;m going to talk about headwaters and swimming holes.</p><p>00:01:09.870 --&gt; 00:01:21.630 Joseph McElroy: And my guest Olwen Claiborne the marketing Director of smoky mountain outdoors rafting one of the premier rafting providers in the smoky mountains, is going to talk about whitewater rafting I own how you doing.</p><p>00:01:22.140 --&gt; 00:01:23.670 Olwen Claiborne: hi Joseph,thanks for having me.</p><p>00:01:24.000 --&gt; 00:01:30.300 Joseph McElroy: As a pleasure, so um before we get into whitewater rafting I&#39;m gonna hit the smaller things.</p><p>00:01:31.980 --&gt; 00:01:31.980 Joseph McElroy: I.</p><p>00:01:33.360 --&gt; 00:01:39.540 Joseph McElroy: mentioned that we do have a lot of waterfall culture to talk about, but we don&#39;t do a whole show on waterfall through that sort of a special thing.</p><p>00:01:40.770 --&gt; 00:01:44.040 Joseph McElroy: So I&#39;m talking about headwaters I don&#39;t know.</p><p>00:01:45.330 --&gt; 00:01:52.380 Joseph McElroy: it&#39;s a common saying that everyone lives downstream and Haywood county where I grew up.</p><p>00:01:53.730 --&gt; 00:01:55.800 Joseph McElroy: But we also live upstream is.</p><p>00:01:56.880 --&gt; 00:02:00.150 Joseph McElroy: Because the basically the headwaters.</p><p>00:02:02.880 --&gt; 00:02:17.460 Joseph McElroy: Because we live amongst the headwaters of the lands meandering streams creeks and rivers headwaters is where the water starts it&#39;s where the River start stream starts when it comes out of the ground is not, if not from rainfall this comes right out of the mountain sides.</p><p>00:02:18.840 --&gt; 00:02:27.810 Joseph McElroy: So, and what happens is the rainfall permeates down through the soil becomes naturally filtered and cleaned is gravity pushes it back in the cracks.</p><p>00:02:28.530 --&gt; 00:02:45.000 Joseph McElroy: From the practice in the rock below and then it moves laterally and downhill to spouts out of the side of a mountain as headwaters and then where flows, down to the other waters to the ocean wherever its destination is.</p><p>00:02:46.320 --&gt; 00:02:56.940 Joseph McElroy: And so every waterfall way in and Haywood county and also in much of the smoky mountains begins as headwaters originating right here, right in the mountains.</p><p>00:02:57.810 --&gt; 00:03:09.750 Joseph McElroy: Haywood county has West and East for pigeon river the Richmond creek Johnson creek crabtree creek pines creek and then a lot of little strings and everything else so and.</p><p>00:03:10.800 --&gt; 00:03:28.530 Joseph McElroy: So that means everything used to nurse crops brush teeth Bay the hydrate flows originally from Haywood counties headwaters from the mountains in the upside so we have incredibly clean water, when it comes out and it comes out clean it makes it a lot easier to keep it clean.</p><p>00:03:29.610 --&gt; 00:03:32.670 Joseph McElroy: there&#39;s ways that it&#39;s got dirty and we&#39;re going to talk about that later.</p><p>00:03:34.110 --&gt; 00:03:44.130 Joseph McElroy: haha most of the water goes to Tennessee through the pigeon river basin and then spit some of the flows over to to the Asheville area mumbling county.</p><p>00:03:45.990 --&gt; 00:04:01.350 Joseph McElroy: And you know I when the last I don&#39;t know 20 years Maggie valley my little town and Haywood county and started bottling water believer and and you know that a bottle the from the headwaters and they&#39;ve been selling it as both as a tourist thing and.</p><p>00:04:01.890 --&gt; 00:04:06.330 Joseph McElroy: Various places that Carrie Carrie about really great.</p><p>00:04:08.670 --&gt; 00:04:16.500 Joseph McElroy: waters and that&#39;s from the headquarters of Jonathan creek now we&#39;re talking about swimming holes and the first thing I&#39;m talking about is Jonathan creek now.</p><p>00:04:17.640 --&gt; 00:04:30.180 Joseph McElroy: I have somebody you know, I have a motel them and in Maggie bell called the middle art motel sort of a motel chic resort, and we have Jonathan creek, which is a mountain heritage.</p><p>00:04:30.990 --&gt; 00:04:36.150 Joseph McElroy: trap stream going right through the back of that of that property.</p><p>00:04:36.750 --&gt; 00:04:40.920 Joseph McElroy: Where our guests can fish can swim they can do all sorts of thing, and when I was growing up.</p><p>00:04:41.250 --&gt; 00:04:50.160 Joseph McElroy: there&#39;s a little bridge at the end, where a bunch of water rushes into right into the bridge and right when it comes, on the other side of the bridge it&#39;s dug a hole about six eight feet.</p><p>00:04:50.430 --&gt; 00:05:02.820 Joseph McElroy: And for me that it wasn&#39;t swimming hole, we have, we have a swimming pool at the motel but I love this secret little swimming hole at this in this clean fresh water during the summer, and I would just go jump into.</p><p>00:05:03.720 --&gt; 00:05:13.740 Joseph McElroy: It was sort of mysterious you know it&#39;s it&#39;s outdoors it&#39;s wild and it&#39;s right there on the property and I really I really appreciate the experience of.</p><p>00:05:14.760 --&gt; 00:05:20.400 Joseph McElroy: swimming in the mountain waters now because it was you know, in the town you couldn&#39;t do the skinny dipping part of it, but.</p><p>00:05:23.280 --&gt; 00:05:24.990 Joseph McElroy: It was still a great fun for kids.</p><p>00:05:26.610 --&gt; 00:05:34.200 Joseph McElroy: I will mention a few other places are great to go to doing some swimming holes and Mounds have lots of great waterfalls and streams and.</p><p>00:05:34.500 --&gt; 00:05:42.720 Joseph McElroy: And things like that, and there are perfect places to go get your swim and experience in swimming hold on I mean there&#39;s just so many that.</p><p>00:05:43.350 --&gt; 00:05:54.540 Joseph McElroy: You can go to that people really enjoy there&#39;s one called beneath the falls and it&#39;s a it&#39;s been it&#39;s there&#39;s a sparkling waterfall that.</p><p>00:05:55.350 --&gt; 00:06:09.660 Joseph McElroy: goes along the graveyard fields trails about 25 miles southeast of Maggie valley and it&#39;s it&#39;s it&#39;s just about a third of a mile from the blue Ridge parkway at mile points for 118.</p><p>00:06:10.200 --&gt; 00:06:21.750 Joseph McElroy: And you&#39;re going to go through a tunnel of rhododendrons and cross of wooden bridge and then you come to this word semi area that has an observation deck and large boulders for some something so.</p><p>00:06:22.170 --&gt; 00:06:34.380 Joseph McElroy: there&#39;s also a lot of blackberries and grow there during the summer, so you can bring a bucket and pick blackberries and also blueberries in August and the National Park service allows you the monitors it and.</p><p>00:06:35.490 --&gt; 00:06:48.450 Joseph McElroy: If it allows you to take a whole bucket out so it&#39;s a good way to go, have a full mountain experience you get this you get to go hiking you get to go swimming and you get to pick blackberries I can&#39;t think of anything more smoky mountain than that.</p><p>00:06:50.730 --&gt; 00:06:58.500 Joseph McElroy: there&#39;s also some longer trails there also sliding rock that&#39;s about 30 miles miles south of Maggie valley and since long.</p><p>00:06:59.160 --&gt; 00:07:08.880 Joseph McElroy: Smooth rock you can slide down to the slides so you go lay out sort of it&#39;s not a waterfall it&#39;s not a steep as a waterfall but it&#39;s not flat either and it&#39;s a long.</p><p>00:07:09.180 --&gt; 00:07:12.960 Joseph McElroy: thing it&#39;s really fun in the water, just pushes you down it&#39;s like 11,000.</p><p>00:07:13.320 --&gt; 00:07:19.080 Joseph McElroy: gallons of water wash addresses down that rock every minute so you&#39;re going into a pretty good pace pace.</p><p>00:07:19.320 --&gt; 00:07:29.610 Joseph McElroy: And there but there&#39;s it&#39;s a it&#39;s a park there&#39;s bathrooms there and it&#39;s a great it&#39;s a great adventure for people to go go along and it&#39;s a long road that goes through the a lot of different.</p><p>00:07:30.060 --&gt; 00:07:38.220 Joseph McElroy: it&#39;s a real nice one of those winding mountain roads, because over mountain goes on to the other side of the hendersonville area and things like that so it&#39;s a great.</p><p>00:07:38.730 --&gt; 00:07:49.140 Joseph McElroy: drive, as well as a getting to a nice swimming goal there&#39;s the there&#39;s a in cherokee there&#39;s the acoma left the islands park all right, which is on the.</p><p>00:07:49.740 --&gt; 00:08:07.050 Joseph McElroy: left the river and there&#39;s a couple small islands that are Jason to downtown cherokee and are accessible by footbridge and so you can spread of blank it out on the grass in Barbecue, then you can float on the top of the islands downstream with with a tuber just swing.</p><p>00:08:08.910 --&gt; 00:08:16.740 Joseph McElroy: Other points is a bust your butt falls, it gives you that that has a really deep pool from the cliffs and there&#39;s a.</p><p>00:08:17.910 --&gt; 00:08:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Right, there is a little more adventurous because there&#39;s a rope tied off on a on a on a tree that helps you climb up the rock face but it&#39;s got some ideal boulders for signing and you can fish above and below the halls.</p><p>00:08:32.820 --&gt; 00:08:41.520 Joseph McElroy: and other one is the on the on the near gatlinburg a little rigid pigeon for there&#39;s something called the greenbrier swimming hole, so this is getting into Tennessee.</p><p>00:08:42.000 --&gt; 00:08:58.290 Joseph McElroy: And it&#39;s sensible from route 322 it&#39;s in a deep part of the River so it&#39;s great for swimming is not widely known, while we&#39;ve known widely known by terrorists so it&#39;s peaceful and quiet and it&#39;s great for sunbathing there&#39;s also Townsend why that&#39;s.</p><p>00:08:59.010 --&gt; 00:09:14.610 Joseph McElroy: That it&#39;s got a lot it&#39;s good it&#39;s good it&#39;s a feud swimming pool a whole but it&#39;s also some small rapids for tubes as a jump off wrong rock it has several large pools with enough there&#39;s enough space to spread out in the water.</p><p>00:09:16.200 --&gt; 00:09:27.390 Joseph McElroy: And it&#39;s near the near the National Park entrance and Townsend one that opened in wyoming dimension because it&#39;s become so popular is midnight hole all right and.</p><p>00:09:27.960 --&gt; 00:09:44.220 Joseph McElroy: it&#39;s part of big creek and it&#39;s got large bottle boulders and it&#39;s got a small waterfall and it has some nearby other attractions to like the mouse friend follows and it&#39;s it&#39;s so deep that it has got a beautiful dark shimmering light into the water.</p><p>00:09:45.270 --&gt; 00:10:00.420 Joseph McElroy: there&#39;s April and falls it&#39;s located in cage code, one of the most popular places to go visit in the smoky smoky mountain National Park, and it is it&#39;s about it takes about 2.5 mile hike to get there.</p><p>00:10:02.160 --&gt; 00:10:13.950 Joseph McElroy: But it&#39;s got a very large swimming hole it&#39;s about 100 feet wide in all directions so, but there is a there is a pretty turbulent waterfall is you want to do don&#39;t don&#39;t assume that close to.</p><p>00:10:15.480 --&gt; 00:10:20.670 Joseph McElroy: And then finally there&#39;s a metcalf bottom, so I mean there&#39;s a lot more I just picked out some of the highlights.</p><p>00:10:22.110 --&gt; 00:10:33.060 Joseph McElroy: there in fact this is giving me a great idea we&#39;re going to do a blog post on one of our blogs, and really and directory listing of all these great swimming holes I think it&#39;s it&#39;s a great resource.</p><p>00:10:33.810 --&gt; 00:10:41.910 Joseph McElroy: To have, I have a directory site for things like this called smokies adventure COM, where we have directories of all sorts of stuff.</p><p>00:10:43.110 --&gt; 00:10:55.470 Joseph McElroy: And it&#39;s a, and so there is a picnic area located between counseling gatlinburg and offers access to the little girl little green by a river and there&#39;s there several more shallow swimming holes that are just scattered around.</p><p>00:10:55.800 --&gt; 00:11:03.180 Joseph McElroy: And it&#39;s a place to really throw in a tube and just float and relax the sunshine So those are the swimming holes that.</p><p>00:11:03.840 --&gt; 00:11:16.170 Joseph McElroy: And the headwaters and now we&#39;re going to talk a little bit of white white white water rafting so Oh, it has over 30 years in the tourism marketplace and she spent a little time in Mexico and New York.</p><p>00:11:16.830 --&gt; 00:11:35.910 Joseph McElroy: She is living her first passion and represents the leading river outfitter and the smoky mountains region and that and she knows a lot about whitewater rafting in the smoky so Oh, and tell me about your passion for whitewater rafting I think you were talking about Mexico right.</p><p>00:11:37.380 --&gt; 00:11:42.240 Olwen Claiborne: Well, first I&#39;ll tell you i&#39;m going to query and that&#39;s the zodiac sign for water bear.</p><p>00:11:42.390 --&gt; 00:11:47.700 Olwen Claiborne: There you go, so I think there&#39;s some h2o in my blood and you know.</p><p>00:11:48.150 --&gt; 00:12:02.220 Olwen Claiborne: I grew up in the 70s and that&#39;s when deliverance came out and my parents loved deliverance So when I was a kid they used to talk about whitewater rafting a lot when I got to be about 14 or 15 years old.</p><p>00:12:02.670 --&gt; 00:12:13.380 Olwen Claiborne: The family went on our first rafting trip on the man, a halo river and that black and white photo nobody&#39;s wearing helmets is still hanging on my mom&#39;s well today.</p><p>00:12:14.790 --&gt; 00:12:20.940 Olwen Claiborne: We actually took a debt interest exchange kid on that river she freaked out because you know the Netherlands of flat.</p><p>00:12:21.240 --&gt; 00:12:33.510 Olwen Claiborne: So that was that was quite an adventure, for her and every ever since every chance I get I go to the River there&#39;s one particular place you mentioned Mexico 19.</p><p>00:12:34.440 --&gt; 00:12:44.310 Olwen Claiborne: Excuse me in 1991 my good friend Keith Barnes and I went to Mexico on extended road trip and one place that we went was a place, so I was.</p><p>00:12:44.970 --&gt; 00:12:53.670 Olwen Claiborne: I was all is a very blue pristine beautiful river it&#39;s got a lot of mineral built up on it, which makes the water light blue.</p><p>00:12:54.000 --&gt; 00:13:08.100 Olwen Claiborne: And we found our way to a place called a local area, which is the eye of the river and it was the most spectacular place I don&#39;t know if you can get there now it&#39;s kind of a treacherous trip very, very narrow path next to a massive.</p><p>00:13:08.490 --&gt; 00:13:20.790 Olwen Claiborne: river and when you get to the mouth of the river, there is a huge cave very, very far up on the cliff side and watch the water gushing out, that is, the headwaters of all was.</p><p>00:13:21.600 --&gt; 00:13:30.750 Olwen Claiborne: And that did it I already had gotten my toe and that just completely filled my soul, with the River ever since then.</p><p>00:13:31.410 --&gt; 00:13:39.150 Olwen Claiborne: It was tubing as a teenager driving up from knoxville to go to the same sense of the y at several of those other places that you&#39;ve mentioned.</p><p>00:13:39.690 --&gt; 00:13:51.870 Olwen Claiborne: And then Lo and behold on that river trip I fell in love with commercial rafting and came back and checked out as a river guide on the Nana hey we&#39;re it was 92 years a long time ago.</p><p>00:13:52.200 --&gt; 00:13:58.980 Joseph McElroy: I talked a little bit about that history when we come back there&#39;s some interesting history about these rivers and mountains, that we want to explore.</p><p>00:16:58.170 --&gt; 00:17:09.000 Joseph McElroy: Howdy, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Olwen Clairborne.</p><p>00:17:09.480 --&gt; 00:17:11.040 Olwen Claiborne: yeah nice break.</p><p>00:17:11.400 --&gt; 00:17:18.540 Joseph McElroy: So I&#39;m your company and smoky mountain outdoors is located in the pigeon Forge right?</p><p>00:17:18.600 --&gt; 00:17:36.510 Joseph McElroy: that&#39;s right, so you did I read a little article you wrote about history raft and smokies and I thought was really interesting so at first and even you know how the pigeon river god&#39;s name they want to go into that.</p><p>00:17:37.470 --&gt; 00:17:44.610 Olwen Claiborne: I think it&#39;s kind of ironic that there&#39;s a lot of places around the severe county did have the name pigeon in that.</p><p>00:17:45.120 --&gt; 00:17:52.500 Olwen Claiborne: there&#39;s the middle on the West palm, and these are the little pigeon river there&#39;s pigeon forge and there is the big page and river, which is where we wrath.</p><p>00:17:53.070 --&gt; 00:18:00.180 Olwen Claiborne: they&#39;re all named after the extinct passenger pigeon, which was a beautiful very large, and very colorful pigeon.</p><p>00:18:00.930 --&gt; 00:18:16.140 Olwen Claiborne: That was so prolific then when flocks would fly over the sky would darken but people loved their feathers and feathers and fashion, where all the praise and the passenger pigeon was basically hunted into extinction.</p><p>00:18:17.160 --&gt; 00:18:31.290 Olwen Claiborne: Well, once upon a time, as you know, being from Western North Carolina the pigeon river was also the recipient of discharge from a paper processing plant in came.</p><p>00:18:31.890 --&gt; 00:18:48.990 Olwen Claiborne: And the discharge read downstream now when I did the research for this article, I learned that at the turn of the century when lumbering the mountain sides was the thing, this is why the park was establishes the Save the mountains, because they were being completely denuded.</p><p>00:18:50.100 --&gt; 00:18:59.880 Olwen Claiborne: Western Carolina saw an opportunity to attract jobs and create some economic growth, the senators of North Carolina made it legal.</p><p>00:19:00.420 --&gt; 00:19:07.290 Olwen Claiborne: For anyone who invested over $100,000 into a paper processing plant to waive.</p><p>00:19:08.010 --&gt; 00:19:14.340 Olwen Claiborne: Environmental protection laws and discharge their bluetooth into the river, it was an incentive.</p><p>00:19:14.700 --&gt; 00:19:28.140 Olwen Claiborne: And it did, create a tremendous amount of jobs can went from being basically a repressed area to a boom town, there was a lot of money and people were very happy, but, as you said earlier in the show.</p><p>00:19:29.190 --&gt; 00:19:31.500 Olwen Claiborne: i&#39;ll water flows down hill.</p><p>00:19:31.560 --&gt; 00:19:33.420 Joseph McElroy: yeah i&#39;m here for.</p><p>00:19:33.840 --&gt; 00:19:48.930 Olwen Claiborne: North Carolina pigeon section was beautiful water, but the first recipient of that water downstream was caught county, which is where we now raft and it was so heavily polluted that.</p><p>00:19:49.620 --&gt; 00:20:00.600 Olwen Claiborne: The local school had to close, because the groundwater for the will was contaminated people lost jobs there was a very high incidence of cancer, the mountains.</p><p>00:20:01.050 --&gt; 00:20:10.230 Olwen Claiborne: The River had really big waves really big waves and the early rafters on that side of the River will tell you the rapids were awesome.</p><p>00:20:10.740 --&gt; 00:20:30.360 Olwen Claiborne: But they were also brown smelling and covered with this towering towering build up a phone, which was actually from the chemicals that were discharged from him now, this was all you know at the turn of the 20th century, so we&#39;re talking well over 100.</p><p>00:20:30.390 --&gt; 00:20:41.370 Joseph McElroy: Years ago, but it was it was that way, I remember I grew up there, and I remember you know the I remember when I was growing up the smell was so bad, we were in the way as well.</p><p>00:20:42.450 --&gt; 00:20:54.240 Joseph McElroy: We were downstream, there was a there was a part of haywood county is downstream, we were below can, and you know they we&#39;ve complained about that smell and people can&#39;t just say well that&#39;s just the smell of money right and.</p><p>00:20:54.720 --&gt; 00:20:56.100 Olwen Claiborne: He must have some people that.</p><p>00:20:56.730 --&gt; 00:21:02.790 Joseph McElroy: know it was it was often I remember that phone and we have a farm right on that page and river below so.</p><p>00:21:03.900 --&gt; 00:21:06.210 Joseph McElroy: I went on into the 70s didn&#39;t.</p><p>00:21:06.810 --&gt; 00:21:11.520 Olwen Claiborne: It went well and once it once the 70s rolled around and.</p><p>00:21:12.870 --&gt; 00:21:17.910 Olwen Claiborne: You know, it was it was kind of a granola movement, a lot of people were getting back to nature and what happy.</p><p>00:21:18.210 --&gt; 00:21:34.950 Olwen Claiborne: There was a grassroots organization called friends the dead pigeon river society, a lot of knoxville elegance and some people from Newport and surrounding areas started, creating a grassroots movement to lobby for cleaner water downstream.</p><p>00:21:36.360 --&gt; 00:21:44.100 Olwen Claiborne: There was a guy named Gary webb who was an environmentalist and he was sort of a spearhead of the dead pigeon river society.</p><p>00:21:44.550 --&gt; 00:21:55.950 Olwen Claiborne: And I got to interview him for that article, and when he was trying to convince the EPA local governments, the Federal Government that something had to be done on the pitching river.</p><p>00:21:56.250 --&gt; 00:22:10.650 Olwen Claiborne: He actually retake jars of water that was coffee colored to DC to testify and at one time once I started going okay we&#39;ll send somebody to take fish samples, or what have you they found the three is fish.</p><p>00:22:11.100 --&gt; 00:22:12.270 Joseph McElroy: huh yeah well.</p><p>00:22:12.900 --&gt; 00:22:21.570 Olwen Claiborne: The guy says he got a lot of a lot of mileage out of that got fish well about that time in 1982.</p><p>00:22:23.250 --&gt; 00:22:45.150 Olwen Claiborne: In late 70s and early 80s, there was a whitewater rafting team in the Olympics and deliverance came out the stunt man from deliverance bought all the rafting equipment, all of the whitewater equipment and started the first commercial whitewater rafting outfit on the river and.</p><p>00:22:48.240 --&gt; 00:22:52.020 Olwen Claiborne: Okay i&#39;m having a little brain wreck there so we&#39;ll just get the proper nouns.</p><p>00:22:53.100 --&gt; 00:23:02.190 Olwen Claiborne: But that&#39;s when whitewater rafting started, but on the page in the water was still not commercially viable, there were several different things, it is a.</p><p>00:23:03.450 --&gt; 00:23:09.180 Olwen Claiborne: The reservoir that feeds a pigeon river is the source of hydro electric power for a power plant.</p><p>00:23:09.510 --&gt; 00:23:18.180 Olwen Claiborne: And there was no arrangement between the power plant and anybody to regulate their discharge of the River also the water stunk and it was really nasty.</p><p>00:23:18.510 --&gt; 00:23:26.730 Olwen Claiborne: But there were a couple of interpreted adventures he saw opportunity there one of them&#39;s name was at McKinnon.</p><p>00:23:27.300 --&gt; 00:23:36.030 Olwen Claiborne: And he came to Gatlinburg from his years of rafting on the Kelley and tried to run whitewater rafting trips through the Center Gatlinburg.</p><p>00:23:36.480 --&gt; 00:23:41.820 Olwen Claiborne: Well, that didn&#39;t work the waters were not deep enough and it just didn&#39;t work so then he was like okay we&#39;re going to go to the pigeon river.</p><p>00:23:42.300 --&gt; 00:23:56.010 Olwen Claiborne: But it was polluted at that time, he would have people meet him at the river and they would take a look at the river and see if conditions were favorable and if they weren&#39;t just give them their money back, and they go back home again well.</p><p>00:23:56.820 --&gt; 00:24:06.450 Olwen Claiborne: All of these people were coming to the area because the rabbits were so big and made it and care river, people are freedom-loving people, and it was kind of the wild Wild West of whitewater rafting.</p><p>00:24:06.900 --&gt; 00:24:18.180 Olwen Claiborne: And our area and, over time, the founding fathers of the area started to recognize that there was a potential for money to be had if they could develop the commercial aspects of this.</p><p>00:24:18.690 --&gt; 00:24:36.540 Olwen Claiborne: At about the same time, the clean water Protection Act was legislated at the national level and enabled states to regulate their own pollutants in the waters and less there was a dispute between the States and then the EPA would step in and that&#39;s what happened.</p><p>00:24:38.220 --&gt; 00:24:38.910 Olwen Claiborne: So so.</p><p>00:24:40.530 --&gt; 00:24:40.950 Joseph McElroy: So the.</p><p>00:24:41.850 --&gt; 00:24:42.780 Olwen Claiborne: North Carolina.</p><p>00:24:43.200 --&gt; 00:24:50.250 Joseph McElroy: Well that&#39;s what I was wondering, I remember, I remember the little bit of this or Tennessee soon North Carolina that was right yeah.</p><p>00:24:50.610 --&gt; 00:24:55.020 Joseph McElroy: And then North Carolina did not want to have to do anything.</p><p>00:24:55.320 --&gt; 00:25:00.630 Olwen Claiborne: At the paper plant, because it was going to affect people&#39;s jobs, the EPA stepped in they had.</p><p>00:25:01.230 --&gt; 00:25:11.130 Olwen Claiborne: hearings in both Asheville and in Knoxville and were the most attended hearings and passions were running high, mind you, they were death threats Molotov cocktails.</p><p>00:25:11.580 --&gt; 00:25:24.690 Olwen Claiborne: You know, under the table buyouts there was a lot of pressure on both sides to keep things the same way, they always were except the River downstream was polluted and people&#39;s lives are being destroyed well.</p><p>00:25:26.310 --&gt; 00:25:27.390 Olwen Claiborne: The EPA.</p><p>00:25:30.630 --&gt; 00:25:47.910 Olwen Claiborne: After they started paying attention to all of this, it just turned out that the paper processing plant which I won&#39;t name, people can look it up, if they want to discover a less expensive way to process their paper, so they cleaned up they claim that themselves.</p><p>00:25:48.360 --&gt; 00:25:51.510 Olwen Claiborne: The river is so much improved.</p><p>00:25:52.230 --&gt; 00:26:01.440 Joseph McElroy: it really does not you know by my farm the farm that&#39;s yeah there&#39;s no it&#39;s it&#39;s it&#39;s clear yeah it&#39;s a really beautiful say.</p><p>00:26:02.010 --&gt; 00:26:08.970 Olwen Claiborne: Clear there&#39;s a bald eagle missing on the River I&#39;ve seen otters, of course, bald eagles feed on the fish.</p><p>00:26:09.060 --&gt; 00:26:10.350 Olwen Claiborne: And you can eat on the.</p><p>00:26:10.410 --&gt; 00:26:10.920 Joseph McElroy: issue.</p><p>00:26:11.250 --&gt; 00:26:21.900 Olwen Claiborne: Now right, yes, blue herons every day the wildlife is abundant and, as you know, Those are some of the steepest slopes of the smoky mountains, that the River runs right through.</p><p>00:26:22.200 --&gt; 00:26:26.100 Olwen Claiborne: So now, the water is healthy to raft in.</p><p>00:26:26.400 --&gt; 00:26:39.240 Olwen Claiborne: And about the same time, the founding fathers of water got cleaned up and the founding fathers started getting together and have made agreements to regulate the rafting companies and establish some safety standards because.</p><p>00:26:39.510 --&gt; 00:26:43.710 Olwen Claiborne: They were inviting people to come to their county draft they&#39;re responsible for their safety.</p><p>00:26:44.220 --&gt; 00:26:55.260 Olwen Claiborne: So they tapped Daniel to matt, who is the owner of smoky mountain outdoors and you had been a guide for Andy McKinnon who we could arguably call the father rafting on the pigeon river.</p><p>00:26:55.740 --&gt; 00:27:06.270 Olwen Claiborne: There are others who would also there were there at the same time, and I don&#39;t want to take away from their work on this behalf, but these are folks I know personally they tapped them to.</p><p>00:27:07.770 --&gt; 00:27:28.080 Olwen Claiborne: lobby with their fellow river men to start complying with the regulations and, ultimately, those that didn&#39;t we&#39;re not allowed to have permits so that&#39;s the way that the the structure for the commercial rafting community in hartford began, and that was oh gosh late 80s.</p><p>00:27:29.370 --&gt; 00:27:45.180 Olwen Claiborne: Since that day, because the pigeon river is located in such a beautiful area and so close to so much to do between gatlinburg at Maggie Valley, it has become one of the top three rafting most popular rafting rivers in the United States.</p><p>00:27:45.450 --&gt; 00:27:45.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah.</p><p>00:27:46.080 --&gt; 00:27:50.850 Olwen Claiborne: that&#39;s a man, I heard a rumor that it has been the most popular river in the United States.</p><p>00:27:50.880 --&gt; 00:28:05.760 Olwen Claiborne: on multiple occasions I do know from the American outdoors association that the O co a river in the Chattanooga area and the pigeon river in the need port knoxville Maggie valley area are two of the top three at any given time.</p><p>00:28:06.270 --&gt; 00:28:11.490 Joseph McElroy: And then you have the French broad to add another river that people also raft on.</p><p>00:28:12.120 --&gt; 00:28:24.030 Olwen Claiborne: it&#39;s a very popular river direct on these these these designations are based on on commercial volume yeah so the French broad river is a fantastic river, I personally love it.</p><p>00:28:24.840 --&gt; 00:28:31.710 Olwen Claiborne: it&#39;s not really in the same category in terms of the number of outfitters and the ease of access to the river.</p><p>00:28:32.280 --&gt; 00:28:45.180 Olwen Claiborne: So the pigeon river is a very moderate lots of fun reverts on a scale of one to five, with one big flat water and five being expert only recommended, there are no fives on the page and that we run.</p><p>00:28:45.570 --&gt; 00:28:53.610 Olwen Claiborne: It is primarily a Class three four remember smoky mountain outdoors is the largest rafting company on the pigeon river.</p><p>00:28:53.940 --&gt; 00:29:02.400 Olwen Claiborne: And it is the only one that has been continuously owned and operated by the guy, who was a former river guide went on to start his own company and.</p><p>00:29:02.970 --&gt; 00:29:11.400 Olwen Claiborne: This week is currently building picnic tables and hanging out at the outpost making sure, everything is ready for opening on march six.</p><p>00:29:11.610 --&gt; 00:29:27.000 Olwen Claiborne: And there&#39;s some real be driving the bus is he has two children have grown up there, his daughter spends her summers away from Vanderbilt guiding for us and his son aiden is about to be the first 16 year old river guide on the page and remember so it&#39;s a real family.</p><p>00:29:27.780 --&gt; 00:29:33.270 Joseph McElroy: Tradition a family-owned recreation lodging all that sort of thing, so we come back.</p><p>00:29:33.720 --&gt; 00:29:34.530 Olwen Claiborne: To have a campground.</p><p>00:29:35.370 --&gt; 00:29:42.240 Joseph McElroy: When we come back we&#39;ll talk more about tourism and opportunities for fun and great smokies and rafting.</p><p>00:29:44.970 --&gt; 00:29:47.130 Listening to talk radio.</p><p>00:32:32.190 --&gt; 00:32:44.640 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and I guest Olwen Claiborne um so we&#39;re talking about whitewater rafting you know.</p><p>00:32:45.330 --&gt; 00:32:52.140 Joseph McElroy: When I was growing up, you know, I was growing up on the North Carolina side, so the place, we often into isn&#39;t that a handler.</p><p>00:32:52.620 --&gt; 00:33:03.540 Joseph McElroy: Right and the Navajo outdoor Center How does that, how do you guys that complement each other in terms of tourism or compete or you know, are those rivers compare yeah.</p><p>00:33:04.080 --&gt; 00:33:15.930 Olwen Claiborne: You know rivers are all different and there&#39;s great respect among the outfitters on the on the page and for the outfitters on the name of ALA no see of course for a long time has been the mothership of.</p><p>00:33:16.350 --&gt; 00:33:26.520 Olwen Claiborne: whitewater tourism in the area and they&#39;re very different rivers, though the nano Haleigh is so beautiful, it is cold that water comes from.</p><p>00:33:26.790 --&gt; 00:33:37.860 Olwen Claiborne: Far far beneath it comes from its pipe down from the bottom of the lake So when I was a guide on the Mahela in the late afternoon on July, you could see like.</p><p>00:33:38.310 --&gt; 00:33:49.320 Olwen Claiborne: condensation rising up from the River on a hot hot day as the River was so cold my patent my crew used to complain that their feet were dumb and I used to say so.</p><p>00:33:50.430 --&gt; 00:33:52.590 Olwen Claiborne: they&#39;re not me can&#39;t feel them what&#39;s the problem?</p><p>00:33:53.010 --&gt; 00:34:08.760 Olwen Claiborne: Right that&#39;s not true, the pigeon is much warmer and at the largest rapid on the Nana Haleigh is a Class three, which is lesser it&#39;s the last one it&#39;s kind of the big grand finale on the day look for the commercial rafting.</p><p>00:34:09.510 --&gt; 00:34:22.200 Olwen Claiborne: On the page and river almost most of the rapids or class threes with a couple of class fours thrown in so it&#39;s warmer it&#39;s broader and it&#39;s got bigger rapids.</p><p>00:34:22.530 --&gt; 00:34:28.770 Joseph McElroy: got bigger rapids is a section of the net of hail is not allowed to the public right really that&#39;s.</p><p>00:34:28.980 --&gt; 00:34:37.380 Olwen Claiborne: greater or lesser I you know the guys used to always talk about midnight runs on greater or lesser don&#39;t tell anybody don&#39;t try this at home.</p><p>00:34:37.830 --&gt; 00:34:38.550 Olwen Claiborne: I don&#39;t want it.</p><p>00:34:38.760 --&gt; 00:34:42.060 Olwen Claiborne: I don&#39;t see how they could have because they turn the water off at night.</p><p>00:34:43.410 --&gt; 00:34:44.010 Olwen Claiborne: and cold.</p><p>00:34:46.800 --&gt; 00:34:47.580 Olwen Claiborne: I challenged.</p><p>00:34:47.640 --&gt; 00:34:54.210 Olwen Claiborne: The owner of my company Daniela say here&#39;s the way you did this midnight run say turn the water off and he said uh we did it.</p><p>00:34:55.980 --&gt; 00:34:58.530 Joseph McElroy: I&#39;ll never know you know how to turn it off yeah.</p><p>00:34:59.250 --&gt; 00:35:03.180 Olwen Claiborne: yeah the greater West or it&#39;s a spectacular rapid you can actually see it.</p><p>00:35:03.510 --&gt; 00:35:16.650 Olwen Claiborne: When he walked across the foothill it in a seat belt footbridge it and i&#39;ll see to the farm to river left to walk downstream on the railroad tracks, you can see it, and if you just look at it marvel that anybody could ever run it that&#39;s classified.</p><p>00:35:16.980 --&gt; 00:35:17.730 Joseph McElroy: I know I.</p><p>00:35:19.740 --&gt; 00:35:22.950 Joseph McElroy: hear that the marines try to train on it yeah.</p><p>00:35:23.400 --&gt; 00:35:23.820 Really.</p><p>00:35:25.080 --&gt; 00:35:34.290 Joseph McElroy: yeah well when I was I don&#39;t know if they do now, but back then, I actually saw some guys looking like soldiers on it so yeah who knows yeah.</p><p>00:35:34.590 --&gt; 00:35:37.800 Olwen Claiborne: it&#39;s a commercial takeout is upstream.</p><p>00:35:39.360 --&gt; 00:35:52.230 Joseph McElroy: Now you know I wouldn&#39;t you know I I I almost I flipped off too many times i&#39;m and that a hill class for but you know I knew that it wasn&#39;t I was a Class three I was not ready for Class by.</p><p>00:35:53.400 --&gt; 00:35:55.260 Joseph McElroy: There was no way yeah so.</p><p>00:35:56.550 --&gt; 00:36:03.240 Joseph McElroy: But you know, it was a good time, so how big is the tourism industry for whitewater rafting in the area?</p><p>00:36:04.890 --&gt; 00:36:10.050 Olwen Claiborne: Well, as you know, the great smoky mountain National Park, is the most visited National Park in the country.</p><p>00:36:10.530 --&gt; 00:36:28.320 Olwen Claiborne: So anything that has been offer something good to do when you&#39;re visiting the smoky mountains area is part of it, so we add to all the world-class activities there are to do in the mountainous region, and I feel really.</p><p>00:36:29.670 --&gt; 00:36:35.370 Olwen Claiborne: proud about the fact that when people come to our area to vacation.</p><p>00:36:36.450 --&gt; 00:36:45.030 Olwen Claiborne: Just like with how he just like with the sylvan hills, who were talking about earlier whitewater rafting is truly authentic to the mountains experience.</p><p>00:36:45.450 --&gt; 00:36:50.310 Olwen Claiborne: You know, there are some fantastic wax museum, since a fantastic putt putt.</p><p>00:36:50.730 --&gt; 00:36:57.180 Olwen Claiborne: places, and there are a lot of great brick and mortar attractions in our area for those who just want to go away and have some fun.</p><p>00:36:57.510 --&gt; 00:37:04.380 Olwen Claiborne: But if you&#39;re like me and when you&#39;re traveling you want to get really up close and personal with the landscape that you&#39;re visiting.</p><p>00:37:04.770 --&gt; 00:37:16.980 Olwen Claiborne: whitewater rafting is the perfect way to do it, you can&#39;t see the mountains from the kind of perspective that you can see from the surface of the rhythm I love spring rapid rafting because, in the spring.</p><p>00:37:17.370 --&gt; 00:37:23.340 Olwen Claiborne: We recommend that you dress accordingly don&#39;t wear a Bikini lets you know 60 degrees out, but we do raft and spray.</p><p>00:37:23.790 --&gt; 00:37:40.380 Olwen Claiborne: You can see all the wild flowers blooming at the slopes of the mountains and you can see the progression of green from the River surface to the high tops of the mountains and you can see, like the Princess trees, I believe it&#39;s a black locust we call of princess trees.</p><p>00:37:40.650 --&gt; 00:37:41.880 Olwen Claiborne: They blue and purple.</p><p>00:37:42.060 --&gt; 00:37:48.180 Olwen Claiborne: In the spring and you&#39;re floating along it&#39;s like we&#39;re no man, you know no car can go.</p><p>00:37:48.750 --&gt; 00:37:53.880 Olwen Claiborne: They can see the mountains from places where only the boats can go as far as i&#39;m concerned.</p><p>00:37:54.420 --&gt; 00:38:02.820 Olwen Claiborne: Well, it is a very big aspect of the tourism business, and I believe the fact that the tourism business is so strong here in our mountains area.</p><p>00:38:03.450 --&gt; 00:38:14.760 Olwen Claiborne: I believe that that contributes to the popularity of our river, it is one of those things you can do to get off the beaten path and have a truly authentic smoky mountains experience and i&#39;m real proud of that.</p><p>00:38:15.210 --&gt; 00:38:22.800 Joseph McElroy: So besides spring what are, what are the other seasons what&#39;s the value of the one of their uniqueness for wrath.</p><p>00:38:22.830 --&gt; 00:38:34.680 Olwen Claiborne: Well i&#39;ll tell you just like that we actually offer two trips on the pigeon river which i&#39;ll tell you about later there&#39;s a whitewater trip and a scenic float trip there&#39;s three seasons to rafting on the pigeon river.</p><p>00:38:35.580 --&gt; 00:38:41.730 Olwen Claiborne: there&#39;s the spring season and during the spring season, the hydro electric power plant that would work cooperatively with.</p><p>00:38:42.060 --&gt; 00:38:54.960 Olwen Claiborne: Does not is not required to publish their water release schedule so we&#39;re operating on unpredictable water levels we don&#39;t promise whitewater in the spring, we do promise a river trip.</p><p>00:38:55.380 --&gt; 00:39:06.780 Olwen Claiborne: That said, it is usually very rainy around here in the spring time, so I think it&#39;s safe to say that this spring water levels will be really higher than they are in the middle of the summer.</p><p>00:39:07.230 --&gt; 00:39:16.680 Olwen Claiborne: Now for Memorial Day weekend to Labor day weekend the hydro electric power plant has a cooperative agreement with the rafting community to release water.</p><p>00:39:16.980 --&gt; 00:39:26.100 Olwen Claiborne: on Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 o&#39;clock to five o&#39;clock we know it&#39;s going to happen, we can schedule trips accordingly and the water levels are regulated.</p><p>00:39:26.700 --&gt; 00:39:37.560 Olwen Claiborne: So that isn&#39;t really good time, if you want to you want you want predictable resorts results when you&#39;re planning and nature outing that&#39;s the most predictable time.</p><p>00:39:37.920 --&gt; 00:39:43.200 Olwen Claiborne: For rafting on the pigeon river and then we do continue to raft after Labor day that.</p><p>00:39:43.500 --&gt; 00:39:59.580 Olwen Claiborne: Published water release schedule agreement is no longer so we are again on unpredictable water levels and, very often, as we know, living around here September can be somewhat dry, but the scenery is awesome it&#39;s a great way to see the colors change.</p><p>00:39:59.610 --&gt; 00:40:09.450 Joseph McElroy: All the colors in the going through the forest and then was that all those colors in the mountains, is going to depend, as well as much as the spring, with a bit yeah.</p><p>00:40:10.050 --&gt; 00:40:15.390 Olwen Claiborne: yeah and also, I will say that September and October around to your tend to be very warm yeah.</p><p>00:40:15.990 --&gt; 00:40:21.990 Joseph McElroy: And if the doctor in October starts being wet again so you started getting seeing coming get some rain levels going yeah.</p><p>00:40:22.050 --&gt; 00:40:28.410 Olwen Claiborne: yeah and master that most of the outfit outfitters ourselves also shut down about mid to end of October.</p><p>00:40:28.710 --&gt; 00:40:38.100 Olwen Claiborne: yeah and that&#39;s true for a campground to so if anybody wants to just spend all of their state on the pigeon river, we do have a campground right next door.</p><p>00:40:38.460 --&gt; 00:40:49.950 Olwen Claiborne: it&#39;s got rustic cabins tent sites are besides a swimming pool and some really pretty bathrooms and it&#39;s right on the bank of the pigeon it&#39;s right next door to our rafting company right.</p><p>00:40:50.310 --&gt; 00:40:59.130 Joseph McElroy: So what you have you have different kinds of TRIPS, I was reading on your on your plate now once you go tell me about these different trips, if you guys provide.</p><p>00:40:59.670 --&gt; 00:41:11.550 Olwen Claiborne: Okay, well, so our most popular upper pigeon river trip is the traditional three Fort ref and seat seven people we take ages eight and up.</p><p>00:41:12.030 --&gt; 00:41:26.820 Olwen Claiborne: And that is what we call the upper pigeon river trip and i&#39;m happy to tell you that Tripadvisor named the smoky mountain outdoors whitewater rafting upper river trip a top tier and experience in the United States.</p><p>00:41:26.880 --&gt; 00:41:36.630 Olwen Claiborne: All right, this last year, I mean that ranks right up there with like a helicopter picnic on the grand Canyon rim, and was one of the other top 10 experiences so yes well.</p><p>00:41:37.290 --&gt; 00:41:50.310 Olwen Claiborne: We call ourselves smoke it stands for smoky mountain outdoors we also offer the extreme wrap up or pigeon river rafting trip we call it smoke, for it, it is a much smaller boat.</p><p>00:41:50.820 --&gt; 00:42:03.990 Olwen Claiborne: There are two ports in the boat minimum of three people maximum of four So the idea is that smaller boats make bigger hit so you&#39;re going through the same rapid at a smaller boat it looks bigger to you.</p><p>00:42:04.620 --&gt; 00:42:11.970 Olwen Claiborne: And the requirements for that are aged 12 minimum minimum age of 12 and the ability to swell because you could swim.</p><p>00:42:13.410 --&gt; 00:42:20.220 Olwen Claiborne: that&#39;s it for our upper pictured river trips is the smell for it and the traditional upper pigeon river trip.</p><p>00:42:20.670 --&gt; 00:42:28.530 Olwen Claiborne: The lower pitching is an option for families and very young children or people who want to get on the River but they&#39;re not so sure about whitewater.</p><p>00:42:29.310 --&gt; 00:42:38.580 Olwen Claiborne: It offers basically class one and two rapids class one is basically flat water with a current running through it to have some way of trains, there is one Class three get the end.</p><p>00:42:39.420 --&gt; 00:42:53.370 Olwen Claiborne: would take ages three and up on that one, and it is beautiful relaxing it&#39;s a great way to see the scenery wildlife nature talk with your guides have splashed by the little kids love it.</p><p>00:42:53.910 --&gt; 00:43:01.410 Olwen Claiborne: And for those who want to try hand it paddling their own boats, we do have some super stable inflatable kayaks we will.</p><p>00:43:03.000 --&gt; 00:43:15.420 Olwen Claiborne: Let people take kayaks out instead of rafting they go in a group with a guide so they&#39;re not just let loose on the lower pigeon river and so that&#39;s another option so.</p><p>00:43:15.990 --&gt; 00:43:29.340 Olwen Claiborne: Ever pigeon extreme lower pigeon kayaks and then, if you just want some more the full river, so you can wrap the upper river get out and have lunch and then raptor kayak the lower river.</p><p>00:43:29.760 --&gt; 00:43:37.470 Joseph McElroy: That sounds fabulous okay so we&#39;re gonna take a break down we&#39;ll come back we&#39;ll finish up with some insights to help make experiences better.</p><p>00:43:38.010 --&gt; 00:43:39.060 Olwen Claiborne: Okay fantastic.</p><p>00:43:40.980 --&gt; 00:43:41.850 and listening to.</p><p>00:43:46.110 --&gt; 00:43:46.590 ke.</p><p>00:45:57.390 --&gt; 00:46:10.830 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and we&#39;re talking whitewater rafting with Olwen Clairborne of smoky mountain outdoors so Olwen, </p><p>00:46:12.060 --&gt; 00:46:20.280 Joseph McElroy: If people are coming to go rafting as part of their experience in the smoky mountains What else do you recommend they experience?</p><p>00:46:20.940 --&gt; 00:46:34.050 Olwen Claiborne: Thank you for asking we actually work with partners our partners plying works smoky mountains climbing works is a leader in zip lining they are worldwide later they.</p><p>00:46:34.500 --&gt; 00:46:37.770 Olwen Claiborne: Have a counterpart climb works in Hawaii.</p><p>00:46:38.310 --&gt; 00:46:51.300 Olwen Claiborne: climb work smoky mountains is about a 20-minute drive from our riverside outpost and we do offer a package if anybody wants to book both a zip line trip and rafting trip, at the same time, they get a special price.</p><p>00:46:52.170 --&gt; 00:46:57.990 Olwen Claiborne: I love climbing works zip lining your feet never touched the ground, you are up in the mountain tops.</p><p>00:46:58.740 --&gt; 00:47:10.890 Olwen Claiborne: Their guides are fantastic and it&#39;s about a two and a half hour to hour, depending on the trip that you take so for what we recommend to people is, if you are saying in the smoky mountains region.</p><p>00:47:12.000 --&gt; 00:47:18.960 Olwen Claiborne: You might go zip lining in the morning and go rafting in the afternoon or zip lining one day and rafting the next day, or vice versa.</p><p>00:47:19.350 --&gt; 00:47:29.730 Olwen Claiborne: So that&#39;s a really good combination, we have a lot of friends that offer other adventure trips i&#39;ll put in a quick plug for my friend Bestival colonists and a walk in the woods if.</p><p>00:47:30.060 --&gt; 00:47:42.660 Olwen Claiborne: People who are nature-minded want to come and spend all their time in the mountains, they can take a guided hike with a walk in the woods i&#39;ll be happy to provide you with business contact information if you&#39;d like to speak with your for your podcast.</p><p>00:47:43.620 --&gt; 00:47:45.210 Joseph McElroy: I would, I would definitely love that.</p><p>00:47:46.320 --&gt; 00:47:51.330 Joseph McElroy: Town what what what would be a good thing for people to do in the town.</p><p>00:47:52.140 --&gt; 00:47:58.650 Olwen Claiborne: Oh gosh Gatlinburg is so full of worldwide attractions, I would get in trouble if I started.</p><p>00:48:00.360 --&gt; 00:48:18.750 Olwen Claiborne: I didn&#39;t mention them all yeah I will say, though, that the one of the to three newest premier destinations in Gatlinburg and you&#39;re not going to find this in the other municipalities in the smoky mountain region are an akita.</p><p>00:48:19.680 --&gt; 00:48:29.610 Olwen Claiborne: So is the Gatlinburg sky park and over Gatlinburg, all three of those destinations provide mountain top views of the surrounding area.</p><p>00:48:31.410 --&gt; 00:48:31.860 Joseph McElroy: ski.</p><p>00:48:32.400 --&gt; 00:48:33.360 Joseph McElroy: ski slope right.</p><p>00:48:33.420 --&gt; 00:48:34.260 Olwen Claiborne: Yes, the only.</p><p>00:48:35.610 --&gt; 00:48:37.980 Olwen Claiborne: that&#39;s the only one in East Tennessee.</p><p>00:48:38.280 --&gt; 00:48:40.740 Olwen Claiborne: So, have a good day I had a good year this.</p><p>00:48:41.310 --&gt; 00:48:46.380 Joseph McElroy: Cat the cat lucci isn&#39;t one and Maggie valley and they&#39;re like yeah for this falco and I think.</p><p>00:48:47.610 --&gt; 00:48:54.990 Joseph McElroy: In the nation right something like that there, they are the most southern ski resorts I think they&#39;re there.</p><p>00:48:55.050 --&gt; 00:49:01.620 Olwen Claiborne: I believe Catalooche and over Gatlinburg have claims to fame I would be remiss if I tried to say what they weren&#39;t.</p><p>00:49:05.730 --&gt; 00:49:13.740 Joseph McElroy: we&#39;d have to make sure we do the research on that, but they give us some interesting things about it, and they have a pretty long season from November until March.</p><p>00:49:14.250 --&gt; 00:49:27.990 Joseph McElroy: And when it&#39;s snowing like it&#39;s been now and it&#39;s not only the main snow they have they have this natural snow cover that goes for these mountains that are just glorious but anyway that so when you can&#39;t be wrapped it wrapped in the winter you come here you go ski it.</p><p>00:49:29.280 --&gt; 00:49:30.420 Olwen Claiborne: had all year round.</p><p>00:49:30.660 --&gt; 00:49:31.350 Exactly.</p><p>00:49:33.150 --&gt; 00:49:35.760 Olwen Claiborne: And I will say to about the guided heights.</p><p>00:49:36.600 --&gt; 00:49:42.300 Olwen Claiborne: I know quite a few people who are fantastic I can guides I believe you&#39;re going to be speaking with one maybe next week.</p><p>00:49:44.250 --&gt; 00:49:52.080 Olwen Claiborne: There is more to the forest than what meets the eye so taking a guided hike does enhance your experience.</p><p>00:49:52.320 --&gt; 00:50:03.390 Olwen Claiborne: I used to be like, why would anybody want to guide when they can just go walk the trail which you absolutely can, but when you go with a hiking guide you&#39;ve got someone that can tell you about the history of what you&#39;re seeing.</p><p>00:50:03.630 --&gt; 00:50:04.350 Olwen Claiborne: And all these.</p><p>00:50:04.440 --&gt; 00:50:12.510 Olwen Claiborne: All these trails were originally trade routes so there&#39;s a lot of history there, and there are a lot of stone fences and things that there&#39;s great stories behind.</p><p>00:50:12.750 --&gt; 00:50:24.930 Olwen Claiborne: They can also name a lot of them can name the birds and the plants tell you may maybe some of the medicinal or edible components of some of the plants, so it does really enhance the experience that have a guide.</p><p>00:50:25.200 --&gt; 00:50:27.810 Joseph McElroy: and your guide on the water doesn&#39;t same sort of thing right.</p><p>00:50:28.110 --&gt; 00:50:29.730 Olwen Claiborne: talks about a store do.</p><p>00:50:30.090 --&gt; 00:50:41.850 Olwen Claiborne: And our guides are my favorite part of my job they are such fascinating people they&#39;re superheroes for one I was only a rough guide for a little while it is a very, very challenging job.</p><p>00:50:42.210 --&gt; 00:50:52.290 Olwen Claiborne: Is physical, you have to be a great people person you deal with a lot of jittery families you deal with you know scared moms you deal with a lot of sort of emotional.</p><p>00:50:53.520 --&gt; 00:51:00.540 Olwen Claiborne: input and you&#39;ve got to keep everybody calm and help them have a great time sometimes you have to deal with with them.</p><p>00:51:01.350 --&gt; 00:51:07.560 Olwen Claiborne: things that happen people fall in occasionally we do offer some pre rafting.</p><p>00:51:08.130 --&gt; 00:51:23.910 Olwen Claiborne: instruction as to what to do and what to expect doesn&#39;t happen very often, but it does happen and they&#39;re the ones that are ultimately responsible for the safety of our guests, and they have the best stories, a lot of them are adventure travel professionals and they.</p><p>00:51:25.530 --&gt; 00:51:29.100 Joseph McElroy: can&#39;t get much into that, but you are known as an incubator for adventure travel.</p><p>00:51:30.630 --&gt; 00:51:32.310 Olwen Claiborne: Training is really, really good.</p><p>00:51:32.460 --&gt; 00:51:48.270 Joseph McElroy: I really speaks speaks greatly to your your guys professionalism as an organization, so that impresses me so um what any future plans for smoky mountain or Doris what is our what is what&#39;s going to happen rapping in general and the smokies over the next few years.</p><p>00:51:49.080 --&gt; 00:51:52.560 Olwen Claiborne: yeah that&#39;s a really good question I wish I could easily answer it.</p><p>00:51:53.640 --&gt; 00:52:01.230 Olwen Claiborne: We don&#39;t have something that&#39;s broke that needs to be fixed you know the old saying if it ain&#39;t broke don&#39;t make to fix it.</p><p>00:52:02.130 --&gt; 00:52:12.750 Olwen Claiborne: What we want to do is continue offering award-winning world-class rafting trips and continue to enhance the experience with the great stories and suggestions that our guides offer.</p><p>00:52:13.050 --&gt; 00:52:25.080 Olwen Claiborne: We do have a campground right next door, we are expanding on the capacity of that game ramp you know, during the days of covered outdoor adventures have been incredibly popular so.</p><p>00:52:26.250 --&gt; 00:52:31.980 Olwen Claiborne: What we wanted, what we want to do in the future is keep being as good as we are right now, and never let up.</p><p>00:52:32.610 --&gt; 00:52:35.250 Joseph McElroy: Well, thank you all for being on our podcast.</p><p>00:52:36.630 --&gt; 00:52:40.920 Joseph McElroy: How if somebody wants to contact you to give me more information, how would they do that.</p><p>00:52:41.520 --&gt; 00:52:46.590 Olwen Claiborne: Oh thanks for asking you can find our website is smoky mountain rafting calm.</p><p>00:52:47.520 --&gt; 00:53:07.140 Olwen Claiborne: And through that website all kinds of contact information there&#39;s contact us there&#39;s a chat capability, you can book your trips directly through smoky mountain rafting COM, or you can call our reservations office at one 800 771 raft 107 717238.</p><p>00:53:08.280 --&gt; 00:53:13.500 Olwen Claiborne: If you&#39;d like to email us, you can email trips at smoky mountain rafting.com.</p><p>00:53:13.890 --&gt; 00:53:15.570 Olwen Claiborne: There you go i&#39;ll say.</p><p>00:53:15.840 --&gt; 00:53:25.950 Olwen Claiborne: I would be remiss if I didn&#39;t put in a plug for large groups rafting is a fantastic group activity family reunions wedding trips it&#39;s a fantastic group.</p><p>00:53:25.950 --&gt; 00:53:27.840 Joseph McElroy: Actually training that we got.</p><p>00:53:27.870 --&gt; 00:53:30.210 Joseph McElroy: To get more corporate training in the mountains and that&#39;s.</p><p>00:53:31.230 --&gt; 00:53:44.490 Joseph McElroy: yeah so that&#39;s it&#39;s also a great adventure for people like that, so thank you i&#39;m going to finish up with a little shout out, we are part of the gateway to smoke these podcasts originated where traveler magazine network.</p><p>00:53:45.870 --&gt; 00:53:57.450 Joseph McElroy: We developed a destination, have called the great smoky mountains on where traveler America, where traveler is an 80 year old magazine that you find in many hotels around the world.</p><p>00:53:58.080 --&gt; 00:54:08.100 Joseph McElroy: specializing things to do where to go and expert advice on what to do in town well now they&#39;re doing regions in the smoky mountain great smoky mountains National Park area is the first region.</p><p>00:54:08.640 --&gt; 00:54:21.810 Joseph McElroy: And we will find lots of listings about things to do, as well as in depth articles from experts and locals about what to do in the mountains, and of course we will be putting these podcasts up there.</p><p>00:54:22.800 --&gt; 00:54:31.680 Joseph McElroy: as well, I also own the middle art motel in Maggie valley North Carolina, which is a motel chic roadside.</p><p>00:54:32.190 --&gt; 00:54:39.600 Joseph McElroy: Experience but with a large recreation area, a couple streams on the property debilitation it&#39;s close to all the things that we talked about.</p><p>00:54:39.870 --&gt; 00:54:48.030 Joseph McElroy: it&#39;s very close to getting more probably about an hour an hour and a half drive you know you can go do everything and all the different places that we talked about.</p><p>00:54:48.930 --&gt; 00:54:57.330 Joseph McElroy: So if you&#39;re not looking for a campground experience try a roadside motel it&#39;s also covered and friendly because you drive right up the door, we have contactless.</p><p>00:54:58.680 --&gt; 00:54:59.250 Joseph McElroy: check in.</p><p>00:55:00.330 --&gt; 00:55:06.930 Joseph McElroy: So we&#39;d like to say the smoky mountains smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:55:08.460 --&gt; 00:55:13.890 Joseph McElroy: And it gives you the base from which to go and we are a great base to travel everywhere.</p><p>00:55:14.400 --&gt; 00:55:33.690 Joseph McElroy: um I also own a directory site that includes not only commercial but also natural wonders, and you know and places to go that have no commercial interests and it&#39;s called smokies adventure.com it also talks about the history, the smokies and you can also get trail maps and.</p><p>00:55:35.160 --&gt; 00:55:45.660 Joseph McElroy: books and things that will help your adventures in the smokies there, we also feature things where you have really outdoor weddings and rustic adventures and stuff.</p><p>00:55:46.320 --&gt; 00:56:00.360 Joseph McElroy: But not necessarily dramatically commercial for the large scale endeavors are not going to do it, but it&#39;s for those things that people would love to investigate and find to complement their experiences and smoking now.</p><p>00:56:02.490 --&gt; 00:56:03.210 Joseph McElroy: and</p><p>00:56:06.210 --&gt; 00:56:22.260 Joseph McElroy: let&#39;s see you can find more about this podcast at gateway to the smokies fun all right, where we will feature our guests, so we will feature podcast, we will also be publishing schedules of.</p><p>00:56:23.280 --&gt; 00:56:30.870 Joseph McElroy: Water or upcoming guests and there&#39;s A newsletter that we&#39;ve started that you can subscribe to, and know about upcoming.</p><p>00:56:32.700 --&gt; 00:56:43.110 Joseph McElroy: Events as well as the upcoming podcasts and will also be providing links to resources to help you, with your smoky mountain adventure and then finally.</p><p>00:56:43.800 --&gt; 00:56:50.940 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is originated on the talk and talk radio dot nyc network and it&#39;s.</p><p>00:56:51.600 --&gt; 00:57:02.850 Joseph McElroy: it&#39;s a wonderful network of podcasts related to many different evers and you should stick around for the one after this, which is about exploring nyc, which is a really great podcast if you&#39;re.</p><p>00:57:03.360 --&gt; 00:57:09.480 Joseph McElroy: If you&#39;re listening to this live okay again thank everybody for joining us thank my guests all and clay born.</p><p>00:57:09.750 --&gt; 00:57:20.310 Joseph McElroy: And we will see you next week, but we&#39;re gonna be talking to keep gardens and his partner Craig and Keith name has come up a couple times a day about hiking in the smokies see you there.</p> da4fd034-37b2-4bfe-a668-502d2ff8b17a https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/a5467e35-3830-4d56-aaf2-e643e99489aa Tue, 23 Feb 2021 23:00:00 +0000 3013 no full Episode 6: The History of Plott Hounds in the Smokies Episode 6: The History of Plott Hounds in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Watch Gateway to the Smokies live podcast hosted by Joseph Franklyn McElroy-CEO of Galileo Tech Media - Marketing Expert in SEO, Technology, and Conversions with our special guest <strong>Bob Plott</strong> - he is an award-winning author of four books -- that have been sold in all 50 states and 11 foreign countries -- as well as numerous magazine articles, a public speaker and a Historian. We will be talking about the History of Plott Hounds in the Smokies.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/3J9rfAlEsR/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong><span></span></strong></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s episode will discuss hounds, more specifically, Plott Hounds and will feature guest Bob Plott. Joseph tells stories of hounds from his childhood. Reminiscing on these stories and his family, Joseph recites a poem that reminds him of his father. Bob introduces himself and the history of his family within the mountains. He discusses realizing the significance of his family after having a son, deciding that he would make sure to tell the stories of his family. Bob’s 3rd great grandfather traveled to America by boat, likely with nothing but his dogs.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Bob’s great grandfather supposedly brought his dogs with him to bring to a German settlement, to be used for hunting. By 1750, the Plott’s were settled in North Carolina. Not long after, in 1803, Henry Plott migrated to Western North Carolina. In his first season in the Smokies, Henry nearly died of cold, crediting his dogs with saving his life. The Plott Hounds are set apart from other hounds not only by their story, but by their Germanic roots as well as traits such as their intelligence and loyalty. As a pup, they can be acclimated to many sorts of lifestyle. Bob and Joseph discuss the physical appearance of the hounds. In the mountains, the hounds hunted bears primarily, but would kill a wide variety of animals as their owners needed food. Living in the mountains dog food was sparsely found, so owners needed to make their own, making a special cornbread. The hounds were used for more than just hunting though, protecting their households and helping herd livestock. Joseph and Bob exchange stories of dogs protecting their owners. The Plott hounds are woven into the history not only of the Smoky Mountains, but the country, with many bringing their hounds with them as they migrated across the country.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Bob discusses how the hounds have come full circle over the past 250 years as both the dogs and culture have evolved. While the dogs can serve a variety of purposes, they adapt to theirs while growing up and keep those habits throughout their lives. Bob delves further into his family history, describing how they brought these hounds to fame.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Bob has written 5 books about the hounds and is currently in Maggie Valley, surrounded by his family’s history. Parts of the park now bear the plot name. While it may be named after the Plott family, Bob credits many other families with spreading the breed and making it more than a regional name. Bob discusses his new book, coming out March 15th, which he wrote with his son, Jacob. The book discusses the railroad, its creation, and its effect on the culture. Bob plans to continue to run programs such as PlottFest, educating people about these stories. Bob can be contacted through his website, BobPlott.com, as well as his social media channels.</p> Video thumbnail

Our special guest in this episode is Bob Plott he is an award-winning author of four books -- that have been sold in all 50 states and 11 foreign countries -- as well as numerous magazine articles, a public speaker, and a Historian. We will be talking about the History of Plott Hounds in the Smokies.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.



Show Notes


Segment 1

Today’s episode will discuss hounds, more specifically, Plott Hounds, and will feature guest Bob Plott. Joseph tells stories of hounds from his childhood. Reminiscing on these stories and his family, Joseph recites a poem that reminds him of his father. Bob introduces himself and the history of his family within the mountains. He discusses realizing the significance of his family after having a son, deciding that he would make sure to tell the stories of his family. Bob’s 3rd great-grandfather traveled to America by boat, likely with nothing but his dogs.

Segment 2

Bob’s great grandfather supposedly brought his dogs with him to bring to a German settlement, to be used for hunting. By 1750, the Plotts were settled in North Carolina. Not long after, in 1803, Henry Plott migrated to Western North Carolina. In his first season in the Smokies, Henry nearly died of cold, crediting his dogs with saving his life. The Plott Hounds are set apart from other hounds not only by their story but by their Germanic roots as well as traits such as their intelligence and loyalty. As a pup, they can be acclimated to many sorts of lifestyles. Bob and Joseph discuss the physical appearance of the hounds. In the mountains, the hounds hunted bears primarily but would kill a wide variety of animals as their owners needed food. Living in the mountains dog food was sparsely found, so owners needed to make their own, making a special cornbread. The hounds were used for more than just hunting though, protecting their households and helping herd livestock. Joseph and Bob exchange stories of dogs protecting their owners. The Plott hounds are woven into the history not only of the Smoky Mountains but the country, with many bringing their hounds with them as they migrated across the country.

Segment 3

Bob discusses how the hounds have come full circle over the past 250 years as both the dogs and culture have evolved. While the dogs can serve a variety of purposes, they adapt to theirs while growing up and keep those habits throughout their lives. Bob delves further into his family history, describing how they brought these hounds to fame.

Segment 4

Bob has written 5 books about the hounds and is currently in Maggie Valley, surrounded by his family’s history. Parts of the park now bear the plot name. While it may be named after the Plott family, Bob credits many other families with spreading the breed and making it more than a regional name. Bob discusses his new book, coming out on March 15th, which he wrote with his son, Jacob. The book discusses the railroad, its creation, and its effect on the culture. Bob plans to continue to run programs such as PlottFest, educating people about these stories. Bob can be contacted through his website, BobPlott.com, as well as his social media channels.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:38.010 –> 00:00:50.070 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies this podcast is about america’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and surrounding towns.

00:00:50.610 –> 00:01:03.330 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we will explore weekly with episodes that you can enjoy at your leisure.

00:01:04.230 –> 00:01:17.580 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky mountains, for almost 200 years my businesses and travel, but my heart isn’t kosher.

00:01:19.290 –> 00:01:22.020 Joseph McElroy: Now today we’re gonna be talking about how.

00:01:23.220 –> 00:01:31.080 Joseph McElroy: Specifically, the state dog in North Carolina the plot out my guest is Bob Plott and he is a third.

00:01:31.590 –> 00:01:45.990 Joseph McElroy: The third great grandson of George Plott first brought the Plott bear hounds to America in the mid 18th century and he’s the great great nephew of Henry Clark who introduced the breed of the great smoky mountains in the 90s, and the early 1800s.

00:01:47.070 –> 00:02:00.360 Joseph McElroy: But first I want to tell you a little bit of what pound hounds mean commitment to me growing up in the smoky mountains now is associate pounds with my grandfather mcilroy he was.

00:02:01.590 –> 00:02:07.080 Joseph McElroy: an avid hunter he hunted raccoons and fox amongst other animals.

00:02:08.640 –> 00:02:17.310 Joseph McElroy: He he was so avid he built himself a cabin on wheels, and he would pull on his old model.

00:02:17.880 –> 00:02:30.930 Joseph McElroy: To even down roads to to go to different Hutton events, I remember the remember riding with him and he would he would drive up the mountain and his team team model forward with the guests and he turned the gas off to float down.

00:02:30.990 –> 00:02:31.500 man.

00:02:32.910 –> 00:02:49.350 Joseph McElroy: So uh but he always had dogs on this farm when I visited and I always wanted to go hunting, with him, but he he sort of to sort of got sick and then he then he had died before we could, but I remember.

00:02:50.490 –> 00:03:03.540 Joseph McElroy: I remember you know I don’t remember before you know, a period of time, because my family and I lived moved down to Texas for a short two or three years, and I was like in the first through third grade first grade second grade.

00:03:04.950 –> 00:03:18.060 Joseph McElroy: But when we came back with one of the first things they do this is good as introduced back to her relatives and they send us over to my grandparents for a couple days now, he came to pick us up and his truck that T model and.

00:03:19.170 –> 00:03:26.250 Joseph McElroy: He put me in the front seat and drove us we’re driving towards the farm, but he stopped by this stone building.

00:03:27.330 –> 00:03:37.890 Joseph McElroy: And he was jumped out ran in and he came out a few minutes later with a with a bloody bag that was bolden with stuff I didn’t know what it was.

00:03:39.780 –> 00:03:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And he got in the truck and he looked at me he looked at me and stern he always had this stern look, he was an old farmer and stone mountain man he looked at me go I got a.

00:03:50.040 –> 00:03:56.880 Joseph McElroy: pig and poke photo photo right opinion about her dog no idea what he was talking about.

00:03:57.810 –> 00:04:04.200 Joseph McElroy: All right, yeah I didn’t understand it, I just come from Texas, where there was a slow southern drawl right.

00:04:04.590 –> 00:04:16.770 Joseph McElroy: He was doing that found past mountain without the constants on the end and I just I didn’t get it, and I was petrified because here’s his bag and bloody moans and I didn’t know what he wanted me to do with it, what was for.

00:04:17.790 –> 00:04:27.060 Joseph McElroy: us, so I was drunk we were driving to another 15 minutes to the farm and when I was like what’s going to happen, why do I got this what am I supposed to do.

00:04:28.920 –> 00:04:34.380 Joseph McElroy: We get to the we get to the meat we get to the farm, it is, and then he stops and it looks amazing.

00:04:35.610 –> 00:04:38.490 Joseph McElroy: Go on then, what and he said well.

00:04:41.910 –> 00:04:54.900 Joseph McElroy: Not figured out he said something like pigs for the Pope if pigs in the Pope for the dog, which was bones in the in the book he’d gotten pig bones or something bones and put them in the bag and growing from the butcher and we’re going to feed the dogs.

00:04:55.650 –> 00:04:56.010 yeah.

00:04:57.210 –> 00:05:04.500 Joseph McElroy: So that was that was a reintroduction to mountain language I quickly picked up you know, being a young kid.

00:05:05.670 –> 00:05:07.380 Joseph McElroy: But it was also about dogs.

00:05:07.410 –> 00:05:24.210 Joseph McElroy: It was about 10 pounds in the mountains, I remember, we used to have a have a one time he had he evidently Cox on fox pucks and put them in the barn and I guess he did that to train the dogs on the smell of fox right.

00:05:24.480 –> 00:05:24.870 Right.

00:05:26.040 –> 00:05:32.970 Joseph McElroy: I wanted to play within a smell the high heaven, I never I can still smell that, for as long.

00:05:33.990 –> 00:05:40.380 Joseph McElroy: As I, to this day, I can remember being just totally like I haven’t walked out there and just about throw up as I came out.

00:05:41.430 –> 00:05:46.650 Joseph McElroy: But you know he always, let us be involved, he taught me he used to talk a lot about hunting and I learned.

00:05:47.070 –> 00:05:59.400 Joseph McElroy: A lot of little things at the time and I always wanted to do, but I never got the chance, but as part of my culture, you know my dad was busy work and he never really got to go hunt and lunch after you know after he came back so.

00:06:00.960 –> 00:06:16.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s my it’s one of the intense memories of my grandfather and I found this poem that that made me really think of him, is it sort of as a thought memorable it’s called memories, just to come by by caleb spot Scott.

00:06:18.060 –> 00:06:31.170 Joseph McElroy: Many nights we chased through the woods Lazarus that in me through the hills and hollers river bottoms and mode, we talk quietly about all sorts of things life hounds and girls.

00:06:31.800 –> 00:06:45.930 Joseph McElroy: kinds of things a boy can’t say at home around mom and the girls chasing the matte black mask banded oh What a wonderful game sometimes he wins, sometimes we win the odds are about to say.

00:06:47.850 –> 00:06:56.040 Joseph McElroy: The silence is broken with allow dying ball that’s Lazarus struck, we know it won’t be long at all.

00:06:56.610 –> 00:07:03.600 Joseph McElroy: I know that is smiling as We walked slowly to the truck the odds are with us tonight and the coon was a look.

00:07:04.590 –> 00:07:25.920 Joseph McElroy: Now the hunters over as a snow begins to fall school will be out tomorrow it’s pretty heavy after all wishing grandpa could be here too, but we knew he watched it all and many nights here after through the forest and the creeks grandpa watching over us Lazarus dad and me.

00:07:28.290 –> 00:07:40.740 Joseph McElroy: As that’s that’s a pretty cool is, I think it encompasses that that sort of a time and the other family, the importance of the of the of the.

00:07:42.150 –> 00:08:02.910 Joseph McElroy: hound dogs in mountain culture and hunting to men growing up there, and the traditions pass on for in the family, you know and dogs as well you’re going to tell us Bob is pretty important into the you know into the end of the founding of the smoky mountains in the settlement of it.

00:08:04.410 –> 00:08:05.160 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:08:06.360 –> 00:08:11.550 Joseph McElroy: Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your background and your family history with the blah blah house.

00:08:12.750 –> 00:08:18.720 Bob Plott: Well, you know my background is a lot like yours, Joseph I grew up around it and my father would take me to see.

00:08:19.320 –> 00:08:25.290 Bob Plott: Are these old timers that were realities of our sometimes they were just friends, but more often than not they were relatives.

00:08:25.740 –> 00:08:31.380 Bob Plott: And I remember vividly spending time with me and like home lot of plot.

00:08:31.920 –> 00:08:43.050 Bob Plott: looks like that, and it was for me that time was a boy that was like going to a kid today going to see an nba star or nfl star or something you know you just treat these guys with such respect.

00:08:43.590 –> 00:08:46.230 Bob Plott: Of what they knew and what they had done and then, of course.

00:08:47.220 –> 00:08:54.660 Bob Plott: know that you’re even related to him in the head, you know that you might have something to do or could have something to do with perpetuating their legacy, I mean.

00:08:55.020 –> 00:09:08.940 Bob Plott: I don’t take any credit for any of it, I just tried to record it and pass it on but it’s a really remarkable to be around this type of folks and hear those type of stories because that’s I was always that weird key imagine does love to be around that sort of thing to.

00:09:09.900 –> 00:09:12.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah a little bit meteor weird tears around that time.

00:09:14.670 –> 00:09:28.380 Joseph McElroy: To hear those stories yeah so so you you found out about the history of your family history, I guess that was it was it something that was just talked about or did you find out when you were a little bit older.

00:09:29.460 –> 00:09:34.200 Joseph McElroy: And what kind of what kind of honoring of the traditions your family have.

00:09:35.040 –> 00:09:43.680 Bob Plott: Well, we knew about it from the star, but I think for me personally, it was something I kind of took for granted, initially, because when I was really young.

00:09:44.220 –> 00:09:49.200 Bob Plott: You know, everybody was still doing it, I mean there was bomb plot was still alive her plot was alive.

00:09:49.650 –> 00:09:56.340 Bob Plott: lot of the guys, who had been complete the dogs are registered back in 1946 for the first time, you know they were still around.

00:09:56.730 –> 00:10:07.470 Bob Plott: And they had sons and grandsons and healthy, just like myself and, and so there was never any doubt in my mind that was not going to be continued and perpetuated.

00:10:07.920 –> 00:10:16.830 Bob Plott: And then, when I had my own son my my first my son was born in 93 really made me realize that no one had really told these stories and.

00:10:17.490 –> 00:10:25.530 Bob Plott: Those guys were gone now and my father was call him uncle was gone volume was gone hub was gone and I really wanted to try to to honor them.

00:10:25.920 –> 00:10:32.820 Bob Plott: And let people know about what they send me misconceptions about in so many things that have been told him correctly.

00:10:33.450 –> 00:10:46.020 Bob Plott: I just really wanted to make sure the story with told correctly and to dispel some of the stereotypes, because so often you hear all these things about the mountain he’ll be liza don’t know anything, nothing could be further from the truth.

00:10:46.890 –> 00:10:59.520 Joseph McElroy: So um so the story, I read a little bit of it, George plot and his brother came started out on this journey now why did they decide decide, and how they do that and bring a bunch of dog.

00:11:00.540 –> 00:11:08.400 Bob Plott: Well there’s there’s it’s interesting there’s a couple different versions of it and I stuck with it, when I wrote my first book I stuck with the version that.

00:11:09.000 –> 00:11:21.660 Bob Plott: old people who told me now there’s other versions that say that maybe they came with their parents, but I was always led to believe that my third great grandfather came here with his brother and they.

00:11:22.740 –> 00:11:33.420 Bob Plott: their father was a gamekeeper and didn’t have a whole lot of money that he gave them the Holy possessions of real value he had, which was the plot dogs and they brought five of them with them.

00:11:33.870 –> 00:11:40.410 Bob Plott: On the ship and one of the brothers died in route was buried at sea, so he was my third great grandfather.

00:11:41.910 –> 00:11:49.440 Bob Plott: You know blown probably couldn’t speak English and just with Ian the dogs and his brother David now you know.

00:11:50.040 –> 00:11:58.650 Bob Plott: that’s one version of the story it’s a story is that he came with his parents That may be true, too, but I stuck with what i’ve been told, and either way they brought the dogs with them.

00:11:59.130 –> 00:12:06.150 Bob Plott: And supposedly five dogs and those dogs kind of became the Foundation stock for the plot home that we know today.

00:12:06.870 –> 00:12:08.640 Joseph McElroy: They came into Philadelphia right.

00:12:08.970 –> 00:12:26.940 Bob Plott: They did, and you know the the conditions on that ship were so terrible you know people glamorize romanticize the migration of immigrants to America, but it was just terrible, I mean the food was rancid water, it was terrible people are dying in beta see dislike.

00:12:28.740 –> 00:12:41.640 Bob Plott: Right great grandfather’s uncle and supposedly the ship was so stunk so badly that when he came into the harbor they wouldn’t even let them Doc they’ve started, bringing the people in the stuff in there to.

00:12:42.270 –> 00:12:47.880 Bob Plott: to just a few at a time and they assign an allegiance to the King and and then go the other way.

00:12:49.650 –> 00:12:56.100 Joseph McElroy: And where they originally those dogs originally big game Bob dogs back in back in the homeowner.

00:12:56.970 –> 00:13:08.880 Bob Plott: In Germany, yes, there was not bear in Germany, but there was bore, and so they were you generally used for that and then of course the gatekeepers were used to to be kind of guards game wardens.

00:13:10.530 –> 00:13:16.050 Bob Plott: do a little bit of everything to delete the breeding programs for the barons that they work for.

00:13:16.800 –> 00:13:24.900 Joseph McElroy: Oh well, when we come back we’re going to find out how they did it in the smoky mountains and a little bit about what makes them special reads alright.

00:13:25.320 –> 00:13:26.940 Bob Plott: Alright sounds good.

00:16:26.610 –> 00:16:41.880 Joseph McElroy: howdy is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Bob Plott so Bob you’re great you’re great great grandfather right the third great grandfather right.

00:16:42.900 –> 00:16:58.290 Joseph McElroy: came into Philadelphia, with five with five pounds after having adventures voyage, with a bit of tragedy, and he established himself there How did the migration occurred come get those smoky mountain.

00:16:59.430 –> 00:17:06.210 Bob Plott: Well that’s another interesting story Joseph a again there’s two versions, but dispersion I was always told as a boy was.

00:17:06.660 –> 00:17:14.640 Bob Plott: That they were another reason I brought the dogs with and worth was to be contract hunters for the German settlement in new Bern North Carolina.

00:17:15.330 –> 00:17:25.080 Bob Plott: And it was the largest German settlement on the east coast, but they didn’t really have a and all sorts of craftsmen, but they didn’t have any hunters to provide food for them.

00:17:25.530 –> 00:17:38.670 Bob Plott: So supposedly the that the arts were hired to come in and provide food for now another version is that they came down the old wagon road and ended up like a lot of.

00:17:39.150 –> 00:17:53.460 Bob Plott: The German pioneers did in round Salzburg concord area either way they definitely ended up there at some point whether it came with it from new Bern or from Pennsylvania, but either way by 1750.

00:17:54.510 –> 00:18:05.370 Bob Plott: Sometime around that time they were around concord North Carolina to farm established there and Henry plot, one of my grandfather great grandfather sons, who was my great great uncle.

00:18:06.030 –> 00:18:18.150 Bob Plott: He then decided to migrate to Western North Carolina to find more land and hunting there and farmland and so he and his brother in law came to haywood county in about.

00:18:18.870 –> 00:18:30.600 Bob Plott: Probably run 1803 guess some people say a little bit earlier than that some people say 1803 and four but 1805 he’s showing up on census records and he has a farm here and.

00:18:31.320 –> 00:18:48.150 Bob Plott: He had a very industrious man help with the Community love, is he had a great week we’ll worry instructed to make sure that his wife, he also had so Randy and that his wife was made sure she inherited steel, so I thought that was kind of interested to.

00:18:48.600 –> 00:19:00.000 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s interesting, we had a we had a show Dave angel over the elevated that mountain distillery told us about the moonshine and have brandy from you know fruits and stuff was made essentially the same way.

00:19:02.130 –> 00:19:06.870 Joseph McElroy: That was a there was a higher ticket item people be out did that quite often.

00:19:07.110 –> 00:19:15.360 Bob Plott: Absolutely, he ended receipt book with all that there but, for the first year, the first season, he was here was rough he actually ended up over near canton.

00:19:15.810 –> 00:19:24.180 Bob Plott: And just about froze to death, that winner and accredited the dogs will save any cross over the page and gap and went down to the confluence of dicks creek.

00:19:24.750 –> 00:19:33.180 Bob Plott: In Richmond Greek and that’s where a plot creek is today, and where the plot blossoms and valleys and that’s kind of where the breed became famous.

00:19:33.990 –> 00:19:38.760 Joseph McElroy: So what sets the plot bound breed apart from other purebred dog.

00:19:39.870 –> 00:19:49.950 Bob Plott: Well, one thing if, from a bloodline standpoint is there Germanic groups in that most of your American purebred dogs were the scene from breeds and the British Isles.

00:19:50.430 –> 00:19:58.320 Bob Plott: But I would argue that it’s their intelligence, as far as physical characteristics, they have a beautiful brindle coat.

00:19:59.010 –> 00:20:08.100 Bob Plott: But it’s that intelligence that tenacity that loyalty and multi purpose capabilities and make them so special, but I would further argue that.

00:20:08.670 –> 00:20:12.900 Bob Plott: There are other dogs that have some of those same traits as well and they’re certainly great.

00:20:13.260 –> 00:20:22.260 Bob Plott: dogs and other breeds, but the plot hand story is so unique to Joseph it’s it’s it’s really classic Americana it goes along with the.

00:20:22.710 –> 00:20:31.110 Bob Plott: Constant migration and Western migration and pioneers and you know, in the 1700s 1900s this was the frontier, and from that point forward.

00:20:31.710 –> 00:20:40.170 Bob Plott: books were hitting the Texas Arkansas Colorado Washington state later and they took the dogs with them, because they were such an integral part of their lives.

00:20:41.130 –> 00:20:50.250 Joseph McElroy: right they had they were pretty good at being protected right, how are they how they personality wise compared to the other hound dogs out there.

00:20:50.730 –> 00:20:54.240 Bob Plott: Well, you know I laugh because there’s truth to this.

00:20:55.260 –> 00:21:07.350 Bob Plott: they’re very fiercely loyal I mean once you have a puppet you raise that puppy will he or she will be just bad for you and you know I can tell you stories of myself and other people who.

00:21:09.240 –> 00:21:21.360 Bob Plott: Talks may love their parents or other people in the family, but at the end of the day, if I was going to be disciplined or if anybody in my family was going to be disciplined father or mother would have to put the dog.

00:21:23.280 –> 00:21:30.810 Bob Plott: The dog when you know the tack room or something said so yeah so it was always just fiercely loyal and so so smart.

00:21:31.230 –> 00:21:48.180 Bob Plott: And they’re just a joy to be around, but in the end the good thing about them is they they’re such have saved me skills they can be acclimated to any sort of lifestyle, if you know when they’re when they’re have that DNA to hunt and the trail into a lot need a lot of activity.

00:21:49.080 –> 00:21:53.490 Joseph McElroy: Well, what would you say, is the most common look for well it looked like.

00:21:54.300 –> 00:22:04.800 Bob Plott: Well they’re known primarily for this beautiful randall coke and brindle can come in two different variations, you can come with a dark base coat in a light kind of tiger stripe.

00:22:05.250 –> 00:22:13.620 Bob Plott: And can come with a light base coat and a darker tiger stripe that’s kind of the predominant color that 5% of your.

00:22:14.190 –> 00:22:24.870 Bob Plott: plans will be Maltese or what we call it blue merle or a book scan and then you’ll see an occasional saddleback black saddleback with a solid black back and.

00:22:25.380 –> 00:22:37.200 Bob Plott: Brenda legs and intellect do later braiding there you see some black plans now a lot more than you used to because some people took the books can out of the breeding pool and that result of map but.

00:22:37.830 –> 00:22:42.630 Bob Plott: i’m a big proponent for the book skin, because I think that’s important to maintain that rental code.

00:22:44.250 –> 00:22:47.490 Joseph McElroy: cool so they’re they’re pretty beautiful dog aren’t they.

00:22:47.970 –> 00:22:58.470 Bob Plott: they’re strikingly beautiful and, again, there are other dogs that have brindle coast, I think it’s that combination of the code they’re very athletic looking you know your traditional hound.

00:22:58.980 –> 00:23:16.770 Bob Plott: booking to think about a bloodhound with these groupie years, all the way at the ground, whereas a plot town has more of a pancake here a lot thicker chest more athletic looking dog, no, no, the loose skin hanging off of and generally just a lot more athletic looking dog.

00:23:17.970 –> 00:23:21.420 Joseph McElroy: And what would they what would they mostly hunting the mountains.

00:23:22.200 –> 00:23:32.010 Bob Plott: Well, you know bear primarily but also later when you know hawks and wild boar one introduced here really until later, but.

00:23:32.760 –> 00:23:44.070 Bob Plott: You know, hunting was survival as day, so you hear people today well I don’t want my dog to do anything that run bear or run Kuhn, or whatever, but back in those days they were looking for food so.

00:23:44.910 –> 00:24:01.620 Bob Plott: Written accounts multitudes of written accounts and i’ve covered in my books of guys talking about you know we went hunting and we went bear hunting, but we saw three turkeys with q3 turkeys we kill for deer WikiLeaks you know this and that and because they need food and.

00:24:01.920 –> 00:24:09.630 Bob Plott: It was interesting you said earlier about the dog food you’re talking about your grandfather because back in those days dog food was hard to find you either.

00:24:09.990 –> 00:24:18.750 Bob Plott: They had dogs table scraps or you may what they called dog breeds, which was a coarse grained cornbread that they just made big cakes and bricks and.

00:24:19.740 –> 00:24:23.460 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah yeah little corn was very prevalent in the mountains so.

00:24:23.700 –> 00:24:24.600 Joseph McElroy: far as.

00:24:24.660 –> 00:24:30.600 Joseph McElroy: Well, as the way to be I remember that my grandfather made that one bread, I remember that yeah yeah.

00:24:31.620 –> 00:24:34.290 Joseph McElroy: I tried tasting at one time, one that typically good.

00:24:35.790 –> 00:24:38.490 Bob Plott: it’s not your typical cornbread you know it sounds.

00:24:38.490 –> 00:24:49.170 Bob Plott: Great but and then you know volume what will tell the story of going hunting and can happen in the dark red he called it being frozen and having to break it up with his boots to feed the dogs.

00:24:49.530 –> 00:24:51.030 Oh yeah.

00:24:52.050 –> 00:24:55.950 Joseph McElroy: Those are those don’t you love those old frozen frozen hunting stories.

00:24:56.190 –> 00:24:59.640 Bob Plott: Oh man Okay, I could listen to them all day long.

00:25:00.120 –> 00:25:00.270 and

00:25:01.710 –> 00:25:04.500 Joseph McElroy: Talking about oh by the gun frozen my hand and.

00:25:07.680 –> 00:25:14.040 Joseph McElroy: frozen frozen hunting stories are a big big staple of tales around the porch when I was growing up.

00:25:14.310 –> 00:25:14.880 Bob Plott: Yes, sir.

00:25:16.740 –> 00:25:29.730 Joseph McElroy: So, so they were in the mountains, I came here and there’s black bears, of course, so they help they help deal with that they also did to help deal with the wolves and coyotes and Fox and things like that.

00:25:29.970 –> 00:25:39.570 Bob Plott: yeah and there’s again, you know statue amount of historical data of the dogs being protective of households, not just in in.

00:25:40.170 –> 00:25:55.860 Bob Plott: In in being providing food, but back in those days fences were used keep livestock out of garden, so these dogs to hurt to so they would actually go out and heard last in and then it was also during back in the Indian conflict.

00:25:56.550 –> 00:26:08.250 Bob Plott: In the civil war and just in general console or how laws and stuff around the talks and defended you know households and homesteads repeatedly to scores of stories and that type.

00:26:09.090 –> 00:26:24.030 Joseph McElroy: I remember yeah some people I can even remember So when I was going with sometimes people would that have to take their kids out to work in the field right, and they have a dog sit around with the kid even a little baby all right.

00:26:24.720 –> 00:26:34.140 Bob Plott: Mr crockett with tell a story or often of him and his brother being out in the yard, when you just still in diapers and his parents going to.

00:26:35.460 –> 00:26:43.950 Bob Plott: In the field and work, it was another family nearby there were full i’d gotten loose and was one right straight toward the kid to.

00:26:45.090 –> 00:26:53.850 Bob Plott: kill one over the very least, in the in the plot on the intervened and feared the bull away from the child.

00:26:54.600 –> 00:26:59.970 Joseph McElroy: was doing I was growing up, I had, I had a dog I didn’t have a house, I had a dog and.

00:27:01.110 –> 00:27:02.640 Joseph McElroy: Help sorts of dogs are important.

00:27:02.880 –> 00:27:13.740 Joseph McElroy: I really have we lived up in fox run pretty high up there right it’s not too far from the appalachian trail really and we had a lot of black bears come through there and one got up my dad and building deck outside of my.

00:27:14.340 –> 00:27:27.150 Joseph McElroy: Out of my my room and I woke up one day, and there was a BlackBerry up on there, and the windows open I was like oh no but the dog lunch from my bedroom he slept with me and scared of the dog the bear off.

00:27:31.410 –> 00:27:49.080 Bob Plott: The plot the plot live here in in waynesville mag you Alan he told a great story of that I am healed a man a guy come back and said he was he had been disabled during the war and everybody expect you know kind of back that he was he wasn’t.

00:27:50.220 –> 00:28:07.590 Bob Plott: Totally truthful about it and but they call it a name anyway, the bear Dr Jason the bear and the bear ran into the man’s housewives going to Steve and the guy jumped out the window and ran down the street or road hollering and screaming and they were laughing to the plot.

00:28:08.790 –> 00:28:10.590 Bob Plott: Driven at the may have maybe walk again.

00:28:13.980 –> 00:28:22.290 Joseph McElroy: You go that’s a good story so so you you’ve mentioned that the breed is unique what what makes their story so.

00:28:23.910 –> 00:28:29.280 Bob Plott: Well, again I think it’s the he not many people have a dog named after the family of.

00:28:29.280 –> 00:28:30.060 Joseph McElroy: course yeah.

00:28:30.270 –> 00:28:39.120 Bob Plott: And so that’s kind of unique and then of course black that is such a part of every chapter in history, I mean you can go back and look at some of these cattle drives.

00:28:39.510 –> 00:28:49.050 Bob Plott: out in Texas, where people had moved out there from here in East Tennessee and had taken dogs with them, they look, just like plans I can’t prove that they were but.

00:28:49.320 –> 00:28:53.100 Bob Plott: there’s actual photographs of them, and if they’re not plot hands, they should look like them.

00:28:53.610 –> 00:29:05.400 Bob Plott: And it fits you know, and I know for a fact that, for example, you know relatives and friends took dogs out to Washington state in the you know late 1800s early 1900s two.

00:29:06.390 –> 00:29:10.500 Bob Plott: Jobs as bloggers out there, oh I think it’s just that part of that.

00:29:11.220 –> 00:29:25.320 Bob Plott: You know, constant expansion of migration of people heading West and looking for a better life and the dogs always been with them Stanley hicks told me a story one time, where I cruises a very nice area outside of North Carolina.

00:29:26.700 –> 00:29:33.300 Bob Plott: or Greg man father, so that whole valley for all going awry phone and sheepskin and thought he got the best the end of the deal.

00:29:35.190 –> 00:29:48.210 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s that’s the those horse trading days are some people make deals they both are great and where we weren’t the don’t in our tire times now, like those those those acres or $100,000 eat.

00:29:48.660 –> 00:29:48.810 Oh.

00:29:50.940 –> 00:30:01.590 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re gonna take a break down, you know we’re gonna come back we’re talking more about the full circle this breeds come, you know and how their special you.

00:32:54.570 –> 00:33:05.610 Joseph McElroy: How y’all doing it’s just a Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest bar plot the plot hound family fame.

00:33:06.180 –> 00:33:21.420 Joseph McElroy: Oh, Bob how are you doing so I right, so you know, I was reading I was reading a little bit about that and I thought was interesting that the plot hound was the only only coon hunting dog it wasn’t descended from fox house.

00:33:21.840 –> 00:33:22.440 Joseph McElroy: Is that true.

00:33:23.100 –> 00:33:29.640 Bob Plott: It is and that goes back to what I mentioned earlier about the the most of your foxhounds came from England or sheils.

00:33:30.360 –> 00:33:40.920 Bob Plott: The plot hand has a dramatic roots which totally fits and partners another whole great story about caleb to had dogs back then, and the Celts like the closed mouth dog was quiet.

00:33:41.400 –> 00:33:52.050 Bob Plott: And the English hey that because they wanted thought towns that they’d made a lot of noise but yeah the plot how has that romantic groups that makes it different yeah cool.

00:33:52.350 –> 00:33:54.090 Joseph McElroy: And what kind of what kind of sound of them a.

00:33:55.140 –> 00:33:55.710 Bob Plott: lot hell.

00:33:55.860 –> 00:34:06.150 Bob Plott: yeah well there’s two types of barks primarily are known was a plot chop mouth and a big mouth and the chop is kind of a real staccato George is.

00:34:07.290 –> 00:34:15.330 Bob Plott: That when it gets close on the trail, then you had that ball mouth, which is more of alone whoo whoo whoo long how like that.

00:34:16.230 –> 00:34:18.810 Joseph McElroy: cool so it’s a sort of a low sound or.

00:34:19.380 –> 00:34:29.160 Bob Plott: can be and and and and it’s like I say it just intensifies as they get closer towards what they’re treating are trying to container bay.

00:34:30.630 –> 00:34:34.320 Joseph McElroy: So how is the breed come full circle over the past 250 years.

00:34:34.830 –> 00:34:47.160 Bob Plott: Well it’s good question, I think the Multi purpose capabilities, is what always hit the plot dog park even early home, in that they were hunters they were herders and protectors, and they were friends.

00:34:47.880 –> 00:34:56.580 Bob Plott: But and skills, all those things are true today is things changed over the generations, obviously, you know Maggie valley now is a.

00:34:57.180 –> 00:35:05.130 Bob Plott: premier resorted here is the beautiful tourist area, we have a plot that has two years festivals and music and all sorts of great things going on.

00:35:05.490 –> 00:35:09.810 Bob Plott: The back in those days, which is frontier though now as things have evolved.

00:35:10.470 –> 00:35:20.280 Bob Plott: dog has had to evolve with that you can you still have hunted going on, but now you the dogs are show dogs, which was recognized as a Casey champion Joe dog.

00:35:20.850 –> 00:35:28.230 Bob Plott: recognize it, but all the major kindle clubs been using search and rescue dogs with wildlife operations tag animals.

00:35:28.830 –> 00:35:42.360 Bob Plott: being used as cadaver dogs and then, of course, all the same things they’ve done over the year so multi purpose capabilities remain the same, even though some of those skills have changed and there’s needs have changed yields remain the same.

00:35:43.230 –> 00:35:52.110 Joseph McElroy: So then, make a really good they’re really highly intelligent dog that could probably be in a lot of any kind of scenario, or you need intelligence right.

00:35:52.740 –> 00:35:57.030 Bob Plott: yeah I tell the story all the time, you know it’s it’s.

00:35:58.200 –> 00:36:11.580 Bob Plott: Oh, what happens in particular, you get one is a pub you can acclimate them to pretty much anything i’ve got a friend of mine who raised his plot around on chicken farm and host his dog hurt Chickens will yeah yeah.

00:36:12.780 –> 00:36:20.400 Bob Plott: we’ll buy them now you do anything else now my dogs, on the other hand, if they saw a chicken, they would think it was suffering i’ve never been around.

00:36:20.700 –> 00:36:22.650 Joseph McElroy: The record I can I can get a pup for.

00:36:22.650 –> 00:36:24.630 Joseph McElroy: My hurt my two year old twins are.

00:36:26.040 –> 00:36:32.460 Bob Plott: You good you take some work with him, but yeah it just a matter of building a lot of people make the mistake, though sometimes of.

00:36:32.850 –> 00:36:40.110 Bob Plott: point in trying to get a dog is you know already got to have those tablets and didn’t want to turn them into a house dog or or.

00:36:40.710 –> 00:36:53.280 Bob Plott: Something else they make great pants i’ve got a friend of mine so retired special forces carnally and dog sleep with him every night and i’ve got a video on my website where the dog salute the flag before he raises a flag and more than me.

00:36:54.600 –> 00:36:55.140 Bob Plott: yeah.

00:36:56.100 –> 00:37:01.560 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s it that’s a good segue you know bouncer famous for colorful characters right.

00:37:01.620 –> 00:37:09.630 Joseph McElroy: Yes, Sir Oh, can you give me some stories about some colorful characters that helped make the breed famous and by southern culture.

00:37:10.140 –> 00:37:19.230 Bob Plott: yeah on plot the guy I talked to you about earlier used to laugh when I was a kid that long can cuss for an hour and never use the same curse words twice.

00:37:20.100 –> 00:37:29.100 Bob Plott: And, but he was just this really intense who really wanted to do nothing but on and run dogs and three great dogs and.

00:37:29.610 –> 00:37:37.470 Bob Plott: These wonderful dogs and there’s a great story about where he was in a hunting trip and went to sleep by the fire and.

00:37:38.160 –> 00:37:44.970 Bob Plott: His buddies thought would be hilarious if they put a fire around email have to exit for him to run away from him they figured if they stoke the fire.

00:37:45.330 –> 00:37:57.450 Bob Plott: You would get hot enough that he would jump up and run hysterically way, but he didn’t really underestimate him like keep stoking the fire, the fire got higher and higher like Johnny cash song or something.

00:37:58.830 –> 00:38:16.140 Bob Plott: And he goes in so nothing’s happening, he just sleeping snoring away and, finally, he didn’t concern and that he raises up from the waist doesn’t jump up and run books to his left and looks to his right it says it’s, just as I expected I gotta go to hell.

00:38:19.200 –> 00:38:20.850 Bob Plott: plays back down and goes back to sleep.

00:38:22.470 –> 00:38:27.660 Bob Plott: And he’s the next first guy out in the morning, you know, to get those guys up to it, you know just.

00:38:28.260 –> 00:38:33.720 Bob Plott: All these stories like This just goes, you know looking Parker who live everyone caning for.

00:38:34.350 –> 00:38:39.150 Bob Plott: He was a great hundred he didn’t like bear meet that much, but he would give better meet to these neighbors.

00:38:39.660 –> 00:38:47.880 Bob Plott: And by asking wow you must must know a great recipe for bear me he didn’t like me at all, but he gave it away.

00:38:48.600 –> 00:39:06.990 Bob Plott: And yeah what’s the recipe, so what you get a big cattle in boiling water in and you meet in the salt and pepper you put some rocks in the bottom it’s the key, but the rocks and the bottom and you get to a bull bull up for about two hours and you throw the meetup need the rocks.

00:39:09.960 –> 00:39:10.800 Joseph McElroy: Oh.

00:39:12.390 –> 00:39:12.840 Joseph McElroy: Because even.

00:39:12.870 –> 00:39:20.640 Bob Plott: Like the very day didn’t they didn’t but the the dogs there’s just another great stories, and this is trying to make this as brief as possible but.

00:39:21.120 –> 00:39:35.580 Bob Plott: A plot and live here Maggie valley Herbert was his full name but in goa Ferguson, were great friends and they had hunted together and they were over goal is House you know recuperating from a hunt talking about their dogs and.

00:39:36.660 –> 00:39:48.030 Bob Plott: Scott came up and insulted her dogs and he said I bet you $5 that I can you can set me up in a bear hide that can go out there and pop those dogs and head and they will do thing.

00:39:48.780 –> 00:39:58.470 Bob Plott: Well, this was in the 1940s, probably $5 is a lot of money, and I said sure and, of course, you know the insult their dogs that was used to do so, I took the BAT.

00:39:59.190 –> 00:40:08.190 Bob Plott: So Charlie Chris was a guy’s name and sodium up in a bear hide and he got down on all fours and he snorted and puffed and puffed like a barrel do at times.

00:40:08.760 –> 00:40:19.020 Bob Plott: folks didn’t even lift their heads they’re up there under apple trees news and and he gets closer and he gets braver and he gets closer and he is braver he reaches up and it’s one of the dogs in the head.

00:40:19.650 –> 00:40:28.110 Bob Plott: Well then, go and upset that the dogs just jumped on this one and into that bear hi there wasn’t a dog latched on to.

00:40:28.980 –> 00:40:34.590 Bob Plott: And they thought that was just the most hilarious thing i’ve ever seen, because I knew he really could get hurt the bear hide was thick.

00:40:34.980 –> 00:40:40.710 Bob Plott: But all of a sudden, they heard it’s just piercing screams of agony, I thought what’s wrong, how can you be hurt.

00:40:41.370 –> 00:40:51.630 Bob Plott: turns out that one of these pups who had never even been honey before, but which is there with the other dogs had gotten up under the bear hide and it latched on to charlie’s crotch.

00:40:52.710 –> 00:40:57.180 Joseph McElroy: Just about castrated oh yeah there’s no.

00:40:57.330 –> 00:41:08.580 Bob Plott: And so they got the dogs off haven’t got the put the puppy that became a one goal ferguson’s best all time dogs, the goal in hopes that that was the most expensive bantered ever made because.

00:41:09.870 –> 00:41:14.730 Bob Plott: Charlie paid the band, but he had to stay there, and be nursed back to health goals house for about two weeks.

00:41:14.940 –> 00:41:15.630 wow.

00:41:18.570 –> 00:41:26.340 Joseph McElroy: Well, I kind of rough that kind of rough the behavior is emblematic of the mountain characters right.

00:41:26.730 –> 00:41:33.960 Bob Plott: It really was it truly was and but there were such good people I mean hub, and God, I mean I remember, I was a boy going to see have a lot and.

00:41:34.440 –> 00:41:45.840 Bob Plott: It was just such such kind people and so talented be up here and Maggie Valley, he built a waterwheel that generate electricity for his house and one of the first houses electricity.

00:41:46.290 –> 00:41:58.440 Bob Plott: And I can remember visiting with him and the lights would get brighter with the water pressure increased and with them a little bit when the water pressure decreased, and they were just immensely talented people.

00:41:59.310 –> 00:42:11.160 Joseph McElroy: So you know we’re talking about you know this, you know Scott divers European settlers new traditions applaud elms was there any traditions with housing the cherokee or there was even West Africans that lives in the mountains.

00:42:12.870 –> 00:42:14.940 Bob Plott: yeah um that’s a.

00:42:16.410 –> 00:42:24.630 Bob Plott: Good words grew up i’m on plot creek and was adopted son of john plot, and he he’s still alive and he’s he’s almost 100 years old man.

00:42:25.050 –> 00:42:34.080 Bob Plott: And he told me stories of going over on so code by up above here who we are today okay gap and meeting a bunch of the cherokees over the air and and obviously some milk was.

00:42:35.400 –> 00:42:46.230 Bob Plott: Chief at that time it was a marine war hero in professional wrestling and he had hair dogs and plot dogs and the plot family and he would hunt together and they.

00:42:46.980 –> 00:42:53.040 Bob Plott: Act city could remember the barium potatoes and in the in the fire and cook potatoes and eat them and camping together and.

00:42:53.340 –> 00:43:03.150 Bob Plott: And hung together for days at a time and they were pretty renowned for great dogs, but some of the cherokee didn’t believe in bear hunting, because a or there’s a.

00:43:03.870 –> 00:43:12.660 Bob Plott: owner was worn for bear in the head sacred qualities to him, they didn’t believe you should kill obey or unless you just had to come up with me.

00:43:12.930 –> 00:43:22.110 Joseph McElroy: yeah that makes sense, well, when we come back we’ll talk about how people can learn more about it here now, and things are going on in the mountains, that they can be.

00:45:43.410 –> 00:45:51.930 Joseph McElroy: howdy Oh, this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Bob Bob.

00:45:53.010 –> 00:45:59.940 Joseph McElroy: So Bob where are some great places to learn more about the block plot hounds and experience their history.

00:46:01.500 –> 00:46:12.660 Bob Plott: Well i’ve written five books about southern culture and apply hand plan tales colorful characters include all these history and all these interesting stories I think i’m.

00:46:13.290 –> 00:46:27.150 Bob Plott: right here and Maggie Valley, where I am today at your hotel there’s literally the plot boston’s are right around this water rock not famous plot balsam we have a State historical marker there’s a whole story, I can take a whole hour and tell you about that.

00:46:27.210 –> 00:46:37.020 Joseph McElroy: So that’s that’s part of the boasts a mountain range you’ve got like three peaks named after the plot, you know and then there’s like a marker up in the mountains and whole story up there right.

00:46:37.200 –> 00:46:45.450 Bob Plott: Yes, our there’s there’s a marker on the parkway overlooking the plot blossoms was a State historical marker and hazelwood elementary school.

00:46:45.750 –> 00:46:51.450 Bob Plott: There was erected in 2009 it’s only the second market for a dog and a 75 year history of those.

00:46:51.900 –> 00:46:59.970 Bob Plott: And then there’s a statue for the playground in downtown hazelwood it was just put up a few years ago and then there’s just all sorts of stuff.

00:47:00.750 –> 00:47:13.860 Bob Plott: built home places and houses and different things, you can see we’re hoping to do tours here at your place and seminars here and the future and i’ve been i’ve been doing programs for years about this in.

00:47:14.430 –> 00:47:20.670 Joseph McElroy: You know all over is there a farm or a kennel it has a plot hounds in the mountains anywhere.

00:47:21.090 –> 00:47:22.140 Joseph McElroy: Oh famous for him.

00:47:22.800 –> 00:47:39.390 Bob Plott: yeah I mean there’s just one thing I think is so interesting and one thing I love to promote is you know if the plot, have had to been just left to the plot family, it would have been probably relegated to sort of a regional phenomenon, as opposed to.

00:47:41.280 –> 00:47:55.650 Bob Plott: National worldwide notoriety and Joe enjoys the day and that’s because so many people being here from other places and bought dogs are head dog ship tool and then the people here in the Community who were friends family relatives.

00:47:56.880 –> 00:48:09.420 Bob Plott: Eight continue that legacy as well, I mean I did a program of school program for kids and this went down a list of names about hundred names from A to Z and asked the kids if you relay it to anyone by this name.

00:48:09.990 –> 00:48:14.160 Bob Plott: Or, if this is your last name, which is stand up and by the time we were done.

00:48:14.550 –> 00:48:25.800 Bob Plott: Everybody in the room will stand up and they said why don’t we do this that’s it, because this is your story, too, because all of your family had something to do with perpetuating the legacy of these dogs so.

00:48:26.250 –> 00:48:34.680 Bob Plott: answer your question yeah there’s there’s stoking up here Maggie valley there’s the mahaffey gay has over in.

00:48:36.420 –> 00:48:50.970 Bob Plott: Jackson county you’ve got my styles over and Graham county or clark’s right across the mountain here in East Tennessee our Jones is over and swaying county I mean, I still raise the dogs today myself list just goes on and on.

00:48:51.750 –> 00:48:55.680 Joseph McElroy: But it’s kind of Nice to come and get the authentic experience of buying or the.

00:48:57.090 –> 00:49:04.860 Joseph McElroy: binary interacting with them and by maybe bind yourself one in the in the in the mountains are they became famous right.

00:49:06.360 –> 00:49:17.460 Bob Plott: It really is, and I think too it’s pretty neat we take a lot of pride in the fact that you know the dogs, we have can be really traced back to the dogs first registered in 1946 and before that too.

00:49:17.970 –> 00:49:28.590 Bob Plott: But uh yeah it’s just i’m just so proud that that yeah i’m trying to make clear that you know we take no credit for we just want to promote that legacy and promote the history and.

00:49:28.950 –> 00:49:35.280 Bob Plott: And you know get people to look read these books and go to the programs and and understand what a great story, it is.

00:49:35.970 –> 00:49:38.850 Joseph McElroy: So you got a new book coming out march tell us a little bit about that.

00:49:40.170 –> 00:49:47.790 Bob Plott: yeah march 15 my son Jacob and i’ve put together a book as soon as his train expert and he.

00:49:48.960 –> 00:49:52.290 Bob Plott: didn’t know that much about it, and he convinced me to get involved with this.

00:49:53.220 –> 00:50:02.280 Bob Plott: smoky mountain railways project, which was about the building of the western North Carolina railroad which is really fascinating because it was done almost entirely.

00:50:02.700 –> 00:50:14.790 Bob Plott: With convict Labor it was a terrible I were treated terribly and it took took longer to build the railroad for vote for North Carolina Murphy North Carolina they did to build this whole transcontinental railroad.

00:50:15.480 –> 00:50:24.390 Bob Plott: And if you look at the population of people in our percentage of people that died more people died building this railroad and they did the transcontinental railroad.

00:50:24.900 –> 00:50:40.980 Bob Plott: wow but it had a tremendous impact on the region asheville, for example, that time was just literally a countdown I mean there was nothing there, and you see it today that in western North Carolina was just kind of cut off because it was no really way to take.

00:50:42.060 –> 00:50:50.070 Bob Plott: products to market or get things anywhere get things in here, so the railroad just literally was life changing and, of course.

00:50:50.340 –> 00:50:59.010 Bob Plott: that’s another reason to come to their you now you got the great smoky mountains row row way over in bryson city that’s a big tour straw and then.

00:50:59.760 –> 00:51:17.940 Bob Plott: I do work for children farms and in in Libya North Carolina that is not a great story to in terms of their tie in the area and when all this continuously operating farms in western North Carolina so it’s just so nice Everywhere you turn there’s a great story here cool.

00:51:18.390 –> 00:51:23.340 Joseph McElroy: So you mentioned some of the things we’re thinking about doing you got any specific plans for the future.

00:51:26.310 –> 00:51:39.330 Bob Plott: me yeah I mean i’m hoping to do programs with you guys i’ve done programs, we did plot fast here Maggie Valley, for four years, raised 120 $5,000 for Jackson county and haywood county hit start programs.

00:51:40.350 –> 00:51:57.030 Bob Plott: wanted to do a lot more stuff like that festivals that sort of thing and just really educate people you know, in the fall into two opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to these sort of things are either very knowledgeable or they’re very clueless and they tend to.

00:51:58.260 –> 00:52:07.380 Bob Plott: Be almost hostile sometimes if they don’t understand it, I think the key thing is just communication and tell me stories and when people make their own decisions.

00:52:07.470 –> 00:52:09.690 Joseph McElroy: Right, so how can people contact you.

00:52:10.650 –> 00:52:21.600 Bob Plott: I have a website Bob plot COM got all those usual social media pages Facebook that sort of thing have to book pages for Facebook and instagram and all that sort of thing.

00:52:22.080 –> 00:52:36.570 Bob Plott: i’m easily reach their e bike and email me there w w w dot bomb plot calm and of course I hope to be doing some work with you folks here in promoting some things here and throughout the area once we get things back to normal again.

00:52:37.320 –> 00:52:43.350 Joseph McElroy: Alright, well, thank you Baba for showing up and being on this program has been really fun, I really appreciate it.

00:52:45.150 –> 00:52:51.120 Joseph McElroy: And you know I think we’ll have some further conversations I think we’ll do a whole railroad show some I get you on that too.

00:52:53.400 –> 00:52:55.170 Joseph McElroy: So you know help promote the book.

00:52:56.370 –> 00:52:57.780 Joseph McElroy: Let me tell people out there.

00:52:58.830 –> 00:53:00.330 Joseph McElroy: You can buy bob’s book.

00:53:01.440 –> 00:53:15.090 Joseph McElroy: On Amazon, you can find the links to those books on gateways to the smokies that fun all right, and we have my the front page of borders books, you can click on each any one of them it’ll take you right to the Amazon page by the book.

00:53:16.470 –> 00:53:21.840 Joseph McElroy: That that site also has to all the previous episodes, it also has.

00:53:23.280 –> 00:53:31.770 Joseph McElroy: Some links to resources it has links to oral or social media as it is subscribe button, you can subscribe to our our newsletter that’s coming out.

00:53:32.100 –> 00:53:42.660 Joseph McElroy: So it’s the resource to go to to find out all about the show, I want to mention, of course, that I own the metal art motel and Maggie value with Caroline mouthy.

00:53:43.590 –> 00:53:52.080 Joseph McElroy: Traditional mountain road roadside motel that we’ve made sorted into sort of into an appalachian chic resort I mean it’s still got an authentic.

00:53:52.470 –> 00:54:02.610 Joseph McElroy: You know roadside motel feel, but we have programs, we have things go on there, your APP has been in my family for over 45 years and it’s around 70 years old and a lot of.

00:54:03.030 –> 00:54:13.470 Joseph McElroy: A lot of music going on there to my my goal trees and artists in residence and he’s there he’s a former journalist in the minds of these exploring the Scottish roots of mountain music.

00:54:14.940 –> 00:54:28.380 Joseph McElroy: I also own a site called smokies invention calm is dedicated to you know trail maps and specific information about the doing outdoor adventures and other kinds of things in the mountains and.

00:54:29.940 –> 00:54:45.060 Joseph McElroy: And and and resources that you can go to to help you planning a trip to the mountains and then I have built with were traveling magazines a great resource for where travel.com great dash dash maps.

00:54:45.510 –> 00:54:52.890 Joseph McElroy: which were traveler has been around for 30 years and you see it probably motel rooms around the world and we’re going to where it is a great.

00:54:53.790 –> 00:55:03.990 Joseph McElroy: resource for in depth stories about the great smokies but also about all the cities and towns around the smoky mountains it’s it’s a big cultural area.

00:55:04.350 –> 00:55:13.890 Joseph McElroy: You know they’re there, you can see the great smoky mountains is about the size of institutions and it has a lot of people live here we get about 20 million people visit every year, so.

00:55:14.370 –> 00:55:21.780 Joseph McElroy: Where travelers and take notes or global reach, and very interesting stories and encompasses not only the smokies but the areas around.

00:55:23.250 –> 00:55:28.290 Joseph McElroy: I really appreciate everybody here coming in a week coming to listen to us every week we’re going to have.

00:55:28.620 –> 00:55:40.710 Joseph McElroy: A rafting expert out here next week, talking about whitewater in the mountains and we’re going to be soon having hiking we have all sorts of interesting things so again, this is, this is the gateway to the smokies dot fun.

00:55:41.190 –> 00:55:53.190 Joseph McElroy: You can reach me at explore at smokies adventure calm and smokies plural adventure singular.com and it good to see you and we’ll see you next week and bye.


]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/241897927535318/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/138507240_241931724198605_8370011031024792929_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=6yscgOesLckAX9MONtW&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301774D&oh=00_AT-9lQviu7N0d3C84d8RLZkCwlRR-UsAjnbzn0CL7THXNw&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our special guest in this episode is <strong>Bob Plott </strong>he is an award-winning author of four books -- that have been sold in all 50 states and 11 foreign countries -- as well as numerous magazine articles, a public speaker, and a Historian. We will be talking about the History of Plott Hounds in the Smokies.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/3J9rfAlEsR/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><p><br></p><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Today’s episode will discuss hounds, more specifically, Plott Hounds, and will feature guest Bob Plott. Joseph tells stories of hounds from his childhood. Reminiscing on these stories and his family, Joseph recites a poem that reminds him of his father. Bob introduces himself and the history of his family within the mountains. He discusses realizing the significance of his family after having a son, deciding that he would make sure to tell the stories of his family. Bob’s 3rd great-grandfather traveled to America by boat, likely with nothing but his dogs.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Bob’s great grandfather supposedly brought his dogs with him to bring to a German settlement, to be used for hunting. By 1750, the Plotts were settled in North Carolina. Not long after, in 1803, Henry Plott migrated to Western North Carolina. In his first season in the Smokies, Henry nearly died of cold, crediting his dogs with saving his life. The Plott Hounds are set apart from other hounds not only by their story but by their Germanic roots as well as traits such as their intelligence and loyalty. As a pup, they can be acclimated to many sorts of lifestyles. Bob and Joseph discuss the physical appearance of the hounds. In the mountains, the hounds hunted bears primarily but would kill a wide variety of animals as their owners needed food. Living in the mountains dog food was sparsely found, so owners needed to make their own, making a special cornbread. The hounds were used for more than just hunting though, protecting their households and helping herd livestock. Joseph and Bob exchange stories of dogs protecting their owners. The Plott hounds are woven into the history not only of the Smoky Mountains but the country, with many bringing their hounds with them as they migrated across the country.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Bob discusses how the hounds have come full circle over the past 250 years as both the dogs and culture have evolved. While the dogs can serve a variety of purposes, they adapt to theirs while growing up and keep those habits throughout their lives. Bob delves further into his family history, describing how they brought these hounds to fame.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Bob has written 5 books about the hounds and is currently in Maggie Valley, surrounded by his family’s history. Parts of the park now bear the plot name. While it may be named after the Plott family, Bob credits many other families with spreading the breed and making it more than a regional name. Bob discusses his new book, coming out on March 15th, which he wrote with his son, Jacob. The book discusses the railroad, its creation, and its effect on the culture. Bob plans to continue to run programs such as PlottFest, educating people about these stories. Bob can be contacted through his website, BobPlott.com, as well as his social media channels.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>TRANSCRIPT</p><p>00:00:38.010 –&gt; 00:00:50.070 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies this podcast is about america’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:50.610 –&gt; 00:01:03.330 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and a rich mountain culture that we will explore weekly with episodes that you can enjoy at your leisure.</p><p>00:01:04.230 –&gt; 00:01:17.580 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin McElroy a man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains my family’s lived in the great smoky mountains, for almost 200 years my businesses and travel, but my heart isn’t kosher.</p><p>00:01:19.290 –&gt; 00:01:22.020 Joseph McElroy: Now today we’re gonna be talking about how.</p><p>00:01:23.220 –&gt; 00:01:31.080 Joseph McElroy: Specifically, the state dog in North Carolina the plot out my guest is Bob Plott and he is a third.</p><p>00:01:31.590 –&gt; 00:01:45.990 Joseph McElroy: The third great grandson of George Plott first brought the Plott bear hounds to America in the mid 18th century and he’s the great great nephew of Henry Clark who introduced the breed of the great smoky mountains in the 90s, and the early 1800s.</p><p>00:01:47.070 –&gt; 00:02:00.360 Joseph McElroy: But first I want to tell you a little bit of what pound hounds mean commitment to me growing up in the smoky mountains now is associate pounds with my grandfather mcilroy he was.</p><p>00:02:01.590 –&gt; 00:02:07.080 Joseph McElroy: an avid hunter he hunted raccoons and fox amongst other animals.</p><p>00:02:08.640 –&gt; 00:02:17.310 Joseph McElroy: He he was so avid he built himself a cabin on wheels, and he would pull on his old model.</p><p>00:02:17.880 –&gt; 00:02:30.930 Joseph McElroy: To even down roads to to go to different Hutton events, I remember the remember riding with him and he would he would drive up the mountain and his team team model forward with the guests and he turned the gas off to float down.</p><p>00:02:30.990 –&gt; 00:02:31.500 man.</p><p>00:02:32.910 –&gt; 00:02:49.350 Joseph McElroy: So uh but he always had dogs on this farm when I visited and I always wanted to go hunting, with him, but he he sort of to sort of got sick and then he then he had died before we could, but I remember.</p><p>00:02:50.490 –&gt; 00:03:03.540 Joseph McElroy: I remember you know I don’t remember before you know, a period of time, because my family and I lived moved down to Texas for a short two or three years, and I was like in the first through third grade first grade second grade.</p><p>00:03:04.950 –&gt; 00:03:18.060 Joseph McElroy: But when we came back with one of the first things they do this is good as introduced back to her relatives and they send us over to my grandparents for a couple days now, he came to pick us up and his truck that T model and.</p><p>00:03:19.170 –&gt; 00:03:26.250 Joseph McElroy: He put me in the front seat and drove us we’re driving towards the farm, but he stopped by this stone building.</p><p>00:03:27.330 –&gt; 00:03:37.890 Joseph McElroy: And he was jumped out ran in and he came out a few minutes later with a with a bloody bag that was bolden with stuff I didn’t know what it was.</p><p>00:03:39.780 –&gt; 00:03:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And he got in the truck and he looked at me he looked at me and stern he always had this stern look, he was an old farmer and stone mountain man he looked at me go I got a.</p><p>00:03:50.040 –&gt; 00:03:56.880 Joseph McElroy: pig and poke photo photo right opinion about her dog no idea what he was talking about.</p><p>00:03:57.810 –&gt; 00:04:04.200 Joseph McElroy: All right, yeah I didn’t understand it, I just come from Texas, where there was a slow southern drawl right.</p><p>00:04:04.590 –&gt; 00:04:16.770 Joseph McElroy: He was doing that found past mountain without the constants on the end and I just I didn’t get it, and I was petrified because here’s his bag and bloody moans and I didn’t know what he wanted me to do with it, what was for.</p><p>00:04:17.790 –&gt; 00:04:27.060 Joseph McElroy: us, so I was drunk we were driving to another 15 minutes to the farm and when I was like what’s going to happen, why do I got this what am I supposed to do.</p><p>00:04:28.920 –&gt; 00:04:34.380 Joseph McElroy: We get to the we get to the meat we get to the farm, it is, and then he stops and it looks amazing.</p><p>00:04:35.610 –&gt; 00:04:38.490 Joseph McElroy: Go on then, what and he said well.</p><p>00:04:41.910 –&gt; 00:04:54.900 Joseph McElroy: Not figured out he said something like pigs for the Pope if pigs in the Pope for the dog, which was bones in the in the book he’d gotten pig bones or something bones and put them in the bag and growing from the butcher and we’re going to feed the dogs.</p><p>00:04:55.650 –&gt; 00:04:56.010 yeah.</p><p>00:04:57.210 –&gt; 00:05:04.500 Joseph McElroy: So that was that was a reintroduction to mountain language I quickly picked up you know, being a young kid.</p><p>00:05:05.670 –&gt; 00:05:07.380 Joseph McElroy: But it was also about dogs.</p><p>00:05:07.410 –&gt; 00:05:24.210 Joseph McElroy: It was about 10 pounds in the mountains, I remember, we used to have a have a one time he had he evidently Cox on fox pucks and put them in the barn and I guess he did that to train the dogs on the smell of fox right.</p><p>00:05:24.480 –&gt; 00:05:24.870 Right.</p><p>00:05:26.040 –&gt; 00:05:32.970 Joseph McElroy: I wanted to play within a smell the high heaven, I never I can still smell that, for as long.</p><p>00:05:33.990 –&gt; 00:05:40.380 Joseph McElroy: As I, to this day, I can remember being just totally like I haven’t walked out there and just about throw up as I came out.</p><p>00:05:41.430 –&gt; 00:05:46.650 Joseph McElroy: But you know he always, let us be involved, he taught me he used to talk a lot about hunting and I learned.</p><p>00:05:47.070 –&gt; 00:05:59.400 Joseph McElroy: A lot of little things at the time and I always wanted to do, but I never got the chance, but as part of my culture, you know my dad was busy work and he never really got to go hunt and lunch after you know after he came back so.</p><p>00:06:00.960 –&gt; 00:06:16.440 Joseph McElroy: it’s my it’s one of the intense memories of my grandfather and I found this poem that that made me really think of him, is it sort of as a thought memorable it’s called memories, just to come by by caleb spot Scott.</p><p>00:06:18.060 –&gt; 00:06:31.170 Joseph McElroy: Many nights we chased through the woods Lazarus that in me through the hills and hollers river bottoms and mode, we talk quietly about all sorts of things life hounds and girls.</p><p>00:06:31.800 –&gt; 00:06:45.930 Joseph McElroy: kinds of things a boy can’t say at home around mom and the girls chasing the matte black mask banded oh What a wonderful game sometimes he wins, sometimes we win the odds are about to say.</p><p>00:06:47.850 –&gt; 00:06:56.040 Joseph McElroy: The silence is broken with allow dying ball that’s Lazarus struck, we know it won’t be long at all.</p><p>00:06:56.610 –&gt; 00:07:03.600 Joseph McElroy: I know that is smiling as We walked slowly to the truck the odds are with us tonight and the coon was a look.</p><p>00:07:04.590 –&gt; 00:07:25.920 Joseph McElroy: Now the hunters over as a snow begins to fall school will be out tomorrow it’s pretty heavy after all wishing grandpa could be here too, but we knew he watched it all and many nights here after through the forest and the creeks grandpa watching over us Lazarus dad and me.</p><p>00:07:28.290 –&gt; 00:07:40.740 Joseph McElroy: As that’s that’s a pretty cool is, I think it encompasses that that sort of a time and the other family, the importance of the of the of the.</p><p>00:07:42.150 –&gt; 00:08:02.910 Joseph McElroy: hound dogs in mountain culture and hunting to men growing up there, and the traditions pass on for in the family, you know and dogs as well you’re going to tell us Bob is pretty important into the you know into the end of the founding of the smoky mountains in the settlement of it.</p><p>00:08:04.410 –&gt; 00:08:05.160 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:08:06.360 –&gt; 00:08:11.550 Joseph McElroy: Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your background and your family history with the blah blah house.</p><p>00:08:12.750 –&gt; 00:08:18.720 Bob Plott: Well, you know my background is a lot like yours, Joseph I grew up around it and my father would take me to see.</p><p>00:08:19.320 –&gt; 00:08:25.290 Bob Plott: Are these old timers that were realities of our sometimes they were just friends, but more often than not they were relatives.</p><p>00:08:25.740 –&gt; 00:08:31.380 Bob Plott: And I remember vividly spending time with me and like home lot of plot.</p><p>00:08:31.920 –&gt; 00:08:43.050 Bob Plott: looks like that, and it was for me that time was a boy that was like going to a kid today going to see an nba star or nfl star or something you know you just treat these guys with such respect.</p><p>00:08:43.590 –&gt; 00:08:46.230 Bob Plott: Of what they knew and what they had done and then, of course.</p><p>00:08:47.220 –&gt; 00:08:54.660 Bob Plott: know that you’re even related to him in the head, you know that you might have something to do or could have something to do with perpetuating their legacy, I mean.</p><p>00:08:55.020 –&gt; 00:09:08.940 Bob Plott: I don’t take any credit for any of it, I just tried to record it and pass it on but it’s a really remarkable to be around this type of folks and hear those type of stories because that’s I was always that weird key imagine does love to be around that sort of thing to.</p><p>00:09:09.900 –&gt; 00:09:12.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah a little bit meteor weird tears around that time.</p><p>00:09:14.670 –&gt; 00:09:28.380 Joseph McElroy: To hear those stories yeah so so you you found out about the history of your family history, I guess that was it was it something that was just talked about or did you find out when you were a little bit older.</p><p>00:09:29.460 –&gt; 00:09:34.200 Joseph McElroy: And what kind of what kind of honoring of the traditions your family have.</p><p>00:09:35.040 –&gt; 00:09:43.680 Bob Plott: Well, we knew about it from the star, but I think for me personally, it was something I kind of took for granted, initially, because when I was really young.</p><p>00:09:44.220 –&gt; 00:09:49.200 Bob Plott: You know, everybody was still doing it, I mean there was bomb plot was still alive her plot was alive.</p><p>00:09:49.650 –&gt; 00:09:56.340 Bob Plott: lot of the guys, who had been complete the dogs are registered back in 1946 for the first time, you know they were still around.</p><p>00:09:56.730 –&gt; 00:10:07.470 Bob Plott: And they had sons and grandsons and healthy, just like myself and, and so there was never any doubt in my mind that was not going to be continued and perpetuated.</p><p>00:10:07.920 –&gt; 00:10:16.830 Bob Plott: And then, when I had my own son my my first my son was born in 93 really made me realize that no one had really told these stories and.</p><p>00:10:17.490 –&gt; 00:10:25.530 Bob Plott: Those guys were gone now and my father was call him uncle was gone volume was gone hub was gone and I really wanted to try to to honor them.</p><p>00:10:25.920 –&gt; 00:10:32.820 Bob Plott: And let people know about what they send me misconceptions about in so many things that have been told him correctly.</p><p>00:10:33.450 –&gt; 00:10:46.020 Bob Plott: I just really wanted to make sure the story with told correctly and to dispel some of the stereotypes, because so often you hear all these things about the mountain he’ll be liza don’t know anything, nothing could be further from the truth.</p><p>00:10:46.890 –&gt; 00:10:59.520 Joseph McElroy: So um so the story, I read a little bit of it, George plot and his brother came started out on this journey now why did they decide decide, and how they do that and bring a bunch of dog.</p><p>00:11:00.540 –&gt; 00:11:08.400 Bob Plott: Well there’s there’s it’s interesting there’s a couple different versions of it and I stuck with it, when I wrote my first book I stuck with the version that.</p><p>00:11:09.000 –&gt; 00:11:21.660 Bob Plott: old people who told me now there’s other versions that say that maybe they came with their parents, but I was always led to believe that my third great grandfather came here with his brother and they.</p><p>00:11:22.740 –&gt; 00:11:33.420 Bob Plott: their father was a gamekeeper and didn’t have a whole lot of money that he gave them the Holy possessions of real value he had, which was the plot dogs and they brought five of them with them.</p><p>00:11:33.870 –&gt; 00:11:40.410 Bob Plott: On the ship and one of the brothers died in route was buried at sea, so he was my third great grandfather.</p><p>00:11:41.910 –&gt; 00:11:49.440 Bob Plott: You know blown probably couldn’t speak English and just with Ian the dogs and his brother David now you know.</p><p>00:11:50.040 –&gt; 00:11:58.650 Bob Plott: that’s one version of the story it’s a story is that he came with his parents That may be true, too, but I stuck with what i’ve been told, and either way they brought the dogs with them.</p><p>00:11:59.130 –&gt; 00:12:06.150 Bob Plott: And supposedly five dogs and those dogs kind of became the Foundation stock for the plot home that we know today.</p><p>00:12:06.870 –&gt; 00:12:08.640 Joseph McElroy: They came into Philadelphia right.</p><p>00:12:08.970 –&gt; 00:12:26.940 Bob Plott: They did, and you know the the conditions on that ship were so terrible you know people glamorize romanticize the migration of immigrants to America, but it was just terrible, I mean the food was rancid water, it was terrible people are dying in beta see dislike.</p><p>00:12:28.740 –&gt; 00:12:41.640 Bob Plott: Right great grandfather’s uncle and supposedly the ship was so stunk so badly that when he came into the harbor they wouldn’t even let them Doc they’ve started, bringing the people in the stuff in there to.</p><p>00:12:42.270 –&gt; 00:12:47.880 Bob Plott: to just a few at a time and they assign an allegiance to the King and and then go the other way.</p><p>00:12:49.650 –&gt; 00:12:56.100 Joseph McElroy: And where they originally those dogs originally big game Bob dogs back in back in the homeowner.</p><p>00:12:56.970 –&gt; 00:13:08.880 Bob Plott: In Germany, yes, there was not bear in Germany, but there was bore, and so they were you generally used for that and then of course the gatekeepers were used to to be kind of guards game wardens.</p><p>00:13:10.530 –&gt; 00:13:16.050 Bob Plott: do a little bit of everything to delete the breeding programs for the barons that they work for.</p><p>00:13:16.800 –&gt; 00:13:24.900 Joseph McElroy: Oh well, when we come back we’re going to find out how they did it in the smoky mountains and a little bit about what makes them special reads alright.</p><p>00:13:25.320 –&gt; 00:13:26.940 Bob Plott: Alright sounds good.</p><p>00:16:26.610 –&gt; 00:16:41.880 Joseph McElroy: howdy is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest Bob Plott so Bob you’re great you’re great great grandfather right the third great grandfather right.</p><p>00:16:42.900 –&gt; 00:16:58.290 Joseph McElroy: came into Philadelphia, with five with five pounds after having adventures voyage, with a bit of tragedy, and he established himself there How did the migration occurred come get those smoky mountain.</p><p>00:16:59.430 –&gt; 00:17:06.210 Bob Plott: Well that’s another interesting story Joseph a again there’s two versions, but dispersion I was always told as a boy was.</p><p>00:17:06.660 –&gt; 00:17:14.640 Bob Plott: That they were another reason I brought the dogs with and worth was to be contract hunters for the German settlement in new Bern North Carolina.</p><p>00:17:15.330 –&gt; 00:17:25.080 Bob Plott: And it was the largest German settlement on the east coast, but they didn’t really have a and all sorts of craftsmen, but they didn’t have any hunters to provide food for them.</p><p>00:17:25.530 –&gt; 00:17:38.670 Bob Plott: So supposedly the that the arts were hired to come in and provide food for now another version is that they came down the old wagon road and ended up like a lot of.</p><p>00:17:39.150 –&gt; 00:17:53.460 Bob Plott: The German pioneers did in round Salzburg concord area either way they definitely ended up there at some point whether it came with it from new Bern or from Pennsylvania, but either way by 1750.</p><p>00:17:54.510 –&gt; 00:18:05.370 Bob Plott: Sometime around that time they were around concord North Carolina to farm established there and Henry plot, one of my grandfather great grandfather sons, who was my great great uncle.</p><p>00:18:06.030 –&gt; 00:18:18.150 Bob Plott: He then decided to migrate to Western North Carolina to find more land and hunting there and farmland and so he and his brother in law came to haywood county in about.</p><p>00:18:18.870 –&gt; 00:18:30.600 Bob Plott: Probably run 1803 guess some people say a little bit earlier than that some people say 1803 and four but 1805 he’s showing up on census records and he has a farm here and.</p><p>00:18:31.320 –&gt; 00:18:48.150 Bob Plott: He had a very industrious man help with the Community love, is he had a great week we’ll worry instructed to make sure that his wife, he also had so Randy and that his wife was made sure she inherited steel, so I thought that was kind of interested to.</p><p>00:18:48.600 –&gt; 00:19:00.000 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s interesting, we had a we had a show Dave angel over the elevated that mountain distillery told us about the moonshine and have brandy from you know fruits and stuff was made essentially the same way.</p><p>00:19:02.130 –&gt; 00:19:06.870 Joseph McElroy: That was a there was a higher ticket item people be out did that quite often.</p><p>00:19:07.110 –&gt; 00:19:15.360 Bob Plott: Absolutely, he ended receipt book with all that there but, for the first year, the first season, he was here was rough he actually ended up over near canton.</p><p>00:19:15.810 –&gt; 00:19:24.180 Bob Plott: And just about froze to death, that winner and accredited the dogs will save any cross over the page and gap and went down to the confluence of dicks creek.</p><p>00:19:24.750 –&gt; 00:19:33.180 Bob Plott: In Richmond Greek and that’s where a plot creek is today, and where the plot blossoms and valleys and that’s kind of where the breed became famous.</p><p>00:19:33.990 –&gt; 00:19:38.760 Joseph McElroy: So what sets the plot bound breed apart from other purebred dog.</p><p>00:19:39.870 –&gt; 00:19:49.950 Bob Plott: Well, one thing if, from a bloodline standpoint is there Germanic groups in that most of your American purebred dogs were the scene from breeds and the British Isles.</p><p>00:19:50.430 –&gt; 00:19:58.320 Bob Plott: But I would argue that it’s their intelligence, as far as physical characteristics, they have a beautiful brindle coat.</p><p>00:19:59.010 –&gt; 00:20:08.100 Bob Plott: But it’s that intelligence that tenacity that loyalty and multi purpose capabilities and make them so special, but I would further argue that.</p><p>00:20:08.670 –&gt; 00:20:12.900 Bob Plott: There are other dogs that have some of those same traits as well and they’re certainly great.</p><p>00:20:13.260 –&gt; 00:20:22.260 Bob Plott: dogs and other breeds, but the plot hand story is so unique to Joseph it’s it’s it’s really classic Americana it goes along with the.</p><p>00:20:22.710 –&gt; 00:20:31.110 Bob Plott: Constant migration and Western migration and pioneers and you know, in the 1700s 1900s this was the frontier, and from that point forward.</p><p>00:20:31.710 –&gt; 00:20:40.170 Bob Plott: books were hitting the Texas Arkansas Colorado Washington state later and they took the dogs with them, because they were such an integral part of their lives.</p><p>00:20:41.130 –&gt; 00:20:50.250 Joseph McElroy: right they had they were pretty good at being protected right, how are they how they personality wise compared to the other hound dogs out there.</p><p>00:20:50.730 –&gt; 00:20:54.240 Bob Plott: Well, you know I laugh because there’s truth to this.</p><p>00:20:55.260 –&gt; 00:21:07.350 Bob Plott: they’re very fiercely loyal I mean once you have a puppet you raise that puppy will he or she will be just bad for you and you know I can tell you stories of myself and other people who.</p><p>00:21:09.240 –&gt; 00:21:21.360 Bob Plott: Talks may love their parents or other people in the family, but at the end of the day, if I was going to be disciplined or if anybody in my family was going to be disciplined father or mother would have to put the dog.</p><p>00:21:23.280 –&gt; 00:21:30.810 Bob Plott: The dog when you know the tack room or something said so yeah so it was always just fiercely loyal and so so smart.</p><p>00:21:31.230 –&gt; 00:21:48.180 Bob Plott: And they’re just a joy to be around, but in the end the good thing about them is they they’re such have saved me skills they can be acclimated to any sort of lifestyle, if you know when they’re when they’re have that DNA to hunt and the trail into a lot need a lot of activity.</p><p>00:21:49.080 –&gt; 00:21:53.490 Joseph McElroy: Well, what would you say, is the most common look for well it looked like.</p><p>00:21:54.300 –&gt; 00:22:04.800 Bob Plott: Well they’re known primarily for this beautiful randall coke and brindle can come in two different variations, you can come with a dark base coat in a light kind of tiger stripe.</p><p>00:22:05.250 –&gt; 00:22:13.620 Bob Plott: And can come with a light base coat and a darker tiger stripe that’s kind of the predominant color that 5% of your.</p><p>00:22:14.190 –&gt; 00:22:24.870 Bob Plott: plans will be Maltese or what we call it blue merle or a book scan and then you’ll see an occasional saddleback black saddleback with a solid black back and.</p><p>00:22:25.380 –&gt; 00:22:37.200 Bob Plott: Brenda legs and intellect do later braiding there you see some black plans now a lot more than you used to because some people took the books can out of the breeding pool and that result of map but.</p><p>00:22:37.830 –&gt; 00:22:42.630 Bob Plott: i’m a big proponent for the book skin, because I think that’s important to maintain that rental code.</p><p>00:22:44.250 –&gt; 00:22:47.490 Joseph McElroy: cool so they’re they’re pretty beautiful dog aren’t they.</p><p>00:22:47.970 –&gt; 00:22:58.470 Bob Plott: they’re strikingly beautiful and, again, there are other dogs that have brindle coast, I think it’s that combination of the code they’re very athletic looking you know your traditional hound.</p><p>00:22:58.980 –&gt; 00:23:16.770 Bob Plott: booking to think about a bloodhound with these groupie years, all the way at the ground, whereas a plot town has more of a pancake here a lot thicker chest more athletic looking dog, no, no, the loose skin hanging off of and generally just a lot more athletic looking dog.</p><p>00:23:17.970 –&gt; 00:23:21.420 Joseph McElroy: And what would they what would they mostly hunting the mountains.</p><p>00:23:22.200 –&gt; 00:23:32.010 Bob Plott: Well, you know bear primarily but also later when you know hawks and wild boar one introduced here really until later, but.</p><p>00:23:32.760 –&gt; 00:23:44.070 Bob Plott: You know, hunting was survival as day, so you hear people today well I don’t want my dog to do anything that run bear or run Kuhn, or whatever, but back in those days they were looking for food so.</p><p>00:23:44.910 –&gt; 00:24:01.620 Bob Plott: Written accounts multitudes of written accounts and i’ve covered in my books of guys talking about you know we went hunting and we went bear hunting, but we saw three turkeys with q3 turkeys we kill for deer WikiLeaks you know this and that and because they need food and.</p><p>00:24:01.920 –&gt; 00:24:09.630 Bob Plott: It was interesting you said earlier about the dog food you’re talking about your grandfather because back in those days dog food was hard to find you either.</p><p>00:24:09.990 –&gt; 00:24:18.750 Bob Plott: They had dogs table scraps or you may what they called dog breeds, which was a coarse grained cornbread that they just made big cakes and bricks and.</p><p>00:24:19.740 –&gt; 00:24:23.460 Joseph McElroy: Right yeah yeah little corn was very prevalent in the mountains so.</p><p>00:24:23.700 –&gt; 00:24:24.600 Joseph McElroy: far as.</p><p>00:24:24.660 –&gt; 00:24:30.600 Joseph McElroy: Well, as the way to be I remember that my grandfather made that one bread, I remember that yeah yeah.</p><p>00:24:31.620 –&gt; 00:24:34.290 Joseph McElroy: I tried tasting at one time, one that typically good.</p><p>00:24:35.790 –&gt; 00:24:38.490 Bob Plott: it’s not your typical cornbread you know it sounds.</p><p>00:24:38.490 –&gt; 00:24:49.170 Bob Plott: Great but and then you know volume what will tell the story of going hunting and can happen in the dark red he called it being frozen and having to break it up with his boots to feed the dogs.</p><p>00:24:49.530 –&gt; 00:24:51.030 Oh yeah.</p><p>00:24:52.050 –&gt; 00:24:55.950 Joseph McElroy: Those are those don’t you love those old frozen frozen hunting stories.</p><p>00:24:56.190 –&gt; 00:24:59.640 Bob Plott: Oh man Okay, I could listen to them all day long.</p><p>00:25:00.120 –&gt; 00:25:00.270 and</p><p>00:25:01.710 –&gt; 00:25:04.500 Joseph McElroy: Talking about oh by the gun frozen my hand and.</p><p>00:25:07.680 –&gt; 00:25:14.040 Joseph McElroy: frozen frozen hunting stories are a big big staple of tales around the porch when I was growing up.</p><p>00:25:14.310 –&gt; 00:25:14.880 Bob Plott: Yes, sir.</p><p>00:25:16.740 –&gt; 00:25:29.730 Joseph McElroy: So, so they were in the mountains, I came here and there’s black bears, of course, so they help they help deal with that they also did to help deal with the wolves and coyotes and Fox and things like that.</p><p>00:25:29.970 –&gt; 00:25:39.570 Bob Plott: yeah and there’s again, you know statue amount of historical data of the dogs being protective of households, not just in in.</p><p>00:25:40.170 –&gt; 00:25:55.860 Bob Plott: In in being providing food, but back in those days fences were used keep livestock out of garden, so these dogs to hurt to so they would actually go out and heard last in and then it was also during back in the Indian conflict.</p><p>00:25:56.550 –&gt; 00:26:08.250 Bob Plott: In the civil war and just in general console or how laws and stuff around the talks and defended you know households and homesteads repeatedly to scores of stories and that type.</p><p>00:26:09.090 –&gt; 00:26:24.030 Joseph McElroy: I remember yeah some people I can even remember So when I was going with sometimes people would that have to take their kids out to work in the field right, and they have a dog sit around with the kid even a little baby all right.</p><p>00:26:24.720 –&gt; 00:26:34.140 Bob Plott: Mr crockett with tell a story or often of him and his brother being out in the yard, when you just still in diapers and his parents going to.</p><p>00:26:35.460 –&gt; 00:26:43.950 Bob Plott: In the field and work, it was another family nearby there were full i’d gotten loose and was one right straight toward the kid to.</p><p>00:26:45.090 –&gt; 00:26:53.850 Bob Plott: kill one over the very least, in the in the plot on the intervened and feared the bull away from the child.</p><p>00:26:54.600 –&gt; 00:26:59.970 Joseph McElroy: was doing I was growing up, I had, I had a dog I didn’t have a house, I had a dog and.</p><p>00:27:01.110 –&gt; 00:27:02.640 Joseph McElroy: Help sorts of dogs are important.</p><p>00:27:02.880 –&gt; 00:27:13.740 Joseph McElroy: I really have we lived up in fox run pretty high up there right it’s not too far from the appalachian trail really and we had a lot of black bears come through there and one got up my dad and building deck outside of my.</p><p>00:27:14.340 –&gt; 00:27:27.150 Joseph McElroy: Out of my my room and I woke up one day, and there was a BlackBerry up on there, and the windows open I was like oh no but the dog lunch from my bedroom he slept with me and scared of the dog the bear off.</p><p>00:27:31.410 –&gt; 00:27:49.080 Bob Plott: The plot the plot live here in in waynesville mag you Alan he told a great story of that I am healed a man a guy come back and said he was he had been disabled during the war and everybody expect you know kind of back that he was he wasn’t.</p><p>00:27:50.220 –&gt; 00:28:07.590 Bob Plott: Totally truthful about it and but they call it a name anyway, the bear Dr Jason the bear and the bear ran into the man’s housewives going to Steve and the guy jumped out the window and ran down the street or road hollering and screaming and they were laughing to the plot.</p><p>00:28:08.790 –&gt; 00:28:10.590 Bob Plott: Driven at the may have maybe walk again.</p><p>00:28:13.980 –&gt; 00:28:22.290 Joseph McElroy: You go that’s a good story so so you you’ve mentioned that the breed is unique what what makes their story so.</p><p>00:28:23.910 –&gt; 00:28:29.280 Bob Plott: Well, again I think it’s the he not many people have a dog named after the family of.</p><p>00:28:29.280 –&gt; 00:28:30.060 Joseph McElroy: course yeah.</p><p>00:28:30.270 –&gt; 00:28:39.120 Bob Plott: And so that’s kind of unique and then of course black that is such a part of every chapter in history, I mean you can go back and look at some of these cattle drives.</p><p>00:28:39.510 –&gt; 00:28:49.050 Bob Plott: out in Texas, where people had moved out there from here in East Tennessee and had taken dogs with them, they look, just like plans I can’t prove that they were but.</p><p>00:28:49.320 –&gt; 00:28:53.100 Bob Plott: there’s actual photographs of them, and if they’re not plot hands, they should look like them.</p><p>00:28:53.610 –&gt; 00:29:05.400 Bob Plott: And it fits you know, and I know for a fact that, for example, you know relatives and friends took dogs out to Washington state in the you know late 1800s early 1900s two.</p><p>00:29:06.390 –&gt; 00:29:10.500 Bob Plott: Jobs as bloggers out there, oh I think it’s just that part of that.</p><p>00:29:11.220 –&gt; 00:29:25.320 Bob Plott: You know, constant expansion of migration of people heading West and looking for a better life and the dogs always been with them Stanley hicks told me a story one time, where I cruises a very nice area outside of North Carolina.</p><p>00:29:26.700 –&gt; 00:29:33.300 Bob Plott: or Greg man father, so that whole valley for all going awry phone and sheepskin and thought he got the best the end of the deal.</p><p>00:29:35.190 –&gt; 00:29:48.210 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s that’s the those horse trading days are some people make deals they both are great and where we weren’t the don’t in our tire times now, like those those those acres or $100,000 eat.</p><p>00:29:48.660 –&gt; 00:29:48.810 Oh.</p><p>00:29:50.940 –&gt; 00:30:01.590 Joseph McElroy: Well we’re gonna take a break down, you know we’re gonna come back we’re talking more about the full circle this breeds come, you know and how their special you.</p><p>00:32:54.570 –&gt; 00:33:05.610 Joseph McElroy: How y’all doing it’s just a Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest bar plot the plot hound family fame.</p><p>00:33:06.180 –&gt; 00:33:21.420 Joseph McElroy: Oh, Bob how are you doing so I right, so you know, I was reading I was reading a little bit about that and I thought was interesting that the plot hound was the only only coon hunting dog it wasn’t descended from fox house.</p><p>00:33:21.840 –&gt; 00:33:22.440 Joseph McElroy: Is that true.</p><p>00:33:23.100 –&gt; 00:33:29.640 Bob Plott: It is and that goes back to what I mentioned earlier about the the most of your foxhounds came from England or sheils.</p><p>00:33:30.360 –&gt; 00:33:40.920 Bob Plott: The plot hand has a dramatic roots which totally fits and partners another whole great story about caleb to had dogs back then, and the Celts like the closed mouth dog was quiet.</p><p>00:33:41.400 –&gt; 00:33:52.050 Bob Plott: And the English hey that because they wanted thought towns that they’d made a lot of noise but yeah the plot how has that romantic groups that makes it different yeah cool.</p><p>00:33:52.350 –&gt; 00:33:54.090 Joseph McElroy: And what kind of what kind of sound of them a.</p><p>00:33:55.140 –&gt; 00:33:55.710 Bob Plott: lot hell.</p><p>00:33:55.860 –&gt; 00:34:06.150 Bob Plott: yeah well there’s two types of barks primarily are known was a plot chop mouth and a big mouth and the chop is kind of a real staccato George is.</p><p>00:34:07.290 –&gt; 00:34:15.330 Bob Plott: That when it gets close on the trail, then you had that ball mouth, which is more of alone whoo whoo whoo long how like that.</p><p>00:34:16.230 –&gt; 00:34:18.810 Joseph McElroy: cool so it’s a sort of a low sound or.</p><p>00:34:19.380 –&gt; 00:34:29.160 Bob Plott: can be and and and and it’s like I say it just intensifies as they get closer towards what they’re treating are trying to container bay.</p><p>00:34:30.630 –&gt; 00:34:34.320 Joseph McElroy: So how is the breed come full circle over the past 250 years.</p><p>00:34:34.830 –&gt; 00:34:47.160 Bob Plott: Well it’s good question, I think the Multi purpose capabilities, is what always hit the plot dog park even early home, in that they were hunters they were herders and protectors, and they were friends.</p><p>00:34:47.880 –&gt; 00:34:56.580 Bob Plott: But and skills, all those things are true today is things changed over the generations, obviously, you know Maggie valley now is a.</p><p>00:34:57.180 –&gt; 00:35:05.130 Bob Plott: premier resorted here is the beautiful tourist area, we have a plot that has two years festivals and music and all sorts of great things going on.</p><p>00:35:05.490 –&gt; 00:35:09.810 Bob Plott: The back in those days, which is frontier though now as things have evolved.</p><p>00:35:10.470 –&gt; 00:35:20.280 Bob Plott: dog has had to evolve with that you can you still have hunted going on, but now you the dogs are show dogs, which was recognized as a Casey champion Joe dog.</p><p>00:35:20.850 –&gt; 00:35:28.230 Bob Plott: recognize it, but all the major kindle clubs been using search and rescue dogs with wildlife operations tag animals.</p><p>00:35:28.830 –&gt; 00:35:42.360 Bob Plott: being used as cadaver dogs and then, of course, all the same things they’ve done over the year so multi purpose capabilities remain the same, even though some of those skills have changed and there’s needs have changed yields remain the same.</p><p>00:35:43.230 –&gt; 00:35:52.110 Joseph McElroy: So then, make a really good they’re really highly intelligent dog that could probably be in a lot of any kind of scenario, or you need intelligence right.</p><p>00:35:52.740 –&gt; 00:35:57.030 Bob Plott: yeah I tell the story all the time, you know it’s it’s.</p><p>00:35:58.200 –&gt; 00:36:11.580 Bob Plott: Oh, what happens in particular, you get one is a pub you can acclimate them to pretty much anything i’ve got a friend of mine who raised his plot around on chicken farm and host his dog hurt Chickens will yeah yeah.</p><p>00:36:12.780 –&gt; 00:36:20.400 Bob Plott: we’ll buy them now you do anything else now my dogs, on the other hand, if they saw a chicken, they would think it was suffering i’ve never been around.</p><p>00:36:20.700 –&gt; 00:36:22.650 Joseph McElroy: The record I can I can get a pup for.</p><p>00:36:22.650 –&gt; 00:36:24.630 Joseph McElroy: My hurt my two year old twins are.</p><p>00:36:26.040 –&gt; 00:36:32.460 Bob Plott: You good you take some work with him, but yeah it just a matter of building a lot of people make the mistake, though sometimes of.</p><p>00:36:32.850 –&gt; 00:36:40.110 Bob Plott: point in trying to get a dog is you know already got to have those tablets and didn’t want to turn them into a house dog or or.</p><p>00:36:40.710 –&gt; 00:36:53.280 Bob Plott: Something else they make great pants i’ve got a friend of mine so retired special forces carnally and dog sleep with him every night and i’ve got a video on my website where the dog salute the flag before he raises a flag and more than me.</p><p>00:36:54.600 –&gt; 00:36:55.140 Bob Plott: yeah.</p><p>00:36:56.100 –&gt; 00:37:01.560 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s it that’s a good segue you know bouncer famous for colorful characters right.</p><p>00:37:01.620 –&gt; 00:37:09.630 Joseph McElroy: Yes, Sir Oh, can you give me some stories about some colorful characters that helped make the breed famous and by southern culture.</p><p>00:37:10.140 –&gt; 00:37:19.230 Bob Plott: yeah on plot the guy I talked to you about earlier used to laugh when I was a kid that long can cuss for an hour and never use the same curse words twice.</p><p>00:37:20.100 –&gt; 00:37:29.100 Bob Plott: And, but he was just this really intense who really wanted to do nothing but on and run dogs and three great dogs and.</p><p>00:37:29.610 –&gt; 00:37:37.470 Bob Plott: These wonderful dogs and there’s a great story about where he was in a hunting trip and went to sleep by the fire and.</p><p>00:37:38.160 –&gt; 00:37:44.970 Bob Plott: His buddies thought would be hilarious if they put a fire around email have to exit for him to run away from him they figured if they stoke the fire.</p><p>00:37:45.330 –&gt; 00:37:57.450 Bob Plott: You would get hot enough that he would jump up and run hysterically way, but he didn’t really underestimate him like keep stoking the fire, the fire got higher and higher like Johnny cash song or something.</p><p>00:37:58.830 –&gt; 00:38:16.140 Bob Plott: And he goes in so nothing’s happening, he just sleeping snoring away and, finally, he didn’t concern and that he raises up from the waist doesn’t jump up and run books to his left and looks to his right it says it’s, just as I expected I gotta go to hell.</p><p>00:38:19.200 –&gt; 00:38:20.850 Bob Plott: plays back down and goes back to sleep.</p><p>00:38:22.470 –&gt; 00:38:27.660 Bob Plott: And he’s the next first guy out in the morning, you know, to get those guys up to it, you know just.</p><p>00:38:28.260 –&gt; 00:38:33.720 Bob Plott: All these stories like This just goes, you know looking Parker who live everyone caning for.</p><p>00:38:34.350 –&gt; 00:38:39.150 Bob Plott: He was a great hundred he didn’t like bear meet that much, but he would give better meet to these neighbors.</p><p>00:38:39.660 –&gt; 00:38:47.880 Bob Plott: And by asking wow you must must know a great recipe for bear me he didn’t like me at all, but he gave it away.</p><p>00:38:48.600 –&gt; 00:39:06.990 Bob Plott: And yeah what’s the recipe, so what you get a big cattle in boiling water in and you meet in the salt and pepper you put some rocks in the bottom it’s the key, but the rocks and the bottom and you get to a bull bull up for about two hours and you throw the meetup need the rocks.</p><p>00:39:09.960 –&gt; 00:39:10.800 Joseph McElroy: Oh.</p><p>00:39:12.390 –&gt; 00:39:12.840 Joseph McElroy: Because even.</p><p>00:39:12.870 –&gt; 00:39:20.640 Bob Plott: Like the very day didn’t they didn’t but the the dogs there’s just another great stories, and this is trying to make this as brief as possible but.</p><p>00:39:21.120 –&gt; 00:39:35.580 Bob Plott: A plot and live here Maggie valley Herbert was his full name but in goa Ferguson, were great friends and they had hunted together and they were over goal is House you know recuperating from a hunt talking about their dogs and.</p><p>00:39:36.660 –&gt; 00:39:48.030 Bob Plott: Scott came up and insulted her dogs and he said I bet you $5 that I can you can set me up in a bear hide that can go out there and pop those dogs and head and they will do thing.</p><p>00:39:48.780 –&gt; 00:39:58.470 Bob Plott: Well, this was in the 1940s, probably $5 is a lot of money, and I said sure and, of course, you know the insult their dogs that was used to do so, I took the BAT.</p><p>00:39:59.190 –&gt; 00:40:08.190 Bob Plott: So Charlie Chris was a guy’s name and sodium up in a bear hide and he got down on all fours and he snorted and puffed and puffed like a barrel do at times.</p><p>00:40:08.760 –&gt; 00:40:19.020 Bob Plott: folks didn’t even lift their heads they’re up there under apple trees news and and he gets closer and he gets braver and he gets closer and he is braver he reaches up and it’s one of the dogs in the head.</p><p>00:40:19.650 –&gt; 00:40:28.110 Bob Plott: Well then, go and upset that the dogs just jumped on this one and into that bear hi there wasn’t a dog latched on to.</p><p>00:40:28.980 –&gt; 00:40:34.590 Bob Plott: And they thought that was just the most hilarious thing i’ve ever seen, because I knew he really could get hurt the bear hide was thick.</p><p>00:40:34.980 –&gt; 00:40:40.710 Bob Plott: But all of a sudden, they heard it’s just piercing screams of agony, I thought what’s wrong, how can you be hurt.</p><p>00:40:41.370 –&gt; 00:40:51.630 Bob Plott: turns out that one of these pups who had never even been honey before, but which is there with the other dogs had gotten up under the bear hide and it latched on to charlie’s crotch.</p><p>00:40:52.710 –&gt; 00:40:57.180 Joseph McElroy: Just about castrated oh yeah there’s no.</p><p>00:40:57.330 –&gt; 00:41:08.580 Bob Plott: And so they got the dogs off haven’t got the put the puppy that became a one goal ferguson’s best all time dogs, the goal in hopes that that was the most expensive bantered ever made because.</p><p>00:41:09.870 –&gt; 00:41:14.730 Bob Plott: Charlie paid the band, but he had to stay there, and be nursed back to health goals house for about two weeks.</p><p>00:41:14.940 –&gt; 00:41:15.630 wow.</p><p>00:41:18.570 –&gt; 00:41:26.340 Joseph McElroy: Well, I kind of rough that kind of rough the behavior is emblematic of the mountain characters right.</p><p>00:41:26.730 –&gt; 00:41:33.960 Bob Plott: It really was it truly was and but there were such good people I mean hub, and God, I mean I remember, I was a boy going to see have a lot and.</p><p>00:41:34.440 –&gt; 00:41:45.840 Bob Plott: It was just such such kind people and so talented be up here and Maggie Valley, he built a waterwheel that generate electricity for his house and one of the first houses electricity.</p><p>00:41:46.290 –&gt; 00:41:58.440 Bob Plott: And I can remember visiting with him and the lights would get brighter with the water pressure increased and with them a little bit when the water pressure decreased, and they were just immensely talented people.</p><p>00:41:59.310 –&gt; 00:42:11.160 Joseph McElroy: So you know we’re talking about you know this, you know Scott divers European settlers new traditions applaud elms was there any traditions with housing the cherokee or there was even West Africans that lives in the mountains.</p><p>00:42:12.870 –&gt; 00:42:14.940 Bob Plott: yeah um that’s a.</p><p>00:42:16.410 –&gt; 00:42:24.630 Bob Plott: Good words grew up i’m on plot creek and was adopted son of john plot, and he he’s still alive and he’s he’s almost 100 years old man.</p><p>00:42:25.050 –&gt; 00:42:34.080 Bob Plott: And he told me stories of going over on so code by up above here who we are today okay gap and meeting a bunch of the cherokees over the air and and obviously some milk was.</p><p>00:42:35.400 –&gt; 00:42:46.230 Bob Plott: Chief at that time it was a marine war hero in professional wrestling and he had hair dogs and plot dogs and the plot family and he would hunt together and they.</p><p>00:42:46.980 –&gt; 00:42:53.040 Bob Plott: Act city could remember the barium potatoes and in the in the fire and cook potatoes and eat them and camping together and.</p><p>00:42:53.340 –&gt; 00:43:03.150 Bob Plott: And hung together for days at a time and they were pretty renowned for great dogs, but some of the cherokee didn’t believe in bear hunting, because a or there’s a.</p><p>00:43:03.870 –&gt; 00:43:12.660 Bob Plott: owner was worn for bear in the head sacred qualities to him, they didn’t believe you should kill obey or unless you just had to come up with me.</p><p>00:43:12.930 –&gt; 00:43:22.110 Joseph McElroy: yeah that makes sense, well, when we come back we’ll talk about how people can learn more about it here now, and things are going on in the mountains, that they can be.</p><p>00:45:43.410 –&gt; 00:45:51.930 Joseph McElroy: howdy Oh, this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and my guest Bob Bob.</p><p>00:45:53.010 –&gt; 00:45:59.940 Joseph McElroy: So Bob where are some great places to learn more about the block plot hounds and experience their history.</p><p>00:46:01.500 –&gt; 00:46:12.660 Bob Plott: Well i’ve written five books about southern culture and apply hand plan tales colorful characters include all these history and all these interesting stories I think i’m.</p><p>00:46:13.290 –&gt; 00:46:27.150 Bob Plott: right here and Maggie Valley, where I am today at your hotel there’s literally the plot boston’s are right around this water rock not famous plot balsam we have a State historical marker there’s a whole story, I can take a whole hour and tell you about that.</p><p>00:46:27.210 –&gt; 00:46:37.020 Joseph McElroy: So that’s that’s part of the boasts a mountain range you’ve got like three peaks named after the plot, you know and then there’s like a marker up in the mountains and whole story up there right.</p><p>00:46:37.200 –&gt; 00:46:45.450 Bob Plott: Yes, our there’s there’s a marker on the parkway overlooking the plot blossoms was a State historical marker and hazelwood elementary school.</p><p>00:46:45.750 –&gt; 00:46:51.450 Bob Plott: There was erected in 2009 it’s only the second market for a dog and a 75 year history of those.</p><p>00:46:51.900 –&gt; 00:46:59.970 Bob Plott: And then there’s a statue for the playground in downtown hazelwood it was just put up a few years ago and then there’s just all sorts of stuff.</p><p>00:47:00.750 –&gt; 00:47:13.860 Bob Plott: built home places and houses and different things, you can see we’re hoping to do tours here at your place and seminars here and the future and i’ve been i’ve been doing programs for years about this in.</p><p>00:47:14.430 –&gt; 00:47:20.670 Joseph McElroy: You know all over is there a farm or a kennel it has a plot hounds in the mountains anywhere.</p><p>00:47:21.090 –&gt; 00:47:22.140 Joseph McElroy: Oh famous for him.</p><p>00:47:22.800 –&gt; 00:47:39.390 Bob Plott: yeah I mean there’s just one thing I think is so interesting and one thing I love to promote is you know if the plot, have had to been just left to the plot family, it would have been probably relegated to sort of a regional phenomenon, as opposed to.</p><p>00:47:41.280 –&gt; 00:47:55.650 Bob Plott: National worldwide notoriety and Joe enjoys the day and that’s because so many people being here from other places and bought dogs are head dog ship tool and then the people here in the Community who were friends family relatives.</p><p>00:47:56.880 –&gt; 00:48:09.420 Bob Plott: Eight continue that legacy as well, I mean I did a program of school program for kids and this went down a list of names about hundred names from A to Z and asked the kids if you relay it to anyone by this name.</p><p>00:48:09.990 –&gt; 00:48:14.160 Bob Plott: Or, if this is your last name, which is stand up and by the time we were done.</p><p>00:48:14.550 –&gt; 00:48:25.800 Bob Plott: Everybody in the room will stand up and they said why don’t we do this that’s it, because this is your story, too, because all of your family had something to do with perpetuating the legacy of these dogs so.</p><p>00:48:26.250 –&gt; 00:48:34.680 Bob Plott: answer your question yeah there’s there’s stoking up here Maggie valley there’s the mahaffey gay has over in.</p><p>00:48:36.420 –&gt; 00:48:50.970 Bob Plott: Jackson county you’ve got my styles over and Graham county or clark’s right across the mountain here in East Tennessee our Jones is over and swaying county I mean, I still raise the dogs today myself list just goes on and on.</p><p>00:48:51.750 –&gt; 00:48:55.680 Joseph McElroy: But it’s kind of Nice to come and get the authentic experience of buying or the.</p><p>00:48:57.090 –&gt; 00:49:04.860 Joseph McElroy: binary interacting with them and by maybe bind yourself one in the in the in the mountains are they became famous right.</p><p>00:49:06.360 –&gt; 00:49:17.460 Bob Plott: It really is, and I think too it’s pretty neat we take a lot of pride in the fact that you know the dogs, we have can be really traced back to the dogs first registered in 1946 and before that too.</p><p>00:49:17.970 –&gt; 00:49:28.590 Bob Plott: But uh yeah it’s just i’m just so proud that that yeah i’m trying to make clear that you know we take no credit for we just want to promote that legacy and promote the history and.</p><p>00:49:28.950 –&gt; 00:49:35.280 Bob Plott: And you know get people to look read these books and go to the programs and and understand what a great story, it is.</p><p>00:49:35.970 –&gt; 00:49:38.850 Joseph McElroy: So you got a new book coming out march tell us a little bit about that.</p><p>00:49:40.170 –&gt; 00:49:47.790 Bob Plott: yeah march 15 my son Jacob and i’ve put together a book as soon as his train expert and he.</p><p>00:49:48.960 –&gt; 00:49:52.290 Bob Plott: didn’t know that much about it, and he convinced me to get involved with this.</p><p>00:49:53.220 –&gt; 00:50:02.280 Bob Plott: smoky mountain railways project, which was about the building of the western North Carolina railroad which is really fascinating because it was done almost entirely.</p><p>00:50:02.700 –&gt; 00:50:14.790 Bob Plott: With convict Labor it was a terrible I were treated terribly and it took took longer to build the railroad for vote for North Carolina Murphy North Carolina they did to build this whole transcontinental railroad.</p><p>00:50:15.480 –&gt; 00:50:24.390 Bob Plott: And if you look at the population of people in our percentage of people that died more people died building this railroad and they did the transcontinental railroad.</p><p>00:50:24.900 –&gt; 00:50:40.980 Bob Plott: wow but it had a tremendous impact on the region asheville, for example, that time was just literally a countdown I mean there was nothing there, and you see it today that in western North Carolina was just kind of cut off because it was no really way to take.</p><p>00:50:42.060 –&gt; 00:50:50.070 Bob Plott: products to market or get things anywhere get things in here, so the railroad just literally was life changing and, of course.</p><p>00:50:50.340 –&gt; 00:50:59.010 Bob Plott: that’s another reason to come to their you now you got the great smoky mountains row row way over in bryson city that’s a big tour straw and then.</p><p>00:50:59.760 –&gt; 00:51:17.940 Bob Plott: I do work for children farms and in in Libya North Carolina that is not a great story to in terms of their tie in the area and when all this continuously operating farms in western North Carolina so it’s just so nice Everywhere you turn there’s a great story here cool.</p><p>00:51:18.390 –&gt; 00:51:23.340 Joseph McElroy: So you mentioned some of the things we’re thinking about doing you got any specific plans for the future.</p><p>00:51:26.310 –&gt; 00:51:39.330 Bob Plott: me yeah I mean i’m hoping to do programs with you guys i’ve done programs, we did plot fast here Maggie Valley, for four years, raised 120 $5,000 for Jackson county and haywood county hit start programs.</p><p>00:51:40.350 –&gt; 00:51:57.030 Bob Plott: wanted to do a lot more stuff like that festivals that sort of thing and just really educate people you know, in the fall into two opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to these sort of things are either very knowledgeable or they’re very clueless and they tend to.</p><p>00:51:58.260 –&gt; 00:52:07.380 Bob Plott: Be almost hostile sometimes if they don’t understand it, I think the key thing is just communication and tell me stories and when people make their own decisions.</p><p>00:52:07.470 –&gt; 00:52:09.690 Joseph McElroy: Right, so how can people contact you.</p><p>00:52:10.650 –&gt; 00:52:21.600 Bob Plott: I have a website Bob plot COM got all those usual social media pages Facebook that sort of thing have to book pages for Facebook and instagram and all that sort of thing.</p><p>00:52:22.080 –&gt; 00:52:36.570 Bob Plott: i’m easily reach their e bike and email me there w w w dot bomb plot calm and of course I hope to be doing some work with you folks here in promoting some things here and throughout the area once we get things back to normal again.</p><p>00:52:37.320 –&gt; 00:52:43.350 Joseph McElroy: Alright, well, thank you Baba for showing up and being on this program has been really fun, I really appreciate it.</p><p>00:52:45.150 –&gt; 00:52:51.120 Joseph McElroy: And you know I think we’ll have some further conversations I think we’ll do a whole railroad show some I get you on that too.</p><p>00:52:53.400 –&gt; 00:52:55.170 Joseph McElroy: So you know help promote the book.</p><p>00:52:56.370 –&gt; 00:52:57.780 Joseph McElroy: Let me tell people out there.</p><p>00:52:58.830 –&gt; 00:53:00.330 Joseph McElroy: You can buy bob’s book.</p><p>00:53:01.440 –&gt; 00:53:15.090 Joseph McElroy: On Amazon, you can find the links to those books on gateways to the smokies that fun all right, and we have my the front page of borders books, you can click on each any one of them it’ll take you right to the Amazon page by the book.</p><p>00:53:16.470 –&gt; 00:53:21.840 Joseph McElroy: That that site also has to all the previous episodes, it also has.</p><p>00:53:23.280 –&gt; 00:53:31.770 Joseph McElroy: Some links to resources it has links to oral or social media as it is subscribe button, you can subscribe to our our newsletter that’s coming out.</p><p>00:53:32.100 –&gt; 00:53:42.660 Joseph McElroy: So it’s the resource to go to to find out all about the show, I want to mention, of course, that I own the metal art motel and Maggie value with Caroline mouthy.</p><p>00:53:43.590 –&gt; 00:53:52.080 Joseph McElroy: Traditional mountain road roadside motel that we’ve made sorted into sort of into an appalachian chic resort I mean it’s still got an authentic.</p><p>00:53:52.470 –&gt; 00:54:02.610 Joseph McElroy: You know roadside motel feel, but we have programs, we have things go on there, your APP has been in my family for over 45 years and it’s around 70 years old and a lot of.</p><p>00:54:03.030 –&gt; 00:54:13.470 Joseph McElroy: A lot of music going on there to my my goal trees and artists in residence and he’s there he’s a former journalist in the minds of these exploring the Scottish roots of mountain music.</p><p>00:54:14.940 –&gt; 00:54:28.380 Joseph McElroy: I also own a site called smokies invention calm is dedicated to you know trail maps and specific information about the doing outdoor adventures and other kinds of things in the mountains and.</p><p>00:54:29.940 –&gt; 00:54:45.060 Joseph McElroy: And and and resources that you can go to to help you planning a trip to the mountains and then I have built with were traveling magazines a great resource for where travel.com great dash dash maps.</p><p>00:54:45.510 –&gt; 00:54:52.890 Joseph McElroy: which were traveler has been around for 30 years and you see it probably motel rooms around the world and we’re going to where it is a great.</p><p>00:54:53.790 –&gt; 00:55:03.990 Joseph McElroy: resource for in depth stories about the great smokies but also about all the cities and towns around the smoky mountains it’s it’s a big cultural area.</p><p>00:55:04.350 –&gt; 00:55:13.890 Joseph McElroy: You know they’re there, you can see the great smoky mountains is about the size of institutions and it has a lot of people live here we get about 20 million people visit every year, so.</p><p>00:55:14.370 –&gt; 00:55:21.780 Joseph McElroy: Where travelers and take notes or global reach, and very interesting stories and encompasses not only the smokies but the areas around.</p><p>00:55:23.250 –&gt; 00:55:28.290 Joseph McElroy: I really appreciate everybody here coming in a week coming to listen to us every week we’re going to have.</p><p>00:55:28.620 –&gt; 00:55:40.710 Joseph McElroy: A rafting expert out here next week, talking about whitewater in the mountains and we’re going to be soon having hiking we have all sorts of interesting things so again, this is, this is the gateway to the smokies dot fun.</p><p>00:55:41.190 –&gt; 00:55:53.190 Joseph McElroy: You can reach me at explore at smokies adventure calm and smokies plural adventure singular.com and it good to see you and we’ll see you next week and bye.</p><p><br></p> edd4c508-769b-4c82-ac51-a70dfcd81a87 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/7c40ef67-5669-4d5e-9093-9f8d746b5094 Tue, 16 Feb 2021 23:00:00 +0000 2910 no full Episode 5: Getting Into The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Episode 5: Getting Into The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>This week, we will discuss the 5 Entrances to the <strong><em>Great Smoky Mountains National Park</em></strong> on the North Carolina side of the park.</p><p><br></p><p>We will explore not only the wonderful natural features, but the small mountain towns near the entrances.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/3z-E4EvCXr/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h4>Show Notes</h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph introduces the segments of today’s episode, which will discuss the entrances to the smokies. Joseph found out today that his wife and son got through covid without telling anybody, going into detail about the origin of his son’s stoicism. He recites a poem he found that talks about the laid back and free way of living the Smokies bring about. In the last year, the mountains have seen a 16% increase in tourism because people go there to be at ease and feel safe. Joseph talks about the awe these mountains inspire, the twists and turns within, and how this beauty extends into the winter. Every visit is a new adventure, even on the same trails, leaving you feeling refreshed when you go home. When Franklin Roosevelt dedicated this park, he discussed its natural beauty and how it must be preserved. Joseph relates to this as these mountains are home for him, he enjoys the city life and has lived in a variety of places, but always finds himself back in the Smokies.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>An important cultural aspect, the entrances to the smokies can be a fun topic to navigate, with crowds looking for secret ones and fun ones. Growing up, Joseph didn’t know where the entrances were, he would go on a trail or a drive and end up in the mountains. The concept of the entrances was new to Joseph, requiring some research even though he grew up a native. Newfound Gap Road, a section of US 441, got its name because it was just that, new found. Indian gap was thought to be the lowest gap until this was found. The Indian culture of Cherokee still remains, along with its beautiful waterfalls and attractions. The masks of the indigenous people are still sold, not as a product of cultural appropriation, rather a means of supporting families. Another tradition in Cherokee culture are storytelling bonfires, which are enjoyed by families and individuals. In addition to the old traditions, casinos have been built, bringing a different crowd and a different type of attention. Joseph reads a quote discussing the approach the Cherokee take to their culture. The next entrance is the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance.On the Blue Ridge Parkway is a visitor center, one of four in the park. The visitor center runs a variety of programs, some led by rangers. There is also a farm museum, which gives an accurate display of farm life in the mountains. On that parkway is a gristle mill, great campgrounds, picnic areas, and trails. The parkway leads to the Sugarlands Valley Nature trail, which is the largest entrance to the park. The Newfound Gap Road runs between the two largest entrances to the park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph’s favorite entrance is one of the most remote, in the Cataloochee Valley near where he grew up. As a kid, he would go hiking there with his family. In the valley there are a lot of old community buildings that have been preserved. There is a greater diversity of birds in the Smoky mountains than anywhere else. There is also great fishing in the mountains. In 2001, the national park service reintroduced Elk to the park in the valley. The Elk have thrived in the park since being reintroduced to their natural habitat. Often the roads getting into the park through the valley get closed as there are many twists and turns. The Elk have different seasons throughout the year, such as the calving season. By June the calves are out, and in mid summer they can be seen out grazing. The fall is the mating season, the Elk can be heard and seen fighting for mates. They can be hard to find in the winter though. The Cataloochee is home to many great trails that take you to a variety of destinations within the park. Cataloochee is located within Jonathan Creek Valley, where Joseph grew up. Joseph’s parents bought the Meadowlark hotel about 45 years ago, moving the family to Maggie Valley. This valley has grown into a small tourist town, remaining to this day home to the authentic mountain culture. The valley is home to world renowned museums, ski resorts, distilleries, and many more attractions.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Not far from Maggie valley is another entrance to the Smokies in a little town called Bryson City, which is known for its white water rafting. There is a train museum there along with the Smoky railroad, which takes tourists around the towns in the Smoky Mountains. One of the entrances near Bryson City is Deep Creek, which is just three miles from the city. There are amazing trails to hike with beautiful waterfalls. After a few days of rain, many creeks throughout the Smokies are home to great tubing. Lakeview Drive, otherwise known as The Road to Nowhere is another entrance, has a tunnel which runs for miles and leads to a trail. The trail contains old buildings, a lake, and is an outlet to many of the major trails. The final entrance is near Fontana Lake. Besides Cataloochee valley, this is the most remote entrance as you need to take a boat across a lake to get there. Joseph’s family owns the Meadowlark Hotel in Maggie Valley. It is a great location for weddings, hosts barbecues, and has great live music. Next week, Bob Plott will guest on the show.</p> Video thumbnail

Joseph Franklyn McElroy discusses the 5 Entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the North Carolina side of the park.

We will explore not only the wonderful natural features but the small mountain towns near the entrances.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph introduces the segments of today’s episode, which will discuss the entrances to the smokies. Joseph found out today that his wife and son got through covid without telling anybody, going into detail about the origin of his son’s stoicism. He recites a poem he found that talks about the laid-back and free way of living the Smokies bring about. In the last year, the mountains have seen a 16% increase in tourism because people go there to be at ease and feel safe. Joseph talks about the awe these mountains inspire, the twists and turns within, and how this beauty extends into the winter. Every visit is a new adventure, even on the same trails, leaving you feeling refreshed when you go home. When Franklin Roosevelt dedicated this park, he discussed its natural beauty and how it must be preserved. Joseph relates to this as these mountains are home for him, he enjoys the city life and has lived in a variety of places, but always finds himself back in the Smokies.

Segment 2

An important cultural aspect, the entrances to the smokies can be a fun topic to navigate, with crowds looking for secret ones and fun ones. Growing up, Joseph didn’t know where the entrances were, he would go on a trail or a drive and end up in the mountains. The concept of the entrances was new to Joseph, requiring some research even though he grew up a native. Newfound Gap Road, a section of US 441, got its name because it was just that, newfound. Indian gap was thought to be the lowest gap until this was found. The Indian culture of Cherokee still remains, along with its beautiful waterfalls and attractions. The masks of the indigenous people are still sold, not as a product of cultural appropriation, but rather as a means of supporting families. Another tradition in Cherokee culture is storytelling bonfires, which are enjoyed by families and individuals. In addition to the old traditions, casinos have been built, bringing a different crowd and a different type of attention. Joseph reads a quote discussing the approach the Cherokee take to their culture. The next entrance is the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance. On the Blue Ridge Parkway is a visitor center, one of four in the park. The visitor center runs a variety of programs, some led by rangers. There is also a farm museum, which gives an accurate display of farm life in the mountains. On that parkway is a gristle mill, great campgrounds, picnic areas, and trails. The parkway leads to the Sugarlands Valley Nature trail, which is the largest entrance to the park. The Newfound Gap Road runs between the two largest entrances to the park.

Segment 3

Joseph’s favorite entrance is one of the most remote, in the Cataloochee Valley near where he grew up. As a kid, he would go hiking there with his family. In the valley, there are a lot of old community buildings that have been preserved. There is a greater diversity of birds in the Smoky mountains than anywhere else. There is also great fishing in the mountains. In 2001, the national park service reintroduced Elk to the park in the valley. The Elk have thrived in the park since being reintroduced to their natural habitat. Often the roads getting into the park through the valley get closed as there are many twists and turns. The Elk have different seasons throughout the year, such as the calving season. By June the calves are out, and in mid-summer, they can be seen out grazing. The fall is the mating season, the Elk can be heard and seen fighting for mates. They can be hard to find in the winter though. The Cataloochee is home to many great trails that take you to a variety of destinations within the park. Cataloochee is located within Jonathan Creek Valley, where Joseph grew up. Joseph’s parents bought the Meadowlark hotel about 45 years ago, moving the family to Maggie Valley. This valley has grown into a small tourist town, remaining to this day home to the authentic mountain culture. The valley is home to world-renowned museums, ski resorts, distilleries, and many more attractions.

Segment 4

Not far from Maggie valley is another entrance to the Smokies in a little town called Bryson City, which is known for its white water rafting. There is a train museum there along with the Smoky railroad, which takes tourists around the towns in the Smoky Mountains. One of the entrances near Bryson City is Deep Creek, which is just three miles from the city. There are amazing trails to hike with beautiful waterfalls. After a few days of rain, many creeks throughout the Smokies are home to great tubing. Lakeview Drive, otherwise known as The Road to Nowhere is another entrance, that has a tunnel that runs for miles and leads to a trail. The trail contains old buildings, and a lake, and is an outlet to many of the major trails. The final entrance is near Fontana Lake. Besides Cataloochee valley, this is the most remote entrance as you need to take a boat across a lake to get there. Joseph’s family owns the Meadowlark Hotel in Maggie Valley. It is a great location for weddings, hosts barbecues, and has great live music. Next week, Bob Plott will guest on the show.


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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:39.420 –> 00:00:40.020 Joseph McElroy: howdy.

00:00:40.800 –> 00:00:44.910 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.

00:00:46.170 –> 00:00:54.450 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about america’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns.

00:00:55.230 –> 00:01:09.840 Joseph McElroy: Areas this area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we will explore weekly with the episodes and experts and all sorts of good stuff.

00:01:11.070 –> 00:01:25.380 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin mcilroy amanda the world, but also with deep roots in those mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:26.940 –> 00:01:28.320 Joseph McElroy: So, today, is just me.

00:01:29.490 –> 00:01:39.180 Joseph McElroy: i’m eventually going to talk to you about the entrances to the great smoky mountains natural park and why they’re interesting and some of the things to do in the towns and areas around those entrances.

00:01:41.160 –> 00:01:52.050 Joseph McElroy: But right now I just wonder how y’all doing I just found out today, and my son and my my his wife had covidien got over before they told anybody.

00:01:53.400 –> 00:01:56.940 Joseph McElroy: I was shocked Oh, the bravery of you.

00:01:58.920 –> 00:02:04.500 Joseph McElroy: But I think it expresses a certain stoicism that he probably got through me.

00:02:05.640 –> 00:02:06.870 Joseph McElroy: From mountain culture.

00:02:07.980 –> 00:02:11.850 Joseph McElroy: Oh he’s more likely you got it from his grandfather because he used to spend.

00:02:12.960 –> 00:02:20.220 Joseph McElroy: Summers there for two or three weeks at a time, and my dad was a my dad is still very.

00:02:21.360 –> 00:02:27.720 Joseph McElroy: suck it up and go get high guy and that sort of emblematic of a lot of the people in the mountains.

00:02:29.970 –> 00:02:38.040 Joseph McElroy: yeah went listened to my first few podcasts and realized that I was talking to loud and fast and I didn’t like it.

00:02:40.080 –> 00:02:42.540 Joseph McElroy: It doesn’t express the smoky mountains.

00:02:43.980 –> 00:02:46.440 Joseph McElroy: I guess, I was eager to express my.

00:02:47.610 –> 00:03:06.900 Joseph McElroy: My passion for my heritage and for the the sell you on coming to the area but that’s not really what the smoky mountains is about there’s a certain ease of living, even when it’s hard, that is, I think characteristic of the culture.

00:03:08.460 –> 00:03:18.750 Joseph McElroy: It just don’t talk fail fast and you don’t sell everybody and I guess I might have to relearn that doing that podcast because i’ve been in New York for quite a while.

00:03:19.740 –> 00:03:27.240 Joseph McElroy: I still go down there i’m not every month, but you know, things were off on here so i’ll do my best and you’ll hold me to account when I don’t okay.

00:03:28.830 –> 00:03:40.080 Joseph McElroy: So i’m talking about Kobe and the mountains and things like that I got the I was searching for some information and I found a poem about coming to the mountains for a visit.

00:03:41.040 –> 00:03:49.170 Joseph McElroy: You know it felt apropos in these times it’s by a poet named Linda higher net and it was written in 2014 and i’m just going to say it.

00:03:51.330 –> 00:04:07.380 Joseph McElroy: I think it’s pretty it was memorable to me so i’ll just i’ll just read it, I traveled to the mountains through long and winding road my destination aimless tune into the chill out mode.

00:04:08.730 –> 00:04:13.860 Joseph McElroy: I marvel at the mountains and breathe the clue cool clean air.

00:04:14.880 –> 00:04:20.760 Joseph McElroy: so strange to think that yesterday was dawned in deep despair.

00:04:21.840 –> 00:04:27.000 Joseph McElroy: I leave it all behind me today, I am simply free.

00:04:28.050 –> 00:04:32.400 Joseph McElroy: i’m running with the wind now for now i’m being me.

00:04:33.840 –> 00:04:44.880 Joseph McElroy: I found a new horizon, where I may rest my eyes as sit awhile and wonder, as the mountains pierce the skies.

00:04:46.380 –> 00:04:50.520 Joseph McElroy: As I turned the corner, I see what lies ahead.

00:04:51.600 –> 00:05:01.020 Joseph McElroy: Another stunning vista is where i’m being led, I know I know the road i’ve traveled.

00:05:02.100 –> 00:05:03.660 Joseph McElroy: i’ve been where I have been.

00:05:04.830 –> 00:05:09.630 Joseph McElroy: so full of twists and turnings an ever changing scene.

00:05:10.680 –> 00:05:24.570 Joseph McElroy: I take a last look at the mountains and prepare to make my descent i’m heading home for home and i’m happy just knowing my journey was meant.

00:05:26.310 –> 00:05:46.620 Joseph McElroy: And that was in May 23 2014 now the first line that jumped out at me was this in this time of despair deeps to pair the deep despair, you know we’ve been going through hard times for last year and or so maybe people longer maybe some people last but.

00:05:48.450 –> 00:05:59.700 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can be refreshed in the mountains, I think that you know this poem really spoke to me about that, especially after reading just after i’ve had that my son had it.

00:06:02.100 –> 00:06:13.770 Joseph McElroy: And I think that’s always been a allure of the the the mountains, and especially the smoky mountains, is that you go there to relax to.

00:06:14.880 –> 00:06:17.970 Joseph McElroy: Have a certain ease of living to.

00:06:19.230 –> 00:06:19.620 Joseph McElroy: To.

00:06:21.390 –> 00:06:34.470 Joseph McElroy: just sit back and enjoy life and see breathe the clean cool air, you know that they’ve actually had a 16% growth in tourism, this last year in the mountains well now that yeah.

00:06:34.950 –> 00:06:46.620 Joseph McElroy: that’s because people were escaping you know local travel is become as big and people within 100 miles or so just just want to get away and they know they can go there and be pretty safe.

00:06:49.500 –> 00:06:59.160 Joseph McElroy: You know, I was, I was reading it, and I was struck me by a poem, I quote, I mean from Mark Twain.

00:07:01.020 –> 00:07:08.760 Joseph McElroy: That was 20 years from now, have you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the by the ones that you did do.

00:07:09.180 –> 00:07:18.690 Joseph McElroy: So throw off the bow line say away for sale away from the safe harbor catch the trade winds in your sails explore dream discover.

00:07:19.590 –> 00:07:27.810 Joseph McElroy: And I think that even in the times, where we’re in quarantine or having to be away from other people going outdoors and going to places.

00:07:28.260 –> 00:07:48.300 Joseph McElroy: Where there’s still natural beauty and wildness a safe sort of wildness to go, you know catch the winds in your sails climb a mountain explore dream discover leave it all behind me today i’m simply free i’m running with the wind now for me for now i’m being me.

00:07:49.770 –> 00:07:52.860 Joseph McElroy: I just I just think that’s incredibly lovely.

00:07:54.240 –> 00:07:57.750 Joseph McElroy: You know, and you get to find new horizons and and.

00:07:58.890 –> 00:08:05.250 Joseph McElroy: And rest your eyes on wonder, you see vistas every time you’d make a curve in the.

00:08:06.000 –> 00:08:17.190 Joseph McElroy: Mountain roads, it opens up to a new vista that’s just awestruck it’s just it’s just you’re just you’re just your breath is taken away, especially, believe it or not, in the winter.

00:08:17.700 –> 00:08:25.950 Joseph McElroy: Because you’re driving these roads and the leaves have to have trimmed away they’re still the greenery because you have evergreens, but you have.

00:08:26.250 –> 00:08:43.140 Joseph McElroy: You know the leaves have revealed the beauty of the view that they protected from all year long only the people brave enough to go and explore and discover during a cold time can see and they’re stunning, I mean i’m just telling you the abuser stunning.

00:08:45.780 –> 00:08:59.070 Joseph McElroy: And so, and you know, and I think every time you go and you discover a new adventure, I mean you’re traveling a road that you’ve been before it’s i’ve been where i’ve been it’s been where i’ve been.

00:08:59.610 –> 00:09:06.030 Joseph McElroy: But it’s an ever changing scene, you know you’re always seeing something new, everything is different.

00:09:07.710 –> 00:09:15.930 Joseph McElroy: And then, when you go home when you go home when you leave the mountains you actually feel refreshed and you feel happy.

00:09:16.740 –> 00:09:27.930 Joseph McElroy: All right, you’ve you’ve done something you’ve gone you’ve you’ve experienced different culture you’ve seen different things you’ve been out out of doors you’ve clean click clear water you’ve had some of the cleanest.

00:09:28.350 –> 00:09:37.350 Joseph McElroy: You know quarters in in the in the United States, maybe the world you’ve had you know some air that’s unperturbed by you know pollution.

00:09:37.920 –> 00:09:54.690 Joseph McElroy: And it’s just I think a wonderful escape, especially in these times and it reminds me that you know, President Roosevelt Franklin D Roosevelt when he you know sort of was in, and you know was dedicating these.

00:09:56.310 –> 00:10:04.320 Joseph McElroy: These this Park, he said, there are trees here that stood before our forefathers ever came to this continent.

00:10:04.920 –> 00:10:11.730 Joseph McElroy: They are brooks that still run as clear as on the day that first pioneer cut his hand and drank from them.

00:10:12.630 –> 00:10:30.300 Joseph McElroy: In this Park, we should conserve these trees, the pie, the red, but the dogwood the azalea the rhododendron and the trout that and the thrush for the happiness of the American people and more than the American people I think it’s the happiness of people from all over the world.

00:10:33.690 –> 00:10:42.420 Joseph McElroy: So I am I sort of was a you know emotional day and this really is, I think.

00:10:43.800 –> 00:10:53.250 Joseph McElroy: sums up my feeling for the mountains and why come back so much and never really left home i’ve been all over the world, and I lived several different places and.

00:10:53.610 –> 00:11:05.790 Joseph McElroy: I love city life because you know I need a lot of stimulation, but then, when I get a little crazy, I have to go back home, I have to have that clean clear waters and the cool breeze.

00:11:06.180 –> 00:11:13.950 Joseph McElroy: and clean air and I have to have the adventures in the in the in the in the wilds I have to recharge by going there.

00:11:15.210 –> 00:11:19.320 Joseph McElroy: And you know, I think it works for just about anybody to do that.

00:11:21.720 –> 00:11:42.120 Joseph McElroy: And so I encourage you to consider it your home away from home the place you go and explore, because it was meant for you, when it was first consecrated it was meant for you to come and to have that recharging experience and especially in these times of coven and.

00:11:43.140 –> 00:11:44.040 Joseph McElroy: And you know.

00:11:45.090 –> 00:11:55.200 Joseph McElroy: You know, violence in the riotous and yeah policy politicisation it’s something where everybody can go without worrying about what the politics of your neighbors are you know, without.

00:11:55.980 –> 00:12:10.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah because you’re all looking at nature and you’re all escaped from that world for a brief time and you just be human beings together looking at things you know socially distance because you’re outside you can be away, but you can still be aware of other people.

00:12:11.880 –> 00:12:18.570 Joseph McElroy: And you know I even you first get there you come to all these towns that have tourism things that seem, some of them seem a little crass and them seem authentic.

00:12:19.140 –> 00:12:28.560 Joseph McElroy: But when you go up into the park and you grew up in the wilderness it’s still as authentic and beautiful and undisturbed as it’s ever been and you can explore.

00:12:29.490 –> 00:12:41.040 Joseph McElroy: The way I think that you don’t get to do a lot in your life alright, so when we come back we’re going to talk about ways to get into the smoky mountains and what’s going on around those entrances.

00:15:37.980 –> 00:15:44.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies.

00:15:45.390 –> 00:15:46.320 Joseph McElroy: podcast.

00:15:47.700 –> 00:15:58.020 Joseph McElroy: i’m my guest today and i’m talking about the entrances to the smoky mountains now you know I don’t know why it’s a thing.

00:15:59.100 –> 00:16:07.080 Joseph McElroy: But if you’re if you’re if you’re looking around online you’ll see lots of talk about the entrances to the smoky mountains.

00:16:08.100 –> 00:16:19.410 Joseph McElroy: They have an employee of the year, since I grown up become an important cultural aspect of visiting and where you’re going to come into that My guess is because the crowds come and people want to know.

00:16:19.830 –> 00:16:25.080 Joseph McElroy: which ones are the most fun or which ones are the easiest to get one and where’s the secret ones, and all that sort of stuff.

00:16:26.880 –> 00:16:32.220 Joseph McElroy: So the ones on the Tennessee cider are fairly well known.

00:16:33.570 –> 00:16:39.840 Joseph McElroy: And i’ll talk about them another day but i’m gonna i’m gonna focus on the less well known ones on the North Carolina side.

00:16:42.060 –> 00:16:42.930 Joseph McElroy: Just to.

00:16:44.040 –> 00:16:46.890 Joseph McElroy: Just to you know give some.

00:16:47.940 –> 00:16:53.460 Joseph McElroy: give some balance to the whole conversation about the entrances so like I said I didn’t.

00:16:54.510 –> 00:17:06.120 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t know much about entrances growing up, I I just I would go I would ride on a trail somewhere and then we’d been the smoky mountains or we just go and get in the car and drive somewhere and we’d be in the smoky mountains.

00:17:07.620 –> 00:17:11.970 Joseph McElroy: There was no, this is, this is the you know certain entrance.

00:17:13.020 –> 00:17:23.670 Joseph McElroy: I live near the appalachian trail coast that goes through the smoky mountains and i’d walk on that icon, that being the smoky mountain, so I actually had to do a little research.

00:17:25.200 –> 00:17:41.250 Joseph McElroy: You know and and find out more about the the official names of them and what they are, and so it’s sort of fun for me to do some reading here and i’m gonna give you some of that information but anyway, the entrances concept is is news you to me, is it is to you.

00:17:42.990 –> 00:17:43.500 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:17:46.200 –> 00:17:52.740 Joseph McElroy: The first one i’m going to talk about his newfound gap road and oh kind of left the.

00:17:54.180 –> 00:17:59.430 Joseph McElroy: entrance to the great smoky mountains okay so.

00:18:00.630 –> 00:18:18.480 Joseph McElroy: Newfoundland there’s a group called new family out road and it’s the road almost everyone who visit the great smoky mountains National Park will drive on, it is a section of us for for one that crosses the park North, the South over the crest of the great smoky mountains.

00:18:19.590 –> 00:18:27.090 Joseph McElroy: And it links the towns of cherokee and get lumber, which is all the Tennessee side and cherokee has been on the North Carolina side.

00:18:29.610 –> 00:18:40.200 Joseph McElroy: You know what’s interesting is is that before they built the smoky mountain the great smoky mountain National Park there used to be a gap up there called Indian gap.

00:18:41.070 –> 00:18:48.540 Joseph McElroy: And everybody thought that that was the lowest gap to cross that CREST that there existed, but when they went to build the.

00:18:49.170 –> 00:19:03.150 Joseph McElroy: The the road you know and to go across it and help you know you know with the smoky mountain building it is that they found there was actually a gap that was 15 I guess 15 miles.

00:19:03.570 –> 00:19:11.850 Joseph McElroy: deeper and are some some amount of deeper I forget the exact details but, and so they started calling a new yeah newfound gap.

00:19:12.330 –> 00:19:24.360 Joseph McElroy: And then, then that became that became the name the feature, and it became the name of the road, so this newfound gap my name and the road, are all birth, with the great smoky mountain National Park.

00:19:26.430 –> 00:19:34.140 Joseph McElroy: Now I want to talk a little bit about chair key before we go into what the what the park is like you know Tara key.

00:19:35.580 –> 00:19:50.070 Joseph McElroy: Is a town in the Koala boundary Indian reservation which is not actually technically a reservation it’s a it’s actually a private land that’s that’s held in trust by the Federal Government.

00:19:50.580 –> 00:20:00.840 Joseph McElroy: And then that can be privately owned bought and sold by people, but that people had to be enrolled in the eastern tribe of the cherokee Indians.

00:20:03.000 –> 00:20:03.990 Joseph McElroy: So it’s.

00:20:05.070 –> 00:20:24.030 Joseph McElroy: it’s a special area I think in that regard now in cherokee it’s a great town to go visit right in you know you can see original culture there, you can see original Indian culture, you can see spectacular waterfalls.

00:20:25.530 –> 00:20:28.650 Joseph McElroy: there’s there are they have some great fly fishing tournaments there.

00:20:29.970 –> 00:20:37.080 Joseph McElroy: And, of course, you can see, they have a they have some great cherokee cultural attractions, and I think one of the most beautiful is the.

00:20:37.440 –> 00:20:46.290 Joseph McElroy: The cherokee museum, one of the first times I ever saw 3D technology used was when I went to that museum I don’t know 20 years ago.

00:20:46.680 –> 00:21:00.270 Joseph McElroy: And you have you go through it and they have a medicine man as a guide and all the different experiences, but he shows up as a hologram so he’s in a hologram and all these things, it was really cool is mind blowing at the time.

00:21:01.980 –> 00:21:11.700 Joseph McElroy: And, and I would recommend you go there and there’s all sorts of interesting shopping, you know I love there’s a there’s a couple stores, one of them has you know.

00:21:12.300 –> 00:21:21.030 Joseph McElroy: where you can go find original masks I love masks and they have all these that they have these these indigenous people that will.

00:21:21.420 –> 00:21:36.240 Joseph McElroy: Create mass in the mountains in the cherokee and you know and they represent all sorts of aspects of culture, but they’re huge they’re well crafted beautiful artifacts and you know they’re they’re they’re making them for.

00:21:37.320 –> 00:21:48.030 Joseph McElroy: For for selling to support themselves and you know and bring income into their family so it’s not cultural appropriation to go buy something because they’re doing it for that purpose.

00:21:49.020 –> 00:22:04.440 Joseph McElroy: And it’s actually helping them, so you can go there by some beautiful massive and then they use things you know interesting textures of grasses and things to make hair and other you know elements of the mass that are just surprising.

00:22:06.000 –> 00:22:18.120 Joseph McElroy: Also that’s big and cherokee is there’s there’s the storytelling bonfires that are like every Saturday and Friday night during the warm months and and into the into the cooler months but not really.

00:22:18.870 –> 00:22:28.740 Joseph McElroy: cold where they tell mountain stories cherokee stories, which are incredible you know fun events for both fam for for families and individuals.

00:22:30.150 –> 00:22:45.600 Joseph McElroy: You can you have they have amazing shopping there they’ve got casinos there, so now, so you know that’s really as made the town itself really more upscale so they got some incredible stores there but they still have some some charming stores to.

00:22:46.920 –> 00:22:56.640 Joseph McElroy: You know from the old days that are still around so you can capture both sort of a little bit more glitz and also get a lot of that mountain town charm there.

00:22:57.840 –> 00:23:13.440 Joseph McElroy: And you can and then there’s some really great shows and Al and cultural you know performances there and everybody should go see the outdoor drama onto these hills that tells the story of the tale of tree or tears.

00:23:14.100 –> 00:23:20.970 Joseph McElroy: which I i’m assuming most of you will know, and if not, you should go look it up online on that go into it right, the second but.

00:23:22.470 –> 00:23:29.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s basically is the the trail of moving many of the cherokee to Oklahoma that was forced upon them by the government.

00:23:30.690 –> 00:23:47.760 Joseph McElroy: a wonderful quote I read, while doing my research was we’re still here we’re still cherokee we speak our language dance our songs know our history, our culture, our hearts arts, we are cherokee.

00:23:48.600 –> 00:24:01.710 Joseph McElroy: I feel it’s a duty to our ancestors to bring these event to life and to allow the outside world to have perspective on the events that transpired and how they shaped us as a people.

00:24:02.400 –> 00:24:16.320 Joseph McElroy: And this is said by Mike crow, who is a cherokee native who is performed in the outdoor drama under these hills, for the last 12 seasons, they they it seems to me they approach.

00:24:17.340 –> 00:24:25.650 Joseph McElroy: Their community and their professions and their tourism with a depth feeling and thought that makes it pretty special to go there.

00:24:27.000 –> 00:24:42.330 Joseph McElroy: So anyway, the US 4441 leaves the the the quality boundary Indian reservation the town of cherokee and shortly enters into the ghosts smoky mountain grants the great smoky mountain park and there’s an entrance sign there.

00:24:47.040 –> 00:24:48.720 Joseph McElroy: The blue Ridge it’s.

00:24:50.940 –> 00:24:53.850 Joseph McElroy: it’s Actually, I think, called the blue Ridge parkway entrance.

00:24:55.170 –> 00:25:02.910 Joseph McElroy: And it’s about mile point I know there’s an entrance to the blue Ridge parkway I want you to get into the park, so you can actually travel.

00:25:03.990 –> 00:25:06.300 Joseph McElroy: All over the 469 miles to.

00:25:07.350 –> 00:25:20.760 Joseph McElroy: To the shadowed and national park by giving starting at the blue Ridge parkway right there in Africa cherokee well, the first thing you’re going to see is something called the account of left be visitor centers and it’s.

00:25:21.780 –> 00:25:25.110 Joseph McElroy: It is a is a very busy.

00:25:26.190 –> 00:25:35.460 Joseph McElroy: location there’s a there’s a trail that starts there there’s also a visitor Center it’s one of the four visitor centers in the park so it’s worth stopping there.

00:25:36.780 –> 00:25:42.810 Joseph McElroy: And it’s open almost every day, except for Christmas and it’s you know 200 out of nine to five.

00:25:44.040 –> 00:26:03.030 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it has lots of interesting programs there’s there’s some ranger lead programs about the the park there and they have they have a another museum exhibit there that tells life in the mountains from the native Americans, they also have a.

00:26:04.290 –> 00:26:17.460 Joseph McElroy: The they have a farm museum all right and it came out in farm country museum that has actually log structures of farmhouse a bar and smokehouse apple house corn cribs and others.

00:26:17.880 –> 00:26:27.240 Joseph McElroy: And it actually has demonstrations of mountain farm life that is conducted season so it’s very interesting, especially for kids to go and stop there.

00:26:28.410 –> 00:26:33.060 Joseph McElroy: And it says bookstore shops and things like that, so when you keep going on, through that.

00:26:33.600 –> 00:26:41.280 Joseph McElroy: That entrance to the to the great smoky mountains you’re going to run across mingus mill which is is a really old.

00:26:41.820 –> 00:26:55.680 Joseph McElroy: grist mill that’s still an operation, and it is usually open and the and the seasonal months, so you stop see of chris’s megan it’s an interesting experience for the kids there’s some great correct campgrounds along the way in the.

00:26:57.240 –> 00:26:58.110 Joseph McElroy: In the parkway and.

00:26:59.280 –> 00:27:01.650 Joseph McElroy: In the park in those entrance, especially the smoke mark.

00:27:03.480 –> 00:27:07.590 Joseph McElroy: And it’s one of the it’s one of the two that is open all around.

00:27:08.670 –> 00:27:22.500 Joseph McElroy: there’s some great there’s also along that route there’s a lot of great picnic areas and there’s trails that start from that route, especially there’s a they kept part prong trailhead.

00:27:24.120 –> 00:27:28.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it follows along the kephart from which is a really.

00:27:31.020 –> 00:27:40.290 Joseph McElroy: Really, you know beautiful spot, and it makes it to a historic shelter and, of course, then you get to cleanse Dome, which is one of the.

00:27:41.280 –> 00:27:52.980 Joseph McElroy: One of the tallest highest point it’s actually the highest point in the park and you can go up clean the road off the, off the newfound gap road to get right up to that spot.

00:27:55.020 –> 00:28:01.410 Joseph McElroy: And then enter the Tennessee we’ll talk about yeah i’m not gonna talk about too much in your tea, but you end up cut you see Jimmy top 20 top.

00:28:02.940 –> 00:28:06.000 Joseph McElroy: You get a couple more trails and the end up going into.

00:28:07.500 –> 00:28:08.550 Joseph McElroy: into the.

00:28:09.660 –> 00:28:10.500 Joseph McElroy: into the.

00:28:12.900 –> 00:28:21.360 Joseph McElroy: what’s called the the sugar lands valley nature trail and and that’s really where the that’s actually the sugar land.

00:28:21.900 –> 00:28:27.150 Joseph McElroy: nate valleys nature trail and gatlinburg where it ends, is the is the largest.

00:28:27.870 –> 00:28:36.030 Joseph McElroy: entrance to the trail with the most people because you know gatlinburg is a huge tourist town it’s got dollywood and things like that so so the.

00:28:36.750 –> 00:28:54.300 Joseph McElroy: two biggest entrance are the Cone lefty and then the sugar lands, and so this you know major this this new cat this new gap newfound gap road goes between the two biggest entrances to the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:28:55.830 –> 00:29:00.870 Joseph McElroy: So what we’ll come back we’ll talk about some more entrances to the national.

00:31:23.340 –> 00:31:29.490 Joseph McElroy: Well howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy with the gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:31:30.840 –> 00:31:38.280 Joseph McElroy: And i’m here talking about the entrances to the smoky mountain great smoky mountain national park and the north Carolina side.

00:31:39.510 –> 00:31:43.020 Joseph McElroy: Now my favorite is one of the most remote.

00:31:44.070 –> 00:31:48.390 Joseph McElroy: entrances to the to the the GS Mt p.

00:31:49.560 –> 00:31:53.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s called cat lucci Valley, and the reason is my favorite because I grew up real near to it.

00:31:55.500 –> 00:31:55.950 Joseph McElroy: it’s.

00:31:57.030 –> 00:32:01.080 Joseph McElroy: it’s a it’s a valley that probably a lot of my ancestors were.

00:32:02.220 –> 00:32:08.310 Joseph McElroy: would go visit and know the people there, you know when they mentioned all the names I know them all.

00:32:09.270 –> 00:32:25.800 Joseph McElroy: They all and so marine life my family tree, so it is my, it has to be my favorite and when I was a kid we’d go there, you know, to go up, and you know in there and go do some hiking and and other things, so it was it was a playground for us.

00:32:27.030 –> 00:32:39.480 Joseph McElroy: kind of beauty valley was actually settled in the 1800s by homesteaders and actually flourished and all the way up until when they made it in the great smoky mountains National Park 1928.

00:32:39.990 –> 00:32:55.920 Joseph McElroy: And that’s when the it started to be rumors in the US Government was buying up land for the park, and so a lot of people started moving out and then by 1938 there was only a few law for a few remain and then the rest of new way.

00:32:58.230 –> 00:33:04.650 Joseph McElroy: But you know because they stayed so long and up until the time that it was it was ending you know, there was being built.

00:33:05.040 –> 00:33:12.240 Joseph McElroy: That there there’s a lot of old Community buildings that were performed pervert preserve for historic display.

00:33:12.750 –> 00:33:30.870 Joseph McElroy: So there’s there’s a there’s an old Chapel called the Palmer Chapel there’s an old barn called the well will Mister Mister barn and there’s a call will place a call wells and message or palmer’s are still big surnames in the in the mountains there, and some of them are my relatives.

00:33:32.730 –> 00:33:40.260 Joseph McElroy: And there’s, but they also you know so it’s it’s a great place to go there’s lots of hiking there’s lots of common ground there’s.

00:33:40.590 –> 00:33:48.870 Joseph McElroy: A lot of wildlife watching I don’t know if you know that but there’s an there’s more diversity birds, I think, and then the great smoky mountains than anywhere else.

00:33:49.320 –> 00:34:05.490 Joseph McElroy: And, of course, fishing is huge catching brown brown brown trout and small small mountain streams, is an adventure and incredibly fun and if you go to the some of the bigger streams a stock it with rainbow trout which gives you a real game fish experience.

00:34:07.020 –> 00:34:07.470 Joseph McElroy: You know, and then.

00:34:10.170 –> 00:34:21.810 Joseph McElroy: The National Park service reintroduced elk into the smoky mountains and they did it and cattle lucci Valley, and it was the first time elk had been in those woods for over 150 years.

00:34:23.220 –> 00:34:42.600 Joseph McElroy: And they have they have actually really thrive their way they and and they actually come out of there now all over the place they’re they’re seeing in cherokee they’re seeing Maggie Valley, there was a video around the other day, with a herd of elk walking into Maggie Valley.

00:34:43.680 –> 00:34:45.810 Joseph McElroy: So it’s it’s not at all.

00:34:49.710 –> 00:35:02.010 Joseph McElroy: To see elk you can you can actually see it in the surrounding towns, but going up in those in that valley and seeing them in their natural habitat and all the different seasons, they do different things it’s it’s incredible experience.

00:35:03.270 –> 00:35:03.900 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:35:05.100 –> 00:35:13.320 Joseph McElroy: Ken lucci valleys general is supposedly open year round, but you know a lot of times, the road to get close because they’re they’re pretty ricky roads getting up in there.

00:35:14.580 –> 00:35:28.080 Joseph McElroy: You you actually have to get off from my 40 X 20 and then you you turn right on to the coal creek road and then you’re going to be drive and almost 11 miles to the cat lucci park entrance.

00:35:29.100 –> 00:35:36.780 Joseph McElroy: But that code creek road is is only paved in some sections and others others it’s just dirt and gravel and sometimes it’s only one way.

00:35:37.260 –> 00:35:50.160 Joseph McElroy: yeah so and it’s got hairpin turns and it’s got rough road, so it can make it, it can make it an adventure to get there, sometimes it can take an hour to get to that 11 miles.

00:35:51.900 –> 00:35:54.000 Joseph McElroy: And even an hour and a half, as what i’ve heard.

00:35:56.580 –> 00:36:09.570 Joseph McElroy: So I was talking about, you know what besides all the net the normal outdoor things that you can do it’s really fun to be aware that you know there’s some definite seasons, to the elk that makes it that makes it.

00:36:11.190 –> 00:36:20.700 Joseph McElroy: Something to go you around to see them, so you know they they have the Calvin caddying seasons, where the CAP calves and Ward and.

00:36:21.630 –> 00:36:33.240 Joseph McElroy: And so you go to try and you know, see the cows see the cows hide that with with their calves, but a lot of times they try to hide them so don’t go try.

00:36:33.780 –> 00:36:45.540 Joseph McElroy: dumping in the deep grass and do anything so get a pretty good pretty protective going to be aggressive, but then by June they’re they’re the casual out, and you can you can see that moving around with the herd.

00:36:47.400 –> 00:36:48.780 Joseph McElroy: Then during the summer, their.

00:36:49.860 –> 00:36:56.550 Joseph McElroy: Their their their out out grazing and the and the bulls are getting rapidly growing new ultra altars.

00:36:57.000 –> 00:37:05.010 Joseph McElroy: And the calves are grown and it’s a pretty exciting time to see them, then in the fall the male’s is a mating season, they in the.

00:37:05.430 –> 00:37:14.640 Joseph McElroy: UFC fights and you’ll see a lot of sounds you’ll see you know, then that’s when they venture out of the mountains, a lot, because they go a long way to see what they can do and find.

00:37:15.600 –> 00:37:25.470 Joseph McElroy: To find a mates and then winter is pretty quiet, it can be hard to get into there, but it can be fun to try to go up there and hike and find them.

00:37:26.910 –> 00:37:34.920 Joseph McElroy: So, but it’s often close it’s not something that you can do some great trails are up in the in the in the cat lucci and there’s.

00:37:35.790 –> 00:37:47.400 Joseph McElroy: there’s something called booger man trail, which is one of the most popular trail with hikers there’s a little cat lucci trail that will take you by the old cabins in the courage there’s the rough for trail, which is sort of an easy.

00:37:48.360 –> 00:37:58.650 Joseph McElroy: To model trip round trip that will go to the woody home site and there’s a little bit longer we went to some people more adventurous and there’s a there’s a something called a pretty how gap.

00:37:59.820 –> 00:38:18.630 Joseph McElroy: that’s it’s a creek side hike up to pretty something called pretty how again that’s another gap in the mountains going over edge, so you can get some great views now cat lucci is located in Johns creek Valley, which is now part of Maggie Valley.

00:38:20.760 –> 00:38:25.590 Joseph McElroy: And I grew up in both in john green valley and Maggie Valley.

00:38:26.730 –> 00:38:30.600 Joseph McElroy: I grew up and was on Johns creek live in something called fox run.

00:38:31.740 –> 00:38:32.940 Joseph McElroy: Which my grandmother.

00:38:34.470 –> 00:38:38.730 Joseph McElroy: Had and actually made into one of the first subdivisions in the mountains.

00:38:40.050 –> 00:38:49.710 Joseph McElroy: But it was very it was still very, very rural I went to a one one room one room basically schoolhouse but it’s.

00:38:50.370 –> 00:38:57.000 Joseph McElroy: When my parents eventually bought a metal Arc motel and Maggie Valley, which you guys might have heard if you’ve listened to before and that’s become our.

00:38:57.240 –> 00:39:04.590 Joseph McElroy: sort of our family homestead This is like 45 years ago and we moved into Maggie valley and we became tourism tourism.

00:39:05.040 –> 00:39:12.420 Joseph McElroy: Experts and you know, there was a there was an amusement park golf bag ghost town, the sky that wasn’t Maggie of Allah which has since closed, that was the big draw and attraction.

00:39:12.840 –> 00:39:21.060 Joseph McElroy: It was a place where they reproduced old West shows, and things like that the Maggie valley gurus a small authentic mountain.

00:39:21.360 –> 00:39:28.350 Joseph McElroy: A tourist town with lots of little roadside mode hotels and motels and craft stores and arts and crafts and.

00:39:28.890 –> 00:39:39.690 Joseph McElroy: square dancing and you know everything sort of authentic you know mountain culture became you know part of the culture of Maggie valley and, to this day Maggie Valley.

00:39:40.020 –> 00:39:49.830 Joseph McElroy: is one of the top little tourist towns in the north Carolina side of the mountains is but it’s very authentic and hasn’t become commercialized, to the extent that the Tennessee side has.

00:39:50.880 –> 00:40:01.230 Joseph McElroy: It has a lot of history, and it has it does have a lot of interesting shops and restaurants has got a lot of wood carvers there it’s got it’s got.

00:40:02.670 –> 00:40:17.040 Joseph McElroy: Its got the wheels through time the museum, which is this museum, full of like millions of dollars worth of old motorcycles and old cars it’s still work and actually world renowned museum people coming from around the world to see it.

00:40:18.420 –> 00:40:28.800 Joseph McElroy: We have Pat, we have you know there’s paddling there’s golfing or zip lines there’s lots of hiking there’s bike trails there’s a ski resort.

00:40:30.300 –> 00:40:43.470 Joseph McElroy: In the mountains and Maggie valley called Cataloochee ski area we have we have places that they do blue grass authentic blue man grass Raymond Fairchild, who was a multi.

00:40:44.190 –> 00:40:49.320 Joseph McElroy: grammy award winning bluegrass player came from Maggie valley so we’re very proud of that.

00:40:49.980 –> 00:41:01.350 Joseph McElroy: We used to be called the world craft capital of clogging there’s a place called the stomping ground that still does you know stopping does clogging all the time and it’s a great place to go and you have wonderful.

00:41:02.820 –> 00:41:09.150 Joseph McElroy: Because it’s right valley and amount you get wonderful viewing of the fall colors and the seasons were part of the quilt trail.

00:41:09.540 –> 00:41:19.140 Joseph McElroy: and new things we got is we’ve got it we’ve gotten some distilleries and breweries, we got the elevated amount Australia, where does whiskey and moonshine bear waters breweries.

00:41:20.250 –> 00:41:29.430 Joseph McElroy: And and there’s a winery we have we have a waterfall that’s really great waterfall part of the waterfall trial color soco soco falls.

00:41:29.850 –> 00:41:41.160 Joseph McElroy: We can there’s a summer and winter to being for kids and we have a we have a mountain heritage stream that goes right through Maggie value with really fresh water and it’s.

00:41:41.790 –> 00:41:52.500 Joseph McElroy: And there’s mountain trout and there’s rainbow trout that are stopped in there and then we have this great festival grounds, called the Maggie valley festival grounds and it’s.

00:41:52.980 –> 00:42:06.960 Joseph McElroy: And we have great music grammy award-winning bands come there and it’s really close to our place the middle or motel so anyway i’m going to tell you briefly about the other three entrances that we had we’ll come back and close the show.

00:44:27.150 –> 00:44:39.150 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and we’re talking about the entrances on the North Carolina side of the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:44:40.080 –> 00:44:47.700 Joseph McElroy: Now I was talking about Maggie valley there’s another great little town it’s not too far from Maggie aliens other side of Cherokee and it’s called Bryson city.

00:44:48.540 –> 00:45:02.280 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it’s also another great gateway to the great smoky mountains National Park with really great wildflower streams and as part of the Appalachian trail.

00:45:03.780 –> 00:45:15.450 Joseph McElroy: it’s a it’s known for whitewater rafting because both the Texas tech a CG river is there and then that’ll a not a halo river is there and then that HALO river.

00:45:16.110 –> 00:45:25.650 Joseph McElroy: was recommended by ABC is good morning America as the as the number one place to spend a white a wet and wild vacation the US us.

00:45:26.010 –> 00:45:38.940 Joseph McElroy: I remember going there as a kid and they have these areas that are you know very simple and easy to go through, but they got some I think they’re called class for rapids that the the the marines and navy seals come and train on.

00:45:39.990 –> 00:45:51.030 Joseph McElroy: So they got some really crazy and great adventures, I was I got adventurous wanting went down one that was a little bit more advanced and I could not was on the front of the.

00:45:51.450 –> 00:45:58.140 Joseph McElroy: The raffle really small guy was on the back and that was the wrong place for me to be because we hit what that a little waterfall.

00:45:58.560 –> 00:46:12.810 Joseph McElroy: You know, and I hit the bottom and he came flying out because I pushed down he knocked me and I went in the ref one on top of me, and I was twirl around it took me a minute to reach out and grab that thing and push it out of there, but that was the more adventurous.

00:46:14.880 –> 00:46:25.680 Joseph McElroy: experience, I think the net a halo is where some of the deliverance was filmed to his deliverance that movie was filmed in that area and no the banjo player was not my relative I don’t think, but he could have been.

00:46:27.150 –> 00:46:37.530 Joseph McElroy: Also in Bryson city is there’s a smoky mountain trains museum of course that goes along with the great smoky mountains railroad.

00:46:38.010 –> 00:46:51.960 Joseph McElroy: I have a nice mountain railroad and they have a heaven old steam engine pulling cars and do it and taking tourists on tours of the various small towns around the mountains and.

00:46:52.590 –> 00:47:06.870 Joseph McElroy: And you know they’ll have food on these times and they’ll have dinner, you know that have music they’ll have all sorts of different experiences and they want to be called the polar express as during the Christmas and wintertime things for kids that’s very popular.

00:47:08.340 –> 00:47:17.670 Joseph McElroy: They also have a fly fishing museum with you know with all sorts of fishing gear and fly rods from the 1800s.

00:47:18.960 –> 00:47:21.840 Joseph McElroy: So there’s two entrances near.

00:47:23.160 –> 00:47:25.230 Joseph McElroy: near bryson city.

00:47:27.150 –> 00:47:30.630 Joseph McElroy: And you have one is called deep creek, and that is.

00:47:31.680 –> 00:47:40.230 Joseph McElroy: That has a lot of popular river tubing waterfalls and campgrounds it’s just three miles from.

00:47:41.280 –> 00:47:51.480 Joseph McElroy: From the great smoky mountains from the railroad and Bryson city as lots of hiking on it.

00:47:52.650 –> 00:47:59.760 Joseph McElroy: So there’s a lot of nice day trips from braces so you’re able to go up to see the hiking see waterfalls.

00:48:00.870 –> 00:48:08.550 Joseph McElroy: I mean there’s there’s like several that as one of the areas it’s got a lot of them so it’s a nice place to go if you want to see a lot of waterfalls just by hiking.

00:48:08.910 –> 00:48:17.700 Joseph McElroy: You know, near Maggie and Cherokee there are some great driving trails to go see a lot of waterfalls but they have actually one that you can go see a bunch of them with the hiking.

00:48:19.140 –> 00:48:30.930 Joseph McElroy: there’s that they got some creeks you know that are good for tubing most almost all the time, yeah some of the towns like even Maggie valley has great creeks that are good for to me but they’ve had to have a few days of rain first.

00:48:32.490 –> 00:48:34.380 Joseph McElroy: And they have great picnicking there.

00:48:35.760 –> 00:48:36.360 Joseph McElroy: So.

00:48:37.980 –> 00:48:38.310 Joseph McElroy: it’s.

00:48:39.720 –> 00:48:41.550 Joseph McElroy: it’s a great entrance.

00:48:43.200 –> 00:48:46.770 Joseph McElroy: For going and just doing family fun and it’s easy to get to.

00:48:48.420 –> 00:48:57.270 Joseph McElroy: The other entrance near Bryson city is called Lakeview drive and that’s also just about three miles from downtown Bryson city.

00:48:58.740 –> 00:49:09.180 Joseph McElroy: And its actually is better known as the the the the the road to nowhere and I mentioned this before, but.

00:49:09.900 –> 00:49:27.270 Joseph McElroy: You know when those people were leaving in the 1938 and 28 there was a lot of negotiations on you know what would happen after they live left because part of the area was also flooded for the there’s a lake there.

00:49:28.290 –> 00:49:38.280 Joseph McElroy: And called like Fontana, and yeah so leaving their young people are leaving things like you know you know homesteads and old.

00:49:38.880 –> 00:49:46.590 Joseph McElroy: Family graveyard so you know they had an agreement to have a road along the most smoky mountainside of the smoky mountain.

00:49:47.310 –> 00:49:57.660 Joseph McElroy: side of the lake that would go to where they could you know visit their loved ones and things like that, but it got caught up in budgetary concerns and problems and it never got built.

00:49:58.050 –> 00:50:12.150 Joseph McElroy: So there’s a six mile piece and got built and went to a tunnel and then it stops there and then the other side of tenant goes into a trail hiking trail so it’s called the road to nowhere and it’s fairly famous.

00:50:13.380 –> 00:50:26.310 Joseph McElroy: And it’s you know it’s got a lot of beautiful and wonderful things to to go to Atlanta eventually go to Fontana like you can do a lot of hiking there’s a lot of there’s some natural there’s some old buildings along the way.

00:50:28.110 –> 00:50:29.400 Joseph McElroy: it’s a it’s got.

00:50:31.770 –> 00:50:32.670 Joseph McElroy: It actually.

00:50:34.140 –> 00:50:45.090 Joseph McElroy: it’s got several the major trails go there, including I think another trail to claims Dome so that’s another way to get there, which is a great experience.

00:50:46.830 –> 00:50:52.560 Joseph McElroy: And finally, the other, the other entrance is called.

00:50:54.000 –> 00:50:59.670 Joseph McElroy: near five town lake right now Fontana lake is.

00:51:00.810 –> 00:51:09.000 Joseph McElroy: is actually besides Kelly, he values the other remote area, the great smoky mountains, because, basically, you have to get on a boat.

00:51:10.950 –> 00:51:16.020 Joseph McElroy: From on the farm town lake and and have it take you across to one of the small.

00:51:17.190 –> 00:51:21.930 Joseph McElroy: small breweries, on the other side, which is the great smoky mountains and that’s like a 20 mile.

00:51:24.360 –> 00:51:25.200 Joseph McElroy: drive.

00:51:26.880 –> 00:51:39.990 Joseph McElroy: And it’s Luke that that is located near robin’s ville right and robin’s hills and other quaint little town and incident Graham county and it’s starting to be in the foothills of the mountains.

00:51:41.430 –> 00:51:45.000 Joseph McElroy: And it has lots of outdoor adventures and beautiful scenery.

00:51:46.500 –> 00:51:54.720 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it’s a nice place to go to get a lot of relaxation, and of course it’s it’s built around water and like culture.

00:51:55.890 –> 00:52:00.210 Joseph McElroy: And you know you can rent a boat, you can do lots of things that sort of town.

00:52:01.470 –> 00:52:06.270 Joseph McElroy: So we got a lot of great small towns in the mountains there’s only a few of them I got to talk to you about.

00:52:07.200 –> 00:52:16.440 Joseph McElroy: where you can come and have a great refreshing and experience, you can get see studying views you can go home really happy.

00:52:17.430 –> 00:52:35.790 Joseph McElroy: Because you’ve experienced you know those moments in travel that are worth living and you know it’s a way to get rid of that despair that we all sort of existing in with this pandemic in politics everything else, so let me finish up with.

00:52:37.260 –> 00:52:46.650 Joseph McElroy: You know who would I want to know why i’m doing this, I you know i’ve got a family motel for the middle of motel it’s a classic roadside.

00:52:47.790 –> 00:53:00.090 Joseph McElroy: motel it’s been in my family for 45 years and I think the motel itself is around 70 years old it’s been renovated, we got some beautiful rooms, you have a huge facility for doing weddings.

00:53:01.260 –> 00:53:09.720 Joseph McElroy: Big big recreation area where we have fire pits and this goes fishing stream goes through it there’s another stream so we’re actually at the confluence of two streams, which is.

00:53:10.050 –> 00:53:16.800 Joseph McElroy: very lucky for weddings and people who have barbecues we ever usually during the summer, we have a free Barbecue every Saturday night.

00:53:17.160 –> 00:53:27.060 Joseph McElroy: We have lots of music friend of mine was a former drummer, for the simple minds exploring Scottish roots of the Appalachian music and he’s playing there all the time.

00:53:27.600 –> 00:53:38.520 Joseph McElroy: I have another site called smokey adventures COM, or you can go to to get listings about all these things I talked about which is like hiking and wedding places.

00:53:38.910 –> 00:53:43.770 Joseph McElroy: Then you can also buy books and trail maps that help you explore the smoky mountains.

00:53:44.160 –> 00:53:53.700 Joseph McElroy: and find other resources that are really great for you’re planning your travels in the smoky mountains and then I’m part of where traveler magazines.

00:53:54.510 –> 00:54:03.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah network, and I have built a section all about the smoky mountains, where traveler calm slashes great smoky mountains with dashes between the.

00:54:04.260 –> 00:54:12.120 Joseph McElroy: In the where the spaces should be and it’s been around for 80 years that magazines got a lot of visitors and we’re doing more in-depth stories.

00:54:12.510 –> 00:54:23.070 Joseph McElroy: And profiles of experts and people enter stories that you can go there to fill your anticipation for coming to the mountains.

00:54:23.640 –> 00:54:37.020 Joseph McElroy: Next week, going to have Bob Plott is a third is the third great-grandson of Johannes George plot who first brought the plot bear hounds to America.

00:54:37.440 –> 00:54:54.240 Joseph McElroy: In the mid-18th century and he’s the great great nephew of Henry plot who enters the breed of the great smoky mountains in the early 1800s he is got an incredible resume of dealing with doing stuff in the cultural realm as well as the marketing around.

00:54:55.290 –> 00:55:00.420 Joseph McElroy: he’s written several books and he’s full of information, and I think we’re talking a lot about.

00:55:00.750 –> 00:55:14.100 Joseph McElroy: These plot hounds in their car and the cultural impact that they had upon humming in the mountains and I look forward to having you again next week same time same channel, thank you very much I’ll see you soon ciao.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/2924302591136421/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/141547292_2924335137799833_1951324847627019552_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=3kUdSG2JUKEAX8pCxV2&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301C213&oh=00_AT-ELXHfLWlOWFyRIPIVc0ecZhiZ_hVPSIiCE7j3I9zXwQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Joseph Franklyn McElroy discusses the 5 Entrances to the <strong><em>Great Smoky Mountains National Park</em></strong> on the North Carolina side of the park.</p><p>We will explore not only the wonderful natural features but the small mountain towns near the entrances.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/3z-E4EvCXr/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h4>Show Notes</h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph introduces the segments of today’s episode, which will discuss the entrances to the smokies. Joseph found out today that his wife and son got through covid without telling anybody, going into detail about the origin of his son’s stoicism. He recites a poem he found that talks about the laid-back and free way of living the Smokies bring about. In the last year, the mountains have seen a 16% increase in tourism because people go there to be at ease and feel safe. Joseph talks about the awe these mountains inspire, the twists and turns within, and how this beauty extends into the winter. Every visit is a new adventure, even on the same trails, leaving you feeling refreshed when you go home. When Franklin Roosevelt dedicated this park, he discussed its natural beauty and how it must be preserved. Joseph relates to this as these mountains are home for him, he enjoys the city life and has lived in a variety of places, but always finds himself back in the Smokies.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>An important cultural aspect, the entrances to the smokies can be a fun topic to navigate, with crowds looking for secret ones and fun ones. Growing up, Joseph didn’t know where the entrances were, he would go on a trail or a drive and end up in the mountains. The concept of the entrances was new to Joseph, requiring some research even though he grew up a native. Newfound Gap Road, a section of US 441, got its name because it was just that, newfound. Indian gap was thought to be the lowest gap until this was found. The Indian culture of Cherokee still remains, along with its beautiful waterfalls and attractions. The masks of the indigenous people are still sold, not as a product of cultural appropriation, but rather as a means of supporting families. Another tradition in Cherokee culture is storytelling bonfires, which are enjoyed by families and individuals. In addition to the old traditions, casinos have been built, bringing a different crowd and a different type of attention. Joseph reads a quote discussing the approach the Cherokee take to their culture. The next entrance is the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance. On the Blue Ridge Parkway is a visitor center, one of four in the park. The visitor center runs a variety of programs, some led by rangers. There is also a farm museum, which gives an accurate display of farm life in the mountains. On that parkway is a gristle mill, great campgrounds, picnic areas, and trails. The parkway leads to the Sugarlands Valley Nature trail, which is the largest entrance to the park. The Newfound Gap Road runs between the two largest entrances to the park.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph’s favorite entrance is one of the most remote, in the Cataloochee Valley near where he grew up. As a kid, he would go hiking there with his family. In the valley, there are a lot of old community buildings that have been preserved. There is a greater diversity of birds in the Smoky mountains than anywhere else. There is also great fishing in the mountains. In 2001, the national park service reintroduced Elk to the park in the valley. The Elk have thrived in the park since being reintroduced to their natural habitat. Often the roads getting into the park through the valley get closed as there are many twists and turns. The Elk have different seasons throughout the year, such as the calving season. By June the calves are out, and in mid-summer, they can be seen out grazing. The fall is the mating season, the Elk can be heard and seen fighting for mates. They can be hard to find in the winter though. The Cataloochee is home to many great trails that take you to a variety of destinations within the park. Cataloochee is located within Jonathan Creek Valley, where Joseph grew up. Joseph’s parents bought the Meadowlark hotel about 45 years ago, moving the family to Maggie Valley. This valley has grown into a small tourist town, remaining to this day home to the authentic mountain culture. The valley is home to world-renowned museums, ski resorts, distilleries, and many more attractions.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Not far from Maggie valley is another entrance to the Smokies in a little town called Bryson City, which is known for its white water rafting. There is a train museum there along with the Smoky railroad, which takes tourists around the towns in the Smoky Mountains. One of the entrances near Bryson City is Deep Creek, which is just three miles from the city. There are amazing trails to hike with beautiful waterfalls. After a few days of rain, many creeks throughout the Smokies are home to great tubing. Lakeview Drive, otherwise known as The Road to Nowhere is another entrance, that has a tunnel that runs for miles and leads to a trail. The trail contains old buildings, and a lake, and is an outlet to many of the major trails. The final entrance is near Fontana Lake. Besides Cataloochee valley, this is the most remote entrance as you need to take a boat across a lake to get there. Joseph’s family owns the Meadowlark Hotel in Maggie Valley. It is a great location for weddings, hosts barbecues, and has great live music. Next week, Bob Plott will guest on the show.</p><p><br></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h4>TRANSCRIPT</h4><p>00:00:39.420 –&gt; 00:00:40.020 Joseph McElroy: howdy.</p><p>00:00:40.800 –&gt; 00:00:44.910 Joseph McElroy: Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:00:46.170 –&gt; 00:00:54.450 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about america’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:55.230 –&gt; 00:01:09.840 Joseph McElroy: Areas this area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we will explore weekly with the episodes and experts and all sorts of good stuff.</p><p>00:01:11.070 –&gt; 00:01:25.380 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklin mcilroy amanda the world, but also with deep roots in those mountains my family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my businesses in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:26.940 –&gt; 00:01:28.320 Joseph McElroy: So, today, is just me.</p><p>00:01:29.490 –&gt; 00:01:39.180 Joseph McElroy: i’m eventually going to talk to you about the entrances to the great smoky mountains natural park and why they’re interesting and some of the things to do in the towns and areas around those entrances.</p><p>00:01:41.160 –&gt; 00:01:52.050 Joseph McElroy: But right now I just wonder how y’all doing I just found out today, and my son and my my his wife had covidien got over before they told anybody.</p><p>00:01:53.400 –&gt; 00:01:56.940 Joseph McElroy: I was shocked Oh, the bravery of you.</p><p>00:01:58.920 –&gt; 00:02:04.500 Joseph McElroy: But I think it expresses a certain stoicism that he probably got through me.</p><p>00:02:05.640 –&gt; 00:02:06.870 Joseph McElroy: From mountain culture.</p><p>00:02:07.980 –&gt; 00:02:11.850 Joseph McElroy: Oh he’s more likely you got it from his grandfather because he used to spend.</p><p>00:02:12.960 –&gt; 00:02:20.220 Joseph McElroy: Summers there for two or three weeks at a time, and my dad was a my dad is still very.</p><p>00:02:21.360 –&gt; 00:02:27.720 Joseph McElroy: suck it up and go get high guy and that sort of emblematic of a lot of the people in the mountains.</p><p>00:02:29.970 –&gt; 00:02:38.040 Joseph McElroy: yeah went listened to my first few podcasts and realized that I was talking to loud and fast and I didn’t like it.</p><p>00:02:40.080 –&gt; 00:02:42.540 Joseph McElroy: It doesn’t express the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:02:43.980 –&gt; 00:02:46.440 Joseph McElroy: I guess, I was eager to express my.</p><p>00:02:47.610 –&gt; 00:03:06.900 Joseph McElroy: My passion for my heritage and for the the sell you on coming to the area but that’s not really what the smoky mountains is about there’s a certain ease of living, even when it’s hard, that is, I think characteristic of the culture.</p><p>00:03:08.460 –&gt; 00:03:18.750 Joseph McElroy: It just don’t talk fail fast and you don’t sell everybody and I guess I might have to relearn that doing that podcast because i’ve been in New York for quite a while.</p><p>00:03:19.740 –&gt; 00:03:27.240 Joseph McElroy: I still go down there i’m not every month, but you know, things were off on here so i’ll do my best and you’ll hold me to account when I don’t okay.</p><p>00:03:28.830 –&gt; 00:03:40.080 Joseph McElroy: So i’m talking about Kobe and the mountains and things like that I got the I was searching for some information and I found a poem about coming to the mountains for a visit.</p><p>00:03:41.040 –&gt; 00:03:49.170 Joseph McElroy: You know it felt apropos in these times it’s by a poet named Linda higher net and it was written in 2014 and i’m just going to say it.</p><p>00:03:51.330 –&gt; 00:04:07.380 Joseph McElroy: I think it’s pretty it was memorable to me so i’ll just i’ll just read it, I traveled to the mountains through long and winding road my destination aimless tune into the chill out mode.</p><p>00:04:08.730 –&gt; 00:04:13.860 Joseph McElroy: I marvel at the mountains and breathe the clue cool clean air.</p><p>00:04:14.880 –&gt; 00:04:20.760 Joseph McElroy: so strange to think that yesterday was dawned in deep despair.</p><p>00:04:21.840 –&gt; 00:04:27.000 Joseph McElroy: I leave it all behind me today, I am simply free.</p><p>00:04:28.050 –&gt; 00:04:32.400 Joseph McElroy: i’m running with the wind now for now i’m being me.</p><p>00:04:33.840 –&gt; 00:04:44.880 Joseph McElroy: I found a new horizon, where I may rest my eyes as sit awhile and wonder, as the mountains pierce the skies.</p><p>00:04:46.380 –&gt; 00:04:50.520 Joseph McElroy: As I turned the corner, I see what lies ahead.</p><p>00:04:51.600 –&gt; 00:05:01.020 Joseph McElroy: Another stunning vista is where i’m being led, I know I know the road i’ve traveled.</p><p>00:05:02.100 –&gt; 00:05:03.660 Joseph McElroy: i’ve been where I have been.</p><p>00:05:04.830 –&gt; 00:05:09.630 Joseph McElroy: so full of twists and turnings an ever changing scene.</p><p>00:05:10.680 –&gt; 00:05:24.570 Joseph McElroy: I take a last look at the mountains and prepare to make my descent i’m heading home for home and i’m happy just knowing my journey was meant.</p><p>00:05:26.310 –&gt; 00:05:46.620 Joseph McElroy: And that was in May 23 2014 now the first line that jumped out at me was this in this time of despair deeps to pair the deep despair, you know we’ve been going through hard times for last year and or so maybe people longer maybe some people last but.</p><p>00:05:48.450 –&gt; 00:05:59.700 Joseph McElroy: You know, you can be refreshed in the mountains, I think that you know this poem really spoke to me about that, especially after reading just after i’ve had that my son had it.</p><p>00:06:02.100 –&gt; 00:06:13.770 Joseph McElroy: And I think that’s always been a allure of the the the mountains, and especially the smoky mountains, is that you go there to relax to.</p><p>00:06:14.880 –&gt; 00:06:17.970 Joseph McElroy: Have a certain ease of living to.</p><p>00:06:19.230 –&gt; 00:06:19.620 Joseph McElroy: To.</p><p>00:06:21.390 –&gt; 00:06:34.470 Joseph McElroy: just sit back and enjoy life and see breathe the clean cool air, you know that they’ve actually had a 16% growth in tourism, this last year in the mountains well now that yeah.</p><p>00:06:34.950 –&gt; 00:06:46.620 Joseph McElroy: that’s because people were escaping you know local travel is become as big and people within 100 miles or so just just want to get away and they know they can go there and be pretty safe.</p><p>00:06:49.500 –&gt; 00:06:59.160 Joseph McElroy: You know, I was, I was reading it, and I was struck me by a poem, I quote, I mean from Mark Twain.</p><p>00:07:01.020 –&gt; 00:07:08.760 Joseph McElroy: That was 20 years from now, have you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the by the ones that you did do.</p><p>00:07:09.180 –&gt; 00:07:18.690 Joseph McElroy: So throw off the bow line say away for sale away from the safe harbor catch the trade winds in your sails explore dream discover.</p><p>00:07:19.590 –&gt; 00:07:27.810 Joseph McElroy: And I think that even in the times, where we’re in quarantine or having to be away from other people going outdoors and going to places.</p><p>00:07:28.260 –&gt; 00:07:48.300 Joseph McElroy: Where there’s still natural beauty and wildness a safe sort of wildness to go, you know catch the winds in your sails climb a mountain explore dream discover leave it all behind me today i’m simply free i’m running with the wind now for me for now i’m being me.</p><p>00:07:49.770 –&gt; 00:07:52.860 Joseph McElroy: I just I just think that’s incredibly lovely.</p><p>00:07:54.240 –&gt; 00:07:57.750 Joseph McElroy: You know, and you get to find new horizons and and.</p><p>00:07:58.890 –&gt; 00:08:05.250 Joseph McElroy: And rest your eyes on wonder, you see vistas every time you’d make a curve in the.</p><p>00:08:06.000 –&gt; 00:08:17.190 Joseph McElroy: Mountain roads, it opens up to a new vista that’s just awestruck it’s just it’s just you’re just you’re just your breath is taken away, especially, believe it or not, in the winter.</p><p>00:08:17.700 –&gt; 00:08:25.950 Joseph McElroy: Because you’re driving these roads and the leaves have to have trimmed away they’re still the greenery because you have evergreens, but you have.</p><p>00:08:26.250 –&gt; 00:08:43.140 Joseph McElroy: You know the leaves have revealed the beauty of the view that they protected from all year long only the people brave enough to go and explore and discover during a cold time can see and they’re stunning, I mean i’m just telling you the abuser stunning.</p><p>00:08:45.780 –&gt; 00:08:59.070 Joseph McElroy: And so, and you know, and I think every time you go and you discover a new adventure, I mean you’re traveling a road that you’ve been before it’s i’ve been where i’ve been it’s been where i’ve been.</p><p>00:08:59.610 –&gt; 00:09:06.030 Joseph McElroy: But it’s an ever changing scene, you know you’re always seeing something new, everything is different.</p><p>00:09:07.710 –&gt; 00:09:15.930 Joseph McElroy: And then, when you go home when you go home when you leave the mountains you actually feel refreshed and you feel happy.</p><p>00:09:16.740 –&gt; 00:09:27.930 Joseph McElroy: All right, you’ve you’ve done something you’ve gone you’ve you’ve experienced different culture you’ve seen different things you’ve been out out of doors you’ve clean click clear water you’ve had some of the cleanest.</p><p>00:09:28.350 –&gt; 00:09:37.350 Joseph McElroy: You know quarters in in the in the United States, maybe the world you’ve had you know some air that’s unperturbed by you know pollution.</p><p>00:09:37.920 –&gt; 00:09:54.690 Joseph McElroy: And it’s just I think a wonderful escape, especially in these times and it reminds me that you know, President Roosevelt Franklin D Roosevelt when he you know sort of was in, and you know was dedicating these.</p><p>00:09:56.310 –&gt; 00:10:04.320 Joseph McElroy: These this Park, he said, there are trees here that stood before our forefathers ever came to this continent.</p><p>00:10:04.920 –&gt; 00:10:11.730 Joseph McElroy: They are brooks that still run as clear as on the day that first pioneer cut his hand and drank from them.</p><p>00:10:12.630 –&gt; 00:10:30.300 Joseph McElroy: In this Park, we should conserve these trees, the pie, the red, but the dogwood the azalea the rhododendron and the trout that and the thrush for the happiness of the American people and more than the American people I think it’s the happiness of people from all over the world.</p><p>00:10:33.690 –&gt; 00:10:42.420 Joseph McElroy: So I am I sort of was a you know emotional day and this really is, I think.</p><p>00:10:43.800 –&gt; 00:10:53.250 Joseph McElroy: sums up my feeling for the mountains and why come back so much and never really left home i’ve been all over the world, and I lived several different places and.</p><p>00:10:53.610 –&gt; 00:11:05.790 Joseph McElroy: I love city life because you know I need a lot of stimulation, but then, when I get a little crazy, I have to go back home, I have to have that clean clear waters and the cool breeze.</p><p>00:11:06.180 –&gt; 00:11:13.950 Joseph McElroy: and clean air and I have to have the adventures in the in the in the in the wilds I have to recharge by going there.</p><p>00:11:15.210 –&gt; 00:11:19.320 Joseph McElroy: And you know, I think it works for just about anybody to do that.</p><p>00:11:21.720 –&gt; 00:11:42.120 Joseph McElroy: And so I encourage you to consider it your home away from home the place you go and explore, because it was meant for you, when it was first consecrated it was meant for you to come and to have that recharging experience and especially in these times of coven and.</p><p>00:11:43.140 –&gt; 00:11:44.040 Joseph McElroy: And you know.</p><p>00:11:45.090 –&gt; 00:11:55.200 Joseph McElroy: You know, violence in the riotous and yeah policy politicisation it’s something where everybody can go without worrying about what the politics of your neighbors are you know, without.</p><p>00:11:55.980 –&gt; 00:12:10.620 Joseph McElroy: yeah because you’re all looking at nature and you’re all escaped from that world for a brief time and you just be human beings together looking at things you know socially distance because you’re outside you can be away, but you can still be aware of other people.</p><p>00:12:11.880 –&gt; 00:12:18.570 Joseph McElroy: And you know I even you first get there you come to all these towns that have tourism things that seem, some of them seem a little crass and them seem authentic.</p><p>00:12:19.140 –&gt; 00:12:28.560 Joseph McElroy: But when you go up into the park and you grew up in the wilderness it’s still as authentic and beautiful and undisturbed as it’s ever been and you can explore.</p><p>00:12:29.490 –&gt; 00:12:41.040 Joseph McElroy: The way I think that you don’t get to do a lot in your life alright, so when we come back we’re going to talk about ways to get into the smoky mountains and what’s going on around those entrances.</p><p>00:15:37.980 –&gt; 00:15:44.130 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies.</p><p>00:15:45.390 –&gt; 00:15:46.320 Joseph McElroy: podcast.</p><p>00:15:47.700 –&gt; 00:15:58.020 Joseph McElroy: i’m my guest today and i’m talking about the entrances to the smoky mountains now you know I don’t know why it’s a thing.</p><p>00:15:59.100 –&gt; 00:16:07.080 Joseph McElroy: But if you’re if you’re if you’re looking around online you’ll see lots of talk about the entrances to the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:16:08.100 –&gt; 00:16:19.410 Joseph McElroy: They have an employee of the year, since I grown up become an important cultural aspect of visiting and where you’re going to come into that My guess is because the crowds come and people want to know.</p><p>00:16:19.830 –&gt; 00:16:25.080 Joseph McElroy: which ones are the most fun or which ones are the easiest to get one and where’s the secret ones, and all that sort of stuff.</p><p>00:16:26.880 –&gt; 00:16:32.220 Joseph McElroy: So the ones on the Tennessee cider are fairly well known.</p><p>00:16:33.570 –&gt; 00:16:39.840 Joseph McElroy: And i’ll talk about them another day but i’m gonna i’m gonna focus on the less well known ones on the North Carolina side.</p><p>00:16:42.060 –&gt; 00:16:42.930 Joseph McElroy: Just to.</p><p>00:16:44.040 –&gt; 00:16:46.890 Joseph McElroy: Just to you know give some.</p><p>00:16:47.940 –&gt; 00:16:53.460 Joseph McElroy: give some balance to the whole conversation about the entrances so like I said I didn’t.</p><p>00:16:54.510 –&gt; 00:17:06.120 Joseph McElroy: I didn’t know much about entrances growing up, I I just I would go I would ride on a trail somewhere and then we’d been the smoky mountains or we just go and get in the car and drive somewhere and we’d be in the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:17:07.620 –&gt; 00:17:11.970 Joseph McElroy: There was no, this is, this is the you know certain entrance.</p><p>00:17:13.020 –&gt; 00:17:23.670 Joseph McElroy: I live near the appalachian trail coast that goes through the smoky mountains and i’d walk on that icon, that being the smoky mountain, so I actually had to do a little research.</p><p>00:17:25.200 –&gt; 00:17:41.250 Joseph McElroy: You know and and find out more about the the official names of them and what they are, and so it’s sort of fun for me to do some reading here and i’m gonna give you some of that information but anyway, the entrances concept is is news you to me, is it is to you.</p><p>00:17:42.990 –&gt; 00:17:43.500 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:17:46.200 –&gt; 00:17:52.740 Joseph McElroy: The first one i’m going to talk about his newfound gap road and oh kind of left the.</p><p>00:17:54.180 –&gt; 00:17:59.430 Joseph McElroy: entrance to the great smoky mountains okay so.</p><p>00:18:00.630 –&gt; 00:18:18.480 Joseph McElroy: Newfoundland there’s a group called new family out road and it’s the road almost everyone who visit the great smoky mountains National Park will drive on, it is a section of us for for one that crosses the park North, the South over the crest of the great smoky mountains.</p><p>00:18:19.590 –&gt; 00:18:27.090 Joseph McElroy: And it links the towns of cherokee and get lumber, which is all the Tennessee side and cherokee has been on the North Carolina side.</p><p>00:18:29.610 –&gt; 00:18:40.200 Joseph McElroy: You know what’s interesting is is that before they built the smoky mountain the great smoky mountain National Park there used to be a gap up there called Indian gap.</p><p>00:18:41.070 –&gt; 00:18:48.540 Joseph McElroy: And everybody thought that that was the lowest gap to cross that CREST that there existed, but when they went to build the.</p><p>00:18:49.170 –&gt; 00:19:03.150 Joseph McElroy: The the road you know and to go across it and help you know you know with the smoky mountain building it is that they found there was actually a gap that was 15 I guess 15 miles.</p><p>00:19:03.570 –&gt; 00:19:11.850 Joseph McElroy: deeper and are some some amount of deeper I forget the exact details but, and so they started calling a new yeah newfound gap.</p><p>00:19:12.330 –&gt; 00:19:24.360 Joseph McElroy: And then, then that became that became the name the feature, and it became the name of the road, so this newfound gap my name and the road, are all birth, with the great smoky mountain National Park.</p><p>00:19:26.430 –&gt; 00:19:34.140 Joseph McElroy: Now I want to talk a little bit about chair key before we go into what the what the park is like you know Tara key.</p><p>00:19:35.580 –&gt; 00:19:50.070 Joseph McElroy: Is a town in the Koala boundary Indian reservation which is not actually technically a reservation it’s a it’s actually a private land that’s that’s held in trust by the Federal Government.</p><p>00:19:50.580 –&gt; 00:20:00.840 Joseph McElroy: And then that can be privately owned bought and sold by people, but that people had to be enrolled in the eastern tribe of the cherokee Indians.</p><p>00:20:03.000 –&gt; 00:20:03.990 Joseph McElroy: So it’s.</p><p>00:20:05.070 –&gt; 00:20:24.030 Joseph McElroy: it’s a special area I think in that regard now in cherokee it’s a great town to go visit right in you know you can see original culture there, you can see original Indian culture, you can see spectacular waterfalls.</p><p>00:20:25.530 –&gt; 00:20:28.650 Joseph McElroy: there’s there are they have some great fly fishing tournaments there.</p><p>00:20:29.970 –&gt; 00:20:37.080 Joseph McElroy: And, of course, you can see, they have a they have some great cherokee cultural attractions, and I think one of the most beautiful is the.</p><p>00:20:37.440 –&gt; 00:20:46.290 Joseph McElroy: The cherokee museum, one of the first times I ever saw 3D technology used was when I went to that museum I don’t know 20 years ago.</p><p>00:20:46.680 –&gt; 00:21:00.270 Joseph McElroy: And you have you go through it and they have a medicine man as a guide and all the different experiences, but he shows up as a hologram so he’s in a hologram and all these things, it was really cool is mind blowing at the time.</p><p>00:21:01.980 –&gt; 00:21:11.700 Joseph McElroy: And, and I would recommend you go there and there’s all sorts of interesting shopping, you know I love there’s a there’s a couple stores, one of them has you know.</p><p>00:21:12.300 –&gt; 00:21:21.030 Joseph McElroy: where you can go find original masks I love masks and they have all these that they have these these indigenous people that will.</p><p>00:21:21.420 –&gt; 00:21:36.240 Joseph McElroy: Create mass in the mountains in the cherokee and you know and they represent all sorts of aspects of culture, but they’re huge they’re well crafted beautiful artifacts and you know they’re they’re they’re making them for.</p><p>00:21:37.320 –&gt; 00:21:48.030 Joseph McElroy: For for selling to support themselves and you know and bring income into their family so it’s not cultural appropriation to go buy something because they’re doing it for that purpose.</p><p>00:21:49.020 –&gt; 00:22:04.440 Joseph McElroy: And it’s actually helping them, so you can go there by some beautiful massive and then they use things you know interesting textures of grasses and things to make hair and other you know elements of the mass that are just surprising.</p><p>00:22:06.000 –&gt; 00:22:18.120 Joseph McElroy: Also that’s big and cherokee is there’s there’s the storytelling bonfires that are like every Saturday and Friday night during the warm months and and into the into the cooler months but not really.</p><p>00:22:18.870 –&gt; 00:22:28.740 Joseph McElroy: cold where they tell mountain stories cherokee stories, which are incredible you know fun events for both fam for for families and individuals.</p><p>00:22:30.150 –&gt; 00:22:45.600 Joseph McElroy: You can you have they have amazing shopping there they’ve got casinos there, so now, so you know that’s really as made the town itself really more upscale so they got some incredible stores there but they still have some some charming stores to.</p><p>00:22:46.920 –&gt; 00:22:56.640 Joseph McElroy: You know from the old days that are still around so you can capture both sort of a little bit more glitz and also get a lot of that mountain town charm there.</p><p>00:22:57.840 –&gt; 00:23:13.440 Joseph McElroy: And you can and then there’s some really great shows and Al and cultural you know performances there and everybody should go see the outdoor drama onto these hills that tells the story of the tale of tree or tears.</p><p>00:23:14.100 –&gt; 00:23:20.970 Joseph McElroy: which I i’m assuming most of you will know, and if not, you should go look it up online on that go into it right, the second but.</p><p>00:23:22.470 –&gt; 00:23:29.970 Joseph McElroy: it’s basically is the the trail of moving many of the cherokee to Oklahoma that was forced upon them by the government.</p><p>00:23:30.690 –&gt; 00:23:47.760 Joseph McElroy: a wonderful quote I read, while doing my research was we’re still here we’re still cherokee we speak our language dance our songs know our history, our culture, our hearts arts, we are cherokee.</p><p>00:23:48.600 –&gt; 00:24:01.710 Joseph McElroy: I feel it’s a duty to our ancestors to bring these event to life and to allow the outside world to have perspective on the events that transpired and how they shaped us as a people.</p><p>00:24:02.400 –&gt; 00:24:16.320 Joseph McElroy: And this is said by Mike crow, who is a cherokee native who is performed in the outdoor drama under these hills, for the last 12 seasons, they they it seems to me they approach.</p><p>00:24:17.340 –&gt; 00:24:25.650 Joseph McElroy: Their community and their professions and their tourism with a depth feeling and thought that makes it pretty special to go there.</p><p>00:24:27.000 –&gt; 00:24:42.330 Joseph McElroy: So anyway, the US 4441 leaves the the the quality boundary Indian reservation the town of cherokee and shortly enters into the ghosts smoky mountain grants the great smoky mountain park and there’s an entrance sign there.</p><p>00:24:47.040 –&gt; 00:24:48.720 Joseph McElroy: The blue Ridge it’s.</p><p>00:24:50.940 –&gt; 00:24:53.850 Joseph McElroy: it’s Actually, I think, called the blue Ridge parkway entrance.</p><p>00:24:55.170 –&gt; 00:25:02.910 Joseph McElroy: And it’s about mile point I know there’s an entrance to the blue Ridge parkway I want you to get into the park, so you can actually travel.</p><p>00:25:03.990 –&gt; 00:25:06.300 Joseph McElroy: All over the 469 miles to.</p><p>00:25:07.350 –&gt; 00:25:20.760 Joseph McElroy: To the shadowed and national park by giving starting at the blue Ridge parkway right there in Africa cherokee well, the first thing you’re going to see is something called the account of left be visitor centers and it’s.</p><p>00:25:21.780 –&gt; 00:25:25.110 Joseph McElroy: It is a is a very busy.</p><p>00:25:26.190 –&gt; 00:25:35.460 Joseph McElroy: location there’s a there’s a trail that starts there there’s also a visitor Center it’s one of the four visitor centers in the park so it’s worth stopping there.</p><p>00:25:36.780 –&gt; 00:25:42.810 Joseph McElroy: And it’s open almost every day, except for Christmas and it’s you know 200 out of nine to five.</p><p>00:25:44.040 –&gt; 00:26:03.030 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it has lots of interesting programs there’s there’s some ranger lead programs about the the park there and they have they have a another museum exhibit there that tells life in the mountains from the native Americans, they also have a.</p><p>00:26:04.290 –&gt; 00:26:17.460 Joseph McElroy: The they have a farm museum all right and it came out in farm country museum that has actually log structures of farmhouse a bar and smokehouse apple house corn cribs and others.</p><p>00:26:17.880 –&gt; 00:26:27.240 Joseph McElroy: And it actually has demonstrations of mountain farm life that is conducted season so it’s very interesting, especially for kids to go and stop there.</p><p>00:26:28.410 –&gt; 00:26:33.060 Joseph McElroy: And it says bookstore shops and things like that, so when you keep going on, through that.</p><p>00:26:33.600 –&gt; 00:26:41.280 Joseph McElroy: That entrance to the to the great smoky mountains you’re going to run across mingus mill which is is a really old.</p><p>00:26:41.820 –&gt; 00:26:55.680 Joseph McElroy: grist mill that’s still an operation, and it is usually open and the and the seasonal months, so you stop see of chris’s megan it’s an interesting experience for the kids there’s some great correct campgrounds along the way in the.</p><p>00:26:57.240 –&gt; 00:26:58.110 Joseph McElroy: In the parkway and.</p><p>00:26:59.280 –&gt; 00:27:01.650 Joseph McElroy: In the park in those entrance, especially the smoke mark.</p><p>00:27:03.480 –&gt; 00:27:07.590 Joseph McElroy: And it’s one of the it’s one of the two that is open all around.</p><p>00:27:08.670 –&gt; 00:27:22.500 Joseph McElroy: there’s some great there’s also along that route there’s a lot of great picnic areas and there’s trails that start from that route, especially there’s a they kept part prong trailhead.</p><p>00:27:24.120 –&gt; 00:27:28.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it follows along the kephart from which is a really.</p><p>00:27:31.020 –&gt; 00:27:40.290 Joseph McElroy: Really, you know beautiful spot, and it makes it to a historic shelter and, of course, then you get to cleanse Dome, which is one of the.</p><p>00:27:41.280 –&gt; 00:27:52.980 Joseph McElroy: One of the tallest highest point it’s actually the highest point in the park and you can go up clean the road off the, off the newfound gap road to get right up to that spot.</p><p>00:27:55.020 –&gt; 00:28:01.410 Joseph McElroy: And then enter the Tennessee we’ll talk about yeah i’m not gonna talk about too much in your tea, but you end up cut you see Jimmy top 20 top.</p><p>00:28:02.940 –&gt; 00:28:06.000 Joseph McElroy: You get a couple more trails and the end up going into.</p><p>00:28:07.500 –&gt; 00:28:08.550 Joseph McElroy: into the.</p><p>00:28:09.660 –&gt; 00:28:10.500 Joseph McElroy: into the.</p><p>00:28:12.900 –&gt; 00:28:21.360 Joseph McElroy: what’s called the the sugar lands valley nature trail and and that’s really where the that’s actually the sugar land.</p><p>00:28:21.900 –&gt; 00:28:27.150 Joseph McElroy: nate valleys nature trail and gatlinburg where it ends, is the is the largest.</p><p>00:28:27.870 –&gt; 00:28:36.030 Joseph McElroy: entrance to the trail with the most people because you know gatlinburg is a huge tourist town it’s got dollywood and things like that so so the.</p><p>00:28:36.750 –&gt; 00:28:54.300 Joseph McElroy: two biggest entrance are the Cone lefty and then the sugar lands, and so this you know major this this new cat this new gap newfound gap road goes between the two biggest entrances to the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:28:55.830 –&gt; 00:29:00.870 Joseph McElroy: So what we’ll come back we’ll talk about some more entrances to the national.</p><p>00:31:23.340 –&gt; 00:31:29.490 Joseph McElroy: Well howdy this is Joseph Franklin mcilroy with the gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:31:30.840 –&gt; 00:31:38.280 Joseph McElroy: And i’m here talking about the entrances to the smoky mountain great smoky mountain national park and the north Carolina side.</p><p>00:31:39.510 –&gt; 00:31:43.020 Joseph McElroy: Now my favorite is one of the most remote.</p><p>00:31:44.070 –&gt; 00:31:48.390 Joseph McElroy: entrances to the to the the GS Mt p.</p><p>00:31:49.560 –&gt; 00:31:53.790 Joseph McElroy: it’s called cat lucci Valley, and the reason is my favorite because I grew up real near to it.</p><p>00:31:55.500 –&gt; 00:31:55.950 Joseph McElroy: it’s.</p><p>00:31:57.030 –&gt; 00:32:01.080 Joseph McElroy: it’s a it’s a valley that probably a lot of my ancestors were.</p><p>00:32:02.220 –&gt; 00:32:08.310 Joseph McElroy: would go visit and know the people there, you know when they mentioned all the names I know them all.</p><p>00:32:09.270 –&gt; 00:32:25.800 Joseph McElroy: They all and so marine life my family tree, so it is my, it has to be my favorite and when I was a kid we’d go there, you know, to go up, and you know in there and go do some hiking and and other things, so it was it was a playground for us.</p><p>00:32:27.030 –&gt; 00:32:39.480 Joseph McElroy: kind of beauty valley was actually settled in the 1800s by homesteaders and actually flourished and all the way up until when they made it in the great smoky mountains National Park 1928.</p><p>00:32:39.990 –&gt; 00:32:55.920 Joseph McElroy: And that’s when the it started to be rumors in the US Government was buying up land for the park, and so a lot of people started moving out and then by 1938 there was only a few law for a few remain and then the rest of new way.</p><p>00:32:58.230 –&gt; 00:33:04.650 Joseph McElroy: But you know because they stayed so long and up until the time that it was it was ending you know, there was being built.</p><p>00:33:05.040 –&gt; 00:33:12.240 Joseph McElroy: That there there’s a lot of old Community buildings that were performed pervert preserve for historic display.</p><p>00:33:12.750 –&gt; 00:33:30.870 Joseph McElroy: So there’s there’s a there’s an old Chapel called the Palmer Chapel there’s an old barn called the well will Mister Mister barn and there’s a call will place a call wells and message or palmer’s are still big surnames in the in the mountains there, and some of them are my relatives.</p><p>00:33:32.730 –&gt; 00:33:40.260 Joseph McElroy: And there’s, but they also you know so it’s it’s a great place to go there’s lots of hiking there’s lots of common ground there’s.</p><p>00:33:40.590 –&gt; 00:33:48.870 Joseph McElroy: A lot of wildlife watching I don’t know if you know that but there’s an there’s more diversity birds, I think, and then the great smoky mountains than anywhere else.</p><p>00:33:49.320 –&gt; 00:34:05.490 Joseph McElroy: And, of course, fishing is huge catching brown brown brown trout and small small mountain streams, is an adventure and incredibly fun and if you go to the some of the bigger streams a stock it with rainbow trout which gives you a real game fish experience.</p><p>00:34:07.020 –&gt; 00:34:07.470 Joseph McElroy: You know, and then.</p><p>00:34:10.170 –&gt; 00:34:21.810 Joseph McElroy: The National Park service reintroduced elk into the smoky mountains and they did it and cattle lucci Valley, and it was the first time elk had been in those woods for over 150 years.</p><p>00:34:23.220 –&gt; 00:34:42.600 Joseph McElroy: And they have they have actually really thrive their way they and and they actually come out of there now all over the place they’re they’re seeing in cherokee they’re seeing Maggie Valley, there was a video around the other day, with a herd of elk walking into Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:34:43.680 –&gt; 00:34:45.810 Joseph McElroy: So it’s it’s not at all.</p><p>00:34:49.710 –&gt; 00:35:02.010 Joseph McElroy: To see elk you can you can actually see it in the surrounding towns, but going up in those in that valley and seeing them in their natural habitat and all the different seasons, they do different things it’s it’s incredible experience.</p><p>00:35:03.270 –&gt; 00:35:03.900 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:35:05.100 –&gt; 00:35:13.320 Joseph McElroy: Ken lucci valleys general is supposedly open year round, but you know a lot of times, the road to get close because they’re they’re pretty ricky roads getting up in there.</p><p>00:35:14.580 –&gt; 00:35:28.080 Joseph McElroy: You you actually have to get off from my 40 X 20 and then you you turn right on to the coal creek road and then you’re going to be drive and almost 11 miles to the cat lucci park entrance.</p><p>00:35:29.100 –&gt; 00:35:36.780 Joseph McElroy: But that code creek road is is only paved in some sections and others others it’s just dirt and gravel and sometimes it’s only one way.</p><p>00:35:37.260 –&gt; 00:35:50.160 Joseph McElroy: yeah so and it’s got hairpin turns and it’s got rough road, so it can make it, it can make it an adventure to get there, sometimes it can take an hour to get to that 11 miles.</p><p>00:35:51.900 –&gt; 00:35:54.000 Joseph McElroy: And even an hour and a half, as what i’ve heard.</p><p>00:35:56.580 –&gt; 00:36:09.570 Joseph McElroy: So I was talking about, you know what besides all the net the normal outdoor things that you can do it’s really fun to be aware that you know there’s some definite seasons, to the elk that makes it that makes it.</p><p>00:36:11.190 –&gt; 00:36:20.700 Joseph McElroy: Something to go you around to see them, so you know they they have the Calvin caddying seasons, where the CAP calves and Ward and.</p><p>00:36:21.630 –&gt; 00:36:33.240 Joseph McElroy: And so you go to try and you know, see the cows see the cows hide that with with their calves, but a lot of times they try to hide them so don’t go try.</p><p>00:36:33.780 –&gt; 00:36:45.540 Joseph McElroy: dumping in the deep grass and do anything so get a pretty good pretty protective going to be aggressive, but then by June they’re they’re the casual out, and you can you can see that moving around with the herd.</p><p>00:36:47.400 –&gt; 00:36:48.780 Joseph McElroy: Then during the summer, their.</p><p>00:36:49.860 –&gt; 00:36:56.550 Joseph McElroy: Their their their out out grazing and the and the bulls are getting rapidly growing new ultra altars.</p><p>00:36:57.000 –&gt; 00:37:05.010 Joseph McElroy: And the calves are grown and it’s a pretty exciting time to see them, then in the fall the male’s is a mating season, they in the.</p><p>00:37:05.430 –&gt; 00:37:14.640 Joseph McElroy: UFC fights and you’ll see a lot of sounds you’ll see you know, then that’s when they venture out of the mountains, a lot, because they go a long way to see what they can do and find.</p><p>00:37:15.600 –&gt; 00:37:25.470 Joseph McElroy: To find a mates and then winter is pretty quiet, it can be hard to get into there, but it can be fun to try to go up there and hike and find them.</p><p>00:37:26.910 –&gt; 00:37:34.920 Joseph McElroy: So, but it’s often close it’s not something that you can do some great trails are up in the in the in the cat lucci and there’s.</p><p>00:37:35.790 –&gt; 00:37:47.400 Joseph McElroy: there’s something called booger man trail, which is one of the most popular trail with hikers there’s a little cat lucci trail that will take you by the old cabins in the courage there’s the rough for trail, which is sort of an easy.</p><p>00:37:48.360 –&gt; 00:37:58.650 Joseph McElroy: To model trip round trip that will go to the woody home site and there’s a little bit longer we went to some people more adventurous and there’s a there’s a something called a pretty how gap.</p><p>00:37:59.820 –&gt; 00:38:18.630 Joseph McElroy: that’s it’s a creek side hike up to pretty something called pretty how again that’s another gap in the mountains going over edge, so you can get some great views now cat lucci is located in Johns creek Valley, which is now part of Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:38:20.760 –&gt; 00:38:25.590 Joseph McElroy: And I grew up in both in john green valley and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:38:26.730 –&gt; 00:38:30.600 Joseph McElroy: I grew up and was on Johns creek live in something called fox run.</p><p>00:38:31.740 –&gt; 00:38:32.940 Joseph McElroy: Which my grandmother.</p><p>00:38:34.470 –&gt; 00:38:38.730 Joseph McElroy: Had and actually made into one of the first subdivisions in the mountains.</p><p>00:38:40.050 –&gt; 00:38:49.710 Joseph McElroy: But it was very it was still very, very rural I went to a one one room one room basically schoolhouse but it’s.</p><p>00:38:50.370 –&gt; 00:38:57.000 Joseph McElroy: When my parents eventually bought a metal Arc motel and Maggie Valley, which you guys might have heard if you’ve listened to before and that’s become our.</p><p>00:38:57.240 –&gt; 00:39:04.590 Joseph McElroy: sort of our family homestead This is like 45 years ago and we moved into Maggie valley and we became tourism tourism.</p><p>00:39:05.040 –&gt; 00:39:12.420 Joseph McElroy: Experts and you know, there was a there was an amusement park golf bag ghost town, the sky that wasn’t Maggie of Allah which has since closed, that was the big draw and attraction.</p><p>00:39:12.840 –&gt; 00:39:21.060 Joseph McElroy: It was a place where they reproduced old West shows, and things like that the Maggie valley gurus a small authentic mountain.</p><p>00:39:21.360 –&gt; 00:39:28.350 Joseph McElroy: A tourist town with lots of little roadside mode hotels and motels and craft stores and arts and crafts and.</p><p>00:39:28.890 –&gt; 00:39:39.690 Joseph McElroy: square dancing and you know everything sort of authentic you know mountain culture became you know part of the culture of Maggie valley and, to this day Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:39:40.020 –&gt; 00:39:49.830 Joseph McElroy: is one of the top little tourist towns in the north Carolina side of the mountains is but it’s very authentic and hasn’t become commercialized, to the extent that the Tennessee side has.</p><p>00:39:50.880 –&gt; 00:40:01.230 Joseph McElroy: It has a lot of history, and it has it does have a lot of interesting shops and restaurants has got a lot of wood carvers there it’s got it’s got.</p><p>00:40:02.670 –&gt; 00:40:17.040 Joseph McElroy: Its got the wheels through time the museum, which is this museum, full of like millions of dollars worth of old motorcycles and old cars it’s still work and actually world renowned museum people coming from around the world to see it.</p><p>00:40:18.420 –&gt; 00:40:28.800 Joseph McElroy: We have Pat, we have you know there’s paddling there’s golfing or zip lines there’s lots of hiking there’s bike trails there’s a ski resort.</p><p>00:40:30.300 –&gt; 00:40:43.470 Joseph McElroy: In the mountains and Maggie valley called Cataloochee ski area we have we have places that they do blue grass authentic blue man grass Raymond Fairchild, who was a multi.</p><p>00:40:44.190 –&gt; 00:40:49.320 Joseph McElroy: grammy award winning bluegrass player came from Maggie valley so we’re very proud of that.</p><p>00:40:49.980 –&gt; 00:41:01.350 Joseph McElroy: We used to be called the world craft capital of clogging there’s a place called the stomping ground that still does you know stopping does clogging all the time and it’s a great place to go and you have wonderful.</p><p>00:41:02.820 –&gt; 00:41:09.150 Joseph McElroy: Because it’s right valley and amount you get wonderful viewing of the fall colors and the seasons were part of the quilt trail.</p><p>00:41:09.540 –&gt; 00:41:19.140 Joseph McElroy: and new things we got is we’ve got it we’ve gotten some distilleries and breweries, we got the elevated amount Australia, where does whiskey and moonshine bear waters breweries.</p><p>00:41:20.250 –&gt; 00:41:29.430 Joseph McElroy: And and there’s a winery we have we have a waterfall that’s really great waterfall part of the waterfall trial color soco soco falls.</p><p>00:41:29.850 –&gt; 00:41:41.160 Joseph McElroy: We can there’s a summer and winter to being for kids and we have a we have a mountain heritage stream that goes right through Maggie value with really fresh water and it’s.</p><p>00:41:41.790 –&gt; 00:41:52.500 Joseph McElroy: And there’s mountain trout and there’s rainbow trout that are stopped in there and then we have this great festival grounds, called the Maggie valley festival grounds and it’s.</p><p>00:41:52.980 –&gt; 00:42:06.960 Joseph McElroy: And we have great music grammy award-winning bands come there and it’s really close to our place the middle or motel so anyway i’m going to tell you briefly about the other three entrances that we had we’ll come back and close the show.</p><p>00:44:27.150 –&gt; 00:44:39.150 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph Franklin McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast and we’re talking about the entrances on the North Carolina side of the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:44:40.080 –&gt; 00:44:47.700 Joseph McElroy: Now I was talking about Maggie valley there’s another great little town it’s not too far from Maggie aliens other side of Cherokee and it’s called Bryson city.</p><p>00:44:48.540 –&gt; 00:45:02.280 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it’s also another great gateway to the great smoky mountains National Park with really great wildflower streams and as part of the Appalachian trail.</p><p>00:45:03.780 –&gt; 00:45:15.450 Joseph McElroy: it’s a it’s known for whitewater rafting because both the Texas tech a CG river is there and then that’ll a not a halo river is there and then that HALO river.</p><p>00:45:16.110 –&gt; 00:45:25.650 Joseph McElroy: was recommended by ABC is good morning America as the as the number one place to spend a white a wet and wild vacation the US us.</p><p>00:45:26.010 –&gt; 00:45:38.940 Joseph McElroy: I remember going there as a kid and they have these areas that are you know very simple and easy to go through, but they got some I think they’re called class for rapids that the the the marines and navy seals come and train on.</p><p>00:45:39.990 –&gt; 00:45:51.030 Joseph McElroy: So they got some really crazy and great adventures, I was I got adventurous wanting went down one that was a little bit more advanced and I could not was on the front of the.</p><p>00:45:51.450 –&gt; 00:45:58.140 Joseph McElroy: The raffle really small guy was on the back and that was the wrong place for me to be because we hit what that a little waterfall.</p><p>00:45:58.560 –&gt; 00:46:12.810 Joseph McElroy: You know, and I hit the bottom and he came flying out because I pushed down he knocked me and I went in the ref one on top of me, and I was twirl around it took me a minute to reach out and grab that thing and push it out of there, but that was the more adventurous.</p><p>00:46:14.880 –&gt; 00:46:25.680 Joseph McElroy: experience, I think the net a halo is where some of the deliverance was filmed to his deliverance that movie was filmed in that area and no the banjo player was not my relative I don’t think, but he could have been.</p><p>00:46:27.150 –&gt; 00:46:37.530 Joseph McElroy: Also in Bryson city is there’s a smoky mountain trains museum of course that goes along with the great smoky mountains railroad.</p><p>00:46:38.010 –&gt; 00:46:51.960 Joseph McElroy: I have a nice mountain railroad and they have a heaven old steam engine pulling cars and do it and taking tourists on tours of the various small towns around the mountains and.</p><p>00:46:52.590 –&gt; 00:47:06.870 Joseph McElroy: And you know they’ll have food on these times and they’ll have dinner, you know that have music they’ll have all sorts of different experiences and they want to be called the polar express as during the Christmas and wintertime things for kids that’s very popular.</p><p>00:47:08.340 –&gt; 00:47:17.670 Joseph McElroy: They also have a fly fishing museum with you know with all sorts of fishing gear and fly rods from the 1800s.</p><p>00:47:18.960 –&gt; 00:47:21.840 Joseph McElroy: So there’s two entrances near.</p><p>00:47:23.160 –&gt; 00:47:25.230 Joseph McElroy: near bryson city.</p><p>00:47:27.150 –&gt; 00:47:30.630 Joseph McElroy: And you have one is called deep creek, and that is.</p><p>00:47:31.680 –&gt; 00:47:40.230 Joseph McElroy: That has a lot of popular river tubing waterfalls and campgrounds it’s just three miles from.</p><p>00:47:41.280 –&gt; 00:47:51.480 Joseph McElroy: From the great smoky mountains from the railroad and Bryson city as lots of hiking on it.</p><p>00:47:52.650 –&gt; 00:47:59.760 Joseph McElroy: So there’s a lot of nice day trips from braces so you’re able to go up to see the hiking see waterfalls.</p><p>00:48:00.870 –&gt; 00:48:08.550 Joseph McElroy: I mean there’s there’s like several that as one of the areas it’s got a lot of them so it’s a nice place to go if you want to see a lot of waterfalls just by hiking.</p><p>00:48:08.910 –&gt; 00:48:17.700 Joseph McElroy: You know, near Maggie and Cherokee there are some great driving trails to go see a lot of waterfalls but they have actually one that you can go see a bunch of them with the hiking.</p><p>00:48:19.140 –&gt; 00:48:30.930 Joseph McElroy: there’s that they got some creeks you know that are good for tubing most almost all the time, yeah some of the towns like even Maggie valley has great creeks that are good for to me but they’ve had to have a few days of rain first.</p><p>00:48:32.490 –&gt; 00:48:34.380 Joseph McElroy: And they have great picnicking there.</p><p>00:48:35.760 –&gt; 00:48:36.360 Joseph McElroy: So.</p><p>00:48:37.980 –&gt; 00:48:38.310 Joseph McElroy: it’s.</p><p>00:48:39.720 –&gt; 00:48:41.550 Joseph McElroy: it’s a great entrance.</p><p>00:48:43.200 –&gt; 00:48:46.770 Joseph McElroy: For going and just doing family fun and it’s easy to get to.</p><p>00:48:48.420 –&gt; 00:48:57.270 Joseph McElroy: The other entrance near Bryson city is called Lakeview drive and that’s also just about three miles from downtown Bryson city.</p><p>00:48:58.740 –&gt; 00:49:09.180 Joseph McElroy: And its actually is better known as the the the the the road to nowhere and I mentioned this before, but.</p><p>00:49:09.900 –&gt; 00:49:27.270 Joseph McElroy: You know when those people were leaving in the 1938 and 28 there was a lot of negotiations on you know what would happen after they live left because part of the area was also flooded for the there’s a lake there.</p><p>00:49:28.290 –&gt; 00:49:38.280 Joseph McElroy: And called like Fontana, and yeah so leaving their young people are leaving things like you know you know homesteads and old.</p><p>00:49:38.880 –&gt; 00:49:46.590 Joseph McElroy: Family graveyard so you know they had an agreement to have a road along the most smoky mountainside of the smoky mountain.</p><p>00:49:47.310 –&gt; 00:49:57.660 Joseph McElroy: side of the lake that would go to where they could you know visit their loved ones and things like that, but it got caught up in budgetary concerns and problems and it never got built.</p><p>00:49:58.050 –&gt; 00:50:12.150 Joseph McElroy: So there’s a six mile piece and got built and went to a tunnel and then it stops there and then the other side of tenant goes into a trail hiking trail so it’s called the road to nowhere and it’s fairly famous.</p><p>00:50:13.380 –&gt; 00:50:26.310 Joseph McElroy: And it’s you know it’s got a lot of beautiful and wonderful things to to go to Atlanta eventually go to Fontana like you can do a lot of hiking there’s a lot of there’s some natural there’s some old buildings along the way.</p><p>00:50:28.110 –&gt; 00:50:29.400 Joseph McElroy: it’s a it’s got.</p><p>00:50:31.770 –&gt; 00:50:32.670 Joseph McElroy: It actually.</p><p>00:50:34.140 –&gt; 00:50:45.090 Joseph McElroy: it’s got several the major trails go there, including I think another trail to claims Dome so that’s another way to get there, which is a great experience.</p><p>00:50:46.830 –&gt; 00:50:52.560 Joseph McElroy: And finally, the other, the other entrance is called.</p><p>00:50:54.000 –&gt; 00:50:59.670 Joseph McElroy: near five town lake right now Fontana lake is.</p><p>00:51:00.810 –&gt; 00:51:09.000 Joseph McElroy: is actually besides Kelly, he values the other remote area, the great smoky mountains, because, basically, you have to get on a boat.</p><p>00:51:10.950 –&gt; 00:51:16.020 Joseph McElroy: From on the farm town lake and and have it take you across to one of the small.</p><p>00:51:17.190 –&gt; 00:51:21.930 Joseph McElroy: small breweries, on the other side, which is the great smoky mountains and that’s like a 20 mile.</p><p>00:51:24.360 –&gt; 00:51:25.200 Joseph McElroy: drive.</p><p>00:51:26.880 –&gt; 00:51:39.990 Joseph McElroy: And it’s Luke that that is located near robin’s ville right and robin’s hills and other quaint little town and incident Graham county and it’s starting to be in the foothills of the mountains.</p><p>00:51:41.430 –&gt; 00:51:45.000 Joseph McElroy: And it has lots of outdoor adventures and beautiful scenery.</p><p>00:51:46.500 –&gt; 00:51:54.720 Joseph McElroy: And it’s it’s a nice place to go to get a lot of relaxation, and of course it’s it’s built around water and like culture.</p><p>00:51:55.890 –&gt; 00:52:00.210 Joseph McElroy: And you know you can rent a boat, you can do lots of things that sort of town.</p><p>00:52:01.470 –&gt; 00:52:06.270 Joseph McElroy: So we got a lot of great small towns in the mountains there’s only a few of them I got to talk to you about.</p><p>00:52:07.200 –&gt; 00:52:16.440 Joseph McElroy: where you can come and have a great refreshing and experience, you can get see studying views you can go home really happy.</p><p>00:52:17.430 –&gt; 00:52:35.790 Joseph McElroy: Because you’ve experienced you know those moments in travel that are worth living and you know it’s a way to get rid of that despair that we all sort of existing in with this pandemic in politics everything else, so let me finish up with.</p><p>00:52:37.260 –&gt; 00:52:46.650 Joseph McElroy: You know who would I want to know why i’m doing this, I you know i’ve got a family motel for the middle of motel it’s a classic roadside.</p><p>00:52:47.790 –&gt; 00:53:00.090 Joseph McElroy: motel it’s been in my family for 45 years and I think the motel itself is around 70 years old it’s been renovated, we got some beautiful rooms, you have a huge facility for doing weddings.</p><p>00:53:01.260 –&gt; 00:53:09.720 Joseph McElroy: Big big recreation area where we have fire pits and this goes fishing stream goes through it there’s another stream so we’re actually at the confluence of two streams, which is.</p><p>00:53:10.050 –&gt; 00:53:16.800 Joseph McElroy: very lucky for weddings and people who have barbecues we ever usually during the summer, we have a free Barbecue every Saturday night.</p><p>00:53:17.160 –&gt; 00:53:27.060 Joseph McElroy: We have lots of music friend of mine was a former drummer, for the simple minds exploring Scottish roots of the Appalachian music and he’s playing there all the time.</p><p>00:53:27.600 –&gt; 00:53:38.520 Joseph McElroy: I have another site called smokey adventures COM, or you can go to to get listings about all these things I talked about which is like hiking and wedding places.</p><p>00:53:38.910 –&gt; 00:53:43.770 Joseph McElroy: Then you can also buy books and trail maps that help you explore the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:53:44.160 –&gt; 00:53:53.700 Joseph McElroy: and find other resources that are really great for you’re planning your travels in the smoky mountains and then I’m part of where traveler magazines.</p><p>00:53:54.510 –&gt; 00:54:03.870 Joseph McElroy: yeah network, and I have built a section all about the smoky mountains, where traveler calm slashes great smoky mountains with dashes between the.</p><p>00:54:04.260 –&gt; 00:54:12.120 Joseph McElroy: In the where the spaces should be and it’s been around for 80 years that magazines got a lot of visitors and we’re doing more in-depth stories.</p><p>00:54:12.510 –&gt; 00:54:23.070 Joseph McElroy: And profiles of experts and people enter stories that you can go there to fill your anticipation for coming to the mountains.</p><p>00:54:23.640 –&gt; 00:54:37.020 Joseph McElroy: Next week, going to have Bob Plott is a third is the third great-grandson of Johannes George plot who first brought the plot bear hounds to America.</p><p>00:54:37.440 –&gt; 00:54:54.240 Joseph McElroy: In the mid-18th century and he’s the great great nephew of Henry plot who enters the breed of the great smoky mountains in the early 1800s he is got an incredible resume of dealing with doing stuff in the cultural realm as well as the marketing around.</p><p>00:54:55.290 –&gt; 00:55:00.420 Joseph McElroy: he’s written several books and he’s full of information, and I think we’re talking a lot about.</p><p>00:55:00.750 –&gt; 00:55:14.100 Joseph McElroy: These plot hounds in their car and the cultural impact that they had upon humming in the mountains and I look forward to having you again next week same time same channel, thank you very much I’ll see you soon ciao.</p> 64108663-bda0-4867-8dab-a414d6cb9ded https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/f1893258-a0cd-451d-877e-f1f5c097089f Tue, 09 Feb 2021 23:00:00 +0000 2770 no full Episode 4: Road Life in the Smokies Episode 4: Road Life in the Smokies Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>With guests<strong> Mike Ogletree </strong>and <strong>Val Gene Hamilton...</strong></p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/3htYqVQmwo/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Ancient natural beauty and mountain history. Joseph’s family has deep roots in the Smokies for almost 200 years. Today Joseph Mcelroy will be discussing the road life in the smokies. The mountains are a popular attraction for sightseeing and exploration with many wonderful roadside restaurants. Yesterday was Robert Burns birthday so later a guest will talk about the food that was eaten at that dinner. Bulloch parkway is one of the many sights. There is also the Blue Ridge which runs down the spine of US RT 441. Blue Ridge Parkway was constructed under President Roosevelt&#39;s administration beginning September 1935. Because it was designated a National Park there were new rules for land. Residents unable to make commercial developments to their land for use it for anything other than agriculture. This would later change to come extent. The Cherokee section opened in the 1950&#39;s. The entrance to Blue Ridge begins in Swain County. Cherokee Valley and Blue Ridge Parkway have a lot of places where you can stop and enjoy the scenery.</p><p>Another well known road is the Road to Nowhere, an unfinished road in Bryson city. The project started when the government took over public and private land to build the Fontana Dam. Locals were assured that they would be reimbursed with a road allowing displaced residents to access family cemeteries. Construction began in the 40’s then stalled due to environmental issues. The road to nowhere stops at a tunnel that leads to a trail.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Val Gene Hamilton, also known as Pops. He is the owner of Pops Place, a roadside restaurant in Maggie Valley. Pops in a motorcyclist and an expert in roadside dining. In addition, Pops is also the first African American elected to Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce. Before coming to maggie Valley Pops was living in Florida but a friend in Transylvania County encouraged pops to move and work for him. They worked together for three months before that partnership ended and he has lived in the mountains for 30 years since. By October of 2016 he became the owner of Pops Place. His restaurant is a classic roadside diner. Pops is a biker who didn’t start this until he tuned fifty. Buddies of his pushed him to ride. He now owns a Suzuki 109. All of his sons ride motorcycles and his grandsons ride dirt bikes. Pop and Joseph share stories about their childhoods and the antics that they engaged in.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>If you like curves, ride in the mountains. While it is a renowned trail, the problem with the very popular Tail of the Dragon Trail is that many younger people on sports bikes ride so fast that they get too close to other riders. People also need to be cautious of the wildlife while riding. This trail is one of the premiere spots for sports car touring. People come from all over, even abroad. Pops recalls a time when he encountered Russian tourist that rented bikes and rode the trail. Maggie, Gatlinburg, and Cherokee valley has many festivals for riders. There is a lot of road culture. Diamondback Cherohala Skyway are two trails that Pops recommend. Six years ago with his biking club, the GT Rider, they planned a trip to the Cherohala Skyway. It was their first ride of the year, and pop just replaced a bad tire. He got a call that they would have a run on saturday. After riding on 300 hundred miles, Pops slept for 3 days.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Joined by miike Ogletree who is here to talk about Robert Burns. One of Burns poems was a humorous one called the Address to Haggis. It described the virtues of haggis and how it made the Scotts strong. Mike recites this poem.</p> Video thumbnail

With guests Mike Ogletree and Val Gene Hamilton...

‍

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.


Show Notes

Segment 1

Ancient natural beauty and mountain history. Joseph’s family has had deep roots in the Smokies for almost 200 years. Today Joseph Mcelroy will be discussing the road life in the smokies. The mountains are a popular attraction for sightseeing and exploration with many wonderful roadside restaurants. Yesterday was Robert Burns's birthday so later a guest will talk about the food that was eaten at that dinner. Bulloch parkway is one of the many sights. There is also the Blue Ridge which runs down the spine of US RT 441. Blue Ridge Parkway was constructed under President Roosevelt's administration beginning in September 1935. Because it was designated a National Park there were new rules for land. Residents were unable to make commercial developments to their land for use for anything other than agriculture. This would later change to come extent. The Cherokee section opened in the 1950s. The entrance to Blue Ridge begins in Swain County. Cherokee Valley and Blue Ridge Parkway have a lot of places where you can stop and enjoy the scenery.

Another well-known road is the Road to Nowhere, an unfinished road in Bryson city. The project started when the government took over public and private land to build the Fontana Dam. Locals were assured that they would be reimbursed with a road allowing displaced residents to access family cemeteries. Construction began in the 40s then stalled due to environmental issues. The road to nowhere stops at a tunnel that leads to a trail.

Segment 2

Val Gene Hamilton, also known as Pops. He is the owner of Pops Place, a roadside restaurant in Maggie Valley. Pops in a motorcyclist and an expert in roadside dining. In addition, Pops is also the first African American elected to the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce. Before coming to maggie Valley Pops was living in Florida but a friend in Transylvania County encouraged pops to move and work for him. They worked together for three months before that partnership ended and he has lived in the mountains for 30 years since. By October of 2016, he became the owner of Pops Place. His restaurant is a classic roadside diner. Pops is a biker who didn’t start this until he turned fifty. Buddies of his pushed him to ride. He now owns a Suzuki 109. All of his sons ride motorcycles and his grandsons ride dirt bikes. Pop and Joseph share stories about their childhoods and the antics that they engaged in.

Segment 3

If you like curves, ride in the mountains. While it is a renowned trail, the problem with the very popular Tail of the Dragon Trail is that many younger people on sports bikes ride so fast that they get too close to other riders. People also need to be cautious of the wildlife while riding. This trail is one of the premiere spots for sports car touring. People come from all over, even abroad. Pops recalls a time when he encountered a Russian tourist that rented bikes and rode the trail. Maggie, Gatlinburg, and Cherokee valley have many festivals for riders. There is a lot of road culture. Diamondback Cherohala Skyway is two trails that Pops recommend. Six years ago with his biking club, the GT Rider, they planned a trip to the Cherohala Skyway. It was their first ride of the year, and pop just replaced a bad tire. He got a call that they would have a run on Saturday. After riding 300 hundred miles, Pops slept for 3 days.

Segment 4

Joined by Mike Ogletree who is here to talk about Robert Burns. One of Burns's poems was a humorous one called the Address to Haggis. It described the virtues of haggis and how they made the Scotts strong. Mike recites this poem.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:36.480 –> 00:00:52.200 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns.

00:00:53.250 –> 00:01:04.170 Joseph McElroy: This area’s filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:05.340 –> 00:01:22.260 Joseph McElroy: Now I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also a deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years, so they weren’t cold great scope smokies back then I don’t think they might have been, but I don’t know.

00:01:23.970 –> 00:01:25.200 Joseph McElroy: I have to research that now.

00:01:26.280 –> 00:01:30.090 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:31.560 –> 00:01:47.160 Joseph McElroy: Now today we’re going to be talking about road life in the smokies whether you’re going nowhere or somewhere the smokies has great roads to sightsee and experience local culture by auto motorcycle bicycle even horseback.

00:01:48.960 –> 00:01:55.560 Joseph McElroy: there’s also wonderful roadsides restaurants and attractions, and all these mountains.

00:01:56.580 –> 00:02:02.760 Joseph McElroy: I will have i’m hoping my guests are trying to log on my guest today will be able to give stories on both.

00:02:04.500 –> 00:02:06.750 Joseph McElroy: And not we’ll talk about this.

00:02:08.280 –> 00:02:12.840 Joseph McElroy: And then I want you to hang on to the end and we’ll we’re going to talk about a holiday yesterday.

00:02:13.410 –> 00:02:22.290 Joseph McElroy: called the Robert Burns day that some people in the smoky mountains Gus celebrate because he was a he was a popular post of the original Scottish Irish settlers.

00:02:22.890 –> 00:02:40.260 Joseph McElroy: And we’re going to specifically, since this is talking about food as part of our program talk about the food eat at that traditional dinner Mike ogletree my guest, a few weeks ago will also give us a rarity live recitation of a dialect for the toast to the haggis.

00:02:44.160 –> 00:02:45.480 Joseph McElroy: So I want to talk about.

00:02:47.730 –> 00:02:49.200 Joseph McElroy: The road somewhere.

00:02:53.490 –> 00:03:06.090 Joseph McElroy: Ridge parkway which is america’s longest longest linear park runs for 469 miles wicking the shenandoah National Park, to the great smokies National Park.

00:03:07.380 –> 00:03:14.430 Joseph McElroy: It runs mostly along the spine of the blue Ridge, a major mountain Ridge chain that’s part of the appalachian mountains.

00:03:16.350 –> 00:03:30.240 Joseph McElroy: It ends us route for one which is on the boundary between the great smoky mountains national park and the cherokee Indian reservation in North Carolina now route 4441 will probably talk about.

00:03:30.570 –> 00:03:38.400 Joseph McElroy: either today or some other day it’s important port road in the great smoky mountains in the road life that you might enjoy there.

00:03:41.100 –> 00:03:41.460 Joseph McElroy: And it.

00:03:42.930 –> 00:03:46.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s great the blue Ridge parkway.

00:03:47.820 –> 00:03:54.300 Joseph McElroy: Which is that road to somewhere little bit bigger and during the administration of President Franklin D Roosevelt.

00:03:55.980 –> 00:04:01.170 Joseph McElroy: prepared project was originally called the appalachian state and.

00:04:03.360 –> 00:04:09.570 Joseph McElroy: The appalachian state scenic highway and work began on September 11 1935.

00:04:13.350 –> 00:04:15.900 Joseph McElroy: It is it was it was started in.

00:04:17.220 –> 00:04:34.800 Joseph McElroy: is starting to your Cumberland knob in North Carolina and then construction began in Virginia, the following February, then in June 30 1936 Congress formally authorized the project has been Ridge parkway and placed it on the jurisdiction.

00:04:36.300 –> 00:04:37.950 Joseph McElroy: Of the National Park service.

00:04:40.620 –> 00:04:41.730 Joseph McElroy: The National Park.

00:04:44.880 –> 00:04:46.530 Joseph McElroy: The park right construction created.

00:04:47.730 –> 00:04:55.800 Joseph McElroy: Jobs and the regime, but also displace many residents and create a new rules and regulations for landowners, including.

00:04:56.310 –> 00:05:05.070 Joseph McElroy: requirements related to how farmers could transport COP props you imagine that people didn’t have a lot of rules before then started having rules like.

00:05:05.760 –> 00:05:12.510 Joseph McElroy: They can no longer build on their lands without permission or development land, except for agricultural use.

00:05:13.080 –> 00:05:24.780 Joseph McElroy: And they were not even used to use this part right for commercial trial, so there was a little bit of upset back in those times, and then the eastern band of the cherokees got it and they were affected by the parkway.

00:05:25.980 –> 00:05:32.610 Joseph McElroy: It was it was built through their lives and they in from 35 until 40 they resisted given up the right away.

00:05:33.720 –> 00:05:38.070 Joseph McElroy: Through what’s called the quality boundary we were talking about that someday pretty interesting place.

00:05:39.480 –> 00:05:46.410 Joseph McElroy: And they were successful in getting more favorable terms from the end they were successful game gaining more favorable terms from the US Government.

00:05:48.060 –> 00:05:54.810 Joseph McElroy: and, specifically, they got some money and they got to specify the parkway route, but really important for me personally.

00:05:55.440 –> 00:06:07.980 Joseph McElroy: they’ve acquired the state to build a regular highway through soco valley and that’s the highway refer to us 1919 which goes through Maggie Valley, where I have a motel call him, Mr hotel.

00:06:10.050 –> 00:06:16.650 Joseph McElroy: And so, then the cherokee Indian leaders participate in the dedication, so when the cherokee sections open the 1950s.

00:06:18.630 –> 00:06:29.670 Joseph McElroy: The park at the park way begins in swain county cherokee at the entrance to the great smoky mountain national park and it’s a beautiful little drive through all the fall.

00:06:30.480 –> 00:06:42.480 Joseph McElroy: Sometimes clothes do in the winter due to weather and and you have plenty of time to enjoy the ride because it’s 45 mile per hour drive and now there’s someplace where people get pretty slow.

00:06:44.910 –> 00:06:50.550 Joseph McElroy: And and and you know there’s not a lot of restrooms and dining spots on the parkway itself so that’s.

00:06:50.970 –> 00:07:01.200 Joseph McElroy: that’s more from a for a beautiful drive getting from one place to another and a couple of those drives it from one place to another, as well as the cherokee to balsam gap.

00:07:01.830 –> 00:07:05.400 Joseph McElroy: it’s about a 26 mile for charity, to the ball some gap.

00:07:06.270 –> 00:07:21.660 Joseph McElroy: Which is just west of North Carolina and I don’t know if you listen last week we were talking about them balsam mountain range and the music group balsam range well, that is true that’s right smack middle in the balsam balsam range mountain range.

00:07:22.710 –> 00:07:29.400 Joseph McElroy: Where that comes out in your ways always was a pretty nice little tourists down to go visit got a lot of things going on it’s not too far from an EVAL.

00:07:31.440 –> 00:07:42.840 Joseph McElroy: And you along that route you’ll get to pass the big which overlook or the view of cherokee valley and water water off knob where there’s a visitor information station and a conference Center Center.

00:07:43.260 –> 00:07:44.250 mike: So i’ll just have to hold it.

00:07:55.230 –> 00:08:05.400 Joseph McElroy: And it has a spectacular view and there’s a there’s a half mile mile trial to the summit for even better view and, as a nearly 360 degree vantage point are uniquely suited for.

00:08:06.270 –> 00:08:16.350 Joseph McElroy: For viewing a photographic sunrise and sunset and let me tell you that blue Ridge parkway even see a lot of those really long, this is where those beautiful sunsets.

00:08:16.740 –> 00:08:29.100 Joseph McElroy: A lot of them are taken from the new blue Ridge parkway because they got a lot of place reading stop and they cleared it out enough that you can just see for miles and miles forever it’s like looking at you know the heavens forever.

00:08:30.660 –> 00:08:37.920 Joseph McElroy: And another one of those drives it’s pretty good as interim out more about the ball some gap to map pisco.

00:08:39.120 –> 00:08:54.960 Joseph McElroy: This 35 miles begins just west of waynesville at the muscle get interest, and it goes through several beautiful overlooks, including the Richard Richard Richard Wang ball some overlooked and which is at the highest point on the blue Ridge parkway.

00:08:56.280 –> 00:09:05.940 Joseph McElroy: So you know, the road to somewhere it goes, all the way up to the Santo Santo valley it’s a beautiful drive it’s a much bigger trip.

00:09:07.080 –> 00:09:14.160 Joseph McElroy: That, if you want to gauge upon but you know there’s an interesting little trip, you can take and that’s the road to nowhere all right.

00:09:14.790 –> 00:09:28.380 Joseph McElroy: it’s the nickname of an unfinished six mile stretch of highway that’s it starts in bryson city and it represents and unfulfilled promise by the US Government to a small community and sway and count.

00:09:29.520 –> 00:09:47.010 Joseph McElroy: started and 30s or 50s when the federal government, the Tennessee valley authority took over 67,000 acres of public and private land and grand sweating counties and it built the Fontana damn creating the Fontana lake and part of the great smoky mountains National Park.

00:09:49.590 –> 00:10:00.210 Joseph McElroy: In compensation for the land, which had been owned by many families for generations, I mean, these are real folks losing their land again they weren’t all entirely happy about that.

00:10:00.660 –> 00:10:07.830 Joseph McElroy: The GM government promise to reimburse Wayne county for the loss of the flooded highway two to eight, which would provide access to the area.

00:10:09.870 –> 00:10:21.690 Joseph McElroy: Another insurance that there’d be a road approximate 30 miles long that would follow the northern shorter like help substitute for the highway allow the displace residence to access their family cemeteries.

00:10:22.080 –> 00:10:31.320 Joseph McElroy: Now I know growing up my family had we had one and other families, did you have these old cemetery where he buried your family so not been able to get to them would be pretty dramatic.

00:10:32.850 –> 00:10:40.980 Joseph McElroy: And so, this road was started in the 40s and extended about six miles, but then it stopped in 1969 because environmental issues.

00:10:42.150 –> 00:10:53.010 Joseph McElroy: And know around the year 2000 Congressman Charlie Patterson is your Jesse Helms got some money, the fall on that road continuing was never completed.

00:10:55.050 –> 00:11:01.500 Joseph McElroy: And a lot of us do more productive and more construction costs, and it remains us and it remains a sensitive issue.

00:11:03.090 –> 00:11:08.850 Joseph McElroy: Then is viewed as a broken promise promise but what’s interesting is this broken road to nowhere stops.

00:11:11.970 –> 00:11:13.080 Joseph McElroy: It stops.

00:11:14.250 –> 00:11:20.070 Joseph McElroy: At a tunnel all right, and then we walked through that tunnel there’s nothing on the side, but a trail right.

00:11:21.900 –> 00:11:32.250 Joseph McElroy: So it might be guess they started about three miles outside of the city and it has beautiful abuse upon town lake and the Texas Texas easy river.

00:11:32.670 –> 00:11:37.530 Joseph McElroy: As well as encounters with woodlands and many small screens and it runs around.

00:11:38.040 –> 00:11:48.600 Joseph McElroy: That time and then the payment ends after the Channel and you get on the cup you get you get on this what’s called the lake shore trail, and it goes for 35 miles to find time a damn.

00:11:49.530 –> 00:11:58.050 Joseph McElroy: there’s also some there’s also some other trails along there call the Goldman loop trail loop and the tunnel bypass trail.

00:11:58.590 –> 00:12:09.510 Joseph McElroy: there’s also old homesteads and builders along these trails and then there’s another trail brands, called the nolan creek trail that leads to the the GS MPs highest peak cleveland’s doll.

00:12:10.830 –> 00:12:20.220 Joseph McElroy: Which is a really famous landmark in place to go it’s it’s it’s in the great the great smoky mountains National Park it’s the highest peak there and it.

00:12:20.940 –> 00:12:39.030 Joseph McElroy: it’s a there’s a lot of there’s a lot of hiking trails and go from there as well, so it’s a recommended it’s a recommended a wonderful adventure I think so there’s a couple there’s a couple great drives there that to you, you can do one to know where one to every one of the somewhere.

00:12:40.110 –> 00:12:54.450 Joseph McElroy: And you know that that drive for 41 that then connects to us 19 that then goes to cherokee and goes through Maggie Valley, it goes by late June Alaska goes through Clyde it goes through canton.

00:12:54.780 –> 00:13:05.820 Joseph McElroy: Then it picks up the highway for a little while that goes into actual that’s a really nice drive for a road drive to see some things and it’s a pretty low lowland drive that you can do as opposed to.

00:13:06.960 –> 00:13:19.950 Joseph McElroy: To one over the mountains so anyway, when we get back my guests, I think, are here and we will we will talk about motorcycle rides and food stuffs in the mountains of North Carolina.

00:15:49.560 –> 00:15:55.200 Joseph McElroy: hey this is Joseph mcilroy back with gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:15:56.250 –> 00:16:14.520 Joseph McElroy: One welcome you all back my guest today or now Dean Hamilton also notice POPs and he’s owner of the famous POPs place roadside restaurant Maggie valley pop is an avid motorcyclist as well as an expert and roadside fine dining.

00:16:15.630 –> 00:16:26.790 Joseph McElroy: is going to share his experience in the smoky mountains with us also with us as our mutual friend Michael ogletree was a guest on this show three weeks back and who is a resident musician is.

00:16:26.790 –> 00:16:27.900 Joseph McElroy: In the middle arm.

00:16:28.440 –> 00:16:38.880 Joseph McElroy: And a former drummer of the band simple minds at the end he’s going to talk about food at the traditional Robert Burns supper which was holiday was yesterday Hello POPs how you doing.

00:16:39.090 –> 00:16:41.070 Mike Ogletree: i’m doing fine Joseph how are you.

00:16:41.340 –> 00:16:42.750 Joseph McElroy: I can I call you POPs.

00:16:42.840 –> 00:16:45.450 Mike Ogletree: You can call me anything but late for dinner, and my friend.

00:16:47.190 –> 00:16:48.450 Joseph McElroy: how’d you get that nickname.

00:16:49.170 –> 00:16:58.470 Mike Ogletree: My children started it and you know when they as they got a little older and then all their friends and so on, so forth on most of my friends call me pop.

00:16:58.800 –> 00:17:00.630 Joseph McElroy: Really what’s a good nickname right.

00:17:00.660 –> 00:17:01.530 Mike Ogletree: yeah yeah.

00:17:02.160 –> 00:17:05.820 Joseph McElroy: it’s casual and Chris got gravitas at the same time yeah.

00:17:07.440 –> 00:17:13.620 Joseph McElroy: I hear I hear graduations in order you just got one elected to the board of the Maggie valley Chamber commerce.

00:17:13.980 –> 00:17:16.140 Mike Ogletree: Correct correct it’s quite an honor.

00:17:17.970 –> 00:17:22.440 Mike Ogletree: I love it here at Maggie and so you know i’ve been here like six years so.

00:17:22.890 –> 00:17:25.590 Joseph McElroy: Are you a long time that we’ve been a Member for a while and.

00:17:26.040 –> 00:17:30.000 Mike Ogletree: Ever since we opened up this shop we joined the Chamber.

00:17:30.210 –> 00:17:36.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah well here’s you know it’s a little bit of a milestone because you’re the first African American elected to position and manage right.

00:17:36.960 –> 00:17:37.560 Mike Ogletree: And all.

00:17:39.240 –> 00:17:41.160 Joseph McElroy: that’s that’s pretty big statement, I think.

00:17:41.460 –> 00:17:44.190 Mike Ogletree: accepted it really is yeah yes.

00:17:44.490 –> 00:17:54.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah well i’m pretty happy that you’re in that position, because I know you’re a great businessman, and you only help build the business and Maggie valley and all the smoky mountains, I think that’s.

00:17:55.320 –> 00:17:56.100 Mike Ogletree: working for.

00:17:56.130 –> 00:17:59.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah so tell me how did you end up in North Carolina.

00:18:00.900 –> 00:18:21.090 Mike Ogletree: I was living in Florida and a buddy of mine had restaurant over in Transylvania county over and Beauvoir that was 1987 and he asked me if I come work for him, so I came he lasted about three months after i’ve been there and i’ve been here over 30 years wow.

00:18:22.170 –> 00:18:24.120 Joseph McElroy: So mountains become your hometown right.

00:18:24.210 –> 00:18:25.560 Mike Ogletree: Oh it’s my home yeah.

00:18:25.800 –> 00:18:28.560 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah you got a sort of a mountain accent there.

00:18:30.360 –> 00:18:32.700 Mike Ogletree: Is between that New York in that country.

00:18:36.240 –> 00:18:37.260 Joseph McElroy: Forget about it.

00:18:39.570 –> 00:18:40.500 Joseph McElroy: Forget about it.

00:18:44.070 –> 00:18:50.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s pretty cool so so you you’re working in the restaurant business and for bard and then moved on to other restaurants, I assume.

00:18:50.940 –> 00:18:58.710 Mike Ogletree: yeah I am that place ended up they sold it out and I ended up working out like tops were country club.

00:18:59.940 –> 00:19:06.600 Mike Ogletree: For about five or six years I left there and went to micah’s in sapphire and.

00:19:07.740 –> 00:19:16.260 Mike Ogletree: Then got a job down here in our silver and then I live in cherokee for 20 years in.

00:19:17.610 –> 00:19:21.180 Mike Ogletree: Between bryson and here for the last 10 years or so.

00:19:21.660 –> 00:19:27.600 Joseph McElroy: cool that’s pretty good, so the us open up this restaurant six six years ago and Maggie Valley.

00:19:28.140 –> 00:19:30.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah how did that come about and tell us about.

00:19:30.330 –> 00:19:32.970 Mike Ogletree: tell us a little bit well, I was, I was actually.

00:19:34.050 –> 00:19:42.870 Mike Ogletree: out on disability and my son came to me, and he said pop let’s go check out this restaurant, I was like man I ain’t trying to go back to.

00:19:44.340 –> 00:19:57.660 Mike Ogletree: i’m done with work, you know and so he went and checked it out and the rent was right there locations perfect place a little small, but we do pretty well and.

00:19:58.440 –> 00:20:16.860 Mike Ogletree: So we started it and he and I lasted together about a year and a half, and then I took it over and October of 16 and just last year he opened up POPs butts on the creek right down the road, a little bit BA ma and.

00:20:18.180 –> 00:20:22.710 Mike Ogletree: So that’s going strong so actually the family has to as props and Maggie Valley.

00:20:23.070 –> 00:20:24.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s pretty impressive.

00:20:24.870 –> 00:20:30.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah so your your restaurant is sort of a classic roadside would you call it a diner.

00:20:30.840 –> 00:20:32.100 Joseph McElroy: Correct yeah.

00:20:32.490 –> 00:20:35.760 Mike Ogletree: yeah yeah you know you’re you’re you’re omelets.

00:20:37.080 –> 00:20:46.230 Mike Ogletree: eggs anyway, you want on pancakes waffles shrimp and grits like you’re never going anywhere in your life guarantee.

00:20:47.760 –> 00:20:49.500 Joseph McElroy: yeah I have a shrimp and grits and.

00:20:50.640 –> 00:20:52.440 Joseph McElroy: biscuits and gravy are pretty famous are.

00:20:52.740 –> 00:21:05.640 Mike Ogletree: They are yes, Sir, yes biscuits every day for us gravy you know I use good products, you know I try to use good products and we love what we do so, it comes out in the food.

00:21:08.310 –> 00:21:12.330 Joseph McElroy: You have any of any of those traditional mountain foods like red I gravy or.

00:21:12.630 –> 00:21:13.920 Mike Ogletree: Not, no, no.

00:21:14.730 –> 00:21:16.830 Mike Ogletree: I didn’t have yellow stone ground grits.

00:21:17.310 –> 00:21:19.020 Joseph McElroy: Just on the ground it’s there you go.

00:21:20.580 –> 00:21:24.690 Mike Ogletree: I had to bring my little my New York player down with my with my nails you know.

00:21:25.710 –> 00:21:26.130 Mike Ogletree: and

00:21:27.180 –> 00:21:31.890 Mike Ogletree: You know, we come from a family of bunch of cooks cooks.

00:21:32.100 –> 00:21:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s right.

00:21:33.720 –> 00:21:40.170 Joseph McElroy: Well, I know that whenever i’m whenever i’m Maggie I I stopped by your place if I can we go get a breakfast.

00:21:40.440 –> 00:21:44.100 Joseph McElroy: I know it’s it’s those biscuits are really good.

00:21:46.860 –> 00:21:55.320 Mike Ogletree: To say, can you give me the recipe for them biscuits I said, surely, but you gotta realize, you have to make like 60 this is that time.

00:21:55.590 –> 00:21:55.920 yeah.

00:21:57.930 –> 00:22:01.050 Mike Ogletree: i’m not gonna break it down for you, you can have the rest of the.

00:22:03.030 –> 00:22:08.220 Joseph McElroy: POPs is right in the middle of the town it’s right across from the festival grounds right.

00:22:08.580 –> 00:22:11.490 Mike Ogletree: Correct yeah we’re right right in the middle of town.

00:22:11.610 –> 00:22:19.380 Joseph McElroy: And the festival grounds, if you go there for one of the festival POPs is a great place to stop off it’s a classic roadside place now has pretty famous and.

00:22:19.560 –> 00:22:21.360 Mike Ogletree: Real hot coffee, you know.

00:22:21.660 –> 00:22:22.200 Joseph McElroy: Real hot.

00:22:23.280 –> 00:22:29.610 Joseph McElroy: butts on the creek is more towards the entrance to the town from coming from the wayne’s will side right.

00:22:29.640 –> 00:22:30.060 Mike Ogletree: Right.

00:22:30.420 –> 00:22:37.170 Joseph McElroy: I think it’s it’s a cool place because I went out when you go in, there you go to drive basically driving off the side of a cliff.

00:22:41.370 –> 00:22:41.850 Joseph McElroy: Should.

00:22:41.910 –> 00:22:44.070 Joseph McElroy: Real fast down and read.

00:22:44.280 –> 00:22:48.690 Joseph McElroy: It again okay you’re back and forth method to get that little pocket park last many.

00:22:49.710 –> 00:22:53.640 Joseph McElroy: Years there’s This basically it’s it’s essentially just a giant shack right.

00:22:54.180 –> 00:23:05.160 Mike Ogletree: yeah actually you know it’s a metal building that they they made into a cabin structure of it is metal and they just put whatever.

00:23:05.220 –> 00:23:06.570 Joseph McElroy: It is looks like a giant.

00:23:06.570 –> 00:23:07.260 Joseph McElroy: shack right.

00:23:07.350 –> 00:23:07.740 Mike Ogletree: yeah.

00:23:07.830 –> 00:23:13.260 Joseph McElroy: it’s got all these it’s got like these long Porches the screened in essentially.

00:23:13.320 –> 00:23:16.200 Joseph McElroy: Correct right they go right over the creek right yeah.

00:23:16.230 –> 00:23:16.800 Mike Ogletree: We just.

00:23:18.000 –> 00:23:26.700 Mike Ogletree: kind of insulated that so we can stay open all year round, so yeah they do real well down there they the best brisket around.

00:23:27.540 –> 00:23:29.070 Joseph McElroy: This really yeah and that’s.

00:23:29.730 –> 00:23:31.170 Mike Ogletree: chicken poop or.

00:23:31.710 –> 00:23:32.940 Joseph McElroy: classic roadside.

00:23:33.210 –> 00:23:33.540 Mike Ogletree: Yes.

00:23:34.050 –> 00:23:35.370 Joseph McElroy: Is that is that.

00:23:36.480 –> 00:23:39.180 Joseph McElroy: So so you’ve been in the.

00:23:41.310 –> 00:23:44.850 Joseph McElroy: You say we’re looking at the okay so we’re.

00:23:46.770 –> 00:23:50.790 Joseph McElroy: we’re in that you were in the mountains now and have you been motorcycle in your whole life.

00:23:51.330 –> 00:23:54.480 Mike Ogletree: No, I actually never started riding until I turned.

00:23:54.480 –> 00:23:57.630 Joseph McElroy: 51 now.

00:23:57.630 –> 00:23:59.850 Mike Ogletree: For that I made that.

00:23:59.910 –> 00:24:11.760 Mike Ogletree: You know 20 miles on somebody bike you know, a couple of miles here a couple miles there you know yeah never really road and I when I was 50 some buddies of mine.

00:24:13.170 –> 00:24:18.660 Mike Ogletree: That were ride and matt kept on pushing the man come on man try just hop on my bike though man.

00:24:19.110 –> 00:24:25.980 Mike Ogletree: And I wouldn’t do it wouldn’t do it, and then a buddy of mine another buddy of mine came yeah a little Honda shadow 600.

00:24:26.580 –> 00:24:36.990 Mike Ogletree: He was trying to sell it the money was right, the low mileage bike was right, I little money in my pocket and and now I ride a it’s all seven.

00:24:37.860 –> 00:24:52.290 Mike Ogletree: Suzuki em 109 and love it I love power cruiser you know you can still get those sporty with it, you know what I mean but it’s a big cruiser big 1800 yeah.

00:24:52.350 –> 00:24:55.170 Joseph McElroy: wow now how does your family feel about you doing all that.

00:24:55.320 –> 00:24:58.200 Mike Ogletree: Voters all day long at all my son’s ride.

00:24:58.350 –> 00:25:14.460 Mike Ogletree: That they all right, my one son justin he’s got all his kids are riding dirt bikes and four wheelers and my son now jr he rides with me all the time we go do the Daytona trip with toys are on the air, you know stuff like that.

00:25:14.820 –> 00:25:21.390 Joseph McElroy: We know when I was growing up at the meadowlark my my brother than that you used to have a trail bike that we’d write all through that backyard.

00:25:23.730 –> 00:25:24.450 Mike Ogletree: backyard.

00:25:25.020 –> 00:25:33.600 Joseph McElroy: backyard we do run all over thing you know the bad thing we do is we were sort of bad boys, we would take bb guns and we wear helmets to try to shoot each other.

00:25:37.290 –> 00:25:40.770 Joseph McElroy: You know, when you live in when you go up the mountain sometimes you got to make up funny.

00:25:40.950 –> 00:25:41.310 yeah.

00:25:43.500 –> 00:25:48.510 Joseph McElroy: Before we move to that before we move them out of that metal Arc we had lived up in the mountains.

00:25:49.380 –> 00:25:50.280 Joseph McElroy: We had built some.

00:25:50.310 –> 00:25:54.390 Joseph McElroy: We had built some trails and you know that was sort of the thing to ambush each other.

00:25:54.900 –> 00:25:55.560 Mike Ogletree: Right right.

00:25:56.790 –> 00:26:01.320 Mike Ogletree: It leads to snowball fight, you know because i’m from orange county New York so.

00:26:01.350 –> 00:26:08.700 Mike Ogletree: yeah i’m around no town, you know grew up there, and you know the ice balls there are no snowballs there was ice balls.

00:26:11.490 –> 00:26:14.400 Joseph McElroy: funny you’re sitting down in the middle Arc and i’m sitting up in New York City or.

00:26:17.550 –> 00:26:17.670 Mike Ogletree: A.

00:26:20.490 –> 00:26:22.080 Mike Ogletree: Small dog Joseph.

00:26:23.490 –> 00:26:28.080 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know different appear right now, you can’t get you can’t get out as much as you can down there I keep.

00:26:28.080 –> 00:26:28.470 writing.

00:26:29.610 –> 00:26:33.120 Joseph McElroy: But you know if you come to go down you got come back you got a quantity for two weeks.

00:26:33.150 –> 00:26:38.220 Mike Ogletree: yeah I know I since I saw you last I found that I had.

00:26:39.300 –> 00:26:40.740 Mike Ogletree: set a twin daughters.

00:26:41.160 –> 00:26:57.210 Mike Ogletree: yeah 51 years old 10 grandchildren 13 great grandchildren great grandchildren and they live on the island, you know, and they want to come back and forth, and so our trump does you know, trying to quarantine and all that you know.

00:26:57.600 –> 00:27:01.470 Mike Ogletree: But I can’t wait to meet all these his family man, I feel blessed.

00:27:01.770 –> 00:27:06.210 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know i’m 59 years old and I got to I got a two year old twins.

00:27:09.300 –> 00:27:10.290 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness.

00:27:12.540 –> 00:27:14.130 Joseph McElroy: they’re rocking the House right now.

00:27:17.040 –> 00:27:20.910 Joseph McElroy: I need that four acre backyard, let them do the run around delete them, so I.

00:27:23.670 –> 00:27:26.490 Mike Ogletree: Raised my boys up in small town America.

00:27:26.610 –> 00:27:36.780 Mike Ogletree: yeah heck with this city small town America running adwords get out the House go play get tired, because when it’s bedtime I want to go to bed.

00:27:37.590 –> 00:27:43.470 Joseph McElroy: Thinking about walking down the street down the sidewalk with them and have them when there’s a rat come out of a garbage can say.

00:27:48.840 –> 00:27:49.830 Joseph McElroy: I don’t think my walk.

00:27:49.920 –> 00:27:51.390 Joseph McElroy: My wife, let me do that.

00:27:59.070 –> 00:28:07.830 Joseph McElroy: Alright, well, we come back we’ll talk a little bit more about the the writing the smoky mountains and then we’ll get into a little bit of some of the places to go up there all right well.

00:28:08.190 –> 00:28:09.000 Mike Ogletree: For sure.

00:30:31.500 –> 00:30:48.630 Joseph McElroy: howdy, this is a Joseph McElroy back with gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest POPs Hamilton from Maggie valley in the POPs place spectacular Barbecue and biscuit place are you doing box.

00:30:50.730 –> 00:30:52.680 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah hit the unmute button.

00:31:13.980 –> 00:31:24.600 Joseph McElroy: bike down and you write it in the mountain ways of the smoky mountains i’ve heard it the smoky mountains has some of the best motorcycle trails in the USA is that true.

00:31:24.900 –> 00:31:41.790 Mike Ogletree: that’s very true and they’re all over and even you know just back roads to different towns, you know you can make so many different loops goes so many different ways and they’re all just spectacular you know the sites are amazing.

00:31:42.150 –> 00:31:42.360 Web.

00:31:44.250 –> 00:31:45.300 Joseph McElroy: Sites, the.

00:31:46.800 –> 00:31:53.310 Mike Ogletree: yeah you know between your waterfalls you know amazing homes, the rivers.

00:31:54.480 –> 00:32:14.160 Mike Ogletree: You know it’s just amazing here, I really love to hear I think it’s one of the best places to be had a little time, when I was a kid out in Colorado and you know living in a Canyon so it was you know being here, where you can do those kinds of things it’s just amazing I ride the.

00:32:15.390 –> 00:32:27.630 Mike Ogletree: Did the tail on the dragon a couple of times my youngest son and I took the bikes went over into Tennessee that way to do some research on my dad he was born over there and sweet water area.

00:32:30.210 –> 00:32:41.130 Mike Ogletree: The curves are amazing I mean just amazing now if you, if you like, to ride that don’t like curves, then you don’t need to ride in the mountains, but if you love Curry.

00:32:41.880 –> 00:32:43.770 Mike Ogletree: And you need come to the mountains in right.

00:32:45.930 –> 00:32:51.330 Joseph McElroy: that’s pretty good now, what are the what are some of the what are some of the safety issues when people riding in the people.

00:32:51.510 –> 00:33:03.870 Mike Ogletree: The people stop the one problem with with like the Taylor dragon because it’s so world famous you know you got people that come from all over the place to ride that.

00:33:04.890 –> 00:33:23.310 Mike Ogletree: And you have a lot of the people like myself that are cruising along you know we’re getting good speed, but we’re just kind of cruising along and then you got the younger guys and some of the older guys on the the Jacobites which I have a cat bye bye this sports bikes they.

00:33:24.450 –> 00:33:37.440 Mike Ogletree: They right so fast that you know they’re upon you, and you know you’re in a curve, and you know you hear uncommon but by the time you hear him their past you’re ready and so there’s some dangers there you know.

00:33:38.370 –> 00:33:48.900 Mike Ogletree: You have to definitely watch out for the wildlife, you know we have out there, you know all kinds of wild animals that you kind of have to look out for.

00:33:49.980 –> 00:33:54.720 Mike Ogletree: and other than that man it’s just you know, common sense kind of things you know.

00:33:55.140 –> 00:34:00.000 Joseph McElroy: Is there a lot of holes and you know rocks and tree limbs, and things like that.

00:34:00.000 –> 00:34:09.810 Mike Ogletree: not really the roads here really pretty good I mean you know every once in a while you run into something, but for the most part the relative pretty good.

00:34:10.470 –> 00:34:22.650 Mike Ogletree: that’s not kind of you know we don’t get the freeze that you all get up knowledge, so you know the roads they’ll get tutorial quite as much plus they don’t, let us quite as much as the Rose you know around major cities.

00:34:23.850 –> 00:34:30.300 Joseph McElroy: And when you’re when you’re stopping it places and maybe you stayed overnight, you have to worry too much about the very or vandalism.

00:34:30.990 –> 00:34:31.560 Ah.

00:34:32.760 –> 00:34:34.440 Mike Ogletree: I don’t you know because.

00:34:35.670 –> 00:34:42.120 Mike Ogletree: We are lock our bikes down we kind of keep them all together, and you know.

00:34:43.170 –> 00:34:46.080 Mike Ogletree: I try not to worry about those things because.

00:34:47.280 –> 00:34:49.500 Mike Ogletree: I want to enjoy my ride and.

00:34:50.700 –> 00:35:01.530 Mike Ogletree: You know, there are themes everywhere, we all know that you just have to be kind of cautious, you know you wouldn’t want to leave your bike in the dark corner somewhere, you know what I mean.

00:35:03.330 –> 00:35:14.160 Mike Ogletree: stuff like that, but other than that I don’t worry about that I stopped worrying about things quite a long time ago, put a smile on my face finally.

00:35:16.260 –> 00:35:21.450 Mike Ogletree: As evie evie worry about every little thing like that you can get out there and ride and really enjoys.

00:35:21.540 –> 00:35:25.170 Joseph McElroy: Well, a lot of places in the mountains now really motorcycle family are.

00:35:25.830 –> 00:35:28.770 Mike Ogletree: All very true very true everywhere.

00:35:30.630 –> 00:35:46.320 Mike Ogletree: That there’s so many motorcycles here during the season, I can have couldn’t fathom the shoe number but i’m in just thousands and thousands 10s of thousands of motorcycles.

00:35:46.680 –> 00:35:58.920 Mike Ogletree: You know the revenue that they bring to the western North Carolina is unbelievable I get people from Canada California Washington, you know Texas.

00:35:59.610 –> 00:36:19.380 Mike Ogletree: You know all brought to the a lot of people brought from abroad, you know kind of here, and right now, I think it was his first or second year we were open we had about 10 guys that staying at the hotel narrow Russians that came in rented bikes in road.

00:36:20.310 –> 00:36:26.550 Mike Ogletree: You know, of course, they didn’t ship their own bikes over here but they’re all like rock road and bake harley’s you know.

00:36:27.150 –> 00:36:31.800 Joseph McElroy: Well, the Maggie belly festival grounds, a yearly host a bunch of motorcycle and car rallies.

00:36:31.860 –> 00:36:46.230 Mike Ogletree: And car rides and they really do the Chamber has worked really hard to build these festivals up for the town, you know, actually, you know, being a restaurant owner i’m very thankful to the.

00:36:46.650 –> 00:36:57.480 Joseph McElroy: people listening should be a look up the Maggie valley festival grounds, they can also look up the haywood county festival grounds right they have big rallies out and in the gatlinburg area.

00:36:57.600 –> 00:36:59.520 Mike Ogletree: Gallagher cherokee yeah.

00:37:00.090 –> 00:37:00.900 Mike Ogletree: yeah yeah.

00:37:00.960 –> 00:37:09.030 Joseph McElroy: So I mean it’s a whole lifestyle out here in the mountains, to get the on road road life is really sort of an important aspect, and it always has been, even.

00:37:09.120 –> 00:37:10.140 Mike Ogletree: Yes, yes.

00:37:10.200 –> 00:37:24.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah it was a you know there’s a lot of these roadside motels you know the metal Arc is a classic roadside motel and as part of a road culture, so it still is a real culture, you know but it’s got a real outdoors he adventurous spirit.

00:37:24.660 –> 00:37:33.030 Mike Ogletree: Yes, yes, yes I enjoy coming down there and join our working with he doing the food last year.

00:37:34.260 –> 00:37:44.670 Mike Ogletree: On on the weekends, you know serving the bbq was that was that was really That was good for y’all that for me in the people love itself that was really good that time.

00:37:46.170 –> 00:37:52.560 Joseph McElroy: So I decided to take the dragon which I understand is considered the world’s premier.

00:37:52.890 –> 00:37:57.150 Joseph McElroy: yeah foremost motorcycling Spartan sports car touring road.

00:37:57.450 –> 00:37:59.550 Joseph McElroy: And what’s that about that’s only like.

00:37:59.640 –> 00:38:01.080 Joseph McElroy: 40 minutes from Maggie right.

00:38:01.140 –> 00:38:02.700 Mike Ogletree: yeah about 40 minutes.

00:38:02.730 –> 00:38:13.530 Joseph McElroy: is pretty there’s so many rides near Maggie and all yes within a haywood county itself, which is the gateway to the smokies yes, a lot of places So what are some of your other favorite ride.

00:38:13.830 –> 00:38:23.040 Mike Ogletree: Well, I, like the diamond back you that comprehend Lou you got to chair a hollow skyway I tell you story about that.

00:38:25.320 –> 00:38:33.270 Mike Ogletree: Six years ago but yeah I don’t think I have the restaurant know so maybe even seven years ago we were.

00:38:34.140 –> 00:38:43.380 Mike Ogletree: Planned our first ride for the season I long to little club called GT riders good time riders were social club.

00:38:43.830 –> 00:38:51.660 Mike Ogletree: You do fundraising and stuff and then put it all back out into the Community all the toys and such but anyway, we are.

00:38:52.410 –> 00:38:58.050 Mike Ogletree: Always my first ride at a year, I had, I had a bad tire, and so I had to order a tie or bad.

00:38:58.800 –> 00:39:16.890 Mike Ogletree: On there and finally got it on and the guy said man called me said hey we’re gonna run on Saturday and we’re going to do the chair a hollow skyline and I said okay that sounds like a good run well, we did about 300 miles that day.

00:39:17.190 –> 00:39:20.310 Mike Ogletree: Oh yeah and the knoxville them back.

00:39:21.660 –> 00:39:25.080 Mike Ogletree: And I slept for three days after the.

00:39:27.300 –> 00:39:27.690 Mike Ogletree: War.

00:39:30.540 –> 00:39:36.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah they can they have these segments so they’re like lots of segments, and you keep going on segments and segments.

00:39:36.270 –> 00:39:42.570 Joseph McElroy: Yes, easy to get out to take all this road through all the mountains and then end up on the interstate and then come back on the interstate pretty.

00:39:42.570 –> 00:39:43.500 Joseph McElroy: Yes, right.

00:39:43.530 –> 00:39:46.020 Joseph McElroy: Exactly the same finish off the day with a fast quick.

00:39:46.710 –> 00:39:56.250 Mike Ogletree: Fair right right, you can get on the fly what was like 730 and it’s getting ragged dark you know you’re still 200 miles away from home.

00:39:57.690 –> 00:40:04.350 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s a there’s a there’s a good ride he goes about past a bunch of the waterfalls like 678 waterfalls.

00:40:04.650 –> 00:40:05.220 Oh yeah.

00:40:06.270 –> 00:40:08.250 Mike Ogletree: I love that I go up to.

00:40:09.510 –> 00:40:20.580 Mike Ogletree: You know, to 70 cents go up to the parkway and then down into before whitewater falls and then slide and rock is beautiful place to stop.

00:40:21.840 –> 00:40:25.200 Joseph McElroy: And you can go up into a cat lucci valley and cbl can see.

00:40:26.370 –> 00:40:28.620 Joseph McElroy: See all that deep Park Area.

00:40:28.830 –> 00:40:31.590 Joseph McElroy: Yes, you now to get out and come back down through cherokee.

00:40:31.590 –> 00:40:32.370 Mike Ogletree: Right yes.

00:40:32.430 –> 00:40:33.090 Mike Ogletree: that’s right.

00:40:33.510 –> 00:40:35.610 Joseph McElroy: that’s all that’s all mountain real mountain.

00:40:36.000 –> 00:40:36.750 Joseph McElroy: Real now.

00:40:36.780 –> 00:40:37.890 Joseph McElroy: that’s real mountain.

00:40:39.990 –> 00:40:40.710 Joseph McElroy: Real mountain.

00:40:40.980 –> 00:40:41.370 yeah.

00:40:43.350 –> 00:40:53.160 Mike Ogletree: I I kind of take it easy drive riding you know I guess I lost all the young boy stuff because I didn’t start right until I was older.

00:40:53.490 –> 00:40:53.940 Mike Ogletree: I like.

00:40:54.510 –> 00:40:56.370 Mike Ogletree: I like these old bones so.

00:40:56.370 –> 00:41:02.100 Mike Ogletree: yeah my son’s got a K to 1200 and every day right.

00:41:03.150 –> 00:41:07.260 Mike Ogletree: he’ll go I said just go ahead i’ll catch you go.

00:41:11.070 –> 00:41:14.310 Joseph McElroy: What is that right, it goes out to hot springs that’s another good right.

00:41:14.370 –> 00:41:15.330 Mike Ogletree: yeah that’s the.

00:41:16.950 –> 00:41:19.980 Mike Ogletree: To do to do diamond back yeah.

00:41:21.960 –> 00:41:29.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s a good one because it goes it goes over these really Curry mountain roads and then comes into hot springs ring go and jump in a.

00:41:29.370 –> 00:41:34.710 Joseph McElroy: Hot spring cross lines yeah yeah, then you go to asheville and get the actual experience and you come.

00:41:34.710 –> 00:41:34.980 Mike Ogletree: back.

00:41:35.610 –> 00:41:37.620 Joseph McElroy: to your place whenever you’re staying that’s a good one.

00:41:38.010 –> 00:41:39.240 Mike Ogletree: Yes, very good one.

00:41:39.570 –> 00:41:51.930 Joseph McElroy: people listening, you can go to various websites a smoky smokies adventure calm has information about motorcycle trails instead of the middle Arc motel calm has a list of great trails yeah um is.

00:41:53.580 –> 00:42:02.460 Joseph McElroy: Is is that there is there any other adventures with motorcycling that you recommend to do in the mountains here.

00:42:02.520 –> 00:42:13.620 Mike Ogletree: Well, I tell you if you if you come to Maggie and you’re a motorcyclist and you need to go through a wheel dale’s wheel through time right behind your motel here.

00:42:13.650 –> 00:42:23.550 Mike Ogletree: yeah they are, they have some of the most unique motorcycles in the world, one of a kind motorcycles and there’s so.

00:42:26.310 –> 00:42:37.380 Mike Ogletree: informative about everything, I mean every thing that they have on display motorcycle car everything runs there’s not.

00:42:37.380 –> 00:42:40.260 Joseph McElroy: One thing it’s a huge facility, I think it’s got.

00:42:40.650 –> 00:42:45.360 Joseph McElroy: I think when they came here they had $22 million worth of inventory I don’t know what it is now.

00:42:45.420 –> 00:42:47.190 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.

00:42:47.460 –> 00:42:52.440 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then they have shows during this during the warmer months, which are pretty cool.

00:42:52.710 –> 00:42:56.310 Joseph McElroy: Even towards like they have a certain that ride of death for a bunch I.

00:42:56.310 –> 00:42:58.740 Mike Ogletree: have my my buddy Charlie does that man.

00:42:58.740 –> 00:43:11.250 Mike Ogletree: it’s amazing it’s amazing i’m like no way you know I mean, I understand that you know as long as you keep that throttle up you’ll be all right, but that’s all right, I let them do that great to see, though.

00:43:11.580 –> 00:43:12.630 Mike Ogletree: yeah just.

00:43:13.530 –> 00:43:16.320 Joseph McElroy: Support pop has been well i’m glad to have you here.

00:43:17.340 –> 00:43:20.370 Joseph McElroy: This has been a wonderful conversation i’m it might come down and just a minute.

00:43:21.720 –> 00:43:22.020 Joseph McElroy: But.

00:43:22.200 –> 00:43:27.180 Joseph McElroy: it’s been a wonderful conversations there any any any website, you want to give for people to reach out to you.

00:43:27.600 –> 00:43:41.820 Mike Ogletree: um I actually have might get re put me up a new website, because I just closed down the old website, but he’s gonna re put up a new one, so soon as I do that then i’ll come back and visit with you.

00:43:42.930 –> 00:43:43.920 Mike Ogletree: With that out there.

00:43:44.130 –> 00:43:45.600 Joseph McElroy: You have a Facebook page or anything.

00:43:45.900 –> 00:43:48.900 Mike Ogletree: I do have Facebook on my Facebook, is a.

00:43:50.850 –> 00:43:53.310 Mike Ogletree: Valjean Hamilton at a.

00:43:54.450 –> 00:44:05.370 Mike Ogletree: lousy in Hamilton it’s just one of my name, and then we have one for the POPs place also a Facebook page, which was a pop space biscuits burgers and bbq.

00:44:05.670 –> 00:44:06.510 Joseph McElroy: There you go.

00:44:06.960 –> 00:44:08.790 Mike Ogletree: check it out thanks for reminding me.

00:44:09.870 –> 00:44:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Of course butts on the creek also has.

00:44:12.000 –> 00:44:14.100 Mike Ogletree: a bunch on the correct correct correct.

00:44:14.820 –> 00:44:15.030 Joseph McElroy: All right.

00:44:16.110 –> 00:44:16.920 Mike Ogletree: Good around.

00:44:17.010 –> 00:44:20.670 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so we’re heading to a break come back Mike ogletree.

00:44:22.380 –> 00:44:23.310 Joseph McElroy: To get down here will.

00:44:24.870 –> 00:44:25.650 Mike Ogletree: Do yeah.

00:44:26.760 –> 00:44:28.650 Mike Ogletree: All right, thank you, brother, I appreciate you.

00:44:28.650 –> 00:44:28.980 See.

00:44:34.620 –> 00:44:35.160 I see.

00:46:49.980 –> 00:47:09.990 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph mcilroy from from gateway to the smokies podcast i’m here with my guest Michael will treat it as a resident artists at the middle art motel Maggie Valley, is also the former drummer for the band simple minds and several other hit making machines, how you doing like.

00:47:10.290 –> 00:47:13.380 Mike Ogletree: Good good Thank you i’m doing very well thanks.

00:47:13.410 –> 00:47:17.070 Joseph McElroy: cool so three weeks ago we were here talking about the Scottish influence on.

00:47:17.790 –> 00:47:24.690 Joseph McElroy: Mountain culture, especially with reference music, but we also touched on the fact that there was a poet Robert Robert Burns.

00:47:25.080 –> 00:47:41.730 Joseph McElroy: That was very popular the Scottish Irish settlers that moved into these mountains and he is the subject of a yearly celebration in Scotland and in some places in the mountains, all the Scottish burns dinner, you want to tell us a little bit about that.

00:47:42.690 –> 00:47:47.790 Mike Ogletree: Yes, well thanks a lot for having me back on again, and you know, probably the.

00:47:49.830 –> 00:48:00.240 Mike Ogletree: Return performance, specifically because we’re talking about food we’re talking about Scotland and we’re talking about Scotland honorary.

00:48:01.590 –> 00:48:02.370 Mike Ogletree: portal lori.

00:48:02.880 –> 00:48:05.730 Mike Ogletree: Yes, first, he was yesterday.

00:48:06.210 –> 00:48:28.230 Mike Ogletree: So that that’s why i’m here, because one of the things that he did, one of the poems that he wrote was addressed to a haggis now this guy was a humorous poor he was a bit of every man poor because he will romantic poems he wrote political poems he wrote rebel poems where.

00:48:29.580 –> 00:48:35.160 Mike Ogletree: The origin of his interest in poems was through humor because that’s what we do, back in the day.

00:48:36.120 –> 00:48:46.620 Mike Ogletree: to entertain themselves, they will get around you know all the guys who get around the makeup poems and he became famous because he was really good at making.

00:48:47.400 –> 00:49:06.810 Mike Ogletree: funny stories and funny poems and one of those was a poem that he wrote called the address to a haggis now I hug is, if you don’t know what it is it’s a Scottish dish and it’s made a lamb principally and a few other entries and inner parts organs.

00:49:08.820 –> 00:49:27.870 Mike Ogletree: Of the sheep to it’s not it is one of those dishes a heist to be prepared properly and when it’s appropriate problem is delicious and Scottish people swear by it’s nutritious and fortifying qualities and.

00:49:28.920 –> 00:49:40.950 Mike Ogletree: You know, comparing it to other music, you would get at the time, you know people would talk about these exotic French and Spanish and all these other meals so.

00:49:41.760 –> 00:49:53.610 Mike Ogletree: Barnes being burned wrote a poem extolling the virtues of hygienists and her need Scotsman strong and you know zero.

00:49:54.450 –> 00:50:19.620 Mike Ogletree: Cost scanning the the value of the French argue what fica say these things here which will only be eaten by someone with skinny legs and who would be running across the battlefield all bloody and afraid so just one of these humanists poems that he would like I have been learning it.

00:50:20.460 –> 00:50:24.540 Joseph McElroy: Is I mean yesterday was was robert’s birthday.

00:50:24.750 –> 00:50:26.820 Mike Ogletree: yeah and, yes, the genuine.

00:50:27.300 –> 00:50:44.580 Joseph McElroy: Virtual celebration of it and let people know Maggie Maggie valley are gonna start doing a yearly festival at least tonight and maybe more about the Robert Burns suffer they were twins music and poetry and toasts.

00:50:45.990 –> 00:50:46.800 Joseph McElroy: and food.

00:50:47.640 –> 00:50:49.920 Joseph McElroy: and drink and drink wine and all sorts of.

00:50:49.920 –> 00:51:01.890 Joseph McElroy: whiskey, as long as maybe some Highland games, but we started last year, we did one this year we couldn’t, but we did a virtual one so Mike I would love for you to give the in dialect who that the toaster the highest and.

00:51:01.890 –> 00:51:03.540 Joseph McElroy: celebration Robert Burns day.

00:51:03.870 –> 00:51:19.500 Mike Ogletree: For his address to our hypothesis fear for your honest Swansea face great chieftain other Putin race I bring them all, yet your place pinch train or car.

00:51:20.100 –> 00:51:38.010 Mike Ogletree: We love you buddy worries, as long as much as the gluten train chat via you fill your hobbies like a distant hill yet pen what helped him in the middle, in time, I needed well through your pores that use distilled.

00:51:38.670 –> 00:51:54.240 Mike Ogletree: Like amber beat his knife she was thick layer of depth and cut you up we’re ready select train junior gushing and thrills but like on a day and then or what a glorious.

00:51:56.190 –> 00:51:57.480 Mike Ogletree: Why, he can.

00:52:00.030 –> 00:52:19.350 Mike Ogletree: perform the stretch in style do you tap the hindmost on the drive to all the swell swell Kate spill it out of band like drums the own good nine minutes late right even be sanker homes it’s not all his friends.

00:52:20.640 –> 00:52:39.060 Mike Ogletree: or all your that would store shoe on frequency would not cash spew with perfect scanner looks done wish needed school on foot view on sticker Donna good devil see em always fash as fabulous as without.

00:52:40.260 –> 00:52:49.680 Mike Ogletree: bisping do shank a good whiplash has neba net through bloody flood that a few to gosh oh one fit.

00:52:50.100 –> 00:53:05.910 Mike Ogletree: But my the rustic haggis fed that trembling us three zones his head clap in his wiling Eva bleed he’ll market whistle and legs and arms and hands whipsnade like top chefs so.

00:53:06.690 –> 00:53:16.350 Mike Ogletree: He posts from that man came get a clear understanding that are below Athena oh Scotland winds nice skin can wear them.

00:53:17.370 –> 00:53:24.030 Mike Ogletree: and love them, but if you wish, had great for player geha I guess.

00:53:27.210 –> 00:53:29.220 Joseph McElroy: All right, like that was fantastic.

00:53:30.930 –> 00:53:36.270 Joseph McElroy: You gave that you gave that gave me tremendous credit that was fabulous so.

00:53:37.470 –> 00:53:46.830 Joseph McElroy: Why don’t you give me a shout out to your Facebook page that you want people coming and see you do presentations and other things that you do.

00:53:47.730 –> 00:54:01.770 Mike Ogletree: Black Scotsman that’s it the main, the main thing that i’m doing really is Sunday afternoon fireside concepts which I do every Sunday at three o’clock and that screams to meadowlark motel.

00:54:01.950 –> 00:54:07.440 Mike Ogletree: yeah it means to my website, the black scotsman.com and YouTube and Facebook and all that started.

00:54:08.910 –> 00:54:13.290 Joseph McElroy: about six people out in the room, but it’s a real cozy experience.

00:54:13.560 –> 00:54:13.860 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.

00:54:14.790 –> 00:54:15.810 Mike Ogletree: it’s exclusive.

00:54:16.020 –> 00:54:17.550 Mike Ogletree: And you can stream online.

00:54:17.550 –> 00:54:20.820 Joseph McElroy: yeah before we people who stay could actually come because it’s very limited.

00:54:21.120 –> 00:54:30.480 Joseph McElroy: But you can see streaming online that the middle of the Facebook page for the middle Arc and on his own page at the full back Scotsman spelled with an x instead of SEC.

00:54:32.070 –> 00:54:35.010 Joseph McElroy: All right, or or whatever yeah yeah.

00:54:36.540 –> 00:54:39.420 Joseph McElroy: All right, what’s another thing things, so thank you Mike.

00:54:40.020 –> 00:54:42.390 Joseph McElroy: Thank you for the future few shout outs.

00:54:44.130 –> 00:54:47.640 Joseph McElroy: First of all, everybody i’m part of a network called talk radio.

00:54:48.720 –> 00:55:07.740 Joseph McElroy: Talk radio dot dot talk radio dot nyc and I want to mention that, after this show every Tuesday night is restart is rediscovering New York with Jeff Goodman and it’s a weekly show that showcases New York city’s extraordinary neighborhoods and I recommend it highly.

00:55:09.510 –> 00:55:23.100 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that i’m also part of where traveler magazine, we have developed a section on where traveler which is was established in 1938 has been in motel hotel all over the world, is how as a digital.

00:55:23.490 –> 00:55:30.690 Joseph McElroy: And we’re actually creating the first non city based section called the great smoky mountains so you’re going to wear traveler calm.

00:55:30.960 –> 00:55:37.740 Joseph McElroy: In a great smoky mountains and see we’re developing a section dedicated to tourism and adventures in the smoky mountains.

00:55:38.730 –> 00:55:48.210 Joseph McElroy: I also have a website called smokies adventure smokies plural adventure calm, where we present hiking and.

00:55:48.720 –> 00:56:01.590 Joseph McElroy: outdoor activities and places to go and things to do very specific to the mountains of the of the smokies and it’s a great resource for just finding out what to do and where to go.

00:56:01.920 –> 00:56:06.390 Joseph McElroy: And of course you your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:56:06.840 –> 00:56:11.790 Joseph McElroy: And that’s the middle Arc motel calm, which is smack in the middle of the whole smoky mountain area.

00:56:12.060 –> 00:56:20.580 Joseph McElroy: And it’s very quick to get anywhere, including some of the more urban areas like asheville North Carolina it’s only a half hour away from there it’s close to the.

00:56:21.030 –> 00:56:34.230 Joseph McElroy: To the flight and people in New York, you can get around trip down to two Maggie to asheville Maggie valley area about for about 85 200 bucks right now and for the for the foreseeable future for like.

00:56:35.340 –> 00:56:49.530 Joseph McElroy: legion so it’s it’s quick it’s like a two hour flight or less so you can get down here, so I recommend it and don’t forget to look at this gateway in this product podcast and facebook.com gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:56:50.160 –> 00:56:54.780 Joseph McElroy: And thank you very much and i’ll see you next week to talk to you later bye.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/408923036872274/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/130342949_408956950202216_8440948878211837931_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=grnJ8MxV6DUAX_Quk-C&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6302013F&oh=00_AT8ce_cdhxJ8_qvk6te2AXZ_A6Q-j1_WN-CywKDcOf2yrQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>With guests<strong> Mike Ogletree </strong>and <strong>Val Gene Hamilton...</strong></p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/3htYqVQmwo/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Ancient natural beauty and mountain history. Joseph’s family has had deep roots in the Smokies for almost 200 years. Today Joseph Mcelroy will be discussing the road life in the smokies. The mountains are a popular attraction for sightseeing and exploration with many wonderful roadside restaurants. Yesterday was Robert Burns&#39;s birthday so later a guest will talk about the food that was eaten at that dinner. Bulloch parkway is one of the many sights. There is also the Blue Ridge which runs down the spine of US RT 441. Blue Ridge Parkway was constructed under President Roosevelt&#39;s administration beginning in September 1935. Because it was designated a National Park there were new rules for land. Residents were unable to make commercial developments to their land for use for anything other than agriculture. This would later change to come extent. The Cherokee section opened in the 1950s. The entrance to Blue Ridge begins in Swain County. Cherokee Valley and Blue Ridge Parkway have a lot of places where you can stop and enjoy the scenery.</p><p>Another well-known road is the Road to Nowhere, an unfinished road in Bryson city. The project started when the government took over public and private land to build the Fontana Dam. Locals were assured that they would be reimbursed with a road allowing displaced residents to access family cemeteries. Construction began in the 40s then stalled due to environmental issues. The road to nowhere stops at a tunnel that leads to a trail.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Val Gene Hamilton, also known as Pops. He is the owner of Pops Place, a roadside restaurant in Maggie Valley. Pops in a motorcyclist and an expert in roadside dining. In addition, Pops is also the first African American elected to the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce. Before coming to maggie Valley Pops was living in Florida but a friend in Transylvania County encouraged pops to move and work for him. They worked together for three months before that partnership ended and he has lived in the mountains for 30 years since. By October of 2016, he became the owner of Pops Place. His restaurant is a classic roadside diner. Pops is a biker who didn’t start this until he turned fifty. Buddies of his pushed him to ride. He now owns a Suzuki 109. All of his sons ride motorcycles and his grandsons ride dirt bikes. Pop and Joseph share stories about their childhoods and the antics that they engaged in.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>If you like curves, ride in the mountains. While it is a renowned trail, the problem with the very popular Tail of the Dragon Trail is that many younger people on sports bikes ride so fast that they get too close to other riders. People also need to be cautious of the wildlife while riding. This trail is one of the premiere spots for sports car touring. People come from all over, even abroad. Pops recalls a time when he encountered a Russian tourist that rented bikes and rode the trail. Maggie, Gatlinburg, and Cherokee valley have many festivals for riders. There is a lot of road culture. Diamondback Cherohala Skyway is two trails that Pops recommend. Six years ago with his biking club, the GT Rider, they planned a trip to the Cherohala Skyway. It was their first ride of the year, and pop just replaced a bad tire. He got a call that they would have a run on Saturday. After riding 300 hundred miles, Pops slept for 3 days.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Joined by Mike Ogletree who is here to talk about Robert Burns. One of Burns&#39;s poems was a humorous one called the Address to Haggis. It described the virtues of haggis and how they made the Scotts strong. Mike recites this poem.</p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h4>TRANSCRIPT</h4><p>00:00:36.480 –&gt; 00:00:52.200 Joseph McElroy: howdy thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the smokies podcast this podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountains national park and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:53.250 –&gt; 00:01:04.170 Joseph McElroy: This area’s filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:05.340 –&gt; 00:01:22.260 Joseph McElroy: Now I’m Joseph Franklin McElroy man of the world, but also a deep roots in these mountains My family has lived in the great smokies for over 200 years, so they weren’t cold great scope smokies back then I don’t think they might have been, but I don’t know.</p><p>00:01:23.970 –&gt; 00:01:25.200 Joseph McElroy: I have to research that now.</p><p>00:01:26.280 –&gt; 00:01:30.090 Joseph McElroy: My business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:31.560 –&gt; 00:01:47.160 Joseph McElroy: Now today we’re going to be talking about road life in the smokies whether you’re going nowhere or somewhere the smokies has great roads to sightsee and experience local culture by auto motorcycle bicycle even horseback.</p><p>00:01:48.960 –&gt; 00:01:55.560 Joseph McElroy: there’s also wonderful roadsides restaurants and attractions, and all these mountains.</p><p>00:01:56.580 –&gt; 00:02:02.760 Joseph McElroy: I will have i’m hoping my guests are trying to log on my guest today will be able to give stories on both.</p><p>00:02:04.500 –&gt; 00:02:06.750 Joseph McElroy: And not we’ll talk about this.</p><p>00:02:08.280 –&gt; 00:02:12.840 Joseph McElroy: And then I want you to hang on to the end and we’ll we’re going to talk about a holiday yesterday.</p><p>00:02:13.410 –&gt; 00:02:22.290 Joseph McElroy: called the Robert Burns day that some people in the smoky mountains Gus celebrate because he was a he was a popular post of the original Scottish Irish settlers.</p><p>00:02:22.890 –&gt; 00:02:40.260 Joseph McElroy: And we’re going to specifically, since this is talking about food as part of our program talk about the food eat at that traditional dinner Mike ogletree my guest, a few weeks ago will also give us a rarity live recitation of a dialect for the toast to the haggis.</p><p>00:02:44.160 –&gt; 00:02:45.480 Joseph McElroy: So I want to talk about.</p><p>00:02:47.730 –&gt; 00:02:49.200 Joseph McElroy: The road somewhere.</p><p>00:02:53.490 –&gt; 00:03:06.090 Joseph McElroy: Ridge parkway which is america’s longest longest linear park runs for 469 miles wicking the shenandoah National Park, to the great smokies National Park.</p><p>00:03:07.380 –&gt; 00:03:14.430 Joseph McElroy: It runs mostly along the spine of the blue Ridge, a major mountain Ridge chain that’s part of the appalachian mountains.</p><p>00:03:16.350 –&gt; 00:03:30.240 Joseph McElroy: It ends us route for one which is on the boundary between the great smoky mountains national park and the cherokee Indian reservation in North Carolina now route 4441 will probably talk about.</p><p>00:03:30.570 –&gt; 00:03:38.400 Joseph McElroy: either today or some other day it’s important port road in the great smoky mountains in the road life that you might enjoy there.</p><p>00:03:41.100 –&gt; 00:03:41.460 Joseph McElroy: And it.</p><p>00:03:42.930 –&gt; 00:03:46.740 Joseph McElroy: And it’s great the blue Ridge parkway.</p><p>00:03:47.820 –&gt; 00:03:54.300 Joseph McElroy: Which is that road to somewhere little bit bigger and during the administration of President Franklin D Roosevelt.</p><p>00:03:55.980 –&gt; 00:04:01.170 Joseph McElroy: prepared project was originally called the appalachian state and.</p><p>00:04:03.360 –&gt; 00:04:09.570 Joseph McElroy: The appalachian state scenic highway and work began on September 11 1935.</p><p>00:04:13.350 –&gt; 00:04:15.900 Joseph McElroy: It is it was it was started in.</p><p>00:04:17.220 –&gt; 00:04:34.800 Joseph McElroy: is starting to your Cumberland knob in North Carolina and then construction began in Virginia, the following February, then in June 30 1936 Congress formally authorized the project has been Ridge parkway and placed it on the jurisdiction.</p><p>00:04:36.300 –&gt; 00:04:37.950 Joseph McElroy: Of the National Park service.</p><p>00:04:40.620 –&gt; 00:04:41.730 Joseph McElroy: The National Park.</p><p>00:04:44.880 –&gt; 00:04:46.530 Joseph McElroy: The park right construction created.</p><p>00:04:47.730 –&gt; 00:04:55.800 Joseph McElroy: Jobs and the regime, but also displace many residents and create a new rules and regulations for landowners, including.</p><p>00:04:56.310 –&gt; 00:05:05.070 Joseph McElroy: requirements related to how farmers could transport COP props you imagine that people didn’t have a lot of rules before then started having rules like.</p><p>00:05:05.760 –&gt; 00:05:12.510 Joseph McElroy: They can no longer build on their lands without permission or development land, except for agricultural use.</p><p>00:05:13.080 –&gt; 00:05:24.780 Joseph McElroy: And they were not even used to use this part right for commercial trial, so there was a little bit of upset back in those times, and then the eastern band of the cherokees got it and they were affected by the parkway.</p><p>00:05:25.980 –&gt; 00:05:32.610 Joseph McElroy: It was it was built through their lives and they in from 35 until 40 they resisted given up the right away.</p><p>00:05:33.720 –&gt; 00:05:38.070 Joseph McElroy: Through what’s called the quality boundary we were talking about that someday pretty interesting place.</p><p>00:05:39.480 –&gt; 00:05:46.410 Joseph McElroy: And they were successful in getting more favorable terms from the end they were successful game gaining more favorable terms from the US Government.</p><p>00:05:48.060 –&gt; 00:05:54.810 Joseph McElroy: and, specifically, they got some money and they got to specify the parkway route, but really important for me personally.</p><p>00:05:55.440 –&gt; 00:06:07.980 Joseph McElroy: they’ve acquired the state to build a regular highway through soco valley and that’s the highway refer to us 1919 which goes through Maggie Valley, where I have a motel call him, Mr hotel.</p><p>00:06:10.050 –&gt; 00:06:16.650 Joseph McElroy: And so, then the cherokee Indian leaders participate in the dedication, so when the cherokee sections open the 1950s.</p><p>00:06:18.630 –&gt; 00:06:29.670 Joseph McElroy: The park at the park way begins in swain county cherokee at the entrance to the great smoky mountain national park and it’s a beautiful little drive through all the fall.</p><p>00:06:30.480 –&gt; 00:06:42.480 Joseph McElroy: Sometimes clothes do in the winter due to weather and and you have plenty of time to enjoy the ride because it’s 45 mile per hour drive and now there’s someplace where people get pretty slow.</p><p>00:06:44.910 –&gt; 00:06:50.550 Joseph McElroy: And and and you know there’s not a lot of restrooms and dining spots on the parkway itself so that’s.</p><p>00:06:50.970 –&gt; 00:07:01.200 Joseph McElroy: that’s more from a for a beautiful drive getting from one place to another and a couple of those drives it from one place to another, as well as the cherokee to balsam gap.</p><p>00:07:01.830 –&gt; 00:07:05.400 Joseph McElroy: it’s about a 26 mile for charity, to the ball some gap.</p><p>00:07:06.270 –&gt; 00:07:21.660 Joseph McElroy: Which is just west of North Carolina and I don’t know if you listen last week we were talking about them balsam mountain range and the music group balsam range well, that is true that’s right smack middle in the balsam balsam range mountain range.</p><p>00:07:22.710 –&gt; 00:07:29.400 Joseph McElroy: Where that comes out in your ways always was a pretty nice little tourists down to go visit got a lot of things going on it’s not too far from an EVAL.</p><p>00:07:31.440 –&gt; 00:07:42.840 Joseph McElroy: And you along that route you’ll get to pass the big which overlook or the view of cherokee valley and water water off knob where there’s a visitor information station and a conference Center Center.</p><p>00:07:43.260 –&gt; 00:07:44.250 mike: So i’ll just have to hold it.</p><p>00:07:55.230 –&gt; 00:08:05.400 Joseph McElroy: And it has a spectacular view and there’s a there’s a half mile mile trial to the summit for even better view and, as a nearly 360 degree vantage point are uniquely suited for.</p><p>00:08:06.270 –&gt; 00:08:16.350 Joseph McElroy: For viewing a photographic sunrise and sunset and let me tell you that blue Ridge parkway even see a lot of those really long, this is where those beautiful sunsets.</p><p>00:08:16.740 –&gt; 00:08:29.100 Joseph McElroy: A lot of them are taken from the new blue Ridge parkway because they got a lot of place reading stop and they cleared it out enough that you can just see for miles and miles forever it’s like looking at you know the heavens forever.</p><p>00:08:30.660 –&gt; 00:08:37.920 Joseph McElroy: And another one of those drives it’s pretty good as interim out more about the ball some gap to map pisco.</p><p>00:08:39.120 –&gt; 00:08:54.960 Joseph McElroy: This 35 miles begins just west of waynesville at the muscle get interest, and it goes through several beautiful overlooks, including the Richard Richard Richard Wang ball some overlooked and which is at the highest point on the blue Ridge parkway.</p><p>00:08:56.280 –&gt; 00:09:05.940 Joseph McElroy: So you know, the road to somewhere it goes, all the way up to the Santo Santo valley it’s a beautiful drive it’s a much bigger trip.</p><p>00:09:07.080 –&gt; 00:09:14.160 Joseph McElroy: That, if you want to gauge upon but you know there’s an interesting little trip, you can take and that’s the road to nowhere all right.</p><p>00:09:14.790 –&gt; 00:09:28.380 Joseph McElroy: it’s the nickname of an unfinished six mile stretch of highway that’s it starts in bryson city and it represents and unfulfilled promise by the US Government to a small community and sway and count.</p><p>00:09:29.520 –&gt; 00:09:47.010 Joseph McElroy: started and 30s or 50s when the federal government, the Tennessee valley authority took over 67,000 acres of public and private land and grand sweating counties and it built the Fontana damn creating the Fontana lake and part of the great smoky mountains National Park.</p><p>00:09:49.590 –&gt; 00:10:00.210 Joseph McElroy: In compensation for the land, which had been owned by many families for generations, I mean, these are real folks losing their land again they weren’t all entirely happy about that.</p><p>00:10:00.660 –&gt; 00:10:07.830 Joseph McElroy: The GM government promise to reimburse Wayne county for the loss of the flooded highway two to eight, which would provide access to the area.</p><p>00:10:09.870 –&gt; 00:10:21.690 Joseph McElroy: Another insurance that there’d be a road approximate 30 miles long that would follow the northern shorter like help substitute for the highway allow the displace residence to access their family cemeteries.</p><p>00:10:22.080 –&gt; 00:10:31.320 Joseph McElroy: Now I know growing up my family had we had one and other families, did you have these old cemetery where he buried your family so not been able to get to them would be pretty dramatic.</p><p>00:10:32.850 –&gt; 00:10:40.980 Joseph McElroy: And so, this road was started in the 40s and extended about six miles, but then it stopped in 1969 because environmental issues.</p><p>00:10:42.150 –&gt; 00:10:53.010 Joseph McElroy: And know around the year 2000 Congressman Charlie Patterson is your Jesse Helms got some money, the fall on that road continuing was never completed.</p><p>00:10:55.050 –&gt; 00:11:01.500 Joseph McElroy: And a lot of us do more productive and more construction costs, and it remains us and it remains a sensitive issue.</p><p>00:11:03.090 –&gt; 00:11:08.850 Joseph McElroy: Then is viewed as a broken promise promise but what’s interesting is this broken road to nowhere stops.</p><p>00:11:11.970 –&gt; 00:11:13.080 Joseph McElroy: It stops.</p><p>00:11:14.250 –&gt; 00:11:20.070 Joseph McElroy: At a tunnel all right, and then we walked through that tunnel there’s nothing on the side, but a trail right.</p><p>00:11:21.900 –&gt; 00:11:32.250 Joseph McElroy: So it might be guess they started about three miles outside of the city and it has beautiful abuse upon town lake and the Texas Texas easy river.</p><p>00:11:32.670 –&gt; 00:11:37.530 Joseph McElroy: As well as encounters with woodlands and many small screens and it runs around.</p><p>00:11:38.040 –&gt; 00:11:48.600 Joseph McElroy: That time and then the payment ends after the Channel and you get on the cup you get you get on this what’s called the lake shore trail, and it goes for 35 miles to find time a damn.</p><p>00:11:49.530 –&gt; 00:11:58.050 Joseph McElroy: there’s also some there’s also some other trails along there call the Goldman loop trail loop and the tunnel bypass trail.</p><p>00:11:58.590 –&gt; 00:12:09.510 Joseph McElroy: there’s also old homesteads and builders along these trails and then there’s another trail brands, called the nolan creek trail that leads to the the GS MPs highest peak cleveland’s doll.</p><p>00:12:10.830 –&gt; 00:12:20.220 Joseph McElroy: Which is a really famous landmark in place to go it’s it’s it’s in the great the great smoky mountains National Park it’s the highest peak there and it.</p><p>00:12:20.940 –&gt; 00:12:39.030 Joseph McElroy: it’s a there’s a lot of there’s a lot of hiking trails and go from there as well, so it’s a recommended it’s a recommended a wonderful adventure I think so there’s a couple there’s a couple great drives there that to you, you can do one to know where one to every one of the somewhere.</p><p>00:12:40.110 –&gt; 00:12:54.450 Joseph McElroy: And you know that that drive for 41 that then connects to us 19 that then goes to cherokee and goes through Maggie Valley, it goes by late June Alaska goes through Clyde it goes through canton.</p><p>00:12:54.780 –&gt; 00:13:05.820 Joseph McElroy: Then it picks up the highway for a little while that goes into actual that’s a really nice drive for a road drive to see some things and it’s a pretty low lowland drive that you can do as opposed to.</p><p>00:13:06.960 –&gt; 00:13:19.950 Joseph McElroy: To one over the mountains so anyway, when we get back my guests, I think, are here and we will we will talk about motorcycle rides and food stuffs in the mountains of North Carolina.</p><p>00:15:49.560 –&gt; 00:15:55.200 Joseph McElroy: hey this is Joseph mcilroy back with gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:15:56.250 –&gt; 00:16:14.520 Joseph McElroy: One welcome you all back my guest today or now Dean Hamilton also notice POPs and he’s owner of the famous POPs place roadside restaurant Maggie valley pop is an avid motorcyclist as well as an expert and roadside fine dining.</p><p>00:16:15.630 –&gt; 00:16:26.790 Joseph McElroy: is going to share his experience in the smoky mountains with us also with us as our mutual friend Michael ogletree was a guest on this show three weeks back and who is a resident musician is.</p><p>00:16:26.790 –&gt; 00:16:27.900 Joseph McElroy: In the middle arm.</p><p>00:16:28.440 –&gt; 00:16:38.880 Joseph McElroy: And a former drummer of the band simple minds at the end he’s going to talk about food at the traditional Robert Burns supper which was holiday was yesterday Hello POPs how you doing.</p><p>00:16:39.090 –&gt; 00:16:41.070 Mike Ogletree: i’m doing fine Joseph how are you.</p><p>00:16:41.340 –&gt; 00:16:42.750 Joseph McElroy: I can I call you POPs.</p><p>00:16:42.840 –&gt; 00:16:45.450 Mike Ogletree: You can call me anything but late for dinner, and my friend.</p><p>00:16:47.190 –&gt; 00:16:48.450 Joseph McElroy: how’d you get that nickname.</p><p>00:16:49.170 –&gt; 00:16:58.470 Mike Ogletree: My children started it and you know when they as they got a little older and then all their friends and so on, so forth on most of my friends call me pop.</p><p>00:16:58.800 –&gt; 00:17:00.630 Joseph McElroy: Really what’s a good nickname right.</p><p>00:17:00.660 –&gt; 00:17:01.530 Mike Ogletree: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:17:02.160 –&gt; 00:17:05.820 Joseph McElroy: it’s casual and Chris got gravitas at the same time yeah.</p><p>00:17:07.440 –&gt; 00:17:13.620 Joseph McElroy: I hear I hear graduations in order you just got one elected to the board of the Maggie valley Chamber commerce.</p><p>00:17:13.980 –&gt; 00:17:16.140 Mike Ogletree: Correct correct it’s quite an honor.</p><p>00:17:17.970 –&gt; 00:17:22.440 Mike Ogletree: I love it here at Maggie and so you know i’ve been here like six years so.</p><p>00:17:22.890 –&gt; 00:17:25.590 Joseph McElroy: Are you a long time that we’ve been a Member for a while and.</p><p>00:17:26.040 –&gt; 00:17:30.000 Mike Ogletree: Ever since we opened up this shop we joined the Chamber.</p><p>00:17:30.210 –&gt; 00:17:36.900 Joseph McElroy: yeah well here’s you know it’s a little bit of a milestone because you’re the first African American elected to position and manage right.</p><p>00:17:36.960 –&gt; 00:17:37.560 Mike Ogletree: And all.</p><p>00:17:39.240 –&gt; 00:17:41.160 Joseph McElroy: that’s that’s pretty big statement, I think.</p><p>00:17:41.460 –&gt; 00:17:44.190 Mike Ogletree: accepted it really is yeah yes.</p><p>00:17:44.490 –&gt; 00:17:54.990 Joseph McElroy: yeah well i’m pretty happy that you’re in that position, because I know you’re a great businessman, and you only help build the business and Maggie valley and all the smoky mountains, I think that’s.</p><p>00:17:55.320 –&gt; 00:17:56.100 Mike Ogletree: working for.</p><p>00:17:56.130 –&gt; 00:17:59.580 Joseph McElroy: yeah so tell me how did you end up in North Carolina.</p><p>00:18:00.900 –&gt; 00:18:21.090 Mike Ogletree: I was living in Florida and a buddy of mine had restaurant over in Transylvania county over and Beauvoir that was 1987 and he asked me if I come work for him, so I came he lasted about three months after i’ve been there and i’ve been here over 30 years wow.</p><p>00:18:22.170 –&gt; 00:18:24.120 Joseph McElroy: So mountains become your hometown right.</p><p>00:18:24.210 –&gt; 00:18:25.560 Mike Ogletree: Oh it’s my home yeah.</p><p>00:18:25.800 –&gt; 00:18:28.560 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah you got a sort of a mountain accent there.</p><p>00:18:30.360 –&gt; 00:18:32.700 Mike Ogletree: Is between that New York in that country.</p><p>00:18:36.240 –&gt; 00:18:37.260 Joseph McElroy: Forget about it.</p><p>00:18:39.570 –&gt; 00:18:40.500 Joseph McElroy: Forget about it.</p><p>00:18:44.070 –&gt; 00:18:50.940 Joseph McElroy: Oh that’s pretty cool so so you you’re working in the restaurant business and for bard and then moved on to other restaurants, I assume.</p><p>00:18:50.940 –&gt; 00:18:58.710 Mike Ogletree: yeah I am that place ended up they sold it out and I ended up working out like tops were country club.</p><p>00:18:59.940 –&gt; 00:19:06.600 Mike Ogletree: For about five or six years I left there and went to micah’s in sapphire and.</p><p>00:19:07.740 –&gt; 00:19:16.260 Mike Ogletree: Then got a job down here in our silver and then I live in cherokee for 20 years in.</p><p>00:19:17.610 –&gt; 00:19:21.180 Mike Ogletree: Between bryson and here for the last 10 years or so.</p><p>00:19:21.660 –&gt; 00:19:27.600 Joseph McElroy: cool that’s pretty good, so the us open up this restaurant six six years ago and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:19:28.140 –&gt; 00:19:30.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah how did that come about and tell us about.</p><p>00:19:30.330 –&gt; 00:19:32.970 Mike Ogletree: tell us a little bit well, I was, I was actually.</p><p>00:19:34.050 –&gt; 00:19:42.870 Mike Ogletree: out on disability and my son came to me, and he said pop let’s go check out this restaurant, I was like man I ain’t trying to go back to.</p><p>00:19:44.340 –&gt; 00:19:57.660 Mike Ogletree: i’m done with work, you know and so he went and checked it out and the rent was right there locations perfect place a little small, but we do pretty well and.</p><p>00:19:58.440 –&gt; 00:20:16.860 Mike Ogletree: So we started it and he and I lasted together about a year and a half, and then I took it over and October of 16 and just last year he opened up POPs butts on the creek right down the road, a little bit BA ma and.</p><p>00:20:18.180 –&gt; 00:20:22.710 Mike Ogletree: So that’s going strong so actually the family has to as props and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:20:23.070 –&gt; 00:20:24.300 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s pretty impressive.</p><p>00:20:24.870 –&gt; 00:20:30.510 Joseph McElroy: yeah so your your restaurant is sort of a classic roadside would you call it a diner.</p><p>00:20:30.840 –&gt; 00:20:32.100 Joseph McElroy: Correct yeah.</p><p>00:20:32.490 –&gt; 00:20:35.760 Mike Ogletree: yeah yeah you know you’re you’re you’re omelets.</p><p>00:20:37.080 –&gt; 00:20:46.230 Mike Ogletree: eggs anyway, you want on pancakes waffles shrimp and grits like you’re never going anywhere in your life guarantee.</p><p>00:20:47.760 –&gt; 00:20:49.500 Joseph McElroy: yeah I have a shrimp and grits and.</p><p>00:20:50.640 –&gt; 00:20:52.440 Joseph McElroy: biscuits and gravy are pretty famous are.</p><p>00:20:52.740 –&gt; 00:21:05.640 Mike Ogletree: They are yes, Sir, yes biscuits every day for us gravy you know I use good products, you know I try to use good products and we love what we do so, it comes out in the food.</p><p>00:21:08.310 –&gt; 00:21:12.330 Joseph McElroy: You have any of any of those traditional mountain foods like red I gravy or.</p><p>00:21:12.630 –&gt; 00:21:13.920 Mike Ogletree: Not, no, no.</p><p>00:21:14.730 –&gt; 00:21:16.830 Mike Ogletree: I didn’t have yellow stone ground grits.</p><p>00:21:17.310 –&gt; 00:21:19.020 Joseph McElroy: Just on the ground it’s there you go.</p><p>00:21:20.580 –&gt; 00:21:24.690 Mike Ogletree: I had to bring my little my New York player down with my with my nails you know.</p><p>00:21:25.710 –&gt; 00:21:26.130 Mike Ogletree: and</p><p>00:21:27.180 –&gt; 00:21:31.890 Mike Ogletree: You know, we come from a family of bunch of cooks cooks.</p><p>00:21:32.100 –&gt; 00:21:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Well that’s right.</p><p>00:21:33.720 –&gt; 00:21:40.170 Joseph McElroy: Well, I know that whenever i’m whenever i’m Maggie I I stopped by your place if I can we go get a breakfast.</p><p>00:21:40.440 –&gt; 00:21:44.100 Joseph McElroy: I know it’s it’s those biscuits are really good.</p><p>00:21:46.860 –&gt; 00:21:55.320 Mike Ogletree: To say, can you give me the recipe for them biscuits I said, surely, but you gotta realize, you have to make like 60 this is that time.</p><p>00:21:55.590 –&gt; 00:21:55.920 yeah.</p><p>00:21:57.930 –&gt; 00:22:01.050 Mike Ogletree: i’m not gonna break it down for you, you can have the rest of the.</p><p>00:22:03.030 –&gt; 00:22:08.220 Joseph McElroy: POPs is right in the middle of the town it’s right across from the festival grounds right.</p><p>00:22:08.580 –&gt; 00:22:11.490 Mike Ogletree: Correct yeah we’re right right in the middle of town.</p><p>00:22:11.610 –&gt; 00:22:19.380 Joseph McElroy: And the festival grounds, if you go there for one of the festival POPs is a great place to stop off it’s a classic roadside place now has pretty famous and.</p><p>00:22:19.560 –&gt; 00:22:21.360 Mike Ogletree: Real hot coffee, you know.</p><p>00:22:21.660 –&gt; 00:22:22.200 Joseph McElroy: Real hot.</p><p>00:22:23.280 –&gt; 00:22:29.610 Joseph McElroy: butts on the creek is more towards the entrance to the town from coming from the wayne’s will side right.</p><p>00:22:29.640 –&gt; 00:22:30.060 Mike Ogletree: Right.</p><p>00:22:30.420 –&gt; 00:22:37.170 Joseph McElroy: I think it’s it’s a cool place because I went out when you go in, there you go to drive basically driving off the side of a cliff.</p><p>00:22:41.370 –&gt; 00:22:41.850 Joseph McElroy: Should.</p><p>00:22:41.910 –&gt; 00:22:44.070 Joseph McElroy: Real fast down and read.</p><p>00:22:44.280 –&gt; 00:22:48.690 Joseph McElroy: It again okay you’re back and forth method to get that little pocket park last many.</p><p>00:22:49.710 –&gt; 00:22:53.640 Joseph McElroy: Years there’s This basically it’s it’s essentially just a giant shack right.</p><p>00:22:54.180 –&gt; 00:23:05.160 Mike Ogletree: yeah actually you know it’s a metal building that they they made into a cabin structure of it is metal and they just put whatever.</p><p>00:23:05.220 –&gt; 00:23:06.570 Joseph McElroy: It is looks like a giant.</p><p>00:23:06.570 –&gt; 00:23:07.260 Joseph McElroy: shack right.</p><p>00:23:07.350 –&gt; 00:23:07.740 Mike Ogletree: yeah.</p><p>00:23:07.830 –&gt; 00:23:13.260 Joseph McElroy: it’s got all these it’s got like these long Porches the screened in essentially.</p><p>00:23:13.320 –&gt; 00:23:16.200 Joseph McElroy: Correct right they go right over the creek right yeah.</p><p>00:23:16.230 –&gt; 00:23:16.800 Mike Ogletree: We just.</p><p>00:23:18.000 –&gt; 00:23:26.700 Mike Ogletree: kind of insulated that so we can stay open all year round, so yeah they do real well down there they the best brisket around.</p><p>00:23:27.540 –&gt; 00:23:29.070 Joseph McElroy: This really yeah and that’s.</p><p>00:23:29.730 –&gt; 00:23:31.170 Mike Ogletree: chicken poop or.</p><p>00:23:31.710 –&gt; 00:23:32.940 Joseph McElroy: classic roadside.</p><p>00:23:33.210 –&gt; 00:23:33.540 Mike Ogletree: Yes.</p><p>00:23:34.050 –&gt; 00:23:35.370 Joseph McElroy: Is that is that.</p><p>00:23:36.480 –&gt; 00:23:39.180 Joseph McElroy: So so you’ve been in the.</p><p>00:23:41.310 –&gt; 00:23:44.850 Joseph McElroy: You say we’re looking at the okay so we’re.</p><p>00:23:46.770 –&gt; 00:23:50.790 Joseph McElroy: we’re in that you were in the mountains now and have you been motorcycle in your whole life.</p><p>00:23:51.330 –&gt; 00:23:54.480 Mike Ogletree: No, I actually never started riding until I turned.</p><p>00:23:54.480 –&gt; 00:23:57.630 Joseph McElroy: 51 now.</p><p>00:23:57.630 –&gt; 00:23:59.850 Mike Ogletree: For that I made that.</p><p>00:23:59.910 –&gt; 00:24:11.760 Mike Ogletree: You know 20 miles on somebody bike you know, a couple of miles here a couple miles there you know yeah never really road and I when I was 50 some buddies of mine.</p><p>00:24:13.170 –&gt; 00:24:18.660 Mike Ogletree: That were ride and matt kept on pushing the man come on man try just hop on my bike though man.</p><p>00:24:19.110 –&gt; 00:24:25.980 Mike Ogletree: And I wouldn’t do it wouldn’t do it, and then a buddy of mine another buddy of mine came yeah a little Honda shadow 600.</p><p>00:24:26.580 –&gt; 00:24:36.990 Mike Ogletree: He was trying to sell it the money was right, the low mileage bike was right, I little money in my pocket and and now I ride a it’s all seven.</p><p>00:24:37.860 –&gt; 00:24:52.290 Mike Ogletree: Suzuki em 109 and love it I love power cruiser you know you can still get those sporty with it, you know what I mean but it’s a big cruiser big 1800 yeah.</p><p>00:24:52.350 –&gt; 00:24:55.170 Joseph McElroy: wow now how does your family feel about you doing all that.</p><p>00:24:55.320 –&gt; 00:24:58.200 Mike Ogletree: Voters all day long at all my son’s ride.</p><p>00:24:58.350 –&gt; 00:25:14.460 Mike Ogletree: That they all right, my one son justin he’s got all his kids are riding dirt bikes and four wheelers and my son now jr he rides with me all the time we go do the Daytona trip with toys are on the air, you know stuff like that.</p><p>00:25:14.820 –&gt; 00:25:21.390 Joseph McElroy: We know when I was growing up at the meadowlark my my brother than that you used to have a trail bike that we’d write all through that backyard.</p><p>00:25:23.730 –&gt; 00:25:24.450 Mike Ogletree: backyard.</p><p>00:25:25.020 –&gt; 00:25:33.600 Joseph McElroy: backyard we do run all over thing you know the bad thing we do is we were sort of bad boys, we would take bb guns and we wear helmets to try to shoot each other.</p><p>00:25:37.290 –&gt; 00:25:40.770 Joseph McElroy: You know, when you live in when you go up the mountain sometimes you got to make up funny.</p><p>00:25:40.950 –&gt; 00:25:41.310 yeah.</p><p>00:25:43.500 –&gt; 00:25:48.510 Joseph McElroy: Before we move to that before we move them out of that metal Arc we had lived up in the mountains.</p><p>00:25:49.380 –&gt; 00:25:50.280 Joseph McElroy: We had built some.</p><p>00:25:50.310 –&gt; 00:25:54.390 Joseph McElroy: We had built some trails and you know that was sort of the thing to ambush each other.</p><p>00:25:54.900 –&gt; 00:25:55.560 Mike Ogletree: Right right.</p><p>00:25:56.790 –&gt; 00:26:01.320 Mike Ogletree: It leads to snowball fight, you know because i’m from orange county New York so.</p><p>00:26:01.350 –&gt; 00:26:08.700 Mike Ogletree: yeah i’m around no town, you know grew up there, and you know the ice balls there are no snowballs there was ice balls.</p><p>00:26:11.490 –&gt; 00:26:14.400 Joseph McElroy: funny you’re sitting down in the middle Arc and i’m sitting up in New York City or.</p><p>00:26:17.550 –&gt; 00:26:17.670 Mike Ogletree: A.</p><p>00:26:20.490 –&gt; 00:26:22.080 Mike Ogletree: Small dog Joseph.</p><p>00:26:23.490 –&gt; 00:26:28.080 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know different appear right now, you can’t get you can’t get out as much as you can down there I keep.</p><p>00:26:28.080 –&gt; 00:26:28.470 writing.</p><p>00:26:29.610 –&gt; 00:26:33.120 Joseph McElroy: But you know if you come to go down you got come back you got a quantity for two weeks.</p><p>00:26:33.150 –&gt; 00:26:38.220 Mike Ogletree: yeah I know I since I saw you last I found that I had.</p><p>00:26:39.300 –&gt; 00:26:40.740 Mike Ogletree: set a twin daughters.</p><p>00:26:41.160 –&gt; 00:26:57.210 Mike Ogletree: yeah 51 years old 10 grandchildren 13 great grandchildren great grandchildren and they live on the island, you know, and they want to come back and forth, and so our trump does you know, trying to quarantine and all that you know.</p><p>00:26:57.600 –&gt; 00:27:01.470 Mike Ogletree: But I can’t wait to meet all these his family man, I feel blessed.</p><p>00:27:01.770 –&gt; 00:27:06.210 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know i’m 59 years old and I got to I got a two year old twins.</p><p>00:27:09.300 –&gt; 00:27:10.290 Joseph McElroy: Oh, my goodness.</p><p>00:27:12.540 –&gt; 00:27:14.130 Joseph McElroy: they’re rocking the House right now.</p><p>00:27:17.040 –&gt; 00:27:20.910 Joseph McElroy: I need that four acre backyard, let them do the run around delete them, so I.</p><p>00:27:23.670 –&gt; 00:27:26.490 Mike Ogletree: Raised my boys up in small town America.</p><p>00:27:26.610 –&gt; 00:27:36.780 Mike Ogletree: yeah heck with this city small town America running adwords get out the House go play get tired, because when it’s bedtime I want to go to bed.</p><p>00:27:37.590 –&gt; 00:27:43.470 Joseph McElroy: Thinking about walking down the street down the sidewalk with them and have them when there’s a rat come out of a garbage can say.</p><p>00:27:48.840 –&gt; 00:27:49.830 Joseph McElroy: I don’t think my walk.</p><p>00:27:49.920 –&gt; 00:27:51.390 Joseph McElroy: My wife, let me do that.</p><p>00:27:59.070 –&gt; 00:28:07.830 Joseph McElroy: Alright, well, we come back we’ll talk a little bit more about the the writing the smoky mountains and then we’ll get into a little bit of some of the places to go up there all right well.</p><p>00:28:08.190 –&gt; 00:28:09.000 Mike Ogletree: For sure.</p><p>00:30:31.500 –&gt; 00:30:48.630 Joseph McElroy: howdy, this is a Joseph McElroy back with gateway to the smokies podcast with my guest POPs Hamilton from Maggie valley in the POPs place spectacular Barbecue and biscuit place are you doing box.</p><p>00:30:50.730 –&gt; 00:30:52.680 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah hit the unmute button.</p><p>00:31:13.980 –&gt; 00:31:24.600 Joseph McElroy: bike down and you write it in the mountain ways of the smoky mountains i’ve heard it the smoky mountains has some of the best motorcycle trails in the USA is that true.</p><p>00:31:24.900 –&gt; 00:31:41.790 Mike Ogletree: that’s very true and they’re all over and even you know just back roads to different towns, you know you can make so many different loops goes so many different ways and they’re all just spectacular you know the sites are amazing.</p><p>00:31:42.150 –&gt; 00:31:42.360 Web.</p><p>00:31:44.250 –&gt; 00:31:45.300 Joseph McElroy: Sites, the.</p><p>00:31:46.800 –&gt; 00:31:53.310 Mike Ogletree: yeah you know between your waterfalls you know amazing homes, the rivers.</p><p>00:31:54.480 –&gt; 00:32:14.160 Mike Ogletree: You know it’s just amazing here, I really love to hear I think it’s one of the best places to be had a little time, when I was a kid out in Colorado and you know living in a Canyon so it was you know being here, where you can do those kinds of things it’s just amazing I ride the.</p><p>00:32:15.390 –&gt; 00:32:27.630 Mike Ogletree: Did the tail on the dragon a couple of times my youngest son and I took the bikes went over into Tennessee that way to do some research on my dad he was born over there and sweet water area.</p><p>00:32:30.210 –&gt; 00:32:41.130 Mike Ogletree: The curves are amazing I mean just amazing now if you, if you like, to ride that don’t like curves, then you don’t need to ride in the mountains, but if you love Curry.</p><p>00:32:41.880 –&gt; 00:32:43.770 Mike Ogletree: And you need come to the mountains in right.</p><p>00:32:45.930 –&gt; 00:32:51.330 Joseph McElroy: that’s pretty good now, what are the what are some of the what are some of the safety issues when people riding in the people.</p><p>00:32:51.510 –&gt; 00:33:03.870 Mike Ogletree: The people stop the one problem with with like the Taylor dragon because it’s so world famous you know you got people that come from all over the place to ride that.</p><p>00:33:04.890 –&gt; 00:33:23.310 Mike Ogletree: And you have a lot of the people like myself that are cruising along you know we’re getting good speed, but we’re just kind of cruising along and then you got the younger guys and some of the older guys on the the Jacobites which I have a cat bye bye this sports bikes they.</p><p>00:33:24.450 –&gt; 00:33:37.440 Mike Ogletree: They right so fast that you know they’re upon you, and you know you’re in a curve, and you know you hear uncommon but by the time you hear him their past you’re ready and so there’s some dangers there you know.</p><p>00:33:38.370 –&gt; 00:33:48.900 Mike Ogletree: You have to definitely watch out for the wildlife, you know we have out there, you know all kinds of wild animals that you kind of have to look out for.</p><p>00:33:49.980 –&gt; 00:33:54.720 Mike Ogletree: and other than that man it’s just you know, common sense kind of things you know.</p><p>00:33:55.140 –&gt; 00:34:00.000 Joseph McElroy: Is there a lot of holes and you know rocks and tree limbs, and things like that.</p><p>00:34:00.000 –&gt; 00:34:09.810 Mike Ogletree: not really the roads here really pretty good I mean you know every once in a while you run into something, but for the most part the relative pretty good.</p><p>00:34:10.470 –&gt; 00:34:22.650 Mike Ogletree: that’s not kind of you know we don’t get the freeze that you all get up knowledge, so you know the roads they’ll get tutorial quite as much plus they don’t, let us quite as much as the Rose you know around major cities.</p><p>00:34:23.850 –&gt; 00:34:30.300 Joseph McElroy: And when you’re when you’re stopping it places and maybe you stayed overnight, you have to worry too much about the very or vandalism.</p><p>00:34:30.990 –&gt; 00:34:31.560 Ah.</p><p>00:34:32.760 –&gt; 00:34:34.440 Mike Ogletree: I don’t you know because.</p><p>00:34:35.670 –&gt; 00:34:42.120 Mike Ogletree: We are lock our bikes down we kind of keep them all together, and you know.</p><p>00:34:43.170 –&gt; 00:34:46.080 Mike Ogletree: I try not to worry about those things because.</p><p>00:34:47.280 –&gt; 00:34:49.500 Mike Ogletree: I want to enjoy my ride and.</p><p>00:34:50.700 –&gt; 00:35:01.530 Mike Ogletree: You know, there are themes everywhere, we all know that you just have to be kind of cautious, you know you wouldn’t want to leave your bike in the dark corner somewhere, you know what I mean.</p><p>00:35:03.330 –&gt; 00:35:14.160 Mike Ogletree: stuff like that, but other than that I don’t worry about that I stopped worrying about things quite a long time ago, put a smile on my face finally.</p><p>00:35:16.260 –&gt; 00:35:21.450 Mike Ogletree: As evie evie worry about every little thing like that you can get out there and ride and really enjoys.</p><p>00:35:21.540 –&gt; 00:35:25.170 Joseph McElroy: Well, a lot of places in the mountains now really motorcycle family are.</p><p>00:35:25.830 –&gt; 00:35:28.770 Mike Ogletree: All very true very true everywhere.</p><p>00:35:30.630 –&gt; 00:35:46.320 Mike Ogletree: That there’s so many motorcycles here during the season, I can have couldn’t fathom the shoe number but i’m in just thousands and thousands 10s of thousands of motorcycles.</p><p>00:35:46.680 –&gt; 00:35:58.920 Mike Ogletree: You know the revenue that they bring to the western North Carolina is unbelievable I get people from Canada California Washington, you know Texas.</p><p>00:35:59.610 –&gt; 00:36:19.380 Mike Ogletree: You know all brought to the a lot of people brought from abroad, you know kind of here, and right now, I think it was his first or second year we were open we had about 10 guys that staying at the hotel narrow Russians that came in rented bikes in road.</p><p>00:36:20.310 –&gt; 00:36:26.550 Mike Ogletree: You know, of course, they didn’t ship their own bikes over here but they’re all like rock road and bake harley’s you know.</p><p>00:36:27.150 –&gt; 00:36:31.800 Joseph McElroy: Well, the Maggie belly festival grounds, a yearly host a bunch of motorcycle and car rallies.</p><p>00:36:31.860 –&gt; 00:36:46.230 Mike Ogletree: And car rides and they really do the Chamber has worked really hard to build these festivals up for the town, you know, actually, you know, being a restaurant owner i’m very thankful to the.</p><p>00:36:46.650 –&gt; 00:36:57.480 Joseph McElroy: people listening should be a look up the Maggie valley festival grounds, they can also look up the haywood county festival grounds right they have big rallies out and in the gatlinburg area.</p><p>00:36:57.600 –&gt; 00:36:59.520 Mike Ogletree: Gallagher cherokee yeah.</p><p>00:37:00.090 –&gt; 00:37:00.900 Mike Ogletree: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:37:00.960 –&gt; 00:37:09.030 Joseph McElroy: So I mean it’s a whole lifestyle out here in the mountains, to get the on road road life is really sort of an important aspect, and it always has been, even.</p><p>00:37:09.120 –&gt; 00:37:10.140 Mike Ogletree: Yes, yes.</p><p>00:37:10.200 –&gt; 00:37:24.450 Joseph McElroy: yeah it was a you know there’s a lot of these roadside motels you know the metal Arc is a classic roadside motel and as part of a road culture, so it still is a real culture, you know but it’s got a real outdoors he adventurous spirit.</p><p>00:37:24.660 –&gt; 00:37:33.030 Mike Ogletree: Yes, yes, yes I enjoy coming down there and join our working with he doing the food last year.</p><p>00:37:34.260 –&gt; 00:37:44.670 Mike Ogletree: On on the weekends, you know serving the bbq was that was that was really That was good for y’all that for me in the people love itself that was really good that time.</p><p>00:37:46.170 –&gt; 00:37:52.560 Joseph McElroy: So I decided to take the dragon which I understand is considered the world’s premier.</p><p>00:37:52.890 –&gt; 00:37:57.150 Joseph McElroy: yeah foremost motorcycling Spartan sports car touring road.</p><p>00:37:57.450 –&gt; 00:37:59.550 Joseph McElroy: And what’s that about that’s only like.</p><p>00:37:59.640 –&gt; 00:38:01.080 Joseph McElroy: 40 minutes from Maggie right.</p><p>00:38:01.140 –&gt; 00:38:02.700 Mike Ogletree: yeah about 40 minutes.</p><p>00:38:02.730 –&gt; 00:38:13.530 Joseph McElroy: is pretty there’s so many rides near Maggie and all yes within a haywood county itself, which is the gateway to the smokies yes, a lot of places So what are some of your other favorite ride.</p><p>00:38:13.830 –&gt; 00:38:23.040 Mike Ogletree: Well, I, like the diamond back you that comprehend Lou you got to chair a hollow skyway I tell you story about that.</p><p>00:38:25.320 –&gt; 00:38:33.270 Mike Ogletree: Six years ago but yeah I don’t think I have the restaurant know so maybe even seven years ago we were.</p><p>00:38:34.140 –&gt; 00:38:43.380 Mike Ogletree: Planned our first ride for the season I long to little club called GT riders good time riders were social club.</p><p>00:38:43.830 –&gt; 00:38:51.660 Mike Ogletree: You do fundraising and stuff and then put it all back out into the Community all the toys and such but anyway, we are.</p><p>00:38:52.410 –&gt; 00:38:58.050 Mike Ogletree: Always my first ride at a year, I had, I had a bad tire, and so I had to order a tie or bad.</p><p>00:38:58.800 –&gt; 00:39:16.890 Mike Ogletree: On there and finally got it on and the guy said man called me said hey we’re gonna run on Saturday and we’re going to do the chair a hollow skyline and I said okay that sounds like a good run well, we did about 300 miles that day.</p><p>00:39:17.190 –&gt; 00:39:20.310 Mike Ogletree: Oh yeah and the knoxville them back.</p><p>00:39:21.660 –&gt; 00:39:25.080 Mike Ogletree: And I slept for three days after the.</p><p>00:39:27.300 –&gt; 00:39:27.690 Mike Ogletree: War.</p><p>00:39:30.540 –&gt; 00:39:36.030 Joseph McElroy: yeah they can they have these segments so they’re like lots of segments, and you keep going on segments and segments.</p><p>00:39:36.270 –&gt; 00:39:42.570 Joseph McElroy: Yes, easy to get out to take all this road through all the mountains and then end up on the interstate and then come back on the interstate pretty.</p><p>00:39:42.570 –&gt; 00:39:43.500 Joseph McElroy: Yes, right.</p><p>00:39:43.530 –&gt; 00:39:46.020 Joseph McElroy: Exactly the same finish off the day with a fast quick.</p><p>00:39:46.710 –&gt; 00:39:56.250 Mike Ogletree: Fair right right, you can get on the fly what was like 730 and it’s getting ragged dark you know you’re still 200 miles away from home.</p><p>00:39:57.690 –&gt; 00:40:04.350 Joseph McElroy: And then there’s a there’s a there’s a good ride he goes about past a bunch of the waterfalls like 678 waterfalls.</p><p>00:40:04.650 –&gt; 00:40:05.220 Oh yeah.</p><p>00:40:06.270 –&gt; 00:40:08.250 Mike Ogletree: I love that I go up to.</p><p>00:40:09.510 –&gt; 00:40:20.580 Mike Ogletree: You know, to 70 cents go up to the parkway and then down into before whitewater falls and then slide and rock is beautiful place to stop.</p><p>00:40:21.840 –&gt; 00:40:25.200 Joseph McElroy: And you can go up into a cat lucci valley and cbl can see.</p><p>00:40:26.370 –&gt; 00:40:28.620 Joseph McElroy: See all that deep Park Area.</p><p>00:40:28.830 –&gt; 00:40:31.590 Joseph McElroy: Yes, you now to get out and come back down through cherokee.</p><p>00:40:31.590 –&gt; 00:40:32.370 Mike Ogletree: Right yes.</p><p>00:40:32.430 –&gt; 00:40:33.090 Mike Ogletree: that’s right.</p><p>00:40:33.510 –&gt; 00:40:35.610 Joseph McElroy: that’s all that’s all mountain real mountain.</p><p>00:40:36.000 –&gt; 00:40:36.750 Joseph McElroy: Real now.</p><p>00:40:36.780 –&gt; 00:40:37.890 Joseph McElroy: that’s real mountain.</p><p>00:40:39.990 –&gt; 00:40:40.710 Joseph McElroy: Real mountain.</p><p>00:40:40.980 –&gt; 00:40:41.370 yeah.</p><p>00:40:43.350 –&gt; 00:40:53.160 Mike Ogletree: I I kind of take it easy drive riding you know I guess I lost all the young boy stuff because I didn’t start right until I was older.</p><p>00:40:53.490 –&gt; 00:40:53.940 Mike Ogletree: I like.</p><p>00:40:54.510 –&gt; 00:40:56.370 Mike Ogletree: I like these old bones so.</p><p>00:40:56.370 –&gt; 00:41:02.100 Mike Ogletree: yeah my son’s got a K to 1200 and every day right.</p><p>00:41:03.150 –&gt; 00:41:07.260 Mike Ogletree: he’ll go I said just go ahead i’ll catch you go.</p><p>00:41:11.070 –&gt; 00:41:14.310 Joseph McElroy: What is that right, it goes out to hot springs that’s another good right.</p><p>00:41:14.370 –&gt; 00:41:15.330 Mike Ogletree: yeah that’s the.</p><p>00:41:16.950 –&gt; 00:41:19.980 Mike Ogletree: To do to do diamond back yeah.</p><p>00:41:21.960 –&gt; 00:41:29.100 Joseph McElroy: yeah that’s a good one because it goes it goes over these really Curry mountain roads and then comes into hot springs ring go and jump in a.</p><p>00:41:29.370 –&gt; 00:41:34.710 Joseph McElroy: Hot spring cross lines yeah yeah, then you go to asheville and get the actual experience and you come.</p><p>00:41:34.710 –&gt; 00:41:34.980 Mike Ogletree: back.</p><p>00:41:35.610 –&gt; 00:41:37.620 Joseph McElroy: to your place whenever you’re staying that’s a good one.</p><p>00:41:38.010 –&gt; 00:41:39.240 Mike Ogletree: Yes, very good one.</p><p>00:41:39.570 –&gt; 00:41:51.930 Joseph McElroy: people listening, you can go to various websites a smoky smokies adventure calm has information about motorcycle trails instead of the middle Arc motel calm has a list of great trails yeah um is.</p><p>00:41:53.580 –&gt; 00:42:02.460 Joseph McElroy: Is is that there is there any other adventures with motorcycling that you recommend to do in the mountains here.</p><p>00:42:02.520 –&gt; 00:42:13.620 Mike Ogletree: Well, I tell you if you if you come to Maggie and you’re a motorcyclist and you need to go through a wheel dale’s wheel through time right behind your motel here.</p><p>00:42:13.650 –&gt; 00:42:23.550 Mike Ogletree: yeah they are, they have some of the most unique motorcycles in the world, one of a kind motorcycles and there’s so.</p><p>00:42:26.310 –&gt; 00:42:37.380 Mike Ogletree: informative about everything, I mean every thing that they have on display motorcycle car everything runs there’s not.</p><p>00:42:37.380 –&gt; 00:42:40.260 Joseph McElroy: One thing it’s a huge facility, I think it’s got.</p><p>00:42:40.650 –&gt; 00:42:45.360 Joseph McElroy: I think when they came here they had $22 million worth of inventory I don’t know what it is now.</p><p>00:42:45.420 –&gt; 00:42:47.190 Joseph McElroy: yeah yeah.</p><p>00:42:47.460 –&gt; 00:42:52.440 Joseph McElroy: yeah and then they have shows during this during the warmer months, which are pretty cool.</p><p>00:42:52.710 –&gt; 00:42:56.310 Joseph McElroy: Even towards like they have a certain that ride of death for a bunch I.</p><p>00:42:56.310 –&gt; 00:42:58.740 Mike Ogletree: have my my buddy Charlie does that man.</p><p>00:42:58.740 –&gt; 00:43:11.250 Mike Ogletree: it’s amazing it’s amazing i’m like no way you know I mean, I understand that you know as long as you keep that throttle up you’ll be all right, but that’s all right, I let them do that great to see, though.</p><p>00:43:11.580 –&gt; 00:43:12.630 Mike Ogletree: yeah just.</p><p>00:43:13.530 –&gt; 00:43:16.320 Joseph McElroy: Support pop has been well i’m glad to have you here.</p><p>00:43:17.340 –&gt; 00:43:20.370 Joseph McElroy: This has been a wonderful conversation i’m it might come down and just a minute.</p><p>00:43:21.720 –&gt; 00:43:22.020 Joseph McElroy: But.</p><p>00:43:22.200 –&gt; 00:43:27.180 Joseph McElroy: it’s been a wonderful conversations there any any any website, you want to give for people to reach out to you.</p><p>00:43:27.600 –&gt; 00:43:41.820 Mike Ogletree: um I actually have might get re put me up a new website, because I just closed down the old website, but he’s gonna re put up a new one, so soon as I do that then i’ll come back and visit with you.</p><p>00:43:42.930 –&gt; 00:43:43.920 Mike Ogletree: With that out there.</p><p>00:43:44.130 –&gt; 00:43:45.600 Joseph McElroy: You have a Facebook page or anything.</p><p>00:43:45.900 –&gt; 00:43:48.900 Mike Ogletree: I do have Facebook on my Facebook, is a.</p><p>00:43:50.850 –&gt; 00:43:53.310 Mike Ogletree: Valjean Hamilton at a.</p><p>00:43:54.450 –&gt; 00:44:05.370 Mike Ogletree: lousy in Hamilton it’s just one of my name, and then we have one for the POPs place also a Facebook page, which was a pop space biscuits burgers and bbq.</p><p>00:44:05.670 –&gt; 00:44:06.510 Joseph McElroy: There you go.</p><p>00:44:06.960 –&gt; 00:44:08.790 Mike Ogletree: check it out thanks for reminding me.</p><p>00:44:09.870 –&gt; 00:44:11.760 Joseph McElroy: Of course butts on the creek also has.</p><p>00:44:12.000 –&gt; 00:44:14.100 Mike Ogletree: a bunch on the correct correct correct.</p><p>00:44:14.820 –&gt; 00:44:15.030 Joseph McElroy: All right.</p><p>00:44:16.110 –&gt; 00:44:16.920 Mike Ogletree: Good around.</p><p>00:44:17.010 –&gt; 00:44:20.670 Joseph McElroy: Alright, so we’re heading to a break come back Mike ogletree.</p><p>00:44:22.380 –&gt; 00:44:23.310 Joseph McElroy: To get down here will.</p><p>00:44:24.870 –&gt; 00:44:25.650 Mike Ogletree: Do yeah.</p><p>00:44:26.760 –&gt; 00:44:28.650 Mike Ogletree: All right, thank you, brother, I appreciate you.</p><p>00:44:28.650 –&gt; 00:44:28.980 See.</p><p>00:44:34.620 –&gt; 00:44:35.160 I see.</p><p>00:46:49.980 –&gt; 00:47:09.990 Joseph McElroy: howdy this is Joseph mcilroy from from gateway to the smokies podcast i’m here with my guest Michael will treat it as a resident artists at the middle art motel Maggie Valley, is also the former drummer for the band simple minds and several other hit making machines, how you doing like.</p><p>00:47:10.290 –&gt; 00:47:13.380 Mike Ogletree: Good good Thank you i’m doing very well thanks.</p><p>00:47:13.410 –&gt; 00:47:17.070 Joseph McElroy: cool so three weeks ago we were here talking about the Scottish influence on.</p><p>00:47:17.790 –&gt; 00:47:24.690 Joseph McElroy: Mountain culture, especially with reference music, but we also touched on the fact that there was a poet Robert Robert Burns.</p><p>00:47:25.080 –&gt; 00:47:41.730 Joseph McElroy: That was very popular the Scottish Irish settlers that moved into these mountains and he is the subject of a yearly celebration in Scotland and in some places in the mountains, all the Scottish burns dinner, you want to tell us a little bit about that.</p><p>00:47:42.690 –&gt; 00:47:47.790 Mike Ogletree: Yes, well thanks a lot for having me back on again, and you know, probably the.</p><p>00:47:49.830 –&gt; 00:48:00.240 Mike Ogletree: Return performance, specifically because we’re talking about food we’re talking about Scotland and we’re talking about Scotland honorary.</p><p>00:48:01.590 –&gt; 00:48:02.370 Mike Ogletree: portal lori.</p><p>00:48:02.880 –&gt; 00:48:05.730 Mike Ogletree: Yes, first, he was yesterday.</p><p>00:48:06.210 –&gt; 00:48:28.230 Mike Ogletree: So that that’s why i’m here, because one of the things that he did, one of the poems that he wrote was addressed to a haggis now this guy was a humorous poor he was a bit of every man poor because he will romantic poems he wrote political poems he wrote rebel poems where.</p><p>00:48:29.580 –&gt; 00:48:35.160 Mike Ogletree: The origin of his interest in poems was through humor because that’s what we do, back in the day.</p><p>00:48:36.120 –&gt; 00:48:46.620 Mike Ogletree: to entertain themselves, they will get around you know all the guys who get around the makeup poems and he became famous because he was really good at making.</p><p>00:48:47.400 –&gt; 00:49:06.810 Mike Ogletree: funny stories and funny poems and one of those was a poem that he wrote called the address to a haggis now I hug is, if you don’t know what it is it’s a Scottish dish and it’s made a lamb principally and a few other entries and inner parts organs.</p><p>00:49:08.820 –&gt; 00:49:27.870 Mike Ogletree: Of the sheep to it’s not it is one of those dishes a heist to be prepared properly and when it’s appropriate problem is delicious and Scottish people swear by it’s nutritious and fortifying qualities and.</p><p>00:49:28.920 –&gt; 00:49:40.950 Mike Ogletree: You know, comparing it to other music, you would get at the time, you know people would talk about these exotic French and Spanish and all these other meals so.</p><p>00:49:41.760 –&gt; 00:49:53.610 Mike Ogletree: Barnes being burned wrote a poem extolling the virtues of hygienists and her need Scotsman strong and you know zero.</p><p>00:49:54.450 –&gt; 00:50:19.620 Mike Ogletree: Cost scanning the the value of the French argue what fica say these things here which will only be eaten by someone with skinny legs and who would be running across the battlefield all bloody and afraid so just one of these humanists poems that he would like I have been learning it.</p><p>00:50:20.460 –&gt; 00:50:24.540 Joseph McElroy: Is I mean yesterday was was robert’s birthday.</p><p>00:50:24.750 –&gt; 00:50:26.820 Mike Ogletree: yeah and, yes, the genuine.</p><p>00:50:27.300 –&gt; 00:50:44.580 Joseph McElroy: Virtual celebration of it and let people know Maggie Maggie valley are gonna start doing a yearly festival at least tonight and maybe more about the Robert Burns suffer they were twins music and poetry and toasts.</p><p>00:50:45.990 –&gt; 00:50:46.800 Joseph McElroy: and food.</p><p>00:50:47.640 –&gt; 00:50:49.920 Joseph McElroy: and drink and drink wine and all sorts of.</p><p>00:50:49.920 –&gt; 00:51:01.890 Joseph McElroy: whiskey, as long as maybe some Highland games, but we started last year, we did one this year we couldn’t, but we did a virtual one so Mike I would love for you to give the in dialect who that the toaster the highest and.</p><p>00:51:01.890 –&gt; 00:51:03.540 Joseph McElroy: celebration Robert Burns day.</p><p>00:51:03.870 –&gt; 00:51:19.500 Mike Ogletree: For his address to our hypothesis fear for your honest Swansea face great chieftain other Putin race I bring them all, yet your place pinch train or car.</p><p>00:51:20.100 –&gt; 00:51:38.010 Mike Ogletree: We love you buddy worries, as long as much as the gluten train chat via you fill your hobbies like a distant hill yet pen what helped him in the middle, in time, I needed well through your pores that use distilled.</p><p>00:51:38.670 –&gt; 00:51:54.240 Mike Ogletree: Like amber beat his knife she was thick layer of depth and cut you up we’re ready select train junior gushing and thrills but like on a day and then or what a glorious.</p><p>00:51:56.190 –&gt; 00:51:57.480 Mike Ogletree: Why, he can.</p><p>00:52:00.030 –&gt; 00:52:19.350 Mike Ogletree: perform the stretch in style do you tap the hindmost on the drive to all the swell swell Kate spill it out of band like drums the own good nine minutes late right even be sanker homes it’s not all his friends.</p><p>00:52:20.640 –&gt; 00:52:39.060 Mike Ogletree: or all your that would store shoe on frequency would not cash spew with perfect scanner looks done wish needed school on foot view on sticker Donna good devil see em always fash as fabulous as without.</p><p>00:52:40.260 –&gt; 00:52:49.680 Mike Ogletree: bisping do shank a good whiplash has neba net through bloody flood that a few to gosh oh one fit.</p><p>00:52:50.100 –&gt; 00:53:05.910 Mike Ogletree: But my the rustic haggis fed that trembling us three zones his head clap in his wiling Eva bleed he’ll market whistle and legs and arms and hands whipsnade like top chefs so.</p><p>00:53:06.690 –&gt; 00:53:16.350 Mike Ogletree: He posts from that man came get a clear understanding that are below Athena oh Scotland winds nice skin can wear them.</p><p>00:53:17.370 –&gt; 00:53:24.030 Mike Ogletree: and love them, but if you wish, had great for player geha I guess.</p><p>00:53:27.210 –&gt; 00:53:29.220 Joseph McElroy: All right, like that was fantastic.</p><p>00:53:30.930 –&gt; 00:53:36.270 Joseph McElroy: You gave that you gave that gave me tremendous credit that was fabulous so.</p><p>00:53:37.470 –&gt; 00:53:46.830 Joseph McElroy: Why don’t you give me a shout out to your Facebook page that you want people coming and see you do presentations and other things that you do.</p><p>00:53:47.730 –&gt; 00:54:01.770 Mike Ogletree: Black Scotsman that’s it the main, the main thing that i’m doing really is Sunday afternoon fireside concepts which I do every Sunday at three o’clock and that screams to meadowlark motel.</p><p>00:54:01.950 –&gt; 00:54:07.440 Mike Ogletree: yeah it means to my website, the black scotsman.com and YouTube and Facebook and all that started.</p><p>00:54:08.910 –&gt; 00:54:13.290 Joseph McElroy: about six people out in the room, but it’s a real cozy experience.</p><p>00:54:13.560 –&gt; 00:54:13.860 Joseph McElroy: Oh yeah.</p><p>00:54:14.790 –&gt; 00:54:15.810 Mike Ogletree: it’s exclusive.</p><p>00:54:16.020 –&gt; 00:54:17.550 Mike Ogletree: And you can stream online.</p><p>00:54:17.550 –&gt; 00:54:20.820 Joseph McElroy: yeah before we people who stay could actually come because it’s very limited.</p><p>00:54:21.120 –&gt; 00:54:30.480 Joseph McElroy: But you can see streaming online that the middle of the Facebook page for the middle Arc and on his own page at the full back Scotsman spelled with an x instead of SEC.</p><p>00:54:32.070 –&gt; 00:54:35.010 Joseph McElroy: All right, or or whatever yeah yeah.</p><p>00:54:36.540 –&gt; 00:54:39.420 Joseph McElroy: All right, what’s another thing things, so thank you Mike.</p><p>00:54:40.020 –&gt; 00:54:42.390 Joseph McElroy: Thank you for the future few shout outs.</p><p>00:54:44.130 –&gt; 00:54:47.640 Joseph McElroy: First of all, everybody i’m part of a network called talk radio.</p><p>00:54:48.720 –&gt; 00:55:07.740 Joseph McElroy: Talk radio dot dot talk radio dot nyc and I want to mention that, after this show every Tuesday night is restart is rediscovering New York with Jeff Goodman and it’s a weekly show that showcases New York city’s extraordinary neighborhoods and I recommend it highly.</p><p>00:55:09.510 –&gt; 00:55:23.100 Joseph McElroy: I want to mention that i’m also part of where traveler magazine, we have developed a section on where traveler which is was established in 1938 has been in motel hotel all over the world, is how as a digital.</p><p>00:55:23.490 –&gt; 00:55:30.690 Joseph McElroy: And we’re actually creating the first non city based section called the great smoky mountains so you’re going to wear traveler calm.</p><p>00:55:30.960 –&gt; 00:55:37.740 Joseph McElroy: In a great smoky mountains and see we’re developing a section dedicated to tourism and adventures in the smoky mountains.</p><p>00:55:38.730 –&gt; 00:55:48.210 Joseph McElroy: I also have a website called smokies adventure smokies plural adventure calm, where we present hiking and.</p><p>00:55:48.720 –&gt; 00:56:01.590 Joseph McElroy: outdoor activities and places to go and things to do very specific to the mountains of the of the smokies and it’s a great resource for just finding out what to do and where to go.</p><p>00:56:01.920 –&gt; 00:56:06.390 Joseph McElroy: And of course you your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.</p><p>00:56:06.840 –&gt; 00:56:11.790 Joseph McElroy: And that’s the middle Arc motel calm, which is smack in the middle of the whole smoky mountain area.</p><p>00:56:12.060 –&gt; 00:56:20.580 Joseph McElroy: And it’s very quick to get anywhere, including some of the more urban areas like asheville North Carolina it’s only a half hour away from there it’s close to the.</p><p>00:56:21.030 –&gt; 00:56:34.230 Joseph McElroy: To the flight and people in New York, you can get around trip down to two Maggie to asheville Maggie valley area about for about 85 200 bucks right now and for the for the foreseeable future for like.</p><p>00:56:35.340 –&gt; 00:56:49.530 Joseph McElroy: legion so it’s it’s quick it’s like a two hour flight or less so you can get down here, so I recommend it and don’t forget to look at this gateway in this product podcast and facebook.com gateway to the smokies podcast.</p><p>00:56:50.160 –&gt; 00:56:54.780 Joseph McElroy: And thank you very much and i’ll see you next week to talk to you later bye.</p> ea9ac3c9-386c-463f-aaf9-a08580380a10 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/2918be0b-cc4f-45f8-a5f8-d1aed00f8e1e Tue, 26 Jan 2021 23:00:00 +0000 2980 no full Episode 3: Bluegrass in the Smoky Mountains Episode 3: Bluegrass in the Smoky Mountains Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p><a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/k2DXI0xdJM_anmqQ/15f9f29feaa12b0aaa1ba53d6d0ceccc" rel="nofollow"><strong>Tim Surrett</strong></a>, member of the award-winning and chart topping bluegrass band <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/k2DXI0xdJM_anmqQ/59cc7107a4d69c26e46220ab1147859f" rel="nofollow"><strong>Balsam Range</strong></a>, will talk about blue grass music in the Smoky Mountains and current music scene.</p><p>‍</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/38cDFZPzV2/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong><span></span></strong></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph Mcelroy first introduces the Bulsam Mountain Range and it’s wonders. Tim Surrett has a strong connection to the area, his band is even named after the area. He is a member of the award winning Balsam Range. Growing up in that area, nature was the greatest recreation they had. He has fond memories of his father loading up the car and taking the long way as they rode to the Smokies where they would trout fish. Tim’s father was a musician, enjoyed singing country, and introduced him to music at a young age. He was also a fan of his cousin’s band and wanted to join. Tim bought a bass and ended up playing with some of the people that his dad played with. He was able to listen to Raymond Fairchild pay at his school as a child. As an adult he was able to play with him at the historic Cherokee Festival.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Out of high school, at seventeen Tim began touring with a gospel quartet called the Happy Travelers. From there on he fell in love with gospel music and played it for a very long time. The music was popular everywhere. One time he even missed his prom to play in Detroit. The gospel audience embraced all styles, country gospel, bluegrass gospel and more. What was most important was the message and that the music was good. Tim tells us about his knowledge and love of the Cherokee Gospel.</p><p>Tim was able to sing for the Kingsmen with Eldridge fox and Ray Reese. His first time singsing at the Grand Ole Opry was with the Kingsmen. People in Canada would drive six to eight hours to hear these performances. He played in Ashford at a festival called Bell Shares where they had a large audience of farmers and hipsters.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>In 1991 Tim and his friend Mickey Gamble formed a new recording company called The Mountain Home Music Company. There’s so much bluegrass and gospel in the area but he’s begging to see more artist. One of the artists that stands out to him is Bryan Sutton. Tim met him while he was still a high school student. Tim thinks bluegrass feels the most authentic to him. The synth era of the 80s drove him closer to bluegrass, he has a greater emotional connection to it. Tim spoke of his experience with Balsam Range. When they formed the band in Canton they hadn’t known each other for long. They had so much fun on the two records that they worked on that they decided to meet up and play together a few times. After getting together in 2007, Buddy Melton asked them if they wanted to join him for a show he was asked to play at. They were a hit and they decided to play together more.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>When they named themselves Balsam Range they believed that they would only be a local group. At first they were going to call themselves the Great Balsam Range but though Great sounded too pretentious. All of the members are singers so there is not a single lead singer. They have a lot of variety in their arrangements. Their latest album is <em>AEONIC</em>. There is a new record in the works and their newest single is <em>Rivers, Rains, Runaway Trains</em>. Unfortunately Tim predicts that there will not be many live shows and things will be similar to the rest of 2020. Since last march he has only played three shows. Right now they are using this time to focus on their music. Every December they host their own festival, the Balsam Range Art and Music Festival. It is usually hosed in the Stuart Auditorium which is an indoor facility. Usually their guest will travel from across the country and internationally but in these times that won&#39;t work out. Tim Surrett currently has a radio show on WPTL Radio called Papertown Roots Radio. It airs every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm EST and can be found on Facebook as well.</p> Video thumbnail

Our special guest in this episode is Tim Surrett, a member of the award-winning and chart-topping bluegrass band Balsam Range, who talks about bluegrass music in the Smoky Mountains and the current music scene.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.



Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph Mcelroy first introduces the Balsam Mountain Range and its wonders. Tim Surrett has a strong connection to the area, his band is even named after the area. He is a member of the award-winning Balsam Range. Growing up in that area, nature was the greatest recreation they had. He has fond memories of his father loading up the car and taking the long way as they rode to the Smokies where they would trout fish. Tim’s father was a musician, enjoyed singing country, and introduced him to music at a young age. He was also a fan of his cousin’s band and wanted to join. Tim bought a bass and ended up playing with some of the people that his dad played with. He was able to listen to Raymond Fairchild's play at his school as a child. As an adult, he was able to play with him at the historic Cherokee Festival.

Segment 2

Out of high school, at seventeen Tim began touring with a gospel quartet called the Happy Travelers. From there on he fell in love with gospel music and played it for a very long time. The music was popular everywhere. One time he even missed his prom to play in Detroit. The gospel audience embraced all styles, country gospel, bluegrass gospel, and more. What was most important was the message and that the music was good. Tim tells us about his knowledge and love of the Cherokee Gospel.

Tim was able to sing for the Kingsmen with Eldridge fox and Ray Reese. His first time singing at the Grand Ole Opry was with the Kingsmen. People in Canada would drive six to eight hours to hear these performances. He played in Ashford at a festival called Bell Shares where they had a large audience of farmers and hipsters.

Segment 3

In 1991 Tim and his friend Mickey Gamble formed a new recording company called The Mountain Home Music Company. There’s so much bluegrass and gospel in the area but he’s begging to see more artists. One of the artists that stands out to him is Bryan Sutton. Tim met him while he was still a high school student. Tim thinks bluegrass feels the most authentic to him. The synth era of the 80s drove him closer to bluegrass, he has a greater emotional connection to it. Tim spoke of his experience with Balsam Range. When they formed the band in Canton they hadn’t known each other for long. They had so much fun on the two records that they worked on that they decided to meet up and play together a few times. After getting together in 2007, Buddy Melton asked them if they wanted to join him for a show he was asked to play at. They were a hit and they decided to play together more.

Segment 4

When they named themselves Balsam Range they believed that they would only be a local group. At first, they were going to call themselves the Great Balsam Range but Great sounded too pretentious. All of the members are singers so there is not a single lead singer. They have a lot of variety in their arrangements. Their latest album is AEONIC. There is a new record in the works and their newest single is Rivers, Rains, Runaway Trains. Unfortunately, Tim predicts that there will not be many live shows and things will be similar to the rest of 2020. Since last march, he has only played three shows. Right now they are using this time to focus on their music. Every December they host their own festival, the Balsam Range Art and Music Festival. It is usually hosed in the Stuart Auditorium which is an indoor facility. Usually, their guest will travel from across the country and internationally but in these times that won't work out. Tim Surrett currently has a radio show on WPTL Radio called Papertown Roots Radio. It airs every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm EST and can be found on Facebook as well.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:27.510 –> 00:00:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Hello. Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies podcast.

00:00:33.240 –> 00:00:40.620 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:41.070 –> 00:00:49.260 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:49.890 –> 00:01:01.320 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.

00:01:02.280 –> 00:01:12.510 Joseph McElroy: Today we have, we’re going to be talking about bluegrass and gospel. My guest today is a strong connection to the Smoky Mountains is known to everyone who loves, loves bluegrass and gospel music

00:01:13.050 –> 00:01:20.430 Joseph McElroy: And hang on to the end and we will give you some tips and resources to continue actually your explorations of the Smokies

00:01:21.630 –> 00:01:28.770 Joseph McElroy: Now, first let me give you a little hint on who our guest is by telling you about the map Boston mountain section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

00:01:30.300 –> 00:01:44.010 Joseph McElroy: It’s in it’s in North Carolina. And it’s one of it is the. It’s one of the parks highest elevation areas and it’s accessible by car, and it also has great I think camping and picnicking and spectacular views.

00:01:45.540 –> 00:02:01.470 Joseph McElroy: It has only been as it has paved access by taking a road called the Blue Ridge Parkway Boston mountain road. And there’s also an exciting way down, called the high end toga Ridge Road, which is a one lane dirt road going one way

00:02:01.950 –> 00:02:04.770 Joseph McElroy: With the love us long it are stupendous

00:02:06.060 –> 00:02:15.450 Joseph McElroy: Especially in the fall when you get all those fall colors and when you will eventually end up being eventually use that to get the big code road, I want to bring you right into Cherokee

00:02:16.110 –> 00:02:30.060 Joseph McElroy: Now, what are the most unusual unusual thing things you’ll find in North Carolina’s spoken man parks and probably a lot of places that you’ll find a Masonic marker mute monument in the in the in the along that road.

00:02:31.140 –> 00:02:44.310 Joseph McElroy: And it’s basically where it meets the boss, a mountain section of the Great Smoky Mountains park in the boss of mountain road and it’s a it’s a it’s an unusual Mark, Mark. Mark monument that marks the spot where the world’s

00:02:44.850 –> 00:02:51.090 Joseph McElroy: largest and oldest fraternal organization and Masons have their summer assembly since 1935

00:02:53.010 –> 00:03:04.470 Joseph McElroy: And and i mean i you know just you find these things in the mountains, all the time. Yeah, like late you Alaska is the is the center of the world Methodist Council.

00:03:04.770 –> 00:03:12.150 Joseph McElroy: You know people like to come to the mountains and establish long traditions. Another big thing, I think, in the balsa mountain areas. The is that it has

00:03:12.570 –> 00:03:26.430 Joseph McElroy: It has a really fantastic picnic area historic beginning Gary, it’s actually the most drastic Park picnic area and it also has the highest elevation in the, in the, all of the park well over 5000 feet.

00:03:26.790 –> 00:03:45.090 Joseph McElroy: Of elevation. It has a bunch of picking sites BEHALF OF THEM AND WHICH IS REALLY INTERESTED IN HALF OF THEM ARE THESE handmade huge stone slabs with split logs benches and they’re one of a kind tables that were made by the stonemasons in the civilian converts conservative

00:03:45.120 –> 00:03:46.170 Hope Surrett: Conservation Corps.

00:03:46.380 –> 00:03:52.350 Joseph McElroy: In the 30s and a really standing testament to craftsmanship and of course I can’t forget to mention

00:03:53.340 –> 00:04:01.860 Joseph McElroy: Cold Mountain is in the balsam range. I don’t know if you remember that book that best selling book in the movie with Nicole Kidman about a civil war veteran and the sweetheart. The left behind.

00:04:02.520 –> 00:04:07.980 Joseph McElroy: But it has some great fight hiking trails and of course it’s a great story to take back and tell people that you went to go map.

00:04:10.110 –> 00:04:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Now I’m telling you this because my guest has a song strong connection to bounce the ball right he’s 10, sir. He’s the is one of today’s top artists making real root music and he’s a member of the legendary award winning Best selling bluegrass band balsam range.

00:04:29.460 –> 00:04:37.800 Joseph McElroy: And he has a decades long career in bluegrass gospel music, including alongside it stint with the Kingsman Hello, Tim, how are you today.

00:04:38.100 –> 00:04:41.490 Hope Surrett: I’m doing good. Joseph. Thank you for having me on, man. This is really cool.

00:04:42.000 –> 00:04:48.450 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, it’s it’s really cool having you here. I was so excited. I had to call people up and say, I have to insert here balsam range.

00:04:51.660 –> 00:04:52.200 Hope Surrett: Come on.

00:04:52.350 –> 00:04:54.870 Joseph McElroy: I was starstruck man. I was like, oh my god.

00:04:56.040 –> 00:05:00.540 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So no, I’ve been hearing about you. For a long time now, people will never sung about

00:05:00.540 –> 00:05:07.590 Joseph McElroy: Music in the mountains. They go, you know, balsam range now so you become a real name, and I mean you’re you’re become legendary it’s

00:05:07.590 –> 00:05:08.850 Hope Surrett: A w to say

00:05:09.090 –> 00:05:19.680 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So you were, you were actually born and raised in Canton, which is right near the balsam range. Yeah, back in the middle of the Smoky Mountains. What are you fond memories of the Smoky Mountains going up there.

00:05:20.100 –> 00:05:28.680 Hope Surrett: Well just just growing up here, and I’m very fortunate. My dad was a great lover of the outdoors and

00:05:29.790 –> 00:05:36.660 Hope Surrett: He was a railroad man here in the in the Smoky Mountains for the for the Norfolk Southern railroad, but he you know

00:05:37.590 –> 00:05:52.410 Hope Surrett: Back when I was growing up the outdoors was our are, you know, it was all recreation. We had really, you know, when you grow up in the mountains here. You might remember you got you might get to TV channels, depending on which way the winds blowing prior to cable, you know,

00:05:54.540 –> 00:06:02.820 Hope Surrett: So all Recreation was based on outdoors. My dad left to hunt and fish and and then just drive around, you know that I’m still in the days of the

00:06:03.510 –> 00:06:18.660 Hope Surrett: The Sunday drive or whatever. And a lot of times we load up in the car or whatever and drop the parkway or, or, you know, go visit relatives and my dad was a great it drives my wife nuts. Now, because now I’m the same way, but he was the kind of guys. So let’s take the long way.

00:06:18.750 –> 00:06:20.460 Joseph McElroy: The same. Very good. I remember that.

00:06:21.420 –> 00:06:28.440 Hope Surrett: And he also as I was growing up, my dad always kept a couple of Tennessee walking horses, not for showing but for trail riding.

00:06:28.710 –> 00:06:39.930 Hope Surrett: Right. So we spent a lot of summer times riding back into the Smokies, you know, places that would ride to Clemens dome, which is the highest point east of the Mississippi and

00:06:40.620 –> 00:06:45.840 Hope Surrett: Or oil, one of the highest points. It’s the second highest I guess next amount Mitchell, but we would ride.

00:06:46.620 –> 00:07:02.670 Hope Surrett: 3040 miles back into the Smoky Mountains nice department camp and trout fish. And so I grew up. And also, um, you know, 35 minutes from Cherokee and as a child, the history of the of the Cherokee people fascinated me and and does, to this day, so

00:07:03.870 –> 00:07:09.090 Hope Surrett: I, you know, I’ve been involved in that all my life. And it’s just, it’s amazing place to grow up.

00:07:09.630 –> 00:07:14.490 Joseph McElroy: We do I look I was looking at me, or about the same age. So you’re probably going to piss. Good.

00:07:15.000 –> 00:07:18.660 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, same time, I was going to Tesco. I graduated in 80 so

00:07:18.690 –> 00:07:19.920 Hope Surrett: Well, that’s all.

00:07:21.420 –> 00:07:30.450 Joseph McElroy: People might not know but is considered the most, the biggest rivalry and high school football in the nation. A few years back. So MAJOR MAGAZINE said was

00:07:30.540 –> 00:07:41.880 Hope Surrett: Oh yeah yes came and covered the game. It’s crazy to me in Canton, we have about 4500 people and for the Pisco testicle. The game will have 12,000 people out of here. I don’t even know.

00:07:43.710 –> 00:07:45.990 Joseph McElroy: It was a thing to do on Friday nights I think

00:07:46.680 –> 00:07:47.070 Joseph McElroy: Right.

00:07:47.100 –> 00:07:48.570 Hope Surrett: Yeah, it is absolutely

00:07:48.600 –> 00:07:54.390 Joseph McElroy: The and you know i i was we were Tennessee walkers to sound like you were describing my childhood just

00:07:55.230 –> 00:07:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Take it on the long

00:07:56.580 –> 00:08:05.430 Joseph McElroy: long rows and you know and and we were doing. We had our own had our own Tennessee walks because my dad. He was a horse trader so

00:08:05.790 –> 00:08:20.100 Joseph McElroy: I got one. I got one horse that was a plow horse combination plow horse and Tennessee Walker Walker. So it was a little bit rough and then the other one, they gave to me because I was the only a big enough to handle that every time he got on his foot kicking the butt. Oh, yeah.

00:08:21.240 –> 00:08:32.970 Hope Surrett: My dad was a big man about 320 he weighed and he had a big old horse was about 16 hands tall it to shoulder. It was a monster and but it was the sweetest thing. And I remember as a kid.

00:08:35.610 –> 00:08:43.920 Hope Surrett: I would come home from school and take a cinder block and prop it up long ways, so I can stand up on in that horse would walk up. Let me get on it. And so I’d ride around that.

00:08:45.480 –> 00:08:51.240 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah, I understand your dad was a big influence on you on your on your music. Pretty, pretty early. Right.

00:08:51.480 –> 00:08:53.280 Hope Surrett: Yes, absolutely. Dad was a

00:08:54.630 –> 00:09:06.960 Hope Surrett: Was an excellent singer. He played guitar a bit, and he was what I would call a jokingly referred to as an animal singer you know it was a Friday night was the moose lodge Saturday night was Elks Lodge.

00:09:09.330 –> 00:09:10.680 Hope Surrett: Lions Club, you know,

00:09:11.880 –> 00:09:12.030 Hope Surrett: And

00:09:13.260 –> 00:09:15.480 Hope Surrett: All the local little places. He was fine.

00:09:16.650 –> 00:09:23.880 Hope Surrett: He sang a lot of bluegrass he loved bluegrass but he was a better country singer in the, you know, the old time like Marty Robbins right price.

00:09:24.960 –> 00:09:26.310 Hope Surrett: Kind of country singer.

00:09:26.700 –> 00:09:27.600 Hope Surrett: So, and he would

00:09:27.660 –> 00:09:42.510 Hope Surrett: End, and I’m very grateful he let me tag along to the practices which I was enthralled with as just a small kid all the instruments blew my mind whether it was a bluegrass band or a country by end with steel guitars and whatnot, you know,

00:09:43.920 –> 00:09:49.710 Hope Surrett: So there was a great element of music in my life for my earliest memories so

00:09:50.220 –> 00:09:52.620 Joseph McElroy: Southern rock to you did a little bit of electric based in

00:09:52.980 –> 00:09:53.400 Hope Surrett: Oh, yeah.

00:09:53.430 –> 00:09:53.730 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.

00:09:54.570 –> 00:10:10.440 Hope Surrett: I got my when I was 14 my dad was trying to coax me into doing well in school guess about ninth grade and he promised me if I would do well and first semester, he’d buy me any guitar. I wanted for Christmas and I had my own Les Paul, I was going to be Led Zeppelin, you know, and

00:10:12.540 –> 00:10:21.090 Hope Surrett: But my cousin, my cousin, my cousin had he’s three years older than me. He was a senior high school and he had a high school, kind of a garage.

00:10:21.510 –> 00:10:29.430 Hope Surrett: Slash basement rock band that I just worship them, you know, and I knew their bass player was leaving, and my cousin told me if I could get a bass.

00:10:29.850 –> 00:10:39.420 Hope Surrett: I was in, you know, cuz it was the one finger base. Back then it was a you know ZZ Top bad but and I you had a base in three minutes. You are in a band, you know,

00:10:41.430 –> 00:10:51.480 Hope Surrett: So I got the base instead of the Les Paul and started playing with everybody that my dad had played with. And I was so enamored with playing that I would play

00:10:52.170 –> 00:11:05.580 Hope Surrett: With dad’s old country guys one night a week, I would play rock and roll somewhere in Asheville, North Carolina just down the road here on, you know, Friday or Saturday and and and probably in a church on Sunday with some other folks so

00:11:06.300 –> 00:11:06.780 Asked me

00:11:10.800 –> 00:11:11.310 Hope Surrett: Yeah, and then

00:11:12.090 –> 00:11:21.060 Hope Surrett: Some of it was funny cuz I stepped right in my dad kind of retired out of it. And I sort of stepped right into his a lot, especially a couple of his luck, the old country band.

00:11:21.540 –> 00:11:31.020 Hope Surrett: And some of the Bluegrass guys here in Canton which there are a lot of and and I didn’t even know the names of the songs, but I’d heard him play him so much. I just stepped in started playing so

00:11:32.640 –> 00:11:35.070 Joseph McElroy: Did you ever play Maggie that old bands all

00:11:35.400 –> 00:11:38.550 Hope Surrett: The talking about the house.

00:11:38.970 –> 00:11:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, very rarely play house. Yeah.

00:11:42.840 –> 00:11:51.540 Hope Surrett: Well you know I was also want to clog in team. That’s the first time I made it to the Grand Ole Opry. I mean, I would. When I was a kid square dancing clogging was a huge deal.

00:11:52.080 –> 00:11:59.370 Hope Surrett: And i mean i mean you’re not, I would League baseball practice or football practice and still in uniform and go to Target practice.

00:12:00.390 –> 00:12:00.720 Joseph McElroy: We know

00:12:01.440 –> 00:12:05.940 Hope Surrett: The valley Playhouse funny. I tell people all the time. That was our skating rink.

00:12:07.560 –> 00:12:09.210 Hope Surrett: You wanted to hold hands with a pretty girl.

00:12:12.180 –> 00:12:12.630 Joseph McElroy: I learned

00:12:13.650 –> 00:12:20.220 Joseph McElroy: I learned about dance. And I remember when I came back to the cities. Yeah, I’d get up and dance and people look like like I was insane.

00:12:21.480 –> 00:12:27.990 Hope Surrett: I actually, I actually called at a bar mitzvah in San Francisco wants and they thought out in invented some kind of new staff.

00:12:30.630 –> 00:12:33.090 Joseph McElroy: Well, yeah, no, that’s the that’s

00:12:34.650 –> 00:12:39.000 Joseph McElroy: The thing. It’s like the one place for white men in America will get up and dance by themselves.

00:12:41.430 –> 00:12:43.650 Hope Surrett: Yeah, let’s get up and do it too.

00:12:46.980 –> 00:12:51.420 Joseph McElroy: So that’s cool. Did you ever. Did you ever get to beat your pay play with Raymond Raymond

00:12:52.590 –> 00:12:53.850 Hope Surrett: Raymond Fairchild, sure.

00:12:55.140 –> 00:13:01.680 Hope Surrett: I remember Raymond, the first time come into my elementary school, which was Pennsylvania Avenue Elementary School here in Canton and

00:13:02.850 –> 00:13:06.360 Hope Surrett: Raymond would come with his band and play for the kids, you know, it’s really cool.

00:13:06.960 –> 00:13:20.100 Hope Surrett: And then later years, I met Raymond when I started playing bluegrass we played the same festivals like the big Cherokee festival and and all over the country. We played with Raymond Fairchild, and usually Raymond in the crow brothers Josh and willing crow cool, though.

00:13:21.150 –> 00:13:25.710 Joseph McElroy: He just died recently. I remember you remember the grown up with him in the mountains and it was

00:13:25.710 –> 00:13:26.340 Hope Surrett: All he was a

00:13:26.370 –> 00:13:27.600 Hope Surrett: He was a character, man. He

00:13:27.600 –> 00:13:38.940 Hope Surrett: Was he was a lot of things. He was a storyteller and moonshine, or I mean just all kind of stuff and he had hit a million selling single with a with a banjo instrumental

00:13:39.240 –> 00:13:39.750 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, I can.

00:13:39.900 –> 00:13:42.450 Hope Surrett: fix these all yet go break. It’s all over the place. Yeah.

00:13:42.540 –> 00:13:51.060 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, well. Cool. We got to take a break and when we come back we’ll talk more about the Blue Grass and gospel. All right.

00:13:51.510 –> 00:13:52.770 Joseph McElroy: Yes, sir. Yeah.

00:16:07.290 –> 00:16:10.920 Joseph McElroy: Hey this is Joseph backward back with the gateway to the Smokies

00:16:12.180 –> 00:16:19.860 Joseph McElroy: Pop. Pop it were the Smokies podcast. Now I’ve just been told by people that might not be playing on Facebook right now and if people were looking for it.

00:16:21.930 –> 00:16:22.380 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.

00:16:23.730 –> 00:16:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Tim, you might want to page post on your Facebook pages to talk radio dot NYC slash live, you know, look.

00:16:32.070 –> 00:16:32.730 Hope Surrett: I can do that.

00:16:33.000 –> 00:16:33.450 Yeah.

00:16:35.190 –> 00:16:38.190 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, let’s let’s do that right quick. So

00:16:39.630 –> 00:16:42.270 People can get to. Because there’s people that want to hear it.

00:16:44.010 –> 00:16:51.120 Joseph McElroy: And if the engineer out there can listen and maybe make sure it’s a streaming after our Facebook our Facebook page.

00:16:51.600 –> 00:16:51.990 Hope Surrett: Oh, you gotta

00:16:53.910 –> 00:16:54.660 Hope Surrett: You gotta have you

00:16:55.020 –> 00:16:56.310 Joseph McElroy: Gotta have that. So I

00:16:58.740 –> 00:17:02.490 Joseph McElroy: Don’t know why it’s not there, but sorry about that, folks.

00:17:03.660 –> 00:17:04.560 Joseph McElroy: So,

00:17:06.270 –> 00:17:10.350 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, let’s continue here and hopefully they’ll fix that for people

00:17:15.210 –> 00:17:23.160 Joseph McElroy: Where, where we’ve said we’re talking about talking about your playing music and place and he started professionally tour and when you were very young or cheap.

00:17:24.480 –> 00:17:28.230 Joseph McElroy: And so, you know, we’re right what right out of high school, right.

00:17:28.560 –> 00:17:39.090 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I started traveling with a group out of Canton here, a local gospel group. Well, I say local I was a senior in high school at Pisco 17 and

00:17:39.660 –> 00:17:53.880 Hope Surrett: This group from Canton here called the happy travelers. They were a gospel quartet, which I knew nothing about gospel quartets except grown up here, you got a heavy dose of the inspirations from Bryson city and the Kingsman from Asheville

00:17:55.170 –> 00:18:07.740 Hope Surrett: Other than that I had no idea, but these guys wanted me to play and travel, which at 17. I can’t believe they had a big silver Eagle bus, you know, and we went out the first weekend and and they hired me and

00:18:09.390 –> 00:18:18.330 Hope Surrett: Yeah. And that was it, and I fell in love with the gospel music that was going on at that time and and stayed in it a long, long time, you know,

00:18:18.690 –> 00:18:29.520 Joseph McElroy: You know, I remember. Around that time, you know, the there was sort of a religious revival going on with the young people quite a bit because I got, I was in that too. I was preaching at the Methodist Church and everything. So, you know, I think.

00:18:30.210 –> 00:18:34.410 Joseph McElroy: You know, you know, that was a big time for getting a little bit in the gospel.

00:18:34.770 –> 00:18:40.350 Joseph McElroy: Sure, yeah. So, um, what what towns were the big in the circuit back those days.

00:18:40.530 –> 00:18:41.970 Hope Surrett: Oh, gosh. Well, you know,

00:18:43.620 –> 00:18:57.960 Hope Surrett: The, the Bible. Well, really well. I’ll tell you this, you know, it was. It’s hard to say it was it was popular all over the especially the eastern part of the United States. I missed my senior prom at HP is good because we were playing in Detroit, Michigan that night.

00:18:57.990 –> 00:18:58.740 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.

00:18:58.860 –> 00:19:10.440 Hope Surrett: And the group. I was in those. Those guys were kind of a, I will say be level group. They were kind of an opening act for the major gospel groups of the day, which you know Kingsman inspirations.

00:19:11.130 –> 00:19:27.060 Hope Surrett: You know cathedrals, all these great gospel groups. So I went from straight from hospital chorus and band to, you know, plan in Detroit. That night as part of the opening act on those concerts and just kind of kept going up through there because I love the music, you know,

00:19:27.450 –> 00:19:43.320 Joseph McElroy: Cool. So, you know, no. I read a little bit about gospel music and you know that there seems like there was a time that remains the gospel sort of mainstream mainstream Gospel is turning tend to be a little bit like Quartet.

00:19:43.740 –> 00:19:44.310 Joseph McElroy: Right, yeah.

00:19:44.580 –> 00:19:48.990 Joseph McElroy: And then you then mountain gas gospel was a bit different. Right.

00:19:49.680 –> 00:19:59.280 Hope Surrett: Yeah. And absolutely, there was the mail quartet thing which has been popular since the 1940s with groups like the statesman quartet. These are groups that would come all over the country.

00:19:59.970 –> 00:20:13.320 Hope Surrett: Well, even the Ryman auditorium one weekend a month one Saturday night, a month was an all night gospel singer, you know, the Romans Grand Ole Opry years and there were, you know, there was there was the Quartet style with the statesman, the black wood brothers.

00:20:14.550 –> 00:20:23.850 Hope Surrett: And then there was the family group kind of thing with the happy good moans the Hanson, some of these people, you’d say on the gospel singing Jubilee on Sunday morning. Right. It’s

00:20:24.390 –> 00:20:37.740 Hope Surrett: hugely popular syndicated show and and then you had Bluegrass gospel. And the cool thing I noticed that a young age, because I grew up on the Bluegrass more so than the Quartet style was that

00:20:38.820 –> 00:20:43.200 Hope Surrett: The gospel audience embraced both or all three kinds really

00:20:43.410 –> 00:20:53.910 Hope Surrett: We would go play I’m ever going to play many gospel concert and they would be the group. I was playing for AND THEY WOULD THERE WOULD BE THE Hanson’s a family style country gospel group and then there would be

00:20:54.630 –> 00:20:59.880 Hope Surrett: My friends, the primitive quartet from over here in Canada, North Carolina, which is a Bluegrass gospel group.

00:21:00.270 –> 00:21:00.780 Joseph McElroy: Right and

00:21:01.050 –> 00:21:06.690 Hope Surrett: The audience just, you know, it was the message for them. And if the music was good. They. It was all good, you know,

00:21:07.710 –> 00:21:13.890 Joseph McElroy: Wow, that’s, I mean I guess that was exciting time to be involved in something of the sort of different than what everybody’s used to. Right. Yeah.

00:21:13.950 –> 00:21:14.820 Hope Surrett: Yeah, absolutely.

00:21:15.060 –> 00:21:16.470 Joseph McElroy: Cool. Um,

00:21:17.520 –> 00:21:24.750 Joseph McElroy: I was reading again and it caught my eye. There was a form of gospel and you were talking about the Cherokee is called share the gospel. What the heck is that

00:21:25.260 –> 00:21:28.920 Hope Surrett: Well, I’m not an expert at it, but I would say that’s where you know

00:21:31.770 –> 00:21:45.960 Hope Surrett: I’m certainly no lettered scholar in it, but I know you know some of the first things that the Cherokees translated into their written language wants to call you wrote, you know, came up with that language is 86 character celebrate that he did

00:21:47.040 –> 00:21:48.780 Hope Surrett: Before the removal of the Cherokees

00:21:50.400 –> 00:21:59.700 Hope Surrett: Some of the first things you know they had their own newspaper. They had their own printing press in the Cherokee capitals, they put put out their own newspaper called the Cherokee Phoenix.

00:22:02.130 –> 00:22:03.750 Hope Surrett: And they, they immediately started

00:22:05.100 –> 00:22:18.660 Hope Surrett: translating the hymn books and the Bible into the Cherokee language. And to this day, you can still go here, Cherokee family gospel groups that will sing a song in English like amazing grace and then they’ll sing a verse or two in the chair Keeling which

00:22:18.720 –> 00:22:21.930 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know. I must be really cool. I never, I never

00:22:23.520 –> 00:22:23.850 Joseph McElroy: Know, but

00:22:24.600 –> 00:22:36.450 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I’ve played a lot in Turkey, over the years, they love bluegrass and gospel both and and you’ll forever if somebody will get up and sing Amazing Grace and then do it in the Cherokee language, which is really, really cool.

00:22:37.320 –> 00:22:38.370 Joseph McElroy: So you spent

00:22:39.420 –> 00:22:51.570 Joseph McElroy: About 15 years total with the kings. When I guess there were two stints right and it’s like one of the great gospel quartets out there and you did that really pretty young. I mean at 23 landed on this major back then it

00:22:52.800 –> 00:22:55.410 Joseph McElroy: Was a that was not. Um, so what are some of the members, you have

00:22:55.680 –> 00:22:57.120 Hope Surrett: Gone. Wow, there’s too many

00:22:57.210 –> 00:23:01.080 Hope Surrett: Too many to name but I just remember when I joined the king’s men they hired me

00:23:02.370 –> 00:23:09.630 Hope Surrett: I’ve been working in the studio as a studio musician, which is a whole different facet of my musical career and a great big part of it.

00:23:10.740 –> 00:23:25.710 Hope Surrett: And I became kind of a house bass player as a big studio in Nashville. And it was predominantly gospel records. So there’s a gentleman named Eldridge fox that owned the Kingsman and he was a very prolific producer in the gospel world. So I played on tons of albums for him.

00:23:26.760 –> 00:23:28.650 Hope Surrett: recording sessions and

00:23:30.090 –> 00:23:42.810 Hope Surrett: I was playing bass, but I still love to travel and all that kind of stuff. So at one point in the late 80s, he had two guys leaving the king’s men at once. It’s a hard life. We were gone. Average 250 days a year. Easy.

00:23:44.550 –> 00:23:54.270 Hope Surrett: And he had his bass player and his baritone singer were leaving at the same time, and he knew I could do both, or at least hold down both the league could get somebody to fill one or the other.

00:23:54.660 –> 00:23:59.610 Hope Surrett: So they hired me. And you know, I remember the first not out was it a big concert in Atlanta.

00:24:00.690 –> 00:24:06.810 Hope Surrett: And they called me up to seeing and scared me to death because I was a bass player by trade, I could hear the harmony and all that.

00:24:07.320 –> 00:24:15.030 Hope Surrett: But I just remember standing there between three water now Gospel Music Hall of Famers you know there was a Eldridge Fox.

00:24:15.660 –> 00:24:23.220 Hope Surrett: Jim Hamill, who’s the lead singer and re release the basing are all Hall of Famers re, re still has the king’s men to this day.

00:24:24.090 –> 00:24:33.840 Hope Surrett: He’s the only surviving one of that group that I’m talking about. And just, I remember stepping up between those guys and just could just could not believe it.

00:24:34.410 –> 00:24:44.460 Hope Surrett: And, you know, it was carried me all over the United States and Canada, and my, you know, my first time to seeing on the Grand Ole Opry was with the Kingsman

00:24:44.790 –> 00:24:47.730 Hope Surrett: And and and you know just all kinds of stuff all over

00:24:48.360 –> 00:25:00.900 Hope Surrett: Then you found out because every year we would take the month of February and start in Texas or somewhere and play Phoenix and Albuquerque and up Los Angeles and all of the West Coast and

00:25:02.040 –> 00:25:06.210 Hope Surrett: Oregon and Washington. And then up into British Columbia, Alberta.

00:25:07.350 –> 00:25:14.700 Hope Surrett: The people in Canada would drive six or eight hours to come here. You hear you play at one of these big concerts, because that’s all I got the whole year.

00:25:15.210 –> 00:25:18.600 Hope Surrett: Wow. Oh, it was, it was amazing to me. It was, I wouldn’t call it

00:25:19.770 –> 00:25:25.890 Hope Surrett: A counterculture but it was definitely a whole different world that I didn’t know even existed, and it was, you know, just

00:25:26.940 –> 00:25:29.550 Hope Surrett: Doing it at that level for that long was a

00:25:30.630 –> 00:25:31.890 Hope Surrett: Was a great blessing for me.

00:25:32.370 –> 00:25:41.370 Joseph McElroy: Well, I came out of Nashville. And you came at a camp. And there’s some good things going on in there is a national always been a great area for gospel music in the center of it.

00:25:42.120 –> 00:25:50.130 Hope Surrett: It’s been a big part of it going back even to, you know, prior to my days there was no fail in Asheville named Riley that brought

00:25:50.550 –> 00:26:01.050 Hope Surrett: Those great, you know, the big gospel x to the old Nashville city auditorium, the statesman, the black was the Goodman’s all those kinds of people on down through the years, and

00:26:02.520 –> 00:26:07.380 Hope Surrett: I don’t know if it’s the hotbed is it was in those days when I was first getting into it.

00:26:08.610 –> 00:26:14.940 Hope Surrett: Because honestly bluegrass you can do better with Bluegrass style music here than about anything else. Yeah.

00:26:15.480 –> 00:26:18.390 Joseph McElroy: Became popular with the kids. I think the hipsters

00:26:19.080 –> 00:26:20.130 Hope Surrett: Yeah yeah yeah

00:26:20.940 –> 00:26:23.700 Hope Surrett: What we ran a school called a trust the ferry guns.

00:26:25.440 –> 00:26:32.100 Joseph McElroy: They were we gotta lose broke up here and there and they’re cool kids, but they got they got into that roots music, man.

00:26:33.000 –> 00:26:40.890 Hope Surrett: They look, I’ll tell you what, man. We love playing bluegrass for those kinds of audiences because they just, I don’t think they’re prepared for the power of it, you know.

00:26:41.610 –> 00:26:52.410 Hope Surrett: When the drive hits in a good bluegrass band, it’s, it’s kind of got that rock and roll energy about it. And when that hits them with special with acoustic instruments they lose their minds. It’s so much fun.

00:26:52.560 –> 00:26:58.170 Joseph McElroy: And you know, when you put clogging do it, you know, pretty crazy with Bob and I mean you can, you know, you can throw

00:26:58.260 –> 00:26:58.770 Hope Surrett: Oh, yeah.

00:26:59.100 –> 00:26:59.640 Joseph McElroy: Oh, yeah.

00:27:00.870 –> 00:27:04.320 Hope Surrett: There was a big festival in Nashville. For years, called bail share

00:27:04.770 –> 00:27:06.000 Joseph McElroy: Yeah yeah

00:27:06.060 –> 00:27:07.410 Hope Surrett: Oh, it was huge and

00:27:08.850 –> 00:27:17.850 Hope Surrett: It had everything and they always had us close it out and it was so much fun because they close off the streets of downtown Nashville, they’d be, you know, eight or 10,000 people out there.

00:27:18.480 –> 00:27:25.860 Hope Surrett: And we would have farmers from out here. Jonathan very calm Haywood out there in the streets dancing with the with the hippie KIDS DOING THE SPAN, you know,

00:27:26.550 –> 00:27:26.850 Hope Surrett: It was

00:27:27.540 –> 00:27:30.780 Hope Surrett: It was all all for one and one for all. It was just great.

00:27:32.370 –> 00:27:37.950 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, well you know that that sort of hippie thing is always been around, we have a rainbow children come. There we go.

00:27:37.950 –> 00:27:38.610 Joseph McElroy: Oh, sure.

00:27:39.480 –> 00:27:48.540 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, so the mountains, have always had this sort of counterculture yeah yeah yeah that’s pretty cool. Well you know I

00:27:50.160 –> 00:27:57.900 Joseph McElroy: I see 1991 you and Mickey gamble on the new record and company called a mountain home music company. Right. Yeah.

00:27:57.960 –> 00:28:05.370 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you what happened with that you know I mentioned a minute ago how I saw a young age, the Bluegrass people

00:28:06.060 –> 00:28:26.490 Hope Surrett: The gospel. People loved the Bluegrass and even with the king’s men, they would have me take a guitar in the middle of a quartet style program and sing a couple of three bluegrass style songs and I saw very quickly that the gospel. People loved both styles. So I talked to Mickey who owned

00:28:27.600 –> 00:28:40.560 Hope Surrett: A studio in Nashville about life. I was with the king’s men, it’s time. But I was looking for an outlet to perform or not perform so much but produce and and and just play some bluegrass because I loved it so much.

00:28:41.640 –> 00:28:43.890 Hope Surrett: And they understood the business idea I had that

00:28:45.540 –> 00:28:51.960 Hope Surrett: You know, at that time, the gospel. People would accept either one. So we have what I consider the double market.

00:28:52.410 –> 00:29:04.380 Hope Surrett: And we started out with. It was all Bluegrass gospel, to start with, and it’s just kind of kept growing and growing and growing and morphing over the years and and our band is still on that label all these was it 30 years later. Oh, Lord.

00:29:06.030 –> 00:29:14.190 Joseph McElroy: Well, I’m going to take a break down we’ll finish up a little bit more about that story. Alright, sounds pretty good. I love that. I love that. And the actual artists and might be involved.

00:29:14.280 –> 00:29:15.450 Hope Surrett: All right. Okay. Sure.

00:31:36.510 –> 00:31:43.740 Joseph McElroy: Hey it’s Joseph Franklin McIlroy back with gateway to the Smokies podcast, then I guess Tim certain balsam range.

00:31:44.970 –> 00:31:56.550 Joseph McElroy: Hey, Tim. We were talking about your about your, your, your records recording company. And I was wondering could you tell me about that Smoky Mountain talents. You’re seeing these days.

00:31:57.180 –> 00:32:02.130 Hope Surrett: Man, we started out with, with all local folks, pretty much.

00:32:03.870 –> 00:32:04.620 Hope Surrett: You know, just

00:32:05.730 –> 00:32:14.760 Hope Surrett: There was so much bluegrass around here still is local gospel family bands that kind of stuff. And then we started getting people from out of the area.

00:32:15.540 –> 00:32:32.670 Hope Surrett: But, you know, we’ve we’ve had everybody. And you can think of. And over the past 30 years major, major names on our label and a lot of them are still there. So, uh, yeah. I started out with. I’ll tell you one of my favorites is a young man from Candler North Carolina.

00:32:34.050 –> 00:32:47.970 Hope Surrett: By the name of Brian Sutton, and Brian is a Grammy Award winner, world class guitar player. I don’t know how many times he’s one bluegrass guitar player of the year, but he’s played with everybody on the planet from Ricky Skaggs to everybody. You can think of and

00:32:49.080 –> 00:32:57.390 Hope Surrett: I met him when I was a senior high school at Inca and got him on his first session and next thing you know he’s traveling with Ricky Skaggs but back in those days.

00:32:58.380 –> 00:33:06.030 Hope Surrett: These family groups would come into record from the area and they would have myself and another musician. I’m David Johnson, who plays everything on the planet.

00:33:06.450 –> 00:33:16.020 Hope Surrett: Plays every instrument. I’ve ever seen at a master level and also a humble sweet guy and I can’t tell you how many records we cut for these family bands with just myself and David

00:33:16.470 –> 00:33:17.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.

00:33:17.280 –> 00:33:29.940 Hope Surrett: Just the two of us would play all the instruments and and and it was so much fun. But over the years it morphed into an actual major bluegrass label and and we’ve had everybody from Tony rice Larry sparks.

00:33:31.380 –> 00:33:39.600 Hope Surrett: You know bluegrass household names don’t last me Quicksilver balsam range Lawrence river by in the grass skulls too many to name and

00:33:39.660 –> 00:33:39.930 Joseph McElroy: I looked

00:33:41.070 –> 00:33:46.080 Joseph McElroy: I looked at it was pretty impressive is like, Oh my gosh, this is, this is the real deal here. Yeah, it’s

00:33:46.200 –> 00:33:53.520 Hope Surrett: It’s been a wonderful thing for. I can’t believe it just hit me talking to you. Yeah, this year. Next 30 years that’s man. That’s crazy.

00:33:53.730 –> 00:33:55.260 Joseph McElroy: I hate to remind you of your age.

00:33:57.480 –> 00:33:59.790 Hope Surrett: Oh, I can see myself as a reminder already

00:34:02.070 –> 00:34:14.160 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve experienced SO WE’RE IN THE BLUEGRASS now you’ve experienced a lot of mountain mountain. MUSIC All right. Yeah. And your marriage music here just comfortable Smoky Mountains, but you’ve traveled a lot. You’ve seen bluegrass

00:34:14.700 –> 00:34:22.980 Joseph McElroy: Bluegrass has claimed it a lot of different areas. Is there anything different about the Smoky Mountain bluegrass that the make a distinctive sound.

00:34:23.520 –> 00:34:34.050 Hope Surrett: I think, I think there is usually in bands from this area western North Carolina or some of them in East Tennessee on the smoke that side of the Smokies there’s an energy there.

00:34:34.740 –> 00:34:51.990 Hope Surrett: That’s, that’s kind of unmistakable unmistakable. You can really feel it. And there’s also an element I think of the old time music, you know, the fiddle team kind of thing that creeps in. I know it does in our music. It creeps in quite often. And I love that stuff. You know,

00:34:53.010 –> 00:34:54.930 Hope Surrett: So I do think that kind of sets.

00:34:56.040 –> 00:35:03.660 Hope Surrett: People from our region apart just a little bit, it’s, it’s a difference. And of course, our accents have something to do with it, you know, with

00:35:04.680 –> 00:35:10.680 Hope Surrett: With balsam range. People say, you know, the way you harmonize. Are you guys is that family harmony. And I said, No, that’s county harmony.

00:35:12.900 –> 00:35:22.950 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, we did a show, you know, the couple weeks ago about the Scottish influence on mountain culture, you know, and talking about you know how the Scotch Irish came here.

00:35:23.400 –> 00:35:23.760 Hope Surrett: Right.

00:35:24.000 –> 00:35:35.160 Joseph McElroy: And brought a lot of tradition of that kind of music, a balance and things that when you started bringing in the banjo and stuff started morphing into this more beat driven music that’s bluegrass right

00:35:35.550 –> 00:35:39.510 Hope Surrett: Right, absolutely. I mean, that Scotch Irish thing is still huge

00:35:40.620 –> 00:35:46.950 Hope Surrett: You know, it’s what it’s what’s bad bill Monroe sold to start this kind of thing off in the first place, but

00:35:47.880 –> 00:35:52.620 Hope Surrett: Yeah, it’s especially around here that that like that’s what I’m saying that old time droning fiddle

00:35:53.460 –> 00:36:00.300 Hope Surrett: faddle team kind of thing. And every bluegrass band in the world still play some of the songs that very well came over from

00:36:00.810 –> 00:36:16.290 Hope Surrett: Scotland or England or Ireland or whales or somewhere over in there and that’s why that music cross pollinate. That’s why the Irish music resonates so strongly with people like us, you know, it’s, there’s something in our blood that that that really identifies with us.

00:36:17.010 –> 00:36:18.000 Joseph McElroy: You mentioned one point.

00:36:19.380 –> 00:36:25.410 Joseph McElroy: You really felt that it’s like there’s a bluegrass is like it almost seems very authentic because it feels natural to you.

00:36:26.340 –> 00:36:33.930 Hope Surrett: Oh yeah, I’ll tell you, for me, and we’re, you know, close to the same age. I spoke about wanting to play rock and roll. When I was a kid. And when I was a

00:36:34.440 –> 00:36:47.490 Hope Surrett: high schooler radio was I mean popular radio was so good. I mean, you, you just and you’re always sentimental about what you grew up on but on pop radio, you would hear the Eagles or

00:36:47.910 –> 00:37:04.650 Hope Surrett: Kansas or foreigner, or, you know, all these great thing and bands and then when the 80s rolled around, you know, the new wave thing started. And I’m not degrading anybody’s opinion that’s why there’s buttons on the radio. But for me, the, the sense era kind of

00:37:05.790 –> 00:37:19.740 Hope Surrett: Lost me a little bit and I started longing for something more authentic more primitive, I guess you might say, and it drove me to back to blue grass, and in particular bill Monroe.

00:37:20.820 –> 00:37:34.170 Hope Surrett: The father of bluegrass is he’s widely known. And there was something there was something they called it the high lonesome sound. There’s something, there’s something in that music I can hurt. David Letterman talk about it one time he loved bill Monroe and

00:37:36.000 –> 00:37:42.810 Hope Surrett: There was something in that that really, really got to me and people like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley Stanley brothers.

00:37:43.290 –> 00:37:45.150 Hope Surrett: The way they saying it was it was a

00:37:46.590 –> 00:37:50.220 Hope Surrett: Had a lonesome quality to it. They had a real mountain thing about it, you know.

00:37:51.780 –> 00:37:53.310 Joseph McElroy: Scotch Irish influence

00:37:54.750 –> 00:37:59.730 Joseph McElroy: And immigrants much that they were always longing for home that they didn’t even know existed.

00:38:00.000 –> 00:38:01.410 Hope Surrett: There’s a longing for something

00:38:02.460 –> 00:38:03.720 Hope Surrett: I don’t know if you ever find it.

00:38:07.230 –> 00:38:19.680 Hope Surrett: Just comes out in that sound and that’s the authenticity. And just the fact that the skill level, it takes to play bluegrass well because there’s nothing between you and the crowd, but your, your hands on the instrument and your voice. That’s all there is, you know,

00:38:20.310 –> 00:38:29.310 Joseph McElroy: So there’s a lot of authentic instruments. I’m talking about handcrafted things. I know you did a producer down with Tom Tony rice called crossings that featured handcrafted

00:38:29.880 –> 00:38:32.790 Joseph McElroy: Well, yeah, that building the mountains or some of it.

00:38:33.060 –> 00:38:35.610 Hope Surrett: Yeah, well sure there’s there’s a

00:38:36.690 –> 00:38:50.640 Hope Surrett: You know there’s there’s two or three makers of instruments like Martin guitars or gets an instruments, the banjos and Mandel ends, but there’s also a huge culture nowadays of custom, custom instruments handmade instruments.

00:38:51.930 –> 00:39:06.180 Hope Surrett: That are based on some of the great instruments of the 20s, 30s, 40s of the last century. Our guitar player Caleb Smith, you should come contact him about an episode because he builds custom guitars guitars that are unbelievable.

00:39:07.650 –> 00:39:18.240 Hope Surrett: And there is a big thing. You know, you got the whole dulcimer culture here. That is a cool sound that’s that’s all its own has that droning sound that are either Scotch Irish kind of thing.

00:39:19.260 –> 00:39:33.360 Hope Surrett: In yeah there’s builders of instruments. I know the guy can’t hear that makes fabulous mandolin there Caleb our guitar player makes fabulous guitars 10 minutes from where I’m sitting and we know all kinds of these people around here that make their own instruments.

00:39:34.410 –> 00:39:36.840 Hope Surrett: To a really high master level.

00:39:37.320 –> 00:39:43.740 Joseph McElroy: Wow. So let’s talk about balsam range is now how did, how did you guys come together as a legendary band now.

00:39:43.830 –> 00:39:46.800 Hope Surrett: Nah. Well, if you hang around long enough, they call you that, but

00:39:49.350 –> 00:39:52.350 Hope Surrett: They call I call it a very, very happy.

00:39:54.030 –> 00:40:02.520 Hope Surrett: Coincidence, basically, and I don’t believe in coincidence, all that much. It’s a joke, but all of us had been all over the country and all over the world, playing in different

00:40:03.060 –> 00:40:10.170 Hope Surrett: Bands of some kind, myself in the gospel world Mark Pruitt our banjo player played with Ricky Skaggs for many years.

00:40:10.830 –> 00:40:25.230 Hope Surrett: And on his albums and all the guys has been all over the place and we all ended up back in in Canton around here about the same time and we didn’t all even know each other because luckily I’ve been on the road, since I was 17, you know, and we

00:40:26.670 –> 00:40:30.960 Hope Surrett: Are mandolin player dare Nicholson I RAN INTO HIM AT A physical football game. First one.

00:40:32.070 –> 00:40:44.190 Hope Surrett: First one. I’ve been off the road to go to about 20 years and he stopped me at the ball game said he was going to do a solo, and he called me, Mr. Sir, he said, I’m going to do a record. I want you to play the bass on it, which I do quite often and

00:40:45.420 –> 00:40:54.360 Hope Surrett: I said, Sure. Well, Mark and I ended up playing on that record great Rick and a month or two later buddy mountain our fiddle player 10 or singer who is spectacular.

00:40:56.490 –> 00:41:10.440 Hope Surrett: He called Mark and wanted to do another solo bluegrass record and Mark and I ended up playing on that record. We had so much fun on those two records we mark. And I said, Let’s get these two bunches together and just jam, a little, you know,

00:41:12.450 –> 00:41:24.540 Hope Surrett: So we got together in right before Christmas of oh six at Dan’s house here in Canton, and let’s just play some standards and pick a little bit, you know, and first notes went off and we were on

00:41:25.950 –> 00:41:27.840 Hope Surrett: This. That sounds pretty good. You know,

00:41:28.170 –> 00:41:34.320 Hope Surrett: Yeah. We jam for a couple, three hours until I tell you what, let’s get back together after Christmas, do it again, have some more fun.

00:41:35.340 –> 00:41:38.610 Hope Surrett: When we did. And I was curious to see if it still sounded good, you know,

00:41:40.860 –> 00:41:46.980 Hope Surrett: So we got together and oh seven in January kicked off first song, who, there it is, you know,

00:41:47.970 –> 00:42:04.500 Hope Surrett: And Mark prove it was kind of the local guy for all the gigs, like my dad used to play all the corporate things and stuff. And he said, I’ve been contacted to play a show in Asheville at the growth parky and huge tourist great old beautiful place. And he said,

00:42:05.640 –> 00:42:14.010 Hope Surrett: He said, You want to do it will just make up a name and go and we made up a name. And I don’t remember what it was, it was not balsam range. But we went did the show.

00:42:14.850 –> 00:42:23.370 Hope Surrett: Total non bluegrass crowd of about 2500 people and they lost their minds and we we thought let’s just, you know, do this a little more. And it just kind of

00:42:23.910 –> 00:42:32.070 Hope Surrett: More and more, more and more and more started playing around Asheville regularly and then broadened out and then what really hit for us was

00:42:34.770 –> 00:42:42.480 Hope Surrett: We cut our first record, you know, seven and Darren or mandolin player gave a copy to a great friend of ours, but the name of Kyle Cantrell

00:42:43.110 –> 00:42:55.080 Hope Surrett: He was a WB SM and Nashville for years and years. Grand Ole Opry announcer, and he was hired to be the program director for the Bluegrass channel ON SIRIUS XM and he

00:42:56.670 –> 00:43:07.020 Hope Surrett: He took that CD and not knowing what to make of it played it loved it and started playing this one town and it kind of went it blew up as much as bluegrass can blow up.

00:43:10.650 –> 00:43:16.410 Hope Surrett: And people started calling and book and all over the place. And here we are 14 years later, but all over the world.

00:43:16.440 –> 00:43:20.160 Hope Surrett: Very thankful for that happy coincidence, man.

00:43:20.640 –> 00:43:24.690 Joseph McElroy: Well, after we after we come back from this break here. Tell me how you came up with a name balsam range.

00:43:24.990 –> 00:43:25.380 Hope Surrett: All right.

00:45:45.720 –> 00:45:59.340 Joseph McElroy: Hi this is Joseph Franklin macro. He’s very eager to get back to you with the gateway to the to the Smokies podcasts and, I guess, Tim, sir, and balsam range. So tell me, Tim, how did you come up with that name balsam range.

00:45:59.640 –> 00:46:03.990 Hope Surrett: Well, as I said, we were playing locally. Then, and that’s all we intended to do, truthfully.

00:46:05.280 –> 00:46:16.290 Hope Surrett: Play around Haywood County, maybe Asheville some more and whatnot. But we started trying to find a name for a bluegrass band is tough. I tried to I suggest to DEF heifer but the rest of them wouldn’t buy that.

00:46:16.290 –> 00:46:16.500 So,

00:46:19.230 –> 00:46:24.060 Hope Surrett: We started looking at landmarks around the county that would, you know, we had that real Haywood County thing.

00:46:25.140 –> 00:46:35.400 Hope Surrett: And we came across, we know we tried all the names around on the Parkway and whatnot, the Smokies we thought cat Lucci would never work because nobody would spell it or say it and

00:46:37.380 –> 00:46:42.360 Hope Surrett: But here, up on the parkway the highest point around here is the, the great balsam range.

00:46:42.630 –> 00:46:42.930 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.

00:46:42.960 –> 00:46:53.970 Hope Surrett: You know those those mountains that kind of horseshoe Haywood County in Jackson County and we decided to go with that. But we thought great balsam range was a little pretentious, so we

00:46:53.970 –> 00:46:54.270 Dropped

00:46:59.220 –> 00:47:00.930 Joseph McElroy: The great balsam range. Yeah.

00:47:01.320 –> 00:47:04.290 Hope Surrett: So we just decided to go with the pretty good balsam range and

00:47:04.290 –> 00:47:06.660 Joseph McElroy: Oh favorite county boys are humble.

00:47:06.930 –> 00:47:10.560 Hope Surrett: Yeah, because if you’re not the rest of the county will humble you.

00:47:12.780 –> 00:47:18.900 Hope Surrett: Don’t mind at all. But that’s where it came from. We didn’t think we would ever played that far away from it that people wouldn’t know what it meant.

00:47:19.230 –> 00:47:22.470 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So you’re all accomplished musicians and

00:47:24.240 –> 00:47:26.670 Joseph McElroy: Singers. At some point, how do you manage that.

00:47:27.180 –> 00:47:29.040 Hope Surrett: It’s fun. Man, to tell you the truth.

00:47:30.120 –> 00:47:43.740 Hope Surrett: Is so much fun because he would. I think it’s fun for the audience because you don’t listen to the, you know, one guy saying every song or or the same trio sing in harmony or we can switch around a lot. And we do

00:47:44.370 –> 00:47:46.530 Hope Surrett: And I think it’s more interesting to people.

00:47:48.810 –> 00:47:54.630 Hope Surrett: They’re trying to figure out, well, who’s singing. Now, you know, so it’s fun for us when we’re arranging music because

00:47:55.320 –> 00:48:07.200 Hope Surrett: You know, we can put different people sitting in different parts. And sometimes, you know, you can have one guessing and lead three guys singing behind him. So it opens up a lot of a lot of variety in your harmony singing it.

00:48:07.770 –> 00:48:15.030 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. Imagine the drama that you guys do have in the band is an arbitrary edge is probably more like go outside for a cigarette or

00:48:16.590 –> 00:48:27.090 Hope Surrett: We talk all the time, myself and Derek Nicholson cost Caleb things lead lot buddy sings Tanner, he’s got the high voice and daring enough flip a coin for the baritone part and whoever loses has to take it, you know.

00:48:29.700 –> 00:48:32.340 Joseph McElroy: There you go, coming out with a simple system that’s the way to do

00:48:32.370 –> 00:48:33.180 Hope Surrett: There you go. Yeah.

00:48:33.240 –> 00:48:35.790 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So what is your latest album.

00:48:37.170 –> 00:48:45.870 Hope Surrett: We’ve got the latest one. We’ve had out called IANA a CEO and I see it’s pretty cool word and it did very well for us. It was number one on billboard.

00:48:46.650 –> 00:48:57.120 Hope Surrett: Was a really great record force we were about two thirds of the way through a new record. And the reason why I’m finished. It’s because we can’t go play at this particular time, you know,

00:48:58.410 –> 00:49:12.390 Hope Surrett: We have we’ve had two number one songs. This past year, often unfinished record and the songs, we’d never really played him in public, because you know there’s no shows at this point. So we got a new record in the in the works had a new single go out this past Friday.

00:49:12.780 –> 00:49:16.380 Hope Surrett: Window, the new single. Well, I wish you asked me.

00:49:18.360 –> 00:49:20.790 Hope Surrett: It’s called rivers and range and runaway trains.

00:49:20.970 –> 00:49:21.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.

00:49:21.870 –> 00:49:24.360 Hope Surrett: It’s the new thing, or maybe the album title, I don’t know, but

00:49:24.930 –> 00:49:26.160 Joseph McElroy: Perfect country western song.

00:49:27.810 –> 00:49:29.670 Hope Surrett: It’s got that longing in it, doesn’t it.

00:49:31.710 –> 00:49:36.540 Hope Surrett: But yeah, we’ve we’ve we’ve been blessed. I don’t even know how many albums. We’ve that we’ve done now 10 or 11, I guess.

00:49:36.840 –> 00:49:44.610 Hope Surrett: And and they’ve all done very well for us. But he was a good one, number one on billboard was a really cool thing for us.

00:49:45.270 –> 00:49:48.870 Joseph McElroy: So you haven’t been able to play versus your has been treating you guys

00:49:49.080 –> 00:49:55.500 Hope Surrett: Well, it’s tough on all musicians and we figured since last March, we’ve played three live shows

00:49:56.940 –> 00:50:11.940 Hope Surrett: And one in Texas, one in Oklahoma and one in Ohio, and we’ve got one scheduled for the 30th and Newberry South Carolina at that at the famous Newberry Opera House. This is one of our favorite shows we do every year. So we’re just praying, it hangs in there, you know,

00:50:13.080 –> 00:50:26.790 Hope Surrett: But, but, yeah, it’s been tough on ton all the musicians from the lowest of the superstars. It’s very difficult time. And we’ve tried to use that time to record more and you know kind of concentrate on that.

00:50:28.050 –> 00:50:32.940 Joseph McElroy: What do you think you, what do you think you might get a tour together would be next year, or would it be

00:50:33.120 –> 00:50:33.360 Well,

00:50:34.440 –> 00:50:42.300 Hope Surrett: A lot of our dates that you know you book a year, two years in advance and for the latter half of the year. A lot of our dates are still there. So,

00:50:42.960 –> 00:50:49.890 Hope Surrett: Just remains to be seen how many I’m staying. A lot of these dates for the early part of the first half of the year have already moved to next year so

00:50:51.690 –> 00:50:54.510 Hope Surrett: I think it’s gonna be very similar to this past year, unfortunately.

00:50:54.930 –> 00:50:58.290 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any dates in the Smoky Mountain area and or the New York area.

00:50:59.400 –> 00:51:07.500 Hope Surrett: No, you know, some of the dates January and February and the first week of March was all we had last year and we spent a whole weekend in New York City, which was

00:51:08.070 –> 00:51:18.240 Hope Surrett: One of our favorite things to do we play at the the Hilton there in Manhattan so much. It’s so much fun, man. I mean, I don’t know what to do with a hillbilly thing, you know.

00:51:18.660 –> 00:51:19.980 Joseph McElroy: When, when you come up

00:51:32.310 –> 00:51:32.610 Hope Surrett: Well,

00:51:35.550 –> 00:51:43.110 Hope Surrett: We’ll just it just remains to be seen. We put our own Festival on every December. Yeah, like here like Juneau Alaska in the Smokies here and

00:51:43.860 –> 00:51:53.310 Hope Surrett: And this was first year that we’ve had to call it off this past December, it’s so I’m really hope we can get all that back on for the latter part of the year, Lord willing,

00:51:53.700 –> 00:51:57.960 Joseph McElroy: And I want to call this one is called the Smoky Mountain bluegrass festival right it was

00:51:58.020 –> 00:51:59.850 Hope Surrett: Well, what’s called the balsam range art.

00:52:00.480 –> 00:52:02.250 Joseph McElroy: Festival. Yeah, that’s right, yeah.

00:52:02.760 –> 00:52:09.090 Hope Surrett: And it’s cool, because all the music is in student auditorium, which is a beautiful indoor facility, but you’re looking out over the lake and it’s

00:52:09.600 –> 00:52:24.270 Hope Surrett: It’s got the outdoor vibe to it, but it’s all indoors and people, people come from all over the country. And we’ve had people from overseas come and because you in the Smoky Mountains in December, you can ski and the next day you can play golf. You know, you never know.

00:52:25.530 –> 00:52:26.130 Joseph McElroy: Well, I’ll tell you.

00:52:27.210 –> 00:52:34.680 Joseph McElroy: One thing keeps you locked in a little bit. When it gets a little bit warmer. We have a we have an open to the middle of a big old backyard.

00:52:36.210 –> 00:52:39.000 Joseph McElroy: You guys goodbye just thrown out of you want to do.

00:52:40.410 –> 00:52:54.090 Hope Surrett: We’ve got this show coming up on the 30th in South Carolina, and I was home yesterday and got my instruments out for the first time in a while. Just to see if my fingers bleed. You know, so we’re gonna have to get back into shape, that’s for sure.

00:52:54.810 –> 00:53:00.180 Joseph McElroy: So, um, tell me you got a radio show now and you’re about to go to it after this

00:53:00.270 –> 00:53:00.660 Hope Surrett: I am

00:53:02.340 –> 00:53:14.700 Hope Surrett: Or six minutes. Well, you know, back in August. It was I, I was really missing the fellowship of the road and the band and the people that we play for we’ve had a strict policy at make friends not fans.

00:53:16.230 –> 00:53:25.230 Hope Surrett: Kind of attitude and I was really missing the interaction with all our friends across the world. And I started thinking of some way we could get together and

00:53:26.640 –> 00:53:38.760 Hope Surrett: That kind of thing. And it just came in my mind. You know what a metal radio show, and I came and I talked to my friend longtime hospital friend. You might remember Terrell Rick from Tesco lets you say my giant

00:53:38.880 –> 00:53:39.330 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.

00:53:39.960 –> 00:53:46.590 Hope Surrett: But he will her dad is on the little local radio station here in Haywood County, since the 70s and I, uh,

00:53:47.850 –> 00:53:59.400 Hope Surrett: I called her up and I said, I’m thinking about. I’m not want to do a radio show. I don’t know. I don’t have any experience with it. She said, when you won’t start. So about 10 days later, we went on the air doing two hours of live

00:54:01.050 –> 00:54:06.660 Hope Surrett: Radio doing bluegrass a classic country music and

00:54:07.380 –> 00:54:11.040 Hope Surrett: Gospel and gospel as well. And it’s just kind of took off on us.

00:54:12.240 –> 00:54:14.310 Joseph McElroy: Right on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

00:54:14.310 –> 00:54:17.820 Hope Surrett: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm Eastern to 10

00:54:18.060 –> 00:54:19.170 Joseph McElroy: And what is a radio station.

00:54:19.440 –> 00:54:42.030 Hope Surrett: weta al in Canton, and it’s WP to radio.net or they have an app as well on iPhones or whatnot, or smartphone app. So we stream and it’s gone nuts on us in a good way, we’re having, you know, 1314 15,000 people every episode everywhere from Heidelberg Germany to try out Creek Montana, so

00:54:43.740 –> 00:54:46.980 Hope Surrett: 10 or 1211 12,000 people in this region.

00:54:47.400 –> 00:55:00.660 Joseph McElroy: Well, I appreciate you coming on taking the time to be with us. It’s been a wonderful show even though it’s glitches and I’ll let you go to get to your show and finish up here with what we’re doing what we’re doing. So thank you very much, Tim.

00:55:00.780 –> 00:55:03.660 Hope Surrett: All right. Hey, my pleasure. He’s, he’s fun to do. Thanks a lot. Good.

00:55:03.960 –> 00:55:14.310 Joseph McElroy: All right, bye bye. Okay, folks. Thank you for listening to gateway to the Smokies podcast I want to mention that you can find more about us@facebook.com slash

00:55:14.850 –> 00:55:23.340 Joseph McElroy: Gateway to the Smokies podcast. We’re also we’re also part of this where traveler magazine network where we were actually building a

00:55:24.480 –> 00:55:27.840 Joseph McElroy: Section, and we’re traveling, which is 100 year old magazine or something like that.

00:55:28.380 –> 00:55:37.020 Joseph McElroy: For travel and it’s called the Great Smoky Mountains section you go find out a lot of good articles there. I’ve also got a local a website called the

00:55:37.560 –> 00:55:49.830 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure calm, where you can get listings about hiking and music and places to go in the Smoky Mountains and also find stories that will help you experience those adventures.

00:55:50.610 –> 00:56:03.990 Joseph McElroy: Deeply and with a lot of people and of course I own a motel and Maggie value, North Carolina. My family 45 years. It’s a metal arc motel.com and Lark motel calm and you’re welcome to come visit us and start your

00:56:04.290 –> 00:56:08.670 Joseph McElroy: Smoky Mountain adventures was where you stay and thank you very much. See you next week.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/414119573037648/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.13418-10/136052150_826063544917118_7089469081152544804_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_ohc=rcNoUEyyo4UAX937g-r&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301F528&oh=00_AT_u_EfrR-7mn7zFQCCoG6WjyUIWXMVDtZY-5-4h6cckQQ&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Our special guest in this episode is <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/k2DXI0xdJM_anmqQ/15f9f29feaa12b0aaa1ba53d6d0ceccc" rel="nofollow"><strong>Tim Surrett</strong></a>, a member of the award-winning and chart-topping bluegrass band <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/k2DXI0xdJM_anmqQ/59cc7107a4d69c26e46220ab1147859f" rel="nofollow"><strong>Balsam Range</strong></a>, who talks about bluegrass music in the Smoky Mountains and the current music scene.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/38cDFZPzV2/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph Mcelroy first introduces the Balsam Mountain Range and its wonders. Tim Surrett has a strong connection to the area, his band is even named after the area. He is a member of the award-winning Balsam Range. Growing up in that area, nature was the greatest recreation they had. He has fond memories of his father loading up the car and taking the long way as they rode to the Smokies where they would trout fish. Tim’s father was a musician, enjoyed singing country, and introduced him to music at a young age. He was also a fan of his cousin’s band and wanted to join. Tim bought a bass and ended up playing with some of the people that his dad played with. He was able to listen to Raymond Fairchild&#39;s play at his school as a child. As an adult, he was able to play with him at the historic Cherokee Festival.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Out of high school, at seventeen Tim began touring with a gospel quartet called the Happy Travelers. From there on he fell in love with gospel music and played it for a very long time. The music was popular everywhere. One time he even missed his prom to play in Detroit. The gospel audience embraced all styles, country gospel, bluegrass gospel, and more. What was most important was the message and that the music was good. Tim tells us about his knowledge and love of the Cherokee Gospel.</p><p>Tim was able to sing for the Kingsmen with Eldridge fox and Ray Reese. His first time singing at the Grand Ole Opry was with the Kingsmen. People in Canada would drive six to eight hours to hear these performances. He played in Ashford at a festival called Bell Shares where they had a large audience of farmers and hipsters.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>In 1991 Tim and his friend Mickey Gamble formed a new recording company called The Mountain Home Music Company. There’s so much bluegrass and gospel in the area but he’s begging to see more artists. One of the artists that stands out to him is Bryan Sutton. Tim met him while he was still a high school student. Tim thinks bluegrass feels the most authentic to him. The synth era of the 80s drove him closer to bluegrass, he has a greater emotional connection to it. Tim spoke of his experience with Balsam Range. When they formed the band in Canton they hadn’t known each other for long. They had so much fun on the two records that they worked on that they decided to meet up and play together a few times. After getting together in 2007, Buddy Melton asked them if they wanted to join him for a show he was asked to play at. They were a hit and they decided to play together more.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>When they named themselves Balsam Range they believed that they would only be a local group. At first, they were going to call themselves the Great Balsam Range but Great sounded too pretentious. All of the members are singers so there is not a single lead singer. They have a lot of variety in their arrangements. Their latest album is <em>AEONIC</em>. There is a new record in the works and their newest single is <em>Rivers, Rains, Runaway Trains</em>. Unfortunately, Tim predicts that there will not be many live shows and things will be similar to the rest of 2020. Since last march, he has only played three shows. Right now they are using this time to focus on their music. Every December they host their own festival, the Balsam Range Art and Music Festival. It is usually hosed in the Stuart Auditorium which is an indoor facility. Usually, their guest will travel from across the country and internationally but in these times that won&#39;t work out. Tim Surrett currently has a radio show on WPTL Radio called Papertown Roots Radio. It airs every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm EST and can be found on Facebook as well.</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h4><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h4><p>00:00:27.510 –&gt; 00:00:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Hello. Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies podcast.</p><p>00:00:33.240 –&gt; 00:00:40.620 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:41.070 –&gt; 00:00:49.260 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:49.890 –&gt; 00:01:01.320 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:02.280 –&gt; 00:01:12.510 Joseph McElroy: Today we have, we’re going to be talking about bluegrass and gospel. My guest today is a strong connection to the Smoky Mountains is known to everyone who loves, loves bluegrass and gospel music</p><p>00:01:13.050 –&gt; 00:01:20.430 Joseph McElroy: And hang on to the end and we will give you some tips and resources to continue actually your explorations of the Smokies</p><p>00:01:21.630 –&gt; 00:01:28.770 Joseph McElroy: Now, first let me give you a little hint on who our guest is by telling you about the map Boston mountain section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</p><p>00:01:30.300 –&gt; 00:01:44.010 Joseph McElroy: It’s in it’s in North Carolina. And it’s one of it is the. It’s one of the parks highest elevation areas and it’s accessible by car, and it also has great I think camping and picnicking and spectacular views.</p><p>00:01:45.540 –&gt; 00:02:01.470 Joseph McElroy: It has only been as it has paved access by taking a road called the Blue Ridge Parkway Boston mountain road. And there’s also an exciting way down, called the high end toga Ridge Road, which is a one lane dirt road going one way</p><p>00:02:01.950 –&gt; 00:02:04.770 Joseph McElroy: With the love us long it are stupendous</p><p>00:02:06.060 –&gt; 00:02:15.450 Joseph McElroy: Especially in the fall when you get all those fall colors and when you will eventually end up being eventually use that to get the big code road, I want to bring you right into Cherokee</p><p>00:02:16.110 –&gt; 00:02:30.060 Joseph McElroy: Now, what are the most unusual unusual thing things you’ll find in North Carolina’s spoken man parks and probably a lot of places that you’ll find a Masonic marker mute monument in the in the in the along that road.</p><p>00:02:31.140 –&gt; 00:02:44.310 Joseph McElroy: And it’s basically where it meets the boss, a mountain section of the Great Smoky Mountains park in the boss of mountain road and it’s a it’s a it’s an unusual Mark, Mark. Mark monument that marks the spot where the world’s</p><p>00:02:44.850 –&gt; 00:02:51.090 Joseph McElroy: largest and oldest fraternal organization and Masons have their summer assembly since 1935</p><p>00:02:53.010 –&gt; 00:03:04.470 Joseph McElroy: And and i mean i you know just you find these things in the mountains, all the time. Yeah, like late you Alaska is the is the center of the world Methodist Council.</p><p>00:03:04.770 –&gt; 00:03:12.150 Joseph McElroy: You know people like to come to the mountains and establish long traditions. Another big thing, I think, in the balsa mountain areas. The is that it has</p><p>00:03:12.570 –&gt; 00:03:26.430 Joseph McElroy: It has a really fantastic picnic area historic beginning Gary, it’s actually the most drastic Park picnic area and it also has the highest elevation in the, in the, all of the park well over 5000 feet.</p><p>00:03:26.790 –&gt; 00:03:45.090 Joseph McElroy: Of elevation. It has a bunch of picking sites BEHALF OF THEM AND WHICH IS REALLY INTERESTED IN HALF OF THEM ARE THESE handmade huge stone slabs with split logs benches and they’re one of a kind tables that were made by the stonemasons in the civilian converts conservative</p><p>00:03:45.120 –&gt; 00:03:46.170 Hope Surrett: Conservation Corps.</p><p>00:03:46.380 –&gt; 00:03:52.350 Joseph McElroy: In the 30s and a really standing testament to craftsmanship and of course I can’t forget to mention</p><p>00:03:53.340 –&gt; 00:04:01.860 Joseph McElroy: Cold Mountain is in the balsam range. I don’t know if you remember that book that best selling book in the movie with Nicole Kidman about a civil war veteran and the sweetheart. The left behind.</p><p>00:04:02.520 –&gt; 00:04:07.980 Joseph McElroy: But it has some great fight hiking trails and of course it’s a great story to take back and tell people that you went to go map.</p><p>00:04:10.110 –&gt; 00:04:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Now I’m telling you this because my guest has a song strong connection to bounce the ball right he’s 10, sir. He’s the is one of today’s top artists making real root music and he’s a member of the legendary award winning Best selling bluegrass band balsam range.</p><p>00:04:29.460 –&gt; 00:04:37.800 Joseph McElroy: And he has a decades long career in bluegrass gospel music, including alongside it stint with the Kingsman Hello, Tim, how are you today.</p><p>00:04:38.100 –&gt; 00:04:41.490 Hope Surrett: I’m doing good. Joseph. Thank you for having me on, man. This is really cool.</p><p>00:04:42.000 –&gt; 00:04:48.450 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, it’s it’s really cool having you here. I was so excited. I had to call people up and say, I have to insert here balsam range.</p><p>00:04:51.660 –&gt; 00:04:52.200 Hope Surrett: Come on.</p><p>00:04:52.350 –&gt; 00:04:54.870 Joseph McElroy: I was starstruck man. I was like, oh my god.</p><p>00:04:56.040 –&gt; 00:05:00.540 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So no, I’ve been hearing about you. For a long time now, people will never sung about</p><p>00:05:00.540 –&gt; 00:05:07.590 Joseph McElroy: Music in the mountains. They go, you know, balsam range now so you become a real name, and I mean you’re you’re become legendary it’s</p><p>00:05:07.590 –&gt; 00:05:08.850 Hope Surrett: A w to say</p><p>00:05:09.090 –&gt; 00:05:19.680 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So you were, you were actually born and raised in Canton, which is right near the balsam range. Yeah, back in the middle of the Smoky Mountains. What are you fond memories of the Smoky Mountains going up there.</p><p>00:05:20.100 –&gt; 00:05:28.680 Hope Surrett: Well just just growing up here, and I’m very fortunate. My dad was a great lover of the outdoors and</p><p>00:05:29.790 –&gt; 00:05:36.660 Hope Surrett: He was a railroad man here in the in the Smoky Mountains for the for the Norfolk Southern railroad, but he you know</p><p>00:05:37.590 –&gt; 00:05:52.410 Hope Surrett: Back when I was growing up the outdoors was our are, you know, it was all recreation. We had really, you know, when you grow up in the mountains here. You might remember you got you might get to TV channels, depending on which way the winds blowing prior to cable, you know,</p><p>00:05:54.540 –&gt; 00:06:02.820 Hope Surrett: So all Recreation was based on outdoors. My dad left to hunt and fish and and then just drive around, you know that I’m still in the days of the</p><p>00:06:03.510 –&gt; 00:06:18.660 Hope Surrett: The Sunday drive or whatever. And a lot of times we load up in the car or whatever and drop the parkway or, or, you know, go visit relatives and my dad was a great it drives my wife nuts. Now, because now I’m the same way, but he was the kind of guys. So let’s take the long way.</p><p>00:06:18.750 –&gt; 00:06:20.460 Joseph McElroy: The same. Very good. I remember that.</p><p>00:06:21.420 –&gt; 00:06:28.440 Hope Surrett: And he also as I was growing up, my dad always kept a couple of Tennessee walking horses, not for showing but for trail riding.</p><p>00:06:28.710 –&gt; 00:06:39.930 Hope Surrett: Right. So we spent a lot of summer times riding back into the Smokies, you know, places that would ride to Clemens dome, which is the highest point east of the Mississippi and</p><p>00:06:40.620 –&gt; 00:06:45.840 Hope Surrett: Or oil, one of the highest points. It’s the second highest I guess next amount Mitchell, but we would ride.</p><p>00:06:46.620 –&gt; 00:07:02.670 Hope Surrett: 3040 miles back into the Smoky Mountains nice department camp and trout fish. And so I grew up. And also, um, you know, 35 minutes from Cherokee and as a child, the history of the of the Cherokee people fascinated me and and does, to this day, so</p><p>00:07:03.870 –&gt; 00:07:09.090 Hope Surrett: I, you know, I’ve been involved in that all my life. And it’s just, it’s amazing place to grow up.</p><p>00:07:09.630 –&gt; 00:07:14.490 Joseph McElroy: We do I look I was looking at me, or about the same age. So you’re probably going to piss. Good.</p><p>00:07:15.000 –&gt; 00:07:18.660 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, same time, I was going to Tesco. I graduated in 80 so</p><p>00:07:18.690 –&gt; 00:07:19.920 Hope Surrett: Well, that’s all.</p><p>00:07:21.420 –&gt; 00:07:30.450 Joseph McElroy: People might not know but is considered the most, the biggest rivalry and high school football in the nation. A few years back. So MAJOR MAGAZINE said was</p><p>00:07:30.540 –&gt; 00:07:41.880 Hope Surrett: Oh yeah yes came and covered the game. It’s crazy to me in Canton, we have about 4500 people and for the Pisco testicle. The game will have 12,000 people out of here. I don’t even know.</p><p>00:07:43.710 –&gt; 00:07:45.990 Joseph McElroy: It was a thing to do on Friday nights I think</p><p>00:07:46.680 –&gt; 00:07:47.070 Joseph McElroy: Right.</p><p>00:07:47.100 –&gt; 00:07:48.570 Hope Surrett: Yeah, it is absolutely</p><p>00:07:48.600 –&gt; 00:07:54.390 Joseph McElroy: The and you know i i was we were Tennessee walkers to sound like you were describing my childhood just</p><p>00:07:55.230 –&gt; 00:07:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Take it on the long</p><p>00:07:56.580 –&gt; 00:08:05.430 Joseph McElroy: long rows and you know and and we were doing. We had our own had our own Tennessee walks because my dad. He was a horse trader so</p><p>00:08:05.790 –&gt; 00:08:20.100 Joseph McElroy: I got one. I got one horse that was a plow horse combination plow horse and Tennessee Walker Walker. So it was a little bit rough and then the other one, they gave to me because I was the only a big enough to handle that every time he got on his foot kicking the butt. Oh, yeah.</p><p>00:08:21.240 –&gt; 00:08:32.970 Hope Surrett: My dad was a big man about 320 he weighed and he had a big old horse was about 16 hands tall it to shoulder. It was a monster and but it was the sweetest thing. And I remember as a kid.</p><p>00:08:35.610 –&gt; 00:08:43.920 Hope Surrett: I would come home from school and take a cinder block and prop it up long ways, so I can stand up on in that horse would walk up. Let me get on it. And so I’d ride around that.</p><p>00:08:45.480 –&gt; 00:08:51.240 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah, I understand your dad was a big influence on you on your on your music. Pretty, pretty early. Right.</p><p>00:08:51.480 –&gt; 00:08:53.280 Hope Surrett: Yes, absolutely. Dad was a</p><p>00:08:54.630 –&gt; 00:09:06.960 Hope Surrett: Was an excellent singer. He played guitar a bit, and he was what I would call a jokingly referred to as an animal singer you know it was a Friday night was the moose lodge Saturday night was Elks Lodge.</p><p>00:09:09.330 –&gt; 00:09:10.680 Hope Surrett: Lions Club, you know,</p><p>00:09:11.880 –&gt; 00:09:12.030 Hope Surrett: And</p><p>00:09:13.260 –&gt; 00:09:15.480 Hope Surrett: All the local little places. He was fine.</p><p>00:09:16.650 –&gt; 00:09:23.880 Hope Surrett: He sang a lot of bluegrass he loved bluegrass but he was a better country singer in the, you know, the old time like Marty Robbins right price.</p><p>00:09:24.960 –&gt; 00:09:26.310 Hope Surrett: Kind of country singer.</p><p>00:09:26.700 –&gt; 00:09:27.600 Hope Surrett: So, and he would</p><p>00:09:27.660 –&gt; 00:09:42.510 Hope Surrett: End, and I’m very grateful he let me tag along to the practices which I was enthralled with as just a small kid all the instruments blew my mind whether it was a bluegrass band or a country by end with steel guitars and whatnot, you know,</p><p>00:09:43.920 –&gt; 00:09:49.710 Hope Surrett: So there was a great element of music in my life for my earliest memories so</p><p>00:09:50.220 –&gt; 00:09:52.620 Joseph McElroy: Southern rock to you did a little bit of electric based in</p><p>00:09:52.980 –&gt; 00:09:53.400 Hope Surrett: Oh, yeah.</p><p>00:09:53.430 –&gt; 00:09:53.730 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.</p><p>00:09:54.570 –&gt; 00:10:10.440 Hope Surrett: I got my when I was 14 my dad was trying to coax me into doing well in school guess about ninth grade and he promised me if I would do well and first semester, he’d buy me any guitar. I wanted for Christmas and I had my own Les Paul, I was going to be Led Zeppelin, you know, and</p><p>00:10:12.540 –&gt; 00:10:21.090 Hope Surrett: But my cousin, my cousin, my cousin had he’s three years older than me. He was a senior high school and he had a high school, kind of a garage.</p><p>00:10:21.510 –&gt; 00:10:29.430 Hope Surrett: Slash basement rock band that I just worship them, you know, and I knew their bass player was leaving, and my cousin told me if I could get a bass.</p><p>00:10:29.850 –&gt; 00:10:39.420 Hope Surrett: I was in, you know, cuz it was the one finger base. Back then it was a you know ZZ Top bad but and I you had a base in three minutes. You are in a band, you know,</p><p>00:10:41.430 –&gt; 00:10:51.480 Hope Surrett: So I got the base instead of the Les Paul and started playing with everybody that my dad had played with. And I was so enamored with playing that I would play</p><p>00:10:52.170 –&gt; 00:11:05.580 Hope Surrett: With dad’s old country guys one night a week, I would play rock and roll somewhere in Asheville, North Carolina just down the road here on, you know, Friday or Saturday and and and probably in a church on Sunday with some other folks so</p><p>00:11:06.300 –&gt; 00:11:06.780 Asked me</p><p>00:11:10.800 –&gt; 00:11:11.310 Hope Surrett: Yeah, and then</p><p>00:11:12.090 –&gt; 00:11:21.060 Hope Surrett: Some of it was funny cuz I stepped right in my dad kind of retired out of it. And I sort of stepped right into his a lot, especially a couple of his luck, the old country band.</p><p>00:11:21.540 –&gt; 00:11:31.020 Hope Surrett: And some of the Bluegrass guys here in Canton which there are a lot of and and I didn’t even know the names of the songs, but I’d heard him play him so much. I just stepped in started playing so</p><p>00:11:32.640 –&gt; 00:11:35.070 Joseph McElroy: Did you ever play Maggie that old bands all</p><p>00:11:35.400 –&gt; 00:11:38.550 Hope Surrett: The talking about the house.</p><p>00:11:38.970 –&gt; 00:11:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, very rarely play house. Yeah.</p><p>00:11:42.840 –&gt; 00:11:51.540 Hope Surrett: Well you know I was also want to clog in team. That’s the first time I made it to the Grand Ole Opry. I mean, I would. When I was a kid square dancing clogging was a huge deal.</p><p>00:11:52.080 –&gt; 00:11:59.370 Hope Surrett: And i mean i mean you’re not, I would League baseball practice or football practice and still in uniform and go to Target practice.</p><p>00:12:00.390 –&gt; 00:12:00.720 Joseph McElroy: We know</p><p>00:12:01.440 –&gt; 00:12:05.940 Hope Surrett: The valley Playhouse funny. I tell people all the time. That was our skating rink.</p><p>00:12:07.560 –&gt; 00:12:09.210 Hope Surrett: You wanted to hold hands with a pretty girl.</p><p>00:12:12.180 –&gt; 00:12:12.630 Joseph McElroy: I learned</p><p>00:12:13.650 –&gt; 00:12:20.220 Joseph McElroy: I learned about dance. And I remember when I came back to the cities. Yeah, I’d get up and dance and people look like like I was insane.</p><p>00:12:21.480 –&gt; 00:12:27.990 Hope Surrett: I actually, I actually called at a bar mitzvah in San Francisco wants and they thought out in invented some kind of new staff.</p><p>00:12:30.630 –&gt; 00:12:33.090 Joseph McElroy: Well, yeah, no, that’s the that’s</p><p>00:12:34.650 –&gt; 00:12:39.000 Joseph McElroy: The thing. It’s like the one place for white men in America will get up and dance by themselves.</p><p>00:12:41.430 –&gt; 00:12:43.650 Hope Surrett: Yeah, let’s get up and do it too.</p><p>00:12:46.980 –&gt; 00:12:51.420 Joseph McElroy: So that’s cool. Did you ever. Did you ever get to beat your pay play with Raymond Raymond</p><p>00:12:52.590 –&gt; 00:12:53.850 Hope Surrett: Raymond Fairchild, sure.</p><p>00:12:55.140 –&gt; 00:13:01.680 Hope Surrett: I remember Raymond, the first time come into my elementary school, which was Pennsylvania Avenue Elementary School here in Canton and</p><p>00:13:02.850 –&gt; 00:13:06.360 Hope Surrett: Raymond would come with his band and play for the kids, you know, it’s really cool.</p><p>00:13:06.960 –&gt; 00:13:20.100 Hope Surrett: And then later years, I met Raymond when I started playing bluegrass we played the same festivals like the big Cherokee festival and and all over the country. We played with Raymond Fairchild, and usually Raymond in the crow brothers Josh and willing crow cool, though.</p><p>00:13:21.150 –&gt; 00:13:25.710 Joseph McElroy: He just died recently. I remember you remember the grown up with him in the mountains and it was</p><p>00:13:25.710 –&gt; 00:13:26.340 Hope Surrett: All he was a</p><p>00:13:26.370 –&gt; 00:13:27.600 Hope Surrett: He was a character, man. He</p><p>00:13:27.600 –&gt; 00:13:38.940 Hope Surrett: Was he was a lot of things. He was a storyteller and moonshine, or I mean just all kind of stuff and he had hit a million selling single with a with a banjo instrumental</p><p>00:13:39.240 –&gt; 00:13:39.750 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, I can.</p><p>00:13:39.900 –&gt; 00:13:42.450 Hope Surrett: fix these all yet go break. It’s all over the place. Yeah.</p><p>00:13:42.540 –&gt; 00:13:51.060 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, well. Cool. We got to take a break and when we come back we’ll talk more about the Blue Grass and gospel. All right.</p><p>00:13:51.510 –&gt; 00:13:52.770 Joseph McElroy: Yes, sir. Yeah.</p><p>00:16:07.290 –&gt; 00:16:10.920 Joseph McElroy: Hey this is Joseph backward back with the gateway to the Smokies</p><p>00:16:12.180 –&gt; 00:16:19.860 Joseph McElroy: Pop. Pop it were the Smokies podcast. Now I’ve just been told by people that might not be playing on Facebook right now and if people were looking for it.</p><p>00:16:21.930 –&gt; 00:16:22.380 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.</p><p>00:16:23.730 –&gt; 00:16:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Tim, you might want to page post on your Facebook pages to talk radio dot NYC slash live, you know, look.</p><p>00:16:32.070 –&gt; 00:16:32.730 Hope Surrett: I can do that.</p><p>00:16:33.000 –&gt; 00:16:33.450 Yeah.</p><p>00:16:35.190 –&gt; 00:16:38.190 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, let’s let’s do that right quick. So</p><p>00:16:39.630 –&gt; 00:16:42.270 People can get to. Because there’s people that want to hear it.</p><p>00:16:44.010 –&gt; 00:16:51.120 Joseph McElroy: And if the engineer out there can listen and maybe make sure it’s a streaming after our Facebook our Facebook page.</p><p>00:16:51.600 –&gt; 00:16:51.990 Hope Surrett: Oh, you gotta</p><p>00:16:53.910 –&gt; 00:16:54.660 Hope Surrett: You gotta have you</p><p>00:16:55.020 –&gt; 00:16:56.310 Joseph McElroy: Gotta have that. So I</p><p>00:16:58.740 –&gt; 00:17:02.490 Joseph McElroy: Don’t know why it’s not there, but sorry about that, folks.</p><p>00:17:03.660 –&gt; 00:17:04.560 Joseph McElroy: So,</p><p>00:17:06.270 –&gt; 00:17:10.350 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, let’s continue here and hopefully they’ll fix that for people</p><p>00:17:15.210 –&gt; 00:17:23.160 Joseph McElroy: Where, where we’ve said we’re talking about talking about your playing music and place and he started professionally tour and when you were very young or cheap.</p><p>00:17:24.480 –&gt; 00:17:28.230 Joseph McElroy: And so, you know, we’re right what right out of high school, right.</p><p>00:17:28.560 –&gt; 00:17:39.090 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I started traveling with a group out of Canton here, a local gospel group. Well, I say local I was a senior in high school at Pisco 17 and</p><p>00:17:39.660 –&gt; 00:17:53.880 Hope Surrett: This group from Canton here called the happy travelers. They were a gospel quartet, which I knew nothing about gospel quartets except grown up here, you got a heavy dose of the inspirations from Bryson city and the Kingsman from Asheville</p><p>00:17:55.170 –&gt; 00:18:07.740 Hope Surrett: Other than that I had no idea, but these guys wanted me to play and travel, which at 17. I can’t believe they had a big silver Eagle bus, you know, and we went out the first weekend and and they hired me and</p><p>00:18:09.390 –&gt; 00:18:18.330 Hope Surrett: Yeah. And that was it, and I fell in love with the gospel music that was going on at that time and and stayed in it a long, long time, you know,</p><p>00:18:18.690 –&gt; 00:18:29.520 Joseph McElroy: You know, I remember. Around that time, you know, the there was sort of a religious revival going on with the young people quite a bit because I got, I was in that too. I was preaching at the Methodist Church and everything. So, you know, I think.</p><p>00:18:30.210 –&gt; 00:18:34.410 Joseph McElroy: You know, you know, that was a big time for getting a little bit in the gospel.</p><p>00:18:34.770 –&gt; 00:18:40.350 Joseph McElroy: Sure, yeah. So, um, what what towns were the big in the circuit back those days.</p><p>00:18:40.530 –&gt; 00:18:41.970 Hope Surrett: Oh, gosh. Well, you know,</p><p>00:18:43.620 –&gt; 00:18:57.960 Hope Surrett: The, the Bible. Well, really well. I’ll tell you this, you know, it was. It’s hard to say it was it was popular all over the especially the eastern part of the United States. I missed my senior prom at HP is good because we were playing in Detroit, Michigan that night.</p><p>00:18:57.990 –&gt; 00:18:58.740 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.</p><p>00:18:58.860 –&gt; 00:19:10.440 Hope Surrett: And the group. I was in those. Those guys were kind of a, I will say be level group. They were kind of an opening act for the major gospel groups of the day, which you know Kingsman inspirations.</p><p>00:19:11.130 –&gt; 00:19:27.060 Hope Surrett: You know cathedrals, all these great gospel groups. So I went from straight from hospital chorus and band to, you know, plan in Detroit. That night as part of the opening act on those concerts and just kind of kept going up through there because I love the music, you know,</p><p>00:19:27.450 –&gt; 00:19:43.320 Joseph McElroy: Cool. So, you know, no. I read a little bit about gospel music and you know that there seems like there was a time that remains the gospel sort of mainstream mainstream Gospel is turning tend to be a little bit like Quartet.</p><p>00:19:43.740 –&gt; 00:19:44.310 Joseph McElroy: Right, yeah.</p><p>00:19:44.580 –&gt; 00:19:48.990 Joseph McElroy: And then you then mountain gas gospel was a bit different. Right.</p><p>00:19:49.680 –&gt; 00:19:59.280 Hope Surrett: Yeah. And absolutely, there was the mail quartet thing which has been popular since the 1940s with groups like the statesman quartet. These are groups that would come all over the country.</p><p>00:19:59.970 –&gt; 00:20:13.320 Hope Surrett: Well, even the Ryman auditorium one weekend a month one Saturday night, a month was an all night gospel singer, you know, the Romans Grand Ole Opry years and there were, you know, there was there was the Quartet style with the statesman, the black wood brothers.</p><p>00:20:14.550 –&gt; 00:20:23.850 Hope Surrett: And then there was the family group kind of thing with the happy good moans the Hanson, some of these people, you’d say on the gospel singing Jubilee on Sunday morning. Right. It’s</p><p>00:20:24.390 –&gt; 00:20:37.740 Hope Surrett: hugely popular syndicated show and and then you had Bluegrass gospel. And the cool thing I noticed that a young age, because I grew up on the Bluegrass more so than the Quartet style was that</p><p>00:20:38.820 –&gt; 00:20:43.200 Hope Surrett: The gospel audience embraced both or all three kinds really</p><p>00:20:43.410 –&gt; 00:20:53.910 Hope Surrett: We would go play I’m ever going to play many gospel concert and they would be the group. I was playing for AND THEY WOULD THERE WOULD BE THE Hanson’s a family style country gospel group and then there would be</p><p>00:20:54.630 –&gt; 00:20:59.880 Hope Surrett: My friends, the primitive quartet from over here in Canada, North Carolina, which is a Bluegrass gospel group.</p><p>00:21:00.270 –&gt; 00:21:00.780 Joseph McElroy: Right and</p><p>00:21:01.050 –&gt; 00:21:06.690 Hope Surrett: The audience just, you know, it was the message for them. And if the music was good. They. It was all good, you know,</p><p>00:21:07.710 –&gt; 00:21:13.890 Joseph McElroy: Wow, that’s, I mean I guess that was exciting time to be involved in something of the sort of different than what everybody’s used to. Right. Yeah.</p><p>00:21:13.950 –&gt; 00:21:14.820 Hope Surrett: Yeah, absolutely.</p><p>00:21:15.060 –&gt; 00:21:16.470 Joseph McElroy: Cool. Um,</p><p>00:21:17.520 –&gt; 00:21:24.750 Joseph McElroy: I was reading again and it caught my eye. There was a form of gospel and you were talking about the Cherokee is called share the gospel. What the heck is that</p><p>00:21:25.260 –&gt; 00:21:28.920 Hope Surrett: Well, I’m not an expert at it, but I would say that’s where you know</p><p>00:21:31.770 –&gt; 00:21:45.960 Hope Surrett: I’m certainly no lettered scholar in it, but I know you know some of the first things that the Cherokees translated into their written language wants to call you wrote, you know, came up with that language is 86 character celebrate that he did</p><p>00:21:47.040 –&gt; 00:21:48.780 Hope Surrett: Before the removal of the Cherokees</p><p>00:21:50.400 –&gt; 00:21:59.700 Hope Surrett: Some of the first things you know they had their own newspaper. They had their own printing press in the Cherokee capitals, they put put out their own newspaper called the Cherokee Phoenix.</p><p>00:22:02.130 –&gt; 00:22:03.750 Hope Surrett: And they, they immediately started</p><p>00:22:05.100 –&gt; 00:22:18.660 Hope Surrett: translating the hymn books and the Bible into the Cherokee language. And to this day, you can still go here, Cherokee family gospel groups that will sing a song in English like amazing grace and then they’ll sing a verse or two in the chair Keeling which</p><p>00:22:18.720 –&gt; 00:22:21.930 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know. I must be really cool. I never, I never</p><p>00:22:23.520 –&gt; 00:22:23.850 Joseph McElroy: Know, but</p><p>00:22:24.600 –&gt; 00:22:36.450 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I’ve played a lot in Turkey, over the years, they love bluegrass and gospel both and and you’ll forever if somebody will get up and sing Amazing Grace and then do it in the Cherokee language, which is really, really cool.</p><p>00:22:37.320 –&gt; 00:22:38.370 Joseph McElroy: So you spent</p><p>00:22:39.420 –&gt; 00:22:51.570 Joseph McElroy: About 15 years total with the kings. When I guess there were two stints right and it’s like one of the great gospel quartets out there and you did that really pretty young. I mean at 23 landed on this major back then it</p><p>00:22:52.800 –&gt; 00:22:55.410 Joseph McElroy: Was a that was not. Um, so what are some of the members, you have</p><p>00:22:55.680 –&gt; 00:22:57.120 Hope Surrett: Gone. Wow, there’s too many</p><p>00:22:57.210 –&gt; 00:23:01.080 Hope Surrett: Too many to name but I just remember when I joined the king’s men they hired me</p><p>00:23:02.370 –&gt; 00:23:09.630 Hope Surrett: I’ve been working in the studio as a studio musician, which is a whole different facet of my musical career and a great big part of it.</p><p>00:23:10.740 –&gt; 00:23:25.710 Hope Surrett: And I became kind of a house bass player as a big studio in Nashville. And it was predominantly gospel records. So there’s a gentleman named Eldridge fox that owned the Kingsman and he was a very prolific producer in the gospel world. So I played on tons of albums for him.</p><p>00:23:26.760 –&gt; 00:23:28.650 Hope Surrett: recording sessions and</p><p>00:23:30.090 –&gt; 00:23:42.810 Hope Surrett: I was playing bass, but I still love to travel and all that kind of stuff. So at one point in the late 80s, he had two guys leaving the king’s men at once. It’s a hard life. We were gone. Average 250 days a year. Easy.</p><p>00:23:44.550 –&gt; 00:23:54.270 Hope Surrett: And he had his bass player and his baritone singer were leaving at the same time, and he knew I could do both, or at least hold down both the league could get somebody to fill one or the other.</p><p>00:23:54.660 –&gt; 00:23:59.610 Hope Surrett: So they hired me. And you know, I remember the first not out was it a big concert in Atlanta.</p><p>00:24:00.690 –&gt; 00:24:06.810 Hope Surrett: And they called me up to seeing and scared me to death because I was a bass player by trade, I could hear the harmony and all that.</p><p>00:24:07.320 –&gt; 00:24:15.030 Hope Surrett: But I just remember standing there between three water now Gospel Music Hall of Famers you know there was a Eldridge Fox.</p><p>00:24:15.660 –&gt; 00:24:23.220 Hope Surrett: Jim Hamill, who’s the lead singer and re release the basing are all Hall of Famers re, re still has the king’s men to this day.</p><p>00:24:24.090 –&gt; 00:24:33.840 Hope Surrett: He’s the only surviving one of that group that I’m talking about. And just, I remember stepping up between those guys and just could just could not believe it.</p><p>00:24:34.410 –&gt; 00:24:44.460 Hope Surrett: And, you know, it was carried me all over the United States and Canada, and my, you know, my first time to seeing on the Grand Ole Opry was with the Kingsman</p><p>00:24:44.790 –&gt; 00:24:47.730 Hope Surrett: And and and you know just all kinds of stuff all over</p><p>00:24:48.360 –&gt; 00:25:00.900 Hope Surrett: Then you found out because every year we would take the month of February and start in Texas or somewhere and play Phoenix and Albuquerque and up Los Angeles and all of the West Coast and</p><p>00:25:02.040 –&gt; 00:25:06.210 Hope Surrett: Oregon and Washington. And then up into British Columbia, Alberta.</p><p>00:25:07.350 –&gt; 00:25:14.700 Hope Surrett: The people in Canada would drive six or eight hours to come here. You hear you play at one of these big concerts, because that’s all I got the whole year.</p><p>00:25:15.210 –&gt; 00:25:18.600 Hope Surrett: Wow. Oh, it was, it was amazing to me. It was, I wouldn’t call it</p><p>00:25:19.770 –&gt; 00:25:25.890 Hope Surrett: A counterculture but it was definitely a whole different world that I didn’t know even existed, and it was, you know, just</p><p>00:25:26.940 –&gt; 00:25:29.550 Hope Surrett: Doing it at that level for that long was a</p><p>00:25:30.630 –&gt; 00:25:31.890 Hope Surrett: Was a great blessing for me.</p><p>00:25:32.370 –&gt; 00:25:41.370 Joseph McElroy: Well, I came out of Nashville. And you came at a camp. And there’s some good things going on in there is a national always been a great area for gospel music in the center of it.</p><p>00:25:42.120 –&gt; 00:25:50.130 Hope Surrett: It’s been a big part of it going back even to, you know, prior to my days there was no fail in Asheville named Riley that brought</p><p>00:25:50.550 –&gt; 00:26:01.050 Hope Surrett: Those great, you know, the big gospel x to the old Nashville city auditorium, the statesman, the black was the Goodman’s all those kinds of people on down through the years, and</p><p>00:26:02.520 –&gt; 00:26:07.380 Hope Surrett: I don’t know if it’s the hotbed is it was in those days when I was first getting into it.</p><p>00:26:08.610 –&gt; 00:26:14.940 Hope Surrett: Because honestly bluegrass you can do better with Bluegrass style music here than about anything else. Yeah.</p><p>00:26:15.480 –&gt; 00:26:18.390 Joseph McElroy: Became popular with the kids. I think the hipsters</p><p>00:26:19.080 –&gt; 00:26:20.130 Hope Surrett: Yeah yeah yeah</p><p>00:26:20.940 –&gt; 00:26:23.700 Hope Surrett: What we ran a school called a trust the ferry guns.</p><p>00:26:25.440 –&gt; 00:26:32.100 Joseph McElroy: They were we gotta lose broke up here and there and they’re cool kids, but they got they got into that roots music, man.</p><p>00:26:33.000 –&gt; 00:26:40.890 Hope Surrett: They look, I’ll tell you what, man. We love playing bluegrass for those kinds of audiences because they just, I don’t think they’re prepared for the power of it, you know.</p><p>00:26:41.610 –&gt; 00:26:52.410 Hope Surrett: When the drive hits in a good bluegrass band, it’s, it’s kind of got that rock and roll energy about it. And when that hits them with special with acoustic instruments they lose their minds. It’s so much fun.</p><p>00:26:52.560 –&gt; 00:26:58.170 Joseph McElroy: And you know, when you put clogging do it, you know, pretty crazy with Bob and I mean you can, you know, you can throw</p><p>00:26:58.260 –&gt; 00:26:58.770 Hope Surrett: Oh, yeah.</p><p>00:26:59.100 –&gt; 00:26:59.640 Joseph McElroy: Oh, yeah.</p><p>00:27:00.870 –&gt; 00:27:04.320 Hope Surrett: There was a big festival in Nashville. For years, called bail share</p><p>00:27:04.770 –&gt; 00:27:06.000 Joseph McElroy: Yeah yeah</p><p>00:27:06.060 –&gt; 00:27:07.410 Hope Surrett: Oh, it was huge and</p><p>00:27:08.850 –&gt; 00:27:17.850 Hope Surrett: It had everything and they always had us close it out and it was so much fun because they close off the streets of downtown Nashville, they’d be, you know, eight or 10,000 people out there.</p><p>00:27:18.480 –&gt; 00:27:25.860 Hope Surrett: And we would have farmers from out here. Jonathan very calm Haywood out there in the streets dancing with the with the hippie KIDS DOING THE SPAN, you know,</p><p>00:27:26.550 –&gt; 00:27:26.850 Hope Surrett: It was</p><p>00:27:27.540 –&gt; 00:27:30.780 Hope Surrett: It was all all for one and one for all. It was just great.</p><p>00:27:32.370 –&gt; 00:27:37.950 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, well you know that that sort of hippie thing is always been around, we have a rainbow children come. There we go.</p><p>00:27:37.950 –&gt; 00:27:38.610 Joseph McElroy: Oh, sure.</p><p>00:27:39.480 –&gt; 00:27:48.540 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, so the mountains, have always had this sort of counterculture yeah yeah yeah that’s pretty cool. Well you know I</p><p>00:27:50.160 –&gt; 00:27:57.900 Joseph McElroy: I see 1991 you and Mickey gamble on the new record and company called a mountain home music company. Right. Yeah.</p><p>00:27:57.960 –&gt; 00:28:05.370 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you what happened with that you know I mentioned a minute ago how I saw a young age, the Bluegrass people</p><p>00:28:06.060 –&gt; 00:28:26.490 Hope Surrett: The gospel. People loved the Bluegrass and even with the king’s men, they would have me take a guitar in the middle of a quartet style program and sing a couple of three bluegrass style songs and I saw very quickly that the gospel. People loved both styles. So I talked to Mickey who owned</p><p>00:28:27.600 –&gt; 00:28:40.560 Hope Surrett: A studio in Nashville about life. I was with the king’s men, it’s time. But I was looking for an outlet to perform or not perform so much but produce and and and just play some bluegrass because I loved it so much.</p><p>00:28:41.640 –&gt; 00:28:43.890 Hope Surrett: And they understood the business idea I had that</p><p>00:28:45.540 –&gt; 00:28:51.960 Hope Surrett: You know, at that time, the gospel. People would accept either one. So we have what I consider the double market.</p><p>00:28:52.410 –&gt; 00:29:04.380 Hope Surrett: And we started out with. It was all Bluegrass gospel, to start with, and it’s just kind of kept growing and growing and growing and morphing over the years and and our band is still on that label all these was it 30 years later. Oh, Lord.</p><p>00:29:06.030 –&gt; 00:29:14.190 Joseph McElroy: Well, I’m going to take a break down we’ll finish up a little bit more about that story. Alright, sounds pretty good. I love that. I love that. And the actual artists and might be involved.</p><p>00:29:14.280 –&gt; 00:29:15.450 Hope Surrett: All right. Okay. Sure.</p><p>00:31:36.510 –&gt; 00:31:43.740 Joseph McElroy: Hey it’s Joseph Franklin McIlroy back with gateway to the Smokies podcast, then I guess Tim certain balsam range.</p><p>00:31:44.970 –&gt; 00:31:56.550 Joseph McElroy: Hey, Tim. We were talking about your about your, your, your records recording company. And I was wondering could you tell me about that Smoky Mountain talents. You’re seeing these days.</p><p>00:31:57.180 –&gt; 00:32:02.130 Hope Surrett: Man, we started out with, with all local folks, pretty much.</p><p>00:32:03.870 –&gt; 00:32:04.620 Hope Surrett: You know, just</p><p>00:32:05.730 –&gt; 00:32:14.760 Hope Surrett: There was so much bluegrass around here still is local gospel family bands that kind of stuff. And then we started getting people from out of the area.</p><p>00:32:15.540 –&gt; 00:32:32.670 Hope Surrett: But, you know, we’ve we’ve had everybody. And you can think of. And over the past 30 years major, major names on our label and a lot of them are still there. So, uh, yeah. I started out with. I’ll tell you one of my favorites is a young man from Candler North Carolina.</p><p>00:32:34.050 –&gt; 00:32:47.970 Hope Surrett: By the name of Brian Sutton, and Brian is a Grammy Award winner, world class guitar player. I don’t know how many times he’s one bluegrass guitar player of the year, but he’s played with everybody on the planet from Ricky Skaggs to everybody. You can think of and</p><p>00:32:49.080 –&gt; 00:32:57.390 Hope Surrett: I met him when I was a senior high school at Inca and got him on his first session and next thing you know he’s traveling with Ricky Skaggs but back in those days.</p><p>00:32:58.380 –&gt; 00:33:06.030 Hope Surrett: These family groups would come into record from the area and they would have myself and another musician. I’m David Johnson, who plays everything on the planet.</p><p>00:33:06.450 –&gt; 00:33:16.020 Hope Surrett: Plays every instrument. I’ve ever seen at a master level and also a humble sweet guy and I can’t tell you how many records we cut for these family bands with just myself and David</p><p>00:33:16.470 –&gt; 00:33:17.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.</p><p>00:33:17.280 –&gt; 00:33:29.940 Hope Surrett: Just the two of us would play all the instruments and and and it was so much fun. But over the years it morphed into an actual major bluegrass label and and we’ve had everybody from Tony rice Larry sparks.</p><p>00:33:31.380 –&gt; 00:33:39.600 Hope Surrett: You know bluegrass household names don’t last me Quicksilver balsam range Lawrence river by in the grass skulls too many to name and</p><p>00:33:39.660 –&gt; 00:33:39.930 Joseph McElroy: I looked</p><p>00:33:41.070 –&gt; 00:33:46.080 Joseph McElroy: I looked at it was pretty impressive is like, Oh my gosh, this is, this is the real deal here. Yeah, it’s</p><p>00:33:46.200 –&gt; 00:33:53.520 Hope Surrett: It’s been a wonderful thing for. I can’t believe it just hit me talking to you. Yeah, this year. Next 30 years that’s man. That’s crazy.</p><p>00:33:53.730 –&gt; 00:33:55.260 Joseph McElroy: I hate to remind you of your age.</p><p>00:33:57.480 –&gt; 00:33:59.790 Hope Surrett: Oh, I can see myself as a reminder already</p><p>00:34:02.070 –&gt; 00:34:14.160 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve experienced SO WE’RE IN THE BLUEGRASS now you’ve experienced a lot of mountain mountain. MUSIC All right. Yeah. And your marriage music here just comfortable Smoky Mountains, but you’ve traveled a lot. You’ve seen bluegrass</p><p>00:34:14.700 –&gt; 00:34:22.980 Joseph McElroy: Bluegrass has claimed it a lot of different areas. Is there anything different about the Smoky Mountain bluegrass that the make a distinctive sound.</p><p>00:34:23.520 –&gt; 00:34:34.050 Hope Surrett: I think, I think there is usually in bands from this area western North Carolina or some of them in East Tennessee on the smoke that side of the Smokies there’s an energy there.</p><p>00:34:34.740 –&gt; 00:34:51.990 Hope Surrett: That’s, that’s kind of unmistakable unmistakable. You can really feel it. And there’s also an element I think of the old time music, you know, the fiddle team kind of thing that creeps in. I know it does in our music. It creeps in quite often. And I love that stuff. You know,</p><p>00:34:53.010 –&gt; 00:34:54.930 Hope Surrett: So I do think that kind of sets.</p><p>00:34:56.040 –&gt; 00:35:03.660 Hope Surrett: People from our region apart just a little bit, it’s, it’s a difference. And of course, our accents have something to do with it, you know, with</p><p>00:35:04.680 –&gt; 00:35:10.680 Hope Surrett: With balsam range. People say, you know, the way you harmonize. Are you guys is that family harmony. And I said, No, that’s county harmony.</p><p>00:35:12.900 –&gt; 00:35:22.950 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, we did a show, you know, the couple weeks ago about the Scottish influence on mountain culture, you know, and talking about you know how the Scotch Irish came here.</p><p>00:35:23.400 –&gt; 00:35:23.760 Hope Surrett: Right.</p><p>00:35:24.000 –&gt; 00:35:35.160 Joseph McElroy: And brought a lot of tradition of that kind of music, a balance and things that when you started bringing in the banjo and stuff started morphing into this more beat driven music that’s bluegrass right</p><p>00:35:35.550 –&gt; 00:35:39.510 Hope Surrett: Right, absolutely. I mean, that Scotch Irish thing is still huge</p><p>00:35:40.620 –&gt; 00:35:46.950 Hope Surrett: You know, it’s what it’s what’s bad bill Monroe sold to start this kind of thing off in the first place, but</p><p>00:35:47.880 –&gt; 00:35:52.620 Hope Surrett: Yeah, it’s especially around here that that like that’s what I’m saying that old time droning fiddle</p><p>00:35:53.460 –&gt; 00:36:00.300 Hope Surrett: faddle team kind of thing. And every bluegrass band in the world still play some of the songs that very well came over from</p><p>00:36:00.810 –&gt; 00:36:16.290 Hope Surrett: Scotland or England or Ireland or whales or somewhere over in there and that’s why that music cross pollinate. That’s why the Irish music resonates so strongly with people like us, you know, it’s, there’s something in our blood that that that really identifies with us.</p><p>00:36:17.010 –&gt; 00:36:18.000 Joseph McElroy: You mentioned one point.</p><p>00:36:19.380 –&gt; 00:36:25.410 Joseph McElroy: You really felt that it’s like there’s a bluegrass is like it almost seems very authentic because it feels natural to you.</p><p>00:36:26.340 –&gt; 00:36:33.930 Hope Surrett: Oh yeah, I’ll tell you, for me, and we’re, you know, close to the same age. I spoke about wanting to play rock and roll. When I was a kid. And when I was a</p><p>00:36:34.440 –&gt; 00:36:47.490 Hope Surrett: high schooler radio was I mean popular radio was so good. I mean, you, you just and you’re always sentimental about what you grew up on but on pop radio, you would hear the Eagles or</p><p>00:36:47.910 –&gt; 00:37:04.650 Hope Surrett: Kansas or foreigner, or, you know, all these great thing and bands and then when the 80s rolled around, you know, the new wave thing started. And I’m not degrading anybody’s opinion that’s why there’s buttons on the radio. But for me, the, the sense era kind of</p><p>00:37:05.790 –&gt; 00:37:19.740 Hope Surrett: Lost me a little bit and I started longing for something more authentic more primitive, I guess you might say, and it drove me to back to blue grass, and in particular bill Monroe.</p><p>00:37:20.820 –&gt; 00:37:34.170 Hope Surrett: The father of bluegrass is he’s widely known. And there was something there was something they called it the high lonesome sound. There’s something, there’s something in that music I can hurt. David Letterman talk about it one time he loved bill Monroe and</p><p>00:37:36.000 –&gt; 00:37:42.810 Hope Surrett: There was something in that that really, really got to me and people like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley Stanley brothers.</p><p>00:37:43.290 –&gt; 00:37:45.150 Hope Surrett: The way they saying it was it was a</p><p>00:37:46.590 –&gt; 00:37:50.220 Hope Surrett: Had a lonesome quality to it. They had a real mountain thing about it, you know.</p><p>00:37:51.780 –&gt; 00:37:53.310 Joseph McElroy: Scotch Irish influence</p><p>00:37:54.750 –&gt; 00:37:59.730 Joseph McElroy: And immigrants much that they were always longing for home that they didn’t even know existed.</p><p>00:38:00.000 –&gt; 00:38:01.410 Hope Surrett: There’s a longing for something</p><p>00:38:02.460 –&gt; 00:38:03.720 Hope Surrett: I don’t know if you ever find it.</p><p>00:38:07.230 –&gt; 00:38:19.680 Hope Surrett: Just comes out in that sound and that’s the authenticity. And just the fact that the skill level, it takes to play bluegrass well because there’s nothing between you and the crowd, but your, your hands on the instrument and your voice. That’s all there is, you know,</p><p>00:38:20.310 –&gt; 00:38:29.310 Joseph McElroy: So there’s a lot of authentic instruments. I’m talking about handcrafted things. I know you did a producer down with Tom Tony rice called crossings that featured handcrafted</p><p>00:38:29.880 –&gt; 00:38:32.790 Joseph McElroy: Well, yeah, that building the mountains or some of it.</p><p>00:38:33.060 –&gt; 00:38:35.610 Hope Surrett: Yeah, well sure there’s there’s a</p><p>00:38:36.690 –&gt; 00:38:50.640 Hope Surrett: You know there’s there’s two or three makers of instruments like Martin guitars or gets an instruments, the banjos and Mandel ends, but there’s also a huge culture nowadays of custom, custom instruments handmade instruments.</p><p>00:38:51.930 –&gt; 00:39:06.180 Hope Surrett: That are based on some of the great instruments of the 20s, 30s, 40s of the last century. Our guitar player Caleb Smith, you should come contact him about an episode because he builds custom guitars guitars that are unbelievable.</p><p>00:39:07.650 –&gt; 00:39:18.240 Hope Surrett: And there is a big thing. You know, you got the whole dulcimer culture here. That is a cool sound that’s that’s all its own has that droning sound that are either Scotch Irish kind of thing.</p><p>00:39:19.260 –&gt; 00:39:33.360 Hope Surrett: In yeah there’s builders of instruments. I know the guy can’t hear that makes fabulous mandolin there Caleb our guitar player makes fabulous guitars 10 minutes from where I’m sitting and we know all kinds of these people around here that make their own instruments.</p><p>00:39:34.410 –&gt; 00:39:36.840 Hope Surrett: To a really high master level.</p><p>00:39:37.320 –&gt; 00:39:43.740 Joseph McElroy: Wow. So let’s talk about balsam range is now how did, how did you guys come together as a legendary band now.</p><p>00:39:43.830 –&gt; 00:39:46.800 Hope Surrett: Nah. Well, if you hang around long enough, they call you that, but</p><p>00:39:49.350 –&gt; 00:39:52.350 Hope Surrett: They call I call it a very, very happy.</p><p>00:39:54.030 –&gt; 00:40:02.520 Hope Surrett: Coincidence, basically, and I don’t believe in coincidence, all that much. It’s a joke, but all of us had been all over the country and all over the world, playing in different</p><p>00:40:03.060 –&gt; 00:40:10.170 Hope Surrett: Bands of some kind, myself in the gospel world Mark Pruitt our banjo player played with Ricky Skaggs for many years.</p><p>00:40:10.830 –&gt; 00:40:25.230 Hope Surrett: And on his albums and all the guys has been all over the place and we all ended up back in in Canton around here about the same time and we didn’t all even know each other because luckily I’ve been on the road, since I was 17, you know, and we</p><p>00:40:26.670 –&gt; 00:40:30.960 Hope Surrett: Are mandolin player dare Nicholson I RAN INTO HIM AT A physical football game. First one.</p><p>00:40:32.070 –&gt; 00:40:44.190 Hope Surrett: First one. I’ve been off the road to go to about 20 years and he stopped me at the ball game said he was going to do a solo, and he called me, Mr. Sir, he said, I’m going to do a record. I want you to play the bass on it, which I do quite often and</p><p>00:40:45.420 –&gt; 00:40:54.360 Hope Surrett: I said, Sure. Well, Mark and I ended up playing on that record great Rick and a month or two later buddy mountain our fiddle player 10 or singer who is spectacular.</p><p>00:40:56.490 –&gt; 00:41:10.440 Hope Surrett: He called Mark and wanted to do another solo bluegrass record and Mark and I ended up playing on that record. We had so much fun on those two records we mark. And I said, Let’s get these two bunches together and just jam, a little, you know,</p><p>00:41:12.450 –&gt; 00:41:24.540 Hope Surrett: So we got together in right before Christmas of oh six at Dan’s house here in Canton, and let’s just play some standards and pick a little bit, you know, and first notes went off and we were on</p><p>00:41:25.950 –&gt; 00:41:27.840 Hope Surrett: This. That sounds pretty good. You know,</p><p>00:41:28.170 –&gt; 00:41:34.320 Hope Surrett: Yeah. We jam for a couple, three hours until I tell you what, let’s get back together after Christmas, do it again, have some more fun.</p><p>00:41:35.340 –&gt; 00:41:38.610 Hope Surrett: When we did. And I was curious to see if it still sounded good, you know,</p><p>00:41:40.860 –&gt; 00:41:46.980 Hope Surrett: So we got together and oh seven in January kicked off first song, who, there it is, you know,</p><p>00:41:47.970 –&gt; 00:42:04.500 Hope Surrett: And Mark prove it was kind of the local guy for all the gigs, like my dad used to play all the corporate things and stuff. And he said, I’ve been contacted to play a show in Asheville at the growth parky and huge tourist great old beautiful place. And he said,</p><p>00:42:05.640 –&gt; 00:42:14.010 Hope Surrett: He said, You want to do it will just make up a name and go and we made up a name. And I don’t remember what it was, it was not balsam range. But we went did the show.</p><p>00:42:14.850 –&gt; 00:42:23.370 Hope Surrett: Total non bluegrass crowd of about 2500 people and they lost their minds and we we thought let’s just, you know, do this a little more. And it just kind of</p><p>00:42:23.910 –&gt; 00:42:32.070 Hope Surrett: More and more, more and more and more started playing around Asheville regularly and then broadened out and then what really hit for us was</p><p>00:42:34.770 –&gt; 00:42:42.480 Hope Surrett: We cut our first record, you know, seven and Darren or mandolin player gave a copy to a great friend of ours, but the name of Kyle Cantrell</p><p>00:42:43.110 –&gt; 00:42:55.080 Hope Surrett: He was a WB SM and Nashville for years and years. Grand Ole Opry announcer, and he was hired to be the program director for the Bluegrass channel ON SIRIUS XM and he</p><p>00:42:56.670 –&gt; 00:43:07.020 Hope Surrett: He took that CD and not knowing what to make of it played it loved it and started playing this one town and it kind of went it blew up as much as bluegrass can blow up.</p><p>00:43:10.650 –&gt; 00:43:16.410 Hope Surrett: And people started calling and book and all over the place. And here we are 14 years later, but all over the world.</p><p>00:43:16.440 –&gt; 00:43:20.160 Hope Surrett: Very thankful for that happy coincidence, man.</p><p>00:43:20.640 –&gt; 00:43:24.690 Joseph McElroy: Well, after we after we come back from this break here. Tell me how you came up with a name balsam range.</p><p>00:43:24.990 –&gt; 00:43:25.380 Hope Surrett: All right.</p><p>00:45:45.720 –&gt; 00:45:59.340 Joseph McElroy: Hi this is Joseph Franklin macro. He’s very eager to get back to you with the gateway to the to the Smokies podcasts and, I guess, Tim, sir, and balsam range. So tell me, Tim, how did you come up with that name balsam range.</p><p>00:45:59.640 –&gt; 00:46:03.990 Hope Surrett: Well, as I said, we were playing locally. Then, and that’s all we intended to do, truthfully.</p><p>00:46:05.280 –&gt; 00:46:16.290 Hope Surrett: Play around Haywood County, maybe Asheville some more and whatnot. But we started trying to find a name for a bluegrass band is tough. I tried to I suggest to DEF heifer but the rest of them wouldn’t buy that.</p><p>00:46:16.290 –&gt; 00:46:16.500 So,</p><p>00:46:19.230 –&gt; 00:46:24.060 Hope Surrett: We started looking at landmarks around the county that would, you know, we had that real Haywood County thing.</p><p>00:46:25.140 –&gt; 00:46:35.400 Hope Surrett: And we came across, we know we tried all the names around on the Parkway and whatnot, the Smokies we thought cat Lucci would never work because nobody would spell it or say it and</p><p>00:46:37.380 –&gt; 00:46:42.360 Hope Surrett: But here, up on the parkway the highest point around here is the, the great balsam range.</p><p>00:46:42.630 –&gt; 00:46:42.930 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.</p><p>00:46:42.960 –&gt; 00:46:53.970 Hope Surrett: You know those those mountains that kind of horseshoe Haywood County in Jackson County and we decided to go with that. But we thought great balsam range was a little pretentious, so we</p><p>00:46:53.970 –&gt; 00:46:54.270 Dropped</p><p>00:46:59.220 –&gt; 00:47:00.930 Joseph McElroy: The great balsam range. Yeah.</p><p>00:47:01.320 –&gt; 00:47:04.290 Hope Surrett: So we just decided to go with the pretty good balsam range and</p><p>00:47:04.290 –&gt; 00:47:06.660 Joseph McElroy: Oh favorite county boys are humble.</p><p>00:47:06.930 –&gt; 00:47:10.560 Hope Surrett: Yeah, because if you’re not the rest of the county will humble you.</p><p>00:47:12.780 –&gt; 00:47:18.900 Hope Surrett: Don’t mind at all. But that’s where it came from. We didn’t think we would ever played that far away from it that people wouldn’t know what it meant.</p><p>00:47:19.230 –&gt; 00:47:22.470 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So you’re all accomplished musicians and</p><p>00:47:24.240 –&gt; 00:47:26.670 Joseph McElroy: Singers. At some point, how do you manage that.</p><p>00:47:27.180 –&gt; 00:47:29.040 Hope Surrett: It’s fun. Man, to tell you the truth.</p><p>00:47:30.120 –&gt; 00:47:43.740 Hope Surrett: Is so much fun because he would. I think it’s fun for the audience because you don’t listen to the, you know, one guy saying every song or or the same trio sing in harmony or we can switch around a lot. And we do</p><p>00:47:44.370 –&gt; 00:47:46.530 Hope Surrett: And I think it’s more interesting to people.</p><p>00:47:48.810 –&gt; 00:47:54.630 Hope Surrett: They’re trying to figure out, well, who’s singing. Now, you know, so it’s fun for us when we’re arranging music because</p><p>00:47:55.320 –&gt; 00:48:07.200 Hope Surrett: You know, we can put different people sitting in different parts. And sometimes, you know, you can have one guessing and lead three guys singing behind him. So it opens up a lot of a lot of variety in your harmony singing it.</p><p>00:48:07.770 –&gt; 00:48:15.030 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. Imagine the drama that you guys do have in the band is an arbitrary edge is probably more like go outside for a cigarette or</p><p>00:48:16.590 –&gt; 00:48:27.090 Hope Surrett: We talk all the time, myself and Derek Nicholson cost Caleb things lead lot buddy sings Tanner, he’s got the high voice and daring enough flip a coin for the baritone part and whoever loses has to take it, you know.</p><p>00:48:29.700 –&gt; 00:48:32.340 Joseph McElroy: There you go, coming out with a simple system that’s the way to do</p><p>00:48:32.370 –&gt; 00:48:33.180 Hope Surrett: There you go. Yeah.</p><p>00:48:33.240 –&gt; 00:48:35.790 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So what is your latest album.</p><p>00:48:37.170 –&gt; 00:48:45.870 Hope Surrett: We’ve got the latest one. We’ve had out called IANA a CEO and I see it’s pretty cool word and it did very well for us. It was number one on billboard.</p><p>00:48:46.650 –&gt; 00:48:57.120 Hope Surrett: Was a really great record force we were about two thirds of the way through a new record. And the reason why I’m finished. It’s because we can’t go play at this particular time, you know,</p><p>00:48:58.410 –&gt; 00:49:12.390 Hope Surrett: We have we’ve had two number one songs. This past year, often unfinished record and the songs, we’d never really played him in public, because you know there’s no shows at this point. So we got a new record in the in the works had a new single go out this past Friday.</p><p>00:49:12.780 –&gt; 00:49:16.380 Hope Surrett: Window, the new single. Well, I wish you asked me.</p><p>00:49:18.360 –&gt; 00:49:20.790 Hope Surrett: It’s called rivers and range and runaway trains.</p><p>00:49:20.970 –&gt; 00:49:21.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.</p><p>00:49:21.870 –&gt; 00:49:24.360 Hope Surrett: It’s the new thing, or maybe the album title, I don’t know, but</p><p>00:49:24.930 –&gt; 00:49:26.160 Joseph McElroy: Perfect country western song.</p><p>00:49:27.810 –&gt; 00:49:29.670 Hope Surrett: It’s got that longing in it, doesn’t it.</p><p>00:49:31.710 –&gt; 00:49:36.540 Hope Surrett: But yeah, we’ve we’ve we’ve been blessed. I don’t even know how many albums. We’ve that we’ve done now 10 or 11, I guess.</p><p>00:49:36.840 –&gt; 00:49:44.610 Hope Surrett: And and they’ve all done very well for us. But he was a good one, number one on billboard was a really cool thing for us.</p><p>00:49:45.270 –&gt; 00:49:48.870 Joseph McElroy: So you haven’t been able to play versus your has been treating you guys</p><p>00:49:49.080 –&gt; 00:49:55.500 Hope Surrett: Well, it’s tough on all musicians and we figured since last March, we’ve played three live shows</p><p>00:49:56.940 –&gt; 00:50:11.940 Hope Surrett: And one in Texas, one in Oklahoma and one in Ohio, and we’ve got one scheduled for the 30th and Newberry South Carolina at that at the famous Newberry Opera House. This is one of our favorite shows we do every year. So we’re just praying, it hangs in there, you know,</p><p>00:50:13.080 –&gt; 00:50:26.790 Hope Surrett: But, but, yeah, it’s been tough on ton all the musicians from the lowest of the superstars. It’s very difficult time. And we’ve tried to use that time to record more and you know kind of concentrate on that.</p><p>00:50:28.050 –&gt; 00:50:32.940 Joseph McElroy: What do you think you, what do you think you might get a tour together would be next year, or would it be</p><p>00:50:33.120 –&gt; 00:50:33.360 Well,</p><p>00:50:34.440 –&gt; 00:50:42.300 Hope Surrett: A lot of our dates that you know you book a year, two years in advance and for the latter half of the year. A lot of our dates are still there. So,</p><p>00:50:42.960 –&gt; 00:50:49.890 Hope Surrett: Just remains to be seen how many I’m staying. A lot of these dates for the early part of the first half of the year have already moved to next year so</p><p>00:50:51.690 –&gt; 00:50:54.510 Hope Surrett: I think it’s gonna be very similar to this past year, unfortunately.</p><p>00:50:54.930 –&gt; 00:50:58.290 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any dates in the Smoky Mountain area and or the New York area.</p><p>00:50:59.400 –&gt; 00:51:07.500 Hope Surrett: No, you know, some of the dates January and February and the first week of March was all we had last year and we spent a whole weekend in New York City, which was</p><p>00:51:08.070 –&gt; 00:51:18.240 Hope Surrett: One of our favorite things to do we play at the the Hilton there in Manhattan so much. It’s so much fun, man. I mean, I don’t know what to do with a hillbilly thing, you know.</p><p>00:51:18.660 –&gt; 00:51:19.980 Joseph McElroy: When, when you come up</p><p>00:51:32.310 –&gt; 00:51:32.610 Hope Surrett: Well,</p><p>00:51:35.550 –&gt; 00:51:43.110 Hope Surrett: We’ll just it just remains to be seen. We put our own Festival on every December. Yeah, like here like Juneau Alaska in the Smokies here and</p><p>00:51:43.860 –&gt; 00:51:53.310 Hope Surrett: And this was first year that we’ve had to call it off this past December, it’s so I’m really hope we can get all that back on for the latter part of the year, Lord willing,</p><p>00:51:53.700 –&gt; 00:51:57.960 Joseph McElroy: And I want to call this one is called the Smoky Mountain bluegrass festival right it was</p><p>00:51:58.020 –&gt; 00:51:59.850 Hope Surrett: Well, what’s called the balsam range art.</p><p>00:52:00.480 –&gt; 00:52:02.250 Joseph McElroy: Festival. Yeah, that’s right, yeah.</p><p>00:52:02.760 –&gt; 00:52:09.090 Hope Surrett: And it’s cool, because all the music is in student auditorium, which is a beautiful indoor facility, but you’re looking out over the lake and it’s</p><p>00:52:09.600 –&gt; 00:52:24.270 Hope Surrett: It’s got the outdoor vibe to it, but it’s all indoors and people, people come from all over the country. And we’ve had people from overseas come and because you in the Smoky Mountains in December, you can ski and the next day you can play golf. You know, you never know.</p><p>00:52:25.530 –&gt; 00:52:26.130 Joseph McElroy: Well, I’ll tell you.</p><p>00:52:27.210 –&gt; 00:52:34.680 Joseph McElroy: One thing keeps you locked in a little bit. When it gets a little bit warmer. We have a we have an open to the middle of a big old backyard.</p><p>00:52:36.210 –&gt; 00:52:39.000 Joseph McElroy: You guys goodbye just thrown out of you want to do.</p><p>00:52:40.410 –&gt; 00:52:54.090 Hope Surrett: We’ve got this show coming up on the 30th in South Carolina, and I was home yesterday and got my instruments out for the first time in a while. Just to see if my fingers bleed. You know, so we’re gonna have to get back into shape, that’s for sure.</p><p>00:52:54.810 –&gt; 00:53:00.180 Joseph McElroy: So, um, tell me you got a radio show now and you’re about to go to it after this</p><p>00:53:00.270 –&gt; 00:53:00.660 Hope Surrett: I am</p><p>00:53:02.340 –&gt; 00:53:14.700 Hope Surrett: Or six minutes. Well, you know, back in August. It was I, I was really missing the fellowship of the road and the band and the people that we play for we’ve had a strict policy at make friends not fans.</p><p>00:53:16.230 –&gt; 00:53:25.230 Hope Surrett: Kind of attitude and I was really missing the interaction with all our friends across the world. And I started thinking of some way we could get together and</p><p>00:53:26.640 –&gt; 00:53:38.760 Hope Surrett: That kind of thing. And it just came in my mind. You know what a metal radio show, and I came and I talked to my friend longtime hospital friend. You might remember Terrell Rick from Tesco lets you say my giant</p><p>00:53:38.880 –&gt; 00:53:39.330 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.</p><p>00:53:39.960 –&gt; 00:53:46.590 Hope Surrett: But he will her dad is on the little local radio station here in Haywood County, since the 70s and I, uh,</p><p>00:53:47.850 –&gt; 00:53:59.400 Hope Surrett: I called her up and I said, I’m thinking about. I’m not want to do a radio show. I don’t know. I don’t have any experience with it. She said, when you won’t start. So about 10 days later, we went on the air doing two hours of live</p><p>00:54:01.050 –&gt; 00:54:06.660 Hope Surrett: Radio doing bluegrass a classic country music and</p><p>00:54:07.380 –&gt; 00:54:11.040 Hope Surrett: Gospel and gospel as well. And it’s just kind of took off on us.</p><p>00:54:12.240 –&gt; 00:54:14.310 Joseph McElroy: Right on Tuesdays and Thursdays.</p><p>00:54:14.310 –&gt; 00:54:17.820 Hope Surrett: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm Eastern to 10</p><p>00:54:18.060 –&gt; 00:54:19.170 Joseph McElroy: And what is a radio station.</p><p>00:54:19.440 –&gt; 00:54:42.030 Hope Surrett: weta al in Canton, and it’s WP to radio.net or they have an app as well on iPhones or whatnot, or smartphone app. So we stream and it’s gone nuts on us in a good way, we’re having, you know, 1314 15,000 people every episode everywhere from Heidelberg Germany to try out Creek Montana, so</p><p>00:54:43.740 –&gt; 00:54:46.980 Hope Surrett: 10 or 1211 12,000 people in this region.</p><p>00:54:47.400 –&gt; 00:55:00.660 Joseph McElroy: Well, I appreciate you coming on taking the time to be with us. It’s been a wonderful show even though it’s glitches and I’ll let you go to get to your show and finish up here with what we’re doing what we’re doing. So thank you very much, Tim.</p><p>00:55:00.780 –&gt; 00:55:03.660 Hope Surrett: All right. Hey, my pleasure. He’s, he’s fun to do. Thanks a lot. Good.</p><p>00:55:03.960 –&gt; 00:55:14.310 Joseph McElroy: All right, bye bye. Okay, folks. Thank you for listening to gateway to the Smokies podcast I want to mention that you can find more about us@facebook.com slash</p><p>00:55:14.850 –&gt; 00:55:23.340 Joseph McElroy: Gateway to the Smokies podcast. We’re also we’re also part of this where traveler magazine network where we were actually building a</p><p>00:55:24.480 –&gt; 00:55:27.840 Joseph McElroy: Section, and we’re traveling, which is 100 year old magazine or something like that.</p><p>00:55:28.380 –&gt; 00:55:37.020 Joseph McElroy: For travel and it’s called the Great Smoky Mountains section you go find out a lot of good articles there. I’ve also got a local a website called the</p><p>00:55:37.560 –&gt; 00:55:49.830 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure calm, where you can get listings about hiking and music and places to go in the Smoky Mountains and also find stories that will help you experience those adventures.</p><p>00:55:50.610 –&gt; 00:56:03.990 Joseph McElroy: Deeply and with a lot of people and of course I own a motel and Maggie value, North Carolina. My family 45 years. It’s a metal arc motel.com and Lark motel calm and you’re welcome to come visit us and start your</p><p>00:56:04.290 –&gt; 00:56:08.670 Joseph McElroy: Smoky Mountain adventures was where you stay and thank you very much. See you next week.</p> 966f80c1-2035-48dc-9d93-8abd03eccec2 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/95f709d3-1e6c-4710-8d0e-4db484c89344 Tue, 19 Jan 2021 19:55:50 +0000 2905 no full Episode 2: Whisky & Moonshine In The Mountains Episode 2: Whisky & Moonshine In The Mountains Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>We will be talking to <strong>Dave Angel</strong>, owner of <strong><em>Elevated Mountain Distillery</em></strong> in Maggie Valley, NC. We will be talking about the revival of the craft beverage industry in the Smoky Mountains and the history of Moonshine.</p><p><br></p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/2-0OJlNX4Q/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph McElroy’s guest today is Dave Angel, his cousin through marriage and the owner of Elevated Mountain Distillery. The Scottish Gaeilic call it “Uisce Beatha,” which translates to “Water of Life.” When the Scottish arrived at the Smokies they didn’t just bring their musical influence, they also contributed the practices of distilleries. To this day some believe that the medicine of the mountains only works with the help of moonshine. Throughout the 20th century, moonshine had its place within the local economy. Dave made his first moonshine when he was 14 years old. It was his goal to learn and pass on the tradition. Moonshine is alcohol that is not made legally. People often think of moonshine as a knock off but the only difference is the legality. Moonshine can be made from many things, including fruit. In the 1930s people used to distil grains and apples to make an Apple Brandy.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Whiskey is alcohol distilled from grain so it starts with beer, also known as mash. Whiskey boils at 174 degrees. After separating it from the water, you get the whiskey. When it comes down to making good whiskey you need to understand what the head and the heart are. The head is the toxic chemicals that are extracted. Ethanol in bad moonshine can make a person go blind. Once the head is gone you get the whiskey. This is normally a 20 hour process. As the ethanol comes out you start to get a lot of interesting flavor. That is when you get the tails, and depending on when you make certain cuts the flavor can change dramatically. A good distillery know how to make sure your whiskey has a long enough tail. Soft water with a good mineral base is also key. Dave believes that the water in the Smokie is great for moonshine, people come to Maggie Valley looking for moonshine because of it. It is part of the reason that he has his distillery where it is, the purity of the water. Maggie Valley has a long history of moonshine and David’s business was welcomed with open arms.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Guests at the Elevated Mountain Distillery can enjoy their wide range of drinks, see how it’s made, and even enjoy live music. Dave talks about the differences in how whiskeys are made. Tennessee whiskey is bourbon that goes through a charred mapple filter. Shotish whiskey and Irish whiskey are distilled in bourbon barrels. In his distillery they use this method and many more. According to Dave one of the most popular Distilleries in Tennessee is Ole Smoky Moonshine in Gatlin, TN. The water of the Smoky Mountains has allowed so many distilleries and wineries to produce incredible wine, beers, and whiskeys. The most visited winery in America is in Asheville, North Carolina.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>The talk about Popcorn Sutton, an American Appalachian moonshiner and bootlegger who gained popularity when he appeared in the Neal Hutcheson documentary, “Mountain Talk.” People were so excited when his truck pulled up that they would rush to buy his moonshine. Moonshiners in the past cared more about making money over quality but there is a renewed interest, in part due to the popularity of shows such as “Moonshiner.”</p> Video thumbnail

We will be talking to Dave Angel, owner of Elevated Mountain Distillery in Maggie Valley, NC. We will be talking about the revival of the craft beverage industry in the Smoky Mountains and the history of Moonshine.

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.



Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph McElroy’s guest today is Dave Angel, his cousin through marriage and the owner of Elevated Mountain Distillery. The Scottish Gaelic call it “Uisce Beatha,” which translates to “Water of Life.” When the Scottish arrived at the Smokies they didn’t just bring their musical influence, they also contributed to the practices of distilleries. To this day some believe that the medicine of the mountains only works with the help of moonshine. Throughout the 20th century, moonshine had its place within the local economy. Dave made his first moonshine when he was 14 years old. It was his goal to learn and pass on the tradition. Moonshine is alcohol that is not made legally. People often think of moonshine as a knock off but the only difference is the legality. Moonshine can be made from many things, including fruit. In the 1930s people used to distill grains and apples to make an Apple Brandy.

Segment 2

Whiskey is alcohol distilled from grain so it starts with beer, also known as mash. Whiskey boils at 174 degrees. After separating it from the water, you get the whiskey. When it comes down to making good whiskey you need to understand what the head and the heart are. The head is the toxic chemicals that are extracted. Ethanol is bad moonshine that can make a person go blind. Once the head is gone you get the whiskey. This is normally a 20-hour process. As the ethanol comes out you start to get a lot of interesting flavors. That is when you get the tails, and depending on when you make certain cuts the flavor can change dramatically. A good distillery knows how to make sure your whiskey has a long enough tail. Soft water with a good mineral base is also key. Dave believes that the water in the Smokie is great for moonshine, people come to Maggie Valley looking for moonshine because of it. It is part of the reason that he has his distillery where it is, the purity of the water. Maggie Valley has a long history of moonshine and David’s business was welcomed with open arms.

Segment 3

Guests at the Elevated Mountain Distillery can enjoy their wide range of drinks, see how it’s made, and even enjoy live music. Dave talks about the differences in how whiskeys are made. Tennessee whiskey is a bourbon that goes through a charred mapple filter. Scottish whiskey and Irish whiskey are distilled in bourbon barrels. In his distillery, they use this method and many more. According to Dave one of the most popular Distilleries in Tennessee is Ole Smoky Moonshine in Gatlin, TN. The water of the Smoky Mountains has allowed so many distilleries and wineries to produce incredible wine, beers, and whiskeys. The most visited winery in America is in Asheville, North Carolina.

Segment 4

The talk is about Popcorn Sutton, an American Appalachian moonshiner, and bootlegger who gained popularity when he appeared in the Neal Hutcheson documentary, “Mountain Talk.” People were so excited when his truck pulled up that they would rush to buy his moonshine. Moonshiners in the past cared more about making money over quality but there is a renewed interest, in part due to the popularity of shows such as “Moonshiner.”

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:42.330 –> 00:00:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Howdy. Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies. This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.

00:00:56.880 –> 00:01:06.720 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich in cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:01:07.830 –> 00:01:20.280 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world and also with deep roots in these mountains. My family’s lived in the Great Smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.

00:01:21.600 –> 00:01:32.850 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about liquor in the Smoky Mountains. I’m going to introduce you to my cousin by marriage Dave Angel who is the proprietor of elevated mountain distillery who

00:01:32.880 –> 00:01:49.110 Joseph McElroy: Hey. Hey. How you doing, and he’s an expert in whiskey. We’re going to talk about that liquor White Lightning corn squeezing Mountain Dew. White mules, slopes, white dog, or the most popular known as moonshine.

00:01:50.130 –> 00:01:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Hang on, until the end. And that will give you some places ago and things to do in the mountains to help you explore to explore

00:01:57.420 –> 00:02:05.490 Joseph McElroy: Now, last week we talked about the Scotch Irish influence on music in the mountains, but we didn’t touch much upon their influence on distill

00:02:06.450 –> 00:02:15.510 Joseph McElroy: Whiskey is actually derived from the Gaelic word our cube. I hope I said that right, which translates as water of life.

00:02:16.500 –> 00:02:21.210 Joseph McElroy: And when the Scotch Irish migrated to America. They brought with them a history of distilling

00:02:21.720 –> 00:02:35.640 Joseph McElroy: They adapted for use on common on the common great in North America maze, also known as a core they learned a lot from the Cherokees and cultivating this crop and became experts and distilling it into spirits.

00:02:36.750 –> 00:02:49.050 Joseph McElroy: Now I remember growing up in the mountains in the mountains that met moonshine was a part of the fabric of life if you went to the square dance hall and Saturday night you knew that you could get a drink and moonshine out the bath.

00:02:50.550 –> 00:03:01.380 Joseph McElroy: I remember that. Sometimes my dad got paid for construction work with moonshine, and before he was a construction company owner. He was a chemical engineer and I remember that he

00:03:02.070 –> 00:03:05.400 Joseph McElroy: I came home one day and I saw this glass contraption.

00:03:06.210 –> 00:03:19.710 Joseph McElroy: I had no clue what it was and sitting on the table. I was pretty young. I WAS HEADING TOWARDS IT. HE GOT MY WAY didn’t keep me from breaking and breaking it. I didn’t know what it was for several years. But he made himself and glass still

00:03:21.660 –> 00:03:24.870 Joseph McElroy: And so it has been true to his roots.

00:03:26.130 –> 00:03:43.620 Joseph McElroy: And other things I remember is that Pigs love to eat leftover mash from this building. And to this day, and even to this day. I know that some people believe that faith that the, you know, our famous mountain herbal recipes remedies only work with a touch of moonshine in them so

00:03:44.640 –> 00:03:57.960 Joseph McElroy: There’s a lot of cultural richness to the culture to moonshine in the mountains, but not all the moonshine culture was good. So, you know, a lot of people lives are ruined by legal troubles and alcoholism and

00:03:58.560 –> 00:04:09.300 Joseph McElroy: Parents being, you know, distant and yeah so you know fighting. There is a lot of that as well. So it’s not at all a good story. But yeah, there was a time when

00:04:10.230 –> 00:04:20.910 Joseph McElroy: The only way to get cash money to pay taxes was to sell moonshine and livestock. So it was it for a while, especially in the 19th and early 20th century, it was, it was part of the economic

00:04:22.890 –> 00:04:26.310 Joseph McElroy: the economic necessity of life in this Great Smoky Mountains.

00:04:27.840 –> 00:04:32.490 Joseph McElroy: And one of the funny things I was finding out recently talking to some people, was that

00:04:33.330 –> 00:04:47.820 Joseph McElroy: Elections back in the 19th century were awful pain. We’re often paid by moonshine. Then somebody wanted to get elected better have a party on election day and be given out free moonshots that everybody gets drunk and then goes in and vote together.

00:04:49.110 –> 00:04:52.200 Joseph McElroy: And then the one with the best part of that usually won the election.

00:04:53.550 –> 00:04:58.740 Joseph McElroy: But I mean, that might be an exaggeration, but I think there was some element of truth to that.

00:05:00.090 –> 00:05:11.040 Joseph McElroy: So now let me introduce you to my good friend and cousin Dave Angel who knows a lot more about me than moonshine and legal distilling he’s going to fill you in a lot. So howdy Dave

00:05:11.850 –> 00:05:13.500 Dave Angel: Hey, how are you good

00:05:14.430 –> 00:05:22.830 Joseph McElroy: Good to see you again. So why don’t you, why don’t you first let everybody know your background, you know, how did you end up being an expert on distiller

00:05:23.970 –> 00:05:32.520 Dave Angel: Well, you know, grown-up or Joseph and I grew up, it is it like he said its part of the culture it’s around is something I was fascinated with my whole life growing up.

00:05:33.240 –> 00:05:41.070 Dave Angel: I actually made my first run a moonshot as 14 years old is my ninth-grade science project still have the steel. I use it back then.

00:05:41.550 –> 00:05:52.890 Dave Angel: You know, I had an old-timer that taught me how to do it. I always thought back then and you know when these guys are going with these old-timers gone moonshine, it goes with them. And I want to make sure I can carry it on

00:05:53.970 –> 00:06:08.220 Dave Angel: It will always be there. There are people that they still doing it, there always will be, you know, generations of people that are working with their grandparents and their parents still making you know it’s a different model, a different

00:06:09.600 –> 00:06:12.960 Dave Angel: Market than it was probably in the 30s, but it still lives on.

00:06:13.920 –> 00:06:19.200 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, yeah. So, so you went off in the world for a little while. Right.

00:06:20.310 –> 00:06:26.760 Dave Angel: I didn’t actually have a corporate career. I worked there on 42nd Street, a lot. I worked for Pfizer for one point.

00:06:27.990 –> 00:06:37.260 Dave Angel: Love my corporate career took me a lot of places. I live in China for three years. A human resources business development were the kinds of things I focused on

00:06:38.280 –> 00:06:47.370 Dave Angel: A few years ago, it came time to come back home. I think we all end up falling our roots back to where they started at some point, my parents needed me here. My wife is from our hometown.

00:06:48.060 –> 00:06:55.380 Dave Angel: And it was just time to reinvent myself. They didn’t have the kinds of roles that I was doing back in Haywood County, North Carolina.

00:06:55.680 –> 00:06:58.290 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, so you know I think that

00:06:59.520 –> 00:07:07.200 Joseph McElroy: One of the things that you learned about and I think the audience would really like to know about is, you know, what is the moonshine.

00:07:08.760 –> 00:07:14.430 Dave Angel: Yeah, that’s a good question I get asked that all the time when people come to the distillery and we’re trying different products will say, well,

00:07:14.850 –> 00:07:19.380 Dave Angel: What made this moonshine, or what about the last one is specific to the moonshine recipe.

00:07:20.130 –> 00:07:32.400 Dave Angel: Technically moonshine is anything you don’t pay taxes on. So Vince rums from Jamaica of its vodka from overseas. You know, if you’re not paying taxes on it. That’s legal. What makes it moonshine.

00:07:33.120 –> 00:07:40.080 Dave Angel: Oh, what do you see. Yeah. What you see on TV when you watch it in the movies and, you know, the old guys by the steel back in the woods.

00:07:40.530 –> 00:07:47.490 Dave Angel: That’s typically a knockoff version of whiskey. A lot of times they’ll call it whiskey. They’ll say it’s a corn whiskey. Well, technically.

00:07:47.910 –> 00:07:56.730 Dave Angel: If whiskey is alcohol distilled from grain and if you watch TV. They’re always pouring bags of sugar into the steel.

00:07:57.210 –> 00:08:11.310 Dave Angel: Well, when you put sugar in it. It’s no longer whiskey. It’s a knockoff version. So that’s what most people think I was moonshine if you see it on the label at a distillery. It’s just a funny word a label they get that’s legal stuff taxes paid. It’s all good.

00:08:12.060 –> 00:08:19.560 Joseph McElroy: Right, so, um, you know, they that you saw in the mountains. They made mostly made corn. Right. Corn, corn.

00:08:20.670 –> 00:08:31.770 Joseph McElroy: corn whiskey corn moonshine right yeah by the way moonshine is actually what they called they called it in Gaelic back in the old country so

00:08:32.190 –> 00:08:41.760 Joseph McElroy: Then that particular term actually comes from Scotland, you know, for calling the this, this, because, you know, I guess people made by the moon shining and night, but

00:08:42.060 –> 00:08:46.830 Dave Angel: The Scotch and Irish that brought it you know they were the ones that knew how to do it. So when it, when it became a

00:08:47.100 –> 00:08:51.180 Dave Angel: You know, as a way of survival for a lot of people. I don’t know that people necessarily went into it to be.

00:08:51.510 –> 00:09:01.470 Dave Angel: distilleries back in the 1920s. It was survival. Times were hard and they knew that was something they could turn to pay bills and it was a scotch and Irish that knew how to do it, brought it with them.

00:09:01.890 –> 00:09:03.630 Joseph McElroy: Right, yeah. And

00:09:04.800 –> 00:09:12.180 Joseph McElroy: DIDN’T, DIDN’T, DIDN’T for a long time. It was actually sort of an honorable profession back in the mountains. Right.

00:09:13.350 –> 00:09:13.860 Dave Angel: Oh, yeah.

00:09:15.030 –> 00:09:15.390 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.

00:09:15.420 –> 00:09:17.130 Dave Angel: And then, yes, definitely was.

00:09:17.520 –> 00:09:21.570 Joseph McElroy: And then it was like when they’re like taxes came in that sort of changed everything.

00:09:23.010 –> 00:09:32.640 Dave Angel: That is that is our happy taxes have always been history, a lot of people when they think of whiskey and they think of American whiskey. They think of Bourbon from Kentucky.

00:09:33.150 –> 00:09:48.360 Dave Angel: The biggest reason whiskeys and Kentucky was because Pennsylvania started taxing it when the industry was in Pennsylvania, and they said, we don’t have to pay taxes in Pennsylvania will move somewhere else and they moved to Kentucky because of that midway between New York and New Orleans.

00:09:49.290 –> 00:10:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, there’s an in the late you know 1790s, you know, the George Washington had to suit back up and lead an army. I think he was in the Pennsylvania area because the federal government tried to make revenue by installing a whiskey tax and we had something called the Whiskey Rebellion.

00:10:08.580 –> 00:10:12.390 Dave Angel: Yes. Well, I said the Whiskey Rebellion led to move into Kentucky.

00:10:12.900 –> 00:10:24.750 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, yeah. So, so that’s kind of interesting. Yeah, so, um, so the other thing that I thought was interesting, you know, and it’s not often talked about

00:10:25.080 –> 00:10:35.820 Joseph McElroy: And I remember this is things like Applejack and stuff like that is moonshine can is actually can be made out of a lot of different fruits and it’s actually considered brandy. Right.

00:10:36.750 –> 00:10:46.140 Dave Angel: Yeah. So I started many of whiskey is alcohol distilled from grain brandy is alcohol distilled from fruit. So that’s the purest answer. But again, when it

00:10:46.440 –> 00:10:57.660 Dave Angel: When it came to be made in the Smokies back in the 30s, they’d make a corn mash with some apple in it and they call it up apple brandy, but it had a lot of corn-based alcohol in it.

00:10:58.410 –> 00:11:04.800 Joseph McElroy: So it was a high alcohol count brandy is more likely got some sort of other got some sort of whiskey in it.

00:11:05.280 –> 00:11:12.870 Dave Angel: Exactly like if it’s coming from the woods moonshine, or even today moonshiners will tell you about the Randy, but it always starts with important sugar.

00:11:13.530 –> 00:11:23.070 Joseph McElroy: Ah, interesting is that while I am you see these craft beers made and they have sort of fruits and stuff and a lot of times they have a pretty high alcohol count.

00:11:24.150 –> 00:11:32.670 Dave Angel: Yeah, that’s a lot of times, that is how it is for Beer. Beer has made such a huge transformation from the days of Bud and Miller.

00:11:33.030 –> 00:11:39.180 Dave Angel: What we have today. Yeah. Millennials. They expect 42 beers at the bar, they don’t expect three choices and

00:11:39.690 –> 00:11:48.420 Dave Angel: It will always be that way. And you’re seeing that kind of innovation now happening in distilleries the same thing. People want variety. They want to see the

00:11:48.810 –> 00:11:56.730 Dave Angel: Most people would you say keen while whiskey and they’re like, what you can make you can make a keen while whiskey, for sure. It’s not bad.

00:11:58.200 –> 00:12:05.220 Joseph McElroy: Now, do people still, you know, do people still make moonshine and stuff in the mountains. I mean, you know,

00:12:07.380 –> 00:12:12.810 Joseph McElroy: Brandi I’m. That’s what I’m wondering. I actually want some of that Brandy, they still do that they

00:12:12.900 –> 00:12:18.930 Dave Angel: They do you know our distillery elevated mountain distilling company. We’re based in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

00:12:19.500 –> 00:12:27.150 Dave Angel: A lot of people will probably talk some about popcorn Sutton at some point during the hour, but that’s the birthplace of a legendary mentioning popcorn.

00:12:27.600 –> 00:12:35.250 Dave Angel: Yeah, I tell people all time. I’m one of three or four distilleries and Maggie. Now I’m just wondering, to get to walk in and see the steel, but there are still people

00:12:35.880 –> 00:12:47.910 Dave Angel: I had my, my first year there. I had a came in one day. And there was a bag sitting out front. And I thought, what’s that about is right before the holidays and some

00:12:48.390 –> 00:12:57.240 Dave Angel: Local moonshine or left me a jar of apple pie moonshine, he had made in those a note in there that just said you’ve done more for marketing my business and anybody. I just want to say

00:13:01.050 –> 00:13:08.820 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah that’s pretty good. My, my, my dad used to tell me the movement of popcorn center would meet him at the Maggie, Maggie restaurant.

00:13:09.240 –> 00:13:19.530 Joseph McElroy: And talk to him about things. He might need and then try to convince them to do it. And every once in a while he takes one of the things that he needs to be done and does it and then needs to get paid moonshine.

00:13:21.030 –> 00:13:32.220 Joseph McElroy: Now, it was a part that is still part of life. I’m sure it is. You know, I, you know, I’ve, I’ve noticed a few cans of moonshine around everyone so

00:13:32.610 –> 00:13:43.440 Joseph McElroy: Like in the last few years. So it’s always there. So when we come back we’re gonna talk about how risky is made and the history of legal distilling. All right.

00:16:12.660 –> 00:16:15.660 Joseph McElroy: Howdy. This is a Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with my guest

00:16:16.680 –> 00:16:23.520 Joseph McElroy: Dave Angel and we’re on the gateway to the Smokies podcasts, the whiskey and moonshine edition.

00:16:24.900 –> 00:16:26.430 Joseph McElroy: Glad to have you back. Dave

00:16:27.360 –> 00:16:29.250 Dave Angel: Glad to be here. Thanks for having me.

00:16:29.550 –> 00:16:37.860 Joseph McElroy: You’re so we were talking about whiskey. So you go and give us a little education on how whisky is me because I think is pretty interesting.

00:16:38.880 –> 00:16:48.870 Dave Angel: Yeah, I’ll keep it at a high level. First, yeah. I said a couple of times out whiskey is alcohol distilled from grain well before you can distill it, you have to ferment it

00:16:49.980 –> 00:16:56.610 Dave Angel: Beer is really where whiskey starts beers alcohol has been from it from grain. If you go to local breweries are taken.

00:16:57.090 –> 00:17:00.960 Dave Angel: Usually, it’s barley but some other thing you know rye or some other grains.

00:17:01.350 –> 00:17:12.480 Dave Angel: They add yeast to it it ferments for a few days and then you’re drinking the beer, what in the whiskey world you’re taking that beer, lot of people call it MASH, it’s really the same thing.

00:17:12.870 –> 00:17:26.040 Dave Angel: I always call it a mash on TV because I never call it beer confuse the audience on TV. It’s always mashed but imagine a beer. The same thing, you take that mash you put it into steel yeah heated up

00:17:26.880 –> 00:17:31.740 Dave Angel: Everything has a different boiling point. So everybody knows water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

00:17:32.550 –> 00:17:50.070 Dave Angel: whiskey or alcohol ethanol distills that 174 degrees, it boils at 174 degrees. So you want to eat that up to 174 degrees and the alcohol, the whiskey will start coming out the water stays in the pot and you just separate it out and you get whiskey.

00:17:50.700 –> 00:18:01.980 Joseph McElroy: Mm-hmm. What is the art there and they’re an art because I was reading it? Some people can make good moonshine or whiskey and some people can make awful moonshine doing the same sort of process where we are.

00:18:03.180 –> 00:18:13.230 Dave Angel: The art just sort of went through a pure science answer, but there’s definitely an art to it. I would you make whiskey. You hear people talking about heads hearts and tails.

00:18:13.650 –> 00:18:18.120 Dave Angel: So again, everything has a different temperature, it turns the steam and comes out.

00:18:18.600 –> 00:18:29.310 Dave Angel: heads are the first chemicals that heat up and come out of the steel around 130 435 degrees you get chemicals, the big ones are acetone methanol.

00:18:29.580 –> 00:18:34.590 Dave Angel: They smell like painting or they are fingernail polish remover. That’s exactly where your

00:18:34.980 –> 00:18:43.410 Dave Angel: fingernail polish remover comes from an ethanol plant somewhere in the Midwest, or when you go to the gas station. It says this gas contains up to 10% ethanol.

00:18:43.830 –> 00:18:51.540 Dave Angel: Typically 192 proof vodka. That’s what they’re talking about and the same plant. They’re making that they’re getting acetone out of that corn.

00:18:52.080 –> 00:19:03.780 Dave Angel: For fingernail polish remover. But those are toxic chemicals that come out first and you clearly want to get those out of the product. You don’t want any asked the toner methanol at all and your product just wouldn’t be safe.

00:19:04.050 –> 00:19:07.050 Joseph McElroy: Is that why Chinese would kill people with their moonshine.

00:19:07.380 –> 00:19:16.140 Dave Angel: It is. That’s one of you hear that you hear lead poisoning today solder doesn’t have lead in so it’s pretty safe today. But back in the old days.

00:19:16.530 –> 00:19:24.780 Dave Angel: You know if you’re trying to just make money. You weren’t worried about quality, we’re worried about making money. So that’s a whole different market back then.

00:19:25.680 –> 00:19:34.890 Dave Angel: But yeah, acetone methanol, they can ask them, and a mess it all makes you go blind you hear about bad moonshine making people go blind, it’s because they didn’t do a good clean cut upfront.

00:19:36.300 –> 00:19:39.960 Dave Angel: Once that stuff comes out of the steel right behind. It’s the whiskey.

00:19:40.560 –> 00:19:53.220 Dave Angel: And if you’re paying attention. We have a 920 gallons steel, we can really get a sense of, you can just smell that acetone just drifting off and also this whiskey smell comes in and you know your end of the good stuff.

00:19:53.670 –> 00:20:00.420 Dave Angel: And when in doubt, we let it flow another minute, just make sure we get the heads out of there. But then comes the whiskey.

00:20:00.930 –> 00:20:11.460 Dave Angel: Well, the purest alcohol of the ethanol, which would also be Vodka. Vodka is the cleanest of the hearts. It’s right in the center of pure ethanol.

00:20:12.090 –> 00:20:21.420 Dave Angel: Was as it’s flowing out. You can imagine there are all these other chemicals that have different boiling points and so few other chemicals come out with the ethanol.

00:20:21.780 –> 00:20:26.820 Dave Angel: And they add different flavors and textures to it when we’re instilling I you know

00:20:27.660 –> 00:20:35.280 Dave Angel: It takes. It’s an all-day process when we do a final run on our whiskey. It’s about 20 hours. It’s a long day of work.

00:20:35.730 –> 00:20:39.990 Dave Angel: But throughout the day we’re sipping little bits coming off the steel to see what it tastes like.

00:20:40.470 –> 00:20:45.030 Dave Angel: The all day long. It might end up being a shot of alcohol. It’s not a lot just enough to waste your time. So what it tastes like.

00:20:45.510 –> 00:21:03.540 Dave Angel: But the whiskey goes through a buttery phase where it tastes like alcohol and butter and then it’ll go through this lemongrass phase. And again, those are just other little chemicals that are turned into steam and coming out with the ethanol, the alcohol at some point, though.

00:21:04.830 –> 00:21:11.670 Dave Angel: You start getting what are called tales. So tales are like, I like to tell people it’s like salt on a french fry.

00:21:11.970 –> 00:21:17.190 Dave Angel: You want a few tales to give us some seasoning. But if you put too much salt on your french fries, you end up running them.

00:21:17.610 –> 00:21:26.160 Dave Angel: And it’s the same thing with tells and that’s really the art of making whiskey right there. How many tells do I let in there it goes a little bit of a full-bodied bitter taste.

00:21:26.580 –> 00:21:37.200 Dave Angel: The too much of it. I’ll send it tastes like an unripe squash zucchini and you don’t want that to ever happen to your whiskey. Because once it’s in there. You can’t take it out. So the arts, making those kinds of judgments of

00:21:37.740 –> 00:21:43.410 Dave Angel: When, when to make those cuts, how to make those cuts to get the final flavor. He wanted

00:21:43.680 –> 00:21:51.240 Joseph McElroy: So, and so you when you’re taking the ones coming out, you actually separated into vodka and whiskey and something else.

00:21:52.140 –> 00:22:04.890 Dave Angel: Well, no, it all cut it was either making whiskey or making vodka. But when you’re making whiskey. It goes through these different phases and there is an element of that sort of pure alcohol, which would probably be a vodka phase.

00:22:05.700 –> 00:22:10.830 Dave Angel: But we’re not you don’t cut vodka whiskey when you make vodca you’re making a whole different product.

00:22:11.010 –> 00:22:11.610 Joseph McElroy: So same

00:22:11.670 –> 00:22:12.870 Dave Angel: Basic process.

00:22:12.900 –> 00:22:21.420 Joseph McElroy: How the market gets mixed into the whiskey. So you keep the vodka and then you, you make and then the whiskey mixes with it or you

00:22:21.480 –> 00:22:25.200 Dave Angel: Get essentially all those other chemicals with the vodka makes whiskey.

00:22:25.560 –> 00:22:26.370 Joseph McElroy: I see the

00:22:27.090 –> 00:22:33.390 Dave Angel: Vodka. Vodka has no smell or taste to it. The smell or taste of whiskey and that’s pure ethanol.

00:22:33.930 –> 00:22:45.900 Dave Angel: The smell and taste of whiskey or all these other chemicals that come through and you preserve them in the alcohol you keep them in alcohol that’s probably a better word to say and collectively they give you the taste of whiskey.

00:22:46.260 –> 00:22:54.510 Joseph McElroy: So, so basically vodka is a whatever a whiskey that’s got a long tail.

00:22:55.800 –> 00:23:05.730 Dave Angel: Um, well, it’s I’ll give you a pure answer vodka whiskey, so there are rules around the sheet. You know, again, when you’re a moonshine or you just make it

00:23:06.330 –> 00:23:23.610 Dave Angel: You’re making it legally there are rules, you have to follow whiskey cannot come out of the steel over 160 proof. That’s 80% alcohol. So when it’s 80% alcohol or lower. There’s got to be other chemicals in there and that’s what gives whiskey its flavor.

00:23:23.940 –> 00:23:31.380 Dave Angel: As vodka legally has to come out of the steel 190 proof which means is 95% alcohol.

00:23:31.530 –> 00:23:39.600 Dave Angel: Wow, so there’s very little room for other chemicals in there and that’s why it has no taste because alcohol has no taste.

00:23:39.990 –> 00:23:49.200 Joseph McElroy: Okay, cool. Interesting. So these the old-time moonshiners having to deal with this. They essentially did it by taste as well, they’re

00:23:49.230 –> 00:23:51.150 Joseph McElroy: The ones that really good. Yeah.

00:23:51.180 –> 00:23:58.110 Dave Angel: Yeah, they did, you know, I’ve had a lot of fun, especially in the first couple of years, we were running, we had a lot of local moonshiners that would come in, they’d want to see the

00:23:58.590 –> 00:24:11.610 Dave Angel: The fancy distillery of what it was that it was different from them and most moonshiners you know they they they didn’t read a book on how to do this. They didn’t go to school to how to do this, daddy taught him or granddaddy time

00:24:12.690 –> 00:24:26.700 Dave Angel: So I’ve had some really interesting conversations with a moonshine, or they’ll say, you know, I knew at this point I was supposed to do something different, but it was just because that he told me to. I never really understood why I was doing that. Now, I understand that.

00:24:28.020 –> 00:24:34.230 Joseph McElroy: You know I’ve heard some moonshiners talk to and they always talked about, you know, finding a place they were looking for soft water. What does that mean,

00:24:35.340 –> 00:24:40.620 Dave Angel: So soft water. It’s so soft and hard water if it’s really hard. It

00:24:42.510 –> 00:24:48.990 Dave Angel: If it’s too hard to water. It’s different. It’s just as different chemistry to it’s in soft water.

00:24:50.340 –> 00:25:01.110 Dave Angel: People who have hard water. If you take a shower takes forever to rinse off the soap just won’t rinse off of you and hard water that’s why they make water softening systems to

00:25:01.470 –> 00:25:08.040 Dave Angel: Make the water software that’s one of the benefits of soft water is it, it runs in there. So it actually does have a different feel and reaction to it.

00:25:08.520 –> 00:25:19.020 Dave Angel: And so you do want to good soft water. You want a good mineral base in your water. A lot of times you hear people talk about limestone water that’s gone to limestone.

00:25:20.100 –> 00:25:31.650 Dave Angel: I would tell you one of the big reasons I’m in the Smoky Mountains anywhere from I’ll say Knoxville to Asheville the water and the Great Smoky Mountains, that part of the Blue Ridge is just fabulous.

00:25:32.040 –> 00:25:33.270 Dave Angel: And you give water so

00:25:34.620 –> 00:25:37.170 Joseph McElroy: They bought the water and so good. Yeah.

00:25:38.100 –> 00:25:48.570 Dave Angel: Yep. Maggie, Maggie Valley was in Haywood County, North Carolina. We have the highest average elevation of any county east of the Rockies. And what that means is water flows downhill.

00:25:48.840 –> 00:26:02.280 Dave Angel: And there’s no water that comes up in a wood County. So all of our water starts right there. I can literally go out the front door of the distillery and I can point to the water-rock knob and five top mountains. That’s where my water comes from those two mountain peaks.

00:26:02.910 –> 00:26:13.020 Joseph McElroy: So I guess that probably made you want to do. Zoom why to come back and create a distillery in the mountains as well being at home. But what is the story of how you created elevated distillery?

00:26:14.130 –> 00:26:18.720 Dave Angel: Well, yeah, there were a lot of reasons me definitely coming back home, but I could have just as easily live

00:26:19.080 –> 00:26:31.110 Dave Angel: You know, a couple of hours away somewhere else and got the satisfaction of being home why really chose Maggie Valley ones that water that we just talked about. You just can’t beat it, and the water is so pure in Haywood County.

00:26:32.130 –> 00:26:46.260 Dave Angel: Our water Maggie drops from 6000 feet down to the base at 3000 feet of the valley. It’s not traveled more than a mile and a half before it gets. I mean, it’s just good clean pure unadulterated water.

00:26:46.770 –> 00:26:53.520 Dave Angel: You know, we also have this history adventure Pop Sutton two or three times. He is America’s most legendary moonshine or

00:26:54.510 –> 00:27:03.000 Dave Angel: He is the stories and the history of folklore that comes with him. I get asked about him every day. So people come to Maggie Valley.

00:27:03.450 –> 00:27:16.170 Dave Angel: Looking for moonshine. They’re looking for that history and heritage, we, we get people, you know, the beverage industry as a whole is big and Western or Asheville 20 minutes away is a major beer hub for the whole East

00:27:16.170 –> 00:27:16.710 Coast.

00:27:18.300 –> 00:27:20.220 Joseph McElroy: When did you create elevated distillery.

00:27:20.940 –> 00:27:24.090 Dave Angel: We’ve, we’ve been fully operational three and a half years.

00:27:24.390 –> 00:27:29.370 Dave Angel: And we had a year, year of renovation and building out our building before that.

00:27:29.610 –> 00:27:36.090 Joseph McElroy: It wasn’t hard getting it harder to get approval was easier as the culture of the mountains made it seem acceptable.

00:27:36.960 –> 00:27:38.070 Dave Angel: Yeah, it’s, you know, they’re

00:27:39.150 –> 00:27:50.220 Dave Angel: On the legal side just talk there minute there are permits, you have to get a federal permit, you have to get a state permit. It’s all about paying taxes. That’s mainly what it’s about making sure they that your register and pay in taxes.

00:27:50.820 –> 00:27:56.880 Dave Angel: But yeah, when it comes to culture and where you’re going to put that’s a sensitive topic to some communities.

00:27:57.660 –> 00:28:13.140 Dave Angel: I knew Maggie had a long history of moonshining. I knew there were moonshiners there. I mean, that’s where I grew up. I knew that it was open. I didn’t know how well-received, it would be as far as a legal distillery overall I’ve been very welcome.

00:28:13.590 –> 00:28:18.360 Joseph McElroy: Good. Well, you know, Maggie Valley got a real authentic mountain culture still so

00:28:18.630 –> 00:28:27.150 Joseph McElroy: Yes. Yeah, I’m assuming there’s both welcoming and probably some resistance because it also has a very religious.

00:28:28.350 –> 00:28:38.520 Joseph McElroy: culture as well. But, you know, you got it, you got it created so that’s great, then yeah, we’ll talk about some of the things you’re doing for the community. And just a little bit.

00:28:39.690 –> 00:28:45.600 Joseph McElroy: Right now we’re going to head off to another break and we’ll come back and we’ll talk about your products and, you know, and

00:28:46.620 –> 00:28:47.640 Joseph McElroy: Other things you’re doing

00:28:48.690 –> 00:28:49.260 Dave Angel: Sounds good.

00:28:55.800 –> 00:28:56.010 And

00:31:09.240 –> 00:31:24.930 Joseph McElroy: Howdy. This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast. with the whiskey and a moonshine episode with me is Dave Angel owner of the elevated the mountain distillery and Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Hey Dave

00:31:25.440 –> 00:31:26.670 Dave Angel: So hey y’all.

00:31:27.090 –> 00:31:36.810 Joseph McElroy: So we were talking about your, your distillery. What kind of, what kind of places it what do people experience when they come there.

00:31:38.580 –> 00:31:49.230 Dave Angel: Well, we do all kinds of things. So first and foremost, we’re a distillery. We’re very proud of the be a distillery to the products we make. We’ve got award-winning products and the three and a half years were there.

00:31:49.830 –> 00:32:03.630 Dave Angel: We make a vodka called hurricane Creek. We’ve got a corn whiskey straight off the steel White Lightning version of it moonshine version if you will. And we also have a three-year barrel-aged version called purchase knob.

00:32:04.260 –> 00:32:09.960 Dave Angel: We’re about to release a bourbon called water right now it’s three and a half years has been sitting in the barrel and it’s super good.

00:32:10.410 –> 00:32:13.050 Dave Angel: But then we have some flavor products to we have shining rock.

00:32:13.950 –> 00:32:25.380 Dave Angel: Brand of moon shines. We got a blackberry strawberry apple pie and peach pie. And then we have one product. It’s we call it root beer white lightning. It’s named after Raymond Fairchild, the only

00:32:25.740 –> 00:32:33.780 Dave Angel: five-time world champion banjo player in history from right there and Maggie Valley, North Carolina. So we celebrate his music heritage as well.

00:32:34.260 –> 00:32:40.230 Dave Angel: So we have a lot of products if you come to the distillery during the day. Most people come and they want to do a tour of the distillery.

00:32:40.560 –> 00:32:50.670 Dave Angel: They want to see the place they have questions, they want to and ask and have answered, you know, we try to tell them what we can be as transparent about that we walk you through making whiskey.

00:32:51.270 –> 00:33:01.320 Dave Angel: We have samples of our products. We got a big steals 920 gallons. It’s a beast. So, you know, people are fascinated say that doesn’t look like what you’d say in the backwoods

00:33:02.160 –> 00:33:09.600 Dave Angel: As the night as we move into Night, especially Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights where music venue. One of the best places you can go

00:33:10.170 –> 00:33:19.980 Dave Angel: To catch the live music typically karaoke on Thursdays Friday nights tend to be more alternative music alternative. I mean, blues,

00:33:20.460 –> 00:33:35.130 Dave Angel: Bluegrass, that kind of thing. Saturday nights tend to be more big band big party kind of music we generate some big crowds in our place and love to have fun with the folks that come out. We have a full bar of beer, wine, and cocktails that we offer.

00:33:36.180 –> 00:33:49.590 Dave Angel: So it depends. It depends on what you’re looking for. We’ve got that nightlife atmosphere. We’ve also got a how it’s made production atmosphere to the party was it a business up front party in the back. And it’s sort of that kind of a mindset.

00:33:49.680 –> 00:33:55.050 Joseph McElroy: Well, I remember going there and you got a wonderful front area that

00:33:56.250 –> 00:34:13.950 Joseph McElroy: Sort of a gift shop right with lots of interesting artifacts of the mountains and also you know the standard museum fair for T-shirts and stuff like that. But the books and jugs and glasses and all sorts of stuff right

00:34:14.490 –> 00:34:17.580 Dave Angel: We do you know a lot of and I learned that from some of the other

00:34:18.390 –> 00:34:26.280 Dave Angel: The distilling industry is a small-knit group of people. So we’re always helping each other out because we want to see each other survive and be successful.

00:34:26.760 –> 00:34:33.630 Dave Angel: But I heard that from any place. Make sure you get some good T-shirts because some people come to buy booze. Some just want a teacher to say, I was there.

00:34:33.840 –> 00:34:34.680 Dave Angel: Yeah, there’s a lot of

00:34:34.770 –> 00:34:42.360 Joseph McElroy: truth to that. And then, then you go through some doors and you go into this big wide open space, right, then you can see this giant

00:34:43.650 –> 00:34:47.010 Joseph McElroy: That. So I guess or distilling yeah yeah

00:34:47.100 –> 00:34:52.620 Dave Angel: Yeah, our place used to be a dinner theater. So we’ve actually got a little bit of a slope to the floor.

00:34:52.920 –> 00:35:08.010 Dave Angel: And where the stage once was, we now we’ve removed the status of steel actually sits in the basement under the stage. So it’s partially below you, and partially stilted the tallest part of the sales 23 feet. So it still towers way over you. But what

00:35:09.180 –> 00:35:16.710 Dave Angel: I will say when you walk in, there’s a barrel rack on both sides. Obviously, it really does feel like you’re going in. I mean, you know, when you walk in the doors. You went into a distillery.

00:35:17.070 –> 00:35:18.720 Joseph McElroy: And it smells incredible. Right.

00:35:19.860 –> 00:35:29.370 Dave Angel: Yes, it does. Every day, even when we’re not producing there’s just so much alcohol in there from what’s in barrels and a little bit seeps out of barrels every day and it just gives a great smell of the place.

00:35:30.000 –> 00:35:33.240 Joseph McElroy: Now do you you you buy your barrels from somewhere else. Right.

00:35:34.170 –> 00:35:37.680 Dave Angel: We do we’ve bought from a couple of different places.

00:35:38.610 –> 00:35:48.420 Dave Angel: Yeah, when the distilling industry took off the craft distilling industry you know 10 years ago you went to Kentucky went to Napa Valley. That’s where barrels were made in America.

00:35:48.900 –> 00:35:59.340 Dave Angel: Now there are barrel Makers, All over the southeast. We work with one out of Bristol, Virginia, about two hours away. They’re, they’re very close to us. It’s easy to run up against some if we need them.

00:36:00.630 –> 00:36:06.810 Dave Angel: But yeah, it’s, it’s, that’s a big part of its when you walk into the look and feel of barrels that what they do.

00:36:07.260 –> 00:36:22.680 Dave Angel: A lot of people don’t realize whiskey comes off a steel clear all alcohol, pretty much comes off the steel clear when you put it in a barrel a whiskey barrels made out of American wide. Oh, it’s char burned on the inside. It’s that burnt layer of wood that turns the whiskey brown

00:36:23.190 –> 00:36:26.280 Joseph McElroy: Oh, interesting, is it affecting the effects of taste to write

00:36:26.730 –> 00:36:31.710 Dave Angel: It does about 60% of a whiskies flavor is going to come from that chart barrel.

00:36:32.130 –> 00:36:38.460 Joseph McElroy: Hmm. And what’s different from, say, Tennessee whiskey from your whiskey. Is there any, are

00:36:39.180 –> 00:36:42.540 Dave Angel: There is Tennessee whiskey has to be made, Tennessee.

00:36:43.590 –> 00:36:46.650 Dave Angel: It is. That’s the biggest criteria to it, they

00:36:47.670 –> 00:37:03.570 Dave Angel: They would get mad at me in Tennessee for saying this but Tennessee whiskey as bourbon, that’s them pour through a chart Maple wood filter that gives it a sweeter maple note and they say, because of that, it’s no longer bourbon is Tennessee whiskey.

00:37:03.930 –> 00:37:05.580 Dave Angel: I don’t like you to call it bourbon upfront.

00:37:05.580 –> 00:37:07.410 Dave Angel: They just wanted to talk about Tennessee whiskey.

00:37:07.440 –> 00:37:09.450 Joseph McElroy: What’s the difference between bourbon and whiskey.

00:37:10.440 –> 00:37:14.610 Dave Angel: So, good question. Bourbon I’ll blow some people’s minds here.

00:37:14.970 –> 00:37:27.060 Dave Angel: Bourbon is whiskey bourbon and scotch or both whiskies I get that settled on my service Scotch bourbon whiskey Scott has to be made in Scotland bourbon has to be made in America does not have to be made in Kentucky has to be made in America.

00:37:27.540 –> 00:37:35.040 Dave Angel: Bourbon has to be at least 51% corn has to be aged in a brand new chart American white oak barrel.

00:37:35.520 –> 00:37:48.120 Dave Angel: So once that barrels are used you can no longer bourbon back in it. It’s been used for bourbon, the first and only time the biggest buyer bourbon barrels are the Scots and Irish Scotch whisky Irish whiskey all go and use bourbon barrels.

00:37:48.780 –> 00:37:53.520 Joseph McElroy: And interesting and why would Tennessee make bourbon first and then convert it into whiskey.

00:37:54.060 –> 00:38:03.450 Dave Angel: It’s just the process they use the brand new charred American wine barrel most Tennessee Bert most Tennessee whiskey is or 75 to 85% corn.

00:38:03.720 –> 00:38:18.780 Dave Angel: So, and it’s made America at least 51% corny, but in that brand new barrel, it’s legally a bourbon. They go that extra step to say, well, we’re going to char, we’re going to run it through a charred maple filter and that transforms it into Tennessee whiskey.

00:38:20.880 –> 00:38:23.040 Dave Angel: It’s all about marketing. It really is.

00:38:23.910 –> 00:38:27.600 Joseph McElroy: Yours is not a brand new Mar barrel you get age barrels in

00:38:27.750 –> 00:38:34.320 Dave Angel: Right, we will we get both. We have bourbon that we have not released yet. It’s super good at sitting in a barrel.

00:38:35.040 –> 00:38:45.990 Dave Angel: You know what I learned from other places. I’d love to tell you everything I do is my own creation but you know give a shout out to Maker’s Mark they barrel whiskey at 111 proof most distilleries

00:38:46.590 –> 00:39:04.530 Dave Angel: Barrel bourbon and the hundred and 20 125 proof range by lowering that closer to what you’re actually want to drink, you get a more intense bourbon flavor. And that sounds good to me when I tour Maker’s Mark and we barrel-aged whiskey or bourbon at 110 111 proof.

00:39:04.980 –> 00:39:07.080 Joseph McElroy: And it’s got an intense whiskey flavor. Yeah, I remember

00:39:07.080 –> 00:39:18.450 Joseph McElroy: That yeah it’s got remember when we went to, to the ABC store, they were you know they recommended it. When you are they actually recommended when somebody was asking for, you know, pretty intense flavor. So that’s good.

00:39:18.450 –> 00:39:19.680 Dave Angel: Yeah, good.

00:39:19.860 –> 00:39:29.490 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, so, so, um, so, what kind of competition friend cooperators do you have in the region distilleries

00:39:30.390 –> 00:39:35.280 Dave Angel: Oh, there’s several and I rely on a lot of like they come to me with questions.

00:39:35.700 –> 00:39:45.090 Dave Angel: When people come to the Smokies or to western North Carolina, you tend to do one of two things, either come in Asheville, North Carolina. We have a lot of people to go to Asheville

00:39:45.390 –> 00:39:53.430 Dave Angel: Going to see the Biltmore House that when a tour of the breweries. There are two or three distilleries there h&h distilling how many good friends of mine, they

00:39:54.120 –> 00:40:02.790 Dave Angel: Actually was talking with them. Just this week with. There’s also add a Ryan, there are the chemists. Those are great distilleries over in the Asheville area.

00:40:03.240 –> 00:40:12.600 Dave Angel: People tend to visit them and then we’re their day outside of Asheville, they come up to Maggie Valley, we, we like to brag you, Maggie. Where are the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, because

00:40:12.990 –> 00:40:17.280 Dave Angel: Nationals in a big base and you have to leave Asheville to get to the mountains and they come to Maggie Valley.

00:40:17.910 –> 00:40:22.740 Dave Angel: The other big place people tend to go is the Gatlinburg Tennessee Pigeon Forge area.

00:40:23.250 –> 00:40:35.910 Dave Angel: A lot of people, when you say, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. They think Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I’ll tell you right upfront, the majority. The park is in North Carolina is not in Tennessee but Gatlinburg has done a great job of marketing.

00:40:35.910 –> 00:40:50.460 Dave Angel: That spot, but over a Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge or so there are 20 distilleries are the most visited distillery in the world. I’ll give him a shout out old smokey and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, something like 2 million people a year ago to Gatlinburg to see that distillery.

00:40:51.720 –> 00:40:55.380 Dave Angel: It’s, it’s, if you’ve ever been to Gatlinburg, you get that it’s a

00:40:56.250 –> 00:41:06.840 Dave Angel: Tourist. It’s a tourist destination for sure, but your old smokey sugar lands are a big one over there. I got a good friend who runs one called Old Forge and Pigeon Forge area.

00:41:08.130 –> 00:41:15.660 Dave Angel: There’s one junction 35 that I go check out I’m impressed by them. But where there’s literally 20 over there. But again, people that go

00:41:15.960 –> 00:41:25.830 Dave Angel: To Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge area, they want to go over the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to see the park that brings you to Maggie Valley, North Carolina, and so they see us as well.

00:41:26.370 –> 00:41:38.040 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, we used it. Well, that’s why I named the podcast gateway, the Smokies is Haywood County used to be called the gateway to the Smokies because, you know, that’s how you used to get together, people do to get to it. So yeah.

00:41:39.240 –> 00:41:50.220 Joseph McElroy: So I’m talking about distilleries. There’s also a lot of craft beverages is there, you know, beer, and even wine. Why is it so big in the smokies?

00:41:51.570 –> 00:42:00.000 Dave Angel: You know, it really comes back some I said earlier, it’s the water we have fabulous water in western North Carolina anywhere from Knoxville as well just incredible water.

00:42:00.420 –> 00:42:07.980 Dave Angel: The beer industry really picked up on that. It’s surprising, even the people that live in western North Carolina, but the biggest

00:42:08.460 –> 00:42:17.340 Dave Angel: The manufacturing industry in western Carolina is beer, wine, and spirits manufacturing and there’s something like 2500 people that work in breweries, wineries, and distilleries across

00:42:17.880 –> 00:42:29.310 Dave Angel: Western North Carolina, it’s it drives our agribusiness, it would surprise a lot of people with the most visited winery in America, it’s not Napa, and Sonoma. It’s in Asheville, North Carolina.

00:42:29.430 –> 00:42:30.180 Dave Angel: Is a little bit more

00:42:30.930 –> 00:42:31.410 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.

00:42:31.770 –> 00:42:41.850 Dave Angel: If the most visited winery in America. So we are we’re right there in the heart of all that was something like 35 maybe even 40 breweries Justin downtown Asheville

00:42:42.060 –> 00:42:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And and you know haven County is now starting to get a number of really good breweries there as well. Hey, Maggie has a brewery now.

00:42:49.560 –> 00:42:57.990 Dave Angel: Maggie has a brewery to bear waters and Maggie Valley there also. And can I have a bromance with these guys? I think the world of art and Kevin

00:42:58.740 –> 00:43:04.920 Dave Angel: They’re the owners of bear waters. They’re good buddies of mine. I do a lot with them. We make hand sanitizer together.

00:43:05.490 –> 00:43:10.620 Dave Angel: It’s we found ways to work together and doing some business which is a lot of fun when it’s fringe are working with

00:43:11.160 –> 00:43:19.590 Dave Angel: There’s frog level brewing in downtown Waynesville there’s boo jump brewing in downtown Waynesville we have a winery and Maggie Valley.

00:43:20.040 –> 00:43:37.770 Dave Angel: b&c winery. So yeah, we got a little Haywood County we got breweries. We got winery got distillery. We got a craft soda company Waynesville soda jerks. They’re super good. A lot of fruit-based sodas that they make. And we have some fabulous coffee shops to we’re, we’re in everything.

00:43:38.160 –> 00:43:46.290 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, so I mean it’s a great place to visit for you want that that craft beverage experience. In fact, I and Dave am talking about maybe doing a craft beverage festival

00:43:46.650 –> 00:43:47.130 Joseph McElroy: Well, so, yeah.

00:43:47.520 –> 00:43:48.990 Joseph McElroy: We’ll see, we’ll get that together.

00:43:50.040 –> 00:44:00.630 Joseph McElroy: But so right now we’re going to take another break and then we’re talking a little bit more about the moonshine history when we get back. I am a Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.

00:46:21.000 –> 00:46:27.570 Joseph McElroy: Hey this is Joseph McElroy back with the gateway to the Smokies podcast with my good friend Dave angel. Hey Dave

00:46:28.080 –> 00:46:28.710 Joseph McElroy: So, yeah.

00:46:29.430 –> 00:46:41.190 Joseph McElroy: So, uh, yeah. You mentioned popcorn suddenly, I think people would know anything, any knowledge of the moonshining at all know about popcorn set. And I think you got famous on the moon chatters TV show. Right.

00:46:42.090 –> 00:46:54.210 Dave Angel: hated the first few seasons. They talked about the popcorn and actually passed away before the show got started, they use a lot of footage of popcorn upfront. And I think that was a big key to the success of the show.

00:46:54.630 –> 00:46:57.540 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. What, what, why does popcorn so famous.

00:46:58.710 –> 00:47:08.610 Dave Angel: Yeah, he, he was a great moonshiner he was an excellent marketer. He knew how to put his stuff out there and to get it known

00:47:09.240 –> 00:47:21.450 Dave Angel: What really made him famous. He wasn’t a documentary called the last right and the last run was film and popcorn stop making his last run a moonshine.

00:47:21.930 –> 00:47:30.870 Dave Angel: It was filmed in 2002 for the next five or six years, people were desperately hoping to get a bottle that the last run and he always happen to have this a few jars sitting around

00:47:31.440 –> 00:47:37.830 Dave Angel: It was some of the best marketing that he ever did. But when that movie came out the last run at one to me.

00:47:40.350 –> 00:47:52.290 Dave Angel: From New York City to Miami. It was getting on the news on TV. It was that feel-good story on Friday night on the news today and Maggie Valley North Carolina Popcorn Sutton, and asked his last run of mood shining

00:47:52.650 –> 00:47:58.560 Dave Angel: And they called him the last of the rebels. It was great marketing. He knew how to get his name out there was stuff like that.

00:47:59.040 –> 00:48:06.720 Joseph McElroy: Oh, interesting. You know, it’s fairly tragic how you know he got in trouble at the end and signed to be an outlaw at the end of his own life, but

00:48:07.290 –> 00:48:09.660 Dave Angel: You know, he was a martyr for moonshine, he was

00:48:10.050 –> 00:48:24.780 Joseph McElroy: A he’s a martyr for moonshine. But yeah, there’s, there’s a little bit of controversy whether, you know, I remember a little bit of controversy about Tennessee trying to claim that popcorn Sutton was there, you know, I think he was in both places. Right.

00:48:24.810 –> 00:48:34.440 Dave Angel: He, he was in both places. It’s a, it’s an interesting story. You know, if you’re not familiar with we carry Maggie Valley, where we’re 20 miles on the interstate the

00:48:34.830 –> 00:48:39.030 Dave Angel: Tennessee border. I mean, as the crow flies were more like 10 miles. I guess maybe 12 miles.

00:48:39.690 –> 00:48:55.860 Dave Angel: But we’re right there on the border. He went back and forth between sort of the Cosby parents will Tennessee area Maggie Valley, North Carolina, he, you know, Simon about his marketing and you mentioned earlier the MaggieValley restaurant Popcorn drove a model, a four-track.

00:48:56.190 –> 00:49:06.870 Dave Angel: And if he asked him why he drove it so I’m down to Florida. Florida anything fancier and this it was marketing when he pulled into the campground at nine o’clock. It was like the ice cream truck pulled in.

00:49:08.130 –> 00:49:13.650 Dave Angel: All the moms and dads like popcorn here, get your money. Let’s go get a solution before he leaves you to know it was

00:49:14.490 –> 00:49:18.450 Joseph McElroy: A classic mountain man character. I’ll tell you what. Right.

00:49:18.480 –> 00:49:19.290 Dave Angel: He was

00:49:19.350 –> 00:49:19.530 He’s

00:49:20.670 –> 00:49:21.900 Joseph McElroy: Right behind you right

00:49:22.440 –> 00:49:28.440 Dave Angel: Well that’s, that’s him. Right. That’s a wood carving mount Mike’s whetstone and Maggie Valley, they carve this out for me, but that’s

00:49:28.440 –> 00:49:31.050 Dave Angel: Yeah, that’s a rendition of popcorn Sutton right there.

00:49:31.710 –> 00:49:34.710 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So what do you think of that moonshiner’s TV show?

00:49:35.670 –> 00:49:42.390 Dave Angel: You know it’s a great show. I’m familiar. I know everybody on the show. They’ve all been at our place in February.

00:49:42.930 –> 00:49:50.070 Dave Angel: The last set. I don’t know what today is the last Saturday in February, from one to four almost the whole cast is going to be at the distillery.

00:49:50.850 –> 00:49:54.180 Dave Angel: They do a meet and greet the last Saturday, February with us every year.

00:49:54.540 –> 00:50:03.090 Dave Angel: Yeah. We get thousands of people that will go through the distillery. We’re, we’re limited because the coven how many can be in there. One time, but we’ll get them through and make sure they all get to me.

00:50:03.570 –> 00:50:08.910 Dave Angel: Their favorite moonshiners from the show but they all live right in and around Maggie Valley.

00:50:09.270 –> 00:50:14.280 Dave Angel: I see him all the time. We had Kelly Williams. Some of the show came up to listen to music with me Saturday night.

00:50:15.960 –> 00:50:19.710 Dave Angel: It’s, it’s interesting what it’s done to moonshine. So, you know, the moonshiners of the

00:50:20.160 –> 00:50:31.140 Dave Angel: 30s, 40s to you in the 60s and 70s. They weren’t about making good products they were making about making good money. They wanted to see how cheap, they can make it and how much they could sell it for

00:50:31.860 –> 00:50:38.460 Dave Angel: That show has, you know, sort of rejuvenated the energy around moon shining and you’ve got these

00:50:39.360 –> 00:50:48.030 Dave Angel: Gourmet moonshiners today they want to use the best of the best grains. They want to make whiskies you can’t buy anywhere else, or find anywhere else they’re

00:50:48.450 –> 00:50:54.510 Dave Angel: They’re really pushing the limits of what can be done and it’s interesting to see what some of these guys are doing.

00:50:55.020 –> 00:51:07.110 Joseph McElroy: So, you know, for people listening and one of the adventure. You can do is come to Maggie Valley and see if you can find get a local who will introduce you to a moon shot here, but you have to convince them early trustworthy.

00:51:07.530 –> 00:51:08.280 Dave Angel: So that, yeah.

00:51:08.550 –> 00:51:10.320 Joseph McElroy: Sure of your lifetime. If you can do it.

00:51:12.090 –> 00:51:19.440 Joseph McElroy: Now, but yeah, you probably can find somebody to get your product, but the be maybe a little bit harder to find it so

00:51:21.090 –> 00:51:22.140 Joseph McElroy: great adventure.

00:51:22.650 –> 00:51:29.520 Dave Angel: I was back in the day. That’s why people came to Maggie Valley, you know, now they’re guys like me out there that are making legal moonshine.

00:51:29.760 –> 00:51:30.120 Dave Angel: Yeah.

00:51:30.180 –> 00:51:39.540 Joseph McElroy: Back in the 1970s, your place and get the legal stuff because you got a fun experience. You got all the music and things going on, you know, it’s like it’s a tremendous a

00:51:40.860 –> 00:51:45.480 Joseph McElroy: Facility and then do some little ventures because they are you talking about the water. It’s great to go

00:51:47.520 –> 00:51:51.840 Joseph McElroy: To bat and fish and all sorts of things in that whole area graph.

00:51:52.650 –> 00:51:56.670 Joseph McElroy: With the waters that is it true that NASCAR came out of moonshine.

00:51:57.330 –> 00:52:02.850 Dave Angel: Yesterday a NASCAR definitely has its roots and moonshine. They were so if you make

00:52:03.150 –> 00:52:14.640 Dave Angel: If you make illegal liquor you’re called a moonshiner if you transport you are called a bootlegger so bootleggers are the that’s the beginnings and asked her right there. They had souped-up, they tended

00:52:15.360 –> 00:52:28.230 Dave Angel: super big shots in the back of the card spring so that when they loaded it down with moonshine. It didn’t sink in the bottom and it looked like it drove right but they had to be able to run the law and they have big engines in those cars to be able to do it.

00:52:30.090 –> 00:52:36.840 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna have to close up a little bit. Soon, where can we buy your product besides your, your, your, your distillery.

00:52:37.740 –> 00:52:46.170 Dave Angel: Well, we’d love to have you come to the store come visit Maggie valley, but we’re available and ABC stores Alcohol Beverage Control stores in North Carolina all throughout the state.

00:52:47.310 –> 00:52:53.850 Dave Angel: Where the bot will meet the coast at Wilmington, North Carolina at the distillery. It’s the exact same price. That’s one of the pros and cons of

00:52:54.510 –> 00:53:00.600 Dave Angel: A state-controlled alcohol, but we’re sold out to save North Carolina, we are looking to expand into some other states.

00:53:01.350 –> 00:53:06.870 Dave Angel: You know, we get visitors from in our, in our first six months of operating. We had a visitor from every state of Wyoming.

00:53:07.860 –> 00:53:18.600 Dave Angel: And there’s not a lot of people in Wyoming. That’s what I discovered later took a while to get one from there and yeah yeah people come from all over. And so we’re trying to figure out what states, make the best sense for us to move into

00:53:18.900 –> 00:53:20.850 Joseph McElroy: And what’s uh, what’s your website.

00:53:22.590 –> 00:53:28.050 Dave Angel: Elevatedmountain.com WWW. elevated mountain, all one word all spelled out calm.

00:53:28.560 –> 00:53:37.380 Dave Angel: You can find us on Facebook, we probably got 14 15,000 followers on Facebook. That’s probably the easiest way to keep up with what’s happening in elevated mountain distilling companies.

00:53:37.770 –> 00:53:51.300 Dave Angel: If you’re on Instagram or Twitter elevated MTN we do love to do things on there as well. But we’re always putting our music we really go to Facebook is the place to publish what’s happening.

00:53:51.480 –> 00:53:56.520 Joseph McElroy: So yeah, so it’s a great resource. I want to mention some other things that another cousin of mine runs a

00:53:57.810 –> 00:54:04.890 Joseph McElroy: Big festival Maggie Valley call hillbilly jam and you go to the hillbilly jam calm. To find out more about is to be on July 23

00:54:06.450 –> 00:54:11.460 Joseph McElroy: July 24 of 11 pm and it’s got the foods crap hillbillies it’s

00:54:12.000 –> 00:54:19.980 Joseph McElroy: It’s got moonshiners from the Discovery Channel got cars and bikes show. It’s very much part of hillbilly and Mountain near moonshine culture.

00:54:20.370 –> 00:54:31.950 Joseph McElroy: And then I got a shout out to my things. I got a motel and Maggie Valley called the Meadowlark motel. It’s been in my family for 45 years we were a plastic roadside motel that we’ve renovated to be

00:54:32.460 –> 00:54:39.540 Joseph McElroy: Athletes and seek and we have a lot of craft of beverages. They’re available for people to experience. Unfortunately, we don’t do

00:54:41.550 –> 00:54:45.270 Joseph McElroy: Days product there, but he’ll come by and do a tasting. If you want it.

00:54:45.600 –> 00:54:47.370 Dave Angel: And we’re a stone’s throw away.

00:54:49.440 –> 00:54:57.840 Joseph McElroy: And we’re working on getting the restaurants and then we can actually serve liquor because you can’t do like liquor without a restaurant, but there are restaurants all around us that you can get this product.

00:54:58.140 –> 00:55:03.900 Joseph McElroy: We have some of the top restaurants in the area right across the street next door. I own I also have a

00:55:04.530 –> 00:55:18.570 Joseph McElroy: a site called smokies adventure, the plural calm, where you can get information listings about things to do in the Smokies and wedding venues and buy books and trail max and resources back soon. I have a book called from the jar.

00:55:19.470 –> 00:55:27.270 Joseph McElroy: Shining Great Smoky Mountains that supports and nonprofits and support that to help me on finance the Great Smoky Mountains operations.

00:55:27.570 –> 00:55:33.150 Joseph McElroy: So that’ll be for people listening to this, you know, this is gonna be around for a while you’ll be able to go there. It’s not there yet, but it’ll be there soon.

00:55:33.690 –> 00:55:47.970 Joseph McElroy: And then I’m part of the were traveler magazine network, we were building a great matte Smoky Mountain section that’s going to beat your experts and human interest stories about the mountains and

00:55:48.570 –> 00:55:54.810 Joseph McElroy: It’s big sites get over 12 million visitors a year and the stories you’re gonna be very much into

00:55:55.590 –> 00:56:14.130 Joseph McElroy: What, what, what are the things we talked about here and then remind you can find more about going to the gateway, the smokers podcast by going to facebook.com slash gateway to the Smokies podcast is going to be. It’s every Tuesday from six to seven and we look forward to having you back.

00:56:15.360 –> 00:56:31.920 Joseph McElroy: And and finding out what’s going on. Next week is going to be an exciting show AND I WANT TO THANK YOU. Dave for showing up. And, you know, go get your daughter. Now he’s in the middle of going from one place to the other. So

00:56:32.970 –> 00:56:34.650 Joseph McElroy: Bye for this week. See you next week.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/220399249734461/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.13418-10/131871154_1139391973144429_3036109095947871669_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=T97QO9fnNq0AX_hV47n&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301501B&oh=00_AT_EeAw_qDRDslnmyNxiUvQck1VnxrWRHDNcKmPxdYZCZg&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>We will be talking to <strong>Dave Angel</strong>, owner of <strong><em>Elevated Mountain Distillery</em></strong> in Maggie Valley, NC. We will be talking about the revival of the craft beverage industry in the Smoky Mountains and the history of Moonshine.</p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/2-0OJlNX4Q/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph McElroy’s guest today is Dave Angel, his cousin through marriage and the owner of Elevated Mountain Distillery. The Scottish Gaelic call it “Uisce Beatha,” which translates to “Water of Life.” When the Scottish arrived at the Smokies they didn’t just bring their musical influence, they also contributed to the practices of distilleries. To this day some believe that the medicine of the mountains only works with the help of moonshine. Throughout the 20th century, moonshine had its place within the local economy. Dave made his first moonshine when he was 14 years old. It was his goal to learn and pass on the tradition. Moonshine is alcohol that is not made legally. People often think of moonshine as a knock off but the only difference is the legality. Moonshine can be made from many things, including fruit. In the 1930s people used to distill grains and apples to make an Apple Brandy.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>Whiskey is alcohol distilled from grain so it starts with beer, also known as mash. Whiskey boils at 174 degrees. After separating it from the water, you get the whiskey. When it comes down to making good whiskey you need to understand what the head and the heart are. The head is the toxic chemicals that are extracted. Ethanol is bad moonshine that can make a person go blind. Once the head is gone you get the whiskey. This is normally a 20-hour process. As the ethanol comes out you start to get a lot of interesting flavors. That is when you get the tails, and depending on when you make certain cuts the flavor can change dramatically. A good distillery knows how to make sure your whiskey has a long enough tail. Soft water with a good mineral base is also key. Dave believes that the water in the Smokie is great for moonshine, people come to Maggie Valley looking for moonshine because of it. It is part of the reason that he has his distillery where it is, the purity of the water. Maggie Valley has a long history of moonshine and David’s business was welcomed with open arms.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>Guests at the Elevated Mountain Distillery can enjoy their wide range of drinks, see how it’s made, and even enjoy live music. Dave talks about the differences in how whiskeys are made. Tennessee whiskey is a bourbon that goes through a charred mapple filter. Scottish whiskey and Irish whiskey are distilled in bourbon barrels. In his distillery, they use this method and many more. According to Dave one of the most popular Distilleries in Tennessee is Ole Smoky Moonshine in Gatlin, TN. The water of the Smoky Mountains has allowed so many distilleries and wineries to produce incredible wine, beers, and whiskeys. The most visited winery in America is in Asheville, North Carolina.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>The talk is about Popcorn Sutton, an American Appalachian moonshiner, and bootlegger who gained popularity when he appeared in the Neal Hutcheson documentary, “Mountain Talk.” People were so excited when his truck pulled up that they would rush to buy his moonshine. Moonshiners in the past cared more about making money over quality but there is a renewed interest, in part due to the popularity of shows such as “Moonshiner.”</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h4><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h4><p>00:00:42.330 –&gt; 00:00:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Howdy. Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies. This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:56.880 –&gt; 00:01:06.720 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history and rich in cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:01:07.830 –&gt; 00:01:20.280 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy a man of the world and also with deep roots in these mountains. My family’s lived in the Great Smoky for over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:21.600 –&gt; 00:01:32.850 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about liquor in the Smoky Mountains. I’m going to introduce you to my cousin by marriage Dave Angel who is the proprietor of elevated mountain distillery who</p><p>00:01:32.880 –&gt; 00:01:49.110 Joseph McElroy: Hey. Hey. How you doing, and he’s an expert in whiskey. We’re going to talk about that liquor White Lightning corn squeezing Mountain Dew. White mules, slopes, white dog, or the most popular known as moonshine.</p><p>00:01:50.130 –&gt; 00:01:56.250 Joseph McElroy: Hang on, until the end. And that will give you some places ago and things to do in the mountains to help you explore to explore</p><p>00:01:57.420 –&gt; 00:02:05.490 Joseph McElroy: Now, last week we talked about the Scotch Irish influence on music in the mountains, but we didn’t touch much upon their influence on distill</p><p>00:02:06.450 –&gt; 00:02:15.510 Joseph McElroy: Whiskey is actually derived from the Gaelic word our cube. I hope I said that right, which translates as water of life.</p><p>00:02:16.500 –&gt; 00:02:21.210 Joseph McElroy: And when the Scotch Irish migrated to America. They brought with them a history of distilling</p><p>00:02:21.720 –&gt; 00:02:35.640 Joseph McElroy: They adapted for use on common on the common great in North America maze, also known as a core they learned a lot from the Cherokees and cultivating this crop and became experts and distilling it into spirits.</p><p>00:02:36.750 –&gt; 00:02:49.050 Joseph McElroy: Now I remember growing up in the mountains in the mountains that met moonshine was a part of the fabric of life if you went to the square dance hall and Saturday night you knew that you could get a drink and moonshine out the bath.</p><p>00:02:50.550 –&gt; 00:03:01.380 Joseph McElroy: I remember that. Sometimes my dad got paid for construction work with moonshine, and before he was a construction company owner. He was a chemical engineer and I remember that he</p><p>00:03:02.070 –&gt; 00:03:05.400 Joseph McElroy: I came home one day and I saw this glass contraption.</p><p>00:03:06.210 –&gt; 00:03:19.710 Joseph McElroy: I had no clue what it was and sitting on the table. I was pretty young. I WAS HEADING TOWARDS IT. HE GOT MY WAY didn’t keep me from breaking and breaking it. I didn’t know what it was for several years. But he made himself and glass still</p><p>00:03:21.660 –&gt; 00:03:24.870 Joseph McElroy: And so it has been true to his roots.</p><p>00:03:26.130 –&gt; 00:03:43.620 Joseph McElroy: And other things I remember is that Pigs love to eat leftover mash from this building. And to this day, and even to this day. I know that some people believe that faith that the, you know, our famous mountain herbal recipes remedies only work with a touch of moonshine in them so</p><p>00:03:44.640 –&gt; 00:03:57.960 Joseph McElroy: There’s a lot of cultural richness to the culture to moonshine in the mountains, but not all the moonshine culture was good. So, you know, a lot of people lives are ruined by legal troubles and alcoholism and</p><p>00:03:58.560 –&gt; 00:04:09.300 Joseph McElroy: Parents being, you know, distant and yeah so you know fighting. There is a lot of that as well. So it’s not at all a good story. But yeah, there was a time when</p><p>00:04:10.230 –&gt; 00:04:20.910 Joseph McElroy: The only way to get cash money to pay taxes was to sell moonshine and livestock. So it was it for a while, especially in the 19th and early 20th century, it was, it was part of the economic</p><p>00:04:22.890 –&gt; 00:04:26.310 Joseph McElroy: the economic necessity of life in this Great Smoky Mountains.</p><p>00:04:27.840 –&gt; 00:04:32.490 Joseph McElroy: And one of the funny things I was finding out recently talking to some people, was that</p><p>00:04:33.330 –&gt; 00:04:47.820 Joseph McElroy: Elections back in the 19th century were awful pain. We’re often paid by moonshine. Then somebody wanted to get elected better have a party on election day and be given out free moonshots that everybody gets drunk and then goes in and vote together.</p><p>00:04:49.110 –&gt; 00:04:52.200 Joseph McElroy: And then the one with the best part of that usually won the election.</p><p>00:04:53.550 –&gt; 00:04:58.740 Joseph McElroy: But I mean, that might be an exaggeration, but I think there was some element of truth to that.</p><p>00:05:00.090 –&gt; 00:05:11.040 Joseph McElroy: So now let me introduce you to my good friend and cousin Dave Angel who knows a lot more about me than moonshine and legal distilling he’s going to fill you in a lot. So howdy Dave</p><p>00:05:11.850 –&gt; 00:05:13.500 Dave Angel: Hey, how are you good</p><p>00:05:14.430 –&gt; 00:05:22.830 Joseph McElroy: Good to see you again. So why don’t you, why don’t you first let everybody know your background, you know, how did you end up being an expert on distiller</p><p>00:05:23.970 –&gt; 00:05:32.520 Dave Angel: Well, you know, grown-up or Joseph and I grew up, it is it like he said its part of the culture it’s around is something I was fascinated with my whole life growing up.</p><p>00:05:33.240 –&gt; 00:05:41.070 Dave Angel: I actually made my first run a moonshot as 14 years old is my ninth-grade science project still have the steel. I use it back then.</p><p>00:05:41.550 –&gt; 00:05:52.890 Dave Angel: You know, I had an old-timer that taught me how to do it. I always thought back then and you know when these guys are going with these old-timers gone moonshine, it goes with them. And I want to make sure I can carry it on</p><p>00:05:53.970 –&gt; 00:06:08.220 Dave Angel: It will always be there. There are people that they still doing it, there always will be, you know, generations of people that are working with their grandparents and their parents still making you know it’s a different model, a different</p><p>00:06:09.600 –&gt; 00:06:12.960 Dave Angel: Market than it was probably in the 30s, but it still lives on.</p><p>00:06:13.920 –&gt; 00:06:19.200 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, yeah. So, so you went off in the world for a little while. Right.</p><p>00:06:20.310 –&gt; 00:06:26.760 Dave Angel: I didn’t actually have a corporate career. I worked there on 42nd Street, a lot. I worked for Pfizer for one point.</p><p>00:06:27.990 –&gt; 00:06:37.260 Dave Angel: Love my corporate career took me a lot of places. I live in China for three years. A human resources business development were the kinds of things I focused on</p><p>00:06:38.280 –&gt; 00:06:47.370 Dave Angel: A few years ago, it came time to come back home. I think we all end up falling our roots back to where they started at some point, my parents needed me here. My wife is from our hometown.</p><p>00:06:48.060 –&gt; 00:06:55.380 Dave Angel: And it was just time to reinvent myself. They didn’t have the kinds of roles that I was doing back in Haywood County, North Carolina.</p><p>00:06:55.680 –&gt; 00:06:58.290 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, so you know I think that</p><p>00:06:59.520 –&gt; 00:07:07.200 Joseph McElroy: One of the things that you learned about and I think the audience would really like to know about is, you know, what is the moonshine.</p><p>00:07:08.760 –&gt; 00:07:14.430 Dave Angel: Yeah, that’s a good question I get asked that all the time when people come to the distillery and we’re trying different products will say, well,</p><p>00:07:14.850 –&gt; 00:07:19.380 Dave Angel: What made this moonshine, or what about the last one is specific to the moonshine recipe.</p><p>00:07:20.130 –&gt; 00:07:32.400 Dave Angel: Technically moonshine is anything you don’t pay taxes on. So Vince rums from Jamaica of its vodka from overseas. You know, if you’re not paying taxes on it. That’s legal. What makes it moonshine.</p><p>00:07:33.120 –&gt; 00:07:40.080 Dave Angel: Oh, what do you see. Yeah. What you see on TV when you watch it in the movies and, you know, the old guys by the steel back in the woods.</p><p>00:07:40.530 –&gt; 00:07:47.490 Dave Angel: That’s typically a knockoff version of whiskey. A lot of times they’ll call it whiskey. They’ll say it’s a corn whiskey. Well, technically.</p><p>00:07:47.910 –&gt; 00:07:56.730 Dave Angel: If whiskey is alcohol distilled from grain and if you watch TV. They’re always pouring bags of sugar into the steel.</p><p>00:07:57.210 –&gt; 00:08:11.310 Dave Angel: Well, when you put sugar in it. It’s no longer whiskey. It’s a knockoff version. So that’s what most people think I was moonshine if you see it on the label at a distillery. It’s just a funny word a label they get that’s legal stuff taxes paid. It’s all good.</p><p>00:08:12.060 –&gt; 00:08:19.560 Joseph McElroy: Right, so, um, you know, they that you saw in the mountains. They made mostly made corn. Right. Corn, corn.</p><p>00:08:20.670 –&gt; 00:08:31.770 Joseph McElroy: corn whiskey corn moonshine right yeah by the way moonshine is actually what they called they called it in Gaelic back in the old country so</p><p>00:08:32.190 –&gt; 00:08:41.760 Joseph McElroy: Then that particular term actually comes from Scotland, you know, for calling the this, this, because, you know, I guess people made by the moon shining and night, but</p><p>00:08:42.060 –&gt; 00:08:46.830 Dave Angel: The Scotch and Irish that brought it you know they were the ones that knew how to do it. So when it, when it became a</p><p>00:08:47.100 –&gt; 00:08:51.180 Dave Angel: You know, as a way of survival for a lot of people. I don’t know that people necessarily went into it to be.</p><p>00:08:51.510 –&gt; 00:09:01.470 Dave Angel: distilleries back in the 1920s. It was survival. Times were hard and they knew that was something they could turn to pay bills and it was a scotch and Irish that knew how to do it, brought it with them.</p><p>00:09:01.890 –&gt; 00:09:03.630 Joseph McElroy: Right, yeah. And</p><p>00:09:04.800 –&gt; 00:09:12.180 Joseph McElroy: DIDN’T, DIDN’T, DIDN’T for a long time. It was actually sort of an honorable profession back in the mountains. Right.</p><p>00:09:13.350 –&gt; 00:09:13.860 Dave Angel: Oh, yeah.</p><p>00:09:15.030 –&gt; 00:09:15.390 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.</p><p>00:09:15.420 –&gt; 00:09:17.130 Dave Angel: And then, yes, definitely was.</p><p>00:09:17.520 –&gt; 00:09:21.570 Joseph McElroy: And then it was like when they’re like taxes came in that sort of changed everything.</p><p>00:09:23.010 –&gt; 00:09:32.640 Dave Angel: That is that is our happy taxes have always been history, a lot of people when they think of whiskey and they think of American whiskey. They think of Bourbon from Kentucky.</p><p>00:09:33.150 –&gt; 00:09:48.360 Dave Angel: The biggest reason whiskeys and Kentucky was because Pennsylvania started taxing it when the industry was in Pennsylvania, and they said, we don’t have to pay taxes in Pennsylvania will move somewhere else and they moved to Kentucky because of that midway between New York and New Orleans.</p><p>00:09:49.290 –&gt; 00:10:08.040 Joseph McElroy: Well, you know, there’s an in the late you know 1790s, you know, the George Washington had to suit back up and lead an army. I think he was in the Pennsylvania area because the federal government tried to make revenue by installing a whiskey tax and we had something called the Whiskey Rebellion.</p><p>00:10:08.580 –&gt; 00:10:12.390 Dave Angel: Yes. Well, I said the Whiskey Rebellion led to move into Kentucky.</p><p>00:10:12.900 –&gt; 00:10:24.750 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, yeah. So, so that’s kind of interesting. Yeah, so, um, so the other thing that I thought was interesting, you know, and it’s not often talked about</p><p>00:10:25.080 –&gt; 00:10:35.820 Joseph McElroy: And I remember this is things like Applejack and stuff like that is moonshine can is actually can be made out of a lot of different fruits and it’s actually considered brandy. Right.</p><p>00:10:36.750 –&gt; 00:10:46.140 Dave Angel: Yeah. So I started many of whiskey is alcohol distilled from grain brandy is alcohol distilled from fruit. So that’s the purest answer. But again, when it</p><p>00:10:46.440 –&gt; 00:10:57.660 Dave Angel: When it came to be made in the Smokies back in the 30s, they’d make a corn mash with some apple in it and they call it up apple brandy, but it had a lot of corn-based alcohol in it.</p><p>00:10:58.410 –&gt; 00:11:04.800 Joseph McElroy: So it was a high alcohol count brandy is more likely got some sort of other got some sort of whiskey in it.</p><p>00:11:05.280 –&gt; 00:11:12.870 Dave Angel: Exactly like if it’s coming from the woods moonshine, or even today moonshiners will tell you about the Randy, but it always starts with important sugar.</p><p>00:11:13.530 –&gt; 00:11:23.070 Joseph McElroy: Ah, interesting is that while I am you see these craft beers made and they have sort of fruits and stuff and a lot of times they have a pretty high alcohol count.</p><p>00:11:24.150 –&gt; 00:11:32.670 Dave Angel: Yeah, that’s a lot of times, that is how it is for Beer. Beer has made such a huge transformation from the days of Bud and Miller.</p><p>00:11:33.030 –&gt; 00:11:39.180 Dave Angel: What we have today. Yeah. Millennials. They expect 42 beers at the bar, they don’t expect three choices and</p><p>00:11:39.690 –&gt; 00:11:48.420 Dave Angel: It will always be that way. And you’re seeing that kind of innovation now happening in distilleries the same thing. People want variety. They want to see the</p><p>00:11:48.810 –&gt; 00:11:56.730 Dave Angel: Most people would you say keen while whiskey and they’re like, what you can make you can make a keen while whiskey, for sure. It’s not bad.</p><p>00:11:58.200 –&gt; 00:12:05.220 Joseph McElroy: Now, do people still, you know, do people still make moonshine and stuff in the mountains. I mean, you know,</p><p>00:12:07.380 –&gt; 00:12:12.810 Joseph McElroy: Brandi I’m. That’s what I’m wondering. I actually want some of that Brandy, they still do that they</p><p>00:12:12.900 –&gt; 00:12:18.930 Dave Angel: They do you know our distillery elevated mountain distilling company. We’re based in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.</p><p>00:12:19.500 –&gt; 00:12:27.150 Dave Angel: A lot of people will probably talk some about popcorn Sutton at some point during the hour, but that’s the birthplace of a legendary mentioning popcorn.</p><p>00:12:27.600 –&gt; 00:12:35.250 Dave Angel: Yeah, I tell people all time. I’m one of three or four distilleries and Maggie. Now I’m just wondering, to get to walk in and see the steel, but there are still people</p><p>00:12:35.880 –&gt; 00:12:47.910 Dave Angel: I had my, my first year there. I had a came in one day. And there was a bag sitting out front. And I thought, what’s that about is right before the holidays and some</p><p>00:12:48.390 –&gt; 00:12:57.240 Dave Angel: Local moonshine or left me a jar of apple pie moonshine, he had made in those a note in there that just said you’ve done more for marketing my business and anybody. I just want to say</p><p>00:13:01.050 –&gt; 00:13:08.820 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah that’s pretty good. My, my, my dad used to tell me the movement of popcorn center would meet him at the Maggie, Maggie restaurant.</p><p>00:13:09.240 –&gt; 00:13:19.530 Joseph McElroy: And talk to him about things. He might need and then try to convince them to do it. And every once in a while he takes one of the things that he needs to be done and does it and then needs to get paid moonshine.</p><p>00:13:21.030 –&gt; 00:13:32.220 Joseph McElroy: Now, it was a part that is still part of life. I’m sure it is. You know, I, you know, I’ve, I’ve noticed a few cans of moonshine around everyone so</p><p>00:13:32.610 –&gt; 00:13:43.440 Joseph McElroy: Like in the last few years. So it’s always there. So when we come back we’re gonna talk about how risky is made and the history of legal distilling. All right.</p><p>00:16:12.660 –&gt; 00:16:15.660 Joseph McElroy: Howdy. This is a Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with my guest</p><p>00:16:16.680 –&gt; 00:16:23.520 Joseph McElroy: Dave Angel and we’re on the gateway to the Smokies podcasts, the whiskey and moonshine edition.</p><p>00:16:24.900 –&gt; 00:16:26.430 Joseph McElroy: Glad to have you back. Dave</p><p>00:16:27.360 –&gt; 00:16:29.250 Dave Angel: Glad to be here. Thanks for having me.</p><p>00:16:29.550 –&gt; 00:16:37.860 Joseph McElroy: You’re so we were talking about whiskey. So you go and give us a little education on how whisky is me because I think is pretty interesting.</p><p>00:16:38.880 –&gt; 00:16:48.870 Dave Angel: Yeah, I’ll keep it at a high level. First, yeah. I said a couple of times out whiskey is alcohol distilled from grain well before you can distill it, you have to ferment it</p><p>00:16:49.980 –&gt; 00:16:56.610 Dave Angel: Beer is really where whiskey starts beers alcohol has been from it from grain. If you go to local breweries are taken.</p><p>00:16:57.090 –&gt; 00:17:00.960 Dave Angel: Usually, it’s barley but some other thing you know rye or some other grains.</p><p>00:17:01.350 –&gt; 00:17:12.480 Dave Angel: They add yeast to it it ferments for a few days and then you’re drinking the beer, what in the whiskey world you’re taking that beer, lot of people call it MASH, it’s really the same thing.</p><p>00:17:12.870 –&gt; 00:17:26.040 Dave Angel: I always call it a mash on TV because I never call it beer confuse the audience on TV. It’s always mashed but imagine a beer. The same thing, you take that mash you put it into steel yeah heated up</p><p>00:17:26.880 –&gt; 00:17:31.740 Dave Angel: Everything has a different boiling point. So everybody knows water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.</p><p>00:17:32.550 –&gt; 00:17:50.070 Dave Angel: whiskey or alcohol ethanol distills that 174 degrees, it boils at 174 degrees. So you want to eat that up to 174 degrees and the alcohol, the whiskey will start coming out the water stays in the pot and you just separate it out and you get whiskey.</p><p>00:17:50.700 –&gt; 00:18:01.980 Joseph McElroy: Mm-hmm. What is the art there and they’re an art because I was reading it? Some people can make good moonshine or whiskey and some people can make awful moonshine doing the same sort of process where we are.</p><p>00:18:03.180 –&gt; 00:18:13.230 Dave Angel: The art just sort of went through a pure science answer, but there’s definitely an art to it. I would you make whiskey. You hear people talking about heads hearts and tails.</p><p>00:18:13.650 –&gt; 00:18:18.120 Dave Angel: So again, everything has a different temperature, it turns the steam and comes out.</p><p>00:18:18.600 –&gt; 00:18:29.310 Dave Angel: heads are the first chemicals that heat up and come out of the steel around 130 435 degrees you get chemicals, the big ones are acetone methanol.</p><p>00:18:29.580 –&gt; 00:18:34.590 Dave Angel: They smell like painting or they are fingernail polish remover. That’s exactly where your</p><p>00:18:34.980 –&gt; 00:18:43.410 Dave Angel: fingernail polish remover comes from an ethanol plant somewhere in the Midwest, or when you go to the gas station. It says this gas contains up to 10% ethanol.</p><p>00:18:43.830 –&gt; 00:18:51.540 Dave Angel: Typically 192 proof vodka. That’s what they’re talking about and the same plant. They’re making that they’re getting acetone out of that corn.</p><p>00:18:52.080 –&gt; 00:19:03.780 Dave Angel: For fingernail polish remover. But those are toxic chemicals that come out first and you clearly want to get those out of the product. You don’t want any asked the toner methanol at all and your product just wouldn’t be safe.</p><p>00:19:04.050 –&gt; 00:19:07.050 Joseph McElroy: Is that why Chinese would kill people with their moonshine.</p><p>00:19:07.380 –&gt; 00:19:16.140 Dave Angel: It is. That’s one of you hear that you hear lead poisoning today solder doesn’t have lead in so it’s pretty safe today. But back in the old days.</p><p>00:19:16.530 –&gt; 00:19:24.780 Dave Angel: You know if you’re trying to just make money. You weren’t worried about quality, we’re worried about making money. So that’s a whole different market back then.</p><p>00:19:25.680 –&gt; 00:19:34.890 Dave Angel: But yeah, acetone methanol, they can ask them, and a mess it all makes you go blind you hear about bad moonshine making people go blind, it’s because they didn’t do a good clean cut upfront.</p><p>00:19:36.300 –&gt; 00:19:39.960 Dave Angel: Once that stuff comes out of the steel right behind. It’s the whiskey.</p><p>00:19:40.560 –&gt; 00:19:53.220 Dave Angel: And if you’re paying attention. We have a 920 gallons steel, we can really get a sense of, you can just smell that acetone just drifting off and also this whiskey smell comes in and you know your end of the good stuff.</p><p>00:19:53.670 –&gt; 00:20:00.420 Dave Angel: And when in doubt, we let it flow another minute, just make sure we get the heads out of there. But then comes the whiskey.</p><p>00:20:00.930 –&gt; 00:20:11.460 Dave Angel: Well, the purest alcohol of the ethanol, which would also be Vodka. Vodka is the cleanest of the hearts. It’s right in the center of pure ethanol.</p><p>00:20:12.090 –&gt; 00:20:21.420 Dave Angel: Was as it’s flowing out. You can imagine there are all these other chemicals that have different boiling points and so few other chemicals come out with the ethanol.</p><p>00:20:21.780 –&gt; 00:20:26.820 Dave Angel: And they add different flavors and textures to it when we’re instilling I you know</p><p>00:20:27.660 –&gt; 00:20:35.280 Dave Angel: It takes. It’s an all-day process when we do a final run on our whiskey. It’s about 20 hours. It’s a long day of work.</p><p>00:20:35.730 –&gt; 00:20:39.990 Dave Angel: But throughout the day we’re sipping little bits coming off the steel to see what it tastes like.</p><p>00:20:40.470 –&gt; 00:20:45.030 Dave Angel: The all day long. It might end up being a shot of alcohol. It’s not a lot just enough to waste your time. So what it tastes like.</p><p>00:20:45.510 –&gt; 00:21:03.540 Dave Angel: But the whiskey goes through a buttery phase where it tastes like alcohol and butter and then it’ll go through this lemongrass phase. And again, those are just other little chemicals that are turned into steam and coming out with the ethanol, the alcohol at some point, though.</p><p>00:21:04.830 –&gt; 00:21:11.670 Dave Angel: You start getting what are called tales. So tales are like, I like to tell people it’s like salt on a french fry.</p><p>00:21:11.970 –&gt; 00:21:17.190 Dave Angel: You want a few tales to give us some seasoning. But if you put too much salt on your french fries, you end up running them.</p><p>00:21:17.610 –&gt; 00:21:26.160 Dave Angel: And it’s the same thing with tells and that’s really the art of making whiskey right there. How many tells do I let in there it goes a little bit of a full-bodied bitter taste.</p><p>00:21:26.580 –&gt; 00:21:37.200 Dave Angel: The too much of it. I’ll send it tastes like an unripe squash zucchini and you don’t want that to ever happen to your whiskey. Because once it’s in there. You can’t take it out. So the arts, making those kinds of judgments of</p><p>00:21:37.740 –&gt; 00:21:43.410 Dave Angel: When, when to make those cuts, how to make those cuts to get the final flavor. He wanted</p><p>00:21:43.680 –&gt; 00:21:51.240 Joseph McElroy: So, and so you when you’re taking the ones coming out, you actually separated into vodka and whiskey and something else.</p><p>00:21:52.140 –&gt; 00:22:04.890 Dave Angel: Well, no, it all cut it was either making whiskey or making vodka. But when you’re making whiskey. It goes through these different phases and there is an element of that sort of pure alcohol, which would probably be a vodka phase.</p><p>00:22:05.700 –&gt; 00:22:10.830 Dave Angel: But we’re not you don’t cut vodka whiskey when you make vodca you’re making a whole different product.</p><p>00:22:11.010 –&gt; 00:22:11.610 Joseph McElroy: So same</p><p>00:22:11.670 –&gt; 00:22:12.870 Dave Angel: Basic process.</p><p>00:22:12.900 –&gt; 00:22:21.420 Joseph McElroy: How the market gets mixed into the whiskey. So you keep the vodka and then you, you make and then the whiskey mixes with it or you</p><p>00:22:21.480 –&gt; 00:22:25.200 Dave Angel: Get essentially all those other chemicals with the vodka makes whiskey.</p><p>00:22:25.560 –&gt; 00:22:26.370 Joseph McElroy: I see the</p><p>00:22:27.090 –&gt; 00:22:33.390 Dave Angel: Vodka. Vodka has no smell or taste to it. The smell or taste of whiskey and that’s pure ethanol.</p><p>00:22:33.930 –&gt; 00:22:45.900 Dave Angel: The smell and taste of whiskey or all these other chemicals that come through and you preserve them in the alcohol you keep them in alcohol that’s probably a better word to say and collectively they give you the taste of whiskey.</p><p>00:22:46.260 –&gt; 00:22:54.510 Joseph McElroy: So, so basically vodka is a whatever a whiskey that’s got a long tail.</p><p>00:22:55.800 –&gt; 00:23:05.730 Dave Angel: Um, well, it’s I’ll give you a pure answer vodka whiskey, so there are rules around the sheet. You know, again, when you’re a moonshine or you just make it</p><p>00:23:06.330 –&gt; 00:23:23.610 Dave Angel: You’re making it legally there are rules, you have to follow whiskey cannot come out of the steel over 160 proof. That’s 80% alcohol. So when it’s 80% alcohol or lower. There’s got to be other chemicals in there and that’s what gives whiskey its flavor.</p><p>00:23:23.940 –&gt; 00:23:31.380 Dave Angel: As vodka legally has to come out of the steel 190 proof which means is 95% alcohol.</p><p>00:23:31.530 –&gt; 00:23:39.600 Dave Angel: Wow, so there’s very little room for other chemicals in there and that’s why it has no taste because alcohol has no taste.</p><p>00:23:39.990 –&gt; 00:23:49.200 Joseph McElroy: Okay, cool. Interesting. So these the old-time moonshiners having to deal with this. They essentially did it by taste as well, they’re</p><p>00:23:49.230 –&gt; 00:23:51.150 Joseph McElroy: The ones that really good. Yeah.</p><p>00:23:51.180 –&gt; 00:23:58.110 Dave Angel: Yeah, they did, you know, I’ve had a lot of fun, especially in the first couple of years, we were running, we had a lot of local moonshiners that would come in, they’d want to see the</p><p>00:23:58.590 –&gt; 00:24:11.610 Dave Angel: The fancy distillery of what it was that it was different from them and most moonshiners you know they they they didn’t read a book on how to do this. They didn’t go to school to how to do this, daddy taught him or granddaddy time</p><p>00:24:12.690 –&gt; 00:24:26.700 Dave Angel: So I’ve had some really interesting conversations with a moonshine, or they’ll say, you know, I knew at this point I was supposed to do something different, but it was just because that he told me to. I never really understood why I was doing that. Now, I understand that.</p><p>00:24:28.020 –&gt; 00:24:34.230 Joseph McElroy: You know I’ve heard some moonshiners talk to and they always talked about, you know, finding a place they were looking for soft water. What does that mean,</p><p>00:24:35.340 –&gt; 00:24:40.620 Dave Angel: So soft water. It’s so soft and hard water if it’s really hard. It</p><p>00:24:42.510 –&gt; 00:24:48.990 Dave Angel: If it’s too hard to water. It’s different. It’s just as different chemistry to it’s in soft water.</p><p>00:24:50.340 –&gt; 00:25:01.110 Dave Angel: People who have hard water. If you take a shower takes forever to rinse off the soap just won’t rinse off of you and hard water that’s why they make water softening systems to</p><p>00:25:01.470 –&gt; 00:25:08.040 Dave Angel: Make the water software that’s one of the benefits of soft water is it, it runs in there. So it actually does have a different feel and reaction to it.</p><p>00:25:08.520 –&gt; 00:25:19.020 Dave Angel: And so you do want to good soft water. You want a good mineral base in your water. A lot of times you hear people talk about limestone water that’s gone to limestone.</p><p>00:25:20.100 –&gt; 00:25:31.650 Dave Angel: I would tell you one of the big reasons I’m in the Smoky Mountains anywhere from I’ll say Knoxville to Asheville the water and the Great Smoky Mountains, that part of the Blue Ridge is just fabulous.</p><p>00:25:32.040 –&gt; 00:25:33.270 Dave Angel: And you give water so</p><p>00:25:34.620 –&gt; 00:25:37.170 Joseph McElroy: They bought the water and so good. Yeah.</p><p>00:25:38.100 –&gt; 00:25:48.570 Dave Angel: Yep. Maggie, Maggie Valley was in Haywood County, North Carolina. We have the highest average elevation of any county east of the Rockies. And what that means is water flows downhill.</p><p>00:25:48.840 –&gt; 00:26:02.280 Dave Angel: And there’s no water that comes up in a wood County. So all of our water starts right there. I can literally go out the front door of the distillery and I can point to the water-rock knob and five top mountains. That’s where my water comes from those two mountain peaks.</p><p>00:26:02.910 –&gt; 00:26:13.020 Joseph McElroy: So I guess that probably made you want to do. Zoom why to come back and create a distillery in the mountains as well being at home. But what is the story of how you created elevated distillery?</p><p>00:26:14.130 –&gt; 00:26:18.720 Dave Angel: Well, yeah, there were a lot of reasons me definitely coming back home, but I could have just as easily live</p><p>00:26:19.080 –&gt; 00:26:31.110 Dave Angel: You know, a couple of hours away somewhere else and got the satisfaction of being home why really chose Maggie Valley ones that water that we just talked about. You just can’t beat it, and the water is so pure in Haywood County.</p><p>00:26:32.130 –&gt; 00:26:46.260 Dave Angel: Our water Maggie drops from 6000 feet down to the base at 3000 feet of the valley. It’s not traveled more than a mile and a half before it gets. I mean, it’s just good clean pure unadulterated water.</p><p>00:26:46.770 –&gt; 00:26:53.520 Dave Angel: You know, we also have this history adventure Pop Sutton two or three times. He is America’s most legendary moonshine or</p><p>00:26:54.510 –&gt; 00:27:03.000 Dave Angel: He is the stories and the history of folklore that comes with him. I get asked about him every day. So people come to Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:27:03.450 –&gt; 00:27:16.170 Dave Angel: Looking for moonshine. They’re looking for that history and heritage, we, we get people, you know, the beverage industry as a whole is big and Western or Asheville 20 minutes away is a major beer hub for the whole East</p><p>00:27:16.170 –&gt; 00:27:16.710 Coast.</p><p>00:27:18.300 –&gt; 00:27:20.220 Joseph McElroy: When did you create elevated distillery.</p><p>00:27:20.940 –&gt; 00:27:24.090 Dave Angel: We’ve, we’ve been fully operational three and a half years.</p><p>00:27:24.390 –&gt; 00:27:29.370 Dave Angel: And we had a year, year of renovation and building out our building before that.</p><p>00:27:29.610 –&gt; 00:27:36.090 Joseph McElroy: It wasn’t hard getting it harder to get approval was easier as the culture of the mountains made it seem acceptable.</p><p>00:27:36.960 –&gt; 00:27:38.070 Dave Angel: Yeah, it’s, you know, they’re</p><p>00:27:39.150 –&gt; 00:27:50.220 Dave Angel: On the legal side just talk there minute there are permits, you have to get a federal permit, you have to get a state permit. It’s all about paying taxes. That’s mainly what it’s about making sure they that your register and pay in taxes.</p><p>00:27:50.820 –&gt; 00:27:56.880 Dave Angel: But yeah, when it comes to culture and where you’re going to put that’s a sensitive topic to some communities.</p><p>00:27:57.660 –&gt; 00:28:13.140 Dave Angel: I knew Maggie had a long history of moonshining. I knew there were moonshiners there. I mean, that’s where I grew up. I knew that it was open. I didn’t know how well-received, it would be as far as a legal distillery overall I’ve been very welcome.</p><p>00:28:13.590 –&gt; 00:28:18.360 Joseph McElroy: Good. Well, you know, Maggie Valley got a real authentic mountain culture still so</p><p>00:28:18.630 –&gt; 00:28:27.150 Joseph McElroy: Yes. Yeah, I’m assuming there’s both welcoming and probably some resistance because it also has a very religious.</p><p>00:28:28.350 –&gt; 00:28:38.520 Joseph McElroy: culture as well. But, you know, you got it, you got it created so that’s great, then yeah, we’ll talk about some of the things you’re doing for the community. And just a little bit.</p><p>00:28:39.690 –&gt; 00:28:45.600 Joseph McElroy: Right now we’re going to head off to another break and we’ll come back and we’ll talk about your products and, you know, and</p><p>00:28:46.620 –&gt; 00:28:47.640 Joseph McElroy: Other things you’re doing</p><p>00:28:48.690 –&gt; 00:28:49.260 Dave Angel: Sounds good.</p><p>00:28:55.800 –&gt; 00:28:56.010 And</p><p>00:31:09.240 –&gt; 00:31:24.930 Joseph McElroy: Howdy. This is Joseph Franklyn McElroy back with the gateway to the smokies podcast. with the whiskey and a moonshine episode with me is Dave Angel owner of the elevated the mountain distillery and Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Hey Dave</p><p>00:31:25.440 –&gt; 00:31:26.670 Dave Angel: So hey y’all.</p><p>00:31:27.090 –&gt; 00:31:36.810 Joseph McElroy: So we were talking about your, your distillery. What kind of, what kind of places it what do people experience when they come there.</p><p>00:31:38.580 –&gt; 00:31:49.230 Dave Angel: Well, we do all kinds of things. So first and foremost, we’re a distillery. We’re very proud of the be a distillery to the products we make. We’ve got award-winning products and the three and a half years were there.</p><p>00:31:49.830 –&gt; 00:32:03.630 Dave Angel: We make a vodka called hurricane Creek. We’ve got a corn whiskey straight off the steel White Lightning version of it moonshine version if you will. And we also have a three-year barrel-aged version called purchase knob.</p><p>00:32:04.260 –&gt; 00:32:09.960 Dave Angel: We’re about to release a bourbon called water right now it’s three and a half years has been sitting in the barrel and it’s super good.</p><p>00:32:10.410 –&gt; 00:32:13.050 Dave Angel: But then we have some flavor products to we have shining rock.</p><p>00:32:13.950 –&gt; 00:32:25.380 Dave Angel: Brand of moon shines. We got a blackberry strawberry apple pie and peach pie. And then we have one product. It’s we call it root beer white lightning. It’s named after Raymond Fairchild, the only</p><p>00:32:25.740 –&gt; 00:32:33.780 Dave Angel: five-time world champion banjo player in history from right there and Maggie Valley, North Carolina. So we celebrate his music heritage as well.</p><p>00:32:34.260 –&gt; 00:32:40.230 Dave Angel: So we have a lot of products if you come to the distillery during the day. Most people come and they want to do a tour of the distillery.</p><p>00:32:40.560 –&gt; 00:32:50.670 Dave Angel: They want to see the place they have questions, they want to and ask and have answered, you know, we try to tell them what we can be as transparent about that we walk you through making whiskey.</p><p>00:32:51.270 –&gt; 00:33:01.320 Dave Angel: We have samples of our products. We got a big steals 920 gallons. It’s a beast. So, you know, people are fascinated say that doesn’t look like what you’d say in the backwoods</p><p>00:33:02.160 –&gt; 00:33:09.600 Dave Angel: As the night as we move into Night, especially Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights where music venue. One of the best places you can go</p><p>00:33:10.170 –&gt; 00:33:19.980 Dave Angel: To catch the live music typically karaoke on Thursdays Friday nights tend to be more alternative music alternative. I mean, blues,</p><p>00:33:20.460 –&gt; 00:33:35.130 Dave Angel: Bluegrass, that kind of thing. Saturday nights tend to be more big band big party kind of music we generate some big crowds in our place and love to have fun with the folks that come out. We have a full bar of beer, wine, and cocktails that we offer.</p><p>00:33:36.180 –&gt; 00:33:49.590 Dave Angel: So it depends. It depends on what you’re looking for. We’ve got that nightlife atmosphere. We’ve also got a how it’s made production atmosphere to the party was it a business up front party in the back. And it’s sort of that kind of a mindset.</p><p>00:33:49.680 –&gt; 00:33:55.050 Joseph McElroy: Well, I remember going there and you got a wonderful front area that</p><p>00:33:56.250 –&gt; 00:34:13.950 Joseph McElroy: Sort of a gift shop right with lots of interesting artifacts of the mountains and also you know the standard museum fair for T-shirts and stuff like that. But the books and jugs and glasses and all sorts of stuff right</p><p>00:34:14.490 –&gt; 00:34:17.580 Dave Angel: We do you know a lot of and I learned that from some of the other</p><p>00:34:18.390 –&gt; 00:34:26.280 Dave Angel: The distilling industry is a small-knit group of people. So we’re always helping each other out because we want to see each other survive and be successful.</p><p>00:34:26.760 –&gt; 00:34:33.630 Dave Angel: But I heard that from any place. Make sure you get some good T-shirts because some people come to buy booze. Some just want a teacher to say, I was there.</p><p>00:34:33.840 –&gt; 00:34:34.680 Dave Angel: Yeah, there’s a lot of</p><p>00:34:34.770 –&gt; 00:34:42.360 Joseph McElroy: truth to that. And then, then you go through some doors and you go into this big wide open space, right, then you can see this giant</p><p>00:34:43.650 –&gt; 00:34:47.010 Joseph McElroy: That. So I guess or distilling yeah yeah</p><p>00:34:47.100 –&gt; 00:34:52.620 Dave Angel: Yeah, our place used to be a dinner theater. So we’ve actually got a little bit of a slope to the floor.</p><p>00:34:52.920 –&gt; 00:35:08.010 Dave Angel: And where the stage once was, we now we’ve removed the status of steel actually sits in the basement under the stage. So it’s partially below you, and partially stilted the tallest part of the sales 23 feet. So it still towers way over you. But what</p><p>00:35:09.180 –&gt; 00:35:16.710 Dave Angel: I will say when you walk in, there’s a barrel rack on both sides. Obviously, it really does feel like you’re going in. I mean, you know, when you walk in the doors. You went into a distillery.</p><p>00:35:17.070 –&gt; 00:35:18.720 Joseph McElroy: And it smells incredible. Right.</p><p>00:35:19.860 –&gt; 00:35:29.370 Dave Angel: Yes, it does. Every day, even when we’re not producing there’s just so much alcohol in there from what’s in barrels and a little bit seeps out of barrels every day and it just gives a great smell of the place.</p><p>00:35:30.000 –&gt; 00:35:33.240 Joseph McElroy: Now do you you you buy your barrels from somewhere else. Right.</p><p>00:35:34.170 –&gt; 00:35:37.680 Dave Angel: We do we’ve bought from a couple of different places.</p><p>00:35:38.610 –&gt; 00:35:48.420 Dave Angel: Yeah, when the distilling industry took off the craft distilling industry you know 10 years ago you went to Kentucky went to Napa Valley. That’s where barrels were made in America.</p><p>00:35:48.900 –&gt; 00:35:59.340 Dave Angel: Now there are barrel Makers, All over the southeast. We work with one out of Bristol, Virginia, about two hours away. They’re, they’re very close to us. It’s easy to run up against some if we need them.</p><p>00:36:00.630 –&gt; 00:36:06.810 Dave Angel: But yeah, it’s, it’s, that’s a big part of its when you walk into the look and feel of barrels that what they do.</p><p>00:36:07.260 –&gt; 00:36:22.680 Dave Angel: A lot of people don’t realize whiskey comes off a steel clear all alcohol, pretty much comes off the steel clear when you put it in a barrel a whiskey barrels made out of American wide. Oh, it’s char burned on the inside. It’s that burnt layer of wood that turns the whiskey brown</p><p>00:36:23.190 –&gt; 00:36:26.280 Joseph McElroy: Oh, interesting, is it affecting the effects of taste to write</p><p>00:36:26.730 –&gt; 00:36:31.710 Dave Angel: It does about 60% of a whiskies flavor is going to come from that chart barrel.</p><p>00:36:32.130 –&gt; 00:36:38.460 Joseph McElroy: Hmm. And what’s different from, say, Tennessee whiskey from your whiskey. Is there any, are</p><p>00:36:39.180 –&gt; 00:36:42.540 Dave Angel: There is Tennessee whiskey has to be made, Tennessee.</p><p>00:36:43.590 –&gt; 00:36:46.650 Dave Angel: It is. That’s the biggest criteria to it, they</p><p>00:36:47.670 –&gt; 00:37:03.570 Dave Angel: They would get mad at me in Tennessee for saying this but Tennessee whiskey as bourbon, that’s them pour through a chart Maple wood filter that gives it a sweeter maple note and they say, because of that, it’s no longer bourbon is Tennessee whiskey.</p><p>00:37:03.930 –&gt; 00:37:05.580 Dave Angel: I don’t like you to call it bourbon upfront.</p><p>00:37:05.580 –&gt; 00:37:07.410 Dave Angel: They just wanted to talk about Tennessee whiskey.</p><p>00:37:07.440 –&gt; 00:37:09.450 Joseph McElroy: What’s the difference between bourbon and whiskey.</p><p>00:37:10.440 –&gt; 00:37:14.610 Dave Angel: So, good question. Bourbon I’ll blow some people’s minds here.</p><p>00:37:14.970 –&gt; 00:37:27.060 Dave Angel: Bourbon is whiskey bourbon and scotch or both whiskies I get that settled on my service Scotch bourbon whiskey Scott has to be made in Scotland bourbon has to be made in America does not have to be made in Kentucky has to be made in America.</p><p>00:37:27.540 –&gt; 00:37:35.040 Dave Angel: Bourbon has to be at least 51% corn has to be aged in a brand new chart American white oak barrel.</p><p>00:37:35.520 –&gt; 00:37:48.120 Dave Angel: So once that barrels are used you can no longer bourbon back in it. It’s been used for bourbon, the first and only time the biggest buyer bourbon barrels are the Scots and Irish Scotch whisky Irish whiskey all go and use bourbon barrels.</p><p>00:37:48.780 –&gt; 00:37:53.520 Joseph McElroy: And interesting and why would Tennessee make bourbon first and then convert it into whiskey.</p><p>00:37:54.060 –&gt; 00:38:03.450 Dave Angel: It’s just the process they use the brand new charred American wine barrel most Tennessee Bert most Tennessee whiskey is or 75 to 85% corn.</p><p>00:38:03.720 –&gt; 00:38:18.780 Dave Angel: So, and it’s made America at least 51% corny, but in that brand new barrel, it’s legally a bourbon. They go that extra step to say, well, we’re going to char, we’re going to run it through a charred maple filter and that transforms it into Tennessee whiskey.</p><p>00:38:20.880 –&gt; 00:38:23.040 Dave Angel: It’s all about marketing. It really is.</p><p>00:38:23.910 –&gt; 00:38:27.600 Joseph McElroy: Yours is not a brand new Mar barrel you get age barrels in</p><p>00:38:27.750 –&gt; 00:38:34.320 Dave Angel: Right, we will we get both. We have bourbon that we have not released yet. It’s super good at sitting in a barrel.</p><p>00:38:35.040 –&gt; 00:38:45.990 Dave Angel: You know what I learned from other places. I’d love to tell you everything I do is my own creation but you know give a shout out to Maker’s Mark they barrel whiskey at 111 proof most distilleries</p><p>00:38:46.590 –&gt; 00:39:04.530 Dave Angel: Barrel bourbon and the hundred and 20 125 proof range by lowering that closer to what you’re actually want to drink, you get a more intense bourbon flavor. And that sounds good to me when I tour Maker’s Mark and we barrel-aged whiskey or bourbon at 110 111 proof.</p><p>00:39:04.980 –&gt; 00:39:07.080 Joseph McElroy: And it’s got an intense whiskey flavor. Yeah, I remember</p><p>00:39:07.080 –&gt; 00:39:18.450 Joseph McElroy: That yeah it’s got remember when we went to, to the ABC store, they were you know they recommended it. When you are they actually recommended when somebody was asking for, you know, pretty intense flavor. So that’s good.</p><p>00:39:18.450 –&gt; 00:39:19.680 Dave Angel: Yeah, good.</p><p>00:39:19.860 –&gt; 00:39:29.490 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, so, so, um, so, what kind of competition friend cooperators do you have in the region distilleries</p><p>00:39:30.390 –&gt; 00:39:35.280 Dave Angel: Oh, there’s several and I rely on a lot of like they come to me with questions.</p><p>00:39:35.700 –&gt; 00:39:45.090 Dave Angel: When people come to the Smokies or to western North Carolina, you tend to do one of two things, either come in Asheville, North Carolina. We have a lot of people to go to Asheville</p><p>00:39:45.390 –&gt; 00:39:53.430 Dave Angel: Going to see the Biltmore House that when a tour of the breweries. There are two or three distilleries there h&amp;h distilling how many good friends of mine, they</p><p>00:39:54.120 –&gt; 00:40:02.790 Dave Angel: Actually was talking with them. Just this week with. There’s also add a Ryan, there are the chemists. Those are great distilleries over in the Asheville area.</p><p>00:40:03.240 –&gt; 00:40:12.600 Dave Angel: People tend to visit them and then we’re their day outside of Asheville, they come up to Maggie Valley, we, we like to brag you, Maggie. Where are the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, because</p><p>00:40:12.990 –&gt; 00:40:17.280 Dave Angel: Nationals in a big base and you have to leave Asheville to get to the mountains and they come to Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:40:17.910 –&gt; 00:40:22.740 Dave Angel: The other big place people tend to go is the Gatlinburg Tennessee Pigeon Forge area.</p><p>00:40:23.250 –&gt; 00:40:35.910 Dave Angel: A lot of people, when you say, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. They think Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I’ll tell you right upfront, the majority. The park is in North Carolina is not in Tennessee but Gatlinburg has done a great job of marketing.</p><p>00:40:35.910 –&gt; 00:40:50.460 Dave Angel: That spot, but over a Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge or so there are 20 distilleries are the most visited distillery in the world. I’ll give him a shout out old smokey and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, something like 2 million people a year ago to Gatlinburg to see that distillery.</p><p>00:40:51.720 –&gt; 00:40:55.380 Dave Angel: It’s, it’s, if you’ve ever been to Gatlinburg, you get that it’s a</p><p>00:40:56.250 –&gt; 00:41:06.840 Dave Angel: Tourist. It’s a tourist destination for sure, but your old smokey sugar lands are a big one over there. I got a good friend who runs one called Old Forge and Pigeon Forge area.</p><p>00:41:08.130 –&gt; 00:41:15.660 Dave Angel: There’s one junction 35 that I go check out I’m impressed by them. But where there’s literally 20 over there. But again, people that go</p><p>00:41:15.960 –&gt; 00:41:25.830 Dave Angel: To Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge area, they want to go over the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to see the park that brings you to Maggie Valley, North Carolina, and so they see us as well.</p><p>00:41:26.370 –&gt; 00:41:38.040 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, we used it. Well, that’s why I named the podcast gateway, the Smokies is Haywood County used to be called the gateway to the Smokies because, you know, that’s how you used to get together, people do to get to it. So yeah.</p><p>00:41:39.240 –&gt; 00:41:50.220 Joseph McElroy: So I’m talking about distilleries. There’s also a lot of craft beverages is there, you know, beer, and even wine. Why is it so big in the smokies?</p><p>00:41:51.570 –&gt; 00:42:00.000 Dave Angel: You know, it really comes back some I said earlier, it’s the water we have fabulous water in western North Carolina anywhere from Knoxville as well just incredible water.</p><p>00:42:00.420 –&gt; 00:42:07.980 Dave Angel: The beer industry really picked up on that. It’s surprising, even the people that live in western North Carolina, but the biggest</p><p>00:42:08.460 –&gt; 00:42:17.340 Dave Angel: The manufacturing industry in western Carolina is beer, wine, and spirits manufacturing and there’s something like 2500 people that work in breweries, wineries, and distilleries across</p><p>00:42:17.880 –&gt; 00:42:29.310 Dave Angel: Western North Carolina, it’s it drives our agribusiness, it would surprise a lot of people with the most visited winery in America, it’s not Napa, and Sonoma. It’s in Asheville, North Carolina.</p><p>00:42:29.430 –&gt; 00:42:30.180 Dave Angel: Is a little bit more</p><p>00:42:30.930 –&gt; 00:42:31.410 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.</p><p>00:42:31.770 –&gt; 00:42:41.850 Dave Angel: If the most visited winery in America. So we are we’re right there in the heart of all that was something like 35 maybe even 40 breweries Justin downtown Asheville</p><p>00:42:42.060 –&gt; 00:42:49.470 Joseph McElroy: And and you know haven County is now starting to get a number of really good breweries there as well. Hey, Maggie has a brewery now.</p><p>00:42:49.560 –&gt; 00:42:57.990 Dave Angel: Maggie has a brewery to bear waters and Maggie Valley there also. And can I have a bromance with these guys? I think the world of art and Kevin</p><p>00:42:58.740 –&gt; 00:43:04.920 Dave Angel: They’re the owners of bear waters. They’re good buddies of mine. I do a lot with them. We make hand sanitizer together.</p><p>00:43:05.490 –&gt; 00:43:10.620 Dave Angel: It’s we found ways to work together and doing some business which is a lot of fun when it’s fringe are working with</p><p>00:43:11.160 –&gt; 00:43:19.590 Dave Angel: There’s frog level brewing in downtown Waynesville there’s boo jump brewing in downtown Waynesville we have a winery and Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:43:20.040 –&gt; 00:43:37.770 Dave Angel: b&amp;c winery. So yeah, we got a little Haywood County we got breweries. We got winery got distillery. We got a craft soda company Waynesville soda jerks. They’re super good. A lot of fruit-based sodas that they make. And we have some fabulous coffee shops to we’re, we’re in everything.</p><p>00:43:38.160 –&gt; 00:43:46.290 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, so I mean it’s a great place to visit for you want that that craft beverage experience. In fact, I and Dave am talking about maybe doing a craft beverage festival</p><p>00:43:46.650 –&gt; 00:43:47.130 Joseph McElroy: Well, so, yeah.</p><p>00:43:47.520 –&gt; 00:43:48.990 Joseph McElroy: We’ll see, we’ll get that together.</p><p>00:43:50.040 –&gt; 00:44:00.630 Joseph McElroy: But so right now we’re going to take another break and then we’re talking a little bit more about the moonshine history when we get back. I am a Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.</p><p>00:46:21.000 –&gt; 00:46:27.570 Joseph McElroy: Hey this is Joseph McElroy back with the gateway to the Smokies podcast with my good friend Dave angel. Hey Dave</p><p>00:46:28.080 –&gt; 00:46:28.710 Joseph McElroy: So, yeah.</p><p>00:46:29.430 –&gt; 00:46:41.190 Joseph McElroy: So, uh, yeah. You mentioned popcorn suddenly, I think people would know anything, any knowledge of the moonshining at all know about popcorn set. And I think you got famous on the moon chatters TV show. Right.</p><p>00:46:42.090 –&gt; 00:46:54.210 Dave Angel: hated the first few seasons. They talked about the popcorn and actually passed away before the show got started, they use a lot of footage of popcorn upfront. And I think that was a big key to the success of the show.</p><p>00:46:54.630 –&gt; 00:46:57.540 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. What, what, why does popcorn so famous.</p><p>00:46:58.710 –&gt; 00:47:08.610 Dave Angel: Yeah, he, he was a great moonshiner he was an excellent marketer. He knew how to put his stuff out there and to get it known</p><p>00:47:09.240 –&gt; 00:47:21.450 Dave Angel: What really made him famous. He wasn’t a documentary called the last right and the last run was film and popcorn stop making his last run a moonshine.</p><p>00:47:21.930 –&gt; 00:47:30.870 Dave Angel: It was filmed in 2002 for the next five or six years, people were desperately hoping to get a bottle that the last run and he always happen to have this a few jars sitting around</p><p>00:47:31.440 –&gt; 00:47:37.830 Dave Angel: It was some of the best marketing that he ever did. But when that movie came out the last run at one to me.</p><p>00:47:40.350 –&gt; 00:47:52.290 Dave Angel: From New York City to Miami. It was getting on the news on TV. It was that feel-good story on Friday night on the news today and Maggie Valley North Carolina Popcorn Sutton, and asked his last run of mood shining</p><p>00:47:52.650 –&gt; 00:47:58.560 Dave Angel: And they called him the last of the rebels. It was great marketing. He knew how to get his name out there was stuff like that.</p><p>00:47:59.040 –&gt; 00:48:06.720 Joseph McElroy: Oh, interesting. You know, it’s fairly tragic how you know he got in trouble at the end and signed to be an outlaw at the end of his own life, but</p><p>00:48:07.290 –&gt; 00:48:09.660 Dave Angel: You know, he was a martyr for moonshine, he was</p><p>00:48:10.050 –&gt; 00:48:24.780 Joseph McElroy: A he’s a martyr for moonshine. But yeah, there’s, there’s a little bit of controversy whether, you know, I remember a little bit of controversy about Tennessee trying to claim that popcorn Sutton was there, you know, I think he was in both places. Right.</p><p>00:48:24.810 –&gt; 00:48:34.440 Dave Angel: He, he was in both places. It’s a, it’s an interesting story. You know, if you’re not familiar with we carry Maggie Valley, where we’re 20 miles on the interstate the</p><p>00:48:34.830 –&gt; 00:48:39.030 Dave Angel: Tennessee border. I mean, as the crow flies were more like 10 miles. I guess maybe 12 miles.</p><p>00:48:39.690 –&gt; 00:48:55.860 Dave Angel: But we’re right there on the border. He went back and forth between sort of the Cosby parents will Tennessee area Maggie Valley, North Carolina, he, you know, Simon about his marketing and you mentioned earlier the MaggieValley restaurant Popcorn drove a model, a four-track.</p><p>00:48:56.190 –&gt; 00:49:06.870 Dave Angel: And if he asked him why he drove it so I’m down to Florida. Florida anything fancier and this it was marketing when he pulled into the campground at nine o’clock. It was like the ice cream truck pulled in.</p><p>00:49:08.130 –&gt; 00:49:13.650 Dave Angel: All the moms and dads like popcorn here, get your money. Let’s go get a solution before he leaves you to know it was</p><p>00:49:14.490 –&gt; 00:49:18.450 Joseph McElroy: A classic mountain man character. I’ll tell you what. Right.</p><p>00:49:18.480 –&gt; 00:49:19.290 Dave Angel: He was</p><p>00:49:19.350 –&gt; 00:49:19.530 He’s</p><p>00:49:20.670 –&gt; 00:49:21.900 Joseph McElroy: Right behind you right</p><p>00:49:22.440 –&gt; 00:49:28.440 Dave Angel: Well that’s, that’s him. Right. That’s a wood carving mount Mike’s whetstone and Maggie Valley, they carve this out for me, but that’s</p><p>00:49:28.440 –&gt; 00:49:31.050 Dave Angel: Yeah, that’s a rendition of popcorn Sutton right there.</p><p>00:49:31.710 –&gt; 00:49:34.710 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So what do you think of that moonshiner’s TV show?</p><p>00:49:35.670 –&gt; 00:49:42.390 Dave Angel: You know it’s a great show. I’m familiar. I know everybody on the show. They’ve all been at our place in February.</p><p>00:49:42.930 –&gt; 00:49:50.070 Dave Angel: The last set. I don’t know what today is the last Saturday in February, from one to four almost the whole cast is going to be at the distillery.</p><p>00:49:50.850 –&gt; 00:49:54.180 Dave Angel: They do a meet and greet the last Saturday, February with us every year.</p><p>00:49:54.540 –&gt; 00:50:03.090 Dave Angel: Yeah. We get thousands of people that will go through the distillery. We’re, we’re limited because the coven how many can be in there. One time, but we’ll get them through and make sure they all get to me.</p><p>00:50:03.570 –&gt; 00:50:08.910 Dave Angel: Their favorite moonshiners from the show but they all live right in and around Maggie Valley.</p><p>00:50:09.270 –&gt; 00:50:14.280 Dave Angel: I see him all the time. We had Kelly Williams. Some of the show came up to listen to music with me Saturday night.</p><p>00:50:15.960 –&gt; 00:50:19.710 Dave Angel: It’s, it’s interesting what it’s done to moonshine. So, you know, the moonshiners of the</p><p>00:50:20.160 –&gt; 00:50:31.140 Dave Angel: 30s, 40s to you in the 60s and 70s. They weren’t about making good products they were making about making good money. They wanted to see how cheap, they can make it and how much they could sell it for</p><p>00:50:31.860 –&gt; 00:50:38.460 Dave Angel: That show has, you know, sort of rejuvenated the energy around moon shining and you’ve got these</p><p>00:50:39.360 –&gt; 00:50:48.030 Dave Angel: Gourmet moonshiners today they want to use the best of the best grains. They want to make whiskies you can’t buy anywhere else, or find anywhere else they’re</p><p>00:50:48.450 –&gt; 00:50:54.510 Dave Angel: They’re really pushing the limits of what can be done and it’s interesting to see what some of these guys are doing.</p><p>00:50:55.020 –&gt; 00:51:07.110 Joseph McElroy: So, you know, for people listening and one of the adventure. You can do is come to Maggie Valley and see if you can find get a local who will introduce you to a moon shot here, but you have to convince them early trustworthy.</p><p>00:51:07.530 –&gt; 00:51:08.280 Dave Angel: So that, yeah.</p><p>00:51:08.550 –&gt; 00:51:10.320 Joseph McElroy: Sure of your lifetime. If you can do it.</p><p>00:51:12.090 –&gt; 00:51:19.440 Joseph McElroy: Now, but yeah, you probably can find somebody to get your product, but the be maybe a little bit harder to find it so</p><p>00:51:21.090 –&gt; 00:51:22.140 Joseph McElroy: great adventure.</p><p>00:51:22.650 –&gt; 00:51:29.520 Dave Angel: I was back in the day. That’s why people came to Maggie Valley, you know, now they’re guys like me out there that are making legal moonshine.</p><p>00:51:29.760 –&gt; 00:51:30.120 Dave Angel: Yeah.</p><p>00:51:30.180 –&gt; 00:51:39.540 Joseph McElroy: Back in the 1970s, your place and get the legal stuff because you got a fun experience. You got all the music and things going on, you know, it’s like it’s a tremendous a</p><p>00:51:40.860 –&gt; 00:51:45.480 Joseph McElroy: Facility and then do some little ventures because they are you talking about the water. It’s great to go</p><p>00:51:47.520 –&gt; 00:51:51.840 Joseph McElroy: To bat and fish and all sorts of things in that whole area graph.</p><p>00:51:52.650 –&gt; 00:51:56.670 Joseph McElroy: With the waters that is it true that NASCAR came out of moonshine.</p><p>00:51:57.330 –&gt; 00:52:02.850 Dave Angel: Yesterday a NASCAR definitely has its roots and moonshine. They were so if you make</p><p>00:52:03.150 –&gt; 00:52:14.640 Dave Angel: If you make illegal liquor you’re called a moonshiner if you transport you are called a bootlegger so bootleggers are the that’s the beginnings and asked her right there. They had souped-up, they tended</p><p>00:52:15.360 –&gt; 00:52:28.230 Dave Angel: super big shots in the back of the card spring so that when they loaded it down with moonshine. It didn’t sink in the bottom and it looked like it drove right but they had to be able to run the law and they have big engines in those cars to be able to do it.</p><p>00:52:30.090 –&gt; 00:52:36.840 Joseph McElroy: So we’re gonna have to close up a little bit. Soon, where can we buy your product besides your, your, your, your distillery.</p><p>00:52:37.740 –&gt; 00:52:46.170 Dave Angel: Well, we’d love to have you come to the store come visit Maggie valley, but we’re available and ABC stores Alcohol Beverage Control stores in North Carolina all throughout the state.</p><p>00:52:47.310 –&gt; 00:52:53.850 Dave Angel: Where the bot will meet the coast at Wilmington, North Carolina at the distillery. It’s the exact same price. That’s one of the pros and cons of</p><p>00:52:54.510 –&gt; 00:53:00.600 Dave Angel: A state-controlled alcohol, but we’re sold out to save North Carolina, we are looking to expand into some other states.</p><p>00:53:01.350 –&gt; 00:53:06.870 Dave Angel: You know, we get visitors from in our, in our first six months of operating. We had a visitor from every state of Wyoming.</p><p>00:53:07.860 –&gt; 00:53:18.600 Dave Angel: And there’s not a lot of people in Wyoming. That’s what I discovered later took a while to get one from there and yeah yeah people come from all over. And so we’re trying to figure out what states, make the best sense for us to move into</p><p>00:53:18.900 –&gt; 00:53:20.850 Joseph McElroy: And what’s uh, what’s your website.</p><p>00:53:22.590 –&gt; 00:53:28.050 Dave Angel: Elevatedmountain.com WWW. elevated mountain, all one word all spelled out calm.</p><p>00:53:28.560 –&gt; 00:53:37.380 Dave Angel: You can find us on Facebook, we probably got 14 15,000 followers on Facebook. That’s probably the easiest way to keep up with what’s happening in elevated mountain distilling companies.</p><p>00:53:37.770 –&gt; 00:53:51.300 Dave Angel: If you’re on Instagram or Twitter elevated MTN we do love to do things on there as well. But we’re always putting our music we really go to Facebook is the place to publish what’s happening.</p><p>00:53:51.480 –&gt; 00:53:56.520 Joseph McElroy: So yeah, so it’s a great resource. I want to mention some other things that another cousin of mine runs a</p><p>00:53:57.810 –&gt; 00:54:04.890 Joseph McElroy: Big festival Maggie Valley call hillbilly jam and you go to the hillbilly jam calm. To find out more about is to be on July 23</p><p>00:54:06.450 –&gt; 00:54:11.460 Joseph McElroy: July 24 of 11 pm and it’s got the foods crap hillbillies it’s</p><p>00:54:12.000 –&gt; 00:54:19.980 Joseph McElroy: It’s got moonshiners from the Discovery Channel got cars and bikes show. It’s very much part of hillbilly and Mountain near moonshine culture.</p><p>00:54:20.370 –&gt; 00:54:31.950 Joseph McElroy: And then I got a shout out to my things. I got a motel and Maggie Valley called the Meadowlark motel. It’s been in my family for 45 years we were a plastic roadside motel that we’ve renovated to be</p><p>00:54:32.460 –&gt; 00:54:39.540 Joseph McElroy: Athletes and seek and we have a lot of craft of beverages. They’re available for people to experience. Unfortunately, we don’t do</p><p>00:54:41.550 –&gt; 00:54:45.270 Joseph McElroy: Days product there, but he’ll come by and do a tasting. If you want it.</p><p>00:54:45.600 –&gt; 00:54:47.370 Dave Angel: And we’re a stone’s throw away.</p><p>00:54:49.440 –&gt; 00:54:57.840 Joseph McElroy: And we’re working on getting the restaurants and then we can actually serve liquor because you can’t do like liquor without a restaurant, but there are restaurants all around us that you can get this product.</p><p>00:54:58.140 –&gt; 00:55:03.900 Joseph McElroy: We have some of the top restaurants in the area right across the street next door. I own I also have a</p><p>00:55:04.530 –&gt; 00:55:18.570 Joseph McElroy: a site called smokies adventure, the plural calm, where you can get information listings about things to do in the Smokies and wedding venues and buy books and trail max and resources back soon. I have a book called from the jar.</p><p>00:55:19.470 –&gt; 00:55:27.270 Joseph McElroy: Shining Great Smoky Mountains that supports and nonprofits and support that to help me on finance the Great Smoky Mountains operations.</p><p>00:55:27.570 –&gt; 00:55:33.150 Joseph McElroy: So that’ll be for people listening to this, you know, this is gonna be around for a while you’ll be able to go there. It’s not there yet, but it’ll be there soon.</p><p>00:55:33.690 –&gt; 00:55:47.970 Joseph McElroy: And then I’m part of the were traveler magazine network, we were building a great matte Smoky Mountain section that’s going to beat your experts and human interest stories about the mountains and</p><p>00:55:48.570 –&gt; 00:55:54.810 Joseph McElroy: It’s big sites get over 12 million visitors a year and the stories you’re gonna be very much into</p><p>00:55:55.590 –&gt; 00:56:14.130 Joseph McElroy: What, what, what are the things we talked about here and then remind you can find more about going to the gateway, the smokers podcast by going to facebook.com slash gateway to the Smokies podcast is going to be. It’s every Tuesday from six to seven and we look forward to having you back.</p><p>00:56:15.360 –&gt; 00:56:31.920 Joseph McElroy: And and finding out what’s going on. Next week is going to be an exciting show AND I WANT TO THANK YOU. Dave for showing up. And, you know, go get your daughter. Now he’s in the middle of going from one place to the other. So</p><p>00:56:32.970 –&gt; 00:56:34.650 Joseph McElroy: Bye for this week. See you next week.</p> f45e82d7-e373-459d-b119-adaa959da010 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/5e6dc815-96d6-42b6-b0e9-65c3ec1ea2a4 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 19:53:23 +0000 2931 no full Episode 1: Scots-Irish Influence on Mountain Music Episode 1: Scots-Irish Influence on Mountain Music Joseph Franklyn McElroy <p>Former <strong><em>Simple Minds</em></strong> band member <strong>Mike Ogletree</strong> talks about finding his Scottish (and African) music traces in the Smoky Mountains and Scots-Irish Cultural traditions.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/2ROPPNl1Pw/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong><span></span></strong></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph Franklyn McElroy’s family has been in the Smokies for over two hundred years. Joseph is interviewing Mike Ogletree, best known for his work in new wave bands such as Fiction Factory and Simple Minds. He currently living in the Smoky Mountains exploring the Scottish roots of Appalachian music. Joseph recommends that any interested viewer should read Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia, which has a forward by Dolly Parton who is a cousin of his. Joseph explains the geographic and cultural connection of Scotland to the Appalachian Trail. Early Scotch-Irish immigrants brought their musical traditions, mostly folk musical instruments like fiddles and rudimentary guitars. With the added influence of West Africans and the Cherokee and new subgenre became prominent in Appalachia known as bluegrass. In the McElroy family’s establishment, the Meadowlark Motel, Mike is the artist in residence and has introduced a music program. As a self taught musician was influenced by the Cajun style band called The Meters. He was also interested in traditional Scottish music as well as popular rock.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>For Mike it was a challenge not to migrate due to his adventurous nature and he welcomed the challenge. Mike first came to California and worked at a film studio then moved to New York. While successful, his biggest challenge was moving from a small town environment to the city which is sustainable but the life of a musician can bring you down. Mike was still looking forward to a change. Mike and Joseph met at the General Society of Mechanics &amp; Tradesmen of The City Of New York. They were instrumental in moving the Alexander Hamilton house to a national park. While in New York he became friends with many Scottish people and discovered that there was a strong interest in his culture and history. He was asked to perform at the Burns Supper. As a fan of Robert Burns, setting his poetry to music was not a challenge. While doing so, Mike discovered Scottish Reggae. Mike performed the famous love poem <em>A Red Red Rose</em> by Robert Burns. He explains that the beat is what makes it reggae.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>After losing his wife, Mike decided to stay in the Rockies because to him it is like a fantasy Scotland. He’d go off by himself in the woods after school and have dreams of his freedom and liberty. When Mike came to the mountains he discovered the place he dreamed of in the woods. In the mountains he enjoys hiking to waterfalls, enjoying the scenery and visiting the Maggie Valley Bird Sanctuaries. Mike&#39;s musical education began with the music of the south so he was familiar with the heritage. He learned about the African American influence then began listening to Scottish music so he could understand the influence. He discovered that many musicians brought jigs and Scottish music to the mountains, which would later evolve into the fiddling style you hear in Bluegrass. Mike plays another song, Man of Sorrow by Bob Dylan. Mike and Joseph reflect on the sense of community held in both the Rockies and Scotland as well as the straightforwardness of the people. Joseph recalls that while growing in the Smoky Mountains he people would gather with instruments and make music. It was a spontaneous environment where anyone could play</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Every Saturday night Mike does a live music show at the Meadowlark Motel. He welcomes walk-in musicians to share their mountain and he will share Scottish songs with them in return. Even during this pandemic there are opportunities to hear live music. The Fairground has been doing drive in concerts with bluegrass and country musicians. Many musicians don’t have anywhere to play so they are grateful to be playing outdoors. Mike has a website that is a nod to his black and Scottish culture called the blexcotsman.com. He can also be found on the Meadowlark Motel’s Facebook page because they livestream his performances.</p> Video thumbnail

Former Simple Minds band member Mike Ogletree talks about finding his Scottish (and African) music traces in the Smoky Mountains and Scots-Irish Cultural traditions.


Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.



Show Notes

Segment 1

Joseph Franklyn McElroy’s family has been in the Smokies for over two hundred years. Joseph is interviewing Mike Ogletree, best known for his work in new wave bands such as Fiction Factory and Simple Minds. He currently lives in the Smoky Mountains exploring the Scottish roots of Appalachian music. Joseph recommends that any interested viewer should read Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia, which has a forward by Dolly Parton who is a cousin of his. Joseph explains the geographic and cultural connection of Scotland to the Appalachian Trail. Early Scotch-Irish immigrants brought their musical traditions, mostly folk musical instruments like fiddles and rudimentary guitars. With the added influence of West Africans and the Cherokee and new subgenre became prominent in Appalachia known as bluegrass. In the McElroy family’s establishment, the Meadowlark Motel, Mike is the artist in residence and has introduced a music program. As a self-taught musician was influenced by the Cajun-style band called The Meters. He was also interested in traditional Scottish music as well as popular rock.

Segment 2

For Mike, it was a challenge not to migrate due to his adventurous nature and he welcomed the challenge. Mike first came to California and worked at a film studio then moved to New York. While successful, his biggest challenge was moving from a small town environment to a city which is sustainable but the life of a musician can bring you down. Mike was still looking forward to a change. Mike and Joseph met at the General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of The City Of New York. They were instrumental in moving the Alexander Hamilton house to a national park. While in New York he became friends with many Scottish people and discovered that there was a strong interest in his culture and history. He was asked to perform at the Burns Supper. As a fan of Robert Burns, setting his poetry to music was not a challenge. While doing so, Mike discovered Scottish Reggae. Mike performed the famous love poem A Red Red Rose by Robert Burns. He explains that the beat is what makes it reggae.

Segment 3

After losing his wife, Mike decided to stay in the Rockies because to him it is like a fantasy Scotland. He’d go off by himself in the woods after school and have dreams of his freedom and liberty. When Mike came to the mountains he discovered the place he dreamed of in the woods. In the mountains, he enjoys hiking to waterfalls, enjoying the scenery, and visiting the Maggie Valley Bird Sanctuaries. Mike's musical education began with the music of the south so he was familiar with the heritage. He learned about the African American influence and then began listening to Scottish music so he could understand the influence. He discovered that many musicians brought jigs and Scottish music to the mountains, which would later evolve into the fiddling style you hear in Bluegrass. Mike plays another song, Man of Sorrow by Bob Dylan. Mike and Joseph reflect on the sense of community held in both the Rockies and Scotland as well as the straightforwardness of the people. Joseph recalls that while growing in the Smoky Mountains people would gather with instruments and make music. It was a spontaneous environment where anyone could play

Segment 4

Every Saturday night Mike does a live music show at the Meadowlark Motel. He welcomes walk-in musicians to share their mountain and he will share Scottish songs with them in return. Even during this pandemic, there are opportunities to hear live music. The Fairground has been doing drive-in concerts with bluegrass and country musicians. Many musicians don’t have anywhere to play so they are grateful to be playing outdoors. Mike has a website that is a nod to his black and Scottish culture called the blexcotsman.com. He can also be found on the Meadowlark Motel’s Facebook page because they Livestream his performances.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:27.510 –> 00:00:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Hello. Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies podcast.

00:00:33.240 –> 00:00:40.620 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.

00:00:41.070 –> 00:00:49.260 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.

00:00:49.890 –> 00:01:01.320 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.

00:01:02.280 –> 00:01:12.510 Joseph McElroy: Today we have, we’re going to be talking about bluegrass and gospel. My guest today is a strong connection to the Smoky Mountains is known to everyone who loves, loves bluegrass and gospel music

00:01:13.050 –> 00:01:20.430 Joseph McElroy: And hang on to the end and we will give you some tips and resources to continue actually your explorations of the Smokies

00:01:21.630 –> 00:01:28.770 Joseph McElroy: Now, first let me give you a little hint on who our guest is by telling you about the map Boston mountain section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

00:01:30.300 –> 00:01:44.010 Joseph McElroy: It’s in it’s in North Carolina. And it’s one of it is the. It’s one of the parks highest elevation areas and it’s accessible by car, and it also has great I think camping and picnicking and spectacular views.

00:01:45.540 –> 00:02:01.470 Joseph McElroy: It has only been as it has paved access by taking a road called the Blue Ridge Parkway Boston mountain road. And there’s also an exciting way down, called the high end toga Ridge Road, which is a one lane dirt road going one way

00:02:01.950 –> 00:02:04.770 Joseph McElroy: With the love us long it are stupendous

00:02:06.060 –> 00:02:15.450 Joseph McElroy: Especially in the fall when you get all those fall colors and when you will eventually end up being eventually use that to get the big code road, I want to bring you right into Cherokee

00:02:16.110 –> 00:02:30.060 Joseph McElroy: Now, what are the most unusual unusual thing things you’ll find in North Carolina’s spoken man parks and probably a lot of places that you’ll find a Masonic marker mute monument in the in the in the along that road.

00:02:31.140 –> 00:02:44.310 Joseph McElroy: And it’s basically where it meets the boss, a mountain section of the Great Smoky Mountains park in the boss of mountain road and it’s a it’s a it’s an unusual Mark, Mark. Mark monument that marks the spot where the world’s

00:02:44.850 –> 00:02:51.090 Joseph McElroy: largest and oldest fraternal organization and Masons have their summer assembly since 1935

00:02:53.010 –> 00:03:04.470 Joseph McElroy: And and i mean i you know just you find these things in the mountains, all the time. Yeah, like late you Alaska is the is the center of the world Methodist Council.

00:03:04.770 –> 00:03:12.150 Joseph McElroy: You know people like to come to the mountains and establish long traditions. Another big thing, I think, in the balsa mountain areas. The is that it has

00:03:12.570 –> 00:03:26.430 Joseph McElroy: It has a really fantastic picnic area historic beginning Gary, it’s actually the most drastic Park picnic area and it also has the highest elevation in the, in the, all of the park well over 5000 feet.

00:03:26.790 –> 00:03:45.090 Joseph McElroy: Of elevation. It has a bunch of picking sites BEHALF OF THEM AND WHICH IS REALLY INTERESTED IN HALF OF THEM ARE THESE handmade huge stone slabs with split logs benches and they’re one of a kind tables that were made by the stonemasons in the civilian converts conservative

00:03:45.120 –> 00:03:46.170 Hope Surrett: Conservation Corps.

00:03:46.380 –> 00:03:52.350 Joseph McElroy: In the 30s and a really standing testament to craftsmanship and of course I can’t forget to mention

00:03:53.340 –> 00:04:01.860 Joseph McElroy: Cold Mountain is in the balsam range. I don’t know if you remember that book that best selling book in the movie with Nicole Kidman about a civil war veteran and the sweetheart. The left behind.

00:04:02.520 –> 00:04:07.980 Joseph McElroy: But it has some great fight hiking trails and of course it’s a great story to take back and tell people that you went to go map.

00:04:10.110 –> 00:04:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Now I’m telling you this because my guest has a song strong connection to bounce the ball right he’s 10, sir. He’s the is one of today’s top artists making real root music and he’s a member of the legendary award winning Best selling bluegrass band balsam range.

00:04:29.460 –> 00:04:37.800 Joseph McElroy: And he has a decades long career in bluegrass gospel music, including alongside it stint with the Kingsman Hello, Tim, how are you today.

00:04:38.100 –> 00:04:41.490 Hope Surrett: I’m doing good. Joseph. Thank you for having me on, man. This is really cool.

00:04:42.000 –> 00:04:48.450 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, it’s it’s really cool having you here. I was so excited. I had to call people up and say, I have to insert here balsam range.

00:04:51.660 –> 00:04:52.200 Hope Surrett: Come on.

00:04:52.350 –> 00:04:54.870 Joseph McElroy: I was starstruck man. I was like, oh my god.

00:04:56.040 –> 00:05:00.540 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So no, I’ve been hearing about you. For a long time now, people will never sung about

00:05:00.540 –> 00:05:07.590 Joseph McElroy: Music in the mountains. They go, you know, balsam range now so you become a real name, and I mean you’re you’re become legendary it’s

00:05:07.590 –> 00:05:08.850 Hope Surrett: A w to say

00:05:09.090 –> 00:05:19.680 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So you were, you were actually born and raised in Canton, which is right near the balsam range. Yeah, back in the middle of the Smoky Mountains. What are you fond memories of the Smoky Mountains going up there.

00:05:20.100 –> 00:05:28.680 Hope Surrett: Well just just growing up here, and I’m very fortunate. My dad was a great lover of the outdoors and

00:05:29.790 –> 00:05:36.660 Hope Surrett: He was a railroad man here in the in the Smoky Mountains for the for the Norfolk Southern railroad, but he you know

00:05:37.590 –> 00:05:52.410 Hope Surrett: Back when I was growing up the outdoors was our are, you know, it was all recreation. We had really, you know, when you grow up in the mountains here. You might remember you got you might get to TV channels, depending on which way the winds blowing prior to cable, you know,

00:05:54.540 –> 00:06:02.820 Hope Surrett: So all Recreation was based on outdoors. My dad left to hunt and fish and and then just drive around, you know that I’m still in the days of the

00:06:03.510 –> 00:06:18.660 Hope Surrett: The Sunday drive or whatever. And a lot of times we load up in the car or whatever and drop the parkway or, or, you know, go visit relatives and my dad was a great it drives my wife nuts. Now, because now I’m the same way, but he was the kind of guys. So let’s take the long way.

00:06:18.750 –> 00:06:20.460 Joseph McElroy: The same. Very good. I remember that.

00:06:21.420 –> 00:06:28.440 Hope Surrett: And he also as I was growing up, my dad always kept a couple of Tennessee walking horses, not for showing but for trail riding.

00:06:28.710 –> 00:06:39.930 Hope Surrett: Right. So we spent a lot of summer times riding back into the Smokies, you know, places that would ride to Clemens dome, which is the highest point east of the Mississippi and

00:06:40.620 –> 00:06:45.840 Hope Surrett: Or oil, one of the highest points. It’s the second highest I guess next amount Mitchell, but we would ride.

00:06:46.620 –> 00:07:02.670 Hope Surrett: 3040 miles back into the Smoky Mountains nice department camp and trout fish. And so I grew up. And also, um, you know, 35 minutes from Cherokee and as a child, the history of the of the Cherokee people fascinated me and and does, to this day, so

00:07:03.870 –> 00:07:09.090 Hope Surrett: I, you know, I’ve been involved in that all my life. And it’s just, it’s amazing place to grow up.

00:07:09.630 –> 00:07:14.490 Joseph McElroy: We do I look I was looking at me, or about the same age. So you’re probably going to piss. Good.

00:07:15.000 –> 00:07:18.660 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, same time, I was going to Tesco. I graduated in 80 so

00:07:18.690 –> 00:07:19.920 Hope Surrett: Well, that’s all.

00:07:21.420 –> 00:07:30.450 Joseph McElroy: People might not know but is considered the most, the biggest rivalry and high school football in the nation. A few years back. So MAJOR MAGAZINE said was

00:07:30.540 –> 00:07:41.880 Hope Surrett: Oh yeah yes came and covered the game. It’s crazy to me in Canton, we have about 4500 people and for the Pisco testicle. The game will have 12,000 people out of here. I don’t even know.

00:07:43.710 –> 00:07:45.990 Joseph McElroy: It was a thing to do on Friday nights I think

00:07:46.680 –> 00:07:47.070 Joseph McElroy: Right.

00:07:47.100 –> 00:07:48.570 Hope Surrett: Yeah, it is absolutely

00:07:48.600 –> 00:07:54.390 Joseph McElroy: The and you know i i was we were Tennessee walkers to sound like you were describing my childhood just

00:07:55.230 –> 00:07:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Take it on the long

00:07:56.580 –> 00:08:05.430 Joseph McElroy: long rows and you know and and we were doing. We had our own had our own Tennessee walks because my dad. He was a horse trader so

00:08:05.790 –> 00:08:20.100 Joseph McElroy: I got one. I got one horse that was a plow horse combination plow horse and Tennessee Walker Walker. So it was a little bit rough and then the other one, they gave to me because I was the only a big enough to handle that every time he got on his foot kicking the butt. Oh, yeah.

00:08:21.240 –> 00:08:32.970 Hope Surrett: My dad was a big man about 320 he weighed and he had a big old horse was about 16 hands tall it to shoulder. It was a monster and but it was the sweetest thing. And I remember as a kid.

00:08:35.610 –> 00:08:43.920 Hope Surrett: I would come home from school and take a cinder block and prop it up long ways, so I can stand up on in that horse would walk up. Let me get on it. And so I’d ride around that.

00:08:45.480 –> 00:08:51.240 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah, I understand your dad was a big influence on you on your on your music. Pretty, pretty early. Right.

00:08:51.480 –> 00:08:53.280 Hope Surrett: Yes, absolutely. Dad was a

00:08:54.630 –> 00:09:06.960 Hope Surrett: Was an excellent singer. He played guitar a bit, and he was what I would call a jokingly referred to as an animal singer you know it was a Friday night was the moose lodge Saturday night was Elks Lodge.

00:09:09.330 –> 00:09:10.680 Hope Surrett: Lions Club, you know,

00:09:11.880 –> 00:09:12.030 Hope Surrett: And

00:09:13.260 –> 00:09:15.480 Hope Surrett: All the local little places. He was fine.

00:09:16.650 –> 00:09:23.880 Hope Surrett: He sang a lot of bluegrass he loved bluegrass but he was a better country singer in the, you know, the old time like Marty Robbins right price.

00:09:24.960 –> 00:09:26.310 Hope Surrett: Kind of country singer.

00:09:26.700 –> 00:09:27.600 Hope Surrett: So, and he would

00:09:27.660 –> 00:09:42.510 Hope Surrett: End, and I’m very grateful he let me tag along to the practices which I was enthralled with as just a small kid all the instruments blew my mind whether it was a bluegrass band or a country by end with steel guitars and whatnot, you know,

00:09:43.920 –> 00:09:49.710 Hope Surrett: So there was a great element of music in my life for my earliest memories so

00:09:50.220 –> 00:09:52.620 Joseph McElroy: Southern rock to you did a little bit of electric based in

00:09:52.980 –> 00:09:53.400 Hope Surrett: Oh, yeah.

00:09:53.430 –> 00:09:53.730 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.

00:09:54.570 –> 00:10:10.440 Hope Surrett: I got my when I was 14 my dad was trying to coax me into doing well in school guess about ninth grade and he promised me if I would do well and first semester, he’d buy me any guitar. I wanted for Christmas and I had my own Les Paul, I was going to be Led Zeppelin, you know, and

00:10:12.540 –> 00:10:21.090 Hope Surrett: But my cousin, my cousin, my cousin had he’s three years older than me. He was a senior high school and he had a high school, kind of a garage.

00:10:21.510 –> 00:10:29.430 Hope Surrett: Slash basement rock band that I just worship them, you know, and I knew their bass player was leaving, and my cousin told me if I could get a bass.

00:10:29.850 –> 00:10:39.420 Hope Surrett: I was in, you know, cuz it was the one finger base. Back then it was a you know ZZ Top bad but and I you had a base in three minutes. You are in a band, you know,

00:10:41.430 –> 00:10:51.480 Hope Surrett: So I got the base instead of the Les Paul and started playing with everybody that my dad had played with. And I was so enamored with playing that I would play

00:10:52.170 –> 00:11:05.580 Hope Surrett: With dad’s old country guys one night a week, I would play rock and roll somewhere in Asheville, North Carolina just down the road here on, you know, Friday or Saturday and and and probably in a church on Sunday with some other folks so

00:11:06.300 –> 00:11:06.780 Asked me

00:11:10.800 –> 00:11:11.310 Hope Surrett: Yeah, and then

00:11:12.090 –> 00:11:21.060 Hope Surrett: Some of it was funny cuz I stepped right in my dad kind of retired out of it. And I sort of stepped right into his a lot, especially a couple of his luck, the old country band.

00:11:21.540 –> 00:11:31.020 Hope Surrett: And some of the Bluegrass guys here in Canton which there are a lot of and and I didn’t even know the names of the songs, but I’d heard him play him so much. I just stepped in started playing so

00:11:32.640 –> 00:11:35.070 Joseph McElroy: Did you ever play Maggie that old bands all

00:11:35.400 –> 00:11:38.550 Hope Surrett: The talking about the house.

00:11:38.970 –> 00:11:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, very rarely play house. Yeah.

00:11:42.840 –> 00:11:51.540 Hope Surrett: Well you know I was also want to clog in team. That’s the first time I made it to the Grand Ole Opry. I mean, I would. When I was a kid square dancing clogging was a huge deal.

00:11:52.080 –> 00:11:59.370 Hope Surrett: And i mean i mean you’re not, I would League baseball practice or football practice and still in uniform and go to Target practice.

00:12:00.390 –> 00:12:00.720 Joseph McElroy: We know

00:12:01.440 –> 00:12:05.940 Hope Surrett: The valley Playhouse funny. I tell people all the time. That was our skating rink.

00:12:07.560 –> 00:12:09.210 Hope Surrett: You wanted to hold hands with a pretty girl.

00:12:12.180 –> 00:12:12.630 Joseph McElroy: I learned

00:12:13.650 –> 00:12:20.220 Joseph McElroy: I learned about dance. And I remember when I came back to the cities. Yeah, I’d get up and dance and people look like like I was insane.

00:12:21.480 –> 00:12:27.990 Hope Surrett: I actually, I actually called at a bar mitzvah in San Francisco wants and they thought out in invented some kind of new staff.

00:12:30.630 –> 00:12:33.090 Joseph McElroy: Well, yeah, no, that’s the that’s

00:12:34.650 –> 00:12:39.000 Joseph McElroy: The thing. It’s like the one place for white men in America will get up and dance by themselves.

00:12:41.430 –> 00:12:43.650 Hope Surrett: Yeah, let’s get up and do it too.

00:12:46.980 –> 00:12:51.420 Joseph McElroy: So that’s cool. Did you ever. Did you ever get to beat your pay play with Raymond Raymond

00:12:52.590 –> 00:12:53.850 Hope Surrett: Raymond Fairchild, sure.

00:12:55.140 –> 00:13:01.680 Hope Surrett: I remember Raymond, the first time come into my elementary school, which was Pennsylvania Avenue Elementary School here in Canton and

00:13:02.850 –> 00:13:06.360 Hope Surrett: Raymond would come with his band and play for the kids, you know, it’s really cool.

00:13:06.960 –> 00:13:20.100 Hope Surrett: And then later years, I met Raymond when I started playing bluegrass we played the same festivals like the big Cherokee festival and and all over the country. We played with Raymond Fairchild, and usually Raymond in the crow brothers Josh and willing crow cool, though.

00:13:21.150 –> 00:13:25.710 Joseph McElroy: He just died recently. I remember you remember the grown up with him in the mountains and it was

00:13:25.710 –> 00:13:26.340 Hope Surrett: All he was a

00:13:26.370 –> 00:13:27.600 Hope Surrett: He was a character, man. He

00:13:27.600 –> 00:13:38.940 Hope Surrett: Was he was a lot of things. He was a storyteller and moonshine, or I mean just all kind of stuff and he had hit a million selling single with a with a banjo instrumental

00:13:39.240 –> 00:13:39.750 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, I can.

00:13:39.900 –> 00:13:42.450 Hope Surrett: fix these all yet go break. It’s all over the place. Yeah.

00:13:42.540 –> 00:13:51.060 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, well. Cool. We got to take a break and when we come back we’ll talk more about the Blue Grass and gospel. All right.

00:13:51.510 –> 00:13:52.770 Joseph McElroy: Yes, sir. Yeah.

00:16:07.290 –> 00:16:10.920 Joseph McElroy: Hey this is Joseph backward back with the gateway to the Smokies

00:16:12.180 –> 00:16:19.860 Joseph McElroy: Pop. Pop it were the Smokies podcast. Now I’ve just been told by people that might not be playing on Facebook right now and if people were looking for it.

00:16:21.930 –> 00:16:22.380 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.

00:16:23.730 –> 00:16:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Tim, you might want to page post on your Facebook pages to talk radio dot NYC slash live, you know, look.

00:16:32.070 –> 00:16:32.730 Hope Surrett: I can do that.

00:16:33.000 –> 00:16:33.450 Yeah.

00:16:35.190 –> 00:16:38.190 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, let’s let’s do that right quick. So

00:16:39.630 –> 00:16:42.270 People can get to. Because there’s people that want to hear it.

00:16:44.010 –> 00:16:51.120 Joseph McElroy: And if the engineer out there can listen and maybe make sure it’s a streaming after our Facebook our Facebook page.

00:16:51.600 –> 00:16:51.990 Hope Surrett: Oh, you gotta

00:16:53.910 –> 00:16:54.660 Hope Surrett: You gotta have you

00:16:55.020 –> 00:16:56.310 Joseph McElroy: Gotta have that. So I

00:16:58.740 –> 00:17:02.490 Joseph McElroy: Don’t know why it’s not there, but sorry about that, folks.

00:17:03.660 –> 00:17:04.560 Joseph McElroy: So,

00:17:06.270 –> 00:17:10.350 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, let’s continue here and hopefully they’ll fix that for people

00:17:15.210 –> 00:17:23.160 Joseph McElroy: Where, where we’ve said we’re talking about talking about your playing music and place and he started professionally tour and when you were very young or cheap.

00:17:24.480 –> 00:17:28.230 Joseph McElroy: And so, you know, we’re right what right out of high school, right.

00:17:28.560 –> 00:17:39.090 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I started traveling with a group out of Canton here, a local gospel group. Well, I say local I was a senior in high school at Pisco 17 and

00:17:39.660 –> 00:17:53.880 Hope Surrett: This group from Canton here called the happy travelers. They were a gospel quartet, which I knew nothing about gospel quartets except grown up here, you got a heavy dose of the inspirations from Bryson city and the Kingsman from Asheville

00:17:55.170 –> 00:18:07.740 Hope Surrett: Other than that I had no idea, but these guys wanted me to play and travel, which at 17. I can’t believe they had a big silver Eagle bus, you know, and we went out the first weekend and and they hired me and

00:18:09.390 –> 00:18:18.330 Hope Surrett: Yeah. And that was it, and I fell in love with the gospel music that was going on at that time and and stayed in it a long, long time, you know,

00:18:18.690 –> 00:18:29.520 Joseph McElroy: You know, I remember. Around that time, you know, the there was sort of a religious revival going on with the young people quite a bit because I got, I was in that too. I was preaching at the Methodist Church and everything. So, you know, I think.

00:18:30.210 –> 00:18:34.410 Joseph McElroy: You know, you know, that was a big time for getting a little bit in the gospel.

00:18:34.770 –> 00:18:40.350 Joseph McElroy: Sure, yeah. So, um, what what towns were the big in the circuit back those days.

00:18:40.530 –> 00:18:41.970 Hope Surrett: Oh, gosh. Well, you know,

00:18:43.620 –> 00:18:57.960 Hope Surrett: The, the Bible. Well, really well. I’ll tell you this, you know, it was. It’s hard to say it was it was popular all over the especially the eastern part of the United States. I missed my senior prom at HP is good because we were playing in Detroit, Michigan that night.

00:18:57.990 –> 00:18:58.740 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.

00:18:58.860 –> 00:19:10.440 Hope Surrett: And the group. I was in those. Those guys were kind of a, I will say be level group. They were kind of an opening act for the major gospel groups of the day, which you know Kingsman inspirations.

00:19:11.130 –> 00:19:27.060 Hope Surrett: You know cathedrals, all these great gospel groups. So I went from straight from hospital chorus and band to, you know, plan in Detroit. That night as part of the opening act on those concerts and just kind of kept going up through there because I love the music, you know,

00:19:27.450 –> 00:19:43.320 Joseph McElroy: Cool. So, you know, no. I read a little bit about gospel music and you know that there seems like there was a time that remains the gospel sort of mainstream mainstream Gospel is turning tend to be a little bit like Quartet.

00:19:43.740 –> 00:19:44.310 Joseph McElroy: Right, yeah.

00:19:44.580 –> 00:19:48.990 Joseph McElroy: And then you then mountain gas gospel was a bit different. Right.

00:19:49.680 –> 00:19:59.280 Hope Surrett: Yeah. And absolutely, there was the mail quartet thing which has been popular since the 1940s with groups like the statesman quartet. These are groups that would come all over the country.

00:19:59.970 –> 00:20:13.320 Hope Surrett: Well, even the Ryman auditorium one weekend a month one Saturday night, a month was an all night gospel singer, you know, the Romans Grand Ole Opry years and there were, you know, there was there was the Quartet style with the statesman, the black wood brothers.

00:20:14.550 –> 00:20:23.850 Hope Surrett: And then there was the family group kind of thing with the happy good moans the Hanson, some of these people, you’d say on the gospel singing Jubilee on Sunday morning. Right. It’s

00:20:24.390 –> 00:20:37.740 Hope Surrett: hugely popular syndicated show and and then you had Bluegrass gospel. And the cool thing I noticed that a young age, because I grew up on the Bluegrass more so than the Quartet style was that

00:20:38.820 –> 00:20:43.200 Hope Surrett: The gospel audience embraced both or all three kinds really

00:20:43.410 –> 00:20:53.910 Hope Surrett: We would go play I’m ever going to play many gospel concert and they would be the group. I was playing for AND THEY WOULD THERE WOULD BE THE Hanson’s a family style country gospel group and then there would be

00:20:54.630 –> 00:20:59.880 Hope Surrett: My friends, the primitive quartet from over here in Canada, North Carolina, which is a Bluegrass gospel group.

00:21:00.270 –> 00:21:00.780 Joseph McElroy: Right and

00:21:01.050 –> 00:21:06.690 Hope Surrett: The audience just, you know, it was the message for them. And if the music was good. They. It was all good, you know,

00:21:07.710 –> 00:21:13.890 Joseph McElroy: Wow, that’s, I mean I guess that was exciting time to be involved in something of the sort of different than what everybody’s used to. Right. Yeah.

00:21:13.950 –> 00:21:14.820 Hope Surrett: Yeah, absolutely.

00:21:15.060 –> 00:21:16.470 Joseph McElroy: Cool. Um,

00:21:17.520 –> 00:21:24.750 Joseph McElroy: I was reading again and it caught my eye. There was a form of gospel and you were talking about the Cherokee is called share the gospel. What the heck is that

00:21:25.260 –> 00:21:28.920 Hope Surrett: Well, I’m not an expert at it, but I would say that’s where you know

00:21:31.770 –> 00:21:45.960 Hope Surrett: I’m certainly no lettered scholar in it, but I know you know some of the first things that the Cherokees translated into their written language wants to call you wrote, you know, came up with that language is 86 character celebrate that he did

00:21:47.040 –> 00:21:48.780 Hope Surrett: Before the removal of the Cherokees

00:21:50.400 –> 00:21:59.700 Hope Surrett: Some of the first things you know they had their own newspaper. They had their own printing press in the Cherokee capitals, they put put out their own newspaper called the Cherokee Phoenix.

00:22:02.130 –> 00:22:03.750 Hope Surrett: And they, they immediately started

00:22:05.100 –> 00:22:18.660 Hope Surrett: translating the hymn books and the Bible into the Cherokee language. And to this day, you can still go here, Cherokee family gospel groups that will sing a song in English like amazing grace and then they’ll sing a verse or two in the chair Keeling which

00:22:18.720 –> 00:22:21.930 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know. I must be really cool. I never, I never

00:22:23.520 –> 00:22:23.850 Joseph McElroy: Know, but

00:22:24.600 –> 00:22:36.450 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I’ve played a lot in Turkey, over the years, they love bluegrass and gospel both and and you’ll forever if somebody will get up and sing Amazing Grace and then do it in the Cherokee language, which is really, really cool.

00:22:37.320 –> 00:22:38.370 Joseph McElroy: So you spent

00:22:39.420 –> 00:22:51.570 Joseph McElroy: About 15 years total with the kings. When I guess there were two stints right and it’s like one of the great gospel quartets out there and you did that really pretty young. I mean at 23 landed on this major back then it

00:22:52.800 –> 00:22:55.410 Joseph McElroy: Was a that was not. Um, so what are some of the members, you have

00:22:55.680 –> 00:22:57.120 Hope Surrett: Gone. Wow, there’s too many

00:22:57.210 –> 00:23:01.080 Hope Surrett: Too many to name but I just remember when I joined the king’s men they hired me

00:23:02.370 –> 00:23:09.630 Hope Surrett: I’ve been working in the studio as a studio musician, which is a whole different facet of my musical career and a great big part of it.

00:23:10.740 –> 00:23:25.710 Hope Surrett: And I became kind of a house bass player as a big studio in Nashville. And it was predominantly gospel records. So there’s a gentleman named Eldridge fox that owned the Kingsman and he was a very prolific producer in the gospel world. So I played on tons of albums for him.

00:23:26.760 –> 00:23:28.650 Hope Surrett: recording sessions and

00:23:30.090 –> 00:23:42.810 Hope Surrett: I was playing bass, but I still love to travel and all that kind of stuff. So at one point in the late 80s, he had two guys leaving the king’s men at once. It’s a hard life. We were gone. Average 250 days a year. Easy.

00:23:44.550 –> 00:23:54.270 Hope Surrett: And he had his bass player and his baritone singer were leaving at the same time, and he knew I could do both, or at least hold down both the league could get somebody to fill one or the other.

00:23:54.660 –> 00:23:59.610 Hope Surrett: So they hired me. And you know, I remember the first not out was it a big concert in Atlanta.

00:24:00.690 –> 00:24:06.810 Hope Surrett: And they called me up to seeing and scared me to death because I was a bass player by trade, I could hear the harmony and all that.

00:24:07.320 –> 00:24:15.030 Hope Surrett: But I just remember standing there between three water now Gospel Music Hall of Famers you know there was a Eldridge Fox.

00:24:15.660 –> 00:24:23.220 Hope Surrett: Jim Hamill, who’s the lead singer and re release the basing are all Hall of Famers re, re still has the king’s men to this day.

00:24:24.090 –> 00:24:33.840 Hope Surrett: He’s the only surviving one of that group that I’m talking about. And just, I remember stepping up between those guys and just could just could not believe it.

00:24:34.410 –> 00:24:44.460 Hope Surrett: And, you know, it was carried me all over the United States and Canada, and my, you know, my first time to seeing on the Grand Ole Opry was with the Kingsman

00:24:44.790 –> 00:24:47.730 Hope Surrett: And and and you know just all kinds of stuff all over

00:24:48.360 –> 00:25:00.900 Hope Surrett: Then you found out because every year we would take the month of February and start in Texas or somewhere and play Phoenix and Albuquerque and up Los Angeles and all of the West Coast and

00:25:02.040 –> 00:25:06.210 Hope Surrett: Oregon and Washington. And then up into British Columbia, Alberta.

00:25:07.350 –> 00:25:14.700 Hope Surrett: The people in Canada would drive six or eight hours to come here. You hear you play at one of these big concerts, because that’s all I got the whole year.

00:25:15.210 –> 00:25:18.600 Hope Surrett: Wow. Oh, it was, it was amazing to me. It was, I wouldn’t call it

00:25:19.770 –> 00:25:25.890 Hope Surrett: A counterculture but it was definitely a whole different world that I didn’t know even existed, and it was, you know, just

00:25:26.940 –> 00:25:29.550 Hope Surrett: Doing it at that level for that long was a

00:25:30.630 –> 00:25:31.890 Hope Surrett: Was a great blessing for me.

00:25:32.370 –> 00:25:41.370 Joseph McElroy: Well, I came out of Nashville. And you came at a camp. And there’s some good things going on in there is a national always been a great area for gospel music in the center of it.

00:25:42.120 –> 00:25:50.130 Hope Surrett: It’s been a big part of it going back even to, you know, prior to my days there was no fail in Asheville named Riley that brought

00:25:50.550 –> 00:26:01.050 Hope Surrett: Those great, you know, the big gospel x to the old Nashville city auditorium, the statesman, the black was the Goodman’s all those kinds of people on down through the years, and

00:26:02.520 –> 00:26:07.380 Hope Surrett: I don’t know if it’s the hotbed is it was in those days when I was first getting into it.

00:26:08.610 –> 00:26:14.940 Hope Surrett: Because honestly bluegrass you can do better with Bluegrass style music here than about anything else. Yeah.

00:26:15.480 –> 00:26:18.390 Joseph McElroy: Became popular with the kids. I think the hipsters

00:26:19.080 –> 00:26:20.130 Hope Surrett: Yeah yeah yeah

00:26:20.940 –> 00:26:23.700 Hope Surrett: What we ran a school called a trust the ferry guns.

00:26:25.440 –> 00:26:32.100 Joseph McElroy: They were we gotta lose broke up here and there and they’re cool kids, but they got they got into that roots music, man.

00:26:33.000 –> 00:26:40.890 Hope Surrett: They look, I’ll tell you what, man. We love playing bluegrass for those kinds of audiences because they just, I don’t think they’re prepared for the power of it, you know.

00:26:41.610 –> 00:26:52.410 Hope Surrett: When the drive hits in a good bluegrass band, it’s, it’s kind of got that rock and roll energy about it. And when that hits them with special with acoustic instruments they lose their minds. It’s so much fun.

00:26:52.560 –> 00:26:58.170 Joseph McElroy: And you know, when you put clogging do it, you know, pretty crazy with Bob and I mean you can, you know, you can throw

00:26:58.260 –> 00:26:58.770 Hope Surrett: Oh, yeah.

00:26:59.100 –> 00:26:59.640 Joseph McElroy: Oh, yeah.

00:27:00.870 –> 00:27:04.320 Hope Surrett: There was a big festival in Nashville. For years, called bail share

00:27:04.770 –> 00:27:06.000 Joseph McElroy: Yeah yeah

00:27:06.060 –> 00:27:07.410 Hope Surrett: Oh, it was huge and

00:27:08.850 –> 00:27:17.850 Hope Surrett: It had everything and they always had us close it out and it was so much fun because they close off the streets of downtown Nashville, they’d be, you know, eight or 10,000 people out there.

00:27:18.480 –> 00:27:25.860 Hope Surrett: And we would have farmers from out here. Jonathan very calm Haywood out there in the streets dancing with the with the hippie KIDS DOING THE SPAN, you know,

00:27:26.550 –> 00:27:26.850 Hope Surrett: It was

00:27:27.540 –> 00:27:30.780 Hope Surrett: It was all all for one and one for all. It was just great.

00:27:32.370 –> 00:27:37.950 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, well you know that that sort of hippie thing is always been around, we have a rainbow children come. There we go.

00:27:37.950 –> 00:27:38.610 Joseph McElroy: Oh, sure.

00:27:39.480 –> 00:27:48.540 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, so the mountains, have always had this sort of counterculture yeah yeah yeah that’s pretty cool. Well you know I

00:27:50.160 –> 00:27:57.900 Joseph McElroy: I see 1991 you and Mickey gamble on the new record and company called a mountain home music company. Right. Yeah.

00:27:57.960 –> 00:28:05.370 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you what happened with that you know I mentioned a minute ago how I saw a young age, the Bluegrass people

00:28:06.060 –> 00:28:26.490 Hope Surrett: The gospel. People loved the Bluegrass and even with the king’s men, they would have me take a guitar in the middle of a quartet style program and sing a couple of three bluegrass style songs and I saw very quickly that the gospel. People loved both styles. So I talked to Mickey who owned

00:28:27.600 –> 00:28:40.560 Hope Surrett: A studio in Nashville about life. I was with the king’s men, it’s time. But I was looking for an outlet to perform or not perform so much but produce and and and just play some bluegrass because I loved it so much.

00:28:41.640 –> 00:28:43.890 Hope Surrett: And they understood the business idea I had that

00:28:45.540 –> 00:28:51.960 Hope Surrett: You know, at that time, the gospel. People would accept either one. So we have what I consider the double market.

00:28:52.410 –> 00:29:04.380 Hope Surrett: And we started out with. It was all Bluegrass gospel, to start with, and it’s just kind of kept growing and growing and growing and morphing over the years and and our band is still on that label all these was it 30 years later. Oh, Lord.

00:29:06.030 –> 00:29:14.190 Joseph McElroy: Well, I’m going to take a break down we’ll finish up a little bit more about that story. Alright, sounds pretty good. I love that. I love that. And the actual artists and might be involved.

00:29:14.280 –> 00:29:15.450 Hope Surrett: All right. Okay. Sure.

00:31:36.510 –> 00:31:43.740 Joseph McElroy: Hey it’s Joseph Franklin McIlroy back with gateway to the Smokies podcast, then I guess Tim certain balsam range.

00:31:44.970 –> 00:31:56.550 Joseph McElroy: Hey, Tim. We were talking about your about your, your, your records recording company. And I was wondering could you tell me about that Smoky Mountain talents. You’re seeing these days.

00:31:57.180 –> 00:32:02.130 Hope Surrett: Man, we started out with, with all local folks, pretty much.

00:32:03.870 –> 00:32:04.620 Hope Surrett: You know, just

00:32:05.730 –> 00:32:14.760 Hope Surrett: There was so much bluegrass around here still is local gospel family bands that kind of stuff. And then we started getting people from out of the area.

00:32:15.540 –> 00:32:32.670 Hope Surrett: But, you know, we’ve we’ve had everybody. And you can think of. And over the past 30 years major, major names on our label and a lot of them are still there. So, uh, yeah. I started out with. I’ll tell you one of my favorites is a young man from Candler North Carolina.

00:32:34.050 –> 00:32:47.970 Hope Surrett: By the name of Brian Sutton, and Brian is a Grammy Award winner, world class guitar player. I don’t know how many times he’s one bluegrass guitar player of the year, but he’s played with everybody on the planet from Ricky Skaggs to everybody. You can think of and

00:32:49.080 –> 00:32:57.390 Hope Surrett: I met him when I was a senior high school at Inca and got him on his first session and next thing you know he’s traveling with Ricky Skaggs but back in those days.

00:32:58.380 –> 00:33:06.030 Hope Surrett: These family groups would come into record from the area and they would have myself and another musician. I’m David Johnson, who plays everything on the planet.

00:33:06.450 –> 00:33:16.020 Hope Surrett: Plays every instrument. I’ve ever seen at a master level and also a humble sweet guy and I can’t tell you how many records we cut for these family bands with just myself and David

00:33:16.470 –> 00:33:17.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.

00:33:17.280 –> 00:33:29.940 Hope Surrett: Just the two of us would play all the instruments and and and it was so much fun. But over the years it morphed into an actual major bluegrass label and and we’ve had everybody from Tony rice Larry sparks.

00:33:31.380 –> 00:33:39.600 Hope Surrett: You know bluegrass household names don’t last me Quicksilver balsam range Lawrence river by in the grass skulls too many to name and

00:33:39.660 –> 00:33:39.930 Joseph McElroy: I looked

00:33:41.070 –> 00:33:46.080 Joseph McElroy: I looked at it was pretty impressive is like, Oh my gosh, this is, this is the real deal here. Yeah, it’s

00:33:46.200 –> 00:33:53.520 Hope Surrett: It’s been a wonderful thing for. I can’t believe it just hit me talking to you. Yeah, this year. Next 30 years that’s man. That’s crazy.

00:33:53.730 –> 00:33:55.260 Joseph McElroy: I hate to remind you of your age.

00:33:57.480 –> 00:33:59.790 Hope Surrett: Oh, I can see myself as a reminder already

00:34:02.070 –> 00:34:14.160 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve experienced SO WE’RE IN THE BLUEGRASS now you’ve experienced a lot of mountain mountain. MUSIC All right. Yeah. And your marriage music here just comfortable Smoky Mountains, but you’ve traveled a lot. You’ve seen bluegrass

00:34:14.700 –> 00:34:22.980 Joseph McElroy: Bluegrass has claimed it a lot of different areas. Is there anything different about the Smoky Mountain bluegrass that the make a distinctive sound.

00:34:23.520 –> 00:34:34.050 Hope Surrett: I think, I think there is usually in bands from this area western North Carolina or some of them in East Tennessee on the smoke that side of the Smokies there’s an energy there.

00:34:34.740 –> 00:34:51.990 Hope Surrett: That’s, that’s kind of unmistakable unmistakable. You can really feel it. And there’s also an element I think of the old time music, you know, the fiddle team kind of thing that creeps in. I know it does in our music. It creeps in quite often. And I love that stuff. You know,

00:34:53.010 –> 00:34:54.930 Hope Surrett: So I do think that kind of sets.

00:34:56.040 –> 00:35:03.660 Hope Surrett: People from our region apart just a little bit, it’s, it’s a difference. And of course, our accents have something to do with it, you know, with

00:35:04.680 –> 00:35:10.680 Hope Surrett: With balsam range. People say, you know, the way you harmonize. Are you guys is that family harmony. And I said, No, that’s county harmony.

00:35:12.900 –> 00:35:22.950 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, we did a show, you know, the couple weeks ago about the Scottish influence on mountain culture, you know, and talking about you know how the Scotch Irish came here.

00:35:23.400 –> 00:35:23.760 Hope Surrett: Right.

00:35:24.000 –> 00:35:35.160 Joseph McElroy: And brought a lot of tradition of that kind of music, a balance and things that when you started bringing in the banjo and stuff started morphing into this more beat driven music that’s bluegrass right

00:35:35.550 –> 00:35:39.510 Hope Surrett: Right, absolutely. I mean, that Scotch Irish thing is still huge

00:35:40.620 –> 00:35:46.950 Hope Surrett: You know, it’s what it’s what’s bad bill Monroe sold to start this kind of thing off in the first place, but

00:35:47.880 –> 00:35:52.620 Hope Surrett: Yeah, it’s especially around here that that like that’s what I’m saying that old time droning fiddle

00:35:53.460 –> 00:36:00.300 Hope Surrett: faddle team kind of thing. And every bluegrass band in the world still play some of the songs that very well came over from

00:36:00.810 –> 00:36:16.290 Hope Surrett: Scotland or England or Ireland or whales or somewhere over in there and that’s why that music cross pollinate. That’s why the Irish music resonates so strongly with people like us, you know, it’s, there’s something in our blood that that that really identifies with us.

00:36:17.010 –> 00:36:18.000 Joseph McElroy: You mentioned one point.

00:36:19.380 –> 00:36:25.410 Joseph McElroy: You really felt that it’s like there’s a bluegrass is like it almost seems very authentic because it feels natural to you.

00:36:26.340 –> 00:36:33.930 Hope Surrett: Oh yeah, I’ll tell you, for me, and we’re, you know, close to the same age. I spoke about wanting to play rock and roll. When I was a kid. And when I was a

00:36:34.440 –> 00:36:47.490 Hope Surrett: high schooler radio was I mean popular radio was so good. I mean, you, you just and you’re always sentimental about what you grew up on but on pop radio, you would hear the Eagles or

00:36:47.910 –> 00:37:04.650 Hope Surrett: Kansas or foreigner, or, you know, all these great thing and bands and then when the 80s rolled around, you know, the new wave thing started. And I’m not degrading anybody’s opinion that’s why there’s buttons on the radio. But for me, the, the sense era kind of

00:37:05.790 –> 00:37:19.740 Hope Surrett: Lost me a little bit and I started longing for something more authentic more primitive, I guess you might say, and it drove me to back to blue grass, and in particular bill Monroe.

00:37:20.820 –> 00:37:34.170 Hope Surrett: The father of bluegrass is he’s widely known. And there was something there was something they called it the high lonesome sound. There’s something, there’s something in that music I can hurt. David Letterman talk about it one time he loved bill Monroe and

00:37:36.000 –> 00:37:42.810 Hope Surrett: There was something in that that really, really got to me and people like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley Stanley brothers.

00:37:43.290 –> 00:37:45.150 Hope Surrett: The way they saying it was it was a

00:37:46.590 –> 00:37:50.220 Hope Surrett: Had a lonesome quality to it. They had a real mountain thing about it, you know.

00:37:51.780 –> 00:37:53.310 Joseph McElroy: Scotch Irish influence

00:37:54.750 –> 00:37:59.730 Joseph McElroy: And immigrants much that they were always longing for home that they didn’t even know existed.

00:38:00.000 –> 00:38:01.410 Hope Surrett: There’s a longing for something

00:38:02.460 –> 00:38:03.720 Hope Surrett: I don’t know if you ever find it.

00:38:07.230 –> 00:38:19.680 Hope Surrett: Just comes out in that sound and that’s the authenticity. And just the fact that the skill level, it takes to play bluegrass well because there’s nothing between you and the crowd, but your, your hands on the instrument and your voice. That’s all there is, you know,

00:38:20.310 –> 00:38:29.310 Joseph McElroy: So there’s a lot of authentic instruments. I’m talking about handcrafted things. I know you did a producer down with Tom Tony rice called crossings that featured handcrafted

00:38:29.880 –> 00:38:32.790 Joseph McElroy: Well, yeah, that building the mountains or some of it.

00:38:33.060 –> 00:38:35.610 Hope Surrett: Yeah, well sure there’s there’s a

00:38:36.690 –> 00:38:50.640 Hope Surrett: You know there’s there’s two or three makers of instruments like Martin guitars or gets an instruments, the banjos and Mandel ends, but there’s also a huge culture nowadays of custom, custom instruments handmade instruments.

00:38:51.930 –> 00:39:06.180 Hope Surrett: That are based on some of the great instruments of the 20s, 30s, 40s of the last century. Our guitar player Caleb Smith, you should come contact him about an episode because he builds custom guitars guitars that are unbelievable.

00:39:07.650 –> 00:39:18.240 Hope Surrett: And there is a big thing. You know, you got the whole dulcimer culture here. That is a cool sound that’s that’s all its own has that droning sound that are either Scotch Irish kind of thing.

00:39:19.260 –> 00:39:33.360 Hope Surrett: In yeah there’s builders of instruments. I know the guy can’t hear that makes fabulous mandolin there Caleb our guitar player makes fabulous guitars 10 minutes from where I’m sitting and we know all kinds of these people around here that make their own instruments.

00:39:34.410 –> 00:39:36.840 Hope Surrett: To a really high master level.

00:39:37.320 –> 00:39:43.740 Joseph McElroy: Wow. So let’s talk about balsam range is now how did, how did you guys come together as a legendary band now.

00:39:43.830 –> 00:39:46.800 Hope Surrett: Nah. Well, if you hang around long enough, they call you that, but

00:39:49.350 –> 00:39:52.350 Hope Surrett: They call I call it a very, very happy.

00:39:54.030 –> 00:40:02.520 Hope Surrett: Coincidence, basically, and I don’t believe in coincidence, all that much. It’s a joke, but all of us had been all over the country and all over the world, playing in different

00:40:03.060 –> 00:40:10.170 Hope Surrett: Bands of some kind, myself in the gospel world Mark Pruitt our banjo player played with Ricky Skaggs for many years.

00:40:10.830 –> 00:40:25.230 Hope Surrett: And on his albums and all the guys has been all over the place and we all ended up back in in Canton around here about the same time and we didn’t all even know each other because luckily I’ve been on the road, since I was 17, you know, and we

00:40:26.670 –> 00:40:30.960 Hope Surrett: Are mandolin player dare Nicholson I RAN INTO HIM AT A physical football game. First one.

00:40:32.070 –> 00:40:44.190 Hope Surrett: First one. I’ve been off the road to go to about 20 years and he stopped me at the ball game said he was going to do a solo, and he called me, Mr. Sir, he said, I’m going to do a record. I want you to play the bass on it, which I do quite often and

00:40:45.420 –> 00:40:54.360 Hope Surrett: I said, Sure. Well, Mark and I ended up playing on that record great Rick and a month or two later buddy mountain our fiddle player 10 or singer who is spectacular.

00:40:56.490 –> 00:41:10.440 Hope Surrett: He called Mark and wanted to do another solo bluegrass record and Mark and I ended up playing on that record. We had so much fun on those two records we mark. And I said, Let’s get these two bunches together and just jam, a little, you know,

00:41:12.450 –> 00:41:24.540 Hope Surrett: So we got together in right before Christmas of oh six at Dan’s house here in Canton, and let’s just play some standards and pick a little bit, you know, and first notes went off and we were on

00:41:25.950 –> 00:41:27.840 Hope Surrett: This. That sounds pretty good. You know,

00:41:28.170 –> 00:41:34.320 Hope Surrett: Yeah. We jam for a couple, three hours until I tell you what, let’s get back together after Christmas, do it again, have some more fun.

00:41:35.340 –> 00:41:38.610 Hope Surrett: When we did. And I was curious to see if it still sounded good, you know,

00:41:40.860 –> 00:41:46.980 Hope Surrett: So we got together and oh seven in January kicked off first song, who, there it is, you know,

00:41:47.970 –> 00:42:04.500 Hope Surrett: And Mark prove it was kind of the local guy for all the gigs, like my dad used to play all the corporate things and stuff. And he said, I’ve been contacted to play a show in Asheville at the growth parky and huge tourist great old beautiful place. And he said,

00:42:05.640 –> 00:42:14.010 Hope Surrett: He said, You want to do it will just make up a name and go and we made up a name. And I don’t remember what it was, it was not balsam range. But we went did the show.

00:42:14.850 –> 00:42:23.370 Hope Surrett: Total non bluegrass crowd of about 2500 people and they lost their minds and we we thought let’s just, you know, do this a little more. And it just kind of

00:42:23.910 –> 00:42:32.070 Hope Surrett: More and more, more and more and more started playing around Asheville regularly and then broadened out and then what really hit for us was

00:42:34.770 –> 00:42:42.480 Hope Surrett: We cut our first record, you know, seven and Darren or mandolin player gave a copy to a great friend of ours, but the name of Kyle Cantrell

00:42:43.110 –> 00:42:55.080 Hope Surrett: He was a WB SM and Nashville for years and years. Grand Ole Opry announcer, and he was hired to be the program director for the Bluegrass channel ON SIRIUS XM and he

00:42:56.670 –> 00:43:07.020 Hope Surrett: He took that CD and not knowing what to make of it played it loved it and started playing this one town and it kind of went it blew up as much as bluegrass can blow up.

00:43:10.650 –> 00:43:16.410 Hope Surrett: And people started calling and book and all over the place. And here we are 14 years later, but all over the world.

00:43:16.440 –> 00:43:20.160 Hope Surrett: Very thankful for that happy coincidence, man.

00:43:20.640 –> 00:43:24.690 Joseph McElroy: Well, after we after we come back from this break here. Tell me how you came up with a name balsam range.

00:43:24.990 –> 00:43:25.380 Hope Surrett: All right.

00:45:45.720 –> 00:45:59.340 Joseph McElroy: Hi this is Joseph Franklin macro. He’s very eager to get back to you with the gateway to the to the Smokies podcasts and, I guess, Tim, sir, and balsam range. So tell me, Tim, how did you come up with that name balsam range.

00:45:59.640 –> 00:46:03.990 Hope Surrett: Well, as I said, we were playing locally. Then, and that’s all we intended to do, truthfully.

00:46:05.280 –> 00:46:16.290 Hope Surrett: Play around Haywood County, maybe Asheville some more and whatnot. But we started trying to find a name for a bluegrass band is tough. I tried to I suggest to DEF heifer but the rest of them wouldn’t buy that.

00:46:16.290 –> 00:46:16.500 So,

00:46:19.230 –> 00:46:24.060 Hope Surrett: We started looking at landmarks around the county that would, you know, we had that real Haywood County thing.

00:46:25.140 –> 00:46:35.400 Hope Surrett: And we came across, we know we tried all the names around on the Parkway and whatnot, the Smokies we thought cat Lucci would never work because nobody would spell it or say it and

00:46:37.380 –> 00:46:42.360 Hope Surrett: But here, up on the parkway the highest point around here is the, the great balsam range.

00:46:42.630 –> 00:46:42.930 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.

00:46:42.960 –> 00:46:53.970 Hope Surrett: You know those those mountains that kind of horseshoe Haywood County in Jackson County and we decided to go with that. But we thought great balsam range was a little pretentious, so we

00:46:53.970 –> 00:46:54.270 Dropped

00:46:59.220 –> 00:47:00.930 Joseph McElroy: The great balsam range. Yeah.

00:47:01.320 –> 00:47:04.290 Hope Surrett: So we just decided to go with the pretty good balsam range and

00:47:04.290 –> 00:47:06.660 Joseph McElroy: Oh favorite county boys are humble.

00:47:06.930 –> 00:47:10.560 Hope Surrett: Yeah, because if you’re not the rest of the county will humble you.

00:47:12.780 –> 00:47:18.900 Hope Surrett: Don’t mind at all. But that’s where it came from. We didn’t think we would ever played that far away from it that people wouldn’t know what it meant.

00:47:19.230 –> 00:47:22.470 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So you’re all accomplished musicians and

00:47:24.240 –> 00:47:26.670 Joseph McElroy: Singers. At some point, how do you manage that.

00:47:27.180 –> 00:47:29.040 Hope Surrett: It’s fun. Man, to tell you the truth.

00:47:30.120 –> 00:47:43.740 Hope Surrett: Is so much fun because he would. I think it’s fun for the audience because you don’t listen to the, you know, one guy saying every song or or the same trio sing in harmony or we can switch around a lot. And we do

00:47:44.370 –> 00:47:46.530 Hope Surrett: And I think it’s more interesting to people.

00:47:48.810 –> 00:47:54.630 Hope Surrett: They’re trying to figure out, well, who’s singing. Now, you know, so it’s fun for us when we’re arranging music because

00:47:55.320 –> 00:48:07.200 Hope Surrett: You know, we can put different people sitting in different parts. And sometimes, you know, you can have one guessing and lead three guys singing behind him. So it opens up a lot of a lot of variety in your harmony singing it.

00:48:07.770 –> 00:48:15.030 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. Imagine the drama that you guys do have in the band is an arbitrary edge is probably more like go outside for a cigarette or

00:48:16.590 –> 00:48:27.090 Hope Surrett: We talk all the time, myself and Derek Nicholson cost Caleb things lead lot buddy sings Tanner, he’s got the high voice and daring enough flip a coin for the baritone part and whoever loses has to take it, you know.

00:48:29.700 –> 00:48:32.340 Joseph McElroy: There you go, coming out with a simple system that’s the way to do

00:48:32.370 –> 00:48:33.180 Hope Surrett: There you go. Yeah.

00:48:33.240 –> 00:48:35.790 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So what is your latest album.

00:48:37.170 –> 00:48:45.870 Hope Surrett: We’ve got the latest one. We’ve had out called IANA a CEO and I see it’s pretty cool word and it did very well for us. It was number one on billboard.

00:48:46.650 –> 00:48:57.120 Hope Surrett: Was a really great record force we were about two thirds of the way through a new record. And the reason why I’m finished. It’s because we can’t go play at this particular time, you know,

00:48:58.410 –> 00:49:12.390 Hope Surrett: We have we’ve had two number one songs. This past year, often unfinished record and the songs, we’d never really played him in public, because you know there’s no shows at this point. So we got a new record in the in the works had a new single go out this past Friday.

00:49:12.780 –> 00:49:16.380 Hope Surrett: Window, the new single. Well, I wish you asked me.

00:49:18.360 –> 00:49:20.790 Hope Surrett: It’s called rivers and range and runaway trains.

00:49:20.970 –> 00:49:21.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.

00:49:21.870 –> 00:49:24.360 Hope Surrett: It’s the new thing, or maybe the album title, I don’t know, but

00:49:24.930 –> 00:49:26.160 Joseph McElroy: Perfect country western song.

00:49:27.810 –> 00:49:29.670 Hope Surrett: It’s got that longing in it, doesn’t it.

00:49:31.710 –> 00:49:36.540 Hope Surrett: But yeah, we’ve we’ve we’ve been blessed. I don’t even know how many albums. We’ve that we’ve done now 10 or 11, I guess.

00:49:36.840 –> 00:49:44.610 Hope Surrett: And and they’ve all done very well for us. But he was a good one, number one on billboard was a really cool thing for us.

00:49:45.270 –> 00:49:48.870 Joseph McElroy: So you haven’t been able to play versus your has been treating you guys

00:49:49.080 –> 00:49:55.500 Hope Surrett: Well, it’s tough on all musicians and we figured since last March, we’ve played three live shows

00:49:56.940 –> 00:50:11.940 Hope Surrett: And one in Texas, one in Oklahoma and one in Ohio, and we’ve got one scheduled for the 30th and Newberry South Carolina at that at the famous Newberry Opera House. This is one of our favorite shows we do every year. So we’re just praying, it hangs in there, you know,

00:50:13.080 –> 00:50:26.790 Hope Surrett: But, but, yeah, it’s been tough on ton all the musicians from the lowest of the superstars. It’s very difficult time. And we’ve tried to use that time to record more and you know kind of concentrate on that.

00:50:28.050 –> 00:50:32.940 Joseph McElroy: What do you think you, what do you think you might get a tour together would be next year, or would it be

00:50:33.120 –> 00:50:33.360 Well,

00:50:34.440 –> 00:50:42.300 Hope Surrett: A lot of our dates that you know you book a year, two years in advance and for the latter half of the year. A lot of our dates are still there. So,

00:50:42.960 –> 00:50:49.890 Hope Surrett: Just remains to be seen how many I’m staying. A lot of these dates for the early part of the first half of the year have already moved to next year so

00:50:51.690 –> 00:50:54.510 Hope Surrett: I think it’s gonna be very similar to this past year, unfortunately.

00:50:54.930 –> 00:50:58.290 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any dates in the Smoky Mountain area and or the New York area.

00:50:59.400 –> 00:51:07.500 Hope Surrett: No, you know, some of the dates January and February and the first week of March was all we had last year and we spent a whole weekend in New York City, which was

00:51:08.070 –> 00:51:18.240 Hope Surrett: One of our favorite things to do we play at the the Hilton there in Manhattan so much. It’s so much fun, man. I mean, I don’t know what to do with a hillbilly thing, you know.

00:51:18.660 –> 00:51:19.980 Joseph McElroy: When, when you come up

00:51:32.310 –> 00:51:32.610 Hope Surrett: Well,

00:51:35.550 –> 00:51:43.110 Hope Surrett: We’ll just it just remains to be seen. We put our own Festival on every December. Yeah, like here like Juneau Alaska in the Smokies here and

00:51:43.860 –> 00:51:53.310 Hope Surrett: And this was first year that we’ve had to call it off this past December, it’s so I’m really hope we can get all that back on for the latter part of the year, Lord willing,

00:51:53.700 –> 00:51:57.960 Joseph McElroy: And I want to call this one is called the Smoky Mountain bluegrass festival right it was

00:51:58.020 –> 00:51:59.850 Hope Surrett: Well, what’s called the balsam range art.

00:52:00.480 –> 00:52:02.250 Joseph McElroy: Festival. Yeah, that’s right, yeah.

00:52:02.760 –> 00:52:09.090 Hope Surrett: And it’s cool, because all the music is in student auditorium, which is a beautiful indoor facility, but you’re looking out over the lake and it’s

00:52:09.600 –> 00:52:24.270 Hope Surrett: It’s got the outdoor vibe to it, but it’s all indoors and people, people come from all over the country. And we’ve had people from overseas come and because you in the Smoky Mountains in December, you can ski and the next day you can play golf. You know, you never know.

00:52:25.530 –> 00:52:26.130 Joseph McElroy: Well, I’ll tell you.

00:52:27.210 –> 00:52:34.680 Joseph McElroy: One thing keeps you locked in a little bit. When it gets a little bit warmer. We have a we have an open to the middle of a big old backyard.

00:52:36.210 –> 00:52:39.000 Joseph McElroy: You guys goodbye just thrown out of you want to do.

00:52:40.410 –> 00:52:54.090 Hope Surrett: We’ve got this show coming up on the 30th in South Carolina, and I was home yesterday and got my instruments out for the first time in a while. Just to see if my fingers bleed. You know, so we’re gonna have to get back into shape, that’s for sure.

00:52:54.810 –> 00:53:00.180 Joseph McElroy: So, um, tell me you got a radio show now and you’re about to go to it after this

00:53:00.270 –> 00:53:00.660 Hope Surrett: I am

00:53:02.340 –> 00:53:14.700 Hope Surrett: Or six minutes. Well, you know, back in August. It was I, I was really missing the fellowship of the road and the band and the people that we play for we’ve had a strict policy at make friends not fans.

00:53:16.230 –> 00:53:25.230 Hope Surrett: Kind of attitude and I was really missing the interaction with all our friends across the world. And I started thinking of some way we could get together and

00:53:26.640 –> 00:53:38.760 Hope Surrett: That kind of thing. And it just came in my mind. You know what a metal radio show, and I came and I talked to my friend longtime hospital friend. You might remember Terrell Rick from Tesco lets you say my giant

00:53:38.880 –> 00:53:39.330 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.

00:53:39.960 –> 00:53:46.590 Hope Surrett: But he will her dad is on the little local radio station here in Haywood County, since the 70s and I, uh,

00:53:47.850 –> 00:53:59.400 Hope Surrett: I called her up and I said, I’m thinking about. I’m not want to do a radio show. I don’t know. I don’t have any experience with it. She said, when you won’t start. So about 10 days later, we went on the air doing two hours of live

00:54:01.050 –> 00:54:06.660 Hope Surrett: Radio doing bluegrass a classic country music and

00:54:07.380 –> 00:54:11.040 Hope Surrett: Gospel and gospel as well. And it’s just kind of took off on us.

00:54:12.240 –> 00:54:14.310 Joseph McElroy: Right on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

00:54:14.310 –> 00:54:17.820 Hope Surrett: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm Eastern to 10

00:54:18.060 –> 00:54:19.170 Joseph McElroy: And what is a radio station.

00:54:19.440 –> 00:54:42.030 Hope Surrett: weta al in Canton, and it’s WP to radio.net or they have an app as well on iPhones or whatnot, or smartphone app. So we stream and it’s gone nuts on us in a good way, we’re having, you know, 1314 15,000 people every episode everywhere from Heidelberg Germany to try out Creek Montana, so

00:54:43.740 –> 00:54:46.980 Hope Surrett: 10 or 1211 12,000 people in this region.

00:54:47.400 –> 00:55:00.660 Joseph McElroy: Well, I appreciate you coming on taking the time to be with us. It’s been a wonderful show even though it’s glitches and I’ll let you go to get to your show and finish up here with what we’re doing what we’re doing. So thank you very much, Tim.

00:55:00.780 –> 00:55:03.660 Hope Surrett: All right. Hey, my pleasure. He’s, he’s fun to do. Thanks a lot. Good.

00:55:03.960 –> 00:55:14.310 Joseph McElroy: All right, bye bye. Okay, folks. Thank you for listening to gateway to the Smokies podcast I want to mention that you can find more about us@facebook.com slash

00:55:14.850 –> 00:55:23.340 Joseph McElroy: Gateway to the Smokies podcast. We’re also we’re also part of this where traveler magazine network where we were actually building a

00:55:24.480 –> 00:55:27.840 Joseph McElroy: Section, and we’re traveling, which is 100 year old magazine or something like that.

00:55:28.380 –> 00:55:37.020 Joseph McElroy: For travel and it’s called the Great Smoky Mountains section you go find out a lot of good articles there. I’ve also got a local a website called the

00:55:37.560 –> 00:55:49.830 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure calm, where you can get listings about hiking and music and places to go in the Smoky Mountains and also find stories that will help you experience those adventures.

00:55:50.610 –> 00:56:03.990 Joseph McElroy: Deeply and with a lot of people and of course I own a motel and Maggie value, North Carolina. My family 45 years. It’s a metal arc motel.com and Lark motel calm and you’re welcome to come visit us and start your

00:56:04.290 –> 00:56:08.670 Joseph McElroy: Smoky Mountain adventures was where you stay and thank you very much. See you next week.

]]> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadioNYC/videos/3707385735950207/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.13418-10/132716255_739318037006118_4333778922592640102_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&_nc_ohc=eK--iC6DRngAX81f0Ks&_nc_sid=ad6a45&ccb=1-7&oe=6301FA12&oh=00_AT9iwhLSRgV4QyAiBijjNH0oWT4LjR2yQWwODXfyjRcsiw&stp=dst-jpg_p235x350&tn=ssl5RjlRCRqdhHNg" alt="Video thumbnail"></a></p><p>Former <strong><em>Simple Minds</em></strong> band member <strong>Mike Ogletree</strong> talks about finding his Scottish (and African) music traces in the Smoky Mountains and Scots-Irish Cultural traditions.</p><p><br></p><p>Tune in for this fun conversation at <a href="https://d38rqs2egh08o4.cloudfront.net/link_click/gH1Z5FwgBr_bkMBq/2396ea3378d1b4353a7726133bbd88e0" rel="nofollow"><strong>TalkRadio.nyc</strong></a> or watch the <a href="https://fb.watch/2ROPPNl1Pw/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook Livestream by clicking here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><h4><strong>Show Notes</strong></h4><h4><strong><em>Segment 1</em></strong></h4><p>Joseph Franklyn McElroy’s family has been in the Smokies for over two hundred years. Joseph is interviewing Mike Ogletree, best known for his work in new wave bands such as Fiction Factory and Simple Minds. He currently lives in the Smoky Mountains exploring the Scottish roots of Appalachian music. Joseph recommends that any interested viewer should read Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia, which has a forward by Dolly Parton who is a cousin of his. Joseph explains the geographic and cultural connection of Scotland to the Appalachian Trail. Early Scotch-Irish immigrants brought their musical traditions, mostly folk musical instruments like fiddles and rudimentary guitars. With the added influence of West Africans and the Cherokee and new subgenre became prominent in Appalachia known as bluegrass. In the McElroy family’s establishment, the Meadowlark Motel, Mike is the artist in residence and has introduced a music program. As a self-taught musician was influenced by the Cajun-style band called The Meters. He was also interested in traditional Scottish music as well as popular rock.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 2</em></strong></h4><p>For Mike, it was a challenge not to migrate due to his adventurous nature and he welcomed the challenge. Mike first came to California and worked at a film studio then moved to New York. While successful, his biggest challenge was moving from a small town environment to a city which is sustainable but the life of a musician can bring you down. Mike was still looking forward to a change. Mike and Joseph met at the General Society of Mechanics &amp; Tradesmen of The City Of New York. They were instrumental in moving the Alexander Hamilton house to a national park. While in New York he became friends with many Scottish people and discovered that there was a strong interest in his culture and history. He was asked to perform at the Burns Supper. As a fan of Robert Burns, setting his poetry to music was not a challenge. While doing so, Mike discovered Scottish Reggae. Mike performed the famous love poem <em>A Red Red Rose</em> by Robert Burns. He explains that the beat is what makes it reggae.</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 3</em></strong></h4><p>After losing his wife, Mike decided to stay in the Rockies because to him it is like a fantasy Scotland. He’d go off by himself in the woods after school and have dreams of his freedom and liberty. When Mike came to the mountains he discovered the place he dreamed of in the woods. In the mountains, he enjoys hiking to waterfalls, enjoying the scenery, and visiting the Maggie Valley Bird Sanctuaries. Mike&#39;s musical education began with the music of the south so he was familiar with the heritage. He learned about the African American influence and then began listening to Scottish music so he could understand the influence. He discovered that many musicians brought jigs and Scottish music to the mountains, which would later evolve into the fiddling style you hear in Bluegrass. Mike plays another song, Man of Sorrow by Bob Dylan. Mike and Joseph reflect on the sense of community held in both the Rockies and Scotland as well as the straightforwardness of the people. Joseph recalls that while growing in the Smoky Mountains people would gather with instruments and make music. It was a spontaneous environment where anyone could play</p><h4><strong><em>Segment 4</em></strong></h4><p>Every Saturday night Mike does a live music show at the Meadowlark Motel. He welcomes walk-in musicians to share their mountain and he will share Scottish songs with them in return. Even during this pandemic, there are opportunities to hear live music. The Fairground has been doing drive-in concerts with bluegrass and country musicians. Many musicians don’t have anywhere to play so they are grateful to be playing outdoors. Mike has a website that is a nod to his black and Scottish culture called the blexcotsman.com. He can also be found on the Meadowlark Motel’s Facebook page because they Livestream his performances.</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><h4><strong>TRANSCRIPT</strong></h4><p>00:00:27.510 –&gt; 00:00:32.610 Joseph McElroy: Hello. Thanks for joining us on this week’s episode of gateway to the Smokies podcast.</p><p>00:00:33.240 –&gt; 00:00:40.620 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding towns.</p><p>00:00:41.070 –&gt; 00:00:49.260 Joseph McElroy: This area is filled with ancient natural beauty deep storied history and rich mountain cultures that we will explore with weekly episodes.</p><p>00:00:49.890 –&gt; 00:01:01.320 Joseph McElroy: I am Joseph Franklyn McElroy man of the world, but also with deep roots in these mountains. My family is living the great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel but my heart is in culture.</p><p>00:01:02.280 –&gt; 00:01:12.510 Joseph McElroy: Today we have, we’re going to be talking about bluegrass and gospel. My guest today is a strong connection to the Smoky Mountains is known to everyone who loves, loves bluegrass and gospel music</p><p>00:01:13.050 –&gt; 00:01:20.430 Joseph McElroy: And hang on to the end and we will give you some tips and resources to continue actually your explorations of the Smokies</p><p>00:01:21.630 –&gt; 00:01:28.770 Joseph McElroy: Now, first let me give you a little hint on who our guest is by telling you about the map Boston mountain section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</p><p>00:01:30.300 –&gt; 00:01:44.010 Joseph McElroy: It’s in it’s in North Carolina. And it’s one of it is the. It’s one of the parks highest elevation areas and it’s accessible by car, and it also has great I think camping and picnicking and spectacular views.</p><p>00:01:45.540 –&gt; 00:02:01.470 Joseph McElroy: It has only been as it has paved access by taking a road called the Blue Ridge Parkway Boston mountain road. And there’s also an exciting way down, called the high end toga Ridge Road, which is a one lane dirt road going one way</p><p>00:02:01.950 –&gt; 00:02:04.770 Joseph McElroy: With the love us long it are stupendous</p><p>00:02:06.060 –&gt; 00:02:15.450 Joseph McElroy: Especially in the fall when you get all those fall colors and when you will eventually end up being eventually use that to get the big code road, I want to bring you right into Cherokee</p><p>00:02:16.110 –&gt; 00:02:30.060 Joseph McElroy: Now, what are the most unusual unusual thing things you’ll find in North Carolina’s spoken man parks and probably a lot of places that you’ll find a Masonic marker mute monument in the in the in the along that road.</p><p>00:02:31.140 –&gt; 00:02:44.310 Joseph McElroy: And it’s basically where it meets the boss, a mountain section of the Great Smoky Mountains park in the boss of mountain road and it’s a it’s a it’s an unusual Mark, Mark. Mark monument that marks the spot where the world’s</p><p>00:02:44.850 –&gt; 00:02:51.090 Joseph McElroy: largest and oldest fraternal organization and Masons have their summer assembly since 1935</p><p>00:02:53.010 –&gt; 00:03:04.470 Joseph McElroy: And and i mean i you know just you find these things in the mountains, all the time. Yeah, like late you Alaska is the is the center of the world Methodist Council.</p><p>00:03:04.770 –&gt; 00:03:12.150 Joseph McElroy: You know people like to come to the mountains and establish long traditions. Another big thing, I think, in the balsa mountain areas. The is that it has</p><p>00:03:12.570 –&gt; 00:03:26.430 Joseph McElroy: It has a really fantastic picnic area historic beginning Gary, it’s actually the most drastic Park picnic area and it also has the highest elevation in the, in the, all of the park well over 5000 feet.</p><p>00:03:26.790 –&gt; 00:03:45.090 Joseph McElroy: Of elevation. It has a bunch of picking sites BEHALF OF THEM AND WHICH IS REALLY INTERESTED IN HALF OF THEM ARE THESE handmade huge stone slabs with split logs benches and they’re one of a kind tables that were made by the stonemasons in the civilian converts conservative</p><p>00:03:45.120 –&gt; 00:03:46.170 Hope Surrett: Conservation Corps.</p><p>00:03:46.380 –&gt; 00:03:52.350 Joseph McElroy: In the 30s and a really standing testament to craftsmanship and of course I can’t forget to mention</p><p>00:03:53.340 –&gt; 00:04:01.860 Joseph McElroy: Cold Mountain is in the balsam range. I don’t know if you remember that book that best selling book in the movie with Nicole Kidman about a civil war veteran and the sweetheart. The left behind.</p><p>00:04:02.520 –&gt; 00:04:07.980 Joseph McElroy: But it has some great fight hiking trails and of course it’s a great story to take back and tell people that you went to go map.</p><p>00:04:10.110 –&gt; 00:04:28.230 Joseph McElroy: Now I’m telling you this because my guest has a song strong connection to bounce the ball right he’s 10, sir. He’s the is one of today’s top artists making real root music and he’s a member of the legendary award winning Best selling bluegrass band balsam range.</p><p>00:04:29.460 –&gt; 00:04:37.800 Joseph McElroy: And he has a decades long career in bluegrass gospel music, including alongside it stint with the Kingsman Hello, Tim, how are you today.</p><p>00:04:38.100 –&gt; 00:04:41.490 Hope Surrett: I’m doing good. Joseph. Thank you for having me on, man. This is really cool.</p><p>00:04:42.000 –&gt; 00:04:48.450 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, it’s it’s really cool having you here. I was so excited. I had to call people up and say, I have to insert here balsam range.</p><p>00:04:51.660 –&gt; 00:04:52.200 Hope Surrett: Come on.</p><p>00:04:52.350 –&gt; 00:04:54.870 Joseph McElroy: I was starstruck man. I was like, oh my god.</p><p>00:04:56.040 –&gt; 00:05:00.540 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So no, I’ve been hearing about you. For a long time now, people will never sung about</p><p>00:05:00.540 –&gt; 00:05:07.590 Joseph McElroy: Music in the mountains. They go, you know, balsam range now so you become a real name, and I mean you’re you’re become legendary it’s</p><p>00:05:07.590 –&gt; 00:05:08.850 Hope Surrett: A w to say</p><p>00:05:09.090 –&gt; 00:05:19.680 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So you were, you were actually born and raised in Canton, which is right near the balsam range. Yeah, back in the middle of the Smoky Mountains. What are you fond memories of the Smoky Mountains going up there.</p><p>00:05:20.100 –&gt; 00:05:28.680 Hope Surrett: Well just just growing up here, and I’m very fortunate. My dad was a great lover of the outdoors and</p><p>00:05:29.790 –&gt; 00:05:36.660 Hope Surrett: He was a railroad man here in the in the Smoky Mountains for the for the Norfolk Southern railroad, but he you know</p><p>00:05:37.590 –&gt; 00:05:52.410 Hope Surrett: Back when I was growing up the outdoors was our are, you know, it was all recreation. We had really, you know, when you grow up in the mountains here. You might remember you got you might get to TV channels, depending on which way the winds blowing prior to cable, you know,</p><p>00:05:54.540 –&gt; 00:06:02.820 Hope Surrett: So all Recreation was based on outdoors. My dad left to hunt and fish and and then just drive around, you know that I’m still in the days of the</p><p>00:06:03.510 –&gt; 00:06:18.660 Hope Surrett: The Sunday drive or whatever. And a lot of times we load up in the car or whatever and drop the parkway or, or, you know, go visit relatives and my dad was a great it drives my wife nuts. Now, because now I’m the same way, but he was the kind of guys. So let’s take the long way.</p><p>00:06:18.750 –&gt; 00:06:20.460 Joseph McElroy: The same. Very good. I remember that.</p><p>00:06:21.420 –&gt; 00:06:28.440 Hope Surrett: And he also as I was growing up, my dad always kept a couple of Tennessee walking horses, not for showing but for trail riding.</p><p>00:06:28.710 –&gt; 00:06:39.930 Hope Surrett: Right. So we spent a lot of summer times riding back into the Smokies, you know, places that would ride to Clemens dome, which is the highest point east of the Mississippi and</p><p>00:06:40.620 –&gt; 00:06:45.840 Hope Surrett: Or oil, one of the highest points. It’s the second highest I guess next amount Mitchell, but we would ride.</p><p>00:06:46.620 –&gt; 00:07:02.670 Hope Surrett: 3040 miles back into the Smoky Mountains nice department camp and trout fish. And so I grew up. And also, um, you know, 35 minutes from Cherokee and as a child, the history of the of the Cherokee people fascinated me and and does, to this day, so</p><p>00:07:03.870 –&gt; 00:07:09.090 Hope Surrett: I, you know, I’ve been involved in that all my life. And it’s just, it’s amazing place to grow up.</p><p>00:07:09.630 –&gt; 00:07:14.490 Joseph McElroy: We do I look I was looking at me, or about the same age. So you’re probably going to piss. Good.</p><p>00:07:15.000 –&gt; 00:07:18.660 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, same time, I was going to Tesco. I graduated in 80 so</p><p>00:07:18.690 –&gt; 00:07:19.920 Hope Surrett: Well, that’s all.</p><p>00:07:21.420 –&gt; 00:07:30.450 Joseph McElroy: People might not know but is considered the most, the biggest rivalry and high school football in the nation. A few years back. So MAJOR MAGAZINE said was</p><p>00:07:30.540 –&gt; 00:07:41.880 Hope Surrett: Oh yeah yes came and covered the game. It’s crazy to me in Canton, we have about 4500 people and for the Pisco testicle. The game will have 12,000 people out of here. I don’t even know.</p><p>00:07:43.710 –&gt; 00:07:45.990 Joseph McElroy: It was a thing to do on Friday nights I think</p><p>00:07:46.680 –&gt; 00:07:47.070 Joseph McElroy: Right.</p><p>00:07:47.100 –&gt; 00:07:48.570 Hope Surrett: Yeah, it is absolutely</p><p>00:07:48.600 –&gt; 00:07:54.390 Joseph McElroy: The and you know i i was we were Tennessee walkers to sound like you were describing my childhood just</p><p>00:07:55.230 –&gt; 00:07:56.070 Joseph McElroy: Take it on the long</p><p>00:07:56.580 –&gt; 00:08:05.430 Joseph McElroy: long rows and you know and and we were doing. We had our own had our own Tennessee walks because my dad. He was a horse trader so</p><p>00:08:05.790 –&gt; 00:08:20.100 Joseph McElroy: I got one. I got one horse that was a plow horse combination plow horse and Tennessee Walker Walker. So it was a little bit rough and then the other one, they gave to me because I was the only a big enough to handle that every time he got on his foot kicking the butt. Oh, yeah.</p><p>00:08:21.240 –&gt; 00:08:32.970 Hope Surrett: My dad was a big man about 320 he weighed and he had a big old horse was about 16 hands tall it to shoulder. It was a monster and but it was the sweetest thing. And I remember as a kid.</p><p>00:08:35.610 –&gt; 00:08:43.920 Hope Surrett: I would come home from school and take a cinder block and prop it up long ways, so I can stand up on in that horse would walk up. Let me get on it. And so I’d ride around that.</p><p>00:08:45.480 –&gt; 00:08:51.240 Joseph McElroy: Well yeah, I understand your dad was a big influence on you on your on your music. Pretty, pretty early. Right.</p><p>00:08:51.480 –&gt; 00:08:53.280 Hope Surrett: Yes, absolutely. Dad was a</p><p>00:08:54.630 –&gt; 00:09:06.960 Hope Surrett: Was an excellent singer. He played guitar a bit, and he was what I would call a jokingly referred to as an animal singer you know it was a Friday night was the moose lodge Saturday night was Elks Lodge.</p><p>00:09:09.330 –&gt; 00:09:10.680 Hope Surrett: Lions Club, you know,</p><p>00:09:11.880 –&gt; 00:09:12.030 Hope Surrett: And</p><p>00:09:13.260 –&gt; 00:09:15.480 Hope Surrett: All the local little places. He was fine.</p><p>00:09:16.650 –&gt; 00:09:23.880 Hope Surrett: He sang a lot of bluegrass he loved bluegrass but he was a better country singer in the, you know, the old time like Marty Robbins right price.</p><p>00:09:24.960 –&gt; 00:09:26.310 Hope Surrett: Kind of country singer.</p><p>00:09:26.700 –&gt; 00:09:27.600 Hope Surrett: So, and he would</p><p>00:09:27.660 –&gt; 00:09:42.510 Hope Surrett: End, and I’m very grateful he let me tag along to the practices which I was enthralled with as just a small kid all the instruments blew my mind whether it was a bluegrass band or a country by end with steel guitars and whatnot, you know,</p><p>00:09:43.920 –&gt; 00:09:49.710 Hope Surrett: So there was a great element of music in my life for my earliest memories so</p><p>00:09:50.220 –&gt; 00:09:52.620 Joseph McElroy: Southern rock to you did a little bit of electric based in</p><p>00:09:52.980 –&gt; 00:09:53.400 Hope Surrett: Oh, yeah.</p><p>00:09:53.430 –&gt; 00:09:53.730 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.</p><p>00:09:54.570 –&gt; 00:10:10.440 Hope Surrett: I got my when I was 14 my dad was trying to coax me into doing well in school guess about ninth grade and he promised me if I would do well and first semester, he’d buy me any guitar. I wanted for Christmas and I had my own Les Paul, I was going to be Led Zeppelin, you know, and</p><p>00:10:12.540 –&gt; 00:10:21.090 Hope Surrett: But my cousin, my cousin, my cousin had he’s three years older than me. He was a senior high school and he had a high school, kind of a garage.</p><p>00:10:21.510 –&gt; 00:10:29.430 Hope Surrett: Slash basement rock band that I just worship them, you know, and I knew their bass player was leaving, and my cousin told me if I could get a bass.</p><p>00:10:29.850 –&gt; 00:10:39.420 Hope Surrett: I was in, you know, cuz it was the one finger base. Back then it was a you know ZZ Top bad but and I you had a base in three minutes. You are in a band, you know,</p><p>00:10:41.430 –&gt; 00:10:51.480 Hope Surrett: So I got the base instead of the Les Paul and started playing with everybody that my dad had played with. And I was so enamored with playing that I would play</p><p>00:10:52.170 –&gt; 00:11:05.580 Hope Surrett: With dad’s old country guys one night a week, I would play rock and roll somewhere in Asheville, North Carolina just down the road here on, you know, Friday or Saturday and and and probably in a church on Sunday with some other folks so</p><p>00:11:06.300 –&gt; 00:11:06.780 Asked me</p><p>00:11:10.800 –&gt; 00:11:11.310 Hope Surrett: Yeah, and then</p><p>00:11:12.090 –&gt; 00:11:21.060 Hope Surrett: Some of it was funny cuz I stepped right in my dad kind of retired out of it. And I sort of stepped right into his a lot, especially a couple of his luck, the old country band.</p><p>00:11:21.540 –&gt; 00:11:31.020 Hope Surrett: And some of the Bluegrass guys here in Canton which there are a lot of and and I didn’t even know the names of the songs, but I’d heard him play him so much. I just stepped in started playing so</p><p>00:11:32.640 –&gt; 00:11:35.070 Joseph McElroy: Did you ever play Maggie that old bands all</p><p>00:11:35.400 –&gt; 00:11:38.550 Hope Surrett: The talking about the house.</p><p>00:11:38.970 –&gt; 00:11:40.860 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, very rarely play house. Yeah.</p><p>00:11:42.840 –&gt; 00:11:51.540 Hope Surrett: Well you know I was also want to clog in team. That’s the first time I made it to the Grand Ole Opry. I mean, I would. When I was a kid square dancing clogging was a huge deal.</p><p>00:11:52.080 –&gt; 00:11:59.370 Hope Surrett: And i mean i mean you’re not, I would League baseball practice or football practice and still in uniform and go to Target practice.</p><p>00:12:00.390 –&gt; 00:12:00.720 Joseph McElroy: We know</p><p>00:12:01.440 –&gt; 00:12:05.940 Hope Surrett: The valley Playhouse funny. I tell people all the time. That was our skating rink.</p><p>00:12:07.560 –&gt; 00:12:09.210 Hope Surrett: You wanted to hold hands with a pretty girl.</p><p>00:12:12.180 –&gt; 00:12:12.630 Joseph McElroy: I learned</p><p>00:12:13.650 –&gt; 00:12:20.220 Joseph McElroy: I learned about dance. And I remember when I came back to the cities. Yeah, I’d get up and dance and people look like like I was insane.</p><p>00:12:21.480 –&gt; 00:12:27.990 Hope Surrett: I actually, I actually called at a bar mitzvah in San Francisco wants and they thought out in invented some kind of new staff.</p><p>00:12:30.630 –&gt; 00:12:33.090 Joseph McElroy: Well, yeah, no, that’s the that’s</p><p>00:12:34.650 –&gt; 00:12:39.000 Joseph McElroy: The thing. It’s like the one place for white men in America will get up and dance by themselves.</p><p>00:12:41.430 –&gt; 00:12:43.650 Hope Surrett: Yeah, let’s get up and do it too.</p><p>00:12:46.980 –&gt; 00:12:51.420 Joseph McElroy: So that’s cool. Did you ever. Did you ever get to beat your pay play with Raymond Raymond</p><p>00:12:52.590 –&gt; 00:12:53.850 Hope Surrett: Raymond Fairchild, sure.</p><p>00:12:55.140 –&gt; 00:13:01.680 Hope Surrett: I remember Raymond, the first time come into my elementary school, which was Pennsylvania Avenue Elementary School here in Canton and</p><p>00:13:02.850 –&gt; 00:13:06.360 Hope Surrett: Raymond would come with his band and play for the kids, you know, it’s really cool.</p><p>00:13:06.960 –&gt; 00:13:20.100 Hope Surrett: And then later years, I met Raymond when I started playing bluegrass we played the same festivals like the big Cherokee festival and and all over the country. We played with Raymond Fairchild, and usually Raymond in the crow brothers Josh and willing crow cool, though.</p><p>00:13:21.150 –&gt; 00:13:25.710 Joseph McElroy: He just died recently. I remember you remember the grown up with him in the mountains and it was</p><p>00:13:25.710 –&gt; 00:13:26.340 Hope Surrett: All he was a</p><p>00:13:26.370 –&gt; 00:13:27.600 Hope Surrett: He was a character, man. He</p><p>00:13:27.600 –&gt; 00:13:38.940 Hope Surrett: Was he was a lot of things. He was a storyteller and moonshine, or I mean just all kind of stuff and he had hit a million selling single with a with a banjo instrumental</p><p>00:13:39.240 –&gt; 00:13:39.750 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, I can.</p><p>00:13:39.900 –&gt; 00:13:42.450 Hope Surrett: fix these all yet go break. It’s all over the place. Yeah.</p><p>00:13:42.540 –&gt; 00:13:51.060 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, well. Cool. We got to take a break and when we come back we’ll talk more about the Blue Grass and gospel. All right.</p><p>00:13:51.510 –&gt; 00:13:52.770 Joseph McElroy: Yes, sir. Yeah.</p><p>00:16:07.290 –&gt; 00:16:10.920 Joseph McElroy: Hey this is Joseph backward back with the gateway to the Smokies</p><p>00:16:12.180 –&gt; 00:16:19.860 Joseph McElroy: Pop. Pop it were the Smokies podcast. Now I’ve just been told by people that might not be playing on Facebook right now and if people were looking for it.</p><p>00:16:21.930 –&gt; 00:16:22.380 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.</p><p>00:16:23.730 –&gt; 00:16:31.440 Joseph McElroy: Tim, you might want to page post on your Facebook pages to talk radio dot NYC slash live, you know, look.</p><p>00:16:32.070 –&gt; 00:16:32.730 Hope Surrett: I can do that.</p><p>00:16:33.000 –&gt; 00:16:33.450 Yeah.</p><p>00:16:35.190 –&gt; 00:16:38.190 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, let’s let’s do that right quick. So</p><p>00:16:39.630 –&gt; 00:16:42.270 People can get to. Because there’s people that want to hear it.</p><p>00:16:44.010 –&gt; 00:16:51.120 Joseph McElroy: And if the engineer out there can listen and maybe make sure it’s a streaming after our Facebook our Facebook page.</p><p>00:16:51.600 –&gt; 00:16:51.990 Hope Surrett: Oh, you gotta</p><p>00:16:53.910 –&gt; 00:16:54.660 Hope Surrett: You gotta have you</p><p>00:16:55.020 –&gt; 00:16:56.310 Joseph McElroy: Gotta have that. So I</p><p>00:16:58.740 –&gt; 00:17:02.490 Joseph McElroy: Don’t know why it’s not there, but sorry about that, folks.</p><p>00:17:03.660 –&gt; 00:17:04.560 Joseph McElroy: So,</p><p>00:17:06.270 –&gt; 00:17:10.350 Joseph McElroy: Anyway, let’s continue here and hopefully they’ll fix that for people</p><p>00:17:15.210 –&gt; 00:17:23.160 Joseph McElroy: Where, where we’ve said we’re talking about talking about your playing music and place and he started professionally tour and when you were very young or cheap.</p><p>00:17:24.480 –&gt; 00:17:28.230 Joseph McElroy: And so, you know, we’re right what right out of high school, right.</p><p>00:17:28.560 –&gt; 00:17:39.090 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I started traveling with a group out of Canton here, a local gospel group. Well, I say local I was a senior in high school at Pisco 17 and</p><p>00:17:39.660 –&gt; 00:17:53.880 Hope Surrett: This group from Canton here called the happy travelers. They were a gospel quartet, which I knew nothing about gospel quartets except grown up here, you got a heavy dose of the inspirations from Bryson city and the Kingsman from Asheville</p><p>00:17:55.170 –&gt; 00:18:07.740 Hope Surrett: Other than that I had no idea, but these guys wanted me to play and travel, which at 17. I can’t believe they had a big silver Eagle bus, you know, and we went out the first weekend and and they hired me and</p><p>00:18:09.390 –&gt; 00:18:18.330 Hope Surrett: Yeah. And that was it, and I fell in love with the gospel music that was going on at that time and and stayed in it a long, long time, you know,</p><p>00:18:18.690 –&gt; 00:18:29.520 Joseph McElroy: You know, I remember. Around that time, you know, the there was sort of a religious revival going on with the young people quite a bit because I got, I was in that too. I was preaching at the Methodist Church and everything. So, you know, I think.</p><p>00:18:30.210 –&gt; 00:18:34.410 Joseph McElroy: You know, you know, that was a big time for getting a little bit in the gospel.</p><p>00:18:34.770 –&gt; 00:18:40.350 Joseph McElroy: Sure, yeah. So, um, what what towns were the big in the circuit back those days.</p><p>00:18:40.530 –&gt; 00:18:41.970 Hope Surrett: Oh, gosh. Well, you know,</p><p>00:18:43.620 –&gt; 00:18:57.960 Hope Surrett: The, the Bible. Well, really well. I’ll tell you this, you know, it was. It’s hard to say it was it was popular all over the especially the eastern part of the United States. I missed my senior prom at HP is good because we were playing in Detroit, Michigan that night.</p><p>00:18:57.990 –&gt; 00:18:58.740 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.</p><p>00:18:58.860 –&gt; 00:19:10.440 Hope Surrett: And the group. I was in those. Those guys were kind of a, I will say be level group. They were kind of an opening act for the major gospel groups of the day, which you know Kingsman inspirations.</p><p>00:19:11.130 –&gt; 00:19:27.060 Hope Surrett: You know cathedrals, all these great gospel groups. So I went from straight from hospital chorus and band to, you know, plan in Detroit. That night as part of the opening act on those concerts and just kind of kept going up through there because I love the music, you know,</p><p>00:19:27.450 –&gt; 00:19:43.320 Joseph McElroy: Cool. So, you know, no. I read a little bit about gospel music and you know that there seems like there was a time that remains the gospel sort of mainstream mainstream Gospel is turning tend to be a little bit like Quartet.</p><p>00:19:43.740 –&gt; 00:19:44.310 Joseph McElroy: Right, yeah.</p><p>00:19:44.580 –&gt; 00:19:48.990 Joseph McElroy: And then you then mountain gas gospel was a bit different. Right.</p><p>00:19:49.680 –&gt; 00:19:59.280 Hope Surrett: Yeah. And absolutely, there was the mail quartet thing which has been popular since the 1940s with groups like the statesman quartet. These are groups that would come all over the country.</p><p>00:19:59.970 –&gt; 00:20:13.320 Hope Surrett: Well, even the Ryman auditorium one weekend a month one Saturday night, a month was an all night gospel singer, you know, the Romans Grand Ole Opry years and there were, you know, there was there was the Quartet style with the statesman, the black wood brothers.</p><p>00:20:14.550 –&gt; 00:20:23.850 Hope Surrett: And then there was the family group kind of thing with the happy good moans the Hanson, some of these people, you’d say on the gospel singing Jubilee on Sunday morning. Right. It’s</p><p>00:20:24.390 –&gt; 00:20:37.740 Hope Surrett: hugely popular syndicated show and and then you had Bluegrass gospel. And the cool thing I noticed that a young age, because I grew up on the Bluegrass more so than the Quartet style was that</p><p>00:20:38.820 –&gt; 00:20:43.200 Hope Surrett: The gospel audience embraced both or all three kinds really</p><p>00:20:43.410 –&gt; 00:20:53.910 Hope Surrett: We would go play I’m ever going to play many gospel concert and they would be the group. I was playing for AND THEY WOULD THERE WOULD BE THE Hanson’s a family style country gospel group and then there would be</p><p>00:20:54.630 –&gt; 00:20:59.880 Hope Surrett: My friends, the primitive quartet from over here in Canada, North Carolina, which is a Bluegrass gospel group.</p><p>00:21:00.270 –&gt; 00:21:00.780 Joseph McElroy: Right and</p><p>00:21:01.050 –&gt; 00:21:06.690 Hope Surrett: The audience just, you know, it was the message for them. And if the music was good. They. It was all good, you know,</p><p>00:21:07.710 –&gt; 00:21:13.890 Joseph McElroy: Wow, that’s, I mean I guess that was exciting time to be involved in something of the sort of different than what everybody’s used to. Right. Yeah.</p><p>00:21:13.950 –&gt; 00:21:14.820 Hope Surrett: Yeah, absolutely.</p><p>00:21:15.060 –&gt; 00:21:16.470 Joseph McElroy: Cool. Um,</p><p>00:21:17.520 –&gt; 00:21:24.750 Joseph McElroy: I was reading again and it caught my eye. There was a form of gospel and you were talking about the Cherokee is called share the gospel. What the heck is that</p><p>00:21:25.260 –&gt; 00:21:28.920 Hope Surrett: Well, I’m not an expert at it, but I would say that’s where you know</p><p>00:21:31.770 –&gt; 00:21:45.960 Hope Surrett: I’m certainly no lettered scholar in it, but I know you know some of the first things that the Cherokees translated into their written language wants to call you wrote, you know, came up with that language is 86 character celebrate that he did</p><p>00:21:47.040 –&gt; 00:21:48.780 Hope Surrett: Before the removal of the Cherokees</p><p>00:21:50.400 –&gt; 00:21:59.700 Hope Surrett: Some of the first things you know they had their own newspaper. They had their own printing press in the Cherokee capitals, they put put out their own newspaper called the Cherokee Phoenix.</p><p>00:22:02.130 –&gt; 00:22:03.750 Hope Surrett: And they, they immediately started</p><p>00:22:05.100 –&gt; 00:22:18.660 Hope Surrett: translating the hymn books and the Bible into the Cherokee language. And to this day, you can still go here, Cherokee family gospel groups that will sing a song in English like amazing grace and then they’ll sing a verse or two in the chair Keeling which</p><p>00:22:18.720 –&gt; 00:22:21.930 Joseph McElroy: I don’t know. I must be really cool. I never, I never</p><p>00:22:23.520 –&gt; 00:22:23.850 Joseph McElroy: Know, but</p><p>00:22:24.600 –&gt; 00:22:36.450 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I’ve played a lot in Turkey, over the years, they love bluegrass and gospel both and and you’ll forever if somebody will get up and sing Amazing Grace and then do it in the Cherokee language, which is really, really cool.</p><p>00:22:37.320 –&gt; 00:22:38.370 Joseph McElroy: So you spent</p><p>00:22:39.420 –&gt; 00:22:51.570 Joseph McElroy: About 15 years total with the kings. When I guess there were two stints right and it’s like one of the great gospel quartets out there and you did that really pretty young. I mean at 23 landed on this major back then it</p><p>00:22:52.800 –&gt; 00:22:55.410 Joseph McElroy: Was a that was not. Um, so what are some of the members, you have</p><p>00:22:55.680 –&gt; 00:22:57.120 Hope Surrett: Gone. Wow, there’s too many</p><p>00:22:57.210 –&gt; 00:23:01.080 Hope Surrett: Too many to name but I just remember when I joined the king’s men they hired me</p><p>00:23:02.370 –&gt; 00:23:09.630 Hope Surrett: I’ve been working in the studio as a studio musician, which is a whole different facet of my musical career and a great big part of it.</p><p>00:23:10.740 –&gt; 00:23:25.710 Hope Surrett: And I became kind of a house bass player as a big studio in Nashville. And it was predominantly gospel records. So there’s a gentleman named Eldridge fox that owned the Kingsman and he was a very prolific producer in the gospel world. So I played on tons of albums for him.</p><p>00:23:26.760 –&gt; 00:23:28.650 Hope Surrett: recording sessions and</p><p>00:23:30.090 –&gt; 00:23:42.810 Hope Surrett: I was playing bass, but I still love to travel and all that kind of stuff. So at one point in the late 80s, he had two guys leaving the king’s men at once. It’s a hard life. We were gone. Average 250 days a year. Easy.</p><p>00:23:44.550 –&gt; 00:23:54.270 Hope Surrett: And he had his bass player and his baritone singer were leaving at the same time, and he knew I could do both, or at least hold down both the league could get somebody to fill one or the other.</p><p>00:23:54.660 –&gt; 00:23:59.610 Hope Surrett: So they hired me. And you know, I remember the first not out was it a big concert in Atlanta.</p><p>00:24:00.690 –&gt; 00:24:06.810 Hope Surrett: And they called me up to seeing and scared me to death because I was a bass player by trade, I could hear the harmony and all that.</p><p>00:24:07.320 –&gt; 00:24:15.030 Hope Surrett: But I just remember standing there between three water now Gospel Music Hall of Famers you know there was a Eldridge Fox.</p><p>00:24:15.660 –&gt; 00:24:23.220 Hope Surrett: Jim Hamill, who’s the lead singer and re release the basing are all Hall of Famers re, re still has the king’s men to this day.</p><p>00:24:24.090 –&gt; 00:24:33.840 Hope Surrett: He’s the only surviving one of that group that I’m talking about. And just, I remember stepping up between those guys and just could just could not believe it.</p><p>00:24:34.410 –&gt; 00:24:44.460 Hope Surrett: And, you know, it was carried me all over the United States and Canada, and my, you know, my first time to seeing on the Grand Ole Opry was with the Kingsman</p><p>00:24:44.790 –&gt; 00:24:47.730 Hope Surrett: And and and you know just all kinds of stuff all over</p><p>00:24:48.360 –&gt; 00:25:00.900 Hope Surrett: Then you found out because every year we would take the month of February and start in Texas or somewhere and play Phoenix and Albuquerque and up Los Angeles and all of the West Coast and</p><p>00:25:02.040 –&gt; 00:25:06.210 Hope Surrett: Oregon and Washington. And then up into British Columbia, Alberta.</p><p>00:25:07.350 –&gt; 00:25:14.700 Hope Surrett: The people in Canada would drive six or eight hours to come here. You hear you play at one of these big concerts, because that’s all I got the whole year.</p><p>00:25:15.210 –&gt; 00:25:18.600 Hope Surrett: Wow. Oh, it was, it was amazing to me. It was, I wouldn’t call it</p><p>00:25:19.770 –&gt; 00:25:25.890 Hope Surrett: A counterculture but it was definitely a whole different world that I didn’t know even existed, and it was, you know, just</p><p>00:25:26.940 –&gt; 00:25:29.550 Hope Surrett: Doing it at that level for that long was a</p><p>00:25:30.630 –&gt; 00:25:31.890 Hope Surrett: Was a great blessing for me.</p><p>00:25:32.370 –&gt; 00:25:41.370 Joseph McElroy: Well, I came out of Nashville. And you came at a camp. And there’s some good things going on in there is a national always been a great area for gospel music in the center of it.</p><p>00:25:42.120 –&gt; 00:25:50.130 Hope Surrett: It’s been a big part of it going back even to, you know, prior to my days there was no fail in Asheville named Riley that brought</p><p>00:25:50.550 –&gt; 00:26:01.050 Hope Surrett: Those great, you know, the big gospel x to the old Nashville city auditorium, the statesman, the black was the Goodman’s all those kinds of people on down through the years, and</p><p>00:26:02.520 –&gt; 00:26:07.380 Hope Surrett: I don’t know if it’s the hotbed is it was in those days when I was first getting into it.</p><p>00:26:08.610 –&gt; 00:26:14.940 Hope Surrett: Because honestly bluegrass you can do better with Bluegrass style music here than about anything else. Yeah.</p><p>00:26:15.480 –&gt; 00:26:18.390 Joseph McElroy: Became popular with the kids. I think the hipsters</p><p>00:26:19.080 –&gt; 00:26:20.130 Hope Surrett: Yeah yeah yeah</p><p>00:26:20.940 –&gt; 00:26:23.700 Hope Surrett: What we ran a school called a trust the ferry guns.</p><p>00:26:25.440 –&gt; 00:26:32.100 Joseph McElroy: They were we gotta lose broke up here and there and they’re cool kids, but they got they got into that roots music, man.</p><p>00:26:33.000 –&gt; 00:26:40.890 Hope Surrett: They look, I’ll tell you what, man. We love playing bluegrass for those kinds of audiences because they just, I don’t think they’re prepared for the power of it, you know.</p><p>00:26:41.610 –&gt; 00:26:52.410 Hope Surrett: When the drive hits in a good bluegrass band, it’s, it’s kind of got that rock and roll energy about it. And when that hits them with special with acoustic instruments they lose their minds. It’s so much fun.</p><p>00:26:52.560 –&gt; 00:26:58.170 Joseph McElroy: And you know, when you put clogging do it, you know, pretty crazy with Bob and I mean you can, you know, you can throw</p><p>00:26:58.260 –&gt; 00:26:58.770 Hope Surrett: Oh, yeah.</p><p>00:26:59.100 –&gt; 00:26:59.640 Joseph McElroy: Oh, yeah.</p><p>00:27:00.870 –&gt; 00:27:04.320 Hope Surrett: There was a big festival in Nashville. For years, called bail share</p><p>00:27:04.770 –&gt; 00:27:06.000 Joseph McElroy: Yeah yeah</p><p>00:27:06.060 –&gt; 00:27:07.410 Hope Surrett: Oh, it was huge and</p><p>00:27:08.850 –&gt; 00:27:17.850 Hope Surrett: It had everything and they always had us close it out and it was so much fun because they close off the streets of downtown Nashville, they’d be, you know, eight or 10,000 people out there.</p><p>00:27:18.480 –&gt; 00:27:25.860 Hope Surrett: And we would have farmers from out here. Jonathan very calm Haywood out there in the streets dancing with the with the hippie KIDS DOING THE SPAN, you know,</p><p>00:27:26.550 –&gt; 00:27:26.850 Hope Surrett: It was</p><p>00:27:27.540 –&gt; 00:27:30.780 Hope Surrett: It was all all for one and one for all. It was just great.</p><p>00:27:32.370 –&gt; 00:27:37.950 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, well you know that that sort of hippie thing is always been around, we have a rainbow children come. There we go.</p><p>00:27:37.950 –&gt; 00:27:38.610 Joseph McElroy: Oh, sure.</p><p>00:27:39.480 –&gt; 00:27:48.540 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, so the mountains, have always had this sort of counterculture yeah yeah yeah that’s pretty cool. Well you know I</p><p>00:27:50.160 –&gt; 00:27:57.900 Joseph McElroy: I see 1991 you and Mickey gamble on the new record and company called a mountain home music company. Right. Yeah.</p><p>00:27:57.960 –&gt; 00:28:05.370 Hope Surrett: Yeah, I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you what happened with that you know I mentioned a minute ago how I saw a young age, the Bluegrass people</p><p>00:28:06.060 –&gt; 00:28:26.490 Hope Surrett: The gospel. People loved the Bluegrass and even with the king’s men, they would have me take a guitar in the middle of a quartet style program and sing a couple of three bluegrass style songs and I saw very quickly that the gospel. People loved both styles. So I talked to Mickey who owned</p><p>00:28:27.600 –&gt; 00:28:40.560 Hope Surrett: A studio in Nashville about life. I was with the king’s men, it’s time. But I was looking for an outlet to perform or not perform so much but produce and and and just play some bluegrass because I loved it so much.</p><p>00:28:41.640 –&gt; 00:28:43.890 Hope Surrett: And they understood the business idea I had that</p><p>00:28:45.540 –&gt; 00:28:51.960 Hope Surrett: You know, at that time, the gospel. People would accept either one. So we have what I consider the double market.</p><p>00:28:52.410 –&gt; 00:29:04.380 Hope Surrett: And we started out with. It was all Bluegrass gospel, to start with, and it’s just kind of kept growing and growing and growing and morphing over the years and and our band is still on that label all these was it 30 years later. Oh, Lord.</p><p>00:29:06.030 –&gt; 00:29:14.190 Joseph McElroy: Well, I’m going to take a break down we’ll finish up a little bit more about that story. Alright, sounds pretty good. I love that. I love that. And the actual artists and might be involved.</p><p>00:29:14.280 –&gt; 00:29:15.450 Hope Surrett: All right. Okay. Sure.</p><p>00:31:36.510 –&gt; 00:31:43.740 Joseph McElroy: Hey it’s Joseph Franklin McIlroy back with gateway to the Smokies podcast, then I guess Tim certain balsam range.</p><p>00:31:44.970 –&gt; 00:31:56.550 Joseph McElroy: Hey, Tim. We were talking about your about your, your, your records recording company. And I was wondering could you tell me about that Smoky Mountain talents. You’re seeing these days.</p><p>00:31:57.180 –&gt; 00:32:02.130 Hope Surrett: Man, we started out with, with all local folks, pretty much.</p><p>00:32:03.870 –&gt; 00:32:04.620 Hope Surrett: You know, just</p><p>00:32:05.730 –&gt; 00:32:14.760 Hope Surrett: There was so much bluegrass around here still is local gospel family bands that kind of stuff. And then we started getting people from out of the area.</p><p>00:32:15.540 –&gt; 00:32:32.670 Hope Surrett: But, you know, we’ve we’ve had everybody. And you can think of. And over the past 30 years major, major names on our label and a lot of them are still there. So, uh, yeah. I started out with. I’ll tell you one of my favorites is a young man from Candler North Carolina.</p><p>00:32:34.050 –&gt; 00:32:47.970 Hope Surrett: By the name of Brian Sutton, and Brian is a Grammy Award winner, world class guitar player. I don’t know how many times he’s one bluegrass guitar player of the year, but he’s played with everybody on the planet from Ricky Skaggs to everybody. You can think of and</p><p>00:32:49.080 –&gt; 00:32:57.390 Hope Surrett: I met him when I was a senior high school at Inca and got him on his first session and next thing you know he’s traveling with Ricky Skaggs but back in those days.</p><p>00:32:58.380 –&gt; 00:33:06.030 Hope Surrett: These family groups would come into record from the area and they would have myself and another musician. I’m David Johnson, who plays everything on the planet.</p><p>00:33:06.450 –&gt; 00:33:16.020 Hope Surrett: Plays every instrument. I’ve ever seen at a master level and also a humble sweet guy and I can’t tell you how many records we cut for these family bands with just myself and David</p><p>00:33:16.470 –&gt; 00:33:17.070 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.</p><p>00:33:17.280 –&gt; 00:33:29.940 Hope Surrett: Just the two of us would play all the instruments and and and it was so much fun. But over the years it morphed into an actual major bluegrass label and and we’ve had everybody from Tony rice Larry sparks.</p><p>00:33:31.380 –&gt; 00:33:39.600 Hope Surrett: You know bluegrass household names don’t last me Quicksilver balsam range Lawrence river by in the grass skulls too many to name and</p><p>00:33:39.660 –&gt; 00:33:39.930 Joseph McElroy: I looked</p><p>00:33:41.070 –&gt; 00:33:46.080 Joseph McElroy: I looked at it was pretty impressive is like, Oh my gosh, this is, this is the real deal here. Yeah, it’s</p><p>00:33:46.200 –&gt; 00:33:53.520 Hope Surrett: It’s been a wonderful thing for. I can’t believe it just hit me talking to you. Yeah, this year. Next 30 years that’s man. That’s crazy.</p><p>00:33:53.730 –&gt; 00:33:55.260 Joseph McElroy: I hate to remind you of your age.</p><p>00:33:57.480 –&gt; 00:33:59.790 Hope Surrett: Oh, I can see myself as a reminder already</p><p>00:34:02.070 –&gt; 00:34:14.160 Joseph McElroy: So you’ve experienced SO WE’RE IN THE BLUEGRASS now you’ve experienced a lot of mountain mountain. MUSIC All right. Yeah. And your marriage music here just comfortable Smoky Mountains, but you’ve traveled a lot. You’ve seen bluegrass</p><p>00:34:14.700 –&gt; 00:34:22.980 Joseph McElroy: Bluegrass has claimed it a lot of different areas. Is there anything different about the Smoky Mountain bluegrass that the make a distinctive sound.</p><p>00:34:23.520 –&gt; 00:34:34.050 Hope Surrett: I think, I think there is usually in bands from this area western North Carolina or some of them in East Tennessee on the smoke that side of the Smokies there’s an energy there.</p><p>00:34:34.740 –&gt; 00:34:51.990 Hope Surrett: That’s, that’s kind of unmistakable unmistakable. You can really feel it. And there’s also an element I think of the old time music, you know, the fiddle team kind of thing that creeps in. I know it does in our music. It creeps in quite often. And I love that stuff. You know,</p><p>00:34:53.010 –&gt; 00:34:54.930 Hope Surrett: So I do think that kind of sets.</p><p>00:34:56.040 –&gt; 00:35:03.660 Hope Surrett: People from our region apart just a little bit, it’s, it’s a difference. And of course, our accents have something to do with it, you know, with</p><p>00:35:04.680 –&gt; 00:35:10.680 Hope Surrett: With balsam range. People say, you know, the way you harmonize. Are you guys is that family harmony. And I said, No, that’s county harmony.</p><p>00:35:12.900 –&gt; 00:35:22.950 Joseph McElroy: Yeah, we did a show, you know, the couple weeks ago about the Scottish influence on mountain culture, you know, and talking about you know how the Scotch Irish came here.</p><p>00:35:23.400 –&gt; 00:35:23.760 Hope Surrett: Right.</p><p>00:35:24.000 –&gt; 00:35:35.160 Joseph McElroy: And brought a lot of tradition of that kind of music, a balance and things that when you started bringing in the banjo and stuff started morphing into this more beat driven music that’s bluegrass right</p><p>00:35:35.550 –&gt; 00:35:39.510 Hope Surrett: Right, absolutely. I mean, that Scotch Irish thing is still huge</p><p>00:35:40.620 –&gt; 00:35:46.950 Hope Surrett: You know, it’s what it’s what’s bad bill Monroe sold to start this kind of thing off in the first place, but</p><p>00:35:47.880 –&gt; 00:35:52.620 Hope Surrett: Yeah, it’s especially around here that that like that’s what I’m saying that old time droning fiddle</p><p>00:35:53.460 –&gt; 00:36:00.300 Hope Surrett: faddle team kind of thing. And every bluegrass band in the world still play some of the songs that very well came over from</p><p>00:36:00.810 –&gt; 00:36:16.290 Hope Surrett: Scotland or England or Ireland or whales or somewhere over in there and that’s why that music cross pollinate. That’s why the Irish music resonates so strongly with people like us, you know, it’s, there’s something in our blood that that that really identifies with us.</p><p>00:36:17.010 –&gt; 00:36:18.000 Joseph McElroy: You mentioned one point.</p><p>00:36:19.380 –&gt; 00:36:25.410 Joseph McElroy: You really felt that it’s like there’s a bluegrass is like it almost seems very authentic because it feels natural to you.</p><p>00:36:26.340 –&gt; 00:36:33.930 Hope Surrett: Oh yeah, I’ll tell you, for me, and we’re, you know, close to the same age. I spoke about wanting to play rock and roll. When I was a kid. And when I was a</p><p>00:36:34.440 –&gt; 00:36:47.490 Hope Surrett: high schooler radio was I mean popular radio was so good. I mean, you, you just and you’re always sentimental about what you grew up on but on pop radio, you would hear the Eagles or</p><p>00:36:47.910 –&gt; 00:37:04.650 Hope Surrett: Kansas or foreigner, or, you know, all these great thing and bands and then when the 80s rolled around, you know, the new wave thing started. And I’m not degrading anybody’s opinion that’s why there’s buttons on the radio. But for me, the, the sense era kind of</p><p>00:37:05.790 –&gt; 00:37:19.740 Hope Surrett: Lost me a little bit and I started longing for something more authentic more primitive, I guess you might say, and it drove me to back to blue grass, and in particular bill Monroe.</p><p>00:37:20.820 –&gt; 00:37:34.170 Hope Surrett: The father of bluegrass is he’s widely known. And there was something there was something they called it the high lonesome sound. There’s something, there’s something in that music I can hurt. David Letterman talk about it one time he loved bill Monroe and</p><p>00:37:36.000 –&gt; 00:37:42.810 Hope Surrett: There was something in that that really, really got to me and people like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley Stanley brothers.</p><p>00:37:43.290 –&gt; 00:37:45.150 Hope Surrett: The way they saying it was it was a</p><p>00:37:46.590 –&gt; 00:37:50.220 Hope Surrett: Had a lonesome quality to it. They had a real mountain thing about it, you know.</p><p>00:37:51.780 –&gt; 00:37:53.310 Joseph McElroy: Scotch Irish influence</p><p>00:37:54.750 –&gt; 00:37:59.730 Joseph McElroy: And immigrants much that they were always longing for home that they didn’t even know existed.</p><p>00:38:00.000 –&gt; 00:38:01.410 Hope Surrett: There’s a longing for something</p><p>00:38:02.460 –&gt; 00:38:03.720 Hope Surrett: I don’t know if you ever find it.</p><p>00:38:07.230 –&gt; 00:38:19.680 Hope Surrett: Just comes out in that sound and that’s the authenticity. And just the fact that the skill level, it takes to play bluegrass well because there’s nothing between you and the crowd, but your, your hands on the instrument and your voice. That’s all there is, you know,</p><p>00:38:20.310 –&gt; 00:38:29.310 Joseph McElroy: So there’s a lot of authentic instruments. I’m talking about handcrafted things. I know you did a producer down with Tom Tony rice called crossings that featured handcrafted</p><p>00:38:29.880 –&gt; 00:38:32.790 Joseph McElroy: Well, yeah, that building the mountains or some of it.</p><p>00:38:33.060 –&gt; 00:38:35.610 Hope Surrett: Yeah, well sure there’s there’s a</p><p>00:38:36.690 –&gt; 00:38:50.640 Hope Surrett: You know there’s there’s two or three makers of instruments like Martin guitars or gets an instruments, the banjos and Mandel ends, but there’s also a huge culture nowadays of custom, custom instruments handmade instruments.</p><p>00:38:51.930 –&gt; 00:39:06.180 Hope Surrett: That are based on some of the great instruments of the 20s, 30s, 40s of the last century. Our guitar player Caleb Smith, you should come contact him about an episode because he builds custom guitars guitars that are unbelievable.</p><p>00:39:07.650 –&gt; 00:39:18.240 Hope Surrett: And there is a big thing. You know, you got the whole dulcimer culture here. That is a cool sound that’s that’s all its own has that droning sound that are either Scotch Irish kind of thing.</p><p>00:39:19.260 –&gt; 00:39:33.360 Hope Surrett: In yeah there’s builders of instruments. I know the guy can’t hear that makes fabulous mandolin there Caleb our guitar player makes fabulous guitars 10 minutes from where I’m sitting and we know all kinds of these people around here that make their own instruments.</p><p>00:39:34.410 –&gt; 00:39:36.840 Hope Surrett: To a really high master level.</p><p>00:39:37.320 –&gt; 00:39:43.740 Joseph McElroy: Wow. So let’s talk about balsam range is now how did, how did you guys come together as a legendary band now.</p><p>00:39:43.830 –&gt; 00:39:46.800 Hope Surrett: Nah. Well, if you hang around long enough, they call you that, but</p><p>00:39:49.350 –&gt; 00:39:52.350 Hope Surrett: They call I call it a very, very happy.</p><p>00:39:54.030 –&gt; 00:40:02.520 Hope Surrett: Coincidence, basically, and I don’t believe in coincidence, all that much. It’s a joke, but all of us had been all over the country and all over the world, playing in different</p><p>00:40:03.060 –&gt; 00:40:10.170 Hope Surrett: Bands of some kind, myself in the gospel world Mark Pruitt our banjo player played with Ricky Skaggs for many years.</p><p>00:40:10.830 –&gt; 00:40:25.230 Hope Surrett: And on his albums and all the guys has been all over the place and we all ended up back in in Canton around here about the same time and we didn’t all even know each other because luckily I’ve been on the road, since I was 17, you know, and we</p><p>00:40:26.670 –&gt; 00:40:30.960 Hope Surrett: Are mandolin player dare Nicholson I RAN INTO HIM AT A physical football game. First one.</p><p>00:40:32.070 –&gt; 00:40:44.190 Hope Surrett: First one. I’ve been off the road to go to about 20 years and he stopped me at the ball game said he was going to do a solo, and he called me, Mr. Sir, he said, I’m going to do a record. I want you to play the bass on it, which I do quite often and</p><p>00:40:45.420 –&gt; 00:40:54.360 Hope Surrett: I said, Sure. Well, Mark and I ended up playing on that record great Rick and a month or two later buddy mountain our fiddle player 10 or singer who is spectacular.</p><p>00:40:56.490 –&gt; 00:41:10.440 Hope Surrett: He called Mark and wanted to do another solo bluegrass record and Mark and I ended up playing on that record. We had so much fun on those two records we mark. And I said, Let’s get these two bunches together and just jam, a little, you know,</p><p>00:41:12.450 –&gt; 00:41:24.540 Hope Surrett: So we got together in right before Christmas of oh six at Dan’s house here in Canton, and let’s just play some standards and pick a little bit, you know, and first notes went off and we were on</p><p>00:41:25.950 –&gt; 00:41:27.840 Hope Surrett: This. That sounds pretty good. You know,</p><p>00:41:28.170 –&gt; 00:41:34.320 Hope Surrett: Yeah. We jam for a couple, three hours until I tell you what, let’s get back together after Christmas, do it again, have some more fun.</p><p>00:41:35.340 –&gt; 00:41:38.610 Hope Surrett: When we did. And I was curious to see if it still sounded good, you know,</p><p>00:41:40.860 –&gt; 00:41:46.980 Hope Surrett: So we got together and oh seven in January kicked off first song, who, there it is, you know,</p><p>00:41:47.970 –&gt; 00:42:04.500 Hope Surrett: And Mark prove it was kind of the local guy for all the gigs, like my dad used to play all the corporate things and stuff. And he said, I’ve been contacted to play a show in Asheville at the growth parky and huge tourist great old beautiful place. And he said,</p><p>00:42:05.640 –&gt; 00:42:14.010 Hope Surrett: He said, You want to do it will just make up a name and go and we made up a name. And I don’t remember what it was, it was not balsam range. But we went did the show.</p><p>00:42:14.850 –&gt; 00:42:23.370 Hope Surrett: Total non bluegrass crowd of about 2500 people and they lost their minds and we we thought let’s just, you know, do this a little more. And it just kind of</p><p>00:42:23.910 –&gt; 00:42:32.070 Hope Surrett: More and more, more and more and more started playing around Asheville regularly and then broadened out and then what really hit for us was</p><p>00:42:34.770 –&gt; 00:42:42.480 Hope Surrett: We cut our first record, you know, seven and Darren or mandolin player gave a copy to a great friend of ours, but the name of Kyle Cantrell</p><p>00:42:43.110 –&gt; 00:42:55.080 Hope Surrett: He was a WB SM and Nashville for years and years. Grand Ole Opry announcer, and he was hired to be the program director for the Bluegrass channel ON SIRIUS XM and he</p><p>00:42:56.670 –&gt; 00:43:07.020 Hope Surrett: He took that CD and not knowing what to make of it played it loved it and started playing this one town and it kind of went it blew up as much as bluegrass can blow up.</p><p>00:43:10.650 –&gt; 00:43:16.410 Hope Surrett: And people started calling and book and all over the place. And here we are 14 years later, but all over the world.</p><p>00:43:16.440 –&gt; 00:43:20.160 Hope Surrett: Very thankful for that happy coincidence, man.</p><p>00:43:20.640 –&gt; 00:43:24.690 Joseph McElroy: Well, after we after we come back from this break here. Tell me how you came up with a name balsam range.</p><p>00:43:24.990 –&gt; 00:43:25.380 Hope Surrett: All right.</p><p>00:45:45.720 –&gt; 00:45:59.340 Joseph McElroy: Hi this is Joseph Franklin macro. He’s very eager to get back to you with the gateway to the to the Smokies podcasts and, I guess, Tim, sir, and balsam range. So tell me, Tim, how did you come up with that name balsam range.</p><p>00:45:59.640 –&gt; 00:46:03.990 Hope Surrett: Well, as I said, we were playing locally. Then, and that’s all we intended to do, truthfully.</p><p>00:46:05.280 –&gt; 00:46:16.290 Hope Surrett: Play around Haywood County, maybe Asheville some more and whatnot. But we started trying to find a name for a bluegrass band is tough. I tried to I suggest to DEF heifer but the rest of them wouldn’t buy that.</p><p>00:46:16.290 –&gt; 00:46:16.500 So,</p><p>00:46:19.230 –&gt; 00:46:24.060 Hope Surrett: We started looking at landmarks around the county that would, you know, we had that real Haywood County thing.</p><p>00:46:25.140 –&gt; 00:46:35.400 Hope Surrett: And we came across, we know we tried all the names around on the Parkway and whatnot, the Smokies we thought cat Lucci would never work because nobody would spell it or say it and</p><p>00:46:37.380 –&gt; 00:46:42.360 Hope Surrett: But here, up on the parkway the highest point around here is the, the great balsam range.</p><p>00:46:42.630 –&gt; 00:46:42.930 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.</p><p>00:46:42.960 –&gt; 00:46:53.970 Hope Surrett: You know those those mountains that kind of horseshoe Haywood County in Jackson County and we decided to go with that. But we thought great balsam range was a little pretentious, so we</p><p>00:46:53.970 –&gt; 00:46:54.270 Dropped</p><p>00:46:59.220 –&gt; 00:47:00.930 Joseph McElroy: The great balsam range. Yeah.</p><p>00:47:01.320 –&gt; 00:47:04.290 Hope Surrett: So we just decided to go with the pretty good balsam range and</p><p>00:47:04.290 –&gt; 00:47:06.660 Joseph McElroy: Oh favorite county boys are humble.</p><p>00:47:06.930 –&gt; 00:47:10.560 Hope Surrett: Yeah, because if you’re not the rest of the county will humble you.</p><p>00:47:12.780 –&gt; 00:47:18.900 Hope Surrett: Don’t mind at all. But that’s where it came from. We didn’t think we would ever played that far away from it that people wouldn’t know what it meant.</p><p>00:47:19.230 –&gt; 00:47:22.470 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So you’re all accomplished musicians and</p><p>00:47:24.240 –&gt; 00:47:26.670 Joseph McElroy: Singers. At some point, how do you manage that.</p><p>00:47:27.180 –&gt; 00:47:29.040 Hope Surrett: It’s fun. Man, to tell you the truth.</p><p>00:47:30.120 –&gt; 00:47:43.740 Hope Surrett: Is so much fun because he would. I think it’s fun for the audience because you don’t listen to the, you know, one guy saying every song or or the same trio sing in harmony or we can switch around a lot. And we do</p><p>00:47:44.370 –&gt; 00:47:46.530 Hope Surrett: And I think it’s more interesting to people.</p><p>00:47:48.810 –&gt; 00:47:54.630 Hope Surrett: They’re trying to figure out, well, who’s singing. Now, you know, so it’s fun for us when we’re arranging music because</p><p>00:47:55.320 –&gt; 00:48:07.200 Hope Surrett: You know, we can put different people sitting in different parts. And sometimes, you know, you can have one guessing and lead three guys singing behind him. So it opens up a lot of a lot of variety in your harmony singing it.</p><p>00:48:07.770 –&gt; 00:48:15.030 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. Imagine the drama that you guys do have in the band is an arbitrary edge is probably more like go outside for a cigarette or</p><p>00:48:16.590 –&gt; 00:48:27.090 Hope Surrett: We talk all the time, myself and Derek Nicholson cost Caleb things lead lot buddy sings Tanner, he’s got the high voice and daring enough flip a coin for the baritone part and whoever loses has to take it, you know.</p><p>00:48:29.700 –&gt; 00:48:32.340 Joseph McElroy: There you go, coming out with a simple system that’s the way to do</p><p>00:48:32.370 –&gt; 00:48:33.180 Hope Surrett: There you go. Yeah.</p><p>00:48:33.240 –&gt; 00:48:35.790 Joseph McElroy: Yeah. So what is your latest album.</p><p>00:48:37.170 –&gt; 00:48:45.870 Hope Surrett: We’ve got the latest one. We’ve had out called IANA a CEO and I see it’s pretty cool word and it did very well for us. It was number one on billboard.</p><p>00:48:46.650 –&gt; 00:48:57.120 Hope Surrett: Was a really great record force we were about two thirds of the way through a new record. And the reason why I’m finished. It’s because we can’t go play at this particular time, you know,</p><p>00:48:58.410 –&gt; 00:49:12.390 Hope Surrett: We have we’ve had two number one songs. This past year, often unfinished record and the songs, we’d never really played him in public, because you know there’s no shows at this point. So we got a new record in the in the works had a new single go out this past Friday.</p><p>00:49:12.780 –&gt; 00:49:16.380 Hope Surrett: Window, the new single. Well, I wish you asked me.</p><p>00:49:18.360 –&gt; 00:49:20.790 Hope Surrett: It’s called rivers and range and runaway trains.</p><p>00:49:20.970 –&gt; 00:49:21.600 Joseph McElroy: Oh, wow.</p><p>00:49:21.870 –&gt; 00:49:24.360 Hope Surrett: It’s the new thing, or maybe the album title, I don’t know, but</p><p>00:49:24.930 –&gt; 00:49:26.160 Joseph McElroy: Perfect country western song.</p><p>00:49:27.810 –&gt; 00:49:29.670 Hope Surrett: It’s got that longing in it, doesn’t it.</p><p>00:49:31.710 –&gt; 00:49:36.540 Hope Surrett: But yeah, we’ve we’ve we’ve been blessed. I don’t even know how many albums. We’ve that we’ve done now 10 or 11, I guess.</p><p>00:49:36.840 –&gt; 00:49:44.610 Hope Surrett: And and they’ve all done very well for us. But he was a good one, number one on billboard was a really cool thing for us.</p><p>00:49:45.270 –&gt; 00:49:48.870 Joseph McElroy: So you haven’t been able to play versus your has been treating you guys</p><p>00:49:49.080 –&gt; 00:49:55.500 Hope Surrett: Well, it’s tough on all musicians and we figured since last March, we’ve played three live shows</p><p>00:49:56.940 –&gt; 00:50:11.940 Hope Surrett: And one in Texas, one in Oklahoma and one in Ohio, and we’ve got one scheduled for the 30th and Newberry South Carolina at that at the famous Newberry Opera House. This is one of our favorite shows we do every year. So we’re just praying, it hangs in there, you know,</p><p>00:50:13.080 –&gt; 00:50:26.790 Hope Surrett: But, but, yeah, it’s been tough on ton all the musicians from the lowest of the superstars. It’s very difficult time. And we’ve tried to use that time to record more and you know kind of concentrate on that.</p><p>00:50:28.050 –&gt; 00:50:32.940 Joseph McElroy: What do you think you, what do you think you might get a tour together would be next year, or would it be</p><p>00:50:33.120 –&gt; 00:50:33.360 Well,</p><p>00:50:34.440 –&gt; 00:50:42.300 Hope Surrett: A lot of our dates that you know you book a year, two years in advance and for the latter half of the year. A lot of our dates are still there. So,</p><p>00:50:42.960 –&gt; 00:50:49.890 Hope Surrett: Just remains to be seen how many I’m staying. A lot of these dates for the early part of the first half of the year have already moved to next year so</p><p>00:50:51.690 –&gt; 00:50:54.510 Hope Surrett: I think it’s gonna be very similar to this past year, unfortunately.</p><p>00:50:54.930 –&gt; 00:50:58.290 Joseph McElroy: Do you have any dates in the Smoky Mountain area and or the New York area.</p><p>00:50:59.400 –&gt; 00:51:07.500 Hope Surrett: No, you know, some of the dates January and February and the first week of March was all we had last year and we spent a whole weekend in New York City, which was</p><p>00:51:08.070 –&gt; 00:51:18.240 Hope Surrett: One of our favorite things to do we play at the the Hilton there in Manhattan so much. It’s so much fun, man. I mean, I don’t know what to do with a hillbilly thing, you know.</p><p>00:51:18.660 –&gt; 00:51:19.980 Joseph McElroy: When, when you come up</p><p>00:51:32.310 –&gt; 00:51:32.610 Hope Surrett: Well,</p><p>00:51:35.550 –&gt; 00:51:43.110 Hope Surrett: We’ll just it just remains to be seen. We put our own Festival on every December. Yeah, like here like Juneau Alaska in the Smokies here and</p><p>00:51:43.860 –&gt; 00:51:53.310 Hope Surrett: And this was first year that we’ve had to call it off this past December, it’s so I’m really hope we can get all that back on for the latter part of the year, Lord willing,</p><p>00:51:53.700 –&gt; 00:51:57.960 Joseph McElroy: And I want to call this one is called the Smoky Mountain bluegrass festival right it was</p><p>00:51:58.020 –&gt; 00:51:59.850 Hope Surrett: Well, what’s called the balsam range art.</p><p>00:52:00.480 –&gt; 00:52:02.250 Joseph McElroy: Festival. Yeah, that’s right, yeah.</p><p>00:52:02.760 –&gt; 00:52:09.090 Hope Surrett: And it’s cool, because all the music is in student auditorium, which is a beautiful indoor facility, but you’re looking out over the lake and it’s</p><p>00:52:09.600 –&gt; 00:52:24.270 Hope Surrett: It’s got the outdoor vibe to it, but it’s all indoors and people, people come from all over the country. And we’ve had people from overseas come and because you in the Smoky Mountains in December, you can ski and the next day you can play golf. You know, you never know.</p><p>00:52:25.530 –&gt; 00:52:26.130 Joseph McElroy: Well, I’ll tell you.</p><p>00:52:27.210 –&gt; 00:52:34.680 Joseph McElroy: One thing keeps you locked in a little bit. When it gets a little bit warmer. We have a we have an open to the middle of a big old backyard.</p><p>00:52:36.210 –&gt; 00:52:39.000 Joseph McElroy: You guys goodbye just thrown out of you want to do.</p><p>00:52:40.410 –&gt; 00:52:54.090 Hope Surrett: We’ve got this show coming up on the 30th in South Carolina, and I was home yesterday and got my instruments out for the first time in a while. Just to see if my fingers bleed. You know, so we’re gonna have to get back into shape, that’s for sure.</p><p>00:52:54.810 –&gt; 00:53:00.180 Joseph McElroy: So, um, tell me you got a radio show now and you’re about to go to it after this</p><p>00:53:00.270 –&gt; 00:53:00.660 Hope Surrett: I am</p><p>00:53:02.340 –&gt; 00:53:14.700 Hope Surrett: Or six minutes. Well, you know, back in August. It was I, I was really missing the fellowship of the road and the band and the people that we play for we’ve had a strict policy at make friends not fans.</p><p>00:53:16.230 –&gt; 00:53:25.230 Hope Surrett: Kind of attitude and I was really missing the interaction with all our friends across the world. And I started thinking of some way we could get together and</p><p>00:53:26.640 –&gt; 00:53:38.760 Hope Surrett: That kind of thing. And it just came in my mind. You know what a metal radio show, and I came and I talked to my friend longtime hospital friend. You might remember Terrell Rick from Tesco lets you say my giant</p><p>00:53:38.880 –&gt; 00:53:39.330 Joseph McElroy: Yeah.</p><p>00:53:39.960 –&gt; 00:53:46.590 Hope Surrett: But he will her dad is on the little local radio station here in Haywood County, since the 70s and I, uh,</p><p>00:53:47.850 –&gt; 00:53:59.400 Hope Surrett: I called her up and I said, I’m thinking about. I’m not want to do a radio show. I don’t know. I don’t have any experience with it. She said, when you won’t start. So about 10 days later, we went on the air doing two hours of live</p><p>00:54:01.050 –&gt; 00:54:06.660 Hope Surrett: Radio doing bluegrass a classic country music and</p><p>00:54:07.380 –&gt; 00:54:11.040 Hope Surrett: Gospel and gospel as well. And it’s just kind of took off on us.</p><p>00:54:12.240 –&gt; 00:54:14.310 Joseph McElroy: Right on Tuesdays and Thursdays.</p><p>00:54:14.310 –&gt; 00:54:17.820 Hope Surrett: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm Eastern to 10</p><p>00:54:18.060 –&gt; 00:54:19.170 Joseph McElroy: And what is a radio station.</p><p>00:54:19.440 –&gt; 00:54:42.030 Hope Surrett: weta al in Canton, and it’s WP to radio.net or they have an app as well on iPhones or whatnot, or smartphone app. So we stream and it’s gone nuts on us in a good way, we’re having, you know, 1314 15,000 people every episode everywhere from Heidelberg Germany to try out Creek Montana, so</p><p>00:54:43.740 –&gt; 00:54:46.980 Hope Surrett: 10 or 1211 12,000 people in this region.</p><p>00:54:47.400 –&gt; 00:55:00.660 Joseph McElroy: Well, I appreciate you coming on taking the time to be with us. It’s been a wonderful show even though it’s glitches and I’ll let you go to get to your show and finish up here with what we’re doing what we’re doing. So thank you very much, Tim.</p><p>00:55:00.780 –&gt; 00:55:03.660 Hope Surrett: All right. Hey, my pleasure. He’s, he’s fun to do. Thanks a lot. Good.</p><p>00:55:03.960 –&gt; 00:55:14.310 Joseph McElroy: All right, bye bye. Okay, folks. Thank you for listening to gateway to the Smokies podcast I want to mention that you can find more about us@facebook.com slash</p><p>00:55:14.850 –&gt; 00:55:23.340 Joseph McElroy: Gateway to the Smokies podcast. We’re also we’re also part of this where traveler magazine network where we were actually building a</p><p>00:55:24.480 –&gt; 00:55:27.840 Joseph McElroy: Section, and we’re traveling, which is 100 year old magazine or something like that.</p><p>00:55:28.380 –&gt; 00:55:37.020 Joseph McElroy: For travel and it’s called the Great Smoky Mountains section you go find out a lot of good articles there. I’ve also got a local a website called the</p><p>00:55:37.560 –&gt; 00:55:49.830 Joseph McElroy: smokies adventure calm, where you can get listings about hiking and music and places to go in the Smoky Mountains and also find stories that will help you experience those adventures.</p><p>00:55:50.610 –&gt; 00:56:03.990 Joseph McElroy: Deeply and with a lot of people and of course I own a motel and Maggie value, North Carolina. My family 45 years. It’s a metal arc motel.com and Lark motel calm and you’re welcome to come visit us and start your</p><p>00:56:04.290 –&gt; 00:56:08.670 Joseph McElroy: Smoky Mountain adventures was where you stay and thank you very much. See you next week.</p> 861dd94f-b571-42c9-82f3-7f4c328439a1 https://redcircle.com/shows/4b5442ad-16d2-4fb7-b5b9-0330920840cb/episodes/4a6bbc0c-bd57-4a65-a236-712b0ec52608 Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:50:41 +0000 2941 no